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SOUTH LONDON C HARTIST HALL , BLACK ,. ,...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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TO _^ BE CHARTISTS . : jfj _Fbiesds , I hare frequently told you " that yonr _^ _lers invariably based their power upon yonr disunion ; " aud I haTe as frequently told you , . that the pride , the vanity , the ambition , and _^ _jgjgc of some men seeking for leadership , _jjjs been the basis of Governmental power , and of _Jour weakness . " I am now , however , jjappy—yea ? rejoiced—to find that men of this - ] _ass " can no longer delade the working classes . Y on are aware of the difficulties against
_-vhich I have had to contend ; and perhaps you _jrc aware of tho truth of Lord _Baerymom _' s 0 ld maxim , that" One enemy can do yon more _karin than a thousand friends can do good . " _jlr James Adams—one of the delegates to the 2 f _ATIOSAL ASSEMBLY in 1848—has had the use of the Scotch Press to propound his * atom" and to attack me ; and what can give a more pleasure and satisfaction as to be gble—although absent , and not capable of rep lying , not having seen those attacks—as to see his accuser completely overpowered and put down by his own townsmen , who must _ljaow him best ?
jly friends , if any one circumstance more than another was capable of wedding me more closely to yonr cause , it was tho glorious—? he cheering and enthusiastic—reception I re ceived from the brave and sterling men of Glasgow on Thursday night last I will give you the proceedings _unmutilated—whole and en tire—from the Glasgow Post of Saturday , and then I shall require to make but a brief comment : — MR . FEARGUS O'COSXOR Df GLASGOW .
_PPBOABIOES 5 _IKET 1 SO IS TBB _Cltt HAIL . ' " * -. _- « . " - - On Thursday evening , a great public meeting of tbe citizens of Glasgow was held in the City . Hall , Candleriggs-street , forthe purpose , as the placard announcing it stated , of electing a delegate to attend tbe Chartist Conference , to be held in Edinbnreh on Monday , 10 th inst ., to devise the best means for resuscitating the Chartist movement in Scotland ; , also , to hear an address from Feargus O'Connor , JS _^ q ., M . P ., on the state of parties in France , and the prospect 3 of the people ' s cause in Great Britain . Mr . Jimes Adams , the ; Glasgow delegate to the ] ast London Convention , having challenged Mr . O'Connor , and intimated his intention of appeariug to discuss with him certain differences of opinion
and sentiment , there was a more than usually large assemblage of people anxions to hear the _vordy warfare . Accordingly , by eight o ' clock , the _arcn and galleries , from one extremity of the building to the other , presented one dense mass of human beings , and when the proceedings commenced , it may be fairly calculated that there was not le-s than 4 , 000 to o _. GuO persons ih the hall . _Precisely at eight o ' clock , Mr . F . O'Connor entered the Hall , accompanied by Messrs .. Paul , Cameron , Sherrington , Brown , A . Mncfarlane , A . Harley _, J . Walker , J . Adams , and a large party of the leading Chartists of Glasgow . On making their appearance the immense assemblage rose en r . ia * _se , and cheering , loud and reiterated , broke ¦ _fn rih sn all sidi » s _.
Mr . Dasiel Paul was , amid acclamation , voted tothe chair . The Chairman read the billcallinp tlie meeting , and afterwards stated the order of the business ; which included the proposal of a series of resolutions , the election of a delegate to attend the Edinburgh Conference , an address from Mr . O'Connor , and , if time permitted , the settler ment , by debate , of the long pending dispute betwixt tbe hon . member for _Nottingham and Mr . Adams of Glasgow . Mr . _Dvsuy _SHERBixaTov was introduced by the chairman . He rose , he said , for the purpose of submitting for the approval of the meeting a series of resolutions , which had been adopted by a delegate meeting , held iu anticipation of the present . The resolutions recommended , lst , The adoption of a national in preference to a local association ; 2 nd , The advocacy of the People's Charter whole and entire ; 3 rd , While holding political _enfranchisement to be a means to an end—that end
being the social elevation of the masses—jet they would not identify the association now to be established with auy particular system advocated by any ofthe social reformers of the _present day , but at the same time would recommend all joining the society to use their energies , individually or _collectivei _' v , for the purpose of _spreadinj a knowledge of what they held to be best calculated to raise the condition of the people , so as to be able to use _xbeir political power , when once obtained , to the best advantage ; 4 thi That ther use all proper , moral , and energetic means—by " the holding of public meetings , the publication of tracts , and otherwise—to advance the movement ; and , 5 th , That they resolve not to consign the Chartist movement into any other hands than the Chartist Executive for the time being . " Mr . Sherrington briefly explained the resolutions in detail , and concluded by moving their adoption by the meeting ., Mr . Jons _Cauebo-v , _Hutchesontown , seconded
the resolution . Mr . Adams rose , amid loud cheers and hisses , the former greatly predominating . On the resumption of silence , he said—Mr . Chairman , and fellow citizens , in accordance with instructions which I have received from an association with which I have the honour to be connected , I am now about to propose an amendment upon the third resolution which ha 3 heen submitted to your notice . ( Cheers and hisses renewed . A Yoke : " Yon ' re a renegade "laughter ) . And allow me to . say that , in appearing here this evening , I am exceedingly anxious that this whole business should be conducted with _fairaess and calmness ; and I am ready—as I already told Mr . O'Connor—to retract any statement I have made concerning him , if I have been in error . ( A "Voice : "Yon're a Judas . " Loud laughter , cheers , and disapprobation . )
The Chairman here reminded the meeting that as Mr . Adams was perfectly in order , he ought to be patientlv heard . So other person conld address the meeting until Mr . Adams was beard , therefore it was better to allow him to go on . ( A Voice : " Put him out" ) Mr . Adams resumed , I have no wish to detain yoo , but I may state , that previous to coming into this meeting , I sent a note to Mr . O'Connor , statin" to hiiu . —( shouts of " Go on with with your amendment , " " Put him ont" followed by great _confusion , )—and stated to him , —( renewed cries of " Pat him out , " hissing and cheering . ) Jfow I'll not be be "ne moment in getting out this sentence . I Confusion . ) I have stated that if I find I am in
error , I'll confess thafc error , and publicly retract it , and I think that ' s what every honest man should do . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheering . ); My amendment to the third resolution is , that it be an instruction to the delegates to propose a motion at the Conference in Edinburgh , to the following effect— " Th _* t the executive be empowered and instructed to take the necessary steps , by the publication of tracts , lectares , < fca , to hare the people fully instructed on the question of their social rights . " ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The difference between Duncan Sherrington ' s motion and my amendment i 3 this , he is for everybody instructing the _n-ople in tbeir social rights and I am for som
individuals in particular , and these individuals responsible people , to undertake that duty and be responsible for the performing it . ( Cheers . ) It is an o'A adage , that what is everybody ' s _busine .-s is _nobody ' s _husinesss , and if everybody is to do this , it will follow a 3 a consequence that nobody will do it . Sow , I mention this that the political reforms we contend for , and intend to accomplish by the Charter , are all intended to result in the social well-being of the people , and there is not a higher autboriry on this point which I can produce to this meeting than Mr . O ' Connor himself . ( Ilfar . ) What has Mr . O'Connor told you on this _sulycct ? Has he not told you often that if the laud was to he locked to morrow he would not
give a fig for the Charter to day . ( Shouts of ' true , true , " cheers , and disapprobation . ) Sow , if it is true , as O'Connor has himself so very frcqucntlv affirmed , that if the land were locked up to day _' he would not give a fig for the Charter to morrow , it clearly implies that social reforms ought to be advocated in connexion with political changes — - ( cheers )—but- Duncan Sherrington has told you—( A Voice : " We all kuow that , " and disapprobation . ) When the National Assembly were _sitting i » _U-ndon , Mr . O ' Connor told us —( Shouts of "Quesiinn , " " Question , " "That ' s not the _gui'su-r : at all , " hissing and cheering . ) These _h'K-rrupticiis are all against yourselves . 0 ' Connor , I sav , told us , when the National AsscniMy were sitta . " iu London , to drciw up cur social _prograinine . Sow , this was his advice , and the met for the
• a . en . blv was a . representative body , c ™ . si ; jeratiuii 0 f what was best . ( A voice : " Stick to the point , Jamie "—cheers , _h'sses _, and great _sensation , which completely drowned the voice of the speaker . ) [ Iu ihe midst of the uproar tbe c ' _air _! .. au _afiaiii interfered to obtain a better heuiug for Mr Adams , hut could not obtain a w < _-rd ier himself ] Mr . A ., after a lapse , resumed . This is diijinctlv on the question of social reform . _&> w , I s . y , and " I appeal to the gentlemen who a M * ii ? o : i the phtforw here , if I have not a l _* ' _> ys recognised tho authority I am now < _T- « iiir , _g as _° : i hish authority on the question c the land . ( Renewed uproar . ) Kow , sir , I have 8 a » 'l that _O'Cuuior ' s advice to ns on the question on reform was to araw up our social programme ; thus setting fortn that social reforms ou « bt to go hand in hand with political changes , ( ilisses , cheers , sad confusion . ) Now , I shall come to Duncan Sher-
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rington —( uproar)—he falsely represented the pro ceedmgs of the delegates to you , and I am here to prove it . ( Shouts of " put him out , " " question , " put him in your pouch , Feargus "—laughter , _cheering , and confusion . ) I say that I am on the question of proof , and I will bring as my evidence every person who was atthe _delegate meeting ; and every person who was there will _certify that no proposition was brought forward asking the _delegates to identif y the princi ples of the National Reform League . ( Hear , hear . ) The precise resolution which was proposed at that meeting wai the one which I have proposed to this meeting . 'Tis exactly verbatim what was proposed at the delegate meetin "; and the resolution simply S 3 ys > that the
exe-, . cutive bo empowered and instructed to take the necessary Steps by the publication of tracts , lecturers , & c , to bave the people fully informed on questions of social rights . Now , I deny that there is any reference there to the principles of the National Reform League ; and I state that , knowing that it will be corroborated by every delegate present willing to speak tho truth—and I assert that the peculiar principles of the National Reform League . were never once ; introduced . ( A Voice : " That'll dae , Jamie , " followed by roars of laughter . ) But Duncan Sherrington tells . you that you wero to be asked to acknowledge—( Shouts of . " Time ' s up , "~ "Let him be _heardi" * c . ) lie tells you that you were
to be asked on our _paTt _^ _to _% _cknowledge" _' _the peculiar principles ofthe National Reform League , and that you were toadd these peculiar principles to the Charter . Bnt the fact is , we have never asked you to do this , nor have we asked the delegates to do this . ( Confusion . ) Mr . Sherrington sneered at the propositions of the National Reform League , but Jet me tell that gentleman— ( Hissing , hootin ? , and uproar , during which Messrs . Sherrington . Brown Dr . Greer , and others on the platform , crowded round the chairman , and gesticulated as if in the way of remonstrance , although , from the noise that prevailed at the time , not a word bf what they said could be heard where the reporters sat . )
The CnAiiuiAX _, atthe pitch of . his voice , which was somewhat husky from tbe effects of cold ; here roared out—Mr . Adams must be hear ! Mr . Brown also , in similar stentorian notes , insisted upon Mr . Adams' right to be heard out . The tumult having in part subsided , Mr . Adams proceeded—Duncan Sherrington has sneered at the propositions of the National Reform League , but let me tell Duncan Sherrington that there i 3 not one of the propositions but have been advocated by Feargus O' Connor himself . ( Uproar , in the midst of which a voice , as if in much mental agony , exclaimed , " By the powers , this is worse than " Patrick Brewster , " followed by shouts of laughter . ) lam now to refer to proof , and in doing so , I will just point you to the first number of the
_national Instructor , a weekly periodical just issued by Feargus O'Connor , and there you will find the glorious principle enunciated , that what God made for all , it is unjust for any individual to appropriate to his own individual use . -That is one of the peculiar principles of the National Reform Le . -igue . ( Hear , hear . ) Well , then , there ' s another principle to which Sherrington has referred , and that is the peculiar currency doctrines ofthe National Reform League . Now , sir , let me tell you that , in the address of Mr . 0 'Connor to the people of this country , previous to taking his seat in parliament at the commencement of 1847 , he declared himself in favour of the principles of the Anti-Gold Law League . ( Hisses , cheering , and confusion . ) A Voice : " Sit down , sir . " ¦
At this stage of the business it became evident that the grealbody ofthe meeting were determined to put Mr . Adams down , nor was it less apparent that Mr . Adams was equally resolute to maintain his right to be heard , and put his opponents to silence by standing their disapprobation out . On the platform there appeared to be as much confusion as in the body' of the hall . Mr . Adams was liberally pelted with such epithets from his friends in front of the platform , as " you nit , " " you thing , " " you little blackguard , " " go wash your face , " and such other _unpleasant remarks , which he
bore with pretty good temper , only occasionall y shaking his clenched fis _/ s at his tormentors , and daring them to put their menacing threats into execution . In the midst ofthe storm , Dr . Greer , the pill doctor , was to be seen hear the chairman ' s seat , now advising Mr . Adams , then councilling Mr . O'Connor , and a good deal of merriment was caused by a strong voiced fellow shouting to the doctor to stop Adams ' s mouth with a box of his pills . Amid the almost deafening uproar which now pervaded the entire Assembly , Mr . O'Connor stood forward and waved his hand for silence . For a few seconds
even Mr . 0 Connor could not restrain the discordant elements which ranged above , below , ahd all aronnd him . A lull shortly succeeding he implored the meeting , as they valued the liberty of free discussion , to afford Mr . Adams an impartial hearing . Mr . Adams again rose , and endeavoured to obtain that object , but the confusion became so great that the voice of the speaker was altogether drowned . He continued to gesticulate with the utmost violence , bnt not one syllable of what he _uttered was audible at the distance of a few feet from where he stood . He was at length constrained to be silent , but persisted in maintaining his situalion , holding himself in readiness to resume whenever an opportunity might occur . A scene of the most indescribable confusion came to be enacted . The dissentient
orator was surrounded by two or three zealous friends , who did what lay in their power to support him , hut the majority of those on the platform were obviously adverse to his views . The hooting and yelling , before which he had been obliged to succumb , was kept up with unabated vigour for a long period . Several parties , whose name 3 we could not learn , got up at different times , and vainly endeavoured to propitiate the agitated multitude . No conception of the nature even of their proposals could be gained . At time 3 , apparently from sheer exhaustion , a temporary lull occurred amid the tornado of sound . Mr . Adams invariably took advantage of such a circumstance to step forward again to the breach . The iustant it was seen that he
intended to speak , the tumult broke forth with fresh fury . Mr . O'Connor during the whole of this time sat at the opposite end of a small table from him , with arms a-kimbo , and somewhat of a copl and jaunty air . Various attempts at pacification or compromise were directed by his friends towards Mr . Adams and his compact body of followers . They were disdainfully rejected . The party appealed to declared that he stood on his right , and was prepared to resist despotism , from whatever quarter it emanated . Some of those near the platform sprang at , and were with difficulty withheld from tearing him down from it . The chairman , during the whole of this period had been exerting himself assiduously to little purpose . At length , a person on the
platform raised a stentorian voice , and proposed that he should dissolve the meeting , and vacate his situation , while the assembly should re-constitute itself , and elect another chairman , with the special purpose of hearing an address from Mr . O'Connor . This proposition was received with much acclamation . Mr . Adams intimated that he had an amendment to it which he desired to propose and speak to . This announcement was disregarded : the occupant ofthe chair declared tbe meeting dissolved ; Mr _Georo-c Ross was nominated to his situation ; that _gentfeman suddenly made his appearance from rltPrMrofthenlatform . and after shaking hands
with Mr . O ' Connor , proceeded toassumethe office to wh _' ch he had been so abruptly called . Silence haying been partially procured , the new chairman said he stood there as the personal friend of Mr . O'Connor , and the personal friend of Mr . Adams , but as chairman of a public meeting he was bound to know no man in particular . He next referred to the principle ofthe constitution which gives to every one the right of expressing his opinion , and said that he was sorry to havo hid to come ther' " , hut did it with the view of throwing oil on the troubled waters , ne concluded by stating his persuasion that those present would conduct themselves as slavc 3 who
desired to be free . It seemed for a little while as if all parties had hren mollified ; but the appearance was _delusire . Mr . Adams , who had never quitted his position , a"ain asserted his claim to be heard . And this provoked another vehement _explosion . Mr . O'Connor also got up , but desisted from any effort to gain a hearing . For some lime the trio formed bv the two opponents and the intervening chairman stood side by side without uttering a word , gazing on the _tossings and surgings of the agitated mass beneath them . A crv got up in the Hall for the
police , and two of these officials , who were stationed at the door , made their way to the platform . The Chairman then called on Mr . O'Connor to go ot . _threatening Mr . Adams with the preference of -i chare to the officers against him , should he seek to interrup t the business . The reply was , that he _nrVhttakc that course , on his own responsibility , S he dared . After some altercation the constables , \ ns i and 49 , seized the obnoxious individual by ihe _wrM and , amid loud acclamations , were dragin ,, him off when an inspector got upon the ptatgmg nun on , _" _»« " th m t 0 des st _ a mandate
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The chairman thus discomfited , recommended another dissolution . It is impossible to convoy to our readers any adequate notion of the extraordinary scene which was witnessed about tho time the police made their appearance . The following , however , may be considered a fair specimen of the manner in which the argument was conducted by the respective belligerents : At one part ofthe debate \ Mr . Adams . —I tell you that while I have a' right to speak to my own amendment , I have a right to speak to every resolution before the house . : ( 0 h oh ! " disgraceful 5 . "—" the little blackguard" — " putbim down "— "he'll speak all night "—* we'll never : hear Mr . O'Connor "— " it ' s a trick , " , the scoundrel—" tear him down , " and general uproar . ) Mr . PM 5 i , ( the chairman ) . —Mr . Adams , you' must speak to your amendment , and no more . If you do not keep by it , I'll put you down . You havo no
right—My . Adams ( fiercely ) . —I am quite prepared to take the consequences . ( "Boo , boo , ' . ' hooting and clamour . ) Chairman . —I have to state that , when Adams was going to . speak , he said ho was only to . move an amendment to the third proposition , and I say he has no right to do any more . ¦ Mr . ' Adams . —I shall be heard . ( Uproar . ) : CHAiRjJfiCN _.- _^ _-rilputfoudoW- _< - ' _-. _, Mr . Adams . —Try , it if you dare . If you do you will only put me down by force . ( Renewed ; confusion and tumult . ) Here -a person on the platform proposed that some one should second Mr . Adam ' s amendment , and thus have it put to the house , and in . this way bring that gentleman ' s discourse , to a close , upon which the Chairman shouted is the amendment seconded .
A Mr , wm . CAMrBEM . imiuediatcly bawled out , " I second the amendment . " . \ Mr . Adams . —Ah ! my hoys , you'll not put me down by that dodge . I am speaking to my amendment , and I shall be heard . ( Shouts of "You wretch , you ' re paid for this , " followed by clamour . ) Mr . SnEimixTO !» . —I . now come forward , as the mover of the resolutions , to reply . Mr . Adams . —I'm not none yet . ( Voices : " . Send for the police . " ) The- Chairman : Will you not sit down ? iVlr . Adams . —I ' ll sit down when once I get a fair tearing . Mr . Sherrington' ( to Adams , with a withering scowl of defiance ) . —I'll put you down . Mr . Adams ( bravely )—You dare not ; I stand here for my right , and I'll have it . Mr . Brokx . —This is a meeting of the citizens _ol Glasgow . Adams says here he will be heard , and he has a right to be heard .
Mr . Sherrington ( at the utmost pitch of his voice ) . —I have just one question to put to this meeting . Are you anxious to hear Mr . O'Connor ? ( Cries of "Yes , yes , " and tremendous cheering . ) Well , then , allow Adams to proceed . ( Shouts of "No , noi" and confusion . ) This is a sample of the mode in which the fight was conducted while Mr . Paul was in . tho chair , and matters were not much improved under the new auspices of honest George Ross , _binding it
a hopeless task to preserve order , or reconcile the opposing parties , Mr . Ross-declared the meeting dissolved , and , without pausing to ascertain whether this advice . was approved ,, assumed his hat and walked off . Mr . Mackay _, the Assistant Superintendent of Police , then intimated that the meeting was dissolved , and a portion of those present forthwith made to . the door . Mr . O'Connor just then , however , got upon the table , and having once commenced to speak , comparative silence was procured , and a end put to the two hours' uproar .
About half-past ten o ' clock , when the war of roices had in some degree dwindled down into a calm , Mr . O'Conxob again rose and obtained a hearin * . ne began by expressing his regret at the character of the evening ' s proceedings , and professing his anxiety that Mr . Adanis should have been heard . lie then went en to protest his uncompromising attachment to tho cause for which he had so lone laboured , mentioning that on Tuesday last he had given . notice in the House of Commons , that on Tuesday week he should _jtgain bring forward their question of the Charter , aud that he bad sent information to Lord John Russell , that if he did not then accede to its principle , he ( Mr . O ' Connor ) would forthwith ask for _aomehing more ,
and proclaim to the people that under a monarchy they had no choice—but they must have a republic . ( Loud cheers . ) Iu England they had what was called a free press—that was , a press that abused him and them , and supported the middle class ; but , after all , they were not so badly off as the people of France , where , if a journalist spoke but , he was prosecuted , sent to prison for perhaps two or more years , and fined some 5 , 000 f . or 10 , 000 f .. That was the license given to the expression of _putdic opinion in Paris . These were the effects of a revolution . He had always proclaimed that such results must accrue where a tyranny had long existed , which the people had struck down , but where , having fired the last shot , they did nothing more .
Free admission to the National Assembly could not now be obtained . It cost , a fortnight ago , when he was in Paris , between thirty and forty francs to procure admission—and the reason was , that the discussion of the proposed change in the electoral law had caused so great an excitement in the public mind , that the galleries were every day filled ere the Assembly met . That alteration was a specimen of the benefit of the revolution . The special constable President had his salary increased from £ 20 , 000 to £ 120 , 000 . That was so much for free trade , and political economy in France . In England the palace of their pretty little Queen was guarded day and night by two soldiers , but in Paris the residence of the special constable President was
guarded by a whole regiment . That showed that he apprehended , something . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) trusted in God that , if there was another revolution , it would end in the success of the working classes , —that the people would not , as herctolore , be the sufferers by it . If that took place , then they would have Lord J . Russell comiug down to the Iloiiae ot Commons , and asking him : Ia thereanythingmore , Mr . O'Connor , than the People ' s Charter that the People wish ? De had been told that he was not a fit man to be in the House of Commons . No' independent man was fit to be there . When ho rose in his place there was a solemn silence ; but whenever he began to lash the government , there was a bellowing raised like that of cows in a cow-house .
Lord John Russell constantly based his opposition to change on tho feelings of tho loyal English people . Was it not a sham , a farce , a mockery and a delusion , to tell them that a girl of eighteen years of ase was fit to rule over the country , while a man of twenty-one was declared not fit to havo a vote in selecting who should represent him . When her dear , delightful Majesty went to Ireland , she was welcomed by the shopkeepers , who thought that by her visit , their trade would bo improved , and by the lords who came from north and south to bow to her , and so she was led to think the people loyal and dutiful . So also in Glasgow , wheve they raised a triumphal arch , and shouted as sbe passed through the city ; but on the 10 th day of April , 1848 . she left her palace in the same train with
him , with her horses and carriages , for fear of an emeute . in which she might use her little crown : God forbid that there should he such a revolution ; but he , on this Gth of June , 1850 , predicted that unless justice was done , that would occur . The last twenty years had produced greater changes than the two centuries before . There were improvements in printing , improvements in machinery , improvements in tbe electric telegraph , and were they not to have a share in these great changes that were taking place , or would thev only tend still further to bind their chains ? - They would travel from Land ' s End to John O'Groats , and they would find that there was not in broad England , Ireland , or Scotland , . twenty
acres of land which yielded one-tenth part ot what it would do under proper cultivation , as it would be were the land their own . If it were in his rower , he would knock down every poors' houso and every jail in the _kiiisdom ; because if justice was done to the people there would not be a pauper or a thief throughout the country . Give him tho child of tho murderer , the child of the thief , or the child of the prostitute , in infancy , and he would train that child to be modest , virtuous , and pure . Givo him the children of the Q . ucen , and he conld train them tobe murderers , prostitutes , drunkards anil r _ir-ves What was the reason that their children bee
wero not trained in paths of virtue f Just au _^ their own children were neglected while the Queen ' s children were sucking out tho people b marrow , blood , and sinews . ( Cheers . I Ho had stated last session in the House of Commons that he cared not whether the Pope , tho Devil , or the Pretender was on the throne , provided that throne rested on the power of the people ; and for Harry Verney , turning his hands and eyes to heaven thanked God that during all tho time he had been a , member of that house he had never heard sucli sentiments as that which had fallen from the honourable member . It was really sickening to hear Lord John Russell getting up , and propounding
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views as ; flcr ; Most ' . Gracious Majesty's ' opinion upon _certain _subjects—subjo _' ot 8 of which she ihad never heardi-bi _' if 6 he ; hiid' heard , knew ' as ) mnch about as ; a ; pig , ' , di . dVof ' geometry . Mr . " O ! Connor concluded _^ h ; tiddress , ' pf ah"hour ' s duration , and of which tM _^ _boteigivp i _^ but . a very , imperfect ! . cohception ,. hyexpres 3 ihg'hi 3 _''devoted attachment- ; to the _peoples cause ; : . _-n _^ . : ' . '"" , ' ' _-, ' \" . , " ' . '* I , Z _,,-. _- The mee ' ting : _^ thoroafter abruptly , ; 0 nMmd , amid . _consjd _^ les _^ nsatioh _^^ _^" _£$£ _jp _$ _:- _^ tu M _X fi _$ _& _$ . ( _ry _^ _fostlyv-. _t ( jpjifce :. _«^ and sec _^ _aiKy ,-that nothing could _mbrePdS rmge ma wi _^^^ _lri _^^^^ _^^^ _w _^^ wSV aggerate _* I _$ >" iipt' _^ xactly ;; ' _^ o _^ . _\^ _haJ . _yout feelingS _fjwill bo _Wlieu-7 vou oer use ' the ; conduct I
of . ADA _^ Hbut this . know—that no ; _ltian ever _hatf _& rich a reception at a ; public We _' _etiug as I rewive _^ _frpm my good frierids _' of . _QlasgoVi on thfs ; _pB _6 _asl 6 pl ; ; I told : _Adams ' s committee ,, _beforetlio , meeting ,-that i : was fully _preOaretf to meetthim , and that . 1-would _endeavour ( _fo secure fbr- him a calm and impartial heailing _^ ! _^ ut _^ l . w _^ J _^ ent to _. eyery man present ] tb _^ occupy the , _fimo of tho meeting , ' so as to prevent the controversy ; from taking p _1 aice | A vote p f confidence in , and thanks to me , i was unanimously carried amid the most _rapturous applause . ¦ ..., ' ., ' '' .. -., ' :... . ! You will read my speech as taken from the Post , which acknowledges it to be a mere ( ' outline . Ispoke for more than an hour—Adams occupied nearly two hours and a half . Wjb not
, one sentenco could be heard ,,. You caiinot form the slightest idea of the scene . Ho , was dragged off the platform , and I was afraid he would have been murdered . When the meeting had concluded , he and some of his friends were awfully mauled ; and a poor fellow-r-one of the assailants—was tiiken into custody by the police . Now for the DODGE . A Mr . James Walker , confectioner , is one of Adams ' s greatest supporters , but not ADMIRERS . Ho is the friend of a GENTLEMAN , to whose family . I paid nearly £ 80 , when he was imprisoned ; and I have it from authority , that this GENTLEMAN has been the prime mover in the affair—but he has not taken much by his DODGE .
I must state a fact which would more than compensate me for any insolence , which is , that the mind of Glasgow—that is , the CHARTIST MIND—is more deeply imbued with Chartist principles than ever it was ; befiirfi . I now come to
PAISLEY . On Friday I visited Paisley , where I was entertained at a most sumptuous dinner . When the cloth was removed , we had the cheering Scotch ' songs , of " Old Times , '' good anecdotes , and a . tnore genial and hearty set of fellows I never met . At half-past seven , the immense hall was not only , crowded , but crammed to suffocation . My OLD FRIEND , Patrick Brewster , was expected to be present ; and YOUR FRIEND ,, Robert Cochrane , did make his appearance .. ' In passing , I must observe , that I should be most happy
if we had a few more as independent and bold ministers as Patrick Brewster , as , in my conscience I believe him to be sincerely devoted to the cause of tEe . ppor , and he is as brayo as a Hon ; . however ,, he did not attend ; ; but Cochrane was there , and . I agreed to , give him every facility he required to make ? any charges against me . I addressed the meeting at cons _^ era _^ _le'ldngkhj an'd _^ b _\ . did _^; o _^ _iiwg « persecuted Lancashire Chartist . victim , ' _Tomlinson , in a most able and eloquent speech ,
which was justly and loudly cheered . I only wish we had a few such eloquent young gentlemen in the House of Commons . Well , when my speech was over , I was anxious to hear my prosecutor's charge ; he came forward and commenced his charge by reading two letters , not mentioning oven my name . We were to have ten minutes each ; he exhausted his first ten minutes amid roars of laughter , and when he concluded , I occupied only one minute , by reading the following lefWr from my accuser to bis constituents , written on the 10 th of April
—KENNINGTON COMMON DAY : — . " London , 10 th April , 1818 . " Dear Sib , —The meeting is over , no procession took place , as the Convention did not wish to risk an unarmed multitude in the power of an armed police . The proclamation issued hy the Commissioners of Police declared against the procession as well as the meeting ; they , therefore , in allowing it to go on , sustained a complete defeat . Much praise is due to Mr . O'Connor on this occasion ; to him principally belongs the credit of saving the lives of the inhabitants of London , and I feel confident that
he will receive it at the hands of the country . The government , I believe , never felt more alarm ; police armed and unarmed ; paraded the streets in great numbers ; but a peaceful people set them at defiance , and there cannot be a doubt that the causo of Chartism is now triumphant . I will not attempt in short , to give yoti an account of the glorious meeting , there were not less than 300 , 000 persons present ; I thprefore send you a copy of tho Telegraph , containing a report of the proceedings ; the numbers stated in the report is evidently , a mistake . " I am , Dear Sir , yours truly , "EoBEitr Cochiune . "
When I concluded the letter I thought the bnilding would tumble down ,, so great , were the cheers and laughter . He came forward to use his next ten minutes , and . not one single word could he utter—not a sentence—having the slightest reference to me . . I replied in about two minutes—he did not make his appearance again—when the following resolution and addresses were unanimously adopted , ainid cheers and waving of hats : — " That wo , tho inhabitants of Paisley , in public meeting assembled , tender our warmest thanks to Feargus O'Connor , for his addresses and his long and arduous labours in the cause of human progress . " IO mnGUS O ' CONNOR , ESQ ., M . _P .
" IIoNounKP and _Rkspected . Sib , —We , the members of tho Renfrewshire Young Men ' s Association ( of lato formation , ) for the diffusion of political knowledge , take this opportunity of expressing our gratitude for your long and arduous advocacy of the people ' s rights , both in and out of tho House of Commons , and for your laudable exertions in ono ' _civouring to reclaim to man his lost though inalienable right to the soil . Though baffled , in this glorious and gigantic attempt to regenerate the human family , by a base , corrupt , and hireling press , wbich panders to tho interest of that class , who , under the disguise of Liberalism , take every
opportunity to enrich _theinselvos at tho expense and misery ofthe toilingmillion of this misnamed land ofthe brave and tho free ; but despair not , honoured sir , for we hope the time will speedily arrive when the disfranchised millions of this nation will shake off the lethargy which for ages has enthralled them , and rise in tho mnjesty of their might , and proclaim to the world their acknowledgement of thoso great ' and glorious principles which you have so long and fearlessly struggled to maintain . Honoured sir , we , though young , must acknowledge the many benefits wo havo already derived in political knowledge from your hands , through the columns of that invaluable journal , the Northern Star , for a long time tho only independent
and unfettercdadvocate of the rights , and exposcr of the wrongs ofthe downtrodden masses of thisclassgoverned and unhappy country . Honoured sir , in conclusion wo fondly anticipate that you may be spared to witness tho realisation of your fondest wishes , and behold the beneficial effects likely to flow from tho adoption of those principles . embodied in that glorious document—tho People ' s Charter . But , should it happen otherwise , you will have the satisfaction in your own mind of having done your duty to your fellow men ; and , rest assured , thafc a grateful people will have inscribed on your tomb' Hero lies ono who , for . the greater part of his existence , has struggled against tyranny and oppression to leave the world better than he ' found it . ' Paisley . June 7 th , * _-Tuos . Smith , Chairman . "
M
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-y :-iJ _ttafoiuiMtt o _' cossb _' ny esq * , _*& .: > _te _<* ' « . rrx » _AUi , ' w'a . _' i , _p- wk « Ki . _ttiwiii _^ V » i _& _T _^ I 4 W' _/* r _lu _*^ - _?» " _- ' _^ -P _^ _W _^ SS' fi Chartist _^ ssociatmn , are anxious t _^ s ; pu b _^ long , ; 'consistent , patriotic , and' unparalleled e _& f * rrOJ _& _'ifese . _whoBolinterestrhas been the' _bjliect of _SifS M _**?*« , ?? - «|? . F _^ I _^'^^^ Jfi _^ _OB _*? _- _*^?^ - ¦ • _-V-T _^ S _^ _S . _-lg _5 _ffi _^ _booaiaaet : nbrBM _^ iS Mr s l « _tffc ' - u ' _nj _^^ f | _^&« : * b _« _£ s $ _* "Youreffortsi s . ir t _* _-forth & : iir _^ j _^ _# iB' _^ t' 6 f 7 t 1 ltf _;{^ _!^ : WM or _theI'ilatform-toa' _^ suppiy , t 6 damWyour _SVp plei' and' _dMnlMtMlMididftBiW Zvih _iea Dt-rvi _ueo / _l i . 4 \
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your _^ _^^ - _^ _y _. _o , _uuu _jvvi _ujoim _^^ u _wTCoUU « from theltfpwer . bf th _^ , capitalist ; _mdS & _jjmfihbW onthe-lano _^ eaoh _under'his o _^ dre _^{ _hdVi > ' _^ ceb ! eniin ' 'thfl hisl . ory _^ fbuT { Coun'i tr 3 _?' r _TOtf _^* _afSo * a ] r _)^ _Uoji'tHfiftV-mwiiifc _^'' _theyihiSfteguhVwl . _ttftheir - _' _sn . _SohemeVwey wbuia _^ _W » bw , _! BaVd been _sion ' -i & f'fch ji _!^^ _raise'd ' ahd _' _aeoured-tl _^^ bsitidn iri thOgerieral _welU _beingb'flb'biefcyl' . ' •' ' «•'¦? ' ' ' ' :- ' _v _^';">^'"!^ : ' _- _!^' _" _f ' _< Bhttisif . _^ hat ! , cop 1 d ' ? be - ojfpecte _% : tvIion the _preM _' _oftbislc _^ try ;' _*^ r fevil _^ aolllated ; jr _^ Bf ; epyer ;* b _^ i ' _the'baSegtrfiridlmtist '
y _fleMig & _.- ' _motfvos _^ implicit . jKroM _^ _jbi' _^ d _; the ' vlleAt _insrnuitidlih'Snfrthe . roulest _aSjji _^ 6 'n . s _^ co ' ficerh'ln _^ _youf and thus arro 8 t _^ l _^ . for ' : ; the ' time _^ belng ? youf beneficent sjihfl # ' ? _^ J $ _M | bir _^ firmly and unaaunt 1 ngjy / in ' ' tlie _MWVftfie British dominions , with an integrity of principle " and'a purity of heart which have completely _paralysed the oyil designs and machinations of your enemies . The government , tho House ot Commons , and a _jury-oryour fellow countrymen , although ranked
against you , were , after a long and searching inquiry , compelled , from . a formidable array of ( facts and figures , to pronounce a verdict in yourfstvour , and to proclaim to tho world thnt your conduct w : i 3 ahovo suspicion . Thus , sir , although for a time the Land movement may appear to be on the wane , yet your plan and similar ones aro beingactcd _. 'upon all over the realm ; and as the elevation ofthe working labourers cannot be otherwise achieved , wo feel persuaded that your endeavours will yet be crowned with success , and set at nought all factious opposition .
" Respected sir , we conceive it a duty incumbent upon us to tender you our sincere thanks for . your great and benevolent labours in Parliament , upon the platform , and through the press , to make the People ' s Charter the law of this afflicted nation ; and however much tergiversation or difference of opinion may arise among those who would be leaders , yet we are extremely grateful that we behold in you , for the last twenty years , the bold , uncompromising and gratuitous advocate of our
causo . The sordid worshipper of Mammon i may sneer at you , and the mercenary sycophant may assail you , but the people of these islands will ' stand a wall of fire' around you , so that the arrows of malignity shall fall blunted and pointless . 'May the Divine Being grant you long life , health , and happiness , and enable you to see the consummation of your earnest desires , is the devout and heartfelt wish of the members of our association . "On behalf of the association , " John Scott , President . "
When the resolutions were passed a hearty vote of thanks was given to the chairman . The meeting broke up , and I spent some time with a large number of male and female Chartists in the Ball-room of the Hotel , where we . enjoyed ourselves most cheerfully ; and at eleven o ' clock I started for Glasgow with my kind friend , and your good ' and ; true friend , Duncan Shebkington and two other friends for Glasgow . I now come to an out-door meeting of Colliers and Iron Miners of Lanarkshire . Perhaps the English people are not . aware that-the' tyrant Iron and Coal masters of
Lanarkshire have stopped all their hpnds because their slaves would not submij _; to bo robbed by the TRUCK SYSTEM—a reduction of wages — unfair . measurement of their produce , and several other acts of robbery , for I cannot call ; itj anything meeting , which Was Held in the open air on Saturday , at Baillieston _, five miles from Glasgow , at twelve o ' clock . I went there accompanied by an old veteran Chartist , a master shoe maker , Mr . Cameron . When wo came within half a mile of the place of
meeting , we were met by a splendid band and a large procession , and presently four processions , each headed by a magnificent band , arrived ; it was a glorious sight , in the open air under the canopy of the broad blue sky , although I regretted the necessity of poor men beiug thus compelled to devote their time to seeking _justice , to -which they have an inalienable right . Each band as it arrived played a cheerful tune in front of the platform . I gave them a good rouser , and though surrounded by policemen , made them both feel , understand , and cheer what I said . ' Mr . Davies and Mr . Halstone also made
admirable speeches , all of winch , appeared to give general and entire satisfaction . At the end of my speech—as I was obliged to start for Glasgow , and from thence to Falkirk , in time to attend another out-door ahd in-door meeting—the following resolution was carried with enthusiastic cheers" That we , the miners of Lanarkshire , in public _mating assembled , declare , emphatically , that we still continue to havo every confidence in Mr . O'Connor , M . P ., the indomitable champion of the working and unfranchised classes , and recognise him as the representative of tho working classes in the House ot Commons . "
At four o ' clock I left Glasgow for Falkirk by express train , and was met at the station by a number of the right sort . They had a splendid carriage , drawn by a pair of spanking greys , headed by a fine band . The procession had not gone far , when it was joined by another procession , headed by a splendid band _. We went through the town and arrived at the place of meeting , wheve a platform was erected ; we had a magnificent meeting . I gave them what appeared to please them , as they cheered most heartily ; some other speakers addressed them ; but as it commenced raining before I had concluded , I was obliged to leave the
platform , In the evening we had a fruit party , as is the custom in Scotland , iu the Church of the Rev . Mr . Duncanson , and a most gratifying party nnd sight it was . Mr . Tomlinson made an admirable speech ; Mr . Duncanson followed him to explain the six points of the Charter ; and , without flattery , I say that such a speech I never heard in or out ofthe House of Commons : he is a young , fine looking , gentlemanlike fellow ; ho literally electrified his audience , and mo also ; his cloqueneo , his energy , his action , his words and his manner ,
surpassed anything I ever witnessed , and 1 only wish that we had a few more of his class aud eloquence to propound tho Charter , and it would speedily be riveted to every man ' s heart . I followed Mr . DuncansON , which was a great disadvantage to any orator , but I pleased my audience ; and after a vote of thanks , which was justly duo to a very admirable Chairman , the meeting separated . The following were tho resolutions passed unanimously , and the address presented to me at the out-door meeting : —
" That this meeting view with feelings of offended dignity the unequal laws that govern this empire , and are convinced thnt class-legislation must ever press with unjust severity upon the interest of the industrious , claim , as the inborn right of humanity , that all future legislation bo based upon the principles contained iu the docuiueut known as the People ' s Charter . " . " That this meeting being fully convinced that the Peoplo ' s Charter is tho only measure ot political juslieo worth struggling for , resolve to unite and agitato with renewed energy for the enactment into law of the principles contained in that document . " :
" TO 1 'EAIICUS 0 _CONXOU , ESQ ., m . _p . "REsrECTKo Sin , —y ? e , the Democrats and Chartists of Falkirk and neighbourhood , congratulate you on your first visit to our town . We have long wished to have this honour and pleasure , and are
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£ _^^ r _' _lm shch a _^ _situaticS " _&& _fr _& s _£ > h * t _* _S l . _^ _arafltorjr _^ in _. ' rajjJi _^ _wu _^ ¦ v- ! $ Tl ) _sojwfa _^ y , et : rige . _stt- Si _^^ iO _^ _tp'ii _;/ and ; po ur . . _^ i _^ _aton . au < L ; 'dism _4 _^ A . y ottf- " \ j if 'V . We _^ , have _„ watcbei' _^ Ou . r ,. ioluical oareer : , ' *• ¦ . _^ . lave raarkedybur . # m ; adh 0 reiice ' f 0 ' the ; pruiciplei of : flM : i 01 « A _& _'Ml _^^ _p . n : e ! _fU . _^ i _« _rr i _;^| _ir- _^ M liave . not _beeri _" _. ¦ closed-, t 0 ' the' fact ,, that . . , ypu havo _^ v \\ - fuiiglit ' sin _^ _e-hanWdth' the midst Of . th _^; people * ! < _^ _5 _nVs \ " eheifiies hi t'h & p _' _edple's oause . ' aiid for . _tjift _. people ' a \ V _? . right ' s . ; , _.. Such _^ _circumstiincQs , _^ of n » > Ns
mari-. _fcbBSb"frc _^ m sta _^ hi * _\\ _hWyprfpYm _^ hp iace ia not yp . _0 un- _^ t . hg Char * \ ter , _withall its _. _glorioiis proyUionsi'U _^ _yo _^' a _^ ohjeot \ of the future . _> Y 6 u , ' ; havo euddj _^ _'imi' _^ r den and heat ' of the day _^ 't ' lie . hottestbf ' thoersecutjoh , —go on } multitude ' s are being cohvin ' ceothat the Charter 4 & thftgreat biJt . _oTP the peoplo ' s rights , that it _^ is : the Commons that may , in _^ umioiWnBwtno _^ aple f . _^ hnns ' o . ¦ _' - ¦' _- . ' , .. \ _^
'' You lire certain to triumph , it is yet future , but it comes . so certain as effect follows cause ' , —aa certain must the present advance in political ; knowledge and consciousness of deprived riglits burst every fetter and-sweep corruption _belore it ; The Charter must be passed ,. it must become . law- _^ truth is in it , progress is in it , —the rights of _humanity arc in it , tho good of the country is in it , —the happiness of unborn generations is in it . Be encouraged when you have seized the grand future , . what your enemies charge upon you , as the Utopianism ( of' tho present will rule our ' country in the future . . Stand undismayed , —como . not down from your present position Jest anothci \ step up and seizo your laurels . All must come up to you . Why ? because you have truth , _^ you have a grand , fuller , arid more
triumphant plan of reform than any now beforetho attention of the country , . or likely to be . You have something ultimate—something ' satisfactory . Ba unconfounded ; your enemies may multiply , but truth can never change . Hold it fast ; maiiy eyos are on you , but wo yield to none in praise of your endeavours , and our desire is , that you should in all things . provo successful . . We . conclude thi _3 , our address , with ah expression of confidence _'hj your exertions for tho great , cause , and hope that you will steadily move onward , and that we shall have to congratulate you at somo future _periodyrit may not bo so long as we in our fears may antici p atetliat the Charter has been triumphant , and that democracy has obtniucd- its due influence in tho ruling power of the land . . " . ; — M' . Waters , Chairman .
The reader will see that I attended an OUT . DOOR MEETING , five miles atone side of Glasgow , at twelve , o ' clock ; an ; OUTDOOR MEETING , twenty-five ; miles ' at the other side of Glasgow on the same day , ; and an in-door meeting on the same night : ; and from this he will learn that I have not become incapable of acting in the good old cause ; and now let mo inspire , the English Chartists with no little hope , when I inform them , that tho Chartist mind in Scotland has increased , since I was last in their country , to a degree that I never anticipated—a fact , which has inspired me , not only with hope , but with increasing confidence , that ere long the PEOPLE'S CHARTER will be the LAW OF _, _TI 1 E LAND , and no mistake . Your Faithful and Uncompromising Friend and Advocate , . ' ; Feaugus . 0 _'Connor .
... — ~77. ! — , — - ¦ ' . - ¦ Now Ipa<B...
... — ~ _77 . ! — _, — - ¦ ' . _- ¦ now _ipa _< _Bigratifte ; diiii _^ _airtSgbothi ; Mke all who ' have taken a _sJrkr _^ _Jn thl ' _cnUse of humanity you ' have _been--tbejsubject _^^^' _par _^ _cijtion . Tho persecution and , _jirosccfltlsf _tiyjui caye ;; iiiulergon « _frOuUhe . gove ' _rumert whaUorrupY . _stai » n bW , ng | _k _^ _f .. ; , meii , it ' s- greatest . patriots , ; its ' _. _. bjjightojik spirits . > _» _% What _. spy _^ _hnjloytog , ; _5 iher , r _^ pers ecm mg _^ eedom . Zm Drushin _& _verBmehtVBs , B » . _Muriid ., i , n _, a _hvimj - ¦ _•« _R _^ b ; . ' or ? _pjBBwraled _: 7 _^ the :. ia 4 _^ _ft , _ffir _«^ > _S <> _l *?»* _^ had the Miagnniyniity ' todesiretO ; befree ? , ][ ou , sir , p . . have ... undergone the _^ prison , 'fetters .. . and . w orn tha Sa \ _felonfi ' _jrianacl ' _^ birth * J \ J right ' df _^ _ew j _« ah ; _yibSrMlo , breath , _q .. the air _\ _N ( Jnif'haa _. _iYifirfAorvto / lTihva _&* ttfmi » A' flf , / _tr tminfill m ££ ff * - _^ _'
? _a _»» _SPSPM _^ _rf _^ . _M _^^ P _"' _J- _' ' V _^ _™ med schemes ,. whenoppQsed , l > jun £ erestand _^ : _«» _KSfo legistativemfluence _^ whe _& ebked by N _^ i _»? - _^ i _^^ _K | ip _^^ :: M ; M ia n _^ _W-WWi _^ _W _^ ' _^ hav * v \ imdergonei—a . jpe ' _rsMu ' tto _^^ for , k * p _W _^ _ftsjn ' ed 'Scheme ' s , "' . when opposed _lirjuiiterjest and > _; _cjojtjupt legislative : Hiflue ' nce _^ wheh ; pi , P » ebuted by \
South London C Hartist Hall , Black ,. ,...
SOUTH LONDON C HARTIST HALL , BLACK ,. , _„ ¦ _' »" .. ¦ : _•; : " _vFBlAll & _lMJA-Di , _';^ _- _^ _, ! ,, ' ¦' . ; .. . V ' -- .-. :: _*¦• . _¦;' :- ¦ _[ ¦ " _'" ' ' , ¦ »>? :-: \ . A public meeting was held on Monday evening , June 10 th , to discuss the present prospects of Chartism , and the steps best calculated to advance tbe in terest of veritable democracy . Mr . Collins was called to tlie chair , and said , as Chartists were proverbial for their Jovo of free discussion , he trusted that all who presented' themselves would obtain a fair , full , and impartial hearing , as the object for which the meeting had been convened was test served in eliciting truths both political and social . ( Cheers . ) '• Mr . Small , in an eloquent speech , reviewed the
schemes ofthe middle classes , declaring that he had no confidence in them or their party , and moved the following resolution : — "That in tlie opinion of tho meeting , the schemes of tho middle and aristocratic classes are conceived , propounded , carried , and worked for their own _aggrandisement , ' and not for the good of the people at large ; that the plan of the so-called Parliamentary and Financial Reformers is dishonest in principle , deceptive in appearance , and calculated to mislead the unreflecting portion of . tho working classes : therefore , we will not agitate for or support any movement that docs not recognise the whole of tho principles contained in the Peoplo ' s Charter , " Mr . Small resumed his seat loudly applauded .
Mr . Elliott , in an excellent speech , seconded tho motion . Air . G . J . ILuwby—who , on his appearance , was most warmly applauded—proceeded , in his usual forcible manner , to show up the trickery and miserable shuffling of the middle classes , and descanted , amidst loud cheers , in favour of the enfranchisement of the whole people , as the best and- surest means of enforc ' mg social rights , without which he believed the people never would be happy , and without which they tover ought to ro 9 t content . ( Applause . ) Would tho people ( ho asked ) be better off if Cobden and Walmsley had gained their professed object , and the people had Cobden installed as Prime Minister—Bright , Chancellor of the
Exchequer— iViilmsley , Secretary of State , and Roebuck , Secretary of the Colonies ? That question was answered by a refui cuce to the discussion on tho motion with respect to the journeymen bakers , tho Ten Hours Bill , and other ' measures affecting tho working classes . ( Cheers . ) The only security for the sons of toil rested in their universal { enfranchisement , and their thorough knowledge of social rights . ( Great cheering . ) _Buo . _N'TiniRB O'BniE . _v then camo forward , amidst the most hearty cheering , and apologised : for his late attendance , having justreturued from'a meeting got up for the benevolent purpose of aiding the fund now being raised on behalf of the widows and orphans of tho late Messrs . Williams and Sharp ,
and made a most _eloqucntand touching appeal on behalf of the victims generally . Mr . O'Brfen paid a high and well-merited compliment to their suffering friend , John Shaw , and hoped that / as the time was fast approaching fov ( . heir release , an ettort would be made—a last effort , as it were—to placo something in tho hands of tho committee to relieve the pressing wants and _tteci'ssities of the liberated victims . ( _Applause . ) - In allusion to the resolution before tho meeting , ho said the present , system placed tho wealth producer in a most deplorable condition . Even in this metropolis—which is the reservoir of tho -plunder or' the world—a . for . _rful mass of pauperism abounded ; and tho reason assigned by the men of property for refusing to grunt
the veto was that , bv giving it , " property would bo in ( _milder . " What ' ridiculous nonsense was this . ' Whv , if the pcoplo wished p ; opovty destroyed , could any ' one believe that they would elect members of parliament to ' _^ lo it ? ( Laughter , and cheers ) Oh , no ! these little matters were too delicate to bo done bv deputy—they were generally done in person . ( Cheers !) It was the keeping tho people _une ' iil ' raiicliiscd that rendered them _ violent , as witness the recent scenes on the contincut—whero thrones tumbled , nnd were consumed . ( Cheers . ) Mr . _O'lirioii then eulogised-the National _Charter Association , and tho National Kci ' vra Leagueadvised everv Hue reformer to join tl : _o-: o . two
associations—the first- as an excellent expounder of political , and tho latter as an able teacher pf fecial rights . ( Hear , hear . ) He admired the boldness of tlie National Charter _Associat-h-n i » faking up the groat and important question of _sw ia ! rights . Tho National Parliamentary and _ritiancial liefomi Association ho could not conceive to be anything else hut a huge swindle ; and he was happy to find that the men of Greenwich had resolved to offer it their most strmiuous opposition , and to move an amendment in favour of the Charter . ( Cheers . ) Ho did not believe that co-operative societies or social systems could succeed , unless political and social rights were first fairly established . ( Cheers . ) The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . . A vote of thanks was given to the chairman , and the meeting terminated ,
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 15, 1850, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_15061850/page/1/
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