The Statesman.
London, England, 1823-03-17 00:00:00

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•trilitinge character of sufferers coming for relief. in sap-I
forte their petition, they did not rest satisfied with ge-I
*ea principles, but they stated facts common to the
deity observation of them ail, and they are ready to meet
litre or elsewhere those who may be disposed to deny
theta. The learned gentleman proceeded to argue'
briefly the expediency of'adoptiag the petition, and con-
tended that the great benefit which would result from its
somas was of-a twofold description. He was not dis-
cussing the ieocral superiority of Whig politics to the
politics of the other faction ; but be arguedAhat it was as
intablbeintioest of the legislaturelo receive within its
welleetrtifeli}rooi member, moil was the best policy of the
community which he in to represent"; because not only a
more temperate •condtret ought be expected from sorb,
but alms a niorediberal, handsome, and more cautious de-
*recce to these who may differ from him in opinion.
The health and strength of a ;toed government depended
upon a vigilant and independent public opinion;--that
was the basis of the representative system:—and a bad
government could be checked in aoy suspicious courses
only by the people's vigilanee,independenoe, and by
their habits of superintending their affairs, and of ex-
pressing their opinion. He contended that the Scotch
bad shown, by their decorum at their public meetings,
held under every disadvantage, that they are capable of
exercising the elective franchise without tnrriolt. la
ceuutriesw here the occasions of meeting are few, when
the people do' meet, they are often in difficulty as to the
mapper and the matter of their proceedings. Accustom-
ed to regard the changes and movements of parties as
they do the revolutions of the spheres—es circumstances
so which they most submit, but oser which they possess
tso contronl—they feel a torpor arid supineness when they
are told that these are occurrences respecting which they
• ought to state their opinions; and when their feelings
are once roused upon any great question, they are more
ljable to confusion and intemperate proceeding, than a
people with whom public greetings are of common occur-
rence. He repeated his unqualified approbation of the
resolutions; awl trusted they would be adopted with
unanimity and firmness,-as well here as out of doors,
and within doors is en ultimate place, where such an
expression of them must be attended by eventual, if not
immediate success. (Cheers).
The CHAIRMAN then pat the motion, which appeared
to be carried by unanimous cheers ; when the Chairmen
asked, Am Ito understand. that it is agreed to ottani-
nrously ?" Still louder cheering was the reply.
On the motion of Mr. Castreeth, of Kilberry, a corn-
mines. was appointed, to superintend the signing and
forwarding of the petition.
J 13Ics Moxcnt eve, roncuering; as be did heartily,
in the resolutions and petition that had been carried, felt
that it was'of great importance to their success that their
yetition should be presented by one in whose ze.l,
mo-
devotion, good sense, and patriotism, they could confide,
and in whoa, attachment to Scotland they could also con-
fide • and when he proposed that the Hon. James Aber-
crourby' should-be requested to present it, and to give it
his supoort, be had no doubt that it would meet with the
noanimoas approval•of the meeting:—(treat appla se.)
He knew that the latter part of the request would be ac-
ceded to. He had no doubt that Mr. Abercrombo would
give it his MOM cordial and zealous support. He (Mr.
bloncrieff) was confident that their petition would be
successful—if not nom, lie had oo doubt tbat, sooner or
later, it would succeed.
Mr. R. B. BIATH observed, that the object of thz peti-
tion now proposed to this meeting, is in itself so great a
reform in the Parliamentary representation of this city,
and is thereby so intimately connected with the import.
ant subject of Parliamentary Reform in general, that he
ould not let slip the opportunity of expreseing the gratifi-
cation be felt, at teeing the numerous and highly respect-
able assemblage who have newtons* forward as the valve-
cotes and supporters of reform. Those who have sup-
ported the doctrines and principles of reform daring the
storms which bare assailer! the political atmosphere in
the last quarter of a century, and who, amidst all the op-
probrious, base, and false epithets and calumnies With
. which themselves and their motives were assailed, have
still adhered to their doctrines ; these had great cause
tow to riiqice, and were rttetilline a, reward for all they
• • hoi endured in the 'plead of their principles, and the
vast increase of t'oeir rank ; and if they were spared
a few years, were destined, be had no doubt, to receive
the greatest reeard they aimed at, viz. the‘accomplish-
rnpot of their wishes.- Hes should not stop to enlarge
upon the causes which had of late brought over so loony
to the doe tripes of reform, aye, and so many too of
those who, but a short time ago, were arrayed in armour
against the supporters of those very. doctrines which
they are now the loudest In supporting; he was glad
they saw their error, and he hoped they saw it before
it was too late; he would therefore content himself
. with observing,shatit was good for All men ocoasianally
to feel se toosorraws audoistresses,and privations to which
others are seibPcted, in order that they might thereby
be able to set a just value upon the complaints of those
who stiffs. He trusted that the exertions of the new
disciples of reform would not rise and fall with the
price of wheat • but, convinced as they had declared
they %ere, of ;he imperative necessity of reform and its
consequent attendant economy, that they would perse-
sore Itch patience, firmness, and moderation: and, eon.
barked as so large a portion of the rank, talents, and
property of the community now were, iu that most vital
questio t, he had no doubt Of ultimate and not very long
protracted success. And as respected our own particular
case, and the object for which they bad that day met, he
Loped they would show oa their opponents, who calculate
that, because they -do not at once succeed, they should
sink into listlessness and apathy, that they are actuated
by, and act from, a deep-rooted conviction of the justice
sod necessity •of obtaining *he object they sought, and
that they should never cease in their efforts to attain
the• cad; bypaiient perseverance, tempered by inedera-
.
tion.—(tireat &polemic)
Mr. Conoscuan rose, and was loudly cheered.—Gen-
tlemen,—As the resolutions and petition have now been
agreed to, I presume that the meeting is drawing to a
• close ; but I should be sorry ilk were to be cloaed,witL.
out Your agreeing to a motion which I am about to
=air. Tr.ere is often a difficulty in prevailing on gen-
. coonen to route forward when that. services are wanted,
owing. to their reluctance to take a conspicuous part on
poblic occasions; hot your Chairman, nnioe.liately on
being, applied to, said he considered it a duty to fill what-
ever post the wishes of his countrymen should call him
• to. ft is one benefit, gentlemen, which must result from
meetings like the present, that they train up a betty of
citizens who are capable of directing and leading their
countrymen in public affairs. Mr. Cockburn concluded,
by moving thanks to Mr. Craig for his readiness in ta-
king the chair, and the ability with which he filled it.—
Carried by acclamation.
The Coats:ran was sensible of the honour so hand-
somely conferred ors him by the meeting. Although he
certainly did not hotd ithuself entitled to refuse any situ-
ation in which his services were required by his fellow-
citizens, yet he had felt con•iiderable solicitude how they
should he performed! But duties which had at first appeared
arduous, the excellent conduct of the meeting had ren-
dered-perfectly easy and pleariant.=-(Cheers.)
Thanks were voted to the Requisitionists, for calling
the meeting ; aid to 'Mr. Johnstun,for the use of thelfall.
Alter which the Meeting peacefully dispirsed.

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