The Sun.
London, England, 1840-01-11 00:00:00

STOCKPORT.

Oa Monday evening, the 6th inst„ a most numerous)
meeting was held in the Court-house, Stockport, for the
purpose of petitioning the Queen and both Houses of Par-
liament for a total rep-al of the obnoxious Corn-laws.
The Mayor was unanimously called to the chair. His
worship briefly explained the purport of the meeting, and
called upon Henry Nlsrsland, Esq , M. P. for the borough,
to speak on the subject. Mr. Marsland entered into a
det.il of the evils arising from the Corn-laws, which
operated not only on the manufacturer, but likewise on the
industrious artzth ; and hoped that not another year w ,uld
elapse and those laws be permitted to remain on the
statute-book.—(Cheers.) Mr. Marsland concluded by
moving the first resolution, which ran as follows :—" That
a full excl,ange of the products of our industry, for the
corn and other faod of foreign countries, is our natural
and inherent right ; a right. clearly recognised by the
Creator himself, in awarding to various climes the diffe-
rent productions of the earth, for the common benefit of
all his creatures." J. Fernley, Esq., seconded the reso-
lution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. William
Nelstrop movtd toe second resolution, " That the Corn.
law violates the sacred principle of religion and mor-
tality, by interposing a barrier between the bounties of
Divine Providence and the wants of the industrious
millions of thi ; country; thus depriving them of the
means of independent subsistance, and subjecting them
to disease, demoralisation, and premature death." Mr.
W. Griffin moved, and Mr. J. Fenton seconded, the
following amendment :—" That to call upon the work-
ing classes to assist in advocating a repeal of the Corn-
laws, under present circumstances, is nothing less than
mockery, after signing so many petitions, because we have
no power, and petitioning the present House of Commons
for such a repeal is tantamount to trying to heat the oven
with snow-balls." The amendment and resolution were
put from the chair, when the original motion was carried
with tremendous ch?.ers. Several other resolutions (on
one of which a Chartist
.amendment was ineffectually
moved) were then carried by large majorities; and peti-
tions to both Houses of Parliament, for the entire and im-
mediate repeal of the law were agreed to.—Manchester
Guardian.

EDINBURGH.
The Chartists still continue their career of violence
Another meeting of the inhabitants has been put down, and
the public peace outraged by their intolerable tyranny. A
public meeting was advertised to take place last night in
the Waterloo Rooms, " to consider the nature and effects
of the existing Corn-laws of Great Britain," the admission
to be by tickets, sixpence each, admitting two persons.
The Lord Provost, it was announced, would take the chair.
The Chartists having, as usual, come to the resolution that
no one should be permitted to lift his voice in public, unless
in behalf of Universal Suffrage, mustered in considerable
strength shortly before the hour of meeting. When we
entered the room we found a knot of them, of whom John
Fraser was the centre, in eager altercation with Bailie
Richardson, apparently with reference to the possession of
the pr;ncipal seats. Bailie Richardson, however, seemed
to prevail. The Inn was well filled, but not so crowded
as we have seen it on some occasions. Shortly after seven
o'clock the Lord Provost entered the room, accompanied
by Treasurer Stodart, Bailies Richardson and Thomson,
Councillors Anderson. Ritchie, Gray, Falkner, Macaulay,
and Ponton ; George Thompson, Adam Black, John Wig-
ham, J. 0. Burton, Thomas Russell, Peter Crooks, An-
drew Miller, James Denham, John Johnson, George Mac-
allum, &c. Their entrance was greeted by a mixed volley
of cheers and hisses. As the gentlemen were taking their
seats, there was a loud cry of " Elect a Chairman," which
was followed by cheers and hisses.
The LORD PROVOST then rose and said, he hoped they
would give every gentleman a fair hearing.—( Renewed
confusion, in the midst of which)
Air. FRASER rose, and begged to announce, at the out-
set, that if the Lord Provost took the chair without being
elected by the meeting, he should protest against such a
proceeding.—(Hootings and applause.)
Mr. WIGMAM then craved a hearing. He was very
anxious, he said, that the meeting could be conducted in a
quiet and orderly manner.—( Hear.) He begged to re-
mind them that the meeting had been called by the Anti-
Corn-law Committee; under their auspices the whole thing
had gone forward ; they had procured the consent of the
Lord Provost to take the chair, and it had been fixed that
he should do so.—(Great uproar.) Mr. Wigham begged
they would hear him out. He considered that this arrange-
ment of the Committee ought not to be altered.—( Hisses.)
They had all purchased their tickets with the knowledge of
this arrangement.—( Hear, hear, and cheers.) He bad
only to say further, that if they would allow the business
quietly to go on under this arrangement—( Cries of " No,
no," " Yes, yes")—he pledged his word that they should
have every fair play, and be allowed to bring forward any
amendment they chose.—(No, no, and uproar.) He ap-
pealed to their good sense to allow the business to proceed.
—(Continued confusion.)
Mr. FRASIta said it was because he wished the pro-
ceedings to go on in a regular and orderly manner that
he now moved the election of a chairman ; and he would
assign his reasons for so doing.—( Cries of " Sit down,
Sir," " Off, off.") I will not give over till I are beard.
In the first place this is a public meeting—(Yells)—and
it is a violalion of the right of a public meeting to take
the chair without being elected.—( Continued noise.) I
am willing to pay all respect and deference to the Lord
Provost of the City—(" You have no respect for anything"
—but I protest against his Lordship taking the chair till
he has been elected by a majority of the meeting. I beg.
therefore, to move that Mr. John Gregor (a journeyman
painter) be requested to take the chait.—(Great uproar.)
Mr. DOUGLAS, journeyman piano-forte maker, seconded
the motion. It was a matter of life and death ; and they
were determined to have fair play.
The Ci,artists. eager to show flick strength, instantly
held up their hands; but it was evident they did not con-
stitute the majority of the meeting.
Mr. ADAM BLACK mentioned that, after the advertise-
ment put forth by the Committee, in which it was an•
nounced that the Lord Provost would take the chair—after
every person present had bought his ticket under that ar-
rangement, it would be unfair to substitute another person
in his place. It they did so, any man might justly coin
plain that he had been deceived, inasmuch as he had
attended under that belief. After having so far acceded
to the terms of the Committee, no person had a right to
come forward and make objections now. Besides, he be-
lieved that not a third of the Meeting objected to the Lord
Provost taking the Chair.—( Cheers and yells.)
A large body 'hen held up their hands in favour of the
Lord Provost. Some said their number fully equalled
those of the Chartists ; others that they constituted a,small
minority. Our own opinion is, that the last show of hands
was rather less numerous than the former; but we noticed
this a considerable portion of the meeting voted neither
way, in cot.scquence of not knowing amidst the uproar
what was toe object of the vote. Had the object been pro-
perly understood, we have reason to believe there would
have been a large majority in favour of the Lord Provost.
Mr. Gregor then made a furious rush to the platform,
followed by Douglas, Fraser, and a number of others,
and attempted to dislodge the Lord Provost by physical
force. Mr. George Thompson, Mr. Adam Black, and
several others, successively attempted to speak, but in
vain. For a quarter of an hour the meeting pre-
sented a scene of indescribable confusion. The gentlemen
on the platform attempted to reason with the
Chartists, but were answered only by the most. furious
menaces. There were loud cries from the body of the
meeting for the police (who were present in considerable
force) to interfere to protect the committee ; but, we pre-
sume, it was deemed inexpedient to ask their assistance.
In the midst of the uproar, Mr. Adam Black moved the
adjournment of the meeting, which was at once agreed to,
followed by the Committee and a
agnredatthpearLt oorfdthPe, omveutst,
meeting,
left the room.
The Chartists then took possession of the platform, and
placed Mr. Gregor in the chair. Mr. Douglas and others
subsequently addressed the meeting in the most violent
langiusee in favour of Universal Suffrage. Of course they
carried their usual series of resolutions. —6"colsmon.