The Sun.
London, England, 1840-03-12 00:00:00

forward firmly and nobly in the cause of liberty, tinguished guest, with his, characteristic manli-
both civil and religious. I will say that they ness, has designated, as history will desist-
have done much by their upright and noble conduct to nate him, a great man, I have been commissioned,
produce those great effects which we are now Cole which I consider no ordinary distinction, to propose to
brating. lam a firm friend to our mixed constitution, you a toast, which I think that will consider with me
you
and I fully believe that the safety of that mixed one as most apposite to this conspicuous gathering
constitution mainly depends upon the character, power, of his fellow-citizens round one, whom I may call the
and influence of those who in the House of Lords Nestor of Reform.—(Cheers.) That toast is this,
sustain Liberal principles.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) " Equal laws and equal justice through all parts of the
I would be an apostate to the cause of truth—a British empire." For more than half a hundred
traitor to the cause of civil and religious liberty, years George Byng has, of equal laws and equal
if I (Ed not, mention the greatest statesman that justice throughout all parts of the British empire, been
ever stood forward in the day —in the the inflexible advocate.—(Loud cheers.) He devoted
hour of difficulty—when danger was threatened to civil himself to the accomplishment of that noble principle
freedom, and religious freedom was about to be for ever which regarded the British Constitution as one vast
thrown down.—( Loud cheers.) I know it comes home level, which denounced all sectarian and all provincial
to the breast of every human being who hears me, I distinctions, and which has all the advantages of which
when I speak of such a man who came for- British citizenship is susceptible, and which regards the
ward so strenuously for the liberty of con- professor of every creed, horn in these our glorious
science and of religion—of him who maintained that islands, as equal and noble participators.—(Loud
it was a desecration of the first law of God to punish a cheering.) You have been told that he united him-
man for his religious belief—(Loud cheering )__or self at a period, now, indeed, remote, with that band
what was not a lesser crime, but a baser one, of virtuous statesmen, of whom Charles Fox was the
to seduce a man by worldly advantages to de- leader—of those men who contended with obstacles
part from his belief. So long as the pages of his- which none but themselves thought they could sur-
tory contain a memorial of the occurrences of the last mount, but who never faltered in their devoted ad-
forty years, the people, the conscientious people of herence to that principle I have ventured to proclaim
England, must owe the greatest, the deepest, the to you. As was well observed by himself, "in the ulti.
most everlasting debt of gratitude.—(Loud cheers.) mate triumph of truth they had an unshaken faith."—
Besides that Noble Lord, whom you all know without (Cheers.) They followed it through the desert as a
my naming him—(Cheers)—there are others of the pillar of light, and although they themselves did not
highest rank, of the greatest power and influence in the reach the land of promise, from a point of great moral
State, all equally anxious in the same cause.—(Cheers.) elevation they beheld it from afar with an assurance
You have already been addressed by one of the first that it would be reached by those—(Loud cheers)—
Dukes in the land,_( Loud cheers.) He has given that the land of promise would be reached by those
you his own sentiments—but thank God they (although they themselves were not destined te. attain
are not his sentiments alone—they are the sentiments it) who had committed themselves to their guidance,
of the house of Russell—(Cheers)—which have descend- and had them through the dreary tract to lead the way.
ed to them from generation to generation, and are —(Loud cheers.) Fox and Grattan, and Whitbread
shared by his Noble Kinsman who has just left you, Lord and Rontilly are gone—they did not live to see what
Russell—(Cheers)—thee Noble Lord the Secretary they anticipated with so just a confidence, and which
of State, who is the prop and stay of Liberal principles, they so ardently desired ; but they left them one who
I speak not of the past. If I might dare to give ut- co-operated in their labours, and shared in their achieve-
terance to my own feelings, I might allude to the loss ments.—(Cheers.) To survive the friends of our
which we have experienced. I dare say you know youth, and the companions of our manhood—to walk
all, that death has deprived us of a Member of that through Westminster Abbey, and see so many
House, whose merits were most transcendent—whose graves in which the dust of the great and good
firmness was unequalled—and whose honour was associates of one's early life is gathered, is ac-
sayunspotted—(Great cheering)—of whom you will companied by feelings in which mournfulness can-
with me, that the noble stand which not but be intermingled ; but that melancholy
re made for the people in,all cases of difficulty, raised sentiment is more than countervailed by the console-
/or him a monument more listing than marble.—(Great tory consciousness that our illustrious guest has wit-
cheering.) One word more, and I have done.—( nerousNo, nessed that which their ge hoes anticipate—
", and cheers.) We are met to celebrate the consis- (Loud cheers.) Yes, old and venerable man, itd was
tency of Mr. Byng in the support of liberal principles, worth while to live so long—it was worth while
and to glorify the great results which have been derived to live to see the victory of freedom, to seo
from these principles. In the House of Lords there is one the discomfiture of abuses—to see the triumph of sa-
whose exertions in carrying out those results are never cred right—to see, above all, the triumph of
to be forgotten. I mean Lord Althorp—(Enthusiastic equal laws and equal justice, and that equal justice
cheering)—rho is Truth and Honesty personified— conceded to those millions of my countrymen by whom,
(Renewed cheering)—who never condescended to con- I venture to pledge myself; the services of the repre-
ceal, deny, or palter with the truth.--(Cheers.) He sentative of Middlesex are fully preciated.—(Vehe-
guided the House of Commons—not by any extraor- ment cheering.) There are some awpho say, and pardon
dinary eloquence or singular ability, but by the irresis- me if I advert to the great measure of Catholic Eman-
tible impression of sincerity, which made every one see c;pation, with which I am myself by a slender link
that truth was his object, and that his end was right, associated,—there are some who say that they have
and his honour spotless, and that he would not betray been disappointed by the extension of equal laws
the cause in which he had embarked. I have given you and equal justice to Ireland ; but why are they dis-
ample reason cheerfully and heartily to drink the toast appointed? They have been disappointed, and, thank
which I now propose—the health of the Duke of Nor- God ! they have been so because that emancipation
folk and the Liberal Members of the House of Lords. has not been a dead letter—(Loud cheers)—because
(Enthusiastic cheering.) that emancipation has not fallen hopeless and still-
The Earl of Eosenestev—l feel highly honoured born from the Legislature. They have been disap-
and gratified at having been elected, on this great and pointed because they thought that ascendancy should
interesting occasion, to return thanks, sincere and continue under a modification because they con-
grateful, for the flattering compliment which you have sidered we should be sordid enough to submit
been pleased to pay to that portion of the peerage to that which you would not endure—(Cheers)
Who have held and supported Liberal opinions. —and that when reform was extended to one
I can state for myself, and I think that country, we should not insist to have it extended
I may assert, on the part of all those to another.—( not
cheering.) The have been who are comprised in the toast which you have just disappointed,
but I will tell you who have not been dis-
now done us the honour of proposing, that we think it appointed. They had not been disappointed who ex-
very great and uncommon honour to be associated pected to see, in the extension of justice to my coun-
and mixed up with the proceedings of this great and try, the illustration of the character of the people.—
glorious day, and that we feel honoured to a great degree (Cheers.) They have not been disappointed, who ex-
in being made part of these proceedings in the entertain- pected to see a great moral and political revolution.
anent given so justly to commemorate the valuable They have not been disappointed,. who expected
services and meritorious conduct of your representative, to see Ireland cleared of the evils of servitude,
Mr. Byng, during the long period of his varied political and the gaol-distemper of the mind relievedh for
life—which, remember, however varied by circurn- ever. They were not disappointed,
ofw Boriteixn-
stances and the changes of Governments and parties, pected. to see Catholic Ireland a picture.. Britain
during the long period of fifty years, shows no change shouting for freedom - they have not been disappointed,
of single sentiment which he once entertained and who expected to
.see) incrased
.seci.irity for property,
openly professed. Duringthat period he never for the sake augmented tranquilization, the diffusion of intelligence,
of any personal advantage abandoned a single one of his the spread of education, the assimilation of our habits
principles. I will only say, that if the British Peerage, and feelings to yours ; they have not been disappointed,
in the discharge of the important functions which the who anticipated a vast augmentation of the national
Constitution called on them to discharge, would follow wealth in the industry and resources of one country
the course and imitate the bright example of Mr. Byng, and the fertility of the other.—( Hear.) Above all
they would have equal claims upon the affections of they have not been disappointed, who expected
their countrymen,—(Loud
and continued cheering)— to find in Ireland, instead of a source of weak-
they would do that which I have no doubt they desired ness, a muniment of strength—(Cheers)—who ex-
to effect—they will uphold the security and vigour of pected that millions who, ten years ago, we had
the Constitution—(Renewed cheering)--to which I be- cause to look upon with uneasiness and alarm, would
lieve the portion of the House of Lords comprised in become as ardently, as enthusiastically loyal, as
the toast is as much attached as those who oppose us, if' they had been born in your own glorious
--(Hear.) But for the purpose of supporting that island—(Hear, hear)—as though from their r
Constitution, we must endeavour to reform its de- they had participated in the advantages of Englishmbien.th lects—(Cheers)—to eradicate its abuses—to supply —(Tremendous cheering.) h, I nk a great, a
its deficiencies—and to continuo in a safe, cautious, glorious thing, that for a feeling ofthi deepit discontent, t
deliberative, and well-considered course of action, which pervaded Ireland ten years ago, there has been
the grand and general abject of the national im- substituted a sentiment of what you must admit
provement of the whole body of our fellow-countrymen. to be burning, enthusiastic loyalty. (Hear, hear,
Gentlemen, I will not detain you longer than again to and cheers.) Ten years ago—the safety of Ire-
express how greatly I feel the high honour you have land depended on the wind ! N, e k
conferred upon me, in inviting me to return thanks for on which the raging billows dash ow th roc
and beat in
this toast, as I feel there are many present who are vain, is not more immovably rooted than the
much better entitled to be selected than myself—(Great feeling of exalted loyalty in the hearts of Irishmen—
cheering.) (Cheers)—and if again, as once it has been, the world T
The Marquis of Heeneoter then rose amidst much were to be leagued against you, assisted by Ireland
cheering, to propose the health of the Liberal Members you would he impregnable.—(Tremendous and long- p
of the House of*Commons. Although I feel myself continued cheering.) And this great change—for change i
ftotally incapable to do justice to this toast, I it is you owe to equal justice —to equal laws— °'
that that you have dot e me the greatest and to the Government which administered them— P'
Possible honour in calling upon me to propose it, and I can ( Loud cheers)—aye, to the Sovereign, who, young
assure you that I shall myself drink it from the hot- as she is, has wielded the sceptre with a firm, unfalter-
temll of my heart, because I feel it as a man. As an ing hand—has had the wisdom to think, and the virtue
trishman, I feel bound to acknowledge that, had it not to feel—(Continued eheering)—that on equal
been for the Liberal Members of the House of Corn- laws, and equal justice alone can the safety
r"ns, justice would never have been done towards of the Throne and the welfare of her people, be founded.
Ireland.—(Great cheering.) To the Liberal Members —(Great cheering.) And lam sure that every heart
of the House of Commons we owe that which we now will throb in concurrence with the aspiration. May
enjoy in Ireland—freedom and justice—but, above God Almighty bless her !—(Trernendous cheers.) May
a", wo owe to the Liberal Members of the House her's be every happiness that can befal her as a Queen
all
Commons a Reform in Parliament. I will leave —(Renewed cheers)—and with that happiness be asso-
llt to others more talented than myself to do justice elated the more tender feelings by which a woman, and
to this event, but at the same time I must assure you a wife, can be blessed. (Continued cheers.)
that none will drink it more heartily than myself. Now, let me be perwited to add—before another year
Viscount HO WICK then came forward amidst of her glorious reign be passed—may she be beheld,
3,(1 and enthusiastic cheering to return thanks. bright and beaming with maternal extacy—(Renewed
said Gentlemen, I think myself highly and reiterated cheers)—the Hope of England in her
Titormoured in having been asked by the Corn- arms—(Deafening cheers)—the heir to her virtues, as
tee who have managed this great entertainment, well as her prerogative—(Renewed cheers) ; that the
t could have wished that this duty had been entrusted Prince, the son of one so revered, and so beloved, may
° abler hands than myself, nevertheless I have not be taught by her example that the glory and the secu-
hesitated; to attempt the task which has been assigned rity of the Throne depend upon the principles—equal
me, in the full confidence that I shall receive laws, equal justice, to every portion of her Majesty's
":f."'" you that indulgence which in such subjects.—(Tremendous and protracted cheers.)
„eictY as this is sure to bestowed upon one The toast was then drank, standing, with three times
Whit, feels most unaffectedly that he steads in need three.
te In the words that I may address to you hope to Mr. S 'WHITBREAD then rose and said, lam about
(1"0 justice to the subject, and the occasion whims has to propose a toast which needs few words to introduce
Gentlemen,
this great assembly together.—(Cheering.) it. We have met here to-day, animated by a
`entlemen, the occasion upon which we have met single feeling, that of doing honour to Mr. Byng,
gives, in my opinion, a peculiar value to the compliment and in accordance to this feeling it was originally
Paid to the Liberal Members of the House of intended not to propose as a toast the name of any other
Commons. It can be no ordinary interest to those individual. But I must claim the right to brehk this
who have attended this meeting, but to those: who were rule, and for so doing I make no apology in behalf of
attached to the same party as Mr. Byng it was pecu- the Nobleman who has done us and himself the honour
liarly interesting. Every man must admire the con- of presiding on this occasion.—(Loud cheers.) It is
sistency displayed by Mr. Byng for the last. fifty years, not for me to speak of the virtues of the individual, or
bet to those with whom he was engaged in the same of the family—the manner in which you have received
scene of ection, and maintained the same cause to which the toast siows me that this is altogether unnecessary—
his life had been devoted, his career holds out a but allow me to say, that no name has been more dis-
bright and encouraging example and lesson, which o ught tinguished during the last three centuries for their love
not to be lost. The gentleman who preceded me, re- of liberty.—( Loud cheers.) Gentlemen, I give you the
marked that Mr. Byne's career had been distinguished I health of our Noble Chairman, Lord Charles James Fox
;for its consistency. He has shown not only that he Russell. (The toast was drunk with three times
_not influenced by the frowns or favours of Kings or three.)
,Allnisters,but he has exhibited the rarer firmness of show- The NOBLE CHAIRMAN then rose and spoke as fol-
l."g that one who truly served the people would not risk lows :—Gentlemen, the indulgent manner in which you
'itoiThrezard their displeasure when he believed them wrong. have received the toast, which a too partial friend has
Byng has this night told us what was the just proposed to you, convinces me that the motives
Ztt.ition in which the small band of his friends which have induced me to take the chair on the
pre-
of' he whom he acted were placed in the early years sent occasion will not be misinterpreted or misunder-
t6the French revolution,— Cries of Hear.") Ile stood. Had I refused, I know that my refusal might
tis, himself unflinchingly continued in the cause have been misunderstood and misinterpreted, as a want
allow he then adopted.—(Cheers.) Mr. Byng has of a proper feeling of the great merits of Mr. Bang.
1,1.11 the same firmness of manner during the My refusal might have been subject to such a
e e of his long life •as he did at the misinterpretation, and I should have been exceedingly
enarlencement of it. He has not been led away by sorry hadsuch been the case. I consider that Mr.
ti,eitetnent to step one inch beyond the line that Byng hash right to one more peculiar observation, as
lass. own judgment had pointed out, and he has to the being a link between the present generation in poll-
-1,44 beep firm, rational, and consistent. Be has advocated tics and the last, and as in his early life he supported
CSh. al freedom without licentiousness, and he the opinions and the principles of the great man whose
htinabeen the firm supporter of Reform institu- name I have the honour to bear, so I see him now
aced,', maintaining, at the same time, the grand consistent:y maintaining the seine opinions under the
marks of the Constitution. He has been the guidance of a dear and valued relative of mine—
whillY supporter of toleration and religious liberty, (Cheers)—aed this assures me that I am right in wi-
°at the same time he has adhered wit h unaffected yocating the same principles, and acting in consistency
Piety to the faith in which he was educated, and to the with those high names which I have the honour to bear.
e true interests of that Church which lie has always sup- Under these circumstances it has afforded me the
ported.
I have already taken up more time than I greatest satisfaction and delight to have had the honour
4,lght to have done, and 1 will now at once refrain from of presiding on such a public meeting as this.—
beYi_ng any more with respect to Mr. Byng.—( Hear ) (Loud cheers.) We have all heard of the trials
LI could not refrain, in returning thanks for the and vicissitudes which await all public `non.
Liberaluri;o Members of Parliament, upon the remarkable They are constantly, during the course of their public
(e4t,° of firmness and moderation which has always ! career, condemned to witness disagreement among sup-
youutguished the career of Mr, Byng, By the toast porters, and alienation among friends. Our revered
have now drank you have called upon all the Libe- and. honoured Guest has, doubtless, during the course
aral Members to emulate Mr. Byng's virtues and to en- of his long career, been exposed in common with others
`"'avour to walk in his footsteps ; and I trust that that 'to the alienations. He cannot altogether have escaped,
th':'Toe will not he lost on every Liberal Member of but, under all circumstances, lie has ever found a com-
eh_Lti uof Commons present here this night. That panion at his side ready to extract the poison from the
feeling
must. be hard indeed, and lost to all sense of wound, and to blunt the edge of the dart. I trust,
ne% which has not been penetrated by the scene therefore, you will permit me to propose the health
else,
f rayed in this place this evening.
eel I ought not to detain
gyyoouulomnyger,
andAt ttliiiinsrehinourer oi\,fii'd.d'i\lelsres.,x.:llyng and the Ladies of the county of
yell Conclude by returninl
most hearty thanks The toast was drank with the utmost enthusiasm.
(Greai°l' the toast you have so ethusiastically drank.— Mrs. Byng, who was in one of the proscenium boxes,
t cheering.)
rose and curtsied gracefully in acknowledgment of the
volvilciel;hSiewleae, rose and said,c in the absence—the un- compliment, and was received with immense cheering.
bsnce, o. one whom your dis- Here's it braltit to :IL gout lass2s"