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THE CHARTS THE WHOLE CHAHTER , AKD NOTHING BUT THE CHABTKEL Those -who seek to lea 1 the people should know , that though Chartism is now at a discount , it is not so with the principles of the Charter . We have somewhere read a proverb to the eSect that «• they -will limp ^ vhb w « i mneh with the lame - and ^ trost tha , t th < M 6 " » feoiM > WBfiek to unite the people "wn «» em in another eonU-st for organic change , will *« ke erasing by the comiuet of the TVhigs towards the middls-dasses , when they had suecc-e- ' . ed in separating we latter . The middle-clashes lircp nc ^ r , because they l » ve consorted with the Widgs . Tbe' Whigs now tell
tijfi Corn Law Ddesates that they are madmen for seeking to rep * -& : tiie Corn Laws ; and ihos-j delegates who re proposing to ippeaA to tte people , say , we wiil ask for Houshold Suffrage , the Ballot , ami Triennial Parliaments ; that i » , we will Etill ask for hslf-iafcasBres * n d endeavour ta aarj the people with as again . They soay be assured that the masses hare gone "beyond this , ttai they now see tb « t labour most be represented and that until it is , labourers . — lir-th' . r peasants or peatrres , will be oppr » -ed—thai Com Law repeal , "though highly to be desue . i , is only a palliatsTe , not a remedy .
Science has brought into the fr . M since the days of "Watt and Arkwright a produci u ^ - po-. ver equal to one hundred millions of labourtrs ; and it is ealy by Winning icen to be represents I . because they are men , and not because they are pos- ^ essed of bricks Mid aaortar , that laws will be enact-. *! adjpte-i ta iha immensity of this cause of social ehanqe-ThEre can be eo hope—the middle-classes ocgJrt , ere this , to have b- ' en SAtisicd tht .: tl : e : ei 3 nohope— that fegislaUoa which shall aUaadon all monopolies aad set commerce free , win prevail , whilst tbey liave hereditary legislators , aad -whilst law-matins is in the hands ' of tile aiistocracy and their nominees . If they Wil ; not go for aa organic change , they Bast "be content to suffer ^ nd groan until the system faJls in » ad crashes them ; they w £ l nevsr g ^ ttlie abortion of all indiivct taxation and c ' ntits of every kind—Customs , Excise , Ass- s--oi—and an ad valorem property-tax wMlst they have here-jtary legislators .
It is by such Uws only ttat tha V . assings of God , through the . discoveries of sdeacc . -vrill be extended to a 31 men . It is commerce aloss winch creates brothcrliood among * :, the nvjons , while " u ; s their aristocratic leaders * iw have hith ^ i tu arrive : t' . iein as Lands of diadpKne ;! ruffians against each orhr-r . If taxation "were entirely removed from commerce , and placed » pon property , the rtsolt wonH bo . xi ^ t Eations would ahake hands with each other asi become a moral uci-Terse . Ti , e masses , by the pi&cinr .- of their bellies , and by ^ he rapid increase of ti : e i : ; ea . sy' classes , hare learned thai KifiihJisss in legislation is tbe root of JMsrly all the evils waich the couairv now suffers . Of wi » tho Buurn&cturers ought to & sat-sSed , in witaaessing the boki » ess with which tbe selSsh landlords « witend that they have a right to rrevent the
community £ r > m buying , at its natural prloe . tiie sustenance gmn by Q ^ a fur their enppart Ccr . they doubt , cow that they see tLe mannsr ia ^ liich t ^ e landloras deal ¦ With tlic one eienienE—die earth raid its frails— that lithey had the pover , they would i : ; 3 ko us pay a tax for every fcreirlt of air , as tlie . T r . o i ; cw for a mouthful « ffood ? Can tiey point to ar instance is which any-Hiing was tTcr obtsintti from the iiiitocracr in faToux «* tbe masses , except wh ^ n -srrar . c from la ' eir fearsfrom , their apprehension that tLe supplies would bo stapped ? it was this th-: t led the aristocracy Jo grant tiie Reform Bill , not tlwt they loved reform ' for i-ora Grey , tt :. o firs : led it , bi-ca : ue alarmed the moment he saw the people in . jui / tiou . He provided for Ins own , and then retired , declaring , " I -will itaad by any order . "
We know that the people leve l ^ bscred abxmdaQflj-. ^ he enonnous debts and vr--s :. lul expenditure o GoT 5 m » r , e nt £ in . VI c ^ tri ?; . nr . d t ! ie exceisive £ or-*» nes and accr : 7 r . uiat : oiis rc ^ : i ^ I ly l&rgt landed propnetors &n < l cspiteli-lB arc a ^ aai ^ ct evidence of tliis . The mi-idle c '^ - ses s ' . ould rt § ist-7 t--i ? truth , and they « noTL'd sec to i : tLat law * &n- na-l ^ tending to secure l » l only tiie crrtiti&a of weaidi . but 2 jast distributive « iare to the- producer * TLe sckr > ee of just distribu ^ « on should be now studied . We s .-. y aga ' n . the ^ e'ore to those who woaid ixre tbe p-: op ? e go with thsni ' contend for thit which is just to alL labour is as much property to the peopl , as facteiiesmills acu
, machines are to the niaau ^ turers . Tte laws must be just . I > o not be prerected f ro : u doiag right by \ h * cry that the jreople arc cot sufficiently educated . " This 23 a epr of the interert-:-d who caur . ot afbrd to admit ^ hat justice to all is for the gwl cf the whole . The lore of justice is unplatted by GoJ in the nature of man , acd we need not fear but that thit which God has implanted in man ' s nature , wid vrcrk well ; even « ougfc that nature be not educated . Do not therefore , we say to tie iiA-i&e cLtses . fear to contend for ttraa rights on tLe ground ihzt zhc people are not * nmcKsitly &j ucat = d ; tiis is oa ' y a fallacv for d-Iav . Unless yoa allow thau the -r . s-t * nf fri . rr . nT , fw * ,-. « jou aiio-y mau tile ~ : of freemen ^ j wul Ire
q i ^ ver properl y educatifel ; the ekrgy w ill not * U ow } t . The derty oppoi . d ih « proposed educational pan ^ tales the Govenimont would consen "; that thev Aould hsye the liberty to cement their creeds cr ^ n tte minds of these to be educated . Don't be afraM * a « by asiingior LTniT ^^ . j S unicga you will g ? t it Wnaiever yon ask for is suro to La eci down fifty -per < ent > y the aris ' -ocrsry . Ask for wh * t is ri-lit and you may chance to g * - . a tube of it But ask only for tithe of what is just , and you will not get a tithe of teat , for yon will cot be asdried by the people ¦ a = d ¦ whilst the people are divided , t ^ e ' cause of justice is "ramped J-y the ixdusvei . —Leicestershire Mercury .
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-m ¦¦» " . ¦¦ .-.., i . si ... w . m ^ US . BENBOW ^ S DEFENCE OF CBAKT 1 SM ^ T CHESTER ASSIZES . Mr . Bcntow , of ilarrchesteT , was indicted before Vr . Baron Man ! e , in the Cro ^ m Court , Cbest-. r . on Fiifav , ^ prfl 10 , for utte : isg sediticcs lai-guige ct Stockpciil en the Sib . of Jure last The evifivasce nsvicg bc-c-3 goi ; a through on the part of the prosecution , the dtf aidant proceeded to address the Court in a bold speech full of truth aad vigour , lornear . y eleven bocri . Addr « ring the Jury he said , Gtntle ^ en . —I address myself to you . You a ~ d I , Gentlemen , ( as was one * said by Home Took ? . , ) cjc the principal pan •« cc ^ cerue d in tins triaL Ton ought to be 127 peers who are empannelied on this trLil , and I tnx-t in Go-1 tint v&n
-appear in taat box free fn ^ nprcj uice a = d cnlnSuecceii bj favour or inclination , ci ::: ' : r cf your landlords , ccstomCTg , or otirrwise Trorktd nr-cn by the czzvAn " craftiness of biv maa wintsoevLr . I & : $ -, cntrt-at votj to bear in sr . iad that the eyes ¦ - f tli-3 people es tlrs mat Baton are axednpou yen . 1 ; hoik God . Giiit > ni'n that notwit-. s - . and-r ^ the n . d = asd merer ess band of tyrants ana ; nnoTat- * s t ere is still the wreck of ctit mooeat institutions left . Th- o ^ ressors liave still left bs the form of trial \ . y jury . In all eatea the minvfc ^ i ed factions have sot , j = ict at prescat , dured U Kot out tb ? t greater Idslint- feature of our ancient uirti-• tetion , the trial by jury . Th r ^ is no doubt whs-eve : tat that the monsters have dured to tamper with ant introduce inn . jvstic ^ s ^ r ;^ i out cad on trial by jury Such i * tic practice of naki : ; -. f .-amlwr , t-toriE ' " , era
goonmg , and intimidat ' n- ; of jures , thst it is quite a ; miraclefor = ny hed rha-ged with a political cfic-uca to \ obtain jusfcee , or even a n : crciful consideration of his cause . In the ess of the trial of Mr . TiEcent , jur .-. rs reported , ard which has b-: en published in the news- ; papers , that they were wmptlled to act as they did or beroiised . The cLtrnmf-t-tce of makins up i ' ur ' es constitutes one of thos-- - - niviandwly signs of tbe times which Jed to sxne rpniarksby Lord Bioushara , who » id he Lad observel for ih ? fct tints aa alienation of < megreat class of the comr . rusky from all that b ' r . od a * oveit The great holy of tie labourite posulation ' of the ccnutry was no * , knit n tl ebond of amity or even neutrality with those who yren not in the same cond ^ ti -. n -with thunselves . T-. e reuMn tt . s , that tiie bulk of the
tobcuKtg people of the country aa who'ly al : enat-: d from all clashes of the puV . c who were plJced evei- so im . e above them ic sutvn . There was a wide ser- " - isUon between ihe represent- d asd the unrepresenn . d portioa cf the people of th s country . Of this sepsra- ' taon tiers were manifest fji-1 plain symptoms in all th- jroseediass of Gorernn ^ nt wt : c ! i had lat-cly taien P * 3 ffi . Lord Erocchai : i then cr-me to a fact ID -VTlUch Will you and I are exceedingly interested . " lie came TO ax . ^ tlier fact show-n ? the tiificrepancy of th ° two . classes of soci-ty , aad it was ote which he heard from taose who in ; w h by tbe r prxessicml experience . " Xord BKiignam asked tleir Lord ? . h pe ( the Houm cf , i * rds ) " when within the last few years would it hvre oeai considered safe to entrust to a common jury the , _
trials n * sues ccss-s as bad bcec sr . bniitt ' . d to tLeic ? The ' mle was never to tbink of it . because au acquittal wcultl ¦ be certain . A great change tad taken place , acu it ' letoker . cd & cocsidcrcble alicna' . ior . between the labour- i isg classes and the shopkeepers ¦ who were p * a ^ a little ' bore them . ? ? Anything mere haugbty , unbroken , unmitigated , procd , intolerant , acd , hs woulii add , unbearafcle , than th ^ aristocr& . tic feeling of ttds class towards tie c ' ass wliich happened to be a little its inferior , coald not be conceived . " What is it , Gentlemen , that ba 3 risen up anisaijEt us within tiese few years , and tcrrcd your hearts against your eare ^ ¦ worn fellow labourers , end made yon no longer the shield and pr- ^ tector of . innocence and freedom ? 0 , I "will tell yeu . It is not because your benevolence as Esgiishmen is chsngeS ; tut be-ansa tie oppressors of our couutiT- hss made you a sort of connecting link , by which tHey have made yoa their cats' paw to oppress and' degrade English labourers . Gentlemen , it was that mest- precious piece ef humbug , the Hefoim Bill , wlikh brought you into the trammels of toe oppresore ; without being any advantage to yon . It made you the tools by which to put the indnrtrioos msss out of the pale of freedom . Having witnessed the proceedings of the infuriated Whig ficto « , what hope can I have of justice ? My prosecutors S ° 4 Hie iBaraadtrs and merciless delinquents tin the fixate . They have conspired ig& . rjst me ; they have « abomed hired ruffians to swsar frJsely asa-nst m- ¦ ifcey have imprisoaea mo , and by the excessive VMl « 4 Jch was required fur my appearance btfore you and Before teal , raj pereeeutcrs have mined me in my cir-^ mrignres , and panished me with ekht months close i ^ nisoanent There is not a man in Eagiand who 4 e&t not fcelieTe tliat this trial of mine , the owriction
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and punishment were not previously determined npon , concocted , and srwnged by a gang of plotters in another plaice . Thank Heaven , I may , notwithstanding the wreck cf our legal powers and privileges , have fallen into the hands of a jnst and righteous Judge , and an honest and independent Jury , who will bave resolution and honesty enough to declare by their verdict this day , " Hitherto , ye base , brutal , fclse , and plundering Whigs , fchill ye go , but no further . " Yet , a little while , let the issue of the trial be what it may , my innocence of the charge will break forth as the morning sun . cheering mymind and sustaining my body in a cold , damp , and solitary dungeon . My Lord , I cannot but be strongly impressed Ahat the Learned Baron Gurney at the last Assizes deviated greatly &&d punishment were not -prcvionsiv determined mvm
from the strict lice of duty in prejudging my case , and but for whose misdirection and partiality , the Grand Jury , had tbey been honest men , woulil never have found a true bill against me . I am charged with having said and done things which are wholly false from bo . qinning to end ; yet Baron Gnrney in his address said that the grievances of whiih I complain on behaif « f the working people were " supposed grievances , " and he reasoned from the ascertion which he had made as & fact , and then denounced me as a wickefl , foolish , and absurd ptrson , who was seek ' ng an equality of property , &c . How is a person situated as I amio expect a fair trial , when the Judge who presided over my case , prejudged th ; matter as a deckled partizin , ami determining the question upon which you , Gentlemen cf the Jury , are called neon to deliberate ? The next matter to which I beg to direct your
Lordship ' s attention is the anxiety wbidi was di-pb . ycd by the doesbire Squirearchy , and which I tske to be the consequence of the Judge ' s charge . I allude to the breathless . anxiety cf those pampere-1 curs to outdo tin * bidding of the Ltarr . ed Baron . Insxe ; £ < d procec-dia . for misJe 2 ies . no ! iT 3 as directed , they wiibed to return bills for hijdi treason . You will b-.-pleased to bear in mind that tke prosecuvivn commenced six > niy after the aiiper . rance of tl ) at Hjtable letter addressed by Lord John KubseS to the magistrates , fLOsi which date liberty and ^ istive have b ^ ea in a pecfound irleep , and the constitutional rigbt of thspeop ' e to nieei and discuss their grkvaraes is declared illegal by the \ Vj 1 ig 3 . The Lord . Chief Ju £ t : co Dennian has thrown a little light upon this question . Me Bays that " the latter of Lord John Russell sxasi not be taken as law I" Xot / the wort ' s which 1 am charged with having nsed , took place on the Stb of June , and yet for more ttein tw . i
nionthj these terrible words were suffered to rsaikle and fester in the mm £ of the prosecutor , before he £ ould bring his resolution to the point of dctemtination to assail me for sedition , 4 c . Why all thi 3 de-ay ? Why wis not the justice of the case decided at once ? Was it an abstruse question ? Did not the lawyer , " Cucknp , " acderstanU tLe ratura und properti es of the sort of sedition wliicb . would be cecessaiy to suit his ba ? e and brstal er ^ ploytrs ? Gentlemen , it is plain taat justice forms no part in tliis prorccntion j il is a cruel and malignant _ pro : einliiig t » serve the vindictiTe purposes of th » teuned b aids of both fictions , t ' vey being equally icterested in the destruction of niysdf snd the degradation of the woiking classe 3 . Nor is it sought to prove tbe charge ngainst me but by words and
sentences garbled , misapplied , altered , r . ia-ie , distorted , aad explained , and prejudged by a Judge cf tbe laa i . And . amongst the other perverted olserrations which I am fctsird t « have made , is that relating to tbe doctrine of eqcaliiy . j Perhaps there- is no object in the whole range of political matter whkh has given riie to so mauy falsehoods and malignant slanders sfiainst the Reformers as t'uig ba c e iavtntlon of the factions about the equality of property . It is the raw head and Woody boce 3 invented by tbe marauders to work up&a tie mi ^ ds and passions of the sordid—to terrify tbe timid—to deter the indifferent—r , nd by which to strip the ignorant , degraded , industrious classes . " I Lad learned that the heritage of Gods creatures is the carih , and that he feeds the yourg
ravens , when they cry . "The CJCfi of all craa ' . ur ^ ¦ wait upon tfcee , O Lord , and tliou d 7 eth them nie . it in due-season" Gentlemen , the assertion tbat I told the people anytiiiEg about the disiribution cf wta ' . th , is a false and mal ^ yiant cl : » p-trap , used to dec . ive ti . e unwary , and to prejudice tho Jury rgninst eic . There is a vast diiu . rence and distinction be ' . vreen wealth as il is produced and n 12 . de available by labour for thu use and the comfort , and tbe convenience of society , and tue nitre possession of property as the effects of " a supposed providential design . What I taught w ^ s , tint tho industrious c ) as 5 es were the prcdncers of all the werJth in th-j kingdom ; but that they were fleeced of it by persons who neither toiled nor spun—by persons who gave nothing whatever in return for what
they took avr ^ y . I-s ' aUd U > the industrious people facts which ihei . esperier . ee had long confirmed" that tLe poJEe- 'sors of the land have us : d oppreision and exercised robbery , and bave vexed tbe poor and needy , "—and which facts and esp . rier . ee were r . wfuliy confirmed by the inspired Apostles of Jesus Chiist . " Behold , tie hire of the labourers wto have reaped down your Stlds , wiueh of you kept'back by fraud , creth :. and the cries of them which have reap el are entered into the ears cf the Lcrd of Sabacth : yo have lived in pleirore on the earth , and "been wanton ; ye have nourished your hearts a 3 in a day of slaughter ; ye have condemned the just "— ( utb . cb- James . ) You have been told "by BrjcnGurney thai equally is " as absurd as it is faWr . cioua . A" m ^ ri tpeeuTatlve dr . rnc-ra
— a mere f&ndfnl delusion . " All this is said to prejudice your minds cgsinsi n ; c- But befora your mieds be entirely made up , yon will bs pleased ta allow me to state what I understand by the terra , which is so terrible" to tynints , but which is , like tbe angel ' s voice in the Gospel , good netvs of great yor to tr . e people Gentitmc-n of the Jury , equality does not mean taking away tte weilth cf the possessors . Oh , no ; that would be robbery . Neither tloas it lue ^ n that every man ousht to be possessed or tLe SAcie quantity or degree of wealth . No , Gentlemen , my drtractors know , aud the Learned Judge knew , that wh ; n the term eqnility vrcs used , the thicg was equal justice , equal laws , end c-qr . al icpriseEtaiSon , as the cviumon right of every ninn . The term equality , then , I take to mean a
common principal of equity , which ought to bs fixed cr established as a rule to govern trery member of the ¦ State , in his life and conversation . This is the equsliry which I preached ; ard such were tie opinions of our forefathers down to the tim ? of the Act of Sc ' . tltment , at which peiicd these maxims were recorded by historians , " that what concerns all should bo approved by all ; " that common din ~ : r ba repeiieJ by untcd efTorts f and ' tl-tt eo man shall b . > t-aed without his consent End equnl repiesentation and taxation going together . " The equality which 1 have preached to the indestrious classes i = fuuad ^ d upon the " ever ' avting law of riglilc-ousngis "—' . hat common stindard cf va-ue
to which all good men subseiibe . Ibis toasiity is like ' . he Sun , the . r _ nie in every a : e , acd in every country of ti . e tairie effect . There is a saying cf Solon ' s "which L 23 l « -n much rt-pev . ed by the Athenians , " that i-qua-iiy cr . us . a no ware . " Compare tbe judgmer . t of GTiTDey . witli tbe opinion of Solon ! Guruey nys that equality is as a ' surd as fallacious ; whilst even Plutarch , in tis r . fe vi Solon , writes that " both rich and poor w ^ re plc ^ sc-d vrltb his iSolon ' s ) idea of equality . " There . is an idea which occurs to my mind on the operations . ucd on the effects of equality , as practised by the Athenians . Here we Lave a just man , a govtraur of a people , holding forth the equality of ids government , to ' tte admiration cf all after ag&s : —
¦ " By me the people held thtir native rights rninjnrcd , uneppressed . The great restnuned From Ja—' ess violence , and the poor from rapine By me , thtir mntual shifeld . " Good God : tow unlike the jaundiced description of equality as stated by 2 partizan Judge in ti . ese days of sordid vanity r . i . d blind self-love . C » mpa , ie the security of the days of Scion with these of Gurney . There it a remarkable feature in the doctrine of equa-. i y , which 13 wt-11 understood by tbe Chartists , and w ; ich is equally wrll -n-or . h the particulur attention of 1 the Juiy . That is to say , " that the possession of wea ' siii uid power" flionld never create an authority or ' - cw . r to"be used arainst the well being , the freedom , u :: d happiness of any members of th- State ; or , that the possession of wcaHh and power should give the power to auy paity to make sordid and exclusive law *
militate against ttrr peace ar . d * conteBtnitnt , ~ and tho good order of society . Gentlemen of the Jury , we have been exceedingly hard learners , if experience has ilot forced xipoc cur minds tho knowledge of tiie aWiUl facts witll Whick we are earroantiCKl , and Wbere tie abuse of the association of wealth is Eeen and felt . a 3 the effects of exclusive laws , raeh as ignorar . ee , poverty , slavery and degradatkru ThtTeis a taying by a very great bistoriau , and v . uich l think I ntc-d n- " t ftcr contradiction when it is applielto tho actual state of the n ^ tioa . Hume , then , cays that " wheresoever the wealth cf a nation is in a few hands that few will wield the , power , and readily conspire to lay all the burden of the State en the poor and oppress them . " There need be no argu : r . eats to prove to you tlixt the idle , luxurious few " hive used oppression and robbery . " The industrious c ' asscs in of the nation —™^— j t \ tvi Miu tu
every corner are --- ——— - _ v *** v ' --j . vr * . * a .- * uawvu c ( EtrickeaVithpoverty—everywhere misery and wretchedness are tiie companions of the working classes . This is tb . 9-price of the de sc 2 cra ? i-. inofn ; yunb .: ippy countrymen . : They are made to furuith the means , by which-the ; factions torment them with misery , wretchedness , and "death . . They pay the r ? ice cf " the heavy : yoke that raises the heavy s-i ^ h , " Is it not ! a state of vile inequality -which is now ea ' ab-! listed ? What is tiie condition ef the ration ? What j share-have the people of justice—of rights—of liberty . —or of protection ? All is coercion and restraint . i Where are the rights of the poor man ? Djfine them j if you can . Where are his immunities ? Are they to be found in the New Poor Law- or in the dissection laws
j —corn—game—or in the thousand other equally monj stroua measures of ii ) justice ? The poor man ' s lot , according to the atrocious-factions , is hard toil . He has nothing to do in the state , but the suffering part , to : toil , to fag , ( the labouring portion ) all this , but not for j himself h 0 , no , but for others who neither toQ nor spin , Oentltmen , is it absurd to seek for a cessation j of injustice . Is it fallacious to contend for equity ? j Then I am guilty , and Judge Gurney is a righteous , I just , and holy judge . The next point to which I ehall j direct your attention , and the prejudicial effects of which I 1 ain very desirous of removing from your minds , is i relative to the grievances of the people . It was stated in this hall , aud it has been often repeated since by j the public prosecutor of this false and malieiOTis charge , I " that their minds are inflamed for the destruction of property , " &c I will appeal to yonr Beam whether
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anything more atrociously base and mischievous can be attempted by the most unworthy wretch that ever cursed the face of the earth , the object and tendency of which is to bias and to dragoon your minds to my Injury . It was also stated on the same occasion that the courts of Law are open for the poor man as for the rich , and that his rights are equally inviolate , and asking whether one single imputation could be produced against the administration of those laws they ( tho Chartists ) so much revile . I do maintain that the complaints of the poor are not attended to , much less equally attended with those of the rich . And I will further show to you that the grievances of which the poor complain aro not fanciful , but real grievances and intolerable to be borne . Everywhere there is a cruel anvthine more atrociously base and mischievous can be
brutal , and needless severity practised against the poorer offenders , whilst the notoriously , infamously bad character of what is falsely called tho higher classes are suffered to escape . The public press teems with accounts of indigent men who are sent to prisen without trial for weeks and months to hard labour , or fined the amount of a " week's or month's wages , while at the same time the rich are allowed to escape with impunity . Lord William Beresford , brother to that ' scape-grace , the Marquis of Wa ^ er ^ ord , was allowed to escape for the merest trifie of a -flue ; fcut the poor man is sent to prison to hard labour at the treadmill , perhaps to solitary confinement , for the . most triflim . ' off-nce against the newly-fangle i laws whieli have created innunieraMe crimes and puuishnien ' s to be inflicted ou the poor
without trial by jury . Witnes 3 the ca e of Lorton , and poor widow Murpl . y . You ore told fiat " all are eqiul in tV . e eye of the law . " I pray yt . u examine tr . e impudent assertion ; it is tCally arid entirely false . It is asked "is there c ; nci ; : au whose rigbr-s arc not inviolate ?" Can any ono produce " " single imputation p . gainKt tbe a < hiik ; i > : i : aU > rs of the laws ? " I nnsw . r , yes . Where was the c jualtty of ju-lics before tii . > Jaw wh ' . T . in iuy own pe : sou I lia 1 to tv . fibr , mid . was subject * , cl to great hardships aud ignominious trAitm-jiit for newly tv . -. ; lve months , whtu the ir < su-lieartei aad Bangui ; i ; vry Tories used every sort of means to torment and to degrade me , in addition to the petty cruel'y of r . onintercoursa with my family and friends for tho nbovo period . Is this tho equ * l measures of justice fur
tie poor man ? Gentlemen of tiie Jury , tho laws have been niade tho instrument in the hands of blood-thirsty , merciless men in the eountry , and bave caused more misery to he endured by the industrious classes , than was ever inflicted by all tho tyrants that ever scourged the earth since the days of Pharoah , to those of the icy-hearted autocrat of Russia . Having alluded to ths .- pers-.-cution which ho bad received in 1 S 21 , by tliatband of conspirators in * London , called tV . e " Constitutional Association , " at the head of which ¦ was Lawyer Murray , he proceeded to ai-gua that this law was made like the cob « obs , to c : itch small flies ; but the hornets and h . custs bresk through them with impunity . And -s fur the administration of ths laws , llaeica Jc-scrilx . d it in two lints , to tho very letter , when he
said" Little villains are doomed to fate That great ones may enjoy the world in state . " Wliet' ertlte grievances of the poor were fancied ones I leave to the fceling 3 of the Jury . The whole is a tirade , a elap-trap , to bias yc-ur minds against me Tiie Lesmed Counsel , at the last Assizes , alluding to aiy reform agitation , says that I bad tao worst of objects , that of filling my pocket . I suppose we must say , " the man has pulled the beam out of his own eye ;" and that he is the very pink of disinterestedness—a distinguish »^ ornament of the profession , whose contempt of riche 3 i $ proverbhl . I recollect a saying of Piutarch ' s , " How canst thou be an honest man who art master of such a fortune , though thy fa'ber left tr . ee nothing . " Gentlemen , there are two ways by
which we may determine tiie value of the statement of the Learned Cuniuel . Certainly , he ought to havo clean hcjids . Tbe first is stated in the Gespel according to St Lute , xi chap . 45 th aad IGth v . —" Then answered one of the lawyers and said unto him , roaster , thus saying thou reproached us also . And he said , woe unto ye also ye lawj ers : for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borje , ye yousdve-s touch not the burdens with one of your fingeis . " ( Laughter . ) Ifow , the principle beauty and excellence of the Gospel , lies in the circumstance cf its fituiss und applicability to man in every age and couutry . Five minutes , ( on the other hand ) , will satiffy to view a part cf the atrocious judicial sinecures , will satisfy tho m '> st sceptical as to the voracious appetite of the lawyers . We have Lord
Ehenbvreugh , who , because he hippencd to bo the son of a lawyer , receives out cf your labour about £ 10 , 000 a-year . "Wo bave the Dako of Graft-jn , another branch of the legal Upas tree , with a great deal more than / . 70 , 0 ( 0 . Then there isftoson Tkurlow , a neat sprig cf the law , with his £ 11 , 000 . You recollect Lord Eldun , who cowered over his wealth like a miser . * Then we have the late Lord S to well leaving a personalty of £ 230 , 000 , and real estates worth £ lb , 000 more . What Hcrt of object lad these plunderers ? And last , although by no means a trifling item , among the almost innumerable fruucLs practiced upon us by lawyers , ia tho case of Sir Edward Sucden , who had thj good fortune to be called to ofike for the short period of one quarter of a-year , and twenty-six davs , and for Which service
the lawyer is saddled upon U 3 at the rate of £ 3 , 000 per annum . Gentlemen , if your indignation irnot excited —if your erirs do not uiyle at the recital of these very few cr :. « c 3 cf lc-al plunder , then I envy , not your feelings . With ench 2 . specimen , I would say to the Attoraey-Gccenl , before ho vilely traduces my motives as to peeunjary matterc , " Physician heal thyself . " Gentlenr-n , the people of England have grievances to eoropla ' n of—they are sui-stantLd grievances . They are sj numerous , ar . d so great , so malignant , and so oppressive , that the man who professes no ' , to see them , must be cursed with a conscience that is seared wit ' a blindnesa and hardness of heart—unfeeling and < rutl . The grievances of the people aro so great ^ hat all merely human language will fa 1 in tho description of
them . But the inspired language of the prophet lEaiah cr . mes most forcibly to my mind aud which may be applied to cur case with strict propiiety—" The whole head is sick and the whole heait ia faint From tbe sole of the foot , even unto the head , tliero is no soundtcss ia it ; but wouuda and bruises aud putrifying sores : they have not been closed , neither bouud up , neither mollified with ointm-nt . " The substance of the people is devoured in their presence and vh y are rendered as forlorn arid wretched as though , they were c snqucrcd by strangers aud eneiiiies . Such are the grievances of which I complain and such aie t ; . c grievances of the people of England . That I ni : y escape the charge of vague grtmraii ' ics , I will direct your attention to a fow
cut of the innumerable grievances witu which wa are afilicttd . I feel it will be impossible to bejjin at the wrong cud , the whole bouy po . itic being one entire sore p '^ ce . 11 ii c t in parts : tho whole body is one mass of corruption and rotttrmti-s . But that you may be able to form a tolerably correct opinion of the reality of the grievances of which I complain , I will point out to your notice what I conceive to be at tho root of all our ills , or , if you please , the source of all our national and individual woes . It is ihe groat master evil of societythe cruel heaited parent of all our bad laws—the cesspool of iniquity from which proceeds all the crime and mlseiy which Me seen aud kuown and experienced by tho people of England . Gcntk-mc-n , ali our grievances , poverty , exclusion , and degradation , will ba found to centre in , and to proceed from , the merciless factions
who have usurped the domiuition , and who rule the destines of this nation . Gentlemen , 1 said tho factions ; I beg you mark tlat TLe mercikss fac ' . ions which comprise the haugl . ty and unprincipled aristocracy and their hangers-on , the mere apes and unprincipkd imitators , the squirearchy—men whose understandings are blinded by tbe supercilious pride of intoxicated resisonmen whose hearts are hardened by sordid and inordinate self-love , and on whoso reasoning , entreaty , or remonstrance have no efFk-t The rr-pacious oligarchy not only frxiie all our institutions , but govern , coutroul , and marage all our affairs . The factions appoint all tho officers in the state , and fill them with their creatures , tools , and dependants . As to ths mode of management , evtry di-partinent of tbe state bears ample testimony of tbe sordid and infamous character of those
rapacious factions , tjUo church , the army , the navy ^ lhe colonial departments &c , < tc ., all being made subservient to their selfish influenca . This state of things , I take to be , not a fanciful , but a tj » 1 grievance , and a fruitful source of patronage and plunder . Ev ., n the composition or tiie House of Commons , and which I take to be under the influence of the factions , is contrary to the Act of Settlement . That notably reformed House is made up nearly as follows : —Oi knights , baronets , and tionourables , sons of the nobility , we have one hundred and twentytwo ; of soldiers r . nd eailors , in tho pay of ths Government , and upon whose subserviency to the minister of the duy , dppinus their pr-jmo : ion , there are one hundred and sixty-seven . Tlitse so diers and sailors are exceedingly out of place in making laws , because if
there is anything certain in law , th < j Act of Settlement his determined that no person who has an office or place * f profit under the king , or who receives & pension from tho crown , shall be capable of serving as a Kember of tha House of Commons . " But the Whigs have found out an invention how to set asid-i this law ; but who does not know that the business of soldiers and Eailors is to execute the laws , not to make them ? But to continue ; the state of the Commons , in addition to one hundred aud twenty-two sons of the nobility , and one hundred and sixty-seven soldiers and sailors , there are of placemen , whoso interest it is to maintain every abuse , we huve fifty-one ; of patrons of church livings , who , like locusts , rob the labourers of the fruit of their . hard toil , we have eighty-four ; of greedy , hungry lawyers , and the parvenue of mere hangers-on , expectants of tLe merciless- factions , ^ e have not less
toan sixty . In short , there are not less than five hundred and fifty of our notable legislators w hose interests are adverse to the interests and happiness of the people Theso sordid , ambitious men have become arbiters of the concerns of the nation . As it was a grievance that tbe great majority of the producers of all tho wealth of the nation should have no voice in the making of laws by which they are compelled to contribute to the taxes , and other charges and aids to ' the state , so is it a faheied grievance of which we complain when we are told , and when we are made to feel the consequence , of being put without tho pale of freedom , without having an opinion , voice , or consent in the choice of members of Parliament , —entirely setting aside that ancient maxim , that " that whichconcerneth all should be done by oil , and that he who pays taxes should be repreeenkd ? " Every advantage that a people ought to
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dert » ota » a > ttpmenfttite Government is absolutely and entirely lost under the domination and baneful influence of the sordid and rapacious factions . Is it no grievance to be deprhred , us the poor are , of every privilege aa free men—to leave them in a state of abject bondage—to appropriate their labour aud their lives—and then to use themas though God had crested them for no other purpose than to minister to idleness aad the luxurious propensities of the oppressors ? Again , is it a fancied grievance of which . I complain wu * n l say that Hie insatiable factions have robbed the poor and needy—thnt the monsters have not left the poor man a corner of earth , not a bit of common on which to feed a cow , or a pig , or a goat , or oven an ass , to keep him and to softoa tho miseries of an opdartre ( nut " -& ffenietfenfilMvA n ^ emi ^ Anf *¦ . v .. > in * ,. i ~
preeeed life ? GeutU men , the prosecutor wished you to believe that my pomplaint to the peoplo of Stock port was without reason and without cause . Gentlemen , our grievances ate so great , so monstrous , and so preposterous , thit nothing short of their actual existence could , by any possibility , make us believe the atrocious faci Is tho nefarious Septennial Act no grievance , by which a set of plunderers made a law for themselves to sit for seven years ? The factious decemvirs at Rome , on the Siine principle , endeavoured to perpetuate that power and usurp the authority and right of the people ; aud ihi llomans successfully resisted their usurpations . Is that thing called the national debt—that lasting monument of cruel extortion , waste , and mismle— ; i fancied grievance ? Why , tho incubus
w ;; s contracted l > y tlw cupidity of knaves , and submitted to by slaves and poltroons . So it ia a " fancied grievance" for ovory man , woman , and child in the kingdom to pay 35 ? . ;\ year . each , which in levied upon their industry to pay thu intemt of a dubt contracted by luxurous idlers who produce no earthly good to ¦ society ? Is ths starvation of tho people , which , ss efi ' ecti d by the Cora I . & \ vs , a " i ' meied grievance T Is tho eplesiial , Jobbing , the lleredit-iry Pension List , tlio Vote Cumj . > ensati . 'ii Act , and a thousand other cnonuUi' -t- iwuleri to in ntiou would inako one ' s hair stand on end ) no grievance ? peliaw . Gentlemen , I now appeal to your experience . When , at what period , did yoa luac : a \ y of jour sons and daughter * havo beru equalized au-1 it-warded with plact ^ pensionsand
, emoluments , although they may have bean the v ^ ry best members of society , the most expert artists , and thenioat comprehensive minds on the subject * connected with « ur embracing tho science of agriculture ? Oh , no ; after the virtuous people have spent aU strength in hard toil and labour , in the evening of tlieir days they aro handed over to a horrid Poor Law dungeon , there separated from every object of affictiou , to linger out a wretched existence , and , with sorrow , to carry their grey hairs to the grave . To finish the cl ' . uiax , hecauso they are poor , they aro to be handed ovtr to the surgeon to bo cut , and mangled , aud dissected . Tiicro in no reward for the industrious people . It is all toil , and cavo . Tlio poor man ' s lot is poverty , misery , and . di wadation . Gentlemen of tho
jury , you will seo that our grievances are not fancied ones ; but that they aro real and substantial evils , and would warrant the adoption of tho language of the Prophet Ezekiel when he said— " The possessors of tho land have used oppression and robbery ; and tliat they have indeed vexed the poor and needy . " Mr . Benbow , in the next place , proceeded to dispose of some of the allegations in the indictment , particularly that charging him with exciting the peoplo to disaffection ana disconttnt . Re denied having done so—complaint and discontent having existed for some time in the country , a state of things which had created the excitement spoken of . It is not ( continued he ) with the form of Government—it is with a limited monarchy— neither is it with tho Minister *
of a limited monarchy that 1 havo any thing to do . L have nothing to do with tho imbecility or the ignorance , or tho weakness , or the wickedness , of her Majesty ' s Ministers . That is not my business with . you . Therefore I shall leave all such matters to tho great Duke , to Lords Lymlhurst and Brougham , and to Sir Robert PeeL What I have to do with is with the traitors who constitute the sordid factions , and who aro alike enemies to tho Queen , aud hostile to the people . These factions we long ago described " as biing a power behind the Throne , which is greater than tho Throne itaelr . " It is with their atrocious aud rapacious powtr that I have to do . This is the many headed hydra which has dragged me before you—tho monster which wouM mako uso of you as convenientpliant
, touls , not to destroy me only , but they would make you and our country one common scene of wretchedness and blood , should you by chance stand in tho way of their usurped domination . It is about the constitution of the Government that I have to coutand . Gcntiemen , the thing wliich the Whig faction called tho " glorious revolution , " could never have been carried into eiftct without the people . The Act of Settlement is evidence in proof of the compact agreed to by the people . This Act , however , is to bo considered iu the light of continuation , or succession , of the lights and liberties which th-i people had long practically enjoyed ; but the full merit of which they -well understood for many ages . Now 1 am brought before you for the crime of
having contended that the compact ought to ba kept that it oughtf to bo approved by every member of society— that none ought to to exempt—and that every honest man ftels himself bound to keep it whole aud entire . Unhappily , there are parties ia the kingdom . who . have broken tho compact—who havo turned | traitors to tho constitution—traitors to the monavchy—* ile and infamous traitors against the rights and liberties of tho people . In tho words of Jeremiah , the prophet , " They havja perverted the rights of men before the face of the Most High . Yea , even to subvert a man in his cause , which the Lord approves not . " It is against these traitors that I liavo raked my voiceagainst the rapacious traitors to tiie comraoawcalth , who have caused poverty , like a desolating plaguo , to
cputaminatte the dwelling-places of every working man iu the kingdom . It is tUe traitors to the compact who hava caused tha miseiy , discontent , and the heartburning with which the country is disturbed from tho centre to the extremes . It is not the form of the government , nor tho men who govern . It is against cruel oppression and robbory . It was for a redress of wrongs aud injuries , to demand a cessation of injustice for which I raised my voice . 1 never entertained an idea oi ^ johtd to a limited monarchy , as tho established government of the country . Thoretore , my Lord , and Gentkinen of the Jury , I utteriy deny—I wholly and entirely disavow any hostility to tho Queen , or to the existing form of monarchy . I will not have any obligations to the factions , who have subverted the
constitution and lawd of my country . I go not againsi the Queen . I go against something else . I go against the common enemy of the Queen a ,: ) d the people . I go asaii ; st the rapacious villains who have dissolved the social bond . I go against false f . > rms , vile innovations , infamous corruption—aijaiiist rapadous extortionsaijanist atrocious oppressions , which havo been fastened upon the ins . i . utions of our country by the traitorous factions . I wish the Monarch to be the head , not In name , but in reality , aud that tho government of the people be according to the" law of righteousness . Then , indted , " the righteousness of our virtuous Queen - \ vi : i ishow as the sun , aud the just dealing of the nation as the noon-day . Length of days will be in her right hand , and iu her left riches and lioaour . '" Gentlemen .
I take this part of my defence to be of great importance . It is for principles which I have st ; : ted , and which are about to follow , that I was dragged from my family . Gentlemen , you have heard repeatedly tliat tho grievances of the people ara fancied ones , and to inaka out a strong case against the Keformeis you have been told that we bave t ' ue Queen , the Lords , and the Commons to make laws for us . Aro they not competent for tbe work of Kei ' , and to secure the good of the whole couutry ? O , yes ; let us but have th 9 Que-. n , the Lords , and Commons in full effect , and then , in harmonious combination , they will bo the Bourco of freedom , happiness , and contentment I deem the Commons , the Lords , and the Queen equal to any reform , and to the performance of all " that which
ought to be done , aud which the good of tha whule requires ; " but let us pause for a moment while wo inquire after the Commons . Where are the Commons ? Tbo Queen wo have , and the Lords we have , but where anjUie ' Goiunums ? - Before a temple ca «~ be built , the workmen must be found . We havo tho Queen and the Lords , but tho people , whero are they ? O , the people are virtually represented . Bosido all that , tiie -people arc witfaous tho pale . They have no opinion—no ri- 'hts-they arc a mere lifeless ball , sleeping iu a cannon , which has nothing to do with laws but to obey them . Wo are told that the people havo a Houso of Commons , aud that we are virtually represented ; that laws aro made fur us by persons who know much better tiitiu wo do what is good , lit , and proper for us . Sw : h
is the mods of reasoning adopted by the r . ipacious factions . Gentlemen , there is not a labourer in tho kingdom who does not fully understand the designs of those petvertors of right and justice . John o * Greenfield was no law maker , nor could he make stoes , but ho knew where they pinched thorn . It is too much to expect , under such circumstauoes , to keep tha people much longer under the heavy yoke of degrading , wretched bondage . The long dream of indifference has passed away like a noxious morning clou'l . The vrincip ^ es of eternal justice are making way among my injured countrymen , who desire to hold by tho common principle of equity and by which they have learned what it is wiso to think upon , and what it is right to do . Gentlemen , I beseech you to institute an inquiry what good reason can bo assigned , aud why the industrious people should not have a proper station in the State . I beseech you before you confirm by y \ $ ur verdict the mark of wretchtd slavery upon tho forehead of your
countrymen , " that that which concerns all shouldbe approved by all , " and "thatfeommon danger should be provided against ly means furnished to all . " Such being the case , why , in the name of God , are tho people not t » have their proper share in tho making of laws by which they are to be governed , wheu the ordinances , institutions , the taxes , civil list , pensions , places , sinecures , establishments , army , navy , war , and peace , are made and regulated , and when all the burden of which is almost entirely borne by them ? Gentlemen it ia ridiculous to expect the people to be satisfied under the circumstances of their being excluded from all rights , and to be content with having the fruit of their labour devoured by idle cormorants , while they and their children are burdened by wrongs , by poverty , and by degradation . At this moment , in the minds of the people , there is a deep-rooted and justly indignant discontent rankling . There is a frightful scowl on the countenances of pocrmen , which
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has been increased a thousand fold by the humbug measure called the Reform Bill , which has pressed down tho heavy yoke that caused the heavy sigh . Oh ! the labouring classes know and feel that they have been ill-treated ! Tte humbug Reform Bill , instead of rectifying abuses , created , by the disfranchising clauses , a most baneful constituency . This nation never will be happy or contented until the industrious classes are put in possession of their indefeasible rights , and I trust in God that tbe day will never arrive wheni * may be said of Englishmen that they are a base , dfgenerate race of men , and unworthy of freedom and happiness . Gentlemen , I am charged in an indictment , with crimes , motives , and intentions entirely fictitious , pure inventions of the prosecutor , and at variance with 1 ,.. v «™ . t . — j . * v- j # . u v _ « .- « . __ t
the truth . When the manager of this prosecution was f ^ rre'ing out matter by which to test his zeal in behalf of the base , brutal , and bloody accomplices , they strung together a jumblo of words to prejudice your minds , by stating mdiirnant falsehoods aud by garbling ami distorting facts . The character of the Whigs , for sneaking baseness , has no parallel in the world . When in power they have uniformly contended to inflict their base purposes and brutal vengeance under the mask of liberality— htneo tMs indictment , false , scandalous and nialignant as it certainly is , is sworn to by as couvtnWnt a witness as ever breathed the breath of life . They charge me with fnat extraordinary verbiage used in legal proceedings , witb . uttering certain seditious words , &c-, in cont * mpt of cur Lady the Queen , & « .-. Thus
mulingniytelf broueht in contact with our young and vittuous and teautiful Queen , old as I am , grey headed as I am , and . although I have steely any bair on my h < . > a < i at all , I itmd upon my ' vantage ground aniUepud ate tho vile slander . 1 throw back the atrocious false ; . ood into thefn . ee of the malignant liar and mion-wint wh . » preferred the charge . / say a word in coiitom ; jt if the Queen ? The villains ! I would not Kivavr . iidin contempt d ' a daughter .- even of this " Cockup"or one of his Queens < , lau «> uU-rV , although I hoid him to be as contemptible a uian asany in Cheshire . And with r-gard to the discontent aud disaffection ,, why it has been proved in the House of Commons , in tliu debate on Mr . Stanley's motion , that ithas existed for some time , so that I cou ' . d not have produced that which alnady existed . On this fame motion , Mr . Vi . lliers set the doctrine of ignorance of
the peoplo at res * ; he tfcattd that their ignorance was tho cause of their distresses and that education wiis the panact * for poverty and wretchedness { And thus it is that these impudent pretenders to superiority would fill the beilies of tho people with the Apostles' Creed , rather than they should bo clothed and fed by their own industry . Mr . Wakley , however , told the House that the real cause of the calamities of the working classes was a heavy txxatiun , a profligate expenditure , and a series of wanton and cruel wars . I was only tpeaking to tho peoplo as to the cause of their grievances , and pointing out a remedy ; and yet I am brought here for sedition . But , it is enough to prove that there was no uproar , no tumult , or any insurrection after the meeting—all of which having been admitted by tho witness , Sadler , therefore the tendency of sedition is totally disposed of and fallen to the ground . I am happy , however , in the circumstance that out of the
groat number of beautif ul av . d lUlicite females who did mo tiie honour to listen that day , there is not one brought to prove that her feelings wero wounded upon that occasion ; aud certainly it would have been a Eource of great regret even to hurt the lino feelings of one of Lord John Russell ' s darling pets—a policeman . Gentlemen of the Jury , lend me , I biaeech you , your best attention , not on my own behalf so much as on account of your suffering , perishing , degraded countrymen . I trust ymi are fully aware that the rapacious factions make a boast they have proceeded , by moans of Jury , men , to crush , not only the rights and liberties of the people , but also the poor , mean right of complaining of their wron ^ rs and grievances . Tbus they made you wh
, » were designed to be the security of tho people against oppression , the tools of their bioody proscriptions and cruel tortures in prisons , with poverty and misery iu the cottages , and servile slavery in every part of the country . Tho prosecutor in this case designs to make use of you that they may wreak their vengeance upon my hoa , ry head , and this you may be inclined to do for ought I know ; but suffer ino to tell you , Gentlemen , that although y » u may be instrumental in my destruction , and thus become supporters of oppression , it is a rulo with tyrants as soon as their power is secured , they will put you out of tho way also , lest you ultimately bave occasion to be dissatisfied and discontented . They willuseyouasDionyeittsissaid to have ustd bis friends—just as he did his bottles . When he
had use for tliom , ho kept them by him ; but when he had no use for them , that they might not trouble him aud be ? u his way , he himg them up . Just so will it be by Trial by Jury . Oh ! it was an evil day when tho factions wire permitted to carry tho measure by which tho good feeling and sympathy was destroyed which hitherto always subsisted between the middle and industrious classes—the national humbug , the Reform Bill . Then came tbe New Poor Law Bill , by which an . ill-will , a bad feeling has been created , almost amounting to hatred ia the miuds of the industrious classes naturally arising from the idea that their condition is that of slaves , who are treated as wild beasts . Gentlemen , Government owes its formation to the necessity of preventing injuries to any
member of tho state . Government is , therefore , power created by the state for its own uso and for its own security . It follows that every man who lives in the country is entitled to the protection and the enjoyment of all tho happiness which he can procure , as tbe fruit of his own labour . Any attempt wliich may be made to militate against the security and happiness of any member of society , is an infamous attempt upon tho common lights of society , and in direct violation of the social band , and alike opposed to every principle of sound policy and justice . Gentlemen , 1 am sure tho Ltarned Judgo vrill tell you that , according to the Constitution of this country , there is no prescription , in favour of tyranny , or in favour of the domination of any faction whatever
and he will also tell you that it is the first and principal duty of tho Government to secure tho public happiness . But if , in tho course of events , it should so happen that tbe legislative and executive bodies , totally regardless of the good oi the common wealth , neglect tliuir respective duties to tho social body , why , then , under such circumstances , who will dare to deny the injured party the inalienable right to cry aloud , and to agitate , and to determine to suffer such wrongs and injuries no longer . Tho time-serving , sneaking , perfldious Whigs have urged the people to agitate , to refuse to pay taxes , to-day , but to-morrow they pursued the
people to death , and boast that they have mado hundreds of victims , which they havo proscribed and destroyed . Gentlemen , I thank God there is a new li ^ ht sprung up amongst us ; and the light fliines upon " us from a high place iu the person of a Minister of the Crown . This is a sign of a return to reason—there is , at least , a lucid interval—there i 3 some reason to hope that God has r . ot given us too strong delusion , and to mako us to believe a lie . You will fiud in the constitutional sentiments of tliis Minister of the Crown , that agitation is not only necessary , but is also beneficial . I take tho report of tho speech f .-om tho Times ntwspa / nor , Jan . 30 , 1840 : —
_ " The Right Hon . Gentleman said— ' You condemn agitation . Do you mean to say that abuses niv never to be removed—that the publ ' c feeling must never be excited against them ? Can you excite public feeling without agitation , and must no one point out a grievance , or expect redress . He den i ed the doctrine which hail been laid down over and over agaiu , which prohibited agitation . It had its uses as well as its abuses , and it was as unjust to decry its uses as it was to exclaim against a surgeon who let blood , and pronounce him a stabber . There were a few of the exceptions to tbo limits by which agitation should be confined ; but there wa 3 not one during the last century and a half that would justify a recourse to
insurrectionary means . He considered agitation as a thing absolutely necessary to the existence of a free Government , unless , indeed , the lion . Gantlenian adopted Bishop Horslay ' s principle , that tho people had nothing to do with the laws butjp . obey them . ' The Hoa . Gentleman then ' stated tlio " practices of despotic States . ' But , " he coutinuod , ' in this couutry the popular voice must be heard , before any social or political advautogo COUld be effaete : ! . I beg you to bear in mind what follows . The people hero were allowed a voice in the selection of those who form the laws which , they were called upon to obey ; and it would , therefore , bo irrational to deny the right wbich all possessed of endeavouring to induco a change , or fix a -wavering of opinion . "
Gentlomen , how you will be able to fin . d a verdict against me on this indictment , after a calm consideration of the above constitutional doctrine , I am totally at a loss to divine . The defendant next proceeded at great length to define the right of discussion ; to explain the mc-auingand the real applicability of the words imputed to him by the witness , Sadler , " jujrglcrs , pick-pockets , and plunderers . " He denied using tiie term " pitiless burkers , tbat having been introduced for the purposes of the prosecution , and with respect to the other expressions they were direct 9 d against the factions , and not tho people of property aud upper and middle classes , a 3 the robbers and oppressors of the poor . In fact , Mr . Benbow produced the original sermon from which he spoke on the occasion in question ; and
contrasting with great success the language written down , and that sworn to by the witness . The . discourse was a sermon drawn from the language of the New Testament and the Bible , where the prophet Ez . 'kiel does not exactly call the plunderers of the poor enemies of the working classes ; but ho likens them to wolves ravening tho prey to shed blood and to destroy souls to get dishonest gain ; aid of the possessors of the land the prophet says , " they have used oppression ; and robbery ; they have robbed the poor and needy . " The uniform language of the New Testament is that oppressors and tyrants are enemies of the people , whose faces they
grind , and upon whom they lay burdens which ought not to be borne . Ho then contrasted some strong writing in the Times newspaper of the 27 th February last , in speaking cf the " Rice aud Newport Job , " contending that in a journal liko that it was much more offensive than that alleged against him . Close , of Cheltenham , Earl Fitzwllliam , Bratfehaw , of Canterbury , and the great liar of the North , Baines , of Leeds , ¦ were next referred , and their seditious language discussed . Yet no lawyer Cockup was instructed to proceed against or impeach any of them for conduct of a more vile and atrocious character than bad eves been adopted by vaj Cbartist ir ' AQ had been convicted either
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at the last or / present atsjie * anywhere in thiseountay And this was equal justice for the poor as for th « rich . Speaking of the infamous Rural Police Bill , which formed : a prominent part of the sermon in question , Mn Benbow said , tbe monsters call this despotic powerthis cruel policy—this infernal force—by the sacred name of a defence force . A defence of what ? Is it the rights and liberties of the industrious peeple ? Is it a force provided by the English Constitution , to defend the lives and the property of the people ? 1 appeal to your consciences in this matter . Hence it is , as stated in the Times newspaper sometime ago , ** TbA WhigS have formed their determination— their inso-i lent d « termination to enfore their absolution at home , by an enormous exercise of the bayonets and the batons - * . ^ . , J _ i . „ _ -.:. _ . . . _ : . . _ .
They would promote the benefit of the industriouB people by the cudgel and the cutlass . " The monstera assume thnt if the people do not know what Ia good for us , aud , therefore , in the abuse of their authority , they have introduced among us , as Dlonysins , t iie tyrant of old . did , " a set of wretches , hated by gods and Tuen , who went about the cities to collect the sentf * ments of tbe inhabitants , in order to communicate them to the tyrant" Such is the case of this centralized force ? like a huge web stretched over the land His Intended to convey the slightest vibration at any extremo to one common centre , thus giving to some bloated despot , ever wakeful to pounce upon his pwy , the power to seize our rights and liberties , and privileges with murderous clutch . Some of you may recollect the cases of
policemen Brock , Pelham , and Vaughan , in 1817 , Who fur the sake of blood-money , conspired to sacrifice the lives of innocent men . God only knowa how many poor creatures , men , women , and children , Buffered death in co sequence of the plaus of tbese police conspiracies . Tho Popay plot is in the recollection of yotisv . l . Tir-at p ' otwas lia ; ched by the liberty-loving Wlii ^ s , afcd exposed in tbe House of Commons .- Then tbxro was the iufamously-concocted Calthorpe-street aiTuir , which produced the exhibition of greater villany on the part of the \ V 5 iigs , than can be weil conceived . An Ei . gluh Jury , howuvcr , stepped in to save the people from the sanguinary purposes of the Whigs . Aa ithas been of o ; d . the foundation has , been laid ; the base and brutal Whigs a * e impatient to finish the work of
despotism of this kingdom . The first fruits of this despotic Rural Police measure with which you , Gentlemen of the Jury , are very much concerned , occurred at Knotsford . It was a notable exhibition truly . If anything bad been wanting to prove the infamy of this billi 1 $ was amply supplied at KhutsfoW by the forty- *»<> t raagisttates who were assembledto determine about ffi * adoption of this notable police for . ClifelUw . At -taig meeting there was a magistrate of tne ^ nainp of Ashton , who is reported to havo said somethingVerjrBearly to tiie effect ,.-that- " the people of Cheshire-w > utd not apnrove aad adopt tliis measure . " This speaks volumes , in favour of th < 3 good sense of the Cheshire people . This man said— " That tbere wereforty-twoma ^ strates , and he thought they were enough to decide tho fate of the Police Act of this county . " Was there ever anything audacious than
more impudently this . You have no opinion—no voice . But you must pay all the expenses . ^ He next quoted a variety of opinions of Statesmen , to show how theRuralPoIiceBill ought to be abhorred and dreaded . My Lord , if 1 havedonewrong by act ingillegolly ^ d when using" free speech and free discussion , " accord- M ing to the well understood institutions of my country , ^[ j in mercy , " my Lord , to the people , the long-suffering , - poverty-struck people , point out the way the wretched people may go to cause a cessation of injustice and oppression , I have devised a plan to remove the cause of complaint . The holiday is my plan . I proposed it to the people for discussion , and if tbey think proper , for their adoption ; with it I devste my life and body , my soul and blood . In bringing ray defence to a close , allow me onco m « ra to say , the alleged crime with which ! am charged by the base , and brutal , and
sanguinary Wings is , Ur having dared , according to my humble talents , to be one of the supplicating supporters of my exceedingly ill-used , oppressed , and degraded countrymen ; because I have nerve enough to point out to them the powers and privileges which they legally possess , according to the constitution of the land , and -which I take to be in accordance with their common principle of equity , laid down as a rule ( to be observed by every man , ; by God , the master ' of all ; because I have pointed out and dwelt upon the causes of ths injustice and oppression which have been practised upon tho industrious classes , against whom the finger of scorn has being pointed at their calamity . I am dragged before you . I have dared to beard the "hydra-headed factions * who have nearly the few institutions
destroyed of our forefathers , for what is now left is the mere name . Ca ^ , by inviting Pompeyaad Crassus , laid the foundation for tile ruin of the commonwealth , and the most industrious people the world ever saw , areat thismoment the most wrefcned and miserable people in Europe . I was bomand * redan Englishman . I never sold or forfeited my rights as an Englishman . Gentlemen , I believo my nations of ri ^ hfe and wrong are . correctly formed upon the great leading principles of English liberty and justice , and those I take to bo grounded upon the common principles of equity taught by Jesus Christ . Entertaining suco views , I have for many years , and atf great expense of person and . property , devote ^ mjrsejf to the cause of my greatly oppressed , injured ; and suffering countrymen .
Gentlemen , we have been told that " Justice is this royal instrument by wh jch we arp totafce thtpjroport ' ion * of human actions . " Niow , althougii my prosecutors may havo the power , bj ^ Jyrwisjsfeuree , to destroy , me . the judgment of-posterity \ £ li ; notwithstanding , confirm the maxim that , unsupported by justice , their power to destroy me is not good for much , nor in the end will it serve theircause . Yonmay . byyour verdict this day , consign me to death , as a consequence , of a long and almost solitary confinement . Your consciences may be seared as to b& totally indifferent about the liberty and Lappiness of your fellow-countrymen , or it may be tbat you are under the dominatioa of a tyrant , who may now be looking on , 6 ig with expectation as to tho result of this trial . GentlemenI
be-, lieve you are not ignorant . of the working and . vile tricks which are used by oppressors in political matters You know that there are men in this county who are driven by the most odious coercion to do the bidding of their lords and masters . I trust such is nptHha case with you . I ought to be tried by my peers- ^ by men uninfluenced by prejudice , and I hope auchis the case . But allow mo , Gentlemen , to tell yon , as though it was with my last breath , that I shall carry with &e into the grave—I shall carry with me Into eternityan unconquerable love of liberty . Let the vile , the rapacious factions think of that I am sure thit they who s ; and upon the wrongs aud injuries of suffering humanity will tremble to know that it is the province of a freeman to be unconquerable , except by
extermination . Gentlemen , you are called npon to become the tools and instruments of oppression and injustice upon tbe principle , of the old stratagem— " he that will raaiatuin tyranny must destroy Brutus . " if tbou suffer this ma-n tu escape , " ( cried out the bloody Jews ) "thon art not Caesar ' s friend . " You , Gentlemen of the Jury , are >) l ; ice ; l under . similar circumstances , and urged to something like the £ ame conclusions , by men more atrociously wicked than the Jews . Hov ^ far Caesar may ba ultimately resisted by injustice and oppression I d » not know . How far the traitoroub desjpoilewi of our free institutions may be suffered to go , that I do not know . At present they act upon the -principle that the law shall sleep to-day—to-morrow they will resume their usurped domination ; and , by every despotic will
means , . they try to maintain tbe withering * way forever . Gentlemen , it h not always the interest of oppressors ever to streti-h a point with tbe view to deetroy a man , or to make an attempt to destroy the power . * and privileges which are legally possessed by the people . ¦ The attempt has certainly been made amongst us . MaDy efforts Lave been made to destroy our frea institutions . Perhaps the prosecutors in the present persecution of the Reformers calculate upon the ruin anil misery of the Re-formers to build a temple and dedicate ifr . to Concord . Let them tako care that poverty , dissatisfaction , discontent , and madness donot re . r tha fane . Gentlemen of tlio Jury , you are i-aDcd upon to be the means of punishing me for doing that wliich every Englishman not only has a right
to do , but that which' every inifn is bound to do , as a member of society . I have dsrao no wrong , nor have 1 buen . accessory to any wrong * doing ; but very great and Jiriuvoua wrong and injury- has be « n done to me ; find I hope tho time -vHU come wheo the wrong doers will be brought to condign punishment . It can be of very little ' moment to me how I end my days . The atrocious tyrants have made my life one of real sorrow . Old age ii now my defence against the assaults of oppressors .. The small remains cf my life deserve not mu >; h care or precaution—at most , the factions cannot rob me of more than ten year 3 of , what may be truly termed , mise . rable existence . Gentlemen , I must
repeat tbat you are called upon to become oppressors in punishing me . The vuin of my family affairs—that has already been done , though guilty of no wrong . But I have a better Opinion of an honest Jury of my country . I am suro an English Jury , untampered witb , unin fluenced by fear or affection , for Bueh I ought to have , although unhappily tho form of a jury is nearly all that remains as a security for the people ^ Still , with an honest jury , I am . perfectly at ease as to the consequences of this trial . I rsly upon your justice for an acquittal . Upon the virtuaus resolutions of English juries much depends as to tiie future prosperity , contentment and happiness of this kingdom .
Mr . Benbow concluded his address between eleven and twelve o'clock at night , having occupied the Court for upwards of ten houra and a half . *
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_ A Good Trencherman . —A fellow of the name of William Longstaff , of J ^ ickletou , near Middletoiiin-reesdale , ; on Monday evening , tiie 20 th ult ., cat thirty-eight eggs raw , the largest thai could be got , twelve of them duok'a eggs , of wniph oa « was rotten , and afterwards ate of other solids what to an ordinaty appetite would be considered ' a good supper . He has made a bet that the first day ho is at work he will devour five score of eggs . —Durham Advertiser .
Temp eiiance . —The excise revenue in Ireland has been diminished to a vast amount by the spread of temperance especially in the south and west . The periodical returns heretofore made from the local districts to the Excise Office in Dublin , yielded upon an average £ 20 , 0 ( H ) each , and those returns are made about every two months . The last returns do COS average more than from £ 200 to £ ! M each .
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jvjgr ¦ - ' _ " :. ; " "¦ " ' . "" . " ¦ _ - - . - .-- - ' — .. ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' - - ¦ ' - ¦ ¦ ¦ _ ¦ ¦ ' '¦ ¦ ¦' . " ¦ - ; -- ¦ •¦ ¦ . . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - . " . .. ¦ - . ¦ ' . ¦ " . ' ¦' / : ¦ ¦'¦ ' ¦ : ¦ : ¦' ¦ •;¦ ¦ - " - ' ¦ , ' ¦¦; . ' . .. '" ; ' ' . . '; "' ' ¦ " ' ¦ ¦; ¦' . - - . '" .. ''¦ . ' " . ' ' ' . ¦ . ' . ' '' . ¦' ' . " . ' " . : ' . ' ' : ' ¦'' . ' ' ' : ¦¦¦ ¦' . ' ¦ .- ¦ ' - ' ¦ ' " r ^ HSi 6 THE NORTHERN STAB .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 25, 1840, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2681/page/6/
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