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. ^ J ^ AgCASTEaEU . v ^/ CONGRATULATORY MEETING . ON THE LIBERATION OF JAMES BRONTERRE O'BRIEN , ESQ-, FROM TYRaNN IC WHIG LMPRISONilENr IN LANCASILIi CATTLE .
As Friday kst wss-the termination of Mr . Bronterre ' O'Briea ' 8 eighteen month ' s incarceration , tha friends of the rteopie " in Lancaster , and the admirers of a pa- ; toot " . '• - " . . ; " Who darea be totestin tfie "worst of times" \ resolved Hpoa , giving a public demonstration of the ] gr&iefol feeling titj eiittrt&ln towards bin for the nctle services wli-ch he has" rendered to the arase of fcanu&ity anltr ' eedci , as well as to testify to him how ' deeply their hearts sympathise "with him in the suffJr-1 iag < r ^ d wi Dngs -whi ch he h ^ s endured , ilr . Piilin ^ s ' splendid room -was eejaged for tie occasion , in which , prtTioTisly to the ' more important hasine&g of ths day bil ^ g ione into , abont a hundred of both sexes ef the ' ini ^ striocs classes partook of tea , &c . At half-. past scTcn o ' clock , ilr . O'Brien entered the moie , accompanied by a nuaibrr of friends , who , with hinds . Tfiliiag to labour for tbeir livelihood , have hearts dettrriined upon having these rights which the eonr . iiands
cf God , as well as the dictates of reason ,-alike tletlare »]} € m . When I found out this ' dodge , * as they say in ought never to have been wrested from their possession . ! Lancaster Castle—( laughter , —I workfcd a dodge ano-On Mr . O'Brisa' 3 stepping upon the platform ha was , ^ t way . I issued my rescript to the principal inhagrtrted with lord clapping cf hands , which lasted for a ' bidets , but there -was this difference between us—he cc-nsiderible time . _ ; meant his to the drones , I meant mine to the bees . Mr . J . T . Lund , of Lancaster , being unanimously ; ( Applause and laughter . ) The Attorney-General did esl ^ A to the chair , briefly opened the proceedings . j , not teU tbe Jury that the Government there had ad-He sail they had on that evening mtt to congratulate Tised tbe peopieto arm . But still , if , i eay , they have a gentleman , who w ^ s second to none in the ccus s of a ^^ um ^ a m ( m mugt teop bia anna ^ home ) husii 2 i : y , upon his liberation from a long and infamous ; ^ g ^ t ^ ea opposed to tyrants should he ever be iiaprlEoanieat . Ee hoped that those present , to-hat- ; threatengtt to be- invaded by them : for it is the duty ever p ^ rty in poiiurs they ffiigii belong , womd pay tnen o j eVery mxa to carry his x ^ ket out of his house attention to what might be said—that they would re- - ^ hen caUed upon , to drive bis enemies out of the £ cct upon what they heard ; and not be disposed to ; country . That is what I call sound constitutional docrecdve any thing vrLich might appear extraordinary- trine—• , a voice in the crowd , so do I);—and here am xlan ^ erous and wrong upon the mire ipss di «'{ cf those j j af ^ ., eighteen n ; ocths' imprisonment , for its ad-¦ w ho were enemies to the rights of the people . ' ; vocacy , r&ady to advocate the ssroe doctrine a ^ ain . 2 dz . JjJizs 2 I . nvSD . \ rose to move the first resoln-. , Louj claDpingof hands . j "But , O ' . " cries the Whig ten ; ha said he perfectly a y . iesc-ed in tLe sentiments . spyi .. ^ i / . O'Brien - B language-was suffi . cie . at to alarm r _ _ mr _^_ _ _ _ — __ — _ ___^ . ^ — — _ . __ _ — —
^^ ^ ^ ^ _ ^ embodied in it . ' ¦ < her Majesty ' s peaceable subjects . ( The tone of voice Mr . Johk PaxkisSOK seconded the resolubon , ; ^ Wh ; ch -peaceible' was pronounced produced roats of
trhlci was carried amidit tlie rcost enthusiastic acclamatioiis , and clapping of hsnds . " That , in the opinion of tLLs meeting , the practice of i = rsccuting men for their political principles is not oniV inconsistent with justice , but a manifestation of the * worst species of tyranny ; we , therefore , hail with delight the liberation of Mr . Brontene 0 Brien , from & cruel and unjust imprisonment of eighteen months ,, for advocating the rights of the poor and unrepresented part of the people of this country . " J . B . 0 'Bb . ieh , Esq ., then came forward , wlienthe diesring was long end loudly resumed . He » aid , my good friends of Lancaster , I am extrtmely sorry that Dpon this occasion I feel so physically weak as to be enable te d » you and myself that justice vrhich your
kindness to me entitles from me a : your haaas . I return you ray mest Eincere thauis for the honour you have paid to me ; and it delighta me to behold the sympathy Trtilth , thxocgh me , you have shown for the public cause . Tonr presence here to night fully con-Tiices me that political knowledge has penetrated the ¦ wcr Mng classes even ef Lancaster : and that the threats for yon to absent yourselves have been threwa away by your employers . " Applause .: It is a true gratification to ms to £ se so jfreat a body of honest men and women r&ady , in srate of them , to do this great act of public justice . I am not vaia ecoush to suppose that it is merely to do me all possible honour that you are here to-nieht- I cannot think so vainly of myself , and I will not think so meanly cf you . I fe- ; l that you are present
to-cifht to tell the Government that instead of having your support of their recent recreant conduct , they have jour tttqtalified undisguised , detestation of their eppres-Eive proceedings . ; Cheers . ; Many of you - may be ignoraat of the real circumstanses why myself and others bave aadexgoce imprisonment during the last two years . I will tell you ¦ what mine was for , and it will then 1 « far you to say if you ever heard of so atr ^ cioiis a piece of injustice before . I was incarcerated eighteen months on the felon ' s side of Lancaster Cbstle ; having hten accused of having made a good speech . ( Cries of Skame and laughter . ) In tho body cf the indictment ¦ were set forth sundry charges against es . But it was for nothing more than appearing before an assemblage oi my countrymen a « Manchester
by ixvilation , precisely in the same manner as I appear before y * u on the present occasion : so that if they ¦ were conspirators then , you are conspirators now ; and if I were a conspirator then , bo am I now ; for I am here again , as yen see , in precisely the same capacity as I was then : as that meeting , in its character , was literally and identically the same as your own . The Sentiments which I shall deliver to-night , are exactly those which I delivered then : for none shall escape from me this evening which are not in strict accordance ¦ with those for which I was iniprisos&d . < Cheers "» Prom the framinc of that indictment many have been taught to balieve " th = t I was trkd for Bomtthing like a Cato-strset plot—for something done in the dark—for some secret diabolical act , where the magistrates- could
not coaie to ta > s eogniimce of it . Aye , and if the Government of the eountry , aBd the magistrates of Lancashire could r ^ iin lay hold of ma to-morrow , upon the same fabricated r > resext of having made a speech in Lancaster tending to rouse you , its loyal inhabitants , to routs , r iots , tumults , insurrection , and rebellion against the peace of our Sovereign Lady the Qaeen , as the big-beaded lawyer said isuch being some of the ¦ srordsin the indictment , thty would most gladly do Ec- Seither do I doubt that they would have any diffisulty in Busing twtlve of fee shopocracy ready to find me ¦ guilty upon the testimony of a poor reporter ; who , Hpon the trial cosfessed to me , thaVhi \ ras only learning reporting . ( Laughter . ) Now it is a Tery curious thinz thtt it never occurred to this
bigbeaded lawyer , who has £ 2060 a year for prosecuting the people , that I have addressed upwards of two nillions of my countrymen , at meetings consisting of ¦ from 50 to 106 , 000 , without either rout , riot , tumult , insurrection , or rebellion against the peace of our Sovereign Lady the Qaecn . being produced amongst them , and without the least tendency to any such a thing likely to be . produced . To judge of a man ' s acts ought to be from the tendency which arises from them . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) If no breach of tbe peace did take place ; if every meeting was as quiet and peaceable as any that ever was held within four walla ; if those present sanctioned every sentiment which I uttered ; if I appeared there only at their own request ; is it not monstrous teat a crown lawyer , -living on the taxes wrung frqm the Deople without their consent , should make me a
conspirator up-n the evidence of a silly Whig reporter : belonging to a * silly Whig newspaper ? That this fellow , ; vrho wss a notorious Whig hack , should have been ' allowed to have given evidence against me : that of six thousand persons rendy to have coma forward to depose to what 1 uttered should go for nothing—that this con- , temptible fellow should point out a conspirator against the QuiEn , her crown and dignity , in diitit opposition to that wi : ch actually took piace ? If this is the re- ¦ ward for iLghiing the battles of your r : ghts ana libsrties } for so many months , is it to t > e wondered-at by your ; enemisa that you should feel for tcose who , on that i account , hsve been imprisoned fcr so mazy months , j { Ciseers . ) Let me tell you the character of my speeches , : evtn jiccording to the evidence of this Whig reporter , '< rather than reply to them to-night . Ths doctrine which i I hud down was i . j ; ' j i '
Thst every man 2 ns ^ s good a rjght as every other i run to the protection of the state in vrhich te lives , ; and of which he farms a psrt . \ That every member of a commu-iity called upon to J psy taxes to a state , becomes rightfully entitled tQ his , fihire cf equal protection from that stL :- ? . . , That every man , called upon to obey a law , has a ; right to have a voice in ir . akiEg that law . . That every man , who paid taxes to sapport a Government , should fcare a hhue in fanning that Government . Above sli—That if any cl ^ sr if csn oujhi to be excluded from privileges , it on ^ ht net to be the cizzi more useful than all the rest ( Vehement clapping cf bauds . ) Such are the doctrir . es which I advocated at 3 Ianchester , Such are the doctrir . es which I advocated at 3 Ianchester , j \ ; ! j i
lord fives nothiig as a quid pro qwj . H 9 d ^ cs uot giv ^ and such are the doctrines which I contend for here ; yci yiiur malt : the soldiers are nut cal . ed oat by fornot only is lea ciiss of the people the most u ? efi ; l .. hisa to defend ; cu , but oftener to tLoot ycu . tHear . ) but ten tiiiies the l ^ ost rtmi-rc-us . Then why should I As tha :. . 3-3 is limited in extent , * hs iar . dlorvi can that class ( the useful and EEinerous in ell countries : be mate . ; triiat rent he iikes ; he can give it ^ ut in allutprevented , by ths idle and few , from forming a portion a ^ . ato , taking frum the little faxmtw , Tiho : u Lc thus of th « Government which they labour to support , and dnres out of the country , to consolidate Eevrfjl i-iaali of aasistiag in framing ths ratuie of the li-m bj vhie ' e ; onso into one large one , acd s , niall farmers aie thus they are to be covenied ' : Lc-ud clapping of hsucs . ¦ sent into the towns to ceu . petu wiih yonr ] ab-. u :::= j , ¦ RTio is it , I ask , who buiids the bridges , cuts tii « manufacturers , and this iBcrease 3 the k . nuicrds gr ^ -a canab , kys the railway ? , forms the roads , raises : rental , for , as Vic conscjuaa of hU seudinj ihc s . ha ' A the bouses , p ! cnts the garden , rears the flower , sows ¦ fanners , and their seizjnts iuio ike toicus , in the loserths seed , reai > 3 the field , mins tfee navy , recruit ? the »>• # of u-wjes , he makes ma ; itifac : un-i cheaper ; and u ' itu amy , and fights the battles cf car country , but the' he g-. Uoul of thai cheapened product of your h-. bmr , an peop ' le the poor sensed , despised , degraded people . iMn ^ i to his income , by ohinutwy ihe su ; ,: c qua : J :. u oj Yet , for 3 Ivceiting their rights , the l * nsvs c : a T 5 * i . c ^ . ^ i for much less money , or a natch : j ; cucr qiuiUU $ reporter svrore thit I was aclvocaticg rcua , riots , -. for the same inojuy , than lc did forty yti >; $ ago . TLisu tnmuiti i ^ surrectic a and rebeHion , against the ptacv
of our sovcrign laUy the Qnoen , her Crotra aad di ^ ixitj —but Bctbirs c-f ifce kind was lik ^ y to cccur , any more + nim it is now . There is one thinq which has something estreuiely contemptible about ;; . It is tb 3 pretest cf which the ' Government availed themselves , in taeir prcecution of me . " l '» « w said that my speeches were seditious and violent—that I advised the people to arm ; but I was no party concerned in such advice , if w . y suck 'sras ever given to tLca by oUiera Bat as to arming—the Ecoundrel vrliu gave eviiance i = iisst me , forgot to tell the jury tka ; , for two . years
previous , the country bad become familiar wiia lt& notion of arming ; for Qastlei , S ^ phens , ind O'Cocnor , had stated thst to arm " was the people ' s coDPtir&tioaal right—that tie time bad come , when they would be called upon to protect life and property ; bat they sever advised them to arm U > desire . ! iifa and property , Thtj merely said " We are menaced by tyranny ; it is right , therefore , that every man in England should arm'in self defence j the law of Ergland entitles him to bare arms for that purpose ; and for ihai purpose the law of England compelled him to hive them , vrhen tbe Constitution \ ru much more pure ttian it is sow .
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James Bronterre O'Brien never did advise we people to arm . I wae much more aoxious to fill their mind 8 with political knowledge ; but I did sot tell them not to arm . In such matters 1 wesbut a silent spectator of what was advised by other of their leaders . Tout charge should have been brought agaUffltilord John Russell- For when he found that-Be was pe « ked at ' by the millioM—when ha foend the House of Commoas met \ nxh most indigmmt feelings by a bridge of tha pecple's petitiwis— -when--he found thai tha people Would net be put down by proclamations—( for proclamations are Eot law )—he commenced a system of persecution , he commenced a system of spying , and sending parsons into their houses in search of arms , which was certain to make them desperate ; he also called npoB the Lord Lieatenants of the counties to
issue their rescripts , and call upon certain of : theinhibitaats to-Erm to defend life and property ; and be would fiurt them with arms . Mind , if Lord John Hussell had then advised them to arm ; ersty man hai a right to arm—for no" man has more right to do so than another . I hope that there is not a raan nor a woman in this room , who will not be ready to sacrifice life and limb before any class'of men in this country shall have the exclusive right of armteg . I knew that it was every man e right to have arms to defend life and property , and I knew that that was the law when I saw Lor ^ l John Russe ll making these invitations to those ctrtain classes to arm ; making no such invitation to another cbss more useful and numerous—telling them tint he would find them with arms for that purpose , although they had the least likelihood to get
, laughter . ) Nothing of the kisd ; I made them all as merry as sky-larks . "Oh ! but you did alarm some ' persons , " they say . No doubt of it at all—every rogue : in the country . ( Continued hughter . ) If a farmer goes : out -with his gun loaded with powder anil shot to drive , away the rooks stealing his crop , is the farmer to i whom the field belongs ' . o drive away those rooks , or , they are to drive away hiai—( universal laughter . )?—and ana if he knows how to do the former without alarming them , he is a . greit deal wiser man than I am . ( Re'• cewed laughter . ) Well , then , if I did alarm any por-> tion of her Majesty ' s subjects , it was tha worst portion . of them—that portion of them which should have been : long transported beyond the Seas for the term of ' their natural lives . ( Hear , and cheers . ) Alarm 1 such of her Majesty ' s inbjects , indeed . ' Have cot I as much right to alarm them , as they to make acts of i Parliament to alarm vou anJ me . 1 mentioned this to
i tne prosecutor , Mr . Dncdas .. and the judge , at Newcastle , and the counsel ; but as they did not ! succesd there , they sent me over to Liverpool , and from -, thenoe to Lancaster Castle , although bo cue ever went : away from any of ray speeches alarmed ; although no breach of the peace ever occurred at them , or followed any of them—thsy went away under the impression . that they had hesrd right principles , entitled to Weight from every thinking man in the community . But Mr . ' . Dundas , said I , if I did alarm a fow rogues , had I not , as much right to make a speech to alarm tliem , as you ; have to make one to alarm me , for I never was so | alarmed in all niy life as I was by your opening speeches . Never was an article in the Times , against ; the Whig Government , when in Dowsing-street , the [ Whig Lord Chancellor , the ten Whig judges , or tbe three Whig ambassadors , without alarming them , — ilaurhter . l—and still more would they hnve been
: alarmed if they knew that they wew to have beet : taken up and prosecuted on a ch ? . rge of wrontfuliy : pocketticg the public money . Is it not mous-roud I then , th ^ t such raen should have the power of making ¦ criminal ! -- of others , when they themselves should have been placed in the d ^ ck . It is the game cise now ; there is ro difference between Whig and Tory . They ¦ hive made a law proclaiming trial by jury , and that no man shall be tiled bu : by a jury of his peers ; and : , bj the law , keeping a working man from btiiig a : juror . They bad no right to make such a hvw ; I was ) aofc tried by a jury of my pesrs ; but by a jury of that class , the tools of that odious and despised administration , the members of which , during the last nine years , hava cast ints prison more of thtir fellowcreaturfcs than &ny ether . I was tried by twelve rich men ; not by those who toil , " neither do they toil , neither do they spin , " yet they make others for them , " gather into barns . " ( Applause . ) Now , njyfriends of
Lancaster , so Ion ;; as the people have no v ? ice in making the laws , and no share ia administering the larrs . So long as they have no power over the luagistratea who deal out those laws , they never , never , never will , as a clas , be possessed of any property . In this country , Enp ' , Ireland , and Scotland , according , to the census just taken , there are twenty-ssven millions of peopii Out of these , there are full twenty miiiions whose property , when gathered tc / eti : er , after all their debts had been taken from it , would net lt . ive beyond as much as would pay for a ls . wjer ' 3 wig . Now , if out of tbese twenty-seven miliiocs , twenty aiilions make ail the properly , the devil ' s ia it if they have not been must egregioualy humbugged by sonis one . i Cheers and laughter . ) Now , no one will be a beggar , if he can help
n ; no one will work for another if he can tu-ip it ; no one will growpoorif hecanhelpit . The govtrninentsays the people have not sufficient knowledge to be entrusted with political power . Tbe Scriptures Fay , " The people die because of theii want of knowledge . " How does tho British GwVaraineat offer to teach the people ? By a process of crooked wajs . I wanted to make them equal to their rulers themselves by straightforward m-ians . Sly place , therefore , was in the Houie of Commons , amongst the "Honourable Gentlemen , " and not in Lancaster Castle among thieves . ( Loud ckpging of hands . ) I have referred to Acts of Pariiiment I on political economy to see what the landed interest Kderive from the land . Were 1 to offer to eEter into ' . details now , I should keep you four times twenty-four
hours . But if yau will just go back for eighty years you vrill find that rents were nut then one-fourth of what they are now . At present the amount is sixty millions . You will find , in like manner , that tho amount cf funded property has increased fourfold during the last forty years . The taxes in the eighty years have been quadrupled ; whiis : in the same peri&d the funded debt ha 3 been seven times increased . The funded property increasing is only through the increase of the produce of your labour—so also with regard to rents ; for each is the abstraction of what should be your funds ; so with labour , your taxtS increase , Jut the Government will then have more palaces for themselves , and more soldiers to put you down , if , after listening to their si-Us stnt out to entrap you , ycu era unfortunately led into outrages , such * a at Bristol and Nottingham , acd into o ' . her ' riuti , tumults , insurrections , rebellions , " auu so forth . ( Applause . ) Then again , the more weslthy ti . j rich , so many more gametu
: keepers and tsuUrs do th ^ y kejp administer Boltly to their own grati £ caUocs aad 3 port There are tight thousand keepers , each computed to have two tenters , to secure that giiiiie to the aristocracy , "which was j formeny any bouj ' s property , and food for any body . God Almighty had given it as sucii . But the arii . oeracy made a law , saving that no cae should fci ] l it but themselves ; a ^ d they gave the ugly name c-f " poacher " to any p ^ or fellow for merely doing tlut which t ! , c-y did : i : under thst epithet a poor fellow wa 3 brcught up , aitlicugh in other respects he received the best ciiaracter that niau ever cot , as fcure ^ s God m 2 . de Moses , ! the iiia ^ istatcs tv ^ uM transport him . ( Luud applause and laughter . ; Then , a ^ ain , there was the preventive servic-j to i . ; ep the poor uiau fr ^ m tastii : g r ¦ : foreign luxury . 'JIw local rates have incruitsed fjur : times what they used to be—whilst less gots to the relief of tLe i— ir , the rest goes to retain Persons s > L " . ii ¦ up hi workhaasis , while , with all his tuitions , tho iab-icriug man : 3 daily becoming poorer . The
landthe case with umslins and calicos , ti ! ks , and cottons . tho case with Uiuslins and c ^ lic < i 3 , ti ! ks , and cottons . I : the farmer , ths ten . int , gives them ttie same rent , the . aridioid ' 8 income , by thd liepr-cLvtioa ia tho viics oi iiiiuufactured aruurs , vri ^ l Lc luciciit-d ten-fold . It is tha same with other articles in Birni . ughani , Sheffield , and other plices ; so thai Eotouly is the income of ikt Jandisrds , but also that of tbe fusdiords iEci-. i . sed—as taxes have likewise increased ; the moie you , the producers , have to pay , coui-. qi-vniiy tho poorer you must become . The landholder hus s me auirantago ovei the landlord , not only u £ to his income increasing , but also es to the value of that income .
in 1812 , if an individual held stock in the Threepe Cents , he couW only get £ 60 for it ; but if he sold ou the same stock now , he could get £ 00 for it , so tha he could got as i ^ nch nu . n ey and a fealf for ft . Bo cot only that , that money is increased twofold . Why because your la bour hu 3 becomu cheaper , so that as caj buy more of i ; for less money . This is property in croas&a in one way , -whilst Government increases it ii another . These ire the things which I want to shov the country . I csnnot enter into them new : I au only stating to you things into which , at some mor fsTcurable time I hope I shall have an oppoi
Untitled Article
tanity of enterhig folly into all the mlnuti ® . ( Hear . ) As machinery has increased , ( he Government , by . granting Acts of Parliament , Tjas , increased canals , railroads , mines , and so forth , without th « people having the slightest property benefit in them . Would that have been , had they had a share in making the laws ? No ! not for a moment A 3 the land . ' oirds bawva the power of making laws , the statute law is the law of usurpation . They have also made the produce of the land smaller . Out of a farm of 500 '&cre 3 , there is not so much' produced as there used to be ont of one of fifty , which everybody knows . Large farmers employ , as fctw bands a 3 : possible : ¦> - « ad wiil tErow their List ! into pasture for b ^ ye ' slT exen , sheep , and eo forth . But if the 500 acre ' farAi Wae divided into smaller ones , store would
necessarily be produced than- now , is more' hands would be ( employed in their cuitivation consequently there would be a greater demand for your labour ; "« nd then you will have better opportunities of making more favourable terms for yourselves with your employera If a thousand persons 6 ut of Manchester , Bolton , or Blackburn were on fawns , they would be increasinc ; food . But this chatice for them has been knocked ou the head by the monopolist , and this great evil ia increased by the money-monger . Speak of these things to the great farmer , it is nothing io him : through it , he supports his farm , for he aids in the great deadly competition in the towns ; and thus will the evil continue increasing till you are completely ground down , wLich never could have taken place , if a portion of you had been upon the land . It is the interest of every
man who has money to keep down him who has none ; aud tuia will go on , so loDg as the people have no share in tho administration , producing riots , tumults , disturbsinces , insurrections , and rebellions , until the poor man is as rotten as Mark Anthony . ( Hear . ) If 20 t men out cf employment go into a town , where 200 men are employed belonging to that town , wages always become lower , for they who have entered the town must consent to takt > under wages , before they who have money in their pockets will engage them . Every man who owns nionoy has a deep-rooted interest in cheapening labour , consequently in cheapening whatever labjur can produce , auii why do you stand in this predicament ? It i 3 because you have no power in making tha laws , that jou have no property . What a damning piece of impudence then
it is for tho scoundrel lnor . ey-mongers to bay " you sh&U have no vo :-j « ia the legisiUion , because you have no property . " That beats Bannagan , as Binuagau beats tbe devil . iCteers and Laughter . ; The right of the people to vote is admitted , but then the Government says they have not intelligence enough to bo entrusted with that power . Why , from tho oppression of the laws you are left little enough to obtain food to eat , much lets to have any . ¦ wherewith to educate your children . \ Applause . ) But then if you bucome posstss = d cf a ccruin amount of property , however uneducated you are , you can vote . 1 deiiy ths right of property to qualify a man to vote . The most ignorant man amongst you hus intelligence enough to vote at an ejection . Thu right of property does not give it—a man knows his friend , from his foe—he kaow 3 when he
goes up to the poll tor whom he intended to vote , and whether the name of Jem Thompson or Tom Styles is tho i ;; ost fit fer tho ballot-box , for ¦ without any political knowledge he knows that one man is wiser than another man . If your wife or child be ill , without having studied materia medica , or phtinnacopaia , you find out a good doctor from a quack . In this town , though a stranger , I could soon &ud out the good lawyer from the bad one , and the good iunsler from the bad one . I cou ' . d soon get in a list of tho piach-paupers , who would shave a mouse asleep and a cat awake , a cow-headed ho 6 ' or a dtvil . ( Chetr 3 and laughter . ) Some of you could furnish mo with the li * t . You know who are tho clever w .: n . Now you think aie e ' ever among the Chartiata ; but , 1 am aot so : but supposing I am , then you know mmiy things which I don't know ; yet if opposed to pinch
pauper—a Pjor-L 3 w scoundrel , you would choose rne inst .-ad of him—not for my sake , but your own . You xro" )\ be great fools if you did not . As want of I-Lovrledge does not prevent you from finding out a ;? O' ^ 1 lioctor , the not knowing how to draw out Acts of ^ -rlianient would not prevent you from selecting a i i !~ ver man as your representative . Tbe niomtnfc yon elect me for Lancaster , if you should do bj , I will stand by you , ^ nd wculd go up to the House and face those half hypocritical scoundrels who reject a Ten Hours ' Factory Bill , and in thy next breath tell you to go to Cnurch an : l believe all that ths parson snys . ( Liughter . ) Then aga . n look at those setting « p to instruct tho country , Brougham , B irk beck , ami Kijght . TLe < iocter talks about the increase oi the capital of the country . He says . " the more the stock in the country , tha more the cacital "—tho more means he should bavus-uid
to increase the despots of the country . IIa tells thj j . eopl- \ too , in a letter , when there i 3 a greater demand for labour than can be supplied , tor them to go out of the labour , and turn capitalists . ' recommends meu , who have not a penny to boy a red herring with , to turn capitalists . ' ! ( Great laughter . ) Anotuerdissennnation of intelligence is the Penny Magaeine , and what daes that consist of ? How hiyh is the ball of St . Paul ' s in London , and how much higher is the dome of St . Peters at Rome—what ' s th-3 extent of tbe Durish of Laguana in Jamaica—what ' s the distance from thebase to the top of the Andes—what was the difiVrecao between a camel and a dromedary : how the first had got two bumps on its bick , and the latter bat one ? It stated how spiders had been lately discovered making diving bells ia tha sea in fine weather—how the kungaroo
hopped on its hind legs , and in time of danger took its young icto its paunch—how % catenllhr before changing had eighteen legs , but th : it when it became n butterfly it hid only ten ; but with all the clearness of writers they carnot discover what becomes of the other six . Now , is \ t not enough to make a qtiaker kick his mgther , or . i parson swear like a trooper at such trumpery trash . ( Riars of laughter , ) And , this too , called ednc / itin ^ t ? : e people . ( Hear . ) Why Chartism has only mada a partial way in enlightening the people in true political knowledge , has been through want of union in the leaders . [ After having gonn thus far at full length , necessity forces a generalizitiun . ] Mr . O'Brieu , in proceeding , stited that he could have been elected ct >* e- ^ castle by 11 . 000 against either of the present uiemb ^ rs if he had tho necessary qualification : that either of them just as much represented the men of Newcastle as ho did the Great Mogul . It was not till thereict ! cf Hsnry VI . that any property
qualification was lntioduced ; and there was never any going to the poll , unless the show of hands vrua so neariy balance' ! that u preponderating majority ci-uld not be determined on . and tken they went to the poll ; that was to count heads . As to Mr . Ord ( said Air . O'Brien ) , although not a bad hcatted wau , was anipiy tlirivreni in the head . In the House he was called thd silent member ; and , as Sir Kobert Peel had said of the late Chancellor , ii he attempted ts look for brains , or ideas for a speech , he would find himself fishing in a bottomless sta of deficiency . There was ono most important point upou which Mr . O'Brien most anxiously dwelt , considering it the very life-breath of Chartism . He wanted faur hundred of the best men in tho country to be elected aa the representatives : then for then : to moet in s .-uie central plac- ? , snch as Manchester , boin ^ v : sted with full plenipotentiary powus to act va behalf of their body . They shail proceed with petitions to the House of Commons as times should
call forth . If live hundred thousand of ttie people would Uien sUnd by them , they could speak out a good olJ-fashit ) i ; ed constitutional language to the different n ; c-iiibers . If it wtr j thought not necessary lor ao many to go , the project would bo given up , and tho buaiutss be transacted by a petitioning body . Ke vraa of opinion that all other labour ought to be given up tu look after to great a national rtgeneratiun . 1 i tho Charlista followed XL ' . a will-o' -the-wisp and that will-o ' -the-wisp —if their leaders were not iudissolubly united , whatever ex- 'xtions were made , or pluna iuid doetn , they would never succeed . Mr . O'Brien tLi . n lit-tiribsd his imprisonment , as he sat upou a three-k-t' ^ cu stool , made in
of part of a gallows , and liia c ^ U was tha ono which convicted murderers used \ a be placed . He then asserted it was class legation that was tho country ' s bane . He was kble to prove tLat under a just t >; stem of la ^ a , such as the peop' ; o wi . uld make fi . r themselves , every man cou ' n' get the comforts of lifo by fair and m- > -t . rate labour . He cricpluined cf monopolies , especially cf railroads , which would bo a tax of ten per cent , upon the country . Since tho proprietors were protected by Act of Parliament , only Certaiu persons ¦ were benefitted by them . If they pay the Companies ten per cent , they could have paid tha Government , and then all classes would have been benetitted . He
begged of to on © to go away \; n . ' er the iiat session that he wished to say or even to insinuate that thsy had a right , to take away a man ' s property , even by law . ( Hear , hear . ) He advocated no AgrarLinism . If he had the assisting in m- king lu ^ vs as to piop&rty the richest man in ths country should remiin iu utiili sturbed possession of his wealth : tttt . as r < . oa a 3 his breatii wua out o ibis body , tLena . l his estates , whether l ^ iud , fuaus , or bank stock , should be JrougLt into the market to be sold . Hia htirs shccld gen for the property what in the markt-t it it
^ Vlild br . l ;; . ' : but it ithn ni-nnwl-v ilju-lf fcV . r » il , i nn » n ^¦ uld or .: ;; - ;; but ( tho property iUeif should go to ; government . By his plan every man iu the community would be CvfEifortable—co Uich he would shew men . how to get tread bj honest means , witiiuut grinding ' their feHov-. insn down . He was ¦ willing to proiest tbut ; lhay who have all the wealth , ho cared not how dis-: i gr-atecl vhuhtr as mor . ty in the funds , bank stock , or i . whatever it might be eaiied , ( though there was no such 1 thicks in ancieLt times , for the Pope wouid havo escortiauaJcuttd the possessors for Uiuryj shouldktep it but he should not be
I allowed to add any more to it i At present , a person having £ 10 , 000 stock in Thread-I nc-edit ^ atieet , receives it back again every twenty years ; The national t ' ebt Mas one hundred and forty years old . ; Th 4 first lenders got five per cent , upon their loan : and they to -whom they sold it also gets five per cent . ¦; bringing back the originial sum every twenty yiars ; so . that what was borrowed one hundred and torty years .-ago has been paid seven times over ! and this too by a ; government borrowing money without the consent of I the peopie , It was not untilHenry VJII'ths time ihat
tnere were no iaws against usury ; so it appeared that j if oca Parliament made a law , it was not inviolable but , that another might alter it . In conclusion , with i £ iowing animation Mr . O'Brien said , " Aitheugb for 1 wishing that a ruffian Parliament might turn to the : ways of humanity , the laws of God , and the cause oi i common sense / 1 hare been Bent to Lancaster Castle I No Government , however , shall pat me down , not
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make me bend the knee at the shrine of Mammon . Cruel . tyrants may prosecute , and base traitors be sent to corrupt , bat virtue and . courage protect themselves lLoud eheera ) My kind friends of Lancaster , for 1 hope you will allow me to call you so , your act of this night sweeps aw » y from iny mind Hop "verdict of , the jury , and ohliteratea for evtr from my . heart the sorrow it occawoned-r ^ lefip-seated joy is now beating there insteajlj-for j ^ Oih ^ ve , proved to m& that , liberty la ImperiahaWej , and that ea&b , surrounding day sho is more loudly called upon j untilat last eha 'will come , rejoicingly , tooyergpftdaw , our land with her snow-white wings . ' /; Af Ws fcbaiikiug , tb > 8 company , Mr . O'Brien sat down amidst deafsningcueera and clapping of hands . Mr . J 0 H » Haiirison moved the seconded the resolution : — ¦ - : ¦ - ¦ ' - ' :.-- ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦ . . ;¦ . .. - . - .
• 'It is the opinion of this meeting that the misery , destitution , poverty , and slavery endured by the industrious millions of , this country is caused by class legislation ; and the only effectual means of remoTing these evils from amongst us , is , by inakiDg the principles coctiiineil in the People ' s Charter-the law of the land ; and that tha thanks of this meeting are due , aad hereby given to Feargus O'Qonndr , ; P . sq ., the dungeon-praof patriot , and all the other brave men who havo suffered imprisonment for advocating the the cause of the poor oppressed ; and we pledge ourselves ' to givo them all the assistance in our power until the principles of universal liberty be firmly established as tbe laws of the British nation . " Mr . Wm . FotuerGill seconded it , and it was carried by acciamniatioii .
Mr . Beagley , delegate from Accrlngton , then spoka very effectively . He condemned tho Tories to perdition , and said that ho would rather go to the bottomless pit , to rake up oiib of the vilest of its imps , to send into Parliament , sooner than vote for a Tory . No corrupt Government should « er put him down , for he -. rouid stand up the advocate of liberty , universal liberty , to his last hour . He then ranged over the points of the Charter , with the principles of which the readers of tha Charter tire by this time so familiar , that it is not necessary to follow the worthy delegate . He was loudly cheered at tho conclusion , as well aa frequently during his very excellent speech .
Mr . O'Eiuej * then arose , and most feelingly exhorted the Chartists not to be entrapped into overt acts , such as had taken place at Nottingham and Bristol , through the infernal machir-itionti of Government spies , who were sent out under the guise of friends , to lead the people into outrage , bo that a pretext might be given for butchering them , whilst gngging bills , and other measures , were passed to enslave them . Thanks being given to Mr . Lund , for his able conduct in the chair , the meeting broke up . The room throughout the proceedings was crowded almost to suffocation .
Although lone confinement has evidently much debilitated Mr . O'Brien , the friends of tbe noble uncomprotnising patriot will be glad to hear that his spirits are aa good as ever ; his couragts is unsubdued ; his mind seemingly , if possible , more active ; and his determination to battlo even unto death , until the People ' B Charter becomes the la-v of the land , indomitable .. Oh ! it is a glorious sight thus to behold tlio Hea-ven ca ]! ed leaders of the people with roaewed energies and resolution . Sir ltobert has succeeded Lord Jolin . But let him turn away with indifference at the presentation cf the people's petition for the Charter , and his downfall from that moment is doomed ; and he and his party shall stink in the nostrils of men . From theDce Tories and Toryism aro banished the Kingdom for ever , whilst their very names shall become a bye-word and scorn amongst men .
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divided snpporfc in all your constitutional endeavours , until the whole Charter , and nothing leuthaa tbe Charter crownsus . witheaccesa .... .-. ¦' •• . . ' ¦ . ' .. .- * . - ¦ ..-. ¦ . We rtrmataf-- ' . •• - ¦ ; . ¦ - ¦ . ' . >• ¦ ¦ - , :..,.. ¦ - „ : ¦ Noble Patriot * , .., ¦ Yours , In the cause of freedom , ; :- :. In behalf of tbe National Charter Association ; ¦ '< ¦ ¦ -, \ ¦ \ i ( Signed ) ' - ¦ > Geobgb LiXBsiTr . :: ¦) n'i . < , ¦ ¦' ' ; : ¦ !¦ : * .. /(( . : ¦ ' : . ^ fiub-Secaretary . The address was beautifully written on an embossed sheet of , papar , and -was neatly edged with Green ribbon and decoroted with the . portraits , oi O'Connor and O Brien , , ' .- ., ¦• ¦ , - -j ( . " ¦ ¦ -.-. . -. . . , . .. " - ' . . ' .. ' . ' . ; Mr . I ) AVii > M 6 B . Ri ^ 6 N , inifewwords , seconfled the address , which was pat by the Chairman ,. and carried unanimously amidst trembii < k ) us cljeuring , ¦ - The , Chakman said th&t . F ^ rgua , O'Connor , the . celebrated advocate of the people ' s rights and popular liberty , weuW next address the meeting . Y ; .
Mr . O'CqnJiOB ,, in coming forward , waa recexved with enthusiastic cheering . On . its subsiiiing , he . saitl , Mr . ChaixiBan and brother Chartists of EccKs , I tliiuk I now stand in a better position than does riirRi ( b 3 rt Peel , the -Prime --Minister of England . iHtar . ) He ' is oaly a quack called in by t * faction to oura thtir disorders ; but I . stand here with , iny diploma— [ exhibiting the Eccles address , ]— and called in by tho men of Ecclea to cure ' theiv disorders . ' ( Laughter . ) - Now , without saying one word about the sacrifices which I have made , as stated is tbe address , which I deny ; but if 1 had , tbe expressions in this document is my best reward . ( Hear . _} When I came amongst yon'at'first , 1 found very fow adults advocating the principles of the Charter , but that you were split into sections and
factions ; but what did I find this morning?—not only tho congregation of men ' grown grey in the good cause , but a youth , a mer « s ^ ri pplinp ; tuldressiiig you upon the principles of democracy . ( Hear . ) I listened to a portion of his observations with sonie interest ; and to « ne thing I beg to differ , which was , that when the Charter became the law of the Jaml , that we should bare neither standing anny , nor police . Now * when the Charter is passed , every man will become a sort of national soldier , and the sons of placemen and statesmen would receive promotion acaccording to their merits— ( atar ) , —and that policemen would be the first to promote the peace of their country instead of breaking it . ( Hear , hear . ) It is one of the tactics of a good general , before he storms a garrison , to get possession of the outposts ; and really , if Manchester was backward in tho good cause , which , tbank God , ia not the case , why , 1 should certainly take
it from the Ecclta side , and fall back upon suing . of the other villages near thereabouts . ( Cheering . i In those villages fortunately for us the enemy has not got so valuable a footing even with tho aid of theiv splendid houses . There are plenty of huts ; and may be they will pass into one of those huts , aud from thence into the workhouse yet ( Laughter und hear . ) But they begin to ameli a rat . They havo no objections to the Charter . ( Hear . ) " OU no , " they say , "we have no objection to tite Charter , not we , indeed , provided we can derive moio benelit from the working classes , than by means of the Charter . " ( Hear , hear , and That ' s true . ) Tho working classes have now been robbed by both the Whig anil Tory factions ; and the working people noffcoma forward and &ay , " aUthat we waut is , to Ibt all classta iive honestly and at peace . " ( Much cheering ) We do not want war—wo do not dtisira bloodshed—we do not threaten violence . All that we
want i 3 Universal Suffrage . ( Hear , hear . ) Yet , those whose rights we wish to share , would , after all , have recourse to physical force rather than yield up any of their monopoly . They have tlirown you upon your ewn resources ; and I suppose the workhouse 13 the next thing . ( Tltiar . ) They have picked tho boneB and then they s . iy th : vt the Chartists may come in and pick them—just a duy after the fair . ( Laughter . ) Obd ha 3 left us sufficient for our wants , if all of you had what belongs to you , I mean common justice and honesty ; and in advocating which , there are not many who hv / e suffered morj than myself . ( No , no ) But we must all be br tf . I L . ivo got to speak again to day ; 1 have also to arti ' . ' .:. -. the people of Manchester , Leeds ' , and Sheffield ; ; , u ; l therefore I'd better save my Breath to
coul iny iiorridgo with there . ( Laughter | Besides , theresr «(/ Ju . 'rs who wish tu say something to yon , in nspect » r tiio address . As for myself , the assembly I see brifot . v . ie , will , if I have been at all short ,-propel me to grater exertions . I advise you to look to tne corn and the chuff , and to get rid of the chaff as soon as rn'iy be . You all know about slippery Bjbby . Wen ; now , we would not take the Russell purgo , and 1 aiu sure you will never swallow the Peel eiix'r . ( Caeors ami iaughtei . ) When 1 was in tho House of Coumona thd other day , I thought I never saw suchaaet—regular nincompoops—considerably worse than those who satin the House when I vr * s a member . ( Hear . ) Peel knowa very well that although he may bully the Whigs ; that itiaof nousa bullying us . We are cot made of that
sort of stuff . It is a remarkable lact , and to the credit cf the Chartists be it s ]^ 611 ' that out of nearly 5 uo persons incarcerated by the Whigs for advocating the People's Charter , we have not had a single traitor . Will notthis convince them of the righteousness of our cause . But we see plenty of traitors both amongst the Tory and Whig factions —( be : ir)—yes , Wiklcy , the C » roner , has turned traitor . We Chartists do not intend to commit suicide , so that we shall 'not want the services of Mr . Wnkley fcr an inquest ; but both tho Whig and Tory factions may commit stlf destruction ar > d therefore may require Wakley , tha Coroner . ( Applause and hear . ) We have turned out the Whig 3 , and the Tories have succeeded thorn until vro have an opportunity of turning them cut also . ( Hear . ) Our
struggle is the cause of the suffering millions—it Is the cause of right against might ; it is the causa of the blistered hands , the fustian jackets , and the unshorn china . ( Cheers . ) Yeu have only to be determined—to be united—and the Charter is ours . What man dare do for your cause , I dara ; I cannot say more ; and wherever you go , I will go with you . ( Hear , hear . ) That I suppose is all you want , and I will go for whatever you want . We want the Charter for every male of sound mind , at tbe ago of 21 . This is what we want , and we will not give way one single inch . United , together we stand—divided we fall . ( Cheers . ) My brother Chartists , thoro aro other individuals
named in the address , aad tkerefore I must retire and make room for them . So my friends , I ^ uuat conclude ; but before doing so I must again congratulate you that we havo defeated the Whigs , and we have now got our feet upoii them . ( Hear , and hurrah . | Wo have provided their ctinns and laid them dscently in ; at any rate they cannot now get into our pockets . ( Hear and laughter . ) But mind what I say ; the Chartists will also put down the Tories . We will th * n put them untler the Whigs , and if the weight of tba Whigs won't keep even the d—1 down , why then I am uo judge . ( Much laughter , which was succeeded by reiterated hurrahs , amidst which Mr . O'Counjr retired .
Mr . Bkxuow was received with loud cheers . He thanked them cordially for the proof of their affection conveyed in tha addresa -which had been just read , and hoped evur to m ' -rit their confidence . Iu the course of a few brief hut excellent observations , Mr . Benbow contrasted tho condition of the mass if the people with that of their oppressors , and ably exposed the iniquity of class legislation , to the existence of which tbo evil was mainly to bo ascribed . The rich oppressor enjoyed everything ia abundance , while the poor oppressed , who toiled aud produced everything , were clothed with rags , mid wtre on the very verge of starvation . Biit the day was nut far distant when Englishmen would be free . They had already been taught how they Were to obtain their liberties , and , with God ' a ble&sing on the means , they would not loi / g be deprived of their enjojmtmt . ( Chetrs ) If the working classes were not happy it was their own faults ; they alono wcr 9 to blame if they became indifferent to their own liahta
and liberUts . He should be ashamed of them if they did not work out their own political redemption . ( Cheers . ) Tiie time was not distant when they must have a national holiday ; but it must be general , not partial . It must not be alone a holiday at Manchester Mid EccUs . but throughout tho whole laud , from the centre even to the circumference . Their honour as well as their happiness was involved in the issue , and he caUed on them to mako thair voices heard . Ho asked them if they were prepaied to go with him , to heip him by the sacrifice of one day to gain the Charter of univevsal liberty . If they wore determined , so was he , but he would not work with a traitor ; they must have none of them . If they were willing to help him in this , ha called upon them to held up their hands . ( A forest of " biuters" was at onco elevated . ) He thanked them for that ; he sincerely and hsartily thauked them not only for tha addrtss whicb . they had presented to him , but for their determination to ba free . Mr . Benbow retired amidst loud cheew .
The Rev . Mr . Jackson , of Manchester , wa 3 next announced , and was received with great chsering . He said tli . it along with the precedict ; speakers he thar , ked them cordially aud sincerely for the addreia in which hi * na : s ; a was associated . He agreed with his friand Banbow in the propriety of a general national holiday , and nopal they would never ct » so their agitation till tho Cbi'ter btcame the law of the laud . The greatest enemies against which they li ; ui to contend weru the ministers oi' the Gospel ;—( hear , hear , )—and to bring them to , he advised tueai to atop t : ie supplies , and they would soon either be driven lrom their pulpits , or be led to join the ranks of the people . ( Hear , hear . ) He called upon them to uuite as oua man . He had come cut to advocate tliu Charter , and ha was prepared , if necessary , to lay uotvn his life in the cause . The speaker retired amidst great cheering . Mr . John Barker cordially thanked them for ineluding his name in the list of patriots . :
Mr . WHEBLEa , the aged veteran of Manchester , returned thanks on behaif of his son-in-law , John Livesey , who , though present was so Tery modest that he dare not show his face . ( Loud cheers and laughter . ) Mr . David Moniuson , after a few brief remarks proposed the following resolution : " That this meeting is of opinion that justice will never be done to this country until the whole people be faithfully represented in the Commons' House of Parliament ; " and that we pledge ourselves never to cease agitating in the glorious work we haye begun until our exertions have been crowned with success , by the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less than the Charter becoming the law of the land . " Mr . Shearer seconded the resolution , and said , that bad there been more , time he had intended to
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hare administered a . little wholesome advice , to their dear friends , the middle classes , particularly some of the publicans , who reyiled the CLartfstfl , and applied tothem all kinds of ppprobrious epithets , making them thieves and firebrands ., ] - Ifc fr » weverr they would come forward and .. ro ^ et him , be would endeavour to . convince theni , by fair argument , that the Chartists , were ia the ; right ( Heir and cheers . ) He congratulated them on their noble position , and hoped they were determined to juin hand Ia hand , and stand side by siSe until they ^ btaine 4 the Charter . ( Cheers . )
; -Mr . " O'Brien , who-had only arrived a short time before , here came forward , evidently labouring under declining : health . He was received with tremendous cheer 3 , and addressed the assembly in very few words , eiiftessive of his pleasure at meeting them ; flnrfc , because it was , a proof that he was not a prisoner ; second , because fie « aw they were glad to , see him ; and thirdly ,, because be saw ybefoie him so many happy Faces—a sight to which ho . bad long fceen * stranger , as ¦ within $ h . e' dungeon \ walls tli ^ e ' were ieyr happy laces to be ae ^ n . ^ He rt-jbiced ia tlie opportunity wh ^ ch was Afforded to biin of returning thanks . for the excellent address which had been presented , and congratulated them on the 1 noble position they had fn so short a time attained , and which he had' no fidnbi they would improve . He retired amidst cheers .
Mr . Wm . GUIHBIE pjropesed that tbo thanfea of the meeting be given to the joint friends of Manchester and Salfofrf , for the assistance they bad given , and the at-Umtion they ha 4 . paid to the interests of the Eccles Chartists , since they had formed their Association . The resolution was seconded by Mr . Shearer , and unanimously carried . ' Three times three hearty cheers were then given for Frost , Williams , and JoneB , and , af ter a few observationB from Mr . Bond , of Chester , thanks were proposed to the Chairman , and tbe meeting broke np .
Mr . O'Connor , Mr , O'Brien , Mr . Benbow , and the Rev . Mr . Jackson , then entered an open carriage , which had beeri prepared for them by tho Manchester friends , and the procession having been formed , it proceeded , headed by the Ecclea band of music , towards Manchester . The Eccies men had provided several banners , which were canted in the procession ,- ( he men walking four abreast , and extending a considerable kngth . The curiosity of all classes on the road was very great , and the patriots were everywhere received with the greatest courtesy . ¦ Amongst the mottoa on the Ecclea Sags we noticed the following : — " More pigs and less parsons . " " . The People's Charter ; it ia built upon justice , aad .. against which the gates of hell and the world shall never prevail" . " Universal Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , and
Equitable Adjustment ; " - Anden the obverse side" Repeal of the New Poor Law BilL " •« Down , down Witt clasa legislation , Wherever it reigns it ' s a corse to the nation . " " For a nation to be free , it is sufficient that she wills it !" 11 Middle classes ! make common cause with the indus trious millions , and give freedom to your country . " " Equal rights and equal laws for all classes . " " The memory of Emmett , and those who have died for the cause . " " Frost , Williams , and Jones must be free . "
According to the arrangements of the Demonstration Committee , the Manchester procession formed in Stevenson ' s-square , where the different trades contributed their numbers towards the immense throng which moved by a route laid down by the marshal * and under who ^ e direction they were led through the crowded streets . About two o'clock , the procession met the one from Eccles at the Crescent , Salford . The scene was here almost without parallel in the history of Manchester ; both for denseness and enthusiasm . The depionstrators , on catching a glimpse of either Mr . O'Connor or Mr . O'Brien , wormed their way to the carriago as fust as they could ; and greeted the patriots with warm and fervid congratulations . Nor where ibe fair ones behind the sterner sex in their anxiety to tender
their tribute of partiality , aud respect , and confidence in the wearer of the suit of fustian , and his equally consistent compatriot O'Brien . The presentation of several young FeaTgus < -3 to the devoted leader , by their enthusiastic parents -was np leas amusing than interesting ; and the congratulatory part of the business was considerably heightened by the oft repeated and cordial cheering which sprung from different parts of the Manchester procession . The procesaiona having united , they proceeded on their prescribed route towards Manchester ; and in its progress , was like a SHowball , which gathered by its motion , until the numbers were
to us absolutely incalculable , and its length may be imagined when we state that it occupied twenty-five minutes iu passing a certain point , a great number of vehicles bringing up the rear . Ii was indeed a noble flight to behold ; and worthy of such a cause . Even the balconies , turrets , windows , and house-tops , were all crowded with persons anxious to satisfy themselves of the bonafide existence of the patriots , after so long a period of incarceration in gloomy dungeons ; and as the tributary applauses reached the ears of those gentlemen in the carriage , Mr . O'C » nnor , ia his usual courteous manner , acknowledged the compliment very frequently , with
"A spirit yet unquelled and high , That claims and keeps ascendency . " -The procession moved along Salford , over Victoriabridge , by the Exchange , up Market-street , through Piccadilly , London-road , up Travla-street , down An cotes-lane , and Lever-street , into Stevensons-square Of the number of those amongst the flags and emblems borne by the " blistered hands , " wero the following : Emblem of unity—A bundle of sticks . ! Three national flags—The harp , rose , and thistle , A green silk banner of the calico printers , bearing the motto , " Union is strength ;" Reverse : — " United we stand : divided we falL " Another green silk flag : — - Motto , — " Labour jg the source of all wealth . " Beneath which was painted , The rose , shamrock , and thistle . Ro verso side : —" Liberty and equality
Large green silk banner , bearing the bricklayer ' s coat of arms . Bricklayers four-a-breast Another large and splendid banner repieaenting a man falling Irora a scaffolding of a building , over which was written " The accidental burial society . " The Chorlton-upon-Medlock Band . White flag— " May they who make the chains of slavery ever want employment , '' surmounted by a cap of liberty . Men four-a-breast Splendid green silk velvet banner , white border , " Fustian cutters , " large gold letters . Motto— " Improvement association ; United we conquer , divided we faii . ' A stage was erected upon a cart to bear this banner . Large green aUk flag—¦
" For a nation to ue free it is sufflsient that s ! ie wills it " Splendid highly-executed painting , representing the three Welsh Patriots in full length , bearing thttir names in gold letters . . Reverse , the Six Points of the Charter . Large scarlet flag of the Royal Arms of England . A blue banner of the operative dyers of Silford aud Manchester , and their coats of arms . Beautiful green silk flag , gold letters , —National Charter Association . This was succeeded by an elegant flig from Glossop , bearing the following inscription : — •«• Tne Charter , the bulwark of English liberty . " On the reverse : — " Freedom ' s battle once begun , Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son , Though bafiled oft , is ever won . "
Blue silk banner , carried in a carl , " Prosperity to the productive classes , the foundation of a nation ' s greatness . " Ancient Foresters' band . . Banner— " Frost , Williams , and Jones . " Reverse— "Universal Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , and Vote by Billot . " Men—four abreast . Droylsden band . Green silk banner , bearing the Six Points of tLe Charter upon it A large white banner— " Welcome to the patriots ; may they see the sons of industry prosperous and free " On ¦ the reverse— " Universal Suffrage and the oiher points of the Charter . " A variety of small baniiurs . Manchester concert band . A young Feargua on horsebaok , carrying a saall feg »
with the uanus o : Feargus O'Connor , Frost , and other patriots . Large flag , commemorating the deeds at Peterloo . ? A splendid oirpainting of Feargus O'Connor ,- with Henry Huufc pointing from tbe clouds , and giving him the following charge"Welcome , Fergus ! thou hast been found faithfal ; now leaii my people on to victory . " Rsversa—•• . Nations ! Charter Association . " Ltiige banner . Motto—•• Universal Suffrage and no surrender . " Reverse— "We have set our lives upon the cast ; and we will stand the brzanl of the dia " Large green nig . Motto— " The husbandman that labonreth shall be fint pattaltr of the fruits : an > i he that will not
¦ work neither shall he eat The Charter and no surrender . " Re 7 erser— " Down with every faction that is opposed to the rights and liberties of the people . " Here followed a variety of small flags and banners , bearing appropriate inscriptions . " : Flag— " More pigs and less parsons . " Large highly finished oil painting of Bronterre O'Brien , with his name in letters of gold , represented sitting in his library , with " The Poor Mail ' s Guardian" in his baud . On the reverse was— " I cling io this transitory life only through my lore of country and my thirst fer justice . Tlie wore eager the ruenster to terminate my career here below , the stronger do I feel the necessity of filling np every hour that remains to me with act ! > na useful to my fellow creatures . " ¦ ( CanthMcd in gut seventh page . )
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GRAND CHABTIST DEMONSTRATIONS . O'CONNOR AT MANCHESTER . In tho last week ' s Star we reported at great length the interesting proceeding of tho Chartists of Birminghym in doing honour to the man of the people ' s cliuico— Fnar ^ us O'Couccr . This week we ] nve a repetition of his triumphant progress , ii'possible , on a nreatly extended scaie at Manchester ; in fact , the oldest man living remembers not a Ecenecven in that important town equal to what waa presented on Monday last . In proceeding to narrate the occurrences of the day we must begin at tho beginning , and not omit duo honour to even & country village , occupying , as it did on that day , the post of pioneer to one of the most glorious demonstrations over held ; and proceeding thus , wo first notice the
PUBLIC BREAKFAST AT ECCLES . Mr . O'Connor was met at Eccles at ten o'clock in the morning , at which place he arrived by railway-train , by hundreds of tho brave lads of that village . Tho bridge at the railway station was crowded to excess , and no sooner was the wellknown form of the noble patriot recognised , than a shouc which rent the air was raised ; tha cheering was continued throughout his entire route to the Hare and Houads Inn , in the most enthusiastic mamer , aud it was indeed a sight calculated to inapira tbo coldest heart , whm O'Connor , surrounded by a host of the recently liberated patriots , was hailed as the htad of all . Au excellent band of music was in attendance which struck up tho air , " See tho conquering hero comes , " and tho whole mass formed into procession , accompanied by the banners and music .
The breakfast was provided by Mr . Catterall , tho woTthy host of the Haroaud Hounds , upon whom it n fleeted not onl y credit but absolute honour . It was a most substantial repast , and was served up in a style , which fow even of the first-rate houses could excel , and all without the slightest confusion . The number of tickets sold amounted to nearly two hundred and tho discussion of the good things occupied tho party nearly two hours . During this time , the band paraded tho village , and a commodious hustings having been erected , thou » ands were ussembkd to h ? av O'Connor's address . It had rained heavily during the night , but tho day was beautifully fine aud the scene exhilarating .
Mr . O'Brien arrived at half-pa . 3 t eleven o ' clock by the train from Preston ; the appearance of the " sohoolmaster" once more " abroad , " called forth renewed plaudits . Wo were sorry to observe that he was in a very delicate state of health , and had a care-worn appearance ; his spirit , however , is unbroken , and his scholars aro threatened with the terrors oi' his tooguo , if they do not progress rapidly in their education . Tho fault will be none of his , if they do not know how to agitate for their rights . At twelve o ' clock , Mr . O'Connor and th 9 other patriots , accompanied tho -Eccles Chartists to the hustings , and Mr . Wm . Morris was unanimously called to the chair .
The Chairman said ho would not detain them from tbe pleasure of hearing tho addresses of those patriots who vrere about to speak , further than to congratulate them upon the glorious rise and prognss oi tbe principles of Chartism in Ecclea , anil on trw numbers then assembled in honour of tho brave O Connor and his worthy compatriots . Mr . George Lindsay said he was happy to have the opportunity of meeting so goodly an assembly as he saw before him on- the present occasion , when they were met to do honour to those who had sacrificed their liberty in defence of their principles—principtea which he hoped all present were determined to assist in cirryingout ( Hear , hear , hear . ) He regretted his inability to do justice to the merits of
those brave , those noble patriots , by whom he was surrounded ; but though ho was at a loss for words to express his feelingtj , he would yield to no man in zeal ami determi ? iatiun in tho promotion of tfc ; U cause in which they were engaged , and in the success of which they all felt so wariu an interest . ( Cheers . ) He hoi > ed that all would seo tho propriety of uniting heart and hand in encouraging those who had suffered persecution and proaecution for the sake of the cause ; and that they would come forward and lend a willing hand in obtaining the Charter . ( Cheers . ) They would then have no cause for further agitation—the way would be paved for gcod government , and equal justice- to each and to all ., An addresa had been prepartd to present to the patriots , the adoption of which ho Lad gi-tat ulcasure in roovi&g , ami which he read , an follows : —
Most Nodle and Undaunted Patriots , —We , the Chartists o iEcoies : and surrounding dist < icts , meet you on tha present important occasion with hearts full of gratitude and esteem for fcaving the moral courage Jo bravo storms and per- ; £ cu ' . ioiis cf Whig tyranny , with that spirit of fortitude , z » -al , and determination , which becomta you aa honest aud disinterested philanthropists . It is not our intention of pointing out the many proofs of j our sincerity and attachment in advocating iL'O cause of suffering humanity , which is apparent to
evt : ry lover of hi 3 species , and which would take volumes to do justice to your vs-orth . Suffice it to say , that you have nobly and manfully defended our rights , and for so doing , . have suffered Whig vengeance and persecution unparalleled in tho history of this our oppressed country . Whiie your bodies were entombed in the loathsome and siient dungeon , your spirits soared alof ' i to csmmune with those of former ages , in order to restore peace and comfort to the industrious peasant , andwrest from our tyrants' grasp those rights and privileges which God gave to man in the beginning , aa a punishment for his disobedience .
Yes ! noble patriots , yuu have sacrificed eveiything dear to your physical enjoyments iu the search after comfoita to the human family ; but , tbank God ! yon aro now amongst us once inora , to cheer us on in the gnotl work of human redemption . We , therefore , heartily congratulate you on your return to breathe the fresh air of heaven ; hoping you will live to et > joy many happy days under the Charter tree of liberty , aud sincerely thanking you for your put services , having full confidence in your future course , wa are determined , at all hsEirda , to give you our uu-
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€ TH 1 NORIHlRir STl& . u T
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 2, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1129/page/6/
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