The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-17 00:00:00

OCIETY.

ANTI-E.

A meeting of those opposed to the emigration of
the working classes was held last evening at the
Phoenix Hall, Goldsmith's-row, Hackney-road, in
pursuance of the following placard, circulated in
the neighbourhood :
" How long shall arrogant insult, misrepresenta-
tion, false inducements, and unnecessary proposals
of additional taxation, prevail over the working
classes ? In response to Acton Smee Ayrton, Esq.,
M.P., at the emigration meeting, held at the above
hall on June 2, 1859—Working men of Bethnal-
green, and the Tower Hamlets generally, we call
on you to come early, vindicate the honour of your
class, and secure a fair, free, and open platform, in
public meeting, to all Classes. Acton Smee Ayrton,
Esq., M.P., has been invited, to justify his conduct,
to prove or retract his statements, and is expected
to attend."
The meeting was called for eight o'clock, but it
was very nearly nine before half a dozen persons
made their appearance. Afterwards, however,
considerable numbers arrived, and by the time the
proceedings fairly commenced there was a tolerable
assemblage collected. Some rowing and altercation
were expected, but everything passed off quietly.
The chair was taken by Mr. Neesom, who was an
advocate for artisans remaining in their own
country, and read a letter from a plasterer who
emigrated to New Zealand, with at least £4OO in
cash and other property, and was now reduced
almost to poverty. He would, however, hear
every one who wished to address the meeting, and
hoped their proceedings would be conducted peace-
ably and orderly.
Before the regular business of the meeting was
proceeded with, Mr. Thomson, the secretary, read
a letter from Mr. Ayrton, M.P., declining to
attend, but expressing his willingness to meet any
portion of his constituents at the Beaumont Insti-
tution, Mile-end-road. He would not come to such
meetings as that about to be held at the Phcenix
Hall, for he had been robbed in one and insulted in
another.
Mr. BLIGII moved a, resolution, which was to
the effect that, while the meeting recognised the
right of every man to emigrate if he thought proper,
yet it was injurious to the labouring classes, as had
been proved by experience, and ought to be avoided.
He contended, on the authority of M'Culloch and
other political economists, that there was no super-
abundant population in ;he United Kingdom, and
that if the twenty-six millions of acres now re-
maining uncultivated were made productive, there
would be sufficient to provide for at least one hun-
dred millions of people. He denied that the last
meeting held in that hall, at which Mr. Ayrton
attended, was disturbed by Chartists. He was
a Chartist, and he gloried in being one, and
promised the hon. gentleman that at the next
election he would not give him that support he re-
ceived at the last.
Mr. THOMPSON seconded the resolution, and
denied in the most emphatic terms that Mr. Ayrton's
diamond pin was stolen by the Chartists. lie must
have lost it after he left the meeting. The idea of
the labouring classes leaving this country was pre-
posterous. The only parties who should do so were
the descendants of the " bandit Normans"—the
archbishops, bishops, and clergy, and the lawyers.
They had plenty of land in this country to culti-
vate if capital were employed upon it, and there
could be no doubt that an extensive emigration of
the working classes would ruin the trade of the
shopkeepers.
An amendment was proposed and seconded, but
only supported by the mover and seconder ; and
the resolution being declared carried, the meeting
separated.