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Northern Star (1837-1852), 25th March 1843, Edition 1 of 5, Page unpag, NOTTINGHAM ELECTION.

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    • #orttt«omffr& €f >w?tt&t -pafotfmgg
    • MIDLAND CIRCUIT.-DiiRBY.
    • ®i}atli0t 3&nttUitffnce.
    • NOTTINGHAM ELECTION.
    • TO TEE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
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      VERBATIM REPORT OF THE CHARTIST TRIALS AT LANCASTER . IN THE PRESS AND SHORTLY WILL BE PUBLISHED , A VERBATIM REPORT OF THE RECENT TRIALS OP FEARGUS O'CONNOR 4 ID 58 OTHERS , AT LANCASTER , FOR RIOT , SEDITION , TUMULT , AND CONSPIRACY . 'T'HE above Work will b-3 Published in Weekly Numbers of 64 Pasea of Royal Octavo , Edited by -L FEARGUS O'CONNOR , E ? q ., Baxrister-at-Law ,. and to which willb p e added A SHOET ACCOUITT OP THB CAUSES OF THE DISTURBANCES OF ATJGTJST AND SEPTEMBE R X . AST , % With Notes upon the Trial ; also a Dedication to Baron ROLFE . A SPiENDID PORTKAIT OF THE JUST JUDGE WHO PRESIDED , WILL BE PRESENTED WITH THE LA . ST NUMBE& ( GR 4 . TIS ) To those who have been Subscribers to the Work . - - P . £° { tra 5 t T * U bfJ Exscu * ed with a view to its being placed as a Frontispiece , and when completed , wnich -Will bem about four Numbers ; tho whole will make a valuable work . Price 7 d . a Number , in a wrapper . The Portrait gratia . " ; Subscribers and Agents are requested to give their Orders to Cleave , 1 , Shoe Lano , Fleet Street , London ; Heywood , 60 , Oldnam Street , Manchester ; and Hobsow , Northern Star Office , Market Street , Leeds . PnblT ^ edWeSl 1115 " ^ PubUshed on Mond ay , 27 th March , and the subsequent Numbers will be

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      Ht deas Fbietds , —There are a great many thirgs about which 1 have propnecied for yon . Ill jell yon some of them . When the Whig rr&scals jait mB tQ / To ? i CasflB for eUhtsen m&nlhs for eopjiiig fot ^ yeiy inoffensiYB lines from another BSBspaperjHito the Northern Star about a poor jitaebojTrhp'trasiarboronslj treated by the Warjninster Gosriians , and ; eTery word of which I l « Eeve io be fane , I then " recommended yon to join

      jnonsiiagifceWh&g ^ scd espr&ssed my hope that 2 ie Tories would haTe ah overwhelming majority , Boi frem h ? Te of their policy or their measures , bnt upon the old principle of " give a rogue rope enough " . 3 aid thai a balance of parties , or nearly soy -would be a great eTfl- ^ one upon which legitimacy and constitutionality , precedent , and cnstom , would play * sway pole "; or , as we call it in Ireland , " Wady Bnekeiiy "—

      «» 2 ere -vegovp , np , np , and here we go doira , down , flo"aney ; f Here we & > bactsrards and forwards , and into London toTrney /" There is in reality no difference bBftveen "Whigs sad Tories In the Hense of Commons ; bnt the parties , outside , are distinguishable by their politics In power the "Whig A < vminlstration -was not sufficiently liberal for the Whig constituency , while the Tories in power are too liberal for the Toxj congginencyj not so much in practice as in speech .

      Again , when lie Tories prcTed' the strength of £ heir msjority upon that . gigantic measure , the Tariff and the Income Tax , I prophecied firstly , that Busdl and Peel would nnite in trampling upon our liberties , if the Tariff should fail in giving the anticipated impetus to trade . I told yon that the Tariff would be an incalculable benefit to the higher and jnlddle classts , and bat of Tery little benefit 10 the woxkiiiX orders , I told you that tie free trade men -woald store ie&Ten and earth to lros $ rato gie Tariff ^ aid Sat Peel weald persecute We Charfefe for fhar opposition of the League . I told you lh a * a strong opposition would be formed against the very name of Toryism ; and now that I haTe been right in each aadeTeiyone of my predictions , subsequent events

      have pruved . The opposition to which I looked ierward has not been formed in the House of Commons , because the advance ot iae public mind has -pax&ljsea Little Russell and his Whig constitn--fionalisls , and h 33 induced tnem 10 confederate , combine , and conspire with Peel and his associates to resist ihe march of intellect . Men like Russell and Palmerston are only liberal when ths public sand can be tickled wiih phrases , or subdued by brute force ; bnt now they haTe discrimination enonghto see that the opposition has been formed < Kn of thb Hocsi ; and that , howeTer the force of Parliament may , for a season , hold opinion in sibjecdtHJ , yet are the days of legitimacy numbered , and count but-few .

      The storm in the tea-pot , created by the puffing of ihe Leagne ismore than Knssell can bear , while the hurricane of Chartist opinion is too powerful for the jLeagns . Peel is but little afraid of Russell j Russell is dreadfully afraid of the Les £ ne ; and the League is st 21 tootc in dread of ihe Chsrtisrs ; the oppodaon , notwithstanding , is being fermed out- ' ade ; an opposition sgainsi which Peel and Russell will unite , bat in Tain . As soon as the hollowheartedness , the ignorance , the self-ii : * ere > tedBess , the profligacy , the want of character , and brutality of ihe League sufScieiitly develops themselves—and they are Tsarching on "wish rapid snides—laen the good of all ^ £ as 3 e 3 will nnire for the subjugarion of Toryism , of Whkgery , of "Whig-Toryism , and of Tory-Whigism .

      Ii is for ti-at reason ard with lhat new that bare laboured hard and braved all to keep the party Of the people together , so thai they may , when the hour for union comes , be the mountain , the magnet , to winch all attractable bbdies come . Should the day " ever arriva when the working daises shall again be contested with a secondary position in agitation , the Tverk of later years will have been polled down and our successors Trill be compelled to go Uirongb . ihs same pr ^ leminaTy labour of making the people a distinct political body .

      The practical changes anticipated from whas was called the Reform Bill haTe not taken place . The "RTU itself was a mere conferring of representation upon a heap of newly acquired propeny ; while the Poor Law Amendment Act , the Corporation Hcfonn Bill , sad the appointment by Rnssell of a batch of ignorant , purse-proud , hard-hearted , selfsnfficient magistrates , were the projected details for conferring a final immortality upon Whiggery . Hassell actually looked npoa those measures and -appointments as boons , for which tha recipients and the community at large should be grateful . TheT were to be as toys in the hands of children , but those in whose keeping they have been inimsied , had felt a growing and more Tital interest of It

      m their exercise than Russell ^ rer dreamed . is a desire to use this laachinf ry , placed in the hands of -the manufacturers for their own exclusive benefit , &ai has given to that order the appearance of so much power—nay , the reality of so mnch powsr . Jiov if ever there was a blunder committed by a statesman , it was in conferring magisterial authority upon ignorant and selfish manufacturers . Had he confined the appointments to individuals of his own political creed , persons of the Whig , but not of the steam order , he and his party might haTe derived incalculable support from them in the hour of need , bni their duty to themselTes has blinded them in their dnty to their maker , and they haTe tursed against Mm .

      Kow , all these are fearful oddB to contend against j yei haTe I no fear . I bclieye that energy , perseTerance , and honesty , will accomplish any thing , and I do not see a Tery herculean woikin breaking down" Peel , the Daks , sad tieir strong GoTemment . But to effect this , we mnsi haTe such machinery as the law allows , and aa ouj own materials can furnish . It would not be just to those parties who may be ealkd up for judgment , { but which I do not

      anticipate ) to proceed to ihe election of a new Execnnye until all ar ^ upon a perfect eqnalky as to position . I have had many , Tery many narrow escapes , and I terer blamed any person for the awkwardnesses in which I have been freqently placed ; boweTer , for ihe sake of the body , and , aboTe all , ior the sake 0 / onr cause , J have at length yielded to the applicafc&ts fif « Teral good x&en , &nd con = £ i » l £ d thai mj name should be placed before the Chartist body as a candidate fcr the tffiee of ExecntiueCommittte csan .

      Should I be decttd , J shall render my s ^ rnees gratuitously , and whtther 3 am or not , it is my deiermbation to subniitto the country a Tigorons , a bold , Sid a concentrated action on behalf of the Charter . I sm of opinion that a Tigorous strugg le jast now , would piace Chartism in the ascendant , and that iheuEdiTided snenlion of firs good sound rational tOEEitiBEii , wonldbe machinery quiie sufficient to tomlrii faction . "Yea may rely upon it , that we owe no pan cf our escape from the jaws of a dungeon to Peel . J > oa £ 0 . He looked up « n the late trials as a Cbsr » : st exsmgejsher ; we will Jura them into a Chartist blazft to light us in our progress .

      I haTe the "ranily to belieTe ftit the country will approve of a proposition which 1 mean to make when the argument in arrest of judgment is over , SI then I would not feel myself justified in making erea a suggestuon , while the hands of seme of oar ben men are tied . I trust that while my plan will haTe the merit of being safe and inexpecHTe , it will * lsolaythe ibnadaiion

      1 haye just heard of the acquittal of John West , taelruh agiiafcQr , » tDerby , after a splendid defence . All these things eoimnce me that we haTe created a P&blie opinion stronger-Shaa bad law , and that we ^ Vrefnire tnergj , freedom , and courage to turn it toieeount lam more thm erer conyineed of the grounds « pon which I anticipate a glorious termination of fceLancaster , triumph , for trinmph it was .

      1 learn that there are yet some tnarlers growling * 5 > out the countryj bni to public opinion 1 look for &eir correction . "Bib Government had CTerj hope of annihilating Ptaxji-ns O'Connor and the Star , for that was the ^ aio object ; but tfr * n > to justice , b&ib hsTe

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      escaped their fangs . Peel and his " strong Government" are at their wit ' s end , and haTing failed in the last resource of Toryism—persecution , I am anxious to see to what they will next direct their attenuon , as they now find they cannot put down opinion or suppress agitation . I am , my £ rien"ds , Your faithful servant , Feabgbs O ' CoHso-a ,

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      Mondat , Masch 20 . { Before Mr . Baron Alderson . J SEDITION . John West , aged 25 , waa indicted for having , at S wadlincose , on the 18 ch of September last , -wickt-di j , maliciously , and seditiously uttered certain words concerning eur sovereign lady the QaeeD . Mr , Waddl \ gton and 31 r . AIacadlat appeared iu supDort of the prosecution . The prisoner conducted his own defence .

      Mr . Waddikgtom stated that the prosecution had been-instituted by the magistratts of the disrric ; m which the alleged offence was committed . The prisoner was charged witb baring , on Snnd&y , the #$ i ° 5 September j « s * , uttered , in she pxeeence of a ias ^ ftBan &er ofperB ons a discourse of an inflammatory « nd- ^ editiou 3 character , calculated to incite persons to commit aets of outrage and insubordination . The law upon the subject was this : —the fin > t dnty of every subject was to obey the existing law , but it was the privilege certainly of all to complain , either in public or private , of any particular law which they might consider injurious to themselves or the country at large . Englishmen had a right to meet together , and discuss the merits of the laws by which they were goveraed , subject to one

      restriction , viz ., that it must be done in a way not to excite disturbance ef the public peace . Their complaints should be pointed at some particular grievance , and not be levelk-d generally against all law and order . They must not call on parties to combine together to subvert the constitution ; and all persons usag langaage calculated to promote acts of insubordination were £ ui " uy of sedhion . The facts of the ease were as follow . In August and September last , Staffordshire , Derbjshire , and some neighbouring counties were in a state of disturbance and riot , owing to a disagreement between masters and men upon thes-nhj ^ et oF wases . The prisoner had , upon more than ore occision .

      addressed large assemblies of miners ana potters on the borders oi Staffordshire , who had turned out on the day iu question , being a Sunday . The prisoner addressed an assembly of abont two hundred on Grzsiej Common , t 3 kiug a texi from Scripture . In the progress of Ms discourse be bad mtertd tnese wor ^ s : ** We are told to unite together to oppose the abominable Iaw 3 which stop our rights by ola ? s le ^ islat-. on . " ** We must be alive and active , for as long a 3 we sleep quiet we shall not get our rights from the aristocracy . " " We must combine together

      to open the locks of the prison doors , and liberate those of our brethren who are corfined for asking onr rights . " " We have do right to be content with the abominable iaivs which are entailed npon us . " Thege were the word 3 used ; no one conld mistake their tendency ; and it would be for tb . 3 prisoner to explain them sway if he could . The meeting commenced by sieging a bymD , after which the prisoner took his text from the first chapter of the 2 d of Peter , the 4 ' -. h and three following verses . He spoke foran hour and a-half , during which he uttered the expressions for which be had been indicted .

      The Defendant requested that all the witnesses might be ordered out of Court . The Learned Judge said that was a rpqntst which conld not be complied with , but directed that a'l those who were not under examination , should go ont of hearing . John Phomas Woodhoose examined—I am mining agent of tne colleries of the 31 arqui 3 of Hastings and those of llr . Court Granrille . The Marquis eaplojs 400 men , and Mr . Court GranviUe 200 . In Ausustlast , there was some discontent on the part

      of Mr . Court Granyille s man , which led to a turnout ; the men returned to their work on the SOih of August . . Meeiinga were held while the cplliers were Out The colliers turned ont throughout th « whole of Staffordshire ; the nearest point oF the Staffordshire f-ollieries was thirty miles off . Church Gresley was about four miles from the borders of Staffordshire . Chartist meetings were held in the neighbourhood of Church Gresley . I was told there would be a meeting on the 18 : h of September and i gave directions for special constables to attend it .

      Cross examined by defendant—Yon sfate there was a disagreement between the colliers and their employers—what was it!— The colliers turned out for an advance of wages . The minins districts of Staffordshire , you say , are thirty miles off yon ? —Yes . John Ch&rliofl examined—I live at Swadliocofce ; am a police officer there . On Sunday the 18 th of September , I was infoimed a metting was to be held there ; 1 received orders to watch their proceedings . I went to Church Gresley Common , which is about a- quarter of a miie from Cbnrch Gresley ; there were about 130 ot 140 persons there when I arrived . Most of them were working people—colliers and

      potters . This was between two and three o ' clock in the afternoon . 1 know West now , bnt 1 did not know him then . West did rot live in the neighbourhood ; he was elevated on a stool form , and was giving out a hymn . A short time after he took a text ; it was from the 1 st chapter of tho 2 ud Epistle of Peter , the fourth and three following verses . I took notes of some parts of his address ; he spoke an honr or an hour and a-half . He s ^ a— " ^ ara told to nnita together to oppose the abominable laws which stop our rights by class legislation . " He had , perhaps , spoken ten or fifteen minutes before he said this . About four or fiye minates after , he said— " We must be alive and actiye , for as long as we keep qniet we shall not get oar rights from the aristocracy . " After some tiroe , he said— " Wo mast combine together to break open ,

      or , and break open the prison doore , and liberate those our brethren that are confined for asking for our rights . " He used tho word ** our" to the best of my knowledge . Afier a short time he said— " We have no right to be content with these abominable Iaw 3 that are entailed upon us . " 1 only took down such words as I thought improper to be used . He appeared to open bis discourse in a religions strain , but he did not go back to reiigious subjtcts ^ gain . He talked afterwards about politics , aud said a good deal aboat Church and State . The audience was qniet . I did not interfere till they began to make a collection ; defendant said it was for assisting in the defence of his brethren confined in gaol , 1 said I "would not allow a collection to be made ; they then desisted . I went to defendant at a house afterwards . Hs was not committed till

      October . Cross-examined by Defendant—After the hymn , was there not someihiug else ! Do you recollect what it was ? Soiaethiiig meant for prayer ; I considered it a mockery . Did yon not hear me giro thanks for an abundant harvest ? I will pot say I did nou I hearu you read the text . I heard you divide it . I do not remember your explanation of Tirtue . Do yon not recollect it was—purity and nprigbtness of oar lives ! Fo , I heard you dmae the text and attempt to explain it , but 1 cannot remember what it was . 1 beard you mention moral duties . Do you not recollect that I described temperance as not consisting so ranch in moderation m eaiingand drinkingasin ourlanguageandactions ? M , 1 cannot say what your words wvre . Do you recollect what 1 described godliness tobe ? Ko . Do you not reof

      eollect that I said that we found it in the character Christ J No ; I remember yonr quoting irom the 424 chapter of Isaiah , and to the best 01 my recollection it was the 6 th Terse . Was ii not that pas-< ogb—** The spirit of the Lord God is npon me ; because the Lord hath annomted me to preach good tidings unto the meek ; he hath sent me to bmd up the broken hearted , to proclaim liberty to the capfives , and the opening of tne prison to them that are bound ! " Those are not the words you used ; yon did not me them at that time as you donow . Did not I fay that they conld not do better than to contribute of their means to effect the openiDg of the prison doors to them that are bonne ? Those are not the words . Let me see the words aa you took them . ( The witness gave the defendant his notes . ) Don t tou recollect any allusion to contributing of their SJSTobtain a fair trial for those that wete in

      PI Lmssmi . here said-Why will youilo yourany ^ dS ^^^' 1 " 1 * he would explain hunselt l ° S 2 SmiD ^ ion continued-Was there aaj imprSnon your mind that what I said had a 3 Scy to sxeite the people to commit acts of SSSee « It would not W that effect on ms , but itfKk it would on other persons , There waa no violence in ysur manner of speaking . You heaid Zl SpLS patience-was there any partwn nea

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      mmstanee took place at the time ? I recollect two funerals passing . Do yon recollect me telling them they must be patient under all the decrees of God ? I do remember . Do you recollect that I spoke of the necessity of patience under snch cirenmstances ? Yes . Of the necessity of charity and brotherly kindnesB * Yes . Don't you recolleot there was another hymn given eut , another prayer made , in which something was said about the harvest ; and that God ' s blessing was asked for her Majesty and our rulers , that they might promote the happiness , morality , and contentment © f ihe people ? Yes , something about it . Don't you recollect me saying ,

      if the officer desire you to desist , we must obey , for I have no wish to commit any offence against the laws ? Yes ; I saw no disturbance at the meeting . 1 cannot Fay whether the me 6 tiD £ was calculated to create alarm . The first words after the meeting I said were^—I wished to know whether you intended to repeat yonr visit ? You said you did not know . I said it must be on Sunday . The Defendant—i said I would come on Sunday if 1 came that way . By the Jcdge—Did not the defendant ask you to take the tenor of his discourse , and not particular passages 1 I \ o ; some parts of his speech were calculated to excite the people to violence .

      The Jcdge— Why did you not take them down ? I should have taken more , but I broke my pencil . Jchn Ensor—I am in the employment of Mr . Couri Granviile , as engineman . I was a special constable , and was at the meeting on the 18 th September , at Swadlincote . I : saw West tfeere , and heard him make an appointment for a meeting on GresJey Common . I attended that meeting ; he was discoursing when I got there . I took particular notice of what he said . He said , " wo must bo alive and active , for as long as we keep quiet , we shall

      not get our rights from the -aristocracy . " " We mast combine together to break open the locks of the prison doors , and liberate those of our brethren confined for asking for our rights . " 1 saw the witness Charlton write it down . West said , " I am & Chartist , and all that are not Chartists hate me . " Cress-examined by Defendant—I was there some time before you began to make use of those words I did not take down those words in writing . 1 must remember some other words you said , bir- not particularly . Will evear you 8 aiu" We must combine together to break open ?* not and .

      The Learned Jltoe said this would not make any difference . i > < Will you swear I did not use the word contribute ] I never heard it . How many times have you been instructed in this lesson ! None at alL Did you see Charlton [ write down the wt / rdsi I couldnot tell what he wrote When I could not read —( a'liugh ) . ( The Learned Judge said they did the defendant no good by laughing at the zaisiake of the witness . * I heard thore was a a turn-ont at Mr . Court Granrille ' s colliery . I was not sent to the meeting ; I was there by accident . I nave not be * n told that 1 ehall lose my employment if I did not consent to give evidence . 1 have not been drilled at all in these tales .

      Examination resumed—I saw Charltoa write while the defendant was ppcaking . Thomas Warren examined—1 am a special constable . On the 18 ch of Stptomber I went to Gresley Common , and saw West there . He gave out a hymn . After the meeting I put down in writing what he said . Ho said , " We are told to unite together to oppose those abominable laws which Etop oar rights by class legislation . We must combine together ; we must be aJiye and active ; for if we are quiet , we shall not get our rights from iho aristocracy . We must combine together to break open the locks of prison doors , and to liberate our brethren confineo for asking for our rights . "

      Cross-examined by Defendant—A bymn was given ont and a prayer made , but 1 cannot recollect a sentence of what was said . I recollect the text being given and some of the words— " Whereby are given unto us great and precious promises . " I can ' t say how long you were before you used the words 1 wrota down . I cannot say 1 saw the two funerals . I set down the words when I got home . Did not 1 nse the word contribute ? I can ' t recollect that , you did . This was the case for the prosecution . The Defendant then rose and addressed the Jury . He said if his words had been taKen fairly down , and connected wiih the eeniiments to which he gave utterance , they would not bear the meaning

      attributed to them in the indictment . He felt—this being the first time in his life that he had been placed in such a position—the awkwardness of his situation , for it could not be supposed that a man in his humble condition could be acquainted with tht ; points of law which it was cesireable he should know . He had , however , full confidence that his Lordship would aid him , as he had witnessed that he had done others on their trial at theBe Assizes , to obtain substantial justice . And , before proceeding fnriher , he wished to remove from his Lordship ' s mind the impression that he ( the defendant ) had any idea that the Chartists who were in prison would not have a fair trial . "What he meant to say

      was , when urging the working olaesess to contribnte of their means for their defence , that it was nece ? sary to employ the best legal talent that they could obtain , and that this was expensive . Tnero was no desire on bis part loinsinuate thaJ he should not receive full justice both from his Lordship and the Jury . Hs begged the Jury to obsei vo that the accusation in the indictment—that he had told the people that they must not submit to the lawshad not been sworQ to . He had ever contended that the law must be oueyed whatever it was , but if the law , in their opinion , was bad , they had no right to be content , and were entitled to seek its repeal . This was the right of every British subject , whether

      To / y , Whig , Radical , or Chartist . Taere was nothing unlawful iu the Charter , and those that believed it would be beneficial to themselyea and the country , had an undoubted right to urge its adoption . There had been an attempt made to connect him with the outbreak in Staffordshire , but it was not necessary for him to defend himself on that point . If each had been his object , he should not have chosen such a passage of the Word of Gjd aa he took for his text . He would appeal to their common Bense whether for snch a purpose he ghould have commented upon one of the most beautiful enumerations of the moral virtues in the Soriptnres . He had frequently witnessed with pain

      the ignoranoe , the poverty , and the distress of thousands and tons of thousands of his countrymen . Many of them never heard & single word respecting their social and moral duties , nor wore they ever direoted to the promises of tho Word of God . This mnst be lamented by all beneTolent men ; he had 3 een it aad he had done what he could to lay before them the trne doctrines of practical Christianity . His Lordship in connection with others had noticed the want of moral aad religious education amongst the great body ef the working classes ; he felt this too , aad he had taken tne best passage he could select and

      most likely to aid him in instructing his fellow men . Be considered it criminal in any man , wlio bad the meams , not to confer the benefits on the ignorantand , humble as his station was , he considered it as his duty , as well as that of the richest of his countrjman , to do every thing he could to remove ignorance and crime from the land ; he had only been doing his duty as a citizen in endeavouring to confer a benefit on his county . He could show , if necessary , that the language he had used was not to be compaTed for violence with that need by some Miuibtera of Religion and other persons in elevated stations . Gentlemen occupying the Magisterial benches

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      had used language to which he dared not give utterance ; yet there was no notice taken of them , no steps taken to arrest and puuish them . He would prove too that the disturbances that had occurred had been significantly hinted at on the magisterial bench , but no notice was taken of their language . It was a hard thing to define sedition ; sometimes language is considered seditious , which afterwards the Government of the day Banctions ; and those dem&uds ave persecuted for sedition which afterwards become the law cf the land . John Stubbs was prosecuted for moving a resolution to the effect fhat Macclesfield ought to return two members of

      Parliament , and was sent to prison ; but some years afterwards Thos . Grimsditeh , Esq ., moved a similar resolution , in nearly the same words , and it was tolerated by Government , and hois now sitting member for Macclesfield . He hoped those that COnduoted this prosecution on the part of the Crown would not be nibbling at the buds and let the tree alone ; this they were doing by prosecuting him , while they p assed by unheeded the more violent language of men in a higher place in society . If Magistrates did these things he had a right to do so , for they were men occupying stations in which they ought to be qualified to make the distinction between right and wrong . Lord Chief

      Justice Tindal , who was an honour to his country , had ! aid it down asa rule that persons carried away by the warmth of their feelinga should be judged by the whole tenor and tendency of their discourse , not by isolated word ? and selected passages . Now , they would observe in tho evidence against him that day there were no connecting passages given by the witnesses . It was evident they were drilled ; they knew nothing , nor could they remember any other words that followed those which they had got off by rote like a parrot . The witness , Charlton , admitted that he ( the defendant ) was temperate in his language and actions . If he fedvised those persons who heard him not to let their passions get the better of their

      judgment , he thought it could not enter into the minds of the Jury that he had any such intention as that imputed to him . His object was to inculcate moral duties on those who will not go to Church ; surely if they would not go to any place of religious worship , and would _ hear a working man on these subjects , it was no crime , bat an honour to instruct those who would- otherwise be given up to drunkenness , fightiDg , and quatrelliug . One of the witnesses tsaid that he < tbe defendant ) said he was a Chartist . He was a Chartist . He believed the Charter necessary to preserve the institutions of the country . He did not wish to overturn tho Constitution . He loved it , fle _ wanted to be placed within

      its-pale ; -Jio wanted to be represented with other Commoners in Parliament . He hoped they would not think he was necessarily engaged in a bad cause tor wishing to be represented in the House oF Commons . He had said that the people had no right to sit down contented with the abominable laws which excluded them from the privileges of the Constitution . If he had Binned in using such language he had Binned in good company . The Tories had said the New Poor Laws were cruel and aboniinabJte , and they had not used the mildest means to obtain a repeal of them ; they would recollect meetings on this subject composed of two or three hundred thousand persons at which the strongest resolutions were

      passed . There was another class , comprising persons of great wealth and high standing , which Bought the repeal of the corn and provision laws , which they did not hesitate to say were abominable . Not one of these " persons was brought to trial , but ho hoped that the gentlemen who instituted these proceedings against him would see that these things were looked after . Surely when a gentleman of high standing said , " he was astonished at the apathy of the metropolis —the time was past for talking , they must do something—they must have a Committee for public safety . " [ The Learned Judge said the defendant was using a bad argument ; it was no justification of his conduct if he bad done wrong that others had

      done so too . If such parties were brought before tho tribunals of Ihe country , and Juries were independent enough to convict them , the Judges would take care they were punished ] My reason for alluding to this language ia to show that what is an offence now may become law . [ His Lordship said there were many thiugs unlawful now that could Dot become law , such as robbery and murder . The best argument of the defendant was—that it was not fair to take a passage or two from a long speech , without Bhowinjj the tenour of the speech . Nothing was more unfair than taking part of a sentence and giving it as evidence . They would remember a person being charged with saying " There is no

      God , " when he had connected it with " Tho fool hath said in his heart . ' ] The defendant thought he might safe ' y trust his cause in the hands of his Lordship . Ho had witnesses to call to prove that ne did not use the words in the sense imputed to trim , but merely called upon them to contribute of their means for the , deliverance of their brethren . The fact of his attempting to make a collection proves what his intention was . The fact was sworn to that he prayed , though it was said it was a mockery ; he considered that he did it in sincerity ; his respect for tho day , the morals of the people , and his own welfare , would prevent him from making a mookery of prayer . When he prayed to God to give her Majesty wisdom to govern the kingdom , he did it with sincerity . He bad addressed meetings of two , three , or four thoufand

      per-> on .- ' , aud had always selected those parts of the word of God for texts which bhowed the importance of practical Christianity . Ho would appeal to their good sense , whether it , was likely that he should go there , under tuch circumstances , and say they must combine 10 break open the prison doors . The constable wished me to desist , but I said no—the hearts of the constables may be touched and receive some moral advantage as well as others . He would a- ^ k again , if it ware his ohjeot to excite the people to riot aud insubordination , whether he should not . have selected a more inflammatory kind of text ? This showed his peaceable disposition ; he thought the idea that he wished to promote an outbreak could not entar into the head of any individual who did not wish to make out a case . Ho hoped the Jury would not fail to take tho tenor of his discourse into their consideration .

      Tne Learned Judge , in summing up * said there were few persons , riot accustomed to public speaking , that did not say stronger things and use stronger words than they intended . With rerpect to action the case was very different , for there they had something definite and precise . The Jury ought to have a clear and distinct idea of the tenor of the defendant ' s discourse . Let us see what he is charged with . ( His Lordship then read a passage from the indictment charging him witb endeavouring to form a conspiracy ) to resist the laws , and to procure b y violence a change of tho Constitution . ) His Lordship was of opinion that the people should be

      permitted to state their grievances openly , and to seek redress by proper means . The evidence was not complete , the Jury ought to have had more « f the context , and again adduced ihe instance of a per . son being charged witb saying "There is no God . " - * - when he need the wholo passage and said—* T / ie fool hath said in his heart there is no God . " Suppose the defendant had said— " We are told ire mast Combine together and oppose those abominable laws which stop our rights by class legis ' Ation ;" but , suppose he had added that it is not the way , that is not correct . He did E /> t know that the words attributed to the defendant were seditious . ; it was very common Vo say a parucular class made tho laws , having ' / ne power to return members to Parliament . This law might be good or bad , but some persona might choose to call

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      the law abominable because they were excluded from the privilege ; bat if this were done to create violence , no law could stand . The defendant said also — rt We must be alive and active ,, " but did he mean active to resist by violence , or iu remonstrance His language was capable of both significations ; and if there was ambiguity in the expressions used , they should give the defendant the advantage of it . He said they must combine to break open the prieon doors and liberate their brethren . They ought to have had the context with this passage to ) show its design . If the defendant meant , as he said ho didthat they

      , should have the benefit of Counsel on their trial , he was not prepared to say that his { object was not praiseworthy ; but if he meant that they should combine to liberate them by force , ; he was guilty . If , however , to break open was used as a metaphor , it was not more than orators werp accustomed to Say when they intended only moral ' means . If they were satisfiedthat there was not sufficient evidence to convict the defendant , they w oiild acquit him . If they thought otherwise , they would find him guilty ; aad he hoped the Juries ! of the country would have the courage to do their duty , and he was sure the Judges would do theirs .

      After some time , the Jury expressed a wish to retire . i The Judge directed them to remember that all they had to consider was , whether the language said to Be used by the fiefendant would boar the construction put upon it in the indictount . The meeting appeared to have been quiet ; there was no outcry or appearance of violence , and the defendant should have the benefit of it . After a short consultation , the Jury i-eturned a verdict of Not Guilty . His Lordship siid— " I quite approve of your verdict . " | WUliam Wildgoose and fourteen others were charged wi'h assembling together to turn out workmen . Taey pleaded Guilty , and were ordered to enter into iheir own recognizances in the sum of . € 100 to keep the peace .

      The Learned Baron told them they had reen in grc-at jeopardy , as tho offences with which they were charged were serious . It would be as well , perhaps , if they were to know what their rights upon the subject for whioh they were iudicted were and what they were not . They had a right to meet and agree together as to the wages ! they should demand from their employers ; but no ; right io compel others to follow the same course . The freedom they claimed for themselves they were bound to allow to others—that was only justice , and was both the law aud the prophets . !

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      DUBLIN . —The Irish Universal Suffrage Association held their usual weekly meeting ^ at two o ' clock , on Sunday , the 19 h instant , Mr . jWilliam Dunne in the chair . Mr . D . Keegan was appointed Secretary to the meeting , Mr . Dyott having been absent in consequence of a severe cold . The Secretary read the objects and rules of the Association . Several letters were read from various parts of the country . Some new members were proposed ; and , notice of motion for the admission of others having been given , Mr . O'Higgins , in a luminous speech of unanswerable facts , from Parliamentary records and other authentic sources , brought forward the

      resolution , of which notice had been given on the previous Sunday , and which were duly advertised in the Freeman ' s Journal , the only newspaper in Dublin possessing one ray of independent principle . Had Mr . O'Higgin ' B speech beeu reported in the Dublin newspapers , it would have put an extinguisher upon the new nefarious scheme of sending the ejected tenantry out of the country to perish on the snows or in the morasses of Canada . He proved to the satisfaction of all present that Lord'Stanley and the other raok-rent and absentee landlords were at the head of this expatriating society , formerly known as the North American Colonization Association , but now under the more seductive and deceitful name

      of the " Catholic Emigration Sooiety . " Every one present was fully satisfied of the false statements put Jdrtb-Ihy lhia _ fl . agititiug ^ . society . For the purpose of inducing the poor Irish confiding labourer and artizau to quit his native land , aud go to Canada . The meeting expressed its amazement and horror on learning that the patriot O'Connell was one of the most prominent abetters of this hellish scheme , and that he had succeeded in getting some of the Catholic clergy to join him injit—for instance , the Very Rev . Dr . Kirwan , V . G ., the Very Rev . A . Magee , D . D ., the Kev . Joseph Robson , the Very Rev . Dr . Yore , the Rev . Dr . O'Connell—while

      Daniel O Connell himself is chief trustee . It is to be regretted that every conceived ' species of falsehood and misrepresentation havo been put forth in the , prospectus of this Company , | aud that Irish Catholic clergy , who are teachers ( of and lovers of truth , have been induced , without due consideration it is hoped , to affix their names to this atrocious scheme . Mr . O'Higgins concluded by moving the adoption of the following resolutions , and that a petition to Parliament be forwarded to Mr . Crawford for presentation to the House of } Commons . Mr . Rafter seconded the motion , which passed unanimously : —

      " That theobvioua tendency of tbe Catholic Emigration Society—if not the xeaMobject—is to aid tbe Irish Protestant Colonization Association in clearing their estates of their Catholic tenantry . " That there is no provision made , nor intended to be made , nor can any by possibility be made , to insure the safety and preserve the health of the deluded emigrants . " That there is evidence before Parliament which proves that out of ever ; two hundred Irish Emigrants who arrive in Canada , there are not more than fifty alive in two years I : " That It is an Impious impeachment of the wisdom of Divine Providence to declare , aa the . Catholic Emigration Society does , that there are too many people born , that is to say , created . ¦

      " That it is derogatory to the dignity and injurious to the sacred office ef any Roman Catholic clergyman to embark in any scheme for the expatriation of his poor confiding countrymen , under any name , scheme , or device whatsoever . " That every male inhabitant of this empire of mature age . no matter how poor he may be , coats the country , at the very least , £ 100 before he comes to man ' s estate , and that , therefore , every roan sent out of the country ia a loss to lha country of £ 100 , in addition to which he takes with him all the property be can collect .

      11 That very few emigrate except able-bodied labourers , and that they do so just at a time when they are able and willing to make , by productive labour , a tenfold return for the cost of rearing ! them ; that , therefore , any scheme to send able-bodied labourers out of tbe land of their birth , but particularly out of Ireland , is prejudicial to the best interests of the country , impolitic in principle , and iniquitous in practice . That such of the Irish Clergy and laity as are promoters of this unprincipled scheme are , to a man ,

      professed Repealers and patrons of native manufacture ; yet the means they here propose ifor propelling the measure of Repeal is to transport lrisb Catholics and sincere Repealers to a foreign and inelement clime , where certain death awaits them ;] and the mode la which they here propose to encourage domestic manufacture is , to export our labourers sail arfcizana , in order to make them—to use the very wem-us of the fourth and sixth propositions of their prospectus—•• most profitable to the British natioo by becoming extensive con-Burners of British , manufacture * !!!" . '

      «• Patrick . O'HigOiss , President W . H . Dyott , Secretary . " Mr . Woodward was called to tho chair , and tho usual vote ) of thanks were voted { to Mr . Dunne . A stranger -who was present subscribed liberally towards t ' iie cxpence of the petition . He said , that although he knew that the Association was right , yet hf , had not made up his mind to join it ; but he woul i defend its principles anywhere . NOTTINGHAM . —At a public meeting , held in Ri- re-place , Chapel , on Monday evening , Mr . R . T . iV . ^ rriaon in the chair , a petition fin reference to the

      * / . rike disturbance was adopted , and advised to be forwarded to Mr . Duncombe for presentation . Tbe following resolutions were also unanimously passed : — " That this meeting returns its thanks to Mr . Roberta for bis valuable services , aud to F . O'Connor , Esq ., and tbe reet of tbe defendants at Lancaster ( Cartledge excepted ) for their noble and uncompromising advocacy ef the people ' s rights during their trials . " "That the best thanks of this meeting are due , 'and ore hereby tendered to oar worthy Chairman for his impartial conduct in the chair , and for the great exertions which he continually makes in oar cause . " ' : tOUGHBOROUGH . —The Repeal gentry have had a famous thrashing hero in the Theatre . One of their crack lecturers , a Mr . Clark , was handled by Mr . Skevinfjtou " to bis heart ' s content , and something more . "

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      NEWCASTLE . —Mr . Bropny lectured in tub Ch « r > tists * Hall , Goat Inn , on Sunday evening , with good effect r after which several names were enrolled . A Delegate Meeting of tbe coat-miners of tha Tyne was held in the Half Moon Inn , Byker , on Monday last Having elected a chairman tmA secretary , pro tern , the minutaa of tbe previous District Delegate Meeting were read and confirmed . The delegates proceeded to give an account of the progress of their society since last delegate meeting , which was very flattering indeed , and showed tbat tbe day was not far distant when the miserably-oppressed pitmen would bs faily able to take their own cause , effectually , into their own hands . It wia lamentable to hear the delegates ' reports , the innumerable acta of tyranny exercised by

      the coal-lords against tbe colliers in tbe various collieries—all of them reducing the prices below starvafion point—many of themdischargemenfornootherfaulfc thin using their eff > rts to further the interests of their socvety—and several to whom the tyrannical slave-drivers were compelled to give a good character as honest , sober , and good workmen , were discharged because they committed the most heinous crime of reading that poisonous joarnal , the Northern Star , —stating that bo long ob the men were allowed to read that lying journal tbe maateri would never be able to have due influence over their men : and this being inserted in their certificate of character prevents them being employed thure or any place else . There was a goodly

      number ot delegates present , amongst whom we recog nised delegates' from the following collieries , viz . : — Kenton , St . Lawrence , Seghill , East Cramlington , Walker , King Pit ( Wreckingten ) , WeBt Cramlinton , Sherriff Hill , P . emfcsrton , West Moor , besides several others whose constituencies we could not learn . A great deal of locil business transpired , which was agreeably stamped witb perfect unanimity -. each resolution , being first ably discussed pro and con ., was unanimously agreed to . If their tyrannical drivers hadseen the boslness-like manner in which everything was brought forward and discussed , —whether they attributed it to tbefr freqaent reading the Northern . Star , or to whatever other cause , —it would make them

      trembla-Another District Delegate Meeting ^ ^ was held at Shincliff Mill Top , at the same time . It was unanimously agreed tbat the . meeting should adjourn until Saturday , April l&L , when it would be resumed in tbe above place , ( Half Moon Inn , Byker , } at ten o ' clock is the forenoon of that day , unless tbe delegates & % Sbincliffe should determine te bold a general delegate meeting on the same day , of which timely notice will bs given ; they then separated , each delegate expressing his determination to do all tkat lay in one man ' s power to further tbe cause for which they bad me * . Several sums were paid for tbe benefit of the Scotch colliers , besides sums to an incredible amount , considering tbs condition of the contributors , towards the general fund . The lls . 6 d . ifcpstted in laat week's Star , to bave been paid from Elrnor , should ta East Cramlington and Sheriff Mill , instead of Sheffield .

      LONDON . —Waxworth . —The cause is " on its le » s again" here . An apathy had overtaken the Chartists of this locality , but they have again , aroused . A fresh enrolment was made on Monday evening , and things promise well . Public meetings will hereafter be holden weekly at the Montpelier Tavern , on Monday evenings . BlRMlNGHAm CouNqiL Meeiing . —The Council held its usual weekly meeting- , at the Ashton-street room , on Monday last . A large number of the members were present . After the collections were handed in , a debate ensued about

      issuing cards , of the Birmingham Charter Association , as it was disputed whether the National cards could be legally circulated among the members of the local body . * The question after considerable , discassion , was deferred for farther debate . It was then resolved to hold a Conference of all tho members on Monday next , March 27 th . at the Blactf Horse Inn , Prospect-row , at seven o ' clock in the evening , when it is to be hoped there will b 9 a full attendance . Tne prospects of the body are every week becoming more promising . A short time and it will be one of the most powerful democratic bodies in the country .

      * The National cards may be legally circulated among the members of the locality ; but must not be regarded as tests of membership for them . —

      Ed . 2 V . S . Mb . White delivered a long address on the present state of the working clas ? as , in the Aston-streefc Room , on Sundav evening . The meeting-room was well attended . Mr . Mead in the chair . The members of the council are specially to meet at the council-room , on Sunday afternoon , at thre » o ' clock . White ' s Trial . —As Mr . White ' s trial will tako place in the course of a few days . It is the intention of a number of bis friends to have a supper ia honour of that gentleman , previous to his departure for Warwick . The number of tickets will bo limited , and may be bad at the Harp Ian , Steelhouse-lane , and Mr . J . Fallows , Monmouthstreet .

      #Orttt«Omffr& €F &Gt;W?Tt&T -Pafotfmgg

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      Bradford . —The members of the _ Cooperative Store will meet in Ibie Uonncit Room . TJuiterworth . Buildings , on Saturday evening , at seven o ' clock . A full attendance is requested . The Chartists of Park-lane will meet in the School Room on Sunday morning , at ten o ' clock , on important business . Mr . Thomas Ibbetson will lecture on Sunday , at two o'clock afternoon , ' in Mauningham , on the present state cf political parties . Mr . Smyth will lecture in the Council Room , Butterworth Buildings , on the National Debt , Funding , and Banking System , also on the Currency Question , on Sunday evening , at six o'clook . Fiee admission . The Central Locality Chahtisls will meet <* a Sunday morning , at , half-past nine o ' clock , in th » Council Room , on business of importance .

      The Chartists of Goodmanend will meet at Mr . Goldsborough ' s , on Saturday evening , on business of importance . All Lecturers wishing to visit Bradford will be required to produce credentials , and send notice of their visit in sufficient time to lay before the council , which meet every Monday evening , and await an answer . The Chartisis of Bowling Back-lane , will meet in their room oq Sunday morning at ten o ' clock . The Chartists of Daisy Hill will meet on Saturday evening , in their Room , on business of importance-

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      Wm . Busfield Ferrand , Esq ., M . P . and thb Working Classes . —A meeting of the friends of William Busfield Ferrand , Esq ., M . P . for Knaresborough , was held at the house of Mr . John Wade , New Inn , Bradford , on Tuesday evening last , Mr . Squire Auty in the chair , when a strong resolution of thanks and confidence was unanimously apopted .

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      The committee on the Nottingham election committee , has concluded its labours by unseating Mr . Walter . No one who has read the evidence can entertain the slightest doubt of the correctness of the decision . The case of the petitioners was established by a mass of testimony , showing that corrupt practices prevailed to an immense extent at the last election . Extensive and systematic bribery was proved , and the grossest treating appeared to have been practised , almost without ; du-guise . Mr . Hogg announced the decision of the com * mittee to be as follows : — ' That John Walter , Esq ., was not duly elected a burgess to serve in this present Parliament for tho borough of Nottingham .

      " That the last election for the said borough was a void election . " That John Walter , Esq . was , through his agents , guilty of bribery and treating at the last eleotion for tho borough of Nottingham . " That it was proved before the committee that—£ . 8 . d . William Spurr was bribed by 0 16 0 William Wright 0 . 10 0 William Milner 0 12 6 John Upton 0 10 0 Edward FlinderB 3 0 0 William Middup 110 Ja , me 3 Rayner 2 0 0

      William Beardeall 10 0 Matthew Daniel ... 0 7 6 James Wilkinson 0 15 0 William Jams ... 0 15 0 Henry German 0 15 0 James Newton 0 15 0 Richard Roberts 0 10 Q Charles Birkin 0 10 0 James Ash 17 6 Thomas Johnson 1 18 O Charles Clarke by a promis ? of £ 5 t of which he received 10 a . William Hart ... ., 10 0

      Samuel Colley by a sum not stated , given ' to his wife . Francis Besstail by a promise of £ 5 , of which he received £ 1 . Thomas Beastall by a promise of £ 5 , of which he received £ 1 John Day , paid to bimself and wife ... 15 0 John Kiikham 10 0 William Middleton 10 0 John Emmerson 10 0 "That it was not proved that such bribery waa committed with the knowledge or consent of the aforesaid John Walter , Esq . "

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      Dr . Southet is dead . The Trial of Cooper , Capper , and Richards —This trial still progresses slowly ; and , from tho report of Friday morning ' s papers , it was expeoted to last for several day ? yet ,

      Midland Circuit.-Diirby.

      MIDLAND CIRCUIT .-DiiRBY .

      ®I}Atli0t 3&Nttuitffnce.

      ® i } atli 0 t 3 &nttUitffnce .

      Nottingham Election.

      NOTTINGHAM ELECTION .

      To Tee Imperial Chartists.

      TO TEE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .

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      YOI . YI . ] N 0 . 280 . SATUEDAT , MARCH 25 1843 PRICB FOURPE * haw ^ s *** ~ ° r j - " J j . vr-3 str » S"lve ihUlioes tier Onnttet .

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      AND LEEDS GrENEBAL ADYE 1 TISEE .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 25, 1843, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1205/page/1/