Page 20 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

well as love him (cheers). I could have wished, that instead of
that pillar, erected by the contributions of a few, it had been
made a national undertaking (cheers). Why not have called for a
national tribute to the memory of Hampden? I could wish,
instead of that stone pillar had been reared, which should
pierce' the skies. cheers and laughter) There have been
sentiments expressed here in which I do not agree (hear); it
has been said, we want no Hampdens now, the Queen is the mother
of her country, and a happy country it is! -but look at the
hundreds outside, many of whom have not a crust to eat (cries
of "oh," and laughter), and tell me is the Queen the mother of
her country, while her people are not fed (confusion). I have
only to say, that I wish for more Hampdens and that my country
may be more happy (cheers).

Speech by Mr Tancred MP for Banbury

The chairman rose and said-Gentlemen, we have been favoured
today with the company of more than one member of the Commons'
House of Parliament; let me give a toast, not less important
than the freedom of the press-let me give ''Mr Tancred, member
for Banbury, and the liberal and patriotic members of the House
of Parliament; and may the people of this country never want a
fair and enlightened representation." Drank with enthusiasm.
..Mr. Tancred-My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen -Surrounded as I
am by a band of my own warm-hearted constituents from Banbury
(cheers) I am peculiarly happy on rising to reply to the toast
you have now given. In meeting upon an occasion such as this,
our emulation is aroused by hearing of such struggles as were
made in days gone by for the cause of liberty and truth
(cheers). In Banbury we warm ourselves by the reflection that
we live on the confines of Edgehill (cheers), and we came here
today to inflame our zeal if that were necessary for the same
glorious cause (cheers). There is no man present that will not
agree with Dr. Johnson, that one of the greatest pleasures the
mind of man could enjoy was to walk amid scenes which had been
rendered classic ground by the page of history (the opening of
the door at this period prevented our catching the exact words
of the quotation); in scenes in which the liberties of the
country had been contended for by Hampden and his fellow
patriots, Oxfordshire was rich : from hills near Banbury we
look down upon the field of Moreton and Cropredy Bridge
witnessed the contending armies in bloody fight, and Chalgrove
field is classic and sacred ground (cheers). Gentlemen, I can
appeal to you that we have met upon a field consecrated by
everything noble (cheers), we have not come here to witness an
idle ceremony (cries of "no", and cheers). We have come to
record our gratitude for the labours and to catch the spirit of
that noble minded man (cheers). Hampden was a man of large
income; he was taxed for the cause of unjust principles in the
sum of 31s 6d; this he refused to pay, and for doing so he laid
aside his ease and comfort, and lost his life in battle