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Ci)arti0t HxiUlXwnce *
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOKTHEBN STAR.
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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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HR . O'CONNOR TO MB . JAMES B , OT 3 RIEN . Lfrm n . [ In oar seventh p * g « we have given a letter from Ht . O'Ceanor to Mr . O'Brien , ia answer to the eogusunioations from Mr . O'B . inserted in oar last . la the /© Bowing letter Mr . O'Connor continues the ggeanten el toe questions there mooted ] Mr dba * CBmxh , —I now resume the eooiidera-^ ion of Use quez&n npoa which we are at issue , and -akh I take to be thk : — " How to the baianoe of
power to be preserTei ia the hands of the unrepregested classes , ortransferred to the Home of Commons , cr made jet more perfect by forcing their representation into the Eoaae without prejudice to the pressure ^ rithoot r Now , that I take to be the question ; while fb * ob $ * et of both ia the meant of arriving at a sound eoaciafaK . Having said jo much , let me now place before 70 a the two most prominent passage * upon the jahjeet , to be found in your letter . In a postscript to your letter to Bowman , you write thus : —
« If we Tote for either Whig or Tory , we at once jooogBlx the usurpations of the party we Tote for , asd disqualify ourselves morally , for future resistance to tbeir domination . We rote fox them , with a full and g&inct knowledge of their acts and character , and therefore lose all light , morally , of afterwards calling fbem to account for the same before -the tribunal of public opinion . It is only , as I said before , when one or the other puties agrees to split their votes in faTour
of our candidate , that we can conscientiously or honourably , Tote for their candidate . We can do so , then partly became , while ostensibly voting for them , we are in reality Toting for our own man , and our own principles , —bat ebiefiy , because the simple fact of cither faction so recognising oar claims , as to agree to split their Totes with us , is pro tatdo , an abandonae&t of the usurpation , we chazge them with , and &es therefore , entitle them to oux approbation and Support in return .
" But bo vote !—» o support!—to either batch of the usurpers , —till they first recognise our political ftUims !! . ' " In another of your letters yon say that yon " esBnot Sad words guSdeaHy strong to express jour contempt" for wba * I did not xcriU , and yon say I mutt be mad . Now , I shall not use one single offensive term towards you , because I vUl not offend yon and you shall sot use one towards me , because I ¦ WILL 50 T BB OFFESDED . I have ( hi fear of Hmi atd Cobbett be / ore tap eyes ! However , while I mate so retort , you wiB allow me the privilege of taking a liberty with myself ; and 1 do most solemnly assure yon .
that I haTO not brains to comprehend the meaning of the fiat and ' the last sentence in the abore passages , when they are taken conjunctively . As they say in Yorkshire , "I eould do with one , bnt both caps me . " In the first you Tery properly express a jealousy about leading public opinion astoay . Ton ssy , thit " if we vote for Whig or Tory , we recognise theii usurpation , « ad disqualify ourselves , morally , for future resistance to their domination- " Now , that I eoald understand ; but when liken in connexion with the following sentence , I aa puzzled ; and I assure you , when I am puzzled , three in every ten of the woriing people , who have sot 10 mnch time to analyse it as I have , wQl be pnzz ' ed-slso .
You say , " But chiefly , because the simple fact of either faction so recognising enr claims , as to agree to split their votes with us , is , pro taxto , an abandonment of the usurpation we charge them with , and does , therefor ? , entitle them to our approbation and ¦ apport in retara . " Now , here you use the word " support" in its legitimate mercantile sense to denote traffic upon terms of mutual convenience , and in which I agree ; but ths word " approbation" is what is called " cheating the devil . " Bat I shall reason upon these rery important passages . Now , which do you imagine to be the easiest task , to convince the unrepresented that the Tories were used as mere tools to beat the Whigs without the slightest recognition of their principles or approval of their usurpation or domination , or to pksscxDE the people that twenty Whigs or twenty
Tories having , for expediency , sacrificed their lip hatred of Chartism for the mere purpose of acquiring the means of perpetuating their usurpation and domi-2 ati on . were entitled to our approbation and to our belief that , " pro ianto ' they had either abandoned their usurpation , or recognized our title to representation ? Let me tea you , while yon eould not convince one in a mdlliqo thai the Chartists supported Whig or Tory from appro **? ot their usurpation , or a desire to perpetuate their domination ,- ycra could not , upon the other hand , by all the logic in the world , persuade one in a million that the Whig or Tory who receives Chartist support upon condition cf splitting votes had thereby sacrificed one single particle of hostility to the principles of Chartism , or -sraa entitled to our " approbation , " however Belf-interest , prudence , and policy m&y entitle them , pro ianio , to our " support . "
Can you hope to make Whig , Tory , or Chartist understand tile sentence in any other sense than this ? The Chartist who coalesces with a Whig or a Tory does , by splitting his vote , " pro tarJo , " entitle * him-¦ elf to their " support and approbation , " for the abandonment of Mb principles and recogBition of the aiaims—" usurpation and dominion "—of those forwhem , by voting , he testifies bis approval . You cannot have a Whig reading , a Tory reading , and a Chartist reading for the same sentence ,- and I assure joa I have given to it the general acceptation , as also the proper reading , < K Vtrttij TTJtffrTTp / ffjf **
If a Tory , by coalescing with a Chartist , thereby recognises the Chartist ' s title , and renounces his own " usurpation and dominion , ** can any one plain thing , upon this plain earth , be more plain , than that the Chartist who coalesces with a Tory does thereby recognise Tory principles , and renounce his own " dominion ? " I cannot otherwise comprehend ft ; &ad I assure you that one of my principal reason * lea not offering myself zs a candidate , was from the very fact which the above sentence fully establishes , Esmsly , ths . t ten thousand versions may be given of a single act .
I take it to be an utter impossibility in the present state of the franchise to transfer the balance of power from the exterior to the interior of St . Stephens , and for this reason : —The Whigs , while they hope to do without them , would rather have ten Tories returned , than one Chartist , and nice nertx . Let me show you how the last House was situated . For three years , seven men have constituted the balance ef power : Hume , Grote , Warburton , Leader , Molesworth , Doncombe , and Wakley ; but they used it treacherously ; that is , they acquired a kind of personal popularity
for snarling at Whig measures ; but , wht . n the question j of is or oat came to be decided , they invariably , one and all , voted for the very men "whose measures they professed to abher . Why was their small party in- j operative . ' Simp ' y , because there was no back to j support them in their assault * against corruption ; be- j eanse Whig death ru Tory life , —Whig delinquency -was j Tory trrnmph . Now , if the Whigs were in opposition I We should sot require such a stiff as this -, for the , j vetjt fact of being in opposition would posh all for- j wards .
When youspeak of getting fifty Chartist members j into the Hcuse pledged to the support of the Charter , j you make my lips ¦ water ; and for this simple reason , j mrtf would do ike trick >!! Thirty would oblige ! the Government to keep more than would be willing V ) remain of a working TmrinigH majority from the bed , the brothel , the gaming-house and the finish , i I hare , of myself , by perseverance stopped many mea- sores after midnight I am now arguing to show the impossibility of tranx- ] ferrbsg the balance ef power to the interior , in the present state of the suffrage ; and when I arrive once at that conclusion , my second consideration naturally is , 1 eoie that are toe U make the balance of paver mosi j
Wectit * in the hands of the unrepresented classes ? Now , I shall put this very plainly . The party * pon whom pressure from without is to operate is the Party in power . The parties who are to aid in the operation are the people , by their voice at public meetings , nod by the expression of their opinions through their petitions , supported by an opposition . Well , them , or business ii simply to discover upon which party , as » Government , oar petitions and the public voice are &ety to have the greatest effort , and who as aa
opposition are-likely to giTe them that effect . That ' s the IMstion ; for as to tff ^'" f now of "helping the weaker **» inst the stronger , ' and " mea instead of measures , " fc * all moonshine ! We want tool * to work with , and tools fitting for our purpose . Observe , then ; firstly , * fca regard to tt » right of petition , thfi WMgs hate aa < 1 * a mockery of it ; while , as regards ths effect proceed upon than , as a Government , by petition , let •* && succeeding year of their usurpation speak . Do we not find , as I have more than once explained ,
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that the votes annually taken upon the same question , instance the Po « Law Amendment Bill , have been in an exact inverse ratio to the Bomber of signatures , as if to show their contempt for all non-represented interference with their " Honourable House ? " Can I give you a stronger illustration of the fact , than that presented by the recent debate upon the great National Petition ? Now , suppose the Tories in power , and the the Whigs in opposition , what would have been the result produced by the presentation of such a petition and for such a purpose , the release of political offen ders ? I will tell you . If there were 358 Tories and
300 Whigs in the House , instead of the man of the neuter gender outweighing 2 , 000 , 000 of the working classes after a shabby palaver for an hour or so , we should hare had a tentdghts debate , appeal after appeal made to the ikjctred people and wtgUded vnrepresealed to send another and another ; no ; not to send , but to BRING IT in all their might and strength ; and then we should have the prayer granted to avoid a gre 4 orgirJe'aiffige . Such would be the result if we had had an opposition ; bat the Whigs , assured of back from the Tory tyrants , treated that as they have treated every other petition—with contempt ; and bat for the
importance of the time when it was presented , we should hav £ beard that it wu not constitutionally worded . Hence , I give it as tay opinion , thai , in the present state ot the franchise , we cannot tranfer the balance of power from the exterior to the interior ; and slso , that we cannot hold the balance of power at all , without a popular opposition , and that the Tory party never will constitute that popular opposition . How , then , you may ask , is the balance of power to be used ? I answer , in the same way that it was used in 1830 , when ths people beat the King , the Lords , the Commons , and the factions ; but used for a different purpose now . I contend for it that the Whigs did not want Reform then , but were willing to ride it to- power . I contend for it that
although they do not now want the Charter , they will mount it , in the hope of riding it also to Downingetreet , and there stabling it ; and I contend for it that in that attempt , which will be in less than six months , if they are now in a minority , that we can upon perfectly honourable terms , accord them both ear support and approbation . I contend for it that the hungry Whigs out of office in 1841 , win do as the hungry Whigs out of office have ever done before ; while the people in 1841 , will t&ke precious good care that the result shall not be the same ; as we will then Make ths BETcas op usn j ? ob hak , <* " sine qua xon ; " and let do man on earth persuade yon that the Whigs , as a body , would refuse such a compromise , though a few of the " constitutional" old fogies would pair off and file off .
Never lose sight of the fact that there are two packs of hounds and only one trough and one mess . The patronage and disposal pill , of army , navy , church , state , rojaJ , civil , colonial , foreign and domestic pickings will be swallowed with an immense proportion of Chartist powder in it ; and the Whigs will swallow it . Indeed the squeamish Barenet , so averse to strong political drugs , was preparing his mouth to take the Russell purge in 1 S 35 ; and his high bid for popularity , by promising to go much further in reducing
Irish tithes than the Whigs had done , was the very thing that alarmed the Whigs , and so uneeremously sent him to the right about They said "this will never do ; this fellow is outbidding us . " But since then the Tories have mustered corruption snd constitutionality , behind Whig delinquency ; and now they are too strong to court power by any other than constitutional menu Let me get them before me , with tile Whigs at my back , and give me one slap at that thing called " constitutional prerogative , " which , though ridiculed by the Whigs , forms , nevertheless , the precedent for their every act
Before I . take leave of the legitim&tists , just let me assure you that we shall have no small difficulty this time in getting in CoL Thompson , Mr . Sharman Crawford , and that noble fellow Golly ; and here , apart from the Poor ! Law , I must , in a political sense , add Roebuck . I served with him , and , apart from that measure , I unhesitatingly declare him to be the most efficient democrat upon democratie principles , that I have known to hold a seat in the House of Commons since the Reform BL 1 J . I wish he weald bind himself to a Scottish fanner for six months to learn the capibiiity ot the soiL Y ou may say , " bad is the best ; " but
recollect that he , Thompson , Crawford , Faithfull , and myself , were all too democratic for the present constituencies ; and now just mark how the villanous , rascally , . prostitute Leeds Mereury , bat , nevertheless , the organ of the factions , speaks of Thompson and Gully , and is silent about Crawford . We are led to infer that a Tory is to go in for Hull with Clay , and that Gully only " wants a dear ttage and no favour . " Men in glass houses should not throw stones . Gully does not live in one ; and perhaps some of his most insolent , upstart revilers would not long since have rejoiced npon arriving
at Leeds , to be able to boast of a dear oomcietux and a dean shirt . Now then let * aeh villany open your eyes to the merits of the " weaker rae « ds" whom you -would rather aesisc against the stronger ; while I , in truth , would beat down both at once by pummelling the one with the other . In six months , Thompson , Crawford , and Gutlj , must go a step further , to suit the united Whig and Chartist standard ; while instead of a choice of evilB at Newcastle , you will be appealed to , on bended knee , to unite with the Whigs . No man can doubt this who is n ot mad .
Now I come to the second branch of my subject , — the Ckartist electors . I fear you and I use the term in different senses . I use them to denote parties , who , by the exercise of popular power , would be induced from conscience or compelled from interest to Tote far our Tnn . n ; hence my recommendation to resert to exclusive dealing . I fear yon use the term in the confined sense of qualified persons , who would from preference , vote for a Chartist candidate . Believe me , that usurpation , tyranny , neglect of registering officers , and disgust from hopelessness of being able to effect anything , has reduced that body to a mere fraction , and
that our principal force would be recruited from the extreme liberal section , who , when pressed , would appear to comply from choice , rather than propel direction in toe disposal of their trust , but who would be most haypy to be released from the trammels of popular will . And observe , they would gladly seize upon that portion of your letter , and would , under the name of the body of "Chartist electors , embrace the opportunity of damning , and for ever , the cause which they profess to love , but secretly and heartily detest , and the more so , in consequence of its proper exercise of authority .
Before I quit -this branch of my subject , allow me to say a word about your advice to Chartist electors , to remain neuter in ease we cannot use them : you might just as well ask a Coghlan or a Howrahane to remain with his hands in his breeches pockets while their parties were fighting . You don't appear to Hie to comprehend the great change which the public mind undergoes suddenly during a general contested election ; nor in fact can any man who has not mixed in the turmoil and witnessed the working . Now , as I have conducted , and taken part in , more violently contested elections than any man living , allow me to assure you ,
that nothing but the rery most powerful excitement can keep one in a thousand from voting . Those who enter into the xnos ! solemn resolution in the morning , are operated upon as the battle rages ; and indeed it is not wonderful . Now then , my policy was to get contzoul over that party ; while yours would leave the eoutronl in other hands . ' aad probably to be ased xgaiart us without reference to any denned or general plan of operation . I did sot tell them not . to T « te , because I know they will vote ; and knowing that I hoped to turn them , as a body , to the best account , for rendering the unrepresented bakice of power mora efficient hereaf ttr .
Now , as to any coalition , I do , thank Qo& , stand free from all . charges of personal motives . I have narrowly watched the course of events , and the working of men ' s « " < " ^« j produced without their knowledge , npon
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the eve of a great political straggle like the present A General Election has it * martyrs . Poor Hunt fell a ¦ aerifloe to popular folly ia 1832 5 Cobbett fell » sacrifice to disappointment from the General Election o * 1834 ; O-Connell fell a sacrifice , but had not the grace or feeling to die , to the General Election of 1837 , and 1841 will finish him . It must finish him , when it is discovered that it has furnished the Irish means of strangling Repeal . Now , I hare resolved that the present contest should not kill ne ; and for that reason , I ham refused to stand for namberka place * to which I have been invited . The first wu from Leicester , wken the following question wa » put to me : — " WiU you coalesce with a Tojy , to insure jour election r" Answer" No , decidedly not . " That was my answer , adding ;
"bnt use me as a tool to bring a less hideous devil in , if you can , and they will gladly take a Chartist to get rid of the great devil . " My excellent friends at Halifax also invited me , and oflfered t « pay all expenses * bat my answer was No , still No . Why did I do this ? Because I was reolved upon recommending mfp&rtf to strain every nerve to get a few into the House ; and if I had allowed myself to be pat in nomination upon the plan , it would have given to the principle the complexion of motive , and 70 a know how easy it is to give motive a bad name , — "mad 000 , mad dog . " So now , come what will , here am I ready to fallow your plan , or any other good plan , to secure in the people ' s hands the balanee of power , and read ; to do a man ' s part in directing that power . I have now nearly concluded , and you force from me the following explanation : —
In the first place , I hold a Whig opposition to be indispensible to our cause ; and , therefore , should I have used all my influence to place them in a minority , and , again , when I found M'Douall , Vincent , Saakey , and , 1 hope , my dear friend Moir , and Abraham Doncan , in Scotland , likely to be in the field , I thought how I could best insure ao desirable an object as their return , and I came to the conclusion , after many nights uf reflection , of placing the Whigs upon the horns of a dilemma , I gave them the choice of evils , either a Tory House , or such a God-send as five or six " out and outers , " and I threw them out the bait to stimulate the hungry devils ; and to give them the first bid , I offered them six , seven , ten , and twenty for one , in order that we might have the rallying point inside .
Now , yon have my motives , both of them . You have my plan for ensuring success ; and , in conclusion , you shall have , firstly , the steadiness with which I ha ? e worked out that plan for yean , which you now profess to have brought your friends to the approval of ; and , secondly , you shall have the justification of my plan by the approval of it by so high an authority as the World newspaper . Firstly , then , I beg leave to submit for your perusal the following extract from a letter of mine published In the Star in September , 1839 , and reprinted in the Slar of the 27 th of February last , for the purpose of keeping up the steam . Here it is : —
" If the Tories beat the Whigs with their own measure , the Whigs , in opposition , will not be less craving after pelf , and in less than two months' probation upon the bleak side of the Treasury , all the violence ot the persecuted Chartists would fade into ntter insignificance , compared with the hungry bowlings of the revolutionary crew . Then once again shall we see the black Sag—the monarch ' s drooping head—and the executioner's bloody axe , demanding a renewal of the Whig lease of Downing-street ; and then shall we take care that every man of twenty-one years of age shall be a party to the bargain . When you look back , and consider that we have never held our real position
in society bli now , but have always been used to grace the Whig pageant , one moment s reflection will tell you that standing alone , the only party who dares to meet—the only party who dares to speak—the only party who defies persecution—that we are one of the two parties whose power must be acknowledged . Upon the next general election , the Whigs cease to exist as a party ; and upon the consequent following agitation , the Tories will degenerate into a faction , and a very few of the most wealthy wi : l remain as a memento upon the opposition beeches , wbese only business will be to gratify their own ambition , by endeavouring to affright the representatives of the people with the bloody ghost of Toryism .
" Men of Sheffield , —The game is now in eur hands ; the ball is at our foot . I f we but play and kick them as our enemies deserve , the next General Election should furnish from 4 C « to 500 Radical Members . We Must be prepared to stand alone . In Sheffield yon will do your duty . You have Crabtree , Gill , and others , in whom yon can repose confidence . Invite them as candidates—return them as members—and , having done so , chair them through your town , exhibit them in populous places , and proclaim them the
representatives of your wilL For one moment imagine what must be the result of this cheap experiment It will cost yon but one day ' s attendance at the hustings , instead of days of ceaseless agitation . It places you at once in the ascendant It gives you a majority in the representative body ; and if England , Ireland , and Scotland , are n » t prepared for such a step , then do England , Ireland , and Scotland deserve the chains of eternal slavery , which their task-masters will impose upon them .
" Men of Shefflsld , —The press , which has deluded our opponents by laughing at our weakness—by denying our union and our strength—the press , which is the index and the horn-book of all the factions—will not be able to blindfold the several candidates , who themselves shall be made witness of their own defeat No act would so far tend to give the enemy ocular demonstration of our power , of their weakness , and newspaper deceit ' Now , my friends , I shall conclude by imploring yon to stand alone ; and we then must triumph . I thank yon—from my soul I thank you—for the powerful , the orderly , the splendid demonstration of Monday night last- It will long be remembered in
Sheffield , which I have now made the key to Yerkshire , and with which I pledge myself to open the locked-up treasure , for the benefit of the human family . I implore you to watch well the manner in which the Whig and Tory press will dispose of that night ' s proceedings ; whilst such an exhibition in favour oi either of the factions would have decided the destinj of the nation . Ge on , good men ! onward , and we conquer—backward , and we fall . ' Give the watchful and perfidious enemy no handle over you ! Break no law ; and in a very little time , yon will make laws which no man will dare to break with impunity I I shall be amongst you from time to time ; for I have vowed , if 1 staud alone , to accomplish the great principle of Universal Snflrage . "
Now , then , compare that with my recent advice to stand apart with our numerical strength and displays , and with every word I have written , still holding the distinction between the reformed electoral body and the unrepresented classes , and say who has been on the watch tower—who has been the least negligent—who looked for the 400 or 500 representatives , and who recommended the people to chair their Members , and then to leave the factions to themselves ? Recollect the letters were written in September , 1839 , and reprinted in 1841 ; while you say , if what is now
recommended by the Star had been done three months ago , we should have been in a rery different position . I think I have done too much ; and if I had only done a man ' s share , so much would not be expected from me , I have kept dinning , and dinning , and dinning the same old tone into the popular log for nearly six years ; and when I had fondly hoped that I had not dinned in Tain , I am mortified by discovering that all went in at one ear and out at the other , while my only consolation is that I hope the whole has made some impression .
I would not have noticed the charge of madness , treason , or folly , but I feel that the charge of neglect an * want of judgment would naturally and justly weaken the iniaence of myself , the Convention , and the Star . In conclusion , if I bare erred , I am happy to have erred la such good company as the Convention and the whole peeple who expressed their approval of the principle to a greater extent than laid down by me , asd nobly carried out by the brave Chartists of Nottingham However , when men differ , they should take counsel ; and now , i beg to call to our aid the opinion of one of the profoandeat political teachers , and most oncom promising patriots of the day , the Editor of the World , who speaks thus in last B&tnrdby's number of that glorious paper , destined to be the regenerator of Ireland . H « taya—
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"The dissolution of the dying Parliament is drawing near , and the rival factions are preparing for the encounter ; bat , just as we should have expected , the masses take no Interest in the electioneering battle , and display a provoking apathy . The Tories entreat them to come to the rescue of the Constitution , and the Whigs , upon bended knees , beseech them to arouse in their might , and , by one vigorous effort , frighten away their antagonist * from their meditated assault upon Downing-street To the everlasting disgrace of "tbe swinish multitude , " they will not stir , but remain in a state of motionless Indifference . What has become of the men of the Political Union , who used to congregate in thousands and tens of thousands ,
in tbe market places , and &pon the broad moors , to the tenor of the Newcastle * and Winchilseas ? They are far In advance , having left the Tories and Whigs to squabble ia the rear , and will not return to take part with either faction . Instead of the millions , the Whigs and Teries will be respectively backed by the moral , educated , and middle class electors of such places as Cambridge , St Albans , and , might we not add , Dublin , who-will vote for the man with the longest parse , utterly regardless what may be the hue of his principles . In sooth it is a fearful time for candidates , and well may they wriggle * nd writhe at the prospect of coming to tho hustings . The aristocratic Whigs wete the flrst to sneer at
political inconsistency—nay , such ornaments of the party as Lords Palmurston and Plunketthave , by their career , shown how easily principle can be sacrificed to profit ; It is , however , a horrible thing when tbe unwashed people prove themselves apt scholars . Happily , corrupt electors can only now and then indulge in their evil propensities , while trading politicians may daily have an opportunity of bartering their principles ; bat the former , &s if made ravenous by loDg abstinence , contrive to do a great deal of havoc in a short space , and never , it is said , had they a sharper appetite than at the present moment Candidates in erery quarter appear to feel this , and , therefore , those who have little to expect bat senatorial -distinction , are skulking
from the field to seek the comforts of domestic life ; while others , like West , are endeavouring to get a full-blooded man to aid them in the contest ; or after the manner of Dick Shell , preparing to take refuge in some convenient and cheap locality , where its constituency may have a relish for bribes , but dare not insist upon them . Throughout the country we now hear of nothing bnt rich men and titled striplings coming forward , resolved by the weight of their purse and aneeetral pretensions to obtain the privilege of making laws for us . Is it not rather remarkable , that if the great object wore to obtain the honour of assisting in framing just and equal laws for the whole of the community , such sacrifices should be made , and such
immense sums of money squandered away to purchase a laborious , and , if honestly discharged , an unprofitable duty . Neither under a genuine system of representation are wealthy or titled persons the description of people that ought to be sent to represent the national sentiment in Parliament , who can have but little sympathy or acquaintance with the wants and wishes of the great bulk of society . However , this system , which generates corruption and demoralization is that alone which ensures the upholding of class interests at the expense of the prosperity and happiness of the country . When a better state of things arrives , the people will choose honest and able representatives , instead of looking out for the affluent and
high-born-Whatever party may triumph during the approaching struggle will havo very little influence upon the great social changes which most soon take place . Should Ministers be able to maintain their ground , they will , in all probability , have learned that their stand still policy can » o longer be persevered in ; and should the Tories succeed them , and Sir Robert Peel assume the reins of power with a majority of sixty , affairs will receive a still greater impetus , as the powerful minority , sustained by the " pressure from without , " will soon tend to convince him that he may as well think to restrain the ocean wave as the onward march of events , which are influenced by a power and intelligence far beyond his control . " Now , in the above article you have a full outline of my policy , and I recognise the principles of my countryman , whom I glory in , although I am Ignorant of his name . I beg of you to read again and again from the words " should Ministers be enabled to maintain their ground ; " and bear in mind that we must look to the opinions of all ; while , nevertheless , there is no one whose opinions will go farther in guiding mine , when nearly balanced , than those of James Bronterre O'Brien . Having now concluded all that I mean to say upon this subject , I again subscribe myself , Your faithful associate , And sincere friend , Feargus O'Connor .
P . S . Surely I may indulge in the news which has just reached me , and which proves that tbe men of Yorkshire did not wait for the ball to be kicked to them . Twelve candidates are at this moment assembled in the Leeds Cloth Hall yard—four Whigs , four Tories , and four Chartists—all upon equal terms—two Chartists for West Riding , and two for the Borough of Leeds . Let that ball rebound , as it rs the rebound from the Star ' s four years' exertion—a candidate for each year . Your ' s , &a , F . O'C .
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PLAN FOR CHARTIST OPERATIONS AT AN ELECTION . [ The following letter was originally publiehed in the Star of September 21 st , 1839 ; and again re-printed in the Star of March 6 th , 1841 . Mr . O ' Connor , in his first letter to Mr . O'Brien * inserted in our seventh page , refers to it , as the reader will perceive , and here it is again . ] Brother Radicals , —For the same reason that a servant ' s guard of disciplined and armed troops will beat and put to flight a squadron of raw and unarmed recruits , have we been beaten by factions disciplined in the arts of treachery and deceit We must discipline and remedy this evil . We must meet them on their own ground , and with their own weapons . We must organise , and show the front of freemen . In order to effect it , then , I submit the following suggestions for your consideration : —
Peel says " Register , register , register . ' "—O'ConneU says " Register , register , register ! "—the Whig press and the Tory press say ' Register , register , register !" and , therefore , there must be some magic in the word " Register . " You cannot register , but you can " Unite , unite , unite ! " and Russell says it Lj your right to exercise influence over the elector ; while O'ConneU says that it is your right to use gentle coercion towards tbe elector . Let us , then , place ourselves in a position to be prepared whenever the struggle may come ; and , believe me , it is at hand , else would not our enemies be loading their pieces . Let a committee be established in every town and village throughout England , Scotland , and Wales , according to the following form , and for the performance of the following duties : —
THE FORM . Let the electors and non-electors instantly form county , city , and borough-election clubs . Where the clubs consist of several hundreds , let them be divided into hundreds . Let each hundred appoint a chairman . The hundreds shall then be divided into tens , and each ten should appoint a chairman . The chairmen of the hundreds should constitute the General Election Committee . The chairmen of every eleven tens should , according to convenient locality , constitute the district or ward committees . The committee of tens should report on every Monday night , to tbe General Committeee , the state of the public mind in their several districts ; after which , a compendious report should be submitted by placard , handbill , or through the medium of the press . The terms to constitute membership to be one penny per week . The funds to be appropriated as a Finance Committee , appointed by a show of hands at a general meeting ,
shall direct
THE DUTIES . The duty of the Election Club will be to select a fit and proper candidate , who shall be vigorous and active in laying before his constituents the principles upon which he claims their support—to read at public meetings , as often as opportunity affords , th » reports and resolutions from the several cemmittoes . Every candidate should be pledged to support Universal Suffrage and a repeal of the Legislative Union betweea Great Britain and Ireland , to take his seat if returned by a majority in the house called the House of
Commons—and to restore bis trmst whenever required to do so by a majority of a committee to be called " The committee of review of public men's conduct , " which step must ba sanctioned by a public meeting of bis constituents . The committee should also appoint collectors of contributions , who should leave the following printed form of application at the house of every voter in their district : — " We , the committee appointed to superintend the management of the election of — — , do respectfully solicit your support and Interest , and also such contribution as you can conveniently give , to promote the aforesaid object" A book should be kept
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containing the names of all the electors in the several districts , to be called " The canvass and contribution book . " When the whole machinery is completed , public meetings of the electors and non-electors should be convened , to take into consideration the propriety of appointing a National Election Convention of twentyone , whose duty it shall be to sit in London for the purpose of receiving , and disseminating throughout the country , digested reports frem tbe several Election Committees . I think , at m single glance , you will see that the adoption of the foregoing plan will at once raise a safe and constitutional standard round which the friends of Radicalism may rally . We shall then stand upon an equality , in the field of agitation , with both Whigs and
Tories ; ana , according as we are treated , so shall we treat-the enemy . In this instance the Constitution recognises no superiority j and if we are not prepared to carry out this principle , we are not deserving ef Universal Suffrage . If , upon the other band , wo are ^ prepared , and If , by our united exertions , we can return a majority of the six hundred andfifty-eight , we shall be justly entitled to goto the House of Commons upon the first day of the nrxt session of Parliament , and there pass a law directing her Majesty to issue new writs for the return of a Parliament upon the principle of Universal Suffrage . This requires no exhibition of physical force , as any opposition offered to the will of a nation thus manifested would be high treason upon the part of our opponents . , The effect of our preparation would be
the immediate liberation of oat friends from their dungeons ; for , believe me , that our enemies bat await our union to obey oar command . I cannot conceive a more glorious sight than a nation of freemen marching to the hustings in sections , divisions , and squadrons , there to show their bands , which are ready to support the dictate ! of theW hearts . My mind is always upon the rack , my invention leaver at work , to learn how I can best serve your cause ; and lazy men , who will not work themselves , call me presumptuous—bat how much more pleasing and easy would It be for me to remain idle , if those who abuse me would work ; but the work must be either left undone , or done by a few . Instead of constantly nibbling and carping at my propositions , let them suggest , and I will follow ; but I cannot and will not remain idle so long as a single grievance remains unredressed . I implore you , then , my fellow men , by your valour , by your patriotism ,
and by your humanity—by the love which you bear to your God , your country , your family , and your kind , to awake , arise , and let the voice of freedom be heard upon each passing breeze throughout this sea-bound dungeon . ' Let us proclaim the right of the labourer to enjoy the fruits of his labour—of the freeman to enjoy the protesfcion of bis castlfl—of the community te enjoy social comfort and happiness—of the poor to live upon the land of bis birth—and of the nation to bo governed by laws made equally for the protection of the rich and the poor . Let union fee your watchword—liberty your idol—and Universal Suffrage , and no surrender , your motto . For these things I have lived , and for these things I am ready to risk my life ; and am Your faithful and sincere friend , Feabgus O'Connor . Leeds , 20 th , Sept 1839 .
Ci)Arti0t Hxiulxwnce *
Ci ) arti 0 t HxiUlXwnce *
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WEST RIDING DELEGATE MEETING . The above meeting took placa on Sunday , the 2 « th of June , in the Chartist Rooms , over the Co-operative Stores , Dewsbury , when delegates were present from the following places : — Mr . W . Moseley Stott , Dewabury . Mr . Andrew Gardiner , Fish Shambles , Leeds . Mr . W . Hick , for the Teetotal Chartists , Lauds . Mr . Edward Clayton , Huddersfleld . Mr . Stephen Johnsen , Walefldd . Mr . Thomas Bradley Knowles , Kelgbley . Mr . John Shaw , Lepton . Mr . John Helliwell , Sowerby . Mr . John Arran , Bradford . Mr . John Helliwell in the chair . The following resolutions were adopted . Moved by Mr . Gardiner , and seconded by Mr .
Knowles"That Mr . George Julian Harney be re-appointed West Riding Lecturer for two months . " Moved by Mr . Gardiner , and seconded by Mr . Sxotx" That two Chartist Candidates be brought forward for the West Riding of Yorkshire at the next € teneral Election . " Moved by Mr . Knowles , and seconded by Mr . W Hick" That Mr . Lawrence Pitkethly and Mr . George Julian Harney be requested to allow themselves to bo put in nomination for the West Riding at the next General Election . " Both the abovejgentlemen being present , the question was put to them . ^ hen they both answered , that they considered it to be their duty te come forward when called upon by such a large portion of the people of the West Riding , through their delegates . "
it was then unanimously agreed that Mr . Pitkethly and Mr . G . J . Harney be put in nomination for the West Riding . It 1 b hoped that the non-electors of the West Riding will show to both factions that they are no longer to be gulled by either , and that they are determined to support no man who will not give to them their undeniable rights .
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DROTIADEN . —Mr . Cartledge lectured here with great success on Tuesday evening .. HEW MILLS .- *( Derbyshire . )—A public meeting of the inhabitants of this place was held last Saturday , Mr . Win . Garrat was called to the chair . Messrs . Doyle and Linney , of Manchester , addressed the meeting upon the principles of the Charter . The out-door meeting was adjourned to the George Inn , whore Mr . Doyle again addressed them upon the subject of the Corn Laws . The capacious room was filled to suffocation ; and at the conclusion , there were three cheers given for Feargus O'Connor , Esq . and the imprisoned Cnartista ; three likewise for Frost , Willianis , s-ifd Jones , and the People ' s Charter . The vast assembly quietly dispersed , highly delighted with the afternoon ' s proceedings .
SUNDERLAND . —Public Discussion on Chartism . —According to announcement in last week ' s Star , Messrs . Williams and Gainsley held a public discussion in the Golden Lion Room— " On the necessity and importance cf a change according to the principled of tbe Charter . " The room was crowded . At eight o'clock , Mr . Towers was proposed and unanimously elected to the chair . The arrangements made by the committee-men were , that each speaker should be allowed twenty minutes at the commencement , and afterwards ten minutes each , speaking alternately . The discussion to close at ten o ' ciock . Mr . Williams agreed to allow Mr . Gainsloy the flrst and closing speech . Mr . Gainsley began by explaining what appeared to many as singular , namely , kia sudden conversion from Chartism to Socialism and Socialism only . If we were to give even an outline of the line ot argument , if argument it might be called , which Mr . Gainsley
adopted , we should be suspected , by persons not present , of partiality ; the best proof ef the effect of the discussion was the opinion of the meeting expressed at its close—when the following motion was made by Mr . Taylor , seconded by another gentleman , viz . — " Ttiat it is the opinion of this meeting that a change , accozding to the principles of the Charter , is a necessary , important , and would bea beneficial change . " Oaadivision , there appeared for the motion almost the entire meeting , and against it , some say there were two or three , but none more than six hands held up . Considering that Sunderland has a branch Social Society , the decision of the meeting may be taken as a conclusive proof that the Socialists of Sonderland do not see the wisdom of being political neutrals , or virtual obstrnc tives . We trust that It will be the means of establishing a better understanding between those who are seeking one common end , and who may fairly accompany each ether on the road , as far as they are
mutually agreed . Electors' Meeting . —On Wednesday evening , a meeting of the electors of Sunderland , favourable to a repeal of the Corn Laws , and also to the representative views of the Chartists , was held at the Golden Lion room , for the purpose of taking stop ? to bring forward a candidate of such sentiments , and adopt such means as might be necessary to secure bis return . Mr . Joplin , draper , was called to the chair , and introduced tbe business by reading the circular by which the meeting was called . He then requested Mr . Williams to come forward and address the electors aa it appeared l ^ ere was none amongst them qualified or diapoted to speak . Mr . Williams then addressed the meeting in
a temperate and judicious speech , proving the necessity for union between the electors and non-electors , and stating that the only practicable ground of union was that recommended in the circular . He concluded by moving the following resolution , to teat the opinions of the electors , namely , " That it is the opinion of this meeting that a candidate favourable to the principle * of tbe Charter , and also to tbe repeal of the Corn Law * should be brought forward and . supported by the electors and non-electors of the borough . " The resolution was seconded by an elector , put to the meeting , and carried unanimously . A committee , consisting of Messrs . Joplin , Braithwaite , Bell , Robinson , and Maxfield , was formed , with power to add to their number , to carry the above resolution into effect
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Lecture . —On Sunday evening , Mr . Bins * delivered a spirited lecture in the Golden Lion room .. At the close of the lecture a meeting of the members of tbe Association was held , when it waa resolved to appoint a deputation to wait upon the liberal electors' committee , formed for the purpose of procuring the return of Chartist and Corn Law repeal candidates . Electors Committee . —On Thursday evening , the Committee appointed at the public meeting met in tbe Arcade roam , and enrolled several fresh members . It was resolved to invite T . P . £ . Thompson , Esq . . son of Colonel Thompson , to come forward , aad Mr . Robinson was appointed to correspond with him . Arrangement were then made for canvassing the town . :
SUNDERIJVND .-Ther sum of £ 1 33 . 9 d . wu received last week from Mr . Williams , SundeiMnd , for various funds—but the paper containing the particulars has been mislaid , we wish him therefore to forward a copy of it . LOUGHBOROUGH .-Mr . Skevington lectured here on Monday , on the duty ot the people at the elections . Muoh enthusiasm was manifested . Long Whatton , lately visited by Mr . Skevington , is also quite up to the mark . Tbe men of Loughborough vete to have a large public meeting on Wednesday , but we have not heard the result .
WlGAN . —Leeoh has been lecturing here with great sneeesv The Chartists here are all right ; they have their own man , a Bterling and talented Chartist , Mr . William Dixon , in the field . District meetings are being holden , aad the villages Hindm , '_ , , est Hou MhtOB ,.. Leigh , Chowbent , Astlejr , lyldesley , Banks , &o . are all alive for the straggle , ad determined to shew themselves men . MANCHESTER . —At a public meeting in Tibstreet , on Monday last , it was resolved , in
consequence of information having been received thai the " Plague" were again mustering their ' Irish forces for the election , that the Chartists of Manchester would forego their intention of briugin ^ . forward candidates at this election , in ordefthavoo pretext for massacre may be afforded to the bloodthirsty villains , pledging themselves . at the same ; ime to support to the utmost of their powet their brethren in any other town where Chartist fondjdatea have come forward .
STOCKPOHT . —All is here quiet again .: The "Plsgue" men seem to have profited by their lesson , and the people are suffered to assemble , and disperse peaceably . Mr . Bairstow addressed an assemblage of ten or twelve thousand on Tuesday evening , without the least disturbance . WOLVERHAnnPTON .-Mr . Candy has been engaged here as lecturer , and is producing a great effect . ABERGAVENNT—I have the unfeigned pleasure to inform you that we have at length succeeded in collecting a few of our Chartists friends together here , for the purpose of forming an association , whioh has not been done without some trouble
and perseverence , as this place is a nest for a strong ; party of oppositionists . Oar meeting was hold on Tuesday evttuing , at the Cross Keys Inn , at which there were twenty-one persons enrolled , and I doubt not there would have been many more persons present had our intention of holding the meeting been moro known . There was bat little business of any importance transpired , excepting tho enrolling of tha members , and agreeing that this association shoatd be on the same footing as the National Charter Association ; but a meeting has been convened to be holden at the same place on Monday evening next , when it is anticipated that there will be a strong party of our friends assembled . —Correspon ~ dent .
CHESTER . —We had a numerous meeting of the Chartists of this city yesterday evening , Mr . Win . Jones , one of the lecturers , and two others of the Liverpool Chartist Association were over here paying us a visit . The meeting was announced by the bellman , which took place in the Primitive Christian Meeting house . Mr . John Vaughan , a most valuable member of our association , and a dissenting minister , was unanimously called to the chair , who , at some length , and in an animated and lneid manner opened the'business of the meeting ; after which Mr . Wax . Jones presented himself to the audience to deliver a lecture on Chartism and its objects . This yonne man's talents are of the first
order . He ia an invaluable advocate in the cause of liberty , truth , and justice . He clearly and ably elucidated the various points of the People ' s Charter j pointed oat to the audience the necessity and duty of perseverance in the good and virtuous cause ; energetically contrasted the present impoTeriahed , miserable condition of the working classes , the producers of all wealth , with what it ought to be ; he ably dwelt on the atrocities and the anamaliea of the accursed and abominable Poor Law BUI , and expressed himself against the base and brutal
Whigg , in terms redolent of contempt , sarcasm , and exeoration . His leotore frequently elicited the warmest bursts of applause . The lecture occupied about two hours in the delivery , after which Mr , Thomas Youde , grocer , was unanimously elected secretary to the association , in the stead of Mr Speed , who had resigned . Thanks were voted to the lecturer , who was warmly congratulated oa retiring from the meeting , A number of persona applied to join the association before the conclusion of the meeting , most of whom were accepted Chartism ig making rapid progress in this « ity .
ST . ANDREW'S . —A meeting of the Chartists of this city was held in Mr . Wilson ' s School Room , South-street , on the evening of Wednesday se ' anight , at eight o ' clock , Mr , David Black in the chair , when the following resolutions , in reference to the conduct of the Chartists at the coming election , were carried unanimou-ly : —Moved by Mr . Alexander Mackie , weaver , and seconded by Mr . Archibald Bell , weaver— " That , having had ten years' trial of the Whig faction ; we now know no difference between them and the old enemies of the people , the Tories , and therefore couaider them both unworthy of the confidence . of the people at the ensuing General Election , and pledge ourselves , individually and collectively , to support no candidate at the said election , unless he pledge himself to advocate and support , to their full extent , the principles of real
and salutary Reform embodied in the People ' s Charter . " Moved by Mr . Charles Stewart , printer , and seconded by Mr . John Carstairs , mason— " That we approve of the plan of bringing forward Chartist candidates at th © forthcoming election , and we pledge ourselves to support such a candidate , and by every means in our power promote his eleotion , for the St . Andrew ' s District of Burghs ; and that a letter , embodying these sentiments , and craving the assistance of oar brethren ia Fife , be sent to the county meeting of delegates , to be held at Kettle , on Saturday next ; and further , that for the purpose of keeping up the agitation in St . Andrew ' s , we pledge ourselves to use every means in our power in supporting the Chartist press—namely , the Northern Slar , Dundee Chronicle , Perth Chronicle , the Chartist Circular , &o . "
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Sib , —I returned from tay Scotch journey late on Saturday last , and was immediately called upon to stand a > a candidate for the representation of the West Biding of this county . Lords Milton and Morpeth having arranged to meet the electors here on Tuesday . An arrangement was entered into that Mr . Harney and myself should , with proposers and seconders to each , have tickets to the hustings ; that Mr . H . should succeed Lord Morpeth , and that I should follow Lord Milton . In accordance with that arrangement , I went and presented my ticket forth * hustings at the door of a ware * house through which was the only passage to them -I
was admitted , but on my way through the warehouse , Mr . Gtorge Croseland , on hearing my name announced , exclaimed , " -jfo Mr ; Pitkothly here , " and suiting the action to the word in away that I could aotward off , struck me a violent blow on the left breast , and collaring rue , pushed me back . When I resisted , the Whigs , the only party present except myself , rushed between as , and I was instantly asked if I knew whose premises I was in . I said , I was there in no one ' s premises—that I came th « re upon public grounds . " " O I " said they , "those are Mr . Crossland ' s premise * . " I said , "I could net consent to be considered upon private premises—that the chairman of their committee had
given , me an order to the hustings—and that my tight there was as good ss George Crossland ' s , or that of any one else . " I went again towards Crossland to demand by what right he had committed so violent and brutal sn assault npon me , when another row was the consequence , and , standing as 1 did , alone , ot course I was overpowered , and my entrance to the hustings completely blocked up . I attempted to reach the ear of Mr . Brooke , the chairman ; to explain , bat without effect , and oa reaching the street I found that daring the Whig exhibition of physical force inside the building .
a regularly organised bloody and brutal attack had been . made by the Whigs , who were mounted on horsebackthat just before turning the corner , a few buildings from the hustings , they nade a halt , when a signal and orders were given by one of the body to gallopright down upon the people , an order which was instantly obeyed . Many were knocked down , in their passage through tbeerowd . They struck rightand left withwhipg and other weapons , and many were wounded .. In self defence the " boys" used some stones , but tbe Whin on f « ot used both bludgeons and stones , and that they broke windows there is ample proof .
I am prepared to prove , by incontrovertible evidence that what I state ia only a small portion of the beiC barity perpetrated on thU Whig field of Peterloo , aad is demonstrative of what that brutal Cution would do If they had the power ...: I pray my frietdi neve * at any time to put them selves within the reach of Whig treachery , and trustin that they will fee a very small minority la the next Parliament , ' \ ' : ¦ . ¦ ; ¦ w I remain , voto * faithfully . L . PlTKETHLT . Huddersfield . June 24 th . 1841 .
To The Editor Of The Nokthebn Star.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOKTHEBN STAR .
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VOL . IY . ffO . 189 . SATURDAY , JUNE 26 , 1841 . mc " rZ' % SZ ? , ?? ££ ?¦ "
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- jfi ^ r ^ V J v y * ^—^^•^^ . * f AND LEEDS GENERAL ADVERTISER .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 26, 1841, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1115/page/1/
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