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Clad o^^r '4 ,^ ™!5 :r * nnes no "a408 happmessfi£w^feSj?^n£nt Hnder biso^priva-Z^^sSS*; »•—** com fortsUis
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TO THE CHARTISTS. + My dear FME^-CoBBETT...
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distance was to be measured by the road ...
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- -' ' " ;¦; ' ¦ '- L r,! -' : : ; - ~ ¦...
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' ' 5nStances the lan iBLBJ.tt- mm. nam ...
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NATIONAL LAND COMPANY TO THE LOCATED MEM...
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TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P. Honoured...
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REVIVAL OF THE AGITATION FOR THE CHARTER...
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. ...
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ELECTION REMINISCENCES. TO THEJEDITOR OP...
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THE REFORM MOVEMENT. TO THE EDITOR OV TH...
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Clad O^^R '4 ,^ ™!5 :R * Nnes No "A408 Happmessfi£W^Fesj?^N£Nt Hnder Biso^Priva-Z^^Sss*; »•—** Com Fortsuis
Clad o ^^ r ' 4 , ^ ™! 5 * nnes no "a happmessfi £ w ^ feSj ?^ n £ nt Hnder biso ^ priva-Z ^^ sSS *; »•—** com fortsUis
To The Chartists. + My Dear Fme^-Cobbett...
TO THE CHARTISTS . + dear FME ^ -CoBBETThas said that a good thing cannot be too often re'CSi "S * ^ fc ShaI 1 re Peat Avhat las own often said before , " What is to be done forftepeoplemustbe done bythe peo-^ rfhout distinction of class-aU who live by JaW—whether manual or mental-as I wish you to bear in mind , that the knowledge of the mental labourer is of value to the manual labourer , who cannot devote the same amount <> t time to the same avocation , but from which he derives the benefit of co operation .
How Often have I told you that all nations , all governments , and all classes must eventually come to the legitimate application of the land to its legitimate purposes—namel y , the support of all classes ; and now we find that not only the mother-country , but some of her heretofore most prosperousandobedient children , are thrown into incipient revolution by what they consider an unjust interference with their landed possessions . In the Ionian
islands your English governor Mr . Ward is determined not to be out-done by the butcher Hatxatj . There he is flogging ' , shooting , and hanging , without trial , while the Canadians have forwarded a memorial to the English < 30 vernment to sever the connexion with Britain , and to be annexed to the United States . The brutality of More O'Ferrall , at Malta , and the present state of Cephalonia and Jamaica—not to talk of Ireland—will
teach a lesson to the Mother-country , and very speedily " sbqw her that she has more than enough to do at home , without interfering in distant lands . , ' „ That a great and mi ghty change is at hand no man can deny , and that you should he prepared to mould that change ; towaational , and ^ - Hdt to mere class purpo ^ r ^' y ^ r ^ atesipufet admit ; while the onl y way by ^ which this desired object can be achieved is by a thorough union of your order .
Every newspaper—nay , every mouth , is now full of , and belching forth their own Utopian schemes , as to the mode of settling differences and perpetuating harmony , while you must all understand , that the change made in the value of land by the adoption of Free Trade , and the remedy , is now the vexed question with all ; and however you may accuse me of repetition , I tell you , that until the surplus population is placed upon the land you will neither have peace , contentment , a fair developement of the industry of the country , or a legitimate distribution of tile profits .
I am aware that mechanics , and mill overseers , and the best paid operatives , who measure their wages by the comparative degree , and tailors , and shoemakers , and other classes who are accustomed to live in polluted air , in unhealthy slums , will say , " What have we to do with the Land ? '' but to such men I -answer . " You have just as much to do with it as the man who cnltivates it . " The application of his labour to the Land reduces your overstocked market ; he becomes a better producer of your food , and a better consumer of the produce of your labour ; and until you open Nature ' s pap for Nature ' s children you will remain unnatural slaves under the lash of unnatural toasters .
I havescorcs— -nay hundreds—of timesdrawn your attention to the state of Ireland , and lave pointed out what the inevitable effect of Free Trade must be to that country , if not preceded by timely and prudent concessions ; and if you have read the able , the graphic , the powerful , the irrefutable speech of Mr . Bright , recently delivered at a meeting in Manchester—and if you contrast the salient points of that speech with my oft-repeated criticisms , yon will find that "the folly of to-day is the wisdom of the morrow ; " and if
it is necessary that you should understand the value of that speech beyond the impression that its perusal may leave , read the comments of the 'Times" and the "Morning Chronicle ;" and from those rubbishing articles you will he able to distinguish the difference between a keen eye : ~ that has-seen for itself , a kind heart that has felt what it has ¥ seen , and a powerful genius to describe it , as compared with the squinting goggle , the flinty heart y and muddle brain of a hired scribbler , with a soose quill in his hand .
You are aware that I perform no part of the office business of the "Northern Star , " and therefore I know not whether the speech of Mr . Bbight will appear in its columns this week ; if not , however , it shall appear nest week ; and if you have no sympathy for Irelaud , read it and reflect upon it , and then you will be able to estimate its value , as applicable to England also . Let me—not for instruction , but for amusement—call your attention to the following passage from the comment of the " Morning Chronicle" upon the speech of Mr Bright : —
Xow , what rational prospect is there , that any possible improvement which may he effected this year , omextyear , or the rear after next , " in the tenure aud manascment of land , will create an effective demand for the self-supporting lahoiir of these hungry aud indigent myriads '—and clearly , when anything is asserted or-Nlenied respecting « over-population , ' the standard of measurement to he adopted is not the mere acreage of the territory in question , nor its prospective capahilities of production , hut its actual present power of providing employment and food for its inhabitants .
Xow , what does the reader say to that ? Is not that a perfect admission of the propriety of putting the cart before the horse , that isof creating & e evil first , and applying the remedy in one , two , or three years after , whereas , if the timel y and prudent concessions had been made , and if the horse was put before the cart , the horse would have been able to carry his load , while now he cannot hack it up the hill ? Let me give you another extract from this lucid article . Here it is : —
If , hv the way . Mr . Bbight -were to try his hand / with the joint assistance of an expert lawyer and a practical agriculturist , at concocting a measure on this last subject vvlrich should not effect ahoutas much harm as good , he would , we , suspect , he astonished tofindnowwrijdijicuft it sometimes it to do an extremely simple-looking thing . From the above you must come to the conclusion , that the most simple thing is difficult in practice , when the rights of the poor are in onestion , while the greatest difficulty may T » overcome by the sophistry of a lawyer , and the knowledge of an agriculturist—that is of a landlord—when not fie mere rights , hut the privilege and injustice of landlords is to he upheld .
M y Friends , you may rely upon it that the Land question is THE OiNE , nay , THE ONLY ( XNE to which your undivided attention must now be directed ; not the Land question in the shape in which political parties will discuss it in the next session of Parliament , but the Land question in that phase in which it must he discussed , upon the broad basis of national requirement . I have this week received two papers from New South
Wales , one of the 19 th of May , and the other of the 2 nd of Jane , each containing a most lucid , Clear , and able article with reference to the app lication of the soil of every country , to its legitimate purpose . They also shall appear m next week's "Star , " and to them I invite your closest attention ; and , as spade husbandry is eulogised by all , while my p lan is spitupon by all , allow me to give you the following extract from the "Dally News" of Tuesday , in order to prove the value of free labour applied to the Land : —
Allotxesis tob Smde Iabocb . — The Rev . T . Bowers , of Stoke Hammond , has recently caused fifteen acres of land , in that parish , to he allotted to the poor for cultivation byspade labour . The act is an excellent one . We should rejoice to see every working man in the kingdom . in the possession of a plot of croiind wherewith to obtain the bountiful produce of the teeming earth - , if each were the case , society , as well as individuals , would he greatly henefited . " Some persons unfairly avail themselves of an undue profit from land let out in plots . In illustration of this we
To The Chartists. + My Dear Fme^-Cobbett...
a ^ culSlet ^ r ^^ > - , nStances in « S Z . I 801 " ° ^^ of the lan d on their tanns at more than double what they pay : uer acre In savings Dank is the land , when weU managed , that its olloS ^ T ««* J ™* grcaUya & ageWs r iLXm in ^ L - ? ° re » if . flle ° , VIlere 0 f «> e SOiiTvOUld tenln ^ u ? 8 ? ta ,, £ » of * Q * firet inst « d of second tSLcLi *!* Ttter ftere M a ™ de seoI » for the really Mmi $ 35 ? landowner to benefit the community , and himself at the same time . Every landlord might , ingiring a new lease ^ stipulate for a - certain number of acres to hi underlet to farm labourers employed on the estate . mav oIkmtb « . «* _~
. Now , if by my system I had developed fiftyfold the advantages—nay , if I had proved it by practice , not a paper would notice it—and why ? because my plan is intended to make your class independent , while all other plans are intended to tickle the fancy of a few , without any class benefit . I attended a most splendid meeting at Brighton on Monday last , at which the reporter of the "Dail y News" says I made a discursive speech ; you will read that speech for yourselves , and then you will be able to iudee
of its value ; while the way that I estimated its value was , from the warm and significant approval of the audience , who were much better judges than therepbrter . I announced to you in the commencement , that many who took a prominent part in the movement would much rather he without me , in the hope of enlisting the co-operation of the working classes , upon the presumption that they had abandoned the ^ w & ec ^ a &^& her ^ utter insignificance ; merely using our- co-operation and strength as a means of doing something for themselves .
This allusion does not apply to the propounders or the veritable leaders of this movement , who , on my soul , I believe to be thoroughly sincere ; but in all movements , — as in the Chartist movement—the sincere and veritable leaders have to contend against the venom , the spleen , the vanity , or the ignorance of professing friends ; and so it was at Bri g hton . There was a long pale-faced Quaker upon the platform , who would rather see the " Old Gentleman " there than
Feaeg us 0 Connor ; and had it not been for the sound judgment of the people , and the discretion of the representatives of the Association , this fellow would have done a great deal of mischiefs-hut their judgment very speedily put the extinguisher upon him . At the conclusion of the business a vote of thanks to the deputation was proposed , when the audience hallooed out , " And to Fear g us O'Consok "—this fellow shouted , "No , no " hut was soon drowned in a roar of derisive laughter . ^ Now such men as this are calculated to do a great deal of mischief to the cause which they profess to advocate , and I would recommend the . ' aiders in this
movement to be more discreet in then' selection of a local staff . M y friends , I have told you before that every daily paper—with the exception of the "Daily News , " the "Morning Advertiser " and the " Sun "—either barks , or sneers at this new move ; and wholl y regardless of the position that any of these papers , that faithfully report other speakers , may placo me in—and believing , as I have often told you , that the Press has the greatest influence upon Government and your opponents , I will now map out the means by Avhich you may enable those friendl y newspapers to advoeate your cause , aud raake it more powerful ; and my plan shall be . very simple .
I will presumethat nomore than five hundred thousand men in England , Scotland , and Wales arc zealous in the cause , and able to pay a penny a week each , to support it against its enemies and the reviling Press ; and as I have always contended for the strictest local management in our affairs , let me now show you how I would so marshal " these'fivehundred thousand troops , as to overpower the antagonist Press-gang .
I am aware of the difficulty of daily bringing five hundred , three hundred , or even one hundred , zealous working men together . The distance that some would hare to walk would be too great , and , therefore , I would limit the number of eachrcading club to fifty ; and I will presume , that there are five hundred thousand sterling working who would be able and willing to pay the small sum of a penny a week each ; at this average , the proceeds would be fifty pence , or four shillings and twopence a week . And now , let me show you how I would apply the funds , and , believe me , that no other application would be half as profitable . Each reading club would have four shillings aud twopence a week to spend , and I would
apply it thus—fivepence a day , or two shillings and sixpence a week , for the "Daily News , '' or any other paper that advocated your cause ; fivepence a week for any provincial journal that was favourable , and one shilling and threepence a . week for three metropolitan journals that advocated your cause . Now , these sums spent in newspapers , would amount to four shillings and twopence a week , aud would enable you to take ten thousand numbers per day of a daily paper , and forty thousand weekly papers . This would enable those papers to make front against the opposition Press , and faithfull y to develope the rational mind of this country , whereas , you deserve to be slaves , if , at such a paltry sacrifice , you are not prepared to sustain your
cause . The papers , when read , may be sold for as much as would pay the rent of your readingrooni , and for coals and candles ; and if , instead of spending two hours in the gin palace , or the beer-shop , the members of each club would assemble and select a good reader to read the daily paper , there would be a perfect developement of the system of mental co-operation ; the two hours would be equally beneficial to all ; and that paper alone may be sold up on the following morning for as much as would pay the rent of the reading room , and which , in no instance , should be in a PUBLIC HOUSE . Indeed , I do not see why one of
the fifty should not be able to accommodate his companions with a room , or those who are able to do so might take it week about , then , on Sunday ' evenings , the club might meet and read the weekly papers . This would induce young men to learn to read well , and it would give to old men , whose education has been neglected , the advantage of the education of others . And now , do not you think that , as self-interest is the basis of human action , that the very fact of your taking ten thousand numbers of a daily paper , and ten thousand each of three weekl y London papers , would very speedily enlist the hearty support of those journals ? So that you see I am quite ready to destroy MY OWN TRADE to serve
YOUR TRADE . 2 vow instead , like other enthusiasts—for I confess that I am an enthusiast too—instead , however , of measuring your patriotism b y the ascending scale , I will measure it by the descending scale , and suppose that we reduce the number of ardent working men to two hundred and fifty thousand , well then , you could take five thousand copies of the daily paper , five thousand copies of a provincial paper , and five thousand copies each of three London papers . That two hundred and fifty thousand would be but ono in eighty of the population of England , Scotland , and Wales , this plan would
To The Chartists. + My Dear Fme^-Cobbett...
speedily so develope your mind . that it would cease to be the butt and the laughing stock of the opposition Press , and if one in eighty of your order is not prepared to act upon it , . " why then you must confess yourselves willing slaves . This was the plan that I had in view when I opposed the p lan Air . Wilkinson proposed at Brighton—that the people should send their subscriptions to the Metropolitan Committee . I did so upon the principle that WHAT IS TO
BE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE MUST BE DONE BY THE PEOPLE , and that each locality would derive an advantage from the local expenditure of its own funds . ^ How many working men are there who spend a shilling and more in a public-house , merely for the purpose of getting a squint at a daily plaper , and how many public-houses and coffee-houses take dail papers with no other view aivfl for no other purpose than to secure customers for their intoxicating drinks ?
Now just one observation in order to prove that if you do not adopt this plan you are willing slaves . I leave the gross population of the kingdom out of sight , and will merely apply my calculation to the number of the male adult population , not enfranchised , but claiming to be enfranchised ; ready to put their heads upon the block to g ain the franchise , and well knowing the happiness and prosperity the
franchise will confer upon them ; leaving the present electoral body , women , children , andt % aristocracy' out' of sight , ' and Itupposing thtra there are five million working men of twentyone years of age , not enfranchised , the 250 , 000 , the low number , that I propose to establish those reading clubs , onl y constitutes one in every twent y men of twenty-one years who are zealous to achieve the vote . And now let me
ask you , soberly and sensibly , do you desire the franchise , and are you not the forgers of your own manacles , if one in every twenty is not prepared to pay a penny a week to secure the freedom of all . Upon the other hand , if the wholo number choose to associate , and each paid a penny every twenty weeks , or twopencehalfpenny a year , it would reach the same amount , and if you are not prepared to give up a pint of ale a year , or five p i pes of tobacco a year , be slaves , be starved , and be d d . Your faithful Friend , Feargus O'Connor .
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' ' 5nstances The Lan Iblbj.Tt- Mm. Nam ...
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National Land Company To The Located Mem...
NATIONAL LAND COMPANY TO THE LOCATED MEMBERS . On Monday week , the 12 th of this month —November—the several occupants upon the estates of O'Connorville , Lowbands , Snig ' s End , and Minster Lovel , will be called upon to pay a half year ' s rent ; and those who have taken possession of allotments without refunding the Company ' s demands will be ejected , as the names of all have been handed over to the Solicitor of the Company . Any who are
prepared to pay the full amount of rent due will receive their leases . The allottees on the O'Connorville Estate will owe two and a half years' rent upon the 1 st of this month . The allottees at Lowbands will also owe two and a half years' rent . The allottees on the Minster Lovel Estate owed one and a half years ' rent on the 1 st of September , and the allottees on Snig ' s End owed one and a half years ' rent on the 1 st of November .
The half-year s rent duo at 0 Cohnorville will be : — £ s . d . Four Acres 6 15 0 Three „ ... .... 5 10 0 . Two „ 4 5 0 The rent due on Lowbands will be : — . Four Acres - 7 10 0 Three „ ... ... 6 10 0 Two - , .. ... ... 5 10 0 ¦ : — "w ; J . . . ..... v * " . \»
. , . ..... . _ The rent due on Minster Lovel will be : — Four Acres " ... ... 6 0 0 Three „ ... ... 5 8 0 Two „ 4 10 0 The rent due on Snig ' s End will be : — Four Acres 6 5 0 Three „ 5 J . 5 0 Two „ ... ,., 450 This includes rent of land , - after cultivation , interest on aid money , but does not include
the interest due upon promissory notes given for loan money . Of course , as a lease is an acquittal for rent , and will be dated from the day it is made , those who do not pay up the full rent will not receive a lease ; while those who do pay in full will receive a lease . The scale of rent that is stated above , applies generally as the interest at four per cent , upon the outlay ; but will not equall y affect each allotment , as the land varies in quality , and the rent will be proportionately charged , which for the present will be of insignificant consideration .
All who have let any portion of their allotments will be called upon for the full amount of rentdue ; whileallwhoareprepared with the full amount of rent , and wish to have leases , will have the exact value placed upon their allotments : and if the parties occupying— -having houses rent-free , a large quantity of firing , some three years' crops , and all , too , without having paid a single farthing—are not prepared to pay the small amounts above enumerated , the Company must look for other tenants , as in this transaction even-handed justice must be done to all , and the least fortunate are not to be sacrified to the whim of the Directors , or the caprice of the more fortunate members .
It is indispensable that persons anxious to purchase vacant allotments should understand , that any purchase made from an occupant , except through the Directors—who must receive the money due to the Company—will not be valid , and that such purchaser will be instantly ejected . Feaugus O'Conxor , Philip M'Grath , Thomas Clark , Christopher Doyle , William Dixon .
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. Honoured...
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Honoured and Respected Sir , — On emerging from a felon ' s dungeon my notice was directed to a letter hi the " Star , " written by me to you , about monies ' paid by me into the Land Company . The reason that I wrote that letter was through the chaplain ; he came to me one day and said the Land Company would be broken up , and you were resigning your se at in Parliament and retiring into private life . Now my confidence being centred in you , aud my wife in distress , and I not
expecting my liberty yet—under these circumstances I made the application . Honoured sir , I am now free , and hope I shall be able to support myself and family , independently of either clubs or chaplain . Sir , my wish and desire is , that you may go on and prosper ; for I can assure you , rather than prosecute you for any monies belonging to me , I would be distressed a thousand times . I hope you will insert this letter , and make it known to the public . Yours in the good cause of Ri ght against Might , October 29 , William Winterbottom .
From the above Letter—which I read with a mixture of pleasure and pain—pleasure to hear of the liberation of an industrious man ,
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. Honoured...
convicted as a political offender ; and pain at my ' inabilit y to repay him for his gratitudefrom it the reader will learn , that not only the Government , the Press , the propounders oflmbble schemes , and my political and private enemies , are opposed to the Land Plan ; but that the slimy , pampered slugs , who coil theh : sleek bodies into the cells of incarcerated victims , make it a portion of their duty to their God , to revile and reprobate the only means by which God ' s children can be put into possession of God ' s g ift . Only think of the duties of a gaol chaplain , and then let the people—strong onl y in their power , and only weakened by disunion—say how long they will tolerate the existence of such a " GODLESS SYSTIM . ' ' Feargus O'Connor .
Revival Of The Agitation For The Charter...
REVIVAL OF THE AGITATION FOR THE CHARTER . A strong desire having manifested itself in several quarters , for a renewed effort on behalf of the People ' s Charter , a meeting for the furtherance of that object , convened by circular , was held at the York Hotel , "Wellington-street , Strand , Westminster a few dhys « go ,-at which were present , P . O'Connor , M & , % W . M . Reynolds , Esq ., Mr . P . M'Grath , jfj ^ TT . " Dixon , ^ h \ 6 . J . Harney , Mr . Ivory , Mr . •^^ oqnham and Mr . T . Clark . The result of their Mirations was , the appointment of a ' comnrittee
the assembhngw ^ t ^ u ^^ l * or « r « efat ^| MSi presenting the several metropolitan boroughs , and whose business it was decided should be , to prepare a plan of organisation of such a nature as to gather up all the old and new elements , available for the purposes of a thoroughly democratic movement . The meeting adjourned , leaving all tho business for the preparation of the Conference , & c , in tho hands of the Provisional Committee of seven .
SECOND MEETING . The Provisional Committee met , on Tuesday last , at Hi , High Holbora . —Mr . Philip M'Grath occupied the chair , and Mr . T . Clark was appointed secretary . The chief business discussed was tho manner of electing delegates to the proposed Conference , and the number of which the Conference should consist ; ultimately it was agreed , upon the motion of 6 . W . M . Reynolds Esq ., seconded by Mr . Boonham , " That tho number of delegates to the Conference shall be Twenty-eight in number , and that they shall consist of four delegates , from each of the seven metropolitan boroughs . Tho reason
for fixing the number at twenty-eight was to afford each locality an opportunity of making the most fitting selection of proper persons , and in order that the plan of organisation may be sent forth , stamped with the approbation of the aggregate intelligence of the democracy of tho metropolis . It was resolved , on the motion of Messrs . Dixon and Reynolds , that the Coiferenco should assemble on the first Monday in December next . And that in the meantime the most active measures should be taken to procure public meetings , in the several boroughs for the election of delegates . It was decided ; unanimously , " That tho first meeting for the election of delegates , should be
held at the Literary Institution , John-street , Tottenham-court-road , on Tuesday next / November 6 th , and that such election should be made on behalf of tho borough of Marylebone , and that the several bodies of Chartists , in Marylebone , should be invited to co-operate with . the Provisional Committee , in selecting candidates for election at the meeting at John-street , on Tuesday next . " A deputation from the Provisional Committee , will be in attendance at 144 , High IIolborn , at eig ht o ' clock , on Monday evening , Nov . 5 th , for the purpose of receiving deputations from the Chartist bodies in Marylebone , in order to make arrangements for the meeting on Tuesday night .
Messrs . M'Grath and Dixon were appointed to wait upon the Chartists of the Cripplegate locality , at their meeting on Monday evening next , and to invite their co-operation in the general movement with the Provisional Committee , and also in tho election of delegates to the Conference . Mr . M'Grath was appointed tor -wait . upon-the Chartists of the Tower Hamlets , for a similar purpose . Mr . Clark was deputed to wait upon the Chartists of the South London Hall , to invite their cooperation . On the motion of Messrs . Clark and Boonham , Mr . Reynolds was requested to prepare an address to the country , calling the Chartists to their duty , and which labour was readily undertaken by Mr . Reynolds .
Every arrangement has been made for the meeting at John-street , on Tuesday , and the Chartists of the South London Hall have given in their adhesion to the Provisional Committee , and will have their meeting on Wednesday next .
To The Chartists Of The United Kingdom. ...
TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM . Friends , The season for iaactivity is passed . Every moment that is now lost in apathy and idleness , is an additional blow to the good cause . The middle classes are in the field ; and the industrious millions must not linger on in torpor as if they hugged tho chains of slavery In a short time the Parliamentary
campaign will open ; and the Prime Minister will point triumphantly to tho lethargic state of the working classes as a proof that they are contented with their lot . But such contentment , under the present system , is impossible ; and , therefore , like the middle classes , ye must be up and stirring ! The Press has declared that Chartism is dead ! It remains for you to confirm or disprove the statement !
But there are men in Loudon who have faith in the sound sense and the fine spirit of the working classes , and who will not believe that ye have ceased to contemplate your wrongs with indignation , or will fail to proclaim them with energy . Those men , full of a sublime confidence iu the sons of toil , are addressing you now ; and they call upon you to raise your voices throughout the length and breadth of the land , on behalf of that cause which they believe to be still endeared to your souls . The ag itation for the Charter must he revived ! '
But it is to no illegal or unconstitutional struggle that we would urge you on : it is no example of violence nor menace that wo would set you . The agitation we call upon you to resuscitate , is a peaceful and a moral one—such an one , in fine , as the law allows , and which from early time has been the exercise of a rig ht possessed by the British people . A committee has been formed to adopt the necessary measures for the revival of the Chartist agitatiou iu London . The
initiative step decided upon , is to call on the working classes in the seven Parliamentary boroughs of tho metropolis to elect delegates for an immediate Conpmence . Each locality is requested to return , at a public meeting , / our staunch , honest , aud intelligent representatives to take part in this Conference , which will meet for the despatch of business on the first Monday in December . It will then be the province of the Conference to draw up a plan for a vigorous but legal , ag itation on behalf of the Charter .
In recommending this important movement , wo do not seek to mar the progress of the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . On the contrary , we believe that a contemporaneous ag itation on the part of the working classea will aid and
To The Chartists Of The United Kingdom. ...
assist that society ' s objects so far as they go , and remain as a necessary means to carry on the ' good work , when that middle-class movement shall have ceased . We , therefore , invite the patriots of tho provinces to be up and stirring in their respective localities , ; so as to pave the way for a grand national agitation ; while the London districts will , in the meantime , be doing their duty . ... ' ' ' ^ 'Hope" is now the watchword ; " a good heart' [ and ¦ . ¦ ' . « an unflinching spirit" are the elements . of success . ' Let our motto be "• Union ; " and let us address ourselves with
energy , zeal , and enthusiasm to the glorious task . , Our's will be a peaceful struggle , crowned with ; a bloodless triumph ; and the trophies of our victory must be unmoistenod by the tears of wives or children mourning for captives or for martyrs ! Signed on behalf of the Provincial Committee , . Philip M ' Grath , Chairman .
Election Reminiscences. To Thejeditor Op...
ELECTION REMINISCENCES . TO THEJEDITOR OP THE DAILY NEWS . Sir , —As you have considered a review of Mr . JohnLjConiiell ' s . parliamentary reminiscences worthy of public attention , and as my name appears to . constitute the stock in trade ^^ i ^^^^^ H ^^ ^ ' - ^^^^^ i WWm ^^ mo ^ 4 mM ^ s ^ MmnM itsfaHacieg . ; . ' You must not presume that I undertake the task for the purpose of establishing my Milesian pedigree , which is pretty well understood , and
which I will dispose of in a very few lines . No , sir ; my principal object in soliciting space for the publication—not of my parliamentary reminiscences , but of my electioneering warfare —is to give the publican opportunity of judging of the gratitude of my former protegee , and as a true history of L'ish electioneering , will , I am sure , afford your readers no small amusement , if not instruction , I will criticall y detail the circumstances connected with some of the
fiercest contests , commencing with the Youghal election of 1834 , at which John Connell and the son of the late Baron Smith were the candidates 5 and if you can allow me space I will continue my series with a faithful narrative of the Meath election , the county and city of Cork election , the Mallow election , the Kiusale election , the Dungavvanand Bandon elections . And as regards one and all of which you shall have an irrefutable narrative . And now to
Youghal . i Many . of your readers will be aware that on the 13 th of February , 1834 , the late Daniel O'Connell made a fierce attack in the House of Commons , and succeeded in the appointment of " a select committee to inquire into the conduct of Mr . Baron Smith , in respect of his neglect of duty as a judge , and the introduction of political topics in his charges to grand juries . " About the close ol 1834 a general election
took place , the Tories haying ousted the Whigs —a circumstance which ' ^ you are aware gives considerable influence to the party in power , and that influence you are also aware would be strenuously used—nay strained , against the son of Daniel O'Conuell . Howbeit , immediately before the election , when on my way to Mallow to support Mr . Scully , as a Repeal candidate , against Sir Denham Norreys , I met Daniel O'Connell at tho Imperial Hotel . He was in a most doleful mood , and after the usual salutation he addressed me thus : —
" M y dear Feargus , Baron Smith ' s son is to be John ' s opponent at Youghal . Ho has all the Devonshire interest ; and if John is beaten it will . break his mother ' s heart , as he is his mother ' s darling . " I replied , "There ' s the carriage and four spankers at the door , I am going to Mallow to return Scully , and banish your grief and your fears , O'Connell , as John shall be member for Youghal , if I lose my life b y it . " "Thank you , thank you , " replied the Liberator , "if any man can do it you can . "
I immediatel y started for Mallow , with Mr . Scully , the cause of whose defeat I shall narrate in another letter , and upon the following evening , after the nomination at Mallow , I started for Youghal , a distance , I think , of over sixty English miles , travelling all night —at my own expense , mind—posting with four horses . I arrived at Youglial a little after ton in tho morning , where I found the town literall y a hive , 0 'Connell having recommended the Roman Catholic clergy to invite the whole population to attend , but not appearing himself , as eig ht men were shot dead at the previous election .
When I arrived , I drove to the committee room , where a kind of temporary hustings had been erected , with a platform not more than five feet above the level of the street , and just in front of the platform were stationed the 4 th Dragoon Guards , with drawn swords . In the rear were two large detachments of in fan try , and upon a very broad p ier in front stood the officers of the several regiments . There were also 700 police , under the command of Major Jackson , while the town was . literally crammed with the most excited multitude I ever witnessed in my life . Their excitement wasronsed to madness , in consequence of the son of Baron Smith being selected as the opponent of the son of O Connell . *
As soon as I entered the committee-room a vast number of Roman Catholic clergymen requested me , nay , implored me , for God ' s sake not to address the people , as we should have slaughter . I replied that that was tho very thing the enemy relied upon , that wo should be intimidated by military force , when I immediately jumped upon the platform from the window of the committee-room , and such a scene I never beheld . The shouts of the
people made the dragoon horses prance and rear and created an impression that they were going to charge . I continued to address the people while the drawn swords were within four or five feet of my face . I called attention to the difference between the little nincompoop officers upon the pier aud tho robust soldiers opposite me . I showed the injustice of Hogging soldiers for the slightest crime , while their officers were merely repremanded for the most heinous offence . I dwelt at some length upon the injustice of granting pensions to the widows aud orphans of officers , while those of the soldiers were allowed to starve .
In a very short time the soldiers showed evident marks of approbation , laughed at each other , and some even cheered , when , as if by magic , the word "Right about face , march , " was given , and sve had the whole town to ourselves . Well , the election commenced . Mr . Keating , Queen ' s Counsel , was counsel for Bavon Smith ' s son , and was entitled by act of
parliament to a largo fee for his services , which he , no doubt , received . I was counsel for John Connell , and was entitled to as large a fee , but I received none , and would not take a farthing , hut travelled and lived at my own expense into the bargain . During the contest a very knotty question arose as to the admissibility of freemen living at a certain distance from the town . The point was whether the
Election Reminiscences. To Thejeditor Op...
distance was to be measured by the road or by line . Sergeant O'Loghlen , subsequently Master of the Rolls , came to Youg hal for tha special purpose of arguing this point . He anil Mr . Keating argued the question at considerable length , and during which I discovered that Mr . Fordyce leaned to the argument of Mr . Keating , but before he gave his decision , and although quite ready to accept the servico of Sergeant O'Loghlen , I stated that I , and not the learned sergeant , was counsel in the ease , and that I repudiated his construction as ] well as Mr . Keating ' s construction of the act distance was to he measured bv the road or by
of parliament . 1 then argued the question myself at considerable length , when the assessor decided in my favour , whereupon Sergeant O'Loghlen took mo by the arm , wa walked out of the room , and with a hearty laugh he exclaimed , " Well , Feargus , you are the boy to carry the election . "' Sergeant O'Loghlen dined with us that day , and I addressed a multitude of people from the window of the hotel as was my custom , the dragoons , in their stable jackets , constituting a fair prc « portion of my audience , and invariably asking me in the streets at dusk where I intended to speak from that night . Well , so the contest went on till two o ' clock on the fifth day , the poll closing at four . At that hour Baron Smith's son was two ahead of .
John Connell , aud the list of voters was exhausted . A Mr . Fitzpatrick , a lame gentleman and a violent partisan of Smith , rushed through the street , hopping upon ono kg , cheering and waving his hat , and exclaiming " We have it , we have it , we have it 1 " An immense number of Roman Catholic clergymen witnessed this exulting exhibition from the committee-room and sighed most dolefully . I asked them for God's sake to leave the committee-room to me , and retire to Campbell's Hotel . They did so , in the most doleful mood , expressing horror that the son of tfie Liberator should be beaten b y the son of Baroa Smith .
When the room was cleared I sent for Dominick Roynane , the active and energetia agent of the repeal party . I asked him to show me the voting list . He did so , and I ^ J ^ ^ * ba ^ - five men had not polled ; and uporfnraln ^^^ that they had feft their bouses nine months ago , and that the present occupants wero not registered , but were all favourable to the cause . I told him to go himself and get a staff to assist him to discover the five men who
had previously lived in the houses . He did so , and returned with the five previous occupants . I instantly went with them , cleared every house , put out cat , dog , fire , aud furniture in the middle of the street , the then occupants surrendering possession to the previous occupants , whose names stood upon the list . I took them up as a tally—they poll in tallies of five in Ireland—I was well aware of the sensation their appearance would create , and I drilled them how to act . The first man who appeared to tender his vote was tho celebrated repealer Jeremiah O'Lamassney , and I never shall forget the exhibition aud the sensation created in the court .
Perhaps your readers are not aware that the admissibility of an Irish voter is like a trial at bar . When he appeared there was a general shout , " He ' s left his house nine months ago" The usual oath was then tendered , and I shall never forget the sensation . It runs thus— " I , Jeremiah O'Lamassney , do swear that I am the same Jeremiah O'Lamassney whose name appears in this paper , and that I am still'in possession of the house , " and so and so ; and tho remainder of the oath being smothered in the most execrable yells . ; However , the whole five voted , and were objected to ; and as is the case in Ireland , the question of admissibility was then argued before the assessor .
Mr . Keating argued againt those votes at considerable length : the assessor said " Well , Mr . O'Connor , what have you to otter in reply ? " 1 answered , merely to request you will look at your watch . " Tor what ? " observed Mr . Keating . I rejoined "because his office has expired , and by this act of parliament he is liable to a fine of £ 500 if ho attempts to exercise his function after the time for closing the poll . " The asssessor looked at his watch , found that I was right , and although a violent partisan , and notwithstanding the most impressive appeal from Mr . Keating , he allowed the five votes to remain upon the poll , telling Mr . Keating that his only remedy was before
acummittee of the House of Commons , lh-. y did remain upon the poll , and John Connell was declared duly elected . The shouting was ; indescribable ; I raii to Campbell ' s hotel , where the Roman Catholic clergymen were assembled , ; they were moaning dolelully , exclaiming , what an unfortunate result . I replied . " No , I think it is a capital conclusion . " "What , " they rejoined , "that the son of Uaron Smith should beat the son of the Liberator ? " I called them to the window , and pointed out master John in the middle of an vmmerwe crowd shunting , roaring , cheering , and jumping , and I said , * ' There ' s the member , 1 did it for you " They embraced me , and their grief , us it by magic , changed into the most extatie joy .
Another incident connected with this memorable election , and 1 have done . 'J bore was an ejectment ptnding against one of our voters ; the house was guarded by a double file of infantry , with fixed bayonets ; the sbeiiff was at the back door trying to get in ; I rushed through the double file of bayonets ; got two prodsfknocked tne sheriff out of tho way , sent the door in with my shoulder , took the occupant out of tho front door , and polled him before the sheriff got possession . Aftcr . the election , Mr .
Fordyce , tho assessor , who 1 believe had been wounded at the previous election , was very much alarmed by the excitement . I took him home in my carriage , and was obliged to hide him under the seat v . iicn we stopped to change horses at Middleton . The people there flocked in hundreds and thousands round the carriage , asking how the assessor behaved , and when he would be going through ? I brought liim from under tho seat 7 and said there he is—he behaved like a trump , he gained us the electron — and thev cheered Jiim most
heartily . Isliallnow conclude tuy naviauve of tliis memorable contest , by merely stating that the question of John Council ' s election was tried before a committee of the House of Commons in the next session , that , as well as 1 remember , the rive votes to which I have referred were struck off the poll , while eig ht non-resident freemen who voted for Uaron Smith ' s son , and to whom I objected , were also struck off , thus leaving Master John secure in his seat , 1 think , by a majority of one .
I was up night and day during this election . I received yards of blarney from John and his father , for my untiring exertions ; and with these observations I conclude my narrative of the ever memorable Youghal election . In my next 1 shall give ; i plain and unadorned narrative of the celebrated . Dungarvan election , with reference to which not one of John ' s reminiscences bears tho semblance of truth . Your obedient servant , Pe . \ kgus O'Cosxou .
The Reform Movement. To The Editor Ov Th...
THE REFORM MOVEMENT . TO THE EDITOR OV THE . VOMHKEJf STAR . Sin , —In consequence of iu having been stated at the Reform meetings that it is the wish of the deputation to enfranchise those only who contribute more or less to the support of the poor , I wish to know from what source they derive the information that this limitation will embrace five million of adults ? 1 hesitate not to assert that it will not enfranchise three millions ; and mark , with what case these men can be disfranchised . Let us suppose a general election to be near at hand , and that tho white slaves can be registered in the manner proposed , that work in factories . If doubtful of
their fealty , what can be more easy for the molochs than to shut up their mills for a few weeks , and thus render solvent electors insolvent mendicants , rather than that their honourable and respected friend should lose his seat . "It is a mockery , a snare a delusion , " to suppose that a large number of electors will be one whit move independent than the present body , if the possession of the franchise is contingent upon money payments . Far be it from me to dictate to others , but 1 nm so disgusted at the homage paid to social distinctions that I will have nothing to do with this new movement , as I have no confidence in the result .
With reference to the state of our unfortunate brethren abroad ( the noble Hungarians ) , I take this opportunity of expressing tho sincere gratification I have derived from the perusal of your letters , so replete as they avc with u \ fovnv \ tion of n most painfully interesting character , r . nd also to thank you for your exposure of the hypocrites , all and singular , diplomatic or otherwise , that have effected their downfall . God knows we have need of reform in England , if only to prevent the continuance of that disgraceful indifference to patriotism in distress , for ^ hich wo deserve at this moment the severest censure that can be bestowsd upon us , but still I will hope that there is a good time coming for tho benefit of all . Your obedient servant , U gboi'ough , Devon , E . Robertson .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 3, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_03111849/page/1/
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