The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-07 00:00:00

ROUSE OF COMMONS. April 6.

CHARTIST DEMONSTRATION.
Sir J. WALSH wished to know from the Right Hon.
the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether
he had received any information with respect to a num-
ber of persons called Chartists intending to meet at Ken-
nington Common on Monday next, for the ostensible
purpose of forming a numerous procession to
move through the streets of the metropolis, and
presenting a petition to this House in favour of what
was called the six points of the Charter; and if the Go-
vernment had had its attention called to these circum-
stances, were they prepared to take those measures
which might be necessary to secure the independence of
the House from being overawed by any meeting calcu-
lated to intimidate them, and likewise to aid in the pro
tection of the peaceable and loyal people of London.
Sir G. GREY said—l now hold in my head a notice,
which I believe was published yesterday, signed by three
individuals, one of whom declares himself the secretary,
I presume, of the Chartist Association, in which he
states that a Convention, consisting of forty-nine
delegates, will assemble in a particular place upon a
given day, and some following days, for the purpose
of superintending the presentation of a petition
to Parliament, and to advise the adoption of such other
course as they may think fit for the purpose of securing
the enactment of the People's Charter. A great metro-
politan demonstration will accompany the petition, and
persons are invited to attend at Kennington-common,
where the route of the procession would be prescribed.
Tho attention of the Government having bee❑ called to
this notice, and other information having reached me
respecting the intended proceedings upon Monday next,
the Government have directed a notice to be issued, which
they hope will be published in the course of half an hour,
pointing out that, by the statutes and the common law
of these realms, such procession is illegal, and warning
all loyal and peaceable subjects of her Majesty to abstain
from taking any part in the proceedings, and to give
their best aid in maintaining order and preventing any
breach of the peace that may ensue,—(Loud cheers.)

Mr. F. O'CONNOR said that the course pursued by
the Government would be taking the people utterly by
surprise. There were several precedents in favour of
these processions. In the year 1831 a praccssi of
100,000 or 150,000 persons marched down to this House

and presented a petition in favour of the Reform Bill.
In 1834 a procession of 100.000 also marched down to
this House while it was sitting, and presen;ed a pee.-
tion in favour of the liberation of Lila DoieLe.ter la-
bourers. A large demonstration of sailors also walked
past this House a short time since. Those persons
who have put their names to the document referred
to by the Right Honourable Baronet, have this
day passed resolutions that every man who
joined the procession should be a special constable
himself, and they pledged themselves not only to pre-
serve the peace, but to take any man into custody who
might attempt to violate the rights of property. It
was not the intention of the people to come
down to the door of the House, they were to have
gone over Westminster. bridge. He had never in his
life attempted to palm a falsehood upon that House, and
had he thought that the parties had any sinister motive
or view, or any ulterior design, he would not for a moment

have lent his sanction to the proceeding, or hare joined
in that procession. He heaved that it was a constitu-
tional right of the people to assemble in that manner,
and he trusted that the Government would not further
interfere upon the occasion than to preserve peace.
He hoped that the people would be allowed to come
down in procession as was intended to the House. He
should consider himself unworthy a seat in that House

if h e lent himself to any demonstration calculated to in-
cite the people to the slightest infraction of the peace.
Sir G. GREY—With respect to the people being taken
by surprise, I can only say, that at the earliest moment
at which the Government could deliberate after they re-
ceived the information, they directed the notice to which
I have before referred to be issued, and it may no
doubt be in the possession of the Hon. Member for Not-
tingham this evening —(Cheers.) That notice will state
what, in the opinion of the law advisers, the law of the
land is upon the subject, and, without reference to pre-
cedents, I am sure, after having avowed the opinions he
has with respect to the good conduct of the people, he
will, I am sure, be the last man to encourage any body
of men summoned to join an assembly to violate the law.
Mr. HUME said that upon a former occasion ithad been
asked if' a peaceable procession was illegal, and Lord
Melbourne's GOvernment had stated that it was not, and
they refused to interfe•re.. He (Mr. Hume) thought
that it would be dangerous for the Government to
interfere at the present time, and he hoped that they
would be induced to withdraw this notice.—(Cries of
" No. no.")