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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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RECEIPTS OF TiHE KATIOHAL LARO GOHPftHf For iiie Week Ending TmmsDiT , NOVEMBER 1 , 1849 . SHARES . Strondwater .. 1 M 9 c . Jlowl .. 9 10 Sotbngham .. 0 K 11 J . Buttenrorth .. 016 3 £ C 4 5 EXPENSE FUND . ¦ """ Mottram .. 010 0 JfotdngJiam .. 8 16 0 11 C TOTALS . Ian * Fund 6 4 5 Expense ditto 0 11 6 £ » a ditto 0 2 0 transfers 0 4 ( I Sew Company , per R . J . M . 19 4 0 Mathon , perR . G . B 135 0 0 £ 161 3 11 W . Dixos , C . Dotk , —~~~~ T . Clark , Cor . Sec . P . M'Grath , Fin . Sec .
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NOTES AND NOTICES OF DEMOCEATIC AFFAIRS . Brother Proletarians , In another column of this clay ' s paper \ rifl "be found an address from the Committee formed for the purpose of receiving contributions for the Widows and Children of the late Joseph Williams and Alexander Sharp . There needs no words of mine to enforce the Committee ' s all-sufficient appeal . If the people are not stimulated to perform a most sacred duty by the few but telling words addressed to them by the Committee , " neither ¦ w ould they he persuaded though one rose from the dead . "
But lest " everybody ' s business" should , as too often , turn out to he " nohody's business , ihiongh the want of willing and working mdi-^ dnab to bring the appeal of the Committee Some to " the Public , " I suggest to Chartist Councils the necessity of at once appointing collectors—energetic and trustworthy men—£ MTiab&t *** Appointed by the Seal C ouncils , ike collectorssliould , nevertheless , act under the sanction and seal of the £ ondon Committee . Where no councils are in existence , a few friends should meet and &nn themselves into a committee for this good work . Money should he raised not only § y collecting subscriptions , hut also by getting np theatrical henefits , concerts , soirees , &c ; £ he profits to be devoted to the fund for the Martyrs' families .
I would impress upon all friends , not merely the necessity of doing ihis rig hteous vork , " but also of doing it quickly . The Committee propose to meet the first Monday in every month . I wish I could see the probability of the Committee being in a position i- > make permanent monthly payments to the fj .-nilies—but I cannot It appears to me th . t the Committee will , atthebest , be unable to ti i more than colIectaFund with which to furnish the widows with the means of employing to t h ¦ best advantage , their own industrial eaerg ; . s for the support of themselves ami ehildre ., Such , a Fund should he collected
between this time and the 1 st of January next . Il this , as in all other public matters , ENERGY is one of the first of virtues . - I am glad to learn that the monument to the memories of the deceased patriots , Wll-IIAMS , Sharp , and Hansard , is in course of preparation by Mr . Walter Cox ( late of Nottingham ) , and is rapidly approaching comp letion . A certain amount of money is still wanted , which , doubtless , will be obtained . I understand that subscriptions may be paid fr Mr . Eidbb , "Northern Star" Office ; Mr .
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Boosham Land Office ; and Mr . Tuojus Brown , Secretary to the Committee , 28 Golden-lane . ' » rfnSS Tf 1 UIimy 0 U ' wffl read the ktor ofDAMEL Donovan , one of the Chartists lately imprisoned in Kirkdale . Our friend is mistaken m supposing that the liberation of himself and fellow-sufferers could possibly be regarded a 8 a matter of no public importance . To all true Chartists , the liberation from prison of sufferers for the Charter , is an event deeply interesting . It appears that Twelve political prisoners were liberated on the 12 th -BROW ^ Secr ^ v ^ L ^ r ^ Z ^
ult . from Kirkdale . I have just learned that ten political prisoners , have been liberated from Wakefield House of Correction , after having suffered sixteen months' imprisonment . Their names are --Ambrose Tomlinson , John Connor Francis \ icary , Isaiah Heaton , James Down , William Wmterburn , Thomas Fell , Nathaniel Frith , Andrew Beanland , aud William Smith . Let ns hope that Erxesi Jones , Dr . M'Douall , and the rest of those still in bonds , may be speedily restored to their families .
One fact of importance appears in Mr . Doxovan ' s letter . He states that before being discharged from custod y he -was required to enter into recognizances , " to be of good behaviour for two years , " himself in 100 / ., and two sureties in 25 / . each ; and I understand him to state that his comrades were subjected to the same gagging process . Would it not be well that the friends of the victims yet remaining in prison , whose sentences included the finding of sureties to &c , &c , should have "bail" in readiness to tender at a moment ' s notice ? ¦ ' = ¦
The London Chartists will see by an . advertisement in another column , that two public meetings are to be holden next week for the purpose of electing delegates to a Metropolitan Conference , which will assemble the first week iu December , to devise measures for the reorganisation of the Chartist party . The meetings will take place at the John-street Institution on Tuesday evening , and the South London Hall on Wednesday evening . It is to be hoped that the good men and true will muster strongly , and once again fling to the breeze the banner of THE CHARTER AND NO SURRENDER ! L'AMI DU PEUPLE . November 1 , 1849 .
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THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS . TO ALL DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIAL REFORMERS . Friesds , —The present state of Europe call loudly for the united and energetic action of the true friends of the people—the sincere and devoted advocates of Democratic and Social Reform . The victories gained by our brethren on the continent in 184 S-49 have been everywhere reversed . Terror is the order of the day , and the defenders of Liberty who have escaped death , are in chains , in concealment , or in exile . This terrible reaction has been brought about by the intrigues , the treason , and the brutality of those privileged and selfish classes who profit by the slavery and misery of the proletarians , and who are the irreconcilcable enemies of Justice and the Riohts of Labour . It is to be lamented that the enemies of the people have been , in too many
instances , aided by the ignorance , the folly , and the blind confidence of the people themselves . Indeed , truth bids us add that in iu this country the ignorance and apathy of a too considerable number of the people are the primary causes of popular slavery and misery . Bafc Nil Despemndum must be the rallying-cry . Defeat and suffering , and the wrongs of the present added to those of the past , will but stimulate true men to renewed and more vigorous efforts for the triumph of Justice . We have resolved to re-organise the association of Fraternal Democrats , with the intent of thereby establishing an efficient Democratic Propaganda , hang for its twofold mission the fraternisation of the Democracies of Europe , and the advancement in this country of the principles of Democratic and Social Reform .
The combination of the enemies of mankind ' s freedom and happiness , is an all-sufficient reason for the fraternal union of the champions of Justice . Autocrat and usurer , king and kaiser , pope and president , have conspired to arrest the progress of Liberty , and are still banded together to keep the people in subjection to their unholy rule . Let us then marshal against their criminal combination , the brotherhood of the peoples . Let" All fob each , axd each for avl , " be the motto of the nations , when next they march against their oppressors . Mindful of the existence of the Alien Act—proposed by the British Government at the request of the despots , of the continent , and passed by the British Parliament in a spirit of hostility , to the Democratic refugees—our association will be composed exclusively of natives of the British dominions : but means will , nevertheless , be taken to
render our society a veritable link of union between the Democratic and Social Reformers of this country , and those of continental Europe and America . . . One special means of promoting the principle of Fraternity is set forth in Rule 2 of our Association . Our proscribed brothers who have been driven to , or who have sought refuge in this country , have the strongest claims on British sympathy—sympathy which we desire to see expressed by deeds rather than bywords . If , however , good men amongst those we address may be , at present , unable to contribute to the Fraternal Fund , let that not hinder them from enrolling themselves members of sur body by sending their contributions to the General Fund . The existence of the Propaganda we desire to establish is imperatively necessary . Let , therefore , those who think with us , unite and act with wsf and the good and g lorioBS work will be forthwith in
progress . By ourselves , and in co-operation vrith other bodies ,- we propose to agitnte and labour for the repeal of the iniquitous laws which tax , fetter , and corrupt the Press . We hold that a Free Press is essentially necessary to guide the people in their efforts to achieve their political and social emancipation . Desirous of co-operating with all friends of progress we desireno obstruction tothe "Parliamentary Reformers . " But believing that the principles of the Charter are founded in Justice , and that their le < risl . ttMtf establishment is indispensable for the Dolitical and social projection of the people , "we
shall give our streneous exertions to the good worn of hastening the enactment of that mosu salutary and necessary measure . Holding that Political Reform must be valueless unless productive of Social Reform , we shall advocate the political , as preliminary to the social rights of the people . By public meetings , by lectures , by the printing and distribution of Tracts , and by addresses in the public journals , Aye shall labour to expose social evils , and make plain the measures necessary to put an end to those evils . By so acting we hope to be able to inspire the working classes to seek with zeal and energy their political franchises . and to make a wise and all-saving use of those franchise when won .
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iNot wishing to usurp the place of any other association established to advance political and social reiorm we shall aim at no rivalry , excepting that ot good works . Should a reorganisation of the ^ artist party take place , we shall be happy as ti&artist to take our part therein . But we have a mission to fulfil whicti no association formed for the agitation of Chartist principles only can perform ; ana a deep , sense of the importance of that mission bids us be up and doing , in the full confidence that the thinking and the energetic—the able and earnest friends of Democratic and Social Reform , will give us their fraternal co-operation . ( Signed by the Committee ) John Mara William Shuts 3 ^ &i ? y « "P fo ^^
, , Edwin Giu , j onN Aunott , Edwabd Petfie , Alexaneer Perct , Heesrt Ross , Cliairman . James Grssby , Treasurer . t a ^ l , _ ™ Julian Harxet , Secretary . London , October 26 , 1849 . fS- The existing Committee is acting only provisionally . It is intended to hold a members' meeting in the farst week in January , 1850 , for the election of the regular Committee for twelve months .
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PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM . MEETING AT BRIGIIT 0 U . On Monday evening a crowded public meeting was held in the Town Hall , Brighton , for the purpose ot forming m that town a branch , of the National Parliamentary aud Financial Reform Association , and of receiving a deputation from the parent society . On the motion of Mr . John Qood , Colone Robberts was called to the chair . The Chairman , in opening the proceedings , said the revenue her Majesty ' s ministers had to nlay
with amounting to 54 millions per annum , out of which the industrious classes of society paid Si millions . He asked if that was a fait proportion between the people and the aristocracy ? lie was not for running down the aristocracy , because ho was fully persuadedl that in that class there wero many honourable , minds . ( Hear Hear . ) As union wa » strength , he trusted that the industrious classes of ' socity would join the middle classes , ami that they would thereby obtain a reduction of taxation . If they were not banded together , they would obtain nothing , but he trusted that they would go hand in hand .
Letters were then read from Capt . Pechell , M . P ., Mr . Cobden , M . P ., Mr Josebh Hume , M . P ., Mr . J . V . Shelley , who had all been invited , excusin g their attendance at the meeting . ° W . Conikgham . Esq ., moved , and Mr . Giles secconded , the followiug resolution . — " That whilst this meeting is convinced that a great reduction of the national expenditure and a . more equitable adjustment of taxation are imperatively necessary and almost universally demanded , it cannot see any reasonable hope of permanently securing those important objects until such a measure of electorial reform has been obtained as shall give the people ft direct control of the iases -which they are required to pay ; that an association be formed in
Brighton in connexion with the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , and that this meeting will give to suc h association its hearty co-operation , " C . Wordsworth , Esq ., one of a deputation from London , stated the object of the association , lie said , it was formerly the law of the land that parliaments should be triennial . There was an act passed to that effect in 1641 , which was repealed in 1661 , and re-enacted in 1694 , and repealed again in 1715 . This was one of the points they were contending for . Were they asking for anything which was unconstitutional ? They were not asking for anything which was novel , but for something which had been known tt ihe country and acted upon . He contended that the parliament of 1715 , which
repealed the triennial act , and passed a bill pro . longing its own existance to seven years , violated the constitution ; and he referred to Smith ' s lectures on history , and to Hatfam , who both stated . that ministers were afraid at that time to dissolve parliament , lest the constituencies should elect a new House of Commons , who were favourable to the return of the Stuarts . In 1734 they tried to get back to triennial parliaments , but the motion was lost by 247- to 184 . When Mr . Hume brought forward his motion it was supported bv only 84 members , 130 less that in 1734 , showing that we were not advancing in legislation , but wero going back . ' The speaker then ably descanted on the other" points , " and concluded by an appeal to the meeting to support the association by spreading its principles , and contributing to its funds .
W : A . Wilkikson , Esq . next addressed the meeting . The working classes , he said , had the best of this bargain ; there was concession on both sides , but the working classes would benefit largely , inasmuch as they were to be enfranchised to the extent of four-fifths of ; their number , whereas the middle classes generally had the"franchise" already , though such was the anomaly of the system , that there were some men of property who did not occupy houses who had no vote . The word revolution had been mentioned . What they wore seeking was a revolution in one sense , because they knew that in this country the whole power was now vested in the lords , instead of the three estates ; whereas the association sought to secure to the people a due
share of power . That was a revolution certainly , but not in the general sense of the word . What they really wanted was a restoration . And now he would say a word to the gentlemen in broadcloth . They sought relief from unequal taxation as the working classes did ; and they soucht more than that , they sought security for that which they had . Now he wanted these gentlemen fully to understand that they must not fold their arms and sit down content with things as they are , simply because they were not bow much pressed , for there was now no safety , no comfort for them , unless the working classes were comfortable likewise . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Linstock inquired whether it was intended to do away with the rate-paying clauses ?
Mr . WiLKmox . —The voter will be in a position in which he can claim to be rated , but the payment of the rate is not to be necessary for his vote . Mr . Comngham briefly replied , and the motion was then put and carried unanimously . Mr . J . G . Bass moved the second resolution : — " That this meeting rejoices in the hope that a hearty union between the miadlo and working classes has at length been attained , and strongly urges all those who complain of any grievance to cocentrate all their energies to procure such a reform in the Commons House of Parliament , as shall render full and impartial justice to all classes of her Majesty ' s subjects . " He did think that at a time like the present , when they saw throughout the
country an increase of pauperism , and an increase in thenavy and army expenditure , it . was time for all persons to come forward and support their political principles . When they saw that . in Ireland there had been pauperism to an extent never known in this island , when the legislature had been tampering with law upon law regarding the poor of that country , it was a proof that the legislature was inadequate to the task ; and when they looked at the composition of the legislature they need not bo surprised at it . When they considered that the country was governed by a house of peers , with a bench of bishops , that the House of Commons was mainly composed of sons of peers , of gentlemen in the army and navy , and officers of governmentand that
, the squirearchy in the House of Commons ; yere nominees of the aristocracy , how could they be surprised that the sympathies of those gentlemen went with the aristocracy of Ireland , and not with the poor of that country ? He was in Ireland last qummer , and he saw land that had been in cultivation a short . time before , lying idle , and at the same the union houses were full . Men , women , and children , were there doing nothing ; there was not so much as education going on . The men ha saw took out for a walk , and the land was lying [ idle . And . why ? Because there was no security . They knew if they grew anything , the agent or the
taxgatherer would come to seize it . But he found , on inquiry , there was an increase in cattle for dairy purposes . He was struck with that , and inquired the reason , and was told that it was because they could drive cattle away when they saw the agent or the tax -gatherer coming , but growing crops they could not remove . And all this was going on in a country which had 48 , 000 soldiers to keep them quiet and police barracks at every turn of the road , not such police stations as there are in England , but more like soldiers barracks than anything else . They were told that tho Irish were disloyal and disaffected to this country , but only give them fair play , and they would find the Irish as loyal as tho English or Scotch . ( Hear . )
Mr . Feakgus O'Connor was next introduced to the meeting , and was received with cheers , which lasted for several minutes . He wished , with all his soul , this was an ordination ( laughter)—and that the chairman would ordain him to solemnise the marriage between the Middle and the Working Classes , aud in truth , as they had art union of church and State , of Church and Army—tho Duke of York having been Bishop of Osnaburgh and Commander-in-Chief of the Forces at the same time—he did not see why the chairman , being a colonel , should not be a bishop on the present occasion . ( Laughter . ) However , he assured them that nothing ever gave him greater delight than the union he saw now taking place between the working and middle classes . He / was not going back to the year 1715 or 1734 , but he was going to bring their minds to dwell on the age of reason , when the
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elocmc telegraph , the prniting press , the penny postage , steam navigation , railway travelling , and all tho se great powers which had so developed the mind of man , had entitled them to their fair share in the government of the country . But if he was compelled to go back to those barbarous ages , let him remind thes hon . and learned gentleman who first addressed them , and repudiated the People ' s Charter , let him remind him that the relapse was not from triennial to septennial parliaments , but from annual to septennial parliaments . He wished the gentlemen advocating
larhamentary Reform , and anxious to establish a . union between the veritable middle and working classes , would abstain from casting any disrepute upon the Chartists and their P t nn < ; i ' He desired this because , while he stood there as the advocate of the union , he would not tamely submit to any insult attempted to be cast upon the principle or its advocates . ( Cheers . ) Was that gentleman a ware , that five of our pointsnamely , annual parliaments , universal suffrage , equal electoral districts , no property qualification , and payment of memlierR
every pomt , , vith the single exception of the ballot-once constituted the basis of the English constitution ? ( Cheers . ) Andlethim ask , it the improved mind of this enlightened age was not more capable of exercising those privileges than the barbarous mind cf by-gone times . ( Loud cheers . ) Yes : and it was the improvement of that mind , and not their ignorance they dreaded , as the ignorance of le is
a peop the tyrant ' s best title to power . ( Cheers . ) Well , they cheered that , whilethey had most significantly exposed their own ignorance that night , andhewould ' sbow them how . They listened attentively to the gentlemen strangers , who addressed | hem , while they treated an eloquent man of their own order with . levity and insult . ( Cheers and cries of " Shame- " ) Ay , it was a shame , and upon this repugnance to their own order their
enemies based their power . If a buffoon came amongst them in his gilded coach and four , accompanied by his gingerbread flunkies—one to put him in , and the other to take him out of his carriage—they would cheer him to the echo , although he had neither brains nor knowledge ; while if a poor man , one of your order , robed in honesty and full of knowledge , came amongst you as his opponent , you would scout him . ( Hear , hear , and "It ' strue . " ) The middle classes said they had been overpowered by "the feudal system , and that to
break the present system of legislation down , they required the assistance of the working classes . They tried b y the Reform Bill to break it down themselves '; they failed , and now they opened their arms and were ready to call the working classes to help them . They struggled for the Reform Bill ; they got it , and how did they like it ? The Catholics struggled for Emancipation , and they got it ; but still the long spire of the church showed the ascendancy of the Protestant . The middle classes struggled for Free Trade , and were going to parliament for a reduction of
taxation ; buftnat was not the principle on which he asked them to join the Asosciation—but why he joined it was because they adopted tho legitimate ineans to the end , viz .: parliamentary reform , as the means , and universal ( and not mere class ) reduction of taxation , as the result . ( Cheers . ) Now the second gentleman had stated that the middlo classes could . do without their co-opertition , while they could not do without the middle-class co-operation ; and as it was . necessary that all parties should have a thorough understanding , and as he was not going to allow this movement to be based upon the kind condescension of the middle classes , let him assure that gentleman , that the working classes were perfectly aware that the middle
classes would not seek their co-operation , if they could do without them —( loud cheers ) ;—and while neither vanity nor ambition should induce him to throw any—the slightest obstacle in the way of this union , he would not allow tho middle-class party to base their policy upon humanity . or . philanthropy , but upon self-interest . . ( Cheers . ) . ;' And for this ho did not blame them , as self-interest was the basis of human action , and now the veritable middle classes had discovered , that their interest and that of the working classes were identical and inseparable . They had heard great ministerial boastings of the good that had been effected by the Reform Bill ; but he had been a member of that reformed House in the
years 1833 , 1834 , and 1835 , 1847 , 1848 , and 1849 , and from such Reform , " Good Lord , deliver him . ' ( Cheers and laughter . ) He would now critically develope the evils of the present system , and would show to the landlords , who were calling out for a reduction of taxation , the only means by which their object could be attained , and the only means by which they could preserve their property from the sharks . Let him state that he had a great advantage over all other speakers in this
movement . It was this ; that whereas other gentlemen could not repeat their speeches , as they were fully reported , he might make the same speech upon every platform , as he was never reported . ( Hear , hear , and "It ' strue . " ) Nowitwould be impossible forthe leaders of this movement to develope any principle or express any sound opinion with regard to politics , that the working classes were not perfectly familiar with ; and , therefore , his opinions * and sentiments were delivered rather with a view to
enlighten their new allies , than to confer information upon the Chartists . ( Cheers . ) "We still lived under , and were governed by , the feudal system . The landlords , as the working classes were aware , had ever measured their property by the standard of patronage , and not by its food-producing value . The middlo classes tolerated this ascendancy go long as the industrious classes were capable of y ielding sufficient to ¦ maintain both . ( Loud
cheers ;) Taxation and misrule , however , had grown to such an enormous size , and thelandlords still possessed such an unjust monopoly of power , that the middle classes could see no means of salvation , save through a reduction of taxation ; and tho working classes could discover no means of achieving any reduction that would confer the slightest banefit upon them , except Parliamentary Reform . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The feudal lords are
increasing in power , as the result of the Heading and West Surre y election irrefutably demonstrates —( hear , hear ) — and all classes are aware of the fact , that if we had an election to-morrow , the feudal lords would have the majority , and would throw the country into revolution to uphold their own power . ( Cheers . ) That is , they would throw the country into revolution if the people now wero not too wi se to be caught in the old trap . ( Cheers . ) Well then , how are they to right the Ship ? thus : —instead of measuring the value of their land b y patronage , they must
measure it by state necessity—( cheers )—they must bring it into the retail market , and then tne estate now worth 10 , 000 / . a year in rent , and 5 , 000 / . insecurely in patronage , will be worth 15 , 000 ? . a year , when applied to its rational , its legitimate , and national purposes . ( Loud cheering . ) That was his ultimate hope from the destn ction of the feudal systemthat system had governed the country for generations , until , as Lord Brougham said , the necessity to uphold it had bound us over in eight hundred millions to preserve the peace .
That was the view he took of the feudal system ; and now ho would show the fallacy of middle class hope , and all former middle class agitation . The interest of the shopkeeper , and of those who made profits of the industry of the well-paid labourer , were never identical with tho interest of those whose profits exclusively resulted from the reduction of the wages of the labourer . ( Loud cheers . ) Their union was based upon their justifiable hostility to the feudal system ; they were organised politically as a class and
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Called Liberals , while socially theii' interests were wholl y different ; and the object of Chartism , and the result of Chartism , would be to represent tho interests of all , and to make the rich richer and tho poor rich , by a proper developement of their national resources . ( Cheers . ) Suppose that the wealth of this country now amounts to four hundred millions per annum , and if tho employers of labour can grasp the lion ' s share of profits , they would prefer that limited amount of production to three thousand millions a year , if the veritable producers were entitled , by fair representation , to have a fair . share of the profits . ( Loud cheers . ) He had shown how
an evil system had for centuries preserved the monopoly of power ; and as it was indispensable that they should bo thoroughly acquainted with the Labour question , let him now show them the power of the money-lords , and the evil to all classes arising from that active power . In the good old times , the father worked at his loom , the mother at her spindle , aud the children at some easy occupation ; in those days master and man -were co-partners ; the veritable value of capital anil labour was stamped upon the fabric ; the master was as dependant upon the labourer as the labourer was upon tho master , and if he required a little additional labour to complete an order in time , ho went to the cottage , and not to
the cell of the labourer . He went as an interested partner , not as a domineering tyrant , he went , perhaps on Wednesday or Thursday , and said : " Well , Will , lad , we must have the work in Tuesday , and hero ' s five or ten shillings for thee , to get up a bit earlier , and work a bit later . " ( Great cheering . ) Well , machinery came upon us with a hop , step , and jump ; there was no law to control its power , until its owners became sufficiently power ^ V to resist the law ; living man became triiiiit ^ vy to inanimate machinery ; instead of being tho co-partner of the master ho became his serf bound slave ; instead of the morning invitation to accept more for working , he was obliged to obey the summons of the dtead Curfew . lie was supplanted by feeble
woman , whose legitimate occupation , was the caro of the household ; she was compelled to listen anxiously and wakefully for the sound ' of the Curfew ; she was obliged to drag the suckingbabefrom tho mother ' s breast , to hand it over to the tender mercies of one who had no maternal feeling , to one who had no interest in the training , the bringing up , or the educatjng the child ; and now the power of the small tyrannical minority which has upheld that system , would basethat power upon the ignorance of a people , brought up as he had described . ( Loud continued cheering . ) Well , if the landlord could increase tho value of his land fifty per cent , by political patronage , see what the money-lord- can do . If he employes a thousand hands , and in consequence of
competition created by the land being locked up—( cheers)—if he reduces tho wages of his hands by 2 s . a week , two thousand shillings is £ 100 , and thus ho makes a profit of £ 5 , 200 a year . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Well , as with the landlord so with his class ; a miserable attempt was made to destroy the effect of this injurious competition by the enactment of the Ten Hours Bill ; but the local power of the money-lord is as great as the political power of the feudal lord , he defies the law , and violates the statute ; thus showing you that under the present system there is the spirit of the law for the rich , and no law for the poor , that there is more danger to the peasant who shoots the squire's hare , than to the squire that shoots the peasant ' s head . ( "It ' s
true , " and cheering . ) Murder is repudiated , and God knew that no man repudiated murder ov any description of cruelty more than he did . The father , driven to insanity by poverty , murders n darling child , and is he to be blamed ? ( Here a very officious Quaker who did not appear at all pleased with Mr . O'Connor's appearance upon the platform , shouted out "Oh , oh ! " in a verj significant manner . ) Mr . O' Connor turning round to him said Who says " Oh , oh V who is the murderer ? the system , or the fond father who rises from his loathsome bed of straw , strong , able , and willing to work , but by tho system not able to procure work , while God ' s gift—the land—which is his birthright , is withheld from him . ( Cheers . ) Now would tho gentleman re-echo his "Oh , oh ? " ( Laughter . ) ^ o ; let him apply to his own class , if he is a Brighton shopkeeper . ( Laughter . ) Let him reflect upon the different profit that he would derive from the cultivation of the land under his nose . ( Cheers )
Let him calculate tho difference between the profit of a well-paid customer , and the profit of maintaining that customer in the workhouse . ( Loud cheers . ) What description of trade in Brighton that would not benefit by receiving their corn , and every other article of consumption produced under their very noses , as compared with the cost of importing it from other countries ? ( Cheers . ) Why the very fishermen would be large gainers by this change , as the cultivators of one element would be better customers for the produce of another element , both of which were given to man by'God . ' " In the upper room he heardthe piper or the fiddler , and tho ladies and idle gentlemen , dancing upon the light fantastic toe . ± ? ow what enabled them thus to
luxuriate ? Was it their industry ? far from it ; their silk stockings , theii' dancing shoes , their dresses were all produced by labour . [ Again the Quaker interposed his " Oh ! oh ! " ] Mr . O'Connor continued : Why , did they make them themselves ? ( Great laughter . ) And would not they be all naked but for the labourer ? ( Renewed laughter . ) Nay , more than that , if it was not for the labour of others should they not starve , unless like Nebuchadnezzar the King of the Jews , they could live upon grass , and then the country would soon be overstocked . ( Cheers and laughter . ) This Brighton presented a very curious illustration . He once was put in nomination for . their borough , in opposition to the most eloquent man in the House of Commons-Lord Alfred Hervey . ( Great laughter . ) Why did thev laugh ? He repeated it ; because he never
heard him utter a sentence that was not replete with argument , and shrouded in eloquence . ( Renewed laughter , and shouts of " He never spoke it all . " ) Well then , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) never heard him deliver a bad speech . ( Renewed laughter . ) Now , was he not a " nincompoop" to represent Brighton ? ( Cheers and " Ay . " ) Well , tliere were many more there tban would constitute a majority of the Brighton constituency , and would one of them vote for him . ( Shouts of "No , not one . " ) Well then , did not that explain the system ? Upon the day of nomination , not an elector may bo present , upon the day of polling , not a non-elector can be present—that is—to give a vote . He did once hear Lord Alfred Hervey make a speech , it was his hustings oration . His exordium and peroration were electrifying , and were enthusiastically cheered ; his exordium—as you recollect—was a blow of his nose in a little white cambric
handkerchief ; and his peroration was the squeeze of an orange with his little finger , held up as a token ot his aristocratic bearing , and fitness as a representative . ( Tremendous cheeringand laughter . ) There was by him , upon the platform , a veteran reformer , who had long contended in Westminster against the feudal system—he alluded to Mr . Prout— ( cheers )—that gentleman , he believed , was perfectly cognizant of all political matters ; and if he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was wrong , Mr . Prout would correct . him . He believed that the veritable number that would be enfranchised by the proposed Parliamentary Reform Scheme , would-be about three million , which in addition to about one million already possessing the franchise , would give them about four million
voters ; and , without exaggeration , he behoved that the number that would bo pntitled to the vote , by simple and unadorned Chartism , would be about five millions and a half . . If , then ' . ' -the four millions had the vote , and if ; it was possible for them to tolerate the enactment of laws to oppress'the remaining million and a half ,: their newly ' enfranchised brethren would have greater power than they have now , and would very speedily co-operate with them for the whole Charter , as injustice could not be done to the million and a half unenfranchised without equally affecting the newly enfranchised , of their own order . ( Loud cheers . ) Let them look to the barbarous atrocities of the bloody northern bear . ( Tremendous shouts of
execration . ) Let them look to tne overthrow of the Roman Ropublic by the Special Constable President of Prance . ( Hisses . ) Let them look to the butcheries of the beast Haynau , and then let them teach their new allies that it was the want of that knowledge which the English people so pre-eminently possess that led to those melancholy results abroad . And let them convince them that they are now thoroughly acquainted with the value of moral power—too much so to bo led-astray by any Whig , Tory , or Protectionist Will-o-the-wisp—that they now understand that what is to be done for the people must be done by the people—( cheers)—that they can estimate the difference between promises and mere transitory concessions , extracted by physical force , and sound and permanent changes based upon moral power . ( Loud cheers . ) War was to
trade what the hotbed was to the plant—it forced it but strengtlrned it not in its growth , while peace was as the-pure air of heaven , that forced it not , but strengthened it till it arrived at a wholesome maturi&y . ( Renewed cheers . ) That was his reason for offering his determined resistance to poor gentlemen who were too proud to work , and too poor to live without labour , who roused them to madness and then consigned them to their fate , when the bubble burst . ( Cheers . ) Let him illustrate the present state of sooiety , so that their order may bt made thoroughly acquainted with the relative position of classes . There was a street , or a magnificent square—open , clean , and healthy . Here lived a bishop—here a parson—there a barrister—there . 1 lawyer—there a stockbroker—here a general , an admiral , a banker , a merchant , a poor law commissioner ,-a magistrate , a government official—and God
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uioms knew i , ow many more idlers : and cliero , m theunheaUb y slums , and in rural hovels , lived tho agricultural serf , and the mechanical slave , upon whose industry all revelled in luxury ; while uo ' such class would be required if nature ' s gifts were legitimately enjoyed by nature ' s children . ( Loud cheers . ) In passing , he might be permitted to state a fact which led to the conclusion , that the " little lord ' would be prepared to make great changes ill thO ensiling session . The Secretary of the Greenwich Reform Association wrote to Admiral Dundas—their member—inviting him to attend the meeting . lie apologised for his inability to attend , at the same time assuring the secretary that , in the approachiug session , frightful reductions would be
made both m army and navy , and a large extension of the suffrage would bo conceded . ( Cheers . ) And \ & , although Admiral Dundas was not a cabinet minister , yet he was a government official in high trust , and they might rest assured that ho would not have stnted the fact without authority to do so . The government will sec how they can tickle public opim on by feeding class upon class ; but tho moss furnished from labour w ; xs now too small to satisfy the cravings of any one class ; and while upon this branch of tho subject , he would define ministerial theory , as compared with ministerial practice . The free trade government admitted the justice of the tenant ' s demanding a reduction in their rent , arid justified the tenant ' s reduction of the labourer ' s
wages . Now , that was practice as regarded landlord and tenant ; but lot them mark the contrast when applied to their ov * n salaries . If free trade tended to reduce the price of produce so as to compel the landlords to reduce rents , and the farmers to reduce wages : and as wheat gave the standard value for gold , and everything else , was it not reasonable to call upon government officials to reduce their salaries ? Well , the attempt was made , and the noble lord and his associatas cried , "No ; this cannot be done . We do not care for ourselves , but it would be derogatory to the dignity of the Crowu . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) As regarded this movement he would not only not offer it any opposition , but would
give it his cordial support . He did so from pnnciplo , and also from a conviction that a cooperation and union between his own country andEngland was the only ineans of effecting good for impoverished , oppressed , and famisbed Ireland . ( Loud cheers . ) Ho begged their pardon , he forgot that ho was an Essex man —( load laughter)—and he assured them that he would sooner be an Essex calf than one of the generation of Irish slaves created by John Council ' s father . ( Loud cheers . ) They were aware that ho attended those meetings with tha view of keeping their newly adopted brethren in tha straight course . ( Cheers . ) He knew that they would much rather be without him ; but , however , as a thorough understanding could be the only true
oasis ot a veritable union , he begged , in some degree , to modify the proposition of Mr . Wilkinson , as regarded , his invitation to the working classes to subscribe their funds to carry out their object . He too , said , subscribe your funds , but pay them to your own treasurers , in your own localities —( cheers ) —and apply thorn economically in support of the present movement . ( Cheers . ) He had alwaj s been tor local government , and he thought that would be the most discreet and profitable mode of applying their funds , while from it their new associates would derive the greatest amount of benefit , and the people would know how their own monies was expended . ( Cheers . ) For himself he would cheerfully give his unpaid services to the
cause , as m his soul he believed its propounders were zoalous , honest , and sincere in its promotion . ( Cheers . ) Let them no longer be led away by clap trap sights , and raree-shows . Her Gracious Majesty went to Ireland to destroy the potato blight , and produce a brotherly feeling amongst her subjects . She left ; and as if to deny her providential power , the potato blight followed in her track , and the feuds and dissensions have multiplied a thousand fold . She was to have opened a coal hole in London to-morrow , but as if by magic she , too , unfortunately , has been struck with some kind of blight—the chicken pox , the cow pox , or some other disorder- and Prince Albert , and the Royal babes , are to go alone ; and so great will be the pressure of the gaping multitude that I and otlinrs will ho
obliged to go a considerable distance round . is London Bridge will bo occupied with canine gawkies . ( Laughter . ) Now he had only another word to offer , and it was this—one of the newspapers represented him as the self elected " father of Chartism , " and as he did not' wish them to be considered his illegitimate children , he would ask all , in the presence of the Right Rev . Bishop in the chair , who acknowledged him as their father , to hold up their hands . ( Here every hand was held up amid loud and long continued cheering . ) Now then , said ( Mr . O' Connor , ) as you acknowledge me to be your father , I pledge myself to my children , that they shall never be juggled ; and I pledge myself to their " now allies , that while-1 will not directly or indirectly offer anv dnnositinn .
but , on the contrary , heartily and energetically support their movement , I would rather die ' upon the platform than abandon one particle of the '' principles of tho People's Charter , the only stable foundation of the people ' s rights . [ Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid loud and long continued cheering . ! ¦ Mr . Pkout , who was received with cheers , said he was deputed , along with his friend Mr . Wordsworth , by the association to attend this meeting , and he was bound in candour aud honesty to combat somb of the propositions which had been kid down by the last speaker . Mr . O'Connor had said it was the middle classes who carried the Reform Bill , but that was not so . The middle and the working classes , and a large section of the aristocracy
combined to carry it , and it was by their co-operation it was carried . That bill was a stepping-stone to a better bill , and they had found it had not worked as they expected . With regard to universal suffrage , they had it in France , but that had not enabled tiie French nation to prevent their government from putting down a sister republic . If the French government had sent 50 , 000 men into Italy last year , when Piedmont was struggling , or 100 , 000 this year to the banks of the Rhine , when Hungary was struggling , Italy would not have been overrun by Austrian troops , nor would Hungary have had to succumb , and the brutal Haynau would have had no opportunity to perpetrate his brutalities . He was not objecting to universal suffracre . but the
conduct of the French government showed that universal suffrage had not induced it to adopt a course to secure the liberty of Other nations . Mr . 1 rout then stated the principles on which the association was formed . He wanted to know whether they would , as practical men , assist in this movement . ( "Yes . " ) If not they would have assembled there as mere talkers ; but , if they would assist in their emancipation , then ' they would be worthy of the name of freemen . ( Cheers . ) The rules were submitted to the meeting and approved of , and a committee of twenty-one appointed , after which a vote of thanks was given to the chairman , and the meeting separated at halfpast eleven o ' clock , having lasted more than lour hours .
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THE LIBERATIONS FROM KIRKDALE . TO THE EDITOR OP THE SOUTHERN STAU . Sm—In looking over your letter in this day ' s Star , I find you again refer to the liberation of the Kirkdale Chartists , and express your surprise that none of us sent you any communication on the subject . I admit , Sir , that to you it may be a matter of astonishment that you had no word from us . I should have written to announce my discharge from prison , if I had thought that any one cared to know anything about it further than a few private friends , to whom I should have written privately . But as you seem to think that the names of the persons liberated , and the circumstances under which their liberation took place , should bo made known , I will here explain all I know about it , Nvluchwny Bttie . YouSirwillno doubt
, , , , remenv uor , that some of the Chartists recently confined in lurkdale Gaol , represented to Sir George Grey that the cholera was spreading rapidly in that gaol , in consequence of which they desired to be set at liberty . We received from the Governor an answer to that request , signed by a Mr . Waddington , stating that Sir George . Grey saw no reasoa why we should be discharged . This occurred in September , ? i ™? u Vd no more of tUc ma « ev until October the 12 th , when tho Clerk of the gaol ( the Governor being absent ) entered our day-room , and asked Oeorgo White and myself if our bail was ready We answered that all was ri ght . He then said that we , m company with others , must go to tho Courthouse with him , for the purpose of tendering our own personal bail . This we did , and in the course ot twenty minutes after we were first informnd of
tae subject , White , and myself were in tho street , onco more free . But as John West was still in limbo , we proceeded to our friend Mr . Farrol , and by his aid we soon had two gentlemen who were ready to enter bail for West up at the prison . Their work being soon done , . he too was liberated . We had to enter into our recognizance of £ 100 and two sureties of £ 25 each , to be of gtiod behaviour * and to keep the peace for two years . This , Sir , is all that any of us know of the circum tances of our liberation . With myself White > and West , nine others were also iberatd , viz . :-Mr . Cuddy , of Liverpool : Mr . Wmterbottom , ofAshton ; Mr . Donny , Mr . Flinn , SnfP D ?; fl ? ( M 00 ney ' **• Birch > who were sentenced to fifteen months at the August Assizes , and would , consequently , have about three weal ™ to
8 u rVe / a . Wmte ™» ttom had still Jess , and Cuddy about the same time ; so that government are but t j" ? . * ty any who have been set at liberty . la addition to those , there were two other j—Ran-Kin and Clark Cropper—with those the whplftXBmr TJY ? T £ ber liberated from Kirkdale amount to ^ WteMP » v ^ ** I cannot give you any information conc . erj&rf 56 y ¦ 7 ?\ \ of the other prisoners . ' ; '\> : $ &- . \ ' ^ vaA Iam , Sfr , yoantoaIyfe , V ^ K- ^; v ^^ TM "'^ ttgflS Xs&MM tsyjH
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tafnJi ^"""" te e . deposed that he main-^ ssss-sasrssiA ' ^ ar asss&sr ^ jgs sa fttlll S 5 iKKrtfS ? acrc ' v Increaspd tn J& ;„ *» -1 W *> his gross produce 52 ^ S * ™ £ > , owin S to the introWion fivett , ^ . SmSS ' Wbch Le Lad been aWe to cut SZnv , ° * 7 ^ We « " « ou > - Phonal SESU * - * u , euotmo 11 sly Productive chalaeter of this invaluable crop for stock . and ^ Y *!? I repor ab 0 UDda with valuable facts ana practical information astothe PAtatinn nfwnn .. kbds to of r ** , 4 s 3 d or £ a the iSTcoSSLlnwS SJlHl ^
SSTfi" *^ SWM « £ i ma ! nagement , &c ., which we can only mention here . Mr Browne , the Inspector of the Northern Dis-Sa «? f c , P ¥ tic and pointed in his recommendation of industrial training , and especially the odtivation of land by the elder boys ^ which he conadm "peculiarly desirable " -inasmuch as it di-™™» the expenses , saves the manure that would J "P *™ . wasted , furnishes a healthful and TSSS fiWi anddoes not interfereprejudilSr ? J S ?? market ' » wWch ^ auction THrfSr , ? ^ r * £ - Bsows = speaks highly of the Krkdale and Lecdsnew indus&sckooVas show-Jg tta ^ advantages ofanewand superior method of tteatmg pauper children . Th « £ ™ + Af 11 .
, biMosDs for Wales and the Western District of in land is rich m materials of a similar descripe' Jut for tUe Present we must pause . Sufficient has been done in the present article , to Fovethat in the highest quarters the theoretical speculations of Malthusiaa philosophers and onesided political economists , arelosingtheir influence . The Btern facts of every day life arl more powerful man theories , however ingeniously manufactured , ^ Lj OWe / er Tch tokteredup by great names ! ifOOd and work are two great primary requisites ¦ which the Government begin to feel the people must iiam Instead of looking to new Mauchesters and tresh . foreign , markets to supply ' these indispensable requirements , it is being made evident to them and
10 tne country , that in the soil of our native land , and the arms of our own people , they possess the ineans of supplying both , with advantage to the individual and to the nation . . We willnottwitonr adversarieswith their former opposition , nor their tardy conversion . Neither snail we lndul gefln any complacent egotism or selfpraise for the share we have had in producing this change . It is sufficient to know that the wedge we tave been so long drivingat , has penetrated so far . rast success will only iuduce us to renewed efforts an order to drive it home ; England shall yet be covered with the habitations of a free , independent , educated , and prosperous people .
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[ revised ] OBJECTS AND RULES Of the Association of ¦ FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS . " Equality—Liberty—Fraternity . " OBJECTS . This Association is established to promote : — The Fraternity of Nations , and , especially , the brotherly union of the Proletarians of all countries . The abolition of the Penny Stamp , and all other fiscal and oppressive restrictions on the Freedom of the Press . The political emancipation of the Working Classes of this country by the legislative establishment of the principles of the People ' s Charter . The diffusion of sound knowledge on Political and Social questions , by means of the distribution of tracts , addresses in the public journals , lectures , public meetings , &c ., with the view of preparing the proletarian classes for theachievmentof their deliverance from the oppression of irresponsible Capital , and usurping Feudalism .
Rules . 1 . —All who desire the progress of Democratic and Social Reform , wherever residing , may become members of this Association by contributing to the General Fund a sum of at least Ose Shilling anwally ; to be paid in advance . 2 . —In addition to the General Fund there shall be established a Fraternal Fdsd . to le solely applied to the aiding of Brethren ( British and Continental ) suffering from persecution . To this Fund the members of the Association shall be invited to contribute according to their means .
3 . —The Association shall be conducted by a committee of nine member . ' ., including treasurer and secretary , elected annually . An annual statement of the receipts and disbursements of the General and Fraternal Funds shall be laid before the members .
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LETTERS . TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXV . " Words are things , and a small drop of ink Falling—like dew—upon a thought , produces That which makes thousands , perhaps millions , Ihmk . " BEBflX .
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EXECUTIVE FUND . Receirea by W . itiDEB . —Flax-dressers , Landernean , Finisterre , France , per D . Reid , 5 s . ; Prestonholme , per 3 > . IUaa , 3 s . ; Xottfnghara , per J . Sweet , 3 s . IteceiTed IIJS . K . TBD—5 s . 4 d . DEBT OU £ TO THE PRINTER . Beceiveaiiy W . Kideb . — JJottingham , per J . Sweet , Is . Id . Received at Land Office . —I ) . W . Rufiey , 2 s . — Received by S . Ktdd . —Sheffield . F . L ., Is . —Received bv a Boo-VHAJt—F . L , Sheffield , Is . FOR THE AGITATION OF THE CHARTER . Received bj W . RiPEi-Tonnj Chartist ? , Walsall , per 3 . Brians , 5 s . ; Biistol , per C . Clark , 3 s . 9 i ; Greenwich , . perJ . Bligh . ls . 6 d . FOR WIEOiVS OF THE LATE MESSRS . WILLIAMS
AND SHAF . P . Received by W . Rioee . —Afewyoung Tailors , Worcester , per J . Hardirg , 3 s . ; Xottingham , per J . Sweet , Is . 2 d . TO EXEMPT PRISONER'S FROM OAKUM PICKING . Received by Vf . Rideh . —J . Scott , Lynn , Is . ; Bacup , per J . \ rason , Ss . ; J . Rowland , Tlirapstone , Is . ; Halifax , ( to exempt E . Jones ) , per J . Culpan , . £ 1 . FOR WIVES AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS . * Received by W . lba—Landernean , Finisterre , Flaxdressers , perl ) . Reid , 15 s . ; A few Friends , per J . Redrup . Is . Sd . ; Mrs . Ackerman , Queen-street , Solio , 6 d . ; Barnstaple , per R . Farleigh , Ss . ; York , collected by Georjre Walls and H . Roberts . £ 1 Cs . ; Stockport , perW . Benfold , 5 s . ; Congleton , per T . Pickford , £ 1 12 s . Id . ; Nottingham , per J . Sweet , 5 s . ; Reading , Queen ' s Arms , per W . Groves . 5 s . Received by S . Kydd . —Kotherham , 11 s .
VICTIM FUND . Received by S . Boosham . —Bridgewater , per Fink , Is : Rotherham , perMr . Eydd , lls . ; Mr . R . J . Bland , Is . Bermondsey , Is . ; ¦ Wes tminster , Mr . Barber , 6 d . ; llr . Wilks , 6 d . ; Mr . Rider , £ i ISs . 3 d . ; proceeds of Thomas Cooper's second oration , South London Ilall , 12 s . lOd .
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November 3 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR . glace —
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 3, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1546/page/5/
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