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vm ®i)*irti0t SnteUigettrc.
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Rational itann compauin
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IO THE WORKING CLASSES.
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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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jIt Fb exds , — From the establishment of the "Northern Star" ^ own * ° *^ e Present moment , my pride j- that it has been the only channel throngh ffbicli jour cause would be fairly and impargjjiy discussed ; that in fact , its columns have ever been open—not only to fair and generous opposition of my views , but to the most virulent abuse of me ; and to this 1 have not the slig htest objection , because when argumentj
fails , abuse becomes the onl y available subst itute . Nevertheless , it is just thatyou should always understand both sides of the question ; and it is with that view that I now open the columns of the " Star" to the comments and strictures of all who choose to enlighten the peop le by argument , rather than by slippery slyness , upon the co-operation recently formed between the middle and the working classes ; that is , bear in mind—not between the l abourer and HIS EMPLOYER , but between the shopkeeper and HIS EMPLOYER , who h . i
is ihe WORKING-MAN-CUSTOMER . I have stereotyped my opinion as to the impossibility of forming an honest union between the capitalist employer , and the dependant working man , in these terms : " As well may the lamb with the tiger unite , The mouse with the cat , or the lark with the kite . " My friends , you have ever been as mice and larks in the claws of the privileged cats and kites jandeverythought of my life , bothinEngland and in Ireland , has been how to wrench your order from their fangs ; and the greatest
difficulty against which I have had to contend , has been the strength ofjthe cats and kites , consequent upon the weakness created by the disunion , the jealousy , and ambition of the larks and the mice . Let me now explain to you my reason for thus addressing you . I understand that Mr . James Leach—recentl y released from Kirkdale prison—has invited the Manchester working men to resist sternly , the proposed union between the veritable sniddle and working classes . It would be not only a crime , but a sin , upon my part , and upon yours , to meet arguments , however fallacious , by mere denunciation ; as b y armament
alone—and by fair argument too—can we arrive at the proper solution of } a question ; and , therefore , I throw open the columns of the "Star'' for the general discussion upon this subject , to James Leach , and every other person who chooses to discuss it , upon the simple condition that their matter for insertion shall arrive at the "Star " office by Wednesday morning , in order that my reply may appear in the same number ; and , upon my part , I promise that the controversy shall be conducted with moderation , and without the slightest vituperation or personal animosity .
jVow , in my opinion , this is a better mode of enlightening the public than mere platform orations . The people can calmly consider and judge in the one case , whereas , they may be led away by enthusiasm in the other—the one course may be necessary for the creation of public opinion , while the other is indispensable to its proper direction . My friends , the one thingneeded justnowand the one thing invited by Lord John Eussell—is ~ the NATIONAL SQUEEZE , the pressure from without , and , to which alone , he says , he is prepared to yield . And ,
having had some little experience in politics and ministerial tactics , let me assure you that there is no intelligence over which the noble Lord and his Colleagues—the "Times" and its readers—the Landlords and their toadiesthe Money-lords and their dependants—the " Chronicle" and the Peelities—would so luxuriously gloat as the announcement that a rupture had taken place between the working and the middle classes . To the dissension and disunion of your own order , rather than to the tyranny and power of your rulers ,, is to be ascribed your every grievance , and accursed be the name of that man who would now
throw any obstacle in the way of removing the tyrants' barrier . My friends , the faci that we have not laboured in vain is sufficiently proved by the admission of the middle classes , that without ns they would be powerless ; and the fact that the principles of this New Association are not based upon the mere policy of speculation , is irrefutably established by the GREAT FACT of Lord Nugext , Lord Dudley Stuaut , Sir Joshua Walmslet , Mr . Lushingtox , Member for Westminster ; George Thompson ' , Member for the Tower Hamlets ; not one of whom live upon labour or upon
speculation , having joined the Association , not so much from feeling to the middle class as from consideration for . the working people ; and now see what their declarations amount to . They declare that any limit to the Suffrage leyond Manhood Qualification , is ridiculous ; they declare for Vote by Ballot , for Equal Electoral Districts , No Property Qualification , and Triennial Parliaments ; thus adopting all the points of the Charter , save Annual Parliaments and Payment of Members ; and to both of which points the very first Parliament , elected by Universal Suffrage , would arrive . I by no means state that without the co-operation of the middle classes the working classes
are powerless , but I do state that" Hope deferred makeththe heart sick ; ' and that in this union and co-operation I see the more speedy realisation of my every wish—namely , the earlier bettering of your condition . My friends , it is a fact , which no man , the most audacious , will deny , and one that I have often stated , that your order ever derives greater advantage from timely and prudent concessions in harmony with the existing state of things , than from sudden convulsions which you celebrate with enthusiasm and thanksgiving , but from which in the end you are ever ¦ the greatest sufferers . Every measure forced
from the "Whigs by the privileged classes since the Reform Bill , has been an injury to your ¦ order—and why % Simply , because the union of the privileged classes was measured by the social and conventional , and not by the political standard . The representatives of liberal shopkeepers , and the trading classes , joined Free Traders and Whigs upon hatred to Toryism , and confidence in Whiggism , but they Lave now discovered , that as regards the shopkeeping and trading clases , tenure of office constitutes the only distinction between Whig and Tory , and their support can no longer be enlistedbyaFree Trade "CRY . " Theyhavenow changed theirnote to a FULL , FREE , AND
FAIR REPRESENTATION OF THE "WHOLE PEOPLE IN THE COMMONS HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT . And let me ask you , if you suppose me slave enough , base enough , or hypocrite enough , to cater for popularity by denouncing and resisting the means , nay , the only means , by which such a consummation can be arrived at ? My friends , your order possesses more politicalknowledge than the working people of any nation in the world ; and my nope and anxiety is , that your class may derive such benefit from that knowledge as will one day , and that ore long , place them in a position in which they will be independent of all other classes , and only tributary to laws made by their own representatives .
My friends , as to the people being humtugged by this new move , do not allow such a notion to enter your mind . The first step in retreat would be followed b y their final overthrow , while the union affords to your order the only opportunity of which you could avail yourselves , of convincing those who base their power upon your presumed ignorance of the superior knowledge you possess . Out of Par-
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Firstfy . —Because it is my own cause and lhati wom B f J ™ " * & 2 sertit 0 TJLD not > butI COULD ' notde-^^^ JKWrsi ^ sssassssaffiss ,, ; eyes of the non-electors of Nottingham would be fixed upon me ; and upon theirlecall , based upon their suspicion , I ^ ould resign the trust I hold for them ; but I believe , and I am proud to believe , that there is not a working man in England who doubts my political sincerity . . . r liament I could not ihimji u uu .- t fm- t . « m ™ -o u « "udfee your cause much *
In conclusion , then , my friends , let me implore you , and let me beseech of you , not to dash the cup of hope from your lips . Let your motto be , " Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof , " and before you doubt have proof of deception ; but as long as the present fraternisation affordsyouthe opportunityof meetingplaces , and of developing your views before your former opponents , adhere- to it , and rely upon it that you shall have timely and ample notice of reasonable
any doubt tfiat may exist in my mind a * to the insincerity of your new confederates ; but in the name of God , in the name of justice , of common sense , and in pity and mercy to your suffering and unprotected families , do not foolishl y throw , away such an opportunity as may never again occur , of fixing the stepping-stones firml y in that ford over which we have been , so long attempting to pass , and which with your co-operation will be shortly accessible to all . Your faithful and uncompromising Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Connor .
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—^ We give the following from the " Nation " of Saturday last . It is published in that paper as a novelty : while , no doubt , many of our readers remember Mr . O'Connor ' s commentary upon past agitation , as to what it was , and what it might be , if the monies expended in Tom-foolery had been applied to the location of the Irish people upon the Land ; and in which he remarked , that there would be a pilgrimage from all parts of the country to witness the first exhibition of National Regeneration . But , as the folly of today is the wisdom of the morrow , we live in hope that at last Irish Tom-foolery may bo changed to Ireland ' s regeneration .
HOME COLONIES . " Nemo" who states he has given some time to the consideration of the land question and of the facilities for making home settlements for Irishmen , writes to us as follows : — I always thought that if the Repeal Association had employed its funds in forming a " Home Settlement" for the unemployed population , that the gratitude of Irishmen would be due to them , and that they would by taking that plan repeal the Act of Union much sooner than by tho paths they took . 1 will give an instance . Suppose the Association in receipt of one million shillings , or fifty thousand pounds per annum—this would be no miracle if they proposed a project of real utility . "Were this sum invested in the purchase of an estate , then suppose the land produced £ 2 per acre , and at twenty years' purchase , there would be 1 , 250 acres of land to begin with . Since it needs no proof that
four acres of arable land , properly managed , will employ five or six persons , adults and children , and supply all their wants , if held at a reasonable rent and long lease—for these constitute the real stimulus to industry as the opposite do to idleness and want . Suppose this estate , containing 1 , 250 acres , divided into four aero farms , there would be 312 farms . These 312 farms , given to agricultural labourers or evicted tenants , at fair rents , say £ 15 s , per acre , or a little more than half the late acrcable value , and stringent covenants made as to improvement , spade husbandry , < fcc , especially for the maintenance and employment of two male adults and four females or children on the farm—for unquestionably that number would find ample employment on a four acre farm . Then there would be room for the creation of 312 Irish yeomen ; and , at the average of six to each farm , or family , 1 , 872 individuals saved from the " poor-house or grave atone
swoop . Again , suppose on the ensuing year the same amount of contributions received , there would bean additional income of 1 . S 72 shillings ; for every person thus provided for would pay one shilling per annum , some much more , and the rent of 1 , 250 acres , at £ 15 s . per asre . all which would make the round sum of £ 51 , 6 G 2 to purchase land with . Now if the funds of this body had been thus expended during seven years of it 3 existence , I'll be bold to to assert that at the end of that time they would have in their hands in perpetuity no less an area than 9 , 074 acres of land , on which 2 , 420 yeomen or heads of families could be settled , in all a population
of 14 , 520 souls could have been settled and provided for in comfort , leaving besides a yearly rental of £ 10 , 192 for the National Exchequer . But it would not be found necessary to tax the people for their shillings for so many years , because many facilities would present themselves if the work was begun in earnest ; there wonld naturally enough a National Banking system be had recourse to , which under a judicious management , and possessing popular confidence , would be able to work wonders yet undreamt of . The land is our staple , and from agricultural prosperity must all other branches of trade and commerce grow , and flourish among us .
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WnrrmGiox axd Cat . —At the weekly meeting of members it was resolved , — " That a call should be made on the branches of the London district to pay tue expenses of the delegates to the Conference . " Sheffield . —A meeting of members was held in the Democratic Temperance Ilotel , on Monday evening , Mr . Joseph Williams in the chair . The first question considered was in reference to a misunderstanding which appears to exist amongst a great number of paid-up shareholders , who think that are not called upon to pay anything further . After a good deal of discussion on the subject , the following resolution was moved by Mr . J . Lever , seconded by Mr . Howard , and earned unanimously , — " That this branch begs to remind the paid-up
shareholders who ara neglecting the small payments agreed to by the Conference , that all such defaulters will not be returned for any future ballot ; for , should it be otherwise , it would be a violation of the laws of the Conference—thus making a farce of our national delegation ; therefore it -is hoped that the whole of the paid-up shareholders will again come forward , and recommence their payments , as laid down at the last Conference . " A goodly number of members—both paid-up and unpaid-up shareholders—have commenced their payments , being determined to carry out the plan under the old system of the ballot . Those members who have not paid their Conference levies are requested to pay the same . The meeting was then adjourned to Monday night next .
Mountain ' . —A meeting of membei' 3 was held on the 11 th of June , when a resolution was brought forward to the effect , — " That a committee be appointed for the purpose of carrying out such plans as may be deemed necessary to secure the paying off the dissatisfied members . " An amendment was moved and carried , —" That no steps be taken in the matter until the trial now pending in the Queen ' s Bench be terminated . " A somewhat simi . lar decision was subsequently come to by the Conference at Snig ' s End . Thus we concluded that the affair was settled until that time . However , a
meeting was again called on the 3 rd instant , when a few of the dissatisfied gave notice that it was their intention , that day week , to move a rescinding of their former resolution , and to appoint a committee to carry out their object . They were informed that the former resolution bad been carried . by , and was the opinion of , a majority of the members ; and seeing that there was no other business to transact , they should not so far stultify themselves as to keep constantly meeting for no other purpose than that of keeping a motion on the books ; any business , therefore , that might be transacted on that occasion would be considered as
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the opinion of the dissatisfied only , and not the opt mon of a majority of the branch . Notwithstanding this caution they met , toihe number of nine persons , and passed the following resolution — " That m consequence of the Conference held ' at Sniff ' s End , refusing to arrange to pay back tho subscript tion of the dissatisfied members of the National Land Company « e , the Mountain branch have Kn ? J ? o ™ X 0 n J * rlhM u P ° n its re ^ embp £ nTT- ^ dll " K of the National Land S ° T E W 1 " * S' that a committee of five persons be appointed to carry this resolution into ... . the opinion of the ditsnti **** . w ,, nn ^ i
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- ¦» MONOPOLY OP THE LAND . TO TUB EDITOR OP THE NORTHERS STAR . ' Y&M ^ tT Is TstLtuted of two natur < « , » spii n 1 , tell ? ctual » and a physical , both of which of h a OO tl t , , ' *? Ovdei t 0 S er « rate ^ S 1 t : P £ Tl Ihlch he ls ca P ' al ) l 0 of enjoying . When we find that the great bulk of mankind are mentally whieSte " &WU & *? ¦ * theexcessivXK which they are compelled to perform , in order to supply themselves and their dependants with the necessaries of . animal existence , we necessarily conclude that there is something wrong m £ institutions of society , otherwiso such a state of things could not be . There appears to be one principal element which must be restored to man
universally before the people of this or any other countryman enjoy the principle of , freedom . This element is the land , which exists in abundance , and whenever it is cultivated yields an ample supply of ftnits . But from the existence of an iniquitous principle , ajustihare of those fruits doth not accrue to the labourer wbo tills the earth ; he is almost naked and destitute , and after years of struggling and privation , he sees no other prospect , when his physical frame is reduced beyond the power of labouring , than being compelled to spend the remaining portion of his existence ( which ought to be comfortable ) in » Whig Poor-Law bnstile , which appear to have been erected for the purpose of enclosing the misery generated by the cross iniustice of man
An eternal blush of shame ought to be impressed upon the countenances of those who are the cause of such misery , —who , doubtless , are the landed and moneyed aristocracy , in conjunction with the Malthusian political economists of the day . This robbing of the working man has been effected by a class of mea moved by the superstitious feelings generated by a corrupt priesthood ; having presumed that they have a divine right to govern , from which has followed the idea that they had ' a divine right to divide the land amongst themselves , and thus constitute it private property . The land , to the present time , is divided amongst kings , aristocrats and pnests , —the people , as a natural result , are their slaves , —hence , they have little or no controul over their labour . So long as this principle is allowed to exist , the destruction of slavery is impossible . Slavery is antagonistic to justice , and therefore that which
produces it is wrong in itself . Slavery is the necessary result of private property in land ; and inasmuch as land is one of the primitive elements , absolutely necessary for the support of man , not having been made by man any more than any of the other primitive elements , it follows , that neither man , nor any class o ' f men , has any more right to constitute land private property than he has to constitute the air we breathe—the water we driuk— or the sun ' s rays—private property This being the question of questions , it should be thoroughly studied by every man calling himself a reformer , being the key for solving the anomalous condition of the people ; it will show them why they are poor , though they are industrious , rn ' d also produce in their minds a principle of faith , which is absolutely necessary to the carrying out a successful agitation . Johh Culms , Jun . Halifax , September 11 th .
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^ Newcastle . —At a general quarterly meeting held on Sunday evening , Mr . M . Robinson in the chair the following persons were elected to the council-John Hudson , John Brown , John Robertson , Martin Jude , Joseph M'Farlane , John Hamblin , John Kame , and James" Nesbit ; John Brown to be the financial secretary ; and John Hudson tho corresponding . secretary . Moved by John Brown , seebfided by Joseph M'Farlane : —''^" aT ' a ^ f engral ' meeting of the Chartists be hold on Sunday , September 23 rd , for the transaction of business of importance . "
WnniiseTos and Cat . —At the weekly meeting it was resolved : — « That we form a locality of the National Charter Association , and Mr . Fidge was appointed secretary pro tern . " The meeting then adjourned until Sunday evening , seven o ' clock , to hear Mr . M'Grath lecture for the benefit of the victims , and to hear the delegates report of the Land Conference . Sheffield . —The council held its usual weekly meeting in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , 33 , Qucon-street , on Sunday , September 10 th , in the absence of the president , Mr . Kershaw ( who was sick ) , Mr . Higinbottom was called upon to preside . After the confirmation of the previous minutesand
, other minor business was disposed of , the secretary read the correspondence from Rotherham and other places , when the secretary was instructed to write to Rotherham , to see whether Mr . S . Kydd ' s services could not be secured for this locality and district for a short time . The Chartist council have not , as yet , come to any resolution relative to taking the management of electing members to the Town Council , however , next Sunday evening , that question will , in all probability , occupy the attention of the council ; it it expected that every member of the council will be present at the next meeting , as important business will be brought forward .
Cripplegate , 23 , Goldex-lane . —At a meeting of members , this locality passed a general vote of thanks to all friends who have and are assisting them in the inquests and funerals of the Tothillfields victims ; they also request that the South London Hall , and other localities , will send delegates on Saturday night , to make further arrangements . Westmixstek . —At a meeting held at the " Two Chairmen , " Wardour-street , Soho , on Tuesday evening last , Mr . John Godwin in the chair , the
matter of the " printer ' s bill" for the late Convention and Assembly , held at the Literary and Scientific Institute , John-street , was brought before the meeting . On the motion of Mr . John Milne , seconded by Mr . Andrew Black , it was resolved : — " That fifteen shillings be paid in liquidation of that debt . " Five shillings was also voted towards defraying the legal expenses incurred in the inquests on the remains of Joseph Williams and Alexander Sharp—the lethal-fields' martyrs ; aftei which the meeting adjourned until Tuesday evenino next . °
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5 S ? 52 £ U r s ainst p ™ antJ F ° - era X t *?? ^ Case of the political prison-Sin £ Wd ^^ ru " erfO » " ^« . we 8 traoldistSrfW 1 otherSa ° ls in these dominions , sofomnio ? w \\ Snet Un made , this meeting Sfi teimJft mer ty of their treatment , Sviduredftj ncarc ° ration wMoh they have all of S and tfu ampl * Satisfied the requirements it nutepnt Riiffa , . leasc ot aU persons who are offe £ s" lmg "apri-onment for political the ^ moSn ' ^ * excellent speech , seconded islfeK i ^^^
^ rfpsssssrgff ftsaajr . s us r * r ^* 5 * - '« nrS tlCal J&f " ( L ^ - choers - ) Wther reLon was , # T * 4 S far as things had gpne the punishment bad lAJ ^ stake , and was not warranted by law ( Hear , Hear . ) Now is' the time to hold out the olive branch , when it can be appreciated . Ho was proud to say they had an auxiliary to whom thev nmd . l
now appeal—he was ashamed to say they had been estranged so long . Y He had been surprised at the talent . that ho had found amongst the working classes ; and having now found it he would use his utmost influence to got them represented , not only by their votes , but in their own persons in the House of Commons—( loud cheers )—and he had willing coadjutors to work with . ( Hear , hear . ) It would be a mistake or a blunder if they did not now succeed in effecting the object they had m view , as great influence was at work for them . He was proud of making their acquaintance to night , and he hoped it would not be the last time ; he . trusted that they would not "o one step out of their way in taking the body or their deceased friend to his List resting nlace . but hnvp
every thing in peace and order , and the time was not far distant when they would enjoy that freedom and those rights which nature , and their intelligence justly entitled them to . Mr . Titidal Atkinson resumed his seat amidst great cheering . Mr . P . M'Grath , in his usual eloquent manner , proposed a memorial to her Majesty , askin" fov a general amnesty for all political prisoners . Mr . Stallwood seconded the adoption of the memorial . Carried unanimously . Mr . Clark moved , that Richard Cobden , M . P ., present the memorial , and that Sir Joshua Walmsley , and Joseph Hume support its prayer . Mr . Stallwood seconded the motion . Carried unanimously .
1 . Atkinson , Esq ., moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman , which was seconded by Mr . Dixon , anO carried . The meeting then separated . The memorial will be given next week .
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THE LATE JOSEPH WILLTAMS , THE CHARTIST MARTYR . Tho funeral of this much-lamented victim to class-misrule took place on Sunday , September 10 th . No funeral pomp or ostentatious display attended the last obsequies of the departed , but all was as it should be on such mornful public occasions—unadorned simplicity . Thanks to the good men and true of the Cripplegate locality , and the other honest democrats from the Tower Hamlets , Finsbury , St . Pancras , &c , who rendered their valuable services with such alacrity ; and the best arrangements , that time and means permitted , were made for conducting the remains of the deceased to his last resting-place . The funeral took place under the auspices of the firm of the political prisoner , John Shaw and Co ., of Gloucester-street , Commercial-road , and gave very general satisfaction . At two o ' clock Golden-lane , and the streets , and other avenues leading thereto , were crowded with a denso mass of persons , anxiously awaiting topaY tho last
tribute of respect to the man who had sacrificed his life at . the shrine of principle ; and long before * atf « mss | i J ^* eijyr # P ' tttt « fc ae'ZgnBartnyft ' onriifur cavalcatto tooK . its departure for its destination ( the Victoria ' Cemetery , Cambridge-heath , Bethnnlgreen ) , Golden-lane , Becchstveet , Chiswell-street , &c , became so thronged as to become impassable . The excitement equalled , if not surpassed , the " great Trades ' movement , " tho procession of the " National Petition , " ifec . Tho committee of delegates had most judiciousl y appointed fifty mon to marshal and conduct the procession to the grave ; and it is only fair to state , that the police , both City and metropolitan , behaved admirably on tho present occasion , not at all interfearing with the quiet mass of the people , but rather aiding the progress of the dense-moving body . At half-past three the hearse drew up to Golden-Lino , in which the body was deposited . Over tho hearso was a rod pall , of glazed calico , on cither side of which was
inscribed" Ho asked for freedom with his breath . Merciless tyrants gave him death . " And on a similar piece of glazed calico at the back of the hoarse were tho
words"It is not Cholera , but Cold and Starvation . " " Joseph Williams . " In the procession the hearso was preceded by a huge tricoloured banner , inscribed ou the one side , " Finsbury , " and on the reverse , with tho above words of" Joseph Williams . " Immediately behind the hearse was a coach , conveying tho widow , father , mother , and other relatives of the deceased , which was followed by five cabs , and these wore followed by an immense concourse of persons , armin-arm—some six , and others four a-brcast ; whilst Chiswell-street , Finsbury-square , Sun-street , Bishopsgato-streot , Norton Folgate , Shoreditch , Church-street , and Bothnal-grcen-road were lined .
Every window , balcony , and other available pluce on the line of route , was crowded with anxious and sympathising spectators ; and on arriving at the Cemetery we found many thousands awaiting the arrival of tho funeral cortege . Having reached the deeply-dug grave , the body , incased in a substantial elm coffin , with inscription plate , bearing the name and ago of the deceased , was lowered into it . There could not be less than twenty thousand petsons in the Cemetery . Mr . T . Clarke ( who , with Mr . P . M'GitATii and E . Stallwood , his colleagues on the Chartist Executive Committee , had formed a portion of the cortege ) then addressed the assembled tliron " .
Mr . Thomas Clark presented himself amidst the most breathless silence , and said : Friends , wo are assembled together upon this awful and solemn occasion , to perform a sad and melancholy duty . Our object here i 3 io pay a last tribute of respect to the deceased patriot Williams , whose remains have just been consigned to tho earth , and who has offered up his life in the service of that great cause in which is involved the futuro welfare of our common country . Another name has thus been added to the catalogue of those who have sacrificed tliemsolvos for the benefit of their fellows . And although tho . station and calling of Williams wore humble , he has nevertheless earned for himself a niche in that modest temple which will one dav chronicle
the Jamo ot those who have fallen in this age struggling for the establishmen t of democracy Time was when martyrdom for truth ' s sake was con fined to the learned and the great ; but ono of the features of these present times is , tfiat . the most lowly class has its champions belonging to itself who have not hesitated to stand fortlVand to claim for then- order the ri ghts and privileges of manhood ; and although some of these champions have P ™ iifc m ° ral C ( ? nflict ' their foil has been glorious , and their example sublime ; and hence it is that so many others have been found to trend in tho same path , because , though leading to the grave , it has secured immortality : if not fSr the victims / at least an-their principles . Thus has it been with P ° or ™ f ^ - . For tho sake of his country ho compromised \ awuM , ana in so doing has made one his
common cause debtor . But why , I ask , should these sacrifices be needed ? What elm bo a greater reflection upon the boasted freedom of oSr land than mo sad proceedings here at this moment ? nor myself , I am for obvious reasons , speaking under restraint , a restraint which I have imposed upon myself , m order not to damage the chances of the liberation of those who are still the inmates of that terrible prison house , whore Williams died ; out 1 cannot ref rain from expressing my horror , that the penalty of a slight political offence should have eventuated in death ! I am desirous of speak-Sv $ ? £ full y ofall i who have been officially ?«?? f ln thls case , especially of the Coroners D « i T ? rdicfc 1 do not impugn ; but still I S ^ hatt 0 my mind , the Seath of Williams ! n , liv ! iH » ii v ' P erPetrated , certainly not by any m . MS $ ' . but throuSh the operation of a cruelaud savage iaw » Wazeupoattomagni .
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ficiont assemblage , and reflect upon the SpI T Pres l ° ^ s P ot ' * ^ mySf agitated by such emotions and impressions as such a scene as this must naturall ys ™ " . A iW ^ S « sk , how long deeSs like the d . . llllams ™» continue to le executed in this Chnstia . 1 and ? Can it be , that England , whoso fame has dan ed the world , needs that such scenes as this should bo enacted to support her power and her pride ? Are the institutions of England so equivocal in their character , that to stand , they require to be cemented by the blood of her toiling , but patriotic children ? No , my countrymen , 1 say these things aro not requisite for the glory of this land On tho contrary , this deed ef death , which has drawn us together to-day , is a foul blot upon the humanity and civilization of the countryand a
, cruel , but unanswerable commentary , upon its practical liberty . Sadly , indeed , are our rulers mistaken , if they think by persecution to stay the mighty tide of thought which is beating against our shores , and which threatens to inundate the land They may rely upon it , that the end of their rule is at hand , and nothing will tend more to hasten its termination than exhibitions like the present The day of the people will shortly arrive , and when in tho moral grandeur of their might , they will teach then-present rulers , not the lesson of vengeance , for it is not in that spirit—it would become me to ? £ V . *^ name of a great people-but these rulers sh 4 l to made to feel their injustice , and . insignificancer'by . the forbearance and charity of tho ? 6
TO-ft- ? - now PerSf > cuted . Of the patrio * Williams , I am unable to speak from personal acquaintance / , but of him I may truly say , that if he oved his conntry not « wisely , " he did so , at least ; , " too well . " Bis death hath imposed upon his country a heavy responsibility , but ono , which 1 hope will be readily undertaken . He has left behind him to lament lus untimely end , a wife and six dear children , who must henceforth look for paternal protection to the democracy of England I put it to you all will you not bo fathers to the fatherless ? ( Loudcries of " Wo will . wo will" ) . Will you not interpose your kindly offices to protect them from the heartless treatment to which orphans are too often subjected ? ( Unanimous cries of " We will , we will" ) . Standing , bending over the grave here , by my side , aro the wife and the aged parents of the departed patriot . Of their feelings and sufferings , it will be more easy for you to iud « e
tnan tor me to describe . I implore of you , to boar in remembrance the situation of the widow . When you leave this ground , and you each bend your way to your respective homes , think of the widow and the six orphan children . When seated at the domestic hearth in the company of the partner which you each hold dear , reflect upon the sad condition of her whose connubial hopes lie buried in the grave . Think of the home without tho protectorwithout the provider—and your own feelings will point to your duty . I have only to add , in conclusion , my thanks to those of tho friends of the deceased , and of the committee , who have convened this demonstration , to tender you our joint acknowledgemnts for your magnificent conduct , and to exhort you to union and good fellowship in that cause in which Williams has perished , so that wo may ^ Yitness the annihilation of despotism ,, and the establishment of Justice .
Mr . Edmv . nd Stallwooh , at the request of the committee and the relatives of the deceased , delivered the following biographical and historic sketch of the deceased , and also his public career . He said that his friend Joseph Williams had expressed , through his aged parent , a desire to have an interview with him ( Mr . Stallwood ) in his dungeon , but , alas ! he did not live to have his wish gratified ; and he had now the painful , yet melancholy gratification , of paying a last tribute tolas friend ' s memory . Their friend Williams bad not been removed from amongst them by any decay of nature ; no , for he was a hale healthy nwn in the prime of life , being only in his forty-first year , having been born in April , 1809 . My friends , it was oud
as yesterday wo Heard Jus voice amongst us uplifted in the cause of right , to-day we point to his remains in the cold grave—to his bereaved widowto his six orphan children—to his weeping aged parents , and to you his numerous friends , cast down with grief and woe for tho loss of an attached friend . Some fifteen years ago ouv departed friend begun to take part in political affairs , at which period the unstamped press , the national union of ike . jv . oxking classes , and othev bodies , had circulated and mado known tho principles . advocated by those noble Yreneh Reformers , Babuof , &c , &e . ; and Mr . Williams , being by trade a baker , and of an impetuous temperament , and a daily witness of the sufferings of his fellow-men , it was no wonder that
he at once became a thorough-determined strong political and social reformer . In succession to the bodies to which I have alluded , sprung " The Working Mens' Associations ; " butt-he more earnest and energetic reformers amongst them not thinking they progressed fast enough , Ilnrney , Neoson , Beniowski , aud others formed the "Democratic Association , " which at one time engrossed so much of public attention , to which Mr . Williams very soon attached himself , and became an active member . Then came the celebrated Chartist Convention of 1839 , of which Messrs . Cobbett , Henry Hethcrington , William Lovctt , G . J . Harnoy , Feargus O'Connor , Charles Necson , Dr . Fletcher , and Dr . Taylor , were members ; and to this Convention Mr .
Williams aspired to be a member , and contested the representation of Surrey with a member of the " Working Mens' Asseciation , " and gained his election by show of hands at a public meeting on Ken- , nington Common , being on that occasion proposed by William Rider . The Convention dispersed , various movements occurred in divers places , amongst others at Abbey-street , 13 ethnal-green , at which the shrewdness of the democrats defeated the wily crafty dealing of Whig spies , aud saved the people from tho arms of the police and soldiery . In this affair our departed friend was deeply eng aged . Perhaps it may bo as well here to statu that the ardent temperament of our friend has caused him to be regarded as a spy ; but , surclv , before such
obloquy is thrown upon any one it would bo well to examine well the ground , and to remember that spies are generally well rewarded , whereas our departed friend Williams —no doubt from feeling deeply , and giving expression to his thoughts strongly—could , with difficulty , furnish forth-the daily meal , and very rarely was iu possession of ; i " Sunday suit , " his honest politics alw ays keeping him poor . But as he had now given his life a sacrifice to the cause , he ( Mr . Stallwood ) trusted all idea that Williams was ever guilty of spyism would be banished , and that his memory would bo handed down to posterity as a sincerely honest democrat . He bad already told them that Mr . Williams was a social reformer , and that he was a baker bv
trade . About three years ago a movement sprung up hi behalf of the journeymen bakers , for the purpose of abolishing night work ,, and shortening tho hours of labour ; at tho commencement of this movement , Mr . Williams gave his hearty assistance , and walked many miles as an advocate of the cause . That cause now finds Lord Robert Grosvenor its parliamentary exponent . From this we find Mr . Williams engaged at meetings on behalf of the National Petition for the people ' s Charter . You all know the result of that petition . From this arose the meetings ' on Clerkcnwell-grcen , and other places , at which our departed friend raised his voice . He " Talked daggers though he used none ;" and a weak Whic government , alarmed at
" Strong words , " even from so humble an individual , caused Mr . Williams to be arrested . He was tried , convicted , and sentenced to a lengthy imprisonment in Tothill-fields Prison , where he has met with his death . And now for the cause of that death . A coroner ' s jury says , tho cause was " Cholera . " Mr . Williams , just prior to his death , exclaimed , — " I am a dead man ; it is not cholera , but cold and starvation . '" Well , but the jury says , the cause of death was " Cholcra /' andthe ftwsnewspapor says , that cholera is caused by " Miasma , damp , and cold . " The government somo time since caused the prisoners to be removed from tho Millbank Prison , in consequence of tho prevalence of cholera . Now , the Tothill-fields Bridewell is but a short distance from Millbank , j-Gt the political prisoners were left there , and Messrs . Williams and Sharp are dead . Tothill-fields is surrounded
by factories , continually emitting their miasma . Those , who like himself , had suffered tho glories of martyrdom , knew what the dark cells in a prison w . ere ; they were cold and damp ; " and" says the Times newspaper , " cold and damp brings on diarrhoea , cholera , and consequently death . " Williams and Sharp are dead , and ho believed , were one of the late colleagues of the deceased in the Democratic Association now present , he would say that they " Were done to death . " But Williams did not go voluntarily to tho damp cell . No , he was coerced into that cell . By whom ?—by tho rules made by the " Visiting Justices , " by the orders of the governors . The cell was cold and damp , cholera ensued , and Williams died . When one man beat another with a stick wilfully , and from \ vliich beating the man dies , the man who inflicts the punishment- is called a murderer , and treated accordingl y ! Ho ( Mr . Stallwood ) left it to
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oV ™ CleDCeS J 0 f L the vi 5 iti » g magistrates , Q uesM 0 ^ VCrn ° i and the Swwmnent , to answer tha question ,-aro you not gu ity on the present occa < cold * p , vp T T' fnM « Mhcrc ; alBB , in the com grave , rests the- remains of our departed friends , there stands tho bereaved relatives S have been told you must act the part of husband and father , and ho ( Mr . Stallwood ) called on K to have an extra care for those great political and social principles which io theL mSnenfi hte existence our friend so strencusl y advocated To be more zealous in your advocacy , and more earnest m your endeavours to obtain tho people ' s Charter that great moans to a mi ghty social end . That ! once obtained , tho days of poverty , damp cells , short commons of bread and water , will be numbered , health , prosperity , and happiness , will everywhere abound , and the memory of tlie departed
will be truly blessed . Mr . Stallwood , here read tha following memorial , wliieh had been previously adopted unanimously by the committee .
Tl ir T 0 THE ( tVEBS ' ° 5 T EXCELLENT MAJESTJ . Hie Memorial of the liuiffsrous Friends who followrf til * nt !? " ? ? , Jo £ ePh Williams to liis last rcsting-piace , and adopted over his grave in the Victoria Cemeterr ' S , mv « l ^ ' * ° n the 16 t } v a W of September , 1 S 49 , U " fciiEWE-ni . —lhat your memorialists , with the most wm ' b . nan angnuh , have to lament thodeathSephTilliaml leaving a widow and six childre . v-and Alexander sS ' loafing a widow and tUrw clmdrU-t 0 Wm thftaS ' parable loss of affectionate husbands . andfind 1 fathers tJ ' t * JOI ™? Or iaHstshilve t 0 ° mu ° l > « S « m tobdfaw that Joseph William * and Alexander - Sharp fell vicSto cold and hunger , caused by their being incarcerated ^ £ damp cells and fed entirely on small i » antiUes of breai and water for several days together , durinc the neriml £
were undergoing ( wont your memorialists enn hut desigiujte : a cruel punishment ) while inearocratedin Tothilliields Bridewell for a political offence . That jour memorktists have heard with grief and pain that several other of the political prisoners are now suffering from severe indisposition in your MaJ 8 Sty s gaols lhat your memorialists have heard with pleasure of the mitigation of punishment , and the remittance of the fines imposed on several late political prisoners . Ji " ^™; :. '" emmets implore your Majesty , in this time of and
profound peace tranquillity , to seetittoremovo tl » political prisoners from these scenes of colik huneer diarrhoea , cholera , and death , by remitting tla punishl ment and hnes of all political prisoners in youv Huiestv ' s dominions , and restore them to tlicir families and . friends . And your Memorialists will ever pray , rnu J , memorial was put and unanimously adopted . J jac | tollowing hymn , compos . ed ; as - a . tribute of respect to tho memory of the deceased Joseph , Williams , by Mr . liently , of tfie Cri pplegate locality , was sung at tho grave to tho tm > o of "Base oppressors , " the whole audience joining in chorus . Sons of Bviton , onu more martyr , Sleeps the hero ' s sleep of death ; He has died for freedom ' s Charter—Class-made laws have seized his "breath ; By oppression , and starvation , In a prison he has died , For declaring that a nation , Class-rule , has aright denied . Safe from further goading malice , Resting in the arms of death , Echo through each gaol and palace , Lies one true { 6 Jiis last breath . . Tell them , sound the thrilling story , That the twenty-ninth of Mav , Near destroy'd their rule gory-Williams—Williams , led the way !
Triumph , bless his name respected : Deaths like his do victors rise , Labour ' s price shall be protected , Freedom ' s shout shall rend the skies , with appalling voice of thunder , Whether gain'd by peace or war Merciless villains cease to plunder , Man is man , and who is more ? Mr . Stallwood now announced tho close of the proceedings , exhorting all friends to depart in peace , and by all means to remember the widow and orphans as they passed out at tho gates . The exhortation was strictly followed , the dense mass quietly separating , and we hear that on opening the boxes a large sum was found to have been contributed . Honour to those who so ably got up this huge demonstration of sympathy . Thanks to those who composed the demonstration , and peace to the manes of the patriot .
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i ^ FAILURE OF O'CONNOR ' S LAND SCHEME . ( From the ll ' ec % Dispatch . ) The entire failure of Mr . O'Connor ' s Land Scheme may now be considered to be an admitted fact . He is sued for losses occasioned by it , and ho can only plead that the atiair was buna fide , and not fraudulent on his part , and that he has reapedno pecuniary benefit from it . With a most edifying ignorance of law , he assumes that it'he cannot I c proved to have committed an actual fraud , he is free from all civil responsibility to those whom he has induced to spend money on his representations . It is true that the men who trusted in his solieme have been ruined ; but then , he says , that was by no fraud of his , and they mutt submit to bear the consequences of a simple misfortune . The law does not take quite
Mr . O Connor ' s view of such a nutter ; for , when a projector assures people that if they will pay him , so much money , they shall receive such and such advantages , the law holds him liable to make "ood his promise , or to take the consequences . One puvtoithe plea now set up by Mr . O'Connov is itself the strongest condemnation of his project . He says that he is not liable to make good pecuniary losses in respect of a scheme from wliieh lie has received no pecuniary bent-fit . If he kas not benefited by it , who has ? If nobody is the better for it , then it is clear that this mi ghty plan , whiehifas to regenerate the labouring community , to secure them comfort , nay wealth—to convert them , in fact , irom a working into a proprietary class—was one
enormous deception . Ic ivas not tho less so because the original schemer lias been ( supposing such to be the case ) as much deceived as any one else . The project was put forward as something marvellously good , and now its author claims exemption from responsibility on the grounds that it was so bad tl . afc eveiHio lias not been able to make any profit out of it . _ There could not be a more coniplkc confession of its utter worthlessness . For , as the grand part of the scheme was that the "fortunate" holders of prizes in this land lottery were to pay a certain kind of rent or per coinage ou the laud * they heldand that , from the fund thus raised , the means of further purchases were to be obtained—their inability to live on the produce of the J . - iiid . even though
they paid nothing for it , shows how entirely illusory was every calculation on which tho system was professedly founded . The fund which was to ensure its continued existence cannot be obtained the men who were to furnish it are ruined—ami tho wliolo attempt ends in the amassing , in the hands of tho projector , of a large quantity of land which cannot be profitably worked in tho way originally proposed . _ But it does not necessarily ' follow that thu land itself is worthless , or that the man who in form of law is its owner , has obtained nothing of any value , i'hc subscribers io the scheme were bound to ' certain terms . Jfon-compliance with those terms subjects them to forfeiture of their riglits-niid lands onco allotted and occupied do not appear likelv again to
become tho subject of lottery . ]) ut suppose they should be again allotted—the new allottees would be but tenants . To whom , then , do such lands belong in right of proprietorship ? Certainly not to the tenants , who may forlVit them by inability to pay rent and to perform covenants . 'Key belong to the person in whose name they were hen ^ ht , to whom the deeds of conveyance were made out , and . who appeared to pay the money i ' or them . Whether that money was vaised by subscription , or came irom his ownpeckct , is a matter with which tho coiwey . meei- Uiii i ot trouble himself , and which , on tho face of the deeds transferring the property is , in all probability , not even incidentally mentioned . Hero , then , is tho blot of the scheme . Mr . O'Connor may , as yet , have obtained no pecuniary benefit from tho transaction ; but in form of the * law the land is his , and the "fortunate" holders of
prizes in this lottery have no power , by a meeting snd a resolution , to sell the property and divide tho proceeds as an indemnification for their losses . Tho WiniUug-up-Act , of 1848 would not give them the . benefit of its wholesome provisions . They areperhaps worse off than the hundreds who lost their throw in tho lottery , and who drew blauks—for these men knew at once the extent of tieir losses , and had nothiig but their subscriptions to lcjiret . But the "fortunate" holders have sunk more money in the adventure , besides tlicir time and labourand now the whole stake is gone . Whatever occupations they abandoned for tlie chance * of this ichtme they must resume , if they can- and , if not , the workhouse must be thp . ir refuge . They were warned in time—but blind bi lief hugs its dear falsehood all the closer for contradiction , and the stern realities of adversity can alone disenchant men from the at ' tractions of a cherished foily .
These realities have now come upon these credulous and deluded , men , aud we notice their unhappy error less for their sskes—since it i s out of our power to replace them in their former position—llan as a caution and a warning to other .-. Although indemnity for the pa t" is , we f-. ar , not to be ( bought of by ihe unfortunate victims of thisbnbU- ) rnj . el , wd would , at a I events , cmivavour to tiflcird our houcat and industrious fellow-countrymen or . " the workingclasses that " sccuri y for the future" which consists in a clear appreciation cf the admonitory lessens of experience , to be chaiy of believing iu extravasant promises of imp ssible advantages ; to put no J . tith . in schemes which profess to guarantee a vast return ' for a trivial outlay ; to eschew quack nv : cliciucs I ' or soiial ills ; and , above all , to keep clear of •' lotteries ' ' if every sort am ! kind—awh , as we read it , is tlic moral to be drawn l > y working-men from thu history of the O'Connor laud scheme .
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As ImsuMMt angling in the vain , kept liis Una under the arch of a bridge ; oaf cmg asked why ho did so , replied : — " To bo sure the fishes will be afther crowding there to keep out of the vret . "
Vm ®I)*Irti0t Snteuigettrc.
vm ® i )* irti 0 t SnteUigettrc .
Rational Itann Compauin
Rational itann compauin
Io The Working Classes.
IO THE WORKING CLASSES .
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" United we stand , Divided we fall . " " UtLa is strength . "
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V ^ w ^/ M ^^^^^ vw ^ THE LATE VICTIMS , JOSEPH WILLIAMS AND ALEXANDER SHARP . GREAT MEETING ATTHEIIALL OF SCIENCE
CITY ROAD . This building was densely crowded on Thursday evening , to consider the cause of death of the above victims , and for the release ot all political prisoners . Mr . Williams Da-vies was called to the chair . A letter was read from William Williams , Esq . ex M . P . ; for Coventry , apologising for non attendance , and stating , that he and Sir Joshua Walmesley , had waited on the under Secretary of State , with a memorial on behalf of the political prisoners , and also conveyed a request that the memorial should not be forwarded to the Queen , until Sir Joshua had an opportunity of an interview with Sir George Grey . Tixdal Atkinson , ' Esq ., Barrister-at-law , stated
that Sir Joshua Walmesley had been called to Eastborne , on a case of serious indisposition , or he would have been present to raise his voice in favour of the exercise of the bri g htest prerogative of the Crown , mercy , for the political offenders . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . AV . Davies , in a brief speech , recommended prudence and determination in the object they had met to night in support of . In the friends who surrounded him he had the greatest reliance . Mr . T . Ciark said , the battle bad hitherto been fcuglit nearly single-handed ; but now , fortunately ,
we had the middle classes , whom , he hoped . would prove an able ally . In the same felon prison in which Williams and Sharp died other great , good , and glorions men were still confined . There were also widows and orphans ; and , therefore , he would Dot allow his feelings to betray 'him into undue warmth . The evidence already published to the world was sufficient . Had not tho jury , by implication , in Williams ' s case , declared that the treatment he had experienced had led to his death ? Mr . CJark moved the first resolution , as follow 3 : — " That when circumstances render the punishment of political offenders necessary , a broad distinction ought to be made in their treatment from that of
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' % ¦ // k' fat . fr ^ r ^ / £ t 0 £ &iJ . { Jy ^^ C ^^ -T ^ y ;^ AM 1 ATIONAL TRADES ' JOURNAT ,. '
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^ JLLffl . ^ LOHMH Si ™> YjtPgMg > j m y ~ ,. ^ = ^ ~ - —— - ^^ * 8 huu « , aad sixpeuce per <*„« , , * .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 22, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1540/page/1/
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