"Mr. Bright proceeded at considerable length, with great force and eloquence, to refute the calumnies and fallacies of Mr. O'Connor, and to demonstrate the benefits which would accrue to all classes from the adoption of free-trade principles.
"The Chairman then took the sense of the meeting, when there appeared a decided majority in favour of the original resolution of Mr. Cobden—Mr. O'Connor came forward, and questioned the accuracy of the chairman's conclusion, and requested a division.—The Chairman replied that there could by no possibility be a doubt upon the subject. Notwithstanding the indecency of impugning the decision of & chairmen appointed by themselves, the chartists separated from the rest of the meeting, when their minority, had there been any previous doubt, became still more apparent.—Mr. Cobden moved, and Mr. Bright seconded, a vote of thanks to the chairman.-The Chairman briefly turned thanks, and declared the meeting dissolved; notwithstanding which, after the departure of the free-trade party, Mr. O'Connor remained and harangued the meeting.—Clarke, one of the colleagues of Mr. O'Connor, then proposed a vote of confidence in that gentleman, which, as a matter of course, was carried."
