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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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= ¦ LETTERS . _ TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXXV , ii-ffords » re things , anda small drep of ink falling—like dew—upon a thought , produces ¦ jiat r fiich maits thousands , perhaps millions think . " BtxoK . THE MASK THROWS OFF—THE GAUNTLET 1 THROWS BOWS . TIIE HAYSAU OF CEYLON . SOCIAL PROGRESS—CO-OPERATION . EXCITED STATE OF PARIS . Brother Pboletaeiaxs , LETTERS . _ ...
Wherever two or three of you are gathered together in the name of Liberty , you will neg lect your duty if you fail to give a vote of thanks to Lord John Russell . It -was predicted by the political seers , that the present session would be the most important England has Been since the passing of the Befonn BilL Judging by the proceedings ¦ vrhich thus far have filled the pages of the
daily papers , the seers are very likely to win for themselves the title of false prophets . The contemptible " speech from the throne" followed by Lord John Russell's insulting declaration , leaves no longer room for doubt that the people have nothing to expect from the patriotism of the Government ; that if they really desire reform , they must stretch forth their hands and help themselves .
After the humbug-reports of the recess , and the humbug-doings on the first two nights of the Parliamentary session , it is impossible to be too thankful " for the bit of downri g ht speaking contained in the following sentences uttered by the Premies on Monday evening last : — The hon . member for JTontrose had addressed to the house « ome observations on the subject of the cntension of flie franchise . He would not enter * into the arguments , or "ivehU reasons at the present moment , hut IT WAS XOT TJ 1 E BTEXTIOX OF GOVERNMENT TO PROPOSE iLXT FILL FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE FRANCHISE IX EXGLAXD , DURIXG THE PRESENT YEAR . He hoped that some gentleman would bring the sribject under discBsaftn , ana he ( Lori J- RusseU ( should then be ready to maintain the opinions which he now held .
In my letter in the Star of January 12 th , I warned you against putting too much faith in the rnmour so craftily got up by the Weekly Chronicle , and so trickily endorsed by the Times . I reminded you of the salutary lesson conveyed in the old and admirable proverb : — " Blessed are those who expect nothing , for verily they shall not be disappointed . " The Weekly Chronicle—a ministerial journal—professed to have " great pleasure in leing enabled to announce , that among 3 t the earliest measures to be submitted to Parliament , would be bills to provide for an extension of the suffrage both in England and Ireland . " The Times commentinjr on this
announcement , observed , that " the ministerial measure would , most probably , be carried this session . " Simple minded persons could not have imagined that both journals were but making fools of the people ; yet that such was their work is now evident to all Europe . Lord Johs has thrown offthe mask , andthrowndown the gauntlet . He has declared that he does not intend to propose any extension of the franchise during the present year ; and he defies the cdvocates of Parliamentary Reform to discuss the question . If any gentleman "will bring the subject under discussion , his lordship will—maintain his own opinions . Thus ainch will he do fbr the people , bat the devil a bit more .
The cool and . haughty defiance , flung by Xiord Johx into the teeth of all Reformerssham and veritable—is-quite refreshing , and contrasts most favourably -with the hypocritical winnings of the Protectionists , and xhe false-hearted liberalism of "the Slanchester School . " As " a plain , bold-faced villain" is certainly preferable to a " Jeremy Diddler ; ' * so the \ ffi-g leader , declaring- that he will
make no concession , yield not one jet to the demands of the people , shines by comparison with the knaves who use words not to express but conceal their thoughts ; and who , whether they chatnpienise " Protection" " Free Trade" look upon the people only as forces to be used for their own selfish purposes—not as heirs of a common country , or human beings having the same rights to " life , liberty , and the pursuit of happiness , " as themselves .
If unshrinking insult , added to unmitigated wrong , be suScicnt to move the injured to action , then will the people take up the gauntlet thrown down by Lord Jonx Russell , and force him to euthis own words " during the present session . " But how accomplish a work so much needed ? The answer must be by a national union of the unrepresented classes , aided by those "who , though they possess the franchise , find themselves really unrepresented by the operation of the " Reform Bill . " Such a national union , however , will be impossible as long as one section of Reformers agitate for " The Charter , " another section for "the little Charter , " and a third section for "freehold franchise . " There can
Iw no real union without oneness of object , That oneness of object can only be accomplished by all but one section abandoning their pet schemes . Shall the Chartists abandon their Charter ? Xo ; for the Charter means justice to all , injustice to nouc . Rival schemes do not mean justice to all , and , therefore , do mean injustice to some ; and those , too , the mostunfortuuate , miserable , and oppressed ; those , indeed , who most need legislative representation , that they may thereby release themselves from the miseries of wages ( and no wages ) slavery ; , that , - as was happily observed by one of the speakers at the London Tavern , they may be enabled to protect themselves from the Protectionists , and free themselves from the Free Traders .
It is useless to tell those who "would not be represented under the "little Charter , " that they ought , nevertheless , to support that measure as an "instalment" Mr . Ross , at the meeting at John-street Institution , on Tuesday last , exploded that fallacy . "He had no objection to take un instalment ; but as the "little Charter" would not invest him with a vote , it would be no instalment to him . " Moreover , the Charter itself is bat an instalment of the people ' s claims ; it is , however , an instalment that would be shared by everybody , and give to the people without distinction , the means of Wresting further instalments from the privileged classes , until such time as the debt was discharged in full .
Iadmitthepossibility of the "Parliamentary Reformers * ' getting up the steam to a very considerable extent Those who command wealth , may command almost anythingunreflecting and excited multitudes included . But , all discourasing circumstances notwithstanding , the people have advanced from that which they were in the time of the Reform Bill . T / ten Hexey Hxjxt stood alone . JVcw fi Hunts " in every town , and "Village Hajip-2 > exs"' in every county , men who look npen the Charter as a necessary instalment to enable them to obtain veritable social reforms , are neither few nor impotent These men will work for a complete and conclusive measure of Parli amentary Reform , hut for no half-andfcalf measures .
I * he Parliamentary Reformers reflect . They may command a national organisation if they will ; but to do so they must enlarge their "little Charter , " so that it may include dl the unrepresented , and ensure the representation of all . Lord John Russell has defied them . They way answer his pany defiance oy the thunder-roar of the people ' s voice , "if the y will only awaken the energy and enthuof the masses , by raising the cry for " the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less than the Charter !"
Although I have given Lord Jonx Russell credit for his hold—perhaps I should say impudent—¦ declaration , that he means no Reform this year , I am sorry to add that , trae to Mb political nature as a Whig , " his Ijordshi p , " has / been shuffling , after a- most
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discreditable iaabion , in his relations with the committee appointed by Parliament to investigate the conduct of Lord Tokkington governor of Ceylon . The atrocious doings of that aristocrat must be yet fresh in everybody ' s recollection . Misgovernment , taxation , oppression , and insult , having driven the unhappy people into " riotjus excesses" — the outburst of disaffection was never formidable enough to earn the title of " revolt , " " rebellion , " or " insurrection . "—Lord Tokbikgton and his agents , resolved to " strike terror" to the hearts of dieorailitaRln £ .. > 1 i ; n » . : _ v : _ » " ,. " .. ' . ..
the suffering people ; committed acts of atrocity , which , as Mr . H . J . Baillie said last night in the House of Commons , were unparalleled by the cruelties even of that monster Hayjuu . Well , public opinion having demanded inquiry into these horrors , a committee was appointed last session to make the investigation . Lord John Russell promised the committee , that during the recess any witnesses , whose attendance in England the committee might deem necessary , should be summoned to this country ; whereupon the committee unanimously instructed their chairman , Air . Baillie , to communicate to the Secretary for the Colonies , the names of
the witnesses they required . "When , however , Mr . Baillie sent into Earl Grey , the names of seven -witnesses whose presence they desired , he refused to send for them , on the plea that the Committee had exceeded then * powers , in delegating to their Chairman the function of communicating to him the names of the necessary witnesses . Mr . Baillie then appealed to Lord John Russell , who expressed his concurrence with Earl ( xKEr . This was during the recess , and , of course , for the moment there could be no appeal from the Ministry to the Parliament . In the meantime , the Colonial Secretary took care to send for witnesses interested in
whitewashing Lord Torrington , whilst the persons who are prepared to prove that worthy ' s crimes are still in the island of Ceylon . You will read for yourselves , the debate in which this shuffling and disgraceful conduct of the "Whig Government was laid bare . An unscrupulous majority enabled Ministers to defeat two successive motions ; and the arrival of the hour of adjournment ( six o'clock on Wednesday evening ) put an end to the debate -without the motion of the Under
Colonial Secretary for the appointment of a Select Committee being decided on . There will , consequently , be another debate , and it is to be hoped that when that comes ofij the independent members will insist on a full discussion of the atrocities committed by Lord Torrington ' s Government—atrocities which should make every Englishman blush for the foul deeds done in England ' s name ; but done by those who have no legitimate right to represent the English people—those who , usurping power over their own countrymen , use that power to plunder and murder nations even at " the furthermost ends of the earth . "
The atrocities committed by the directions of Lord Toijiuxgiox , an'l by persons calling themselves officers and agents of " Her Bri-TA 5 SIC Majesty , " I will merely indicate , not examine in detail . Twenty-eight persons were shot , twenty-two banished , and sixty six imprisoned . The burning of villages , and wholesale confiscation of property , must be added to the list of these enormities . The poor wretches
who were condemned to death by courtsmartial , had for their judges three military officers , all of whom were ignorant of the native language . The persons condemned were at once led from the scene of their condemnation to the place appointed for their execution , and there shot as you would shoot mad dogs . Amongst the proclamations issued by the British was the following : —
Unless all those who hare help concealed the effects of Gobualle IIalle Juoiat . mata deliver over to me SHch property , or give informations about the same without delay , tven tsbsoss shall be killed , and their property confiscated . —( Signed ) ' A Watsgx , Captain Commanding . ' Did Hayuau ever indite a worse proclamation ! Deeds , too , were in accordance with these threats , as has been already shown ; but I must add one or two striking examples of Lord Tokuisgtoh ' s " vigour / ' In one of his despatches , he wrote to Earl Grey that he had caused " an influential priest to be shot in full robes . " It is true that subsequently ,
when he found that this atrocity—not only revolting to humanity , but also an outrage to the religious feelings of the people of Ceylon —was by no means generally approved of in England , " his Lordship " attempted to show that the priest was not influential , nor did he suffer in * ' full robes , " but merely in u yellow waist cloth . "Whatever his dress may have been , the wretched priest was shot . In the course of the riots which were made the pretext for these barbarities , it was given out that a " Pretender " to tbe monarchy of Ceylon was in the field , at the head of a body of " rebels . "
Although , dissiffeciion abounded , " rebels , " in the ordinary sense of that term , were somewhat difficult to find ; and there appears to have been at least equal difficulty in getting hold of the alleged " Pretender / ' But the humane British were no way particular ; if they failed to catch the right man , they contented themselves with shooting the wrong . Mr . Baillie stated that a person having been arrested , who was said to he the Peeiexder , was forthwith
condemned by court-martial , shot within half an hour , and his body hanged upon a tree . Nine days after that execution , Lord TojuunglONwrote to Earl Grey , saying that it was a mistake to have supposed tbat that man was the Pretender , he was only the Pretexder ' s brother . But , by another post , Lord Grey was informed that the victim was no more the Pretender ' s brother than he was the Pjretexder himself—he was only an " adherent . " In this manner a million and a half of
" British subjects' * are governed by Lord Toeeixgton . In the present state of things it is impossible for the friends of Justice to do more than expose the crimes of irresponsible rulers , and invoke against them the condemnation of public opinion . For the natives of the British Colonies and Dependencies there can be no hope that they will obtain redress of their manifold wrongs , while the British Parliament shall continue to be constituted
as at present . When the people of this country obtain power over the Legislature , their brethren beyond the seas will obtain justice . TJntil then , there is no hope for the people of Ceylon , or any other colony or dependency—unless , indeed , strong enough" to right themselves by hoisting the flag of independence , and repeating the glorious lesson given by Washington and Jeffersox—that Governments must exist for the good of peoples , not peoples to be the prey of their rulers . Turning from the contemplation of uvistocratical misgovernment and parliamentary juggling , to a more genial subject , I rejoice that
the working men are begining to make " social reform" a matter of more than mere words . Pagea upon pages of the Morning Chronicle have been devoted to revelations of the " sweating system , " and the other evils which combine to render the mass of operative tailors , a mest wretched and cruellvused body of workers . Meetings too have ' been holden , and from the lips of the victims themselves , statements have gone forth , elucidatory of wrongs and miseries awful to contemplate . A Government worthy of the name , would at once endeavour to grapple with these evils , and aid the victims to escape from them . But we have no such Government . The let-alone
principle is in the ascendant , and the Government exists merely to devour taxes , and to give aid to the powerful in keeping down the weak . Under these circumetances , it is cheering to observe that , instead of further yielding themselves to despair , a portion , at least , of the workers are anxious to do something for
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then ; own Bocial Balvation . A Tailors ' Co-operative Association has been , founded , and will almost immediately commence operations . It is pleasing to be ' able to add , that several men of property actuated by purely philanthropic motives , have given their aid to this good work . Owing to their assistance , the necessary capital is in hand , premises have been taken in Castle-street , Oxford-street , and under the management of Mr . Walter Cooper , the Association—modelled on the Parisian Operatives'Associations- ^ will almost immediately commence business . It is to be hoped that this attempt will not result in an addition to the list of failures which in ¦
many instances have attended the efforts of working-men to free themselves from the tyranny of mastership . With / rood management , patience , perseverance , and a fair share of public support , the scheme can hardly fail to succeed , and being successful , give birth to many more efforts of a like character . My principal purpose in calling attention to the Tailors' Co-oopevative Association , is to assist m stirring up the friends of progress in this metropolis to give the Association their support . All true Democrats , all earnest advocates of Social Progress , will support and encourage every attempt at Proletarian emancipation . While on this subject , I should not omit mention of the Boot and Shoe Makers , whose address appeared in last Saturday's Star . Driven by oppression to resist the injustice
ot their late taskmaster , they have commenced manufacturing ] on their own account . My metropolitan readers , who may not have observed the address of our friends , ¦ will do -well to turn to the , second page of last Saturday ' s Star . It is to be hoped that this Co-operative band will also succeed in obtaining public support . A question arises , whether it would not be wise for the Cordwainers as a trade to take up this question . Perhaps , if instead of leaving the work to a tew , they were to apply to it the energetic action of the trade at large , they might find parties to assist them in the same manner as the Tailors are being assisted . Successful associations of Tailors and Cordwainers would cive a wonderful impetus to the cause of Social Reform .
I must confess that I have no . faith in such associations being successful to the extent desirable , as long as the present political system shall endure . In myjopinion , only when the veritable people shall be in aposition to command the power and resources of the state , will the principle of " Association " have a chance of being fairly tested . Not even then , unless the people ¦ have been previously prepared to make use * of the suffrage to reform the social system . The best course of education would be supplied by the success of such experiments as
the Tailors' Co-operative Association . The good that association , if successful , will effect for a few will be of some moment ; but the good influence it will have in stimulating the masses to get rid of all obstacles to the progress of social reform , will be of much greater importance . If social justice is to be the end of political reform , the people must know hoir to save themselves , when rid of the obstacles that at present impede their progress from bondage to freedom , and from misery to happiness .
I had intended to have offered some remarks , on British bullying in Greece , and the perilous position of Switzerland ; but the length to which this letter has already extended , compels the postponement of comment on those topics . ' I congratulate you that thus far the outraged , insulted , and noble peopleof Paris have resisted the incitements employed by the men of blood who at present rule in France , to drive them to insurrection . The tremendous progress of Red Republicanism in the departments strikes the ordermongers with despair ; and in their baffled rage they try to get un an insurrection to have a pretext for placing Paris in a state of siege , suppressing thy
true Republican journals , and consigning the Democrats and Socialists to a general massacre . To provoke a conflict was the object of cutting down the trees of liberty . Up to the time I write , the -villains in power have been foiled by the good sense oi the people ; who at . the same time have jivon unmistakeable evidence of their devotion to the Republic . Let Louis Napoi-eox . and his infamous confederates do their worst , Democracy will yet swamp them , and the waves of that deluge will sweep over Europe and destroy the last vestiges of despotism . Jfot all the tyrants and traitors on the face of the earth can prevent the regeneration of the human race .
Thy first steps , lovely Liberty ! sometimes may falter-But thy march will not cease nor tliy banner be furl'd , Till thy conquering Iiand shall have rear'd a . prou 3 alfar To the God of the free , o ' er the thrones of the world !' L'AMI DU PEUPLE . 2 fcb . 7 . 1850 .
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PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT . The first of a series of Tuesday evening meetings , to watch over and discuss the proceedings of Saint Stephen's , was held on Tuesday , February the 6 th , at the Literary and Scientific Institution , Johnstreet , Tottenham-court-road ; and notwithstanding the stormy weather there was a very numerous attendance . Mr . W . Dixon was called to the chair , and said he always was , and trusted he ever should be ,. friend of free and fair discussion , and therefore in the course of the proceedings would endeavour to gain a fair hearing for all who might present themselves . ( Hear . ) Lord John Russell , the first minister of the crown , had last night , in reply to a question from Joseph Hume , asserted that the people
do not require parliamentary reform , and that the government did not intend-to submit any measure on that subject during the present session , therefore it remains with the people now to decide whether they require the suffrage or not . Let the people speak out , and show that they are determined to have their rights : let them unite heart and : hand against the common enemjyand achieve their common rights , as written in the People ' s Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . IIen-by Ross rose to move the folowins ? resolution : — " That this meetiiifr having heard the . declaration made last night by Lord John Russell in parliament , to the effect that no extension of the franchise was contemplated by the Whig cabinet , hereby indignantly deuounces sueh declaration as a
gross insult to thefeehngs of the great body , of the people . And , further , that it regards the aversion of the Whig ministry to the conceding of political justice to the nation , as the strongest proof of their utter unfitness to fulfil the important functions which pertain to the government of this empire . This meeting therefore resolves to throw itself , heart and soul , into that agitation which aims at the subversion of , irresponsible legislation by the enactment of the People ' s Charter as the foundation of the British House of Commons . " Mr . Ross said It was time tbe" government made some concession to the people . lie by no -means thought it the duty of the government to initiate measures of reform ; their duty was to carry out
the measures passed by the Legislature in a fair , wise , and honourable manner ; but when the parliament , as was their duty , brought forward the required measures of reform , the ministers had no business to throw obstacles in the way . ( Hear , hear . ) The ministerial declaration of last night was in accordance with their whole proceedings ; but be hoped the people would not neglect their duly . He had frequently been asked by professing liberal friends , why not take your rights by instalments?—why not take Household Suffrage , or the Ballot ? Ilis reply was , these -were no instalments to him—they would not confer the franchise on him . He was willing to take an instalment , but that instalment inust be the vote . Give him that ,
and then he would be enabled to talk of the other instalments . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . P . M'Ghath , in seconding the motion said , he trusted the words that had fallen from the lips of their experienced friend would not be lost sight of . ( Hear , hear . ) That hall had been taken by the Provisional Committee of the National Charter Association for half-a-dozen consecutive Tuesday nights , for the purpose of watching the proceedings ; in parliament , and taking such other steps as would promote the People ' s Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) The Provisional Committee had felt it their duty to take this early opportunity of meeting their brother Chartists , and taking their opinion on Lord John Russell ' s declaration . Now mark , he avows that
the government has no intention of bringing forward any measure relative to tbe franchise for England , Scotland , and Wales this session ; and if this declaration does not bring out the people , surely nothing will . ( Hear , hear . ) He fully agreed with Mr . Ross , that nothing was to be hoped for from the government on behalf of the people . Although it might he dangerous to do so , he repeated ; what he had said at the National Hall , namely—that the House of Commons , as at present constituted , was nothing better than an usurpation . ( Loud cheers . ) Its , members could not show that they received their power from heaven , and they had it not from the people . Then what else could they be but usurpers ? flleueated cheers . ) It had been said
in the so-called House of Commons , that the people were prosperous : this was an illusion , and _ would not last long . The people in the northern districts were working away , but for what ? What was their reward ? a , miserable pittance of course food , wooden shoes for their feet ; billy cocks for their heads , and equally rough clothing for their body . ( Hear , hear . ) Turn to the agricultural districts , and see the miserable condition of tho labourers there . It was all very well to cheapen bread if you could keep wages up , bat if wages were lowered where was the advantage gained by' cheapening food ? ( Hear , hear . ) Whence arose this ienipory comparative prosperity ? Simply from the recent continental convulsions . ( Hear ; hear . ) But let continental states settle down and do their own work , and
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i , - - ^——^^ M then what becomes of our boasted prosperity ? Mr . Cobden , ; at Aylesbury , had alluded to the seventeen millions of bullioh in the Banfc'of England ; but Mr . Spoonerjn . hls speech in the house , had literally destroyed- this illusion . He showed that alarmed capitalists had flown from the continent , and deposited their specie in the Bank of England ; but now tho continent was getting quiet tho ^ bullion Tntl ^ . JWw tom England . ( Hear , hear . ) Ho ( Mr . M'Grath ) trusted the people would do their duty , - and , f they did tho Whi / s would soon be kicked about their business . ( Cheers . ) A pretty TiiTif S 8 £ rung u ? bottl . within nnd without the walls of the house , between tho landed and tho manufacturing interest : let thnm tai ™ nHW ! . ntnM ¦ - —
¦ XEL SI ? \ 7 u - Lord Winchelsea had declared they meant to W a renewal of protection at any in Jh ; !? - ? /? ot moan revolution , he did not £ - ™ 2 ^ . o ldi ( I V 0 Ud Chee" . ) -At this moment Feargus 0 Connor , M . P . entered the hall , and was greeted with acclamations and prolonged applause , dU | Jng A ^ "c Mn M'Grath resumed hfs seat , and Mr . U bONNon came forward to support the resolution , amidst renewed . cheering . He said , there were not many who valued the affix M . P ., who would leave the Big House to come and address the little one . ( Laughter and applause . ) But ho preferred the good sense of the platform to tho nonsense of the house . ( Hear . ) Perhaps that meeting was not aware that Mr . Hume had put a question relative to the extension of the elective
franchise for En gland , to Lord John Russell last night , and that his lordship had declared that ministers had no intention of submitting any . measure on that subject . He ( Mr , O'Connor ) thought Lord John right , as the people had not demanded their rights as they should have done , ( Hear , hear . ) Remember if you stop the supplies , power flies awny the next day . ln poor impoverished Ireland , O'Connell was wont to get almost any sum to carry on the war ; but here , although the Chartists had a new organisation , and a new staff of officers to conduct the movement , what a miserable pittance was returned weekly from the whole of England , Scotland and Wales . ( Hear , hear . ) A great breeze was now prevalent in the house—the agriculturists had got the squeeze and were beginning to speak out . The Honorable Baronet , who moved the
amendment to the address , had said it would now bo their duty to watch financial affairs , and . take care of the public purse . Mr . Banks had last nigh 1 reiterated the same thing ; but mark , ' these were the very men , or rathor they were of the party who had caused such a lavish expenditure of public money . ( Hear , hear . ) A Protectionist to whom he had spoken in the house , said Universal Suffrage was a very good question . ( Laughter . ) You see their loyaliy is oozing ; take a , way the Bishops patronage , and their loyalty would * begin to vanish away the next day —( Laughter )—and just show the merchant and capitalist that they could obtain
a safer investment , and a larger per centagq under arcpublic ) and they would say to .-the devil with monarchy . ( Cheers . ) So it was with all clisses ; it was a : question of interest with them . There would be three parties in the house , fighting one against the other ; but only let some measure be brought forward to benefit the people , and then see how speedily they would all . unite to oppose it . ( Loud cheers . ) It was reported in the ' papers this evening , that another revolution had broken out in the streets of Taris , at three o ' clock the ' preceding day , and that much bloodliad been bhed . ( Great cheering . ) Ay , you cheer that , whilst perhaps many of the struggler . s lie dead in their cold graves . ( Hear , hear . ) What he wished , and had so wished for twenty eight years past , was that revolutions
should bo effected by an union of tho intelligent of the working classes . ( Hear , hear . ) This was with the exception of America and Switzerland , the only country were public , meetings were allowed to be hcld . at which the people could give vent to their feelings . ( Hear , hear . ) Baptist Noel had once said , that within a sbort distanco off the Palace there nxistcdhalfa million of souls , living without God and whhout hope ; yet after this he had been made chaplain to the Quoon . Well , and what was now proposed as a , remedy for these evils ? emigration , and the qualification for transportation , was that the distressed needle women should have had tho small pox . ( Loud laughter . ) Yes , all the good , the healthy , and the virtuous were to be
transported , and the bad , diseased , and . vioious wero to remain at home . He had seen their excellent frieiid , Mr . Diincombe , that night , and remarked to him that he was coming to that meeting , and that he would report to them his apparent better health , to which Mr . Duneombe added , ay , and give my regards to them at the same time . ( Loud cheers . ) Lord John Russell was about to extend the franchise in Ireland ; but why ? because the old race of electors were either dead of famine , or had emigrated to other lands . ( Ilear , hear . ) Why there were not so many electors in all Ireland , as there was in the West Riding of Yorkshire . ( Hear , hear . ) If he got appointed by an influential portion of the people as their ambassador , he should go to Ireland next
month , to aid and assist in forming tho great democratic association . ( Loud cheers . ]! The cry in Ireland used to be , "do not divide the liberal interest "the liberal interest meaning the Whigs ; , but he ( Mr . O'Connor ) said , the Lord . deliver him from such liberals —( roars of laughter)—but now the people had confidence enough in themselves to found their own Democratic Association . ' . The agriculturists were crying out for Protection ; he was willing to trive them real Protection ; open up tho land , that was the best Protection . ( Cheers . ) It was said England was over-populated , whilst her population was only one in four , as compared with Jersey and Guernsey ; yet , in those countries the land was cultivated to such an extent as enabled them to
become exporting countries ; while wo might walk twenty miles in England , in any direction , and see lots of land uncultivated , or only partly cultivated . Again , we are told that the people are too ignorant to exercise the franchise . If this be true , who is to blame . Did not the ecclesiastical authorities hold two millions and a half of money , for the purpose of educating the people ? yes ; but they had retained it'in their oirn possession . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers . ) He ( Mr . O'Connor ) did not believe the working classes to he ignorant ; ho had told a right honourable gentleman today , to get ton members of parliament to attend a meeting , and he would find ten working men more than a match for them .
( Choei's . ) . Mothers always had the greatest regard for their crippled children , and they ( the meeting ) were his crippled children . They had been a great source of trouble to him , both in youth and old age ; and he liked them the better for it , and he was pleased to meet them here . In the speech from the throne , the death of the Queen Dowager was recrettcd— - ( laughter)—he regretted it too , because she was a charitable woman , nnd most probably would do more good with the money than those into whose hands it had fallen . ( Hoar . ) The speech also proclaimed us to ho at peace with all the world , whilst we blockaded Grecian ports , and were on the eve of war with France and other nations . The speech promised them nothing ; but if the people
possessed union , then lord John Russell would ask what they would Iiavc ?—( laughter)—but so long as they were disunited , so Jong would the minister use the people for his purpose . Let them unite , and then they might effect their rights when and how they liked . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Hume » . ad declared in the house , that he preferred Chartism to any other measure ; George Thompson and Sir Joshua Walmsley , were now going all over tho country to see what they could do . ( Loud cheers . ) They-will all become Chartists now . The people had done right in not opposing them . The parliamentarians had furnished them rooms and halls for the discussion of their principles free of charge , and tho discussions had initiated them ;
and when the . Parliamentary and r Financial Reformers had their gallop and sweat out they would come round to Chartism . He was sometimes reviled for his Land Plan . His last purchase , Mathon , was cheap , bocanse it had a jointure of four thousand pounds on it ; but like the Queen Dowager , the lady had died / and the Company now had the advantage . ( Hear , hear . ) The people , when work was slack said , " lead us on to death . or glory . ; " but when in full werk their cry was , " Leave us alone , wo are well off now . " The aristocracy found it more profitable to . make votes for the ministry , and thus procure places for their sons , than to cultivate the land properly . ( Hear , hear . ) When cultivating thousands of acres in Ireland , ho paid better wages than any other landlord . ( Cheers . ) There the farmers gave sixpence per day in winter , and eightpence in summer , whilst he gavo eightpence in winter , and tenpence in Summer ; and he was bow ashamed
to add , that as their labour was performed by the spade , he had made two shillings por day of each of the men's labour . In last week ' s Star he had told them , that should anything ariso from reverting to protection , old as he was , he would show them what could be done by the glare of torchlight meetings . ( Loud cheers . ) A baronet had showed , that twenty-four millions of people were employed in agriculture and manufactures ; now ho ( Mr . . O'Connor ) bad recently shown that were twclvo millions employed , tho employers would put no less a sum than ninety-six millions six hundred thousand pounds into their pockets . In conclusion , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) i asserted , that . it- gave him far more pleasure to hear common senso cheered from their p latform , than it did to hear nonsense cheered in the House of Commons . He hoped it would not be Jong , before he . could come' and tell them that a change had come over tho noble lord ' s dream , and that he would trust the people with , the
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IM *" IM *'' MIBMM ' * ''' * " M > a > *"' '"" W" « " »« M « M < WWM « B whole Charter . Mr . O'Connor left the half , aniidat the most rapturous cheering . > , ;• :.: ¦ ¦ : ¦ - > Julian Harnky , who on -rising was greeted with every mark of applause , said the parliamentary events of the last few days , must have satisfied them of the value of the good old proverb , that 44 blessed are those who expect nothing , for they shall not be disappointed . " ( Laughter . ) The Weekly Chronicle and Times had led the people to expect so . * no measure of suffrage extension ; and even the Spectator , a journal of great talent , and of middling honesty , had called on the people to abandon all other agitation , and rally round Lord John Russell and tbe New Reform Bill . " Last Saturday the i&Miatorconsoleditselfwith the reflection
that the absence of promises in the Royal Speech was its most promising feature . According to this theory , the Spectator , on Saturday next , would tell its readers that , in declaring against all reform this session , Lord John Russell intended to move the adoption of the Charter . ( Laughter . ) In the Speech , they were described as a " free and happy people , " in tho teeth of the revelations of misery , published in the Morning Chronicle , and the fact that seven-eighths of the people were -unrepresented in tho Legislature , and treated by their rulers as though they had " nothing to do with the taxes but to pay them , and nothing to do with the laws , but to obey them . " The Earl of Essex , when moving the address , had congratulated his brother 4
aristocrats that < the working classes of this country , though often tempted , had ever held fast to their allegiance , and refused to imitate the example of the kindred classes in other countries . '' Lord John Russell , too , had said , " that only the lowest mur raur had been heard amongst the people , with respect to the nature of the country ' s institutions . " But he ( the speaker ) warned those lords not to mistake popular apathy for popular approbation . If there had been but little agitation , there was great disaffection , and thousands who were never members of the Chartist movement , nevertheless were for llll the principles of the Charter , and a great deal more . ( Cheers . ) He scarcely knew whether the Free Traders-with their boast of
prosperity , or the Protectionists with their pretended sympathy for the working-classes , moBt excited his disgust . Tho Speaker proceeded to comment on the speeches of the Duke of Richmond , tho Earl of Carlisle , Lord Stanley , Mr . Disraeli , Lord John Russell , and other Parliamentary orators ; his remarks calling forth the repeated and hearty applause of the meeting . He next took up that portion of the Royal Speech relating to the recent struggle in Hungary , commenting in severo terms on the conduct of Lord Palmerston . After speaking on the blockade of the Grecian ports by tho British fleet , he reviewed the present position of Switzerland , and his appeal in
support of the liberties of that country excited enthusiastic cheering . Finally speaking of the present position and prospects of Chartism , he called on his hearers to take the initiative in rousing their fellow countrymen to contest the insolent declaration of Ldvd John Russell , by an united and determined effort for the Charter ; adding that he would labour with all who would honestly work for the enactment of that measure ; at the same timo maintaining his own independence to think , to speak , and to act as his own convictions commanded . He resumed his sent amidst prolonged and enthusiastic applause . The resolution was unanimously adopted . A vote of thanks , on the motion of Messrs . M Grath and G . J . Harney , was unanimously awarded to the chairman , who briefly acknowledged the same congratulating them on the harmony that had prevailed , and the meeting terminated .
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES , 259 , TOTTENHAM-COURT ROAD . Established 1845 . The reactionary feeling in favour of this institution has been fully equal to the sanguine expectations expressed in former reports of the Central Committee . The indefatigaWo exertions of Mi * . Green iu Birmingham , Kidderminster , Wolverliampton , and other places , have been crowned with the most complete
success ; as is , amply proved by the adhesion of nearly twenty additional Trades bodies , and large accessions to the numbers of those alrcay attached to the movement . Much of this success is , undoubtedly , attributable to the steady , adherence , by the Executive , to the excellent principles upon which it is established ; to the maintenance of its strictly nonpolitical character , by which course a unity of feeling and action has been preserved , apnidst circumstances which have paralysed the wellintentioned efforts of so many popular societies .
Many inquiries have been made if the Central Committee of the National Association of United Trades , were concerned in the attempted Protectionist Demonstration at Stepney ; the Central Committee felt it their duty to give a public disavowal of the charge through the Northern Star , of January 19 th . But as the impression appears not to have been removed , they renew the opportunity of again assuring their friends , that they have no possible connexion with the individuals calling themselves the National Association for the Organisation of Trades . The principles and purposes of the two Associations are totally dissimilar . The one being entirely of & political , and the other of an industrial character . The
Central Committee cannot too strongly caution their members , and the trades generally , to keep the industrial question as distinct as possible from any admixture of party politics , In making these observations , they must not be supposed as undervaluing the importance , to tho working men , of political enfranchisement , or of those other great questions which absorb public attention ; but , seeing that all
past attempts to obtain a cordial and extensive union of the working classag as such , even for political purposes , has most signally failed , ( hey conceive—with all deference to many highly-popular and respected individualsthat to convert Trades Unions into political societies , would endanger the existence of the one , without advancing the progress of the other .
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TO THE MECHANICS , ENGINEERS , FITTERS , DRIVERS , PORTERS , POLICEMEN , AND OTHERS , "EMPLOYED ON THE VARIOUS LINES OF RAILWAY IN THE UMTED KINGDOM . If it were possible for the working classes , by combining among themselves , to raise or keep up tin general rate , of wages , it need hardly be said that this would be a thing not to he punished , but to he welcomed and rejoiced at . 'Stuaut Mill .
Fellow Workmen , —TJio lives and property of millions of your fellow-beings in every grade of society are entrusted to your professional skill , attention , vigilance , and sobriety ; the labours of most of you require the most unerring precision , the most constant and protracted endurance , and from many of you—suchasengino drivers , firemen , porters , policemen , &c . —constant exposure to all the varieties and severities of weather , incident to our very variable climate ; and the legal powers necessarily given by the legislature to railway companies ,-to enforce and punish any dereliction of tho duties imposed upon you , arc * far move extensive and severe than is to be met with in any other
department of labour . It is not , therefore , unreasonablo to expect that men , from whom such onerous and important duties are required , and to whose good conduct such vital interests are confided , should bo given not only adequate , but even liberal remuneration for their services . But how stands tho facts ? Tho immense property entrusted to the guardianship of tho directories have , in a majority of . instances , been either recklessly and extravagantly wasted , or . most dishonestly diverted from the purposes to which they should have been appropriated , and applied to their own personal enrichment and aggrandisement . The scandalous exposuvesof absurd extravagances , wasteful expenditures , and infamous misappropriations which have taken place upon almost , without exception , all the northern lines , are too notorious for denial ; and it may bo fairly said , that the
general financial operations of the railway interests have been a series of unmitigated dishonesties and jolleries . Hence has arisen that panic- fear , that withdrawal of confidence , which has caused an unnatural depression of railway property , which it is now > ttempted to counteract by the cruel , imd still more dishonest expedient , of pillaging the labourer of his hard earned and already unremunerntivo wages . Already , in many departments of railway industry has this illiberal , unjust , and it may be added , impolitic expedient , been successfully applied ; and in others , the favourable moment is waited for , to make its application general upon every line , and through every department of railway labour . Tho isolation and unorganised state of the several bodies , whose interests avo thus exposed to tho rapacity of capital , is a favourable circumstance , and ensures success to' this disreputable conBpiraoy . It is high time , therefore , for those whose rights and property is thus threatened and'invaded , to bestir themselves ; and at once , and
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in earnest , to adopt those ' measnres ! which can alone protect them from the . threatened , and , in some cases , accomplished evil . ' The remedy lies in the union of every class of railway operatives with each other on a broad , liberal , and constitutional basis , for mutual protecr tion . Your oppressors set you the example ; they prove to you by a bitter lesson , the power and efficacy or combination ; for it is by the combined action of the different railway boards , that a suecesstul isbuo to this unholy crusade is anticipated . you possess , by law , the same right to say , we wiil that our wages bo not reduced ? as ' they have to wil and , by your apathy , to effect a reduction . Ifc pItT i al , ° whlc , S ives strength either to o ? £ , l l ! lb r <; 8 nd ? u - ther case ' emcacy of the umon to accomplish its objects will be proportionate to its numewcal strength , and the knowledge and integrity of its governing body te ! £ ««? Peting lines of railway —_ . ,.. ...
; . I ^ .. " is found conducive to the interests of shareholdersby destroying competition , that principle so bane , ful , when applied to profits and dividends . By the united action of isolated bodies power is ' immensely multiplied ; nnd the instance of the successful application ofcombinedcapit . il are so numerous and convincing , that the wonder is why the same principle has not been more generally applied by the industrious classes to protect their only property—their labour—from the deprecation caused by the double influence of our ever-gorged iabour market on the one hand , and the attacks of united capital on the other , But the principle of combination , and the most effective mode by which it could be made to conserve the interests of labour , has not hitherto been properly understood , or wisely directed by the working classes . Millions of money have been uselessly and injuriously , squandered in fruitless struggles with capital ; while the master evil—surplus labour—which those
millions would have eflectually removed , and directed into channels where its application would , have been beneficial to society , remained unheeded . ' A labour capital raised by the aggregation of contributions individually insignificant , would , in an iiicrediably short period , place every unwilling ' , idler in a position to . earn the food he consumes without deprecating the labour of others by a competition—the unavoidable result of his position rather than of his will . This proposition is as demonstrable-as the simplest problem in euclid , and must , sooner or later , in the national course of events be seen , acknowledged , and acted on , by those whose interest are at present so seriously damaged by their ignorance or inattention to this subject . But the more immediate , nay , the instant
effect of a legal and constitutional combination , would be found in the immense moral power ; such combination would possess upon every question whereby the interests of the humblest individual of the confederation was endangered . The Act 6 , Geo . iv ., cap . 129 . — The MAGNA CIIARTA of the British labourer—but hitherto too little Known and appreciated , acknowledges the right of the working men to unite , without limitation as to numbers , avowedly for the purpose of fixing the price of their labour , of regulating the hours of their labour , or of making any regulations ' or stipulations , which shall be equitable and lawful , as the conditions upon which they consent to sell their labour ; provided they do not , by violence , threats , or intimidation , seek to force others to
adopt their views . Here , follow workmen , the constitution , so chary of the privileges it confers upon labour , invites you , and points to you , the means by which you may protect your interests from all adverse influences . Combine , unite then , in the spirit , and within the provisions of this , your Magna Charta , and . exorcise those privileges it acknowledges you possess under its proiisipns . It is under the protection of this law , and by a scrupulous adherence to its provisions , that the National Association of United Trades , under the presidency of that safe and true friend to the ' working man , T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P ., fe established , founded in 1845 , at . the . express recommendation of its patriotic and honourable president ,
by some of the most enlightened men from the ranks of labour . The National Association has uroved the excellence of its ' principles , by a long catalogue of brilliant successes achieved for its members by its great , and now generally acknowledged moral power , notwithstanding many serious draw * backs which has attended its progress , not the least among which may be noticed ; the severe and protracted indisposition of its chief and president , and the commercial convulsions by which the Kingdom has been visited since the , year-1846 ; before this movement had time or opportunity to consolidate its powers into that mighty machine whicli it is to be hoped it is shortly destined to become .
The Central Committee of this Association has witnessed with sorrow and indignation the attempts which have been made , and are still in progress , to . rob you of apportion of the hard-earned truits of your industry , to cover the delinquencies and extravagances of a portion of your employers . It is in , your power , if you will if , to stny the progress of this moral contagion .. But no individual efforts will avail you . Individually , you are powerless to cope with the gigantic power opposed to you . JN ' o considerations of humanity , or even cf common justice , ever did—or ever will—regulate or control the action of combined capital towards unorganbed labour . To be deemed worthy of attention , you must be powerful to resist : to bs powerful to resist , " you must be united as one man . Union—union
alone can saw you . Lot your rallying motto be :-r 11 Each ron Al&—All fob Each , " UVite , then , in sections > upon the different lines of railways , each department in its own section . Let the sections then unite by delegation into bodies ; and let the various bodies form a mighty whole , through the instrumentality of the National Association of United Trades ; and before such a demonstration , rely on it , your present oppressors will pause in their unjust and inhuman war upon your rights as men . Public opinion , that powerful rectifier of wrong , will be evoked in your behalf , and proud capital taught that it has duties to perform , as well as rights to conserve , and that the chief of those duties is to give to labour its j ust reward . The Central Committee are desirous of aiding you in this contest of right agains t might .
They invite you to this contest from a conviction of its justice and necessity . They advise you to be cautious and temperate , but manly and firm ; to give to others the same privilege you claim for yourselves—the liberty to choose or reject those measures , proposed for your general benefit . Try to convince , and not to coerce those who differ ; and to win the waverers , by persuasion and example . They further advise you not to sign any written contract cr indeuture , wWmlpsl taking tkt ad * l > -e of a solicitor ae to its legal tendency and operation ; and with these necesssary cautions , they earnestly advise you , by the respect you owe to yourselves ; by the love you bear to your wives and children ; to avouse vourselves to a . sense of theinsvttt offered to
you ; _ to take instant measures co place yourselves in a position to defend youi 1 labour , from dei > v 4 ciaiion , and to protect your families from this unmerited diminution in their already too slender means . , . ; The committee will send a deputation to any locality where further information or advice is desired ; and every endeavour will be raado to aid those who have manliness enough to desire to protect themselves from this violation of their lights to ' a fair day ' s wnge for a fair day ' s work . ' Uy order of the Central Committee , William Pbel , Secretary , Trades Offices , 259 , Tottenham-eourt-road , London . February 6 th , 1850 .
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LAW EXPENSES . TO MR . WILLIAM RIDER . Sir , —Enclosed you will find a Post-office Order for ten shillings , granted by the Chartist Council of rliiddorbfield , towards liquidating the debts of Messrs . Macnaraara and Nixon , for defending Chartist prisoners in 1848—to be divided between them at five shilliugs each . I assure you , that we consider the salutary advice bestowed on the nation by Mr . Oldfield , is very much required here . I am sure Mr . J . Oldfield would be a great acquisition to our ranks , We all agree with him , and wish him to agree with us , and that he will come forward and enrol his name in tbe Chartist Association , held every Wednesday evening at Mr . Stansfield ' s , Rainbow Coffee-house , Manchester-street , at half-past seven o ' clock .
It is with the utmost regret that we are forced to acknowledge that we only number a few paying members out of a population of 30 , 000 . Our uumber has prevented us rendering that assistance our inclination could wish ; yet with all , we have sent pounds to Bradford , Kirkdale , &c , for the prisoners and families , which has not appeared in the columns of the'Star . ' . By inserting this , you oblige yours , &c , ' .. On behalf of tbe Association , , fiuddersfield . William Mtjrphv .
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A Bikmyn Russian bear has recently produced a litter of cubs in the Edinburgh Royal Zoological Gardens . The breading of the bear in captivjty is rare or unknown . The number of cubs m this case has not been ascertained , as the bear savagely resents any attempt at intrusion on her privacy- * justifying Ariosto'a simile , Tub subscription for tho widows and orphans of the men who perished in the . Tyne life-boat nevr amounts to nearly £ 4 , 000 . The emigrants from Liverpool are said to averagft 12 . 000 a month s Windsor Election . —Mr . Hatchell , tho Solicitor * General for Ireland , was on Wednesday returned td Parliament for this borough , there being no oppo « sifcion . . . ¦ ..... . . ......
. " Public : opinion ^ ' said > Lord ; Lauderdaie < " caunot beheld too sacred b > : public-ineni . rThe voice of enlightened " public ; opinion is irresistible , Nothing but time : is wantipgito render it tr ) umphant , and favourable circumstances not WF S j iuently give it an elastio kind * of impulse , w ^ icft i-Bues in unexpected success . - > : ¦
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| T FEBwrm 0 , * m : THE NORTB ^ l ^ tW ^^ It . HT k " .-. ¦¦ . . . . ' . .--
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 9, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1560/page/5/
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