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Northern Star (1837-1852), 24th December 1842, Edition 1 of 3, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1842.
    • Suicide from the waht op Power to Eat.--" Mr. Baker held an inquest oh Monday, at the Cofr
    • 8To Mettoetfi mm ^omjs^potttient^.
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      WHAT IS A BASE COMPROMISE . " TO THE EDITOR BY IBS 5 OE 1 HSS 5 STA'R . fc ' rs , —Mr . O'Connor , in his letter iaserted in last week ' s Star , accuses Sunderland of having been guilty of a " base compromise . " I don't think it ¦ worth while to waste words , and occupy your columns with a charge which seems as foolish as it is unjust ; bnt for the purpose of discorerine what meaning or justice there may be in the accusation , I would like an answer to the folio wing questions : — 1 . What principle , or principles of the Charter , were compromised in electing any one , or all , of the four representatives chosen at Snnderland ! 2 . Wish which of the delegates was the compromise ma / ifl I

      I think it could not be Joseph Sturge , whom Mr . O'Connor admits to be " honest , " and whom also lie deemed well worthy and qualified to represent the people of Nottingham in Parliament , ceitalnly a much more important trust than than of a member Of the coming Conference . That it was dot Roberts with whom the compromise was made ii also evident from the testimony Mr . O'Connor now bears to his worth and character . Mr . O'Connor could sot safely assert that a compromise -v ? a 3 made in supporting Mr . Thompson , because he ( Mr . O'C . ) 19 ignorant of Ms personal character and public

      conduct . I can tell him , and the-people of Suuderland know these to be facts , that Mr . Thompson is sot a mushroom professor of the principles of the Charter—that for six years he has repeatedly and publicly declared his attachment to , and advocated those principles , that h . 13 parse has eTcr been opened to any appeal made to him for assistance , in disse-K > inatin £ it 3 principles , or defending the victims ; that he nobly proposed that brave champion of freedom , Mr . George BinnB , as the representative ior Snnderland , in opposition to the factious candidates .

      Wa 3 the base compromise made in supporting me I —if so , -what have I done 1 Surely the opinion of the people of Sunderland , who know me be ^ t , and have witnessed my career , ought to be taken . They have judged me . Their opinion is shown by my election . That I hare enemies is true ; who has not ? but I defy any one , or all of them , to prove me unworthy of the Chartists' confidence , in a fair public meeting . I am . Sir , Youtb respectfully , J . Williams .

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      SHEFFIELD . M& . O'Cohkob visited Sheffield on Tuesday last , and , in the evening addressed a crowded and enthusiastic meeting in the Circu 3 . At eight o ' clock , Mr . O'Connor en ered the meeting , and was received with the most deafening appiaBse . ** Well rally around him , " was immediately sung in gallant style , the people chorusing most heartily . Mr . Edwih Gin proposed that George Evinson should take the chair . Mr . Hools seconded the motion , which was agreed to unanimously . Ml . Etixsos , on taking the chair , expressed the pleasure he felt at the honour -conferred npon him . He would ask for Mr . O'C . a hearing ; he knew they were anxiously waiting to hear him—( cheers' ) . The

      Chairman concluded by introducing Mr . O'Connor . Mr . O'Cox 5 OR , on comisg forward , was received with repeated and thundering cheering . He thanked them for the reception they had given him . It had been said men change every seven years ; his presence there to-night was a drnial of the assertion . He was the same man now that hs -was when , exactly seven years ago , he stood before them in Paradise-square , and was greeted with the cry of "HurooPat , who sent you here ? " ( Cheers . ) He was still the man he was then , bnt the people had advanced . Was evidence required , he would say look at the glorious triumph of the working men of Sheffield yesterday . ( Loud cheers . ) That victory was bat the precursor of a greater victory . ( Cheers . )

      Poverty , rapidly on the increase , would ensure that ¦ victory . The middle class were fast learning what Were the natural frnits of the present system . Through indirect taxation , the Parliament had sqnee » d the people ; by direct taxation they were now squeezing the middle class ; bnt sqaeizs as they would they would shortly be unatla to squeeze any more , for though Samson wa 3 a strong man , and Solomon a wise man , yet neither of them could pay money if they had it cot —( cheers . ) So ' loag as " the middle classes could fqietze you , we heard nothing about union . He was for uiion—he had preached union , —but what sort of union 1 Union among the working men themselves—( lond cheers . ) All the legislative and social changes

      of the last few years had done the working classes i no good—{ hear , near ) See how the Reform Bill had worked ; after ten years of reform we have now a House of Commons who would repeat the Reform Bill ; whereas before that period we had a boroughanongering House of Commons who were willing to ,, and did pass the Reform BilL All the- schemes of j amelioration and improvements proposed by the mid- ! die class at the present time , were calculated only to give increased power to the speculator and capitalist , at the expense of the working classes . He was for free trade , bnt he was for a free trade in legislation < first . Under the preteat system they were making i farires * folks , BpoonB , razors , fenders , pots , kettles , !

      && , for the Chinese and other nations , while all the ; time they were in want of these absolute necessaries themselves— ( Cries of " True . *) The present system . was not only ruining the working classes , bnt also : the »" paH manufacturer . A struggle was approach * ] Ib £ of immense importance , a straggle between the ' agricultural and political landlords—( cheers . ) The ! Con Law Repealers talked about free trade ; they ! would get it when they let the people into the Heuse of Commons , and not before— - ( cheers . ) In opposing the free-traders now , he was but acting ! consistently . In 1834 he voted against a repeal of j the Corn . Laws , and also voted against the New ¦ Poor Law .. Though an Irish Member he always j adnwtod the rights and interests of the English j

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      people . He had toiled seven years in their BerviCj , and now that he had made Chartism respectable , now that he saw a man like Daneombe—one of the aristocracy , allying himse ) £ with the people , and declaring that the Charter was the only thing worth struggling for ; when he saw this , be would ask , shall calumny and tyranny drive them from the pursuit of their object ! No for himself he would say , come weal come woe ; come prosecution or persecution ; come slander , oome calumny , come bonds or death ; he would persevere for the obtainment of the Charter , nor be satisfied with less than it entire—name and all . ( Immense cheering . ) Ah ! but they say , " you don ' t go the right way . " He would answer , show him the right way , and he would walk in it , but 00 union with those who have played the part of

      betrayers before . ( Cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor next enterod at great length into the question of iiiachinery , the operation and effects of which he explained in a masterly manner . He next took up the Peel tariff , showed how it affected the landlords , and that his prophecies respecting it had been more than verified . After speaking at great length on these subjects , Mr . O'Connor alluded to the calumnies that had been circulated respecting himself , such as that he was paid by the Tories , and that the Evening Star was supported by the Carlton Ciub . Mr . O'C . ably replied to these calumnies , lashing the slanderers most severely . His defence was responded to by the most hearty and repeated cheering . He challenged the Corn-Law repealers to discussion , and concluded by declaring that no matter what he suffered at the hands of his slanderers

      and persecutors , he would break oppression ' s head , or oppression should break his heart . Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid loud and repeated cheers . Mr . Otlkt was glad to have an opportunity of stating to Mr . O'Connor his opinions . He approved of much that had been said by Mr . O'Connor that evening , but he condemned the pro-Tory policy recommended by Mr . O'Connor at the last election , lie deDJored the disunion existing at the present

      time ; the people , instead of denouncing each other , should denounce the Whigs and Tories . ( Cries of ** and humbugs too . " ) : He condemned the Chartists for not giving the Siorgeites a hearing ill the Town Hal ] , and concluded by expressing his hopes that in future the people would unite with each other and battle only with the common enemy . Mr . Otley was at the commencement received with partial applause , but his remarks elicited considerable disapprobation . Mr . O'Connor again rose and was received with

      enthusiastic cheers . His reply to ilr . Oiley ' s objections to the pro-Tory policy was received with general applause . Mr . Otley talked about union , he ( Mr . O'C . ) was anxious for union , yet there were those who profested to have adopted our principles but would not unite with us because of a name . Mr . O'C . defended the working classes from the charges brought against them by Mr . 0 ., and again alluded to the glorious victory of the previous day . Mr . Harney also replied at some length to Mr . Otley .

      Mr . Samuel Pa . rk . es moved the thanks of the merting to Mr . O'Connor , for his able and talented address . The motion was seconded by Mr . Suttoh and carried by acclamation . Mr . O'Co » ob replied , and concluded by proposing three cheers for the Charter , name and all . The meeting enthusiastically responded to the call . Mr . O'Connor then retired amid the oft repeated cheers of the meeting .

      Mr . Harnbt proposed the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman , which having been awarded , the meeting dissolved-

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      THE CONFERENCE .

      The Northern Star of Saturday next will contain a FULL REPORT of the important proieedinga of this National Body during their sitting , up to the latest possible period before going to press with each edition . This report will not be by the ** Reporter of the Northern Star ' ; " but by a gentleman specially engaged for the occasion , whose talent is second to none in the provinces , and who has held situations in the establishments of the two leading provincial newspapers , ( excepting our own . ) His instructions are to furnish a faithful account of each day's proceedings . The reader may rely on it that he will do so .

      The Northern Star Saturday, December 24, 1842.

      THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , DECEMBER 24 , 1842 .

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      THE CONFERENCE . Obr spaca is so full of the news of the eleotiong that we aTe unable to do more than barely refer to them . Our readerB will perceive that they have gone on gloriously ; that " whole hog" men have been returned in almost every instance . We have now some solid ground of hope that the Conference will be a great " means of effecting good ; that it will cement together all the good men in both movements to form a phalanx against tyranny , while it will drive out the worthless from both to find their own place . Bnt though in all the large towns and important districts Chartism has

      triumphed , the men of Humbug will muster a strong body from the small places . There will also doubtless be every "dodge" resorted to for annoying that free spirit of the people which they bare been unable to delude . We Bhall doubtless have plenty of disputed elections , plenty of protests , and other means of delaying business and of shewing the sweet conciliatory spirit of the Sturge men- We hope that onr former advice npon the subject will be kept carefully in mind ; that where any Chartist delegate ' s

      election is at all Kkely to be disputed , a full written statement of tte circumstances will be not only transmitted to the eooncil at Birmingham , bat also confided to some other good Chartist , whoBe election is undisputed , and who can therefore see that juptice be done in the matter . Any communication of this sort sent here to-morrow , addressed Mr . J . Hobson , Star Office , Leeds , or sent to Hull , addressed Rev . Wm . Hill , Hull , will be Bare of being attended to . But remember that we shall be off on Monday

      morning . Above all things , let every Chartist delegate take care to be in Birmingham on Monday night , ready for business at the very opening of the Conference on Tuesday moriiiDg . The yihst business will be the settling of disputed seats . Every Chartist delegate who , not being detained by some absolutely uncontroulable circumstance , is absent from his post when his aid is required for this business , will grossly betray his trust .

      MR CAMPBELL'S RESIGNATION . We call attention to the following paragraph , attached by Mr . Campbell to the end of his statement of Executive receipts for the week : — " J . Campbell is no longer secretary . I trill publish the Balance-sheet for the quarter in the Star of Dec , 31 st , 1842 , and from the appearance of this notice I entirely give up the secretaryship , referring the country to my pamphlet for the cause of my resignation . I also resign the office of Executive Councillor . I have done so long ago ; (!) and in taking faie'well of my brother democrats , 1 hope they may secure some person who will be , as I have been , an honest and faithful servant" ' ! I

      Mr . Campbell has managed his resignation in the same manner as the whole business of his office has been managed ; as blunderingly and as insultingly to his constituents as possible . He had no right to resign , without first giving notice of his intention to do bo , and calling on the people to appoint some person in whose hands the book ? , cards , public documents , and other property of the Association holden by him should be placed . This was his duty . As usual he has neglected his duty . We now call upon the people to remedy the blunder in the best way they can .

      We call upon " them to determine immediately in their respective localities upon some person in whose hands these things may at once be lodged , with an instruction not to give them up to any person but a new General Secretary of the National Charter Association , elected by the members of the whole Association . We suppose that there will not be two opinions upon the fact that this is a necessary thing to be done , and to be done immediately . The man may perhaps excite some discussion . We think John Cleave a man who has as much of the confidence of all parties as any other man we know . Ho also happens to be the General Treasurer to the Association ; and , therefore , from that circumstance is the most proper person to be entrusted with the custody of the property of the Association .

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      TO THE C 7 HARTIST 5 OF GREAT BRITAIN Mr Feie . nds , —I am one of * those who think that " an acci ' iSer should come into court with clean bands . " I think that we should exhibit consistency ia oar character and in our condnefc . Struggling with and for each other , for common rights , against a common enemy , no other virtue is so necessary and important to us as that consistency of character which may give the lie to the most plausible and most frequently reiterated objection of that common enemy to our righteous demand .

      The objection is that we are unfitted for the exercise of our rights ; that to invest the people with the immunities of freemen , and to give them a due voice in governmental matters , would be to establish a despotism more terrible than any that has yet been known . The only way , successfully to answer this , is to exhibit , in all our own conduct , and in the management of bur own affairs , | a dose attention to the sacred principles of justice which we advocate ; shewing thereby that we are Chartists not merely in name but iu character ; that we

      revere the just requirements of our Charter , and practise them so far as we have opportunity . It ill becomes men to find fault with that in others which they themselves practise . Now you had never a better opportunity of proving how much of genuine Chartism enters into the composition of your character than is just now afforded you . The opportunity is a painful one , no doubt ; it is one that every true lover of the cause will deplore ; but it is still one that ought sot to be passed by ; and that cannot be passed by without stultifying

      ourselves and inflicting an injury upon our cause still more serious than that which it has already suffered from the occurrence of the foots out of which it rises . As ChartiBts , sou have an Organization which for Chartist purposes is tour constitution ; you have officers whose duty it is to see to the enforcement of that constitution in all its principles and details ; those officers are appointed by , and responsible to , rou ; and if they violate the trust reposed in them the remedy is in your hands . Now the head and

      front of your just complaining , on the score of political grievances , is that public servants have the power to trample underfoot the avowed principles of the constitution , and you have no remedy . This complaint may betaken to be valid or factious , just as you give proof of your disposition to remedy the grievance if the power were in your hands ; and nothing exhibits this disposition so strongly as your own manner of conducting the affairs of your ¦ own association and its movements .

      If in these you evince a disposition to permit reckless disregard and defiance of all the principles of your constitution to pass , without stamping it with censure ; if , having elected men to office , you leave them to do therein just what they please , without looking to its justice or its injustice ; if you permit the sanction of your name and authority to acts by which every principle of right and of common justice is disregarded and defied ; you afford to your enemies a very forcible confirmation of their only feasible argument against the concession of your , rightB .

      For these reasons , and for these reasons only ;—because 1 love justice under all circumstancesbecause I would not wink at that in our own body which I denounce in others , I have thought it : my duty to call ycur attention to certain gross and flagrant violations of our constitution by our own officers . The duty was a very painful and a rery unpleasant one ; but I saw it to be a duty , and therefore I did it . I neier yet shrunk from duty , because it might happen to be more pleasant or more profitable to evade it : I trust I never shall . I never yet slunk from my post , b cause it had become difficult or dangerous to maintain it : I trust I never shall .

      For the performance of my disagreeable duty in commenting honestly and boldly , giving my reasons for every thing I Baid , upon the public documents of the Executive Committee , I have been loaded with every species of abuse and vituperation by all the respectivemembers of the Executive , save Mr . Williams . Not one of my allegations has been met ; not one of my arguments has been answered ; but I ha , ve been abused , vilified , and slandered . Counter accusations of the most malignant character have been got up . The most atrocious falsehoods have been asserted about my being concerned in divers plots and conspiracies . I have demanded the proofs : no proofs have been offered ; but the parties have travelled from place

      to place , repeating the statements , as though they were true . Thus has the real question , of whether the Exeoutive have or have not abused the confidence of the people , been kept , to a certain extent , out of sight ; and you have to that same extent suffered yourselves to be amused with denunciation of me , instead of looking to your own affairs . This is not right . It is not fair . After the proofs of the " plots" and " conspiracies" ia which I am alleged to have been concerned , had been demanded , it was not right in any Chartist audience to listen to a repetition of tho statement , until those proofs bad been furnished . " Fair play is a jewel ; " and I have as much right to it as any other man .

      If the allegations against me can be proved , vsl them be proved . And then the question stands just where it did . Call me " assassin , " ** villain , " " rogue , " " traitor , " and every other choice name which has been applied to me ; and what then ! Does that prove that the Executive have not violated the principles of our constitution , and of Chartism ; that they have not neglected the single one duty they were appointed to perform ; that they have not maUppropriated the hard-earned pence of the poor people committed to their care : that they have not manifested a contempt of Chartist

      principle by disregarding the remonstrances and respectful enquiries of their constituents 1 These are the matters to be answered ; and they will not be answered by mere abuse of me ; and if you permit abuse of me to be substituted for an answer to them , or if you permit them to pass unanswered , you forfeit the consistency of your own character , as a public body ; and you give your enemies thereby a pretext for the argument that your ontory against their violations of the saored principles of justice , and their malappropriations of the people ' s funds , is mere factious and unprincipled clamour .

      The question is one of national interest and of universal import . The sacred principles of our Charter are involved in it . It is the affair of the whole people ; and it is the people ' s duty to see to its settlement . In the hope of averting publio observation from the real question , and from the real magnitude and importance of that question , it has been represented as a private quarrel between me and the Executive , arising out of some pique , or personal consideration . Not a shadow of a reason has been assigned for this representation ; and yet the members of the Executive have been seconded in it by some persons

      in different parts' of the country . What reasons these persons may have for their share of this disreputable business , they perhaps , best know . I know , at all events , that a determined effort is made to help the Executive to fasten the enquiry npon me as a personal quarrel . The complaints and investigations which have been made by many of the Chartist body in different parts of the kingdom for months back are ingeniously kept out of sight , and the whole matter is represented as a dispute between me and the Executive ; and not a matter between the Executive and the whole Chartist body .

      Some members of the Executive , not content with venting their abuse at me through the columns of my own paper , have " bounced" and " swaggered " not a little about "dragging me before a publio meeting "—about " walking barefoot" for the purpose of doing so—about " following me to the gates of Hell "—and such like rubbishly bombast . This may •» take , " when delivered , in my absence , to the people , while their blood is just warm from a onesided speech—fraoght perhaps with misrepresentation and falsehood—and fwhile they are thus pre-

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      vented from reflecting fairly on all sides of the matter . It may serve , under such circumstances , to bring down a clap ; and , perhaps , in some minds , to excite a prejudice against me . But the reflecting and discriminating will estimate it at its true worth . They will know that it is intended merely to close their eyes to the fact , that though ample opportunity h as been given for every allegation against the Executive to be answered , they have not answered one of them . ' ; ¦ . ' ; ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦ . ' '¦• . : ' ¦ ¦' : ¦ ¦ . ,. ; ., . .-. ¦ " ' : ¦ . _ ¦ - -

      These blusterers about publio meetings and about my "facing them man to man before the people , " &c . know that they have here a great advantage over me ; they know that I am peculiarly situate ; ' they know that my health is delicate and very uncertain —that I Can never calculate upon being well from one day to another ; they know that my physical strength is unequal to great public exertion ; they know that my ordinary duties are so many and laborious , that any addition to them is a very serious inconvenience ; and hence they think themselves perfectly safe iu daring me to " come out

      before the people . " They think that I Bhall not meet them in discussion . They commit a small mistake here . I shall not suffer them thus to escape . They have no right to force me into this position . The people had bo right to permit them todoso . I deny theright of either the Executive , or any body else , to represent the inquiry now going on into the conduct of the Executive as a quarrel between me and them . It is no such thing . In the Northern Star I have merely , as a journalist , given honest comments upon public facts and documents . I had a right to do this ; and no man had a right to complain of it .

      I ask nobody to take my opinions for more than they are worth , and I have as much right to express my opinions as any other man . I have done more than most journalists would have done in giving free admission to coarse and scurrilous vituperation in reply . I have given the free use of my own columns to the Executive , not only as , a body , but to every member singly , to reply to every thing I said . They have used them for that purpose . They have said and written

      in the Northern Star both collectively and individually whatever they liked . What more do they want ! What more hare they a . right to ! I have already given them much more liberty for defence than they were at all entitled to ; because my observations on their conduct were general and directed against the body : while I have given free room to them to reply in both capacities ; both as a body and as individuals . And I deny the right of any man or set of men to expect me after that to waste time in publio discussion with them .

      But to leave no room for escape ; and lest it may be said that I am valiant only in the Star , and that I fear discussion , I am quite ready to meet either Mr . Leach or any other member of the Executive , as an authorized representative of that body , at any mutually convenient time and place ; and then and there as a member and councillor of the National Charter Association to hake good my charge AGAINST THE EXECUTIVE CF HAVING VIOLATED THE PLAN OFV ORGANIZATION WHICH THEY WERE APPOINTED ; TO ENFORCE , AND OF HAVING THEREIN MANIFESTED A DISREGARD ' OF CHARTIST PRINCIPLE

      AND OF MORAL AND POLITICAL HONESTY . I make that charge against them now ; as a body . I have proved it in the Northern Star ; and I ana ready to prove it before a publio meeting ; stipulating only for a free , open , and fair discussion before the people—a clear stage and no favour . Fair play is all I ask > If Mr . Leach be prepared to meet me upon that question , having authority from the other members of the Executive to appear as the champion of the body and to defend the acts of the body , he will find me quite ready . I will meet any other

      member of the Executive , or any other man in England , on the same conditions . But mind : I deal with the Executive , as a body ; not with Mt . Leach as an individual . I have brought no charge against individuals ;• and my time is a little too v aluable to be wasted in individual squabbles . Who does not see that after the discussion with Mr . Leach , Mr . Bairstow might put in a similar claim for his share of the defence ; and that I must then begin again for M'Douall , and so on for tho whole ; and that then , when everyone had had his " go , " the Executive , as a body , might disclaim all the individual disputation , and begin / de novo . This might very well suit the brawlers , because it would sicken and

      nauseate all decent men of the broil . For that reason I BhaU not be party to it . I deny the right of the Exeoutive , or any of them , to claim from me any other opportunity of defence than that they have already had . I repeat that even that has been made more ample than they had any right to . But if public discusaion of the matter will gratify them—and they talk loudly about it—I am quite ready . Let them appoint their man ; no matter to me whom : Leach , M'Douall , Bairstow , Campbell-Hor even any volunteer , in whose powers of eloquence and tact they may have more confidence than in . their own ; I am ready for any man , let him be but duly authorized , the arrangements fairly made , and the discussion fairly and . openly conducted .

      Whenever either or any of them may be ready , authorised to appear for the executive , he has only to apprise me . i will then name a few friends , and the executive shall name a like number , by whom all the preliminaries TOR THE DISCUSSION SHALL BE AGREED ON ; and I fancy I am quite able to give them enough of it . If the "bouncing" of M'Douall and © f Leach have been authorized by the Executive , they will take this as the acceptance of their © hallengo ; if it have been only individual "bounce" I have something else to do than notice it .

      And now mind ; let us have no misunderstandings and no shirkings nor shufflings . I have been forced into this position , very unfairly , and verymuch against my inclination ; I am not now to be forced out of it again . If the Executive mean discussion , I am their ^ man ; and whether they me an it or not I do . I have been challenged ; and I accept the challenge . As tho challenged , I have a right to fix the place of meeting ; and I fix it at Manchester , where the Executive will surely have every advantage ; where Mr . Leach , if he be their champion , will be at home and have no expence in travelling ; where the Executive should be best known and have most influence ; where Chartism has a stronger hold on the population than in

      any other town in England ; where they havo had the full opportunity during all this time of making a party for themselves by telling their own tale their own way , with none to contradict them ; where Mr . Leach has had full swing at me in my absence , to vent whatever fabrications and perversions he pleased , in private circles or public meetings , ad libitum { at Manchester ; in the very midst of his own friends , disciples and admirers ; where the people have at their own command a spacious building in which they have been so long used to be delighted with his eloquence , and to hear bis denunciations of me , I am quite ready to'aieet Mr . James Leach , or any other champion of the Executive , and there

      prove—1 st . That the Executive have neglected the duties of their office . : 2 ndly . That they have violated the organization they were appointed to enforce . < 3 rdly . That they have done so wilfully , after repeated caution and remonstrance . ithly . That they have wrongfully appropriated the monies of the Association to their own use and benefit . . . . : ¦ -: - : .. ;/ ,. ¦ ' ., '; . ¦ ; ' ¦ / ' . ¦' . ¦ ;¦ . . . x ithly . That they have both manifested in their own conduct , and countenanced in that of others , a disregard of Chartist principle .

      I offer to prove all these things against them in Manchester—their own town ; where their sittings have been holden ; where thair popularity as lecturers is greatest ; and where , as an Executive , they should be be best known , I ask only " a

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      cl « ar stage and no favour" ; that one full week ' s notice , in the Northern Star , and by whatever other means the Exeoutive may please , shall be given of the meeting ; that it shall be holden in either the Hall of Science , or Carpenter ' s Hall ; that free admission be given to the people ; that no effort at " packing" shall be made , but that the meeting be fair , free , and open . I will pay one half the rent of the room , if held in the Hall of Science , ( if held in Carpenters' Hall , I presume there will , be no rent ) , and my own travelling and personal charges out of my own pocket ; I will

      advertise the meeting in the Northern Star at my own cost ; the other half of the room rent ( if in the Hall of Science ) , their own travelling , if any , and personal expences , and whatever other mode of advertising they choose to adopt , to be defrayed by them —also out of their own pockets ; not touching the people ' s funds for it . The meeting to be at s > me time mutually convenient for attendance . All other matters relating to the discussion to be settled , without either their interference or mine , by a committee of five friends on each side to be named for the purpose .

      Now ; is this fair \ I repeat that they have no right to expect this . My meeting them in discussion at all is a pure work of supererogation . But notwithstanding that , as they talk much about itand as they would fain have it believed that they attach much importance to it , there ' s the chance for them . Let them appoint their man ; ( I care hot who it may-be ;) let him tell me when he is ready and I will instantly name my friends , and the arrangement shall be made .

      After this matter is settled , let them bring their counter accusations if they dare . I am ready to answer in like manner to ANY CHARGES which they , or any- of them , or any man in England , may be disposed to bring against me . - "A public meeting is the Justice Hall for me" : and to that tribunal I dare ihe * whole pack of yelpers whenever they have the manliness to put their charges into a tangible shape , as I have done , and " come fairly out" ! 1

      And now , my friends , as far as the Northern Star is concerned , this matter is for the present at least done with . Save what may be necessary to this meeting , if ever it take ; place , I will not insert another word upon it , pro . ^ or con . from any quarter ; unless two communications which I expect in reference to a dirty rascally trick played by a Mr . Fraxer should happen to be too late for this week ' s paper if they be , I shall probably give them next week . Earnestly desiring to see consistency of . character among Chartists ; and to see our ; movement purged of the ranting mouthing locusts , who have done it much harm , I am , my Friends , Your ' s , faithfully , -. ¦ ¦¦' ¦ " ' William Hill . Northern Star office , Leeds , Dec . 20 , l& 42 i

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      TO DOCTOR PETER MURRAY M'DOUALL AND TO JAMES LEACHl . / In aletter written by you Dr . M'Douall , and published in ihe Evening Star ot Thursday , Dec . 1 st 1842 , I find these words : — "The Executive received letters from various parts , informing us that a conspiracy was being formed against them , and particularly a letter from Leeds , which stated that Mr . Hill and others agreed there in a certain house , to pursue a certain course of oonduot against the Executive , the basis of which was—that the character of the Executive was to be sufficiently shaken first in private , and then by a simultaneously pvblic assault . * !

      " Wnere are tne men 1 oh ! both men and letters can easily be forthcoming , and my respected colleagues can have no difficulty in producing them if they are wanted , an eyeut which certain parties will not demand to be realised . " ; This letter was written for publication in the Northern Star and was published in the Northern Star t of December 10 , in which paper I demanded the publication of those letters . They have not yet been published . At the South Lancashire delegate meeting , on Sunday , Nov . 27 th , yoa , James Leach , are reported to have made a similar statement , and also to have aaid that :

      •' In the month of July last , the Hull Chartists were about to pass the Balance Sheet , . when Mr . Hill entered the room and put a stop to it , and a friend that was present at that meeting wrote to Mr . Campbell stating that there was a plot hatching against the members of the Executive , of which he would receive the first attack in a short time . " In the Northern Star of th « 10 th of December , the Hull Councillors , of whom I am one , demanded

      the publication of that letter , and the name of the writer . It has not yet been published . I now reiterate the demand that these letters , and all of them , be published , together with the writers ' names—that th . 9 writers may substantiate their statements if they can . I offer you the free dse of the Northern Star for their publication . I deny the truth of these statements , so far as I am concerned . ¦ ' " . ¦

      And until those letters which you say contain and confirm these STATEMENTS ( and which , you have been required to publish , but have not done SO ) BE PUBLISHED , TOGETHER WITH THE WRITERS NAMES , TO GIVE MB AN OPPORTUNITY OF MEETINO THE CHAHCEs fairly , I BRAND YOU , Doctor Peter Murray M'Douall , and YOU , James Leach , each AND SEVKRALLY , BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE , AS A LIAR AND A SCOUNDREL !! At the same Delegate Meeting on the 27 th November , you James Leach are reported to have said :- — : ¦ - .... * ;¦ : ¦ . ' ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ;

      •' When I was at Leeds I had some conversation with Mr . Hill concerning a man ia the movement , whoae wife lives not far from this place , and he is leading a common prostitute about the country with him . Mr . Hill Asked me what was to be done ! I said drive him from the ranks . Mr . Hill thought it would not be advisable to do so , as in a short time a great number of the advocates would be in prison , and the movement would want all the assistance that could be got . I thought that was the very

      reason that we should drive such scamps as him from amongst us . When the honest friends of the-people were locked up—the greater the necesssHy of the few that remained at large being unimpeachable in their moral character . But Mr . Hill thought if it could be kept quiet it would be better . I said that that was impossible , as six different districts had already exposed him—and yet at the very time that he was talking to me thus he had aa article wrote to damn four of us . "

      You , James Leach , know thia to be a wicked perversion of that conversation , You know that it is nothing like what was said on that occasion . I will not place my assertion against yours ; because there were witnesses to that conversation , who heard what was said , and who can confirm your statement if it be true . I dare you to call those witnesses and to ask them to publish a correct statement of what really was said . And until you have done this , I FURTHER BRAND YOU , JAMES LEACH , BEFORE THE WHOLE PEOPLE AS A BASE AND WICKED CALUMNIATOR .

      I Bhall publieh this letter in the Northern * Star every week , till these statements are either proved or retracted , as far as they concern me . ' . '" ; ' , ' . ' Yours , .. ¦ ¦ ; . ¦ ' ; . . " . .. ; " A true man , and a Lover of Fair Play , WILLIAM ' HILL . NorlhernStar t Leeds , Dec . 24 , 1842 .

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      ' M " ^ ™* K * n ail friendliness ^ to remind him that tee might of ten find room far a short letter , waen a long one stande no chance at all . His present one , in mnswer to W . P ., & neoesfirUy excluded by Us great length , which far exceeds the space use can spare for such a discussion We Mink all the points might hane- been , put into a much shorter letter than the oi . \ e kc has sent us . ' -: ¦ .: ¦ ¦ ' - ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ - " ¦ ; . . - . ¦ . -

      Nobthampton . —In the report from thr s place , inserted in our last , it was stated that 8 s . 6 d ' nad been collected for Mrs . HoKerry : it should hoot beenos . forMrs . EUts . ¦ - ..-.. T" * R . ; . T ., -lApmwos ; -We regret much thai * ,

      Untitled Article

      Stars to Irelahd . —A genuine Scotch Chartist of the right school writes us as follows : —] " Considering every friend of the cause ihonld do all ia his power to forward the same , I have mad « it » practice to tend my Stars to Ireland for two y * ar » past ; and seeing a notice in the Star some time ago , and -which notice was often repeated , from a real ot pretended J . C . Grady , whose adureu * m ' near French Park , Cointy » of Roscommon , Ira . land / wishing ' . fora llftlpStarlight , I accordingl * have sent a many papers to thit address ; and aa

      he wished those who aent . > him papers to write to him , I sent 'him the enclosed letter , which has been returned to me : anch a person as JVC Grady could not be found I This wears an ugly look , u there Is no J C Qrady , at French Park ; who has received all the papers which have been sent there to his address ? It ( in my opinlen ) looks ven like a plot Do . my Dear Sir , in your next , gira us your opinion on this matter , so that your readers woo have been in the habit of sending papen there may be put on their guard , and send them where a better use may be made of them . "

      We advise parties sending Stars to send them to Mr . Dyotl , u > Ao is secretary to the Iriih tJnivers ( U Suffrage Society , and who is a printer and stationer , ; residing in King-street , Dublin . By sending them to him they may be sure of their being redistributed to advantage to the cause . An old and tried Democrat , who has seen more than twenty . years' service in the cause , writes ua thatannldfriendofhis . athorotigh-going Char ' tisl , and one of the " eight honest men" who sat in the first Convention , and faithfully discharged his duty as" Chancellor of the Exchequer , " paid him a visit the other day , and , among othet subjects of conversation , the peculation of , and slovenly method ^ of doing public business by , the present Executive came upon the carpet , when he observed : —

      '' Well , you may be surprised at what I am going to tell you , —but it is nevertheless true , —that there aie in H- —— a set of fallows whs call themselves Chartists who absolutely tell us that we have nothing whatever to do -with the acts of the Executive—not even to call their conduct into question ; that they are appointed to the office , and they bav » a right to do aathey think proper . ' . ' l " The writer continues : — "Sir , I was not surprised to hear of such consummate nonsense emanating from professed Chartists . " After a quarter of a century ' s service in the armyone OUgbt to learn something ; and in that time I have learned the fact that many have marched ¦ with us who cinnot learn diac ' pHne . Some know

      nothing but the . enemy ' s tactic * ; some look only for promotion ; and some , for fickle fame , are incessantly sporting their tinsel , and , parrot-like , are ever chattering about " foaming cataracts , mighty avalanches , and cloud-capp'd mountains . " Such , Sir , are the bane of the cause ; and I am glad you have the coaratre to give the alarm , like a faithful and trust-worthy sentinel . Leave not your post ; but keep a strict look out , and inspect well our own ranks , until the awkward squad are compelled to desert . Mind not their blarney about" creating disunion ; " for they , whom yon justly denounce are the only authors of disunion , and are an insuperable barrier to our progresB . Until such remoret are removed we cannot , enter the haven of our hope . " ¦¦ . ¦¦ ¦ ¦ "' . ; ; ' ¦

      We need scarcely say that we reciprocate the writer ' s sentiments about the mouthers . We have never ceased to warn the people against them ; we never shall do while we retain the power . If the people choose to be gulbd , cheated ^ sold , and \ laughed at \ we cannot'help it j but we will at least do our duty . Thomas Allen . — We think not ; but woald not be too sure about the mailer . G . P . —His remedy would be an action against the , gaoler ; but we fear it would be a remedy worse than the disease . Peter Rigby . —iViratf week , if possible . . A Reader op ihe Stab , —If he wish to remain on

      the roll he must pay the shilling , if demanded . B . A . Dbomgoole . —Next week , ifpossible . Samuel Allihson . —We cannot insert his letter . Vkritas must of necessity stand over for the present We regret it , but cannot help it : our space it ¦ ; . ' ¦ full . ¦' ' . ¦' ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ - . . ' - ¦ ¦ - . ¦¦ . ' .. I ' The Bath Chartists . "— We have received along objurgation in the shape of an address , adopted on Wednesdcty , the lith , by nine persons , in Bath , and impudently subscribed " The Bath Chabtists 1 " We have heard of people being u more R . than F . " : we suspect the parties to this "Bath Chartists' Address" to be a little more F , thanR ., eveni Daniel DiGGLE . —TTe cannot give any " opinion" on

      the matter ' , but we will give his letteras joan as we have room , and let it tell its own tale . Barber , Nottingham . — Want of space compels % u to emit his letter . Indeed , it comes loo late , the miichief being done . . '¦ : ' P . — We have not room for his lettei ; but we quite agree with him in the opinion that he does not deserve much pity . : S . B . —The answer to his first question depends on the terms of the lands in question . To his second question , "No . " To his third , Our opinion is that the pond might be dragged or the gasometer removed without the permission of the ownerthat it must be done at the expence of the hundred—and that the owner would have his remedy for damages by ah action against the hundred . John Cain . — We have no room . John Lewis has a right to his opinion . We neither envy it nor ask him to change it . We beg only to be permitted to keep our own . Perhaps we

      have a little more knowledge of the matter than he has . At all events , when we need his " schoeling" we'll send for him . N . B . S . —Certainly not : he must give yo"i si months' notice , and he must so give it as that you quit at the end of an exact year of your tenancy , Thomas Railton . —//* is letter next week . WoLVERHAMProN . — Was Mr . Candy present when the resolution sent here was passed I Has he had any fair opportunity of meeting and explaining the charge T In the absence of any information on these points , we should not think ourselves justifiable in publishing the resolution . W . M . C . wishes to inquirewhetheritbe Mr . Waikins ' s purpose to publish his Essay on the System ' , in aseperate form } We have several other like inquiries . : '" -. '¦' Geo . Fekguson . —A meeting held on the 1 th would be raXher stale news now .

      Geo . Greknsladb . — We have sent his letter in reference to the Victim Fund to Mr . Cleave . John Trueman . — What were the resolutions ? we do not recollect them . Calverton , Notts . —Their list of Council is incomplete—the reskknees are not given . When they forward it tight it will be inserted . Stroud . —All letters and communication in future must be directed to Mr . James Newman , of Neu > Mills , Stroud . To the Lecturers on the Sooth Lancashire Plan . —The lecturers appointed on ( he plan for Royton are hereby informed that they need not go , as the Chartists of the above place cannot make it convenient to have any meetings at . . present . ' ¦' . - " ' ' " . ¦ , :: ¦ -. ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ ; ' " Wji . Dixon , district secretary . P . S . If the parties appointed for Royton would take up James Ashley ' s appointments , as he is in prison , they would greatly oblige the Chartists of South Lancashire . W . D .

      Untitled Article

      H . Pritchard , Stroud . —The persons wh 6 took tha Star up to the 19 th of November are entitled to Duncombe ; but not the others . C . Harrison . —To the star office . W , LmbsLEY , Leeds . —The "Protestant DUsentio * Ministers , anrt ¦¦ " Poor French Rtfagee Clergy , * &c , receievd £ 3 , 494 7 s ., and the "Pr otestant Dissenting Ministers , " Ireland , received £ 34 , 28 * out of the Taxes raised by Government in the year 1841 , —as per Annual Finance Account for the y «» ending 5 th January , 1 S 42 , HAMER , OLDHAM . —Please say what thelstamps are tor : . ¦ ., ¦¦ - " ¦¦ ' " . . " . ¦¦ ¦ ' ¦'¦ ¦ ¦ . ; . - - " G . Esplin , SUNDERLANP , does nor aay what the Postoffice-order is for . " ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦'¦

      FOR THE NATIONAL DKFESCB FUND . - ¦ ¦ ¦• ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ' - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ - ¦ ¦ . ; ¦ " . -- ¦ £ . e . * From Haddersfleld , per J . Broadhead ... 0 4 8 _ , W . Hood and A . M . Jedburgh , ... 0 6 0 „ Hunalet , by Longbottom ... ... 0 3 "" a few friends at Newcastleton , per WalterCrczier ... ... ... 0 5 I FOB . THE CHARTIST DELEGATES TO THE BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE . From a few friends at Heekmondwike , per J . Penny ... ... ... ... 0 3 0 FOB , MRS . ELLIS . : From Northampton , per C . Harriaon ... 0 8 «

      Suicide From The Waht Op Power To Eat.--" Mr. Baker Held An Inquest Oh Monday, At The Cofr

      Suicide from the waht op Power to Eat .-- " Mr . Baker held an inquest oh Monday , at the Cofr

      meters Arms , Heath-street , Stepney , on ihe bodyoj . Robert Campbell , aged 72 . From the evidence f the witnesses it appeared that ' - . the deceased ' s apinw had been recently much affected by a fear that * complaint under which he suffered , and which iM great measure prevented him from eating any sonj food , would eventually cause him to die ¦» starvation . He often expressed his horror at ttj idea of such a death , and from tha want oj power to eat , grew very thin and emaciated . . 0 * the afternoon , of the 6 th instant his wife went ont w post a letter , and upon her return , in a few minnttft saw him sittnur uD in bed . and bleeding frott *

      raicor wound he had inflicted in his throat . WFaJJther , a surgeon , was called in , and attenow him . The surgeon said that the deceased , wow * have won died from the complaint under wmen . E *»^ s i ;* bouring , but there was no doubt . «**¦ . « . w « und in the throat accelerated his death . _ » died on Monday morning . Verdict , " Tem portfJ

      Untitled Article

      UORE TBTCKEBT OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES AT SOUTHAMPTON , AND THE TREACHEROUS CONDUCT OF SOME , ONCE THE MOST ACTIVE OF THE ASSOCIAT ION . TO THB EDITOB OF TBS JfOBIHEBM 8 TA * . Deab Sir—On reading frequently your rw » rks in the leading articles of the Korther * . S / or , « m * ho middle classes , I have been led to believe th « t they were harsh and unmerciful : \ et * t the satM time I © odd tot justify the belief with sufficient * rgument to contradict them . The events of the past fortnight in this town , have confirmed me in the opinions yon entertain ; and in giving yoa a report is this letter , of a publio meeting held here on Tuesday evening last , for die election of two delegates "te the National Conference at Birmingham , I will accompany the TTOort with saca comments as I think necessary for

      the occasion . In the first plase I must state that the council of the Association resident here , came to the conclusion of effecting , if possrbie , a union of all shades of reformers favourable to the principles of the People ' s Charter . This , then , wa 3 sought to be done bj every available means in our power , and richly we deserve , for our truckling , the treatment we have experienced at tbeir hands . A deputation waited upon the most active and prominent men ia the Complete Suffrage movement , to know whether they intended to take any part in sending delegates to the Birmingha ^ i Conference , to which they replied , they had not considered it , bus that they would call together a few friends and let us know . Mr . Bartleit was not admitted to the presence of the conclave . We next sent to tham to know if they would call a publio ( meeting . At the meeting alluded to above , they decided that that they would call no meeting .

      The Complete Suffragists knew if we called the meeting , the chagrin of defeat would not be bo great , and thus they coqueted with some of oar members to get us to call it , which they did , on a promise to pay a portion of the erpenees . They had , previous to the meeting , been using « very means to secure two

      delegates of their own . Many master tradesmen attended with their men on purpose to defeat us . "Whilst they were thu 3 engaged we were engaged also in getting up the meeting , and neglecting to rally our party . Well . now to the meeting . It was called , and bnt poorly attended , not above 300 being present ; and on a motion being made that Mr . Goodman ( Chartist ) flO ta&e tne cnatr , an amendment -was proposed in favour of Mr . Whalesby ( Complete Suffragist ) . It was put to the vote , and Mr . Whalesby carried . A resolution having been moved and seconded , that this meeting do elect two delegates to the National Conference to be held at Birmingham , on the 27 th instant , was put and carried . The following pcrs- ' ns ¦ were then nominated as delegates : Mr . J . Bartlett ( Chartist ) . Mr . F . Cooper ( Complete Suffragist ) , Mr . Ekless ( ditto ) , and Mr . Philip Brennou ( Chartist ) . On s show of hands being taken for Mr . BartleU , the Chairman could not say whether he had a

      majority or not . and he left it undecided , till he took a show of hands for theothers , which being done , the election fell on Mr . F . Cooper and Mr . E&less ; the basest means having been resorted to 10 gain a majority , which only was accomplished by the masters of different ehops attending ; and heading their men , telling them when to vote , ' which they have done most willingly ; one , 'a large coachbuilder , has obtained a most enviable notoriety at this meeting . He is better known now by the cognomen of the " Above Bar Bully and his white slaves . " A resolution was then put to the meeting , " That the delegates be instructed . to vote for and support the six principles contained i » the People ' s Charter , " -which was put and carried . Through this resolution being passed , one of the delegates , Mr . Ekless has resigned . Another meeting will be called to elect another individual in his stead . Thus have we been beaten by the treachery of some and the dnplicity of others . —Correspondent .

      8to Mettoetfi Mm ^Omjs^Potttient^.

      8 To Mettoetfi mm ^ omjs ^ potttient ^ .

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      4 THE JGRT HEM

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 24, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1192/page/4/