Star.
London, England, 1830-05-19 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM POLITICAL UNION.

It was finally determined at the Meeting of the Coun-
cil on Tuesday se'nnight, to forego the attendance of a
band of music at the procession. On Saturday evening,
however, another Meeting of the Council took place, at
which the subject was re-introduced, and Mr. Attn?ood
stood forward as the chief advocate of harmony. After
considerable discussion, it was finally resolved that a band
lof martial music should precede the procession.
By nine o'clock on Monday morning, a large crowd
was assembled in Temple-street, and by half-past ten
o'clock, that and the adjoining streets were choked by
thousands. The excitement intended by the display and
exhibition of a procession was certainly most fully an-
swered, as hundreds pressed into the Council-rooms to
enrol their names in the lists of the Union, and receive
the medal—the acknowledged and authorised badge of
membership. Among the names entered was that of Sir
Charles Woiseley, who, in a letter to Mr. Creswick, of
New-street, containing his subscription, expressed him-
self a Warm supporter of the objects and plans of the
Union. It may be safely asserted, that since the year
1818, the time of the celebrated election of the legisla-
torial attorney, the town never presented so extraordinary
a scene of commotion. Soon after ten o'clock the mem-
bers were ordered to form two deep in St. Philip's church-
yard, where they were informed the Members -of the
Council would join and head them. Mr. Edmonds's
known influence over the populace was never more con-
spicuously displayed than on this occasion. With a
beck of the hand he succeeded, in the course of a few
minutes, in marshalling the dense thousands occupy-
ing every avenue in the neighbourhood of the piste
of rendezvous. During these preparations the band,

situated in front of the Glube Tavern, struck up " GOD
save the King !" and other of our most popular national
airs.

On proceeding from Temple-street, down New-street,
the Bull-ring, and Digbeth, the sight was one of the
most imposing that can be conceived. The shops were
almost entirely closed, the upper windows of the houses
throughout the whole line of the procession were crowded
with gaily dressed spectators, and the streets themselves
so densely thronged, that it was found almost impossible
for the precession to make its way. Long before its
arrival at Mr. Beardsworth's Repository, the place of
nieeting, the building was more than half filled, and
before the Council bad taken their places in the gallery,
e‘ery corner of this magnificent erection was occupied.
Not less than from 18,000 to '20,000 persons must have
been assembled within its walls ; while, according to the
calculation of persons best competent to come to a cor-
rect conclusion, not fewer than from 80,000 to 100,000
persons must have been witnesses to the promenade.
The most remarkable feature in the conduct of the
populace was, the great attention paid to Messrs. Att-
wood, Scholetield, and Muntz, who headed the proces-
sion. Several sturdy fellows formed a sort of body-
guard, and, by dint of hard labour and great exertion,
succeeded in keeping off the pressure of the multitude
from these gentlemen.

THE MEETING.
On the Council entering the Repository, they proceeded to the
end of the gallery, the middle of which was partitioned off for their
accommodation and the convenience of the reporters. Immediately
over this space an elegant painting of the Royal Arms was placed ;
the opposite auction-rooms and galleries being occupied by ladies
and gentlemen silent " spectators of the fight."
G. F. Alu wrz was immediately called to the Chair.
The CHAIRMAN, after reading the advertisement calling the
meeting together, dsserved that they were met to obtain a rational
reform, rational. in doing which he hoped they would be They
ought calmly and rationally examine what the Constitution entitled
them to, and then prudently, but vigorously, proceed in measures
for its attainment—(clicers.)
Mr. HADLEY then proceeded to read the report, in which he
was relieved by the Chairman ; and which, at the conclusion, was
received by loud and vehement cheering.
Mr. EDMONDS then rose to address the mectiug.—Mr. Chair-
man, said be, I should pity that man who could see such an int.
niense number of human beings congregated together, and only for
a moment consider their varied feelings, and their universal and
commont sentiment of complaint, and yet remain indifferent and
unmoved by the spectacle. For his own part, he could not express
the intensity of his feelings, when he saw so many thousands of
individuals aroused by the errors of the government under which
it was their misfortune to live, and all animated by one detetmina-
firm to support measures fur the recovery of lust rights, and the
el:sires. of grievances, by which they were all, more or less, in.
jured. (Cheers.) Ile felt the importance of bringing the thoughts
and feelings of the people in one combined operation upon the sys.
tem of government. for this purpose, unanimity of design, sen-
timent, and object, was necessary ; he therefore implored their
attention while he, for a few moments, dwelt upon the objects
the Political Council had in view in proposing the adoption of
the Report, which had just been read: viz.—The promotion of
a mod. rate, but, at the saute time, a radical reform, in the
constitution of the House of Commons. (Hear, hear.)—The
opinions of the Council upon this subject had been mine.
presented. They had been represented as enemies to radical re.
form, but such were not their sentiments. He (Mr. Edmonds)
had no doubt, however, but there were thousands then present
who thought the unlimited system advocated by some reformers,
would prove subversive of the good of the country ; they could not
but associate those scenes of anarchy and confusion with its exist.
ence, which bad in a former age been so conspicuously displayed
in a neighbouring country. Nevertheless even those persons who
doubtless feared an unlimited franchise, were in favour of gradual
reform, and were glad to see its cause moving on with the in-
creased knowledge of the age. It was this class of persons
whose influence and co-operation it was desirable to obtain; and
the public Meeting of that day @hewed that they were not insets.
sible or indifferent to the promotion of the objects of the Union.
The report did not denounce a constitutional reform, but merely ad.
vocated the propriety of demanding what the law clearly acknow.
!edged ; rights under which their forefathers were a powerful and a
happy people. and which it was not dangerous for them to enjoy.
He warned the meeting agairst being led away by those theorists
who would accept nothing unless they got all—who, if they could
not obtain what they wanted at once, were unwilling to receive it by
slow degrees; and who were too fond of claiming things merely
because they considered them as rights, without first taking
nto consideration the first and most vital rule by which
they ought to be regulated—the happiness of the people. He
(Mr. Edmonds) would ask if they got a government elected by
such a
franchise, would they not stand a better chance of obtaining
any further rights to which they thought they were constitutionally
entitled, than from their present corrupt and interested rulers?
Would they go to the house of a churl when they had the
opportunity of going to the openhearted and liberal man ?
(Cheers.) He was one that did not wish to see either anarchy
or revolution. In his (Mr. E.'s) opinion, their object ought to
be to obtain a practical good, without caring so much about
an unsubstantial theory. What they wanted was redress
and, in his opinion, it was best to obtain what they could, and
burying unimportant differences and go along with those who went
with them to the very threshold of their most extravagant wishes—
(Cheers.) The report, the adoption of which he should conclude by
moving, stated the object of the Council to be the organization and
direction of public opinion; and he was gratified to observe, from
the thousands he was addressing, the unanimity of sentiment which
pervaded the meeting, how, successful they had been in that object.
They did not, Chin forbid they should, attempt to organize the
physical force of the people. (Cheers.) Their only wish was that
they might make the moral for:eof the country bear down upon the
measures of government. Mr. Edmonds, after alluding in strong
terms to the New Deer Act, and the signal injustice done to pub.
Beans, who on the faith of the established laws, recently renewed
by implication at the time of the passing.of Mr. Estcourt's bill, con-
eluded by moving that the Report of the Council be approved and
confirmed by the Union.
JOSHUA SEHOLEYIELD, Esq. in rising to second the motion,
said the object of the Political Council was simply to direct the
energies of their fellow-townsinen—to induce them to look to them.
selves and the protection of their own interests--and to make their
complaints known to government, in language they could not mis-
understand, or ultimately dare to resist.—(Cheers.) That man
must, indeed, be destitute of both bead and heart, and lost to every
feeling of humanity, who could deny the general prevalence of
distress at this period. Through the instrumentality of Mr. Att.
wood, who had originated the Political Unions, and which were now
' starting up in every part of the kiqdom, be hoped that a new im.
pulse wouldbe given to politics, and that the lower classes of b
might anticipate with confidence that their bodily as well as
intellectual enjoyments would be placed in a sure way of permanent
improvement. With regard to the Marquis of Blsndford's bill. be
believed his lordship to be a sincere reformer, and his bill calm..
lasted to gain the support of a most influential part of the people,—
For these reasons he supported it. " May (ion," said Mr. S.
take away from me that prosperity in the world which I have en.
joyed. and of which I am not aufficiendy proud, if ever I am found
the advocate of measures injurious to my poor fellow-countrymen."
Mr. Scholefield concluded by seconding the motion.
Mr. Bras commenced by observing ,that in appearing there in
I behalf of himself and others of the lower Glasses of society, he had
undertaken a very painful task. It was not foe the purpose of
creating a schism among the Members of the Union; but be was
convinced that the declaration upon the subject of annual paella-
' meats and univerial suffrage, was a complete juggle and hum.
bug.—(Tremendons Mining, Interrupted with slight applause, and
cries of " Pitch him over." The confusion lasted some mi.
mates.) If the elective franchise was confined to householders, the
poor would almost entirely be shut out from the exercise of the
right, as it would, according to that system, be confined to those
who paid scot and lot---that was, all who paid every descrip.
don of taxes as well as rent.—(Loud and repeated cheers.)
With respect to Lord Blandford's bill, it had been said that it was
calculated to forward the cause of radical reform. This, he wished
to show, was not true. It confined the elective franchise to house.
holders; and as there was not more then three millions of houses
in this kingdom, that would of necessity be the full amount of
thou who would have a right to which every inhabitant of the
country was entitled. Tbe total number of the population in the
united kingdom was Mew minims, and if considered
thice.fourtiss to consist of females, se males under the age of
twentynoo, thin would still remain four millions, coo portion of
which, memillog to Lord Blaadford's bill, would be excluded
fismi sty partiolgetion in the elseden of members of parliament.
Ilapin they restricted it to those who paid scot and lot, the num.
bee would be still more diminished, for there were many thousands
et heeesheithee who did Doc, and who could net pay taxes. As to
the wilvoreality man% the pesmoble of the act of Edward the
Mom fleetly showed shot all who poisoned thenisolves at the musty
omoln, whothsCombikets or not were entitled to vote for knights of
the Wm. The Iwo seiesept to abridge this right was le the nip
of Him the ego, when the eight ma
tinees eeellesti speed-.
leg 4.4. is theology. The_ geekoreled to tbe weed&
of this bill, mei the reseerke4 that the peeing of the Mary& of

Wandford's bill would tend to separate the interests and feelingi o'
the middle and lower classes. blr. Bibb concluded by moi•utg
amendment, condemnatory of the declaration of the Council, ft.
sour of Lord Blandfoni's bill, and sat down amidst considerabl,
cheers.

The amendment being withdrawn, the motion was carried .
mously, accompanied by three times three.

of addressing thetnecitenolfittiehi,ileotnitaip6idlraigleit
occasionunlatthignetonotcl7noglll 3tlualya.Lee sttlicytean
Mr. Art WOOD then rose and said, when last he bad the !moo
on tic
egh•fferesechttapdnriodetth.teuinc;dgleashbeyludrt
ti2icnisth ofon eltiarienalaryuccetillast.ol
To
hdbitEonuigtchwoon:inaedEngrgeatiandot tl7itsais:dar:tiighorouhnbodirlotuoodt the
itterolltpctte.thl7;iruirty rrsoi:liadgrdtned:
assured, they had given the enemy a tremendous blow, asd
made him reel, as the boxers said, from one side of the stare
to the other.—(A laugh and cheers.) By their permission, thin
would repeat the blow again and again, until they were e;:.
abled, by (lon's blessing, to give them what 'the French called the
coup de grace, or what they, Englishmen, called, " the finishin •
blow." (Cheers and laughter.) What was the cause? It war,
not their numerical strength, although it was a glorious and map
nificent sight to behold them on that occasion ; but it was produced
by the council's prudence, caution, strict legality, system, organics.
tion, firmness of purpose, and of determination. (Cheers.) These
were the qualities which struck terror into the breasts of their ene•
mies. It was the great mass of the people, brought forward in
cordial and affectionate union with the middle classes, their
natural friends and protectors, which alarmed the enemies of their
country, and gave them to understand that the day of their domino.
tion was drawing to a close. (Cheers.) In accomplishing this, tile
council had to struggle with innumerable difficulties, surrounded oar
every side by such a confused mass of inexplicable laws, that it was
scarcely possible for human wisdom to escape these numerous devil.
traps. (luughter and cheers.) He could assure them that but for
their great prudence, they should have been destroyed like the re.
[Outten and be (Mr. A.) picked out from amongst them, and in all
probability lodged in a dungeon. (" No, no.") it gave him great
pleasure to find that the report had been passed by that inuttense
assembly very near unanimously before he had had occasion to make
these quotations; because it showed the unbounded confidence and
affectionate attachment which they felt towards the counciL He
could assure them there was no fear of that confidence Wing abused.
Ile was sorry to hear remarks made tending to alienate the lowet
from the middle classes, and to represent the latter as by no means
the friends of the former. All classes were bad enough, and, pro.
bably, the middle classes were no better than others. All men bad
hearts in their bosoms, and so long as that was the case they
would be liable to human frailties and infirmities; but this much
for the middle classes he must say, that although they had not
had spirit enough to come forward openly and join the union, he
had the satisfaction of saying, from private communications with
individuals in the town, that 9.loths were cordially attached to
its objects. They were kept back by the numerous causes men.
dotted in the Report ; but let them have patiehce ; the time would
shortly come, when all these thnid, watik.nerved people, would roll
up their strength into a cordial support of the union. He had also
received letters and messages from many of the nobility and aris-
tocracy of the land, expressing their cordial approbation of the
Political Union ; and he doubted not, but in a very short period.
not only the middle classes of the country generally, but also thr
upper classes also, who were not interested in the national plunder,
would tender their powerful assistance in its support. He hal
no doubt, from what he saw and knew 'of the public opinion.
among all classes, that the government would shortly be eon:.
pelled to grant their just and rightful demands, and to
give them a just and fair representation of the people in their
own house. He knew principles were at work, that if this
act of common justice were refused, the public mind would
be brought to such a state of excitement, that the dying father
would call his children to his bed-side, and, taking the Holy Scrip.
tures in his hand, he would make them swear eternal hatred to the
borough system. (Cheers.) 1 here could be no doubt of the truth
of this; the spirit was gone abroad; it was rising from the lowa
the higher eludes, and, like the influence of Fades at Saragossa.
was certain to awake the dead heart, and to arouse all classes in its
support. (Cheers.) By these observations he had been led auras
from an important point ; which was to assure the lower classes, the:
whatever vices might exist among the middle classes there was oci
consolation for the lower. If the middle classes ever got Into power,
it would be utterly impossible for them to promote their own interests
visitant promoting these of the lower at the same time. (Cheers.)_
The middle classes had no interest worth a rush but that of get-
ting a good trade, without rendering the workmen as independent
as the master, and securing not only profit to themselves but
ample wages to the labourer.—(Cheers.) To come, however, to a
plan of reform he would say that it was not wise to go into the
consideration of abstract rights, as into that of clear, undisputed.
constitutional rights.—(Cheers.) Annual Parliaments, univereal
and vote by ballot, might possibly be beneficial, the Poli.
tl: Tuned had not said a word against them; they only denied
the propriety of claiming them, bemuse they were not clear, ac.
knowledged, indisputable, constitutional rights--(Cheers.) Out
of one hundred lawyers of undeniable integrity, nine out of
ten whom be had consulted, altogether denied that universal
suffrage had ever existed in England, and he was most ca.
rain that it never existed in any other country in the world.
La peasant, with regard to what had been said by the gentleman
on the left, about an Act of Henry the Sixth, four hundred years
ago, he thought it his duty to state, that a great error existed. In
that very Act, within three lines of the passage wherein it was de-
clared that men who could expend 40s. per annum should have a
vote in the election of members of parliament, the words " as afore
is said " were inserted, expressly meaning that the expenditure of
the dens. per annum must be en expenditure derived from freehold
property only. (Cheers.) Mr. A. then went on to state, that
the internal sufferings of this country were unparalleled, and
that they had not even the consolation of national honour to com.
fort them. This great and glorious nation had been accustomed es
dictate to the whole world; but now it was become the contempt of
all the nations of Europe. It was kicked about and spit upon on
all sides. The Austrians insulted us in Italy—die French insulted
us in Spain—the Russians in Turkey—and even the us of Portu-
gal threw his heels in the face of the British lion ; and yet this de-
graded nation, with every feeling bursting at its heart's core, ass
compelled to pocket the affront. (Cheers.) In speaking of a plan
of refocus (said Mr A.) how should they agree ..pon it? Should
they apply to the 300 gentlemen who returned the majority of the
House of Commons ? They, no doubt, would say no reform was
needed. Should they apply to the 15 or 30,000 individuals who
bad their fingers pretty deeply in the national pie; those gentlemen
would probably gravely assure them, while picking their pocke•
with both hands, and looking them seriously in the face, that In-
deed they could see nothing very wrong in the present state of
things Laud laughter and cheers.) If, h )wever, they asked
the middle classes, the 300,000 families of plundered nianufac.
tutees and farmers, these gentlemen would all agree that there
was something wrong in the state of things, and that something
must be corrected, although they could not properly tell what.
—There were materials cf discontent enough ; the only dif-
ficulty was in making them harmonise and unite in some
common remedy. Many now entertained fears of a reso-
lution, and, undoubtedly, a revolution was the most dreadful
calamity that could possibly happen to this nation ; and he
to assure them, that under such a calamity the interests
o)frimass of the people, had as was their fate now, would be ten.
ten times worse than it was. Let them only think of the state o;
distracted misery among the lower classes, which muse be produced
by a state of anarchy. In their complicated state of -society, awl.
supported existence by the mutual interchange, of their products of
industry. The button.burnisher could not live upon the burnish-
ing of a button, unless be could exchange it fa brad; nor could
the ploughman or the producer of hewed, clothe himself with the pro-
duct of his labour, unless be could exchange it for cloth. To break
up airwenderful machinery of this kind, was to create univasa!
&mai and bloodshed, and to bring on with this something lik.:
universal ruin and destruction, mere cruel among the weaker classes
anger
but what did it amount to ? At this very moment, be was
thibl:l:ol,oNriUghainantleatlithei had° gainethdemsaat festfv"eLurwehTaohfte?coFnlirenclistyituthtieonTwnlelifbettwalladye4
wry to declare, that out of 30,000,000 of inhabitants which
France contained, only 80,000 possessed the power of re-
turning members to the French House of Common.. The
misery which the French people underwent in obtaining their
very limited representation, was greater than almost any recorded
in the history of nations; and if such misery was created by the
breaking up of their social not a tenth part so complicated
as our own, what would be the dreadful misery every man must
sustain, be he rich or be be poor, if ever the complicated and wen.
derful machinery of English society was suffered to break up ? ---
(Cheers.) To return to universal =Sage. In America, the heat
and happiest country on the fees of the earth, universe' suffrage did
not exist in any one of the estates. They had all exceptions, either
founded on parish relief, or as being pearls, soldiers, slaves, and
minors, wit many ether exceptions. Not only did net universal
engine exist in any
is of-the
Thery. lr
t ndesGreeksbitsait lonermans.Aid
exist in any mussy weeded
the bravest nations of antiquity, gave the elective had& at
only about ea pseuds
ste in Ave at the ray most. HieiLlln A.)
did wish nog wishrnsr universal same, annual imams.
and vote ley ballot; it was there might be semoding
in them; but it was there might be measthing Assorrans
in them. All he say was, that he threes it was ass pedal
to claim them. And why should be, when the ismisalabk is•s'
tuden nailer which their fathers lourtehod was open to dim t Inv
Marquis et Blandferd's MU, if passed, would secure inmeeseeprivi-
ttelaterddiscisseespeople.a. itht=restozethz2Ssaushr width
and bal..—
But before be chewed their the siklid the Nat-

quis of Blandford's bill would restore to them, he wished to
give them another glimpse of the evils which anarchy would
bring upon them.-3 state of tyranny was the inevitable result of a
mate of anarchy. It was not possible, Indeed, for a state of soeiety
like theirs, %hen once broke up. to settle down again by any other
incans but that of force. When masses of men broke loose from
their ancient habits and modes of thinking, every man with a head
upon his shoulders had an opinion of his own—(Cheers,)--and he
had an equal right to have his own opinion regarded as t4t of his
neighbour. Here, then, were twenty millions of opinions,
phs.ions, prejudices, and interests, which could not possibly be
reconciled but by force. (Cheers.) Then, as in the cue of Crom-
well and Napoleon, the strongest soldier became the strongest
man ; and he with the sharpest sword, or the most delusive
tongue, laid the country prostrate under the rule of a rod of iron.--
(Cheers.) Nor was it to be wondered that a rod of iron should suc-
ceed the rule of anarchy ; for when men were worn by the cab;
mities which anarchy produced, they gladly submitted to despotism,
in the hopes that it might save them from more frightful evils.
With regard to the Marquis of Blandford's bill, the Union must
bear in mind, that justice and strict legality were the foundations of
all real strength. There own Shakspeare had laid this down as a
principle in his inimitable language—
Thrice is he sinned, that has his quarrel just,
And he but naked, though lock'd up in steel,
Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted."
They had their quarrel just ; they stood upon ground where no
power could resist them, and from which no law and no force could
dislodge them.—(Cheers.) Their strength was in their unanimity
and in the justice and legality of their cause. They made no
attack upon any of the sacred establishments of the country ; they
made no attack upon their venerable Church—they made no
attack upon the House of Lords—they made no attack upon the
throne of their beloved King—may GOD restore him to health (a
dead allence)--they only made an attack upon the people's own
house, where they contended their rights were not represented; and
how should they be represented, constituted as that was ? Lord Grey
offered to prove on oath, before the House of Commons, that 300 per.
sons returned the majority of that house, and in it there were 117
officers in the army and navy. Now, be had the highest respect for
those gentlemen in their individual capacity. He declared, if upon
trial for life, be should prefer being tried by a jury of officers of
the army to any other description of men ; but these gentlemen
were all men actuated with human passions, and it was not
possible for them to give an unbiassed vote where their own
interests and feelings were deeply interested. Sir Robert Wilson,
for instance, a noble, gallant, and high-minded officer, had been
cashiered by the arbitrary mandate of the ministry, without a
Court-martial, merely because he dared to interfere in the business
of die late Queen. Every officer was liable to the same fate ;
and, therefore, it was no disparagement to their integrity to
say they were not' fit representatives of the people. What then,
did the Marquis of Blandford's bill restore to them ? He could tell
them—first, it dismissed all placemen from the House of Commons.
Secondly, it cut off all the rotten boroughs, and relieved the King
from his 300 royal pensioners ; for, most assuredly, at present,
they divided the royal prerogatives with him.—(Cheers.) Third,
it abolished the qualification of freehold property. At present there
were not, perhaps, twenty men in Birmingham who had got that
freehold qualification. Fourthly, it re the septennial
act. Fifthly, it it broke down expenses attengenaligeellections, and gave
the elective franchise to every householder in the kingdom, liable to
pay poor rates- Here it was important to observe that it was an
undeniable constitutional law that representation and taxation must
go together ; and he had the authority of Lord Blandford to declare
to them, that in case that bill passed into a law it would be impos-
sible to continue levying taxes which pressed upon the waning
classes of the country.—The rich would be compelled, as of old, to
pay all taxes as they ought to do; or if they refused, they would
be thrown upon the other born of the dilemma, and be compelled
to give representation to the lower classes upon their own con-
stitutional conditions.—(Cheers.) The lower classes, therefore,
under any circumstances,. would gain much by Lord Blandford's
bill; they would either gam representation or freedom from taxation.
(Cheers.) And he would declare if the representation were re-
fused, the taxation must be abolished, and one tenth part of the
saving the lower classes would thus experience would then enable
every one of them to obtain the elective franchise. Mr. Attwood,
in allusion to what had been said of the late Duke of Richmond
supporting universal suffrage, strongly characterised the subse-
quent conduct of that Nobleman. Declaring that his advocacy of
reform was a mere clap trap for the people, and dictated by spleen
and selfishness. Immediately afterwards be was taken into power,
and was the immediate instrument of seeking the blood of Horne
Took and other upright men, who went only two-thirds of the way
he had himself formerly professed to go. In conclusion, Mr. A.
strongly recommended submission to the laws, union, harmony, and
obedience to the Council ; and then he did not doubt a successful
issue of their just and righteous measure. On returning from the
last meeting on the 25th of January, he met a baLled-Wler in the
street, and on purchasing one of his ballads he found it consisted of
the prophecies of the famous Nixon, one of which be considered
curious, and not inapplicable to the present state of things--

Let all unite, but not to fight,
And England soon will shall get her right.
(Loud laughter and cheers.)
Let them stick to their doctrine and they would ultimately succeed
in defiance of all the sophistries and all the contrivancies of their
oppressors. Mr. Attwood then
_proceeded with the declaration of the
Council of Lord Blandford's bill, and, after moving that it be ap-
proved by the Union, sat down amidst the most vehement and
deafending cheers.
Mr. HADLEY. on proposing the third resolution, said it became
his duty to submit fox their consideration, a resolution respecting
the medal and ribbon, which the council had thought ought to be
worn by the members of the Union, on all public occasions, when
they were called together. The obverse of the medal was the British
lion, rousing himself from slumber : the legend above, " The Safety
et the King and of the People." The legend below, " The Con-
siltation • nothinless, and nothing more." The reverse of the
medal, the royal Grown of England irradiated ; immediately beneath
the crown, on • scroll, the words, " Unity, Liberty,
e;rity."
The legend above, " God save the King." The 1 below,
•• Birmingham Political Union, 25th January, 1830. On the
ribbon was inwoven the Red Cross of St. George, quartered with
that of St. Andrew, commonly called the British Unton Jack. He
etuld not help thinking with the Council, that the members of the
ion ought to have some appropriate badge, which would once chew
their loyalty and patriotism, and distinguish them as men who
Were willing to make some sacrifice, and lend a helping hand is
order to purify our corrupt political systems, and to secure their po-
litical privileges. (Cheers.)
The motion was seconded by Mr. Betts, and carried unanimously.
11L HADLEY said, they were all aware of the gentleman who
wai the originator, and was the principal supporter of the Binning.
ban Political Council, which had foe hs objects their happiness
and their prosperity. The virtue, talent, and public spirit which
that gentleman had shown in stemming the tide of a powerful op.
position, arising alike from his friends and his enemies, in his
judgment, entitled him to their gratitude ; and, as they had adopted
3 mail to be worn by the Union, he should, before he sat down,'
propose that a gold medal, with the badge of the Union attached to
It. be presented to the talented and patriotic Chairman of their
Council, T. Attwood, Esq.
Mr. WESTON cordially seconded the resolution, which was put,
amidst cheers which lasted for some minutes. On the excitement
et;avioned by this vote subsiding, Me. Hadley said, that anticipating
the vote they had just passed, a few members of the Union had pre-
pared themselves with the Medal and Chain, which he begged to
Produce.
Mr. ATTWOOD returned ;hanks. Notwithstanding the disastrous
etTects, the ruinous consequences, the wide and spreading havoc
vhich Peel's Bill had produced, having created evils far more
tstensive than the desolation caused by an earthquake, for the misery
which it inflicted was, by its very nature, confined more particularly
tu the spot where it happened ; but that, unaccompanied as it was
b, any measures of an alleviating nature, afflicted the whole
country alike, every where creating the sante depression, the
!ant distress, whether in agricultural or manufacturing depart-
- prospects, breaking the hearts, and paralysing
Went* the energies of thousands. (Hear, hoar.)
'uffering our country was tranquil, perhaps
And he had no doubt that the establish-
lions to theirs would tend greatly to pre-
that awaited her. Indeed, he considered
valves through which the national mind,
and the national injuries, might safely
chosen by the people, as the Councils were,
aurally feel that they could repose confidence,
*.• advice. These councils bid them be peace-
, the laws. They did not say that a period
ten tame submission and patient endurance
final, for that would he to condemn all
cif forefathers, of which they, as English.
It would be to condemn the spirit which
a when they gave marching orders to
and placed the Brunswick family on the
Ray, they hoped the necessity far similar en-
ir again. They entreated them to let thole
igs which disfigured and deformed them is
physical nature, and be assured they wadi
'hey desired them to acquire a just know.
. this would teach them bow to obtain them.
they would defeat the machinations of the
collected, and they would create dismay in their
, ire patient, be united, and they wadi seer.
The cause was holy and they mug esessed.
in seconding the resolution which bad Jog
(Loud cheers.)

LONDON.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19.

THE KING.

a WINDSOR CASTLE, MAT 19, 1890.
The KING slept well last night. His MAJESTY'S
symptoms continue mitigated.

(Signed)

" HENRY ',ALFORD.

" MATTHEW J. TIERNEY."

The French Minister has passed the Rubicon, on the
banks of which he has so long paused. The Chamber of
Deputies is dissolved.—The meeting of the new chamber
is fixed for the 3d of August. As the preliminary bu-
siness of a new chamber occupies a considerable time,
the members will thus have light work provided for them,
suited to the season. That business being finished,
prorogation will, probably take place, to afford the mi-
nister an opportunity of feeling the pulses of the new
men. This is the ordinary system of tactics and
if we may judge from the spirit now mani-
fested by the people of France on no similar occa-
sion was it ever more necessary to adhere to it. Our
opinion has so often been expressed on the state
f public feeling in Francs, that it will create

..Str

2

"'en. blightingthePlm;
if
by. it; withering- influents
Vet, amid all this suffe
tete/ was more so. A
r n:ent of similar union
I .tn..e it in the trials the
e t.leu as the safety vs 1
the flagons! wrongs.
"Axle. In bodies ehe
I. the people would natural
and swad listen to their
Able, and submissive to
will never arrive when
sreskl not be criminal
those great acts of their
d
own. were so proud. it
' .4iinsted their fathers
so James the Second, and
• 'Throne; but they did s.
) er.ions would never mem
,Ipposition to those thing
is
or a moral arid not of a i
ultimately saws ed. Th
la
1a ledge of their rights, for I
Ile Peaceable, and they u
Is . 'is thm, calm, and collet
Nls. Be preseverlnz,
%Ise,. every
pros p difficulty. 1
fit had t lessors is
It* been submitted to them.