The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-26 00:00:00

10 10 10

50 50 10
50 10
20

' But the table is valuable in another point of view; be-
cause for the purposes o comparison, it sets side by side
the 10/., 201., and 50/. franchises enjoyed by England,
Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, as being co-extensive
with each other ; and either the Association act most disin-
genuously in instituting a comparison between similar
amounts with different meanings, or else, the several fran-
chises, though in each country conveyed in different terms,
are in reality (as we contend they are) the same in sub-
stance in each. I close with them on the more creditable
assumption, and it will be a great point gained in the con-
troversy if we can concur in this view, because in that
case the interpretation given to the law in one country
ought to influence the interpretation of the corresponding
words in the other. It is right, however, that we should
see what the words really are, which, with reference to the
Scotch Act, the Committee of the Association incorrectly
quote. You are well aware that the Irish county free-
holder votes under the terms, not of the Irish Reform
Act, which does not confer the franchise upon him, but
! of the 10th Geo. IV., c. 8, s. 2; and that the oath which
he is required by the Reform Act to take is, that lam a
freeholder, &c., and that I have a freehold therein, of the
clear yearly value of 10/. over aid above,' &e. The Eng-
lish Act borrows its phraseeloffy from the preceding Irish
Act, and provides that the freehold shall 13,2 of ' the clear
yearly value of 10/.,' words identical with the qualifying
words of the Irish freeholder, and with the words of his
oath. Can it be contended that their construction is dif.
ferret ?
" The Scotch words relating to owners (and to owners
only, not tenants) are, that the subject on which he claims
shall be of the yearly value of 10/., and shall actually yield,
or be capable of yielding that value to the claimant, after
reducing feu-duty, ground annual, &c.' Tina words marked
in italics have been omitted by the Association in quoting
the franchise, which they do with approbation.
" The leasehold qualification in England is conferred
on the lessee, &c., of any term originally for a period of
not less than years,' of the clear yearly value of
pounds ; in Ireland, on a lessee ' having a beneficial in-
terest therein of the clear yearly value of not less than
pounds.' In Scotland, where the clear yearly value
of such tenant's interest, after paying the rent, and any
other considerations due by him for his said interest is not
less than pounds.
" And it is worth remarking, that in Scotland the
leasehold qualification applies to a franchise which in Ire-
land would be called a freehold—viz., a lease for the
life of a tenant. I know not how the difference of ex-
pression arose between the English and the Scotch
Acts ; I do not know that the words of the English
and Irish Bills, as introduced, were identical ; and the
reasons of the change, which was made publicly, and for
which the grounds ;were publicly assigned, are known to
all. lam confident the franchises were intended to be the
same in principle ; I believe they arc the same in effect ;
and I do not believe that any English or Scotch lawyers
have placed on the English or Scotch franchise the inter-
pretation which is sought to be attached to the words of
the Irish Act. But I have neither time nor inclination
to argue this question at length, still less to consider the
propositions made by the Association for the alteration
of the franchise. I will just direct your attention to a
proposal (page 19,) while they repudiate the 50/. tenant
at will, as unduly dependent on his landlord, to place on
the register all persons rated for twelve months, upon a
holding rated not higher than 10/., whatever be his rent,
without any reference to his beneficial interest in the
tenement ; and to another passage in the same page,
where, in speaking of a franchise depending on the ex-
cess of annual rated value above his rent, such excess is
correctly enough called the tenants' beneficial interests.'
One other argument, however, I must borrow from the
Association in favour of our construction, too remarkable
to be omitted. They quote, with approbation, p. 12, and
p. 18, a Scotch franchise given to a tenant having paid
a sum of 3001. for the interest, whatever his rent may be.
A very little reflection shows the ground for this. The
tenant who has paid 3004 for his lease, subject to a rent,
has given 30 years purchase of a profit rent of 10/. ;
whatever his rent-charge may be, he could dispose of his
farm for 10/. per annum more than he pays. His lease to
him, in the words of the English Act, is of the clear
yearly value of la' In those of the Scotch, 'his inte-
rest, after paying his rent, is not less than 101." In those
of the has a beneficial interest therein of not
less than 10/;' and, lastly, in the words of that part of
the Irish oath, now abrogated, a solvent tenant could
fairly, and without
_collusion, afford to pay him 101.' over
and above thelrent to which ho is subject. The argument
is new to me, but I own it strikes me as both sound and
forcible.

" I am ashamed of the length to which my letter has
run. It has been written in haste, but as you well know,
I am tolerably familiar with the subject, and as I am once;
aware of having stated anything erroneously or unfairly,
you are perfectly at liberty to make what use of it ?at;
Y
think fit. I have nothing to conceal or disguise.—Believe
me, my dear Sir, very sincerely yours,
"J. Emerson Torment, Esq." " STANLEY."
' Dr. STEwART, in an able speech proposed the adoption
of a petition to Parliament.
Dr. CooKE was received with the most enthusiastic
shouts of reiterated applause. lie read some extracts from
a report respecting O'Connell's visit to the North. and
concluded a long and rambling speech, by moving the
following resolution :—" That looking to the numerous
and solid advantages which have accrued to Ireland in
particular, and ti Empire at large, from the effects of
the Legislative Limon between the two countries, we
have seen with indignation and alarm the recently re-
newed efforts to effect its repeal."--Passed unanimously.
The Rev. 11. SMITH CUMIN°, Vicar of Ballymena,
moved the next resolution, which was as follows :—" That
we heartily rejoice in the deep and universal impres-
slenthat
pervades not only all denominatiocs
of Pro-
testants in the Kingdom, but a respectable portion of
the Roman Catholic
contemplated population, that repeal is but an-
other name 1'
or tor rebellion, and a flimsy cover for the
dismemberment of the empire, and that
we are determined most cordially to co-operate in frus-
trating the
endangers, mischievous and destructive project, and for
preserving that settlement of property which repoal both
threatens and
w inch it would ultimately
The following and that civil and religious li-
bertyreus tlimately and infallibly deatroy."
" That we have soon with sincere were
also
agreed
pression by the Lord Lieutenant,
circumstances of
to :
soaft i :iifiasc
officialtion n
tirecenti2ap p 70 -
bation of this renewed agitation
repeal, and that we
deeply regret that
vented his Excellency from following e s
tanee
so; should
declaration have p e

by active measures similar to the vigorous steps taken to
suppress a like treasonable agitation in 1833."
" That we feel it incumbent upon ourselves to come for-
ward thus collectively, in order to assure her Majesty, the
Queen, of our loyal attachment to her throne and person,
our resolution to aid her in preserving inviolate the inte-
grity of her dominions, as established by the Act of Union
in 1800, and that an humble address, embodying these sen-
timents of our devotion and fidelity, be adopted by the
meeting, and presented to her Majesty."
The following address was then read :

TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

44 May it please your Majesty—Nye, your Majesty's most
dutiful and loyal subjects, the Nobility, Clergy, and Gen-
try of Antrim, Down, and the adjacent northern counties
in your Majesty's kingdom of Ireland, by public requisi.
tion assembled, have seen with indignation and alarm those
renewed attempts now in progress for the repeal of the
legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland,which
have now, for the first time, been undisguisedly carried
into the province of Ulster. Your Majesty's dutiful and
loyal subjects most distinctly and solemnly disavow any wish
to see abridged the constitutional rights of any portion of
our fellow-subjects, of meeting to address your Majesty or
petition Parliament upon any political question, consistent
with the peace of the kingdom and the dignity and stabi-
lity of the Throne, but the assembling of large masses of
your Majesty's subjects, marching in procession with party
banners and music, under pretence of petitioning for a re-
peal of the legislative Union, we cannot view otherwise
than as both calculated and intended to overawe your
Majesty's Government, to generate and perpetuate party
spirit, to endanger the peace and blight the prosperity of
your Majesty's kingdom of Ireland ; nor can we view the
agitation otherwise than as a covert mode of organising
and encouraging rebellion and of undermining the dignity
of the Throne by effecting the dismemberment of your
Majesty's empire.
" Your dutiful and loyal subjects therefore beg leave to
approach your Majesty, tendering our profound respect
and affection to your Majesty's person—onr hereditary at-
tachment to your illustrious house—and our loyal devoted-
ness to the British Constitution and connexion, and our
firm determination to support your Majesty in all measures
calculated to counteract and suppress the machinations of
repeal ; to preserve the integrity of your Majesty's do-
minions, and perpetuate the blessings derived from the
legislative Union of these kingdoms."
The address was adopted, and the Marquis of Down-
shire, and the other Noble Lords, members of her Majesty's
Most lion. Privy Council, were requested, at their
earliest convenience, to present the same to her Majesty.
The thanks of this meeting, and of every friend of the
legislative Union, were given to the Rev. Dr. Cooke, for
his manly and spirited efforts to induce the author of the
repeal agitation to discuss it upon its substantial merits.
The cordial thanks of this meeting were given to the
Marquis of Downshire for his devoted zeal in coming to
attend this meeting—for his kindness in taking, and his
proper conduct in the chair ; and the Marquis of Down-
shire having briefly returned thanks, the meeting separated.