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" United we stand, Divided we fall." "Union is strength.."
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T0 THE WORKING CLASSES. \ fx Fbiesds > —...
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Rational fUifli erompsnin
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We give the following from the " Nation"...
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WniTTixciox axd Cat.—At the weekly meeti...
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MONOPOLY OF THE LASD. tome EwroB opSue n...
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FAILURE OF O'CONNOR'S LAND SCHEME. (From...
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>.*,\ ¦"«-»' : ©iatttet Intelligence.
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Sbwoastlb.—At a general quarterly meetin...
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THE LATE VICTIMS, JOSEPH WILLIAMS AND AL...
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Tire Canada (steamer), in her passage ho...
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THE LATE JOSEPH WILLIAMS, THE CHARTIST M...
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e \ x^ '. iS 68 I . .
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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.
" United We Stand, Divided We Fall." "Union Is Strength.."
" United we stand , Divided we fall . " " Union is strength .. "
T0 The Working Classes. \ Fx Fbiesds > —...
T 0 THE WORKING CLASSES . \ fx Fbiesds > — ¦ c \ tlic establishment of the "Northern ivn to the present moment , my pride # * . jthas been the only channel through Vi , vour cause would be fairly and impar-11 « hWsed ; that in fact , its columns have 1 ^ n open—not ° ^ to fair and S 611610118 c ' TCr - - tioii of my views , but to the most wu-01 ^] . c 0 f me ; and to this I have not the w ! -f objection , because when argument £ i i j
, gMc = & , available sub-I abase becomes the only available sub-- * -, \ cverth cless , it is just thatyou should S v « understand both sides of the question ; rUs vitu tbat ^ that * ° P tte i * n- of the " Star" to the eomments and Stures of all who choose to enlighten the nle by argument , rather than by slippery * f ° i- « upon the co-operation recently formed £ the middle and the worlcing classes ; " r ¦ jjear in mind—not between the Surer and HIS EMPLOYER , but between S pkeeperand MS EMPLOYER , who
jTilic WORKI * < -K \ ias-u u stumjsb . I have stereotyped my opinion as to the , m , < o « i \> Uiiv of forming an honest union Mwcon the cap italist employer , and the dependant working man , in these terms : — <• As well nwv tUe lamb with the tiger unite , The mouse with tie cat , or the lark with the kite . "
My friends , you have ever been as mice and hrk * in the cIavrs ° ^ ^ P " ^?^ cats ^^ kites : aiidererythought of my life , bothinEng hnd and in Ireland , has been how to wrench v , iUr order from their fangs ; and the greatest difficulty against which I have had to contend , ia * lioeii the strength of the cats and Mtes , conse quent upon the weakness created by the disunion , the jealousy , and ambition of the larks and the mice . Let me now explain to yon mv reasou for thus addressing you . I underitand that Mr . James Leach—recently released from Kirkdale prison—has invited the M anchester working men to resist sternly , " the proposed union between the veritable
middle and working classes . It would be not onl v a crime , but a sin , upon my part , and mm yours , to meet arguments , however fallacious / by mere denunciation ; as by argument alone—and by fair argument too—can ve arrive at * the proper solution of a question ; and , therefore , I throw open the columns of the " Star'' for the seneral discussion upon this subject , to James Leach , and every other person who chooses to discuss it , upon the simple condition that their matter for insertion shall arrive at the "Star " office by "Wednesday morning , in order that mv reply may appear in the same number ; and , upon my part , I promise that the controversy shall be conducted with moderation ,
awl without the slightest vituperation or personal animosity . Xow , in my opinion , this is abetter mode of enlig htening the public than mere platform orations . The people can calmly consider and judg e iu the one case , whereas , they may be led away by enthusiasm in the other—the one course may be necessary for the creation of public opinion , while the other is indispensable to its proper direction .
My friends , the one thingneeded justnowand the one thing invited by Lord Jons llKSEii-isthe NATIONAL SQUEEZE , the pressure from without , and , to which alone , he says , he is prepared to yield . And , having had some little experience in politics and ministerial tactics , let me assure you that there is no intelligence over which the noble Lord and his Colleagues—the "Times" and its readers—the Landlords and their toadiesthe Money-lords and then . ' dependants—the "Chronicle" and the Peclities—would so
luxuriously gloat as the announcement that a rupture had taken place between the working and the middle classes . To the dissension and disunion of your own order , rather than to the tvraunv and power of your rulers , is to be ascribed your every grievance , anil accursed be the name of that man who would now throw any obstacle in the way of removing the tyrants' barrier .
My friends , the fact that we have not laboured in vain is sufficiently proved by the admission of the middle classes , that without ns they would be powerless ; and'the fact that the principles of this Xew Association are not based upon the mere policy of speculation , is irrefutably established by the GREAT FACT of Lord " NroEsr , Lord Dudley Stuakt , Sir Joshua "Walmsley , Mr . Lushixgto ^ , Member for Westminster ; George Thompson , Member for the Tower Hamlets ; not one of whom live upon labour or upon speculation , having joined the Association , not so much from feeling to the middle class as from consideration for the working people ; and now see what their declarations amount to .
They declare that any limit to the Suffrage beyond Manhood Qualification , is ridiculous ; they declare for Vote by Ballot , for Equal Electoral Districts , Xo Property Qualification , and Triennial Parliaments ; thus adopting all the points of the Charter , save Annual Parliaments and Payment of Members ; and to both of which points the very first Parliament , elected by Universal Suffrage , would arrive . I by no means state that without the co-operation of the middle classes the working classes are powerless , but I do state that" Hope deferred maketh the heart sick ; '' and that in this union and co-operation I see the more speedy realisation of my every wish—namely , the earlier bettering of your condition .
My friends , it is a fact , which no man , the most audacious , will deny , and one that I have often stated , that your order ever derives greater advantage torn timely and prudent (¦ o nccssions in harmony with the existing state of things , than from sudden convulsions which you celebrate with enthusiasm and thanksgiving , but from which in the end you are ever the greatest sufferers . Every measure forced
from the Whigs by the privileged classes since the Reform Bill , has been an injury to your order—and why ? Simply , because the union of the privileged classes was measured by the social and conventional , and not by the political standard . The representatives of liberal shopkoepcrs , and the trading classes , joined Free Traders and Whigs upon hatred to Toryism , and confidence iu Whiggism , but they have now discovered , that as regards the
shopkeeping and trading clases , tenure orofcee constitutes tho only distinction bet ween Whig and Torv , and their support can no longer be enliitcdbvaFree Trade "CRY . " Theyhavenow changed theirnoteto aFULL , FREE , AXD
FAIR REPRESENTATION OF THE WHOLE PEOPLE IX THE COMMONS HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT . And letmc ask you , if you suppose mc slave enough , base ' enough , " or hypocrite enough , to cater for \ popularity by denouncing and resisting the means , nay , the only means , by which such a | consummation can be arrived at ? i My friends , your order possesses more polit e tical knowled ge than the working people of .. » v « u . wail uie nuiJuii g j / i-- ^—
^ ^ I ; any nation in the world ; and my hope and H anxiety is , that your class may derive such g foment from that knowledge as will one day , H and that ere long , place them in a position in m V tlle y ^ U he independent of all other at . c l asses , mid oaly tributary to laws made by m t ^ ir oahi representatives . | H My friends , as to the people being hum-Wlm ^ cd by tins , ^ jQ ^ alImv such a ^• noa to enter your mind . The first step in jgj ^ e at would be followed bv their final over-BKi ° i c tbo mlon affo " * s to vour order iRoW W . rt , mit } - of which you could avail 1 SJL-,-i ot convincing those who base their I « £ viLT >" 0111 , Presumed ignorance of the ggsuperior knowledge you posses * Out of Par-
T0 The Working Classes. \ Fx Fbiesds > —...
for ^ V e ^^^^ yo- eause mucb wiong , the good sense of your order would ^ T / f P ** 3 nto the rightcol e I « ofl ^ A * 1 P ^^ nt bec ause the bffivl Don-e ^ tors of Nottingham would be hxed upon me ; and upon their recall , based npon their suspicion , I would resign the trust 1 hold & r them ; but I believe , and I am proud to believe , that there is not a working man in England who doubts my political sincerity . J r
Iu conclusion , then , my friends , let me implore you , and let me beseech of you , not to dash the cupof hope from your lips . Let your motto be , " Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof , " and before you doubt have proof of deception ; but as long as the present fraternisation affordsyouthe opportunityof meetingplaces , and of developing your views before your former opponents , adhere to it , and rely npon it that you shall have timely and ample notice of any reasonable doubt that may exist in my mind as to the insincerity of your new confederates ; but in the name of God , in the name of justice , of common sense , and in nity
and mercy to your suftering and unprotected families , do not foolishly throw away such an opportunity as may never again occur , of fixing the stepping-stones firml y in that ford over which we have been so long attempting to pass , and which with your co-operation will be shortly accessible to all . Your faithful and uncompromising Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Connor .
Rational Fuifli Erompsnin
Rational fUifli erompsnin
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YOL XII NO Mi -5 Sr ' ' " ' __ - ^ L ^ LWm SATURDAY , SEPTEMBEf 1 ; 1849 . ^ » J 3 5 = tw
We Give The Following From The " Nation"...
We give the following from the " Nation " of Saturday last . It is published in that paper as a novelty : while , no doubt , many of our readers remember Mr . O'Connor ' s commentary npon past agitation , as to what it was , and what it might be , if the monies expended in Tom-foolery had been applied to the location of the Lish people upon the Land ; and in which he remarked , that there would be a pilgrimage from all parts of the country to witness the first exhibition of National Regeneration . But , as the folly of today is the wisdom of , the morrow , we live in hope that at last Irish Tom-foolery may be changed to Ireland ' s regeneration .
HOME COLONIES . " j Uemo" who states he has given some time to the consideration of the land question and of the facilities for making home settlements for Irishmen , writes to us as follows : — I always thought that if the Repeal Association had employed its funds in forming a " Home Settlement" for the unemployed population , that the gratitude of Irishmen would be due to them , and that they would by taking that plan repeal the Act of Union much sooner than by the paths they took . I will give an instance . Suppose the Association in receipt of one million shillings , or fifty thousand pounds per annum—this would be no miracle if they proposed a project of real utility . Were this sum invested in the purchase of an estate , then suppose the land produced £ 2 per acre , and at twenty years' purchase , there would he 1 , 250 acres of land to begin with . Since it needs no proof that
four acres of arable land , properly managed , will employ five or six persons , adults and children , and supply all their wants , if held at a reasonable rent and long lease—for these constitute the real stimulus to industry as the opposite do to idleness and ivaut . Suppose this estate , containing 1 , 250 acres , divided into four acre farms , there would be 312 farms . These 312 farms , given to agricultural labourers or evicted tenants , at fair rents , say £ 1 os . per acre , or a little more than half the late acrcable value , and stringent covenants made as to improvement , spade husbandry , & c , especially for the maintenance and employment of two male adults and four females or children on the farm—for unquestionably that number would find ample employment on a four acre farm . Then there would be room for the creation of 312 Irish yeomen ; and , ' at the average of six to each farm , or family , 1 , 872 individuals saved from the poor-house or grave at one
swoop . Again , suppose on the ensuing year the same amount of contributions received , there would bean additional income of ] , S 72 shillings ; for every person thus provided for would pay one shilling per annum , some much more , and the rent of 1 , 250 acres , at £ 1 5 s . per acre , all which would make the round sum of £ 51 , 662 to purchase land with . A ow if the funds of this body had been thus expended during seven years of its existence , I'll be bold to assert that at the end of that time they would have in their hands in perpetuity no less an area than 9 , 074 acres of land , on which 2 , 420 yeomen or heads of families could be settled , in all a population of 14 , 520 souls could have been settled and provided for in comfort , leaving besides a yearly rental of £ 10 , 102 for the National Exchequer ,
lint it would not be found necessary to tax the people for their shillings for so many years , because many facilities would present themselves if the work was begun in earnest ; there would naturally enough a ^ National Banking system be had recourse to , which under a judicious management , and possessing popular confidence , would be able to work wonders yet undreamt of . The laud is our staple , and from agricultural prosperity must all other brandies of trade and commerce grow , and flourish anion ? tis .
Wnittixciox Axd Cat.—At The Weekly Meeti...
WniTTixciox axd Cat . —At the weekly meeting of members it was resolved , — " That a call should be made on the branches of the London district to pay the expenses of the delegates to the Conference . " Sbeffielu . —A meeting of members was held in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , on Monday evening , " Mr . Joseph Williams in the chair . The first question considered was in reference to a misunderstanding which appears to exist amongst a great number of paid-up shareholders , who think that are not called upon to pay anything further . After a good deal of discussion on the subject , the following resolution was moved by Mr . J . Lever , seconded by Mr . Howard , and carried unanimously , — " That * this branch begs to remind the paid-up
shareholders who are neglecting the small payments agreed to by the Conference , that all such defaulters will not be returned for any future ballot ; for , should it be otherwise , it would be a violation of the laws of the Conference—thus making a farce of our national delegation ; therefore it is hoped that the whole of the paid-up shareholders will again conic forward , and recommence their payments , as laid down at the last Conference . " A goodly number of members—both paid-up and unpaid-up shareholders—have commenced their payments , bein" - determined to carry out the plan under the old system of the ballot . Those members who have not paid their Conference levies are requested to pay the same . The meeting was then adjourned to Monday night next . _ " of members held
JIowtais . —A meeting was on the 11 th of June , when a resolution was brought forward to the effect ,- " That a committee be apnointcd for the purpose of carrying out such plans asniavbe deemed necessary to secure the paying off the dissatisfied members . " An amendment was nfnved and carried ,- " That no steps be taken in ? e matter imtil the trial now pending m the Oucc " ! Bench be terminated . " A somewhat sum . SSiou was subsequently come to by the Coufeience ^ t Sni- 's End . Thus we concluded that the Ei settled until that time . . However , a , w wis a " iin called on the 3 rd instant , when meeting wa » agnmca ^^ a few . of the joasatunoi c y nd _ C iSKSsssre *"' "l & , i 3 * riS At Om »«•»• Jttotagiu 1 ^ " ¦¦ iar simiuf
V » . ~ , -. . r slouW not so ness to transact , they s « oi f m themselves as ^^ yS " motion on the other purpose than that otwep ^ . bs books ; any bus iness , tne icio ^ ideredas transacted on that occasion wou u .
Wnittixciox Axd Cat.—At The Weekly Meeti...
Si II ° ° - l h *?«* . M only , and not the opinion of a majority of the branch . Notwithstanding this caution they met , to the number of nine S sons , and passed the following resolution , i' « That inconsequence of the Conference held at Sni ? S '„ S ^ ^ Se to partaekthe SbsSfp' /* dissatisfied members of the National Land Company , we , the Mountain branch have Snon , ^ - * } 6 dlrec towofthe National Land Company to wmd up , and that a committee of five persons be appointed to carry this resolution ^ into
Monopoly Of The Lasd. Tome Ewrob Opsue N...
MONOPOLY OF THE LASD . tome EwroB opSue northern star . ritSfc inf ? n f «» n * U « tedof two natures , a spisS / Llt ftu ^' - and 5 l > hysical » bola of which of hS « rW ! ordev t 0 S eDerate tnat statc Sffiw I h , oh hQ I ¦ ca aWo of eWing . When we fin 3 that the great bulk of mankind ore mentally and physically debilitated by the excessive labour which they are compelled to perform , in ordev to supply tbemselves and their dependants with the necessaries of animal existence , we necessarily conclude that there is something wrong in the institutions of society , otherwise such a state of things could not he . There appears to be one principal clement which must be restored to man universally before the people -of- ' this or anTWW
country can enjoy the principle of freedom . This element is the land , which exists in abundance , and whenever it is cultivated yields an ample supply ol frnits . But from the existence of an iniquitous principle , a just share of those fruits doth not accrue to the labourer who tills the earth ; he is almost naked and destitute , and after years of struggling and privation , he sees no other prospect , when his physical frame is reduced beyond the power of labouring , than being compelled to spend the remaining portion of his existence ( which ought to be comfortable ) in a Whig Poor-Law bastile , which appear to have been erected for the purpose of enclosing tho misery generated by tho gross injustice of man . An eternal blush of shame ought to be impressed
upon the countenances of those who are the cause of such misery , —who , doubtless , are the landed and moneyed aristocracy , in conjunction with the Malthusian political economists of the day . This robbing of the working man has been effected by a class of men moved by the superstitious feelings generated by a corrupt priesthood ; having presumed that they have a divine right to govern , from which has followed the idea that they had a divine right to divide the land amongst themselves , and thus constitute it private property . The land , to the present time , is divided amongst kings , aristocrats , and priests , —the people , as a natural result , arc their slaves , —hence , they have little or no controul over their labour . So long as this principle is allowed to exist , the destruction of slavery is impossible . Slavery is antagonistic to justice , and therefore that which produces it is wrong in itself .
Slavery is the necessary result of private property in land ; and inasmuch as land is one of the primitive elements , absolutely necessary for the support of man , not having been made by man any more than any of the other primitive elements , it lollows , that neither man , nor any class of men , has any more right to constitute land private property than he has to constitute tho air we breathe—the water wo drink—or the sun ' s rays—private property . This being the question of questions , it should fie thoroughly studied by every man calling himself a reformer , being the key for solving tbo anomalous condition of tho people ; it will show them why they are poor , though they are industrious , ? nd also produce in their minds a principle of faith , which is absolutely necessary to the carrying out a successful agitation . Jons Culpax , Jun . Halifax , September 11 th .
Failure Of O'Connor's Land Scheme. (From...
FAILURE OF O'CONNOR'S LAND SCHEME . ( From the WeeHy Dispatch . ) The entire failure of Mr . O'Connor ' s Land Scheme may now be considered to be an admitted fact . He is sued for losses occasioned by it , and he can only plead that the affair was bona fide , and not fraudulent on his part , and that ho has reaped no pecuniary benefit from it . With a most edifying ignorance of law , he assumes that if he cannot Lc proved to have committed an actual fraud , he is free from all civil responsibility to those whom he has induced to spend money on his representations . It is true that the men who trusted in his scheme have been ruined ; but then , he says , that was by no fraud of hisand
, they must submit to bear the consequences of a simple ^ misfortune . The law does not take quite Mr . O ' Connor ' s view of such a matter ; for , when a projector assures people that if they will pay him so much money , they shall receive such and such advantages , the law holds him liable to make good his promise , or to take the consequences . One part of the plea now set up by Mr . O' Connor is itself the strongest condemnation of his project . He says that he is not liable to make good pecuniary losses in respect of a scheme from which he has received no pecuniary benefit . If he has not benefited by it , who has ? If nobody is the better for it , then it is clear that this mighty p lan , which was to regenerate the labouring community , to secure them
comtorr , nay wealth—to convert them , m fact , from a working into a proprietary class—was one enormous deception . It was not the less so because the original schemer has been ( supposing such to be the case ) as much deceived as any one else . The project was put forward as something marvellously good , and now its author ehtims exemption from responsibility on the grounds that it was so bad that even he has not been able to make any profit out ot it . There could not be a more complete confession of its utter worthlcssness . For , as the grand part of the scheme was that the "fortunate" holders of prizes in this land lottery were to pay a certain kind of rent or per ccntage on the land they heldand that , from the fund thus raised , the means of
further purchases were to be obtained—their inability to live on the produce of the land , even though they paid nothing for it , shows how entirely illusory was every calculation on which the system was professedly founded . The fund which was to ensure its continued existence cannot be obtained the men who wore to furnish it are ruined—ant ! the whole attempt ends in the amassing , in tho hands ot the projector , of a large quantity of land which cannot be profitably worked in the way originally proposed . But it does not necessarily follow that the land itself is worthless , or that the man , who in formof Jaw is its owner , has obtained nothing of any value . the subscribers to the scheme were bound to certain terms . Non-compliance with those terms subjects them to forfeiture
of their rights—and lands once allotted and occupied do not appear likelv again to become the subject of lottery . But suppose they should be again allotted-the new allottees would bo but tenants . To whom , then , do such lands belong m right of proprietorshi p ? Certainly not to the tenants , wlio may forfeit them by inability to pay rent and to perform covenants . They belon « to the person in whose name they were bought , to whom the deeds of conveyance were made out , and who appeared to pay the money for them . Whether that money was raised by subscription , or came from his own pecket , is a matter with which the conveyancer did i : ot trouble himself , and which , on the face of the deeds transferring the property is , in all probability , not even incidentally mentioned . Here , then , is the blot of the scheme . Mr . O'Connor may , as yet , have obtained no pecuniary benefit from the transaction ; but in form of tho law the land is his , and the " fortunate"' holders of
prizes in this lottery have no power , by a meeting and a resolution , to sell the property and divide the proceeds as an indemnification for their losses . The Winding-up-Act , of 1 S 4 S would not give them the benefit of its wholesome provisions . They are perhaps worse off than the hundreds who lost their throw in the lottery , and who drew blanks—for these men knew at once the extent of their Josses , and had nothing but their subscriptions to regret . But the' fortunate" holders have sunk more money in the adventure , besides their time and labourand now the whole stake is gone . Whatever occupa tions they abandoned for the chance * of this scheme they must resume , if they can—and , if not , the workhouse must be their refuge . They were warned in time—but blind belief hugs its dear falsehood all the closer for contradiction , and the stern realities of adversity can alona disenchant men from the attractions of a cherished folly .
These realities have now come upon these credulous and deluded men , and we notice their unhappy error less for their sakes—since it is out of our power to replace themin their former position—than as a caution and a warning to other * . Although indemnity for the pa-t" is , we fear , not to be thought of by the unfortunate victims of this bubble project , we would , at a'l events , endeavour to afford our honest and industrious fellow-countrymen of the workingclasses that'' securily for the future" which consists in a clear appreciation of the admonitory lessons of experience , to be chary of believing in extravagant promises of impcssible advantages ; to put no faith
Failure Of O'Connor's Land Scheme. (From...
in schemes which profess to guarantee a vast return for a trivial outlay ; to eschew quack medicines for social ills ; and , above all , to keep clear of " lotteries ' ' of every sort and kind—such , as we read it # > is tho moral to w drawn by working-men from the history of the OJConnor land scheme .
≫.*,\ ¦"«-»' : ©Iatttet Intelligence.
> . * , \ ¦ " « - » ' : © iatttet Intelligence .
Sbwoastlb.—At A General Quarterly Meetin...
Sbwoastlb . —At a general quarterly meeting hejd on Sunday evening , Mr . M . Robinson in the chair , the following persons vreve elected . to the oouneilr-John Hudson , John Brown , John-., .. . Robqrtsoh , Martin Judo ,, ^ Joseph . M ' Farlane , ' Joba ^ I ^ a ' mbHp , John Earnest . Mines Nesbit ; JoKa'K ^ wn to be the financial , secretary ; and John Hudson . the corresponding secretary . Moved by" John Brown ,
seconded by Joseph M'Parlane : —• '' That ' a « general meeting of tne . ^ Ohartists be held ; ' on' Sunday , September 23 $$# r the transaction ^ business of importance . "; . ^ , *' % . '* . f- ' \ foivtism ( 0 ^ D Cat . -- Atvthe , iseekly . meeting it was rcsoM & g ~ - ! < That we forn ^ a Kcftlifcy of the National Cha ^ l ^ sociation , ari'd ^ Bfr . M & e ' Kwis appointed sep ^ ejfir ^ pro tem . " Themeeting ^ Ithen adjourned uninpiinday evening ; seven o ' clook ; ? to hear Mr . Sf'GiS | j $ &; leoturo for the benefit of tho victims , and tcgn ^ iir . the delegates report of . the Land < 3 onfel eu ^ . 1 iiL ^ i ^• t ^^ 'r l * ' •' f ' '"'' ' " '
Sheffield . —ThePtolnwliela *^ meeting in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , 33 , Queen-street , on Sunday ,. September ICth , in the absence of the ' president , Mi' .. ¦ -, Kershaw ( who was sick ) , Mr . Higinbottom was called upon to preside . After the confirmation of the previous minutes , and other minor business was disposed of , the secretary read the correspondence from llotherham and other places , when tho secretary was instructed to write to JRotlierham , to see whether Mr . S . Kydd ' s services could not be secured for this locality and district for a short time . The . ' . Chartist council have not , as yet , come to any resolution relative to taking the management of electing members to the Town Council , however , next Sunday evening , that question will , in all probability ,- occupy the attention of the council ; it it expected that every member of the council will bepresent at the next meeting , as important business will be brought forward .
Crippleoate , 28 , Golden-lane . —At a meeting of members , this locality passed a general vote of thanks to all friends who have and are assisting them in the inquests and funerals of the Tothillfields victims ; they also request that the South London Hall , and other localities , will send delegates on Saturday night , to make further arrangements . WEsiMixsiEn . —At a meeting held at the " Two Chairmen , " Wardour-strect , Soho , on Tuesday evening last , Mr , John Godwin in the chair , the
matter of the " printer ' s bill" for the late Convention and Assembly , held at the Literary and Scientific Institute , John-street , was brought before the meeting . On the motion of Mr . John Milne , seconded by Mr . Andrew Black , it was resolved : — " That fifteen shillings be paid in liquidation of that debt . " Five shillings was also voted towards defraying the legal expenses incurred in the inquests on the remains of Joseph Williams and Alexander Sharp—the Tothill-ficlds' martyrs ; after which the meeting adjourned until Tuesday evening next .
The Late Victims, Joseph Williams And Al...
THE LATE VICTIMS , JOSEPH WILLIAMS AND ALEXANDER SHARP . GREAT MEETING AT THE HALL OF SCIENCE . CITY ROAD . This building was densely crowded on Thursday evening , to consider the cause of death of tho above victims , and for the release ot all political prisoners . Mr . Williams Davies was called to the chair . A letter was read from William Williams , Esq . ex M . P . for Coventry , apologising for non attendance , and stating , that he and Sir Joshua Walmosley , had waited on the under Secretary of Statc , with a memorial on behalf of the political
prisoners , and also conveyed a request that the memorial should not be forwarded to the Queen , until Sir Joshua had an opportunity of an interview with Sir George Grey . Tikdaxi Atiusson , Esq ., Samster-at-law , stated that Sir Joshua Walmesloy had been called to Eastborne , on a case of serious indisposition , or ho would have been present to raise his voice in favour of the exercise of the brightest prerogative of the Crown , mercy for the political offenders . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . W . Davies , in a brief speech , recommended prudence and determination in the object they had met to night in support of . In the friends who surrounded him he had the greatest reliance . Mr . T . Ciaiik said , the battle had hitherto been fought nearly single-handed ; but now , fortunately , wc had the middle classes , whom , he hoped , would prove an able ally . In the same felon prison iu which Williams and Sharp died other great , good , and glorious men were still confined . There were also widows and orphans ; and , therefore , ho would not allow his feelings to betray him into undue warmth . The evidence already published to the world was sufficient . Had not tho jury , by implication , in Williams ' s case , declared that the treatment he had experienced had led to his death ? Mr .
Clark moved the first resolution , as follows : — " That when circumstances render the punishment of political offenders necessary , a broad distinction ought to be made in their treatment from that of persons convicted of crimes against persons and property ; and seeing that in the case of the political prisoners confined In tho House of Correction , Westminster , and several other gaols in these dominions , such distinction has net been made , this meeting is of opinion that the severity of their treatment , and the term of incarceration which they have already endured , has amply satisfied the requirements of law ; and this meeting emphatically declares itself in favour of the release of all persons who are at present suftering imprisonment for political offences . "
Mr . Wm . Dixon , in an excellent speech , seconded the motion . Tixdal Atkinson , Esq ., who so ably sifted the affair at the recent inquests , rose amidst loud applause , and said he felt at a loss to find words to convey his feelings , It was the first time in his life he had been called face to face with the hard-working and hard-headed operatives . This was a mournful occasion—the destroying pestilence had struck down two of the elected members of the working classes , and that under very peculiar circumstances . These men wove an honour to their class . It had been said by one who wrote as if ho were inspired , " Tho quality ot mercy is not strained . " Wc say , let a general
amnesty—letmercy prevail , in this time of epidemic , to all political offenders . ( Loud cheers . ) Another reason was , that as far as things had gone the punishment had been a mistake , and was not warranted by law . ( Hear , hear . ) Now is tho time to hold out the olive branch , when it can he appreciated . He was proud to say they had an auxiliary to whom they could now appeal—he was ashamed to say they hud been estranged so long . He had' been surprised at the talent that ho hud found amongst the working classes ; and having now found it he would use his utmost influence to get them represented , not only by their votes , but in their own persons in the Howe of Commons-lloud cheers ) - and he had willing coadjutors to work with . ( Hoar , hear . ) It wouloV be a mistake or a blunder if tl Ud not
ey now succeed in effecting the object KlS n 'f ' ll 3 Srffc influence was at work oi thoui . , He was proud of making their acquainancetomght and be hoped it would not Khe last time ; he trusted that they would not go one stop out of their way in taking the body of their deceased friend to his last resting place , but have every thing in peace and order , and the time was not far distant when they would enjoy that freedom and those rights which nature , and their intelligence justly entitled them to . Mr . Tindal Atkinson resumed his seat amidst great cheering . Mr . P . M'Grath , in his usual eloquent manner , proposed a memorial to her Majesty , asking for a general amnesty for all political prisoners . Mr , Stall wood seconded the adoption of tho memorial . Carried unanimously .
Mr . Clark moved , that Richard Cobdon , M . p ., present the memorial , and that Sir Joshua Walmsley , and Joseph Hume support its prayer . Mr . Stai . mvood seconded the motion . Carried unanimously . T . Atkissox , Esq ., moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman , which was seconded by Mr . Dixon , and carried . The meeting then separated , The memorial will be given nest week .
Tire Canada (Steamer), In Her Passage Ho...
Tire Canada ( steamer ) , in her passage home from America , made S'J 2 miles in three successive days , a greater speed , we believe , than was ever maintained for so long a period at one time by any of the line of steamcrs . —Z / ugraoo ? Mercwy .
The Late Joseph Williams, The Chartist M...
THE LATE JOSEPH WILLIAMS , THE CHARTIST MARTYR . The funeral of this much-lamented victim to ckss-misrule took place on Sunday , September ICth . No funeral pomp or ostentatious display attended the last . obsequies of the departed ,- but all was ;* sifc : Should be on such mornful public occasiop ^ unadorned simplicity . . Thariks-to the good men and true of the Cripplegate , locality , and the other . honest democrats from the Tower Hamlets Finsbury , St . Pancras , & c ., who rendered their valuable service s with such alacrity ; and the best arrangements , that time and means permitted , were made for conducting the remains of the deceased to his last resting-place . Tho funeral took place under the auspices of the firm of the political prisoner John Shaw and Co ., of
Gloucester-streetCommer-, cial-road , and gave xory general satisfaction . At two o clock Golden-lane , and the streets , and other avenues leading thereto , were crowded with a dense mass of persons , anxiously awaiting to pay the last tribute of respect to the man who had sacrificed his meat the shrine of principle ; and long before half-past three , the time at which the mournful cavalcade took its departure for its destination ( the Victoria- Cemetery , iCambridge-hoath , Bethnalgreen ) , Golden-lane , Beeeh-gtreet , Chiswell-street , & c . ) . becameso ; throngedas ^ tobecome impassable . l
• ne ^ excitemjamv cquaiied ,,, il ~ nofc- surpassed , the ^•¦^ # ^^^! a 8 J ^ " V '' Ji % -PW ^ 8 ion of the KW ffita & MW ^ W ^ Mdmme of delegates had most judiciously appointed fifty men to marshal and conduct tho procession to tho grave ; and it is only fair to state , that the police , both City and metropolitan , behaved admirably on the present occasion , not at all interfering with the quiet mass of the people , but rather aiding tho progress of the dense-moving body . At half-past three the hearse drew up to Golden-lane , in which the body was deposited . Over tho hoarse was a red pall , of glazed calico , on either side of which was inscribed-
" He asked for freedom with his breath . Merciless tyrants gave him death . " And on a similar piece of glazed calico at the back of the hearse were the words"It is not Cholera , but Cold and Starvation . " " Joseph Williams . " In the procession the hearse was preceded by , i huge tricoloured banner , inscribed on the one side , " Finsbury , " and on the reverse , with the above words of" Joseph Williams . " Immediately behind the hearse was a coach , conveying the widow , father , mother , and other relatives of the deceased , which was followed by five cabs , and these were followed by an immense concourse of persons , armin-arm—some six , and others four a-breast ; whilst
Chiswell-street , Fmsbury-squarc , Sun-street , Bishopsgatc-street , Norton Folgatc , Shoreditch , Church-street , and Bethnal-green-road were lined . Every window , balcony , and other available place on the lino of route , was crowded with anxious and sympathising spectators ; and on arriving at the Cemetery wo found many thousands awaiting the arrival o ' f tho funeral cortege . Having reached the deeply-dug g _ rave , the body , incased m a substantial elm coffin , with inscription plate , bearing tho name and age of the deceased , was lowered into it . There could not be less than twenty thousand persons in the Cemetery . Mr . T . Claiikb ( who , with Mr . P . M'Gratii and E . Stallwoou , his colleagues on the Chartist
Executive Committee , had formed a portion of the cortege ) then addressee ! the assembled throng . Mr . Thomas Clark presented himself amidst the most breathless silence , and said : Friends , wc are assembled together upon this awful and solemn occasion , to perform a sad and melancholy duty . Our object here is to pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased patriot Williams , whose remains have just been consigned to tho earth , and who has offered up his life in tho service of that great cause in which is involved the future welfare of our common country . Another name has thus been added to the catalogue of those who have sacrificed themselves for the benefit of their fellows . And although the station and calling of Williams were humble , ho has nevertheless earned for himself a niche in
that modest temple which will one day chronicle the fame of those who Jmvo fallen in this age , struggling for the establishment of democracy . Time was when martyrdom for truth ' s sake was confined to the learned and the great ; but one of tho features of these present times is , that the moat lowly class lias its champions belonging to itself , who have not hesitated to stand forth and to claim for their order the rights and privileges of manhood ; and although some of these champions have perished in the moral conflict , their fall has been glorious , and their example sublime ; and hence it is that so many others have been found to tread in the same path , because , though leading to the grave , it has secured immortality , if not for the victims , at least for their principles . Thus lias it been with
poor Williams . For tho sake of his country he compromised himself , and in so doing has made our common cause his debtor . But why , I ask , should these sacrifices be needed ? What can be a greater reflection upon tho boasted freedom of our land than the sad proceedings here at this moment ? For myself , I am for obvious reasons , speaking under restraint , a restraint which I have imposed upon myself , in order not to damage the chances of the liberation of those who are still the inmates of that terrible prison house , where Williams died ; but I cannot refrain from expressing my horror , that the penalty of a slight political offence should have eventuated in death ! I am desirous of speaking most respectfully of all , who have been officially
concerned in this case , especially of the Coroner ' s jury , whoso verdict I do not impugn ; but still I must remark , that to my mind , the death of Williams is a MURDER , perpetrated , certainly not by any individual , but through tho operation of a cruel and savage law ! As I gaze upon this mngnificicnt assemblage , and reflect upon the cause of your presence at this spot , I feel myself agitated by such emotions and impressions as such a scene as this must naturally suggest . ; and I am prompted to ask , how long deeds like the death of Williams will continue to be executed in this Christian land ? Can it be , that England , whose fame has dazzled the world , needs that such scenes as this should be enacted to support her power and
her pride ? Arc the institutions of England so equivocal in their character , that to stand , they require to be cemented by the blood of her toiling , but patriotic children ? No , my countrymen , 1 say these things arc not requisite for the glory of this land . On the contrary , this deed ef death , which lias drawn us together to-day , is a foul blot upon the humanity and civilization of the country , and a cruel , but unanswerable commentary , upon its practical liberty . Sadly , indeed , are our rulers mistaken , if they think by persecution to stay the mighty tide of thought which is beating against our shores , and which threatens to inundate " tho land . They may rely upon it , that tho end of their rule is at baud , and nothing will tend moro to hasten its
termination than exhibitions like the present . The day of the people will shortly arrive , and when in the moral grandeur of their might , they will teach their present rulers , not the lesson of vengeance , for it is not in that spirit—it would become me to speak in the name of a great people—hut these rulers shall bo made to feel their injustice and insignificance , by the forbearance and charity of those whom they now persecuted . Of the patriot Williams , 1 am unable to speak from personal acquaintance , but of him I may truly say , that if he loved his country not " wisely , " he did so , at least , " too well . " * His death h ath imposed upon his country a heavy responsibility , but one , which I hope will be readily undertaken . He has left
behind him to lament his untimely end , a wife and six dear children , who must henceforth look for paternal protection to the democracy of England . 1 put it to you all ; will vou not bo fathers to tho fatherless ?( Loudcries of " We will . we will" ) . Will you not interpose your kindly offices to protect them from the heartless treatment to which orphans are too often subjected ? ( Unanimous cries of " Wo will , wo will" ) , standing , bending over this grave , ftoro , by my side , arc the wife and tho aged parents ot the departed patriot . Of their feelings and th ™ f 5 ' . , 11 bomow easy for you to judge , than for me to describe . I implore of you , to bSuin l emembranco tho situation of the widow . When you leave this ground , and you each bend your way o jour respective homes , think of the widow anil the six
orphan children . When seated at the domestic hearth in the company of the partner which you each hold dear , reflect upon the sad condition of her whose connubial hopes lio buried in tho grave . Ihmk of the homo without the protectorwithout the proyidcr-and your own feelings will point to your duty . I have only to add , in conclusion , my thanks to those of the friends of the deceased , and of the committee , who have convened this demonstration , to tender you our joint acknowledgments for your magnificent conduct , and to exhort you to union and good fellowship in that cause in which Williams has perished , so that we may witness the annihilation of despotism , and the establishment of Justice . Mr , Edm'jnd Stallwood , at tho request of tho
The Late Joseph Williams, The Chartist M...
committee and the relatives of the deceased , delivered tne following biographical and historic sketch of the deceased , and also his public career . He said that his friend Joseph Williams had expressed , through his aged parent , a desire to have an interview with him ( Mr . Stallwood ) in his dungeon , but , alas ! he did not live to have his wish gratified ; and he had now . the painful , yet melancholy gratification , of paying a last tribute-to his friend s memory . Their friend Williams had not been removed from amongst them by any decay of nature ; no , for ho was a halo healthy man in the prime of life , being only in his forty-first year , having be $ a born in April , 1809 . My friends , it was but as yesterday wc heard his voice amongst us uplifted in the cause of right , to-day we point to his remains in the cold grave—to his bereaved
widowto his six orphan children—to his weeping aged parents , and to you his numerous friends , cast down with grief and woe for the loss of an attached friend . Some fifteen years ago our departed friend begun to take part in political affairs , at which period the unstamped press , the national union of the working classes , and other bodies , had circu- * latcd and made known the principles advocated by thoso noble ^ ronqU Reformers , Babuef , & c ., & c .: and Mr . Williams , being by trade a baker , and of an impetuous temperament , and a . daily witness of the suherings of his fellow-men , it was no wonder that he at once became a thorough-determined stron < r political and social reformer . Iu succession to the bodies to which I have alluded , sprtfng " The Working Mens' Associations ; " but the more earnest and energetic reformers amongst them not thinking they progressed fast enough , Harney , Neeson , Beniowski , and others formed the "Democratic Association , " which at one time engrossed so much of public attention , to which Mr . Williams very soon attached himself , and became an active member .
Then came the celebrated Chartist Convention of 1839 , of which Messrs . Cobbett , Henry Hetherington , William Lpvctt . G . J . Harney , Feargus O ' Connor , Charles Neeson , Dr . Fletcher , and Dr . Tavlor , were members ; and to this Convention Mr . " Williams aspired to be a member , and contested tho representation , of Survey with a member of tho " Working Mens' Asseciation , " andgainedhis election by show of hands at a public meeting on Kennihgton Common , being on that occasion proposed by William Rider . Tho Convention dispersed , various movements occurred in divers places , amongst others at Abbey-street , Bethnal-grcen , at
which the shrewdness of the democrats defeated the wily crafty dealing of Whig spies , and saved the people from the anus of tho police and soldiery . In this affair our departed friend was deeply engaged . Perhaps it may be as well here to state that the ardent temperament of our friend has caused him to bo regarded as a spy ; but , surely , before such obloquy is thrown upon any one it would bo well to examine well the ground , and to remember that spies arc generally well rewarded , whereas our departed friend Williams—no doubt from feeling deeply , and giving expression to his thoughts strongly—could , with difficulty , furnish forth the daily meal , and very rarely was in possession of a " Sunday suit , " his honest polities always keeping
him poor , But as he had now given his life a sacrifice to the cause , he ( Mr . Stallwood ) trusted all idea that Williams was ever guilty of spy \ sn \ wowhl be banished , and that his memory would be handed down to posterity as a sincerely honest democrat . Ho had already told them that Mr . Williams was a social reformer , and that he was a baker by trade . About three years ago a movement sprung up in behalf of the journeymen bakers , for the purpose of abolishing night work , and shortening the hours of labour ; at the commencement- of this movement , Mr . Williams gave his hearty assistance , and walked many miles as an advocate of the cause . That cause now finds Lord Robert Grosvcnor its parliamentary exponent . From this wc find Mr .
Williams engaged at meetings on behalf of the National Petition for the people ' s Charter . You all know the result of that petition . From this arose tho meetings on Clcrkcnwell-green , and other places , at which our departed friend raised his voice . He " Talked daggers though he used none ;" and a weak Whig government , alarmed at " Strong words , " even from so humble an individual , caused Mr . "WuTiams to he arrested . He was tried , convicted , and sentenced to a lengthy imprisonment in . TothUl-iieMs Prison , where he has mot with his death . And now for the cause of that death . A coroner ' s jury says , tho cause was " Cholera . " Mr . Williams , just prior to his death , exclaimed , — " J am a dead man ; it is not cholera
but cold and starvation '" Well , but the jury says , the cause of death was" Cholera , " and the y / i / iosnewspaper says , that cholera is caused by " . Miasma , damp , arid cold . " The government some time since caused the prisoners to be removed from tl \ c Millbank Prison , in consequence of the prevalence of cholera . Now , the Tothill-ficlds Bridewell is but a short distance from Millbank , yt-t the political prisoners were left there , and Messrs . Williams and Sharp are dead . Tothill-fields is surrounded by factories , continually emitting their miasma . Those , who like himself , ' had suffered the glories of martyrdom , knew what the dark colls ' m « prison were '; they were cold and damp ; " and" says the rimes newspaper , " cold and damp brings on
diarrhcea , cholera , and consequently death . " Williams nnvl Sharp ave dead , and he believed , wore one of the late colleagues of the deceased iu the Democratic Association now present , he would say that they " Were done to death . " But Williams did not go voluntarily to the damp cell . No , ho v , - ; is coerced into that cell . By whom ?—by the rules made by the "Visiting Justices , " by the orders of the governors . The cell was cold and damp , cholera ensued , and Williams died . When one man beat another with a stick wilfully , and from which beating the man dies , the man who inflicts the punishment is called a murderer , and treated accordingly ! Ho ( Mr . Stallwood ) left it to tho consciences of the visiting magistrates , to tho governor , and the government , to answer the question , —arc you not guilty on the present occasion ? In conclusion , friends , there , nl ; ts , in the
cold grave , rests the remains of our departed friends , there stands the bereaved relatives . You have been told you must act tho part of husband and father , and ' he ( Mr . Stallwood ) called on them to have an extra care for those great political and social principles which to tho last moment of his existence our friend so strenously advocated . To be more zealous in your advocacy , and more earnest in your endeavours to obtain the people ' s Charter , that great means to a mighty sociid end . That , once obtained , the days of poverty , damp ceils , short commons of bread and water , will be numbered , health , prosperity , and happiness , will everywhere abound , and the memory of the departed will he truly blessed . Mr . Stallwood , hero read the following memorial , which had been previously adopted unanimously by the committee .
TO niB QXEES ! S MOST EXCEU . EX 1 ' JI . UKTV . The Memorial of lliu nv . ' . iwious I ' ricmls who ioUowi-il the remains of Josoi > h Williams to liis last lvstiiitf-place , and uduiiti'il over liis grave in t ! u > Victoria CYmetcry , liciluud Green , on the Kith day of September , IS-tD , Shewetii , —That your memorialists , with the most poignant anguish , have tohmient the death of Joseph Williams , leaving a wi-. lort' and six children , —ami . Alexander Sharp , leaving a widow and three children , —to bemoan the irrepar . 'ible loss ot ' . 'iiit'elwii . 'ite husbands and fond r ' atlicrs . That your memorialists have too imufli reason to believe that Joseph Williams and Alexander Sharp fell victims to cold and hunger , caused by their beiiv ^ inertveeraied iu damp cells , and fed entirely on small quantities of bread and water for several days together , during the period they were undergoing ( what yftur memorialists van but designate a erui'l punishment ) uliile incarcerated in 'i ' otliill-Fields Uiideuell for a political otl ' ence .
That your memorialists have heard with grief nsiu pain that several other of the political prisoners arc now suffering from severe indisposition in your . Majesty ' s grt" ! s . That your memorialists have heard with pleasuri ; of the mitigation of punishment , and the remittance of the fines , imposed on several late political prisoners . That your memorialists implore your Majesty , in this time of profound peace and traii'iuillity , to sec lit in remove tlw political prisoners li ' oin these scenes of cold , hunger , di .-uTliu ' u , cholera , and tleatli , by remitting the punishment aud lines of all political prisoners in your . M . -ijesiy ' s dominions , and restore them to their families and friends . And your Memorialists will ever pray . This memorial was put ami unanimously adopted . The following hymn composed as a tribute of respect to tho memory of the deceased Joseph Williams , by Mr . lkntly , of tho Cripplegatc locality , was sung at tho grave to the tune of " Ease oppressors , " the whole audience joining in chorus .
Sons of liriton , one more martyr , Bleeps tho hero's sleep of death ; He has died for freedom ' s Charter—Class-made laws have seized his breath By oppression , and starvation , Iu a prison he has died , For declaring that a nation , Class-rule , has aright denied . Safe from further goading malice , Hosting in the arms of death , Echo through each gaol and palace , Lies one , true to his last breath . Tell them , sound the thrilling story , That the twenty-ninth of May , jS ' car destroy'd their rule gory-Williams—Williams , led the way 1
Triumph , bless his name respected : Deaths like his do victors rise , Labour's price shall be protected , Freedom ' s shout shall rend the skies , With appalJiin ? voice , of thunder , Whether gain'd by peace or war , Merciless villains cease to plunder , Man is man , and who is more ? Mr . Stallwood now announced the close of the proceedings , exhorting nil friends to depart in poace , and by all means lo remember the widow and orphans as they passed out at the gates . The exhortation was strictly followed , the dense mass quietly separating , and wc hear that on opening the boxes a large sum was found to have been contributed . Honour to those who so ably got up this h « go demonstration of sympathy . Thanks to those who composed tho demonstration , and peace to the manes of the patriot .
E \ X^ '. Is 68 I . .
e \ x ^ ' . iS 68 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 22, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_22091849/page/1/
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