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10 THE WORKING CLASSES
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My Friends, j?ow that the differences be...
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, - : AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL.. : '...
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f VOL- XL No 552- ' LONDON, SATURDAY, MA...
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TO JOHN MITCHEL, EDITOR OF • <**?FHE"«« ...
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ADDRESS OF THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE TO ...
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Bradford. —A Wen Riding Delegate meeting...
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PLAN OF ORGANISATION rOH THE NATIONALCHA...
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MEMORIAL TO THE QUEEN. Correspondence be...
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TO THE MEN OF HALIFAX. Lonpon , Monday, ...
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, r V ^ \ % <\ , f^ I L \ 1 Q \
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M&nohk-TkR. — The quarterly n.eetin* of ...
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-J i\i ijia4&(U»^ Wifte frij$j £K fl 2 ^...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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10 The Working Classes
10 THE WORKING CLASSES
My Friends, J?Ow That The Differences Be...
My Friends , j ? ow that the differences between me and the National Assembly have been settled by vour wisdom , your prudence , and discretion , 1 am , if possible , more than ever wedded to your cause , and more anxious for its tri-Many who have struggled for the rights of labour until popular strength and confidence made them worth being purchased by your enemies , have endeavoured to establish your fickleness and instability by the standard of their own treachery , and they have jus- :
tified their own desertion upon the false plea of your fickleness . The recent struggle , however , in which I have I een engaged—and in which vou have so heroically backed meproves " to me , though several apostates have been traitors who created popular enthusiasm , for the purpese of selling the popular cause , that the people may be always relied upon . My dear , my cherished , and only friendsyou who live upon labour;—to you 1 am now wedded far life , and to your cause , and to it alone , I will devote every hour of that life , and its sacrifice , if necessary .
Labourers , a new era has dawned upon us ; hut no new policy shall I adopt . I found you weak ; 1 have made you strong-. You accepted me as a free gift , when ' young ; your confidence , your hospitality , and generosity , when exiled for devotion to Ireland , entwines around me in my old age , though , perhaps , you will be glad " to learn that your manifestations of love have made me young again . Labourers , though not of your order , I think of you , and only of you : and I have abandoned the order of idlers to make myself serviceable to vou : and now hear me .
Labourers , labour is the source « f all wealth . It is the duty of a Government to cultivate the national " resources ; justice demands the equitable distribution of these resources , and reason and nature tells me that the proper following of those maxims would make the rich richer , and the poor rich . Labourers , again , again . and again , let me call your undivided attention to the fact , that in no country in the world , from the days of the Gracchi down to the French Revolution , has
the labourer been used for any other purpose , whether moral or physical , than to make the rich richer and the poor poorer . The } ' are the instruments in the hands of artful and designing ' rascals , who create enthusiasm by propounding impracticable and fascinating theories , by which they mount to power , and when exalted , they are the first to adopt precautionary measures to strengthen their own hands , and weaken the power of those by whom they have been elevated .
' Labourers , I have told you to watch the proceedings of the French Provisional Government and the National Assembly with a jealous and a scanning eye . My opinions , gathered from past history , were strengthened by the treachery and treason of the despot of Prussia , who owed his crown to the toleration of Lahour . and then marshalled his mercenaries to destroy them . Labourers , for now twelve weeks the la tourers of France have been looking for their share of the revolution , and the shopkeepers constituting the National Guard and the standing army of the Republic , have been used to overawe them . Do not mistake me by supposing that I fraternise in principle with the Communists of Paris , but what I do contend for ,
Firstly—That the question of Labour should have constituted the primary duty of the National Assembly . Secondly—That a Minister of Labour , as demanded by the friends of Labour , should have been added to the Cabinet . And thirdly —That the voice of the several sections of industry should have been sent in a digested form to the representative assembly of the nation . = Here then are faults on both sides . Faults upon the part <; f those who failed to perform their duty without pressure ; and faults upon the part of tho > e who failed to take the earliest opportunity , after their victory , to ; make the legitimate pressure .
Labourers of England , I now app ly this reasoning , making allowance for the difference of vour position , to your case . The French are a warlike nation , who strugg led with their life ' s blond for Democracy . There are not those many grades of society in France which constitute your social system . You are a nation whose enthusiasm can be only roused either by the amount of countenance you receive from those above vou , and who wield the power of the Jaw , or by the pungent sting of poverty , destitution , and want .
Labourers , my struggle has been not merel y to make you a powerful , as you are a valuable class , but to make y « u the most powerful , as vou are the most valuable ; and now that delusion and deception would once more weaken and destroy you , let me refer to my old policy and its results . Labourers , when I was in the felon ' s cell , and when the Free Traders soug ht to destroy the Chartist movement by leading the world to suppose that Chartism had merged into Free Trade , and when pompous authority relied upon the policeman ' s truncheon as a substitute for argument , I told you to appoint
vour Local Committees , to agree upon a final policy ; to go to their meetings ; to hear if you were heard ; to strike if you were struck . You adopted this policy , and , although you were designated as ' < violent and destructive Chartists , ' you yet compelled the press of the country to proclaim vour strength to the world / and thus did we hold Chartism in the ascendant . Now , again , when every breeze is redolent of the strength , the virtue , and the courage of Chartism , the flag of deception is once more raised , and we are asked again to rallv around it .
Labourers , what principle'insures the ascendancy of mind , and for what purpose are public meetings held ? The will of the majority is the ascendancy of public opinion , and public meetinn's are convened for the purpose of expressing that will ; and , although the world should propound a different policy now in oar strength , I will adhere by my motto , my principle , and my honoured and unsullied flag , and , with the brave men of Northampton , I will say , ' Chartists , come forth in your might , your majesty , and your glory , and prove to Engh . nd and the world that . Chartism is , and ever shall be . in the ascendant . "
Labourers , abandon this chance and be for ever fallen , crouch before the resuscitated enemy—onl y emboldened b y your toleration and subserviency—and you sink to rise no more . U p on the other hand , proclaim your princi p les unsullied , unadulterated , andunmutilated ; holding fast by every bristle of the hog , and the devil and all his imps cannot long postpone your triumph . Chartists , awake trom your slumber , throw off your apathy , and while I will vote for every modification of the sj > tem , enable me to say in m y p lace in Parliament , that there is power behind this little Reform greater than the little Reform itself , and that by that power
we v . ill stand . £ Labourers , do not be alarmed about me ; do not seek to make me respectable by the lowering of \ our flair , or the slightest abandonment of your ]! i : nci .. ! es . I have dragged them through sci . ff , scorn , and persecution , and with your Mippurtthey * hail shortl y be the adopted and honoured of j . ll ; but you must all put your shoulders to the « heel , as without you I am
weak and powerle ? s—with you I am strong and invincible . L-ibourers , although reviled or unnoticed by the press you find how my views accord with the rising genius of other nations . In writing upon the constitution of America I pointed out the disadvantages arising from the mode of electing the President , and I recommended the EepubJic of France to elect an Executive Council of five , with a view to the destruction of
My Friends, J?Ow That The Differences Be...
that rivalry and jealousy which precedes and follows the election of a President . Fifteen years ago I contended for the addition of a minister of agriculture to tlje cabinet , as agriculture may be made , " and must- be made , the staple manufacture of the country—as the only free labour market where the real value of labour may be ascertained . Well , see what has been done in the Nationnl Assembly of France ! The most democratic of its members inveighed against the mode of electing a President in America , and they have elected a Council of Five as the National Executive , and , still further , they have demanded that a Minister of Labour shall be added to the Cabinet .
Labourers , if we had a Chartist Parliament to-morrow I would contend for a Minister of Labour—a Minister of Trade—and a Minister of Agriculture , constituting the chief strength and value of the Cabinet , and I would contend for the appointment of twelve Trade and Labour Commissioners , who should represent every department of trade , elected by trade and labour , divided into twelve sections , and prudently classified under those several heads , which would ensure the fair and just working of the whole , and those Commissioners should be elected annually by the several sections of industry they represented , but should not hold seats in Parliament .
Labourers , having given you my candid op inion upon those several subjects , I shallnow proceed to a more minute consideration of the policy requisite to be observed in our own movement . I have received numerous letters asking me , if it is with my own wish that I abandon my office as one of the Executive , and in reply to all , I beg to state that I should find it impossible , with my numerous avocations , to discharge the duties appertaining to the office;—while , if vou consider that . my being a
member of that body would give increased confidence to the Chartists , I beg to assure you , that these that have your confidence shall have my confidence , and that I shall as scrupulously defend their characters as I would defend my own character , and . that 1 will give them the same aid and support that I have iiiven to those with whom I have so long acted ; that I will allow no p lot or conspiracy that comes to my knowledge to be hatched against them , so long as they faithfull y discharge their du ty to you .
Labourers , you must support them if you expect their services to be efficient , and their whole time must be devoted to the organisation of the industrious mind of the country ; and apart from all other considerations , they must develops the Labour question in so plain and simple a manner as will convince the sons of toil that the realisation of cheir objects is worth living for , and worth dying for .
Labourers of England , Paris is France , but London is not England ; it is to the provinces that I look—it is to the souls that have been wrung with sorrow—and although I was opposed to a sacred holiday of a month ' s duration in 1 S 39 , wlu-n the mind of England is prepared , I shall be prepared to recommend the total cessation of labour for three days , in order to demonstrate the will of the many , in opposition to the despotism of the few .
Labourers , believe me that we must have a demonstration of the mind of this country , and that that demonstration must not be confined to the metropolis , but must be stamped with the impress of the National Will ; and should Mr Hume ' s motion fail on the 23 rd ( as fail it assuredl y will ) , it is my intention to bring on my motion for the whole hog , asking the country to back me b y abstaining from labour until the result of the debate is made known ; that is , that during the discussion Labour shall have its holiday , which perhaps may lead to its jubilee .
Labourers , I am not one to juggle you , because I am the hardest worker amongst you , and your triumph would proclaim your holiday and my reward ; bst I tell you that you are not to depend upon the House of Commons . I told Mr Hume last week , as I told Mr O'Connell in 1843 , that I would believe in the sincerity of no professing Liberal party in that House , who , upon beins defeated upon such a question of Reform as he means to propose , would not instantly cross to the other side of the House , and offer a continuous and systematicopposition to the Government in power . His answer was , " Mr O'Connor , we want
MEASURES , NOT MEN " 1 replied , " That whs the policy of the National Assembly , but to get measnres you must destroy the power of men to oppose them . ' ' Labourers , you are the source of all wealth ; you feed , you clothe , you w ; irm , and you house every Member in the House of Commons , every Peer in the House of Lords , and the Queen upon the throne ; and if you had the same amount of support in the House of Commons that Landlords have—that Placemen and Pensioners have—that Manufacturers
havethat Merchants , Traders , and Bankers havethat Lawyers have—that Railway Directors have—that Naval and Military Officers havethat Shopkeepers have ; I say , that if you had the power in the House that any one of those idle sections have got , you would have the Charter in a month ; because the friends of the Charter would sit as I do—in opposition to the Government in power , and would watch their opportunity to hurl them from office . Labourers , I have been very constant and resolute in my opposition to all Governments , and neither Government nor faction shall have
my support , so long as your rights are withheld-Labourers , although 1 have buried in oblivion the acts of some of the members of the late Assembly , } et in justice to myself , and to yon , I feel bound to tell you that a more systematic conspiracy was never concocted against mortal man ; and that I have had forwarded to me some of the original letters of
the conspirators , written to their constituents , and perhaps you will scarcely believe that so dark was my revenge , that I furnished the means to many of those Delegates , nho ^ e con stituents . repudiated them , to enable them to go home . Now , perhaps , as others have said aforetime , they will say that my object was to destroy them ; but I can onl y say , that 1 hope that all men ' s enemies will meet with the same destruction .
Labourers , amid my many avocations f can steal time from sleep to perform your work and , without neglecting my building and agricultural operations , the whole of the next number of the " Labourer" shall be devoted to the Labour Question . It shall be written by night , in my " cold quiet home / 'and in it I undertake to expound the whole Labour Question , as it never was expounded before , and to prove to the world that Great Britain is capable of sustaining a population of over ONE
HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLIONS , not in abundance , but in luxury ; and if I prove this , and if you do not realise it , do not let me hear a single moan of complaint , because , to be convinced of it , and not to seek to accomplish it , will sump you in my eyes as willing slaves . Labourers of England , have you learned the Labour Question from any p lan but mine ? And yet are there many who are dissatisfied with the amount of service I have performed ? Now you , for whom I struggle , ask yourselves this simple question— "Ifone in every . ten of our own order bad worked in our cause , as
My Friends, J?Ow That The Differences Be...
O'Connor has worked , what would be the result : ' ' Well , if you cannot answer that question , I will If I had 10 , 000 men of my mind ia England , England and Ireland would be released from despotism in one week . Labourers , so much more of the conspiracy to which I was to have been sacrificed has been developed since I last addressed you , that I must repeat the feeble thanks which I tendered to your order last week for your protection . It proves to me that a good man stands in no danger from the villain , and that you ,
the Labourers of England , are worth living for , and worth dying for . Labourers , glorious Labourers , you who live in the sweat of your own brow , and for whose rights and comforts 1 have struggled foraquarter of a century , and for whom I will still struggle , determined to leave the world better than 1 found it , I remain , Your faithful , unpaid , and unpurchaseable Representative , Friend , and Leader , Feakgds O'Connor .
Again assuring you of my devotion to the cause you espouse , I remain , Your faithful friend and countryman , Feakgus O'Connor .
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, - : And National Trades' Journal.. : '...
AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL . . : ' «
F Vol- Xl No 552- ' London, Saturday, Ma...
f VOL- XL No 552- ' LONDON , SATURDAY , MAY 30 , 1848 . "" ~^' ^ J ^^ U ^
To John Mitchel, Editor Of • <**?Fhe"«« ...
TO JOHN MITCHEL , EDITOR OF <**? FHE "«« UNITED IRISHMAN . " My Dear Mitchel , —When I think of you , of your heroic mother , of your devoted wife , and your five babes—when I think of Ireland , and the blood that the assassins have shed in that green and lovely land , my mind roves back to days of yore when patriotism was virtue , and treason against Ireland was a crime . Mitchel , the law calls you a felon , and you are confined in yoar dungeon , but fear not . Mitchel , I rejoiced in the triumph of O'Brien and Meagher , aud I said to myself , — "Alas ! BRAVEcmntry , Almost PREPARED to know itself . "
But , when I heard not your name mentioned in the exultation of the liberated , I covered my face with shame , and I said , " Can it be that the first victim under the Whig Treason Act against Ireland , is forgotten in his captivity ?" Mitchel , not a member of your own family feels more deeply for you than I do : it is not maudling sympathy , it is the pungency of vengeance , that a Saxon despot should hold an Irish lion in bondage . I was glad to find that one brave voice in the exulting crowd asked after Mitchel , and believe me that that voice will be responded to throughout the length and breadth of the land .
Mitchel , as I told the tyrants when discussing this Bill , they can pack their jury , and may secure their verdict , but still I have hope . Oh ! that I could write as 1 feel—and that those for whom I labour could spare me ; but , alas ! the law of the oppressor is , for yet a little , too strong for the aspirations of the oppressed—that is , for aspirations openly and advisedly poured forth ; but , Mitchel , if you are convicted by the Whig Treason Act , my head shall feel no pillow until your manacles are struck off .:
I can tolerate petty acts of tyranny , and I can bear the lion ' s share of oppression , when I know that the giant can return refreshed to his work ; but life would be a burden if I withheld my assistance from a devoted countryman in the hour of danger . Mitchel , if you axe convicted , I will traverse the land by night and by day , before your honoured mother , your devoted wife , and orphan babes , shall mourn for your expatriation ; and let not any man in Ireland suppose that he has gained a triumph in the acquittal of O'Brien and Meagher , if Mitchel is victimised .
Address Of The Provisional Executive To ...
ADDRESS OF THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . The plan of organisation , as agreed to by your representatives , is now before the country , and we deem it necessary to append a few explanatory remarks thereon . The Executive Committee , as at present constituted , is merely provisional , and subject to your approval or rejection . We are entrusted with the presentation of the Memorials to her Majesty . Many of the districts have not as yet forwarded Memorials passed by them on Good Friday , April 21 . We ask such districts to have the Memo rials engrossed and signed by the Chairman of the meetings presiding on the occasion , and to forward them forthwith .
The raising of money in aid of the Libert y Fund is important , and we recommend the district and local councils to issue collecting books , giving the same only to parties well known , and in whom the localities have confidence . All books to be si gned by the treasurer and secretary of the branch , and no books to be circulated for such pu-poses if not signed . You will observe that every precaution has been taken to secure the proper appropriation of the fund collected ; and as the question of labour is the great question of the day , involving the true interests o ( all the citizens of the state , we hope for support from the trades , as the welfare of the producing classes is with us a paramount consideration .
There no longer exists a money qualification as the test of admittance , so that the peasant and peer , without distinction of class or wealth , are alike eligible to have their names enrolled on the books ; honesty of purpose and sympathy of will , bemg the surest guarantees of sterling patriotism . We recommend the continuation of all localities and districts now organised , and it will be our studious endeavour , by means of tracts , addresses , and the exertions of
the Commissioners , to spread a knowledge of the People ' s Charter , and establish localities where none now exist . Democracy in its true spirit is developed in the local government of the Association , localities having power to collect , control , and appropriate funds for local purposes , as they deem fit ; aad we feel confident that the lull acknowledgment of local authority , will exercise a salutary influence over the entire movement , and prove satisfactory to all the members , councils , of districts and localises having
full power to act by virtue of their election to office , & nd independent of confirmation by ihe Executive body . In the present attempt to organise the Chartist movement , we are cheered by the hope that at no distant day , we will be successful in gathering the scattered elements of political power into one focus ; and as exactness in the machine is indispensable to perfection and power , we express a wish that the local officers will be strict in their business arrangements , and regular and orderly in the discharge oi their
public duties . We beg also to remind them , that we have adopted a conciliatory and manly policy towards the liberal and enlightened of all classes , but we are as resolute as ever against despotism and injustice ; and when our organisation \* completed and in efficient action , we hesitate noi to declare that the united power of the millions wil . be the conquering allv on the side of light , and the sure pled ge of progression and freedom . Ernest Jo . ves , Johh M'Crae , Samuel Ktdd , James Leach , FETICH JlOURAY M'DOUALI .
Bradford. —A Wen Riding Delegate Meeting...
Bradford . —A Wen Riding Delegate meeting will be held in Bradford , on Sunday , ( to-morrow ) . A . l delegates to this meeting are requested t ) bo at the Chartist council room , Butterworth-buildingB , Dvt later than ten o ' clock , a . m .
Bradford. —A Wen Riding Delegate Meeting...
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF EXECU
TIVE COMMITTEE . The Provisional Executive , in accordance with the decision of the National Assembly , hereby mike the following arrangements for the election of five persona as the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association far the current year : — Nomination . —Each locality enrolled under tVe banner of the Association can nominate a candidate or candidates ; such nomination must he sent to the Provisional Executive on or before Monday , May 29 tb , after which date no further nomination can be received .
ELKCTiON . —The Provisional Executive shall send to the secretary of each locality , on or before Saturday , June 3 rd , a list of all the candidates , and the place * by whom they mm proosed . The local secretary nhall cause the same to be made public to the members , and an election by ballot shall take place , under the superintendence of the local rffievre , on someday from Thursday , the 15 th . to Monday , the 19 ; h of June . The number ot votes obtained by each cmdi . iate shall be sent to the Provisional Executive , duly authenticated by the tugnatnre of tho secretary * nd chairman , on or before WVdneslay , June 2 M . The Provisional Executive shall then publish a list ( if the sacne in the ensuing number of the Northbrn Stab , and announce on whom the election has fallen
NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF TWENTY COMMISSIONERS . % Mi 5 ATi 0 N . —Each locality can nominate one or mora ' persons to serve the office of Commissioner , su ^ li nomination must be rnudo at the same time , and sent in a similar manner , to the Provisional Executive . Election . —The election of Commissioners shall take place at the same time , and be conducted in exactly a similar method , to thai of the Executive .
OFFICRRS ELECTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY . Executive Committer — Enlist Jones , Samuel Kvdd , John M'Crae , James l > ach , Peter Murray M Diuall . Treasurer . —John Sewell , Esq ., elected for the current year . Trustees . —John Shaw , Henry Child , Alexander Milne , for the current year . COJJMtSSIOSRRSi Votes Votes Richard Pillin ? ... 38 Daniel Donovan ... 20 Thomas M . WheeUr 37 John West ... 26 James Adams ... 35 James CursmiDgs ... 25 Henry Rankin -.. 33 A . B . Henry ... 25
William Book ... 33 David Ligbtowler ... 25 William Vernon .. 31 Henry Child ... 24 John Shaw ... 30 James Shirron ... 24 Robert Cochrane ... 29 James Basset ... 24 Matthew Stevenson 29 Aiex . inder Sh * rp ... 24 Andrew Harley ... 28 John Shaw ( Barnsley ) 24 In tha event ofa-iy vacancy or vacancies oncurnnj in the Provisional Exestitive , the highest on t & e above list are to supply their places . All communication : ! to the Provisional Ex <> cntive to on directed to John M Crae , Library Institution John-street , Fitz-oy-square . Money orders to he made payable to John Sewell . Eq ., at the Postoffice , High-street , Borough , but directed as above toJnhn M'Crae .
Particular attention is requested to these instruc tioua . Peter Murray M'Douall . Jamks Lrach , Ernest Jones , Samuel Kydd , John MLCrae . Sec ,
Plan Of Organisation Roh The Nationalcha...
PLAN OF ORGANISATION rOH THE NATIONALCHARTERASSOCIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN AMD IRELAND , ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY , MAY , 1818 . TO OBTAIN THE SPKEDY ENACTMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . I—CONDITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP . Acquiescing in the objects , and being enrolled in the books of the Association .
II -iUSTRICT AND LOCAL ORGANISATKW . The country to be divided into districts and localities . A district to be formed by the union of contiguous localities . A locality t » be sub-divided into wards—a ward into classes . A ward to consist of 100 , a class often members .
III .-OFFICERS . 1 . —An Executive Committee , consisting of five persons , to be elected for the current year , by the members of the Association , in accordance with instructions to be issued , one month prior to the date of the election , by the Executive Committee then in office . 2 . —Financial Officers . —A treasurer , three trustees , and two auditors , to be elected in accordance with instructions issued b y the Executive Committee .
3 . —Commissioners . —Twenty commissioners to be elected at the same time , and in the same manner , as the Executive ; and , in the event of any vacancy or vacancies occurring in the latter body , the commissioner or commissioners , receiving the greatest number o ( votes shall fill up the place or places so vacated . 4 —Local Officers . — -Consisting ef a council , treasurer , secretary , wardmen , and class leaders , to be elected by the localities . 5 —District Officers . —To consist of delegates from the localities in the district ; such delegates , at their first meeting , to appoint from their body a treasurer and secretary for the current year .
IV .-FUNDS . 1 . —Association Fund .-rA " Liberty Fund ' of 10 , 0 i ; 0 ' . to be raised by voluntary subscription . 2 . —Local and District Funds . —To be raised and controlled by the localities and districts .
V .-BANK . The National Land and Labour Bank . 1 V .-DUTIES OF OFFICERS . 1 . EXECUTIVE . To superintend the movement , perfect the organisation , and direct its power ; to publish frequent reports of their proceedings , and of the state of the movement ; to issue weekl y financial statements , and a quarterl y balance sheet ; to publish tracts and addresses when necessary ; to convene an Assembly of the people ' s representatives in ca * e of emergency , and to appoint a secretary , or secretaries , out of their own body . S ^^ 2 . —FINANCIAL OFFICERS .
Treasurer . — To keep an account of all monies received on behalf of the Association ; to invest the same in the names of the trustees , retaining a sum not exceeding 100 / ., to meet the current expenditure ; to honour no draft unless previously signed by . three of the Executive , and to withdraw no money from the bunk , unless on an order thus signed , and countersigned by the trustees . Trustees . —To invest , in conjunction with the treasurer , the monies of the Association , and to si gn no document for the withdrawal of any such monies , unless _ previously signed by three of the Executive . "
Auditors . —To audit the quarterl y balance sheets , and report thereon to the members of the Association .
3 .-COUMISSIONERS . To carry into practical operation the instructions of the Executive , and to be under the control of that body . 4 . —local officers . Council , Treasurer , and Secretary . — The council to keep , through their secretary , a register of the names of the members in their respective localities '; to furnish a weekly statement of the incr ase or decrease of members ( o the district secretary , and to report as to the general and financial " state of their localities .
Wardmen . —To have the superintendence of their respective ward . under the direction of the local council .
Plan Of Organisation Roh The Nationalcha...
Class Leaders . —To make themselves acquainted with the residences of the members composing their respective classes , and to communicate to them the instructions received from the wardmen .
5 . —district officers . To keep up an active superintendence over the localities forming their district ; their secretary to furnish a weekly report to the Executive , stating the numbers of members in each locality , and the total in each district;—likewise the state of trade , the general feeling o f the people , and the movement of all public bodies . Local and district secretaries and treasurers tojfurnish a certification of their election , together with their respective residences , to the Executive , and to use , in conjunction with the other officers , their best endeavours to carry out the instructions of that body . VII .-SALARIES .
Executive : — £ > 2 per week ; when travelling , second-class fare and 2 s . 6 d . per day for expenses . Commissioners : —To be paid , only when employed , at the same rate as the Executive .
Memorial To The Queen. Correspondence Be...
MEMORIAL TO THE QUEEN . Correspondence between the Executive of the National Charter Association , and the Government .
TO TUB BIGHT HOI ? . SIR G . GREY . Sir , —Memorials to her Majesty having been adopted at great public meetings held throughout the United Kingdom , I have been instructed by the memorialists to enquire when her Majesty would bs pleased to receive toe deputation entrusted with the presentation of tha same . The Lord Chamberlain , to whom I applied on their behalf , bavin * referred rue ti yon , I now beg to request at your bands , the dedred information . I have the honour to be , sir , Your obedient servant , Literary Institution , Ernest Jones . John-street , Tottenham-conrt-road , May 12 th , 1818 . Whitehall , May 13 ; b , 1848 .
Sir , —I am directed by Secretary , Sir George Grey , to aeknow ! edi ; e the receipt of yout letter of the 12 th , on the subject of the pn sentation of an Address to . he Queen , and I am to inform you that , according to established practice , memorials or addresses to her Majesty should be trmsraitted to the Secretary of Stite for the Home Deoartment , in order to be laid before her Majesty . I am , sir , Your obedient servant , Ernest Junes , E-q . W . Brand . Literary Institution , Jjuii street , Tottenham-court-road .
TO SIR 0 . OBKT . Sir , —We are in receipt of your communication of the 13 th . inst ., informing us ' that according to established practices memorials or addreses to her Viajeaty should be transmitted to the Secret sry of State for the Home Dipartment , in order to be laid before her Majesty . We are glad to find that there is no law to prevent her Majesty receiving in person the memorial of her faithful subjects and especially those from the working classes , for whose sufferings her Majesty iii the spseehfrom the throne , expressed the liveliest sympathy , but towards whom she has unhappily been led to look with apprehension , if not alani .
We are fully awn re mat her Majesty would at once permit a mere established practice to be laid a « ide , if it was made known to h « r that a very considerable portion of her subjects were extremely desirous of laying their memorial for the redress of grievances , at the foot of the throne ; We feel assured you will coincide with our views , whe : i wo honestly inform you , that in one portion of the Memorial wo pray her Majesty to dismiss her pre ^ ntministersj In conclusion , we mny state , that in the event of her Majesty being advised to receive the memorial in person , ( for which wo could adduce precedent ) , we shall willingly comply with any established prac ^ tica or etiquette . i \ M . M'Douall , Sam . Ktdd , John M'Crae , Euneut Jones . Jaues Leach .
Whitehall , May 16 th , 1848 . Sir , —I am directed by Secretary Sir George Grey to acknowledge the receipt of the ' etttr of the 15 ch instant , addressed to him by you and three other gentlemen , and I am to inform you , in reply , that ( here doas not appear to him to beany sufficient ground for d -parting , in tho present case , from the established piaolice , as to tha presentation of mefnnriaU or addre-ses to her Majesty . I am to add . that ih * . tact of the memorial , whieh ic is your desire should be presented to her Majesty , nraying for the dismissal of her present Ministers , does not creata the slightest obatae ' e to their being presented in the usual manner . I am , sir , your obedientservant , G . Coriswall Lewis . Ernest Jones , Esq ., Literary Institute , John-street , Tottenham- court-road .
TO TBS RIGHT HON . BID GEORGE GRET . Sir , —In reply to your letter ot ths 16 ; u instant , in which it is stated ' That there does not appear to be any sufficient ground for departing , in the present case , from the established practiceaa to tliepreseniction of memorials or addresses toiler Majesty , ' we bet ; to point your attention to the misapprehension under whieh her Majesty laboured , owing to the false statements of her advisers , as to the intentions oi' her subjects , so much so that , immediately before the 10 th of April last , she was induced to suddenly leave the palace for the Is e of Wight .
We think a feeling of mutual confidence should exist bitween the sovere gn and the people . Such a fee inn cannot ba fostered by estrangement and ex oluaiveneaa—by throwing the petty barrier of ' eata bliabed practice' between the starving millions and the Tur-me , to which they look for redress , seeing that both Parliament and Ministers have treated the People ' s Petitions with neg'ect . . We wish to reassure her Majesty as to the intentionsof ihe paople towards the throne . Wo beg further to state , that there is no law oa the Statute Book preventing her Majesty trom ( living audience to a deputation of her subjects ; and we request you to present these remarks tor her Ma « jesty ' s consideration—favouring us with a speedy and definite reply , so that we may submit it without loss of t me to the people . We have the-honour toba . sir , Your obedient servants , Erkekt Jones , P . M . M'D uall ,
John M'Cuae , Jambs LbaCH Samuel Ktdd . Literary lnftituth > n , John-8-. reet , Totfetiham-court-road , 17 th May , 1818 .
To The Men Of Halifax. Lonpon , Monday, ...
TO THE MEN OF HALIFAX . Lonpon , Monday , May 15 1848 . Fbllow-Countrtmbn , — Having been honoured with ihe representation rf jotir district in the lai * Convention and in the National Assembly , I conoider it my duty to address you on the present possitioL of our movement . You will recollect that in the Convention certain delegates opposed our proceedings on the ground that ournumbern were too limited fairly to represent ti e country . I was in favour of the Convention continuing its cessions , as I eans'dered tb . it , in crithal tirr . ei like toe present , a legislative bod y , smalt in number , wai best calculated to pet on with busi ne-s , and avoid mere talking and discussion .
Findine . however , that a majority would he in favour of breaking up the Convention , I fenrcd tha' the calling together of a larger body would be a Hjst ' -erof dubious occurrence , unless the C < . > nventioi ! dvekred itself permanent until the meeting of the lancr . I therefore supported the perr * aun c- of th . Conv ^ nu n until the mteting of an Assembly of on . hundred delepatf 8 , I w » . b the m .. rs impressed with the necessity for the formation of an organised body of our repre-ent-itiv-H , by seeing that a Reform . League was being established in the House of Commons . We foresaw mat the entire reiddte class would import this party—and that the ministry would have ti } i Id—but we also saw thatthis was the crisis for our movement , and that on our present pro ceedings depended , whether Iho middle classes or the wo-kirg classes wtre to be the ruling power of the age .
If wo confined ourselves to our ordinary mode of agitation , tho result would bo that we should only strengthen the lunula of iho mJillle-flaBa-RefoiE . League j if , on the contrary , we csdled together a
To The Men Of Halifax. Lonpon , Monday, ...
National Asseromy , »¦« " -v , rour -. < :: ; * - ,- r , ru-g & couHterbaiancinj ? weight and power ; at . ¦ ^ Jm the notice of the Prfc * s ; the attention < u Government ; and bv means of Jbe memorial , and : viiev adventi . tious aids , create an unparalleled excitement Mirou ^ hnutthe ooui ry , —an excitement which no . thing but suck a body would be enabled to control and organise , witn safety to the principles of Chartism and Democracy . In thedisorganisedstae of another Dirties , eom > bined with the pecuniary difficulties of the « ovorn . m » : nt , such a courso must inevitably havy p ' aced tha CbartUtbod ; in tbe > rontrank ot the Kefiu m-M 0 V 8 « merit—must ii . ovitubiy hitvo made rhe Charter , ' whole and e tiro , ' the leading principle oi the day , —which is abundantly proved by the ' act , that even after the untoward circumstances connected with th . 8 law Assembly , the middle class have at , last recognised our power , and one of their principal journals
' If the Chartists will but abandon , lor ? . aeaion , their own agitation , nnd p '\ n heart and « . uil in the grest mindly-class movement , we cosifi . ii . nUy predicts the almost imtncilia ^ triumph of tl ;; -, t movement . * * # « The holding of simultaneous Chartist meeting !* in all largo towns fir toi * pes- ^ J purpose , would insure the immediate triunn . !} i-f the-cause , for which the rWanu-League is now in tueconn-o of organi-ation- ' Thus , disorganised , divided , as they suppose us to be , the middle ' . 'lass confess that r ; o bold in our
hands the power of insuring the immediate triumph' of their cause . By a justana . ' i'gy irocould prevent that' immediate triumph . ' We thussti . l hold a secondary power . But , 1 ask you , had an Assembly ot 100 neen fd » tin ? , well supported by the popular ftelins—gathering the great masses under its control—^ uidin ; , diretiiag , organising their power—paralysing the yc-vernmentcrippling the revenue by one Reneral bl--. ze of agitation—what party , what force , what iofhionce , ia there in England , tout could have tffe . cuvely resisted our movement , cr have prevented our success ? ' Shou'd it be argued that the gover . 'iriii-t might , interfere with the Assembly , I ask , di-. l it interfere with the OonveRtion , whose numbers c-xeoeriau forly-nine , and whi ^ o language cnuld scarcely have beeu more hostile ? Did ic interfere with the Assembly , whose numbers exceeded sixty ? And any <\ d if , not ? Because it dared not . Because it knew that an act
of aggression on ifa part , would p lac tl-o linishing atone to the fabric of revolution , itecau .-. ' .:, reversing the fable of theanciems , which premised that he , who struck the first blow , should be the umner , ouc government knew that he , who atru-. k the first blow , wjul i be the lour . Sixty-two delegates , indifferently f-iifported by the people , have sat for a fortnight and not been inter * fered with . Onchnndred , baclndly t / tepe- > pk , wouW have seen leis danger still ot government interference . It i * no argument to say . that ., their power being weakened , being divided anion ;? ihemselveH , the government did not think thtra worth investing . They , at least , thought them worth wnuhing con-• inuiiusly by two special reporters—EO' : it , ia vaia to deny that they are aware of cur power , and that an . interference with the Assembly , n <> :. widisbanding partial differences , would have been a . declaration ot war against the people .
But the legitimate display of our pr . ~ cr nas heoa prevented—the great plan been fmsbviU-d by unforeseen circumstances , for which , 1 verify b-lieve , none are to blame , bus which are attributable to mutual miaundersrandinssaod irritation . Too much weieht has been attached to hasty words nrtd individual opinions on eifhc-side . This has p ^ Fsjd . The division isagain b'dng healed . But the great moral iaflu . 'nce of an Assembly of 100 , backed ! . y enthusiastic millions , has been prevented . Insie-id of being in the field simultaneously with the mid . i ! -j rriass move * m ° nt , we have bem thrown back -t ! i « middle claga have bsen allowed to gain the 8 ta ? t of us . We are In a secondary position , whereas we eight to , and might have been , in a primary one . But wo are no ; yet baffled . We may still , by redoub o < l efforts , make up lor the kst time aad regaia 4 hevantageground .
Do not let the middle class carry their movement until we are sufficiently organised t * take the lend with ours . Look on with calra indifference , while they assist in sapping the fonndat'ons ofWhiggery —for , mark m- * , it is only Vr'higgery , and not mono-¦ poly , they are undermiuin ? . They , not you , will be better off for the change . What makes them stronger , makes you weaker—for our strength st this moment consists in being the balance of power between tha ' landed' and the ' raonied' classes . When the latter have subverted the ' landed interest , ' they will , themselves , re-inoLepolise the laud . They will
throw a tr ^ at porn ' oa of taxation off th ?! r cu- » encoders . They p-ill thu ? increase their rrofits . But abos" me one measure they have pro ; .- ; un , led whitk will really benefit the working claei . eR . Their extension of the suffiage' siay be a second edition of the Reform Bill ( somewhat altered and -lHapted to the year' 48 )—while the increased control of landid and monied capital will co far to coiintt : rb : ilarjce ; . n ' extended' franchise . Auain , how often does n bid notcame out ot the cruciblfeof Parliament , soalterud from what it tvas when first introduced , that its own father wou'd not recognise his ( ff < pring .
But without us , they , confessedly , : annot cury their movement- Let them uait , then , till -wc are ready—till we aro fully oieanised . This hist interval —this last reprieve—is yet given ; let ua employ it well ; and then the ' Reform League' will see ' no al . ernative lift but to j . dn ua in proclaiming the Charter , or Mand their chance with the ~ reck of monopoly , i ' o profit by this interval—to carry into effect that oroaui-athn . without which th- ; movement cannot succcc I , tha Assembly has dissolved- — since such a body should have the undivu ^ d support of the people . Ic has dissolved , to heal the breach ia democracy . I trust another and a larger body will ,
ere lonj ? , ba called , to storsi the breach of raonope ' y . On i word as to the violent lauauairo which Las been reprehended as being used in the Lite Convention . I sec in ic but the manly indignation or' a long-Oppressed peop ' e . Such is the appalling misery of the country , that I almost wonder not to have heard still stronger language . Milder ^ ords would have belied the feelings of that Convention , and 1 honour the delegates for having seemed to play ibe hypocrite . _ Such is tha language of revolution , ; md in . the midst of revolution wo nsw live . We o . iMiofc expect to hear the tinkling of a guitar I ' n . m ;< m ' . ng the thunder . olouds .
It has been said , the strong language use < 5 caused . govcrnm nt to prohibit tha meeting and r > f oeassion on the 10 th of April last , and te display its armed brutati . y . _ Were there no other reason , this would beasuflieient one in vindication of evo' -y threatening word . This ; threats , then , dragged the cloven hoof from undor the Wui ^ pe tticoat TLoac threats , then , forced the government to show its true colour —olaced it in a false position—and cfT . in ' ed the Chartists the opportunity of displaying at onc-j tb < . ir courage , ' their love of pesos and order , and tiieu- selfcommand .
Let us still exercise these qualities Wo ba * e got an immediate task before us—ihu of ortanisat ; -. ia . While the scattered elements of class legis l ation nre becoming daily more disorganised—our diity will be to central ! :- © our strength—keeping ourselves distinctly and entirely aluof from ever > politic tl movement short of the Cdirttr . Let , the oppressed oi all classes thus see that they can carry rothing without our aid . We shilt thus gain greater wi-j ^ ht thar . by ssrHiigth-ning the hands of individual parties on sectiui-il questions , and thus , as th- various factions are falling away around us , we rnfly by M ' . en rising in unndn ^ lod and undivided strength . We must
sanction no rr-t usproeeedm ? , nartieipite in no outbreak , but zo ou , ENROLLING aid PKEPAKING—ke-ping up , however , a continuous Ch . w . tist agitation throughout the country , so that ttio government may ki . ow no rest—faction may have no paii < o in which to recover from its p : tnic— and the Wuiij exuhtquer be emptied by ' preo . . ut . <>& ary measures , ' Then , with a million of men , enrolled and wsll riuPArtKD-atid th"Be phalai . xea of men lliorcti ^ hly organised in districts , localities , wards , and classeswith £ l 0 , 0 i > 0 in thu Chartist treasure—v , ithdiscontent nmoagst the middle class—and Repeal ribMuliDg the btrongbuld of corruption in Irtuuid—tlmn the grta \ the long « xpectid hour will have snivel—then the people's ref re-eruatives imy best'iuu omd ence in » rt— then i . r . ey may meet , not to dt-iitiua . e on how to ga n the GLurier , but for the purpose of proclaimit at once .
IIow near , or how distant this period may Lc , depeteds on Unpeople ; and to you , as a portion of the people , 1 anpetd Working nun ! if ymi niKer misery , and are tired ot it—unite , to dfB'rov itn Rcmrce , Shopkeepers ! if you suffer from dtpu' ^ eu ticne , it you are ground down by tfixi-s and toir rates : — help the ptop o 'o thtir own , ai . d >< . m wi | l create h me tr ( le , abolish pauperism , and duuiiiic-ii taxation , by establishing cheap government . To the work , then ! The elements of succese
aro around us ; the raw man rial is ( here ; the great hihss of bone , and innsilo , and sinew —< -f thought , txperience . and will : — it merely watts ' wuiking up ' into a iniitiiin toi ' sms , that sha'l stalk ov « -r die nii't ' . abiu pigmies i i Wnii ; finalitv . aiid nnddle-ciBBH Reform . t l'Vllow countr > men—in the hope tbafc pas' diviiio » 8 r : ia . v be as b , aeons keeping U 3 t'U the paSll uiiion and democracy , I remain , joure , for the Ch ^ rttr , Ernm Jonj . 3 .
, R V ^ \ % <\ , F^ I L \ 1 Q \
, r V ^ \ % <\ , f ^ I L \ Q \
M&Nohk-Tkr. — The Quarterly N.Eetin* Of ...
M & nohk-TkR . — The quarterly n . eetin * of tho sliart-iio w » o < c . e i ' cupls ' s Institute wilt ht he'd in the l « rue ballot the Ai .-w-iation , «» Sunday , Uofin . rrm ) st halt-past fo in Wih atte n-v n , to receive the r- | iort ot t > ie deputation appo'nti inec nig . The aw'Until will be l « iri llfYwonn . —A meetug of the No . Land Company , will take place on next , at seven o ' o ' ick , at Mr Junes l Uuicinfikld . —A m-neral meetinn nvni » rrx wdilwiighjeu Ml MiiyZOth ittttawniB & i
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 20, 1848, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_20051848/page/1/
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