Cbs trountru.
Fifteen hundred Liberals of Worcester, principally belonging to the working classes, dined at the Guildhall, and in several inns of that town, on Monday. The recent display of the operative Conservatives in Worcester, and the assertion of the Tories that there had been a reac- tion in their favour, stimulated the Liberals to make this demonstration of their strength and the firmness of their attachment to Reform. Previously to the dinner there was a grand procession, through the prin- cipal streets, with banners and music. On toe banners were inscribed various mottoes, such as" Vote by Ballot," "Reform of the House of Lords," " Purity of Election," " Reaction ! " Mr. Arrowsmith, a mechanic, took the chair. The Liberal Members for the county, Mr. Robinson, Member for the town, and Colonel Davies, were among the gentlemen of the party. The Chairman delivered a sensible speech, from which the following is an xtract- "We are assembled to refute and contradict a report which has been circu- lated, that a reaction in favour of Toryism has taken place in the city of Wor- cester, and especially among the operatives. Never, probably, did the deep-laid stratagems and the determined efforts of any party meet with a more signal de- feat, or the falsehood of such a report, so industriously disseminated, recoil with greater force upon the heads of the originators, than on the present occasion; and never, probably, was there a period in the annals of political strife ainong contending partisans in this city in which the advocates of Reform principles had so favourable an opportunity of taking up and confrontinga challenge which their opponents were never so feebly prepared to support. A reaction ! Oh, 1 thank them for that word! How often has that cry resounded from the
camp of Toryism, and how often has it met with a tr'utripliaat refutation? And now that we are assembled for the purpose of defending out selves against the libel which has gone forth, let the weapons of our warfare be re t hard words, which we have no need of, and can well spare for those who have latterly in this city too often familiarized themselves with the coarest of the kind from the declaimer's vocabulary ; but let our weapons be hard argument, and in this telling ammunition and inflexible evidence we are not wanting. Here, it is plain and incontrovertible, and uccontradietory before us. If I am asked to produce it, fifteen hundred voices are ready to answer, and in a manner which cannot fail to be well understood, and must paralyze the strongest Conservative nerve. Here we are fully prepared for the contest whenever an opportunity arrives to place us in battle array."
Mr. Robinson detended his Parliamentary conduct, amidst cheers and disapprobation. The Liberals of Worcester are as much puzzled as other people to understand what their Member would be at. He professes great regard for purity of election, and is aware that Colonel Davies suffered for want of the Ballot at the last election ; but still he will not support the Ballot. The gallant Colonel, who smarts under the effect of Tory intimidation, promises to vote for the Ballot, should he regain his seat for Worcester.
Mr. Cookes, the Whig Member for the Eastern division of the county, delivered himself after this fashion on the subject of Peerage Reform— The cry was "Reform the Lords;" and though he could not see how a re- sponsible Chamber could go on with an irresponsible one. yet he could not per- ceive how the evil could be remedied. Ile recommended them to back their wishes by petitions, and the Lords must yield.
Wise man this Mr. Cookes—well quallfied to make laws for the go- vernment of the empire ! He sees legislation at a stand, and yet can- not conceive how the obstruction to it is to be removed. The people by and by will enlighten his darkness on this point.
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