On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (12)
-
"^" ¦fcaj L-L^ft *. * "
-
.C0O ^ »52ggSl ,S m the m ^ «-forts - of...
-
* — ^ ¦ . .„ — /> *-v — y
-
AND NATIONAL fRJis'JOUEIM, ^
-
rckB J°- g28. . y- • LOSDOS. SATURDAY.H0...
-
NATIONAL LAND COMPANY, TO THE LOCATED ME...
-
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P. i «r . H...
-
WV?Ah:m THE AGITATION" ¦¦ ¦¦ |OR THE CHA...
-
TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. ...
-
. ELECTION REMINISCENCES. Sir,—As you ha...
-
THE HEFOItM MOVEMENT. 10 IKE EDITOR OF T...
- Untitled
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
"^" ¦Fcaj L-L^Ft *. * "
_" _^" ¦ _fcaj _L-L _^ ft _* . _* "
.C0o ^ »52ggsl ,S M The M ^ «-Forts - Of...
. C 0 O _^ » _52 ggSl m the m _^ _« _-forts - ofhis TO TBE CHARTISTS . Mr dear Fmesds ,--Cobbett has said that a good thing cannot he too often repeated , and , therefore , I shall repeat what Ms been often said before , "What is to be done for _fte people must be done by the peo-V ~ T ? - « f _^ " _People , " I Jean _Tntliout distinction of class—all who live hy la-bour--v . - -hetb . er manual or mental-as I wish you to bear in mind , that tbe _knowledge of the _mentallabourer is of value to the manual labourer , -who cannot devote tbe same amount ot fame to the same avocation , but from which . be derives the benefit of co operation .
How often have I told you that all nations , aU governments , and all classes must eventually come to the legitimate application of tbe land to its legitimate purposes— -namel y , the support of all classes ; and now we find that not only the mother-country , but some of lier _heretofore most prosperous and obedient cnildreu , are thrown into incipient revolution by what they consider an unjust interference with their landed possessions . In the Ionian islands your English governor , Mr . "Wabd , is detenninednbt tobe out-done by the butcher
Hayxau . Thereheis flogging , shooting' lina * hanging ,- without trial , -while the Canadians have forwarded a memorial to the- " EagHsh Government to * _fierer the connexion with Br itain , and to be annexed to the United States . The brutality of More O'Ferrall , at Malta , and the present state of Cephalonia and Jamaica—not to talk of Ireland—will teach a lesson to the Mother-country , and very speedily show her tbat she has more than enough to do at home , without _mtcrferingin distant lands . \ .- . _'" '
That a great and mighty change is at hand no man can deny , and tbat you should be prepared to mould that change to national , and not to mere class purposes , you yourselves must admit ; while the onl y way by which this desired object can be achieved is by a thorough union of your order . Every newspaper—nay , every mouth , is now full of , and belching forth tlieir own Utopian schemes , as to the mode of settling
_dmerences and perpetuating harmony , while Voumust all understand , thatthe change made iu the value of land by the adoption of Free Trade , and the remedy , is now the vexed question with all ; and however yon may accuse me of repetition , I tell you , tbat until the surplus population is placed upon the land you will neither have peace , contentment , a fair developement ofthe industry of the country , or a legitimate distribution of the profits .
lam aware that mechanics , and mill overseers , and the best paid operatives , who measure their wages by the comparative degree , and tailors , and shoemakers , and other _chtsses who are accustomed to live in polluted air , in unhealthy slums , will say , " What have we to do with the Land ? " but to such men I answer , " You have just as much to do with it as the man who cultivates it . " The application of his labour to thc Land reduces your overstocked market ; he becomes a better " producer of your food , and abetter consumer of the produce of your labour ; and until you open Nature ' s pap for Nature ' s children you will remain unnatural slaves under the lash
df unnatural masters . I havescores—nay hundreds—of timesdrawn your attention to the state of Ireland , and have pointed out what the inevitable effect of "Evee Trade must "be to that country , if not preceded by timely and prudent concessions ; and if yoa have read the able , the _graphic , the powerful , the irrefutable speech of Mr . BiaGHT , recently delivered at a meeting in Manchester—and if you contrast the salient points of that speech with my oft-repeated criticisms , you will find that "the follv of
to-day is thc wisdom ofthe morrow ; '' aud if it is necessary that you should understand the value of that speech beyond the impression that its perusal may leave , read the comments ofthe "Times" and tlie "Morning Chronicle ;" and from those rubbishing articles you will he able to distinguish the difference between a keen eye tbat has seen for itself , a kind heart that has felt what it has seen , and a powerful genius to describe it , as compared with the squinting goggle , the flinty heart , and muddle brain of a hired scribbler , with a goose quill in his hand .
Tou are aware tbat I perform no part ofthe _ofiice business of the " Northern Star , " and therefore I know not whether the speech of Mr . Bright : will appear in its columns this week . ; if not , however , it shall appear next week ; and if yon have no sympathy for Ireland , read it and reflect upon it , and then you will be able to estimate its value , as applicable to England also . Let me—not for instruction , but for amnsement—call your attention to the following passage from the comment of the " Morning Chronicle" upon the speech of Mr Bright : —
Xow , _wliat rational prospect is there , that any _possiole _irnvrdvement _wlui-li may l » c ciiectcd this year , or next year , or : lie Tear af > er next , in the tenure and management of _lur . d , wili ovate an effective demand ior the _si-lf-supporti ««» labour of these _himsry aud indigent myriads ' . —aud _dSu- ' v when _.-. nvtlnns is asserted or denied _rcsiKrenng « _3 r _^ r- _« _wjffij'ifioni' the standard of measurement to be « _d- - . m _~ l j « nct theniere acreage- of the territory m question , _norVsprt _^ _'cctivc ca pabnitiesofpr _. Hhiction , but its actual _pn- « HH power of providing employment and food for its _inhabitant .
"Sow , what does the reader say to that ? _^ Is not tbat a perfect admission ofthe propriety of puttin _g the cart before the horse , that isof creatin _e the evil first , and applying the remedv in one , two , or three years tuter , whereas , if the timely and prudent concessions had been made , and if the borse was put before the cart , the horse would have been able to carry his load , while now he cannot back it np tbe hill ? ; Let me give you another extract from tins lucid article . Here it is :- — Tf bv the vrav . Mr . Bnrcrrr were to try Ms hand , wish the - ... ,,, _-Stance of au expert la « cr and a _ prachcal agriiat
culturist , at concocting a measure on tins , somen whrfi should not effect about as much harm as _soot he _rf _« _Ct . l > = astonished t ° _findiow « m dijicult _SSiS . "S » * an _ezlrcmdysimple-iootina _ihlug . From the above yon mnstcomcto the conclusion , that the most simple thing isdifiicult in practice , when the rights of the poor are in question , while the greatest _difficulty may be overcome by the sophistry of a lawyer , and _Se knowledge of an _ag ricultunst _^ -tkat is of a landlord—when not the mere _rigm _* tort the privilege and injustice of landlords is to be
_u-jheld . . ,. , , _- * My Friends , you may rely npon it that tne Land question ' is THE OSE nay THE OXLY ONE to which your undivided attent _£ n must now be directed ; not the Land oue _« tion in the shape in which politicalparfaes will discuss it in the next session of Parliament , bnt the Land question in tbatphase : m Shit must he discussed , upon the broad _Sfof _-tion nl requirement I have tins from _Xew South
A- received two papers V _if"i ; f _T-me each containing a most lucid , the 2 nd ot Jane , ea _^ _^ _ftfi CICS _? _^ _Seloa of every country , to its _^ pp hcaaon oi t _^^ _Ulti mate pnrpo-u „ _^ _& m J _^^ „«* weeks J _££ alK ] > as spade _husvom _; _closest _aucjon _^ _^ fa iandry » «* f"X _£ mc ' to give vou the _fol-^ _S _^^ erto _^ ove the _^ of free
la bour app hc-d o j _^ _^ _^^ ' _mmW _* _* _" bb _»» _^ _rtvVaWl fifteen acres of land , _£ _nu-iiui produce « t J * tt-nii - _^ u .. _^ . e-«* L _Some _^^ _U _toaiascanonot tlib ws ] aOEtfi 0 "i ]' - ' 1 - ' Kt- "
.C0o ^ »52ggsl ,S M The M ^ «-Forts - Of...
_^ cnlru r _74 llfc we k" ° T 0 f mm _***&**« in which fWa _^ _£ , _'et _fome of the worst of the land on their fcnnsatmore than double _wiiat ihey pay per acre . In some cases the rent is required in _advance ? hf Son to _Sffi _^ _-f tbe lmd _< nbm weU managed , _thaVlts y _^ ssessionK , even on such terms , greatly advantaeeons Of course it _wffltamore so if the _oirnereTf to _sSttS _Sna _^ Tn 1 _^^^ 5 ° J _hein 5 first _**** ¦ «* ¦<*¦»¦* tenants . In this matter there is _a-wide scope for the reaUy m _^^ _Ta _¥ _n *» m » rto benefit the cbuimiiniry , and himself at fte _^ _me nme . Every landlord might , _ingiving , _mTrt _!^ V fap ? _2 te fera « _erta * n number of _.-Sres to be underlet to arm labourers employedon the estate .
Aow , if b y my system I had developed fiftyfold the advantages—nay , if I Bald proved it by practice , not a paper would notice it— : and _why T becausemypian is intended tolmake your class independent , while all other plans are . injehded totickle the fancy of a feW _^ without _aayclass benefit . _:, > . ? .: ¦ ' : .-.:. -. ' : _± ~ i ' i \ ' : I attended _^ jno ' st splendid . 'ineatlng' at Brighton on . Monday last ,-at ¦ _whicK-tte reporter of 1 he " Daily _NeidsV-saj-s Fmade & discursive speech ; you _willreadttat speech for yourselves , and then you will be able to judge of its value
; while the way that I estimated its value was , from the warm and significant approval of the audience , who were much better judges than the reporter . I announced to you in the commencement ,, that many who . took a prominent p . artin _4 he movement would * much rather be without me , in tbe hope of enlisting the co-operation of tbe working classes , upon tbe presumption that tbey had abandoned the Charter _^ altogether , and thus cast us into utter insignificance ; merely using our co-operation and strength as a means of doing something for themselves .
This allusion does not apply to the propounders or the veritable leaders of this movement , who , on my soul , I believe to be thoroughly sincere ; but iu all movements , — as in the Chartist movement—the sincere and veritable leaders have to contend against the venom , the spleen , the vanity , or the ignorance of professing friends ; and so it was at Brighton . There was a long pale-faced Quaker upon the platform , who would rather see the " Old Gentleman " there than
Feargus _O'Coxxon ; and had it not been for the sound judgment of the people , and the discretion of the representatives of the Association , this fellow would have done a great deal of mischief—but their judgment very speedily put the extinguisher upon him . At the conclusion ofthe business a vote of thanks to the deputation Avas proposed , when the audience hallooed out , " And to Feargus _O'Coxson _"—this fellow shouted , "No , no ; " but was soon drowned in a roar of derisive laughter . "Now such men as this are calculated to do a great deal of mischief to the cause vrhich they profess to advocate , and I would recommend the leaders in this movement to be more discreet in their selection of a local staff .
My friends , I have told you before that every daily paper—with the exception of the " Daily News , " the "Morning Advertiser , " and the " Sun " —either _burks , or sueers at this new move ; and wholly regardless ofthe position that any of these papers , that faithfully report other speakers , may placo me in—aua believing , as I have often told you , that the Press has the greatest influence upon Government and your opponents , I will now map out the means by which you may enable those friendly newspapers to advocate your cause , and make it more powerful ; and my plan shall be very simple .
I will presume that no mora than five hundred thousand men in England , Scotland , and Wales are zealous in tiie cause , and able to pay a penny a week each , to support it agaiust its enemies and the reviling Press ; and as I bave always contended for the strictest local management in our affairs , let me now show you how I would so marshal these five hundred thousand troops , as to overpower the antagonist Press-gang ; .
I am aware of the difficulty of dail y bringing five huudred , three hundred , or even one hundred , zealous working men together . The distance that some would have to walk would be too great , aud , therefore , I would limit the number of eachreading club to fifty ; and I will presume , that there are five hundred thousand sterling working who would be able and willing to pay the small sura of a penny a week each ; at this average , the proceeds would be fifty pence , or four shillings and twopence a week . And now , let me show you how I would apply thc funds , and , believe me , that no other application would be half as profitable . Each reading club would have four shillings and twopence a week to spend , and I would
apply it thus—fircpence a day , or two shillings and sixpence a week , for the "Daily News , '' or any other paper that advocated your cause ; five pence a week for any provincial journal that was favourable , and one shilling and threepence a week for three metropolitan journals that advocated your cause . _JN ' ow , these sums spent in newspapers , would amount to four shillings and twopence a week , and would enable you to take ten thousand numbers per day of a daily paper , and forty thousand weekly papers . This would enable those papers to make front against the opposition Press , and faithfully to develope the rational mind of this country , whereas , you deserve to be slaves , if , at such a paltry sacrifice , you are not prepared to sustain your
cause . Tbe papers , when read , may be sold for as much as would pay tbe rent of your readingroom , aud for coals and caudles ; aud if , instead of spending two hours in the gin palace , or the beer-shop , the members of each club would assemble and select a good reader to read the daily paper , thero would be a perfect developement of the system of mental co-operation ; the two hours would be equally beneficial to all ; and tbat paper alone may be sold upon the following morning for as much as would pay the rent ofthe reading room , and which , in no instance , should be in a PUBLIC HOUSE . Indeed , I do not see why one of
the fifty should not be able to accommodate his companions with a room , or those who are able to do so might take it week about , then , on Sunday _* eveniugs , thc club might meet and read the " weekly papers . This would induce young men to learn to read well , and it would g ive to old men , whose education has been neglected , tbe advantage of tbe jeducation of others . And now , do not you think that , as self-interest is the basis of human action , that tbe very fact of your taking ten thousand numbers of a daily paper , and ten thousand each of three weekly London papers , would very speedily enlist the hearty support of those journals ? So that vou see I am quite ready to destroy MY _OWA" TRADE to serve
YOUR TRADE . Now instead , like other enthusiasts—for 1 confess that I am an enthusiast too—instead , however , of measuring your patriotism by thc ascending scale , I will measure it by the descending scale , and suppose that wc reduce the number of ardent workwgmen to two hundred and fifty thousand , well then , you could take five thousand copies of the daily paper , five thousand copies of a provincial paper , and five thousand copies each of three London papers . That two hundred and fifty thousand would be but one in eighty of tbe population of England , Scotland , and Wales , this plan would
.C0o ^ »52ggsl ,S M The M ^ «-Forts - Of...
speedily so develope your mind , that it would cease to be the butt aud ibe . _laughing stock of the opposition Press , and ' if one in eighty of your order is not prepared to act upon it , why then you must confess yourselves willing slaves . This was the plan that I h 4 a * in view when I " opposed the plan Mr . _'V'CpfijsrsOjy proposeaVat _Brighton _^ -that the _pjarfpie * should send thensubscriptions to the _Metropolitan Committee . I did so upon the principle that WHAT IS TO BE-DONE FOE . THE PEOPLE MUST
BE DONE BY THE - PEOPLE , and that each locality would derivei ah advantage , from _theloealexpeuditure ' or _^ its dwn mnds . t ' How many _working , men are ; there who sppnd _. a shilling ; and more . in a public hous 9 J merely for the purpose of getting _asliumMtadailypape _^ and . . how maay : _^ _ublic-nqu 5 es andicoffee-houses _tate daily papers with no . _otHieifyiew _andifori no other purpose than to secure customers for their intoxicating drinks' ?
Now just one observation in order to prove that if you do not adopt this plan you are ndlling slaves . I leave the gross population of the kingdom out of sight , and will merely apply my calculation to the number of themale _adult _population , ' not enfranchised , but claiming to _KFenfrauchised ; ready to put their heads upon the-block to gain _thej _& anchise , aud well knowing tbe happiness _^ ind prosperity the franchise will confer upon them ; leaving the present electoral body , women , children , and the aristocracy out of sight , and supposing that there are five million working men of twentyone years of age , not enfranchised , the 250 , 000 , the low number , that I propose to establish those reading clubs , only constitutes one in
every twenty men of twenty-one years who are zealous to achieve the vote . And now let me ask yon , soberly and sensibly , do you desire the franchise , and are you not the forgers of your own manacles , if one in every twenty is not prepared to pay a penny a week to secure the freedom of all . Upon the other hand , if the whole number choose to associate , and each paid a penny every twenty weeks , or twopencehalfpenny a year , it would reach the same amount , and if you arc not prepared to give up a pint of ale a year , or five pipes of tobacco a year , be slaves , be starved , aud be d d . Your faithful Friend , Feaiigus _O'Conxoe .
* — ^ ¦ . .„ — /> *-V — Y
* — _^ ¦ . . _„ — _/> * -v — y
And National Frjis'joueim, ^
AND NATIONAL _fRJis ' JOUEIM , _^
Rckb J°- G28. . Y- • Losdos. Saturday.H0...
_rckB J ° _- g 28 . . _y- LOSDOS . SATURDAY . H _07 Ellntt 4 f 84 fc m _^ _Zm _^**
National Land Company, To The Located Me...
NATIONAL LAND COMPANY , TO THE LOCATED MEMBERS . On Monday week , the 12 th of this month —November—the several occupants upon the estates of O'Connorville , Lowbauds , Snig _' s End , and Minster Lovel , will be called upon to pay a half year ' s rent ; and those who have taken possession of allotments without refunding the Company ' s demands will be ejected , as the names of all have been handed over to the Solicitor of the Company . Any who are
prepared to pay the full amount of rent due will receive their leases . The allottees on the O'Connorville Estate will owe two and a half years' rent upon the 1 st of this month . The allottees at Lowbauds will also owe two and a half years' rent . The allottees on the Minster Lovel Estate oved one and a half years ' _j ent on the 1 st of September , and the allottees on Snig ' s End owed one and a half years ' rent on the 1 st of November .
. The half-year ' s rent due at O'Connorville will be : — . __ £ , s . d . Four Acres ... " ... 6 15 0 Three „ 5 10 0 Two „ 4 5 0 The rent due on Lowbauds will be : — Four Acres 7 10 0 Three „ G 10 0 Two „ 5 10 0 The rent due on Minster Lovel will be : —« Four Acres GOO
Three „ 5 8 0 Two „ 4 10 0 The rent due on Snig ' s End will be : — Four Acres G 5 0 Three „ o 15 0 Two „ 4 5 0 This includes rent of laud , after cultivation , interest . on aid money , but does not include the interest due upon promissory notes given for loan money . Of course , as a lease is au
acquittal for rent , and will be dated from the day it is made , those who do not pay up the full rent will not receive a lease ; while those who do pay iu full will receive a lease . The scale of rent that is stated above , applies generally as the interest at four per cent , upou the outlay ; but will not equally aflect each allotment ) as the land varies in quality , aud thc rent will be proportionately charged , which for the present will be of insignificant consideration .
All who have let any portion of their allotments will be called upon for the full amount of _rentdue ; while allwhoareprcparal with the full amount of rent , and wish to havo leases , will have the exact value placed upon their allotments : and if the parties occupying—having houses rent-free , a large quantity of firing , some three years' crops , and all two , without having paid a single farthing—are not prepared to pay the small amounts above enumerated , the Company must look for other tenants , " as in this transaction even-handed justice must be done to all , and the least fortunate are not to be sacrified to the whim of the Directors , or the caprice of the more fortunate members .
It is indispensable that persons anxious to purchase vacant allotments should understand , that any purchase made from an occupant , except through the Directors—who must receive thc money due to the Company- _^ will not be valid , and that such purchaser will be instantly ejected . * Feargus O'Connor , _Puild ? _M'Geath , Thomas Clark , _CnnisiorHEK Doyle , William Dixon .
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. I «R . H...
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . i _« r . Honoured and Respected Sir , — On emerging from a felon ' s dungeon my notice was directed to a letter in the " Star , " written by mo to you , about monies paid hy me into the Land Company . The reason that I wrote tbat letter was through the chaplain ; he came to me one day and said thc Land Company would be breken up , and you were resigning your seat in Parliament and retiring into private life . Now my confidence being centred in you , and my wife in distress , and I not
expecting my liberty yet—under these circumstances I made the application . Honoured sir , I am now free , and hope I shall be able to support myself and family , independently of cither clubs or chaplain . Sir , my wish and desire is , that you may go on and prosper ; for I can assure you , rather than prosecute you for any monies belonging to me , I would be distressed a thousand times . I hope you will insert this letter , and make it known to the public . Yours in the good cause of Right against Might , October 29 . William Winierlottom .
From the above Letter—which I read witb a mixture of pleasure and pain—pleasure to hear of the liberation of an industrious man ,
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq., M.P. I «R . H...
_conyictefeas a , political offender ; and pain at my m abpy to repay bim for bis _gratitudefron _; itthe : reader . ; wiIl learn , that not only TV _^ _fn _toent _, the Press , the _propounded oS _huoW | . _schemes ,.. and my political and pril _* te ? + _^ ?' ' ' _" _^ ° _PP-9 _^ d . to the L ' _anijl Plan ; but tbafc _^ slimy , _pmhperedMuggf ¦' wno _. ' coil _tt * ei . r _^»^ _godie , 8 . uito the . cells of _} inWcera _^ eo _™ * _iip _^& a _; _portioit 6 f the _& duty to their GoD , _^ _1 _% _^ le , and : reproba _^ : ihe only means by whiph ] _2 _^' BvchiM pufr into possessi _on _Goj _^ _sfifti-y'OhryZ-tnink _.- ' o _& the duties of _? i _? gaoL _^ chaplain _; ahddthen _loathe P _^ ' _^^^^^ th _^ power , andbnly _?* _$ m _& Pl _^ _Wl _^ _hdV lmg thefm toleratothe _' e _^ stehc _' e of such ' "' af"GODLESS
Wv?Ah:M The Agitation" ¦¦ ¦¦ |Or The Cha...
WV ? Ah : m THE AGITATION" ¦¦ ¦¦ | OR THE CHAJRTEll ; A _strongfles ' re having manifested itself in several quarters , ¦ • for " . _^ renewed effort oh behalf of . the People's C _^ iSPter ,, _^ _^ a ! -meeting for the furthe ' ran . ce of that dSjec _^ cphveiied' by . circular ,, was " held atthe _Yorkj' |||[ ' _$ i $ _^^ afeyi ; _y 3 yi ? ago , atvMcawereipreWnt _;!?; O'Connor , &? ., 6 . * W . M . Reynolds , Esq ., Mr . ' P _^ _I'Grath , Mr . W . Dixon , Mr . G . J . Harney , Mr . Ivory , Mr . S . Boonham and Mr . T . Clark . The result of their
deliberations was thc appointment of a committee of seven , to prepare the necessary machinery for the assembling of a Conference of delegates , representing tho several metropolitan boroughs , and whose business it was decided should be , to prepare a plan of organisation of such a nature as to gather up all the old and now elements , available for the purposes of a thoroughly democratic movement . Thc meeting adjourned , leaving all the business for the preparation of tho Conference , & c _, in the hands ofthe Provisional Committee of seven .
. SECOND MEETING . The Provisional Committee met , on Tuesday last _, at 144 , High Holborn . —Mr . Philip M'Grath occupied the chair , and Mr . T . Clark was appointed secretary . Thc chief business discussed was thc manner of electing delegates to the proposed Conference , and the number of which the Conference should consist ; ultimately it was agreed , upon tho motion of G . W . 1 I . Reynolds Esq ., seconded by Mr . Boonham , " That the number of delegates to the Conference shall bo _Twenty-eiout in number , and that they shall consist of four delegates , from each ofthe seven metropolitan boroughs . The reason for fixing the number at twenty-eight was to afford
each locality sn opportunity of making the most fitting selection of proper persons , and in order that the plan of organisation may be sent forth , stamped with tho approbation of tho' aggregate intelligence of the democracy of tho metropolis . It was resolved , ou the motion of Messrs . Dixon and Reynolds , that the Conference should assemble on the first Monday in December next . And that in the meantime the _moit active measures should be taken to procure public meetings , in the _several boroughs for the election of delegates . It was decided , unanimously , " That tho first meeting for the election of delegates , should be held at the Literary Institution , John-street , Tottenham-court-road , on Tuesday next , November Gth , and that such election should be made on behalf of the borough of Marylchone , and that
the several bodies of Chartists , in Marylebono , should be invited to co-operate _\ nth thc Provisional Committee , in selecting candidates for election at the meeting at John-street , on Tuesday next . " A deputation from the Provisional Committee , will be in attendance at 144 , High Holborn , at eight o ' clock , on Monday evening , Nov . 5 th , for the purpose of receiving deputations from the . Chartist bodies in Marylebone , in . order ... to make arrangements for the meeting on Tuesday night . Messrs . M'Grath and Dixon were appointed to wait upon the Chartists of the Cripplegate locality , at their meeting on Monday evening next , and to invite their co-operation in the general movement with the Provisional Committee , and also in the election of delegates to tho Conference . Mr . M'Grath was appointed to wait upon thc Chartists of the Tower Hamlets , for a similar
purpose . __ Mr . Clark was deputed to wait upon the Chartists of the South London Halhto invite their cooperation . On the motion of Messrs . Clark and Boonham , Mr . Reynolds was requested to prepare an address to the country , calling thc Chartists to their duty , and which labour was readily undertaken by Mr . Reynolds . Every arrangement has been made for the meeting at John-street , on Tuesday , and the Chartists of the South London Hall have given in their adhesion to the Provisional Committee , and will have their meeting on Wednesday next .
To The Chartists Of The United Kingdom. ...
TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM . _FniENDS , The season for inactivity is passed . Every moment that is now lost in apathy and idleness , is an additional blow to the good cause . The middle classes are in the field ; and the industrious millions must not linger on in torpor as if they hugged the chains of slavery In a short time the Parliamentary campaign will open ; and the Prime Mmsisteb will point triumphantly to the lethargic state of the working classes as a proof that they aro contented with their lot . But such
contentment , under the present system , is impossible ; and , therefore , like the middle classes , yc must be up and stirring ! The Press has declared that Chartism is dead ! It remains for you to confirm or disprove the statement ! But there arc men iu London who have faith in the sound sense and the fine spirit of the working classes , and who will not believe
that yo havo ceased to contemplate your wrongs with indignation , or will fail to proclaim them with energy . Those men , full of a sublime confidence in the sons of toil , are addressing you now ; and thoy call upon you to raise your voices throughout the length and breadth of the land , on behalf of that cause which thoy believe to be still endeared to vour souls .
The agitation for the Charter must be revived ! But it is to no illegal or unconstitutional struggle that we would urge you on : it is no example of violence nor menace that we would set you . The agitation we call upon you to resuscitate , is a peaceful and a moral one—such an one , in fine , as the law allows , and which from earl y time has been the exorcise of a ri ght possessed by the British people .
A committee has been formed to adopt the necessary measures for the revival of thc __ Chartist agitation in London . The initiative ste p decided upon , is to call on the working cla sses in the seven Parliamentary boroughs of the metropolis to elect delegates foi _^ au immediate _CONFERENCE , Each locality is requested to return , at a public meeting , four staunch , honest , and intelligent representatives to take part in this Conference , which will meet for the despatch of business on the first Monday in December . It will then be the province of the Conference to draw up a plan for a vigorous , but legal , agitation on behalf of the Charter .
In recommendin g this important movement , we do not seek to mar the progress ofthe National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . On the . contrary , we believe that a contemporaneous agitation on the part of tho working classes will aid and
To The Chartists Of The United Kingdom. ...
assist that society ' s objects so far as they go , and remain as a necessary means to carry on the good work , when that middle-class movement shall have ceased . We , therefore , invite the patriots ofthe provinces to be up and stirring in thoiv respective localities , so as to ' pave the way for a grand national agi _& tioir ; while' the London distrii _^ : wffl , ; ih __^ ue _^ eantMo _/ b _eSjng their
duty . , i : _^ , :: ;; . ! ,.. ' .:. " .. _;\ . ' * 'H dy | e ; ? ' ' .: is . ; now _thevatchF _^; ' _!''» . good _tor _^ an a _^^ _V _unflm _^ the , _|(^ en ts of _-siiccess ! Lot omv motto be ' _^^ a _^ ' _and' , let us address , ourselves witb _^ _o _?^»^? _ealsi' ! _¥ i' _4-- _e ,: i _*^ asiasra ' . to .-th ' e . " glorions itask . _^^ _"Qm ' s _^ wiIl he a peaceful strugg le _^ _^ o _^ if _^' v _^ h _^ triumph ; - " and tho _trop _^ S ' _otenr vietory must be unmoistened by tho : _'te * i _^ _: pf _f Wives _/ O ' r children mourning for captivea . or ; for ' martyrs ! -
Signed on behalf ofthe Provincial Coininittee , ¦ Philip _M'Gkath , _Chan'maii
. Election Reminiscences. Sir,—As You Ha...
. ELECTION REMINISCENCES . Sir , —As you have considered a review of Mr . John Council ' s parliamentary reminiscences worthy of public attention , aud as my name appears to constitute the stock in trade of the author , perhaps you will allow me space , not so much for comment as for correction of its fallacies .
iou must not presume tbat I undertake the task for the purpose of establishing my Milesian pedigree , which is prettywell understood , and which I will dispose of in a very few lines . No , sir ; my principal object in soliciting space for the publication—not of my parliamentary reminiscences , but of my electioneering warfare —is to give the publican opportunity of judging ofthe gratitude of my former protegee , and as a true history of Irish electioneering , will , I am sure , afford your readers no small
amusement , if not instruction , I will critically detail the circumstances connected with some of the fiercest contests , commencing with thc Youghal election of _183-i , at which John Council aud tho son of the late Baron Smith were tho candidates ; and if you can allow me space I will continue my scries with a faithful narrative of thc Meath election , the county and city of Cork election , the Mallow election , the _Kinsale election , the Dungarvanand Bandon elections . And as regards one and all of which you shall havo an irrefutable narrative . And now to
Youghal . Many of your readers will bo aware that on the 13 th of February , 183 i , tho late Daniel O'Conuell made a fierce attack in the House of Commons , and succeeded in the appointment of " a select committee to inquire into the conduct of Mr . Baron Smith , in respect of his neglect of duty as a judge , and tho introduction of political topics iu his charges to grand juries . "
About the close of 1834 a general election took place , the Tories having ousted the Whigs —a circumstance which you are aware gives considerable influence to the party in power , and that influence you are also aware would be strenuously used—nay strained , against the son of Daniel O'Conneil . Howbcit , immediately before the election , when on my way to Mallow to support Mr . Scully , as a Repeal candidate , against Sir Denliam "Norreys , I met Daniel O'Conneil at the Imperial Hotel . He was in a most doleful mood , and after the usual salutation ho addressed mo thus : —
" My dear Feargus , Baron Smith's sou is to be John ' s opponent at Youghal . He has all the Devonshire interest ; and if John is beaten it will break his mother ' s heart , as bo is his mother ' s darling . " I replied , " There ' s the carriage and four spankers at the door , I am going to Mallow to return Scully , and banish your grief and your fears , O'Conneil , as John shall be member for Youghal , if I lose my life by it . " " Thank you , thank you , " replied the Liberator , "if any man can do it you » i
can . I immediately started for Mallow , with Mr . Scully , the cause of whose defeat I shall narrate in another letter , aud upon the following evening , after the nomination at Mallow , I started for Youghal , a distance , I think , 'of over sixty English miles , travelling all night —at my _oivn expense , mind—posting with four horses . I arrived at Youghal a little after ten in tho morning , where I found the town literally a hive , _O'Counell having recommended the Roman Catholic clergy to _iuvite thc whole population to attend , but not appearing himself , as eight men were shot dead at the previous election .
"When I arrived , I drove to the committee room , where a kind of temporary hustings had been erected , with a platform not more than five feet above the level of the street , and just in front of the platform were stationed the -it ' i Dragoon Guards , with drawn swords . Iu thc rear were two largo detachments of infantry , and upon a very broad pier in front stood the officers of the several regiments . There wore also 700 police , under the command of Major Jackson , while thc town was literally crammed with tho most excited multitude I ever witnessed in my life . Tlieir excitomeutwasroused to madness , in consequence ofthe son of Baron Smith being selected as the opponent of the son of O'Conneil .
As soon as I entered tno committee-room a vast number of Roman Catholic clergymen requested me , nay , implored me , for God ' s sake not to address thc people , as wc should have slaughter . 1 replied that that was the very thing the enemy relied upon , that we should be intimidated by military force , when I immediately jumped upon the platform from the window of the committee-room , and such a scene 1 never beheld . The shouts of the people made tlie dragoon horses prance and rear and created an impression that they wero
going to charge . I continued to address the people while the drawn swords were within four or five feet of my face . I called attention to the difference between the little nincompoop officers upon thc pier and thc robust soldiers opposite me . I showed the injustice of flogging soldiers for the slightest crime , while their officers wero merely roprcmanded for the most heinous offence . I dwelt at some length upon the injustice of granting pensions to the widows and orphans of officers , while those of the soldiers wero allowed to starve .
In a very short time the soldiers showed evident marks of approbation , laughed at each other , and some even cheered , when , as if by magic , thc word "Right about face , march , " was given , and we had the whole town to ourselves . "Well , the election commenced . Mr . Keating , Queen ' s Couusel _, was counsel for Baron Smith ' s son , and was entitled by act of
parliament to a largo fee for bis services , which he , no doubt , received . I was counsel for John Conncll _, and was cutitled to as large a fee , but I received none , and would not take a farthing , but travelled aud lived at my own expense into the bargain . During the contest a very knotty question arose as to the admissibility of freemen living at a certain distance fi'om the town . The point was whether the
. Election Reminiscences. Sir,—As You Ha...
distance was to be measured by tho road or by line , Sergeant O'Loghlou , subsequently Master of the Rolls , came to Youghal for tha special purpose of arguing this point . He audi Mr . Keating argued the question at considerable length , and during which I discovered that Mr . Fordyco leaned to thc argument of Mr . Keating , but before he gave bis decision , aud although quite ready to accept the service of Sergeant O'Logblen , I stated that I , - aud not tho _leaned sergeant , was counsel in tho case , and that I repudiated his _construction's
well as Mr . Keating s construction of the _acfi of parliament . I then argued the question myself at considerable length , when the . assessor decided in my favour , whereupon Scrgeaut . O'Loghlen took mo by the . arm , ; we . walked out ofthe room , andxy _& th a hearty laugh be exclaimed , " Well / Feargus , y ou are tho boy to carry the election . " Sergeant O'Loghlen dined with us that day , and I addressed a multitude of people'from thc window of the hotel as was my custom , tho dragoon ' s , in their stable _jackets , constituting a fair proportion of my audience , and invariably asking me , inibe streets at dusk where'I intended to speak _n-omthafnight , ' "* ' ;
We ]" , so the contest , went ou till two o ' clock on the . fifthday _^ the pol l closing at . fbur . A * thathour Baron _Smith'sson was two ahead of John . Council , and . the list of . voters was exhausted .. A Mr .: Fitzpatriok , a lame gentleman and a violent partisan of Smith , -, rushed through tlie street , bopping upon one leg , cheering and wavinghis hat , and exolaiming "We ' . havg ' it , we have it , wo have it * ! * . ' -Ah immense number of Roman Catholic _cleijgymeii witnessed this cxultiug exhibition "from the coinmitte ' c-room and sighed most dolefslly . I asked them for _Crod's sake to leave the ( committee-room to me , and retire to Campboll ' s Hotel . . Tbey did so , in the most doleful mood , oxpressiug horror that the son of tho Liberator _Bhduld , be heateu by _the-soii of _Biji'on Smith " .
When the room was cleared I sent ror Dominick Roynane , the active and encrgetie agent of the repeal party . I asked him to show me the voting list . He did so , aud I discovered that five men had not polled ; and upon making the observation , he replied that they had left their bouses nine months ago , and'that the present occupants were not registered , but were all favourable to the cause . I told him to go himself aud get a staff to assist him to discover thc five men who had previously lived in thc houses . He did so , and returned with the five previous occupants .
I iustautly went with them , cleared every house , put out cat , dog _, fire , and furniture in the middle of the street , the then occupants surrendering possession to the previous occu » pants , whose names stood upou tbe list . I took them up as a tally—they poll iu tallies of five in Ireland—I was well aware of the sensation their appearance would create , and I drilled them bow to act . The first man who appeared to tender his vote was tho celebrated repealer Jeremiah O'Lamassiiey , aud I never shall forget the exhibition and the sensation created in the court .
Perhaps your readers arc not aware that the admissibility of an Irish voter is like a trial ao bar . When he appeared thero was a general shout ; "lie's left his house nine months ago" Thc usual oath was then tendered , aud I shall never forget tho sensation . It runs thus— : I , Jeremiah O'LamassltGy , do swear that 1 am tho same Jeremiah O'Lamassney whose name appears in this paper , and that 1 am still in possession of thc house , " and so and so ; and tho remainder of the oath being ; smothered in tho most execrable yells . However , the whole five voted , and wero objected to ; and as is the case in Ireland , the question of admissibility was then argued before thc assessor .
Jlr . Keating argued againt thoso votes at considerable length : tho assessor said " Well , Mr . O'Connor , what have you to offer in reply ? " I answered , _moreJy to request you will look at your watch . " For what ? " observed Mr . Keating . I rejoined "because his ofiieo has expired , and hy this act of parliament ho is liable to a fine of £ -300 if lie attempts to exercise his function after the time for closing the poll . " The asssessor looked at his _ivasch , found that I was right , and although a , violent partisan , aud notwithstanding the most impressive appeal from Mr . Keating , he allowed ihe five votes to remain upou the poll , telling . Mr . Keating that his only remedy was before
a _committee of tlie House of Commons . They did remain upon the poll , and John Connell was declared duly elected . The shouting was indescribable ; I ran to Campbell ' s hotel , where the . Roman Catholic clergymen were assembled , they were moaning dolefully , exclaiming , what an unfortunate result . I replied " . " No , I think it is a capital conclusion . " " What , " they rejoined , " thatthe son of Baron Smith should beat the sou of the Liberator V 1 called them to the window , and pointed out master John in the middle of an immense crowd shouting , roaring , cheering , and jumping , and I said , " There ' s the member , I did it for you '" They embraced me , and their grief , as if by'magic , changed into the most cxtatic joy .
Another incident connected with this memorable election , and I have done . There was an ejectment pending against one of our voters ; the house was guarded by a double file of infantry , with fixed bayonets ; the sheriff was at thc back door trying to get in ; 1 rushed through tho double tile of bayonets ; got two prods , " knocked tne sheriff out of tlie way , sent the door iu with my shoulder , took the occupant out of thc front door , and polled him before tho sheriff got possession . After the election , Mr . Fordyce , the assessor , who I believe had been wounded at tho previous election , was very much alarmed by tho excitement . I took him homo in _inv carriage ,
and was obliged to hide aim imuer thc scat when we stopped to change horses : it Middlcton . Tho people there nocked in hundreds and thousands round tho carriage , asking how the assessor behaved , and when he would be going through ? 1 brought him from under the seat , and said there he is—he behaved like a trump , he gained us tho election —and they cheered him most heartily . I shall now conclude my narrative of tin ' s memorable contest , by merely stating that tho question of John Council ' s election was tried before a committee of the House of Commons in the next _session , _tkat , as well as I remember , the five votes to which I have referred were struck off thc poll ,
while eight ; non-resideiit trecmen who voted for llaron Smith's son , and to whom I objected , were also struck off , thus leaving Master John secure in his seat , 1 think , by a majority of one . I was up night and day during this election . I received yards of blarney from John and his father , for my untiring exertion ' s ; and with these observations 1 conclude my narrative of tho ever memorable Youghal election . In my next I shall give a plain and _" unadorned narrative of the celebrated Dungavvan election , with reference to which not one of John's reminiscences bears tho semblance of truth . Your obedient servant , Feargus O'Cosxon .
The Hefoitm Movement. 10 Ike Editor Of T...
THE HEFOItM MOVEMENT . 10 IKE EDITOR OF THE SORTHKRX STAR . Sin , —In consequence of its having been stated at tlie Reform meetings that it is the wish of thc deputation to cnfvancUisc those only who contribute more or less to thc support of the poor , I wish ; o know from what source they derive the information that this limitation will embraco five million of adults J I hesitate not to assort that it will not enfranchise three millions ; and mark , with what ease these raw , can be disfranchised . Let us suppose a general election to be near at hand , and that the white slaves can be registered iii the manner
proposed , that work in factories . If doubtful of their fealty , what can be more easy for the molochs than to shut up tlieir mills for a few weeks , and thus render _solvent electors insolvent mendicants , rather than that their honourable and respected friend should lose his scat . "It is a mockery , a snare , a delusion , " to suppose that a large number of electors will be one whit more independent than tho present body , if tho possession of thc franchise is contingent upon money payments . Far be it from me to dictate to others , but I am so disgusted at the homage paid to social distinctions that I will have _uociiiiig to do with this now movement , as I have no eovitivler . te in the result .
With ivterw . ee to the state of our unfortunate brethren abroad ( tho noble Hungarians ) , I take this opportunity of expressing the sincere gratification I have derived from tlie perusal of your letters , so repiete as they arc with information ol * a most painfully interesting character , and also to thank vou for yonr exposure of tho hypocrites , all and singular , diplomatic or otherwise , that have effected their downfall . God knows we have need ot re-form in England , if only to prevent thc continuance of that dis _^ vaccfttlindili ' erencoto patriotism i : i distress , tor which wo deserve at this moment ihe severest censure that can be bestowed upon us , but still 1 will hope that there is a good time coming for the benefit of all . lour obedient _servant , _tslorougb , Devon . E . Uobekisox
Ar00112
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 3, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_03111849/page/1/
-