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far as it has called forth this enthusiastic, this sincere, and, 

 indeed, cordial testimony of esteem and regard for him, from 

 all classes of society in this country. (Loud cheering.) Sir, 

 it is not our object in meeting here this day, to occupy our- 

 selves with any scrutiny of the motives, or to investigate the 

 conduct, of Mr. Atkinson's accusers. It is not my intention to 

 make any remarks that might increase the public excitement 

 on that subject; nor am I going to propose the adoption of 

 any language in the Address that might revive antipathy to any 

 individual. Much as we may lament the occurrence of any 

 inconsiderate act of any who presumed to impugn the conduct 

 of an upright magistrate, we do not seek on this occasion to 

 embitter feelings which have been called forth by unprovoked 

 and ungenerous hostility. The object of this meeting is not 

 vituperation, but congratulation. (Cheers.) We are assembled 

 to express our gratification in the victory which Mr. Atkinson 

 has gained, and to mark our approbation of his conduct. If 

 any indirect censure is conveyed, let it be applied by him whom 

 the cap fits, if such there be; and in his conscience let the 

 truth or justice of the censure be reflected on. The import- 

 ance and respectability of the Petty Sessions Court, and the 

 character of the magistrates, should be protected from unjust 

 aspersions, by every gentleman of education or influence. 

 (Hear, hear !) If any magistrate should act, on the bench, 

 from private objects, it would be a mischievous abuse of his 

 authority ; and surely, to attribute a private object to a magis- 

 trate, and to drag his name and conduct before the public, on 

 unfounded charges, calls for the public expression of the voice 

 of the community in protection of that magistrate from slander 

 and calumny. (Cheers.) The Petty Sessions Court of this 

 district has always been conducted with satisfaction to the 

 country at large. The magistrates who preside here, indivi- 

 dually and collectively, possess the confidence, and have merited 

 the good-will, of the people. There has not been one law here 

 for the rich, and another for the poor ; and any attempt to in- 

 troduce private influence into the decisions from the Bench has 

 been indignantly resisted. (Hear, hear !) If I might offer my 



