THE REVOLT OF THE DIGGERS 47 



to discuss the burning question of the hour was so great that the 

 meeting had to be adjourned to the open air, and was held in 

 Swanston Street. The resolutions submitted deploring the resort 

 to arms, and urging all classes to unite in suppressing disorder, 

 were supported by J. P. Fawkner, John O'Shanassy, Henry Miller 

 and others, and though interrupted by much adverse criticism were 

 declared by the Mayor to be carried. The object of the meeting, 

 which had been convened to strengthen the hands of the Govern- 

 ment, was nullified by subsequent proceedings. For no sooner had 

 the Mayor given his ruling, and declared the meeting closed, than 

 the platform was rushed and a new set of orators, presided over by 

 Dr. Embling, proceeded to pass resolutions of a much more fiery 

 character. The speakers denounced the Government for having 

 wantonly provoked armed resistance ; they demanded the peremp- 

 tory dismissal of Foster, the Chief Secretary, to whose administrative 

 incapacity the recent deplorable massacres were said to be due, and 

 so forth. Finally, the meeting dispersed with tumultuous cheers for 

 the cause of the diggers. 



This was only a chance meeting, snatched out of the hands 

 of the law and order party. On the following day, Wednesday, 

 the 6th of December, they had a special gathering of their own, 

 summoned by advertisement and placard, and by the vehement 

 support of the Age, then just newly started to champion the cause 

 of the people against any Government. It was held on a vacant 

 block of land in Swanston Street, now covered by part of St. Paul's 

 Cathedral. Mr. Henry Langlands was chosen to preside, and the 

 chief speakers were David Blair, J. M. Grant, Dr. Embling and Dr. 

 Owens, of Bendigo. Mr. J. P. Fawkner was also on the platform, 

 but being for constitutional measures, this man, who had spent 

 half his life in defying authority, was accorded a very impatient 

 hearing. Between four and five thousand persons were present, 

 who cheered and shouted and jostled with excitement as each 

 speaker made his most telling points. David Blair was the real 

 firebrand, and with a rasping voice and much declamatory gesticu- 

 lation he denounced the brutal official excesses of a military 

 despotism that had driven an unwilling people to bloodshed be- 

 cause they had no alternative. Leaflets were profusely distributed 



