Meeting of the loyal citizens of Montreal at Place d'Armes

We had yesterday the gratifying and heartfelt pleasure of witnessing in this city one of the most loyal, numerous and respectable public meetings ever held in CANADA. The object is well known throughout the Province; and we have no doubt the event will be as memorable as, we hope, the result will be beneficial to everyone who may be interested in the design of those who, in the present conjuncture, had the forethought and good sense to call the meeting together. In the words of the Requisition - a requisition signed by nearly three thousand individuals - it was for the purpose of taking into consideration the measures it might be necessary to adopt, to maintain good order, the protection of life and property, and the connexion now happily existing between this Colony and United Kingdom, at present put in jeopardy by the machinations of a disorganizing and revolutionary faction in the Province, professedly bent on their destruction. The preservation of social order is the first law of nature, as well as of government; and they who are incapable of appreciating the value and importance - the inherent strength and solidity - of BRITISH institutions towards this great end, are unworthy of being ranked among BRITISH subjects or citizens. There are few, if indeed there be any, who witnessed the imposing and formidable spectacle of yesterday, who can hesitate for an instant in coming to the conclusion, that, throughout the whole breadth and death of the vast multitude assembled in the Place d'Armes, the institutions in question were well understood and duly appreciated. It was with the view of publicity discussing the best mode of preserving and perpetuating these institutions in this quarter of the Empire, that the loyal citizens of MONTREAL assembled together. They found it was time to do so; and that, if they longer submitted to be menaced by a revolutionary faction with a deprivation of the first and best inheritance of BRITISH subjects, without urging their protest against it, in a manner becoming their high and enviable rank among civilized nations, they would deserve all the shame and ignominy that could be heaped upon their dastard heads. So far the loyal citizens of MONTREAL have preserved their integrity; and discharged a duty as honourable to themselves as, we trust, it will be of lasting benefit to their country.

But, besides devising measures for their own safety and protection against the designs of their ennemies, the meeting of yesterday found it necessary to discharge another duty - a duty, we will venture to say, than which none can be more irksome and unpleasant to the feelings and temper of BRITISH subject. It seems to us, that, in almost every case of importance, the conduct of the BRITISH Government, in respect to this Province, has been of such a description as to excite the pity and contempt - the hatred and displeasure, of the loyal part of the inhabitants, rather than their approbation, respect and attachment. The present weak, and wretched, and vacillating Administration, in all their bearing towards LOWER CANADA, have been peculiarly unfortunate in bringing down upon themselves the just and unmitigated indignation of every individual in the province of BRITISH name and origin. They have spurned our claims for justice, and good and impartial Government. They have rejected all our petitions for a redress of real and undoubted grievances. Their different offices are full of these petitions; and we have reason to know that, to this hour, they are as ignorant of their contents, as if LOWER CANADA formed no portion of the BRITISH Empire. They have endeavoured, but in vain, to conciliate the adherence and good will of the greatest ennemies of BRITISH rule and BRITISH sovereignty in the Colonies; and have heaped office and emolument upon individuals of revolutionary principles, the business and object of whose lives were to bring the supremacy of ENGLAND into contempt in CANADA, and to burst asunder those bonds of filial and paternal affections which had bound us so long and so closely together. In order to screen their own imbecility and ignorance, they sent a Commission of inquiry amongst us, whose labours tended only to involve us in greater difficulties than before, and whose Report is a tissue of the most insane and childish nonsense that the human intellect has ever contrived to impose upon sane and sensible beings. They have given us an Executive Government, which is a disgrace to the name -- instructed, as it has been, to favour, conciliate, and aggrandize a clamorous and ambitious faction, that had no object, as it has since been fully and satisfactorily proved, but to win the path to station, and honour, by threatening to overturn the authority of the laws, and the supremacy of the Empire. But they have done more. They have permitted a whole session of the Imperial Parliament to expire, without daring -- we use the word advisedly -- to legislate radically and effectually for this Province, notwithstanding that they were well aware of the desperate situation of our affairs, and the urgency of our demands for a better order of things.

It is therefore, no wonder, if the speeches and Resolutions of yesterday were conceived in terms by no means complimentary to neither the present Administration, nor to the Executive Government of the Province. But in the annals of the civilized world, can we discover a people similarly situated? Totally abandoned by a Government, to whom we have sworn both fealty and obediance, we are obligated to defend ourselves against the civil incursions of a seditious and revolutionary faction; and to defend the peace, the good order of society, and the bond of connexion with the Mother Country, while the Government of that country presumes to look upon our efforts with indifference, and to slumber in unpardonable sloth and inactivity, while a great and important section of the Empire is torn to pieces by anarchy and distraction. It is only necessary to add, that such a state of things cannot be long endured; and that, whether we shall be able to work out our own salvation or not, as entitled to a better policy of Government, we have, as yet, but little gratitude to record towards either the present Ministry of the Executive Government of this unfortunate Province.

When we arrived at the Place d'Armes, the scene was no less cheering than imposing. In front stood the hustings, decorated with many emblems of ENGLAND's glory, and surmounted by a large piece of canvass, having the electrifying words "Our Country" painted upon it. On either side, from the hustings to the houses which form the extreme northwestern wings of the Place d'Armes, were suspended high in air flags of various descriptions, with the Union flag at certain intervals. Immediately after twelve o'clock, a great concourse of people began to pour into the square from every direction. The day was beautiful, and nothing could be more animating to the friends of loyalty and good government, than the alacrity with which each man took up his station on the place of meeting, and the enthusiastic cheering with which the crownd greeted the Wards as they successively wheeled into the square, with bands of music, pipers and flags and banners innumerable. The Quebec Ward was the first to march upon the ground; of whom many were on horseback; the leader bearing a magnificent Royal Standard. This Ward, as well as all the rest carried a great number of flags, having various mottoes and devices upon them. Among others, we observed the following: -- "Reform-not Revolution." "Britons die, but never surrender." "United we stand." On a white field there was an IRISH Harp, surmounted by a Crown, and Shamrocks in the corners, with the words "Erin ma Voureen," underneath. "Draw the Sword, Scotland!" "No Sinecures -- no Pluralities." "A hint to the Government -- No more Vacillation -- Be Firm! -- Be Just!" "A Reformed Council -- not an Elective one." "Our two grand objects -- Registry Offices, and the Abolition of Feudal Tenures." The St. Anne's and St. Antoine Wards were the next to march in to the place of rendezvous, in similar order and array -- led by a standard bearer, with the BRITISH and IRISH flags. The following are the mottoes which appeared on several of the smaller banners: -- "United we stand -- divided we fall." "The old Royals and the Gallant 32d -- Up Guards and at them." "The Land we live in." "Civil and Religious Liberty." "God and my right." "We demand the establishment of Registry Offices." The St. Lawrence and St. Louis Wards, were the last to appear upon the field, but in such numbers, and with such an imposing display, that it is impossible to do justice to the truly loyal and BRITISH bearing of these wards. In front, and preceding an excellent band playing the "British Grenadiers", appeared their leaders and chief men, on horseback, one of them carrying a Royal standard. On their flags we observed, among others, the following mottoes: -- "For God, our Queen and our country." "Our tow grand objects -- Registry Offices and the abolition of the Feudal Tenures." " Canada must not -- shall not be given away." "England expects every man to do his dity." "To be or not to be -- that is the question." "Our fair and youthful Queen -- who would not follow thee!" "The British Empire, upon which the sun never sets -- Canada is part of it -- Huzza!" "Remember the dreadful and fatal effects of rebellion -- rapine, famine and murder." "The British Constitution, and no other." "O'Connol's cry -- the Queen and old Ireland!" "The peace and happiness of the people is the object of our meeting." "Erin go bragh." "Faugh a ballach." "Unshackle British enterprise, then Lower Canada will prosper." "The British Constitution must be kept inviolate at the expense of our lives and property." "Equal rights to all men."

At nearly one o'clock, the meeting was organized, SAMUEL GERRARD, Esq. seconded by GEORGE AULDJO, Esq. proposed the Hon. Mr. M'Gill as Chairman of the meeting which being carried by acclamation, Mr. M'GILL came forward and explained the object of the meeting in nearly the following terms:

Speech of Mr. M'Gill, Chairman of the meeting

Fellow Citizens and Friends, -- Though I am fully conscious of my inability and unfitness, it would be an affectation of diffidence which I do not feel, and a piece of hypocrisy foreign to my nature, if I hesitated a moment in accepting the call which has just been made by my friends near me, to preside over your deliberations and conclusions on this highly interesting, imposing and important occasion -- the more especially, when that call has been so unanimously, and enthusiastically approved of by yourselves.

Montreal Gazette,
October 24

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Speech of Adam Thom, esq., on the third resolution

Montreal Gazette,
October 28

Notes and Comments

The royalist faction had a different strategy than the patriotic one. Whereas the patriots invited all British subjects in the colony to join the Canadien majority in their political struggles, in a spirit of justice for all, the royalists stimulated the national prejudice of the English, Scottish and Irish immigrants against the "French". It is sad that their immoral strategy ultimately triumphed...