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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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^ f ^ ksT A . few days ago the Archbishop of ^ rSt and others waiSdupoa Lord Derby , C ip-t that the government would not allow the l VWal Palace to be opened on Sunday . ISow ** p i ? something particularly disgusting in this at-* t on the part of wealthy priests and aristocrats , wan seet the pure air of the country at pleasure , Smrfre of the only few hours of healthful enjoyt 0 tit is in his power to obtain , the poor artisan *¦!; i- all the week else confined to the stifling at--phere of the workshop , or his stillmore unhealthy ^^ ZZ * . A few days ago Archbishop of
TVe can respect the conscientious opinions of all » n but for those who would thus murder their jjjlows under pretence of religion we have only hatred and contempt : they are monsters who should be driven forth from among civilized men . That we are subject to the attacks of such wretches onlv shows the more clearly , how we shauld struggle for ' the enfranchisement of all , that the aoVEREiGXir Of the PEoriE may for ever end the reign op BtT OCRIST .
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AFHtOACHING DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT . It has been ' positively affirmed' that Parliament ¦ will be prorogued on Thursday next , the 1 st of July , and that the dissolution will take place the following flay . The Ministerial organ names the 8 th of July as the day of actual dissolution . It is likely that the Commons will have to adjourn for a day or two , to allow the Lords to finish their Bhare of the Parliamentary tinkering . It may be considered certain that the dissolution will take place within ten or fourteen days from the present time . A few new candidates worthy of the people ' s confidence are coming forward , including Mr . William Comkgham ,
the well known and untiring advocate of political and social reform . We earnestly hope he will take the place of Mr . Lushisgtos in the representation of Westminster , and shall be no way sorry should he owe his seat to the ousting of that Bham-Eadical Lacy Eyass . "We are happy to learn that in Finsbury there is every probability of again placing Mr . T . S . Dux-COMBe at the head of the poll . We rejoice that the prospect of Mr . Whxiam Newton ' s election for the lower Hamlets every day becomes more hopeful . Notwithstanding certain short-comings and mistake ? , Mr . G . Thompson is by far the bestof the remaining candidates , and , we nope , will be returned with Mr . Uewtox It is to be desired that Mr . WiLtiAM TftniAMg may again sit for Lambeth . In the Borough Of Southward Mr . ApaiEr Pellatx will be
a good exchange for Alderman Humphrey . As regards the country constituencies , we can only notice that Hall promises to elect as one of her representatives 'Viscount' Goderich . If the promise be realised , no election will give more general satisfaction . In politics ' Lord' GodEEICH is a progressive reformer of the best school ; better still , he has studied the social condition of the people , and is earnestly desirous of bringing the action of the Legislature to bear upon the great work of Social Keform . If for no other reason , the interest be has taken in the unhappy fate of the Refugees , would be sufficient for us to wish him ' good speed . ' His humanity and sincere devotion to the cause of the wronged of all classes , creeds , and climes , must command the suffrage of those who love justice and freedom—of those who desire to inaugurate a happier future for our ova country and for all mankind .
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THEORY OF THE BRITISH CONSTITUTION , AND PRACTICE OF BRITISH CITIZENS . TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR OF FREEDOM . Sik , —The Theory of the British Constitution and Ihe Practice of British CitizenB are essentially different things . We can fancy that most critical person , of whom we often hear , ' an intelligent foreigner , ' dilating with much reverence on the ' British Constitution . ' There he is reading from the pages of DeLolme , 'That , if any person gives , or promises to give , any money , employment , or reward to any voter , in order to influence his vote , he , as well as the voter himself , shall be condemned to pay a fine of fire hundred pounds , and for ever disabled from voting and holding any office in any corporation . ' Who ,
on reading anything so pure as that quotation , could believe it to be possible that the Coppocka of this country know the monied price of almost every borough ? How could the ' intelligent foreigner ' infer that so heavy a penalty as is set forth above should prove to be practically a mere fiction , that bribery was the rule , and purity at elections the exception ? Would not the' intelligent foreigner' deny , with virtuous and innocent indignation , that even the Queen ' s Ministers conld condescend to hold certain boroughs , such as Harwich , in their own immediate possession , to be represented during a Whig Administration by a Hobhonse , and , under the Derby and Disraeli ascendancy , by a Kelly . Such , nevertheless , are the facts . Facts almost too notorious to arrest
attention . How many members of the present House of Commons would be re-elected at the General Election , if their disqualification was established by the test of having given , or promised to give , any money , employment , or reward to any voter , in order fo influence his vote . ' They would be bo few that we cannot name them ; yet , according to De Lolme , all « ach acte are opposed to the British Constitution ; but the British House of Commons easts , and its membra are elected by practices opposed to the Theory of that Constitution of which they form an important part . Again , the ' intelligent foreigner' reads , » It has moreover been established that no Lord of
Parliament , or Lord Lieutenant of a county , has any right to interfere in the elections of members ; that any officer of the Excise , Customs , &c , who shall pre-^ une to intermeddle in elections , by influencing any joter to give or withhold his vote , stall forfeit one ™ n 4 red pounds , and be disabled to hold any office . * How striking is the contrast : — 'It is moreover the pr actice of the Lords of Parliament and Lord Lieutenants of counties , through the mediums of their land 8 gents and other servants , to influence elections by ttery means in their power , to threaten , intimidate , sod bribe , frequently too , for the express purpose of
returning members of then : own families to serve as Members of Parliament , and thereby lessen tile independent action of the Commons . ' Theory is what the Practice ought to be , the Practice is the antithesis of the Theory . The Theory of the British Constitution ia purity at elections , and the unbiassed exercise of the suffrages of the electors . The practice is for persons having sectional objects to accomplish to unite together in ' Leagues , 'for the express purpose of accomplishing their own end by every ) posBible means at their command .
A few men in Manchester form themselves into an ^ sociation , and by extraordinary exertions on , their Part they succeed in influencing all the elections in England . . A section of the Roman Catholics of Ireland unite ja one body as a Catholic Defence Association , and * % exhort their fellow-citizens to return to Parliament : —« Th ose who , regardless of family ties , being neither Whigs nor Tories , will unite , as one man , to ° Ppose any government , by whatsvemame it may be Ca"ed , which refuses justice to Catholics , and to support any Government , by whatever name it may be jjH which will concede it ; ' * Justice to Catholics , ' ^^ h case meaning a giving up of deliberate judgment on all purely secular matters , to secure a party a , —¦ »« jrutcij acbuuu uiavtrcio j w bgvuig ts yen njf
^ jjjpu to a religious eect . W course it would be impossible for the CatholicB . ela nd not to have a counterpart in England and Ze tland . A'Catholic Defence Association' beg ? , . ' Protestant Alliance , ' the members of which . wieir zeal make every interest subservient to Prog ^ fem . And such a Pro testantism it is ! as into - S > M bigotted , as illiberal , as Roman Catholicism ^ *• The Protestant Alliance are warm , zealous t « it ? * ^ ^ t ne mselvesin matters they had much ^ J * let alone . Just now they are striving with ffi ^ main to prevent the re-election of Mr . tWi for Birmingham . It would be well for ^ OuVk Canvassers who at t *" 8 t 5 me are 6 ° busy in ^ at ft am to 8 ° home and say their prayers , so to Qjg I . ? ? become more tolerant in all that relates Cellar * otIiers ' * leasoverbearing in the A mid ! ? l fteir clerical daties - poor cT ^ . systematic array of organised factions to ftr ' a nty at elections is aB spotless as a perconscience ; and De Lolme ' s theory of the
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proper exercise of the Suffrage is little better than a farce . We return to our ' intelligent foreigner , ' whom we suppose to have his knowledge of the British Constitution from our great authorities . There he is , with Blackstone ' s 'Commentaries' before him , r eading with admiration : — The Commons consitt of all such men of property in the kingdom aebave not seats in the House of Lords , every one of which has a voles in Parliament , either p-. rsocally or by his representatives . In a free state , every man who is supposed a free agent , ought to be , » n some measure , his o « vn governor ; and . therefore , 3 branch at least of the Legislative power should reside in the wkok body of the people . proper exercise of the Suffraee is little better
As to the qualifications of tha electors . The true reason for re . quiring any qualification , with regard to property in -soters , is , to exclude such persons as are in so mean a situation as to have no will of their own . If these persons had votes , they would ba tempted to dUpose of them under some undue influence or other . This would give a " great , an artful , and a wealthy roan a larger share i <> elections than is consistent with general liberty . IF it Vfere probable that every man would give his -voice freely , and without influence of any kind , then , upon the true theory and principles of liberty , every member of the community , however poor , should have a vote in electing those delegates , to whose charge u committed the disposal of his property , his liberty , and his life .
The teaching of Blackstone , as applied to the practices of this country , will prove that Englishmen are not freemen . Tens of thousands of persons are not in any way represented in the British House of Commons ; and not any branch of the legislative power resides * in the whole body of the people ;' and if all such persons as 'have no will of their own * were excluded from voting at the forthcoming election , thousandsof thepresent electors would be disfranchised ; andif all those who would voteuncontrolled by undue influence had votes , not a few who are now non-electors would be enfranchised . If it be inconsistent with ' general liberty' for a great , an artful , and a wealthy man , to exercise a powerful influence at elections , there is in England much , very much , of such inconsistency .
According to the theory of the British Constitution , all interests should be represented in the Parliament . Where , we ask , are the representatives of Labour ? Let them be named . To us they are unknown . Yet the labourer has property , liberty , and life at stake ; but in the disposal thereof he has no part . The demand now made , much too feebly , for a representation of the interests of Labour in Parliament , is not a barren and a vulgar cry . It is the assertion
of a great constitutional right ; and as such it ought to be understood and encouraged . When the theory of the British Constitution , and its practice , are consistent with each other , then will the true interests of Labour be represented in the legislature , the laws , and the institutions of this country . Until then , Great Britain will , to every ' intelligent foreigner , ' and to . every 'intelligent Englishman , ' when her acts are tested by her professions , present the pitiable spectacle of gross inconsistency . Gracchus .
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23- Our Friends will oblige by forwarding reports of Chartist meetings , and other Democratic proceedings .
CHAR'flSM . FrssBURT Locality , June loth . —Mr . Keith in the chair . The following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — 11 That a vote thanks be given to J . Bell , M . P ., for bis praiseworthy endeavours to obtain for Mr . O'Connor medical advice and treatment during his oommittal to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms ; and hope his human endeavours may be crowned with success , and see the restoration of Mr . O'Connor to the full enjoyment of his faoulties , mental and physical . "— " That a vote of thanks be given to the Executive for their strenuous and successful endeavors to
dear ofi the debt incurred by the previous Executive , and that this vote is the more merited ,, since this is the first time a Chartist Executive have persevered until they have got out of debt ; an example worthy to be followed . "" That wo tender to our Irish brethren the expression of our heartfelt satisfaction at the successful escape of that glorious young patriot Thomas Francis Meagher ; and express a hope that a great and happy future is in store for him under the protecting flag of Republican America . " The meeting then adjourned . [ Received on Friday , June 18 th —too lata for insertion in last Saturday ' s " Star of Freedom . " !
Ship Locamtt . —Moved by Mr . T . Shaw , seconded by Mr . G . Smith— " That having learned from our delegate the intolerant spirit of partisanship continually displayed at the Metropolitan Delegate Council , and believing in the utter impossibility of the true sentiments of pure and independent Democracy being heard on the occasions of suoh assemblages , we hereby determine to discontinue the attendance of our representatives to that body , and respectfully request our brother Chartists opposed to tyranny and man * worship . to withdraw alsojand , we hereby express our utmost confidence in the honesty and political integrity of Mr . 3 . Stratton , and to tender our thanks to that gentleman for his manly exposures of the rascalities of the would-be dictator of Chartism , Napoleon the Little . " —Carried .
Moved by Mr . Snowies , seconded by Mr . Docksey : — "That the members of this locality hail with delight and satisfaction , ia the Democratic field , the appearance of George White and other good men and true , battling our canes bo nobly , and courageously exposing the chicanery , deception , and fraud practised by a diapicable clique , whose disgusting assumption of power to rule British Chartism , and arrogate to themselves the sole dictatorshi p over the people ' s affairs , in defiance of their legally elected offioerB , is calculated inevitably to estrange our friends , and provoke the bitter hostility of our foes . We , therefore , entertainin ? the utmost confidence in the real Democrats of the West Riding , hereby tender to those gentlemen our sincere and heartfelt thanks . "—George Smith , Secretary .
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West Loxdon Democratic Association . —At a meeting of this body the following plan of organisation was adopted : — POLITICAL FREEDOM ATSD SOCIAL JUSTICE . THE WEST LOKDON DEUOCBATIC ASSOCIATION . Objects * Established for the purpose of obtaining a reform in the constitution of the Commons House of Parliament , based upon the principles of Universal Manhood Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , Tote by Ballot , ffo Property Qualifica . Uon , Payment of Members , Equal Electoral Distri cts , and gradually toprooure those social changes in theatatewhereby each individual member of the community shall be allowed to work when and at what he pleases , and to have full control over the distribution of tho proceeds of his own industry .
Ralei . 1 . That we meet once a week for the enrolment of Members , and discussion of political and social questions . 2 . That a Seoretary and Treasurer be appointed ; time of office to terminate quarterly . 3 . That a Council of nine ba appointed , inoluding the Secretary and Treasurer , to transaot the general business of the Bociety , subject to the approval of the members thereof , five to forma quorum , andttatanew Council be chosen quarterly . , A ^? I ? _? ° A ?* y «« ° ome a member of this society by the payment of entrance
one penny , and one half penny weekly for the general expenses of the association . 5 . That the accounts of the Bociety be audited , and a balance sheet of receipts and expenditure be produced © very quarter . 6 . That any member proposing a Huhject for disousaion » u * H give notioa of theBame in writing one week previous to its taking place , the proposer to be allowed one half hour and each succeeding speaker one quarter of an hour and no member to be allowed to speak more than onoe on the same question unless in explanation , by permission of the Chairman .
Moved by Mr . Gaest , seconded by Mr . Hunniball :-11 That Mr . W . J . flighley be appointed Secretary . " Moved by Mr . Packer , Beconded by Mr . Pakee : — "That Mr . Boyston be appointed Treasurer . " Carried . A Council of nine was then chosen , and the meeting then separated to meet again on Sunday evening , June 27 th , at half-past seven o ' clock , for eight .-W . J . llioHtET , 17 , Upper Cleavelandttreet , New-road .
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THE LATE WEST RIDIN'G DELEGATE MEETING — TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN / ' Bboihbb Dbmocbats .-I have thought it necessary to offer a few remarka to you on the proceedings of the late West Riding Delegate Meeting , and the events oonneoted therewith . This diviwon of tho county of York has long been the battle ground on whioh the various political partieBhave fought outtheir differences , and its decision haB always been considered a final settlement of the question in dispute and that deoision has invariably been on the aide of liberty ' Every great parliamentary struggle has been fought out hero ; and the general result of these contestB ha ! shown beyond a doubt , that the West Riding of Yorkshire is tha right arm of Englibh Freedom . And while the electors of this district have practically shown themselves in favour of "the progressive principle , " the non . electora have shown themselves in favour of the most ultra-Demomatie
povernmenfc . The decision of the West Riding on any political question having become of so muoh importance it i « natural to suppose , that no aspiring pqlitioal chief will overlook the importance of having its decision in his favour It was here where Chartism first assumed a tangible sha ' ne under the organisation and name of the Great Korthem Union . It was here the "Northern Star" first sprang into existence , and dealt forth thosB terrible blows againBt oppresaion * nd injustice , which won for it a world-wide renown amongst tho down-trodden Bona of toil . It was from these hills that the eohoing sound of O'Connor ' s voice roused the slumbering millions to life and activity . And now that tho prinoiple of Cosiackism is sought to be engrafted upon the Democratic tree , it is to the men of the West Riding that the anxious sons of freedom look for the overthrow of the attempted usurpation . And by the energy , activity , and perseverance of the men of tho West Biding , the usurpers viiU be either driven into their stntu , or out of the mwitmt . The first act of tue faroo vas played in Manchester : bet
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it required the sanction of the men of these districts to rive a semblance of authority to the affair . B The West Riding Delegate Meeting , which was held at Bradford on the 18 th of June , was the largest and most im portent that was ever held in that district , and the decision which n gave showed it is still trus to its character-Zpared to defend the right and oppose the wrong . As there was an apparent sanction given to the calling nf the Conference by the West Riding Delegates I deem it my duty to lay before you a true statement of the facts of the case , and then leave you to judge for yourselves what weight ought to be attached to the former decision oome to in the name of tho Riding . I need scarcel y remind you that Mr . Jones was the first and onl y man that mooted the subject of calling a Conference . Though not a single locality , or even a single Chartist , had ever thought of such - \ il Ml I HI
thing , until he , through misrepresentation and falsehood had aroused a spirit of jealousy and doubt in tho minds of thoie who were under his influence , and it wa 9 at his individual dictation that the subject was taken up . Acting under the instructions of Mr . Jones , the Halifax Chartists ordered me to call a West Riding Delegate Meeting , for February 1 for the purpose of taking this subject into consideration ' Delegates attended that meeting from Bradford , Halifax ' Huddersfleld , Keighley , Todmorden , Bingley , and Midgelev ' It was moved that Cockroft , of Halifax , take the chair which he refused to do " unless he was allowed the privilege " of moving , or seconding any resolution ; and of havinca " casting vote in addition , " should it happen that the votes were equal at any time . On these privileges being foolishly grantod to him , ho took the chair . When the resolution
was put in favour of the Manchester Council calling a Conference , the votea were equal , and Cockroft , as chairman gave the casting vote in favour of the resolution ! The authority , therefore , for calling the Conference , 30 far as the West Riding was concerned , rested on a me re trick whicb ^ g&ve the chairman two votes . The week following the ' Bradford Council repudiated the vote of their delegate as being contrary to hia inBtruotions . Under these circumstances , the vote could not be considered binding And no one wishful for fair play would , under these circumittnces , have persevered in a cours e supported by such lender authority . The night following we put our principles to the test at a full meeting held in the Odd Fellows ' Hall , and were out-voted by a Considerable majority ! The working classes , as waa evident , voted for both the
resolntionandthe amendment ; while the middle classes voted only for their own motion , and thus obtained a majority equal to their own number . Somewhere about the same time a similar result took place at Bradford . This waB convincing evidence to any one of common gense , that to persevere any further in our obstructive policy , would only expose our weakness , and subject us to further defeats . Under these impresBionB I wrote to Mr . Jones , begging of him , except he wished entirely to destroy the movement to alter his mode of proceeding , and advised him , now that it waa evident that no impression could be made on the co-operators , and seeing that the iron masters demanded suoh outrageous terms from the men that it would be impossible they could be acceded to until every means of resistance in their power were exhausted , to cease his attacks
upon these bodies , seeing that he only made us enemies bv tha course he was pursuing , without doing us any good I likewise told him how the vote had been obtained at the delegate meeting , and pointed out to him that only three locaUtm could be depended upon for supporting his projected coup d etat . He wrote me baok a letter containing the following startling passages : 'Never heed , drive on . 'drive on ! no matter ; it is not tho men , but the cause ! As to co-operators , unionists , &c , drive on !! drive " is-the motto . If Sheffield , Leeds , Bradford , and Keighley ! will not , let those who will- Halifax , HuddeiBfield and Midgeley . It will set the othera a-going , and by and bye they'll come limping : after . " Up , to-this time I had still some confidence in Mr . Jones , though it had been considerably Bhaken b y the unjust powers whioh he claimed in the prospectus which he had issued for the starting of his paper , and the outrageously unfair manner m which he had explained away the possibility of the people starting a paper of their own , after having emphatically warned me never to allow another paper to be started on the individual principle . The recei pt of this letter , however , completely destroyed the last lingering hope which Lhad of him . I began to ask myself what it wae we were to " drive on for ? Whither it was wo were driving to ; and how the cause could be made successful by pursuing a course whioh reduced our numbers and increased our enemies ? I now saw why the coup d ' etat was Bought to be accomplished , and waa driven to the conclusion , by the force of the evidence before me , that the only object desired was the building up of a party around Mr . Jones , whioh obiect
was Bougnt to De accomplished by breaking up theexistini ! organisation of the movement , and oarefully rooting out and destroying every man of name and influence , under tie idea that when this was accomplished , and : the organisation was destroyed , the people would flock around the new standard , and cry , " Long live Ernest Jones . " Or to use his own words , " they would come limping after . " When I set out in the world as a Democrat , I set out for the purpose of aiding in the destruction of dospotismj and not for the purpose of building up a new and more hateful tyranny—more hateful , because cloaked in the garb of Democracy . But this is a digression , from which , however . I will return . '
The delegate meeting to which 1 have referred , having been in some measure nullified by th « publio proteats which had been entered against it by Bradford and Keighley ,, I was 1 ordered to call another for the 28 th . of March , to be held at Bradford . Only four delegates were presenttwo of them from Halifax , bo that Halifax constituted one half of the meeting . I may here remark that as some doubt existed whether the decision of the former vote would be repudiated or not , I was ordered to write to George White , of the Democratic Association , aB it waa conaidered that body waa in favour of the coup d- ' etaL I did bo , but they did not Bend a delegate . On this slender authority from the West Riding , the Manchester Conference resti . The West Riding Chartists , as a body , never sane tioned it . It was only the work of three or four districts at the utmost , who , acting under the immediate dictation of Mr . Jones , adopted so sui-Oldal ameaiure .
Another delegate meetingwaaconveneil a week"before call , ing the Conference , when the authority of the Manchester Council waa again called in question , and protested against . Only four places were represented again , and Bradford , which allows itself to be governed by its Council ( had got a new one , and "jumped Jim Crow )/ ' had two delegates , and therefore constituted two-fifths of the meeting , and only required one vote besides their own , to carry any motion . This meeting waa Bailed to furnish the delegates who might be sent from the West Riding with instructions as to what kind of policy should be recommended to the Conference , and the policy there recommended was to be supported by the delegates who were sent from any part of the Riding . Halifax waB the only place in the Riding whioh had sent a delegate , and he voted directly contrary
to the reaolutionof the delegate meeting , - whioh was in favour of a oonoihatory policy . He now claima the authority of the vote which was come to and " maintained by . a mere trick at the delegate meeting , as the ground on whioh the Riding ought to support the spurious Executive elected there , while he denies that ita authority was binding on him regarding the polioy which was to be pursued . I maintain that if he violated the conditions on whioh it was greed that an Executive should be eleoted , he forfeits all olaim to the aupport of the Riding , even though the whole of the localities had been in favour of the oalling of the Conference , whioh it ia evident they were not . Having thus laidbefow you the part whioh th » Ridinr took m the affair previous to the oalling of the Conference , I shall now proceed to an examination of the delegate meeting , which was called for the purpose of examining its acts , and either admitting or rejeoting its authority . It has been seen that previous to the calling of the Conference very few of the localities took any part in the matter . It wbb thought by some that the number of localities in favour ofoallin | it were so few that it would never be called , and by others that the number of delegates would be bo few that they would not have the hardihood to proceed to any business . In coming to tbiB conclusion they had misunderstood the character of the prime mover of it . Seeing , however , that it had been called , and that eight men had bad the pre « sumption to set aside the legally constituted authority of the Chartist body , and set up an Exeoutive of unknown and untried men ; that they had interfered with the liberty
of the Democratic press , appointed Mr . Jones legislatorgeneral of the ChartiBt movement ; and that they had adopted a polioy whioh had already crippled and deatroyed the movement , and made the very name of Chartism stink , the old localities rose up from their Blumbers with a determination to rescue the oauseof freedom from the degradation which was Bought to be inflicted upon it . The number of delegates assembled at Bradford was , perhaps , the largest that ever met together in the West Riding . And singularly enough , the " smashing" policy , whioh was to be the guiding principle of the now party , and whioh was the only machinery provided for putting down their opponents , was first brought to bear against a West Riding Chartist Delegate Meeting . Hence we may infer that in future the Chartist body is to be governed by club law .
And should any deliberative asBembiy of that party venture to deny the infallibility of the newly proclaimed king , or refuse to obey any ukase whioh he may issue forth , a band of ignorant ruffians will be marched in upon them to put them down . No such outrage was ever committed upon a Democratic assembly as that whioh took place ou Sunday the 13 th of June . Can any man with his eyes open place any confidence , or believe in the sinoerity of a man , who , in order to serve his own ambitious ends , can thus tear asunder and deBtroy the movement , and sit in the midst of the destruction which his designs have wrought , and actually demand leave to spew out ma venom in au assembly where he had no more business than the Pope of Rome '; and to cro vn all , covers his black deeds with " a tissue ofthe " most barefaced and palpable lies that ever- were penned " as was done in his paper of Saturday last , at I shall
" prove beyond the power of contradiction . " Judging from the attitude which his blind dupes have assumed , there ia an end of delegate meetings , unless the delegates all go prepared to TOto for , or rather carry out , any mandate that ho may think proper to isBue . But for the benefit of those of his party who live in the West Riding of Yorkshire , I have to tell them that having get up an establishment of their own , and repudiated the National Charter Association , they have no longer any right at our meetings , either aa dele * gateB or otherwise . Nor will they be allowed for the future to interfere with our business until they have Been the error of their ways , abandoned their despotic pretensions , and returned back to the sooiety . Mr . Jones has given a report and a digest of the meeting in his paper , and , in doing so , be has fully carried out his threat of reporting " aslittle as he liked , and as he liked . " In some parts of ma report , "he has put the words into
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one man a mouth which were uttered b y another ¦•» Mr Stamsby charged Messrs . Cameron and Sunderland w th haying been eleoted at a private house , only four newon . being present-themselves and other two sZZ IZ T it to bo Sunderland that had broughtThe chZe 2 W Ryder and Stainsby ! whioh isfalse , aspSved f ? TJA that , at the meetiUhere they were JE 3 £ Sj « was adopted , signed by eighteen names all of whom w present , and voted for their eleotion . But this is onl 11 sample of the manner in which ho has reported m rh « proceedings of the meeting . He report * that there was a great uproar and confusion , but forgets to tell his readers who it was that created the disturbance . He has given . an analysis of the delegates , but as he seems not to be in possession of the necessary materials for such a purpose , or , if he is , has wilfull y kept them back , I will endeavour , next week , to supply the deficiency for him . * CnRisioPiijR Bhackletoit
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HiiiFAx . —At . a meeting of the members of the Chartist Association at the Labour and Health , Halifax , on Tuesv ay , \ vn ? 14 tb inBt >—Mr Mande in tne chair—it was moved by William Horafall , and seconded by John Wadsnorth : — *• That the thankB of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to Francis Mitchell and William Dennis , our dele-§ atoa at the late West Riding meeting . " All corresponence for this locality must be addressed to Mr . John Culpan jun ., Union-street , Halifax . [ The above arrived too late for insertion in last Saturday ' s ¦• Star of Freedom . " ] —June 21 st , 1852 . —At an adjourned meeting held at the above houae , Mr . Baxendale in the chair , the following resolutions were oarried unanimously . Proposed by John
Edwards , seoonded by J . Hargreavea ;— " That having read tho reports of the West Riding Delegate Meeting in the " Star of Freedom , " and the "People ' s Paper , " we have no hesitation in deolaring that the report in the so-called 11 People ' s (?) Paper" is nothing but a tiBsue of the grossest falsehoods , and we hereby record our utter abhorence of the conduct of men who could descend bo low for the mere purpose of gratifying their own personal ambition . " Moved by Frank Mitchell , seconded by Thomas Nioholl : — " That the best thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to the reporter of the " Star of Freedom " for the faithful report which he gave of the West Riding Delegate Meeting . "
SHEmEM ) . —The Council held their weekly meeting on Sunday in the Demooratio Temperance Hotel , 33 , Queen-Btreet . Mr . Joseph Leek in the ohair ; Correspondence was read , aakmg our co-operation in respeot to Mr . S M W 8 Sf ^ tn" fo 5 tj 1 ? Weat JluUng-. Qn the motion of Mr . Whaley , seconded by Mr . Roberts , it was resolved — "That we forthwith commence to raise aubsoriptiont for that purpose , and that the necessary steps bo tak en as soon as convenient , to secure that gentleman ' s services at bneffleld , believing that much good would result from Mr . Kydd going through the West Riding in the obaraoter of a candidate . " , BubsoriptionB will be gladly received at the under-mentioned places > -Mr . John Allinson , Treasurer , Donoaster-Btreet ; Mr . Whaley , Pits-moor : Mr . R . Bach g > rm s H ! ll ; Mr . Leek , North Parade ; Mr . B . Ineson West Bar-green ; Mr . Roberts . Che 8 ter . atre 6 t : Mr . Thos
rMhw 7 i Oft ; Mr < J < na « ' Spring-atreet ; and at Mrs SmhL ? ' ? i ^ ueen ' 8 tre ? 1 t - After an additional number of fh ? WW . eo ? enrolle ^ the meeting adjourned , with thefullest determination to goon turning neither to the left hand nor to the right , impeding noni , but helping on fraternal and truth-seeking Democracy , -G . Cavil . To the CHiB « 8 Ts op PustBY .-A few friendi of pro-EEMff . local h " ? A conveaed a meeting for the purpose of forming a Chartist Association ; all who are friendly 5 * M « S It Sff fe New street . on the eveninS ChS , V th | - - ^ alf"past ' 8 ° ' clock , Brother Chartists , if your principles are worth havJ they worth working for ; if they are worth that , why should we allow petty personal considerations to stand between us and position of our enemies has done our cause less evil than the S 4 Slt T - ^ friends ' * then should we still persist in hugging the Bcomion th . fc / . nnc ,, me » ,, « , » Wel •»» wriSt
Uiffti ^ JrT *^* * « Saf Unite then , and let our professions be tested hv our nctivitv babKia " !^ Sar 6111 ° ° SWiSl labouS instead nfftT yet rea P the reward of our S 3 S S 5 U 5 BT * - » *¦— - Youra inbehalfof the Aasociation , tt »»«» m a m rH 0 , SM 1 IH . Secretary , pro tern . Pete Mutrr in tie otair .-G ™ .. ; SsFmSHrlS
the bonnen-bke manner in which they conducted the
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affairs of the Association , inasmuch as when they accepted office , they found the affairs of the said Association in a b ankrupt state , which debt they have honourably disrNiMil that we , the Chartists oflfewcastlo . have l « co . nadence in the present Executive , believing them to do eminently qualified to restore Chartism to that dignified position which it ought to hold . " Voted for the amendnni » L i for the motion » two 5 and two neutral . futS ? m 5 esolved ~ " That wo hold our meetings in naadu " vW nifih ts ' at ei « ° clock ' insteild of Wed-Larnf ^^^^ SeCretary ' ' VoubleS ^^^
bis last SituFrfJl" and P ° P . a £ ated a false statement ia * noisy onnnS . *> a P w > wherein he accuses us of creating the repoffi na On 2 Sheltenl" «> - Sow , Mr . E . Jones had him , wherein it » 5 - ? eetin S held in Cheltenham sent to was onthTotheS ^ ' ^^ stnted that the interruption of whom had notbelonS ; hconsistodof six persons , two past , one of our B £ t - movement for aorae time having that report £ aW 1 ^ noutra l - Mr- E « Jones deny that the ftult wS A % ? Pa . yo ' Ms friends , to " Divisioniato are affiys tha m ^ - ^ ' ' > W > were we to find itsoKndZm ( truo ' sorry ( Not always ) . The blusteJ J 5 $ ^ mosfc aotive - wf « e ^ srsH L - Srr ^ * ™» . ted from . lKfii 25 % tr ? "' te . » ? w »«* " the '¦ „ , £ ?¦ & , ff ? J ! 2 :
Lo 5 ? Eve «? th ° se opposed to us here , agreed thatTthe SSSSSjssse sssgs-asess » nt " tr ^ r t ^ PBoaiBBB ' --1 ** Sundav a pleaweither T $ ^ held » , pite the infiwourablenw 0 ? the J 2 Sowed ht ' !?¦ aD elabOr , ate r ° P ° rt was « ad ' » h 2 ! pfl ... dl 30 ° iirso from Mr B room ' ,, th Si& ^ fflKSSSSEK S ^^^ r ^'^^ it that wTrmte * Wen J ; - l 6 t us 8 triTe t 0 imitate W » . bo tSitX" Thig Z > l dlSCre ^ ' C ° nSi 8 t ? - and d ^ 0-Skevett "PnL 3 elo 1 ? eiltly "" ponded to by , Mr . taught tUl eve J TnBS ? *?»* $ * ™* All * » # * ,,. . * ° _»« y member of aooietv nnHn ^ ato ^ jn n , f >
So" Tl ' « f * '" J ™ "' "Stoata . rMWsP'ssm SSSSSaSSS ** 1 vmisiroeD
Ucortre Damninn in * u Z 'i ^™'* uu- , —Mr . f ^ atthV ?» m « rf » i . * ! ail < " U mi then resolved :-s ^ ISS ^ skwss ^ S ^ psffiWrw : hadCn naWrf ? hW - * & guidanoe ofthe Seciet ? next threo mi & * ^ "a were elected for tha fw ™ t ? MonthB-Thomas Carr , Joseph Stansfield , p SLf ^ S Thomas Wiloock ; Jonathan Hart y msident ; . William Stansby , Treasmrer t M . Smith ^ ry tfte r ° En t ? / tI ^ ' ^ B wry . Alter whioh the fol owing resolution wasunaniurassby for fifty curds of the National Charter . a a *™*
; rh « m . ? n ! - mombera were added t 0 «» e Society , and & ffr T > adj ( T t 0 Tuesday evening next . IV ) ba SSiSJf" ^' Temperance Hotel - Wstreet . !!
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GUIDE TO THE LECTURE-HOOJI ,. w ^ i " ' - HaU ' KMpoUtreet , CommewiaUroaa . east .-Theo . ^ ss ^ sssaaassffs ^ " ¦¦* . *? & ¦ BfiSs ffis ^^
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REPRESENTATION OF SOUTH . WARK . A public meeting of the electors ofthe above baroueb was held on Enday evening to hear an address from Apsley Pellatt , Esq ., at the Rotunda , Blackfriara-road . The vast theatre was densely crowded . F . C . Jones , Esq ., waa called to the ohair . ' *" ¦• w-0 The Chairman in opening the proceedings of the evening said , Mr . Pellatt was a candidate for their , suffrages beheving he would make a thorough buaincsa-man iu ' tha House of Commons . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Apsley Pellatt , on rising , was received with tre * mendous cheering , He said that , having had the bisk honour to reoeive a requisition numerouBly and * respectably Bigned , he had not hesitated to leave the comforts ana quietude of domestic life foj the bustle and anxietv ueouliar
to any public engagement . . He would proceed tojitate his p ? l ^ ic n viewrs- - ^ i t » He was in favour of a large Extension , ot the Suffrage . He would give it to every man , whether housekeeper or lodger , who had resided in his dwelling for six months , ( Cheers . ) , The Ballot was needed , in order to promote purity of election and the Bafety of the working man . ( Cheers . ) , In his opinion the oftener . the members , were brought before their constituents the better for both * He was , therefore , in favour of Short Parliaments , and , if eleotod , should teel U his duty to come among his constk tuents at the end of each session , to give an account of bis stewardship . ( Great cheers . ) He next spoke on the Bc « oleiiastical Courts . He should vote for the Repeal of , tha Grant to Mtaynooth ; not to please a bigoted cry , but OB the broad principle , "that all endowments for religious pur . poses were bad in theory , and vicious in practice . ' " He next proceeded to show that a House of Commons , wisely selected from the of the
masses people , -was the only Bound and constitutional mode of governing the country—tho broader the substratum of our liberties the more perma « . nent would be our institutions . ( Cheers . ) Mr . EeNatt then proceeded in an eloquent strain to Bpeak on . most o £ the groat questions now oocupying the public mind , and concluded a powerful and telling speech by thanking the audienoe for the very patient manner they had heard him , and sat down loudly applauded . J . J . Blake , Esq ., moved the following resolution : * - " That this meeting having heard the clear and statesmanlike addresB delivered by Apsley Pellatt , Esq ., this evening , and heartil y approving of the principles contained therein , pledges itself to use all constitutional means to secure hia return as one of the representatives for the borough , of Southwark at tho ensuing election , " Dr . Brady having seoonded it ,
Mr . J . Thwaiib supported the resolution , whioh was then put and oarried unanimously , Mr . W . TowNsuHD . on being ; called for . rone and read an address from Mr . Pellatfa workmen , in which , after expressing their gratitude for his juBt and kind conduct as an employer , they added their warmest wishes for his triumphant return to Parliament . The reading of the address called forth the greatest cheering . A vote of thanks to the Chairman , and three hearty cheerB for Mr . Pellatt closed the proceedings of the erening .
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ANOTHER FATAL COLLIERY EXPLOSION . Intelligence reached London on Saturday of a serioua explosion having taken plaoe at the Seaham-park Colliery near Seaham-harbour , and within a few miles of Sunder ! land , which resulted in the loss of six lives and injury to many others . The colliery consists of two ( separate pits one of whioh belongs to the Marquis of Londonderry / and the other to the Earl of Durham . The accident happened on'lhursdayatnoon . Tho inquest was opened on Saturday , but it was adjourned in order to communieatA win . thoSecvotoy of State , who has sent dow ^ SKi . SS inspector to inquire into tho lamentable event H 4 umc "i
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Serious Obstruction in the Clyde —On Sa turday afternoon the ship Glencairn . bound for Quebec and Montreal , with a large number of emigrants onboard , accidentall y ran aground a little distance beyond the mouth of the Cart , and the ratM current in the river catching her about midships she suddenly swung round and remained fast in aWin tudinal position across the Clyde , totally impeding ; the local traffic of the river . ^
Daath by Failing from a Precipice—A djob ^ . afflicting circumst ance has just taken place aeajj Kevin , Pwllheli , North Wales . A boy about thirteen years old , son of Mr . David Ellis , master of the sloop Mary , of Nevin , went with a companion to . a high rock in the locality in order to gathor seagull ' s eggs , which abound in the clefts of the rook . The boys did not take the precaution of using ropes j and , intent on his pursuit , the unfortunate deceased missed his footing , and was precipitated down tho precipice Ha fell from a terrific heightinto tha Bay of Porthdinliaen and hia body has not yet been found . '
Fibb IssBRAJiCB . —Colonel Sibthorp has obtained hia annual return respecting the sums paid into the Stamnoffice on insurance from fire . The duty amounted last ran to a very considerable Bum . The largest sum to « 5 quarter by one office ( the Sun ) waB 444 , 3 k In England arming stock , which is exempt from duty , wafliniurS the last quarter of 1851 to £ 51935 , 053 . ' Oa m
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jpSE 26 , 1852 . THE STAR pp FREEDOM . the "' ~~
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HALIFAX . TO THE EDITOR OF TUB STA . R OF FREEDOM .. Dear Sin , —The only consideration which has induoed mo to accept the position of corresponding secretary for the Chartists meeting at the Labour and Health , Halifax locality , is a desire and determination to do what I can to remove , ' as far as possible , the odium which has bean brought upon the ChartiBts generally , by the inj udicious conduct of some of the professed votaries of the Charter With this object in view , my Bervices will bo at tho com ^ mand of those who think with me , although in doinp so inv motives may be falsely interpreted , and my character maligned by those to whom , I have been of some service in past periods of trials and difficulties , brought on bv actions of wildneas , which would be the height of madness to repeat .
FaotuniB antagonism has had its day , and its fruits are divisions and weakness . The moral strength of Chartism is scattered and almost destroyed j therefore it is high time to collect its best parts into one focus , and commence an agitation more in accordance with the spirit of the age . Men of business who are desirous and determined to suoceed , make use of the means within their reach ; : they do not object to make the effort because the material with which they have to work is not exactl y up to the standard whioh they consider the best . Their polioy is to attain this standard by progressive advances , hence they succeed We require a little more of this policy , and instead of denouncing the middle olasaes in unmeasured terms , as some a m the habit of doin £ » we 0 U K ht t 0 P " sn then * on in oraer that they may obtain those reforms which they desire to ettecfc as speedily as oossible . for thev nannnt . Krooir
down any monopoly , no matter how insignificant it may appear , without , increasing the power of the producing classes . It is unjust , unwise ; nay , it is a species of madness , to continue to denounce this class , for though in ap . pearanoe they nre separated from us by opposing interest , yet it is not bo in reality : —The merchant , manufacturer shopkeeper , and operative , constitute one great producing machine , and whatever principle prevents the harmonious working of this machine is injurious to all its parts , The divisions , perhaps , may not be of the wiaost character but like every thing in society they must submit to ohang esand probably reconstruction , when the amount of knowledge exists adequate to produce such a change . In the meantime they existijand instead of denouncing any of the component parts , it would be much better to endeavour to
maite tnem subservient to our interests . There is a com mon failing attachable to all parties , which leads men to blame the nearest objeot or agent visible to them as being the cause of their sufferings . A man accuses his employer of being tyrannical towards him , and fetla that he has not the power to resent the tyranny ; brooding thoughts take possession of that man , revenge lurks in his breast which only , waits a suitable opportunity of being carried into effect ; the fear of consequences deter him from actiue Can such a man , labouring under such feelings , be a proper agent for effecting peaceable progressive changes ? -Not he indeed—he is . just the man to . gulp down the wholesale denunciations of the whole body of the middle classes with as keen a relish as the hunter devours the repast prepared for him after a day ' schaso . It was a desire to revenge the expatriation of his uncle that led Mr . O'Connor to pursue the line of polioy which he did-. He denounced the middle classes , sought to form a party of working men who would enable him to effect his object . Mis policy has been earriat
on tor years , and its end to Mr . ( Monnoris natural , but lamentable . Who can live for years in mental excitement , produced by the loud plaudits of thousands in different parts of the country , and excitement produced again bv his p ans being continually thwarted by enemies of his-owd ereating . The end is significant of the means-revenge is an unholy passion , capable of producing incalculable evil but impotent for good . Denunciations are not arguments , therefore are incapable of generating intelligence , the only power adequate to the removal of evil . Tyranny is a fflt-. tbe tyrant is an agent-the principle which generates the ft ' BBrt h A andtyfanDy will cease . If a tyrant could be annihilated , the tyranny would not cease , because the agent is merely , removed to be replaced by another more severe and determined , therefore raeam should be sought to remove the cause , and the effect would cease . Ignorance is the principal cause of tyranny-the laws of nature demand that man must be put under governingiufiuenceg , and it has placed their germs in his constitution . The laws «(
all civilised ; sooiety demand their gownfihent for the preservation of society . This being th& case , those who have not the power to govern themselves must be placed under the control of others ; but no man will undertake to govern another unlesahe receives a remuneration for Buch care . It therefore iB- evident that a man when he seeks employment from another , has lost the power to control and direct his own actions , as to supply the common wants of his nature , and therefore submits to the necessity of putting himself under the control and direction of another . It has been truly said , " for a man to be free it is sufficient that he wills it ; " but man cannotwill without intelligence ; he cannot have intelligence without labour and research , and a developing of his powers of reflection . Slavery will always existunder all forms of government , and only become exterminated when intelligence covers the earth as the I waters cover the face ofthe great deep . " My intention is to write my thoughts on a subject of Borne importance to your readers for insertion in your next Saturday ' s publication , Yours truly , John Culpan , Jun .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 26, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1684/page/5/
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