The Sun.
London, England, 1849-04-12 00:00:00

its interference in Wakefield, Leeds, or. Manchester.
How, then, do you think that in Downing-street they
can govern the people of New Zealand and Australia?
Before they can exchange communications, ten to one
the object of those communications will have passed
away. It is utterly absurd, and it is impossible for the
interest of the colonies, with the inalienable right of
Englishmen and the rights of our own interests, that
they should be kept in a state of pupilage any longer.
If the colonists require our soldiers as a police they
must pay for it; they must pay every farthing required
for their own defence and their own government; nor
would they grumble to do so if they only gave them
self-government. No doubt I hear Lord John Russell
meets Sir William Molesworth on this subject with
an objection which, with all deference and respect,
has shown me more than anything else that Lord
John is not quite equal to the position in which be is
placed. I refer to the puerile levity with which he
treated those profound arguments and most carefully col-
lected facts which Sir William Molesworth and others
brought forward on this subject. He s iid twice since,
.4 You want something totally different from me ; you
want to dismember the empire; you want to make this
great united empire a smaller empire by getting rid of
your colonies one by one. You are going the right way
to accomplish your object." Is it right to treat this
question in such a spirit? What is free trade for, if it
be not carried out to its legitimate ends? There are
some statesmen of our days wha think the only object
of the Reform Bill or the abolition of the corn-laws was
to place them in power—(Cheers)—and that when once
in power they are to remain there. The country is to be
satisfied that they are there. They console them-
selves with tkie belief that the country wants nothing but
that they shall be there, and they are utterly incom-
petent, or what is the same thing in effect, they are
unwilling to carry out legitimately those principles by
which they have acquired power, and of which they pro-
fessed to be the champions.—(Cheers.) Our colonies
are subjected to an enormous expenditure in order that
Government may exercise the patronage. We have five
colonial governors, and a Governor in our North Ameri-
can colonies, with salaries amounting to 17,0001. a year,
while the United States, with tbirty governors, paid only
14,3001., our colonies having a population of 2,000,000,
and the United States 20,000,000.—(Cheers.) The last
appointment made by the United States was of a Gover-
ner of California, with a salary of 600/. ; our last ap-
pointment was the Governor of Labuan, with 2,0001.
a year. The Hon. Gentleman then urged at great length
the necessity of greatly reducing our armaments, insist-
ing on the policy of arbitration instead of war. He also
urged the formation of a convention between England,
and France, and America, to prevent the indefinite in-
crease of our naval force, and concluded an eloquent
speech by calling on his friends to attend to the regis-
tration, as the best means of carrying out their pacific
economical views. He sat down amidst loud cheering.

The CHAIRMAN proposed, " The seventy-eight sup-
porters of Mr. Cobden's motion in favour of financial re-
form, and may the public expenditure be speedily adapted
to the circumstances of a heavily burdened people.
Mr. J. G. MARSHALL, M.P., responded. He said,
after the able and exhaustive speech of their Hon. Mem-
ber, it would not become him to address them at much
length; but, although he should speak shortly, he hoped
he would not be found wanting in their estimation in
the cause in which they were embarked. He felt proud
at the welcome they had given to their new represents.
tile. He had pleasure in bearing his testimony to the
sentiments expressed by Mr. Cobden, and had perfect
confidence, as he believed they all had, in his carrying
out those views with which he was associated. With
respect to financial reform, it was clear that they would
have to fight the great battle inch by inch ; once getting
a large slice, they would go again a second time. He
had no doubt that in bringing forward such a measure
as Mr. Cobden hud done he had laid himself open to
many attacks, but, having given it his best attention, he
could not find that anything objectionable was embodied
in:it. There was great room for a very large reduction
in the army and navy. Having had the honour of taking
a part with Mr. Cobden in his financial reform move-
ment, he hoped to go on with him.—(Loud cheers.)
Mr. S. SOLLY, of Sheffield, proposed the next resolu-
tion, which was in favour of international arbitration, as
calculated to supersede that unchristian appeal to the
sword in the settlement of our national disputes. He
was sure if that sentiment were adopted it would be felt
as a great national boon. He was happy that Mr. Cob-
den :had made such a decided stand for financial re-
form, and hoped that it would meet with that support
which it so justly claimed at their hands.—(Cheers.)
Mr. Alderman J. MICKLETHWAIrE, of Wakefield, in
a short speech, proposed the health of Mr. Bright, the
champion of civil and religious freedom.—(Cheers.)
Mr. BRIGHT, in taking a respective view of English
politics, observed, that the last Tory banquet of any
importance which was held in that room was in 1841.
The Whigs, as such, had not met at any great public
dinner for twelve years past, but the last time they
were heard of was when they assembled at Greenwich
or some such place, to eat whitebait, or at Brooke's,
which they still kept up the delusion of calling the "
Club." He contrasted those gatherings with the great
and enthusiastic meeting of that day and those assem-
blies which they had lately held in the adjoining counties.
Worn-out principles; he said, the people of England
were about to brush away, and with them a great deal
of that which had been previously looked upon through
nursery prejudices with reverence and awe. Ho exult-
ingly spoke of the triumphs of free trade and its teachings
to the people, and warmly advocated, at great length,
the three great principles asserted by Mr. Cobden.
Mr. FORSTER, of Bradford, then proposed the next
toast, for " an Extension of the Basis of Representation."
Colonel THOMPSON, in a warm and spirited address,
responded to the prcposal of his health, which was en•
thusiastically received. _

" The total Repeal of the Navigation Laws" was pro,
posed by Alderman CAantrrr, of Leeds, in a speech o
some length.

Seven, other toasts were given and responded to amid
mach enthusiasm; and after three cheers for the chair-
man, Mr. George Wilson, and the League,
The meeting dispersed about a quarter before eleven
o'clock.