22 DECEMBER 1838, Page 8

SCOTLAND.

The entertainment to Mr. Craig by his late constituents in the First Municipal District of Glasgow, took place on the 13th, and seems to have been a well-managed and spirited affair. About three hundred electors supped in the Trades Hall, and several excellent speeches were delivered. From some of these we extract passages which will be found worthy of a perusal.

Mr. Craig declared his'stanch adherence to the principles of Reform he had always professed. If there was any difference in his feelings on the subject, it consisted in " a greater ardour, and more extensive desire that the country should receive the benefits of what is called the Reform Act "— " We have merely had the shell of that act ; we have not received, as yet, the kernel—we have experienced few of the benefits we anticipated when the act was passed. The great agitation which at present pervades the face of society in this country, evidences the fact I now assert, and at the same time conveys to all men in high places the ardent desire that exists, throughout the length and breadth of the land, for on extension of the suffrage—an exten- sion of the suffrage as the only means by which industry can have any place in the legislation of the country—the only means by which we will be'able to put down the surreptitious practices by n7hich the 'Aries have vitiated• and, to a great extent, destroyed the working of the Reform Act. It is a fortunate circumstance in this c try that we have constitutional outlets of opinion, by which the humblest individual can make his voice be heard in high places ; and it is quite clear that this voice is raising isself in acceuts of thunder, and demanding Reformers at the hands of the Legislature. Certainly it is right that these ardent Reformers should avail themselves not only of every constitutional means, but that they should endeavour to avoid every thing that can be con- sidered improper or imprudent, in seeking those privileges which are their in- herent birthright. But a large portion of the people of this country, I mean the masses, deserve our greatest sympathy at the present moment ; for they have derived little or no benefit from the passing of the Reform Act. It is true that they may sometimes express themselves in language which you might be disposed to blame—pm who are at ease in your homes, and in your business, and who have every thing comfortable for your children and tionilies : it is possible, I say, that some of the expressions made use of by them, in demand- ing an extension of the suffrage for their order, may be rash and importunate;

but when you consider the great embarrassments of a large portion of the people of this country—when you think of the monopoly of the Corn-bill, the

monopolies in favour (if the sugar-grower and the timber-merchant, and all the other monopolies that affect us—and at the same time, when you consider that all the officers of the state, every thing great and good in the gift of the Crown, is disposed of for a privileged class, many of whom have overwhelming for- tunes of their own, so that they are often at a loss what new thing to get to- morrow to destroy the ennui created be the luxury of to-day,—when you recol-

lect all this, it is not wonderful that their complaints are sometimes heard in

tones that the ear of the affluent is not accustomed to. But 1 hold, gentlemen, that ere long labour will and must lie represented; and I trust it will he the

resolve of this meeting, by every prudent and constitutional means, to endea- vour to get for the unrepresented that privilege which their great knowledge and talents have displayed to the country they so richly deserve. It would not be fair on my part to detain you much longer on this point ; but I cannot close my observations without earnestly and urgently recommending this to your consideration. For myself', I will lend my best endeavours to procure for that class the privilege which, by their splendid and magnificent efforts they helped

me to obtain. I know we'll the high-minded emotions which heave many a bosom among the working classes; I know the high claims they have on the

consideration of the country ; and I trust that, with the assistance of Divine Providence, and your right arms and bold hearts, they will before long be placed within the pale of the franchise."

Mr. thistle, in proposing " Triennial Parliaments, 'Vote by Ballot, and Household Suffrage," referred to Lord Durham's reiteration of his attachment to those principles since his return from Canada-

" That nobleman had not been received by the Ministry with that cordiality which he deserved ; but he trusted this would only stimulate him to more activity in the cause of the People, and to devote his great talents to the advancement of those three great measures with which his name stood con- nected."

" Lord Durham, and the Liberal Members of the House of Peers" was one of the toasts ; but Mr. Alexander Graham, to whom the toast was intrusted, omitted Lord Durham's name, and simply gave " The Liberal Members of the House of Peers," in a flat speech.

" Lord Brougham and National Education," called forth some remarks from Mr. 31"1'ear on the intellectual improvement of the people, and a eulogy on Lord Brougham as the great advocate of national education— "Whether we view Lord Brougham as a man of talent generally—as a literary and scientific character, as a lawyer, a statesman, an orator, or a phi- lanthiopist—he appears to be one of the most extraordinary, one of the most gifted individuals that has ever figured as an instrument in the hand of Pro- vidence in directing the destinies of our country. Possessed of natural talents of the highest order—of a mind cultivated and improved by the best education,

and habitually trained by the severest study, lie has attained that commanding eminence among the senators and orators of this country, which has so often excited the wonder of the first assembqes in the world ; flashing conviction into the minds ut' his opponents—at times even compelling the almost im- moveable Wellington to yield to the resistless power ot his eloquence. When we consider, Sir, that the vast and commanding, powers of Lord Brougham's

mitt have, with very few exceptions, (exceptions, hoverer, which have been

the subject of regret even to his most ardent admirers,) been employed in pro-

moting the liberties, and in 'berating the condition of his fellow-men-

e Lea we anticipate the triumphs which, we trust, lie will yet be the instru- ment of achieving in the Liberal can-c, I run sure you will cordially join with me in e ishing that his life may lie loll spared, with increasing honour to him- self and benefit to his country."

Mr. Weir delivered an instructive and interesting speech on the state of Europe in the feudal ages ; on the circumstances which led to the partition of Poland. by a violation of international law ; and on the means of restoring Polish independence. He also adverted to the troubled state of affairs at home and abroad, and to the hope that in Lord Durham might be found a statesman able to restore confidence and pros- perity by carrying out the principles of popular Government.

The (nise of Poland," said Mr. Weir, " is the cause of nations, of man. The restoration of her national character ought to be the aspiration of every freeman. But how is it to be worked out ? By the Poles. So long as half a dozen Poles retain the sense of their nationality, and the resolution not to abandon tie hope of their restoration, so long does the mysterious animating principle of a nation (that without which its formal existence is but life in death) survive; and while it survives there is hope. The Poles must work out their own reeationalization ; no others can do it for them. The aid they moist Ink for is not the aid of military supplies. The foreign nation which strikes down the tyranny of another has ever done it only to take its place. TI c aid which the tree citizens of be free states of Europe can give, though • powerful, is not that of arms. It is the aid which the merchants of London gave to Queen Elizabeth when threatened by the Spanish Armada. The mer- chant: of Genoa were treating with the Spanish Monarch, but the intimation of the London merchaats that they must choose between his friendship and theirs at once hike off the treaty. This infloence is stronger, more widely spread, more deeply rooted now. Europe, though parcelled out into free independent nations, is in reality one great political system. The people of Europe are formed in one cried, moral aid religious ; their intellects are trained in one scientific system ; th i • laws, sprung from a common si urce, developed under similar circumstances, are at bottom the same. Their commercial interests, despite the paltry tinkt ing l Itislation of things called et itesmen, ire one, and arc daily beta m:ng more ins, p raliy intertw7n d. The merchaLts of Liverpool, of Bourdeatut, of Hamburg, feel a common citizenship. As Europeans, we are brothers, in whatever district of that peat nation we may live. It is to the growing intelligence and power of this united European people that we must look for the restoration of Poland, and with it the final recognition mod esta- blishment of just international law."

The democratic principle must regulate the relations of states with each other, as well as of citizens with each other-

" The working of this power is not by war and violence. Wars are the de- vices of despots to keep their subjects from attending to their ow a interests.

Pacific relations among all countries are the interest of the citizen. This is

popular foreign policy : it has its source in the same principle—to he tiwarous and healthy, it must emanate Irmo a popular domestic policy. The es:;thlish-

meta of home freedom, the preservation of foreign authority. can only rest

upon the basis of a people knowing its rights and asserting thein. The substi- tution of calm reason and argument, for senseless blows, is alike indispensable

to the maintenance of the citizens and the nation's prosperity. con-

siderations are deeply important at this moment. Look at home—look i.broad- everywhere the horizon is overcast. Disalketion and turbulence in our streets and fields—war lowering upon every frontier. There never was a time w hen a

fearless and prompt assertion of rational principles was more unequivocally called for. Peace and the ascendancy of the popular will over every dry conven-

tional figment must be asserted. There is one statesman amour II, to It hunt

many eves are turned—not with absolute certainty of confidence, gut with cadent lope. Within this city, ourselves have heard hint broadly recognize the

principle of popular government—the necessity of uncompromising hostility to all forms which are Mere blinds for screening jugglers, who act for the feW. While pretending to act for the many. We have hearth hint, in a glowing culo-

glum on the pacific missions of Dr. Bowring, identify himself with peace-policy,

and unrestricted interchange of commodities among all nations." " What way be the views of this statesman," continued the speaker, " it is not fur me to con- jecture, but von can tell whether or not I speak your sentiments when I say that, if Lora Durhatn—(Cheers)—feel within hint that irresistible and brave ambition, which prompts a man to take the lead when common spirits shrink back appalled from the danger, to the citizens of Glasgow he nutty look Mr ardent and persevering support. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) We will out deny that clouds have passed between him and us since 16:14 ; butt out this VC will not dwell. We will look onl to definitely avowed principles, and it bold struggle to assert them in the future. We are no man-worshippers. Who will have our confidence, must earn it by deeds. Our adherence to lum is conditional—it is to hills, if' he be the realizer of the feelings and principles he uttered in Glasgow Green and in the banqueting-hall. If Lord Durham be in- deed the man for the crisis, lie will bow how to estimate the cautious and lark- &Aden, spirit which, by calculating probabilities, and seeking to imam assurance Sure, yin's warrant that it is no momentaryflash." (Cheers.)