On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (14)
-
TOTHE PEOPLE'S CHARTER, AND NO SURRENDER."
-
20 THE CHARTISTS. I.3 My Fbiesds,— ... C...
-
TO FEARGUS O'COXXOK, ES$, M.F. TIosovked...
-
, fB Tames Stuam, one ofthe Inspectors o...
-
am WITH EXPENSES. Melbourne. O'COMTOR AN...
-
/ (pjL^ lfc^fi^^ /Tc^C-tC-/>istsi>*^ (jt...
-
^ / (p ; jL^ lfc^fi^^ _AND NATIONAL TRaI...
-
IBt.fflW.6M. LMCm MBDAT, Mlt«Kiii;»48. ,...
-
COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH. Sittings in Banc...
-
THE LANCASHIRE MINERS. TO IHE EDITOR OF ...
-
The Presext axb the FoiTJRE.-There was n...
-
KE-OROANISATION OF CHARTISM. GREAT MEETI...
-
Cvbb ion Dnusiamm w SwsMS.—Tbo Swedish g...
-
. , in Council November ,^, for the recW...
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Tothe People's Charter, And No Surrender."
TOTHE PEOPLE'S CHARTER , AND NO SURRENDER . "
20 The Chartists. I.3 My Fbiesds,— ... C...
20 THE CHARTISTS . I . 3 My Fbiesds , — . .. l . CSwumataiicea , both abroad and at 4 ome , nmspnnspire me with the strongest hope for the eemaiemanrapation of your order ; and the enthugmsimsmthat I have witnessed in London within tfhelfhelast week , proves to me that the men of iihe the metropolis Trill not throw away the nressent ^ t opportanity ; while I feel confident that ithe the brave men ofthe north will not lag behind ] in t m the good cause . a ucmuu
I In the most palmy days of Chartism , I nev never witnessed more honest enthusiasm , nor as as much discretion , as was manifested at the me meetings of Tuesday and Wednesday last , m mMarylebone and Lambeth—an enthusiasm an and discretion which , I assure you , inspired m < me with the strongest hope ; and these meeting ings are to be followed b y other metropolitan m meetings , for the purpose of electing metrop < politan delegates to the proposed Confe ference , to be held in London early in D December .
M fiiends , yon must clearly understand tl that it is not the intention of the Chartist p party to offer any , the sli ghtest , oppos afaon to the Parliamentary Reform Assoc ciation , but , on the contrary , to give t to it their most , hearty and energetic s support . While , upon the other hand , as the 1 best way to avoid danger is to be prepared to ¦ i meet it we must show—b y our union and our 3 resolution—that we are not to be used as ; playthings . fi a great continental revolution was to
occur again , ltis very probable , that , as on the 10 th of April , all parties would sink their political differences to aid the Government in the suppression of what they would then term Chartist violence ; but I am determined that there shall be no more Chartist violence nor Chartist victims—but that we wul show to our opponents , that all jealousies hayebeen merged Into a common cause—that the working classes are now united , and that the voice of knowledge is stronger than file cannon's
loar . There is nothing more necessary than that you should understand your position . In this country , more than in any other country in the world , labour is tributary to capital , and therefore the labourer is subject to the capitalist ; and , whatever change takes place , you may rest assured that no capitalist will surrender any portion of his profits upon labour ; and , therefore , you mast come to the inevitable conclusion , that if your order is to be benefited by- a change , that change must be from the increased wealth of the country .
Now bear that fact strictl y in mind , that the represented classes will not surrender the share of the present national wealth that they enjoy Tvhich is profit derived from labour . I do not talk of redaction of taxation , for it is humbug , hut I talk of national wealth ; and , therefore , if both classes are to be benefited , that national wealth must be increased ; and will the shrewdest philosopher , the ablest statesman , or the most wily political economist , show me how that can be effected , except by the application—the just and legitimate application—of labour to the most
profitable development , and most equitable distribution , of our national resources ; and will any other man point out any other available source but the application ofthe—at presentidle labour to the cultivation of the soft ? They cannot . Labour may be casuall y or capriciously employed in other avocations , but they are not stable . It was so in the manufacturing districts , when every " rattle-bos" became a charnel-house , parishes were depopulated , and the theretofore satisfied clodpoJe , and his family , were sold like live stock in market , to the speculators in their labour .
Now , my friends , above and before everything else , I wish you tokeep this fact in view . All changes that are based upon mere commercial speculations are but transitory . If they succeed for a time , they give them more power , andmakeyoumoredependent ; and when reverse comes , their power and yonr dependence enables them to rescue themselves , and make you the sufferers ; whereas , the change that I propose—namely , the application of now surplus labour to the cultivation of our uncultivated land—would go on for generations improving the condition of all classes , making
the rich richer and the poor rich ; and this you never can accomplish until you indisputably prove to the mechanic , the artificer , the artisan , the tradesman , and the operative , that they would be greater gainers by the establishment of a larger number of customers , than they now are under the system of direful competiiien ; and yon must also explain to the shopkeeper , that the then veil-employed labourer would be a better customer ; that in the one case he would take his money to the counter on Saturday night , while in the other case he is called upon by the poor-rate collector on quarter-day , to maintain this unwilling
idler . My friends , Inever saw a better feeling than now exists amongst your order in London , and what I seek to establish is as much harmony amongst the leaders of Chartism ; and to effect this object I rely upon the wisdom and sound judgment of the working classes . Ishall make no reference to parties whom the " old gentleman "himself would not reconcile to any views but their own , however Utopian . One of those gentlemen appeared upon the John-street stage on Tuesday last , bat was Tery speedily brought to order by the good sense of his audience—no not of his audienceas when they discovered his object , they would not listen to him--but of the meeting .
Yon will not expect me to write a long letter this week , as the columns of the « Star " will be crowded . Next week , however , will be the twelfth anniversary of the " Northern Star . " It and its proprietor will have survived twelve years of such persecution as no other newspaper proprietor was ever subjected to since the world began ; and in the first numher of its thirteenth year , I promise you the disclosureof a fact that will makeyou jump for joy and lam not one to deceive you . Now , when you have read this letter , keep it in mrad , and above all things remember , that "WHAT
IS TO BE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE MUST BE DONE BY THE PEOPLE . " Tour faithful and uncompromising friend , Feakgus O'Costxob .
To Feargus O'Coxxok, Es$, M.F. Tiosovked...
TO FEARGUS O'COXXOK , ES $ , M . F . TIosovked isd Respected Lsadeh . —In compliance with the earnest wish of the Brighton Chartists I hereby offer you their sincere and heartfejt Sks for vour moit valuable services at the Jorge and splendid meeting held on Monday week fast . SI not been for four eloquent speech we should hire felt bat little interest in its proceedings , as it SJ % e were enabled to develope ™/^ en & h ™ £ £ silence the shams . We think " FriendBass Slnofeis ^ forg Tthe . snubbing he received on S occasion , and he richly deserved it for his SedSefdonof what you , ^ - Snrel y such
sSiia ^^^^ s I * - u . rftZih , over error . There is one cimuntriuraph of truth overjy rur . d stance , we rerjr much ^ J ^ . ffiJw h . r-sfi ^ TSs ^ -saB SSSSS ^ A ^^^ R SSWK J ^ fS- ^ BC things better . Hoping you w ^ forgrje ^ e p ^ , and accept onr wannest thanks ^ w } - « * exertions in the glorions cause of Freedom . On behalf of the Democrats rt ** fff
, Fb Tames Stuam, One Ofthe Inspectors O...
, Tames Stuam , one ofthe Inspectors of R « - ¥ * Saturday last . 3 fr . Stuart was the ^ f ifhe Si , and was appointed by lord ciitor of the wun « r , Factory Inspector .
Am With Expenses. Melbourne. O'Comtor An...
am WITH EXPENSES . Melbourne . O'COMTOR AND MAC 2 fAMARA . TO THE FRIEJJDS OF JUSTICE . My Fbiesds , Ifeveryman ' s work heroines one man ' swork , that one man would very soon have his shoulders hroken ; and , as far as money is concerned , you have for many years expected that I would do every man's work ; and perhaps my willingness to do so when I was able , has led to your apath y when I am unable ; but now appeal to you as a matter of justice , and not of favour , whether you will allow uaoto be sacrificed to this young shark ? I have not only procured new and unanswer able documentary evidence , but I have also procured fresh oral evidence , of which I was not aware when the trial took place . I have now applied to the Queen ' s Bench for a new trial , at which I can produce this fresh evidence ; the Bench has required time to confer with Lord Deijmaf , who tried the case ; but according to law , the New Trial will not be granted except upon the payment of the plaintiffs costs incurred in the . previOM-triah M y own costs musfc also be paid , and you are aware of what legal expenses are . If you are noli I am j and now I appeal to you as men professing honesty and love of justice , to enable roe to meet this action brought against me for the defence of your friends . . Some towns , I know , will promptly respond to -the appeal , while others , and more wealthy ones , may be indifferent , and exclaim , " OH LET HIM BE SACRIFICED : WHAT IS IT TO US . " ,. Those who do send money will remit it to Mr . William Rider , "Northern Star " Office , 10 , Great Windmill-street , Haymarket , London . I remain , Your faithful dupe , Feakgus O'Coksob ,
/ (Pjl^ Lfc^Fi^^ /Tc^C-Tc-/>Istsi>*^ (Jt...
/ ( pjL ^ lfc ^ fi ^^ / Tc ^ C-tC-/> istsi >*^ ( jt < 4- < U £ ^~ J ( JU ^ H ^^ lc ^ , A
r I X : & l f * -i
^ / (P ; Jl^ Lfc^Fi^^ _And National Trai...
^ ; _ AND NATIONAL TRaIE' JOURNAL *
Ibt.Fflw.6m. Lmcm Mbdat, Mlt«Kiii;»48. ,...
IBt . fflW . 6 M . LMCm MBDAT , Mlt « Kiii ;» 48 . , , :. * , JRZSSZ . \ - * "RTJTfcT TTTtr - ^^^^^^^ mm ^—— _ _ _ _ ^ iww
Court Of Queen's Bench. Sittings In Banc...
COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH . Sittings in Banco , before Mr . Justice Coleridge , Mr . Justice Wtghtmati , and Mr . Justice Erie . MACXAMARA T . FEAEGCS O ' CO . VXOB . This action was brought to recover the balance of the plaintiffs bill , amounting in the whole to £ 316 17 s . 6 d ., for defending certain Chartist prisoners , tried for sedition at the Old Bailey in the month of June , 1848 . At the trial which took place before Lord Denman at Guildhall , at the sittings after last term , the plantuT obtained a verdict for £ 10117 s . 6 cL Mr . Sergeant Shee ( with whom was Mir . Prentice )
nowraoveafora rale , calhogoa the plaintiff to show cause why the verdict should not be set aside and a new trial had , on the ground that the verdict was against the evidence , and also on affidavits . The defendant , who was one of the members for the town of Nottingham , and the well known leader of the Chartist party , pleaded that he was never indebted , and contended that the plaintiff had not been employed by him , but by the committee appointed for raising subscriptions for the defence of the Chart ' st prisoners . That committee called themselves " The . Defence Committee , " and consisted of several members ; but the defendant was not one of their number . In order to fix the
defendant with liability several articles were read at the trial from the Northern Star , a Chartist paper of which the defendant was the proprietor , and which , taken alone , seemed to show that the defendant meant to make himself personally liable The plaintiff also called as a witness Mr . Cope , the govenor of Newgate , who stated that on the 10 th of June , 1848 , he saw the plaintiff and defendant at the prison , together with Ernest Jones , Fussell , Sharp , and WiUiams ; and that , in reply , to a question as to who was to defend the prisoners , the defendant said the plaintiff was to act , and no other , and that he ( the defendant ) would see the prisoners ably defended , and that the plaintiff
was to conduct the case . The Hew Mr . Davis , the ordinary of Newgate , was also called , and proved that the defendant bad said to him , that be ( the defendant , never left his children in the day of trouble , and told him to tell the prisoners that they should be ably defended . The plaintiff also relied upon a letter written to him by the defendant on the ISth of June , in which he said , — " I beg you will transact your professional business with me , and incur no expense without consulting me . I doubt whether you will find the committee good security , " & c . On the other hand , the defendant relied upon the plaintiff ' s own bill , which though made out to the defendant , showed that the plaintiff
was acting tinder the instructions of the Defence Committee , and not of the defendant . It was farther proved by one of the defendant ' s witnesses that , subsequently to the letter of the ISth of June , the plaintiff and the defendant were both present at a meeting ofthe Defence Committee , when one ofthe members laid down £ 50 upon the table , that being the amount of the subscriptions received up to that day , and requested the defendant to act as treasurer and to engage counsel ; and that the defendant consented to do so , but added , in the presence ofthe plaintiff , that he would be answerable only to the extent of the funds which might be collected . The
defendant added , as a reason for his caution , that he had been a victim in several cases . During this time the plaintiff was taking part in the conversation , and must have known the condition upon which the defendant consented to act as treasurer . These facts were proved by the evidence of a witness whose credit no attempt was made to impeach ; he ( the learned Sergeant ) therefore trusted the court would take the opinion of Lord Denman as to whether bis lordship was satisfied with the verdict to which the jury had come , in order that a rule might be granted for a new trial . Sir . Justice Coleridge said , the Court would communicate with lord Denman on the subject .
The Lancashire Miners. To Ihe Editor Of ...
THE LANCASHIRE MINERS . TO IHE EDITOR OF THE XOBTHEBX STAR , Sir , —I have great pleasure in informing the Miners of other districts that we are daily adding to our numbers in the union , and that an advance of wages is the result . Since I last wrote the Miners have received an advance of ninepence per score at Bradley Colliery , Standish ; at the Lower Ground Colliery , Shevington , they got an advance of one shillin" and ninepence per score ; and at Auckley Colliery they have obtained an advance of one shilling per score , sad threepence per yard . At the county delegate meeting held at Mr . Christopher Brownlow ' s , Ahisworth Arms , Halliwellnear Boltonon Monday last , we had a
dele-, , gate from Choriey district for the first time , at the County Board . All the resolutions passed at the Wfaan special delegate meeting were sanctioned , an ! two of the agents were appointed to draw up statements , and get them printed and distributed in each district forthwith . It was resolved that every member ' s name be registered by the Secretary in the county register book . The lodge and distinct secretaries arc requested to be careful in sending in proper lists of all their members names , with the amount of each member's contribution , as no one will be entitled to receive victim pay unless his name is in the county secretary ' s book—for the future —and he must also have paid all dues and demands
for six weeks previous to his application lor support . The request of the Miners ofthe Potteries for the loan of an agent , was discussed , and it was found that under present circumstances , it was impossible to comply with their request . Special delegate meetings were ordered to be held durag the fortnight at St . Helens , Kochdale , and Halshaw Moor , and placards ordered calling a public meeting of the Miners Wigon , loco , Bindley , Pemberton , Shevington , Choriey , and Aspul , on Aspul Moor , November 21 st , when all the above districts are expected to come in procession to the meeting . The county meeting was adjourned until November 32 ifl , at ten o ' clock in the morning , to the George Inn , Choriey .
The Presext Axb The Foitjre.-There Was N...
The Presext axb the FoiTJRE .-There was never So « reat a thought labouring in the breasts of men as ^ ow . Tbe revolutions which impend over Jccietvare not from ambition and rapacity , from Stfence of one or another form of government , Eim newiaodes of thinking , which shall reouim ""^ - -ft ™ a new order , which shall aw-SnSrwkh loTeand ' cience ; which shall de-SrovthevS of many kinds of . property , and SLeaU Property within thedomimoa of reason and equity— . Sw ^ aw .
Ke-Oroanisation Of Chartism. Great Meeti...
KE-OROANISATION OF CHARTISM . GREAT MEETING S JOHN STREET . A crowded public meeting was held at the literary and Scientific Institute , John Street , Totten- ' ham Court Road , on Tuesday evening , November the 0 th , in order to effectually organise the Chartist movement . F . O'Connor , Esq , M . P . ¦ G W . M . Reynolds Esq . ; B . O'Brien , B . A . ; A Campbell , P . M'Grath , T . Clark , W . Dixon , and other speakers were present . At eight o ' clock , on the motion of mi Clark , Mr . P , M'Grath was unanunously called to the chair , and said : —Considering ; the : importance ofthe occasion , it was an honour to be chosen chairman for which honour
, he thanked them . The purpose of this meeting is so fully explained in the placard by which it is convened , that it would not be discreet in him to enter at length into the object of the meeting . "We want an effective organization of the "Working Classes , which we are , and have been for the last nine or ten months , without .. Political parties appear to have settled down into a calm , it is for this meeting to say whether this calm shall continue . He ( the chairman ) thought otherwise , seeing that the wrongs of the working men were Legion ; Perhaps it had been necessary thata calm should have existed , to give rest and renewed energy for better future exertion . The continent had exhibited great activity in political matters , esneciallv in Huncrarv
and Rome ; but whilst the continent had been thus active , great supineness had prevailed at homo . We meet to night to gather up the scattered units of Democracy—let this be done—and well doneand a bright future is before us if we go tothe work with spirit , the victory must be won . ( Loud cheers . ) If we look across StrGoprge ^ B Channel , we see parties moving there : that " prince of-humbugs , John 0 'Council , is trying it on with his party , andthefriends of the immortal Mitchel—( rapturous cheering)—and we , who have always been the vanguard of progress . must again erect the
JJanwr of Chartism—( loud cheers)—for depend on it , so long as you remain torpid , Whigs ana Tories will laugh at you , and tell Mr . O'Connor and other Parliamentary friends , that you do not want the suffrage . He was sure that every hand would be held up for the resolutions about ' to be submitted to them ; but this was not sufficient , they must effect a perfect organization for their ri g hts . { Hear , hear ) . The conveners of this meeting propose that a Metropolitan Conference of delegates , should be held on the first Monday in December , to carry out thia great work . He now would introduce Mr . Reynolds to more the first resolution .
Mr . G . "W . M , Retnoids was received with great applause and moved the resolution as follows " That , in the opinion oi this meeting , the circumstances of the present times are eminently favourable to the establishment of an energetic , determined , but peaceful and temperate agitation ; for the accomplishment of those fundamental principles © fan equitable constitution which are contained in the People ' s Charter , and upon the realisation of which depends the future well-being and liberty of the industrial classes of the united kingdom . This meeting , however , declares that the establishment of such a movement is not'intended in any way to interfere with , or impede the progress of agitations for minor reforms , hat
simply to obtain , la the shortest tune possible , the complete representation of the whole people in parliament . Mr . Reynolds said ; He did not think an individual present would say one single word against the resolution he had the honour to submit . They intended no opposition to any cotemporaneous movement . As regarded the Parliamentary Reform Association he thought it his duty at the onset , to say , that its president , Sir Joshua TFahnstey , was as good and as honest a man as ever stood forward for a modicum of rights for the people . ( Cheers . ) But he was shackelled by the men who surrounded him ; indeed , Sir Joshua had said as much in his public speeches . ( Hear , hear . ) Ho ( Mr . Reynolds ) contended For direct Universal Suffrage , nothing less
ought for one moment to be thought of . The population of Great Britain was seven millions , only one million of whom had votes , the other six millions were slaves . The Parliamentary Reform Association proposed to emancipate four millions , thus leaving two millions still slaves ; ought not , then , a party to be got up who would go for the emancipation of all ? ( Cheers . ) The working people must be up and stirring for themselves . The Parliamentary Reformers plan says , a man shall be in possession of his residence twelve months before he can claim a' vote ; now the People ' s Charter wisely specifies a less time , as the working classes are naturally migratory , their several occupations subjecting them to change of residence . ( Hear , hear . )
This he contended was a loophole for the lukewarm amongst the middle classes to creep out of . With the ballot both Chartists and Reformers were agreed . The Parliamentary Reformers proposed triennial parliaments , but he ( Mr . Reynolds ) thought the Charter plan of annual parliaments far preferable ; as it gave the constituents more frequent opportunities of making the representative really responsible , and of choosing fit and proper persons to represent them . In the matter of electoral districts , and the abolition ofthe property qualification , they were both agreed ; but aa regarded payment of members , there was a difference ; and he ( Mr . Reynolds ) contended that the "leisure class" never could represent labour , and hence the necessity of a
paid Assembly . Capital and professions are represented now , but let the working man appear in the House as the representative of his labour , and see what a difference there would be . ( Loud cheers . ) He had not the most distant wish of throwing any impediment in the way ofthe movement headed by Sir Joshua Walmsley , but would support it as far as it - went , and when it stopped , go on for the whole Charter . ( Cheers . ) Were the people to throw themselves into this middle class movement without thus stating their determination , it would be abandoning that glorious principle of Chartism to which they had so often pledged themselves . Hence , ho said , go with the Parliamentarians as far as they go , and then
proceed onward in the glorious work until the people's Charter shall be obtained . ( Loud cheers . ) If they relied entirely on the Middle Classes , he feared they would be deceived . History showed this had invariably been the case . Who bad rolled back events in Hungary , Rome , and France ? The Middle Classes called themselves the party of order and raised up their Sayaau in Austria / and their arch and accomplished traitor , Louis Sapoleon , in Trance , but banished the g lorious Mazzini from Rome . ( Tremendous cheering for Mazzini . ) What would the Middle Class shams do for you if they once obtained their modicum of reform ? Why tell you that they could not have a revolution every year , and that the
discontented riff-raff , and rabble , must be put down , and as a media , would jump into the jury box to convict you . ( Loud cheers . ) Hence the urgent necessity of a Working Class movement , and then Lord John could not say you did not require reform . He , ( Mr . Reynolds ) was for a moral force movement . Let your proceedings be peaceful and legal ; but determined , and the day was not far distant when the Charter would be the law of the land . ( Loud cheers . ) The initiative had already been taken in London , and a conference had heen decided on , each metropolitan horough being called on to elect four representatives ,
and satisfied he was that proper , discreet , and intelligent men would be chosen He trusted the people would take a lesson from their enemies , and wisely cement the bond of union amongst them ' selves .- He had frequently announced his principles to be those of glorious Republicanism , ( great cheering ) but he was prepared to unite with the several shades of Democrats for the People ' s Charter . He gave credit for sincerity to all parties—but said let us unite in favour of the rights of one common humanity . —that great principle of truth that stretches from earth to heaven , ( Loud cheers . )
The chairman here announced , that a note had been placed in his hand from Mr . Harney , pleading indisposition as a reason for his absence . ( Hear , hear , ) Mr , S . M . Krnn came forward loudly applauded , to second the resolution , and said : This , like all others , was the time to contend for what they deemd was right . We are not quite fresh to Suffrage movements , and he thought he might safely say , he had never heard one valid argument against the Charter , and he believed they never would have had a Parliamentary Reform Association unless an
ulterior party had previously existed . ( Hear , hear . ) In asking for the Charter we only ask that which the intelligence of the country demands should be granted ; the Charter was the most just and wise system of representation that could exist . ( Loud cheers . ) Why should we be talking of rc-organisation ? Why was the Charter not law now ? Simp . y , because the people had not thoroughly willed it . ( Loud cheers . ) No , the people at large have never given us such a proof as would have warranted the Government in g « ring it ; the people would hold up their heads at public meetings , and then return to their workshops and their homes , to sink into apathy ; and anoa be caught in the first clap-trap
Ke-Oroanisation Of Chartism. Great Meeti...
movemen ^ that offered itself . The truth was , the people had ^ ever been energetic or . honest enough to themselves to obtain the Charter ; , it was useless , j i ° : Connor , Mr . Reynolds , or any other leader to push onward unless supported by the Vfm f True , the « Voice of tho people was the law of w > d , . but to exhibit this something more than holding iag hands or petitioning parliament must be done : ' or \ your " voice" would not be felt . ( Hear , limty We have been told of the glory , prosperity , and strength of England . lie also toldathem that the people of England was poorer at this present time than ever they were ( Loud ^ heets . ) Babington Macauley asserted , arid gloried m what our forefathers had accomplished , but alas ! we . their childrnn waw > nnf . hmuM i «
their exertions . Yes , we have had reforms , Ireland has _ had Catholic Emancipation , England a Bdl of Rights and a Reform Bill . But , where must we look for the proofs of the advantage of such Reform ? May not the patriot say , in the words of scripture— " The winter is come , the harvest is ended , and my people are not yet saved . " Well , then , should we not bestir ourselves ? He did not intend to say that political reform was all that was required . No . Political , moral , : and social reforms , were all parts of one great whole . Chartism had been sneered and scoffed at—but notwithstanding this , it was the " ism" to benefit universal man .: ( Great cheering . ) The principle
on which Chartism was based had never beenasgailed-rit was . reptesentatioa : ; and ; . taxation . Let others ' boast ©! their ancestorsi . being warriors and statesmen , hei ( Mr . Kydd ) waKproud of being a labourer , and ^ prbud ^ becauM ' all our greatness sprunfcfroiid ^^ iir . . me . ( Mr ^ ' Kydd } could see no dB ^ nOT ^' l ^ i ^» H ^ ; a ^ Mho , ^ fchuh on the highway and tooSlwpusselSrar ^ his house arid : took his furniture under a law . in which he had no hand , or concert in making . ( Chews . ) In the House—called the Commons House—he found the Church represented , law represented , capital represented , land represeted—as a proof of the latter being represented , it had risen
in value to double , or more than double its original amount , whilst the people who had created its additional value were poorer ; and the reason the people were thus robbed of what rightly belonged to them , was because they had not honesty or courage sufficient to maintain their own rights or privileges . Well , if they really intended to regain their lost rights , they must take a different Wad to what they had hitherto done ; it -was not the fault of leaders , but themselves that were to blame ; if they hoped for success , he reiterated ther must
fight the battle themselves . The People ' s Charter , which he was here contending for as the great palladium of right , was not obtained because they , the people , were apathetic ; they had been too fond of seeing ^ Lord Mayor ' s and Queen's shows , and too lax in struggling for their own ri g hts . ( Loud cheers ) He was ambitious of maintaining his rights as a man ; and if the people were equally ambitious , they would specdity- have tho Charter , instead of being in the position of cheering him , whilst seconding a resolution in its favour . ( Groat cheering . ) .
Mr . O'Connor on rising was received with several rounds of cheers . He said it was true that after a storm came a calm , and it was equally true that after a calm came a storm , Nothing * gave him greater pleasure than to witness such a gathering to aid in the revival of a good old cause ; and nothing gave him greater delight than to see upon the platform many of their f ormer leaders , who from pique , from jealousy , or mistaken mistrust , had separated from them . ( Cheers . ) The mode by which all other parties had heen enabled to triumph over them—was by the union of their leaders— ' ( hear , hear , )—and he trusted that the leaders of Chartism would from .
henceforth smk , and for ever , all then- piques , their jealousies and differences , as the only means of achieving national and universal justice . They , the working classes of England , had front the trafficking policy and from the profit made of their labour , by all other classes —greater difficulties to contend against than the people , of any other country in the world , and % would explain the reasons to them .. In every . other country when a revolution took placftr-whether in France , in Hungary , in Rome , m the Italian States of Austria , in Poland , in Sicily , in Naples , and when the Belgians wished to release themselves from Holland , and in Ireland , also whenever there was a revolution in any of those countriesthe war of right against might was not
confined to a mere struggle between the veritable working classes and the higher orders ; but , upon , the contrary , in all those other countries , princes , nobles , magnates , military officers in high rank , and the middle classes enlisted on behalf of the people . ( Cheers . ) Well , why was it not so in England ? It was simply because our money-moligering system enabled all other classes in England to live luxuriously upon tho labour of the poor . ( Cheers . ) * Ay , they cheered it , but the fact was a disgrace to them , as they—the English working classes—if united for one common object—the regeneration of their order—had more power than the working classes of any other nation . Their mind had not been directed to the Labour
question . ( Hear , hear . ) But however he mig ht be charged with tautology or repetition , he wonld continue to analyse the question even to surfeit ; for until they understood it they would remain willing slaves . ( Hear , hear . ) The reason that induced , him to revive the Chartist spirit , and the Chartist movement was this—not to offer any , the slightest opposition , to the Parliamentary Reform Association —( cheers)—while he was determined that the Chartist body should be regarded as something more than a mere corps of reserve , to be used for mere middle class purposes . ( Cheers . ) If they allowed the Charter to merge into any
other question , that other question would be considered as the only object for which the Chartists struggled ; whereas , if they kept the Charter prominently in view , it woula convince the government , their opponents , and their new allies , that from the Charter alone the working classes could receive real justice . ( Cheers . ) They must understand that the coming time was fraught with importance . The Protectionists were now recruiting their sluggish forces ; the middle classes were recruiting theirs ; and the policy of both was opposed to the present government . ( Hear , hear . ) Well , then , they may rest assured that
the present government—like all preceding governments—would endeavour to enlist the co-operation and support of the , strongest party , and , if united , the people would be that party ... As to Financial Reform , it was a mere humbug . Did they suppose that if the Queen Dowager died to-morrow , that their order would derive one particle of benefit from the saving of the hundred thousand pounds a year dower . ( Shouts of "Not'' ) Then did not that fact of itself sufficiently prove that the whole system was one entangled skein , as far as money was concerned ? Were they not aware , that if a reduction of ten millions , or twenty millions a year was made in the National Expenditure , that their order would not
derive a particle of benefit if not represented in the House of Commons ? ( Cheers . ) It was upon this complication of our monied system that the power of the government was based . He had often told them that they could not discover the amount of tax paid to the tobacconist , for a pennyworth of tobacco , the grocer for an ounce of tea or a pound of sugar , or to the publican for a pint of beer ; whereas if the taxgatherer came to the house ofthe labourer upon Saturday night , and asked for twtfthirds or one-half his week ' s earnings in tax , to represent the duty now paid to such dealers , ho would take him by tho nape of the neck and thrust him into the street ( Loud cheers * )
Ke-Oroanisation Of Chartism. Great Meeti...
There was nothing better calculated to drive moderate men to extremes than resistance to thoir just demands , and he would very clearl y illustrate the' position ' for them . Many very enthusiastic agitators . informed them that the Land was common properfyf To such a doctrme he ( Mr . 0 > Connor ) iiad offered his most resolute opposition . He wished to develope the value ofthe Land without arousing the indignation or alarming the . fears ofthe government or landed proprietors ; but when he discovered the impossibility of procuring legal protection for laud purchased for the poor with the monies of the poor , while there was ample protection for the property of the rich , then he admitted the assertion that the Land was national property , ( Loud and long-continued
cheering . ) Well ; woula not this fact prove to the government , and to the country , that the greatest danger to the state was resistance to the just rights of the people ? ( Cheers . ) Look at Ireland at the present moment—the country that ' was to be colonised by English settlers— -the far West visited last week by two experienced Lincolnshire farmers , who declared that more than double rent was demanded ; that there was neither house nor offices upon the farms , and thatthe rotes and taxes would amount , to as much as" thfejaM was worth ; and in llIid ^^ 4 KVrifi ^«! 0 ^ A that i ^ li ^^ ii , W $ p | v 4 iSiresfied country ; ^ r ^ tn ^^^ llf ^ slryjng b ^ M hurled into the Hi gh road , and their miserable hovels levelled . '
" The blackness of ashes now marks where it stood , While the wild mother screams o ' er her famishing . brood . " ( Cries of " Shame" ) Let him show the imnry that this system entails upon their order . It crowds their Labour market with competitors ready to receive any wages rather than starve ; and what possible escape is there for the working classes but to enable them to apply this otherwise surplus labour to the cultivation of their own land ? ( Loud cheers . ) He did not desire to place all upon tho land ; many may not wish to go , but let him analyse its value , both sectfonatty and nationally . Suppose that meeting to consist of 2 , 000 persons of the same trade ,
there only being employment for 1 , 500 , the remaining 500 constituting a surplus reserve to enable their masters to reduce wages , if the 500 were placed upon the land , the remaining 1 , 500 would receive more wages than the 2 , 000 ; while they would be relieved from the necessity of contributing towards the support of their unemployed brethren ; ( Loud cheers . ) Well , then , if they understood it they must act upon it ; whereas , now , as he had often told them , the man who receives 15 s . » week , b \» t ought to receive £ 2 if fairly represented , scoffs at his poorer brother who cannot earn more than 7 s . or 8 s . a week . ( Hear , hear , and " It is true . " ) Ay , and shame for them that it was true . Let him ask them how it happened that , while the aristocracy and the middle classes were
improving their condition , that of the working classes was as rapidly deteriorating . John Hanson , a very intelligent operative from Yorkshire , once waited upon Frank Place , the tailor , as one of a deputation to explain tho condition of the manufacturing operatives . John happened to have a silk waistcoat on , and Place observed " whatright have you to complain ? " " Did your ancestor were such a waistcoat as that ? " John was flabbergasted and dumb , but he might have replied " No ; nor the man that made it would not receive as much as my ancestor did , according to the value of money in those days . " "And did TOUR ancestor live in such a house as this ? " "Had he such furniture ?" " Did he go to his country villa in his earmse at
night , and return to his shop in his carriage in the morning ? " ( Loud cheers . ) But to go higher , and to measure class distinction and improvement by the Royal standard—if the adulterous , incestuous , Harry the Eighth , who put his subjects to bed Catholics , and made them rise Protestants , because the Pope would not give him absolution for . his crimes , his abomination ' s and sins—if he was toriso from the grave , and enter the house of Frank Place , or any other man who lived luxuriously upon the ill requited toil of the labourer , he would look upon it as a magi'ifficent palace , and wonder at the progress we had ' made ia art and science since liis death , ( Great cheer ing . ) Well , but had the condition ofthe labouring classes improved in an equal ratio ? ( Cries of "So . " ) No , they had not . . And
why ? Because their own jealousies prevented a proper devolopemenfc of their own power . They heard of direct taxation and its oppression , while they heard but little of Church and poor rate burthens . There was eighteen millions a year , ten millions of it unequally and unjustly expendedhere ; there was an idle and luxurious bishop receiving £ 20 , 000 or £ 30 , 000 a year from salary and peculation , and there was the hard-worked curate , the spiritual labourer , receiving £ 75 a year for doing all tie work , and saving their souls . ( Cheers . ) Let him now ask them if the history of the world presented : a . greater anamoly than our present church system ? .. There were , God l < nows how creecisi ot to
many , ne proiessor eacn unaertaiung point out the tr , uo 2 ' 0 < id to Eeavon , but ail competed to pay one class of spiritual engineers . ( Cheers . ) Now , did they suppose that the all-wise Creator of man and the world , so intended that that faith which all should be taught to understand , should be so mystified and entangled by the cupidity and self-interest of those wlio undertook to explain their own several views ? ( Hear , hoar . ) In Scotland they had seven different sects of Baptists ; the one sect baptised in a shirt , coming down as far as this , the other in-a shirt coming as far as this , and tho women in bathing dresses , that came down to this . ( Here Mr . O'Connor ' s definition of the length of the woraens bathing dresses produced one
general roar of laughter . ) Many of whom he was then addressing never entered a Protestant church , and yet all had to contribute towards its support . ( Hear , hear . ) He would illustrate the injustice by an anecdote : — " The Bishop of Cork , a very hasty man , employed a hair dresser and wig maker , whoso name was M Cracking . M'Cracking was a most amusing and lively man ; he took to farming ; he took a little farm of twenty acres ; at that time the tithe upon an acre of potatoes was thirtyshillings , upon an acre of wheat over a pound , and so on in proportion . Mr . M'Cracking received a notice from the tithe proctor , to pay £ 20 tithe : he instantly rushed to the palace , where the Bishop was entertaining a select party of friends . The
butler announced Mr . M'Crackling ; his lordship instantly said , " Shew him up , shew him up ; he ' s a most amusing fellow . " Mr . M'Cracking was announced . " Well Mr . M'Cracking" said his lordship , " How do you do ? Take a chair . Sit down . What's the host news . " " . Why , my lord , " replied the wig maker , "I have just got a bill for £ 20 for tithe , and I have not been in a church those twenty years . ' 'I don't see why I should pay it ? " "Pooh , pooh , " answered the right rev . father in God , in a tremendous rage , " Go about your business ,. go about your businessj it was your own fault if you did not go to Church . The Church was open to you every day , and you might have gone if you had wished . " '' Oh ! I beg your lordship ' s pardon ,
I did not think of that , and he retired . In about an hour he returned , when the butler announced him again . " Oh ! " said his lordship , " . Show him up ; I suppose he has relented . " Mr . M'Cracking was again introduced . " Well , Mr . M'Cracking , said his lordship , " What ' s the best hews now ?" "Why I have brought your bill , my lord , to balance the tithe account" was the reply-. The bishop foamed at the mouth , and stamping , exclaimed" Get out you rogue , get out ; I never allowed a Saturday night to pass , without paying your account , and I paid you last Saturday . " " I do not care a d n for that my lord , " replied M'Cracking , ' My shop was open to you , every day since Saturday , and I would have given you ten wigs if you had called , and I would have dressed the young ladies hair as often as
they liked , and if you did not come it was your own fault . " ( Roars of laughter . ) Well , then , was it not a fair mode of balancing accounts ? M'Craking did not go to the bishop's shop , and was obliged to pay because the shop was open , and why should not the bishop pay because he did not go to M ' Cracking ' s shop that was also open , and where he might have received better value for his money , than M'Cracking would get at the bishop ' s shop . He would now repeat the illustration that he had given at the Drury-lane Theatre , ofthe present system , in future'days , supplying one oniision—namely , the representation of the labourer . In ten years time , when the nurse would be entertaining Httlo children with tho story-book , illustrative of the present system—^ ho child would see the picture of two bishops of the present time attired in white petticoats and lawn-sleeves . '' She would say tothe
Ke-Oroanisation Of Chartism. Great Meeti...
nurse , "Nurse , who is that old woman there ?" " That was a bishop , " tho nurse would reply . " And who is that other one , nurse ? " " That's another bishop , my dear . " " Why , " what was the difference , nurse V "One max Tory bishop , my dear , to show the people tho Tory way to'Heavenand'tho other was a . Whig bishop , to show them the Whig road . " ( Koars of laughter . ) "Nurse , who is that fine , tall-looking , jnan there , dressed so
queer , with a coalscuttle upon his head ? " " That ' s a . soldier , my dear . " . " And what ' s that in his hand , and what ' s that long spike upon- it ?" " That ' s a musket , my dear , to shoot the people , and a bayonet to stick them . " " Oh , dear me , how horrid ; for what , nurse ? " "Because they would not starve , my dear . " " Well , nurse , who is that nice looking little man there , so beautifully dressed ¥ ' " That was an officer to command the soldiers , my dear . " " Well , but nurse , what makes
Ke-Oroanisation Of Chartism. Great Meeti...
him so small , and the soldier so big ? " Because he belonged to the aristocracy , my dear , and their families all married one another , and their blood became impure . " ( Renewed laughter . ) " Well , but nurse , who is that poor , naked , stsrred-hoking man there ! ' \ " That's the man that feeds them all , my dear . " ( Tremendous cheering , ) Now , he had omitted the last character in his Drury-lane group , out without it the picturetiwould be incomplete . Well then , he would now ask them to keep their eye steadfastly fixed upon this new move , and never to lose sight of the Labour question , and of the Land and the Charter , as the means of possessing one and remunerating the other . ( Cheers . ) Ho believed that Sir Joshua Walmsley and several others ,
were sincere in this new move , and he would oiler them no opposition , but , on the contrary , give them his cordial support —( loud cheers)—while he never would be a consenting party to the destruction of the Chartist cause or principles . ( Renewed cheers . ) The thing to which ho would call their attention was the Land ; and again ho would remind them , even to surfeit , that the materials of which that room was composed—everything in that roomeverything upon their backs—everything they slept upon and slept under—every morsel thoy consumed —every book they read , and everything they possessed—was produced by the Land , and that from its proper cultivation alone could theyseCUre fail * wanes and a happy subsistence . Tho . Free Traders
told them that when one channel was closed another was open for labour ; many dismissed operatives became " navvies , " and worked upon the railroads . . In a very few years the speculators in their labour were ^ enabled ; to ^ yest three' hundred millions of money : i pbpb ^ o ' ageoulations , while the labourer w ^ consig ^ and now , the only safe'course for . them , ' was to-open nationVpap to nation ' s children , to that all may suck at nature ' s breast , instead of remaining servile paupers . ( Loud cheers . ) Yes , but to effect this their order must unite . He told them fourteen years ago , in Stockport—the first town that be visited upon his tourthat the day of auction would come , that Peel and Russell would bid lor popular support , when it became the basis of governmental influence ; -and
that they were worth enlisting was sufficiently proved by the fact ofthe Parliamentary Reform Association having adopted No Property Qualification as another ot their princi ples . Mr , Reynolds had reminded them of adopting the principle of Paying Members ; and he ( Mr . O'Connor ) upon his motion for the Charter in the House of Commons , reminded the House , that labour could only be faithfully represented by the labourer , and that the labourer , if not remunerated for his services as a representative , would not abandon his trade . ( Cheers . ) This movement bad not slumbered , as Mr . Kydd said , for six or eight months ; but it was dead since May , 1848 , ei g hteen months , but again , with their co-operation , it would revive , and . their motto would still be the The Peoples Charter and
NoSubrksder , Mr , O'Connor resumed his seat amid the most enthusiastic cheering . Mr . Bronterre O'Brien said Ins presence there might be said to be accidental , and as far as the gentlemen on the p latform were concerned he did not know what their particular principles or objects were . As regarded the Charter , he and every one with whom he acted were heart and soul with it—( hear , hear)—but they simply looked on the Charter as the means to an end —( hear , hear)—they ; believed the people lurver would better their condition without social rights . The question of social rights was of far greater importance than that of political ri g hts . The Chartist movement had failed—yes , failed . He believed it was because a thorough discussion of
social rights had not been permitted . He thought there was a great number of humbugs in the Parliamentary Reform Association , and a great number of honest men out of it , who were being humhugf > ed by them . Was it not humbug to talk of reducing ten millions of taxation , whilst they had added' four hundred millions to the debt by a change ofthe currency laws ? Free Trade too , it was said , would reduce our expenditure nearly one-third . Well , this was nearly effected , and what was the result ? Why that there were more people out of work than ever there were before , whilst the debt was increased . Of what use was it then to transfer large masses of property merely from one class to another ? A change must take place , and the
alteration must be made through the People's Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) Men must ' uri'derstand their social rights . Let previous errors bo avoided , if they wished for success . He wished it to bo understood that landlords and usurers robbed the people of £ 300 , 000 , 000 per annum , and that they did so because the people were not represented , and had not possession of their social rights . Let . the people once know what their social rights were , and no power would prevent their gaining the Charter , as the means of effecting those social righ ts . ( Great cheering . ) Mr . 1 ) . W . llvwisaid that he , like Mr . Reynolds , was a Republican , and something more , for he was
a Socialist . The necessity of the movement proposed was apparent . He bad no confidence in tho middle classes . He well remembered how they took up the baton of special constable , and with what avidity they jumped into the jury-box , to convict the Chartists , simply because they ( the Chartists ) were real reformers . ( Hear , hear . ) He wished the people to be partakers of what they produced . As a resident of the borough of Marylebone , he feared that they had scarce time enough to select fit and proper men to represent them in Conference ; however , lie was ready to go on with any honest democratic movement , either in the ranks , or by the ' sido of the ranks . ( Cheers . )
The Chaikmas said , he must differ with both Mr . Ruffy and Mr . O'Brien . He could not agree in censuring tho whole of the middle classes [ Mr . O'Brien hei-e interposed and said ho did not censure tho whole of that class . ] Neither did he agree with Mr . O'Brien , that Social Reform had not been discussed / The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously , amidst loud cheers . Mr . Thomas Ciabk rose to move the second resolution , as follows : — " That this meeting having heard explained the intentions and objects of tho proposed Metropolitan Conference , approves of the same as a wise and prudent course of action , and agrees to the appointment of four delegates to be present at such Conference , as the representatives of this meeting . " Mr . Clark said his was a business resolution , but previous to that being put , he must unite his voice with the Chairman ' s in
disavowing tho sentiments uttered by Messrs . Ruffy and O'Brien , as regarded the middle classes ; and he ( Mr . Clark ) , thoir Chairman , Messrs . Kydd , White , West , and many other of their advocates , had been the strenuous advocates of Social rights in- ' thc teeth of jur ies , & c . Their object was the looking for a common ground , on which they could all agree—that ground appeared to him to be the People's Charter ; and he hoped they should hear no more of personal denunciations , for of those they had had too much . He thought it a duty to elevate more , and degrade less . He ( Mr . Clark , ) as a member of the . Parliamentary Reform Association , had attended many meetings , and never failed to advocate their whole claim ; the middle classes had been used against them—they now had an opportunity of usinir them in their favour , and he thought they
should avail themselves of the opportunity ; take what we can get , and then go on for the whole . ( Cheers . ) Mr . TJtiing seconded the resolution , which , after a few words from Mr . Goodfeiaow , was unanimously carried . Mr . G . M . Rrtxclos then nominated the following persons as delegates to the ensuing conference for the Borough of Marylebone : —Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P . ; Messrs . W . Dixon , T . Clark , and Charles Utting ; the nomination was seconded by Mr . Kt . dd . Mr , A . Packer nominated Mr . J . Godwin , seconded by Mr . Clark . Mr . Godwin declined . Mr . Fuzzon nominated Mr , D . W . Ruffy , Mr . T . Brown seconded the nomination . Mr . Ruffy declined . The names of the-four persons , nominated by Mr . Reynolds , were then put , and they were unanimously elected . A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and tho meeting quietly broke up shortly after eleven o'clock .
Cvbb Ion Dnusiamm W Swsms.—Tbo Swedish G...
Cvbb ion Dnusiamm w SwsMS . —Tbo Swedish government has just enacted certain laws against drunkenness , which show the degree to which that disgusting vice has attained . For tho first offence a fine of fifteen rix-dollars is imposed ; for the second , thirty rix-dollars ; for the third or fourth , tho elective franchise and the privilege of being elected a member of parliament are forfeited ; and tho offender is moreover exposed in the pillory on the following Sunday in front of the parish church . For the fifth offence the culprit is immured in a house of correction for one year . A person con victed of having induced another to drinfc to excess pavs fifteen rix-dollars , and thirty if the victim be
. „ . _ ., General Tuanksoivwq . —The Queen in Council has appointed Thursday , the loth of November , ^ , be observed aa a day pf thanksgiving for the recW ^ J abatement of the cholera . ?• ( J * 5 £ sn in Council Sovember , ^—or therec ^ rt
. , In Council November ,^, For The Recw...
—^ ^ ^ iyS . s-SS ^ telJt ^ l ' JpWfl- P ** ETj . ffi % j L—« * nn 3 ^ \ y ^^*^ y fi
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 10, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_10111849/page/1/
-