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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1841.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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TBIUMPH OF CHARTISM AT WALSALL ; DI 8 GRACEFTJL AXD COWARDLY CONDUCT OF THE CORN LAW " PLAGUE" - In accordance with the -wishes of & few " good men End troe" at Walsall , the town "was pos'ed "with placards announcing two lectures to be delivered at tbe WlutB Lion Ian , High street , by Mr . George ¦ White i-f Birmingham , en the evenings of Wednesday and Tiiiir > lay the 2 nd and 3 d of Jane , the first " on the cause of the preaent miseries endured by so ^ ety , " the second , » n the " real remedy . " At tie time appointed on Wednesday evening , a large number of working men wtw in attendance , and
Mr . SciiOFi £ L » , a miner , "was called to the ehair . He aaid that the meeting had been convened for the purpose of enabling Mr . White to explain bis views ¦ with regard to the evils that afflicted society . He understood from tin placards , that discussion was invittrda * . the conclusion of each lecture ; he therefore hoped that a fair hearing would be given to all persons . He then introduced Mr . White as a man who was well known amongst the working classes . jlr . White commenced by entering into a statement of LLs views with respect to the existing Corn Law .- , acd then proceeded to explain the nnnn-r in "which Government had been originally coustituted , and shewed that whether they had established the present sustain by force or fraud , it was quiteclear that the
great mass of society were not protected by it . He denounced the present Government as a curse to mankind , beams * instead of protecting society from tie plunder of individuals , they themselves were the greatest plunderers for they made use of their office to ] rob the working classes , and to such a pitch had it been I carried that ths w » xking man was reduced to the lowest depth of poverty , and zendered completely miserable . ' He pointed out the manner in 'which the present House i of Commons were elected and shewed that they wer * a gang < : > f usurpers . Be then described theenormous sums , dragged from the people in the shape of profits
and r-.-at » f land , shewed up the hoilowness and sophistry of those that represented the Parliamentary taxes ] as the role source of the nation's distress , and was abotu to describe the enormous power of production and in ? ans of happiness , which existed in tLa country , ! if proi * ny applied , under the superintending care of a tt . « j and henest Government , when he -was inter- Tupt-. d i-y the entrance of a troop of drunken anti . Com Law men , headed by a lawyer named Kettle > '¦ from jVolverhampton , and another sprig of the same j profession named Wilkinson , residing at Walsall ! Ihey immediately commenced an uproar , ilr . Kettle jumping up several times to interrupt the speaker . >
Mr . v >" hite asked them what they meant by their tamaltnona conduct , and was told by Mr . Kettle that they wished to commence a discussion there and then . 2 dr . White immediately agreed to the proposal ., althsagh it was out of the order originally proposed , he not having concluded bis address . It was then arranged that each speaker should be allowed a quarter ot an hour to address the meeting . Mr . Kettle commenced by denouncing the Corn
law ? as the sole cause of the nation ' s distress ; entered into a long tirade of abnss against the landed proprietors for tie exorbitant rent they received ; warned the working men not to be deceived by men "who were hired by the Tories to divids them on the eve of the forthcoming elections , and ended by a frothy piece of blackguardism , in -which he told the meeting that Sir . White was a second Nightingale , who had come to Walsall to impoverish the working classes , and hinder them from gettine cheap bread and plenty of work , and that his aole ftjvct was to support the Tories .
Mr . White replied , and stated although a lawyer might be expected to make out a good case , yet Mr . Kettle had failed in doing so . He congratulated him on bis truly Chartist opinions , for every word that he fry ) suted agaisst the system had been often preached by the advocates of the Charter . He perfectly agreed with him that the Corn Laws were an evil , but instead of showing t-hat his doctrines were false , Mr . Kettle + olA entered into a long tirade of personal abuse , which proved that he had a lame cause to defend . He then showed np the glaring inconsistency of the men who were continually shouting "No monopoly , " whilst they monopolised the poor man's right , aod although fiiey were continually asking the ¦ working classes to ¦ i ± ec < i theii meetings , am : appealing to their judgments .
jet whan an election took place they would not allow the -working men to vote , thus proving their hypocrisy , and showing that their agitation for Corn Law repeal was merely intended to benefit themselves , without any reference to the great body of the people . But supposing that they were really sincere in their professions , and that a repeal of tie Corn Laws would tetter r he condition of tie people , where was their xneaas of accomplishing it ? They had not sufficient pow « in the House of Commons , and none in the iordi ; they well knew that the landholders would not consent to their repeal , and yet they asked the 'woriizg men to cease urging their claim to perfect to themselves in
freedom , and consent once more yoke the harness of their bitterest foes . He therefore was ' deUnuined to agitate for the Charter , -which would ! give the people the power cf repealing all bad laws . I Mr . Wii-E . l 5 S 0 > -. a lawyer , of Walsall , jumped up and commenced a vollsy of abuse that would disgrace . Billingsgate . He denounced Mr . White as an enemy ; to me working classes—as a hired spy ; and raising his ; roica to the highest pitch , bawled out that he wss like Jnda * . and would betray them for thirty pieces of bU- Tar . He enrle&voured to incite the drucken gang -who accompanied him to acts of violence , but finding that he -wU over riled by the good Bens * of the meeting he
¦ a t down . hiz WHITE replied , amidst nproar and interruption , and sin a stormy debate in which about twelve took pert the business concluded at eleven o'clock , Mr . Tffhitc giving notice that be was prepared to renew the : o 5 aea « i .- > n on t " = e following evening . v , fcr a sp-eimen of the liberalit y » a love of : tnr * manifested by th * c-i 1 Law repealing Liberals , i ol - _ nr morning of Thursday the town of Walsall i was ujsted with handbills containing the following j tror ' s : — i •¦ Look Here ! — >' o farther discussion will be held > \ ritl the Tory Chartist Those who wish to strengthen theVrrad tixers will attend , and they who honestly aeek the improvement of the condition of the people ; the increase of employment and wages ¦ will not by their pres-i ^ ce , countenance the absurdities of Toryism in its new f .-rm . Go not ntar the enemy ! He has < heen bribe ! to sow the tares * f disunion amongst the
peeptc - The above placard shews the real spirit of th « anti-Corn La * " party and proves that they are nothing but Wt \ - > in disguise . As the time of meeting drew nigh , groups of working men were to be seen conversing in Higb-siree « , and severed drunken mtn "who had the ap > - « racce ' ef excavators were to be heard shouting , ' Wr will have a half loaf rather than nctking . " It was U . f = rred from this that the fair dealing '' League '' tad beta ut > to some of their dirty tricks , on a Eimilar sea . * to their Manchester doings . It was therefore detcrriitaed that no drunken person should be allowed to filter the meeting . "VVhrn the time arrived for commencing the business , Hi- V . 'ilHam Phillip , a journeyman brushmaier , -was ealleui to the chair , and opened the business in a very elever a ^ d appropriate Epeech , snd hoped that all parties would be allowed a fair and impartial bearing .
ii :. White then commenced his address fcy showing up « be gross inconsistency of the patties who had issnwi -. he pAseaids , and exposed the paltry subterfuge of calling him a Tory , when it was well known that no n : sa could be iuore opposed to Toryism than he ¦ w » fc . The very reason why he hated the Wbigs ^ was . thin ^ jey were Torie 3 , and something worse . He then proccwled to state , tbit as the parties who had opposed on tbe previous evening were not inclined to hear a furthtr exposure of their trickery , he would enter on the subject for which the meeting had been eallci . He explained tbe principles of the Charter , and ^ owed the immense benefit it would confer on the people and tbe means by which it could be ¦ eet&bl-shed , and concluded by k questing that any per ? r . who wished to ask questions should do so .
£ rt » ral working men asked questions with regard to the Cvrn Laws—they had been led to believe that they eoo ' . u get them repealed very easily , and that theiT lejKui would confer an immense benefit on them . iir . White answered them in a friendly mannerinfixed thtm that he wis opposed to the Corn Laws as jc-acb as them— "but that the same agitation -thit wwua iecure a repeal of the Corn Laws would get . the ' . i -be Charter , and then they could repeal all baa law- , and make such as would protect their labouT , mxH give tb ? m not only cheap bread , but happy homes , . good " clothicg , and a release L-jm all manner of tyaiiv-y .
Jlr . Robeet Taloisb then moved the following Kftrlution : —" That the principles contained in the People ' s Charter are consistent with truth and justice , and ire capable of protecting the property and industry of every roao "who is inclined to live honestly , and ¦ wili : . v " to do bis duty aa an honourable and upright member of aceiety ; and as the National Charter Association has for iU object the establishment of those principles , this naeeting therefore approves of the same , and will jwn it forthwith . " Mr . M'Mahoh seconded the resolution , when it was put from the chair aad c * rrie 4 unanimously , with the Sception of two hands -which were held up against it B » e daemon of th « meeting caused three hearty cheen tor thf - People * Charter . _ -
The Chaibkak then announced his readiness to take ft . oajnoB of all persons -whs were -willing to become » embers of the National Charter Association ; upwards of twenty persons then enrolled their names , and a large number expressed their willingness to do so at the next meeting . It wa » then agreed to hold a meeting at the avne place on the following Wednesday . Three hearty cheers were sjrain given tor the Charter ; after which , the meeting separated . Walsall will boob occupy a proud position in the Chartist ranks .
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Piss OLt ? Ticy of P-iELUMKfT . —It is generally ex peetttd her Majasty rrill proroene PariUment in person on Tuesday next , the l * 'h instant , and 4 hat the Gazelle of the same evening will contain & proclamation diasolvirg the preisnt legislature . — Standard .
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THE FACTORY SYSTEM AND LOKD ASHLEY The Short Time Committees of the West Riding being anxious to ascertain the present opinions at their old and tried friend , Lerd Ashley , and also the plan he intends to pursue in ease of a change of administration , recently commissioned Mr . Mark Crabtree to correspond with his Lordship upon the subject , in answer to which his Lordship sent tbe following reply which has given general satisfaction : — Jane 1 st , 1841 . Mr . Crabtr&e , —When you were In London , a few days ago , you expressed , on behalf of the operatives of the West Biding , a wish to fawv whether my opinions remained the same on the subject of a limitation of the hours of labour for young persons between the ages of thirteen and eighteen . I now state again to you what I stated then , that I am more than ever satisfied of the justice and necessity of such a provision , and that I will spare no efforts which , under God ' s blessing , may contribute to attain so desirable a conclusion .
You added , likewise , a fear that the acceptance of an office in Sir Robert Peel ' s Administration might , to a great degree , embarrass my proceeding in this matter . I reply then , without speculating either on the probability of a Cabintt to be formed by Sir Robert Peel , or on the probability that 1 should be invited to take any subordinate station in his Government , I will never place myself in any situation where I shall not be as free as air to do everything that I may believe to be conducive to the happiness , comfort , and welfare of that portion of the working classes who have so leng and so confidently entrusted to me the care of their hopes and interests . I remain , Tour most obedient humble servant , Ashley . To Mr . Mark Crabtree .
The Northern Star. Saturday, June 12, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , JUNE 12 , 1841 .
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TREACHERY OF THE BLOODIES ! MEDITATED SLAUGHTER OF THE CHARTISTS ! RASCALITY OF SIR CHARLES SHAW , CHIEF OF THE MANCHESTER SPIES .
¦ INVITATION TO THE STARVING PEOPLE TO EAT STONES AND " MEET THEIR GOD . " The Heralds have proclaimed the terms upon which the " bread war" is to be conducted . The people have been inviled by their masters to discussion , and they have bees bludgeoned , in cold blood , inthepreseneeof thehosts , andof England ' s newband of life-and peace-preservers , and by the desire of the inviters !
If we can argue coolly upon this cold-blooded viliany , we shall besi serve the cause we profess to advocate , —the cause of truth and justice . We gave the mere outlines of the conspiracy in our last ; for further particulars and confirmation of what we then asserted , we refer to our present number . The whole transaction must be made plain to every man in Europe . The Mayor of Manchester was applied to for the purpose of calling a public meeting , in aid of the " Bloodies ; " but , aware , we presume , of the tender mercies of the masters towards their starving men , he very prudently declined ; whereupon , ten of the " Plague " took the task npon themselves . The Chartists
"WERE JNYITED TO ATTEND ASD DISCUSS THE MERITS OF the qvEsnos . They , never shrinking from that open discussion , which , for years , they have courted in vain , accepted the invitation . This was made known to a rascally hired menial of the " Plague , " one Fi . \> igan , and this man put the question to Mr . Jakes Wheeleb— " Do the Chartist * mean to attend ? " " Yes , " was the reply , " assuredly ; you have invited discussion , and that is all we team . " " Tell them , then , " rejoined the feeder , " TO BE PREPARED TO MKET
THEIR GOD . " Wheeleb is an old man , and one who has drank deep of the cup of adversity , oppression , and treachery . In 1819 the breast of Wheiilbr ' s wife was cut off at Peterloo , in the massacre so loudly praised by the present Whig premier , Lord MELBorRNE . This fact naturally made poor Wheeler cautious ; and , after taking council , he communicated the circumstance to Sir C . Suaw , chief of police , and demanded protection . Surely that did not bespeak a determiaation upon the part of lie Chanists to commit a breach of the peace . Having learned that admission to the Whig hustings could be procured by tickei only , the brave Chartists bnilt hustings of their own , along-side the " bloodies" slaughter-house , on Wednesday
morning . On Tuesday , Daniel O'Connell arrived at Manchester , for the purpose of holding a Repeal meeting in the Carpenter ' Hall , but was mortified at finding not more than a few Ecores in attendance , and refused , though money was paid for admission , to perform to so thin a house ; he accordingly stayed outside , where hedesiguated the Chartists as Orangemen and Hartoverians , and enemies to the Catholics ; but he declined attending the meeting of Wedaesday .
Wednesday was the first day of the races , and a day of general holiday to the poor hilf-chokeU creatures who have been pent up in hell-holes for a long and dreary winter . The Whigs hired a sufficient number to remain at home ; and thu 3 , the preliminaries being arranged , the tragedy was commenced by the bludgeon-meu taking possession of tha Chartist hustings , to the number of about 200 , while an equal number were ranged in military array aboafc the " Bloodies "' slaughter-house , and on guard at all the important avenues leading to the Square . In fact , the whole thing bore the appearance of the approach of battle . The
spygeneral was housed with his staff ; and who do you suppose , moral-force Chartist 3 and fair play loving Englishmen , wa 3 the adjutant and commander-incuiefof tho " bloodies" ? Why no other than the paid pacificator and life-preserver , Sir C . Shaw •—yea , the modern Fouche sat in conclave with hi = hired blood-hounds , aud he , he , he , Englishmen , it was who issued the tickets for admission to the slaughter-house . Now what say you to that holy alliance ?—you who have preferred the open foe to the wily friend ? What , we repeat , do you say to that disposition of the Whig peace-preserving forces :
. Well , the forces thus arranged the battle commenced . Cobben was in the chair , and Tost Potter was at his elbow . Now of Potter we say nothing . God forbid that we should mock even the frolics of dame nature . In a capricious mood she said , " Let Manchester have a natural born idiot , " and behold , Tom Potter was produced ! Potter 13 positively " clean daft , " so of him we say nothing .
Bat unfortunately for Cobden , he has no such plea to a similar charge against the fickle dame . He is no fool , but is a deep designing moneymongering villain , who knows that " cheap bread " means a " wind-up , " for the present , of all bad bygones , and a clear ledger for inconceivable speculation in white slavery . He , we believe , meditated this onslaught ; and dearly shall he pay for it .
Having proceeded thus far , the unwarrantable attack , which we noticed in our last , commenced upon the Chartists ; and now let us see what the hired advertising press of the " Bloodiss" say of the affair , and let us see how we can meet and refute their every calumny . The Chronicle estimates the numbers present at ten thousand five hundred , and his hired penny-aliner volunteers a most palpable and easily refuted lie , in aid of his employers . He says , the Chartists
" exhibited a pike , " and that one assaulted a person with a piece of iron , " and that " tho Chartists commenced ths disturbance . '" This fabrication the Spectator and other prints take from the Chronicle ; and the Examiner concludes a characteristic picture in these words : — " We Bhall hear no more of Chartist interruption to the Anti-Corn Law party in Manchester . " To that , for the present , we merely say— " Wont you , though !!!"
If the Chartists meditated such , an attack , why apprise Sir Cha . bi . es Shaw , and request that means should be taken to preserve tbe peace ! If the Chartists were the aggressors , why did C « bdes and
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Tom , the fool , remain tranquil and delighted with the fun ! and wiiy were the bludgeon-police , who stood with their stares in their hands , not ordered to make any , the slightest exertion , to arrese the Chartists in their wicked and premeditated * design 1 Let those questions be answered ! They shortly must be answered ! Farther , we assert upoH the Tory best authority , that not a single Chartist at the meeting had a weapon of any description . Indeed , the Chronicle reporter and the
Manchester reporters are compelled , though reluctantly , to let the troth slip out . They say that the Corn Law repealers took offence at a Chartist flag which was raised fall in front of the " Bloodies , " and that an attack by the ruffians upon that nag , was the cause of the conflict . A murderous attack upon the invited guests was indiscriminately commenced , the result of which , we regret to learn , is likely to terminate fatally to many .
But we have yet more to say . The military were all within call ! and we have to announce a fact hitherto unknown to our readers ; the " Bloodies " of Manchester actually sent off to Darlington and other parts of the north , on Wednesday , for a reinforcement of troops ! In obedience to the order about 310 dragoons were despatched to be present at the slaughter ! Let us now contrast the second Manchester projected attack upon the people with the famed Peterloo butchery . In 1819 , the" natural enemies" of the people not only did not invite them to attend , but cautioned them against attending ; whilst in 1841 the " unnatural friends" of the people invited them to attend , and actually had all the implements of
death ready to provide them with " cheap bread " and " cheap lodgings" for the remainder of their days , and for all time to come ! In 1819 , the deliberations of the people were not appealed to by a Minister of the Crown against a majority in the House of Commons . In 1819 , we were under the influence of what was called " the rotten borough system ; " while in 1841 , we live under the shade of reform I In 1819 , we had not a police establishment , appointed solely for tho purpose of rendering military interference unnecessary 7 while , in 1841 , we are cursed with such a generation of ruffians ; so that , upon the whole , the Peterloo affair , but for the good sense of the Chartists in 1841 , would have been a mere trifle to the Whig premeditated butchery of the latter period !
We hare considered it our duty to make the most minute enquiries upon tbe subject , from all available sources , and unhesitatingly declare the Chartists to have acted with a manly and becoming prudence , forbearance , and courage , while the murderous Whigs behaved with the most brutal treachery and cowardly reserTe . A correspondent at Hudderefieid , who was present at the meeting on Wednesday , in Stephenson ' s Square , has furnished us with an account of what he saw and experienced on that day : —
Myself and Mr . Mahon , a real Irish Chartist , left Tib-8 treet , along with tho people and the banners , to attend the meeting . Hustings had been erected by our friends for our speakers ; but on arriving at Stephenson ' s Sqaare , judge of our astonishment to find them filled with policemen , and do admittance to be obtained . In passing the front of the hustings , an old man ( an Irishman ) pulled out a bludgeon , and held it in the face of my iriend , and exclaimed , " You are a b y Chartist , and a Tibstreet man ; if it was Dot daylight , I would give it you , until you did not know who had done it . " I turned round to reason with the man , or rather bmte : when he informed me that he would do the
game for me . At that moment , one of our banners arrived in front of our own hustings—the place where it was intended to have been folded , so as to cause no obstruction , when a party of the ' hired ruffians' by my side exclaimed * There ' s a b y Chartist flag . ' The rush at that moment was tremendous ; my friend was carried along with it , and at the same moment a blow was aimed at my head , but luckily camo on my shoulder . I instantly grappled with the villain ; we struggled , and I succeeded in wrenching the murderous weapon from him , but was directly pinioned behind , and the weapon was taken from me . There was ono poor old man , upwards of sixty , with five of the fiends beatiug at him at one time , tho blood flowing in streams from his head . One of our banner-bearers
exclaimed , ' I can bear this no longer f and , striking the pole of the banner across part of the hustings , broke it into five pieces , which were instantly seized by four other noble fellows , who , in the course of a few momenta , cleared a space round them in fine style—the hired villains giving way on all sides . 2 \' ow mark ! the police were not five yards distant from the place where the slaughter was going on , but they looked on and laughed . One of them said in my hearing , 'They are serving them right , let them go on V But the very moment they saw the five Chartists making retribution on the heads of their assailants , they were ordered out upon the men who had thu 3 been defending themselves from ' the bludgeons of the hired crew , ' and they were all taken into custody , but not one of the hired band ; no , not one .
Richard Cobden , the pet of the Anti-Corn Law LeDgue , was appealed to by the meeting , if he would see his fellow-townsmen murdered in thai manner ; but the cold-hearted wretch only turned round his head , and smiled . Remember this , ye men of Stockport . He be your representative ! Trust him not . Friends , if ihe following does aot look Jike a preconcerted plan , say so . A Whig ' gentleman' ( uot a plebeian ) was = eeu using a , bludgeon in a most cowardly manner on the heads of the unarmed people , who were
making the best of their way out of the scene of blood , when a working man , observing his doings , struck him on tho small of the arm with his walkingstick , which rendered his arm useless , and be deprived him of his weapon . Judge of his horror , on examining it , to find that it was what is commonly termed a life-preserver , with at least half a pouud of lead let in at one end ! Will not this satisfy auy unprejudiced mind that it was a concocted plan from beiiinnin * to end ?
Since the general conflict , we have now to add tbe further particulars of Saturday ' s proceedings , which will speak for themselves , and which prove not only the existence of one plot , but of a deeplaid and systematic conspiracy against the lives of the people : — THE SECO . ND BUTCHERY IN MANCHESTER , ON SATURDAY , JUNE O , 1841 . Pursuant to a resolution passed at the Tib-street meeting , on Wednesday , the 2 nd instant , the purport of which was , that a committee should be elected , whose bunness it would be to take steps to prevent ior the future such outrageous conduct as was displayed by the Irishmen and the Corn Law repealers ,
in Stephcnson ' s-pquare on that day , the committee met on Thursday , June 3 , in the Executive room , Whittle-street , and resolved to call another meeting , in the Carpenters' Hall , on Saturday , to give the inhabitants of Manchester an opportunity to express their opinions either for or against such proceedings . Accordingly , J > n the Friday , June 4 th , placards were numerously issued , calling a public meeting in the Carpenter . - * ' Hall , at two o ' clock on thu Saturday , for that purpose . The above notico caused great excitement iv . the town among all parties , and more especially among the Corn Law repealers , whose wish it was , if possible , to prevent tho meeting teiDg held . To carry oat their designs ,
they industriously circulated a lying report that the Chartists had called a pubhe meeting in Carpenters' Hall , at which it was their intention to burn the effigies of Daniel O'Connell , and Father Hearne , the Catholic priest . Scouts were sent among the Irishmen , who told them that the Chartists were coming armed , and that they must come armed also . On Saturday morning , about half-past nino o ' clock , our correspondent was at Mr . Brown ' s Temperance Coffee House , Great Ancoats-street . The town at this time was in the greatest bustle and confusion , and much anxiety was beiDg manifested as to the probable result of the proceedings at the coming meet
ing . On seeing a great number of people running in the direction of OJdiiam Road , he went out to see what was stirring , when to his astonishment , a crowd of Irishmen presented themselves , armed with bludgeons , pokers , &c . &c . ; and , by their gestures , gave oar correspondent to understand , that if he had any respect for hrs life , he must gut away . He then went into Brown ' s Hotel agaiu , and remained for a few moments , during which time the crowd came back with a great accession of numbers . While the Irishmen were parading the streets in this manner , one of the police came by mounted horse rode off
npon a grey . He , as though he was going to convey information to head quarters . When the streets were clear , our correspondent went down to the Tib-street-room , where he found a great namber of people , who had assembled prior to going to the meeting . He conveyed the information of what he had seen , and urged the necessity of a deputation to Sir Charles Shaw , requesting bis assistance to maintain peace , and prevent the people from being butchered . Accordingly , a !< tter was written by Mr . Doyle , but whether it was spni or not , our correspondent nerercouldascertain . He then left the room , aud walked round tho town , and while
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doing so , saw the Irishmen wending their way , in large bodies , to the place of meeting ; and likewise many , by twos and three ? , all well armed with bludgeons . About one o ' clock , the Oldham band entered the town , accompanied , as near as we can guess , bj seven hundred people , who made their way to the Tib-strset-room , which by this time was in oapableof holding half the people whohadaesembled At two o ' clock , the band struck up , and the colours were hoisted , when the people marohed in procession down Tib-street , Oldhsm-street , Market-street , and Portland-street , until they arrived at Garratroad . In their way thither , they were met by individuals , who had been near the Carpenters' Hall and
seen the Irishmen , and who wished the people to be upon their guard , as they intended to use their bludgeons , to prevent the meeting . The band continued to play until the parties came in sight of each other , when tho Irishmen gave a tremendous shout . Those who' were leading the Chartists , and tho others who wished to attend the meeting , gave the Bignal to halt , which was done , and to save the instruments the musicians took them into an inn contiguous . The Irishmen all this time were brandishing their weapons over their heads . According to the calculations of many who were present , the number amounted to 1 , 260 armed men , besides hundreds more who seemed to enjoy the sport . A number of
respectable gentlemen came to the leading men in the Chartist ranks , reque sting them to remain where they were , until assistance could be proouredfrom the police . M'Mullen , one of the police force had seen all that transpired , came to our correspondent , apparently very much agitated , and said that the police force must be fetched , and gave orders that the people must not approach nearer to the Irishmen . He then set off with great speed to apprise Sir Charles Shaw of what was going on , and if possible obtain assistance . While standing there , several men came out of the crowd , who had been most brutally used , and were bleeding profusely . A report was brought us that they had caught
Wheeler , a man above sixty years of age , and had nearly killed him , and that Mahon and Cairns were served in a similar manner . About balf-past two o'clock , a few of the Police arrived , headed by Captain Sleigh aud two other officers , all on horseback ; and on viewing the array of Irishmen , he retreated till a stronger force came up , which was in not more than five minutes . After the latter , detachment had joined them , Capt . Sleigh took the lead of the Chartist rauks , and marched towards the infuriated Irishmen . Upon which the Irishmen came running , brandishing their bludgeons , evidently prepared for an attack upon the police ; and the people seeing this , Capt . Sleigh
and the two horsemen halted , until the Irishmen came up . Captain Sleigh then held up his hands , as though he wished to address them . All this time every man who approached the Hall was sure of having his head broken , A conversation took place betwixt the Irishmen and the Captain , in which tho latter was heard to say " he would protect them , and that no meeting should be held that day . He was an Irishman himself , and would therefore render them his support . " Hearing this , groups of people left the place , disgusted with tho Captain for lending his assistance to stifle public opinion , and declaring it to be their opinion that the Irishmen had been set on , and were encouraged in
their brutal and outrageous conduct . Other bodies of police arrived , and were marshalled in the street , and while standing oar correspondent counted one hundred and fifty . A gentleman , who was said to be Sir Charles Shaw , came up , and told the officers to withdraw tbeir men into the back streets , whioh was accordingly done . About half an hour elapsed while this manucevering was going on . The police were now all drawn off , and the people left at the mercy of the mob , who attacked indiscriminately every one who had not a small white riband in his button hole , which was a mark to enable them to distinguish their own party . By tins time ( three e ' olock'i a ereat many had adjourned
to the Tib-street room . One of the Irish scouts heard of this , and went and informed the army of Irishmen , upon hearing which , and fancyiug it was theR too late for the meeting to be held in the Carpenter ' s Hall , they gave a deafening shout of triumph , and immediately walked in procession up Garratt-road , ( at the top of which was Mr . Walker , the magistrate , who looked on with perfect indifference ) along Portland-street , across Market-street , down Lever-street , and Oldham-street , until they reached Great Ancoats , to Tib-street , where a number of Chartists had assembled . While they were coming along Portland-street , oar correspondent sent a young man to inform the people assembled in the room , that the Irishmen were coming to break up
the meeting , if there were one . The messenger arrived in time to clear the room . The Irishmen seemed more than ever exasperated , aud continued to run up and down the street for half an hour , threatening to kill every Chartist they could find , the police looking on and taking no notice . At the Sherwood Inn , adjoining the Tib-street room , was assembled a lodge of Foresters , whom the Irishmen took to be Chartists , and in order to convince them , one of the officers , guarded by tfce police , had to go and speak to them from the Bteps , assuring them tfiat they were Foresters , and not Chartists . They then went several times up and down the streets , brandishing their sticks and shouting . After which , finding no more Chartists' heads , npon which to exercise their bludgeons , they dispersed .
In addition to the foregoing report we hav « re ceived the following letter , amongbt many others :-
To th « Editor of the Northern Star . Sin , —On Saturday , tbe 5 th inst , I along with three of my sons and two other friends , -went down to Mancheater for the purpose of seeing the clubs walk in procession , particularly the Foresters aud Temperance Societies . Having gratified ourselves for some time "with this , and looking about ua in the town , until we thought of making tue bts-t of our way home , for this purpose we passed over from Campfleld to Garrett Road ; and when going up Hunt street , we were set upon by a number of Irish , who asked us if we were
Chartists ? to which we replied , " we do not take with either Chartists or any one else , " and begged of them to allow us to pass ; but ono of them more bloody than tbe rest , s ^ id , if you are not Chartists , you are Proteataats , and immediately they began to beat us with bludgeons and fire-pokers . I was severely cut on the back part of luy head , and while in this state , bleeding profusely , I called to two policemen , who were standing near , for protection ; but they would not no much as speak to me—no doubt , acting under the orders of their superiors .
At length , I was taken to the Infirmary to have my head dressed . The Dr . asked me many questions about the affair , and particularly the number of the policemen , which , in the bustle , I forgot to take . Sir , I am not accustomed to write for the press , nor to take part ia public matters ; but if this be the state of ' protection' of inoffcnding individuals like myself , the sooner we have a chango the better . 1 am , dear Sir , Yours , etc . &c . Geo . Bradley . Hyde , June 8 th , 1841 .
In this state of things our council is sought , and we give it as follows : —We recommend that immediate measures be taken for holding a great county meeting in Manchester , for the purpose of addressing the Queen upon this subject . We recommend that sufficient time be allowed for the arrangements , and that , in the meantime , an " Anti-Slaughter Committee" be appointed in every town , village , and district throughout Lancashire—aye , throughout England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales , to co-operate with the Exeoutive . Wo recommend that the opinion of each town shall be ascertained as to the most convenient day for meeting . We recommend that every man shall go to the meeting , as Christians ought , in the words of Mr . Finnigan , " Prepared to meet his God ! " We recommend that an immediate
halfpenny subsori ption be entered upon for the Executive , to aid them iu the investigation which must and shall take place . We recommend sufficient time to be allowed , as the English blood will not cool , for the great Lancashire meeting ; while , in the mean time , the other towns should forthwith assemble and speak out . We recommend every town and village to pass a resolution , declaring every man an enemy to his country and her industrious people , who shall vote for a " Bloody" of any shade at the approaching election . We recommend Mr . Cobden ' s return to the especial favour of our StocJeport brethren . And so far from the villanous and treacherous conspiracy putting a stop to Chartist meetings , we must now have ten for one , and not a Whig should be allowed upon the hustings .
jUto bludgeoning is the Whiganswer to the national petition , and a n » 3 t characteristic one it is ! This bloody affair will make a difference to a goodly lot of Whigs who hoped to sneak into the next Parliament . If judiciously managed , we have no doubt that it may be made "the beginning of the end" of our agitation ; and , that it will be well and prudently done , we have no doubt . In the meantime , the county delegates should meet the Executive on Sundays , at Manchester , and coafer with them ; and if funds admit , a meeting of a National Provisional Council of thirteen , should sit for three days in Manchester previous to the grand county display . Those' delegates , to avoid heavy expence of travelling , should be Bent f"om the largest towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire , and one from London , and should receive £ 1 each for the three days' services , thus imposing
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a tax of only £ 13 for so much of the machinery . Let it be borne in mind that all classes will subscribe to such a fund , inasmuch as we learn that men of every shade of politioa in Manchester are outrageous at the dastardly conduct of the Whigs ; while the hungry people declare that men who have recourse to such means for " cheapening" bread must have A GREAT , A . VERY GREAT INTEREST IN THE QUESTION .
Thus have the Manchester " Bloodies put an end to all moral force meetings ; and in compliance with the early suggestion of the Globe , they have now plaoed the motto— "BREAD OK BLOOD" upon their banners . This rascally invitation , long since given by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in bis little print , we abstained from noticing ; lest the very mention of it should lead to the desired result . But now we announce ,
that the Globe , well-informed upon Ministerial tactics , declared , in the outset , that ihe conflict would terminate in a call for "BREAD OR BLOOD . " The Globe is a prophet , with tho power of fulfilling bis own predictions ; and , behold I the blood of the people has been spilled ! And we will have our SATISFACTION—a tame word to conclude with , but it is more appropriate in the mouth of one about to " meet hi ? God" than Revenge !!
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TREACHERY OF CHARTIST LEADERS . Chartist policy , and Tory policy , being both opposed to Whig policy , and a brisk fire being kept up at the enemy from both camps , the slovenly leaders of the " Bloodies" begin to cry out " 0 , foul and unnatural alliance 1 " — " treachery of the Chartist leaders ! " — "hired by the Tories !" Nothing can be more laughable than this hue and cry , which is heard in the daily hedge-fire , and echoed by the heavy artillery on Saturday night .
Even the Examiner , a gentleman living in a very precarious glass house , touches slightly upon the subject , forgetting that the pea which wrote the censure is a tool hireable for the job to be pointed out by the employer . Thus , whether the engagement be for a wooden leg for Whiggery . ordered by Easthops , or a broken arm for Denman ordered by , the work is undertaken by the Examiner with equal energy , oonfidencs and principle .
Mr . Bairstow has baon honoured as their first object of attack ; but we assure our meddling friends that their shots never hit " point blank . " They fire wide of tha mark . We look aot to the enemy for approval of our friends , neither shall we arraign them upon their charges . Should a Chartist leader , with or without hire , attempt to inculcate the doctrines of Whig or Tory , the Executive would very speedily submit his conduct to the proper tribunal ; and to acts alone we look .
The Bloodies" are furious that Chartist eloquence is not chained to one spot , and that it has now almost tho charm ani power of ubiquity . They are savage that they cannot hire a single man from our ranks ! Did the Examiner ever witness a shooting or archery match 1 If so , we beg to assure him that the deadly antagonists who fire at the same object , are not more opposed , in their respective good wishes for each other , than are the Tories and the Chartists .
We do not court Whig approval , neither shall Whig slander injure our cause . So long as our leaders present a bold and manly front to the enemy , immediately before them , so long will we support them ; and we bog to assure Mr . Bairstow that the revilings of the enemy will considerably enhance his value in the eyes of the people . To him we say , Go on , go on , go on ! Smash the " Bloodies " first ! ^
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LEEDS "LIBERALITY . " THE FOX AND GOOSE CLUB . We give the following excellent article at full length , from our able cotemporary , the World , and from it our readers will gladly learn that those events which but a short time ago were confined to the narrow precincts of each locality , are now become matter of national observation ; thus patting an end to all local hole and corner politics , and opening the wide field of national disputation : — " It will be fresh in the memory of many of many of our readers that last winter a political body was formed in Leeds , called the Leeds Reform Association , which we very soon discovered to be a gross public cheat . This dishonest confederacy was stoutly opposed by the Leeds Mercury , which is about as
unprincipled a Whig print as any in the empireand the Northern Star , the able and indefatigable organ of the Chartists—and advocated by a strange sort of go-between " best possible instructor " y ' clept the Leeds Times , which in the height of its zeal wished us all upon this side of the water to abandon Repeal , and make common cause for Household Suffrage , tho Ballot . and Triennial Parliaments . The first meeting of this Association left no doubt that its projectors merely wished it to act as a Whig engine for disuniting the Chartists , who wore then becoming amazingly inconvenient to indolent and Palace-dining ministers . This scheme , however , failed , notwithstanding that every exertion was made to insure its success , even to the sending down
of that fiery Radical , Roebuck , to lecture upon the advantages of moderation , and proceeding at a slow rate for the achievement of political rights . The people saw through tbe clumsy fraud , and would not be caught in the snare of tbeir adversaries , who even themselves were as divided in their opinions as our own delectable Ulster Association . It was no fault of those who took a leading part in the affairs of this association that such was the case , as they endeavoured , from tho commencement of its career dowu to the great aud motley gathering congegated at the mill of Mr . Marshall , to have it believed that they were ready to swallow everything with the exception of Universal Suffrage , and that they might even be induced to gulp down this tinsavory morsel
at no distant day . Now , when an election is about to take place , how do we find this Leeds Association acting , iii choosing new representatives for its own locality , as Mr . Bainea , the proprietor of the Mercury , and Sir W . Molesworth , are about to retire ? Why , by bringing forward an uufladged barrister of tho uatne of-Aidant , with Mr . Hume , who are to oppose William Beckett and Lord Jocelyn , who had just been married to the niece of the Premier . This Aldam upon being introduced to a packed meeting of the Whig and Kadical electors of Leeds , commenced by excusing his father , who , if not a Conversative , must be / Something worse , as he voted for Sir John Beckett , the Tory
candidate , at the last election . This got . ovejr , he declared himself a Corn Law repealer ., bjat h « refused to pledge far the Ballot or exteo 4 Uld' Suffrage until the people were educated , andV t&ra&caj | ii relate , he who expressed his readiness to tfttajreli sweeping a change as a total repeal of tttjJljjJHj Laws , resolutely declined to support the voIdn ^ H religious principle , slating that he thought the fi ^| church revenues could uot be disturbed witb ^ H causing a convulsion that would utterly shake socieW in this country . Touching the Extension of the Suffrage and Vote , by Ballot , it is worth while to peruse the following tete-a-tete which took place between Dr . Smiles , the Editor of the Leeds Times , and the Whig candidate : —
"' Dr . Smiles—With their permission , he would put a few questions . The question he wished to put was with reference to Air . AWam ' s answer on the Suffrage question . Mr . Aldam had distinctly stated that if a measure of National Education were passed , he should have no objection to extend the Suffrage . "' Mr . Aldam—I think it would be practicable and safe thtn to extend the Suffrage . I think no material extension of the Suffrage la practicable and safe now , but I think that probably then a considerable extension might be made . '" Dr . Smilea ~ -It happened that the Reformed House of Commons had rejected every motion for National Education that bad been brought before it : how long were they to rest satisfied with the present Suffrage ? Would not Mr . Aldam then , at all , extend the Suffrage till a measure for National Education had passed the House « f Commons ?
"' Sir . Aldam—He should * se his best exertions to support any measure of National Education , but he thought before that was passed , he should not be for materially extending the Suffrage . "' Dr . Smiles—He had stated that he would not support a measure in Parliament for establishing the Vote by Ballot ( Cries of No no . ) It was well known that at present there was an awful amount of intimidation and corruption practised throughout the country , had Mr . Aldam any other meaaure to propose besides the 3 allot for preventing that corruption and intimidatioB ? "' Mr . Aldam—No ; the only measure was the Ballot The question with him had always been one of a balance of evlla , The evils of open voting were great , but the evil * of secret voting also appeared to him great * " One would think that Aldam , after having made tins confe&sion of bis political & ; & , would h » ve been .
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hunted from the presence of the out-and ontersof ih . Leeds Association ; but he met with afar moreS ! vorable ^ reception . First spoke Mr . Hatton Sta £ fed , and he , confiding man , said , . * He though * alLevents , they would be satisfied now tbat Mr Aldam was not a Tory / Then Aldermaa Goodman * a shining light of the Association , venturedalitili further , and told his auditors that He had beforA advised them to suspend their judgments till ther had seen Mr . Aldam . He was assured in his owi nund that he would come out right , for , in some w&t or other , years ago , be had understood that Af / Aldam was very nearly , if not all out- a R » h ;« . i 5
And , lastly , Mr . Marshall , the relative of Sorbi Rice , and the great champion of the Heusehold Strf frage scheme , informed the meeting that HewaJ sure he could congratulate them most sincere ] v ! £ having found in Mr . William Aldam * Whit * J 2 he thought they might say a Liberal Whig , and ob « in every respect well qualified to represent thiaim portant constituency at the present most momentnnl crisis . ' This ia being easily satisfied , and we imZ gine that such tergiversation would have nrovob « j the wrath of Dr . Smiles ; bat he , forgetting all hi splendid-theories , went home and wrote the follnw ing article i— "'
" ' On several questions hfe answers are much mom favourable than his letter nod led us to antici pate- hk opinions seem , however , oily in process of formatim ! on tbe Ballot , the Suffrage , and the Church question ? With proper drilling , he may , however . be renderarf sufficiently acceptable to tie electors . On the subject of Free Trade hia opinions are sound , and that Uot great moment in the present crisis . Should the reanl sitfon which is now on ftot , be signed by a large mi ponderaace of the Libe » l electors , we shall congMe * it tho duty of all cla * e » of Reformers to unite ta supporting Hume an * Aldam , and returm them triumphantly as their » presenUtives te Parliament * 41 Just think of ulttt Radicals selecting a javenil « representative , whose opinions are ' only in process of formation on the Ballot , the Suffrage anrf ^ Church question I' Will ' Dr . Smile ? % E ? -SS sometimes to edify iis with his advice , inform uTfn what particular Aldam differs from a Toryf " - «
WJ »» t will the " poor Doctor" say to tbat f This moaling , of him is not by the " fire-brand print , " tie Northern Star . Affected contempt will not Serve his purpoi * this time I He nrast meet the World , —and what tan he say 7
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~ - < m ~ . IF « CRACK SKULL" r ^ TO BE ^ nRArir SKULL" LE \ it BE I " They have cried hurrah for tDe fight- let 6 . hurrah for the resistance . "— Danut 0 'CmnetL *** Chajitist blood has been cotfously spilt in th streets of Manchester . The drone * have stung th ° bees in the very hive . The cours * of natrne ' hu been perverted . The peor have been hired to shed the blood of the poor , and the rich looked on and laughed , at the unnatural and shocking outrage . Werhave , in another article , entered generally into the merits of the question , and now turn *« to a consideration of some of the movers in the ^ catastrophe .
It will be in the recollection of our readers W some three weeks ago , we cautioned Lord JoL Russell against creating an agitation which noua assuredly end in the annihilation of his order . 1 * 4 will be borne in mind , that so lately as the week before last , in our remarks upon the effect which the projected reforms would have upon Ireland , we predicted that the solution of tbe problem would resolve itself into the excitbg conclusion of " 0 ! OUR RELIGION WILL BE ATTACKED BY THE TORIES ! " and that all consideration of the real f uestioo being lost , the poor Irish would actually bo incited to cut their own throats , with no prospect of any other result than that of strengthening the hands of the Whigs , to cut their country's afterwards .
That we were right in our conclusions , is fully manifested by the conduct of the devil O'Cojweil , at Manchester , on Tuesday , the day previous to the slaughter ; when lacking language to defend himself against the charge of having so often sold his own country and England , he had recourse to the old buggaboo ; ** O , ths Chaktists abb Orange men and Hanoverians ! " Thus has this hired
minion of a despicable faction completed that work which has been the study of a long life . He has systematically racked invention as to how the people of thetwo countries cotddbe most successfully arrayed against each other in open hostility . Whether tha question was one of general policy or of mere individual comparrison , he has never lost sight of the rent collector ; disunion , religious animosity and bad blood .
When administrative or legislative oppression is complained of towards . Ireland , the people of England are said to be the workers of Irish ruin . If comparrison is made , we are told that one Tipperary boy would beat seven Welsh men ; and if gorged , and surpliced ruffians attack the Catholic faith and denounce its priesthood in Ireland , the English people are lugged in . Now , we tell the Irish resident in England to ponder over the following facts : —
The English aristocracy and middle classes retain their anti-Irish prejudices to the present moment , and only tolerate the Irishmen's sojourn in the land of strangerB because their labour is of value in keeping down the market price of that commodity . By the . first and second classes they have been designated as "aliens in language and aliens in blood ; " while those of the only order who are affected by their presence , have , of themselves , silenced the reproachful tongue of national inequality , and have taken the very competitors by the hand , and treated them , not as aliens , but as
brethren . Yes , the English working people , much affected by Irish labour , have met tbe foes of Ireland ; and while the sneaking aristocracy and the wily middle classes have never hazarded a word in defence of the Catholic people of Ireland , the English workmen have , at great inconvenience , mustered thousands and silenced orange prejudice and protestant slander ; and , in truth , the harsh treatment and just rebuke which a Manchester tramping Protestant proselyting surpliced ruffian received in Bath , from the " English Chartist Orangemen , " has been well repaid by the cowardly scoundrels who had not the . manliness the honesty or courage to meet tbe same religious cock upon his own dunghill 1 Yes , the Rev . Parson Stoweix preached in perfeot
peace ^ against the Irish Catholics in their strongnoJ ^^ wit w hen he went to Bath , where ' there are fe ^ j ^ p ^ lrish workmen , he was extinguished by tho ' t' timftiflt Orangemen ?' Now ^ iWTBerely remind the Irish , who have ar-IP " ^ , themselves in open hostility against the j £ ta || rts , of these facts , to prove their folly and Hpffnude , and not with any desire to win them prer by blarney . Such is notonr object ; for , baving paken an optm and conspicuous part against the Registered will of those very people who have taken them so nobly by the hand , we now tell them that argument having failed , and as they have substituted " crack-skull" for argument , they must be prepared to take the consequence , as " crack skull" is the game agreed upon .
No doubt , we shall have a congratulatory address , from the- mountebank to the Royal-Loyal puppets concluding thuej : — " Hurrah for Mancheater ! Wheeler ' s skull is cracked hurrah 1 Wceelert skull is cracked ; for Manchester hurrah J " Such must be the high boast of the spirited Irish Catholics ; tbat the poor old man , whose wife ' s breast was ont off by the Protestants in 1819 , has had his skull cracked by the Catholics in 1841 ! 0 what a glorious triumph ! and what a great da ; for Ireland ! !
But , let us assure Mr . O'Connell , the Whig legalized peace-disturber , that he will find himself not only mistaken , but disappointed in his endeavour to perform bis Irish farce of Protestant , "" Orangemen , " and "Sassenach" on the English stage . No , no ' , tbat day is gone by . Enough has been made by the manager of tbe piece , which has had a most suocessfur run of thirty years ; but further it shall not go .
The , Charter is a national question ; and the Irishman , the Englishman , or Scotchman who opposes the Charter , declares for the worst of all monopolies , for a monopoly of thought , and speech , and action ; and they are ( no matter of what country ) enemies to the millions , and / shall bemeVta BU « b , * ad dea lt
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4 THE NORTHERN STAR . M ^— _ ; - ¦ ¦ | -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 12, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1113/page/4/
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