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MEETING AT THE TOWN-HALL, BIRMINGHAM .
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WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE.
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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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WAKEFIELD ADJOURNED SESSIONS . NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN , that the SPRING GENERAL QUARTER SESSIONS of the PEACE , for the West Ridini ? of the County of York , will be h « ld by Adjournment in the Committee Room , at the House of Correction , at Wakefield , on Wednesday , ihe Ninth day of June next , at Eleven o'clock in tho Forenoon , for the purpose of inspecting the Riding Prison , ( the said House of Correction , ) and for examining the Accounts of the Keeper of the Eaid House of Correction , making Inquiry into the conduct of the Officers and Servants belonging the same ; and also into the behaviour of the Prisoners , and their Earnings .
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FROST AND THE CONVENTION * OF 1 Q 3 B . Now Publishing , Price One Halfpenny , nflHE ENGLISH CHARTIST CIRCULAR , No . A 18 , containing * DECLARATION of RIGHTS ( in Thirty-nine Articles ) " of . the People of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , according to the Ancient Laws a&d Customs of the Realm of England . " The above valuable document ,. the monument of our ancestral rights , was presented by its author , Julius L . Schroder , Esq ., to tho Council of the General Convention , on Friday , the 9 th of August , 1839 , to be by them approved and executed to the utmost of their' ability , in farthering the great cause of national and rational freedom , and rescuing both , from the accumulating wrongs of oligarchical , arfe-
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TO PIANOFORTE PLAYERS ANT > SINGERS ! MADAME VESTRIS'S NEW SONG ! JULLIEN'S FAMED NIGHTINGALE WALTZES tt AND TAGLIONI'S NEW GALOP 15 ! All for It ., in the "Pianista" for May , No . i . Published Monthly , Price One Shilling , THE PIANIST A gives all the Popular Songs , Ballads , &c , with Words , Symphonies , and Accompaniments ; and all . the Waltzes , Quadrilles , Galops for Piano , &c ., which obtain , by their excellence , great popularity in London . These are given every month , at a price scarcely one sixth of the charge made by Music Sellers ; as , for instance : — No . 1 , for January , 1841 , contains the Elizer d'Amore Qaadrilles , " The Banks of Allan Water , " popular song , with words , and an Original Ballad , words by Miss Costello , and music by Lady Audoverl
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EVERY NUMBER NOW IN PRINT . BEAUTIFUL NEW MUSIC . To Flute , Flageolet , Violin , Clarionet , Kent Bugle , and Cornopean Players . That Celebrated Monthly Periodical , THE FLUTON 1 CON , gives every beautiful Tune that becomes popular . In its pages will be found , for the small price of Eightpence Monthly , not only every Tune that is popular , but every Tune that is likely to become so ; all neve copyright melodies of merit being inserted here . Nos . to 90 are already published ; any of which may be had at eightpence per Number , or sent , post paid , to any part of the Kingdom , by enclosing Is . As a specimen of . the contents of some of the Numbers , the following is submitted , namely : —
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. jnH 5 CoiQCHors , of Glasgow , has forwarded p- *~ Z address to the "Committee and Proprietors " fti-e Scottish Patriot , " in which he complaint inUti of having been mksreported and kit stale ' ^^ represented . The report with which Z . 3 * ~ -st especially Jinds fault is one commencing r 2- J . bcul a month ago , at a meeting of Zgdes delegate ^ and other inhabitants , " &c , ! zZTahich proceed * as follows , "Mr . John Ool-Z ^ mm rose at tht close of the business for which % 7 meziing teas called , and notwithstanding that 5 * U * r *¦** * ° te , *** P *^ * "" **» < " ** one half i iht meeting dispersed * insisted on performing * irf he considered a dulp to himself and his
dai rymen , namely , to read the plan of organifiMVvblished by Lovelt and Collins , and which ZZxred in the Northern Star . " This assertion , Tr ColqiJtoun soys , is a malicious falsehood , as T-lgcerread , nor proposed to read , Collins and Tspetfi pto *! *^ tnat h * ^ ^ " ^ P er-\~ L not suit Mr . Malcolm ' s palate , a paragraph Z £ the Local Advertiser , a Tory paper . The carter fa ^ Pa rio t continued , ** This was jetted to on the ground that the meeting had ZJzfeen called to take the plan into consulera-^ L" Mr . Colgvhoun says that no sxtch objec jJa Ttfax made . The late hour induced the meet-* ^} 0 pos tpone the consideration of the question ? f jle next meeting , of tchich the reporter says : Z * Lt the next meeting , on the 26 M of April ,
• " the saste place , Mr . Colquhoun , faithful to his f _» nsti after the transaction of other business , auf / iwJ the p ^ n before the assembly . " This lZcorrespondent avers to be equally untrue veith Si firtooina , as Mr . Matthew Cullum intro-O Ihe question of the " new move , "in terms An ! sere very plain , and not to be misunderstood tn , JiUi sentence of which Mr . Coiqulioun aaplcins is this . — "After doing so , he ( J . ColguJtiunJ delivered a very noisy phiUippic against % c prmidgators of such a document , threw ovi jotsaa / ioai as to their motives , and concluded y aering a strong resolution , voting strong Zuure on Lovclt and Collins ftr so doing . " ifr Coltnthoun denies the foregoing , appeals to
fa resolution ( tchich was wtihdratcnj for \ -roof , end ojfirms that what he said was mere j aster of fact , which he dares Mr . Malcolm io \ n fnU . Be proceeds to say : — " The report oj j &i next and last meeting is in keeping with the ¦ f ^ fft . The remarks on what Mr . M Kay said j « false as hell . Mr . M . concluded wtth an j sucdote ; but irha : he began with Malcolm dare j teirepeat . He says : —¦ 'Mr . Ross proposed a ) foU of tluaks to Mr . Colquhoun for his good j Kkiucl ? Mr . Ross proposed a vote of thanks , j bd he did not say for what . " Mr . Colquhoun ; swds up with a warm and pithy comment upon iia . and xeith the exclamation * " O'Connor is ¦
& aori / So much for the Patriot , sot the tuple ' s paper . m QyE Podd tor Mrs . Frost , neticed in ova last , { ram " Wolverh&mpton , Bilston , TV ' ert Brom-Tidi sad TTilsaU , " mi from Wednesbury , and Qtej wanted the above places to follow their mniple . SOUS B 0 LLA 5 D , NEWPORT , ISLE OP WIGHT , a ^ titled to the plate , Send to Mi . Yiolet foi & He would receire it from Mi . CleaTe . I Aiikkj , Boclogse . —The pUtes da& axe tt Mr . JdmCleaTe ' s . « W . H , GLOtrcESTEESHiEB , Bend Post-etanipr ; 2 niSii 5 K , Tbce . 0 . —The parcel w » s seat to Mr . Jtta CieaTe , to be forwarded u desired . A speeim of Emmett was sent by post
fj leg to assure Mr . O'Connor's friends that he rnrka nwwe letters than he can possibl y antter . We trust this announcement wili be suf ~ Jdent for tftose whose letters remain unan-Kcred . t Blows , LETBJf Mills . —The portrait was sent Jl 31 'lAiEX , The parcel waited a few days for some d the worts he ordered . Tbeypure been sent , toptber , wtti the ; lite ? , to A . Heywood , ManeherttT , to bt forwarded is the Glasgow parcel JsjStxu , Alloa . —Fifteen were sent last week . Frnjaperg to the United States axe charged twoycfiee , but they cannot be sent if more than seren fcjiold .
FOB MES . FS 05 T . £ . s . d . bm 4 b * Chartist Association , Belper ... 0 10 0 . the Chartists of York 7 4 . D . B « rtley , Leeds 0 2 0 . KittMsborotigli 0 2 3 . » oot-and-oat Chartist , Leeds ... 0 0 6 . JalmHall 0 0 6 . Hanslet ... 0 11 0 , SboKhsm , Sflss « x , per F . Hards ... 030 . ff . KHeoek , Wfcithf 0 10 . » few Friends at Dswsbary and Hanging Heiton Common Side ... 0 13 0 . I few Chartists at Stratford 0 2 6 . iFriend * t fpper Wortley , per H . S . 0 2 6 _ » fcw Prienda to Chartism at
Newcastle , Staffordshire ... 0 9 0 . CoTentry , per D . Bnckery 0 13 6 . IKriingten , per N . Bragg 1 4 11 . Stoiesley , psr W . Bcbden 0 7 0 . the Female Chutists , Campsie , near Gksgow 0 6 9 . the Hale da , do 10 5 . » few Friends at Mill Brook , Staley Wood , per P . Deegan Q . 8 6 . Middlesbro' 10 6 - the Cn » rtista of Bsraiondsey 0 7 0 . Tort , per Mr . Pnlleyn , 0 2 6 - Merihyr Tydfil , per D . DaTis ... 1 0 0 fain ^ irgs a 5 d jaxiues op thb ixc ^ rczslatzd
CHAK-nSTS . hm the Chartist A satiation , Belper ... 0 10 0 . London—proceeds of a raffle for a baronifcier ... 12 S 10 . test Horioa , pez Baraelongh ... 0 9 0 - 5 e * Miiis , Gleuces' ^ rsMre , T . "W . H . 0 0 li . Mlisbory , Wilts , per J . Wilkinson ... 0 10 * KlincxL PSI 505 E&S * ASD CHAE . TEB COXTESTIO ? FU . VD . fea Dmiel Brin £ ley 1 0 - Jshn Turner ... 1 0 . » IricDd 9 6
0 2 6 - & 2 Ch&rfets of Brighton 0 10 0 - S- xarhS ^ ge , per J . Chance 0 8 0 - iFrieod to the Cause , Leeds 0 0 3 - * - H ., Eoafartli 0 0 6 - E . Pt ' lm and two friends 0 10 Cuftsa , Eear Halifgr , by three friends rffreedom 0 l 6 - IiTasedge and Heckmondwike _ . 0 8 1 - "< isee persons at Shaftesbary , per J . Williams 0 16 - Ihlrton , near Carlisle 0 5 0 - i ff * friends at Newport , Salop ... 0 5 0 - KrBeTerisy , 0 10 - * Sew fritnds at Walfiall , per iir . Crew 0 3 0 - » Hasalet friend ... 0 1 6 - Oldfcsa Charter Association ... ... 0 10 0 - CoTentry , per D . Backery ... ... 066 ' 32 ^* 5 ' P * W . Htbden 0 5 0 - &oms ? rt > Te ... ... ... ... 0 10 0 QasUrfifcld , per W . Martin 2 6 . Ae females of Chesterfield , per TValt Eathaa ilartin ... ... ... 0 5 6 t - 1 oik : secocdsub . ; ... 0 7 3 - Cardiff , Wales . " . "' o It 0 . ; FOa M 2 S . CLATTOS . j " ' ^ Hi ddksbro I 5
... „* a —~ -UJBUJ-J ,., ^^ ^^^ ... 0 3 0 TOS MB . H 0 £ T . ¦ *'> E Totk , per W . Cordeux .. 0 16 . - * » tfcyr T 5 dTil , pfcrD . T > aTis ... 050 & H . 0 S A p TEET 0 TALLZK 3 AT ME . VSTET . For Mrs . O'Brien ... 2 6 _ Mrs . Cisyton ... 2 6 _ 3 Jrs . Peddis . ' .. ' o 6 ~ ilrs . Frost ... ... 2 6 - Ct&rtist Victim Pond 2 6 5- ;^^ 0 12 6
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^ T OF THE WHIGS Ayj ) GLORIOUS ^^ iSirMPH OF THE CHARTISTS . » a 3 U ° ^ - BirmiD « ham has been in a state of f Wfc « Xo * e ? cat ior &e last week . Small knots jfe ^ J . ? nQ c ^ rn Law repealers , were to be seen > fi ^ J ~ OnKa , j £ Greets in all directiong , beating feru- ^ H . T" * workshops and factories were ' tito ^* "' aaHtetioD , cajolery , and all the arts *^» S ? had recourse to in order te prop up % Ji » il- 1 US 5 ' ^ i ^ e the working men to & rrtr at > I f Z np ¦* the hole-ind-corner meet' ^ a ^ lL ? ' l ength mustered couraee , and came ^^ Erminatiou of calling a town ' s meeting . A ^ -on yas gotnp requesting the Mayor to call Kf ¦* *!» town-haU , and on Satard&ylar-e *> urfi «^^ cont aining a long list of requisition-: « . 7 r » 1 T 11 yj nonce th * t « . tTK ^ Hr . ^ imnlri Ka Vial ^
4 * 7 h' ? the fol . lowing Monday , at eleren ^ w p ,. mto consideration the propriety of *» i . teifr am ent for a re-rision of the Corn ^ Mayw * 0211 B - The P * " * 1 was ^ Saed ' ^ haJ ^ f ^ ths Chartists were not idle . » C ^" Iateiy lSEned a placard , of which the fol' * & /» ^ ^' - " Hnrrah ! for the Charier ! * f tdiS ^ i 0 ok ont - ~ The base Whigs-the rob'K ^ ri ^ D of the Poor ,-tbey who passed ^» aiiwi \ L SL V ^—who have crowded the ^ lital Wl 8 t Ticrims—are now making 68 hm »^^ o . P € rpetnate their Tillany for seven 'fceetine ' . ^ P Job allowlhem } If not , attend
" ¦ H uiUTtirv wwn-naii , on Monday next . » Wa , ™ ¦*» ^ pe , bloody , and brntal Whigs , and aet er ^ v : he , kte Kational ConTenticn .- Now , 1 c ' dit r ' n rall - ' ihe town-hall , at half-past w -By order of the National Char-
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ter Association , Georgo "White , secretary . " This placard was quickly followed by others ; and on Snnday no less than fire different placarda were to be seen ; the walls were literally covered . ( One of them , signed John Collins , " told them not to gulled with a sevenpenny loaf reform . The others emanated from the Tories . A numerous meeting took place on Sunday eveuing , at the Chartist Meeting Room , Freeman-street , which was addressed in an energetic manner by Mr . Dean Taylor . Mr . G . White Chen read areso . lution Sot the approval of the meeting , which he intended as an amendment to the Whig proposi tions . The resolution was unanimously agreed to , and the meeting adjourned to nine o ' clock the following morning . When the morning arrived , groups of men were to be seen parading the streets ,
the grand field day being the sole topic of conversation . The Chartists met again at Freeman-street , at nine o ' clock on Monday , and made their final arrangements , after which they sallied forth in high glee to the place of meeting , and stood before the various entrances to the Hall . At half-past ten , the doors were thrown open . — The rush was tremendous , all parties hastening to secure the best position . The immense hall , which is calculated to ' hold ten thousand people , was soon crammed , amongst whom was a large sprinkling of the fair sex , who seemed to take a lively interest in the matter . At a tuarter to eleven o ' cloek , the Mayor , Messrs / Dauglas , Salt , Edmonds , Boultbee , Weston , and other gentlemen , made their appearance
in the organ gallery . Some parries in the body of the hall endeavoured to get up a cheer , bui it was M no g » . " Mr . Musrzthen took the chair and was cheered by the meeting . The Chartist staff then appeared , and fell in , rank and file , " on the left of the Chairman , and were loudly , cheered . At eleven o ' clock , Joe Mayor stood up and stated that as the time for commencing the business had arrived , he should recommend them to give every person who addressed them 3 fair and impartial hearing . He hoped they would assist him in keeping order , and afterwards decide as they thought proper . He then introduced Mr . Aid . Weston . Mr . WisroJf proceeded to address the meeting in the usual anti-Corn Law style . He read a string
of statistics , shewing as well as he knew how the immense benefits that would arise from the proposition of the Ministry , descanted on the great blessings of cheap-bread and cheap Eugar , and concluded with a few fine flourishes about his love for the people . He then prc posed a string of resolutions approving the Ministerial plas , and also a petition founded on the same , and sat down amidst a mixture of groans and cheers . Sir . George Edmonds seconded the resolution , and with a significant nod of his head towards the Chartist speakers , informed the Chairman that he should reserve what he had to say until a future stage of the proceedings , Mr . Geokge White then presented himself , and was received with loud and repeated cheers from the
immense assembly . He said that he held in his hand an amendment to the proposition brought before them by Mr . Alderman Weston , and he hoped that all parties would give a fair and impartial hearing to each speaker , as that was the only way to elicit truth , and cometoajast conclusion . The question now before them had been long agitated , and he felt highly pleased that the ChartiBts had at last got an opportunity-of meeting their opponents fsco to face . ( Loud cheers . ) He was happy to find that the same steps which were taken by the anti-Corn Law party at Manchester had no ^ been followed ap at Birmingham . He considered that meeting as a full and fair representation of the town , as all parties had free access : and whatever decision they
came to that day would and ought to go forth to the country as the solemn decision of the men of Birmingham on this important question . ( Hear , hear . ) He had listened with great attention to the statements of Mr . Weston , but he should not follow his example—namely , going to all parts of the world in search of arguments . He should content himself by stating facts which were known to them all , and which no tr ;* n could controvert . The Chartists had been called Tories for the part they took in the Corn Law question , and the only reason that could be given was , that they would not be Whigs . Some people seemed to have strange notions , and to fancy that any man , not being a Whig , must , as a matter of course , be a
Tory . But he had a bit of a secret to tell the gentlemen on his right . ( Laughter . ) There was a party in this country called Chartists , who were an overwhelming majority of the nation , and they would prove it to them before they left that hall . ( Loud and repeated cheers . ) What , after all , was the proposition brought forward by Mr . Weston or her Majesty ' s Ministers ? What benefit would it confer on the working classes ! None whatever . Were they to be told , that afteryearsof unparalleled suffering , the present measure was the on ; y one intended for their relief ! Awaj with such mockery 1 Were the toiling , starving , and oppressed working men of Great Britain to be told that the present paltry humbne was all that they were to receive from their
tender-hearted ruiers ? Down wilh such impostors But what was the real amount of benefit which the measure would coafer , even taking all that had been advanced by Mr . Weston to be true , and he could not expect to be placed in a better position than that . It appeared that the duty on sugar was to be made less by Is . 6 d . on every cwt . than it was at present . Let them calculate how much that would reduce the poor man ' s pound or half a pound ; it would not make half a farthing less . He congratulated the gentlemen on his right on their happy selection of a subject on which to make their appearance before tho public . It was a very sweet one . ( Loud laughterO But they would find to their sorrow , that neither sweet smiles , or sweet words
wonld again entrap the working men . He would ask the mefctbg whether they were willing to be csjrJed by men who bad already deceived them , and again put them in a position where they could sell their rights for a lick of sugar ! ( No . ) No , it would not do to tell that tale now a days . ' The working men were too enlightened , and the promises of a mon . thf . ul of bread or a spoonful of sugar would not f atisfy them . They were determined to hare full and complete justice and nothing less . He wished the meeting to look at the consistency of the men who made the present proposition , that they wished for an augmentation of the revenue—what earthly difference did it make to them whether they paid taxes out of their right or their left pocket , so locg
as they vrera compelled to pay the same amount , for it was-well known that the -whole would be wrung from the labour and sweat of the working ciasse 3 . Mr . Westou had also complaiued of the enormous duties which were levied on imported articles , and the small amount levied in America . He would tell them the cause of it . The Americans had not to pay fifty millions of taxes annually , to keep horses of * Whig and Tory bloodsuckers . ( Loud cheers . ) On the contrary , the whole exppnees of their Government were not so ntuch a 3 was paid to the Beuch of Judges in this country . ( Shame . ) The Char ; ists , then , were the only class of politicians who proposed a real and permanent remedy . Tns . y were also told by Mr . Weston , that if the master
mannfactnrers were better off , they wouJdlpay higher wages to their men .. He doubted it , for were they not building palaces for themselves on the outskirts of every laxge town 1—and it was his belief that if they Lad mansions equal to that of the Duke of Buceicugh , they would not then be satisfied . It had been often . stated by those parties , that the va-ue of land had increased enormously of late years . Why , then , was not the condition of ths agricultural labourer bettered ? Instead of that being the case , they found that they were getting worse , and he had no reason to think that the manufacturers were any better than their neighbours . The fact was , that , if labourers were scarce , they would receive high wages , but when they were
plentiful , the masters kepi them at starvation point , no matter howlarge their pron " t 3 . They were told that the measureeow proposed would increasetrade . Well , suppose that it did ? . The manufacturers would increase machinery to euch an extent as to overstock the globe—and if they even had a trade to the moon , and all the planets—allowing that they were populated , and that they could reach them , the workisg men would soon be as badiy off as ever . Bbi he saw no reason why Englishmen ought not to live without being slaves for every other nation , and be everlastingly immured in factories . He saw no reason why poor ' little children should be dragged from their beds en a frosty morning , and converted into cripples , in order to make a fortune for other
peoDle . He would tell them that there was do , hope of bettering their condition until their labour ! was protected * and that their only cliance of an : effectual remedy was in the establishment cf the j People ' s Charter . He conjured them to stand upi in the digsity of manhood , and declare to tiie world j that they would be free . ( Loud cheers . ) They j had seen that Mr . Edmonds had reserved himself , j in order to make use of his powers of cajolery . He j warned them to be on their guard ; the welfare of j themselves , their families , and their country de- j pended on their decision that day . He considered ; that he had fully refuted everything advanced by : Mr . Westpn ; he should therefore leave the matter ; to their judgment , and propose the following amendment : — !
u Resolved—That the present measure of relief 1 proposed by the Whigs , is an insult to the toilworn \ and suffering millions of this country ; and proves that thty have no desire to do justice to the people , j They have also proved , by eight years of heardess ) prcfiigacy and misrule , that their most solemn \ promises are not to be regarded , and that they are ' unworthy of the people ' s confidence . That although I the Corn Laws are unjust and oppressive , yet the > present House of Commons being inimical to the j people's rights , will not repeal the same , except I through an agitation bordering on Revolution . " 1 He then sat down amid loud cheering . I Mr . Besjamix Hill seconded the amendment j As Mr . Edmonds had reserved himself , they had ; resolved 10 keep some of their great guns reserved j also . Hs hoped that the discussion might be fairly j
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conducted , and that each psirty would receive a patient hearing . ( He was immediately interrupted by & gentleman named Smith . ) Air . Kill proceeded He was very sorry that Mr . Smith left bis brains at home , and could conduct himself no better . ( Some confusion here took place , and after an explanation from Mr . Smith , Mr . Hill resumed . ) He supported the amendment because he censidered the Whig proposal to be an outrageous insult to the unfortunate beings who were compelled to toil for four or rive shillings per week , to offer them such a paltry and contemptible measure , which , if it was ever carried , would not , according to the representation of its wannest advocates , do any more than reduce a pound of sugar from 7 d . to 6 Ad . The working
men could not afford to lose their time in agitating for the repeal of the Corn Laws , and were determined to get rid of ber Majesty's brutal ministers . Would the working men be the tools to prop up the most wicked Government that ever existed in this country ! ( No , no , and loud cheers . ) He knew they would not . Mr . Muntz , the member for Birmingham , had declared in his place in Parliament , " that a repeal of the Corn Laws could not be effected without reducing wages , and that it meant that , or it meant nothing ; " yet the same man sends a letter to the inhabitants of Birmingham , advising them to support the present measure . Where was
the consistency of such conduct 1 ¦ The people of this ill-used country were already in deep trouble , and it was the intention of the Corn Law repealers to make them still worse and bring them to a level with their suffering brethren in Ireland . They were told to agitate for the present measure . He would do no such thing , for he knew that the same amount of agitation that carried the Reform Bill would also carry a Republic , if they thought proper . Why not agitate for the Charter , and then they could settle all other questions ? For these reasons he would second the amendment . Mr . Hill retired and was loudly and deservedly cheered .
Robbbt JLexxjb Docglas then made his appearance in front , and was treated to a hearty round of hisses , mingled with a few weak cheers . He endeavoured to get up a smile , but could not manage it ; he saw that his day was gone by . He however commenced to tell much the same story as the worthy Alderman who preceded him . He said that Mr . White had told them that the value of land had increased . That was just what he wanted to impress on their minds . He then endeavoured to exonerate himself from the charge of wishing to assist the Whigs ; ho declared that he would have nothing to do with them . ( The meeting did not relish this , and commenced shouting" It won ' t do , " ' We don't believe you , " & . c . ) He hoped they would give him a
bearing ; he bad been all his life a reformer , and thought they should allow him to be heard . ( " We have heard you too often . ") Mr . Douglas then produced a small map with a zig-zag line drawn through the middle , in order to show the meeting the rise and fall in the price of corn , and got laughed aud hooted at for his pains . He then produced Tali ' s Magazine , in order , as he stated , to read an account of the Manchester massacre . The meeting grew uproarious , hooting and yelling with all their might , so that not a single word was heard about the evil doings of the Tories . Mr . Douglas then flew into a violent rage . He bellowed and foamed in first-rate
style , and finding that fail , he begged most pitifully . The Chairman and Chartist speakers exerted themselves to procure him a hearing , aud ultimately succeeded . He then proceeded to tell the meeting that the men who stood with him were the most honourable men that could be found , and gave them to understand thai he did not approve of the leaders whom the people had thought proper to choose . He then delivered a long tirade against the Tories , and concluded by stating that the question was not whether they would have the Whigs , but whether they would support the Tories . He retired amidst terrific yells aud groans , and looked mortified beyond measure .
Mr . John Collivs then stood forward , and was received with loud cheers . He said that he had listened to the concluding remarks of Mr . Douglas , and could not see what they meant , unless to prop the Whigs . When Mr . Douglas took so much pains to abuse the Tories for their misdeeds , he could draw no other inference except that it was meant to make the Whigs appear better . Mr . Douglas had read them a long story about the misdeeds of the Tories , and the Manchester Massacre ; but he said not a word abont the Irish Coercion Bill or the Bull Ring . ( Loud cheers . ) Those gentlemen would have them to think that corn grew like blackberries , aud required neither capital nor labour—that it had only to be picked up . He had a document drawn up by
oue of their own friends , from wmch it appeared that the warehousing , freight , and dues of various descriptions , which was laid upon corn leaving foreign ports , amounted to 18 s . 3 d . per quarter . Arfd to this the 8 s . fixed duty proposed by the Whigs , and he should like to know how much better they would be off , or what benefit they would receive from the measure . ( Loud cries of " Hear , hear . " ) Mr . Douglas had Btated something about the amouut which the Corn Tax placed in th « pockets of the landowners . If he were to be robbed , it mattered not to him by which party the robbery was effected , for if the Corn Laws were repealed , he saw no likelihood of its bettering the condition of his class . He would shew the meeting that the proposed measure t ^ as not intended
t « do them any good , for the resolutions cf the gentlemen on his rigfet , admitted that it was intended to increase the revenue . But they were told that the present measure was to act as a wedge . Why ? The Reform Bill was held up to them merely a 3 a wedge . And what good had they received from it . How came it to pass that the present measure was proposed by the Whig Ministry ? Had they only just found out that their previous policy was erroneous ? If so , it proved that they were not capable of governing . ( Loud cheers . ) Bat they were in a minority , and coi ^ quently threw out the present bait , and if he was fully satisfied that they were now sincere . he mast confess th 3 t he liked not a sick bed repentance , for thev often found that those
who made the largest prornists m that situation , seldom fulfilled them when the danger -waa removed , —( laughter ) ;—but giving them all credit for sincerity , the present measnre was not calcnlated to benefit the working classes . Mr . Collins then proceeded to read fro . n a list of the returns of the duty charged on the importation of foreign grain , and showed to the meeting that for the last few years the average duty was le * s thaa eight shillings ; if , then , the dutj was fixed at eight shillings , it was quite clear that it would increase the revenue , and that they would have to pay more than before ; they were told by a previous speaker that if this measure was uoJ passed , England would become a desert He remembered a motto that used to be on one of the Political
Union ' s nigs , " England free or a desert , " and he hoped his fellow-countrymen would be content with nothing lees than freedom . He knew not what to think of the consistency of Bomemtn , forsomo of the persons who were the Bnpporters of the present measure were a short time back opposed not only to the present plan , which was only a revision , but to a total repeal of the Corn Laws . He had a paper in his hand called the Birmingham Journal , in which the repeal of the Corn Laws was scoffed at as an imposition , and which positively stated that their repeal neither then ( at the time it was written ) ner at any fnture time could be productive of the least beaeflt . He then read various extracts from the Journal , which shewed up the conduct of Mr . D luclaa in a most unfavourable light , and
proved his present conduct to be grossly inconsistent . Whilst Mr . Collins was reading the extracts , Mr . Douglas happened to put his handkerchief to his face , when there was a tremendous burst of laughter , and shoots of ( : ' Djn't cry , Douglas . ") Mr . Collins continued . He would wish to remind the Editor of ihat paper , that the views he held of the Corn Laws were the same that he had promulgated . The Editor of the Journal had instructed the people to view the question as they then did , but the consistency of the people was not like that of some parties , it lasted longer than two or threa weeks . ( Loud laughter . ) } Jr . Collins declared that he had not changed . He had been often blamed , and sometimes praised , but although he liked tho approbation of his fellow men ,
he liked that of his conscience Better . The parties who endeavoured to get up the present agitation , wanted to be enabled to compete with foreigners , and bow were they to do so if they did not cheapen men's labour ? His opinion was , that nothing would better their condition but an alteration in the present House of Common * . He would therefore conclude by supporting the amendment . He retired amid loud cheers . Mr . T . C . Salt then made his appearance ; he looked much defeated when he found no cheer , no token of approbation . He commenced ^ by stating that he had a bad cold , but was nevertheless determined to state his views . It was not snfficient for the parties on his left to defend their views , but they attacked others personally . ( Great confusion and groans , accompanied
with shouts of " Is ' o dbserters , we've had enough of you . " " Give us the Charter , " &c . ) He acknowledged the principles of the Charter ; he would go to the question like an honest man . ( Oh , oh , and confusion . ) He did not deal in high promises , like some people , and tell them they should have the Charter on a certain date . ( The hisses and yells that followed are indescribable . ) Let Chartists be Chartists . ( 80 we wiJl . ) But it they could torw&ia the Charter through the medium of the Corn Laws , why not do so ? ( Tremendous groans and hisses . ) He would give them the Charter if he could , but they were divided amongst themselves . ( We are not ) Who were the persons that had created the present division ? It was those who talked of shouldering their muskete and fighting . —
( Groans and hisses . ) They might treat him with what hostility they thought proper . He did not care for their hooting and groaning . He had always advocated the rights of vhe poor . ( Shouts of " You have not , " and his > ses . ) If they would assist in the present agitation , they would be enabled to drag society to pieces , and theD , as Cobbett said , the national debt would be their best friend . ( Tremendous grtans , accompanied 'with cries of *• We don't want to drag society to pieces , " " We want justice , " and " You are not fit for a Chartist . " ) They said he was not fit to bo a Chartist ; the Chartists had turned people against them by their conduct . ( The meeting here grew uproarious , and all the efforts of the Chairman , assisted by the Chartist speakers , could net procure Jlr . Salt a hearing . He retired in a rage . )
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Mr . Author O'Neil then Btood forward , and »^ 3 loudly cheered . He said he came there to give a warning Toice to the people , lest by any means they should gire another lease to tyranny . He cart back / in the teeth of their enemies the base insinuations which had been made concerning the Chartists . They bad not come there to prove whether Chartism was dead or not ; but that meeting abundantly proved that they were neither dead nor asleep . ( Loud cheering . ) They were now better informed than ever , and would not pin their faith to any man ' s sleeve , but were determided to abide by principle . ( Hear , bear . ) They had been tannted with acting with tha Tories ; but he could prove that the Tories were acting with them , for some of them had signed their requisition . The
Chartuts were determined aot to take a paltry acknowledgment—they were determined to have alL ( Load cheers ) Had they any confidence in ttta present offer of the Whig Ministry ? ( No , no . ) What was their condurt . a fortnight ago with regard to the Irish franchise T After proposing fire pound * , they raised it to eight pounds . ( Hear . ) . As afi irishman he lifted uphU voice against snch baseness . Were there any Irishmen present . ( " Yes , yes" ) Then he called on them , irf the name of their country , to scout such deceirew : their cry should be , " Perish the Whig *!" They have betrayed us . Seven or eight years had rolled over their heads : they had starved in patience , and continued to hope that the end of each year would bring them relief . They had hoped that something might indnce the Whigs to lighten their burdens ; but , vain hope ! they never intended to do anything for them . They had heard several opinions with regard to the Whigs ; some said , "Try them again . " If the
present measure was agreed to , and Ministers firmly fixed in their office , and pursued the same course they had hitherto done , tho gentlemen on his right would say the same as they then did at the expiration of the next seven years . There was no trusting them ; for if they took off a tax , what guarantee had they that they would not put it on the next week , bs they bad dona with the Malt Tax . ( Hear , hear . ) Do as they would , they would still put tbeit unhallowed hand * in the people ' s pockets . ( Hear , ) Nothing but the Charter could cure their numerous wrongs—but lawyers and expediency mongers could not look so high—they appealed to the commonest feeling of man , namely , his belly . He implored the meeting not to sell their country for a mess of pottage . If they supported this motion they would put the Whigs in power— -let them stand up in the dignity of manhood and boldly demand the whole of their rights . He concluded by supporting the amendment and sat down amid loud cheers .
The Rev . T . M'Doknell , then appeared close to thtt Chairman , and , in an agitated tremulous tone commenced his address . He said he should not make use of high sounding phrases . He had no doubt they would ( support thow whom they knew to be their best friends , and who had been so long before them . ( Laughter . ) He knew that he not only stood in their presence , but also in the presence of his God , and therefore would not tell a lie . ( Renewed laughter , ) Why did the gentleman on his left laugh ? Was it because he expressed his belief in God . ( Hisses . ) He looked upon the present proposal as calculated to do good He would tell them a story that had been related by Mr . O'Connell . ( Loud groans , and shouts of " We want to hear nothing ahout him . " ) He hoped they would give him as fair a hearing as they had given to the gentlemen on his left . ( " We have heard enough of you . " )
The Chairman and Chartist speakers exerted themshelves to procure him a hearing , after which he proceeded . The parties on his left appeared to be all young men . He saw that some had black and some bad brown hair . ( Mr . White then pulled off his hat and stated that the Whigs had made his hair grey in prison . Mr . M'Donnell replied , "Oh ; that is only a mark of precocious talent" ) He then stated that the Whigs were like an old hat in a broken window , although it kept out the cold , yet it kept out the light also , but the Tories would do neither . He then entered into along defence of his own conduct , and that of his friends , during which time he was treated to a plentiful supply of groans and hisses by way of chorus . He at length retired amidst the booting and execrations of the meeting .
Mr . W 11 . Dean Taylor then stood up , and was loudly and repeatedly cheered . He said , that he understood that meeting to be called for the purpose of considering the question of the Corn Laws . Bat the last speaker had dwelt nearly the whole of the time on topics unconnected with the object for which the meeting was called . His speeeh was merely a defence of himself and friends . The speakers on the other side had entirely departed from the question . He , however , would not do so . He would prove by facts and arguments that the view taken by their opponents was totally at Tariance with facts . He came not there to defend the Corn Laws ; he believed them to be unjust and oppressive , but although he thought so , he maintained that the present House of Commons would not
remove them without a convulsion . With a repeal ot the Corn Laws the parties on his right had mixed up the sugar and timber duties , and as had already been shewn , the amount of the proposed redaction could not benefit the working man ; and the Corn Laws being repealed , without at the same time passing other remedial measures , would inevitably bring unmixed ruin on the agriculturist . Re then directed their attention to the subject of machinery . Foreign countries were manufacturing for themselves , and machinery was being exported from this country on a large scale , which enabled them not only to compete with this country , but actually to undersell them . He then read a list of the amount of machinery which had been exported frony this country to various foreign
ports for the last ten yeara , from which it appeared that the exportation of machinery to other parts had increased enormously . Mr . Taylor then continued—Now , looking at these statements , he wanted to know how they could expect those countries to pull down their mills , and cease to manufacture ? He would adduce an argument that would show the meeting that Corn Laws were not the sole cause of dear break ; for in 1803 the people paid 10 d . for a loaf , and in 1812 they paid 20 d . ; and in those years tho Corn Laws were not in existence . He , therefore , asked them whether the proposed reduction would procure them the benefit they sought ? Even allowing that the present measure would give them broad at half its presont price , still the masters had the power of grinding down the
wages of the working man . What object bad the advocates of the measure in view , if ic was not the reduction of wages , for unless they did that , they would be no more able to compete with foreigners than they were at present ; and , if their wages were to be reduced , what possible benefit could thoy derive from the measure ? The working classes of this country had been worked like slaves , and fed tike hogs ; they had been working for the whole world , instead of themselves . Their machinery had done them no good ; but , on the contrary , produced unheard of misery amongst the great niajfs of the people . There were other evils in existence besides the Corn Laws ; there were Poor Laws—( hear , hear , and cheers )—Police Laws , aud a host of other bad Iaw 3 , which bad brought the labourers
of this country to a state of unparalleled slavery and degradation . They were told that public opinion was capable of carrying the proposed measure . He admitted it ; but if public opinion was marshalled , the same amount would carry the Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) The Whiga knew that public opinion was against them , aud for that reason they crept into holes and corners . There was no principle in their present proposition , and he heped that now the men of Birmingham were assembled in their thousands , they weuld shew to the world that they were determined to be free . For the reasons he had stated , he should support Mr . White ' s amendment ; and he then retired amidst the most enthusiastic applause .
Mr . Goddard then addressed the meeting in a very weak voice . He said that he was one of the little guns on his side of the question ; something bad been said concerning the little guns on the other side , but he thought they were all big ones . He then proceeded to pass some remarks on the American ) trade , which were of no importance . Mr . Empson replied to Mr . Goddard ' s remarks , and read some statistics which shewed up the fallacies of the Corn Law repealers . Mr . George Edmonds , who took notes during the whole of the proceedings , and who was to have been the lion of the day ( at least he seemed to think soj , then stood forward te give a final reply to the Chartist arguments . He pulled out his gold-framed eye-glass ,
and looked as big as possible ; and after a few " hems , " commenced his speech . Ho reminded the meeting of the great services which he had rendered to the people . He had been the first to call a meeting in Birmingham tor Reform , and he had never deviated from it Who was it that created the present division amongst them 1 Feargus O'Connor had done bo , when he first came among them ; but he had stood up against his wild measures . ( The yells , groans , and hisses that followed this declaration were really astounding : the valiant George looked terrified , and ho beseeched in a most pitiful manner that he might be heard ; bat the remainder of his address could only be caught in detached portions by those who stood near him in the organ gallery . ) He had been before them for twenty years ,
and no man had suffered mow than him in the people ' s causa ( Groans and hisses ) He then read some statements from the Advertiser , in order to shew up the Tories , but it would not do . He then commenced an attack on the Chartist speakers , said that they were all young menand strangers . Ho could not think what could induce the men of Birmingham to place their confidence in such men , and to desert their best friends . ( Loud laughter . ) He naked Mr . Collins what sott of a government he wanted ? If they turned out the Whigs they were sure to have the Tories , and in the present state of society , they could not get a Chartist Government .
( Hisses and groans . ) He was as much opposed to the Whigs as th « y were . Let no man think that he wished to support them—( boh , bah , )—because they wanted to get what they called the Charter , were they to forego the present benefit ? ( Renewed uproar . ) Would they be silent whilst he addressed them ? , ( No , no . ) He then flew into a rage , and commenced a long tirade of abuse against Mr . Collins and the other Chartist speakers , amidst uproar and confusion . The Mayor interfered , and he was allowed to proceed under a promise of only speaking a few minutes . ' He then proceeded : Could they get th ? Charter from the Whigs ? No ! Could they get it from the Tories ? No !
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When the people were united they could get anything by moral means ; but he would oppose a physical force pan */ . ( Renewed hisses . ) He then attacked Feargus O'Connor for proposing a day oh which the Charter should becomei law . Mr . White interposed , and told him it was cowardly and bass to attack a man who was in prison , and could not have an opportunity of defending himself . Mr . Edmonds endeavoured to gain a hearing , but it was no use , the meeting would not bear him . He looked the picture , of despair , frothing and foaming like a man beside himself . He at length turned round and said he would take his leave of them , and band them over to bis friends on the left He then sat down and was biased most cordially by the immense assembly , which was estimated , at that time , to be twelve thousand , the hall and the galleries being crammed full .
The Chairman then arose , and stated that it now became bis duty to take the sense of the meeting on the resolution which had been proposed , and as he was rather hoarse , he would request the movers of both resolutions to read them to the meeting , that they might clearly understand what they were voting for . ' . The Rev . T . WDonkecl then read a string of . propositions approving of the measure contemplated by her Majesty ' s Ministers , and read a petition embodying the same . Mr . George White read his amendment , after which
The Mayor stood up and stated that , in order to come to a just decision , he hoped they would hold up both hands . He should put the resolutions in the following manner : —When he pat the amendment he would say—Mr . White ' s amendment ; and when he pat the original resolution he should say—Mr . Weston ' s resolution . Did they understand him ? ( Yes , yes . ) The most profound silence was kept , and the Mayor called on all those who approved of Mr . White ' s amendment to hold up their hands ; an immense forest , comprising at least nine-tenths of the meeting , held up their bands , and gave a cheer that fairly shook the building . The Chairman then put it to the contrary , when a very small portion of " Milk White" bands were held up .
The Chairman then declared the amendment of Mr . White to be carried with a considerable majority . This announcement was received bylond and enthusiasts cheers and waving of handkerchiefs from the ladies who crowded the side galleries . The ministerial gentry then requested the Mayor to put the question again , to "which he consented , and on the second show of hands being taken it seemed larger in favour of the Chartists than before . The Mayor then said that be bad no hesitation in declaring the amendment carried by a very considerable majority . The announcement gave rise to deafening and enthusiostio cheers . The gentlemen on the right of the chair looked on each other with dismay , and shook th « ir heads in solemn silence .
Mr . Douglas then stepped forward , and declared to the meeting , that be acknowledged they had been fairly beaten . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Arthur O'Neil then moved the following resolution , which bad originally formed a part of Mr . White ' s amendment , but was reserved as a second , by the desire of the Chartists who were in the gallery . . Resolved— " That the same amount of public opinion calculated to Repeal the Corn Laws , would secure for the people the whole ot their rights ; this meeting is , therefore , determined not to xest satisfied until the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less , become the law of this realm , and the incarcerated and exiled Chartiits be restored to their homes . " Tbe resolution was received with lond cheers . Mr . COLLINS seconded the resolution .
The parties on the right of the chair insisted that it had no reference to the present meeting , and requested tbe Mayor not to put it . The Mayor hoped the Chartists would not insist , as there was some doubt about it Tbe Chartists , feeling that they hod already achieved a fall and complete victory , and that no person could deny that their principles had been acknowledged to the fullest extent , and also on account of the impartial manner in which Ibe Mayor bad put tbe resolutions , consented not to press it A vote of thanks was then given to the Mayor for bis impartial conduct , to which be replied that he would always endeavour to act impartially , and give all parties fair play ; he at the sains time informed them that be did not approve of the decision they had come to that day .
Mr . White then proposed three cheers for the Charter , which were given in the first style ; three for Feargus O'Connor , which was also heartily responded to ; and three for the incarcerated Chartists . Three terrific groans were then given for the Whigs , after which the numerous assembly departed . No less than twenty thousand people attended from the commencement to the conclusion .
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Meeting At The Town-Hall, Birmingham .
MEETING AT THE TOWN-HALL , BIRMINGHAM .
West Riding Of Yorkshire.
WEST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE .
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THE NORTHERN STAR . : ; ^ v , ; . ; ...- v- *^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 29, 1841, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct381/page/5/
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