On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (6)
-
TO THE INDUSTRIOUS PORTION OF THE MIDDLING CLASSES.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Cfcarttet £nuil\Qtnct.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
To The Industrious Portion Of The Middling Classes.
TO THE INDUSTRIOUS PORTION OF THE MIDDLING CLASSES .
LETIEB n . Gestxehek . —I think that the public mind is f&irly made up upon two points , Firstly , that the B Reform Bill" has proved & iaakrre , and , secondly , that " do Government can represent this country in acco rdance with the public interest -which refuses to rednee expenditure to the capahility of the nation to bear it . Under these circumstances we are to con-Eider how a Government , not acting upon the ahoTe princip le can hold office .
P olitically speaking , the Whig middle class voters appear to be in a woeful minority , as compared with the Tory constituency ; and we must presume that ihe Whig constituency are not in favour of Tory principles . Yet do ibe Whig voters remain a 3 a dead weight , exerting their influence no farther than to assist their fallen party now and then with a side shore upon some not-yet-exploded crotchet . You are well aware that though comparatively
anaihilated as & party , yet nevertheless your union with 4 , 000 , 000 of an organised body , would make the incorporated force cf industry too poTVfirful to be successfully resisted by our oppressors . To your inactivity , therefore , the people are justified in ascribing their every calamity and sufL-ricg ; while the same cause justly deprives yon ( in your jJresect reduced state ) of sympathy from any party . In short , jou have forged your own chains , and wear them with a becoming obitquiesness .
J \ ow , gentlemen , with an infant war in India , and another in China , both requiring expensive nursing ; with a staiving population in England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales , all requiring force to keep them down j with a idle aristocracy increasing at a prodigious rate , whole all the land in the country still remains in possession of heads of families , and ¦ whi le the off-shoots must be provided for from church or state ; with a state church demanding and receiving an enormous fixed stipend for religions purposes , irrespective of its diminished duties occasioned by dissent j with a military
establishment augmented considerably in the twenty-seventh year of peace ; with a growing royal progeny , always objects of surpassing interest to those who Tote array public money , and the leaders of whom owe their places to royal favour ; with the Teen&ctment of the " Poor Law Amendment Act , " the whole levies and expences under -which must now fail upon yon j with a war tax laid upon your incomes in time of peace : with all these and : en thousand other pressures upon you , allow me to ask how
you ( whose honest energy , joined with that of the honest working classes , would ^ t onc e and for ever rid yourselve 3 and them of the monster , ) can reconcile your apathy and indifference to yourselves ? Are yon so much in love with things as they are , that yon glory in starving under the law , and perishing constitutionally 1 Or are you not aware that your opprt ss ^ rs , while they wonld court your loyalty , laugh at your degeneracy and your want of selfrespect 2
Now , gentlemen , leaving altogether oat- of the question the great , the ungenerous and unconquerable hatred which yon bear personally to myself , allow me to ask you if ever folly , childishness , and imbecility , was more forcibly poarcrayed than that which your desertion and denunciation of the people ( by whose industry you live ) present ? Sappose that I was the very worst of men ; would that furnish a justifiable excuse for withholding your support from the very best of principles ? and are you not
fully aware of the fact that the way to destroy me , is by surpassing me in honest toil , by exploding my fallacies , and developing the soundness of yonr own views and principles , by attending all local meetings , ( which cost yon nothing , ) and especially those where I am present , and then and there , by following me , arguing with me , and reasoning with me , court public approbation from your superior knowledge rather than from your superior fjreei
You well know the great power which an honest recruit has over a veteran politician . Be assured thai the very novelty , added to the boldness of the experiment , woald give to the experimentalist an advantage of more than fifty per cent . ; and as to clamour , noise , confusion , snd rioi , it wonld be the very means of suppressing all and of rivitting attention ; and as to partiality , where in the wide world is there a more splendid spectacle than that attentive British audience which fair discussion ever insures ? Approbation is then expressed without clamour ; deference is paid to honesty , thongh in error ; and judgment keeps firm hold of the reins of prejudice , passion , and personal attachment .
Gentlemen , the unfathomable question of " Free Trice" has been selected by a new school of " political pedlars" whereon to float your shallow understanctiDgs . This free trade means barter with all the wond at a disadvantage to all the nation , save those portions which from their present position could make fortunes during tie spirit of novelty and the balancing of demand and supply . Can the mind of man ima ^ tae a grosser absurdity than the idea of a nation with three Kings and three Queens , an old nest of Royal Princesses , and Royal Dukes , as state paupers ; with a debt ( called national ) of near a thousand millions sterling ; with an overgrown State Church Establishment ; with four millions per annum ( more than the rental of all Ireland , that
fertile and lovely land , ) going to pay an army and nary ; with a nseless legal and police establishment ; with oScea without duties , created for idiots to fill ; with a Civil List of worn-out whores and bastards , and political prostitutes , and blood stained heroes ; trita functionaries only rendered necessary to suppress the distemper which misrule has engendered ; With laud held in sterility and barrenness in order thai political power may be carved out of it 3 vast allotments ; with a voluntary tax laid upon the dissenting mind , in consequence of the di ? gu 3 t created by a persecuting and unchristian Law Church : I ask , can the misd compass a wilder absurdity than the supposition that a state so oppressed can trace upon tenna of equality with the free nations of the world !
Gentlemen , England ha 3 been set mad in the days of her prosperity , when her infant inventions gave her an exclusive command of the markets of the whole globe . England was the first among nations to possess herself of the powers of artificial production ; and she had simulLaneously the advantage , if aoTanrage it can be called , of throwing the hands of other na'ions from pursuits of industry to the nse and management of arms . Daring our long protracted war , England , under convoy of her navy , became the queen of smugglers ; while , at the same time , with the people ' s money she paid soldiers
abroad for fighting her battles Then you com ffianded the markets of the world , and , as a matter of coerse , the immense profits of the manufacturers aad the demand for labour enabled them to give hiiih wage 3 . Then England cheated all foreigners , while she was robbing her own people by mortiragin # them and future generations for the payment of the war-tax . But when peace was proclaimed , and our foreign soldiers were not longer required in the bitde-ficld , then was the " sword turned into a plough share , " and disbanded armies were devoted to the purcuits of ' industry ; and , as a matter of
CGirr ^ p nf'hp ' r TmHn-na cnnotit . in ttiqItp tbpm ^ plvfl in * coerce , other nations sought to make themielTe indtpsudtnt , and betook themselves to manufacturers ; sad in process of improvement they discovered that Engla nd had not only been the queen of smugglers , ba ; that she had also been the cheat of cheats . Daring a long and expensive war is not the time for minute ttudy , or deep rtflection . Our gold enabled other nations to stand our commercial impositions . Foreign merchants were well paid as parties
* 3 tae imposition ; but when other nations began to E& auf&ciure for themselves , then accounts were balanced , and the English manufacturer stood in his true character in the markets of the world . IXow , &om that period to the present , all other countries tave beea manufacturing for themselves , some more &sd some less ; but the more being multiplied by the les ? , will leave jou in the quotient , the wonderful nuracie of diminished fobeigji demand fob
bhitish JujrcFACTCBEs ; which diminution ( if other coontnes are governed wisely ) will keep goirg on n ^ ti ] at length our rulers will be compelled to make &i = > country independent of all others , by the culti-Tation of our own resources to an extent which will render ihe whole people independent of the whole woiid .
Untitled Article
wow , believe me , gentlemen , that all tariffs and income-taxes , and " will-o ' -the-wisp speculations" to keep our expenditure by taxation up to its present amonnt , must and will fail' and then , instead of the press of the country , the rulers of the country , the leaders of sections , and the political spouters having prepared the public mind for the only change which can save U 3 , they will find society reduced to chaos in consequence of the complete and signal failure of their artificial policy . Gentlemen , allow me , in conclusion , to submit a simple proposition for your consideration . I will suppose society to be divided into one hundred different classes , the labourers constituting one of the one hundred .
It is admitted by all that " ihe people are the legitimate source of all power " while it cannot be for a moment denied that labsur is the foundation of all wealth . Now , my assertion is , that the ninety-nine classes ( not including the labouring class ) if enfranchised to a man , woald not , nay could not , justly represent their unitedly enfranchised community Their interests would be antagonistic ; they would endeavour to gain advantages the one over the other ; while I contend for it that the labouring class alone of the one hundred being enfranchised * could not do justice to their own order without at the same time administering the same justice to every class of which society i 3 composed . The result ef the enfranchisement of labour would be a vast increase
oT all the resources of the country ; and of these increased resources every other clas 3 would have its due and righteous share . Enfranchised labour would find it to be its interest to protect capital , inasmuch as those working at artificial labour could not find capital for the employment of their own labour ; and , believe me , that the whole people have sense enough to know when labour has its fair share of profit , and they have justice and honour enough to award to honest industry and speculation the just reward of risk and extrtion .
Gentlemen , I think , then , that we may safely conclude that the Reform Bill has failed in its results ; while , if not yet prepared to admit the fact , the first visit of the Commissioner lo demand nearly three per cent , upon your income , will convince you of the absolute necessity of reducing our national expenditure to the nation's capability to bear it . And , gentlemen , believe me to be sincere in my honest conviction , when I assert that nothing short of the just representation of the whole people , as d-fined in the document entitled " THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER , " ever will , or ever can , produce an equitable Reform satisfactory to all classes , or reduce the amount of expenditure to the PEOPLE'S AND YOUR CAPABILITY TO BEAR IT .
Gentlemen , I have the honour to remain , Your obedient humble Servant , Feabgvs O'Co . nnob — - " " ——a-
Untitled Article
TO THE CHARTISTS OF NORTH LANCASHIRE . Mt deab TeorGH stasvisg Fkiexds , —For some weeks past I have watched the proceedings of our body in North Lancashire with intense interest , I was aware that that district , being the former seat of the handloom weaver ? , must suffer beyond most others from the devouring enemy , machinery . 1 was right ; for machinery in the extreme north would , as a matter of course , affect the price of manual labour devoted to the same manufacture , even in the extreme south . Nay , more : machinery in America would as much affect your wages , under free trade , as machinery in Manchester would .
It is true you are starving . I have watched yonr proceedings narrowly ; and from those proceedings I learn two great and wholesome lessons . Firstly , that our great -union now teaches each locality , that it constitutes but a component part of society , and holds itself responsible in its every act for the effect which that act may have upon society at large ; and that the strength which it derives from the fellowship of other districts makes it too strong in hope , to be led by the spy , the coward , or the traitor , into any acJ which would peril the universal cause . Secondly , it convinces me that an indiscretion upon our part is the last remaining hope of faction .
And now , why ? Because For seven years we have held our meetings , attended by thousands and lens of thousands , and many sound , and good and able speeches have been made by handioonv weavers . Nay , I am bold to assert that handloom-weavers have been the originators , the ornaments , the prop and support of the Chartist cause . Their interest was first attacked by machinery ; and when in the outset they called for aid , bad their fellowmen flown to the rescue , all would have been well . But no , the first victims were laHghed at and derided in their sectional struggle against the monster in its infancy , until the assassin that slew them threatened also to slay every succeeding interest , and then self interest rallied round the standard which the handloomweavers had raised .
But that is not so much tee point . This is it . In our struggles the press have allowed us to pass unnoticed , "or has given us a destructive notoriety . But now , we find the Manchester Guardian , heretofore silent upon meetings held within its town , nay under its very nose , running to North Lancashire in quest of news to suit the palate of its luscious readers . And the Times , that hellish organ , has been moving heaven and earth to dissati 3 tv
you wuh your local leaders , for what the ruffian calls their timidity . This is the first step in tyranny . The tyrant cause 3 a split in the ranks by engendering suspicions and dissatisfaction between the leaders and the people . The leaders , if they are weak-minded and thin-skinned , lose all selt-control , sacrifice judgment to zeal , and in their attempt to wipe off a brand , which should be considered an honour instead of a disgrace , they lose their heads , and also the people ' s cause .
This insidious attempt is not confined to the Times and the Guardian . No ; I told you mauy a time and oft , that when the day of trial came , Whig and Tory middle class that had any thing would shake hands : and so it is . The , Manchester Advertiser , a paper which in the days of poor dtpxrted Condy advocated popular rights , has now , it appears , Etepped into the raak 3 of our enemies . Beesley wiiiuS me tnat , a most cowardly aud flagrant misrepresentation ia
given of a speech of his in that paper ; and what redress has he ? None whatever . Remember the trials at Liverpool in 1839 . A scamp of a reporter , [ hat knew nothing of reporting , got into the witness-box , and read old notes , pit as the Bible . There it was ; -written down ;( Whig Go 3 pel ) who could contradict it ? add several persons were found guilty and suffered . Remember who ty Jury class are , who the witnesses are : who the Judges are , and whose the laws are ! . ' . '
Now , I would council you to appoint three discreet persons of your own order , to agree to all reports sent to the Siar ; that course will protect the paper , andfurnish the only defence you can have . Believe me , as to class , there is no difference between Whig and Tory ; neither is there in Government . There is yet enosghof wealth in thehands of the middle classeBior ruiatorallyround , and we do notderive as muchstreugth from the junction of thefew who joinu 3 as may be supposed . And for this reason ; their uniting is an act of necessity rather than principle . It has not even the merit of expediency ; so that when they leave their old order , they unfortunately leave behind them all that gave them strength , might , and influence , " the bit of beass ,- " so that we receive them as deserters , without their arms . Now , my friends , just allow me to ask you a plain question ot two . Do you suppose that the Tory
Untitled Article
Times , the Whig Guardian , and the Whig-Radical Advertiser would play the same destructive and anti-Chartist game , if it did not exactly suit the classes for which they respectively write ! Now , just answer that ; and allow me to remind you of a few very striking facts . Clayton is dead ; Hoey is a cripple for life ; Duffy is a dying man ; Holberry dead , and his wife an idiot ; Peddy still lingerB in his living tomb ; Frost , Williams , and Jones are bani&hed their native land , while every single soul
who led the brave into the pitfall , and then abandoned them , areeitherskulkingat home , livinghappy abroad , or provided for by the Government they so faithfully served ! Now , is that to bo denied ? The hero who would have recklessly sacrificed the whole of the West Riding of Yorkshire took shelter behind a flour sack , and fled J while the Editor of the Star , whose advice and prompt exertion saved the lives of thousands , and spared the carnago that ambition would have produced , is still at his post .
" These ( indeed ) are times to try men ' s souls . " No man has wisdom who would say " starve on" to tho starving man ; and no man has courage who would be placed in a false position by the jeers and taunts of a revolutionary and middle class press . Had it not been for the pending Nottingham election , I should have been among you loug since ; but now I embrace the first , the fitting opportunity . On Monday , I shall be at Halifax at nooa ; and at Burnley in the evening . I lay you under no restrictions , none whatever , beyond what your own judgment points out . I am bound over in a heavy
recognizance to keep the peace ; and remember that already five criminal prosecutions have , in fourand-a-half years cost me above £ 1 , 200 , and that I was no party to one of them . Remember that I was found guilty , twice at York by Special Juries ; once for publishing four lines from another paper ; and once for publishing two speeches , the one made by Mr . Dean Taylor , and the other by Mr . O'Brien ; and bear in mind , that I defended the speeches , though I suffered for their publication . Remember , that at York and Liverpool many men were convicted for merely being present at public meetings , where speeches said to be likely to
lead to not were delivered ; and bear in mind that nothing would give your manufacturing magistrates greater pleasure than to be able to hire some ruffian to implicate you and me either by being present at the delivery of an inflammatory speech , or by the employmeul of some firebrand to cause a disturbance . However , with a knowledge of these things before me , I go , because you demand my presence . I go , because I am resolved , come weal come woe , to stand by the poorest of the poor . I go , because I have hope that my council will save you and our cause from those snares which faction is so busy in setting for you . Let your resolutions be strong 1 manly , and brave , but strictly legal .
While the poor Irish are starving , those who have plundered them are comfortable , and absent ; when poverty rages and threatens destruction , then I choose to be a party to throw a protecting shield over the destitute . Bear in mind , that the magistrates of Staffordshire have renewed the spirit of 1839 . They have commenced the crusade against the Chartists , by apprehending Mason and others , and binding them over to take their trial , when they sought justico at their hands for an outrage offered to Mason by a constable . Recollect that all the Man of Authority will have to prove against Mason will be , firstly , that he is o Chartist , and consequently an outlaw ; secondly , that he , the Authority-man , has no doubt
on his lojal mind , that the speech of Mason was calculated to lead to a riot . And he waa right , for it did lead to a riot , but the Authority-man was the only rioter , while Mason and the Chartists were constables , and preserved the peace . It would be folly for me to do more than to remind you that the Government is too strong to require SEch a god-send as a physical force outbreak just now . And that the parties who look upon such a calamity as a blessing are the Whigs , who would then say to the middle classes , " Ah ! see how we put tie Chartists down , and how tho Tories have allowed them to meet and speak . " I tell you that the Corn Law Repealers will move heaven and earth to produce a revolution , from which they would hope to reap the spoils ; but I tell them that they SHALL
NOT . My beloved Friends , I am now going to make a vigorous and unceasing effort to cement the head and tail of Chartism—the leaders and the people—in one firm union : and aiding as I shall , the efforts of the Executive of your choice , I have only now to implore that henceforth all idea of disunion and strife may be buried and for ever , and that we may go with the head , heart , and body of one giant man to the rescue of our common country .
I have to request that no carriages be provided for me ; that no expense be incurred in the distressed district ? , to mock poverty . I can pay my own expenees , a 3 I always have done ; and I can preach the gospel truth of Chartism , as I have often done before , wherever a lew of the faithful shall be gathered together . Brothers , every thing is working for the great end ! In God ' s name , then , let us not aid tyrants in theie endeavours to suuyert the will of that pbov 1 dence , wh 1 cu designs good fob all . Ever your devoted Friend , Teargvs 0 'Con . nok . MR . MASON , AND THE SEDGLY AUTHORITIES .
TO EVERY MAN WHO LOVES JUSTICE , WHETHER HE BE WHIG , TORY , OR CHAKT 1 ST . Lovess of Justice , —You will have learned that the authorities of Stafford have resolved upon putting Mason and oiher 3 upon their trial , for having demanded justice at their hands , for an insult offered to them by a brutal constable . Now bear in mind ,
thai our cause has gained moro strength from the vigorous manuer in wnich , in 18139 , we defended our prisoners , than from any other source ; and also bear in mind that our desertion 01 that fair-play principle now , would ve : y rationally lead our enemies to a belielin our division , aud would hurry them on once more in tho same destructive course . We must , therefore , though poor , make a vigorous effort to procure- a good , nay , the best defence .
Ihw trial comes on on Monday next , or Tuesday , ihe 28 : h . A ftw pounds will do it—a littlo from E . ach . I will give my mite , though the General Dofeuce Fund it-it mo between £ 500 and £ (] 00 out or pocket . You had better remit whatever each locality can affurd , by post-office order , direct to Stafford , as no time should be lost . You will know some persou 01 our cause thtre ; send him the money . You haa better send it to the treasurer of the Chartist Associauon . Bet pray send it ; and I will thank him to pay ten shillings on my account . Your faithful servant , Feabgus O'Connor .
Untitled Article
Hull — Additional nominations to the General Council : —^ The Rev . William Hill ; Mr . William Cheesman , joiner , Edgar-street , Potteries ; Mr . Samuel Pulford , tailor , No . 2 , Dagger-lane ; Mr . George Barker , engine filter , Jessamine Cottages , English-street . Beading . —A publio lecture was delivered here on Tuesday , by Mr . Wheeler , of Londen , on the ' Superiority , of the Democratic form of Government . " Mr . James , at the conclusion of the lecture , addressed the meeting with groat ability . London Delegate CouNCiL .- ^ Mr . J . Dowling in
the chair . Tho Secretary reported from the Committee fur drawing up rules and regulationSj and also from other parties with whom he was deputed to correspond . Reports were received from various localities , and a resolution received from the Broinpton and Kensington locality ; it was resolved that the Committee appointed to investigate the charge against one of its members be dissolved , and that the matter be investigated in open Council on Sunday next . The swia of 4 s . 2 d . was received from the Shoemakers , Foley Place . Credentials were received from Mr . Swatton , from Hammersmith ,
Queen ' s 'Head , Cambridge-road . —Mr . Duffield lectured at this place on Sunday evening last , to a goodly company , and gave great satisfaction ; Mr . Spencer in the chair . A vote of thanks to the lecturer , chairman , and host , ( Mr . Sourr , ) who i&verally returned thanks ; in the course of whioh , Mr . Scurr , the landlord , regretted ho was in his present unploasant position , and declared he should remain firm to the Charter , however he may be persecuted . The Chartists of this locality , will hold their next meeting on Sunday evening , at the Sugar Loaf , Wells-street , Mile-end , Old Tdvvu . Great praise is oue ' . to Tucker and Blight , who stood outside in the wet , and invited the people ih . The license of Mr . Scurr has been stopped and the house ia bhut up . . ; . ¦¦ ¦ ' ;
Craven Head , DruryLane . —The provisional comnmtoe request that all localities will see their delegates attend on Tuesday evening next , at eight o ' clock , at tho above-named place , to give in a final account of money and tickets , appoint auditors , and transact Other important business . For the satisfaction of the localities , it was moved " that a deputation of three persons bo appointed to wait on the lessee of the Victoria Theatre , to know if
the report , given in by tho eub-CoiBniittee , of the receipts be correct . "—Carried . Moved , "That M c Carthy , Treadwell , aud Pearce , form the deputation . "—Carried . Moved "That the receipts of the Theatre , and the donations be printed in the Star . "— Carried . Moved "That all persons connected in taking money or checks , or in any way connected with the business of the Theatre on the benefit night , be desired through the -Star ; to attend the committee next Tuesday evening . "—Carried .
Donations received by Ruffy Ridley on account of Provisional Committee Fund . s . d , Mr . Britchart , by Ruffy Ridley ..,...... 0 6 Mr . Dobsou of Hammersmith ..,... * .. 0 11 Mr . Rogers , Lambeth 5 6 Mr . Lucus 0 6 71 VICTORIA THEATRE . FINANCE SHEET . Cash paid at the Doors . £ s . d . 5 Box ... 0 10 0 3 i Half Box I 14 0 202 Pn ... 10 2 0 303 Gallery ... ... ... 9 16 6 Cash ... 22 2 G Tickets and cross money 53 9 6 £ 75 12 0 , Number of persons in the house after half price : —Boxes , 236 ; Pit , 729 ; Gallery , 924 . " ii ¦ ¦ ¦ - Tickets taken at the Doors . £ a . d . 98 Box ... 9 16 0 26 Pit in Box 1 6 0 73 X to Box 3 13 6 413 Pit 20 13 0 11 Box in Pit ... 1 2 0 53 Gallery in Pit ... ... 1 6 6 66 X . to Pit ... ... ... 1 13 0 Cash in Pit Box ... 0 4 6 472 Gallery ... 11 16 0 39 Pit in Gallery ... ... 1 19 0 £ 53 9 6 J . Lucas , Secretary . Subscriptions received by Knffy Ridley , and paid into the hands of Mr . Rya . ll , on account of Mr . Chas . Southwell , late Socidl missionary : — s d Robert Poulton ... ... 0 G J . Elston ... 0 3 J . Preece 1 ... 0 6 S . Gifford ... 0 4 B ... P . ... ... ... 0 4 A Friend 0 6 T . D . 1 0 Mr . Dron 0 6 Ruffy Ridley 1 1 Mr . Wheeler ... 0 6 M . D . 0 6 6 0
At a Meeting of the Surrey council , on Sunday last , reports of a flattering nature were received from the various localities . A report was received from the committee appointed to atteiid a public meeting , at 69 , Great Guildfprd-street , Porough ; and a local ity was formed to meet , at the Coffee Rooms for the future , until further notice . Surrey . —The committee for getting up tho tea and concert , at tho Moutpelior Tavern , are earnestly requested to attend on Sunday next , at three o ' clock precisely . Mill Wall . —Mr . Frazer lectured on the principles of the People ' d Charter ^ at the Smith ' s Arms , on Monday eveniug . It is intended that another lecture shall be delivered on Tuesday next , when a new locality will be formed . Nino persons have already taken up their cards .
Queen ' s Head , Cambridge Road . —The Chartist 5 ? of this locality are requc&ted , tor the future , to meet at Mr . Palmer's , Su ^ ar Loaf , Church-st ., Mile End , New Town . ¦ BIRMINGHAM . People's Hall of Sciencu . —A meeting of influential working men was held at the Publio Offise on Friday evening last , Mr . Pa ^ o iu the chair . Tho meeting was convened by circular , for the purpose o ! ascertaining whether tho working m < n of Birmingham would lend their
aid in completing tho trcction of the People's Hal . ' , as the Commiuee had nor , sufficient funds for that purpose . Mr . GeoTge White , Mr . Corbett , Mr . Hmde , Mr . Jenkinssoii , Mr . Emas , and others , delivered their seutimenis on tho subject . An excellent feeling prevailed , and it was ultimately agreed that a public meeting should be called , when thii business should be brought forward , and an appeal made to thoso who wished to forward fo desirable an object . Thanks were voted to the Chairman , and the meeting separated .
Meeting at the Hall of Sciencs on bkhalf of Mr . J . G Hoi . yoake—A numerous and enthusiastic meeting was held at tho Hall of Sdtjico , Lawrence Street , for the purpose of pavilioning Pttriian . ent on the injustice of ihe iata prosecutions ior blasphemy . Mr . Hulse was unanimously called to tho chair , after which Mr . John Mason proposed the fblloVvinV !; resolution . "That in the opinion of this meeting , u is tho uatural and inalienable right of every human being to express his honest and couscieniibus convictions 011 the subject of relicum , any liw or practice tending to prevent the g . amo being ia opposition to the bett interests of ' society , and calculated only to produce immorality and crime . " Mr . Macintosh seconded tho resolution , and it wag carried unanimously . Mr . Soar then read a memorial and petition embodying the views of the mefttiug on the
subject of the late prosecutions . Ha moved that they be signed by the chairman , and forwarded to Lord Brougham , for presentation : to the House of Lords , G . F . Muntz , for the Commons , and the memorial to the Secretary of State ; Mr . G . White seconded the motion , after which Mr . J . G . Holyoake del vered a long and able address in vindication of hi 3 conduct , and was loudly cheered by the meeting . The resolution was then carried unanimously . Mr , Edward Nicholls moved the following resolution , which was seconded by Mr . James Betts , and unanimously agreed to . "That the best thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to the Northern 8 ! ar , Weekly Dispatch ^ Sun , Cheltenham Free Press , and the liberal press ; generally , for their able and generous advocacy of civil and religious liberty . " A vote of thanks was then given to the chairman , and the meeting separated .
AsTON-bTREET Meetings . —Mr . White addressed a meeting in the Chartist Room , Aston-street , on Sunday evening last , Mr . Talbot in the chair .
Untitled Article
Monday Evening . —The usual weekly meeting was held at the room in Aston-strebt , oii Monday evening last , Mr . Charles A&hton in the chair . The minutes of the council were U en read over , from which it appeared that the conncil had passed a resolution of resigning their offices . Mr . Bough moved and Mr . Lynell seconded a motion , to rescind that part of the minutes , on the grounds of the whole council not being unanimous on the subject . Mr . White supported the motion , and affirmed that they had no right to proceed in that manner ; he moved an addition to the motion , that each member of the council who wished to resign , should tender his resigna ion to the meetinc . After a long discussion in which the retiring members , Messrs . Williamson , Saunders , White , and others took part , the motion was carried almost unanimously . Messrs . Lindon , Fussell , Newhouwe , Welsford , and Stewart , then
resigned , and Messri . White , Talbot , Yaxdley , Ryan , Bough , and others , were nominated in their places . Mr . White then gave a report of the proceedings of the directing couijoil , and afterwards moved a vote of confidenuo With regard to tho political honesty and integrity of the ' .-retiring- councillors , which was unanimously agreed to . The caso of Messrs . Mason , Chance , and others , who have to appear at the Stafford and Worcester Sessions in a few-days , was theti brought forward by Mr . White , when a defoaoQ' < J 0 ftt ' mifct 6 p consisting of several most actiye FeitelC'Si"fn < -&daition to the other members , was appointed , and a resolution agreed to , that the other localities in Birmingham be requested to act likewise ; The committee will meet at Aston Street , at twelve o ? clock oh Sunday next . Notice was then given , that Mr . Geo . Julian Harney woul'i address a meeting at Aston Street on the following Sunday , after which the meeting separated .
Mn . White addressod numerous meetings at Lyewasie and Stourbridge , on Wednesday , and at Cradley aud Dudley on Thursday last . The cause progresses rapidly in the mining districts . IJuDDLF . STpN Row Meeting . —The usual weekly meeting was held ac this place on Monday evening last , on the open ground , opposite the railway station , Duddleston Row . Mr . George White again addressed a numerous assembly , on the necessity of rallyiug round the banner of freedom , and joining tho National Charter Association . He described the hollowness of the professions of the Complete Suffrageites , and warned the men of Birmingham of tbe- manner in which they had been deceived by the middle classes in the Reform Bill , and declared that if ho stood alone ho would oppose every attempt that was made to impose on the working classes . After adverting to various other topics he retired to attend an important meeting at the Chartist Room , in Aston-street , which was well attended .
A meeting was held in tho fiold near In a Asylum , Summer-lane , on Sunday last , at eleven o ' clock , which was addressed by Mr . George White . He also addressed a meeting at the same place , on Tuesday evening . The meetings at this place will be continued to be held at tho same time , whilst the weather permits . Walsall . —The members of this locality held their weekly meeting on Tuesday evening , when a liberal subscription was opened to defend Mr . Mason and the others at the forthcoming sessions at Stafford . The prejudice of the Corn Law repealers againsc us is fast giving way , and a strong feeling exists in favour of Chartism . A visit from our noble champion in the cause , Mr . O'Connor , would produce much good .
Redditch . —On Sunday last , Mr . Peter Rigby delivered two discourses to attentive audiences . He gave very great satisfaction . We strongly recommend him to the notice of the Chartist world as a very talented but distressed man . FOLESHILI .. —We had a splendid meeting on Monday , to hear Mr . John Siarkey preach a political sermon . We expect to hivo a very flourishing association in the course of a week or two . OLDHAIYI — On Sunday last , Mr , Ross lectured to ah overflowing audience in tho Chartist Meeting Room , Greaves-street . A great many strangers were present . He made a powerful appeal on the necessity of union for obtaining the Charter , as the only means of destroying class monopolies .
Weekly Meeting . —At the weekly meeting " of the members which tookplace on Monday evening last , the following resolutions were unanimously passed , after a spirited discussion : — " That this meeting strongly censure Mr . O'Brien and Mr . H . Vincent , tor their vile and malicious conduct towards Mr . O'Connor , the Northern Star , and the National Charter Association . " "That a vote of thanks be given to Mr . Cooper , of Leicester , for the spirited manner in . which he que&ttoned , and the manly reply he made to the flimsy reasons why he ( Mr . O'Brien ) was not a member of the National Charter Association ; and that this resolution be sent to the Northern Star and Comrrionwealthsmun for insertion . '' " That one shilling be sent to tho Northern Star office , to raise a fund to set up Mr . Duffy in some kind of business , and we would recommend every town , village , or hamlet , where there are any Chartists , to do tho same . "
DU 3 LIIT . The Irish Universal Suffrage Association held their usual weekly meeting in the Great Rooms , No . 14 , North Anne-street , on Sunday , the 19 th , Mr . Patrick Rafter in the ehair , Mr . W . H . Dybtt , Secretary . The Chairman said , that in accordance with a good old custom , he should call upon their talented , amiable , and excellent Secretary , whom he was glad to see in good health and spirits , to read the rules and objects of the association . It may appear tedious to those who are accustomed to listen to this preliminary to their proceedings every Sunday , neverthelessf it is * right and proper to read the objects and rules if it were for no other reason than
that of showing even to a single stranger who favours us with a-visit ,, that we are not what others represent us to be ; that we are not Orange men , nor Ribbon-men , that we are not Tories , nor are we Whigs ; that we abhor the base , bloody , and brutal authors of the Irish Coercion Act aud the English Poor Law Amendment Act ; that wo are neither O'Connorites nor O'Connellites , but we are Chartists , true lovers of geuuine unadulterated liberty ; that our motto is " Peace , law , and order ; " that we are banded together like one man , lawfully and constitutionally , for the purpose of obtaining Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Annual Parliaments , the division of the Empire into equal electoral districts , each returning to Parliament an
equal number of representatives , thus doing equal justice to all parties ; the abolition of the Property Qualification , which will do away with perjury in the highost ; tribunal , or , at leastv the next to the highest tribunal in the Jand ; for the payment of our representatives ; that is , for the right to pay them , if we deem it proper so to do \ Now , said the yfiierablo Chairman , we soek for tho attainment of those great and glorious objects , by no other means than by petitions to Parliament , —( hear , hear , ) which we shall continue to pour into the House of Commons , from time to time ,
until every honest man ' , every lover of the prosperity of the country , and the happiness of the people , shall become fully impressed with the justice of granting U 3 our rights . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) . Before I git down , Raid the Chairman , I wish it to be distinctly understood that every man . whether he be for or against any proposition , ehall have a fair hearing ; and even ' those who are not members shall be heard in opposition to any measure , provided that they keep to tho rules , that is , to abide by the ordinary and common rules of legitimate discussion ; but n-jno except members can vote upon any question . Tnero is nething sectarian in our society .
Mr . Henry Clark , rose , pursuaut to notice , to propose lor admission 10 tho . ' . Irish . Universal Suffrage Associa . tiozi ,. Messrs . i ' aii ; cl £ , Hanlon , James Coyne ( sou of Mr . C . Cojiie , of C : 'pt l-a \ re >! t > , and Mr . Jas . Armstrong . Mr . Coyuc , like many others , had prejudices against the -Chavi-i .-jts , but ho happened to be at the Hall of Science , iu-Manchester ^ the ni « ht on which the Repealer , ' - - , as they call themselves , made the atcuck upon Mr . O'Connor and the Chartists . He had mentioned to him ( Mr . Clark ) that the gross misconduct , the brutai conduct of the Manchester RepealerSj and the mild , cool , generous , and conciliating conduct and sound reasoning of the English Chartisifi , and Mr , O'Connor in particular , had determined Mr . Coyne to como boldly and manrul ' y forward to join their ranks , in despite of the puny throat 3 of the would-be
Repealers at the Lorn Exchange—( hear , hear . ) One of the other gentlemen whom he , Mr . Clark , had the honour ot proposing , was au elector in Dublin , and he was ready to join , the other electors iu sighing the pledge , that he would vote for no candidate for the representation of this city , but one tfeat would givo a pledge in writing to support no administration , but one that would giya its official advocacy to Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Annual Parliaments , Equal Representation , Abolition of the Property Qualification , and Payment of ilembei ' s —( hear , hear ) . As for the Repeal Association humbug , every body sees now , that it is not worth a iarthina a week—( hear , hoar ) . Mr . William Woodword seconded tho motion . Jvlr . O'Higgins said he had very great pleasure ia proposing for admission id their Association , Mr . John Doyle , of Ballard , CouUty Wicklow , Mr .
Untitled Article
Patrick M'Nu'ty , of Keady , County . Armagh , and his two respected ntiahbouTs , Mr . Smith , ot Uiiot-mstreefc , and Air . B . Magufre , of Nor ' tii Aiiao-sircec .-These two gentleman took twelve - . months to . study the rules and objects of the Associationt ami its objects and general tendency ; and aft-.-r tiic most mature . consideration , they have come for wardts j " . in it , aud to give it every aid : in their power . Tueir own words are that they never knew of any Association but this one establishment in Ireland , for trie benefit of Jhe whols people , without rdki ' -sus or sectarian distinction , and one of the reasons wiich
kept them back so Ion * from joining it , was entirely owing to what Mr . O'Conijell so of : en said about it ? illeg 3 lity ~( hear , hear . ) He pledged his professional reputation that it was a trau ? portabie ofl « n ? e to belong t » it ; but finding thas that pledga dlii not deter the people from jjining , he then Had recwrso to personal abuse , calumny , and vitJiperawq ' n—( fy * ar , hear . ) Ye ) after all , the Society ; is proiperin ^ : trutaand justice will uhiraassiy prtvail over pp judice and error . Th 9 aeecssirw > of thoss gsntienieri to our ranks aSords one proof ac any rate—that of the power of truth over falsehood and misreprs :-sentation
. Mr . H ; Clark seconded the mo % » . Mr ., Hudson sad that he wW . acquainteH widh hundreds in his ovro line of business or trade ( bricklayer ) who were saost anxious to join thenj , fcu 5 who were deterred from doina no , text they would be denounced by Mir . O'Conneil and h'ia tyYatiiibal satellites ; and thas force their ' ¦ ' einpioyc-rs to discharge thsm , lest by keeping them th-sj would lose their business . The day way when the people wero afraid of Tory tyranny , but there neverwas such an infamous system of tyranny practised % Whig-. or Tory , as that which is now UP . blushihg 5 j practised by file Liber . al O'ComieLi party . H <; ( Mt . Hudson ) was told in this very roos by an O'CouneUUe . thav the house they were i& ought to be burned , and every one in it who didi not a « ree with O'Connell . ( Hear , hear . ) Was ever Tory tyianny equal to this' ? ' ¦ : - ¦ ¦ -.: ¦ ,- " . ; . . ¦ . ; .. ;
Mr . H . Clark rose aiid raid that when bo joined , fhe Irish Universal Suffrage Association be little expected trial any circumstance Bhould e ? er arise which wonfd make him tee ] so proud as hs taen felt . He wasnot only proud of-tk < i high and di ^ inxuished honour which two hundred and , forty of lii ' s countrymen conferred upon him by reqiiesting hira to pro- ; prbso them for admission in * o the ranfesV&f the association , but he was proud of being a Cormaught man ; the country man of tlio ^ e feavo and manly fellows who had'signed the paper , the long list of two hundred and forty names to be enrolled as members-of the Irish Universal Suffrage ; Association —( tremen- ' dous applause ) . Here they- are—( great cheering ) . He should read the whole list over , with many of
the names therein he wa 9 iatimately acquainted . Some of those whoso names he should read , differed ? with him in religion , and some of whom differed with him abhort time since in politics ; but betweeu the reports of the prticeedm £ » in that room , and the liberal and- enlightened articles from the ptu of the Rev . Mr . Hill , in the Northern Stay , those gentlemen have all become , converts to the genuine and philanthropio doctrines of Chartijia ( hear , hear . ) The day was not distant when every lover ot " right and . justice would gloij m the name of Chartist ( hear , hear ) The primitivo clirii-tiaKS were hunted , put to death i ; i many instances , and persecuted for centuries for no other cri me than that of adhering to the true faith , in religion .: Wethe
, Chartists , have beeii hunted , persecuted , vilified and traduced , for no crime under heaven but that of abiding by the trtxe faith in / politics ( hear , hear . ) But the day of triumph is at hand ; the people aro beginning to open their eyes—to thinkTfor themselves , to ba no longer led by tho nose for a farthing a-wci k to support diuhken profligates whose debts tw- ; pubJicaas and tavern keopers , have beea heretofore more than o > n « a paid by penny . subscriptioas , and to help to make a couucillor of Tooi . Ray . Tom Reynolds ai . d Tom Arkins being now provided for , it is quite natural tha , t the people would \ yitl \ dvaw { Von \ a society thaV obtained £ 10 , 000 from theirt under tho false pretence of
Repealing , the U : iion , but for tha real purpose of applying it to ihnir own uses ( hear , hear . ) What has become of tho money I What was dona with , it ? Oh ! ihe people see clearly enough that it is money taat is wanted , and / not Repeal . Why not bring the question forward in the House of Comtn' ns , and let the world judge of its ' merits by . the argunionts there . Oh no , that would uot do ^ 'it must bs an open qv \ estion for the Irish people to agitato for . " Was there ever such barefaced delusion as this ? . Bus thank God , my ¦ country men , tlie brave . Connaught men ar . e beginning to see through if , aud the ' result , of their enlightenniftnt is the two huaiired and forty men whom I now uroposo to be admitted members ( treat cheering . )
Mr . O'Higgins , having been loudly called npon , rose and in a clear and luminous speech , which would not discredit any man , seconded the motion for the admission of the two hundred and forty Coanaught men . ^ Mr . Pyptt rose to bring forward the addrcs 3 of which he had given notice . He should not trouble them with many observations , as the address in itself was lengthy , and would explain its ' own . objects . The pcciplo of Ireland were however slowly lapsing back into common sense . They saw that repeal as at present agitated , \ vas a mere pTetext for extracting the pence of the poor . Men were gettng " sick" and "tired , " he quoted thoir own words ; of being humbugged—( hear , hear , hear)—and at oaea
allowed that tho obtaining of the Suffrage was the only thing worth contonding for —( hear . ) The Corn Exchange Association was dying of political atrophy ; its members were shrunk up , and its money exhausted . America wrs offended ar . d would send no more , as the provident Bank man had been called " Mongul Mooney ''—( a laugh )—which was certainly a bad return for the dollars he had with such dexterity extracted from the pockets of the slave-holding , liberty- talking Yankees . In the address he had now to propose , they would find an absence of nicknames or vituperation . It was
rendered necessary , lest Englishmen should suppose all Irishmen were siavish enough to subscribo to the vile and foolish threat made by the Sylla of his country against the liberties of the working classes of the sisier kingdom —( hear , hear)—and likewise to deprecate the ill feeling with which their unfortunate countrymen might be otherwise naturilly received on the neighbouring shores , whither biting distress aud rack-renting tyranny drove them to cam , by undcTworking the inhaSitant peasantry , the means of holding the miserable patch of ground from which they derived a mere existence—( cheers . ) Mr . Dyott then read the address .
Mr . H . Clark seconded the address . He wa ^ an Irishman , a Catholic , and long an ardenc admirer of Mr . O'Conneil , through all his devious turi . 'ihys and wild inconsistencies . But : experience had shown him that though the people were madeabundant use of by the so-called Liberator , their rights and their wrongs were set aside and ' -di ^ regardtd-, whiie the privileges of the wealthier and middle classes were fiercely contended for , and in s > uie measure achieved . ( ll « ar . ) Mr . O'GoJiaell had never distinguished himseli' as the defender oflabour ; on the contrary , he had made war on the tradesman . of Dublin , and had he not been viicorouslv confronted by them , would have still fur : her curtailed thtir ppwer of self-defence . ( Hear , and cheers . ) And he had now come out—the aristocratic cloven foot had agaia appeared —( laushtei)—with a threat to exurpate the starving artizans of England ,, if
they laid . hands on the bread far lack ot" whic ' ti they were famishing . ( Hear . ) Tin ' s address was indispensable . "It was not to be supposed that Mr . O'Gonnell's 500 . 000 fighting men were to march en masse , ho ; they would go in division . " , and the English labourers might rationally suppose , on the arrival or the . Tipperany men that they formed part of the first brigade . ( Hear . ) : . iiiiagii : ati'm mijiht readily convert . their reaping , hooks' into falchions , and their shillelaha into musquets . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) And a collision might take place fatal to their fellow countrymen , and favourable to those who wished to trade on the respective prejudices of the people by prolonging iheir divisions . \ Hear . ) He had no doubt but the recommendation , in the address would be acted upon by the English Chartists , and that wich British money Chartist princ ple 3 would be brought back to this country . ( Hear . )
Air . O'Conriell said he had no notion of defending his namesake , whose expressions and conduct were indeed , hereareited to say , in too many iristancep , indefensible-: but ' ho ; -, suggested-the policy of softening some puM ? a ^ e . s in the address . Mr . Dvott said he alvvays vras dfiigbted to bear the spef-c . hc-3 auo' -nigstsiion ' s of Mi-. O'Onnell , v / no was a credit to tiie worBinj : cla ?? esi , for the Ktuiulness of hi ;; views , and tn < s exteui of hisuif ' oimatioa ; but ho regretted that he could nat , on the preseiit occasion , agree , with . him . They had too long temporised with truth for the gako of expediency , and what had been tkei'r reward ? abuse ot' tho coar ^ at kind , and vituperation the vilest and most unmeasurtd . VVere Uiey still to "bend low wx ' ih 'bated breath arcd . whispering hunib ' eness ? '' No ,, but iiv the genuine aunutle ot men determined to bo free , they should reply , with tho voice of independence , to every threat aud slander with which malignity
arid falsehood assailed them . ( Cheers ) They .. hud . done so already as rejjaided themseivo * . They had silenced ttie fire of tue Cjrn Exchange , and ! procured tacit toleration at all conns ; Were they to permiti their friends , the Chartiits of Englanc , jto be used worse than themselves ? ( Hear . ) Against the un-Irish and ungenerous sentiment , were ho to stand alone , he would contend . ( Cheers . ) They t-hould defend the absent With double the energy that they would use iu their ¦ .- ' o ' svu behalf , and not content with murmuring their inc'iguation , they should openly and manfully denounce and repel tha narrow , intolerant , unworthy threat 01 Mr . Daniel O'Coiinell , ' whom they would oniSWWMKt » bV »^ l f * voc&ting the generous and comflkliwSelprKUDi ^ tilv of universal liberty . ( Cfacers . y /^> ^^^^ l ^ jvr '"> The address , was then c ^ x ^ dJ ^^ aijJ ^ i ^^ tieut voice , and Mr . O'Conn ^ K ^ SCwfc ^ WsY chair , the ; usual vote of thlM ^ dal ^ WMm * Rafter , aad the meeting m * ffiw $ ! &Y& ! ft ?^ Bt uyxs mmtjatOM
Untitled Article
STALYBRIDGE- —The Chartists of this place have resoiveu not hereafter to permit any person to lecture in their room unless he produce bis card cf meaiber-Bb ^ p in the National Charter Association , and credentials from the locality whence he may come . NOTTINGHAM . —Oa Monday evening laBt , the membfcrs of the Chartists meeting at the Chapel , Riceplace held their weekly meeting , Mr . R . T . Morrison in the chair . Two sMlliugs was v& : ed from the Association Fund , and a subscription entered into for the use of the victims , Hines and Duffy , and agreed to for the same to be open for a week , vrhea the amount * m be divided between them .
Cfcarttet £Nuil\Qtnct.
Cfcarttet £ nuil \ Qtnct .
Untitled Article
AND LEEDS GENERAL ADflROFISEm
Untitled Article
TOL . Y . NO . 241 . SATURDAY , JUNE 25 , 1842 . ™^ S ° , SS ' '
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), June 25, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1167/page/1/
-