SEDITIOUS ASSEMBLAGES.
Many causes operated after the war in producing general distress among the poor, both in the agricultural and manufacturing districts. The agricultural population being more thinly scattered, and more passive by habit and education, bore their sufferings with exemplary patience; but the manufacturing labourers in the midland and northern districts, as well as in some parts of Scotland, exhibited a contrary spirit. Secret combinations and seditious assemblages became the order of the day in these parts; nor could all the efforts of parliament put down their factions. At this time a party, which had denominated themselves “Radical Reformers,” obtained much notice by their active exertions, and acquired much influence from the sedulity which they propagated the notion that such a reform of parliament, as would make its members true representatives of the people, would be the surest means of putting an end to present and future sufferings. One of the most notorious of the demagogues was Henry Hunt, a man whose only merit consisted in bold daring and mob oratory. The first step of this association was to apply to the Manchester magistrates to convoke a meeting for the alleged purpose of petitioning against the corn bill. This request was refused; and in consequence the meeting was held without authority. Hunt was the hero of the day; and it was not his fault that the assemblage dispersed without tumult. The example thus set by Manchester was followed by the reformers of Glasgow, Leeds, Stockport, and other places; and many were the dangerous doctrines broached by the orators. The strong measures of precaution, however, taken by the local authorities, in most instances, had the effect of preserving order and tranquillity; but it was feared that if these meetings were allowed still to be held, the inflammatory harangues of their orators would one day stir up the multitude to acts of mischief. Government, indeed, resolved to interfere. At a meeting held at Birmingham the reformers hazarded a bolder experiment than any before displayed. This was the election of a member to represent that great and populous town in the house of commons. Sir Charles Wolseley was put in nomination, and instantly chosen by show of hands. Soon after this Sir Charles attended a meeting at Stockport; and he was taken into custody on account of seditious expressions used at that meeting. Subsequently a meeting took place at Smithfield, when a man named Harrison was arrested for the same offence; and both were tried next year at the assizes, convicted, and sentenced to imprisonment. The officer by whom they were apprehended narrowly escaped assassination at Stockport; and government immediately adopted vigorous measures for the discovery of the offenders, and to put a stop to these seditious meetings. A proclamation was issued against them; but still the reformers were resolved to agitate. Those of Manchester being informed that a meeting they had given notice of, to be held for the purpose of proceeding to the election of a representative as at Birmingham, was illegal, relinquished it; but they held another for the avowedly legal object of petitioning for a reform in parliament. The estimated numbers present were 60,000; and among them were two bands of female reformers, under white silk banners. Hunt was again the lion of the day; but no sooner had he commenced speaking, than the commanding officer of a body of yeomanry, who advanced with drawn swords to the stage, took him into custody. Several other persons were also apprehended, and the yeomanry then aimed at the destruction of their banners. A scene of dreadful confusion arose; many persons were trampled under the feet of the horses, and some were cut down by sabres. A few were killed, while there were between three and four hundred wounded. In a short time the ground was cleared of the mob, and military patroles were stationed in the streets to preserve tranquillity. Hunt and his associates were, after a short examination, conducted to solitary cells, on a charge of high-treason. The next day notices were issued by the magistrates, declaring the practice of military training, alleged to have been carried on secretly for treasonable purposes, to be illegal; and government applauded all that had been done. But the public did not look upon the proceedings at Manchester with the same favourable eye as the cabinet. A meeting was held at the Crown and Anchor in London, at which a series of resolutions was adopted, strongly censuring the conduct of the magistrates and military, and returning thanks to Hunt and his colleagues. Meetings in a similar spirit were held at Smithfield and in the precincts of the palace-yard, Westminster; and at the latter an address to the prince regent, founded on resolutions conspicuous for their violence, was unanimously agreed to. Subscriptions were entered into, likewise, at all these meetings, and throughout the country, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of defending the prisoners. Government contemplated the trial of Hunt and his associates for high-treason; but the circumstances of the case were not sufficiently treasonable to warrant such a course; and the prisoners were told that they would be prosecuted for a conspiracy only. This was a bailable offence; but Hunt refused to give bail, resolved to be a martyr in the true sense of the word. Some of his friends, however, liberated him; and his return from Lancaster to Manchester had the appearance of a triumphal procession. He was the mob’s idol; and he was attended by thousands on horseback and on foot, who hailed him with loud shouts as the assertor of British freedom. His trial took place in the next year, at York, when he was sentenced to two years and a half’s imprisonment at Ilchester jail, and then to find security for good behaviour during five years. Three of his associates were also condemned to one year’s imprisonment in Lincoln Castle, and were likewise ordered to find sureties. Still faction prevailed. It requires an iron foot to put down a democratical spirit. Meetings were still held at Leeds, Glasgow, and other places; and the orators had the horrible details of the events at Manchester, Birmingham, and other places, wherewith to entertain their auditory. The sufferers at those places were compared to the Russells, Hampdens, and Sidneys of ancient times, and ensigns of mourning were established. The corporation of London even ventured to present an address to the regent, censuring the authorities; but the regent administered to them a forcible rebuke, as prejudging the matter without having had any opportunity of understanding it. In order to counteract the effects of these meetings, and the exertions of the regular opposition, or whig party, loyal addresses and offers to raise yeomanry corps were promoted by the friends of the administration. At the close of this year, indeed, parties became bitterly exasperated against each other; and as persons of property generally adhered to the ministerial side of the question, the lower orders began to entertain a deep-seated indignation against their superiors. But all this exhibition of feeling ended finally in happy results; it contributed greatly to the reform of our institutions. When the minds of men became sobered, the general wish was, as it ever will be in the breasts of true born Englishmen, to promote the general welfare. It cannot be denied that the artisans of our manufacturing districts had their grievances; but there is no state, however well ordered it may be, in which one class of persons are not called upon to suffer more than the others. But if one member suffers, it should always be remembered that every member suffers with it.