The Sun.
London, England, 1835-08-20 00:00:00

GREAT MEETING at BIRMINGHAM.

- ---
ToOnn Tuesday last nearly 8,000 persons- assembled in the
Town
Hall, in compliance with a most numerous and highly
respectable requisition to the High Bailiff, for the purpose of
considering the conduct of the House of Lords with respect
to the Municipal Reform Bill.
PAUL MOON JAMES, Esq., the High Bailiff, presided as
Chairman, and opened the business by reading the requisition
to him for calling the meeting, and observed that it was signed
by 170 of his respectable fellow townsmen. He said, if ever
there was an important occasion for our meeting together, the
present is such an occasion—(Cheers) ; the question itself
materially affects the well-being of the public, for it is this—
shall all further reform be impeded, or shall' abuses be re-
forrned?—(Cheers)—shall the public have a voice in the
Municipal Government of their town, or shall they not ?
them (Cheers),—shall the public recover their just rights, or leave
them in the hands of those who have usurped and abused
Cheers)--and lastly, shall those Ministers who have
devoted themselves to your service, be supported by you, or
will you desert and abandon them to their and your enemies?
7.--( Cheers.) These are the subjects for your discussion, and
to connexion with the latter part, I take leave to refer you to
the answer of Lord Melbourne to a memorial presented to
him in June last, in which answer his Lordship stated
that he accepted with great satisfaction, for his colleagues
and himself, the proffer of a zealous co-operation in the
accomplishment of measures of relief and benefit, and
he made use of very remarkable words for a Prime Minister
to employ. He said the memorialists " employ the lan-
guage of true wisdom in stating that the devotion of a people
must naturally encourage a minister to grapple with the diffi-
culties which may surround him ;" and he added, that " the
firm and continued confidence of the people can alone enable
.illnt to surmount them." [At this stage of the proceedings
vhs Attwood made his appearance, and was hailed with loud
and reiterated cheers, which lasted a considerable time.] He
High Bailiff) had only to add, that their true strength
y in the consciousness of the possession of power, and the
wise and discreet use of it. He trusted that it might be exer-
cised in the present day.
Mr. GEORGE EDMONDS requested to be allowed to read
communications he had received from several influential and
patiotie Members of Parliament, who had been invited to
attend, but who appeared to agree in opinion, that, at the
Present crisis, none but unavoidale causes could justify their
absence from their posts. Mr. E. then read letters from Lord
rougham, Mr. Hume, Mr. O'Connell, Mr. Harvey, Mr.
AtOebtick, Mr. Wakley, Mr. Williams, and from our own
Worthy representative, Joshua Scholefield, Esq.
THOMAS TYNDALL, Esq., came forward, and was received
with great cheering. He said, Mr. High Bailiff and fellow-
ZOstilen—l cannot but feel indignant at the mutilation of the
Dill in the House of Lords, inasmuch as the scale of voting
Under this Bill, by taking six lists of rate-payers will deprive
me and numerous other persons in exercising the privilege of
,Tl3ting under the Act. I now therefore come to the resolu-
tion which I have the honour to move, and I trust it will re-
'e Your unanimous approbation. He then read the follow-
ing resolution
That this meeting has witnessed with grief and indignation
e disappointment of the hopes of the people of England, in the
factious interference of a great majority of the House of Lords with
a measure of corporate reform, which especially interests the peo-
I),1?" and for the introduction of which we cannot but be grateful to
.nberal and patriotic minister."
The Reverend T. M. M'DONNELL said the resolution
expressed grief and indignation at the conduct of the
Lords; if they
had to grieve at one subject they had to
r uejoice at another. The people were too mighty to be trampled
tote; their oppression was matter of past history, never again
th enacted. Knowing their rights they would maintain
tteem. If he knew any thing of these hereditary legislators,
o very sight of the people would be enough to make
se_era take their carcases out of the way.--( Laughter.) Let
"'vat act on the principle which they had laid down, that the
fights
If thewoltf. their House are incompatible with the rights of
they PetTle, and should things come to any extremity,
find the people prepared for them.—( Cheers. )
y did not satisfy them with the Reform of the Corpora-
Bens' they would insist on a reform of the Lords.—( Cheers. )
enu id not help feeling indignation at the treatment of a
gCommission which, say what they would, had openly carried
en its enpiries—had heard with impartiality the friends and
enemies at the corporate monopolies. When these Commis-
gustirs'
eiuuessisii ~
ias the result of their labours, presented a most dis-
of 'istory of corruption and abuse, what was the language
n _
? " Oh, we have heard only one side of the
and then what do they do ; they refuse to hear
fa„,re than one side in the evidence before their House.—
(C groans. ) An antiquated buffoon, had not
(lislee enough to keep up his breeches in a propermanner—
ers)--showing, by his own constitutional infirmities, that
eo- was fit only for the use of the rod, was hired to spout
Zti.h a tissue of nonsense that we would not listen to for
4°llr, but which amused and edified the Lords for two days.
Next came the Duke of Newcastle, in the farce, who was no-
thing mere than a spoiled tailor.—(Laughter.) The Duke
:as, from eiecumstances, detained in Paris some years ago, and
luring his sojourn, he lodged with a tailor, from whom het.
earned
a Part of his trade pretty well. He became fond o
'it'
and such was his attachment to the craft, that up to the
Present day he almost invariably occupied as much time in
giriug orders to his tailor respecting a coat, as the man would
trequire
to make a suit-'---( Laughter.) Such was the noble-
rations soul by which this great champion of the old Corpo-
twas actuated, and from this he thought the people of
Nand would have little difficulty in deciding that the trade
nw' tailor and duke were incompatible.—( Cheers.) But there
as another person with whom it appeared the people had to
trend in this struggle, and that was Lord Lyndhurst._
fieyr_nalls.) Of that Noble and Learned Lord, he would not
"'tick yet he thought there was much to be known re-
esPenting him, before the people could properly estimate his
Jtne• Then came that dark and dismal supporter of the
Me Bill, the Duke of Cumberland. (Hisses.)
Ve wondered that that man did not recoil from public gaze.
)had heard talk of some spectre haunting a certain place,
he had some thought that the Noble Duke might be able
r,ecognize a spectre which he would not like to see, if he
rd but give his individual attention to past events.--( Loud
ref ing.) What had that man lately said ? He had said in
terence to the Orange Lodges—(hisses)—that he did not
ilt" the use to which the documents to which he put his sig-
." ure were to be applied.—( Shame, and cries of " Send him
writer the Dorchester labourers.") No, he (Mr. M‘Donnell)
,
t °aid not send him after them, he would detain him for bet -
Ivengeance. He could have wished in his heart that there
tun Petition to emanate that day, from the m
ien of Bir-
vneAuarn to the House of Commons, praying for his mpeach-
giirk•-•-(Loud and continued cheering.) He would have a
ur°ugt into the House of Commons, which would for
.4 exclude him from the throne of this realm.—( Cheers. )
vorz
great,
eGbeeenrtlinegm.an concluded an excellent speech amidst
reet4sta as. ATTWOOD, Esq., now presented himself, and was
han, m--.lllth the most enthusiastic cheering, and clapping of
eel; jadaed waving of hats and handkerchiefs, which lasted for
lure eoro_iable time. He said, the grand error of the_ Tories
ute,
in end trot, and
ol Ref Zal classes of Liberals to unite, and thus the march
• ur Ree,°„„""B Precipitated. In that grand and glorioubsumt
aatrcha
Food coq we are advancing not at a snail's pace,
- a goof] • ' allop.—( Cheers and
if I do' not mistake, we shall be, ere
laughter,) „ quick canier, or rather
cursory
st rirst of all, we unshipped the speaker,—a pre-
Mini ate absolutely necessary....--next, we unshipped the
isters---(
Portent . tremendous cheerin
Then
g)—a measure still more im_
we
u.without which nothing could have been done.
the inrissitlPBe.d the Corporations.—(Loud cheers.) And next
si:_:4 'lurch. We have done several other. good things,
It ism Lea I trust the people will shortly receive the benefit.
to LoY duty to take this oortunity of returning my thanks
.
spirit:fdo Melbourne, and the other Ministers, for
.the public
lave f rtaude, and patriotism which they have manifested. l„Mud it
gene-
t'rall have hadof • •them my most cordial
my duty sometimes to oppose them, but
.and grateful the Leasure giving
support.—(Cheers.) Sometimes I have heard
them threatened with a second dismissal. Where is the man
that dares recommend their dismissal, whilst they continue in
Lieoir present course ?—(Tremendous cheers for some minutes. )
_ rd Melbourne is as brave a man as lives ; the Tories may
'deceive him, but they cannot intimidate him.—( Cheers.) He
awes them no favour, he bears them no fear, therefore he will
not dissolve the Parliament, nor, in my opinion, will he pro-
Nue it until justice is done.--( Great cheering.) He has
been slighted and insulted at Court--he has been insulted
and outraged in the House of Lords—he has been
Manfully supported by a majority in the House of Corn-
Ta°lls, and by the people out of doors, and he will not,
therefor*, submit to Tory influence and domination.—
(Great cheering.) Our majority in the House of Com-
mons is boid, inflexible, and determined ; we have no fear
f lords and ladies before our eyes ; we are too old for the
'Vies and too bold for the Lords.—(Laughter and cheers. )
of° speak of the Corporation Bill, the more immediate object
of this meeting, I cannot but say, I altogether approve
d•—(Cheers.) It is a wise, and just, and patriotic
lateasure, very much resembling our Political Union.—
(Cheers.) What then can the Lords possibly mean by
their opposition ? Do they mean to force the restoration
of Political Unions throughout the country ?—( Cheers )
'rills is no time for a split amongst us.—(Cheers.) If we
commit the same error as the Tories have committed, we shall
tneet the same fate.—(Cheers.) I beg also that you will
Lie
present. moment. The men are doing tolerably well, but
if masters are scourged almost to death. Let the men, there-
fore, be generous and affectionate towards their masters ; let
the masters and men shake hands.—(Cheers.) Let there be
no Splitting of straws or discord between them. Great dangers
are around us ; the cam at Kalisch has an eye to England.—
(Hear hear.) One hundred thousand Cossacks are there ga-
thered' on the borders of the Baltic. Ten line-of-battle-ships
are there, and ten line-of-battle-ships are at Amsterdam.—
(Hear, hear.) These Russian and Dutch ships may suddenly
appear in the British channel. There are men in England
bisse enough to invite them. Let the middle-and lower classes
of England hold fast together, and they will bid defiance to
foreign and domestic tyrants—( Cheers)—and establish the li-
berties of this country for ever.
Mr. BOULTBEE supported the resolution as follows :—From
this day forward, my friends, be yourselves again ' • resume the
post of honour; be the first to mount the breach in storming
41.1 e strongholds of oppression, ; lay aside all minor differences.
731:1h all paltry jealousies and suspicions in oblivion; be united,
temperate, be resolute, and I will stake my life upon the
.I‘l°TY• Sir Robert Peel has told you nothing can resist the
pressure from without. Let that be your watch-word, unite
11;1 your efforts and give the Peers such a squeeze as shall make
• them ache from head to foot, and curse their stars for having
:adopted this internal act of combined i *env and auda-
njustiee, •
citY, which can. have proceeded from nothing but infatuation.
Mr. W. WILLS had the honor to propose for the approbation

of the meeting, a memorial to Lord Melbourne, in conformity
with the spirit of the resolution which had just been passed.
He concluded by urging the necessity of giving support to
Lord Melbourne, and by proposing—
" That the following memorial be adopted, and that it be pre-
sented to Lord Melbourne by the Members for the borough."
The memorial was then read.

WM. PHIPSON, Esq., seconded the resolution.
Mr. BEALE said, that the resolution which he was about to
propose had been placed in his hands only five minutes ago ;
it had, indeed, been suggested by the observations of their
worthy representative, Mr. Attwood, and had his (Mr. B.'s)
most cordial approbation, and he doubted not it would have
also the approbation of every man present. The resolution
was as follows : _

" That the warmest thanks of this meeting be presented to that
glorious and patriotic minority in the House of Lords, who have
nobly vindicated the principles which they have professed ; and now
stand as inflexibly by the cause of the people as they did in the
ever-memorable passing of the Reform Bill."
Mr. GEORGE EDMONDS came forward to second the resolu-
tion, and was received with loud cheering. Corporation Re-
form was the great point upon which all classes of Reformers
ought now to be united, and to carry which their concentrated
force and energies were necessary. If the people gave up Cor-
poration Reform, they must give up all other Reforms ; they
must give up the Irish Church. And were they, he would
ask, willing to give up that ?—( Cries of " No, no.") Were
they willing to give up the Reform of that Church, which, by
its abuses, had proved a curse to religion, because it was based
upon a system which only took money out of the pockets of
the people, without rendering, in return, that religious instruc-
tion or consolation which it ought to give ?—( Cheers. )
Again, were they willing to give up Church Reform ?—( Cries
of " No, no.") Then, if they were not willing to forego these
Reforms, they must unite and be determined on obtaining the
Corporation Bill unimpaired and unmutilated.—( Cheers.)
The spirit of the three glorious days, when the Reform Bill
was in jeopardy, was now necessary.—( The allusion to these
days was followed by the most enthusiastic cheering.) Mr. E.
then said—let them mutilate the Bill, but let them beware
that in doing so, they do not mutilate themselves.—( Tremen-
dous cheering.) They seemed to be blind to the progress of
events, for he was much mistaken, if the time would not even-
tually arrive, when nations would contrive to govern them-
selves through their Representatives, and when Kings and
Lords would be no more.—( Tremendous cheering for some
time.) Let them now for a few moments consider how far
the opinion of the Lords was entitled to that extraordinary
character of hereditary wisdom which they claimed, and which
some were willing to concede to them. They remembered the
breaking out of the American war. The people said they
would not have taxation without representation. Well, what
said the Lords? Why, that they must pay taxes without being
represented, and what was the consequence ? Why, the Ame-
ricans fought for representation ; they obtained it, and their
Lordships no longer governed America.—(Cheers.) The
Americans fought it out, and the wisdom of their Lordships
turned out to be folly—( Renewed cheering)—and the Lords
of England were no longer Lords over the Americans. Why
did not their Lordships, if possessed of all the hereditary wis-
dom attributed to them, try and avert those evils ? With
respect to the present Ministers, he would say, that they were
deserving of the best thanks of the nation, for, beyond all ques-
tion, they were sacrificing themselves for the good of their
country, in their efforts to carry out the Reform Bill, to which
they had pledged themselves.
C. SCHOLEFIELD, Esq., presented himself for the purpose
of moving the petition to the House of Commons, and was re-
ceived with loud cheering. The will of the nation was ex-
pressed through the House of Commons, and he never could,
nor ever would, recognize any power superior to that of the
people.—( Great cheering.)
Mr. S. BEAT, seconded the adoption of the petition.
Mr. SHEARMAN—If the Commons, in an evil hour of submis-
sion to the Lords, should consent to such mutilation of the
Bill, I hope the people of Birmingham will not think it too
much trouble to spend a few hours again in this place, in pro-
testing against any violation of any principle of the Bill.—
( Cheers.) lam afraid that the House of Commons does not
march quite so far in the science of medical politics as it might.
They are going to try a few leeches first, which is the Cor-
poration Bill—( Laughter and cheers)—and if that does not
do, they will apply the cupping glasses, which will be Church
Reform.—( Laughter and cheers.) But if all will not do,
they must take the lancet and open the hereditary vein.—
( Loud, long, and continued cheering. )
The next resolution was proposed by Mr. P. H. MUNTZ
and seconded by Mr. T. S. JAMES.
" That it is expedient that the memorial to Lord Melbourne, and
the petition to the House of Commons, be respectively presented
without delay ; and that they be, therefore, signed by the Chair-
man on behalf of the meeting."
On the motion of the Rev. Mr. M'DONNELL, P M. James,
Esq. left the Chair, which was taken by the Low Bailiff,
Thomas Tyndall, Esq. ; and Thomas Attwood, Esq., M. P.,
immediately proposed a vote of thanks to the High Bailiff for
his very able and impartial conduct in presiding over the
meeting. The resolution was ably seconded .by Mr. William
Beale, and carried with acclamation.

POOLE.

MORE CORPORATION MISDOINGS.

When I last wrote you, I at least hoped there might have
been a truce to the disgraceful and dirty work of the interested
supporters of this Corporation. Such hope has, however, been
disappointed; for no sooner had the sun set this evening, and a
convenient darkness ensued, than two clerks of a public officer
(at present in London) were seen to steal forth, each with a
roll in his hand, the contents and object of which, being ascer-
tained, turned out to be a Most Humble Petition to " their
Lordships," that they would be pleased to allow No extension
of our boundaries. No public meeting, mark I—a fact of itself
unanswerable as to the state of public feeling here—and yet,
prop pudor within probably forty-eight hours, you shall see
a petition from " the inhabitants of Poole" presented by some
Noble Lord, of the existence and nature of which every inde-
pendent inhabitant shall be ignorant, save the possibility that
the " creatures " may happen not to do their work so as alto-
gether to avoid discovery. Talk indeed of evidence from
Poole (so did the "veritable !" Standard) as contravening
that of the Report of the Municipal Commissioner I hy,
every FACT stated by the witnesses is to be found in Appendix
2, of the Report, cum multis aliis.
We are solicitous for truth, and that only—let others sup-
press and distort it ; but it shall be our's to expose them.
With this view allow me to suggest, through your Journal,
that the Reformers, in every corporate town on which evidence
has been called, obtain an official print of the evidence taken
at the bar of the Lords, and that they have that which relates
to themselves re-printed and circulated locally, accompanied
by a state of facts and suitable remarks. This is in course of
adoption here, and will, I hsve no doubt, be productive of the
most beneficial results ; for whilst, on the one hand, it may
expose unprincipled men, it will operate as a salutary warning
to others, lest having, as with us, been bankrupt in property,
they afterwards become bankrupt also in the reputation and
esteem of their fellow-citizens.