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4 THE NORTHERN STAR. April 22, « m*
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THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE MIDDLE CL...
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Fellow Countrymbk, We , the representati...
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"THEDEMOCKAT." THE PEOPLE'S ANSWER TO CR...
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Greenwich and JJepiford.—The adjourned p...
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Just Published , Price Threepence, tke BLACK BOOK of the Bsirisn Asidtocbaoy , containing An Expospbz of the Mest Monitrous Abuses in CacncH and State.
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(From the <7o*«tte of Tuesday, April 18....
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JUST PUBLISHED , ^~~~
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THE NORTHERN STAR, SATURDAY. AFRIL 22, !Si8.
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PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW. Ba c ked b y a pan...
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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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.
" T Oe National Convention. " ~ > Monday...
_hsud to bear the _expend of the Assembly _sittingin London next week ! „ _Mfnnot ) men sittingin Mr Clark said , that the cost of _W _meaaw _^ London for a week would be _^ _"' _/ _fi past wetk ° _SKKu _^ they were supported hvthetro _*™ constituents , and that if the _Convenffwaa _iTdebt , the country ought at once to n \«& meney to repay the advance mentioned by Mr Air ilARNK begged to support the motion , and observed that either the report of the House of Commons relative to their position was unfounded , or the Convention had been eeeeived and misled as to the number of _s'gnatures
attached to it ; and , however humiliating it might _appear , if thi ? had been deceived , tbey ought to confe _s _s the fact , and properly test the feelings of the people in future . If the resolution was earned he should propose resolutions to test the feelings of tbe people , taking full guarantees that they were not again _impiBSd upon by the machinations of their enemies , or the _mischisvousness of feels in their own ranks . With regard to the expenses ofthe Assembly , he thought t _*> at instead of the members being paid individually by their constituents , a common fund ought to be formed , and everybody paid alike , though he hid no personal interest in the matter , being an unpaid _delegate . sufficient had been
The _Chaibhas said , he thonght stated to show that the meetings of the National Assembly next week would be useless . In the meantime great good _eould be done in the country . It mast not ba supposed that Mr O'Connor had altogether abandoned the discussion on the Charter . On the contrary , it was his intention to five notice that he would bring forward the question at an early day after the recis 3 , and it would be the hounden duty of the people to _guppirt him on that occasion . _Howas net in favour of sending another national petition ; but what he did recommend was , that at meetings held to elect delegates , or other meetings held for t h e ex p ress p ur p ose , petitions Bhould ba agreed f o and sent to the members who represent the borough or distriet in which these meetings were held . By this means they would compel the whole of the 600 members of the House of CommoBs to talk of the Charter , however distasteful to many of them the _finbjeet might be . -
. The motion aEd amendment were then puti when the former was declared to be carried by a large majority , and the National Assembly therefore ¦ stands postponed till the first of May . A committee was then appointed to superintend the circulation of the various addresses throughout the country . _XSS _XATXOSAX , _rSTZUOS ASD _SATKWAL HEKORIAL . Mr Harney rose to move a resolution , t o the -effect that the resolution previously passed , _empowering the chairmen ot the simultaneous meetings to be held on Good Friday , to sign the proposed memorial to the Qaeen should be rescinded , and that the memorial shonld be cknedbya _' _ilmalesof eighteen years and upwards ,
• who were in favour of the Charter . Afc eighteen years of age men were compelled to serve in the _militia , and , the r efore , it was competent for them to sign petitions . He also proposed further , that the _femalesinfavonrofthat measure should sign a separate memorial , setting forth their reasons for its adoption . _Heeonsidered thatthiscoutse was absolutely necessary to redeem the character ofthe Convention and of the Chartist body at large . For his own part he had , previous to the presentation of fhe petition , and the report of the Cemraittee of the Honse of Commons upon it , made np his mind never to sign another petition to that house , and certainly the hatred and contempt with which it was received did not furnish anv stronereason for altering that opinion
so far as the house itself was concerned . No one rose to remind the members that it must have been enemies to the Charter who appended the ribald names to the sheets , which it was said they contained . But he felt thafc they were placed in a false position , and thatit was their duty to take steps to place themselves right with the public on this subject . It might be that the report of the Committee on petitions was an unmitigated fraud . He did not say it was so , though , looking at tho tone of the house , it might ba not uncharitably supposed that _aay thing that would tell against them would be strained to the utmost . ( Cheers . ) But this was their position : they had no committee to say that they bad _examined the Eheets , and to verify either the individual signatures
or vouch for the total number appended . There had , in fact , been gross mismanagerrent among them on this point . The local officers he considered especially had been most negligent , aud thus they were placed in a position which prevented them from saying whether the report or the petition was right or wrong . It was a common thing to say the eyes of Europe are upon us , but he did . not hesitate to say that in their case it waa a truth . They had assembled as the real representatives of the unenfranchised portion of the people , professing to bB backed up by millions pf them , and thej had since been branded as liars and impostors . It wa s , therefore , necessary to call upon the people again to append their names to a document setting
forth their adhesion to the _pnneiples of the Charter , however strongly they had resolved to petition no mora . He did not object to women petitioning , because he thought they had a right to do so , but he did objectto their signing the Bame memorial with the men , as he wished to te 3 t what number of men were really prepared to support the Charter ; and if it were only one or two millions that were . so p re p are d , and every guarantee taken against the signatures of none bat real individuals being attached to the memorial , it must demand attention . It was bnt reasonable to ask them to do this , before talking of giving up their own live 3 or endangering the lives of their leaders . Let them not deceive _tbem-Eelves . Let them ascertain what their real strength actually was . He felt confident that if his motion was
agreed to the memorial wonld receive in one week the signatures of every man in England who was favourable to the People ' s Charter . ( A voice from the gallery— ' No . _' J It wa 3 not competent to him to reply to thafc shout ; bufc he would say to the man who would not sign a memorial to preserve the character of _Feargas O'Connor , of the Convention , and of the Ghartists , that he would not trust him if he shouted afterwardsfchathe wonld march to procure the Charter with a musket on hi 3 shoulder . ( Cheers . ) In conclusion , Mr Harney earnestly pressed upon the Con-Tention the _secessity of putting themselves right upon this subject , and of making a veritable manifestation in favour of the Charter , to whieh no such ex cep t i on c o ul d b e t a ken as th e re ha d been to t h e petition .
Mr Graham seconded the motion , because he felt that the character of every man in that Convention wa 3 at present compromised by the manner in which the petition was got up . Several delegates spoke in favour of the motion , whiteothers expressed their belief that it was impossible in so short a time to ascertain the feelings of the -eonntry fairly upon the question . . The _Chaibmaii , in putting the motion to the vote , _toek thafc view ofthe subject , and expressed a strong opinion that the course proposed by Mr Harney was useless . On a divisien the numbera were equal , being _eeven for seven against the motion . Several delegatea did not vote . The _Chairuajt then gave hia easting vote against the motion , which was consequently lost .
IHE _lUDBLE CLASSES . Mr Cochbahe moved the appointment of a committee to draw up an address to the middle classes , sett i n g forth t h e p rinci ple s of the Charter , and calling upon them for support . The motion was agreed to , and the _committes appointed accordingly . Some conversation then took place aa to the instructions to be given to the missionaries now in the pro-¦ vinces , for the prosecution of the agitation during Easter week . After which the Convention , at one o'clock , adjourned . T HURSDAY , April 20 . The Convention resumed its sittings at nine o ' clock this morning . Mr M'Grath in the chair .
A letter was read from Mr Ernest Jones , in which he gave an account of his reception in Aberdeen , and ofthe state of public feeling in that district . An open air meeting , attended by at least 12 , 000 persons had been held , a National Guard 6000 in number hsd been formed , and was rapidly increasing . Prcees 3 ions took place nearly every night , and Glasgow and Edinburgh were preparing to follow the
aame course . PETITI 0 K 3 DDSKG IHE EASIER RECESS . Mr Child moved a resolution to the effect that durin g t h e E a ster rec es s , the people be advised to hold public meetings at which petitions in favour of the Charter shonld be adopted and Bigned by those favourable to it , and a fterw a r d s forw a r d e d to the members for the _barough or county _forpreseatation . He thought if this course was adopted ifc would meet all the objections that had been urged against the National Petition : Mr Waiter seconded the motion . Mr Graham asked what was meant by this _proceeding was it intended to found any motion upon their petitions in the House of Commons ? ¦ r _heCHiiBHAi-lrepUed , that Mr O'Connor mtended fo bring in a bill to amend the representation immediately after Easter .
Mr Mibheld moved as an amendment , — ' That no _guchadvicebegiven . - He thought that if the Heme of Commons would not listen totheprayer of ihe National Petition , it would listen to nothing . Mr Weeeler seconded the amendment ; the tonvention had yesterday refused to call upon the people individually to sign the memorial to the Queen . It was preposterous to ask them to sign any more petitions , after the manner ia whieh those they had ""¦ ply sent had been treated . . Mr Shibeoh considered that they were bound to fw _^ f _^ ' _^^^^^ PP orfctbey could in his 6 _Effiw _^? _^ 1 ne 3 ti ° _a before _Parliament , and & e shonld , therefore , support the motion . * iesrs _Cocs-use and . Wakes Bpofce in favcBr of
" T Oe National Convention. " ~ > Monday...
the motion , which was opposed by Messrs Cumming , Hite h in , and Graham . The Chairman aaid that he wished the peop le to show their rulers they were in earnest . He did not think tkey could say the National Petition was rejected by the legislature , The committee on petitions had reported that the signatures to it were many of them fictitious and spurious , and on that representation Mr O'Connor gave up the motion he intended to found upon it . It wa 3 their duty , therefo'Oto forward petitions with genuine signatures ,
, and he thought the Convention ought to adopt Mr Child ' s motion . ( If they did not adopt this " course , _LerdJoha Russell might say , in reply to Mr O'Connor's motion , 'You have no grouod to stand upon , the petition you presented was a huge lie—a gross f a b ricat i on , an d wa have no ocument be f o re the house to show that tha people are really in favour of the Charter . They were bound to supply Mr O'Con nor beforehand with an answer to suoh a statement , and give bim the utmost constitutional support they conld .
The question was then put , and th 8 amendment was carried .
ADDRE 33 TO THH MIDDLE CLASSES . __ Mr Walter reported from the committee appointed , on t h e p revious da y , to draw np an address to the middle classes , and read the address Mr _Shtbroh moved that the address be adopted . Mr _Gltjnsutrr seconded the motion . After some discussion relative to a paragraph attributing misrepresentation to the metropolitan press , in whic h several d ele g ates s everel y c e nsure d the London newspapers , with a few honourable exceptions , the address waa amended by striking out the evidence objected to , and unanimously agreed to ; and it was then resolved , that th e a d dre ss b e im mediately printed , and forwarded to the local secretaries , with a * 2 * quest that it be reprinted and extensively circnlated . _* _-
Mr Whebleb brought up the report of the committee on the route to be taken by the missionaries now in th e p rovinces , during the ensuing week , which wa 3 unanimously adopted , and instru c ti o n s in accordance therewith ordered to be forwarded to the several parties concerned , Mr Child moved , that tbe Convention , at ita ris i n g , should adjourn until Tuesday next . Mr Cochrane seconded the motion , which was met by an amendment by Mr Mirfield , that t b e Convention adjourn till the 29 th inst . Mr Glenmstbr consideredtbat their duties as delegates ceased on Saturday next , and , therefore , he would move , as another amendment , that they adjourned until Saturday morning . Ultimately , Mr Child ' s mot i on was ado p te d , and the Convention , at twelve o ' olock , adjourned till Tuesday morning .
_^ ( From our rourthEdition last week . ) _SATURDAY MORNING , April 15 . Mr Child was called tothe chair pro . tem . in the absence of Mr M'Grath . Mr _Frahcis asked permission to read a letter from John _SturgeoD , Barrister , of 52 , Devonshirestreet , _Qneen-square , complaining of the conduct of the police on Monday last , especially their brutal treatment of the people at Westminster-bridge , and declaring tbat he heard a sergeant of police declare ' that it was a pity they could not get at some dozen ofthe leaders efthe rabble and break their heads , it would deter the rest . '
Mr Stevenson rose to move , ' That the journals of London , with a few honourable exceptions , are the enemies of the working classes , especially the Moekisg Cheoniclb _, of which better thiEga were to have been expected , seeing that its proprietor is one ofa class who have recently received great support from the working classes , in the pursuit of their political rights , it was necessary that the people should know who were their enemies , the conduct of the press generally had been very bad ; go much so , that they had doae their best to cause an onslaught o the people , and failing in that , have been _unceasiDg in their endeavours to bring down ridicule oa this Convention / FeeliDg this , he thought he should not be doing his duty unless he submitted this motion prior to his leaving the metropolis . The press was generally an engine of oppression to the people , and no mau holding the sacred name of reformer , should enter a house in which these false journals were taken in .
Mr Adams seconded " . the motion . The Chronicle had set him down as one of the well-meaning men in this Convention . Now , he thought the praise of the Chronicle was one of the foulest stains that could be thrown upon his character , and if it was only to wipe that off he would second this resolution . The Chrokiclb set him down as a well-meaning man . Now , in the Chronicle ' s sense of thafc term , it meant thinking as the Chrosicle thought . He did not think as the Chronicle thought . Again , it was said ha waa well-intentioned—meaning , let things remain as they were . Now , he wished _things to be altered , and hence he was not at all entitled to their praise , but blame .
Mr Shirron said , he thought thia motion should not be entertained , and would move an amendment to that effect . Mr Dixon supported the motion , and contended that it was the duty of the papera to report what the delegates did say , and nothing else— ' nothing extenuating , nor ought set down in malice ; ' but instead of that many things appeared that they did not sa , and he conceived they had a jist righ t to complain of it . Mr _Ftjssell said , he supported the motion . The press had done all they conld to show they wanted to effect a violent revolution , and denounced them accordingly ?; b ut i mme d iat e l y the y found we wer e m e n of peace , and did everything to prevent a collision with the authorities , then they turned round and denounced the delegates as cowards . All they wished of the _pres 3 was a clear stage and no favour .
Mr Cochrane would agree with the delegate , for A b er d een , was it not that he knew that the press exercised considerable influence over many who were not Chartists , and hence he thonght the beBt way was to treat the base statements in the press with ailent contempt . He hoped that the government reporters were honest men , and would give a fair report—giving text and context _^ -nofc putting down anything that smacked of physioal force , without reading the context with ifc . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr Wilkinson sai d , he thoug ht Mr Lund an d others had been much misrepresented . He looked on
Chartism as a heavenly subject , containin g e ver y thing benevolent , just , and humane . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr Cotfat said , the mover had taken the wrong course—they should have called tha publisher and p rinter to th e bar , a 3 they did in another house . ( Loud laughter . ) Mr Cuffay then read a letter , _purportisg to be from Colonel Sibthorp , inviting him to dinner on Wednesday next , wh ich c a use d roars of laughter . Those things' passed him by as the idle wind , which he heeded not , ' and he truste d t h e members of the Convention would do the same ; and hence he wonld move that no notice should be taken ofthe subject .
The amendment was seconded . M _^ _Chaeles M'Carthy said he thought it would be well if the men of London would only support such papers as supported them and represented them fairly , and the way of obtaining the true liberty of the Press was by adopting this courae , Mr Cimhings thought ifc below the dignity of this Convention io browbeat the reporters , but , as regarded the editors , he thought the terms of the resolution not strong enough . The Press had fomented a false alarm and thereby caused au immense physical force on the part of Government to occupy the metropolis on Monday last . The best way te put down those t'n ' _ngs was not by passing resolutions but by supporting a Press of their own . ( Cheers . ) Mr Child said he would support the motien .
Mr Glennisieb thou ght this an unprofitable discu s sion , in fact , it appeared to be the interest of the Press to g ive incorrect st a tements o f the p roceedi ngs of the Chartists . He should on this occasion vote for the previous question . Mr MiEFiELBsaida few words in support of the amendment . Mr Abhtok said , he thought the class who supported tbe press , and not the press itself , were to blame , and hence the only remedy wa 3 to destroy the present system . Mr Fbascis supported the motion and said he did not attach blame to the reporters but to the editors aud proprietors .
The Chairman said , he did not object to the spirit ofthe resolution , but he objected to specifying auy paper . He did notlika the Morning- Chronicle to be particularised . He wished that portion to be struck out . Should a pane of glass be broken in the office of that jeurnal during the ensuing six months , depend on it—ifc would be attributed to the vote of this Convention . He thought the members of the Convention would he g uiit y of d ereliotion of dut y , if they did not censure the Press for their calumnies on the Chartists . The Times had said , the other day , 'that Chartists would shoot every mau opposed to them ih principle . ' No w , he ( the Chairman ) said
the Chartist 3 were aot men of blood , that they held human life was not given to sport with— that they consequently opposed that life-destroying machinethe gallows . ( Loud cheers . ) The Weekly Dispatch wa 3 eternally opposed to the interest ofthe people . It appeared to him , that if the y went for physic \ l force , that was _wroag—is they went for moral force , then they were cowards . So hit them high or hit them low , you could not please them . ( Laughter . ) But the people had the power whenever they pleased to alter it . He hoped Mr Stevens would withdraw the portion of hi 3 motion he had suggested . ( Cheers . )
Mr Sievenson consented , and said a few words in reply . The motion was carried by a great majority . MEMORIAL TO THE 0 . UEEH . Mr Walter brought up the report ofthe committee , and read the address adopted by the committeethe reading of whioh was greeted with great applause . Mr "Walter said , that address had been unanimously adopted by the committee , and thought all persons worthy of the name of men would accord ifc theirassent , ( Loud cheers . ) Mr Shirron moved that tho report be _receiredi
" T Oe National Convention. " ~ > Monday...
Mr Murphy seconded the motion . After a few verbal alterations , Mr Child supported the adoption of the address , and said the people were locking to this as their last resource , and looking at it as a last appeal- It was the most serious business of the Convention . Mr Wilkinson said , he thought it would be effeo tire- Perhaps it would be the first time that ever the grievances of the people were truly laid before the Queen ; aad , as a mother and as an Englishwoman , he thought her Majesty would feel for her subjects , and listen to their prayer . Mr _FtrssELL sud _, we had never appealed to he Majesty befere . Now we called on her to dismiss her Ministers , and call to her councils men who would make the Charter a Cabinet measure . He hoped thia memorial would be responded to—and he had no doubt it would—by the people * The motion was thea put , aud the following memorial was adopted unanimously amidst loud sheers .
TO THE _QCKll ' s UOW EXCELLENT HAJB & ST . The Memorial of the Inhabitants ot _, in publio meeting assembled , this 21 st day of April , 1848 Sheweth , That a great portion of yonr memorialists are bow and have long been , Buffering unparalleled distress . That these islands present the anomalous spectacle of a people starving ia the midst of plenty , while hundreds of thousands , willing and able to work , are de . barred evtn the right of seumn , a « Mtoe laWr . That such a state of society , repugnant to the laws of God and nature , can be attributed only to mijgovornment . . That within the last few months upwards of a million of human beings have perished in Great Britain aud Ireland of famine and pestilence , consequent upon snch _mingovernment _.
That hy class-made laws the people havo been robbed of their natural inheritance—the land of these islands . That they have baen burthened with the payment of a debt wbich they aever . contracted , snd _oppreosed by taxation , felling almost exclusively upon the working classes . Tbat the government are arraying class against class , and placing _ansB in the bands oi one section of the community to massacre tbe ether . That at tbe same time tho government have invaded the constitutional tights of British subjects to bear arms In their own defence . That the government have coerced and prevented a Isgai and peaceable procession ofthe people , by bringing sn armed force to eppose their progress _. That the - government ara even assailing the right of British subjects to meet and discuss tbeir grievances in public . ;
That the Gagging BUI , falsely denominated a bill for the batter security of your Majesty ' s Crown and Government , is a measure conceived ia the spirit of that tyrannical dynasty , whose expulsion led to the introduction of your Majesty's family to the "British throne . That your _memorialists have to complain of these grievances , because rival factions , representing a privileged few , have been hitherto your Majesty ' s only advisere . ThatyourMajeaty '& _ParliamenthavealmoBtexolusively proved themselves the subservient tools of party leaders _. That they are not tho representatives of the people _. but on tbe contrary ofa class , as six-sevenths of the male population are excluded from their undeniable right of the franchise .
Your _memoralists , therefore , pray that your M » _jesty may be graciously pleased to dissolve the present parliament , and dismiss frem your councils those Ministers whose baneful influence endangers the seourity of your crown and the very existence of your people ; and to call to your aid men who will make the People's Charter a cabinet measure . That _TMveraal Suffrage , the great principle ofthe _PeopU'a _ChMtt ? , _Ima _cimdy _bwa made kw la the principal states of Europe . That your memorialists , believing the intelligent and
industrious people of Great Britain and Ireland to be equally deserving of liberty with the people of other countries , earnestly pray that your Majesty will be pleased to grant their requests , and , thereby , secure the peace and prosperity ofthe country . And your memorialists will ever pray , he ; Mr Child s a i d , h e ro s e t o more that the memorial should be submitted to the simultaneous meetings , and where a g reed to , it should be signed by tho chairman on their behalf . Mr _Loweht seconded the motion ,
Mr Adams said , he was hardly satisfied with the motion , yet he scarcely knew whether to propose an amendment , although he thought , were the memorial si g ned b y ever y man ' s name an d a ddre ss who wer e in its favour , it would have a great effect . The Chairman said , it would be well if the numbers attending the meetings were Btated . Mr Cochrane thought the means recommended were inadequate . Th Chairman said , the signing would be as likely to be denied aa not _g enuine , aB were tho signatures to the National Petition . Mr _FussELLsaid , were thoy to have a signed memorial , the people would refuse to act , as they were disgusted with the manner in whioh their petition had been treated .
Mr Adams suggested a form , to the effect that it should bB signed by the chairman—the numbers stated—and thafc it Bhould be countersigned by the two tellers appointed for . that purpose . Mr T . M . Wheeler dissented from such a course . Mr _AsniON also dissented . MrM'CABiHT said , he thonght it folly to be counting , measuring , or signing , except by the chairman . The statements made by gentlemen relative to Kennington Common had quite _convinced him that such steps were without utility . Mr Wheeler moved that the word 'tellers' be lett out . Mr M'Cabthv seconded the amendment . Mr Child said a few words in reply .
The Chairman said he was in favour of ' tellers , ' as he thought that the information would be useful to the National Assembly , and might be made use of to Her Majesty . The original motion was carried by a large majority . Mr Lowery moved , * 'That the memorial be printed and sent to the several localities . ' Seconded and carried . Mr Stbyb . nson asked for leave of absence until Tuesday . —Granted . Leave of absence was asked for Messrs FusseU and Lowery . Mr Cuffay opposed it . Leave granted . The Convention then adjourned until Monday at nine o ' clock .
4 The Northern Star. April 22, « M*
4 THE NORTHERN STAR . April 22 , « m *
The National Convention To The Middle Cl...
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION TO THE MIDDLE CLASSES OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE .
Fellow Countrymbk, We , The Representati...
Fellow Countrymbk , We , the representatives of the unenfranchised classes of the British empire , feel ifc to be eur duty to address you at the present important crisis . We know that you have been led astray by the press of this country generally , with regard to the objects we have in view . We , therefore , aTe desirous of disabusing your minds of the prejudice engendered by false representation . This we conceive to be absolutely essential , as your interests must be mere or _les 3 affected b y t he condition of the working classes . If they be suffering from poverty , trade must , of necessity , _bebed . If they be driven by misery to despearation , neither your lives nor property can bo cousidered secure ; and to prevent outrage upon either , you must resort to means which involve a considerable expenditure , whieh is iavariably looked upon as a grievance .
I t i s a f aet , wel l known t o a ll , that jails and workhouses have been gradually _increasing in number , and likewise that police forces have considerably increased within the last few years . With suoh a state of things staring us in the face , we appeal to you , as men , if ifc ba not necessary that something should be done to stay the progress of crime , p overt y , and destitution , and wo feel that we shall not appeal in vain if reflection be allowed to take the place of prejudice . We know that you have been taught to look upoa the labouring classes ot this country as unworthy of those privileges which are enjoyed by the upper classes and yourselves ; and we perceive that it will not be easy to remove this prejudice , unless we point out the injustice ofthe present system of representation .
To arrive at accurate conclusions upon the subj ect , it behoves every privileged man to suppose him self a man without privilege , and then ask if he should consider himself treatly justly . This ia a te s t , and one that will not deceive any man , if he will apply it impartially . No man likes to be a slave ; y e t too o f ten t h e rea s on ing of th e enfranc h ise d portion of the community tends to this point—namely , thai some ought to be slaves to the will of others . This is the sum and substance of such an expression as the following : — ' Tiie working classes are too ignorant to exercise the franchise beneficially for them selves' An d suc h is t h e reasonin g o f t h e g re a ter portion of those whom ' we now a d dr e ss ; b ut that it is true or juBfc we jdeny in toto . We ask any one of you if you consider yourselves ignorant of your own interests . We know ) well that such ia uot the case ; why then should you suppese the working classes ignorant of their interests ? We deny that they are more
ignorant on that p oint t b an y ours e lves , and as individual welfare is the thing which regulates the judgments of men in the exercise of political power , we say that it must be injustice on your parts not to assist the working classes in obtaining for themselves the privilege of _^ exercising a voice in regulating the affairs of the nation . We , t h erefore , ask you to co-operate with us in the attempt to obtain by peaceful meBns the enfranchisement of the working classes from political thraldom—and we feel that by such course alone can you permanently _se-0 are either peace or prosperity for yourselves . We are anxious to disabuse your minds of those false impressions engendered by a venal press with regard to the spirit whioh regulates the movements efthe enfranchised classes , lhey desire to obtain , by peaoeful and constitutional means , a privilege which they have hitherto been denied , a privilege which is the natural and constitutional right of ayery British , subject , —a privilege which none
Fellow Countrymbk, We , The Representati...
but tyrants and _onpresaors in spirit eould _consistenly refuse . We say we know that they desire to obtain this privilege by peaceful and constitutional moans . We , therefore , ask you to assist them in the attainment of their objeofc . We request your co-operation , because we feel that your influence—if brought to bear upon the governmentwill force them to yield justice to tbe unenfranchised classes , and aB you are men desirous of freedom yourgelves . we appeal to you on behalf of the enslaved . We wish you to placo yourselves in such a position , between the government and the unenfranchised , as will effectually promote the happiness of all . This you will do by demanding of your representatives their support to any measure calculated to remove
from the statute book all laws whicn tend to political degradation and slavery . By auch a _courBO , yo » w : _>\ ensure the esteem of your poorer brethren , and _strengthen the position yon now hold in ] the state . We have been represented as ruffians and destructives by the press—but we are men—and men who hold both life and individual property sacred , We war not with individuals but with systems ; We wish justice to all , injustice to none . If we have used strong expressions towards any class or party , we would have it borne in mind tbat such expressions have been used by the press and by individuals towards us ; asd though this fact may not be considered as anv palliation of the offence committed by us , we
appeal to you as men , if every excuse ought net be made for t hos e wh o a i m on ly to ob tain t h at wh i ch is due to all ; and who find themselves met b y ob loquy and contempt from those who oaght to set an example of forbearance and consideration . If we have represented the working olassea as ready to fight for tbeir rights , if denied tbem by the government , ifc is because they almost despair of obtaining them by peaceful moans . They have petitioned for a long time in vain , and when any allusion has been made , in the House of Commons , to the subject of equal privil eg es for all , it has generally been met with derision . We ask if such conduct is not enough to drive men to desperation , and cause them to threaten to take up arms to obtain by forcible means that which the
legislature refuses to grant them peaceably ; though that which they request is nothing more thaa a constitutional , just , and equitable adjustment of the power exercised by the few only to the injury of the many . We ask you to reflect upon the present state ot affairs ere you deny ub your co operation in the work wo have in hand . We can positively state , on behalf of the unenfranchised classes , that they feel certain their social condition can never bo [ permanently benefited until they are politically enfranchised ; and however erroneous suoh an impression may be in your estimation , we assure you that they are wedded to their faith , and will not be satisfied until political enfranchise _, ment is granted to them by tho government . Class legislation , they say , has had its day , and it is time
that suoh a system was broken up ; and we feel that if it be not done by peaceful means , anarchy and confusion must of necessity be the result . We wish to point out to you that the only property jof the great mass of the unenfranchised claSBea is their labour ; and as laws are mostly made for the protection of the property of the enfranchised only , they feel themselves aggrieved by tbecircumstance of having no power to make such laws as would proteot the only property which the great mass of them possess , Labour being the source of a ll wealth , the labourers can never feel satisfied until labour is properly represented by thosewho make
the laws to regulate the proceedings 0 ! tho whole pe o p le ; therefore ifc behoves every one of you to strive , by every means in your power , to obtain for the unenfranchised , political power . In conclusion , we have to state most distinctly , that it is our intention not to oease agitating until justice is obtained for _theunenfrauchised classes of this realm . Under such circumstances , it must be evident to all engaged in trade that the only way to promote their own prosperity , ia to Btrive to obtain for their poorer brethren those privileges which they themselves enjoy , and which they value aB dearly as their lives .
Feeling tbat our appeal will sot be in vain , we subscribe ourselves— Thb FRrEKD *! of Mankind . On behalf of the Convention , Philip M Gbath , Chairman , Literary Institution , _John-3 treet , _Fitzroy-square , London . April 20 th , 1848 .
ADDENDA . The measure which we propeae for your consideration , a 3 the one moat likely to effect the object we ha ve in v i ew , is the People ' s Charter , which 00 mprh 63 the following s > ix points : — 1 . _Uuiveksal Suffrage . — AH males _twenty-one years of age , and not disqualified by insanity er crime , to be entitled to vote at , the election of a member of Parliament . 2 . —Equal Representation . —The United Kingdom to be divided as nearly as may be , into equal electoral districts , according to population . 3 . —No Property _Qualification necessary for a member to Bit in the Ilouse of Commons . i . —Vote by Ballot , —To prevent bribery , or undue influence . 5 . —Annual Parliaments . —Parliament to Bit for twelve months only . 6 . —Patmekt of Members . —Members to be remunerated for their services ,
"Thedemockat." The People's Answer To Cr...
" THEDEMOCKAT . " THE PEOPLE'S ANSWER TO CRIPPS h CO . We direct attention to the annexed letter from the good and true men of Ashton-under-Lyne to Mr O'Connor , The propositions of our Ashton friends , if generally adopted , will ensure no t merely the p ublication , but also the establishment of The Democrat . We have laid the letter before Mr O'Connor , and we are authorised to state that he accepts the propositions contained therein ; at the same time , thanking the men of Ashton for this additional and noble proof of their confidence . Let the localities speak out on this question ; a nd , if they accord with the views of the Ashton Chartists , act while speaking .
Dbab Sir , —The Chartists of Ashton having learned , through the press , that it is your intention to establish a daily newspaper ( the Democrat _!^ discussion has arisen on the subject ; and , as we think that there is a great risk in the starting of a dail y paper , we venture to make the following suggestions for your consideration : — 1 . The propriety of starting the paper by means of shares of one shilling eaoh , or any amount you may think lit , but we think tbat the smaller the shares the better , as there will be so many more persons interested in tbe success of the paper , and that will cause it to have a greater circulation . If , on the other hand , it should fail to pay , it will not then injure you so muoh as it otherwise would do , if you should ventur to commence on vour resource ** .
2 . That there be 500 . 000 _uiiures of one shilling each , whieh will a m o unt to £ 25 00 0 , and which will be a good sum to commence with . 3 . That no one person shall hold more than one hundred shares . 4 . That the whole control and direction of the paper be vested in you . Sir , we have two reasons for making of these propositions : — 1 . To show to the laughing and sneering House of Commons that you still enjoy the confidence of the working men , and that we are ready to support you in opposition to all your enemies . 2 . We wish to save you from as muoh risk as
possible in the starting of this paper ; for , if it should be once commenced , and fail for want of support , it would delight our enemies , ' and perhaps ruin you . Sir , if you should approve of our suggestions , and will put forth a prospectus to the effect of your intention to establish the paper in shares , wo are sure that it will meet with success . Our locality will do its duty , for , at our meeting last night , no less than sixty persons offered to take shares out ; and if you should agree to adopt our suggestions , we feel confident that over one thousand shares will be taken out in thia place . ' I remain , yours , On behalf of the Ashton Chartists , Jakes Tailor . To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P .
Greenwich And Jjepiford.—The Adjourned P...
Greenwich and JJepiford . —The adjourned public meeting will take place on Blaokheath-hil ) , on Sunday next , the 23 rd day of April , at e leven o ' clock in the forenoon , when two delegates from the country will attend and address the meeting . Metropolitan Chartist Hall , — The m e mbers of the committee are requested to he in attendance on Thursday next on business of great importance ; also the agents are particularly _requeated to fill up the return Bheets , and forward them to the secretary forthwith . —Wm . Tapp , sec . ' T _t _??? r § AMLKT , _A _$ _meeting will bo held in Bishop Bonner _s Fields , _Viotoria-park , on Sunday , April 23 rd . at three o ' olook . -The Tower Hamlets Agitation Committee will meet at the Globe and Friends , _Morganstreet , Commercial-road , on Wednesday , April 26 th , at ei g ht o ' clock . requested to attend at the Coach Painters ' Arms , Circus-street , New-road , on Sunday evening next .
HALiFAX .-The members of the National Laud Company are requested to attend a meeting on Easter Monday , April 24 th , at the house of Mr G . Buckley , the sign of the Friendly Inn , _Churoh-lane _, at seven o ' clock in the evening-. _, _Jw _* . ; - The _uatted Chartists of Leamingten and Warwick , have agreed to elect a delegate tothe _Rational Assembly , a meeting for tbat purpose will be held at the Temperance Hall , Leamington , on Monday evening next , at seven o ' clock ,
Just Published , Price Threepence, Tke Black Book Of The Bsirisn Asidtocbaoy , Containing An Expospbz Of The Mest Monitrous Abuses In Cacnch And State.
Just _Published , Price Threepence , tke BLACK BOOK of the _Bsirisn _Asidtocbaoy , containing An _Expospbz of the Mest _Monitrous Abuses in _CacncH and State .
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_COJJTENT 8 . The Aristocratic System , and its Working . Tho narrow limits and inequalities of the Representstion . ThccoBtofRoyalty-The Queen , Prince Albert , and the Royal Dukes and Princesses } Royal Palaces , Stables , farks , Ac ; Royal Pensioners ; Royal Household Expenses ; Crown Revenues ; the Crown , < fcc . Tho Salaries of th _» British Executive—Salaries oftho Ministry and their Secretaries , contrasted with those of the United States . Salaries of State'Pensions abovo _j _£ 1 , 000 a year—Total cost of Civil Government . Annual cost of Justice in England , Ireland , and Sootland—Law Pensioners abore £ i , Q 00 ayear—Law Jobs and Sinecures . Diplomatic _Expenditui- _*—Cost of titled Ambassadors to Foreign Courts—Titled Diplomatic Pensioners . The _Blacfc List of Pensioners for Civil 'Services - s batch of the smaller Fry of titled Pensioners . Expenditure on the War Men—Expenses of the Aristocratic Fighting Establishment during thirty . _four years ot peace—Military _Sinosure Colonelcies—What the Iron Duko ( Wellington ) has cost the British Nation—Titled _Military Pensioners , Summary of _ijtate Pensioners above _^ 1 , 090 per annum . % Aristocratic Taxation—How the Money ia got—Exemption of the landed class from the weight of Taxation—What the poor man pays in taxes—The issue of ths whole . The ' Poor Man's Church '—Why so called—What the English Bishops sack annually—Immense fortunes left by Irish Bishops—A chapter ef the proposed New State ChurchjTestament—Aristocratic patronage of the Church —Pickings ofthe Parsons . The Wealth ofthe State Churches in England and Ire . and , & c , ic , < fcc . London : Wm . Stbanqb , _Paternoster-row . Sold by Alice Mann , Leeds < A . Heywood , Manchester * , and all Booksellers .
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Just Published , Price One Penny . A LETTER to LORD JOHN RUSSELL oa the Coming Revolution in England and Ireland , by tJEOEGE J . _MAUTit . Associations supplied on the same _terma as the trade . Address , G . J . AIantie , 8 , Bristolstreet , Birmingham .
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JUST PUBLISHED , REVOLUTION IN PARIS . A narrative of tbe recent Revolution in Franco , containing a full account of ts Causes , Incidents , and Effects , together with the Abdication of Louis Philippe , the fall of Guizot , and tho triumph of the Popular Cause . —By a _Babmsteb .-Price Slixpence . Nomhehn Stab Office , _t 6 , Great WindmUl-Btreet , London ; Watson , Paternoster-row ; Cleave , Shoelane ; Berger , Holywell-street ; Manchester , Abel , Heywood ; and all booksellers in _Town and Country , to whom all orders should be immediately sent .
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FAMILY ENDOWMENT , LIFE _ASSURANCE AND ANNUITY SOCIETY . 12 , Chatham Plaee , _Blaekfriars , London . CAPITAL £ 500 , 000 . DIBECTOBS . William Butterworth Bajley , Esq ., Chairman . John FuUer , Esq ., Deputy Chairman . IU . Bruee ChieheBtei > , _Es _£ - Elliot _Maenaghien _, Esq . H . B . Henderson , Esq , Major Turner ,. _> .- ' C . H . Latouche , Esq . Joshua Walker , Esq , ' Edward Lee , Esq . Mai m- Willock , K . L _. S ; BONUS . . . ; Thirty per cent . Bonus was added to the Society ' s Poll cies on tbe profit scale in 1815 . The next valuation will be in January , 1852 . _ANHOAt _PBEHIOMS WITB _PEOriT 8 . Age 20 | Age _--5 _Ae-Vi Age 35 AgotO Age 45 Age 10 Age 55 £ s . d . _fis . d . £ _s . d . _Cs . d , £ s . d . £ s . d . £ s . d . £ _s . d . . 117 9 ) 1 3 1 . ' 9 " 7 2 16 2 3 _S 9 3 16 8 4 10 6 5 7 6 INDIA . The Society also grants Policies to parties proceeeding to , or residing in India , nt lower rates than any other Office , the Premiums on which may be payable either in London or at the Society ' s Office in Calcutta . Anuuities of all kinds , as well as Endowments for Children , are granted bythe Society , The usual commission allowed to Solicitors and others . John Cazehove , Sec .
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' TO TAILORS . By approbation of Her Majesty Queen Victoria , and H . R . H . Prince Alberta NOW READY , THE LONDON AND PARIS SPRING AND SUMMER FASHIONS for 1848 , bv Messrs BENJAMIN READ and Co ., 12 , _Eart-strcot , Bloomsbury-square , nearOrfordstreet , London ; and by G . Bebobb , _Holywell-stFeet _, Strand ; and all Booksellers , an exquisitely executed and superbly coloured PRINT . The elegance ef this Print excels any before published , accompanied with the Newest Style , and extra-fitting Frock , Riding Dress , and Hunt . _ing-Coat Patterns ; the most fashionable dressWaistcoat Pattern , and an extra-fitting Habit Pattern of « he newest and most elegant style of fashion . Every particular part explained ; method of increasing and diminishing the whole for any sire fully illustrated , manner of Cutting and Making up , and all other information respecting Styl e and Fashion . Prico 10 s . post free lis . READ and Co . ' s new scientific system of Cutting for 1848 is ready , and will supersede everything ofthe kind heretofore conceived . All the Plates are numbered and lettered , and on the scale of Eighteen Inehes ; Whole size , never before attempted , containing _tirenty-tflree square feet : particulars , post free . Patent Measures , with full explanation , 8 s . the set . New Patent Indicator , for ascer . taining proportion and disproportion , illustrated with Diagrams , price ** s . Patterns to Measure ( all registered according to Act of Parliament ) , post free , Is . each . Tho whole sold by Read and Co ., 12 , _Hart-street Blooms _, bury-square , London ; and all Booksellers . Post-office orders , and Post Stamps , taken as Cash . Habits performed for the Trade . Busts for fitting Coats on ; Boys ' figures . Foremen provided . — Instructions ia cutting complete , for all kinds of Style and Fashion , which can be accomplished in an incredibly short time .
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# TF so , send Ohe Shilling JL and a Stamp to J . WILLIB , 4 , Bell ' s Buildings , Salisbury Square , London , and receive by return ( with _, out fail ) BRANDE'S EN . AMEL for filling the decayed spots . An instant and per manent cure . Charged by Dentists 2 s . 6 d . Enough for three Teeth . One Thousand Boxes posted weekly . Agents
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PO RTRAIT OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR , Esq ., M . P ., T MARTIN informs his friends and the Chartist body generally , that he has reduced the price of his lithographic full-length portrait of their Illustrious Chief to the following price : —Prints , Is ; coloured ditto , 2 s . 6 d . Also , a beautiful lithographic portrait ofW . Dixon , late of Manchester , now one of the Directors , by T , Martin . Price—plain , Is ., coloured , 2 s . PEOPLE'S EDITION . To be had at tho Northebn Stab office , 16 , Great _Windmill-Bti-eet , Haymarket ; at the Office of the National Land Company , 144 , High Holborn ; Sweet , Goose Gate Nottingham ; Heywood , Manchester , and all booksellers n the United Kingdom ,
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A GOOD FIT WARRANTED at the Great Western Emporium , 1 and 2 , Oxford-street . Ubsdell and Co are now making to order a Suit of beautiful Superfine Black , any size , for £ 3 _l's . Patent made Summer Trow _, sers , 16 s ; _Registered Summer Over Coats , 29 s . The Art of Cutting _taughtt Patterns of Garments Cut to Mea . sure for tho Trade , and sent ( post free ) for Is . 6 d . each , or eighteen postage stamps . Address , Charles Ubsdell , 1 and 2 , Oxford street , London .
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CHARTERYILLE . NEAR MINSTER LOVEL . EDMUND STALLWOOD respectfully informs his brother Allottees , Neighbours , and Friends , that he has been appointed Agent by au eminent Mercantile House in London , and can supply Teas , Coffees , Sugars , Oatmeal , and General Grocery of the finest quality , at London Prices , at their own doors . _*»• -. Forward your orders to Edmund Stallwood , No . 20 , Two Acres , Brizenorton-road . —Orders promptly attended to , and punctually executed . N . B . —Stationery of every description .
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TO BE SOLD , THE RIGHT of LOCATION on a Four Acre . Allotment , situated in Warwickshire , near Kidderminster , which will shortly be ready for Location . The above Estate is of the best quality of Land , and conveniently situated to several good Markets . Letters containing terms , and _enclosing postage stamp , tobe addressed—Z . L ., care of Mr J . Lord , News Agent , $ orthgate , Halifax .
^Mtfrntptg*
_^ _mtfrntptg *
(From The <7o*«Tte Of Tuesday, April 18....
( From the < 7 _o _*« tte of Tuesday , April 18 . ) BANKRUPTCY ANNULLED . Charles Ellis , of Easthothly , Sussex , grocer—James Wade , of Lisson-grove , draper . BANKRUPTS . Edward Benten , of 23 , _Tottenham-court-road , pawnbroker- James Sidney _Stopford , of 8 , Austin . _friars , merchant—Hannah Prosser and Ann _Prosser , late of Bond _, street , milliners—Diedrick John Elster and James Godfrey _Elster , of 41 , _Threadneedle-street ,
merchants-Edmund _Townsend , of _Hungerford-mai-ket _, and 9 , _Gros . _venor-street West , fishmonger—Lucy Churchyard , of _Marlret-hill , Woodbridge , butcher—Robert Blake Webb , of Bury St Edmunds , _draper—William KiUard , of Swindon , innkeeper—Jno . Shave , of Bristol , licensed victualler —Mary Hetherington , of Lyme Regis , Dorsetshire , innkeeper—William Dyson , of Wakefield , Yorkshire , grocer —James Greenwood , of Haworth , Yorkshire , worsted spinner—Anthony Harrison , of _Bootle-cum-Linacre , Lancashire , joiner-Adam _Marsland , of Macclesfield , silk manufacturer—Richard Wilson , of Hartlepool , ship _, owner .
INSOLVENT PETITIONERS . George Spicer _, of Bath , milkman-Thomas Norton , of Loose , near Maidstone , millwright—John Eaton , of Huyton , Lancashire , saddler—Joseph Spencer of Bilston , tinman—Thomas Hargreaves , of Neath , Glamorganshire , attorney—Charles Kennett _, of _Hungerford-street , Westminster , coach proprietor—WilUam Pidwell _, of Charlestown , Cornwall , cooper—Benjamin Dance , ef _Shelsley Beauchamp , Worcestershire , farmer—Samuel Large , of Bath , butcher— William Robbins , of Bath , retailer of lobacco—Charles Addis , of Worcester , assistant turnkey —William Pugh , of Birmingham , coach proprietor-William Priest , of Bath , professor of music .
SCOTCH SEQUESTRATIONS . James M'Arthur , of Monikie contraetor—John Park , of Rutherglen , grocer—Richard Reid , of Glasgow , wright—Eugene Campbell , of Oban , sadler—John Adams Bower and RobertCleugh , jun ., of Dundee _. _cardmanufacturers—John Laurie , of _Edinburgh , farmer—Thomas Carswell of Paisley , tailor-Peter Christie , of Grangemouth , _draner —D . Gavin Scott , of Dunfermline , power-laom manufacturer—John Keith Sim , of Glasgow , commission amnt—William Fulton , of Glasgow , tanner—John Philp , of Leith distiller-James M'lndoe , of Glasgow , wright—Andrew _Lawrie _, of Edinburgh , farmer ,
Just Published , ^~~~
JUST PUBLISHED , _^~~~
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FBICB glXPBKCJ . NO ' . XH OF " THE LABOURER " _CONTBNTS _, ' 1 . _T _& _i Marseillaise _xndtfourirpeu r laPatrif ? . lated by Ernest Jones . _^ tr _» _ns . 2 . _Insurrections ei the _Wwklng Classes . —Tho ti sites . Has _« 3 . The Poor Man ' s Legal Manual . —The Law nfn- . 4 . The Boy ' s Sony . 0 f _*«* . & . Tha Pirate ' s Prize . { Cmctodedd 6 . ThePartingQuest . 7 . The Romance of a _People . 8 . Our ' Charter . 9 . The _Mealmongcrs—An Irish Sketch . 10 , The German Youth . Letters ( pro-paid ) to be addressed to the Baiters i « Great Windmill Street , Haymarket , London . ' ' Orders received by all agents for the "Northern Star * and all booksellers in town and country _.
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JUST PUBLISHES , ( Uaiform with the " Labovkbb" Magasine , ) Price 6 d . A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON _SPADF HUSBANDRY , B being the results of f « ur yaars' _experience . Br J . SlLLBW . JEKK _^& h _^ _J _^ Uireet ' _^
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JH 8 t Published , pri « e One Penny , A LETTER by _PsAsooa _O'Conkok , Esq ., M . P ., 'TO THE RICH AND THB POOR ; To those who Live in Idleness Without Labour , and to tbese who are Wil . ling to Labour but Compelled to St **™ . '
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Priee 2 _« . per 100 . or 18 s . per leOO . _C II /' HAT WAV BE DONE WITK THREE ACRES V v OP LAND , ' Explained in a Letter , hy _Pemkics O'Connob , Esq ., M . P , To be had atthe Office of the National Land Company 141 , High Holborn .
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Now Ready , a New Edition of MR . O'CONNOR'S WORK ON SMALL FARMS . To be had atthe Northern Star Office , 16 , Great Wind * mill Street ; and of Abel Heywood ; Manchester .
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JUST PUBLISHED , Price Threepence . ( Forming 32 large 8 vo . pages , ) A VERBATIM REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION , Ineluding full particulars of the Meeting at Kennington Common , and the proceedings of the People and the _Government on this momentous subject _. Northern Star Offiee , _ Great _"WintlBiill-street , J . Watson , Paternoster row , London * , Abel Heywoo d , Manchester ; ' and all Booksellers in Town and Country .
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THE DEATH OP LIBERTY . Should the present Bill for the Suppression of Public Opinion become law , as is intended , on Saturday , our next number will appear in full mourning - , and will contain the causes which led to the death ofthe deceased , with the inquest upon the remains , and the FUNERAL procession .
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MR O'CONNOR AT NOTTINGHAM . Mr O'Connor requests us to state that he will be at Nottingham Station at the hour appointed for the procession on Monday next ; and further , that he has declined an invitation of tens of thousands of his warm hearted countrymen to attend a meeting- in Dublin on that day , rather than disappoint his constituents .
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In answer to a correspondent , I beg to state that it is utter ly impossible for Mr Haraey to _dischatge his duties to the Northern Star and act as delegate in the National Assembly . Feargus O'Connor .
The Northern Star, Saturday. Afril 22, !Si8.
THE NORTHERN STAR , SATURDAY . AFRIL 22 , ! Si 8 .
Parliamentary Review. Ba C Ked B Y A Pan...
PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . Ba c ked b y a panic-stricken majority the Whigs have succeeded in violating the constitution of the country , and in passing a law , which , in spirit , reduces Great Britain and Ireland to a more degraded position , as respects the ri ght of free speech , than that from which Germany and Italy have just : emanci patee themselves . To affix the sti gma of crime to the utterance of opinions is an act so monstrous , that when the panic has passed away , men of all classes , and of all parties , will wonder
that it should have been perpetrated . But , _though what is called sedition may , in law , [ be felony in future , and punishable as such , _| the common sense ef men will revolt against both the descri ption and the penalty , and any prosecutions that may be instituted under the new law , will he likel y to carry with them little o £ the w ei g ht and power of that true arbiter of all questions—public opinion . The gallant minority , who resisted this atrocious measure at every stage of its progress in the House of
_CommonSjWere not wholly unsuccessful . Small as they were in number , they compelled the Minister so far to give way as to make the most obnoxious pa r t of t he Bill , that which app lied to " . open and advised speaking , " a temporary , instead of a permanent provision , as was originally proposed . They also forced the adoption of various amendments in detail , which will , to some extent , protect the liberty ofthe subject , when the law comes to be _enforced . One of the curiosities of
Parliamentary debating occurred m the . discussion upon the second reading of the Bill in the House of Lords on Wednesday . Henry , Lord Brougham , with that consistency and love of freedom for which he is so hi ghl y distinguished , gave what he called " a salutary warning " to newspaper proprietors , editors , and reporters , that they must not entertain the fond notion that they had , in future , a ri ght to print whatever was said in Parliament , for , although members might make treasonable and seditious speeches in their p laces in Parliament , and be protected by his privilege from punishment—proprietors , editors , and reporters might be transported for recording the f ac t , as thoug h th e y had "invented " the treason or sedition " themselves . If
Smith O'Brien , for inst a nce , were to come over after Easter , and deliver another speech , like that he delivered last week , the public Press must either suppress the speech , | or print ifc with the penalty of transportation ' for not less than seven years in view , as the consequence of their exercising a hitherto undisputed right ! Henry , Lord Brougham is , however , not a very eminent lawyer , however hot headed he may be as a partisan . It is part of his nature to be always aiming at " capp ing the climax . ' However far anybody may be prepared to go ,
the eccentric Broug ham will go further . We had , therefore , some doubts as to the validity of this dictum ofthe ex-Chancellor , which were confirmed by the speech of Lord Camp bell , who followed him , and who , though a " heavy , " is at all events a safer guide than his erratic countryman . He repudiated the idea that the Bill would punish editors , proprietors , or reporters , for g iving speeches to the world which were spoken in Parliament , even though they were treasonable ; and added , he should be ashamed of himself if he brought forward or
supported any measure having that object in view . This point , however , though apparently so clearly settled by Lord Campbell ' s speech , was , after all , left in a very doubtful state at the close of the debate . The Earl of St Germans , at a latter stage of the discussion , revived the question , and urged that the mischief done by the mere speaking , was small compared with what was done by the _publican tion of these speeches . He had no wish to include the speeches delivered in Parliament , but the case was very different when speeches were made at the National Convention , and he
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 22, 1848, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_22041848/page/4/
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