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BBADPORD MEETING,
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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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TO PETITION PARLIAMENT ON BEHALF , H OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR , Brau ^ rd has been one of the first , if not the verj £ rs :, to * as in the kingdom to make its voice heard on behalf of _ tae people ' s friend—Feargus O'Connor . Tie fac ; of his imprisonment among thieves and murderers on the feloits' side of York Castle became fci ow ^ : u the i-uUie , on Sitarday , through the n ? edium vi lie Northern Star ; and no sooner did the in : el :: * renc « arrive , than the friends of the ( barter made arrcTiStftrentsfor a public meeting , " to take in : o corij-idersiic-n the pr opriety of petitioning bo : h Boasts of Parl-ament , and memorializing the Queen ,
re > p ? eti-s l ~ e imprisonment of that indefa . igabie advopte of the rights of the people , Feargus 0 Connor . "' The meeting was fixed for Monday evening , in the Social Institution ; and at eight o ' clock , the cbi-r was taken by Mr . Ibbot =. on , bookseller , the Hall l . ^ hich will hold from \ 3 b > JO to " 2 , ' jLHJ persons ) being cramia d to excess . Tm Cnsirman , on taking his seat , said he thecghv i ; vrouid be better , on this occasion , if , before pro-• posiTig , » he various resolutions and petH . ' ^ 3 "which had been prepared , Mr . Cisrkson ( Mr . O'Connor ' s solicitor ) nrst laid before the meeting an accoun : of the sciual situation in which Mr . O'CoLnor was placed . ,. ....
Mr . Cxjlrtlson then canie forward , a ^ u having exp lained tbe alleged offence of which Mr . U'Cynnof had been fuiiziC Eiii . iy , and with which our rea-Jt-rs are ali rViiy ac-iua . n ; ed , proce- ; ied to read that < rent ' einans it-tier in me Star oi las ; wrck , in which ids shameful treatment , by a soi-disant " liberal " Government is so graphically recorded . He then read o ~ - £ ier documents , which proved that no indi-• viiual found g'liiiy of libel , uedt-r an e . r r ^ ria prorec-t : on , had ever been treat-.-d like a fei n ; and also es ' . racis 1 ' roai the Mercury and In ' . eUigenceT ( Leeds paper ?} , showing iha ; even the Wiii ^ s aad Torir ? themselves were revolted at the barbarities of oar Wing arisiocrits in offise . Mr . Clurksoa then ¦ wsni on to state tfc&i h ^ r ^ ras himself
« York on Tanrsdaj last , oa" his own bnsineis , and was surprised to £ nd lie could net see Jlr . 0 Connor , although hi 3 professional adviser . Ee had applied successively to Mr . Hague , Mf . Tweddie , and Sir John Kave , visiting magistrates , who declined granting him permission to see him , and said -application snouid Ve made to tbe Secretary of Slate . Application had been made accordingly ; bat he did not anticipate a favourable answer . Meantime 3 Ir . O'Connor continned subject to every indignity . He did not mean to slate this was the fault of the Governor &nd officers of the gaol ; but they were compelled to treat him as a felon . After this he vras much surprised to read the follawing in the London papers . —[ Here Mr . C . read an extract
from the debates in Parliament , ( which will be fonnd in this week ' s Star , under the proper head ) in which Mr . Fox Manle , in answer to a question from Mr . Aglienby , replies th&t the Secretary of State has no power to interfere in the regulations of York Castle , they bring under the controul of the visiting justices . }—Thus ( continued Mr . C . ) the visiting Tiisticfis laid the odium of tie transaction on the becreiary of State , and the Secretary of State on the ¦ visiting justices . Their conduct was like that of two partners in business , who , when thry had treated an individual in a manner they cuuid not justify , bandied him about from one to the other , '' Oh ! I don't know anything about it ; ask my jiuiior partner ! ' " Jnst step in again ; my senior partner is not at hota « f &c . & . c . ( . Laughter A He
had now laid the case before them ; and would make way for tnose who "would propose resolutions and petitions to the meeting for their adoption . ( Cheers . ) _ Mr . BiBEEB then rose to propose tbe first resolution . He said he bad much rather that some other individual had come forward on this occasion , nut because he did not sympathise -with Mr . U'Cocnor , for he felt sympathy -who every fellow-creature ¦ who suffered—but becanso be did not feel himself at all adequate to express the feelings which he believed most men must experience-under such circum-Etanees , He considered it , boweTer , his duty to declare bis opinion that Mr . O'Connor ' s treatment Tris , iu the words of the resolution he had to propose , narsb , cruel , and unprecedented . Tiut resolution was as follows : —
" That in the opinion of thi 3 meeting the pnnish-E € nt inflicted upon Mr . Feargus O'Coiiavr is harsh , creel , and unprecedented /' And here he would remark that the reading of the resolution would be quite enough after what they bad beard , without any remarks from him . Mr . Ckrkscn bad laid befera them an account of iJr . O'Connor ^ treatment , which Dust meet with the decided disapproval of men of every party . Libel wsa a rery precarious offence ; and every political writer and publisher -was liable u > be prosecctsd ig * it , unless sheltered by the throne and other ruling powers . There were many parries who were agi-* £ ing for what they considered wholesome reforms j and it was their duty to come forward ovti ^ m km occasion , as all might be pounced on in a similar lEJinnir , more especially as " the greater tbe truth th : greater the libel . " ( Cheers . ) ' Thus the more emphatically a man denounc ? a that which was
. gow Green—and when hi recoliect ^ u ' ' Liagniiicent r- ' c- ^ tion by torch-light by the people oi that place , his heart was well nigh to break . ( Cheers . ) He was not come there that night 10 ta : k ei differences of opinion , but ho had come to oxpre-- hi-= ! feelings that the treatment of Fear ^ u < 0 ' Con : ; or was ! cruel , tyrannical , and unjust . When he called to J mind the benevolent conduct of O'Connor in the castof the widow Rjan—when he reflected with " what zeal his powerful Twice had been raised to defend jfceJiorchester labourera—when he recollected his jtftriotie eoodaet wfrh respect to tbe Glasgow Cotton Spinners—and when heisBwnibered hi 3 indefa-: tigab } e ex ^ rtwgi ^ gir ^ Shitffof Frost and his cpmj » pioS * - ^ EigIjfTi& aot justly expect to aroosej&ren ; TEimost callous feeling nhatbedemandftd that sotnei thing should badoDefor theirimprisouedandsuff-rin > ' b / u : her and friend ? ( Hear , hear . ) Let tinm com " pare his former condition wi : h his present situation
He was a man born in fortunate circunuynrce ; , and with large property compared wjib-rhat of working men . lie might i : ave lived a ' t home on his property — he ghYv . r . uve associated with the rich and with the powtrful—but he had njbly thrown a ^ ide all considerations of this description to promulgate to his . poor aud suffering isllow-conntrymen tiie great truth—that all men were born equal . " Yes ; Feargus U ' Goiinor was the advocate of political liberty and social equality ; and it would ill bei-oai-j the people of liradtord , wboie cau ~ e he had to fearleroly espoused , to go homo that eight acd ti ..-ep roundly ¦ unless they irst sought to do ali in their power that ' his imprisonment should be alleviated . ; Chetrs . ) Ho did not ask them to threaten the Government—he . oaly ask-sd them to put their names io ihe petition y . - iiic : ^ w ^ u i-j be laid bei-j / tj ihc ; : i . it b ^ d h-.-t-ii .-aid by & toriner sp = aKer that too stro : '» language had been mudt use o : on muuy octasiuni ; but he ( Mr . C . ) did not blame those who had done so . Tr , js-j purlK : i ) he c" ; a i- ' - doubt , had spoken tlicir huiieit feeliEj ^ s and coa-. iciions ; an-J their language wj ^ iiot to be wondered u :. The wonder was , on the contrary , mat the people had been to long able to re .-traiu their feelings of human nature . ( Carer ? . ) There was a point beyond which hraan nature could no : endure ; bathe sincerely trusted that that pon . t would never be arrived at in our day or country , aud he hoped that the combined morj . 1 force ana intellect ot : ho pc .. pie would be sufficient to compel ti ; e GQVfcrnn-ent to retrace its steps- , ai-d prevent the recrrreuce of those turmoils and that ti . ^ ress wliL-h hau yf ia : e been so prevalent in tue iatd . As there were several speakers to com-. ' uftcr him , he cotiid not , injustice to them and to his audience , otcupv much more oi their time . Th « tp * 'akeis who had preceded nun liavi spoken on the subject of the rc-oiution he supported as n , uch as coul . i we ' ll be said , but he would just put r . to them wnttht-r the puiii . ~ hment of Feargus U Connor was not , n etfect , greater than tiiat of auy Id-Ja in York Cartle ! ( Hear , hear . ) Ar : er "khey lia-J hujjd ito siaiem ^ nu made by > n . Qark ^ oii , and bearing m aiud that he ( Mr . ' uC . j was impriauh-jJ tor printing what others Were reported : o have ? a : d , he would a ?!; whether he hid i ; o : been puiiulicu fcr his honesty in darai ^ to publ > h the truth ? ( Hear , hear , and c :. etr& . ) Hi ? eiiciii . c ? dreaucd the sinioie truth more ti . an ^ hf . trir . g bayonets or leaden buJets . ( Great ciietr-¦ s ,. ) .-Agaiiiit th-.-se they eoiud brin > , ' weapon to wtapo ' u ; but truih v .-us rtrorger than tbou-a ;; d ~ oi D 2 yoi : ei > anu t--u _ j tf ; nuusa ; i'Jt of bullet * . ' Ihe fac : " "as , i ' ' -u : _ ^ ' ii U b .-unir i : au told the ( joYi-rnnieiii : he p . iiu - j . J j . nipie tru : h , a ; . d for that reason it v > 'a .- ' , a : ; -i i ^ r no oiuer re .- > ou wi . arever , ti . at he wanDw suJ ' -. n . T ^ impnsonmeiit , —(¦; iK'tr .- ) -aud Le r-jquirc-u :. it . ^ ui : i : eJ c-ieit . ous to i ' roe him trom the tyrauiiical ; iw ; which governed him in ni = pri = ni : > . iii . w Wuu ' . dtlity excit thrin < clTes it ti ; . y nail a iat .. er ; o u : iji : rtij treated—jnd was net U Connor more thin afath-. r to them ? [ Here .-ome coutu ~ ioi . was caused by u rto . ie beiu ^ tnrown m through oi . e of the ^ Windows . ] Yes , i-eargus U ' Coimor wa .-Esc-re than u lather—v . ore than a brother to them . H = _ uad : a : ; r . ncrd his time , his beahh , - uiid las reputation snoyg the clashes be a « oci-i :. ? d with , iu order to ao m-iii ierviee ; -aiid u was no : too much to a-k tuern to assist him ir .-m the cold dunj ;« on in w ^ ich he was iiumureu . He , therefore , gave his cordial support" to t"e resolution ; and hoped that it would no : only be carried in the usual way , but that tht-v vvouid ^ Lo ' . rt-t night or day ail it ' had been carried out . . He thanked mem for the patient hearing they nau s > ve : i hiuj , and trusted that , at their next meeting , he should hi enab . cd to eo ; . i ; ratu ; ate them that their endeavours to r ,. lease Mr . UXonuvr from impnsoument had been crowned with success . ( Loud cheers . ) The Chairman then put the resolution , which was unanimously carried . Mr . H'Dcso . n came forward to propose the next resolution . He said , when the resolution was pui into his hand , he had not eipected such a ^ piendid . display of eloquence as they had that night heard . Eou-h iaJ been said thai night On \ ht Subject Ol - . lr . O ' Connor's treatment to satisfy every individual tkat n was a disgrace to the country . ( Cheers . ) Aliusions _ ha . d been made to physical force . He would never deny thai he had himself been an advocate ot physical force ; but circumstance altered cases . Tiiey must £ et the Charter one way or another ; ana if it was not to be had by physic-Ll forc-e , why then k-t th-m use moral force . Mr . Hodg > on then conde-ji vied tbe apathy of the friends of t ; ie Charter :
expressed a hope that at future elections thev would bring in a "Whig for the borough rather ' than a Tory ; exhorted them to beo-. ne sober men , and tru-ii they would shortly become freemen ; ci . ated oo the necessity of or ^ auisaiion and union ; and conciuutd i >\ - moving t ^ e adoption of ihe foliowi ; ,- resoiii :- ; C > 2 : — ^ " That this Kcctir . g deeply sympathises wiih Mr . ¦ Feergu = U'Cdiiiior , in his unmerited r-u tic rings ' , and detT . ra :- _ os to resort to every legal raeai * i 3 to ottain a r ^ missivn of hi 3 punishment . *'
TfaJv &ad . tie greater was his liability to suffer p = ELshm ? nt ; and , looking a ; the subject in this liiht . he had proposed this resolution . He re . i , Tetted tat there were so few of the middle classes present ; and he supposed it was because the agitation iu ¦ w hich -he great man no ~ imprisoned was not partc . paied in by them . They had their own agitation to go cu with—the Corn Law Repeal ; but let th-m take ca : f , and remember that the fate to which he vri ^ subjectea might some day await them . Mr . Barker concluded by cv-rviiaiiy moviiig the re-ro-!> Lr . BiiaSTOW said h » woiiM address them in the linjr . s ^ e or Brutus— ' Hear me for my cause , a :. d be si . eut , that you may hear . " Tne object for which t :. ii si ; - _• : ; -jr was coi . veaed ' . vas cne which must sink
Cetp i ,.: o every hti ? :. Had dum ^ iit-sj prsvuil- (; tsijhe . - ?' . them , ana hau universal silence rei ^ i . ed in the meeting , he though ; tliit the reflection thai in-. st •^ ve s :-- ~ i . u ; up m tn .-. r minds from the perusal < j- tne . V '¦ j'riherm H : ^ r w la- ; Sj . ic . rdaT , wo'J : d hive rt "_ Cer » - j any cohhlslI =. up = rilui , us . ' ( Hear , bear . ) I ; :. r-:-d-. d lo : the ^ k- ivii : ^ e ^ oqnence of the orator ^ E " 'r the ready pen of the vrriier—it needed hot an appeal ; o the angry passions—it needed oiuy an appesd to the head aid tni heart , to rivet 3 strong ma mod-ble feeding of abhorrence of the persecutors oi O'Connor on the minds of ali present . ( Hear , ^ eir . ) 1 : was nc-t sj much the m ' -n him ^ -lf as the
P- -: ^ e ; p : es ae _ prcmui ^ atcd—(> reat cheering)—; ha : v ' - ~ - i »;' . u-jk- ; -Q by his hypocritical persecutors . But vim woui-i be tie attempt to arrest the progress o : t _ e m . La of man from slavery to ireeGom—lor pout-.-al ^ J 5 o : ial progTC ; s : o-j ttss the law li humanity . V ere h : s iLtcUectual fuc ^ iiie .- K- en to man that \ - -j dith : lie dormant for ever- There was once a t : ~ - ¦ - -he history of this country rrhea ; he w « jrki :: t ; c-j ^ ~ < - - - ~ e comparatively happy ; but a uew order oftiu . «; i ha-i be-.-n suptiiaduced , ar ^ d therefore a caai-gt -as necessary to bring back happiness and coitruii-. n- to ihe land . ( Hear , hear . ) Oze hv . ncr -- 7 ^ r ~ a ^ o trir yhad not mechanical 3 nd cheinicli K ^ s- -r-ecua ; 10 ; he labour of ' j ' ^ j . iai'J / . iOu lair of I - ' - -: •¦ ' - ? ~ -ovr had , and therefore a great ciic ^ ge TVis jiTCisarv . One hundred ycar ~ ago there w ^ r-j eo . ^ .. _ : _ s . ai . s vrho vr-rc for transpc-ning the " s'jr-P- -. P- ; -Uiatiji : ¦ ' to t . ie inhospitable regions of Ne ' -v ^¦' i-a _ u . vctere tney would eiou ! ia ;« evJs of greater pr :: - » :. possible , than those they had Id : * r * " ~ r - \ '; - T staIe ° things hal arisen ; anu '•' - - * ¦ - ' ¦ - ~ s iz-j form of the governnient must be cn-- -- - ^ - 1 . - ^ panded , so a ~ to sliow the people to * - ' - ' ¦ ' ' ¦* J- -I iLdueiice over it . ( L ^ e ^ rs . ) One hundred J " - ~ i - j in ; mass of th-j lab .-uring classes were in P"j-tiCii ; ignorance ; the ii ' . t ' . e iiconie -g-j they did P-- -sie-s " jviii » : derived ir ' .-c their iandiorus ana th-:-ir ^^ s ^ rs , whom they re .-peciea tvo mu ' .-h to admit a £ -sy : c . o : i of anv intention to uerer . e them . But ¦ p -ip t : - . e progress of machinery ca ^ e the prok r re = s (¦ ' _ £ u-j " . vi-. Jge iiid poverty , aud then those who t -iusavo-ar .-ii to eii-ight ^ a the p-eop : e were called r-.- ' jbers , incendiaries , assissins , " rcvoViiiioLaiv r . 2 .-us " ( as h ^ friend of the Leeds Mercury had i " -.-. a . ; . & ? . ( La ;;_ 'r : er . ) R .-forra was now found ^ . -eiiiry , and the K-. f , riu BUI lu-sed . He might ** j-rrzuui-ii here tooD .-erve thai ' ihc constitution " of _ . i- ' - ^ -i "P 25 the vtctk of coiiiurieSj and bore t- - - - -:.: narks of great solivlity . Common law ?~ i c- .. s-. ;; u : _ ior . al law were two different things . f ~ - c-usiiiutioiuii law of th-- country was that i - - " w -. ch demorrats contended ; and " they would f ^ s-u-h reforms in the statute- law as would muke •" ^ i - ' . oid vri : h tue spirit of the times . But th ; ^ --: r ; of ;^ Rtforni Bill were dnveiling botchers _ -.---guter )—aau had no idea of making a reform , v 7 ^ ' *™ && , or pemsnent . They might have * - £ "" to economise a iiule , and reform such **^ S 5 as were incoaipatible with their own interest ^ ^ zzirs ana laughter ) ;—but when they had ma ^ le - &M if i ^ b :: = > eir t 0 i : s 0 TC authors , and Lord ' m Kusseu had not dared to carry it out in the .- £ = » iu which it was understooa" it would have r - a"a declared in iiis place in ths Hou-e of - ¦ aaoii 5 : nat it was inteaded to be " final , - ' and ro ~ ; . assi *^ eu to give the landed interest prev ocuia rice m puoijc ainrs ; thus ccnuadiutiB- w ;; a : ^ - _ caa before Siai « i— that ever * - individual who ¦ fio =-J ! , ^ . ^ e Represented in ihe Lower ^ •|^ se . ( near , hear . ) } sow , the reason why Mr . aaw ^ ° - - tomDlcIiCed agitation was , that he iv ' ^ ' - ~ 2 ieit was opposed to such further < r '; " ^ 'Xuul d grain this power to the people . ^ . Ca . t-= £ nug . ) iie ( Mr . Bairs ' . ow ) believed i ; t ;^ . : * TetIUS W 2 o had siid that the virtues and ]_' . " . '"" " . - ' -- ^ "e iic u-rtJt eu ' eeu- of good - > , r bau 1
1 - 'S- ' J- . t ' , ' / ' ' S 1 : a ,- l-r- O Loi-zi . i , perceiviiig ibe bad tiu- ^ ' * ' ' ' ^ o : " : n- present iiy , h : d been £ . „ . j . : n , pr - lsOn £ jr try -, ^ Iy re pliic ' j ] : . _ . Sj 2-- - ^ , ~ - ' : i ilj ' ^ Y : ri T a - 1 Ji c-c-ndut-:. ( Cheers . ' ) s .- " ! Z" ^ — """^ ^^ d trra : e J his pitrivtic agi : a :: ou wi ; L O- ( j . " . V Jf' h - , - - -. " - ^ ^ X * -J — ¦ -. ^ r . aj ~ '"'"' . * : . k" - •*¦ aL ' ¦ ' - ' - » -n : vrrsai sui ; wge ; Dut tis fc . , j " V- !_ . _ . r ^ et : a . -d Hui .: arc gone to their tomb- - , i * lT'V " ^ . iiv : i — 2 uT . * ¦ - ' ' he wi . Tkia . 5 clas ^ ei iii " - ; " VT ¦ i ^ 'i , v * ~ - ^ - t go back to vcr . r farm in ire-- > —i uiiow the plou-L-taiT : " But no ; s ^
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f , \ ' e , mases ° f the working classes of the country . ( Cheer .. ) They were enchanTed SLw ' . fT ^ ° - hiS el T ^ - ^ the pictures he arew of the hapmness which would be the result of the reform he advocated-a reform founded on the broad basis of puimeal equality . When he ( Mr Bair , tow ) spoke of politicar equality , hB did h ° ln f aa ^ c 9 « aliSation of property , L had be « n freely charged on the Chanins by their enemies bnt an equalisation of political power ' ( Hear hear hear . ) O'Connor , than , had started ? " ¦ % 10 n £ " i e fiT « P ° - of the Charterani
, - .. ; fuMv i ^ aCT 0 Callng l , he Charter hoMly ^ d maufuily with untiring zeal and unparalleled eloquence that the :,- patriotic friend and counsellor had been consigned to a .- , amp dudgeon by to ,- hands of the hypDcrit-al W ivgs . ( Great chewing ) He had aeard O C ,-nnor a-d admired him- ( bear he- > r ) - and yet they had seen a blackguard and a cowardly . i . U pens uipped in gat ! , had endeavouTed toblack-n ana to poi . on his fair fame-the deep-mouthed iiire . iuc ; £ Cnbe 3 of the daily and weekly ores * had ejpe ain
> cccus on his track , hounded on by the anstoeracy of tne Und-tlie great bulk of the middle ci-tb ^ s had been as hoj and as eager in the poreuit n ^ ^^ ; 5 ^^ « aas * ^ * llia looked on with mSfesBoee—jmd « yea ; OumSvrbaf shared in his TieWB » Mtf frwn whom better thiDg 3 might have -been expected , in&de but poor exertions to carry out tbepknBlieh * d laid down for the attainment of their nihia . ( ftae , true ! J The truth must be told ; had be become their eacmy because he had Bpoken it to them ! -: ( No , no !) Let them , then , endeavour to steer clear of snch breakers in future , ia order that they might not founder finally ; and when , at lecnh their patriotic friends who were now Buffering lor them out
came from their surgeons , let them not sav tnat the people were an iuert mass , euuk down into a sullen and indifferent despair . O'Connor was the leading agitator , and , therefore , they had m « t that day to record their sympathy with him . He was indefatigable in the cause ; and had harangued the people mas many places as there were tiles upon the noase-tops . NVherever he was wanted , there he was—his purse and person ever ready to assist the good cause . ( Cneeri . ) When the military wer « expected to attack the people at Peep " Green " ¦ O Connor was present , in spite of illness , ready to stand by the people in -he hour of trial . ( Cheer * ) tie was always at his post—then , wouid they desert him ! . (> o , no . ) Then let them strain every nerve torsuder his imprisonment as little severe us
pos sible . Mr . Bairstow concluded his address by advisiu ^ the Radicals to avoid all thoughts of and allusions to physical force ; to establish Associations tor the obtaiument of the Charter , and fornothic else ; to adopt some fixed aud definite plau for unioi " and let that be stuck to ; and not to be deterred ' from their objects , whatever might be the nature of the obstacles which presented themselves . He sat down amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the meeting . Mr . A . Cahpelll was then introduced to support the resolution . He said that evening ' s meeting was one of vast importance . He rose to address ° thcm with mingled feelings of pleasure and of pain—ot pleasure , to see so many men assembled tcether to alleviate , as far as possible , the pangs ' of a patriot and a friend ; of pain , that ho whose voice
ui . uu Li ; .- uujurimg me oaa : n .-r oi lib .. r" . \ upon U ! a ? - naa so on en made the enemies of liberty tremble - . vas now immured in a cold , damp dun ^ on When he cailed to mind the fsv ? years during whi < -h he hai kncTrn Fv .-argu 3 O'Conuor—when he called to mind hi > unfurling the banner of lib .. r . \ uixm Gla-
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Mi \ Cooke , in seconding the resolution , briefly said tnat hid blood ran cold an hearing of the treatment of Mr . O'Connor , who , from vrhat knowledge he Ii 3 d of him , he considered to be both a gentleman and a patriot . Mr . BrciiANAN said he had been called upon to support th . 3 resolution ; and he did it with the greatest conceivable pleasure Persons of all sects and parties might concur in it . It was not the question whether Mr . O'Connor was a Corn Law repealer or a Chartist ; the fact was , that he was a good man—that he had laboured bn ^ and heartily for the good of his fellow-creatures ; and that he had beea treated as no man occupying his station in society had ever before been treated by anv former
Govern-Rient . Let them , then , put the question on its real basis ; and it would be found that every constitutional privilege dear to Eugliahmen had been invaced in tbe person of Fear ^ us O'Connor , ai : d that they ought to leave no stone unturned in their endeavours to obtain justice . The presant Government was called a liberal and an enlightened Government . ( Much laughter . ) We were informed that in these cay 3 the schoolmaster was abroad , and that the dark daj-3 of Tory rule were gono never to return again ; but when he considered the ease of . Feargus o'Conuor , instead of Seeing anything like progression tind improvement , he was tempted to believe we were returning to day 3 of savagery and barbarism—( ? reat cheering)—when our fathers went half naked
aud painted their skins , and had never heard of the schoolmaster , or of the march of intellect . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Mr . B . then quoted th-j treatment of Leigh Hunt , Cobbctt , and others , to shew that , when confined for libel , they were used like gentlemen by tbe Tories ; and iu fact ( he continued ) all political offenders had been so treated as gentlemen by former Governments , who had merely deprived thfm of personal liberty . Why , then , had reargii 3 O'Connor been dealt with in a different manner ? ( Hear . ) Because he had , for the list six years , incessantly roused the working classes to an agitation for their poliucal and social rights . L-igh Hunt , Cobbett , and the others , had a strong party to back them among the middle classes ; bat Feargus O'Connor had been
treated in a different manner , because he had gone altogether among the working c ' asses , and boldly constituted himself the expositor of their feelings , their injuries , and their rights . ( Cheers . ) If there was one vice greater than another , it was tHo vice of ingratitude . Mr . O'Connor had laboured at as immense expense in their cause ; and now that the hour of trial was come , thev ought to come forward , and do everything in their power to place him in a better condition than that he was now placed in . Punishment was great in proportion xo previous habits . Mr . O'Connor had led the Ufa of a gentleman ; thero were many things which , in consequence of his previous habits , would bo necessaries to him which were not so to working nj bbj and in being deprived of them , he would suffer nmcb
more than those who had never known tfijya ,-( Hear , hear . ) He was even compelled to per " ttra menial offices , such as he really felt asbamqfeto mention —( loud cries of " Shame , shame !)—ah / ill this under our present most enlighted and m [< & liberal Government . That Government would permit tha Robys and the Bradshaws , from day to day , to pour out their violent and disgusting language ; but thi 3 was allowed , because Rjb y and Bradshaw were drawing-room politicians , and ?;» . ke the sentiments of those who wished to retain ; he : r prk-oii : power , which had been tr . ui-mitted to them by their ancestors . But Feargus O'Connor
was pounced upon because he had drawn the ' attention of the working classes to those poliucal and social snbjecs , which must be attended to in order to werk on ; tha regeneration of the human race . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Campbell had stated that he was not astonished that the working classes should at times have had recourse to violent language , neither was he ( Mr . B . ) astonished at it . Waen he reflected that , for four years past , 40 < J , 000 weavers h ^ d been in a state of distress , bordering upon starvationthai able-bodied labourers were compelled to maintain themselves and families on 5 s . Cd . ftweektkat thousands were handed over to qfev » tender mercies of Poor taw CoimnissioftAt » nd
thej-well knew , most ¦ cf them , ^• ha ^^ AffHM » 4 al mercies-wr *©—anS th ^^ ch jtiwon 9 W- ^ 5 tdS weaUh ^ -amd poverty ^ fevailud throughout the ueflfltry—when he reflected on all this , he must indeed express his astonishment , not that so much , but that so little strong language had been used by the suffering people . ( Cheers . ) If the present Government was a parental oue , it would come boldly forward and do justice to the working classes —they would immediately liberate Feargus O'Connor and ether poliucal prisoners—and they would do their best to alleviate the suliVriiigs of the people
In what consistd the eloquence of Mr . O'Connor ? Every injury inflicted on the people wa 3 an argument—eve-y panic experienced in the labour market was an appeal ; and if his opponents wished to deprive huu of his eloquence , let them do justice to th- > people , and remove causes that had given birth I' * the present discontent . Wfro they to do this , Feargus O'Connor , lik > - ' another CinciMiatu * , would , no doubt , ret-irn to h : i plough , and , like thorn , ho kappy in t-ij . i-ieiici . !^ , iu a privyt > : s ' . auon . i ! -.,-effects of good Government and of impartial laws — ( Groat cheering . )
l ; . e ivivlution was then put to the meeting by the Ciiliiniin . kiid passed uiianimvusly . Mr . C . Wi-LKi . vso . N- said he should no ' , detract from th .- t-ff ..-c : of what they had heard by making a sp c ^ c ' ! , and then proposed the following resolution : — _'• Tha : petitions founded on the fun-going resolutions be adopted , and signed by the Chairman on behalf of the meeting ; that to the Commons to be presented by Mr . Thomas D . mcombe ; aud that to th- ¦ Lords bj his Grace the Duke of Wellington . ' ' Great cheering followed the reading of the rcsoliit : < .- ;>; and The Chairm \ . v ; - . iiJ they had tried the Whigs long enough to no purpose ; and it was time now to apply to the Tories . Mr . Juh . n J . ukson seconded the resolution , which wa . s tht . n put ai : d carried amiJ gieat ehi .-ori . ii :.
Mr . Clauksox iheu read a copy ot \\\> : iu-titu » i ^ for the adoption of the meeting . It emVodicl the statement contained in the in > morial of the editor and publisher of thi 3 journal , which appuarc-d in r -c - >\' of la-t week , and pr . ivc-l the removal of Feargus VCoiiiior to ihe dt-ocors side of Yoi-k Castle . Mr . Campkf . i . 1 ., in moving its adoption , advised every individual present to send in a petition to the am-j eff .-ct , signed only by himself . This th < -y had a right to do , and it would b ^ a proof of some devotion to the car > e . ( Cheer .- ; . ) Mr . Ann an seconded the nixion , which vas then a . J ... j , tcd . y \ r . ClaP . kson then moved a vote of thanks to tiic Ciiairnun . l ; . e Chmp . man having retnrr . od tlianks , three !' i 3 ity cijiTs v . vieuivoii i ' o : Foargn * O'Connor aii'J tl . c iuif-rlso :: t .-i ( . ' L ^ nists , ji . J the nietting broke up .
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most unanimously carry tie resolution which Larf been drawn up for the occasion , and tuko such stops as to them * eemed best calculated to eltect bis relief . He ¦ would not take up more of their time , but call on Mr . Lc-ach to more the first resolution . Mr . Leacu came forward anrt was received with loud cheers , which lostod for several minutes . Mr . Leach is the time person who rtcuitly so effectually demolished the fallacies of the optrative Anti-Cs > rn Law agitators , and with load applause carried the resolution against them , which appeared ia the 3 tur some timo ago . Mr . Leach said they were there that evening in some measure to talk over tbe duties of the people at tlw present period , and discuss what wa 3 the best course to be adopted , uader present circumstances . It was inrteid
a most critical juncture , anil required the most serious attention of the working classes . Mr . CVConnor , who on all occasions had stood forward ib dofonco of the rights of the people , was now within the walls of a prison ; and hu did think that it was as little as thopeoplo could do in return , to cwno forward and stand by him in the hour of need . It was true Mr . O'Connor was noTvthe ill-fated victim of Whig tyranny , but notwithstanding that , ho ( Mr . Jteacb ) hiwi to cengratulate the people of this country , and more especially tjfe pfiyple of . Manchester , on the proud position in whldft they were placed . The Whig . Oovermnent , whpjjad sent their brutlier Chartists to-prison * , aud sulgecied them to sueh cruel treatment , were themselvos at their wits' end : tl ; ey h : i < l so niismannged the affairs
of the country , that their term of place and power could not much longer exist ; they were every day sinking moro and more into disrepute , and the day ho believed -was not far distant when they would be compelled to give up those places which they had so long used as a means of oppressing the poor . ( Cheera . ) 1 'hny had been altering and patching the laws of the country ever since they came into office , till they Were now more oppressive than they ever were under Tory misrule . Had ilr . O'Connor joined them in manufacturing such reforms as were hatched in Downing-street , he would not then haye been suffering their cruel torments in York Castle ; but they ( the Whigs ) would have extolled him as the honourable and honest friend of the country . But no ; Mr . O'Connor had a better
end to serve . ( Hear , hear . > He was engaged in advocating and framing laws for the equal governmeat of all ; and for that offence ha was dragged from a comfortable home and handed over toitia tender mercies of a gaoh > r . He ( the speakir ) w&s-not for harsh and coercive measures to force the right of the people , but when ha contrasted the cours « pursued by Mr . O'Connor with that adopted by the Whig liberals , and compared their different rewards , it ' . was enough to niaks uny iu : m swear by his fallen country that he would rise and put an end to such a statu -of things , —( cheers , )—swear by the powers of hid mind t ; nd body , that this stata of rewards and punishments should no longer exist . Oh ! ( continued Mr . L . ) theso tyrannicil Whigs have raised ior themselves such a .
feeling of universal di ^ ust , that the country will not much longer submit to thuir oppression . They have forced upon the pejple blue police , charters of incorporation , aud a thousand other local taxes ; they have involved the country in useless wars with China , and ¦ tii © Canadas , and driven us to the very poiut of a bloody contest with America , and , in addition , they have everything but extinguished unhappy Irelani . They ¦ have reduced the country to such a state of derangement , that they cannot any longer carry on the affairs of the nation , and he presumed they would now give up when they can go on no longer . This is the exact position in which the Wing Government are at this moment placed , and if the people will take advantage of ihe state of affairs , and go the r ' glit way about thuir
own work , they will have their rights in less than two years from this date . ( Hoar , hear . ) One thing in quite clear , that if the Whigs are to be in oiiice much longer , they will get the whole affairs of the nation sj arranged that neither Tories nor Whigs can govern . ( Cheers . ) It has been the chief business of the present Ministers to watch their own particular inttrest , and leave the interest of all other classes in society without protection . The rich are disgusted with them , and the working classes hate and . detest them , because they have ruined their means of existence , and trampled upon their dearest rights . < H * ar , hear . ) Of the six millions of producers in these countries , three millions "" "• 'Hjlfifti * - of starvation , and the other three IgUtfPlCgSpMte ^ aC thef most abject slavery . This
^ he ¦ WOT WTJSar , © ettitt tnfei " ropte Bttn ( r < Jtnetly by imrt submit to such degradation ? ( Cries of " Wo won't « tand it much longer . "i Would the people stand quietly looking on , whilst such men as Mr . O'C-muor was cast into prison , because he sought to ostablish justice for injustice ? But thtir charge against him is libel . Now , in God ' s name , has Mr . O'Connor ever t » ld onu lie of the \ Vbig Government ? Has he ever siid one good word of them ? Has ho ever said they were honrst and upright governors ? Who ever had heard him siy one good thing of them ? If he has not , h » w could lie be guilty of telling lies of them ? < Laughter , i Jf , in . leed , he ha-1 said they wire uunest men , ami b : vl a desire to benefit the country ; or if he had ever said thoy were wise aud intellectual liciig . s , then he
might have been guilty of the orleiicu laid to hi . s charge ; but as he is not charged with saying good of them he cannot be guilty of toiling Ion , at loa ' .. ; vs far as they wore concerned . ( Laughter , i Who th n : iro the real libellers ' : The Whigs , wu >> 11 > : ¦ ko tho S . av . s for their own protection , and tell us t . 'iey are for tiio bunt lit for the poor . They tali u . i we arc not sufficiently educated to hi intrusted witli the sulir . ig * , and , tli . ruf' > re , tliey are the libellers . (( Jitters . ) Tlitre were another class of rbellcrs , and those were the divines , who aru eternally telling the poor that their poverty is of divine origin , ami sent for their own good by tho Almighty . This was tbe second class of libellers ; and the judges . who s : it upon the bench to adininioa . r the laws were
! tho third class of libellers . He tilr . Leechi had that day been looking through Johnson's Dictionary for a wor < l [ by which he could express his » li > gust of tho Whig j Government ; but tho whole book could not aft ' jrd suc . 'i word ; he , therefore , Lad made uy his iuii \ d to leav . ; them to wallow in their tilth , and iijvncl his own leisure time in directing tho people in the best coUi-mj 1 to obtain their political rights ; for , till tben , lie had . no h"pe to Bee their condition improved . The Government might continue the u-e of prisons ; they might fill them all , and crowd the hulks with Chartist prisoners ; but they could never put down the rising spirit of liberty . Mr . Leech continued fur some time , and concluded by moving the following resolution : —
" lhat we have heard with feelings of inexpressible indignation of tho treatment which Mr . Feargus O'Connor is receiving from the Wliiis , and aro of opinion that it alLrds another proof that there is no hope for freedom but throuuh the . ceaseless exertions of the people—no hope for humanity but in thu ea ^ tbUahuieut of a thoroughly democratic tiovirnniviit . " Mr . Connor , from Leeds , seconded the resolution in a speich of consult raMe leust ' i , and pointed out very iorcib : y t ! : o ill effects of tho ] v > p ! e , jvlaxin ^ in tiit-ir exertions until they hud obtained their r gins . Mr . Connor sikl he hal known Mr . O'Connor ^ for some time , an-. I he had many opportunities of seeing his uniior .-ii kindness b : > ih iu public ai . d in priv . ittf , and could b ar testimony to his
unbjunded gen . rosity . lie know it tor a fiict that iluiing the whole or" test winter Mr . O'Connor maintained s'jven poor ( iimilies in l , < .-eil-s who Were in tho greatest d > tre . s , anu mu . it hav .- pei-isi . c-d hr . 1 it not bei n fer his bounty . ( Appl .-iuse ., iio w , iS therefcrea friend to the poor in di ^ re . s . n , a . s well iis the sfanncu advocate of their rightd and liberties . After a sptecb cf much force Mr . C . concluded by declaring that lit would sooner sit down to a meal of potatoes , aul rei herring s with the enjoyment of his political rights than he could sit down to tho most sumptuous dhinor if deprived of those rights . It was , he maintained , intended byt ' . ie author of their being , that they shoul-1 enjuy lhos 3 privileges , and the poet Burns liad fordhly illustrated it in his " JNIan was made to Mourn , " whtn Ut says : —
" If I'm dc-s'gn'd your loi'dlings slave , By nature ' s law design'd , Why was an independent wish E ' er planted in my mind ; If not , why am I subject to His cruelty and scorn , Or why hath man the will and power To make his fellow mourn . " 31 r . MAKii Bu a dwell moved the second resolution . " That a petition , signed by the Chairman , be sent to both Houstw of Parliament , requesting- tiie immediate i interference of both houses of Parliament , with a view to mitigate tiie sentence , and ameliorate the prison discipline under which Feargus O'Connor is now suffering , and also a full enquiry into the law of libel , in order to its amendment " The motion was seconded by Mr . Lin'nev , supported by Mr . UuiiERTs , and carried with loudcheem
The petition was also moved , seconded , and unanimously a . lopted . It was aiso agreed that the petition io the Commons should be entrusted to Mr . Wakley for presentation ; an'l that to the Lords to Earl fciiaahope . Tlianks were voted to the Cliainuan , and three cheers were givon for Mr . O'Connor and tuo Northern . Vi ' -. i .-, and the mteii : ; g separated about ten o ' clock . The result of this mi ' -eting fu . iy demonstrates the progress ; vo spirit of ii ; telli ^ iicj amount U . e v / orkiag classes , anil preves that tiie / are alive to a ilue sense of their duty . There were no " stars" uiMvouv . ccd in the biil by wLich the mooting v .- ^ s convened ; nor were they attracted to tLe pla * : e by ^ ny inducement other
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than a desire to express their sentiments upon , and their censure of , the oppression to Wlli'Jil Mr . O'CuUnor is most unjustly subjected The result of this meeting also clearly shews that there ia sufficient energy and talent amongst the people to n .-aniv ^ e their own affairs , aud conduct their own pnuwodiDgs at public meetings .
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- ¦ /' - '¦>' - < - < 72 ^ r rtead , with a thin flock bed , without mftfttoftt , wtthnql sheets , and without pillows ; that he U compelled t » perrcrm the most menial and degrading of officea ; being obliged to empty and cleanse his own chamber rZl ' Ji 5 1 ? other occnpatieiu which must bo Peculiarly degrading and insulting to a person in that 3
n , "J , « ' whlcl 1 ' from bis bit ^ . hm been occupied by Feargus O'Connor . That he 1 , not permuted to see even his most intimate friends ; that hough Buffenng severely from rheumatism and o ber bod . ly diseases , he is rot allowed the luxury of a wooden bench to 8 , t on ; that he is comp . lted , wheneva he would sit to sit upon a cold 6 toM ; th ^ t his food is of a character totally unsuit-.-d to ( ho cumiiti-. n < f an ti ^ alid , and yonr memorialists v .-rily beW . , that the effei-t of these combined Iwddiiy , ? -wi ; i ba iunless an alteration be' immediately made in his treatment " ) not or . ly to prevent his restoration to beaith , but to bring him to » a premature grave .
That your memorialists have been informed , and believe , that this is tbe first instance of a person pToseeuted by er officio for a political Jibe ! being treated as a common felon ; that Sir Francis Bunlett , wlien imprisoned for a similar offence , was permitted to provide his own bed and food , to have free admission for his friemls at all reasonable Iicura , and to correspond freely with his friends out of doors ; t ! at Mr . Lei ^ h Hunt had the same indulgence when imprisoned for a like oftlnce ; that Mr . Cobbett , whoso o : iso las always bcea considered as erne of peculiar hardship , occupied apartments in the Governor ' s house , at NewgaV ? , lived in whatever" manner he chose , hr . i fro .- access to all his friends , and conducted his Iiciii&cr during the w ! -, o ! o
i . ? Tin of his imprisonment ; tnat Mr . . Steplieas , now eyn&ned in Chester Custle for a seditious and tre .-tmtablg speech , has got private apartments-, vrith a Leaiilsfnl l > h-is » Te ground in which to walk , provides his o-. va l > cd ami food , and has the constant sreiety of his yr ' . fe and family , and freo as-mission for r . l > h : s friei . fb at reasonable times ; that iic » srs . OBri .. n . Il : chardson , and otliera , now confined in Lamr . s ' . tr tXiatle lor seditious speeebtss , find tUeii own btil and food , an 1 haver Various hulafgencea whu-h ^ r , ve btui ( UnietT'to F . O'Connor ; that Montgomery , tlsvycet . iriien cor . iined in the " samo Csstlpof York , for a . ievlitipus lit *! , wag on the debtors * side , foomt-liis own- "&ed , pr " 07 td « . i liis owa food and fnmitare , correspondectfrcely with li » friends his
and couhi . be freely Tisited b ^ trtt friendsv on anyday , from tXmm , o ' clocte ' in , ifH » - morning till nine atnight 'W \ . ^ That yoCT » M « aor * « tlis { s beg t ; 7- call your Lorfship's attention to th ^ case of Mr . Car ! i £ 4 , who , inlSw , was sonvicted of publishing a stditiets and blasphamous libel , was sentaaced to three yea- » - imprisonment , in IV > rcbester Gfarf-, aud , at tho end cf ' JUat time , to pay a-tine of £ l , 5 < iO tev tLo Kin ? , ar . d 'ie bound in very ^ heavy nxognizaoees to keep th * peace for five ye » 3 ; but that the said Mr , Sar iisle , though coiivicted of a so ntach more e »< - -rin >* s crimo ( if t ;«' extent of pumshmontfe . as it ought to-te , the criterionof the enormity ri erime , ) than tbo said Feargas-O'Connor , yet wr . s- allowed a spaeio . t * room on the female debtors' side of tho Borchester G ^» 5 , was allowed '
to tinu his own bt-d ^ aaid furniture , anl to have his dinner every day ftonvthe Governor ' s ovr » table . Tkit his wifo was convicted : of a simiiar offe-ae , and sentenced to a long temj of iraprisonincr . t . bwt was allowed to occupy the same room both night and day in whirh her hnsbarut was confined . ArA we would also furiber call to yoarLord » hip ' sattent : . on ' ifcefaet that during the whoie of MivCkriils's inearceratron , h « was allowed to publis ^ hia Republican , a publication in which he-impugned all religions , denied thaxxistenco of a God ; and openly taught that kings , aud lords . dri
^ P ^ fsta- ' were nuisances-, which must bj destroyed ta 9 B | Rgggty would arrive at happiness . J ^ Htt ^^ raspcc tfuUy solicit your tDrdship ' B ^^^^^¦ pe fact , that tnis took placo dteing tbe t ^^^ H ^^ Fbeen cimsidOTet i the wors : period of our bfflg ^^ Bng tho tima that has beta called the hey-Qg H ^ V misrul e and d-miination , the time-of tbe MljH ^ Kniassacre ; the time of tho passing . of tha Cf ^ eil ^^^ fe- acts , in short , at tha time when all Knglis ^^^ fcere said to tre « . nblo for the future liberties of tSHbntrr .
That we ' . moM earnestly aoquost your Lordship to compare the deg « e of guilt ami the degree of punishment of thu said- Mr . Carlisle , inflict * d at the most doRpotici ! period of otjr history , wi > ii that of Fergus O'Connor , which aro inflicted by a Liberal Governuitfiit ; by those very saino individuals who denounced the acts abovo alluded to , as tha most despotic in our annuls ; and who used their utmost exertions , nt ths Vine , to arouse thanatipn to a sense of its intended degradation ^~ by thoso same individuals , the AttoineyGtnoral ( . Sir John C « npbell ) of whose Ministry declared , on the occasion of Feargus O'Connor xuoviag for an address to
ihn Crown , prayin-r for tha release of Messrs . Grant and Bell , of tho True Sun , who were con 8 ned for a . libel , that ho would never consent to the prosecution of any paper that gave a bona / cfc report of the proceedings of t "> at House , 6 r of any public meeting ; and who also asked the House if they recollected that it was next to impossible to have an- authentic report cf tha proceedings , unless they seat spiea to the meeting , which he would never consent to do ; when it i * notorious that the principal churgo against Jlr . O'Connor was reports of public -pwsetings , which wtrovery protably sent by persons- «^? inCOmpettnt to the task of reporting . .- ¦ ' ' - . . ' -
That your memorialists beg to state to your Lordshiiv- - tint t !; e interference of the ? k . t-retary of State , in tho regulation of prisons , aa connected with political offenders , is no novel thing . In proof of this , we would refer to the caso of . Mr . Henry Hunt , who was convicted , in . 1 Ml ) , of sedition and conspiracy , ami seatenced to , two and a half years imprisonment ia Uthester Gaol ; that at tlio eoinmencement of his imprisonment , he was subjected to tho felons ' discipline ; that he repeatedly applie . l to the visiting magistrates * who siielwreil thems
.-ives behind Jud-e Best , ho having sanctioned the ru ! es of the prison ; that the Houso of Commons was applied t » , and that ultimately th © Home Secretary ordered an alteration in bis situation ; that after that time lie wrote and published his memoirs ana political rell ctious in ; v regular periodical manner , and lie a ' so affords a striking pr . > of i . V . on" with S r Francis Burdett . . and Mr . Leigh liuut . , of the inefficiency of puai .-hme :: t f » r political libel , to degrade tha churaitar , he haviuy been clttr thut iuuirfsonjncut , e . K-ctt-d to serve ia the Commons' House of Parliament
, Your Memorialists ther-foro fray your Lordship to oiiler that the said I- \ ar _ us O Connor , Ks'jnirc , bu f .-rtJiwith remove . I fro : n tiv ; Felons ' sidtj of the taid . Castlo of Vork , to the Court of Queen ' s Bench prison , zn >\ sub ; , cted ta such treatment only as othera who h ivo committed , at the least , as great political offences as the said Feargus O'Connor h : ivc received at t ' . ie haadi of your . Lordship ' s Tory prodecessors . And vour Memorialists , as iadutv bound , will ever pray .
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i MANCHESTER . : PIIOS-CUVION AND C ^ . UEL TREATMENT . OF FEARGOS O CONNOR , ESQ . No sojiier bad the Star arriv- d in Manchester on : . ^ -turdriy morning last , containing ti . e letter of Mr . F . O'Conu it , ilil ; -.:. ing hh trcati :. U ; t sincu bis arriv . il in York Castle , than the cews spread all over the town ivlth the rapidity of lightning . A few working men , who are always fir = t in Vlic field whtn danger approaches , and when th-re is work to be done , assembled together , and at once decided that the Chartists of Manchester should have v . n early opportunity of txpre = sin * c their dii : ipprubation of the conduct of those cruel tyrants vrho had thus subjected their leader to such ui : C : n . 5 tirution . il treatiuent .
A- ciirdint-ly , on Monday morning tbe walls of the ; tosvn were extensively placarded with bills , annouu- ' cing that a meeting would be held on Tuesday evening ' last , in th » Carpenters' Hall , to take into consideration wLat were the best means to be adopted to effect a mitigation of his punishment . The bill simply unnounctd the meetirg and its object , and notwithstand- ing there vrere no speakers of note mentioned , and a j ti . arge of one penny admission made at the door , the large sj-. d spacious room was -well tilled by the time Hit > d fo ? conimfeneini ? tha business , and before the proceedings had been long proceeded with the room was crammed . Mr . J . BAHRACL 0 i'GH , a young man -who has hitherto distinguished himself in the cause of Radicalism , was U'laniniouhly ca'led to the chair . There were a gre 3 t number of females present , who seemed to take a warm interest iu tzie proceedings throughout
The Chairman , in opening tue business , said he was gl-. d to see that the people of Manchester had not forgot their duty to a man and a fellow-Jabourer who had been pt-unced upon by the Government . They ( the people , had wet together in that hall on m-iny orc ^ isioiis , but on n-j c-ne -was the object of their meeting of more importance th .-. n the subject v . hlch L : id that ni-lit brought them together , ilie ^ r , hear . ; They had mat that night to reproba ' e , aud petition against the tre . itiiject Mr . O'Connor was rtceiviug a = the ban : S of the Government , and he was sure ' Jv . it w ' -en th y were made acquainted with tLe nature of the treatment they would most Leartily jetitioa fjr iu = mitigation , and
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tre . \ tmp : nt of feargus cconxormehting of tiie west riding delegates . Atanie-tin ; of Djle ^ ato . ? , hell in Liverse-Jge , o-i r-i-j ;! > y , clu ' 2 'Jt ! i iii-st , for tho purpose of consii dcnn < , ' fi" \ v *\ nv . ' -i : n to bo ¦ . -,. lo . ; t ) d {" Ji- tho obtaining ; a _ clia ; u ; in tho tr ..-atme ; it of . Mr . O'Connor , noiv in ' Yjrk C .-i'tie , it was uia : iimou = ! y resolved : — ' " Thar it be lvconnnonded that meetings be holden j ii \ every t'j-. v . ! Hiv . ;> -d .-. d village , on Tuesday next , to I . M ' - . ni . irialioe ^ thti ilo \ : io Secretary , aud Petition the j It / . iso uf C-Jinmons . t" chan ^ o the placo of Mr . O ' C . iijiur' .-i ciiiiin-jmun : from iho Felons' side ; of tiie ; Ca . st ! . ; of York . " " That the Memorials to the Home Ofiioebesent to Lori ! ISormuuby by post . That the Petitions to i ilio iloasoof Commons be entrusted to such Memi burs ? . s thts r ^ p .-ctive m- ; ct n--3 raav determine on . "
" That trio . Memorial dravvii up by this innctiii ^ ' , b- ? recvjuinini ' - > > lisa , general form for tha adoption of orliera ; wish such special alterations as every m .-etii ^ may deem necessary . " " Tli : it t ' u Editor of the Xnrthcrn Slur be rt-qu ..- < to'l 1- ,-insert the procediii ^ s ( .- ; tills mectin , ; , ' in ii'ix ; , Saturday ' s pap jr . " " Th . it this meeting recommend each of the district mcutiiiK * to send to the Northern Star , a condensed report of their proceedings . " " That the E iitor of the Star be requested to call the attention of tho differon ? districts , to the Delegate Meeting to be held at Dowsbury , on Monday next , and request them to send their bed ! aid and mort ii ) telli ^» ut men . " " That tii- ) Ibliowingbs adopted and recommended by this meeting as the Memorial and Petition : —
To the moitNoble ( he Marquis o / NoRMANnY , & ? cre . ' ajy of Stale for the Home Department ; the Memorial of ifie undersigned Inhabitants of the Town , <§ - < ¦ # e . 4-c . Shkweth , — That Fenr ? u 3 O'Connor , Enquire , CarTister-at-Liw , Proprietor of the Nor'hcm Star newspaper , has been lately prosecuted on an cx-ofido information , by her Majesty's Attorney-Oi-nenl , for an alleged seditious libel insirted in the f aid paptr , for which offence , he , having been convicted , has been sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment in her Majesty ' s Giol for the county of Yoik .
'ih . i t your memorialists have heard , with feelings of deep reeret , th : it the said Feargm O'Connor , for the said political ofi ' enco , is incarcerated among , and has to associate with , ti . e corsmon filens of the said Castle ; tlist he is subjected to precisely the same rules both as to dift B . Hd discipline , as arc the convicted thieves , burglars , and reputed murdi rers who are now confined in the said Castle ; that he has to sleep on an iron bed-
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ROCHDALE . PUBLIC MEETING , —FEARGUS O'CONNOR A pnbhc meeting wa 3 held on Wednesday ereH-«/ rI ' '" a- S ' ciaI Ia 9 «*« t > on Room , on belnU ot teargus 0 connor , Ee * . At the time of electir , ? a chairman , the room , the most commodiwis in the town , vks crammed ro evocation , and hundreds went away unable to obtain- admi ttance . air . Jmhi-a IIaiuii was unanimously called to tbe chairandin
, , opening the bnsiaess , " said he fell proud of tl > e honour conferred » pOn him . AMiou- 'li advanced in years , the barbarous treatment " of O Connor caHed forth the wonted energies of v ^ -uth . He had I 01115 been battling in the samo cau-Tt •¦ and during the whole of lm politicaf experience , it ' v ,, i never been hia Jot to witness a cisevsmstance of snch barbarity , not even ia tho bloody days of Cass « - reagh and Sidmouth . What crime- has their friend committed in their estimation . DonJrtless the woi * t o « riine 3 . when he first came anntngst them , thc-t
r ° * f . aJsamted , but , through his exertions , they had oecome enlightened to rfeeir country ' s wrongs and interests . ( Loud cheers . )? Mr . Thomas Li-vssv roso to propose tho first resolution , and said the eause they were met for , w- < a the cause of humanity and philanthropy . They had not to travel 2 () C 0 miles for an object on whom to oxercisc that humanity ^ but one of the most virtuous and disinterested patriots that ever live *—( cheers ) and ho was . gladIto see so many of them ) coma forth and show their base local tyrants that jhey could m ?^ j i 7 ^ tern Mld true niartyrs to-the cause . What had Mr . 0 Connor done that he was to herd with fel-tnsand murderers in a damp asd dreary dungeon ;{ Wh y , i , had exerted himself in the cause ot suffering humanity , and raised his voice loud and Ioiik against she basost tyranny ever inflicted on a Christian people—ihear , hesir);—and what galled them more tban all , he had established a uewspaper , which , by tbo justice of its Drinuinl « s
anu the extent ot its circulation , had struck terror mto the hearts of their guilty oppressors . |( Loud cheers . ) We had heard a great deal about thtrbloodtnirBtinew oi the Tories ; , but he defied tho morf bigoted \\ lug to show him a case of prosecution for a libel that had any parallel to this . W « ha-si on many occasions , fought the battles of tho Whigs and conquered for them . It was to the exertions of the people ot England they owoct their present portion . He then said that ho hoped the people would rally round the Radical electers of this town , and assist them in putting an end to Whiggory for ever .. Ho
lorjhmseir would never support or give his voSe to aiVj man who 8 \ ipported the present base and hypcontical Ministry ; for he believed thoy were the greatest enemies to liberty that ever ruled tha destinies of this nation . ( Cheers . ) He wished the people at the next election to-rally round the Radical standard , and be no longer rode rough-3 hod over by the most servile hypocrites that ever lived out that they would hoist thebanner of Universal freedom , for he was convinced the justice of their prinwould ultimatel
ciples y triumph over their factious enemoa . ( Cheers . ) The present Ministry were now r , paying them for the oxertions they made at the pacing of the ll « form Bvll . After eis ; U years of alU-lonu Ministry , we had a call for two or three millions of iresh taxes . Ho hoped the people wos-li hi return for tho base ingnuitudo of the Wiiku , never cease in their exertions until thoy had romoyed them from their preseut eminence , and Ut tlif . ir mrimones be held in trw vileat execration , and tnat tuey wou ' d enrso them boih in their monrinfe and
evening prayers , and teach their lisping chtldrck to shaa thorn as they wenld apestilence . ( Loud cheers ) ™ . ™ nowread-to them tbefoilowingresolution : ihatit 18 the opinion of , Ihis njeenug that the treatment ot Mr . O'Connor in York ^ Gaol ! is cwkI uiiju . it , and stamps the character- of tho existin ' Government wjth . everlasting ijrno ^ by . Thas it is t . io dnty ot the people to > awto ^ . jHstitionihg tha Secretary of State for th&vH ^ Bgfti . B ^ tftment . and botfi Tiwti&t-ef . frullKa&Bi ^ fir aaAmeliorationjof * y , ^ ° " uor a sufferings . That th" ! S meeting adopt t . ie Ldlowing petition to be presented for Mgnatures ( ihe petition and memorial nearly similar to that in last w ^ k ' s Slur . ) He then allud-. d to tho oft
declared determination of tho people not t . ) petition a ^ ain , and showed them their duty to O ' Connor , demanded they should petition in i ' . is behalf— iwo will)—and in conclusion hoped that the pi . st agitation would be a warning to the future , that the rock they ha 1 split upon w . mlii be avoiJed , tlias tiicy posseted moral power enougli to work bit theiv political .-alvition , if that power wLro well husbandnd and properly direc . od . He concluded by urging on tho people to sign tho petition for O'Connor to be removed from hU present . situation , and tne . i petition lor his unconditional release . ( Loutt chr-t-ra )
iWr . Gkdrgk Davik , in secondi-g the resolnfon , sa 1 .:, he a : > pt :. rrea bt . 'ure th-. ni on tnat oci : a > iou with lemngs of sufrow , !^ r a . ftcr ciyht yt-ars ... 5 refarm io have to come forth from the 4 adc > of retirement to raise up our muigirant voices agai : i . st so mon .-trou- ; and crying a wrong . Why were the mid ile classes not here on tins occasion ? Ile warned them most solemnly , lhat in standing aloof from that t-Ia-s to which they are indebted for their very existence
they wore provoking a fearful encounter . Wen ; they not , even now , seeking to obtain , through the aid of the working people , a measure which , in the estimation of the aristocracy of this country , if obtained , must inevitably load to anarchy , confusion , and civil strife I Let them beware lost the ironshoulu cut < : r tlK-ir iiearts , as it had entered that of the working < : lasses . He continued fur a length of time in reprobation of the middle classes for having been first aud foremost in their persecution of their moro worthy brethren , theCh-u-tists . ( Cheer ? . )
Mr . James Taylor , late delegate to the Convention , next addn-s .-eu tiie meeting in hisusuululcqueiit style , with much force aii'J ftvluig , on behalf of his excellent friend , Fearguss O ' Connor . It is impossible to do justice to his speech , which occupied an hour in delivery , ai : d caliiid forth lh _ - repeated plaud : ts of tne mecving ; after which , the resolution and petition were put to tho meeting , and curried unanimously .
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BRIDGETC ?; . Pi'HLic Mr : KTi > Tr .-Alarge out-door rr . ^ o'b ^ heli in tho Uay Know- ? , cwi-istiiig of ths » inhabitants oi U-n-. lgetou , Ciiton , and Et 6 i ( j .-ilL ) -. v . ' -a'e on Saturday la > t , io potitiun for Univer .-ai . iiiffrate * tna ri' !* ase ;<> f Messrs . 1-Vost , O ' U'iinor . and ' other po . itic ^ l pri . ^ , n .. r . s . On the motion of Mr . I'etti-« reiv , Mr . Joiia Rodger , of Bridget-H ., was called to the chair , vvlien it was moved by Mr . Jack and seconded by . Mr . Mac Farlane :-1 . ' That it is the opinion of this meeting that the misery of the v . orkcbs is the of class
liig > cs re ^ uL - legL-latioa , and that the only sa . rgnardof aTpoop . Vs liberty and a nation's pro . spenty is-ti > be fouiium tho possession of the elective franemse by every man of sound mind , and unconvicted of crime . '' 2 . Moved by Mr . Malcolm , and seconded by ilt . Ihomp . son , cuuor of the Chartist Urcular , lx . at uns liieaing , ,,, lVt . to petition ihe Commons to a . lureSs _ t ; . ie Q ^ on vn the propriety of rocah ; . ig iros :, Will . ains , and Jones from their ^ msWit to O 10 i . i . j ,, ) -:, , of thoir h 0 D ! es d ia . nu os . 3 . M . vod by Mr . L v , lute M . C . for Av-, l ; , i-e , andstSoo ! laed . yMr . H , M : Jay , ofGrcenoclr , ihat t ,. is nieeung aLop-r . uion tha Commons to aoaret-s tii . v Q , c a 111 fav-jur of i ' m rcie ^ e of F . U Unuiur , fc . ^! ilio uurlnuhihg iY ^ j of t } ie work . ir , gcla-SM" 4 . Moved by Mr . W . C . Patti ^ on ard
seconded by Mr . W . Cunie , « Tiiat a nTtmoViarbe presented to her Maj ^ tv , praying her to dismiss her profit M » uster « ai ; d to cafi to her council men who will make Uiiivj-rsal SufFra sre a Cabinet q ^ -stion . After which the Caairman corgratuuuea the moetmg on the unanimity with winth all tne resoluuons had oc-n passed , as well a 3 tho good order with which the thousands before him had con-< lu .: . t -d thi-mselves , ana concluded bv exhorting them to . iuo their . exenion to forward t ! i « progress of those pj : iicipic . i tiu-y j ' . uci that evening pixic . ^ td The various speeches wiii ^ ii were delivered were warmly rcspondtd to , and reflected great credit on the speakers , who a ;! belong to that class which our opponents denominate the lower orders
RADCHPP 3 ERI 33 GB . Public Mefting . —A public meeting was announc to _ be held- at the Mechanics' Institution , Radcliffe Bridge , on Monday last , on the subject of the Corn Law =, oa which occasion Mr . Ballantyne the Euitor of Uio Bo ' . ton Free Pr € ss , and otherp , would address the meeting . Tho Chartists , hearing there was to be a meeting of the anti-Corn Law choue , resolved to at ' end ; as heretofore the repeaters have had u all their own way Air . Ballant 5 no btgan his aadresa , which was only a repetition of what has been again and again advanced on th « sk ;^»
,, he mentioned how the Chartist agitation had failed -how tho working classes had been misled-how their confidence had been misplaced ; and mentioned ai one , Feargus O'Connor , which expresaion called \ Z /" n : endcus & 0 ™ ^ d hisses , eo ono being able to hear a word that he said . Air . Hihon , f blind man , and a sincere friend of the working classes , rose and refuted all his arguments , and sal down amid s t , very loud cheers . After which , there was a regular discussion betwixt the Cuartbta and Mr . Ballautyne , the latter h * vn . g the wCTTo * it Tho meeting closed by the Chw&to h . ndfrg ^ a challenge to discuss the question , which was accept ^ on the part of the Corn Law repealers to come off , n a form ^ ht on which occa Sio ? w 7 e 5 cS s- ^ aa / sassr- - ^^ - ^
Bbadpord Meeting,
BBADPORD MEETING ,
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X ' ^ ' ~ -LJP / AND LEEDS GENERAL ADVERTISER .
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VOL . III . y 0 . 153 . SATUEDAY , MAY 30 , 1840 . *««« i-WrSS S 1 ? p .:: ^ 1 T - ' — £ __ I ' ive " . hilltngs p « r Quarter .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 30, 1840, page unpage, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2686/page/1/
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