The Sun.
London, England, 1842-12-29 00:00:00

Evening Religious ExeiCises for October, No-
vember, and December. The author is Mr.
William Jay, who has executed a useful and
important task in a spirit of rational, unaffected,
yet fervent piety.

COMPLETE SUFFRAGE CON
FERENCE.

BIRMINGHAM, WEDNESDAY. —The delegates as-
sembled again last night, when the Chairman corn-
inenced the business by reading to the meeting two
letters, One from Mr. Sharman Crawford, who had
deputed his son to attend on his behalf, and referring
to a pamphlet which he had just published, entitled
" A Defence of the Rights of the Working Classes,"
for an expesition ofhis views with respect to the pre-
sent movement, The second letter was from Mr.
Daniel O'Connell, addressed to Joseph Sturge, Esq.,
and was to the following effect :
" Darrynane Abbey, Dec. 22.
"My respected Friend,—Year letter, requiring to
know whether I could attend in Birmingham at the
meeting of delegates for carrying out the principles of
the Complete Suffrage Association, has been followed
by the draft of. the Bill for that purpose, which draft
reached me only this morning.
With respect to the first point—namely, my at-
tendance at the Conference, I have, on the fullest con-
sideration, determined not to go there. Do not ima-
gine, however; that this refusal results from my want
of Zeal in the cause of Universal Suffrage. No such
thing. lam thoroughly convinced that every man of
legal age, who does not forfeit his right by crime
or idiotcy,' has, by the principles of the British
Constitution, a _ distinct, inextinguishable right to
vote for a representative in the Commons' House
of Parliament. lam convinced that such right On
the part of every male adult is to the full as complete
as the right of any member of the House of Peers to
the privilege of peerage ; or as the right of our •gra-
eious Queen to the throne. The only difference is,
that in practice the two latter-are in full vigour, and
perhaps somewhat superfluously so; while the fornier
—the -suffrage right--is curtailed, and restricted, and
mutilated; thus creating, where all should be free-
men, a distinct and: 'separate slave class, who, by
iniquitous laws, and .more iniquitous practices, have
been robbed of their natural birthright, and are essen-
tially slaves.
" I am the friend of the slave class in every clime
and country ; but more especially in the British
dominions.
" I am also the most decided advocate for -the voting
by ballot; the best, if not the only mode of prevent-
ing corrupt and criminal practices at elections.
" I also concur in the other points proclaimed by
the Complete Suffrage Association ; that concurrence,
however, is created by my sacrificing my own opinion
of a preference of triennial to annual Parliaments, to
my sincere desire of producing unanimity of exertion
amongst all friends of a real, substantial, and radical
reform of Parliament.
" The reason why I am thus distinct in once more
stating my political creed is, because I can answer for.
it, that the overwhelinhig - majority 'of the people of
Ireland go'sVith me upon these points and that they
will co-operate with their English brother Reformers
in all legal and peaceable means, but in no other, for
obtaining a fair, free, and complete representation of
the people in Parliament.
"The great reason why I do not consent to attend.
the meeting at Birmingham is because I have con-
vinced myself that I ought rather to be a spectator of
than an actor in your approaching exertions: I have
been personally so hostile to that class called 'physical
force Chartists —I have been so unjustly and, indeed,
so absurdly calumniated by their writers, that I have
brought myself to believe, though perhaps without
any suffioient foundation, that any efforts I could
make for conciliation and to produce harmony might
be defeated, and that my presence might tend to di-
minish the prospects of concord and co-operation
which are so necessary for the success of your just
deMands.
" Besides, it is to be apprehended that there are
too many other causes of strife and contention be-
between the more ardent and violent of the Chartist
party and the more placid and mild portion of the
Complete Suffrage Association. If I could throw oil
upon the troubled waters, so as that the ark of British
liberty might float in tranquil grandeur on. the poli-
tical wave, I should attend at once and at any, sacri-
fice ; and if, after the meeting has been organised, you
should be of opinion that my attendance would be of
any possible use to the great cause, I will, with the
rapidity of steam, place myself amongst you.
" I do most anxiously desire that the spirit of peaCe,
harmony, conciliation, and concord may reign in the
COniention ; that you
,may there have the means and
the opportunity.of considering and adopting the best
modes of ensuring 'success. My entire conviction is,
that without co-operation between the - middle and
what is called the lower, that is, the poorer or working
class you cannot possibly succeed, and perhaps you
ought not: • Whether you ought, or not, the concur-
rence of the middle classes is, in my judgment, mostessentially necessary towards obtaining the right of
suffrage for the operative classe3. Recent events have
proved to demonstration the essential importance of
the middle classes in any struggle for the amelioration
of political institutions. I know that it was the co.;
operation of the middle classes that enabled the people
of Ireland to achieve Catholic emancipation. I know
that it was the co-operation of the middle classes that
enabled the people of England to obtain the first step
in the . march of Parliamentary reform. I- see
before my eyes at the present moment the
irresistible progress of the middle class towards the
total abolition of all taxes upon human food:
How anxiously, therefore, do I desire to see a
combinatioripbetween the middle and operative classes
for the attainment of radical Reform. If that combi-
nation takes place, the aristocratic classes, who have
hitherto insulted and trampled upon the people, will be
scattered like chaff before the wind ; and the honest
and just principles of democratic liberty will pervade,
ameliorate, and ennoble all the institutions of the
State. Let me then conjure all the friends of peace-
able and rational liberty to use every possible exertion
to constitute, to combine, and to consolidate the ope-
rative arid middle classes, If that can be done, the
materials of complete and immediate success are in
your hands, a success unstained by violence or crime—
a success deserving the praise of good menl—a success
deserving I hope the approbation of all good men.
The meeting at Birmingham is a glorious oppor-
tunity for working out these purposes. That op-
portunity may be thrown away. It may be soiled,
stained, and destroyed ; but the spirit that will
work among the best part of the members of the Cori-
ference will survive; and even at the worst it will
afford an opportunity of separating the chaff from the
good seed. But let me not anticipate evils Which
may be merely imaginary ; and let me trust and hope
that any 'discordant element may soon evaporate,
leaving nothing behind but kindly feelings and cordial
disposition to unanimity in the service of our country.
It may be said, by way of discouragement, that the
present 'Administration, over which the Duke of Wel-
lington and Sir Robert Peel presides,sbeing composed
of men strongly inimical to Reform, there is no chance
of their acceding to any measure approaching to uni-
versal suffrage. There are, however, two facts con-
nected with the leaders of. this Administration which
show that they are inspired with a more pliable dispo-
sition. The first of those facts is, that the Duke of
Wellington' and Sir Robert Peel were selected by
George the Fourth as the leaders of an Administration
framed for the express purpose of continuing the laws
by which the Catholics were excluded from the Con-
stitution ' • yet that very Administration, with these
identical leaders, totally repealed these excluding laws.
The second fact is, that the landlords of England have
forced into power, in despite-of the Queen, the same
Duke of 'Wellington and Sir Robert Peel, for the ex-
press and proclaimed purpose of preserving in full vigour
the Corn-laws. Yet there are most unequivocal evis
dences already exhibited to the public that this same
Duke of Wellington and this same Sir R. Peel will
totally repeal those same Corn-laws. These are most en-
couraging facts ; they demonstrate that, unless some
some selfish desertion ruin our
feud, some violence,
present prospects, there exists every probability, at no
remote period, of vindicating
and establishing the
rights of the people
at large. With respect to the
draft of the Act of Parliament, I will return it,
suggesting some alterations, which, I believe, will be
improvements. But, in any event, it will be difficult to
amalgamate the case of Ireland with that of England
and Scotland. There are two objections to the inclu-
sion of Ireland in the same ' Bill with Great Britain.
The first is a technical one, and relates to there being
no such machinery for the registry of voters in Ireland
as in Great Britain. There are not in Ireland any parish
as in Scotland, though there are schools in almost every
overseers as in England, nor any parish schoolmasters
parish. The expression " parish schoolmaster " would
in Ireland be either too vague, or infer, as matter of
law, a schoolmaster employed by the Protestant clergy-
man. Of these there are but a few, and there are
still fewer to whom it would be safe to entrust any
political duty with reference to the elective franchise.
The second objection arises from matter of substance.
The millions in Ireland who are anxious for Universal
Suffrage are much more solicitious for the restoration
of the Irish ParliaMent. They are convinced that, in
the present state of the property and population of
Ireland, a local Legislature is essentially necessary for
the peace and prosperity of this country. In this opi-
nion I am bound to say I most thoroughly and entirely
concur. We Irish are not the less disposed to aid the
British people in working out the right of suffrage for
every male adult, Complete Suffrage being the only
honest basis upon which either our Parliament or
yours should be founded.
"I have the honour to be, with sincere regardland
respect, your faithful friend and servant,
"DANIEL O'CONNELL;

"To Joseph "Sturge, Jsq."
The meeting then proceeded to elect nine delegates
to form a Committee to decide on the claims of par.

ties, the legality or honesty of whose elections had
been questioned by the Council.
Mr. THOMAS BEGGS, of Nottingham, then proposed
the following resolutions :
"1. That this Conference,', nvened in conformity
with a resolution passed at the first Complete' Suffrage
Conference held at Birminghimi, April sth-Bth, 1842,
and having for its paramount object the consideration
of the necessary details of a Bill embodying the prin-
ciples then agreed upon—viz., the extension of the
suffrage to all male adults, not deprived_of the rights

of citizenship by a verdict of a jury of their couni.ry-
men—vote by ballot, equal electoral districts, aboli-
tion of a property qualification for Members of Par-
_ _

liament, payment of Members for their services, and
annual Parliaments, do now declare its adoption of
these principles, pledges itself to employ such means
only for obtaining the legislative recognition of them
as are of a strictly just, peaceful, legal, and constitu-
tional character ; and will forthwith proceed to fulfil
the mission with which it has been entrusted, resolved
to support their chairman in preventing the introduc
tion of any propositions not in accordance therewith.

" 2. That, as this Conference will resist the intro-
duction of any topics not obviously relevant to its
'main design, so it also disclaims all interference with
existing organisations, recognising as its paramount
duty the arriving, if possible, at a cordial agreement
in reference to the object towards which peaceful agi-
tation may be directed.
" 3. That this Conference, agreeable to resolution 17,
passed at the first Conference, is prepared to receive
and to consider all documents which may be laid be-
fore it, and which may be supposed to contain an
embodiment of the necessary details for working out
the principles already recognised.
" 4. That the documents so to be presented to this
Conference be taken into consideration at the opening
of our next session, by a Committee consisting of the
whole body of delegates. And that the Committee
be instructed to observe the following rules :—First,
That the Bill to be presented by the Council of the
National Complete Suffrage Union be taken as the
basis of discussion,' Secondly—' rhat each clause
as it is read shall be considered pari passe, with the
correlative clauses of the other documents."Chirdly—
' That all amendments be handed up to the chairman
in writing.'
Mr. J. DUNLOP, of Edinburgh, seconded the adop-
tion of the resolution.
Mr. LOVETT moved as an amendment to the fourth
resolution, to the effect " That the Bill or document
be entitled The People's Charter,' instead of The
Bill to be presented by the Council of the National
Complete Suffrage Umon."
Mr. F. O'CONNOR seconded the amendment, when
the meeting adjourned till the following morning.
This morning (Wednesday) both parties assembled
to try the question of the " Bill" or the " Charter."

M. LOVETT resumed thquestion of the previous
evening, by asking Mr. 13eggs whether he had re-
considered his motion, and would give in his adhesion

to the amendment ? But Dr. Ritchie said that the

" Hon. Member" was clearly out of order in putting
such a queStion. Mr. Lovett replied, that such being
the case, he would re-move his amendthent, which he
did amidst cheering from the O'Connor. party.
Ile said that he had made up his mind to keep to his
amendment, which was worded as follows :
" That the document entitled the ' People's Charter,'
embracing all the essential details of just and equal
representation, couched in plain and definite language,
capable of being understood and appreciated by the
great mass of the people, for whose government and
guidance all laws ought to be written,—that measure
having been before the public for the last five years,
forming the basis of the present agitation in favour of
the suffrage, and for seeking to secure the legal
enactment of which vast numbers have suffered im-
prisonment, transportation, and death, has, in the
opinion of this meeting, a prior claim over all other

documents professing to embrace the principles of
just representation. It is therefore resolved, that we
proceed to discuss the different sections of the People's
Charter, in order to ascertain whether any improve-
ment can be made in it, and what these improver ents
shall be, it being necessary to make that document as
clear and perfect as possible."
Mr: F. O'CONNOR did not think the result of the
amendment would create so much division as was an-
ticipated. On the contrary, he thought it would tend
most materially to unite all those who were the ad-
vocates of sound principle and consistency against a
few weak and feeble men, who were without any
principle or consistency whatever.—(Cheers.)
Dr. RITCHIE denied that the Conference had ever
adopted the Charter, and complained of the dishonest
course pursued by the mover and seconder of the
amendment. They had never adopted, the Charter,
and they never would.
The Rev. THOMAS SPENCER, of Bath, contended

that there was no reason why they should be bound
by a document which had been brought forward five
years ago, whilst another• document equally embrac-
ing the five points of the Charter, and possessing va-
rious improvements, could be advocated by every
reasonable and honest man.

Mr. ROBERT SUMMERS, of Newton Stewart, begged
to submit an amendment, which he. hoped would meet
the difficulty and enable them to take the two mea-
sures into consideration. Mr. Summers then proposed
his motion, to the effect that both Bills, with Major
Cartwright's Bill, and any others that might be
thought necessary, should be referred to the Confer-
ence, and the 'clauses of each considered pani passe,
and such amendments made as might be considered
essential to the well-being of all.
The CHAIRMAN thought that one of the resolu-
tions, submitted last night, fully met the views of the
speaker..
Mr. BRODIE, a delegate from Scotland, seconded
the resolution.

Mr. MAGAN wished to set the meeting right with
respect to a few facts in reference to the Bill of the
Complete Suffrage Council. Mr. Lovett stated that
he had not seen it, but the opportunity had been af-
forded him had he chosen to avail himself of it. A
copy of the document would be placed in the hands of
each delegate the moment it was decided to take it
into consideration.
Mr. LOVETT said he had never seen the Bill till it

had been prepared.
Mr. BREWSTER, with a view to promote a good un-
derstanding and secure unanimity, begged to move

that the Bill prepared by the CounCil, being founded
on the People's Charter, and embodying its principles,
it is unnecessary to discuss any other document.
The amendment of Mr. Brewster having been se-
conded, the discussion was continued till one o'clock,
when the debate was adjourned till the afternoon sitting.

DETERMINED SUlClDE.—Yesterday morning, be-
tween nine and ten o'clock, the following determined
suicide was committed by Mr. John Sowerby,
highly respectable master butcher, who for some years
past resided in Farringdon-market, Farringdon-street,
by drowing himself in the Paddington-canal. It ap-
pears, from the statement of two labouring men, that
they were walking on the foot-path of the canal, at
the above-mentioned hour, when they observed the
unfortunate man jump into the canal; they hastened
with all speed to his assistance, but he immediately
sunk; they rushed into the water, and after a quarter
of an hour, they found the body. Every exertion was
used to restore him, but without effect. The body
was removed to Paddington station-house to await a
Coroner's .inquest.
ALARMING FIRE AT CROYDON.--Yesterday infor •
mation was received at the chief station of the

Brigade Force in Watling-street, of a destructive fire
breaking out, about one o'clock in the morning, at
the Greyhound Inn, opposite the Town-hall, Croydon.
The first to raise the alarm was Mrs. Martin (wife of

the proprietor), who had retired to bed, and was
awoke by the smoke; but the exact spot of the fire
could not be found until the inmates had effected an
escape, when, upon the police entering, they dis-
covered the flames burning fiercely in the cellars
under the counting-house. The alarm-bell in the

town being immediately rung, plenty of assistance
was soon on the spot, and, after some exertion, the
fire was prevented from extending further than the
cellars:- It is supposed to have been occasioned by a
spark falling from a candle into a heap of sawdust on the
previous day, while some coals were being unloaded
into the cellar. The amount of damage was reported
to be between 2001. and 3001.

FIRE IN DRURY-.LANE.—Last night between six
and seven o'clock an alarming fire broke out in the
manufactory of Mr. Hover, a paper-stainer, opposite
Brownlow-street, Drury-lane. It originated in the
drying-room,: and spread with great rapidity. Infor-
mation was soon forwarded to the fire-stations, and
very quickly afterwards the engines from High
Holborn, Chandos-street, and Farringdon-street, ar-
rived, when the firemen with their usual exertions
were soon enabled to arrest the progress of the flames,
but not until a great portion of the stock was de-
stroyed. Mr. Hover is insured in the County Fire-
office.

SUPPOSED MURDER AT SALISBURY.—On Tuesday
morning a labouring man, named Samuel Bruton,
was found dead at his lodging, in a yard leading out
of Giant-street, under circumstances which lead to
the suspicion of his having come by his death in a
violent manner. The unfortunate man lodged at the
house of a person named Greek, and on Tuesday
morning, about six o'clock, upon the latter being
called up by a Mr. Spreadbury, in whose employ he
was in the capacity of housekeeper and porter, the de-
ceased was found lying on the stairs quite dead, with
his neckcloth closely twisted round his neck as if he
had been strangled. A Coroner's inquest was held
upon the body in the course of the day, and several
witnesses were examined, from whose evidence it ap-
peared that a cry of murder had been heard to pro-
ceed from Greek's house on Monday night, and also
that Greek had frequently made use of several sus-
picious observations respecting the deceased. Greek
was taken into custody immediately, and remains so
still, the Coroner's inquest having been adjourned for
the purpose of obtaining further evidence.