The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-31 00:00:00

of the weekly press as to the proposed mode of action,
and the advisability of raisirg faros.
After some conversation up )1-1 points of mere detail, a
vote of thanks was passed. is favour of the chairman,
which closed the business.

THE GREAT WESTMINSTER MEETING.

--~--

The Westminster meeting of yesterday has in
.every respect transcended our utmost expectations.
A more respectable gathering of earnest reformers
and strenuous advocates of popular progress never
took place in a city which had for generations been
celebrated for its patriotism and attachment to the
cause of civil and religiousiliberty. The great Hall
was crowded in all parts, not excepting the galleries,
while the feeling which animated the vast and intel-
ligent assembly was such as we have rarely witnessed.
It was a most significant sign of the times. It was
clear as the meridian sun, from the spirit by which
the crowded meeting was influenced, that the people
are far in advance of their leaders, and that if a
few men of talent, patriotism, and character were
but to come forward to direct a national move-
ment, we should see such an agitation in favour of
popular rights, both at home and abroad, as this
country never before witnessed. There exist mate-
rials for accomplishing those great reforms in the
present state of affairs in England, such as no leader
of the people ever before bad to work with. And
though we cannot at the moment name the right
man for the important office of heading a grand
national organisation for reforms which are so much
needed, we de not doubt that, as the Hour has
manifestly arrived for the national movement, the
Man will not long be wanting.'''
We refer our readers to the copious report, which
we give in another part of our impression, of yes-
terday's proceedings at St. Martin's Hall. If Minis-
tors had faithful friends there, they must by this
time be profoundly impressed with the convic-
tion that the people of England will not tamely
submit to any terms of peace which are not com-
patible with the honour and interests of this
country—secure the future integrity of Turkey—
and extort from Russia the most ample guarantees
for the tranquillity of Europe. If Ministers, after
the demonstration of yesterday, venture to accept
unsatisfactory conditions of peace, they will do it
at their peril. There was the most perfect unani-
mity we ever witnessed at any public meeting,
in protesting with a terrible earnestness against
any patched-up peace—in denouncing the idea of
an armistice, before a treaty of pease has been
formally signed—and in demanding that Mini, be
made to indemnify us for the expenses of the war.
But even that did not seem to a large proportion
.of tthe assemblage to go far enough. They de-
manded the impeachment of all the Ministers, in-
cluding the members of Lord Aberdeen's
Administration, who have been parties to the
criminal or incapab'e management of the war. Au
amendment was moved to that effect, the chairman hav-
ing relhsed to incorporate its substance with the resolu-
tion ; on being put to the meeting, it was carried
amid deatTening acclamations. We think that proposing
an amend: rent of this nature Was a mistake, because it
can be followed by no practical results ; but it was a
great fact, e.s showing the feeling of the people on the
subject. of the war, and their opinions as to how those
Ministers should he dealt wit!i, on whose shoulders rests
the heaviest portion of the responsibility.
We cannot doubt that the exhibition of public feeling
in the city of Westminster, yesterday, will have its due
weight with the Ileuse of Commons, as well as with
Ministers. Many of the member; of the representative
branch of the Legislature who have hitherto been either
the subservient supporters rf the Government in their
misdeeds, or been silent when they ought to have dt•
nounced and protested against the inc.tpacity or culpa-
bility of those in power,—must have heard, in the
deafening plaudits with whkh the hall rang, when the
conduct of Ministers w.ss so. denounced, the death knell
of their existence as repvesentatives of the people. We
shah aso be grievously ditappointed, well as surprised,
if yesterday's demonstration io Westminster do not have

its effect in enlightening the minds of many members of
the Lower House as to bow they should vote when the
question of the Austrian peace propositions comes before
them.—Morning Advertioscr.