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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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AKSWEB TO J . & ELLIOT'S EXIGMA . cpfcHe tie whispering zephyr * of nreet mmmer ' j eTe Bieathe softly o ' er Albion * irie , gjjll the " Star of the North" its character * weave , Like the son illuming our hearts with ft anile , cjtile the cold frozen North sends Boreas forth , ¦ pThile its landscape is buried in mow , 5 be cause of oar Frort stall never be lort , >" or the people controll'd by mere men of straw ; fjjro * the storm and the tempert , mid mountains of sort , Oar 5 iw doe * triumphantly ride ; gpite el Somerset House , it's more snug than the moxae By the Spanish Ambassador ' s ride .
«^ ti Palmewton it ' s no faTourite , I know , > * or yet with the Queen or her nur « e ; l \ tkeir trickery it ams a death blow , And fastens the rtrings of our purse . In these political lines , I profess To solve the Enigma by the tetter s , Tbokas M . Whebleb . Sec-street , Kensington .
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THE CArSE . Time— " My Native Hills . " I ] oTe the cause , the glorious cause , Of reason and of truth . ' The Chartist cause of equal lavs , Of liberty and truth . I love to see the cheerful glow On inerrj hearts so free ; TTbere ' er I am , -where ' tr I go , The Chartist cause for me . I Ictc the cause , the glorious cause , Of equal rights to all ; Twill biniih all oppressive laws Aad man to freedom calL I lore to see it progress so , O " i . r tTtr . T jand and sea ; " VThirt'tr 1 am , where'er 1 go , The Casitist cause for me .
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- ? HERE'S TO THE MAN' , &c 7-ant— " Brvre Old Oak . " Here ' s to ths man , the bra re true man , VTho haui worked in our ranks so long ; ilsy health asd reno-wn the patriot crown , And his Northern Star so strong . Users ' s fear W his : \> e 3 -when the people oppose , And scatter their servile crtw , TTho i = ueiit : ce of ikh :, by tyranny and m % ht , Have imprisoned car patriot true . Ren here ' to the ma , the brave true man , Who star . iU by pur canse so firm ; Still proper Lf . the pride of the free , And life ia our htaris so Torai . jjj * te ( ' . ays tbat areg * ne , - when oppression's storm D 5 T-erseU o -ut ( . oiiTention Band ; yCb < - 2 ivrcr . i . y's purer made our prospects lour , Tree -o < --vir Ciusc did he stind . Poll many ihtre ¦ were , -with promises fair , Were K'tkiag their own selfish aims ; rbey * re eone , \ h < - ? are fled , in oblivion laid , Bat our Frarcus sliil remains . Then here ' s : o the man , k . c He sstr that lie toot ranch "srran ? di : ! endure , Ami he vr . wM their cause to assistlc > restore the g ^ od trays of the old English days When esch could by labour subti . " ; Be : the orpre-s ^ - r ' s wsgLt hath txiumph'd o'er right Ard irnrris-iTtl O'Connor the bnic ; Be : bis cause shail ercare , his victory hs Hure—He MTcr was foira'd for a slave . Iben here's to the man , the brave true man , Who s'anas by our cause so firm ; Soli rr&t-er be , the pride of th ^ free , W 1 .-J liT = 3 in our beans so -warm . TnOi . M . WHEELE 2 .
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LITTLE JOHN F 1 XALITT . There lives a Lord , ¦ vrhom men may call A morsel of mortality ; In mind : ~ 5 Trell as members small , Thonzb TTh- ' gs extol the statute tall 0 : little John Finality . ' rpon the Bill I Sx rcy foot . " Exda ' m > ed this sprig of qaa'ity ; " > " : > further urge ; he rash pursuit ; Pot , V . y the GjOs of L lliput ! I'll st-isd on my finality . " Thus John remain'd a year or so , Opposed to Ridlcslity ; Thcngh aiany said 'twuuld prove no go , And though ; this VThiggish 'world below Ij- > f ckie for finality .
Hard is the half-reformer ' s fate , is -witness o " :-i Egilite' : Prom mobs ^ ho Trorshipped him of late He earns a ckrcMe dose of hats By mentioning finality . As -weak as those -who leave Brcsrn Stout , And take to Tea-totality , John ' s friends ce longer coald hold out Against the pressure from ¦ without , " Which threaten ed their finality . Then first the open-question plan Hide half bis colleagues balloty ; Through all their ranks the moTements ran ; Tt : stii ] 'twas thought our little man Held fast kis otto finality .
But Wa ! sall , Canterbury too , And eke the Principality , Now rcide the baffled Whigs look blue ; And Jehn , at last , brgan to rue His for ; dnes ? for finality . So , able to resist no more O'Connell -with his TraiJet , he Tries to trow up the franchise < ioor , And SB "with Irish votes the fioor la aid of his £ saiity . But Btll begins his brews to bend In -wrath at such rascality ; And g- jou , as nmny signs por . end , B « aolves to make a £ na ) end Of John and his finality . B ' . ackutood
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^ FREEDOM . Hq-w rweet ' s thy E 3 jne : how dear to all Who seom oppression ' s baneful thral!—" ^ ho love iheir country , and the crowd Thit for their freedom cry aloud . Hq-w dear io these who fee ] the chain , But -who shall claim their rights tgain , And who , from persecution ' s hand Shall the / aii rights ef man demand ! Arise , ye ipathetic : press ArouBd oppressors ; seek redress ! "Rty rit s-j silent ? rise . ' defend The noble causa—the desjot's end . Thea , freedom ' s banner shall be furl'd i ^ a nd a new created irorld , "RTiea tyrants shall no longer svray ; 0 for that bright , that glorious da ' y . '
Then , thousands shall -with joy rejoice , EnJla = e loud -srith cheerful voice , Whan Whies ana ivrants leave the field , mti ail thtir vile , bh . ck deeds reveal'd . Tara peace and joy shall fill cur Isle , &ni Uboui swet : -with love shall smile , » h ? a 'ceath ths boughs of freedom ' s tree Ser tnve son's sit—3 people free ! ^ fcach , April , ISil . J- L
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TBE LABOURER'S LIBRARY , No . 1 . 3 fi » Rigtt of lhe Poor tQ Ae Suffrage of the People . garter , or the Honesty and Justice of the rnncpi e of Universal S ' uSrage , established and aa . ii . Umed , by the late Wm . Cobbett , M . P . ^ eds : HobsoB , Market-street ; and by all •^ sofcellsrs . TWs puophlet is & reprint from Cobbett ' s Tvo-Ij ««? ' a 2 d a Enable and timely one it is , too . « M ntaaDs the whole argument for Universal Snf-J ^ -wiucii is &s pit hily , forcibly , and eloquently sin » % " ^ J ^^ ble W > be . We need not , we are
ftasS ^ T ^ « 0 ET sant wivh hii merits ; but tJon ^ sv ^ oIjnciails iliTe zri ** 11 &nce tbe P ^ blicarf tvL Tu ° fenny Troth , to whom the contents ^ j ^ pampulet will be norel , instrnctiTe , tad Btef ^^ whc > , * * ° < ii 88 emii » t « the principles oi g ^ nu- ^ -the right © f the people to Universal ^^ e aow -especiall y—we do not know * more S ^ J . fM them to do this , than for them to * WeL j tt 4 ct Pitifully . Ite eompendioQS ^ Mlabk f * *! cheap price render it particularly TksZ L Pn ^ Tosea . ptoW * ' £ * eQl ° « intt of the contents of the » to ^ l ri the ^^ o ^ ing extracts . The first ae * Wtovtte- ~ > UOt ptoperty ' should ocmfeI HBOra 10 AISST PSOPiBTT
- 'ft 0 Z g ! £ e ** 1 "Pwng from labour , and not labour Trom * oSit tr . " - ' there were to be a distinction here , tfaftr ^ ! T *^ P ^ erence to libonr . All men are fcetonj ? r ^ B 0 D « 3 f denies that they ail ought to "i" * a We e 7 e of tfee l » ir : but tow tie they to U
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thai equal , if the law begin * by Buffering aome to enjoy this right and refusing the enjoyment to others ? It ia the duty of every man to defend his country against aa enemy , a duty imposed by the law of nature , as well as by that of civil society ; and without the recognition of tbia duty , there could exist ne independent nation and no civil society . Yet , how are you to nuiiitiin that this is the duty of everyman , if you deny to botdb men the enjoyment of a share in nuking the laws ? Upon what principle are yon to contend for equality here , while yon ieny its existence as to tb © right of sharing in the making of the laws ? The poor man has a body and soul as well as the rich man ; IQte the latter , he has parents , wife and children ; a bullet or a sword is as deadly to him as to the rich man ; there are hearts to ache and tears to flow for him as well as for the squire
or the lord or the loanmonger . yet , notwithstanding this equality , he is to risk all , and , if he escape , he is still to be denied an equality of rights ? If in such a state of things , the artisan or labourer , wben called out to fight in defence of his country , were to answer . " Why should I risk my life ? I have no possession but my labour ; no enemy will take that from me ; you , the rich possess all the land and all its products ; you make what laws ycu please without my participation or assent ; you punish me at your pleasure ; you say that nry want of property excludes me from the right of having a share in the making of the laws ; you say that the property tbat I have in my labour is nothing worth ; on what ground , then , do you call upon me to r ^ k my life ? " If in such a case , such questions were put , tke answer is very difficult to be imagined .
"In cases of civil commotion the matter comes still more home to us . On what ground is the rich man to call the artisan from his shop or the labourer from the field to join the theriffs pos :-e \ or militia , if he refuse to tbe labourer and artisan the right of staring in the making of the laws ? Why are they to risk their lives here ? To uphold the laws , and U protect property ? What laws , ia the making of , or assenting to , which , they have been allowed no share ? Property , of which they are sdd to possess none ? What ! compel men to come
forth and risk their lives for the protection of property ; and then , in the same breath , tell them thai they are not allowed to share in the making of tkelaws , because , and only because , they have no property ! Not because they have committed any crime ; not because they are idle or proflieate ; not because they are vicious in any way ; but solely because they have no property ; and yet at the same time compel them to come fvjrth and risk their lives for the protection of property !" Having concluded this argument he proceeds to shew ihut even
THE PACPES OUGHT TO HAVE A VOTE . " Ought they to share in the making of the laws ? And why not ? What is a pauper ; what is ore of the men to whom this degrading appellation is applied ? A very poor man ; a man who is , from some ciuse or other , unable to supply himself with food and riiment ¦ without aid from Use parish-rates . And is that circumstance alone to deprive him of his right , a right of which he stands more in need than suiy other man ? Perhaps he has , for many years of his life , contributed dirt-clly to those rates , and ten thousand to one he has , by his labour , contributed to them indirectly . The aid which , under ' such circumstances , he receives , is his right ; he receives it not as an alni 3 ; he is no mendicant ; he Wg-i not ; he tx / Hirs to receive that which the law of the country awar . is him ia lieu of the larger portion assigned him by the hwof nature .
" Is it , then , consistent with justice , with hum . intty with reason , to deprives man of the most pneious of his political right- ? , because , and os ' y berauss , Le has been , in a pjcuniary way , eingniarly unfortunate ? Tiis Scripture says , ' Despise not th-j poor , because be is poor ; ' that is to say , despise him not on account of his poverty . Why then deprive him of his right ; why put Lim out vt the pile of the law on account of his poverty ? There are B-jine men , to be sure , who are reduced to poTerty by their vices , by idleness , by gaining , by drinking , by squandering ; but tbe f ; ir creator j art by budiiy ailmeeTs , by misfortunes , to the effects of which all men may , -without any fault , anil even without any folly , be exposed : an . ! is thtr ^ a mail en earth so crue'iy unjust as to wish Vj add to the sufferings c .-f scch persona by stripping them of tiieir political rights ? H-w many tbt-usrm . is of industrious and virtuous men b . ive , within th ^ e few ytora , been brought down frum a state of cju . pct- - -Ece to that 0 / paoperum . "
It is not often , if ever , tbat the unrepresented man is so clearly a ? id ab ' y shown : o be a = ! ave us in the folioffiui ! tarsatces .
WHAT IS A SLAVE ! " For , let us not be amused by a ni : ne ; but look well into the matter . A slave is in the first place , a man who has no preperty : and property means something that he has , and that nobody can take from him without his leave or consent . Whatever man , no matter what he may call himself or any body else may call him , can have bis nioney or his goods taken from him by force , by virtue of an order , or ordinance , or law , which he has had no hand in making , and to which he has not given his assent , has noproptrty , and is merely a depository of the goods of his master . A slave has no property in his labour ; aDd cuj man who is compelled to give up the fruit cf Lis labour to
another , at the arbitrary will of that other , has no property in his labour , and is , therefore , a slave , whi-tber the fruit-of his labour be taken from him dir ctly or indirectly . If it be said that he gives ap this fruit of his labour by his own will , and thit it is not forced from him ; I answer , to be sure he nwy avoid eating ami drinking and may go naked ; but thtn he Eiust die ; and on this condition , and this condition only , can he refuge to give up the fruit of his labour . ' Die , wrrtch , or . surrender aa rench of your income , or the frui ; of your labour , as your masters ch ' - -o ^ e to taki-. * This is , in fact , the language of the ru ' . ers to every man who is refused to have a share in the making of the laws to which he is forced to submit .
" But , some one may say , s ; aves are private property , and may ba bought and sold , out and out , like cattle . And , what is it to the slave , whether he be the property of ooe or of maay , or , what matters it to hiw , whether he pass from master to masi = r by a sale for an indefinite term , or be let to tare by the year , month , or week ? It is , in no case , the fltsh and blood and bouts that are sold , but the labour ; and , if jou actually sell the labonr of man , is not that man a slave ; though you sell it for only a short time at onca ? And , as to the principle so ostentatiously displayed in the case of the black slave trade , that ' man ou ,-ht not to have a property in man , " it is even an advantage to the slave to be private property , because the owner has then a clear and powerful interest in the preservation of his life , health , and strength , and wil ! , therefore , furnish him amply with the food and raiment necessary for this end . **
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ROW AT THE TOWN HALL OF BIRMINGHAM . A meeting took place in the Town-hall on Friday last , for the purpose of electing a churchwarden . Th « whole staff of Whigs and Tories -were rallied for the occasion , and , at eleven o ' clock , Mr . Gutterklge , a Tory , was placed in the chair , by order of the vt-stry clerk , who stated tbat Mr . Gutteritige had betn elected to that offiea by a poll , which took place on the preceding Friday . Mr . M'DoMfELL protested against the whole proceedings , and , after a long speech , proposed that Mr . Alderman Weston should take the chair . ilr . Douglas ( editor of the Journal J seconded the nomination , which was put to the meeting , and carried unanim on- ) v .
Mr . Alderman Westox then stepped forward to take the chair , but vras hindered from doing so by the vestry clerk , and a posse of Tories wLo had taken possession of the gallery . A scene of uproar then ensued which beggars description , during which one of the Tories propo -ed Mr . Boucher as a proper person to become churehwarden ; it was seconded by another person , ainidit increased coldfusion and hooting from all parts of the building . Mr . M'Donxell , after a long spoech , in the course of which he dtnounced the Tories and church party in no measured terms , proposed Mr . George Vemon Blunt as a proper person . Mr . Douglas seconded the nomination .
Mr . Geoege White then presented himself close by tke chair , aud was received with loud cheers by the people in the budy of the Hall , and the most discordant hisses and groans from the respectables in the gallery . He was about to address the meeting , but wa 3 interrupted hj the ChaJKS ! a >' , who asked him whether he intended to propose another candidate . . Mr . Wuite itnted that he shonld please himself what course be saould adopt , and begged leave to ttll the gentleman that he had no right to interrupt him as he was not tbe ckiirman of that meeting .
Mr . Gctteridge then insisted that Mr . White should produce in writing the substance of what he intended to say before he should allow him to proceed . Mr . White replied , that the man who foisted himself-on the meeting as their chairman , appeare * to him to be the most ignorant fellow he had ever met ; he was determined not to be interrupted by him any further , and should take th 6 sense of tbe meeting , whether they would hear him or not . He then wished all those who desired that he should speak to hold up their hands . ( . Nearly every hand in the body of the Hall was then held up ) . After which , Mr . White addressed file meeting , araidit the yelling and hooting of the respectable , and the cheen of the working men . Mr . Gcttekidge then laid hold of Mr . White ' s arm , and enquired whether he was a ratepayer , and ¦ tras answered in the affirmative .
The YESTB . Y CLEB . B . stated , that Mr . White ' s name was not in the great boek , and maintained that he bad no-right to speak . Mr . White stated that he was determined to speak at that meeting . He understood tbat the Town Hall had been denied to the working men , ani as long as tbat refusal was persisted in , he wes determined to make use of it on their bebalf on every opportunity that offered . Ifsuehmenas Messrs . M'Dcnnell , Douglas , Edmonds , and others had gone honestly with the working ciasse * for the removal of all grieve e * # , they need not
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be engaged in such paltry battles as tbe present ; and although the parties opposed to the rate had for their object merely tbe abolition of Church Bates , he wished to do away with etery rate and awry tow which was not passed by the express will of tho whole peopls . ( Load cheers . ) Here was a body of men who professed themselves Christians and lovers of the poor , who shewed their Christianity by trampling on the fundamental principles of their creed , by endeavouring to rob them according to law , and take advantage of Sturges Bourne ' s Act , which enabled a rich man to give six votes to enable them to accomplish such robbery . They had , therefore , proved themselves to be no Christians , but a horde of venemous reptiles . ( Her * the hisses and confusion were such , that not a word more conld be heard , the working men shouting , " Go on , White , give it them , " and the respectables bawling out " He's just liberated from prison , " " No Chartists . " Gutteridge then shouted for the police , and intimated to Mr . White , tbat he would order him into custody if he persisted to speak . )
Mr . White defied him ; and Baid he was determined to stop there all night , or have a hearing . Some rough compliments then passed between ths quondam . Chairman and Mr . White , the latter persisting in his determination to speak . Mr . Guttebidge then called on Mr . Alston , the magistrate , to protect him . Mr . Alston stepped up to Mr . White , and informed him that he was a magistrate , and that he insisted on him to desist . Mr . White answered , that he did not care what he was , he was determined to exercise his right , and would not be bullied out of it by any man , and then proceeded to address the meeting on the villany of Whig and Tory Government , and the necessity of union amongst the working classes to rid themselves of their united robberies . Mr . Alston again interrupted him , and stated that if he persisted in his determination he would order him into custody .
Mr . White stated that he might do as he pleased ; he should not leave that place until he bad finished what he jiieant to say . A posse of police then made their appearance at the top of the gallery , headed by Major Shaw , Euperinteadent , who made up to Mr . White , and informed him that he must desist , or he should take him into custody . Mr . White told him that he would not desist , and was proceeding to address the meeting , when he was seized by four policemen , dragged out of the gallery in the most brutal manner , and confined in the Committee-room , where about forty policemen were awaiting the orders of tbeir
masters to quell the ' mob' The uproar and confusion that followed baffles all description . The working men rushed in hundreds from the body of the Hall expecting to see Mr . White removed to prison , and with a detenniuation to rescue him . They surrounded the various doors and outlets to the Town Hall , and gave vent to their feelings in curses loud and deep . Tbe proceedings of the meeting were completely stopped , and after un hour and a half ' s uproar and confusion , the meeting was adjourned to the following Friday ; after which , Mr . White was liberated amidat the cheers of the thousands who awaited his release .
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Commodore Napjer dined with the Navy Club , at the Thatcht-d H <) ii < e Tavern , on Thursday , the 22 d uk . Admiral Thompson was in the chair . Mb . Dunn , th-3 persecuting suitor of Miss Couttb , h&o commtr . ced proeetdings against two of tho Middlesex Ma ^ Utrates for false imprisonmeut . Joseph Lovell , the man who last week slipped under the wheels of the Eastern Counties Railway traii :, from which lie had just alighted , died on Saturday . The Magistrates of Brighton haTe refused to sipi an oror -. jv iho payment of chnrch-rates , on account of tneir dcubs as to a technical objection which had be ' . 'u made against the rate . Tho Churchwardens threaten their worships with a mandamus . U . nder the head of Portsmouth , the Brighton Gazelle rays— " Tdcre is a report that ihe Wart-pitc , aU , is to be forthwith coinrnis .-ioued here , for tho broad pe / . 'dant of Commodore Sir Charles Napier , who is to have the comsnauii in the Pacific . "
Suicide at Sha . —Captain Ardent , of the brig EI ; zaot ! iii , o : Ljndon , bound for Quebec , died on the lCih uit ., at ^ ea . He had ruaao repeated attempts at huicidc . by cuttiu ^ his throat , aud jumping from the vessel . Repeal . —Lord Ffrench has resigned his office of Deputy Lieutenant lor tho county of Galvvay , because Lord Ebrington declined to appoint his 6 on , the Hon . Thomas Ffrench , an avowed and active Repealer , to a similar situation . —Dublin Mail . Mr . Arthur Perris , late Mayor of Dublin , arrived at New York a few days back with his two sons , and a day or two after his arrival he was arrested under the Stilwell Act for abolishing imprisonment for debt and punishing fraudulent deb' . ors . The case is undergoing investigation .
Two ravens were seen , a few days since , fighting in the air , near tho mouth of tho river Yealm , atid at length fell together to the ground . An observer hastened to the spot , and secured them both whilo they were thus hotly engaged , and locked in each other ' s claw * . — Western Luminary , Ntw Association . —A new Association , called the " Political Institute , " held us second sitting on Wednesday week , at HoibornBars , when it discussed the necessity of diminishing tho immense and increasing influence of the aristocracy . Da . ngerdus Freak . —Two sailors were fined Hte . each at Union Hall Police-office , on Saturday , for jumping off the Greenwich train whilst going over Dermond .-vey Bridge at lull spe-jd . The fine would have been heavier , but the sailors pleaded ignorance of railway affairs , as they bud just landed from Valparaiso , and had never ' ridden in a train before .
Christian Names . —A Cabinet order at Bsrlin explains that in the ordinance issued some years ago , by which the Jews are prohibited from giving Christian names to their children , that those only are to be considered as prohibited names cither derived from the name of our Saviour , such aa Christian , Christopher , cvc , or which refer to some dogma of the Christian Church , such as Renatus , Anastas , Baptist , and Peter . A Charitable Wish . —At a Tory festival in Beccles , reported in the Standard , the Chairman , Sir T . S . Gooch , Bart ., Epoke his mind in these terms : — " It' he had had his wish , Mr . O'Couuell would have been hanged long ago . ( A laugh . ) It might be thought an uncharitable wish , but k came from the bottom of his heart . What a happy thing it would bo to see him and many more dancing upon nothing . " ( Cheers . )
Dundee was disturbed by a riot on Sunday night week . The police arrested three drunken men at a public-house ; and a mob collected and assisted one 0 / the prisoners to escape from a window . When the other two were taken into the street , two or three hundred men made a furious attack upou the police ; but after discharging several vollies of stones , four of them were seized , to Bhare in the captivity of their drunken friends . They were taken before the Magistrates , and seutenced to heavy fines or imprisonment for sixty days .
In our last we stated that Zephania Williams aud four convicts had run away from Port Arthur . It appears that Williams , who is an overseer of the coal-mines , found in the bush a boat , and the convicts who had concealed it knew that , unless they forced him away with them , they would be discovered ; so they took him away with them , and at the first house he came to after leaving the remainder of the men , he gave himself up , and ia now in gaol at Richmoiid . We are glad to hear the conduct of Williams , since his arrivsi here , has been extremely exemplary . We have heard that some of the Canadians have escaped from Green Ponds , under rather extraordinary circumstances . —Hobart Town Advertiser , November ' 24 .
Desperate Attempt at Scicide on Blackfriars-Bp . idge . —On Friday night , the 23 rd ult ., between sereu and eight o ' clock , a middle-aged female was observed by police-constable 371 , to mount the parape' . of the north-eart side of Blackfriars-bridge , and , before he could reach her , she precipitated herself into the Thames . Some men who were on the pier instantly put , off to her rescue , and succeeded m gaining her apparently lifeless body , and conveyed it to the Glaziers' Arms , ( receiving-house ) , Waterlane , -where she was promptly attended by Mr . Hutcbinson , surgeon , of Farriagdou-street . In tho course of an hour , she was so far recovered a 9 to be euablcd to state that her name vraa Ann Baines , and that she resided at Cow-cross , Smithfield , but had no relatives or friends in London .
SrjiPATHY witii Great Criminals . —On Wednesday , the day of the fair at Foix , Pierre Sarda Tragine , the Alpine brigand , was publicly exposed according to the terms of his sentence . The executioners of Toulouse and Foix were both present . These men , who have effsctually stopped the career of Tragine by executing the sentence which the Court passed upon him , were for some time occupied in collecting the 6 ous which were thrown down for the criminal by numbers of the spectators ; and it was remarked that several crown pieces were actually thrown down for him . It was stated that several persons , who were ashamed to be seen giving them-Belvee , Bent their valets or tenants to give fire-franc pieces to the unfortunate Tragine . A . countryman presentin making an appeal on his behalf , said ,
, "Give something for the man who was a good father , ft good husband , who was not a robber , ] but was the victim of his fate . " Side by side with Tragine was Jean-Petit-Boy , ako sentenced to " exposition" and 6 even years' imprisonment , in February last , for the crime of incendiarism . This man , however , was not tho object of pnblio charity . Everything for the great criminal , but nothing for the obscure incendiary ; and it appeared indeed , from the circumstances of this occasion , as has often been said , that if rre wish to excite interest , sympathy , and even enthusiasm , we must commit peat crimes , when we Eha . ll not be without some applauding hands , nor fail to meet with juries who will diBcover in oar offences M extenuatiutf circumsUaces . " ~~ Paris JqwmL
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it T » b F » sTTFicATiONS . ~ The works of the fortifications of Fans have been commenced simultaneously on every point . Upwards of lt ^ QO workmen were engaged on Friday and Satufd » y ) m * , and the oontractors were enjoined to prosecute the works with all possible , activity , and to apply for military labourers rf they could not procure a sufficient number of civilians . This great concourse of workmen , and the concentration of troops around Fans , had already produced a considerable rise in the price of butchers' meat , which was now nearly &u f * v ejon , ^ e reach of the labouring classes . That of bread was fortunately falling , th « 41 b loaf of the first quality selling for selling for 5 Ad .
Scahcityof Potatoss . v-a week or two siuce there was a scarcity of potatoes in the county of Waterrord , to such an extent that the agent of the Mining Company of Ireland , which employs a great number of people at the copper mines of Knockmahon , found it necessary to import a cargo of potatoes , and to forward a supply of oatmeal for immediate use . Iu the neighbouring county of Tipperary , too , it appears that some apprehension begins to prevail regarding the stock of potatoes , and the peasautry are resorting to intimioation , in order to compel landholders to charge something like a moderate price for ground let out for the growth of this esculent .
Collision of two Ships at Ska . —A collision between the Jeuno Flavie , a French sloop , and the Ann Jaue , an English brig , took place at sea , off Ilamborough Head . on Monday week . The sloop had a crew of aix on board—the master , mate , three seaman , and a cabin boy—when she struck against the brig ; two of whom perished in her , as she went down head foremost , whilst the remainder clung to the shivered rigging of the brig , and were saved . The bowsprit of the brig was carried away , and her stem was completely driven in , and she was only saved with difficulty . The sloop and cargo are valued at . £ 1 , 500 . 1
Using Obscene Language in the Streets . — Elizabeth Mollan , a middle-aged aud very respectably-dressed woman , the wife of an opulent tradesman residing iu the metropolis , whose bloated and dissipated look indicated an inordinate propensity for strong drink , was committed for one month to hard labour in tho New Westminster Bridewell , for using obscene language in Marshall-street , Golden-square , on Friday evening , while in a beastly state of intoxication . Tho wretched woman is the mother of a fine and numerous family .
Robbery and Remorse . —Jane White , a middleaged woman , recently in the service of Mr . Woodall , a woollen draper , in Biohopsgafe , London , was charged at Worship-street police office , on Saturday , with having stolen some plate and other property , belonging to her master . She was moved by remorso to give herself into the hands of the police the previous evening . Her master had previously to the robbery put great confidence ia her , and treated her with great kindness . She was remanded until to-day ( Saturday . )
Emancipation of Jews . —The Emperor of Russia has resolved to emancipate the Jews in his empire " as soon as intellectual instruction and civilisation shall be so far advanced among thorn that this great boon may bo beneficial to themselves . " Twohundred new schools are now organised . Measures are iu progress to invito to Russia from foreign countries , especially Germany , the men who are at Government school * denoted head masters , teachers , &c , to manage the several primary and learned establishments , since qualified persons are not at present to be fuuud among the Jews in the empire , The inimbnr of Jews in Russia and Poland is about 2 . 000 . 000 .
Manly Conduct of Henry Hetherington . —On Friday , the 23 J instant , some tools of tho dastardly persecutors > f Mr . Hetherin ^ ton called upon him in his cell ( No . 7 , eiurauce 4 ) at the Marshalsea , or Queen ' s Bjnch Prison , to inform him that he mi ^ hs leave his national apartment , if he would conseut to be bound , hand and foot , for a certain period ; or , in other words , to " find security in the amouut of one hundred pounds to keep tho poaco" ( which he has never broke !) " towards his sovereign Lady the Q , 'ieen , her crown and dignity (!) . " The substance of Mr . Hetherington ' d reply to this offer was truly a noble one : — " When I go forth , I shall go free ; J will not submit to be shackled by any t'overnment . "
Who ' d ha' thought it !—Tho Ami-Corn Law League finding that the intelligent men of London are not to be caught by a cry of " cheap bread , " have set their trap with beef also , hoping that this " double attraction" will be moro enticing ; in other words , they have called in their bread petitions and sent out tome beef and bread ones : " Petitions to the Houstt of Commons , for a repeal of the tax on bread and beef , wait here for your signature . " Let them " wait , " for if these men wero really friendly to you , they would not thus fool away both time and money , but ko for Universal Suffrage at once . Hurrah lor the Charter I get but that , and that will get you plenty .
The Convict Lonoley . —It was stated on Saturday last in Westminster , upon excellent authority , that a pardon had been forwarded from the Homo Office , for Harriet Lougley , with orders thai she should be taken care of until tho Government obtained somo suitable place to pivo her slicker and protection . TJie Governor of Newgate gives her a most excellent character , and says that her conduct , while in custody , was most exemplary , and that her demeanour for propriety surpassed that of auy woman that has ever been in his custody . The unfortunate woman is unceasingly lamenting the death of her wretched offspring , and states that the dreadful act was committed by her in a fit of insanity , when &ho found that nature had dried up the source which was to have given support and strength to the littlo victim .
Lovely Woman . Mary Ann Webster was charged , at Hatton Garden Police-office , on Saturday , with being drunk and disorderly . Mr . Combe asked her how long she had been out of the House of Correction \ Defendant— " Yesterday morning I was liberated . " Mr . Combe— And how soon did you get into the Station-house V Defendant— " In the afternoon of the same day . " Mr . Combe— " Can you tel ) , within twenty times , how often you have been committed to the House of Correction V Defendant— " Truth requires no embellishment , and there being no necessity for lying , 1 answer you candidly that I cannot . " WaddiaKton , the gaoler , said she was the most extraordinary character he ever met with . Ever since sho was twelve years of & £ « she had led an abandoned life . She had been in his custody nearly as many times as there were days
in the vear , aud on no occasion had he conveyed her to prison without having been obliged to fiud her some articlo of dress to cover her nakedness . After locking her up he had frequently , on visiting her to remove her to the prison van , found her stark naked ( she having , in the interim , torn into shreda every article of her dress ) , and he had then , by main force , to strap something about her before she was removed to prison . Mr . Mallett . the clerk , observed that when she was in tho House of Correction she was coneiantly receiving additional punishment for ill treating some of the turnkeys or her fellowprisoners . He very much questioned her sanity . Mr . Combeinquired if she were willing to go in to a workhouse , and she assenting , ho ordered her removal to the poor-house in St . Paucras .
Lord Cardigan and the Commander in Chief The following order has been issued by the Comma nder-in-Chief , on the subject of the punishment on the Sabbath : — " Horso Guards , 22 ud April , 1841 , The attention of the General Commanding-in-Chief has been called to the punishment of a soldier of the 11 th Hussars , in the Riding ' -house , at Hounslow , en Sunday , the 11 th of April . It is well known that it is not the practice of this country to carry the penal sentences of the law into execution oa the Lord ' s Day ; neither is it the practice of the army , wheiher employed abroad or at home . The General Commanding-in-Chief is , therefore , surprised that an
officer , in the situation of Lieuceuaut-Co ' onel commanding a regiment , should have carried such a sentence into execution on Sunday . The General Commanding-in-Chief desires that it may bo clearly understood that the sentences of Military Courts are not to bo carried into execution on the Lord ' s Day , excepting in-casts of evident necessity , the nature of which it cannot be requisite for him to define . By command of tho . Right Hon . tho General Cosnmanding-in-Chief , ( bigned ) John Macdonald , Aojutant-General . " This is a grave rebuke , aud people ask whether Lord Cardigan can stomach it , and remain in his command . Our belief is , that he will bo found as callous in bearing as inflicting ignominy .
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TO THE COUNCILLORS OF THE NATIONAL CHABTEK ASSOCIATION OF TKOWBRIDGE . Gentlemen , —As a portion of your address , which appeared in The Sun of yesterday , is directed immediately to myself , I deem it necessary to effer you a brief explanation why I am not a member of your ABseciation , and why the National Association for Promoting tbe Political and Social Improvement of the People is formed . In tbe first place the plan of the National Association ¦ was "written during the first few ' mohtha of our incarceration in Warwick Gaol , long before your Association was formed , and would have been published bad we been allowed fired communication with our friends . *'' - .
On our liberation from prison our plan was published in tbe pamphlet entitled " Cbartiam , " and at different public meetings Mr . Collina and myself avowed our intention of endeavouring to form an Association npon that plan as soon its our health and circumstances permitted . Different plans and projects were promulgated at that period , for carrying forward the cause of Chartism ; cue was for establishing a morning paper , another a national press , others foe exclusive dealing , others for joiat- » tocfe stores , and others bad projected and taken some steps towards forming the National Charter Association to which you botong . Our plan for obtaining the People ' s Charter by ptom fvL and moral means , by the erecting of balls , tbe
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establishing of schools , the formation of libraries , and by e-rery means seeking to raise the intellectual and moral character of our brethren , while approved of by the press in general , as well as by the thinking-and reflecting portion of Chartists , instead of being made a legitimate subject for discussion , was only made the subject of contempt and ridicule by the people ' s organ , the northern Star , the editor of which designated nation education as a " national jackass , " and-without condescending to review or rebut the arguments we had adduced , hinted tbat our plan was altogether worthless , as The Sun , the Chronicle , and other portions of the press had Bpnken favourably of it
On my return from Cornwall . I received a letter inviting me to join your association , which I refused to do on the grounds of illegality , at the same time referring them to Acts of Parliament by which th « y were shown that all who belonged to them -were subject to transportation ; a risk I did not choose to run . About the same time Mr . Collins called the attention of the Editor of the Slur to the subject of the illegality of the Charter Association , and the necessity of cautioning the working classes on tbe subject . Tbe persons engaged on that paper subsequently wrote to Mr . Place of London to ascertain the state of the law on the subject , which that gentleman readily furnished them ¦ with , but several weeks were suffered to elapse before any notice was takeu or warning given , when Mr . Place ' s article appeared without tho least acknowledgment of the author .
An alteration was subsequently made in the pJan of your Association , to make it more conformable to law . How far that has been effected I shall not hazird an opinion ; suffice it to s : iy , I have nut seen sufficient inducements in your objects , nor that lino of conduct pursued by those who rule its destinies , to warrant me in joining them . Believing that the principles of Chartism are purely democratical , calculated to benefit all classes , and not the working classes exclusively , I cannot agree with tke general denunciations against all kinds of union -with the middle classes , nor do I approve of the abuse , calumny , and despotic conduct wliichhaverectntlybeen put forth against all those who think a union of all classes desirable .
It has been stated , by the editor of tlte . SVar ( doubtless with the view of exciting the prtjuiiice of the working classes ) , that the plan of eur Association was concocted by Messrs . Hume , Roebuck , and O'Connell , when he knows to the contrary , that it is word for word such as appeared in our pamphlet , which was written under circumstances of deprivations and sufferings in the cause of the people . But even if it was the production of the greatest enemy of the people , its origin is of little moment ; the great question f « r consideration is—would it benefit the people politically and socially , if the people themselves resolved to carry it into practice ?
Our plan has been said to be put forth " as a secret move . " In answer to which , I embrace this opportunity of stating that similar means wt re taken to ascertain the opiuion of all the known and active Chartists of the kingdom respecting it , as were taken to obtain the signatures to the Irish address -which was put fortu previous to the meeting of the Convention . Copies of it were sent t » all the Radical , Working Men ' s , and Charter Associations throughout the kingdom—the addresses of which we could obtain -as also to the Members of the late Convention , enibraeiijg the originators of your Association . 80 that not only was tho widest publicity given to it , but ample opportunities affordtd for laying it before your Association or any other body of Reformers .
Those who have appended their names to the address and plan of the National Association ave desirous of a union embracing persons of all creeds , classes , and opinions , who are desirous of promoting tho political and social improvement of the people ; and if the members or Council of your Association approve of our objects , and the means wo have put forth for the attainment of the People ' s Charter , we shall be glad to enrol them as members ; as also bir It . PeeJ , Lord J . Ru = sdi , or tbo Duke of Wellington , if they choose to join us . A t nil events , we claim the same right to put forth ouiviews , and to form a union upon our plans as you have on yours , tho Scotch on tli .-irs , or aey other body * f Reformers ; and little can be said of tlie democratic feelings , the intellect or moral principle of those who donounce as " thieves , traitors , and liars" all wUo differ from them in opinion or mode of action . I remain , your obedient servant , W . Lovett . 183 , Tottenham Court Road .
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his well earned reputation gives force to his example . The cry of " Illegality" does not appear te vn to be of any force . Every Association to carry the Charter it illegal For the slave to seek for freedom is contrary to law . Recent experience has proved that with an Aris tocratic Judge and a middle class Jury laws can easily be found suited to their purposes . Shii we believe , for -we have noticed a change iu the political atmosphere , that if we pursue our objects wiihont violence , or the threat of it , we shall be able to overcome and neutralise all opposition .
M « sb cordially do we oppose the forming anothet Association as proposed by Mr . Lovett ; aiul we earnestly trust that he will pause before going further in his project ; it is calculated to engender a spirit of ' party 11 in our ranks , and to encourage the ict-a that we axe divided in opiuion as to the means to be employed to obtain our common object—that there are mora' fora Chartists and physical force Chartists . The fact is , and no one knows this better than Mr . Lovett , that upon the moral force and physical force question , ¦ whatever differences there may formerly have been , we are now all agreed . The trial * , the fact that John Frost is an exile , and many of our best friends are in prison , have taught us wisdom . All of us agree with ili Lovett in looking to moral force alone for the at com . plishnient of our objects ; and Mr . Lovett agrees withna
in the : abatewt . tight , not only 01 a nation but even of an individual , to use physical force or any other force to obtain emancipation from slavery . It is-wrong , there ! ore , to encourage or sanction the idea that tre are two tidies . Lovett Chartism , and O'Conner Ckartism—ttat il . ere is a difference of opinion where none in reality exists The praise of Daniel O'ConnulI is indeed a heavy stigma —a disgrace , however , which we admit 3 ir . Luvt-tt is not entitled to ; but it will be well for bim t <> learn caution from it . Virtue of a high order can alone survive' the infliction ! Of Mr . Lovett's plan itself we have before expressed our favourable opinion—indeed the very means that it contemplates -were conten . jir . ted by our -representatives ; but we desire most tmvfcatt cally to record our opposition to the adoption i . f any plan whatever , however good , tbat is uoljirst rtccxjnised by the National Charter Association .
We now turn to a subject which , has oce&siw . td iu much pain . Wo allude to the iniemptrate \ lai ^ uagB with -which the ArMress of Mr . Lovett has f < een tn-ated by Mr . Hill , the editor of the Norths n Star . That paptr is the only generally recognised organ of the Chartist body , and , to some extent , all are invo : vf-d in its errors who do not protest against them . We lU-sir * , therefore , to state the regret with which we have lately observed in that paper -what we cannot but consider ft spirit of intolerance towards every opinion but that of its editor . The day ef dictation is gone by , the great *< we" no longer blinds us to the fact that it is hut a fallible niurtal that guides the editorial pen , and though we freely acknowledge the services rendertd to the People ' s Cause by the Northern Star , and we do this the more freely , inasmuch ss those services have been , liberally and generously responded to , we thick it ri&ht to teeoiiimend to Mr . Hill the adoption of a iesa bitter style towards those with whom he may conscientiously differ .
In the Northern Star of the 17 th instant , there is an editorial article abounding front first to last , c . tul in every variety of low phraseology , -with cbarges ; . i ; d imputatioDS of fraud , falsehood , and trickery ogainst Messrs . lovett and Collins . We believe these ii < arges and imputatioHS to be utterly unfounded . Wt desire to record , our conviction , tbat not a shadow of > roof Las been produced that Messrs . Lovett and Collins ever sanctioned any movement for any suffiage s ) ..-rt of that comprised in the Charter . All tbeir deeiani tioni are opposed . to any suffrage less than the t'hartei Suffrage ; and we believe , and -we assert , that the veracity of these gentlemen is as unimpeachable aa that ' of Mr . Hill .
B-jsides the injustice in the particular instar . co to ¦ which we are now referring , wo believe that the- spirit of invective and dogmatism whiqh has lately sullied the pages of the Northern Star , and damaged its piirity , is in a general sense unwise . For the purpose of obtaining permanent unity , it is desirable rather to encourage and court from those who have pvoyi ' .- ; that they value our principles by their sufferings in our cause , those differences of thought which , bjj forcing inquiry and investigation , are the surest and soundest preludes to unanimity and success . We hav ^ ever bten among the foremost to oppose any union witb the middle classes , compromising , or appearing to compromise , the pr inciples of the Charter . The antt Corn Law lecturer has indeed appeared iu our' county ,
but we Lave met him , and conquered him ; not resorting toddle clamour , but arguing fairly and caln . iy the justice and propriety of the working classes retti-tining their efforts , in the first instance , to their own ' political emancipation . But , however strongly we dfprrcate uny going over to the middle classes , we are equally strong in our opinion of the folly of preventing thei » coming over to as . Many of them have long been favourable to our principles , though retrained by various circumstances from being forward in the si aggie —many of them are suffering , keenly though secretly , under the thousand ills comprised in the phrase " commercial distress ; " and thousands tbat never thought before , have been compelled to the -wholesome but painful process by the increased burthen of taxation . The conviction— immoetal iiosour to iuosb that WKOUGHT IT !—that Chartism will nevei raise its hand for any change short of the Charter , has done its work : in all there is uneasiness and a desire foe
change ; a growing fancy tbat there is something w rong ; a fear too , shadowy and indistinct though it be that when " thrown on their own resources , " they , like the pauper , must in their latter days be separated from their wives and children , be coffined by contract , and be huddled together iu the union grave . Their mental shackles are falling off . Tallow-chandler and cheese monger—a subject for a picture—are discussing " first principles / ' We hail these signs with satisfactionthey are the result of political light , the woxk of on * own bands , aided' by tho circumstances which , having first ground us to destitution , are now , by their retributive operation , bringing them to their senses . We hail with gladness their approach to reason , am ! it la because we deare their further advancement ir . polltical knowledge that we deprecate all language tbat ia merely abusive or violent . They are apt to think , and we confess a leaning , in this instance , towards theix opinion , that hard and harsh expressions are seldom resorted to except where there is lack of argument %
Besides the subject into which we have gone at Jengta we had intended to speak of " Christian Chartism , " and other phrases" by which our objects are mystified ; but our letter is already too long and we forbear . To us all these distinctions seem very nonsensical . The CUA . Eter— neither more nor ltss—aa a means of universal happiness , is what we setk for ; and convinced that one claim is founded in justice and truth we know that it will ultimately prevail . Every person should " ne at liberty to advocate the Charter or any peculiar views that he considers calculated to advance it * progress but he ought not to make those peculiar views a ground of distrust or hostility towards others who have arrived at their conviction by adiffar « nt road . " Christlautsm , " " Teetotalism , " and the other " isms , " ( we forget them just now , ) what are they but the various paths tending to and terminating ; in the same glorious Temple of Liberty , JCuaRTISM ? Why then quarrel with each other—what can it possibly matter how we get there m thai we . get there ?
Our own opinion is that Chartism and Christianity not only-support each other but are identically tke stme { but seeing that wherever the holy name of religion enters , discord , by some unfortunate necessity , is sure to follow , we would rather recommend ita avoidance in general discussion . Let us learn from the harmonious conduct of the " Clergy of all Denominations , " when temporalities are attacked , to act in the spirit of unity and the bond of peace . In " spiritualities , " indeed , they tolerate every grade and shade of difference ; but in temporalltes—titbes , dues , pew fees , and so forththey are , as opfi man—firm as rocks—immutable and immovable . They are all true to the Catholic i ' aith . Chartism is our Temporaiity—to save us from want and the workhouse—our Easter dues , our Voluntary offering , ourTithe commutation . Let us first get that , and then -we . can qnanel ourselves to peace . We very much donbt the policy of confounding Chartism witb matters to which it does not necessarily « r property belong . . '
We conclude , then , in the earnest hope that the originators of the Address signed by Messrs . Lovett and others , will feel it right to postpone their project tJl it ha 3 received the sanction of our Representatives—tho National Charter Association ; and that in the mean time they will do all in their power to discourage , by their writings and conduct , the supposition tbat there is any division in our ranks . To Mr . Hill we tendec our thanks for hia services , and hope that bo will re ceive our advice in the spirit , which actuates tu in giving it—tbe sincere desire to pare off from our advocacy all that is wrong or unsc * emly . Our polemical friends at Birmingham will , we havfl no doubt , understand us : the thing , indeed , is too plain for a mistake : we cannot afford to go into eod » - siasiical mailers just at present .
To all © ur friends in the cause of Universal Freedom we conscientiously tender our advice to encouftjge towards each other a spirit of forbearance , and to suppress every tendency to division . Events are working for ua more rapidly , or rather , more extensively , than the wildest speculation has reached . We most k $ ep onr men together—helping the weak—urging the slack , lestraining tbe free , and quarrelling with none . -A great portion of our battle is being fought by the power at public opinion acting on all . The Stock Exchange—bat enough— allUffoingon welt . . ' ' „ 1 In the earnest hope that we may soon be able to coagratulate cack other on the consummation of on wishes , we 7 > e g to subscribe ourselves . Tout sincere friend * and fellow-labourers
In the cause of democracy , Edwabd . Pathb , James . Watts , Joseph Biggs * , j a » e 3 hulbebt , WlLLlAK . IlARBOftD , Isaac Lksteb , JAiii'S . Has well . vlce-Preildeat , John ModuE , « ao-Treaaurer , Henri Adams , » ubSeMtejy ,.. ( ConnciHoM of the National Chartej Association . ) Trowbridge , l » th April , \ UU
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN , AND MORE PARTICULARLY TO MR . HILL , THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAH , AND MR . WILLIAM LOVETT . Friends , —We , the undersigned , residing at Trowbridge , councillors of the National Charter Association , desire to addrwsa you , believing that the circumstances urging us will , with all fair and candid minds , be a sufficient justification for our dv > ing so . The last month has developed an apparent schism amongst our best friends , accompanied with language so coarse , violent , and , to our minds , utterly uncalled for , as to give some ground for the triumphant assertion of our opponents , tbat Cbartism , instead of being a bond of union and brotherly love , is really an apple
of discord—a wafehn-ord of drift and scurrility . Men whom all of us have delighted to honour , whom we received with acclamations on their release from prison , Lave been designated , in our only newspaper organ , as thieves , traitors , and liars ; and vh » t , not only without editorial censure , but even with implied approbation . Can this be right ? Does it not imply either a premature recklessness of praise nearly allied to folly , or a wantonness of reproach that savours little of . consistency or charity . Again , wo read that a fierce war of opinion , disfigured by bitter sarcasm , challenges to discussion , < Stc , is waging in Birmingham and other places , as to the connection of Cbartism and Christianity , or something of that sort ; engendering feelings of hatred that are far from being akin to the sacreduess of our cause , or the purity of our objects . Is not all this melancholy work ? Holding up a man in triumph on a Tuesday , and knocking him down on a Wednesday ; calling him " god" one day , and " devil" the next . Christianity and Clwrtisru set fighting against each other—the strength , the men , the principles , that ought to be banded together in holy union against the common foe , wasting their vigour , lent to them for the benefit of mankind , in childish quarrels and disgusting abuse ?
Let us examine into the circumstances on which all this bitterness and inconsistency is based , and- see whether they are necessary and proper . First , v ? e begin with the circular Address of Mr . Lovett and others : •—" To the Political and Social Reformers of the United Kingdom . " With tho spirit and purport of that Address—except in one particular—we fully agree . We concur with that Addrtss in the belief that we must become our own social and political regenerators , or that we shall never enjoy freedom . More especially do we agree with Mr . Lovett in " making the ChaTtor the Polar Star of our agitation ; " and we cordially unite in the sentiments , that " having truth for its basis , and the happiness of all for its end . it needs not tbe violence ef passion , the bitterness of party spirit , nor the arms of aggressive warfare for its support ; its principles need only to be unfolded to be appreciated , and being appreciated by the majority , will be established in peace . "
Nor do we altogether deny that " we have wasted glorious means of usefulness in foolish displays and gaudy trappings . " Our concurrence with this sentiment , however , must be a qualified one . We incline to tbe belief that these displays and trappings , and oven the '' passionate invective , party spirit , and personal idolatry , " however unsuiteii to our present advanced position , have often , under Providence , been the mean .-s of encouraging a social and inquiring spirit , and waking up honest ignorance from its hereditary torpor . Many , we
believe , that are destined to play a high and glorious part in our emancipation from slavery , first heard the truths cf Universal Brotherhood—wero first aroused t « a sense of their degradation , their rights , and their strength—in conjunction with bands , banners , music , and processions , and the other gewgaw puerilities so cunningly designed for our abasement . The toys have become objects of our contempt , but ths lesson they helped to teach—let us speak of them gently then —is destined to conquur the system of ages and the prejudices of a world 1
Nor <; o we find fault with the plan proposed by the address , District halls , circulating libraries , missionaries , tracts , and so forth , all seem to us well calculated to encourage and ensure an enlightened public opinion ; to fortify and consolidate the strength of our friends j and to mitigate the fears of those who oppose us from not understanding our objects . But then—and here we come to the point to which we alluded at tbe outset , and on which we altogether differ from Mr . Lovett and the four other gentlemen acting with him in tho address . They propo 3 y to establish an Association to carry out their plan . In this we think them altogether wrong . We do not call them —our injustice would be greater than their deficiency of judgment if wo were to call them— " Thieves , liara , and traitors , " but we think that they have committed a great error , and the sooner they acknowledge it the bettor we shall think of their sincerity and consistency . National Charter
We have an Association—the Association—chosen iu the mos ^ t fair and pnblio manner , and all but universally recognised as the Representatives of the Chartists of Great Britain . Already bast this body met and acted in its representative capacity ; and we may refer to the zeal with which one of Iheir laws has been carried out- ^ that of enforcing on every public meeting the Charter and its principles—as a proof , and a strong one , of our faith in its wisdom . To these our Representatives—the National Charter Association—Messrs . Lovett , &c , ought in our opinion firtt to have submitted their , plan ; it wonldhave been received and discussed with all the respect and consideration it » o well merited ; and , if there adopted , would thttB have been girded with a moral strength that would have gone far to secure ita success . Of the National Charter Asaaciation , we , the writers of this letter , are councillors ; and we cannot refrain from an opinion that ail good Chartists will soon be numbered in our list * We sincerely regret to learn that Ur . Lovett is not a member 2 more paxticnlaxiy as
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^_^ === _ THE NORTHERN STAR . q
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 1, 1841, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct377/page/3/
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