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Say, why should we coward-tike seek bat ...
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Easter term opened on Saturday, when the...
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THB LATE CHARTIST DEMOKSTfUTIOJT.—THE AM...
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ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO TH...
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Time and, space do not allow us to write...
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' Attempted Suicide of Tom Steele, 'the ...
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THE NATIONAL CONVENTION. j MONDAyTTprh, ...
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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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Say, Why Should We Coward-Tike Seek Bat ...
Say , why should we coward-tike seek bat to trace , Etistesce in bosdage and shame ? Shall we bid the fair spirit ber image efface , And linger on still ia eternal disgrace , Unworthy of honour or facie ? Hark , hark , even now to tbe echoing sound , Resounding from valley to hill , It rides on the whirlwind , encircling around , The nations of Europe in tyranny found , — Up , up , then * We will J Ay , we will ! We respond to the call for our < plrlts have felt , Great God ! 'tis a message from thee , And we swear by the threat , before which we have knelt , That the Countries thou gavest to Saxon and Celt , ShaJX otaw be enjoged by the free , JoEH S & ELTJN .
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Easter Term Opened On Saturday, When The...
Easter term opened on Saturday , when the grand jury found trua bills for seditien against Messrs O'Brien , Meagher , and Mitchei , and they were placed under a rule to plead in four days . Haw far these parties are likely to be intimidated by such proceedings , may be learned from the following extracts from the Ukitbd Ibishhmj , which we take from the Mossing Chrokicle of Monday , and which very truly remarks—• There is not the slightest abatement in its ( the Usitsd Irishman ) tone of treasonable defiance . On the contrary , it is more violent and determined than heretofore . ' The extracts are from a letter of Mr Mitchei , to Lord John Russell : —
• Ton heard Smith OBnen on Monday last , amidst the kowlings of your Parliament mob , deliver Ireland ' s defiance : —think you this man will shrink from yonr new-made London ' felony , ' or be gagged and fri g htened by yeur « bills' with their huge mob majorities ? But , perhaps , you imagine it was a mere display of individual contumacy , or piqued vanity ?—my lord , in erery word , every syllable , every title that O'Brien promised or threatened on Monday night , he knew that he was altering the inmost thoughts and feelings , the cordial hatred and defiance , of five million hearts ; and it shall be made
good to the letter . No more fortunate event has happened for Ireland than your selection of William Smith O'Brien and Thomas Francis Meagher te _ be treated as degraded criminals or dangerous laaatics , because they are precisely the men who ^ will not blench before your judge ? , your bayonets , your juries , or your gibbets . What the people want to see ia their leaders is individual heroism ; is the determination to do themselves what they incite others to do ; and seeing that , I believe they will follow , though it were to the gibbet ' s foot or the cannon ' s mnale .
• See , now , what it is you have undertaken to do ! First , to crash and frighten men who have taken upon them s task like ours , moved by such motives , stirred by such passions , sustained by such determination , as I have described to yen . Second j to stay discontent and disaffection-by shutting the mouths who utter what all think and feeL On this latter point I am surprised that your lordship ' s well-known learning as a ' politieal economist has not aided you . There is a demand , a brisk and increasing demand , for treason and sedition ; yon know demand { see Adam Smith ) creates a [ supply ! If the United
Irishhak be removed , others will be found to furnish the article in any quantity that may be needed ; and indeed , I hereby advertise to all enterprising ' Jacebins / that in Ireland there has been opened an altogether bouRdless market for this kind of ware ; that the article wanted is of the coarsest arid strongest kind ; that ornamenfcs ' and trimmings ( as brilliant humour or tender poetry ) are not absolutely necessary ; all that is required being good , sound , hearty , " lonafide sedition , plain military instructions , sharp incentives to rebellion , strong treason , and thorough going felony without benefit of clergy .
c However , my lord , as you have undertaken this task—as you have deliberately pitted this British law' against the Irish nation ,-there is one little matter I should like to arrange with you . I have already broached the subject to ray Lord Clarendon ; bat there is no use ia talking to him—he is too hopelessly committed to bad company , and involved in evil courses . I mean , of eosrse , the packing of the jury . -Tour lordship , however , is the author of a work on the British Constitution , and also ( perhaps yoo forget it , as mest ether persons do , but I assure yoa that yea are ) of a memoir of Lord William Russell , your distinguished ancestor . It is mainly for the sake of refreshing your memory ( and the pub . lie ' s ) upon the subject of this memoir , that I have
ehosen to addres my present letter to your lordship . Ton had great zeal thirty years age for * constitutional liberty , ' and all that , sort of thing , ( you may forget it , but I do assure yen that yon had )—and you tell , in this memoir , with becoming indignation , how that the Court , when it intended to shed the blood of the popular leaders , cheated the citizens of Lsndon of their rights , and got hold of the appointdent of the sheriffs ( bis villany was only temporary in Lsndon—it is a permanent institution of state in Dublin ) , and how' the Court ' soon had an opportunity of making use of their new power ;'—how , ' having shed the Mood of Collcdge , the Coartnext attempted the life of Lord Shaftesbarj' ( vol . it , p . 6}—how the city was thronged with troops to intimidate the
people ; and how Roger 'L'Estrange , in the columns of the Obsbrvator ( which was the name the Times then went by ) , declared that a citizen ' s skull was bat a thin ^ ta try the tamper of a soldier's sword upon—( vol . it , p . 11 ) . Toa farther narrate , my lord , how that when the bloodhouads at lastpoanced on Lord Russell , ' after the examination was finished , he was g ent * close prisoner to theTower . Upon Ma going : in he told his servant , Taunton , that he was sworn against , and thatthey would have hislife . Taunton said he hoped it would not be ia the power of hU enemies to take it . Lord Russell answered yes , the devil is loese ( meaning that the sheriff had his
instructions ) . Fremthis moment he looked on himself , as a dying man , and turned his thoughts wholly to another world . He read much in the scriptures , particularly in the psalms' ( vol . . ii ., p . 25 ) . . 'Truly , it was brae for hinvte make his soul But tbe trial came on , and ' npon calling over the name ? , Lord Bussell challenged no less than oneand-tbirty , a fact which can hardly -fee explained , ' pays yoar ^ lordahip , * bnt by supposing that some pains had been taken by his enemies in the selection . ' ( p . 40 ) . Toar lordship may say that . Bnfcall his challenges were of ao avail : his enemies had selected too skilfully ; and they murdered him on
Tower'In the act of 1 William and Mary , annulling Lord Russell ' s attainder , it is recited that he was convicted by means of « andae and illegal returns of jorors . ' •; ' " . ' ' .. . . 1 It seems , then , that there was packing of iunes in those days—a horrible scandal ; when ; practised in England , and against so amiable a nobleman 1 But dees not yonr lordship know that all these enormitie ? , and worse , are regularly practised in Ire : land down to the present day ! Do you not know that in Dublin the sheriff is always the creature ef the CYiwfl ? And that he is created for this express purpose ? Da yoa net know that your faction—I
mean the English governmenfc-never got one verdiet against a political offender , save from a well and gkilfullv packed jury ? . And that in the only case where they did not pack ( viz ., The Queen against Daffy , tried two ye » rs ago ) , they failed ignominiously . ' ' , .. . ' n .-1 reason-why they did not pack the jury in this ease web , that they had been thoroughly ashamed and brought into disrepute by the nmstrous fraud practised in the framing of the jury to try O'Connell and the repeal conspirators a short time before . They thought they could not repeat that trick so soon again ; so they foolishly admitted three of the sational party into the bos . ¦ '• ' "¦ •' that mis
• I know , my lord , yoa will not commit - take again . I do not quote these passages from your lordship ' s biok in the expectation that any sillyweakness will prevail toraake you give us a fair trial j I hope I know my place better : we are mere Irak ; and I have not the presumption to imagine that we are entitled to as fair a jury as the noble British martyr , Lord William Russell . I have set these things down , therefore , not because I hope to produce any effect upon you , btst because I know thia letter will be read by ( or read to ) at least a hundred thousand men . - . • Of course you will pack the jury against us , merely because all the world knows you dare not bring us to trial before an impartial jury of our countmnen . If you do , it will ba the last criminal prosecution in Ireland at the suit of « Our Lady the Queen -as indeed , in any case , 1 trust it will be the last . - * - ¦¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ ' ¦ -
' It matters little now whether yoa pack or do not pack . Whatever kind of trial you select—a fair one or a fraudulent—a trial for misdemeanour , or a trial { or f elony - , or wheiheryou drop juries altogether , and try grape-shot ; I tell yon that you are met . ' The game is a-foot ; the work is begun . Ireland has bow ths' British / Empire' by the throat ; and if she relax her gripe till the monster is strangled , may she be a province , 'lashed and starred forever . Amen . ' I remain , my Lord , John Miichbl . ' Mr Mitchzl also continues his military instrnetions under the head of ' OorWar Department Here are a few illustrations of the nature of these lessons as quoted by the Mobkikg Chkosicxb .
' No . III . —DanxThG ( coktiktjed ) —We have ex plained bo ^ r lines of pikemen should charge on infants Unless the pikemen are well disciplined , or unless a good prize is to be won , such as a park ot field artillery , or ' baggage , or ammunition waggons , protected by cavalry , a charge on the latter & ooa . ia \ Kldom beirczarded . If they are fools enoagh to sit Btoek-still on their horses , and wait for you , charge on t hem at once , as on infantry ; with this difiereace tbe ranks of the prkemen should close up-the points of tbe front rank should be elevated to the level of the necks of the horser , or the breasts of the riders-the points of the second rank should be pushed , forward on a level wifh the chests of the horses-and the points ofthe third rw * should bs thrust between j
Easter Term Opened On Saturday, When The...
the first and second rank , as far before the first rank aa possible , just as in charging infantry the pikes of the second are thrust between tke men of the first rank . But a charge on cavalry , except on their fl * nk , from a cross street , or read running at an angle to their line of march , er ether ambush , will ssldom be possible . _ Cavalry always charge . Their great strength is in the impetus of the gallop . To destroy them itia only-necessary to drill pikemen to go through the forms of reception with grace and effect . 'To Rkckivk Cavalbt . —Dispose your pikemen in lines , at least three ranks deep . The front rank should drop on the left knee—place the butt end of their pikes ( which , for this purpose , and to balance the head , should be armed with & ferrule of iron ,
reunded to a paint ) en the ground at the knee , or behind the knee , if the pikes be over long—and slope the ( hafts forward , so as to bring the points to a level with the riders' breasts when charging . The second rank stand immediately over the rank Kneeling , and threw their pikes forward at a level with the horses' chests—the third rank close up , and throw their pikes forward between the files of the second rank , on s level with , er a little more elevated than , the points ef the second rank . Here is a human chevaua defries impregnable to cavalry . The pikemen all should stoop the shoulders somewhat , and throw their bodies forward a little , so as to support with their whole weight the pike point , and to allow musketeers and riflemen to play from behind .
'Pikemen should receive cavalry iu line , only when their flanks are completely covered—as in a road or street . In the field they . should form into squareeach side three or four , or more , ranks deep—the front rank kneeling , and the second and third rank disposed as we have shown above—musketeers and riflemen in the centre . Hollow squares—that is squares of pikemen , each of the sides of which should be at least three , and net more than four ranks deep —are the best ; they allow fire-arnu to play from the centre , which squares of greater solidity do not . Perhaps the following are the [ plainest and easiest
directions to form them : —Draw un your ; body of pikemen , in common , twelve ranks deep . Let the threeliindmest ranks wheel fall round—march forward as many paces as there are men in the rank , and halt—let the six middle ranks wheel also full round—the three ranks then foremost wheel in line to the left , pivoting on the left flank . When this operation is fully performed , * let the other three ranks ( of the six centre ranks in column ) wheel to the right , pivoting on the right flank—musketeers and riflemen fall in , the sides close up , and your square is complete . A little prastice , and this caa be all done in half the time necessary to write it .
' So much for cavalry . Artillery must be captured in a rush , and among the carriages all order is impossible ,. The only role ia , spike away everything but the horses aad guns . In this sort of fighting , and in every . melee , as . when regular infantry club their muskets , all rules are impossible , and uselesseverything depends on courage and activity . After the first rush , however , ths pike should be grasped in the centre , and your enemies spiked right and left , or knocked down—or otherwise got rid of . Two or three men for every gnn , or ammunition carriage , should seize the horses' heads , and run them off , while pike-men cover the left , and right , and rearso . as to prevent their recapture by a charge of cavalry ,
'The man who palls his trigger ' withoat being snre of his aim gives strength to the enemy . Mind that ! 'To take sure aim , the same general rules are applicable both te smooth bores and rifles , allowance being made for the Rights in the latter , and for every man ' s experience of his own barrel . We give a few of these rules : — ' 1 . At hundred and fifty yards aim for the centre of your enemy s figure , at one hundred or less , at his breast ( unless your gnn throws high , ) whieh yoa should avoid by reducing , and thereby saving , the powder—never at his head . At a horseman moving quickly past yon , never rest your guc—follow him for a second , till yoa get into his gait of going , and then prefer firing at him after he has passed you , when moving off , and never fire at him when he is exactly opposite to you—that is ,, when your line of aim is perpendicular to his line ef progression . ' 2 . Be sure yoa see your man plainly over the nail before you nail him . (
' 3 . Bring your gun to bear by thestrength of your right arm ; throw as little weight as possible on yonr lefr , until you have covered , and are about to steady yonr aim ; then grip hard with the left hand , draw the elbow a little in , and tighten the muscles of the left arm . Linger as shortly on your aim as possible . ' L Ih firhjg at a standing figure , or figure moving full front towards you , raise vour aim from his feet to the level of his breast—and steady . 5 . From ; the moment you raise the gun to the shoulder till yoa bave ^ fired , hold your breath tightdo not resprrd or inspire ; if yoa do , ten to one your enemy may riot expire * ¦ . ' Ram your ball heme—let your rod hop on it , before yoa consider it leaded properly . If a gun be not properly loaded , it is mere chance . ' These short rules we recommend to all rifle clubs and musket and carbine men . Next week we shall
have other matters : to treat of . The Nation is equally determined in its tone . The Freeman s Journal , referring to the Repeal debate in the House of Commons , says : — 'One great difiieulty will be removed by this refusal to entertain the question of Ireland ' s right to make her own laws . Men—men who have manhond and the sense of dignity which it confers—will henceforth for ever abstain from coming before the British parliament in the character of suppliants . Tke last petition to an English parliament for a repeal of the union has been signed : wither the slavish hand that ever signs another ! Ret the coward tonjue that would counsel such degradation 1 The Rubicon lias been passed . Henceforth our path lies in another direction . '
: GRAND DEMONSTRATION OF BEPEALER 8 . On Saturday a grand soiree took place at the Music Hall , Abbey-street , which was crowded to excess in every part . The hall was tastefully adorned with evergreens . There wexa rows of tables along the room , at either side of which sat those who had purchased tickets . They ^ wereabondant ' y supplied with tea and coffee , & e .. The table on the p ' atform was decorated with vases of flowers , and a service of china and decanters well replenished . Over the chair were two large flags . One of them the flag & 3 rne before the 1 st regiment of Irish Volunteers ; the other an Irish tricolour with a large shining * pike' at tha top . The mottoes were ; * The Volunteers of 1782 ; ' ' Welcome koine , Deputation from
France . ' On an orange and green flag , ' Ireland ' s Truest Patriot , W . S- O'Brien , M . P ; ' ' Ireland ' s Legislative Independence ;'' Repealand No Surren . der-, ' - 'The Queen , Lords , and Commons of . Ire * land . ' The mrst conspicuous members on the platform were Old Icelanders , but with their moral force principles completely evaporated , as they seemed to vie with the Confederates in the spirit of Republicanism . Shertly'after eight o ' clock , Mr Smith O'Brien entered , acdntnpanied by Mr Stritch , Mr Duffy , Mr Joseph H . Dunns , jun ., and Mr Doheny , all ef whom * except Mr O'Brien , appeared ia the military costume of the defunct ' 82 Club . On the motion of Sir Simon Bradstreet ( aa Old Irelander ) , the chair was taken by Mr Stritch .
After the circulation of the cup which ' cheers but not inebriates , ' the CiuiRMAHrose . and proposed 'The health of the Queen of Ireland . ' In prefacing the toast , he said they would appeal from the Imperial Parliament , which bad scornfully rejected their claims , to the Queen . He hoped she would be alive to her own best interests , and that she would become acquainted with the important truth that the sta ~ bility , perhaps the existence of her empire , depended on her granting an immediate repeal of ths Union . The Chaibman gave the next toast , « . The People . ' Mr Fearer ( the celebrated ironmonger , ) beiEg called upon to respond , said he felt proud at being called noento speak to the toast of the people ,
particularly ' BO wheri one ef Ireland's noblest sons was arraigned that day as a criminal . He believed the newer of the Irish was never rightly fathomed till they laid hands upon him . ( Vehement cheers followed this sentiment . ) Before ' tbey arraigned for sedition , they should first have removed the cause of such sedition ; All the Renralers required was the repeal of the Legislative Union , they should have that , they would not be satisfied with less . ( Cheers . ) The Ca-AiHjsuHnexfc gave , ' The . Legislative lade , pehdence of Irelahd , ' with which he coupled ' The Memory of the Volunteers of 1782- ' The Chairman then gave , amid vociferous cheering , ' The health of Ireland ' s uncompromising representative , Mr Smith O'Brien . '
Mr O'Dohoqhub , secretary to the trades committee , then read an address from that body to Mr © 'Brien . Mr , Barky then presented the hon . gentleman with tbe flag before-mentioned , inscribed with the wards , ' Ireland's truest Patriot , ' & c . Mr Feaber desired to have the volunteers' flag of 1782 lowered from the p lace it oe : npied , so that he could formally present it to Mr O'Brien . The hon . gentleman accepted these flags , and bowed to the individuals who severally presented them . A harper , on an elevated platform behind the chair , played some appropriate airs , which excited great enthusiasm . An amateur bind was also in attendance , which , on Mr O'Brien coming forward to the front of the platform struck up * The conquering hero . '
' Mr CBbien made a lenglhenpd ' reply in tbe course of which he said : A portion ef the " assembly were pledged to carry out certain operationsin thecoantry —one of which was a National Guard ; or att array of volunteers of 1848 . ( Cheers . ) He Was happy to see that Old Irelanders acted upon the suggestion given by the Confederation , that every man in this country should provide himself with some weapon . He was ' , glad to perceive that the advocates of moral force did not think it sufficient to controul bad men . He did not regret that tho Orangemen ( though it may appear a paradox ) were arming , and that Ser geant Warren's call was being responded to . As to the formation of a National Guard , he au'i his colleagues of the deputation had taken pains
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to ascertain the formation of the French National Guard , and , if he was not ia arisen , he would submit in a few days his view !? a matter . He next alluded to the frig ha I 1 hand , and expressed his conviction that Q ' fl ^ might be confined within the wallsof apri fl w days , thatfl * g would be borne before -. il $ t of volantears of this country in 1848 . He i ad not the opportunity of practically i « „ on military exercise , but there was nothin iJ WjfS any indmdual was disposed to do he was notT ^ red to do . ( Cheers . ) lie would commence ae a private , and if he enjoyed the good-will of his comrades he might be placed in command of a regiment , over which that ( meaning the volunteers' flag ) would float as a standard . ( Cheers . ) He then alluded to the council of 300 , and said the objection raised against it by astute lawyers had been removed . All sections
of Repealers were anxious for its formation , and nothing was required but a definite system of organisation . JHe then expressed a desire to have additional clubs formed in Dublin . ( The Secretaty informed him there were five organised sinee he left Dublia for Paris . ) He said every knot of Repealers ought to form themselves into local clubs . He then cautioned them against secret organisation , which always proved a failure . Ho next urged upra them the importance of abstaining from intoxicating liquors . Ho then besought the peasants through the country to cultivate the land , so as to provide what was called a good commissariat . ( Cheers . ) He then animadverted upon Judge Crampton ' a address to the Jury , and said th » t he ( Mr O'Brien ) was actuated by purer motives than ever animated bis ( Judge Crampton «) bosom . The honourable gentleman concluded a very long address amid voci * ferous cheers .
The Chairmah next gave , 'Messrs Meagher , O'Gorman , Hollywood , and the remainder of tfee deputation to France . ' ( Vehement cheering . ) Mr Mbaoubb came forward amid deafening cheers , and said though a true bill had been found against him , he intended to speak his true sentiments again . ( Ch ; ers . ) He referred to the reception Mr O'Brien met within the House of Commons , where he stood alone ; but by crossingthe Channel be ( Mr O'Brien ) stood encircled by millions who had sworn to give effect to the words which he uttered across the table of the house . ( Cheering . ) The people of Ireland turned their backs upon the English House of Commons , and looked towards their own , the gates of which , if necessary , they would break down with an
armed band . ( Cheers . ) He wished to say these things before the termination of their trial and before the passing of the bill which was in progress through Parliament . ( He hold in his hand a very showy flag , of green , white , and orange . ) The white , he said , being a symbol of lasting anion between the orange and green . He hoped the hands of Protestant and Catholic would not only be clenched but elevated , aad that if a bloody struggle ensued , England would behold in tbe centre ef that flag the red hand which struck her down on the plains of Ulster . He concluded with a prayer that Heaven might bless the vengeance which that social union would be sure to kindle ! ( Here the harper played the' Battle of the Boyne' amid great excitement . )
The Chairmah next proposed 'The French Republic * Mr Joseph H . Dunne responded . He said , he was sprung from the people—offered his sympathy to Mr O'Brien , Mr Meagher , and Mr Mitohel , with whom he was happy to fraternisei and to suit the action to the word , he cordially shook hands with them . He said that if the right of petition was denied to them , and the few remaining privileges of the constitution taken away , he too would say with Mr Meagher , ' Up with the barricades , ' and invoke tbe God of Battles . ( Vehement cheers . ) The Chairman again rose and said , though it was not right to speak of men upon their trial , yet he would ask this meeting for their verdict . ( Loud cries ol * Not guilty . ' )
Mr MiicHiL then replied , and pointed to the bright shining pike blade at the top of the flag before him , and expressed a hope to see it glittering over a forest ef pikes . ( Tremendous cheers . ) He said as long as he had a tongue or a pen he would practise the duty cf inculcating disaffection to the English government . ( Ch « ers . ) Hedid not care if they negleeted the registry provided they did not neglect the rifles . My friends ( said he ) that glittering pike head before me rises like a morning , star in the
darkness . The CnAiRMAif proposed the Republic el America . ' Mr M'Ghbe replied with his usual eloquence , in the course of which he said , ho never t aw during his residence in the States , ehildren without a home , nor men and women begging for bread which they could not obtain . Mr Dohekt next addressed the meeting , and expressed his determination to > vio ) ate the Act of Parliament at present under consideration . ( Cheers . ) He said he would joyfully submit t : > the hulk ? , and leave bis wife and children to bis country , provided that coaitry succeeded in the straggle ; and , if not , he had no wish to live fer wife or children . ( Cheers . ) The meeting broke up at twenty-five minutes past twelve in good order .
Thb Late Chartist Demokstfutiojt.—The Am...
THB LATE CHARTIST DEMOKSTfUTIOJT . —THE AMHNG . — THE STATE PROSECUTIONS . —GBAKD 801 HEB . —THB PROTESTANT REPKAIBRS . — GOVBBMMEKI PfiEPjiBATIOHS . —FAMINE AKD BXTERMIHATIOH . ( From our own Correspondent . ) Dublin , 17 th April . Contrary ; to the feara of-legions of wellwishers , and to the hopes of many malevolent enemies on thia side of the channel , the great Chartist demonstration of the 10 th has passed away without giving our tyrants an opportunity to wreak their vengeance on the people , and quench the flime of liberty iu the blood of slaughtered thousands . It is a subject of congratulation that the Chartist millions demeaned themselves in a way to disappoint
their blood-thirsty enemies , and secure the ultimate success of their projects . It is also a cause of national pride that Mr O'Connor ( a ' mere Irishman , ' and an inveterate and professed foe to tbe British government , ) should be able to maintain his honourable position as Chieftain of British millions . There is little of particular interest to record of the by-gone week in Dublin . Events , no doubt , seem hastening with railway speed to a crisis , and nobody caa Ml how soon an explosion may happen . The people , all over Ireland , are ' preparing V The blacksmith has a busy time of it making pikes , and '
doing up' old rusty swords and bayonets , whilst in every district , not yet under the restrictions of the Coercion Act , the gUBsmith and armourer are plying a lucrative calling . The government should pause in their ' gagging ' career . Every man in Dublin is armed already . Pikes are being manufactured in every lane and alley . ' They are exposed , for sale jn' many a stall and shop , and nobody now seems surprised at seeing them in the hands of the very urchins in the , streets . I have see » hundreds of them . Terrific-looking things they are ; and in the hands of men sworn to ' use them , ' they m « 8 & ba fearfully destructive . ,
The government | are bent on victimising Smith O'Brien , Meagher ,, an $ Mitchei . On Saturday , those gentlemen appeared to answer to their recognizances at tho Court of Queen ' s Bench . They did not come in procession through the streets as had been anticipated—consequently there was little excitement on the occasion . An immense crowd , however , had collected at the Four Courts , who cheered , the traversers lustily as they came tsp . . The ^ ary is composed princ / pally of the mo * t Wasted Tories in the city—but two or three Liberal' Catholics and Protestants are in the number—not one Repealer or
Nationalist . True bills for uttering ' seditious aftd , inflammatory speeches , ' on the 15 th of March . last , are found against O'Brien and Meagher , whilst to ' makeassurance .. doubly sure , ' two bills for publish * in ! seditious articles j n the Ukitbd Ibishmak are found against poor ; , Mitcheh R & will pay'Black Mail ' or the Devil ' s a witch ! Mitchei ,, however , Is not a , fellow to be terrrified at trifles . Two years or 50 in the' stone-jug' cannot drive thestubborn Northern from the battle ground . As the song expresses it— .- ' ..- ,. 'He did it before . And
he'll do It , again , ' Mitchei may go to a prison , but the flame which he has been fanning these three months , will be quenched , nly in tbe blood of two millions . of Irish patriots It will not be quenched at all 11 It will blaze redly , and fiercely , and gloriously , over tbe rains of tyranny and oppression , and usurpation . It will burn for ever .- , „> . ; - ' j v . The traversers do not retain counsel at the ' approach . ing trials . Each has his respective solicitor , but they defend thimsdves . May heaven defend the right . Much ^ excitement ' is expected during the trials , and it is said that government are already adopting steps toeecare the vindication of—of ' law , ' outside , as well , as inside , of the Court of Queen ' s Bench . You know what I mean .
The soiree given to the French deputation , came off in the Princess , Theatre , Abbey-street , on last Saturday . evening . It was a splendid affair ; 500 tat down to dinner , whilst the galleries , and every other portion of the building , were filled to overflowing , Hundreds of ' fair women' mingled amongst thousands of ' brave men , ' to do honour to the noble fellows who represented Ireland in sunny France as well as in green Ireland , The speeches , the toasts , the bearing of the numbers present , betokened ' no surrender , ' and showed the government
that coercion and prosecution are now ' no go' in Ireland . It was pleasant to see the ' fraternisation ' of parties pn that occasion . Many of the leading members of the Repeal Association sat at the board with the chiefs ) of Toung Ireland ; , shook hands cordially with their _ antagonists , ' and mingled their shouts for Iris-h indepeniler . ee and an Irish nations It was a grati ying spectacle—nay , it was sublime . I may say that now there is an end to all rivalry be . tween Repealers in Dublin . Particular individualmsy still hold on the old ground ; selfinteres . t may operate , in some few instances , against a universal
Thb Late Chartist Demokstfutiojt.—The Am...
fraternisation—but , to matter—Young and Old Ire * land are now onk . They are all Irishmen , bonded together for Ireland's canre . A portion of the Protestants of Ireland—and a large portion of them , to?—» are abeut to form themselves into a ' Protestant Repeal Association , ' and will hold their first meeting in this city immediately . What particular line of operation these men mean to pursue , is not yet known , but it is certain that , before long , the * Green flag' will be surrounded by legions of Protestants and Presbyterians , as it was in 1782 , This is glorious . Everything looks brilliantly in the vista , which opens wider and wider on Ireland ' s political horizon . We will soon see our country as the ought to be '—need I add what that means ?
There is a report here that a deputation from tha Chartist Convention is about to come to Dublin to tell their brother Democrats in this country h & w they « push along' the great highway to human freedom in England . This is right ; Irishmen were too long kept blinded on the principles and objects of pharfcism . They are now ready to hear what their Saxon brethren have to say ; Irishmen and Englishmen have been too long strangers to each other . Let them unite . Let them know each other , and they must be good friends . Welcome , the gentlemen of the Chartist Deputation : 50 , 000 throats will cheer their arrival in tho metropolis of Ireland .
More soldiers are crowding into Dublin . There are now 12 , 000 red-ceats ia this city . 4 , 000 men or rather less formed the strength of our garrison in ordinary times . We have now treble that force , and the cry still is , — ' They come , they ceme . ' The accounts from the 'interior' bring fresh intelligence of deaths by famine and pestilence . The work of extermination goes on bravely too . The landlords are clutching up all they can get , and where all is gone , the unfortunate tenantry are sent adrift on the world . The itide of emigration flows rapidly . Everybody who can amass sufficient means ta defray the expense is quitting his native country . Thousands quit the different Irish seaports every day in the week . The spring operations in the meantime , are progressing cheerily . A great breadth , of p & tatoes is already planted , and high hopes are entertained that they will do again in Ireland . The Catholic clergy are fraternising with the people . They , too , are disgusted with agitation . '
Address Of The National Convention To Th...
ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE PEOPLE OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND . Fbilow Couhiryme ^ The social condition of the people of England has been long neglected ; the rights ef labour and the duties i-f property have beca seldom reasoned upon ; and wheu they have been discussed , it has , in too many cases , been for party purposes , and with a view to political ascendancy . It is a decree of very anoient date , that ' man should earn his bread by the sweat of his brow . ' The justice of such a decree is proved by tho necessity ior labour . Man stands , in his relation to the material world , as controller , to a given extent , of all the elements of individual and national greatness ; and Great Britain is pre-eminently the leader of European nations in industrial production ; but it is a lamentable feature in the progress of her civilisation , that aa increase of wealth within the state has been followed by an increase of misery to her laborious citizens . And , whilst all the secondary interests arising from labour have received tbe attention of the legislature , and he protection of the law—including law interest ; Church interest , East and West India Docks , die ; : and , whilst men in their social relations in life havo been inclined to admire tbe products of the skill and ingenuity of our working population , they seem to have neglected the physical welfare of the labourers ; and , thp-ugli an increase of wealth has given att increase of comforts and luxuries to o few , the following evidence will convince yoa that it has in no way tended to promote the welfare and happiness of the producers . From a mass of information now before us we quote the following documents from parliamentary reports : — - Table showing : the Comparative Mortellly of different Classes composing the Population of Large Towns and Cities with the Average Age at Death , g U . Q . H . A , 0 »* -i * a " flJ rt P . to | 5 S § 65 t % S . Kature of Name of Place . a ^ 'S -StS c -. Tfl n . 1 « S W ill 0 ccu P at , (> n - ocsft , ^" f , j ^ Tears . Tears . Tear .. Tru'o 40 83 28 Miners Derby 49 88 31 Agriculturists Manchester ... 93 20 17 Manufacturers Balton Union ... 84 28 18 ditto Bethual Qrccn 45 26 16 Artisans Leeds Borough 41 2 ? 19 Manufacturers Kendal Union ... 45 39 34 ditto Liverpool ... -35 30 . IS Commercial county or "Wiud a ? ' 48 83 Agriculturists Do . of Rutland 62 41 38 ditto
Time And, Space Do Not Allow Us To Write...
Time and , space do not allow us to write all we know of the people—but we regret to be compelled to state that we have personally known many deaths from starvation ; that our experience teaches us that the English working people are rapidl y declining in physical strength ; that vagraney ^ nd ^ disease are on the increase ; that myriads of families in the localities which we represent , have no visible means of living ; public works in . many c . isea are . closed ,. and all trade suspended—language fails ns to describe the rafcery and wretcnedqefs ererywhq re mariife > li .
We do not now wish to discuss all the causes that have conduced to bring aboufc the present state of English society , as such a wish would imply the necessity of an inquiry into the organisation and circutnataBcea of the entire community ; but we do desire to impress upon your minds the great truth , that if the producers of wealth are not eared for—if they are to exist as the merehewtrs of wood and drawers of water , whilst others possess the wood and drink the water , anarchy , confusion , fever , and death will stalk triumphant through the land—that the continued neglect of the interest of labour will sap the foundations of nationil greatness , and in the end be ruinous to the true interests of all .
The responsibility between a government and a people should ever bo well understood , and we wish to address the government in plain language , on matters affecting their interests , in common with the true interests of the people . Unfortunately thOj existing government of England has increased the national expenditure , and has shown an almost uniform determination to protect the interests of the rich , and to overawe the people by physical force ; to punish rather than protect the poor ; to trust to party ascendancy rather than a develbpement of our natural resources ; to decrease rather than increase the representative
principle ; to take from the people the last remnant of English liberty . We are aware that from the associations and education of the members of the Houses of Commons and JLorde , they live apart from the people , and inform our legislators that in the cellars and hovels inhabited by our brethren—in the workshops and factories—in the clubs and in the streets , the poverty and discontent is universal ; and that we recommend the English government to consult the working men in England , on all questions affecting the social condition of society , and . endeavour to con suit the true interests of labour , as the paramount duty of government . i ; .. ' .
We , are anxious to secure peace and protection to all ; we respect life and property , andcallon all classes to think of the destiniessof thisgreat people ; and we would especially call on the members of the present parliament , 'and ber * ; Majeaty ' s ministers , ' to take good heed . what . they do rtoremember that life , ¦ without an enjoyment of the requisites of human sustenance , ia-more to be feared than death ; that there are limits to the tuduvanca of human wrongs and neglects ; that civilisation , in its present form , is to many more cruel and insufferable than the most rude existence of savage barbarity . We are of the people , and know the people , and again warn the existing government to take good heed what they do . That despite of our warning they refuse to care for
the people—to acknowledge their rights—to legislate for their interests—rthafc the presentnBhoppy war of interests , may . become a war of classes , and thafc ^ thr breaking up ofthe family ties ,. and local associations that bind society together—may lead to unpleasant consequences . If the rulers of our land still continue to legislate on narrow and partial policy , in preferencfiito an acknowledgement of great principles we will regret their follies and crimes , and mourn over their ignorance ; andwhile wo suffer from the ignorance of etberatwe will use oar influence to change the institutions of the country , to create a more healthy public mind in Great Britain and Ireland , and secure as an heirloom to posterity , privileges and comforts , which we know to bo our rights , but unhappily do not enjoy . SoientiSo Institution , April 11 th , 1848 .
' Attempted Suicide Of Tom Steele, 'The ...
' Attempted Suicide of Tom Steele , 'the Head Pacificator . '—On Wednesday evening , ail attemnt at suicide was made on Waterloo-bridge by Mr Steele , better known as Tom Steele , O'Cosnell ' s head pacificator . ' It appears that the unfortunate gentleman mounted one ofthe seats on the uppireide of the bridge , and instantly plunged head foremsst from the third arch into the river , bat a , watermaa , who was crossing the river in a boat , succeeded inroscuin ? him . He was immediately taken ti Bow-street police station , and from thence to King ' s College Hospital , where he at present remains . Whilst in tho receiving room of tho hospital he expressed a ; wish to be removed to Peel ' s Coffee-house . He also said that he had acted very foolishly in not waiting till it wasdark , as then he could have done' the business effectually , lie did not state , what had induced him to make an attempt upon his life . Mr Steele formerly possesfcd agoadettatein Ireland , but hns latterly been in reduced eireumatauces . .
The National Convention. J Mondayttprh, ...
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION . j MONDAyTTprh , 17 th . In the absence ef MrM'GBAiH , Mr Gumming , from , Edinburgh , was called te the chair . Mr Clark read a letter from Dublin calling upon Mr O'Connor to attend a meeting in that city to support the Charter on Easter Monday ; and a variety of letters from various parts of the country , ap * proving of the conduct of Mr O'Connor and the Convention oh Monday , the 10 th .
THE PETITION . Mr CiiAaK said he was anxious to call ths attention ofthe Convention to the report of the committer of the House of Commons on the subject of the na » tional petition . It was represented that that petition was an attempt to impose upon parliament , and therefore it required some explanation should be given . He believed that all petitions presented to the House of dommons were inspected by a committee appointed for that purpose . Now , in the present instance , the principal part of the signatures were not obtained until Friday and Saturday before ths meeting , therefore it was impossible to count them . Petition sheetfl from L * ed . were stated to contain 54 . 000 ; Manchester , 170 , 000 signatures ;
which was taken for granted to be correct , and he believed tho numbers were correct , ( Hear , hear , ) Air Feargus O'Connor made his report of the number of signatures from a written statement which was handed to him shortly before he went down to parliament , therefore he could not be blamed . It was impossible to prevent improper names being placed to public petitions , and with respect to indecent signatures , he felt confident that they were affixed by enemies of the Chartists . Delegates could not be responsible for names attached to a petition . He believed similar charges might be brought against every public petition which had ever been presented
to parliament . There might have been some negligence on the part of those persons who prepared and conducted tbe petition , but there was no criminal misrepresentatioa . ( Hear . ) A great error no doubt had been made of the number of signatures to the petition , and therefore he thought they ought not to be ashamed to acknowledge it . They had not wilfully mado a false representation to parliament , and therefore he moved for a committee of inquiry . Several delegates stated they were of opinion there must be some mistake on the p , irt of the committee ot the Ileuse of Commons , and expressed a wish that they could get the petition back again to examine it . ( Hear , hear . )
The resolution that a committee be appointed to draw up a statement with respect to the signatures to the petition , in erder to set the public right as regarded the conduct of members of the Convention , was agreed to by a majority of 14 to 4 . Mr Clark , Mr Wheeler , and Mr Graham , were nominated to draw up tho statement . Mr Jotutf Harnet read the following document , which called forth groat chewing : — MOTTIHOHAM 1 TF 8 AND PBOPSBTT PROTECTION SOCIETY . It was , rtsolred at a public ineeting held at tho Seven Stars Barter Gate , on Friday Evening , April 14 , 1848 , , That the householders » nd inhabitants of , the town of Nottingham , then present , do agreoto enrol themselTea as a Life and Property Protection Society , for the fol . lowing reasons , and holding the subjoined objects ia view : —
let . —To prov & fn the most emphatic manner that we repudiate with iadigaatiou and abhorrence the intention " , objects and acts of all rioters , thieves , pick , pockets , shoplifters , and incendiaries , 2 aii . —To calm the apprehensions and do nway with tho alarm of all manufacturers , merchants , shopkeepers , and the middle class generally , by affording a speedy aad » n * * etlTe pretention to their property in mills , machinery warehouses , shops , dwelling hounes , Sse ., & o . 3 rd . —To sore the town of Nottingham from the great expense of summoning and swearing in special constables , as well as to do away with the vast loss and unnecessary irouW * attending such , service . 4 th . —To avoid any posolblo re «; on forgiving rise to tho assertion that tbe people of Nottingham desire to disturb the peace , Injure the property , or assault tbe porsens cf the middle classes .
5 th . —To secure by the maintenance of peace , law , and order , in all public meetings held in Nottingham , tUe inalienable rights of the British people to assemble together in all proper places ; and at all seasonable hours , to consider and discuss their grievances , and to petition for the removal of th « same by legislative meant . 6 th , —That as the highest legal authorities proclaim the undisputed right of all Englishmen to possess and use arms , we forthwith agree to provide ourselves with defensive arms at our own individual expense , and for the protection of life and property , believing the same to beiu strict conformity with the customs end laws of our country . 7 th . —That we shall hold oaraelvss in readiness to act with tbs authorities in any case when an attack is made upon the jroperty or lives of the middle or working classes . 8 : h . —That all meetings of tho society shall be pnWio , Chaeles Roberts , Chairman .
All persons desirous of being enrolled as members of the uncioty can do so any Monday eveniop from eight until tCU O ' CluuK , « t tWo C « w Ctoro , C ^ . Uou data , where erery Information can bo obtained . A report was delivered from the Eeeistratioa Committee , after whieh the following resolution was adopted : — That the Election . and Registration . Committee shall consist of twenty members ; ihe five members of the Executive Committee , and fifteert persons elected at a public meeting to be holden in the metropolis ; any member absenting himself from three consecutive meetings to be disfranchised , unless he shall give a valid reason for so doing . ' The Convention then adjourned . WEDNESDAY , April 19 . '
The Chairman ( Mr M Grata ) read a letter , giving an account of holding of large meetings at Macclesfield and Northampton , at which resolutions , in support of the Convention and the Charter , and denunciatory of tho Whiga and their Gagging Bill , had been unanimously adopted .
THE KATIONAL ASSEMBLt . Mr Coohiunb moved , * That Ayrshire be authors ised to return a delegate to the ensuing National Assembly . ' Mr Shirron seconded the motion . CarriedunanimouBly . . ' .
THE CUaRTWI PETITION . Mr Clark reported from the Committee which had been appointed to inquire into the number ot signatures to the monster petition , that they could not as * certain whether the numbe ? of signatures stated fay the House of Commons as affixed to the petition , or the number stated by those who were entrusted with the getting up ofthe petition , was correct . ( Hear . ) The only plan that could be adopted to . ascertain that would be W the House of Commons to consent to the motion of F . O'Connor , and appoint a select committee of inquiry . In the absence ofthe petition it was impossible to say on which side the error lay . They could not form any correct opinion on the subject . The committee appointed by the Convention consequently had declined drawing up any report POS 1 P 0 SEHEST OB THE KATIONAL ASSEMBLY .
Mr T . Clabk said he had ,, observed from an answer given by Sir G . Grey , as to a proposed procession of Mr Charles Cochrane , on Eitater Monday , that it would be impossible that any memorial to the Queen or the government , could ba presented next week , in consequence of tho Eaater reef S 3 , and that the House of Commons would also be adjourned , He thought , therefore , that they ought to postpone tha meeting of the National . Assembly for a week , when ministers would again be in town , and parliament have resumed ita sittings . He therefore moved that the meeting of the National , Assembly should be postponed from the 24 th of . "April until Monday the 1 st of May . The motion having keen stconded , Mr Mirfikld . suggested that it would bo as well that the delegates frdm the country , should come up and agitate London .
After some conversation , Mr \ Vheeler said ha was of opinion that the Convention might lay down the manntr in which jthe Assembly should piescnt the memorial . Mr \ .. Clauk thought the Convention had no rightto arrange tho business for a larger body . ' ¦ ¦ Mr SniRRoN considered that the memorial should be presented by a procession , and he would thereforer move as an amendment that they should meet' on the 24 th instant , in order to arrange the course tobe pursued with regard to snch procession . Mr Cochrane seconded the amendment , as th & only argument in favour of the motion was , that Sic G . Grey would be out of town .
Mr Reynolds supported the motion for various reasons ; not because Sir G . Grey wonld be out of town , but because he thought they themselves could oext week be better employed in meeting theif various constituencies , and mutually exchanging opinions . After the specimen of legislation Sir G . Grey had just given them , by which they were . liable to transportation ; for speaking their minds , they should never mention his name but with execration , as the Cas * lereagh of 1848—the Narvaez of England . ( Cheers ) Hethenght that .. those elected on Good Friday should have time to see whether , if they used independent Ianguage .-the country were prepared ta go to any extent in their support , because , if so , he would be prepared to use any . language he . might consider necessary , regardless of all consequences , even though he subjected himself , t 0 . transportation for seven years , or for life . But he would not do so unless he had an assurance from the people that they would support him to tho last extremity . ;
Mr Graham supported the amendment . They ought not to undo what had been done by the whole Convention , and he thought it was time there should bo no more t . Vki : ig , but they should set about Mr Child supported the motion . They had to see whether their countrymen wonld submit to ; live iu misery or be brave enough to fight for their , rights , lie was told there was . another alternative , namely , to bo transported . Now , he did not recommend fighting , but he would rather be hung or transported than starve , if he found , however , that he wis not supported by the country , ho would not go forward . Mr HARKt-s : wished to ask if they had funds irj
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 22, 1848, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_22041848/page/3/
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