The Sun.
London, England, 1831-02-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

am glad that the liberal part of the Press has
pointed attention to the public meeting late'y held here to
petition for Reform ; it was, indeed, a noble display of
tearless patriotism, however the hired partizans of corrup-
tion may attempt to decry its respectability. 'My principal
object in writing to so able an advocate of the popular
cause as yourself, is to inform you of the meeting held in
a private room here on Thursday last, to petition—not
against Reform in general, no, these are not times for such
an absurdity, but—to beseech the Legislature, in yielding to
the necessity of the times, to retain as much as possible of the
old leaven of corruption, to oppose innovation inch by inch,
and by conceding the principle, but at the same time
sounding an incessant alarm, to oppose the measure in
detail, and ultimately weary out the advocates of the
popular cause. This, Sir, was a meeting which would
not Lear the light of publicity. This was a petition
which could not have been carried where freedom of dis•
cussion was allowed ; and yet, according to the worthy
and respectable few who composed it, this private as-
sembly (vulgarly called a hole and corner meeting) is to
represent the opinions of this ancient and enlightened city
—to declare to England and to Europe that the Bristolians
are united in opposition to Reform, and consequently to
the sentiments of three-fourths of their fellow-countrymen.
It may be useful to inform you of what elements this fac-
tion was composed. It consisted entirely of the Blues,
who have so often returned Mr. hart Davis, and received
as their reward the disposal of all the patronage which the
stov,ed n
corruptiono this
noteddkn man of
knavery of
Minister.Governmentser In the rankshave
of the speakers were the near relation of this Government,
Mr. P. F., a gentleman who enjoys a place of 20001.
a year for his antique service of (slue. Surely these
worthy persons have good reasons for upholding the
" present order of things." But, Sir, where were the
majority of the intelligent and respectable merchants of
mh eerne ?w e
Tr eh he
ye r mw ue
rltei t uadbesse
not
.f
whom Bristol
is
p worthyro u d t?r a del's'
upright and
There is a party here stronger in intelligence and moral
influence than either of the contending factions—a party,
convinced of the necessity of a Reform which ahall cor-
rect all present abuses, and prevent their future growth,
but at the same time desirous that, in lopping off the
branches of corruption, the healthy shoots of the vene-
may be left untouched. This party would
public meeting from a fear, studiously
ir:obt I e g
tt,r utnok
the
inculcated by the Blues, that the Radicals would overpower
theui—theprivate meeting they did not attend from a very
different motive. I believe it possible that the anti-Reform
petition may obtain a majority of signatures. Once
more will the ignorant and deluded workmen be taken to
the parchment, and at the bidding of their masters be
compelled to sign they know nut what. Once more will
there be men appointed to sign for the hundreds, who
caunot write, and who would consider their inability a
blessing, did it relieve them from assenting to what their
consciences abhor. These measures, Sir, may, as in the
time of the Catholic Question, obtain a majority of signa-
tures; but the moral influence of intelligence and educa-
tion will outweigh them ; public discussion will crush
privatethe
in triguesand my native city will, I trust, approve
herself foremost champion of liberty and good govern-
ment. BRISTOLIENSIS.
Bristol, Jail. 31, 1831.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
six, you showed the accuracy of your information,
whe❑ you
,rvvtiasrn
ted i, he ra
trteeadmie)rtesdt niant Ithis tirti 1: ins do Cr
doerrn
to
counteract the important result of the Grand General
Meeting of the Bankers, Merchants, and Inhabitants of
liristoi, held at the Guildhall, to consider of the expediency
of petitioning for a Reform in Parliament. As you pre-
the promoters of this disgraceful plot were ashamed
t
them•el yes in the light of day, by asking the Mayor
pre-
dicted,
v
teldheuse of the hall, where they would have been open
to the public eye ; but they pruriently skulked into a
back Nino at the White Lion Inn, the very name of which
conveys to the inhabitants of this city ideas of the dark
ages of bigotry, intolerance, and corruption. As an
apology for the scanty attendance, their published account
repr:sents " that little or no pains were taken in calling
the a,sembly together !!" I need hardly add snore than
that the leading resolution was moved by the son-in-law
of our Member, Richard Hart Davis. Of course he de-
precated the Reform prayed for by this city, as an inno-
vation on ancient usages, ruinous " to the altars of the
Established Church and the aristocratic branch of the
Legislature," and as tending to ,‘ dissever the ties of
mutual protection and dependence that bind the higher
and lower classes together." The meaning of this is too
intelligible to be mistaken. It is, indeed, lamentable that
a Reform should he thought of which would go the length
of
Bi
se:11)a nfgreori n g
mb teing hrone
tacid
,iiutihe altar, t
ha ri
rich living
by
irnegv preventing a
an
extended care of souls, situated three hundred miles from
his diocese ; or innovations on the " ancient usages" of
the Duke of Newcastle and other " aristocratic" patrons
of boron:hti, " in doing what they will with their own ;"
and by " democratically" freeing the tradesmen and me.
chanics of onr commercial city from that blessed state of
mettga/ protection and dependence" under which they
are deprived of their bread the moment they dare vr to
contrary to the dictation of the " higher classes."
I will not occupy your valuable space by a further ac-
count of this wretched attempt to impose on the King,
the Parliament, and the public; who will well know how
to distinguish between the resolutions and petitions of such.
packed and secret meetings, and the sense of the city of
Bristol, fairly appealed to, and openly ascertained in the
regular and legitimate place, form, and manner.
1 am, Sir, your sincere admirer,
Bristol, Jan, 31, 1831. DETECTOR.