The Sun.
London, England, 1858-02-04 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENT-NG,

tion. T:le'we ,
rd proposition in your list adopts this
principle, an' .1 I only dwell upon it because I know
Its are too much accustomed to look
tihrientciiptleef,er:ki e
rage as if it were the all important,
aportant point in their creed.
‘' W
rd to the ballot it is worthy of remark
that no With n
ourpothne thee nlsyule,l
.g has been held for many years in
i reg.aeetil
favour of Retort'mat which the ballot has not been
I on. If Reform is to be granted to
hant Reformers ; if their judgment
and unanimity
sire sufficient to justify or to force
stronglygratify i
and i i
el ':
,?1.,.i
its concession, s len, surely, the ballet canuct be
denied to us, an i I feel certain it will not long be
refused. The ball 'at is not so much a principle as a
convenience. It c lees not bestow the franchise ; it
only guarantees th at which the law has already con-
fen ed. A voter gee le to the poll in a cab because it is
easier and sometime es safer for him than to struggle
through an excited , Trowd on foot ; why should he
not be allowed to von a by ballot, to shelter him from
the more serious arm° Vance he may be, and is now,
often subjected to, fro m the importunity, or threats,
of his landlord, his cr, sthtor, or his reen•einer ?
" When toe 200 me ti now iu the House of Com-
mons who are pledged t 0 support the ballot, or when
100 of them, or when 5i ri of them are in earnest, and
. tell the Government th ey are resolved to have it,
and that they will leave any Government that will
not grant it in the hands of the Philistines on the
opposite side of the house --then, and probably not
till then, the ballot will No conceded. I dread to
think of the consequences of a wide extension of
the suffrage in our manufacturing districts should
it be obtained without the ballot. It will tempt
employers*of labour to a hateful tyranny, and it
will doom multitudes of the employed, I fear, to a
not less hateful condition of political 'degradation.
" I write this letter chiefly that I may warn you
against the pitfalls that are in your path. Your
cause is not in the hands of friends. Your forces
in the Parliamentary field are commanded by men
takeu from, or chosen by, your constant and natu-
ral opponents ; and they lead them, not for your
purposes, but for their own. I beseech you to watch
well what" is proposed and what is done. Be the
measure great or small, let it be honest in every
part. Include as many as you can in the right of
the franchise. Insist neon such a distribution of
seats as shall give the House of Commons fairly to
the industry, the property, the intelligence' and the
population of the country. Demand the ballot as
the undeniable right of every man who is called to
the poll ; and take special care that the whole
constitutional rule and principle by which majori-
ties alone shall decide in Parliamentary elections
shall not be violated.
" I give my hearty support, as I have heretofore
done, to the prop isitions contained in your circu-
lar. I lament that I cannot join you in your meet-
ing to-morrow, for I esteem it a great honour to be
permitted to act with the inhabitants of Birming-
ham on that question which a quarter of a century
ago they did so much to advance, and on which
their potent voice is once more about to be hoard.
" I am very sincerely yours,
" JOHN BRIGHT.
"To George Edmonds, Esq., Birmingham."
The reading of the letter was followed by great
cheering, and Mr. Edmonds' call for " three cheers
for John Bright" was heartily and with a good will
responded to. Mr. Edmonds afterwards real a
letter fr. Mr. Joseph Sturgis, excusing his absence,
but conveying his pleasure to find the people of Bir-
mingham again moving in the cause of obtaining
for non-electors their political right, and his un-
changed conviction of the right of every man to a
vote in the selection of those who made the laws he
was bound to obey. (Cheers.)
Mr. EDMONDS afterwards proceeded to say that
it now became his duty to fulfil the task imposed on
him of reeving the first resolution. It was to the
followieg effect :—" That, in the opinion of this
meeting, the time has arrived when a large and
liberal measure of reform should be conceded bythe
legislature, in which the claims of the industrial
population should be prominently recognised. That
patient, temperate, and wise conduct of the people
proves them capable of using the fi anchise so as to
advance the general welfare of the nation, and
greatly augment the security of the State ; and this
• meeting, therefore, declares that no reform will be
efficient or satisfactory, unless it shall include :-
1. Tile extension of the borough franchise in Eng-
land and \Vales to ' every male person of full age
and not subject to any legal incapacity,' who shall
occupy, as owner or tenant, in part or in whole,
any premises within the borough. The extension
of the county franchise in England and Wales to
all 101. occupiers at least. The assimilation as far
as possible of the franchise in Scotland and Ireland
to those of England and Wales. 2. Protection to
voters by ballot, on a plan similar to that adopted
in the Australian coloni,es. '3. A re-appointment
of seats that shall make such an approach to an
equalisation of constitktencies as shall give in the
United Kingdom a majority of members to a majority
of electors. 4. Abolition of property qualification
for members. 5. The calling of a new Parliament
every three years," (Loud cheers.) With respect
to Mr. Bright's letter, he said he could not allow
it to pass without saying that a more clear-sighted
document he had never read. It brought before
them the greatest point that could possibly engage
their attention—ho meant the insisting upon such
a redistribution of seats as should correspond with
the numbers that formed the constituencies. "Upon
this great question he would read to them a statis-
tical statement which they could rely upon. He
found that seven beronghs—namely, Chippenham,
Marlborough, Richmond, linareshoreugh, Har-
wich, Deptford, and :Tavistock, which comprised
2,000 voters, returriel no less than 14 members to
Parliament, whilst Manchester, Liverpool, Bir-
mingham, and Bristol, containing altogether 45,060
electors, only sent eight.l (Shame.) This showed
the unjust operation of the present system. (Hear.)
What was the use of giving the suffrage to these
45,000, when in fact, it they deducted 12,000 who
sent 14 members, there would be left 33,000 prac-
tically and entirely unenfranchised ; for, although
they appeared to exercise the electoral right, the
utmost they could do was to return eight members,
to be outvoted by the 14 members sent by the 2,000.
(Cheers.) Did not that demonstrate the absurdity
of an extension of suffrage, without insisting on a
redistribution of electoral districts. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. Edmohds then quoted from a speech made by
Lord J. Russell in 1832, which, ho said, went to
prove that in proportion as the constituencies are
numer sus the members sent by those constituen-
cies were proportionately economical and protective
of the interest of the people ; and added that he
amtrer
-gaudjeeent e
i aesn
tt o
et
fh et
hoverwhelminge
ii
ems
.t. or tan(c che
brought this to their notice as affording another
e eorfs .a)
r.a
gentleman
si
Al
efttteerr
to
ols3fo 1 rr.e felatvriiini
iga
tut op,
a inpaswshagicelilithl‘alt
combatted thAnotion that if the whole of
the rate-
payers were admitted to the franchise the country
would be subjected to " the tyranny of the million,"
he concluded by calling uponthemen of Birmingham
to adopt the same policy they did in supporting the
old Reform Bill, namely, whilst claiming what was
their right, to throw aside petty personalities, and
to take care, as they did nuder the wholesome ad-
vice of Thomas .Atwood, to insist only upon what
was legal and peaceful, the Government would yield
to the omnipotent voice of the people. (Cheers.)
Thank God wo had a free press, and the press and
the people, if they were unanimous, firm, and
peaceful, might do all they chose to attempt, and
he wished them success in then. present movement.
Mr. J. A. LANGFORD seconded the resolution.
He observed that it had been with much propriety
arranged that old Birmingham should move the first
resolution on that occasion, and he supposed it had
been thought right that young Birmingham should
follow. (A laugh.) However that might be, one
thing was very certain, it was an answer to those
who said that England did not want reform.
(Hear.) It might seem at:singe that at this time of
day they should be found supporting a programme
of reform such as that embodied in the resolution,
but it was the character of the English nation that
they cover made 'sups and stares--they went on
gradually step by step, holding their way inch by
inch, and never retrogradinee (Cheers.) The Re-
form Bill was a step, and they- had never gone b ick
from it. (Rear.) Had it not been for the Reform
Bill they never would have got the repeal of the
corn laws, nor of the Test Acts, nor a free press,
nor would Birmingham have had a representative.
(Hear, bear.) These were things worth working
for, though it was now found that more was re-
quired. Still let them advance by degrses, and if
the new programme now submitted did not go far
enough to please them all, let them not forget the
past' but accept it as as an instalment, and then go
for afart her one at some future time. (Loud cheers.)
On this ground he should advise that, if Lord Pal-
merston's promised bill was not so comprehensive
as they could desire—if it embrace I any feesh ele-
ments of reform—let them be content with it for
the present. Let there s',t, ad. finite object before
them, and let not their efforts relax until they at-
tained it ; and though they might perhaps succeed
only by degrees, the end would be at last achieved.
(Cheers.) Having commented upon the different
clauses of the programme, he said there was
enough in it to unite them on the grand question
of reform. He urged the reformers of the town to
be unanimous, as any difference would he taken
advantage of to withhold even a measure of conces-
Sion ; and concluded by expressing his conviction
that if they persisted firmly and unitedly iu dr-
'alrg what was embodied in the resolution, they
should au ^ '
Mr. SenoLEF
three times three and
the subject calline
ono of deep jin
cected. (Loud cheers.)
Biriminghana and a M.P., who was greeted with
and prolosged acclamation, said
g them together that evening was
pottanco to the political interests of
her
o large towns in the kingdom.

1 If they had any expectation that Lord Palmeraton
wa s about to introduce an efficient Reform Bill
there might be some reason for waiting for that bill
to come ; but those who anticipated that Lord Pal-
merston would bring forward such a measure would
he thought, find themselves greatly mistaken.
(Cheers.) Mr. Bright,. in the admirable letter
which th ey had just heard read, did not deem it at all
impossible that Lord Palmerston might propose a
large addition to thefranchise. He(Mr. Scholefield)
confessed he did not share in any such anticipation.
Re did not believe that either Lord Palmerston or
Lord John Russell were prepared to make any
very large addition to the franchise, and he
therefore thought it of the utmost importance
that they should meet to lay down some principles
on which they considered a new reform bill ought
•o be based. At the same time he would repeat
what he had before said, and what had been urged
eith great force and clearness by Mr. Langford,
that in proposing this large measure of reform,
which they considered should be the standard of a
ilew la', 113 was not prep-trod to -ay be would abide
by that or nothing, but if he could get a good mea-
sure of reform short of this he would aecspt it grate-
fully, and would, with their kind assistance, exert
himself afterwards to get more. (Cheers.) He did
not know that ho need enlarge materially on the
subject calling them together that evening, for they
had heard in the first place the admirable letter of
Mr. Bright, and the excellent addresses of Mr.
Edmonds and Mr. Langford, and they had gone
over the ground so completely that little was left
for Lim to add. Thirteen years ago he told them
what his political opinions were on the various
points referred to in the resolution ; and he stood
there now with those opinions ervirely unchaeged,
and he said this despite that which might in the mind
of some men less attached to reform have shaken
their convictions. Some recent experience he had
had in the United States. There he found that a want
of a well regulated system of registration, a loose
mode of administering the law of elections, and a
loose method of taking the votes, had led to a state
of things as, he confessed, was conducive neither to the
character or dignity of the American people o and
he for one would not exchange the liberty we en-
joyed in this couetry, imperfect as it was, for the
much vaunted and superficial liberty of the United
States. He firmly believed we bad one great ad-
vantage over America—perfect freedom of opinion.
As regarded the first point referred to he the pro-
gramme—the extension of the franchise—he need
not say it had his entire concurrence. It was pre-
cisely the shape in which Mr. Sturge advocated re-
form many years ago. He never doubted that it
was the proper basis of the franchise, and although
he would takeless, he would never do less thancon-
' tend for that. With regard to the assimilation as
far as possible of the Scotch and Irish franchises to
those of England and Wales, he knew that the effects
of the 40s. freehold movement originated by their
friend Mr. Jas. Taylor, had in this country been
great and important, and when it had been proposed
to him in the last session of Parliament to lend his
name to a similar movement in Scotland and Ire-
land, he readily concurred. And now, with refer-
ence to the protection of the voter by the ballot, he
had always been favourable to it, and whenever the
question had been brought before Parliament he
had always voted in its favour, and always should.
But as he had told them before, he could not regard
the vote by ballot as that large and important
question which some reformers thought it, with
the present restricted right of voting for mem-
bers of Parliament. But give him a large extension
of the franchise, and there would be no firmer sup-
porter of the ballot than be would be. As regarded
the appointment of seats, that had been so well
argued by Mr. Bright, and illustrated by Mr. Ed-
monds, as to leave him but little to say, more than
that he was decidedly in favour of such a step.
With regard to property qualification, he quite
agreed with the remarks of Mr. Langford, who pre-
ceded. At the same time let him (Mr. Scholefield)
assure them that the property qualification was a
mere sham, for there was no man in that assembly
who, if he were put forward as a candidate for Bir-
minglitm, could not obtain a property qualification
to-morrow. It was the easiest thing in the world
for a man who bad not sixpence of his own 'o ob-
tain a qualification by having ono lent him.
(Laughter.) And though this step might deter an
upright sold conscientious man, it never kept back
an unconscientious one. Moreover, in Scotland
there was no property qualification, and there could
not possibly be men sent to Parliameut more intel-
lectually cr socially qualified than those members
who came from Scotland. (Applause.) He bad now
come to the last proposition, viz., the duration of
Parliaments. He had never advocated shorter Par-
liaments than three years; for his own conviction
was, that if they were to elect a man every year,
they would have representatives who would not
know their duty. The year was. not sufficient to
enable a man to become sufficiently acquainted with
the routine of thehouse. If they could notelect men
whom they could trust for 3 years it was a poor
case, and he must say their choice was very limited.
In conclusion, he said that neither be nor Mr.
Bright would ever shrink from an avowal of opinion
which they knew the people of Bircuingli ins had
adopted, and which they believed the people would
permanently stand upon. (Loud cheers.)
Mr. BEDDOWS also spoke in support of the reso-
lution. He was extremely gratified to seo so large
a number of his fellow-townsmen there that even-
ing. It showed that the men of Birmingham had
not lest the love of reform, but were still prepared
to advocate it fully and to itsproper degree. The
proposition before them contained all that they
could desire. If there was one thing more than
another that they should strive after, it was the
reconstitution of the House of Commons. (Cheers.)
When the people neglected their duty the House of
Commonspeople
grewranpant, and hence it was neces-
sary for rampant,
be always on their guard. In
speaking of the ill-adjustment of rewards, the
speaker said lie would be the last todyenryexreawrcairtdos
to such men as General Havelock, and the other
gallant men who had fought and saved India to
Butwhohad only family connections to
lie would deny
an
this
those nation.m k
After an allusion to the manner
in which petitions, &c., were treated by Lord recommend them.
Pal-
merston and the House of Commons, he hoped the
vote of the meeting would be one of unity and not
disunion, and that no man would come forward
with any single ideas regarding different degrees of
suffrage, for the great question of union ; and he
trusted they would not be bothered with amend-
ments upon a question which the good sense of
every man there would tell him was properly and
fully treated in the resolution. (Applause.) He
would, in conclusion, put it to tue good sense of
the meeting, if the basis proposed was not one
which would meet all classes--the higher as well
as the lower.

The MAYOR then put the resolution, and it was
carried.

Mr. J. S. WRIGHT, in a forcible speecij, moved
the next resolution :—" That a petition to the
House of Commons be signed by the Mayor, on
behalf of the meeting, and that our borough mem-
bers be requested to present the same, and support
the prayer thereof." Mr. Wright then read the
petition, which was based upon the resolutions. He
was favourable to manhood suffrage, but thought
the most direct means of obtaining it was by the
course they had adopt A. He next remarked upon
the re-distribution of the seats, and said that if
Birmingham had the number of tneraheis her popu-
lation entitled her to, she would have six repre-
sentatives. After some re:narks upon tho general
necessity
tythfeowilling exertion by the
people themselves
an earnest and
inst
tae
cause of reform, Mr.
Wright concluded by proposing the resolution,
amidst loud chee Is.

Mr. McCAItmE seconded the resolution.
An amendment was moved in favour of " man-
hood suffrage," but it was not seconded.
Mr. Alderman BALnwiN deprecatedCOW any division.
(,11,1(rman -Bald yin) had
he did not believe Palmerston to be an honest t
clan, but at that time Mr. Scholofield thought dif-
ferently. (Hear.) If gentlemen like Mr..Schok-
field gave way in the slightest degree they
would
never carry the inn sure they wanted. (Hear.)
Ho (Mr. Baldwin) had always been,
and was still,
an advocate for the charter, but he knew that a
large number of people troughout the country
would be satisfied if they got the measure
(Cheer 4.)
pro-
pounded that evening. Ho hoped,
thtrcfore, the. chartists would join heartily in at-
temp'ing to get it.
Mr. JAMEZ TAYLOI. denied that any gentlemen
had been in favour of the charier. No one had
spoken in favour of annual parliaments, or p
meat of mewinfs. (Hear.) Mr. Hayward said
the measure now pnposed was not extensive enough.
Why it would take in 32,000 of the 40,000 adults
Of Birmingham. (Cheers.) What was the good
of the .e p,rpetqal amendments ? Were they any
nearer the chatter than they were 15 ye-irs age ?
Pahnersten was one of the grea'eA humbugi of the
present day, and they need only expect from him
as much reform as be was compelled to give in
obelience to the will of the nation. (Cheers.)
The resolution was carried.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks
to the Mayor.

POLYTECIINIC.—The approae iag solar eclipse fur-
nishes Mr. Pepper an opportunity of explaining in a
ver3r iut._resting lecture the leading phenomena cf the
solar system, which he also illustrated by a number of
admirable dissolving views, The subject is ono that
admits of being well treated in this manner • and. Mr.
P2pper's astronomical lecture will no doubt at this
junctora prove a consi lerablc addition to the attractiono,
of tho establishment,