The Sun.
London, England, 1866-04-11 00:00:00

BERMONDSEY.

A great demonstration in favour of the Govern-
ment Reform Bill took place last evening at Spa-
road, Bermondsey. Upwards of 3,000 working men
attended. Mr. Layard, M.P., and Mr. Locke,M.P.,
occupied seats on the platforin. Mr. Ellis, a work-
ing man, filled the chair.

The CHAIRMAN urged the meeting to accept the
Government Bill, as it was really a boon for the
working classes. (Cheers.)
The Rev. Mr. SINCLAIR proposed the following
resolution :—" That the working men of this coun-
try are entitled to a larger share of political power
than they now possess ; that this meeting accepts
the Government bill for the extension of the fran-
chise as a substantial instalment of reform, and re-
cords the expression of its confidence in the inten-
tions of the Government, announced by Mr. Glad-
stone in their behalf, to proceed as soon as possible
with those measures which are its proper comple-
ment."

Mr. CULMER (a working man) seconded the re-
solution, and it was carried with acclamation.

Mr. REDGEOVE proposed, Mr. BISHOP seconded,
and it was unanimously agreed to, that a petition
founded on the foregoing resolution, and signed by
the chairman, be presented to the House of Com-
mons, and that the members for the borough of
Southwark be requested to support its prayer.
Mr. LOCKE, who was received with loud cheers,
then addressed the meeting. He said there was no
necessity for discussing the merits or demerits of
Earl Russell's bill, and it was heartily accepted by
the working men whom he saw around him (Cheers.)
A large meeting of the Liberal members of the
House of Commons had taken place at Earl Rus-
sell's that day, and in addition to the consideration
of the Reform Bill, a declaration was again reite-
rated that other measures besides the Franchise
Bill were necessary. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Locke)
spoke advisedly when he said that the success of
the second reading of the Reform Bill depended upon
the people of England. If they came forward and
boldly demanded their rights, they would get them
in spite of every opposition. (Cheers.) He (Mr.
Locke) was one of those who believed that without
party they could do nothing, and he, representing the
Liberal party, confidently believed that party would
effect a triumph in the present juncture. (Enthu-
siastic cheering.) He believed they would have a
majority, and if he were in Newmarket he would
not mind saying—by odds of from 25 to 30.
(Laughter and cheers.)
Mr. LAYARD rose to address the meeting, and was
heartily cheered. He said when he looked at the
vast assemblage of working men before him he re-
gretted he bad not chartered a 'bus to bring from
the Houses of Parliament those gentlemen who de-
clared that a reform bill had no interest for the
working men of this country, and if they wanted
it they were not worthy of it. (Groaning) He
was sorry they were not honoured with the pre-
sence of Lord Elcho, Mr. Horsman, Mr. Lowe,
and another gentleman whose name he would men-
tion in a whisper—Mr. Doulton. (" Oh, oh," and
groans.) He had heard it said that the extension
of the franchise was required as a boon. It was
more than a boon—it was a right. (Enthusiastic
cheering.) The Liberal party were always anxious
to accord that right to the working classes—and it
should be said that they had magnanimously waited
for it. (Renewed cheering.) He had seen in one
of the morning papers a statement, which, if true,
was a disgrace to the country. It was stated that
the Marquis of Bath had ejected some of his tenants
at Frome, who had spoken in favour of the Govern-
ment Reform Bill. (Groans and hisses.) Now
coercion of that kind was a foul stain on the poli-
tical character of the country. ("Hear, hear," and
cheers.) With respect to the important meeting of
Earl Russell's party, held that day, and alluded to
by his hon colleague, a most interesting statement
was made by Earl Russell. The noble lord at the
head of the Government was asked by Mr. Ayrton
the following question :—" You have told the
country that you are prepared to stand or fall by
this bill for the reduction of the franchise. If the
House of Commons is foolish enough to reject that
measure do you say you will resign ? If the bill for
for the re-distribution is thrown out also, will you
consider it necessary to resign ?" Earl Russell said,
" Yes. I look upon these measures as part and
parcel of one great scheme, and the Government
pledge themselves to stand or fall by the result."
(Loud cheering.) He (Mr. Layard) believed that
the present Government represented the people
better than any Government that preceded it, and
with the question of our relations with the United
States, the condition of Ireland, European relations
still pending, it would be a disaster to the country
to entrust the reins of government to Lord Derby's
Government. (Cheering.)
Mr. DRESSER ROGERS, in proposing a vote of
thanks to Mr. Layard and Mr. Locke, expressed his
gratification at the number of working men who
had come to endorse the views of those gentlemen
on reform. He was proud to say that Southwark
had done its duty. (Cheers.)
The usual compliment to the chairman concluded
the proceedings.

BRISTOL.
A densely crowded meeting was, we learn by
electric telegraph, held last night in the Broadmeade-
rooms, Bristol, in support of the Government Re-
form Bill. The chair was taken by Mr. C. F.
Thomas, and euery class in the community was re-