The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-14 00:00:00

LONDON, FRIDAY EVENIN6, OCTOBER 14, 1831.

nish the Political Council with copies of the resolutions,
but he hoped the meeting on Wednesday would pass off
With unanimity, mid that do persons would come forward
to dfter any faCtious Opposition to the resolutions then agreed
to be brought forward. the d,putation stated they could
not answer for the Union ; the resolutions would he laid
bofote them, and, if approved of, the Union would sup.
,
port
them, but if not, they intended to frame others, and
bring them forward at the Meeting. The deptitatiori then
retired, stating that they thought they had Much better
hive a meeting of their own on Peterloo plains, as the
Riding-school would hold nothing like the number of per-
sons that would be presents
The following wets the resolutions proposed i—
l.—That this meeting, more than ever sensible of the net'esg
city which has long existed for a Reform of Parliament, and con-
vinced th .t the passing of the Reform Bill into a law would be
iii the highest degree beneficial to the country, has learned with
deep regret, that a measure affecting solely the constitution of
the House of Commons, Mid in Which his Majesty's GOVern,
went, the people of these realms, and their representatives, had
collectively concurred, has nevertheless been unceremoniously
rejected in the House of Lords, and the just expectations of the
people disappointed by a majority of forty-one, consisting of
nineteen proxies and twenty-twin personal Votes.
IL—That Under the circumstances of anxiety and alarm in
which the.nation is placed by the refusal of the House of Lords
to concur with the other branches of the Legislature in passing
the Reform Bill, it is the duty of all good subjects to rally round
the throne, and this meeting does therefore hasten to declare its
determination to support his Majesty and the present adminis-
tration by every legal and constitutional means avowing at the
same time its undoubting confidence that his Majesty's Govern-
ment, thus supported by the great body of the British people,
will speedily be enabled to confer on the country the blessing
of Reform—a blessing to which the people of England are enti-
tled:by the Constitution, and which they do therefore claim not
as a boon to be given or withheld by a small number of inte-
rested individuals, but as the indubitable and just right of them-
selves and posterity.
lll.—That for the purpose of giving due effect to the opinion
of the inhabitants of this great town on this momentous occa-
sion, a dutiful and loyal address be presented to his Majesty,
assuring him of our devotion to his person, and of our unshaken
and unalterable determination to give to his Majesty and his
present Government, all the support in our power; and praying
his Majesty to adopt such decisive constitutional measures as
shall counteract the pernicious consequences which may result
from the rejection of the Reform Bill by the House of Lords,—
secure its passing into a law,-...and thus preserve the peace and
welfare of the country.

IV.—That the folloiving address be adopted by this meeting
and presented to his Majesty :
" TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

"THE LOYAL AND DUTIFUL ADDRESS ON THE
INHABITANTS OF MANCHESTER, IN THE COUNTY
PALATINE OF LANCASTER.

R MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,—We your Ma-
jesty's loyal and dutiful subjects, the inhabitants of 111anchester,
approach your Majesty in the state of anxiety and alarm into
which the nation has been thrown by the ejection of the Re-
form Bill by the House of Lords,' to express our devoted attach-
ment to your Royal Person, and our unshaken and unalterable
determination to support your Majesty's present Government,
by every legal and constitutional means. It is to your Majesty,
as the constitutional protector of your people from injury and
oppression, that the nation now looks to avert the baneful effects
which will inevitably result from the rejection of the Reform
Bill ; and it is with full confidence in the paternal disposition of
your Majesty to exercise your prerogative for the welfare of your
people, that we implore your Majesty to take such decisive con-
stitutional measures as shall ensure the passing of the Reform.
Bill, and thus preserve the peace and secure the welfare of the
British dominions.

.‘ Deign Sire, to receive our assurance that such an exertion
of your Royal Prerogative will cause you to reign in the hearts
of a grateful people, and carry down your name to the remotest
time as a Prince who, by emancipating himself and his subjects
from the domination of a small number of interested individuals,
has justly deserved to be regarded as the Father of his Country."
V.—That this meeting cannot separate without expressing
its gratitude to his Majesty's Ministers for having brought for-
ward the Reform Bill, and its admiration in particular of Earl
Grey, whose consistent, honourable, and patriotic conduct, has,
in the opinion of this meeting, deserved the most unqualified ap-
probation, and justly entitled his Lordship to the continued con-
fidence of his Sovereign, and to the esteem and veneration of
all classes of his countrymen.

The streets were exceedingly thronged on the morning
of the meetirg. Great bodies of the operatives congregated
in the streets from an early hour, forming arrangements
for the meeting. Flags and banners were flying in the
air, bearing the inscriptions of " Annual Parliaments,"
" Vote by Ballot," " Universal Suffrage," &c. ; and the
prevailing opinion was, that the resolutions brought for-
ward at the meeting of the requisitionists for the
adoption of the great meeting would meet with opposition,
not from any decided difference of opinion as regards the
Bill, but merely through a petty mean spirit of rivalry,
which the members of the Operative Political Council en-
tertain towards the new political body ; the latter consist-
ing of members who are for the 7-resent satisfied with the
measure proposed by his Majesty's Ministers, as one eaten-
! tted to work well for all classes of society, ulti-
mately or immediately—and the former advocates for
the immediate grant of universal suffrage, vote by bal-
lot, and annual Parliaments ; in fact, persons who
form the old Political Counsel, forty of whom conduct
the political business of that Union, are staunch supporters
of the Patriot Hunt, who has led them astray from their
own interests, by telling them that the Bill was never likely
to work good for them. The leading men in this Political
Council are operatives, who possess tolerable natural abili-
ties, but whose disposition appears to be not of the best kind;
the levelling system they seem more to advocate than a ra-
tional and practical system of Reform. The other Union
consists of men who wish to benefit their country by an
unqualified support of the measure of his Majesty's Minis-
ters, and also advocates for the vote by ballot, though not
being desirous of pressing too much on the Ministerti at
once. For the reason above stated, the Old Union came to
the determination of proposing resolutions at the public
meetings, formed by themselves in council, as amendments
upon those resolved upon at the meeting of requisitionists.

PUBLIC MEETING IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL.
Previous to the doors being opene I to the public, a
number of the requisitionists were assembled on the tem-
porary hustings which had been erected for the occasion.
The object was to discuss the necessity of an adjournment
into the open air, which it was expected would be moved
by a party connected with the Political Unions of Man-
chester. It was very broadly asserted that the municipal
officers who had called the meeting would, under the cir-
cumstances of the question of adjournment being carried,
take no further part in the proceedings. It seemed to be
the feeling of the requisitionists as a body that an ad-
journment would not be politic, though several of them
held the opinion that the voice of the meeting must be
adhered to. At eleven o'clock, the time appointed f di the
meeting, the doors were opened, and the Riding-school,
which was capable of holding about 5,000 people, was
soon nearly full, and a very great crowd remained on the
outside. Several flags and banners were displayed. The
moment the place began to the cries of " Adjourn into
the open air" became incessant, and a large nutnhrr of
people rushed forward to get possession of the hustings ;
but they were speedily repressed, and with some little dif-
ficulty order was partially restored. The foremost among
the adjournment party were Messrs. Curran, Brooks,
and Broadhurst, who are leaders of the ex:reme radi.
cal, or Hunt party. It being known that this party
meant to move amendments on the resolutions prepared
by the Committee, a conversation ensued respecting the
policy of such a proceeding, but without making the
slightest effect upon them.
At the time appointed for taking the Chair, JAMES
Bun; Esq., Boroughrerve, was unmimously called
to the Chair. After some little interruption, aris-
ing out of the general desire fur an adjournment, lie
proceeded to read the requisition, and formally to open
the meeting, but was much interrupted by the noise.
110 said that it was necessary he should oprn tl.e meeting
regularly, therefore, he begged their attention, as after be
had done this it would be competent for any person to
make such motions as he might think expedient. It was
totally impossible to conduct the proceedings if strict order
was not kept.
Several gentlemen interfered to preserve order, particu-
larly Mr. Baxter, who said that such conduct as was sheen
there was disgraceful. The people, in their haste fur ad-
journment, did not seem as if they would hear any Wily
speak. Mr. Baxter continued, such conduct was most dis-
graceful, mast inconsistent. He begged they would hear
the Boroughreeve, and allow hint to open the meeting.
The BoßoonntrEnvE then read the requisition, and said
that he had one word to say to the meeting. He did not
request their attention to himself as an individual, but he
did entreat them as a municipal officer of the town, who
had acceded to their wishes in convening the meeting, that
they would pay that proper deference which the office he
held was entitled to. He would with pleasure listen to any
gentleman who had anything to urge to the meeting,
that
came within the range of the objects for which the meeting
was called, to whatever class of society he belonged, whe-
ther high or low, and he did crave that they also would
give attention to every speaker, however humble he
might be : and as the meeting was called for a specific
purpose, he hoped the speakers would in their speeches not
wander from their purpose as they did on a late occasion ;
aid as they were met to address the King, that in what
they uttered, anal in the resolutions that they proposed, the
sentiments would be couched that dutiful, affectionate,

and respectful language, which was due to a firm, gooei
and patriotic King.—(Loud cheers:)
A gentleman of the nathe of Pirai said that as the build-
ing they were in was quite crammed full, . and as many
thinisands were ()aside who could not gain aumittece, ,
dmi as he hour of twelve was fast approaching, when the
working classes (liiho were principally interested in the
meeting) would be leaving the 4 en:'ploy, and Who con-
sequently would wish to take a part in the proceedings of
the day, he considered it his duty, under these circutn-
stanCes, tti mate a adjournment into the open air, either
to Campfield or St. Peteesteid.-(Loud cheers and cries
of " Adjourn.")
Mr. BnooKs said be would second the motion for an
adjournment, as there were hundreds outside the building,
who had every right to be consulted upon any resolution
that might be proposed, for their approllation or their re-
jection. He hoped the g. ntlemen who bad called the
meeting would not oppose this motion, as from the im-
portant nature of the proceedings, and the number of per-
sons interested in them, it was uttttly impossible that the
sense of the town could be taken in that room; therefore,
he moskeurdially seconded the motion for adjournmeni.—
(Londtheers.)
Mr. BAxTEtt rose amid considerable uproar, and with
some difficulty obtained a hearing. Ile said having been
indu'ged with a hearing by them before, he chimed that
they would extend the same favour to him again. The
Chairman hall in convening that meeting appointed it to
take place in the room in which they were then assembled,
under a conviction that it would contain as many persons
as could, under any circumstances, hear what was said by
the different speakers; and he, for his part, was
convinced that a greater number of persons were then
present than could possibly hear in the open air.—(Load
cries of " No, no ;" and very general hooting.)
The BOROUGHREEVE then came forward, and was mak-
ing some observations respecting a difference of opinion
that existed as to the policy of adjournment, when a very
considerable uproar ensued, and moat vehement cries for
an adjournment, which was considerably heightened by a
large body of men forcing their way through the people,
bearing three flags, containing the following mottos,
" The King, his Ministers, and Reform ;" " W. R., de-
, vice a Crown ;" and " Vote by Ballot."
As soon as something approaching to order had been
obtained (for the Huntites seem disposed to any thing ra-
ther than total quietness),
Mr. BitarDLEY, one of the constables, came forward
and said, that as the Boroughreeve, who bad called tile
meeting, and had been called to the chair, cou'd not ob-
tain a hearing, he felt it a duty be owed himself to with-
draw from the chair.

Th;s announcement produced " confusion worse than
confounded," and the hooting and hissing was of the most
tremendous description, in the intervals of which,
Mr. BROOKS, one of the Political Union Party, said if
the Boroughreeve did not think fit to preside at a meeting
of his townsmen, he was happy to inform the meeting
that they would be able to find a respectable gentleman
who would.—(Lotid cheers.)
Mr. J. C. DYER said they had a gentleman who was
as ardently devoted to the great cause of Reform as any
man in the empire, who would take the chair of the meet-
ing, if they would adjourn to Cimptield.—(Loud cries of
" To Peterloo.")
The Boroughreeve then vacated the chair, and, with
his colleagues, left the Riding-school, and a written placard
was then exhibited by a gentleman, on which was the
following inscription—" Adjourn to Campfield, Mr.
Phillips in the chair."—(Cries of " No, no, Mr. Potter
for our chairman.") The whole mass then rushed out of
the place and proceeded for Campfield. On arriving at the
ground, we found it nearly filled with the populace, and
only a single cart for the hustings, on which were mounted
Mr. Thomas Potter and other gentlemen, and several
leaders of the Political Unions in Manchester with flags.
It was then understood that waggons had been sent for by
Grimes, from the old Quay Company, and daring the
interval a number of gentlemen formed a circle in the rear
of St. Matthew's church, exactly facing the hustings be-
fore mentioned. In a short time three or four carts ar-
rived, and, with the aid of a number of planks, a tolerable
stage was formed, upon which Messrs. Shuttleworth,
Baxter, and many other leading characters, immediately
mounted ; the gentlemen of the Press also availed them-
selves of the favourable opportunity and were snugly en-
sconced behind the principal spokesmen, when the people
found themselves aggrieved with this regulation, and sun-
dry calls were made by each party to remove the other.
Both appeared determined not to budge, till at length an
immense crowd came rushing from the bottom, or, if we
may be allowed the term, the radical hustings, and, with-
out ceremony, pulled the stays from under the carts.
This hod the desired effect, and a speedy unlodg-
ing was the immediate consequence, and it was
not until a full half-hour had elapsed before any thing like
order was restored. Many of the reporters were by this
movement thrown completely out, and were never after-
wards ab'e to obtain any thing like a tolerable situation for
hearing. Several of the carts, on taking up the new ground,
were upset, and the persons who fancied themselves se-
cure of a front situation were thrown amongst the crowd ;
indeed such was the confusion that prevailed during the
whole of the meeting, that it was utterly impossible to
hear what the speakers said, except when an occasional
calm was occasioned by the stentorian's taking breathing
time. At this period there were not less than 100,000
persons present.
Business commenced a little before twelve o'clock, by
Mr. G. IL WINDER propdsing that Thomas Potter, Esq.
take the chair.
This being seconded by Mr. NIGHTINGALE, was carried
amidst tremendous cheering.
Mr. POTTER briefly opened the business of the day,
beggingmeeting to conduct themselves orderly and
temperately,
as they were met upon a momentous occasion.
the
He recommended the different speakers to confine them-
selves
„trial), to the question before them ; and entreated
them not to wander into extraneous matter ; he wished
every (ale to have a fair hearing, and trusted to the good
sense of the meeting to support him in the discharge of his
arduous duty, which be was determined to do faithfully
and itnpartially ; after again exhorting every person pre-
sent to exert himself to preserve order, the worthy Chair-
man concluded by saying that Mr. Heywood (brother to
the county Member,) would move the first resolution.
Mr. HEYWOOD, brother to W. B. S., Heywood, EN.,
M.P., in moving the first resolution, spoke in so low a
tone of voice, that it was with difficulty we could catch
what he said. We understood him to say that he met
them under circumstances the most extraordinary, such as
could not have been anticipated some months since; for
lie could not but consider the recent conduct of the House
of Peers towards the Reform Bill was most extraordinary.
What had the Peers done in reference to that Bill, which
had been adopted by the House of Commons, welcomed
dry the people, and approved by the King ; it bad been most
unrighteously and most unceremoniously rejected by the
House of Peers. They were, then, most imperatively
called upon, in consequence of this conduct—this usage to-
wards the people—to take such steps as would legally and
constitutionally demonstrate to the country and to the
King the intense feeling of indignation prevalent in conse-
quence of this blasting of the hopes of the nation, this re-
jectionof its prayer for a restitution of civil rights. He
was rejoiced to see that the people were sensibly alive at
the treatment they had received in the rejection of the Re-
form Bill, and that their feelings, though of the firmest
and most determined description, were such as were per-
fectly compatible with the great object they had in view—
namely, a peaceable, legal, and constitutional Reform ; and
he besought them, under the disastrous circumstances in
which that Bill had been rejected, not to either flag in
their determination to have the Reform it promised, nor yet
to be driven into any courses which would militate against
the safety of the measure itself, but to be stimulated to
still greater exertions, and if they neither gave way to
despondency or passion, they were sure ultimately to be
victors in the field of constitutional freedom.—(Cheers.)
Mr. SHUTTLEVVORTH came forward to second the first
resolution. After some prefatory advice as to the best
course to be. adopted by the meeting to preserve regularity
in their proceedings, he proceeded to say that lie congratu-
lated the immense assembly he saw before him, not less
than 100,000 people, with being met on the great ques-
tion of Reform on the field they then occupied. Be
was old enough to recollect, and so were many others
then present, that 35
years ago the_
field
on which they
were then assembled was the scene on which many of their
parents took part, his own among time number, on the
same question that now agitated the country from one
extremity to the other ; in which they recorded their opi-
nion on the necessity of a Reform in the Commons
House of Parliament, and, in doing so, were; driven