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TO THE CHARTISTS.
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i^ittonal Itann <romp/in^
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<£f)<itti0t 3E«trlIi0r nee.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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^ 3 It Fbiekds , _ - ' - ¦ - ^ - ' ...... . ' . ' . Pfflr . a very long time I Have not derived the same pleasure from addressing you that I feel at this moment .. Last night I opened the Chartist campaign in Firisburyi in aliaU estimated to noW ^ OOO people , and all who were present -will bear -witness that from the platform to the farfher end there was not a vacant spot . In feet , had it aot been formy vanity , in believing that my presence is still necessary to the support of a popular and democratic cause , I verily believe that the exhibition I witnessed , the enthusiasm displayed , and the affection manifested for myself -would iave made me violate all ihe provisions of the Crown and Government Security Bill .
I confess candidly to you that I almost dreaded ihe apathy of the Londoners , and from the time I accepted the invitation to attend the meeting till I witnessed the scene , I was fearful lost a failure might damage our cause . However , what I saw has inspired me with strong and renewed hope ; and I have only now to express a -wish that those in the Provinceswill follow the example of their Metropolitan brethren . The place where the meeting was held is an immense building , extremely lofty , and , though well ventilated , I was obliged to strip to my work .
-The Chartists of England—that is , those ¦ wh o live by then * industry—must now take advantage of passing circumstances , to establish their own , freedom . They nave heen juggled / by the Reform Bill , and they have been juggled by every measure that has been passed since the Beform Bill ; and let me now tell them the plain fact , that it is they themselves who have been ihe main instruments in the juggle ; and let me as plainly point out to them what has been then-past error , and what is likely to be their next blunder .
It 15 difficult to w . ean the mind of an excitable population from old habits and customs , and the old feud , before the passing of the Beform Bill , was between Whig and Tory—the Whigs rallying the people under the Reform banner , making extensive promises of
"PEACE , RETRENCHMENT , AND REFORM ;" which naturally meant , no soldiers , peace through contentment , and retrenchment as the abolition of old feudal extravagance . Well , it was not wonderful that the existing generat ion , tickled for over forty years by the GREY FEATHER , and oppressed for centuries by what was called Tory misrule , should have rallied to such an inviting CRY . : Although the Whigs , during their tenure of office , from the introduction of the measure by Lord Gret down to its passing , had been as great tyrants as the Tories , yet the people
were led to the belief that they merely required exclnsive power to destroy Tory ascendancy , and their own means of committing injustice . In short , the battle resolved itself into a conflict between Whig and Tory , and when it was fought and won by the Whigs , the people discovered that the result was the triumph of active capital over sluggish land , but that they , the people , -who had gained the fight , were not only not participants in the victory , but had established a new class of taskmasters , without having in the slightest degree destroyed Toryism — which means feudalism—and which still exists in all its rigour .
Thus , I show you that you were parties to the juggle ; and now let me show you what the next I ) ODGE will be , and the blunder that you are likely to commit . The next manoeuvre will be a resistance npon the part of the Free Traders to restore Protection ; and an attempt will be made to marshal you , as the auxiliary Free Trade , force to meet this retrograde army—they will be represented as the old rump of Toryism , and their assailants as your Mends . Now , Chartists , I have watched the popular movement sharply and anxiously . I have been for more that a quarter of a century connected with the cause of democracy , both in
England and Ireland . I have written more , and spoken more , upon Free Trade , than any man in England or Ireland , and my every prophecy—as regards that measure in connexion -with the interests of the industrious classeslias been verified , and your own candour has , upon many occasions , compelled you to confess ihe , fact ; and you are aware that we only gave up our resistance to Free Trade at the close of 1815 , for this reason , because the Irish famine had commenced , and if Free Trade had been resisted successfully , Daniel O'Coxxell would have told the Irish people that it was the rascally SAXON CHARTISTS who iad been the cause of all their
misery ; and but for whom the streets would have been paved with penny loaves , and the houses thatched with pancakes . Well , you know with what perseverance I have struggled , in the face of the most unbounded abase from my own countrymen and their leaders , to unite the people of both countries , well knowing , as you know , that their dissension constituted the basis of Whig power . And I believe the Chartists of England and the Irish resident in England , will do me the justice to say , that no man ever persevered in such a hopeless cause ,- with such unabated ardour , until at length I have completel y succeeded in causing union , between the English and the Irish people .
With so much of a comment upon the past , let me now call your attention to the future . Men cling with great pertipacity . to old rights and privileges , and more especially and na- " iurall y when they uphold old monopolies and possessions . I now write of the nature of man and not of justice , and I tell you , that , let saints and sinner ^ Whigs and Tories , talk . and write about Justice , Christianity , and Humanity as they may—I tell youthat SELF INTEREST is the main spring of human action ; and I tell you that a life of some experience has taught me that the professing saint is always the greatest sinner .
Free Trade and its effects have at length roused the sluggish and inactive dodpole race to the cry of Protection . Their object is to bring Lord SiAStEY into power , as the leader of the Protectionist party , and then , relying upon reaction and upon the £ 50 tenant slaves , they would dissolve Parliament , in the hopeand I believe successfully—of insuring a Protectionist majority in the House of Commons ; and the inevitable result of such a state of things wonld be , to embroil England in foreign wars , and to lead eitherto the most sanguinary domestic revolution , or to the surrender of the few ~ riglr t 8 which the people still possess .
Chartists , for these reasons I am opposed to reaction , and a return to Protection ; and , further , because the inevitable result must be the upholding of that barbarous feudal system by which the people are now deprived of the Land as the means of profitably employing their industry . Therefor ^ in the House of Commons I have opposed retrogression , because I believe it would lead us to the devil ; and the first step being taken in the destruction of the feudal system , andrelyingupon your good sense not to allow it to be converted to class or party purposes , I am now for going the ¦ whole hog , believing that it wonld be fhe piofleer to lead you to paradise . _
But now for the puzzle . Will you allow yourselves to be made mere tools in the hands of the Free Trade party , used for no other or better purpose than to achieve another victory for the owiiere of active capital , io which the Reform Bill has made your class wholly tributary , and to whose will it has bound you neck and heels ? Chartists , your fault has been , allowing yourselves to be nsedaa the balance of power —the auxiliary force—the mere make-weight of the middle classes—to fight their own battles ; while , so far from deriving benefit
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from the Victory , their success but tends to rivet your chains and increase your bondage . I have thus sketched the past , and what may be , and what is likely to be , the future : and ^ whatever course you may consider it wise or ^ prudent to take , that which I recommend is , to rally under your own banner , and let your motto be —• " THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . AND
NO SURRENDER !" Chartists , bear in mind , that by givingtMa advice I stand alone of my order , as it but tends to bring upon me the odium of both parties , as I fi g ht the battle of neither ; and the course that I now suggest is this—that you will again revive , in your strength and your vigour ; that you will again adopt the principles of the People ' s Charter as the only measure that you -will contend for j that you will not obstruct any plan or . proposition which is likely to facilitate the attainment of that measure , but that wherever there is a humbug
meeting yon will attend in ~ your thousands , and propose the Charter as an amendment to the humbug . No riot—no bullying— -no confusion . You want them not , as you have reason , argument , justij » , and eloquence ; ii p ^ dri yotff side ^ i ?)^^ town ' throughout the kingdom ; let them appoint the speakers to take part in the discussion . If you are heard—HE AR ; and if you are struck—STRIKE ; but never again allow yourselves to be used by your taskmasters as mere tools and engines to insure their own elevation and aggrandisement . Chartists—in the words . of the " Dispatch "
— "BEUP AND DOING , AND THE DAY IS YOUR OWN . " Your faithful Friend and Representative , Feabgus O'Connor .
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TO MY FPJENDS , THE FEMALE CHARTISTS OF HALIFAX , AND THE CHARTISTS OF MIDDLETON , JERSEY , BRAMHOPE , AND PRESTON .
Barnard's Inn , London . May 3 , 1849 . Permit me , through , the medium of the "Northern Star , " to thank you for the subscriptions towards my unsettled bill- for Mr . Veknon ' s defence . Although the sum subscribed is but trifling , believe me , I consider it as an earnest of your good feeling towards Mr . Feargus O'Connor , as well as to myself , and my client , Mr . Vernon . It is much to be regretted that so little energy is shown in discharging the various claims , &c . ; as I have previously observed , it' is surprising that with
so large a body as the Chartists , they can continue to lie under the stigma of not at once liquidating all the just demands made ,- and particularly such bills as were incurred for the defence of their leaders in June and July , 1848 , at which tune mine was created . It is deeply to be regretted , I say , and it is sincerely hoped that the subscriptions already made , ( although very small ) will rouse that apathy and indifference which appears to be so predominant in the general body . Believe me to remain , - Yonr faithful Servant , J . E . Nixon .
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Ciutplegate . —Mr . Stallwood delivered his fifth lecture . in the metropolis , on the "Life and writings of Thomas Paine , " in the Assembly Booms , 21 , Golden-lane , on Sunday evening last . — At the conclusion , Mr . Scobel moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer , and said lad they more of such "Addresses" the principles of Thomas Paine would he made perfectly plain to all , and if once the minds of the people could he divested of that prejudice with which interested parties had invested them , the principles that great man had enunciated , -would be as speedily and unanimously adopted . —Mr . J . E « Duncan , in seconding the motion , recited an ode to the memory of " Thomas
Paine . "—Mr . Britcsk ( a German democrat , ) begged permission to say that he thought the very pleasing mode Mr . Stallwood had taken in putting before the world the character and writings of Thomas Paine , was well calculated to disarm prejudice , and at the same tune do much to forward the democratic cause . ( Loud cheers . ) The motion was carried by acclamation . —3 Ir . Stallwood briefly responded , and inrenly to a question , stated that he had accepted an invitation of some friends in the Hamlets , and would deliver an address on the same subject , at the Essex Coffee and Assembly Rooms , Church-street , Bethnal-green , on Sunday next . The lecturer resumed his seat , and the evening ' s entertainment was concluded by Master Fowler playing in a superior manner , on a concert flute , the airs
" Mourir pour la patrie , " and the " Marsellaisc , " both of which were much applauded . Kirkcaldt . — -An important meeting of the good Ken and true ofKirkcaldy , linktown , Path-head , and Dysart , waa held in the Baptist Chapel , Rosestreet * Kirkcaldy , on Thursday evening , the 2 Gtn ult ., for the purpose of adopting the local petition in favour of our own dear old Charter , and , as we lite to "fell twa dogs wi' ane bane , "—to hear the Rev . Alexander Duncanson , pastor of tho first Congregational Church . Falkirk , deliver a lecture in defence of our principles . The meeting contained , besides the old veterans of the cause , a considerable sprinkling of the . middle-class gentry . —Mr . James "Wishart was called to the chair , who , after a neat address , introduced the lecturer . To give even a
synopsis of-the brilliantly eloquent and argumentative address , which occupied Mr . Duncanson during two hours of a rapid delivery , would take up too much space . Suffice it to say that his introductory remarks were addressed to Christian professors , and the position which Christian men should take up in reference to this question . He contended that every man , in whose bosom the love of God and the love of man existed , must necessarily be a philanthropist , a . lover of all mankind . That his end and aim would be to fuse the whole family of man into one common brotherhood . That in tho Christian bosom there is a martyrdom of the spirit of selfishness ; his sympathies not being confined to his own country , he rejoices at news of liberty from France , or from any other country in the habitable globe . He is indeed a citizen of the world . Every movement which has for its object-the amelioration of the condition of the human family , deserves the Christian's encouragement . He must Jiecessarily be a
progressionist . Ourfriends in the House seem at a foss how to enter on the forward path , but the Chartists have chalked out a clear highway . He then adverted to the temperance movement , as being an essential article of personal reform . To the antislavery movement , which ought not to expend all its svmpathies across the Atlantic , but wherever a man * did not receive a fair equivalent for his labour , io endeavour to find out A remedy there . To the anti-gibbet movement , which says with the voice of God " Thou shalt not kill . " To the Peace Movement , which was an essential olement of Chartism , and subsequently to the Six Points , during which he demolished the cobweb sophistry which our opponents call arguments , in a most masterly style . At the close he was greeted with three hearty " rounds of applause . —Mr . James Lyme moved the adoption of-the petition ,, which was seconded by Mi-. Alex . Beattio , jun ., in a very eloquent speech , and adopted unanimously , —After a vote of thanks to the worthv lecturer , the meeting broke up .
MBinoroiJTAs Deueoate Council . —At a meeting on Monday , at the Executive Committee Rooms , 144 , High Holborn—J . Harper in the chair—a question was mooted , and a . discussion arose , thereon , In which most of the members took part , relative to getting up an excursion on Whit-Monday for the benefit of the cause , and whether such excursion should be by " rail" or " boat . " On the motion of Messrs . Fennell and Goodman , it was ultimately resolved : " That the question stand adjourned till next week , and that , in the meantime the opinion of tue several localities be taken thereon , and that the several delegates report progress at the next meeting . The next subject submitted was the propriety of issumg Chartist tracts or handbills for general circulation , or . ee a fortnight . A notice was
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entered on the books for the . question tobe submitted at the next meeting , on Monday evening , May 7 th , when it is hoped every delegate will be at his post . . " .. '¦ ..... " ' National Registration and Central Elkctiox Commitiee . —This ever active body met at the Two Chairmen , " Wardeur-street , Soho , on Monday evening , April 30 th , when Mr . Grassby . reported that the " Hand Book of . Registration" was ready to be issued ; and , iu reply to a question , said it might be obtained of any bookseller in the United King dom te $ threepence—and called on all local societies , as well as agents , to make use of the information therein conveyed , for the purposeof furthering the registration of as many Proletarians as possible . —Mr . John Arnott announced that the e&brts of the committee in Lambeth alone had already succeeded in
adding : fourteen hundred names to the electoral roll . ( Loutt cheers . ) The eligibility of all persons being members of the Registration Committee , and electors of Lambeth joining the ' Lambeth Eleotion Committee , haying been ' suggested and . acquiesced in , the ' Committee adjourned to Monday , May the 7 th . Birmingham . —At a meeting of . Chartists held at the Ship Inn , Steelhouse-lane , on Sunday evening last , it was unanimously resolved ^ to hold a town meeting in the Com Exchange , for the purpose of adopting a petition to Parliament for the enactment of the People's Charter . | , A committee , was appointed to make . the necessary arrangements for getting up the above , aq 3 the mectingadjourncd to Sunday , May 6 th , at eightyclpck in " tho . evening whetf itis hoped a gbowy number of the friends of ReforWwlirattetidiMdL ^^ committee to carry out the meeting . '
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GREAT MEETING IN FAVOUR OF THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . The working-Chartists of the Tower Hamlets , not being able at the present time to find within their own borough an in-door place sufficiently large for the purpose , resolved on taking the British School-, room , in Cowper-street , City Troad , in . theneighbouring'boroughof Finsbury , for a meeting in support of the People ' s Charter ; and on Wednesday evening long before the time announced for the business of the meeting to commence , the building was literally crowded to tho ceiling , the body of the hall and platform not being sufficiently large , the high window cills , and supporters to the roof , were made available by the more ' ! ambitious" and " high-minded" of the audience . Precisely at eight o ' clock , Mr . William Davies , was unanimously called to the chair , and commenced by reading Mr .
George Thompson ' s letter , pleading a previous engagement at another meeting , as his apology for not being present , and said ,- he regretted that Mr . George Thompson should have been so engaged , as he should muoh liked to have seen him at a meeting convened by Ms constituents , and he hoped that the democratic member for the Tower Hamlets would sometimes find it convenient to attend meetings convened by the working men of the borough . ( Loud cheers . ) Having said this much in explanation of why he occupied the chair , he would now call on the secretary to read the letters received in reply to tho numerous invitations that had been forwarded . Letters wero then read from A . B . Stevens , H . Vincent , C . Gilpin , W . Lovett . C .
Lushington , M . P ., and Walter Cooper , all expressive of approval of tho objects of the meeting , but pleading prior engagements , with the exception of W . Lovett ,- who pleaded indisposition . At this moment Feargus O'Connor , M . P ., entered the School-room , and was greeted with loud s " applause . A letter was then read from Thomas Cooper , dated Xewcastle-upon-Tyne , in which he said , "he learned from the Northern Star , that he was advertised to take part in the meeting , but being three hundred miles away that was utterly impossible . " The Chairman said , if any of the gentlemen whose names appeared on tho bill , could not come , yet , they could felicitate themselves on having present , Messrs . O'Connor , Harney , and Clark . ( Loud cheers . ) Some persons had charged those who were advocates
of the . People s Charter , with having a desire to go back to a state ofsavageism , to that period when "Might was right . " Well , if ever that period existed surely it was now—for they had continuously before their eyes , the exercise of " Might , " without the least show of " Ri . < rht . " ( Loud cheers . ) Others had charged the Chartists with being Communists , and Joseph Hume had defined Communism to mean having a desire to live on the labour of others . Now if Mr . Hume ' s definition was correct , then must Prince Albert be a Communist , for most assuredly he did not live by his own labour ; and hot the Chartist , who not only lived by their own labour but kept many others . ( Great cheering . ) He had much pleasure in calling on Mr . Julian Harney , to move the first resolution as bllows : — . .
"That this meeting is of opinion that the Political , Financial , and Social condition of the people of these realms , indicate the necessity of a thorough Radical reform of the Commons'House of 1 ' arliament ; and this meeting'is further of opinion that such reform , to be useful and to' embrace the interest of the whole people of Great Britain anil Ireland , should be founded on the well-known principles of Universal Suffrage . Annual Parliaments , Vote by Ballot , Equal Electoral Districts , No Property Qualifications , ami Remuneration of tlie Elected for their services . " Julian Barney , who was received with loud applause , said : I have no doubt that tins resolution expresses your sentiments—that you feel that your political and social condition demand a radical reform of the legislature . Politically and socially you are slaves . 'Politically , because you are denied the exercise of those inalienable rights which are yours in virtue of your existence ; and , because laws are
made affecting your persons and youi property , in the enactment of which you have no voice . Where there is slavery there must co-exi 3 t tyranny . Could there be any more insolent tyranny devised than that which plunders you of ei ghty millions of taxes , rates , and tolls _ ; which imposes upon you tlie support of spies to inform upon you , policemen to bludgeon you , soldiers to dragoon you , judges to imprison and transport you , gaolers to torture you , poor law officials to murder you and your children ; and , worse than all , parsons to-annoy ' and insult you with their pretended regard for your spiritual welfare ? I am glad to iee this large and enthusiastic meeting . It seems to promise action on the part of the wronged , for the obtainment of that political power without which they must continue to suffer . Loud cheers . ) Byron , in recounting the changes le had witnessed , said : — . '
" I have seen some nations liko 0 or-loadod . asses , Kick off their burdens—meaningthe high classes . " ( Laughter and cheers . ) That , too , we have " seen , or at least desperate attempts on the part of our continental brethren to shake off . their burdens . I am sorry to say that we have not yet made even an attempt worthy of the name . I have a notion that we Britishers ^ must be descended * from" Issachar , of whom his father Jacob , said ho was " a strong ass * couching down between two burdens . He " bowed his shoulder to-bear , and became a servant unto tribute . " ( Laughter , ) We have the two burdens—the Church and the State— -the Lords and the Commons —the aristocrats and the money-mongers . ( Cheers . ) Again , we have bowed" our shoulders to bear—we bear with a good deal almost past past bearing : the National Debt , for instance . I have somewhere rend an advertisement which ran thus : —" Wanted—a man who fears tlie Lord , and can carry five hundred
wei « ht . " Jo ' m Bull would be just the man for that place , for he fears the Lords—both of the soil and the shop—and , as a carrier of heavy burdens , I would back John Bull against Atlas himself . Laughter and cheers . ) But Issachar "became a servant unto tribute ; " so it has been with John . He pays tribute to court flunkies—to aristocratic rent-eaters—to money-jobbers—to profitmongersto soldiers ,-peelers , parsons , and spies . ( Hear , hear . ) How would tho privileged classes like to have thetables turned upon them , and bemade to foci your wron gs ? They would not endure for one year what you and your fathers have borne with for centuries . No ! they—advocates of " peace , law , and order" as they profess to . be— -would rather try nlot conspiracy , treason , revolt , insurrection , revoution assassination / fire , and sword . But we have no desire to substitute tbo tyranny of tho many for that of tho few . Our aim is simplo justice-justice , political and social . At present , you are socially , as well as politically , slaves . It is true you are not
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. % f ^* son ( * J , ProPerty of * he aristocracy and the cv pitalists .. They cannot sell you as they do cattle in Smithjeld , or slaves ; in . Virginia . You are , nevertheless , . bondmen . You must work for whatever wages the capitalist chooses to offer you ; and worse still—you are forced td ; eat up each other—or what is quite as bad ;' undersell each other in the . ' labour market—for the benefit oftho money-monger and your own destruction . You have not even the advantages : of downright , undisguised slavery . The . American glares are , at least , Sure Of fOOu , ClOtilin » , and shelter , m return for their well-assured iapour ; v-but , you are never , certain that for H " ' , ' y ? arwhence , there - will be labour ' or l . oboBr . 8 . . jreward . v Our . social " system is a stat «
° V ^ rl ?« 'ng ., anarchy , . ' , iri . which there is only one thing ; - assured—that ; the strong will devour 4 "e > to £ . —The speakerthSf proceeded to comment on tneiTooting infant vidtims , : and similar cases of suffering on tEe partiofrthehpeople , and infamy on tnepartof ^ sp ^ . who ^ upbioltt . the present system . He added ^ -it is infi \ mpu 3 tJhat ; f auperism should , ever a » 1 - ° ; e & . 1 epntiniiB . . ¦; Tlfe resoui-ces of this country » r "ou ^ dlesteaniaI i ^ he . means are : ready , m abundanoe vJ , ., P uKan end ; to ' pauperism and misery at once and Meyer ; IVith land' uneultivated , or only haif-ouitivam : a superfluity oWapital , and -labour unempJoyed ^ thero needs 'but able and courageous statesmen to setsin motion these appliances / to
ensure , tue salyatwn . of the . milupns , and ilayithetfoun-^ I ^ R ^^ - ^^^ P ^'?! ' ^^*^^^!*^^ f ^^ fi ? & } jP ^ WjaSt ^ ¦ in'India , but " , upon ^ ne nappinesa ¦ oflevetjtnioiriBer ' of the' community . ( Loud cheers " . )—The ' speaker ' then replied to the taunt that Universal Suffrage had been tried on the continent and foiled , and concluded by declaring the Chartor indispensable for the attainment , of , the grand remedy ' for social misery—freo labour , on a free soil . ( Loud applause . ) .... - -rr ; Mr . Thomas Clark said he had much pleasure in seconding- the resolution which had been so ably submitted by Mr . Harney . As regards the present miserable social—or rather anti-social—condition of the mass of the people , no two opinions could
prevail ; but , as regards political changes * he had some little hopes , as Lord John ltussell , atarocent Lord Mayor ' s feast , , had . said— - " Some things wanted reforming . " ( Laughter , and cheers . ) But the Lord Mayor said , that the men calling for Radical reform were " designing men , " and " that these designing men must be put down by the strong arm of'the law . " He ( Mr , Clark ) much feared that at these " mayors' feasts" some " vinous" influence was at work which made those men think they were much stronger than they really were . ( Loud cheers . ) Lord John Russell admitted that reforms wero required , but said "they must take place gradually , so as not to alarm the fears 9 / any one . " ( Laughter . ) He ( Mr . Clark ) did not know whether his Tordship's audience was chiefly composed of '' respectable old ladies "—( loud laughter)—but he ( Mr . Clark ) could assure his lordship that the genius of industry was nowmuch stronger . that any "
Waterloo Hero , " and that the wrongs of industry called loudly for such a Radical reform as would give a full , free , and fair representation of the people . At a recent banquet held afWakefield , at which seven hundred merchant princes attended , to do honour to Mr . Cobden , whilst the Royal family was toasted , ' " The Army and Navy" waa omitted . Was not this an admission by those seven hundred merchant princes , that you were to be trusted with power and property , without the surveillance of brute force ? He ( Mr . Clark ) believed it was the people's own fault that they were not represented long ere this . Had they shown move intelligence and pushed forward with a well-directed energy , the suffrage would have been theirs . I waa silly to blame tlus man or that man . If they were determined , he repeated , a well-directed intelligent movement , would soon enable them to work out their own political and social salvation . ( Loud cheers . )
FEABG 133 O'CoKNOit , Esq ., M . P ., was hero called on by the chairman to support tho resolution , and upon presenting himself , was received . with loud cheering , and waving of hats and handkerchiefs , that made the building ring again . He said : Mr . Chairman and Working Men , I am come amongst you to night for the purposeonce more of hoisting tlie Chartist banner , —( cheers)—and to ask you , not to allow . one single bristle to be plucked from the animal with your consent , as in such case you may rely upon it your opponents would very soon skin it altogether . ( Laughter , and cheers . ) I am come here to night , for the purpose of reviewing with , you what the Reform Bill has accomplished for your order , and to ask you , whetherfrom any measure short of the People ' s Charter you have reason to expect more beneficial results . ( Cries of ' "No . " ) See what tho Tlfiform Bill has done . One of its first acts was to
suppress Trades Unions , by whose power the bill was carried . ( Cheers . ) The next act was to destroy all the benefits that ihe poor derived from the Poor Law of the 43 rd of Elizabeth . ( Cheers . ) Then camo the establishment of local power for the nioneybcracy , Coercion for Ireland , Free Trade for England , with "high wages , cheap bread , and plenty to do . " ( Cheers , and laughter . ) Increased military establishments , increased police establishments , and last , though not least , the Crown and Government Security BUI , which prevents the slave from complaining of his taskmaster . Mr . Harney has told you that if they could , they would drive you like bullocks to Smithfield , but he made this mistake , that it ' s only fat beasts and not lean ones , that
are driven there . ( Great laughter . ) But , ; if you were fat , and if tliey could malto cannibals of your order , you would be sent to the market . ( Hear , hear . ) Well , are you not ashamed to cheer it , when you are perfectly aware that your own subserviency and disunion is the cause of their cruelty and power . ( Cheers , and "True . " ) What ! compare an English slave to an American slave ; there is no comparison . The American slaveowner has an interest in the health , the strength , and the life of his slave ; while the English slaveowner has an interest and a benefit in turning the gristle of the infant , the muscles of the man—his marrow , sweat , and bones—into gold , and iben to consign him to tho cold nauper ' s grave , that he may no longer be a
burthen upon the taxes . ( Cheers , and " That ' s it . " ) Well so it is . But whose fault is it ? Is it the fault of those who but do what any working mas in this meeting would do if he waa in the same situation ? or is it the fault of tho millions who never can aspire to the same situation—who look upon each other as' rivals and competitors in the labour market ? ( Cheers , and "Hoar . " ) Ho ( Mr . O'Connor , ) Syas not going to talk about foreign'countries , foreign revolutions , and foreign barbarisms—as he had always told them would be the case , so it was with the tyrant shopkeeper in Paris : as soon a 3 the last shot proclaimed the democratic victory , the tyrants who encouraged the people to revolt took advantage s of their confidence , and robbed them of
their triumph . ( Cheers . ) But why could that not be the case in England ? Simply because the French were not allowed - tho right of public meetings or public discussions , and were , therefore , compelled to act upon the impulse of the moment , and to use tlieir newly-achieved power capriciously , while the English people have—thank God—had that right , anoT will preserve that right —( loud cheers )—by which tho mind of the country has been trained and disciplined , and could now be brought judiciously to bear upon all questions interesting to the country . ( Hear , hear . ) . Could anything be more absurd than the fact staring every ; man every day in the face—namely , a famishing people looking to foreign countries for a supply of food , while theland under
their noses , was ready toyield it if they were allowed to cultivate it . ( Loud cheers . ) . Ay , but while Prussia , and Austria , and Italy , and other countries till recently governed by the feudal system , were now making the Land Question the chief subject for consideration , and even dividing the Royal domains into peasant ' allotments—the people of England were kept in utter ignorance of its value . ( Cheers . ) There ' may be many in the meeting- who preferred the back slums , of the city—rtlie . loathsome cellar and unhealthy air enlivened by the gin-palace—to the dull monotony of an . agricultural fife ; but let those hothouse plants understand that he ( Mr . O'Conior
nor ) uiq not asK an xo aDanaon their pursuits , blithe would presume the case of a workinc po « ulatfbh of 10 , 000 , with 2 , 000 out of employment , and thereby as competitors reducing the wages of tlie remaining 8 , ( 0 ) . Let him have those 2 , 000 of a maehinory-irado surplus population taken out of the glutted market , and placed upon the land , they would cease to bo competitors with their- bi'Bthron —the 8 , 000 would get more wages than the 10 , 000 got before ; while the 2 , 000 placed upon the land would produce food cheaper and bettor than they could import it from America , and would becomo customers for every article produced by the 8 , 000
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artificial labourers . " ( Loud-cheering . ) , But while all were puzzling their ' . brains about the settlement of this question of questions—namely , Labourlet him put sensible men in possession of a few un . deniable and incontrovertible facts . He would take three branches of national expenditure , from which the people derived neither peace , religion " , nor contentment — namely , the army and navy , the church , and the Poor Laws . And he would show how the application' of one year ' s revenue applied to this Trinityof absurdity , would destroy the necessity , for army , State " religion , and poor laws . ' The ' Jinny , navy , and concomitants , ho would put . down at seventeen millions a year ; the church with its ecclesiastical court and pious" litigation , ten millions ; . the poor rates ,: eight millions . Lord
Brougham stated them at eight millions one hundred and forty thousand—however estimating them lowly , they produced thirty-five millions a yearthat is army , ' church , and poor rates ;« ndgive him that surii for one year , ' and he would make a paradiso of EnglandV wquld establish peace without bloodshed ; religion without costly fanaticism ; and plenty for every one without pauper relief . ( Hear , hear ,, ! and loud cheers . ) He was determined to rivet their minds to this Labour question , and let those who scoffed at the capability of the soil , carry tliis Striking fact home with them—let them sleep uponit , dream ' q f it , and think of it in the morning . It is this . He is a largo farmer , who employs ten labourers throughout the year , and upon the profits of the labour ofthose ten' men ,- ho will- keep his
t | Onteri , i his carriage , and his household : domestics ; Lta ^ ilfedrini : ^ iw ftt : ; th £ 4 mai ^ l < tobLv ; keepia gdvcrries » y : for'hi s ' daughter ^ -v : sehdf . hisTsonssto school , clothe them well , give them a good education , and amass wherewithal fortunes . for his children , and all this out of the profit made of the slave labour of ten men . ( Hear , near , and cheers . ) Well , then , where would be the necessity of any poor law , or of any army , if those ten men were allowed to enjoy the profit of their own industry ; and to that they must come at last , although the speculators in Labour would rather the poor rates were twenty millions a year , so long as they made princely fortunes of that competition created in ' the Labour market by an idle competitive reserve . " Ah ! " said Mr , O'Connor ) you see , though thwarted , opposed .
and maligned , I am not going—even yet—to abandon my bantling . ( Loud cneers , and "Bravo ! " ) No , I am going to persevere , in one shape or form , until I establish such a free labour market as will enable the working man to fold his arms in tho freo labour field , when the contractor bids for his labour , instead of , as now , being hired at the ginpalace—the market cross—the house of call , or tho bastile . ( Great cheering . ) Had they ever reflected upon this anomjily , that while their system of government was said to be complete , having » Minister for Foreign Affairs to approve or disapprove of wars and negociations ; a Minister for the Home Department to appoint magistrates , dispense patronage , and order executions ; a Minister for the Colonies to embroil us in colonial squabbles ;
and a Minister of all-spice , mace , nutmegs , ginger , tamarinds , cloves , citron , almonds , raisins , oranges , and lemons —( great laughter)—not ono of them produced by English labour ; while there was no Minister of Agriculture , upon tho advancement of which English prosperity mainly deponds . ( Loud cheers . ) Sow , then , let him enlighten tlie minds of those who disparaged and despised the Land , and scoffed at the dull monotonous life of the clodpole . Were they aware that everything upon the back of the Queen , worn at the jrrand ball on Monday night , and everything upon the back of Prince Albert , that Buckingham Palace , the gorgeous furniture in every room , the pictures in the gallery , their frames , the library , tlie books and the binding , the beds , and the furnituro in the state rooms , the silks and satins , the jewellery , the
decorations worn by peeresses , the carnages that took them to the' ball , the musical instruments that played at the ball , the wax lights , the chandeliers , the champagne , and everything that was eat and drank at the feast , and everything that you have now upon your backs , and everything in your homes , and your homes themselves , are all ,. one ivv . d . all , produced by the Land ? ( Cheers . ) Well , then , is this a dull and uninteresting question to you ? ( "No , no . " ) Or would you rather that I would speak of revolutions as a quicker means of achieving your rights , for if you would you will be woefully mistaken ? ( Cheers . ) For I now stand here , in front of this vast assemblage , after an apparent apathy upon your part for twelve months , to tell you that I would not consent to havo tho first joint of my
little finger cut off to carry any measure which you may accomplish without the loss of a single hair on your head . ( Cheers . ) Do not think that tho old fox is to be caught by government officials , by spies , informed , enthusiasts , or fools . ( Loud cheers . ) I tell you now that Nature ' s field is wide enough and prolific enough for Nature ' s family , and that you are not liko tue French—trained to arms . When your soldiers enlist they . ire slaves for life ; not ho with the Frenoh , they are disciplined in the use of arms , you in tho use of intellect ; and , to-morrow , if there wore a hundred thousand of you armed with muskets , the chance is that ono half of you would put the muzzles , instead of the butts , to your shoulders . ( Cheers . ) What a proud position it is for a man to be able to stand before such a meeting after
being a target for all" to fire at , and to defy you , either politically , or as the trustee of the poor man ' s money , to charge him with a single dishonest or improper act . ( Loudchucrs . ) Ay , you oppressed men , there ' s room for you all at Nature ' s tablethere ' s work for you all in Nature ' s field—and 1 don't want to spare one of you . ( Great cheering . ) There is now about to be a revival—and a great revival—of the Democratic agitation ; and I shall not shrink from tlie performance of my duty in or out of Parliament . This meeting is reviving to my spirits . It will save me money , as I required a vapour bath , which would have cost me fivo shillings . Cheers and laughter . ) Now mark what I am going to tell you . I have been in Parliament during the first three sessions of the Reformed era . I have been
in parliament during the last two sessions , and I can declare upon my honour that the present parliament is more opposed to the interests of the working classes than any I have sat in . ( Cheers , and " It ' s true . " ) Well , now you see the state of your platform . You have government spies , informers , and reporters here —( Tiisscs)—but you have not a . single member of parliament , with the one solitary instance of the . man that belongs to no party but tlie people . ( Cheers . ) Now , if you had Annual Parliaments , and w « ro upon the eye of a general election—when short accounts make long friends—this platform , large as it is , would be too small to hold all the lion , gentlemen that would be suingfor your sweet voices . Cheers . ) We , as the degraded party , have been reviled and vilified by the press , and by all classes ,
for our violence ; but let me now remind you of the pacific mottoes of a leading Tory , tlie leading Whigs , and the leading moral force Repealer . Lord Bolingbroke , a Tory , lias stated that " It is as much tho duty ' of a people to rebel against a corrupt House of Commons , as ngainst a tyrannical prince . " The Whigs have said , 'That taxation without representation is tyranny , and should be resisted ;" and Daniel O'Connell has adopted Byron's MORAL FORCE motto , " WHO WOULD BE FREE , HIMSELF "MUST STRIKE THE BLOW . " ( Loud cheers , and laughter . ) Let them now review tlie manner in which Chartism was injured from the year 183 ft , the first Convention , to 1 S 43 , the last Convention . In 1839 , when our professing friends had exhausted the Exchequer , they became our
jittevest enemies and greatest rcvilers . ( Hcaiv hear . ) This naturally shocked the people . In 1848 our most enthusiastic friends became spies ; informers , tools , or what were called criminals . ( Cheers . ) Now , was it not natural , under such circumstances , for the betrayed people to have become a little cautious ? "VYimtivot the constant practice of men , when in full employment , to say , "Let us alone , we are very well , we require no agitation ; " while , tho moment the same men wore thrown out of employment , the cry invariably was , " Come , lead us on , we are ready for the battle—now i 3 the time . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Well , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) ¦ was not ready for such a battle . Near he never would be ready for ' such a battle . Tot when the people wero prepared to assert their tights , there would be no necessity for any battle at all . ( Cheers . !
When he was an Irish member he resisted every aggression upon English liberty—tho suppression of tho Trade Unions—the Poor Law Amuudmont Act ~ tho transportation of tho Dorchester Labourers , he opposed . ( Cheers . ) And now , as aiany of his countrymen wero preamt , he begged to inform them that it was his resolution , public opinion beiri"' suppressed in Ireland ^ to establish . vRepeal Association in Saxon land . ( Tremendous ehe ' erimf . ) He never would ^ forget the duty that ho owed his country ; and it was a singular fact that an Irishman and an English reproscntative—Starman CrawfOT& — about the moat independent member in the'British Parliament . ( Great cheers . ) Th . ithon . member said , . that he considered Mr . Ihune ' s quadruped , embracing his motion for Ilausehold Suffrage , as a humbug ; and ho has given notice to move an amendment ^ upon that motion , substitute Manhood , or Universal Suffrage , ' f ^ Household
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^^^^^< M ^ ^^ Suffrage . '( L 6 ud - and . < J < Hi ^{ riued "' clieenhg , a " nd waving of hats . ) " . Well , " * aid Mr . O'Connor , " I see you like the old animal best , and rely upon it , that whoever offers you less ; nieans : to bilk you * £ * ( Ronowetl cheering ;) -: lie almost wished that , now tho summer , was anproacJiW , he vouli made another tour through Scotland and England , to . revive the Chartist , movement ; however , , ifc was his determination to test 'the' liberal mind of Parliament , by proposing the wholo animal 'during the presont month . ( laughter and efieers . l He would conclude 'by'thanking them for" th& affectionate manner in ;¦ which ihey had received himthat night , and ho . would ask them . when thev went home , ; to reflect upon what , he hadsaid , to meditate upon what their united twffer and strength could
effect ., Let each man who vna present secure two honest co-operators , and thc-nriniber there would betreMe ( l , an 4 then the cause <» £ . Chartism would increase in 'geo « netrical progressfen / nnd when they had' then-rights'he would be the jroudest man in the world , ns , like Qm ' ntus Cinci » iKitus , he could then return to his plough—consolett with the proud reflection that he h ;« l suffered persemHion for the advocacy of their principles , but that he had never eaten a meal , or travelled a mile at t&eir expense , and when successful he never would accept of remuneration or veward for his services . Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid the meat hearty and vociferous applause . [ The above is but ' a ' mere outline of his speech , which was delivered with an amount of
enthusiasm , earnestness , and ardour , which even he has not surpassed in the most rampant days of Chartism . ] After a short pause , he again rose , and proposod the two following resolutions , the , one to te 3 t the political , tho other the personal sincerity of the meeting . The first resolution was carried unanimously with great applause ; the second was carried by acclamation , accompanied with indescribable cheering , and waving of hats and handkerchiefs . "That we , the inhabitants of Finsbury , in public meeting assembled , having reviewed the several orjjumo changes in support of which the aid of tlie industrious classes was enlisted by those parties who based their atli-oejicy of such changes upon the benefit that they could confer uiion tho
working classes , but having discovered by dear-bought experience , " Hint the working' classes were used as mere tools by tho privileged orders who possess exclusive imlitical power , based upon a limited svstem of representation , wo idohereby pledge ourselves not in any ways to ujvuunte any political ineasuiM * sli 6 rt of tho People ' s Charter ; anil ivb inyiteour order to stand firmly together , as a distinct and separate class , contending unitedly for those natural rights of man , the want of which has enabled all other classes to make profit and live hiiuiiouslv njion the disunion and tho consequent rjisfraiicbiseniont of the industrious classes , ; md that the social object of the Chartists is to open tlie Free Labour Market , that incn , ino « I < i > d with the title of freemen , shall no longer be mere slavw in the hands of tbeir taskmasters , and , from the base system otVonipetition , placed in unnatural and destructive enmity to each other . "
"Tlmt we , the inhabitants of Finsbury , in public meeting assembled , do avail ourselves of tlie present opportunity to tender our unbounded thanks- to , and our unabated co « fi « dejice in , Thomas Slingsby Duncombc , Esq ., member for this borough , for his continuous and zealous sidrociicyof the cause of the working classes . We rejoice to hear that his health , injured by his indefatigable and unwearied attention to Ins purlinmentary duties , is rapidly improvinsf , and inspires tho hope that he will shortly resume that proud position which he so honourably maintained in the most perilous times ; and we pledge ourselves , upon every occasion , to give him our most cordial support to preserve for our borough the honour of being , represented by so worthy an advocate of the jnst ri ghtsof labour . " Mr . Stallwood then read and moved the adoption of the Chartist Petition , which was seconded by Mr . George Moss , and carried amidst acclamation .
Mr . O Coxsoii then made an appeal to the meeting on behalf of Mr . Nixon , who conducted Mr . Vernon ' s defence , and to which the meeting responded , by a , pledge that the men of that locality would honournbJr discharge their share oftho liability , and we trust , injustice to Mr . A'ixon , and for tlie honour of the Chartist cause , that all other localities will do likewise . A vote of thanks was given to the chairman , and the meeting terininsvted .
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THE VICTIMS . - TO THE EDITOR OF TIIK XORTHER . Y ST . IK . DEAn Sir , —I am instructed by the Victim Committee to forward the following correspondence to you for insertion in your valuable journal , and trusting that you . will allow it a space therein . . I am , yours fraternally , John Aknott . " Coventry . April 20 , 1 S 41 > . " Dear Sir , —The enclosed order lor ten shillings is for the Wives and _ Families of the Chartist Victims made payable to you , in tlie name of John Gilbert , Weaver , Gosford-strcet ; by acknowledging the same in next week's Star , you will much oblige . " We hear sad complaints from some of the Victims in the provinces , owing to the very small allowance they receive from the London Committee ; and that vre we informed some of tlioso receiving in London
never were acknowledged Chartists , to the injury of the wives and families of the really active members of our body . We have confidence in the London Committee , and feel a pleasure in sending what little we can collect , but when we hear of so little being sent to the wives of those living in the north , and arc being repeatedly asked what is the reason they do not receive their full share , we think it best to ask you the same question , so as to be prepared with an answer from the proper quarter . I am requested by the friends here to name the above , and an . answer- will much oblige " Yours truly , on bclialf , &c , " George JFhkemax , Sec . " Coach and Horses-yard , Much l ' nrk-struut . " Mr . John Arnott , Sec . to Victim Committee . "
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. MMwMVk */ ''^^^* ' /^^ ' *^'" 1 ' ^ THE ROCHDALE CHARTISTS . ¦ TO THE EDITOn OF THE XORTHERX STAR . Mv Dear Sir , —I cmvo a few lines in your journal to explain to our friends in Itochdale , ' ami surrounding district , the reason I did not lecture in ltoehilale on ° Sunday last , as was generally exjicctud . First , then , I bad made no definitive arrangement to do so , and wrote to Mr . IJako , on Tuesday , assuring him that I could not be in llochilale on Sunday . I had invitations to four separate places , and could not lecture at all of them on the same day ; and ? . 3 our Manchester friends had contributed liberally So the funds of the Association , and were unexpectedly disappointed in tUeir arnvngeiwor . ts , I thought it but right to accommodate them .
I \ cavc fov Glasgow on Sataiday , ivnd I novs request that all my Scotch friends wishing me ta lecture for them , will write direct to " Duncan Sherrington , Kumford-strect » Bridgeton , Glasgow . " I will probably return to England in the latter part of May , or early in Jujje , and will thea visit all the places I have promised ; and assare tho good folks of llochdale that thiir interests , will be considered . ' , . " A word to the wiso is enough , " is a jood pvoverb , ; nnd 1 inform my friends tov the first time m my life , that my exgwises . have , in many cases , ( taking all costs into , account ) , been t' # ke my income . Things musit be better manp ^ ed for thofuture , or the result is self-evident . The above isi a rather unpleasant declaration , and I will not re .- » peat it .. I . Ma , as over , Your obetlieivi Servant , Manchester , May 1 . ' Samckl lvYDiji ,
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( Jdber Rkason for a Cb . * x « b of Rbuosox . —• In tlie yew 1745 the penal \ a « s ngainst Oailiolica were in fait forco in Ireland ,, and they were not allowed to carry arms . 1 ^ that year a My . Taaife turned Protestant in oru \ QV to fight a duel . A Si « S ov ihe Timks ^ — Attention uoed lini-Uly be directed to the ottl * < $ & ?\ m of 'f llVfiO Huniireil Guineas for an Essay , ou Royalty , Avvstomcy , and Democracy , in our Advertising Columns . Mr . Hudson , M . % 1 \ , and his Constituents . —Tho Leeds Mercury stitfos that the friends of Mr . Hudson , M . l \ , in Suud ^ vland ; have been canvassing tlte electors of the borough ior signatures to an address expressing confidence in him . The address deiiics that tho . charges made against Mr . Uuibon with respeefc to railway matters have been proved ,: »«} is 3 D wor . led as to imply an approval of ills political a $ well its commercial c . ond ~ uc . $ ,
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Bradford ( Yorkshire ! . —At a meeting of members , held at Mrs . Smith ' s , Bridge-street , next to the Golden Ball , on Sunday , April 29 th , Thomas Hirst in the chair ; the letter of Mr . O'Connor to the members of the Land Company was discussed , and it was resolved : — " That the thanks of the members be given : to Mr . O'Connor , for his bold determination to discharge the locusts on the Company's land , and to let better men take their places . " It whs also resolved : — " That- if the members of this branch , - will not come np with theh'Jand money ; and local expenses , as the Registratioa-of the . Company is near completion , they shali forfeit the money paid in . "' - . :. . : - <' - " ¦ : : " *
To The Chartists.
TO THE CHARTISTS .
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U , Middlesex-place , Somers Town ' April 2 tfrii , 1819 . "DearFrekmax , " Yours of the 20 th I duly received , and in reply bog to state , that it is with extreme- regret I jenrn that " Sad complaints exist in the provinces , owing to the very small amount that some of the Victims receive from tho London Committee , " as I can assure you , that the committee have invariably acted on the principle of Equality to All , and , therefore , every one 1 ms received tlieir full share of what has been subscribed . . " Relative to your remark , " That some of those receiving in London wore never acknowledged Chartists , " I can also assure you , that although unknotvn to fame , yet many of them wero true , sincere , and warm-hearted Democrats .
" One word in conclusion , as to the spirit which engenders these complaints . My full conviction is , that they arise not from those that give , but from those that do not and will not support suffering humanity ; and , consequently , make use of any frivolous excuse for their coldlieartedness . I say , then , away with such a jealous feeling , and let us all do as you and a few noble spirits have done , and then we should not hear of these complaints . If any have cause to complain , it is the committee , who meet week after week , he ;\ r the lieart-rending tales of distress , and have not funds wherewith to alleviate it . " Thanking you for your confidence and support , , " I am , yours fraternally , ' Jons Aexott , Secretary . " Mr . J . Freeman , Coventry . "
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¦ ' ¦/ _ _ . ;¦ _ _ _ .: l : : i ™ IiiS ||^^^ ¦ : -and' national : ^^ SiiiiMK ;
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VOL III HO ftfl 9 ' iniBnAw ; oitTOnAY "; ' li@ ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 5, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1521/page/1/
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