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THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1841.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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MARYLEBONE—WELCOME TO O'CONNOR . On Friday 1 m * . the Working Man * Hili , CSreusstreet , New Road , -was crowded to excess , for the purpose of meeting th . O'Connor . Mr . Christopher was called to the chair . A gentleman , whose same we did not catch , moTed the following nsohxtlon : — " Thai we weleome Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., on his teteusiom the dungeon JnwhUh hi « persecutors had Immured him , sad pledge ourselves to agitate for nothing short of the Ctarter . "
Mr . Scott seconded the resoraiion . Be said ib was with pleasure he saw Mr . OX / omwr amongst them after his sufferings . Oar advocates hare beea prosecuted , imprisoned , and thrown into dungeons ; some of them hare lost their lives through being sent there ; erery feeling of human nature has been violated ; but be was glad to find that the public sympathised with , the oppressed ; this meeting was a proof of such sympathy , and he hoped they would prove that their friends were held dear by them . - The resolution , on being put , was carried unani mously . Mr . O'Coksor was greeted with great applause on rising to speak ; after wbieh ha commenced as follows : —
After the cheering had in some degree subsided , he Bid it would be six yean to-morrow since ne had first addressed them at a meeting held not far from the spot on which they were now met Daring that p « riod Radical principles hid undergone a severe trial—they had been well tested , and had well stood the test . ( Applause . ) The Whip had succeeded for a time in disuniting the R % diesl body—because the Radicals , ever -willing to hope good , had been determined to { ive them a fair trial They had hid their trial—the delusion was gone by ; their power to delude had gone with it ; aad the people were now one body—firmly united for the attainment of one object ; and that object not the destruction of any portion of society , but the destruction of the system by which ruin
¦ was brought on all . ( Long and continued cheering . ) This was why they had gone on increasing , and not decreasing , in number . The Teries of yesterday were the ConsarvatlveB « f W-day ; the Whigs of yesterday ¦ were the Reformers of to- * ay 4 but the Radicals of years gone by were still Radicals . Their principles were nnefcsngeable : t *» prircipte" contained in the People ' s Charter were precisely the same principles which its Bdrocates had erer professed . Mr . O'Connor then went on toexpWn the causes of the disppointoenta which bad been experienced ; he was sorry for the disappointment on Friday , but it was not his fanlt ; he knew nothing of the meeting till the morning after it had been holden . Again , on Wednesday there was a meeting at the Archery Rooms . Now , on thai occasion it had been Star
published throughout London , and in the . a notice had appeared , that be was te be at Brentford on that day ; he could not , therefore , have been expected at St . Paneras , when it was known that be was engaged elsewhere . Be had sever failed in attending any engagement , however great the distance , « incon-Tenient . Since his release from incarceration , he had been at meetings nearly erery night . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) He had a great duty to perform , and would sot shrink from it . { Cheers . ) While incarcerated bis spirit bad been still free ; bis courage bad never failed , and bis activity had never Blackened , ( Hear , hear . ) And he might now be well proud , and more than proud , to contemplate the spirit ani enthusiasm of the people on his reappearance . ( Hear , bear , and loud
cheering . ) Meetings such as those which be had lately been habitually attending , were exhilirating to U » spirit , and might held up the heart of any man ; though if it were to be nothing but night after night talking and talking , he would soon give them up , as a mere keeping of the people from their families . Bat be saw a something is the distance , a bright « loud of promise , whence be augured results of » character to glad the heart . He saw evidences in the appearances of the times , that this moving of the spirit upon the waters waa the prelude of a new creation * in which all things should be politically good . ( Hear , hear . ) The people were now in power ; the < Joverment was de facto in their hands ; for be was satisfied that if they bestirred themselves rightly , every measure to
be carried in the House must be first carried out of it He had stated more tbaa . once or ten times , that three parties were incompatible with the state ; and now , th * rA Qod there were but two parties . The Whigs , as % party , were annihilated ; they were politically dead ; and their gave was dog deep in public execration . iLoud cheers . } The Whigs had ruled us ten years ; eoerdon for Ireland , and starvation far England ,-had been their ruling principles . They were now defunct Would the Tories be permitted to rule on like prind-Cples ? Would Sir Robert Peel rule Ireland by the sword ? Would he make the almost wholly Catholic population bow its neck to the impious domination of the bloated law church ? He might try , but should be "be iosaae enough te do so , be would surely find that from the seat
the people who Yt *^ ousted one faction of power , would hurt thence their successors with lea trouble and as little compunction . ( Cheers ) Peel had been tried in Ireland ; he began his career there . Ireland was now threatened with a revival of the power of the Orange faction . Should be stare it , _ the people of Eaglaad would take up the gsnatlet ; they would teach Tw »> iTnen that they belie England , who represent her sons as being nationally averse to Ireland ' s rights ; that they were looking forward to the establishment of those principles of universal justice which reeogniseed their rights and grievances as fully as their own . ( Cheers . ) He . had promised Sir Robert Peel , at the first meeting which he attended after his release from prison , that whenever the sword should be drawn in
Ireland the scabbard should be thrown airsy . in England : he now reiterated that pledge . . . ( Loud and long continned cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor then spoke of the slanderous imputations of physical violence so lavishly bestowed upon the Chartists by the factions ; they were called " torch and dagger" men ; their object was avowed to be to equalise property by plunder . Thousands of times had these ealumnies been disavowed , and yet with simple impudence had they been repeated . *""» was indeed a pretty charge to come from these who had robbed the people of the whole country . ( Great cheering . ) It reminded him of a saying of Mr . O'ConneU ' s upon ore occasion In answer to a libel charge made by one of the Beresford's , he said , " What , theBeresfords accuse us of a ymh to plunder ?
The Beresfords , who have robbed Ireland of mountains ef land ! " ( Hear , hear , and great cheering . ) They did not want to steal the land ; they merely wanted to enjoy its fruits , the fruits of their own labour , paying a reasonable compensation to those who with whatever justice , were legally acknowledged its proprietors . They wanted legislative representation , by which . they might be enabled not to rob others , but to protect themselves against robbery . ( Great cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor went on at great length to castigate both factions , and to demonstrate the actual dependance of all the so-called higher ranks cf society upen the -wortm g people for subsistance . He descanted on the anomalous provisions of the law , and the shameful dispirit ? of its operation with regard to rich and poor ; and insisted npon
the right oi a unvver&sl participation in the legislative power , as the only safe , certain , and permanent remedy for all the political evils of the state . ( Hear . ) We must be no longer tampered with ; the rule of justice must be the rule of Government ; the -working classes must be Tendered happy . If there were one hundred classes , and , if by Universal Suffrage being enacted , all power fell into the hands of the working classes , I ¦ would not complain , for the working classes would have an interest in supporting all the other classes , if useful ; thus the-working maa wonld not deprive his employer of the mans of empleying him ; rather would he support hie employer ; as it now was , tie great boay was at the mercy of all the little knots . After repudiating physical force , and givin ? -his
definition ef the difference of moral and physical force , Mr . O'Connor referred to the challenge of Mr . Hetheringtoa . I hops , said i ! r . O'Connor , that any gentleman , who may attend at tha discussion , will give 3 patient hearing , and offer no interruption . Singie handed I will meet them , aad try if any differences ¦ which may exist cannot be amicably arranged . ( Hear , and cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor thta referred to an expression ustA by Sir . Attwood , relative to his ; Jlr . A . ' s ) not bsing ready to concede to Ireland her rights , and which Mr . Lovett promptly met ; and concluded by declaring that though he bad every comfort and protection , ha -would not be satisfied till the people were comfortable an "; protected . He found that be was again able to battle in their cause , and he hoped he was destined for many services in the cause . > Cheers > Mr . O'Connor retired amid the applause of all present , and tbe meeting shortly after separated .
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" " "LI I II I . ¦ " " ¦ ^^^^^""^^ - * - - - - SHEFFIELD . ( From ovr oven Correspondent . ) Dr . MTJouail , —This eloquent vindicator of the xigais of the oppressed masses delivered his second lectors in the Town Hall , on "Wednesday evening , September 15 th . Mr . GUI presided , as on the previous evening . Tfle Hall was again , densely crowded by an attentive and enthusiastic audience . The lecturer commenced by congratulating the meeting on the downfall of the perfidious Whigs ; at tbe same time , he could not rejoice in the triumph of their opponents , the Tories , a faction whom in . heart -and soul he detested . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then adverted to , and commented upon , tbe several panaceas pat forth by the WhigB and sham-Radicals , first taking Household Suffrage , shewing that , under auch Brsi&m . a masa of intelligence and worth n oold be
excluded from the franchise , scarcely inferior to that exelnded by-the present system . Police returns from die town of -Liverpool shewed that there was 17 , 000 persons residing in cellars , aud living by " disreputable means . " The same returns shewed that there was 45 , 000 dodgers , and 20 , 00 a clerks and shopmen living in , and around the town , of liverpool . Sow , under a system of Household Suffrage , the 17 , 000 vicious members of society inh . al > Inug the cellars would be enfranchised , while tbe 45 , 000 lodger * and , , 20 , 000 olerks and shopmen would be xck&ed fraai the right of suffrage . How preposterous . would this be . ( Cheers . ; Yet thl 3 was fpavelywropbted by eertain parties who would not support Universal Suffrage , because , forsooth , oi ( he ignorance and immorality of a great portion of the waiting flast- What fcumbagj ( Cheers . ) Let tism torsi * . * suffrage extended to every mac , and
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then while right was established , no evil wonld result for the honest and intelligent ; the 45 , 000 lodgers and 20 , 000 shopmen would effectually swamp the corrupt 17 , 000 living by disreputable means . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then entered at great length into the subject of Corn Law repeal , combatting the arguments , and shewing up the f&U&cies of the cheap bread" gentry in masterly style . In the oourse of his remarks , he shewed that oar foreign trade , in many parts , was lost , not through the operation of the Corn Laws , bat throagh the villanous competition of the manufacturers with each other . Before the introduction of machinery , and when our cotton goods were made wholly by the hand-loom weavers , the fabrics were substantial ,
and English goods , before all others , were sought by all the nations of the earth ; but was this the case now ? No , the milloflrats must make fortunes in a day , no matter by what dishonest means ; goods were made rapidly , aud of any rubbish they could impose on the buyer . This had disgusted the cheated foreigner , and he was now manufacturing for himself . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then showed what would be the effect upon the currency by Corn Law Repeal , and adduced some striking arguments utterly subversive of the theory of the " big loafers . " The Doctor conoluded an hour and a half 8 address , by a fervent and eloquent appeal to his hearers to agitate for nothing less than the Charter—the whole hog , bristles and all—and Bat down amidst the most
tremendous cheering . —Mr . Harney said that , after the able and eloquent lectures of Dr . M'Douall , there certainly could not be two opinions as to the right of the working man to tbe franchise , and the necessity of making the Charter the l&w of the land . ( Cheers ) The question was , how was the Charter to b 9 gotten !—( near)—His answer was , by union . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Harney eulogised the public character of Dr . M'Douall , and called upon tbe people to give their support to the Republican Journal . He concluded By moving the following resolution : — That this meeting , after hearing the talented discourses of Dr . M'Douall , being more than ever convinced of the necessity of exerting their every energy to obtain the glorious Charter of their rights , do pledge
themselves to join the ranks of tbe National Charter Association ; and further , assure the Executive Council of their undivided support . Lastly , this meeting give to Dr . M'Douall their hearty thanks for his services in the cause of democracy , and for his eloquent advocacy of the rights of the millions upon the occasion of his present visit to Sheffield . " Sir . M'Kettrick seconded the resolution . The Chairman took the sense of the meeting , when it waa carried . Thinks being voted to the Chairman , and three cheers given for Dr . M'Douall , three for Feargua O'Connor , three for the Welsh Victims , three for O'Brien and all the patriots , and three for the Charter and no surrender , the meeting dissolve d ^
Delegate Mketisg . —A meeting of delegates from places m the neighbourhood of Sheffield , took place on Sunday last , in the Association-room , Fig-Tree-lane . The attendance was not bo numerous as could have been wished ; still as the beginning of a good and necessary work , the meeting was of some importance . The following were the delegat es present : —Sheffield , Messrs , Harrison , Buxton , and Frost ; Rotherham , Messrs . R&msden and Russell ; Doneaster , Mr . Coulson ; Eeelesfield and neighbouring villages , Messrs . Lunn , Nicholson , Boothroyd , and John Nicholson ; Walkley , Mr . Foster . Mr . Harrison was called to the chair ; Mr . M'Kettriek of the Sheffield association was appointed secretary .
An interesting conversation took place relative to the strength of the association in Sheffield , Rotherham , Doneaster , &o . It was arranged that meetings to extend the association should be forthwith held in the villages of Ecclesfield , and Walkley . On the motion of Mr . Ramsden , seconded by Mr . Buxten , the following resolution was adopted . "That the delegates present do recommend to their constituents , the propriety of making Sheffield the centre for all places within twenty miles of its bounds ; and that the several sub-secretaries do correspond with the Sheffield sub-secretary once in every fortnight , reporting the progress of the cause in their respective localities . "
The Northern Star Saturday, September 25, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 25 , 1841 .
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ATTEMPTED RESUSCITATION OF THE "NEW MOVE . " It is said that there are some kinds of poisonous reptiles which acquire strength by irritation ; and as we apprehend that the " new move" partakes largely of this character , we have regretted , and do still regret , the—to our thinking—ill-judged and unnecessary attack which has recently been made upon
it . It has merel y inspired its dead and almost putrid carcase with tn artificial show of life , while it has enabled it 3 persevering concoctors to throw a little oil upon such embers of dissatisfaction , animosity , or personal disunion , as might jet retain anything of warmth ; and has resulted , as we expected it would , in the issuing of another manifesto from the would-be apostles of disunion and strife .
This document is something of a curiosity in its way . It is valuable inasmuch as it developes tbe character of the party from whom it emanates , beyond the possibility of mistake or contradiction . As it is probably the last" move" of these "knights " upon the ChartiBt chess board , we have thought proper to bestow upon it Borne little attention , and , in accordance with our usual custom , to afford no one a pretext on which to eharge ns with garbling or dishonest quoting , we give the whole thing in another part of our paper , in the nakedness of its own deformity , just as it was sent to us by the subscribers . Our readers will find it under a like head to that which stands at the top of this article .
We have said that this document betokens the character of its concoctors , and in truth we feel now compelled to acknowledge the superior penetration of the people , who , as with one voice , denounced the " new move" men for treachery , while we lamented only the aberration of their judgment and their puerility of mind . This document , however , at its very outBet , carries on its front an evidence of such craft and subtlety as belongs not to the honest prosecution of democratic objects . It purports to emanate from " a meeiing of the members of the National Association f and we doubt not that this
heading ia intended to lead people to suppose—and when read in the Whig papers , which will gladly favonr the trick , it may lead some to suppose—that the National Charter Association is here meant . This may serve one of two purposes , alike necessary and desirable to the " new move" men ; nay , by some chance it might happen to effect both . It might induce the supposition that the National Charter Association had repudiated the Nor / hern Star , and had adopted or assented to all the abnse thereof contained in this address ; or it might induce the supposition that the National Charter Association was an illegal
society ; subsisting in branches and acting in sectional parts ; as the subscribers to this document state that they " remain , on behalf of the members of the National Association residing in London . " Indeed , -we have some reason to believe , from the very suspicious cirenmst&nces attendant npon the darkling intimation about " liability to apprehension , " given to some active and useful London Chartists ( see our County Council report ) , that the next " move" contemplated by these precious " new move" gentry , is the hounding on of the Government to seek some pretext for
prosecuting that really " National" Association which they ( the " new move" men ) have laboured so hard and so impotently to destroy . If this be their object we tell them they will fail . The members of the " National" Charter Association are too well aware of their own position . They know the law , and though they hold it to be an arbitrary and an unjust law , which prohibits Political Associations of a national character from holding local and sectional meetings , they are still prepared to avoid
its danger . They do not talk of the members of the " National" Association meeting in a tavern ; they meet in their respective localities , not as members of the National Charter Association , but as Chartists , each in his individual capacity . The National Charter Association has bo meetitgs ; it exists onij in its principles , in its enrolment of members , in its officers , and in the public acts of its Council ; while its objects and purposes , being perfectly legal , are proseented by its members individually and in their personal capacity .
. We like to convert evil into the means of good , where practicable ; asd hence , therefore ; we take this opportunity of again impressing this legal provi " sion , which we have before noticed , upon the minds of all tha members ,-and especially of the Councillors and reb-Secretaries of the National Charter Asso-
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oiation . A ChartiBt meeting might be holden , or a trades meeting might be holden , and all the persons attending it might happen to be members of the Methodist Society , and yet it wonld not therefore be ft Methodist meeting , nor , ia legal phrase , a meeting of the Methodist Society . It would be a meeting of Chartists , or of " the trade , " as the ease might be . Just so ; the meetings in the respective localities through the country , though they may be attended principally , or even -wholly , by perrons who are members of the National Charter Association , are not therefore "meetings of the National Charter Association ; '' they are meetings of Chartiste , and as Chartists the several individuals composing them
are perfectly competent to tbe discussion of all matters which may affect their interests or that of the cause to whioh they are devoted . We hope this will never be lost sight of by the parties who report these meetings for the Star , or who take » prominent part in them . We have no doubt that " friends" are plentiful , and we are exceedingly desirous that not the slightest pretext should be afforded to the enemy by the people themselves . This is our reason for the digression into which wo have thus been led by the announcement of Messrs . Hetb&rikgtoh and Lovett , that a meeting of the membersof the" National Association" was held atthe Globe Tavern , Shoe-lane , Fleet-street , on Tuesday week .
Our readers , of course , know that this 'National Association" is not the National Charter Association ; it is the " New Move" Association of Messrs . Hethkbington and Loyett ; and the fact that a meeting of its members—( the members , mind —not the council , or committee , or officers , but the whole society—the members of the National Assooition)—was holden at a Tavern in Shoe-lane , may help them to some idea of the very flourishing and numereusbody whioh these New Move" Nationals" command .
The meeting was holden at the Globe Tavern ; whether in the club room or the Bar-Snug , deponent sayeth not ; the address is signed Henry Hkthkbingtok and William LevaiT , and these gentlemen do not condescend to tell us whether any other persons were present at this meeting of the " National" Association or not . They do tell ns , however , that the address was unanimously adopted ; from which circumstance we take leave to suspect that they most probably had the whole thing to themselves . B « that , however , as it may , here is the address of Messrs . Hethebinoton and Lovett
in the capacity of " Nationals . " And a very pretty address it is ! In the early portion thereof , after modestly claiming credit for " having been mainly iustiumental in embodying in the People ' s Charter those political principles whioh , for a great number of years , were cherished by all true "Reformers , " they tell us , we think very justly : — " That the past oonduct of a number of those who professed to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter , was wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the cooperation of the wise and the confidence of the good . "
We perfectly agree with this sentiment , and bo we fancy will all who remember that Henbt Hsthebihcton and Wit . Lorsrx hare " professed to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter , " and who look at the " past conduct" of these gentlemen , illustrated as it is by their present conduct in reference to this same " new move" transaction . Wo are also disposed to believe with them , ' * that the falsehood , exaggeration , and violence of those who were active to scheme , but too cowardly to act , has led to the sacrifice and incarceration of hundreds of
victims , by which means our cause has been retarded and defamed . " We have less fear for the future , and , therefore , lose something of our regret for the past in this respect . The people are now too " wide awake" to Buffer harm from the "falsehood , exaggeration , and violence" of such men as Hemy Hkthebington and Wk . Lovett ; and our cause now stands npon too firm a basis , and is beginning to be too well understood , both by the operative and the "higher" classes , to be in danger of any injury from such causes .
After this very moqgst , just , and veritable denunciation of all persons prominent as Chartists , save themselves ; after thus , covertly , and by insinuation ascribing falsehood , exaggeration , violence aad cowardice to all who are not ready to bow to their cap , Messrs . Hktherington and Lovett proceed to intimate that " accordingly "—that is , because all who had not acknowledged their leadership were " wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the cooperation of the wise and the confidence of the good , "—they , " about five months ago , put forth a proposal for forming a national association . "
Respecting which proposal they say , after enumerating the objects of their association—to create and extend an enlightened publio opinion in favour of the People ' s Charter , among persons of all creeds , classes , and opinions , by the means of missionaries , lecturers , circulating libraries , tracts , &c ; to build public halls in which for the people to hold their meetings , instead of in public-houses ; to establish schools for the benefit of our infant population ; and to impress on our brethren tbe necessity of devoting to those ennobling purposes those means which had been previously wasted ia friyoloaa efforts and childlike displays : —
" This proposal , while it was warmly greeted by the press , and received the commendations of a great number of intelligent minds among all parties , was met with falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , by the most prominent organ ef Chartism , the Northern Star . Its proprietor and editor jointly denounced it as a production of Messrs . O'Connell , Hume , and Roebncfe—as a plan intended to destroy Feargua O'Connor ' s political supremacy , and subvert one which he bad previously concocted . Education Was ridiculed ,
KNOWLEDGE was sneered at , facts were perverted , truth suppressed , and the lowest passions and prejudices of the multitude were appealed to , to obtain a clamourous verdict against nB . We were denounced by them and their hired partisans as « thieves / ' liars , ' and traitors ' to the cacse of Chartism , as persons who , if a ? guillotine ' existed in England , would be it » just victims . Nay a sermon ! has been preached by one of those professors of freedom to show the necessity for privately ' assassinating ' us .
" As far as we have been able to obtain insertion for a vindication of our conduct , through the channel by which we have been calumniated , we have called , but called in vain , for proofs of tbeir base assertions . As far as they have dated to reply to ns , they have proclaimed themselves false , intolerant , and reckless in the eyes of every reflecting man . " This is pretty well for the meek victims of " falsehood , exaggeration , and violence" ! It would really seem as if the authors of this document had set themselves to verify their own statement , that " a number of those who professed to subscribe to the
just principles of the Charter , was wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the co-operation of the wise and the confidence of the good . " We need but point the attention of those who habitually read the Northern Star , and who read it through all the discussion eonsequ « nt upon the firet introduction of this new and secret move called the " National " Association , and demand fearlessly whether falsehood , exaggeration , intolerance , bitter rancour , and want of integrity , honesty , and justice , were ever more fally exemplified than in these two paragraphs ! They are really so perfect a tissue of all these enviable distinctions that
it is difficult to conceive how they could have been written by anybody , much less any one " professing to subscribe to the fast principles of the Charter . " We 6 hall perhaps best answer them by recapitulating , briefly , the reasons on which we have , from the first , grounded our opposition to this new ' National " Association ; and which we still maintain , ought to induce the people to discountenance it . These reasons we have given again and again . Our readers will remember them and will form their own estimate of the charges of "falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , " brought against us b y these meek and dove-like " new move" " subscribers to the just principles of the Charter . "
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those reasons were—in short—that the Move " altogether was onaocordant with " the just principles of the Charter" which it professed to advocate . The proposal" teas to establish » "National " Association ; and they went about the establishing of it by sending their" proposal" throagh the Post * office , to such persons as they thenght fit , enclosed in a letter , of which the following is a copy : — « London , 118 , Tottenham-court Road , 'March 1841 .
Dbas Sir , —The following address is intended to be submitted to all the leading Chartists throughout the kingdom that we can have access to , in order to obtain their signatures , when it will be printed and published as their joint address ; previous to which it wiU be considered a breach of honour for ahy individual to cause its publication . It is ^ also INTENDED THAT THB PERSONS SIGNING IT SHAU . FOBM
a Provisional Board of Managbmkkt * oa six ob Tweltb Months , taa may be advisable , ) to aid i *» forming the Association by the sale of cards , or otherwise , after whioh the Board of Management is to be elected by the Members according to the rules and regulations . By returning this to Mr . Lovett , 113 , Tottenham-court Road , signed or otherwise , by return of Post , you will oblige , yours respectfully . " Ac .
Now , if there had been no national organisation at all in existence at this period , we should have denounced this as a most inconsistent and unwarrantable mode of seeking to establish one . Penona professing to advocate the Charter cannot consistantly do otherwise than act npon its principles ; but there is in this proceeding a flagrant disregard of those principles . Here is the attempted establishment of a * National" Association without any appeal to the nation . A few individuals take upon
themselves to act for the nation . The very spirit and essence of Toryism I Had there been no National Society at that time in existence , and had these parties , instead of creeping thus stealthily and secretly about it , laid their plans at once before the people for acceptance or rejection , we should have commended them as zealous and consistent patriots . But , instead of that , Messrs . Lovett and Co . send their proposals to such parties as they thiak likely to act with them , to be returned by return of post ;
THE PARTIES SIGNING IX TO FOBM THE PROVISIONAL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT FOR SIX OB TWELVE MONTHS 1 So that this " National" Board of Management was to be , to all intents and purposes , self-elected ; the proposals hinting at the same time that this selfelected Board of Management was to have the fingering and appropriation of two hundred and fifty-six thousand bix hundred pounds of the people ' s money ! Now , we tell Messrs . " New Move Nationals" that there is no self-elected body in existence to whom the people ought to entrust the unrestricted management of so Berious a sum . Nay ,
further , we tell them that it is utterly inconsistent with "the just principles ef the People ' s Charter , " for any self-elected body to exercise controul either over the funds or the movements of the people . Why , do the people find fault with the constitution of the House of Commons ! Because it assumes the controul and expenditure of the national funds , while it is not elected by the nation . Why were the old Tory Municipal Corporations so deservedly unpopular 1 For the very same reason ; because they were for the most part self-elected , and yet claimed and
exercised controul over the people ' s money . And , are we to be subjected to the abuse and * violence" of Mr . Hetherinqton and Mr . Lovett , beoause we protest against the establishment of Chartist Associations on the very same principles , and by the very same means , of pure and unmitigated despotism , whioh the Charter is intended to subvert 1 If this be the ** intolerance" of whioh Messrs . Hbthebinotnn and Lovett complain , we can promise them no abatement of that intolerance . We shall ever protest against the principle of assumed power , and / or that of Belf-government .
We now deliberately reiterate a portion of our " falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour" of the 17 th of April last : — There are some very curious facts connected with this document . It denounces idolatry , while it assumes leadership . It claims co-operation , while it respectfully resolves that , with or without it , it will use , every ' possible effort' for the attainment of its object . "Let us just ask a question or two . If the names attached to the document had a right to expect so much publio confidence , why keep the
project secret , except from the * Leading Chartists' ! Apropos , we imagined that one of the great objections to modern agitation was Leadership . Why assume leadership ! Why not call a meeting in London , on the spot , and where the pretensions of the six gentlemen were best known , and where , if acknowledged by a public meeting , the thing would bavo had the stamp of publio confidence and the sanction of public approval , not only of the 'Leading Chartists' but of the body of Chartists ?
Why have a self-eleoted Board of Management ! because we find the following most astounding admission : { It is also intended that the persons signing it shall form a Provisional Board of Management for six or twelve months . ' Is this Universal Suffrage ! Is this the free choice of officers \ Ib this Election by Ballot ! Is this vigilant popular controul 1 Here we have six gontlemen
actually nominating a National Board , writing to and inviting whom they please as members of that Board . Monstrous ! most monstrous . ' ! and asking them to keep the project a complete seoret from the people , until the infernal machine shall be sufficiently loaded to be discharged , ( also we suppose in the dark , ) when the country would be told , ' ! you are too late , the deed is done ; why did not you object in time ?'
" Here we have a whole nation surrounded in the dark by half a dozon gentlemen , and handed over , neck and heels , to the tender mercies of a Provisional Government of their appointment 1 But they are all for Universal Suffrage , and , as a matter of course , they have actad upon that principle , and only elected , those whom they knew would be acceptable . In faith , it is marvellous lucky for poor O'Connor that he did not even recommend to such an appointment , or offer funds to a missionary , or he would be called a ' despot , ' and would cease to be an 'IDOL '"
Supposing , then , that the plan of these parties had been the beat plan in the world , their mode of seeking to establish their " national" society was not one which honest Chartista could either approve or support . Of this they evince a perfect consciousness in their earnest deprecation of the publication of their sohemo before they had become sufficiently strong by the adhesion of " leading Chartists" to cram it down the people ' s throats ' . — "Previous to which it will be considered a breach of honour for any individual to cause Us publication" ! Why this fear of premature publication ? It is not
characteristic of Chartism . Chartism , " strong in the conscious rectitude £ its principles" ever seeks the light , aad courts publio ifcy . But Messrs . Lovett Hethebington , and Co ., knowing how the people had heretofore been " led" by . their simple confidence in men whom they believed to be talented and honest , calculated on the force of this habit being sufficient to induce an overlooking of the iniquitous principle upon which they sought to constitute their society , if they could but introduce the thing with an imposing array of leading Chartists . " Hence their dread of premature publication , and their " breach of honour" denunciation . Again , mark the cautious
haste . The "leading Chartista" whom they did consult were allowed very little time for thought about the matter . The address must , be returned , signed or unsigned , by next post . Nothing can show more clearly than doea this wily manrouvre , the consciousness of the "New Move" leaders that reflection would necessarily show to the honest men with whom they corresponded , the impropriety and inconsistency of the whole proceeding . Some who were thus caught complained afterward of the trick put on them . They had been accustomed to pot implicit faith in Hethrrington and Lovett , and therefora they flicaed with but slight examination of the
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general features of the plan . Wo repeat * that almost every expression in the Bhort but most wily letter with which the" New Move " men infcrodnced their " proposals , " contains evidence of their perfect consciousness that the proceeding was at utter Taxi , ance with all their own professed prino / pJeff . And yet these are the men who , in the address which we now print from them , coolly speak of themselves thus : —
" Holding the principles of democracy , we will yield to no man ' s dictation : -we believe that both England and Inland hare been cursed by man-worship , to the sacrifice and delay of that freedom we are now contending for ; and because we have dared to honestly assert oar opinions * we have incurred tbe highest displeasure of all those whose vanity expects the homage of a crowd , peculiar patronage , and exclusive power . But waning against such nelflsh folly and mischievous authority , whether displayed in the courtly aristocrat ox the social oppressor , we shall ever exert our humble powers to prevent individual or social despotism from being introduced !'
We have written thus far on the assumption , that there waa not then any national concentration of the peopl e ' s energies for the attainment of the Charter . But , to demonstrate still more fully the character of this " new move , " we mast here repeat another portion of our " falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour" from the Star of the 10 th of April , the first article we wrote upon the subject : — " There is already a National Association in existence , embracing all THE OBJECTS OF THB PROPOSED SCHEME . This ASSOciation , if legally constituted and honestly conducted , supersedes the necessity for another ; if not , it is requisite that its illegality , or its corruption , or the incapability of the means it proposes to attain the end
sought , should be demonstrated ; that the necessity for another and more effeotive association may be shown . But the subscribers to this document , do not affect to find fault with the association now in existence ; on the contrary , they say that they have * no disposition to oppose' it . This admission at once cuts the throat of the ' new movement f for these parties must know that it is impossible to organise another ' National Association' without crippling the energies of that which is already in existence . In fact , none know better than those at the head of this ' new move , ' that its effect , if successful , must be so to divide the forces of the advocates of right as to neutralise and destroy the operation of their power . * * * *
" And the crowning reason of all is , that the attempt to establish it would necessarily fail , while it would as necessarily jeopardise the whole strength and vigour of the movement , by dividing our forces , and frittering away our strength . Let the people stick to the National Charter Association of Great Britain—let them strengthen the present Executive —let the classes be regularly visited , and the funds collected and placed at the disposal of their own accredited and chosen officers : let a oneness of feeling and purpose be manifested by all , and oar success is certain . Let ns suffer ourselves to be thus split , and chopped , and divided , and our defeat is certain . "
In these artides , and in various others written about that time , we thus gave our reasons for opposing this movement . We shewed that the new plan contains no advantages which are not already provided by the old one ; that every one of the objects proposed to be attained by this new organisatiea under the management of a self-elected Board of Management is equally easy of attainment by the really National Organisation now existing , under the Management of a General Council and Executive Committee , elected by the people . We Bhewed that two National Societies cannot subsist without destroying the energies of each other , and that no good or sufficient reason has been
shewn why the already existing National Organisation should be given up to gratify the taste for " Man Worship" and personal distinction of Messrs . Lovett , Hethbkington , and Co . ; and when these gentlemen find themselves called on for an answer to our reasonings upon tbe subject , they cry ont that their proposal , " while it was warmly greeted by the [ WhigJ press , was met with falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , by the most prominent organ of Chartism , the Northern Star ' ; and unblushingly assert that in the Northern Star " education was ridiculed , knowledge was sneered at , facts were perverted , truth suppressed , and the lowest passions and prejudices of the multitude were appealed to . "
To this womanish abuse it is unnecessary for us to reply . The writers know it to be false , the world knows it to be malicious , and we feel it to be powerless for harm . Those who hare read the Star will estimate it rightly . These men prate of facts being perverted ; while they impudently attribute to as the indignant expressions of the people , in their resolutions adopted at public meetings ; ascribing to ns the words " thieves , " ?• liars , " traitors , " and various other epithets applied to them by parties over whom we had no controul , nor any other influence , than simply that whioh ia equally open to Messrs . Hetherington and Loyktt—the influence of truthful reasoning !
These men prate of facts being perverted ; while they ascribe to the sermon of Mr . Watkins a meaning which no honest man can find in it , and at the same time speak of that sermon , and of some expressions used in it , in such connection with the Editor of the Northern Star , as amounts to a positive assertion that we have held out threats of assassination against them 1 ! These men prate of " falsehood , " and of the " perversion of facts" ; while they speak of the reception of their " new move" by the country in such a manner as to imply that every one who disapproves of it is a " hired partisan" of ours 1 !!
These gentlemen prate of " falsehood ; " while they . assert that we have denounced their " new move "" As a plan intended to destroy Feargus O'Connor ' s political supremacy , and subvert one which he had previously concocted . " Why do they not show where and how we contend for any political supremacy for Feargps O'Connor ! Simply , because they know that the only supremacy which we have ever asseited for Feargus O'Connor , is one which he would be most happy to share with them—a supre macy of hard labour—of peouuiary sacrifice , and of consistency of principle and conduct .
These men prate of " falsehood , " while they asgert that they " have called , but called in vain , for proofs of our assertions" ! These men speak of those who have opposed their scheme in the following terms : — •' Their vanity has inflamed tbeir intellect , their prejudices have darkened their understanding , and toleration and charitable feeling have been blotted from their minds . Believing themselves supremely wise , they spurn with Gothic ferocity all knowledge , truth , or justice ; and judging from their actions , they seeem to think that liberty can only be realised by violence and proscription . " And yet they prate of intolerance and rancour ! 11 These men ask : —
"Whether the best means of obtaining the Charter , and the placing of our liberties On the securest foundation , do not form proper and legitimate questions of inquiry for every man in the United Kingdom !" While at the same time they apply language such as that we have just quoted , to those who dissent from their opinions , and meet the arguments of their opponents with the cry of "intolerance , " " bitter rancour , "— " violence" — " proscription "— " cunning * sohemers "— " wily politicians "—and "the political supremacy of Feargus O'Connor" !!
These men talk of the " suppression- of truth , " and yet cry out that the Editor and Proprietor of the Northern Star have jointly denounced their pot move as a bantling of Messrs . Hume , Roebuck , O'Connell and Co . ; cry put thaf they have called and called in vain for proofs ; and yet " suppress the truth" that , in Mr . O'Coraoa ' s letter to Mr Hethbbingtom , published in the Star of the 34 th of April last , proofs of \ itaB were given to the following tune : —
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"Now , I pray yon attend to the summing up ef the evidence : —Before Christmas I inform the Editor of the Star of a certain ' move' which is to be made . In Januarys great Household Suffrage meeting is con . , vened at Leeds . Mr . Collins is invited , and refuses to attend . Mr . Trancis Place subsequently writes « letter to Mr . Collins , advising him to attend , for th » purpose of forming a union between the two classes Mr . Collins and Mr . O'Neil attend , and endeavour to have all the resolutions , and the address to the Queen proposed by the Committee of the working meat meeting , set aside . They coquette with the enemy . They denounce the Committee . They are to be found running like pet rabbits in and ont of the Times-office
the organ of the Association . " On Thursday , Collins , attends a meeting of the people at which resolutions denouncing Ministers are passed . On Friday , he dines with Mr . O'Connell , and the Association , at a 7 a . 6 d . dinner , and drinks the health of those Ministers , and backs the objects by a speech , which is published in the Leeds T imes * and when attention is pointed to one of the declarations at thai dinner , it is attempted to be qualified by Collins " Collins , in reply , asks ua ( in the very terms of your own observation , ) to point out the difference between Household Suffrage , as he pleases to define it , and Charter Suffrage . Upon the day after the dinner at Leeds , a . meeting takes Dlaoe in the Hn .
tunda , where Messrs . Home , O'Connell , and Roebuck Relive ? themselves as follows : — ; " Mr . Hume sttbmitied a definition of what he considered Household Suffrage ought to be , which was to betaken into consideration by the association . H » slated that the leading men of the working classes generally concurred in . the definition , and had pro raised to give their assistance , were an agitation f $ such a Household Suffrage to be set on foot . " Mr . O'Connell cordially concurred in the sugges tions of Mr . Hume . He considered it as of the first
importance that the reasonable portion of the Chartists should be got over to the aid of the rational Reformers . He urged the necessity of some central body being established in London , far the diffusion of knowledge upon political subjects . The public mind should be saturated with facts bearing on the present gross defects in the representation of ih % 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 Leeds Association . ' *
" New , Sir , here we have Mr . Hume stating : — ' That the leading men of the working classes gene rally concurred in bis definition of Household Suffrage , and bad promised it their support . ' "Mr . Roebuck saidthat : — - 'An Association was being formed in London , for the purpose , and would , he trusted , be very speedily set ia operation . ' "After this , Sir , your battle must be with Mr . Hume and Mr . Roebuck , and not with me . Hn says the leaders have concurred , while yon and your friends are the only leaders who appear to have had anything to do with the subject ; so that I call upon you to contradict Mr . Hume flatly , or call upou him
to say who were the parties , if you and your friends were not . Subsequently to this came the negotia tions—aye , suba » quently 1 and negociations : —fot there were two I Previously to the first Vincent was in prison , and he attended at the second ; but the Leeds meeting not having succeeded according to Mr . Collins ' s instruction , the . thing was placed in abeyance for christening . " Thus ' , then , is it not clear that , in the beginning of January you were ia diplomatic confederacy with Messrs . Hume and Place ; that you were subsequently confederated in February ; that you sent out your address in March ; and now observe that Mr . O'Connell , before it was published ia any paper .
announced the very terms of your agreement with Mr . Hume , according to the precise terms of you own letter ; but not one word of this is mentioned in your circular . He says your object is to agitate for Household Suffrage and shorten the duratioa of Parliaments . . " Pray , Sir , keep the latter object in view , and connect it with your adhesion to Triennial Parliaments . Then , Sir , to this add the fact of Mr . Place being the author of a bugaboo document signed An Old Chartist , ' and extensively circulated among the' leading Chartista , ' to whom your circular was sent ; and bear in mind that it was circulated just ; before the Leeds meeting . The object of that
document was to scare all from any connection with the old and established move . Then , Sir , add the fact of Tillman , the Secretary of the National Association , receiving letters from Place , Lorett , Collins , Richardson , and others , ' plaguing his Ufa out , ' to uae his own terms , about the ' illegality . * Then add Mr . Collins' and Mr . O'Neil ' s absolute refusal to allow a delegate to be appointed to consult with their fellows in Manchester , upon the very subject upon whioh they professed to hinge their only objection . Then , Sir , add the fact , that on the 20 tk March , Mr . Roebuck did me the honour to call upon me , and that he then told me that an Association was
about being formed . I replied , that one was already formed . He answered 'Yea , but there are some apprehensions as to its legality . ' I rejoined , 'Of course no law will legalise a Chartist Association . ** Mr . Roebuck laughed , and said , ' It looks very like it ; ' and added , ' They have sent me the rules of their new Association for my opinion . ' Connect this with Mr . Collins' admission that he had applied to Mr . Roebuck for his opinion , and then say if any doubt remains as to the identity of the persona named by Mr . Hume and Mr . Roebnck si Leeds , and Mr . O'Connell in Dublin , and to an object agreed upon , but notset forth in your address . Who told Ms . O'Connell V
We opine that , after this , the " rectitude of principle'" of Messrs . Hethbbinoto . y and Lotbtx will bt more than doubted . ¦ ¦ We were willing , while a shadow of chance for their succeeding with the public remained , to exoaff them on the ground of an ill-matured and puerile thirst for leadership , which could not bear to see to * National " Board of Management" in other hands than their own . We adopted this view of the matter as the more charitable one , in preference to thai of considering them deliberate traitors to the caase . We find it difficult now to admit this supposition ; and certainly the document we this day publish from them much increases the difficulty . However , we have admitted this notice of their last effort for existence , just to shew " how hardly some people die . " We now leave them to repose quietly on the
bed of infamy and contempt whioh they have prepared for themselves ; and we advise the country and the men of Londda to do likewise . Let them fulminate their "National" edicts from the back room of the Globe Taveru , and amuse themselves with th « report of their pop guns fired throagh their own orga n , the apppropriately named " Odd" Fellow They need send no more to us ; for we do not purpose further to annoy ourselves or the country with Buch "Characteristics of the most ignorant and noisy portion of the Ch&Ttist body—persons who , without thought or judgment , are empty professors to-day , but worshippers at any other shrine tomorrow . "
We very cordially evince our good feeling for Messrs . Hethehingtow and Lovett , by adopting from their address the following words as an appropriate close for , this article ; and an answer at the same time to all their bluster about the "intolerance" of the Northern Star . — "We believe that the great bulk of our Chartist brethren is composed of men whose conviction in favour of the Charter haa sprung from observation , inquiry , and patient investigation regarding the causes of political isjustice and social misery . Men of this description may be deceived and quisled for a season by mystification and falsehood ; but their minds , bent on inquiry , and ever open to conviotion , will soon penetrate the flimsy veil which has been drawn over their understanding .
M men of this character we confidently appwi and we ask them whether the beat means of obtaining the Charter , and the placing of our liberties on the securest foundation , do not form proper and legitimate questions of inquiry for every man in the United Kingdom ! Or , is it that the solving of these questions forms the exclusive prerogative of soy particular individual or party among the people fthus practically exemplifying in conduct the despotio , principles which we seek to overthrow and bidding fair to render Chartism a by-word and derision . "
We only add to this that we have no fear . We knowthe people too well . They will not permit Chartism to become " a byeword and derision" to gratify a few " violent" spirits ; and therefore we shall , hear no more of " discussions on the New Move" or of any other notice being taken by the people or their friends- of the defunct ** wilypalitioians" or their cunning scheming . "
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" » " - » - »—•• • " v ^ S ^ pPVWWv ^ Ww ^/ yvMWW NEWCASTXje . —The Chartists' met on Friday evening . It was determined to send a delegate W welcome O'Brien from his ceU . Mr . Morgan , tU » county missionary , reported that he bad visit « « Hartley Pans , Seghill , Foreman ' s Row , ; BlTtf . Bedlington , Cramlington , at ail of whioh pi ** most excellent meetings were held , and where t « & banner of the Charter was unfurled .
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~ THE NORTHERN STAR .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 25, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1128/page/4/
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