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"That this meeting will not feel bound to protect any man after the 15th of December who shall not be a member of the Reform League by that day."
The Rev. Mr. Downing proposed as an amendment, that the licences should not be burned. Although the rev. gentleman was heard with patience and respect, a sullen excitement pervaded the whole assemblage while he spoke. Those even of his most devoted followers were of the opinion that his sentiments did not accord with the spirit of the times, and the result was that the rev. gentleman's amendment fell to the ground.
Here must not be forgotten a peculiar colonial habit. There was on the platform a sly-grog seller, who plied with the black-bottle all the folks there, and the day was very hot, the sun was almost burning.
XXXI.
SI CESSI IL PIANTO, L' IRA SI GUSTI.
LO SCHIAVO CHE VUOL FINIR LE SUE PENE,
VENDETTA GRIDANDO AL DIO DE GIUSTI,
DEVE SCHIANTAR LE PROPRIE CATENE.
CUORE! SI VADA, VEDASI, SI VINCA. (bis.)
In spite of all that, however, Timothy Hayes, the chairman—who by-the-bye, discharged the duties of the chair in that vast assemblage, with ability and tact, spoke like a man, as follows:—
"Gentlemen, many a time I have seen large public meetings pass resolutions with as much earnestness and unanimity as you show this day; and yet, when the time came to test the sincerity, and prove the determination necessary for carrying out those resolutions, it was found then that 'the spirit, indeed, is willing, but the flesh is weak.' Now, then, before I put this resolution from the chair, let me point out to you the responsibility it will lay upon you (hear, hear). And so I feel bound to ask you, gentlemen, to speak out your mind. Should any member of the League be dragged to the lock-up for not having the licence, will a thousand of you volunteer to liberate the man?"
"Yes! Yes!"
"Will two thousand of you come forward?"
"Yes! Yes! Yes!"
