The Sun.
London, England, 1821-12-07 00:00:00

YORK WIIIG CLUB.

The annual dinner of this Association took
place at the Assembly Rooms, York, on Mon-
day last, when about 400 of the members and
siters sat down to a sumptuous entertainment pro-
vided from Etridge's Hotel. MARMADTJKE
WYVELL, Esq. M.P.., in the Chair ; Alderman
DUNSLEY, Vice-president.—Among the company
were—

Lord Viscount Normanby, Hon. T. Dundas, M.P.; J. G.
Lambton Esq. M.P. ; D. Sykes, Esq. M. P. ; T. S. Dun-
combe, isq.; H. Witham, Esq. ; Colonel Cradock ; George
Palmer, Esq. ; Colonel- 111‘Lean ; M. Stapylton, Esq., (My_
ton,) &c.
After the cloth had been removed, " Non nobis Domine"
was sung in exalter: style.
The CHAIRMAN tben gave—" The King, and may he
speedily dismiss his present evil advisers," which was drank with
three times three.

The next toast was—" The King and Constitution ;" which
was followed by " The memory of our late injured and beloved
Queen."—The latter was drank in silence and standing;.
The CHAIRMAN, then rose, and said that he
felt the highest satisfaction at seeing, on that
occasion, so numerous and respectable a company,
for he attached the utmost importance to asso-
ciations of that description. The forMation of
the York Whig Club had been the means ,of
rousing public spirit; it had defeated the Tory
faction ; and, by the exertions of its Members,
had secured the independence of their city. lie
did not look at it as important in a merely local
view,_ but he considered it to be of great general
advantage. When they saw associations formed
for purposes hostile to public freedom, and par-
ticularly to curtail the liberty of the press, it
behoved the people to take such means as would
effectually secure their liberties ; and he thought
they could adopt no better mode to frustrate the
designs of their enemies, than -by establishing
associations similar to the York Whiz Club.
With these impressions he proposed the health of
" Sir George Cayley and the Whig Club of York," which
was drank with cheers.

Mr. Ihacnovt: (Editor of the York Herald)
read a letter from Sir George Cay, ley, who was
now on the Continent, which had been received
by him in answer to an intimation to attend the
meeting, assigning the reason of his absence.

Mr. LAMBTON rose amidst enthusiastic cheers. It was, he
observed, in such a union as he then beheld that he looked for
that spirit which alone could awe the minions of despotism, and
abash the slaves of power. 1-Vhatever difficulties they had experi-
enced—whatever obstacles they had met. with, they had com-
pletely overcome them. They had succeeded in discomfiting
the Tory faction, as his lion. Friend had justly observed, in
their city, and established its independence; and he would tell
them what his lion. Friend could not tell them ; that they had
-elected for their Representatives two as honourable and inde-
pendent men ita any in the kingdom, whose every vote, so far as
he could judge (and he had been almost a constant attendant on
the House), had been regulated by a sincere-attachment to the
liberties of the people, and a veneration for the purity of the
Constitution.—(Applause.)--Those liberties, and that purity,
could only be restored and maintained by a union of the mid-
dle and the upper classes ; and it was on that principle he con-
sidered that the York Whig Club had set a noble example—
(Cheers)—and in the present times was calculated to pro-
duce great public benefit. They had seen but recently, a bill
of the most atrocious nature brought into Parliament—a bill.
of Pains and Penalties—a bill at variance with every principle
of justice—a bill, of which he trusted he should never wit-
ness a parallel. The voice of the people had on that occasion
been exerted with success ; it had prevented the bill pass-'
ing, and had at last extorted that reluctant justice in favour
of the Queen, which would otherwise have been denied her.
—(Great applause.)—She gained a momentary triumph, but the
struggle cost her her life ; the frail constitution of woman could
not sustain the momentary assaults made upon her character
and peace ; and though sure gained her cause, the malice of her
enemies sunk her to the grave. At such a moment, it might
have been expected that her enemies would have desisted from
their unmanly course ; that her errors, her misfortunes, and the
enormity of her persecutors, would have found a period. But
even then the Ministers could not abstain from venting their
mite of empty spite over her remains, by endeavouring to de-
prive the people of the last opportunity of evincing their respect,
attachment, and regret towards her. The meeting knew that
on the occasion of her funeral the peace of the metropolis had
been endangered, and that two Englishmen lost their lives—he
might almost say were murdered. But that atrocious act would
pass, as others equally atrocious had passed, with impunity,—
it would be screened by the same veil that protected the authors
oftheoutrage atAI anchester.—(A pplause.)— The Ministers knew
that they were guaranteed by the majorities they could com-
mand. But there was a trial which they could not escape—a
jury that could not be packed—a court that could not be in-
fluenced, but which would undauntedly pronounce the unerring
dictates of justice—he meant the bar ofpublicopinion.—( Immense
cheering.)—At that bar their majorities would not avail them ;
from that bar they had retired condemned, and public
execration would pursue them even into the recesses of the ca-
binet. In the same spirit in which they persecuted the Queen,
they had dismissed Sir R. Wilson, advising his Majesty to
that act upon the ground of anonymous depositions and secret
slanders.—(Applause.)—ll is gallant friend had demanded the
names of the authors of the information secretly given against
him, but they had been refused. Be (Sir R. Nlilson) wished
to know who the informers were, in order that lie might prose..
cute and bring them to justice. But there was no foundation
for the insinuation of crime. Sir Robert was not dismissed for
being guilty or suspected of enure,—unless it was a crime to
attend the funeral of the Queen ; for it was this act of his that
caused his dismissal. That the Ministers, in attempting to de-
fend the dismissal of Sir R. Wilson without hearing, would en-
deavour to shelter themselves under the plea of prerogative, he
(11r. Lambton) had no doubt. But he would tell them, that
-the prerogatives of the Crown were given for the benefit, and
not for the oppression of the people,—(Loud cheers.)—The
adviSerS of the act would have to meet a fearful responsibility ;
and they ought to be known and accountable to -Parliament.
They may now, indeed, say, as. their tools have said, that Sir
It. Wilson being no longer an officer is not amenable to trial
by court-martial, as no precedent-exists of an officer of the army
being tried after his dismissal. -But, unfortunately for this argu-
ment, aiprecedent can be found—such a trial had been granted.
lie alluded to the case of Lord George Sackville, who, for alleged
misconduct at the battle of Minden, was cashiered without trial.
He (Lord George Sackville) protested his innocence, and de-
manded atrial. The opinion of the Judges was taken, and, six
months after his services -had been dispensed with, he received
the benefit of trial by court-martial, as he had demanded, and
underwent its sentence. This case went directly to prove
that, according to precedent as well as to justice, Sir Robert
Wilson was still in a situation to demand trial by court-martial.
(A pplause.)—But the time .was not come for the full dis-
cusaton of this subject.. In the meanwhile, the-tools of power
—those worthies who slander alike the living and the dead—
deal in veiling and falsehood, and -seek by the basest means to
excite prejudice against his gallant friend. When Parliament
met the case should be fully discussed, and though Sir Robert
Wilson might himself at present refrain from noticing the ca-
lumnies published against him, because lie despised them—and
having judged it most advisable, at present, to defer stating his
case, because it might be premature and aftbrd his enemies a
handle—it did dot prevent from (Mr. Lambton) from saying that
no ground whatever existed for charging his gallant friend with
any other offence than that of yielding to the dictates of huma-
nity, knd a wish to•spare the wanton effusion of blood.—(Loud
and reiterated cheering.)—lt was remarkable, if we looked
through the world, to see in almost every part of it the progress
of liberal opinions, particularly in South America under
the auspices of our gallant countryman, Lord Cochrane ; and
lie hoped, that although that glorious cause had met with an
adverse issue in Italy, to see it again burst forth there with re-
newed vigour, increased strength, and better prospects of suc-
cess.—(Loud cheers.)—We had seen it triumph in Spain and
Portugal, in which countries it was fast diepelling the clouds of
superstition and ignorance ; and it was now progressively ad-
vancing in a country above all others dear to the classical
mind—Greece, famed for its warriors, its poets, its philo-
sophers, and its statesmen ; and we beheld a remnant of that
glorious race endeavouring to emancipate themselves from
the bondage of their Turkish oppressors; and he trusted
that among Englishmen they would not want that encourage-
ment and assistance which the people of this country could
afford.—(Applause.)—While other countries were thus rousing
from their languor, it was certainly singular that in England
there should appear to be so much apathy ; for although we
possess more freedom, perhaps, than most other countries, and
stand foremost in the rank of nations, it was yet impossible that
we could possess any real or true liberty without a reform of
Parliament.—(Enthusiastic cheers.)—The only efl'actual means ,

of securing the benefits of good gOVernment, itas
to provide an
honest and-independent Parliament. Without such a refOrm,
the people could never enjoy the advantages contemplated by
our ancestors at the Revolution of 1688—a reform embracing a
wide extension of the elective suffrage. With regard to himself,
he had given a pledge of his wishes to obtain such a reform ; and
he trusted' they knew him too well to suspect that he would de-
sert that pledge. He certainly had submitted a plan to that ef-
fect; but he was not bigotted to it, and he should be most ready
and willing to aid any other which he deemed preferable.' Hav-
ing introduced a motion in•favour of reform, he thought him-
self bound to bring forward a plan for the purpose of ob-
viating the objection that the Reformers had no distinct or
practicable plan. From the way in which the House uni-
formly treated that question, he considered it futile to expect
that it would ever reform itself; and if it were to be reformed,
it could only be by the power and operation of public 'opinion,
acting, he might almost say, on the fears of that assembly.—
That such might be the result was his fervent prayer ; and he
concluded by observing, that if his. services could ever be of
any advantage to the city or county of York, it would afford
him the utmost pleasure to devote them on such occasions._
(Loud applause.)
The health of Lord Normanbv and the other visitors of the
Club was then'drank with enthuslastn.
Lord Nonaiaa'anr rose, amidst loud cheering. 'W the
applause had subsided, his Lordship observed, that if he were
to take the honour that had been conferred upon him as a mere
compliment to'himself, he shduld best express his gratitude by
thanking them as-concisely as he did sincerely ; but he felt that
an expectation was coupled with the introduction of Ids name,
that lie would support the cause which they were then met to
promote; and he pledged himself to further, as far as lay in
his power, the obects, and maintain the principles of that as-
sociation.—(Loud cheering.)—Were his feelings lukewarm,
there might be reason to induce him to adopt a different line of
conduct. But he felt it to be a paramount duty to support
those measures which could alone check the progress of that
corruption which-was preying upon the very vitals of the State,
and threatened the total extinction of the liberties of the
country.—(Applause.)—With these feelings he trusted that
the principles of that club would daily become more general.
There were certain difficulties opposed to their progress, but
by a manly and steady perseverance those difficulties might
and would be overcome- as by such perseverance in a firm
line of conduct, -that ;lob had conquered those obstacles
with which it had had to encounter.—(Applause.)—lt was
vain to conceal that they were contending against fearful
odds. The spirit of Toryism had so many raninificatiOns,—
so many holds on the follies, *ices, and passions of mankind,
so many temptations to the cupidity of the selfish,—it held
forth To many prospects of advantage to the corrupt, —its
power had been so consolidated by the length of time it had pre-
dominated, and every fresh instance of corruption so added to
its strength, and every fresh instance of profligacy so in-
creased its means, that it must be owned it had become extreme-
ly formidable_; yet he did not despair of crushing it by a firm
and manly perseverance. That monster of corruption, the na-
tional debt, had enormously increased during the present admi-
nistration, and the collection of the revenue now exceeded the
amount of the interest of the debt when the present Ministry
came into office. It was vain, therefore, to attempt to conceal the
magnitude of the power which they had to oppose, the various
wineings anti intricate operations of the system through all
its' parts, seen as its influence was in the dead vote of the
daily petitioner at the Treasury, the unprincipled servility
of hungry expectancy, and the arbitrary measures of the
actual possessors of official power and emolument. Yet,
not content with all these sources of power, the supporters
of administration had endeavoured to prop their cause by
other and still more disreputable means. They had esta-
blished a system of misrepresentation and calumny. Disloy-
alty and sedition, in their mouths or from their pens, had be-
come cant words, applied at random to all who opposed the
will of the Minister. They strove to mix up the safety and per-
manence of all those institutions which the country esteemed as
valuable and sacred will the preservation of their own—he hoped
temporary—usurpationk.. Above all, they endeavoured to con-
nect loyalty to the Sovereign with servile adulation of them-
selves. But he trusted that his Majesty would see through
their arts, and that, by going more among his people, he would
he better able to judge of their feelings and opinions ; and,
though his Majesty might not experience that warmth and vola- '
tility from his English subjects that he had witnessed in a sister •
part of the kingdom, he doubted not that the people of this coun-
try
were as loyal and as much attached to the King and the
laws, as any, other portion of his Majesty's subjects, however
they might disapprove the acts of his Ministers.—(-Applause.)'
—lt was not surprising that, possessed of these various sources •
of
.power, almost nnhmited, the systematic violation of public
opinion had been progressive; and accordingly they had seen
each successive year fertile in encroachnients on popular right.
The daring attack on the meeting at Manchester was followed
by the birth of the monstrous bill of Pains and Penalties ; and
again this year they had seen sonic prominent traits of a similar
description. It remained for the 1-ith of August to shew that
the petty malice of power could extend even to the grave, and
that, in furtherance of the policy manifested towards the late
Queen in her lifetime, the Authorities of the country, after her
death, were Placed in opposition to the best feelings of the people.
He should have hoped that the spirit in which the proceedings
to which he alluded had :been commenced would have ceased
when life was extinct in the object of their persecution; and
that they would not have carried it to a point which he thought
must have startled some of their most devoted adherents.--
This led him to the case of Sir Robert Wilson, who had been
dismissed from the army without trial, without hearing, and,
lie might add, without accusation—(Applause.)—He agreed
with his Hon. Friend (Mr. j4ambton), that the Ministers, in this
instance, had acted under a fearful responsibility. They should
recollect, that the odious and forced exercise of dormant prero-
gative had, ere now, led to consequences which no man could
wish to see recur.--(Applause.)—The evils which he had men-
tioned, he considered, were to be traced to the defective state of
the representation of the people.—(Loud cheering.)—lt had
been justly remarked, that without a properly constituted
House of Commons, the liberties of the country were written
in sand. The House of Commons had reversed its natural
and proper character, and instead of being the representative
of the people, and a check- upon the Government, it was the
representative of the Government, and a check upon the people.
(Loud applause.)—But under all these circumstances of discou-
ragement, it was consoling to reflect that we were fighting with
the spirit of the age on our side ; and if the people were united,
firm, and persevering; he confidently anticipated that, sooner or
later, they would accomplish that change which was so essen-
tial or the respectability of the Sovereign, the independence anti
purity of Parliament, and the liberties and prosperity of the
people. His Lordship concluded amidst loud cheering.
" Sir Robert Wilson ; and may every Officer in the British
Army and • Navy be equally attached to the liberties and best
interests of the people."
Mr. LAMBTON returned thanks, and apologised for Sir Ro-
bert Wilson's absence. -
The lion. T. DUNDAS, M.P., returned thanks on his health
being drank; and was greeted, on rising and sitting down, with
reiterated cheers.
Mr. Mann ovr prefaced, with a few appropriate remarks,
the healths of the City Members, which toast was greeted with
the warmest acclamations, and drank with three times three.
" D. Sykes,•lisq., M.P., and the independent Electors of
Hull."

Mr. SYKES returned thanks.
J. S. DmicomnE, Esq. returned thanks on his health being
drank.
" A. NVitham, Esq.; and may an end be speedily put to all
civil and political disabilities, on account of religious opinions."
3lr. rrlArci thanked the company in a long► speech on the
policy and justice of placing the Catholics on a level with their
fellow subjects.
On the health of Earl GreLbeipi; given, Mr. Lambton briefly
returned thanks.
That of Earl Fitzwilliam, the Vice-Chairman. and various
other toasts followed.
Mr. Lambton left the room about 10 o'clock • the Chairman
soon after quitted ; nd the whole company broke up, and dis-
persed with apparer\ satisfaction.

CALEDONIAN ASYLUM for supporting and edu-
cating the Children of Soldiers, Sailors, and Ma-
rines, Natives of Scotland, who have died or
been disabled in the Service of .their Country,
and of indigent Scotch Parents resident in Lon-
don, not entitled to Parochial Relief, Cross-
street, Hatton-garden.—At a Quarterly General
Court of the Corporation, holden this day, the
following Children were elected, viz.:—
Votes.
Thomas Ewing - - - 627
Henry John Tulloch - 593

James Sutherland - • 518
William 111.‘Kay - • 419
Walter 111.‘Gregor - - " , 399

David Macrae - -

Dcc. 6, 1821.

313.

M. S. METCALFE, Sec.

At Mrs. PiTz HERBERT'S, Battersea, the Rosen-
burg strawberries are growing naturally in the
kitchen oarden : the crop is very prolific, and of
superior flavour.