Mr. O'Connell dined at Rochester on Monday, with the Radicals
of that town, Chatham, and Stroud. He was escorted into the city by a procession of several thousands, consisting principally of the work- ing inhabitants of the three places, with many Whigs from Stroud and and Chatham ; the Rochester Whigs declining to join with the Radi- cals on this occasion, from some local pique. They announced their i
intention, however, to invite Mr. O'Connell to join in their dinner to Messrs. Bernal and Hodges, which is soon to be given.
Mr. O'Connell addressed the assembly, which by that time was in- creased to about 15,000, in art open space on the Military Road. He was very eloquent on the usual topics ; laying especial weight on the necessity of "supporting the Liberal Government." The following passage, relating to a reform of the House of Peers, was much cheered.
" I have a word to say to you respecting the Bishops and the House of Lords. As to the former, I shall only observe that I wish that they would give up legis- lation, and mini( their own trade as far as the People are concerned, they make bitter had legislators. Was there ever an occasion of the majority of the of the Bishops found voting in favour of the People? For every Gagging Bill and Coercion Bill they are ready to vote, but they arc ever opposed to measures having for their object the freedom of the human race. Why then should they be continued in Parliament ? I see no reason for it. Now a word for the Lords. I ask you, can you be free if 120 irresponsible men have power to put a stop to all good measures? Peel told me the other night that the Peers were responsible to God. What is the use of that to man ? When we go to be judged by our God, man loses all hold upon us: there is no responsibility for us upon this side of the grave, and as to the other side, their Lordships may settle that as they please, for it is of no use to us whether they are rewarded or punished there. I will give you an instance what these Lords have done. f here was a bill introduced to make coal cheap. Had it passed, you men of .."). Rochester would have had your coals at a very low price indeed : but it did not pass, for Lord Londonderry had an interest in having coals dear, and there- fore It was rejected. Then, as to Ireland, it is now evident there is no hope forgoes.' legislation while the Lords continue in their present state. There is but one remedy : the People of England, Ireland, and Scotland must combine to make their voices heard at Windsor, and that voice must exclaim, Create a sufficient number of Peers to Reform the House of Lords!' Englishmen, you are sieves so long as the House of Lords continue irresponsible as at pre- sent. Why should these men trample upon our liberties ? Are they better than us in any respect? No. I will take ten mechanics, and I will be sur- prised if they do not prove their equals in information and natural ability of any ten Peers amongst them. Go into any part of the country, and in any assembly of the People you will find a more intelligent and better-looking set of fellows than the House of Lords. Will you, then, consent to be slaves; or will you insist upon the reform of the House of Lords? You have already re- formed the House of Commons; but in doing so you have only got through one-half, and certainly the smallest half, of your job. The Commons may pass, and would pass, good bills, but what is the use of that when they are sure to be thrown out by the House of Lords? I say, then, you Reformers of every class, stand by the Whig Government and oppose the Tories. Your own fate is in your hands. You will be slaves as long as the Lords are tyrants, and they will be tyrants as long as ysu will let them." The dinner took place under a tent in the court-yard of the Bull Inn ; about three hundred persons formed the party, over whom Mr. T. Bentley presided. After the loyal toasts, Mr. O'Connell's health was -drunk ; and the great Agitator delivered another speech, full of invec- tive against the Tory party and the Peers, and of incitement to resist them. In allusion to the rejection of the Irish Corporation Reform Bill, and other good measures by the Lords, he said— "The Government of this great island are at a complete stand-still. Is not this the common-sense view of your situation ? And will you Englishmen bear this state of things? I tell you, your ancestors would not have borne it. I tell you, that when kings attempted to trample upon the liberties of your ancestors, they nobly vindicated them. And I tell you, moreover, that if you will not follow their noble example, they should rise in their shrouds front the neigh- bouring churchyards, and reproach you with your degeneracy. The present is a question of tyranny or slavery. If the House of Lords is to remain in its pre- sent posit ion, what better are you than slaves? NV hat is slavery ? Subjection to irresponsible power, and the commands of a mister. Englishmen, you never yet owned a master—will you now ? You are de inferiors of no nation under the sun. In science, literature, and arts, whosare your superiors? In manu- facturing industry and in commerce who stands before you? For upwards of a thousand years your ' nwteor flag' has flourished above the battle and the breeze. It was not at the battle of Waterloo that British valour was first made known. No; at Cressy, at Poictiers, and at Agincourt, the bravery of British soldiers was nobly evinced ; and with such recollections of your great glory, and with the knowledge you must have of the power you can bring into play, is it to be said that you must submit to the domination of a Winchilsea, a London- derry, or a Newcastle ? It is these Lords and their fellows that have brought the Government of the country to a stand-still : it is these Lords and their fellows who have rejected every good and humane measure sent up to them during the past session: it is these Lords and their fellows that would sever from the connexion one great limb of the British empire : will you bear the continuance of such a domination ? 1 answer for you, never."
Mr. Twisden Hodges, M.P., and Mr. Bentley also spoke briefly in the course of the evening.
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