The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-12 00:00:00

THE REFORM DEMONSTRATION.

THE SPEECHES AT_ THE AGRICULTURAL
HALL.

On the platform were Mr. E. Beaks, M.A., Col.
Dickson, Professors Rogers and Beesley, Dr. Per-
fitt, Mr. T. B. Potter, M.P., Mr. P. A. Taylor,
M.P., The Donoghue, M.P., Mr. Bradlaugh, Mr.
Ernest Jones, &c. The Scottish deputations :
Glasgow—Councillor John Burt, president; James
Moir, vice-president ; and Mr. George Jackson,
secretary of the Scottish National Reform League.
Auchtermuchty, Messrs. John and Thos. Menzies ;
Aberdeen, Mr. John Anderson ; Dumbartonshire,
Mr. James Nisbet; Edinburgh, Mr. John Grant;
Galashiels, Mr. Oliver Rae ; Iladdington, Mr.
Robert M'Donald ; Kilmarnock, Mr. C. Johnson
and banner ; Paisley, Councillor Robert Cochrane ;
Port Glasgow, Mr. Alex. Carmichael ; Selkirk, Mr.
David Linton.

Mr. BEALES, who upon coming forward to address
the meeting was loudly cheered, said that he con-
gratulated them on the demonstration of that day,
which had been conspicuous for its observance of
law and order, and of which the metropolis might
well be proud. The speaker next explained the rea-
sons for the absence of Mr. Bright, and read a letter
from Mr. J. S. Mill, who stated asoue of the reasons
for his absence that he considered that " his taking
part in any public meetings should be confined to
exceptional circumstances." Mr. Beales proceeded
to comment on the letter, which he pronounced to
be in its general terms very different to the homily
which Lord Derby had treated them (the Reform
Leaguers) to in the House of Lords on Friday
night, when he said that they would be held re-
sponsible for any destruction of property which
might take place ; but it was the law, and not Lord
Derby, who would have to decide that question. He
(Mr. Beales) would like to know how their demon-
stration differed from any Royal or municipal pro-
cessions. He would tell Lord Derby who were the
men that were responsible for any breach of law
and order. It was the party who foolishly, obsti-
nately, and selfishly resisted the just claims of the
people, and sought to maintain class interests.
Why, even Lord Russell was so carried away by
clue feelings and oligarchical prejudices as to
declare that manhood suffrage and the ballot,
which had been declared for at large meetings,
through the length and breadth of the land, had not
a single supporter in either House of Parliament.
(Groans.) But Lord Derby had said that such con-
cessions would be equivalent to revolution. He
(Mr. Beales) contended that the Government and
the Parliament were at variance with the people.
(Hear, hear.) To deny the people the rights they
claimed was a violation of all common sense, law,
and decency—political decency ; and he charged
Lord Derby with violating the true principles of the
Constitution. Mr. Beales concluded by deprecating
any wish on the part of the Reform League to dis-
turb the public peace, but said that they would con-
tinue to agitate this question until the people of the
United Kingdom had their full share of political
power. (Loud cheers.)
The Reform League Minstrels, at this stage of
the proceedings, vocally rendered " The Reform
League Chorus,"
which was received with loud
cheers.

Professor ROGERS, president of the Oxford Re-
form League, proposed the first resolution, as fol-
lows : " That this meeting consider it their
duty to distinctly declare that no measure for the
improvement of the representation of the people in
Parliament will be satisfactory which is not based
upon the principle of the people themselves being
directly and personally so represented, instead of
such representation being only virtual and sectional,
and that such direct and real representation can only
be effected by means of residential and registered
manhood suffrage, protected in its free and honest
exercise of the ballot." He said that they distrusted,
and with good reason, the persons who had taunted
them in the first place, and who now would mock
them with a delusive promise, which, if carried out,
would only be a mockery and a sham._ The object
of the present meeting was to endeavour to secure
those rights for the people of which they had so
long been unjustly deprived. They wished the
House of Commons to be elected by the nation ; and
with regard to the House of Lords, they wished to