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THE LAND
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FINSBURY LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION,
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MANCHESTER
THE CHARTER . Sund ay last was indeed a great day for Manchester . For many years Manchester has furnished more than its fair share of victims to persecution . When list lessness or apathy in other districts threatened the destruction of Chartism , when good wages npon the one hand , or terror of the capitalists upon the other , were making ravages in our party , Manchester sliH held fast to tiie good old principle . Manchester sever throughout the calm lost its staff or abandoned its colours , and , however deserters and traitors may iavc succeeded un gulling the outposts , even the picquets of Manchester were more than a match for their united jugglery . The Chartist children of Manchester have shown themselves capable of
defeating a Tery strong combination of dissatisfied elements . Perhaps one of the most curious circumgtancss " connected with . Chartism , is the fact that throughout the long calm , and whatever foreign or internal dissensions threatened danger to our cause , [ Manchester was never without its council , its ruling body and wise directing power . It was not wonderful that the bees who had thus laboured in the political vineyard , as well as . in the industrious hive , should have sought that protection and certainty for the expression of their own opinions and the extension of their own principles in the independent possession of a PLAGE OF WORSHIP of their own . Nor is it to be lost sight of that execution promptly followed the design—that
THEIR OWN HALL , the foundation stone of which was only laid on the 10 th of April , should have been ready for consecration on the 19 th of July . Such , however , was the case . On Sunday last a magnificent Chartist Hall was consecrated to the religious principles of Chartism—to the Christian doctrines of truth . Such an event as the opening ' of a Chartist place of meeting anywhere would be looked npon with great interest , but in Manchester it absorbed all other thoughts .
CONSECRATION OP THE HALL . Long before the hour of meeting ( two o ' clock ) the doors were beset by grouj . s of persons from the country , who had arrived thus early for the purpose of insuring accommodation . Mr . Wheeler , president of the managing power , occupied the chair ex ojicio , and after having briefly announced the circumstances which led to the undertaking , and having shown the interest that the working classes had in maintaining the edifice now that it was erected , he introduced . Mr . R . Sheldos CmnwicK , a mere youth , who read the following opening address ,. composed , by himself for the occasion : —
Brethren and Friends—thrice welcome to this Hall , "Where friendship beckons , and where pleasures call ; Where tbe bright flag of liberty shall shed , Its hearenly signal o'er tbe Patriot ' s bead ; Shield it ? defenders from the scathe of wrong , And guard this dome of season , and of song , While ye , whose hearts respond to aid onr cause , *) Ana love tbe sacred splendour of our laws , Shall proudly s-.-e its glorious robes unfurl'd , To crush the tyrant ' s power and humanize die world . | Hail I then , toy friends , this Temple is to save , Hie humble poor from misery ' s loathsome grave : Beneath its roof applauding crowds shall hear The voice of tbtjtb , and give their grateful cheer . { And from tbe snares of tempting Bacchus tor * , To hear her dictates , and while bearing , burnI Thai such a cause , mth such a bumble name , 3 £ ay win tbe path of glory unto fame ; Gaze on this lowly fabric then , and smile ; 2 fo gift of princes here , Bin MEN who think and toil . "
Waat Is tlie object of onr great design ? What are the precepts of this hallowed shrine I Is not its aim to elevate mankind . — Are they not choicest proverbs of the mind ; Is not the wise suggestion of its plan , To help the poor—protect the Bights of Han ? < 5 ; ve then yonr favours , and with smiles confest , Ton , too , snail share the transports of our breast . Join in the chorus which our hearts shall rise , And to our ends and aims ascribe immortal praise . Oft have they tried to frustrate sud to end , Those rights divine , for which we all contend ; Oft have th-y tried to crush the Patriots' flame . Back to tbe heart . Torn whence its vigour came , But they have fail'd ; for principles so great , God has design ed shall share a better fate . They stop our struggles " Say , they might as soon Blindfold the sun , or darken tbe bright moon ; Than lower tbe flag , now to the winds unfuri'd , 3 fight one small dew-drop quench a burning world .
Shell we refuse to saitla the poor opprest , And bani ? h pity from the human breast , "When such as Cobbett , Cartwrigbt , and Carlisle , ¦ Whose pensive shades their vigils keep and smile S When such as these contended in their might , To spread abroad truth , liberty , and light , Shall ire forsake tbe glorious end in view I 2 * o . Rather will we still their works pursue ; Pursue them here , npon no trojihied stage , But where the noblest truths shall every heart engage . Upon this platform , Phceuix like shall rise , Earth's proudest sons ,, to glad your eager eyes ; Trend of the system which they spread along , This land of vile oppression , and of wrong : lieu , like O'Connor , Dancoinba , and the rest , "Who loves the cause wlich pities the distt est ; And others , too , of note , who think and toil , Still , still shall cheer you with tbeir sweetest smile , Still shall heboid your progress and adore , Those noble thoughts aud deeds which help the suffering
poor . Long may they flourish , since tbeir < Jod-like plan , Is still to lore and help their fellow man . And shall 1 here forget , exiled from home , The triple hand o '« r ocean ' s farthest foam , — Par from their wires and children , in a land "Where thraldom , manacles , and despots stand ; The noble three whose hearts still beat and yearn , To know your efforts , meet a just return ; Oh I may your hearts respond the Patriots' groans , And bring bach to their homes , both Williams , Frost , and Jones .
Our cbietest aim is to protect tbe poor , And from oppression shield each humble < 3 oor ; Hence this fair fabric of industrious worth , "Where thought may give its noblest actions birth . Are we not living in an age and clime , "Wbere knowledge makes its progress mfh the lime , "Where the mechanic and the arcizan , Can claim tbe highest designation , MAN ? Hear sonjs of freedom echo on the air , The antidote of grief , and sorrow , and despair . Let hope be yours , ye unassuming few , Great truths have conquerM , yours shall conquer too ; Be pari eat , peaceful , in your lowly Tale , Ecmcmb ; r , truth must triumph and prevail . Think , think , and toil , and then amid you woes , Perceived shall be tbe region of repose . That cause , those rights , a Hcst declared should win , Are still oar minds , —your hearts enshrined within ; Go on an < i prosper , and jou yet shall see , That God nill help the weak , and freedom help the free
Thus shall we learn as we creation scan . The worth of sou ' , the dignity of man , Aid the great precepts af our humble cause , Protect onr rights , and still defend onrlan-s ; Xet thegreat watchword of OUr VOtfllleS bCj Go ou , and struggle , till mankind he freel Tree from the despot ' s dungeon , and his thrall , Till universal freedom waits on all , And like EzckieTs , reason ' s voice reveals , That man discerns the spirit in its wheel * . The reading of this address £ was received with deserved applause , alter which the Chairman introuced
Mr . Dasiel Donovan , who was received with warm and hearty cheering—lie said , that those who had predicted the death of Chartism , would find themselves rather astonished had they the good fortune to witness its revival that day . Thefact was that Chartism never was dead , and never intended to die - { loud cheers}— -until it had accomplished for the people , that which no other party would accord to them . There was one thing connected with Chartism , thai no other ism could boast of—it was this , that at all times , and in all seasons , and all emergencies , it biew which side of the house to sit . ( Loud cheers and laughter . ) Well , sure , that was something ,
when our only CLarapiuu in the House of Commons , Mr . Duncombe —( great cheering)—was obliged to ask Lord John wk : ch side of the house he was to sit Open —( laughter)—as he , Mr . Duncombe , was in total ignorance of the principles which he might be called upon to support by the Whig leaders . There might be tome pert-ens there who feit astonished at Mr . O'Connor ' s over-readiness to participate in Labour ' s endeavour to emancipate itself from the thraldom oi Capital , and the inferiority imposed upon onr class hyclasslegislation , but he wasfMr . D . ) not astonished when he looked over the page of his country ' s history , and found that the ancestors of that gentleman were persecuted like wild beasts for their devotion to the
same principles . ( Loud cheers . ) Yes , he had heard Of their struggle from his father , and from old Irishmen of those days , and if they wanted confirmation of his statement , let . them read Hone ' s political Kegitter , and there they would find the torture , the P ^ r s ^ utwn , andcruelty to which his ( Mr . O'Connor ' s ) neblc father was exposed under the Reign of Terror ef the bloody tyrant Castlereagh—( groans)—and let them read bis ( Mr . O'Connor ' s ) father ' s own letters in defence of the very principles they were now advocating , when it was not only treason , but death to do
so . From these authorities they would learn that Castlereagh permitted Mr . O'Connor ' s father the boon if being broughtfrora his dungeon npon a Landbarrow , for an hour into the gaol yard to see his wife , when tyranny had deprived him of the use of his limbs , but not of the use of his senses . ( Loud cheers . ) More than that , he would find the name of that gentleman ' ^ father amongst the struggling Patriots of that dav ; he attended the Convention of United Irishmen held at Belfast , and declared himself in favour of every one of onr principles , except the ballot , observing that he would think himself de-
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graded as an Irishman , if he thought it possible that ; his countrymen in posses-ion of the other points , would require the ballot to protect them against tyranny . He thought his countrymen would consider it a greater honour to be allowed the free and open exercise of their political rights . ( Loud cheers . ) He was no eulogist of Mr . O'Connor , or any other man , but he would ask that meeting if it could be considered man worship , or even flattery to speak the truth of hisctiuntryman and their friend , when others wh >» were wholly ignorant ef those facts , had entered into a foul conspiracy to malign him , and through him to injure our cause . ( Loud cheers . ) lie owed a debt of gratitude to the O'Connor family , for he well remembered that when he was a child , he had
frequently indulged himself by walking through their vast and beautiful domains , while if he had been found trespassing upon those of the neighbouring gentry , he might have been transported or perhaps sk . t . ( Cheers . ) He ( Mr . Donovan ) felt that he had but discharged his duty as a Chartist and a working man , by proclaiming these facts , and he would now tell the meeting that there was but little use in their cheers and numbs for the possession of that edifice , if they we not determined by their co-operation to support and defend Us possession . ( Cheers . ) It was working men solely that had reared that edifice , and while P ^ i ^ K ^ n , !? tiieermiimofsneh buHdingaMthe EwIr ^ e l ^ an , surely labour ought to have some . prde , in . di ectng What there Labour
attention to itsown refuge . was could not do if unanimous ? Look to the giant scheme proposed by Mr . O'Connor for locating the working classes upon the laud . ( Great cheering . ) _ See , notwithstanding that som e differences ot . pinion may exist even between the best friends ot that uistitution / how the working classes were rallying round ti . e hope , and resolved that it should succeed . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion , he had merely to observe that when the working classes were united , then it would be impossible for tyranny longer to re « ist their just demands . ( Cheers . ) Let tnem then beam to show their union by taking out shares in our new Hallthus securing for their principles and their order , a refuge and retreat from which tbeir oppressors could not dislodge them . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . O ' Cosxor was next introduced , and was received with tremendous applause . He said , —Mr . Chairman aud brother Chartists of Manchestvr ; if right ruled instead of might , it would have fallen to the lot , to the proud lot , of some right reverend father in God to have consecrated this holy edifice to the sacred principles of Faith , Hope , and Charity . ( Loud cheers . ) Can they deny that the principles of Chartism are such as would become a bishop to preach—or are they such as are calculated to dishonour the preacher ? For himself , he had always felt that it but required the working classes to understand that Charter was the fire , and the Land was the leg of mutton , in order to insure the co-operation of all in its accomplishment . ( Cheers . ) They must
bear in mind , that with him the doctrines now accepted by miiliona were not of novel conception , but that he had advocated them at a time that their principles were little understood , and when the boon to be achieved by their success was a novelty . Those who heard and read his speeches in 1835 , when he first established the present movement , would bear in mind , that he had told the working classes that the day of auction would come when Peel and Russell would respectively bid for popular support . Well , was it not true , although these two competitors had only thought it worth their while to bid for the favour of the constituent body . The Anti-Corn Law-League had marshalled its collective power , and straightway Peel went from monopoly to the sliding
scale , when Russell came down to an 8 s . fixed duty . Peel then bid progressive Repeal , and Russell offered the total and immediate abolition . ( Loud cheers . ) Now , then , was it to be daubted that when the movement party was in an equal state of preparedness , that the rival statesmen would respectively bid the several point * of the Charter for popular support . ( Cheers . ) The people must also bear in mind , that from the outset he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had invariably told them , that if the land was locked up to-dav , be would not give them a straw for the Charter . ( Cheers , and "You did ! " ) He then , at all events , could not be charged with inconsistency for having so blended the means and the end so as to insure the realisation of the one by the possession
of the other , while he entertained but little respect for those who were amongst its most ardent concoctors , and now that their opinions had changed , masters went about the country procl . iraing tbe fallacy of the 1-and plan , and the assertion ' that it would take fifty-eight years , four mouths , lhree weeks , five days , seven hours , thirty-eight minutes , and thirtysix seconds , to locate even one section . ( Great laughter and cheers . ) He would aak those new apostles to protection how it was that they sat in Convention and allowed the people to be juggled with a knowledge of this arithmetical precision . ( Loud cheers . ) He would now lead their minims to a course of reasoning upon the present position of affairs , which , he felt convinced , would at once lead them
to the conclusion that he had been right in his every prediction relative to the ulterior objects and duplicity of the Free Traders and the duty of the Chartists . He must bring them back to ISiO , when the League members not only advocated free trade , but used it as a means of suppressing Chartism . They must bear in mind , that the only course aliowed us to preserve our principles from total annihilation , and to keep them before the world , was by snowing that Chartism had not merged into Free Tradism—the one grand object that the Free Traders had in view . And thus I show that our opposition was based upon the necess ty of keeping the Charter movement in the ascendant , and that our neutrality was only secured when it might have been death to the Irish and starvation to tbe English to have persevered in our opposition . I have now proved
to demonstration that that opposition was justifiable inasmuch as it involved the very existence of tbe movement party . ( Loud cheers . ) And I shall now show yon that after circumstances have proved our wisdom , and established my character as a prophet . ( Cheers . ) It must be borne in mind , that in the hottest of our opposition we never swerved from principle ; we were the first to declare the Corn Laws to benotonly impolitic , but UNJUST IN PRINCIPLE —( loud cheers)—accompanying it with the belief that UNDER EXISTING CIRCUMSTANCES , and until the people were represented , the working classes would not equally participate in the change . ( Cheers . ) So far I have brought you from the reason of our original opposition to the reasoning upon the principles . And now bear the fact in mind that the only speeches made by the
Protectioni-ts in the House of Commons werea mere clumsy reiteration of the Chartist speeches made out of the House of Commons—thus showing you that your most enlightened representatives are now but approaching the ground that you firmly occupied seven years ago—are but now feeling their way towards principles upon which for years your minds have been matured ( cheers ) . Then we come from the sack to the sample , and we find that the Prime Minister himself is compelled to strengthen his position in the eleventh hour , by adopting the very terms of our reiterated revolution—THAT THE CORN
LAWS WERE UNJUST IN PRINCIPLE ( loud cheers ) . I snail now bring you to the consideration of those reasons of a political character , which I assigned for opposing the repeal of the Corn Laws by those men who contended for tbe change ( cheers ) . and believe me , my friends , that there is no small pride and vanity in a very much abused gentleman being able to stand before a very much abused party , and to snatch the honor of triumph from the enemy at the same time that I and those who have acted with me in preserving your movement through the calm , are able to establish our title to your future respect by recurrence to our past policy ( cheers ) . I distinctly told you then that if the repeal of the Corn Laws was effected by the capitalists who leagued
themselves together to accomplish the measure , that its social result , whatever it m : iy be as regards food and its price , -would be altogether lost in tlie horrors of this country being governed by the Malthusian economists whose ultimate objects are the reduction of wages to the starvation point , and the enactment of Jaws to coerce the refractory into subjection , isow let us see whether or no I was ri « ht . Cobden was offered a scat in the cabinet . Milner Gibson is in power with tbe cabinet . Earl Grey and Mr . Labouchere are both Malthusians of the blackest school , and are in the cabinet . Mr . Ward ( hisses ) is a part o f the administration , so Utah 1 think I show you that the freetraders inside , backed as they will be by the freetraders outside , have , on the very outset .
secured "the pernicious ascendancy which 1 so much dreadt-d—fcheers)—an ascendancy which 1 have often told you will not be able , under any commercial arrangement , to regulate tbe retail price of the loaf relatively to the price of labour , when it is placed upon tbe table of the operative , who must first sell his labour at the lowest rate that political powerthe power of money and the influence of a competitive reserve will compel him , before he can buy the loaf at any price ( loud cheers ) . So that every working mau may , independently of that commercial policy by which the speculations of tiie monied interests are regulated , be his own producer , his own consumer , and his own representative through his vote , to insure the advantages of his own labour for himself and his own family ( great cheering ) . I have now ( continued MrO ' Connor ) given not one but
. you three texts from which , liketheparsons , I will preach my sermon under three heads this evening . Jou must not impose too much labour upon me , while 1 think that the fact of my having worked all day }' fsterday upon your farm , having travelled here last night , making my two speeches to-day , returning tonight , being at work for you again to-morrow at six O ' clock , and meeting an opponent of the land plan in discussion to-morrow night at Rickmansworth—( louji cheers )—this double agitation , I say , for the land and the Charter , is the best answer to the malcontents who supposed that your political and local rights could not march foiward hand in hand , and together—which have I neglected ? ( Renewed cheers and "Neither . " ) Now , my friends , although the former part of my discourse may be unlike that of a state church parson , yet there is one portion of
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their practice never forgotten , which I think it right to observe just now ; it is '' Pray remember the poor . " ( laughter . ) Bear in mind that this hall has been erected by the zeal , the confidence , and tlie pence of working men alone ; and that unless you strengthen their confidence by contributing your quota , to add to their exertions , and to your own comfort , that you will not have done your duty . I observe that many are put to the inconvenience of standing , while a few are accommodated with seats . Now , the directors cannot , and do not , approve of this inequality ; and what 1 have to request of you is , that all who
feel an interest in receiving a largo return for a small capital , may take out shares in this noble building ; white those who can conveniently afford it will leave their mite in the Chartist poor-box , in order to enable the directors to afford that comfort to ' all , which they have been able to administer but to a few to day—and I make my appeal especially to those gentlemen who have had the advantage of a seat . Farewell , till evening service , when I hope to meet a congregation equally numerous , equally respectable , equally valuable , and equally industrious . —Mr . O'Connor then retired amid continued
cheering . EVENING MEETING . At half-past 6 o ' clock the spacious hall was literally crammed to suffocation in every part , when Mr . Wheeler again occupied the chair . Mr . Dixon was the first . " speaker introduced , and was received by his townsmen with that warm acclamation which honest and consistent service in their cause is ever sure to command . He said , that one of the greatest oljects of their oppressors was to destroy Chartism by depriving its advocates of any place tojncct in . butin that they would be grossly deceived . In 1842 , when they had serious cause of complaint , and when they met to discuss their grievances , they wore told by an upstart Justice at the head of the mercenaries , that he admitted the objects of their
meeting to be perfectly legal , but that their numbers made it illegal . ( Oh , oh , and laughter . ) Now he , Mr . Dixon , thought it a very novel doctrine , that the number of persons seeking a redress of grievances , should constitute the illegality of a meeting ; while they were told that a majority of English feeling should always constitute the dominant power in the state . There was no man present who felt a deeper , or a greater pride in that day ' a proceedings than him , Mr . Dixon . However , as he would have frequent opportunities of addressing hhfctownsmen in their own hall , and as Mr . O'Connor had two sermons to preach , and was limited as to time , he would now make way for that gentleman . ( Clivers , and go on . ) Mr . O'Goxsoa—Yes , go on . I will give you one oi the sermons with pleasure . ( Laughter . )
Mr . Dixon—No , no . I see that others are anxious to say a few words before Mr . O'Connor rises to address you , and therefore I shall sit down , thanking you for your indulgence and your kind reception . Mr . Dixon than sat down amid loud cheers , when the Rev . Mr . Scholefield stepped to the front of the platform , and was received with loud cheers and waving of hats . He said , Mr . President and my friends , I come amongst jou this evening to pay a debt and discharge a great obligation to your chief . I am come to tender my thanks and gratitude to that gentleman for his noble , his patriotic , eloquent and innn ' defence of yi > u and yonr principles at Nottingham . ( Loud cheers- ) Yes , my friends , it is a duty that every man in the kingdom owes to Mr .
O'Connor for his transoendant speech ; a speech which , although we are told is imperfectly reported in the Star , was sufficient to warm the blood in the veins of every working man and every lover of liberty who read it . ( Great cheering . ) A speech , sir , which we are told is to be published at great length —a speech that every one of my children shall- have , a speech that every working man , and every working man ' s child in the kingdom should possess , and hand down to posterity as the title-deed of the labourer ' s social and political rights . ( Loud cheering . ) I have now discharged that obligation , Sir , and 1 have a debt to pay to the respected gentleman . 1 am not ashamed to confesss , sir , that 1 felt sore , and not unnaturally , at the manner in which I was
treated at the Lancaster trial . I felt , sir , that the inconvenience sustained by myself and family , and which we are at all times ready to endure , was quite a sufficient sacrifice for us . ( Hear , hear . ) But , sir , when the authorities of the town took advantage of our peaceful demonstration to turn tbe law against us , 1 did think it too hard that I , who had futnished the Chartist party with countenance and shelter which they could not secure elsewhere , should have been made the greatest victim . ( Cheers . ) Yes , sir , I am not afraid to confess that I did fed sore at £ 150 of my own earnings being taken from my young family to defend myself and support my witnesses at Lancaster ; but , sir , when I learn from Mr . O'Connor for the first time , in his letter upon
the subject , that the defence fund was appropriated not only to the defence of the Lancaster men , but to the defence of the Stafford , the Warwick , the Chester , and the Liverpool Chartists , and that the fund was debtor to him ; then , sir , my bitterness of feeling turned into regret for having done him a moment's injustice —( Loud cheers )—and now , sir , the only honour that I desire to achieve is , that besides my three or or four pounds personal subscription , that I should be entered as a subscriber of £ 150 to the National Defence Fund . ( Loud cheers . ) Now , sir , I have discharged a sacred obligation and a debt to Mr . O'Connor , and I shall settle accounts with the directors of this splendid hall . I shall also discharge my obligation to those gentlemen . Upon
various occasions , when they sought my services was otherwise engaged , but nevertheless I felt an anxious desire in their praiseworthy undertaking . ( Cheers . ) My friends , you have yet much land contiguous to this hall that may be turned to profitable account . Build shops upon it , and houses upon it , and you may depend upon it that the more you possess yourselves of those emblems of respectability houses and land—the more your opponents will respect j'ou and attend to your demands . Look to the land plan established by Mr . O'Connor and see what benefit that promises . But there is no thing I would say to our respected friend , although he has no great
partiality for parsons , I would remind him that it would be wise to procure a substitute for some of their expensive services—it would be wise to appoint a still and lonely sacred spot to each location , where , without the interference of the parson , we may bury our families , where their bones may mingle with their own dust , and where in the calm and stillness of the surrounding quiet , they may hear the trumpet sound , if ever it does sound —( great laughter and cheers)—and thus as their comfort will be more secure , they will have a better chance of hearing the last summons than the poor factory operative living in the rattle-box and : amid the Babel of their own
confusion . ( Renewed laughter and cheers . ) Now , my friends , I will turn to another subject . Mr . Dixon has adverted to the questions put by me to Mr . Milner Gibson . ( Cheers . ) My friends , I did no more than my duty . I thought when a right hon . gentleman whose name we were likely to forget in his titles came amongst us to seek our support , that we should not allow him to forget our principles , or at least to suppose that wc had forgotten them . ( Loud cheers . ) I put those questions to him
in perfect sincerity , and I believe that it it had not been for the fog around him that he would have answered them with more sincerity than he did . 1 tell you , my friends , that he and his class' will only represent you when they are compelled to do so by the strength of your principles , instead of being awed by those who now possess a monopoly of the franchise . Now , my friends , I have discharged my several debts , sind 1 shall retire to make way for my friend Mr . 0 ' Connor . The rev . gentleman sat down amid repeated cheers , when
Mr . O'Connor rose and said , sir , can anything be more delightful to my mind than the illustration of the great fact presented to us in tlie return of our esteemed and rev . friend ( Loud cheers . ) Have 1 not always said that Chartism required but the appearance of a foe worth fighting to ensure the reunion of its own discinlcs —( cheers )—and if my speech at Nott ' s had no other result than that oi inspiring the rev . gentleman with renewed confidence in my resolution , I am more than amply paid . ( Cheers . ) I am always pleased at having an opportunify lo explain myself upon money matter . 9 . In these respects I differ from the usual . elass of treasurers . When I have a balance inlland I proudly announce the fact in honour to your devotion , but
vhen the exchequer is my debtor , I sorrow in silence over your apathy , and bear the infliction rather than announce your indifference to the world . ( Cheers . ) Such is now the case—such were the circumstances R-hich led to the mistake of my rev . and excellent friend . A balance in hand was published immediately after the trial , and long before all the obligations were discharged , and the result of the several defence funds is , they owe me a balance of more than £ 200 . ( Shame . ) Wei ) , now I have done with that subject , and I turn to what is more cheering . Mr . Scholefield is amongst us once more , and Dr . M'Douall has also buckled on his Chartist armour—( loud and long continued cheoring and waving of hats)—and every particle of difference th . it did exist between us and those who struggled with us before , must perish and be for ever forgotten . ( Loud cheers . ) The enemy is in the field , and wc can only be beaten by onr own disunion . I shall now , my
friends , justify another portion of my own conduct . I have been frequently charged as an obstructive , for not taking the free traders at their word and joining them in the struggle for free trade upon the solemn pledge and assurance that , that object achieved , they would join us for the charter . I knew my men , I knew the anticipated result from free trade . I was aware of its contemplated effect upon Chartist principles and the rights of labour , and I refused the proposition unless they would place the Charter in its legitimate position in the foreground . ( Cheers . ) Well , our systematic opposition , our deadly hostility , and above all , our physical force propensities , were held as reasons for holding aloof . Circumstances justified our neutrality , and by our neutrality , more than by their own power , they were enabled to succeed ; whereas ^ had we longer resisted their progress , all the anticipated , and , indeed , all the hoped for horr ors , would have been placed to our account .
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However , there has been a total abandonment ° f physical force proceedings by the treacherous wh » alone preached them . There has been a total sucession of our opposition-the measure has been carried , and 'yhere now is the promised advocacy of ouarcist principles when the corn laws were repealed ? loud and continued cheering . ) What now becomes ™™ n Sted P olicv <> f ONE THING AT A TIME . fgE k TRADE FIRST , AND T 11 E ; CI 1 ARTER AMhjR . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Upon the contrary , so tar from any advance being made by that section , glutted by their presumed triumph , do we not find every shade of tho Press , in every county , and every shadow of political faction , combining in more deadly hostility than ever to suppress the progress of our movement . ( Loud cheers . ) The policy
of stand alone is not only ours , but that of our opponents . They are determined that we shall stand alone , and with God ' s blessing WE WILL STAND ALONE . ( Great cheering . ) Look to the coalition that has been formed—think of the Liberator ,, the Times , the Finally Hero , every section of liberalism , and what is called the advocates of things-as-they are , being obliged to combine to resist a party which is said to have no existence . ( Great cheering . ) Why there is no threatened opposition in tlie House of Commons , and the fusion and amalgamation of parties is merely intended as a resistance to Chartism . [ Mr . O'Connor was proceeding to analyse the power of the several parties , when Mr . Roberts entered the hall , and was received with the most rapturous
applause , and which was renewed upon his mounting the platform . When it had subsided Mr . O'Connor continued : —] This is the only- Attorney-General I ever desired to see —( cheers and laughter , )—labour ' s Attorney-General ; the Attorney-General who has gained more triumphs for your order than you have achieved by the millions expended in fruitless struggles against the power of capital . ( Loud cheers , and ' it's true . " ) Here he is , not bolted yet . ( Great laughter . ) Not gone to America with the ¦ funds , but here before you ,-to tell you what he thinks of your position , and what he thinks of the plan , at which he has now had a partial glance , I , like yourselves , am anxious to hoar him , and as my _ time ia limited 1 shall now make way . ( Loud cheering . )
Mr . Roberts then presented himself , and was most enthusiastically applauded . Ilesaid , that , his presence there receiving tlie hearty plaudits of the people , was another proof of the fact that honest men had nothing to fear from criticism or censure . ( Loud cheers . ) They had only to continue in that course which their own hearts told them was right , and the people were shrewed enough to form a just estimate of their intentions , whether honest or dishonest . ( Cheers , ) He was not one of those who had ever pandered to existing opinions , to court popularity ; buton the contrary , ' when he conscientiously differed from the prevailing dogmas of the day , he came in for his share of that censure , which is always sure to follow resistance to those questinns of immediate excitement . ( Cheers . )
Neither was he in the habit of ascribing an undue " value to new nostrums propounded for the benefit of the working classes . He was ready to admit that when the land plan was first propounded ; he may have thrown a damper upon the hopes'ofmany who had consulted him ; because , as with other projects so with it , he had heard of so many projects that promised largely , and that afterwards disappointed , that he was determined to have no share of the blame in tlie new failure . However , upon the occasion of Mr . O'Connor having sold Cai-peiders' Fs > rm , his ( Mr . Roberts' ) professional duty required that hesheuld go to Mr , O'Connor , as Mr . O'Connor could not come to him , and in speaking of the profit made upon that sale , he should only remark that 9 , O 0 Olu every 10 , 000
honest men in England would say that the profit realised by that sale properly , justly , and rightfully belonged to Mr . O'Connor himself . ( Cheers . ) However , as it appears , he has gratified his 'vanity by giving it to you , I confess to you that when 1 arrived at llerringsgate , I to expected sec a mud hovel here , and to stnmblc upon a foundation there , and perhaps to see some ploughs at work ; but when I walked a mile upon a gravelled road with houses , that deserve the name , upon either side , when I saw the state tliey were in , and the sum they had cost , I was literally astounded . ( Great cheering . ) All my prejudices left me , and if my astonishment before was that any one should be gulled by the project , my
astonishment now is that there are not 10 , 000 members for every one . ( Lord cheers ) And my conviction is that if ( he working classes could see it , and understand it , thty would require not one O'Connor , but a hanrired O'Connors to carry it out to the extent that might be realised . ( Great cheering . ) As the time had now arrived for Mr . O'Connor ' s departure , Mr . Roberts was obliged to-break off in that part of his speech so interesting to the meeting , and the two gentlemen tool- their deprrture amid cheering and waving of hats that shook the new Chartist Sanctuary , and thus ended the ceremony of opening and consecrating the new Chartist Tabernacle .
The Land
THE LAND
DISCUSSION BETWEEN ifR . O'CONNOR AND MR ; GAY AT UICKMANSWOItTH . Monday last being the day appointed for the above discussion , the Fortune ( a piece o ( waste ground near Rickmansworth ) , where the meeting was held , presented a scene of unusual bustle in that peaceful spot . The farmers and little squires in the neighbourhood who heap donkey carts undertook to pay Mr . Gay ' s exLeuces to enable him to throw cold water upon the increasing pride of the labouring classes , who are now beginning to learn their own value . Shortly after seven o ' clock the several roads and paths began to contribute their share , and at about half-past seven , when the proceedings commenced , there was an immense concourse of persons , partly owing , no doubt , to the fact of its being "fair day" at ltiekmnnsworth .
Mr . Henkt Ross was called to the _ chair , and having demanded an impartial heaving for the fpeaktrs , he introduced Mr , Gay . Mr . Gay said he had come there in consequence of being dared to meet the managers of the land plan in discussion . The gentleman connected with it had offered to pay his expences , but he declined that offer and had come at his own expence . ( Hear , hear . ) He was a native of Rickmansworth , and he thought he owed it to his fellow-townsmen who were likely to be seduced by the promised benefits , to caution them against the delusion , He held the rules in his hand , and he would prove the impracticability of carrying out the plan according to those rules . He found that the plan promised two acres of land , a cottage , and £ 15 , for £ 5 a-year , and he asserted that what
was to be given for that £ 5 a-year could not cost less than £ 117 . Suppose £ 40 for two acres of land , £ 50 for a cottage , £ 15 for stock , seed and implements and £ 7 for a lease . Now , if he was right in his calculations , it was clear that the whole sum of £ 15 , 000 paid by one section of 6 , 000 would not lo cate more than about 128 members ; so that the remaining 5872 must be wholly disappointed , This was what he found by the rules , and it was an explanation of those rules , especially of the 22 nd , that he required . He asked Mr . O'Connor how he could hope to carry out the promised benefit , when he showed that the whole capital of one section would be absorbed in locating 128 of its members . He thought it his duty to open the eyes of his
fellowmen , and to prevent them from falling into the precipice or the hole while ihelr eyes were blindfolded . Mr . O'Connor said , Really Mr . Chairman and my friends , I was not aware of the description of opposition the land plan would have to encounter from this new opponent of the measure . Firstly , allow me to observe the strong proof of our own belief that this meeting and the manner in which it is got up exhibits . One would suppose that a party opposed to all and anything having authority , would be satisfied with that amount of opposition ; but as our principles ever thrive best upon discussion , we have actually offered to pay the expenses of our new opponent —( cheers)—and don ' t you think we have shown our wisdom . ( Laughter . ) If Mr . Gay's opposition
¦ loes not confer the anticipated benefit upon you , I trust that my reply will be of benefit to him—and now I shall proceed to take the bandage off hiseyes , lest in his blindness he may tumble over the precipice , or fall into the hole , which his imagination has dug . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now . , did any man ever witness such an exhibition ? When you and I were anxiously looking for an exposure of errors which p rudence would require the coircctl ' on Of , W 6 find a gentleman full of ignorance , and as wholly destitute of knowledge of tlie plan as a sucking pig is of divinity —( Cheers and laughter)—telling us that if we do this , and if we do that , and if we do the other thing , we cannot do the right thing —( laughter)—but he has never once told you that neither we nor yet
the rules propose doing any one thing that he conjectures . If , says he , the land and cottage cost £ 90 . and you give £ 15 , and the lease costs £ 7 , and if you get but £ 5 a-year for that , how can you locate all the members , and will not our capital be wasting instead of improving . I wish Mr . Gay would write a new arithmetic . ( Laughter . ) Why if all this does happen , then , instead of £ 5 a-year , the society will charge £ 6 I 5 s . a-year , or at the rate of 5 percent , upon the additional capital over £ 83 10 s . ( Cheers . ) If the lease costs £ 7 ! what nonsense , when it will not cost more than 10 s . If vou give £ 110 worth instead of £ 82 10 s . worth—if you " do this , and if you do that , and if you do the other thing—one would suppose that the 126 first occupants were to hold their tenements for
nothing ; why , did not Mr . Gay know that when located , we could mortgage or sell the land subject to the conditions of our leases , and so go on buying , sub-dividing , and locating , until all were provided for ? ( Cheers . ) The fact is , that the charm of our plan consists in the fact , that while we secure comfort and independence for the members , we also secure the success of the project by demanding rather a high than a low rent for what we do give . ( Cheers . ) Now , for instance , we give two acres of laud that cost £ 3710 s ., ahouse tthatcosts £ 30 , and £ 15 capita ) , that is , £ 82 10 s . worth for £ 5 a-year , and we get £ 210 s for a share ; and for all that such allotments and buildings cost over £ 8210 s ., we charge 5 per cent , upon the surplus . Now , what can be more simple , and
The Land
who but a blockhead can ever pretend to misunderstand it ? ( Cheers . ) We were obliged to establish some standard of price for land and cottage , and it would have been precisely the same if we had adopted £ 18 or £ 60 ah acre . No member joined in the expectation that , if we gave £ 60 an acre for land , and £ 50 upon a ' cottage , that he was to get two acres ot that land and a cottage , and £ 15 , for £ 5 a-year ( Cheers . ) Nor are we bound to the capricious price of £ 1815 s . an acre , or to £ 30 for a house ; what we are bound to is , the honest , prudent , and profitable expenditure of the funds . ( Cheers . ) Now , I trust that I have taken the bandage off Mr . Gay ' seyes , and that he will be saved from the precipice , and not fall into the hole on his way home . ( Cheers . )
Mr . Gay again came forward and said , —It ' s all very well for Mr . O'Connor to expose my ignorance and amuse the meeting . ( A voice : "Aye , and at your expense , too ; " laughter . ) Well , at my expense ; but I did not think Mr . O'Connor would condescend to answer me b y mere abuse —( he didn't ) ., or that he could afford to deal in personalities . ( Mr . O'Connor : Nonsense , I did not . ) Well , then , I am not convinced . ( Laughter . ) Mr . O'Connor is obliged to confess that the rules , cannot be adhered to . ( Mr . O'Connor : I am not . ) Does he-not now say , that if the land and house and £ 15 costs more than £ 82 10 s ., that the occupant must pay an increase of five per cent , upon the surplus . ( A voice : And so do the rules . ) Well , well ; can he do what he has promised—give a house ,
£ 15 , and two acres of ground , for £ 5 a year ? ( Mr , O ' Connor : Yes , at the stipulated price . ) It is because Mr . O'Connor has admitted that many poor persons have pawned their all that I consider it my duty to caution them ; and now again I ask Mr . O ' . nner where the means are to come from to locate all ? for , observe , when the land is once leased for ever , the purchaser cannot raise the rent '—( . **' Hear , ' hear , " from Mr . O'Connor)—and he won't 3 «; re whether your holding Is worth £ 10 , or only £ l . ( Oh , oh !) And at the scale of price and rent that 1 have exhibited , it will take rather better than forty seven years to complete one location . { Laughtc r . ) Now , I have not yet been satisfied upon these points , and Mr . O'Connor has admitted that others as well as myself have been doubtful .
Mr . O'Connor t Really , I never heard such nonsense . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Gay has put three most absurd questions to me , or rather he has repeated three most absurd notions , and asked me to answer them . Firstly , he says that it will take 47 years to locate one section "; secondly , that it will cost £ 117 to bring in £ 5 a year ; and thirdly , that we shall be nothing the better for the increased improvement by labour . 1 will go backwards with him—heknows nothing whatever of land , or of the question . ( Hear , hear . ) He says that it makes no difference to the purchaser whether the holding is worth £ 1 or £ 5 , after he has bought it at a certain . rent ; Now , observe , for this is the very question—suppose that house and garden is worth , and barely worth , £ 5 a year , a purchaser
will ' not give more than 20 years' purchase , or £ 100 for it ; but suppose the rent for ever is £ 5 a year , and the tenant has made it worth £ 8 , a purchaser will give 25 years' purchase , or £ 125 for the £ 5 pecured by £ 8 value , and suppose he has made it worth £ 10 a year , and that £ 5 a year of that only is to be sold , a purchaser will give" 33 years' purchase , or £ 165 for the £ 5 a year secured like the funds by the increased value . ( Loud cheers . ) Now , there is an answer to the foolish observation that industry gives no benefit to the society . Then again with Mr . Gay ' s Calculation of 47 years , will he tell us where he finds his data . ( Laughter . ) Why does he not propose a plan ? Now , 1 can but answer that by the simple undertaking to locate every member of section No . 1 within
6 years , or to have insured their location within that period . ( Ijoud cheers . ) Now for the last absurdity , wbioh . I answered before . Of course , if we give all this and that and the other , aud give £ 20 instead of £ 15 , and £ 7 for a lease instead of 10 s ., wc should fail , but then here is just the hitch . The rules say nothing of the kind , though Mr . Gay does . Nor do wc intend to do anything of the kind . ( Cheers . ) Has Mr . Gay ever heard of Insurance Companies , Canal companies , mining companies , Joint Stock Banking Companies , Railway Companies , and Steam Navigation companies ; and does he not know that they all make fortunes by co-operation of non-productive labour , while we will presume that a co-operation of productive labour , must fail . ( Cheers . ) The
cultivation of the soil is productive labour , making Sovereigns is non-productive labour . I have admitted -that we charge £ 5 a year for what costs £ S 2 10 s ., and of that we get £ 2 10 s ., but then here is the value . In this very neighbourhood labourers pay £ 6 10 s . for two rooms , without £ . 15 or an inch of ground , or a lease . ( Cheersand ' more . ' ) Well , then , docs it damage a man to get the two acres of land , £ 15 , and a lease for ever of the kind of laud we stipulate , for £ 110 s . less . The fact is . that nothing can be done for the poor man . ( Cheers . ) There was a time when estates in Scotland was valued according to the number of men upon them , but now they arc valued by the clearance system . Here , take Herringsgate , formerly worked by perhaps two men , and
now the labour of 35 will be applied to it every day in the year , better than 70 hired labourers , as every one will work for himself . Now in two years the reserved rents of those holdings would sell like quit rents for 40 years' purchase , ' as such boilings will be worth three times as much as the rent , and the rent only can be sold . ( Great cheering . ) Although we charge £ 5 a year for what costs £ 80 in reality , yet if a poor man has £ 80 , or £ 180 , he could not get such a thing ; there is no market for such a thing . Mr . O'Com . or then showed how many gentlemen , and especially parsons , had sub-divided land worth £ 2 an acre into allotments , and got at the rate of £ 20 and £ 30 an acre for it , and that not one of the holders would give his allotment for even double that great rent . ( Cheers . ) Well now what Isay is this , that what we
give for £ 5 aye . tr is worth , well worth , £ 10 a year , and in a short time it will be seen—not one man in (! 000 will or can fail , aud if all should fail others will pay to try the experiment —( laughter)—so the market is there . Mr . O'Connor then gave the oppressive parsons or farmers a woeful scourging , which many present seemed to feci , and said , what I want is to have five masters looking after one man instead of 40 men looking after one master . ( Cheers . ) I tell Mr . Gay that he would not dare to offer this ridiculous opposition to the men in the north who understood tlieplaii , andaswehavcmany thousands , I will pit their wisdom and capability of judging how to lay out their pence against Mr . Gay ' s judgment—( Cheers )—A working man who has earned his money hardly , thinks well before he parts with it , and all those conundruns have been mooted and refuted . 1
did not say that others of his class were doubtful about the success , what I said was that some free traders who dread comfortable labour had expressed some misgiving but that was the greatest compliment to the plan . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Gay . —lam not convinced yet . ( Laughter . ) Mr . O'Connor has said that a section will be located in six years but that is only assertion . I say fortyseven years . ( Laughter . ) He asks me why 1 don't propose a plan myself . —I HAVE A PLAN—( roars of laughter , and 'now its all out ')—but I am not going to propound my plan until the data is all arranged , and until it is matured . ( Laughter . ) I don't know whether Mr . O'Connor has convinced you , but he has not convinced me , and if you hold up your hands for
his plan it will not prove that you ueheve it practicable , but because he has more eloquence than I have . Still I don'tsee how with only # 15 , 000 paid up , Mr . O'Connor can locate 0000 at £ 137 each . I should not have come here at all if I hud not been dared , I am willing to stop till to-morrow night to continue the discussion . ( Cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor . —Now really it is too bad to hearthis thriue repeated nonsense repeated again and again . If mine is more assertion that I will locate tlit-m in six years , what is Mr . Gay ' s but assertion . Suppose 1 say that I will go to London to-morrow by Watford , it is but assertion till it is done , but I have weighed it aud 1 will now astonish Mr . Gay . If I had a loan of £ 20 . 000 instead of raising it in shares , I could locate 1 , 000 or any number , and repay the capital with interest when all were located —( great cheering)—and I will tell him now that in less than two years , an
allotment will sell for over £ 200 above the rent , and more than that . ( Cheers . ) Still he goes on in the dark as if ' . we were going to give tlie whole £ 15 , 000 among the first 128 occupants , while the fact is that the plan depends upon selling as well as buying , and then he says , that 1 can only build on one location in tlie year , loan on 21 —( cUeera)—and will—( cheers)—and lie appears to forget that the first is always the most difficult . That is the rule to guide us , that done and nothing can stop us ; one thing however is certain that the funds will be applied to their legitimate purpose . ( Cheers . ) Now I hope I have taken the bandage off Mr . Gay ' s eyes , and that he will not tumble in the precipice or into the hole on his way back —( Cheers)—and in order to satisfy him 1 shall propose a very sweeping resolution , first observing that lo you this is but the A . B . C . of the plan . It would require many lessons to make you understand it thoroughly , my resolution ia ,
ltesolved , That this meeting-, having heard the principles of the Luud Plan explained by Mr . O'Connor , is of opinion that the plan is feasible , and may be successfull y carried out , as laid down in tho rules ; but we are further of opinion , that it is the very bestplan everpioposed for si-euring comfort and independence to the working classes . ( Loud cheere . ) Mr . Gav . —Well , I willsecond that with great pleasure . ( Roars of laughter . ) Mr . Swankeu , butcher , of Rickmansworth , a highly respectable and intelligent person , who , with others of the same class , paid the greatest attention throughout , asked Mr . O'Connor how a man could support himself and his family upon two acres of ground ?
Mr . O'Cohnob said he wan glad to have such questions put to him by such persons , and proceeded to show how in many instances it had been tried and succeeded ; and further , that he would rather pay £ 10 a year for a'house and two acres of his own , than be insured £ 1 a week at full employment every day in the year . He further said , that tradespeople , having a few thousand pounds , may , by bringing land
The Land
into the retail market to suit the labouring classes make ten percent , of their money , while they . would be rendering incalculable benefit to'the ' people . If Mr . Swanuell was a sincere teetotaller , he would ba Kbid to learn that out of nearly £ 12 , 000 juuir . up , tully £ 8 , 000 , or three-fourths , had been snatched irom the gin palace aud the beer-shop—( loud cheers ) —as , the ' moment the market was opened , tho dmnkard saw his hope of redemption . The first-principle gentlemen said it was wrong to bin * what of right belonged to ( he people ; but ho ( Mr . O'Connor ) bagged to remind them , that if the common land belonged to them and was stolen , thel-owc , the £ 15 , the gravel road , the well , the improved state , the co-operation , and the school , had not been stolen from tbem ; and all those things the plan proposed to give them in an improved state . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr Gay then essayed to speak against the resolution which he had seconded , amidst some
confusion , and cries of Your plan , ' and' your c done . ' Atflength it was put by the chairman , when every hand in the meetin g appeare i to be in its favour , which , however , was not the case , as upon thts contrary beinsr put , three hands were held up against it . The show was followed by loud cheers and clapping of hands . , , , Mr . O'Comnor then said—Now I move a voie of thanks to Mr . Gay , for having served the land plan in this district more by his opposition than I could hope to do by his support ( laughter ) . Mr . Gat—No , I will not accept the compliment . I propose , as an amendment , a vote of tham-s to the chairman for his very praiseworthy and impartial conduct , seconded by Mr . O'Connor , and carried unanimously . After which the meeti-si ? broke up , giving three cheers for tho Land ; and ail retired about ten o ' clock , highly delighted with the I triumph achieved by Mr . O'Connor over his opponent , and nothing is now spoken of in tho district but the Land plan and the Chartists .
Finsbury Literary And Scientific Institution,
FINSBURY LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTION ,
The opening of this Institution , in Frederick street , Gosvell-road , was on Tuesday night celebrated by a soiree , at which about 250 persons of both sexes were present .. . ..... . The Chair was to have been taken by T . Wakley , Esq ., one of the Members for the borough ; but in consequence of the pressure of professional and parliamentary duties , he was unavoidably absent , and W . D . Saull , Esq ., occupied his place . A letter was received from T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., the other Member for the borough , stating his concurrence in the objects of the institution , but regretting that important business in the House of Commons preventod his personal attendance . . After teaand coffee had been abundantly supplied to the comnany ,
The Chairman in a brief address expressed his pleasure at witnessing so numerous and rcspectabio an assembly congregated for so noble and useful -tit object as the diffusion of literary and scientific- knowlodge , lie was happy to assist at the opening of such an Institution , and hoped that similar establish * ments would rapidly multiply . He regretted that their expected Chairman , Mr . Waklcy , was not present , but thouyh not so able in bis advocacy , of the duty and benefits to be derived from the extension of popular instruction , he was not kss sincere . — ( Cheers . )
The Secretary read the report of the Committee , explanatory 6 f the terms on which the institution had been procured , and the objects contemplated by its founders , which were , to secure to the working classes a place wherein they may be enabled to act for themselves in carrying oat those principle ? which the present age of progress requires at their hands . Secondly , to render thv-approach to the privileges of the institution accessible to all , by pressing as little as possible upon their present limited resources . And thirdly , by strictly keeping aloof from sect and party , political or religious—to endeavour to shun these great impediments , which have ev « been
found in the road to improvement—to allow .. freedom , of thought and opinion on all matters , without identifying themselves with any particular party , dogma , or doctrine—to tread the paths of science , seeking diligently for truth , wherever it may bo found demonstrated by experience and sound evidence , and by the possession of such acquirement , endeavour to lead out the human faculties moral , intellectual , and physical , to an improved state of existence . To effect this by tho formation of classes for affording instruction , elementary as well as the more advanced stages of education—by lectures on moral , philosophical , and scientific subjects—by the establishment of a library and reading-room .
Dr . Epp s , iu an able and eloquent address , pro-• josedthe first sentiment , which was , " The Finsbury Literary and Mechanics' Institution , may it be instrumental in educating and elevating the character of the working classes , by making them familiar with the facts of sience , by affording them faeili . ' . ies for the acquisition of knowledge , and by the cultivation of a taste for superior and intellectual enjoyments . May its success ( and that of all similar institutions ) bo proportioned to its usefulness and just claim to public support . " He trusted that havingadopted so large a title , their arrangements for imparting instruction , and advancing the cause of popular education , would be commensurate withit . He rejoiced to sec such institutions multiplying on many grounds . It was a matter of complaint that the people were
liable to be imposed upon by pretenders to scientific knowledge . The only way to cure that evil was to give them sound instruction , they would then he able todetect at once all impostors , of whatever chis ? 6 hey might be . —( Cheers . ) The ignorance of the masses at present constituted their stronghold . —( Hear , hear . ) That ignorance had also been the most formidable obstacle to the reception of great truths and the advance of works of public utility . . There was scarcely a single discovery which had for its object , the physical , social , and intellectual improvement of our race which had not been bitterly opposed , and their authors persecuted—many of them to death , either by neglect or positive martyrdom . —( Hear , hear , ) By the general diffusion ef sound scientific knowledge that great obstruction to progress could alone bo removed . Let them only think how many years the present generation were behind what they might have been had such obstructions not existed :
and the same would apply to the coming generation , who would inherit from them the legacy of ignorance and evil bequeathed to the past . The Learned Doctor illustrated this position by reference to the opposition experienced by Di ' . Jenner the author of vaccination—Winsor the inventor of gas , and various other examples of a similar character . Another reason was , that tlie scientific knowledge among the working classes would react upon the professionally scientific classes , and urge them to make greater efforts t keep a-head of the masses ; thus establishing a high , general standard of knowledge ; so that actuary i Q Icarnina themselves the labouring classes were foii-in those above them to learn also . —( Hear ;) Th speaker , after ably illustrating tiie various point mooted in his address , concluded by expressing hi regret at being compelled to leave before the coiiclu 5 sion of their proceedings , and left as a substitute fohis presence " The Journal of Health and Disease" a a present to the library . 8
Mr . W . FARnKR . jun .. proposed the next sentiment , — " The Friends of Nation Education and Popular Progress . May they be encouraged in their efforts by the sympathy and hearty co-operation of the people—the success of past exertions—and by the certainty of the ultimate establishment of these principles ; " which was supported by Mr . Thumb in an animated speech . Charles Mackay , Esq ., LL . D ., was received with great applause . At that late hour of the night , and being a stranger among them , lie would best discharge the duty committed to him by being brief in his observations , though the sentiment he had to propose was a tempting and an important one . He was delighted with all ho had witnessed of their proceedings and anticipated great benefits from the
growth and increase of such institutions . ( Hear , hear . ) The sentiment he had to submit was , '' The mission of the Press , may it be fully acc ? mplished by protecting the weak and defenceless , against unjust power and inhumanity , by advocating tho gieat principles of truth , justice and liberty , in everv portion of the habitable globo . " ( Great cheering " ) Such sentiment could not be dismissed without some observations , however brief , The press and its mission was one of the grandest subjects for human voice or pen . For the last 400 years , since the press had started into life , more progress had been made than in all the thousands of years which had preceded them in tho history of our race —( cheers )—and it was not Utopian to believe that the golden age which poets in olden times had sung of , and the philanthropists of the present so ardently desired , would vet be realised through its instrumentality . ( Cheers . ) Look at a small State in the centre of Europe which
u . m no mess , it nAu nea er gas nor railroads ; it was without most of those appliances for social , domestic , and industrial enjoyment and greatness which were the peculiar characteristics of the age . He meant the Papal States . ( Cheers . ) Let them contrast the state of that territorv with England , and that would at once give them a vivid idea of the value and importance of the press . ( Cheers . ) The sentiment expressed a hope that the press would vreI f-r ™ t , ie £ reat principles of truth , justice , and liberty . Such was its mission , and however individual instances of abuse might have marred its great and holy work , as a whole it had nobly performed it , and would continue to do so . ( Loud applause . ) Mr . G . Barubt supported the sentiment , which , like its predecessors , was unanimously adopted ; Mr . F . Barton , B . A ., in a short address , moved the adoption of the next and last sentiment , " The principles of universal peace , " which was also spoken to by Mr . Holyoake .
Tho proceedings of the evening were enlivened by tho services of a corps of vocalists , comprising Messrs Roberts , Fortescue , May , Daniels , and Sherwood and the whole appeared to give great satisfaction the numerous audience .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 25, 1846, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_25071846/page/5/
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