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»TO THE VERITABLE CHAETISTS.
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My F1UESDS,—I attended a meeting at c;h....
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TO P. O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P. Hoxoured Sir,...
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Redemption Somett.—it is intended to hav...
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AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL
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P S THE 'IDEAS' OF St TOL. HT . 732. LON...
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THE 'IDEAS' OF THE PEACE SOCIETY. ' • Mr...
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€tyarttst JntcUigctwe.
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION Offices—14,...
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Ashton-under-Lyne. — Meeting of Delegate...
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CHARTIST ORGANISATION. A public meeting,...
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TO THE CHARTISTS. Brother Chartists,—Wit...
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There,is not a gi-oiitcr «'lm«bug" under...
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° As t urn aware that this paper will ca...
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STRIKE OF THE BUILDING TRADES OF AIR. G....
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meeting gi ea-cr grti.^ ap»'- ., ./ -^r ...
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— .j—<ap»'- ., ./ -^r ¦ !¦!:¦ . .<.;. ' ...
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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.
»To The Veritable Chaetists.
» TO THE VERITABLE CHAETISTS .
My F1uesds,—I Attended A Meeting At C;H....
My F 1 UESDS , —I attended a meeting at c ; h .. jhvld on "Wednesday week , and I never was butter received in my life . A great lum ber » f the honest and honourable and independent ladies were there , and they rece ived me with kindness and cordiality , and presented me with an address , which will be found at foot . I also attended a meeting at flal ifax , on Friday week , and it was a bumper . was most cordially and kindly received , and ou r veteran and honourable friend , itnsbton , ^ 5 in the chair . I have had many invitations to attend meetings all over England ; and ffhen this infernal Land Company is wound up , I will go through all England , Scotland , and Wales , and endeavour to rouse Chartism
onre more . Lord Johx ItussEix has stated that it is jri ? intention to propose something very near the Charter next Session of Parliament ; hut he will do it upon the same principle that C- J . Fox did . He and the Duke of Rich jiOsd advocated every point of the People ' s Charter , bnt when he became Prime Minister be proposed a motion to prevent Commissioners , who supplied the Army and Navy with
meat , to sit in the House of Commons , and he said 'Now , there ' s the Charter , what more do y ou want ? ' And you may depend upon it that if Lord Jons Russell can by possibilit y continue as Prime Minister , that he will propose some similar motion , and like C . J . Fox , will say , 'Now there ' s the Charter , what more do y ou want ?" I attended a . meeting on Thursday last at the Hanover-square Eooms , which was crowded to suffocation . Lord Dudley Stuart
was in the chair , and made a most admirable speech ; and Kossuth was received with such cheering that I thought the building would have tumbled down . There were gentlemen with their wands and rosettes at the front and side doors ; and as I had no ticket they would not let me in , and they said 1 could not procure a ticket . However , I went into the Committee-room , and one of the Committee came in and took me up on the platform .
. Now , my friends , I think this will convince tou that the middle classes do not wish your friends and supporters to appear upon the p latform ; however , I snap my fingers at them ; and , as I have often told you , I am resolved to rest u ] on my oars until the Chartist mind of the country is once more roused ; and if I was offered a million millions a year , I ffonld not give up Chartism , as it makes my bio . > d boil , when I see fathers and mothers carrying children on their backs and in their anus , starving and crying with hunger , while y ou have idle land , idle labour , and idle money in this country . I never was better received in my life than 1 was at Sheffield and H alifax ; ami I have often told you before ,
that it was my determination to rest upon my oars until the abuse levelled at me had exp ired . If it was not for this infernal Land Company , in which I have expended £ 7 , 500 of my own money , I could have devoted more of my time to Chartism , hut I did hope that the Land Plan would have carried Chartism . Several ladies at Halifax offered to make me a present of their shares in the Land Company , but I refused them ; and , as I stated before , I repeat it again , I am resolved , when this Company is wound np , to carry on a Land Plan on my own responsibility \ and now , in conclusion , let me again repeat to yon , that you never did , nor never will , see a man who has deveted his time and money to etevate the working classes as I have . -
I remain , Your Faithful Friend and Uncompromising Advocate , Femmsus O'Cohkor . P . 3 . —The people at Halifax presented me with a splendid address , and a reporter of one of the p apers asked meHo give it him that he mi g ht insert it in his own paper , and that he would forward it to the ' . Northern Star ; ' however , he has not done so . F . O'C .
To P. O'Connor, Esq., M.P. Hoxoured Sir,...
TO P . O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Hoxoured Sir , —Allow ns to congratulate yon on your safe arrival amongst ns once more in Sheffield , with feelings of delight and pleasure . We have long been anxious for a visit from you ; therefore we hail you with sincerity and gratitude for your continued and unflinching advocacy in the cause of freedom , trusting that Providence may yet spare you for many years to see the noble work of emancipation carried out , and in which you have so heroically struggled .
It is just twelvemonths to-day when our little band—now called ' The Womans ' Bights Association' —sprang into existence , and we are proud to say our perseverance has emboldened our sisters in Glasgow , Leeds , Edinburgh , and many other towas , to speak oat for Universal Suffrage , in which we solicit your powerful aid . We remain , . Sir , Yours obediently , & c , Amah Higsixbotham . Sheffield , November -5 th , 1851 .
DEAR SlB , —On reading the * Star' of last week we were highly gratifiedwith your letter , in which you stated your determination to visit all the towns that had invited you ; and further , on seeing a letter in the same paper from Stockton , inviting you to attend that town ; and believing you will Comply "With the request of the Stockton friends , if you possibly can , we thought it a favourable opportunity to solicit you to come to Hartlepool , to give Us a bit of stir up , as Hartlepool is only twelve miles from Stockton , northward , on your road to Sunderland , Shields , or Newcastle . And
one particular reason for our desiring you to give us a call is , that Hartlepool is rather lukewarm , which may lead some to say it is n . worthy of a call . In repl y we would eay that it is only a heap of smouldering combustibles , which if it had Mr . O'Connor ' s match applied to it would glow into as fierce a Chartist fire as any in Great Britain . Desiring an answer in your next number of the 'Star , ' we subscribe ourselves , your humble and devoted servants , Robert Holman , Edward Turnbull , Mark Parkinson , "William S . Pattison , John Row , "William Marshall , Alexander Beatie .
Deak Sir , —I am directed by the council of this locality to forward you an invitation to pay a visit to this town when you make your northern tour , and , I am also directed to inform you that our confidence remains unshaken in yon , and hope that you may live to see the people enjoying those just rights for which you have been so true an advocate Yours truly , E gbert Gill . Rochdale November 11 th , 1851 .
Redemption Somett.—It Is Intended To Hav...
Redemption Somett . —it is intended to have a sories of lectures and discussions in social science in Leeds this winter ; arrangements are now being made . Monies received fur the week : —Iieed ? f £ i 8 s . Id . ; Etruria . per Mr . Wilbraham , 5 s . 9 d . ; Xongton , per Mr . Jliley , is . 3 d . ; Building Fund , Leeds , -is . ; Etruria , S 3 . ; Propagandist Fond , Is . 6 d . iter ' s Birthdat at Ashtox-tjxdbr-Lvse . — The seventy-eighth annnirersary of the birthday of the immortal Henry Hunt was held on Saturday eveu-Jn-r last , at the house of Mr . James Dewsnap , Victoriastreet
- , when a select and respectable number of his admirers sat down to a substantial supper . The raom was tastefull y decorated with portraits of the moss celebrated political reformers . After the cloth was removed , Mr . James Ashwortu was called to the chair , and opened the proceedings with a brief eulogium on the political character of Mr . Hunt , concluding by proposing " The People—the only true source of Political power . " Several patriotic soogs and toasts were given , one of which * . is " Mr . frargM O'Connor and the ' Northern S : ar ;'" and tlr ? company separated at a late hour highly ddigiitc "vrith the evening's entertainment .
And National Trades' Journal
AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL
P S The 'Ideas' Of St Tol. Ht . 732. Lon...
TOL . HT P . 732 . LONDOSTSATDRDAY , BaliBmjSU * , „ ^ S ^ r ™* - . — _ _ > ^ _ . _ _^ ' . _ ' SnllllMgi aad Sixpence per quarter in ' - ' - ' ¦ ' ' "
The 'Ideas' Of The Peace Society. ' • Mr...
THE 'IDEAS' OF THE PEACE SOCIETY . ' Mr . Editor , —If I would respect my character as a sane man , I feel I must pray to be excused connexion with that organisation which vegetates under the ambiguous appellation of the ' Pbace Society / . ' As men of one idea , the promoters of this nondescript policy may be considered simple enough ; but , as men desiring to make their opinions popular , their manifestoes are singularly ludicrous . I have before me one of the precious specimens of this drab-coated school , lately given to the world , under the joint paternity of Joseph Sturge , and Henry Richard , names _ TFnr . « T 7 > EMS' HI ? Tuc t > i ? a nm
which the despot will delight to read , as the Unpaid supporters of his murderous policy . Well can I imagine the trio of joy , as bursting from the ' sweet voices' of the Russian Czar , the Boy-Emperor , ar id the King of the Two Sicilies , upon perusing this production of the Peace Society . Sir , Ideas are to regenerate Italy , and to repossess the oppressed Magyar with that liberty of action , which a combination of tryanny has temporarily deprived him of . Behold the wonderful discovery ! It is an Idea , sub-divided into a million parts , that is declared not only to
have emblazoned upon its banner , 'The noblest triumphs of Christianity , ' but which is yet capable of ' upheaving continents , ' and of * effecting revolutions on the earth , in comparison with which the stormy career of the greatest conqueror that ever shook the earth beneath the tramp of his armed heel , is but as the momentary sweep of the hurricane , com « pared with the calm and majestic processes of nature , when it patiently elaborates through ages , the chief things of the ancient
mouutains , and the precious things of the lasting hills . ' Ideas , we are further told , 'have proved themselves mightier than swords ; ' and hence the latter must be for ever laid aside , and the nations be sent out star-gazing for Ideas . That is the twaddle of the Peace Society—theDogberrysof our time ; and the men who would pen such stuff , ought , in mercy , to be written down as asses , and each of them consigned once more to the tender control of an elderly matron .
I want to know , ( but I am afraid my inquisitiveness will be thought unpardonable , ) if it was an Idea , which defeated Mazziui in Italy and Kossuth in Hungary ? Suppose I admit it , then the counterpart of that Idea may be called into action to turn that defeat into success . "Well , I thought that it was French bayonets that re-seated the Pope , and the treachery of Georgey , aided by the combined forces of Russia and Austria , that lost Hungary to its native population . If I am
wrong , and that it were Ideas whicu produced the result , then with such Ideas I say these nations must do battle again . For Ideas I read disciplined men , gunpowder , cannon , and bayonet . If Joseph Sturge means the same thing , well and good ; but as he means expressions of collective thought , I hesitate not to say that he is a disciple of the science of sham ; and the sooner he discovers-the fact the better will it be for his reputation as a man who aspires to be one of England ' s statesmen .
I can place a proper value upon Ideas , and feel an appreciation for them as second to none other in the domain of theory . But in the subjugation of nations , it is not thought alone but brute force , as the chief constituent , which is brought into the battle field . The Idea of a Newton , and the roar of artillery on the p lains of Novarra , are things essentially different . That which the sword has gained for the enemy , must be regained by the sword , for the people . Less than this admission is meaningless talk . If , then , the Peace Society are the friends of humanity they
pretend to be , must it not be apparent to them , when they are promulgating their peace doctrines , that they are playing in England the game of the despot in the North , conserving the power of Austria ' s unfledged monarch , and winning a smile from the sanguinary monster of Naples ? What help could come more timely , now that these men-destroyers are becoming cognisant of the glorious reception of Kossuth in monarchical England , than advice like this , which says to the English nation , ' talk not , think not mora of armed interventions . Heed not the fact that the hired hordes of the north are threatening to devastate the lands of other nations , and to incorporate them under the dictatorship of their absolute ruler .
Turn a deaf car to the noble aspirations of the Italian people , whose life and liberty are held in bondage by half a million of armed soldiers , led on by men to whom the sacrifice of blood is but as the spilling of water . Forget such inhuman acts as the stones of Naples witnessed but even a short time since . You are Englishmen your policy is non-intervention—declare for peace alone—and leave the rest to those 'divine and everlasting principles / which the course of events will vindicate , as the ' rectitude of your wisdom and counsel . ' Truly , the Peace Society is the tyrants' propaganda in Great Britain ; and the unconscious helpmate of a system of Government , against which humanity turns its head , as a thing too horrible to be gazed upon .
This startling discovery , that IDEAS are to lift np an armed-defeated nation from the thraldom of the oppressor , is put forth at this moment , as the antidote which shall cure men of the Magyar enthusiasm they have lately drunk in so deeply , notwithstanding the incredible dilutions of aqua vita which the ' Times' has poured into the goblet ; cautioning the poor deluded people from subscribing their shillings and pence , towards the formation of an Hungarian Fund , for the liberation of Hungary from its present Russio-Austrian control . But for the Uea that such
a proposal would be seriously made , this 'Princi p le ? of Messrs , Sturge and Richard ( poor Richard , I suppose ) , would not have been given to the world . It is another shaft at Kossuth , thrown fr om an opposite power to that which has souglytto tarui & tv Ma good auras and honest reputation . It says , in plain meaning , "Kossuth ' s mission in England is to liberate his country by force of arms , This must not be acknowledged . Our principles are , ' that an appeal to the sword , for deciding questions of disputed right is as irrational as it is unchristian ; ' and though Russian soldiers and Austrian treachery did so decide , through the agency of the sword ,
that Hungary should be blotted out of the face of nations , yet Kossuth and his followers mnst abandon the sword , on their part ; the English people must withhold their pecuniary ahTalso ; and the great Magyar Hero must use his tongue and wield his pen—teach Ir > E 43 to his countrymen—and until he is suecessful , Hungary must not be . " But by whom fre these Ideas to be manifested ? It would not he consistent for the Peace Society to answer by Kossuth or any of his compatriots , for their presence upon their native soil would but be preliminary to their execution ; and the Austrian spy police will he particularly careful that the morals of the people shall not be contaminated even with the Iseas of Messrs .
The 'Ideas' Of The Peace Society. ' • Mr...
Sturge and . Richard [ So that I cannot see how these wonderful cures are to find their way to their purposed destination . At any rate , the King of Naples may congratulate himself upon the security of his throne , if nothing short of an importation of English Ideas from the Peace Society in London is to unseat him ; and Kossuth . and Batthyany , Mazzini and his friends , may give up their cause as hopeless , if by Ideas only the nations they represent are to witness again the g lorious effulgence of liberty ' s sun . . . « ... _ . _
I desire not war , but justice ; and if , to obtain the latter , I must have recourse to the former , then welcome war ; welcome anything , that will give freedom to an oppressed people , and cause the blessed rays of civilisation to be refracted over the whole of '' the mighty work of Providence . Censob .
€Tyarttst Jntcuigctwe.
€ tyarttst JntcUigctwe .
National Charter Association Offices—14,...
NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION Offices—14 , Southampton-street , Strand . The Executive Committee of this bod y held their usual weekly meeting as above on Wednesday evening last . Present — Messrs . Arnott , Holyoake , Hunt , Jones , and Milne . Messrs . Harney and he Blond , being in the country were absent , as were also Messrs . Grassby and O'Connor . Thornton Hunt presided . Correspondence of a highly encouraging and progressive character was read .
The Secretary reported that at a meeting of members residing in the metropolis , held on Sunday afternoon last , in the Literary and Scientific Institute , Leiceater-place , Raystreet , Clerkenwell , it had been unanimousl y agreed , on the motion of Messrs . Farrow and Oliver— - "That a meeting of all the Chartists of London and its environs he convened by the Executive , for Sunday afternoon ,
November 23 rd , at the above-named institute , in order to consider the best means of resuscitating the movement in the metropolitan districts . 'On the motion of Messrs . Jones and Milne , it was unanimously agreed— ' That we , the Executive Committee , do hereb y call such meeting , at the time and place above-named , and that all friends to the cause be earnestl y requested to attend the said meeting . '
Mr . J . C . Dobson Collet , the Secretary to the Committee for the Abolition of the Taxes on Knowledge , having attended , as invited , the Secretary called the attention of the Committee to the 12 th section in the Programme adopted by the late Convention , which lie read as follows : —
The Press . That absolute freedom of thought and expression being one of the primary and most sacred of the rights of man , all restrictions—fiscal or otherwise on printingand publishing areunjusfcand iniquitous , —• this Convention , therefore , declares its decided hostility to the infamous Taxes on Knowledge , and recommends the total abolition of The Duty on Paper . The Duty on Advertisements . The Penny Stamp Tax on Newspapers . And the Import Duty on Foreign Books and Publications .
Mr . Collet then stated that the Committee which he had the honour to represent , was desirous of making a determined effort at the present time to remove ono of the greatest barriers to progression , viz ., the Taxes on Knowledge j and from what he knew of the position in which the cause stood , he felt sure , if an energetic action were got up , this important object would be accomplished ; the Committee , therefore , solicited the co-operation of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association in holding a series of public meetings for the especial purpose ofcalling the attention of the working classes to this question , and that towards the expenses thereby incurred , pecuniary assistance would be rendered .
After a long discussion , it was unanimously agreed , on the motion of Messrs . Holyoake and Milne— ' That a series of public meetings for the above object be held as early as convenient . ' Messrs . Arnott , Holyoake , and Hunt , having been appointed a Sub-Committee to draw up an address to the people , the Committee adjourned to "Wednesday evening , . November 10 th . Signed , on behalf of the Committee , John Arnott , General Secrstary .
Ashton-Under-Lyne. — Meeting Of Delegate...
Ashton-under-Lyne . — Meeting of Delegates . —A meeting of delegates was held on Sun day last in the Chartist room , when the following p laces were represented : —Manchester , Stockport , Ashton-under-Lyne , Staleybridge , & c . Mr . Joseph Houghton , of Stockport , was called to the ChS ' lfi The delegates having produced their credentials , the secretary read the minutes of the last meeting , which , with some slight alterations , were unanimously confirmed , and the following resolutions agreed to : — ' That William Grocott be secretary to the delegates for the next three months ; and that Mr . John Rieby be treasurer for the s » me peiiod . ' That a local lecturers' plan be drawn ]| up and presented forthwith , and that Messrs . Hnoson and Grocott make the necessary arrangements . '
1 That each lecturer be paid his railway fate to and from the place of his appaintment , and ba furnished with sufficient refnsbroents at tl e expense of the locality wherein he labours . ' * That as the " Northern Star '' newspaper has Jong been recog nised as the organ of the Chartist movement , we consider ourselves perfectly justified in can assing the merits of any leading article contained therein , more especially when we have reason to believe that such articles are opposed to the progress o ' Chartism . We therefore respectfully , but emphatically , declare out entire and unqualified disapproval of the policy recommended by the editor i » an article beaded the New Re orm Bill , as having a tendency to still farther spread dissension in our ranks , check the present improving organisation of the localities to which we respectively belong , and
materially injure the circulation of the paper . « That while we admit the right of individual members of the Executive to give in their adhesion to middle class policy ; we deny the right of any man filling an official situation in the Chartist Association to recommend a line oi policy at variance with that agreed to by the late Convention until that policy be changed by another Convention ; and we are of opinion the men who act so inconsistently ought to retire from the Executive . ' « That the next deleua'e meeting be held in the Chartist-room , Cheapside , Stcckport , on Sunday , the 30 th of Nevember next , and that those localities who have not sent delegates he respectfully requested to send one to the next meeting . ' ' That the business of the next meeting commence at bal / -p * at ten o ' clock in the forenoon . ' ' That we adjourn to Sunday , the
30 th of November . Signed on behalf of the delegates , Joseph Hovghto . v , Chairman . Sheffield . —On Wednesday , November 5 th , the Annual Chartist Soiree and Ball was held in the Hall of Science , Rockingham street , to commemorate the recent victories gained in the Municipal Elections . Mr . It . Otley presided . The p rincipal guest of the evening was Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., Al . l \ About ninety persons Eat down to tea . After tea the Hall was cleared , and preparations were speedily completed for a . public meeting . At a . little before eight o ' clock , F . O'Connor , Esq-, entered the hall , and proceeded to the platform , accompa . ' nied by Mr . Otley , Mr . Grayson , Sir . Hague , ar . d others . Loud and prolonged applause greeted ? Jr . O'Conjior on his entering the room . —The Chairir ian ; in opening the proceedings , observed that V , an ]
Ashton-Under-Lyne. — Meeting Of Delegate...
man deserved the homage of the working classes , was Mr . 0 Connor . ( Applause . ) Mr . O'Connor had been of great service to the working classes ; for what , he asked , did they know , what did they understand of their rights , until Feargus'O'Connor came out and awoke the mind of the nation ? Taking these things into consideration , the working c asses ought not to forsake the man when labouring under the machinations , misrepresentations , and »/? " % J s foes - Th 8 Chairman then introduced Mr . 0 Connor , who was loudly cheered . The ap . plause which greeted Mr . O'Connor having subsided , he proceeded to give a detail of his life , and the many sacrifices he had made to aid the cause of the people . They must not blame government ; they ; must blame themselves . There was a want of unity amongst them . Let them be united in the cause , and feel as he had felt in it for the last
twenty-nine years , the Charter would be secured ""me diately . —Mr . Grayson moved , and Mr . Forster seconded ,, the following resolution : " That this meeting begs to return its heartiest thanks to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., for his past labours to enlighten the working classes of the United Kingdom ; and fully believe that the carrying out " of hfe plan of Small Farms is the most lasting remedy for our social ills . " An address from the "Sheffield Women ' s Rights' Association" to Mr . O'Connor , was then read by the chairman . The address began by congratulating Mr . O'Connor on his safe arrival
once more amongst them ; and they hailed him with sincerity and gratitude for his continued and unflinching advocacy in the cause of freedom . The address went on to state that the Woman ' s Rights ' Association had been in existence twelvemonths that day , and they were proud to say their perseverance had emboldened their sisters in Glasgow , Leeds , Edinburgh , and other towns , to speak out for universal suffrage , in which they solicited his powerful aid . —Signed , Abiah Higginbotham . —Mr . O'Connor returned thanks , and the meeting separated . —At the close of the meeting , a ball took place , at which a goodly number were present . —[ The Whigs and Tories are quite discomfited here . Out of fourteen town-councillors the Democrats have gained nine , besides securing the election of their own man as Mayor—a Democrat and gentleman in every sense of the word . —Correspondent . ]
FissnuRY . —The monthly meeting of Chartists was held on Sunday afternoon at the Literary and Scientific Institution , St . Peter's Terrace , Clerkenwell , the attendance was limited , and little business transacted , except a resolution to hold a large public meeting on Sunday next , at three o ' clock in the afternoon . ——A public meeting was held oa Suaday evening . The hall was crowded to excess . Mr . Weedon was called to the chair , and spoke with considerable effect upon the present state of the movement . Messrs . Fussell , Leno , and Broom , also addressed the meeting , and were much applauded .
Chartist Organisation. A Public Meeting,...
CHARTIST ORGANISATION . A public meeting , called by several active men of all parties in the democratic movement , was held on Wednesday evening , at the British Institution , Cowper-strect , City-road , to consider the causes which have lead to the apathy of the people , and the best means of reviving the agitation . The attendance was considerable . At nalf < past eight o ' clock Mr . Cudden was called to the chair , and opened the meeting by stating , that their object was to achieve Manhood Suffrage , and the other adjuncts of the People ' s Charter . The right to tho Suffrage was univers . il and intuitive . & 0 public man dared to deny this right ; they expressed themselves afraid that tho people knew not how to make good use of it . The trurh was , they feared the people would use it too honestly . lie s-.
ttributed the poverty , missry , and wretchedness which existed to the errors and vices of the government . The CiuvrMas , at considerable length dwelt upon the Philosophy of Chartism , showing that the sciences had so developed the power of man to create wealth , that a proper distribution of it could not fail to diffuse happiness and abundance to all who would exert their physical or mental energies to obtain it , To demonstrate his position he adduced a variety of statistical accounts , which were well received . He concluded by asserting his conviction , that all Reforms would be useless unless the land was made national property , and all willing to work thereon supplied with labour by means of a free and national currency . Mr . DicK was called upon to move the first resolution as follows : —
Thatthis meeting considers that 11 . nhood Suffrage and ( he other points of tliR I ' eople ' s Charter , Viz ., Annual Parliaments , Vote by Uidlot , b ' qual Electoral Districts , No Property Qualifications , and Payment of Members constitute the only just system ot ' rctbrm , in which conviction the masses of the people concur , and can only attribute the fact of the smallncss of the number of those who have joined the movement to a general dissatisfaction with its system of management . The speaker stated that tho meeting was called ly a few friends to test whether the people were willing to act for themselves , instead of being led away by parties who were only trying to delude them . They wanted to raise the banner of pure Chartism , without any connexion with financial , protection , or free trade movements . The present
National Charter Association was a mere shadow of a shade ; where tens of thousands were oma enrolled under its banners , now not even hundreds could be found , The speaker then read an tiLract from tho " Northern Star" of last week , referring to the Chartist movements . He spoke in high terms of the general consistency and value of the " Star , "hut regretted that while itgavethe true state of the Chartist body it should advocate the policy of joining the Parliamentary Jteformers . The speaker then read an extract from the " Monthly Circular , " issued by the Chartist Executive , and humourously commented thereon , giving it as his opinion , that the sooner the present
machinery was destroyed the better , as it had failed in doing ita duty to the people j and ilC COmpll * mented Messrs . Reynolds and T , Hunt on retiring from the Executive , where they were useless . He then dwelt upon the apathy of the Executive , stating that they had not had a meeting of the body in sufficient numbers to do business for some months , and that their acting with the Parliamentary Reformers , and calling meetings for rich capitalists , like Salomons , was sufficient to injure them for ever in the estimation of the Chartist body . He was anxious that they should not fall through their agency into either governmental or other traps or pttfall ? . Thespeaker mot with occasional interruptions , but the app lause preponderated .
Mr . Rogers seconded the resolution , and inquired why the Chartist body was less in numbers and in importance than it was in 1 S 37 , when Up wards of 400 distinct bodies gave in their adherence to it . He wished to say nothing personal , but he had his opinions on the suhiect , and could not avoid saying th it it appeared to him to have arisen from the want of wisdom and fidelity on the part of their leaders . He objected to the people being led away by little Chapters and delusive Reform Bills , and called upon them to speak out in their localities upon this subject . Mr . Talwoy trusted that they would avoid all personalities , and not attack men in their ah
sence . Mr . Stratton supported the resolution . He felt opposed to tkc present Executive , not only for their actions , but also from the manner in which they were elected . He then gave his opinion that in the present state of Chartism , while they could not have men elected from the whole country , because they could not pay them , they should , if they were compelled to have London men , at least elect those who were unanimous in the line of policy io be adopted , and not men who held such varioas and , on many points , decidedly opposite opinions as those composing the present Executive . Mr . Farrow , in a few words , stated , that , although he could not approve of many of She acts of the Executive , yet the fault lay more with the people . He moved the following amendmerit ' . ¦—
That this meeting deeply regrets the anatiy of Hie people , and call upon them to support th * Katwmal Charter Association . Mr . Slocombe seconded the amendment . He thought the present meeting was the work of a mere clique , and be knew that many of the men who bad got it up were young , when compared with himself , in . the movement . He- denied that Thornton Huafc had left the Executive , and dared them to cast a stain upon the character or ability of any of the present members ot that body . The persons finding fault with tho Executive were not members o % the Rational Charter Association .
Mr . Bkxsom stated that he was deputed ty th » Y ' vctuo . Assofciatiw to give tusur opinion upon this question ^ in order that the true case might be known previous to the next election . During the past year the Executive had done nothing for the movement , and had thrown obstacles in the way of others . It had been said they were unpaid , but the Secretary was receiving £ 101 a year for hs services . They made use of the popularity ot Ernest Joues , and by the money collected at his
Chartist Organisation. A Public Meeting,...
meetings inHbe country , were enabled to keep up the present farcoat their office in Wellington-atreet . the Executive Vhad' -irie ' d ' to injure the Victim Association , and suppress the publicity of their proceedings ^ Mr . Osborne next ( addressed the meeting . He thought the Executive , had . not done their doty , but had allowed' the movement to crumble to pieces . He advised them-to withdraw the resolution and amendment , and let the question be settled at the aggregate meeting of Chartistson the following . Sunday . He moved the following resolution : — . b
That this meeting , composed of the inhabitants of imstMiry , ore determined never to a « itate for anymea-SU m ! ' 8 S than tIle re ° Ple ' s Charter . Mr . Swift seconded the motion .: Several other persons briefly addressed , tlm meeting , and oomplained . khat the ^ biilff didnotstate the true object of thame $ ti % . ' if ¦ Thf £ iast amendment was then put amid some confusion , when a portion of the meeting held up their hands in its favour , and none in opposition . After some discussion as to the order of the amendments ,
Mr . O'Shien entered the meeting , and was loudly cheered , and having obtained permission of the Chairman , he addressed the meeting , and complained that the" Globe" newspaper had entirely misrepresented the speech he made at the Kosaulh Banquet , and put into his mouth atrocities he never dreamed of ; it had also attacked this fictitious Speech in its leading article . Ife ( Mr . O ' Brien ) waited on the editor of that paper , wjjo pledged himself to insert a letter from him in reply . Instead of this , he inserted only a brief paragraph , not to the purpose , and tagged a long article in replv to it . ' ' The meeting then broke up without either the resolution or the amendment being put .
To The Chartists. Brother Chartists,—Wit...
TO THE CHARTISTS . Brother Chartists , —With the great events that are approaching over Europe—events that will reverberate here , for the same blood circulates through all mankind , and , if one pulse beats more quickly—every vein in the great human body feels more or less the accelerated flow—with the elements of change that have been rapidly culminating in England , hastening as they are to a development , a serious thought behoves every democrat—a warning word becomes the duty of every man who thinks .
I feel it , therefore , incumbent on me , to waive all doubts , hesitations , or personal considerations that naturally present themselves in approaching a subject like the one I am about to address myself to , and to speak a plain word to you , my brother Chartists . It mustbe evident to all , that the long-smothered contention between the aristocracies of land and money , is about to reach a crisis—it must be evident that the legislative forms of the country are about to bo unsettled—nnd ^ that the fountains of the great political deep are about to be unsealed . It must be evident that revolution , ironpaced , is about to stride above Ik's thrones of Europe—and that a corresponding excitement will bo wrought in this country . It is , therefore , evident that both from internal and external sources , mighty causes will shortly be in operation , that will most vitally affect the democracy of Britain .
At such a time the utmost strength , energy , and circumspection , are required in the guidance of the democratic movement . Now , then , the question I ask you , is this—shall the movement proceed in the miserable way in which it has hitherto stagnated ? The solution is in your hands . In a few weeks , you will be called on to elect an executive . On the efficiency of that execut f depends the future of our cause . On the policy and views of its majority depends the direction ihat shall be given to the Chartist-power . It is all very well to say " the Executive are our servants . " So
they are , and ought to ue—but ihcy are servants whom you entrust with the guidance of tho movement—they are servants of whom you must for the time being , follow the instructions , or you at once make their services not worth having , They are either a shadow , or a reality—and if they are to be thelatter , you must clothe them with the real power that your adhesion , support , and sequence of their directions can alone bestow . Such being the case , the Executive are the most important feature of an organisation , and their election becomes one of the most important actions in a movement .
In a few weeks * then , I repeat , you are to elect an Executive , whose proud and perilous duty it will he to guide the democracy of the world ' s greatest nation in tho most trying and portentous tiinea that have ever yet occurred in that world ' s modern history . Then pause well as to whom you elect . I know fully what delicate and dangerous ground I trench on , —I know well that it may be considered bad taste , and ill advised in me , as a member of the present Executive , to touch on this subject at all . But I don t care what the universal world thinks Of says , as long as I am performing what I know to be a public duty . I there / ore say , plainly and unmistakeably , Chartism , if it is to come to anything , must not be guided as it has been hitherto .
Two or three men out of a committee of nine meeting once a week , for an hour , reading letters and talking , will never push the movement on . If ono inan is out on a lecturing tour , upon something wholly disconnected with Chartism—if another cannot leave his newspaper office—if another cannot quit his counting house—if another cannot abandon his workshop—they had best have nothing to do with the active guidance of Chartism . For democracy is an imperious mistress—she demands her servants wholly or not at all—half ser-VIWJ IS W 0 I 96 than 116 Service—her servants should be ever at their post—or they had better not attempt to occupy that post—her servants cannot serve two masters .
Now , I don t desire to be personal—most of my colleagues are my intimate friends , and I value their friendship—but no individual friendship , no private consideration shall for one moment prevent me from speaking out , plainly , boldly , and unmistakeably , on a subject of such importance—and I can only say , I am heartsick of sitting Wednesday after Wednesday with members in insufficient numbers to form a quorum , or when sufficient , doing nothing in the world ' s greatest and dearest cause . I am heartsick of seeing call after call arrive for members of the Executive to go into thecouivtry , and those calls remaining neglected , because they have the business of other associations , or their own papers , shops , and work to attend to . I am heartsick of seeing opportunity after opportunity lost because the Executive are minding other business instead of minding the Charter .
It behoves us , therefore , I conceive , hafore we elect an Executive for the ensuing year , to well consider toAoni we shall elect . lstly . We ought to have a distinct understanding , as to whether the men elected will devot & all their time , not merely one hour weekly , but their entire time , day , and night too , if necessary , to the Chartist cause—it is uo excuse to say , " There is nothing to do—the times are so apathetie !"that is just the reason why we should work doubletides . It ia no excuse to say " money enough is not subscribed to enable us to do anything !"—I have never known money to faiL when the people saw that work was actually being done .
2 ndly . Tho ifien elected ought tc- be iried , and indubitable Chartists—real hona-jide Cfoxrtists ! Beware of p laying the Chavtist movement into thz hands of any other party by hming a m & j , ority on the COinnu ' ttSC IllOtS MtatyieoJ V ) ilh Oth & r l & Wtments thsvn mith ouv own *
THINK t TBIKK ' . OS TSESB LASS WORDS ! ! Srdly . The members if the committee should bs men who eaa use both tongue and peri well oa . gl » tform and on paper—but men oug ' at not to be elected merehj because they are fine writers or clever speakers—a predilection which frequently HjjsJeads the better judgment of a peojla . 4 thly . The members of the committee- ought to be no amateur politicians , who take ujx a little bit of excitement just now and then , whoa they are in tho humour—noi men who think , if they have met one evening in the week , that they have done their duty , but tbej ought to he men to whom you can say , " What were you about last week . ? what have you been doing in our cause V—of whom you can question every movement , awl whom , you can call to a reckoning for every hour . To realise this—to have such an executive , per-1 mit me to offer tho following suggestions : —
lstly . —I conceive the executive ought to bo a paid committee ; for unless it is such , you Ciinnut command ¦ heir services in the way you ought to do —they will he amateurs and not regular workmenand you will have to elect either rich men , or men who must devote that time ( which is due to their political office ) to the gaining of their daily bread .
There,Is Not A Gi-Oiitcr «'Lm«Bug" Under...
There , is not a gi-oiitcr « 'lm « bug" under tlifl 8 m . ' . ' " ^ ' ? of Meeting an unpaiu Executive : * ! lbere is not a greater absurdity thah ' tb ' taunt people with "living on tho movement . " ; * They must livc-if ihey tiMi'Hivtt by the movement , they must live by something else-ami if-they live by something else , tuoy can't . givo their time to tha movement . ^ " pJft ^ J * n- T Payment , of ; an exeeativi nnlS ?^^ ' ^ 'M ' committee should cbwist of ont ) three members , with a view to the greotestfbos * sible economy of public funds , b - Itissaid " there is w / sdpra in multiplicity of counsellors , » but I don ' t think sd iri this instanca —theexeeutiveshould be the refle " x * 6 f--t he ^ viblid mind , and the less diversity of opinion ^ tliiro is among them , the belter . . ' "
It may also be saw , "this cannot be done * , except by another convention , for the last , convention decidsd there should be an unpaid execu * tive of nine / ' Yes 1 it can be done by something greater than any convenfcioh-- % y the i > ko ? us ; who send conventions , The primary assemblies- of ther people are the highest authority—and the Iwalittetf have only to meet and decide it sHall be thus ^ -foi '' it to become as legai and as binding : as any co » ven « - tion on the earth coi » M make it . ¦ 3 rdly . —One in rotation out of this ExeoniiW ought to bo constantly passing through ' the country , strengthening , . binding , and fl-idening . th > movement , for the freqjuent personal attendance ' of the committee , by one of its members ; can ' alone
ensure tho efiusienoy of flhe organisation . A few men sitting in a little st ? est of London , new and then issuing a short address , or inditing a- 'weekly report of uotbiogvat all , wiij never drive tho lag * gin § tide through , {^ e raiUioi * veraa . nf ' oWjftenulouS democracy . Th ^ e is ndthing ^ ik ^ ih ^ actitali ; . pervading , living presence of tha-servant-leaders-of a movement . Every locality can bear witness- to the revivifying impulse given by'the stray visits of committee-members , an effect tfeat has faded into nothing , because the effort was- not followed up , either locally or by the central' body , till at last some other stray visit caused another little excitement , which was again allowed to die oft" like the ? last .
It may be said , I complain of eonimjttce-memborfrat present meeting in insufficient numbers to form a quorum and go into business—hov ? would it be if only two were left in town ? All the better , I answer , than if there were a greater number ; we don ' t require debates , uis . missions , and discrepancies of opinion in an acting committee . The people will elect men ot" tried and fixed views , —men whom they Jong know , and men in whom they have confidence , founded in experi » ence of their actions , —not men who go to make up their minds , hut men who have made up their minds already , —men who can foresee tho probable contingencies of the coming time , and are ready prepared how to act when they arrive . Brother Chartists ! most solemnl y do I inviteyou to a consideration of the above remarks on ther most important , incomparabl y most important , subject that can engage your present attention .
Should you not , at the outset , be sufficiently organised and aroused to support a paid Executiveshould you think nine men to talk , better than three men to act—still let me implore you to consider well : Who those men shall he . Not to elect any man belonging to another movement : our servants must ie wholly ours , we cannot go partnership with hostile factions . Not to elect any man who cannot and will not devote all his time to our cause . Democracy is not a thing to be played with , to be taken up or laid down , as suits the convenience of individuals . And , above all , to take oood care that the cuuse be not compromised and diverted from its original purpose , hy the views and characters of the menwho might form a majority of that committee !
The duty of that committee is to carry the Char ter—I say , emphatically , Tub Ciiaiiteu—and there , fore this is tho question to ask ourselves : *¦ !» that man a Chartist—or is he a sort of half Chartist and half something else ?'' It don't follow because i \ man is liberal or even democratic , that ho suits the stern purposes of our movement . Friends ' . tho duty of to-day is to carry the Charter , and to prepare the public mind how to use it : the duty of to-morrow will be to apply it to its use . On your choice of an Executive depends whether our movement shall bo destroyed , played into the hands of other classes , diverted into sidling paths , or suffered to die out from incompetency and neglect .
Brother Chartists . ' I have warned you—and let what will bo the animadversion mauo upon these words or their author , I shall still be satisfied that I have acted rightly in so doing . I trust no one will accuse me of presuaiption in offering you this advice . If every man was to keep his mouth shut for fear of offending , nor dare to write lest ho should he thought presumptuous , notoi . o of the great truths that have rolled en the tide of progress would ever have been uttered on the world . Out with the truth , whatever all the earth may think , or say , or do ? A man should be no moro afraid ot allowing his mind , than of showing his aee . Ehnest Jones .
° As T Urn Aware That This Paper Will Ca...
° As t urn aware that this paper will cause somu hostility , perhaps some friends will Suggest that I may possibly hope tor re-election , and 1 ave a suit-interested motive in this advice—to those my answer is—xut / iino . —E . J .
Strike Of The Building Trades Of Air. G....
STRIKE OF THE BUILDING TRADES OF AIR . G . Ml'ERS . A public meeting Was . held On Thursday evening , at the National Hall , llolborn , to hear a report of the present state of the strike . At half-past seven o ' clock the Hall being crowded by members of the Building Trades , Mr . Webster was called to the chair . The financial Secretary gave in a report of the finances , showing a progressive improvement in tho support they were receiving . Upwards 9 f 1 , 300 men had struck work , but only COO were now r . erring strike pay , owing to their having procured other jobs . Mr . Jagguh ¦ i'd , the strike was the grandest that had ever taken phice in the metropolis : every man in the Building Trade had struck without reference to their peculiar trade .
Mr . M'Donau > moved the first sesolution : — 0 'fhafc this meeting is of a opinion that as the welfare of the Trades generally depend upon the firm and inviolate maintenance of the four o ' clock movement , and that the shortening of the hours of labour tends t-i the physical , mental , and mor .-il elevation of the working classes , this meeting cordially approves of every movement that tends to the securement of this glorious oliiect . " Over work and poverty rentkred their lives miserable a » d " brief . The working men were blamed for being ignorant and given to intoxication , lkiw could they expect a different result under circuiaitances which gave them no opportunity for intellectual improvement ? Uwasoiuhisprinciple that they contended for the reduction of thisonc and a half an , hour of their la
houron the Saturday afternoon . Theoiher employers had conceded this right , Mayers alone set himself up above his compeers , and wished to act the despot . By union and perseverance they would be enabled to make him act with the other portiou of the trade . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Gkoroe Seoit seconded the resolution . Man was born for nobler ends than merely to toil for the benefit of others . Mr . G . Myers had sprung from the ranks of Labour , and iD was base on him to attempt to destroy the rights of Workingmen . Could he suppose that in this age of progression , the building trades ahoit'd take a backward step and forego the rights they now enjoyed , Mr . Tu-uskb supported the- resolution and dwelt upon the injury inflicted by Mr . Myers ujon his
workmen through his deductions tor the hour and half labour , ana tho immense sum hu thereb y put into his own pocket . He was-opposed to strike . " , they were an evil , but in this case they weie a necessary evil , and would be so . until Labour was represented as well as Capital in the House of Commons . lie need only , to mention the fact of Myers takiag off the disputed ninepeuce from thewages of a man , the wsek after he was accidentally killed in his employ , to show the spirit that ani- ^ mated him . ( Shame-. ) , The resolution was put and carried unanimous !? . Jin- Tbw moved the second resolution : — " That it is tiift opinLou at tiiis meeting that union it the only means t ^ jit , can secure to the wonkiuc classes , itf this country a . sWr ( Uid equitable share of . the rights and priveleges ihey ought
to en $ cy . " He was- glad , to see that working men were mouu fully appreciating the advantages of union . Asa representative of $ > e bricklayers ,. 3 ie was proudU' tb ^ jn ^ u . lUll'in Which the tiwde oa strike had Mc ; ed , it ? . CAW-isiiE . secoix & ed the resolution . The meeting gave proof thai the working men of London were in earnest on ihe subject , and iUbsy only acted up ta . rtie e . n . thusiasm exhibited , neither Myers nor any other Employer would be nbfe to oppress' . hem . Mr . Yovisg . the representative of the builCjogtradea working an the .-new Houses of Parliament , EuypoiUd . th © rese-lutioa . The men at those were datermima ' to rendsr efficient support until the strike terminated . TlV-v i seted a firms * awl more extensive union auumn tte whole of she trade . They must also attach co-operative system to their trades' union .
Mr . GURSEM moved a resolution , expressive of ratal to thenvenoustvilie , and pledging Die Meeting to render them efficient suppoi t , Mr . J . Wood , ina speech replete with encrgv »» d eloquence , seconded the resolution , awl elicited Mihouwded apnlauie . The resolution was carried unanimously , A vote of thanks was given to Ihe Chairni » , rnutnua concluded one ot ' the largest and must eiithu .-i . 'Stie meetings that has been held for trades' purposes tor some lengthened period . We regret that want of 6 p ; ice , at this late pernd of the week , prevents our giving the at l ^ ii at t
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 15, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_15111851/page/1/
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