The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-10 00:00:00

SPECIAL CON S'I'ARLES.

BOW-STREET, THIS DAY. - the swearing-in of
special constables was continued this morning. The
court and the passages to it we. if possible, more
crowded than during the past P eek. Ingress and
egress were almost impracticable, v.ind even the officers
of the court could with difficulty -move from one part
of the court to another for the transaction of busi-
ness. An exceedingly anxious a nd somewhat excited
feeling prevailed, much more flu al we have noticed on
any former occasion. There is no doubt the special
constables, if called upon, will do their duty rigo-
rously and valiantly.

MEETING OF THE CON rENTION THIS

3/10RNING.

The delegates assembled this mot ming shortly after
nine o'clock, at the Hall in John-s 1 rect.

The public were not admitted .o the hall, and the
only persons present besides the delegates were the
reporters for the different roc ll:fling and evening
journals, the Government short••h artd writers (one of
whom was Mr. Frederick Bo ric 1 Hughes, who
figured in the State trials in beta nd), and a few
ladies in the gallery.

In the temporary absence of Mr. I &Grath, Mr. G.
IV. M. Reynolds was voted to the el ,air.

The muster-roll having been r Sad over by the
secretary (Mr. Doyle), and repl if A to, with two or
three exceptions,

The SECRETARY stated that he had this mornin g
received a communication from the Commissioners o
Police, at Scotland•Sard, forbidding the procession
but stating that the monster petition would, of course,
be allowed to be taken to the House of Commons.

Mr. ,rgtic by
Al‘Unlth, here entered the ball, and Mr. 11r-Grath
took the chair, which was vacated byMr. Reynolds.
Mr. WEST announced his intention to take part in
the procession, and he hoped the delegation were
determined to persist in carrying the petition to the
House of Commons. Indeed he believed if they had
the courage to do so, the people who joined in the
procession would support them through every emer-
gency in spite of any opposition the Government
might offer.— (Cheers.)
Mr. F. O'CONNOR, who appeared to be deeply
sensible of the dangerous and responsible nature of
the position he had taken up, then rose and said—
Gentlemen, it has been publicly stated, at least I
have heard so, that Feargus O'Connor had fled—
(Hear, hear, and laughter)—but, gentlemen, had I
done so, or been inclined to do so, I had a very good
excuse indeed, for I have been recommended by a
medical authority to apply a blister to my chest
(Loud cheers.) That remedy, however, did not
appear to me to be absolutely necessary,
and, therefore, I abandoned the plaster to enable me
to be with you to-day.— (Cheers.) Gentlemen, I
feel that I have said nothing since I have taken part
in this movement which I ought to regret. Thi3,
however, was not a time for speaking, but for reso-
lute action, and I now wish to declare that I am pre-
pared to state I am ready to take every responsibility
which my conduct may ultimately give rise to.—.
(Cheers.) If I had taken advantage of any false step
the delegation might have fallen, and absented myself
to-day, the whole of my life—the whole of my con-
duct—would be stamped with ignominy; and I
readily admit that such a course would have been no.
thing more than duplicity and deception.—(Cheers.)
I have during the last week devoted many thought-
ful and sleepless nights to the probable conse-
quences of this great movement, and I assure you
that the "old guards," as we call ourselves, who had
been longest engaged in the Chartist movement, look
with intense anxiety to the results of this day.—
(Hear, hear.) I was astonished to hear one of the
delegates declare that it was in the power of this Con-
vention to induce all men to conform to our views
and intentions.—(Hear, hear.) It is impossible that
everybody can be persuaded to side with us, and I
would advise this Convention and the people out of

doors to abstain from coming into collision with the
constituted authorities.—(Cheers.) In saying thus
much I am looking to the families and the
interests that may be sacrificed by the folly of at-
tempting to resist the authorities.—(Hear, hear.) If
the meeting is forbidden, I have to state that I will
take my stand in the House of Commons against such
a proceeding, and will moreover move the impeach-
ment of Ministers for a violation of the Constitution;
but I hope the delegates will not attempt to urge the
people to resistance, but advise them to be quiet.—
(Cheers.) In the event of the Common beh.g
already occupied by the authorities, it is my intention
to advise the people to peaceably abandon the pro-
cession, and will undertake to go to the House of
Commons to present the petition, and return to ad-
dress the people upon the manner in which it shall
have been received.—(Cheers.) The Government is
now weak, and can only strengthen itself by folly
and weakness, such as coming into collision with the
troops and giving them an opportunity to fire upon
the people.—(Cheers.) Do not fancy that I give
you this advice from any want of courage, for
on similar occasions to the present I have had
pistols placed at my breast by my opponents, and yet
I never shrank back from the danger. I have scars
and marks of bayonet wounds which I have received
while struggling for the people, and on one occasion,
at Manchester, after a disturbance, there were no less
than 93 warrants brought against me at the instance
of parties who had been injured by me in the
Exercise of the conflict. On the same occasion I was
carried away by the mob in a state of insensibility,
bleeding from my wounds, and lam equally de•
termined to exercise my courage to-day, notwithstand•
ing the threats that have been held out against my
life.—(Cheers.) If I were asked at this moment, E
would stand upon this spot before a fire of musketry.
I swear, before my God, that I would rather suffer
death than injure the cause. (Loud cheers )
Indeed, I have received information, that if I
appear in the procession to-day I am to be
shot with five other delegates. On leaving
the meeting on Saturday, I was accosted by
a policeman whom I some years ago got admitted
into the force, who said, " For God Almighty's sake,
Mr. O'Connor, have nothing to do with the procession
on Monday, because you are sure to be shot, as sure
as you are a living man. You may rely upon this
information, for these are the orders."—(Sensation.)
Since then I have received many letters warning me
of my danger, one of which runs thus :—" Respected
Sir,—l can inform you that there will be an attempt
on your life should you make your appearance on
Monday. Take a friend's warning—for God's sake,
do,—Your true friend, A CHARTIST.—P.S. Though
a female, I glory in the name."—(Cheers.) Let us,
then, endeavour to preserve order, and persuade the
people to keep the peace.—(Cheers.)
Mr. WILKINSON said—Perhaps Mr. O'Connor is
not acquainted with the result of the Executive Com-
mittee meeting yesterday. They came to a resolu-
tion that the procession should go to Kennington-
common, but if the military had possession of it, they
would merely go round the common, and return back
again, without attempting any collision with the mili-
tary. After that the procession would take a certain
route, but would not attempt to go down to the
House of Commons.--(Hear, hear.) The only ques•
tion, then, is where we shall stop. Some say Char-
ing-cross, others to proceed so far till they were
stopped by the police or military. In that case the
delegates will merely go themselves with the peti-
tion to the House. My opinion is that we should
not cross the water, for when once the Government
get us on the other side of the Thames they will
place cannon on the bridges, and will not suffer us to
return.—(Hear, hear.)

Mr. CUFFAY—The tit A is now come for work;
everything has been arranged and fully provided for
the Executive Committee. It is useless, there-
fore, debating the matter again.--(gear, hear.)
Mr. O'CONNOR said, if the meeting were allowed
to take place they would form a procession, but if
they were interfered with perhaps they would allow
him to take the petition to the House.—(No, no.)
He did not, however, apprehend that any cannon would
be placed on the bridges to
keep the people
out of London, and he still believed Government had
no intention of resorting to force.
A VOICE—It would be madness. They dare not
do it.

Mr. O'CONNOR said it might be so, but he exhorted
them, in the name of the Charter, in the name of
their wives and families, in the name of justice, in the
name of Heaven, not to take any rash step to irritate
the authorities.— (Cheers.)

Mr. REYNOLDS asked if the meeting were not al-
lowed to take place on Kennington•common, would
it lead to disastrous consequences, and endanger the
lives of the people ?

Mr. O'CONNOR said, if any opposition were offered
to the authorities, it would lead to a collision with the

ralittry. It was impossible to control a large mull-
tilde---(iiear, hear.)
Mr. CLARICE suggested, that if the meeting w( re
not allowed to be held on Kennington-common, they
should adjourn to Blackheath.
Mr CUFFAY said the car had arrived, and as it nas
time to go it was useless talking any longer.
After some discussion, it was decided that Mr.
Clarke's suggestion ought not to be entertained.
Ultimately some of the delegates became loud in
their intimations that it was time to go, and the
Meeting taking the hint rose rather abruptly.
Outside a large but orderly assemblage of people
Were assembled awaiting the appearance of the
delegates. The following hand-bill was freely dis-
tributed amongst them :-
4 THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE
WORKING CLASSES OF LONDON.
" Fellow Countrymen !—The time of your en-
Irenchisement is at hand ! Nothing but the folly of
ourselves can prevent it ! If you would be success-
you must be peaceable.
• ...` The sacred cause of Freedom must not be tar -
Tailed by any act of violence ! The Convention
~tdeclares that man to be an enemy who in any way
nmits a Violation of the Peace.
" The Convention will be at KENNINGTON-
''(4I4.ON at Eleven o'clock on MONDAY morn-
-1,1;1, APRIL 10, and will proceed with the National
retitlon along the line of route already published,
and will observe, in all its proceedings, the most
theregard far life and property, and the Peace of
(ee Metropolis.
ou" The Convention assures the Special Constables and
ti!;Fter Authorities, that they may rely upon the aid of
014 e Convention in enforcing PEACE, LAW, and
46DER-By order of the Convention,
"PHILIP Dal-RATH, president."