The Sun.
London, England, 1836-01-29 00:00:00

GRAND DINNER of the REFORMERS
OF BIRMINGHAM.

(From the Second Edition of the Morning Advertiser.)
Yesterday the Reformers of Birmingham dined together
hi the Town Hall. The tables, which occupied the hod)
of the building and the side galleries, were calculated to ac-
commodate nearly one thousand persons, and lone- before
the hour appointed for the dinner were completery filled.
The front of the exterior of the Hall in Paradise-street, was
brilliantly illuminated, the word " Reform " being embla-
zoned in variegated lamps, and extending across the pillars.
The interior arrangements were of a very splendid and
tasteful description. Immediately over the Chair, in the
organ-gallery, was suspended the Royal Standard, sup-
ported on each side by the Union Jack, and extending to
either end were the flags of all the free nations—America,
Spain, Belgium, and Poland—her freedom being deemed
certain ; flags of blue, green, white, and scarlet, were sus-
pended from the pilasters around the building, interspersed
with leaves of laurel and evergreen—the whole presenting
a very brilliant and animated effect.
At half-past four o'clock, Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P.,
Thomas Attwood, Esq., M.P., Joseph Scholefield, Esq.,
M.P., Sir G. Chetevynd, M.P., Villiers, Esq., M.P.,
the Mayors of Coventry, Warwick, Worcester, Leicester,
Walsall, and a number of other gentlemen, entered the
room, and were very warmly received. Much disappoint-
ment was evinced at the non-arrival of Mr. O'Connell,
but it was understood that he would reach Bi'mningham
about five o'clock. The Chair was taken by G. F. Muntz,
Esq., supported on either side by the Members for the
town.
When the cloth was removed, and Non Nobis sung by
the professional gentlemen present,
The CHAIRMAN said they were met there to celebrate
the great principle of Reform, and in celebrating it they
could not do better than drink the health of the King.—
(Cheers.) That King had done a great deal for Reform,
and allowances should be made for him, surrounded as he
was by a Tory Court, coming into power with a Tory
Ministry, and having principally a Tory family.—(Hear,
hear.) Considering those things, and the difficult situa-
tion in which the King was placed, they would perceive
how much they ought to thank him for what he had done.
They should also think of what he had not done, for they
wanted much more, and they should have it.
" The King, and may God guide and bless him."—Air
" God save the King."—(Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN said they had drank the health of the
King in all his power ; they would now drink those who
gave him that power, and who would maintain it for him
so long as he conducted it to their interest and their good.
—(Cheers.)
" The People ; may they ever maintain their rights and
fulfil their duties."—Air---" God save Old England."
The CHAIRMAN observed that the King had done much
for them ; but in the course of nature be must be called
from them, and great were the hopes that were placed upon
the person now expected to be his successor. It was said
that the Princess Victoria had been brought up by a liberal
and enlightened mother, and they all knew what a mother
could do for her child. What they might expect should
that hope be disappointed, he would not say ; the one would
be a blessing to England—be need not say what the other
would be.—(Hear.) He hoped his Majesty would live
long, but when he was called from them, he hoped they
should have as his successor, " The Princess Victoria, the
hope of her country."—(Applause.) The Chairman, after
alluding to the manner in which the present Ministry had
been dismissed, without fault or trial, congratulated them
on havinr, by their exertions, recalled those men to office,
and thereby defeated the machinations of the Tories.—
(Cheers.)
" Lord Melbourne and the rest of his Majesty's Mi-
nisters."
The CHAIRMAN then said, that he had before stated
they had met there in the furtherance of the cause of
Reform, and as that was the case, they could not do better
than consider that there were other Reformers in all parts
of England, and that the aid of all was necessary to work
out the advantages to be desired from the Reform Bill,
which were only commencing. They could not, therefore,
do better than drink " The Reformers of the United King-
dom, and may they never forget that Union was strength."
—(Loud cheers.)
Sir GEORGE CHETVYND returned thanks, and observed
that he had been very unexpectedly called on to do so.
lie would, however, make a few observations on the toast.
He must confess to the Chairman, and to the very nume-
rous assembly before him, that he had undeniably been
born and bred in the Tory school—(Hear)—and the ques-
tion might therefore be naturally put to him, as it had
been on a former occasion, as to what was the reason why
and when he had become so stanch a Reformer as he was ?
—(Hear, bear.) The answer to this was very simply
given ; it was that he became one when he became a mem-
ber of the unreformed Parliament.—(Hear and cheers.)
When he saw Government night after night, bringing for-
ward measures which he felt himself quite unable to sup-
port, and for the purpose of keeping a certain class of men

in power, more out of regard to themselves than for the
benefit of the country—when he beard the debates on the
estimates of the country, and the details on them of his
Hon. Friend, the Member for Middlesex—(Cheers)—then
he had become a Reformer, and he now hailed with plea-
sure the presence of the Hon. Gentleman he had alluded
to, and he appealed to him if he had not on every occasion
given his support to all those measures suggested by him,
for the lessening of the burthens of the country ; and when
the ()Teat and important measure of the Reform Bill was
introduced, there was no one, high or low, hailed it with
more pleasure—(Cheers)—and he again appealed to his
Hon. Friend, whether he had not done his utmost, both in
and out of Parliament; to support that measure, and the
principle on which it was based—(Cheers)—but although
it had been carried, much still remained to be done ; it was
only the means—the end was still to be achieved. It was
said that the Reformers were revolutionists, but he took

this public opportunity of disclaiming revolutionary prin-
ciples—this was the clap-trap of the Conservatives, who
were, in fact, the old Tories.—( Hear, and laughter.) This
was what they frightened their friends with, and more espe-
cially the ladies.—(Hear.) A great impression had been
made by them with this clap-trap, and a person a short
time since said to him (Sir G. Chetwynd), that if lie at-
tended this meeting, he would proclaim himself a revolu-
tionist ; but he said that he would attend it to prove that
he was not a revolutionist.----(Cheers.) Sir George then
alluded to the reforms that were still requisite, in order to
support and sustain that Constitution which Sir R. Peel
had declared was the principle of Conservatives, but
to maintain which every person present was equally
anxious. He was glad to see education spreading, for in
riving knowledge to the people they gave them power.
Much was still to be done ; Municipal Reform was imper-
fect. Would any man say they should not have a reform
in the Church, and do away with pluralities and non-resi-
dents ? They must also have a speedy abolition of church-
rates, and have equal civil rights, and sonic change in the
Upper House. He was aware that this was a delicate sub-
ject ; but why should a man be allowed to vote by proxy on
a question of the discussion of which he knew nothing. The
Hon. Baronet then alluded to the remarks that might be
made as to his wish to be returned as the Representative
of the Northern division of the county ; but he had no such
wish—he did not desire to take the laurels from the brow
of his friend, Captain Gregory, whose return he had as-
sisted in procuring by all the means in his power. He then
concluded by proposing the health of their Chairman, which
was drunk with loud cheers.

The CHAIRMAN returned thanks, and remarked that be
had been misrepresented in a Tory local paper ; he had
been made to call the Tories reptiles at their late meeting ;
he had never used such a term ; for much as he differed
from them, they had a right to hold their opinions as well as
others, and there was some ,respectable individuals among
them. He was also charged with alternately supporting
Whig, Tory, and Radical ; this he denied in toto ; he
held political consistency in the highest regard—he only
asked credit for political honesty, and where any man op-
posed or supported different parties, as he thought them
worthy of it, it proved him to be honest. Nothing more
had taken place regarding him, except what.was grossly
personal, but the Tories assumed the right of abusing their
opponents as they pleased; for look to the conduct of the

tories in every case, and even at their last dinner in Bir-
mingham—they said that all that was respectable there was
Present ; but he denied this, because if it were true, the re-
spectable class was very small in Birmingham, and where
were all those who were now in the room ?—(Cheers.)
But the praise of the Tories was disgrace, and their abuse
a compliment. He concluded by thanking them for the
compliment paid him, and by proposing- the " Ladies of
England," which was drank with loud cheers, and three
times three.—(Some little disturbance took place here,
from the misconduct of a person in the gallery, but was put
down in a few moments ; we believe it proceeded from a
lurking Conservative who had procured admission there.)
The CHAIRMAN next said that they had talked a great
deal on Reform, but had not done much. Their position
regarding the Tories was derived from the care they had
bestowed at the last election.—(Hear.) They would re-
collect that they had a meeting then to select Members for
Birmingham in this Hall. It was said that their Members
had been called on by them to pledge themselves to oppose
the Tories in everything ; this was not the case, for he was
one of those who had waited on their two Members, and
the only pledge they were called on to make was, to aid in
taking all from the Tories that was useful to them, and to
oppose them generally. If they had been pledged to more
be (the Chairman) would have quitted the concern.—
(Hear.) They had only to look to the votes of their Re-
presentatives for the last Session to see that they had done
they had always their duty, and that been in their places.—
(Cheers.) He concluded by proposing the Members of the
borough.—(Loud and continued cheers.)

Mr. SCHOLEFIELD said, in returning thanks, that he
would not be guilty of the bad taste of detaining them long
from hearing thpse who had come from a distance to be pre-
sent there—he could be deficient, however, if he failed to
thank them for the magnanimous support they had always
given him.—(Hear, hear, hear.) He had been asked in
London, had he not a difficult task to please the people of
Birmingham ?—but he had answered that it was no such
thing, as he had only to pursue an honest, independent
course to please them.—(Cheers.) He called on them to
contrast the situation of Birmingham now with what it had
been in the year 1791, when the cry of Church and King,
which meant fire and faggot, was raised, and when Birming-
ham was in the power altogether of Toryism. In allusion
to the period to which he had referred, the Tories had
issued forth to destroy the houses of God, under the pre-
tence of religion, although they Apew little of the matter,
as one individual, when asked why he broke the windows of
another for " Church and King," and being asked what that
meant, answered, " I'm d—d if I know,"—so it was with
the Tories of Birmingham ; and when he repeated the
names of Ryan, Russell, and Taylor, and other men who
had suffered in those dark days, the present bright period
was the more cheering.—(Cheers.) Look also to the
conduct of the people of Birmingham when they had met
in thousands at the time of the agitation of the Reform Bill?
How much that spoke for them ; for even when their
largest meetings had been held, there had not been more cases
of disorder at police offices than upon ordinary occa,
Look also to the last elections, when the people had w.
over the course ; despite the obnoxious way in which
Tory candidate had been held, there had not been eve
window broken.—(Cheers.) It was said that a re-ai
had taken place—so there had, and, as the Hon. Bai
near him said, the Tories would ruethe day when they
them the example which had assembled the present ml
ing. No doubt in regard to this re-action there wet
great many lawyers who were afraid that the people m)
obtain cheap law ; there were glso the boys of Oxford
Cambridge, who were fearful that they should be comp
to work for themselves, having lost the good things of
old system—(cheers)—but a Tory Political Union had
established, and had the impudence to say that Politica,
Unions were dangerous ; but in his opinion the Conserva-
tive Association was the most dangerous that could exist,
and it was therefore the part of the people to be united,
and if they were true to themselves they need not fear, any
association, Tory or Orange, for they would prosper as long
as they were honest and deserved it.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. ATTWOOD said that he thanked them sincerely for
the honour done him—he did not say unworthy honour,
because he had done his duty honestly and fearlessly. He
thought it his duty to support the Government of Lord
Melbourne last Session, and he wished to God he could
have done so to the liberal Government that preceded it—
(Hear)—but, on the contrary, he felt bound utterly to op-
pose it in every way, although he had the deepest reverence
for the distinguished Nobleman at the head of it ; but he
had produced the Irish Coercion Bill, and incarcerated the
Dorchester labourers.—[Here Mr. O'Connell entered the

room, and was received with the loudest applause, which
lasted several minutes.] Mr. Attwood continued to say,
that he knew his excellent friend, Mr. O'Connell, would
appear that day, and he had done so when he was about to
speak of him and his country.—(Hear.) It was said that
there was a compact between that gentleman and the Noble
Lord at the head of his Majesty's Government ; there was
no such thing ; there was no compact, no deed of sale ; it
was for Tories to be concerned in such dirty work.—(Hear.)
It was said by a patriotic Irishman that there was a com-
pact ; but this was not one whereby each promised to sacri-
fice so much as the other. No, it was a compact for the
general good by honest men, and when the shepherds of
the people found that a door was open, of which they
could avail themselves for the benefit of the people, they
knew the wicked thoughts and murderous sentiments
occupying the minds of the Tories—they felt themselves
within doors and the Tories without—and they accord-
ingly coalesced for the general good. Mr. Attwood then
alluded to the difficulties the Whig Ministers had to
war against. They had, however, brought forward good
measures, the Corporation Bill, the Irish Church Bill,
and they would be followed by others as beneficial. He
then contrasted this with the period of Tory rule, and
the evils which would have resulted from it if the people
had not exerted themselves. In allusion to the compact
between Mr. O'Connell and the Government, it was merely
such an one as is made when the wolf enter the fold. And
he himself had seen Sir Robert Peel break into the fold.—
(Hear.) They all agreed that the first duty they had to
perform was to break down the common enemy. He then
alluded to the foreign policy of the Tories and its injurious
tendency. Unless, however, there was union among the
people there would be a return of these evils. He then
briefly alluded to the state of Ireland, and concluded by
saying that they could count upon his integrity through the
rest of his life.—(Cheers.) There was no disunion be-
tween the liberal of all nations—there were present that
day three officers of the French army. Mr. Attwood then
proposed " Colonel Culmann and the Officers of the French
Army, and Union between the Nations."—(Checrs.)
Thanks were returned by one of the French officers in
his native language. He regretted that he was unable to
return thanks in any language but his native one ; but he
expressed his gratification at the honour that had been con-
ferred upon him and his nation.—(Cheers.) He enlarged
upon the blessings of liberty, which aided the civilization
and commerce of every nation. The hatred which was
thought to exist between the two countries was not between
the people, but their Governments.(Loud cheers.)
Mr. MuNTz, jun., said that his French friend wished to
drink " The People of England."—(Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN said that they again returned to the
topic of Reform, but where would it be without the Reform
Members of Parliament ? Where would Reform be with-
out them? He would give them " Mr. Hume."—(Loud
and continued applause.) " Mr. Hume, and the other libe-
ral and patriotic Members and distinguished visitors who
have this day honoured us with their presence,". was then
drunk with loud applause.

Mr. HUME said he could assure them that no man was
more sensible of the honour conferred on him than he
was—he wanted words to express it. When he
saw the unanimity that prevailed among them all, he
was repaid for coming among them. Nothing gave him
greater satisfaction than the reception given to his friend
the Member for Dublin.—(Cheers.) It was an answer
to all the calumnies against him, and there should not
be a man in that assembly who should not hail him as
the stout advocate of liberty.—(Cheers.) This day was an
important one. England had been ruled by a tyrannical
order, but they bad now to thank public opinion that it
was not so.—(Cheers.) This was an occasion which made
the ruled acquainted with their rulers.—(Hear, hear.)
There were men who feared and. dreaded this—but would
such revolutions as have taken place in other countries
have taken place, if such opportunities as the present had
been afforded of mingling all classes together, and the bold
expression of opinion.—(Cheers.) An Hon. Baronet near
him had alluded to past times, and he owed it in justice to
him to say, that in those times—and he spoke it as one who
had watched the workings of the system—he received the
support of his single vote, for they had not then the majo-
rities they now had. The present was an important crisis,
whether fraught with good or evil ; but lie did not speak
despairingly, when he looked back to the time when any
effort at Reform was supported with 30 or 40 votes ; but
they ought to be on the watch against the efforts of the
faction to stop the current of Reform. This was no new
effort of theirs ; for from the time he exposed the system of
sinecures and pensions, he was designated a revolutionist,
and was exposed to be hunted down if they could do so.—
(Cheers.) If any man was designated a reckless revolu-
tionist who would throw away the interests of the country,
he was that man ; but had be no stake in the country for
himself, or his children in the country ? Oh, but4he Tories
saw that he was working a real revolution, and stopping
the current of public money into their pockets, and he
would have done more if he could ; but, please God,
they would do more.—(Loud cheers.)
The Honourable
Baronet near him had gone into Parliament ignorant of
what the Tories were ; but when he understood them, he
became a Reformer, and from his connection with him, he
believed him to be still so.—(Cheers.) It was said he
troubled himself with pounds, shillings, and pence ; but all
the trouble formerly taken by the House of Commons was
to put them into the pockets of the Tories. He would tell
them what their enemies meant to do. When he proposed
the reform of the Church, not only of Ireland but
England, he was called an Atheist. Such had been and
is. He would call their attention to a letter which appeared
a few days ago in the Chronicle, from the Rev. Josh. King,
asking if the Whigs meant to take away his salary to pay
the unpaid ?—( Hear.) All of the class were Joshua
Kings—it was all a war for the loaves and fishes, and what
should be a most useful class was made the contrary by it.
He had been bred in Scotland, where the clergy were mo-
derately but sufficiently paid, and the establishment pros-
pered ; but let it be shown where he had encouraged licen-
tiousness, and he would admit he bad something to answer.
(Loud cheers.) His maxim was unity, and his efforts during
the last Session had been in the House of Commons to
promote it ; when he saw the enemies in the camp, his col-
leagues assisted, and they had succeeded.—(Cheers.) Sir
R. Peel trusted to the divisions among the Radicals ; he
thought that Joseph Hume and Daniel O'Connell could
never agree, but he judged of them by himself.—(Cheers.)
The doctrine of unity was one he had to preach to them
—all that was wanted was union, determination, and pru-
dence, and the cause of the people would be successful.—
(Cheers, and cries of `°Hear.") He did not fear more for
this session than the last. The silent stream of Reform
was gliding on, and the Tories knew it.—(Hear, hear.)
Great reductions had taken place in the expenditure of the
country, but they were not to understand they had gone
half far enough ; but Reform was progressing, and it was