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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.
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CONCILIATION ! JOHN O'CONNELL'S IMPUDENCE . Kb a meeting of the Davis Clnb , Dean-street , Soho , on Monday week , Mr O'Mahoney . the chair-IQSD , Stated that Mr John O'Connell having made a statement in the House of Commons that there were not 2 . 000 Irishmen present at the late demonstration on Kennington Common , he ( the chairman ) had been instructed to write to Mr O'Connell to know from what authority he had the information . He had done so , asd he had . received the following very respectful answer : — Corn Exchange Rooms , 20 tk April , 1848 . Sib , —I am directed by Mr Joha O'Connell to say , in answer to your letter of the 17 th inat ., that , without msanicc yon any personal diBcourtesj , be utterly refuses to acknowledge your claims to demand explanation of him with regard to wh&t he * ald in tke House of Commons of the good sense , right feeling , and trna patriotism of his and your fellow countrymen In London .
I hare the honour to be , sir , Tour obedient eervant , John Quiqiet , To Mr T . O'Mahoney , 12 , Cleveland-street , Fitzroy cqaare . ( The reading of this letter was received with a tor rent of hisses and groans . )
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BEWARE OF SPIES . ' Recently a public meeting was holdenin tho Royal Subscription Rooms , Exeter , when Mr WilkinBou delivered an account of his stewardship in the Convention , and was elected to sit in the National Assembly . One of the Exeter Chartiats write 3 as follows —* The next morning one of our bills ( which was left on the table of thaplace of meeting ) , was brought to the major of the city . On the back of the bill the following words had Leen written : — ' Oar rights or murder , ' 'Death rather than submit , ' ' Bloody Queen and Ministers , ' 'Down with the Queen .
The editor of tho Exeteb aud Px . vmoctb Gazett 2 , having inserted the above , and charged the Chartists with writing them , Mr Wilkinson applied to the mayor , who heard thg case . The further hearing wag postponed . I have little doubt but wa will beabla to find out tke party who has written these sentiments , and ho is ene of the most violent opponents Chartism has in this city . I hepo _ we may gueceed , as it will b 9 a meana of convincing many of the treachery nsed , and , no doubt , show the people how we are maligned .
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Louis Blanc—My first sight of Louis Blano was at the Palace of the Luxembourg . 'Voila la petite !' said a Frenchman near me , as he entered . He is , inded , a little man , with a great diiiingue- ^ & pigmy of price—a dwarf in body , but a giant in mind . He 6 tands hardly four feet in height- His air , too , is extremely yeuthful , with his smooth , fair , hairkssfoee , and his neat , slim , little figure . Although he apprpaches the manhood of forty , he might easily be mistaken for a boy of eighteen . Although he has a stern strength about him , it might be supposed from his first appearance that he was weak and effeminate . He entered , heweveti as one ef the Provisional Government of the Republic of PraBce , to deliver ad
dresses to assemblies of working-men and masters , collected together by him , ia his function of President of the Commission for the Government of the Workmen , to consult and decide on a plan for the organisation of industry . He spoke , and the working-men wera melted to tears , and eves the Hasten were moved . His tones were soft and showery , or earnest and energetic . With his little figure buttoned up tight in a bice coat with gilt buttons , there he stood , mounted up , evidently awakening , convincing , deciding , with modulated voice and expressive acti ? ni There he stood , thongh so smaJl , not the least of the great men who now rule over the des . tinie ; if the France of the Third Revolution , — Tuii ' iJMazine .
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Mas Dat—Thi Gioomo Aor—Thb ' PKn * iTi « KB 'CaAaTiBH-Tna Wbathbb awd tbb Cbofb . Dublin , May 1 st , 1848 . Ma y . mornlnfr , bright and snnny , once more shines on oar anfortunate Usd , and find , her not onlj still 'n camp of . ! . **• . but more tranpM , ««***» " * wd' than ever . Moy-mOrning comes again , trttn Its B , wen and vernal and blushing beauty , but under the clewing beams of that warm vernal buh , thowaaih ot ISmL and Irishwomen lie do * n despairingly to die . May-day usually found tho peasantry of Ireland merry and KOOd-huaoured . Thia Moy-aornlng breaks upon 8 SB , dyinoeople , ana « n Inched , i * gnfol . a * miserable land . . , ...
When will tuie end ? Mont wa never have anything cheering to say to Ireland « Will Irishmen still bo slaves ana drones ? Will coercion nnd 'Gigging enactments etU ! cru Bh IriBb energy , and bind Irian arms UUe thooe of malofactftra on the scaffold ! Oh , Ireland } Ireland ! dost thou still slumbor ? Irishmen , do you say that you are con tent to lick the hnnd of ysur tyrants for ever lor do yon not rather swoar that another May mornlog ihall never dawn on Irelsad in fetters ? Tho'Gagging ' Act ie the law of the land . People now must not even speak of what burns wi thin them . Irishmen must not oaly hang their Bands by their sides , but they mnet oven watch the wngglng of their tongues , and , in scripture language , ' Keep a gate of prudenoe before their lips- ' Tho scotched snake may wriggle ; the
wounded tlgar may howl forth his sense 9 f pain ana injury j the wretched Irishmen , alone , m » st writhe , and pine , and die , without even the privilege of accusing bis tormentor * , or invoking the vengeance of God or men on those who have made him on ouWast and a slave In bis own greea , and beautiful , and fertile land . Oh Ireland ! Ireland } what fate ie thine . Men of Erin , will yon , can you , submit to tha « a newi an A bltUr , and blasting Indignities ? Itcannotbe . Thera fseae , at all events , who swears that the Saxon ( hall not bind his tongue , that gjvco and penal enactment ! shall never control hi « pen . We btUeve him . John Mitchel is the man I mean . Had we a dozen of IrisSmen like that bold Ulster Presbyterian , the new Gagging £ « w wonia be only a subject for ridicule—ft mere icareerow in Ireland .
There are little news in Ireland at present . Ie mast be confessed that there i » a temporary lull to that glorious whirlwind of agitation , wbichswepttheland evmone short week ago . ThU cannot b « denied . But the circumstance ia easily accounted for . The grand movement making by the Repeal Association and tha Catholie clergy for a final appeal to the Queen , in Ireland ' s regard , contributes greatly to thin temporary cessation . The pending trials of tho Repeal Conspirators , too , hava considerable » bnre in the matter ; and with paU be it spoken , the'leaders' of the new agitation , as well an the demagogues of the old school , seem somewhat panio-Btrloken at the new fettsra of &lr George Grej ^ s mantlfaStUro . BaUll Will pass , Ireland , though seemingly disposed to doze a moment , has no notion of falling « Bleep agate . She will « wako up' in a week or two . Oh , no ! a nation will be redeemed , and an independent people shall remember 1848 . A » the Hortbeeh Stab extracts bo much from the
Men papers of late , It is unneeeaiary far me to detail mere ' news . ' But I will soy that ire are on the , eve of something great and grand , or terrible and sorrowful , in Ireland . Thousands think there will not be any necessity for putting oar newly manufactured pikes lato requisition at all , for ( say they ) the day Jj not for distant when England mast become embroiled in foreign con test , end then she will be glad to fling Ireland off her trident , nnd let the Irish govern their own land or pitch her to Hell or Connaught ! Thio 1 b my opinion too . There is nothing very particularly stirring in Ireland . The pike-making still thrives in town and country ; and tooDgh they ore proaccnt ' wg jomg meB nil over the 1 &-land fer rifle ehootlnp , still the ' practice' is contiaaad , asd the best bacU-wood 6 mBn of them all—even old ' Hawk-eye' himself—need not sneer . at the skill of thousands ef oar young Irish riflemen .
Still the preparations for' murder' on the part of governinent have not been allowed to slacken , The Castle ia a regular fortress . Cannon is mounted and manned day and night , whilst in almost every apartment of the immense pile , a sentinel is constantly on the ' , ' watch . ' ' Oh Mitchel , agroh , 'tie you are tho boy fer setting the fun going in the neighbourhood of Clarendon ' s snuggery . ' We have now about 15 , 000 soldiers—red , bios and green , a « they are—in Dublin . Tke streets swarm with tketn . On all aides you hear ipoken the Cockney slang , '
or North of England jargon , or tbobonnio broad Scotch , ' aa you snnnter along the streets ef Dublin . There are very few Irish soldierg la any of the regiments at present in town , with the exception of the 76 th , 48 th , and 31 st , The rest are foreigners . The dragoon and cavalry corps mostly English , whilst there are three highland infantry regiments , the others a mixture of English and Scotch . These do aot ' fraternise' with the people . It would be unfair to represent thorn at going so , but there has been no bickering or riot between the pikes-men and red-coatB worth speaking of .
Chartism ie on ' the meve in Dublin . Why do Dot the great leaders of this principle , try to extend tfeeir influeaco in this country ? Though I do not regard Mr O'Higging ' g late suggestions for b Canrentlon in Dublin , OS practicable or useful , still I know ( Jhartism would find thousands of supporters and adherents , were it explained to the people . Mr O'Connor , who fights bo bravely ia the ' battle-line' of Saxon-land , should bestir himself in the cause of his native Erin . ' Soejo Irishmen do not deserve well of Ur O'Connor , but the delinquencies of some of Ireland ' s sons should But be revenged on that unfortunate land . Chartists ! awafeu for Ireland .
The National Con ventioh Proclaimed . —Dublihi May 1 . —The Lord Lieutenant , in a proclamation cautions the citizens against a ¦ National convention or council , or a eouncil of tlives hundred , or National Guard . ' The city of Limerick ha 3 also been proclaimed . It comes under the Crime and Outrage Act , from and after F iday next . The county has been long under proclamation . Riots in Limbrick . — A meeting of the Confederates took place here ia honour of Smith O'Brien , Meagher , and Mitohel . Dr Daniel Griffin was moved to the chair , when the meeting was suddenly interrupted by a volley of stones from the Old Irelanders , which smashed tte windows and door , out-Bide of which several thousands had assembled , parading an efflgy of Mr Mitchel . ThiB they processed to burn in a bonfire outside the door , through which the smoke made its way into the buildiDg . ' Those
inside manfully stood their ground at the risk of sharing the fate of the captive Arabs suffocated in the eaves of D 3 bra ; but at length fearing to be smoked out , and hearing the entreaties of a reverend gentleman from an upper story , who called out shame on you , men , ' in vain to the crowd below , the imprisoned Confederates fired some blank shotB from the interior of the building , which quickly sent those outside scampering ; Smith O'Brien then went among the crowd , with a view of pacification , when he received a severe contusion from a stone beneath the left eye , and was , in consequence , obliged to go home . The police now made their appearance , when peace was restored outside , and those within proceeded to give the usual toasts , Messrs Meagher and Mitchel beiDg ; the principal speakers on the occasion . By ten o ' olock the military were called out , no further collision took place , and the meeting separated before eleven o'clook .
IHS INDICTMENT . In the Queen ' s Bench , on the sitting of tb . 0 court , Mr Mitohel appeared at the side bar , and shortly after Mr Smith O ' Brien entered , looking very ill . He had a black eye , and his lips were swollen from some severe contusion . The bar was astonished at the disfigured appearance of the ex-member for Limerick , and it wag not until the e $ -ojjicio discussion had terminated , that the Limerick riot became known , and the cause of the ili-nsage which Mr O'Brien had received . Subjoined ia a summary of the proceedings :
Sir Colman O'Logblen renewed bis application for the appearance of Mr Mitchel by attorney , and dwelt at some length on a case in 10 East , in snpport of his application . Be alluded to an affidavit filed by the crowa , which utated that Mr Mitohel after the finding of the origlual bills , had attended a mootlDg in Abbey-street , at which Chartist delegates were present , and where Mr Mitchel was reported to bare spoken language aa soii tiouB aB that upon vihlch the informations ware found . Sir Colman argued that Mr Mitchel mightbe prosecuted for thatBpeeoh , butit wbb no reason to deprive him of the accustomed privilege of appearing by attorney in cflBBB of misdemeanor . Tho Attorney-General strongly resisted the application , and justified tht affidavit as supplying powerful reasons why the favour
of the court should not be oxtended to Mr Mitchel , for the application was not one of strict right . The court , after a brief consultation , deoldod that Mr Mllchel must appenr in person . The four-duy rulo having expired Mr Mi tchel has ; pleaded a second time [ in abatement , namely , the pendency of proceedings under the original information * , which must be regularly quashed before he could go to trial en the ( x officio . There can ba no doubt that the entry of the no ! fe proscqtii quashed the informations ; but then the second plea being upon the record just no the first , errors can be assigned , and the conviction will hare to undergo an argument before the twelve judges perhaps before tha House of Lords . This will carry Mr Mitchel over thelong vacation , even though he should be found guilty in the after flittiagu ; and thus he ob . tains a far longer day than tEe Attorney . General would
be disposed to afford . 'Will Mr Monahan filo another ex offiaio ? Mr Mitchel ' s motion being settled , the Attorney-General ordered Mr 3 . O'Brien to be called , He immediately stood up and Btnted tj the court hie wil-HngneBB to go to trial without delay . Conscious of no oflence , he had ne fears for tho result , and would not interpose any dilatory pleadings . He asked the AUor . ney-Gencral to fis the day , and nerve immedlato notice of trial . The AUornej'Qenera } , honwer , would take time to consider , It i 8 not improbable tnat , in cenee . quenoo of the strange turn politloai events have taken- * - the resignation of his seat In parliament by Mr O'Bri ' . en , mi his withdrawal , together with that of Mr Menglwr ; from public life , that the proceedings moy bo abandoned against both . Mr llltchel , having espreasea We resolution to perBevcre in the old course , and stand up through all risks for insurrection , can oseeoi n « such favour from the crown .
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fHE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY . Monday morning , at nfaTo ' cIook , being "O TjJJ foythecemmencement of the siUiDgaoi this boay » before that hour a considerable number of persons had assembled at the doors of the Scientific Institu . tion , John-street , Tottenham-court-road , where the delegates were to meet . A naw arrangement , nowever , was made upon thia oooaaioni The admittance , instead of being unrestricted ws \ & gratuitous , was confined to the gallery , for whioh one peony was sharged ; the body of the hall waa reserved for the delegates , and suoh parties aa might be admitted by tickets granted to them . It waa half-past ten o ' clock before any of the delegates made their ap ^ ,
pearance . „ , , ., Mr T . Clark moved that Mr W . Hixon Jake . tha chair pro tent ., until the credentials of the various delegates were read , and the meeting duly constituted . The motion was agreed to , and Mr Shirron waa appointed secretary pro tew . Dtlegates . John Shaw , Tower Hamlets ; W . Dixon , Norwich ; W . Veraon , West London ; Thomas Clark , Sheffield : John Croaaley . Stalybridge ; Councillor Thoa .
BriggB , Sheffield ; Jahn Mathows . Bury i Aiexanuer Sharp , Tower Hamleta ; Matthew Stevenson , Bolton ; E . Candelet , Hyde ; Dr M-Douall and T . O'Malley , Nottingham ; J . Basset , South London ; - iMrw , Lynn ; James Pebardy , Northampton : R . Cochrane , Paisley ; John M'Crae , Dundee ; Jo bn Peacock , Greenook j S . Barfclelt , Bristol :- T . M . Wheeler , South London ; John Shaw . Barnsley : Ilenry Mitohel , Rsohdale ; John Arkell , Swjndoa ; William Brook and Joseph Batker , Leeds ; Samuel Kydd , Oldham : James Adams and Andrew Harley ,
GlafigOw . Mr T . CtlRK announced that he haa received a letter from Mr Mitchel , of Dublin , stating that though he had . been elected for Rochdale , he did not think he should ba able to attend the meetings of the Nstioaal Assembly . Mr , Dtxon waa then unanimously appointed tke Chairman of the Assembly , and Mr Shirron tho se . cretary . Mr M'Crae , of Dundee , was elected deputy chairman . The Chairman said they were met for the purpose of considering the affairs of a great nation and a suffering people . He hoped that the business would be conducted with a calmness and moderation which would ebow that they were in earnest in the great task they had undertaken , and that they would abstain in the course of their proceedings from all that could endanger the great objects they had in view . ( Hear , hear . ) Notwithstanding the sneers that might be made at the proceedings of the lato Convention , it was evident that they had produced a
great effect upon the public mind . The very columns of the morning papers ihit contained these sneers contained proefs that the agitation for electoral reform was spreading over the country , and amongst classes who did not formerly take an active interest in that question * ( Hear . ) Since that Convention last met , many of its members who _ were returned to that Assembly had had an opportunity of going among their constituencies , and of learning their opinions upon many questions , which prepared them to transact business better than they were before . He trusted that full advantage would be taken of all these circumstances , and that'in their future deliberations and deoisiona they would justify the choice of the people , and advance the popular esu ? e . The first business would be to deoido the name of that bodywhether it should be called the ' National Assembly , ' or be designated a' Convention , ' as all their previous meetings had been .
Mr Shaw ( Tower Hamleta ) eaid , he had been elected as a member of the National Assembly , and he thought it would be ridiculous if , to please any individual whatever , they changed that title . Dr M'Douall proposed that the title of the body be the National Assembly of Delegates , principally representing the working classes of England , Wales , and Scotland , Mr T . Cube seconded the motion , which was carried . Dr M'Douihh said , if was also necessary , in his opinion , that they should state the manner in which the delegates were elected , in order to keep out of the mesbea of tho Jaw . Ho would therefore more , that to the former resolution it be added , that the delegates were elected at public meetings duly convened for that purpose , and by a show of hands of the persons there present .
Mr Whkblbb did not seB the necessity for that addition . The manner in which they were elected was already well known both to the government and the public . The Chairman considered the resolutiqn was net needed . He knew little of what waB and what was not legal ; but of this he felt certain , that if the government meant to take hold of them , it would not take the whole Assembly , but would pounce upon a few of them , and see what weeding would do ., ' ( Hear , hear . ) Mr T . Clare said a declaration of the manner in whioh they were elected could do no harm . Motion carried . Object * of tfo Assembly . The Chairman presented a programme as prepared by a committee , as follows : —•
'To discuss and consider the grievances of the people , and to present memorials to the Queen , praying hsr to dismiss her ministers , and appoint suohaswil ! make the Charter a Cabinet measure , and to adopt such measures as shall ensure so desirable a result . ' The standing : orders , similar to those that gnided the late Conveation , were adopted . JWAmjmw and Messengirs . Messrs Arnoit and Fuzzon were appointed doorkeepers . Mr Cooruu was appointed messenger . Admission of Strangers . U was resolved , that persons should ha admitted to the body of the hall on presenting a member ' s ticket , and t » the gallery on payment of one penny . . Messrs Cummikg and Rankin handed in their credentials ai delegates from Edinburgh , and Mr Swintow M'Lban for the western division of Sootland .
Mr Whebwrsaid it was necessary that it should be at once decided how many delegates this Assembly should consist of . Mr El . Child handed in his credentials as one of the representatives of West London . Mr M'Grvth was permitted to take hia seat for Hanley until arrival of his credentials . Messrs Donovan and Leach received the same permission with regard te Lancashire . Mr Wheeler rose to call the attention of the Assembly to an important question , namely , what number of members should constitute the Assembly . Thera were rumoHre abroad ihafc Jk was only to consist of forty-nine delegates , and they should therefore fix as soon as possible what waB . to be the aotual number .
Mr Adams moved that all delegates fairly choaen at public meetings convened ; for that purpose , should hi entitled to a seat in that Assembly , Mr Rankin seoonded the motion . Mr E . Jones moved bb an amendment : — ' That all delegates duly eleoted to the National Assembly be summoned forthwith to take their seats in that body , as the Assembly hare decided on their session consisting of the numbers originally anwunced . ' Mr Jones said it was absolutely necessary to issue a definite 7 sumraons , ° since letters had arrived from many delegates , stating they would not come ud as long as the numbers to sit remained doubtful . That morning ' s debate would set the seal on their position , and therefore it was not enough to fay they were entitled to sit , but that it was imperative they should come to perform the duties they had undertaken .
Mr S . Kydd moved , as a ; second amendment , that a committee of seven be appointed to inquire into the legality of the National Assembly , and to report to that meeting as soan as possible . There had been much discussion as to whether it was legal for more than lorly-niae delegates to meet . He . like many other delegates , wag quite ignorant of the law In this respoct . It had been said that they should take a bold Btand ; but whatever stand they toek he thought it was above all things requisite that they should clearly understand , if possible , what the law was . For his own part he had no objection to braak the law if there was popular power at his back sufficiently strong to sanction his doing so ; but bef . re they talked of trampling on the law they should , at all events , first endeavour to understand what it was , and if they wore then prepared to violate it , let it be with their eye 3 epeB . Mr Mathews seesnded the motion .
Mr Shaw , ( Barnsley , ) said he was no lawyer , but he believed that their Assembly was perfectly legal , beoause they were not the representatives of legal bodies , but of public meetings openly called together for the purpose , and , therefore , there might be 500 members instead of 100 . Mr Cochbanb believed the government had no intention of interfering with that meeting in the calm discussion of the grievances of the people , and the exercise of their undoubted right to memorialise her Majcatj .
Mr Cumming gave his deoided opposition to the appointment of a committee . It was not their business to settle what the law was . Let them leave that to other parties . All he could say was , that the Anti-torn Law League had held larger delegate meetings , and had not been interfered with ; and the bturge Convention , in Birmingham , some years ago , was composed ef nearly 500 members . ( Hear . ) He had no wish to come into collision with the govern , raent ; but he trusted none of them were such dolts &s to have come to that meeting without being prepared to do their duty , by laying before theeountry and the government the distress under which the people laboured ; the cause of that distress , and also the danger to the government itself if it did not provide & speedy and an effectual remedy .
Mr T . Clark supported Mr Kydd ' s , motion . He bat * no objection to take his own share of the responsibil / . ' ? fit ' attending that meeting ; but when they
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talked of sumnioaing those delegatos who bad beta elected , but bad not come to London , it waa , fair the » should aeoompany that summons with on accurat e statement ot the law affecting that Asiemblr Tffenty men , who might with that knowled ge oC thair summons , would ba m , »« to be rel ed on tfo i fift y who might leave their homes in doubt . u Dr M'Douaw . was surprised that the question of legality was raised . It was the duty of those wti had oallsd them together to asewtain whether it w « legal o * illegal . Jweph Sttzrge ' a Birmingtaift rj Os
( erenes consisted oi mo nnnarea msmoers , and no one had thsught of asking ,, was illegal or illegal He said they were delegates from public mcatineg with defined objeots in view , one of which was mal morialisiEg the Queen to dismiss her ministers and this ww the principle ftllawedaven by Sj r Georwi Grey ' s Bill ; and hence he was of opinion they warn a legal body . They did not represent organised bodies , but simply the working classes . Perhaps the word ' summons' was too strong . He thought if they were ' informed ' it would be scfSctertt : and he did not believe they would be interfered with .
Mr Shibhoh rose to support the amendment of Mr Jones . "What dependence could they place on the word of a man who told them one day the Aa sembly was legal , and the next that it waa illegal i Mr VbrnonI said , he cohW understand holdeto gates had waited to see if the Assembly wouid „ - . ? ° not . Head quarters warerad , and hence the heaita tion . As to law , judges differed , and government could twist them to suit their purposes . It wa their daty to meet and discuss qaestiens , and place them before the government in such a manner aa should be unanswerable . Mr CocHRAir e said , ia allusion to the last speaker relative to the head quarters , the late Convention had unanimously resolved that the Assembly should be held . Mr YflRrroff 8 f tid he did not allude to the late CobventioB , but to the letters of Mr O'Connor in the NoBTHBRH Stab .
Mr Ktdd , with the sanction of the seconder and the Assembly , withdrew hia amendment . Mr Leach woald more — 'That the word ' surataoDg' should ba omitted , and that the parsons electing them shall send them , or not , aa they think proper . Mr E . Jokes thought Mr Leach ' s ameBdment would admit of two explanations—viz ., 'You may come if you like , or Btaj away—we don ' t particularly want you ! ' Now , that was a side-winded blo'v at out numbers , and would sanction the waverers , and lose for na the confidence of the country . Mr Raws said he had been a member of large assemblies , aid it had not been asked if they wero local .
Mr Hablst said , they were aot here to learn hvr , but to act on the principle of oommon sense . He thought it amply sufficient to request the delegates now absent to attend . lie knew the question had been said to be raised by the most popular man m tbe movement ; but he thought this figure would apply to times gone by , net the present . Mr Shaw ( London ) thought they had had child ' s play enough , and henoe he hoped Mr Jones would persist in retaining the word' summons . ' Mr A , Sharp would support Mr Jones ' s amendment in its original form . Mr Bartleit said , some places / in consequence of certain things that had taken place , had declined to send delegates .
Mr Adams said , he looked on this Convention as head quarters , and Mr Dixon as tho head of this Assembly . Withoat the people there would be neither movement n * r power . He had heard nothing to cause him to change his mind—hence , he should press his original motion . He wished the people to anderatand that they had met ia accordance with the original requisition . The question was then put , and Mr Jones ' s Amendment was carried by a considerable majority . Mr M'Carthy having presented a cred&rtial announcing his election by the Irish Democratic Confederation , and other inhabitants of Cripplegate , Mr T . Clark , objected to reeeiTa each a firedeDtial , and moved : — ' That it be returned , in order that it night be amended ; and also that Mr M'Carthy should be required to produce evidence that the meeting was a public one , duly con . tened . '
This ltd to another lengthened ssd somewhat warm debate , which terminated by the adoption of Mr Clark's motion . The Assembly then adjourned at one o ' clock .
AFTERNOON SITTING . Mr Dixon resumed the chair at half ^ past two o ' clock . Mr Abeell gave in his certificate as delegate for Sifindon . Financial Committee . Dr M'Douall proposed that Messrs T . M . Wheeler , Coehrane , and Leach , be such committee , Mr Stetbsbo }; seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . Agitating Committee . Messrs Shaw ( Tower Hamlets ) , Basjett , and Child , were appointed . General Business Committee . Dr M'Douall , Ernest Jones , Philip M'Gratb , Thomas ' Clark , JaineslShirron , and James Adams , were appointed . The Confederate and Chartists .
Captain O'Bribn said , he waa from the Confederates in response to their kind invitation . Th 6 rd were not many Chartitts amongst their body , but nevertheless they wished them all success . He wished to state that his own lawyer had stated that it would not be prudent for him te be a representative of an Irish constituency in this assembly . The beat way they ( the Confederates ) could help Chartist ? , and the Chartists the Confederates , # as by each agitating to the utmost for their common objects , and that
would prevent the government from taking such steps as they seethed inclined to do ; farther than this they could Hot ga . Some of Ireland ' s best aona were in the hands of the government , and that government appeared determined to try every step to pat down liberty and destroy the patriots of Ireland . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr Wheeler moved a rote of thanks to Captain 0 Brian for hia attendance , and through him , to the Irish people . Dr M'Douall seconded the motion . The vote was put and oarried unanimously amidst
loud cheers . Captain O'Bribn responded . Report of the Proceedings of the Assembly , The Chairman said , the next most important business f 6 V the Assembly 16 take up , waa how they could seoure a full and correct report of their proceedings . Whatever had been said of a ludicrous or violent character in the late Convention , had been caught up and sent to the public , while all the reasonable and argumentative speeches were omitted or so condensed as te lose their real importance . Mr Campbell moved that the Assembly Bhoufdenter into arrangements with the proprietors of some ot the morning papers , to secure a full and correct ra » port of the proceedings . Mr Shaw ( of Barnsley ) seconded tho motion .
Mr S . Ivrco , after complimenting the press for having upon the whole treated them no worse than it d » d other bodies who happened to be unpopular tor the time being , proposed that a committee should be appointed to take the necessary steps to secure the object in view , and to report to the Aasemblv . Dr M'Dodall thought that the maU .-r she \^ i Ileft to the general committee . Me Adams waa altogether opposed I ; J . aliag v-ith thw question by a committee . Let uifltu ' malw arrangements with a daily paper if i \ uv possibly could . Several other delegates having spoker on the subject , tke motion was withdrawn . Tlw amendment for remitting the subject to a committee was unanimously adopted , \ .. * . i . ths General Business Committee was instructed to atlem to the business .
Mr Charlbb M'Cabtht handed in his oredenthls , upon which Mr Clabk asked had Mr M'Carthy t > . copy of the placard convening tho meeting ? Mr McCarthy said the bill , a large writ ! an poster , had been torn . / Mr Clark did not think thia sufficient , and cW'J not oonaent to havo hia vote—the vote of u v < r ' hfge body—neutralised by the rote of « . r .- ' . v elected by asmall body , suchaa hetookit vm ' s - < i ^ i ' which Mr M'Carthy was elected . He woii ; J tlif-o fore move' That theeleetion of Mr WVattt :- - \ # J- - olared null and void . ' . Mr Adam * seconded the motion , wd - •¦¦¦! i ' - thought any number of persons wishi'rg a .-, -c ^ - wouid not mind the expense ef plat irds ; .-1 > ; ' moved in tho late Convention that rapmtnc ^ i ' - should be based on population , and he ' . liouaht <• v right that an assembly of two hundred and ; i r' i '" Bons , Bhauld have the right of neutralising { . ' a' i : ' of half a million . ( Hear . ;
Mr Rankin thought sufficient notice bad n ^ t ' given of the meeting at which Mr M'Can i * elected . Mr Cochranb thought Mr M'Car ihywr ¦ ¦ , the policy of withdrawing ; should they r- L ' j M ' Car . thy it could not be taken as afcel i \ >¦ ¦ Ireland or the Confederates , after the \< xv , " - hdd that morning given to Captain 0 incarrying out of the democratic cause . Alter a few words from Mr M'Cah " .. w .. ; the body who had elected him had w ¦ : d f ¦ Fhsbury friends , but as they had not - vme ¦ - - : tho City had gone on by themselves , ar . i ii ? \ that other places had held eleetions , \ . nit ! by printed placards . ' . '
Mr E . Jone 3 said the instructions . ••^ t'J l ' - f said the' bills' should be printed , i wber- I should be posted ; bo held therefore t ) 'Iwe ' . e > of Mr M'G irthy was in conformity ' '¦ ii ibe r ^ ' f lutions issued , provided the notice ¦ s « v " $ days previous to the election , and x tbi 3 would i * frivolous technicality to adhere to . Ifa contend ^ if this assembly were wise , it wnuld tako all thoa eiBtance iliat > 7 <* s honourably offered to it , they %
Untitled Article
THE NATIONAL PETITION AND MR O'CONNOR .
EXTRACT raoH COLOMKL TH 8 HP 38 H ' s lETTfiE TO HIS COI » STIT 0 £ KT 8 . On Thursday , the 13 th , tha principal incidents were connected with the Special Report on the Petition for ' Universal Suffrage , Ac . ' The Committee on Public Petitions stated themselves to h ^ ve discovered , that the number of signatures was only one million nine hundred and seventy . fi » o thousand four hundred and ninety-six . That on numerous and consecatiTO Sheets the signatures are in one « d the same handwriting . That the names o ^^ distinguished individuals occur in it , wao csnnoi be supposed to nave coDcnred in its pray ' er . That there were , names obviously altogether ictitious . And that there were 3 s and phrases written in form of srgnatures , whinh decencv prevents from being reported .
ABtMs looks as if there bad been a good deal ot neglect somewhere ; for everybody knew that facts of this nature would damage a petition , and therefore somebody should have looked to hindering it . The best advice that can be given to the petitioners , is , that it should not happen another time . Meanwhile the allegations must be reduced to their real value . It was stated in the houss , that the name of the Dake of Wellington appeared written sixteen or seventeen times ; which is tantamount to observing , that in one petition with a hundred thousand names , Or in 0118 OUt of a hundred petitions with a thousand names , which is vastly more than the average number to a petition , the name of the Duke of Wellington was found to be inserted once bj way of joke .
The Bame may ba said of the fictitious signatures and tbe indecent . It is plain that no single instance of this kind would be held to vitiate a petition with five hundred or a thousand names ; though it might be made a handle of against tho member who presented it . I have seen indications of a like facetious spirit in petitions put into mj hands ; but should have thought myself an egrejious ass if I nad allowed tfceSQ tares of an enemy ' s sowing tointerfere with the honeatobject of the body of petitioners . In ths present case , the charge of nereonal carelessness is only formal ; for by the ghewiBgof the cemmitiee it would have taken the memter for Nottingham three weeks , working twelve hours a day , and resting on Sundays , to examine tha names himself . Nothing
can be plainer than , that tne tnmgs complained ot were in the main the work of enemies and not . of friends . It is folly to go before the millions with nonsense oh BHch a subject . For example , it has been stated , that in one part of the petition was found written , ' We could not get paid for any raore ; ' and there were innocents who lifted tip their hands in amazs at the depravity of the unrepresented classes , The mosteeriocs part of the charge , is that ef sheets of names being written in one hand . It is a thing that has often beta heard of before ; and it would be desirable to knvtr how many sheets , and whether the names thus suspioieuBly added , made one in a thousand , or one in ten thousand of the whole . I & % y ' suspieiously , ' because where men of limited
hsbits of writing are concerned , 'the p _ roof of fraudulent intention is not absolute . Nothing might more easily happen than that the inmates of a given factoiy or neighbourhood , should invite the best writer among them to write their names as the readiest way . Soldiers in signing their regimental accounts , have a tendency to the same kind of thing , which it requires positive exertion to prevent . The petitioners , or some of them acknowledged that the thing was done , but not in fraud . At the same time there is no denying that it must not happen again . It was charged , that among the signatures are those of women . There is no legal objection te women signing ; nor any objeotion at all , except that if not noticed it may affect the estimate ofttierela « tive strength of the petitioners . In the actual case , the charge ends in the notable discovery , that every twelfth name was a woman's . Violent attempts were made to fasten a charge on
th « Member fop Nottingham , , for having describee his petition assigned by five millions , when it turned out to be signed by enly twe millions . Now every man in his heart knows , that this in the main is only cant ; though it is undeniable that accuracy of statement is always desirable , and that a man risks giving an advantage to bis enemies by not attending to it . Principals make their statements upon the 'nformation of subordinates , and upon the information of subordinates there is little to be said , but that it is almost always wrong . There is scarcely a publio meeting on aa agit& ' . ing subject , where the numbers are not doubled by the reports on ona side , and halved by the other ; and if a member of parliament were to be taken to task , for haviBg stated the numbersof a meeting he never counted , according to the estimate in his own party ' s journals , he wonld be in something like the position of the member for Nottingham on thia part of the case . |
All this was followed by a scene , of which the public journals may be referred to for the facts , and the tendency of which may be considered as being signally to increase tbe influence and numbers of those who may be in a dangerous state of discontent . Born in a sooiety which does not recegniae the duello , and only fights at the command of the civil magistrate , it can be no desire of mine to meddle unnecessarily with snch subjects . Bat , familiar as I must inevitably have been with every existing opinion , I see no objection to saying , that under no code on earth would the conduct of the member for Nottingham ba considered as anything but the nest eminently proper , and that sotbiDg would have justified him is carrying his resentment beyond the opportunitv for condonation .
On the whole , the attack npon the petition is what is ^ technically termed'a mare ' s neat ; tha fallacy lying , in collecting the deaf nuts out of a Bhip-load , and parading them as if they came out of a gallon . After every conceivable deduction , it is clearly the petition of a million and three quarters of earnest men ; and nobody will b 9 the betier for the way in which it has been treated .
I am , sir , your obedient servant , T . Perronkt Thompson . Biackheath . LondoD , April 19 .
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BHMtiuMmu N nil irW , gHWMUWnrWMI ' ' lllil « ln » ii | liHN » ninn iiiiii wi—THE LONDON REPEALERS , It is ruaonred tbat infttmatlona have baon sworn to against some of the leader * of the Confederates in this metropolis . I should not mention this upon mere hearsay , but tbat it is generally spoken « f with confidence , at all events It will havo to ba Been whether or net they will bo proceeded with . The Old Irelanders seem somewhat emboldened by the letter of the ' leader' to the Earl of Clarendon ; hut with all their boasting , they do not show forth , well knowing that they have not tbe good flense , right feel-Ing , and true patriotism of the great majority of their fallow countrymen with them . ¦
There will ncareely be a district In London , tut will , in a short tima . have ite Confederate olnb . Tor tho conduot of the ' leader ' of late blowing hat and cold with the lame breath , has filled the expatriated eons of Erin here with dt « gu « t . For Courage , Forgiveness , and Fraternity must be the watchword . The fallowing extraot on the Righto of Labour Is from the United ImsHMtH of Saturday last . Repealers and Chartists , read and think on it—and fraternise . ' The great Irish aider and abettor ef these English plunderers was one Daniel O'Conuell , throughout his life the upholder of middle class rule in all its phases , crimes , huxteriee , and bjpoorUies , and on all occasions the mortal enemy of tbo Irish working man , tiller and artificer . Hie was the principal agency by which trades unions and combination of workmen were broken in Ireland , and labour left naked and unarmed to tbe inerey of capital . He upheld landlordism , and held down the working farmer to the utmoit of hia power . '
Btivo John MircnEi . Be honest and fear aot . CtfBBiH CoaFEDKBATE Clob . — The usual weekly meatlnR of this club , was held on Sunday evening last , at the Green Man , Berwlck-atreet . Mr John Rlngrose was called te tha chair . Among the company present we obiorved Mr John Savage of Marylebone , who paid great attention to the proceedings of the evening . Se . veral firtlcles were . read from the Natioh and Uhitkd Ibibhman , which were loudly app lauded , as was also the article th 8 Deati of Uberty , from the Nobthbbm Stab . The Chairman on ope ning the buolness of the meeting , read tho correspondence of Lord Palmarston and 1 h « Duke of Sotomayor , upon whieh he ably commented , and said he trusted that the hint given tq . Lord Palmer . Eton retarding Ireland , wonld not be lost on that gen .
tieman Mr T . Reynolds , in a well directed and able sjwecb , moved the following resolutlen : — That , whilo wo , as British snbjeote , posaesslog the rights to dbcues the merits and consequences to society from the effects of bad laws , or tho mal-administration of good one * , shall not at any of ourmeeltng * , make use of licentious and inflammatory language lu debate ; and we farther declare , that to repair and build up tbe politioal Insti tutlons of our country , shall be th « motto of this society , and the attainment of theBe objeetn shall be sought tor only through the medium ef our Queen , Lords , aad Commons . ' Tho speaker went on to « ny that nothing was to be gained by using inflammatory language , for the cause which they had all at j heart could not in tho least be benefited by any of Us leadm
in London becoming subject to the Gagging Bill , Al re&dj the landlord of the house had received notloe , that if Violent language was had resort to , that he would be compelled to cloio the room agaiDat ; them , he knew It was far from his wish to do so . He most cordially mored the resolution amidst load cheers . — Mr Patrick Healey , in seconding the resolution , eald that the position of Irishmen in this metropolis waa widely differe nt from that of their brethren In Ireland ; they ought to be careful ia what they said as the Innocent would be made to naffer for the gulHy , they wonld find if such conductwag ^ orstoted in , that their countrymen weuld be discharged from their employment . He thought it was the bsunden duty of his countrymen , In thia metropolis , to nrerent such a Jtate of things taking
place , it was with these feelings taat ha gaconded tbo re . solution . —Mr Arthur Walksr Hyde ( of CastloHyde , Cork ) , in supporting the resolution read the speech of Mr Foargus O'Connor , of the 22 od ult , In the Hpuse of Commons , against the Whig Illustrated Treasop Act , from the Nomhsbh Siis , and said he tot one fully agreed with the policy of that gentleman . He bolieTed he was perfectly right , hiwlng got the middle classes oa thehip not to let go the grip . H «( Mr Hy de ) had alwojs supported a union of tbe oppressed of both England and his native land , and for so doing ha tad been driven from the ranis of the former agitatlen by th « despots of Conciliation Hall } and , although the micfdle ela » Res had deceived the working dosses nt the time of the Reform Bill , he thought their assistance at the preseat time was
highly valuable , and all differences oagfit to be borled in Oblivion . He for one believed that the Gagging Act was already a dead letter , bnt , at the same time , they ought to be careful not to give the Algerines an epportnnity te fasten their talons upon them ; he could take tho former speeches of the Whigs , when seeking power , and read passages from them more fall af sedition than any ho or they could make ; the Infernal Act could be Invaded by reading passages , from Otway , Shakespeare , and other author * , which would have as great an effect oa any speech he conld make ; there must be union , for by unioa , the government would ba compelled to recede , to mat e w > y for I etter men . Ur Hjde « 1 Oi concluded by reading several extracts from Michelat ' s History of the French R 3 Vo 1 u » : od , regarding the position of tho work .
ing elasBas of England , and sot down amidst loud op . plause . —Mr B . Glass , on supporting the resolution , called most emphatically upon all present to support tbe De . fence Fund for tho Irish patriots . Ho denounced the cx-offieios of the Catholie Irish Attorney . General ; that policy bad not been had resort to since the ' Bottle Conspiracy . There must bs a union of tho people , for not only was Irish , but English liberty In danger ; one false Btepmigbt place the r / g hU and liberties of the people in jeopardy . He agreed with the last speaker , tbat though they wera ready to join with the middle classeB , th » y must not rest satisfied until Ireland had parliamentary Independence , aud England the Charter ,
( Cheers . ) Mr M'Cabths said , that he for one was determined to purEne tbe same course as he had hitherto done ; the G agglnj ? Bill had no terrors for him . Mr M' Cartby was proceeding to addrm the meeting m this Btrain wten he was called to order by t& « chairman . The resolution was carried nem . con . ThefollowiDg resolution was then moved and seconded —• That for the better security of the landlord of this house , and also for the legal oxiBtenco of thio club , no stranger or member shall be allowed to address the meeting without first having permission of the chairman for the time being . The resolution waa carried Mm . con ,
Ssreral persons having paid to the Gonfsderatlon and the Defence Fund , the meeting then adjourned to Snn . day evening next . The Honibt John Lawlebs Club . —A crowded meeting of this clnb was held on Monday evening , at the Working Man ' s Temperance Hall , Oarteret-street , We » t . minster . Mr T . R . Reading was unanimously oalled to the chair , who opened the business of the meeting by reading the speech of Mr P . O'Connor againit the Gag . ging Bill in the House of Commons , on the 22 Bd ult ., and also an arliole from the Noethebn Stab , called , ' A Roland for an Oliver , ' which was received with deafening cheer * . The chairman then proceoded to explain the present position of Ireland , and strongly recommended union amongst Irishmen , and pa ssed an high eulogy o&
tke determlnatien of Mr O'Connor , which was loudly cheered —Mr Myles M'Sweeney then read soveral estracts from the Irish journals , and addressed the meeting at great length npon observing peace , low , and order at tile preient critical period , and that Irishmen ought to bury their petty differene « s in oblivion , and unite forth © regeneration of chair native land . —Mr Baniel Walford addressed the metiting at great length upoD the ruin entailed not only on Ireland , but England , by the Act of Union , and said , that it ought to be looked at and argued by Baglishm en as a labour question . The English manufacturer had availed themeoheB of that act to redoeo the wagea of tbe English artisan . If Irishmen were engaged at home Englishmen would havo more emplojment and be better paid for It . Mr Walford then
proceeded to read several extracts from a Chartist olr . cular , showing the state of Ireland before and after the Union ; and that , instead of a drain , as at present , from that country ef £ 22 , 400 , 000 , that a resumption of her parliament would ensure to that sea-girt kisgdom an ex . pendlturo of £ 22 , 000 , 000 ; and that tbe only drain on her resources would bo the net absented' rents , namely , £ 4 , 500 , 000 , so long aa the receivers prefer paying 59 . in pound rather than ono in their own country , which produces to them their wealtb ,- ~ a preference which it is probable every year of the rising prosperity of Ireland will rapidly diminish , until that disgrace be totally removed . Mr W . was , during his speech , loudly cheered . —Mr R . HuBsey ( Curpan Club , ) on being introduced by tbe chairman , was received with deafening cheers . He said he could not do better than to read the speech of Mr W . S . O'Brien , at Limerick , which was then read , and loudly cheered . In referring to tbo Gagging Act , he said , tbat the last plank of tko constitution had been
turned up and nailed on the edge , and had been made a jumping ] board for Sir G . Grey . Lord John Russell the most contemptible minister that ever existod , would find himself ia the wrong bor , by attempting to stifle the opinion of the starving oppressed psople of Ireland . Was it fo be borne ?—¦ WSS Ireland to lie quiet under this bill 5— waa sh ? to be committed to tho ravages of another famine ?—were Irish mothers to eat the flesh of their children ? He said a thousand times no . ' Was Ireland to remain a fee farm for tbe relatives of the Whig place-hunters ?—would the government ba allowed to create a bloody revolution in Mb native land . ?—wero Ireland ' s leaders to bo crushed bj the-ex . offlcios of a Catholic Attorney-General ! If they were determined that . these things should not continue , let them rally for Ireland and agitate in a voice not to be mistaken by tho imbecile Whigs . ( Loud cheers . ) Several otber persons having addressed the meeting , snd otbtrshaviDg paid , thoir subscriptions . A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman , and tho meeting was adjourned to Wednesday , the 10 th inat .
The Davis Cldb . —Largo meetings of this club wore held on Wednesday , ' the 26 th ult , and on Monday evoning last , at the Assembly Rooms , Dean-straet , The meetings of this truly democratic club are held oa every Monday aud Wednesday evenings . A preliminary meeting of tho Irishmen resident In the Birmingham district , wbb held at the ' King of Prussia , ' Fatr . 'Street , Horselydown , on Sunday evening last . Mobem Bussty and Dunne , attended as a deputation , and explaineu the objects and principles of the Irish Confederation , ' / hey were well received . Tho meotiug wob then Bdjoaraed . *! H Saad&yevening next .
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TttianB . Mid that he . badal ^ Dee TO a ^^ thiaw by their nght naEW . £ tne House ei Aet tbit the P » P £ * . ^ LS £ tiYes of the people ( as tfcey « m called ) in t J J ° ns overnme 3 t for having Sieves . . He « n 5 *? n | ™ , lfor having been fright-^ d fn ere ^ XTpe and fbrn . Thereafter the gg ^ ttemln ' went on to show the policy and ezpe-SLf tf the people not beingtoo ultra on either the ineslde or the other . He had U 7 objection , h « aud , toUnJersalSuffrase himself ; fee » ir no > objection whatever to it , providing they could get the Ballot with it ; without it there would be aH sorts of bri-Sry a ^ d interference . Now ( continued the hon . gSLr aan . ) can you , as the people get he Charter fLut ^ ,, * tho ^ nnsont of people in otberipJseiS . s ion
sssegasggig now an aghstion in the conntry .. At that meeting Sine bearings of the question were discussed and lss ^? g ? l pnbSc to sse that they were divided on it ; but the IS wS that of those who were present at the SSlinE to Which he was referring four-fifths wonld Jawvoted against UBiTersal Suffirage ; now ha put ft J thenfwhether they were prepared , by pera-shng £ their demand for the suffrage , to give np the sup-Xrt of the one hundred members of parliament who Said under the circumstances go with them ! & A verv extended Household Snfirue , with
S ^ jSftjsre . M ^ S ^ BfSKIK ^ uTSSRfflSMffifSS-g wnldn ' tBOtottotop of a chnrck until he could fmnp up it . For his part he was as extreme a » dieal as anybody , and always had been ; but he should Se to know what that party ever got of them . Sve ? but , when they were joined toS ether as the , 414 in tbe political mdm , they made a great demonstration , aid , if they didnot get all , they got a great deal . At ihe present time the oistress m the coun-?^ T ™ h « Mmin ? unbearable . He admitted that oi
fee suffrage , Pot « T would not mend the condition the people , but it wonld give them the power of enforcin ? theadoptios of ench measures aa jroaid mate S happy . ( Hear , hear . ) Hta conned , therefore , was for the middle and working elasses to unite togetherin one solemn bond of union , and they would obtains large proportioa of tbat which they were Bse&fng to obtain . ( Hear , hear . ) Ia his opinion , those entertaining extreme Opinions were bound to znskea slight sacrifice in order . to obtain Household Suffrage ; then it would be impossible for any gorernsent to withhold a more extended reform , ifth people required it . For his own part , he had always relied on tne mass of the peepls in his elections , and so he had told the House of Commons .
Mr Schdlsfieu ) , M . P ., who was reoeivedwitli enthesiastie cheering , rose to address the meeting . He remarked , they knew the extent of his views npon the suffrage question ; they knew that ha sincerelj and deliberately advocated the principle inrolred in the term Universal Snffrage ; ar . d to that principle be now as strongly adhered as he bad ever done , and more si . He bad , howerer , signed the declaration in favour of the movement for Household Suffrage that he might join in that movement , whioh he believed wonld stir England from end to end .
Mr tr . R . Dawsos , M . A ., said the wishes of the workis ? classes are well known ; the Charter defines them simply and clearlr . The question is , are the middle classes prepared to go that length ? I think they are not . Wfeat is to bs done ? Ars the two classes to be regarded as cantractino parties , who must each make concessions , or are the working classes to insist npon the whole demand ? Can ^ yon pet the Charter if the middle clas ses da not join ? "Will they join ! If not , whst will you do ? Will yon refuse a part because yon eannot get the whele To ihese working men who , though Chartist ? , are willing to join the household movement , I wonld gay — ' Be not deterred by so doing by what may be said . Moral courage is never more seen thaa in dojng right when it may be called wroBg . ' Many Chartists feel that they cannot demand less than the Charter . So be it ; bat let others who feel they can , without inojasi ^ teney , join a . household movement , at once doB > . ( Immense clearing . )
Mr Jo 3 eph Stcrge next addressed tbe meeting . He expressed his delight at seeing so large and so harmonious a meeting , and his hopefulness that if they could only obtain their object they would , not quarrel about the name bf which it was called . It ¦ was fce knew their duty te advocate equality of political rights , but he did implore them , if they could Bor . agree upon all points , not to disagree npon details . He trusted they would look npnn those who did not so the whole way as agreeing with them , and joining in soing a certain distance , as far as they eou'd now see their way . But he thought his friend Mr D . iwsen was rather toosanguineabont the matter , and he ( Mr Spurge ) should prefer going for the great principle . ( Cheers . ) Mr < T- -Hasos , a Chartist , said that his friends ,
Borne of them who had spoken , had bMn more candid than he had expected , and he expressed his desire to know what household suffrage meant . He did aot think that the Chartist 3 were fanatics . He had been a Chartist for years , bat no fanatic . He ffas One * , too , who never called other persons by kard names ; and he thought they should not look back opon tfce errow of the Chartists , or it might rake np other nnp ' easant reminiscences . He wobW say to those whs were for obtaining household suffrage , ' Go oa , and get as ranch as yon can , ' and let the uuiversa ! suffragists assist them Vfhere they could . Bat he called npon them as men of principle to recollect , that when that bill for granting househe-ld snffrage « ent into the houses of parliament , there wonld be amendment npon amendment , until the promoters of the bill would find that the one passed was not the
cna they wished for . ( Hear . ) They ( the complete enffrace party ) had declared their principles ; they did not complain of the exertion ? of those who did aofigo qnite so far , bat he wsnld rather say let them get as much a 3 they conld . That declaration had 6 e 3 a signed fay taen of both parties , both working SHU ftud middle class men , which showed there was s mutual desire to co-operate . Mr Mason then went on to remind the meeting that in a co-operation of the middle and working classes there was much to be forgiven and forgotten ; and urged that they should ratfeer unitedly take their stand on the principle of timr-ysa ! suff «? e than on the accommodating expedient honsafcold suffragg , ? -t the same time reminding themeeting ef the fact , that the men of Birmingham were nnw bsing led by men wha would cause th'stn to work out their object by peaceable and lefrtlmate means , and no other .
Mr O'Neill snegested that itwould be better to s * k distinctly what wa 3 the nature of this 'hotissliold Euffrage , ' to which reference hsd been made that day . Mr Mp . vTz . M . P ., replied that , at present , ttere lad been nothing definitive settled by the new Liberal party in reference to the extension of the suffrage . Be had ( he said ) before told them that there were a certain number of liberal members who had agreed to endeavour to obtain an ' Extension of the Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Triennial Parliaments , and Electoral Districts . '
Mr Hili ^ a Chartist , considered the question put by Mr O'Neill in reference to the fall meaning of the ¦ words , ' heuseholdrefit-age' as very proper , more especially as they should rightly understand the qa&stidn before the meeting of Wednesday , prior to which he contended the parties who called the meetmc ought to define precisely what improvements they were going for . The meeting broke ap without the adoption of any resolution whatever .
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¦ ¦ r ¦ ¦ Mat 6 , im THEKrQR . THlRg STAR- _ .. M--TO ^ BSeggsgg 3 g ^^
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Radical Meeting ik Makceestee . — A numerous and enthusiastic meeting was held on Monday night in the Corn Exchange , Manchester , is favoHr of Par liamentarv reform and a reduction ef taxation . Between 2 , 000 and 3 , 000 people were present ; and the chair was taken by Mr John Brocks , late membei of the Anti-corn Law League council , and the ansacesssful candidate at the late election for the representation of Boiton . He declared himself favourable to TJaiversal Suffrage , and , indeed , to the whole six points of tha Charter ; bat he was willing to go for something less , because he wanted to rally round this movement all the strength he could get out of doors , sod then he would do battle with the parliament nnch more effectually . He was firmly convinced that the same amount of perseverance and determination that abolished the Corn Lavra would obtain Parliamentary Reform . There was , he said , no town
In England in point of intelligence more fit io have Universal SaSrage than Manchester . The working classe 3 of this city possessed a great deal of good common sense , for wafchthey were indebted chiefly to mechanics' and such like institutions . In many towns household suffrage ttould de very well , bnt in * arge towns like Manchester , Universal Suffrage would do much better . ( Cheers . ) But , thorough Chartist a 3 he waa , he waa willing , for the present , to go Bimply for those reforms sought by Messrs Cobden , Home , and elhera . The other principal speakers were Messrs J . C . Djer , A . Prefitice , A . Ileywood , and ilenry Vincent ; and resolutions were passed dedaring that the nresent House of Commons , by its
recent decision on taxation and expenditure , has torfeited the confidence of the people , that tranquillity cannot exist until the industrious classes are relieved from their oppressive burdens , and property is made ta contribute its juit proportion of the taxe 3 ; and that ia order to counteract the ruinons effeet of pauperism and crime consequent upon the extravagance and imbecility of aristocratic government ? , a further measure of reform , consisting of a wide Extension of the Franehise , Equal Electoral Districts , Vete by Ballot , Shorter Daration of Parliament , and No Propsrty Qualification for Members , is imperatively d-maaded ta meet the exigencies of the times . — limes .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 6, 1848, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1469/page/6/
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