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THE MILL MEETING . No sooner had the great Mating on Holbeck Moor broken up , than the delegates , and the bnlk of those presaut , repaired to the new mill of Messrs . Marshall , m Water-lane , at which was to be h * l d the demonstration of the Leeds Reform Association . A portion of the mill was partitioned off , a platform and a gallery erected , and the immense space , eap&ble of accommodating 6 , 000 or 7 , 000 , w&s fitted up ¦ srith a degree of taste which we hare rarely seen equalled ; ana , largs as was the space in the eeutre of the room , i ; was filled , the great majority being Chartists .
On the platform was a large ornamental chair , for the accommodation of the president ; this was on a raised dais , and over it was a star lighted with gas , whilst , at the back , in well-formed lar * e letters , also lighted with gas , were the words , " Justice to one and to all . " On the panels , on each side of the Chairman , were painted the motto ? , No property qualification for members ; " " Household Sjff rage ; "' - Vote by Ballot and Triennial Parliaments ;" ** R- ? -disaibu : ion of Representation . " _ The guests and members of the Reform Association were seated on the right of the Chairman ; the Chartist dplrga-es and -heir frienis on tae left . Jame ^ Garth Mabsball , E ~ q . ihe presi eut of the Leeds Reform Association , was called to the chair , and , a . f ; er he bad stated the olgects of the meeting , and entreated for all a fair and impartial hearing ,
Joslph Hrar , E ~ q . M . P ., ( Kilkenny ) th ^ n rose sxaiuri great cheering , at twenty-two inoru ' . us a "" : cr f re oVljck . Tne trumpet having eoumifid-to order , the H"L \ G-entkman thus commenced : —Geni- 'ec-ri :, < nois £ ) it js quite impossible that I can express to yon a ; . y of those opinions that I entertain , if this is to bo tiie manner in which I ani received . ( . Cheeis aad h :- ^? , ana pome confusion . ) " . Mr . Piikethlt , of HuddersSeld , then came forward and said , Gentlemen , I entreat the meeting to heir Mr , Hume , and when he has spoken , then to hea r oas on th . 2 opposite side cf the question . { riiit speaker was also interrupted by cheers , groans , catcall * , hc-oricg , and various discordant no :.- ? -. ] Mr . Collins , of Bzrciin . uhani , next came forward and exclu . iT . ta , are ye meii ? I 2 > k the question , are yu nicn ! If so , prove it by your , cauiuot . ( Hear , hear . ) Listen attentively . il is ont of ihe
most important saDjects lha : ever cvuld brim ; you together . Hear every speaker . ( Chicrs ) By so doing you wiil aifvrd the test proof that you are true pairiots , and lovers of your oouatry . ( Applause , followed by comparative Eileiice . ) Mr . Hcms resumed : —I hope . -Gentlemen , thai the appeal which has been made to you will be racce ; Siul . I assureycu that I appear" here an o ; d asd a tried Reformer—( bear , suti applanse , succeeded by groans and houtings from ihe Ccariisir ) —one who would sot hare appeared at this meeting , if I ha-i loi a hope of seeing all cli = ? e 5 of Rrfjrme . ^ tmit&d in fur ; heraa ' -e of the a ; r . 'MS y-j-. c ; of Fariiamemary Refurm . ( Hear , bear . ) I hare , therefor ? .
been anxious tl a ; every mm , wbaiever opinions he may Cbt ^ nain en this important question , should be fairly aud fully b ard —( bear ); -for which purpose I have beeu instrumental in asking ihose ^ eutieaieii ( -idvucates of Universal Ss . Srite ) here to auesd , in order that we might have ihe benefit of their opinions ; iu ordtr that Wr S'gSt express our opinions ; and inns see whether there is not one common >; eiierai object cm ¦ which vre can a ^ ree , m order to obaia for tt > ; ptopie of this country -hat gr « . a ; a :: d important elective fraB .-hi-e , on which the best of oar liberties must chimv . ciy depend ( appla ^ r ) . I come not Tor-• Wird hejv , gestiemtn , to propose any resiii-- i-.-j on that wli ; o-li I kno "> " to be ihe aroe-. il desire o : e ;; i-
. country . Ou tus contrary , my op-. uiw .-are so vreil known on that rutj-. ci , thut " l am oniy anxious on iiii = ccca-ioc , ; -. t a ju-ciirg whici , if w ' . _ - ehou'd cjiiduei ourselves as 1 huVc b ^ c-a loi . di--, expec - . ir- ^ w-j ? ho : ild , may b-j ir . e cummeLue mint of an a ^ : iativ > n j-. t iha : ¦ vvijch v , i are a i anxious to obiain . [ S < jm 2 Eoi .-e , anu many iai : v ^ uii 3 were seea run ,: ng on * , of ' zb-j mill , &s if to ^ reet svmz ce . v arriTal vutsiue . ] Gentlemau , we have oae cociinon objee : in v ; etv , —_ ouj government . We want equal laws aoa equal jaitice to all classes or' the conusuiiJcy . Up to tf-. s t-onr we have not esjoyei ! , we do not eiijoj these . We are-mot today for this obja- 'fc , and 1 am pleaded , beyond nr .. asure , to find that so important 3 community a ^ : hat of Leeds shonld set the example of calling tog-oiker
Reformers of all classes to see whtihc-r there is not one common ground on which we can mtet , and pr j ceed together , autil weibali obtain tb ^ t -Yrhicn sjjall jjite us , 1 shonld say , ihkt incr ? ase' 2 suffrage , so that every man vrho pays taxes in this conntry ' sbouid be represented , and ought to Tote himsei ! fvr his representatives . Gentlemen , 1 have come bcre for another purpose than in the hope thai I may bc able to assist 2 n promoiiug that union &Hioj <; s ' RefonEsrs , without which we must continue io be tramplcl uuder foot by the aristocracy who now picy upon us , a ' ; a the poopie at large . ( Noi ^ e to the Uhairmin's n ^ bt , in one corner of the mieiin ^ . ) I am ex : remely sorry that my friends in that ccr&vr do r . ot observe the extreme hoarseness under whieh I labour , and that I can hardly raise my voice mfncieutiy to be heard
* nd nnlc ? 3 tney do me tbe fayosr of beiug as q lie : as pc 5 sible , it wiii be utterly oat of my power t-jt . s press my sen-. iniciits as I s . m desirous to do . The Chairman has placed in my hands a resolution in lay before you . To thai resolution I hope to f . ad the onaaimoas concurrence of this meeting ; aua 1 am ¦ quite satisfied tbat ihere is not one here , the foremost friend of freedom amongst you , who is more desirous than myself to go on rapidJy , provided that "we go on Eecurely , aad provided " we can o 5 tain the greit and ioportant object , which we are ou this ocsasioa mes to promote . ( Loud applause . ) I consider the step which the Leeds Association has taken as one of immense importance , as a b ? g \ nE : c > j ; for i ; is oaiy a beginning . ( Chartist applause . ) It is as such we meet . ( Disagreeable sensatioi \)
Gent : tiniu must know teat to tinish any object we laast Lave a beginning ; but tbat which is well begun , they say ia my country , will be well finished . Xow here is a point upon wh ' ' ch we are novr met . In a constitanonal government like mi =, c--nain fundamental pricciples have been recognised by our forefathers jor ag ^ s pa-st—that no man in thi s kingdom has a right to be asked to suppor ; the Goverrimeut texatiou of this eonntry , nnleVs he shall , by him ? e ;!' , or by his representative , give his assrnt to tha ' taxation . ( Applause . ) I come , therefore , gentlemen , to ca ; l your attention jo the circumstances under which we meet . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) These -who have watched , and have attended to my
proceedings aor the lasi thirty years , know tbas I have never tarced my back to ' the people's rights —( applause ) ;—but that 1 icrariabi y stood to demand for the millions that which they have no ; the opportunity by themselves to demand Gr to obtain . And although ttc have been unfortunate , in that we have not been successful in the effort- that we have made , sorely ih&t is not any reason why we should be discouraged . Ought we not , on ih ' e contrary , to redouble oir attention—to renew our ea ' orts , and" to trust in tee justice of oar cause , that && sha'l olti-¦ jnately obtam that for which we seek . ( Applause * nd noise ) I shall , indeed , be ob ] ged to the gentlemen , if taey will only listen to me . 1 will be as irjef as possible ; bat I can assure voa I am anxious
tha : we stiou-d now meet in this immense ass :-mbJv to consider these matters ; and I t-eii you tbat the « yes of tbe whole of this kingdom are upon vour proceedisgs to-d-y , to s « e if ' yon should conduct yourselves ( as has been properly s » atsd by Mr . Collins ) so as to prove yourselves to be jaeu worthy of the Suffrage . ( Lend applause ) For which purpose I am ' cere , if you will -do me the favour to lis-. en to me while I cildeavou ^ to express by what means , as I think , we can be < : ¦ attain it- 1 trust we are all ac ; ua :-ed bj oeo obi :-cc —to se ? good £ ovorri 2- -nr ; : o see ha ^ pine = 3 spr ' e&d throats ih . s Isnd as widtj y anti bro ' adiy as its reseaix-c-s are ca . jjabl 3 of extendhig it . ( Arplauve . ) Ino man caTi be ignorant of -Kha : is , nntorti- 'iar-elv ' , « yery rimiiite before our eye ?—th& state of d fS . jahv ' cist
rc-ss . privatioD , and v .-3 nt , tbat covers the laud * imcst a : ali quarter .-. Is it cot , therefore , a fi ; aud proper question to discuss while so many men are suffering vhiie others sre at ease ? ( Applause . ) Ba ; Jet us all be mere at ease , or be more suffering ; let . us see if we caanci unite to go to obtaiu those ad-Tanragcs and thai relief which must result from £ ood government to tbe miJlisns who are now * aff-riai : by what 1 procuuee to be bad awi imperfect government . ( Cheers . ) Sach bein ? the case , fentleaec , what 13 it tbat we hare to consider * We are to consader snder what circumstances , liviug under a rcprestntatire goYercmept , we are placed . Are we represented I Are the millioDs rrpreseat-ed I I » aj no . ( Cheers . ) Who dare deny thi ^? Who can put his haad to his heart and s : \ that . tha millions are represented—that they have a • o : ce in the assemi-ij called the Cohsdjoes' Honseof PariiaQen : ! Is it , therefore , too much to * ak y 4 « i to list-ea for a
"few mosientB to one who has now devoted a lar ^ c portion « i bis life to forward those great and mighty objects I < App ! a . u * e and confusion . ) Gentlemen , 1 repeat we have but one objecr , —those of as who arc . sincere Reformers have but one object in Tiew ; ind there is no : one emn ia this assembly—there is not one upon that beach J"ibe one assigned to the advocates of Urdrersal Suffrage , besides me lerc , ardent aowevazs they are of freeui . ia , whom I ran allow to have an opiuion more favorable to the ii . ass' of the commuuity thaa I myself have . ( Hear , hear , and * pp ] ia = « . ) And , therefore , I ask you to be quiet , that I may exp : ain to you . my objects—tbat I may be able to do the duty which the committee hare requested me to fulfil . " Ani I will now read the resolution which has been put -into my hands , and then I will point out , if you will allow me , the mode by which we caghi to arrive at the results which tLis resolution points to . The resolstion is :
" Tbat toe great experiment made by means of tbe Befarni Bill , to imp-ore the csrdition of the -country , hath failed to attain the end desired by the people ; « nd , a farther H tform having therefore become nccesjary , it is the opinion of this meeting that the united efforts of all Reformers ought to be directed to obtain
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raeh a further enlargement of the fnuaehiae , » s should make the interests of the representatives identical with thewe ef the whole country , and by this means secure a just government for all classes of the pec pie . " Is there one man in this assembly who looks forward to an honest exercise of the power of the representative , who can wish more than that those men who are sent to Parliament to represent the people in the House of Commons should act on feelings identical with the people ; that they should consider their wishes , wants , and interest ? , and make the measures 10 which they consent the means of carrying oat those great objects which we are striving for . This is the resolution which I am now requested to propose . It will be seconded by one of the steadied
friends of the people from Glasgow , a delegate from the people there ; who will also , if he differs from me , have an opportunity of pointing out how he would proceed , if be thinks that the path which I point out is not the proper path . Gentlemen , we have ample means of di-cussion nere ; I am not afraid of discussion ; from it truth must be elicited ; and if there is one question upon which I plicc more reliance than another , it is in the justice of the cau ^ e . The people demand that they shall not have their pockets picked by persons not authorised by themselves to take money from them ; but , on the other hand , they are willing to consent to all taxation deemed necessary-by men eDjoying their confidence and esteem . Lord John Rup 3 ;> 11 , on
&s-kiiig for leave to introduce the Refoim Bill in the House of Commons , sa : d . " The ancient constitution <> f our country declatta that no man shall be taxed - 'T ' . he tupport of the State , who has liot consented , by himself or his xe ;> ie . tenia ~ iv «; , to the imposition oi taxes V Io there auy man here who denies t-bat proposition ! No ; nuae . On the' 24 tii Ju : ) C , 1831 , Lu / d John Russell , in introducing tlio Reform Bill , =-i'J , '' I propose a Reform in Parliameut to put un e- ' -d to the nommutiou of the representatives of the people . ( Rear , hear , hear . ) I propose that , they should SceJ into this House their r ? ai representatives ; they shall have in fact that which ai prcs-.-:: t exists only in theory , I promise you that laws shall no longer be passed for the btruefit oi
governments , of classes , or interests . " Gentlemen , whiii Uiure would the most aurent Reformer w ; sh H'j further promised—'' We will identify this House V 7 uh the people of the three kingdoms , au ( j We will t . xtenii t'j this great , powerful , aud enlightened p-.-. pjc-, the right of Jra , vji ) g their legitimate representatives 3 s 5 onibl < sJ wr . hin the walls of Parliament , to protect the ni ;! : t-s the liberties , and interests of the nation . " Tbe ^ eTvere snme of the briic-fits which the R < -fcrni Bill was intended to carry out , and he said farther , thai the House of Commons eo reformed , was 10 '" consult lor the interests of tke people , to consider their grievances , and to attend to thtir desire ? . " Now , 1 have heard eompiaiuts , that we , the Reformers , supported aiuuemcieiu bill ;
bnt it the bill had carried out those expectations and promises which were heid cut by Lord Johu RuM ^ Ii , and which I , as a Reformer , was anxious to sei resided ; arid having hrard those promises held out , who could be blamed for having consented to give it a i ' iir trial how fir it was po .-sibie to ri-ali .-e them . Did LorJ John Russell uic-ne give thtm these promise ^ \ ! So , he was al .-ob'jmeout by Eiri Givy . And this is very important ; t ' .-. at if a . ny gsn : ! eiaan go ; s with us , it is iiece .--ary for him tt > understand what -was attempted to ba done , and how ihe failiiro took place , and in what we vreTe wrong . Lor < i Grey , on the 3 rd of Uctober , 2 oUl , uttered ikcse tni-utoiMe words , " I Lcliove the present bill to be a measure of conciliation . 1
believe tha : on us accrpranca or rejection depend ou theonehar-d trjr . quiUuy , prosperity , abti coaco : u . G-i the o : her , tl . e cominuance of a state of j . ohtiea . 1 'iiscomeui . i bjiiv-va that a ca ' Aiigo i ? ue ^ essarv , to i ::: a < e iicTT v y ur in ' o the co :.-ti : i 3 tion . and to uniio the 5-: att-s ¦ : ' the reain : in the bonds of a sacred and hai'py union ; to make the Hou ? e vf C'juiaiytis t :: ; i ^ whi-th it ; s n ; -. eiide'i to be , a-. ni prof' ;^ i to be , a iu ' . i , vi ^ orou- - , a : iJ tfa-nnt r * . pic ; ea : at : ve of the pcoj .-ie of E :: - - ; J . '' ( ihar , b .-ar ) ^ : uv , had 1 -t :-tf-i these ds t ; . e j . rom ' ^ -es ::-en iiaie by vh >? authors uf th- ? bili , I a : k my man pre > e ;; t whechtr he ir not prev-ared to afs . nt to the first pjrt of the propo- ' iiv > n tcntaiued in tiiis retolu ' ion— ' . hut those n "; : i ^ n : S ? cr . t
prospects then h ' . id out to us have aJt . ojje : ; ier ! aueu ; and tea : ire are Trarrau ! c < i to proceed to the second part of the proposition—how best we can carry out that agitation to command and obtain those reforms whbh were promised to us , but have fa : ied . It is necessary here , that you should bear iu nrnd tbe story of the olu taan wah his sons , whom he told , " If you take that bu : id ! e of stick ? , and break them one by oue , yon will coaipiei'ly destroy theirsireagih . Be united and firm , and you wiil be able to resiat thai which otherwise you could not oppose /'Gentlemen , the mi > idie classes , or the represented classes , have not acted with that cordiality towards the unrepresented , which they ou ^ ht to have done . ( Loud cheers . ) They have neglected , them—( hear .
hear , —tney hive not pat tUemstWes at the head oi the great movement , which is taking place ; and u is now ior us to see how far \ s e can , by a cordial unios of our efforts , by er . eh party yielding iu &ome decree that which may be objected to by the other , and fix on 6 ome one common ground by which to renew tbe a . i / itatiorj , and to prevent the aristocracy from further oppressing us , which now wields -that 5 rea _ t power by which our taxation goes on ; I will not say with no check at all , but certainiy with , very slender check , I assure yon , from that House of Commons which we hive at the present moment . It is for us ' co * ee whether we Ciiiiivt ax&i ;> awaken that union of moral force &ud iafl : enco by which we carried the Reform bill .
which we then thought would be productive of ail the blessings promised and contemplated , but in which we were disappointed . I should not ba one 10 lend myself to what I see has been cilied " a humbug association , " to deceive ths people . I regret tos-: e a want of confidence betwven the represented and the uurepreseBted . I am one of six millions of men of full growth , and of tweniy-one years of age and upwards ; and when I luck at those who have tha power of electing the men who are lo sit in Parliament , aud to piss laws nfiYeu ' n . n our liberties and property—atd when I find that these electors are not more than one million out of six ; that there is not more than ono nun in every six who has a voico in the election of the
reprtsen'anvcs of the peoole—what is the conclusion I come to ? ( Hear , hear . ) That we have jfnen to the few a vast power ; 1 don ' t blame that frrv ?; 1 say it is the . vicnnia but the necpsary results of their possessing this power ; for if you entruit to a few individuals unchecked power , you make tht-ni dishoiK-st . ( Hear , hear . ) And I woum take the sain-j number of the most ardent friends of iibertr , men who thiuk they a ! o : ; e are the friends u liberty , and put them in that situation ; they an : men : ihey too would bo corrupted , and you would soon fiad tbat ; ou could not trust them . And , G ^ utkmeii , I tiust the time 13 fast coming when you wiil trust any-men witnout keeping them under thai check and controul whishisneeessarv m allEocieties
in every pars of the world . For such purpose I want to see why it is that we have so few electors . It is becanso toe middle c ^ avses are alarmed at the ides of phielui c iiiidence and power in the hands of the many . ( Hsar , hear . ) 1 think that thai is one of the £ reutc £ t vices cf the aj ; e , and especially of those wiioeaii themselvesLiterals , thai they have not placed confidence in ihc y-.-ople . 1 can only say , for my omi part that 1 have had proof from experience , wxich enables me to > 2 y , that there is not a man wfeo earns his daily tread , upon whom I could not place conftder . ee , provided there be nothing to corrupt him or leaahiai astray . And for twelve yeur ? I stood tbe representative of the trades of my " own native country , aud L u-ver found auy of them but whit proved , beyond that of the higher classes .
( Hear , hear . ) Let the middle clasps "weij-h well these Jack ? . They are £ ? if \ .-ring ; they wiil fuifsr , ciore ; for sn irresponsibxe government is at this moaacar carryjug on > var , aad it m ; : ? t bo supported , and for this new saxes Wjil be required . Wili they ( the miotile classes ) jjet relief % niiiout the people ! Ino ; Let tVem , then , a&k for tiiat support by the aid of winch alone they caa come with auy chance of success before the le ^ isLnure as iii present consti-; tuied . ( Hear . ) Agaiu , I suj to the wcikiisg men—: '' Y * u are suffering ; you want relief ; will you get [ it alone ? " ] So . You may get additional sutferin- ; | . by a eontinuanee of miEgovernmeist ; but you ca . 11-j u « t alone obiain redress . If boia parties should j come to that conclusion , that it is only by union that I you can obtain relief for the Euffer " : eg " of ihe country , : is not that a ground , —ought not tfea * to be a motive , I —for burying in obiviou ail that is past , and let us | meet each other as reformers . ii * viDg said thus
much , ietme ask jou whether acy itute of the represeutatiou can be more absurd thai , thuz which we Lave at the present moment ? I have in my hand statements in proof of ibis ; but £ wiil not trouole yon with the details , because I have elsewhere titkeH paius to place them on record and before Parliameat , with the view of calling tbe attention of parties re it . But this I will toil you , that instead of that equal distribution that ought to take place , and winch was pr-smised to us by the Reform Bill , —on my conscience I believethatihe present House of Cossmons is as much under influence , aud js as muck a Domination Parliameut , and as ln ^ . ' e iu sympatby whh th » people , as the anrepreseuiativ « Parliament wa . % -Rhieh we putdo % « iin 1831 . W ' iiea 1 find thai in one borough 152 voters should elect two members ; and ia another , 1 ( 5 , 000 electors have only power to do the same ; if I £ ad that in five boroct-hs 1 A 00 or 1 . 509 el actors chose tea members .
a . nd that in tae same numoer of boroughs I find nfty time 3 the r . niaber of electors , only eleeung the E&ma , muober of members , —I a « k , is it possible for any I man tu say that the resaUa expected from the J Refo ) m Bill hare not completely failed * AgaiD , I j ask , ia the representation of Eagiand , Scotland , and . ' Ireland , on a footing to be berne ? Ought weiioc , Aerefore , to Eee whether we cannot in Scotland , j England , aud Ireland , bring together all those who I see the * eed of union , to command ficm the legisla- - ' ture that change -which is eo essential , and which ! must tike place before we can obtain the required reforms , I hopaitis Lot necessary for me to say more thaa that , that inequality ia app&reat to all .
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Then , does the present House of Commons attend to the requests and opinions of the people any more than the former House did ! Not one bit . ( Hear , hear . ) Thty hear yo « complaints : they may be laid before them ; out a 3 to considering them or acting as the representativea of the people , that is quite another matter . ( Hear , hear . ) I am not here to support , for I tell you candidly tbat I am sot satisS » d with what is called Household Suffrage ; for I hold that Household Suffrage would exclude a large portion of the men who ar , e of the first importance in the country ; it would exclude three-fourths of the mechanics of the country . ( Hear , hear . ) I think it right to tell you what i bold a Radical Reformer to bo , —one who wishes to keep and honest man at his post . I call a Radical Rsformer an honest man , who does not wish to meddle with any man's property . Radical
Reformers have been charged with wishing to meddle with the property of other people ; but no such thing will tako place ; and it is mereiy alleged by those who are anxious to throw discredit on them by- giving them a bad name , in order to prevent what the well know must be the result , Gentlemen , 1 thank you for the manner in which you have listened to my long , and necessarily desultory , uwcussion , because it Las introduced what it ought not to have done . I will again read the resolution , Gentlemen , which will be seconded by Mr . Moir , of Glasgow , who will speak to you of the views which ha takes of the present coniition of the people . Having again read the resolution , the Hon . Gentleman concluded by saying , in reference to its last clause , " ouch , I hope , may be tho result , " and yat down snildst loud cheers , having spoken exactly an hour .
ilr . Mom , of Glasgow , in rising to second the resolution , expressed great pleasure that ho had to do bo under circumstances of so auspicious a character to the cause of Universal Suffrage . Tho demand of the great principle for which they contended was not a thing entirely new , as those who were , aware of the exertions of the patriot Muir , and others in Scotland , and of Cartwi-ighC in England , knew perfectly w-Jl . Circumstances had again called it forth in England , aad on the carrying ot' it out , depended the happiness of the great mass of the working population . How was it that tho various plans which had been adopted with the view of ameliorating the condition of tLe people had failed ? It was simply because they had not a voice in tho
representation . Aud why had they not ? Not because vhuy had not a natural right to bo heard in the legislative councils of the nation , but because the people , forsooth , were not sufficiently educated Not learned enough ! Did they uot fiud tho Tories coaxing tho operative Conservatives ? Aye , and when the black-faced lads were shouting out ' Church and King , ' they wero then tho intelligent working men of England—the elite or the working classes—the very men to judge what system of policy wai best adapted to promote tho interest of the country . Then th ^ ro were the Corn Law repealers . Did they call upon the householders enly to support them in obtaining the measuro which they were so wishful to
accomp . 'isli 1 i \ o ; they caiieti upon the whole people to oear te . stimo : iy to the injuries which had been done 10 all by their enactment . They did not suppose ih . il they ( ihe Chartists ) were an exception to a general rn ' ie \ No ; they always appealed to the P'jo . le—the whole people , aud they ilid it in Emcerity . The speaker then went into a review of the transactions of tho Melbourne . Ministry , and the chance afl ' jr Jed to Lord Melbourne , if he had been ^ 0 disposed , of carrying various measures of Bubs : a ' itial reform , when tho old King William was obhi : < d to recal him to office , after tho resignation of air R belt Peel ; and als ;> 10 his opinions ou tho C *> rn L : rv , a ? well as tho declaration of Lo . d Jolm Russell , as to '" h ' niHtv . " To thi >? e two circuniho ut
s-aiu ^ s attributed rno esSabJisn . iiciit Charcism in Yorkshire . The pe-. 'pie were dis ; rus . ed at t ! . u policy 01 ihe ' Whig ^ who , instead 01 retreiichi ;)^ , ;; ad ia-id on frtsii taxes , arid increased tl ) . ; Debt , since their access-ion to oiii ^ , five millions 0 ) p-juuos . Tho middle cia-yes of iuglami tvuro beginning to feel the effocta of bad Government , a ; ul wi ^ ied to alter a state of iniuga which iva .- ; likely to be fraught with mirchitf and ruin . Tne . y could not do tais without a union with the working classes . They must be united together , aud there was a motto ou the wall , which led him to hopo that a union would take place at no very dutaut period . When that took place legislation would be conducted ou a more s-ensiblo fooling . People of common tense would discover that there was nothing to bo admired in the fact of the President 01 the United States receiving six tha ^ aud pouuda a-yeav , ibr
his really responsible situation , whilst thu Q'jy » : i and Prince Albert wort ) receiving as much per week , ( fries of "Shame . ' ) Tnese things must bo attended to ; but he anticipated no great beneficial change until Universal Suffrage could be obtained . Mr . Moir tbtu read to the meeting a resoluw ' . ai which had beeu come to by the Chartists of Glasgow , expressive of a determination to oppose any aguatioii which might be inteuded with a view of promoting anything but Universul Suffrage , and then alluded to a topic which ho had previously touched « pon in a speech of the previous day , and which need not , therefore , be mentioned here . He couciuded by once more urging upon the middle classes to support the Chartists in endeavouring to obtaiu tha suffrage ; as they might bo a-sured , if a union d : d not take place , the Tories would soon have their feet upon their necks , as it was quite evident they ¦ vveri struggling for tho ascendancy . ( Cheers . )
Sir GEOhGE Strickland , Bart ., thtn came before the meeticg to express his abhorrence aud contempt of uie Tory doctrine called Conservatism—or the sutidfctill and do nothing principle . ( Hear . ) Hu belonged to a patty who would concede all tht / y dare , and would give ail they could . He was fjvourable to an extension i . f tne su 8 ' ia .. e , expanding ¦ with the intelligence of the people . ( Loud biases , and faint cbeers from the Wfiigs . i He could sot fcelp saying they forgot thy prudent maxim of taking all Ihey could get , for fear of losing everything . He had been a frieud to the Inform Bill ,
— the whole Bill , and nothing but the Bill . The speaker then tpoke in favour of this measure , and adverted to the various Whig schemes tbat had been brought forward and pessed . He was in favour of Household Suffrage . ( Loud and repeated cries of " Universal Sufi'iage . " ) He thought they should unite as Mr . Hume said , on tha principles of Household . Sufi ' rage , and tho Vote by Billot Ho concluded by Si j ing that they who had read the consiitutiun of tha coHntry aright , would not be afraid of giving power to the people . lAppUuie . )
Mr . Johs Coluss came -forward , and wa 9 received with loud and Ivng-continucd cheering . After exprtss-. bg his great pleasure at the magnificent spectacle btfore him , and the importance cf the meeting , he said ha would reply to an observation or two of the gentleman who had just sut dowj . ll-i had said he was an advocate of an extension oi the S ffrage to those who were intelligent enough to be entrusted with it . ( CrieB of " Hear , hear . ") New , the question was , who was to be the judgo as to the intelligence of the individuals ? ( Hear , hear . ) lias gctuleuian had sat down , after concluding his speech , by advocating Household Suffrage . Nor-, he ( Mr . Collins ) would ask whether all ilme parties who would have votes as householders
were i ^ . ieiiigent 1 ( Loud cries oi " Hear , hear . ") Would the advoca : e-i of extending tho suffrago to the intelligent , tax only those parsons ? Ho mentioned tha : those who were taxed wt-re entitled to vote ior : ho man who expanded their mciiuy . Were not all called on to obey the laws ? aud was it not righ : that ali who were calied onto obey them should have a voice in making them ? Difguiseit how they nrg i- . t , ths man v ? ho was called up jh to obey those laws without having a voice m thu making of them was a slave ; aud those who made them wero tyrants . ( Loud cheers- ) He wa 3 anxious to defend tbeclas * 10 which be belonged , from the calumnies and slanders heuped upon thtm . Mr . Collins then recapitulated tha several po : iits ot his speech on the inocr ,
which aubwereti the ab . » urd imputations of the levelling doctrines , extraordinary criminally , and ifc ;>> > rauoe of tho working peopie . ( Hear , hear . ) A-luging these misconceptions from the limned intercourse subsisting between them and the middle classes , wliose opinions weie formed iu general ^ cot from observaticu of a personal chaiacter , bus from magazines and other publications , in which the working man wa . 3 introduced as a toil to set off the rich man . He insisted that if tho balance should be fairly is'ruck , there would not be fouud a greater proportion of criminals among the working than among any other ctass ; and ho relerrcd to th-o provisions of tb . 8 Cuarcer for excluding the couvicied is . ions from the franchise as evidence of tho
anxietyof Chartists for the due protection of property He thanked the preceding speaker for alluding to negro emancipation . Tuis wa , 3 another argument in Javour of the Charter . I : had been predicted , that the elave 3 , when invested with their freedom , would most surely use it for the destruction of life aad property . But thiB hai not , beea so : though , if it even had been so , that would have fumishod no just ground of argument against emancipation . If ho ( ilr . C ) should keep a ikti ior a long period bound hand foot , and then set him at liberty , aud Le should knock him dowc , he ( Mr . C . ) should net refer it to hia being at liberty , but , because he had seen kept in slavery so long . ( Applause . ) He exbcrted tho nieetiug , by the lore they owed to their ¦ rives aud chi ! dr «? n , and to their country , not to rest
. tUi they had emsaicipated themselves from the boud' sge ia which they were . ( Loud appkuse . ) Tbe . gentlemen who had preceded him hid delivered zaacj ejuelleat sentiments to which he ( . Mr . Collins ) heartily responded . All they ( the Chamsts- ) wanted was , tnac all should have the same rights they chined ior themeelvea . They had been invited to j-jin iu the at tempt for Household Suffrage ; but how could he loc k upon his fuliow-men who had not honsfs , aad ca T , ' * You do not possess a house , and you have , tht tefore , no right to a vote I'' How could he ask 1 " ° r a right which he would withhold frcm his broih ( ^ * ( Load applause . ) How could he do this , atd i . * y claim to the title of a Christian , 9 , Briton , or a pati TO ** ' ^ ey ^^ hear d a resolution which had been p k *^ ed by the men of Glasgow : ho
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had been also entrusted with an address , which would be read by Mr . O'Neil . Tha Birmingham people took their sfand upon principle . Some would eay , " If we cannot get all we want , let us got all wo can . " Would any one apply this " principle to the recovery of a debt , and take lets than was his duo ? The doctrine of expediency had been much insisted on : he held that there was no expediency , but that of right—and , as the Charter wa 9 right , it was expedient to have the Charter . He mentioned the identity of interest between the middle and the operative classes ; and that it would therefore be an evidence not less of prudence , than of patriotism in the former , who were invested with the means of self-protection by the franchise ,
to extend that power to their poorer fellow subjects , with whose interests their own were inseparably bound up . ' It was now three years since the . commencement of the agitation which had placed the Chartists in the position they now occupied ; they then pledged themselves that no crotchet , nor any specious offer of a lower rate of franchise should alienate them from the Bteady pursuit of that one object ; to that pledge they had hitherto odhered , and he felt quite certain that they would not desert it now . The principles of Chartism were those of honesty and justice ; they needed but to be understood to b 8 adopted by the just and rational . The more closely they were sifted , the more perfect they appeared , and they would mo 3 t certainly , era long ,
become the principles of all thinking and honest men . Let those who feared to give power to thpeople , look to America . For the last fifty years the wholo worid had poured the scum and refuse of its redundant population into that country ; and all whom the unsocial arrangements of thair own laws drove to poverty and ruin , sought refuge in its friendly arms ; and yet this popuiatiou , originating thus iu poverty and crime , and admitted to the exercise of electoral privileges at the expiration of six months from their first location on its shores , maintained and flourished under a system ofgovornment which , for efficiency , aa well as citcaptioss ,
wag unequalled in the world . ( Hear , hear . )—What country had producad ablerstatesmeujcivilians or generals I Democracy wa ^ immortal in its principles , bocause based on truth ; and while the principles of ancient Greece and Rome were daily more and more honoured and revered , the pyramids of Egypt , and the pillar of Pompey the monuments of princely folly , wero crumbling into dust , and being forgotten of mankind . Mr . Collins concluded his address with au energetic appeal to the best feelings of humanity , on behalf of the principles of Chartism , which he contended'to be those by which alone the continued blessings of prosperity and peace could be insured .
Mr . John Arthur Roebuck was received with cheer * He said a number of siuart . things , which occupied a cons ! derabl length of time , but had little in them btsid <; s evidence of the orator ' s ability to fenco with straws . He insisted principally that they were not assembled to advocite any fixed principles at all , but merely to talk . They were all agreed that the attempts hitherto made to reform the constitution had been ubortive ; but differed widely in their opinions of the proper mode to be employed for effecting that change which all desired . One contending for Household , another for Universal , nnotUer for Charter , and another for Tea Pounds '* Suffrage . " I say , " said lie , " that we are not p .-epartd at once to determine what is rijjht and what is wrong . ( Hear , hear . ) We are come here to
tlirow our opinions tinndst this great sea ; let them be toated uuout ; the ship will find her haven j truth is hurcawco ; let God direct her . " ( Hoar , and cheers . ) He declared himself to be for tho SunVage of the Cliartur ; but entreated thut all might be patiently and favuuvabiy attended to . In allu ; io : i to Uio Governmental cuinp . 'iigu ayainst Chartism , he said " I have seen , during the lust ye-ir , th « poor working msn , who may have been n ; i .-. ied , and cJiase . l through ail tho meshes of tho law , with an eagerness uud cruelty that I bavo felt to ba somewhat di . « gacjful to my a > un : rymen , an < f , in tho liitfcrness of my spirit , I huve 8 : 1 W , " put up a gaina cock , and say lie aad crowed C ' tiartisxn , aad lie would by a Magistrate to kWi'ii t ^" o years' imprisonment . I lay the mischief to the miilrile class man ' s door . He baa wanted
the sympathy ho ought tj have lia . it . " ( Loud uki-era . ) Mr . O'Neil , from Birmingham , after reading an arfdreps from the men of Birmingham , affirming the pnnuipla of Universal Suffrage , aud mvitiug the Le < xU Parliamentary Reform Association to cooperate with the Chartists , proceeded to Bay , that the qu > stion of expediency required to be understood ; he believed that expediency was not always lighthe meant the expediency of their enemies . He had road of an occurrence wheu democratic principles provailedin Athens , and when it was stated to the Atfsea'ans that a measure of great importance might be accomplished , Aristides was deputed to a-ccrtain the secret , and he reported that tho plan was expedient , but it was not just , and , therefore ,
tho people at once abandoned it : that plan was to burn the Lacedaemonian fleet in the night . ( Hear , hear . ) It was right to obtain the franchi . se for every male adult , and it was not expedient to take from any man his just rights . The people not only asked was the measure expedient ! but , was it right and jasi ? lie hhould liko to have the meaning of the word expediency righted . In 0110 meaning right was always expedient , for honesty was always the best policy . But , in the world ' s sense of the term , expediency was not always right . Ho now presented tho address to tho Chairman , m containing the principles of tho men of Birmingham . The Suffrage th-y demanded was not of iko Constitutiontiio glorious Constitution which had been so much
lauded . Tiio law was , that every man paying his soot and bearing his lot should have a vote . Every man but the ir . fcane or the criminal ought to have a voto . He knew no reason why the householder only should have it . Why should he himself and thousands of lodgers be deprived of it ? Therefore , lie could not support Household Suffrage , and , said he , I can-. iot conceive that you can get is without us . I am not expecting you will come to us yet . This is only a step to a further advance , and we are dttermino'ihhat we will , by all the means iuour power , render ourselves worthy of your co-operation , by increa ^ nf , 'our intelligence , by ennobling and purifying our ra .-raV . Bat we wilt never depart from the high nositiou we have entertained in tho Charter . I call
upon t ; ou , aa men who desire commercial prosperity , to join ua . I know you are starvu . g , because others are starring in Inoia aud Ir ; . and . But you doil ' s want 16 be mere well-fed slaves . You desire your rights . You desire to cultivate the noble taculfics » f your mind-: —to placo man in the proper position tha -, he ought to fill in ci \ a'ion , that ho might not lie merely an animal , but . a noblo a » d intellectual be ';;;^ . Join us . in the noblo struggle . Noihii'g on be clone unless you immediately join us , and go ii > na in hand for the full measure 01 justieo . ( Loud chairs . ) Mr Siiakman Crawford spoke throughout amid gve . it dist . irba « ce , which rendered him inaudible , excepiing ¦ within a very limited circle . Ha begged tho attention of the meeting for a few moments . Ho
ap-> -eared in the cause of tho npnts oi the people , as an Irishman . He came to support their right * , and those also of his countrymen . Ho should say but few words on tho important quc * t '< iu- that had . already b ; eiv spjken to . It ws . % fie mos-t important question tbat could be raised . When lie was in Parliament he acctdcrf t > the principles of tfi ^ Charter—( chters/—and whenever oallal upun to enforce thoso principles , he would not flmcb from them . ( Chcars ) But lie did not couaidur hiimeif to hi dt- ' oarred from going to any lengtli to which l ; e liad got others to join him , in favour of the rights of the people . He contended that tho suffrage should bo extended so as to take iu all tho working ' classes , and that no suffrage could bo Btt ' sfiutovy that did not cIvm to every honest ,
indni-trious , working man , the right of voting for members of Purliauivnt . It wns not his duty to point out te EngU . sh : ueu tho course they should pursue to attain that olj . ct . But if Hou . < ohold Suffrage were adopted , it . shonid be in Bueh a way as to include every working wan who was a loli ; er , as well as tvery occupant « f a house . AnotLwr ijupor ' ant point was a new distribution of th « electoral bodk-9 . They could not have just lvpte ^ t-t&ition unWsi the electoral districts were ho apiortioneil as tiiat no one p 3 rt of tho kingdom should liave an undue weight beyond any other part . To this question ha ciaimud their part'calar attention . It was hy re . iisLrii ; uciun alono that they could prove their da-ire to >? o equal jostico to Ireland . Ire ! u : nl had' nearly one-third tile
population , and little moro than one-tenth of the represeniation . As long as she was in that position , sun could not be Mtisfitd . ( ' Give her resale then . "') Ho did not ask for repeal . He asked foT justice , ami he believed that the sense of justice of the English people would render it unnecessary to ask for repciii . England -wanted redistribution as well as Ireland . Was it just that Ripon with 5 , 735 inhabitants fchould . liuve as many representatives aa Leeds with 123 , 000 . ( Hear , hear . ) He , therefore , ciutcndod , that England Lerself needed redistribution , and thai without it justice could not be done . It was also necessary that voters should be protected frost undue itia ; tauc : j , and . therefore , he tecoramenJea tUe Ballot for thj safety of electors . He coatendod that' tbo middle elates never could have security th'iaiselvts but by a-sk . ng tbo franchue for tlie working classes . So long as tlwro were any portion of the community that lwd not . a . diw
power in voting for Menibsra of Parliament , that class was a class of slavts . Aud if one ciiiss were slaves , the other must be tyrants . The people of Ireland M-ere slaves while they hid not their < iu > j wei | iht in the representation of the country . He demanded equality for Ireland , that the same unprovemeut we demanded in onr own institutions , we should a so ask for h ^ r . Let them tben go forward in endeavours to obtain the people ' s rights . They were told th « y should talte all they . ¦ could' get Hut how were tU' : y to > , ' * & anything ? By moral power—hy the voice of the paonle . The mass of tlie community must ba combine . l wi . tii the middle classes , and thus on ' y would they have the power to influence t ! ie Legislature to grant tha improvement they demanded . Thty coald not have it other wiso , bat by the united power of the people , with the other classes of the community Let , then , these cla-H .:- * concede something treach otlitr . A « lie yet * afraid his voice could not be heard
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he would not further occopy their time , but to express his anxious desire to contend for equal rights to the people—for equal power t » all classes , without which we coald enjoy neitaer peace nor order . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr ., TjOWEry , of Newcastle-upon-Tyne . He appeared before the meeting as a working man and a Cnartiat , not as a uiaa who obtains his right from riches , but from nature . But though he was attached to his class , he had no enmity to any other . It . was one of the proudest days of his life , to see the two chases , which had beea supposed to bo so much op ? posed to each other . met together to hear of each other ' s wrongs , and to consult on the question of suffrage . He meant to say that no suffrage was just that was not
universal . There bad been aome talk about the meaning of expediency—was it not a matter of txpadiency tbat a certain person was not present on that occasion . ( Cheers , hisses , and laughter ) . Where was their security , if they entered'on & question of expediency . It was found necessary to disfranchise tue forty shilling freeholders of Ireland on a question of txpediency , and it might perhaps happen in Eugland on similar grounds , and difficulties- might even ariBe as to the question of what was a household ? He liked to have fair discussion , as it tended to create friendship when pr « p « vly conducted , and to elicit truth . A franchise to suit tho whole population was the point which was wanted , aud a point which must be had ! ( Cheers . ) ;
Mr . Williams , M . P ., ( Coventry . ) was received with'parfial cheers . H >; said bo had always been a Reformer , and traced the histcry of the great aud manly endeavours which had been made to carrythe Reform Bill , which , it was to bo regretted , had failed in obtaining .-a redress of . the grievances under which the people laboured . He thon entered into some calculations illustrative of the present system cf representation , and said tliai while L « eds returned only two members , there were twentyone towns returniug thirty seven members , the united population of which vas not much greater than , the population of Leeds . The West Riding also returned two members ; and there were twenty-seven towns in
England , which returned onohuudred and twenty rau : ub < . n , tho unitod population of which very tittiu ex-. ceeJed thai of this W * -st Kulim ; ; there bein ^ r iu the former , at the la-t census , ; 0 , 2 L 1 ) , and , in tho lauer , 30 , 142 . There was , therefore , no wonder iliat ; he measure had failed , and the ^ ue .-iiun arose as to how these defects could be reiuovtd . It appeared that on most poiuts both the R-, orm Society and the Chartists wero agreed—on ai ) , in fa :: t , except that of tho franchise . For hinuseif , he had voted for every measure far extending tho suflV . tge , which had bcien brought forward eiiwo he had been iu Parlament ; he had voted , on the presentation of the National Charter , that the House should resolve itself iato a committee to consider its details , bein <;
sure that the people were asking nothing wrougnothing-but what they were entitled to—when they asked fur the most full a-id extensive right of th-j suffrage . ( Hear , hear , and cheer * . ) Yet , we saw numerous differences existing ; one party wa , n forUuiver ^ al Suffrage ; another for Housdlio'dduffrage ; and there was a great and powerful" party who ware opposed to all change . With those who advocated Universal Suffrage , ho would say tiiat evjry inaii had a right to vote ior tho . se uiembers of tho iegis-JatiKe by whom the Jaws were made , by which he wa 3 governed , and the taxes were laid which he had to pay . From all the statements made , he argued that there was ia tlie stile , one class too powerful for any of tha
other classes single-handed ; and that , therefore , union was clearly pointed out as the only chance of ultimate suui'O ^ s . He then pointed oul tho objects iu < ended to bo promoted by t : io msuliug , and aiLs ledhirn to rofcr to the eff . ct whu : h might be pvo-Juced by Household ¦ Suffrage . lie-WjuJjI ' wstnuc- j the town of Leeds , not because i : might Miir , him , but because he happened to be in it ; and he fjimj that in 1829 , the number of vd ^ rs ou the Parliamentary register was o ' , li 5 - J , aud tlia > . in 15531 , ihvro wero 25 , 456 ' inhabited housw , or morj t-i-. tu tour times the amount of tha present eonsfituency . ( Hear , hear , hf . ar . ) The iiicrease , 8 ineo 18 K 1 , had been great ; but admittintr , for tlio take oi argument , t !> at tho numbsr of inhabited houses was
upwards of 19 , 000 more than the regiateied electors , it was not too much to say that , out of these there would be 15 , 000 -working men—or the " unwashed " if they chos > e to call them so—and better ttaa 4 , 000 email shopkeepers , whoso interests would doubtless ltad them to unite witli the working men ; and , consequently , it followed ihat th ' . 'y Vrouid have a . decided majority over thfr mldulo classes and the prefent £ 10 electors . Why , therefore , would they ask for Uuiversal Suffrage 1 Surely , if thuy . wero not already represented as they \ vouhilv » L : hto be , it would then be in their power to return-Other representatives who woulJ serve them better , lie thought that Household Suffrage would produce good and , cheap government , and justice to all classes ; sUid ,
as they loved their ounvry , he conjured thena'ip unite in opposing the common enemy . ( Loud cheers . ) He referred to Birmingham aiso , as exhibiting the same results as to the franchise , in the numbtr of its inhabited houses , in comparison with the Parliamentary register , and then proceeded to show tbat , in America , which had been pointed at , the Suffrage was r . ot so general as had been supposed , particularly in the state of Virginia , where ao <* o&n had a vote , except lie was the occupier of aie * l estate , of twenty-five dollars , or had rented a house for five years , at twenty dollars —Chear , hear)—aud in Massachusets , tbe best educated of any of tho Btate ^ , thore was a direct property qualification till tho year 1820 , since which
this had been removed ; but to constitute an elector , it still requires a payment of direct taxes for two years . ( Hear , hear . ) The real question for consideration , then , was not what they wished or desired ; buc what they cou ! d obtain . He for one would not advocate any suffrage which did not give to tho people a proper controul over their representatives iu the Commons' Hours- ? of Parliament ; and if they could show to him thas they had any better chance of carryhig Universal Suffrage than Household , he would go with them ; but , it not , he called upon them to go wiih the Leeds Association , for Household Suffrage , because , then , they would he sure to succeed . The speaker resumed his seat amidst very loud and general applause .
Mr . John Mason , delegate from the Midland Counties , nftxt addressed the meeting , in a short , but energetic address . He said he had heard the arguments on both sides , and felt convinced thai tho only way to decide a political question of cUis nature was by calm consideration , giving each party a fair heaving . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) It was now about ten years since the middle aud working classes united together for the -purpose of carrying the Reform Bill . At that timo it was universally expected that something wou'd have been douo to ulioviate the distress of tho country ,- and it was
generally thought that the Reform ism was the mo ? t likely , and , perhaps , the only maasuro , to accomplish that object . ( Hoar , hear . ) How iaue '; i they had beea disappointed they themselves could feel . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) Tha passing of the R- 'form . Bill , by the determined energy oi tiio people , had enfranchised the preaenn cou-Htituency by whoai the Ministry had been ever since . supported . And he would ask if distress and misery had not gone on increasing during the wholo career of that Ministry 1 This was a consequence ot bad legislation—legislation for tho iuterest ot ' c ' . a- 'so . s , and not for tho : io ot' the whole . The middle elas -ea
were mainly blaineabie for this , because the parties v . ero elected who inado ail the laws . Sir Robert Poel had onco saU to Mr . O'Connell that tho -Peers were responsible to God and tliair own consciences , ior the manner in which , they exorcised their functions ; now the middle classes were oniy 'responsible to God aud their own consaieuces , for the manner 111 which they exercised the power , confided to thwir lunds by-the Reform Bill . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Williams hid referred to America—to tho different s atsa there ; what tho Chartists oompiainecl of was the attribution of liberty to propsrtv , and not to tho person . Mi " . Mason referred to Switzerland , where tho peopie made the ' laws ; and the middle classes did not complain of the power
boing iu their haads ; for prosperity and happiness were the consequence . Whaf was the appeal made in behalf of the Reform Bill , and now iu favuuroi Household Suffrage I It was that it would give the people confidence , and a stake in tho property of the country . That was what , tho Chartists sought in their agitation for the suffrage . 'I uey woro charged with being iguoraat-, aud their reply to the middle and higher class was—'' You have robbed us of education , and you want now to deprive us of our rights . " When tho weaith aud prosperity of the country were produels of their iudustry , were they not to be entrusted with political power ? Lord Abinger , in his address to tho fox-hunting Grand
Jurymen at Leicester Assizes , had said the Churttets aimed at taking the property from tiio middle and higher classes , and f ' aarmg it up amongst th& peopie . Did they . ^ ttus meeting ) wish to interfere wiiii the right 9 of property 1 ( Cries of " No , lio . ") Ho hoped'the raiddie classes would see the propriety of uniting with tho working classes to invest them with political rights ; ibr , to withhold thorn from those who produced the wealth and resources of tho country wastoo horrible to oohtemplate . ( Applausa . ) Mo mu . it differ from Mr . Hume , when he t = aiii the workitijr classes were uuablo to obtaiu their righta without the aid of the middle classes . ; he believed they ciul-1 , for the attempt had beeu m ; ide often aud succeeded . Mr . Mason concluded after a few ci ^ re observations . ¦•¦•• ¦ ¦ ¦ . : ¦
COL . P , Thompson next rose and very briefly addressed the meeting , congratulating himself upon having to ^ peak at so late an hour , foec&OBB he had h ^ ard the optuions of all the patties who differed iu that iargo assembly . He contended that Universul Suffrage was the only means by wkich a fair represeiitatiou of tlie opinions ot the people could be made in P * i ) araent , although lie should not be against Houtcl . oid Suffrage if it could be obtained . Uts adverted to tho Voin Laura—tha exertions he had made to obtain
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their repeal , and the great good that would result to the community at lar * e from free trade In food , if there were any differences between them fa the accomplishment of any meaaurea they wished to attain , it was only in the manner in which they set about it . If they were united ii one view , with one heart , and one purpose , thew could be no question that all they could wish would be fully accomplished . They hud not got more , be cause they had not gone the right way to work . Ha advised them to show their strength at the next election , come vc ben it might , and then gee if no conces . sions would be made to them . He would not shrink from avowing himself a despised Chartist—he was a Chartist . He had advised them which way to go about their business , and it was for them to act . Tha Gallant Colonel sat down amidst the mojt enthusiastic cheering .
Mr . Deegan , of Sunderland , was next called upon . He was glad of the opportunity of speaking befott such a meeting as that then present , and he hoped they would agree in the excellent motto which ha saw behind him , " Justice to ou © and to all . " He hailed that meeting as the sign of a better feeling towards the working classes . Who would hara thought , twenty years ago ,-of members of Parliament and working men standing on the same platform together to discuss a question of Suffrage ? ( Cries of . " Who would iiave thought it ?) It was the evidence o . f a mighty advance of the cause of the peopla , on which he must congratulate them all ; f . Oueers . ) r—Many of . Mr DMegan ' s remarks were inaudible , owing to some confusion near the platform .
The Chairman then rose , and , after 8 atmg that the whole oi' the speakers had beea heard , a . id ; the eveniuj ; was fac advanced , said ha should put the proposition , which had been moved by Mr . Hume , and seconded by Jlr . Moir , to the meeting . He then called for a show of hands , and- tho resolution was carried unanimously , amidst the most enthusiastic and rapturous applause . The Chaikman having vacated the chair , it was taken by Mr . Williams , and a vote of thanks to Mr . Marshall , for his handsome
and impartial conduct in presiding over tha meeting , aid to tho firm for their generous loan of" tho mill for the use of the festival , waa moved by Mr . Williams , M . P ., seconded by Mr . Moir , ami carried by ac- ; komion . , Previous to the immense a&semb ^ age separating , the working men give three tremendous cheers fox Feargus O'Connor ; three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , and three awt ' ai groans ! for Daniel O'Cjuuelh Mr . Marshall havisig acknowledged the comgliuv-nt paid to him , the meeting separated about ieu o ' clock .
Foxite Faith . —Wo have to-day ( Thursday ) had a . uocablo example of tlie good faith ami houest dealing of the faxe ? . It is a usual practice amongst Newspapers published iu tho same town , without reference to politics , to accommodate each other with reports of public proceedings as a mutual convenience . In accordance with this very jusi and proper usa # e , we l \ ava never hesi r atei to afford , at ail . tiinsa , to any of our contemporaries , slips of any matter cf public intf . rest that they mi ^ iit wish to have , notwithstanding that it Blight have coat ua some trouble and ex ^ enc © to procure it . ; nor have wo eier , until row , found a contemporary mean eaoii ^ h to hesitate in a-ffjrdutg us the hke courtesy . Ti
Tuis afternoon , the Editor oftho /^ eeds m es sent , his reporter to our office , to request slips of the Holbeck Moor Meeting . We at once gave him those ; aud reqviasted him , iu return , lo oblige us wuh slips of thc » Mill Meeting , which mighc save our reporter so'uio trouble in writ-ing out . This was promised , and our slips of tha Ho ! b . ? ck Moor meeting ta . ken away . Not merely did wo do this , but actually took th ? trouble of correntiiitf the proois , wiiich were isent ' io us i ' rom tiw Leeds Times offise 1 ' ar that purpose ; aad when the : ;*} proofj iverc seuc bask to the Editor , with a rcquess for the promised shps , the d . rt ' y blackguard toid r . he nacdseuger , taas the report oi" me Mill -Meethig had been atr . ouded with some expenca , and ho could not , thirofore , scud it uh I Iu Justice to ihe Leeds Mercury we feel buund to btrrte , that the Ttmcs' reporter , when requ's ^ i ' . ig slips of tho Moor meeting from us , wag
accompanied by the sub-edi ' . or of tho Leeds \ lercury who asked alike favour ; to whom we of course gav « them , making the same request as to the Times . He , not having coiisulte 4 his principals , did not chi oso to promise , but said he would 6 ee . From tho Mercury ^ though , not promised , we received them 5 notwithstanding that the dirty Doctor had actually not content with the ungcntlemanly and dishonest ' trick played by himself , sens down to them to request that they would not furnish them to us . Thia bit of potty , spiteful blackgnardism is the best proof wl ( i' ; h could have been afforded of the feeling of th » fo ^ c-s , on account of the " heavy blow and sora discoiiragomeiit" they have received this day in their own ccn . Poor Fox Smiles ! how angry he mast hayo been at the i \ fercury s refusal to aid him in bo laudable au undertaking as that of inflicting a few hours' needless labour upon the reporters of a conisaaporary paper !
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. ^ Registered at Brighton , three weeks since , William Fi-ost Kingsiuore , sou of Mr . aud Mrs . Thomas Kings mote ; Also , Tvriiiiarn Feargus O'Connor Frost Ellis , son of Mr Williasn George MeecU ; un and Mrs . Helena Ellis . Mr . Martin Griffiths , of Worcester , had a child christened on the 20 th of December , Jane Vincent Griffiths * At Mansfield , on the 7 th of January , John and Sarah Stafford had a son christened James Feargtu Stnflforrt . On Wodneaday , December 9 th last , the wife of John Coyle , late of Wigan . a thorough-going Chartist Teetotaller and Rechabite , was safely delivered of a son ^ which was duly registered Feargns Frost Coyle . A few weeks ago , the wife of Mr . Jesse Green , oi Ho ' rhury , was delivered of a fine girlr which has been duly registered Jaae Frost Gret n , iu honour of the exiled John Frost
John and Ann Lucas hod a son bern 3 rd of December last , whom they have caused to be named Feargus O'CKmnoT . At Zion Chapel was christened , on the 10 th of Januacy , by the Rnv . John Thorpe , the fourch sou of Charles and Eleanor-Willden , by tho name of Feargus O'Connor . The wife of John Coles , of Compton-street , Northampton , wai lately delivered of a son , which was dniy registered Henry Feargus Coles .
Untitled Article
Leeds Cloth Markets . —In the Coloured and White Cloth Halls , during the pass week , there has been a very extensive deaiand for every description « f manufactured goods . The individuals employed in tho ' warehouses are very actively engaged . Th © numbers out of work are gradually diminishing , and under the present 1 ' avpurablo auspices , the . period will soon arrive wheu-thcre will bo no cojnpUiuts of scarcity of labour . Leeds Corn Market , Tuesday , Jan . 19 . —Tho supplies of Grain to th : 3 day's m&rk « t is very small . The navigation 13 now open , that we may expect g ^ od arrivals for next week . There has bten a thia iciteiwauce of buyers , and prices scarcely eo good as last week for all kinds of Grain .
THE AVERAGE PRICES FOR THE WEEK ENDING JaNVaRT limi , 1841 . Wheat . Barley . Oats . Rye . Beans . Peas Qrs . Qrs . Qra . Qra . Qrs . Qrs . 21-28 1558 350 10 112 0 £ s . d . £ s . tl . £ s . d . £ s . d . . £ s . d . £ s . d . 3 4 7 1 15 0 1 3 3 | 1 17 4 2 2 0 0 0 0 Letps Fortnight Fair , Jan . 13 ^— There was a fair average show of Cattle at this market , and the pi-hicip : il ponioa wa « disposed of at the foUornvg prices : —Beef , from 7 s- Gd . to Qj . 61 . per atone ; Mutton , from 6 ^ -1 . to 7 d . per 1 b . Number of Cattle at the market : —tfeasts , 220 ; Sheep , 3 , 0 © O . Pigs , 50 . Prices of l ! a . y and Straw—the former from G ^ d . to 7 d ., the latter 4 d . per stone .
SnirroN Cattle Market , Jan . 18 . —We had very excellent supply of fat Cattle , and buyers being uunic-rcup , tho whole was readily sold ot . the following prices : —Beef , 5 id . to 6 ld . ; Mutton , 6 J . ta GW . pcrlb . . Youk Corn Market , Jan . 1 C—We have a very large auendanco cf farmers , and more Graiu offering thau for some rn-eks past . Wheat 13 dull sale f and the turn lower . Malting Barley keeps its price
but inferior qualities » ro almost unsaleable . Oats full one farthing yor stone lower . Beans aa before . Saxford CAirLS Market , Wednesdat , Jan . 20 . —There was a much smaSk-r supply of stock to-day than there was last week , and as it wa . 3 much below the demand , beef sold at £ 1 per head , or fully" id per lo dearer ; and mutton brought -jd ' per lb above last currency . Jivetything was early sold . Best bcefjGM to 71 d ; iiiiVrior , o | il to 6 d . Primo mutton i 7 d to 8 d , aud middling and eweiBj 6 d to 7 d perlb , sinking the offal . . ¦
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O'COJINOB , Esq ., of Hainmeramitbv CoxmtJ Middlesex , by JOSHUA HGBSON , at his P | int » Ing Officea , Noa . 18 and 13 , Market-street , Brig gate ; and Published by the said Joshua HOBSON , ' { tor ihe « aid Fjbabgits O'Connor , ) at his Dwelling-house , No , 5 , Martet-street , Bri ^ at *; W internal Communication existing between the said Ho . ' 5 , Market-street , and the said Nob . IS and 13 , Market-straet , Briggate , thus constituting the whole of the said Printing and Publiflhing Offlofl on > a Prauilses . All Comiuunications must be addressed , ( Post-paid ) tt J . HtasoN , Northern SUr Office , Leeds . ( Saturday , January , 23 , 1841 ;)
Local Markets.
LOCAL MARKETS .
Leeds:—Printed Fo» The Proprietor, Feah&Vb 8 The Northern Stab. .
Leeds : —Printed fo » the Proprietor , FEAH&VB 8 THE NORTHERN STAB . .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 23, 1841, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1093/page/8/
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