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voB O y CETBCH CHARTISM , TEETOTAL CHARTISM , K > 'OWLEI > 0 E CHARTISM , SO HOUSEHOLD SITFFBAGE CHARTISM . r pj- ^ USED , BLISTERED , TTSSHOaS PEIESDS , ^ a a princip le is onoe agreed upon , the safe , the ""* y ^ j tbs speedy mean * for its accomplishment * ' , ^ yjg 0 Ee great and new abandoned object of * ° ^ Toatfis ; and , therefore , ^ labour which I hare £ " *" . beanies nam-ired to tie simple considers-• o' tie fort . TrbetJier Church Chartism , Teetotal ^^ . ' , „ Knowledge Chartism , or Houaekold Suffrage ^* X ™ « re each or all , or any of them , likely to be % sere , a 31 * * spsedy me&iu toward * th « achieve-Oft *
- ** .. I « ii _»• M _ 1 -ui far it , t £ t » t unless the four sections form of hJLaT& , in tbs first instance , a quadruple alliance , tt ^' thdr four distinct and different fflaaa to xa end , -hat end be ideaiie&l and the ssnie , constitute a ° " ^ j as * apinrt them , and is calculated to ulTw section ^ and pirty dispute , and , ultimaUly , to jr ^ s cLitiflctioii . —erd farther , that eTen if consolidated into one r- r £ . taring but one objsct in view , th ? t in the * " -- » e' that alliance a large majority of the
. ' - <» East join , ttbtrwise it also becomes but a « 2 au 2 "aili « K » > ^^ a iour ^ ° W strength , and ten-iold ~ , -J doing mischief . But -when 1 find that the f ante recommend distinct and separate means for ' ^ p ijshmtnt of the same end , then the case ujir , eseh becomes stronger and stronger . ' j jilu first consider the dsrch party , under the jrzzszt denomination irhicb it has assumed , the Jrzr ^ a Chartist Church" party .
y . T , in the ontset , what does tie title " Christian Ojt- ^ man ? cr has it any meaning ? We must , ic ' aefc of explanation , take it lite-rally to mean a new psCT -: f Chartist Churchum , to be ready cut and dry , jiiK ijsuIutfi for a Sate establishment ; of tkis there oik no doubt , because relifien cannot , like politics , ^^ dj ad off according to expediency . In this Tir » . ia , "fe bare a substitute for the great grievance of Tbici &H parties , save those -who pocket by it ,
cosjto-CEdsusn Protestantism , or State Church , in its infts £ 7 . 3 £ relj £ im ? gied for toleration ; bat when it got P'iiitil s ' -itngth , it looked for equality , and , when it piTftiical saprriority , it took spiritual ascendancy Bud sscnal political supremacy ; but , in its infancy , i ; Ti . = JBs : as tolerant as the Christian Chartist Church jj l-, t . &ad , in its poTrer , it is not a vrhit more obKEoa , tyrannical , and exclusive , than a Chartist Chrsi Tonld be if csace sanction ^ . Saii Cxaeh ia the Christian Tory Church , and Chsrjs seeks , as one of its great and ussful ends , the jExaLUjion of the doirdnation of that Church ; and the jrwvr is -which Chsrtists are called upon to test theii iteceiT ia a desire to put down a State Chuich , is br ^ -nV ^' r . g one of their oto in its stead .
r ^ i ''\ n DisJentism ia ihs Whig CuUlch , which nsTtcrots for a su £ c : ency of political power to mite In . Philpotts and 2 dr . Baines , the church-rate msKTr . as hs is called , chasge places . There is no ^ nst £ S ^ s ? oa record of one church being eTsn ciLaritibk to another church ; the strong is always jpmi ^ the -sresi i 3 altrays tolerant , till its tUTD eoma . i ^ l siea ii jasti £ ea ita o intolerince upon Catia clrethba ^ on and religious Teageacce for past tsfcru .
As j prliiical etjine , lei us now test the mtans by which os ; De ^ -iiili ; Chirtist Christians are to serve th » priaapie : ' or trhlch they profeas to contend . DOSS thai ? rsjorporation -vn ^ ksu the eneaiy and strengthen tie 3 ieiT-j , sxi docs ibeir increased strength , if they derrre tar , add 13 the general strength of Chartism . ' Thfj esszot treik-n the enetr . y , because the S ^ t « Cinsrih ¦ sill Iuts ia dne 3 ; and if they recruit their efcsreh froa the Diassn ^ is' ranis , they become but the foaal 4 tic . il of iect dissent sect They cannot , therefore , as-sajtaai theisselTes , sa they do not weaien the ecsiET , ar 3 , as i cj ^ 3 eqaeace , they can give no additiocs : jrrvreth to Casriism generally .
n = li , bar , says a ? i ? ur or Dsacon , we can strengthen ourscires -without weakening tts enemy ; we can ire our xTsciples with idijaus enthusiasm , and , lite all martyrs -A old , brss / Jia Epirirasi iiie into cur political body . Then , 1 answer , 70 a axe finaticB , and not raiv = r < s ] Ciristiang , because you admit an opposite cree-i to : ic-se with -nLam roa cortend , while the yery essc ^ s ; f Chirdsai proclaims ciTil equality to lead to tie naiTeral right of religious worship as each shiD drta ft . Well , so we mean , Biy the Ghr ' stian Chsrij-i Then , 1 ask , are all Chartists , trho are not conscidciats of your church , icSdel Chartists ? and if
yosr re . a is so pure as to bs uniTersaJly ad-pted by aB , jo ; Enst differ in faith from all existing sects , thsKf'jrt prodace your articles of religious faith , because hiring foundal a Church , which is eysn a mere er - £ ; Tt term vhaa a sect , you must hare some peculiar feitc « jot are hTucbugs . TT = H , bat you ans 7 ST eifter tint yon have no creed , or is ; jiir creed is su universal that all men oujht to * =- ? - ::. If you h * Te no crted yon can hare no chores ; a-d , if j 0 : l j ^ a creed , and if that creed & > a rot eabrace C-tholicism , Protestantism .
Dissent-1 * - " , Viii ^ r ^ a , aid all tie micnta rainiScstions of tios = s ; Tntl pirrot Btocis ; do yon sol exeJnde all telsad sj conscirnticus Citholics . a ^ d all Ectfand ^ KEsaestlo m Prcustants , Dissenters , Citho-1 ^ , cr isSdeJi ? So thst if you haTe no peculiar ki £ r--u hire no title to the designation you ^ Uits ; aad L' yen haTe a faith , j uid if ^• i / ' hod ?' :-F--d £ e faith , a faith which con-T'Cr ciri 5 : ^ - w" ^ not subscribe to ^ yon become tf . . | "f iTB fe ! rt ^ poiuico-rclifious adTeninrtrs , ^* -7 v ^ c ? CTa . pipssi . Taf to ^ p ir tte chartist oten
; = s : : t , coE £ 5 hea t ' . * . 1 ' " IT - eJ . VV " ' v' : ? sI' : -k ^ on the CL-. rtuts atsd Cairp Xl " '; - " ' = ^ -bought thit the noble political j . T "•" ¦ ' " ' Ti ^ h I hiTe suSferL . i so mnch in mind , -I-t-iaa :- tt- ^ , as a frrt nder , to be saddled th- ? . ^ " ^ ^ ' * > or c ' anrch ; cr € 7 enif : C' -. ' - ' t . ?" aLLin ' " " Christian Chaitis . ! ^ r / . " ' ^^ ' ^ -S ' ^ niid in its name , and toler- ' '~ ^ : ' ¦ " -f ' ^ s- 'C In . its infancy , would gain pre- !
,, ; . """' " l ) S *^* " strength , &ad incresse in tyranny ^ - -sxssi in power . ; r ^^ " ^ ' 7011 ^ ^^ Ckri ^ ana at an , tndare jr .- _^ ; * .. £ x ; i : ; s - - aai primitive as you profess ? ] ua - . ij * ' ^ ' u Wore > -ponyour honf ^ t industry , ^ . ^^ ra Toi haTe time , in the Market-place , ! E ^ Vr ^" * ' ^ c ^ r ? ^ hh yo _ " neither purse n . r i *" . " 1 } ¦ Til * » -. „> - .
Ct '~ ^ i ' ^ 7 " a ' "E 3 ^ . Jyon- aalliag , by creating a ;]" " ' ^ - ^" " ' i :: d strife , insuad cf " peacs tr ' J ;/ J- ^^ Mg ; asx- y haTs done more , in £ _ _ "' - ' aoat > a , to create disunion , than in a whole bi' ^' . v ^ V ^ 10 ZX V T& *^> tea ! . Do yon * l :: if ^ . ^ * " for ^ oa t 0 fo ' - ind a CT " ee ! 3 ia -.. T ^ ** K ' - ' -amce in strife and end
r , " 7 i I' to ' —? ^ foundation jn disis ar . x z ^ nj - ^ * - ~ er ' tr ^ cUire in tam&ny ? Yours ^ :-::-i ~^ ' , "~ -- rs ' . l-rlotj ; a kind of spiritual ^ ¦ ¦ - - ^ Jl ^ J" ¦ Tb 3 Pi ' - lT 1 &d thtse in flas " fi > ^ i tir " -- 3 5 j 0 : U ' " ' " - ^^^ y instances , they vhiirth ^ C- !^' ' ^^ ' i ; : ) ' - y of shopkeepers , ot -j ^ r ^^ ~ P 5 aada ^ es abiishing a new sect
feirri J , ;^ * ! tlm A aa cx : cns [ Te , yet a well-C :: r ^^ SS- fe ^ a » iioa of a political party . h iu - ^ W ' J hoil ? il appa ^ ntly , all-embracing £ ic ^ -TTM r T ' C&rri 8 a ^^ ^ exclnsion cf all other BfcV a ^ b ^ ^^ P 01111 ^ a ! d . The Cathoyoa ^ vS * Wtt £ rest ese 3 iies if ^ = no *« d 411 De * *^ H herB ! J > : ttey ^^ ' ' erea fr 00 ^^ isi ^ r , ^ T 0 Bld dre&d you ; so with the fce S' ^ IW ? 1 " 1 ° tte D ^ ° te « ; whiie those of aerij , ^^ * ° rtd gladly go with us for aril * TanB ? . is tblT" t ? raaDy » ^^^ » «» ™ rst of all Bnt , i « Ior ^ P -011 ^ of your Christian Chartism ** tit : e " C ^^ ' pK > test agaaist your assumpticm of O& p ^^ ^ ^ " Cbartbt Church . " -Pirsti y , u m "k - * to tfeT 0411 ' tr : ci ; thirdi y- ««^ - J ^ ^ ao sJ «« P -eloa cf infidelity upon b lJ ^ M f ° MCr 6 ed ! Md - t ° * rt * 7 , because j ^^^ rf . ?? . ^ ^ . ^^ ^ louowed by the
^^ 'Win * , . ~ w ^ estab-501 r PfeUiiar «' - % «** sect . J ^ ' ^ ^ 1 ( I mik « *^ IcoT ! siderafairand "H ^ ^^ d , the establishment of ^^ n , W- v ^ * «« laDd . ttey strengthen ** a * lal *^ 6111 ^ be ecem r in the rita ! point - ^^ ner ; ^ . i , f ^ y , ^ of ^^
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terested supporters of the voluntary principle are our grcatESI poiitica ' . enemies . Again , it is a well understood thing that in Scotland all the ptwera of Europe could rot establish a Christiin Chartist Church ., or aay other particular ascendancy Ckorch , through the instrumentality of the Charter . The preachers in Scotland strengthen Chartism , while they weaken huxibujism . The preachers at Birmingham weaken Chartism , while , fortunately , they do not much strengthen hnmbngism ; but no thanks to them . In Scoti&Dd . the pitacher * jssame no distinct religions bearing ; and the bast proof of the difference between Sc « tch
and English Chartist preaching ia this : Tn Scotland it unites the people , aad weakens and disunites the enemy ; the funds go to advance the political principles , while no peculiar religious faith is preached or attempted to be enforced . In Birmingham , Christian Chartism tends to disunite the great body of the Chartists and 10 iocrt&se their opponents , while it only unites a knot of mouthing , mumbling , preaching , gasconading hypocrites , who are already liTing up » n Chnreh property , and \ rfco , I will hold a trifle , are beginning to dress clerically and to turn up the whites of their eyes like a duck in thunder , while they are comfortably fleecing the dupes and doine tne flits .
Of course this ¦ will he all contradicted and animadverted upon , I expect it fully ; no man cries " stinking fish . " But , beaver , I call upon every honest Chatrtiit throughout the land , to put the extinguisher of honest and unsophisticated political principle , upon this Christian Chartist new-light humbug , which has , in so short a lime , shown us so much darknesa . I tell th # m that 110 sound principle ever has been or ever will bi hatthed nader the winj of fanaticism ; and , in the name of justice and of heaven , if v ? e are to be beaten , d » nt let great twe-Ssted , stirvicy , working men , at all crests , be beaten by old women in bretcbts in the Biaeteenth century . I say down with all humbugs , and the humbug of fanaticism b * ing the greatest of all humbugs , down -with that first
1 object to Teetotal Chartism , because all who do not join in it , and 1 fear they are many , will be considered as un"f 7 ur ! fcy their civil rights . * I object to Knowledge Chartism , because it itupliedly ackn * owkci ; es a standard of some sort of learning , education , or information , as a necessary qualification to entitle man to his political rights . In fa 3 t , the "Whigs think opposition to Whiegery , and th « Tories think opposition to Toryism , a perfectly good and valid ground , whrreon to establish popular ignorance , and a consequent political disqualification . 1 object to Household Suffrage Chartism , because it is not Chartism at & 1 L
In fact , I look for the Charter to promote Christianity , to insure temperance , to inculcate knowledge , and to give the Huuse and somelhinj more , while the use of those several qualifications , as a means to an end , will but place the Charter , year afttr year , farther from our reach . The Chiisxiana -win say , " you havt-nt y uur Chartist catacbism . " The Teetotallers will say , " you ' re drank . " The teacltsis will say , " you're ignorant , ' and the Householders will say " you ' re houseless . " So that you ncecf cot one qualification but / our qualifications . Abstinence , knowledge , and a home will lack the stiil great essential , in the estimation of the pastors and deacons of siother Cnurcl :. Christian Chartism , Teetatalism , and knowledge will lack th . 9 Houiti . Christian Chartism , knowledge , ani the House willlack the abstinence , aud Christian Chirtssm , TeetoUli 3 m , and the House will lack the
knowledge-So believe iue , my good and worthy fustian jackets , blistered ' hands , and miahorn chins , that no one of Jbe CTotcnet-mingers will abate a pin's point of his dogma to carry the Charter ; and the more each Bection of dogmatists thrive in their several vocations , by so muchtae farther will they take care t « shove the Charter from you . Trent man as man , and if they fall down , Christians Church and all , and swear by the steeple , dont yon believe ona ot them , that they -would rathtr woik , with the Charter , than preach and live fat and in idleness without it It is not in hunian nature ; and if they tell you it is their natnre , laurh at them . It is well enough to be kept down by the force of cannen and Bight Reverend Fathers in God , but it is rither too bad to ba hdld in chains by froth and flummery , and Rieht Reverend Fathere in the Devil .
Believe ma , 11 you allow tho 3 « four sections comix up each their peculiar tenets with your cause , you will have raised unto yourselves four powerful enemies , mild as sucking doves while looking for power , but savage as roaring lions when they find your power likely to overcoms theirs . "We shall then have washing and cleansing Chsrtlsts declaring you are too dirty for enfranchisement . I am anxious to see every Chartist a good Christiani a good meishbour , and a good fri-nd . 1 am desirous oi seeing every Chartist sober , industrious , and honest , fuli ef knowledge and filling booses ; and it is because I bslieve , in my soul and my conscienca , that a bypoeritieal nss of those inestimable blessings will impede , or altogether destroy their position , that 1 thu 3 array myself , single-haaied , against the quadruple ailiancs .
There nsv-i-r was a more patriotic , or useful agititoi than the glorious Father Matheiv , 'xh j has produced a moral revolution in Ireluai , making it the sound foasdition for any temple that shall ba raised upon it , and , as a grst-fraita , wo tlni the Charter "working its TF 3 ' y in sober Ireland . Xovr , if the Christians vri i g 9 absut as he has done ; if the Teetotallers and knowledge-mongers wiil do likewise , inculcating religion ' abstinence , and knowledja , as a menus to any ezd which they may unitedly produce , without establishing msa ' s idiesjoa to any of taem , a 3 a political Ust , ttell I wiil give them mj blessing an'l my every assistance ; and I am sure that e 3 ch and all will lead td the
accomplishment 0 * our civil an ; l religious regeneration . Bui-ones niike nonconformity ground tor exclusion , and you establish ssets and sections , instead cf ono nniT «? rsa ! corps of restnt ; T 3 tor 3 . . My frlenda , get your Charter , and I will answer f . r tha reii ^ ' un , ssbriety , knowieage , and house , and a bit of land into tha bargain . Tvm the other har . d , foster your Cburcb xal you nursD 3 v " pc-r in your ho = - -. n , rei-iy to sting yon to death , rather tiaa alljW juu Uthrive to her detriment .
I did foa'liy hops tkit of all hurahugs a Chartist State C-urch would be the last trird , but there is nothing like a great effort to produce a st-u-tlin ? iiTett and , I doubt not , but j ;; ony ivho have rea ^ l the trash of the "Xew Jsrasalemr . es , " will hava already sai , " What foo ~ 3 we were to L-ave a'lawed thtrin to get a moment ' s footing amongst hi . " If Chartkts yoa sje , C ^ rlhts remain ; yoa have work enough without entering into the new uiiis prepared for you , tj the bishops , priests , elders , pastors , and deacon ? , of tha sucking-dove Cisrtis : Church .
I should be much m ^ re popular I froul . lend myself 10 the wiles and machinations cf the poor man ' s en = miss ; bat come vra ' j . 1 ¦ wii ] of Ilia , JOU Shall DOt b 8 lost witis j-our ej "^ s si ut , Trlaie I Lav « a lia ' . f on « open ; and , in truth , they are dot nearly both closed frem Chaetisx smoke . ily friends , bear in mini that I speak as a Chartist . I have a perfect right to repudiate the igcorance , ins > lence , and intolerance of any parties 'W'bo t ! are t j make tr&fi-o of any psrii ^ n or a cea-iral p ^ -Ui ^ l principle , of wh . tcb . I ani a dUciple , t j &stvs any sinlsusr purpose .
The name is vrhat I object to . Xo party in the State , except a majority of the Charmta , has any right tc assume a religious designation , which may lead the worM to sapposs was to bo ihs nevr creed of Chartism , whieb ,-I trust , bis so tct orter of spiritual faith beyond lcTiig Goi and ftaring triL I , et them Call thbmselves the Hokey Pjltty , New Bruuimagem , er olil Jerusalem , froth and fluoimerites , and preach Southey aud Shelley , and play the Highland bagpipes , as a means of regenerating man , till they are black in the face , and they shall never bear more from Tour faithful and watchful , though walled-up friend , a sober , knowledge-loving Christian , AXD A Chartist , Fexr * vs O'Cosxoh .
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lute in parochial affairs as they " are in the corporations . From these classes , too , are all juries selected , and by them are all issues tried between the sovereign and his lieges ; so that , in the last resort , they have every man ' s life or liberty in their bands . , Add to this , tbe power of -what has been called— " The Fourth Estate "— ali * s the power of moulding public opinion through the periodical press —( which is almost entirely in the hands of the middle classes )—and I . think you trill agree with me that , no matter who m » y be our ostensible mien , the real practical Government of the country resides essentially in the
middle classe * Through the Route of Commtm they controul the other two branches of the Legislature , and hold the Crown itself , or Executive , in the bonds of dependence . They can get passed , or repealed , what laws they like , or stop legislation altogether , by stopping the * applie& They can starve the King or Queen into compliance witb tteir Will , having made the Sovereign entirely dependent for his maintenance upon a vote of the House of Commons . Through the Municipalities , or CorporcUiom , they exercise the aatue absolute sway in local government that they Ho through the House of Commons over the general Government
Through the administration of th * laws relating to the relief of the poor , they not only hold in their hands the issues of Ufa or death to the unfortunate paupers thun ; s-jlves , but indirectly command the destiny of the independent labourer ; for , in proportion as they degrade and maltreat the pauper within doors , do they terrify the poor labourer out of doors to acctpt any wages offered him by his middle class employer . Even Mother Church berself has nob escaped their clutches ; for , through their vestry meetings , they have her sacred edifices , aud the materials of her worship , in their keeping . They may cut off her bread and wine , stop her bell ringing , lutve the pirson without a surplice , and let the Church tumble
down about his ears for want of repairs . All this they can do by simply refusing a rate ; for , as to the remedial power of the Queen ' s Bec « a , God help the parsons vrben it comes to that with them J So you see , my friend , that nothing , sacred or profane , has escaped the unclean t&uch of these harpies Yet all their powers , enormous as they are , would not suffice to consolidate their empire , if they had not also extended it over trial by jury and the press . So they oava taken-especial care to esUbliih such qualification far jurors , and such shackles for the press ( in the shape of surety bonds and sta . mps ) as have rendered these two great institutions mere instruments of oppression in their ( the middle classes ') hands .
" The vrhole machinery of « ur laws" says a high judicial authority , " however vasl and complicated , ultimately resolves itself into twelve jurymen in a box . " " Only give m « a free and unshackled press , " said Brinsley Sheridan , " and do you take King , Lords , and Commons , with army , navy , and what else you like , &nd I will undertake to feoafcyou and put you down . " These Beciets did nat asoape oxa prudent middle cJassts . They knew , the rogues ! that a power to make lawg is nothing without the power to execute them ; that a power to create
new crimes , and to enact new penalties , would be useless to them , unless they could obtain convictions ; snd that the only way to ensure thai -was to usurp the Jury-box , aa they had usurped the Cjmmons . They knew , also , that unless thiry could monopolise the expression of public opinion , their monopoly of the Guvtrnnifent would be but the " baseless fabric of a vision . " These state secrets , I say , did not escape our prudent middle classes , and the consequence is , that in no other department ot public affairs , is tiie power of the middle classes more absolute than it ia over trial by Jury and the newspaper press .
Kow , M , all these powers have been usurped by the middle classss . They are , eyery one oi them , the work of usurpation . Oar Constitution knows nothing of a middle class , ilagna Charla says nothing about them , or about property qualifications . Even the Bill of H ' -gbts { rivjacm as it is / makes no such invidious distinctions to favour one part of the Commons at the expence of another . Our Constitution knows oa ) y three estates—King , Lord 3 , and Commons . Efery man , not a King or a Peer , is a Commonerhe ia only one of the Cumnions ; and , in the ye of the Constitution , all Commoners aTa alike ; all bom to the same rights , all equally eligible to to offices of public trust , whether Parliamentary , municipal , parochial , or otherwise . Whatever political
privileges , then , the mi'ldle classes possess , to the exclusion of the working people , are but usurpitionsimpudent , fraudulent , felonious , traitorous usurpations . They are every ona of them the offspring of statute law , which has effected them by property qualifications , anil that , too , in very recent times . There was no electoral property qualification , for instance , before the reign of Henry VI ., -when the forty-fchilling freehold franchise was first established . In Ireland that francliisa dates oUy from 1793 , and it is now only twelve years since ice s ? . w it dtir . oUaaeA by & new stutuk , to give place to otLer and tliftlrunt qualifications , -which la-st another statute is now about to set aside , by the substitution of an entirely new and different electoral s-y ^ tem .
Oar Parliamentary qualification , you know , dates oi ) y from tbe rvign of Queen Anne , and to the present diy you have no Parliamentary qualification at a . l in Scutlami . Are not most of the present electoral qualiccacions for Great Britiin the work of the late Whig Reform Act of precious memory , th . it ia to say , th * offering of a law ten yc-ars old . And was not our pres-nt jury law , that which determines tho qualifications for jurors , pas ^ d in the rtign of George IV ,, Olily fifteen veers ago ? And - « -ere not all the malignant laws , vriiicix have converted our newspaper press into a rank monopoly , ail-pollu' . ed and all-polluting , passod in the thrcs rc ^ ns iramferliateiy preceding the present
rviga ot \ ictovia , t !* e last snd worst of all dating only from tbu Inte kieg ' s , an-. l passed by a reformed Pirliam- ' . t ? Ti : us , jou ste , my friend , that the middle c ' ..: s 3 are r . ot only masters of our Govenm « nt and iiistifjtioas , but that they have acquired their master-.-i-Ip i > y a series of usurpations , every ono of thtm of rtrcent origin , every one of Ihsm ihj -work of modirn sir . tute law , every one of them anti-constitutional and anti-national , every one of th « m in the teeth of Mngua Clurta and the B : ll of Rights , every one of them destructive of our constitutional rights , and every ore of them bated , cursed , and disavowed by ninetenths oT the British and Irish people .
> ow , 19 it likely tixat parties trho have thus invaded ail our rights , and usurped the controul of all oar institutions , to our utter and entire exclusion ; ia it likely , I say , that thcaa parses wiil unite wilh us to annul their own work , and to demolish thtir own usurpation ? 1 ' they are disposed that vray , Lave I not said enough to shew yon that they have the power to do all we want , without our forming "Unions" with them for that par ; ose ? If they are not so ui « po 5 e (\ ( aS is manifb £ t ! y the c-. sei , what othbr than perfidious and misehifcvcms objects can they have in view , in demanding to unite vrith us ? Would it not bo committing
polij tical suicide to abandon our present independent posi-I tion , aad thiow ourselvts into their arms , knowing , j as -n-e do , that vrhatcver power an ^ l influence we bavu ' recently acquired , has been won and corquered without them —aye , in spito of them ; knowing also , that we i should , fcTe now , have accomplished the deliverance of the nation , had it not been for their intrigues , their bribery , and fur the traitors they had sent amengst ; U 3 ; and , above ail , knowing , as we do , that they have but to irili our emancipation to carry it , and that , if ! they do cot will it , our business is to unite against them , and not with them ?
Hitherto , 31 , I have spoken of the power which the middle classer possess through the organisation of j the Government . I have said nothing of the power the-y possess ia virtue of their social position , alias through the existing organisation of . society ; a power independent of any and all forms of Government , and which , alone , wou'd render them virtually masters of any Government whenever they chose to make common cause with the working classes . Yes , > I , though j the middle classes did not possess a single political
: right or a single representativ * in Parliament , they j -would ftil ! , I contend , be more tkan a match for any I despotism , in virtue of the social power they possess as j superintendents over the production and distribution I 0 ; wealth , and as the directors of our national industry , : that is , provided they chose to make common cause I with the vrorkicgsien . Ba : I -wili reserve my otstrval tions ou this hta-d , as -wc-ll as on the subject glanced at i in your letter of j rsterduy , for a future conimmduica ¦ tion . Mean-while , I rimnln , ace , I James B . O'Brien .
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COLLIERY WAli OF EXTERMINATION . 10 THB BDITOR OF THB NOIWHEttN STAR . , SfB , —There is no lack of facts to prove that whatever be the nature of the power which the strong can , Without responsibility , wield over the weak , thatsuth power ever tend * to despotism . The slavery and oppression of the millions are not to be rectified by the possession of the franchise alone , unless that franchise be so used aato realise a state of social equality , to arrest the individual accumulation of wealth , the monopoly of knowledge , and destroy the classifications -which those are the means of upholding . The labour seller ia the slave of the labour buyer , and ever will be so , nntil labour shall be . deemed and felt a privilege and duty equally agreeable to , and binding upon , all . As it is , the honest labourer is taught to consider him-. self the recipient of a favour ; when a capitalist , or a money bashaw , condescends to buy his labour , be stoops to beg " a brother of the earth to give Mm leave to toil , " and how . ften does he
44 hii lordly fellow worm the poor petition spurn , Unmindful though a weeping wife And helpless offspring mourn . " It is notorious , that it is not merely the ability to labour "well , nor even the want of the kind of labour that is sufficient U > induce the labour buyer , or the money tyrant , to purelias& the labour he requite *; there must also exist the disposition to labour with servility of soul , —the labourer must order himself " lowly and reverently , " ere he can be permitted to employ hia skill in providing f » r Ilia wants . He has no recognised right to think , and ( if it were possible ) still less to speak or to act in his own thoughts . He ia a lion feeder ,, but does not get thb jackal ' s share . Ho may have the crumbs after the dogs aru fed , but then only
when he exhibits dog gratitude crush&s his mind , and padlocks his tongue . There ia no field upon which he can employ his talents or labour , but by the sufferance of those who hava monopolised all . The lands , minerals , sea , and all the materials « f existence belong to others , by legal flaion , and starving fact . There is no existent being more helpless than the humau labourer . For a mere difference of religions creed he is mercilessly swept from the land of his fathers by the " clearance system" of a Protestant aristocracy ia Ireland , ¦ while tho English labourer is ftcouvged by the &auie tyrannous principle in innumerable forms . These " thoughts and feelings hava been suggested and calkd forth , by facts which have come to my knowledge during a few days' journey amongst the collieries of this
couutry . There is no class of working men in Britain that are more villanously robbed and oppressed than the pitmen ; kind and unsuspecting , and too ignorant for their crafty tyrants , they are in many ways duped of their earnings , and plundered by regulations , par , tial , vexatious , unjust , and unuceasary . It would , however , xcquixe fax more time than 1 can now command , and more space than you can spare , to make others not acquainted with them understand the system which exists in the colliery districts . My present object is to expose a system of extermination which is now being put in operation against all who tme been or aro connected with the Chartist causo . It is the practice amongst the collieries of Durham , and probably prevails in other districts , to
bind the pitmen to a year's servitude by a bond which they are required to sign ; those bomls are without exception ( varying only in degree of iniquity ) framed for the protection of the master , and to enable him to plunder the workmen , by a syate . ii of fines and forfeitures unjust , mean , and tyranical ; of this , however , I shall have more to say hereafter with your leave . Wittiin the last week or two , the binding for the next year , commencing April 5 th , has bc « n going on in all tho collieries . It has bt ; en intimated to many , who during the last year were conueeted with the Chartist cause , that they would ba marked , and accordingly the owners of South Hotton , Hcttgn , EletllOre , and otktr collieries have marked all who had been guilty of doing their duty as men and as citizens . 0 * Saturday
last , all the leading Chartists woikuu ; s . t those collieries were informed that they miyht leave the colliery , that their services were not particularly rt . quired , aud , therefore tlut the masters were not disposed to bind them , bocause they had too many men . To shew , tiowover , tha hypocrisy and disho » esty of this excuse , some of those persecuted Chartists \ reut to Putter , thu viewer and manager of South Hett « a Colliery , and requested to be informed wby they were discharged . He gave the reasons us ubove ; but when it was shown , that contrary to usual custom , ' he had discharged many who had been employed for some joara , and bad also bound several frtsh men , he was unable to assign a reason , snd to get out of tho dilemma , in which ho found
himself , called one of tho overmen to ascertain whether he could discover anything against the character of the parties . The overman , in reply to Potter ' s question , stated that he had nothing to say against them , that they were very canny men , but turning to one ( Hunter ) observed , " He is one cf the K-ilieal chaps . " Hunter demanded whether he was expected to bind hiiBsolf to certain principles , and whethtr his Radicalism had anything to do with his abilities and conduct as a . workman . He called upon Potter to state whether , during the two years he had bc « a with him , he had any fault to find . " No , " say * Potter , ' but I suppose you are discharged for some reasun . " Ye 3 , for some reason , truly , and a most * 'discreditable one for you , Mr . Potter .
Several pitmen working at Hetton Colliery were refused work in consequuiuo of having engaged a roam to hold Chartist meetings , and to appropriate to a reading-room , and other means of improving thuir minds , habits , and character . TUi-re was less shuffling in this case , for the parties were plainly to" ! 4 that it was intended not to bind any active Chartists ; but that il thsy would give up the room , and cease to agitate , they might have their work . The men , however , liavei nobly refused to comply with those degrading terms , : ; nd we njoice to state that the tyrants have , in some instances , outwitted each other , Potter having got saveral Chartists from othur collieries , and the Hetton owntivs having got Pottev ' s pestilent fellows ! A . fair exchange ! ono which we believe will be greatly advantageous to tLe Chartus canse . Theio are mar . y , however , unbound , liaMo to bs
discharged at a moment ' s notice ; this is dono to intimidate them and induce thtiu to forswear tUeirpvir , eipks , and as a warning to other .- ? . 'Tis in vain . TJib voice of ppressed humaniiy will find utterance . The Coalpit Kings couMmt suppress it by imprisoning Williams and Binns ; the places they occupied and tho work thsy performed was done well and nobJy by others . Tiey are acain at liberty . Porhaps tbat is tho reason why tho Kings are so ilospcratp just now . Thpy rtrtad Hat the coming summer will witness a great revival . It way nut be exhibited in the saino form ; we may not lmvo our processions and demonstrations , but the cause . ^ hali go on . . Libraries , reading rooms , lecture , ar-. d otiieimental machinery is designed and sh-. U be constructor t » make England tho land of free and hu | 'i > y citiz . ns-, and these are eximpies to other natiun . i of tiio fruits of freedom and tho moans of achioving it . 2 am , Sir , yours rcspoc ' . fully , J . V . IX . MAHS .
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TO THE CHAHTISTS OF DURHAM COUNTY . Ml Fbiends , —O'Connor has called upon you now to do your duty to yourselves , your c ^ unuy , your imprisoned and exiled patriots . II j has pointed out t ; . e means by which you m : iyspeedily , cheaply , and effectually do it . You have read of ave ueiiuuiuted with his earnesi feeling and winl-tiuiiM ikLimd . His plan you must have discussed , and I tl . iuk almost , if not quite , unanimously approved . Yuu have taiil , " Aye , that ' s tbe p ! a ; i , " -- . i ' t ought to he time ;" well , will you do it ? You caunot hesitate , unUts you have prepared to abandon the Charter , to submit to
oppression tamely , to leave tU-. * iiiiprisciu-d to perish , as Clayton has alivfiily i \ ont , us man } - o- . tu r * me now doincr , under the he Hush * ysteta of 1 ue 11 V . il .-. nil pliytica torture , by which Whi ^ gl-m bsa sought to ciusU nil manliness of character , or p .-. triotisni ( .- ! ' s jiiiwiewt . You cannot hesitate , uuless you have willed that Frost and his iilu .--triuus fullow-citiz us aru unworthy of their native land , fit only to . 'I ' -sodate with iuur . iert .-rs . robbers , and the most degraded of tiicir r : ; ce . This Can never be 1 ; you huve a 3 > $ ed me " vriil tiiey erer return ? " I kaYe uturd ru . uiy of you cxduiiii , you wouiu give all you pos 3 tssi . ( i to secure their restoration 10 their native land . 1 believe these words were thu M ) n .
Umeuts oi tho hcait . TLe hour of trial baa then eomo . The Charter , the liberation ofyour champions and victims , and an honourable restoration of th . ; exiles , uli depend uponyou , andyourC"h ;; rtistbretlirL'n . Uavttyouaiiy L ^ ctur plan to propose than thivt otferfid by Mr . O'CuUU T ? V uu have not ; tbuu tuku it . Prove tbat you are whai \ on woi e , by providing tho fun ; 's to Btrni a Ublcgnte to the proposed Convention . Sunderland aione c ; mn&t do this , but the brethren in Nowcait : o are -vniliijg to co-operate wich its . Now , then , let us see the work done instantly . Hero is a iist of places , in which Chartism has Ion ? been pi-cached , where its disciples are numerous , and cor ! . = t ; qiiyntly
¦ where tbe mtans to carry out the plan must be , as-. d will , I hono , be found , if thsy respectively aubswibe , aceoniin . g to the following moilerato estimate , the money will be raised , the delegate sent , tho Cunvciition established , the -work performed , and thu objv . ctB accomplished . Say , £ s . d . Sunderiand ...... 2 0 0 Darlington 0 10 f Stockton . i 0 9 Middleaborough ...... 10 0 West Auckland ..., 10 0 Bishop Auckland 0 15 0 South Shields .. 6 10 0 Gateshead ; 0 10 0 Hartlepool ., 0 10 0 Winlaton , Swalwell , &c 010 0 South Hetton ...., 0 10 0 Cornforte and Coxhoe . 0 10 0 Dowries . , „ 0 5 0 Easington Lane 0 5 0 ThornUsy , 0 5 0 The couctry now looks to you to s&nd a delegate to the said Convention . I have shewn you tbe importance , the pressing importance of your duty , and the above is BuffieiMafc to sheTr , ttat if willing , it can he done—say that it alialL I am , Faithfully yours , J . Williams .
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O'CONNOR'S DESPOTISM ! The following correspondence between Mr . Burnett , -of Bradford , and Feargus O'Conaor , has been handed to u » for publication : — Bradford . Sir , —I ahoald have written previously , since our meeting on Wednesday evening last , if I had b * d any time . Nothing bat poverty , and being consequently obliged to work ,-would have prevented me . We met for the purpose of dfacuswng tho merits or demerits of the plan propased bjr you , and which appe » ed in the Star . » fortaight ago-, for a Political Prisoneri ' Liberation , and Charter Pafcition Cbnvention , to bit in London for the space of two weeks . The objeaSions wi&ed are the following : —
First . P » rtdisskti 8 &ctio > has existed in couseqwnc * f you naming tbdiaen utom yoa think fit to coaatitute thU Coaveatieo . To write all which was said on both sides in analyzing this would occupy too maeh spice , and , I thi&k , be Unnecessa » y . The greatest stress was laid upon this . Mr . O'Brien ' s lecoraineailatiou will be sufficient It was said yen thought no kss of your own . ¦ It wa « considered despotic—limitiog the Sufi ' rage considerably more than at present—allowing the Executive , » r a public meeting in Manchester , to have exclusive power of electing ten from the number nominated by the coostry . There were some who declared if it was so , they could namo eight , if not the whole of the ten , amoeg the number aamed by you , who would bo chosen as competent persons . It was argued that every district or locality was-best able € 0 judge of the fitness of men to hold such < fifc : o . You have , I daresay , seen the resolution in the Slur respecting this .
The next objection was the tim&fyou had appointed they should meet—Easter Monday , when Parliament is not met . Several thought they would have been producing more good by visiting the Members of Piirliaruent , and getting them , if possible , to support the prayer of the petition , thin they would do with agitating London . We were given to understand that the Londoners would take little or no notice of the harangues of country people . They were unanimously of opitlon that some good might bs attained by a Convention meeting in London for a fortnight , but no more , to receive petitions , aad see that they were presented , as it would create a spirit of inquiry , and cause seme agitation in the country . I remain , your ' s , He , Henuv . Burnett , Sec 13 , Reform-fitreot , Bradford .
P . S . —I have hnd at my house to-day the mother or John Riding , a Chartist , in Wakefleld House of Correction . She s&ys he is nearly dead ; his head and neuk are much swollen , and tilled with sores that are c » ntinually running ; he is so deaf that he can hear nothing , and appears almost insensibla The poor woman is ia a very distressed condition ; he is her only son , and -was a healthy young man previous to beiug imprisoned . York Castle .
dear Burnett , —I cannot give yen half thinks enough for your letter ; it is just what one man , looking for a certain object , has a right to expect from aiiether , looking f » r the same object . If , instead ot nibbling' at me behind uiy back , every honest mat would take the trouble of thus reasoning with me , and censuring me when in the commencement of error , I should be a more usbful public servant , even than I ljava been ; because I am not dogged , nnd I never would persist in error , neither do I consider myself by any means infallible .
1 will now reply to each objection in your lector , and . Firstly , as to my naming the men who were to constitute the Convention . Here I must refer yon to my letter as a whole , in the first instance , and also to the circumstances under which it was written . You will bservo that it was written in a hurry , under the most excited feelings , and -with a view to have it ready for any cruiser that presented , for its safe convoy ; that the object was to do as much as could be done , in a hurry , to atop heart-sore , disease , suffering , and death , and that such course , from its adoption to its cwnpletion , was suggested by the possibility of the Star , and other Radical papers , communicating tho result of each meeting in that week ' s paper . Thus , the adoption ono week , election another , selection a third , and couve » tion the fourth .
Weil , I did not name the man , but I contend for my right to nave named some of tho very men , and I nerer cantend for more than my right . Now , bear in mimi that tho Convention was to be a " Prisoner ' s Libaration Convention , " and tiiat I was a prisoner ; that I ii »' l a perfect right to state , at all events , in whose safe custody I would repose my liberty and character : because I woulri not sacriijee a particie of Ui * latter for the possession of tha former . Au 4 , as to O'Brien ' s rt conuneudatton . bbins sufficient , I still say so , as he is another prisoner , who knows Chartists in districts with which I am unacquainted . In fact , if the prisoners could have bee * consulted , I have bo hesitation in saying that their recommendation ot men should have been conclusive with the country , anil would bave been conclusive , not only as to thtir own release , or endeavour to procure it , but also as to the furtherance of tUe Charter j for every man who will honestly strive for the release of tho prisoners , will as honestly fltrugvl « f « r the Charter .
Ai'ftin , obifrve , I wtnt upon a previously adopted principle ; Moir and Williams were previously cho . ^ on , and , in order to effect all at once , their attouriauce wculd save time , uud then tho election of one of the Frost , Williams , anil Jones' H < .. storation Cosumittee became iadispeaaiWe . These three , then , wero previously elected ; aad bear in mind , tbat the only ptrsoa whote appoiutmeat I thought imlibpensible , was that of Piikeihly , aud oven that was but a just and fair recommendation . In fact , I said there were thousinds of othursj aud wht-n I emitted such men as James Taylor , of Ko : ! i < iale , Woodhouse , of Leicester , an : 1 Black , ot' Nottingham , and yourself and others , j-. _ . u must 1 ) 8 aware that 1 was in u . hurry . This , you say , ' was considered rftapotie . " Then is it despotic to nominate a candidate at an election—then is it despotic to " five honour to whom honour is due , " 01 to declare confluence in whom yoa truly repose it ?
'fi ' jun , as to allowing the Executive of ?» rar ; cho' ? ter the exclusive power to select from th < . se chosen . Now , Ltsro a-suin . 1 cintuud that such a power must be vested in some body , and in what bo « y more satisfactorily , than in the only one recognised by the vrholo nation ? bus tlioy had no such power ; ( ot in . th « ev ? r , t of a public meeting preferring another , the meeting had a power oi' o-fer ruling ; and , observe tho necessity . Tun were as many as wo could pay many more have been already chosen , aud , suppose twenty or thirty to be chosen , must not souio means be taken of selecting ' . he propo ' -ji d number frtnu that ! io ; y , or Utyw aio tht-y to bupukl ? However , Mr . ifiil has very properly put thii in a . better view , for vviiich 1 thank him . YMil &iy that it was iioc >)» eil that each locality was most lit to jutlge for itself . Exactly so ; and hence each locality choosing 11 good man , the Executive could uot yo wronj , ' , and if inclined , a public meeting of the uitu of Mancht'ste-r viould not allow tbeni .
Then as to the day oi meeting in London , the 12 th , ( Easier Monrirt / . ) Here 1 atVlliit , aild pioatl fe'uilty t < j a ti-h-irg * of de . iputisi . i . of tho vc-ry worst of all despotisms , " i ' juoruiice ; " for , birlieve mo , Burnett , that when 1 wrote ! that leittr , 1 no more thought of such n festival aa EiSter thuu i thought of the man in the injoii . liid . od , I would have beeu nia < i to name tliat day . Hut tha vory reusons slated in your letter , because 1 thiuk the wtek , from the I 2 tU to the 19 th , While uuiulicia weru a ljiuut , and the London people amniirjg tlifiiiS ' -lv . s , und-the couuiry-people difficult to begot to piticiou liK'otiiig * , wuul'l have been jutt so much time ihrtiwu away . 1 iu-knowledge it , and , therefore , to liwiiiuii ! thu couiitiy will owe this correction of my bluntiuv , w of couiiiQ it will be remedied .
JS ' v -. v , as to the eftVct of country delegates in Lourion , you \\« ie ntver mure mistaken in your life ; notliiug iiivea ! he Jj lnilou Cmrtiats half bo much pleasure as . > i . ii : !» ahin to show their provincial strength to the cueuiy . mhI huuco one great reason 1 had in recoininendiiij ; iu . ui > -. lio wt . ro bp «* kers , and men who who were airttauj- known to ihe whele Chartist party ; and , bear ia tuiiul , v >' -. \ . % the nuilropolitau Chattista are very suspicious , ji ) i-t aa the timo was short , only two weeks , the whoivi wuiiUl iiiiVe been wasted in strangers forming an acq'iair . tautm wat ' n Chartists in the metropolis . Had it litt ; a : l ( jouwuu-nt tj eit £ oi two or throe mouths , tney ii . jiy ilovot-o MuiiiB time to introducing themselves ; hue t « u . ve aaja was bhort enough , without any portion beui ; , ' Uirown away in ceremony . I never contemplated tue wii-tiiig oi the Convention would exceed one forfcni-Jit . I thiiik ic ought not
Now , my t . esir Burnett , to shew you and to prove to you tlut 1 merely suggested the plan , j . nd avoided all lurtlwr intercourse , 1 have actually appeared rude and negligent , by uot answering letters from Edinburgh and several other places , asking me for au opinion ujwi ( ltt-jilsi , not one of which have I even replied to . li ; litve me , Burnsjit , that the greatest » f all despotism is a dread vf making a bold stroke for the benefit of a just causB , from th « apprehension of buing cullod a despot . If lay conduct has been despotic , we live iu a nation of despow , tor I rejoice to toll you thut X have a pile of letters , foue fe « t hfgh , from Kngland , Ireland—aye , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales , in which , throughout , there is a spirit of noble feeling breathed , and not e ; ie dissentient .
However , i thank you for the just " censorship ; " it is to censorship of public men I have ever looked as a means of koopin ;? than honest . Ceusure me , and scold me , wLeu you thiuk ise wrong ; and when you convince me of error , I shall not be obstinate . I conclude with a sentence from thu splendid letter of T . F ., a Scotch ChartisM ^ - 'the Eiiitor of the Scottish Patriot .- — " Many boasters are now quiet ; and many ' determined ftllows' Lave slunk iioia the battle . Then trust not all new comers . "
Now , my pood friend , it was because I did not vrUh to trix » t the thort work of a fortnight to " flew comers" that 1 exercised what 1 thought a legit imate privilege , in naming men in whose honour , z < ial , and honesty I waa ready to risk the life and liberty of self uud fellow prisoners , and the furtherance of the cause . The more 1 reflect upon the project , the more certain
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— . — . i : . , 1 feel that £ 4 t , or £ See , -was never-so I > 3 n > j 5 cia * ly spent jn thfl Canse of" Chariisni . ¦ It'Is the ' very niot of tiinu , and the Very way of meeting it Those who will not , when at liberty , work for those in bondage , do not know the use of the blessing , or deserve its possession . ' ¦ - " ¦ ' '¦ ¦¦ " , ' ' Of on » thi « g yon will acquit me — " self interest ; ¦ for , believe me , that if nine millions of signatures wet * sent to both Houses and the Queen , on my behalf , they would not procure for me a day ' s remission of Whi ? tyranny ; bat , I feel eonfident , it will haveth » effect of aetting many free , and bringing us all nearer the haven , by adding a thousand-fold increased strength to the Charter . Again , 1 thank you , and in the best spirit I thank you , And remsim , yoor faithful frierrl . Yeargus 0 'Conaoa .
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RELEASE OF F . O'CONNOR , ESQ . TO THE € ? HARTI 8 TS OF GREAT BRITAIW . BRETHRElt , —As the time is- now approaching when tbat unflinching and incorruptible patriot , Feargtw O'Connor , Eih ? ., will be released from the fangs ot his tneroileaa and . tyrannical oppressor * , We deam H > oar duty to give you timely notic ^ of our Intention of having a public demonstration on that occasion ; and we call upon you tojein with us in shewing to the world ' our admiration of his patriotism and devotion to the cause of suffering humanity , and our detestation aad abhoirence of the feaae tyrants by who » s unjust decree be has been bo long consigned to solitary confinement in a felon ' sdunceon .
We view with great pleasure the determination- of ceveral of our IkincJon brethren to honour tho " nobl * patriot" by being present on his emerging from hi » " living tomb , " and We call upon our brethren e * the east , the vreat , and the north , to join with the bravw men of the south , in their laudable and praiseworthy determination , by sending on that day delegates from all parts of the kingdom to swell the ranks of freedom . Brethren , we hail with delight tho approach ot tbat day , -when our glorious chief , restored to the arms- of a grateful people , shall again breathe tbe pure air of Ues , \ en , again to battle in tha eau ^ e of freedom against the hydra-headed-monster tyranny ; again to raise his powerful voice in behalf of tbe . oppressed millions , and show to his and our oppressors , that although h « has been so long immured within the walls of a dungeon , he is still their enemy so long as the system of oppression exists . - . .
Brethren , if there beaugbt that can substantiate cur claim to your notice more strongly on this occasion , it ia , that we are living :, and he is imprisoned within the very sink of corruption and priestly dominion , where the voice of freedom is seldom hoard , but which only requires to be once raised to arouse its inmates to a sense of their ignominious and degraded position , to tear aside the veil of prejudice , and embrace the principles of truth and justice Fellow-countrymen , although our numerical strength , be small , yettheru ia amongst us a determination to be free . Public opinion is fast increasing in our favour , and we hope the day is not far distant when the walls of our ancient city shall ring with the echo of indignation Which shaft burst from its inhabitants , atthobas » system which hath held them 80 long iu thraldom , and persecuted their truest friend ; that have treated with contempt the petitions of the mfferer and given hear to the " shallows" who ate uu worthy to be his slaves .
Brethren , wo are aware that many calls have been made upon you , which must have necessarily detracted , from your funds '; and as further calls will have to be made upon yeu to carry out the forthcoming agitation , we recommend you , as the easiesi method , to imitate the exaniplg cf ou * London brethren , by having boxes made to place upon your association tables , for the purpose of receiving-voluntary contributions , to defray the expences of your delegates , sent on that day to show your attachment . to that graatand good man to whom we are desirous to do honour ; and as the place of his ^ confinement , Was the place of Uis trial , so let it be hia tarting post to a fresii career ; 1 st us see thousands assembled on that glorious day to raise their voices ia exultation of the event , and to convince him « f your love of the glorious principles for which he has so unjustly suffered .:
Brethren , we now leave you for tho present , > n the hope of hearing your favourable response to ourcalL Hoping that what we have above atated will be a sufficient excuse for addressing you at such an early period , We remain , Brethren , On behalf of the Committee of Management , Yonrs obediently , Edw . Bur ley , Chairman . W- Cojideux , Secretary . York , March 29 , ISil .
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LONDON AND COUNTRY CHA . RTISM . " Cab . Tell me , can yon see your face ? BUU . No , Save by reflection from other things . " Julius Cesar . London has been much blamed for its apathy hi the Chartist cause . The country has gooe on struggling ami EiiBtriug , and often lookuig anxiously to London , not so jiiuch for help as . for encourarement ; but London , like the monarch-sire of the Black Prince , at the Battle of Cressy , looked on » s though it were willing that the country alono should have the honour cf the victory . It is true , many good battles for auxiliary causes
have been fi . ught and won in London , as , for instance , tbe battle of the unstamped ; but the greatest and best of all—the battle for the- cause itself—for the CHARTER , has yet fco . ba won , and London must not remain a spectator ; it must aid—it must do-more—it ' must lead . Inactivity in London is the more to be dtplored , -as . many people in the- country wait tiii Lon \ li > n rises ; they want its example , to animate * them , for the name of London , like the name of a king , would be a "tower of strength" to all those who require the j > restiyc of a name , as well as the justice of the cause , to rouse ar . d . encourage them .
Let London come down , and the victory wouid soon ikVRiuLeU ; let it stand aloof , and success must be protracted , though it will not be prevented . With or without London , tho causo will be won . This is the critical period—now , or never . ' London ! take the lea-. l , or thou art distanced for ever . What am I talking about ? same wiil say . Has not London come forward ? — was it not the Srst ?—is it not the foremost ? I answer ho I * The country took the vanguard—the post of honour . Nor do 1 rest upon " empty Volubility ; " I bring proofs . Since I came to Loudon , many coritt ^ ts have I i : ad with the Londoners ou thissulject . They of couvso fctand up for the town , 1 for the country . They dtny that the country is in advance of London ; -but what 13 the fact 1 Our missiles aro Tvords—the fcDjiue that siioota tiioin , the presseditors are our engineers—writers supply ammunition .
This is our physical iorce ; thus we fight Well , what great guns dpes London bring into the fluid ? In London there is but one avowed Chartist p nodical , and it is a halfpenny one . It is called the English Chartist Circular . \\ hy not give it its proper name—London Halfpenny Chartism ? It is au imitation of the Gcasyow Chartist Circular , which , however , l / eatsa wore modest titlo . Nor ,-, there ia not a town in the couu ' . ry but would bo tv-lismed to contribute no nii . ie to the cause lima a little weekly . halfpenny' book . There is the Northern Mar ; why was it noS instituted in London ? Because tho spirit of Chartism was not strong enough to support a Star in the south , witnf-sa the Southern Star . The north—aye ,, the north—the glorious north is the land Of liberty ! It Was iu Yorkshire that Chartism was burn and bred ; Chattism was cr . ic . led on our moorland iiiils— rocked by cur ocean winds—reared like a giant amid tho stcrins of tha north .
I do not nay VuL-rt : aro no good Chartists in London ; praise bebksscd ! there are many who are all the better for beiug so , in spite of the evil circumstances that surround thsm . A good Chartist is a superlatively good nicu—a G'&ristixu . There is Cleave , the chief Ckirtist publisher in London—the BQUnd-thlrikwg Lov ^ tl—Imprisoned HetiitriBgton—Messrs . Neesom , B * gi , i 3 , Wall , ( Sec &c , all good men and true . The vrouder is that , with , such leaders , London is not more " up to the mark . " But there are causes for tha apathy of the working men in Loudyu—disgraceful causes , as they must be , perforce—canses which ought to operate as a removal of their own consequences , for , ill this ilistaucu , the effects ought to cure the onuses . in a future paper , I will' endeavour to trace some of these , aud to holdup to the Londoners a glass , wherein they may see the inmost part of them . The recent meeting at the Crown and Anchor Tavern , when Cleave cleft the heart of Walter ; but could not persuade him
•• To throw away the worser part of it , And live the better with the purer huli ,- " The spirit at that meeting giye * promises of betur " . life iu London . " Yes , there is hope thai tio " tiaysprin / j from on high" will shortly visit the metropolis . Mt-ti . iDka I see the " Morning Star" arise ! when O Connor cemes forth from his living tomb ; will he not animate London ? will not her resurrection ba conjunctive with his ? " Hlaforra and cause conjam'd , preachisg to stones , Wight mate thtm capable !" Eloquence such aa his , might , ia the word * of Republican Hilton— " create a soul Under the ribs of Death . " JOUJf-WATK 1 KS . London , 22 , Cbac 3 well-Btreet , Widdleton-square .
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i ^^ , 1 A ppeal to Chbistuns . —Aa advertisement under his head appears in another part oi'our present paper , ' affording an instance of the scandalous mode in which the immense revenues of the Established Church of this country are distributed . While maay of its -useless incumbrances are rol ing in luxurious affluence , this poor man , who eeemd to have been a working . clergyman of good character during his -whole life , is reduced in ttoperiod ^| rttosb * torf » || ncceBsity of soliciting elcemO 6 VDtrCT ^^ ' |^ g | J BJpg , soaadal to those classes . « HlijMH « B 5 § BWlfiEJ ' i ^^ Mm
Ipn' S Inal Corre^Pcnaenc?.
ipn ' s inal Corre ^ pcnaenc ? .
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-. — - — ' •¦ - ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ — THE POWER OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES . Lancaster Cistle , March < th , is-ti . Hy Deai M , —In my last , as well as I can recollect , I endeavoured to show that the middle classes constitute the supreme power of ths state ; the power ¦ ffhich now-a-days rules the destinies of the kingdom . They bave absorbed the national representation , —they elect all our . municipalities throughout the kingdom , — they compose ourveairies and Boards of Guardians ; ind , having tLe appotating c * all puish officera , are as abso-
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THB NORTHERN STAR . 7 _
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 3, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct373/page/7/
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