The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-04-18 00:00:00

SIR JOSHUA WALMSLEY AND HIS " IMPOR-

TANT AIOVEMENT."

There is still hope, it would seem, for the country ; al-
though the country may be slightly surprised at the quar-
ter from which it has sprung up. Sir Joshua Wahnsley
has originated a movement which has for its objet the
formation of a parliamentary party, for the purpose of
pressing forward the extension of the suffrage, vote by
ballot, annual parliaments, and a revision of the existing
system of taxation. Already the movement has received
the adhesion of a number of the liberal members, by
whom Mr. Joseph Hume has been chosen chairman, and
Mr. Richard Cobden, deputy-chairman, and, no doubt,
we shall shortly see them set vigorously to work.
With respect to one of the objects of this new party—
the securing of a remodification of the existing system of
taxation—we approve of it entirely ; but we should have
augured more favourably of their success had it been made
the object of a distinct movement, in which members of
all shades of political opinion might co-operate. There
are many excellent members of the conservative party
who are heart and soul with the middle classes, with
respect to the unequal pressure of the income tax, and to
the impolicy of some of our-other imposts. But the
course adopted of mixing up the practical question of
taxation with such questions as extended suffrage, vote by
ballot, and annual parliaments, must operate as a wet
blanket thrown in their faces, and prevent any real and
effective co-operation on the part of such conservatives.
Besides, the country at large will scarcely be willing to
accept of a democratic settlement of our fiscal system by
a party which represents almost exclusively the free trade
section ofthe m an u facturi n g an d tradi nit interests. Th ework-
in g classes ought to have no confidence in such a party,
whose policy throughout has been to regard as paramount
the interests of the capitalist and the employer of labour,
whilst they leave the labourer to struggle for himself. Our
legislation for some years past has been one uninterrupted
series of concessions to this party, which has saddled us
with a permanent property and income tax, whilst it has
depressed the condition of the working man, by letting in
upon the country the competition of the foreigner; and
it is much to be suspected that any modification of taxa-
tion, coming from such a party, will only be designed to
relieve themselves further at the expense of the landowner
and the working classes. The bait held out to the latter
is a cunningly devised one. A pretended advocacy of the
points of the charter may blind them for a moment, and
lead them away from a consideration of the real evils
which press upon them. But the chartist portion of the
working classes may remember a certain sham co-opera-
tion with them, which was offered by the league gentle-
men some three or four years ago, and abandoned without
a blush, when their object—the repeal of the corn laws—
was attained. They might also see, in the results which
have followed that boasted cure " far all the ills which
flesh is heir to," some grounds for doubting the wisdom,
as well as the honesty of intention towards them, of these
new friends.

THE LIVERPOOL STANDA4D.

4 j~.B~c'±~'.+l~4~M~ a V.~~~eY~:;:-s~4~s~F si

ARTISAN'S SOIREE AT THE CONCERT-HALL,

LAST NIGHT,

Yesterday evening, a soiree was given at the Concert-
hall, Lord Nelson-street, which was very numerously
attended by a mixed company of most respectable males
and females, the latter, if anything, predominating.
Amongst the attractions announced was the presence of
the Earl of Sefton, who was to address a few words to
the assemblage ; and, in addition to a vocal corps, of great
excellence, including Mr. Henry Russell, Ryalls, and
others, Mr. Read, the celebrated elocutionist of this
town, was announced in one of his most admired efforts—
the trial scene in the " Merchant of Venice," which has
been given by him, and received with enthusiastic appro-
bation, by some of the most enlightened audiences in
Europe. In addition, Mr. Ballantine was announced to
exhibit the working of the electric telegraph and the
electric clock ; and the Rev. Geo. Dawson was to address
the working classes, as were several other gentlemen of
the locality.

An excellent tea having been concluded, preparations
were made for the more important portion of the evening's
proceeds. At this period we noticed the Right Hon. the
Earl of Sefton, T. R. Curtis, Esq., Nathl. Caine, Esq.,
the Rev. G. Dawson. Wm. Rathbone, Esq. The Earl of
Sefton announced that the National Anthem would be
sung by Miss Whitnall ; and expressed a hope that the
audience would join effectually in the chorus.

God save the Queen was then sung, joined in by the
company, and very excellently sung ; after which his
Lordship proceeded to address the meeting. In so doing
he paid a high compliment to the manner in which this
institution, which he had only lately visited for the first
time, was conducted. On that first occasion he had re-
turned home gratified with what he had witnessed, and in
admiration of the kindness and attention exhibited by the
members. That evening they had a rich treat before
them ; and he himself came to be interested and instructed.
Intellectual were here ,übstituted for sensual amusement ;
and there was this difference between a Saturday evening
spent here and in some other places ; that there was ne-
cassary after it no latch key at night, and no headache in
the morning. (Loud and continued cheers.) After a few
passing remarks upon the events of the day, the noble lord
concluded by introducing the secretary to read the report,
which gave a highly gratifying account of the progress of
the institution from its commencement. It had encoun-
tered opponents whose opinions were entitled to respect,
and amongst them the pious, who were against Saturday
night concerts, as being on the eve of Sunday ; but they
(the committee) thought this was an ill-founded objection,
and he alluded to the concert rooms, and their demoral-
izing effects; and there were thirty-six of these houses in
the town. It was to counteract the evil influence of these
places that the Saturday evening concerts-were commenced.
Their object was to correct and moralize the amusement.
He traced the prospects and progress of the institution and
its funds from the beginning, and stated that there was a
balance in favour of the institution. The sarplus could only
be at the disposal of the Northern Mechanic's Institution.
It was hoped they would soon be enabled to establish
schools. A course of lectures was also to be given, for
the working classes, the admission to be only a penny.
They also intended to offer prizes (say 1150) to artizans
for the best specimens in their respective occupations ;
and they also hoped to be enabled to establish a reading-
room. The mechanics must, however, trust chiefly to
themselves for the increased prosperity of the institution ;
for, though royalty patronised them, and nobility had
aided and personally come amongst them, this would not
accomplish the final object unless the mechanics came
forward themselves. The committee and friends of the
institution were willing to work for them, but not to beg
for them. (Cheers.)
Mr. W. RATHBONE made his appearance, amidst great
cheering, and paid a high complement to Mr. Caine. Why
should the working classes not have their musk as well as
the rich. Pious persons who had opposed the institution
were under a mistake, for these Saturday nights' concerts
had, to a great extent, filled the church next day. He
concluded by proposing three cheers for Mr. Caine, and
long life to him, which were heartly given. .

Mr. CAINE briefly and feelingfy-returned thanks, ex-
pressing his desire hereafter to do his best for the further-
ance of the objects in view, and urged the mechanics to
support the concerts by their contributions, which would
accomplish all.

Mr. Russell here sung " The Slave Ship" with great
feeling and effect. This he followed up by singing, with
much facetiousness, " Why don't the men propose ?"
GEORGE DAWSON, A.M., then spoke at great length,
and with great eloquence and effect, on the general politics
of nations, and the various panaceas for all evils put forth
by demagogues and charlatons, whose doctrines he hap-
pily ridiculed—aseribing all evil government to individuals
themselves, and urging that no man or class of men who
hod acquired nobility of mind, by well using the industrial
and moral powers that belonged to them, could be long
misgoverned. His speech contained some close reasoning,
and was alternately grave, philosophical, and in the
similies employed, ludicrously amusing.
The CHAIRMAN, after a few remarks on the previous
proceedings of the evening, stated that the more amusing
portion of the evening's entertainment would now be pro-
ceeded with, and he called upon Mr. Russell.
That gentleman then sang—first, " Let's be gay," and
afterwards, " The Gambler's Wife." Both were admi-
rablg sung ; and in the latter, the singer introduced a
deep and affecting degree of pathos.
Mr. READ, professor of elocution, then presented, after
a short preface, explanatory of the previous scenes and
the general plot of the play, the trial scene from the
"'Merchant of Venice," the several characters of the
Duke, Antonio, Shylock, Portia, and Nerissa,being de-
livered by him in vocal changes, to represent the probable
voices of the various characters. The performance was
a very clever one, and did great credit to Mr. Read.
Mr. Russell—" I'm Afloat." On being called for an
ea ngcooorde . .eRc
0.
m statedlilgishoe
Boys,"
should
providedb happy
th
e audience t o
sing " There's
would
join in the chorus. The noble chairman, however,
tine exhibit the electric telegraph and clock..
re-
quested first that the audience should hear Mr. Hellen-
Mr. John Smith addressed a few remarks to the audi-
ence, and concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to the
Earl of Sefton.
His Lordship replied in very feeling terms.
Mr. Russell and the company then sang " There's a
good time coming boys," and the meeting dispersed.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(BY EXPRESS.)

STATE OF THE CONTINENT.
The crisis comes on rapidly in France. The Govern-
ment have placarded all Paris with denunciations against
the return of any but extreme Republicans to the Assem-
bly, while on the other hand the discontents of the work-
man rapidly increase. Yesterday several thousand work-
men marched to the Hotel de Ville, headed by M.
Blanqui, to demand the dismissal of M. Marrast and " the
National" clique ;" and, in the course of the day the ho-
tels of the members of the Provisional Government re-
ceived troops for the protection of the ministers !

MONEY MARKET—YESTERDAY.
The general tenour of the continental intelligence has, in the
absence of any animation in the Consol market, rather tended
to depress prices. The quotation at the commencement of
business was 82A A for account, and after being done at 4 and
for money, they declined to 81i, and are now buyers at that
fraction. The principal part of the business has been done for
money. Three per Cents. Reduced have been sold from 801 to
k. the Three-and-a-Quarter per Cents. from 811 to A, Bank
Steck 186 to 81, India 230 ; Exchequer-bills 40 42, and India
Bonds 18 pm.