The Sun.
London, England, 1831-07-21 00:00:00

REFORM DINNER.

Yesterday the statue of Major Cartwright, of
which we have already given a favourable notice,
was erected in Burton-crescent, and in the afternoon
a dinner, attended by between 500 and 600 persons,
was given at White Conduit-house, Pentonville, to
commemorate the efforts of that persevering Re-
former, to obtain for the people a full and fair repre-
sentation in the Commons House of Parliament.
Mr. HUME took the chair, supported by Sir F.
Burdett, Mr. O'Connell, and other Members of Par-
liament. The Hon. Chairman successively proposed
the following toasts:—" The People, the only source
of legitimate power."—" The King, we bear him
the loyalty of lovers of liberty."—" The memory
of him whom we have met to celebrate this day, that
virtuous Reformer, Major Cartwright, the firm, con-
sistent, and persevering advocate of universal suffrage,
equal representation, vote by ballot, and annual
Parliament P." The great cause,—good and cheap
Government." The Hon. Chairman said, that he
saw no impropriety in proposing " The People," as
the first toast. He did, indeed, con'ider that it

ought to have the precedence of all other toasts,
because the wealth and prosperity of any country
depended upon the industry and talents of the large
mass of the population.—(Cheers.) He was satisfied
that every rightly-reasoning man must come to
the conclusion that the chief object of all govern-
ment ought to be to promote and secure the happi-
ness of the greater number.—(Cheers.) The King
was the executive magistrate of the country ; but he
regretted that many persons considered a King as a
person possessing almost magical powers. The
slightest attention to the history of this country
would show, that the King was not to be con-
sidered as above all coutroul. He was chosen E,y the
people to discharge certain functions, which the
well-being of the State required to be performed.
With respect to William IV., nobody could deny
that he had conducted himself in a manner perfectly
in unison with the feelings of the people.—(Loud
applause.) The Hon. Chairman then called the at-
tention of the meeting to the public conduct of the
late Major Cartwright, and characterised him as an
honest, disinterested advocate of Reform, and a
virtuous and humane member of society.—(Ap-
plause.) He said that Major Cartwright became
convinced at an early age of the necessity of Reform,
in consequence of the following declaration, which
he heard made by the Noble proprietor of Lyme
Regis to the independent electors of that place :
" I have bought you all, and by I will sell you
all."—(Hear, hear.)
The toasts proposed by the Chairman were re-
ceived with loud cheers.

Sir F. BURDETT proposed " The freedom of na-
tions, brothers of the same great family, we are
equally interested in the happiness of all."—(Ap-
plause.) He said he had great satisfaction in pro-
posing this toast, because he entirely concurred in
the sentiment conveyed by it.—(Hear, hear.) The
independence of one nation could not be overturned
without affecting the independence of another; and
the triumph of liberty in France had assisted the
triumph of liberty in this country.—(Hear, hear.)
There was a contest now carrying on in Europe,
which was not regarded with indifference by the
people of England; he meant the glorious struggle
which the brave and magnanimous people of Poland
were making for the recovery of their freedom.—
(Loud cheers.) He thought that notwithstanding
the embarrassments in which this comm./ was placed
by the effects of the boroughtnongering system,
now happily about to be destroyed for ever, the Go-
vernment would be warranted in wisely and pru-
dently taking measures to secure the independence
of the brave but unfortunate people of Poland, who
were at the present moment fighting in the cause of
all free nations.—(Cheers.) The Hon. Baronet
also advocated the expediency of establishing an in-
timate intercourse with France ; for he thought
that Euelani and Fiance united might set the world
at defiance.
Mr. O'CONNELL proposed the following toast :
withid theth a t th
"Belgium, may she escape unscathed through the
wholefurnace p ofeo ptlheeoflzllyglaAndlliance. i
sympathized
Bel-
gians, but he regretted that a portion of the public
press had endeavoured to misrepresent the conduct
and conceal the wrongs of that nation._(Hear.)
The Hon. and Learned Gentleman sat down amidst
much applause, after pointing out at considerable
length the injuries which he stated Belgium had re-
ceivod at the bands of the King of Holland.
51r. HUNT next presented himself to the meet-
n
Pres-
ton, however, continued to occupy for nearly an hour
meet-
ing; but it is impossible to give an adequate idea
fpoera racof
immediatelythe uproar r
eaantde
d.
ih
confusion, Novnh.. ch
Memberhi
s appearance

the position which he had tiler) upon the top of one
of the tables, though scarcely a word he addressed
to the meeting was allowed to be heard. He con-
cluded what we suppose must have been a very long
speech, by proposing some toast respecting the
Press, a great portion of which he declared to be
corrupt. _ .

Colonel JONES (the Vice-President) complained
that Mr. Hunt had taken upon himself to propo;e a
bast, which the Committee of Management had
placed in the hands of Mr. Wooler.—(Hear.)
Mr. HUMS said, "that he had had handed the toast
to Mr. Hunt, not being aware that Mr. Wooler was
in the room.

Order having been r,stored, " Vote by ballot,"
" The United States," and other toasts were drunk.
About half.past nine o'clock, Mr. Hume and the
other Members of Parliament departed to attend
!heir duty in the House of Commons ; but the meet-
ing continued together for some time afterwards.

top of one
addreiied

He con-
very long
eting the
red to be

omplained
propoie a
!ment had
.ar.)

I the toast
Woofer was

)3, ballot,"
ere drunk.
le and the
to attend
t the meet-
wards.