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^ r ^ raOPOLITAN MEETING TO TVEKOUNCE THE AUTHORS OF THE ^ TREATMENT OF MR . PEARGt S ( yCOJfNOB-( Reported by mtr London Cvnespondeni . ) , v- vnndsy evening , * Tary amaaoai meeting took * . ^ im ^™ <* ** Soeal iMtitatioa , * *** % J * Tottenham Conrt Road , to naAn the Job »*» * ' depatoti 0 Q which , tw appointed at the J ****!^ metropolitan , meeting , at ' White Conduit *» ^ « iit on the M * rqni » of Somanbj , with a goose , w MhtiT 8 xq uie increased ill-treatment of rSffl 0 ^ mot > ^ *• wk c * rtifi BMtafi - 5 * ^ f ^ taking the chair -was announced to he > k * k - bat *» eirty M even , the galleries were % * , ° Hto 4 * ith respectably attired persons , many at " ^ /^^ m . and at the hour for commencing boaineas , ^^ crowded in ev ery part ^ fSe BiM * " part eight pred «! y , Mr . Peat , a . _ * - * ttb » arpeater , wa » called to tbfi chair , and
nLftehisi ° * "SB" * . oJrecalling w tae ° P * 7 ^ of the meeting the circumstances under iec ?\ f 5 L d «» t * tion ° * d beai appointed ; denouncing , " ** " -iTa nerfstJc m&aner , the conduct of the ' hlgfier fc - «« n a » rf tkose who , " dressed in a little ^ Il ^ tbority , " tod to **** ***• O'Connor with aa & ** ^ fitted on ly for felons , or for men convicted of ^ f ^ olical offence , i Shame . ) When Feargns ^ L g vas persecuted , Chartism was persecuted ; ° ^ O % amor % « attacked , the liberty of the press * - araeied ; and those who were friends of the Vfri £ i and < & ' & * li 0 *^ ° * **** P reas ' should therefore ^ ffijoBd liiia . and ahow to the base minions of * " *_ - _ that they should not sacrifice the people ' s
--7 « rd -niaed friend , i junta ana prolonged cneer-P * tf be i Mr . Pat ) were to be asked , was Mr . vlrnss O'Connor a man of gra&es talent Uiaa any itefiB the rants of the people , be would answer ¦ vere be asked , iras 3 £ r . O'Connor a roan of greater ^ L-w be w ould answer no ; or a maa who had made —«» sacrifices lhan any other -man for the people ' s SnsTbe » oald still answer no ; but , were he asked if Sfo-CMBior ? & » » " ^ of P «** «» ergy than any ^ L naan ow engaged in agitating for the Charter , taVonia answer J « . ^ Protoafed ( Peering . ) Tes ; " y - ^ di his zeal , and talent , and energy , into * ™~ _ -j nnks , and fought against the foes of the ZTZa , determined oeTar to rest till he saw- the freeGreat
im-tint classes of this countsry poimcally . ( SlaJM ., In order to akow the meeting what the TZZ rasceA < & $ * countiy were inflicting on °° Tfr ^ Hfl as thu , he would read them a letter "Sj . lad appeared in the Northern Star of January v ^ T BB » d " Citizen of York , " and which was t * C , „ $£ evidence of a stranger , uninfluenced by the fejjEHwladi might naturally inflnence Mr . Hobson , fSaflsiier m the same paper was even more harrowk Tgnl . ( Tte letter was here read , and receded with ^ jL xG siorj exclamations of " Shame , " &e . it ) The TCv ^ Ba proeeeded to **? ' that tlwn S l 1 ^ Whigs ^ jjj > iot wish to see Mr . O'Connor die in York { w ^ tisy plainly manifested their determination to
ttaoamiae hU constitution , that they did not care fcr » ob be dkd after he came out . Indeed , who had jeeaoe wrt of their hell-holes without their consti--22 « 5 tring' Let that meeting recollect that one ^ -afaad been made . tHear , hear . j Alas , poor onec : and Lorsti , too , had not known a night ' s rs B ** B 7 moniis ; while "Vincent , who had jnst ggsedfrom one of their murder-traps , was scarcely ifea * 3 ? S « - . Hear , hear . ) When he Tefiected on 6 a e thing *! it n » ade him wonder that the people did not : s i tbeir might , and crush the system at once , that fcs&t last -bo longer , i Loud cheering . ) The Whigs i-s ^ i ; bj these persecutions to inflict " a heaTy blow Es ' sae aisconragement" upon Chartism ; but while Szs eriGf siie coanrry remained untouched , all their ^ ggnj onj and incarcerations wonld be worse than taken
tzn ; for , for e-rery Feargns O'Connor away , fcj tcbM bare a bandrcd aaalous missionaries to proaieiiiar principles ; and for every honest Chartist ' m ? r& , ftiey wpald hate scores of atanneh w ^ dtii !* Ea , - » lBTrtHildiieTei relax in their energies till they b £ aa » d the principles of the People ' s Charts to be ejwisd in the law of the land . iLond cheering . ) ¥ aid to Searen ( said iTr . P . ] we had Feargus O'Con-Eriere this evening , to plead with his eloquence for &r £ of the political Tietxms ; bat , ere another week Sao , be win know that the working men of London xxiadipact at the treatment he and they have reccrsd -, md , if one thing more than another will cheer In vp , it wiD be the knowledge thai the working class lore Ste mas who ha « dared and suffered so rrxh . far their easse , and who , by his eloquence , has cccrertedxlKsleTjISamin one day to the true
prineijfea of deooeraUe hberty . After same other obserrv tJcu , Hz . Faat resumed Uie chair , amid repeated aad fiCI 2 USS £ 3 £ <**}>« Tfoy X :. S ? t&& , on the psrt of himself aad coadjutors of ihe depntttinn , apponised to wait on the Marquis of Tiormtxbj , with the Memorial , here read their cornrpoMeoce with the Home OSee , which was receiTed b ; the ssdisoee "with Tsryisg tokens of popular feeling , is tie shape of buses , grams , " Oh , the rascal s > . " dec * & iTht letters baring already Appeared in the iv ^ ar % Ster , from oar London CorrBspondent , it vH be needless to repeat t h ** n in this place . ) Haying Kcrted progress , be would ask leave Vo go on further . &e dspciatioB bad been exceedingly anxious that their
EX . - & sbosld be successful , because ne man could tell tck the shoe pinched so well as him who had felt iaripe . ( Hear . ) The cruelties and persecutions infead on Feargus O'Connor could not be adequately csebed , tiiough tbey migtt be imagined , and the n : no wonld not exert himsoif to alleTiate the snffea of one ¦ who was enduring an nneonstitutioiiaJ F ssiffigat , aggnTated by treatment not eTen included is tie sentence , deserTed a taste of tie nd himself . Istf ehaers . ) And for what was this treatment in-Esd aa Mi O'Connor ? What had be dose ? Had teiwk&imybody ? No : he was trying to catch the fiisra— ¦ txane&dous applause;—by whom the working * 2 aa bad so long been robbed of the produce of
Bcxal Dontinned r . hwrmg ) it -sras not bis ( Mr . « c « pioTince to point out to the meeting the course & ? skald parsae in this business , whether they ** t jo before the House of Commons or not ; but he J « s 3 bifflself to use eTery exertion to get their friend ' ~* vpa O'Connor , oat of the miserable hell in which aiiamsred . Bat , while they adTotatad the cause < « & . 0-Gonnor , thej -would not forget that there were aarf their own dass sentenced to two and to three X ?/ aptssntmsnt , irith the addition of hard labour "' as satowe , aroiredly bteause they were working Ja ; jst the time-Bersing Judges and the serrile press ^ Sas ij jot one law for the rich and another for axes . He congratulated the meeting , by anticipa-«¦ a the time vrhzn ilr . O'Connor ' s chains would *¦ " ++ ^*^ * -iX *« \ J ir * ! ^ ! m \ i' \ Wm 1 I I it TW UJU
^ * ^ ^ ^ tttfed off , wid when he would be again among ^ Hs rsioiced thai the trades in Manchester were oesj oei nobly—let them recollect that Mr . O'Connor ?*» ito foagbt the battles of the Borchester la-Z * ^~*\ ssd of the CKasgo-w cotton-spinners , and the ^ sa& wbo weuld be ready to meet him with ope n ^ a tes liberation -w ould make the -very founda-~* of tyranny tremble , ilr . Spurr sat down Tery " ^¦ T ippkuded . fc Booais ; who was anaounced from the chair as ^ iswssd Edward Boggisj came forward to more ^ St rtaolutiott . He appeared before the meeting ^ J ^ a the title conferred on him by the Chairman—^** iich be discarded , bec&ase he considered th » ^** pnt of those -who assnmed it were merely . ina is sbeep ' s clothint—ilxnehinff and cheers *—before them
^ j ^^ wi as a Chartist , the JjU * title man could bear . They were not cong T ^ j ?« 6 ly against power , bnt against the powers J ^^ aess in bigh places ; and thocgb the working r ^ fcai been libelled , basely libelled , by a hireling ^^^ trades begin to smell Chart ism ; the thousands •» S ? ^ boWeIs ° t the earth , and the thousands 5 ^ ° tiR Tery sea t of political wick ednea , tbe fisii't *^ tJ : ese now smelt Chartism , and they would , 8 o » n ibe gandy fabric of corruption , and erect j ^^« E noMer on its ruins . ¦ . Lond cheering . > They CT ^ japrotest aeairs : the indignities and ill-treattheir tried friend
f ^^^* d on and champion , j ^ O Connor ; but , it was not with Mr . O'Connor 2 ^ ** tbeii rrmpatiy would be evinced ; they re-^* - » Camer and Peddie , and the Test who bad fe 5 fcjj * 31 fid a « tnally to suck the perspiration from ^ T * , to aliay the raging fe-rer of their thirst , Ct ^^ ied in the infamous bastiles of the Whigs . ; i ^ W atark s of indignation . ) And all this in » ^ rfi ? " *' ' llalil 3 ° f Bioies—( cheersi—aye , and a &D ^ j **^* too . ! Laughter and cheers . ) The ^ i rv ? ^ ** door ° * Wh iggery , but the ^ < fhartjsm bad been sewn in it , and they would «* £ CTea * s " the blood of the martyrs was the ESjjp C&ttrch ; " and where the seeds once take lE ^ -J ^ d be sure to produce fruit . ( Cheers . ) Mr . jg . Wsrrtd to some of the doings of the " of
cage : - if ^ " «* he denoBQinated the " national" body i ^ . jff' ^^ , by reason of whom \ 8 &id bes the ^ ^ Z * groaned with crnel and wicked jndg-UJ Wicehad taken night ; iu „ Pfirsecution has raised her iron rod .
^ « Pride of manis called the power of God . " ¦ easS 8 &bad l 8 i together ; - ia Toice " thafs a true ¦ ^ & ' "' ' * ' that ik Tronld ^ e ^^ d to P & 5 »^?? ' the "King of Ireland" to the tftW ^ Sefo ™ BilL " ' ¦^ t'FStv * " Vllidl ^ ' orat "• d * cide if you can , Ims ^ f ^ . or the big monster Dan . " ¦ W ° ^ taS 7 ^ SBd ^ eers . ) Mr . Boggis concluded by " 5 i tv * " ? ^^ lotion : — »« sa i ttu meeting -riews with surprise and a » - ¦ aBbT ^ 1 ^ e unprecedented eondoct of Lord >' orm ^ lnHf' ^ intar ™* * ° »• deputation , ap-^ e ^ xns mbaKtants tf Loudon , in public meeting WW . toe Purpose of presenting a memorial , ¦ 2 « ^^ iDt 0 the iIle « aJ and barb ^ 0 ^ ^ eat " fc-t ^ esrgns O 'Co nnor , E »\ ., now a prisoner i » ¦ ^^ , * . v S dieTi ng such refusal to Le incon-¦ ^^ - Cffiee Dt her Majesty ' s Secrdtary of «^« J ^ " ^ erefore of opinion , t ^ atbii " 9 ^ to bk 7 w arose £ rom hia h # stUe ^ d ™ P ^ cabl e S- * e tto ^ . generous prisoner ; and , tlere-«* ^ sIt ^^ . ^ gg ^ iSed contempt of bis jmff * 4 &L u ^ ° v tte »» fetion f because he eonp -me iiarquu of Xannanby hid not acted
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with that etiquette which was due , and usually observed , toward ! deputations from public meetings . ( Hear , hear . ) As , however , the Marquis had sent an inspector of the A division to this meeting , { alluding to « n officer of that force who was present in disguise , ) he rejoiced to think that his Lordship would be told that the working classes considered he had departed from his dnty and-bis station , and that , though a Marquit , he had proved himself to be no gentleman . ( Tumultuous cheering . ) Some persons wished htm to point out the officer ; but he ( Mr . W . ) would rifl do so , because this was a- public meeting , and that individual had a right to attend ; he was only happy and glad that the commissioners of the police bad thought it worth while to send an inspector to report their
proceedings . ( Cheers . ) The memorial to the Marquis was bis own bantling ; and he had a right to protect it ; but there was a method of doing business without resorting ^ to words t hat amounted to fro th and meant nothing ; aad while they would tell the House of Commons that the Home Secretary was not polite , they would endeavour to procure for Mr . O'Connor such treatment as Sir Francis Burdett and Sir Themis Cochrane , and others of their class , had experienced in similar circumstances . Though Mr . O'Connor had a padlock placed on him—though he was not allowed to held the slightest communication with any of his friends , except in the presence and hearing of a turnkey—though there was no distinction between bis treatment and that of the felon , who' had been convicted of some odious
enme , sot one of the men who " dip in gall their gander quills , aad scrawl against the paper , " for the purposes of party , had come forward te vindicate the outraged liberty of tie press , in the person of Mr . O'Connor . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) But the public would even be contented with this , if , in the next newspaper prosecution , the Government would fly at the proprietors instead of the printers , as had invariably been the practice before the trial of Mt . O'Connor . Look at the records in every case of political libel ; but loek , especially , at the ease of the Times , where " John Lawson , " the printer , Is allowed to be the scapegoat of " John Walter , " the proprietor : be hoped , therefore , that in future the same measure would be meted out to the proprietors of the " faction " papers ; and then the system would speedily be rooted out . ( Loud cheers . ) The Whigs had treated Mr .
O'Connor , not as a political offender , but as a malefactor ,- it was an attempt to put down the Chartist press , but the attempt had most signally failed , and the people bad now to demand that the infernal system of espionage should be altered . "You , " said Mr . W ., " have a duty to perform , and you are not men if you do not act : I tell you , you are not men , but fellows fit for a meb , and for nothing else . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Each of you petition the House of Commons ; shew that corrupt House that yon have the mind to think , and the wiil to act—shew that you are men . The question is in yaax hands ; act , for the sake of your friend and the Iriend of humanity , Feargras O'Connor^—act , for the sake of the imprisoned victims : you will thus bring credit on yourselves , ameliorate your condition , assist the victims , and crown your triumph by obtaining the passing of the"People ' s Charter . " ( Load and prolonged cheering , lasting for many seconds . )
The Chaismis announced that Mr . Sankey would have been present , bnt for extreme iadisposition . The resolution was then put , and unanimously adopted . Mt . CBAFSiA : ' ttm called on to move the next resolution , which was as follows : — " This Tr > y > t . iTij , seeing that the Marquis of Kormanby has refused an interview with the deputation appointed by the inhabitants of London , in public meeting assembled , are of © pinion , tbst a petition should be presented to the Bouse of Commons , praying them to take the matter £ nto their most serious consideration , and for the purpose of liberating Mr . O'Connor , and all other so ealied political prisoners . "
It seemed to him ( Mr . Chapman ) to be a singular course to ask the House of Commons to do that duty for the Marquis of Normanky , for which hft Lordship was so well paid fcy the conntry ; and if one Englishman more th *™ another had a right to be attended to in bis requests , it was the working man , out of wh » se earnings the Marquis was paid . ( Cheen . ) Mr . O'Connor , who was the acknowledged representative of all the hard h * - " ^* . fustian jackets , and onsborn chins , had been , unjustly treated in his dungeon ; the working men of London had appointed representatives to remonstrate with the Marquis against that treatment , yet he ( the Marquis ) refused to see them ; they must therefore tell the so called People ' s House of the misbehaviour of the Home Secretary , though he , for one , did not think
much good would come out of that course , for " such as was the sample , such would be the sack . " ( Loud cheering ) . But if n 6 good effect be produced on the House , the case would be different as regards the country : the statement of facia in their petition would set the people vthinking ; and when they thought they wculd begin to act- The motto that , " For a nation to be free it is sufficient that she wills it , " had now become mere household words , for the people must be in a potition to enforce their will , by rising in tht majesty of their might , —( lond and general cheering , )—rising , he would repeat , not with arms , but in the might of united minds , ( Continued cheering . " Make the people a thinking people , he cared no by what
means —« ven with the Bible if they would—and England wonld witness a revolution in whicbr there would be no use for . military or for bludgeon men , — ( loud cheers );—the people would have arms that neither soldier nor policeman could cope with ; that neitker acts of Parliament , nor gagging laws , backed by substantial truncheons , muskets , and cutlasses , could parry—they ¦ would have the arms of united intelligence ; and if the tyrants trembled before the pioneers of the Charter , what would they do when the mighty phalanx should come on , to dispute the ground inch by inch , and march at last over the prostrate carcase of oligarchical tyranny , to the long-looked for land of freedom and eooality . ( Enthusiastic cheering . )
Mr . PabK £ E seconded the resolution . '—This meeting had been called to tell them that the Marquis of Normanky bad insnlted the men of London . Were they surprised at it ? 1 " > ~ o !") >' o ; he should think not ; the Government minions who could murder a Clayton , and destroy for ever tfce constitutions of the rest of their political victims , could afford to risk a small insult to the unrepresented men of London . Mr . P . proceeded to denounce the conduct of the Whigs towards Peddie , Carrier , and the rest of the working men new in different gaols for political offences ; declaring that though it ¦ wes a strong term to n ^ se , he would do so , before the blue bottles who were present , and deliberately state his belief , that in the conduct pursued towards these poor men , the Whiga desire nothing short of their
judicial mnrder . ( Lond cheering . ) The resolution ¦ which he bad to Becond , was a pill for Lord If ormanby and he wanted that meeting to act the Doctor with it ( Laughter &nd cheers . ) He wanted a host ot blistered hands and unshorn chins , so to place Feargus O'Connor a , B to make his power - ten times more than it bad ever been . iHear , hear . ) He had seen Mr . O'Connor previous to going to Fork , and in allusion to the treatment be expected , he ( Mr . E . ) remarked that he supposed they would relax in some degree the punishment on him , being one of their own class ; when Mr . O'Connor replied , " Damn them , no ; they'll tie me up as tight as a sweep in a chimney ; " which they had done , and something more .. IIany persons whom he knew
had determined during the whole of the ensuing spring end summer to prepare for going to York in carriages and four when Mr . O'Connor ' s time was expired , by saving the money they should otherwise expend in going to Greenwich Fair and other places of amusement ; and there meet Mr . O'Connor as he ought to be met * y the working men of London , as well as of every place in the kingdom ; he-should be presented with the aff < sctionate remembrances of the working men of the metropolis , whose attachment to him would be unalterable so long ag be kept the principles of the People ' s Caarter as his ruling guide . ( Tremendous applause . ) In conclusion , be exhorted them to snpport the victims , to remember Frost , Williams , and Jones ; to work hard for th *» Charter , and no surrender ; " and sat down
amidst protracted cheering . Mr . Cleave rose V > support the resolution ; as it was getting late , he would n « t detain the meeting by any lengthened remarks , but he felt somewhat in a dilemma : was it intended to petition the House of Commons , that an inquiry should be "made as to the conduct of the Marquis of PTormanby , or , as to the treatment of Feargus O'Connor in York Castle ? ( Hear . ) If the former , he confessed that it seemed to him to be a hopeless case ; but they might do both , by bringing before the House of Commons the conduct of the Marquis of Normanby towards the deputation , and also the conduct of the Hotte Secretary , in relation to the treatment of Mr . O'Connor . ( Cheers . ) Let them look arid * for a moment , and imagine what Feargus O'Connor would say , if he were now present ; he would tell
them , as the two last plain-spoken and honest men hod told them , that in order to make the Marquis « f Kormanby fe * i , the working men should set forth their unalterable determinatioa that all the victims should be treated as they ought to be . ( Loud cheers . } What , then , did he advise . 'He wo * ld have each maa become s missionary ; for the evil of these meetings was , that those who deserve the censure of being apethetic were the absent ; the loungers about in the tap-rooms ; not those who exerte < t 4 heD 3 Belves in their respective sphere * to promote the cause of political justice , but the masses who hung like a dead weight upon their fellows , and whom despotkm had made stupid , and ignorant , and Wbiggism bad detinnmed to keep so . ( Cheers . ) He did rwt recosunend expensiT * . meetings , then ; but , that there should be bo excuse as to the principles of th * Chatter being u&iaown ; mheiever there was a
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human -being ignorant of our principles , there was work to do , and the office of a missionary would begin . ( Hear . ) Let each man take care that his books , and Stars , and tracts , did not lay idle , but let them be lent about and sent about la every direction—( hear , hear );—and in a few months the face of things would be changed , and instead of meeting in tens and hundred * , they would meet ia thousands , till the Whig and Tory Lords sunk into their native insignificance ( Hear . ) At ( hat moment , letthem reflect that Carrier was pining in the dungeon of the Devizes basttle , and when the morning ' s bell shall ring , he would be compelled to renew his never-changing toil on the tread-mill ; and for what ? for maintaining his principles as an honest Chartist , and a working man , and for reiterating those
principles on bis trial ( Hear , hear , and cheering . ) He ( Mr . Cleave ) knew sufficient of Mr . O'Connor to venture the assertion that his advice would be to think of all the victims—to think of Frost , Williams , and Jones^—to carry out the principles of democracy , and sympathise with all . ( Loud cheers . ) It was true that the Northern Star had risen in London from a few scores up to thousands ; but the people bad the power to rise it still higher , and they wight rely on it that the power they would thus give , would be wielded to their advantage , ( cheers ) , the greater would be the ability it would develope , asd the greater the eapital brought to its back to carry out its principles . ( Hear , hear . ) In relation to the conduct of the Marquis of
Normanby and the underlings , as well as of the magistrates at the various places where the victims have been incarcerated , he expressed it as his conviction t&at ail must work for good ; it would hasten the general perception of the necessity fer every man being represented in Parliament—for until Universal Suffrage should be obtained , they could net expect equal laws , nor could they expect just decisions from a magistrate who considered property all-paramount . The things he had seen in the prisons he had to pass through , would make a heart of granite melt ; and such things would continue until the people were fully represented in a house of their ewn . ( Hear , hear . ) In conclusion he wonld say , that his heartfelt prayer was , that they and thousands more would bind the Charter more
firmly *> i » n ever to their hearts ; whatever they might give way to , from a regard to the feelings or tempers of others , they must never give way upon the suffragt ( prolonged cheers ;) they should choose rather to die upon the spot , and shed the blood which their fathers gave ( cheers ;) whilst for his own part , he would sooner than yield the right to the suffrage , die in one of the gaols , and there rot as a martyr to his principles . Mr . C . sat down loudly cheered . Mr . FuzzoN ( from the body of the meeting ) , before the resolution was pet , wished to make &n observation . He was told he should make himself ridiculous by this exhibition , but be could " nt help it , if he did ; so
long as he could make them understand what he meant , that was as much oratory ss he cared about . He would tell them , then , candidly , that he thought , while they were about it , they might as well " go the whole hog , " as halfway—ihear , hear , and applause )—all the victims had already suffered ten times more than they ought , and , instead of asking for " a mitigation of punishment , " he wanted them to demand the "liberation . " ( Hear , bear , and renewed cheering . ) He was no speaker , bat he felt as honest and &nxiuU 8 in the dose as the , most talented among them , and those being bis sentiments , he should like to see them adopted by the meeting .
Mr . Jorija * " ( a journeyman jovner , also from the body of the meeting , ) in a quaint but telling speech , which was warmly applauded , seconded tbe amendment , which being acceded to by the mover and seconder of tbe resolution , consequently stood as the substantive motion , and , on being put from the chair , was unanimously carried , amid reiterated plaudits . Mr . Rose proposed the following petition to the House of . Commons -. — To the Honourable the Commons o / Great Britain and Ireland , in Pariiamerd assembled , The Petition of the Inhabitants of London , in Public Meeting assembled , Sheweth .
That your petitioners , in approaching your Honourable House , for the purpose of laying before you the sufferings of a man beloved by the people , and now confined in York Castle , for a political libel , have been moved hereto , by the consideration of the oft-repeated , and constantly reiterated , declaration of tbe admirers of things ss they are , that the whole people are virtually represented therein ; we , your petitioners , therefere , as part and parcel of tbe whole , whose interests your high delegated powers enable yon to protect , come before you , in the full assurance that this our petition will receive at your hands that consideration the importance of its statements and allegations demand .
We need not remind your Honourable House , that Feargus O'Connor , Etquire , is now a prisoner in York Castle , sentenced to a Jong confinement of eighteen months , for publishing what is called a libel , and seven of which are untxpired , but merely to lay before you tbe illegal , unconstitutional , and unprecedented manner in which he has been treated . In doing so , yoar petitioners are desirous of avoiding exaggerations , and giving a high colouring to what we consider the barbarities and cruelties , of which the prisoner and your petitioners most justly complain ; but , when we consider that arbitrary power has usurped tbe throne of jnstice , and tbe most refined cruelties are perpetrated under the name of law , rules , and regulations , we cannot find language sufficiently strong to express our hatred of such abominations .
That it waa with surprise and astonishment we received the information that , in addition to the sentence of imprisonment directed by the Judge , this nobleminded patriot and champion of our rights was forced to perform the most degrading offices ; that the yard which was allotted him for air and exercise was taken from him and given to felons ; that tbe room in which be waa confined was so filled with smoke , that , in order to obtain air , tbe windows were always open ; and that be is constantly watched by an offictr of tbe prison to prevent any private conversation with his friends on matters of business . Feeling , therefore , that his situation to-day might be ours to-morrow , -we lost no time in making ( as we tbonght ) an application to the proper quarter .
In public meeting assembled , to the number of fifteen hundred , we adopted a memorial , to the Marquis of Normanby , praying for enquiry , and appointed a deputation to present and support tbe prayer of the same ; bnt his Lordship refused an interview because he ceuld not see what good purpose would be answered thereby , —at once dashing tbe cup of hope from our lips , by refusing to hear our prayers , and insulting ua through our deputation . We , therefore , turn , with feelings of disgust , from the Noble Lord , ( whose vision we believe to be rendered oblique through prejudice and personal resentment , ) to your Honourable House , which we will not presume to tasult , by praying for that you will be ready to grant We , therefore , demand , in the name of the peoplein the name of justice , reason , and humanity , the liberation of all tbe prisoners c onfined tor political offences .
We also submit to your Honourable House , that her Majesty's Ministers have justly forfeived the confidence of the people ; and hope you will address tbe throne , praying their dismissal from office , and the calling tbe men to power who may be able to see what good purpose may be answered by courteously listening to the people's prayer . And your petitioners will ever pray . Signed on behalf of the meeting , R . Peat , Chairman . Mr . Ridley seconded the adoption of that petition .
It was a source of congratulation to that meeting to know that , besides the reporter for their oitn paper , tbe Northern Star—( cheers!—they had the presence of the reporter for the Weekly Dispatch . ( Long-continued and repeated cheering ensued on the mention of the latter paper . ) Here , then , was the great moral power of the people ; two of the principal papers in the kingdom woald record their sentiments , and convey their principles to every town and village in the empire . After a feeling address on the subject mattter of the victims generally , and Mr . O'Connor particularly Mr . Ridley sat down , loudly cheered .
Mr . Walls moved that the words " by the most corrupt and profligate Government of modern times , " be omitted from tbe fourth clause of the petition . There could be no doubt of tbs fact ; but as tolling the truth might be deemed " disrespectful" to the Honourable House , and might canse the rejection of the petition , he thought the words would be better omitted . Mr . Spcsb thought otherwise , and would contend for tbe petition as it stood . A seconder for Mr . Wall ' s amendment having appeared , it was put and carried . Mr . Neesom , amid much cheering , moved tbe next resolution : — " That this meeting pledge * itself to vju renewed exertions in favour of Mesars . Frost , Williams , aid Jones , and all the other political victims ; and also to agitate , without ceasing , until the People ' * Charter becomes the law of the land . " Our report having run to s * great a length , we are compelled to curtail Mr . Neesom ' s very able address , which was attentively listened to ' and warmly applauded . One circumstance , however , mentioned by him in tbe course of his speech , we deem too important to be omitted . It i * well known that no beer or spirits can be obtained in the metropolis before one o ' clock on Sunday , yet at the " Duke of Wellington , " Northstreet , WluUchapel , the landlord of which house took
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part with the police in the memorable Bethnal Green affair , Mr . Neesom asserted that gin and beer might be had at any hoar on the Sunday morning , and that the police " were aware of is . " He exhorted them to " touch not ,, taste not , handle not the unclean thing which gave their enemies strength , and produced weakness to themselves j let them down with the cup and up with the . Charter , " ( Continued cheeriag . ) Mr . Booth seconded the resolution , which was also carried unanimously . , It waa moved that the petition be entrusted to Mr . Field en fwr presentation , and that Messrs . Duncombe and Wakley be requested to support it ; to which an amendment was moved , that Mr . Duncombe should be requested to present it , and the other Hon . Members to support it , which was agreed to .,
A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman , and acknowledged by him . «• Three cheers" of the right size were next given for Feargus O'Connor , and the company were treated to " a song" by Mr . Gilei Lovett , who gave the " MaxseUaise Hymn" u a finale .
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REPORT OF THE COUNCIL OF THE LAMBETH NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION , Men and Brethhen , —We appear before you this night to resign that trust which has hitherto been delegated to us . In doing so , we think it incumbent upon us to lay btfoft you a brief statement of the difficulties Incurred , the dtfttes ^ performed , and a general outline of the future prospects of this Association . In the month of October last we entered upon our official career , encountering , necessarily , and eventually overcoming all the perplexity and vexatious impediments incident to an infant society , having first to dive into and ascertain the true meaning of the orginatora of the plan ere we could efficiently set upon it
But , men of Lambeth , it is with becoming and honest pride we state , that , in spite of all obstacles , the Association is now in a far more commanding and prosperous situation than when we originally entered upon office . We then found a new-born Association , struggling into existence : we now leave it in comparative maturity and power . We then found an illunderstood and imperfect organisation : now , by recent arrangements , we Lave perfected a system for the concentration ot the physical and moral energies of the working classes , upon a given point , unexampled and unequalled in any period of English history .
We commenced our duties with scanty resources and funds : we now leave the Association uninvolved , nay , a considerable balance in our sub-Treasurer ' s hands . We were elected to office but by twenty individuals , in Lambtth only ; we resign office into the hands of two hundred members , located not only in Lambeth , bat also in Bennondsey , Camberwell , Walworth , and Wandswortb . We found a huge unshapeu mass of raw material : we have therewith erected an edifice in tbls county worthy of Chartism , ' which will defy alike the poisonous blasts of envy and malice , or tbe insidious undermining of false friends . Men of Lambeth , it would be derogatory to ourselves , as well as insulting to
you , were we to dwell at any considerable length upon our services performed . Suffice it to remind you , that the frequent and complete overthrow of the anti-Cora Law party , and tbe utter destruction of their sophistry , sufficiently proves that we did our duty in giving you the opportunity of performing yeurs . The great demonstration on behalf of our expatriated countrymen , Frost , Williams , and Jones , must be still fresh in your recollection . On that exciting occasion , Lambeth proudly took her station In advance , second to none either in numbers , respectability , or necessary subscriptions . Brethren , your Council were not then found wanting .
We beg , also , to remind yon that as far as our circumstances would permit , we have sought to advance the cause by tbe spread of information , both by lectures and discussions . Nearly the very lost act of our official existence has been marked by the approval , in Council , of a plan for the dissemination of political tracts . In the late glorious triumph at Leeds , your Council took care that Lambeth had also her delegate there , supported in port by Lambeth money .
This night , by nominating our proportion of the County Council , we complete our labours . We have performed , to tbe best of our ability , all that the Executive has commanded us to do . We have hitherto been your officers ; we now fall back Into tbe ranks of our brethren , with the calm consciousness of having endeavoured to do our duty faithfully , thereby making way for oar equally honest and enthusiastic , but not more zealous successors : many impediments to their onward march we have r emoved , bat a wide field is still open for their future operations .
This county , according to tbe last census , numbers 486 , 326 inhabitants . Alas ! how small a minority can we rank as Chartists ! Always remember that until the majority of the nation are favourable to the Charter , we cannot reasonably expect that great boon will be conceded to u& Brethren , in conclusion , we most earnestly implore yeu , as you value your » wn happiness , and the welfare of your children , be not lukewarm in this great —this holy cause . We most sincerely and candidly tell you , that the man who , knowing what tbe Charter really is , and tbe benefits to be derived therefrom , and yet having the means , neglects ot refuses to pay his trifling subscription for the furtherance of the cause , is wholly unworthy of those blessings and advantages sought to be bestowed
upon him . Again we exhort you to pay implicit obedience to tbe summons of your respective doss leaders . We wish you to imagine that the success of the undertaking depends upon your presence aad punctuality at the place of meeting ; should you be ealied from your homes and needlessly , your class leaders are answerable to the Council , the Council to the main body . We are even now sufficiently unanimous to defeat the machinations of our enemies , if we but act with prudence , with zeal , and with unity . Often has it been , brethren , that when you were enjoying every domestic felicity , or perhaps your eyes closed in balmy sleep , in sweet forgetfulness of all your woes , your officers have braved tbe pitiless pel ting of the storm , unmindful of the acting of their limbs , weary with unceasing toil , aad have snatched from needful rest many a midnight hour .
Men and brethren , we have planted the tree of the Charter in tbe County of Surrey ; we have trained it , we have watched , we have watered it with unremitting care , attention , and perseverance . With joy we see it spreading its branches on every side ; with inexpressible gladness we see it give promise of bringing forth fruit , peace , plenty , and concord . We fondly hope that its roots and fibres are entwined touud your hearts ; take heed it be not torn thence , but with your life's blood .
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MESSRS . COLLINS AND O'NEIL'S ADDRESS . No . II . TO THE WORKING CLASSES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM . " The partition wall which circumstances had run up betwetn Reformers of the Middle and Working Classes is already begun to be pulled down . "Spectator . Brethren , — Permit us to congratulate you upon the high position of your movement , and especially upon tbe truth of tbe sentence above quoted . Much have we laboured , and long have we desired to bring about its full accomplishment . Often have we laboured despairing ly . Attimes the suffering , together with the misdirected * sal of the employed , and the deep-B ^ at ed pride and prejudice of the employer , seemed almost impassable barriers ; but through all we had strong faith in tbe justice of our principles , and of
their ultimate adoption by all who were oppressed ; nor have we been disappointed , for , although tbe minds of many of our countrymen , of the middle classes , were for a time overwhelmed with tbe flood of prejudice and ignorance , we rejoice that the deluge is rapidly subsiding , and that tbe ark of reason and justice has found an Ararat to rest upon . Especially do we feel proud of the widely different position you now hold from that which , on former occasions of political , intercourse -with the middle classes , you were wont to occupy . Tbe dignity of labour bids fair to secure its legitimate place in society , and , without opposing wealth , to demand that It shall be placed with it upon a political equality . We ore more and more persuaded , that the most efficient way to prepare a people for the
enlightened use of their rightB , is to engage them in an agitation to obt ain them ; never has maxim been more completely verified than in the spirit of calm , yet earnest inquiry , that has pervaded the later stages of the Chartist agitation . Principles of political economy have been discussed by the people , which , but a few years ago , were considered so abstruse as only to be understood by those whose profession was legislation ; erery passing event has been measured by the masses with a scrutinising , almost with a prophetic , eye , and scarcely bos a single atom , in the vast and designedly complicated machinery of Church and State , been left
unscaoned and unexplored , by the penetrating search ef the people's eagle eye . The Chartist pre » , pulpit , and platform have sent forth thoughts , and implanted hopes , which , like lightnings , are alive ia every bosom of the multitude ; no wonder , therefore , that when they appeared on the Leeds hustings , they came possessed of minds , principles , and determinations of their own ; they were no longer as they used to be , assenting inferiors , or mere preBsare-from-without-raachinery ; they asked not of tbe middle classes leadership , but alliance ; not superiority , but co-operation ; their motto was a bold and independent one— " With you if we may , without you if we mutt . " «
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Brethren , —We have cautioned you to be wary of being led by men of your own ranks ; we oppose leadership in Chartism ; no wonder , therefore , that we caution you to watch well every step you take in political intercourse with the middle classes . Whether in your own ranks , or in your intercourse with others , no maxim is more ennobling , as -well as useful , than "think for yourselves . " Observe this , and we need not caution you against deceivers , for you cannot be deceived . To be deceived , implies as much intellectual wont on your side as moral turpitude on tbe other ; and
the man / who tells you that you cannot safely admit to year ranks the middle classes , has either some sinister object ia view , or entertains such a low opinion of your moral rectitude and intellectual strength , as to doubt yoar capability of thinking for yourselves , or of distinguishing between right and wrong . It is a mistrusting of the intelligence of the people , and from whatever quarter it come , or however civilly it be worded , it i s an insult , founded on the self-same reason whereby the expediency politicians withhold from them their rights , vis . their imputed want of discriminating intelligence .
Brethren , —We see no , reason to entertain snch an opinion of you ; we therefore say , receive all men who admire the principles of your Charter , without distinction of sect or class ; nay more , we say invite all . The man who gains a single penny to the funds , or a single name to the lists of Chartism , has inscribed his name honourably on the pages of liberty ' s book of life , no matter from whatever class they come . We have said , receive , and invite them ; nay more , we ask you to ennoble yourselves intellectually and morally , that thus you may silently obtain respect and admiration for the principles you advocate . If every Chartist was so elevated by pure morality , and expanding intellect , bs to become in reality a man , then would he possess a moral power , which would so inform the judgment ,
and so secure the respect , even of Mb enemies , that many of them would listen to his kind , yet dignified , exposition of facts and truths , and , becoming insensibly convinced , would feel such a lively faith in tbe excellence of the Charter , that they would leave our meetings rejoicing in having found the truth . In all your attempts to spread your principles , never lose sight of their full efficiency to gain an entrance into the most prejudiced mind , if they are presented in their pure and native beauty , unsullied and unmarred by the errors of the advocate ; remember , also , that steady morality -wins more than the most sublime intellect accompanied with vice ; men and principles -will be identified ; and , we fear , too ften have noble and exalted principles suffered very greatly from a want of
equal nobility on the part of the advocate . On tbe method ot advocating , much depends . Ever distinguish between vituperation and argument ; remember that insult and animadversion are not conviction , and never for a moment conceive that swaggering Billingsgate , is either dignity or determination . We have been thus particular in our advice to you , because we are fully sensible of the immense importance of Chartism to the cause of humanity , civilization and religion ; on the speedy success of Chartism depends the happiness of millions of human beings in almost every part of the world . Britain ia bo linked with tSe interests of alt
nations , that tbe dial hand of the world ' s deliverance must move backwards or forwards on the event of this movement ; every barrier to its progress is answered by the groans of the human family ; every aid , however feeble , bos its reward in the loud acclaim of liberated millions . On , then , and gain strength for the mighty conflict ; let the question be , " Wherein is it that our great strength iieth . " Reason and experience answer , union ,-honoured be that man who is instrumental in effecting union : remember the old saying , divide the thunder notes , and it becomes a lullaby for children ; but pour them forth in one loud peal , and the royal sound shall shake the heavens . "
We remain , your fellow labourers ia the cause of freedom , John Collins , Bread-street , Birmingham , Arthuu O'Neil . Feb . 15 , 1841 .
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^—BIRMINGHAM . —Funeral Sermon . —On Sabbath evening last , in compliance with the announcement from the pulpit on the previous Sabbath , a funeral sermon , on the death of our deceased brother Chartist , Clayton , was preached by Mr . Arthur O'Neil in . the Christian Chartist Church . Long before the hour of meeting , the Chapel was crowded in every part . The preacher took his text from Matthew , xix . o . 18 th v . " Thou aha . lt do no murder . '' The effect produced upon , the minds of the audience was solemn yet cheering ; the choir sang some very appropriate pieces , particularly " the dying Christian . " The crowd was so great that several females fainted during the service ; and at the close the preacher intimated , that owing to the hundreds who had gone away , the funeral sermon would be again delivered next Sabbath evening .
Grand Tea Party . —A tea party of the members and frieuds of the Christian Chartist Church , was held on Monday evening , at five o ' clock , in the Chapel . The arrangements entirely devolved upon the ladies and were most excellent . After tea , Mr . Collius was voted to the chair , and proposed the first sentiment , " The sovereign people ; " the next sentiment was " the People ' s Charter , may it speedily become the law of the land , " The chairman said that he intended to call upon Mr . O'Neil to respond
to it , but as he was aware that the ladies had deputed one of their number to present Mr . O'Neil with a token of their respect and esteem of his services , he would call upon her to perform this agreeable duty , and call upon Mr . O'Neil to respond to both in one speech . He then introduced to the meeting Sliss Lawley , who "was received with applause , and who delivered a neat address , at the conclusion of which she presented Mr . O'Neil with a beautiful velvet waistcoat . Mr . O'Neil replied at considerable length . ;
Frost , Williams , and Jones Restoration Committee . —This praiseworthy and truly industrious Committee held their weekly meeting at the Hall of Science , Lawrence-street , on Tuesday evening last , Mr . Bamtt , of Whittall-street , in tbe chair . He stated , that , as Important business had to be transacted , he hoped order would be kept and due attention paid . He then called upon Mr . T . P . Green to read the minutes of the last meeting . After they had been read and confirmed , Mr . Green proceeded to read the weeks correspondence . He read a letter from Preston , inquiring whether their memorial bad been received . The Secretary promised to send an answer to Preston , after he hsui made the necessary examination . A letter was read from Sheffield t » the same effect : the Secretary
stated that it bad been received . A letter and memorial was sent from Abergavenny , Bigned " David John , " enclosing 4 s ., 2 s . lid . of which was paid for carriage . A letter from Plymouth stated that the Chartist cause was getting on well in that quarter . They wished to know what was meant by " engrossing . " The Secretary wished it to be generally understood that plain round hand would be all that were necessary for drawing up petitions . Letters were read from Sutton-in-Ashfield , containing 5 s ., signed " John Tomlinsonj" from Huddersfield , containing a money order ; from Chorley , requiring a copy ef tbe petition and memorial ; from Frome , with on address , and 2 s . 6 d ., signed " James Cooke ; " and from Heywood , stating that tbe memorial had been agreed to , and promising to send money ; one
was also received from Stourbridge , containing 10 s . Mr . Henry Green then addressed the meeting on the state of the country , and , in referring to the rumoured war with America , made the following remarks : — " He had heard that a war was likely to take place between this country and America . He did not care what end came ot the matter : he for one would hare nothing to do with it He would not fight to protect the property of men who denied him his rights , and endeavoured to starve him . " Mr . T . P . Green wished to draw their attention to the importance of entrusting the memorials and petitions to the care of some competent and trustworthy person ; he would , therefore , move that Mr . Barratt be requested to take them into his care . This
was seconded by Mr . Bough , and unanimously agreed to . Mr . Candy then delivered a short address , showing tbe necessity for increased exertion on behalf of Frost , dec , and advised those present to take petition sheets into their neighbourhoods and workshops , and also to watt on the shopkeepers for tbeir signatures . Throughout the whole of the districts that he had visited , they were alive to the cause of Frost and his companions . He hoped every Chartist would exert himself to procure their return . Mr . Green then announced tbat he had received 1 , 0 * 0 adhesive labels from Manchester with Chartist mottos . A good many were purchased by the meeting ;; after which they adjourned to Thursday next
National Charter Association . —The weekly meeting of this body was held on Tuesday eveniag lost ; Mr . Bough in the chair . The minutes of the lost meeting were read and confirmed , after -which the Secretary read letters from various , places , approving of the appointment of Mr . Dean Taylor , as a lecturer for that district , and requiring his attendance . The letter from Stoke-upon-Trent , highly approved of Mr . Candy ' s services whilst ia their neighbourhood , and stated that he bad done more good there than any other lecturer . A letter from Mr . Heary Vincent was also read to the meeting , declining to attend at the soiree , on account of previous engagements . Mr . T . P . Green commented , in very strong terms , on Mr , Vincent ' s letter , and stated that he thought undue means had been resorted to for the purpose of causing him to decline attending the Boiree ; and , from certain occurrences which had recently token place , he
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thought there wai » Fox and Goose Cfab fa Birmingham . The petition to Parliament on behalf < rf EeargnB O'Connor , was then read to the meeting m . vious to being sent off to Mr . Duncombe for pn * aatZ tion , he having agreed to do so . . After rec& pitQlatfn * the wiotui indignities and hardships to which Mt O'Connor was subjected , thft . petition stated that nub treatment conld be meant for nothing less than dow murder , and that if he happened to die under its inflle > tion it could be called nothing else than cold-blooded
murder . Tbe petition was agreed to amidst tbe load and continued cheers of the meeting . Mr . Thomas Buncombe ' s letter waa then read—he stated his willing , ness to present the petition . After the transaction ^ the remaining business , the meeting was addressed la able speeches by Messrs ; White , Candy , T . P . Green , and others . Thanks were then given to the Chairman , and three hearty cheers were given for " the Charter " Feargns O'Connor , " " Frost , Williams , and Jones , ' " and "the incarcerated Chartists , " after which , t&e meeting separated . '
The Council met on Monday evening last at Bill ' s Coffee House , Moore-street , Mr . Barratt in the chair . The business chiefly consisted of preparations and plans for the guidance of Mr . Dean Taylor the newly appointed lecturer , and devising means for securing his regular payment . REDDITCH—The Council of the National Charter Association of this place , haying a desire that Mr George White should lecture in their town , despatched two of their body , with a horse and gig , on Sunday last , to convey him thither . The deputation consisted of Mr . Cook , who lent bis horse for the occasion and Mr . Prescott , proprietor of the O'Connor Arms . ' Redditch . According to previous announcement , a meeting was held at the Associatiou-room , on Monday evening Mr Augustus Newell in
. George the chair , who addressed the meeting in a neat and appropriate speech , and concluded by introducing- Mr George White . M ? W . entered at great length ipto an exposition ef the * evils inflicted on the working classes by the present sys tern ; shewed its injustice in various forms ; exposed the trickery of pretended Reformers , and deception of tha new Chartists , or Household Suffrage , and anti-Com Law agitators , with a new face ; he shewed them the necessity of union , energy , and perseverance ; and concluded by an appeal to the females present , sbewina them the necessity of assisting their husbands and brothers . He was loudly cheered by the meeting Tha following resolutions were then put and carried unanl mously . —i . "That a vote of thanks be given to Mi . George White . " 2 . " That the thanks of this meeting are eminently due , and are hereby given to the Editor oftbetforM
ewj Star , for his kindness in inserting reports of our meetings . " 3 . " That it is the opinion of this meeting , that the rights of labour can never be secured by any measure short of Universal Bnfftagewe , therefore , pledge ourselves never to relax in our exertions until the People ' s Charter becomes the law of the land . " A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , three cheers for Feargua OConnor the Northern Star , the incarcerated Chartists , Frost Williams , and Jones , the People ' s Charter , &c . A number of females formed themselves into a Female Charter Association , and several men enrolled themselves members of the association , and the meeting separated . It was announced at the meeting , that Mr . Dean Taylor would lecture at Redditch on Monday evening nest The meeting separated at ten o ' clock , well pleased with the proceedings . The Chortistr National Anthem waa sung at the conclusion of the meetiog .
HULX .. —chartist Total Abstinence Associa . tion . —The friends of Chartism in Hull , who are desirous to see their country free , not only from political slavery , but the degrading slavery of intemperance have resolved themselves into a Society , denominated The Hull and East Riding Chartist Total Abstinence Association ; " the great object being to combine and advocate the two grand princi ples together , which are calculated not only to better the condition , morally and socially , of the working classes , under the present system of tyrannical legislation , but also to obtain if generally adopted , the rights of man , as contained ' ia the People ' s Charter . The members will meet on Monday evening next , at eight o ' clock , and every other Monday night following , at Mr . Scholey ' s , No . 9 ,
Northstreet , Hull , when they wift be happy to meet as many of their friends as can attend . The prospects of the Asseciation are very cheering . Moat of the councillors , including the Treasurer and Secretary , together with several members of the'Hull National Charter Association , and some of thd most distinguished advocates of the Temperance Society , < wbo -were not before registered Chartists , ) have already becerae members of this Association—Chartists and teetotallers , do not delay ; but come forward and . join this Society , and let the world see that Hull , though bnt little in name , is mighty in good works , and shortly you -will have reason to exclaim and congratulate yourselves that success has crowned your patriotic struggle against wretchedness and slavery . Henceforth , then , let ycor motto be— " Chartism and teetotalism for ever « '
Hull and East Riding National Charter Association . —A numerous adjourned meeting of the members and friends of this Association took place on Monday evening last , In the Freemason ' s Lodge , My tongate , Hull , on the discussion— " Is teetotalism calculated to benefit the cause of Chartism ? " The chair waa occupied by Mr . Scholey , and the meeting wag severally addressed by the Rev . William Bill , Editor ot the Northern Star , Mr . Benjamin Bradshaw , of Leeds , Mr . Lundy , and Mr . S . Healey . Great interest hat been manifested in this discussion , -which ended in a unanfmous vote that lie adoptfon of total abstinence principles by Chartiata was calculated greatly to further their cause . After the discussion -was ended , it was agreed ( if the funds would allow it ) to send a delegate to Manchester , to represent the Chartists of this place there , on the 20 th of this month .
The Question op Expediency— A great and important meeting is anticipated to take place in the Freemason ' s Lodge , Hull , on Monday evening , March 1 st , in consequence of Mr . Burns , member in the late Convention , having offered to discuss , with the members of the National Charter , Association , " That it is expedient for the Chartists to join with the middle classes in their present cry for Parliamentary Reform . ** The Chartists of Hull arc determined to agitate for Universal Suffrage , and no surrender ; before they will sacrifice a fraction ef this principle , they will let the middle classes have the fuU benefit of Mr . Buras ' a services .
LEIGH . —The friends of Mr George Bellamy , ( who has been a prisoner in Lancaster Castle for fifteen months , by especial favour of my little Lord and plain John Campbell , ) gave him a public supper on Saturday , the 13 th instant , at the house of Mr . William Eden , Fleece Inn , Leigb , when about one hundred and fifty sat down to an excellent Bupper , -which did honour to the host and hostess . When the cloth was withdrawn , Mr . Richard Ratcliffe vras unanimously called to the chair , and opened the meeting in a neat and appropriate speech , urging the people to a union and moral organisation , for the accomplishing of those objects for which we are now contending ; after which , the Chairman called upen Mr . John Smith to give the first toast , which was , " the people , the legitimate source of
all power ; " who said , as he was called upon to give the first toast , he should do so byadvising the meeting to carry out the principle of total abstinence from intoxicating liquora , to cripple the revenue , which must ultimately bring about such a renovation of the state as to give an equal representation in the people ' s House of Commons . Mr . William Mosa responded to the toast in a very spirited address . Mr . Richard Moscrop was called upon to give the next toast , " To our tried and undaunted friend , George Bellamy ; " -which was responded to by the me « ting with three times three j after which Mr . Bellamy rose amid loud cheering . When silence was restored , he began by stating the manner in which he was treated from his arrest to his liberation , and also stated that he would only give up
his principles-with his life . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Jag . Fenney , M . C ., gave the next toast , " The Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less than the Charter ; " who spoke at great length , and was loudly cheered throughout his address . The Chairman next called upon a person in the room for "John Frost , " who was listened to with great interest by the meeting . Mr . Samuel Higson , jun ., gave tbe next toast , " The Welsn martyrs , Frost , Williams , and Jones ; " and he hoped the meeting would heartily respond , as they were suffering in tbe cause of freedom , and by the united effects of the people , he hoped they would soon be restored to tbe bosom of their families . Drunk in solemn silence . Such a sympathy was manifested by the meeting for the much-injured Whig victims as we
never saw before . Mr . Edward Smith gave tbe next toast , "Mr . F . O'Connor , and the incarcerated Chartists ; also the Northern Star , and all other real Radical publications . " He needed put no comment on them , as they were bo well known . Mr . Moscrop responded to the toast . Mr . George Bellamy gave the next toast , ¦ which was to our worthy representative , " James Bronterre O'Brien , " and was heartily responded to by the meeting . Several songs were given , when the iron tongue sounded midnight , and we were compelled to conclude . The sum of 5 s . 7 d . was collected for a man now in a consumption , through confinement in Kirkdole GaoL A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and the meeting separated highly delighted with the proceedings .
West Riding Delegate Meeting . —This body met , on Sunday last , at Dewsbury ; delegates being present from Kcighley , Huddersfleld , DewBbnry Bradford , Wakefield , Barnaley , Sheffield , Leeds , Halifax , and various other places . Resolutions wer » adopted , recommending the establishment of an agent for the West Riding , for the . eale of the ChartistCircular , and other cheap Chartist publications , so that the different districts in the Riding can have a readier supply . That for the future all motion ! intended for standing orders stand over from one meeting to another , so as to allow every member an opportunity of considering them . The appointment of a lecturer was deferred till the next meeting . It was determined to send a delegate to Manchester this day . Sunday , the 14 th of Mareh , was recommended to be set apart for the preaching of funeral sermons , for poor Clayton , throughout all Engltnd . Scotland , and Wales . The meeting was adjourned , to be holden in the same place , to bunday , the 14 th of March , at ten o ' clock ia the forenoon .
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AND LEEDS GENERAL ADVERTISER .
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YOL . IT . ffO . 171 . SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 30 , 1841 . " » ' .. "Sff ,. ?^™" - *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 20, 1841, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1097/page/1/
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