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THE PETITION COKVEVTIOK . THURSDAY , Mat 15 . Mr . Pitkethly in the chair . The Convention Hall had this evening a ferj full -attendance of members and stranger * . The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , Mr . Skevington stated that the Loughborough petition bad received 1 , 359 additional signatures . Mr . Rose Biid that he had had an interview -with the Member for Lambeth , upon whose support they might depend . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Haves made most
particular inquiries into Mr . O'Brien ' s case , -wished to see his letters , and to hare an interview with Dr . M'DoaaU , so that he might be made well acquainted ¦ wi th his state of health . Mr . Hawes was of opinion that be should be immediately released . He farther said that he would attend the Convention on Saturday xacsning . ( Hear , hear . ) He professed himself a Chartist , and declared that he felt himself bonnd to join In the opinions of the greatest number . ( Hear , hear . f He also consented to form one of the deputation to wait upon the Marquis of Normanby . ( Hear , hear . ) Messrs , Benjamin "Wood and Humphrey also promised their sapient .
Mt . Cullen said that , in compliance with previous arrangements , the deputation waited yesterday upon Mr . Fielden , to ascertain if there was a possibility of obtaining an interview with the Queen . ( Hear , bear . ? Mr . Fielden seemed to know rery little about the Court , and could give no opinion as to the way by which they coald obtain an audience of her Majesty ; General Johnson , upon whom they also waited , made very light of the matter and seemed to look upon it as delusive . He designated court dresses as tociioolery , and said tLat the money expended upon them would be a useless expenditure- tHear . ) . He recommended the ttepntation to aDply for advice at the
Chamberlain ' s office . They did so . One gentleman said tbat an interview with her Majesty could be obtained , and that the memorials could be presented at all events on levee days . Another gentleman , who appeared to have more experience than the former , said he would recommend the memorials io be sent or presented to the Secretary of State for the Home Department . They then went to Mr . Francis Place ' s . On entering his office they foand a gentleman apparently con needed with the Government conversing with him , and stating that Government bad decided upon a dissolution and that a declaration to that effect would be made in a dav cu two . ( Hear . )
Tae Chaxrxa : s—Did Messrs . Fielden and Johnson aaylh ^ t -we coald not get to the throne , or did they advise us cot to go ? Mr . Cnllen . —They gave no decided opinion . Mr . Place said that the Queen was surrounded by corruption , and ' -hit aha woul-1 continue to be surrounded Vy ccrrnptj ^ u , nntil the working closes by their unanimity oveniirew both parses who were equally la I and equsL ' y corrupt ( Hear , hear . ; - In his ( Mr . Place ' s ; opinion a general election wouM enable the working classes to achieve tbat victory . tHear . )
i 5 r . Piikethly , although he differed widely in politics from Mr . Place , yet he must acknowledge that at Taricns times he derived the greatest assistance from bini . When the three men were sentenced to be hanged in Birmingham , Mr . Place did all he could to eavt thsin . ( Hear , bear . ) He acted the same part in Pick ' s case . He devoted his time and ti 3 talents to the saving of Frost , Williams and Jones ' s lives . ( Hear , hear .. They should avail themselves of the assistance of every man ; and without regarding Mr . Place ' s ilalthasian doctrines , they should loi > k upon him as he was , a real Republicin , and accept of his assistance . ( Hear , hear , hear . ? Mr . Morgan—Yes , we should make as many friends as possible , . 'Hear , hear . ) Mr . Cullea said that he understood that members ef Parliament were admitted to her Majesty by courtesy , and that Peers alone had the right of demanding an audience . ( Hear , hear j
Mr . Piikethly said that the deputation appointed to wait apon Lord Teynham . respecting the presentation j of the memorial , called at his Lordship ' s bouse , when [ they ^ vere informed that he was at Cheltenham . They ! then wrote to him on the subject . - " j Mr . Wall siid that a frightful system of corruption j was carried on by the Whigs . About twenty of them , met daily at Cleveland-row , and made arrangements for the disposal of vacant places in the House of Commons . ' They agreed with the candidate who offered himself that if he succeeded , he should pay all the expences of j tile election , and that if defeated , he was to pay a { eerUm portion of them . ( Hear , bear . ) Hume and i Copp"cX the election agent , were at the head and toil j of the . junta ; they should expose to the country the ' , base and-corrupt workings of that gang . —( Hear , ) hear > - ; Mr . Pitkethly—They should take all the help that ] was vffered , and should not mike enemies . —( Hear , j
hear . Dr . MT > onall said , that the address to the , conntry was rvady . > L ' . Pitkethly—The address shonld not be made pubhc until the Convention was dissolved . —( Hear , hear . i Mr . Martin said , that it would be well to read the address then , and it could be in readiness for publication or the dissolution of the Convention . It was ultimately decided that the reading of the address be deferred tQl to-morrow ( Friday . ) Mr . Pitkethly said , that they should appoint a deputatien to accompany Messrs . Hawes snd Buller on Saturday . The memorials ought to be presented separately , and riKHihi be arranged by the committee for that purpose . — -iHear , next } Mr . Smart—We will go ; and be all tilings as far as We can .
A general committee , consisting of Dr . M'Douall , Messrs . Williams , Smart , Martin , and Skevington , was appointed to read all letters , and to expedite the general business ef the Convention . Mr . Skevington said that he wsited npon his own representatives , and other Members of Parliament , and he informed them that unless the condition of the starving and suffering people was ameliorated , that there would be no peace for the home of the rich , as , while such a Etate of things existed , there was no peace for the poor man ' s cottage . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Smart—Avowed enemies were better than pretended friends . If that redress was not afforded to the working classes , they should address the whole country , and threaten to Notringbamise it , if the Members of Parliament refused to support the People ' s Memorials and the People ' s Charter . ( Hear , hear . ; Mr . Wall said that the Marylebone petition had 1 . 500 signatures .
After some routine business the Convention ad jourccd .
FRIDAY , Mat 14 . Mr . Barmby in the chair . Mr , Skevington handed in a memorial from Leughborongb , in favour of Messrs . Frost , Williams , and Jon < ra-Mr . Pitkethly said that they were doing all in their power to ascertain if they could obtain an interview with the Queen , as their constituents expressed a strong wish they should effect it . After they had had an interview with the gentlemen at the Chamberlain's office , who held ont no hopes that an interview could be had , the deputation went to Mr . Place , who agreed to make all necessary inquiries , stating at the same time his opinion that they could not have an interview with her Majesty , or have an opportunity to present the memorials , unless at a levee . He was also of -opinion that the memorials should be presented to Lord Melbourne and the Ministry , and that it would have a
greater impression than presenting them to the Queen . { Hear , hear . ) The court dresses would , at least , cost £ 20 , which eould be better applied by dividing it amongst the prisoners . ( Hear , hear . ) He { Mr . Pitkethly j waited upon Mr . Duncombe , who promised to speak in the House that night upon the state -of the country . With regard to the ten or twelve pounds paid by Mr . Duncombe , he was gratified on being-enabled to state that the post office intimated a willingness to refund it ( Hear , hear . i He went to Mr . Berkeley , who expressed himBelf in similar terms with Mr Doncombe . There was no doubt of their success , if Use country sanctioned and supported them . A 3 Mr . Dnncombe was not en good terms with the Marquis of 'Normaaby , it -would fee as well to select some other Member to accompany the deputation . ( Hear , hear . ) Lord Isormanby was greatly opposed to such deputations .
ilr . Smart said they had but one course to pursue , and that was to obtain , if possible , an audience of her Majesty . To obtain that they shonld exert every nerve ¦ until they were folly satisfied that every access to her Majesty was blocked tip against them . iHear , hear . ) Then they could inform their constituents thai the royal ear was closed against their prayers . As soon as . that gained publicity , it would make such an impression as would force every man who regarded civil liberty to join in the present struggle for freedom . [ Hear , hear . ) Mr . Base—Has the Convention the power to interfere so far with the memorials as to direct or recommend the Committee to present them to any one but her Majesty ? Mr . Pitkethly—If we had your advice , it would strengthen our hands . We will , however , again try to present them . ( Hear , hear . )
Dr . M'Douall—We can recommend the Committee to adopt such measures as may appear advisable . . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . PitketbJy said that Mr . Duncombe informed him that Mr . Collins had been with him , and urged him to present the memorials . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Williams—We have done our duty . Still we would not be justified to let the memorials pass from our hands without the approbation of the Birmingham Frost Committee . ( Hear , hear . ) We are still willing to press on again and again for our interview with . htr Majesty , and to obey any farther instructions that may be forwarded from our constituents . ( Hear , hear . ) Mi . Skevington—I dont see how we have done any thing-so long as we are denied the interriew * with her Majesty . ; Hear , hear . ) Mr . Smar t—A refnsal to see the Queen will do us no harm . { Hear , hear . )
It was than moyedfiBd seconded , "That the address to tke country , as recommended by the general committee , be read and adopted . " Dr . M'Douall then read the following address : —
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The Address of the undersigned Members of the Fictim-Jiesioration and Charter-Convention of the Industrious Classes , to the Working Men England , Scotland , and Wales—to the Members t > f the National Charter Association —and to the Chartist Electors of Great Britain . Fellow countbthrjj and Brother chartists —Yon have honoured as with your confidence , and delegated to us the most sacred and important duties . We have endeavoured to realize your hopes ; and , in the pursuit of our humane and merciful mission , we have done everything which mature deliberation could devise or reason suggest . In one sense we have been successful , and in another we have failed . We have successfully appealed to many Members of Parliament , and hare secured the support of men of opposite sentiments and interests . Mercy has been listened to by many , and justice has been heard .
On the other hand , we deeplyregretthe obstinacy of an nnrelenting and merciless Government , which still refuses to restore the lonsly prisoner to his family , his fireside , and his friends , and which denies the far-distant exiles the hope of again beholding the shores of old England , the scenes of their early youth , or the faces of their wives , their kindred , or their children . Cm these men expect your support at the next election ? They aspire to it now—they expect it hereafter , and therefore it becomes our duty to caution you on the one hand , and advise with you on the other . At the present crisis our duty is an important one ; and , feeling it to
be so , we have found it necessary to act with caution , at the same time that we address you with firmness . We address you as men mined in your trades , oppressed in your homes , and insulted in the midst of your poverty . Ths seoarsed Whig Poor Law has driven you to three of the worst of all ruinous alternatives . First , you are compelled to labour for poor and inefficient wages ; secondly , to starve within the ironbarred bastile , or steal in defence of nature ; thirdly , to sttk an uncertain refuge in the far distant lands of the emigrant , or become the liveried servants of your oppressing masters .
The c . ntralised army of spies and blood-thirsty slave-drivers have destroyed your independence of action in your homes , and your freedom of speech in the streets . We address you as men who are forced by bludgeon and bayonet beyond the pale of the constitution , whose best friends have been immured in dungeons , crowded in hulks , tortured on tread-mills , and even murdered by the cruel devices of a vindictive Government , in cells where the voice of friendship ceuld not soothe the agonies of death , or the tears of a Borrowing wife even fall on the body of the dead . "; We address yon as Englishmen , Scotchmen , and Welshmen , who have laid a just and msreifal prayer before the footstool of royalty ; and we ask you as fathers , as husbands , and as men , whether we ought to bear with patience continued refusal to our petitions , or sufi \ £ T a gevernment to insult with impunity our mild and C 3 nstitutional demands ?
We have made our last demand ; we have carried our last petition to the throne . We wait the issue with firmnos , and leave the final result to the insulted God of justice and of mercy . We declare , without hesitation or doubt , that we hope for nothing from the sense of justice which the Government pretenjis to , and we cannot coneeal from you that we , on the other hand , anticipate much from the fears of a struggling Ministry , and an imbecile and dying faction . The least accident may cast the relentless gaolers at the mercy of the masses ; and whilst you
ask impatiently , " What shall we do ? " we have found it to be our duty to proclaim , on the . evidence of a recent election , that the balance ef the elective power is even now within your grasp . The Chartist electors < an now fight the battle of justice . Will they be firm nd faithful ? Will yon be nnited and ready ? We loubt neither , we depend on both . The day of battle lpproaches . It will be an eventful day , as the issue wiil decide the fate of the banished and the incarceratedthe fate of the Charter—the fate of our cause , of our liberties , and of our country .
The next paramount duty we have to perform is , to implore you , the labourers , to unite . We denounce none ; we appeal to all ; and earnestly do we call upon you , in the names of Frost , O'Connor , O ' Brien—for the sake of all that is dear to principle and sacred to justice , unite , unite , unite ! organise , organise , organise . ' We deplore the various divisions which have weakened us and wearied us ; and , actuated by the sole hope of securing your political power , and thereby doing justice to all , we particularly recommend that all sectarian discussion may cease , and all party spirit be for ever still . Oh , think of the glorious cause we are engaged in ! Sympathise with the prisoner , and be just to each other , with the wives and the children , and be united to aid and protect them .
Think of your wrongs , and then only will you form a brotherhood to secure your rights . Pass a vete of oblivion on the past , and l et union be the bright star to guide us for the future . We have heard much of Church-Chartism , of Teetotal-Chartism , and of Educalion-Caartism ; we hold it to be the sacred right of every man to worship his Maker as he thinks best ; to regnlate bis domestic habits as he may think proper ; and to adopt any one scheme which he may think conducive to human happiness and social reformation . Why dispute with any ? Why not invite all to enter the Great National Charter Association ? Our end is not to secure power to party , or separate priviiaga * to sects . Admit all parties in religion , invite all denominations , and refuse no man who declares himself a Chartist ; no matter what may be his creed , his country or his caste . We hope that our appeal will not be in vain ; and having appealed to your sense of justice , let us now address your reason , and your judgment
Our old and untiring enemies have ascended the Political Auction Box , and , like unprincipled salesmen , they have offered hollow and deceptive wares to the mass of onlookers . You are not to be deceived with chaff , nor will your judgment be arrested through your excited hopes Three ministerial clap-traps have been cast npon the wattrs of opinion , and after a few days they expect an abundant return . They shall be deceived . A reduction is proposed in the Timber Duties , which will admit foreign wood at a cheaper rate , instead of the colonial timber .
What benefit can this measure effect for the poor labourer ? If the workman had the means of building a cottage for himself , he would not be a gainer of ten shillings on the whole edifice ; because the reduction will > e only felt on shiploads ; thereby throwing the whole benefit into the pockets ef the capitalists , ship builders , and large importers . It will not make a chair or a table one farthing cheaper , and the landlord will not lower his rents a single penny . Are you to support an agitation for re luring the duties on timber for tha sole purpose of increasing the profits of the capitalists or middle clas 3 ? Forbid it , justice ! The same fallacy wa . « made evidtnt on the reduction of the duties on leather . It benefitted the wholesale trader , but were shoes any cheaper ? All changes which appear to be beneficial to the wholesale dealers are ever found to be really detrimental to the retail purchaser . Take as an
example the second Whig bubble—the reduction of the duties on Sugar . The movement will secure the votes of the sugar refiners , and attract the large traders , and wholesale grocers . Again we ask what benefit will the labourer receive 1 The reduction amounts to 3 s . « d . the cwt , therefore the purchaser of a pound of sugar would have it G-l Oths of a farthing cheaper than it is now . What coin have we to express that ? None . What difference then will it make ta-the handloom weaver who buys one ounce at a time ? Out upon the hypocritical crew ! Down with the defrauding ministry ! —Why did they expend 20 , 000 , 600 of money in emancipating the slaves ? Why did they then ask ns to pay dearer for sugar , so that the slaves might be liberated ? Why do they now ask us to accept of cheaper sugar grown by the slaves of Cuba and the Brazils ? Are not these proofs that their policy is one tissue of fraud , deception , and injustice ?
We are likewise destined to have an agitation created for a fixed duty on corn . How often must we explode the fallacies circulated under this head ? The most ardent haters of the Corn Law show us that the quartern loaf would sell twopence cheaper after a total repeal ; therefore the labourer who earned one shilling per day , would nave bis wages raised twopefice per day ; he who earned two shillings would be benefitted at the rate of ftmrpence ; and he who earned four shillings , at the rate of eightpence per day . The Government propose to have a fixed duty at eight shillings the quarter . Under this fixed duty , the difference
in the price of a quartern loaf could be consumed by an infant at one meal . Is it possible that reasoning men can be deluded by such ministerial frauds ? No ! We think higher of the reasoning workmen of this oppressed land , and therefore we content ourselves with simply cautioning you as to the domestic policy of the Whigs . They tell us that labour will become scarcer . Have they proved to us that wages will be higher ? Xo . ' because we are sensible that there are three powers in the hands of the manufacturers which will enable them under the present form of Government to destroy that scarcity , to lower wages , and throw thousands ont of employment
First—The labourers out of employment , at the present time , are sufficient to supply ten times the existing demand . Second—If insufficient , the railways would pour into the manufacturing districts the discharged agricultural labourers , and glut the market in a few weeks . Third—If both sources were exhausted , experience haa proved to us that the infallible specific for high waaes would be adopted , viz ., the introduction of new machinery . The end of the " whole boon" of cheap bread , we safely predict , would be the lowering of the wages of Vhe highly taxed operatives of this country , so as to enable the capitalist to compete with U » low taxed workmen of the continent
Besides all these reasons , what human object can be gained , in a moral or physical sense , by driving thousands off the land into the unhealthy and overheated factories . Finally , our object being to legislate test the labouring population , we must take into consideration the wrongs of the agricultural as weil as those of the manufacturing Workmen . We despise all such Whig plasters : we want justice [ > r the working men of Great Britain ; and if we mean
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to have ifc we mast contend tot Oat political p « wer being placed in your hands which wil enable yon , not to repeal the taxes on one or two artioles , bat on ail articles of foreign growth and domestic consumption . The duties on timber and dyewtods amount to £ 1 , 668 , 584 , and on corn , grain , m « al , and rice , to £ 1 , 131 , 075 ; on sugar and molasses , 44 , 826 , 91 * . The Whigs propose to repeal part of these duties . Our objects are to abolish all , as well as tke duties on tea , tobacco , coffee , wines , fruits , gpioes , bides and skins , wool , cotton , besides such provisions as bacon , hams , bntter , eggs , &c &c &c . ; in short , the whole host of taxes which press upon your industry , and « n ™< n <» h the supplies of life .
We advocate no half measure beneficial alone to the master . We extend our views of amelioration to the oppressed workmen and the starved labourers of the whole of Great Britain and Ireland . Will you support us ? will you listen to our advice ? will you pursue our directions ? Your subtle and designing enemies also design to introduce manufactured goods , and thereby destroy the trades of cork-cutters , brass founders , potters , watch and clock makers , embroidery and needle workers ; glass blowers , glovers and silk manufacturers , ( already starving , ) and a host of other trades , who will be overran by the Introduction of goods manufactured by the low-taxed operatives of the continent . Do you not see , therefore , the reason why the capitalists have erected mills and manufactories in Belgium and parts of France , and likewise , why they have vested their capital in speculations in Saxony , Switzerland , and Germany ?
Do you not see the reason of inviting the operatives of this country into Holland , Prussia , and Belgium ? Their design is apon our home market , because we exclude manufactured goods coming from other nations after the following rate : — Duty . Amt of do . Brass manufactures .. SO per cent £ 1 , 710 Boxes of all kinds 30 do 2 , 7 ( 59 Bugles Is . per lb . 2 , 140 Earthenware , china , &c 15 to 20 per cent 5 , 623 Clocks and watches 26 do 9 . G 58 Copper , manufactures of ... 30 do . 731 Cotton do 10 made up 20 ... 6 , 584 Embroidery and needlework 30 8 , 578 Artificial flowers 25 5 , 299 Bottles , all sorts of glass 30 to 120 .... 27 , 304 Hair and soat ' s wcol
manufactures 30 3 , 097 Leather gioves 20 to 40 18 , 505 Boots and shoes 30 6 , 0 J > 5 Paper hangings 3 d . per lb . 1 sq . yd . V . 573 Silk goods 2 s . to 40 s . » er cwt . 247 , 361 Toys 20 per cent ..... 3 , 793 Woollen manufactures ... 15 do . made up 20 25 , 113 The cloven foot his been shown , and poverty stares In the face of thousands of our operatives . Arise , aiwake , fellow countrymen , or ye are betrayed . Let the trades of this great nation vindicate their character , and come ferward in the cause of justice and humanity . It is better at times to submit to a real despotism than to a Government of perfidious , treacherous , and pretended friends .
We are natural enemies to Whiggism and Toryism , but being unable to destroy both factions , we advise you to destroy the one faction by making a tool of the other . We advise you to upset the Ministerial candidates on every occasion , to doubt their professions , and disbelieve their hustings promist-s . They tven propose what they term a large extension of the Suffrage . Be not deluded again—stand by the Charter , accept of nothing less , and like the stern and indomitable Romans , rather bring your enemies under a despotism than be deluded with their treacherous professions . We advise yen , after mature deliberation , First—To make returns to the Executive of the voters and the state of patties in « ach constituency in the empire , with the view of considering the propriety of contesting an election and or appointing fit and proper persons to do so .
• Second—To raise a fund by voluntary contributions , for election purposes , and to appoint three national treasurers . Third—Te report the places where the members are returned , and where there is a likelihood of the opposite parties proposing to split the votes with oni candidates . Fourth—To pledge all candidates to vote for the Charter , the release of all prisoners at home oi abroad , repeal of the Poor Laws , thu abolition of the Rural Police , and the removal of all grievances complained of .. Fifth—To elect committees for the purpose of carrying out the above objects , and to act as election committees in any place where a Chartist candidate is likely to be returned , or a Ministerial hack upset
Sixth—To pledge all Chartist candidates to sit and act as members upon a Convention which shall meet in London , and be called the Great Convention of the People's Deputies . Its constitution to be as follows : — The numbers to be the People ' s candidates , proposed and electxi by them to serve in Parliament ; the deputies elected by large towns or counties ; and a deputation appointed b . . the General Executive ; all of whom shall meet in London after the elections , to devise the best means of securing the People ' s Charter—of liberating the Political Prisoners—and of protecting or preservinjL _ ftBL-remaining rights of the trades and labourers of every description within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland .
( God save the People . ) P . M . M'Douall . T . R . Smart . John Skevington . Wm . Martin . Thomas John Wall . William Morgan . John Goodwyn Barmby . Morgan Williams , Lawrence Pitkethly . Maxtuew cullen . Ruffv Ridley . John Rose . Mr . Rose and Mr . Martin moved and seconded the adoption of the address . Mr . Pitkethly asked if all agreed to the address ?
Dr . M-Douall said that all agreed to it . The Committee , however , were willing to introduce such modifications as the Convention might suggest ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Martin said that it ought to be issued at once . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Skevington said it could be left with the Executive to carry into effect the recommendations of the address . The address was adopted item ., con . Mr . Martin moved , and Dr . M'Douall seconded , that it be forthwith printed . Carried . Dr . M'Douall stated that Carlisle had offered to split at the next election between Chartists and Tories . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Smart said that operations were carrying on at Leicester to effect the same object ( Hear , hear . )
Dr . M'Douall said that it was generally believed that Government had resolved not to dissolve Parliament , and that they would resign . ( Hear , hear . ) It was pretty clear that Ministers would die game , and gloriously , as Lord Palmerston had said they would . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Pitkethly recommended the address to be kept back until the Convention terminated their sittings . Dr . M'Douall . —It will be adopted as the last act of the Convention . Mr . Morgan . —Steps should be taken to give it immediate publicity .
Dr . M'Douall then brought up the following report of the General Committee to the effect that Mr . Mason ' s letter to the Convention was of such a nature as it eould not be entertained by the Convention . That a deputation be appointed to wait upon the Marquis of Norr aanby with a view of ascertaining the probability of presenting the memorials to her Majesty , and that in case of a refusal to wait upon her Majesty ' s ministers to ascertain " the probability of laying them before them , and that Mr . Pitkethly , Mr . Matthews , and
Mr . Culleu , be the * deputation . That the treasurer be instructed to produce his accounts on Saturday morning with a view of ascertaining the real amount of funds in his hands , and also the expenditure that has taken place . That all letters on public business be handed over to the General Committee . That they advise the people of Andover to place themselves in communication with the London Committee , as the pressure of business will not permit the Convention to lay down a plan of organisation for that place . The above report was unanimously adopted .
Upon the motion of Dr . M'Douall , it was resolved that Messrs . Morgan , Williams , Pitkethly , and Williams , be of the deputation to wait on the Marquia of Normanby . Mr . Cullen waited npon Mr . Oswald , the member for Glasgow , who declined to aecompeny the deputation , but promised to give the memorials and the petition his consideration . Mr . Cnllen informed the Honourable Member that he would let his constituents know the reception be gave him , and his answer to his request that he shonld support the memorials . Mr . Cullen , in conclusion , handed in a petition from Falkirk , most numerously and respectably signed . He also handed over to the treasurer four shillings , forwarded from Falkirk .
Mr . Pitkethly said that their friends in Parliament had expressed a strong wish , that the petitions should be as numerously signed as possible , in order that a powerful impression be made . ( Hear , hear . ) Such was the recommendation ef Messrs . Dunoombe , Berkeley and Fielden , Dr . M'Douall said that Mr . Duncombe wished to know the exact number of prisoners in the different gaols , and also their names , and their state of health . After some discussion between Messrs . Pitkethly , Morgan , and other gentlemen , respecting the situation of the prisoners , Mr . Pitkethly said he had written to a large number of their friends to ascertain their present state , their treatment , and the effect that imprisonment- had on their health . The other members resolved to write to other friends of the imprisoned for similar information . After which the Convention ! ose .
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REPEAL- * THE MISCREANT CHARTISTS "
^ DAN » S SIXPENNY MEETING . On Friday , the 14 th inst , a general muster of the Repealers of London was held at the Crown and Anchor , Strand . A silver sixpence afforded a pass-port for strangers , while Dan ' s retainers were admitted on presenting a card , or giving by sign , watchword , or otherwise proofs of their determination to " cot the painter . " This was called a public meeting . Notwithstanding the arrangements made by the . Repealers to the contrary , a Very large body of the Chartists contrived to get in , played their artillery very effectually during the night , and , as the , sequel proved , marred the intended victory of tho liberator .
A full hour having elapsed beyond the time for taking the chair , the assembly evinced strong symptoms of dissatisfaction . At length the ould Irish cry announced the arrival of the "lion" of the night , who made his appearance with his long sweeping tail , composed of " my son John , " Mr . Dillon Browne , M . P ., Mr . Martin Blake , M . P ., Father M'Hales Pets . Mr . O'Niel Daunt , secretary to Dan , a barrister named Mr . Stevens , and Mr . Timetby Duggin , late spirit dealer in Liverpool , and now " rint" collector in Manchester . A Mr . Edward William O'Mahony , business , profession , or residence unknown , was called to the chair .
The Chairman having delivered himself of a long speech , in which he lauded to the skies the respectability , the intelligence , and the influence of the meeting . ( A laugh ; cries of " hear , hear . " ) Ireland , he said , was a degraded province , and England , being ignorant of her wants , could not legislate for her . ( Hear , hear . ) The Ministry , whose existence depended upon the votes of Irish liberal members for their existence , should remember that no paltry concession would satisfy them . ( Hear , hear . ) A Mr . Hogan next presented himself . He said that
he was a working man , and would denounce the Chartists if they attempted to disturb the meeting . ( Immoderate laughter from the Chartists . ) If the Chartists raised a clamour , they were prepared to put them down . ( Immense confusion , and hisses . ) The liberator unfurled the flag of Repeal—( laughter)—and would lead them to victory . ( Increased laughter ) Since the Repeal of the Union Ireland was robbed of £ 49 , 000 , 000 sterling ( Shouts of laughter , amidst which Mr . Hogan resumed his seat , apparently much pleased with the hit he made . )
A Mr . O'Beien , a true Milesian in appearance ami manner , announced ' himself as " an exile" from his native land . ( Cries of " why don't you go home ? " ) He said that the curses of their fathers , that the curses of their mothers—( laughter )—and the curses of their sisters— 'increased laughter)—would fall thick and heavy upon them if they did not repale the union . What cared Irishmen for physical-force Chartists ? ( " Ah ! ah ! " groans , and cries of "bear , " and cheers . ) He knew something of physical-force Chartists . ( Hisses . ) They knew the Chartists—they detted the Chartists—( hisses;—for they knew that if the Chartists were in power to-morrow they would act towards them us their ancestors did , ( Loud hisses from the Chartists , and then from the Repealers . ) Ireland never trusted in England that she was not deceived . ( Hisses . ) They would obtain back their own Parliament by their own stalwart arms . ( Hisses , and cries of "turn him out , " from the Chartists , and cheers from the Repealers . )
Mr . Dillon Browne said that , after much anxious consideration , he came to the conclusion that the English legislature was incompetent and unwilling to legislate for Ireland . ( Hear , hear . ) A crisis had arrived of importance to England and Ireland , when the reins of power were about being resumed by men hostile to liberty—by the advocates of slavery , and who invariably opposed Mr . Wiiberforce in his struggle for the freedom of the unhappy beings who were in bondage . ( Hear , hear , and hisses . ) He hoped that Irishmen aud Koglishmen , sinking their petty
differences , would unite in driving Wellington and Peel from office , and in hurling the Tories from power . ( Hisses , groans , and cheers . ) Those men were opposed to liberty , aud their motto was persecution . ( No , no ; yes , yes ; hisses , and cries of hear . ) He attended the Chartist meeting at Palace-yard , but he separated himself from the Chartists , because he repudiated tbe means adopted by them for carrying the Charter . ( Hisses and cheers . ) If the Chartists conducted themselves like rational men they would be supported . ( Loud hisses , hooting , cheers , and stamping of feet . )
Chairman—Englishmen should listen to him . He is inculcating the first principles of liberty . ( Oh , oh , hisses , and cheers , and . great confusion . ) » Ir . O'ConNELL—Order , order , order . [ Here a Chartist attempted a remark , but he was put down with hisses , aud a cry of turn him out . ] Mr . Browns resumed . He followed his political leader , and adopted his new philosophy of moral force . Physical force was the doctrine of renegades and cowards . ( Hear , hear , and hisses . ) Mr . Browne was obliged to retire amidst the hisses of tbe Chartists . Mr . O Gorman said that if they had their own Parliament back again in College Green— ( a laugh J—they w * uld have more beautiful streets - ( increased laughter ) —and would erect a splendid testimonial to the Liberator . ( Hear , hear , and " Oh , oh . ") A Scotchman named M'I . kod Raid that ke was a
convert to repeal , and would give it bis support The rank and title of this new accession to repeal were not known . Mr . O'Niel Daunt said that the Union bad been forced down their throats ; they should sooner feel at their sides for their swords tb&n yield to it . ( Cries of "Is not that jibyoioal furce ? " ) The Union robbed thom or £ l 00 , 000 , « 00 sterling . Tbe bigots of Exeter Hall- — A Voice—What have we to do with them ? Mr . OConnell—If you will not listen to reason , others will . ( Hisses and cheers . ) Mr . Daunt—The foul Church establishment —( 1 mmenso confusion , accompanied by the cheers of the repealers , and the hisses of the Ctuirtists . ) Mr . Daunt endeavoured to gut a hearing , but was ultimately compelled to sit down .
Mr . O'Connell here introduced to the meeting Mr . Mai tin , a member of the Convention , who was hailed with iiuuK-nse cheering by the Chartists . Mr . O'Connell called upon the meeting to give him a fair hearing . Mr . Martin , who 1 b the representative of the Birmingham Frost Committee , in tbe Convention now sitting in London , ascended the platform amidst loud and reiterated cheers . Order being partially restored , Mr . Martiu said , 1 hope you will take tke advice of Mr . O Conne ll , and be silent , as I do not wish you to give me a single cheer , but that you should hear what I have to say . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) When you hear me out , Mr . OConnell will then have an opportunity of
answering me . ( Hear , hear . ) I , with otht ^ r Chartists , regret that ill feeling exists between Mr . O'ConnoH and us . I am , like Mr . OConnell , a Repealer—( cheers )—I say that Ireland has a right to a Parliament of her own , and that she ought not to be—as she is—a paltry proviuce , for she never was conquered , but betrayed . ( Hear , hear . ) I am an Irishman ; and as devoted to Ireland as Daniel O Connell says that he himself is , and , as an Irishman , I oppose the Union which was foisted upon Ireland by fraud and by force . ( Hear . ) I also oppose the existence of a Church Establishment which , uuder the name of Christian , has , and is still ready , to spill the blood of our fellow Christians . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Some of the unwashed of St . Giles here created a disturbance , when
Mr . O'Connell exclaimed will you not hold your tongue , you blockheads 1 ( Cheers . ) Mr . Martin—I appear here this night from no factious motive ; I only come forward to confront Mr . O'Connell , who has declared himself the enemy of the Chartists . ( Cheers , mixed with Repeal hisses . ) Yes , Mr . O'Connell , in his letter to Lord Charlemont , after alluding to us , says— " The Chartista , from whom we could expect no aid , but upon the terms with which neither you nor we , my Lord , could comply . The Chartists are exclusionists of the worst kind . They would exclude from political power , not only what are called the upper—that is , the wealthier ranks of society , but even the intelligence and independence of the middle classes . Be assured , therefore , tbat , from
the great masses of popular support that your Lordship relies upon , you must deduct the entire body of Chartists , be they more or less . " Why , the majority of the working classes form the basis of the fabric of society . ( Hear , hear . ) The working men are the protectors ef society , and the friends of Ireland , while the middle classes and the aristocracy are the bitterest enemies of Ireland . ( Hisses , and loud cheers . ) If the working men had the privilege of voting , they would support the laws that would benefit that unhappy country , Ireland . ( Hear , hear . ) It was well known that the aristocracy —that the shopkeepers , and the middle classes , opposed those laws , and did all in their power to destroy the liberty and welfare of England and Ireland . ( Cheers and cries of hear , hear . ) The electoral power
was in the hands of the middle classes , who returned to Parliament aristocrats , bankers , and wealthy landlords . ( Hear , hear . ) The magistracy were composed of bankers—the boos of wealthy men , aud of wealthy middle-classmen . ( Hear , hear . ) All ' these parties agree amongst themselves to oppress the working classes . Tbe members of Parliament say , take care of us and we shall take care of you , by giving you a share of the plunder , and enabling you to extract the greatest possible produce from the labour of those under you . ( Hear , hear . ) Again , writing to Lord Charlemont , Mr . O'Connell says : — " That the body of Chartists are , to say the least of it , neutral as regards justice to Ireland . " I deny tbat . On the contrary the body of the Chartists will unite with the Repealers , if the Repealers will unite with ttrem . ( Hear , hear . ) It is said that we cannot place confidence in Mr . O'Connell , and that
his conduct shows that . ( Loud cries of hear , hear , hear , from the Chartists , and hisses from the Repealers . ) I fear that be cannot be trusted . ( A volley of hisses from the Repealers , answered by Chartist cheers . ) I win adduce evidence that he cannot be trusted . ( Here the Repealen lost all patience , and setting up a wild cry , endeavoured to come to an angry collision with the Chartists in the body of the room ; but the latter wisely declined the honour . ) It is said that be received money for his vote against the factory children , or at least for his conduct regarding that question . ( Hisses , and cries of " Hear , hear . ? There is evidence to prove that he was called out of the House of Commons , and that in the lobby of the House he received £ 1 , 000 , the amount agreed for . ( Loud cries of "Shame , shame , shame . " ) I make that charge against Mr . O Connell , which Linney , a working man and a Chartist , con and
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will , if necessary , prove . ( Loud cheers , and erie « of " Bravo , bravo , " from the Chartists , with a few hisses from the Repealers . ) Mr . O'Connell has declared that if he obtains Repeal , that be will raise thirty Baronets to the House of Peers . They will be creatures of bis own , and not as they ought to be , selected by the common voice of tbe people . ( Hear , bear . ) Thus Ireland was to be converted into a den of corruption . ( Hear , bear . ) Was it necessary that that selection should be made from Baronets ? ( Cries of "No , no , " " Yes , yes . " ) He also declared himself the supporter of Household Suffrage . ( " Oh , oh . " ) If Mr . O'Connell acted upon ¦ the broad principle of Chartism , he would not require the aid of the aristooracy , nor would tbe people look for their support . —
( Hear , hear . ) But Mr . O'Connell shall speak for himself , andyou can judge of his honesty . In his letter to Lord Charlemont , be says , " It Is quite manifest that a great many of the Peers would be naturally desirous of having their sons and immediate connections in the House of Commons , and they could not expect a son or a relative to succeed with a popular constituency , If the Peer himself continued to oppose patriotic measures . Tbe Irish House of Commons being a popular party , the Government must necessarily be such as would favour the advancement of popular institutions . The consequence would be , tbat every Peer wba held out in opposition to such a Government would be deprived of all participation in Government patronage ; he could not have the least hope of providing for any of
his family through the Government unless he supported the plans of such popular Government" ( Hisses and cheers . ) In the same lotter , Mr . O'Connell says , "In 1782 , an Irish Parliament threw open tbe blessings of education to the Catholics of Ireland . " Whether the poor peasantry were benefited by the blessing may be judged of by the fact that they cannot even read ! ( Hear , bear . ) That blessing . no doubt , benefited the aristocracy and the middle classes , but how could it have benefited thu poer peasants , or how could they , out of sixpence a day , pay for the instruction of their children ? ( Hear . ) In that letter Mr . O'Connell boasts as follows : In 1792 the Irish Parliament conferred another measure of emancipation upon the Catholics by opening the bar
to them , and admitting Catholics as attornies . In 1797 an Irish Parliament passed another act abolishing a peual statute , and authorising Catholics as eligible to be placed ou grand juries , and likewise conferring on them the tight of the elective franchise . A great boon imieed , which merely admitted the sons of Roman Catholic gentlemen to be attornies , or rather created a new race of conjurors and robbers who bad not the slightest sympathy with tbe poor , and in their oppression were only surpassed by the rapacity of the priests , who , under the pretence of saving men ' s souls , robbed their pockets . ( Most awful confusion , accompanied by hisses , groans , cheers , and every demonstration of popular fury and popular pleasure . ) The noise continuing , Mr . Martin ' s voice could not be heard , when
Mr . O'Connell rose and said , you promised to hear him . A VorCE—He has no religion . ( Hisses and cheers . ) Chairman—Pray do hear him . ( Increased confusion , amidst which a young man was-most brutally dragged out of the room and hurled down eUirs amidst cries of " murder . " ) Mr . OCoNNELr—Will you do me the injustice not to hear my accuser . Hold your , tongues . Let him spin himself out , and then you will have an opportunity of laughing at him . ( Hisses and great cheering . ) Mr . Martin—When I spoke of the priests , I meaut the priests of the Established Church—those vagabond robbers of the poor . ( Immense cheering from the Charlists , with hissing and hooting from the Repealers . ) Chairman—Pray , do keep silence ; the sooner the accusation is over , the sooner will Mr . O'Connell have an opportunity of refuting it .
Mr . O'Connell—Oh , no , no ; let no man suppose that there is an accusation against which I am anxious to defend myself . ( Cheers from the Repealers , and groans from the Chartists . ) N Chairman—I was wrong . I should have said that the sooner his opponent closed , the sooner Mr . O'Connell can defend himself . Mr . O'CONNELL , jumping up in a rage , exclaimed—No , no ; let no man suppose that I have anything to defend myself against ! ( Oh , oh , and immense laughter from the Chartists . ) Mr . Martin , in continuation , Baid Mr . O'Connell also opposed the Trades' Unions in their efforts to secure fair wages . Mr . O'Connell—I did no such thing . A Voice—Martin is a brave fellow . Mr . O'Connell . —Hear him out There is not a single wretched calumny tbat I will not demonstrate to be false and absurd . I will make short work of it
Mr . Martin . —I have another charge against Mr . O'Connell . In his letter to Lord Charlemont speaking of tbe outbreak of 1798 , he classes as murderers with Government spies of that day , the noble patriots and illustrious dead wbo poured forth their lives and blood in the struggle for freedom . ( Oh , oh , shame , shame . ) Yes , he says that he holds in utter contempt such men as Lord Edward Fitzgerald and the Shearer ' s . ( Hisses and greans . ) Yes , tbat is the language which he applies to men wbo saerficed their lives in their efforts to emancipate the poor Irish from the yoke , the galling , grinding yoke of an heartless aristocracy . ( Hear , and cries of " shame . ") Speaking of them , Mr . O'Counell says : — « ' As-to 1788 , we leave the weak aud wicked men who considered force and sanguinary violence as part of tbeir resources for amelierating on * »»**• ' »*«> " ,
au < i tne equally more -ruiauuua ana designing wretches who fomented the rebellion and made it explode in order that in the defeat of the rebellious attempt they might be able to extinguish the liberties of Ireland-We leave both these classes of miscreants to the contempt and indignation of mankind , and we equally with your Lordship , detest and deprecate the crimes of both . " Is that Ian juoge becoming an Irishman ? Should such assertions escape his lips ? As well as Mr . O'Connell I am a paid agent . I am a member of that Convention which is now sitting in London for tbe purpose of devising measures for the restoration of Frost , Williams , and Joneo , and the liberation of all Chartist prisoners . fClieers . ) The Convention are not aware that I attend here . Nor could I do so with their approbation , as they have passed a resolution prohibiting their members interfering , as members , in public meetings .
Mr . O Connell—Don't mind tlio Convention ; go on . Mr Martin—So I will , Mr . O ' Connell . You stated that tho Chartists who were convicted deserved punishment —( groans)—and that you would lead over 506 , « 00 Irishmen to put down Englishmen . ( Hisses , groans , &c . ) There is not much philosophy , there is not much philanthropy in Mr . O'Connell's noting with Melbourne , who apprised of , nay , who encouraged the Manchester slaughter . ( Hear , hear . ) There is not much patriotism in Mr . O'Connell's ce-operating with Lord Palmeraton , who could , if he liked , liberate Sligo from the two TorieB who now represented it . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr .
O'Connell is wonderfully vexed because the Chartists assisted in returning a Tory for Nottingham . I assure Mr . O'Connell that the Chartists detest the Tories as much as they do the Whigs , and that their reason for supporting them { s , that tbe Tories have promised to rulease the 400 Chartists now in prison . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) If the Whigs throw open those prisen doors—if they act a merciful part—if they restore Frost , Williams , and Jones to the bosoms of their families , and if they release all political prisoners , the Chartists will Support them , and will address the country in their behalf . ( Loud and continued cheering , and immense hissing . )
The room at this moment presented an awful appearance . The platform , ths reserved seats , and every part of the place exhibited all the rage of party . In vain Mr . O'Connell exerted his authority to preserve order : irritated to the highest pitch , he stamped , exclaiming , " For God ' s sake , be quiet ; he is no fiieud of mine who makes the slightest noise . " iHisaes , cheers , && ) Order having been partially restored , Mr . Martin , who remained quite tranquil amidst the storm , said—Gentlemen , I have but imperfectly discharged my duty . Mr . O'Connell has heard the charges
against him ; let him answer them . ( Hear , hear , hear , and hisses . ) But before I sit down , I will read for him a report of the Select Committee on the Factories Regulation Act , and will then leave Ml . O'Connell to reconcile his conscience with the course be pursued respecting the poor , helpless , and defenceless factory children . ( Hear , bear , and cries of " Read , read . " Mr . Martin then read the fallowing extract from the report of the Factory Select Committee , which contained the evidence of a factory childwhich detailed the sufferings of one ef the victims of that accursed system : —
" My name is Eliza Marshall . I live in Leeds . I was born in Doncaster . I am seventeen years old . My father is dead : he was guard of a coach . My mother came to Leeds when I was nine years old , to seek work for us . I got work at Mr . Marshall ' s flax mill , in Water Lane . I left there because it was so dusty ; it stuffed me so that I could scarcely speak : it affected my health : I Bhonld not have lived long if I had not left The factory bell was a doleful sound to me . My father was dead , my mother was very poorly off , and my sister and I did what we could for her . I have cried many an hour in the factory . I could scarcely walk . I could hardly get home . I was exceedingly fatigued at night Sometimes I had to be ' trailed ' home . I have an iron on my right leg . My knee is contracted . It was a . great misery to me to work . I was straight before . My sister has carried me up to bed many a time . I have been
an out-patient of the Leeds General Infirmary nearly twelve months , and this last winter I have been in the Infirmary six weeks . I was under Mr . Chorley ; they put irons on to my legs , which cost the Infirmary £ 3 . 1 have gone with great difficulty to the mill , and could not tell anybody what I suffered . They could not believe me , I am sure , if I did . My mother was very unhappy to see me so dealt with ; she cried , but she ceuld not keep me at home . I was obliged to go or else drop in the streets . I went to the miilsaa long as I could . At last I cried , and used to fall back in bed when they called me , so that they could not find in their heart to send me . I new live with my mother . Mr . Chorley has examined me thoroughly ; he says tbat it is with long standing , and tbat the marrow is dried up quite out of the bone . He says , that when the marrow gets dried out , it will never be formed again . "
One simultaneous burst of execration followed the reading of the above ; after which , Mr . Martin left tbe platform amidst tbe most enthusiastic cheering .
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Mr . O'Connbll then torn , and was received wfn . groans , hisses , yells , and cheers , He at first attenr ou ? to render Martin ridiculous by cross-examiniua bW « bis place of birth , io . Falling in that , Mrioconnrii said that he never had Toted against the factory drii dren . * . f * A VOICE—Who gaTe yon th « £ 1 , 000 ? You know you got it ; we can proTe it ( A general figbt , dnrfn * which several Cbartista were unceremoniously imSS out ef the room . ) - ~* funwa Mr . OTtoNNELi , —Sir Thomas Potter declared that it was a Me , the paper declared it a He , and he defied hk enemies to state the time or place when he was naid $£ ?? % > J **^* 01 ? *• * & *** & of
** "We dotft believe you , " from the Chartists ! Ha voted for every Bill in favour of reduction of labour As to the education charge against him , the Farliam ' en tary returns proved that in Ireland the poorer Catfaolioi who were educated were three 4 o one as conmarai with the Protestants who enjoyed that blessing ^ 3 that there were more Catholic children educated at their own expence in Ireland than there were Protestant children bo educated in England . ( Hear , hear . ) Be would-be glad to know , from Mr . Martiu , which of tha Tories promised to let the Chartists out of prison . ( Great confusion , and cries of "bear , hear . " ) A Voice—Dont answer him .
Mr . O'CoNNELir-Oh , wretched , deluded men who support the Tories who perpetrated the Manchester slaughter , and would again , if opportunity offered crimson their swords with human gore . ( Cheers and hisses ) At the Nottingham election the Chartists moported Walter , who designated Irishmen as beasts brutes , savages—a filthy „ ferocious crew , and their priests as surpliced ruffians and ferocious tyrants . — ( Hisses , and cheers . ) Yes , Walter so designated theft venerated and venerable clergy ; and that night the Orangeman was breaking oat on Martin , as be was aboQt applying the same epithets to them , when be was reminded of his error . ( Hear , hear , and cheera ) Yes yes , he ( Mr . O'Connell ) would lead 600 , 000 Irishmen to *
put down the miscreant Chartists , if they threatened the torch or the dagger . ( Tells , hisses , and cheers . )—Mr . O'Connell then abused Feargus O'Connor , and said that it was reported in the Tory press that he ( O'CoDuell ) wanted ' separation ; that was a lie . All that he Bought for Ireland wag , that she should enjoy those rights which she had before her connection with Bug , land . In his devotion to his conntry he sacrificed £ 8 , 300 a year which bis profession returned him . He refused to be Master of the Rolls and to be Chief Baron of the Exchequer , both of which were offered tohiinby the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland . ( Itear , hear . y Mj O'Connell reiterated hi » oft-repeated arguments to favour of repeal , and concluded amic ' st groans , hisses and cheers . '
Mr . John Cleave presented himself in the front of the platform , and was received with loud cheers . Ha said—Fellow-countrymen , I will not , at this late hour ( twelve o ' clock ) detain you long . I have during my life attended many meetings , and I have heard many strange sayings at those meetings , but this ni ght ' s sayings and this night ' s doings have surpassed ^* strangeness all that I have either heard or witnessed before . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) For many years past j laboured with the Catholics in their endeavours for emancipation ; and , above all , in the exertions that were made to ameliorate the condition of the lri « h Roman Catholic working classes . ( Hear , hear . ) During those years , I never attended a meeting which gave me so much regret as the one of this night ( Be * r
hear , and a partial dissent by Repealers . ) I assure Mr . O'Connell that he will ere long deeply repent the statements he has made , and the language he hu adopted this night ( Hear , hear , bear . ) From the first , moment that Mr . O'Connell landed in Engtail from the first moment that he took his seat in "the Old rotten House , " I , in common with other liberal EnjjUib Protestants , extended to him tbe right hand of fellow , ship . Have we not a right to expect , that he and his countrymen should in turn bold out to us the wma r ight hand of fellowship ? ( Hear , hear , cheers , and t few faint hisses . ) When the rabid Tory press , ays' vA
the equally rabid Whig press denounced Mr . O'Conaett and his followers as rebels , when they attempted torn down Tepeal as rebellion , and when they recommended the question to be kept back by force , then Mr . O'Connell found friends and stanch supporters in the English working classes . ( Hear . ) Why then-dees beat this moment attempt to : turn upon and vilify thosemen ? ( Hear . ) This is not the time for him to create new enenms . When the Whig and Tory press are armed to the teeth against him , as a repealer . ( Hear and cheers . ) When the only Catholic paper in London is I believe opposed to the repeal of the union ( Hear . ) I appeal to Mr . OConnell if such is not the fast .
Mr .. O . CoNNELL . —Yes . The Tablet is opposed to Repeal . ( Hear . ) Mr . Cleave . —Well ; Mr . O'Connell is anxious * to give the Whigs every support , and to retain them in office . ( Hear , hear , from Mr . O'Connell . ) What did Lord Althorp say in the first reformed House of Commons ? He declared that sooner than submit to tbe Repeal of the Union , he would risk the dismemberment of the British Empire . I tell Mr . O'Connell that the Chartists are not endeavouring to create rebellion . ( No , no , no . ) They are only struggling far their rights , and those rights simply consist in the power of self government—a power to which as Englishmen they are entitled by the constitution of tbeir country ; ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . O'Connell-wasone W the first men to draw up the Chart ** , and was the nrsr man to sign ic . ( x / uua trias of hear , hear . ) Mr . OConnell—I draughted it ( Hear . bear . )
Mr . Cleave—Yes , Mr . OConnell , and you were the first to sign it I hold in my possession that signature of yours . ( Immense cheering . ) . Mr . O'Connell—I acknowledge that I signed ifc ( Increased cheering . ) ' . . Mr . . Cleave—My delight was great when Mr . O'Connell ratified the Charter by affixing his signature to it Mr . O'Connell well knows that until the British House of Commons be constituted upon the principles of the . Charter he will never effect Repeal , unless he does so by open rebellion , and with an awful sacrifice of human life . ( Hear , hear , hear , hisses and cheers . ) A Voice—That's false .
- Mr . Cleave . I regret that Mr . O'Connell has made this meeting an occasion for an attack upon the Chartists and the working classes of England , and upon Feargus O'Connor . ( Hisses . ) His conduct to Mr . Martin was unbecoming—was unmanly and most unwise . ( Hear , hear . ) His conduct towards Feargus O'Connor—his countryman—a Protestant—a brother barrister , and formerly a member of the same House with him , was moBt cowardly . ( immeDae rioting amongst the Repealers , whose rage appeared to hive no bounds , in which they indulged by screeching , hooting , and hisses . As soon as they exhausted their
anger , the Chartists followed with repeated rounds of cheers . ) Yes , his conduct towards Feargus O Connor was . most cowardly , was most . unwise , and was unstatesmanlike in the extreme . ( Continued hisses and rioting among the Repealers . ) I am afraid I must not call you , who thus conduct yourselves so indecentlyi my friends . I repeat it , that Mr . O'Connell ' s attack was most cowardly , especially when coupled witk the bombastic threat of bringing over 500 , 600 of bis coustrymen to put down the " miscreant Chwtists , " as be called them , if they in any way assailed the throne of the " angelic creature" who sits upon it ( laughter and
hisses . ) . Here an indescribable scene of confusion ensued , amidst which we could only gather from Mr . Cleave , whose speaking at the moment was a mere dumb show , that " be told Mr . O'Connell that he ought to get him ( Mr . Cleave ) a hearing , so that the public nwbt be made acquainted with his statements . He , however , pledged himself that Mr . O'Connell ' s attaek upon tha family of Feargus O Counor , and upon Feargus O'Connor himself , would be repaid with interest The Chairman cried out , Gentlemen , do hear him . Mr . O'Connell—Be so good as to listen to him .
Mr . Cleave , as soon as order was partially restored , said , I am surprised that Mr . O'Connell should attack an absent man—an imp risoned man , as W \ Mr .: O'Connell ' s ) countryman , Feargus O'Connor . « was cowardly . It was cruel . It was unbecoming * statesman . ( Hear , bear . ) If the Irish unite with toe Chartists the Chartists will unite with them , and IBM union is the only way by which Ireland will be en » t > WX to obtain Repeal , and obtain her political station amongst the nations . ( Cheers . ) Let not the ln « be deceived , and let them know , once for all , tnw they will never obtain the repeal of tbe Union , » long , as they retain renegade Whigs jn office and »
power . ( Tremendous cheers . ) Mr . 6 'CoNNELL—I am asked by Mr . Cleave if I wM join the physical-force Chartists , the torch-an d-wedagger men . and if I will follow the men who brow out in open insurrection . ( " No , no , " and ' » *«¦***•' I tell Mr . Cleave that I will do no such thing . ( H 8 ~ J hear , and canfusion . ) Justice must be done to every one . Lord Althorp did say that he would rather see * dismemberment of the empire than aecede to k ^ forced upon him by a faction . ( Hear , hear . ) aut ^ ™ also said , that if the universal Irish peop le desi » a " they were entitled to it . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Weave com plains of my attacking Feargus O'Connor . Has ne rw " his papers , which calumniated me ? When I r ?" posed in Leeds to the assassin ' s dagger , bsd _ *«^ O'Connor the honesty to take my part in mapro-Once for all , I tell you I wiU not join your misers Chartist prejudices . ( Hisses . ) Mr . Cleave-I am not asking you . ( A laugn . )
Mr . O ' Connell-You come forward to «« W rebellion and revolution . ( Great tumult ' . . ^^ LL I seek Reform . You talk of the Ch « tat » ogJ Rep « al . It would be better to suffer any f »^ 3 than adopt their plans of effecting Repeal . " ^ In conclusion , I say , Heaven preserve my counuj « Chartists . ( Tremendous hisses , and cheers . ) ^^ Mt . Cleave was loudly cheered dn ^* k »™ £ ^ after which the meeting broke up . AW 8 ^ , Repealers escorted the " Liberator of ***** J&i patent safety cab , which conveyed ^ J ™* ^ ^ cheers , hisses , and groans . It is said that « f J «^ grf sons were dangerously injured by the ins" ^ porters , who were in attendance ^^ . ^ Snt fr om out vi . et armis any one who even dared to dissent Repeal . One young man from Marylebone . » » / ^ r iously indisposed from the savage treatment ^ " , experienced . The C hartists are getting up »? V meeting at tbe Crown and Anchor , to wnieu - ~ intend inviting Dan and his myrmidons .
Untitled Article
6 ^ THE NORTHERN STAR . — ¦ - ¦ ¦ . , „ , -i i . 1— ¦ ¦ ¦ i i ¦ ... ¦ ¦ n M , . . . , . ¦ - " . . .. " ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ . ' ; ¦ ^ *^ . " " *^ ' ~ » - ¦ *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 22, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1110/page/6/
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