The Sun.
London, England, 1831-10-17 00:00:00

D ONCA S TER.

Abridged from the Second Edition of the Doncaster Gazette
of Friday.)

A public meeting of the inhabitants of Doncaster and the
neighbourhood was held this day (Friday) at the Town-hall, for
the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of ad-
dressing the King on the Lords' rejection of the Reform Bill,
to request him to continue the services of his present Ministers,
and to use his own prerogative to insure the ultimate passing of
the Reform Bill ; and also to take into consideration the pro-
priety of presenting an address to Earl Grey and his Majesty's
Ministers, expressive of a grateful approval of their high-
minded and noble exertions in the cause of the people. As
might have been anticipated, judging from the numerously
signed requisition, the Hall was completely crowded, and the
utmost unanimity pervaded the meeting.
On the motion of Sir W. B. COOKE, Bart., seconded by Mr.
J. W. CHILDERS, the Chair was taken by
G. HOLMES, Esq. (the Mayor).

Sir WILLIAM COOKE—Mr. Mayor and gentlemen,—
We behold 19)9 Peers arrayed against their Sovereign, a large
majority of the Aristocracy, the Members of the House of
Commons, and the people.—(Cheers.) Good gracious ! was
there ever such an act of insanity, as that 199 Peers, without
any party to support them, should attempt to overthrow the
other orders of the state ? Ido earnestly beseech those 199
Peers, to read, mark, learn, and Inwardly digest the signs of
the times; and to yield before it be too late. Gentlemen,—l, ,
and several of those around me, attended the county meeting
at York, on Wednesday last. Nothing could be more gratifying
than the whole proceedings of that meeting. Lord Milton, a,
well as all the county Members, except Sir John Johnstone,
who was detained in London by his Parliamentary business,
attended this meeting. They told us that the majority of the
Commons had determined—resolutely determined to support
his Majesty and his Ministers.—(Hear, and cheers.) They
were determined to exercise all their constitutional powers to
carry this Reform Bill.—(Cheers.) They told us that Lord
Grey had determined Rot to desert the people, and I feel con-
fident that the people will not desert him.—(Loud cheers.)
They also informed us that the renowned 199 were so divided
and distracted among themselves, that Lord Wharncliffe was
compelled to abandon his promised measure of Reform.—
(Hear, hear, hear.) Lord Morpeth made an appeal to the
people, in that chaste, that classical, and that beau-
tiful language, for which he is so much distinguished,
(and which appears to be perfectly natural to him,)
exhorting the people to be firm, but moderate ; patient, perse-
vering, and peaceable. Such an appeal, if made to this meet-
ing, would be uncalled for and unnecessary.—(Loud cheers.) Sir
William concluded by proposing the first resolution.
Mr. T. WRIGHTSON, in seconding the motion, said, I
must confess I had not anticipated the rejection of this Bill by
the House of Lords. I had hoped that whatever might be the

opinions they entertained, they would have considered the opi_

Mons of the intelligent mass of the people, and have given way.
I must confess too, that thepart which the Church took on that
. - . .

debate did surprise me.—(Hear, hear.) I had thought that the
ministers of a religion which enjoins sanctity, would not have
stood the foremost and first in defending a system, of which
bribery and perjury are such striking features.—(Loud applause.)
hadl thought
not have
wvohtiedch
as forbidsthey
drunkenness
have done, in defence of a system of Government, which, more
as thata heinous the
crime, ministers
would
o of
a
than any other in Europe, or the world, is characterised in its
elections by drunkenness.—(Hear, hear.) That most impor-
tant part of the question which we are now met to discuss is
this—are the people of England to call upon his Majesty to neu-
tralise the opposition of the House of Lords by a fresh creation
of Peers ? I must confess I feel a strong reluctance to such it
measure ; but if the two Houses of Parliament cannot be
brought to agree by any other means, then I would let his Ma-
jesty create Peers to whatever number may be necessary.—
(Loud applause.) What, are Peers to be created for having
done dirty jobs, and are they never to be created to carry one
good measure ?--(Hear, hear)—to oppress the country and ;ie.
ver to uphold the people's liberties ?—(Hear, hear.) I beg to
second the resolution.
The resolution was then put by the Chairman, and agreed to
unanimously, amidst loud cheering.
Mr. Alderman BRANSON moved the second resolution.
Mr. J. WALBANKE CHILDERS was received with laud
cheers. The resolution which I have to second expresses a
feeling of loyalty and approbation, and of high admiration of
his Majesty; and I am sure, on this point, our hearts are so
full, that no words of mine can add to the enthusiasm which

you all feel for King William.—(Cheers.) I believe, that when
the 199, on Saturday morning, gave their votes for the rejection
of the Bill, they dreamed that they were again to return to
their old places. It was indeed a dream!—(Loud cheers.) The
Ministers, relying on the King and the people, knew better.
They said, we know the people—we rely on the people—and we
will never forsake our posts, And we will tell them, gentle-

men, that they are not deceived. We have nailed our colours
to the mast, and there is nothing that shall take them down till
we are cut to pieces.—(Continued cheering.) Modification is
talked of; but we will never suffer any modification--any modi-
fication that shall touch the sacred principles of the BilL These
sacred principles, in my mind, rest in schedule A, the disfran.

chising schedule—schedule B, the half disfranchising one; and
in the 101. householders. Sir R. Peel, the great leader of their
party, may propose to come forward half way, to recommend
some modification. But I would tell Sir Robert Peel, that
much as we respect him in many points, we do not regard him
as a Statesman.—(Loud applause.) Would a great Statesman,
after twenty years of his life stating that the polar star of his
conduct was the rejection of the Catholic claims—after perse-
vering in this for twenty years, would a great statesman in twenty"

minutes have changed his opinion ?-_(Hear.) Sir Robert Peel
(I think we can judge from his conduct) has seen the necessity
of a Reform in some degree or other. But we will hear of no
modification—no modification of the essential principles of the
Bill.—(Cheers.)

Mr. G. PARKER moved the third resolution,
The Rev. J. I'LATTS was received with much applause.
He said, we have a glorious King—a Reforming King: he will
stand fast to his people, he will stand fast to his Ministers ; and,
as has been justly observed, this measure is only postponed—it
must and will be carried. The Lord Chancellor has declared
that the Bill will be carried if not exactly the same in words
yet equally efficient, without any modification ; arta I have
no doubt that it will speedily be carried.—(Mtk-h cheering.;—
Be persevering, firm, calm, and quil=t , show that you are
veterans, true-born Englishmen, worthy of the franchise
which this Bill will give to many of you.—(Loutl applause.!
It is certainly a pretty clear case, that the Bill is lost by the
votes of the Bishops.—(Hear.) If they had voted fo the. Bill,
there would have been a majority, not of one, but of 41X. I
have something more to say on this point, r,tid I am extremely
sorry for it. It is credibly asserted (I wish It may prove to be
false) that the Ministers had, strong reasons to suppose that the
the Ministers uere so delicate as not to put the direct question ;
Bench of Bishops would have voted for the Bill. It is said that
yet, that some of the Bishops, in private conversation, had
spoken in favour of the Bill, and that others had insinuated that
olflo,Oriadtt,ol dus,,ih)essoa•,hkwefnhoeritlthhteiel
erAreesrtc.;;hasbhiesrleitioapsso I
consideredo ftoc.elttpeerc.
they would remain neutral, and that others had given a pro_
miss that they would vote feu the Rill. The Ministers did not
o
bhtl
irteyba,irsnsotv':e.'f.odrilliioegtin,edirl'lt,ih:ateisiiipfloieared as an en
calculate on having them, as a body, their enemies, in assistiop
els-•—(Continued cheering.'
The Bishops have, certainty, a right to vote as they think
proper; but, then, ezudence, discretion, moderation, and pe.
hey, oug4t lo be considered. Do not the 13islaops receive their
onoluments from the people ? I ar,p .4.rsain, by
t? church, than theirall its
conduct,
enemies
they have done more injury
put together.—(ch
~,,CP's.) it is said the church is in danger;
but, it is not in danger, except from those who neglect its duties
and violate its principles. (After some further remarks, in
AllUblOn to the church, the R C
ev, CIIIIM.4I.4I.)Ceeded.) I trust

we shall never meet again en such an occasion as this ; but,
!!],t the next time we meet, it will be a day of ti iumph, to re_
}Dice for the passing of the Bill—the second Magna Cliarta of
the rights of the freemen of England.—(Cheers.) The spirit of
Reform is the life and. soul of the British nation. All those
who have shone in the pages of history, or have been animated
by a spirit of Reform—all the Noble characters on historic re-
cord have been animated by a spirit of Reform. It was ti e
spirit of Reform that animated and gave energy to Chatham
and Fox; and which now does to Grey, Russell, Brougham,
and others. The spirit of Reform has made this nation what it
is ; and the spirit of Reform must save this nation—(Cheers. )
and then

" It will be great, glorious, and free---
First flower of the earth, first gem of the sea."---(Applause.,
Mr. C. WIGH A3I moved the fourth resolution, which was
seconded by Mr. T. WALKER.
Mr. Alderman SHEPPARD moved that the resolutions be
inserted in the Doncaster Gazette.

Mr. T. B. MASON, in seconding the last resolution , ob-
served, the 199 Peers (to use an expression now almost forgot_
ten) thought to have Burked the BilL Thank Heaven, it was
too strong for them. The passing of the Bill depends on the
exertions of the people; and I need scarcely add—persevere, be
firm, united, be prudent, discreet, and peaceable.—(Cheers.)
Four cheers were then proposed for King William, whi; li
were enthusiastically given, and again repeated ; after whic h
the meeting dispersed.

GLOUCESTER.
(From the Gloucester Journal.)
The intelligence of the rejection of the Reform Bill by the
House of Lords reached this city on Saturday evening, and the
announcement of the majority against it created at first great
consternation amongst the Reformers here. No decided display
of public indignation took place for some days, the people seem-
ing to be stunned rather than excited by the issue. On Thurs-
day evening s muffled peal of bells was rung for several hours,
and at night a figure dressed up as one of the highest dignitaries
of the church was paraded about, and finally burnt amidst the
cheers of the populace at Littleworth.
Yesterday a very numerous and highly respectable meeting of
the freemen and inhabitants of this city was held at the Shire-
hall, fur the purpose of addressing his Majesty respecting the
Reform Bill. The MAYOR was unanimously called to the Chair.
Mr. PARKER, in moving the resolutions for an address to be
presented to his Majesty, observed that it ought to be recollected
that the House of Lords, who had rejected the Reform Bill, was
composed not only of many Noblemen who were themsclvs
personally interested in the boroughs that were to be disfran-
chised, but also of Noblemen who are men inveterate in their
prejudices. It was of the highest importance that the measur r f
Reform should be carried, and he need not say that any thing
short of the principles of the Reform Bill neither would nor
ought to satisfy the country.

Mr. PHI LLPOTTS", concurring, as he did, in every sentiment
contained in the resolutions, and feeling, as he did, not only the
propriety, but the absolute necessity of Reform, was most happy
to second the resolutions. AU history showed that the House of
Lords had always been obliged to give way. Was it to be en.
dured that 199 Peers should controul the wishes of the people,
from whom all legitimate power arose ? He would be one of the
first to resist any thing derogatory to the dignity of the House of
Lords. However, with respect to one branch of the House of
Lords, be meant the Spiritual Barons, he would say that they are
men entitled to our highest respect ; but still, however great his
respect for them was in spiritual matters, when he saw Bishops
coining forward to intermeddle in politics, he did think that they
were out of their places.---(Loud cheering.)
Mr. Alderman D. M. WALKER proposed the address.
Mr. CARTER seconded the address.

Mr. HEANE considered the measure of Reform not as a thing
that related to the present generation only, but as one which
would affect succeeding ages.
Mr. PIIILLPOTTS proposed that the address should be pre-
sented by Lord Segrave and the Members for the city, and that
a copy of the resolutions should be signed by the Mayor, and sent
to Lords Grey and Althorp.
Mr. Alderman D. M. NN ALKER seconded this resolution.
Mr. FRANCILLON stated, that it had been his misfortune to
have resided for some years in several of the worst of the rotten
boroughs, and he had there seen perjury committed, and indeed
almost every crime that would disgrace human nature. He had
resided for four years in the borough of Rye, and had done a
great deal towards the emanci),ating of that borough, and puttin
the right of voting into the hands of the inhabitants.
The Mayor having left the chair, Mr. PARKER moved, and
Mr. Pntttrorrs seconded, a resolution of thanks to him for hav-
ing so promptly convened the meeting, and for his conduct in
the 6tair.

Three cheers were given for Reform, and the meeting sepa-
rated, a band of music, which was in attendance, striking up the
National Anthem. The utmost enthusiasm and unanimity per-
vaded the meeting.
Mr. Phillootts, we believe, is brother to the Bishop of Exeter.