The Sun.
London, England, 1860-01-10 00:00:00

ROCHFORD.

At a public meeting, held at the County Court-
house, Rochford, on the sth January—Mr. Arthur,
Tawke in the chair—the committee reported that
the inhabitants of Rochford Hundred had responded
to their appeal for pecuniary aid in so liberal a
spirit that the formation of the corps might at once
be proceeded with. The annual subscriptions
already promised amount to £139 10s., and the
donations to £163 7s.

WATFORD, OR 2D HERTS.
A very numerously attended and influential meet-
ing was held yesterday evening at Mr. Carey's
Lecture-hall, Watford, in furtherance of the exten-
sion of the above corps, the Earl of Verulam, Lord-
Lieutenant of the county of Hertford, in the chair.
Among the noblemen and gentlemen present were :
—the Earl of Clarendon, Lord Ebury, Lord Rokeby,
the Hon. R. Capel, Mr. Alderman Copeland, M.P.;
Mr. Clutterbuck; Mr. Robins, Mr. Stewart, Rev.
Mr. James, Rev. Mr. Houchin, &c. The chairman,
in opening the proceedings, read a letter from Mr.
Hibbert, announcing an annual donation of ten
guineas to the corps, and also one from Mr. Est-
court, with a subscription of £lO. He said it was
unnecessary to state that he cordially approved the
objects of the meeting. The movement was one
which had been taken up so earnestly by the middle
classes that no foreign foe was likely to be able to
disturb the harmony of the country. Why had the
movement become so general and so likely to prove
lasting ? Because they were reverting to the great
principles of their ancestors, when every man car-
ried arms and was skilful in the use of the national
weapon—the long bow, and the men of the present
day had now taken up the rifle. They saw that fo-
reign countries were armed to the teeth, and it was
necessary, in order to be prepared for any emer-
gency that might arise, that they should follow out
the principles of their ancestors and accustom them.
selves to the use of the national weapon. The Go-
vernment had come forward and given them arms,
and expected them to practise and perfect them-
selves in their use. He hoped and believed that if
the time ever came when a foreign foe should land
on this island he would find on every rood of land a
man to meet him. (Cheers.) He concluded by read-
ing the letter from the War-office containing the
official recognition of the corps, and the acceptance
by her Majesty of their services.
The Earl of CLARENDON, in moving the first reso-
lution, after adverting to the popularity of the
movement, which was deserving of encouragement
and support, went on to say that free institutions
were incompatible with the existence of large
standing armies, and the people of Eng-
land had determined by all constitutional means
to find a substitute for that force. If they were to
have a large standing army there would always be
a danger to freedom and liberty, and other Powers
might be justified in asking if our intentions were
pacific ; but they could not ask what were the in-
tentions of volunteer rifle corps, the formation of
which was merely a defensive measure for the pro-
tection of our homes, not calculated to give um-
brage in the slightest degree to foreign Powers.
The movement, although as yet only in its infancy,
had produced a very salutary effect throughout
Europe. It was the most complete scheme that had
been devised to secure peace, and place us beyond
the recurrence of unmanly panics of which Eng-
lishmen should be ashamed. To see a danger, to be
frightened, and yet to do nothing to avert it, was
worthy only of a nation of old women ; to see it
and to shut their eyes to it was pusillanimous ; but
to look the danger steadily in the face was the part
of freemen and patriots, and worthy the people of
England. (Cheers.) The only power from which
danger could be expected was France, and he was
the last man to say that the ruler of that nation me-
ditated any course inimical to the interests of this
country. On the contrary, he believed that the
Emperor Napoleon considered a war with England
as likely to be dangerous to himself, and productive
of injurious effects on the progress of civilisation.
The Emperor was a man of great sagacity, and pos-
sessed experience that had been dearly bought.
What was the experience he derived from the Rus-
sian war ? The lesson he learnt then (his lordship
was:betraying no confidence, the opinions of the
Emperor being well known) was, that they ought
to be able at a given time and a given day to carry
the precise amount of forces required to any given
point, and he determined that in future France
should not be without the means of transporting
50,000 men. He was quite right in determining that
the armies of France should be placed in a state to
uphold the position of the nation, and he had been
enabled to send out 100,000 men in An extraordinary
short space of time to commence a gigantic war.
Now they could never look with indifference on
the position of affairs on the other side of the
Channel, which might now be said to be
bridged over; and, without intending of-
fence to any other nation, the people
of England had determined that they would not be
dependent on the good will or amicable intentions
of any Government or combination of Governments
whatever for the security of their shores. If the
Emperor Napoleon had been killed in Italy (he was
brave, and continually exposed himself), how did
they know that the next Government, possessing
all their powerful resources, would continue to en-
tertain the same friendly sentiments ? There were
certain friends of peace who said that all this pre-
paration was totally uncalled for and unnecessary,
as we should always have full notice of any medi-
tated invasion, and should such an emergency arise
England would rise as one man. Now, considering
the complete condition of the French army and the
resources of France, it would be utter imbecility on
the part of that Government if they allowed 48
hours to elapse after a declaration of war without
taking decisive steps, and he would ask then if those
48 hours would not be spent in confusion here. The
rising of the people of England would be like the
rising of a flock of sheep ; without arms, without
discipline, and totally unprepared, they would be
but brave men rushing to certain destruction ; but.
when they were properly organised and equipped
an invasion would bo impossible. (Cheers.) No
effort should be spared to attain this end. The Go-
vernment gave them their cordial support ; those
who were too old to join should give their money;
those who were effective should render themselves
efficient; and no man could take part in the move-
ment without feeling he was rendering a service to
his country. When they were certain of repelling
an invasion that invasion would not occur. Another
feature in the movement was the bringing together
in harmonious action those classes who usually did
not amalgamate from the want of opportunity.
The gradual but sure manner in which it had pro-
gressed was a proof of its sincerity, and a guaran-
tee for its permanence. It ought not to be one of
an ephemeral character, and the spirit of the nation,
which was now thoroughly roused, would prevent
it from relapsing. (Applause.) His lordship then
moved the following resolution :
" That the establishment of volunteer rifle corps in this
country is, in the opinion of this meeting, a national un-
dertaking deserving of the wannest support of all classes of
the community."
Lord EMMY, in seconding the motion, congratu-
lated the meeting on the information, coming from
the source it did, as to the effect the movement had
produced in the country. He believed that move-
ment had commenced just at the right time, because
men were beginning to consider the position of the
ruler of the country nearest to England ; and he
believed the volunteer movement was the best means
of national defence, and also of saving the pockets
of the taxpayers. Ile should be glad to perform
his own part in it, and heartily wished it success.
The motion was then carried by acclamation.
Lord Rokeby moved the next resolution :

" That this meeting views with the greatest satisfaction
that the enrolment of volunteer rifle corps is steadily pro..