The Sun. — 1850-01-12 (London, England)

PROTECTION TO BRITISH INDUSTRY.—ALA RMING RIOT. STAFFORD, THURSDAY NIGHT.—For some days past the farmers and others connected with agriculture have been canvassing the county of Stafford with a view to bring as many of their friends as possible to support Lord Talbot at the meeting which was fixed to take place to-day. On the other hand, the town of Stafford, which has always been cele brated for its free-trade opinions, was not wanting in its endeavour to frustrate the proceedings. At twelve o'clock to-day the doors of the Shire-hall were thrown open, and an immense concourse of persons rushed in and soon filled every available space. In the gallery from which the speakers were to address the meeting we noticed Lord Talbot, Lord St. Vincent, Lord Newport, M.P., Lord Lewisham, M.P., Mr. Adderley, M.P., Mr. Sidney, Major Caetwynd, &c. Lord ST. VINCENT came forward, and was about to address the meeting, when the Free-traders set up a most discordant noise, consisting of hisses, groans, and yells, &c., which lasted for several minutes. Ater in vain endeavouring to obtain a hearing, his Lordship proceeded, amidst the clamour which prevailed, to say that he would not be put down ; that he had a claim to be heard, and heard he would be. He had a greater claim, perhaps, than any person present to be heard, as he stood before them a victim of the principles of free trade.—(" Well, we won't hear you ; sit down.") He was a large landed proprietor, and had had his property destroyed by the spread of free-trade principles, the effects of which were truly disheartening—(P' Give us cheap bread; lower your rents")—and he felt assured that no class of menu facturers or traders, however they might have up to the present time, could regard themselves as safe if those principles were to be allowed to go on. [At this state of the proceedings several disturbances took place in the body of the hall ; and amidst the cries of "police" and " murder," a general light took place ; both parties appeared to be pretty well armed for the fray, and a• set-to tl la D,nnybrook commenced, but after about fifteen minutes' good fighting, the police were let into the hull from a side (Lair, and they at once set upon all those who appeared to show the slightest symptoms of disagreement with the conveners of the meeting. Silence having being in a measure restored], Lord Sr. Vincent again proceeded. He was surprised that they would not allow him to address them —(" We don't want protection.") He knew that they did want protection, and he would mention to those shoemakers who he believed were the parties who were disturbing the meeting, that he had been informed by a very good authority, that at the present time there were thousands of shoemakers who were working for less than 6d. per day in the city of Paris.— (" What is that to do with us ?") He mentioned the fact only as a warning to those who were making the disturbance that they might not be led to suppose that free trade would be of any service to them.---(" We are starved now, and yet you want to make bread dearer." "Lower your rents.") Here again the noise became so great that it was utterly impossible to hear a word that the speaker gave utterance to. Several persons in vain endeavoured to procure for his Lordship a hearing. He sat down by proposing that Lord Talbot take the chair. Lord