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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd September 1848, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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    • €#artf# iHtelitaewn
    • NOTTINGHAM,
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      Untitled Article

      MR O'CONNOR AND HIS CONSTITUENTS . Monday last presented a novel scene to the p ^ p le of Nottingham—the miniature of the People ' s Charter . Perhaps in these dull times , when dis « cussion is altogether prohibited , and the expression of . public opinion , whether in public or private , is suppressed by the law of the sword , or by the per-Tersion of the law of the land , it is something refreshing and novel to find the people still ready to meet , even in the open air , fearlessly to express

      their opinions , thus proving , beyond refutation , that however brute force may triumph for a season , the csmbined intelligence of a united people will yet overthrow its majesty and power . Cowed as the working classes now are—disappointed as they have been by the new parliament , from which so much was expected—and after the most protracted session ever known , and in which so much perfidy feas been perpetrated—there is something not only strange , but astonishing , in the fact , that the most abused of that house is—with the exception of Mr Sharman Crawford—the only one of its members who would dare to base the tenure of his office upon

      the free and unfettered opinion of his constituents , electors and non-electors . Our readers were aware that it was impossible to secure a room , where this novel spectacle was to take place , not that we believe the inconvenience to have arisen from plot or contrivance , but from the fact of the Exchange , and the other public buildings , being previously engaged ; and under these circumstances it was supposed that Mr O'Connor would postpone his visit until such time as one or the other of these buildings could be secured for that purpose . However , he felt aware that such an excuse mig ht have been put down to hesitation , and mLht have injured his cause ; and , therefore , he resolved to meet the people in

      THE MARKET PLACE , and now we shall proceed to give an account of the affair . At half-past two o ' clock , the time appointed for commencing proceedings , Mr O'Connor , accompanied by a party of the Old Guards , mounted the platform , and was received with loud cheers and waving of hats . Mr Sanders was appointed as chairman , and , after commenting upon the novelty of the spectacle , and the honour which the proceedings would confer both upon Mr O'Connor and the people of Nottingham , he introduced the honourable member to his constituents .

      Mr O'Connor , upon presenting himself , was again loudly cheered . He said , —Mr Chairman , and electors , and non-electors of Nottingham—I hare come her * to-day to discharge a must sacred obligation . I received your confidence and support upon the assurance , and with a knowledge of my principles—with a knowledge of those principles you elected me as your representative , and I am come here to . day to tell you that , in spite of the reign of terror—in defiance of the odium songht to be cast upon thoseprinples , and of the persecution by which they are

      attempted to be put down—I am here , I say , in defiance of those dangers and threats , to say that I still maintain those principles in their integrity and entirety —( loud cheers)—and if you are not prepared to accept me as their representative , elect another to fill my place ; hut I will not sit in that assembly , to which you have sent me , if my voice , and my vote , and my principles , are not stamped with your unanimous approbation . ( Cheers . ) And I now present a novel spectacle . I stand here to give practical effect to two of the six points embodied in the People ' s

      Charter . I stand here-denounced by the Pressdenounced by the classes denounced by some of the enthusiastic who would have jeopardised me , and jeopardised our cause ; I stand here as I stand in the House of Commons—ALONE , to give an account of my stewardship , to tender my resignation , if you are dissatisfied with my services , or to accept a renewal of the trust of those services if they have met with your approbation . ( Loud cheers . ) And when I say that such is my intention , do not mistake my by presuming that I will resort to any mean or shufflinz trick for the purpose of deceiving you ; do cot suppose that I am going to take a show of

      hands , as a means of ascertaining the will of the majority , and thus hold my seat upon a puzzle . No . if I cannot represent you almost unanimously , I will sot represent you at all . ( Cheers . ) And in order that this vast assemblage may be considered as a fair representation of your town , I tell you that if a very few hands in the front , or on the right , the left , or ia the centre , are held up against the renewal of my tenure of office , I will surrender my trust into your hands . ( Loud cheers . ) When 1 represented my native county in Parliament , and before yoH had established your Charter , and before I became associated with English politics , I carried

      -the two great principles of Annual Parliaments and Universal Suffrage into practical operation , at the close of each session of Parliament , by tendering my resignation to the people . ( Cheers . ) I sat in the reform parliamen t in its infancy ; and I shall now proceed to give you an account of its dctaze . ( Laughter . ) Popular expectation was roused almost to madness , by hope raised , by the assurance that ranch new blood had been infused into the emaciated and withered body of legislation during the Zast general election . Another great and boasted principle of reform was to have been realised—the Six Points of the Charter were to be rendered

      unnecessary by sound legislation , and while those six points are repudiated by the enemies of labour , there have been five nsw points added to the English Constitution . ( Hear , hear . ) Tes , of all the savage and bloody enactments that disgrace the statute book , those which have stained it during the recent session of parliament , are the most atrocious and bloody . But although as the matter stands , perhaps in after time it will be more gratifying to the people of Nottingham , to know that their representative was the first man to resist them , and the last to abandon his opposition . ( Loud cheers . ) Yes , had it not been for me , the Irish Coercion Bill ,

      which was No . 1 in the black catalogue , would have passed sub tilentio , and without a voice being raised against it —( Shame , shame)—and the- records of Parliament will tell you that I opposed the whole five upon their introduction , until at length in my opposition te the last invasion , or rather destruction , of the remnant of Irishliberty , I was lett alone , and without a seconder . ( Cheers . ) And as to all practical measures of amelioration , the voice of a single man was incapable of carrying zny against the interests of faction . I stand alone in that house , hated by those opposite me , hated by those behind me . hated b y those on each side and around me ,

      because traffic in your destitution constitutes the stock-in-trade and profit of each . ( Cheers . ) And although the solution of tne Labour Question now convulses the world , yet are those , called your representatives , as hopelessly ignorant of the subject as the unborn babe . ( Hear , hear . ) Your chairman has truly told you that I was not going to appeal to those stately houses and shops by which we are surrcurded ; as I do not represent the bricks , stone , and mortar , of which they are composed , baf the intellect of thinking man , I have

      summoned the mind and not the mind ' s extinguisher ss the tribunal to judge my fitne-s , but although 1 may not represent those inanimate things or their senseless occupants , and as it is my desire to explain the links by which all society is bound together , I will prove to the inmates of those house * that their salvation , their comfort , th ? ir prosperity and wealth , depends wholly upon the prosperity of the working classes . ( Cheers . ) Let me ask the inmates of those shops , whether the well-paid labourer , or the degraded pauper is the best customer at the counter ? Let rae ask them whether the

      man receiving 25 s or 20 s a week , or the man receiving alms , to which they are obliged to contribute , is likely to be iargest consumer of their goods . ( Cheers . ) But they are blind , hopelessly blind , upon this subject . But to apply this Labour Question to a higher grade of society , let me further ask the landlords , whether ihose shopkeekens would be better tenants , and better pay their rents from legitimate profit made by legitimate trade in the days of labour ' s prosperity , or in the days of labour ' s adversitv ? and that brinsrs us to the

      consideration of the great sccial question . And I will now show you how everv class of society is vitiated at the head and source , and I will prove to you that middle-class ignorance of the Labour Question is the cause of their own ruin , and the depression of trade . ( Hear , hear . ) The middle classes , like the landed aristocracy , are linked together by social ties and class prejudices ; the little landlords , with small iicomes , adopt the opinions and principles of great * landlords , with large incomes and small intellects ; they fear to oppose

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      them lest they may be excluded from the festive table and the social boaid , and lest thereby their wives and families should lose their position in society ; their cry is a social cry , and so is the cry of the middle classes . Those shopkeepers and traders who are now perishing beneath the withering influence of class legislation , are obliged to pin themselves to the skirts of laree manufacturers and commercial men , —the one class commanding ths competitive power which pauperises theshopkeeping class , the other commanding the credit which enables them to speculate in trade , —while both live upon the pride and destitution of the poor . ( Loud cheers . ) Alas ! it is too true ! and you find that

      the same reasoning applies , the same motives operate , socially , upon the middle classes as upon the landed aristocracy . The shopkeeper , like the little landlord prostitutes his judgment to the fallacies propounded by manufactarers , lest be himself , his wife , and his family , should be excluded from the society of the more wealthy of their order . But let me illustrate the proposition for you . Can la-> our now estimate its value in the manufacturing market ? ( Cries of No , no . ' ) No , —wages are measured by the pride and destitution of the poor and not by any standard of the value of labour Your children may be , and probably are , as dear to you as the children of the Queen , and so base is the

      system , that by the love of those children is the amount of wages measured . The employer goes to the destitute man and say ? , ' I employ you from charity , hut you must submit to a large reduction of wages ; ' the destitute man , in his pride and desolation , reflects and looks around him ; he sees his wife that is dear to him , and his children that ought to be a blessing to him , —he perceives his weakness arising from want of union ( cheers ) , and he says , which alternative shall I accept . —that of a pauper ' s fare , and separation from my loved wife and child * ren , or the proffered pittance which is below the value of my labour . ( 'Aye , and that ' s it . ' ) Well , to his honour , be it spoken , pride and love of family

      triumph , he adopts the sad alternative , and becomea a miserable exister . Well , is his position as a customer to the shopkeeper improved ? Far from it . He but suffers individually , while the shopkeepers suffer collectively from labour ' s destitution . ( Cheers . ) Let us look to the other side of the picture , and 1 furnish it from the Land Plan ( loud cheers ) , ay , this plan whieh a lickspittle mercenary of the go vernment—receiving £ 2 , 000 a year of your money for deciding upon the scratching of soldier ' s backsand the government itself , sought to destroy by destroying me . ( Hear , hear . ) Suppose trade is brisk , and that hands are wanted , and that the country must be scoured far a supply , the employer goes

      into that free market , the husbandman rests upon his spade or his hoe ; here is reciprocity , —here they treat upon equal terms , and the husbandman says , ' I can earn 30 s . a week and good health , —I can eat provisions that have not been thumbed in the market-place , —I can rest in my own house , surrounded by my own family , and I am my own master ! WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME ? ' ( Cheers . ) The employer retires , he comes to the slave market , and there the labourer measures his wage 3 by the destitution of his class , —the shopkeeper becomes bankrupt from his poverty , and wealth becomes centralised in the hands of the few , who monopolise legislation , and which is applied to the degradation of

      labour . " ( Cheen . ) In Nottingham and the other manufacturing towns , trade is paralysed , and you are at . a loss for the solution , but I think I can show you why your fancy trade has suffered from the present continental convulsion . Meu engaged in revolution and expecting death , do not prepare for the advent like the hero , or the bridegroom upon the stage , they are not like them attired in doublet and hose , embroidered with point lace ruffles , they go simply attired into the field of action , and cease to be customers foi your wares ; — then your labour ceases , its produce is not required , yon cannot in return procure food , and you are deficient in the

      commissariat department ; and vulgar and eontemned as the Land question is , let me call your attention to this startling fact , that the prostration of trade at home or abroad , does not deprive a pig of its value , or paralyse the in . dustry of the producer ; the pig is the commissariat , the feeder is the commissary-general , and although you cannot eat lace , he can eat his pig , and if his wife or himself require the produce of artificial labour , they will get more of it for the pig in bad than in good times . ( Heir , hear , and cheers . ) No man can control the labour of the free labourer , while the employment and wages of the hired labourer depends upon the caprice of the

      capitalist , more than upon the demand for his produce . ( Hear , hear . ) In Prussia , and in France , and throughout the world , the solution of the Labour Question is now the one topic of all-absorbing conversation , and yet I defy you to point me out one practical word , written , published , or spoken upon this all-important subject . True , a great theory has been propounded—the theory of Socialism and Communism , and that theory has been enthusiastically accepted and applauded in consequence of its real and practical deficiency . It is a theory upon which the writer and the spouter may excite the most lively enthusiasm , but it is one which , in its practical result , must inevitably end in a war of the

      industrious against the idle . ( Loud cheers . ) Do not mistake me , my friends , for while I am allowing the greatest latitude and toleration to the freest expression of opinion , and the most unbounded advocacy ot a principle , I am neither a Socialist nor Communist . ( Loud cheers . ) The principle is at variance with the ruling instinct of man , which is selfishness , self-interest , self-reliance , and individuality ; and decry that feeling or instinct as you may , I tell you that there is not a man in the meeting , or a man in this world , who is not governed by that ruling instinct , and above all—those who profess the principles of Socialism . ( Great cheering . ) The government of that instinct may be varied , one

      man may be selfish and sordid , another man may be selfish and generous . I am selfi-h , and , if I had five millions of money to-morrow , the bearing of my selfishness would be to expend it to the last farthing upon the location of the poor upon the land . ( Loud cheers . ) What ! tell me that any one set of men , with brains in their heads , will labour that others may live upon their industry—and such would be the real practical effect ef Socialism , or rather Communism . The state in which we live is one huge system of Communism : and it is only out of those materials of self-reliance , individuality , and co-operation , that a just system , equally protective of all , the rich and the poor , the strong and the weak , the

      educated and the ignorant , the hale and the cripple , the sane and the insane , can be moulded . Once establish the principle of Csmmunism , and you paralyse industry , yon destroy honourable competition , you elevate the cunning , destroy self-reliance , and create a war of the idle strong against the weak industrious . ( Cheers . ) I ask you boldly , in the face of this promulgated and extensively-accepted theory , if there is a man amongst you who does not prefer the principle of self-reliance , individuality , and cooperation , to that of Communism , which would at once destroy every one of those attributes ? ( Loud cheers . ) I am not astonished at a destitute people accepting any theory which promises them

      amelioration ; but , if I am asked to give a practical illustration of the power and the efficiency of employment upon the land , I point to Belgium , to Holland , to the Channel Islands , and other countries , where agriculture constitutes the staple of trade . Belgium is an agricultural country , separated from France by a gate , and from Prussia by an open arch . France and Prussia are both convulsed , while agricultural Belgium remains unshaken . In Holland , labourers receive small wages and small parcels of land for their labour . Holland is a monarchy , and has

      escaped the convulsion . ( Cheers . ) I think I hear the sceptic directing my attention to Ireland , and summoning that unhappy country as a refutation of my assertion—but my answer is , that there is no tenure in Ireland . ( Cheers . ) The serf who improves the soil is the bond slave of its owner . There is a premium for idleness , and a discouragement to industry . If the small farmer , who pays £ 1 an acre for land , increases its value to 25 s ., the griping landlord g ives him the option of increasing his rent to 25 s . —thus taxing his own industry , and making capital of his labour—or the alternative of letting it

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      to a stranger over his head . ( Cheers . ) Thus I show you that the state of Ireland furnishes no refulation . But , in God ' s name where is the great difficulty of settling this Labour Question if Labaur was represented ? ( Cheers . ) I will show you two sources—the one a debasing fund , and the other a pauper fund—from the application of which , to its legitimate and proper purpose , the whole . Labour Question and war question may be settled—I mean Tithes and Poor Rates . ( Loud cheers . ) Will any ene deny that tithe—if at all sustainable—is not a divine charitable fund , from the proceeds of which the i gnorant should be educated , the stranger housed , and the destitute fed ?—and will aay one

      deny that Poor-rates should not be most beneficially employed to the sustainment of the poor , instead of to the coercion of the destitute ? Well , those two unds may be estimated lowly at fifteen millions a-year ; and , if applied to the location of the poor upon the land of their birth , would , in five years , locate half a million of families , amounting to two millions and a half of people ; would leave a large revenue to the Exchequer ; would promote pure religion and education ; destroy pauperism and degradation ; and reduce the taxation of the country by fifteen millions a-year—substituting knowledge . Christianity , and wealth , for ignorance , prejudice , and poverty . ( Loud cheers . ) Then why is this

      not attempted ? Because it constitutes the fund for the propagation of blasphemy and the prostration of Labour through destitution . ( Cheers . ) Talk ef reduction of taxation , every year you are increasing it . This year you have increased it by two millions , and the generosity of Parliament will ever be measured by the resolution to suppress the demand of labour . ( Cheera . ) Perhaps , in giving an account of my stewardship , I may inform yoa that I voted against this grant of Two Millions . ( Cheers . ) But again I tell you , that an individual who standi up in that house to advocate the rights of Labour , ensures but a sorry hearing from any section . I

      recollect Mr O'Connell was once arraigned for calling them 658 pickpockets—and when he became shy and overawed , and was about to retract , 1 pulled him by ths skirt and said , ' Stick to it , and we will back you . ' And , although Mr M . J . O'Connell , Lord Arundel and Surrey , and the Methodist . Parson Drummond , frequently read the Northern Star in the House of Commons , and would make n : e responsible , not only for every word in it , but also for the quack advertisements—( laughter)—and althoug h what I am saying here now may be flashed in my face , I will apply the words of Sheridan to that

      assembly' Tanta . nra . ra—roguei all , regau all . ' ( Roars of laughter . ) My friends , if we could have secured a room uninterrupted by the passing of vehicUs , as we are here , I might , and probably would , have delivered a mere consecutive address as regards my stewardship , the present position of nations and the Labour Question , but while other- * would be but too happy to make the excuss of not being able to get a meeting-place as an apology for postponing their appearance , I make no suoh excuse —I prefer meeting you in this market-place under the canopy of the broad blue sky and where none can be denied admittance . And now let no man misunderstand me or affect to misinterpret tha

      object of my visit . I come here to tell you that I maintain every poiut of the People ' s Charter as my principle . ( Cheers . ) I come here to tell you that if the ^ most influential man in this borough said , Use your influence to secure me place , patronage , or emolument , and I will ensure you your re-election at the next contest , or , refuse it and my opposition shall ensure your defeat ; ' in such case my answer should be , ' You are not my master I am not your servant , I was not employed to do your work and I will not prostitute myself to your service . ' I would rather maintain my honour and independence than maintain my seat in parliament at the expense of either . ( Loud cheers . ) Nottingham has given

      England a Chief Justice and the Board of Centroul a President , and it shall be the boast of the constituency that Nottinghamjhaj obliterated those 3 tains from its history by giving labour an honest representative . ( Lond cheers . ) Again , if any man in this vast assemblage and belonging to the constituency voted for me in the hope that I would recommend him as a policeman or an exciseman —( laughter)—or that I will do so , let him now vote for the accepting of the resignation of my trunt as I will in nowise prostitute myself to his debasement . ( Loud cheers . ) I will make an honourable contract with my honourable colleague , to him I leave the patronage , if he can get it . ( Laughter . ) 1

      will reserve my independence . I am your servant but not your slave . If I hire a servant upon the presumption that he will faithfully discharge the required duties , I would consider it an act of the greatest tyranny if I was compelled to retain that servant after he had proved himself inefficient or not trustworthy , and I look upon you in the same position ; I should consider that I had committed the greatest act of tyranny towards you if , having employed me from a belief in my efficiency or reliance upon my honour , I had deceived you upon both poists but still had recourse to the flimsy technicality of hiring for a certain period to secure my place . ( Loud cheers . ) I am not like the kon

      members for Sheffield , who , when requested to resign by the very voters that elected them , urged their seven years ' tenure of office as a justification for continuing in their dishonoured trust . ( Cheers . ) There may be some men who attach paramount importance to a seat in parliament , but it is my pride to say , that I believe there are only two members of that house , and they are both Irishmen , representing English constituencies , who would have the manliness to face the electors and non-electors in their respective boroughs and tender their resignation . Of course you are aware that I allude to Sharraan Crawford —( tremendous cheering ) —the hon . member for Rochdale , who may , with conn .

      dence , stand before his constituents and non-electors and g ive an account of the zealous , the faithful , and independent manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office . ( Loud cheers . ) I tell you , electors and nen-electors , that I did not buy you and I will not sell you , and as you did njt buy me you shall not sell me . ( Great cheering . ) I may make myself as serviceable to your cause out of parliament as in it , and your rejection of me to day shall not damp my ardour in that cause . ( Cheers . ) No , although its death is again pronounced by the Press and our enemies , as of yore , I am going to make another tour of resurrection . ( Cheers . ) The little minister is gone to Ireland to

      settle the question of that country . What a subject fora puppet-show ! ( Cheers . ) If , instead of extracting two millions from your exhausted frames , he had placed himself at my disposal , I would have made more money of the raree-show , as the menageries or exhibitions of Batty , Wombwell , or Van Amburgh would have been as nothing compared to the exhibition of the smallest Saxon you ever saw for nothing . ( Great laughter . ) I think I . hear the keeper crying out : ' Ladies and Gentlemen—Vont yon valk up and see the smallest Saxon that vas ever seen for nothing ? ' and I think I hear Peggy Muldooney say to Nelly Mulligan : 'Wisha , my God , Peg , his ' nt he a poor little crater—the devil

      from me , but he'd fit in Jack Regan ' s belly- ' ( Roars of laughter . ) Well , but he is to go over as a witnessupon Smith O'Brien ' s trial , and the Timbs says , and the Chronicle says , and you know those papers never tell lies —( great laug hter)—however , they say , and upon authority , that letters written by the Prime Minister of England , will be put into his hands at those trials , and that those letters recommended the Reformers in 1 S 32 , to make a moral display of then strength , and that if that does not succeed-they MUST MAKE A PHYSICAL ARRAY . ( Load cheers . ) Now I do not vouch for that , but not

      the Times and Chronicle do ; and I should be astonished , as the old adage says—* Times change and we change with them . ' Now so much for Lord John ' s tour in Ireland as a means of pacificating and regenerating that country , and a word as to our own movement , and I have done . I stated in parliament as your representative , what I never stated but what I always opposed on the hustings and upon the platform , namely—that if the Constitution was violated by the suppression of public opinion , which is the safety . valve of agitation , the bulwark of the Constitution , the preserver of peace , and the magnet of 6 ouud public opinion—I stated that if

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      that unconstitutional measure passed the Commons , I would from that moment avow myself a Republi . can . ( Tremendous cheering . ) I also stated that the suppression of public opinion would lead to the establishment of secret clubs and societies , and that those clubs and societies would be the focus of sedition , conspiracy , and treason , fomented by spies and informers , aad that the result would be , that the enthusiastic , the honest , and the destitute , would be entrapped by the wily , the cunning , and the villanous . ( Hear , hear . ) Well , such has been my warning to the people for now nearly eleven years , and see hovr my prophecy has been fulfilled by recent occurrences . In London we have the informer Powell- ( groans ) -and rel y upon it you will have others

      . Iu Ashton we have Williamson aad ^ mterbottom . In Oldhara , Gifford ; and in Hslifax , Robert Eramett , the most trusted from his name . (• Oh , oh , ' and groans . ) And mark , that in every locality those men professed the largest amount of enthusiasm , while their own sworn testimony establishes the fact that they were the prime instigators in those several conspiracies . (« Oh , oh , ' and « Shame . ' ) Well , would I have been justified in jeopardising your cause by jeopardising my own liberty , in obeying the injunctions oftbSg ^ jillains . (' No . no . ' ) No , but mark the difference , if all were allowed to speak openly ; the folly of the fool would . be checked by the wisdom of the wise , our cause would have been saved froa the ignominy that those ruffians have cast upon it , and its advocates would have been saved

      from a dreary dungeon . ( Cheers . ) My friends , I am not come here to flatter you ; you are the manufacturers of your own misery 5 you spend your money in drunkenness and dissipation—( loud cheers )—which , if applied to your reformation and organisation , would make you too powerful for your enemies . ( Cheers . ) I have told you a thousand times , and I now repeat it , that your principles are within your grasp at any time ; that you can make Peel and Russell bid the six points of the Charter for your support , when it is worth having j and , as I have told you a thousand times before , you have no ri ght to call upjn me to violate one single law that would jeopardise my liberty , until you have all worked as I

      have done , within the law , for the accomplishment of your principles . ( Loud cheers . ) Let all work for a month as I have worked for twent j-six years , and your Charter is carried . ( Cheers . ) ' The men who inhabit those houses now consider me a destructive and a firebrand ; but I tell you that I will live down their prejudice , and they will yet adopt my teaching . This class would draw lots for the honour of hanging and gibbeting me ; but so averse am I to cruelty , that when saved from their fangs , I would not hurt a hair of their heads , but would reclaim them by kindness . ( Cheers . ) I hate cruelty , and though branded as a destructive , it is my greatest boast to be able to say that I never committed or

      tolerated a single act of cruelty , even to a dumb animal , in all my life . ( Cheers . ) Cruelt y is the greatest of all vices ; you may reclaim the drunkard , the idler , the liar , or the thief , but you never can reclaim the cruel man . Before the question of my resi gnation is put to this meeting , I must arm you and myself with an answer toany charge of partiality , or of this being a packed or one-sided meeting . I ' must remind you that the electors as well as the non-electors have had ten days notice of the object ; and I must again , in order to place you and myself in a proper position , repeat and impress upon your minds that if a mere fraction of this meeting , an insignificant fraction , shall manifest disapproval of my conduct

      by voting to accept my resignation , I will at once resign , as the honour rests in representing all , and not in representing part of the mind , the will , and the in . telligence of Nottingham . I have sow done , merely observing that no doubt the young gentlemen of the Press , who are numerically strong here—( cheers)—will assure their readers on Saturday next , that Mr O'Connor made a long and rambling speech , without beginning , middle , or ending , to three or four hundred tattered ragamuffins—( great laughter)—and that the motley assemblage did not represent any portion of the mind of Nottingham ; while , if a Whigling , or a Tory representative , had placed himself in the same honourable position , and spouted unconnected balderdash for ten minutes , his speech would be represented as the sublimity of eloquence ,

      and his conduct as well worthy of imitation . ( Great cheering . ) But as my popularity never did—and please God ! never shall , depend upon the hired praise of a prostitute Press , I now submit myself , as your representative , to ths most searching examination , not into my stewardship only , but , as trust should be based upon character and honour , I court , I invite , and challenge the most rigid inquirry into every act of my life , and from which , notwithstanding the denunciation of the Press , I shall be able to prove , before an impartial tribunal , that I have never committed a dishonest , a mean , a dishonourable or ungentleman-like act throughout my life . ( Loud and tremendous cheering . ) Now I am here te answer any question that may be put to me , not only upon my parliamentary , bu n On mv general

      conduct . When silenne was restored , a person came to the front of the platform , and asked Mr O'Connor why it was he had not supported Sir Henry Halford ' s measure with regard to the Framework-knitters . Mr O'Connor repeated the question , so that all might hear and understand it , and gave the follow , ing answer : —I shall first answer the question unequivocally , aud I shall then ask another . Sir Henry Halford brought his measure forward upon a Wednesday , when the sitting of the house is limited from twelve to six o ' clock . I remained in the house

      till half-past two ; there were other questions to come on ' after that under discussion was decided , and it was thought impossible to bring on the Framework . knitters' question on that day : I left the house to meet a deputation . I was returning at half-past three , upon the presumption that the question mi ght come on . I met some members coming out , who told me it was impossible it could come on . However , that question , that onght to have taken a long time in discussion , was not only brought on but disposed of in about an hour , And now I come to my question . Determined to discharge my obligations fairly to my constituents , I came to Nottingham before the session , to consult with the several classes and trades , upon questions of importance , without aay reference to politics ; I came to receive

      instruction , and to act upon my instructions ; I remained here three days ; not a question was submitted to me , except that of thetrame-work knitters . I discussed their ca 9 e with them ; I told them the impossibility of instructing me upon so large a question in conversation ; I asked them to submit their opinions in a plain and simple form in writing , to state distinctly their grievances and proposed remedies , and that , at my own expense , I would secure the ablest counsel to lick them into parliamentary shape , embody them in a bill , propose it to and support it in parliammt . ( Loud cheers . ) And as we say in Ireland , ' It ' s a bad dog that ' s not worth whistling after . 'I never received those instructions from those frame-work knitters , and , as in all cases they would now charge me with their own neglect of duty . ( Cheers . )

      The person who asked the question , replied , that he did not put the question with any the slightest ill-feeling , but that he wished the trade to be acquainted with the facts . ' ( Hear , hear . ) Mr O'Connor . —Are there any more questions ? Here a person stepped from the centre of the meeting to the platform and said , ' I wish to ask Mr O'Connor why he did not vote upon the sugar question ?' Mr O'Connor . —I voted upon every question connected with sugar until I started at a sugar hogshead , and fell into fits at a grocer ' s shop , and upon that questian 1 always voted against slavery and in favour of freedom , without the slightest reference to the price of sugar . ( Cheers . ) Any more questions ?

      No other question being put , though ample time was allowed , Mr Sweet , as an elector , moved' That Mr O'Connoihad faithfull y discharged his duties to the electors and non-electors of Nottingham , and that he be re-elected as their representative in parliament . ' Loud cheers . ) The veteran Georgb Harrison , with his , nowwhite head , came forward , as a non-elector , to second tbe proposition , and which , when put by the

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      chairman , elicited sueh a show of hands as we believe was never before exhibited at a public meet , ing as illustrative of unanimity ; and upon the con . trary being put , not one single solitary hand was held up against the motion , when the announcement of Mr O'Connor ' s re-election was received with deafening cheers , followed b y waving of hats and clapping of hands . When the cheering had sub . sided , Mr O'Connor again presented himself , and said : My friends , I thank you . I accept the renewal of my trust with pride and satisfaction ; the more especially as all were summoned , and the jury has been unanimous . And now , wiihout

      vanity , I think I may say that I , in my own persoa , must present to your minds the most extraordinary recollection . Here I am , abused and denounced by every newspaper in the empire ; reviled by every class , save Labour , and by some even of that order , and , nevertheless , accepted as its representative b y a most enlightened constituency ; and , to convince you of the importance that I attach to short accounts , I am here to tell you now that I do not base ray tenure of office even upon its sessional duration , for if , during any session , I should fail to discharge my trust faithfully , and not according to the principles upon which you elected me , I shall not trifle with pledges or

      opinion , but whenever called upon during the session 1 shall be prepared to surrender a trust if but a small minority shall demand its restoration . ( Loud cheers . ) Again , I say , look at the novel spectacle of a man attempted to be crushed by the whole Press of the empire , and whose honour was to be destroyed by a Select Committee of the House of Commons . ( Loud cheers , and * They can ' t . ' ) Look , I say , upon that man ^ who alone for his associates dares , in such stirring and troublesome times , to appear before his constituents and settle his accounts with them . ( Great cheering . ) Take it home with you , —think

      upon it—reflect upon it—dream upon it—and your wonder will be that the man , whem those bloody acts were principally framed to entrap , is still at large , and fearlessly defends his principles in the Market-place , and then , I think , that instead of reviling yeu will honour me ; while you will agree with what I have before stated , that one tongue at large is worth thousands that are incarcerated . Again , I thank you , assuring : you that I shall now resume my seat with more pride and more force when backed by the renewal of your confidence . ( Loud and long continued cheering . )

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      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY .

      My Friends , You must naturally suppose that I , of all persons connected with the Land Scheme , am the most interested in a decision upon its future workings and efficiency ; and in order to secure a speedy decision upon the propositions that have been submitted to you , I , together with Mr Dixon and Mr Doyle ( our brother Directors , being on their mission ) , have decided upon holding a Conference a t Birmingham , on Monday , the 30 th October , and I am the more anxious for the adoption of this course , in consequence of the declaration of

      several of the Midland Counties Secretaries , whom I had the pleasure to meet at Nottingham , on Monday last . They urged—and I entirely coincided with them—the indispensable necessity of convoking the Conference ; and they further urged the necessity of each district paying the expenses of its own delegate , and you may rest assured that 1 cordially acquiesced in that proposition . We have named a day sufficiently remote to afford the members of all districts maturely and dispassionately to consider the propositions to be discussed by the Conference ; and every

      thinking man must see and understand that this course would be just as necessary after the tour of Messrs M'Grath and Clark , as there is no other possible means by which the opinion of the several districts could be ascertained . As far as I am concerned , I only gather from mere rumour and from letters from individuals in the several districts , that the propositions have been received with all but unanimous approval . Of course there are and will be some

      objections , and some amendments , as the propositions are merely to elicit discussion ; and by the time appointed for the meeting of Con * fertnee , I hope to be enabled to present such a set of rules as will bring us within the Friendly Societies Acts , and enable us to procure enrolment . However , whatever you may think of the probable and ultimate success of the Plan , I am determined to struggle to the death for its realisation , as in my soul and my conscience I believe , scoffed at as it is , that it must and will constitute the basis of social and

      political regeneration , and be the adopted of all nations . I trust that the members in the several districts will elect shrewd and trustworthy delegates , whose chief aim and object will be to do the best in their power to secure the ein ciency of the Plan . I remain , your faithful friend , Feaugus O'Connor .

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      11 x «—^ m ^ tj ^ i 1 . ^_^_ THE DIRECTORS' PROPOSITIONS . 10 TflE KDITJR 0 ? TBE NOSTHEBN BTAB . Dunfermline , 10 th Sept , 1818 . Mr Editor , —Amongst the many plans that have beea propounded lor battering the condition of the workiBg classes , there has not been one equal to the Land allotment put in praotice by thai great and good man , Feargus O'Connor , Esq . What a regret will it cause throughout the country should it fail . It is the duty of every one who feels an interest iu the working man , to do his utmost endeavour to work out tbis great soheme . I see the Directors are anxious and willing to do their best , they haying brought before the members several propositions for their approval or disapproval . Njw , sir , there ia one of theee propositions that carries a strong objection on tbe face uf it . An

      estate is bought—the ground is djeared—the houses built—all is made ready—a day appointed for location—due notice is ^ iven to all—the members' bids are taken—ths highest receives his location—the money to go fer the good of all . This plan might do were there aot a better and a juster way . The juster way , in my opinion , is to give an opportunity to all—the able and the less able member . The way I propose , is to take weekly instalments , so that the poor member may pay in his pence , and the more able member his pounds—each to reap the benefit oi his own money , by way of interest , or by lowering his rent when located—the highest oh the list of

      payments to receive his house and land . In my opinion , werethia plan adopted , it would give a stimulus to the membars far surpassing the Ballot- It will double the funds that the proposed bonus would de . Suppose , for instance , 100 members were to be located , say next monih , and all the hundred to pa ; £ 20 on an average . This would amount to £ 2 , 000 . Now , let it be Eupposed tbat weekly instalments were adopted , aad 20 < i 00 paid-up members to advance from l « i to £ 10—say 10 s . on the average . This would givo fuuds to tha astonishing amount ot £ 10 , 000 . Tiiis , certainly , ia well worth consideration . I am , yours . A SSARBHGLDKR .

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      Child Stealing . —Glasgow Aotumn Assizes . — Tha Glasgow Autumn Circuit Court was opened on Tuesday by Lords Menmeff and Cuokbura , The only case of interest tried during the day was thM oi Margaret Park , accused of child stealing , or 'pUgium / as the offence is termed in Scottish law pfcrasuol ^ y . From the evidence it appeared that the pri ^ oaer picked from the streets a little girl , the daughter of a Mr Morrison , a pattern drawer ; that search was afterwards made for her in every direction ; and that many da ys afterwards the child was found in a state of nakeancBs in this wotnnn \ i possession in an obscure part of the city . . The prisoner was convicted and sentenced to fourteen yearn' transportation . DKPAimiKE of Convicib PuR New South Walhs —The Etlen , hired convict-ship , left her moorings , oppoBi ' . e the Royal Amnal ,. Woolwich , dn . Vciday afternoon , with 300 convicts on board { rota Mil bank Penitentiary and tha Model PrUftu a ? Pectontine .

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      ^ ma ^ mmmmm ^ mMV ^ iA ^ wuumamAA ^^ a . . nh ^ Jk Fmsburj . —At a meeting , held on Sunday last , tha following resolution was carried unanimously ;«* Moved bj R . Fozzan , seconded by Mr Dicrey , ' That we the members of the council of the JFinsbury looa . Iity . feel called upon to express our profound gratitiida Jo F . O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., for the g .-nerous and liberal offer he has wade to secure counsel for the de * fence of th » men awaiting their trials in Newgate ; aad we further feel that we should be wanting in out J \ l we di 8 C ? ntioue subscribing and collecting until he bB fully indemnified from aDy pecuniary loaf o y the advancement of monies for that purpose . ' Xi « BD 3 . -On Sunday , Mrs Theobald , of Manchester . ? . i . ve two Cresting lectures in the large room of the B « jar , Briggate . The room was crowded to exoesj , and the lecturer gave great satisfaction . ' ' ¦ ¦ £ o « ^"'" wfongthe Krrices of Mrs Theobald , ma * obtaininformationbyappljing toMrBrookJroDKat /

      TivBRTOif , Devon . —A meeting of the Chartist As * oci . uon was 1 held on Friday evening , September lptn . at . the Golden Lion Inn , Westexe . Mr Row * ohtfa , town ¦ councillor , in tbe chair . After the sub ' aoriptions of several individuals had been handed in , in aid of the Defence Fund , and an announcement m ? » % t 8 »* ^ g the P wcek £ 1 b ** been remitted to Mr Rider , at the Sue effice , making in si AiJ to tins fund , the aeoretiry brought farwaid tha balance sheet for the past quarSer , which was read and adopted . A question being asked wpeotine the library , called forth from ons of the audit or * appointed to examine tho accounts , the result of the ¦ am *; the rocome , expenditure , and balance being named , it was suggested that the various items 0 expenditure , is a detailed form , should be produced at the next meeting , which was aocenJinely ordered

      aiier wmen , a portion of Mr Barked publicatioa Ihb Pkopw , was read , which gave much eatiafac . tion , it being ooasidered by thoso prcaent tbat thi publication was » valuable co worker with th JNobihbrs Star , ut the great and glorious cause 0 justioe and truth . A vote of thanks to the chair man naisbed the business of the evezioa , when the company quietly separated . ( Rochdale —To the Chartists of Eogland . —Tha following resolution was passed unanimously at a meeting of the council of the Rochdale National tnarter Association , held September 18 th p- ' That we , the council of the Rochdale branch , sreing tha low itate of the Executive funda , do f . Tthwitn remit tno sum of fifteen shillings to the same , and earnestly call upon the men of England and Sootland lo do likewise . ' There are many Joca'itka who have never contributed a penny to the present Executive ; and we oall upon them to do their duty , and contribute in proportion to the number of mem .

      Bors , say a halfpenny per member ; then the wivel and httle ones of Messrs M'Douall and Jones can re * ceive their wages . Remember they were sacrificed for advocating your rights—and shall it be said that you , the Chartists of England and Soctland , allowed their families to be negleoted and forgctten ? Surely , you will not . We hope , then , that your respond will be the forwarding of pounds , shillings , and pence , whioh will be putting ; into praetical operation the goldsn rule- ' Do unto others aa ye would they should do unto yon . ' Signed on behalt of the council , Lbigh Glbave , secretary , MlIHOrOL ITAN CbNTBAL VlOIIM AND Dl £ PBNG 8 Fond . —KeceiptB from September 10 th to September 17 th . —83 , Dean-itreefr , Soho , 4 * Si ; for Defence , 2 i 2 d ; Carlisle , per J . Gilfcertaon ; for Defence of Cuffsy and others , £ 1 ; Green-cate . 6 > 3 d : Stall .

      wood , 2 * Id ; Globe and Friends . 7 i ; Cigar makers , ^' , ^ wyfl !! l ! V iDOr J '' o Crip P e ' P 8 r Mfa G « 'l » 10 j lOJd ; Mr Kendnck , Globe and Friends , 5 j : A Friend , psr Mr Sumner . 6 i ; Mr Rider , aa per Stab , £ 2 Oiii ; Laud Office , as per Star , 153 54 Mr Kydd , par Siab , 1 * Djpttord , per Mr Flojd , 5 s ; for Defence , per Floyd , 2 iGJ ; Wootton-under * eige , per R . Lone , 5 i ; Nottingham , per J . Sweeh 6 s 3 i . —Total , J 674 s 9 Jd . James Gbas 9 by , secretary .

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      NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . Alvaand District—Messrs M'Grath and Clark will meet the memb ; ra of the several braaches in his diatriot , at Alva , on Monday evening aex \ the 25 ; h in > -t . Glaso . w . —Messrs M'Grath and Clark will meet the members of this and surrounding branches , on Wednesday evening next , 27 h inst ., at Glasgow . KiiMARNOCK . —Messrs M Grath and Clark will meet the members of this and surrounding branches , on Tueiday . 26 ' . h inst ., at Kilmarnook . Albxwduia . —Messrs M Grathand Claik will meet tho members of this branch on Thursday evening , 28 th init .

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      Bilmon —The Chartists of Bilatoa are reques t ed to meet at the house of Mr Joseph Linney , on Sunday evening next , to take into consideration the best means of raiting funds for the support of the lawmade victims . JSouih Lohdok Chartist Hall . —Walter Cooper will lecture on Sunday eveniae next , September 24 at eight o ' olock . Subject : ' The life , character , and writings of Robert Burns . '—Mr Kydd will lecture on Monday evening next . Subject : The four pillars of the itatt . '

      Oldhak . —A general meeting of tho members of the National Land Company will take place in the ¦ oheol room of the Woiking Man ' s Hall , on Sunday next , September Si , when all who are enrolled are requested te pay their contributions , Ac , and commence paying the penny per share to tha aid fund . — On Sunday ( to-morrow ) Mr James Leach of Man * oheiter , will lecture in the Working Man ' s Hall , at six o ' olock in the evening . Subject : 'The organisatien of labour and cooperation . ' Mb DoNovAw ' g Robxb . —Mr Donovan , of Msnohei * ter , will attend thejfollowing places next weekthe councils of the different localities will please announce and provide places of meeting :-Padiham , Sunday , September 24 : Burnley , Monday , 23 ; Barowford , 26 ; Coloe , Wednesday , 27 ; Ciithero , Thursday , 28 ; Baoup , Friday , 29 ; Todmorden , Sunday , Ootober 1 .

      Niw R * dford . ~ The Land members of this branoh are requested to attend a meeting at the Pelicap , Pelioan-street , on Monday evening next , at eis o ' olock . SiimiBLD—A meeting of the Chartists will ba held ia the Democratic Reading Rooms , 33 , Qaeen * street , on Sunday evening , at eight o ' clock , ami every succeeding evening , at which the Northkrh Star and daily papers will be publicly read . Oa Tuesday evening , September 26 , at half-past seven , Mr LaacH will deliver a lecture . Subject : ' Emigration and its effeots upon British commerce . ' Exetbr . —Tie Lund members ef this branch ara requested to convene a meeting for the purpose of electing a seoretary in the room of J . W . llavill . whffl has rergned .

      Wbst Riding Dblsqatb iVIbbtug . —A West Ridic delegate meeting will be held in the Chartist roms , Leeds ' , on Sunday morning next , the 24 th icst , at ten o ' clook , for the purpoaa of winding up tha ac « counts of the late Wcbi Riding Demonstration . It is to be hoped that all parties cancer red will see tho necessity of attending and settling this affair without further notice . Kiddkrminbteb . —A special meeting of tha mem * bera of this branoh of the Land Company will be held at the Falcon Ian , en Tuesday evening next , at seven o ' olook . Sourn London Chartist Hall —A publio discus * sion will take place at the above hall , on Sunday morning , at eleven o ' clock . Subject : ' Which would most benefit the nation , emigration or home colonisation . '—The Land members will meet at s x o clock in the evening .

      Emigration . —Matthew Stevecson having resided four years in America , chit fl / amonget the working classes , will deliver one or two lectures , if required , in any town within fifty miles of Bolton on the probable good or evil results of emigrating to t > o United StateB . Terms-paying hi * travelling and other reasonable expenses . Address , Matthew Stevenson , newa-agent , No . 7 , Folds-road , Little Boltcn , Lsncashiie . Nbwcastlb-upon-Tine . —A general meeting r , £ the members of this branch will bs held in M . Jiids ' 3 long room , on Monday evening , September 25 , at eight o ' olock , and the members will be n quired to commence paying up their shares , and to the aid fund , in accordance with the resolution . —A district delegate meeting of the Charter Association will ba held in the house of Mr T . Pratt , Magnesia Back , North Shields , on Sunday , September 24 at two o ' ttock .

      Arrbbt op Mr Johk west . —Nxwcastlb rpo . f Tins . —Mr John West , of Maoclcefiald , was arrested here on Sunday evening , September 13 , on a bench warrant issued at the late Liverpool Aasiz < a , and the Chartists of Newcastle desire to expres 3 their thanks to tho police authorities of Newcastle , fcr the contiderate manner in which the arrest was effected , and for the humane treatment Mr West received from them while in their cuatoJy . The varisas localities in this district ate particularly requested toiend delegates tothe district meeting , to bo field on Sunday , at North Shield , aa the diatsiot council have uci'tain hopes ihati Mr Weat will be enabled to comwenca hia labours agniu on nn early da ? next week .

      To » Moa » EH . —The CaaHuU of this Reality will hold ten parties and badb during tho fair iu tho Mlovwu i oulet : —A ball cm TSrowday . j > vin ' ns , Supc 28 . h , and a tua party and ball on the two tiilowio # days , the 29 tli and 3 , 0 th of September . Tea on tha tiblo , each day , at Iiyo o ' clock precisely . Salfjhd —A raeoting of tha Chartist msz > , ber 3 will bo held in their roonu Bank-street , Greats George-streo * , on Sunday evening lcxI , Ssptember 2 Uh , athalf » paBts ^ x o ' clock . —On Mo »; lsy Evening a inaeiiug ni \\ bo held in tho abova room for tha purpose of ^ lengthening the Dafeaoo and Victim Fund , when the Manchester victims will atloud;—1 amely , Messrs Lep . ch , Donovan , Claik , Givcott , Wliitcaker , Weit , and others , Chair to be ^ a ^ n at taifyai seven o ' clock .

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      Nottingham,

      NOTTINGHAM ,

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      AND NATIONAL TEJJ 3 ES' JOURNAL .

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      VOL- XL No 570- LONDON , SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 23 , 1848 . ™ ¦ ma S ^ Five Shilling * and Sixpence per Quarter

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 23, 1848, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1489/page/1/