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E ing, howeverthat he was deceived in th...
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TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , M. P. Sir,—I deman...
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TO MR. D. M'GOWAN , PRINTER. Sir,—Will y...
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TO FEARGUS O' CONNOR, ESQ., M.P. Sir,—We...
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Boltox, Aprii 15. Fi-iitNn Harney.—Have ...
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Empmal $ atffamettt.
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Monday, Aprii, 23. HOUSE OF LORDS. — Sal...
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the mercantile marine, which was the ma ...
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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.
The Stanfield-Hall Murders. Executio"Fo ...
ing , however , that he was deceived in thi 3 hope , and that . he could not impose on them a doubt of his suilt , he became dissatisfied with them also , and his last interview with them , as wiU be seen , terminated in a violent altercation . The chaplain , who had determined to refuse to him the sacrament while he remained impenitent and without confession , was apprehensive that he would request to have it administered on the day of his execution . He , however , expressed no such wish _, but about five minutes _before he left the chapel to be pinioned he said he had hoped that it had been the intention of Mr . Black and Mr . Andrews to receive the sacrament with him . The chaplain came to him about halfpast eight o ' clock this morning , and he seemed glad ing , however , that he was deceived in thi 3 hone , an . l
to join in devotion , but whenever his guilt was assumed , and confession and repentance were urged on him , his constant reply was , " God knows my heart ; He is my judge , and you have prejudged me . " Last night at nine o ' clock Mr . Pinson went to speak to Rush relative to a letter sent to him by his eldest daughter , expressed , it is said , in a very Sroper and feeling manner . Mr . Pinson had two oors to unlock close to tho bedside ofthe prisoner hefore he could approach him , yet Rush professed to have been in a profound sleep when awakened by him . He had not retired to rest more than an half hour previously , and Mr . Pinson was perfectly satisfied that he could not have heen asleep as he pretended . He kept his bed till 11 or 12 o ' clock , and
told the turnkeys in attendance on him that he haa had a beautiful sleep , yet no five minutes in the interval had passed that his eyes were not wide open and fixed on theirs . About two o ' clock becoming very restless , he got up and commenced reading a religious book , passages of which he interlined , expressing at the same time a wish that the hook mi ght be given to his family . Thus two or three hours of the 'short time remaining to him passed away . He then got into bed again , but could not rest , and was up and down constantly until the chaplain came to hun . For breakfast he requested that a little thin gruel mi g ht be given to him . He was then engaged in reading till after ten o ' clock , when he went to the chapel and heard service
performed with the other prisoners . This lasted till twenty minutes to twelve o clock , and at its close lie was left with the chaplain and Mr . Andrews . They again solemnly urged upon hun the duties of repentance and confession , but he became much irritated , repeated his innocence , and said that the real criminal would be known in two years . He was proceeding to quarrel violently with them , when Mr . Pinson entered the chapel and removed him . Mr . Pinson states , as a further illustration of the prisoner ' s state of mind ; that he hardly ever visited him without his saying * * Thank God Almighty , all is right . " At one of the interviews with Ms family at which he was present Rush asked whether the Queen would he in a hurry to hang bim , and upon
bang expostulated with for using such an exprer . sion , added , " I am all ready for that . You cannot suppose that having prepared my defence , I am not ready in that respect Thank God Almighty , I am quite prepared to die . " _Nothing in his conduct is more remarkable than the reliance wldch he p laced upon his defence of himself , his confidence in his power to convince others of his innocence , and his anger at hearing that the world was unanimous in thinking him guilty . On leaving the chapel he went into the prison vard and washed bis . face and hand 3 and the back o _' f his neck with cold water at the pump . From the prison yard he was conducted to the room of one of the turnkeys , where Calcraft , the executioner , was waiting to receive him . On observing him , Rush said , " Is that the man who is to perform this duty ? " To which Mr . Pinson
replied that it was . Calcraft then desired him to sit down , which he did , and the operation of piniorr-Ing commenced . The prisoner , who appeared perfectly calm and collected , said with a shrug , " This don ' t go easy , I don ' t want the cord to hurt me . " His request was complied with , and the rope was moved a little to g ive him relief . He then said that be was comfortable , and the sad procession having heen formed , he was conducted to his doom . These details will furnish some idea of what had taken place within the Castle previous to the moment of execution , and of the frame of mind in which tbe wretched being was when about to be referred from the justice of man to the awful presence of his Maker . It is now necessary to give some description ofthe preparations which had been made for rendorin _? the execution of such a criminal
as solemn and impressive as possible . For this purpose the situation of _Norwich Castle and the stylo of its architecture are strikingly adapted . It is a fine massive structure , the principal feature of which is an immense square tower , supported by buttresses , between the intervals of which a profusion of small blind arches are pannellcd . From this tower extends on each side a low battlementcd wall , within which the prison is placed . It stands on a hill or mound which forms the highest ground in _Norwich , and has a commanding view of the city with its cathedral and numerous churches , and also of the surrounding country . The strong gray walls arc surrounded bya spacious terrace , beneath which is the moat , and beyond that again an iron railing .
The principal approach is from the market place , and is about one hundred yards in length , the centre being formed by a bridge over the moat . On this bridge the drop was erected , and so situate , had , as niaybe imagined , a very striking effect . This was heightened by an immense black flag , which was suspended over tbe entrance to the Castle , and which , as it surged slowly in the wind , was well calculated to solemnise the minds of the spectators . Although it was market-day , there was no great collection of people on the fatal scene until the hour of execution had almost arrived . The morning was cold , dismal , and cheerless , and the few groups collected on the hill were principally farmers , attracted there as much by business as curiosity . They eyed ,
at a respectful distance , tho dreadful apparatus of death , and in little knots , with bated breath , talked over the fate of the wretched man , whom many of them had no doubt known and bargained with , and whose occupation in life was similar to their own . As the day advanced , the sun shone out , and the inhabitants ofthe city came up in greater numbers to the spot . Shortly before twelve o ' clock the number of spectators received a great accession . The trains from Yarmouth arid other places came in loaded with passengers , and the population of the whole surrounding country poured towards the spot . There might have been 12 , 000 or 13 , 000 people present—a large number , certainly , to be attracted bv curiosity and the love of excitement to a
spectacle so painful as a public execution . Among them , as is usual upon such occasions , were a large number of women and boys , eagerly looking for the appearance of the prisoner , and passing the interval much in thc same manner as the galleries of our theatres do between the acts on a Shakspere nig ht with Macready as the star . Some housetops had a few spectators upon them , and wc observed a great number of people perched upon the square tower of one of the city churches . Thc short space between the Castle entrance and the drop was lined on one side by tbe magistrates of the county , and on the other by the representatives of the press . At List the death knell began to toll from the spire of St . Peter ' s Mancroft , and short ! v after 12 o ' clock the procession
emerged from the Castle , and took its way to the drop . First came the Sheriffs and javelin men , and then followed the convict , attended by the Governor and executioner ; on their way they were met by the chaplain , who read the funeral service with a loud voice . The wretched prisoner moved along with great firmness . He was dressed in black , wore patent leather . boots , and had his shirt collar , which was scrupulously clean , turned over . As his head was bare the features of his face could be distinctly marked . They bad undergone no perceptible change since his triaL Perhaps he might have looked somewhat paler , but bis determined expression had sot changed , nnd the man was in all respects the same unwavering , resolute being , who for six days conducted his own defence in a court of justice ,
though oppressed , not only by tbe conviction of his enormous guilt , but also by the knowledge that it had been so clearly brought home to him . His step never faltered , and he regularly marched to his doom . On catching si g ht of the scaffold he lifted his eyes to Heaven , raised as far as he could his pinioned hands , and shook his head mournfully from side to side once or twice . The pantomime was perfect , conveying almost as clearly as words a protest of innocence , combined with resignation to his fate . As he walked along , he asked the governor what the words were with which the burial service ended . He was told that it was with the benediction , " lhe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ , " & c , and he requested that the drop might fall when the chaplain came to those words _.
The wretched man then mounted the scaffold , but instead of looking to the crowd without turned his face to the Castle walls . Calcraft immediately drew the white nightcap over his head , and , fastening the fatal rope to tbe beam , adjusted the noose to his neck . The unhappy man , even at this dreadful moment , bad not lost his coolness . " This does not go easy , " he said , put the thing a little higher— - take your time—don't be in a hurry . " These were Ma last words . The rope was in the right placethe drop feU—and in an instant the murderer was dead . No struggles ensued , and the dreadful ceremony was performed as quickly and well as is practicable , and with fewer revolting circumstances than wnnoui
usual During the whole time tne crowu maintained a solemn silence , aud the only sounds that accompanied the fall of the body , and jerking ofthe tightened rope , were one or two faint shrieks . After being suspended for one hour it was cut down and carried back to the Castle on a Utter . There a cast was taken from it , after which it was placed in a shell previous to interment within the precincts . At five o clock the features had undergone so great a change that no one could recognise them . The hair had then been shaved off , and the craniologic . il development might be accurately observed . The appearances presented certainly seemed to justify the verdict of the jury . Thus perished , while still in the prime of life , James Blomfield Rush , the _perpetrator of the Stanfield Ball murders .
E Ing, Howeverthat He Was Deceived In Th...
APRIL 28 . 1840 . _Trrr < * M / M- » _mrr-nT _, _* r _~ TiJ _E NORTHERN STAR . 7 I _. _^^ ~ ' 11 _""** - _^ . - "" _,. _,.. ¦ _. - — -tm — _.. ¦ - - ¦ , __^_ ____„
To Feargus O'Connor , M. P. Sir,—I Deman...
TO FEARGUS _O'CONNOR , M . P . Sir , —I demand insertion for this letter in the ensuing number of your own paper ; and , if you are not afraid of its appearance , you will comply with that demand . You speak of conferring " alms , " and of the " largest recipients invariably being your greatest revilers . " You have never " conferred alms" upon me . I have never been one either of the * * largest '' or least " recipients , " or a recipient , of your money , in any shape ; nor have I been one of your " greatest revilers . " You say " He gave me a bill for £ 26 5 s ., which was dishonoured , and has never yet been paid , except in unmiti gated abuse . " You know that Inever gave you a bill , in my life—either for the sum you mention , or for any other sum ; and you ought not to tell such an untruth . You Know th at neither you nor I were parties te , tbe transaction to which you refer ; and as for _U < _unmitigated abuse , I have never dealt in it , either towardsyou , or any other person . To ~ _Fi ? _ir-r-T-r ntr . ni-, -- ,
You say " The Poet waited upon me , with his child under his arm , and told me that he had waited upon Disraeli , Douglas Jerrold , Dickens , and several other literary characters , in the hope of receiving their assistance to bring out his poem . He told me that they all gavo him fair words , but . added , with tears in his eyes , that I was his only nope . His tears softened my heart and opened my pocket . I gave him an order upon a printer to print and find paper at my expense , "—and then follows your statement about the bill , —concluding your account of your own conduct and mine ; but which account I must , if you please , render in to a true version .
I did not " wait upon you with my child under my arm . " Some weeks after my liberation from Stafford Gaol , my friend and former acquaintance , Mr . M ' Gowan , desired me to call upon you . I told him you had used me ill , having denounced me while I lay in prison ; and that , although you had withdrawn some of your charges against me , publicly , _¦*—yet you had not withdrawn your untrue charge about my having had your money ; and until you displayed honour enough to do so , I would not call upon you . Mr . M'G . assured me , in return , that you had charged him to request me to call on you , that you were deeply sorry for . the misunderstanding between us , that you respected me highly , and that nil would be explained , if I would call . Upon
t lese assurances ,. I called on you ; but I had not my poem with me . I came with no idea of showing it to you . You sprang up , when I intimated that I expected your explanation , and said we would have none—you were glad to see me—and wc would be friends again . We did , however , enter into some explanations ; and though I blamed your want of wisdom in believing the stories of the degraded man who had left the gaol , and who , although an utter stranger to you , and an avowed enemy to Chartism , you had believed , —I acquitted you from the charge of culpability , in a great degree , when you showed me a calumnious letter , signed by persons to whom my conduct had been as kind and open , as theirs was unkind and underhand . I gave you my hand ,
and therewith my heart . My nature is not vindictive ; and I should hate myself if it were . You had my attachment again . It might not be worth much ; but I gave it sincerely , —and that without any thought of ever deriving any wordly or pecuniary advantage from you . I sat with you some time , and I at length told you how I had called upon Mr . Duncombe to thank him for his kind and persevering attention to my case , in Parliament ; and how he had given mean introduction to Mi * . Disraeli . I then told you of Mr . Disraeli ' s kind reception of me , and of his persevering attempts to get a publisher for my " Purgatory' —all of which failed . I did not tell you that I had " waited upon Douglas Jerrold , Dickens , and several other literary characters , in the hope , & c . " I had not then seen either Mr . Jerrold or Mr . Dickens . This , lam conscious , is simply a mistake ,
and not au intentional untruth , on your part . You are confounding several conversations in one : I have often known you do this ; but I set it down to you not as a fault , hut as the result of multifarious business in confusing your mind . Therein you are only like other men . I did not tell you that only "fair words" were given me by any literary man ; this expression was applied to the fashionable publishers , to whom I had been recommended by Mr . Disraeli . That , again , is merely a slip of memory on your part . I did not " add , with tears in my eyes , that yon were my only hope . " I had no hope whatever in you—no expectation whatever , as it regards my poem . _Jfor did I shed a single tear in that interview . I was not at all in dolorous mood . A reconciliation had taken place with one to whom I had been formerly strongly attached ; and any one who has the least kindness in his constitution can
understand that tbe heart is not much disposed to melancholy at such seasons . Besides , you laughed and cracked your jokes—you told your tales of rich humour ( and none can tell better than yourself)—and you " wrapped yourself round me" ( to use a Lincolnshire phrase ) completely . As for " hope , " it was so far from being extinct with me that I felt the fullest confidence I should yet find a publisher , and that my prison-rhyme would make me remembered in the future , though it might not benefit mc much during life . Hope ! who can suppose that , after trampling upon all the difficulties which had surrounded me , I was without hope , now I knew my mind-labour was finished ?
You pressed me to come and breakfast with you next morning , and to bring my poem with me that you might hear some of it read . I did so ; and noiv I wept while rending the stanzas in the third book , which refer to my dear mother ; and you wept while listening to them . I took it to be a ; proof of your right feeling ; and I do not think that either you or I have any need to be ashamed of our weeping together on that occasion . You say that my tears softened your heart . I am glad of it . May the tender influences ever remain with you ! But you add— " and opened my pocket . " I beg your pardon , sir : indeed I had no such magical influence upon you , * and the " open sesame" would have had little value , if I had possessed the secret—for your
pocket , as I learnt from your own confession soon after , had little or nothing in it about that time . The following morning I breakfasted with you again , —for you would not be said " Nay ; " and again you sat a long time to hear me read passages from mv "Purgatory . " You frequentlv exclaimed , ' * Equal to _" Milton !"— " Sublime ! " and I know not what beside ; and , at the conclusion ofthat sitting swore ( forgive me , but it is a fact !) that you would 2 mblish my poem . I jeered at what you said ; for I thought it absurd , at the moment . But you repeated it , with the same orthodox emphasis . I asked you how you would or could publish it ; but you replied it did not matter—you _ivould publish it , and I should see that you would .
You say "I gave him an order upon a printer to print and find paper at my expense . " You know that is a mis-statement . You never gave me any such order . Mr . M'Gowan told me some days after my third interview with you , that I was to bring my manuscript to him , for that you had given Mm an order to print it . I sought you again , and asked you what you meant . You replied that " you would print the book and find a publisher for it—you would bring it out—did I suppose _^ you were mocking me ? " You spoke angrily , ami as if you were hurt , by my questions ; and I could not doubt your sincerity—so thanked you and withdrew . When about half of the poem was printed , Mr . M'Gowan said to me that I had better call upon you
again , and remind you it was time a publisher was found , and that advertisements began to make their appearance , announcing the poem . You said '' Good morning , Mr . Milton , " in your jocular way , as I entered your room ; but your behaviour was utterly changed when I told you my errand . You told me that I must find a publisher , for you could not ; and as for advertising , you could not advertise the book : it must advertise itself ! I felt so shocked by this answer , that I could only answer you with difficulty ; but I told you you had brought me into a difficultv . You saw I was hurt ; and you imniediatelv softened your tone , and said to me with a look of distress that I shall never forget , " Cooper , I have not the monev to do it . I declare , if I eould
afford to pay for the 500 copies and g ive them away , I would . However , I will undertake to dispose of 200 copies for you , by some means or other . But I have not the money to advertise for you . I declare to you that I often know what it is to dine upon ninepence . I often go and get a basin of soup , and have nothing more , because I cannot afford a dinner . " Your words distressed me ; but more on- your account than my own . I replied "Mr . O Connor , I cannot expect you to do what I have asked , under such circumstances ; but I am sorry that you have placed me in such a predicament . After such a confession from you , I easily understood why Mr . M'Gowan presented me with a written memorandum , which he requested me to sign—observing that he had drawn it up by your request , and that you had said Cooper would have no objection to sigh it . Bythis paper Mr . M'Gowan and I became the contracting parties ; and you were , thencefrom
forward , excluded , in my mind , altogether , responsibility . A copy of the document will show that I could have no other thought , after signing it . I remarked to Mr . M'Gowan , on signing this document , " You mom- take my reBponsibdity instead of Mr . O'Connor ' s ; and I am better pleased that it is f ° - _My only doubt remains about finding a publisher to take a printed book : and how is it to be advertised ? " Mr . M'G . replied that he could not advertise it , but he would go with me in search of a publisher . We went , a few days afterwards , to a publisher m the Strand , and tried our luck , but found none . Mr . M'G . told me to be of good cheer , for he had no doubt we should succeed somewhere , and we parted . On leaving him , Imet with my friend John Cleave , and seeing me look thoughtful , he asked what was the matter with me . I told him of my difficulty ; and he immediately offered to give me an introduction to Mr . Jerrold , that I mightask his aid in getting a publisher . Mr . Jerrold received mo lfee a brotaer , showed the half 0 f my . poem
To Feargus O'Connor , M. P. Sir,—I Deman...
which was printed to Mr . DickC . ns ( who afteiwards received me in the same fraternal spirit)—and then US i- i ! * nterest wi _* h Mr . How , who consented to publish my poem , and assured me , with the greatest kindness , that he would undertake the expense of advertising it . Overjoyed , I paid you another visit , told you how Jerrold had revived me , and of the prospects that were opening . I felt no unkindly spirit within me towards you . I considered that you had purposed , at first , to do more than you found you were able to do ; and I respected you for your good purposes . I talked over the whole affair with some who said your only purpose , from the first , had been to damn my book , and who talked vcrv bitterly
_anoutyou . I did not believe them or regard them . They have since joined you again , and become your humble servants . When my poem was brought out , and tho nobly generous review of it appeared in the Britannia , I told you the news , and you seemed p leased and gratified , and I believed you sincere . But when I asked you about the 200 copies , you said ; "No ; I only said 100 , " and laughed . I laughed likewise , for I felt sure that such a notice as that in the paper just mentioned , would cause a _spcody sale of the first odition , - and so it fell out . You afterwards backed out of your promise altogether , and refused to take even a single copy . But I care nothing about that . The publisher , encouraged by the rapid sale of the first few days , offered to take
the whole edition , and Mr . M'Gowan consented to it . I was discharged by Mr . M'Gowan from my part of the Agreement with him ; and , thenceforth , the whole affair became a matter of business between him and my publisher . The latter paid him his bill of £ 40 19 s . for printing the 500 copies ; but the bill for the paper Mr . M'Gowan said he could not furnish until he had it from your stationers , the Messrs . Venables , by whom the paper had been supplied . Mr . How told me this ; but neither he nor I had the sli htest suspicion that you had anything to do with it . My Agreement ' recited that Mr . M'Gowan was to "find paper" for printing the poem upon ; and when , at length , the account for the paper ( about £ 15 ) was sent to Mr .
How , he considered himself as indebted to Mr . M'Gowan—not to you , for it . Afterwards , Mr . How having made himself responsible for all demands , agreed to pay for the advertisements in the Star , as well ; and gave Mr . . M'Gowan an acceptance , which , it seems , including the cost of paper , and advertisements , amounted to .- £ 20 5 s . When you first announced that this acceptance had been dishonoured , I was uneasy about it ; and went to Mr . M'Gowan to tell him , that though I had not received any profits from the sale of the 500 copies , if he would procure me the returned bill , I would borrow money and discharge it . He said he would try to do so . I called again , but he said he could not get it , sinco you had paid it away to Messrs . Venables . I told him to obtain it as soon as ho could . Lately , I learnt
that Mr . How had been asked for the money again . I went to Mr . M'Gowan , and told him to consider me as the debtor ; and he told me I need be under no uneasiness about it . I am sure it is not by his will that you thus renew your ungenerous and untrue statements . I am not your debtor . Mr . How was not your debtor . I have consented to stand as debtor to Mr . M'Gowan . He has no claim upon me , legally ; but he shall not lose the money . I know nothing of any arrangements between you and him ; whatever , they may be I am sure he will not defraud you ; nor shall I break my promise to Mr . M'G . He shall be paid , as soon as I can earn the money . Let me beg that , henceforth , you will not repeat your untruth that
I " gave you a bill for £ 26 5 s . " And let any man say if honcster conduct was _eyer shown by a poor poet than I am showing in this instance . I shall spend but few words on the remaining part of your letter . You say , "Tom is a most comical genius . " I think my readers will say that you are mistaken , and that the " comic" is not my peculiar vein . Whatever my " genius" may be , however , it will live when you aro forgotten . You apply the term " Atheist" to me . It is misapplied , Sir . I have never been an Atheist . " Infidel is a term applied to almost all who think for themselves , and who happen to have been either "Protestant " or "Dissenter , " and afterwards see reason to reject some orthodox mystery . You are welcome to
employ such a term to me , if it suits your taste ; but , remember that you are not orthodox , and that , therefore , others may apply the term to you . You ought to be ashamed of applying thc term " boozy " to one who was never degraded by drinking habits in his life—who never was in a public-house to drink even the smallest quantity till he was thirty years of age—and who , in the succeeding fourteen years of his life has never been in such a house , except to obtain refreshment when he was exhausted by talking or journeying , and then—never to incur any danger of inebriation . You know that 1 only broke my teetotalism of some years from sheer exhaustion of frame , and medical advice , after my imprisonment , and that I would willingly resume it if 1 could . I never give offence , however , to conscientious teetotalers . Let the Bolton men witness for me . I never took any other than their teetotal drinks while with them . I am too glad to see temperance
spread to throw any obstacle in its way , willingly . I need scarcely notice your Bolton correspondent ' s letter . You tell your readers that its perusal will repay them . How unworthy is your conduct of a gentleman by birth and education ! You ought to be above pandering to the ignorance and prejudice of the poor man who writes you this letter . You ought to have written to him , privately , to advise him to read the lives of the glorious Hampden and his Commonwealth compeers for himself , and to learn that so far from being " infamous , " they were grand and noble exemplars to Englishmen . Unless he meant that the "Blessed Martyr , " Strafford , and Laud , were "infamous ; " and if he did he ought to have said so , and to have acknowledged that I did well in teaching my own order to have better and more correct views than the " Book of Common Prayer" gives them , about Charles I .
I did not say I believed you to be insincere in carrying out your Land Plan . Experience has taught me that there are fewer human monsters than some people say ; and that good motives arc often mixed with less praiseworthy motives , in mos men . You would be a monster if you were insincere in your Land Plan : a cruel monster . But I do not believe you to be one . You would take real pleasure in seeing working-men happy on your estates ; and not the less because you would be the instrument of their happiness . I think you were in error in proposing your Plan , but it was an error of
the head not of the heart . Why should you be angry because I express now what I expressed in yourown room _^ when you were starting your Plan ? I liave waited , and would have confessed my error , if I had learnt that your Plan had succeeded ; but your Star does not assure me of your success . I state now what I stated at Bolton , and have often stated , from yourown confession of poverty , and from the information of Joshua Hobson and John Ardill , who were fully acquainted with your concerns , that one strong motive for your commencing the Land Plan was " to recruit vour exhausted means
for carrying on the Star , and to enable you to keep your position . I never said that you had used the Land monies without paying them back . I never thought itof you . Istated what I did think , and I have now stated it again . If my thoughts and information were correct you have only done as many other public men have done : projected an intentional good for others , with thc view also to help yourself . You are only like hundreds of other men in this respect . Why should you claim a character superior to _theh-3 _* I have never " solicited the patronage of the Free Traders . " My sympathies do not lay that way , and all who know me , or hear mo talk publicl y , can testify it . But if you _tvere io see what Mr , _ArrOWamith has done for his workmen you would rejoice
at it . I enclose you a copy of the last number of my V Plain Speaker , " that you may read my description of what he has done ; and if you visit Bolton you will find it all confirmed . Your Bolton correspondent finds a mare ' s nest . He discovers that my "errand was the circulation of my penny paper ; " and that I had sent a man round the town with circulars . Just so : I had a two-fold _[ mrpose—as you often have—to sow moral and poitical truth by talking to the people , and also to spread my paper . This latter purpose was so little in my mind , however , that my publisher had to send the circulars after mc , and I had none to deliver before I reached Manchester . And have not las much right to spread my penny paper , as you have
to spread your fivepenny one ? You ought to be clad that Chartists are reading my letters to " The Young Men ofthe Working Classes . " You ought to advise them to read those letters ; you ought to leave off your injudicious and bad-tempered habit of raisin * and renewing quarrels ; and to pursue better p lans than you have ever yet done for spreading Chartism . Since your party expelled me , I have unceasingly toiled for Chartism . I shall help it , whether you like me to do so , or not . I shall labour for the relief of all who are suffering for it , as far as my _strength will allow . Chartism is as dear to mc as my h % ; and though cast out by your influence ; you can neither prevent my labouring for it , in with who mark
London , nor prejudice me any my daily life and conduct . By allowing any poor mistaken man tf apply such an epithet tome as that of " viper "— -you _. are stinging yourself , and _degrading your own character , both in the minds of working men in London , and all over the country . Once more , however , I will test your influence . I declined going to Stalybridge last Sunday , as soon as I saw your letter , and set off from _Manchester for my home , on Saturday at noon . I will noi go to anv of tho other towns in Lancashire , nor to any of the towns in Yorkshire , Northumberland , Ac to which I have been invited , until I am sent fora « ain . Four will has hitherto been law , among Chartist societies . I wait to see if _Jtsf ill be so , I will thrust my humble service on none , ff they do ,
To Feargus O'Connor , M. P. Sir,—I Deman...
not choose to hear one whom you have again _de-Wm'J-a ° _- _vish t 0 _•*«* * t " _hiring ; _Tknr _? _TnZizs _o , iaiK-iow , Knightsbrid ge , April 9 th , 1849 .
To Mr. D. M'Gowan , Printer. Sir,—Will Y...
TO MR . D . M'GOWAN , PRINTER . Sir , —Will you be kind enough , within the shortest possible space , and most distinctl y , to answer the three following questions . 1 st . —Who was security to you for the printing of Cooper ' s Purgatory of Suicides . " 2 nd .-Who holds the bill for £ 20 5 s ., given by the publisher for paper . Is that sum due to me or due to you 1 3 rd . —If the work had failed , who would you have held responsible for the printing ? I don ' t ask these questions ' for the purpose of showing that Mr . Cooper has written an intentional falsehood , but merely to show him that he is in error as regards the fact . Your obedient servant , Feargus O ' Connor .
o r u , Windmill-street , April 26 th , i , _T nav _,. a -ready stated the facts connected with the publication of Mr . Cooper's , Poem on two former occasions . I now state them for the third , and , I hope , the last , time . , _- —/! ' were security forthe amount of our hill for printing . 10 U g tho order , and , of course , gave a guarantee at the same time . 2 .-lou hold the bill for £ 26 os . ; it was handed to me oy Mr . Cooper in payment ofthe balance due for printing , paper , and advertising , and I handed it to you to pay for the paper , _whicTi had been supplied by your stationer . 3 _~? ad the w been a failure . yo « would most certainly have been responsible for the amount of our account . Your obedient servant , __ D . M'Gowan .
To Feargus O' Connor, Esq., M.P. Sir,—We...
TO FEARGUS O ' CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Sir , —We , the members of the Westminstet ; h * cahty ol the National Charter Association , herebv assure you that we dul y _appreciate your arduous _Jabours in behalf of the oppressed and _dtspiaed working classes . ; and also , that it is with deep regret that we now feel compelled to * address you in the language of remonstrance , but believing that _, thereby , we prove ourselves more your SINCERE FRIENDS , than the fawning sycophant , or the mawkish flatterer , we shall proceed respectfully to state the subject matter to which we desire to call your serious attention .
It was only on last Saturday week , that the columns of the _ATortnem Star closed on a very unwise and indiscreet discussion , relative to Republicanism . On last Saturday we find the columns of that paptr opened for a wanton , unprovoked , uncalled for , invidious , and violent attack on private character , and this t < o on a man that we believe to he NOT A VIPER _, but a sincere and sterling Chartist , an unflinching Democrat , arid ( by his great and transcendent talents ) an ornament to our order ; and further , in saying this of Mr . Cooper , we are ii opinion , that we express the honest convictions of thousands of our fellow men , I « our humble opinion , it would have been far
better in you , as a noble-minded Democrat , instead of publicly thanking your friend (?) at Bolton for the information , to have committed his communication to the flames , and treated the writer with the silent contempt that he deserved ; on the contrary ( we contend that by the course you have adopted , it is giving an unbounded licence to every little narrow jaundice-minded scribbler , who fancies he hears something or other , and that he sball curry favour b y so doing ; he at once forwards it and the same is published ; and what , wi ask , are the results of these petty _jealousies and squabbles ? Why this ; a great movement is split up , we are made a laughing-stock of by our enemies , and the true and sincere Democrat filled with heart-burning and sorrow .
Trusting , Sir , that you will receive this in all sincerity , We remain , Sir , your Brother Chartists , The Members of the Westminster _LocalitvI P . S . —We would also suggest , that there ought to be no distinction made between Charthts of old standing and new converts ; and that all your letters should be addressed to the Chartist body generally , and not to thc '' Old Guards . "
Boltox, Aprii 15. Fi-Iitnn Harney.—Have ...
Boltox , Aprii 15 . Fi-iitNn Harney . —Have the kindness to insert this , my defence , in answer to the one you received from Bolton , signed by the secretary , J . Vose . Sir , I feel myself honoured by the notice which Mr . O'Connor has taken of my communication ofthe 1 st inst . Had I thought it worthy of such notice , I would have given him full liberty to publish my name . I cannot conceive why the committee should feel so sore about it , except it be that dreadful monitor , conscience ; there was no allusion whatever to them . I shall not say a word about my own character , I am willing to leave that with the Chartists of Boiton , who know me . But ,
what will the . readers of the Star think of the character of a man who can say one thing on one day and deny it the next . From the terms used in tlie denial of this fact , I am compelled to mention the name . John Dore , oneof the committee , gave me the information , which was corroborated on the following day by another person , who was present when the Conversation took place . There was neither meanness nor malice intended by me . Both belong to private scanda _' , and particularly so when that scandal is directed against a _gent'eman and a man that has worked harder for the cause of the people than any other man that ever lived before him . I shall not trouble you any more on this matter , as I am willing to meet them face to face . "Y ours in the cause of right against might , James Lord .
Empmal $ Atffamettt.
_Empmal $ _atffamettt .
Monday, Aprii, 23. House Of Lords. — Sal...
Monday , Aprii , 23 . HOUSE OF LORDS . — Sale of Ancient Works of Art . —Lord Brougham wished to call the attention of his noble friend opposite ( the Marquis of Lansdowne ) to the existence of reports which asserted that those good-fornothing persons who occupied the place of thc government at Florence—now happily put downand those who usurped the government at Romewho were at present not put down , though he hoped they soon would be—an usurpation which was upheld first by murder , and next by pillage—had , for the purpose of maintaining what was begun in assassination and completed by plunder , laid their sacrilegious hands on the immortal monuments of human genius . He would fain hope that these rumours were without foundation , and he knew that in one respect at least they were so , for it had been asserted that the greatest work of sculpture in the world ( the noble and learned lord was understood to allude to the
Apollo Belvidere ) had been purchased by some person to be carried over to the United States . Now , he had inquired into the truth of this report , and he found that it was destitute of nil foundation . ( Hear , hear . ) He had also been told that the Transfiguration of Raphael had been purchased by a noble person who was a member of their lordships' House _, lie was happy to say that that rumour also was entirely without foundation . Even if such a thing had been done , he was quite sure that it would only have been by way of ransoming the noble captives from the bondage in which they were held , and
without a thought of holding them longer than till the time when they could be _restored to their lawful owners , lie wished , however , to call his noble friend ' s attention to the more probable report that some works of art , of smaller bulk , and therefore more easily exported , were finding their way towards this country . He hoped , therefore , that some such steps would be taken as were adopted some time agO _) whenaquantity of armour was stolen from the Arsenal at Vienna . He hoped that his noble friend would be able to say that these reports were exaggerated .
'lhe Marquis of Lansdownb was understood to say that he should be very glad if he were able to give , from official sources , a satisfactory answer to the question put by his noble and learned friend . He entertained , however , a perfect conviction that the reports which had gone abroad on this subject were greatly exaggerated . He believed that with all lovers of art the love of art itself would induce tbem to repudiate such a mode of obtaining possession of the statues of antiquity as had been referred to . Neither did he believe that any member of their lordships ' House , or any person or body of persons ir . this country , who were responsible to public opinion , would stoop to such a mode of acquiring treasures of ancient art . He could only say , as far as public bodies were concerned , that the trustees of the National Gallery , and of the British Museum , had publicly declared that they would not purchase any works which were surreptitiously brought here from foreign countries .
Lord _Redusdal-s observed that the pictures of Charles I ., on the disruption of the monarchy , were bought even by those states which refused to acknowledge the Republic . It must be recollected that if ever there was a de facto government , such a government existed at Rome now , and was not likely to be displaced , unless by external interference . Though no gentleman would , under the circumstances , treat with the parties who were offering these works of art for sale , yet speculators might , and he did not see how their titles could he disputed . The _conversation _thtn _dnmnufl .
The _Rktbr PtATK .--The Earl of _Habrowby thenpwceededto move for copies or extracts of all »« rtfp » « _w > _a to her Majesty ' s Envoys in tbe Rmr . f (& te ; for , their guidance , in the intervention
Monday, Aprii, 23. House Of Lords. — Sal...
of Great Britain for the pacification of affairs in that river ; and in _doin-. ' so , in the course of an able speech , he enterod into a lengthened detail of the circumstances which had led to the present state of affairs in that quarter . In conclusion , he cal ' ed upon the government , for the sake ofthe mercantile community , whose interests were so deeply at stake , to explain what course was intended to be pursued with regard to both the Republics on that river . The Marquis of Lansdowne , in reply , said that he had reason to believe that Rosas was anxious to
come to a satisfactory arrangement with this country , which must include a due regard to the interests of Monte Video . He opposed the motion , and declined to enter upon any detailed explanation , lest by so doing the difficulties of effecting a satisfactory conclusion in the negotiations now being carried out , might be increased . After some observations from Lords _Bkaumont and Colchester , the Earl of _HAnhowB-jr withdrew his motion . HOUSE OF COMMONS . — Ibbii _Statb Prosecutions . —Mr . Hume wished to ask the government whether it was their intention to offend the feeling of justice by proreeding against Mr . Duffy for the fourth time ? He thought that justice ought to be pure , and that no individual should be subjected to persecution . Sir Gkorgk Grey said , all be could tell the hon . gentleman wa _* , that the . individual named was out on bail , and the bail would continue till the next
commission . Mr . Huaib hoped that the House would be favoured with a return of the expense of the prosecutions which had already taken place . ( Loud cheers . ) Sir G . Gkey replied to Lord Duncan , that the Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests had charge of a bill for preventing interments in the metropolis , but it was not intended to extend its provisions to provincial towns . Lord J . Russell intimated , in reply to Sir H . W . Barron , that the government had some propositions to submit on the subject of arterial drainage and railways in Ireland , but they could not do so until the rate in aid bill had been disposed of . Navigation Laws . —Mr _LAnoucnunu then moved the third reading of the Navigation Bill .
Mr . Hkrkies thereupon moved , as an amendment , that the bill be read a third time that day six months . The longer the measure continued _undctdiscussion , the more cogent appeared to him to be the reasons assignable against it . He would not then dwell upon the _arguments so often preferred , and which might no \ y be taken as established facts in the discussion , that it was our interest to encomage , by every means in our power , our mercantile marine , and that in this wealthy , highly-civilised , and overburdened country , it was impossible to compete , in the business of shipbuilding , with poorer and less burdened states , but proceed to state the circumstances which had arisen since the introduction ofthe bill , and which had , in his opinion , rendered utterly
valueless the whole foundation on which it was made to rest . The delusion which for & ome weeks had been palmed off upon the House , to the effect that the public mind at homo was favourable fo the measure , had vanished . The current of public opinion had set strongly in against the bill , which had been framed , from the very first , in so exceptionable a manner that no modifications could render it acceptable to the Opposition . It was now attempted to be shown that , after all , there was nothing to surreuder . This he flatly denied , and it was obviously the opinion of the government itself that it was not an unimportant matter that they were called upon to give up . This part , therefore , of the foundation of the bill had failed it . The opinions and wishes of the colonies
were also relied upon for its support . But what the colonies wanted was not a repeal of the Navigation Laws as an equivalent for the loss of protection , but a return to protection , amongst other reasons , as an equivalent for the Navigation Laws . Here , again , the foundation of the bill had given way . The third ground on which it had been made to rest was , the _assumed willingness of foreign powers to meet us in this matter . But neither from the continent of Europe nor from America had any tidings been received to justify such an assumption . The golden promises which had been made to us with respect to the liberality and generosity of America , were now
at an end ; and here again the foundation of the bill had proved itself to be one of sand . He thought that the consideration of all these circumstances should induce the _s-oYernment , if not entirely to abandon the bill , fo postpone it at least for another year . He then went on to show that commerce had emphatically spoken out in opposition to the bill , and thit , in a revenue point of view , it-would be disastrous . He afterwards urged that its adoption would alienate masses of the population from the government , and thus strengthen the hands of the " Manchester demag > gues ; " and concluded by imploring the House not to ent r without reason or necessity on so dangerous an experiment .
Mr . Robinson seconded the amendment , and repeated his objections to the bill will reference to its effects upon the employment of our artisans , and upon our naval supremacy ; but his main objection was , that the bill would throw open the direct trade between the colonies and the mother-country , and the indirect trade between the different _colonies . It wa 3 a delusion to say that this measure was necessary in order to reduce freights ; the evidence of seventeen principal merchants showed that there had been no difficulty in any part ofthe world in procuring British freight at a moderate rate . Mr . M'Greoor supported the bill , observing that he complained not of what it did for foreign ships _, but what it left undone for British ships 1 he wished
that all the burdens upon the British shipownerinsurance , manning , victualling , light dues—should be removed , and then he feared no competition with other countries . He could not discover that tho Navigation Laws had at any period been ofthe least advantage to the British shipowner , and he showed the inutility and consequent impolicy of Navigation Laws fromthe practice of other naval and commercial nations . He undervalued the apprehensions respecting an open competition with the United States , which could be ha 2 ardous only upon the supposition that the physical and moral qualities of the Americans had attained a higher pitch of perfection than those of Englishmen . Mr . Walpole viewed the question of our
Navigation Laws in three points of view - namely , historical , _conomical , and national . In the first he traced the laws through the different modifications they had undergone , and drew the conclusion that the reciprocity system , which had been forced upon us , had been , upon the whole , advantageous , and boing so he asked why it should be abandoned . Under the economical view , he summed up the facilities and gains which tho change proposed to secure to the consumer , and he set against this small _fractional benefit the loss and risk with which it menaced a capital of £ 10 , 000 , 000 employing 240 , 000 men and boys , and put it to the House whether , if tlie result of the experiment should diminish our mercantile
navy and deteriorate our shipping interest , it believed they could ever be restored . But if tho economical advantages were not , as they were _doubtfti —if they were certain and great , they should not be purchased at the expense of national objects : and Mr . "Walpole insisted that , with one exception , all the witnesses had declared that this measure would impair our mercantile marine , and that tha * marine was the foundation of our naval supremacy . He suggested certain relaxations of ths existing laws , in the spirit of the reciprocity system , and concluded a sprech of much ability with a eulogy up'n the po icy of the _Navigation Laws , and by deprecating a rash experiment which would probably impair , and certainly hazard , our national
resources . Sir James Graham was anxious to give expression to his views upon the measure , before the House finally decided upon it . Mr . Hemes had endeavoured to show that the Commerce of the country nits opposed to the bill . But all that he had to _justifv such an assertion was a few _petitions which had been signed by a few parties , respectable it was true , but insignificant in point of numbers , as compared with the mass , not of the whole population , but of thc population of the outports themselves . If anything wore wanting to show that the commerce of the country was in favour of the measure , it _wou'd be found in the course _pursued with reference to it by the representatives of the
great emporia of commerce . ( Cheers . ) 1 he measure was introduced on the responsibility of a Cabinet prtsided over by the noble member for London , whilst it had been supported throughout by the _representatives of the chief seats ofcommerce _. araonget which he instanced Liverpool , Glasgow , Newcastle , and the West Riding . It had also the support of the head of the house of Baring , who now presided over the Royal Navy of the country , and who was not likely to take any step to the manifest injury of that mercantile marine to which he and his family owed so much . With these facts before him , how could Mr . Herries assert that commerce had spoken out against the measure ? Thc right hon . gentleman then , with a view to refuting his objections to the bill , closely followed Mr . Walpole in his historical , economical , and national review _^ of the subject . In doing so , he intimated during , the course ot his remarksthat he attached but little value to _
proceed-, ing in _thismatlerby rtoiproeity _? » nd as to the retaliation clause contained in the Ml , he hoped that it would not bfe made a rule which would be frequently carried out . -To retaliation , as a rule , he was opposed , and he was prepared to give his sanetion to the bill , because , without having recourse to _reciorocitv or retaliation , it . v _* ou ! d tend to increase the general commerce of the world , an increase from which this country would derive the greatest advanrBee . as thelion ' s share would fall to it . Admitting that the superiority of our mercantile marine was . the keystone of our naval power ,-he supported the measure without any apprehonsions as to its impairing or compromising bur superiority on the seas . He then quoted Adam Smith and Mr . _lluskission in refutation of some of the objections which had been offered to the bill , after which he proceeded to show the reasons on which be grounded bis conclusion that the repeal of the _Navigation Laws Yfould * aot injure
The Mercantile Marine, Which Was The Ma ...
the mercantile marine , which was the ma ns ( av of the royal navy . He _wn- > not dispose i to follow Mr . Herries , and set at _neught the menaces of foreign powers , in reference to the subject . On the contrary , he regarded the attitude assumed by those powers as furaishing a cogent reason why some step should be at once taken in the matter . Another reason fr puttmg ouv navigation system vpon a more simple and intelligible basis than that now occupied by it , was to be found in the _complicatJbu 0 f our reciprocity treaties , a complication which _jenriered it difficult for us often to know where or bow * we stood . The right hon . gentleman then proceeded to '
glance at the injurious mode in which the Navi » _Mion Laws _indirec'Jy affected the different interestsof the country . After this be came to the consideration of the _cftlonial branch of the subject , and expressed his astonishment at the levity with which Mr . Herries had treated it . The colonics had very generally remonstrated against our present navigation system , but the remonstrances of the others were of _secondary import , as compared with the urgency of the question raised b y the attitude of Canada respecting it . lie nnd the fullest conviction that unless they returned to the system of prot- _ctire duties in favour of Canadian corn , the loss of Canada would be
inevitable if wc persisted in retaining the Navigation Laws . [ This declaration created a profound _sensa- _" tion in the House . ] He would _repeat , that if they attached any importance to the retention of Canada amongst our colonial possessions , no time was to be lost in passing this bill . Nor was it by any means certa _i n that the laws in question wore favourable to the shipping interest of the country . Indeed , it was not diificult'o show that tbey were not . Nor were sailors benefited by them . In his opinion , the old reliance on impressment was greatly to be attributed to the laws in question . And if a change was to be made , this was the time at which to make it . The mpasure before the House was necessary to consummate the policy
on which tbe country had already embarked . On this point Sir James said : — " Sir , I should only express to you a portion of my opinion on this subject if , after having endeavoured to follow my hon . and learned friend through the historical and economical portion of his speech—I should only half express my opinion , if I did not deal with the political part of the subject . Now , sir , the gentlemen who sit round me , and more particularly my right hon . friend th " . member for Stamford , make constant reference te tho recent changes which have taken place in our commercial policy . They say that they consider it fatal—fatal to thc agricultural interest—fatal to ihe commercial interest—and I heard one gentle " man say , this evening—I allude to the honourable
chairman of Lloyd ' s ( Mr . Robins' n ) -that the working classes had suffered extremely . That being the opinion ofa powerful party , and of the leader ofthat powerful party , I cannot comprehend why they ' ose a moment in bringing that question _distinctly before tbe _legislature , to take the opinion of the House upon it . Being convinced that it is erroneous—that it , ia _rhiht to retrace our steps -why this hrsitation ? why this delay ? Now , sir , it so happens that on the first evening of this session , elsewhere , I heard a declaration made by a noble friend of mine , which stands on record , and about whose language there can be no mistake . With his characteristic frankness and boldness , he slated distinctly what 1 am about to read to the House . I allude to Lord Stanley . ( Hear ,
hear . ) lie said , ' I hear it siid that free trade haa been adopted , and that we must proceed in that course . ' Before I proceed , however , I may observe that my right hon . _fiiend-the member _forTamwoi-th , when speaking of financial c : singes , applied the quotation vestigia nulla retrorsum , strictly to the Navigation Laws ; but Lo-d Stanley , it appears , took a more enlarged view , and gave this very quotation applied more generally . Lord Stanley says . 'I hear it said that free trade has been adopted , and that we must proceed in that course vestigia nulla retrorsum . P _' rom that doctrine I dissent . ( Loud Protectionist cheers upon the right hon . baronet reading this sentence of the extract . ) It appears to me that the principle of Protection to
British industry is a sound and rational one . ( Renewed cheering from the Protectionists . ) I will not consent to take it as a fait accompli that protection to British industry must bo abandoned . Every day ' s experience convinces me more and more that this country will never prosper—that you will never be able to thwart the dangerous designs of mischievous men who think they have obtained a lover to upheave and uproot the old foundations of thc constitution ; that if you wish to see prosperity return to the interests of the couttry , agricultural as well as manufacturing—and when I speak of the agricul tural interest , I mean not that of country gentlemen alone , but of the farmers and labourers of England—( cheers again)—every day ' s experience
convinces me that you must retrace the steps you have taken —( great cheering from the same quarter ); you must make part of your revenue depend on a modernto import duty ; you must return to the principle of protection . ( CheeY 3 . ) Such is my conviction ; but my belief , moreover is strong , that to that conclusion within no distant period the full and deliberate opinion of the country will compel you to como . ( Continued cheers . ) * And then ho says with his -characteristic frankness and intrepidity , leaving no doubt upon the point * . ' My noble and learned friend professes himself to be still the advocate of free trade * , and with equal frankness I avow that , whilst I do not advocate any unnecessary restrictions on commerce , I am the
uncompromising enemy of the miscalled , one-sided , bastard free trade , which has been introduced hy tho government for the benefit of foreigners , and to the detriment of British subjects ; and I declare myself to be tho uncompromising advocate of thc old , " just , and equitable principle which gave necessary protection , not monopoly , to thc labourers and producers of this country , and to our fellow-countrymen , whereever they were to be found throughout the world . " ( Nearly every sentence of the above two extracts irom the speech of Lord Stanley , as read by tho right honourable baronet , elicited the most marked and vehement cheering from the Protectionist members . ) That is , my friends , a manlv declaration . I say , and with equal
fraukness and equal boldness , that this measure you are now discussing is in my opinion the capital necessary to crown thc work we have already done . ( Ironical cheers from tho Protectionists followed by a burst of counter cheers from the Tree Trade members . ) I say that without it what we have done is imperfect ; that with it , what wo have achieved will not easily be undone . ( Hear , hear . ) Here , therefore , issue is joined . ( Hear , hear . ) I say that issue is fairly joir _. ed on this point , and I regard it as the battle-field on which the struggle must take place between reaction and progress . ( Great cheers from both sides . ) I am now dealing with the political part ofthe question , and all the economical and historical parts of it aro , to my apprehension , in the present juncture , light as dust in the balance . I liave calmly and deliberately reflected on the part I have borno in thc changes
which have recently taken place , and so far from regretting that part , I may state my conviction that I believe—firmly believe—that the peace and tranquillity of this country , and thc safety of our institutions in the year which has just passed —( loud cheers here interrupted thc right hon . baronet)—are mainly to be ascribed to those measures to which I have alluded . ( Cheers . ) And I think that the attempt to go back upon them—to return to prohibitory dutic 9 , or under thcguTso of duties of import , to lay on duties really of protection , enhancing the price of corn and of articles of the first necessity consumed by the great body of the people , would be a dangerous experiment , and one leading , as I think , to convulsion and tho most fatal consequences .
( Cheers . ) At all events my part is taken . I take mv stand here . I am opposed to reaction . I am favourable to progress tempered by prudence and diserotion . It is upon _thess _swmiius I give my cordial _sui » po * -t to tho third reading of the bill , * and I am most anxious that it should , without any unnecessary delay , becomes the law ofthe l : \ nd . " ( The rig ht hon . gentleman concluded his speech amidst loud cheers . ) Mr . T . Bmuxo , in opposing thc measure , admitted tho injurious influence upon commerce of restrictions generally . But whatever grievances might be traced to the Navigation Laws were far _outweighed hy the immense advantages whish thoy conferred upon tho country . It was not indispensable _, in order to get rid of what was faulty in the
Navig ation Laws , that the whole system should be _« ot rid of . Ho , for one , was but little alarmed at the menaces of foreign powers . Ho regretted that Sir Z amcs Graham had introduced into , the discussion tho top ic with which hc had concluded his speech . Hc ( Mr . Baring ) was not one of those who thought that they must have but one system of freetrade or protection . They should discuss , each subject upon its _owo merits , irrespectively of policies , established or abandoned . Ho dreaded . it „ Decause ho knew that if it came it must proceed from national _distress If reaction took place : at all ifc would not be the work of a party leader but ofa suffering people . He'trusted that wha & ever might bo the decision to' which the- House might como , the bill would _nftt become the ' saw of the- land , and he called upon all who attached any importance to
p eace and tho national safety to vote against a bill which h » believed was forced upon ' a reluctant people and a hesitating Parliament * ( Cheers . ) Lord Jons _Russeu . scarcely knew what to say in support of tho measure , seeing that the whole subject had been exhausted hy tho masterly speech delivered by Sir James Graham . Not ono point of that speech had been either assailed or refuted by the honourable gentleman who had just taken his seat . Tho restrictions imposed by the Navigation Laws injuriously- affected trade and diminished tha wealth of the empire , and no defence for thorn could be found but , such as could be mado to rest upon their tendency to promote our naval power . But had they this tendency ? To show that they had not the noble lord followed Mr . Ifialpolo iii Ms _his torical review . In' his _judgment tho -Navigation Laws had at n _» ' timo ' proved of essential advantage 1 to our national marine . ' lbs _bcxeaBe _tf WX toa
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 28, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_28041849/page/7/
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