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A pril 8, 1848. THE NORTHERN STAR. i _—-...
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confidence ia their rulers, by such a re...
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GREAT MEETING ON KENNINGTON COMMON. (Fro...
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Bbjstol.—As Aszcdoik of Brasdos Hrm.—On ...
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THE CHARTER, AND REPEAL IN TIIE CITY. Ia...
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] STREET INSTITUTION. fin Tuesday evenin...
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TBE TEOTLE'S CHARTER, ANX> FROST , V71L-
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•fltattonal BSsotfatfon ot mxitt% Cratres,
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' Union for the iHUion.' Friends,—We can...
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The Central Committee met on Monday and ...
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
A Pril 8, 1848. The Northern Star. I _—-...
A pril 8 , 1848 . THE NORTHERN STAR . i _— - —« ¦ — iii — —— - ——— ¦ " nriiiiiLuuui ii Minn in— i i , -i i ¦ ,,,.. _„ . ; _mJS _^^^ i _^ _.... _~ i _.. ni . _iLil _^ _t . M » i _^« lI . l _^ im _; _ami _^ _nAKii _^ Mi « _fj _~ i ) i _«^ _m .. i ,. _lfnr _^ .
Confidence Ia Their Rulers, By Such A Re...
confidence ia their rulers , by such a return to the an- j _eient constitution of this realm , as will , at least , secure to the Irish people their former exclusive power of taxing thtmselm for their local _purposes , and of regulating and administering their local affairs , through tbeir Sovereign , Lords , and Commons , inan Irish parliament . _TheDaooaEOA Jormm states , that several highly influential Protestant gentlemen of that town and neighbourhood , hitherto determined anti Repealera , have _, recently declared themsel ves favourable to a Repeal of the _' TJnion . The game paper contains the following paragraph : — On Saturday last the unprecedented sum of £ 6 , 800 was wUhdrawn tram lha _stviHga' bank of this town . The lower and middle erders must be aware of some threatened danger else they would not run on aa institution Wbich they _eoasidcred heretofore so secure .
Great Meeting On Kennington Common. (Fro...
GREAT MEETING ON KENNINGTON COMMON . ( From _theJ & rBinp- Chronicle . ) A public meeting was held on Sunday afternoon on Kennington Common . At half-past three the speakers arrived , and the table hitherto _nsed for the reception ofthe signatures to the petition was converted into a temporary tribune . Thera were several thousands then present , and the new-comers were of amore respectable grade . Some gentleman , whose name we are not able to hand down to posterity , was called upon to preside , aad the proceedings of the meeting commenced .
Mr Fcsseu . { one of the members of the ' National Convention , ' ) _addressed the meeting in a speech of considerable length , in the course of which he said that the object of the Chartists was to maintain or < 3 er—that all properly should be respected . The Bank of England , he considered , was an unjust aHd Oppressive monopoly ; the profits now netted by the Shareholders ought to go to the State . The clergy he designated as the most bloodthirsty interest that ever surrounded the throne , and the Chartists elaimed that the Church lands should be _forfeitedto the State , and applied to the support and moral instruction ot thB poor . He concluded by moving a resolution in accordance with ths princiDlea of the People ' s Charter , —Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , No Property Qualification , Annual Parliaments . Payment of Member ** , and Equal Electoral Districts .
- Mr _EsxEsr Jokes ( also a member of the * National Convention , ') supported the resolution , not thai he thought they were likely to get what they asked _, for at the hands of the present House of Commons . They mnst first become their own parliament , their own legislature , and their own executive . ( Cheers . ) If they succeeded in getting redress for their wrongs by referring te Parliament , it would not bs by the love wbich Parliament bore tbem , bnt by the fear in _frhich it held them . ( Hear , hear . ) The preceding speaker had told them that the physical force of the eountry was certainly against them . That he ( Mr Jones ) emphatically denied . They were the millions —their oppressors were the few- ( Hear , hear . ) The _OlndgeQB-men might be against tbem , but they sere only lew in number . ( Hear , hear . ) He
would never believe that another great portion ofthe physical force of the _,-onntrv—he meant the soldiers —was against thea . ( Cheers . ) The soldiers were the friends of the working classes ; they _pprangfrom and belonged to the same order as themselves . The Charter would bo the finest thing in the world for the soldier . Under the Charter he would not be entrapped into the service by tbe pitiful cheat of giving him a shilling while in a state ef intoxication . ( Hear , hear . ) It -would do away with his compulsory period of _semce ; and as eTery soldier was enlisted in the service of the throne and the altar , the throne and the altar could be made to give him his reward in the shape of a cottage and four acres of crown land Or church land whenever he quitted the service in credit to himself- ( Cheers . ) Those cheers told him
lie was not wrong in the recommendations he had published on the subject . Finally , the Charter wonld _notrestrictallproraotion to the dandy aristocracy . { Hear , and cheers . ) Under it the soldiers might arrive at the hiahest appointment in the armyhe might be placed on a par with Field-Marshal "Prince Albert . ( Laughter and cheers . ) The working classes of England had reduced the number of lashes to fifty , and would soon do away with the cruel practice of flogging altogether . ( Hear . ) He verily believed that towards the honest working men of England the army had a friendly feeling , and that they would not separate from them in the hour of dancer . ( Great cheering- ) The present was the last humble petition the working men would ever present to the house of Commons . The 10 th day of the
present month was the last day of grace tfee Chartists wonld give the "Whi gs . ( Cheers . ) They would _TjaTTT their petition to the house orderly , and they would depart peaeeably and quietly ; but if they had to so to the house a second time , they would then go iil arms . ( Cheers , and sensation . ) Their friend tbe _Attorney-General wonld caution them to beware of Mm . But he would tell the Attorney-General that lie hsd mora reasen to be afraid of the people . The very laws under which government could . indict them were as rotten as the threads of S . worn-out cable . Let the Attorney-General lcok to Ireland ( Hear . ) Let him grind down the spirit of an O'Brien , the heart of a Meagher , and tbe soul of a Mitchel , before he interfered with the Chartists ef England . ( Cheers . ) Let the government and
Parliament have their day of grace and if they vrere each political madmen and such social maniacs aa to refuse the people ' s prayer , then , as political lunatics , the people must confine them in their political Bedlam . ( Hear , and cheer 3 . ) _Letthft government not try the game of physical force , lest _phjgical force be turned against them . ( Hear , hear . ) The people only asked for the Charter ; bat the Jess the government were willing to grant , the more tbe seoDle would he inclined to ask . ( Cheer ? . ) If they refused the Charter , the people would next ask for a republic . ( Tremendous cheere . ) The men of London were ? _is good as the men of Paris , the men of Milan , or the men of Berlin . ( Hear . ) By showing a bold physical front , they would prevent the necessity for physical action . He did not believe it be for them to
_^? ould necessary strike a single blow . But they mnst be prepared for toe worst . They must march in divisions , with military _^ precision . They must have their captains and their officers . With discipline tbe people would bs an army ; _jvithout discipline they are a mob . ( Cheers . ) If the Attorney-General prevented them from so organising themselves , he must prevent somebody else besides . The worshipful the body of shopkeepers had established bodies of _Yoltmteerg , over which they had their captains and lieutenants , with ribbons on their arms and badges on their breasts . ( Laughter . ) They were not specials , but voluntary specials . ( Renewed laughter . ) If it were legal for the shopkeepers , it would be equally _legal for the Chartists . ( Hear , hear . ) God speed the Irish patriots—might
they throw off the yoke of foreign dominion I The English working classes joined in the prayer fer Irish emancipation . ( Cheers . ) The cause of tbe English working classes is the canse of the Irish people . The Irish resident in tbis country , by joining the ranks of the Chartists , would carry the war into tbe enem y ' s camp—every blow stmck ta the metropolis or provinces of England would have double the effect of a blow struck in Ireland . He conld tell them that the Chartists of _Eng'aad were eager to charge down from the hills of Yorkshire , Lancashire , and the vaie 3 of Northamptonshire , and plant the green Sag of liberty in Downing-street . ( Rapturous cheering . ) He lately told them thai the men of London
were ready te , act , and the men of the Midlands , the manufacturers oi Nottingham and Lancashire , and the _agriculturists ofthe rural districts replied that , whatever the result might be , they were prepared to aid the men of London . ( Cheers ) _^ All they asked for was the signal . When the brilliant rocket shot star-like into the he ivens , tbe bold and brave of their country wonld rise , and the corrupt of every class ¦ would sink . ( Cheers . After remarking at gome length on an extract from the Pbessb newspaper , which had been distributed throughout the metropolis , in the shape ofa placard , Mr Jones concluded Sy calling npon his hearers to be prepared , ' to be _Ijrave and prudent , and they mnst be victorious . Sevei a ' - other members followed . The proceedings terminated about five o ' clock .
Bbjstol.—As Aszcdoik Of Brasdos Hrm.—On ...
Bbjstol . —As Aszcdoik of _Brasdos Hrm . —On last Monday week , rumours , and fears , and alarms , ¦ were 'very prevalent among the old ladies and Bome _olhere in this city . The dreadful Chartists were -going to hold a meeting on Brandon Hill ; it was very clear that the public knew much more abont it than we did . Indeed , our sapient magistrates were so certain of our _treasonable intentions , that they crammed the poliee station at the foot of the hill with the blue coated gentlemen , ready primed for an _i _^ ssp _losien . I should mention that one _ of our town i councillors , considered by some avery _stientiflc man , i _sorte time ago alarmed our qniei citizens by an-: nouncing that Brandon Hill was the remains of an - -extinct _voleano . Something was going to happen on
that day , nobody conld tell what ; some of the timid ; atood and watched afar tff , othersmore bold actually walked over the hill , and as the day wore on , increased numbers assembled . They feltBUre that the mountain was in labour , and so it was , for scon after the sun was set il brought forth a—mouse . Notwithstanding this , there were many fears and misi _givings dowa to Friday night last , * when the Char-I 'fast committee issued their peaceful address , anlEonneiDg the _Elorious meeting of Tuesday . The Delegate to the Convention from Worcester , _ISCtEdwahb Walteb , isason of one ofthe _mosfcre-3 spectable tradesmen of the place , and ferether-in law Sto the mayor of Worcester . Besides beinga Chartist , : he is an earnest and conscientious advocate for the ( organisation of labour .
Two Irish _tracers , outward bound , on Friday , ifcoisted the Irish national flag at the _masthead _, when a few miles ont in the Channel , bnt as quickly dowered . them npon chase b « isg given by her Majesty ' s mail tender Ringdove .
The Charter, And Repeal In Tiie City. Ia...
THE CHARTER , AND REPEAL IN TIIE CITY . Ia _Cinsegaeneeof the city aldermen haying r ' drawn Mr Cartwright ' _s billiard license , simpi . causs Chartist and Repeal meetings were held at ; hou _** e , the Chartists and Confederates resolved tomer * _persecution by an act of increased patronage , anrj - benefit in the shape of a ' _soiree and ball was the rest ? The large room in _Redcress street , was , on Monrevening , densely crowded * , the room waB _handsom _^ decorated with caps of liberty , figures of libertj American banners , and a French tricoloured fla ' _s floated from the window . MrCiAsoi was unanimously called tothe chair , and said he looked on the present time as an epoch in the historic records of liberty ' s Btrnggle , and in the fullness of his soul prayed for the time when Ireland should be a nation , and England ia 'he full
enjoyment of her liberties . ( Loud cheers . ) The authorities seemed to think that by persecuting Mr Cartwright tbey could trample on our glorious principles , bat he trusted thatthe Irish Confederation would convince Lord John that they were made of sterner stuff than to be put down by little men in blaok coats—( loud cheers )—and by their support of Mr Cartwright , show'that they duly appreciated his efforts in their behalf . Mr Cartwright had done more for * the men of no property' than any other citizen—he had much pleasure in submitting the following sentiment : — * Oar upright , honest , and sincere Chartist friend , John Cartwright—may he live to vanquish all his enemies , and trample persecution under his feet- ' Mr A , Shabp and Mr _Wnxiiiis , the Chartist baker , supported it in speeches thst were warmly erected _MrCa-AEiES M'Carthy rose to submit the second
resolution , and the cheering from without announced the arrival of Feargus O'Connor , M . P ., who , on his entering the room , was most enthusiastically greeted . Mr M'Carthy said , as their friend and advocate had arrived , he would merely say that he trusted that the people would band themselves together , like ' the lictora' rods , before him , and then they would soon obtain their just rights . ( Loud cheers . ) He heartily congratulated the people on the union between the Chartists and the Repealers , ( Great applause . ) He thought they might tbauk Mr O'Connor for that . ( Hear , hear . ) He further rejoieed that the Young Irelanders had resolved on having Ireland fr * tbe Irish , and he hoped the Chartists would follow their example , and reiolve on having England for the English . ( Lond cheers . ) He bad much pleasure in giving the following sentiment !— 'A cordial union and success to the _demecracies of all nations . '
The Chairman said , the hour had now arrived fer which he had long sighed . They now bad their president amongst them . ( Loud cheers . ) And he bad great pleasure in introducing Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., fo speak to the next sent / meat , ss follows : — * The Irish Confederation—may it speedily free Ireland frem tyranny and oppression , and give her people such institutions as shall accord with their free and unbiassed opinion . ' On Mr O'Cossor rising , he was greeted with prolonged cheering , which having subsided , he said he had just arrived from the House of Commons , where they were discussing the rights of a dispersed people , the Jews . Now he thonght bis countrymen were as much a dispersed and a more oppressed people than the Jews—and hence he had given up a short portion of his time to run down there , and advocate their erase . ( Loud cheers . ) He had heard one of tbeir
friends allude to moral and physical force . Now , those * were subjects on which he did not give an opinion , except from his place in Parliament . ( Laughter . ) But he did know that the Americans had prayed their good King George III ., of blesBed memory , and that he took no notice of their prayer . In 1 S 32 , wben he was returned for his native county , Cork , forty members were returned , pledged to accept neither place norpenEionuntil they had achieved their rights—and he could not help thinking the Irish people were to blame for sending such a cringing lot to Parliament , as was found there at . the present day , after the brilliant example to which he had allnded —had tbey kept up to tbat mark—and stood firm ,
oppression wonld have crumbled into dust , even as thrones were now crumbling . ( Loud cheers . ) Notwithstanding all the persecution , jeers , and tanntB to which he had been subjected , he was pleased to think he bad stood forward the firm advocate of the rights of Ireland . He had told the House of Commons plainly his sentiments—that the Irish people were murdered , and interred like dogs , ' nnhOUSelled , nnappointed , and _unaEnealed ;• that Ireland was their Poland— ' that the air of Poland was redolent of the fresh smelling blood of the martyrs 8 _] ain Jn battle , whilst the putrid atmosphere of Ireland stinks from the effluvia of the wasted bodies of famished slaves '—( loud cheers )—ahd he asked , conld thev restore tf > life the millions slain by gaunt
famine ? The Scripture said , ' It was better to die by the sword than to perish of hunger . ' ( Great applause . I only quote Scripture—and Burely the Bible Is far betterthan Lord John Russell ' s logic ! ( Loud cheers . ) He never could agree that Ireland shonld go in quest of land abroad , when she bad plenty at home —( lond cheers)—and his blood boiled when he thonght of an archbiBho ? begging for tbe means for his countrvmen to live , ( Hear , hear . ) He had told the House of Commons , that it was wrong that such things should be . and they give a clergyman , at the same time , £ 2 , 000 per annum , the same clergyman getting a journeyman to do his work for £ 75 ; but Irishmen did not mind paying their own clergyman fair and moderate sums ; bat it was too bad
to call upon Paddy to pay for bis Catholic doctor and the Protestant doctor as well * ( Loud cheers . ) As regards the Union , it was accomplished by English gold and Irish treachery , and ata time too when Ireland was mourning the _lossof many of her patriot sons . ( Hear , hear . ) His father was prosecuted , and his uncle banished . Eight years ago , he had advised the council of three hundred to meet and show the Saxon , " what they _cauld do in the shape of law making ; but then , coming from him , it wa 3 nonsensebut now , coming from others , it was good sense ; fer his part , he did not ask repeal but separation . ( Hear , hear . ) He conld not see what England had to do with Ireland at all . ( Loud cheers . ) He did not know if thev had as much Milesian blood in their
veins as he had !; if they had , he thought they would agree that the connexion bad existed too long . ( Great applause . ) His family had a long account to settle , they had endured more persecution and prosecution than any other family . ( Hear , hear . ) Catholics had thoughtlessly gone on under Protestant rulers , although they were only allowed to fill the office of a common soldier , and be shot at for one shilling a day ; True , it was Baid that Paddy was too ignorant to bs trusted with thefranchise , but it was not your ignorance , hut your intelligence , they dreaded . If you had tbe power of electing M . P's ., there would be no tithes , yon wonld be free of them the next day , and you would learn to build your own castles on your own free labour _fielda . ( Loud eheers . ) He was
satisfied that every Irishman Joyed hi ? country . At the Birmingham station he had met with an Irishman , who was an overseer , and he ( Mr O'Cennor ) said— 'Yon are an Irishman , ' and asked him' Did he ever think oflreland ?* ' Ay , ' he responded , ' ay , blood and ' _ounds , sure 'tis always thinking of her I am—daughter)—and , sure , if I was going to die , I would Tatber swim across than die here . ' ( Loud cheers . ) But ts heard that the young gentlemen were stirring , and he hoped they would do something soon . Now , he ( Mr O'Connor ) had said— ' Paddy , 'tis Sunday ; I will preach you a sermon— ' God always _help 3 those who help themselves . '' ( Lond cheers . ) And , therefore , yon _raast not look to
Mitchel , O'Brien , Meagher , O'Gorman , or Doheny , but must put your own shoulder to the wheel . ' ( Great applause . ) He had been for the last twentyfive years an advocate fer Ireland . _^ Now , on Monday next , he was to present a petition for the Charter , which , he trusted , would be signed by five or six millions of souls . ( Londcheers . ) And , in the Convention tomorrow , he would move that a prayer for the Repeal of the Union be added . ( Loud cheers . ) This was the wedding night of Chartism and Repeal in London , and he would drink ; in a bumper of eold water , 'Success to their union , and bad luck to the _jgiion between England and Ireland . ' ( Tremendous cheers , during which Mr O'Connor left the
room . ) Mr Ebsest Joses rose warmly greeted , and in allusion to tbe ball abont to beheld , said : He hoped when next they met it would be at a ball of a different description . ( Cheers . ) Balls were not rery appropriate before a revolution , much more appropriate after . Polignae , in reply to Charles X ., once said : ' A ball was pleasing because his majesty was dancing ever a [ volcano . ' They were about to dance on the brink of one . ( Cheers . ) Moral and physical force bad been talked of of late—now , he was happy to have the sanction of their _areat chief , to the
doctrine ' God helps those who help themselves . " ( Loud cheers . ) We have already frightened the enemy ; they already show tbeir signals of distress . New , he thonght these would prove the fog signals , as he fondly hoped did the people once begin to surge , that they would surge everywhere at once . ( Cheers . ) He wonld beg the favour of ene of the ladies hands for a dance , not to-night , bat when the Charter was gained , which he hoped would be speedily after the 10 th ot April . ( Londcheers . ) In conclusion he would give « Confusien to the politics of all knavish legislators . ' ( Loud cheering . )
Mr Smith , in a most brilliant speech , which was received with loud applause , gave the following : — ' The just rights oi'the people as contained in the Charter , and may they speedily be enacted as law . ' Mr _Cariwbigbt acknowledged the . honour done him . Three cheers were given for the French Republic , three for the coming British revolution , three groans f > -. r the _ALIermen who teok away the license , and this interesting meeting dispersed .
] Street Institution. Fin Tuesday Evenin...
] STREET INSTITUTION . fin Tuesday evening , April 4 th , the Literary Initiation was densely crowded in every part , almost to suffocation . Mv John Fossbu waa unanimously called to the chair , and said , they had again met to make another moral demonstration in favour of their _"*^ t ri ghts . ( Cheers . ) The press had falsely told — - _«¦ tbat the revolution in France had produced Why and confusion , but he repeated it was false _, jjeorge Grey had said the government had set r faees against granting concession either to des or political bodies , hence the necessity of maklug the demonstration on Monday , peaceable , but so numerous that there could be no mistake as to this heine a national movement . ( Great cheering . )
Mr Jones , of Liverpool , came forward amidst tremendous cheering to address the meeting , and said : Would he could take them to view the haunts or wretchedness in Liverpool , and show them men who formerly earned from two to three pounds a week , reduced to go to a soup kitchen for food to slay the pangs of hunger ; and the middle classes were fast following them . Could it be surprising that such men should be prepared to demand their rights in a voice of thunder . ( Loud cheers . ) He asked , should such a state of things be continued i ( ' Ne , No ; ' and great applause . ) Was it not better that they should rush forward and save thew tailing couatry , even from the very brink of ruin ? He was both a _Charllst and a _ConfederaliBt . ( Great
applause . ) The French were making theirs not only a political but a social revolution—( loud cheers ) -and the doctrine of 'Liberty , Equality , Fraternity , ' had frightened old mother Times , and other journals—( hear , hear )—but the Times had recently discovered broken-hearted navigators with four pounds in their pockets and a bill ou the provisional government . ( Laughter . ) He invoked tbem all to be peaceable and orderly on Monday , as that would be the finale of moral force agitation . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Mr Thomas Clark came forward loudly applauded , and in a most eauatio speech held an inquest : on the remains of Whiggery _, which had laid violent hands on itself—he supposed to save the people the trouble of doing so . ( Loud cheers . ) They wished a
peaceable demonstration on Monday , and he had _nodoubt their numbers " would ensure it —( great cheering )—they had resolved at all events that aggression , if it did come , should come from the government , and 51 they were unwise enough to give it , oa their heads be the consequence . ( _Treraeadous eheerihg . ) _Hfi moved the following resolution : —* That whereas the exercise of usurped political power has been productive of the most direful results , both physical and moral , to the mass of the British people ; and whereas submission to usurpation is not only injurious , but a most criminal abasement of humanity , be it therefore resolved , that we struggle with oru brethren throughout the empire , for those civil and social rights which God ordained for tho enjoyment of man .
Mr _Taiseesaix , of Burnley , came forward amid hearty cheers , to second the motion , and said : Hc trusted that fine enthusiastic feeling he witnessed was _. not mere froth and pop but a genuine reality . The recent events in France had doubtlessly gladdened their hearts , not simply because a tyrant was hurled from the throne , but because France wa . how the Polar star of liberty to Britain . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Lord John Russell seemed , since 1832 , to have forgotten that man was a progressive being , he now resembled a mile-stone stopping behind to show man how much he had progressed . ( Hear , hear , )—But ministers and legislators must go with the tide , or the stream will overwhelm them . ( Tremendous cheering . ) The WhigB wera trying
their hands at prosecution ; they might arrest O'Brien , Meagher , and Mitchel ; they might take their heads o 2 and string them up to castle walls ; hut for every drop of blood tbat should be shed , a thousand patriots would arise to avenge the bloody deed . ( Tremendous applause , again and again repeated , succeeded . by waving of hats , handkerchiefs , clapping of hands , and every conceivable mode of testifying applause . ) Englishmen had hitherto been found heroes at Waterloo , the Nile , and Trafalgar , but had proved the basest of slaves at home . ( Hear , hear . ) However , the men of Lancashire had now resolved to have their rights ; and what were they ? Simply , political equality with the middle and upper classes ; and was there anything unreasonable In this ? anything unjust ? ( 'No . no , ' and _lood cheers , ) No .
but there was in the present system , which took from all the wealth their industry and ingenuity created , and sent them to feed on skilly and find a pauper ' s grave in the cold bastile . ( Hear , hear . ) Wonld they longer submit to such a state of things ? ( ' No , no _' aud loud cheers . ) Mr Tattersall next showed the fearful extent of ( he National Debt , the burden borne by Britons to support the set of _Garman pauper prince 3 , & c . ( Loud cheers . ) Tou say you will not longer endure it ; then by the noble example set hy France and Germany—by your exiled ; patriots Frost , Williams , and Jones—by the sacred ties of truth , justice , humanity ' and liberty—press forward , never stopping until you Bball have achieved a glorious democracy . ( Enthusiastic and long continued cheering . )
Mr Leach , of Manchester , came forward warmly greeted , and said they bad now got the steam up pretty _higu , and he was not disposed to get it higher —reason was aa important as enthusiasm . In Manchester tens of thousands had calmly resolved to have the Charter , come weal , come woe . ( Loud cheers . ) Well , in Manchester they were swearing in special constables , but even the middle classes bad convened a meeting for the purpose of telling the magistrates they would do nothing thatwould -prevent the people from obtaining their liberty . ( Loud cheers . ) He thought that tbo aristocracy , by their cruelty and rapacity , had shown their unfitness to legislate for them , and thatthe people shonld take their affairs into their own hands . ( Loud cheers . ) . The system by its own weight was falling , but you must direct its downward course to prevent it burying you in the
ruins . ( Loud cheers . ) Government had now got itself into a fix—the deluders were nomore—tricksters were gone—there was no playing off the working men of one country against the other . Now , the working men of Ireland had taken Englishmen by . the band . ( Great cheering . ) Mr Leach gave a heart-rending description of tbe condition of tbe Irish people . Ah ! said thespeaker _. it iras blasphemously asserted that a famine had prevailed in Ireland . It was falseplenty prevailed — the aristocracy were wallowing _inloxury—and consequently instead of famine—itwas morder perpetrated on the democracy by the aristocracy . ( LoudcheeK . ) He , like the other speakers , called on the people to conduct themselves like men on Monday , not giving offence even to the child ; and should the prayer of the petition be refused , he should then say , send an address to her Majesty . ( Tremendous cheering . )
The resolution was carried unanimously , amidst rapturous applause . Mr _Chaulm Bolwell , from Bath , declared himself a moral torce Reformer , and said , he should be sorry to see unarmed men opposed to armed men , or the spilling of a single _drop of blood . ( Hear , hear . ) They were about , on Monday next , to present their last petition . ( Londcheers . ) Whilst he told them he was a moral force Chartist , he must , at the same time , tell them , he never would allow any man te lay violent hands on him without returniag it , ( Tremendous cheering . ) He _wassent to London , leaving a comfortable and a happy heme , that nothing but his hope of liberty would _cau-e him to leave , and whieh he hoped to see again . Ilis opinion waa
materially changed since his arrival in London . He had seen such an enthusiasm that he had not expected to witness . ( Loud cheers . ) He expected that the Petition would be rejected ; but the Convention would be 'in London , the working men of England would be in London , in the person of their representatives ; and their next step would be still more terrible than the National Petition ; and should tbe base Whigs drive them te take their liberties , they might take something more than the Charter . ( Great applause . ) He then moved the following resolution — 'T hat this meeting resolves to support the Convention in its endeavours to make the People ' s Charter the law of tho land . '
Mr Joseph _LiNNar , of Bilston , in an energetic speech , seconded the motion , and , like the former speakers , called upon the people to attend the pre - cession in their millions , and never rest satisfied until they had obtained the Charier . ( Loud cheers . ) _MrDiBiEii Dohotah said , they had been told that a dinner , that was to have taken place at Highbury Barn , on Monday , could not take place , because the magistrates had threatened the landlord with the loss of his licence if he allowed it . But . had they a
place of their own , it could not bave been prevented by any magistrate ? . ( Loud cheers . ) He said , if the government should attack an unarmed people on Monday , it would be the duty of not only the peo pie of London , but of England , to declarq that government should not stand another hour . ( Tremendous cheering , ) And , on the other hand , should mm hired by the government , step ouS of the ranks and strike or shoot a policeman , thatthey would give the traitors into the hands of justice , and let them bear the brunt of their own treason . Now , he had given them both sides of the question . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr Ernebt Jones came forward , loudly applauded , and paid , we stand in the position of debtor and creditor to the government—they were our debtors for our murdered children and tho banishment ot our exiled friends . Well , on Monday we go to demand the bill , long since due , and protested again and again ; they now demand the principal , but if that was not settled they wonld demand both interest and principal —( loud cheers )—if their petition was rejected then it would be their duty to try Queen Victoria , and if her mercy should not be moved , why , then would be the time to adopt the plan he had 60 often spoken of . " ( Tremendous cheering . ) It was said the government was about to commence proseoution in England 5 he said , let Ihem do it . ( Great cheering . ) They had tried it in Ireland in the persons of Messrs Mitchel , O'Brien , and Meagher , He adopted their sedition , every word of it . ( Great and enthusiastic cheering , ) Well , then , that meeting also adopted it—then let them prosecute that
] Street Institution. Fin Tuesday Evenin...
mee m ? - _« . S el ad news for them tha men of Hali . tax had held , glorious meetings , dud they formed in pr . cession and marched into Halifax , the soldiers came out of the barracks and cheered , and cheered aeain . ( Tremendous cheering . ) The Whigs , at Halifax , thought it a bad sign , and the government ordered the regiment to Ireland . The people had tormeda procession , to escort them out and cheer toe soldiers whioh was responded to by cheers from the guards . ( Great applause and three eheers for the guards , given by the meetine _m-sst enthusiastically . ) In conclusion , he wished Lord John joy with his new regiment for Ireland . ( Tremendous oheermg . ) Resolution oatried unanimously . Mr Veknon then came forward and said a few words relative to a letter that appeared in the Times of today , and some words that appeared in tho _Siab of Saturday last , and was cordially greeted by the meeting . His declaration that he had not been more violent than others elicited warm applause
. Mr Clark having paid a few worde , Mr Vernon cordially shook hands with the executive , amidst enthusiastic cheering . A vote of thanks waa oarried , by acclamation , to the chairman , _who , in _responding read the following letter relative to Frost , Williams , and Jones . Cha _* _nbera , Bedford . _streel , Strand . . _* _, _* n . dlr € Blea _ty Mr Wakley , M . P ., to state , that he has made inquiry 0 f the Secretary of _Statafor tho Home _Dapartmtnt , whether it la the intention of govcrnraent to rardon , liberate , and restore to their country , Frost , Williams , and _Jenea , and that he received for answer , that no such intention wag at preBent entertained Dy the govtrament _.
I am , Sir , your obeaient servant , G , L . _HoxcniNSoN . Three cheers were then given for the Conventionthree for the Union between the Irish and English working claases—three for theCharter , and the meeting separated . There was a dense crowd of people at the doors who could not obtain admission .
Tbe Teotle's Charter, Anx> Frost , V71l-
TBE TEOTLE'S CHARTER , ANX > FROST V 71 L-
_„ LIAMS AKD JONES . On _Wednaedoy evening last , a public meeting wan con . vened ia the St . _Pancuas Yeatry Rooms , wbich _nere densely crowded . Mr Henry . _HETHEaisoTou was unanimously callod to the chair , who spoke of John Frost os being a most _estimnhlJ mon ; and as . the continental governments had liberated their political victims , and ns even England bad liberated hor Canadian _subjeots , eo , in common justice , sbould Proot , Williams , and Jones , be restored ? ( Loud cheers , ) ..
Mr Watbois , delegate ia the Convention for Newcastle . upon-Tyno , rose to move the firat resolution , and said , ho thought the people would , on the present oscaBlon , show such a bold , peaceful , yet energotio front , as to convince the government thoy wero determined to have , and worthy of , tbe-Charter . The coming procession would be worthy of th 9 _working classes . Mr Watson then read n resolution ia _lavo-jr of the Peeple _' s Charter , and said , of such a character was the resolution he was asked to move , that he Bhould like to see the men who conld bring forward a vestige of nn argument against it . He contended , ' that _It . tvaa tho right of every man of tw . nty-one years of age to have a voice in electing thoso who made the laws . They all had to . pay taxes , ond they ought to have a voice in the appropriation of them . Was it not time that we got rid of such a sjBtem ? The people of the north were determined that they should
be admitted to vote , or tbat the ministor should go off . ( Loud cheers . ) The proposition brought before them said , that _aeveB-elghths of the people ' wero _votoleag _, degraded slaves ; ' and the queBtion was bo closely connected with labour tbat , from their not having the _protectlon of the vote , capitalists got their labour for just what tbey _pleaied ; and it . would not be gainsayea when he asserted tbat the labour of the working man _trashis capital ; and feeling this , the people hud resolved never to give up until they got the Charter . ( Great cheering . ) Well , then , will you give ua . gomo ' assistance ? ( 'Yea , yes ! ' ) Will you attend the _procesBioa , and let your will be known ? ( 'Yes , yea ; ' and loud cheere . ) With a hold front , and a nerved soul , and a firm determination , they could achieve their rlghtB . He thought , when he returned to Newcastle , he might tell tbem they had determined to put their _wiils in action , and cause the Charter to become the law . ( loud cheering . )
Mr robeit Wild , of Mottram , rose amidst muoh _chaering , to second the motion . It . give him great pleasure to find that the people of Loadon were alive to their onn interest , and from _euch very numerous , intelligent , and enthusiastic meetings he thought the time was uot far distant when they sbould have the Charter . King Solomon said there was a time for all things -, the time for speaking had gone , and he thought this was the time for action , He was in the House of Commons last night , and heard a member talking of ecclesiastic revenues , who said upwards of one hundred working clergymen had not more than one hundred a year , and were without houses to live in ; ha ihonght thera wero
many working men who had not £ . ' 20 per annum , and aot so much ground as their thumbs would cover ; ay , had jcu the Charter you would not find the House of Commons _sympathising with clergymen in _possessiauof two pounds per week , and utterly forgetting the woalth producers who perished for want , amidst heaps of wealth . Every people , every * nation , ' was demanding freedom , and shall the petition of a skilful , ingenious , and industrious people 1 bo treated with contumely , and rejected . Then prepare for tbe procession on Monday and Be _prepwred for the worst—the rejection of the petition . ( Cries of * Wo are prepared . ' ) He cordially supported _the resolution . ( Loud cheers , )
Mr Wai / ieb , of Worcester , in an energetic speech , supported the motion amidst the loudest applause , and concluded by inviting all to attend tee procession and keep peace ,. good order , and firmness . ( Great cheering . ) The resolution was put and carried unanimously , amidst rapturous applause . Mr John Arnott then camo forward and read a Petition in favour of the People ' s Charter , and moved its adoption . Mr Samuel Kids , amid the loudest applause , came forward to second it . He said there was ono portion of tbat petition which said , * Labour waa tho source of all wealth and should be the foundation of all government . ' France was often pointed to as tbis juncture of European progress -, tho young blood of Franoe had proved more powerful than the blood of all tha Bourbons . ( Hear , hear . ) Tho provisional government , as represented in the persona of Albert and Louis Blanc , understood this question of labour , and would solve the problem so long
in abeyance , and , as regards England , the principles of tbe first resolution must be worked out before labour would meet with its due reward . ( Cheers , ) Ho contended that the labourer Bhould be tbe consumer and 'He who would not work neither Bhould he eat '—( great cheering ); In any revolution that took place here , he weuld not bo satisfied to taKe anything loss tban tho _Peoples Charter for its oasis . ( _TremeBdous cheering . ) Bot before he took a dangerous position ho must be aseared that he risked not his life for a phantom , but , that the veritable people of England willed the change . He alluded to the effective scene produced by the simple recital of Richard Marsden , in the Convention thia dayamid cheer *—and asked , ' Were the people prepared to march on ! ( bond cries of 'Yes , yes . ' ) Do not say ' Yes , ' and mean ' No ; ' again , I say , Are you prepared to march onward ? ( Loud shouts of ' Yes , yes . ' ) Then ho was prepared to go with them for Equality for all , ' The king can mak a belted knight , A marquis , duke , an a' that ,
But on honest man ' s aboon his might . ' ( T remendous cheering . ) Mr J . West then moved the adoption of a resolution in favour of the liberation of Frost , Williams , and Jones , He moved this to eshibit his sympathy with those men , althongh he thought ita secondary question just now _^ be question of primary importance being the Charter , ( Load oheers _. ) There now was a . war against usurpation ; Irishmen and Englishmen must unite , and should Irishmen be treated with brute force , it would be our duty to look to it . ( Tremendous cheering . ) He alluded to tbe case of Kirwan , the Irish spy , and Colonel _Browa , who _hadinstigated Kirwan to ge and get men to make pikes , thus eatrapping them into illegal acts . Did not this prove the _Thigs to be a blood y gorernmenj ? ( Loud eheerB _. ) Bat Colonel Brown _oeme forward and avowed that he had employed Kirwan and what then ? Wby the magistrate let Kirwan off . ( Hoar hear . ) Irishmen and women were perishing fer want ,
and Lord John said he wopld put Ireland down . Wh y , far better would It be that Ireland should be deluged with blood from end to end , than such a state of things should continue . ( Rapturous cheering . ) Peace , law , and order ne said—if it was for all—but if It did not reign through plenty in the cottages , there should beuo peace in the castle . ( Great applamo . ) Some time ago he was charged with being a revolutionist — he was so , he avowed it—he wanted a change—he wished tho mon who produced to be the first partaker of the fruits . This was reversing the present order of things , and consequently wa 8 | revolutionary , and very necessary , aad very beneficial , ay , and a revolution that must be bad . ( Tremendous cheering . ) , He should like to be one of a deputation to go to Lord Join Russell , and point out tho _robberies _inflicted on labour ; but he really believed the only remedy was tho Charter , and be _thoug-ht tbe way to obtain it , was by making tho sitting of the Convention permanent , and resolve not to separate , until the Charter became the law of the laud , ( Loud cheers . )
Mr Glbnnibtkb of Cheltenham , said he had sincere pleasure in seconding tbo motion for the restoration of those good men , Front , Williams , and Jones , but he did not expeot to soo them until tho Cu & rter became the law of the land :- ( Loud cheers . ) ; Mr Ebnesi Jones oame forward amidst tremendous cheering , to Bnpport the resolution , and said v , e had (• _ood newB from Rome , from Prance , from Italy , and Germany , and from the splendid meetings be nightly saw bs believed we Bhould soon bare cood events . In fact , we were teaching the government French , and tbey would soon have to repeat the lesion . - •—Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity ; nnd in a brilliant speech , pointed out tho several things moving on the political board , and the mode of moving on to success—alluded to the appearance of several special _reporters at the' cCnfarenoC _/ and the plaudits by which thrir appearance was hailed , and the bold speaking of the delegates assembled—suggested , in the event of the petition being rejected , simultaneous _meetings and memorials to tho Queen J if
Tbe Teotle's Charter, Anx> Frost , V71l-
those failed , then it would be time ier moral means to cease ; at any rate not to desist , or allow tho Convention to separata until ttie Charter was obtained . ( Great applause , long continued . ) The resolution was then put and carried un _inimously , Mr Jonn Fosbblii eame forward ond moved tho adoption ofa petition to the House of Commons , calling on that houso to address her Majesty for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and _JoneuJ ; he _uupporled _Ulu an tnergetic speech , which was ranch _applauded , Mr _Homphbies seconded tho adoption of thepetition , which was carried _un . _iuimoU 3 ly . Mr _Hjntok moved tlmt the petition for tlio Charier be signed by tho chairman , and forwarded to L _> rd Du _^ ley Stuart , and tbe one in favour ] of Frost , Williams , and Jones , to Sir B . Hall . Curried unanimously . Mr Lvcas moved a vote ol thanks to tho Vestryman for tbo use of the rooms on tho occasion .
MrAosnif seconded , and itwas carried by acclamation . A vote of thank ? was awarded to tha ( _-hairman . and the meeting waB dissolved , after givin- threo treraen . dons cheers for the People ' s Charter .
•Fltattonal Bssotfatfon Ot Mxitt% Cratres,
• _fltattonal _BSsotfatfon ot mxitt _% Cratres ,
' Union For The Ihuion.' Friends,—We Can...
' Union for the iHUion . ' Friends , —We cannot help again adverting to the great and important _changes which are taking place in these eventful times . The present age is pregnant with momentous alteration-- . Everything wears the most encouraging aspect—the wrongs and cruelties so long practised upon the peopio , appear to be doomed . The long injuries the masses have sustained , are at length moving them to vigorous action , and we anticipate tbat ere long they will , with the rapidity of an electric -shock , sweep away and crush for ever the black atrocities inflicted upon them , and claim the and
rights privileges of men . In noble France—the pattern offree institutionsthe re 9 tortrof liberty to the oppressed and enslaved of every nation . _France , we say , is now teaching us the true relationship of labour and capital , and we trust will practically and _beneflcially demonstrate the eaBV fulfilment of their respective duties , and show to the world that these two elements in a nation ' s greatness ( labour and capita ?) can operate and cooperate together for the national good , under the guidance and control of an enli g htened and popular legislature . This great problem has been looked upon by the intelligent capitalists of this country , as the most complicated of subjects , aid the most difficult of solution , and in which novernment could not
interfere , but which problem _Franee _^—tbe head of nations —will now for ever confute , and prove that the state should . tako care of , and make provision for , the creators of all wealth—the producing classes . But before the government of this country will make such provision for the industrious classes , they must possess a voice in the Elective Franchise . We unhesitatingly declare that if ever labour must ba properly provided for by the State , labour ' s sons must possess their legitimate portion of political power . Our friends must excuse us for offering these remarks , but when we see snd hear that the present House of Commons is a composition of capitalists aud employers , and cold political _ecomists , we cannot help but Bpeakout . For they it is who have _largely contributed to our present misery and degradation . They have gulled ua by their fascinating delusions . They hare
inspired us with burning hopes ot social emancipation ; but having accomplished their sinister purposes , they daBh the cup of plenty from our _hasds ; they insult ac with fiendish pleasure , and crush us to the earth for our credulity . These are the men who are nuw our employers , our magistrates , and our statesmen . They deluded us with their sophistry ; they havo goaded us to madness by their cruelties ; and then _oonsign ua to Poor-law _bastiles , or to utter starvation , if wo have but the moral courage to Btand up in defence of our right . These are startling and painful truths—truths which many of our individual members are now sorrowfully experiencing —being the systematically made victi niB of these heartless tyrants , for the purpose of detering others from moving in an onward direction . But such monstrous atrocitieB must be brought to a speedy termination .
The enlightened mind of the working class is being disgusted with the present arrangement and estrangement of labour and capital , and the popular will longs to throw off , and to give to the winds , the chains of cruel despotism , that now press so heavily upon the people , which , like a devouring vulture , feast upon the victims it has made . Let every individual member of this Association , apply the above remarks to himself . Ask yourselves whether you are not now deprived of more than one hall of your earnings \ Are not the products of your labour appropriated to the aggrandisement of others while yon are left to starve ? Do you see any hopes for future amendment ? TJa you anticipate the taunts ofa pitiless parish overseer , when your physical strength is exhausted in making others rich ?
The last is most decidedly your future prospect , unless you move with tbe age . The day of blackness —of injustice—and of tyranny may be brought to s speedy close if you unite and act together ; mingle your sympathies—your voices—your energies with ours , and freedom will be quickly won . Priends , awaken from your lethargy , bleep not on the watchtower , nor remain indifferent ta the inviting signs of the times , that will propel you onward ( if you wiil not stop it ) with the flowing , ' restless , _-swelling , powerful tide of long-sought emancipation . Be up , then , and doing , Jay yonr shoulders to the . chariot wheel—help the movement onward and freedom will the more speedily come .
You are not asked to use violence . We do not coll upon you to injure the property or person of any , bat _aiasply to swell the ranks of our organisation , and in tho fulness of your moral power , proclaim and defend your independence . Now is the time for aotion . The whole world ia on the move . Every people , and nation , and tongue , are struggling to be free , and we must not be the last , not the least , tu declare and vindicate our most cherished rights . Remember the knell of despotism and tyranny has
already been sounded en the free soil of France . Ita sound is deep , loud , and long . It has aroused the slumbering _energies oi oppressed _nations , broken the spell of _slavery , and nowrereberates throngh the hill ? and dales of British power , through hearts and souls of British subject , and with a voice louder than ten thousand _thunders , commands us onward to liberty , or to cease our operations , and die despised slaveB , crushed by our own apathy ; , and for ever ruined by a fatal , indifference , to our individual welfare , to our national honour and glory .
Remember , that if ever consummate freedom must ba our lot , with all its concomitant advantages , it must be by hard moral contest , by persevering aud indomitable courage . _^ For this purpose , organise in one mighty combination , and no power will be able to retain you in bondage , The sovereign voice of the millions will compel capitalists to respect our rights , and force government to concede our political privileges . It ia the popular will that has led to every great _oonetitutional change in this eonntry , and it has lest none of its powers now .
We have still the right of public meeting , ofthe free expression of opinion , and of combination . Let us use these privileges faithfully , If we neglect the proper exercise of those rights we now possess , what reason have we to suppose that if we had more we should use them ? It is by the judicious exercise of the power we now have , whereby we can prove to pur adversaries that we are capable of _nsing those they now withhold from us . But if we suffer a listless spirit to lull our dormant energies , while our
common foes arepurloining our children ' s bread , then , indeed , we prove ourselves to be utterly unworthy of our indisputable rights , undeserving ofthe name of Englishmen , and , richly merit all the wrongs and sufferings heartless tyrants can heap upon us . But , frieuda _, we conjure you to use the power you new possess . Meet together . Organise I organise ! organise ! and right will triumph over might , and the new oppressed sons of toil will once moro be the firat partakers oi ihe Drat fruits pf iheir own industry .
The Central Committee Met On Monday And ...
The Central Committee met on Monday and following days for transaction of general bus-mesa s a great mass of correspondence has heen received from all parts of the couatry , also the following adhesions for the last few weeks . Oldham tailors , Norwich brushmakers , Stookpoi't spinners ( No . 2 ) , Falkirk moulders , Blackburn card-room operatives , Brigg nailmakers , West Bromwioh miners , West End men ' s boot and shoemakers . The following reports have also come to hand : —Mr Williamson reported having waited upon the bricklayers of Lynn ( Norfolk ) to investigate a case of reduction
in wages . One of tha masters , it appears , had offered ; a reduction to his men of from two to three shillings per week . The men applied to the Central Committee for their advice and interference . Mr Williamson waa forthwith despatched to Lynn , and put himself into immediate communication wiih the master in question , who , at first , repudiated the idea of a third party interfering between him and his men ; but Mr W . persevered to enforce the men's claims , which ultimately resulted in the withdrawal of reduction , and the men happily continued oa at their avocation , rejoicing that a power so great was brought to bear on their behalf .
Oa the Uth instant , [ a seduction of _wagas was offered to and exacted from the mule spinners of Chickerly , near Dewsbury , without the BligheBt notice being given to them . But being members ' of the Association , thoy immediately communicated with the Central Committee , who appointed Mr Taylor , of Huddersfield , to investigate , and if possible , adjust _thedispiite _-and theresulthaB beetf , that on Mr Taylor waiting upon the employers , and discussing tho matter with them , they desired a short time to consider the question , and promised to give the men - _aii answer by four o'clock in the afternoon ; they did so , and honourably withdrew the reduction , and the men joyfully resumed their wonted toil , During Mr Taylor ' s stay in CliiclseiJy _, a dispute
_aime between the weavers and their employers whioh dispute he also succeeded in adjusting te _> the entire satisfaction of tho trade _. Notice . —The March report can be had from tha _Centt al Committee , price one penny ; it can be sent post free , either singly , or in parcels to any part oi th 8 kingdom . We trust members will make use of this privilege . The Central Committee deem it an important part of their duty , and a part they are very much disposed to fulfil to ttie utmost of their power , to act as sentinels over the generally acknowledged rights and _privileges of the trades of England , whether such _, trades are correctly speaking members of our combination or not .
There are certain acts of parliament which limit and define the extent to wh ' ch trades in combination may prooeed in defending themselves against the oppresion of capital . The act & George 4 , oap . 129 , is the most recent of these , and may be said at _tbepreaent time to eontain all the _essential features oi ' the criminal law of England , as between labour and _^ _? ' - _Jt generally considered in England at this day , that this act _fally recognises the undoubted _rightof any number of _working rcen to unite and combine , by mutual consent , for the open and avowed object of raising their wages , and resisting a reduction of wages , or any encroachments upon their local or trades usages or customs ; provided the meana employed in the prosecution of such objects is unattended with violenco . or threats of violence to individuals uot being members of such combination or society . This construction of the act was most
distinctly laid down by Baron Rolfo , in the colebi ated trial at Liverpool in the summer of last year , in thecaseof Potts v . Selsby ; and the issue of that trial has been looked on as a triumphant recognition hv one of tha first common law judges ofthe day , of the undoubted right of the working classes to combine , to strike , to raise money for the purpose of such strikes , with a view of _reading a reduction of , or raising their wages , of limiting or altering the hours of labour ; or , in tact , resisting any andovery encroachment of their employers upon them as workmen . Such ia , or waa supposed to be the law , at least , according to tha _ludgmeBtand commentaries of Mr Baron Rolie . But , behold a second Daniel has come to judgment , and Judge Colquhoun , Sheriff of Invernesshire , has overruled Judge Rolfe ' s decision , if he has not absolutely repealed in Mo the above recited act of _parliament 6 George 4 , cap . 129 .
Two trials have recently taken place in Scotland , before thc Sheriff of _inverneas _, who in tbis wnr * performs the somewhat anomalous functions of judge and jury . The victims in this case being some unfortunate shoemakers of Inverness . The press of matter _precludeaua from giving a report ofthe trial , but tho following extracts will place the thing in its trao character before the trades of England : — Sheriff Col quhoun presided , Tbe cases for tha Crown were conducted by George Youne , _Eaq ., advocate-depute ( who had come from Edinburgh on purpose ) , and John Mackay , Esq , proeurator-fiscaL Messra Dallas and Simpson , solicitors , were _agenta for the accused .
_FIItST IBIAt—INTlMIBATION OP MABTBR 9 . John Noble , Robert Fletcher Macwhinnie . Alexander Munro , and John Mackenzie , shoemakers , and John _Mackenmie , _boot-closer , were put to the bar , and the indictment against them read by the clerk of the court . There were four separate charges against the prisoners . First , with having , as members of 'Tha United Operative Boot and Shoemakers' Friendly Society of Inverness , ' on the 3 rd of November , molested or obstructed the firm of Messra Dugald and John Macqueen _, boot and shoemakers , and dealers in ready-made boots and shoes in Inverness , by threatening a strike , or refusal of work * oa the part of the aforesaid club , if the Messrs Mao * queen did not dismiss a _jonrnovmaa named
Alexander Rose Poison , from their employment ; in coa-Btquenteof which , John _Macgueen was forced or induced to pay the sum of 5 s ., with a view to procure delay in the execution ofthe threat . Secondly , with having , five days afterwards , caused the Messrs Mac queen to dismiss Alexander Rose Poison from theif employment . Thirdly , by threatening a strike , or refusal to work , as cobblers or menders for tbe said firm of Messrs Macqueen , if they did not _diucontimia importing ready made boots and shoes from London , Dublin , and Glasgow , or other _plsces , and afterwards having all the boots and _? hoes for their business made in Inverness Fourthly , with having , in like manner , threatened Duucan Cameron , Inverness , by a strike , or refusal to work , if he did not also discontinue his
practice of importing ready-made boots and shoes , and having' all ihe boots and shoes for his said manufacture , trade , or _business , made or manufactured in Inverness or the neighbourhood thereof , ' Mr Dallas , for the pannels ,, objected in bar of trial —( 1 . ) That they had not been competently sum * _moned , in terms of the lib section ofthe statute . ( 2 . ) Thatthe _pannelshaving been apprehended under the act upon the same charge , brought _bafore tho sheriff , and imprisoned for an indefinite period , on 8 th December last , at the instance of the present prosecutor , and the period of three months , to which tbe act restricts tbe punishment of the offence charged , being expired , the defenders must be held to have already undergone the punishment of tho
I offence . ( 3 . ) The statute confers no power on the i sheiiff to imprison before sentence . aBd the common | law jurisdiction of tbat magistrate i _» _, by the decision _, of tbe Hieh Court , in fhe case of Knox v , Ramsay , 1 st July , 1831 , excluded . After referring to several other authorities , and to the statute itself , in support of the _objectioBS , he moved the court to dismiss the complaintsimpliciter . These legal objections were , of course , instantly overruled hyJadgc-sheriffColqnhoun . The prisoners , or ( as they are termed in the Scotch law , ) the pan « _nels , severally pleaded rot guilty , wben Mr Dallas objected to the relevancy ofthe complaint . The offence charged was contravention ofthe 3 rd section of tho statute 6 Geo . IV ., c . 129 , which is directed agaiaat
violence tothe person or property of another , and threats or intimidation , molestation or obstruction , for the purpose of foroing any manufacturer to make an alteration in his made of carrying on his trade . The governing part of the clause being violence to the person or property , formed , as he thought , tha key to the meaning of threats or intimidation , and the other terms used , meaning threats of violence Now , in the present case , no violence is alleged , nor any threat of violence , and no language calculated to intimidate is averred . In particular , the only allegation being that the accused threatened , in a certain event , to refuse to werk , or rather that some other persons , over whom itis not said tbat the pannels had control , would refuse to do so . Here there waa no active threat , but an intimation that , unless
certain demands were complied with , the _threateners , or rather others not named , would do what they had obviously a perfect right to do , namely , refuse to work ; in other words , ' do nothing at all . He- submitted , with confidence , that the threat of refusal to work was not a threat in the meaning of the statute _^ even if it had been averred that the parties were bound to work , and that theis fetal would ba a vio lation of some legal contract—it being clearly implied by the statute , and the ordinary meaning of the term threat , that it must be something active , and not s passive threat . After seating other objections of minor importance , he referred to several libels in similar _caies in the Justiciary reports and other authorities tb show the interpretation put upon the statute to be what he now contended for .
This well-stated and very feasible objection having been over-ruled with the same promptitude as the previous ones , the public prosecutor _proceededwita his evidence in support of the charge , which it is not necessary to report , as it was , hs in such cases it usually ip , the testimony ot renegade and dishonoured members of the shoemakers' . society . Ifc referred chiefly to the faot of a deputation ( two of the _prisoaers ) having been sent to Messrs - _Macqaeea with respect to a man , by the name of Polsont ( a clicker ) , wbo , contrary to the rules of the trade » had been closing boots . The Messrs Macqueen refused to accede to the request of the men , which ( as was proved ) was only an arrangement , general in the trade , and previously admitted and sanctioned by tho
prosecutor himself . It was fully admitted that the deputation were perfectly civil and _courteous in theft proceedings , and that no threats or violence wera used , nor any obstruction offered further than , that if they persisted in retaining Poison , in violation of the oustom oi the trade , the men would cease work ing for them . Now , there can ba no question that all tbis was quite lawful . Macqueen bad a perfect right to retain Poison if tie bo pleased , and his men had an equal right to agree together and say to him' If you do so persist , wa will no longer work for you / This was the gist of the first part of the case . The second charge was tbat they threatened to strike
if their employers continued to import into Inverness shoes and boots from Dublin , London , and Glasgow , to their injury . Tim charge fs entirely false , as against tbe men . Tbe facts being , that the men agreed that they _would : not mend and repair boots * and shoes so imported , which we consider theyalso were lawfully entitled to do . The younger Macqueen , at the close of hits cross-examination saia , i was entitled to dispense with the _worfemew ' _mttow when they returned a piece of work finished , and _tbO workmen were entitled to refuse to work . _£ e wont was returned to the shops unfinished in cwwquenoe of these proceedings . ' We _^ nq lude our _^ rt m _^ Mr Dallas ' s excellent remarks in defence of the
pwserson . _L _, « . .,-Mr Dallas _addr _^ _sei the Bench for the pannelB _. Noble , _^ hiS , tnd John _MacWle , shoemaker . Itwould be _Mwoely _neoMMW-f for him to impress upon the court the necessity of judging of the _casa upon its o _* n merits _WbBt he claimed for bis clients was ne more nor loos than whrit was so eloquently lauded by the learned counsel for the prosecution , namely , freedom of action and a right to dispose of their labour , tha poor man's ; only _estate ana capital , upoa tbeir owa terms . Tjie result of giving effect to the views of tho learned _cbWaol , In this case , woald bo to deprive tha _operativef shoemakers ' of Inverness of . this , right , sad th _^ ' ir , freedopa oi action , ' Willi regard to , the story tit the _importation ; or ' the '" cobbling work , it was this . A great body of " ourneymen _^' _shOtmakers in thia town depended chiefly , if not entirely , on tho making of new
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 8, 1848, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_08041848/page/7/
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