The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1853-11-08 00:00:00

VINDICATIOINT OF SCOTTISH RIGHTS.

FOR a short time past the readers of the Times, and some
other London journals, have had their attention directed
to a movement which has been recently undertaken north
of the Tweed, the object of the movement being ostensibly
to procure a recognition, and the practical admission, of
rights alleged by an extensive, intelligent, and influential
section of the Scottish people, to be covertly withheld, or
insidiously withdrawn from that country and its public
institutions. The movement first showed itself publicly
in the form of a complaint that, in quartering the imperial
arms, the Scottish contingent had been removed from the
place of honour, in the standards intended for use exclu-
sively in Scotland; it also embraced a remonstrance, of a
similar nature, as to the treatment of the Scottish shield
upon the recent coinage. The mere intimation of such
grievances among a people sensitively alive to the value
of their country's honour, was speedily responded to—
other and more tangible grounds of complaint were
quickly added to those first denounced, and within a brief
period an association was formed, having for its object the
vindication of the national rights, and for giving efficiency
to a calm, though indignant, protest against a system of
centralization, which has already absorbed rainy of the
institutions of Scotland into the imperial administration,
and threatens, at no distant day, to denude our northern
brethren of every shred and symbol of nationality, and so
to convert her into a mere province of the empire. So
ardently has the subject been taken up- by our usually
cautions and phlegmatic brethren, that, in little more
than three months, the association has extended itself
to every nook and corner of that ancient kingdom, em-
bracing, among its members, the hereditary nobility, the '
gentry, the commercial and the labouring classes, together
with the municipal representative bodies of every commu-
nity from Tweedside to Orkney. A movement which has,
like this, spread with the speed of the fiery cross of olden
times, and been responded to with such unanimity, cannot
fail to prove deeply interesting in a public sense. At the
commencement of the remonstrance, the Times, ever wil-
ling to be " strong upon the stronger side," brought to bear
upon the demand the small artillery of its sneers, and the
light infantry practice of its raillery. Finding these
arms insufficient to route the well-considered array of
Caledonian demands, the more ponderous, if not more '
potent missiles of denunciation and misrepresentation
were essayed, but with no better success. The associa-
tion grew in numbers and waxed in strength, and its first
public meeting was held in Edinburgh, on Wednesday
last, presided over by the Right Hon. the Earl of Eglinton
and Wintoun. A meeting more influential in its cha-
racter, more numerous in its interests, or more varied in
its political views, was never assembled on any occasion
in Scotland ; while its unanimity on all the topics brought
under consideration, was such as to confer on its resolu-
tions an importance undeniably national in character.
The indication of so spontaneous and unanimous a feel-
ing, necesarily justifies a dispassionate inquiry into the
complaints which could thus suddenly and so completely
amalgamate conflicting bodies, and unite in harmonious
action individuals of opposite opinions. The grievances of
which they complain, are, neglect of Scottish national
business in the imperial legislature, occasioned first by
the want of any officer of state, whose special duty it shall
be to understand and attend to Scottish public busi-
ness ;—second, by an inadequacy of Scottish parliamentary
representatives. They next complain that the hereditary
revenues of the Scottish crown lands are diverted to impe-
rial uses, and are chiefly expended in undertakings of 1
which London derives the sole and exclusive benefit,
while public improvements in Scotland are neglected by
the imperial legislature. Further, that while she contri-
butes, to a large amount, to the imperial revenue, the
important objects of education and police—the safety of
maritime enterprise and the national defences of Scotland
receive not the slightest pecuniary aid or attention ;
while all those branches of the public services are lavishly
subsidised in England and Ireland out of the general
taxation. Such is a very brief outline of their complaints.
The remedy they demand is, to be put upon a footing of 1
perfect equality with their English and Irish brethren : 1
they seek no more, and they emphatically declare they
will not be content with less. What Englishman would
seek to refuse so equitable a demand ? The next ques-
tion comes to be, are their representations true ? and
are the suggested remedies practicable and just ?
As to the neglect of Scottish national interests, in the
imperial legislature, the probability of that will be readily
apparent when it is known that the only Government
official connected with Scotland, or Scottish public affairs,
is the Lord Advocate, the chief law-officer of the crown in
that kingdom, who is, ex-officio, prosecutor in every
case of felony in Scotland—who has the whole law busi-
ness of the crown in that kingdom to attend to, and who
is, in addition, a practising barrister, with his own private
business to look after, a multiplicityof occupations scarcely
rivalled in complexity by those of the renowned " Caleb
Quotem." To obviate dependence on an officer whose
time is so clearly inadequate to an efficient discharge of
his duties, the association demands the restoration of a
Secretary of State for Scotland—no novelty in itself, but
sanctioned and provided for by the articles of union. The
case was thus stated, at the meeting referred to, by the
Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh :—" It is very well
known to every one who knows anything of the history of
this country, that the office of Secretary of State (for
Scotland) continued from the period of the Union down to
about the year 1740, when it was discontinued. It was not
discontinued by legislative enactment. It slipped into
abeyance ; no one could tell how ; and, that being the
case, no legislative enactment is required to bring it again
into being." The association likewise demands an addi-
tion to the number of Scottish representatives in Parlia-
ment. Here, again, the case was clearly put by the Lord
Provost of Edinburgh. He said, taking the case of Ire-
land, if the numerical amount of population is taken into
account, she ought, in fair proportion, to have 153 mem-
bers ; if the revenue contribution of Ireland is to be made
the basis of computation, she is only entitled to 51 mein-
bees ; but, taking her claims as arising from population
and revenue combined, and adding them and dividing by
two, so as to obtain a mean, she will be found to have only
a right to 102, whereas she has at present 105. Following
the same form of estimate, on account of population, Scot-
land is entitled to 73 members ; as regards her contribu-
tion to the taxes, she is entitled to 78 members; add these
together, as in the former case, and divide by two to get
at the mean, and we have 75 as her share, while at present
she has only 52. As to the diversion of exclusively Scot-
tish national revenue from Scottish purposes, the association
points out numerous alleged malversations, and shows
that several portions of the Scottish crown lands have of
late even been actually sold, and the proceeds added to the
imperial exchequer, out of which public parks for the
inhabitants of London have been provided ; while not a
penny can be obtained for the endowment of the Scottish
universities—for the establishment of public parks—for
the maintenance of a police force in burgh or county—
and, while every effort for the construction of harbours of
refuge along the stormy and dangerous coasts of Scotland
has been pertinaciously withstood by the imperial legisla-
ture. The association insists that purely Scottish funds
shall be applied to Scottish national purposes ; and main-
tains, also, that Scotland is entitled to have a fair share of
the imperial revenue devoted to her public interests tau'
institutions. In these particulars all must admit that the
association brings forward tangible grounds of complaint,
and points out practical means for their removal.
As to the question about the place of honour in the im-
perial standard, in which the movement took its origin,
and concerning which the Times and its confreres have
expended a considerable portion of small wit; this could
not be more happily disposed of than it was on Wednesday
liaurreli that ne
theet meeting.
Royal
g."I
hbyoldthiteisno, bsleaidelhutisirmiordanshaipt,tlLeuEnddfilben
ci
so t
anythingl aud .Ii i thesecondabsurdo r
Arms of Scotland should take precedence of those of En-
Was there anything ridiculous in thbeeeen.aguinlneis.
pgilacaned,,linhaesmeb3l.eetmos aliel,dlrdnetviiicacts,tlillrSQ
ridiculous in a nation taking pride in the emblems of its
or of imperial France?
Were
efia
gr hee saved they
and
tirineuflimcpiehnst_tasraistiiinegortihflearnspeiroift
St.o nDatienonisalalitlyrafyosr
nationality.
furled in vain ? Was Lamartine derided of ancient Rome,
Paris from pillage, by tearing down edbloodwherend
substituting for it the national tri 1 -
Highland soldier march to battle with
co our ? Does the
he hears the blast of the wild bac, • less courage because
any-
thing childish in the standard-bearer,,-pipe ? Is there
of his blood sooner than part yielding the last drop
committed to his charge ? Did with the banner which is
or-
ders that glittered on theb any body laugh at the
there anything ridiculous . breast of Wellington ? Or, is
in the broad red. ribbon that
shines on the breast of a
men, Gough or a Hardmge ? Gentle-
so long as man exists with all his passion, his i per.
fections—and all his good qualities—so long imper-
fections—and as
well as personal distinction will remain ; and I, for one,
will not submit without a murmur to the degradation of
the Arms of Scotland."

The meeting, which was a very brilliant, as well as a
numerous and enthusiastic one, unanimously adopted
resolutions in accordance with the views promulgated by
the association. A similar meeting is shortly to be held
in Glasgow, and the movement is extensively organized
throughout the country, So far as can be guessed by its
manifesto, the objects of the association appear reasonable,
the advocacy of them has hitherto been temperate, and
On resolution of its adherents, though calmly expressed,

eeems rooted and determined. Under these circumstances,
its success is not likely to be thwarted by the sneers or
misrepresentations of opposing self-interest ; nor impeded
by the indifference of apathetic ignorance. One and all of
the speakers on the occasion referred to, admitted, and
rejoiced in admitting, that benefits have been conferred on
Scotland by its union with England ; they were equally
emphatic in declaring their resolution to maintain that
union; but while doing so, they clearly skewed the benefits
to be mutual, and expressed a firm determination to have
the contract of agreement fulfilled on both sides They
demand no more, and the voice of a united nation, seek-
ing justice, will not be easily resisted or evaded.

MEETLY-6' OF SHIPBUILDERS:
YESTERDAY.

YESTERDAY, an adjourned meeting of the master ship-
builders of this port was held at the Regulating-office,
Strand-street, for the purpose of receiving a return as to
the number of Liverpool men that would have been em-
ployed last week had they been available ; and for other
business. There was a fair average attendance.
Mr. JOHN WILSON GREENE presided. He stated that
Mr. Neill, the secretary of the Shipwrights' Association,
had been geed enough to go round with their secretary to
collect the lists from the various masters. It appeared
that 22 firms had made a return, leaving 19 who had not.
The returns from the 22 showed that they could last week
have employed on the average 387 men more per day, had
they been available.
- In answer to a question by Mr. M'ELROY, it appeared
that in cases where masters had been working overtime,
they had made out their returns as to the number of men
hce
been
,t,ehonre k
called
iiniugmtlhvi
this
nt,
overtime.hde s
disputed
lu-otu
dd have
very
required
e d
wanted,req3l. :inooat
NtakitiadnilLtig,he,3a:
much the accuracy of the returns, which he thought were
not at all satisfactory as to there.being 357 men wanted.
Mr. Cato had put himself down as 50 men short, although
he could fetch men to prove that they had asked there for
employment last week, and were refused.
Mr. CLOVER : Did Mr. Oath work overtime ?

Mr. NEILL : Certainly. .
Mr. GRAYSON, in reference to the fact that nineteen
masters had made no return, said he felt great disap-
pointment that the trade would not put themselves to the
trouble and inconvenience of the proposition that had
been made. It showed a degree of indifference that he
could not have credited, and under the circumstances he
thought it unwise to act further in the matter.
Mr. CLAYTON thought the returns useless and incom-
plete, as they should have contained a column, sheaving
not. only the number of men wanted, but the number of
men that had been employed.
The CHAIRMAN said that matter had been settled
before. _ _ _

Mr. NEILI. looked upon it in the same light as Mr.
Clayton. It wa.; said that they were 357 short. Perhaps.
it could be proved that there were that number of, men
in the town.

firms
The
in Ct
ee i
townn m
hads
rial is,i
wyow ml ieatnintnl:ai:nlmmy
eaonmr
report,
eeiwgptheohrtrae4l c
he
employed.
have been
lo
.by halfthose
wa
eeden.
h half
em-
thee
shewed that they wanted nearly 400 men. He thought
been available ?
ipstilmoviy-pa selde, ngholaalte
question
y
Mr. GRAYSON, as the proposer of that, should say
that, in the present state, it was better to pass that over,
and inquire from Mr. Neil whether the men had enter-
tained the propositions which were made either of in-
creasing the number of men, or working piece-work, or •
possibly, partly of each ?
The CHA.IUMAN promised that Mr. Neill should have a
copy of the return.
Mr. NEILL said, to be perfectly satisfied as to its accu-
racy, he should like the masters to state the ship where
the men were short, or the number of the yard. He
thought the numbers had been put down at random, and
masters had said, at a guess, that they wanted 100 or 200
more men.
This was denied, and
The CHAIRMAN afterwards asked Mr. Neill what the
men had to say in reference to some observations of Mr.
Grayson, made at the last meeting, that was, in regard
to apprentices and other matters.
Mr. NEILL said, to make one story of the whole, he
understood, as he read the report in the paper, that it
was proposed that a committee should be appointed, con-
sisting of an equal number of masters and men, to discuss
together every question connected with the trade. So far
as the men were concerned, they were willing to adopt
that course. (Hear, hear.) Let the grievances be pointed
out, and all settled at once. They were willing to send
six journeymen to meet six masters. •
The Cuaircattar.—Does that include apprenticeship ?
Mr. NEILL.—That committee will settle everything.
Mr. DAWSON should object in tote to the proposition
for making journeymen of apprentices who had only
served six years.
Mr. RoTLE thought no one would agree to it.
The CHAIRMAN.—WeII, let that go for nothing.
Mr. NEILL.—I inquired from the apprentices what they
thought of it, and they said that if the masters and men
were both agreed, they should themselves object to it.
The CHAIRMAN.—Then we shall appoint a committee
to meet yours, to meet at some early day.
M. Neill then retired.
The CHAIRMAN, at some length, commented on the
system of carting the men to their work, and also
reviewed the whole sate of the question. The associa-
tion were placed in a peculiar position ;—not a difficult one,
but peculiar from circumstances which seemed to control -
them, and those circumstances emanating from parties
from whom they had the least reason to expect it. The
course certain shipowners had pursued, not only in
paying additional wages, but. in causing carts to be
hired, militated very much against the proceedings.
of the association, and went indeed almost to nullify them. .
Their resolutions, wholesome and beneficial in themselves,
and he thought wisely carried for the benefit of the ship-
owners, could not be carried out, not because the men
would not adhere to them, but because of the difficulties
the shipowners themselves threw in their way. (Hear.)
As they were aware, for upwards of eighteen mouths
there seemed to have been such a want of shipwrights in
this town, that the demand for labour had caused wages to
rise up to a point which it would be difficult to define,
they were got in so many forms and under so many pre-
tences. 12s. to 13s. a-day had only been trifling wages.
(A voice " IGs. was last week paid in Canning-dock.")
Now, the association struggled for a length of time, not to
reduce wages, but to endeavour to remove numerous com-
plaints the shipowners themselves made, in consequence of
those wages, and the detention of their ships, by the
seeming want of men. They had struggled for a long
time ; a deal of time had been spent by the members
there, and on their behalf; and strangers had been
, brought here, and that which had been designated as
a monopoly, had been partly broken through, inasmuch
as strangers might now work without being molested ;
but notwithstanding that there were 500 strangers in
the port, there still seemed to be a deficiency of men.
To bring the rate of wages to something like a uniform
scale, they had adopted that resolution as to carting, which
would have been important in its results, but that it had
been overruled by the masters themselves. What then
should they do? It had occurred to him whether-it,
would not be better still to cling together as an associa-
tion ; but let those untoward circumstances rule for the
present, let them suspend their rules for the present,
and let wages rule as they may, and cartage or any means
be employed that the men may please. Let things go to
the state in which they were, and then probably the
shipowners would arouse from their apathy, and see then
the necessity of co-operating with them. (Applause.)
Mr. CLAYTON thought they should let matters stand as
they are till after the meeting of their committee with that
of the men. _ .

Mr. GRAYSON thought the men having so far met them,
it would be premature to break up in any abrupt manner,
after proceeding so far amicably. Although there appeared
a very decided objection to receiving apprentices who had
served six years as journeymen, there appeared an inclina-
tion on their part to meet in some degree the necessities of
the trade either by piece-work or an increase of men. He
hoped that beneficial results would follow from the meeting
of the joint committee; and thought they should agree on
the names of six gentlemen as their committee, and then
adjourn. He had selected the names of three shipbuilders
and three gentlemen engaged in repairs only, and begged
to propose :—Mr. W. B. Jones, Mr. J. W. Greene, and Mr.
Cato; Mr. M`Keverigan, Mr. M'Elroy, and Mr. W. C.
ktiller.

-371 r. GARRETT asked what, in the meantime, they were
to do with those vessels that they had no hands at ? He
understood Mr. M'Elroy had taken a great number of
hands from No. 1, Clarence, and he and Mr. Clarke had
not one. He could not blame the men for not coming
forward, when other parties gave them Os. He had only
given 7s. till Saturday night, and that morning he had •
found one ship completely cleared off, and the men at
another only partially at work.
Mr. GRA.TSON said he should oblige Mr. Garrett with
hands ; or Mr. Crosbie could find strangers for him if he
required them.
to adopt such a
bFeerindaryahytighaBds.only been
oh you bare adopted a ..
worse course
Mr. WELT:or.— . ,
th'n like 1 t There Ts no i g a man saying publicly
paying
ml‘irr.
..CLAYTONI7is.' ,Etti lttl
said sincesaid, thh ae t
would tillhe l
hadt b e
sorry
will do • and Ltold you last Friday morning what
what he J
g_thayt document.
I meant to do.
The meeting: then proceeded to the election of the cow- •
mittee, by members writing the names of six gentlemen thancurs te'laaft.er signin
on slips of paper. The result showed that the choice
had fallen on Messrs. Cato, Dawson, W. B. Jones,
M`Keverigan, WElroy, and the Chairman.
The Owl:lux then announcedybtltweh.oe returns,adothopertioofpiece in
.
addition to the 22, which showed that 512
more en
isftraovnaiglal
womulrd. havW.ertbe.
jeonNesms
urgedployed
work ; and it was stated that would form one of the prin-
cipal points for the discussion of the joint committee.
It was agreed that the committee should meet the same
evening, at the Great George-street Tavern ; and the
meeting was then adjourned till, to-morrow (Wednesday).

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.—Amongst the
premiums awarded by this institution a Telford medal has
been awarded to Mr. Thomas Duncan, of this town, for his
Description of the Liverpool Corporation Water-works,"
and a council premimn of books to Mr. Robert Rawlinsou,
for his paper "On the drainage of towns."
LIVERPOOL POULTRY STIONV.—A committee has been
formed for the purpose of establishing, on an extensive
scale, a poultry show similar to that held annually at
Birmingham, to take place about the middle of January,
in the large carriage repository belonging to Messrs. Lucas
and Co., which has been placed at the disposal of the
committee.
DR. BEXPIELD, TIIE COMPOSER, expired on Prida,„.,
the 29th ult., at his residence, 3.fonmouth-road, Bay's.
water,
sent forth London.
an to
lle
owraasorino, Is
only Anlriaeisl Restored,"
year, and had
already tored,,, a
volume
steamer
' of church anthems, several prize glees, and other min.
sitions, in all of which he gave much promise of achievicg. ;.
distinguished fame.
ATTEMPTED SCICIDE.—On Thursday evenin i •
the eight o'clock boats were about to leaysetatrh:llegung:rtagett
the
self-destruction, ess
of
an
aunt
stage, a female threw herself into the river, - Shen-I
rescued by the exertions of the men on the landing-stage
was
ceoxiceivpeytieodn
to
and the crew of the Rock Ferry
paddles of which she had floated. With th
the receiving-house, she stated the
a wetting she was uninjured, and,
on.be,iiinge.
had driven her to attempt