TOPICS OF THE DAY.
THE NEW REFORM MOVEMENT IN LONDON AND THE PROVINCES.
THE Westminster Liberals have taken their right position (will they keep it ?) at the heed of the movement for the second Reform Bill. The Crown and Anchor meeting was not only numerously attended, but it is safe to assert that a more intelligent and respectable body of citizens never assembled in that celebrated theatre of popular agitation. The meeting was unanimous : at least, the dissentients, if any there were, kept silence. All appa- rently agreed, that the declaration of Ministers against the mea- sures necessary for converting the present mockery of Parlia- mentary representation into a fruitful reality, called for a counter declaration on the part of earnest Reformers, and a distinct warn- ing to Ministers that the People can be deluded no longer into the support of a Government essentially Conservative under Reform colours. The most decided reprehension of the Ministerial treachery to the Reformers was the best received. In no instance slid the speakers go beyond the indignant feelings of the assembly they addressed : and assuredly Lord JOHN RUSSELL and his col- leagues were not spared either by Mr. HARVEY, Mr. ROEBUCK, or Mr. WARBURTON. There was no patting on the back ; no nonsense about the excellence of the Ministerial intentions ; no prospect of Whig reformation held out. The necessity of discard- ing all reliance on their late leaders, and depending solely upon their own exertions, was the lesson read to the meeting at the Crown and Anchor. and through it to the People of England. Mr. HARVEY displayed his well-known ability in addressing a popular audience. Not content with a sarcastic exposure of the policy, which has arrived at length at its natural result in a coa- lition of Whigs with Tories against the People at large, he strove to turn the enthusiasm of the meeting to practical account, by ex- horting them to form a National Association for the attainment of the political reforms they all declared to be necessary. Mr. WARBURTON declared himself a "Moderate Radical ;" de- sirous of obtaining the Ballot in the first instance. He dis- armed opposition by the distinct and manly style in which lie ex- plained his opinions, and the reasons for them. Mr. WARBURTON places Ballot first on the list, because he considers it as likely to be the first obtained, and the most effectual instrument for pro- curing other reforms. By this experienced and cautious Senator the people were assured, that in substance, if not in form, a coali- tion had taken place between Sir ROBERT PEEL and Lord JOHN RUSSELL. Ile also drew from some words that Lord MELBOURNE uttered in the House of Lords last week in deprecation of change, an inference that the Whig Leader in the Commous spoke for the whole Cabinet.
Mr. O'CoNsie Lt. attempted a diversion in favour of the Minis- ters. He went to the meeting, in fact, for that purpose; but, with the skill of a consummate pleader, gained the sympathy of his audience by professing to agree with them to the fullest extent— even to go beyond them—in reprobating the conduct of the Whigs, and advocating the necessity of popular self-reliance: then, and -only by occasional, and almost parenthetical touches, he insinuated the superiority of Whigs to Tories, and adverted to that portion of the Ministerial policy which would bear commendation. If this part of Mr. O'CoNNELL's speech be stripped of rhetorical drapery, it will be found that his reason for supporting an Anti- Popular Government in England, is the dread of exchanging seven old for seven young Tory Judges in Ireland. To guard against the occasional mischief which these Judges in prospect might commit, the factions of the Aristocracy are to be allowed the opportunity of cementing their alliance. Mr. RnEnticw's was the great speech of the day. If the late Member for Bath uses the opportunities which will not be want- ing for delivering many such speeches, the "Whigs and Tories who united to keep him out of the House of Commons will wish him back again. Mr. Roenucx's importance as a Radical leader de- pended not on his position as a Member of Parliament. His in- fluence in the country was not derived from the assembly he ad- dressed. It rested, and it remains secure, on the reputation which be established and upholds as a most able, an unflinching, and truly independent champion of popular rights wherever they exist, by whoinsoever they are attacked ; and on his uncompromising and ready advocaey of the claims of all men to the benefits of re- Preseniative government. The qualities which gained for him this reputation avert., not damaged by the loss of the Bath elec- tion; and they may perhaps be made as serviceable by use out of doors as within the walls of Parliament. No speech delivered this session by a Member of the Legislature can be compared, in point of clear logic, keen sarcasm, effective exposure of humbug, and of the meanness that lurks under a pretended zeal fur Re- form, w ith that of' Mr. ROEBUCK at the Crown and Anchor. Ile laid the Whig Ministers bare from neck to heel. He de- duced proof of systematic treachery from a series of facts, stated with utter disregard of the gloss with which dishonest politicians would cover them; and he carried the vast majority of the au- dience along with hint to the conclusion, that to support and up- hold the Whig plueetnen, was no longer a true Reformer's duty. There were no representatives of the working classes at this meeting; but a letter from the Working iVIen's Association was read by Mr. ROEBUCK, expressing general respect and mildew:* in the persons who were to tike the lead in the proceedings, but warning them that the only way to secure the necessary coopera- tion of the millions, was to cast aside selfish feelings, and not limit their exertion to the protection of the constituency alone,— in other words, with the Ballot to demand an extended suffrage. Mr. ROEBUCK laboured to lessen the jealousy with which the working men evidently regard the class of persons who com- posed the meeting; and drew a distinction between the trading Whig placemen, and persons called Whigs of Liberal opinions and extended views, sympathizing with the People. For the opi- nions of the latter—for their prejudices even, and conscientious fears on the subject of Suffrage-extension—he inculcated a tolerant and brotherly forbearance. A display of feeling highly creditable to the meeting, and im- portant as marking the progress of the public mind on the subject, was elicited by some remarks of Mr. LEADER on the coercion of Canada by the Whigs. Among the positive evils arising from the maintenance of the present Ministers in power, are the mea- sures which are driv ing Canada into rebellion. The Tories, under PEEL, never would have ventured to propose the resolutions which Load JOHN RUSSELL carried last session. Coming from Tories, they would have been fiercely denounced and systematically op- posed by the party Whigs, and would have caused alarm and in- dignation throughout the country. The meeting expressed their cordial sympathy with the oppressed Canadians, by vehement cheering. Even Mr. O'CostNELL was so much moved—recog- nizing the parallel of his own land and her Orangemen—as to pledge himself to interpose every obstacle the rules of Parliament would permit or suggest, to thwart—at any rate to retard—the Whig attack on the liberties of Canada. It is to be hoped that Mr. O'CONNELL will not consider that he redeems this pledge by a speech and a vote merely. He will redeem it when he brings to Mr. LEADER'S assistance the same powers, not of oratory alone, but of numbers at the division, which he lends to the Ministers on all critical questions.
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