The Sun.
London, England, 1841-05-25 00:00:00

CORN-LA WS.

We have great pleasure in publishing the following
letter from a respected Correspondent in Derbyshire.
How the Clergy of the Established church would raise
themselves in the estimation of the people under their
charge were they to follow the example of their brethren
thatin county !

NORTH DERBYSHIRE MOVEMENT.
The Ministerial propositions, and the union of monopolists,
have thoroughly roused the dormant spirit of the hardy sons of
the mountains. From valley to hill, and from kill to valley,
the " fiery cross" has gone forth with a speed unexampled ;
and every town, village, and hamlet of the Peak is petitioning
to be relieved from the crying oppression of unjust taxation.
At no former period, even during the tumultuous excitement
of the Reform Bill, have petitions ever been so numerously
signed from this neighbourhood, the greatest number on record
being about 2,590—0 n the present occasion the signatures will
exceed 4,000.

In several villages the whole male adult population have
signed; in others nearly the whole ; in this town about nine-
tenths, no person under •21 years of age being allowed to sign.
This demonstration is the more striking as this is an agrieul-
ttiral district, where very few manufactures are eftablished.
The petitions are signed by landlords, tenants, and small
farmers, and by many persons who are not friendly to the pre-
sent Ministry. The question here assumes a national, and not
a party shape.
It is only just to some of the clergy to say, that although On
principle they usually take no part in political questions, yet on
this occasion many of them have signed the petitions, prtbably
feeling that their lessons on temperance will have more effect
if coffee, sugar, and even wholesome bread, were brought
within the reach of their poor parishioners. In no part of the
kingdom have we more zealous, charitable, or inadequately
ppa►d Ministers of the Gospel than some of the clergy of the
Lstablished Church here. It is among wealthy pluralists that
the advocates for Corn-laws, and taxes which oppress the poor,
are to be found.

I need not say that the two Liberal Members for this divi-
sion were never so safely seated as at present. If the slate of
feeling here can be taken as any indication of the country
generally, Ministers will do wisely to dissolve.
Bakewell, May 24.

ANTI-BREAD-TAX MEETING.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SlR,—Pursuantjto very numerously-signed requisitions to
the Chief Bailiffs of the towns composing the borough of
Stoke, a public meeting took place in the Stafford-row. Han-
ley, at one o'clock. Edward John Ridgway, Esq., C. B. of
Hanley and Shelton, in the chair. A number of flags were
used, and many placards with different mottoes. The number
of persons was estimated at 7,500, and just as the proceedings
commenced, a waggon filled with the leading Chartists,
Richards, Capper, Mart, Robinson, Bevington, and corns Aran~
gers, was drawn in front of the hustings; and although they
addressed for a long time the assembly, their amendments were
lost, which they proposed in opposition to others submitted by
R. E. Heathcote, J
H. lA. Wyse, F. Wedgwood, J. Ridgway.
C. J. Mason, Mr. uxley, of Tunstall, and several others.
At different periods there seemed great excitement ; and souse
mischievous individual threw a stone at the Chartist speakers,
from behind the other hustings, but be was instantly seizod
and conducted out of the crowd. IN the Chartistwaggon were
five workmen of one of the masters in the other waggons, to
whom, however, in speaking, they paid a high compliment.
After much clamour, seeing that the cause was lost, Richards,
Capper, and many others privately withdrew from the ground,
leaving those who pleased to remain and cavil at what was
offered. About six o'clock the meeting dispersed, without any
of the ill consequences which some had anticipated.
Stoke-upon-Trent, Monday, May 24,1841.