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_ " Hereditary nondsmen , hn<m ye not Who would he free himself must strike the blow!"
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unwara ana we conquer I Backward and we ...
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LirAl NATIONAL TRACES' JOURNAL
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I^JJLJ j 0 - 605, LOKDON, SATURDAY, IAT2...
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THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER. One of the most cr...
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wrisiiuijMsxriU..— stealing a watch.—iuo...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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_ " Hereditary Nondsmen , Hn≪M Ye Not Who Would He Free Himself Must Strike The Blow!"
_ " Hereditary nondsmen , hn < m ye not Who would he free himself must strike the blow !"
Unwara Ana We Conquer I Backward And We ...
unwara ana we conquer I Backward and we fall ! THE PEOPLE ' S CHARTER A 2 TO KO SXJRRESDER !" TO THE OLD GUARDS . Loved asb Honoured Comrades , ~ Vv * e have fought many and many a battle together—and , although some have deserted onr standard , others are immured in the dungeon , and some prematurely consigned to the cold grave , yet " Freedom ' s hattle once begun , Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son , Tho ' unfiled oft is ever won !" ¦ M
I adopt the motto of Daniel O'Gokxeel , but do not use it in the p h ysical sense but as emblematical of the time ; because if Labour does not now strike the blow , which is to shake off its manacles and shackles , thelabourer will be for ever a puling beggar , looking for doles , and alms , and charity ; while , if profitably employed at reproductive work , it would make the rich richer , the poor rich , and the country a Paradise .
Old Guards , for many a year you have honoured me with your confidence—and have I ever betrayed it ? I have invariably warned you of approaching conflicts , and rather than abandon the cause , -when the people have been driven to desperation and madness , I have taken my fall share of the consequence . I -warned you of the result of the agitation of 1839 , ' 41 , and ' 48 , and I now again warn yon—and to be forewarned is to be forearmed —of the result of the present agitation .
In 1841 , our aid was sought by the-Free Traders , and when we could not be seduced from our allegiance to the principles of the PEOPLES CHARTER , some of our professing friends and leaders were employed as lecturers by the League . They preached violence and resistance , and afterwards became spies and informers . "When they failed to cajole us at the Birmingham Conference , in
1842 , and when they found that we were resolute and determined , they then changed their tactics . They held ticket meetings and tea parties , from which you were excluded . The Press reported those meetings which were thinly attended , and you were paraded as the auxiliary force of Free Trade , while not a single Chartist demonstration was reported , and thus cur "weakness "was presumed .
Old Guards , the very same dodge is now being resorted to . Tou are sought to be enlisted as mere Financial Reform recruits , and your glorious Charter is to be once more jiicrged in this question of minor consideration . But upon you will depend the result . So long as I looked upon the question of Eeduction of luxation as one that was to be immediately aud continuously pressed , I hailed it as a corruption-slaying , patronage-destroying
measure : but when I discovered that it was a mere bait for the trap , and merely submitted to the consideration of the Minister , to be effected when he discovered its expediency , I then abandoned all hope of its . accomplishment . Tou sire now again sought to "be enlisted , in this spurious agitation , and the effect , the inevitable effect , of such a course would lead to the presumption that you had abandoned the princip les of ike Charter for Financial Kefonn .
If you are p repared to adopt that course , you have a ri g ht to communicate your intention to me , as I have a rig ht to understand the bearing of the mind of ' which I am presumed to Wilie leader ; and as there should "be no mistake between us , it is my duty to tell you that if you are prepared to abandon this agitation for the Charter for Financial Reform , that I mil prepared to surrender my commission , which I have hold since September , 1835 , fourteen years next September ; but I am not prepared to surrender my principles thoug h " all should desert me .
Old Guards , ' have you not gathered wisdom from past experience' ? and have you not discovered that the slightest retrograde motion iij » t > u your part g ives advantage and a victory io your opponents ? "What nation or what class has ever achieved- a triumph except b y the most pertinacious adherence to popular princip les ? Once surrender a particle or atom and your surrender of so much is construed into the intended abandonment of all ; and are you , now that the convulsions in all other countries are about to have then- effect upon the p olicy of the rulers of this country—are you , I would ask , at such a time prepared to retreat one single inch from the position you have so long lnxuifully occupied .
Old Guards , ours has now become a struggle of ri g ht against might—of justice against injustice—of knowledge against bigotry and intolerance ; they are strong weapons in the hands of a well-discip lined army , and , if judiciousl y used , are capable of achieving all that its forces contend for ; but take warning by the past " in 1839 , when six guineas a-week was the reward of patriotism ~ the Charter was upon every banner ; but when the exchequer was exhausted our most enthusiastic leaders betook themselves to more profitable avocations ; they were the loudest in denunciation of the very schemes and projects that they had advocated in the Convention ; . they looked for other paymasters and found them amonjrst the
wealthier class , and not amongst the impoverished slaves whose cause they advocated as physical force Chartists when they received six guineas a-week , but whose violences and practices they denounced when they had exhausted the poor man s exchequer . This fatality created the first crop of Chartist opponents , and for the first time filled your dungeons with Chartist victims , as the might of the few ever takes advantage of the dissensions of the many , and makes martyrs of the true .
Old Guards , the next suicidal act was the leaders of the Chartist party becoming Free Trade lecturers , at large salaries , in 1841 and 3842 , when again then * mad excitement of the unemployed millions led to the convulsionof 3842 , and a second crop of Chartist victims ; and sow this money game is once more to be tried , as I find that many enthusiastic Chartists are catering for the office of Financial Eeforni lecturers , finding that we are too
poor to sustain them . Rut , thank God , knowledge is now so difiused that even this third crop will find it impossible to win you from jour allegiance to y our own principles . Ibis will be the dodge , " and you must be prepared to meet it If you surrender now you will perish like cringing , crouching slaves , while , if von manfull y resist the bait and boldl y rall y around the standard of Chartism , your strength , your power , and your union "Kill produce that
PEACE , RETRENCHMENT , AND REFORM , which nothing but a combination of mind can achieve . Old Guards , the Labour Question is now agitating all countries in the world ; it is the question to the solution of which I have devoted a life ' s thought , and from thought and experience I have arrived at the conclusion , that when tyrants can no longer resist the force of the
wiited public opinion they hurry masses into revolution , well knowing that the people ""ill be the greatest sufferers , as the shout which vainly proclaims the popular triumph Jo"s the victorious people into apathy and fcthn , of which their taskmasters avail them-* ekes to establish their own stronger power j whereas the triumph of the mind cannot be thus wrenched from the grasp of the victors , as & e voice of knowledge-then silences the canawt ' sroar , and thought becomes a scabbard
* or everv sword . . . ' _ I repeat it—as I have told you a thousand times—that the peop le of ibis country . aw betfc * prepared for the adoption of principles m
Unwara Ana We Conquer I Backward And We ...
unison \ nth the march of intellect and progress than any other people upon the face of the earth ; while , as regards physical force and arms they differ from all other nations . In a physical revolution in other countries many of the aristocracy , a portion of the middle classes , and a majority of the army , all coalesce with the people to overthrow despotism ; while the people of this country are governed -
upon the " rule-of-three" princi ple which every aristocrat , every middleman , every shopkeeper , every fanner , every officer , every soldier , and every policeman considers it his duty , because ic is his interest , to maintaininasmuch as upon your industry they live , and from your industry is gathered more than even all the Despotisms of Europe and the Republic of America extract from industry .
Old Guards , I am aware of the influence that employers have over * their slaves . " I am aware that at Birmingham , in Manchester , and in the Market-place of Nottingham , they may array them in savage , brutal , and sanguinary opposition to me ; but I declare—and most solemnly—that I would rather perish in one of those conflicts than be a party to a delusion , the object of which is to bind , you , the industrious classes , still more closely to the dominion of capital . Yesr-if . I stood alone , I am determined to see the issue of this struggle , and that issue depends upon your own union , the surrender of your own jealousies , and the developement of your consolidated and welldirected opinion .
I have told you that there are" three stages through which public opinion must pass . It must be created—it must be organised—and it must be directed ; and in the present state of Europe all that the mind of this country requires , is to be brought to bear upon its present representatives , and that can onl y be achieved through the Press , and-that can only be ensured by the constant and unmistakable declaration of a majority of the people in favour of the PEOPLE'S CHARTER .
Old Guards , there has been a lull ; but I trust there is to be neither compromise nor surrender of our principles . On "Wednesday ni ght I attended a meeting at the east end of London , where I had never been before . The spacious room was not only crammed to suffocation , but a large adjoining room , the lanes , alleys , and street were also crowded , and I witnessed an amount of fervent enthusiasm and determined devotion to the OLD ANIMAL , which cheered my heart and filled me Avithjoy .
Old Guards , need I weary you by remmding you that in Ireland and England I have struggled for the principles of Democracy for a quarter of a century and two years ; that I have had to struggle against the most fierce and tyrannical opposition , and most especially from the opposition of truculent , servile , and speculating Chartists ; and , that I am yet undaunted and unscared ; and that , so help me God , I would rather perish to-morrow than consent to the abandonment of even the name of the Charter .
Old Guards , your cause has been to me a deep and continuous source of slander , persecution , and loss ; bu ^_ wttt ^ your . confidence and your countenance ; I wallTtiUlbrave those greater dangers which are now shadowed forth in the distant horizon of other lands ; and if deprived of that confidence and countenance I will retire into private life , but will never abandon the infant that requires but your genial breath to nurture it into a g igantic monster . Loved and honoured comrades , let mo find your resolution expounded in next week ' s "Northern Star , " and if you adhere to our loved and honoured motto of ,
"Onward and we conquer ! Backward and we fall I THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER AND 3 s ~ 0 SUKRENBElt !"
though older than when I commenced the agitation , he will be an active man who will outstride me in the onward march , Next week I shall look to the reflector of Labours mind with some anxiety , but with flattering hope ; and p leased would I be to see advertisements and all other matter displaced by forty-eight columns—ay , and a double
supplement—proclaiming the People ' s virtue and determination to preserve their principles whole , umnutilated , and entire . Perhaps the most pleasing intelligence that I can communicate is , that your Mend and mine , Thomas Sltxgsby Duxcombe , has resumed his place ^ Parliament . I remain , Old Guards , Your devoted , faithful , and uncomprishig Friend , Fjbargus O'Coxnob .
Liral National Traces' Journal
LirAl NATIONAL TRACES' JOURNAL
I^Jjlj J 0 - 605, Lokdon, Saturday, Iat2...
I ^ JJLJ j 0 - 605 , LOKDON , SATURDAY , IAT 26 , 149 . „ JSglTgS ^; . ^ ^ ¦ » ^ ^ ^ W W « M » i «« M « MMMM » l ^» l »»» li »« MMMnBMMMMMMM 1 | | — | | M | . ¦ ¦ ^ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ^^ ¦ M ^ MI ^^^ ITI I ,, , t | M
The People's Charter. One Of The Most Cr...
THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . One of the most crowded meetings of modern times , was held at the " Phoenix Tavern , " ltotclinc-cross , in support of the People ' s Charter , on Wednesday evening , 3 Iay 23 rd . Sotonly was the room crowded , hut every spot within hearing , while hundreds went away unable to obtain admission . At eight o ' clock Feargus 0 ' Connor , Esq ., M . P ., entered the room , and was received with the loudest applause . Dr . Brooks was immediately called to the chair , and said , he trusted that the meeting would hear the several able speakers that ¦ would ' address them on the important subject which had called them together , and by their respectful attention show themselves worthy of that which they sought to obtain . ( Cheers . )
Mr . Thomas Clark moved the following resolution : — " That inasmuch as the impositions oftaxation without its correlative representation , is a tvrannv , and at variance with the constitution of the third estate in these realms : this meeting is of opinion , that it is imperatively required of all who seek to remove unjust public burthens , and oppressive exactions , to revert to the original , simple , and direct princip les of the constitution of the people ' s House of Parliament . " He said : . This resolution contains truths , with reference to taxation and representation , which I think will meet with the unanimous assent of this meeting . As the resolution clearly sets forth , the British House of Commons is presumed to be a lonaiide representation of the whole British people , and upon the
realisation of that presumption only , can the House oi Commons rightly and constitutionally impose taxes on the millions , who at the present time have no control whatever over that or any other branch of thele « nslature . The Tory Blackstone said , that " Taxation without representation was a tyranny which ought to be resisted . " I say , that according to the ordinary rules of life , it is robbery , to which none but slaves would submit . ( Hear , and cheers . ) We are taxed , and that to a most shameful amount , but we are not represented at all . To us then the constitution is a dead letter . It is , in fact , no constitution at all .- ( Hear , hear . ) It has no claims upon us for respect , and we will obey it only until we shall have moral po wer sufficient to set it at defiance ! ( Cheers . ) Of what avail I should like to know would he such a constitution , if you , labouring men , could be made to feel and think luce
men ? ( Hear , hear . ) It will remain to you as a whip and a scourge until you shall have acquired manliness to stand erect and look above it . ( Cheers . ) "We ask for representation firstly , because as MEN we-are entitled to it . Secondly—because of the preponderating influence of our members ; and thirdly— -because of our usefulness . ( Cheers . ) If any other qualification could be devised to which I would lend my assent , beyond maturity of age , and sanity , it would be utility ; and if being of use' to the community , were once established as a qualification for the . exercise of the . elective franchise , how small would be the political power : of the aristocracy and the bench of bishops .- ( Laughter and cheers ) Yes , LABOURING MEN—and it is an honour to you that you are labouring men—I say you would haveno occasion to entertain any doubts about the exercise of political power , were the qua-
The People's Charter. One Of The Most Cr...
lification to which I have alluded made law . ( Hear , hear . ) My indignation grows apace , when I reflect upon the great powers of that mighty mass of intellect which is excluded by the present electoral law . The GREATEST class of the greatest people in the world are at this very moment nearly the only persons throughout Europe that are without political power . ( Cheers . ) why is this ? Is it because you are too degraded to make an effort to throw off the incubus that is wei g hing you- down to the earth ? I do not believe it ; yon have had the capacity to make England what she at this moment is—for , let no man think that the power of this wonderful island is the creation of heads bedecked with CROWNS and CORONETS ; but , on the contrary , the might and grandeur of England is the
work of the strong arms and majestic intellects of the toiling and industrial portions of the community . ( Loud cheers . ) Why , then , do you not stir yourselves ? ( Hear . ) Europe is up ; dynasties have faded away—have perished ' . Despotisms have been annihilated ! thrones have been hurled into the abyss of oblivion {—and , amidst all these glorious achievements ' , you , " alone , have' been " quiescent . ( Cheers . ) A French patriot spoke truly when he uttered the famous sentence , — " For a nation to be free , it is sumeientthat she wills it . " For England tobefree , it will be sufficient that her children have courage to demand their freedom . I have much pleasure in moving the resolution . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Matthias , in seconding the motion , said : If the much-boasted British Constitution was a
reality , the sooner they experienced its existence the better . Man should be represented , and not bricks and mortar . Mr . William Dixox came forward to move the second resolution as follows : — " That in the opinion . of this meeting , the document known as the People ' s Charter contains the most indubitable recognition of the foregoing principles ; while it suggests the most equitable and efficient means for their peaceable and salutary operation ; therefore it pledges itself to the principles and objects contained in the People ' s Charter . "—Mr . Ihxon said his friend Mi" . Clark had shown them that the
House of Commons was not in accordance with the theory of the British Constitution , and that in order to make it so , they required an extensive measure of Parliamentary Reform . There were at present various opinions as to what extent Parliamentary Reform was required , but the resolution wliich he held in his hand pointed out the only measure of reform which would meet the case , and make our representative system such as the constitution should be , namely—that representation should he co-equal with taxation ; this is provided for in the document known aa the People ' s Charter , the enactment of which alone can secure to the people a full ,, free , and equitable measure of representation . Ho was aware that
the name of the Charter made some old women faint , hut -what is it after all ? A measure of Parliamentary Reform , which gives to every male of the age of twenty-one , and who has a head and a pair of hands , and who , by the honest use of them , contributes something useful for the commuity , that he should participate in all the immunities of a citizen , In fact , it goes for Universal Suffrage , and provides the necessary details for the effectual working of the same , by protecting the voter from all undue influence of either landlord or employer . The only - objection raised again st Universal Suffrage , is ' the want of intelligence on the part of the working classes , but intelligence is no test of the fitness of men to vote . No man will presume to say that the present electoral body hold the Suffrage because they are wise or virtuous . No , the system is most absurd , and if
the electors had one spark of English independence within their systems they would not hold the franchise by such a tenure for another day , but would at once join the working men , and demand the Suffrage , because they were nien and not because they were in possession of a certain species of property . Only look at the monstrosity of the system . A man may now be in prosperity and be enabled to pay the required rent-and ^ tes , d ) uirJauin ; e ., next yeaivadversity overtakes him , and not from any immoral act of his own—not because he has done anything beneath the dignity of a man , hut because he is poorer than he was last year , he is robbed of his right to vote , and tumbled back into the ranks of the slave , and slaves they arc who would hold their rights upon such a flimsy tenure as that . He , Mr . Dixon , was fully aware that so soon as the people fully understood and appreciated the Charter the document would become law . lie entreated them to
think wellon this matter , for they might rest assured that there would never be any amendment cither in the taxation of the country or their moral , social , or political condition , until there was such a reform in parliament as the one provided for in the resolution . He then said—Working took , what is it that sweetens your toil ? "What is the uppermost wish of your heart when the labour of the day is over when the prattling pledges of your love come climbing upon your knee ? Why , this : You hope that they will be enabled to enjoy more of the good things of this world than you , their unfortunate
parent , have ever been allowed to possess . It is this that sweetens life . It is this that enables us to work in the mines , the mills , at the loom , and the anvil . But let us remember that so long as causes exist so long will effects follow , and if we do not now unite to destroy the causes which produce our misery , but by our apathy allow them to continue , then we may rest satisfied that instead of their condition being mended it will be worse than ours at present is . Therefore , working men , the work is your own , and unless you do it for yourselves it will ever he undone . He moved the resolution and resumed his seat amidst great applause .
"When Mr . O'Connor rose he was received with loud and tremendous cheering and clapp ing of hands . He said : 3 fr . Chairman , and my friends , the other House has adjourned for the Derby day , and I am come here to start you for the labour p late . ( Cheers . ) jSTow , I am not come here to ilatter you or to talk nonsense , I am come here to explain the Labour Question to labourers governed by the rule of three , and when I make you thoroughly understand it , blame yourselves and not your
rulers or me , if you cannot solve it . I will first take taxation in the aggregate , and then I will reduce it to individual receipt , and you shall judge of the justice of both as administered by the present system of representation . Firstly , then , you pay to the amount of twenty-seven millions a year , as interest upon what is called a , national debt , expended upon the shedding of human blood to uphold the ascendancy of faction , and to subject you to the will and dominion of that faction ; ( Hear ,
hear . ) Now , those twenty-seven millions a year would give £ 27 a year to every man of one million heads of families . ( Cheers . ) Next comes army , navy , and ordnance , the expense of which is about twenty-three millions a year , a sum which would give £ , 28 a year to every one of another million " of labourers . ( Cheers . ) Next comes State Church , poor ' s rates , re ^ al and governmental expenses , and a thousand and one incidentals , amounting in the aggregate to about twenty-five millions a year—that amount would give £ 25 a year to each of another million of labourers ; and observe , that in these aggregated sums I am making no estimate of the one thousand and
one casual and local' expenses , such as legal , police , and the other items ; but you will find that the three departments that ! have mentioned , would allow on the average £ 25 per annum to each of three million labourers , or , at five to a family , would support fifteen millions of a population . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers . ) -Well , then , the question for them was , whether the present generation should be liable to a tax , to pay the interest upon a debt which was contracted" to uphold a vicious system by the shedding of human blood ? ( Cheer ' s . ) The next question was , whether
army or ordnance would be required , if satisfaction prevailed ? And if those establishmentswere not merely necessary to enable all parties with power and capital to live upon the powerless slave ? ( Cheers . ) Next came tithes , poor rates , regal and governmental expenses , and he would ask if there would be less p iety , religion , and Chiistianity , amongst a comfortable , ' . satisfied , and peace-loving people , 'than there is now to he found amongst an uncomfortable ,,, dissatisfied , - and discontented people ? ( Cheers , ) He . had so far shown them the vice iu the aggregate ,
The People's Charter. One Of The Most Cr...
and now Jhe would individualise it . A Cabinet -Minister receives £ 5 , 000 a year , or nearly a £ fQQ week—that , at 10 s . a week would support two hundred families , and at five to a jfainil y one thousand individuals . ( Hear , hear , and "Shame . " ) It is not a shame , orjif it . is a shame , the shame is upon the heads ? of' those upon whose disunion it rests . ( Cheers . ) Then he would take a pious rig ht rcverjhd Father in God having £ 20 , 000 a-year in pi sorts of pickings , or nearly £ 400 a-week ; that would give ten shillings a-week to eight hundred men , and at five to a family
would support four thousand . ( Loud shouts of " Sh am |< f and "Toobad . " ) Mr . O'Connor : Ay , 'pj 3 s too had of you never to have taken this ^ air ; ' yiew of the Labour' Question before , bu |' npw you will think of it . Next came unhj « pi | lrelaiid , and there the viceregal systen ^ v itl ^&^ juM ^^ over £ 40 , 000 a-year but putting itdovra . at £ 40 , 000 a-yeaiythis one puppet received as much as would allow 2 s . Od . a-week to six thousand four hundred families , which , at five to a family , would amount to thirty-two thousand individuals —( shouts of "Horrible" )—and this , he it observed , in a country from which the inhabitants are fl ying , and where this representative of royalty can see his mistress ' s loyal subjects dying under his very nose in thousands . ( "Shame , Shame . ") Mr .
O'Connor : It is not a shame upon him . ( Criesof "It is . " ) Mr . O'Connor : It is not , the shame is upon you . ( Cheers . ) But it is your own disunion—your own base and servile competition , upon which the system is based . ( Hear , hear . ) He would explain the nature of that competition . Suppose two rival coaches were running upon a road upon which there was not traffic to pay the propietors of both , what would be a greater pleasure to either than to see the rival coach upset and all the passengers mangled or killed ? Would he not advertise it in order to puff his own vehicle , and increase his own profit ? ( Hear , hear . ) Well , then , you arc just the same ; if ten men or a score of men ai - e out of employment , what will g ive them greater pleasure than to hear of the dismissal or death of
ten or a score of their rivals , whose p laces they may fill ? ( Hear , hear ,. and "True . " ) Yes , it was true , and they themselves wore to blame for it , because by their union and co-operation the system which tolerated it would pass away as chaff before the wind . A great struggle was now taking place all over the world and he was rejoiced to think that while that strugg le was a physical one in other countries , it was a moral struggle , a struggle of the mind , in this country . ( Cheers . ) And wh y ? Because , denounced as they were for ignorance , he proudly contended that they were the best instructed people in the world upon the
Labour Question , which was the question of questions . ( Hear , hear . ) In France the labourers , uninstructed in the Labour Question and accustomed to arms , had recourse to arms to achieve their ri ghts ; they fought bravel y and gallantly , and gained the victory ; but no sooner did the shout of triumph proclaim that victory than the owners of capital and speculators , in labour took advantage of the people ^ sVlieroism and turned the arms of the hired mercenary agaiiist those who had won Labour ' s battle . ( Cheers . ) Well , then , had they not had sufficient proof of the use that the dominant classes ever made of a
popular victory , without this recent French illustration , and with such proof staving them in the face , were they again about to surrender themselves , bound hand and foot , to the keeping of their taskmasters ? ( So , no . ) Yes , you ai-o ; you are now asked to become . in auxiliary covps in the tax-redeeming army , and to g ive up the Charter for the " Quadruped . " ( Loud shouts of " Uo , never . " ) Ho was g lad to hear it , and he had come there that ni ht tor the purpose of placing the whole animal in all its proportions before them , well Knowing , but at the same time disregarding , the odium to which it would sub-: jeet him ; but , ' as he had struggled in that cause for nearly a quarter of a century and two years , and
could say what no living man conld say—what none could deny—that in the midst of the groat and astounding changes upon which others had based their conversion within that convulsive period , ho had never altered his opinions or principles . ( Loud cheers . ) It was not to be supposed that imprudence was a' thing with which tiie most consistent may not be charged , but with inconsistency he defied any one to taunt him ; and lie trusted that , taking a lesson from the past , they would become wiser in the future , and he would now explain the most important part of his mission . Ho invited them to look at that platform , and there they would find but one reporter—and that one for his own
paper—( loud cheers)—whereas , it' there had been such a gathering , or half such a gathering , for Financial Reform , Protection , or the QUADItUPED , this platform—large as it is—would be but too small for the staff minions . ( Hear , hoar . ) They presumed , and foolishly , that they were governed b y the House of Commons , whereas the House of Commons itself , though constituted as it was of all classes but the friends of Labour , was operated upon by the Press . The people evinced their power outside , and the Press conveyed the knowledge of that power , and the will o ? the people , to the car of the representatives ; that is , it conveyed the power of that class who advertised in it ami snpportcd . it , and whoso
exclusive interests it represented . ( Hear , hear . ) But it never did communicate the will , the strength , or the resolve of the working classes , except when that will , or strength was marshalled as the auxiliary force of their taskmasters . ( Loud cheers . ) What were they doing now ? Just what they had done in the times of Emancipation , Reform , and Free Trade agitation . They are fishing with a bit of popular bait for a reduction of taxation , which is to be conceded—not to justice , but when Lord John ltussell shall consider it expedient and practicable to do so . ( Cheers and laughter . ) -And ' when , do they think that will be ? Why , it is enough to make John Bright kick his mother —( roars of laughter)—to
think of such a question being placed in the keeping of the First Minister of the Crown . But he would now prove—and if not satisfactorily , at least incontrovcrtibly—the power of the Press ; how the people were duped before , and how it is intended to dupe them again . In 1841 , the Free Traders—knowing that the masses looked for veritable free trade which the Charter would produce , who were looking for that Free Trade which would increase monopoly and preserve competition , did for a time seduce the Chartists as co-operators , and the result was , that this adhesion led to a belief of the surrender of Chartist principles , and the adoption of Free Trade as a substitute . He
( Mr . O Connor ) was in his cold cell at York Castle , and saw through this suicidal act . It stung him that , while suffering for the cause which was dearest to his heart , those who professed to support it should be thus juggled . All boasted that Chartism was dead and buried , and from his coll he told the people -what the result would be . llo told them to attend those Free Trada meetings —to hear if they were heard—and to strike if they were struck . Well , what was the result ? Why , whereas as mayors , magistrates , town counsellors , and capitalists , as chairmen , declared their own resolutions carried , when they saw a couple of dozen of hands , with kid-skin gloves , flourished around them in support of thoso resolutions , the short-sighted gentlemen could not see the thousands of blistered hands that were held
up for the Charter . ( Cheers , ) Well , for a long time the Press reported those meetings as unanimous , thus putting the extinguisher upon Chartism—until , at length , nettled by the injustice , the Press was compelled to ^ notice [ Chartism , butitdid so as an obstructive and revolutionary" policy . But wo were noticed , and our opposition filled the dungeons with victims , pronounced guilty by Free Trade juries . ( Hear , hear , and loud cneersi ) Well , then ; was not that a sufficient warning to them not to be caught again ? And now the dodge was to make them ( the Chartists ) the auxiliary force of Financial and mock Reformers—( cheers)—and thus , once more bury the Charter in -oblivion . ( Cheers . ) If , upon the contrary , they fairly contended for their own principles , the Press would be compelled to report their power , their strength , and their resolution , and a knowledge of that
The People's Charter. One Of The Most Cr...
power would have its due influence upon their representatives . ( Hear , hear . ) If , as he had anticipated , Financial Reform was to be urged and pressed as of immediate necessity , he would have hailed it as a corruption-slaying , patronage-destroying measure ; but when it was committed to the prudence of a Whig Minister , based upon expediency , he saw through the juggle . And again , let him call their attention to the fact—that the proposed reduction of ten millions a-year would g ive six shillings aud eightpence a year to each one of the thirty millions of population , or something under a farthing a day . ( Loud laughter . ) Ay , but that was presuming that the working classes would receive their fair share of the reduction . Let him now show the insignificance of National Debt , Army ,
Navy , Ordnance , Tithes , Poor Rates , Regal and Governmental Expences , as compared with the loss sustained by the unrepresented labourer , and the consequent profit made by the capitalist . The proposed reduction would g ive you a farthing a day , that is , if you had your full shave of it ; and let him ask , where was the working man in that room , or hxthe-country , who was nQ , t . compclled . to submit to s ^ jSluat ^ competition in the market ^ and suppose five millions , or a sixth of the population , instead of ten millions , or a third of the population who receive the farthing a day , are subjected by this infernal competition to a reduction of sixpence in the day , —and I much underrate it—that would amount to thirty-nine millions a year—( cries of "Shame"
)and I would be much nearer the mark if I set it down at a shilling a day , which would be seventyeight millions , or twenty millions a year over and above the interest of the National Debt , Army , A avy , Ordnance . Regal and Governmental Expences . ( Loud cheers . ) But put it down at sixpence a day , or thirty-nine millions , and add the poor rate , eight millions , rendered necessary for the support oi the idle competitive reserve , and you have fortvgevon millions ayear . You have drunkenness , profligacy , dissipation , lewdness , and criminality ; allone and all—consequent upon unwilling idleness , for which the state is satisfied to pay eight millions a year , to paupers for the maintenance of that idle competitive reserve , upon whose destitution capitalists traffic , and by whose idleness every class
in the state suffers prodigious loss . ( Cheers . ) Well , think of that , with the land of their birthmore than sufficient to maintain four times the population—uncultivated , unproductive , and waste . ( Cheers . ) They would understand—and they did appear to understand—that this part of his address referred to the silence of the Press as regards Chartism , while they would be used as an auxiliary force to substitute the Quadruped , and Financial Reform for the whole animal . ( Cheer ' s , and "Never ! " ) The Quadruped was a political bait p laced in the Financial trap , and let its advocates once secure a reduction of their own taxes , and then , like Fox when he achieved power for advocating the Charter , they will say " Be quiet , what do you want more ; sure wo
only wanted this political power to achieve Financial Reform . Iftrw we ve got it without it , and what more do you . want ? " ( Checi-s and laughter . ) Well , ' but this wouid be the case if they did not agitate for the Charter , and propose it as an amendment to every humbug proposition . ( Long and continued cheering . ) Heretofore , the Suffrage , as at present constituted , was only considered in a commercial view as affecting the purse , but now he would consider it in another and a still more important light , as affecting the liberty of the people . Were they aware that the . Suffrage constituted a jury , as well as a voting qualification ? And were they awave that the present struggle was between the eight hundred thousand . voters who had a monopoly of power , and the six . millions who
legitimately contended for a participation in that power , and that the men who tried those looking for power , invariably found them guilty of riots , routs , sedition , conspiracy , felony , treason , or any charge that may bo preferred against thorn . ( Loud cheering . ) Now that was a view of the question that they had not taken , but he would illustrate it for them : —Suppose that he was placed upon his trial to-morrow , with the Attorney-General as his prosecutor , the learned gentleman would merely have to say "Gentlemen of the jury , that is Feargus O'Connor , the notorious Chartist . " The official would then say " Gentlemen , have you agreed to your verdict ? " " Yes . " "How say you , is Feargus O'Connor Guilty or not ? " " Guilty , upon all the counts ! " ( Loud
cheers and laughter . ) Well , that was his pride and his boast , that he advocated principles which were repugnant to the feelings of bad men and a damnable system ; a system , however , which was tottering in every country in Europe , and which the league of despots could not much longer preserve . ( Cheers . ) He came there not to flatter , but to speak the truth , aud ho told them that neither government , master nor capitalist was chargeable with any act of tyranny of which they complained , because it ' they constituted the government , or were masters or capitalists themselves , as self-interest constitutes the basis of human action , they would " go and do likewise ; " so that what he struggled for was to dcsti'oy that system , by making the small minority of dissatisfied tributary to the will oi
the large and then satisfied majority . ( Loud cheers . ) Aud then you -would have true religion and piety , based upon pure p hilanthropy and humanity ; then you would " not have a criminal in the land ; nor would you require a cannon , a musket , a bayonet , a sword , or a bludgeon , to preserve tranquillity in a happy , contented , cheerful , and " peaceable society . ( Loud cheers . ) Here he would digress to communicate a piece of intelligence , which would give Ids audience more pleasure than anything they had yet heard , it was that that day he was honoured with a visit from Thomas Shngsby Duneombc , who would resume his seat in parliament to-morrow , ( Thursday ) . ( Upon this announcement the cheering and waving ' of hats and handkerchiefs was perfectly indescribable . ) Let
him refer for a moment to the proceedings of last night in the House of Commons : —The first question brought on was the adjournment of the House for the Derby day , at that discussion 257 members , or more than a third of the House , wove present : next came Mr . D ' Eyneourt ' s motion for Triennial Parliaments , and upon that only eighty-seven were present at the division : next came Mr . Slaney ' s motion to consider the means of elevating the condition of the Labourer , and before he had concluded the House was counted out , there being no more than twentyseven members present . ( Loudcries of " Shame ; " ) Well , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was one of the twentyseven . ( Cheers . ) A word as to the folly of Septennial Parliaments , and ho would conclude . Men who were returned for seven years were your
masters instead of your servants , for five years they crowded the statute book with tyrannical acts , and upon the sixth , when they hoped to meet their constituents again , they catered for support , by shadowing forth signs of repentance . and conversion , until again elected upon trust , they relapsed into their former bigotry and tyranny . ( Cheers . ) Could he give a more apt illustration of its truth than the fact that upon the eve of the dissolution of 1841 , a motion was made for the liberation of all political offenders , and was only lost by the Speaker ' s casting vote being give \\ against it . * This act of clemency was urged upon the hustings as full grounds of confidence , but when those philanthropists were again returned , not a voice was raised , not a sound was heard on behalf of the incarcerated
victims . ( Loud cheers and "True . " ) lie stood nearly alone in that House ; he had never bartered their principles for place , pension , or emolument , although he was offered half the patronage of his native county ( Cork ) , if he would support ministers upon his first introduction into the House of Commons , wliich ho indignantly refused , and in return for which he immediately supported the motion of Mr . Lambert upon the question of Tithes , which was most violently opposed by the government , and that was the manner in which he bartered popularconfidence for ministerial patronage . ( Loud cheers . ) And he now told them that if he stood alone he would abide by the decision of the Birmingham Conference of 1812 , and that lie would rather abandon scat and public life than surrender one singlo bristle of the animal , ( Loud cheers and waving of hats . ) In 1842 , five hundred popular
delegates assembled at Birmingham m the dead of winter , at enormous expense and great inconvenience , to save the name of the Charter , our opponents professing every one of its . principles ; and after seven years of slander and persecution , was he now , at the whim of a few , to surrender one particle of those principles . No , if he stood alone , he would- nurse and nurture the animal in its in- ; tegrity arid it entirety , not allowing a single bristle to be plucked from its mane for if they surrendered even the name to-day , its dimensions would be gradually' reduced ,-until it , became a perfect nonentity , a ' thing in which ; no principle could bo recognised , and used as Fox uscd ^ nyfor , the mere purpose of : achieving : power for faction . ( Loud cheering , and waving of hats . ) It was his hoast to say , that neither in England ' nor Ireland had he . ever eaten a meal , or travelled a . liiile , at the expense of the people ; the principles of the Charter
The People's Charter. One Of The Most Cr...
Were the true principles of democracy , and if he stood , alone in the House of Commons and out of the House of Commons , he would bear aristocratic scorn middle class vengeance , and the taunt of popular ignorance , rather than abandon those principles , the advocacy of which had absorbed hia ' V , ! 0 S t levotlon- ( Loud and continued cheering . ) The Labour Que stion was now agitating the world ; tor years he had been instructing them in the subject , and when all could take shelter under Aature s wmg , he would abandon all political strife ; he would accept of neither gratuity nor reward for his services , but , like Qunitus Cincinnatns . ha "
would return to his plough , and open Nature ' s " breast to Nature ' s children ; he would be the unpaid - bailiff of the toiling millions ; he would bedeck the now barren land with sightly cottages and homesteads j he would place all at reproductive labour , - making tlje now idle , producers of food and consumers of manufactures , and he would ask no reward beyond what such a heavenly sight could . bestow ; when his heart was gladdened at the sight of cheerful and domestic wives , of sober , indus- - trious , and contented husband , surrounded by their ' healthy , cheerful , smiling , happy offspring . They . may look li htly upon such a prospect , which he had but shadowed forth in the distance , but against all odds he would fearlessly struggle to turn the present hell into a future paradise . ( Mr . O'Connor . resumed his seatamid thn mnsf . onthiisiastic and
rapturous applause , ) Mr . Ballantine moved the third-resolution , as fo'lows : — - ' * That , this meeting , therefore , in pursuance of a laudable and legitimate purpose , also pledges itself to promulgate , and , by every peaceable and laudable means , to enjoin upon all the- necessity of adopting these principles , as the basis of a sound conciliatory public opinion , by which alone all great abuses in a state can be effectually remedied , " Mr . M'Giuth seconded the resolution . He considered that the time was eminently favourable for a determined struggle to secure the triumph of Democracy in this country . ( Hear . ) To whatever part of cbntiiientel ^ urQpe they looked , they beheld the-pedple humb'ihg ^ de ^ pstism , and winning for themselves the blessings of liberty . France was a
Republic—Rome wasa Republic—and the day was not far in the future when Germany would be a Republic . ( Cheers . ) But while other nations were careering along in the progress of liberty and civilisation , what were the people of England doing ? Only quietly permitting their tyrants to rivet those chains which , to their disgrace , they have so Ions borne . ( Hear . ) This criminal apathy must be no longer permitted to deaden the people's energies . Heaven knew they had strong incentives to exertion . Their own daily increasing poverty should stimulate them to seek out its cause , and apply a proper remedy . Let them take any period in the past , and compare their then position with their present one , and the decline of their comforts must be manifest . ( Hear , hear . ) Our senators were most industrious in the fabrication of laws , and all , too , for the good of the people ; but their wretched tinkering increased , lather than drj
minished , the sufferings of the people . And such would be the case till all took part in the construction of a House of Commons designed to promote tht happiness , glory , and greatness of the people . ( Cheers . ) Mr . M'Giath then adverted to the deplorable circumstance of Ireland , successfully combatting the assertion of Lord John Russell , that the melioration of Ireland was not within the scope of legislation , llo alluded to the agricultural capabilities of that country , an I contended that , if the idle lauds were given to the idle hands to cultivate , the squalor , the misery , and murder of the last two years would have been prevented , lie concluded with a strong appeal to exert every energy in their power to secure their just rights , that through them they might exterminate that monstrous system that now developes its baleful influence by brutalising and canibalising its victims .
Mr . Stalmvood said , he just wished to say a word or two in vindication of the people of France . Yesterday at the city meeting a Mr . Phillimore had denounced and condemned Universal Suffrage , bccausei forsooth , they had not returned Lairartiue to the National Assembly . Now he ( Mr . Stallwood ) thought they were to be commended , and that it spoke loudly in favour of Universal Sufi ' r . ige . We demand the Charter in order that we may effect social reforms , & c ., —we want the Land , —the trades have begun to cry out" Home Colonies , " and " Minister of Labour . " Well , the French have got their Charter , aud now demanded their Minister of Labour . Lamartin >! had refused it : the French nation had . rejected Lamartiiic . AVas not this a justification of the French nation , and a glorification of the principle of the Suffrage ? ( Great cheering . ) The resolution was put and carried unanimously .
The Chairman delivered a few seasonable remarks in closing . A vote of thanks was moved to him for his services in the chair .. Mr . T . Brown , in supporting it , said , a public meeting for a similar purpose would be held in the Theatre , Milton-street , on Monday evening , June dth . The vote of thanks was adopted by acclamation . The Chairman acknowledged the compliment , and announced that discussions were held every Sunday evening , and that a Chartist locality was about to be formed at the house they were then meeting in , the landlord having given the use of the room gratis ; and that frequent public meetings would be held ; iu fact he hoped to see it become the East-London " Crown and Anchor Tavern , " ( Loud cheers . ) The immense and enthusiastic Chartist gathering then separated .
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Wrisiiuijmsxriu..— Stealing A Watch.—Iuo...
wrisiiuijMsxriU .. — stealing a watch . —iuoira Pinch , a well-dressed woman of the town , was charged with stealing a gold watch , value twenty guineas , from the person of Mr . C . Paulkener , a gentleman residing in Wilton . street , L ' elgravcsnunre . —It appeared from the statement of the prosecutor , that he was walking along Piccadilly early on Sunday morning , after having spent the evening at the house of a friend , and took shelter from the rain , under a doorway , where ho was joined by the prisoner , with whom he fell into conversation . The ruin having abated , he proceeded towards his residence , accompanied by the prisoner ; but in consequence of another shower thev were
again compelled to stand up . From the time at which the prosecutor had first conversed with the prisoner , a man continually walked up and down before them , evidently with an intention of giving annoyance ; and prosecutor having spoken to a constable , tho man disappeared for a minute or two , but shortly returned , and having repeated his offensive conduct was given in charge . On their leaving tho station , the man who was not detained , was iu company with tho constable , and tho prosecutor having proceeded towards home , parted with the prisoner . On laying hold of his gold guard to lift the watch out of his waistcoat pocket , to his great astonishment he discovered that although the chain was perfect and tho swivel at its end unopened , his watch had disappeared , llo had looked
at it on tho his way to the station , and it was safe at tho time lie was tucre , as could be proved by the inspector . Tho man who had been so troublesome went a different way , and had no chance of committing the robbery , and the prisoner must have stolen tho watch , as she was the only person who could possibly have taken it . Although prosecutor had been staying late at the house of a friend , ho was not at all alicctcd by liquor . Prisoner was taken into custody on JMonday evening , but the watch . Was not found . —The prisoner protested her innocence , and declared that tho prosecutor ought to bo punished for giving her hito custody . She added , "Although I ' m an unfortunate girl I ' m not a thief ; and if you ask tho gentlemen about St . James ' sstrect they can prove it . " ' —Mr . Bun-ell ordered her to bo remanded till Friday .
THAMES . —Attempted Murder an'd Suicide , — Daniel llolmden , a coal-backer , was charged with attempting to murder a young woman , named Martha Jane Bridcn , by cutting her throat with a razor . It appeared that tho comolainunt had lived with the prisoner for nine years , and that she had been compelled to leave him in consecfuenco of his violent and jealous conduct ; One morning he went to her lodgings , and having charged her with being unfaithful to him , cut her throat with a razor . Immediately afterwards he committed a similar act upon himself , and was endeavouring to assault complainant a second time , when he was taken into custody . —The prisener was committed to the Old Bailey on the charge of feloniously wounding with , intent to murder .
A Strange Character . —A wretched-lookin g creature , almost in a state of nudity , named Henry Wood , was brought up by City policeman No . 634 , charged with attempting . to force his way into tho Itoyal Mint , and assaulting William La ' rcombe , a private of the 2 nd battalion of the Coldstream Guards , who was on duty at the time . —It appeared , from the evidence of John Brown , the porter at the Mint , that tho prisoner made three successive attempts to force an entrance between eight and twelve . o ' clock yesterday . He first claimed admittance as the King of these realms , with a view to supervise his own coinage , but subsequently came as the claimant , of a large amount , for which he alleged the " Mint , " was indebted to him . —Mi ' . Yardley ( to the prisoner ) : What . have you to sav to
this charge?—Prisoner : I do not know anvthing about it . I was taken up this morning , charged with shooting the Queen , and tried for high treason , well , when I was discharged , I went to the Mint to get my expenses , and they locked me up again . Wh y should 1 be tried twice ? I do not know where it was I shot the Queen . —A police constable ( 38 H ) said-lie . had the prisoner—who resided at Grovestrcot , . st , George ' s-in-the-liast—in custody a fow days previously , ou tho charge of attempting to pass a spurious half-crown , but the prosecutor , perceiving that his mind was affected , " abandoned the charge . — -Mr .- ' - Yardley , having questioned the prisoner ' and finding that his answers were wholly incoherent , sent for Mr . Hughes , the relieving officer of Whitechapcl , to whoso care he was committedi
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 26, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_26051849/page/1/
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