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Spvttet Jtimwtm
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oyA L CHARTER ASSOCIATION. p;. 1 s __i4....
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fl-^iECHiTEL. —Mr. "Wheeler lectured at....
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>m GED ^Idrdkr.—Under this head, a notic...
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^fcul^- ^P ^ (jfct&6e<i/ . ^i^&^/u-u
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-»_JNMA2I0NAL TRADES' JOURNAL * «» _ -— ...
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Z'P THE ELECTORS M «» _ -— *— —^^—— ^^^^...
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THE ELECTORS AND THE ELECTED. P.n„r„ P T...
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Camsusottittitc?
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THE MINERS' AND SEAMEN'S CONFERENCE. TO ...
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THE WEAVERS OF COLNE, KEIGHLEY, AND BRAD...
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CRUEL OPPRESSION OF A POOR MAN. TO T HE ...
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THE CHARTIST EXECUTIVE. XO TEE EDITOR Of...
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THE SHIP LOC0ALITY AND JOHN ARNOTT. TO T...
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aSttirfit #U*ting*
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PARLIAMENTARY REFORM. A general meeting ...
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CONTINENTAL POLITICS. A public meeting w...
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ga Father Gavazzi is studying the Englis...
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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.
Spvttet Jtimwtm
Spvttet Jtimwtm
Oya L Charter Association. P;. 1 S __I4....
oyA CHARTER ASSOCIATION . p ; . s __ i 4 . S outhampton-street , Strand . ( nSlC pxccanre Committee of this bod y held ? * a : d weekly meeting as above , on ^ 'l = d av evening last . James Grassby in ^ t % The c orrespondence received having p ^^ i the Secretary "nras instructed to t # V t ' jhe Committee had purchased a ^/ tv of the tract , - What is a Chartist ?' $ ' \ ir J- 111163 Watson » an ( * J loc ^ Hy or ^ foiWht be supplied with the same at # i ; ilin <* per hundred by applying to the ^ rv / at the Office . ^ ^ TV ecretary was also instructed toregnest localities or friends who have
subscripted fan ( 3 s ' * ° * orward them on or * f Wednesday , December 31 st , as the ^ f , littee are mos t desirous of winding tip . ^ nnts with that honour which is due to ^ f ° Comtnitte then adjourned to Monday * - , December 22 nd . J ^ joned , on behalf of the Committee , ° Johs Ajinott , General Secretary .
Fl-^Iechitel. —Mr. "Wheeler Lectured At....
fl- ^ iECHiTEL . —Mr . "Wheeler lectured at . kifiv Inn , High-street , Great Garden-% t on S ° nday eTenin g * Subject : « The ? £ of a Standing Army , as exemplified in C present State of France / Tne lecturer viral tne manner m wn ^ a standing army fa endangered , and at last subverted the T ^ rh Republic in 1793 , and again in 1851 . S cribed the difference between the constitut or the military force in Prance and Eng-! L arguing that the English army was far # > identified with the ruling powers , and % e inimical to the interests of the people , fen that of France . That an equal necesw ivi not exist for the maintenance of such
K ... ..- l £ - J iL . i J ' unc onstitutional force . i that under a ssd form of government it might be reduced L merely nominal amount . Showed that five £ , ji 5 of the national taxation was expended defray ing the expenses of the army , the yrt . and the interest of the National Debt ; futile latter burden had been created en-« v | r bv means of the former . The standing j ^ dv and the National Debt having been { sated at the same period ; the one increasing iStfding to the increase of the other . The kssre concluded by showing the necessity of t Ufching the feeling in favour of that false st *™ of military glory which had proved so
£ nious , not only to France , but to every fapire of both modern and ancient times . .. lie chair was occupied by Mr . Bezer , who , in conjunction with Mr . Shaw and others , ji . l v supported the opinions advanced by the jstnrer . —A ballot then took place for the enpin . - ' Executive . A resolution was passed pSng upon every locality to elect a scrutineer jo inspect the return of the votes . A local fi-eil was elected , and other business trangpsl
> Haslet a > t > Shelton , Potteries . —At I ( Weekly meeting of members after transit the usual business it was resolved thata serial meeting be held in the People's Hall , i-nnswich-street , Shelton , on Sunday evenii , December 21 st , for the purpose of voting j & ' the Executive . : Gseenwicq as © Depifobd . — The memgi met on Sunday last for the purpose of brganising the locality at the Walter ' s Arms , jfbreh-street , Deptford , when the following ^ inters were elected on the Council : — j & srs . H . G . Floyd , Treasurer ; Alfred feper , Secretary ; Bligh , Barns , Bell-Ismiers , Barney , Morgan . The meeting iii-urned to Sunday evening next . ' JI ' jhte Horse Locality / . —An animated
pscssion took place on Sunday evening , upon fciubject of electing an Executive , when it ^ resolved , * That it is the opinion of this fei'itv , that a paid Executive of five is neces-[ . but they defer voting until they see the *! 3 iiffness of the country to support them , by iking up their card , as recommended in the ^ ir of last S iturday . ' ; Fissbfby Localitt , December 13 th . —Mr . kmes in the chair . Messrs . TYeedon and
fe-rne reported from the Metroplitan Delete Committee ; Mr . Butler moved , and % . Havley seconded the following resolution - 'That this locality consider the absence of fe-sholeof the Executive from the MetropSan Delegate Committee meeting as desrtais of explanation ; and the General feefary is deserving of censure , seeing that i !* as his duty to have attended the afore-; Ja-3 meeting . ' Carried . —Moved by Mr . & . « , seconded by Mr . AYinnell— ' That this iteslitv recommend the new Executive to
fe : as their General Secretary a man tfhown abilitv and straightforward conduct , * i ; . b ! e to address Public Meetings ; and & a ur . 3 recommend Thomas Martin "Wheeler sfaemost fit and proper person to fill that £ - ? , seeing that flie inefficiency of the late fe . rnl Secretary is a . ma . tter of public notoriety ^ . vgrct . ' Carried . —The Chairman than f tojnnced that the distribution of prizes was fe ' 4-oaed to Hew Tear ' s Eve . The meeting * fei adjourned to Sunday next . —Aueed fosEL , Secretary .
Ssidgewater . —Mr . E . Jones delivered a We in the Town Hall , on Tuesday even' % in a crowded audience , in which he * foeated the Charter as the only means of feMittiug the working classes . After the usual T ! S * <* f thanks to the lecturer , the chairman , *>¦ ' the mayor , for the use of the hall , a hands' * a » colJection was made , and the immense a ^ aLIv separated . , -, - *' " **«« . —At the weekly meeting of members , ^ f iol ' owinir resolution was agreed to : — " That ' * s neetinitof members having heard tbe letter of
^* ck O'jri gifm , Esq ., read from the " btar , ^^ their sincere thanks to that gentleman for ^• aoUe defence of Mr . O'Connor from the attacks *^ alis of Messrs . Hunt , Ilolyoake , and Co ., and " ! - # opinion that they are unworthy the confidence i * w orking classes . That this meeting will not ^ anything to do with the National Charter As-^ "Jrioa whUe men are elected to guide the movevf n } l ° tell ua that they arc Communist , Social---, or anything else , and that they will do as they f ; --se if elected ; vaA this meeting is of opinion ; - * : if the Chartist body do not stand by their old ^ friend and champion , Mr . FeargusO'Connor , ' «? * ' i \\ briag disgrace themselves "
upon . j « b mixghaii . —At the weekly meeting on Snnday C ^ Mr . Harney's letter was read from the jifi *' " an 41 al ^ o the instructions for voting for ^ executive , when it was resolved- — " That the ^^ of this locality be taken at the next meetf ] J >' iccp . —Mr . Ernest Jones delivered a lecture on , 7- t ! i and State , on the 10 th instant , in tbe Merpk ? Institute . Discussion having been invited , * C ; "vtist association was formed , when the followiS " per sons were chosen to carry it into effect : — gjssr * . Wm . lacy , James Wilson , James Hinch *^ . Tli 0 mas Shepard , and David Wilkinson .
>M Ged ^Idrdkr.—Under This Head, A Notic...
> m GED ^ Idrdkr . —Under this head , a notice \ i-M . ? ound in our sixth page of the examination of s " ! ia < a l-hompsonjamecttanic > at the Manchester f / £ "l 2 b Court , who was charged with the murder Vri jfe - A coroner ' s inquest was held on the eJf Taesday last , but no further facts were C « f' evce P that a pon morttm examination bad : ^ -. which , showed that deceased ' s death was ^ ; fb y concussion of the brain , but whether this d ^; resnlt ofablowor a fall , there wasno evikL t 0 determine . Thenolice . however , throngh
' ca' ' l miof JIr - Beswiek , the chief su permtenh p , llbt oetective department , have been enabled lr . ^„ j 7 * e ' matter further . The prisoner waa ^' a a Ys 3 ? * before tne nJag 53 ^*^ ° n Tuesday , - J" !? l ^ rs" Rightly , " who lives next door to the L 2 » -. i )„ I' sfat ed that she was awoke , some time « : i ^ ^ "roay night , by a noise in the prisoner ' s i -r-. r * "' - " ; thought she heard scrtams , and then 5 )?! j ' , ' - a " down stairs . She afterwards heard a 3 : - * ar ' ^ e aSd - root steps in the honse , but he soon ' * V **** and 8 but tJje door - iIary Hal , » * ^ * ¥ ¦** - Uultne , tbe back door of whose 5 - r ., ; 0 .. 'aal of the prisoner nearly adjoin , said f s « ndar lt - Weilty unites before one o ' clock ' - ' « on 1 L I ? ornin = ' she heard some one at the 1 d i- - , ' " 0 h > do "' ' don ' t ! " and then . " :: "Je . l Z r ? S slammed to . The prisoner was re-^ alth-. r " W' w ' uenhe was commuted for
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-»_Jnma2i0nal Trades' Journal * «» _ -— ...
- »_ JNMA 2 I 0 NAL TRADES' JOURNAL * i mm-j—j ¦ ¦ — — — ~^ 0 r \
Z'P The Electors M «» _ -— *— —^^—— ^^^^...
«» _ - — *— —^^—— ^^^^ mm , __ __ . . , . . - . .... « - yr a . a . m . " - ^ v M ^ - ' - iONDOH , SATBBDAY , m ^^ jm ~~~ ^ ^ ~~ 1 Z * = . ? pw »» - ¦ ~~~ r- ^ = z ===== I l : ^ ~! lLl _ . - ± : ¦ ¦ F , T * S" 1 ""* 8 *** 8 > xpe « eC per Oiinner
The Electors And The Elected. P.N„R„ P T...
THE ELECTORS AND THE ELECTED . P . n „ r „ P T 0 THE CHARTISTS . iiaoiHER Chariists , —You are bein ? told that you cannot elect an Executive of See or five men and pay them for labour done , becaJse the last Convention did not make such ' a reeuffilon and therefore it would be undemocratic ^ alter the constitution of the Committee . t 6 r notion S , 1 i £ ft ^ d such very niee 8 crup , es- ^ jfe > 1 a V . W * "W 6 ratfc which is best 5 /**^ My notion is , the constituency whom *? / l " . Swate ' r than the delSaS whom it sends-that primary assemblies are hHrhVr eiecteo Tina Br . B , Tflnn . „ ,
™* n Dooms ; aud that , therefore thetnU S ? ff ° ^ ^ C ^ istUvemeS ' ca ; Jmake iny improvemen t it pleases in its organisation . So much for the objection on the score of demooWey if t * TL wea ^ uli bem atatime of crisis , it we found there was something wrong in our orl gamsation , and we must needs wait until we could attord the money , aud get up the machinery reqaisite for summoning a Convention . If there is an evil get rid of it as speedily as you can . Jind nereis au occas .-on when we cannot wait till a Convention is called together . An Executive ( by the rules ) must be elected at once . A Convention could not meet m less than six weeks , and , theretore , I suggested the only democratic course left in the emergency—to make forthwith a direct appeal to the Chartist body , whether certain alterations were not needed m the formation of an Executive . \ ou are further told , y ou should eleet a nnmmii ^
of-mne , because the large number " ensures a good average attendance . " Pay the men—then you can command their attendance , and discard them if they are ne"li ° ent servants . ° ° 2 fine are farther recommended as giving the advantage of a multiplicity of opinions . That is just what we should avaid-ifc prevents unity of action . One man tells us , " Tm Communist , elect none but Communists with me . " Another says , " I'm forsupporting the middle-class movement . " Each
one tries to divert Chartism into a tool to carry out his own peculiar notions , and thus all pull different ways , and neutralise the Chartist power . This comes of having men given to other movements on our Committee . Would you take a locksmith to plane a board , or a bricklayer to make a pair of shoes . In the same way in' which you want a carpenter for carpenter's work , or a weaver for weaving , so you want a Chartist for Chartism . And until you feel and act upon this , vou will never have Chartist work done properly .
One rich gentleman tells us it is " unnecessary " and "impracticable'' to pay an Executive ! Let thericZt man say it is unnecessary ; I , the poor man , say that it is not—and I am prouder of my poverty than he is of his riches . He tells us . " we do not want an Executive to live upon our energies and sacrifices ! "Thenneither should fie want to live upon the energies and sacrifices of an Executive . It is disgraceful in any movement to ask men to do that for us which we refuse to do for others . " Impracticable ! " What ?—with such numbers of rich friends ready to form an Executive all for nothing ? Surely , if so ready to form an Executive they must be ready to support one .
He tells us , moreover , that we should " be better served " by rich amateurs than by men whom we paid . By whom should we be better served than by a Harney or a Kydd ? And can they ^ serve us unless we give them the means of living ? People have such a naughty habit that they will not live without eating . The unpaid system , by the inevitable law of bread and cheese , drives such men from our active advocacy ; and I tell the rich gentleman that one such man is worth a thousand of his order , with ten thousand times his sovereigns to boot . Another evil in an unpaid Executive is that it renders it Almost imperative that none hut London men should be elected ; whereas the metropolis should enjoy no such preponderance in the committee , which should not be tinged by local interests , but represent a national feeling .
The writer further objects to a Committee exclusively of working men . I never proposed it . What I said was , that the Committee should consist of men who would do our work , and not fae coquetting with a hundred different things . That was a strange perversion of my meaning . I perfectly agree with our wealthy monitor that a man , because he has been in prison , is no better than another man . I am as opposed to an aristocracy of " convicts " as I am to any other aristocracy ; but I do say this , that g etting into prison is no cause of reproach , as he makes it , and that it does not " evidence , " as he says , " a want of the foresight and calmness necessary to ha possessed , since none could be more discreet , thoughtful , and
calm than the leaders of the Trades' Union , and they are in Stafford gaol notwithstanding . Calm or ioud , despotism imprisons Democracy whenever it grows dangerous . * A more important point is , tbe policy of not electing men pledged to other movements . Our friend talks largely of the Society for the Repeal of the Taxes ou Knowledge , the Anti-State Church Association , and the Secular School Society —I said nothing about them , though , if a man gives bis time to them he cannot be giving it to us ; but what I did say was , we should not elect men wedded to a hostile political movement . Weave engaged in a struggle of Labour against Capital ,
and we should not elect men united with the Capitalist . The question isnotareweto join a " para'M association , " as the writer says ; hut are we to join a Jiostile one , and have its agents on our Executive to neutralise and strangle our movement ? Such is tbe association in 3 fo . 11 , Poultry j—unfledged political birds who have not yet got tbe first down-feathers of Democracy upon them . Why do I call them hostile ? Because , in a struggle of labour against capital , " every extension of the franchise that increases the power of the r : ch more than it increases the power of the poor , weakens and lessens the chances of the latter to obtain their rights . "
I know of no " parallel" association . If Financial Reformers mean the same thing as the Charter , let them give up the field to the working men , who had raised the Charter fifteen years before these political poultry had ever cackled . Put if they mean not the same—and they do not —if they mean merely an instalment of the franchise ( as I have elsewhere shown , } and that an instalment of 100 per cent , given to the middle class , for every ten per cent , given to the working class , and if that ten per cent , bo given only to the aristocracv of labour , then I say it is a hostile
movement—one ruinous to the people ' s cause ; and the man who supports it , is , though unconsciously , our enemy . I say , "though unconsciously , " for our argument is not , as this writer tells you , " that " all men are villains "; hub lb is that we won ' t bemade / ooZs , and have the old tricks of 1832 played over again . I desire , as well as he , to see Chartism made " loveable ; " but I do not wish to see it made a plaything , and a laughing stock of the rich . I would sooner see it hateful in their eyes than contemptible in our own ! And you may depend upon it , as soon as the rich begin to love it , it will be a thing not worth the afiections of the
Having said this much as to whom I conceive the people should elect , permit me to offer a word to those whom they are electing . There seems a misapprehension on the part of some as to the amount of labour expected from a member of the Executive . 1 do not believe the Chartists expect unreasonable work from him ; but I think they do expect , and I know they have a right to expect , that their servants shall perform then work , and that it is not unreasonable to expect the member of the Executive who remains in town
to attend at the office for it least as many hours asa banker's or a merchant ' s clerk would do , and that each should be prepared to pass in rotation , one out of every three months in the country . I do not see that a man need have the capabilities of a sieam-engine to perform that , which , in this respective line , is performed by every commercial traveller or trader's servant . I regret that any should refuse to serve in the people ' s cause . Poor chance has Democracy when itThis is false pride
its hest men refuse to serve . , and its error should be pointed out to a friend ( however intimate or valued ) fer . he is no honourable man who does not reprove the errors of a brother as freely as the sins of a foe . 3 fo man should be too proud to live by work , and if not too proud to take wages from a private employer , no man should be too proud to take them from the noblest of masters-thepeop le-forthe holiest of works-their redemption . It is wrong-very wrong-to reject the helm , when called to it in the most critical and SSjJOTM tiine . Is this the way to help the move-* tw * have been many personal remarks written . TUeETd ^ ** lt answer . Wither I did or did not regui , riv \ ttend the Committee , when not on Chartist W larij attenatne u « m ^ . do wit h the question n wfl ? Prthrer five or nine , should be elected as an weeS attendance list , as published in the democratic ^ Parliamentary and Financial Beform Association .
The Electors And The Elected. P.N„R„ P T...
meat on ? Stray lecturing , and isolated tours will not do it . The shout and cheer of the meeting may be more attractive-the independent desultory purney may prove more pleasant , but the stead , obedient , andassiduous service is what we want , i ? u u T } * t 0 the P ° st of duty , no man should shrink from it in the time of apathy . To the rall £ then , every man who has a heart in the cause . We cannot snare one amid the honest sterling few who stand unshaken in the van guard of our battle . B
Do you see what comes of such refusals ? You leave the helm to the incapable or designing you repress the rising courage of the people ; you shake their re-awakening confidence . What must the people think and feel when they call upon those whom they love and trust , to serve them , and one by one answer "Hot I , " "Not I *" " Not I . " Is this the way to help Democracy , and that in its most critical and trying hour ? Oh no I the Charter is endangered . Stand by it —stand by it ! every man of heart . Stand firm , till the storm has blown by ; then comes the signal MARCH ! and we'll move onward ! __ " ¦ Ernest Jones
[ While giving insertion to the letter of Mr . Jones , on the principle ' Hear on all sides , ' we beg that it may be distinctly understood we do not identify oarselves with the sentiments it contains . We totall y dissent from the proposition that movements for smaller measures of Reform than the Charter , are 'hostile movements ; ' and we have not the least sympathy with the spirit which would convert the agitation for Parliamentary Reform into a war of classes . All the paid Executives in the world could never . make such a movement succeed ; and if they could , success would be matter for sorrow rather
than rejoicing . We do not want to see one sort of . tyranny and injustice replace another , but the rights and interests of all placed under the protection of just and equal laws . — Ed . N . S . ]
Camsusottittitc?
Camsusottittitc ?
The Miners' And Seamen's Conference. To ...
THE MINERS' AND SEAMEN ' S CONFERENCE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —The Seamen and Miners' Conference was held at Hull , on Monday , December 15 th , and following days , and the following is an epitome of the business done at the said Conference . The delegates having chosen Mr . Oliver , delegate for the Hull and Yarmouth Seamen , to be the Chairman , and Mr . Hamilton , of Newcastle-on-Tyne , as secretary , proceeded to take the credentials of those present , when the following povts * and mining districts were represented : —Mr . J . H . Oliver , Hull and Yarmouth ; Mr . Frazer , Aberdeen and Dundee ; Mr . M'Kenzie , Middlesbro' and
Stockton ; Mr . Young , Sunderland and Seahan Harbour ; Mr . J . Smith , South Shields ; Mr . Thomas White , North Shields ; Mr . A . U . Hamilton , Newcastle-on Tjne ; Mr , Luckett , Hartlepool . London and several other ports were represented by letter . The Miners of Northumberland and Durham were represented by Mr . It . Archer for the latter county , and M . Jude for the former . Letters were read from the Miners of Lancashire and Cheshire , from G . Brown , of Yorkshire , aiuyrom Mr . Hewitt , as secretary to the North Staffordshire Miners , all expressing a sympathy for the society ' s welfare and prosperity , and stating their desire to become more intimately acquainted with the principles and objects of the Association , Letters of encouragement
were also received from the missionaries now out , which showed the interest taken in the movement by the ports of Mary port , Whitehaven , Glasgow , and Belfast , and the likelihood of these western ports and mining districts joining the Association , The subject matter next introduced was the necessity of a code of rules for the guidance of the members ; when , after a lengthened debate on the general principles of such rules , a committee of three were appointed to draw up the same . In the interim , the delegates proceeded to investigate and examine the accounts , the treasurer submitting a balance-sheet of income and expenditure , which , after a careful scrutiny , was read to the Conference , adopted as correct , and signed by the chairman and two other delegates , as auditors .
The Conference next took up the debate on the rules as detailed by the Committee , when each rule was read and discussed , and , alter due consideration—and in some instances amended—they were ultimately agreed to , and will forthwith be laid before the several ports and districts for confirmation at the next Conference . The proposed newspaper , to be called " The Seamen and Miners' Advocate , " came next under consideration , and occupied the attention of the delegates for a long time . The case being necessarily one of difficulty to deal with , for men who had little or no experience in such matters , nonce it was resolved that in order to test whether the seamen and miners wanted a newspaper or not , that it be submitted to each man to pay down one shilling , to form the necessary capital to bring out such an organ , and that those who chose may take up shares of 6 s . each share , and that five per cent , per annum be paid to such shareholders .
As the debate upon the above went on it became known to the delegates that several gentlemen were anxious to aid the project by loans of money and bonds of security , fcc . ; and one gentleman in London , now having a publication of his own , offered to give up the copyright , and allow the association the benefit of an established circulation to begin with . The delegates willingly accorded their gratitude for such liberal offers , but came to a resolution to endeavour to raise the capital necessary from their own members and the public , calling upon the former to pay one shilling each , and allowing the shares of five shillings each to be taken by the latter ; each local secretary and committee to receive and collect all monies and shares , and bring orforward the same to the next Conference ; which Conference will finally determine to bring out the newspaper , should the funds subscribed be thought le for that purpose .
amp The Conference concluded its sitting on Friday afternoon , having elected the proper ofiicers as an Executive till next Conference , which will be held on the first Tuesday in March , 1852 , at Dundee , in Scotland . , , -. . , , The delegates separated with the greatest good feeling and harmony , each pledging himself to do his best to extend and perfect the organisation oi the two bodies , and to induce their respective members to aid and assist in the same . I am , Sir , yours , & c , M . Jude .
The Weavers Of Colne, Keighley, And Brad...
THE WEAVERS OF COLNE , KEIGHLEY , AND BRADFORD . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , — The weaving body in Paisley , for some time past , have seen a strong feeling manifested by a few of their employers to reduce their wages , on account , as it is said , of the cloth being wrought cheaper in some parts of England . As the Central Committe has no correspondence with the parts above referred to , I have been instructed hv it to request that you will insert this letter in your papir of Saturday-first , that it may be the means of bringing about a better understanding with the districts interested . For a few years past the weaVers in Paisley have been organised ; so that they have been the means of getting several tables which have left prices steady and uniform , and when auy of the tablea were attempted to be broken by some of our less scrupulous employers , the reduction was generally , prevented by a oi
little gentle remonstrance on the part « " « ' •»« ' - mittee But as our tables are drawn up on the principle that they shall only remain " PjwafcWB so long as the same prices are paid in other . places where the same kind of work is made , the committee have felt themselves at considerable loss , when statements were made by some of toM * facturers that the same description of cloth was wrought cheaper in Colne , Keighley , and Bradford . As the committee are desirous of entering into an arrangement with the weavers of these localities , either % by letter , or delegation , if necessary , 1 would therefore feel obliged by any one connected with the trade to communicate with me as early as possible . If the weavers in those localities have no committee to look after their business I would take the libertv to suesest that a meeting be called
to appoint one . By so doing , it may be tbe means of preventing a serious reduction on a very low paid descrip tion of work to us , in the first place , and at the- same time prevent it from recoiling ou themselves Yours respectfully , . _ John Robertson , beo , lo , S ^ ndholes-street , Paisley . ^ December 161 b , 18 ol .
Cruel Oppression Of A Poor Man. To T He ...
CRUEL OPPRESSION OF A POOR MAN . TO T HE EDITOft OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Sib , —A -man , in humble circuraataness , named Francis Ide , carrying on the business of a beer retailer , in the Tillage of Sompting , near Worthing , has recentl y been mulcted in the heavy penalty of £ 116 » . 6 d ., / or . having , on the night of tbe 18 th of the recent October , permitted beer to be drunk in his bouse after ten o ' clock , " contrary to the Act of Parliament ; " and that , too , in the very teeth of the letter o ( bis license , which point-blank expresses the hour of eleven aa the legal limit to the time for the sale of beer on bis premises !
The said license was not only signed ( as legally required ) by the , beads of the parish of Sompting , but ratified by the Excise officers , William Husband , and William Russell ; the former the collected the U « er the supervisor in the case . - _ Querry .- ^ Which . was ^ ightr-She letter of Ide's license : ( which is the poor man's only guide—the only "jantern" to his legal path ) , or the two "justices , " William Whitter , Esq ., and Captain Forbes , R . N . ' ,.., who convicted him . ' ; It ds evident that , there must be " 'Something rotten in . the State of Denm ^ rky * . fietjt cannot be correet ^ -one or tbe Other * musT , inevitably , be in error , We have no right to suppose that our country ' s laws would recognise such a conflicting mode of dispensing "justice . "
I have drawn up an address to the Home Secretary , as well as to the Board of Excise ; and that the issue of my intercession may prove favourable to this defenceless , injured man , is the ardent wish of , Sir , your respectful Correspondent , Lewes , Sussex , Dec . 17 . Hy . Scuithorp .
The Chartist Executive. Xo Tee Editor Of...
THE CHARTIST EXECUTIVE . XO TEE EDITOR Of THE NORTHERN S 2 AR . Sib , —My attention has just been called to your piper of last week , wherein 1 am nominated to fill the office of one of tbe Executive Committee That has been done without my knowledge or consent ; neither did I know of it until now , or I should have requested you to withdraw my name from the list of nominations . You will oblige me by doing so now ; and you will further oblige if you would allow me to thank Mr . Le Blond for the good services he rendered common sense in his manly letter of last week . Your ' s respectfully , 42 , Turner-street , Manchester . James Leach , December 17 th , 1851 .
The Ship Loc0ality And John Arnott. To T...
THE SHIP LOC 0 ALITY AND JOHN ARNOTT . TO THE EDITOR OF TH E N O R T HERN S TAR Dear Sir , — -I was rather surprised ( as I had not been written to ) on reading in your journal of Saturday last the following report : — " At the members' meeting of the Ship locality , on the motion of Messrs . Dooksey and Knowles , the secretary was instructed to write to Mr . John Arnotfc , the secretary of the Executive , complaining of the insult offered to Mr . John Shaw and to their locality , by a letter received from him requesting to know whether Mr . Shaw was eligible to stand as a candidate for the ensuing Executive . " And in order for you and your readers to judge of its insulting character , I beg to forward a copy of the letter complained of ; copies of which I also forwarded to Messrs . O'Connor , O'Brien , Kydd , Whoeler , dec . : — li , Southampton Street , Strand . December 2 nd , 1851 .
Dear Shaw , —As you have been nominated as one of the future Executive of the National Charter Association , I beg to inform you that at a special meeting of the Committee held on last evening , I was instructed to respectfully solicit from you an early reply to the following questions : — . 1 st . —Are you duly qualified to act in that capacity by having been ( in accordance with the rules ) a bona fide member of the Association for the last six months ? 2 nd . —I { elected , will you consent to serve ? lam , dear Shaw , Your ' s as ever , Mr . John Shaw . John Arnott , Secretary .
Permit me , Sir , to add , that 1 have never acted on my own responsibility , but on instructions given by the Committee , and I feel a conscious satisfaction that none of my colleagues can charge mo with having neglected any of the instructions I have received . Trusting you will favour me by inserting this in your current number , I am , dear Sir , Yours very respectfully , John Arnott .
Asttirfit #U*Ting*
aSttirfit # U * ting *
Parliamentary Reform. A General Meeting ...
PARLIAMENTARY REFORM . A general meeting of the members of the Hatter ' s trade , resident in the metropolis ) w aa held on Monday evening , at the Soutiiwark Literary Institution , Borough-road , for the above object . The large theatre of the institution w . is well filled . Mr . J . Jones was called to the chair , and stated that the Batters generally were interested in the question of reform ; thoy wished to set an example to the other metropolitan trades , and ultimately to eftecc such a union among them as should cause Lord John Russell to give them a real , and not a
sham measure of reform . It was only necessary for the trades to express their opinions , openly and decidedly , and they would obtain all their jast demands . He objected to the rate paying clause in the Manchester scheme . To ensure their full emancipation it was necessary that they should have the whole of the six points . The working men , more especially the trades , wero certainly capable of making a proper and just use of the franchise . The speaker then dwelt upon the several principles necessary to secure the right of "Universal Suffrage . Mr . Park moved the following resolution : —
That this meeting , feeling the importance of a Reform in our representative system , and that no proposed change which leaves any class of the community , unrepresented , and therefore discontented , will satisfactorily settle this urgent question , and remove the necossitj tor agitation with the feeling of excitement consequent thereon , resolve , that every man , twenty-one years ot age , of sound mind , and free from legal crime , should be entitled to vote in the election of Members to the Commons House of Parliament . That to secure the tree , unmolested , and incorrupt use of the franchise , the mode of election be voting by the ballot .
Mr . Park said , that Lord John Russell having expressed his intention to grant the people some measure of political reform , the men of Manchester had expressed their opinion upon the extent to which that measure should be carried . The Hatters of London , and he trusted the other trades , were also about to express their opinions upon this question . The Manchester measure seemed to express the feeling of the great bulk of the public . The only objections that could reasonably bo taken were their retaining the rate paying qualification , and not expressing a definite opinion upon the rights of lodgers or the period of occupancy necessary to constitute a voter . The question would never he fairly settled until these
grounds for quibbling were removed . It was hy means of public opinion , expressed at meetings like the present , that their freedom could be achieved . Nothing less than allowing working men to manage their own affairs , by means of the vote , ever would or ought to satisfy the people . The vote must also be protected by the ballot . The difference between the opinion of the working men and mioale class politicians was , that the latter held the franchise to be a privilege , and not a light ; and they would concede it only to those who , by the circumstance of their holding a , certain position in society , appeared to them qualified to make a proper use of it . Be held the franchise to be a right . That all men should be equal before the law was a great moral as well as a political principle , and must be acted upon before humanity could ever progress also another class
towards perfection . There was of men who opposed their views on the ground that government ought to be " for the people , " but not " by the people . " They asserted that the destinies of the nation could never be safely entrusted to working men , because , being poor in pocket , and loose in morals , they would bo liable to abuse tbe trust reposed in them . Virtue , honesty , and patriotism were not confined to a class . ( Wealth was no guarantee for a proper use of the franchise ; neither was poverty a necessary reason why a man should mis-use it . Men would not much longer offer themselves up as an oblation to the shrine of Mammon , thus perpetuating their own degradation . The era for the dominion of kings and priests waa past , and that of the people would speedily arrive . The speaker was muoh applauded during a long address . !
Parliamentary Reform. A General Meeting ...
Mr . Strong seconded the resolution . The working man was the producer of all wealth . Their trade had . never as a body taken a part in political , movements until the present instance . He-felt in common with others , that the time had now arrived when it became the"duty of the trades to endeavour to wring political reform from the government , They found that their labour was not protected , and that the funds extracted from thorn were mis-applied . The necessaries of life were heavily taxed .. Tea , before . ^ it reached the table of the working ; man , paid a duty of 250 per cent . Tobacco might be called a luxury , —but it w 8 chiefly used by . working men , and paid a duty of 900 per cent . If these duties were lowered the consumption would bs increased , and a greater quantity of our manufactured goods would be taken
by China and ; America in exchange . As working men , they were , deeply interested in" these affairs' ) and were bound to seeka remedy for their wrongs . Parliament ; , as at present constituted ,, did not represent them , and tliey must purify it by adopting the principle of Universal Suffrage in its election . A seat in parliament was now a complete matter of sale . The candidate with the longest purse was the man whom the electors delighted to honour Thespeaker . then showed tbe unfftnesajof many of the present electors for .. the : exercise of the , franchise ;' and maintained " that it might ? 'be safely trusted in the hands of working men , Nothing less than Universal Suffrage would ever satisfy the people , and they would not cease in their agitation until they obtained it . ( Cheers . ) Tho resolution was then carried unanimously .
Mr . OlIikrenshaw moved the second resolution , advocating Equal Electoral Districts , ' and Triennial Parliaments . There was a peculiar aspect in their meeting . It was the commencing noie of a noble , popular anthem . They were the represent tattvesof the great future , and their decision would be of great weight in the future guidance of the Reform movement . Their trade had determined to expound its own views , and aof trust to the delegation Of others . Their employers , if they regarded their true interest , ought to have been among them , aiding and assisting , Men and masters were in false positions ; they did not know each other sufficiently well ; if they did , they would not manifest the distrust to each other which they did at the present time . He trusted that the
present was the commencement of a great workingman ' s movement , which would supersede the old and worn-out political associations , and which would make use of every weapon of progress , from the press to the senate , to achieve tbe emancipation of their labour . Thoy must lessen the hours of labour , and increase or maintain the present rate of wages . They needed more leisure , in order to cultivate their intellectual faculties ; this could only be obtained by procuring political power . Their representatives ought to be honest stewards , and not irresponsible masters . Responsibility was the best guarantee for activity and honesty . They had adopted the principle of Triennial Parliaments . They preferred Annual ones . Delegates had attended from the majority of their shops , and
compromises were mutuall y made , in order that the meeting might express fully the views of tho whole trade . He believed that three years was a sufficiently long period of irresponsibility . It was a sufficiently long lease of power , and would prevent much bribery by the constant recurrence of the period of meeting their constituents . Each member of parliament ought to represent an equal number of voters ; the present system of boroughs deprived many £ 10 householders of a vote . Was it correct or just , that Abingdon should possess as much influence in the House of Commons as Manchester—the one having only 292 voters , and the other thousands ? The present system was a complete mockery of justice , and could only be effectually cured by tbo adoption of Equal Electoral
Districts . Every man was necessary to the welfare of his fellow men , none should be left by the wayside , outcast and neglected . The intelligence , the energies of all were needed , and all should be bound up in the great bond of governmental repreaent & tioH . They must struggle and wrestle with the evil influences of past despotism until they had gained a' safe guarantee for the future . He trusted they would not cease in their exertions until the whole of the London trades were embarked in the same good cause . If they were in earnest a bright future was before them ; a future linked not only with that of France , but of all Europe . They must form a workman ' s party , and make a stand against that system of commercial recklessness , winch was equally injurious to all classes . ( The speaker was much applauded , )
Mr . Amos briefly seconded the resolution , and read a quantity of statistics relative to the present distribution of voters in the counties and borough towns . Mr . Jenkinson , an influential person in the trade , said he was aorry to throw the bone of contention among them , but the whole of the arguments adduced against Septennial Parliaments might be equally adduced against Triennial Parliaments . It had always been one of the principles of the old Radical party , prior to the establishment of either Chartism or Socialism . If they laid down a principle for the adoption of the trade , let it be a correct one . It was time enough to maKe concessions when they
were demanded of them . II © concluded by moving Annual Parliaments as an amendment to Triennial . Mr . E . EJ . SEY , in a very animated address , seconded the amendment , and showed the manner in which the master Ilattcvs acted in relation to theborouah of Newcastle , which was entirely under the dominion of Christie , by tho power he possessed of withdrawing or sending employment to the small masters . Thoy had not altered their minds us to the superiority of Annual over Triennial Parliaments . It was only a concession to those rospect : ible Reformers who were ashamed of the name of Chartists . He had not much faith in the consistency of those gentlemen , and thought they should maintain the principle of yearly
Parliaments . Mr . Ollereksiiaw briefly replied . He was in favour of Annual Parliaments , but they wished to gain friends , and not make enemies . They adopted Triennial Parliaments from the policy of conciliation . After some remarks from Mr . Jenkwson the amendment and resolution were put to the meeting , and the resolution was declared to be carried . Mr . Stephenson moved a resolution appointing a committee to co-operate with other trades' bodies , and lay down a course of action as the basis of their future policy . Mr . CooKBEr seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously . The committee was agreed to be appointed at a meeting of delegates from the various shop ? , to be held on the following Wednesday . A vote of thanks was given to" the Chairman and Secretary , and the meeting dispersed .
Continental Politics. A Public Meeting W...
CONTINENTAL POLITICS . A public meeting was held on Wednesday evening at the National Hall , Holborn , to consider the present position of affairs on the Continent , and their relation to Englsh politics . Shortly after eight o ' clock Mr . G , J . Holyoakb was called to the chair , and commenced by stating that Mr . T . Hunt was to have occupied the chair , but was prevented by illness . The object of calling the meeting was to inform the public of the events taking place abroad , in order that they might express an opinion on them . Tho principal reason given for aggression u on the people waa their violence . Ho trusted that the meeting would comport itself in a > firm , but moderate manner , that no advantage might be taken of tk : iv sentiments . No
man could avoid feejings of indignation at the pre * remptery and violent conduct of the French President ? but it did not become them to express themselves with similar violences many thought that this degree of tyranny was necessary to secure the maintenance of order . Their duty that evening was to show that tyranny could not be justified under any circumstances . Tyuh-ny would ever be found a bad and unprofitable pWiicy . It had been asserted that the Socialist party we ' re entertaining designs which rendered the steps of the President necessary . Public opinion was not allowed free
expression in France , and no . person , from the slight evidence before him , could como to such a conclusion . They were not advocates of Liberty , Equality , and Ferocity , but Fraternity . All their public sentiments expressed peaceand brotherhood . Their opponents had always asserted that revolutions must necessarily end in military despotism ; and thus had realised the truth of the idea they had expressed . This was ever the evil produced by exaggeration . It created tho thing which it appeared to dread . It was , therefore , above all things , necessary that moderation should characterise their speeches .
Mr : J . Pettie moved tho following resolution : — That this meeting protests against the political changes in Trance , against the arhittaiy and heartless means ° by which they have been effected ; and deems it a duty to
Continental Politics. A Public Meeting W...
r' »« v a public voice or . beh . nlf of a friendly people crushed unaef . ft military rule ; ftko to uall earnestly ujion our tpivurumeut -louse its political influence on behalf of the restoration of the liberties of the punple , destroyed by ' the indefensible aggressions of urganisedtlespotisiii , Kossuth had asserted that the English people had only to f , ») low n certain lino of poliev to ensure success ; but , unfortunately , they had no national policy . They had only a policy for a day or an nour , an . l that only fur a fraction of the people . iTi" , s'aud"ig the mariner in-which the public and the Press denounced the conduct of the French I resident , the English minister still retained his position at the court of the President . Before the
cannon had almost ceased sounding in their ears , the Press informed them that onr Ambassador and numerous distinguished Englishmen attended the levees of Napoleon . Other countries would suppose from this , that England cordially consented to these proceedings in France . They had nothing else to guide them , but Englishmen knew that the Press waa only the organ of separate factions , and not an expression of the public will . The only course left the people to prevent this misrepresentation offbeir views was to meet and protest against the conduct of their Ambassador being taken as an exponent of tbe public will . The people of France were no * as the « Times' once represented ihem—half tigers , half monkeys . They had struggled gallantly since
1789 for their liberties . The revolution was not yet over ; the present was but another phase of ib . The names of Danton , of Marat , and Kobespierre , though so vilely calumniated by Ihzbonrgicohie , wae still dear to Frenchmen . ( Great cheer-in ? . ) He was proud to hear them cheer the name of Robes * pierre . These men were the founders of the social system which so alarmed the friends of order . Socialism was said to mean violence and bloodshed > strange fthat English working men thouaht is too too slow , philosophical , . and peaceful . Socialism was opposed . to bloodshed . [ A Voice . —Sid
not Marat love blnod ?] H * did not love to see tbe blood of the people flow silently and unheeded , Hot in a stream far wider and deeper than that shed in war . ( Great entering . ) Marat ' s sentiments came from his heart , and not ^ f rom hie head / , ; they were * - dictated by a pura .. love for humanity . ' the French ) Republicans did not thirst for blood , but they fear ? : lesflly shed their own in defence of liberty . France had been the bulwark of liberty in Europe . She was now bound and manacled , and let them beware that liberty did not suffer from her bondage . The frontier against despotism waa removed , let them beware that it did not overleap its present boundaries .
Mr . G . rloopxn seconded the resolution . There could be no doubt that there was a g'eat conspiracy among the northern despots against the liberty of Europe , and this incident was but the first of a chain of events . This conspiracy was proved by the conduct of the courts of Vienna and Berlin , who not only approved of the coup tfe etat , but prevented the Press of their states from snying one word against the acts of ISapoleon . The Pope that very day had given in his approval of the act of the Usurper . ( Laughter . ) They need not laugh , for Catholicism was a power that was ^ fast organising itself and was much to be dreaded . The only remedy was a union of the pople of America with those of England . Dr . Tausenau supported the resolution . Having * had some experience in diplomatic affair . * , be had been requested to dwell upon that ? portion of the subject . The coup cle etat of Napoleon had , notwithstanding the awful butchery of the people ,
completely failed . It was originated by Prince Metternich ; this was proved by a dispatch of his intercepted by the Hungarians . In that he avowed that their plan was to massacre the liberty of Europe in the streets of Paris—to have a second Bartholomew night in Paris—a , nd by maasacreing 50 , 000 citizens in tbe streets to put down republicanism in Europe for half a century . This plan had completely failed } the Republicans were not to be caught in the trap . Those who were killed were chiefly students , representatives , and middle-class men . The barricades were planned and built by the agents of Xapolcon ; this was discovered by some of his agents being killed before they could " escape . Napoleon was grieved that this-plot had failed , but thought to realise his ends by deporting the Republicans . Thank God he could not deport the half of France . This blow would only bring events to a crisis . It would annihilate the
selfstyled party of Order m France ; and thusr . though it appeared to triumph for the day , it was in reality defeated , anil the Republicans of France were yet alive to be the saviours of Europe . ( Loud cheers . ) They had escaped from the fangs of £ fl ) , Q 00 drunken soldiers , and their defeat was a real victory , The speaker then dwelt upon the diplomatic part of the question . The secret treaty of Napoleon with the Emperor of Russia in 1307 , which was to give Turkey to Russia , Egypt to France , and dis * possess England of Gibraltar , of India , and the Colonies , was again being attempted to be carried into effect . England at that time induced Sussia to withdraw from the compact , but tho lluasiaa Cabinet had ever regretted that it had done so . They wero now attempting to blockade English commerce from the Continent , to raise up tho Austrian instead of the more liberal Prussian tariff , and thus to cripple the strength of this
country . Everywhere they were waging a war against the liberty of the Press . The free prsss ot Belgium was too near to its despotically inclined neighbours , and artiSee and diplomacy was- being resorted to in endeavouring to suppress it . The changes in Europe , and the greater progress of liberal ideas mi-rht induce the Northern despois to somewhat modify the plana of 1807 , but their spirit was still the same ; where force could not succeed , policy and fraud wi'ro . being tried . England had only to keep in the vanguard of freedom , and she was safe from all foreign attacks . Diplomacy would be set to work . They would endeavour to get the English government to dismiss the refugees from their shores . The British , people , though slow to move , were too powerful and too generous to be insulted with impunity .. He cautioned thorn to beware of tho tricks of- diplomacy , and to see that English honour was not betrayed by treachery or incompetency .
Messrs . Birch , oi Oxtord , OoyDFEUOTr , and Eitis , supported tho resolution . Mr . O'Briks , who was loudly cheered on coming forward , stated that h & did nota » ree with tlia-resolution . Its tone did not accord with the facts laid before them . Murder , usurpation , treachery , and every crime that man could conceive , wero called " late political changes . " He could not concur in asking Lord Palmerston to assist in restoring liberties to the French people without having the crime of humbug on his soul . If Lord Palmerston was anxious to extend liberty , he could extend it to the people at home , flu felt bound to move the following amendment : —
That this meeting e & nteinplatca with abhorranee and disgust the triumphant usurpation of Louis Xanoleon ; au usurpation accomplished by a continuation of arimes , including perfidy , violence , and organised murder , unparalellcd in the history © I Europe . That we deeply sympathise with the great ami generous French peoiJa > n seeing their hard-won constitutional riuhts and liuerties so foully trampled upon by brute—military—force , and we enrnestlyhope , in common with all good men ; . that Kurope will speedily see a ttsmination of this usurper ' s power , worthy of his reign , worthy of his crimes , and of his ingratitude towards the French people .
Mr . O'Brien at some length supported his amendment . Tho plot formed by Napoleon was the darkest in modern history . He filled Paris with his troops , surrounded the Assembly ,, annihilated the press , then dispersed the Assembly—and , to blind the people-,, placarded the wails with " Universal Suffrage restored . " He arrested men of all parties iu order that each might think the other the proscribed class . The arrests of Thiers , Changarnier and others were , ho believed , a mere ruse , arranged by himself . ( A cry of " Prove it . " ) Ho would proveifc by circumstantiiilevidence . He had not injured the heads of one-of- those whom he arrested , whilst he shot men for , being merely called Socialists . The men who had proclaimed him a traitor , and endangered hislife , if they were sincore were walking unmolested in the streets ef Paris , whilst the honest men of the-Mountain , who
were acting in perfect faith with Sapoleon , were hiding in danger of thett \ lives . Hehalieved that the plot had been concocted with the majority of the Assembly . The " Constitutionnel , " in the heat , of the conflict , let oui > a part of the plot , when it , acknowledged that Shangarnier and the party o ^ order were willing to agree to . a coup d ' etat pro-, vided it was directed against tho Mountain . Mr , O'Brien enumerated other facts of a simii ^ j ; - naturo , showing- that all Napoleon's efforts' were directed to the slaughter and destruction of the . Democrats and Socialists . The ¦ «« Times " ackaow- * lodged that th & soldiers did sot act like troops ,, bub like butchers j and that the awful sacrifice of life , in Paris would never be known . It was a pjofc of the upper asd middle class to assassinate tlje defenders of labour , and all who supported them were either traitors or impostors . ( Loud cheesy . )
Mr . Murray having briefly seconded tihs amendment , M . Moxtalembers , leader of the psiasent party in France , and now a partisan of Napoleon , said at the time of the occupancy of Rome VavA they had had an expedition to Rome , and bow they must have an expedition to the interior } the real " mean /* ing of this expedition was now revealed .. Mr , Petiis briefly addressed the meeting m favour of the resolution , and complained of tho . ' intemperate languageof Mr . O'Brien . The resolution and amendment were then puis the meeting , aM the amendment carried by a large i majority .
Mr . O'Brien explained relative to his so termed strong language . Tho meeting dispersed , the proceedings having been prolonged until a very late hour .
Ga Father Gavazzi Is Studying The Englis...
ga Father Gavazzi is studying the English la > . a for the purpose of lecturing in it . Ills orations England , which have been so much p » aise ( l < u been all delivered in Italian .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 20, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_20121851/page/1/
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