The Sun.
London, England, 1866-09-25 00:00:00

member for Birmingham, but as the expounder of 7,000,000 of grown-up men, 7,000,000 of men re-
the will of a free people. (Cheers.) sponsible to the lawsin the United Kingdom of Great
Sir JAS. WATT proposed the following resoluton : Britain andlreland; that of those but one million and
" That this meeting, while recording its indignation at a quarter are on the list of voters; that exclusive of
the insults offered in Parliament and by the Press to the ,paupers and exclusive of criminals—though lam
working class and their advocates, calls on the people of sorry
to mention those two classes in the same sen-
this country to allow themselves no longer to be trifled with
by an oligarchic few, but to rally round those men who have tence —exclusive of those to whom no man proposes
upheld their cause." to give the franchise, there are 5,000,000 of men in
Alr. ERNEST JONES, in seconding the motion, called the United Kingdom who have no vote. ("Shame,"
upon the people to be no longer trifled with, but to "We will have them.") Of the million and a guar-
wring a substantial measure of reform from a re- ter who have votes, the counties take up about 750,000
luctant House of Commons, which to be of value and the boroughs 550,000. Now, I shall say .that
and to satisfy their just demands must not only be which some men will contradict, but which I venture
substantial, but speedily conceded. The people were to say is true, when I declare that, for the most part,
no longer to be satisfied with the crumbs which an the county representation in this country is not
exclusive oligarchy might consider sufficient to ap- a popular representation in any honest sense of that
pease them, but would no longer be put off with the term. (Cheers.) We know that with a franchise of
old excuses, being determined to have a full conces- £5O occupation, and a freehold franchise added to it,
sion of their right, and that right was manhood suf- that the great body of the people in every county is
frage and the ballot. excluded from the elective franchise. Well, I regard
The resolution was carried by acclamation. the county representation to a very large extent as a
Mr. GEORGE WILSON moved that the following dead body tied to the living body of the borough
address be presented to Mr. Bright : representation. I believe it will become less so. In
"John Bright, —ln the name of the people of Lancashire, Ireland there are some free counties. In Scot-
we welcome you back to the metropolis of the north. Man- land there are some, and there will be soon
chester will henceforth regard this day as an auspicious more—but, still taking the county representation as
one in her history, for she now pays homage to a life-long
a whole, it is in a most unsatisfactory condition.
services rendered to the cause of popular rights.
" Lancashire is proud to claim you as her son. Your Well, but as to the boroughs where they are alive
public career has been unfalteringly devoted to the into- and where there is some freedom, what is their con-
rests of humanity, and while other men have thought it dition? Let me give you only one fact. There are
politic to change the convictions of their youth, your life 145 boroughs with over 20,000 inhabitants each, and
has been unswervingly true to Liberal principles and the they return 215 members. There are 109 boroughs
advancement of freedom. Without fear of being charged
with over 20,000 population, and they return 180
with presumption, we may address you in the name of liti-
manity, for its claims have ever been paramount with you members. But look at the difference in the number
over the selfish dictates of party and class interests. We do of votes, the number of the population, and the
homage to your forgetfulness of self, your enlightened pa- amount of the taxation. It is something startling
triotism, your far-seeing statesmanship. As men we respect and enormous. The boroughs under 20,000 have
you, as Englishmen we honour you, as sons of Lancashire 79,000 electors. The boroughs over 20,000 have
we are proud of you ; for your public career has cast unfad- 480,000 electors. The boroughs under 20,000 have
ing lustre upon the county which gave you birth, and the
1,350,000 people. The boroughs over 20,000 people
lishman should be. nation which points to you as an example of what an Eng-
have 9,305,000 people The boroughs under 20,000
" This is no ordinary occasion upon which we addressyou. pay £367,000 of income tax—the boroughs over
Our beloved country is in a crisis of its fate, and we all look 20,000 pay £5,240,000, and yet the boroughs under
to you as the pilot who shallweather us through the storm. 20,000 have 215 members, as against 181 members
We remind you of what you have accomplished in the past, for the boroughs over 20,000. (Cries of " Shame.")
that we may pledge you to equal, if not greater exertion Now, lam sure you will agree with me in in. the impending future. Schooled among that noble band
f patriots who, led by the revered Richard Cobden, shat-
that a representation which as regards the franchise
tered the barriers which hemmed in the privileged few shuts out five millions of men, and which as regards
from the oppressed many, placing an untaxed loaf in the the distribution leaves the state of things which I
huts and cottages of suffering millions, we call upon you to have now described, can only be fairly pictured.
complete the work which you and your brother freetraders
so triumphantly commenced. Crown the victory you helped when I call it a stupendous fraud upon the people.
to achieve in the cause of economic truth with the still (Cheers.) As to the counties we have Lord Derby's
nobler laurel due to him who helps to gain political rights own authority for it, that the counties are
for a whole people. politically the hunting grounds of great landowners.
" The country looks to you, the nation is with you. It Lord Derb y said if you would tell him the politics of
calls upon you to hasten forward the work you have so half-a dozen principal landowners in a county, he
bravely undertaken. The voice of the metropolis, of the would tell you the politics of the county members and
empire, has echoed throughout the land. ' Hyde Park and
Parliament-street to the venerable Abbey,' have been coin-
the boroughs. What are they? Manchester knows
pactly filled with law-respecting, freedom-loving multi-
not bribery, nor Birmingham; but of the boroughs
tudes of your fellow-countrymen, solemnly resolved to re- of 20,000 population and under, how many of them
gain for themselves and their children those rights which are full of corruption ? There are small borougd,
hs,
,
a proud and overbearing minority still presumes to with-
such as Banbury and Tavistock and Liskear hold from them. Birmingham has taken up the appeal, here, I believe, great honour and great purity
and echoed it northwards with many times ten thousand IV
voices. The cry for Reform resounds throughout the prevail, but the bulk of these boroughs are acces-
North, rolling in determined tones over the plains of Lan-
Bible to the influence of any man who would go
cashire, rushing along her valleys, and echoing from there with plenty of money in his pocket and no
hill to hill. Soon shall the groat West Riding take up principles or morals in his heart. (Loud cheers.) In
the loud refrain, and the long-suffering sister isle repeat point of fact, without any exaggeration, we may
tho cry from her furthest Western shore. The voices of say that all the evils which are possible to an elec-
the three kingdoms aro unanimous in .demanding their
political rights. They call upon you to be their standard- total system are amply provided for by the electoral
bearer in the approaching contest. It is a mighty responsi- system of England, comprising bribery, drunken-
bility thrown upon you, but your countrymen feel confi- ness, and a lavish and disgraceful expenditure. All
deuce in your judgment, courage, and devotion. You will these not only exist, but are absolutely inevitable
not return to Parliament simply as the representative of a under the state of the law which now prevails. I
single borough, but as the elected tribune of a mighty venture to say, and I never said anything in my life
people. Face to face you have seen this people. You have
aright to speak for the east and west, the north and the which I would more easily undertake to prove, that
south ; and when you are assailed with the taunts and gibes there is no remedy for this state of things where
and sneers of a proud oligarchy, who use every weapon ambitious, and unprincipled, and rich men come into
that slander and malice can suggest we pray you to re- contact with a small number of voters. There is no
member that a whole nation stands at your back resolutely remedy whatsoever but in large constituencies
determined to support you while you battle with it for its and the security of the ballot. (Loud cheers.) Now
liberties. Tell these opponents of freedom that the right- .
f I have given a fair description of the state of things,
l
denied millions of their fellow-countrymen must not, cannot
longer be trifled with; that principle must be the guiding need we wonder at the difficulty which we meet with
star of men, and results be left to Providence ; that the when we have any question before Parliament ?
broadest base is the firmest security of all authority, and Look back at the question of the corn laws. Look
that our country will achieve a still more glorious destiny back at the question of the paper duties. Look back,
among the nations when her Government depends for its or rather look at present, on the question of our
strength upon the hearts and the arms of the entire people,
and bases its freedom on the disgraceful expenditure, and you find on every occa-
rights achieved by God."
sion when the people ask for any reform of any
Mr. HOOSON seconded the mation, and the ad-
kind, they have to make a desperate fight for it, just
dress, after a few words from Mr. Beales and 'Air.
Armitage, who were listened to with extreme im-
as if they were wresting it not from countrymen and
brothers, but from the representatives of a con-
patience, was adopted amidst tremendous acclaina-
quering nation. Take this last session of all, the
dons, which were renewed again and again as the
chairman presented it to the hon. gentleman. session which has just passed over, a session ever to
be remembered. The Government, headed by Lord
Mr. I3eiGter, who was loudly cheered, then ad-
Russell in the House of Lords, and by Mr. Gladstone
dressed the meeting. He said :—I was not aware
when I was invited to attend this meeting that any-
—(cheers)—in the House of Commons, this Govern-
thing different from the ordinary course of proceeding
ment anxious to make a step in the direction of popu-
would take place. Iwa not informed that I should lay rights, brought in a bill more honest in character
s d
an more moderate in dimensions, and it was a bill so
be honoured by the presentation of any address. I
moderate in its dimensions that some of us who think
accept that address, however, with many thanks for
it wouldbe wiser to grant much more found ourselves
the kindness which you have shown me : at the
in some difficulty in tendering to the Government our
same time I accept it with something like fear and
cordial. suport, to enable them to carry their bill
Lich I hold every man who is in favour of any Re-
trembling, because of the mighty responsibility
formw at all had no kind of excuse in opposing. That
which, by that address, you have thrown upon mei.
I have never had any ambition for leadership.
bill, I may as well say so at once, was met by au op-
don't feel myself to have fitness for such an office.
position as malignant and discreditable as I have
I have worked hitherto wheresover I chanced to be,
ever seen brought against any measure in the House
whether in the ranks or in the front, and, without
of Cotmhmtons ; there was no artifice, there was no
asks me to undertake and perform, I may, however, trick
pledging myself to undertake all that this address
was too mean and too base to be, made
of t
o use
tharetardt
bill, and to such an extent did they go
men willing to work for human freedom and human
happiness I trust I shall be ready to take my part that even Lord Stanley—(hisses)—was induced, I
with them. (Cheers.) And now, as my eye has
know not how or by What evil spirit of his party, to
rested upon this wonderful assembl I have thought make a proposition, which, to my knowledge, emi-
t''
nent men of
The facts and arguments on whichf his own party pronounced to be utterly
it not wrong to ask myself whether there is any
question that is great, that is sufficient, that is discreditable.
the bill was supported were not met and never could
noble, that has called us together to-night. I have
arguments and figures, they
come to the conclusion that great as is this meeting, Another policy was adopted, and, to get
be met
and transcendently great the meeting which was held rid of inconvenient
tin the middle of the day, the question which has turned round and did not hesitate to slander the
brought us together is worthy of our assembly and whole nation. The name of a gentleman eminent
of every effort we may make. (Hear.) We are met in this matter has already been mentioned. If I
for the purpose, so far as lies in our power, of widen-
mention his name, or if I quote what he said, under-
ing the boundaries and making more stable the stand that I make no charge against him that he
foundation of the freedom of the country in which holds opinions which Iso much deplore. Any man
we live. (Hear.) We are not, as our fathers were may hold what opinions he likes, and the opinions
of any particular member of Parliament are not of
200 years ago, called upon to do battle with the
Crown ; we have no dynasty to complain of, no
very great importance. But these opinions are im-
Royal family to depose, in our day the wearer of
portant, because they were addressed to 300 mem-
the Crown is in favour of freedom (cheers) ; and on bets of the party which is now in power, and because
many separate occasions, as you all know, the by that party they were received with uproarious and
universal enthusiasm. (Cheers.) I don't think
Queen has strongly—as strongly as became her
station—urged upon Parliament the extension of the that any meeting of the working classes held during
franchise of the people. Parliament, however, has this recess should pass off without some reference
been less li •
beral than the Crown, and time after
time to these observations. Bear in mind that, not only
those recommendations have been disregarded,
were they received with enthusiastic cheers by the
and the wishes of the monarch have been rejected Tory party, but when the Queen sent for Lord
and denied. It is not our business to-night to as- Derby, and committed to him the charge of form-
sail the other branch of the Legislature —the House
ing a Government, he either directly, through his
of Peers. For my part, I
cannot but think that if patron, the owner of the borough of Caine, endea-
voured, as is universally believed, and as 1 believe,
they are dangers not so much frcen without as
there are dangers ahead for the
House of Lords
to prevail on the man who uttered these senti-
within. Its foes, in my opinion, are they of its own ments to become a member of his Government.
household ; it stands in the high place of a Senate,
—" I have had opportunities of knowing
(Shame.) These are some of his sentiments :
but too much it abdicates the duties of a Senate. It
if you want ignorance, drunkenness, and
some-
gives its votes, its powers, its proxies into the hands thing of the constituencies in this country, and I ask
unremfleancs of intimidation, if you want impulsive,
the
of one man, and he often, as at present, not by anyvenality,
means the wisest:of men.
ridiculous toat em, to the top or to the bottom ? It is
look foree itnhg' and violent men, where do you go to
Act great corruptikonthhae
laughter.) Unfortunately for (t
LI it
ehaor'uselleiatr;' does aanld-
most nothing—it does not even debate freely—a
sf
pa
re
et v tat
dt
asincen
gt hteh
eRe
session will pass and you scarcely hear any discus-
of between £2O and £lO rental,
forna
sion in that house which is calculated to instruct the voters
people in political subjects. I sometimes fear that it
among the in
lodging-house and be rhouse keepers ; but it is said
is no longer the temple of honour, the path which
only give the franchisee to the artisans, and then see
leads through the temple of virtue ; it has become
the difference." He went on, omitting a sentence
too much a refuge for worn-out members of the • is t
which nothing o the argument, and said, ~ dye
comes of Commons. (Cheers and laughter.) It be-
know what sort of people live in these small e
houses.
comes every year more numerous, without, I fear,
'
becoming more useful. If it cannot make itself up we have long had experience of them under the
freemen, and it would be a good thing •
name of . if
to the great duties, decay and darkness will settle
they were disfranchised altogether. They were d •
ying
upon it. Some of its members may read what I say. - but the Government purposed to
out of themselves,
I beg to assure them that in these few observations
bring them back under another . name." This refers,
I am speaking in no unfriendly spirit to the House
of course, to the persons who live in houses of be-
of Lords; but we have a distinct purpose to-nieht,
tween £7 and £lO rental. Then, he said, "If this
and our purpose is this—to restore the representa-
tion of bill passes, see what dreadful things will happen. In
the people—to make the llof
ouse Commons
the house the first stage au increase of corruption, intimida-
which professes to represent thepeople a •
tion, disorder, and all those evils which happen
reality and no longer a sham. Now the
facts of our representation simple. (Cheers.) usually at elections. What will be the second ? The
. are The import- aut facts can be stated second will bel
that
t le working men of England, find-
in about two sentences. I • •
think at every re ng themselves in a large majority of the whole con-
form meeting
~ they should be re-
stated, and that the sltituenc •y, will awake to a full sense of their power.
should themselves in the —he
mind of every reformery fix
1 y will say, 'We can do better for ourselves ;do
throughout the country. I
am charged with tellinfr th.not let
us any longer be cajoled at elections ; let us
~ lugs that everbod knows
y
—(a laugh)--but if we tell them set up shop for ourselves ;we have objects to carry
often enough eve
body will know them. (Laughter and - 17
as well as our neighbours, and let us unite to carry
cheers ) This
is a fact which is worth knowing—that '
there those bjects. We have th l
em, I '
are trades . c nnery ;we have our
unions ; we have our leaders all ready.' "