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Hitttouai Hani* eompawp.
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NATIONAL CHARTER LEAGUE.
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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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My Friends , —You will discover from tlie report that I will famish you of the resolution of thft veritable Democratic party in France , that however my principles and advice may he rep udiated for a time , that the cluhhing of the mind alone can carry out those principles . In last week ' s Star I defined for you the present state of parties in France , and now I will give voa the clearest definition of the means hy vluch the Democratic party expect to estahlish their own principles—and that is UNION . I extract the following from the Morning Chronicle of Wednesday last . Hero it i 3 : —
The nun-ting of the ultra-Republicans which took ?]« =- ¦ yesterday was the mo 3 t numerous that had ever ie ? a te'd / and it is the first time they were able to agree to act in concert in defence of the Republic j (* t iliia nice-tins ICO representatives were pvesent , aI .. l after three hours' deliberation it was deterrn ::. t i that mtity c-f action was imperatively called for on the part of the Opposition , and a committee this named , first , to regulate the mode , for the fnt'ive , of convoking the members ; and nest , in all ar ' . eut cases , to adopt resolutions to be communicate J to the whole Opposition for the purpose of effecting a unity of Tote . " Sow , from tho above you will discover that
those members who advocate the people ' s cause lely solely upon their own union . You must also understand , that the union of one liuudral and sixty members of the Legislative Assembly of France would not have the same effect upon that Government that an union of thirty members would have upon the English Government ; and for this reason , the French Assembly sits by day , the members are paid for ilieir services , and very few—if any—are absent ; while , in England , forty out of six hundred and fifty-six constitute a House—that
is , twenty-one members may speak the opinions of three hundred and twenty-nine , one more than half the number of members . I think this will give you the clearest definition of the value of Annual Parliaments and Payment of Members . If you had Annual Parliaments and Payment of Members the House would sit by day , every member would attend and perform his duty ; whereas now , if a debate lasts for three , four , five , or six nights , and if no more than forty members hear the arguments urged on either side , when the debate is likely to close the whippers-in of both parties send messengers to tho several clubs where their lickspittles arc amusing themselves , and without hearing one word of the debate , they will vote for their respective leaders .
1 do hope and trust , therefore , that you will gaia some little wisdom from the resolution adopted by the representatives of the French people , and that you will define that to your professed representatives as soon as Parliament meets , which will he next Tuesday fortnight . I wish you to do so , in order that the Ministry may base its policy upon your union and not upon your disunion , for youinay rely upon it that the country never witnessed such a Parliamentary staisation as it will in less than one month .
I hare had a letter from my friends of Bradford , and also from my friends in Rochdale , and several other places , requesting me to name a day when I can visit them . The men of Bradford state that the 3 rd of February will be the most convenient time for them ; and I vili be with them upon that day ; and , as the Conference will sit by day in Manchester , I will visit Stockport—where I first opened my Chartist commission—Ashton , Oldham , Rochdale , and any other town in the neighbourhood , any evening ^ from Tuesday , the 28 th , to the Saturday night following ; and I request that the inhabitants of those several towns
will make their own arrangements as to the time I shall visit them ; and I hope then , once wore , io establish a thorough union in the miuds of the working classes . My friends , nothing is more proper than that anything connected with your order should be fairly published ; and therefore let me correct an error which appeared in last week ' s Slar relative to the proceedings of the Executive upon Wednesday week . The question ]>» t io mo l > y Mr . ILuiUBr Io Tory clearly stated , but my answer is not as clearly stated . 3 Iv answer
was" "When caps amongst a crowd are thrown , Those they fit may wear them for their own . " I further stated , that I did not personall y allude to any one who professed to advocate tho people ' s cause ; but that , after thirty years ' experience , I felt convinced that ninety-nine oat of every hundred were traflicking politicians . This , I think , will convince you that I alloR- any use to be made of the Star , no matter how it may misrepresent me ; hut , however , it is my firm resolution to adhere strictly , if I stand alone , to those principles which will elevate your order .
I attended a meeting at John-street , on Tuesday night last , and , notwithstanding the opposition that it is reported the London men would manifest towards me , I never attended a better meeting in London , and I never wasjmore cordially received and welcomed ; and the only thing which seemed to produce any , but not much , antagonism , was the proposal of Mr . Stallwood to add " Social Bights" to the resolution that I had proposed : and for which , I believe , only aboutfive hands were held up .
. Now , working men , let me once more beg of you , and implore of you , not to mix any * ' ism " with Chartism . You remember how Chartism was mocked at , reviled , abused , and persecuted when it was first established ; but , like every other proposition , it was first mocked , then laughed at , then abused , then reviled , and then persecuted , but now it is i-eiug thoughtof , and deliberatively discussed ; whereas , if you mix any other " ism " with h you will enlist such a host of opposition as you cannot imagine ; and , therefore , it is that I implore of you to adhere strictly to the OXE ' -ism , " the onl y "ism * that can elevate your order—CHARTISM .
I suppose that you read the preparations that are now being made in Ireland to oppose the Government , in the ensuing Session of Parliament , and I hope and trust that you will be prepared to take advantage of that coming struggle ; and although a man cannot do a nation ' s work , yet you may rest assured that I will he upon the watch tower , and fairly and independentl y define your principles . I
will not allow the leaders of any party to state , without refutation , that your class would be satisfied with this change , that change , or the other change , but I will prove to the Government and the House that you will accept no change but the CHARTER . I see the manner in which the Government , the judges , and juries , are carrying out Lord -Melbourne's good old
maxim"RUIN HIM "WITH EXPENSES ;" and therefore Mr . Ujxox , the solicitor who defended Vjebxon , and whom I never saw for twelve months after the trial took place , has r . ow served me with a writ for £ 163 , for defending Versos . I shall not be at all surprised , however strong my evidence may be , it the judges should give a verdict againstme , snd saddle me with his costs and my costs . However , I still rely upon your order not to allow my oppressors and yours to crush me , and " ruin me with expenses . "
I find that the men of the Potteries , and the fen of Sheffield , are not apathetic iu the mat-^ ; and , at their request , 1 furnish you with ™ e foMowinor placard , forwarded to me , foge-« er with a letter from George Cavill , in-Jong me to attend a meeting at Sheffield J ^ i-e or after the Manchester Conference ; JH in repl y , I beg to state that I shall be £ j ° st happy to meet my Sheffield friends once ° re after the Manchester Conference ; and I « name the day , and afford them ample ; f ° r gettingnp the meeting : — I T CJ IART 1 SM A LIVING REALITY ! ae mem bers of the Charter Association are
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hereby informed that a special meeting will be held at Mr . G . CavM ' s Democratic Temperance Ilotel , 33 , Qucen-street , on Wednesday evening , January loth , for the purpose of electing a delegate to the Manchester Conference , which is to be held on the 2 < th of the present month . All peraons friendly to the Cause , are cordially invited to attend . By order of the Council . Chair to be taken at eight oclock . 6 X . B .-Thc Sheffield Chartists have resolved by their recent acts , not to be behind the friends in the Potteries in the good work of gratitude to their friend and benefactor Feargu 3 O'Connor , E « q M . P . A goodly number ot manufactured articles have been given gratuitously , the proceeds to be applied to the Honesty Fund . Articles by the war of donations will be thankfully received for the above specific fund . hereby informed that a special meeting will be held
-Now , my friends , let me once more entreat you and implore of you to dispel all bickering and antagonism , and unite , and club your minds and pence together to carry the CHARTER . Your Faithful and Uncompromising Friend and Advocate , Feakgus O'Connor .
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . A public meeting , called by the Executive Committee , was held on Tuesday evening , at the Literary and Scientific Institution , John-street .- - ^^ whole of the members of the Executive Committee were present , and on coming to the platform were loudly cheered . The attendance was very good . Mr . James Giussby was called to the chair , and said , that the meeting had been called by the Executive Committee . They had been elected by the suffrages of the people ; every man had an opportunity to vote if they choose to avail themselves of it ; and those that elected them were in duty bound to support them . The Exchequer was empty , and they could not carry on the agitation without funds ; their expenses were light , they had but one paid officer—and he was poorly paid—the others gave their services gratuitously . The men of London did not Heed teaching , only direction ; but in the country they needed teaching , and for that purpose fund 3 were necessary .
Mr . 0 Coxxor moved the following resolution : — " That the House of Commons , as at present constituted , is a corrupt assembly , and will never be improved until the People ' s Charter becomes the Law of the Realm ; we , therefore , hereby resolve to agitate for its enactment . " He agreed with the Chairman , thai they must furnish the Executive witli means , if they meant their agitation to be successful ; if they did not do this , government would believe that they were indifferent as to the attainment of the Charter . During the height of the agitation for Repeal Daniel O'Conncll received £ 3 , 000 a week ; and yet in England—a far richer country—they could scarcely obtain £ 3 a week . What more was necessary , not only to convince the
government but their fellow men , that their hearts were not interested in the principles they professed ? If every man who professed Chartism subscribed only one farthing a week , they would have funds sufficient to send lecturers over the whole kingdom , who would show the people tho value of the Charter , and that it would enable them to be loeated in comfort in the land of their birth . For upwards of thirty years he had advocated their cause . Xo man had been more reviled or abused than he had been , and that , too , by some of their own order ; but he had still remained true to his principles . He looked to the Charter to elevate the condition of the working man ; he did not look to the interest of those wao lived upon the labour of others without
contributing to the common welfare . It made his blood run cold , when he was in Bradford the other day to see poor emaciated , careworn men , of twenty-seven years old . looking the pictures of misery , whilst their employers , fifty years old , were far stronger , heartier men than those at twenty-seven , whose life ' s blood they had dragged from their veins . That such things were , was entirely to be attributed to their want of union . What did he care for the Charter , unless as a means to benefit their order ? What benefit would the Charter confer upon him individually ? None . Yet he would continue to advocate it though all othoi-a ebmilil aban don it . He was for the Charter alone . He would never join any party that went for any thing but the Charter . Too
many irons m the fire always let some get cool . If they subscribed their money , they would prove to the government that their pockets * as well as their minds were devoted to the Charter , and would enable their friends to unite the minds of the whole country in its favour . He intended in the next session of Parliament to take his seat with the Speaker , and rise with the house ; they would see such a conflict in that house as had never yet been witnessed . Ho intended to bring forward a motion for the Charter , and though Lord John might attempt to count out the house , he would faithfully expound their principles . He believed the people were at length awakening from their apathy , and were heginning properly to estimate their value . Like
Brooks , of Manchester , " Lord lovo you , they wero all for themselves . " When work was brisk the Charter was forgotten , b , ut when trade was bad they were for death or glory . It made his blood run cold , to sea a young enthusiastic man like their friend Jones have to endure imprisonment through the folly and ignorance of the people . He had also endured eighteen months' confinement in a damp cell , but the government could not conquer their resolution by persecution . France had hitherto been the great crutch England had leant on for support ; but the present condition of France was enough to make them look beyond mere political changes ; and France would yet become one of the great difficulties of the government . Louis
Napoleon was endeavouring to be made Emperor , but Changarnier was at the head of the army , and possessed the confidence of the party of order in the Assembly . He trusted the two parties would fight until , like the Kilkenny cats , only the tail of one of them was left—tLe people would then gain possession of their rights . If he had his wish there should not be a soldier or a pauper in the land . He would abolish tithes . ( A cry of " No . " ) Was that a parson that called "No ? " Those black slugs received ten million pounds and upwards a year , and if they could get an extra hundred thousand they would turnPuseyitesor Catholics to obtain it . If there
were no tithes , all men would be able to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience : and they needed no state church to teach them to do that . The , Morning Advertiser told them that IiOtd John would , in thesext Session , offer them the Charter , or something like it . Both Russell and Sir George Grey stated , when Sir Joshua Walmsley brought forward his motion for Parliamentary Reform , that they preferred the Charter to his measure . Why did they say that ? Simply because they thought some who would vote for that measure would not vote for the Charter . Mr . O'Connor then referred to
Ireland , and showed , by some graphic descriptions , the manner in which justice was administered in that country . He then adverted to the state of the people in the manufacturing districts ; and concluded a much applauded speech , bystatingthat he did not wish to inflame their minds by wordy eloquence , but to tell them plain truths . Some men wanted to snuff him out of political existence ; if they did so , he would rest on his oars for a time , and then apply alucifer match to himself and blaze up brighter than ever . ( Cheers . ) He had devoted his all to their service , and he would never abandon them . He had been offered to be made a judge if he would desert the Charter . He told the per-Eon who brought him intelligence of it , that if they gave him the Governor Generalship of India ,
and every office in the hands of the government combined , he would never abandon his principles . He did not come there to cater for popularity . He and his family had suffered more for their principles than any other family in the kingdom , and he would never agitate for anything but the Charter . ( A voice , " we want our Social Rights . " ) He wanted to see them united ; they would then get the Charter , which would give them all that they desired . The working man would receive double wages lor less work ; but now , the man who earned £ 2 a week , looked with contempt upon the man who earned 15 s ., and ho looked with contempt upon the unwilling idler in the poor law bastile . Mr . 0 Connor then left tho meeting loudly cheered . " '
Mr . Hokoake Beconied the resolution . Mr O'Connor had clearly shown them that the House of Commons was a corrupt bod y . It did not adequately represent the interests of the people—in fact , in might truly be said , it did not represent them at all . It was also corrupt in the manner it administered its functions ; and until they did get adequately represented they would never be able to remedy their grievances . Many of his audience were in favour of social improvements ; they wanted a better law of partnership , a thing so natural and desirable , that the only wonder wa 3 that it should be refused . They could not get it now . They wanted many other similar measures , but if
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the people were represented in Parliament these measures would immediately be carried . A great calamity endured by the people was the want of education ; this was a greater evil than an uneducated man could bo aware of . If the people were properly educated , every man would be able to exposo eloquently the grievances under winch he laboured , and then redress would quickly follow . It was an old dogma , that unless capital was protected it would not be employed . Capital needed no more protection than labour . It would be employed as long as it was tho interest of the capitalist to bring it into the market .. They often neard it asserted in the house , in supercilious terms , that the working classes were deficient in selfrespect— thafc they wanted to receive support , without earning it by honest labour . How easy it was io retort the neonl * n » MMMMlJ ;„ p , j : ™ * « . „ ..
tne charge upon them . The day was not tar distant when any man , no matter of what rank in society , who received money without giving industral service for it , would be" looked upon as a degraded being , living upon the hard earnings of others , to which earnings he had no title . Mr . Uolyoake then entered upon the question of the Chartist organisation ,-and stated his opinion that so long as they depended upon the unpaid services of men to work for them , they could not expect to have that work efficiently performed , at least , for any lengthened period . All . instruction given to the people must be looked upon as having a commercial value . It was a disgrace to them to have publicly to ask for funds to carry on the agitation ^ jSjujpTtne evil must be remedied before they could be in a healthy state of organisation . Mr . Stallwood wished to speak .
The Chaibmax stated , that the Executive had made their arrangements ; but he left it to the audience . Mr . Stallwood wished to know of the Executive whether they would consent to have the words " and their social rights" added to the resolution ? He knew the majority , both of tho Executive and of the audience , were in favour of an agitation for Social Rights . Mr . IIoltoams had no objection to it , but thought it unwise , as Mr . O'Connor , who moved the resolution , had left tho meeting .
Mr . E . Joses , who was loudly cheered , said , it would be like stealing a march upon the enemy , as Mr . O'Connor was opposed to the agitation for their Social Rights . Mr . O'Connor was not only a friend , but also a member of the Committee . Mr . Retxolbs also addressed the meeting on the question , blaming Mr . Stallwood for being premature , in not waiting until he saw whether tho conveners of the meeting did not intend to broach that subject . Mr . Wueeleu said it was misrepresenting Mr . O'Connor to say bo was opposed to their obtaining their Social Rights . He was only opposed to any other question being mixed up with the agitation for the Charter . If Mr . O'Connor had been present , he had no doubt that he \ , vould have agreed to the addition .
Mr . Stallwood pressed his amendment . On its being put , only five hands were held up for it ( on the ground of its being ill-timed ) , and the resolution was carried unanimously . Mr . Husxiball moved the following resolution : — " That this meeting approves of the policy of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association ; and , having implicit confidence in them as a body , resolve to render them every aid in their power . " Mr . Pbttie seconded the motion .
Mr . RetkoydsI in supporting the motion , said that he was sorry that for one moment it should he thought that the Executive Committee could possibly fail , in directing tho attention of the people to their social rights . In the present state of the country " no physician was justified in telling the people that they must take a certain remedy , unless he also showed them what that remedy would do . It was a sign of either ignorauce or folly for any man to say merely , you must get the Charter , and not tell you what the Charter would enable you to do . There were two classes of persons who were opposed to Social Reform , those who were timid and looked with dread ou great organic changes , and those who were interested in the present state ef
things . Who could look abroad at the present state of society and not be a Social Reformer ? Misery and Wretchedness was Hie lot of the mail } -, iu order that a favoured few might be kept in luxurious idleness ; it was to break up this system that they advocated Social Reform . They advocated the Charter because it would lead to a social change , in which those who reared the crops would be the first to eat of themthose who made the cloth , be enabled to wear itand those who built the houses , be enabled to live in comfort in them . Some people supposed that Social Reform meant the destruction of property , and the breaking up of the bonds of society . If they destroyed anything , they would place a better in its stead—if they pulled down the hovel , it would be
for the purpose of building a palace . The present state of society was only connected with lesgary and wretchedness ; they wished to replace it " by a superior one , in which all could enjoy the means of happiness . Could the noble , decked with titles , show them the law written by God in heaven , or earth , which said that he was superior to his fellow man ? God gave this earth as a garden for the whole of mankind , well knowing that there would never be more inhabitants upon it than could be maintained in comfort but they had allowed n banditti , arrogating to themselves all the knowledge and property of the kingdom , to rob them of their inheritance . Look at this vast country , in the hands of three hundred thousand proprietors ,
when it ought , of right , to belong to its twentyeight millions of population . When the working man came upon the earth , and asked for his shars of it , he was told that it was monopolised by these aristocrats . When in his desperation he applied for leave to toil to earn his bread , how often did he find that even work was denied him . Look through the eight thousand streets of the metropolis , and see the number of famishing artisans , and the workhouses filled with aome of England ' s best blood . Not content with depriving . them of the soil by atrocious laws , they had so bound down tho labourer that he dared not even combine to raise his own wages . A short time since , at that wretched humbug , the Crystal Palace —( cheers)—a working man was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for only asking for justice . ( Hear . ) The middle classes were continually combining to keep down the price of
labour . He did not say that they met together for that express purpose , but their every act and thought tended to that end . If one law was right to imprison the working man for combining iu favour of labour , one thousand laws were necessary to hang those who lived by plundering the labourer . Mr . Reynolds then showed the origin , and vile history of the aristocracy of England , and dwelt with great eloquence upon the state of aftairs in France , stating it as his opinion that the revolutionary ball would again roll , and crush all the thrones in Christendom ; then would the government of this country offer them an instalment of their rights . He warned them against joining any party for less than their full demands , as all experience bad proved the fallacy of " such conduct . Nothing but the Charter would ever raise them to honesty power , and might . The speaker than sat down loudly applauded .
Mr . G . J . Barney supported the resolution . The history of all political parties showed that a steady adherence to principle was the best ground to ensure ultimate public support . When the Corn Law Repeal was in the ascendant , they had warned the people that they would not derive the benefit from that measure which they had been led to believe . They bad told the supporters of that measurejtbat as bread got cheaper so would wages fall . The experience of the past fully justified their prediction ; during the last twelve months there had been continental strikes over the whole country , endeavouring to oppose reductions in wages . The conduct evinced by the managers of the Eastern , Nor thern , and other railroads , was only a preparatory step to a general reduction of wages in the better paid departments of labour . Most parties were becoming convinced , from these facts , that the Chartists were right , and that their ancient policy was the correct one . He agreed to
differ with some of his colleagues as to co-operative stores , and similar establishments , proving an ultimate benefit to the cause ; but in his opinion the failure of these plans would teach them the wisdom of first obtaining political power , and he was anxious to cultivate kindly and brotherly feeling between them . Though the present Executive was but newly elected they confidently appealed to them for support . Most of them had been members of prior Executives , and the conduct of the whole had been long before the Chartist body . It had been insinuated that he was a violent opponent to all who did not go the same length as himself . He was not so . He was ready at any time , in friendly debate , to show the superiority of the Charter over minor measures . He wished their measures success , for he felt assured that until Walmsley , Cobden , and other similar men were at the head of affairs , they would always have a party at their command ; but wheu once they were in
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power the working classes would see that no benefit would arise to thorn j then the day for a struggle would havocome . -a day , when at the samo moment , they might perhaps acquire both their political and sooinl rights . Ho did not oppose anv party , struggling f 0 l . n , oasure of ref ^ > bu ' nL ° ?! ° ^ - ?; Ealeorbav S a 5 n bcin 2 ™ te of the Hf' . - Harney then briefly referred to tho election of tho Executive , and sat down amid much applause . Mr . E . Joses—They were met to commence a " ow campaign , but they still meant to fight under the old flag ; under that flag many a victory had Deen won —many a mental triumph achieved , and on that flag the result of those mental triumphs was inscribed , but it was still the old flag . It was „„„„ ...,... _ ..,
not breaking up , and beginning attain , it was only recording the triumphs achieved . " He knew that among Democrats many different viow 3 were entertained . In an army there were many different regiments , each fighting under its own " flag , each commanded by its separate officer , but all forming part of tho one army , and actuated by the same grand object . So it was with the army of democracy . They had been told about antagonism , it was all a bugbear , they wero nearly all on one side . Though the Executive had only been elected by some two thousand or three thousand persons , yet they were the active spirits of the kingdom . If sixty votes were onl y sent from one town , they must not consider that was tho oxtont of Chartism
in that place : they were but tho leaven , which , igalvinised , as it were , the body of tho Giort , —they were the few who could arouso and direct the energies of the whole population . Mr . Jones , in fervid Ian gua ^ e , then gave a su pposed conversationbetween a working man imbued with democracy and men of the other classes of society , which drew immense plaudits from the audience . The Charter was the means to acquire all their fundamental rights . All men had a right , to live ; those that would not work had no right to live by eating the bread of another . God had given the earth to all , and they meant to continue their agitation until they obtained all that
God had designed they should enjny . They meant to do this without bluster or violence , but so to organise themselves that physical force would be a bugbear , and insurrection an old woman ' s dream . In the spring something moro would be seen in London than the Glass Palace . On the 3 rd of March they intended to have a National Convention . In tnat Convention they wished to have a dash of Irish blood ; but for this to be done they needed funds . Mr . Jones then eloquently and urgently appealed to them to do their duty , and bo worthy of the high character he had given of them to their brethren in the country .
Mn . O'Bhien was glad to hear that all the speakers proved one great fact , that any person who did not go for tho attainment of the Social Rights of the people was either an ignoramus who did not understand his trade , or else an impostor . He saw a policeman present who might be asked by his employers what had been said at the meeting ; as he had heard much about Social Rights , and might be puzzled to know' exactly what it meant , he would inform him . Every man that came into the world was presumed to bo as good as any other man . Everthing that God made he made for all , and if taken from them must bo restored to them . God made the land free for all equally with the atmosphere , and it must bo restored to them . The policeman might say that looked like robbery ; but he would show him how it could be dono
without injuring any man . Mr . 0 Brien then followed this subject out ; also that of the Nationalisation of Credit to a considerable extent , and was much applauded . The resolution was then carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , and tho meeting broke up at a late hour . Several members were then enrolled , and a subscription entered into at the doors .
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THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER . ASSOCIATION Held their usual weekly meeting at their office , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand , on Wednesday evening last . Prosent—Moaars . Arnott , Grassby , Horuey , Milne , O'Connor , and Reynolds . Mr . Jones received leave of absence to deliver his lecture at Cowper-street . Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds presided . Correspondence of a highly encouraging and progressive tendency was received from tho councils of the following localities , viz .: —Bermondsey ,
Bradford , Burnley , Cheltenham , Coventry , Dundee , Exeter , Greenwich , Hastings , Hebden Bridge , Leicester , Limehouse , Mcrthyr Tydvil , Paisley , Pudsey , Rotherham , Royton , Stalybridge , Suttonin-Aslifield , and Wamngton , also from Liverpool and Stockport . On the motion of Messrs . O'Connor and Ilarney it was unanimously agreed— " That for the future the votes of the committee be published , with the names . " The sub-committeo appointed to correct tho list of places to send delegates to the National Convention submitted their report , which was unanimously adopted as follows
THE NATIONAL CONVENTION . In submitting the annexed list to tho country the Executive have had especial reference to the equalisation of electoral districts in proportion to tho Democratic population . The law allows only forty-nine delegates to assemble in Conventionand they have endeavoured so to apportion the constituencies , so as to secure to the fullest possible extent a national representation . As it has been necessary , in some instances , to comprise several towns in tho same constituency , it is hereby recommended that , where such is not yet in existence , a district-council be forthwith formed , and the district agent ' s address forwarded to the general secretary . Should the agents in any of the localities be unacquainted with the names and addresses of the agents in the others , in the same district , they are requestod to communicate with the Executive , who will supply them with the necessary information .
It isalso recommended that the several localities of a district each nominate one or more delegates , as apportioned to the constituency ; such nomination to be forwarded to the agent of the district ; that , within a fortnight of the time of nomination , publio meetings , of which four days' notice shall have been duly given , be held for the election of the delegates , and that the result of the election in each locality be forwarded to the district agent , who , with the council , shall act as scrutineer , and certify the return to the general secretary on or before Wednesday , the 26 th of February next .
LIST OP TOWNS AND DISTRICTS ENTITLED TO SEND DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION , CALLED TO MEET IN LONDON , ON MONDAY , THE THIRD OF MARCH ENSUING . Delegates . Aberdeen and North of Scotland 1 Dundee , Perth , Cuperangus , Abroath , Montrose , Forfar , Brechin and districts 1 Edinburgh , Leith , Kirkcaldy , Linlithgow , and counties of Fife and Mid-Lothian 2 Falkirk , Tillicoultry , Alva , Alloa , Stirling and district , ,. i Glasgow , Paisley , Greenock , Hamilton , and Vale . ? ' Le'en 2
_ Kilmarnock , Ayr , Cumnock , Girvan , Irvine , and county 1 Dumfries , Hawick , and the Border ' ,.,.. 1 Carlisle , Wigton , Cockerraoutb , Kendal , and counties of Cumberland and Westmoreland ... 1 Newcastle-on-Tyne , Gateshead , Shields , Sunderland , and counties of Northumberland and Durham , 2 York , Hull , and North and East Riding ' . ]' ,., 1 Le , « , ' Pud 8 av » Dewsbury , Patley , Birstal , Wakefield , , , , t Bradford , Keighley , Bingley and district 1
uaiiiax , lodmorden , Hebden Bridge and diatriot „„„ 7 ..,.,,.,, 1 Huddersfield , Holmfirth and district "" ""!!!!!!!! 1 Sheffield , Barnsley , Rotherham and district 1 Preston , Burnley , Padiham , Blackburn , Clitheroe , Lancaster , and North Lancashire 2 Manchester and Salford 2 Bury , Bolton , and District ... „„„ ... , ' ., 1 Liverpool , Warrington , and Wigan 1 Rochdale , Heywood , Middleton , and Oldham ... 1 Stockport , Ashton-under-Lyne , Stalybridge . Macclesfield , and Cheshire „ .., 1 Nottingham , Radford , Carrington , Button-in-Ashfield
, Mansfield , and County l Derby , Belper , Alfreton , and County ,., 1 Leicester , Loughborough , and County 1 Northampton , Peterborough , Wellingborough , and County . ¦ , „ . „ , ; , , ' j Norwich , Lynn , Yarmouth , and ' Countyof Norfolk Mtttt „ .. „„ „ i Ipswich and County of Suffolk ! . !!!!!! ' !!"'!"" 1 Hanley and the Potteries ! 1 Birmingham , Wolverhampton , Coventry , and County f . *; , 2 Gloucester , Cheltenham , Worcester , and Counties . „ , , „ .. „ , „ „ . „ ... „ . 1 Bristol and District . „ , I ! . !!!!!!!!!!!! , ' , ' ! , ' , ' !! , ' i
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Bath and District i Morthyr Tydvil . Newport ^' Moninonthr ' and South Wales i ExoterandTiverton i Plymouth , Devonport , Tavi 8 tock , " Truro !" and County of Cornwall ( \ Bwindon , Bradford , Devizes , Trowbridge , " and County of Wilts j Southampton , Portsmouth , Isle of Wigh " fc , " ond County of Hants ° . 1 Brighton , Hastings , and Sussex 1 Greenwich , Deptford , Rochester , and Kent 1 Westminster and Marylebono l Lambeth , Southward and Surrey .. ' .. . '" '"" 1 Tower Hamlets ... City and Finsbury "'" i
The secretary reported , that the Literavv Institution Carlisle-street , Portman-mavket , hail been engaged for a public meeting on Thursday evening January 23 rd ; and that the British School-room , Cowper-Btveet , City-road , had been also engaged S £ u ™ L lar P P ° se , on Monday evening , Januarv / 7 tn . Ine secretary also reported , that tlie United Councils of tho Tower . namlpts . met on Sunday last at the Woodmnn . Tavern , Waterloo Town , at which meeting about forty Councilmen attended ; and that after transacting their local business , it was unanimously agreed that a Ball and Concert be held on behalf of the Exooutive Fund ; arid a sub-committee of Stubbs
consisting Messrs . , Wostodv , Nowlev , Reynolds , Vevdelle , Waldron , and Alston ] , were ap ' poTWted-fco « irry out the same . Mr . Collet , the secretary to the Committee for tho Abolition of Taxes on Knowledge , attended as a deputation from the said Comraitteo to solicit the co-operation and assistance of the Executive in this important object . Mr . Collet , at great length , stated what the Committee had done , in order to effect the removal of the obstacles to progression ; and trusted that they should havo tho support of all true Democrats in their endeavours to break down these barrierg to the spread of intelligence .
On the motion of Messrs . Arnott anil Ilarney , it was unanimously agreed : — " That Mr . Collet be received as the deputation from the Committee with thanks , and that this Committee guarariteo thereto all the assistance in their power . " Mr . Collet having been requested to supply the eeorotary with a quantity of petitions for circulation , thon retired , and the Committee adjourned to Wednesday evening , Jan . 22 nd . Nominations received to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr . W . Da-vis , in tho ' Executive Committee of tho National Charter Association : — Thornton Hunt , Robert Le Blond , Rufty Ridley , Thomas Martin Wheeler , Edmund Stallwood , Edward Miles , and W . J . Linton .
The following was written in a letter to a friend who had wrote to Mr . W . J . Linton , relative to his nomination , addressed from Miteside , Cumberland : — " If any number of my fellow-Chartists think I can Eerve them while I reside here , an ' d only occasionally visit London , they may elect me to any office they plcaso , and bo sure of my attention to it . " All persons are requested to vole for one candidate from tho above list ; and where localities are formed , let them send their votes to the sub-secretary of the locality , who is desired to transmit such votes , with tho members voting for each candidate , to the general secretary ; but where localities do not exist , the votes can be sent by letter , addressed to John Arnott , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand , on orbefore Wednesday , Jan . 20 th . All votes received after that date will be null and void . Signed on behalf of tho Committee , Jons Arnott , General Secretary .
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Metropolitan Dkleoatb Council . —This body met on Sunday afternoon at the City Chartist Hall , Golden-lane . Messrs . Milne and Arnott attended as a deputation from the Executive . Mr . Arnott was called to the chair . Deputies atttntied from the following localities : —Limehouse , Emmett Brigade , Greenwich , East London , Crown and Anchor , and Woodman . Minutes having been read and confirmed , money was paid in from several localities . — Mr . Blake moved , " That in future the Council should meet once a month , as they had an active Executive in London they could dispense with their weekly meetings . " —Mr . Blyth seconded the motion . —Mr . Johnson attributed their slack attendance to the personal bickerings that had existed
among thora . Ho thought it useless to continue meeting unless they had some definite line of policy to carry out ; at presont they had none , nor had the Executive laid down any plan ; ho was in favour of abstaining from beer and tobacco , of exclusive dealing , or some definite plan . They were all convinced of the desirability of the Charter , but they needed to be shown the means to obtain it . —Mr . Fletcher supported the motion . —Mr . Bloomfield was in favour of meeting weekly they had plenty ofworktodo to assist tho Executive in asitatin " London . Tho country would not send funds up to the Executive , if the whole of those funds were spent in agitating tho metropolis . —Mr . Ferdinando supported the weekly meeting . Ho did not think
they could interfere with tho Temperance question ; there wero societies organised for that purpose which had achieved but littlo good . During the antagonism that was going on they should be on the alert to defend the Executive from the attacks niado 011 them by tho Manchester Council . —Mr . Blyth spoke in favour of a weekly meeting . If tho Council would adopt a system of sending lecturers into the districts surrounding London , they would effect great good . Ho know several places in Kent where they would willingly be at the expense of getting up meetings , provided they were furnished with speakers . —Mr . Arnott was of opinion that tho Executive and the Council could act harmoniously ; the Executive intended to get up a series of
meetings in all the metropolitan districts , in which they could greatly assist them . They were in a very critical position , and needed their most strenuous support . —Mr . Ferdinando moved , and Mr , Vickers seconded , "That in future tho Council meet weekly , " which was carried without opposition , no votos being tendered for the original motion . A letter was read from Mr . Stallwood stating that as he was no longer a member of the Executive , he was deprived of his seat at the Council , but his best wishes were with them . He recommended them to promote the election of Thornton Hunt to the vacant seat on the Executive . Holyoake was a member ; s Lo Blond was appointed ex officio ; and with Thornton Hunt they could carry out all
the ideas of the John-street Conference . —After some discussion , it was moved and seconded , " That Mr . Stallwood be invited to sit and vote on the Council . " -Ml-. Milne argued that they had no power to confer a vote on Mr . Stallwood , unless elected by some locality . —The motion was then withdrawn , and a vote of thanks given to Mr . Stallwood for his long services on the Council . —Mr . Milne stated , that himself and Mr . Arnott were deputed to request the Council to assist the Executive in an extensive and judicious distribution of tracts both in London and the country . They could not raise funds sufficient to send missionaries into the agricultural districts , and it was also difficult to get places to meet in ; but tracts , showine the
social advantages which would result from the Charter , could be made useful in all districts , and might be made a means of raising funds . —Several dele « gates spoke in favour of the system , but wished to know how the details were to be carried out . —Mr . Arnott said the subject had been discussed among the Executive , but they had not prepared a plan , believing that their first great work must be to raise funds to relieve themselves from debt , and place them in a working position ; nothing should , for the present , be allowed to divert them from that object . —Mr . Blyth moved , and Mr . Johnson seoonded . tho following motion : — " That the localities be requested to pay one halfpenny per week for each of their members , to form a tract fund ; such
sum to be brought to the Council on the first Sunday in every month . " Carried . The delegates then had the good sense to resolve that tho report of the Manchester meeting , held on the 4 th of January , was not true and faithful , ( not one of whom was present at the meeting in question , ) condemned tho impartial leading article m this journal of the same date , because of its partiality , and found fault with Mr . Reynolds for not reporting their meetings at . all , after which the Counoil adjourned . Haslet and Shelton . —The following resolution was passed at a meeting held on Sunday evening , January 12 th : — " That this meeting consider the
policy of the Manchester Council put forth m then programme of business relative to co-operation as being a departure from the principles put forth in their address to the public calling a Conference , and further , this meeting pledges itself to the support of the first Conference called for purely Chartist purposes . " Manchester . —On Sunday , January 12 th the usual Sunday evening meeting took place in the People ' s Institute . The meeting was opened in the usual manner by reading Mr . O'Connor ' s letter from th » Northern Star , and the Editor ' s leading article on " Chartist Policy" which was loudly a-pplauded for ita very argumentative style ; after wbwli air , suttaa sailed , the attention , of the nudi-
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enco to what had transpired last Sunday oronin *' " * and thanked them on behalf of the Council for "fi support they had given on that ocuasion ho had another little matter to introduce to tlitir notice ) res pecting-himself . Mr . Sin ton road a certain ui-elaration , and the names of thoso who signed it anil commented upon them individually , as fir aa « e knew of them . Some , he said , were ' quite tt'an . gers to him and the Chartists of Manchester ; « in CF 9 ' i , believed ' l «« l Joi . ne ( 1 only a few months since , and tUo greater portion of'them were only Known finco the memorable vear 18-18 , whereas ha hi I a ^ ° . ecdU 0 «^ J on the Council since 1842 he had endeavoured in that time to obtain for himselt a good character , and he hnlinvo , ! d « h *\ » . » .
, ceeded , ront the confidence he had placed in him . A Mr . Button exceptod Mr . ShehJdine , who , S V balwved , was an honest man . After which ha V \ inttodncod Mr . 51 . G . Gammage o BuoktaSnm ^ to address the mating . Mr . Onmmage gavei a ten ? k ' interesting lecture on " The Oeniua of Democracy V at home and abroad . " After tho lecture a vote of V ' thanks vraa given to tho lecturer . - —On Monday * ' evening the Council Jtcfil their usual weekly meet- v * ing , and after transacting local business , Mr . R , \ Sliawcross wished to ask the Secretary a question , >\ stating , aa his reasons for doing soj that he had «» read some extracts of minutes respecting a menu v ^\ tars' meeting held last Sunday week in- that room , \ A and from that report some persons had been led to \^ vv suppose that the- Manchester-locality consisted onljr \ 1 \ of forty-throe members ; he ( Mr . ShawcroBa ) should ? X wish the Secretary to Btate what members he had ! \ \ on the books , and what was the average weekly \ expenses of tho locality . It was also staSed thafi ( V fcdwavd Hooson was treasure ? to tho Council , winch statement the Council knew was not true ; ifc . also stated that tho Council was split , whereas th « V nin , o « W Th k = e f ct for th ° y wwc Perfcctl > «>¦ ¦»• ^ hT ? . inn * ° retar 7 8 aid a fovr months 4 ° ' «* Vi St £ wT * f , ° f thre 0 months ' and f ° < * A K " » f «» W y . expensesworothirty shil- f \ afo a . Pe . u ' a 11 tl 10 Couiloil working gntui . ' ^ tons y ; with mpnet to The paying members ? many had been struck off the books by the late Secretary , a great number were out of work , and others wera working short time , members so situated could no 6 hf , L i ' ni ) , 1 l 3 r on the b 00 k 8 W ! l 3 abovo tares undied , and tho paying members were two nundied and Bucty-thjsrit- Arrangements wovb made f Wrii" ? V 5 t ° - eotin 8 th 0 election of delegates to the Manchester Conference , and tha SSJoffiS a wibh tUafc othei > localitie !» Sheffield . —Tiie Council held their weekly meet » ing on Sunday evening , in tho Democratic Tempo , ranee Hotel , SS , Queen-street . Mr . Holmes in tha chair . After winding-un tho financial lmsin «< i »
connected with Mr . Thomas Cooper ' s lectures , &c . the question of tho Manchester Conference was nexfj taken into consideration , whereupon it was moved ! ' . < nl ; ° ' aml seconded by Mr . Thomas Hague : — That a public meeting be called for Wednesday evening , in the above room , for tho purposo of electing a Delegate to the abovo Conference . " Tha motion being put from tho chair , was carried without a dissentient . On the motion of Mr . JameS nlialey 100 placards n-erc ordered to be printed and ! posted , announcing the meeting . Carried unanimously . The Council seeing that Mr . O'Connoc )^ about to visit a few towns , it was resolved—That the corresponding secretary be instructed ta write to the above gentleman , venuestinc him *< i
pay a visit either before or after the Manchester Conference . " Thanks being voted to the chair , tha meeting adjourned . —The Sueflield Chartists bava resolved by their recent acts , not to be behind tha mends in the Potteries in the good work of gratitude to their friend and benefactor , Fuargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P . A goodly number of manufacture ! articles have been given gratuitously , tho proceeds to be applied to the Honesty Fund . Articles by tha way of donations will bo thankfully received for tha above specific Fund ,
AsHTON-uNOKn-LYSE . —A meeting of tlie members of the Ashton Democratic Association was held in the Land Company's-ioom on Sunday last Tha President having taken his seat , the meeting was then opened by the reading of the rules of the Association ; after which the following resolutions wore passed :- " That a book fund uo established , to be supported by voluntary subscriptions and do ' nations . " That classos for the teaching of reading , writing , and arithmetic be opened during the following week . " " That a deputation be appointed to wait upon our democratic friends to solicit their aid in establishing our library . " Tho librarian then informed tho members that the books helongui . 2 to tho library were now roady for circulation ; alter which several new members were proposed foi-admission , aiHlthe meeting was adjourned till bunday next , at ten o ' clock in tbc fon-noon .
Crippleoate Locality . —At a meeting of members held on Monday last , thanks were given to Mr . Jones for his attendance at Manchester-. Messrs . Slocombo and Taylor were appointed delegates to tUo Metropolitan Council ; and tlianks were given to Messrs . Brisck and lloring , tha retiring delegates , for their services . [ The other . portion of the report is an advertisement . ] Exeter . —At a members' meeting held on Monuay , £ 1 los . was collected in aid of the Honesty 1 ' und . Mr . Scott having rendered very great assistance to the Chartist body , a vote of thanks was unanimouscly given to him .
. CovE . \ TnT .-The Chartists held their usual meeting on Monday evening , when a resolution condemnatory of the Manchester Confidence was adopted , the Executive being the only body to whom the power of calling a Conference is delegated . [ The other resolutions should have been , sent to the Executive . ] Hull . —Tlie following resolution was passed at the weekly motting of the council and members , held at the Malt Shovel , Korth Church-side :-lliat this meeting viaws with sorrow , the unhappy difference existing between the Executive and the Manchester council , and hope the dispute will bo speedily ended , in order thafc all parties nmv worn in union together , instead of quarrelling . " *
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Ashtonmjnder-Lysk . —A meeting of members was hold on Sunday last in their room , Charlestowii , tvu " wowing resolution was agreed to : — . lhatvi loan funil be established , in order to assist in the winding-up of Ihe Land Company . " Several members then paid a shilling each , and agreed to contribute more weekly . AT L ^ r , tlie usual wokly meeting held at the Malt Shovel , North Church Side , on Monday evening , January 12 th , the Secretary read from , the Star the recommendation of tho South Shields branch , which was approved of , as the best means of assisting Air . O'Connor in winding up the affairs ot the Company , and which , if taken un with snirih
would afford ample means to repurchase some of the allotments when brought to the hammer , rather than suffer them to be sold at a great sacrifice . la consequence of the smallness of tho meeting tha discussion was adjourned until Monday next .
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A respectable and numerous assemblage of tho members and friends of the League met at tha rooms of that body , Talfourd Temperance Hotel , Famngdon-street , on Sunday evening last , to hear a lecture from Mr . Philip M'Grath . The subject for the evening was " Astronomy , " and Mr . M'Grath treated it in a manner to make it instructive , entertaining , and elevating . All present were delighted at his exposition , and although exceptions were taken to some of the theories of Mr . M'Grath , by Mr . Side , yet this latter gentleman in the most handsome manner , in seconding a vote of thanks to tho lecturer , expressed the admiration which he had experienced during the delivery of the address of . Mr . M'Graih . The council and friends have prevailed upon the talented lecturer to promise other addresses upon the same subject . It was announced that on Sunday evening , 19 th January , a lecture will be delivered in tho same room , by Mr . Hurst — subject , " Chemical Discoveries .
At a meeting of the Council , hold on Wednesdayevening—Mr . P . M'Grath in the chair—financial and other matters having been deck ' cd , Mr . Doyle took occasion to call attention to a leading article of the Northern Star of Saturday last , and expressed , in tho warmest terms , the satisfaction which such writing in the Chartist organ occasioned him . He noticed to the Council the absence of all foul and vituperative language , and the general dignified and temperate spirit which the writer had exhibited . He ( Mr . Doyle ) had read the paper recently with more pleasure than he had felt for a le of time and he
ngth could assure tho CounciL that it afforded him infinite gratification to find that , at length , the Northern Slar had , in the political Pjj taophy , literary power , and truthful exposi-Ki w htt ° fi ^ depanmeilt 'P laced itself « n * innni ,, Tl \ ttsi news > papers of the day . Ho sentslfhtoTrST " Thafcthe Councilp " ° - des re thSt ° theedlt J ° . ' andnamea "" anxious SinJ » , he , may , succeed in the enlightening and elevating task which he has corameTiced .-Sha motion was seconded by Mr . Dixon , in an able a 5 opte ' d SUPP yMn Clwk | and unanimou 3 ly
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M . Soyer has taken possession of Gore HouBe . opposite tho Industrial Palace , and ho says , "It will be my study to dovote this establishment entirely for tho display of the gastronomio art , where l am now making preparations to accommodata thousands daily at my Symposium of all Nations . " Cost of a Prosecution . —The Clerk of the Crown . T . S . Shuttleworth , Esq .. has allowed to Messrs . Catterall and Catterall , solicitors , of Preston , for prosecuting Mr . Henry Blackhurst , at tho late Liverpool assizes , the sum of £ 2 H 1 % id ,, beipg the taxed costs of such prosecution ,
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ts Union is strength . " 50 THE "WORKING CLASSES .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 18, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1609/page/1/
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