The Sun.
London, England, 1870-10-08 00:00:00

SYMPATHY WITH THE FRENCH
REPUBLIC.

Last night, in pursuance of a resolution passed at a
combined meeting of the International Democratic Asso-
ciation and the Land and Labour League, held on Sep-
tember 28th, the representatives of all organised bodies
of working men throughout the metropolis were
called together at the Bell Inn, Old Bailey, to give ex-
pression to their dissatisfaction with the answer given by
Mr. Gladstone to the deputation which the other day
waited upon the right hon. gentleman, to ask the inter-
ference of the British Government in the present unequal
contest between France and Prussia. Mr. Merriman
was called to the chair, and read the resolutions to be
submitted to the meeting, which were as follow :-1.
That in the opinion of this conference the prompt and
cordial recognition and welcome of the French Republic
by her Majesty's Government, without let or hin-
drance from family ties or dynastic considerations, or
forms and ceremonies of Court or State etiquette, is an
act founded alike on the principles of justice and hu-
manity, as well as on those of reason and common sense,
which the people of France have a right to expect from
them, and this conference further calls upon them to use
their utmost endeavour to prevent the dismemberment of
France. 2. That this conference is of opinion that no
peace can be lasting in Europe unless standing armies are
dispensed with, and we earnestly hope that her Majesty's
Government will insist upon their abolition in any
arrangement for peace between France and Prussia.
3. That should the Government continue in its course of
indifference, national action be resorted to ; and for this
purpose the combined assistance of all Democratic
societies in the kingdom be solicited to carry out the
foregoing course of action, and that a conference of such
societieF be called without delay. 4. That the weak and
vacillating policy of the Government having become so
manifest through so many statements of its various mem-
bers, this conference deems it absolutely necessary that
Parliament should be convoked immediately in the
interests of humanity and peace. 5. That the objects of
the war have changed from a defensive character to a
war of conquest, and of the principles of monarchy against
Republicanism ; and, further, that to resuscitate the policy
of the past, of sustaining dynasties against peoples, is a
return to barbarism; and that such monarchical system is
intolerable to this or any other country. After being
discussed, the spirit of the resolutions received the approval
of the large body of delegates present. A vote of thanks
to Mr. Merriman, concluded the proceedings.

Lord Mountcharles will succeed General Seymour,
now Lord Hertford, as Equerry to her Majesty. Colonel
the Hon. A. Liddell will succeed General Seymour as
Deputy Ranger.
The marriage of Mr. Francis Kerr, son of Lord
and Lady Henry Kerr, and Miss Mary Frances Monteith
eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Monteith, of Carstairs,
was solemnised on Tuesday, at the Bavarian Chapel of
the Assumption in Warwick-street, London.
The Devizes Gazette reports that the fine herd of
shorthorns, the property of Mr. William Butler, of Bad-
mintor—a name which has for many years past taken a
foremost place at some of the most noted cattle shows in
that part of England—was on Thursday brought under
the hammer. The cows and heifers, 62 in number,
realised £2,330 ; twelve bulls (from four to fourteen
months old) fetched £367.
THEATRICAL GOSSIP.—Mr. J. L. Toole, after
fulfilling a very successful engagement in Dublin, is play-
ing a round of his favourite characters in. Glasgow, at the
Theatre Royal, which is crowded every night. Mr. Toole
returns to the Gaiety Theatre at Christmas. Mr. Billing-
ton (Mr. Toole's coadjutor in the tour) will shortly become
stage manager of the Adelphi, a theatre that has just been
redecorated handsomely.
Lord Lyons writes from Tours on the 2nd inst.)
to Lord Granville that letters from Paris can only be
given to the French authorities at Tours, who will en-
deavour to forward them whenever they may be able to
do so but who cannot ensure their arriving within any
definite time or guarantee their not falling into wrong
hands.