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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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« H . HBTHERIK G T O N AND HIS " NEW *^ MOVE . " jjejow ire grre Mr . H . Hetherington ' s second letter . jjy O ' Connor , the paragraphs of which are num-^ ja for convenience of reference . We give the letter m { fee , that Mr- H . may have no cause of complaint on jfct bead ; thosgh ** to * xot yet piva , in hit paper Mr . ftQgtators ansrrer to hit first later . An arunrer from jfj , o Connor t » the latter now inserted immediately ^ tows . Will Mr . Hetherinjtonjnbliab . it ? We shall - ^ perhaps be "will publish both together . He ongbt * n
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Queen ' s Bench , May 20 , 1841 . , Sib , —Ton have acted dishonourably . Ton haTe —jiraed the eharaettr of those who are seeking to ^^ athe Ch arter by adopting -w hat appeared to them S tand judicious measures ; you and your Editor , &b » ve expended nearly twenty columns of -ritnpe-^ 'to matter against the originators of the New Wore , " & which you have designated men who haTe test many years struggling for political justice—in fact , « T the principles of the People ' s Charter—u " trum-^_ - " assasdrs , "' " conspirators , " "traitors , " and J ^ au-isatJons ; " and when 1 vindicated the conduct
mJ character of myssu and menus , yon postponed the j-jertjon of my letter for a week , that yoa might nenj ^ jjb its effect by accompanying its publications with ggj txjymnn of mystification from your own pen gpjuStJ perverting and falsifying the truth ; and in the £ bb paper we are informed that this is but a " portion" of your answer to my letter , the Editor J $ &n g . thai " the remaining portion of Mr . O'Connor ' s uto to Mr . Hetberisgton , being aderelopment of plots abIj and conspiracies , we chose rather to whithhold tfll oor next , than to place it at the end of that portion jfcjcB we bow give . " In your last week ' s paper , bowgfa , instead of the " remaining portion , " out comes a jd ^ nynedFeargus O'Connor , not developing the " plots , plans , and conpiracies , " but hypocritically pretending to" tender the olive branch to all who wished to unite wi& him against the oppressor . "
2 . After the recent development of your unprincipled gBdnet , who would unite with you , Sir?—who woald jrast you who knew your character ? What must the psopje think of the character of a man who could talk § " tendering the oliTe branch" to "traitors" and " conspirators : " Ton must first , Sir , acquit us of the garget you haTe unjustly preferred against us , or acfcn oirledge you hare done us a hasty injustice . On no other conditions can you expect the public to belieTe yo « siacereiy desire to promote the success of the Qartist cause . F ^ r several weeks past , you haTe publabed the most unblushing falsehoods against me and By friends ; and you pretended to appeal to ' public epinion , " through the Star , to decide upon the merits
of this " new m » va . " How de you seek to ascertain JJ » public opinion ? By calling upon yonr hired tools and paid correspondents of the&Azr , at m&etinga held in lowbeershops and public-houses , to pass resolutions condemnatory of the " new » ove ; " and the few rational tsaders that you hare are constrained to admit that Bjs resolntions appeared to partake more of the atap ifjing quality of the beverage consume * , than cf . truth and reason . If you could see the Jjaramerable litters received by Mr . LoTett , all highly approving ot the ' 2 few More , " and would contrast tfvm -with the resolution of your party condemnatory d it , you would see reason to regret the nrjast and as joe will doubtless find it , unprofitable course you lave pursued .
3 . What is your position ? Ton are in the position cf in unprincipled footpad that has attacked , wounded , and rooked an honest traveller , who , when detected and about to be brougtit to justice , strires to avoid the eposnreand punishment thatawaits him , by endeavourisg to effect bis escape . Jf I can prevent it , however you riall not escape . I will compel yuu to retract your -calumnies—confess your error—or I will so clearly depict yo&r true character , that henceforth you shall be powerless far hambag and mischief . i . Now , sir , coaie back to the question in dispute . Amplifications and mystification will not do so . Tou Bert th ** Messrs . LoTett , Collins , Hethericgton , < 3 eave , and those who act with them in forwarding Bill " 2 few More , " are " traitors" and " conspirators . "
2 declare you are a false calumniator for so saying ; and then when I am anxiously awuting your proofs , the Editor kindly le » Te * out that " pardon" of yonr letter Which contained a " dertlopment or piois , plans , te * i ouosp " ir& « 4 * a , " till ntxt week ; when lo ! » d behold , next wetk , yon withdraw that portion of tbe letter altogether . Tou know that you are a Tile eahmmiator ; but it answers year purpose to publish hbehoods against those whom yon can neither dope act intimidate ; and then , when called upon for proo £ s , to decline to proceed further in the matter . Tou did ttesmeashort time back . In the Star of Oct . 10 , 284 D , yon charged the committee-men of Lsndon wiih sot allowing a paMie subscription to progress on a large scale snder their management , unless they
referred a per eentage profit on the amount of the sub-• eription ; and when you were written to by myself and several other active committee-men of London , le-^ oesting you to name the committee , or the men who imposed it , that ever took a commission upon a public Hbsmption , you basely shrunk from the proof , in the hope that yonr false and wicked assertion might be believed , and that the impaUVion might rest npon those who would net be your toc . s for unjust purposes . In Jobz It-tier to me , in the Siar of May 8 th , is this pasnp" . — "I defy y&u to charge me with OXE , e \ en OSE , ancle dishonest , inconsistent , UDpatriotic , mean , or ¦ nngenUcmaci y-like act , during the whole period , " that is to say , the eight years you haTe be * n before the BggiJRh people .
5- I do charee yon with an act that is all these things—it is diihoctst , inconsistent , unpatriotic , mean ' md nnieatleaA ^ -iiie , to publish in the 2 sorihern Star Hoi Uic Committee-man of London receded a per cent-* je profit up-on lie public subscription they managed , * nd whsc called npon to proTe yoar assertion or retract ttj like a shuffling coward you had not honour or courige to do either . I now dare you to let the readers of the Korikei-n Star read the correspondence that passes b&weea yon and the London Commit » e-men on the object 1 chall ^ cEe yon to five me the opportuni ty of publishing that correspondence in the Northern Star , lad then let the public pronounce upon oar respectiTe eaaracwra .
_ 6 . Haring now , I trust , shown that you are an unprincipled tr ^ dneer oi the characters of hont-st men , I ^¦ fll bndl j animadTtrt up > on one or two points in your ttply to my letter . Lrt me call yi-ur attention to the following instance of your inconsistency , shuSing , and lyai ^; and I -wi ll plsee th « passag es in juxtaposition , that the pnblic may see how deeply ¥ . O'Connor , at fftxj siep he takes , involves hiiuself in lneoasistency * na lying , by hating departed , in the first instaEC 8 , fxom fruih and siccerity . Northern Star , Hay 8 . Northern Star , April 24 .
' You suppose thai tae "I call upon Messrs . Editor of the Star , when Hill and Hobson to say , on ¦ Writing mildly on the ICth their word of honour as W April ) , was in posses- men , -whether or not i iniion of the facts wcich I formed them of this j > re « t » tedontlie 24 ih ; h ^ - was else MOVB , and of the BOt , BOT one of ihgBL" precise parties tcho vsere to F £ AB . GUS O'CON > "OE . make it , KC . vihs ago ; and whether or not I put 3 Jr . Hill on his guard , before Christmas . I tno-w
it was before Christmas . ? * * I ask him if 1 did not tell him the names of the prime movers , and the vtry plan vrhich tcoitid be resorted to . " Te . ab . gvs O'Cos > "oa . 7 . On the "Orh of Febrnirv yon appear to hare enter-¦ Uineu a favourable and very diffident opinion of Wm . Iovfctt to what you h ^ Vts recently expressed ; for in the Bonkem Star of that date , you cecUred that Mr . I « OTttE zad " unhesitatingly , unfqiivocal } y , acd indig-S * ntiy refused to jc ; n in any ajitation which had for its object any other pri&ciple than that contained in the People ' s Charter . " KonhErn Stir , Fib . SOth , Northern Star , March 6 tb , 1841 . 1 S 41 .
'In jastica to some of "Let Lovett and YiDti » vest lest of hex , cent ' * speeches be read 1 deny > ir . Hume ' s asser- aUo ; to which we shall tisn , ti ^^ ^ g leaders of return next week , and * " * werkin * classes , gese- again let the faction ! tremfty , tad a ^ rred to join ble ; and here let us ob-«* his definition . I assert , irrve , that LOYETT was ^> on behalf of two of the one of tbe two men re-* j tt * t leading men of Lon- ferred to in one of Mr . *•»! that an appeal was O'Connor's recent letter * ** oe to them , and that ( A " . S . Feb . 2 t ) , as haTing «* T UN HESITATING- indignantly spnrned all
of-* X . TJXEQU 1 YOCALLT , fers of compromise . Again ¦ MJXD 1 GXANTLY , hurrah !" f FIJ SED to join ia any Editor of Northern Star . Jfcatic-n which had tor ™ object , directly or im-*» dly , Oie aiaUithmadof T" * Prtidpk Ota * «« eostaised w the Pto-*** Charier . Now , I *»• thu upon authority , ** f they were two who new up the Charter . "
8 . In Uie aiove ^ uolations you assert that Mr . Lovett ¦¦ U a man . -who indigaantly spurned tLe idea of agitat-« g tsa anything less than the principles of the Charter ; fjj * w > sooner had bis excellent Address made its ap-|** £ ce , than he and his associates were " Household f&raage humbugs , " and you laboured to turn the cur-Wit of pabiic opinion against the ' New Move , " and of ^^ * * ° ilTjared *' - > bj the most artful perversions * j tbe truti . Take the following as an txa . m > le , whtre r ** aeiiberaicly m ^ uabluiMngly attempt to miie it
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appear that I looked opon " Houtehold Stifragt and Triennial Parliaments at the Charier in all but thi name . " Northern Slar , May i . " Mr . Hume ' s plan of ? ' Tou know that every Household and L 0 TH 5 ER Chartist in Eugland would Suffrage , Triennial'Parlia- kerejoieed at any extension menta , Voting by Ballot , of the Suffrage in which No Property Qualification , they were not compelled to Payment of Members , and eink the only just one , by E % ual Electoral . Districts , joining for a clap-trap ; and ?
* * I thought Mr . yet you ixsoter . ty teU us that Hume's proposition so good you look upon Household and so extensive , that , SvfrageantlTrienniaiParthougb I would never abaa- liaments as the Charter , in dou the agitation for the all but the name . " Charter , if I saw any proa- Fbaegus O CONNOR , pec t of carrying Jdr . Hume ' s plan immediately , I would give it my best exertions , as I considered it , in fact , the Charter with another
name . " H . Hetheeixgton . 8 . Who , after reading these passages , can doubt for an instant that this is a xrvfxd misquotation on the part of Fearcus O'Connor ? What will his poor dupes think of him , when they hear that tfeis great stickler for their rights—this Jeading member of the first General Convention—was depnted , with Messrs . Rogers and Whittle , to wait upon the proprietor of the Sun , for the purpose of inducing him to report the proceedings of the Convention ; and as they were proceeding to tbe office for that purpose , this champion of "Universal
Suffrage and No Surrender , " exclaimed , "If we keep up the steam a " little lonijer . by G : > d ! they will bo forced to give us Househol * Suffrage . " "And would you take it ? " said Mr . Whittle . "Would I take it ! I would go down upon my knees , in Parliament-street , and kiss the of every Honourable Member as he passed along , if they would give us Household Suffrage . " And yet you can now basely traduce the characters ef those , who have strenuously opposed Household Suffrage , merely because they are honest and independent , and will not be precipitated into acts that judgment disapproves .
10 . Now , Sir , in conclusion , I call upon you to answer plainly the following questions : —I want no amp ' . i&cation—no mystification—plain categorical answers either affirmative er negative . 11 . First . —What is the NAME of the gentleman oT " wealth , of honour , and of station , " who told you that this "New Move" was concocted at Mr . Humes , "by Mr . Hume and Mr . Francis Place , on Uicir part , and by some of the signers of the New Prospectus upon your part ?"—that is , on the part uf the ?• Fustian Jackets . " WHAT IS HIS NAME ? 12 . I affirm that tbe gentleman of wealth , of honour , aad of station , is a LIAR , if he made the assertion ; and that you are a li-r if he did cot . Neither Mr . Place nor In-. Black Were present at Mr . Hume ' s with any of ths signers of Lovett ' s Address , and neither of th-.-m knetr of it till it appeared in print
13 . Secondly—What is the name of the London Committee that charged a per centage profit upon a public subscription ; and who were the persons who acted on that Committee ? 14 . Let me have no shuffliDg . Be explicit The public should know who those base men aio whom you charge with plundering a public subscription . I never knew a London Committee that ever acted so dishonestly , acd shall bo curiou 3 to hear the names of the parties to whom you allude . 15 . Thirdiy . —What did the greitRadical Association that yoa established in 1 S 35 , ever do to restore the DorchVsVer Labourers , or t 9 reduce the Newspaper Stamp Duty ?
16 . I know you did comparatively nothing . The struggle had been carried on by others for years , and yet you would now basely appropriate the glory of success to your own efforts . Your vanity is inordinate , bnt yon shall not deceive the yonng men wk-o have entered npon the struggle for liberty since our untiring efforts were urowned with success . The persons who deserve the thanks of the country , for their indtfatigable exertions on behalf of rhe Dorckester Labourers , are the members cf the Dorchester Committee . They
conducted the subscriptions for years ; they superintended the petitions for the restoration of these honest labourers to their homes and their country—the Committee , composed exclusively of working men , made great sacrifices of time and money , and you would now arrogate to yourself the result of their noble exertions . No , Sir , the Dorchester Labourers and ths working classes are indebted t « the exertions of Mr . Hartwell and tha members of the Dorchester Committee , and not to Feargus 0 Connor and the great Radical Associatibt .
17 . I think your readers must have laughed outright when they read your claim to the honour of repealing the Fourp ^ nny Stamp duty on Newspapers . Se then "Watson , Hettierlngtoa . Cieava . Dr . Black , Mr . Place , Mr . John Travsrs , Dr . Birkbetk , and many others , who expended time and money in upholding the cause in every possible way , are to yield the palm of victory to Feargufl 0 Connor ! These good men , who paid the expense of pubiic meetings , headed deputations , and Watson , Cleave , and Hetherington , who sustained repeated fines' and imprisonments , and ruinous seizures , till victory crowned our efforts , are all to be thrust aside , and the wreath cf laurel is to bs torn from the browof those who have honestly earned it , aad placed on such an empty vain boaster as Feargtu O'Connor . ' Ne , ro ; all men are entitled to respect for their exertions in a good cause ; but one man has no right to Tob another » f the merit be has honestly acquired by disinterested acd persavtring i xertion .
13 . Answer these questions honestiy . If you find your precipitancy has involved you in difficulty , be an honest man—make all the reparation you can by acknowledging your error— do justice to the characters of the honest men yea have calumniated , and then hold out the olive branch , and I for one will seize it with pleasure ; bu ; I will hold no communion , nor will I act with one who has not the couraje to ba honest . 19 . J am , Sir , notwithstanding the vile calumnies with which yon have assaiied me , a faithful friend of truth and liberty . Henrt Hetheringtox . ¦
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TO MR . HENRY HETHERINGTON , ONE OF THE SHOFOCRACY . " The higher a monkey climbs , The more he shows his " York Castle , 7 th 14 th Month . Sib , —You have written a second letter tome , in which you nddretB ae as "Feareus O'Connor , Esq ., one of the aristocracy ; '' and you commence wkh a quotation from Shakspeare . Yon appear very outrageocs because-yeur first letter was withheld for a week , in order that 'whst you are pleased to designate " my
four columns of mystification" might appear in juxtaposition , jiari which fonr columns yea complain neutralised the prodigious effect which jour letter wouid otherwise have produced . No doubt , Sir , you would have much preferred a dignified silence upon my part ; and very little doubt tut the plea of "gailty , " implied by that silence , would have , been more to your taste . As to the " mystification , " it extended no farther thin in showing yourself to yourfibif ; in holding up your own mirror for self-reflection .
Yon appear to forget thst my letter was a reasoning npon a portion of yeur own which I reprinted . But , Sir , ^ hat must every lovtr of justice think of the Honourable Sir . Hetherington , so " anxious for inquiry , " and so clamorous for publication , when it is known that , the said Mr . Hetheringtcn Tiezer published my answer io his letter at a ! l in his own pai-er , though he gave insertion to his own !! 1 Sir , your second letter is such a compound of folly , TBiity , and baideriash , that I scarcely know how to comnieneeiin analytical reply . In truth , Sir , yoar mysterious apportionment of facts , charges , incidents , and complaints , very forcibly reminds me of the exulting housewife , who boasted that she had so art / uly concealed the pea , the wedding ring , and the bean , in the twelfth-night cake , that the parties were all obliged to submit to a course of medicine , before the lucky fiader could be discovered . Sir , I defy any man , except ona who kno-scs your propensity for mischief makicg , to guess at yonr olgect .
I shall , " however , attempt to snatch a line here and there , " for comment . You say , " What must the people thitk of the character of a msn who could talk of tendering the olive bracch to traitors and conspirators ? " Sir , as an Irishman , allow mo my country ' s privilege of answering your question by asking another . What must the people think of th * character of a man who invited " one of the greatest political humbugs that ever sppeared on tbe publis siege " as a director of public " education , " morals , i . nd politics ? . Such , Sir , is your position ; -while to prove the sincerity of mine , I have actually shuken hands with those of your original putty , who bad no such objection to urge against the proposed
terms . You next say , — " What is yeur position ? Ycu are in the position of an unprincipled footpad , that has attacked , -vr ^ nnded , and robbed an honest traveller , who , whtn detected and about to be brought to justice , strives to avoid the exposure and punishment that awaits him , by endeavouring to effect hU escape . If I can effect it , however , you shall not escape . " Will yon be kind enough to ask Dr . Black to define what you mean by the us « of the term " unprincipled footpad V and in the mean time , as there must be more than meets the vulgar eye at a first glance in every thing coming- from the " educational " depot , I shall affect to consider you as an assassin upon principle , who
way-lays his victim ; and who , when discovered with hi 3 dark lantern in ambush , defends himself by saying "it was a most ' unprincipled" thing in whoever discovered my privacy , and still more so in you who took advantage of it . " But , Sir , let me speak to you in language whicb children may comprehend . I was once present when a very fond mother called her eldest son , about nice ycirs of ajje , to her side , for the purpose of allowing his youngest sister , & baby of four months , to imuse berseif by pulling his hair and scratching his facs . The boy himself had been for a long time a voiunt ^ tr ia tl >* inmiial sport ; till at length the little nz \~ . > c" to sharp , and the " r ^ w " berame so sore , iL&i is cs&sed to ba fun , and the boy grum-
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blingly refused ; when the Impartial mother boxed his ears , and said , " Get away , you nasty disagreeable brat ; see how you haTe mad « y » ur little aister cry . " Now , Sir , for years you haTe been in ambush , aiming tbe assassin ' s blow at me ; and ! have , like the boy , allowed you to pull my hair and scratch my face till it ceased to be fun , and until your nails grew too long and yon had nearly established a raw" in my face ; and now I am a nasty disagreeable brat , because I kick against the amusement ! I go on , or rather I go about ; for I'll be hanged , if tbe mest tender nosed fox-hound , or blood-hound , can have a fair run at yon , you have so " foiled" the Eeent as yon dropped your stink .
You complain of having had twenty columns respecting the ' new move , " and yet you bitterly inveigh against the Editor of the Star fer having suppressed about f our more , in which the " plots , plans , and conspiracies " were detailed . You write , in fact , as if you trere the " new move" yourself , and as though you were to keep up the battle upon yonr own account HoweTer , Sir , yon shall haTe all in good time . I am pledged to the country , and my failure will be your acquittal ; but , abtfdl as you are , you shall not be judge , jury , witness , and accuser , and then force the accused into your own time and terms of deface . I next reply to the allegations contained in paragraph numbered 5 . Read it—and then hear what I have to say upon it
Now , this is something tangible and substantial , and just mark bow I meet it . I adhere to every word in my letter of the 10 th of October . You , and five others , wrote to me for an explanation . I gave you that explanation , refusing to retract or qualify what I had said . Yon asked me for my authority , and I gave you Henry Hetherington , and mentioned the two specific acts of defalcations of which the said Henry Hetherington complained , in person , to me . You say that " I basely shrunk from the proof . " If giving my proof , and refusing to qualify or retract , is shrinking , then I did shrink- But with respect to the publication , just observe your nasty , dirty , shuffling , shrinking , lying , scheminj move . You say " you dare me " to the publication of that correspondence in tbe Star .
Now , 1 dar « you to the publication of it In your pap * r , and as you have all the correspondence , and I have not , I dare you to its publication in the Star . You foolish man , have you not copies of your two or three letters ? and have you not my original answers ? while I kept no copies of my answers . You have a paper ; you are not scrupulous about publishing one side of a question ; and why not have published your own letters , or my answers , which ever served you best , in yonr own paper ? But send my original litters , of which retain copies , and send copies of your letters to the Star , and I pledge myself that all shall be published . This is the first complaint I ever heard about their non-publication . You have the documents ; publish them . J dare you ; and then we shall see who is the Bbuffler .
You next proceed with what you suppose to be two faces unrter one hood . You try , it f paragraph numbered 6 , to fix upon me a charge of " inconsistency , shuffling , and lying . " Read that paragraph again , and then say , ceuld anything ba more ridiculous ? Before Christmas , I mentioned to Messrs . Hill and Hobson the circumstances connected with a " move" for the purpose of insuring a junction between tbe middle and working classes . I reminded them of the previous " move" in 1839 , when the Birmingham Council , the Scotch moral philosophers , Daniel O'Connell , and the London Working Men ' s Association , did , as if by magic , turn simultaneously upon the same pointa denunciation of Oastler , Stephens , and O'Connor , and the torch-and-daeeer-men . I mentioned other
circumstances , which left no dsubt upon the minds of Hill or Hobson , as to the attempt being made ; and , just for one moment cast your eye over the eveuts immediately preceding the meeting at Leeds , which was to have been the " precursor meeting , " for the purpose of effecting a union ; read the history of the whole affair , and ask yourself whether or not cibcumstaNCES justified the precaution . But , although I was sufficiently aware of the fact , and in possession of much more information upon the subject , I neither mentioned to the one or the other more than to pat them upon their guard . Moreover , 1 was not myself aware of all the fails which were connected with the circumstances . I was not aware of the secrecy by which a council was to be appointed . I was not aware that I was to be shoved out of the door that admitted the honest middle classes .
I was not aware , till subsequently , that Mr . Hetherington had told a deputation that waited upon him in tha Queen ' s Bench , that " Ft-xrgus O'Connor and the Northern Star must be put down the first thing . " Now , what do I say on the 24 th April ? I say , " I call upon Messrs . Hill and Hobson to say on their word of honeur , as men , whether or not I informed them of this precise move of the precise parties who were to make it , months ago . " Now , what was the " precise move" ? A move to unite the middle and the working classes for a babble cry for the real Charter ; aad who were the parties ? Daniel O'Cormell , Mr . Hume , and Place , th « Scotch philosopher , and the London Workingmen ' s Association .
Now , here again , yon assume , frem your forner truckling career , that in every charge against a whole body you are individually meant ; but , here again , for plainness sake , just read over , for the twentieth time , the declarations of Messrs . Hume , O'Connell , and Roebuck , ms / Je at Leeds , on the 22 nd of January , as to the concurrence of tha leading working men , and Mr . Roebuck ' s assurance that such an association was in process of formation ; aad then read your own first letter , in whi « h yon relieve the matter of all mystery , by telling us who the precise men of the precise party were , while you affect to inform us of . tke precise move also : —
" Mr . Hume was eilled upon by the Chairman to state his opinions on what be considered to be the best means of producing a union of the middle aud working classes , and carrying on the movement . Mr . Hume remarked that one of the first things the Association ought to do , was , to put out their definition * f Household Suffrage , as few were at present agreed upon what that ought to be . Mr . Hume submitted a definition oi what he considered Household Suffrage ought to be , which was to be taken into consideration l > y the Association . He stated that the leading men of tbe working classes generally concurred in the definition , aud bad promised to give their assistance , were an agitation for such a Household Suffrage to be set on f » ot .
" Mr . O'Connell cordially concurred in the Buzgestions of Mr . Hume , He considered it as of the first importance , that the reasonable portion ot tbe Chartists should ba g « t over to the aid of the rational reformers . He urged the necessity of some central body being established in London , for the diffusion of knowledge upon political subjects . The pubiic mir . d should be saturated with facts bearing on the present gross defects in the representation of the people . "Mr . Roebuck said that such a body was at present in contemplation in London , and he trusted that it would very speedily be set in operation , so as to act in concert with the Letds Association . Now , Sir , what say you to that ?
But , Sir , I now charge you with having gone further . I charge you \ rith hiving been parties to drawing up , or agreticg to , an entirely new draft of political principles . I call for that , with the APPRENTICE CLAUSE and all . I know more about tbe whole affair thin you imagine , or than you could desire . You next quote my praise of Lovett and other of tbe " prtcise parties" from the Star of the C ' . h of March and 20 th of February . Why , to all that I sorrowfully plead guilty . My instructions to Mr . Hill were : " Give no man a chancu
of retreat ; k « p them up to their tracts ; call after each who st ^ ps out of the Charter road , but not till he has crossed the bounds , and then "warn him before you expose him . " I am the person who picked up every word flittering to Lovett , Co . lina , and all others , and who communicated it to Mr . Hill , with directions to communicate it to the country ; but , be « r in mind , that both the 20 th of Feb . and 6 th of March are days previous to the 10 th of April ; and it was not till the latter day the " move" was placed before either tbe Slar or the country in a tangible form .
Now , just suppose that the Editor of the Star , or myself , with a knowledge of both circumstances and facts , had opened a battery against the precise parties , before their circular had appeared ; what -vroUld have been tbe result ? Why , a just denunciation for having strangled ¦ wh at would then have been suppressed , or presented in so formidable , altered , and popular a form , as to have cast odium upon me , and credit upon the concoctors . Yet , again , I plead guilty to the charge of having praised you all , while you were secrttly stabbing me . I 4 id so to divert you from your wicked course , and I failed : bo ends that portion of my folly . As to your mortification about Household Suffrage ,
and my acceptance of it , just allow me to set you right as to the difference between agitaung for a measure and accepting the same measure . I have always told the people that " there was no such thing as a Household Suffrage party , upen principle , in the countrythat if the praters about that measure weresincere in their advocacy , they could carry it of themselves without our help—that so far from opposing them , 1 for one , would take off my hat and make a low bow , if it meant the vote to every man who inhabited or dwelt in a house ; but that , upon the following day I would be at them for Universal Suffrage . But I have also always told the people that if we , fur a moment , joined in the agitation for Household Suffrage , that and Universal Suffrage would be buried in the same grave . "
How do you prove my inconsistency ? Why , by quoting my words from the Star of the 8 th of Marcb , which prove they are in precise accordance with those expressed at hundreds of meetings for years past ; and let this be , in part , my answer to Mr . Whittle ' s information—upon which just a word . I did not say what you attribute to me in paragraph numbered 9 . to Whittle , and I will tell you my reasons for not having said so npon the occasion referred to . Firstly , then , I riid not walk one step of the way with
Messrs . Whittle and Rogers up-m tbe occasion rtferretl to . I was of the deputation ; and when we had nearly perfected our arrangements in the Convention room , Alderman Scales came up and euttre ; i iuto a long dissertation upon the Charur , whertup ^ n I observes ! to Messrs . Rogers and Whittle , " Wl-iI , GentWmen , if you are going to rtmain with AUiennsn Scales , I will go on a sd prepare Mr . Young tor \ ur arrival . " I wen ' , on , and I met Mr . Youn- ' --tw « en Somerset Hb jse and voi ' . r shop , "when Mr . Youtg told me that ti > . e Attorney General had niovtd for for a rule against
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me in the Wanninster case ; and , after announcing the coming of Messrs . Rogers and Whittle , I returned with Mr . Yowig to kU offle * and remained there till they arrived , and remained with Mr , Young after they departed . If that is not enough , hear a further reason . From the time that Jani 83 Paul Cobbett left the Convention , to this moment , I have not opened my lips , except upon duty in the Convention , to Mr . Whittle . Again , for the last six months , while the Champion was on its death-bed , Whittle was tramping up every possible charge against me ; and , do you suppose , he would have preserved auch a plum , as he thought it , for you ?
These observations , observe , are only to proTe that I was not guilty of the meanness of speaking to Whittle ; while he was a filthy dirty beast for saying it , and you were a filthy dirty brate for printing it ; but the people must think me most sincere and devoted to their cause , wkeu I was ready to advance it upon the performance of such service !!! Bnt why not ask Mr . Rogers , who la said to have been present , if I did say ao , or walk with them ? ' if he says I did even walk with them , I will believe myself mistaken against my memory and judgment ; and then I shall plead guilty of haTing spoken to Whittle , and take credit for having said , in 1839 , what you show I haTe repeated in 1841 , and what , in substance , ( barring the smack , \ I have said at various public meetings .
Just let me direct yeur confused thoughts to tha difference between accepting a thing and agitating for a thing . I have been abused for not agitating for a separation of Church and State , and yet , think you , that I would not hail the divorce as a boon , if forced npon us ? I would not agitate for Annual Parliaments ; bat do yoa suppose that I would refuse the change ? I would not agitate for the sponging off the National Debt ; yet would I leap for joy at the news . So with many other measures , for the accomplishment of which I look to the Charter ; but to agitate for which , would be the surest means of putting the Charter to sleep for the present .
You then go on , and ask me three questions . To the first I answer you shall know in time ; but , for the present , rest satisfied with the fact , that you have more than corroborated every word he Tittered . To the second I reply , you have the whole correspondence ; I dare yon to publish it ; and , till published , I answer i—The name of my informant is , Henry Hetherington . T » the third I answer that I , single-handed , in tbe House of Commons , kept up the agitation for the Dorchester labourers , till June , 1835 , and when the Radical associations were established , in September of the same year , they pushed the agitation to its consummation , and they , the associations , not Feargus O'Connor , but the associations in conjunction with the committee , had , before your working men ' s humbug was in existence , insured tbe restoration of the men .
With regard to the remission upon newspaper stamps ; again , you write in ignorance and talk nonsense . I did not claim credit for myself in forcing the Government to a reduction of stamp duties ; I claimed credit for the Radical Associations , and I do so still . We bad accomplished it before your Association was in existence . Dr . W ; de , Mr . Bell , and myself , with three ethers , composed the last deputation who waited upon Spring Kice . I think your readers must laugh out right at your catalogue of sufferers , when they find the names of Dr . Black , Mr . Place , Dr . Birkbeck , and Mr . John ¦ Jravers , among tbe list of suffering vic'ima , and those of John Bell , William Carpenter , Joshua Hobsen , Mrs . Mann , Messrs . Brady , Tinker , Ibbetson , and others , who " braved the battle and the breeze , " while you were Bure of a happy reault from the undertaking .
Sir , you may with as much propriety omit the name of the Duke of Wellington from an account of the battle of Waterloo , or that of Nelson from the battle of the Nile , as omit the names of Bsll and Carpenter from an account of the unstamped victims ; but your reason , I presume , is because they were two who failed to make a good thing of others' sufferings . Do not now mistake me . I not only ' do not wish to strip a single leaf from the laurels of those who braved prosecution , even with tbe hope of gain before their
eyes . Such hope , in one shape or other , ever has been , and ever will be , a strong incentive to noble actions . I am actuated by a simitar hope in my present career ; but , I trust , it is not a selfish one . I honour those who struggled , and respect those who suffered in the struggle , whether they won or lost ; bnt when one man assumes all honour to himself ,, or to a few , which is due to the Radical multitude , then do 1 waver in bestowing upon him any praise . I have never assumed more ) raise than is due to one man ' s exertion , and even that I don't csk for .
Sir , you speak very boastingly of the numerous letters and resolutions received by Mr . Lovett , upon the subject of the " new move , " while you insolently call Hb opponents my " hired tools , " and " paid correspondents . " Let me teil you one fact I never , in all nty life , wrote a letter to an individual , or body , to back me in anything ; and , as to paid correspondents 1 have yet to learn it is dishonourable in a journalist to pay for the information "he receives . Further , lot me assure you that I have a number of highly-paid correspondents wbose faces I never saw , and from whose pen I have never , personally , had a liae , and to whom I have never written .
I do not doubt that Mr . Lovett has bad many such letters as you hint at . He knew who to ask for themhe has been drugging the " moral-force Churtista" with appeals , and he was sure of a favourable response ; but wliy not publish them in your paper ? It your modesty forbids , send them the pest , that is , the most effective , to the . &'far , attbttratc of one column per week ; and let the tame approvals appear alongside the wild and drunken reproofs of my associates . Sir , you are just now ia a sad predicament ; you all thought to swim ou the surface of the tide that was to have swept me from the helm ; and , being disappointed , you are trying to make an under-current which you hope will cuide you to some safe port .
Believe mo , you are mistaken . I never expected any thing from you . The fustian jackets novor ixpected any thing from you when the tug c ; im « . The storm is now about to rage , and , before it lulls , you will stand mute ou London Bridge , while you , who have saved yourselvts by taking to the long boat in the first f quail , will see me steering the good skip Charter , without a river pilot , keeping her bead up to tho wind and upon the fl- > od-tkie , running down every . Whig and Tory craft thnt comes in my cburss , and mooring my Vissc ) at the choice berth , while the " wild" crew and their " wild" pilot shallland in saftty in that metropolis , which but for the rottenness of its leaders would long since have been the seat of national independence .
Sir , it is laughable to read your foily , directed against rue at a time when the " traitor" and "political humbug" is giving practical proof of hia devotion to tbe cause , and you aro literally impeding its course . Whut have you done ? what has yeur whole party done in our lato glorious struggle , beyond an endeavour to create a fcuspicion against tke Convention ? Is your name to the " muster roll ? " O , perhaps , you may say you were in prison . Well , so was I ; but I contrived t » smuggle my name out , and to havo it pasted at the end of tho York petition , while you wore at large in the Queen's Bench , to hold meetings there if you pleased , i . nd to sign petitions . What have you done ? Nothing , nothing , nothing ! . ' ! Who prevented you ? O , " you were so disgusted with l- ' eargns O'Connor . " Sir , if all the world were abusing me , I would still stand by the people ' s rights and the Charter , and the more I was abused , the more would I rebuke my accusers by redoubled exertion .
Sir , 1 have served an apprenticeship and worked Bome journeywork at the trade of Chartism . In the course of my comparatively brief career , 1 have effected what no mortal before me has over done . I hare united the -whole working population of thiB vast empire into one body—I have ina'ie them political inhabitants of each town—I have tuned the public voice to one note , tho note of liberty—I have , in niy " wildest" moments , kept an anxious look out , while other 3 slept on their watch—I have been the first to announce tho appearance of "Breakers a-lead "—1 saw my danger iu evtry step I niovtd ; but I am not afraid to " reap the whirlwind , " or to " ride tlie storm , " in pait of my own creation . 1 love uiy monster , and fear him not ; for be will be a tyTant to the bad and vicious only .
I am now , from this dull spot , looking through the telescope of reason , and I seethe whole course of the next threo months before me , which will set At nothing all previous changes . —For that alio I am prepared . I have had no support , in my arduous undertaking , from a aiugle news ^ aptr or great man ; but , on the csntrary , opposition from ali ; while the disappointed mercenary now swells the ranks of the infuriate and beaten faction . , My every act is before the public ; and when I come to bu judged , believe me , that a siight crime in me would meet with excessive I'unishnitnt ; but I have prepared a fair and impartial tribuual in an improved public opinion , which will not allow disappointed vanity to charge honest service with delinquency . Although you do not observe it , I am now upon my trial ; and yet I am not tryiag to appease those who will be my judges . No ; let the past speak for the future .
Sir , I shall now conclude with a bit of advica If you really profess to be honest , do aot publish a parcel of foolish letters to Bie in yitur paper , and insist upon their publication in my paper also ; while you do not publish my answers , and yet complain of those answers being published at all in the same number with your leittrs . Where pray so fit . a place for the defence , as joined to the accusation ? But you are not fond of indiscriminate publication . I recblltct you-once wrote tome in 1836 , demanding
an explanatioH of words which 1 was reported , in the London Mercury ' , to have used , relative to your speech at a meeting in the Theatre at Barnsley . I replied , and you did not publish my reply ; when I saw you , some time afterwards , 1 a&ed why you bad not , and you answered "O , damn it , H'WoniD NOT SUIT ; it was a confirmation of what the Mercury stated . " My crime was in having called your speech " a most avtful speech ; " and , from that hour to the present , I have never locked upon you in any other light than a most artful man .
You contrived to swamp both" the Lonchn Mercury aad London Dispatch , by your art , your cunning , your grovelling and mischief-making ; but , believe me . Sir , you hhftU not ii > jure the Star , a / , tho present number is the last which shall contain & word from either you or me upon what you would gladly swell into a weekly squabble . You have filed your Bill , and your amended
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Bill . I feara answered both ; and , now , rest satisfied ! or continue to scrawl away ; and as you invariably best answer yourself , I shall be satisfied , that , like tke Irish attorney , yon are employed by the plaintiff and working for the defendant Now , Sir , 1 think yon will admit , npon a reconsideration of the whole matter , that you have climbed too high , and the bump yoa bare raised upon your own forehead justly entitles you to the name of " Silly Harry . " I am . Sir , " Fbargus O'Connor , E « q . One of the Aristocracy ; " apropos , the use of the term , Esq ., rendered further designation unnecessary !
P . S . —Virtuous patriot ! bo thoroughly armed in this your just quarrel ! since writing the above I have just received a letter from an honest high minded independent working man , from which I submit to your notice , the following extract : — " Four of the fustian petition carriers were in the Queen ' s Bench with Hetherington , and he swore to them TRAT HE WOULD DESTROY THE STAR A 3 BOON AS what say you to your forehead and yonr bump . Write HE GtOTgOUT OF PRISON . " Now , " Silly Harry - no more to me , " Silly Harry ; " " Silly Harry" write no more to me . F . O'C .
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Mr . Editor , —By your inserting tho following address in your next , with corrections , if required , from your hands , you will greatly oblige the Chartists of York , And yours , fee . E . Burley . York , 25 th May , 1841 . LIBERATION OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ . TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Brother Chartists , —The duties of our office prompt us to again bring under your notice the necessity of bestirring yourselves on the occasion of the release of our glorious chief from the fanga of his and our merciless oppressors , and show to the world that yoa are determined to do honour to him to whom honour is due .
Fellow-countrymen , every day brings as greater proofs of his devotion and value to oar cause , that although he ia immured within the cheerless dungeon , his heart is still panting for the success of the cause for which he is suffering , and that neither the cupidity and slander of false friends , nor the persecution of the open enemy can turn his mind from the great and glorious objects which he is struggling to achieTe , namely , the emancipation of the whole human family from political bondage , degradation , and misery , and the establishment of the principles of truth , justice , and happiness .
Fellow-slaves , you have lately been called upon to express you * feelings between Mr . O'Connor awl the leaders of the " new move ; " you nobly answered that call by your assurance of your attachment to him and your determination to stand by him . ; we call upon you , therefore , to prove that attachment by sending your delegates to welcome him to your ranks on his emerging from the duugeon . Brethren , the men of London have nobly expressed their determination to send a deputation . The men of Stockton hare nobly answered our first appeal ; and will the men of Manchester , Birmingham , Sheffield , and other places , holding a proud position , be left in the back ground ?
Fellow-countrymen , O'Connor deserves much at your hands ; he will accept no other favours : how , then , are you to repay him for his sufferings in your cause , for the persecutions he has endured by open enemies and false friends ; how better than by being present on his again obtaining his liberty , and there seal the compact with him to stand by him as he has swom to stand by you until death . Let your cry then be—to York ! to York ! and there let your voices rend the air with your shouts for joy at again beholding your chief once more free . Then , hurrah , hurrah , hurrah , for O'Connor ; down with the c ^ ck-tailed gingers ; up with tha Char ter , and down with all humbug .
We are , fellow-countrymen , on behalf of the Demonstration Committee , Yours , truly , Edward Burley , Chairman . W . Cordeux , Secretary . York , 25 th of May , 1841 . P . S . The men of York hope the next week ' s Star will convey your determination to do your duty . All correspondence to be addressed , post paid , to Mr . Wm . Corrieux , 26 , Micklegate , York .
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DEFEAT OF THE WHIG CORN LAW RE PEALEBS AT EAGLESHAM . The supporters of the Whig Ministerial scheme of Repealing the Corn Law 3 being defeated in all the large towns where they have attempted to carry popular feeling in favour « f their expediency movement , have resolved to see what can be done in a quiet way with the smaller towns and villages . The village of Eaglesham had , accordingly , been pitched upon by the Ministerialists of Paisley for the first of a aeries of meetings to bring over the people of this quarter to support the Rus&oll and IU el bourne proposition for a Repeal of the Corn Laws . The inhabitants hero were
warned by public announcement to attend a meeting on the subject , in the Dissenting Meeting-House , on Wednesday evening&kst , which t was to be addressed by Messrs . Henderson and Brewater , from Paisley . Determined not to be gulled by these parties , the Chartists requested the presence of one or two Glasgow speakers to ducuss the question with the above-mentioned gentlemen , on tho night specified , and to test fairly the opinions of the men of Eaglesham . The meeting was calle'l fur seven o ' clock , but it was eight o ' clock before the business commenced .
Dr . Paton being appointed to tbe chair , introduced Mr . Hunderson , who , we believe , writes the Pivisley department of the Saturday Evening Post , to address the meeting . The Kev . Patrick Biewster not having arrived , according to expectation , Mr . Eenderson came forward , and after a few preliminaries , entered into an exposure of the operations of the Corn Laws . After referring to the misery and destitution existing in the country , to the dull trade , and the general depression of commercial business ; ha spoke ot' the comparatively comfortable condition tf the foreign artizan . He drew a number of illustrations on this head from Symoml ' s accounts of the state of manufactures on the continent —and the habits and condition of tho artizms ; and
after contrasting these with tbe working classes here , ho came to tho conclusion that theso things were chit fly brought about , by the effects of the Corn Law . He advocated the necessity of the people supporting the Whig Government iu their late movement for a Sxed duty on Corn , and for any agitation that would bring about a modification of tho present system . After referring to tha Chartists as opponents to tho Corn Law repeal movement , and as men blind to their own interests , he concluded by declaring his anxiety to see tho people in possession of tbe franchise—his willingness to aid the Chartists , and his hearty approval of their views—but hia opposition to their presvnt course of proceeding , and eat down amidst loud appUuse .
Mr . Malcolm , jun ., of Glasgow , said , although a Chartist , he did not come forward either as the advocate of the return of the Tories to power in preference to tho other faction , nor as the direct or indirect opponent to the spread ef knowledge in reference to tho operations of this law , but to state the real grounds upon which the Chartists stood in reference to the agitation attempted to be got up by the middle classts . to support ; tou present ) Ministry , at the txpence of sound principle and the cause of popular right ; and he would promise that Mr . Henderson had done wrong in talking of the Chartists as the opponents of Corn Law repeal . AlthougL tin * Chartists did not see the propriety of joining this imitation , for tha Ministerial scheme of repealing this Jaw , did it foilow that they were less zealous repealei-a ? He held that they were the only reasonable
and determined repealei s of any party in the country . Whi » e they endeavoured to spread , and were anxious to receivo , every sort of information relative to the Corn L'v . v—while they thanked the midd . e class for the pains they were taking to enlighten them , they also pointed out the only way by which , they were to be repealed . ( Cheers . ) They very pioperly considered , that those who called themselves Cum Law repealers , had advanced the btrongtst urgumeuts in favour of their standing by their present movement . Why , members of their kagae had unhesitatingly declared , that until the constitution of the present House of Commons was changed , they had no hope for a repeal . Others of them , and be was glad he could number amongst them his moral force friend , the Kev . Patrick Brewster , had dtc !; ned that they did not expect the House of
Landlords to yield that measure to any appeal short of one of their fears ¦ , and it was only by being frightened they would accede to our just demands . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Now he entirely agreed with these opinions ; and knowing , from post experience , that without the aid of the masses , the middle class would carry 110 great measure of organic reform , he was for his Chartist brethren standing by their present position , and Helling their influence at the proper titjjke . He ( Mr . M . ) knew that united tbe middle and Working class could effect , anything , bat he was opposed to a junction which would not guarantee to the unenfranchised a full measure of justice . They had no guarantee that in supporting the present Ministry in this late movement of theirs , tfcat they would not be aiding their return to power , with , the prospect of misrepresenting them for other eight long years . ( Hear , bear . ) He would have
Uieui to bear in mind , that although tbe middle class now came a little way and shewed their anxiety to have a repeal of the C «> rn Laws , that they had not done ao until the Bhoe which had been pinching their workmen began to pinch themselves . But , at the » aroe time , he could not deny a fact , in connexion -with the circumstances of these men , tlat although Borne of them were reduced to bankruptcy , the great proportion , even while loudest about dull trade and most zealous in reducing wages , had teen adding flat to flat , and factory to factoiy , had built houses like palaces , and enjoyed all the comforts and luxurits of life in abundance , and if they were pinched a little now , it was no more than they merited . He did not mean , however , to base his argument upon this point . He cared n » t what were the motives that induced theso men to come forward for Corn Law repeal . The question with him
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was , could the masses , by holding to their present agitation compel these men to come a little farther , in a word , come along with them for the People ' s Charter ? They had already brought them a little way , and he felt fully confident that they would eome farther . At all events , he argued in favour of working men refusing their influence t » any agitation which did no * go toplace them In their legitimate position In the House of Commons , as tax-payers and citizens . Ho argued for their standing by principle in preference to expediency , always bearing in mind that the gain of the Charter to the people at lar ^ e was an ample guarantee that they should have not only the Corn Laws , but every other iniquitous monopoly done away . While , on the other band , by a repeal of the Com Laws
alone , they had no pledge that they would obtain the Charter . ( Load cheore . ) Bnt Mr . Henderson talked of their taking or refusing a good measure aa glibly as If the repeal of tbe " Com Laws were now offered them , and they refused to have it Who offered it them ? O , eays Mr . Henderson , the Whigs offer it I Aye , they promise as liberally as ever ! But when their purpose ia served , alas ! for the performance ! They wish to maintain power just now at the expecca of popular rights , and by the offer of a measure which they have not the power to give . He was glad , however , that , while the people received with gratitude the information of the Corn Law repealers , they had sense enough to hold fast by principle , and refused to budge from the only course which would enable them success
fully to assert and obtain their political freedom . He would wish his Chartist brethren n . ver to forget that , in agitating for the Charter , they were agitating for s repeal of the Corn Laws , and that every argument brought forward to expose the system by which they were oppressed was just an additional argument in favour of their being properly represented , and an additional reason for their continuing to agitato and unite until they had raised up such a power aa would force the aristocracy to yield to their just and legal claims . After one or two illustrations in corroboration of what had been advanced by Mr . H ., as to the effect of the Corn Laws , Mr . M . deprecated the sentiments so earnestly put forth by that gentleman , tbxfc the Gotemment and the middle class brought forward this measure , more on account of the suffering operatives , than for their own benefit ; and after a fling at Mr . Henderson for his physical force notions of former times , and bis
inconsistent conduct now in abusing and attacking the physical force Chartists through the organ in which he writes , for duing less than he himself had done on former occasions , he concluded by expressing a hope that some inhabitant would not allow the opportunity to escape without bringing forward a resolution denouncing the Corn Laws , aud declaring their adherence to the Charter , in favour of which he hoped they would also get up a petition . . He sat down amidst loud cheers . Mr . Henderson again rose , and made a lengthened response . Instead , however , of taking up the arguments of Mr . M ., he confined himself to a history of his own exertions and sufferings on behalf of Radicalism , and to an exposure of the doings of the { Tories since the tirno of Castlereagh and Sidmonlh downwards . After a species of special pleading in favour of WlriRgery aud the Ministerial Corn Law scheme , he sat down .
A 3 the hour w&a now pretty late , on tbe suggestion of Mr . Malcolm , a gentleman in the vicinity rose to propose a resolution . This the Chairman , Mr . Henderson , and tho manager of the Kirk who chanced to be present , objected to . Mr . Malcolm called upon them to hear what was the nature of the motion first . During tho time that Mr . Malcolm stood up calling upon Mr . Henderson if he was a Chartist , as he professed , and also a Cora Law repealer , to allow a motion to be passed in favour of both views , a person sear him asked in an angry tone , " Will you sign a petition for a repeal of the Corn Laws ! " Yes , said Mr . M ., with all uiy heart ; will . you turn and siga the Charter f This declaration seemed to put the meeting right as to tke nature of Mr . Malcolm ' s opposition , and loud calls arose from all parts of the house to Mr . Henderson to support this view . _ .
Mr . Henderson tried to get out of tho business , by declaring , that although he was a Chartist , as the Church bad only been given for the delivery of a lecture on the Corn Laws , he could not consent to the passing any resolution . In defiance , however , of tha wryfacss of the Chairman , and the croaking of the Kirk managers , Mr . John Hunter moved the following resolution , which was seconded fey another inhabitant : — " That this meeting lpeks npon the Cora Laws as one of the greatest evils that have ever afflicted this country , and is , therefore , anxious for their immediate removal ; but having no hope of ever accomplishing their abolition , while the landed aristocracy have their present preponderance in the legislature , we petition for the People ' s Charter , so that the people having power , may remove tbe Corn Laws and all » thor monopolies . "
As the Chairman still refused to put any resolution , Mr . Maleolm Btood forward and took a show or hands for the motion , and nearly the entire meeting held up their hands . He tben took the opposite—all against the motion , when only two bands were held up . The result was greeted with great cheers-On the motion ef Mr . Jack , thanks were Toted to the Chairman . On the motion of Mr . Gardner , thanks were also Toted to Mr Henderson for his address , so far as it related * o the Corn Laws ; this was seconded by Mr . Malcolm , and responded to with cheers .
Three cheers for tbe Charter closed the business , when the meeting , quietly dispersed . —Abridged from the Scottish Patriot .
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~~~ <» „ THE NEWS FROM CHINA . We have been true prophets as to the course of events in China . The settlement announced in April , bad as the terms were , has proved , as we predicted , no settlement at all ; it was repudiated b y the Emperor , recourse was again had to arms with brilliant success , the Bogne forts were captured , aud all tho Chinese defences forced up to Cantcn , which was thus placed in the power and at the mercy of our forces . The union jack was hoisted on the walls of the British factory , which had been the scene of the wrongs and insults provoking the expedition .
We are , however , in all probability , far from the settlement of the dispute , for all that is gained by arms is likely to be lost by negotiations with so crafty and faithless a people . Captain Elliot ' s infatuation in having supposed that matters were permanently settled , and directed that the troops in Chusan evacuate the island and withdraw to Calcutta , is perfectly wonderful , and the sooner the negotiations are in the hands of an officer less the dupe of the Chinese , the better will be the prospect of an advantageous termination of the war . Sir J . Ikemer observes , as to the forbearance exercised towards Canton , — "It was at our mercy , and it has so remained , a monument of British magnanimity and forbearance ; I fear , however , ( hat the forbearance it misunderstood , and that a further punishment must be resorted to before this arrogant and perfidious Government is brought to reason . "
Then follows the : old story as to the Plenipotentiary ' s propensities to temporising , and trying what paper would do : — "Her Majesty ' s Plenipotentiary being , however , desirous to try the effect of another proclamation , and to show his desiie for an equitable adjustment of affairs , addressed the MajorQeaeral and myself , requesting that tee would make no further movement towards the city , until the disposition of the provincial Government officers werepul lo the test , as far as regards their non-interference ; and tee have , consequently , remained in statu quo , but reports ^ " which ire can rely ) are daily reaching us , which state that Jire vessels are jilting out about seven miles above Canton ; ferts , in tLe rear of tbe city , in course of erection , und the people are forbidden to bring tis supplies , while the teas and silks , and every , other valuable , are removing from it " The luJminatious of the Emperor against the English are curiosities of an Imperial style : —
" ' They ore , " says be , ' like dogs and sheep in their dispositions . It is difficult for heaven and earth any longer to bear with the English , and both Gods and men ore indignant at their conduct . " ' I have heard , ' says tke Emperor , ' that for months past they have debauched men ' s wives and daughters—made captives —carried away property—built forts—opened water courses , and set up a counterfeit public officer , who issues proclamations ordering the people to pay the duties . In sleeping or eating , I find no quiet ' " The blood of tbe Tartar rulers is excited by these enormities . Kealien is ordered to be delivered over to the board of punishment—still , however , retaining his command ; and the Admiral Kivan , though descended from the God of War , is to lose his bullon . " —Examiner .
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Queen Square Police Office , London . —The Best Defence and an Honesr Declaration . — On Saturday / Edward Thompson , a very fashionably dressed man , but whose manners indicated that the dress and the proprietor but iJi corresponded , was charged with attempting to pick the pocket of jtfrs . Louisa Godwin Wyse , a lady residing at Greenstreet , Chelsea . Complainant stated , that on Thursday evening she was walking along Beauford-row , near the loot of Chelsea-bridge , in company with hor little boy , who . was about seven years of age , when on a sudden the felt a hand in her pocket , and turning rouud found the prisoner close behind her . She immediately accused him of attempting to pick her pocket , when he said it was quite absurd to think of such a thing . On a policeman coming up , she gave him into custody . He no sooner saw the
policeman advancing towards him , than he set off running , and after a pursuit of ten minutes was captured . Mr . Bunrell inquired what he knew of the prisoner , if at all acquainted with him . Cough said he had known him for two years as the associate of common thieves . Prisoner expressed a wish to say something , and Mr . Burrell desired him to go on . Prisoner" I wish to say sometking . That offio ^ r ( Gough ) is the- — -rascal in England . There isn't a man ia London as lives by the ring but what has to pay him . money , or else they gets taken into custody , ' He has had money of me frequently , and all the thieves will tell you so . He conies up to them in the street and a ? ks them for something , and in course they gives it him . " Mr . Burrell thought these observations proved , at any rate , what the prisoner was He was then removed to undergo the poaishmaut .
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m FBAB&US O'CONNOR . ESQ , " ONE OF THE * " ARISTOCRACY . " a Thriee is he armed ¦ who hath his quarrel just , And he but naked , though locked up in steel , RTiose conscience with injustice is corrupted . " Shakspere .
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^^ ^___ THE NORTHERN STAR . - , 7
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 12, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1113/page/7/
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