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    - ~ 3 Z and societies , and revolution burst upon the kingdom bef&re there was any public intimation oi it . And such must be the state of things in thi 3 oonntry , if the frca { expression of pnblic opinion was attempted to be put do vn . ( Hwr . hear . ) Smee tno days of the Reform BiU . the system of centralisation of power within that house , and the virtual npptesaidn of the pnblio voice there , ««* P « J erased at a rapid rate . And if h ° needed Ly illustration of the deplorab e efforts of Bneh attempt ? to drown the popular ™ °° - ™ Would ask them to look to America , wbich they fcad forfeited by thefr oppression fhe people of America reseated petitions to hat honsij their

    p remonttr anc « were not listened to ; and they had recourse at last to the principle contained m the n&t iuom of the Noble Lotdatthe head ot the Trea-SSSd theSeoMtaiyof State for the Home Department , viz ., that moral power wa 3 bat a shadow , and that physical force was a substance . America , then , was lost , and from the news which he had recently received from Canada , thnt country also wnld be lost unles 3 they contented to yield to the Canadians their just political rights . Canada-rebelled , and Canada obtained its Parliament . Well , then , when they saw these things ^ when they saw that , contrary to the promise made at the time of

    the Reform BiU , that this country shonld ba go-Yerned by loeal institutions , all power was being centralised in tiiat house—he called upon the really patriotic men on both sides of the house to resist this measure which would consLa to the care of the Attorney-General , the judges and jury of the land , and to heavy penalties every man of capacity and mind who should hereafter , by writing or speaking , agitate for popular rights . Was it not notorious that we were progressing in manufacturing and mechanical improvements beyond any other country in the world ? By mean 3 of the electric telegraph , railroad travelling , penny postage , and other improvements , ^ e are enabled to take a stand preeminently above all other nations , and was it right

    that the new and active genius which those improvements had created in this country should be opposed by retrogressive legislation such as this t Was it r ight that the progress out of that house should ba met by an unconstitutional ' base , brutal , and bloody' Bill within t ( Hear , hear , hear . ) fie could call it by no otbername . What was this but a Coercion Bill against the free interchange of mind amongst the people of England ? If it passed , then would that freedom of expression of opinion which was the boast of England be changed into slavery , and the free voice of England be changed into mnteaesB . We should then be placed under the ban and control of the Attorney-General—then the Attorney-General ought to be Prime Minister in that

    honse . He meant no msult to the honourable and learned gentleman who now filled the office of Attorney-General , whose talent , sagacity , and clemency , he might say , entitled him to io the highest admiration . His remarks applied to the ofHce itself ; for , under the new law , the Attornev-General would have the power of a Prime Minister . But he ( Mr O'Connor ) was net willing to surrender hi 3 rights , nor the rights § f any class in this conntry , to the system to be created under such 3 bili as this . ( Hear , hear ) Again , he repeated , tkat If sacha bill as this had been introduced into the house when the noble lord now at the head of the government was on the Opposition side of the tons * the blood of a Kussell would have been

    roused into madnos 3 to think that the law under vrbicii ais ancestors suffered was about to be reenacted in the present age . They had had ample proof from the history of yesterday's proceedings , a 3 Btited by the right hon . baronet ( Sir Gr . Grey ) himself , tbat there wa 3 no necessity for this bill . They £ ad ample proof that the loyal Orangemen cf Ireland did not ask for such a bill as this . Above all , he protested against the unconstitutional attempt of tie government to tsck itself to the Crown by bringing in a bill for the batter security of the Crows " and government . If this bill were passed , then the government weuld be able to pprpetuate itself in office . He would tell them candidly that he did not attach , that importance to Ministers speaking from that side of the heuss which he did to independent membera speaking from the Opposition and Ministerial benches . He did not place much con § - denee in the fervid eloquence of Ministers , the effect of which they songht to increase by boHly

    elapuiug the red bes on the table of the house . He cared very little for the big swelling words in which they solemnly proclaimed their 'intention and determination te uphold , by all means , the dignity and fhe power of the Gro ^ n aDd their own government . The echo to that was ' Quarter-day . (' . near , and laughter . ) That was the only construction which he could put upon it . Provided there was frea discussion in this country , he had no objection to a monarchy , elective or hereditary . If they passed this bill a man would come under its operation , not only for advisedly speaking , but for advisedly thinking or dreaming , as had been Baid by the honourable gentteman the member for the city of Oxford . He warned those who now supported this bill that they wonld be the first to smart under its operations . ( Hear , hear . ) Honourable gentlemen who supported the bill had carried on the Reform and Free Trade agitation , which , system of advocacy it would crush . They had not even

    refused their sanction to demonstrations whose motto Traa ' Bread or blood . ' Cordially ashe now approved of the monarchiai system , yet if Miis bill passed he should declare himself a Republican , at ail events . He confessed he was astonished by what he had read respecting a nobleman who had spoken in another place on the previous evening . The noble lord to whom hereferad had stated that one policeman dispersed the whole of the meeting on KenningtonComznon . There could bs no greater fallacy , ignorance , or folly , than for a minister in the performance of Ms duties , to make such , a statement . ( Cheers . ) The fact was , that a policeman came to him ( Mr O'Co 2 nor ) atthameeting , andtoldhimthat Messrs Bawan and Mayne wished to see him , as they had a message from the Home Office . Fearing that the people might molest the policeman , he ( Mr O'Connor ( said that he would knock down the first man

    that touched his , and he made them give ths policeman plenty of room . The people obeyed him , and were they , on that account , to be met by a jeer ? He cautioned that house not to laugh at ths people when tbeir conduct was so perfectly peaceable , it would afford them a bad precedent . He ( Mr O Connor ) was not exactly in a state of health to justify ii 3 occupying the house any longer in this stage of the bill , and particularly S 3 he had already expressed his views upon it . He pretested against a government which moeked Ireland by making it equal with England in its participation of punishment , buS refilBed to put her upon the same looting with regard to political rights . After eulogising the speech of the hon , member for Boltoa ( DrBowring ) , and that of the hoa . member for the Tower Hamlets ( Mr G . Thompson ) , he eoneludedby calling upon the Liberal members to oppose every stage of the bill .

    Sir Hobssas gave his modified support to the bill , Mr Hdhe Eild that the present bill was the wont attack made on public liberty since he had & seat in tisat"hons » . He wanted to know whether the words of the clause objected to would effect saemberg of that bouse speaking in their places ; and whether , for words spoken in ikafc totue ihey would bs liable to he transported to Botany Bay ? This bill was a violation of all constitutional right—a right to which ha attributed a " great portion , of the liberty of England . He also wished to know from the right hon . gentleman ( Sir 0 . ( Jrey ) wbetber what had teen stated by a cabinet minis .

    ter in another place was true , that the meeting of Monday bad been dispersed by a policeman , or whether they dispersed of themselves ! Tte hoase might not be aware of the effect which Monday's meeting would produce on tte continent . Tf hat would foreign governmentj ^ tbink of the Duks of Wellington having to be called oat , and Somerset House , and other places occupied with horse , foot , and artillery , In order to suppress the meeting of Kondsy He believed that all they did was to create an unaeeessary alarm ; and that they did much mischief fey th ^ ir nuneoessBiy preparations . He belitved that a contiananee In such . & ssstem wonld be productive of ssriou 3 consequences to the liberties of England .

    Col . Sesthob ? tendered bis best thanks to the governnent and to the right fcan . gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department , for the fitmness ha exhibited on Monday , and the determination he ihowed in proposing this bill . Hs hoped the government wonia not alter a word of the measure , and he only regretted that it was not ten times stronger . Wife respect to thequestion of the hon . member forMontrose , he had no hesitation in saying that if that hon . gentleman vielated the act In that house he woald move that the hon . geB . tieraen be committed to the Tower . Hr Acliokbt supported , and Hr Gbattah oppoied thebill .

    . ... Hr RsrHoms contsnded that so venal were juries in his country , that no man wonld be safe from gareramentpeKecatioa if this bill were passed , the more espenally that convictions nnder it would shut out the possibility of that appeal to the House of Lords which &ad remedied the isjastiie done by a packed jnry to Hr O'CobbbII and his associates . He appealed to the gallantry of the house to exempt , at all events , the ladies from the operation of the measure . As the bill Btooaanyoftha female tea and tract parties bo prevalent in Ireland might be indicted for treason or sedition ,

    if the compaay kappened to turn the conversation upon political matters . ( A laugh . ) He denied that Irelaad ma dutuibaa . There were but two newipapers in Bublin which inculcated violence , and In his confident belief nearly nine-hnndrsdtns of the population of Irelaud repudiated the wild and extravagant doctrines of tfaess two journals . Cork was qaiei , Limerick wsb quiet , Clonmel , Waterford , Belfast , all the towns of Ireland with . large populations were quiet ani obedient to the law . There w = s , indeed , dissatisfaction , for there trai almoit universal misery . Ih the last eighteen month * one million of hnman beinss had sank into ths

    grave in Ireland from sheer famine , and hundreds were still dying in the came -way every wetk that pasEed over our beads . There w « but tfie other day a CR 6 e ia ClslwsylawHsb b m » uwai cliargp . a with sheep . stealing , snd it was , indeed , " proved that be had stolen the anisaal ; tut cpiar what circumstances ? 'Why , these : that his famB ? ana Mffieelf were absolutely starring ; that two

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    days before one of his childran had died of famine , and that , in fee desperation of hanger , the mother had absolutely gnawed tha flesh from her dead child ' s arm , AH this the poer man had witnessed before be committed the act with which ha was charged . Tha hon ^ member r ecommended the postponement of any farther proceed , ing with this bill until after Easter . Ths present were angry times , and the popular discontent should not ba exasperated . That discontent was non peaceful enougb , if one might judge from tha hon . member for Nottingham ' s exhibition of yesterday , which had passed oTer as quietly as a Quakers' meeting , all the grand preparations of military and police having proved qulto unnecessary . ( Oh , ob . ) He feared he had hurt the feelings of some of the special constables of the occasion—( laughter)—but heconld . nothelp thinking that their enthusiasm had been needlessly wrought op , He repeated bis bopa that thebill might be postponed until after Easter .

    MrStDLEis supported the bill , as a measure which , while it would tend to suppress the open and scandalous inculcation , by word or deed , of sedition or treason , would not prevent the statement ob the part of ths peo pla of Ireland of the grievances which were felt through , out the width and breath of the country on the part of alfclasses . Lord Johh Russell atterly denied that the governmeat had manlfegtod & ?/ indifference to the physical sufferings of Ireland . ( Hear , hear . ) He had , indeed , said that it was not the business of the government to later / era between the various relationi of social end Industrial life , but he had sever put forward eny preposition that government did not consider themselves called spoa to come forward when measures were required to meet some marked physical destitution in Ireland . ( Hear , hear . ) He could not have said any such thing ; such a proposition would have been totally opposed to the whole conduct of her

    Majastj ' s government . ( Hear , hear . ) Last year that government had obtained the means from parliament of providing daily relief for three millions ef persons In Ireland —( hear , bear )—a step certainly evincing no indifference to the physical condition of that country . In the present jear , again , although the poor law had b oa placed in operation , the government had felt that , at so early a stage of ita proceedings , the attention of tte general government might etill be needful , and bo bad , therefore , transmitted instructions from the Treasury to Ireland , that in the event of peculiar suffering manifesting itself in any of the unions , whether from actual inadequacy of ftrnds , or from tbe non-payment af their rates by persons able to pay , but exempted from payment by the negligence or connivance of the collectors , a report should ba made of the faot , In order that means of relief might bs considered . He repelled , therefore , the suggestion that the government was indifferent to tbe physical condition of Ireland at wholly libellous aod calumnious . ( Hear , hear . )

    Sir D . L . Bviss said that having on a former evening claimed oa the part of his constituent * tbe protec tion of the government against the violent and tumultuous proceedings which were anticipated from tte meet * ing of yesterday , he felt It is hit duty to take the first opportunity that presented Itself of thanking ministers for tbe admirable ftrrasgements which they bad made against any violation of the pnblio peece . ( Hear . ) There never had been an occasion when greater provocation had been offered to the antherlties than had been given by tho menaces of those perioni mho enconraged aad

    promoted the proceedings of Monday , and if the whole city was not now deploring the eSeoti of those proceedings it was becsusa the gorernment bad done its duty . ( Hear . ) At the same time he must say that nothing could have dene the inhabltaats of London and Westminster greater honour than the conduct of tbe people generally daring Monday . The meeting was nowcha . racterised as contemptible . If it was so , the government iras 5 o be thanked for that fact . Again he begged , on the part of his constituents , to reiterate his thanks to the ministers .

    Mr Mastekhak expressed some surprise at the observations made by the hon . member for Hontrose , and had great pleasure in returning thanks to ^ tbe government fo : the exertions mado by the authorities to pri serve fhe peace ii tte city of which he had tbe honour to be a representative . Sir 6 . Geet said that he had been asljed by tbe hon , member for Montrose a question , to which be felt it bis duty to give a distinct answer . The bon . member asked whether the meeting had been forcibly dispersed by tfea police or whether itbsdbsen peaceably separated . He begged to state that the meeting was not forcibly dispersed by the police , bat that the police commissioners , acting under the authority of | her Majesty's ministers , had notified to the persons composing and beading it that aeans weald be taken to prevent theproceesion approaching the House sf Commons or any of the pnblic offices , and thereupon tbe meeting was peaceably diesolved . But , at the same time thathe stated tbis fact ,

    he must say that he could not admit the inference drawn from it by the hon . member for Montrogenamely , that the preparations were useless or uncalled for . ( Hear . ) It was ' those preparations , and the knowledge that they bad beea made , which gave confidence to tbe loyal and well-dispa . ed inhabitants of the metropalis , and struck terror into the minds of the disaffected and promoters of confusion . ( Hear , hear . ) Nothing could be more meritorious than tbe conduct of the great body of the people had been during the whole of Monday ; and that circumstance would have its effect throughout the country . Indeed , it bad already , be believed , bad a beneficial effect , for the telegraph bad brought him in . tslligence that morning that the best effects had already been produced in tbe great provincial townB . He , there , fore , entirely coincided in the opision that bad been expressed , that the result would prove most beneficial , not only in England , but also throughout all Europe , as it would bs manifest that the authorities had

    bees aided in the performance of their duties by tbe cordial co-operation of the great bodj of the people themselves . Mr Hume said , that both the hon , and gallant member far Westminster and the right hon . baronet ( Sir 6 , Grey ) had mie-stated his former observation . What be said was , not that tbe government were wrong in making the preparations they had done — on the contrary , be said they were right in so doing ; but that he thought them wrong in having created a very disproportionate degree of alarm , as compared with the reaTapprehensions they entertained . Mr F . O'Gohhss Baid that before any communication Lad been received from the commissioaers of police , and even before the procession started * for the place of meeting , it had been resolved that tbe assemblage should disperse after they bad reached Kensington Common , and that no attempt to have a farther procession to the house should be made .

    Hr S . Csiwpobd wished to know whether , as tbebon . member for Carlow had stated , there were , in future , to be no witnesses required to depose as to sedition er treasonable expressions under the bill ? Sir G . GsEf would answer the question when the bill W& 5 in commutes , On tbe motion that the Speaker do leave tbe chair , cries of divide , ' and' no , no , ' were raised . Mr F . O'Coifsor said , that as those who promised to act faithfully with , him in opposing tbe bill , now cried ¦ no' to the division , on which the gallery was cleared . For goiag into committee ... 321 Against It ... ... ... 19—302 la committee , on its arrival at the third cIquboi

    Sir G . G&tr stated , that witb the exception of tae words now introduced for the first time by ' open and advised cpeaklng , ' the powers given by the bill were precisely the sama as these contained in former and exiating acts of parliament . The reason for Inserting these words being , that the existing law was found inefficacious as regarded persons who excited others to sedition aad treason by their-speeches ; and in Ireland , even , when pertong who bad used BeditiouB and treasonable language were subjected to prosecution for tbe same , they were , under the existing law , still able to continue ia the commission of that offence even dnriag tbe interval of their feeiBg accused and held to bail , and of their being tried . In order , therefore , to put an end to this stato of tblngs , it was proposed to make cases of this description felonious , because in that case , the offenca would not be bailable , and , therefore , the offend , ing party wonld not have the opportunity of repeating his

    offence before he was brought to justice . By a temporary act of 35 George III ., it was provided that , in order to bring any person within its operation , the information of his haviag uttered treasonable or seditious expressions must be depoted to by two witnesses , within three days of the time after the expressions were uttered , and also that tha person accused should be brought to trial within three months of the time when tne deposition was taken , A . similar enactment ministers were ready to insert in the present bill , bat they would not recede from the principle of making this effence felony . After some debate , and & variety ^ of suggestioas for alteratious , amendments , and omistlons , Sir < J . Grey said , that as it appeared that not oaly tbe words ' by open and advised Epeakiag' were objeoted td , but also the whole wording of tbe clause , he should move that the chairman report progress , and that the bill be recommitted this day at twelve o ' clock , which preposition was agreed to .

    The house resumed , and adjourned shortly before four until five o ' clock . At that hour Captain Ruehodt tawed tbe issuing of the Bewdley writ in the room of Mr T . J . Ireland , whose election had been declared void . _^_ Sir J . Hanhee moved , as an amendment , that , Inasmuch as tba late member bad been unseated on the ground of con-apt practices which prevailed in the borongh of Bawdley , tbe writ be suspended with a view to farther inquiry . On a division , the motion for issuing tbe writ wan carried by a majority of 42—the namberB 80 to 38 .

    Bepeai . 0 ? tbe Union . —Mr Johh 0 'Cohnbi . l meved for leave to bring in a bill to repeal tbe legislative union between . Great Britain and Ireland , and to enable Her Majesty to summon her parliament of Ireland , He commenced by drawing a wide line of demarcation between bis own leatlments on thissubjest , and the wild and mischievous menaces of the Irish Confederation , end then proceeded to declare his conviction that the Repeal of the Unloa between Great Britain and Ireland would bs of advantage not only to Ireland , but to England also , and weuld add greatly to the strength of tfra empire at large . As at the time of the Union , there s » ae a treaty hatvreen the two couutries for it , and aa the nrtlcles of tbat treaty were subsequently embodied Into a separate set of parliament , he thought that the consideration of the articlts for the Repeal cf the Union would not ba injured by letting his bill for accomplishing that Repeal

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    be previously laid on the tablo . He proposed tbat the preamble of his bill should declare the necessity of such a Repeal—that its first clause should enact that Repeal —tbat a following clause should enact , the integrity of the old Irieh House ef Lorda—and that another clause should recall into existence a House ef Commons for Ireland , with 800 members . He then proceeded at great length to allege that the Union , as it bad existed for the IaBt forty-seven years , was unjust , injurious , and unwiao —tbat it bad begun in injustice—that it bad been maintained by fajustiee—and tbat it still subsisted in iajustice . Sir IT , Somebville met tbe proposltioa of Mr John O'Conriell witb a direct negative , and entered into several statements to pointout the injury vrhichtke Repeal of tbe Union weuld inflict upoa Ireland , both socially and politically .

    Mr BureiM moved , as an amendment to Mr John O'Conneir * motioD , that an humble address be presented to Her Majesty , praying her to convene the Imperial Parliament in future for a eertala number of months in each year In Dublin for the despatch of Irish business . Hr Matjbice O'Conneix opposed tho amendment , and called upon the house not reject lightly tha appeal in favour of Ireland tfae appeal wbioh hia hon . relative had just made to its justics . Brery reason which could be urged in favour of Mr Blackall ' s amendment , applied with tenfold force to the total Repeal of the Union ,

    L » rd Mobpeth observed that bo should deplore the Repeal-of the Legislative Union for the consequences which it would entail on Great Britain and the empire at largo ; but contended that , disastrous as it might bo to the unity , tranquillity , snd safety of the country to irhioh we belonged , it would be still moro grievous and fatal to tbe best interests of Ireland . But he agreed with the views which had been expressed in an article In the Journal dis Debatk , that it was not repeal or revolution that Ireland wanted , but regeneration . ( Hear , hear . ) The people of that country possessed maay attractive and brilliant qualities ; aad he would again repeat what bad procured censure for him before In Tork . sblre , that he belUved there was to be found a greater absence of theft amongst the males , and more chastity among tbe females , of Ireland than in this country .

    ( Hear , hear , ) There was greater kindness amongst them one towards tha other . But while be paid what was but a just tribute to tbeir many virtues , he could not shut his sjes to tbeir failings ; and they wanted the patient and persevering industry of the SaxonB , ( Hear , hear . ) He had beard it said in America that an Irish , man , when placed between a Scotchman and a Yankee , was the perfection of a settler , because on tbe one side be learned frem the sobriety and industry of the Scotchman , and on the other side he nas Incited to Activity by tbo goa-beadedness of the Yankee . ( Laughter . ) He believed that much the same thing would take place by a cordi&l union between the three countries . ( Hear , hear . ) Ho concluded *> y declaring that tba government could not and weuld not abandon that union . The debate wai then adjourned till Thursday .

    Tho other orders were dippoBod cf , and tbe bouse adjourned at ft quarter td one o ' clock , WEDNESDAY , Amii , 12-HOUSE 07 COMMONS . —The house met at twelve o ' clock , and on the question being repeated tbat the beuse go into committee ob the Crown and Government Security BUI , Mr G . Thompson rose to oppose ths motion on the ground that the couatry were in ignorance of the nature of this measure , and bad not bad time to eiprasa its opinion upon it , although it was one of tbe worst tbat had been introduced during the present oentury . He could account for Its introduction only on the supposition that the government were panic-stricken by recent events on the continent , and bad come to the conclusion tbat her Majesty's throne was in danger from tho deep seated

    disloyalty existing throughout tbe kingdom . If her Majesty bad been so instructed , if the royal ear bad been so abused , she ought to know that there was no portion of British territory on which she could put her foot where ibe would not find a warm welcome at ( ho hsin < i 8 of all olasses . ( Hear , bear . ) Bat thegovernmentconfounded loyaltj to the Queen witb obedience to themselves . ( Hsnr , hear . ) He told them that there was not a cabinet in Europe which less enjoyed tbe confidence of tho people than the present government of this country . ( Hear , hear . ) They had stated no proand for intreduclng tbe measure . The light honourable baronet bad not quoted a single article or speech delivered in England , Scotlaad or Wales t 9 justify him in applying this measure to England ; and even in Ireland he had merely read articles which appeared ia the Nation and United Ibishmaw ,

    and the speeches of a fen persons belonging to the Irish Confederation . Let them rave at the Chartists as they would—let them rave at the working olasses ob they would , and whilst they did so eulogise the middle classes , and try to set one against the other , yet he challenged them to point ont one case of the description to vrbich be had alluded . He knew manufacturers who had in their employment hundreds of Chartists ; they were trustworthy , they were men ot iatelHgence , they ivsre loyal men , Her Majesty ' s government had not made a concession te their just demands , but had met them with an un-English and unconstitutional law , and sought to deprive them of those privileges which all the governments of Europe rvf tbe present day were guaranteeing to their subjects . He denied , therefore , altogether , that government had made out a case for this bill . He was not here to say tbat

    some alteration of the law might not bo necessary ns to particular individuals ; but he denied tbat government bad any right , by implication , to cast a false , accusation in tbe teeth of tbe people of this country &t large . It might be said tbat if expressions were used hostile to the style and title of her Majesty , and tbe integrity of her dominions , that there was no guarantee tbat they would not be made the instrument of wide-spread operations throughout the country . Let a man bo obaosiou * to those in whose neighbourhood he lived ; let him be roported by an illiterate person ; he might be instantly committed ; -no bail could be put in ; and when be came to take his trial , he was ia an infinitely worse position than if he bad been accused of high treason . This law was either wanted , or it was not . If it were wasted , ffor whom was it wanted , and for what

    particular ends and purposes ? With regard to the people of Ireland generally , they were not employing this Ian ' guage . Let the house know that the Chartists assembled on Kennington Common were but an insignificant fraction of the Chartists throughout the country . Where were not the Chartists ? You could not travel east , west , north , or south , without finding them . He had never taken a Chartist aBide into a room , tbat he had not found him as decile and teachable as any other member » f the community . "Who were tbe Chartists ! Tbe men who made tbe members of this house what they were — tho creators of their luxury—the men without whom the country would be nothing—tbe men whoBO value csuld sot be computed witb the value of any other class of the country . If he were called on to say which vras the most valuable class ,

    b « should say the working classes , They did not yield in intelligence to any otber class of tbe community , They read the speeches of memberB in this house witb as much attention as any one ; they weighed tha value of every measure brought before it ; tbey were skilled in mechanical arts , and trusted by their employers . These were the men whom you were branding by the present bill , How would the right honourable gentleman the Secretary of State for the Home Department , and the uoblelord , and tbe Attorney . General , whose names stood at the back of tbe bill , answer to tbe working classes of the country for this bill ? Do nottratdo Mr Pitt is his hostility to the privileges and rights of the people . Bo not outdo Lord Caatlsreagb , who never dreamt in the days of the Manchester massacre of IntroduciDR such wordB as were in this bill . All he asked

    for was delay . If this law were passed , and the people ignorant of its intention , a man might be viBited by a magistrate ' s warrant , and told fee had eotamltted b feloay ; aad when he asked how it was to be proved—be answered , proved by an act which tho people ' s representatives in the House of Commons . have passed without glvlsg time to read it , He said that a more monstrous act was never meditated than a passage of such a bill in so short a poried of time . When he heard that the Government had summomed tbeir adherents to come down to the bouse to make tbia bill law , he de . spaired for any one who looked to tbe government for tbe smallest instalment of their polUlcal fightSi Upon what principle did tbe American colonies revolt , aad justify that revolt in tbe eyes of the civilised world ? On

    the ground of taxation without representation . On tho imposition of the Stamp Act and the duty on tea , they flew to arms , and finally won their independence . The people . who had come to this house , by their petition , stood In precisely the same relatioa to the government of this country bow , as the people of America stood to tbo government of England in 1776 , and the petitioners whose Bignatures were appended to the petition were more in number than the inhabitants of the North American colonies at tho time of their declaration of Independence . Whilst the words to which he objected remainedin this bill he would obatruot it in every stage . The house was not the friend of the people in passing It * Gather their troops together as they might ; garrison SomerEct . boo . se ; glory in the majeatio attitude of the metropolis for a day ;

    1 But in these oases We still have judgment here ; tbat we but teach Bloody instructions , whleh being taught , rotura To plague the inventor . This even-banded justice Commends tbe ingredients of our poisoned chalice To our own lips . ' They were alienating from the Sovereign millions of the people by passing such a bill as thtB . Her Majostj ' a ministers wonld take tbe bill to her Majesty , and ask for her sign manual , and commit her to the aot of treason ; but although tbe people neredeeplsed by the House of Commons , and looked upon with scorn , the day would come when they would have that which every man was entitled to—a right to elect their own representatives In tbat honse .

    Mr . Obbobhe very much feared that ministers were resuming the course of policy of 1795 , with this diffarence , that the descendon-s of those men who resisted Mr Pitt in his policy of 1735 were now installed in office , with much lets excuse for paBRlng acts which Mr Fitt dared not carry into execution . They were trading upon a panio . A certain old lady had got into tbe cabinet of the noble lord , and bad been exciting bira to Bftg of terror . Nothing could be moro despicable tb . an tho manner in which tbe govnrnmeijt put forward the Queen ' s name as a cover for tbeir own unconstitutional demands upon tbe parliament . Wby hor Majesty was

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    ^^^^^^^^ ^ M - „ ., « «* . MA > ttan « to » rt j *• P ™» J ™" ° . J = S ? Kt ffi&K ! Hfe assjsftir £ Bsr « f * out giving the people time to cons . der It . < " •"» a " £ > Ho waa eurprised the other night , when the Jon . mem . ber for Montrose alluded to the oase of U « P » J * "" him taunted by the hon . member for the University of Oxford , who Baid he had no sympathy with »* ¦ " ?¦" or hia fate . But who * was Muir \> erlme ! Th > prime charge against him was fhotfae bad lent a copy of iom Paine ' s works to a third parfy , and be ™ convicted on the evidence of hl » servaBt-mald of having said tnatue ^

    thought a reform of tho present system necessary ., i ^ r thisheTraBeenttotbehBlk * in Iron ,, «* ^?* g forfourtoen y « rB . ( Hear , bear . ) Mr Pittin " 05 did not fventure to carry sucb n measure as this ; ne wnodrew the obnoxious clause respecting « P »» na Ill IWOT ! S speaking' en the Intercession of Lord » ' « JVjlle . ^ wished there was some of the old leaven of Wblgglsm in that house , respectfully to request the Government to withdraw those words , which , if carried into law , would assimilate the condition of this country to tbat or Russia Under tho doctrine of constructive treason It was Impossible to Bay what proceedings might not be brought within thfa province of this act . In the newspnpers of that very day a remarkable case was cited when It

    which occurred in tho reign of Charles II ., wns held that the destruction of brothels amounted to treason . If these words had been law in 1830 , the hon . and gallant member for Westminster ( Sir D . L . EfftfiS ) and that excellent and able man , the right bon . member for Harwich ( Sir J . Hobhouss ) , might be sent to Norfolk Island . Evan Mr Jfacaulay might now be oconsed of feloniously writing and Bent out of the country for seven yews , because he jontlfied tho conduct of the PurltanB in bringing Charles I . to the block . ( A laugh , ) Ho thought this a slavish blllj ( Hear , hear . ) Circumstanoea might arise in this country wblob would make it , the duty of every man to make war on the sovereign ( dries of oh , ob' from several members , and 'beer , hear * from Mr Hume ) . If they shut up the safety

    valve sb it had been well called , which freedom of speech gave to tbe people , the tendency of sucb an unconstitutional measure would be to drive tbe people to secret and armed confederacies . He weuld direct the attention of the gentlemen of the Pox Club to the language which Mr Fox bad need when tpeaWng of the freedom of the press and liberty of speech . He said , 'Tbo power and influence of the Crown ore so great that all tbe liberty of this country Is preserved by freedom of speech and liberty of tbe press ; and if those great bawlerB of liberty are destroyed , though men may speak leBB tbey will feel more , and arms will be the only resource left them , either for redress for themselves or for vengeaBoe upon tboir oppressors , If such a bill is passed , if suoh a line of conduct should be adopted , resistance to it would be a matter of prudence .

    That wbb in 1795 ; but be would not go into any com . parUon witb the man who made those observations and tbe Whigs of tbe present day : give them rope enough , and tbat was all they required . ( Laugfcterand cheers . ) If hon . and right bon . gentlemen on the Treasury bench disowned these sentiments , let them abandon Brooke's , and Immediately become members of tbe Pitt Club . ( A laugh . ) He lamented the state of parties in that house . The present was a government of invalids — ( a laugh )—who were just the sort of people who always lasted longest . At one time thoy leaned for support on t&is party , then on tbat . On one side the right hon ; baronet the member for Tamworth served them for a crutch , and on the other the aid of tbe noble lord the member for Lynn was invoked , while the party by whose support and under whose auspices tho Whist attained power were

    completely thrown overboard . ( Hear , hear . ) The greatest insult teat could be offered to liberty , the greatest derogation to the rights of property , would be the conduct of that bouse being in a hurry to pass acts of coercion wbile they held out no hopes of conciliation . ( Hear , bear . ) Unless Ministers Were prepared to take tfae initiative in measures not only with regard to this country , but Ireland , unless they could check the old woman in the Cabinet , ttie government of the country would be in tlie greatest peril : Then would it be necessary to bring in a bill for the better security of tfae crown and government . It waq with the utmost astonishment he had seen it stated that an alien act had been introduced elsewhere . ( Ironical cheers . 1 A noble lord in another place said be bad seen a number of Frenchmen walking along the Strand ; Lord Brougham was excessively frightened , and they were therefore to have an alien bill . Mr Pitt's alien bill was one of tho first causes of war with France . Tho HouBoof Lords and the panic-stricken majority of that house were pursuing a course which would very probably

    plunge the country into war . ( 'Oh , ob ! ' ) Would not the government of France be likely to say that we had received Louis-Philippe and , hia Ministers , but resorted to an nlien act in order to keep out those foreigners who had opinions of their own ? He appealed to the good sense of tho country . They were reviving the old Tory policy of 1795 . He should look with preat suspicion io tbe course pursued ty tbe Foreign Minister . ( ' Oh , oh !') ne remembered the interference of the noble lord in Portugal , and if he got agood opportunity to meddle in the affairs of France , he very much doubted whether there were not certain influences at work that would plunge this country into a continents war . ( ' Oh , oh' . ') He hoped the middle classes would not be carried away by a temporary panic : that the shopkeepers ¦ w ould not tnke alarm because n few windows had Veen broken , and that the people would yet stand firmly by those liheral principles which hon . gentlemen below him on the Treasury bench had so disgracefully deserted . . After a few words from Mr Aglionbt

    Mr Feargus O'Connor expressed his regret and disgust , that Mr Reynolds had given way to the appeal of the government j but it only confirmed the opinion he had ever stated of the Irish liberals in that house , and he repeated it now , that bad as even the present government was , it was too good for such a set . ( Hear , hear . ) What , was this one of the remedial measures for-Ireland that was to have succeeded the Coercion Bill ? and with what pomp the Attorney-General and the government told the house , that the object of this bill was to put England and Ireland upon a perfect equality , as regards the law of treason . ( Laughter . ) Would they put Ireland upon a footing with England , bad as that was . in all other respects ? No , ir was their Poland . Just at a time when other nations were wringing

    concessions from despots , the reforming government was curtailing the little liberty the British subject had . 'Oh / but says the noble lord , ' it-is clemency , it takes away the punishment of death for certain acts which are now treason , and attaches the penalty of felony to acls which are now sedition ; but see the fallacy , the sophistry , and delusion of this affected clemency ; it takes away the punishment of death in cases which do not happen once in a century , and it enacts the punishment of transportation for offences of every day occurrence—( hear , hear)—and offences which will be constituted a virtue , and become more numerous , if the present act should paBs . But look to the causes which have led to revolt and triumph in other countries , and see if the disaffection anddissa . tisfaotion was notlparalleled in that house . He would

    not mock even a fallen monarch in his misery ; but as it was notorious that the noble lord was taking counsel from the deposed king of the French , he would ask him to tear the fact in mind ) that the cause of his overthrow and expulsion , was the overawing the Chambpr of Deputies , by the voice of placemen , officials , hacks , and pensioners , precisely as the noble lord is now relying upon the subserviency of the same class , to overawe the House of Commons and the nation . He ( Mr O'Connor ) not only contender ! for the people ' s right to remonstrate with that house , and . to compel that house to a performance of its duty , but he contended for the constitutional right of the people to . overawe that house if necessary . That house should be the exponent of the national will . It had

    no constitutional right to usurp a prerogative for neven years , playing the tyrant for six , and the penitent for one , leaving ita poison upon the Statute Book , and its antidote ob the winds . Look to the state of Spain , with her immense population , and only 96 , 000 voters . ( Hear , hear . ) He would answer that ohees presently . Look to the state of France , with her immense population , and not 300 , 000 voters . ( Hear , hear . ) He would now answer both those cheers . The mind of England untrammelled , and her opinion unfettered , had achieved a larger amount of representation in the Senate House Uian either France or Spain ; and the active genius of the day , an irresistible thine , admitted no other standard than the fair representation of all—the want of which had caused revolution in other

    coun-; riea , and the attempt to stop which would be ineffeo * tualinthia . ( Hear , hear . ) But he would go still further , and he would quote preoedent , to prove that the law in England , and tyranny in Ireland , had ever beeB found strong enough to aeeuie peace . In 1839 and 1840 , tho law had imprisoned him , and nearly 500 working men—juries convicted against law and evidenoe , without leaviHg the box , and the consequence was increased hostility to the Jaw . and em increased determination to override its injustice . Well , in 1842 . there was a general rising of the nation , and he ( Mr O'Connor ) was tried , with fifty-Dine others , at Lancaster , during eight days . They had a ' juBt judge / and a highly constitutional lajW ""^" the beneh j he explained tbe law , and showed the legal power which the people possessed . « is judgffllnfc was imprinted upon the mind of every leader in the country , and , through them , upon the people , nt six

    and from that hour to the prese , now years , there has not been one single political offender tne ( in England , ( Hear , hear . ) Well , if that precedent was distributed ever too long a period for the Yrb . 12 government , he would now draw their attention to Monday ' s proceedings ; and he defied the house to arrive at any other conclusion than this . The people who attended that meeting went there with the express intention of having : their procession as proclaimed—and , therefore , if the preparations of the government were necessary , the inevitable inferonu is , that many of tbose people would nave gone armed , and that all would have felt baulked by the suppression of this armed display . It was to bave been a day of rejoioing aad triumph , and yet , tear ibe startling triUQ , that whereas not a man ; b tliafc multitude knew of my intention of prohibiting the processio n until they were assembled upon the Common for th

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    « wayj »^' a < ij | M i ^ pilTffftynrT «''' T |* 1 « MIT" ^ purpose , yet ita abandonment was carried without a single dissentient , and with universal aporovs . 1 ( Hear , hear . ) Well , thus baulked of a Bfinginuar ) triumph , for whioh we were told preparations were made , this armed multitude , without a walking stick , quietly dispersed , and not & p&no of glass was broken . ( Hoar , hear . )—Well , then , if mischief was intended , or if vengeance was the aim , would they have dispersed with acclamation , and would they hare restrained their feelings of dieappointmeBt to the most perfect observance of peace ? ( Cheers . ) He would caution hon . membors in that house againct invitations to loyalty , and scofSngs at peace . ( Hoar , hear . ) The people had learned their lessons from the Whigs , snd if this was to be an ex pott facto law , there was not a hulk in her Majesty ' s service that ' ,

    would be large enough to hold the noble lord and hia associates—( cheers and laughter}—and amongst whom would stand prominently the hon . and gallant member for Westminster , who had threatened . ^ if the Reform Bill was rejected , to invade Londoa with s hundred thousand fighting men . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) He added his testimony to the intelligence , the industry , and the honour of the Chartist body , for that high and just character so generously and nobly paid to them in the eloquent and manly cpeech of his hon . friend the member for the Tower Hamlets , ( Mr G . Thompson ); and he would go further , and say , tbat if industry was rewarded , they would be the first to punish idleness , and all that they required wag a fair day ' s wage fora fair day ' s work ; and in that noble struggle he would go with them tu the death , and he told the house that if he and thousands fell in tbe contest , for every drop of the martyrs' blood would spring 10 , 000 patriots 'to avenge

    the martyrs'death . He ( Mr O'Connor ) had made an ineffectual appeal to the landlord-class , who should be the natural protectors of tbe people , but who were now tbe foremost to hound the government on in their nets of treason against the crown ; snd seems that they relied upon such treason for the upholding of their privileges and their power , the country would no longer rest satisfied with that piebald patchwoik opposition now Bitting upon these benches , an opposition of shreds and patches ; but after the country had reflected during ; the Easter week these benofeea would present a marshalled opposition of the middle and the working classes —( hear , hear , and cheerfO—too strong for tyranny to resist , and too powerful for treason topnt down . ( Hear , hear . ) The Whigs % tink in the nostrils of every m&n of common sense in the kingdom—( cheers )—and having received credit for some influence with the working classes , he ( Mr O'Connor ) would martial a national mind which would bur )

    them from those benches in spite of the support of tho right hon . member for Tamworth , or of their old opponents , the Tories . What a humiliating position , to see the descendant of Ruesell relying upon the disciples of Pitt , ( Hear , hear . ) The noble lord might have been a powerful minister if he had acted upon constitutional principles , and the present bill being treason against the Crown—treason against the Constitution—and treason against the people , he ( Mr O'Connor ) demanded breathing time for the nation , to allow the people an opportunity of declaring their sentiments . Let them pnss this bill , and that whioh was the safety-valve of the constitution would at once explode ; there woald be no more safety for the expression of public opinion . Vulgar men would be allowed to preach throughout the

    country what dootnne they desired ; of them no notice would be taken ; but a * soon as any man , opposed to the government , spoke advisedly , they would mark him out their victim . Well ; and if they were to fill the hulks with martyrs , he would tell them that for each one of them ten thousand new men would arise eager and willing to step into their place ? , and to bide the event . It was impossible that they could maintain Ireland in her present position . Something must be done for hor , and tbat sperdily . This bill would not put her down—this bill , which he denounced as treason against the Crown , aod tho person of the sovereign . Suoh a bill he never expected would have emanated from a Whig Ministry . They had now become the most unpopular government that had ever- possessed the reins of power in this

    country . Was it not well known tbat the Govern ment had the power of selecting the judge and the jury ? What chance , then , was there for the liberty of the subject ? He entreated the house—lie en treated the government—to give the people of this country breathing time , to give them an opportunity of expressing their opinions upon the bill . He besought the noble lord not to disgrace the high name he bore by thus pressing such an uncsnstitutional measure . He did not mean to taunt the present men in office with the treatment which he had personally received at their hands . He censidered that it was but right that those who led the people Bhould suffer any penalty which might attach to their position . He protested against a reformed parliament

    tnus stealing a march , upon the people ; he pi © tested against the bill , because he was a loyal subject , and because he objected to her Majesty ' s becoming tinged by the disloyalty of her ministry . He could not find language sufficiently strong to denounce his abhorrence of it . If folly or treason were spoken at a publio meeting , the good sense of those present would put the surest extinguisher upon it . He had never allied himself to secret sooieties , he never would ; but let theai pass that law on tbat day , and on that day week hundreds of secret societies would be organised throughout the kingdom , which sooner or later Bhould result in a storm Chat would swamp the government , and shake the empire to its foundations . Let not the noble lord despise his warning —to be forewarned waa to be forearmed .

    Mr P . HowABD urged tbe adoption of tho amendment of MrHorBman , giving tbe court power to mitigate the penalty of transportation to three years . Mr Reynolds contended that by " a clause in the bill a spy might bo hired by a wicked and venal minister to go to a meeting and utier incendiary and treasonable expressions , and the result would be that every person jrssont would be liable to two years' imprisonment and hard labour . Mr Hume ' s advice to the government was , to stay further pvoceedibgs for a week , in order that the country mignt be mado acquained with the provisions of tho bill , and thus avoid the disgrace of precipitation in reference to a measure of such vital importance . He contended tbat the experience of the past showed that prosecutions of that nature had never been attended with any pnblic advantage . The governments of bvgone had not

    years attempted to prevent the assembling of the peeple to petition for the removal of abuses or assertion of rights , He bad himsslf headed a deputation of 100 , 000 persons , witb an address to the Crown , and no one had dared to oppose him . He well remembered the occasion upon which he had presided at a meeting where a resolution was passed pledging tho meeting to p&y no more taxes . Thatresolulion was brought under the notice of the Attorney-General , who told him that he had acted illegally , and his reply was' Iknowjit- try me . '( Hea » , hear . ) But the Attorney-General did not try him . Thegovernment of the present day had been raised to power bj those very Reform demonstrations and that unrestrained liberty of speech which this bill now seught to check . Lord J . Russell observed that we were living 5 n extraordinary times , when persons deem it consistent with their duty to call together councils And confederations for the purpose of declaring war against the sovereign , for sed ucing or bribing thearmed forces of the sovereien . and

    for opposing : them in arms in case seduction and bribery do not succeed . Hebeliev « d that the general opinion of the couatry was aot tbat Minister * had interfered iatemptrately ana hastily , but that they had waited too long . Considering the designs which traitors had avowed , he should be ashamed of himself if , seeing danger at hand , he had been so awed by the authority of Mr Fox as to forbear from taking thoso , mcasureB of precaution which ho believed to be necessary . After pointing out the difference between this bill and that under which Muir and Palmer had been formerly convicted , be added that , while he retained all the other parts of the bill , he was ready to limit tho operation of that part of it which , related to ' open and advised speaking . ' The measures which , tba government had introduced were introduced under the deep conviction that tho peace of this country was worth preserving . The trustof preserving the institutions of this country , its monarchy , and its constitution . were in the hands of tbe Administration , and it would be its constant endeavour to ] preserve them . The house then

    went into committee . Mr HonsaiAtf expressed his satisfaction that tha obectionable clauses of the bill were to be in operation , for a limited periodonly . Mr Mabtin moved that the words in question should be struck out altogether . The ATToBNM-QENBlUr . followed against ibe amendment ; and after some observations from Sir P . Thesioks , who expressed his deep regret at the determination of the government that this most important feature of the bill should have only a temporary endurance , and from Mr P . Woup , wbo considered tbat Chartism jmi ghtbe exploded by extending the franchise , which would supersede the necessity of resorting to such a blister as the present measure applied , and various desultory and tlme-engrosBing observations from other hon . members .

    lie had recently voted againBt the motion for allowing that 4 astard Frost to return , which did not look like sympathy with such men . But while he joined in the indignation against them , and in the repudiation of their sentiments , he must say , tkat he thought the present a most unhappily cheaen moment for introducing : such o measure as that now before the house . He should much prefer seeing Chartists put an end to by extending the franchise—( cheery)—and giving them an opportunity of occupying their time in sending members to parliament instead of to the Contention . If that were done , he was sure the parliament would never again have occasion to resovt to such a blister as this bill . Lord J , Rumzii , perceiving that it was near six o ' clock , eatnat cnairman

    mov me report progress , and aBk leave to sit again . Sir O . Gbet said the only amendment which governmenthadto propose was the alteration of part of the third clause , limiting its operation to a period of two years . That amendment would be in the ponBesBion of gentlemen to-morrow , and , therefore , he hoped the house oMhe biU . ea ? Hea r ) rO 0 eeB W " "" furt ^ r consideration Colonel SiBTHOBp was perfectly ready to come down at twelve o ' clock , or indeed at any hour , to nroeeed with the bill ; but be agreed with tbe ^ ttorney . elnoral of tt « late government in denouncing the vacillation of govern , ment , as exhibited by their abandoning a part of the bill .

    After a few words from Mr ST . O'CoNNEH , Mr Bbiqht hoped it would be borne in mind that on Monday night , when the government had so large a majonty in favour of the second reading of the bill , there 7 , ! , ? re , al"yi a h 0 U 8 e of special constables . ( 'Oh !') He believed that a majority 0 / the members qf the house - ( great oheering ) -had been employed in the conservation of the peace , and were really in a state of considerablealarm .. . ( Loud cries of No , no . ') He was verS glad to hear it was not so . At all events , irhon govern ment bad at Ae , r command so large a majority , v *» should the business of committees , and the ordiXv business of the house , be interfered ' with b ¦ V . 3 now proposed 1 Suoh a step would give encouragement to a small mummy te throw every obstacle ia the way S

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    the bill which the forms of tbe house admitted of . (« Oh . oh ! ' ) He would not sanction sush a course ; but still dUCtl Blight be the consequence . He hoped , therefore , the bill would not be hurriedly pushed thiough tho house especially when it was considered that the dlacug-. ione whfch haa token p lace had already changed tho opinions of many memb ers and even of Ministers them . '' MrVSmoS as an amendment , that the debato be adjourned to Monday next . ( 'No , no . ') He . had nodes ^ whatever to give any factious opposition . ( 'Oh , ohT It must ba admitted that government , thathouso , and the country , were under great excitement . { 'No , ! Vli why a little more time should be gives y _

    for tbe consideration of the bill was . that wien « wai brought forward on Friday they had bsfore them thii migbty ghost , this mighty bugbear of tne ChartUt meet ing , but they had succeeded in laying this ghost , Bna there wa » now no reason for this indecent haste : Mr Faqav seconded the amendment for postponing the bill till Monday , and proceeded , amidst constant in . terruption , to address tbehouse . It being now six o ' closk the Speakbe announced that , according to the standing order , the house must adjourn * The house adjourn « d accordingly , the effect of which is , that the further consideration of the bill stands as an order of the day , and will have to take it » chance with the other business on the paper .

    IFrom our Third Edition of lost week . ) HOUSE OF COMMONS . —FBIDAY , Araii 7 , THE NATIONAL PETITION . Mr H . Dbchvond : Seeing the honourable member for Nottingham in bit place , I beg-, to ask him what is the course meant to be pursued with regard to tke presents , tion of the petition on Monday next , of which he had given notice . I have seen in the public papers that it ban been a Question agitated at a meeting at which that honourable gentleman was pment—What should be done in caie of this house refusing to receive the petition then presented 1 I have read the petition myself , aad I believe there is not one human being in this houeo thai irould say 'No' to the reception of ft . ( Hear . ) There is no doubt that the petition will be received as a matter ef course ; and —( Cries of order . )

    Mr P . O'ConkoB . : In reply to the honourable gentleman , I beg to say that on Monday week last I gave notice that I would move a resolutioa , founded npon tbe principles in this petition , &s an ameadment npon tka order of the day for going into committee of suppl y on Monday next . I now find there is no supply for that night ; therefore ^ unless tbo noble lord a J tha head of tha government will be kind enough to allow me to bring it forward the first question on Monday , I cannot give tho honourable gentleman any answer as to the time when I shall be able to do to . The noble lord is aware that the petition is one of great impertance to some millions of the people ; and I OBk this from bira as 8 privilege , upoa tbe undertaking that I at least shall not detain the hou . ee long upon it . If the honourable member had not put the question tome , I should myself have aBked the noble lord for permission to brieg tbe measure forward a measure upon wbicb , as . a matter of course , there fs

    great excitement both in and out of this house . If the noble lord does not grant the indulgence I aok for , then I muet loek for another open night ; but on Monday I snail present tha petition . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord J . Russell : I should be very unwilling , sir , that a petition so numerously signed , as the honourable gen . tleman hns declared the petition he has to present will be , should not be received , and meet with every consideration from the bouse . I do not , however , think that government shonld give up Monday to the consideration of the petition . But considering the importance of a petitios presented by such numbers of the people , and that a petition bo signed ought to have early considers , t . on , I shall be ready , having at ths same time regard to public convenience , to consent that tbe hon gentleman shall bring on bis motion ob Friday nezt . [ Loud chaera . ] Mr F . O'Conkob—I am most thankful to the noble lord . [ Hear ]

    THE GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN FAYOUB OF THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . Mr Bright—I wish to put a question te the govern , ment with regard to the notice that has been published , touching the meeting proposed to bo held on Monday , I with to know whether it is intended to refer ^ to both , the meeting and the procession , or only to the procession . [ f the people may meet quietly it is one thing ; if they are permitted , er not permitted , to come through tbe streets ia immense numbers , it is a very different thieg . I think , then , there should be no misunderstanding , for if there be , there might probably be risk of collision and dUturtmnce , which every member of thi » honse would ba ansiouB to avoid .

    Sir G . Gsei : Sir , tho honourable gentleman aeks me if I understood him rightly , whether the meetiajj as convened to assemble on Xennington-Common , separate from , and independent of , the proposed pro * cession , would be illegal ! That would depend entirely up < m tbe circumstances under which tho meeting was held . ( Hear . ) If any meeting should be held , for whatever purpose , if it be accompanied with circumstances such ai I have before alluded to—circumstances ealcu . lated to inspire terror and alarm—ju 9 t terror and alarm —in the minds of her Majesty's loyal and peaceable sub . jects , then , I apprehend , it would be against the common law . ( Hear . ) But if the meeting is held , or is convened to be held , for tbe express purpose of framing out of it a procession for the purpose of proceeding , contrary to the statute law , to either house of Parliament , to accompany the presentation of a petition in excessive num . bers , then I also apprehend that a meeting identified witb the procession would come within the provisions of th « law . ( Hear , hear . )

    Lord S . Grosvenoe put a question to the tight hon . baronet respecting the meeting , not one word of which was audible in the gallery . Sir 6 . Gbev : All I know of the intended meeting on Eeunington-common is stated in the notices publlebtd throughout England , that such a meeting wss convened , take my knowledge from tho published announcements of the Chartists Association , signed by three gentlemen , oho of whom calls himself secretary , ' whleh have not baen disavowed by the hon , gentteman } opposite ( Mr P . O'Connor ) , who is considered one of the leaders of that association . In those announcements it is stated that tne object of the meeting is to marshal the paople for assembling In large numbers—to the number of 306 , 008 it bai been stated—and that physical fores may accompany the patitien to the door of the House of Commons .. Mr F . O'Conhob : I wish to 88 k the right hon . gentleman if he has received a deputation to-day from parties who have isBued a notice en the subject of tha meeting .

    Sir Q . Gbbt : I was very much engaged with public business this day when I received an intimation that three gentlemen , whostated themselves tobs a deputation from the National Convention , ' were at the Home-offioe . They saw the Under Secretary of State , in the presence of tha Attorney . General and Mr Hall . I was not present , I will read to the house the letter wbioh they addressed to me . ( Sir George here read the letter . ) Sir R . Inolib : I wish to ask tbe Secretary ef State for tha Home Department whether , through his under secretary , be has acknowledged a National Convention sitting in London . ( Ob , ob , and hear , hear . )

    Sir G . Gbet : I bave no Hesitation in answering iDy honourable friend . Tbe three gentlemen who went to the Home Office were not received or recognised as do * legates from the National Convention . I have received a note from the rTnder-Secretary , informing me that tb . 9 distinctly stated to them he could not receive tham la tbe capacity of delegates from the National Convention , ( Hear . ) Mr Wakley : I wish to » Bk a question . The meet . ing on Kennington Common has been publicly advertised during tho last month , I want to know , if it were known by tbe government that such a meeting and such a procession were illegal , why tha people had not information on the subject before this late period f

    Sir

    Mr W « mi , —The riffbt fioneuraWo baronet , in tha first part of his rapjy to my qae « tfon , Intimated that I had better knowledge upon this subjeot than he poa . eessed . I can state positively that I have attended no meetings whatever in relation to the petitlsn which la « o be presented to this house on Moaday I have ndt attended any public assembly regarding it , and I hsva had no dlreot communication wUh the persons callim * themnelves the National CoHvenUoa In «? Z to ft f derive my information from a public newspaper tha property of an honourable member ofthiahoBse i «* itfromnooth « r «« n . whatever . I oolsiS ttat K people are unjastly treated by being ta » SSIS ,-srrftrA = b !»~ :

    iissis iS ? iw < $ asadel « 6 at 8 , the Convention UlehU nonr Bitting . Thehon . gontletaan kn 9 5 Wen me credit for having some influence with thoss parties . I have had that much influence to show them they should not coma &wXj 3 sawatrjsai

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    MMafm —» ¦ i — i ^ nj ¦ ^~ Ahim . 15 , 184 V a THB NORTHERN STAi _ ' ~~ ~——» ¦ ¦ " ——

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 15, 1848, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1466/page/4/