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

SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

BOW-STREET, Tuts DAT. The swearing-in of
special constables was continued this morning. The
court and the passages to it were, if possible, more
crowded than during the past week. Ingress and
egress were almost impracticable, and even the officers
of the court could with difficulty move from one part
of the court to another for the transacticn of busi-
ness. An exceedingly anxious and somewhat excited
feeling prevailed, much more than 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.

NIEETING OF THE CONVENTION THIS

MORNING.

The delegates assembled this morning► shortly after
nine o'clock, at the Hall in John-street.

The public were not admitted into the hall, and the
only persons present besides the delegates were the
reporters for the different morning and evening
journals, the Government short-hand writers (one of
whin was Mr. Frederick Bond Hughes, who
figured in the State trials in Ireland), and a few
ladies in the gallery.

In the temporary absence of Mr. M`Grath, Mr. G.
W. M. Reynolds was voted to the chair.
The muster-roll having been read over by the
secretary (Mr. Doyle), and replied to, with two or
three exceptions,

v

The SECRETARY stated that he h.adi. this morning
received a communication from the Commissioners 0 v'sl

Police, at Scotland•yard, forbidding the procession
hut stating that the monster p-tition would; of course,
be allowed to be talon to the Yous€ 0r c 0.0,,
Mr. Fearg•us OV,4tuor, aCcouqtanitA by 'Mr.
'll rath
`L, ',lib, here ew.: aLd M`G

took the chair, which was vacated by Mr. neynolds.
Mr. WEST announced his intension to take part in
the procession, and he hoped the delegation were
determined to persist in carrying the petition to th,e
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'CoNNoa, 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 *
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. This,
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 bad
been longest engaged in the Chartist movement, look
with intense anxiety to the results of this dap.'"
(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.—(Rear, hear.) It is Impossible thet
everybody can.be persuaded to side with us, and I
would advise this ConVention and the people out a
doors to abstain from coming into collision with the

constituted authorities.---(Cheers.) In Saying all'
much I am looking to the families and the
interests that may be sacrificed by the folly of 114"
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 001
a proceeding, and will moreover move the impeach•
merit 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 being
already occupied by the authorities, it is my intentiorl

to advise the people to peaceably abandon the prO'
cession, and will undertake to go to the House 131
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
now weak, and can only strengthen itself by (0111
and weakness, such as coming into collision with the
troops and giving them an opportunity to fire upoe
the people.—(Cheers.) Do not fancy that I giro
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 sari
and marks of bayonet wounds which I have received
while struggling for the people, and on one occasions
at Manchester, after a disturbance, there were no lees
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'
tertnined to exercise my courage to-day, uotwithstancl°
ing the threats that have been held out against ay
life.—(Cheers.) If I were asked at this moment, I
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 lamto 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, ss sae
as you are a living man. You may rely upon Ole
information, for these are the orders."—(Sensation.)
Since then I have received many letters warning
of my danger, one of which runs thus :—‘, Respect/4
Sir,—l can inform you that there will be an attempt
on your life should you make your appearance 00
Monday. Take a friend's warning—for God's saile,
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
not acquainted with the result of the Executive Cool'
mittee meeting yesterday. They came to a resold'
tion that the procession should go to Kenningtkri.
common, but if the military had possession of it, they
would merely go round the common,snd return back
again, without attempting any collision with the mill'
tary. After that the procession would take a certahl
route, but would not attempt to go down to the
House of Commons.--(Hear, hear.) The only quo..
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 Goveratains
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. CUFFAT—The time is now come for work;
everything has been arranged and fully provided fot
the Executive Committee. It is useless, there'
fore, debating the matter again.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. O'CONNOR said, if the meeting were allow'ej
to take place they would form a procession, but 3f
they were interfered with perhaps they would alio(
hhn to take the petition to the v°')
Ile 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 hoti
no intention of resorting to force.
A VOICB—it would be madness. They dare 131)
do it.

Alr. O'CONNOR said it might be so, but he exhorted
them, in the name of the Charter, in the name °I
their wives and families, in the name of justice, in 038
name of Heaven, not to take any rash step to irrist
the authorities.— (Cheers.) •

Mr. REYNOLDS asked if the meeting were not si'
lowed to take place on Bennington• common, would
it lead to disastrous consequences, and endanger tli°
lives of the people ?
Mr. O'CONNOR said, if any opposition were offete4
to the authorities, it woula lead to a collision with

:14.1 tr:-;..0_,,f.4 IL. • -

at lit, ry. It was impossible to control a large mu't -
tude.—(Hear, hear.)
Mr. CLARKE suggested, that if the meeting wf re
not allowed to be held on Kennington•common, t'.-,c '
should adjourn to Blackheath.

Mr CUFFAY said the car had arrived, and as is v as
tuns 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 die
tributed amongst them :

THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE
WORKING CLASSES OF LONDON.
" Fellow Countrymen !—The time of your en
franchisement is at hand! Nothing but the folly ot
yourselves can prevent it ! If you would be success-
ful you must be peaceable.
" The sacred cause of Freedom must not be tar
nished by any act of violence ! The Convention
declares that man to be an enemy who in any way
cotnmits a Violation of the Peace.
" The Convention will be at K.ENNINGTON-
OMMON at Eleven o'clock on MONDAY morn-
ing, APRIL 10, and will proceed with the National
Petition along the line of route already published,
and will observe, in all its proceedings, the most
sacred regard fur life and property, and the, Peace of
the Metropolis.
" The Convention assures the Special Constables and
other Authorities, that they may rely upon the aid ot
the Convention in enforcing PEACE, LAW, and
ORDER.—By order of the Convention,
"PHILIP •M‘GRATH, President."

PROGRESS OF THE DELEGATES TO
KENNINGTON-COMMON.
The delegates at a few minutes after ten o'clocl,
took their seats in the waggon which had been sent
up by the NATIONAL LAND ASSOCIATION, and of
course their appearance was the signal for a lout
burst of enthusiastic cheering on the part of the
assembled multitude. The waggon was gaily deco-
rated with flags and banners bearing the usua
mottoes of the. Chartist body, such as " Vote b)
Ballot," " Universal Suffrage," &c., with a few other,
applicable to the occasion ; amongst the most con-
spicuous of which were " Onward, and we conque, r
backward and we " Who would be a slave if h'
Could be free." " We are the millions, and want our
rights." " Speak with your voice—not with the
musket." 'The waggon was preceded by an im
menu) truck for the petition to rest upon, and botl,
vehicles were drawn by four exceedingly fine cart
horses. Mr. Feargus O'Connor took up a position
in the centre seat, supported on either side
by. Mr. -Ernest Jones, and Mr. M‘Gratle
the Chairman of the Convention. The processiot,
began to move ahout half-past ten, and it is grati-
fying to state that it proceeded quietly and order!)
do%n Holborn, along Farringdon-street, and acro::
Blackfriars-bridge, being cheered most energetics!!)
11)3, the people throughout the whole route. Not e
policeman or soldier was to be seen from the point 01
starting to the bridge ; but it was stated that most el
the large inns, the vacant space whereon former!)
stood the Fleet-prison, and the Bridewell, in Br;dge-
street, were occupied with troops and large bodies of
mounted police.
KEN NINGTON. COMMON.
On our reporter's reaching Kennington this
morning, at an early hour, he found not more than
from 400 or .500 persons congregated in the vicinity
of the Common. Very few, indeed, disported them-
selves on the sward, which was exceedingly soft and
damp, owing to the torrents of rain that fell during
the night—the majority preferring to await the event
of the day outside the rails. All the shops in the vi
cinity, with one or two trifling exceptions, were
closed—even the public-houses were barred, and the
thirsty of the multitude found it, therefore, far from
an easy matter to gratify their desire for drink or
the scene of the demonstration. It is right to state
that at the time we mention, between 8 and 1]
o'clock, the conduct of those who had gathered together
Was praiseworthy in the extreme; their demeanour was
excellent and exemplary. There was no rushing to
and fro, and thereby endangering the bodies, if not
the lives, of the more peaceably disposed pedestrian.
Piemen pursued their toils unmolested—bakers'
carts, and bakers' baskets were spared from pillage;
in fact the Proclamation of the Commissioners of
Police, or rather of the Government, and the sen-
tences passed on Saturday at the Central Criminal
Court on the pillagers of the pawnbroker's shop, ap-
peared to have awed the people, and struck terror into
the breasts of the thieves, who were no doubt dis-
posed, almost at any risk, to turn a demonstration of
the people into a melee for their advantage and

profit.
It was generally rumoured that Kennington
Church, the Vitriol 'Works, and the Horns Tavern,
contained detachments of military. With respect to
the Horns, we may state that the house was closed
and barred, and that the blinds were down. Very
few police were to be seen, and the greatest order
and good feeling prevailed. Over copies of the letter
written by the Convention to Sir George Grey, co-
pies of which were stuck about in all directions, the
following words, in large letters, were inscribed—
" The preservation of the peace and security of pro-
perty is the first duty of every citizen." " The
National Convention will regard that man as an
enemy, who in any way interrupts the peace of the
metropolis."
During the morning bands of special constables
paraded through the streets, and contributed by their
presence to allay, in a great measure, the apprehen•
sion that had been excited in the minds of the inha-
bitants. It was a remaakable fact that nearly all
the pawnbrokers',shops that came under our obser-
vation were closed.
About eleven o'clock a large procession from Fins-
bury, consisting of about one thousand of various
trades, arrived on the Common, and took up their
position on the south side, when they were arranged
under the superintendence of their marshals, according
to the various trades.
In one part of the Common a considerable number
of persons were assembled round a speaker, who was
endeavouring to persuade the people from committing
any acts of violence ; that all such proceedings would
be attended with evil consequences; and especially
enforcing his arguments by the assurance " that God
would avenge his ow; elect."
About half-past eleven an-immense procession from
the'Tower Hamlets. and Spitalfields, who had pre-
viously assembled on Stepney-green, proceeded
along Bishopsgate-street and over London-bridge.
They were joined in the Blackfriars-road by a pro-
cession of the Irish Confederates.
SSELL -SQUARE.
The procession was headed by a band. The Irish
confederates, who joined in the procession, carried the
green and orange flag. There were numerous flags,
among which—the tricolor was particularly con-
spicuous. (‘ The cordwainers," who beaded the
procession, bore a flag bearing the inscription, " Let
labour have its due, and never shall my heart repine."
There were also numerous white flags bearing the
inscription, " The Charter, and no surrender."
The whole of the procession was arranged by mar-
shals. It was very generally reported that the Irish
Confederates came prepared for any collision that
might take place.

About the same time another large body ar-
rived at the Brixton end of the Common, also dis-
playing large tri-color flags, and several poles
carried surmounted by caps of liberty, and