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^n 'sinal €orr*&w>K&*tt*s. . , = wtcpnai <Z*tx2$$tirasznte
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TO HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF CAN
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
^N 'Sinal €Orr*&W≫K&*Tt*S. . , = Wtcpnai ≪Z*Tx2$$Tirasznte
^ n ' sinal € orr * &w > K& * tt * s . . , = wtcpnai < Z * tx 2 $$ tirasznte
A >* OTHEB Y 1 CTIM AT LARGE . TO THB EDITO 3 OF THE KOBTHEJU ? STAB . > It deasSib , —It-trill be pleasing to your readers jjjd e ? friends in Bath , to know that I aw onre more ^ J&rze , breathing the frte air . I was liberated from jester Castle on Saturday lal I « , E 0 ^ ta ^ " isJ ar , of in Bgricn . tur&l population , where Chartism bas 20 : jet penetrated , though it be the place of my access ? - . But the fact is , that the comfort of the bally , and not the culture of the mind , is the object of espedsl regard here . There are some few intelligent Ben here , who Beeni to be inclined to embrace our Canons prinapks . Eat tis state of the genera , mini here illustrates , I think , the necessity of estanUstung societiesfor the diffusion of ~~ ANOTHER YICTIM AT LARfffi !
i »~ , sound knowledge jjtor ^ the agricultural population throughout England Sestbnd . and Wales . Till this be done , till the mist j jporance and prejudice be dispelled , we must not ifcini about adopting what the late General Contention c&tA ulterior mea&ures . Having been in Ilchester Cjstle nine months , 1 am ignorant of the position in tfcicfl tbe good cause stands . The first papers I hare Bad since my liberation are the northern Liberator jod tout admirable Northern Star , in both of which I fad some very gratifying intelligence . The kind and p&trbuc reception which the released victims of Whig petsecnuoa hare met with , reflects great credit on the people , asd showed their good sense and generous feelir * . Let me hope , however , that the respect of the people for tie victims , among whom 1 rank myself Till sot be carried too far ; that principles will not
be abandoned ; nor general sympathy degenerate into uao-trorahip . First principles must be kept constantly i , -new ; and the mope they are impressed on the mind tie better , since they are the political compass by urfcich we should be guided in our ciscusdoaa&ncl plans of operation . Your admirable article ( the leader ) en-¦ Sfied "The WetMy Disp&ch and the Bepeal of tie Union , " 1 read with great interest ; aa I did , also , the ¦ article in the Northern Liberator , concerning' cruelties practised on the poor in the B&th Union . I iopemylrispdsinBafii win cause an investigation to be made respecting the mailer ; and at the tame time that they will show publicly their abhorrence of the aecursed enactment I hope to be with them in a few dsj-s , when I shall embrace the opportunity of stating a few wholesome facts to them touching the damnable Poor Law , and the mean conduct of the Whigs towards me while confined in Hchestei Castle .
It is w 5 tb pleasure that I inform you that the men of YearH have established a Chartist SOCietjlhsre , and intend to hold a meeting to-morrow night , which I am invited to attend . I shall do so . I am now recruiting lay strength , in order that I may be better prepared for the ensuing campaign . My Whig persecutors will £ ni that imprisonment has not intimidated me , and that lj Each nieass , I am not to be prevented -from acting Kcording to my honest convictions . 1 did net take open me the advocacy of the Charter from childish modTes , nor do I consider the cause in the light of a
bread and cheese question . It amply compensates me ferdl that 1 hare undergone , to find ttiat the cause is progressing , and that the men of this part are awakentag to a s = nse of duty . Teovil is a spirited town , but 1 deal of ignorance and political animosity exist sEoag an ciasses ia the town . I will endeavour by daliTadag a few lectures there to root out that ignoaEoe and political animosity . On Wednesday , I intend todeliver a lecture here on teetotalism , as I have been mviied to do so hy a few of my friends , with whom I us . now staying .
It may not be amias to inform you that the orchards took extremely well . The apple trees break down under ± sr hardens . I am told teat there was never a better mm . I hare ezpsxL&u&i & great benefit from & change I air , scenery , and diet . I shall soon be enabled to anewmy exertions in the good cause . I hear that it a the intention of -some « f my Chartist Mends in Bath , j » establish there a stamped paper entitled the Water * Ssr . Success to ik It would do incalculable good . n * Northern Star is not approTed by the magistrates iho visit nchestei Castie , a true sign of its being a bBgerons paper . Ton understand me . These magis ate a » sueh nincompoops that they would disgrace
fee office of pariah constable . They threatened to put 17 young friend , "Charlea Bolwell , -who is confined in a the aforesaid Caatle far conspiracy , upon bread and TBier , aad in solitary confinement . Such is cLaraeantic of the men who administer the laws , of th « aen whom God is called upon to endow with grace tc Ofleute jnscee and to maintain truth , and who notwithstanding take great pleasure in sending pooj shearing men to prison for killing game . It is shockag to reflect on the nnmber of poor fellows , who , foi s > doing , ara committed to prison by ow humanityoring , parson-magisnatsa , who are the greatest nnmialLs in the world .
I shall send you a report of the YeovH meeting . I rriie now in haste . I remain , yoora truly , O . JL BaBIlett . Somerton , September 2 sth , 1 S 40 .
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H " ^ 10 THE CHARTJ 8 T 3 IN GENERAL . l ^ fHEBS , —During the struggle which we have ¦^^ Bakiag far onr rights and liberties , great and K ?*« ul ¦ arriflfiM liaT © been made , and many haTe r * ealls apon a po * r and helpless people for pecu-¦ 2 * ¦^ W ^ es , to carry on a warfare against tyranny K ?^ S w « Lon . To the everlasting honour of the ¦ E * be it said , that although suffering almost utter ¦^•¦ SoBi an appeal has nerer been made for assis . K ^^ hkh hai not been speedily and nobly res ¦ " 7 ** ta > , ^* *» ft present moment there are many calls upon the ¦ 2 ? fJ ^^ "olenw , and it is with fcelhigs of relue-«^ l that the Chartats of Trowbridge , in Wiltshire , ¦ g / to their brethren is other parts for assistance K 3 fwe people of Trowbridge ) haTe ever been fore-K ?» contribute in any way likely to promot * the K 7 * the eaoae ti Chartism . They Best a delegate ¦ l l *«« r » ention ; and not only raised monies to pro-- MJT ^^ defence « -nri pecuniary aid for file -victims -: Bh ^? ' ^ their own neighbourhood , but hare tor-^ K ^ cratiderible sums to other parts in aid of the ^¦^ J ^ " tnd-oppressed . Driren from every place of ^¦^^ J ? their enemies , they , to secure themselves , - SBnS « 1 * f fcattdiag in "which to assemble , and ^ M ^^ S ^ o&b truths , at the cost of £ 250 , and ^¦ Lr ! 1 they mad e an outlay » f about £ 15 u more . ^ jomea in seaoiag a delegate to the late meeting
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^^ e ^ , and hare doa 9 tHeir duty throughout the i ^ w ^^ asssjs j ^^ sasa ^ s ^^ BB £ ii ^ ^^^^ ! noSrlt ^ atS ' 16 " ***«* lt « ^ * «^ ^ r ™ , -rrr ^ taTuQ uu iwuaaLytkT oatthe . ""I" * M « ars . Boberts . Pott * * n * rv- *
> , ? * ^ ^ WtotioM ^ ich the people of Trow-I bndge have made to the various fradThaw for the i present , quite impoverished them ; and thly ^ Se aTS ^ Sni Z ™ ^ . ^ ^ ved brethren ^ homay ssri ^ Biss aa ^ sjjjs s ? % ^ i ^^ n ^ ri ss . 'sssisssi ss-jsrsrw i Mortimer-street , Trowbridge . woore , of . , ! -Sff ' A ^ S ^^ SKfiSK iU ^ iTBKS . 'KS SffiTK
( Signed ) Jamts Marcuant , John Pouter , Jambs Kite . ¦ William Harhis . Joseph Knowles , Secretary , JOH . N 3 JOOB . E . Treasurer , 34 , Mortimer-Btreet
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A VOIGE FROM THE DUNGEON . The following letter has been received by his friends in Barasky , fro m WILLIAM ASHTON , Ills attachment to the principles of XTuth : — ! "Waiefleld , 18 th Sept , 1840 . "pEAlt Friends , —Once more I have the pleasure of addressing you . But before I say anything about i your letter , I must refer to another subject , for ! " The heart has tendrils like the vine , ' " Which round another ' s bosom twine . I " Y © n will readily understand I am alluding to TOY I poor wife , who , I learn from you , has arrived in j Barosley , and I am very glad to hear that she is in good health . A . h , my friends , when you speak of the difficulties with which I had to contend last winter when hunted by the bloodhounds , you little imwine
j tne troubles that she had to endure , and the torturing ; anxiety I feel on her account Many times I saw the I team glisten in her eyes , and the muscles of her face : contracted to repress them ; yet she did not murmur ¦ or repme , even when our situation was truly harrassing She endeavoured to make me believe she was contented ; so long as I was at liberty . When we left Paris , we \ had only nineteen francs , in a strange country , with-• out a friend in the land that wa knew of , except ; Patrick Quinn , and I had not seen him for upwards of sixteen years . But I ieard ho lived at Rouen . We S travelled from Paris to Rouen , one hondred miles , in j the cursed diligence , without spending anything . On : arriving in Rouen I took a bed in the Hotel de ' Midi . : We had breakfast , tea , and lodgings " for one night , ; which took thirteen out of the nineteen franca . I
tarted in search of Quinn , and , after a diligent inquiry , : learned that he was engineer on board of the Zlbevjien steam-packet ; and , as all our hopes dejended-upon him , we Piartod to nnd ths steamer , a-bich 1 tad learned puea between Rouen and Elbenf . We walked up and down the Boakvards in the dirtcaon of Hbenf for several hours after dark , looking up ie river Seine , with dreadful anxiety , at every glimmering light that appeared , fondly hoping it might be the Zfbertfien . Bnt we were doomed to disappointment , and- we crawled with heavy hearts to our lodgings . The next day and nignt was spent equally as wretched . With hope deferred , and with all our economy , our situation had now become distressing in the extreme . The following day we found Quinn , who was glad to see us , but unfortunately , from various causes , was totally unable to assist us .
" Now , if you can judge of our situation one hundred miles from the sea , and that sea separating us from onr-own country , without a penny , and as I may add -witaout a friend , for sympathy w& 3 ail we eould expect from mm at that time . We remained three weeks , endeavouring to obtain . employmentbnt withont effect , during which time it would be utterly impossible to give you an idea of our sufferings . At last I deternuced to return to England , when the hut of her clothes were parted with to enable us to return ; nil that we had now wiB gone . We started for Havre de Grace , expecting to get an immediate passage to London ; -we arrived there on the Friday and had to stop until the following Wednesday , -whereas the packet ought to have sailed on the Saturday . This was a crael disaptbe
pointment ; on- Sunday we werepennyless , and what to do 1 did not know ; we looked at each other , but God knows I was afraid to speak to her onourcondition , and , bo doubt , she was the sa : ne , the look was sufficient , it expressed more fully than words could do our deadful situation . On tie Monday , I went out on the quay and sold a shirt Jot fivefnncs . then 1 was left w : th nothing but what was on my bsck and she was in a simifer condition . On the Wednesday morning , we started for London , and were two days and a night on our passage , during which time we nevt ? r broke our fasts , not having a- penny to purchase any thing with ; and -when the anchor was dropped opposite to St Catharine's Sia , we were 200 yards from land , without the means of paying for a boat to take us ashore . However , < I S 1 ' ^ 1
aner some time , we managed to get on land once more ; here oar troubles ended , in some measure , until I determined to came into Yorksidre , and she can tell you What Were my hopes . We parted , 8 he in tears , &ut my soul was occupied with other thoughts , for altbanght 1 might love like Mark Anthony , yet I would never allow her ( like Anthony did Cleopatra 1 to keep me from performing that which I considered necessary and important to be done . Thus has she returned to Bamsley without a home ; twice have the monsters there caused oui home to be drstreyed , and for what ? Bnt , hold , I have not done with them yet . Ton siy , the men of Barnsley will do anything to relieve my miserable condition . Let them , if they can . Yes , 1 shall be quite happy , at lest ; ¦ ' '
a , as luppy as I can be here , when I know that she is comfortable ; give my love to her , and tell her I shall be impatient next Friday until I sea her : tell her , also , to bring William with her . ? ? It is the second part of your letter which takes my attention . Would to G » d that I could make you sensible of the pleasure I felt when 1 read your account of the new system of organisation , adopted at the delegate meeting at Manchester ; although I must regret that some , for whom I cannot but entertain esteem , do not approve of again petitioning . This I consider extremely inconsiderate on their part . What ! because we have adopted an undigested and unmatured plan , are we to . refuse our hearty co-eperation to a better ? Thi 3 will net do . To obtain the object of our solicitude , we must prove to the world that it is not private interest , but universal happiness we are struggling for . We . must shew ourselves superior to all
mean party feelings , and bury in oblivion all invidious distinctions ; and let us invoke tha spirits of the illustrio-as dead to invigorate our souls , and animate na to glorious actions . Lst us k&ep constantly in view their magnanimous deeds , and we ahull find our souls enlarged ; which will cause us to feel and act like men . To stand in sullen apathy ia criminal ; and to shrink and tremble , is . to have our hopes blasted , and to be completely annihilated . However , this I do not apprehend . 1 tcow me men too well to impute apathy to them . But division is equally sa 4 ; particularly if it partakes of an envious or malicious nature . Look at the unfortanate disputes which originated in the arrogant pretensions of 3 > ouglaa and a fuw others at Birmingham . Let us all be prompted by a lofty and ambitious desire to remove the afflictions under which we labour , and take advantage of every means that offers to accomplish it .
Loot at the stratagems adopted by the enemy to perperuate- our thraldom . They have resorted to every artifice to accomplish their ends ; then why should we cavil , more particularly seeing that petitiening and meetings for that purpose is the only way left . But , again , let us remember the ignorant state of some parts of the country arising from a bad system of education , both theologically and politically . These prejudices must t > e removed . How is this to be accomplished but by instructions ? The missionaries , who swarm over the most beautiful islands of Xew Africa and America , are well aware of the advantage resulting from diligent and persevering instructions . Their extensive herds of cattle , flocks . of sheep , beautiful horses , pleasant homes , and large cultivated fields , all done by the
poor savages , as they are pleased to call them , speak to their very souls ; thus , whilst these men are Christianising , they are making the poor creatures their domestic slaves , and I see by the Church Missionary Report that the humane and pious Bishop ef Australia , in his report of ilia visit to New Zealand , says that the candidates for Christianity do not perform sufficient labours . But why do I mention the above ? Only to shew what is to be done by instruction . What has caused the votaries of Juggernaut to prostrate themselves under the wheels of the idol ' s ponderous ear , where they meet with instant death ? Only a belief that it is the infallible Tncmnq of obtaining eternal happiness ; and the Bame with the Indian women , who joyfully mount the funeral pile to be burnt with the bodies
of their dead husbands . This is all the effects of profound ignorance . Is it not the same in England ? Do not hundreds ef thousands adhere to their foolish ideas through nothing- but perfect ignorance . Remove this and a brighter day will immediately dawn ; U do which 1 cannot conceive a better plan than the one you explain , namely , that of the Manchester delegates . It is tree it may at first appear tedious , but it will prove otherwise , for being kid on a good foundation , the work will progress so much the farter , and those who have been so very sanguine will learn in future to moderate their feelings , amongst which number I place myself . You are desirous , y ^ u say , of knowing what I bave done since I have been here . I pronged yeu the correspondence , but this I cannot send , bnt I will give you an account . On the
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loth of April , I addressed & letter to the Secretary of biato , stating my situation here , and declaring it to be worse than the French Bastile , adding that the horrors of the cage , ro much spoken of as having existed in tl-at p . ace , dwindled into nothing in torture compared wuh this . To this letter I did not receive any answer , although I au \ confident it was sent On the loth of August , 1 sent a petition to the same quarter praying to be removed to York Castle , draw ' ing his Lordship ' s attention to my letter of the 10 th of April , besides Btating other facts . This petition I sent to Lord Wharncliffe , requesting his Lordship to present it , backed by his inflaence . I immediately received a letter from Wharncliffe , saying that he would present the petition , but that he could . Slat 0 ' Wmy situation here , and decbrinsit tJ be
not xn any way interfere in recommending any alteration in my condition , adding those words—seeing that I had again deliberately placed myself in the situation , in spile of the Unity shewn to me on a former occasion ; and as I bid made mention of his son , J . S . Wortley , in my letter to him , saying that I had been informed that his son had , by the persuasion of my implacable en M * * . been induced t « use hiB influence with the Judge in obtaining us a severe sentence . His Lordship said in reply that he did not believe bis son had done se , observing that the Judge would not consult counsel about sentence ; but that he would undoubtedly consult those capable of speaking to our characters , and that I must be aware such inquiries could not but tend to my disadvantage . This is the substance of his letter . I immediately wrote in answer calling his Lordship ' s attention to the perfidious
conduct of the Barnsley manufacturers on that occasion and showing the part that his Lordship took in the affair , and how treacherously I had been deceived , not only by others , but by hia Lordship himseir . * But it u useless m * fep « &ng all 1 said , as you , and every hodyelsein Barnsley , must rtmember every circumstance of that period . In the conclusion of my letter , I requested him , if he bad not presented my petition , not te do bo , but either to destroy or return it , feeling conscious , from his letter , that he would do all he could against me ; and my ltttera to him were not of a tontilialory kind . Pour days after , I received an answer , acknowledging my letter , merely saying that he had forwarded my petition to the Marquis of Normanby . Immediately on receiving it , on the 28 th of last month , I received Nonnanby ' s answer , to the following effect , addressed to Wharnditfu : —
" ' I am directed by the Marquis of Normanby to acknowledge the receipt of the petition of William Asbton , accompanied by your Lordship ' s letter , and 1 am directed to inform your Lordship that his Lordship does not consider toe petitioner a fit subject to recommend to her Majesty ' s merciful consideration , * ' ( Signed ) Phillips , " "The above isasneur as possible what was ( according ? 0 my niemery ) stated in reply , so that you will perceive , if he would not recommend my petition , he took care to write a letter to send with the petition , informing , no doubt , the Secretary of 8 tateof my dreadfnl character , and probably giving an outline of the statements drawn up by me , showing the atrocious plans into which the desperate people of Barnsley had entered last summer , in order to burn the town , and destroy the good and lamb-like magistrates . Don't laugh , it is a fact Such statements -were laid before the Judge , and they were the productions of the prolific brains of ?
M , assisted by his base emissary , Oliver . And , would you believe it , that their undying rancour could not rest satisfied until they had sent an account of my desperate character to this place , adding that the people of Barnsley bad been almost ungovernable since my return . This is fact , upon which you may rely . They had the cruel malignity to go into every particular of my private character , where they imagined it might tend to mj disadvantage . Good God ! and such men call themselves gentlemen , and you say Oliver is walking about as thoush nothing was wrong . Neither is there ; it u only in keeping with the system , and t ) ie corrupt state of society ; but I did think that there was some vestige of virtue yet remaining , and that a perjurer would be loathed and detested by every individual having any pretensions to even common decency . But it appears perjury is a sure steppin 5-stoneto wealth . H I live , I will make every child in Baraaley point the finger of scorn at such wretches .
" 0 ! Barnsley , thy viper , or mighty wise Solon , Who lives on the essence of siglis and deep groans , Wrung from industry , and by usury stolen , From widows and orphans their bricks and their stones ; in voices of voe through the Welkin were sounding , Ami a-w-fni thunder from hr > aven rebounding , With soul-thrilling of earthquakes astounding , Of stones , bricks , and mortar , in death he would moan , With undying malice , and satanic powers , This grey-headed viper , his coffers to fill , By perjury's aid , has embittered the hours ^ Of numberless victims to his sordid will . Now , quick beats lay heart with thrUling ' emotion - Maw of La Vendee , I feel thy devotion : Tossed up and down , like a ship on the ocean
I havo long been a victim to this tyrant ' s skill But 1 view tne vile reptile with sovereign contempt , As . through unboundtd space in fancy I roam , And the soul-piercing ctias which , by orphans , are sent Te eternal justice , remain for his doom ; When his lor . xhsome carcase lays mouldering to dust , Ana hj orprsst victims his memory curst Then tho loud fiendish laugh from demon * shall burst To mock his souls wailing with infernal glaom . ' " Till then , or perhaps some earlier period , 1 leave Oliver and the grey-headed viper . You recommend me to petition for better living , and to have the privilege of writing to , and seeing my friends oftener . I atu confident it is useless to do so . As to food 1 am of I > r . Johnson ' s opinion , that a man may live a number of years on what will supply a sufficiency of blood
without adding flesh ; and as I have a good flow of annual spirit * . I imagine I can « xUt eighteen months longeron the present allowance . Again , I imagine I am as well as Crabtree or Hoey , both of whom have htwi a pint of milk a day allowed them nearly ever since they came in , besides other indulgences . It is true I am much reduced in body , hut what of that ? I have reduced huge and wild buffalo bulls in Van Dieman ' s land by a similar process , yet after being allowed their liberty and food , they have gained their usual appearance . But what a contrast from that imprisonment to this . Then , for hours together , flying as it were belter skelter over mountains and glens , sometimes in full chase of a herd of wild cattle , at others chased by an infuriated wild bull , depending for life on the horse . There was something then truly romantic in my life . Now a dull inanimate statue bent over a bit of wool or oakum .
" Give ray respects to George White , of Leeds j he his a good and sincere Chartist , for whom I entertain the greatest respect I wish to be remembered to the Rev . William Hill ; I have received various acts of kindness from him , more particularly previous to Hiy going to France . Inform him that I am very gla < that the Star keeps up in circulation . Give my love to all relations and friends , expecting to 860 801116 of you on Friday next . " I remain , yours , sincerely , " William Ashion . "
Asfcten here alludes to the turn-out for wages by the weavers of Barnsley in 1829 and 1830 , for which he was transported to Van Dieman ' s Land for fourteen years , when , at the expiration of eight years , by the kind interference of the people of Barnsley , by petition he was liberated .
To His Grace The Archbishop Of Can
TO HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF CAN
TERBTJRY , WITH £ 19 , 182 PER ANNUM . My Loed , —While reading " The Order of the Holy Communion , " i saw the following words , which are said to have been written by the wisest man that ever breathed the breath of life : — " He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord , and that which he hath given will he pay him again . "—Prov . xbc 17 . My Lord , as there are many poor in the class deputation , new created prisons ; as there are many more on their way to the same places , in consequence of a reduction { within the last month ) having taken place in our wages ; and as there is Htt ! e or no pity manifested towards the poor in the said prisons , I hope you will give me the gratification in reading this my only pinch ing-want taught address to vou .
My Lord , this day I have been in company with one of the fair sex , I mean those whom Ged created for man ' s happiness and helpmeets ; those whom Paul , an anti-Malthusian , wills to be ' married , bear children , and guide the house . " not to b * confined in cotton lords' rattle-boxes fourteen and fifteen hours in the day , at half-starvation and after-reduced wages . " Gmide the house r Yes 1 not to leave their little ones at heme by themselves , to be burned to death , or otherwise , and all the while their mothers to be dropping their Godcreated breast milk on the factory floor .
My Lord , the lass of whom I am now writing is so beautiful in her person , moral in character , and engaging in manners , that 1 swore she was worthy of ray Lord ' s admiration , and that had she been my wife , neither priest , parson , bishop , no ! nor all the Devil-kings ' created officers put together , should ever have separated us . When I think of her personal advantages , I cannot help but think of " Black-eye'd Sue , " that " Sailor Bill" used to sing about ; and yet , my Lord , this beautiful , this morally-engaging , this God ' s-created nature ' s ornament , and this man ' s source of earthly bliss , is stuck in a middle-class-created and bishop ' s-voted-for damnable hell-hole , clerically-anticipated Sodom-house , and MaUhus ' s-expecteu Onan ' s Ben , and in one month ' s time has to be separated from her loyal ( not royal ) companion in life , whom the parson once swore , that " "what God had joined together , let no man put asunder . "
But , my Lord , things are very much altered for the worse , " since my old hat was new ; " for our classcreated law-makers , class-created law-executors , elassmanufactttred parsons and priests , with aU the train of our class-created , humbugging , anti-constitntional constitution , have manufactured unavoidable poverty into . & nineteenth-century crime . My Lord , there was once a man , who said , " there was nothing new under the sun ; " but , my Lord , I am really at a loss to find anything hi the olden time equal to cur day .
ily I > ord , this pretty , good girl , once a church-going and & Sanday-school-goiiig girl , is fed in the following manner : —Three meala in a day : flrsi , breakfast ; thin
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grael , with a tuarter of a j | d . oat cake ; dinners for three days a week , a few .-stinted potatoes , with one ounce of Moses ' s curse , or bacon , with a quarter of a to- oat cake ; three days per week , stewed potatoes , and sometimes they hunt , li ke pigs , for flesh , but find none . Would to God , my Lord , wa had the "flesb pots of ± tfj-pt , " in our anti-christian Christian land . Oneday per week , Sunday , a stew , with potatoes , though not of toe Dest ; the supper is the same as the breakfast . Their bedding 13 very bad : five handsfnl ef stow in an old t > ea , for five persons to rest upon—ono handful each . __ - — — ——¦ M £ rw WMW WaUUAUL «^> V ) U » ( toe * Iv « ! " "i'Vll ? fL °$ J ^ f jJ 1 " * " ?
I T , ? ar 3 On or priest come 8 " »*<» tt * house * "d there s&ould happen to be a good fire in the grate , the parson , pnest , or Gods ( I should say devil ' s ) messenger , will b ^ jin a grumbling , ana finding fault with the governor . Children ara already separated from their parents , and , through bad usage , are dying very fast , till there has been seven d < ad children all at one time on the " death board . " I Lad like to have forgot to state to you , that unk-83 there be an alteration for the better , they , the nineteenth-century poverty felons , will hate to lie by sevens and eights in a bed , in the coming winter , in order to keep themselves warm .
My Lord , on Monday next , that is . to-morrow , this poor , but pretty , good girl will have to appear before a parson-magistrate for boiling a little coffee , that a friend outside this Onan ' s Den gave to her . My Lord , sometimes these Buckling women get a little of the York 3 hiremau's belly wash , or sour buttermilk , to feed their clerical-pinched bellies with . . My Lord , when we so to church , the man in the tub , who talks to God in white , but speaks to man in black , ( very emblematical of his character ) tells us to " submit ourselves to our superiors , else we must go to hell ; " but , my Lord , I am just going to prove to you that be who ploughs , bows , reaps , spins , and does all the work necessary for social happiness , has got no superior in the person of a class-created drone , but thai such drone ought to be made to work , or not eat You know , my Lord , you give me the Bible as the Word of God , forme to read and follow ; and if I go by that book you say I shall do right
Well , my Lord , I will go to work next week , and try to prove it to your satisfaetion . „ , Peteb . Rigbv . Chorley , October 2 . 1840 .
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THE HORRIBLE " SILENT SYSTEM . " TO THE EDITOR OF THE KORTHEBN STAB . Sib , —From what I have stated in my last , it will be easily imagined that I must have suffered much , by being placed in the situation which I have there described , added to the fact that , previous to my imprisonment , I was compelled to wear more clothing than usual ; namely , a flannel shirt , an inside waistcoat , and a heavy top-coat Judge you , then , what must have been my feelings . Seated in a large shed the windows open in all directions , on a cold snowy day , ( as you all know was the cose on tho 24 th March last , ) with no other covering than the rags I have before described , my legs tare from the knees downward , and a pair or broken old clogs on my naked feet 1 turned very ill , and was seived with an extreme trembling , my teeth rattling together in such a manner , that I had not the slightest controul over them .
In a little time we were again called on and taken into . a small room , which they call the office , and each received a jacket ,-with a number on its my number was 338 . The Governor being present , I requested him to send for the surgeon , as I was extremely ill , and told him I felt as though I could not live a day if something was not speedily done ; he replied , " you look very ill my man , very ill indeed ; I expect the surgeon here this evening , and shall Bend for you when he comes . " The surgeon did not come that day , and I was forced to endure more suffering than has ever fallen to my lot
before in the same period of time . Next day the surgeon came ; I told him my complaint , referred him to & certificate I had brought with me from a respectable Burgeon of Leeds , and requested him , in the most persuasive language I could use , to remove me to a warmer place for a few weeks , until I had gained a little strength ; he told me he had not Been my certificate , and that if he had , he should take no notice of it ; that he had no power to remove me te any other part of the prison : " although , " he added , " 1 admit it is extremely cold , but that ia intended ta a part of your punishment ! " I protested against such treatment , and
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told him that'I- considered my life endangered by it , but was ordered to my seat I then asv ^ ed if I might be allowed t « get my flannel shirt ; this ho consented to , and gave orders to that effect to one o \ theofficera , but although the place swarms with various descriptions of officers , and that I applied to tbOiii a-clczan times at least , yet it was four days before I got it . Now , Mr . Editor , whatever other people mi y be inclined to think of this treatment , I call it an attempt to deprive me of life ; and tho fast that other prisoners are treated as bad , does hot alter the matter , hut rather tends to aggravate it I considered life dangered it ,
On the following Monday , I was ordered to the treadmill * and was placed amongat a gang ; or division , as they call it , for that purpose ; I objected to it on account of ill health , and also stated that I was not sentenced to the treadmill . I was told that I must go , and that the Doctor u-a » the only person who could exonerate me . 1 was then marched out of the room with the others , and taken to the first division ; the place allotted to this gang of men is the cleanest ami best ventilated part of the treadmill , and to it are all visitors brought , whilst tho second , third , and fourth , are carefully excluded from notice . We were placed in separate sheet-iron boxes , like horses in a manger ; those boxes so contrived a * to hinder the prisoners from either seeing or speaking to each other j the
sheetiron waa so contrived that it camo in a slanting direction over the wheel , so as to compel the unfortunate prisoners to step with the points of their clogs ^ and consequently adds to the torture . We were ordered to climb up , and When we had taken our places , were about twelve feet from the floor y tho wheel was then set in motion , and went at much the same speed as the pendulum of a clock ; at each step we had to lift about six pouuds weight , and continue it for thirty minutes , at the end of which there was a rest of ten minutes . I was obliged to keep on this inhuman instrument of torture for tho first thirty minutes , because I dare not lenp down , lest I ., should injure-myself , as I was troubled with a' t ! ange , rous swelling ; I therefore remained in dreadful agouy from weakness and fatigue ,
and when the half hour was up . a stool was placed in the iron box where I was placed , which enabled me to descend . When tho teti minutes Vest had . expired , the poor brute , who acted as spy for that division , ordered me to get up again ; I told him that I would not get on that mill until I had recovered my health ; he thereupon commenced a tirade of abuse , telliug me that lie would compel me , or else punish me severely , I replied that this treadmill -was a punishment calculated to deprive me of life , in the present state of my health ; that if they wanted to kill me , they must not think that I would consent to kill myself ; I was then ordered to the iness < r <* oin , until I should have undergone the Doctor ' s inspection ; as I am rather hurried just now 1 shall conclude , and continue my subject nest
week . I remain , Mr . Editor , With every feeling of respect , Faithfully yours , George White . Kilnunnock , October , 1840 . P . S . The cause is getting on gloriously in Scotland ; tbe people are every where alive to their true interests I never witnessed a more noble feeling of enthusiasm in some ,-and " cooVdetermination in others . They are establishing their own chapels and churches ; if the people of England will do tho same , our cause is triumphant God speed the Charter ! G . W .
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sir , —in the Star of the 3 rd instant , a paragraph was inserted , beaded Leicester , and purporting to bo an account of the dispute respecting the disposal of half-a-crown In a comb shop , near the West Bridge , and reproaching the parties with want of principle . I have made every necessary inquiry into the circumstances connected with the transaction , and find , as I expected , that it was ' much ado about nothing . " A great portion of the workmen in the shop are Chartists , or well affected to Chartism ; their subscriptiona for local and general purposes are always forthcoming , and notwithstanding the depressed state of their trade , distress never solicits , or poverty pleads in vain to their feelings .
The half-crown in question was connected with the sale of an article , and the whole of the mighty matter was , that there was a difference of opinion respecting its disposition . The individual who furnished tbe paragraph complained of is well fcnown to the workmen , and they would bo glad to know what he has ever contributed to the support of the Charter , or the principles of Chartism , and advise him to taka the beam out of his own eye , before he meddles with the mote in theirs . A Workman . Leicester , 12 th October . 1840 .
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THE "NORTHERN STAR" AND ITS NOTTINGHAM READERS . TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Nottingham , Oct . 13 , 1840 . SIR , —At a meeting of the working classes , held in the Chapel , Rice-place , Barkergate , Nottingham , Oct . the 12 th , the following resolutions was unanimously passed : — " Tlmt the thanks of this meeting are due and are hereby given to the Rev . Willum Hill , Editor of the Northern Slur , for his manly talent and uncompromising advocacy of the cause of the working classes , notwithstanding the determined opposition he baa mot with from a most powerful , unprincipled , wealthv , and formidable phalanx , consisting of our most lovely Queen and her spouse ; the Mbmbers of both Houses of Parliament , with a very few exceptions ; the Judges ,
Barristers , Attorneys , Magistrates , and most of the learned profession ; nearly the whole of the Press in tho country ; besides WWg 3 , Tories , sham-Radicals , sham-Chartists ; the Army , the Police , and the whole constabulary ; with a host of spies and traitors ; not brgettim ? those pious gontlemun—the parsons t » f all denominations , as well as the ignorant of our own class ; and lastly , those crawling , cringing , sneaking , hireling miscreants ( which too often aro to be found amongst our own class ) , the bounty brigade . " " That this meeting will not feel satisfied , unless these resolutions be insetted in tho Northern Star of this week . Ami that this meeting ia of opinion that it is the duty of the readers of the aforenamed glorious luminary in every town and village , where they reside , to eo and do likewise . "
Therefore , Sir , by your insertion of the above you will much oblige your Sincere friend and well wisher , Thos . Stanford , Secretary . ( Signed by order of the Couucil of the Nottingham Charter Association . ) 21 , Bromley-street , Nottingham . [ We sincerely thank our Nottingham friends for this frank expression of their good opinion . Our aim is to do what we can for thecauseof right . We have onr difficulties and our enemies to contend with ; but , with the support of the people , which we have yet had , and shall still endeavour to deserve , we fear neither enemies nor difficulties : we are invincible . We desire only that our connexion with the people may be one of a character to enable us successfully to combat their enemies . —Ed . ]
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PILGRIMAGE TO O'CONNOR . " Normanby , how thy tinsel pagents shrink From thee ! if in another station born , Scarce fit to be the slave of him thou mak ' st to mourn . " Childe Harold ' s Pilgrimage . Having walked on & pilgrimage from Alslaby to the dungeon shrine of our patriot martyr , O'Connor , with the intent of paying him that respect which is dne to him from every lover of liberty , and of receiving from him freshening impulses of devotion for the cause , I am enabled to make a few remarks on the subject of his imprisonment
When I entered York I was struck with the unthinking and inconsiderate bustle of the citizens , -who were following their worldly avocations in support of themselves , or rather , of the system , without reflecting , or seeming to reflect , on the lot of their best friend , imprisoned in the midst of them . No doubt many of those individuals , though pursuing their slavish occupations at liberty , were suffering even greater injustice than O'Connor is ; but they are blinded , or degraded , or have become " callous , save to crime . " and never
once atnve either to better themselves or others politically , and without this , they cannot be bettered personally . Bad Government has subdued their " nature to this lowness , " and triumphs at it , insolently exulting over the noble-minded patriots and philanthropists who , like O'Connor , lament the fallen condition of the people , and seek to elevate them—who not only teach them their rights , but shew them how to assert them , though , by so doing , they bring the concentrated wrath of Government and its weak supporters upon their own heads .
The seed thus sown does not all fall among thoms n « r in stony places ; some of it falls in good ground , and in York itsslf there are a body of staunch Chartists , few but faithful , and surely , though slowly , increasing These often think of O'Connor ; his spirit is among them at all their meetings , and they never see his dungeon walls bnt they feel as men ought to feel , who know who it is that is suffering there , and why he is a sufferer there . O'Connor is tbeir " glory and their shame . " On asking permission to visit the noble victim , the Governor of the Castle told me , testily , that if he were to let in every one that came see him , he would have to keep a man on purpose . I was glad to hear that the lion of the people is so attractive as to cause the Castle
to be turned into a menagerie and the gaolers into showmen . My name having been announced , I was admonished not to stay long , and the Under Governor conducted me . I bad some difficulty to keep up - with him ; he walked the accustomed passages and ran up the steps so quickly , that I was almost too breathless to speak when I arrived at the celL Mr . O'Connor received me very cordially ; he seemed glad to have his tongue , at least , set at liberty , and spoke fluently on a variety of Chartist topic ' s . He appeared in excellent spirits , and said he was enjoying better health than he had done when out , attributing it to the care the Whigs had of him . But he complained that he was doomed to worse than the silent system , namely , to the solitary system ; he being looked up alone , while the wont
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felons were allowed to amuse each other . He said he would not careif they kept him confined twenty years , so long rs he received such gratifying assurances that his spirit was aWa . He did not give the Under Governor ( who &W sentry over us all tho while ) an opportunity to take advantage Of a pause to cut short onr ¦ interne * . 1 had an address from several of the best workmen of Whithy , but was prevented from pre senting it ,- by the Uatfer Governor , who said it could not be allowed to pass until the Governor had first seen it . Thi 3 piece of petty vexation annoyed the noble O'Connor . He bitterly remarked Upon it 83 a specifolons were allowed to amuse each othar . H « » ld h »
men of the boasted liberalftyofaWhi gQoyernment ; and , snrely , Be sufferssufficient privation 4 n the ' loss of liberty without Jeing deprived of any token of respectful sympathy , which his admirers may wish to send him . I had been with him about half an hour , when the Under Governor began to manifest signs of impatience , 6 y jingling Ills teys and shuffling'his feet ; at last he aid he could allow n > e to remain no-longer , and I was- compelled to quit the cell , and he » the door locked npan the Howard cf bis . day , who-, even in prison , has procured ameliorations of the scSferings of his fellowvictims .
I had written thus far when , looking up , the first object that met my eye was Mulgrffro Castle , sliming ia the sun , all the beauties of nature without and alt the splendours of art within . The most noble owner i » nhsent on a visit to Hull , te be invested with tt » Stewardship which tSe Town Council' of that place havegiven him . It is lamentable te think how titles are souebt and found without merit , and tow splendid viceis flattered . The Town Council have-got a JklarQufo ,. and car © not whether he he a man or not When Robert Bnrns was once reproved for speaking to a matt in rags , he replied , it was not the ' . rags- he spoke to
but the man . The Town Council of Hull think mow of a star made by a tailar , or a spangled garter , or anyother bauble given as playthings to on * baby aristocracy , than of the sterling virtues of honesty and truth , which alone . can truly adorn a man . Oh ! that they would think of the injury they do to the best interest of patriotism and humanity , when they pay a flattering homage to one of the worst foes of both ! How they Mind him to his defeets , and make him even think they are virtues which have won their esteem—how they encourage him to persevere in a course which all good men must regret and should resist ; but , alai r these thing- ? are hid from tneir eyes .
If Lord Normanby were here , and 1 was to ask him why O'Connor is a prisoner In York Castle , probably the following dialogue would take place : — N . Because he endeavoured to incite the people against the authority of Ctevernment ; he himself defied it , and we were determined to let him see that our authority , is paramount , by punishing him and showing the people that it is their duty not to-questi on * but to pay . W . But , my Lord , you and your colleagues , when you assumed the Government , promised to grant the
people their just rights , and , upon this condition alone , you were invested with authority ; therefore , you are bound to fulfil it , or to forfeit your authority . The people placed you in office to give yon power to perform your promises , but yow have broken thenu You refused to listen to petitions reminding you of your promises , and you persecuted the people to pr » - vent them from regaining the power which you have shown yourselves so unworthy to possess . O'Connor , our chief spokesman , you imprisoned with unwonted circumstances of insult and degradation .
N . If we got into office by the help of the people , we ke « p in . in spite of them ; and , therefore , we have a right to please ourselves . Our authority is onr own wo acknowledge , no responsibility r and the people would find a change for the worse if they eoold change us for the Tories . We are not the governed , but the governors . What pleasure would there be in power if we could not do what we liked without question or control ? " W . But , my Lord , you hold office not for yourselves , but for the people- You are onr trustees , and should not abuse you * trust . Government should do of its own accord what the people are driven te the necessity of forcing it to do . N . If we gave the ' people the power they ask , they would turn us out
W . They will turn you out if you do not , my Lord ; but why should you not have confidence in them who put confidence in you ? N . We dare not trust them . , W . And SO you show yourselves not trustworthy . You will be dismissed , with ignominy , nnd your plaees shall know you no more . Nay , your yety names will perish , for , bethink you , my Lord , that it is opinion alone which supports your rank-rnot its intrinsia merits : let that opinion change , and your order sinks at once . You are taking the beat course which your worst enemies could wish ^ to cause such a change . Remember what Sbakspere say of King Richard II ., wbo brought himself into detestation and contempt by his own conduct—by sttch conduct as you ate now pursuing—and he lost his crown and his life by it , which made his successor say , otherwise , " Opinion that did hoip me to the crown , Had still kept loyal to possession . "
I n conclusion , I -would endeavour to impress upon the reader ' s mind , that it is a deep sham « , not only upon , the Government , but on the nation , on the present century , that such " an one as O'Connor should be in a felon ' s cell—that any part of a lifa like his—so useful , so devoted to the people—should be passed in a prison-Let us ask ourselves why he is there ? and we must answer , beeause he lias done his duty , and we have not done ours . And consider the peculiar aggravations of his lot A friend—as in my case— -may walk nearly fifty miles to see him , and not be allowed to do so , excopt In the presence of a spy , who watches ererf word and look , who limits the time to a few minutes , and who preclndes a second visit till a fortnight has elapsed . What conversation can be carried on under such irksome , unpleasant , and constrained circumstances ? We know not what topic to enter on lest we should be cut short O'Connor ' s very alleviations ore mockeries .
Remember , too , tbat he is suffering for us , and let him not suffer in vain . Had he chosen to be a venal senator—had he supported oppression instead of advocating redress , he might have heen sitting in Parliament , instead of lying in a dungeon . All men should be prepared , should be resolved , to make equal sacrifices , rather than suffer tyranny to have its sway . If our supineness cause O'Connor to be made the scape-goat to bear the sins of the people , it will deter others from coming forward , and the cause will deservedly be lost by tho people's ingratitude . Not one but ought to die ,
rather than a hair of this man's head perish . Oh , then , my friends , let us cry , " Onward for the Charter !"fiet the Charter , and you can recall Frost , and release O'Connor and all the patriots and philanthropists that now suffer for you . Jt ia in vain petitioning Government—you might as well petition Shylock as ^ , Normanby—for , as the Jews refused to release Christ , but , rather , released Barabbaa , a robber , 80 would OUT Government sooner release the vilest villain on earth than O'Connor , or any other noble of nature , now suffering under the cruel and contemptible fiat of a nobility without nobleness . ¦
The following is a copy ef the address from the workmen of Whitby to Feargus O'Connor , Esq . : — " Great and good Sir ,- —We , whose names are here unto signed , being working men , in Whitby , and so much impoverished by rates and taxes that , although we labour hard , and expose our lives , we cannot alway » provide the common necessaries of life for ourselves and families , and bave very little to spare for the education of our children ; fully sensible of our deep obligations to you , for your noble and disinterested efforts to tree us from this slavish condition by remonstrating with our oppressors , and instructing us ; and knowing that there is no other refuge provided for us by those who render it inevitable to us , in sickness or old age , than the workhouse , where we should be
subject to privations and restrictions little less binding than those in a prison for felons , we hereby humbly offer our heartfelt and sincere thanks to you for all that you have done in our behalf , especially for having established , in spite of tbe combined opposi tion of our numerous and powerful enemies , which yoa have encountered for us , the glorious Northern Star , in which our wrongs are made known and our rights advocated before all the world ; but more especially we beg to offer the fervent expression of our sympathy for the sufferings which you have brought upon yourself , or , rather , which we have brought upon yon , for , we eonfess , with ahatne , that onr zeal in our cause baa not hitherto equalled nor supported youra , though We onght , individually and collectively , to have exceeded yon in readiness to act and suffer-, but we resolve to atonefor this in future ; and , with your bright example and aid , to work out onr redemption by earnest and united perseverance , which overcomes all obstacles .
and , hi the end , is always crowned with success , as our freedom will be your reward . We ranch lament that our nearest aristocratic neighbour should have forgotten the dignity ef his birth , as a man and » Christian , and lent himself a tool of persecution to the accursed system which ia more cruel and contemptible than that which ground the Children of Israel under the taskmasters of Pharoah , and we sincerely wish that we could have thanked and congratulated him , as we now thank and congratulate you , on having resisted injuttice unto the loss of high privileges and liberty , and striven for a cause which ia not less dear to the interests of humanity than of our distressed country . Your generous conduct , which makes you an honour to human nature , and must make yon respected and beloved by all honest men , especially endears yea to the people , whose tyrannical afflictions yon have condescended to share , by identifying yourself with them , in order to strive for their redress and restoration .
" May God bless you , Sir , and strengthen yon and cheer you in your dungeon , and release you to triumph with the right , ia the heart-breathed prayer of your much indebted and most grateful friends .-
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The Journal de Rou ' tn mentions a new caso similar to that of Madame liaffarge . " The Sieor G^— de Saumbnt , dead about Bis months , would appear to have been poisoned by his wife . His eon , sixteen years of age , has nwle some disclosures which compromise the lady in the most decesive manner . An exhumation will take place as a matter of course , and ' all the appareil of Tulle will be immediately transported amooxat us . "
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'. ^ _ ^ = ^ == — - ======-= —sa === y ^ _ . THE NORTHERN STAR . m . % i ~ — . : ' : ' ' ' : ; ;¦ ' « ' told him that my en by
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Z 0 BE HORRORS OF THE WHIG DU >* GE 0 X 3 . : TO THE EDITOK Or THE K 0 BTHEE 5 STaS . '¦ Sis , —Having just obtained my liberty from the' Escse cf Correction at Preston , where I hvre " beeu COU- ' . hbi for six months under ail tbe rlgqui and discipline , srere as i ; is , of that place , and having left an unforta-, ate fellow sufferer , Gsorge Htnry Smith , who has not ; ajoyed three days of good health during the six I asathi 1 remained with him , and now beg of you , os ' sj own responsibility , to publish , in the columns of . jwr demoeratieal journal , a petition , and the Surgeon ' s ' tatfieale , whkh . he sent to Lord Jtormanby on the sa ef July last , whkh has not as yet been answered ' i 17 Ms Lordship . I asked him for a copy of tbe petition , ' ofi told him that I would endeavour to get it published ' . any own account The fact is , I persuaded him to ; aeeoaree I bave thought preper to take . :
aow , Sir , in order to prove that my friend ia suffer- ; ia Bndei severe indisposition , the Surgeon of the ' j toon has prescribed twenty-one bottles of medicine , ' I si eight plaisters for his hack , and two to his belly , ! I cd two to his legs ; of course these remedies would ! I K be applied if he had not been in a Very bad stale of ; I iaitiu At the moment I am writing , his heal is dis- ' I taded with violent pain , and he now lies in bed with : I a head bound up tightly , and pouring out his awful ' I asnolaintg , and he is reduced to a state of deplorable j I ffloqa&jde through the excessive labour of the cotton > I taffles . Judge Coleridge was appri » ed of his debi- j fiJ
I m open court , yet justice , much less mercy , could j I W fe obtained for him . During my confinement there j I as been three sessions , and with tbe exception of one : I *** , ths f&niest Crimea have not been punished with t I not than six months imprisonment , and yet this poor I sa&ttaaate cnpple has reeeived three times the amount ¦ at advocating the rights of his fellow-countrymen . I j « ai also do him the justice to say , that during his I I i ?™ * *"" noble ^ P 1 " *** ***** broken , and he ' I ™ W ji nie tbat he feels fully convinced that God will yet j ~**® him cut of the house of bondage . By inserting j I Sa . togetfltl with the petition , you will much oblige j I Your humble servant .
JOHS KaT . ft S « Right Honourable the Marquis of Noniiazby , Vie Secretary of State , 4 t § x . Ths humble petition ' ¦ < jf Georpe Henry Smith , boic a prisoner in the Howe i I ef Comdioii , Preston , j Santera , . j ijat your petitioner was tried for sedition , at the t ^ apool Spring Asrizes , in the present year , and j * Saeed to eighteen months imprisonment . ' I Mcr petitioner ' s health , previous to his trial , was 1 I ** M&dhia limbs infirm , and that since his confinement j I ~ ^ aastitation has been further impaired , no ; bsing \ I ~« to relish the prison diet , while he is precluded by j 1 1 ?! 1 * 168 ° * ^ P 1 * 8011 fro ™ purchasing food more suited > l a » sane of health . I
I * ogt petitioner is now , and has been for some time , J I fcaw mrgical treatment . • |^» your petitioner believes that the Judge before j I * *© he was tried passed upon him a more severe j * Seaee from a misconception of the amount of your Ktionsrt alleged guilt . In passing sentence , tee , I- * *! Judge spoke of your petitioner possessing him- j 1 J * - ** « eKain inssroments called cats , wnh the intention I ¦ " wowing them under the feet of the cavalry hoists , I !** JT petitioner humbly represents to your Lordship , ~** ty that he is incapable of such acts , bnt that in no ¦ yl ? ^ ^ dence against him is such a charge est&b-¦ u *? fe * these circumstances , your petitioner most j ¦ 2 rS t ) eg * tllat ? ottr i-ordsbip will be pisased to ¦ Jlj Mi ease into considexaiion , witb a view to the ¦ r * Wion of his sentence , and that he may be remem- W ** « a proper object for the Boyal mercy , and your ¦ "aa »« will ever pray . -j , George Hesbt Smith . ***« of Correction , Preston , 2 Sth July , 18 + 0 .
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The people , aa yet , appear to have no delight in witnessing the effect of their own power , in their own cause . An uniform mode of action of this kind , if carried out by only a million of individuals would produce £ 12 , 500 , a aum sufficient at once to secure the families of John Frost , and those of the other suffering Chartiste , from the horrors of want , an and approaching winter . * ° Let not our cause , then , fellow-countrymen , be any more disgraced with accounts about the physical wants of our leaders , and the destitution of their families . Let not the horrors of their dungeons be increased by a knowledge that their families are starving , while a people , all powerful , are idly discussing about the means of affording relief . For our part , we have come to the determination of acting upon the plan , and we sincerely trust that every Chartist throughout the length and breadth of the land will follow our example . Then ' Let the giant of freedom arise la his might ,
And proclaim to the tyrannous knaves , That the moment the workmen of Britain unite , That moment they cease to be slaves . That the arm of a people , when stretch'd to defend , Or upraised to give tyrants a blow , Ia all powerful alike in protecting the friend , Or to bringing to justice the foe . m
punishment of felons for seeking your happiness . Jn carrying out this laudable object , yeu will have to sacrifice no enjoyments . You will have to fight no bloody battles , storm no towns or castles , or perform anything of a difficult nature , but simply to prodsce , in tne apace of a month , as much money each as would purchase a pint of beer , an ounce of tobacco , or an half ounce of sauff . It would , doubtless , astonish you to see the whole amount of money which is spent by the labouring class upon these almost unnecessary and highly taxed articles in the course of a month ; and surely it will be something , neither wrong nor robbery to clip a little from tho idle taxation , and give It to your friends instead .
We know that nearly every plan recommended for raising money amongst the labouring class , is met by the observation tbat they are too poor to afford any thing even for the be » t of purposes . The COlleCtora of Bible and Missionary Societies , the Centenary Funds and the thousand other institutions , supported in a great measure by working men , will give a suitable reply , and we have no hesitation in eayiiig , that if they cannot make similar exertions in behalf of men who are suffering on their account , in the beBt of all causes , they are not yet prepared for liberty , and are unworthy of its benefit * Here , then , fellow-Chartists , is a cheap and simple method proposed for discharging the debt of gratitude you owe to the men who are suffering the
We think that the pitching upon a particular day will be of great advantage , by giving unity of action , and cutting off a vast amount of trouble in book-keeping , and we would prefer the 6 th of November , as it would be turning that day to much better account than by (^ voting it to the makWg of bonfires , and letting olf squibs and crackers , in remembrance of that bugaboo affair , called the gunpowder plot , which is ohserved for nothing but to koep up an ignorant prejudice against our suffering Catholic brethren . Another advantage would be , that by every place Bending its own money on the same day , it would be discovered at once in which town Chartism really existed , audto whatamount * nd where it only did bo in name . '
purpose . Only about a fortnight ago , Dr . M'Douall , in a spiritstirring letter in the Northern Star , announced the appalling fact , that the family of that illustrious patriot , John irost , E . sq ., would be under the necessity of breaking up their home through want of the weana of procuring a subsistence . Ingratitude is considered worse than the sin of witchcraft , and to remove this stigma from the character of the labouring class , is one ef our principal objects in addressing you . Wa would , therefore , propose , that to effect this object in a manner worthy of the cause , every man in England and Scotland , bearing the name of Chartist , shall subscribe the small sum ef threepence , which money , wben collected , shall be forwarded by the diflereut towns , village , and hamlets , to the Northern Slur oliice , by the 5 th of November next .
than Egyptian bondage . This crime , as might have been expected , has drawn upon them the vengeance of our oppressors , who are at present trying the experiment of crushing liberty , by inflicting bodily torture and punishment upon ita advocates . Various appeals have already been made on behalf of the sufferers and their families ; but through some cause or Other nothing has yet been done upon a scale sufficiently extensive to place them out of the reach of their persecutor * . The consequence ia , that these nobles of nature , who , in former times , would have been graced with civic crowns in honour of their love of virtue and liberty , are still dragging on a miserable existence iu their dungeons , and their defenceless families are suffering nearly all the destitution which can fall to the lot of widows and orphans in a state of poverty . It is true that a good many individuals have responded to the frequent calls made upon them j but their number has been too small to raise a fund sufficient for the
THE SUFFERING PATRIOTS AND THEIR FAMILIES . ADDRESS OF THE CHARTISTS OP BINGLEY TO THEIR FELLOW-CHARTISTS OF QREAT BRITAIN . We shall make no apology for introducing to your notice a subject which we consider to be of the first importance amongst a body or men attempting to gain their liberty . Yoa are all aware that there are at present in the dungeons of this enslaved country about two hundred individuals , whose only crime has been to obtain for themselves and others tbat right which belongs to every ono of the human race , namely , the possessing a voice iu the making of laws by which they are to be governed . Fired with the love of freedom , and trusting inthe goodness of the cause , and the support of their Mlow-sutferers , they-raised'tbeir voices against the injustice of a syBtem that has already entailed upon the labouring class of this country a worse
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 17, 1840, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2706/page/7/
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