Not so, Britons, not so! We must meet as in old Europe - old style - improved
by far in the south - for the redress of grievances inflicted on us,
not by crowned heads, but blockheads, aristocratical incapables,
who never did a day's work in their life. I hate the oppressor, let him wear
a red, blue, white, or black coat. - And here certainly, I tackled
in right earnest with our silver and gold lace on Ballaarat, and called on all
my fellow-diggers, irrespective of nationality, religion, and colour,
to salute the 'Southern Cross' as the refuge of all the oppressed
from all countries on earth. - The applause was universal, and accordingly
I received my full reward:
Prison and Chains! Old style.
Chapter XXX.
The Reform League, Grappling With The Right 'Stars'.
Monster Meeting continued: -
Proposed and seconded by blather reformers; of course, Vern had his go: -
"That this meeting being convinced that the obnoxious
licence-fee is an imposition and an unjustifiable tax
on free labour, pledges itself to take immediate steps
to abolish the same by at once burning all their licences;
that in the event of any party being arrested for having
no licence, that the united people will, under all
circumstances, defend and protect them."
"That this meeting will not feel bound to protect any
man after the 15th of December who shall not be a member
of the Reform League by that day."
The Rev.
