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Northern Star (1837-1852), 18th August 1849, Edition 2 of 3, Page 7, Vektiiatios ot? MisKS.~The Conunitt*> of...

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      August 18,1849. Mav. Wn^Fffbw «« ..„

      August 18 , 1849 . mav . wn ^ ffFBw «« .. „

      The Cholera. - T. U^„..N Nf /.Tsbs Of Ch...

      THE CHOLERA . - t . u ^„ .. n nf / . tsbs of Cholera reported to ^ ranux-Bgwi of _ cas « or ^ and ^^ " ^ KwcL ct ^ deatKO ; Bermond-1 M 1 T—I . nmbeth , ncw eav es . . Southward new ^ nd- ^ rtS d , » ew cases , 7 deaths , 7 ; otW SK * ne cases , 130 , deaths , 45 , Total new S 37 0 , deTthS' Engkndand Wales-Liver-Jfi cases , % deaths , ^ , ; Merthyr Tydvil , new cases , 25 , deaths , 6 ; Dowlais , new cases 32 , deaths , 11 ; Portsmouth , uew cases , 9 ; Portsea , new cises , 14 . deaths , 6 ; Warrington , new cases , 10 , deaths , 3 ; Plymouth , new cases , 13 , deaths , 3 ; other towns , new cases , 105 , deaths , 55 . Total new case ? , 233 , deaths , 119 . Scotland—Dundee , new cases , 14 , deaths , 14 ; Arbroath , 5 , deaths , 3 . Total , uew cases , 19 , deaths , 17 . General Total , new cases 572 , deaths , 226 .

      Saturday . —London and vicinity—Lambeth , new cases , 51 , deaths , 21 ; Bermondsey , new cases , 17 , deaths , 4 ; Kewington , new cases , 16 , deaths , 5 ; Southwark . new eases , 31 , deaths , 13 ; Wandsworth , new cases , 12 , deaths , 6 ; other localities , new cases , 132 , deaths , 5 i . Total , new casas , 259 , deaths , 103 . England and Wales — Liverpool , new cases , deaths , 21 ; Merthyr Tydvil , new cases 9 , deaths , 7 ; Dowlais , new cases 19 , deaths , 11 . Plymouth , new cases , 23 , deaths , 8 ; Newcastle-under-Lyne , new cases , 17 , deaths , 4 . other towns , new cates , 80 , deaths , 49 . Total ,- new cases , 222 , deaths , 100 . Scotland—Dundee , new cases 28 , deaths , 9 . St Andrews , new eases , 6 , deaths , 6 . Total , new cases 34 , deaths , 15 . General Total , new cases , 515 deaths . 218 . '

      Bristol . —The cholera at Bedminster is -very much on the increase again . In the city of Bristol it was very much on the increase in the latter part of Friday and Saturday , but was aomew __ at " better on Sunday . SouTnAMPios . —No improvement has as yet taken place in the health of this town . Salisbury . —We are g lad to say that the improved State of the public health still continues . Mekthte and Neighboubhood . —Owing to the number of deaths , and the fears existing among the workpeople , who are flying in all directions as fast as their circumstances will enable them to do so , sufficient coals cannot be obtained for the furnaces

      of the Do trials Iron worts , and they have been obliged to be worked half-time for some days past . It is anticipated they will have to be abandoned altogether , should not some providential arrest of the epidemic take place _ in which case it would be fearful to contemplate the effects on the place and the inhabitants , inasmuch as they are solely dependent on the works . Y _ u . e op Neath . —The cholera has broken out in the beautiful Tale of Neath , and carried off a great manyof the inhabitants . Liverpool . —The change of the weather to a sultry , damp , close state has probably operated injuriously on the progress of the disease , which , in the opinion ofthe medical officer of health , can only be considered stationary , instead of declining .

      Leeds . —This malignant disease broke out with the greatest virulence in Hunslef . one of the out townships of this borough , in which , up to Saturdav , there had been 70 cases , and 31 deaths . : ' ¦ - Hull . —It appears that though the attacks of cholera in Hull have not been so numerous during the present week , there has ' been an increase , though not a large one , in the number of fatal cases . Exeter . —Great consternation came over the city on Thursday moraine , because the military authorities chose to send the 82 nd regt ., which had been infected with cholera , to Exeter for the benefit of taecbange of air . The citizens were alarmed at the prospect of having the disease imported ; and a party of Pore-street tradesmen proceeded to the

      Guildhall , accompanied , by 3 Ir . G . W . Turner , who said io the mayor that he represented a considerable number of persons connected with the trade ofthe city , who thought a wanton abuse of power had been committed in thrusting a regiment infected with cholera among a population of forty thousand persons ; with the appliances possessed by the military system , these men might have been speedily encamped in some healthy place ; or taken to Dartmoor , where large public buildings are lying empty to receive them . The-magistrates listened attentively , but could give no redress ; the mayor said he would represent the case to the Board of Health , and in the meantime would try to induce the commanding officer to confine the men as much as

      possible to barracks , and keep them from contact with the inhabitants . The disease broke out in the S 2 nd regiment on Thursday , the 2 nd inst ., at Devonport . From that time up to Wednesday last , there have teen about a dozen deaths in the regiment , and on last "Wednesday morning , while the men were on parade , Captaia Moore was attacked with cholera ; ihe report here is that he was buried at six o ' clock nest morning . The total of deaths from cholera in Devonport were 74 in seven days ; and the deaths in Plymouth 1 S 3 down to Wednesday night . Mo . vdat . —Return of cases of Cholera reported to tie General Board of Health : —London and Vieisity—Lambeth , new cases , 23 , deaths , 20 ; Berlnoiidsey . new cases . 26 , deaths , 8 _ . Southwark , new eases , 62 , deaths , IS _ Strand Union , new cases , 9 b ;

      Whitechapel , new cases , 22 , deaths , 12 ; Greenwich , new cases , 20 , deaths , 10 ; Bethnal Green , new cases IS , deaths , 11 ; other localities , uew cases , M , deaths , 105 . Total , new cases , 476 , deaths , I 3 L England and Wales—Liverpool , new eases , 114 , deaths , 44 ; Merthyr Tydvil , new cases , 35 , » feaiLs , IS ; Dowlais , new cases , 52 , deaths , 2 § i Plymouth , new cases , 44 , deaths , 24 ; Leeds , new cases , 14 , deaths , 1 ; Newcastle-under-Lyne , new rases , ] l , deaths , 6 ; other towns , new cases , 232 , deaths , 112 . Total new cases , 502 , deaths , 233 . Scotland—Dundee , new cases , 42 , deaths , 37 ; Ha TOrfc , new cases , 23 , deaths , 9 ; other towns , new cases , 4 , deaths , 2 . Total , new cases , 69 , deaths , i \ General Total , new cases . 1 , 047 , deaths , 465 .

      MoarAunr is the WiXDswoBTii Road . —For some days past a feeling of very considerable alarm has possessed the inhabitants of that part ofthe Wandsworth-roao comprised within the parish of Clapham , and extending about a mile , in consequence ofthe wiekra having appeared in Its most malignant form , aud occasioned a mortality unexamp led in intensity aad numbers , even in the most squalid and 111 ununed portions of the metropolis . Albion-terrace , 3 row of stcond-class houses on the north side of the road , and situated near the William the Fourth , lias been more particularly the scene ofthe calamity , " mien houses of that devoted terrace , during the course of eleven days , there were seventeen deaths from Asiatic cholera , independent of several others

      * ho left their houses infected to die elswhere . In « te house , So . 6 , no less than five persons died of cholera . The house was in the occupation of the « lev . T . Harrison , a dissenting minister , and with that gentleman and his wife were staying preparatory to a departure of the whole family to Brighton , Mrs . Henrietta Roscoe , a very aged lady , and Mrs . Edwards , with a cook and housemaid . Mrs . Roscoe ' - - as first siczed , and died on the 4 th inst . Mrs . Edwards , who had attended upon her relative , was sea seized , and on Mr . Harrison returning from the fauc-ral of his annt , Mrs . Roscoe , on Tuesday last , i-t- found his wife attacked with the same dreadful disease , and that ladv expired early the next morn" - >» - It appeared that Mr . Harrison , overwhelmed death

      with grief , fled the house soon after his wife ' s , sc company with a lodger in the next house . On the same morning that Mr . Harrison left his house Mrs , Edwards died , and tho cook was taken ill and iied the same evening . On the day following , Thursday , the three bodies - were taken to Mrs . Koscoe ' s grave , in Kensal-green , and on the return ofthe mourners the nurse who had attended Mrs . Edwards was found dead . The remarkable fact of -somanv persons in one family dying as it were ^ Multoneouslv , and the he ad of the house dying from home , created an extraordinary excitement , * bich wasconsiderablv increased hy Mr . Mdledgc , the undertaker who had buried the other members ef the fainilv . receiving the card of a medical

      gentleman at Hampstead and a note from the lanaiora oi the Jack Straw ' s Castle , stating that the Rev . Mr . Harrison bad died at his house after having his will written out by a young man who had accompanied him On Friday the young man who had accompanied the deceased from his home called on the undertaker and wished some boxes of jewellery and « rt . « urooerty tobe moved out ofthe house , saying Lew onldtekecareofit . Mr . Milledgc denied him entrance to the honse , -vhen he threatened to use force , and Mr . Mttledge said if he did , hewould give Idm hi charge of the police . The young man then 3 he wouTdgo and remove the deceased's pro-^ oTtheW - ^ tSJTLff SS was known to be Taluab 3 . ; These facts comin <* aliened not to part witfrlt . . The * e facts comm

      to the knowledge of Mr « JgJ - ^~ ^ ^ terinm edupo ^ exmm ^ t ^ ^ ^ g B . j ihe coroner for the P ac °£ * jl" be ho den , and a ^ ImMR iW O ^^^ XSff to be made . ;« st » wrtem eBimination of tt ? » £ , into at the On Monday a long ™ W „^ if bracing the facts Williamdiefoi ^^ e ^ ISJnig i 59 if Mr . already mentioned J ^ ° f " arishtf Clapham , ^ Donou « _ h , the " ^ Jffi j £ f »* ¦ »* ¦ ex , . * , examined as to the "f ^^ tgreat inflamaiaination he hao ^ made . H ^ stotca ^ » _ . . _ mationesisted in the abdonuj , , *** & . ' « ad thoras , ^ SM [ rig ht lone of > ue placed the heart , ^^ J ^ ur pole of exammaliver in separatf Jars £° ^ r \ £ d pricked his finger tion , Mr ! M'Donoug h , ^ hotad ^ pr m opening the ^ £ J STfis cV _ dence , -The ttceWVm jS sn & entialinat this very Coroner said it ^ was fog Wyess ^ lnqnlred extraordinary ; * * ° „ alluded to , who would apiato , andthe y « mnS 3 Se deceased in hb last So ^ nt ^^ ToxsDAY . —B «»^ 3 > n and vicuuty-Lam KuBoaiu of H |^ i ? f n _> 8 ; Bermono ^ cases , ift ^**^^* deatH

      The Cholera. - T. U^„..N Nf /.Tsbs Of Ch...

      Southwark , cases , 36 . deaths , 27 Bethnal Grenn cases , 29 , deaths . 20 : Strand Union , cases 55 deaths , 1 ; other localities , cases 207 , deaths Of ? Total , cases , 517 , deaths , 187 . England and Wales —Liverpool , cases , 221 , deaths , 76 ; Merthvr Tvd Til , cases , 11 , deaths , 6 ; Dowlais , eases 10 " deaths , 9 ; Cardiff , cases . 19 , death , , 7 \ Plvmouth cases , 23 , deaths , 17 ; Mevagissey , cases 13 , " deaths 9 ; Newcastle-under-Lyne , cases 20 , deaths fi-Leeds , cases , 15 , death , 1 ; other towns , < fec . case , ' 193 , deaths , 98 Scotland-Dundee cases 28 deaths , 13 ; other towns , cases , 7 , deaths , 5 Ge ' neral total , cases , 1 , 091 , deaths , 434 .

      Wedxesdat . —Return ofcases of Cholera reoortpd to the General Board of Health i-London and vicinity—Lambeth , cases , 14 , deaths , 14- _ . _ r mondW cases , 24 , deaths . 8 ; Rotherhithe ! cases ' 7 , deaths , 3 ; Southwark , caw , 35 , deaths , 13 New ' ington , cases 43 , deaths , 21 ; Bethnal Green / cas e * 30 , deaths , 24 ; Shoreditch , cases , 10 , death * 10 ' other localities in London , cases , 261 deaths ' 9 ' ' Total , cases , 430 , deaths , 185 . England and Wales -Liverpool , cases 154 , deaths , 49 ; Merthvr Tydvil . cases . 14 , deaths , 5 ; Dowlais . cases . 20 .

      oeatn 3 , »; ttymouth , cases , 23 , deaths . 13 ; New castle-under-Lyne , cases 25 , deaths , 4 ; other towns , cases 1 64 deaths , 73 . Total , cases , 400 , deaths , 156 . Scotland—Dundee , cases , 37 , deaths , 13 : other towns , & a , cases , 10 , death 3 . Total , cases , 47 , deaths , 16 . General total , cases , 877 , deaths ,

      Mutiny On Board The Amelia, Of Glasgow. ...

      MUTINY ON BOARD THE AMELIA , OF GLASGOW . ( From the Shipping and Mercantile Gazette . ) We have received the followingaccount of adaring muturjMin board this vessel , which resulted in tbe loss of seven lives . The schooner Amelia wan on her passage from the coast of Mexico to Hong King , having on board specie in s ; old and silver amounting to about JE 60 00 " . and which led to the sanguinary occurrences th- > t took place . The Amelia was commanded by Mr . Ro *» ertL . Macnally , a Scotchman ; besides whom a Span ard , Don Ranvn Alva , acted as supercargo and principal master . The crew consisted of nineteen persons , only two of whom , lad * about eighteen were Bri ' i'h subjects namely . Thomas Gannon and Charles M'Donald : the re mainder were Dutchmen , Norwegians , French ,

      c panish , Portuguese , and Mexicans . Tivre were besides , as passengers , a Mr . and Mrs . Sarah Selina Cooke , and her female servant . The mutiny broke out about two o ' clock on the morning of the 3 rd of October last y * -ar , and appears to have been who'ly confined to three of the crew , Jose Torres , Andn-s Baldibiza , and Jose Calero . The second mate . Caetano Gomez , who had charge of the watch , was attacked and murderel bv these ruffians , when Mr . Alva came up-nd ck , followed by Mr . Co-ke , the passenger . The former was immediately slabbed in severe' places ; he managed , however , to eet down into the cabin to arm himself and alarm Mr . Macnally , but when endeavouring t « force bis way upon deck , sword in hand , he was mortally stabbed when

      hs had reached tbe top of the comp -nion ladder Mr . Cooke , the passenger , was theii next victim : he w » s s aabed and thrown ove-board . The mutineers then went forward , called the larboard watch , and showing their bloody knives , told them they had murdered every one aft excep - r . Macnally , Mrs Cooke and her servant , Mary Hudson ; that they , the mutineers , were in command of the vessel , and if one of them refused to obey their orders . he would "be instantly murdered . The remainder of the . crew , having no arms to defend themselves , had no alternative but to submit ; large stones and pieces of lead were then handed upon deck for the purpose of destroving Mr . Macnally , who was still confined to" the cabin . At eight o ' clock in the morning it wits communicated to

      him . that iFhe would lay down h s arms and submit quietly , they would not take his life ; these t- rms he refused , but said if they would allow him arid the two women the gig , with the necessaries he required , he would give tbem no further t ' ouble , and would direct them the course to steer . After a consultation this was promised , and having got from him the course for Valabrigo , orders were given to p-epare the boat ; the / vessel was at this time lying to . Trusting to their fa > th , he went on deck unarmed , when he . was seized and thrown overboard with weights ; the schooner then filled , and made all sail . The next proceedings of these ruffians were what mieht be expected of them ; they dressed themselves in the clothes of those thev had mu'dered ; took all the

      gold and distributed it amongst the crew ; destroyed all papers and writings whic ' n they considered offensive , with many valuables , which were thrown overbear ! , and finally got at the wine , and became more or less intoxicated . The following day , the 4 th , J . Smit , a Dut'hman ; "W . Peter , aNorwesian ; Frank Geering , of St . Michael's ; Jean Berenger , of Bordeaux ; and Joze de Averasturi , a Spaniard , of Bilboa . pmpo * ed a plan to recover the vessel that nisht , which they communicated to the rest of the crew , four excepted , whom they were _ afraid to trust . Having prepared for their enterprisean adze , the pnmp breaks , some boardine pikes , dec ., a * eleven o ' clock Jan Smit despatched Torres and Baldibiza . who who were sleeping upon deck , and then fell upon

      Calero , whom he o vercame after a smart struggle . The bodies of these ruffians were then thrown overboard , and Jan Smit took the command with the consent of the crew , the M Gannon being engaged to navigate the vessel . Their first intention was to have returned to Maza'Ian , but the state of the weather , which came on to blow , prevented this , and the course was shaped for the Sandwich Islands , where , after a tempestuous passage , she arrived safely at Honolulu , on the 12 th o Oct ., 1848 . The preceding part of this narrative has been of a mekuHifly character : what followsw more pleasing . After the mutineers had been got rilof , the money which had been distributed among the crew was all brought aft and deposited in the cabin—a meritorious

      instance of good faith and honedy anion ? so many men of different countries . Throueth the judicious arrangements of Mr . Miller , her Majesty ' s Consul-General ftr tt-e Pac'fic Is l and " , residing at Hono ' ulu , specie , amounting to 237 . 684 dollars , was safely landed and taken charge of by him ; a list was likewise taken ofthe effects of those who b- 'd been murdered ; and , in fact , everything in the vessel was safely secured thromrh the exertions of Mr . Miller , to whom much praise is due . It may be useful to mention that among the papers found on board the Amelia ^ ere three bills of lading , with cirrcponding letters of advice and instructions from Jecker , Torre ,

      and Co ., of Mazatlun ; one for 150 . 000 dollm . consigned to Messrs Turner and Co , of Honsr Kong , but f « r account and risk of Messrs . Fin'ey , Hodgson , and Co ., of London ; another for 120 , 000 dollars , to Messrs . Turner and Co .. of Hong Kong , in payment for a careo previnusl v ordered for shipmen t in the Amelia on her arrival in China . The third bid of lading was for 1 . 379 dollars , in favour of Mr . J . A . Drnran . of Macao 16 . 301 doll rs were landed , for which nr > hills of lading or other document could lie found . We have now the gratification to state that Jan Smit , of Rotterdam , whose conduct on this ocoa--ion is above all praise , has been p-esenled with

      £ 1 . 100 by several of the insurance companies ; ana also with a valuable , sextant , . bv Ashdown . of P inchlane , with the following insc-ipti » n :- " Pre s-ntedUo Mr Jan Smii . of Rot terdam , by the £ opor * tion of the Roval Exchange , the Corporation ofthe Lond-m , the Indemnity Mutual Marine , the Marine , and the Alliance , Marine Insur mce Compa-ies of London in testimony of their bish estimation of Mr .. SmU s services , and i heir espec ial arorcnrion of »•*«»•; lityand courase displayed by h'm m rescuing the schooner Amelia , o' Glasgow , and her valuable cargo ,-ntofthe hands of mutineers du-ing . her vojage from Mazatlan to China , in theyear 18-16 . " London , Aug . 1 , 1849 . "

      Vektiiatios Ot? Misks.~The Conunitt*> Of...

      Vektiiatios ot ? MisKS . ~ The Conunitt *> of ^ Inquiry into this important subject have now bionght their sittings to a termination , and we are informed E from the evidence which has been laid before them , tbe views ofthe committee are not a ; « U favourable to the system of ventilation ™^ ° Pjg in the midland counties collieries It appears that since the last inquiry , in 1830 , little or no improvement has been made in the system of ventilation m these districts ; while in the north of England a "radnal system of scientific improvements is evidently beine generally adopted . The report will shortly be published in detail , when facts will speak for themselves . —Birmingham Journal . The " Nation" IfEwsrAPEE . —The question debated for the last fortnight amongst English and provincial journals , whether the government would interfere with the re-issue of the Nation , received on

      Friday week a practical answer . The securities , preliminary to the registration of the paper , and the proprietor ' s declaration , were perfected before the Comptroller-General of Stamps and the officers ofthe Stamp Office . Mr . Duffy is proprietor and editor ; Mr . Williams , publisher and manager of the commercial department ; Mr . Delany , printer ; and the journal , we presume , will appear before the end of the month . —Freeman ' s Journal . Civil . Liberty usher a REPunuc . —La . Repub-U ' / announces the discharge from the prison of La Force of twenty-eight individuals , who have been detained there since the insurrectionary movement of the 13 th of June . Amongst them is M . Charles

      Expillv , a sub-editor of La , Eepulliquc , who says that h e has suffered imprisonment «> uring fifty-six days for having cried " > 7 tfi la Constitution ! A BabLec cbiieiv av Hmamvai ' s Ointjiect asd Pols irrEB . Twenty vemis' Scn-Earac—Extract of letter from Mr Andrew Brack , blacksmith , Eyemouth , dated August inlSlS— " To Professor Hollowav : Sir , I have the pleasure ? .. Worm youtliatl have obtained a most extraordinary llfbvthe use of your celebrated Ointment and Pills . For J ™ ds " of twentyyears I suffered with a dreadful had leg , up ^ nrimr that time I consulted several eminent surgeons , «^ i «« s ^^^ ssm ffienc ^^^ innndaseYer . ( Signed ? AwbsttBsack , .

      Vektiiatios Ot? Misks.~The Conunitt*> Of...

      PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM

      ASSOCIATION . Th . e first aggregate meeting of this association »' !? , ? Monday night in Drury-lane Theatre . the building was crowded in every part ; and upon the stage we observed , among many other members of the association , Sir Joshua VPalmsley , M . P ., the President ; Lord Dudley Coutts Stuart , M . P ., Lord & u * ent , M . P ., Feargus O'Connor . M . P ., Mr . C . Lushmgton , M . P ., Mr . G . Thompson , M . P ., Count Pulszki , Mr . S . Harford , the Rev . T . Spencer , Mr . W . A . Wilkinson , Mr . W . Williams , Mr . T . Prout , SirF . Khowles , Bart , , Mr . C . Wordsworth , Mr . Miajl , Ac . Sir J . WitiiSLEV presided ; and he commenced the proceedings by detailing the order of business . In the course of his remarks he read the following letters , from Mr . Hume , M . P ., and Mr . Cobden , M . P ., who were unable to give their attendance : —

      Mv Deaii Sir Joshda , —I am sorry to be obliged to write to yon instead of presenting : myself , as I had intended , at the meeting on the 13 th , but the packets do not admit of my being in London until the evening ofthe 14 th . If you will offer an excuse to the meeting for the disappointment you will oblidge tne , as every day 1 live and everything I learn convinces me more and more that there is no chance of efficient financial reform , nor of any other reform , until the House of Commons shall be reformed , and the power ofthe people in that house increased ; and lam satisfied that nothing less than the reform which the bill I propose to ask leave to introduce in the next session will affordit I trust that the notice I have given will induce re formers generally to consider the situation of the country and the helpless condition in which the industry of the country is placed by the class legislation which has so long existedBut the

      . as reform is entirely in the power of the electors . I trust we shaU find them alive to the duty tliey owe to themselves , as well as to the non-electors . I shall persevere to urge reform on the government and on the House of Commons ; bnt unless we have support from without and the aid of the electors , we shall not succeed . — Wishingyoua good meeting . I remain , yours sincerely , Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . P . Joseph Heme . Eastbourne , Sussex , August 7 . 1849 . _ Sm , —Will you be good enough to express to the committee my regret that absence from town will prevent rov being present at the next meeting oi the Metropalitan and Parliamentary Reform Association . You have many years of good work before you , and it will not , therefore , be amiss to keep an army of reserve for another campaign . In the meantime you are doing battle heroicaUy : and I remain , Sir , your obedient servant

      B . Whitty , Esq . Riciiam ) Cobden . The honourable Chairman then proceeded to say that it was highly honourable to the metropolis that this association had so rapidly developed the necessit y for a large , substantial , and permanent measure ' of reform ; that in the short space of six months many prejudices of long existence had been removed ; that they had been enabled to give confidence to their fellow-men in the integrity of their purpose ; and that they were now standing forth as men determined , by every means in their power , to promote the great and good objects they had set forth . For this efficiency they were deeply indebted to the able , earnest , and zealous labourers ofthe members composing the council . These gentlemen had been told that the middle classes were apathetic ,

      and the masses chilled into indifference . They , however , applied the test of public meeting to the assumed fact , and the result had been that no building had been found sufficiently capacious to receive the thousands who thronged to give their adhesion to the cause of freedom and advancement . ( Rear , hear . ) But the great feature which distinguished this movement from all others in the history of political agitation was the momentous fact , that the link that had been broken between the two great classes had again been welded , firmly , and he trusted for ever , for the just purpose of social nnd political renovation . ( Rear , hear . ) By means of this union tho association had already become a " great fact . " But to be truly powerful for good , the sphere of its labours must be widely and broadly

      enlarged ; its members must be zealous in support of their opinions , and the principles' for which thoy were associated must be carried out in a fearless and an uncompromising spirit . ( Hear , hear . ) Tiie object was worthy of their efforts . They would emancipate their fellow men from the state of moral degradation under which they laboured ; they would restore the spirit of the constitution ; they would p lace property upon a safe and permanent baais ; and make that a " fact" which had hitherto been purely a fiction , b y causing the institutions of the country to live in the hearts and the affections ofthe people . ( Cheers . ) At present , our political existence was a perpetual turmoil , unsuited to the habits and genius of the people . The masses throughout the country were everywhere

      sullen anddiscontented . The middle classesgroaned under the pressure of unequal and unnecessary taxation . ( Hear . ) There was an antagonism between the people and their representatives of a character so extraordinary that no social , or scarcely any social or political amelioration could be obtained , unless by means of an agitation alike injurious to the temper , the interests , and the means of tne country . ( Hear , hear . ) A glance at our parliamentary history would at once show the necessity for a thorough reform in the representation . Look only at the last session . The only great national question which had passed tho legislature was the crowning-act of free-trade—the repeal of the navigation laws . Rut this was not the fault of the representatives of the largo constituencies . They had

      continually brought before the house great and important measures of reform ; but how they had been treated he left the meeting to say . How had that measure of financial reform , almost the only great subject from which a reduction ef expenditure could be obtained—the motion of Mr . Cobden , for placing the naval and military establishments of the country upon the footing of 1835 . after 20 years of profound peace—been treated ? Why , it had been rejected by a majority of 275 to 78 . ( Hear , hear . ) How had the motion of Mr . Hume for an amendment in the national representation been received by the House of Commons ? It had been rejected by a majority of 268 to 83 . ( Hear , hear . ) How had Mr . Berkeley's motion for the ballot been treated ? It had been rejected by a majority of 230 to 85 , ( Hear ,

      hear . ) Had Mr . O ' Connor ' s motion been received with any more consideration ? No ; for it had been kicked out by a majority of 224 to 15 . ( Hear , hear . ) Nor had Mr . * Osborne ' s motion for a committee into that great abortion the Irish state church been treated any better . Although many of the Irish members supported that motion , it was rejected by a majority of 170 to 103 . ( Hear , hear . ) In fact , every measure calculated to reduce the burdens of the peop le or to elevate their position had been similarly treated ; and they would continue to be so treated until the House of Commons was made—not in name only but in reality—the people ' s house . ( Cheers . ) He should conclude by reminding the meeting that there were few objects of higher , purer , or more ennobling interest than those for which they were associated . It was for the people of this country to say whether those objects should be accomplished . ( Criesof "They shall . " ) They

      were of vital importance ; but the cost must be calculated . ( Hear , hear . ) The subject , he repeated , was a vital one ; and it might be embodied in one simple question — whether a territorial oligarchy should be allowed to pervert and override the spirit ofthe constitution' ( cries of "No , no , " and cheers ); or whether the people , by the exertion of their moral power , should vindicate their majesty , and send forth happiness , peace , and contentment to every portion of the empire . ( Cheers . ) The report of the council having been read , The Chairman then said it was intended that this report should bo printed and circulated as widely as possible ; and he need only say , that , if so thoroughly approved , as he fancied it was b y tlie present meeting , they could show to the council that they really and heartily concurred in it , by supporting the association of which this was the manifesto . ( Cheers . ) He would now call upc . n the honourable member for "Westminister to address

      them . Mr . Chahi . es Lusnixcioy , M . P ., then stood forward and was received with cheering . He said : Perhaps the meeting would excuse him for adverting for one moment to the disadvantage which had accrued to this meeting by the absence of Mr . Hume , who was to . have addressed them first on this occasion . This privation , however , afforded him ( Mr . Lushington ) the opportunity of paying n cordial though inadequate tribute to the transcendent merits of that excellent man and admirable statesman . ( Hear , hear . Mr . Hume began his career of correcting public abuses . at a time when , iS & to tho prejudice of the day , to advocate Sm was almost to contend for treason ; but notwithstanding the calumnies of the enemies o hi steadiland

      unbcrtr h Pu ^ ued s course y dauntedly , tfioug h reviled by the antagonist ? i d're-Sin language full of the greatest malignity and virulence . ° Still he pursued his even , course , unUl after a long laps e of years he succeeded m coniu ring on his country incstiraab e benefits m the shape ^ of extinction of abuses , and reduction of national expenditure , nofrgntitu & . tto otoj ^ emphatically due to . that-venerable . and ^ tcJ reformer , Mr . Hume . ( Che ers . ) In : lg « j Commons a particular seat was allotted - Jo »« nrg laugh ) -into which , when he was present , no otwri member thought of intruding ; and Delias thus a public compliment paid to him . The present gene ration celebrated his devotion , and they must loot forward , when his sun should wane , when natim . should assert her stern and final decree , and tws

      were called upon to resign him , to the _ t , me ™ niche would be assigned to him in thc tem peoi public gratitude , where tho memory , of l » juo »« deeds was consecrated and embalmed . , ^ " £ * ;( { Turning , however , to the immediate business Ol tne evening- ( Hear , hear ) - this was , he thoug ht , tne last meeting of the metropolitan constituencies which had been visited by the Metropolitan lteioim Association . Now , so far from considering tne delay that had taken place on the part of the association in visiting Westminster , he regarded it as a mark of confidence , because Sir Joshua Walmsley and his council were sure of them—they knew that in Westminster , reform , whether prompt or tardy , whether ample or scanty—reform in every shape and measure was acceptable to Westminster . He

      Vektiiatios Ot? Misks.~The Conunitt*> Of...

      rejoiced most sincerely in that exercise of good sense and manly feeling which had produced a union ot sentiment and exertion on tlie part of the various sections of the community entertaining omerent political opinions , a union whL'h , ho might sately assert , not all the machinations of the encmieS ij . ' eed ° m , however they might conspire , would be able successfull y to resist . ( Cheers . ) lne voice of the people , speaking from the wise coalition between the middle class and the great body ot the artisans and the population ofthe country , had proclaimed the approaching doom and early downfall of that offensive and detestable exclusiveness , which had hitherto deprived the groat portion ofthe people of their proper share in the representation . ( Hear , hear . ) And was not such a combination required ? Was it not indispensable ? nn ° li ° House of Commons . How were the people represented there ? IA Vnino "Not . if . nll . "l

      Where were tho people ' s friends there ? What were ll n i ^ mber r ? W ,, y- tho lafgBBt n « mber who supported one reform motion was eighty-four . Motion fc 1 f ° nf 0 rlii , eral P « rposes ai . a the effectua-Tf M , ° ^ ° w ^ "Wed bv large majorities . . X ' ! ' cammed the details of the repi ' esentathe £ ? Z ° xM find i ' out of 850 , 000 electors , eSentlfS ^ ° f re P ^ entation , only one-3 « ( C ^ rsTt uref Tf t 0 tte in h " - rpnnir ! n »» o , i . * .. •' . hurely that was an abuse oAho / whi " x , led b ? the unanimous coalition wS ^ nJST ^^ o ? - the HouS of Co mm 7 r ^ iJUr l ' y - 1 Ience ' tho people were taxed Stth thov ° , E : havi » S "o voice intherepreexnenSrn / f « Uld eXe , ' ci 3 ° control over theexpenditure of the country , fed as it was bv the PeSwerelr rdinat ? t " X ; Uio " *• " hich «* people were made comnusorv nftnt . ii . *^*« „„ „„

      , „„ 7 SS ± ^ l ^ V > «™ «»* . taking the ;\ pwnrk 5 ^ i S 0 fthe niltion at fifty-six millions , S ? wSm * ° rS ? co , ltlib « te thirry-twomillions £ » < . Shan « - ) I nder our present svstem w . JK * - man not t 0 " ° taxed without ms consent was constantl y violated . That great man , that admirable statesman and just Lord Chancellor . Camden , enunciated this magnificent principle , eighty years ago , in language that had been treasured up and reiterated by a grateful posterity , and tne forceand truth of which could not be weakened by multiplied citation . During the American war that groat man said : — " Taxation and representation are inseparably united ; ' God has joined them together ; no British Parliament can put them asunder . My position is this—I repeat , and I will repeat it , and shall maintain it to my last hour—taxation and representation arc

      inseparable . Their coalition is founded on the laws of the constitution and of nature too ; for whatever is a man ' s own is absolutely his own . ( Cheers , ) No man has a right to be taxed without his consent , either expressed by himself or his representative . Whosoever attempts to do it , attempts to inflict an injury ; whosoever docs it commits a robberv . " ( Loud . cheers . ) Lord -Camden laid down the distinction between liberty and slavery , maintaining that taxation and representation were coeval with and essential to the constitution . These were the wards ofthe great Lord Camden , one of the most righteous judges and enli ghtened Chancellors ever kno . wn in the English nation . Now , the incontestable fact was , the people of this country were not represented . Nevertheless thoy were taxed .

      Therefore , as Lord Camden said , they were robbed . ( Hear , hear . ) They were robbed , because they were not allowed to exercise that control over the expenditure which belonged to them , according to the rule of nature and every princi p le of justice In the House of Commons seven-eighths ofthe members trere opposed to any refo ' rm whatever . He ( Mr . Lushington ) had himself been in minorities of twenty and even fourteen ; and the highest minority they had over obtained was about 100 ; but the lowest was when the People ' s Charter was proposed . ( Great cheering . ) _ He held in his hand a list of twenty-one propositions made in the House of Commons lor reform , every one of which was negatived by large majorities . Now what was the result ? That the people , as he had said before ,

      were not duly represented ; and , what was more , they were left to writho in compulsory submission to aggravated abuses—abuses flagrant , but unacknowledged ; iniquitous , but unredressed . The Prime Minister—( groans and hisses)—dreaded the idea of reform , too ; and what was the remed y for this state of things ? They could not rely upon the House of Commons—they must rely upon themselves . ( Cheers . ) They must secure the amendment of tho elective franchise ; and they must also have universal suffrage . ( Loud , general , and continued ehcerng . ) Universal suffrage was proffered to them by this association , only purified to a small extent to protect it from abuse , and merely to prevent the intermixture of the class of common beggars and common vagabonds .- fA Voice : Where is the right of man ? " 1

      With universal suffrage they must also secure the privilege of the ballot . ( Hear , hear . ) There were many other points Which time-would not permit him to advert to ; but ho could assure them that he was not aware that he differed very much—although he must confess he did in a sli ght degree—from-any of the six points promulgated in the report of the council . But let them for a moment examine the operation of universal suffrage . How had it worked in America ? Why , it had there introduced peace amongst all men and universal satisfaction . They never heard ofany tumult or disturbance in consequence of sedition against the government . No ; because the people were they governors , through their representatives ; and the would not rise up against their own authority , or commit suicide

      against their own institutions . ( Cheers . ) Then , again , let-them just look across the water to France . ( Hisses , confusion , and a voice— " Rome ! Rome ! " ) He was merely going to say , with regard to France , that he thought the exercise of universal suffrage had shielded her from a great deal of evil ; and if in his ardour he had accidentally introduced any element of discord in his remarks , he hoped he would be excused . ( Hear , hear . ) He , in conclusion , had only to ask them to carry out their point steadily and peaceably —( hear , hear)—avoiding the slightest infraction of tho law—and they would confound those enemies who might still be looking out to entrap or punish them . They could only carry out their plans by a steady adherence to the law ;

      ana pursuing tnac course , tucy coum not anora tne slightest pretext for violence . The honest declaration of public opinion , serenely enunciated , according to the dictates of law , could not bo battered down by artillery . ( Hear , hear . ) No six-pounders should lurk in the suburbs of tbe Horse Guards , the Blues should repose harmlessly in their barracks , and the cause of tho people would achieve complete success , because the sovereignty of the people and their inalienable rights would have been constitutionally vindicated . Mr . L . here alluded to the schemo which had been formed in London for obtaining the franchise by the forty-shilling freehold qualification . Mr . Fox , an eminent and steady friend of the people , had declared , that ono county rescued from tho aristocracy by the votes of the

      industrious classes , would be the certain herald af an important degree of parliamentary reform . —( Cheers . ) - The Rev . Thomas Sfexcer then presented himself to the mooting , and was received with loud and repeated cheering . Meetings of this kind , he said , were called agitation ; but they constituted tho natural order " of things in the progress , of a free country . If they looked to the past , they would And that-every great measure which the government ofthe day had carried was by the assistance of the people , given at meetings of this kind . He had attended conferences of tho Anti-Slavery Society , and ho had soen slavery abolished—he had attended parliamentary committees in-favour of the pennypostage , and ho had seen the penny-postage obtained—he had attended banquets and conferences

      on the subject of the corn-laws , and he had seen the corn-laws repealed ; and , therefore , by looking to the past he took courage for the future . Sir Robert Peel rejoiced that the corn-laws were repealed . He said , but for that wc might have had a revolution in the country . ( Cheers . ) But . Sir Robert Tcel should remeniber . aud Lord John Russell —( hisses)—should remember , too , that there were other things besides the corn-laws—that there were other dangers besides the want of freo trade—that there were rocks a-head which they should avoid , or else the country would still bo subject to turmoil and insurrection . - ( Cheers . ) The danger to this country and to every country in Europe , was excessive taxation , and a monopoly of legislation . ( Loud cheers . ) The country had a n ational debt and an amount of

      taxation which it could scarcely bear , and which was not necessary for good government . On the contrary , when Sir Robert Peel said they must go to the cheapest market for their goods , he would find that that was equall y advantageous in the case of good sovcrnment . The empire of Austria had an expensive government which was not good ; the United States had a cheap government , and yet it was a good one . ( Loud cheers . ) There was no need of fifty-four millions to govern the country : it would be better governed for fortv millions . The President ofthe United States had ' £ 5 , 000 a vear , and the Secretaries of State had £ 1 , 000 a year onoh ; and they did their duty as well as Lord John Russell—( cheers)—or any other minister of state in this

      country . , He would not reduce the salaries of this I country to that amount —( a voice , " I would" )—but he would say that all expenses ought to be reduced . There was no need to give Queen Adelaide £ 100 , 000 a year , ( loud cheers ) ; there was no need , unless Lord Brougham could be brought to do them greater service , to give him £ 5 , 000 ayear —( laughter and cheers ) -there was no need to give the descendants _ of the illegitimate children of Charles the Second several thousands a year . Bosides the danger from excessive taxation , there was a certain source of discontent in everv man not having a Tote .- It was not in human nature that six men out of every seven should stand by and see that they were counted for nothing , it WifttoinnS

      Vektiiatios Ot? Misks.~The Conunitt*> Of...

      . nature , that at an election , when a show of hands was called for , and the people had a majority on the sbow ^ of hands , when a . poll was demanded , on that occasion six men out of ovory seven ivoro told , you are nobody—you are not free men , it is only free men who have a right to vote—only persons who have a certain qualification . So long as this state of things continued there could not bo ' pcaoo nnd contentment in the minds of tho population ; so long as this continued this country was like a pyramid standing on its point , instead of on its broad base . ( Loud cheers . ) There were two things united together m this society—Parliamentary and Financial Reform . But though they were two ' distinct things , both were necessaiy to each other . Just as a man might say he had come to mow their fields , and in

      order to do this he had brought his scythe with hfm ; or a man might say he was ready to catch the rats which infested their houses , and lie had brought a ferret and his dogs to do it . ( Laughter and cheers . > They had a fino ferret in the Liverpool Financial Reform Association —( laughter , )—which had ferreted out many abuses , and they had now also many fine dogs —( cheers)—not greedy dogs that could never have enough , not sleepy dogs lying down , loving to slumber , but faithful watchdogs known by the names of Joseph Hume and Richard Cobden—( cheers)—and with the assistance of the ferret and the dogs he had no doubt these rats would in the end be ferreted out . ( Cheers . ) But he would be told that as a clergyman he ought to encourage everv man to bo quiet and contented , and not to

      meddle with men that were given to change . He would be told that it was his duty to preach peace and good order in the country . Well , he believed that this was the only way of doing it . ( Loud cheers . ) He was never more sure that he was doing his Master ' s work than when he tried to diminish the sum of human misery . ( Cheers . ) Of all things he was most certain that it was the will of Almighty God to promote the happiness of all men—he believed it was his will that men should not be slaves , but that their hearts should he filled with joy and gladness ; and ho believed he was most doing his will when he tried to remove evil and to promote happiness . When he heard that the powers that be were ordained of God , and that they ought not to resist the powers , he . believed that they were only

      to do so so far as those powers made men happy . He believed that it was the will of God that governments should live for the people , not that people should be for the governments ; he believed it was the will of God that the constitution of this country should be kept to . Now , the powers of this country were the Kings , Lords , and Commons . The King they did not meddle with—they were good loyal subjects to the Queen . ( Loud cheers . ) Neither Sid they wish to interfere with the House of Lords , but they did say that with regard to the House of Commons there must be some mistake . The powers that be were ordained of God , that the Commons should represent the people at large—the working classes , the trading classes , the commercial classes , tho tax-paying classes , the men who created tho

      wealth of the country , those were tho men who ought to elect the . House of Commons . ( Loud cheers . ) What would they say if there was a King upon the throne who had no right to be there ? Surely that could not be one of the powers that be . Or what would they say if there were members in the House of Peers who . had no right either by birth or by creation , to sit on the benches ? And so what would they say when they found that the House of Commons was filled with naval and military officers , with pensioners , withsonsofthearistoeracy , with anybody but the commons of the realm . ( Loud cheers ?) There was another objection offered to the reform that they desired , aud which they would have . ( Cheers . ) Lord John Russell said , that all the people had a right to was good government . They

      had no right , he said to universal suffrage . They had 110 right for every man to have a vote , but they had a right to be well governed , and it was for them to judge whether the present suffrage or some modification of it , or whether universal suffrage , would secure good government . In his opinion , he said universal suffrage would not do so , but a limited suffrage would . Now , in the first place , Lord John Russell forgot that a great deal depended upon who was to answer the question . He , as a member of the government , thought that a system excluding six out of seven men was the best ; and perhaps the officers of the army and navy , the Queen Dowager , Lord Brojugham , and a number of others in similar circumstances , would think the same . But the question was , what did the people of England

      think ? Let the working men of this country have this question sent to them , aud-what would be their answer ? ( Hear , hear . " All , all . " ) Yes , their answer would be : " All—every man ! " Because then agriculture , labour , merchandise , arts—all would have fair play : and every member of parliament would study tho wants and wishes of all , and government would exist for tho good of all . The honourable gentleman then stated that he had been in the United States at the time of an election , and all went on so quietly , that if he had not been told , he would not have known such a thing was going on . He proceeded to remind the meeting that there were lately in this country tho directors of certain railroads who said to the shareholders—let US alone —hold your tongues , and we will manage your

      railways for you , but if you begin to question us we shall resign . Well , for a time the shareholders were good hoys—they did as thoy were bid—they did not interfere ; but by and by they began to find out that the directors were playing the rogue , and then , as every man had a vote , they took tho matter into their own hands , Sow the people of England were the shareholders—the aristocracy were the directors —( loud cheers)—and they said , leave us to manage everything—don ' t you interfere . ( Loud cheers and laughter . ) But the people found out that their affairs were not well managed , ' and therefore they were determined to take their affairs in their own hands . They did not see why the working men should pay fifty per cent , of " their incomes for government , . the middle classes twenty-five , and the wealthy classes five . ( Cheers . ) They did not

      see that tho working classes should pay to the government 2 s . 2 d . on every pound of tea , and that the richest should pay no more . _ They did not see that the grocer should be turned into a tax gatherer . Tlie working classes of England ought not to pay more than their fair share of the taxation , but he was sure there was not one of thorn who would refuse to pay his fair share ; and he trusted that before two years passed away they would achieve this great consummation . ( Loud cheers . ) Lord Dudley Stuaut then presented himself , and was greeted with enthusiastic and prolonged applause , which was prolonged by a gentleman on the platform exclaiming , " Three cheers for Hungary , " when the vast audience , en masse , by shouts and waving of handkerchiefs , testified their enthusiasm in the cause .

      The Chairman here announced that Count Pulszky was on the platform and this again excited the enthusiastic cheering of the meeting . Lord D . Stuart proceeded , at length , to say that this was indeed a great moment for him . The cheer which the meeting had given , not for his own name but for that of Hungary —( renewed cheers)—would resound from the banks of the Thames to those of the Danubo and the Theiss ; and he prayed that they might urge on the gallant patriots—not only in their struggle ag ainst oppression , but- in their hour of triumphant victory . ( Great applause . ) But tho meeting had not been assembled-to discuss any topics of foreign policy , although tho enthusiasm which reigned in their hearts for all who , in whatever climewere struggling for their right s , lia < 3

      , burst forth in a noble strain , and Cor a moment diverted attention from the object of the evening . ( Hear , hear . ) It was not for him to return thanks for that noble ebullition of feeling . The'honourable chairman had announced that there was present one of Hungary ' s noblest patriots —[ at this point the enthusiasm of the meeting was greatly increased by the chairman pointing to Count Pulszky , who wss forthwith called in front of the stage , and accommodated with a prominent scat]—wlie- before they separated would probably express his feelings at this noble episode in so magnificent a meeting . ( Great applause . ) After the many eloquent speeches upon the subject of financial and parliamentary reform , he had not the vanity to suppose he could adduce any new arguments in favo r of these

      important objects . Every person of reflection in the kingdom must feel that financial reform was necessary , and that the means of obtaining it lay through reform in parliament . ( Hear , hear . ) What need of argument to show that financi 1 reform was required , when every school-boy was aware that the expenditure of the country was ten millions greater than it was "ten years ago . ( Ch eers . ) The great evil of this country was unequal and excessive taxation . The remedy for the evil was parliamentary reform . There must always be unequal conditions . But we need not have a system of taxation pressing moro hardly upon the poor than upon the rich . ( Hear , hear . ) We mig ht have a more equitable system ; wc need not have every article consumed by the poor highly taxed . By the assistance of a league , similar to that which they were now assembled to promote , the will of the people

      had been made known , and tbe tax upon the staff of . life got rid of ; but there were other articles consumed by the poor , which were heavily taxed—tea , tobacco , beer ( through the malt-tax ) , and lig ht and air , through the window-tax . ( Hear , hear . ) And he was sorry to add that , in the metropolis , at least , water was also subj 'Cted to a heavy tax—a tax which might not be paid to tho collector of the government , but which was a grievance that the inhabitants of the metropolis , and of most towns in England , laboured under , and which be hoped , ere long , would be removed . ( Hear , hear . ) It was to remove grievances of this sort that . the association had been formed . It was only by such agitation as this association would persevere with that they could effect the purpose ol relieving the people from the crushing injustice of unequal taxation . He had himself been a strenuous opponent of the incometax , and it might be said , " if you mean to t ake oh taxes suqU as you have mentioned , money must ti

      Vektiiatios Ot? Misks.~The Conunitt*> Of...

      raised to meet the obligations ofthe conntrv , and you must come to direct taxation . " It w .-is perfect y true that he had opposed the income tax might and m an , but lie bad not opposed a propertvtax . ( Cheers ) lie had not been told bv the government , " Wo will take off the wwilow-fcra , abolish the duty upon tea or tobacco , or enaUl" the poor man to buy his comforts and necessaries at a cheap rate ; ' but he had heard them sav , " Wo must have an income-tax of five per cent , " to meet the necessities of the state . ( Hear , hear . ) . Let it be remembered that an income-tax was not a property-tax ; but he believed the best thing that could be done for the people would be to take off the taxes he had mentioned , and establish , not an income-tax , but an cqsitable propertv-tax , ( Hear .

      hear . ) lie believed that the same amount of money which was now raised could be raised by less oppressive means , heduce the duty upon tea , and the revenue would be equal to its present amoant , whilst the poor would bo benefitted . It had been » o with coffee . The-duty had been reduced , whilst the revenue derived from it was the-same , if not greater , So-it would be ' wfth every other art-tele winch the poor consumed . ( Hoar , hear . ) - How then , were they to urge financial reform ? ' Bv revolution , anarchy , and violence ? ( Cries of "'So . " ) Such a remedy would be wosse than the disease . The real remedy was parliamentary reform ;~( jhear , hoar ) —for until the House of Commons waa- made what it- professed to be , a real representation of the people , it was vain to hope for anv amelioration

      in our condition . This , then , was what the association proposed to effect . First , it would extend the suffrage by extending the right of voting to any man who was rated , however small in amsunt , or who chose to claim to be rated . He did not know how far such an extension of ihe suffrage migfet give universal satisfaction ; but it would be a great and an important step towards improvement . It wosld at least effect one purpose ; that , whereas the electoral body was now only a minority of tho adult population and tlie non-electors a large minority , places would be changed . The electors would be ' eomo the large majority , whilst those excluded would he the minority ; and , after all , if this was not found sufSeient , it would not prevent tho people going further . ( Hear , hear . ) He had always been

      for progressive reform . Long ago he bad voted for what was called the Reform Bill . Now , he voted for what he called the Reform Bill of the present day , as proposed by the hon . gentleman in the chair . ( Hear , hear . ) The next point demanded by the association was the ballot , which might he called at once the greatest and the least of the points . It was the greatest because tho most necessary , and the most important of all at the present day ; perhaps it would be the least important after all tho others had been secured . Although he had voted again and again for the ballot , and should do so again whenever it was proposed , ho confessed he did not like it . He rr . ii . ht then bo asked why he voted for it . Ho would say wh y . For the same reason that he built a wall round his

      garden—to keep out intruders . It was his right to be secured ; it was his right that no man should come in and trespass upon his grounds to steal and carry away that which belonged to him ; and although he would much rather not be put to the expense of building a wall—although he had much rather it was not necessary to protect tbe voter by the ballot , he was determined that the voter should be free . Therefore it was necessary to afford the voter protection , and therefore he voted for tho ballot . The next point of the association was that of shorter parliaments . On this point he had always entertained strong opinions—stronger than those of many good and earnest reformers . Nothing was more important than to have short parliaments . The people could not continue to be properly

      represented without them , for if there was all the ex « tension of the suffrage that could be desired , and they were protected both by their numbers and by the device of the ballot from improper interference , they would have no security that their representatives , however fnirly chosen , would eontiimo properly for any length of lime to represent their opinions . Three years was the time proposed by association . Some persons might think that too long ; but ho said , " let us try that first . " Tho fourth point of the association was , that of moro equal electoral districts . ( Hear , hear . ) It was not necessai-y to explain in many words upon that point ; for who could think it rig ht or just that a city like Westminster should have no more members to

      represent it than a little fishing town such as Harwich , and other places of no greater moment ? Upon all these points , then , he agreced ; and he was anxious to promote their being passed into a law . He was also in favour of the other point urged by the association—tlie abolition of the property qualification . ( Hear , hear . ) One word more respecting the association . It had for its object and its effect to unite the working and middle classes . ( Cheers . ) Henceforth they were united for a common object . Union was strength ; by union they would ' obtain their object ; and those who would attempt to sow disunion among them were their greatest enemies . ( Hear , hear . ) Those who

      bound tho different classes together , and amalgamated them , as far as possible , all into one , were a nation ' s greatest benefactors . But tho greatest of all enemies , in bis mind , were those who , by promoting class legislation , gave to one class " of the people a right to bo banded together in aversion and dislike to another class , who established in a country discontent and disunion , not as a transient evil , but as a lasting and clronic malady . Therefore ho honoured this association , and wished to support it , because it sought to destroy all class Iesislation—all legislation Yor the benefit of one otof men in the country and not for the benefit of all . The Cuairmax next introduced to the meeting

      Lord Nugent , who was very favourably received . His lordship began by saying * that he could assure thorn with tho utmost truth that ho did not come there with the slightest intention of offering any observations , nor was it his wish or desire to do so ; but if he said that he met the call of their worthy chairman with anything but pride and pleasure , he should l ) e « in his address to a party of reformers with a lie . " "When evil men conspired , good men must combine . " ( Hear , hear . ) Nothing was to bo done in this country but by tbe union and combination of those who were ready to compromise their minor differences of opinion in order to make head against the combination of corruption , interest , and tyranny , which was now endeavouring to stop the course of reform . ( Cheers , ) He had come to the

      meeting that night without knowing wtat tne contents ot the report they had heard read were to ho : but he knew that he should meet friends who had been linked with him for years in tho cause of tho people , and was satisfied that at an assemblage like tho present his principles were safe . But lie must confess that in one point he could have wished to see the report differently worded . The report contended for the representation being thrown open to all who paid rates of the smallest sort ; but ho saw no just limit to the principle of representation excepting as combined with universal suffrage . ( Loud cheers . ) lie had never been able to seethe common sense of what was called money qualification of any sort . ( Cheers . ) All who paid taxes , directly or indircctlv , were entitled to the benefit of the

      principle that connected representation with taxation . Every man who ate bread contributed , - directly or indirectly , to the taxation ofthe country . And although * the odious bread-tax now happily remained only matter of shameful history , yet so long as any one " of the implements of husbandry , or the land itself on which corn was grown , was taxedso long as the timber was taxed by which they made the ship that imported corn—so long , i" a word , as any duty was paid on any article that tended either to produce or import corn , lot them not be told that bread was untaxed . ( Cheers . ) Every man , then , who ate bread , the staff of life , paid a tax to the state ; and he ( Lord Nugent ) adopted the immortal words of Lord Camden , before iiuotcd , to tho effect that taxation without

      representation was robbery . ( Cheers . ) He had no right to use a harsh p hrase towards any man because he did not happen to see a subject in the same light as himself ; but ho had a perfect tight to use hard words hypothetical !} ' against himself . ( Laughter . ) Therefore , if with his present opinions , he ever found himself voting in the House of Commons for a tax or grant public money , aad was not prepared immediately afterwards to sapport universal suffrage , he should consider himself a thief and a robber . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now ,, he could understand how property qualification bore upon the suffrage : . It was assumed early in , our parliamentary history that a certain money qualification was a test , very imperfect , but yctseaic kind of a test , of a certain amouat of intelligence and independence . ( Laughter . ) The intelligence and

      independence were the things therefor & to have tho vote themon-ey being merely tho test ; : but now we confounded the test wish the things . of which it was the test :. wc looked tat for intelligence and independence in the votes- - hut merely for tho tost that had ceased to he so—namely , the- money qualification . Then , with regard to the ballot , he differed with the noble lord who had previously addressed them . He confessed that , even if human nature was perfect , he would have no objection to secret voting . Let a candidate ask him what were his opinions and principles , and he would be ready to avow them ; but if-he asked him for whom he would give his

      vote , ho would toll him that his vote was his pro . perty * and to bo administered like every other pro- * pcrtv , ¦ for tho general henc . " it . lie had as much rig ht to put a ball in the ballot-box as he had to keep His will sealed , till it should be proved and administered . Did tliey not impose an oath of secrecy , in order to guarantee the juryman from corruption , oppression , or violence ? Apply that , then , to elections which they applied to juries ; and let them not be told that it was unmanly or un-English , until » vo were disposed to strike trial bv jury out of tho English code . ( Cheers . ) Now , " th o meeting had to avow these principles—they had toc ° " , ine m support of them ia the face of a powerful ° W

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 18, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_18081849/page/7/