The Sun.
London, England, 1838-01-23 00:00:00

prevalent than before. From a useful little work published
by the Working Men's Associetion, with whom Mr. Jorden
was connected, it appeared that nine borough, with a popula-
tion of 2,411, among thenl were Harwich, Thetford, Chip-
penham, Totnes, Knaresborough, &c. returned twenty Mem-
bers to Parliament ; while ten other boroughs, including the
metropolitan districts, Liverpool, and Bristol, with a popula-
tion of 86,072, returned an equal number of representatives.
.',lr. Jordan and his friends did not think household tuffrage went
Gar enough. With respect to the definition Of the term h Univer-
sal Suffrage," it had been accurately stated by Sir S. Whalley,
hat although they advocated affirmatively the adoption of
Household Suffrage, it was not a negative consequence that
hey were opposed at a future time to the further exten-
sion of Hear, hear. ) By the term Household Suf-
fraae, they meant the extension of the franchise to every
one who had an interest and fixed place of residence in
a parish, and who, by residence on the spot, is necessarily
acquainted with the merits of the candidates who are proposed
to him for selection, but they were not prepared to include
eithin the meaning of the term that large class who were per.
petually moving, and had no local habitation in the country.—
( Hear, hear.) It had been suggested by a Noble Loid who
enjoyed the confidence of the country, Lord Brougham—
( Cheers)—that an education test would be a proper sub-
stitute for what was called Universal Suffrage. lie was inclined
to agree with the Noble Lord in opinion, provided the person so
qualified had a fixed residence, which in his opinion was indispen-
sable. He hoped, however, the question of Universal Suffrage
would not be pressed at present, as it would only have the
'ffcct of creating disunion amongst Reformers.—( Hear. )
With these few observations he would conclude by proposing
the resolution.

Mr. SODEN seconded the resolution. He was sure that the
meeting, would he convinced the enfranchising clauses of
the Reform Bill ought to be altered. Was it right
that the people should be disfranchised, when the
parochial authorities had the power to take their beds from
under them without their consent, for the very taxes
which ought to give them representation ? He seconded the
resolution because he was convinced if it was carried the best
result would ensue.—( Cheers.) In his opinion the obtaining
Household Suffrage was one step on the road to obtaining
Universal Suffrage._( Cheers. )
Mr. JORDAN then came forward to propose his amendment ;
on the principle that short reckonings made long friends he
.vas for Universal Suffrage. Mr. Jordan then put his
amendment.

Mr. VINCENT rose to second the amendment. He was op-
posed to Household Suffrage, because it was not a principle
which could be defended by either reason or argument. He
was the advocate for Universal Suffrage, because he was sick
of the plea of expediency, continually put before the people.
He had come forward on the present occasion to grapple with
the question of Household Suffrage, to meet what he con-
ceived the timidity of some men, and the non-acquaintance
with principle on the part of others, and to demonstrate
that there was no great principle on which they ought to corn-
t,ine, but that which should give to every man ill the country
those just and legitimate rights to which he was entitled by
the laws which he was called on to pay. They have asked to
combine for Household Suffrage—why should they do this?
tie supposed it would be said they would get Household Suf-
frage sooner than they would get Universal Suffrage, and that
the people were not yet sufficiently intelligent. But were they
more likely to get Household Suffrage than Universal Suffrage?
—(No, no.) He said emphatically, ." No." They might go
on saying yes and no for ever, but let them come at once to
the argument. They had powerful opponents to any change
in the Constitution of the country—they had the monied inte-
terests in the House of Commons, who were most deterrni-
irately opposed to it. Even the men who had led on the
people in the cause of Reform, deserted them when that had
been attained, because reform had gone far enough for them.
These men passed the Irish Coercion Bill—the infamous Bas.
tile system._.( Cries of " question," and much interruption.)
The CHAIRMAN hoped the speaker would confine himself to
the business of the day.
Mr. VINCENT resumed—He contended that he was
confining himself as closely as possible to the business
of the day, and he wished to show them, that if they were
anxious to bring about any change in the Constitution,
they must unite and combine for a definite purpose, which
could not be shaken by any argument. He presumed he was
not out of order when he alluded to Lord John Russell, that
great champion of Reform, who it was clear would as
strenuously oppose any proposition for Household Suffrage
ss he would that for Universal Suffrage.—(Hear, hear.)
Lord John was opposed to an extension of the Suffrage—so
was Sir Robert Peel—so was every dishonest man in the
Mouse.—( Cheers and laughter.) Universal Suffrage would
meet with no more opposition than Household Suffrage, with
the difference that the latter would not have the support of the
great body of the people. He had been a missionary amongst
the working classes in the North and West, and he could as-
sure the Meeting that the people could not be moved unless
the standard of democracy was raised.—( Hear, hear.) It was
said that the working classes not being householders were not
sufficiently intelligent.—( Hear and a laugh.) But when the
taxman came to the householder, did he ask him if he had
any brains ?—(A laugh, and a cry of " Yes, in his pocket.")
The effect of Household Suffrage would be to enfranchise a
great bodye space, in the
mueh
sseparated agriculturalartfrom each
other,
and m were
scattrconsequently less enlightened than the mechanics in the
i,rge towns, who would form a useful counterpoise to the
HOusehold Sufrage. Ho believed that no state could
ed overo f
a people‘v
wide
a
be secure which was not based upon intelligence, probity,
moral worth.—( Hear.) But it was not the fault of the
people that they were not enlightened. It was the fault of
an oppressive and corrupt Government. It had been urged,
in the meeting to-day, that they should be united. That was
the cry of the Whigs always, when they wanted to betray the
Radicals. They used it at Hull ; and they manoeuvred until
Colonel Thompson and Mr. Hutt were thrown out, and two
Tories were elected. He was opposed to the Ballot as a
measure by itself, and unless it were accompanied by Univer-
sal Suffrage. Even in the fiction called the " Constitution,"
the Commons were recognised as well as the Queen and the
Lords. But where were the Commons in fact to be found ?
Only in the hard-working people of England.—( Hear.) That
House at present was powerful for evil, and impotent for
Cheers.) It could pass Coercion Bills for Ireland_
Acts as transported the Dorchester labourers, and it
and such
a merciless war against their brethren in Ca-
nada--( Vehement cheering)—but, until the great body ofsthe
people were represented it would never effect any good. Mr.
Vincent concluded, amidst very great cheering, by calling on
the
meeting to vote for Universal Suffrage.
,fr. BARNES, amidst great interruption, with mingled cheers
and laughter, supported the amendment, and expressed himself
opposed to the Ballot. He said that he had supported Mr.
Hall as an independent gentleman, and without fee or reward.
and laughing, to which at length Mr. Barnes gave
r
[Here a tremendous uproar commenced, with yelling,
not until the Chairman had put it to the vote
whether he should be heard or not, and the proposition was
negatived by a large majority-
The CitatrimaN then put the question on the amendment (in
favour. of Universal Suffrage) and then upon the original re-
solution (Household Suffrage), when the former was carried
way; but
amidst tumultuous applause.
A RATE-PAVER said that he understood that to be a meeting
of rate-payers, and person: had voted who were not such.—
(Groans and hiss". )
Colonel THOMPSON was received with great applause.
He appeared not as a wandering orator, but as a resident
householder, Ile had to speak upon a subject, on which he
vhaeta,rd:
he ei p
iexaded staves, mounted with the figure of the Virgin,
er intal knowledge. That was a parochial meeting,
might be allowed to refer to parish affairs ; and he
was glad to se© the insignia of parochial authority
around hint—(alluding to the beadles with their sit-
pra pariah.)
theyan hd.
did)e
expressed
Ifpwr
ee
slals
en
bdt man and
wisht
h that
t tiot
would woman
eo uml camedarhrai
cy
debeforebetter
ludofh
ishotorha ie
dftai
e s and
so six months sooner. —( A laugh.)
Thus it should be said to the Whigs, that although it was
very honest to declare their opinions after the elections were
over, but it would have been much more honest if they
had done so six months before the elections.—(Cheers and
tthh
parishewould
m bb
ffel theytlom'
Laughter.) If they had done so, in how many of the great
tow us would they have succeeded ?—(Cries of " None.)
He cautioned the people of England against imitating the
people of Byzantium, who were engaged in a dispute about
the Trinity, ,when the enemy was at their gates. The people
had now " the enemy at their gates." He believed that they
were in imminent danger. In the House of Commons his
(Colonel Thompson's) blood was sought by that party
which had not dared to call for it, for all his conduct against
them since the French revolution in 1830, and who
would not dare to make that call now, but that they had
a cat's paw Ministry.—(llear, hear. hear.) Nothing
was more dangerous than a Ministry which would act as the
tool of a party which was screened from all responsibility.—
licar• ) The Gallant Colonel at .considerablo length stated
his opinions in favour of the Ballot and Universal Suffrage,
and concluded by moving the third resolution :
" That, for the purpose of having a more efficient and sa-
lutary controul over the representation of the country, this
Meeting a is of opinion that no Parliament should be elected
for a longer period than three years."
Mr. NELMES seconded the resolution.
After Mr, BRAIN and Dr. WEen had addressed the meeting
in favour of the resolution, it was carried unanimously.
It was also resolved that petitions founded on the resolutions
should be presented to both Houses of Parliaoaent—that to
the Lords by Lord Brougham, and that to the Commons by
the Members for the Borough s and further that the resolutions
be published in T 1 $4474, Morning Chronicle, Times—( Dis-
approlotion), and Morning Advertiser newspapers,
tE'hanks were then voted with great applause to Dr. Har-
rison for his eonclut in the chair.
The CHAIRMAN briefly acknowledged the compliment paid
him by his fellow parishioners, and the meeting separated at
five o clock, having first given three tremendous, resan2,3 of
chereing for their " slifferinu bi:etlac.;\ in Jituada."

Queen wilirAcra— Privy Council this afternoon, at the
New palace,