The Sun.
London, England, 1828-12-23 00:00:00

KENT ANTI-BRUNSWICK DINNER.

Yesterday the dinner of the friends Of civil arid
religious liberty was given at the Stl,:eryi,ndn,a,:cliiiiiifii
stone, the, Earl of DARNLEI- in the Chair, supported
by Lords Sondes; Torrington, 'nano;
Clif-
ton, Say and Scle, the Hon. J. D. Nigh,' the Hon.
Twestleton the Hon. Richard Watson, Sir
John Maxwell Tylden, Mr. Warre, M.P., Mr; A.
W. Roberts, M.P., Mr. Baring, junior, M.P., the
Mayor of Hythe, Alderman Cooper, of Canterbury;
Gen. Miller, and about 280 gentlemen of great re-
spectability in the county of Kent.
As soon as the cloth was removed, the CHAIR-
MAN "gave in i-ureession the usual heidtlis of the King
and Royal Family.
In drinking the health of the King, with four
tithes four, _ _ _

The Earl of DARNLEY said, that beholding as he
then did the banner of civil and religious liberty
before - him, he could not help coupling with his
toast some allusion to the great cause which had
placed the House of Brunswick an the throne of this
kingdom. He should therefore propose " The
health of his Majesty, and may he never forget the
principles which had placed his family on the throne
of these realms." (Loud cheers.) The toast from
the Chair was drank with great stithusiasm.
In drinking the health of his Royal Highness the
Duke of Clarence;. the Chairman paid a handsome
compliment to the uniform attention paid by that
Prince of the House of Brunswick to the energies
and wants of that important and national branch of
the-public service-=the British Navy.
The next toast was "The Navy and Army."—
Three times three.

The CHAIRMAN said that having drank the Army,
they ought not to forget the illustrious Chief who so
often led it to victory, and who now reposed upon
his laurels. During the last Session that illustrious
person had done himself great civic honour by taking
a great step in: the cause of civil and religious
liberty, in supporting the bill for the -emancipa-
tion of the Uissenters. He cordially hoped that in
the next Session he would follow up the same liberal
principal by the emancipation of the still larger
portion of his fellow-subjects, who remained re-
stricted in the rights which belonged to themes loyal
and dutiful subjects. (Loud applause.)
The Cnainaras: said, that before he gave the next
toast, he begged to trouble that large company
with a few observations. They were not, in the
-strict sense, brought there by their own act, but
rather
.compelled to come, as it were, in self-
defence. If ever there was a county bereft of
angry or party feeling, it was Kent.—(Hear, hear.)
—lf ever there were were men who extinguished
political feelings in their social intercourse, or kept
them aloof from their local association, they were
the men of Kent.—(Hear.)—A set of gentlemen
had, however, thought proper to establish among
them a political club; much as he disapproved ',of
that course—much as he abhorred their principles—
he felt that he, or the friends who thought with
him, were not justified in interfering, or attempting
to interfere, with the private movements, however
objectionable, of any portion of their neighbours; but
when the private association was transferred as a
public act to the county, and the general opinion
challenged upon it, then he thought the advocates of
good and genuine principles were bound and com-
pelled; indeed, to come forward and resist the at•
tempt to bind the county to the opinions of these
particular individuals. This was not all ; they were
called upon to refute the statement given—indeed,
he had heard in writing by one of their members, he
need not. say which—(a laugh)—that the majority of
the Penenden-heath Meeting was in the proportion of
6 to I, and he knew at the other side that many
thought the majority was with the growth of free
opinions in the county. For himself he could only
say, that as far as he could from his place in the
Meeting compute who was present, he thought that
the majority of real freeholders appeared against the
question of Catholic Emancipation ; but he also
believed that the same predominance was against
the establishment of Brunswick Clubs. In de-
livering this opinion, he begged also to state—and
herehe spoke-the opinions of others who more narrowly
watched the movements of that meeting, that those
who came to support the Brunswick clubs were a
1% ell-organised compact body, not alone of free-
holders, but of yeomen armed with bludgeons.--
Those who advanced on that day liberal statements
had no such body, they scorned to resort to such
instrument. (Hear.). They had, however, in their
own array some disadvantages; they (the liberals)
had to encounter the advocacy of that anomalous
creature, Cobbett, who had, thank God, since de-
clared against them. (Hear, hear.) They had
likewise the appearance of Hunt, and there was
also Mr. Sheil, whose speech so triumphantly re-
fated the prejudice that the Catholic religion was
inconsistent with the principles of civil and reli-
gious liberty. In alluding to Mr. Sheil, he need not
repeat the vulgar calumny that he (Lord Darnley)
had given that gentleman a freehold; indeed he
never heard of Mr. Sheil's intention to come among
them until just before it was realized, and then he
had protested against it. The meetings, however,
of the Brunswichers were of a very different order :
their principles, as taken from their resolutions,
were exclusive; not so the liberals, their view was
comprehensive. (Applause.) lie saw before him
300 gentlemen of the county who had canvassed
the opinions of another class, and now declared
against them. (Applause.) 'I he supposed triumph
then at Peiteeden-heath was at an end, the voice of
the county was against such bigotry (hear); and
the- very meeting alluded to had, instead of impair-.
ing the efficacy of liberal opinions, 'given theta
greater power. The liberal petition to Parliament
was now signed by hundreds, and would soon be
signed by thousands; and in now proposing the
sentiment of " The cause of civil and religious
liberty all over the world," he wished it to be drank
with the enthusiasm which belonged to it.—(Loud
cheers.)
The CUAIRMAN said, that the next toast which he
had to propose was that of their excellent Lord
Lieutenant (the Marquis Camden), whe had set the
fine example of sacrificing his sinecure for ..the public
service. It was his (Lord Darnley's) lot to differ in
public life from the Noble Maryiis; but there was
one question upon which they were always agreed,
namely, the propriety and necessity of Catholic
emancipation. Probably, as had been said, his
Noble Friend and himself were personages of too
much insignificance in the county to have their
opinions quoted. (A laugh.) Still there was this
to be said, that if they • erred, they erred in good
company. Their opinions, to say nothing of the
living, were those of the most illustrious dead,—
of that great constellation on which .they could
count such stars as Pitt, and Fox, and Burke, WinOs
ham, Sheridan, Romilly, Grattan, and Canning,-,-
indeed of every Statesman who bore a name in the
modern annals of his country. Against such names
he really knew none to quote, except those of Dr.
Duigenan and the Duke of York. (Hear, hear.)
The Chairman concluded by drinking " The health
of the Marquis Camden, the Lord Lieutenant of the
county." (Drank with loud applause.)
The Cnatstmari.—l have now to propose the
health of another Lord 'Lieutenant—l mean the
Marquis of Anglesea--a man most anxious to do
equal justice in the administration of the laws, and
also most ready to do the people of Ireland ample
justice whenever he has the power of giving vent
to his own just and liberal feelings. (Drank with
three times three.)

Lord Z ORRINGTON said, that, with reference to
the object of their meeting, it had his cordial sup-
port : he had ever since he had a seat in the ilouse
of Lords voted for what was called Catholic eman-
cipation. He had lived long in Ireland, and he
knew the worth of that suffering people
—he could
not tolerate their oppression. (Cheers.) The men
of Kent met this day to show that they felt the
great principles of civil and religious liberty. Ho
attended at Penenden Heath, and he raw that the
general sense of the meeting was overborne by cla-
mour. There were people there who were not free-

holders, and li denied that the .sense.of the county.
had been taken on the Heath. (Hear, hear) His
Lordship 'concluded by proposing the healths of the
Ead of Darnley and of his family. (Loud cheers.)
- The CHAIRMAN, in returning thanks, said that his
Noble Friend had told them, in the expressive lan-
guage of that profession of which he was so distin-
guished an ornament, that he gave this toast with
his heart, and he (Lord Darnley) would indeed
be devoid.. of all feeling, if he did not -repeat the
same. phrase in acknowledging this mark of their
approbation. With reference to the place which he
occupied on the present occasion, he had merely to
say that residing as he did among the men of Kent,
the resident of Cobham-hall from his early life, and
diepossessor of some property in Ireland, a country
which he 4lt it his duty. constantly to visit—being,
moreover, a public man long asserting principles
which he believed to be those which ought to cha-
racterise. Englishmen, he felt it his duty to come
forward on the late occasion at Penenden-heath,
when a set of principles were attempted to be palmed
upin the country which he did not believe belonged
to diem. For that act of his he knew he had been
exposed to much obloquy; he had encountered all
the virulence of faction, and of abuse and personal
vituperation. To be sure, of argument there was
none, although there was abundance of accusation.
(1-16 r, hear.) His speech at Penenden-heath—his
letter to the Clergy of the Diocese of Rochester,
had been met in this manner in an evening paper,
remarkable only for stupid and Billy personal abuse.
This sort of opposition he ought perhaps to scorn
to notice ; still, suffice it to say, that while he had
health and strength he should always press the ad-
vocacy of liberal opinions, and -by so doing endea-
vour to merit. the approbation which they had so
freely bestowed upon him.

The CHAIRMAN said, that as theirs was not a
company or society of exclusion, he would propose
the healths of the members of the county. One, he
grieved to say,.was too ill to attend; the other he
had lately invited, but he believed he was not pre-
sent. (A laugh.) The toast was drank with ap-
plause.
_ _

Mr. BECKWITH, of Canterbury, then sang a song
composed for the occasion, which was warmly ap-
plauded.
Mr. WARRE, M.P. requested leave to give a toast
which he was sure they would drink with loud ac.
clamations. He concluded by proposing the healths
of the Members for Canterbury. (Cries of "No
Lushington." The member for Canterbury is Lord
Clifton.)

Lord' CLIFTON, in returning thanks, said that it
was- always with unmingled satisfaction he was re-
minded of his connexion with his constituents, but
he felt peculiarly gatified when he beheld them as he
did on Penenden-heath, and on the present occasion,
assembled to give effect to the growth of liberal
opinions. When eleven years ago he had canvassed
the electors of Canterbnry, zealous .as he knew his
friends were in his behalf, they dreamt not (nor did
he himself) to allude to Catholic emancipation. But
now, so great had the cause of civil and religious
liberty grown, that the subject could be started and
received among them with approbation. (Applause.)
This feeling was the harbinger of the ultimate
'triumph of a good cause; he hailed it with joy, and
thanked them for remembering him upon such an
occasion.

The CHAIRMAN then read the following letter,
which he had received from Mr. Robarts, one of the
Members for Maidstone :

"My Lord—l regret exceedingly my intention of
attending Ake dinner to-morrow, at which your
Lordship will preside, has been frustrated by the
occurrence of some very important business, from
which I cannot possibly absent myself. I feel greet
disappointment in the restraint which has been thus
unavoidably imposed on me, because in a warm and
sincere advocacy of civil and religious liberty, and
equally as an opponent to the establishment of Bruns-
wick Clubs, I should have been happy to have had
the opportunity, as one of the Members for Maid-
stone, or evincing, by my presence, how thoroughly
I deprecate the principles and objects for which they,
have been I.,,rfned, and of expressing my cordial
concurrence in those liberal sentiments and opinions
which, I am persuaded, alone influence the respect-
able company that will be assembled. In repeating
my sincere regret to your Lordship on being unable
to join the friends of civil and religious liberty, at a
moment when it is so peculiarly incumbent on every
well-wisher of his country to declare his opposition
to those intolerant and cruel laws which have so
long excluded so many millions of our fellow-subjects
from the privileges and benefits of a free Constitu-
tion, I cannot forego this opportunity of expressing
-my thanks and gratitude to your Lordship for the
zeal and activity you have displayed in originating a
Meeting of so much , importance at this peculiar
crisis, which I trust will produce the most benefi-
cial effect in the country with reference to the great
question of Catholic Emancipation. I am, &c.
" A. W. ROBARTS."

The Noble CHAIRMAN, after reading this letter,
proposed the healths of the Members for Maidstone.
(Loud cries of Mr. RGbarts's health alone. No
Wells of the bloody knees.)
Mr. Ems, as one of Mr. Robaits's constituents,
returned thanks.

The CHAIRMAN next proposed the health of the
Members for Hythe, Sir Robert Farquhar and Mr.
Maijoribanks : the latter would have been present
this day were it not for the death of an only child ;
and‘the other '(Sir Robert) had, he believed, always
voted for Catholic emancipation. There was no
part of the county so full of liberal opinions as the
town of Hythe ; out of
.65 freeholders within the
precincts, 50 had at once signed the liberal petition ;
he knew that some of them had been afterwards per-
suaded to sign the other petition—(a laugh)—still
they are disposed to be liberal. He would beg leave
to couple with this toast the health of " the Mayor
of Hythe." (Applause.)
The Mayor of HYTHI returned thanks.
The CHAIRMAN next gave, " The healths of the
-Members for Dover," and regretted the absence of
Mr. Thomson through ill health.
The CHAIRMAN next gave, " The healths of the
Stewards."

Lord TRYNHAM, in returning thanks, referred to
the meeting at Penenden-heath, and concurred in
opinion with his Noble Friend the Chairman, that
such an assemblage was most unnecessary and un-
called for in the county. These associations and
clubs, he would contend, were full of mischief.—
From the Pitt clubs downwards they had done harM
in the country; and he rejoiced in being one of
those who had opposed the establishment of these
Brunswick clubs iii the county. (Cheers.) The
Noble Lord then proceeded to arraign the conduct
of the High Sheriff in his decision on Peuenden-
heath, and to contend that ciril and religious liberty
was the birth-right of British subjects, and it was a
privilege which had been too long and two un-.
fairly withheld from the people of Ireland. In the
means taken for the Act of Union Catholic emanci-
pation had been promised, but the promise had not
been redeemed. (Hear, bear.) He should only
say that he wished success to this great and mighty
cause, and hoped he should lire to see it triumph.
(Cheers.)

The CHAIRMAN next gave " The health of Mr.
Alexander Baring," who was the first merchant in
the world, and also foremost among the advocates
of civil and religions liberty. lie regretted the un-
avoidable absence of such a man on such an occa-
sion, but he saw that his Hon. Friend was well re-
presented in the person of his son, who attended to
raise his voice in the cause of freedom.
Mr. BARING, jun., in returning thanks, regretted
the absence of his father, who was unable to attend
in hot rooms of that kind. He begged, however, to
assure the company that he was proud of the asso-
,:ation of his name with so great a cause, and that
ne should be ever ready to make it the test of his
integrity. There was no chivalry in supporting such
a cause now, for it was not a falling one, but one in
the high road to triumph. (Hear, hear.) The
people began to talk and think of it ; alld if every
gentlemen explained it in his own private circle, the

saceess of the great, question itself must he near and
certain. (Applause.)
Several other toasts were then drank, and acknow-
ledzed in suitable terms by gertlemen in the room.
Mr. SIM.; bring loudly celled for, gave an elo-
quent and itnpreS,ive exposition of Catholic griev-
ances, in which he pointed not the privations and
degradmions to which that class UI hia Majesty's
subjects were exposed. . . . .

the Earl of bARNLEY continued in the chair till
.10 o'clock, and the eyening was spent in the utmost
cordiality.
INlesrs. Broadhurst, Lest, Jolly, and Fitz william
sa►ig several songs with fine effect ;luring the evening.