The Statesman.
London, England, 1819-11-19 00:00:00

as they (the Meeting) must all burr, what were the
views and espressinos of the Magistrates and Yee-
-11 misery previous to the Meeting, what had been their
li conduct at and since the Meeting, there could be is
difference 0 opinion among honest meo as to the
atrocity of that day's proceedings. They (the Mattis.
t rates) had assembled as caesuras force, and ha/tight
it to act against en assembly engaged in the most
Isubable wires', that of petitioning Parliament for
Reform le the Representation of Ole People. The
Magistrates not oily commanded the troops to dis-
perse thst assembly by the sword, but choked op all
the accuses to St. Peter's Field, sad seemed anaius
to prevent any part of that immense multitude from
escaping from their murderous istentioet. This as.
as estravagsal dewriptioe; the nieltited• was is.
beset, sad theme who escaped the edge of the sword,
were lustfully thrown into the danger of selocstion
is multiplied beeps of helpless victims. The object
was plain; it was evidently ea enterprise, directed
br the Government against the Reformers, sod the
1 eemsery merely executed the commands of their
sepetiers: it was • direct attempt to pet down
the call fee Reform by the point of the sword,
and it amounted to direct treason *gaunt the Isere
sod the Colatitude.; it was a tee' tile act,
which threatened the prerogative of the Crown, as
much us the rights sod liberties of the people.—
(Applatese )—To dilate on the oldies of that foist
day, **old be only a *site of time. He 'rested
that they were all se well argesiated with them, that
it wostd not he said they were prejudging the gees-
lion; it had become, indeul, .I ear as Ills son at
noon. Suppose the present Mean,/ had been as-
sembled in the open air, sail 11.w-tat/Is surrounded
by troops, then eat sod mute c,!. end that blood
were shed, and Sees lett, ant. n ~,• A them *era
allowed a chaste of escaping—would !i he presumed
that they were prejudging the question :•• call such
proceedings murder, and to Impress their abhorrence
of them ? Yet loch was the prerise case with the
m o of hisnehetter ; witnesses anti r 1 icemests,
every thing in short necessary for proof was be.
fore the public. It was not prejudging then, Is
say, that on the 15th of August lost, treason wus
committed stillest the Constitution, sod the civil.
compact; which depended chiefly on the will of the
people, was materially infringed. Was it eedissary
before they coold receive the clearest testimony et
ads, that they should fiat undergo parliamentary
emqeiry ? This *as the light in which be saw it ; he
should be glad to hear soy friend or creature of the
Government express his °pintoes, if any such were
present, at d differed from him ; but re sophisms son
false logic could alter the revs. What then should
be call the conduct of Ministers, who, with seek leo
decent haste, had prevailed one graciously endowed
Prime, at too great a distance from the scene,
to be able to judge of it at the lime, to give Ma
thanks to the perpetrators of such horrid deeds
to praise the shedding of a brother's bleed H i
How grossly and wickedly mast that Pangs bane
been imposed on before be was Weight to tie
approval of a massacre which. not exceuting the. et
Gleamy, had no parallel in British history ! —(.lp•
pittese.)—H. called their attentive to stripes peso
sages in the Declaralloo, which he contreeetteil. He
differed chiefly from the declarers in their tha.logieet
policy. Ile thought, in opposition to their seat
for quelling blasphemy (as they termed it) by force,
that Christianity was best supported by itself without
secular aid. The heavenly *Woe might to be left
where it was. It was asserted by one of the founders
of the Christian rektor, " If this thing be of God,
it cannot be brought to ought ; bat if it he et
man, it will sot stand." Apia it was said by the
same Mud of authority, that" the powers of hell sod
death shield set prevail spied it." Jesus, As
immediate founder, had said, " Judge ye yourselves
what is right." Sac\ was the ostensive right el
judgment allowed by the Saviour of our race, and se
tree follower of his could neglect to use it or deny it
to others. St. Paul had said," Ye, being else moo
judge what I say." it. Paul was himself a wise saw,
caseated from hidalgos, and hatter the necessity of
*seminar; the judgment on such sebjeets. " What
I say to one (be bad added) I say antis you all." lie
bed left the matter to the OHM:4IIM of the Warm.
St. Peter, another pillar of the clinch, had &cloned
that " God is no respecter of peruse*, bet they who
Net 0011 and work righteessons (of all witless and
relish's') are respected of him." Freedom of opinion
was bodged the feendatios of the Christian religion.—
What arrogance was it in the declaim to earns as
anxiety (as it appeared rho, had dose)" to avoage the
displeasure of Almighty God." It would be afar more
worthy piety is them to lestreGod's displeasure toGed's
own veugeance. Who bed made them couseresters
of men's consciences ? 'Div, had to do with actions
only, sod net with opininms. Wore force and ens-
petsiee the proper weapons for upholding the Church ?
Wes it not •tl/111.11, " Outs are not carnal weapons,
bet mighty"—(through whom? the Rector, Church.
wardens, and Parish Clerk?—(A lewd laugh)—no;
but)—" through God, to the pulling down the strong
holds of sin." Mr. U. deprecated the nestles. pro.
seceding of news-venders (or selling Seeday Papers.
If the persecutors were is earnest In their zeal to
keep holy the Sabbath, why did not they counceoce
with she balls, roots, and card parties, of Gr or
and Pottrnso-Nosrer ? Theo, sod not till then.
geoid he believe that their seal for religion was
the motif, which instigated them. lies recommended
f that the people should institute a new society for the
i *oppression of fashionable 'lot', sad take ail Sunder
revellers, howeser well-dressed, or however high their
ca4k, into custody, sod t.ke :hem before a Magi-
strate to be Sued or punished, as the law should
ad;rect.--( Laughter owl apptitose.)•-116 toes
gealous for Christiluity, and wished to are it morn
seneraliy prat died ; but this c.ruld clot IA brought
boot by a:iel, ring to force opi..ion; a man's scull.
1 ern, c..01d riot he change., by mere Vice. Let a
mitt's cote t% Lis ceig'o::tir ir.S society bu . -