On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (7)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
THE LEEDS MEETING.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
NEVy PCjOR tiAW,
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
ARTHUR lO'CONNOR . ( cosTistna ) rae » ovb 1 O 8 T . ) CqM _ L . jjf yon did * not oi-ganize for tie purpose oi effecting a rerolalitm , -what otter abject tad yon in / view ? - - ., , ~ .,,. O'Coxson . — We saw with serrow . the cruelties practisedVtDe IrisifGovenmieiithad raised a dreadful spirits rerenge in Hie hearts of the people ; -we saw % nth horror tJiat to answer their immediate - ^ etrs , iie Irish Government had renewed the old religions fends ; we were mast anxious to hnre such authorities as the organization ready constituted to ¦ prevent the dreadful transports of popular fuiy . We $ oped lhat by having Committees for each barony , Coonty Committees , and Provincial Committees ; or holding out the -benefits of the revolnbon to those vho snpportedit , aadby ^ withholding its benefits from those who shonld disgraceit by popular excesses , we ^ honld have been abl e to restrain the people . But tho « "who had monopolized the whole
political poirer of the Constitution , finding , that they stood in need of some part of the population , and jiiai fean their monopoly being so tUrectiy opposite to the interest of all classes of the Irish nation , they could not hope for the snpport of ant ( be their rehpon « hat it may ) on the score of politics , except those in the pay of Government . Finding how necgssarvitwas to have some part of the population en ihSr side , they had Teeonrse to the old religions fends , and set on foot an organization ef Protestants , ^ those fanaticism would not permit them to see jaer were enlisted under the banners of religios , to f ofit for political usurpation they abhorred . No demit , br these m * ans you have gained a temporary sd . bat by destroying the organization of the Union , and exasperating the great Dody of the people , yon » iB one dav pay dearlv for the aid yon have derived £ 331 this temporary shif ! .
Cejf . —Government had nothing to do -mill tee Qftase System , nor their oath of extermination . O Coxsob . —You , my Lord [ Castlereara ] from the ftanoa yon fill , incst be sensible that the Executive of aat cotmtry has it in . it ? power to collect a v . ist jjj 3 » s of inibrmarion , and too most know from the scret nature , and the zeil of the Uniou , that its Estrotive must have the most Eiinnte inf rmation of every act of the Irish Government . As one of ihe Executive , it came to my knowledge , that conaderable sums of money were expended thruugaon : ibe ladon . in endeavouring to text # nd the Orange System , and that the Orange oath of extermination va * aJiainbtered ; when these facts are conpied , not < m 3 v trith seueral impunitv , winch has bi * en
uni-£ jnnlr extended towards all the acts of this iufern-il association , but the marked encouragement its jaffiiLers have received from Government , I find iiiapossible to excnlpate the Govemmeiit from being the parent and protector of these swern extirpators . Ctfii- ^ Vere not some of the Union very monarchical : O'Coxxob . —My first political arquain ^ aure with tie body of iny Catholic countrymen , to whom 1 sajnx » . se yon allude , was in 1791- wiflst 1 was High Sheriff in the comity of Cork , when I defeated tin ; Csthoiics fi-oxa an attack which was ins . de upon thmi ly the monopolists of onr reoressnianqn hi thr . t part ^ Ire land . Vxt that tone the Catholics uf hvrsnd ¦ cere jasi beginning to feel the . iiiilreuce of tii * . ' Jrench revolution , and to be sensible of ihe de ^ Tad-W s&se'in which centuries of oppression hni
Tcdueei taem ; they wer ^ , However , stronger aoiuclea to MsTiiarchy , aad inaje their first . iidvaiiccs m pnrfml of freedom iu a . very humble _ manner ; but tiie couusnyt and insult with ¦ which their first petition Tas scouted from tlie Honse of Connnous , roaseu them to b . sense of their fights as men . In 1792 . t .. ey i ? ain petinoned , but in terms of boldness proj » ortoii ^ a to liieInsu lt wi ^ i which their former peiiuon had been , treated . They were joined by t ! w Prysinfrisas , and ihec&nteinvtnous manner > v . th vrhicJi both petitions were refused , created an union of tentimeiit , *» hetebv toe Catiiqlvcs were led to examine what tide to power thos . ? liad who tuns ir . isuk 3 B £ lyueiiied the ^ oiTitdev ' ir ^ sof the great mass o : tae Insa nadon . Tiiey passed irom any explanation viiri tai ? Insli ParLamesf . ^ itd iiezodz '^ -i vfi m rht >
Britisa 5 uiusnr . vrLom tu-.-y tetrad , contronie 1 t-v -ry actoflbtt Guvenmient uua Lt ^ islatnre of Ireii ^ d . "ffh 3 ^ the Ciuholles v . ere Mur ceecJiiig wiia tL ^ liniih . * \ iinistry in England , the Boroagb . Moiii-rs of Ireland Wc-re m' jsi : aenre suiongst the Grand - ' ttes in iLe summer of 1792 . iu pledging iires and fortimea , never u > -grauu the claims of their Catholic ronatrynit-n . " When the Parliranent met in 179 o , the naudate came from , the British Ministry » o accrle tu a pardal emaiicipation of the Catholics TMs wus not aTi : in the sessiun tiie House ol
ComffiOBs resolred that ihe Xati «» al Representation « : ood in nead of Reionn : th ^ v missd the Lop es of ihe Irisa bul to blast thein afterwards . Tlx ^ s most kipoiinc condnct brouglit the Irish Go . vmin ^ ut into thennnost disrepute , and was followed Ly a dedaradon on the pan of the Catholics in 1 / 93 , to sani or fall viux tlis ? ir c- ^ uuurviiien on the great qcesrion of oL : aiin £ g a Kaiiyual Representatioii from this time the Iriii Government seamed to ibandcui ail itiea of couciliariag the Caluolics , and t o tfciiii oulr ofpuiiisidag them forwaatthey t :. onglit ingraTilade . " ia pnr ^ uance of this pian . all idea oi Catat-vc Emanti ^ iion and Parliamentary Reform was scooted ; Bniish' m > op » were poure-iinto Irehmd . and projections coiumeuced agaiast-souie of
the Catb . lic -and Presl . Tteriaii leaders in 1 * 94 . uu inch evideure as cl ^ . ' -vlv cfroonstrated tkt-y were ander&kcii from vaiuiirSve motives of resentmeiit . These measures were cilciila . te-1 to eradicate tha inveterate pre-Ieiicdou for iiouarchy from the hearts of the Irisb CatLoiics . la j ; i > 3 . theBrliisli IVlini * tiT appeared sellable of the consequences which had Jtsolted fro * n the measures which had been pursued MdiHrio in Ireland ; and : m attempt -ws ^ en tered on v > ivgaiu die CathuHcs , by sending Lord Fitzwiliiam , ¦ si ' Ci ' powers to ca ;« os «; his o ' . vn Councils . Thehi'pes oi the pationai niind were raised , particularly of the Catholic * ;• but the recall of Lord Fitzwuliain , the
Msaaomiient of the projected political changes , tilts raie-BT . 1 of the re : gn of Xmror and coercion , totally sSesated the minds of the Catholic ? from their coeinnea prupensiry to Monarchy . 2 io doub ; the jFrench R ^ volutiou hid a great and powerful effect ia exciting the Catholics of Ireland to attain taeir bag last Liberty ; but it was the measures of the Bncsh Ministry , and the Irish Government , which lairned tLc ^ ii iutn their present violent detestation of Monarchy , snd their present arfieut love , of Repre-Knt 2 tive Dpniocracy , wiich v&s cunfirnied ki the ^ i- 'dsof theTerylowW orders , by being familiarized ifitfe ihe or £ T 3 id 2 arion of the Union , and by observing its good efiects .
6 on . —Why . what opinion have the lower classes c ! the pe . Tple ofpolifical subjects ? O'Cbx ^ or- —Ihe lowest societies of th 3 Union roarer * ed freeiv of the «> rraptioii , the usurpation , ad tlie venality uf Pariiaaieat . ^ VMle I was a ilenil-er of the House of Commons , you know the fequeut -conversatioii amongst the Members " was—Wsr much has sach an one given for his seal ? From ¦* imn cid he purchase ; Has not such an one sol-Kiloronsh ? Hm not such a Lord bought ? Has Wi ? cch a Peer so many Members in this House ? ^ 3 s Tiol inch a ilember ' wirh the Lord lieutenant ' s
Sfcret ^ ry , to insist on some greater place orp ? ncoa ? liid iot ihe Secretary Tefhse it : Has he not » ° ise inu > fH- » Opposition ? These , and such like acu , ar «? as well Known to the lowest classes of the I aian as to yourselves . - A Member or the Com . —Mr . O'Couddt is per-^ nljrightj I have heard the lowest classes oi the T ^ - ' e talk in that style . _ u't ' o . v . von . —The people areconsclons yon are self * KKitDted , and not their delegates ; m--n who have i ; fiier objt jc in new but to advance their own in-CT . dual interests .
A Member of the Com . — That we are a parcel « f placemen and pensioners r ( J ' toNser- —Eliactly so . Com . —What is the Object the people have in view tt present ? U'Coxsor . —1 believe they have laid by for the " aslant all iuea of speculative politics , and think only fio- « - they shah annihilate the insupportable usurpvion and cruelty of the Britisb . and Irish Goveruase ^ t , and howlliey sliali best avenge the blood which tas been shed , and the tortures which have been iniiicttfi , to snpport a Government they detest . ComI—Was there not a disunion in the Exe-* s ; jf e r OCoxxoa . —From the time I yas elected one « f the Executive , I never experienced any disirreeaent " i . . . - ¦
. . Cos . — Were there not men who could not afbaace the people to disobey the orders of the Executive ? OCoxsor . —On the contrary , they vere ^ always tbejvd \ rith the most zealous alacrity . No doubt 4 f s « ret manner in which we were obliged to con-? w the business of the Union , gave great scope to 5 ? rigue ; yet I found that wherever religious prejn-^*» were placed in the way of political -liberty , the i * pW invariably disregarded tae former , and ad-**« to the latter . Coa . —Did not the Executive form a plan of a ¦^ "Station for Ireland '^ futore Government r _ ,. OCoxxoB . —The Executive never thonghr itself "; 3 ! 5 ted * iih power to meddle with the future Coa-^ fionof Ireland , that could have been the work 5 ^ of those whom the people of Ireland might for that
^ express purpose . We were elected ?^« to devise " means of -wresting power out of «* hands of men who had violated every part of 3 tontutation and nberties of Ireland , and outj ^ ery feeling and right of man , by the means 7 « lnployed to retain their usurpation . ' -OS . —What do "von think would tranquiEize the £ $ eof Ireland , and induce them to give up their * 5 up . _ - . - ^ Coskor . —That ; is a question which would re-Wfctbe best head to answer , and the best heart sxe cnte ; I am not so ignoract of human nature I *? wppose , that those men who hare so long en-***< $ tie ecormoax emoluments of HI , and unjustly j ^ srfcd power ^ will ever restore them to the people , 3 j ^ tT ttanifcst It mnst appear to an irpprejadiced ^ t bat the most dreadful min awaits the pre-*¦ ' ¦ "nnupss effort which is made to retain them .
Untitled Article
MMf . BABIUAL MEETING - "¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ AT BOGHDALE .
On Thursday uisht week , a meeting Tras convened at the'Theatre , ' Ro ' chdale , at which there were present Mr . Fen ton , M . P ., for tlit * borongh , snd ser ^ nil other gentlemen «^ f itifluence . The object of the meeting was to p ^* tits on Parliam en t for Universal Suffrage , Annnal Parliaments , Vote by Ballot , and No Property QnntiHcation . At the appointed hor . r the Tlieatre was crowded to wxcess . The pit , gallery , boxes , ani sta ^ e , were literally crammed , and hundreds were obliged to go away who could not gain admission . ...
Mr . T-ATioR was caDed to the chair , He stated the object of the meeting , and remarked on the chanf es which society had un .-Wrgone during the . last thirty years . In tbtr ' town of Rochdnle he could only find three people w ! k > inhabited the same resiaences which thev oi-cajitd tLr . t time ajr « v ; and . ibis he thought must be an argument why " the commercial policy" which was subject to such changes must be bad and osght to be altered . He thought too that ihe same remarkable fact furnished a sufficient reason why we ought to consider ourselves as liable to the same changes , and dovbtless the same misfortunesjwhirh had Sins removed others andspread them over every quarter of the globe ; and that we pught thereforeto ffel a deeper intfrest in the improvement to sued
ot that policy which rendered us liable extreme inconveniences . He adverted to the necessity of Universal Suffrage , as furnishing the only Temecly forthi * evil . The iJeform Bill had been pas $ ? d * for so ^ ce time ; it had riven the franchise to thousands who formerly were destirate of any elective pawer ,- and ( ironically ) no one could donbt of the excellency of that -nieasure which had prodnced so ore ^ t aj no ' ml change amongst the middle classes of soc : err . Such ind :- ^ 3 had been the change tliat he '•? as more and more convinced of the necessity and imyortance of Universal Sufn-fwra ; for if the middle classes had been so mncn improved hriu it coold not be doubled that the working classes possessing the fr ; iuchise would also improve in the same ratio .
( LanshJer . ) Mr . Taylor , however , in real earnest meant'io say th-. a this R * j'i > mi Bill instead of doing good to the working clasps had done them a great deal of harm , that where they were &ble to comuiaud the " energies and co-operation of tho ? e' who formerly soucht the fr-ncliise , they bavins obtained it , l-.-fttae lebonriug part of the community tonight their own . 'battle , to conquer by their own .-trength , or to &iH l . r their own in ^ iifference . Tlv mijiile cla- -s . * s hn 1 obtained their wishes , an 1 they now fe \ t laiiiSlrreur-about those of ihj labouring class in fact it wns perfectly evVdent that they inteuded to alCich thenusfives , if possible , t-. » tb ! s aristocracy , ? . nd thus t . i unite their energies with thosti of the aristocracv in eadeavonrli ' . ? t . > crn . « h the penT > le . He would
Te ^ . > : uri ) ei ! il theia-to pi r ^ t -. ereiu theoJd cenrse ^ to be dbienuliieato h ' ive thi ' ir { -rie ' -xnees re . '! resr- ? J . aud te . " ioabted not thnt wiih tlie t' ;;^ rcise of er . er ^ y-r . nd dis .- 'fetion tl : ej would ^ inEir . tely frhroipb . ( Cl ; Jer 5 . ) 2 \! r . . 'ornrH Torr vras then ' called upon to move the first Tvrs- . ; lutirn . 11 ? v . vut : baric to the p--riod wlieH tlie ;) eo ,. ie of Ei > g ] ftii < i had Universal tfnli ' ract * . Its advantage * , eveniirthoie dv . rk ares , were known and npyre .-iaR'd ; for then tlie - - people of this country t * » iijc ;«; s ' n ^ ft ! . iu ^ inorf ir * e tiiity and rbristfan affecriOu thn ? j w as olu ^ rv :: ble in the present day . Tiey ywe r . t reac-- \ and lov <» d each ether . B : it ttc ' , on "tli ? rc-rnrr . iry , bv ' . ug deprived of the Snflrapr , were obliged tokeeo ap n inilitarr and nsval force . to t ! : e rji : oni : t of 5-K \ ' 0 O rjen . elFective and i :
oneiTerriTe . Ap-i that for thi < f .-r < -e we \ r ^ n' obliged U > pay juincally fifU-eii Eii Ik-i ** ofirouey . ar . d for uoViiher pnrjv ?^ tbantb nt this military fore *? r . vsbt be iii remmess i «> r <> "r . t-1 ust" pny thp t ; t "' : (* .= " . in ca 5 < » weiefused . ( Cheers . ) Another result of iLe deprivation of the Suflnure . was ; he dftesmLle Cora Laws , by width the bri'ad of the laborer was raised toVuch a price that he could not pos ib ! y live . ( Hear , bear . ) He needed n ? -t to say anything in reference to the Poor Law Amendment Act . Its Oj-t-rsdoEs wt > re too well known to be much admire .. ! , and hgd the people br-i tm-ir political nuht-V j > uch a measrre voia' never h-ive disgraced the statute boulc of tlu *_ Britirh , Leg slatr . re . ^» me }; er > plepraised it as onaf-. f the best bills thr . t bad ever been t'njspd ,
becanse they sai « I wheu iheptjople w--reto be relived , ihe ? sh-inld Dor b-j ]» j ; : ofj m sncli cointurtable drcani 5 t ; inces" ^ 3 wheii they- ' wen ? in full eruployiiif nt- and able to maintain tlien ? selves , lest they should became iale . and burJ-u those who laboured for their fajnCies . as wcl ! a * f , < r ::: e maintcaaucp of the punr . such reasuuif .-. V .-. » we-. * r . was perlertlv r iiiicuious . Tne peopit * : » r . ^ . !; t i-- »!) s Ixnterpaid for their labour-an-i Let Vr j ' - -. ; '" i ; -.-: ^ ' -t . jjdj th ^ n the Por > r Law ' AuieTi-umi'iilJj ' -t woul-1 iiat be : u-ces > -3 ry ( Cheers . ) Sjnce ll : e peo ] ' ! e h ? I bt-en deprived of the franchUe . they hai b < - -en ir .. ) re and more taxed ; andsreferer . ee to hisiorv wi « i 3 d imnv that with
every destrnrtion of the people-- nr .: ; fj ? . ther ^ was a correspondent nrgrmrdiyieiiieKt on behalf of the wealthy cla-ses , v . liile tiie producers of ail wealth were lessened in the seal ? < " >{ siiciety . and were < -ven nowin the lowest state ofj ^ oK ti r-aldecr / aation . If th ey turneji to the hisusry of past ages , and more especially to that of tLegTiijd-fatiit'r oj the pres .-nt Queeu . it would b ^ "fouiid what was the suite of tliinss in t : ; o .-: e times , and how fur the sysJera of representation then existing , exceeded that winch vr : i-. at present in use . At thnt true , nnTuely , at the co'iiznencement of the reign v ? Gecrgi * 111 . " tue interest of the national Cebt tiid not amount to more than ei ' . 'ht millions : now it an »> niii « l to -r . Tnexvi're about filfr mil'ions . And
sneb , he was sure was t ! ie consequence of the waut of the Sniim ^ e . He . thereJorp recommenceJ t }) era strongly to be -uiiittrd in ti :-. 'jr devrmiuatiim t' > oqtiin tlseir- ' rJHUis . and lie liai ua duuit thf ) - w ^ u ld Blorna : e } v suc . ved . ( L-. 'nd Cfceers . } .- lie moved the fcr = t Jiesolctiun , \ i / .: " That iii the freedom and happin « sof the great body of the people censists the dignity an-i seenrity of " the > t ; : te;—that such frt-eilom and h » p ]) hiess can be obtained or preserved only by the people being fairly and rally represented in P-JriiamHiit : —that therefore it is tLe opinion of tliis ^ iei'ring . th ^ it th e Realm be diridei into electoral distr ict . ? , each being so bonn-Jed us t < i contain , as near as possible , the . saaie uaTirLer of inhaniUnt ^ and . that t-asd district m entitled to send one representative—and th ; r : all male persona ( infants , insanes , and criminals , exceptetlj be entitled to vote in the Election oi a representali-e . "
Mr . Kobest Hullt bergt- 'd - ; o s .-cnui th-. ' motion , in whicii he-henrtily coucurre J . Mr . Ho-. r ^ KTH rose to more the next re solution , which related to the BaUot . Much ha > i been s : iid on the necessity anil usefuli-ess of the extension oi the Suffrage , fie roraially z-srred with aB that hai been Tepearetr ; but it wus tu be reinembered that while l : i « y sought tLe extension of the Sufi rage , they sonant al o ibe adoption otHhe Ballot ; leracsj ? without Xb . e la't-er it xnight ! .-e perfectly practicable for a landlord or a xnajiiifacturer to drive hss dependents -to the poll-booth just in the same way as
farmers drive tj . eir cattle to the market . Such was the spirit of the Aristocracy , that they wouM not even allow a working man io think for hiinjeh ' , bnt they forsorth must thiiii end determine for ; .: in , ;; nd if their thoughts aid not arcord with his . Le mn ?' give way ana allow the Aristocracy both to think and aci " for Mm . —( Hear . ) He would exhort then ; to b ^ wnrs of his beiisg cr-rried away Ly tho ^ e sLur ; Radicals who advocated The Bv . llot * -without the Sufirage . R ' adicals should e-. vr rernenibt-r that ihe Ballot instead t > f relieviiiir tliein in their present condition -svnrrld onlv irnre fiiTnlr rivet rheir cl 2 : ias .
That . it world al once hani overall political power to the middle classes of society ,-who being protected by tLe Ballot , would l > e inv ^ onsible to any part of tiie conEmunity-, and that tlie people therefore would not have the slightest con tr-jul over those who held the franchise for the good of the community at large . He--wotild exnort them , therefore , that if at any future meeting any one would dare to propose the Ballot without an extension of the Su&rage iu connexion with it lhey should invariably Riove as nn amendment thai the Snflrare he first sp-plied for . — ( Hear , hear . ) All that they were strngebnjr for was
that the worKing classes should be Jiurly paid for thair labour . BefJre . ' however , this cr . uld be effected it was pretty evident that they should be represented in the British Senate . There the Capitalist was represented ^ but the labourer was forgotten ; and while the former was living in splendour auu luxury ihe latter was obliged to live , upon twopence-halfpenny per bead per day . —( £ kame , shame . ) It Lad been sidd that the poor in the bastiles should live upon less than a ivorliing man could earn ; and if such was . the amount ol a working man ' s wages , how could tliosalive who were to be supported upon a less amount ? Thev were met on tLai occasion to
send to Parliament a petition ; would to God it was to send a demand , for redress . —( Cheers . ) He . was tired of petitioning for by it h ' ttle good seemed to be effected . They had petitioned , and petitioned , and petitioned , bnt all to tvo pv . tpnse } they could not obtain redress . —( Shame . ^) Judge Blackstone , one of ihe ablest lawyers of hh time , had told them that if the people fot" themselves aggrieved they were to petition ; and if ' that petition . was uot regarded they were to petition again ; and if their solicitations were still unheeded they -were to petition ogaiii ; -and if after that they could obtain no redress the people were then justified in appealing to the musket or the sword . —( Tremendous cheers . ) The grievances of the people did not reed there to be
repeated : " they were well known and too severely felt . — ( Hear , hear . ) 11 they looked to the manufacturing districts they would find that those who were engaged in producing articles of clothingwere those who were almost naked , ( hear , hear ;) and if they looked to the agricultural districts they wonld also findthattbose who-were engaged in producing the means of subsistence were those who were almost starved to death . ^ - ( Hear , hear . ) Jn the town of Rochdale he knew many families who were compefled to live Tipqu one . shilling and tenpence-halfpenny per head per week , and yet these men were called drnatards , and idlers , and jragabonds , and rabble . —( Shame . ) -Was such iniquity to be tolerated ? For his-. own part he was utterly at a losi
Untitled Article
how to express his KiiJigyation . at sochinsolence and oppressnm . — - ( Hear . ) ife-.-wonld ; |» t ;/ Jetain the ; meeting louger ; he be ? i « d to apo ! ogi « p for detaining them m long ; bu t tfhf was it that h ? was obliged to coin ' e fb ' rward : ' as -the' advocate '' of the people's rightsyr ^ Bn there : were others who had had all the advantage of education to enable them to ajjpear in such a cnpadlr . 'Not one sixpence had ever been spent in Iriir- ' education : * u * d' vet poor and
ignorant as he wai he was dragged before the public to declare- what wese the wroDg * of the people and what means were necessary to be adopted to obtain satisfactory redrec * . —( Cheers . ) He would therefore move . lhe spcond Resolution , viz : — " That the people being put into possession-.-of the Suffrage , every person possessing this right onght to be able to exercise it in a free and unprejudiced manner , unswayed by interest or fear . That therefore the voter ought to be protected by the Ballo } . " Mr . John Buckley seconded the resolution .
Mr . Robert Holt proposed the third resolution , — J ' That the character of the Representative should be independent and uncorruptible by the Crown , the Court , or the Ministry . That therefore he ought to be brought frequentl y before his constituents , and , that for this purpose tne Election of Representatives ought to take place every yew . " He would not detain the meetiugby any remarks ou the subject as there were other speakers present . He could not however sit down without telling that assembly of the glorious and enthusiastic meeting at Leeds , which had been held on Monday night last , at which he was present ; alid though they had not at the present meeting snch a concentration of talent us was assembled at Leeds , he trusted they had the same spirit , and the same determination to have their political rights . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Butterwoeth seconded the resolution .
Mr . Ellice next moved— " That the possession of property by a Representative being no proof of his ability to serve his constituents , nor any guarantee agaiust his corruptibility ; that property be not considered a requisite qunh'fication for a Represent tatire , and that each Representative be paid for his attendance in Parliament . " Mr . Robinson begged to second it . Dr . John Taylor wns then called upou by the Chairman to address the meeting . He said be was glad to have another opportunity of meeting an English audience . It was now fifteen years since he began his political career , and from the commeucemuut he had raisi d a standard wliicli some indeed
had dared to designate a standard of rebellion , but f . hich he was happy to say , so far as hi * experience liad yet tnnght him , was generally considered by the ^ . vorkiugpeople of England as the standard of reason and justice . ( Hear , hear . ) It was with pleasure he had heard the reading of the resolutions , fur they were of that character of which he entirely approved . Universal Sunrage tvjjs the undoubted right of the people , and to talk of giving it merely to ten pound Householders was too absurd to be refuted ; indeed all property qualifications for voting , whatever -mount thej iniuht be , were utterley useless , because i «; fy Cen-led to no result worth any thing in apolitical p . dni ul \ ii-w . If ibreiample the iraucbise was fixed at ^ . 'K , tilt person , who took ahous . ; at xi ) . U ' w . Jljd .
• . vooid be deprived of a vole , fo that the whole difference in this respect . would l > e a . mere . farthing , ( laughter . ) accor . r . Bg to the line of demnrcation jjoiiited out by ihe Whiirs . The } ' never '¦ qtiL'stioue'd the amount of intelligence , or what were the interests ol the voter , but had arlntraril y tiied . upon this ten pound qualification , as if it were the wand offome magician to cure all evils , and as thr . t by which iiieu s wisdom was to be measured . ( Huar , huar . ) Thus Lord John llus ^ ell could tell tLe extent ' ol n . fit ' s capacities to the " nicety of a fartbing i ( Laughter . ) He was iiire it capacities were to be i'ie : isnred , r * sheun . posed measuring tliem , that Lord Johii ana the wLole of his crew could u-ot produce one j ' artbi ! ig ; s wor . li of real inluUvience . ( Cheers
a : ; d laughter . ) Hi ? objected to a five pound coiistitnenry on t ' : e sam ^ grounds , and even to Household SSufiras-e . He spoke of theKeform Bill which ' , he ciJ ^ racterLseii as a rire l ^ rand turown into society for t ! : e purpose ui producing discord , and of rousing every proud anii angry feeliijg-between . those who ha-J formerly been on tt-nns of tiie prcati ' st friendship . Morally speaking he Lulu it to be u piece of bla ? - ph < -iny for any man t <> refuse the-Suii ' nige to another . \* « heu God made all " men equal it was not intended that one man should dart * to trample upon another , and still less was it intended that the earth s ' . Huild l .-tf monopolised by an idle few who wimld not work unless in jruiit aiid iniquity , and leave those who were the real iuhabitains of the countrv to starve .
( Hear . ) They Lad spoken about the Ballot . He ( Dr . 'l ' aylor ) \ vns a frieuil to the Ballot , while at the > auie time he l . ked to fee n , man come boldly and iiKk'penJeii . tly / ' up to the poll . ( Hear , hear . ) " lie had often , however , wirne . vsisl the ronst-quences of independence . He had seen the farmer leave'his Iii . 'i » e in the morning full of chserfulness poing t < v vote for his favourite candidate , and when he returned hoiuu in the evening found his house stri pped of every thinp by some enpricions landlord who niijfht have a uirlJreut poLutical opinion . ( Sh . 'ime , ? hame . ) He had seen men going from their farnx , with their wives and families at their backs without knowing where to go to , or on what resource to depend , save that Omnipotent BeiiiK avIio
had jLivr ' n" tiitsn existence . ( Hear , hear . ) And when such tilings as these wer * practised , it was time the Ballot was adopted . He begged , however , to remind the working men that their own interest ? dictated that they should n ' r-. t accept the Battot without thv Suffrage . Mr . Taylor then adverted to the ' claptrnp' cry of the Church bein » in danger . He sairi if tiie ( ifivemnjeut wt ru hall so solidtoiis of religion , a * lhey were of the Church , it wonld be much better both tor the cause of religion and the honour of Govc-rument . ( Hyar . ) - lie had been" called . an- ' -iufidel ; mid if it vras because he believed the bisliopa srere of no use , he was ready to be called an inh ' dHl Ly any who mig ht choose to stigmatise him with th-vt appellation . He then spoke of the trait
difference between the Constitution of the Luglish aud Scotch Churches , and thought if the latter could do -withor . t ; bishops and clergy , paid by the State , and yet maintain their character ior a moral and religious people , the English inixrht as well do without thom too . He next adverted * to the New Poor Law , ^ informed the meeting what were the general son timets of Scotch lut-n Tegarrfing that measure He assured the meeting that though no such lawexisted in Scotland , the people of that country deeply sympathised -with them ; and he was sure they would never kave _ subn ; itted to * ncii a measure without d desperate strangle . ( Cheers . ) They had .-aid , that if Lord John Russell , or the Poor Law Commissioners , n acted by the whole ; nnyo : England , should
dare to attempt to separate a . man from his wife , or to te&r the affections of a child from its priren'trf , or the parents " troiri-the child , they had sworn by the God that ruled the universe , by the earth on which they stood , by the heaven Jor wiiich they hoped , and by-that hell iroin which they would escape , and Trhich seemed to have been only made for the Whitrs , that they would sooner see the country in one wide and uiiextinguishable blaze of flame . ( Loud cheers . ) Dr . Taylor , in conclusion , pegged to thank the men of England for the noble assistance they had rendered to tue Glasgow Cotton . Spnncrs . 'i key had done nobly , and had manifested th deepest sympathy in their etiuse . He thanlved them , however , moru for the : r love of prinnpli 1 of wiiich they had given such
redoubtable proof , lhe .-e vverc injured men ; and it sLouId not be forgotten , that by . . their-fate , the Goreniment intended to strike a blow at the liberties of the English people . ( Ilenr , hear . ) Every attempt had been -made to make ont a case against them , but without efiect . He could not refrain from relating to them wbat occurred at the Court on Friday last- A witness was called who gave in a variety of statements which tended to innke . -these men appear guilty ; and so minnuAr had he learned his lesion that the very minuteness of his statements tended to discredit his testimony . Being cross-examined , he first grew pale—then fanltered , then : hrieked , and fell to the ground r and notwit ' istandinu the repeated questions that were asked him , the only answer that he gave , to the Court was , "He ' s
corning—he s coming !! " Government had offered a reward of £ 500 for the apprehension and ' conviction of the offenders : the cotton masters had offered an addition of £ 6 oO to that sum ; and thus were ignorant and unprincipled men tempted to interfere with just ice and to barter it for gold , ( shame , ) or an estate in Canada , if the parties could not live peaceably at home . But they had come . to the determination that these men should hot go out of the country ; and if it should so happen that they were to be transported , a blaze should be kindled iu the country that would light them' to their destination . Dr . Taylor concluded his address by stating that his- friend , Mr . Templeton , had arrived from Leeds to state more particularly the reason of Mr . O'Connors absence . Mr . Taytor sat down amidst loud cheers .
The Chairman then introduced Mr . Temflbtox , who ?? id . that' lie had just come from Leeds to inform the meeting of the reason of Mr . O'Connor ' s absence . He did not doubt that they would feel deeply disappointed in their expectations relative to the speakers who had been expected to address them ; but he was sure , so far as Mr . O'Connor was concerned , they could not have any cause of offence . Mr . O'Connor for the last ten days " had scarcely had any rest ; he had travelled night and day in attending public meetings / and
the conseqnence was that his health was coinpletely broken . He wn » then very ill , and could not possibly have attended that meeting without subjecting himself to considerable danger . They knew , however , hish « artwag with them , and he ( Mr . Templeton ) was sure Mr . O'Connor would rejoice to hear of their numerous and enthusiastic meeting . It was unnecessary for him to say any thing in reference to Mr . O'Connor ' s exertions ; they were too well known and too widely appreciated to need any recommendation from him . ( Cheers . ) One thing , however , this disappointment ought to teach them ^ an d that was , that while they valued t » the full amount the willing and effectual senders of such gentlemen as
Untitled Article
Mr . O'Connor and jifty 'S ^ ip | i 9 ita-H@ru , M ^ otd ^ :: . ft ^ r liliouid- «!^ IIdi » a' ^^ thft . T OP * t ^}!| i ; . y ^ itb ^ ai ? dv ^ j and he ; thought their priucim (?> b ^ whpeyer they luigut bf advocate ® , 'V o ^ ht ^ tqvbe ^' iiti&flieiati ; iea «« m fortheirre , jpicing « t sick ait assejnbly oit such an pccasioii . ' ¦ ' ( Hear , hear ^ Goo < l mi ^ cientampk : ance was certainly -raJuableL ;; brit tber-ihorilil iwt forget that their worfc Aonld be fur ; tli « r most pUrt performed by tbeir o \ vnliaads > ( cheers ) , aiid t&eh they would have ; the wh ^ fe of ^ ihe ' praise . lie cbrigratulated them oh the nttnsbe ^ an d re 3 Decfcd ) ility of tlie meeting , npd assor « d l ^ em that so tarn&he was concerned , a fair representation of it should be laid before the world ( cheers ) , and Mr . O'Connor , though ; he was not there , would hot be ;{ les $ delightad with
their ardour , ' iuid iuia |^ pity .-:--- '( H ' BiSit , 'h ^ ar ») f .- ' : Mri ' . Ti sat down , when three cheerai and one cheer more , were given for FfiargufO'Corinon , ^ Mr , James : 1 iV . Cropper moveel u That lie Petition founded on the , foregmn ^ resolutions be placed for signature before the inhabitants of this borough and its neighboiarlipod : that it be forwarded when signed to the Hotise of Commons , and that John Fentony Esq . be requested to present it . Mr . WitUAM Bake seconded it . Mr . Fekton , M . P . for Rochdafe , said he ehonld be very glad to present their petition . They knew his principles alre . ady , and that it was , therefore , unnecessary for him to . recapitulnte them in that place . He must say , howeverthat he did not
en-, tertain all the sentiments he had that evening heard expressed , but he doubted not that those who knew him would still give him credit for the manner in which he had conducted himself in Parliament [ hear , hear ] . They , were aware that he professed to be favourable to Household '; Stifirage . ( A voice , " that won ' t do . " ) He had once entertained a good opinion of the Rsform Bill , but he had since found reason to change that opinion . ( Hear , lveari ) ! As he \ tnderstpod it , it was intended to grant a llarge extension of the suffrage ; the only effect of it , however , ; had been t <> increase the power of the Aristocracy , and to narrow the iiifluence of the cbhiniercial classes of the community ; arid for' this -reason he was of ' opinion that it was necessary to extend the suffrage . ( Henr ,
hear . ) As it regarded- Short Parliaments , he had no objections to meet his constituents as ofttfn : is they wished [ hear ] ; he thouj | j % they had had tolerable experience of Short Parliaments lateljr , for they had haf two elections in the short space of four month * . He did not think Annual ^ Parliaments would answer any good purpose , but he had no objection to their bemg annual . "V As for the ; Ballot ho had always voted for it , dud he should vote forit again * . They were well aware that at the last election they'had ' lost several votes for want of the Jiiiljbt . [ A Voice , if yon had the Ballot how-many votes would yoii gain ?] Directly the cry was . 'No-Ballot without the Suffrage . *
As regarded the property qualification , he :- . ' sof opinion that virtually there was liosuch thing , forntaiiy of the " -. gentltfinpn . , Who were in the House of Commons sat . there in conseiiuence of the property with which they ought to pay their d (? ut 8 , and which was not therefore their -own . ( Cheers and laughter . ) 11 « would not detain them longer than by stating , ihiit he should be glad to presentf thpir petition . ( Ilenr , h ' i ? nr . ) .- " A vote of thanks was thec given to thpCairinrtu . — -Throe clieeKand one cheer more were given for j-Vargu * O'Connor ; three for Dr . Taylor ; three for ' Shaman--Crawford . ; and three for Mr . Keutoii ; after which the meeting dispersed , all the rojolutioiis having been carried unanimously .
The Leeds Meeting.
THE LEEDS MEETING .
Untitled Article
In consequence of several enqiiiries ns to why our reporter ' s speech , at the , meeting helti in the Comliierciul l > uiliHi > gs last week , was riot given in our lust number , we beg to stail » to our readers that notwithstanding he was urgently requested to furnish ; it , be neglected to do so tlvai'lie . niight . give tlie ad- , dresses of the otluT ppenliers at as great length as onr columns would allow . Wo feel 6 nrse . lve .- » , ' . liowt . 'ver , obliged in . justici . * both to liiih aiid the public to report the speech , ' which will b ' ij found well worthy of perusal . / - \ - r V - . - ¦ ¦" . - ¦¦ Mr . T . EMPLKroTi - sai ( l ,-7-Mr . Chairman and men of Leedp , —when I consider the diptiuctipu and the talent of . the gentlemen wh ' o have already addressed this mefttmg , 1 sHn-rawiv lo think v ' o \ i will be inclined
to mark my-lor a youth ofnolittlijpresnmption in thus daring to press iiiyself upon your notice . But , * ir , though thero is no one who more adniirtts tiileiit , or who mure ' re . spectp well-merited distinction than I tip , I claim flt this meeting the privilege of a citizen of England , who has interests to be urotected , aud opinions to deliver , as wel | as those brave , patriotic , and intelligent gentlemen Whom I uo \ v see congregated around mv ' r ( Hear , hear . ) No circumstaiicej save one , should ever have induced me to trespass upon your time , or to depart Irom that . deferouce to age and superiority which I have always .-hitherto observed : No circumst-. uire , save one , should ever have induced me to adyjuice from that retirement , or to violate that modesty whiqh has thus far been the
chief distinction of-my humble , lot ; but , sir , there is onecircuinstance , which' outweighs all others , that I . am-. able to put in the " . opposite- scale , aud which now compels me , howevar unwillingly , to stand forward in the rniiks of Briti ; ii freemen , and to proclaim to the men of Leeds , iaid not to theia only , but to every-lover of Vreedoni mid / jnstice tVir ( jugli ' out our lamed " dbiniuions , that I , ' ain a treeuian of Ji ) ngland , buying in iny . breast- a heart that bunis with a . love of liberty andjustice , and that I cnu no . longer tacitly submit to tiie iusok'nt dictation and the oppressive misrule of a . Cjoycruuiuut" that acts . only lor its own private emolument , alil < e" n . jgrtrdless of the happiness or misery of those whom it is ' ordniiied . to govern . ( Lou'd . cheers . ) Sucli , sir , are roy . feelings ,
and sach they long have been , ' though never until now , at a public ineetiug , have I ventured to put forth a breath of what were my political sentvmeuts . But I could no longer withhold them , . Pluiulor and injustice , administered by the hands of the Whig { iovenmipnt , have spread their fell destruction to such an extent over a tame and , industrious people , that they huve at last forced from the shades ot peaceful retirement tlie humble . individual who now addivsscs you , aiid ^ with . a dctenmnatipn ready to adopt tin ; most desperate resolves , have compelled him to lift his feeble voice jiutlie loudest t < xecratipn of that policy whose end must be ; the- everlasting ruin and disgrace of a worthless , iind ¦ contcrnptible faction ; and the still further , and lusting oppression
of a nation of treemen who ar « iu reality iji a condition little better than that of the weaKe ^ t and most degraded slaves . - ( Henr , hear . ) Oh , sir , that I should be compelled . to say thutt ilnglishmeu are slaves , is a circunastance which I cannot , sufficiently deplore , but to deny that we me in aconuijipii little bettor than ; that of slavery , when the fnct is so oO - vions and so universally , felt , were not only the mealiest " of foilv" ,.. b . ut the basest of crinieSi ( CLeers . ) [ Mr . Tenipletoh here read his resolution '" . which related to Canada , and which was responded to ' . . with three cheers . ] He cpntiuued : —The atiairs of Canada ns you nre vf ell aware have - for a length of time past engrossed a share of the attention of Government . l \ i hile however , we arei ready to adroit the truth of
this assertion , it is necessary that it should be qualified by the addition of an expletive sentence , namely;—tbat . though the affairs of Canada haye engrossed si considerable share of the . attention of Government , it has been with just the same amount of attention that all other measures of impbrtaiice have ; thiitis , juKtasmuch as would protect ; tii « in , terests oi a few Capitalists , and" oppress the liiillioris of liflrtl workinginou who Have nothing to cle | Jnnd upon but tla-ir labour , and no other sources of eiijoymenV ¦ save 7 those which they are able to rniie tor tlierase ! ves by their arduous and unceasing toil . ( Cheers . ) And now , sir , after all the attention which'Government in its kindness and wisdom has bestowed on the question of Canadian grievances , ' :
syhat is the . result to wMch it has iirriyed ? ' -- - ^ h '' y , sir , it is neither more lior less than that , thVse .. ' very men , onr ftieuds and ; relations , who have been : so long subjected to . the most galling ppprtttsion , should now be coerced into subjection by the hired sons of England , for thus daring to maintain those rights which have ' alrcady b « . 'cu granted them by the British Legislature . ( Shame , shame . ) Yes , sir , ior thus presuming to exercise their constitutional privileges ^ they are to be murdered 7 by wholesale—their houses are to be burnt—their estates are to be cohfiscatedV and those abodes of peace and cpnteritment which have ' witnessed tho sweetest enjoyments of social intercourse are toTbe levelled ill the dust , or handed over to the possession ef twine grasping maizimomst ,
who has evinced his loyalty by thirsting for the blood of the unoflendiiig and iudustnous artiitois of the country . ( Loud cheers , mingled / With groans for the Whigs . ) In the language of true resolution ^ thsn , we deeply regret this war . " - ¦ Wi £ ^ hate war in ; any shape , and in any country . Peace is pin * niptto ; but we can only love that peace which is ) 'founded in justice , and into ¦ which commercial prosperity &n < J . domestic quietude and ' . vha ^ -pinesji must enter as tlie necessary aud most essential ingredients . ( Cheers . ) Of all the miseries that afflict ^ thehuman race , war is at all times the most terrible . ( Hear . ) Look at the scene of blood ; and when you have beheld the mangled corses of the slain , and listened to the wailiu ' gs of those who have been ( deprived of their best and dearest friends , tell me if war is a thing to
be desired ?—( No , no . )—tell me if you are ; willing to toil and sweat to pracore the means , riot only of mnrdrang your fellow -subjeets , but I , Any : also say , your fathers ) and mothers , and wethren and'iist&ia- y and children —( hear , hear ) - ^ who have cpBimitted bp crime , save the crime of ^ asserting their owh rightSj and who have done nothing to merit soph a treinehJ dous calamity , save joining with you in desecrating the lawless deeds of m unprincipledfactiPn > -and in uniting their ' voices withyoorsiuijrpur . demands for universal ' freedom ? ( Loud cheers . ) JDp JQO , -then rejoice at this calamity ? ; ( No , no ») I * Ua ^ nattef of delight , or evsn of indifference to [ you : that your trans-atlantic brettvren- ' ^ re -wiithiflg in their gore and groaning ia the agonies of death ^ 7 adminwtered by the hand of the Whig Gorerament , who have made such lavish promises of reform , and given , such loud aud reiterated assurances of their lore of constitu-
Untitled Article
* PJ » al . Jfcerty ? 7 ( No ,- rw ^ ' ^^ ljg S ^ r shun a * ^ rt ^ fe ^^ ^^^'^*^^^ ""'^! latotjie , 4 »^^©^ death- ^« h e 8 ra > - soofl r 7 * all the ?< TO shpv / enef . spring Wc > isBttged # ito the- peltW swd destmctiv *' . stormsM winter ^ sopner shdl-tlie choicest fruits pf j » uturnn roi * M 3 tar tbe deVdUest nsison to Ihosti Trliom : thoy . Werfe ' inttraded' tonourisH—* waer shalltuepavth ; verae \ froin liw-iorbit ,-ayd the Bun asbjfimed to behold tUedsiids iOfiaep , hid hisi face in deejpandeverlastin ^ afarkness . ( Cbntinned cheering . ) What I Englishmen rejoice at . the mnr ^ er of their ' bre < teer Englishmen J- ? for such ar * tbe Canjidians . Shaal ? riglishmen rejpree at the sk-ughtei ; of those * whO'bBkve descended from the sanKf ; : aucestors , who speak the same language-, and in whose hearts will
be tonad the same sympathies ! No- sooQer shall pur beaits be riven from otir bfeasts , and < mr arms lieso-ered and ppwerles * in the dost . ( Cheers . ) We dp Caeni regret this war ; * ud we regretitbecause were we ever so willing that it should be- pBos *» cated , we kcow ' vtiry wellthut as a nation \* e > - have riot the me ^ ans . ( Hear . ) Have we not think yon a burden of taxation sufficientlj ?; henvy to beary without increasing-it by hiring men to / cut the ^ throats , or blow ; out the brains of onr baethern in Canada ? ( We hhve . ) : Are you men of Lieeds in sach prosperous and comfortable qrcuinsfeuices , that you are willing topny . £ 2 or £ 3 pfer year for extra taxitioii for this wifenial and iniquitous purpose ? ( Nov ' no- ;) Are . you willing to sanction by your aid tbist -vvild
and , lnipracticBble scheme ? - ' . ( No ^ we never : will . ) If yoti ar&j tneii I hope and pray that tlie next st « p the Whig governmentwill take , maybe to send two pr 7 three thousand soldiers to force you ev 6 ry © tie to cross the / Atlantic , and there amid the horr&rW of tlie bloody contest , and the greater borrow of an lnhpspitable climate , compel you to % ht for tli » honour and gloiy of the WhigSj and the eternal disgrace of your country . ( Hear , hear . ) Stranger asf km amongst ^ you , T hope better things of the men of vLeeds . But , sir , we also regrnt this war , because yt 4 have iio moral right to coerce the Ganaclians . Th « right of cpiiiiuest is only ft physical right , and is founded upoa the very Tsarne . principle as that law would be which Would allow
any or yoii to knock down a fello-w citizen , and rifle his pocket' ! . ( Hear , hear ;) Them is in reality no manner of difference , so far as the abstract principle is coiicemed , between one nation conquering another nation , and one man overcoming another man . It is the uiere law of force without any moral considoration ; andif the Whig gpyernmojit . appeals to the law of force , the Canadians have . a . right to appeal to the same law . ( Hear , hear . ) And you , wen of Leeds , men of Yorkshire , men of England , have equally as gooil a right to force the U'iiigs to grant you justice as they nave to force you to suljmit to-their government . ^ Cheers . ) But dp we talk of the morality of the Whigs ? May heaven forgive us for such a prostitution of the term " morality .
( Loud laughter . ) And may : heaven grnnt that you may . - . never imitate their example , ( we ; never will , ) for they art- in actjoii tbe meanest cowards , andiU-pin 4 e the basest , and most crawling sl » ve « . ( Laud cliaer ^ , ) ' pat , sir , we -regret tin ' war still iiiorti . because if it were a tiling to Uv desire :- ] , even if we had a moral right to coerc ^ y ' thi * Caun = i ' iunsy we . have not the power , if they chdof-u to ; U-i deu'iininedly ; --anfl « ven supposing- we had the pow « r it would be productive tons ot no real advantage , ( Hear , hear . ) ' . We have not tin- power to coerce the Canadians . They lire a hardy people , who have been accustomed to every species-of . toil and
privation , and who being wt-li acquaiuted with every fastness in-. . the-country must have an inHiiite advantage over . British soldiers . They are , moreover , well accustomed to the use of the rifle , and can mark their victims with deadly aim . They will be assisted too , by thousands ; from the States * who will readily jivin theyii in the contest for freedom- ; iVnd-thousands uiore will fnriiish them witlinioney and every kind of ammunition they may require . ( Hear , hem-. ) On the other hand our own troons i « r « mostly raw and inexperienced vpung men , who , however brave or iiavveyer well ( disciplined they may be , are yet untried in ; the field of battle , and will be ill able to withstand the fire of Canadian
rille-Trien , and . still less able to endure the inclemency of a Ctthndian winter . . ( 11 ear , hear . ) And shall \ vo then send the brave . sou ? of Jiu ^ land tospiU thejr blood and sacrifice tlu-ir lives to atone for the tj-i-iinny and inisnile of the Whigs ? ( Cheers and cries of Nb , no . ) Shall wv add millions of money to that debt of disgrace which . already burdens us and tor no other purpose than moroly to show to the world how far Eugiisimum will tamely allow the W ^ i gs to disgrace themselves , and impoverish the country ? ( Cheers . ) 017 all the silly and absurd propositions that ever were put iprtit , there never .-w-si ' s one so ridiculously absurd and so fiendisiily inischievous as this , ( i'i ear , hear . ) Men of . Leed .-, I call upon you as you low your country—^ 1 call
upon you as you love your lionies and your lives—I call upou you as you love those liberties for which you . have struggled so nobl y and so long , toliftiip your voices in united execriition of the base , cowardly , and inexpressibly unprincipled conduct of that ( Joverninent which , regardless of every principle of lionour- ^ -regardless 7 of every fceiing ot humanity and ' . of- every sense , of right and jnstice--regard ] t's « of thosiiiniiuries wliich you now suffer , and ol ' lbbse which you am still likely to sutler in eonsequeuce of tVjisbase attempt to tyrtinuise over afree people- ^ 1 call upon you by every pniiciple of . action that , can inspifuyou with emulation in ppposhig this matchless tyranny—I call -upon you to execrate the-name ; of that government which thus seeks to snjjport
itsfltnot only in direct opposition to ever ) ' wish of thepjrtoplej but also in destroying the liberties and in wading through tht > blood' of- ' those whom b y every priiicipk 1 of honour aiidjjustice nntl hiijnanit ; , ' tlioy are bound forever to protect . ( Tremendous cu «< Hi which were coiltuiued ior a length of tdine . ) Air , Chairman , niy resolution contains two other particulars on whicli it was my intention to speak , but I fuar I have " alreaily trespassed too long upon your patience . ( No , no , and cries of go on . ) Sir , you , will purhajjsfurthev allow me to rc ]) eat the terms of-Use ' -resolution , . " That we rejoice at the noble , heroic , and' independent spirit which : the Canadiah « haye manifested in th ^ ir opposition to the micohstitutiousl interference of the British (
TovernlnentVand that webereby pledge ourselves to oppose any measure that may be proposed byany Mimstry for coercing the Canadians until their real grievances are satisfactoril y redressed . " ( Cheers . ) .-Yes , 7 sir , we rejoice at -their noble spirit ; and we pray that to whatever hardships thevniiiy still be subjected , tliat sjiiritniaybe stillas noble , still as heroic , htill as iudep « rvd ^ ut . "( Clieers . ) And we will support them —( Clieers )—and let the Whigs , if they like , iudictiis for treason , still- ' we . . will support tlierix . ( Cpntiiined cheers . ) Have not many of _ ue in that country those who are dearer to us than life ? Have we not tlvere our mends and relations , with whom we have enjoyed the sweetest interchanges of social aft ' ection , and in the delights of whose society we
have . experienced the highest earthly joy ? ( Hear , dear . ) Haye we not there our fathers and mothers ^ and brethren arad sister *? And how . do we , kiiow that » i > me of tliem are not now dying tinder the tyranny of the Whigs ? ( H ar , hear . ) There , sir , are my father , and my mother— - ( hear , hear ) r-there aremy brethren / and w # sisters , for in Jjigland I am an orphan and a stranger . ( Hear , hear . ) There , sir , 1 have father whos ^ heart burns as ardently with the Jove of liberty as did the heart of a Wallace or or a Bruce . ( Hear bearO There I have a mother who : taught her lisping offspring to sing the praises of heroic virtue , aiid to execrate the tyravt ' s deeds . ( Heari hear . ) There I have brethren " and sisters , to wh'om , = I » ia bound by the closest ties of paternal
affectioh ; and shall they die by the hands of the Whigs ; while I look / taniely on the sceiie ? ( No , no . ) ShnlT their groans reachl tiie ear of . Heaven , and my voice and my : ai ^ i not be lifted up in their defence ? Shall they be parted from each other ^ and severed fiom the world , while I , like a base coward , heave not a sigh for their son : ow « , nor echo the triumphs of their bleeding glory ? ( Loud cheers . ) Oh , ye Whigs ' . —take me and imprison ine—take me and torture me on the wheel or on the rack— -take me andmurJer ine ^ as your minions murdered tlVeinnpcent ; and defenceless inhabitants of St . Denis- —still shall your name be hated while the Canadians are joyed— -still shall the surviving sons of freedom raise their voices and their arms , againat ypu- ~ -still shall th ^ dai'kuess of your deeds hunt , h ' ke blood hounds ,
your guilty conscienccs--rand . still shall Erigliahmen hail , with thp loudest triumphs of joy ^ the dftwri of that morn that shall proclaim / the independence of the people of Canada , aud the everlasting ruin arid disgrace of the base and despicable Whigs . ( Tremehdpus and deafening cheers . ) Yes ! And when our tongues are silent , arid the Bounds of our voices are heard nomore ^ - ^ when-our ^ bodies aT ? stretched in the coldness / . of deatli , arid our arms lie powefless in the silence of ^ the grave , —^ posterity , hanrig learned pur principles and imbibed o \ vr spirit , snail Ivreyif only to hate them , and seek reyprige for tlie'blood-. of llieir fathers . / [ Mr . Templeton , after / proposing three / ch ^ rs for the freemen of Cauacta , retired , amidst the loud arid continued ^^ approbation of the meeting . ] 7 7 " 7- ¦ ¦ ' ¦ . / " : ' ., - . "' . ' . "" 7 ' 7 . v ¦ ¦ . ¦ ' . "
Untitled Article
TQ EARL STANHOPE . My LbTdj-r ^ he Diike of Sussex on the 27 th of November , J 837 , said in the House of Lords , the New- Poor Law Bill ^ Was a great boon to the poor of this cpuntry . How . drikes are deluded , and good Iabonrer 8 > old . spldiers arid sailors , and their ^ fariTulies , are treated ^ here . the New Poor Law is said to work \ vefl , the fplloH-ing fswts { which cau , B ' e proved on oath ) wfllshoWi 7 7 / . - ;¦ ¦¦ ' .... 77- . . / . - ¦ ' /¦ . ' / ' . ¦ 7 / 7 ;; . / ; First ^~ A good labprirer , ; whp has been a sbldier , with ! a . jvife arid threechildren : under nine years of age , : jt % o could not get employriierit f appKed to the Hoard a Of Guardians , who asked him if ha could Tiot get' credit , *< J- ; ««» d after ^ ^ by the parish ; officers he was forced-fo take his wife and eldest girl , eight years pldy and pick stones off the land . > V ith great exertions , all weathers , three just earned bread enotieh
Untitled Article
for theHfe to wiv « them from starving , with Kettiric credit fwt a little ^ ore than they wrild earn % oHr weeks . Afterthi ^ hegot ^ better wdit r hoeingwlieit by itheacrev Hit / wife arid himself wwkedearly ta& late , and in . five weeks earned 40 s ; 114 , that is ^ g * 2 d ^ rier / week r witb ; which they iiaiH ^ iaed tot family , arid ' paid the few shillings 7 th . ey got caredifc tor . After this hehad no work nor wage % arid wheit he applied againto the Board , they asked him ^ hafe ne had done with affi . the money he had earnedf ; i * produced the account , and althoDffh they had asked him ^ before wh y he did not get credit ^ the chainnatt repramandfed him for-paying whathe owed , and ¦ saifhe should / have made ^ nt with that till he could ffefc worK ;' affaTTi ; i- : /; --. / - ' ¦ - ¦ '¦ : . . ' ; ¦ -. / - . .:- ¦; . ;• ' : ¦ : ,.-. P- . ed 14
. Tni » inan ^ erV his country years ; ex cept * wl > v ys ? a I ^ ¦* ^ ^ R ^ ent , wS ^ Waleheren ^ , Rio Janeiro , two years in Spain , under the 7 pnke ; of W ellington , Avas- at the stormmg of Sail , aeuas-tiai ^ : » fec ., and \ vas abi-pad most part of thfftuner in . iact , lie served his . oeuritry in all quarters of the globes in- Europe , Asia , Africa , and America ; always mamtaarimg a gppd ^^ character , anfr . now , iF he cannot get employment ^ he has an offer to be sent into the prison workhouse , with ; all the horrors oT impri | 3 briirient and halt-starvation ,, or stay out ancfc starve , as orie . of the independent labonrers so much boasted : of by Lords Brougham , J . Russell , and others .- --: '¦ ' : ¦'¦¦"¦ :. : - "¦ " / . " .. .-. ; :- ' - /¦ - ¦ , ¦ . •' .:
Secimd --: A good labourer , and" an old marine with a wife-arid five children , lost Ms employment because his master had fib more thea about 6 n » month ' s worfc for him after the harvest of 1836 ; Wiilked m&ay ; viiles , but could not-get any other relief than an order to go into theprison workhouse . After being ; -without work , wages , or relief for six weeks , he was forced to go in , where they were separated and half starved , and his wife foetid and sawlow badly the poor women were treated when they lay in ; , arid the food disagreed with heir and her / poor childrcin , and , together with the crael arid irksome treatment they received , they could riot eridute , it more than eiglit ; days . This poor woman was
nutto bed about one month : alter , and the Board tfieu allowed them about ijlb . of flour each day , and about a halfpenny each per day in money for thres w ^' ks , and iio toore 5 and then for five weeks no allowance whatever t By making a fewrnatii with rashes , Ac ., and -selKng them , this poor man . got enough to buy 281 b .-of flour , which was all these ssiven persons had to live upon- for twenty-one days , up to tlie 24 th of Fehrnary , 1837 , three oiuices each per day , and at . the-end . " of that time the woman : had uo _ milk for lier child , which \ yas then wasting and dying for tlie want of it ; in short , the whole iamilr werit nil but starved to-death .
Some time after this , being teased arid worried t « go to Lnncashini , Yorkshire , or America , be clioosa to go to Ai : i § ric . i ; -and this , was . called--a voluntary consent ; wl > en tV . e man solemnly declared he wa * drivr . 'n to do this-by tlie hatred of the Baktile and the horrors of . starvatipn , and the fear that he might bj despair aud desperation be / driven to commit some horrible or ilreaci ^ ul crimi ? , as his mind was tortorecl with ; thu idea oi ' liinis ' .-lf . hiy . wife , and children * bejng so . cruelly trvated , after serving his coumry aiB a niarinc ; on fniard- a inan-t > f-wiir nine years with honournndcr . ed . it , and obtained a pension , whicli he htitl tl ; e rm . sforturie . to lose . Is tliis treatment likely-tp ' prodace inorai good ? What a mockeryt M : iru , under the Old Poor Law , this man would have been employed-at eight sliilhnps per week ^ at lest
;) , dtinng the ; twenty -frfeks he avus so cruelly treated , with winch the family could tiave had plenty of bro-jul , wlifcTd they had taeir honse and home ,, and were happy : aiid ' conjerif in thuir native land ! Now marli ! 'Under , the New Poor Law ^ Wvhicb works so well , ' this ¦ ' boon . Of- elevated iTadeyjewdeuctt ,: so jWi- 'iierorisly grniited by the pliilosopherk , who say , ; u It this poor but bon « st man coald not nndwork , ' lie bet-SAine a . dt'biisvit . a ' u . d degraded pauper , '' wiiea beh-. id aluwiul claiui eciual to abont the eight shillings per week v b y tendcriiig all thu labour lie and . his fa-inily could perform . In fact , ' - lie had aright to live iii tlie laiul of his birth , till this infeninl / law took it away , "aurl drove hijn from his cottage of cmtent nud . h . 'ippiuess . inv liis nativ « land , to ' seek . tliatprp ' tecriHi ^ in . a loreign country that was now dfiiiiid hiiiilierH- ' ' ¦¦ - ¦¦ ' ' " 7- '
Tiiird . —A good labourer , ajred . W , has been asailor , ¦\ v i ; b a . wife ; arid Tour cliildren , could lipt get more thaii five \ VL'e V * v > or . k fur io weeks before the 6 th of June , 1837 , altliough the Board , of Guardians recoTninunde . 'l him to . go to the ( iifferent railways , but refusea to findiliiniany robney to bear his expenses . He sold hjs . pi . ^ arid bo rrowed what money he could to enable him to - travel , as he did ,: above ; 200 miles to several rail ways , but he found more men at all . of them than wera % V ( inted , and came home agrini tlisappphi'tiid , bufcould get no work or relief , except au order to go iu'tp the prison work house , and by the irksome and cruel treatment there in two or three weeks he . . was ' -forced outjigain , when ' .. lie fell so weak from bad living that he could not doa fair day ' * work for sonic time after . While , he . was in the workhojise lie s ;\ v . ' ; agr 6 at deal of irksome crael tre ; . tmeutpracti : ie . dvas he and others believed , on purpose to drive thent ont agaiii as fast as they were sent in . 7
'I'lus man lids served the cpuntry on board different inen-of-war 12 years , in the Agincourt ( 64 , ) the Poinpey ( 74 , ) Dragon ( 74 , ) and others ; was at the taking of Martinique and ( j riadnloupe , and many o'th ^ r engagements , nuti has been always ready and willing to woyk-hitrd-as-tt - labourer , iijaintained his good '; chnnicterj ,, and / given Katisfaction . But his lie . 'irt is novr almost broken with such harsh and cruel . ¦ tre . tir . ment ; - ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ., '" . 7 - ; - . 7 . / "; Under the old Poor Law , this poor man would have had . 15 weeks work , at fe ' s . iE < i ] king ,. £ 6 ; but under the practice of the i ; ew Poor Law ; lie has had only rive weeks' work / at l 6 s . ~ £ 2 JO . ' . Thus thin boon , founded { as ^^ thv pbi ' osonlujrs say ) on eternal justice , " has ; first robbecf this man of ' £ 3 10 s . in 15
weeks , ( h ' eri of the little property he possessed , which he ' spent in search oferoplovnnent ; and whea all ¦ was gone , lie became a ; wandering vagabond , begging his wayhoin *) to his . native-place ,- ' . hhd when he arrived almost broken ; Hearted , what / was hii boon of Cvoaiforfr . ; aiifl coHsolation wheii he applied to the tools of thp three heartless tyrants ? Why , the bastilev yiith all the forlnres of ^^ separation and half starvation ; and , worse than all , iiirnself ^ his wife , and . innocent . children prisoners , without a crime , and by this law robbed of their liberty and protection : !' . '; Who / would not , like this man , vow vengeance and swtar eternal' hatred against hi * tyrants arid oppressors ? Etenial justice , indeed I Was / "there ever a greater mockery f .
Fourth . —A good labourer , ( u' / , ) has been a sailor ^ getting past hard labour , with a wife , ( o 9 . ) who is sickly and often confined to her bed for a long time , always obliged to get another woman to wash for her and take care of her . Under the old Poor Law used to be allowed 2 s . b'd . each per week—that is 5 s . per week , and sometimfis , wlieii . able , used to get a tevr days' vyork , at 6 d . or 8 d . per dixy ,: which helped to : pay his rent ; and find tliem clothes .: Since the New Poor Law , has been : allowed one stone of flour an £ 2 sJinmohey ; pays lOi d ; per wt-ek r »? nt , and 6 d . per week for washing and doing for bis wife , leaving Tid .. only ia . money—thatis , 1 lb . of floiir and ii . eacn per day . In Slay , 183 ? , he obtained work at 8 d . per daiy ( 4 » . per , week ) Ayhen the Board stopped Ms whole : allowance for the five weeks he was at work ; and
when this work w ;; s done , he could not get work * . Ayages , or relief , for tlie first week ; the railway ofBcer -would , riot , give '' him an order to apply to the Board ; but the second week he ordered liim to come nine inile-s . -aird [ backAgaiii , making ' miles , to theBoardy although near 7 . 6 ' . years of age , aiid severely anUcted for years past , bat still could work a lit . tlesomedmes . One of las nei g hbours leiit him . '' a donkey , 011 which lift rode ; part ot the waj ^ and another old rieighbpur » ( 74 , ) the other part , aad thus they got to the Board and back jwli ^ ch they could iio . t- have doiie at all without . His poor wife lay and . cried } . 'day-. after day v for fear of being seri't"td ; th ' e workhouse ; she says she vvould rather die : than go there . All this thepoor old man considers very : crael and severe , when he
reflects on liavirig served his country on board differerit nien-of-war eleyenyeare , the Ciilloden , 74 , tiieBomr bay Castle , 14 , was wrecked going into Lisbon \ the Britauni ; i , Admiral Thompson ; and was iu the-great battle off Cape St . Vincent , under Adiniral Sir John Jersis ; was very riear the Audacious , Commodore Nelson , when he took ; the San Joseph and San lSicholas , and came'home in the Spanish prize , the-San Nicholas . His clothing is all Wiling off in rag * and tatters , he not liariug had one penny to buy clothes : with since the' jtew .- ; ^^ Ppor Law'begaa tobe put into practice , and has bteri nearly starved , aa must be supposed frorii . the before-irientioried allowance . But hedares iibtcomplain for fear , of being forced . into the Bnstile and treated worse , as all
get worse off ; wiien they . cpriiplain . ; If they prevail on any friend to intercede for them , and obtain any little extra indulgence for a time , / a watch is constaTittyo-fexirjetn . * rheya , remaTk . e ( 5 , ; . aadvengeance conws ' on them after a tiirif , ^^ Eke athiefin th& riighti Hence arises the report , " The poor are well off j they are more obeAietii and xespecttul , more satisfied and content . We liear -rio complaints "; the New Poor Law hasTyrorked well , aiid-done wonders : ; worked a great riiorail good among the " poor . " Moral godd v irideed ;!¦ " Here is mockery again 1 AH those who kriow the real . state of the poor , know they are more eulleri arid subtile , arid revengeful feelings ^ are vmpthered arid swelling in their bosoms , and , dnveri by such barbarous crdeltyi by and by , it . wiUburst out with savage mry xippntheir bhnd and infatuated
tyrants arid oppresst ) r& There is no knowing when ot where it is to stop , or how inany innocent may suffer withthe guilty . Lord Bi-oughamis one ofr the foremost of these infatuated , theoretical phiiK sophers , with / his plansand Schezne ^ about useful knowledge ^ moaril good , e ^ irnal justice , geriejraV happiness , : &c ± , to , iin _ p ] F >^\' : the / Vi ^^ tipn s " ' - - ' of . -u ^ "lower order ^ " asbe calls feiri ; ' anW : { hi * iocteriri ^ he ^ is con ti ntiallv ; pra ? iiig arid ^ ^ ireaiching i brit wliat : was his practice ? Why , ; bwraptirig fras trade ; anji ; an unlimited use of inacainery , ?< Sjc . " y ' ¦ and thougb . last , ¦ not least ,: the New P « or Law , oil of which aw promoting a knowledge of these injuries , mora ^ ,.: i ¦ :. ;<¦¦¦ - ' " ^ - .:. : . - v _ •* % ,. - :-.. ¦> / rm ^_^ v " -.- ; . _ ,.
Nevy Pcjor Tiaw,
NEVy PCjOR tiAW ,
Untitled Article
' J ^ M ^^ H ^ - ^' - - ' - ¦ ; -- ~ -
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 20, 1838, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct338/page/3/
-