16 DECEMBER 1837, Page 9

Ube elountrn.

A very numerous meeting of the inhabitants of Sunderland, to peti. Con for the Ballot, was held on Friday last. It was summoned by the 11layor, in pursuance of a requisition signed by 535 persons, most of whom were electors. A model of Mr. Grote's Ballot-box was ex- hibited, and its simple machinery explained, much to the satisfaction of the meeting. The resolution originally proposed embraced the Ballot only ; but an amendment, coupling with it a demand for Household Suffrage, was carried by a large majority.

On Monday week, the Radicals of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, at a meeting in the Town-hall, with the Alayor in the chair, passed resolu- tions in favour of Universal Suffrage, Annual Parliaments, and the Ballot.

At a meeting of the working men of Gateshead, on Wednesday week, resolutions were passed against the Poor-law, and in favour of " Universal Suffrage, Short Parliaments, no Property Qualification, and lastly the Ballot." It was also resolved-

" That uorking men ought to attend on all publie occasions to prevent the attempt to effect the secret voting by Ballot, until each man, whose labour contributes to the existence of society, shall have a voice in choosing the lawmakers, who legislate, not only for property, but also over the life, liberty, and industry of the whole community." The Northern Political Union is to be reorganized.

The inhabitants of Berwick-upon-Tweed, summoned by the Mayor in pursuance of a requisition, will assemble on an early day to petition for the Ballot.

The Political Union of' Stroud, having taken into consideration tile address of the Birmingham Political Union relative to Lord John Russell's qualification as a representative of his present constituents, passed a resolution declaring his Lordship an unfit person to represent the borough of Stroud in Parliament.

The Merthyr Chronicle announces that a Ballot meeting is about to be held in Merthyr.

The Town-Council of Lincoln, on the 8th instant, passed a series Of resolutions, and agreed to a petition in favour of the Ballot. Mr. O'Connell arrived in Birmingham on Thursday, on his way to

Ireland. Although unexpected, a vast assemblage' of persons was speedily collected in the Town-hall ; where Mr. O'Connell Was easily prevailed upon to meet them Mr. Scholefield took the chair. The Reverend T. Mactiontrell moved a vote of thanks to Mr. O'Connell "for his powerful and indefatigalde advocacy of the rights of all man- kind." Mr. O'Connell then came forward, and received a true Bir- mingham welcome. He spoke at great length, on the usual topics, but with even more than his usual skill. Agitation and combination were the burden of his speech, with warnings against the admission of the Tories to power. The San of last night, which reports the proceed- ings on a large scale, states, that when Mr. O'Connell concluded, " Messrs. Hadley, Salt, and Munn, severally addressed the meeting, com- plaining of the declaration made on the first night of the session by Lord Joha Itte•sell, against all further reform. Theyentirely coincided with Mr. O'Connell as to the necessity of agitating throughout the country, but expressed their belief that nothing was to he hoped from the present Ministry ; and that it was impossible that they could much longer remain in office, in consequence of the very general want of confidence which they had themselves created."

Mr. O'Connell rose to say a few words " in explanation"— . He deprecated the speech of Lord John Russell against further reform as strongly as any man could do, and be was not there to propose any vote of con- fidence in the present Administration ; on the contrary, be wished the People, by their union and determination, to force the Ministry to go forward in the work of reform ; and this, he felt confident, they might easily do. He bad not said the Whig Ministry was a gond one—on the contrary, he had said it was a bad one—hut he insisted that the Tories were worse. Whenever, by the organization and firmness of the People, they were prepared to put in and main- tain a better Administration than the present, he would say, with all his heart, Turn them out ; but until that time arrived, he warned them not to risk the return of the Tories to power, who would again let loose the Orange murderer in II.land."

The vote of thanks to Mr. O'Connell was carried by acclamation. Three cheers were given for the Agitator; who immediately proceeded on his journey.