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TO F. O'CONNOR, ESQ., M.P.
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eijMi&t Mmummc, ¦ . , . / . - .. •• ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ - ' • ¦ • .
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f;TO THE VERITABLE CHARTISTS.
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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 , —I attended a meeting at Sheffield on Wednesday week , and I never was better received in my life . A great smniber of the honest and honourable and independent ladies were there , and they received me with kindness and cordiality , and presented me with an address , which will be found at foot . I also attended a meeting at Halifax , on Friday week , and it was a bumper . I was most cordially and kindly received , and < jtir veteran and honourable friend , Rushton , was in the chair . I have had many invitations to attend meetings all over England ; and ¦ when this infernal Land Company is wound up , I will go through all England , Scotland , and Wales , and endeavour to rouse Chartism
-once more . Lord John Rtjsselt . has stated that it is his intention to propose something very near the Charter next Session of Parliament ; but lie will do it upon the same principle that C J . Fox did . He and the Duke of Rich jiond advocated every point of the People ' s Charter , but when he became Prime Minister he proposed a motion to prevent
Commissioners , who supplied the Army and Navy with meat , to sit in the House of Commons , and he * aid ' Now , there's the Charter , what more do you want V And you may depend upon it that if Lord John Russell can by possibility continue as Prime Minister , that he will propose some similar motion , and like C- J . Fox , will say , 'Now there ' s the Charter , what more do you want ?"
I attended a meeting on Thursday last at the Hanover-square EoomB , which was crowded to suffocation . Lord Dudley Stoaet - was in the chair , and made a most admirable speech ; and KossUTir was jreceived-with such cheering that I thought the building would have tumbled down . There wer ^ gentlemen with their wands and rosettes-at the front and side doors ; and as I had no ticket they would not let me in , and they said I could not procure a ticket . However , I went iuto the Committee-room , and one of tbfa Committee eame in and took me up on the platform .
Now , my friends , I think this will convince you that tie middle classes do not wish your friends and supporters to appear upon the platform ; however , I snap my fingers at them ; and , as I have often told you , I am resolved to rest upon my oars nntil the Chartist mind of the country is once more roused ; and if I was offered a million millions a year , I would not give up Chartism , as it makes my Wood boil , when I see fathers and mothers carrying children on their backs ' and in their arms , starring and crying with hunger , while you have idle land , idle labour , and idle money in this country . I never was better received in my life than I was at Sheffield and Halifax : and I have often told you before ,
that it was my determination to rest upon my oars until the abuse levelled at me had expired . If it was not for this infernal Land Company , in which I have expended ; £ 7 > 500 of my own money , I could have devoted more of my time to Chartism , but I did hope that the Land Plan would have carried Chartism . Several ladies at Halifax offered to make me a present of their shares in the Land Company , but I refused them ; and , as I Stated before , I repeat it again , I am resolved , when this Company Is wound up , to carry on a Land Plan on my own responsibility j and Sow , in conclusion , let me again repeat to yon , that yon never did , nor never will , see a man who has deveted his time and money to elevate the working classes as I have .
I remain , Tour Faithful Friend and Uncompromising Advocate , Peaegus 0 ' Connor . P . S . —The people at Halifax presented me ¦ vrith a splendid address , and a reporter ot one ot the papers asked me to give it him that he might insert it in his own paper , and that he would forward it to the * Northern Star : ' however , he has not done so . F . O'C .
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Honouked Sib * — Allow ua to congratulate you on your safe arrival amongst us once more in Sheffield , with feelings of delight and pleaacre . AYe have long been amriouBfor a visit from you ; therefore we hail you with sincerity and gratitude for your continued and unflinching advocacy in the cause of freedom , trusting that Providence may yet spare you for many years to see the noble work of emancipation carried out , and in which you have ao heroically struggled .
It is just twelvemonths to-day when our little band—now called 'The Womans ' Jtlg his Association '—sprang into existence , ¦ and we are proud to say our perseverance has emboldened our sisters in Glasgow , Leeds , Edinburgh , and many other townBi to speak out for Universal Suffrage , in which we solicit your powerful aid . yfe remain , Sir , Yours obediently , &e ,, Abiah Higsisbotham . ; Sheffield , November 5 th , 1851 .
Deae Sib , —On reading the « Star' of last week we were highl y gratifiedwith your letter , in which you stated your determination to Tisit all the towns that had invited you ; and further , on seeing a letter in the same paper from Stockton , inviting yon to attend that town ; and believing you will comply with the request of the Stockton friends , if yon possibly can , we thought it a favourable opportunity to solicit -von to come to Hartlepool , to give us a bitof ' stir up , as Hartlepool is only twelve miles from Stockton , northward , on your road to Sunderland , Shields , or Newcastle . And ona narticular reason for our desiring you to
give ua a call is , that Hartlepool is rather lukewarm , which may lead some to say it is not worthy of a call . In reply we would say that it is only a heap of smouldering combustibles , which if it had Mr . O'Connor's snatch applied to it would glow into as fierce a Chartist fire as any in Great Britain . Desiring an answer in your next number of the 'Star , ' we subscribe ourselves , your bumble and devoted servants , Robert Holman , Edward Tnrnbnll , Mark Parkinson , William S . Pattison , John Eow , William Marshall , Alexander Beatie .
Dear Sir , —I am directed by the council of this locality to forward you an invitation to pay a visit to this town when you make your northern tour , and , lam also directed to inform you that our confidence remains ' unshaken in yon , and hope that you may live to see the people enjoying those juat ri g hts for which you hare been bo true an advocate . Tours truly , Robert Gill . Rochdale November 11 th , 1851 .
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Redemption Sociktt . — It ia intended to have a aeries of lectures and discussions in social science inleedethiawinter ; arrangements aw nowbeing made . Monies received for the week :-Leeds , £ 1 S 3 . Id . ; Etruria , per 3 tfr . Wilbraharo , 5 s . 9 d . ; Longton , per Mr . Kiev , Is . 8 d . ; Building Fund leeds , 4 s . ; Etroria , 6 d . ; Propagandist Fund , la . 6 d . •> Hcsrr ' a Birthday at AsHiox-TjaBBR-I * .--The seventy-eighth annniverearf of the birthday of the immortal Henry Hunt was held on Saturday evening last , at the house of Mr . James Dewsnap , Victoria-street , when a select and respectable number
of lus admirers sat down toa substantial sapper . -2 he room was tastefully decorated with portraits of the most celebrated political reformers . After tbo cloth was removed , Mr . James As hworth was called lo the chair , and opened the proceedings with a brief eulogium on the political character of Mr . Bunt , concluding by proposing " The People—the ¦ oa ' y true source of Political power . " Several patriotic songs and toasts were given , one of which was " Mr . Feargu 3 O'Connor tnd the ' Northern Star ; ' " and the company separated at a late hour highly delighted with the evening ' s entertainment .
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THE ' IDEdS' OF THE PEACE SOCIETY . Mr . Editor , —If I would respect my character as a sane man , I feel I must pray to be excused connexion with that organisation which vegetates under the ambi guous appellation of the 'Peace Society . ' As men of one idea , the promoters of this nondescript policy may be considered simple enough ; but , as men , desiring to make their opinious popular , their manifestoes are singularly ludicrous . I have before me one of the precious specimens of this drab-coated school , lately given to the world , under the joint paternity of fPIT'W t TT \ W 9 A r * % rf-VTTl mrrn -nn ¦ n * n
Joseph Sturge , and Henry Richard , names which the despot will delight to read , as the unpaid supporters of his murderous policy . Weir can , I imagine the trio of joy , as bursting from the ' sweet voices '; of . the'Kussian Czar , the Boy-Emperor , and the King of the Two Sicilies , upon-perusin ' g this production of the Peace Society . ' Sir , Ideas are to regenerate Italy , and to repossess the oppressed Magyar with that liberty of action , which a combination of tryanny has temporarily deprved ^ hjm ^ fL ^^ ehpJId ^ & ^ rS r ^ ldi ^^^ dis ^ co ^ rerjr ^ W ^ an Idea .,- ¦ ¦ But > 3 imded into' a million parts , that is declared not only to have emblazoned upon its banner , The noblest
triumphs of Christianity ,- but which JS yet capable of upheaving continents , ' - and of effecting revolutions on the earth , in comparison with which the stormy career of the greatest conqueror that ever shook the earth beneath the tramp of his armed heel , is but as the momentary sweep of the hurricane , compared with the calm and majestic processes of nature , when it patiently elaborates through ages , the chief things of the ancient mountains , and the precious things of the lasting hills . ' Ideas , we are further told , 'have proved themselves mightier than swords ; ' and hence the latter must be for ever laid aside , and the nations be sent out star-gaziug for Ideas . That is the twaddle of the Peace
Society—the Dogberrys of our time ; and the men who would pen such stuff , ought , in mercy , to be written down as asses , and each of them consigned once more to the tender control of an elderly matron . I want to know , ( but I am afraid my inquisitiveness will be thought unpardonable , ) if it was an Idea which defeated Mazzini in Italy and Kossuth in Hungary ? Suppose I admit it , then the counterpart of that Idea may be called into action to turn that defeat into success . Well , I thought that it was
French bayonets that re-seated the Pope , and the treachery of Georgey , aided by the combined forces of Russia und Austria , that lost Hungary to its native population . If I am wrong , and that it were Ideas which produced the result , then with such Ideas I Bay these nations must do battle again . For Ideas I read disciplined men , gunpowder , cannon , and bayonet . If Joseph Sturge means the same thing , well and good ; hut as he meanB expressious of collective thought , I hesitate not to say that he is a disciple of the science of sham : and the sooner he discovers the fact
the better will it he for his reputation aB a man who aspires to be one of England ' s statesmen . I can place a proper value upon Ideas , and feel an appreciation for them as second to none other hi the domain of theory . But in the subjugation of nations , it is not thought alone but brute force , as the chief constituent , which is brought into the battle field . The Idea of a Newton , and the roar of artillery on the plains of Novarra , are things essentially different . That which the sword has gained for the enemy , must be regained by the sword ,
for the people . Less than this admission is meaningless talk . If , then , the Peace SociErr are the friends of humanity they pretend to he , must it not be apparent to them , when they are promulgating their peace doctrines , that they are playing in England the game of the despot in the North , conserving the power of Austria ' s nnfleflged monarch , and winning a smile from the sanguinary monster of Naples ? What help could come more timely , now that these men-destroyers are becoming cognisant of the g lorious reception of Kossuth in monarchical England , than advice like this , which says to the English nation , 'talk not , think not more of armed interventions . Heed not the fact that the hired hordes of the
north are threatening to devastate the lands of other nations , and to incorporate them under the dictatorship of their absolute ruler . Turn a deaf ear to the noble aspirations of the Italian people , whose life and liberty are held in bondage by half a million of armed soldiers , led on by men to . whom the sacrifice of blood is but as the spilling of water . Forget such inhuman acts aB the Btones of Naplefl witnessed but even a short time since . You are Englishmen your policy is non-intervention—declare for peace alone—and leave the rest to those ' divine and everlasting principles , ' which the course of events will vindicate , as the ' rectitude of your wisdom and counsel . ' Truly , the Peace Society is the tyrants' propaganda in Great Britain : and the unconscious
helpmate of a system of Government , against which humanity turnB its head , as a thing too horrible to be gazed upon . This startling discovery , that Ideas are to lift up an armed-defeated nation from the thraldom of the oppressor , ia put forth at this moment , as the autidote which shall cure men of the Magyar enthusiasm they have lately drunk in bo deeply , notwithstanding the incredible dilutions of aquas vitas which the ' Times has poured into the goblet j cautioning the poor deluded people from subscribing their shillings and pence , towards the
formation of an Hungarian Fund , for the liberation of Hungary from its present Russio-Austrian control . But for the Idea that such a proposal would be seriously made , this 'Principia' of Messrs . Sturge and Eichard ( poor Richard , I suppose ) , would not have been given to the world . It is another shaft at Kossuth , thrown fr om an opposite power to that which haB songht to tarnish his good name and honest reputation . It says , in plain meaning , "Kossnth ' s mission in England is to liberate his country by force of arms . This must not be acknowledged . Our principles
are , ' that an appeal to the sword , for deciding questions of disputed rig ht is as irrational as it is unchristian ; ' and though Russian soldiers and Austrian treachery did so decide ,, through the agency of the sword , that Hungary should be blotted out of the face of nations , yetKossnth and his followers must abandon the sword , on their part ; the English people must withhold their pecuniary aid also ; and the great ^ Magyar Hero must use his tongue and wield his pen—teach Ideas to his countrymen—and until he is sue cessfal , Hungary must not he . " Bat by whom are these Ideas to be manifested ? It would
not be consistent for the Peace Society to answer by Kossuth or any of his compatriots , for their presence upon their native soil would but be preliminary to their execution ; and the Austrian spy police will be particularly careful that the morals of the people shall not be contaminated even with the Ideas of Messrs .
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Sterge and Richard ! So that I canpot see how these wonderful cures are to find their way to their purposed destination . 4 t any rate , the King of Naples may congratulate himself upon the security of his throne ,, if nothing , short of an importation of English ideas from the Peace Society in London- is to unseat him ; and Kossuth and Batthyany , Mazzini and his friends , may give up ( their Qauso as hopeless , if by Ideas only the nations they represent are to witness again the glorious effulgence of liberty ' s sun . ^ . . .
I desire not war , but justice ; and if , to obtain the latter , I must have recourse to the former , then welcome war ; welcome anything , that will give freedom to an oppressed people , " and cause the blessed rays of civilisation to be refracted over the whole of the mighty work of Providence . . ;¦ ¦¦ ¦ - Cej&sob .
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . v OJroes—14 SouthamptoniSb&eiiStrand . ^^ s ^^ ipjitiyjB'Committee of this body held their usual weekl y meeting as above on Wednesday- evening ; last . Present — Messrs . Arho ' tt , Holyoake / Hunt , Joneu , and Milne . Messrs . Harney and Le Blond , being in the country were absent , as were also Messrs . Grassby and O'Connor , Thornton Hunt pre-• it * ¦ sided . Correspondence of a highly encouraging and progressive character was read . ^
The Secretary reported that at a meeting of members residing in the metropolis , held on Sunday afternoon last , in the Literary and Scientific Institute , Leicester-place , Raystreet , Clerkenwell , it had been unanimousl y agreed , on the motion of Messrs . Farrow and Oliver— "That a meeting of all the Chartists of London and its environs be convened b y the Executive , for Sunday afternoon , November 23 rd , at the above-named institute , in order to consider the best means of resuscitating tho movement in the metropolitan districts . '
Outhe motion of Messrs , Jobbb afcd Milne , it was unanimously agreed— ' That we , the Executive Committee , do hereby call such meeting , at the time and place above-named , and that all friends to the cause be earnestly requested to attend the said meeting . ' Mr , J , Ci Dobson Collet , the Secretary to the Committee for the Abolition of the Taies on Knowledge , having attended , aB invited , the Secretary called the attention of the Committee to the 12 th section in the Programme adopted by the late Convention , which he read as follows : —
Thk Tress . That absolute freedom of thought and expression being one of the primary and most sacred of the rights of man , all restrictions—fiscal or otherwise on printingand publishing are unjustand iniquitous , —this Convention , therefore , declares its decided hostility to the infamous Taxes on Knowledge , and recommends the total abolition of The Duty on Paper . The Duty on Advertisements , The Penny Stamp Tax on Newspapers . And the Impart Duty on Foreign Books and Publications .
Mr . Collet then stated that the Committee which he bad the honour to represent , was deairous of making a determined effort at the present time to remove one of the greatest barriers to progression , viz ., the Taxes on Knowledge ; and from what he knew of the position in which the cause stood , he felt sure , if an energetic action were got up , this important object would be accomplished ; the Committee , therefore , solicited the co-operation of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association in holding a series of public meetings for the especial purpose of calling the attention of the working classes to this question , and that towards the expenses thereby incurred , pecuniary assistance would be rendered .
After a long discussion , it was unanimously agreed , on the motion of MesBrs Holyoake and Milne— ' That a series of public meetings for the above object be held as early as convenient . ' Messrs . Arnoit , Holyoake , and Hunt , having been appointed a Sub-Committee to draw up an address to the people , the Committee adjourned to Wednesday evening , November 19 th . Signed , on behalf of the Committee , John Abnott , General Secretary .
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Brighton . —At a numerous meeting lield on Monday evening—Mr . Batram in the chair tbe following resolution was moved by Mr . Giles , and seconded by Mr .- Sinnock , and unanimously carried : — " That we , the members of the Brighton branch of the National Charter Association , having read in c Eeynolds ' s Newspaper' that at the Demonstration of the working classes in favour of Kogmitn , an attempt was made to exclude a man ( Mr . O'Connor ) who has been for many years their political champion ; and we believe that the conduct of the men who made that attempt
highly reprehensible , and not fitting for that noble position which they aspire to—namel y ^ of being t he political leaders of the wortiug classes . We further award to Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds our sincere thanks for the part he took in preventing such an outrage being inflicted on Mr . O'Connor . And that a copy of this resolution be sent to the ' Northern Star , ' ' Reynolds ' s Newspaper , ' and the Leader , 'for insertion . "—John Pa . ge , Sec . Metropolitan Lectures . —Ernest Jones has , during the last two months , been delivering a number of ChartiBt lectures , in several Democratic Halls in London , to overflowing
and enthusiastic audiences . His lectures on the 19 th ult . and on Sunday laBt , at Johnstreet , on Hungary , ' excited the greatest attention and the keenest interest . On the second occasion the spacious Hall could not contain one half of those desirous of entering . Sheffield . — On Wednesday , November 5 th , the Annual Chartist / Soiree and Ball was held in the Hall of Science , RocMngham- street , to cpmmemo j rate the recent victories gained in the Municipal Elections . Mr . K . Otley presided . The principal guest of the evening was Feargus O Connor , Esq ., ALP . About ninety persons sat down to tea . After tea the HaU was cleared ; and . preparations were
speedily completed for ft public meeting . At a little before eight o ' clock , F . 'O'Connor ,. Esq ., entered the hall , aud proceeded to the platform , accompanied by Mr . Otley , Mr . Grayson , Mr . Hague , and others . Loun and prolonged . applauwgrafcsa Mi . O'Connor on his entering theroom .-f The Chairman , in opening the proceedings , observed thiit . it any man deserved the honour of the working classes , it was Mr . O'Connor . ( Applause : ) Mr . 0 Connor had been of . great service to the . working classes ; for what , he asked * did they know , whai f d they understand of their rights , until Feargus 0 Connor came out and awoke the mind of the nation ? Tat
ing these things into consideration , the worKing casses ought not to fomke the man when lauounng under the machinations , misrepresentations , am s ' aoders of his foes . The Chairman then introduced Mr . O'Connor , who was loudly cheered . Tlieap ? plauge which greeted Mr . O ' Connor having mbsided , he proceeded to give a detail of his Me , and the many sacrifices he had made to aid the cause of the people . They must not blame , government ; they must blame themselves . There was a ^ want of unity amongst them . Let them be united in the cause , and feel and he had felt -in i' for the lust twenty-nine years , the Charter would ba secured immediately . —Mr , Grayson moved , and Mr . forster
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seconded , the following resolution : — '" That this meeting begs to return its heartiest thanks to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., for hispast labours to enlighte n the working classes of the United Kingdom ; and fully believe that the carrying out of his plan of Small Farms is the most lasting remedy fof our social ills . " An address from the "Sheffield Women ' s Rights' Association" to Mr . CTConnor , was then read by the chairman . The address began by congratulating Mr . O'Connor on his safe arrival once more amongst them ; and they hailed him with sincerit y and gratitude for his continued and unflinching advocacy in the cause'of freedom . The address went on to state that tho Woman ' s Riehts '
Association had been in existence twelvemonths tbat day , and they were proud to say . their perseverance had emboldened their sisters in Glasgow ,. Leeds , Edinburgh , and other towns , to speak out for universal suffrage , in which they solicited his powerful aid . —Signed ; Abiah Higginbothana . —Mr . O'Connor returned thanks , and the meeting ' separated . —At the close of the meeting , a ball took place , at which a goodly number were present . —[ The Whigs and Tories are quite discomfitied here . Out of fourteen town-councillors the Democrats have gained nine , bf sides securing the election of their own man as Mayor—a Democrat and gentleman in every sense Of the Word .-r-CoBBBSPONDENT . ] -.. ij
PiNSSUHT . p-The monthly meeting of ChfUrtista iras held on . Sunday afternoon at the Literary and Scienlifi& $ istitution , St . Peter ' s Terrace , Clerkenwell , tbe . attendance was limited , and little business traiiBacbed , except a resolution to hold a-large public meeting on Sunday next , at three o'clock in the afternoon . A public meeting was held oa Sunday evening . The hall was crowded to excess . Mr . Woedon wag called to the chair , and spoke with considerable effect upon the present state of the movement . Messrs . Fussell , Leno , and Broom , also addressed the'meeting , and were much applauded .
Barkslbt . —Mr . Kydd s Visit to Yobkshire . — The democrats of this town were highly entertained on Monday evening , the 10 th inst ., in the Mechanics Hall , by hearing a lecture from Mr . Kydd on the subject of Hungarian Independence , Kosauth in Ilungariy and in England . In his development of the causes of the late revolutions on tho continent ) he traced them to the wrongs and oppressions endured by the working people of those countries , and , after an able address , called upon his audience not to be led astray from their -own sufferings and duties ; but , while paying a tribute of respect to the exile patriots of other lands , to make a bold stand for their own political rights , and , above all , to do their best to shorten the hours of labour and
increase its price . He concluded amidst the loudest approbation of his hearers . Oa the motion of Frank Mirfield , a vote , of thanks was given to the lecturer and the Chairman ( Mr . George Uttley ) , and the meeting separated . (• uu vmv u 4 vgvMig a ^ uHiw « uui
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CHARTIST ORGANISATION . A public meeting , called by several activo men of all parties in the democratic movement , was held on Wednesday evening , at the British Institution , Cowpev-street , City-road , to eonsider the causes which have lead to the apathy of the people , and the best means of reviving the agitation . The attendance was considerable . At half-past eight o ' clock Mr . Cudden was called to the chair , and opened the meeting by stating , that their object was to achieve Manhood Suffrage , and the other adjuncts of the People ' s Charter . The right to the Suffrage was unitersal and intuitive . No public man dared to dcDy this right j they expressed themselves afraid that the people knew not how to make good use of it . The truth wnv , they feared the people would use it too hwieatly . He
attributed the poverty , misery , and wretchedness which existed to the errors and vices of the government . The CriiiBMAN , at considerable length dwelt upon the Philosophy of Chartism , showing that the sciences had so developed the power of man 10 create wealth , that a proper distribution of it could not fail to diffuse happiness and abundance to all who would exert their physical or mental energies to . obtain it . To demonstrate his position he adduced a variety of statistical accounts , \ rhich were well received . lie concluded by asserting his conviction , that all Reforms would be useless unless tho Iand * was made national property , and all willing to work thereon supplied with labour by means of a free and national currency . Mr . Dicic was called upon to move the first resolution aa follows : —
That this meeting considers that Minhood Suffrage and the other points of tlifi Feople's Charter , viz ., Annual Parliaments , Vote by Ballot , Equal Electoral Districts , No Property Qualifications , and 1 ' oyment of Members constitute tbe only just system of reform , in which conviction the masses of the people cimcur , and can only attribute the fact of the smullness of the number of those who hare oined the movement to a general dissatisfaction with its system of management . The speaker , stated tbat the meeting was called by » few friends to test whether the people were willing to act for themselves , instead of being led away by parties who were only trying to delude thsm . They wanted to raise the banner of pure Chartism , without any connexion with financial ,
protection , or free trade movements . Tho present National Charter Association was a mere shadow of a shade ; where tens of thousands were once enrolled under its banners , now not even hundreds could be found . The speaker then read an txtrnot from the " Northern Star" of last week , referring to the Chartist movements . He spoke in high terms of the general consistency and value of the 11 Star , " but regretted that while itgave the frue state of the Chartist body it should advocate the polioy of joining the Parliamentary Reformers . The speaker then read an extract from the " Monthly Circular , " isoued by the Chartist Executive , and humourously commented thereon , giving it as his opinion , that the sooner the present
machinery was destroyed the better , as it had failed in doing its duty to ihe people ; and he complimented Messrs . Reynolds and T . Hunt on retiring from tho Exeoutive , where they were useless . He then dwelt upon tbe apathy of the Executive , statin * that they had not had a meeting of the body in sufficient numbers to do business for some months , and that their acting with the Parliamentary Reformers , and calling meetings for rich capitalists , like Salomons , was sufficient to injure them for ever in the estimation of the Cbartisfc body . He was anxious that they should not fall , through their agenoy into either governmental or other traps or pitfall * . Th&speilier met \ vith occasional interrup-; ions , but the applause preponderated .
Mr . Rogers seconded the resolution , and inquired why the Chartist body was less in numbers and in importance than it was in 1837 , when up , HMda of 400 distinct bodies gaye in their adherence to it . He-wished to say nothing personal , but he had his opinions on the subjeot , and could not avoid saying thit it appeared to him to have arisen from the want of wisdom and fidelity on the part of their leaders . He objected to the people being led away by little Chartera and delusive Reform Bills , and called vpon them to speak out in their localities upon this cubject . Mn Tallboy trusted that tbey would avoid all personalities , and not attack men in their abunco . '
Mr . Stuattok supported the resolution . He felt opposed to the present Executive , not only for their actions , but also from tbe manner in which they were elected . He then gave his opinion that in the preient state of Chartism , while they could not have men elected from the whole country , becauee they could not pay them , they should , if they were compelled to have London men , nt least elect those who were unanimous in the line of policy to be adopted , and not men who held such various and , on ' nwny points , decidedly opposite opinions as those composing " the present Executive . Mr . FIhrow , in ' &'ftw words , 'stated , that , although he could not approve of many of the aotsof the Executive , yet the fault lay more with the people . He moved the following amend * iaent : — ; ' ¦ ' ; ' ' , V ' "' , '" . ' [^ . ' , [ . ' . That this , meeting deeply regrets the apathy of the people , and call upon them to support the National Charter Ai 6 flohtion . . . . ¦ " . .. ' . " ..
Mr . Slocombb seconded the amendment . He thought the present moeting was . the work of a mere clique , and " he knew , that many of the men irnolud got < it up were young , vrlien compared with himself , in the movement . lie denied thai Thornton Hunt had left the Executive ,, and dared them to cast a stain upon tho character or ability of any of the present membors ol that body . Ihe persons finding fault with the Executive were not niembers . of the National Charter Association . Mr . Brtsou stated that ho was deputed by the Victim A « 80 ciation . lo give their opinion upon this question , in orJer that the true case might pa known prerious to the next election . During the past year- the Executive had done nothing for tut movement , and had thrown obstacles in the way of other * . It hid been said they . were unpaid , but th « Secretary was receiving £ 104 a year for his ier » ice » . They made use of the popularity of Ernest Jouea , and by . the money collected at h ; i
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meetings in the country , were enabled to keep up the present faroe at their office in Wellington-street . The Executive Iiad tried to injure tho Victim Association , and suppress the publiciiy of their proceedings . Mr . Osborwe next addressed the meeting . Bethought the Exeoutive had not dor >» their duty , but had allowed the movement to crumble to pieces . He advised them to withdraw the resolution and amendment , and let the question be settled at the aggregate meeting of Chartistson the following Sunday . ne moved the following resolution : •—That this meeting , composed of the inhabitants of Fmsbury , are determined never to aiiitate for any mea-Mire of lleform less than the People ' s Ciwrter . ¦ Mr . Swijt seconded the motion . Several other persons brieflyaddressed the meet ' ing , and oomplained that the bills did not state the true objoot of the meeting . The
. last amendment was then put araid some confunon , when a portion of the meeting held up their hands in its favour , and none in opposition . After some discussion as to the order of the amendments , Mr . O'Bbibn entered the meeting , and was loudly cheered , and having obtained permission of the £ hajrman , he addressed . the meeting , and complained that the" Globe" newspaper bad entirely misrepresented the speech he made at the Kossuth Banquet , and put into his . mouth --atrocities he never . dreamedof ; tfhad ^ lso attacked this fictitioua 3 peebh in- itsJeading " article . He ( Mr . O'Brien ) waited on the editor of that paper , who pledged himself to insert a letter from him in reply . Instead of this , he inserted only a brief paragraph , not to the purpose , and tagged a long article in reply to The meeting then broke up without either the resolution or the amendment being put .
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TO THE CHARTISTS . Brotjibb CflARrKTs . —Witb . the great events that are approaching over Europe—events that will reverberate here , for the eame blood circulates through , nil mankind , and , if one puke beatB more quickly—every rein in the great human body feels more or lesB the accolerated flow—with the elements of change that have been rapidly culminating in England , hastening as they are to a development , a aeriou 8 tuouglit behoves every democrat—a warning word beoomes the duty of every man who thinks . I feel it , thereforo , incumbent on me , to waive » U doubts , hesitations , or personal considerations that naturally present themselves in approaching a subject like the one I am about to address myself to , and to speak a plain word to you , my brother Chartists . .
It must be evident to all , that the long-smothered contention between the aristocracies of land and money , is about to reach a crisis—it must be evident that the legislative forms of the country are about to bo unsettled—and ' that tho fountains of the great political deep are about to be unsealed . ItmuBt bo evident that revolution , ironpaced , is about tQ stride above the thrones of Europe—and that a corresponding excitement will be wrought in this country . Is is , therefore , evident that both from internal and external sources , mighty causes will shortly be in operation , that will most vitally affect the democracy of Britain , At such a time the utmost strength , energy , and circumspection , are required in the guidance of the lemocfatic movement .
Now , then , the question I aak you , is this—shall the movement proceed in the miserable way in which it haa hitherto stagnated ? The solution is in your hands . In a few weeks , you will be called on to eleofc an executive . . On the efficiency of that executivo depends the future , of our cause . On the policy and views of its majority depends the direction that &ha \ l be given to tbe Chartist , power . It is all very well to say " the Executive are our servants . " So they are , and ought to be—but they . , are servants whom you entrust with the guidance of the movement—they are servants of whom you must for tho . time being , follow the . instructions , or you tit once make their services not worth having . They aso eithev a shadow , or a reality—and if tftey are to be tbelatter , you must clothe them with the real power that your adhesion , support , and sequence of their directions can alone bestow .
Such being the case , the Executive are the most iroportaut feature of an organisation , and their election becomes one of the most important actions in a movement . In a few weeks , then , I repeat , you are to elect an Executive , whose proud and perilous duty it will be to guide the democracy of the -world's greatest nation in the most trying and portentous times tbat have ever yet occurred in that worid ' s modern history . Then pause will as to ivhom you elect . I know fully what delicate and dangtroiu ground I trench on , —I know well that it may be considered bad taste , and ill advised in me , as a member of the present Executive , to touch on this subject at all . But I don ' t cure what . the universal world thinks or says , as long as I am performing what I know to be a public duty .
I therefore say , plainly and unmistakeably , Chartism , if it is to come to anything , must not be guided aa it has been hifeherto . Two or three men out of a committee of nine meeting once a week , for an hour , reading letters and talking , will never push the movement on . If one man ia out ou a lecturing tour , upon 8 omething wholly disconnected with Chartism—if another cannot leave his newspaper office—if another cannot quit hia connting houso-if another cannot abandon his workshop—they had best have nothing to do with the active guidance of Chartism . For democracy is an imperious mistress—she demands her servants wholly or not at all—half service is worse than no service—her servants should be ever at fcheir post—or they had better not attempt to occupy that post—her servants eannot serve two matters .
Uow , I don ' t desire to bo personal —> moit of my colleagues are my . intimate friends , and I value their friendship—but no individual friendship , no private consideration shall for one moment prevent me from speaking out , plainly , boldly , and unmiatakeably , on a subject of such importance—and I can . only say , I am heartsick of sitting Wednesday after Wednesday with memlora in insufficient num . bera to form a quorum , or when sufficient , doing nothing in tho world ' s greatest and dearest cause . 1 am heartsick of seeing call after call arrive for membersof the Executive to go into the country , and thoso calls remaining' negJeoted , because they have tliB business of other associations , or thoir own papers , shops , and Work to attend to . I am heartsick of seeing opportunity after opportunity lost because the Executive are jnindfog other business instead of minding the Charter . ;
It behoves us , therefore , I conceive , before we elect an Executive for the ensuing year , to well consider whom we shall eletl . lstly . We ought to have a distinct understanding , as to whether the men elected will devote all their time , not merely one hour weekly , but their entire time , day , and night too , if necessary , to the Chartist cause—it is no excuse to say , " There is nothing to do—the times are so apathetic ! ' , 'that is just the reason why wo should work doubletides . It i » no excuse to say " money enough is not subscribed to enable us to do anything !"—I have never known money to fail when the people aaw that work was actually being done , 2 ndly > The men elected ought to be . tried , anil indubitable Chartists—r < alkma-Mi Cftdrtists /
Beware of plat / ing the Chartist movement into the hands of any other party b y having a majority on the committee more identified with , ¦ other mwtmenu than miihourown , ¦ " ' '• . - ; : :
- IBINK ! THIHK ! OS THHSB LASI . WORDS !' ! Srdly . The members of the committee Bhould be men who can use both , tongue and pen well on platform . and on paper—but meabught not to be elected merely because they are fine writers , or clever speakers—a predilection which frequently misleads the better judgment of a people . . : .-4 thly . The members of the committee ought to be no amateur politicians , who take up a little bit of excitement . just now and . then , when tbef ' are in the humour—not men who think , if , they have met one evening in the week , that they have done their duty , but they ought to be men to whom you can say , " What wen ? you about . last weok ? wh * t have you been doing in our cause ? " —of . whom you can question every movement , and whom you can call to a reckoning for every hoiir . ' To realise thii ~ to have such an . executive permit me to offer the following suggestions : — '
lstly . —I eonoeive the executive . ought to be a paid committee for unless it is » uoh , you cannot comm . i » d their services in the way you ought to do —fhej will be amateun and not regular workmenand you will hare to elect either rich men , or men who must devote that time ( whibh is due to their political office ) to the gaining , of their daily bread ,
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There ia not a greater " husibug " under thij sun than that of electing an unpaid Executive . * 1 hero is not a greater abjurditv than to taunt people with " living on tho movement . " They must hve-if they don ' t live by the movement , they nmsfchve by something else-and if they live by « ometniDg else , they can ' t give their time to tha tnovemsnti 2 ndly .-= 'fo render tho payment of an executive easily practicable , the committee should consist of only three members , with a view to the greatest poflaible economy of public funda . * A « i ald '»» " th 8 f * i 8 wisdom » k multiplicity of e ' but * tfo «' t tbink so in tkiainaUnM -the executive should . be the reflex of the publitf mind , and the less diversity of opinion there 13 among them , tho better ; : auiuug buem , me oetter ;
It may also be Said " - thia cannot bo dond , ^ oxeep by another convention , for the last con « ventfon decided there should- be an unpaid execu * tive of nine . Yes ! it can be done by something greater than any convention- ^ me pbovlk , who send conventions . The primarjfasaeriiblieB of tha k . people are the highest authority—and . the localities ^ have only to meet and decide it tkall Be thus , —for it to become as legal and as binding as any convene ^ I tion on the earth could make it . ; . 3 rdly . —One in rotation out or *' this Executive * oaght to be constantly passing ; through the country , strengthening , binding , andHridenisg the movement , for the frequent personal-attendance of the committee , by one of its members , * can alona the of the tne 01 tne
ensure efficiency organisation . A few men sitting in a little street of London , now and then issuing a short address , or iuditing-a weekly report of nothing at all . will never drive tbe lacrensure emciency organisation . A lew men sitting in a little street of London , now and then issuing a short address , or iuditing-a weekly report of nothing at all , will never drive tbe lagging tide through the million veins of our populous ' democracy . There is nothing like the actual , pervading , living presence of the servant-leaders of a movement . Every locality can bear witness to the revivifying impulso . given by tbo stray visits of committee-members , an effect that lias faded into nothing , because the effort was not followed up , either locally or by the central body , till at ; liisc some other stray visit caused another little » xcitement , which was again allowcdtbdie off likaths last . It may be said , I complain of committee-members at present meeting in insufficient numbers to fo ? ia a quorum and go > 1 nto'business—how would it be-if only two were left in town *
All the better , I answer , than if there were a greater number ; we don ' t require debates , dia . oussions , and discrepancies of opinion in an acting committee . The people will elect lwenW tiled and fixed views , —men whom they long know , and men in whom they have confidence , founded in experience of their actions , —not men who . go to make up their minds , but men who have made up their minds already , —men who c ; m foresee the probable contingencies of the coming time , and are ready prepared how to net when they arrive . Brother Ciinrtist 3 J most solemnly do I invite you to a consideration of the nbore remarks on tha most important , incomparnbly most important , subject that can engage your present attention .
Should you not , at the outset , be sufficiently organised and aroused to support a paid Executiveshould you think nine men to talk , better than three men to act- —still let me implore you to consider well : Who those men shall be . Not to elect any man belonging to another movement : our servants must l . e wholly ours , we cannot go partnership with hostile factions . Not to elect any man who cannot and will not devote all his time to our cause . Democracy is not
a thing to be played with , to be taken up or laid down , as suits the convenience of individuals . And , above all , to take good care that the cause be not compromised and diverted from Us original pur ' pose , by ihtvkws and characters of fli&menwhomight form d majority of that committee ! The duty of that committee is to carry the Char ter—I say , emphatically , Tiik Charier—and tliere » - fore this is the question to ask ourselves ; "Ia that man a Chartist—or is he a sort of half
Ghartist and half something else ? " It doi > t follow because a man is liberal or even democratic , that he suits the stern purposes of our movementr Friends ! tho duty of to-day is to carry tlie Charter , and to prepare the public mind how to use it ; the duty of to-morrow will be to apply it to its use . On your choice of an Executive depends whether our movement shall be destroyed , played into the hands of other classes , diverted into sidling paths , or suffered to die out from incompeteuuy and neglect .
Brother Chartists . I have warned you— » nd let what will bo the animadversion made upon these words or their author , I shall still be satined tlmt I have acted rightly injso doing , I trust no one will accuse me of presumption in offering you this advice . If every man was to keep his mouth shut for fear of offending , nor dare to write Jesc he should be thought presumptuous , not one of thegreat truths tbat have rolled on the tide of progress would ever have been uttered on the world . Out with the truth , whatever all the . earth may think , or say , or do ? A man should be no more afraid of allowing hia mind , th&a of showing Ins face Ehkest Joses . * As I urn aware thiu this paper will cause some hostility , perhaps some fucnd 3 will suggest that I urny possibly hope for re-election , and have a self-inteiested motive iu this advice—to those my mi&wor is—sdthis * . -E . J . EnsmKBanaBaaMF ^ BmMH ^ BW ^ M
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STRIKE OF THE BUILDING TRADES OF MK . G . MYERS . A public meeting was ' held on Thursday evening , at the National . Hull , llolbnni , to hear a report of the present state of the strike . At half-past seven o ' clock the Hall beinj crowdfd by members of the Buiding Trades , Mr . Webster was called to tbe chair . The Financial Secretary gave iu a report of the finances , showing a progressive improvement iu ihe support they were receiving , Upwards of 1 , 300 men had struck work , but only G 00 were now receiving strike pay , owing to their having procured other jobs . Mr . J agger said , the strike was the grandest that had ever taken place in the metropolis : every man in the Building Trade had attuck without reference to their peculiar trade .
Mr . M'Dokau ) moved the first resolution : — ? That this meeting is of a opinion that as the welfare of the Trades generally depend upon the firm and inviolate maintenance of the four o ' clock movement , and that tho shortening of the houiB of labour tends t- ) the physical , mental , and moral elevation of the working classes , this meeting cordially approves of every movement that tends to the securement of this glorious object . " Over work and poverty rendered their Jives miserable and brief . 9 ? he working men were blamed for being
ignorant and given to intoxication . How could they expect a different result under circumstances which gave them no opportunity lor intellectual improvement ? Itwas on thia principle that they contended for the reduction of thisone and a half an hour of their la bouronthe Saturday afternoon . Theotheremployers had conceded this right , Mayers alone set himself up above his compeers , and wished to act the despot . By . union and perseverance tbey would be enabled to make him act with the other portio . 1 of the trade . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . Georsb Scott seconded the resolution . Man was born for nobler ends than merely to toil for the benefit of others . Mr . , G . Myers had sprung from the ranks of Labour , and it wasbaaQon him to attempt to destroy the . rights of Workingmen . Could he suppose that in this ago of progression , tho building trades should take a backward step and forego the rights they now enjoyed . Mr . Turner supported the resolution and ' dwelt upon the injury inflicted by Mr . Myers uton his workmen through his deductions for-the hour and . half labour , and the immense sum he thereby put into hia own pocket . He was opposod to strike ? , they were an evil , but in this ease they were a necessary evil , ' and would be so' until labour was
represented as well as Capital in the House of Commons . He need only to mention the fact of Myera taking off the disputed ninepencei from the wages of a man , theweek after he was accidentally killed in his employ , to show the spirit that animated him . ( Shime ;) " - : Tbe resolution was put and carried unanimously . Mr . Tuff moved the second reBolution : —" That it is the opinion of this meeting that union is the only-means that can secure to the rrorhing classes Of tills Country a fa * anil enuitab'e share of the rights and p * iio leges they ought to enjoy ' . " He . was glad . to . see tliat working men were more , fully appreciating the advantages '' of union . ' Asa representative yf the bricklayers ^ , He was iirpud ' of the manner in which the trade on strike had aoted . ' ¦ ' ¦;
Mr . Cabiisue seconded the resolution , The meeting Rave proof : that : the workingfnaen of . London wore in carneat on : ihe subject , nnd ; if they , only acted , up . to thecnthusia § m exhibited , neither Myuis uoftany . other employer would be able to ; opp « S 8 thorn . " ' ' ' ' •• • ' ' Mr . 'YouMb ; "the--representative " of the buildingtr . des working at the new Uoustfe ' of- Kirliament , supported the resolution . ' The- menatihosewere de ermlued to render efficient support umi . the strihe . terininated .. iThey nee led a former andmore extensive unionaiaoni : the . whole of tlie trade . ahey must also attach co-operative system to weir trades' union . " ' . ¦¦¦ •>¦>¦¦ v '• ¦ ¦• ¦ ¦• • . ¦ . Mi-. Cubsem , moved a resolution " , ' expressive of \ r . usa to the men on strike , and-pledgini ; . ' the . - -musting- to . render them efficient support .. . .-: . % . -,-i . . -:.-. . . \ . ,- ' Mr . J .. Wood , in . a ' speech ' replete ¦ witHenu-gya ^ 'l eloquence , SCCbtlded the resolution and elicited , i » nbou » Jed applause . - ,: ¦ ¦ ¦•
itie resolution was carried unanimously . .: ' ' -. ' . A vote of thanks \ vas given to the Chairmrn , and thus conclu ded one of the largest ii ' nd most enthusiastic meet"if 5-tnat lias Seen held fox trades ' r-fVpo- 'es for sotn . 3 lengthened period . - / ' }' ¦ ¦> ' ' . j ^ N : ' . / , We regret that wautnf spai » r : at-. thiilate ? pViod . of the week , prevents our g iving ti \ e iueetn > s atgrea ^ Jcngt : i . ¦ ¦
To F. O'Connor, Esq., M.P.
TO F . O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P .
Eijmi&T Mmummc, ¦ . , . / . - .. •• ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ - ' • ¦ • .
eijMi&t Mmummc , ¦ . , . / . - .. ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ - ' ¦ .
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- ^ piV '• ; '' ¦ '" - ' . ¦*» ¦ RsPMSESTATIOS ^^ sV ^^ Sfei ^ 1 R ; already in * fourth ^ anaidate ^ fhas ^ startgd ^ r hi much coveted honour | of ^ ep't | 8 eriUn | rthebj ; rough . of Kinsale , in thejpersqti ' ofiJff v HamiUon J 3 ? alu , of Dublin . - ¦ [ ^ .: ^ " - < i j * - / ¦ && -
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- _ . .. _ ,-r . . . .. . m ^ , . . _ - 'X . AND KATIOMALiTRAPES JOURNAL
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Wl . Iff !» . « , « DW ; IHBm ; jjHMBlV . 1 M . » JgTJ 85 BJa' ' 1 ' r " ^ ^ — ^^ m ^—_—» . ^ . ^— _ .. ^
F;To The Veritable Chartists.
f ; TO THE VERITABLE CHARTISTS .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 15, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1652/page/1/
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