Widnes Examiner. — 1882-05-13 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

GEO. WALmtscrrox, jun., also supported the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Mr. JOHN BONNELL proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman for presiding, which was seconded by Mr. HENRY WHITHAM, who Suggested that Mr. H. Roberts should use what influence he possessed to induce the Mayor to call a town's meeting. In supporting the resolution, Mr. H. ROBERTS, referring to the question of a town's meeting said he did not feel at liberty to take part in anything Of the kind and for this reason. He made it his business to spend a great portion of , Sunday in seeing Irishmen and Englishmen, and eliciting ( from them their opinions on this terrible misfortune. During the day he was brought into personal contact with more than one prominent Conservative in the town, and he was thoroughly disgusted to find that, at a time like the present when the whole nation was appalled at the terrible tragedy, they could not even put party feeling aside, but must point the finger of scorn at the grand old chief, and say the assassinations were the result of his policy' even whilst they were coming from the church where they had been worshipping God. He could not join in Oolva's meeting with men who had opinion.; of this kind. He was afraid a town's meeting would only lead to such evidences of differences of opinion on this question that instead of having a happy result it would have an unhappy one. (Hear, bear.) He was met on Sunday by Father Feeny.and in a kinder and more sympathetic a manner no man could have expressed his grief at the foul murder ; and great numbers. of Irishmen told him (Mr. Roberts) with voices trembling with emotion and tears almost running down their faces, that they would give anything, make any sacrifice, if they could undo this terrible act. (Hear, hear.) As the hour before the dawn eras said to be the darkest, he hoped this calamity might be only the immediate precursor of the brightest future for Ireland,and the least they could do, as Radicals, because he was proud to call himself a Radical, was to persevere in the face of all .he taunts that were thrown at them, and stand shoulder to shoulder with Irishmen, who were as anxious for the honour of their country as they (Englishmen) possibly could be. (Hear, hear.) Let him say a word on behalf of the Irish. Be had seen a number of them that day and there did not seem to be one that did not hold his head down for very shame. Let them (the Liberals) stand by them wherever they were. (Hear, hear.) At work there would be found Englishmen who would taunt them about this thing, and it would be hard for them to bear with the insults which would be levelled at them, and the least they could do was to offer their sympathy and support. (Hear, hear.) In this new policy which Mr. Gladstone had inaugurated, a policy which they believed must be blessed with great benefits for Ireland —if he was to carry it out it could only be by the united support of the Liberal party. (Hear, hear.) Immediately their horror at this outrage had passed, the Tories would renew their attempts to defeat his policy ; the moment decency would allow them they would be ‘Z hounding " Mr. Gladstone as/they had done for the past two years, and do everything they possibly could to weaken his power. (Hear, bear.) Although the Government were taking the wisest course' there had not been a policy which called upon every Liberal so earnestly and so determinedly as this one to stand hy and help the grandest minister which England had ever known to carry with all his power and all his mind what was nothing more nor less than a policy of justice and peace to our sister country. (Loud applause.) The vote was carried by acclamation, and the chairman having responded, the meeting separated. The Secretary (Mr. H. Roberts) has received the following reply to the resolution forwarded to the Marquis of Hartington :—"Sir,—l am desired by the Marquis of Hartng,toon to beg that you will convey to the members of the Warrington Liberal Association his lordship's incere acknowledgment of the sympathy for himself and family  of the expressed in the resolution forwarded in your letter Bth inst., passed at a meeting of the General Couacil. la" sir/ yours faithfully, R. H.