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mtvt l^outtfl ^atrtot*.
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$m$*rtal. ^ atltanwnt.
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TO THE ELECTORS AND NON-ELECTORS OF THE WEST RIDING.
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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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SUPPOSED MURDER AT ARMLEY , NEAR LEEDS . On the nijjht of Friday last , a little before twelve o ' clock , the body of a poor man was found extended on the tarn pike pear Cockshott Lane Bar , oa the Leeds and Staimingley new road , quite dead , and with such marks of extreme violence upon bis person save rise to great suspicion that he had been murdered . The persons who first made the discovery , Rd . Graysbon and Joseph Gaunt , clothiers , ot Pndsey , lost no time in conveying information to Mr . Goodsod , constable , of Bramley , and by their exertions
the body was removed to the Barley Mow Inn , Bramley , to await the result of the Coroner ' s inquisition . In reviewing the whole case , as presented in the following detail of the evidence at the inquest , we are struck with the entire absence of any thing like a motive by which to account for the commission of so eenous a crime as murder—for that the poor fellow was murdered there exists we think no doubt , and murdered too in a manner as barbarous as it is rare in this neighbourhood .
The name of the unfortunate deceased is Christopher Winder ; his place of residence was at Armley ; and we believe that for two or three years back he has been out of employment . The man accused of the murder is an Irishman , resident , as we understand , at Bradford , and has been known in the neighbourhood for two years back as an itinerant dealer in salt , though we imagine not on his own account ; he is 28 yeare of age—the unfortunate deceased 53 . The event has caused quite an excitement as may be readily conceived both in Bramley and Armley , where the deceased was well known . The inquoss was held on Monday last , before John Blackburn , E .-q ., at the house of Mr . Isaac Moriey , the Barley Mow Inn , Bramley , before a highly respectable jury , who afterhaving been sworn , proceeded to view the body , which presented a shocking spectacle . The following evidence was then gone into : —
Saniael winder—I live at . Armley , and keep the R »* e and Crown Inn , I knew the deceased ; he was & slubber ; he lived in Armley and was fifty-three years of age ; ha was my uncle ; or Friday last he was at my house ; he came about two in the afternoon , and left soon after seven . The prisoner , Thomas Milett , was there during part of the time ; it might be about five o ' clock when he was there ; he had a cart and horse with him ; he remained fur about four hours ; he was in the tap-room , and stayed there till about ten o ' clock -, his horse and cart were in an adjoining shed ; the deceased waa in the same room with him while he stayed , rhere were several other people in the room ; the con-TtTsition wm general , —there was no quarrel . The prisoner had four pints of ale ; he had a drab-coloured purse , and appeared to have about 16 s . in it ; that is as
near as I cin telL The deceased was rather the worse for beer , but walked away by himself . The prisoner wag also the worse for liquor when he Went ; he had pirtaken of some besides the four pints he had himself . Some boys were about his cart , and I desired twe men who were there to see him out of the town ; the names of these men are James Chaffers , and James Bucks ; they returned in about a q < ar er of an hour . Milett : ame to our house again aboi 11 in minutes to one o ' elock on Saturday morning ; I was in the bar at the time ilong with my wife and her father ; he kicked at the . loor , and after some time I went and asked who was there ? He said " D—n , you it is the salt man ; doa't you know . " He wanted to stay all night , but I refused to let him La , and told him to go back to his horse and cart . I then returned to tbe bar , and the prisoner shortly aft erwards came in at the kitchen door , which was open ; he went into the tap-room , put his hat on the table , and said he should stay all night ; be threw down sixpence to pay for his lodgings , and afterwards
s ? iid if that waa not enough , he would give 2 s ., or any , thing else we liked ; I told him we could not permit I ' him to stop , as his horse and cart were on the road , and might do mischief ; he said he must stop , as he | ¦ dare not go on the road , for fear of being murdered . | He then showed his right arm , which seemed scratched , and said he ha > d had a scuffle with a man on the road ; he ! said he did not know the man that he bad had a scuffle with , ¦ he did not say then he had been robbed ; when he came at five o * clock and went away at ten he had a cap on ; and when he came back at one , be bad on an old hat without 5 lining ; tbe bat now produced by j Mr . James is the same -, tbe blue cap now produced j by Goodson , the constable , is the one that Milett bad j on the first time I saw him ; when be returned be bad i his purse with him , and I saw money in it , when be j offered to pay for staying at my bouse all night ; it ' was the same purse I had before seen . I turned him ' out of our house in about ten minutes . The deceased wore a hat like the one which Milett bad on when be I
came the second time to my house ; I have no doubt j this is the same bat ; it is the same . Milett had a j good deal of salt in bis cart at ten o ' clock ; I bad not j known him previously . My uncle had no money about i him when be left my bouse . I did not observe tbe state \ cf Milett " s dress the last time he was at my house ; be ; was then quite sober ; and seemed agitated . If be was going to Bradford , be would pass through Cockshott- i lane Bar . The prisoner bad been tossing for ale , : when he was first in my bouse , and lost altogether 7 s . ; j the deceased did not partake of any part of thig . \ Wm . Binns . —I keep Cockshott-laae Toll-bar ; it is in the township of Bramley . I know the prisoner ; he ; has frequently passed through my gate during tbe last ! two years . He passed my gate at twenty minutes past ¦ ten o'clock on Friday night last ; be had his horse and i
cart with him ; he asked if we wanted any salt ; we did : not get any , and be paid me 4 jd . for toll , and went I away ; be was going towards Bramley ; the body of i deceased was found about two hundred yards from my j house . I went to bed in about a quarter of an hour i after the prisoner had passed through ; I was not oot j of the door after be bad gone ; I did not see any more ' of Milett that night No other vehicle passed through i the gate till between twelve and one o'clock , when j Mr . Lumley , of Bramley , passed through on bis road from Leeds . I heard no quarrelling ; if anybody bad knocked at my door I should have beard them . Milett was rather intoxicated when I saw him ; and when I refused to boy bis salt , be made use of some abusive language , and showed fight , but walked cleverly away , the cart going on a little before him .
Thomas Spiers . —I am * policeman at Leeds . I have measured tbe distance from Cockshott-laue Bar to the place where the body of tbe deceased was found , and it is 246 yards . The width of tbe road where the body was found , between the stone heaps , is eleven feet four inches . The distance between the Rose and Crown in Armley and tbe place where the body was found is about a mile , and the distance from the place where the bo iy was found to tbe Fleece Inn at Bramley , » n the same road , is 1044 yards . It i * 66 yards from tht place where tbe body was found to Holmes ' s-lane-end , and ISO yards from Holmes ' s-lane-end to CockshottlaneBar .
Frauds Stott—I am a publican , and keep the Fleece inn , on the turnpike-road side leading from Leeds to Stanniugley . I knew tbe deceased ; be was at my house at near nine o'clock on Friday night last ; he was sober ; be came up with a man who had & bone ; they had a pint of ale a-pieee , and tbe man with the horse then went away to Pudsey ; that would be about half-past nine ; Winder stayed nearly half an hour longer , a man who was in tbe house having paid for another gill of ale for him ; be did sot seem to ail anything for liquor . Deceased , when he left my bouse , turned on tbe road to Armley ; I saw him at the distance of nearly 100 yards on the read ; be bad a hat on and a bine smock . It was then about ten o ' clock , and I saw no other person on the road .
Richard Graysbon . —I live at Pndsey ; I am a clothier . I did not know the deoeased . On Friday night last , I bad been at Leeds , in company with Joseph Gaunt , which place we left at about nine o ' clock ; ire bad a horse and cart ; we came by Wortley Moor , over Armley Hill Top , and down Miss Holmes ' s Lane , on to the new road ; we came that road to miss tbe two bars ; I was driving , and when we got about thirty yards past the place where tbe deceased was laid , ( Hunt said there waa a man laid on the road . We pulled up , got out ef tbe cart , and went back ; I found tbe man was dead ; the cart weighs 5 . 3 cwt ; I felt no shock as if we bad run over anything ; the head of tbe man was near tbe rut , on tbe north side of the road , with bis fett in a slanting direction across the road . He had no bat on ; be was laid on his back ;
he did not move ; be appeared to be quite dead ; bis chin appeared to be injured ; I did not observe that be was bleeding . There were several stones abtut bis bead and shoulders . We did not stop above a minute ; bnt went to Goodson , tbe constable , who directly went back ' with us to the body . It might be between half-put eleven asd twelve o ' clock ; on returning to the body , it was in the same position in which we left it I took bold of his right band ; it waa quite cold ; blood w *» running out of the ears . We should be about a quarter of an hour between leaving tbe body and returning to it There were several stones that were bloody laid around the body ; one of them migkt be about four pounds weight , and bad a sharp edge . [ Several stone * were produced , clotted with blood and hair . ] One of these ( pointing it oat ) is like tbe one laid next to his ear . I did sot notice that there wai a stone underneath hU bead . There were other stones on both sides of tbe
road ; we then removed tbe body to the Barley Mow Inn . I cannot say whether we went over the body or not with our cart ; if we did , it mut have been tbe lower part of tbe body ; I felt no motion of having gone over aflything . If we had gone over bis head , we must , of necessity hare gone over some of these luge stones . I thimk it would not be passible for us to have gone over his head and tbe stones without our knowing it , and I an quite row I folk no stub motion . The head of tbe deceased , which was laid on our right band side , was a . little ditt "" * from the rat—probably a foot , aad hia lap were across tha other rut I did not see any Mood in the rut oa the tight hand side : our horse neither stamWed nor shied at anything . I do not think it possible that ire could have passed h *™ without goinf over some part of bis body , but I cannot think we touched his head . We could not have gone over his head , and tbe stones , and all , without knowing it ; the stones were laid on both sides
of bis bead . Joseph Giant , a clothier at Pudsey , who was with the last witness hi tbe cart , gave nearly the same version of the story as the above—there was no material difference in their ntAtpTrmntii
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Mr . T . P . Teale—I am a Burgeon in Leeds ; I first saw tbe body of the deceased on Saturday morning ; I then examined it externally ; I saw a large wound near tbe chin ; the face and hands were bloody . I made a post mortem examination on Sunday . I found marks of contusion on the front and back part of both arias , on the back of the right shoulder , and the back of tbe left thigh . In front of the throat were eight or ten bruises of small size ; one contusion was extensive ovei tbe upper part of the chest ; the left «> ye was violently contused , and along the lower edge of tbe lower jaw , was a contused wound four inches long , exposing the lower jaw-bone , which was shattered into numerous small fragments ; the muscles beneath the jaw were extensively torn and much discoloured by extravasated blood :
tbe whole of tbe Bcalp at the back part of the bead , from one ear to the other , and the skin of the neck , exhibited one mass of contusion , and there was much coagulated black blood beneath tbe skin of these parts . Across the back of the head , in the contused part , there waa a wound , or two wounds nearly united , four inches in extent , exposing the skull , which was rough at this part Along the line ot this Wound , the hair was partially destroyed . There was a smaller wound behind the left ear , and an extensive abrasion behind the right ear . Both ears were extensively lacerated . On removing the skin at the back part of the neck , the muscles were found loaded with black coagulated blood ; on opening the skull black blood was seeu effused within the membranes of the brain ; the vessels of the
brain were intensely loaded with blood ; and the brain it self was lacerated , and blood extravasated in its substance ; the base of the skull presented an extensive fracture ; the skull was thin , below the average in that respect There were some marks of the disease , but not to bear on tbe present case . I have examined three stones , partially covered with blood , and hair , about an inch long , was found adhering to them ; this resembled the hair of tbe deceased . I examine . 1 the road , on Saturday morning , aud saw a dark place , which appeared to present a copious effusion of blood ; this was in the north wheel-mark , or rut ; the immediate cause of death has been the fracture of the skull , and accompanying injury to the brain ; it must have required great violence to have produced these
injuries . I do not think that stones thrown , or a man bein ; beat with such stones ng those now produced would cause the extensive iijiry . I do not deny t ^ e possibility , butjdoubt it exce .- > angly . Such injuries 1 should say , have been produced by some powerfully compressing cause . A cart running over it would be likely to produce these injuries . They are in a direct continuous line from front to back , and must have been produced at one and the same time . The violence must have been applied to the jaw , and the same violence had produced the injury to the base of the skull , and the back of the head . The more extensive injuries , which have caused death , I do not think have been produced by personal violence ; I do not deny the possibility , but I think it improbable that they could have been so produced . The left eye appeared to have had severe blows ; as well as the aims and chest ; under the blow on the chest was a great deal of extravasated blood ; there were numerous small
contusions on the throat , indicative of personal violence by the hand . There were severe contusions on the back of the left thigh , but no marks of violence on tbe legs . AH these injuries must have required considerable personal violence , and would have been sufficient to produce insensibi ! ity , and from the concussion thus produced the man might have died , and probably also might have recovered ; the fact of his being lsft out all night , exposed to the cold , would have a tendency to accelerate death . Had the deceased been thrown down violently on a stone , it is possible his sfenll might have been fractured ; but I think tbe continuous injuries from the jaw to the back of tbe head could not have been produced by being thrown down . The throwing of these stones , or beating with them , would be likely to produce the injuries on the other parts of the body . The Berious injuries must have been prodnced before death ; the party may have been in a state of insensibility at the time they were ii . flicted , but certainly not dead .
Joseph G jodson—I am constable of Bramley . I was called up on tbe night of Friday last , about a quarter to twelve o ' clock , by two men who said they bad found a horse and cart , in front of my bouse ; I got up and took charge of them ; the horse and cart were taken into my back yard ; the cart contained a quantity of salt and some scales and weights . The name on tbe cart was " Owen Cofield , salt dealer , Bradford . " Whilst I was busy with the horse , two men , Grayshon and Gaunt , came and said they bad found a man dead in the road , and wished me to go with them . I went , and found the deceased , Christopher Winder , laid about 200 yards from Cockshott-lane Bar . Deceased was laid on his back , with his head not in the rut , but where a horse would tread , and bis legs transversely across on
the other side of the road ; he had neither bat nor cap on ; the face was very bloody ; I felt at both the hands and face ; they were quite cold . I noticed a great many stones about ; they were laid about his head and shoulders ; the stones I now produce ; there are 20 ot them ; many of them were spotted with blood ; the weight of the stones together is loeibs ., the heaviest beinj 11 Jibs ., and the lightest l ^ Ibs . I removed the body aud stonea in a cart to tbe Barley Mow . At three o ' clock iu the morning , I went to the place again , and found the cap now produced laid on the fctoues opposite where thq ^ body was laid ; a small key ami a pencil I founa where the body bad bteu . I tht-n went to the bar , and called the barman up ; he Eaid he had beard nothing ; we went together to tbe place ; and as we were going , we found on one side of the road a bundle containing some
brtad and tw » handkerchiefs ; a little further on and near tbe bundle I found a note of which the following is a copy : — " Rubing Harrison states that kit Winder never paid my wages , nor never defroaded im of any thing to the best of my nolege . Ruben Harrison , June 3 , 1841 . " I examined the dress of the deceased ; his right side waistcoat pocket was turned inside out ; his . smock was slightly torn ; be bad no handkerchief on thut I noticed . Some parts of bis clothes were bloody , and covered with dust , as if he had struggled violently . Tbe bundle and note were about 130 yards from where the body was laid . I have fitted the key to a box , belonging to the deceased , at the house of his sister ; it fits easily . Many of the stones touched the bedy of tbe deceased , —none were mor « than half a yard from him . Grayshon and Gaunt were qnite sober .
Samuel Winder recalled—Identified the handkerchiefs and pencil produced as the property of his uncle , the deceased . Mr . Benjamin Wilson , wine merchant , Bramley , deposed to finding the horse and cart , on Friday night , in a Jane between the new road and Bramley town street The cart , contained salt The horse and cart were delivered to Goodson . There was no person with the horse and cart The horse and cart were identified as those which Milett had in his possession on Friday .
&e » rge Aveyard—I am a toilbar keeper at Stanningley ; the prisoner , Milett , was at my gate on Saturday morning , at a quarter past three o ' clock ; I was standing on the road and saw him come on the new road in the direction from Bramley . He asked if I had se « n anything of bis horse and cart , as he had lost them . I said " how , where , and when have you Iu 3 t them ? " He said " I put up my horse at a public bouse by the roadside in Bramley last night , whilst I got something to eat ; but in setting out about dusk , some fellows followed and attempted to rob me , wbeu I lost my horse and cart" I asked him if he had been drunk , and be said be was rather fresh . He went into tbe house to light his pipe , and there said he had been robbed of all his money except sixpence ; he said they bad got five and twenty shillings from him . He said if I saw his ho | se and cart I was to take care of it He looked dirty , as if he bad been out all night The prisoner bad a hat on .
John Ward—I keep C&toeTley-Moor toll-bar ; I know tbe prisoner , and hava done so for about nine months ; be passed through my bar on Friday morning ; I saw him again on Saturday morning , ab » ut half-past four . He came up and asked if his horse and cart had gone through . I told him it had not ; and be said if it came I was to let it pass , and he would pay when he came again . He said be had being getting drunk , and some persons wanted to rob him , as they saw that he bad money . He said be had been in a scrimmage last night , but he had got the better of them ; and after tbe fray he had gallopped back to the public-house , where he bad been before ; he said they had got his money . He then went towards Bradford . He had a bat on at that time , and a cap when he passed through on Friday morning ; bi » clothes were dnsty .
Ann Winder , daughter of the deceased , identified the small key found on the road , as having belonged to her father ; she als » identified one of the handkerchiefs found la the bundle . Richard Robinson—I live in Bramley Back-lane ; I was returning from Leeds about half-past ten on Friday night last I saw two men on tbe road , about twenty yards from Holmes ' s lane-top ; one man was laid on his back and tbe other appeared to be kneeling on him . I did not speak to them . One of them , I think the man who was on his knees said , " Gentlemen , will you help me to make this man be quiet ? " I did not know either of them , and did not stop ; after I had passed on , I beard one say , " I will lift you ap now , " and then I heard either m blow orafalL I saw no more .
Wm . James . —I am superintendent of police , at Leeds . On Saturday morning I was sent up to Bramley to make inquiries as to Winder ' s death ; in consequence of information , I went to Bradford , and when I sot to Bradford-moor , I overtook James Winder akd David Roberts , constables , and Milett ' s wife ; we then went towards Bradford , and shortly afterwards I apprehended Thomas Milett , the person , now in custody . I charged him with killing a mu the night before at Bramley . He said he knew nothing at all about it I saw hi * right trousers' koe * was aUiaed with blood
and I asked him how it came to b * •»; ho said he had been fighting , and cnt his k » ee . I examined his trousers inside , and also his kaee , asd found that the blood wm on the outside only , his knee sot being cut , hut slightly gnaed , which had not bled . I found his waistcoat and one of the wristbands of his shirt stained with blood ; the other wristband appeared to have been torn off He said these stains had been caused by a man who stopped him on the road , and robbed him of two and twenty * hnungy t and- who was going to murder him , so be did tbe beat be could for himself , as he saw he must either kill or be killed ; and when he got the man down he ran away a >
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fast as he could , and left the man laid on the ground . He stated that then he went to the public-house , and told the landlord he had been robbed . The man , he said , waa not going the same way that he was , for he met him , and the man seized hold of him first by the back of the neck , knocked his heels up , and robbed him of his money . Prisener was then taken into the stable , where Winder ' s body was laid , where I asked him " if that was the man who had robbed him ?" He said it was ; and also in reply to another question , said the cloth cap laid by the body of deceased was bis ; the hat he had on he said he had got at home . He stated that after the affair was over , he went back to the public-house , and told the landlord he had been
robbed ; he afterwards went under the shed , and slept till daylight , after which he went home , and sent his wife to look for bis cart The prisoner told me the cart belonged to Owen Cofleld , salt-dealer , Bradford . After telling him that the hat he wore was owned by Winder ' s friends , he again repeated that he had got it at home . James Winder , in my presence , asked him how be accounted for so many stones being laid so near the head of the deceased . Milett said he threw them at him after he was down , for he knew he could only die once , and he might as well die for that , as be killed on the road . I warned Milett repeatedly that what he said might be given against him , but be persisted in . talking .
This being the whole of the evidence , Milett was asked , after being cautioned by the Coroner , if he wished to make any statement All he said was , that he went back to tbe public-house , wbere the landlord would not let him atop , and he then went into the shed , and fell asleep . Ho said he knew nothing of what those men had been talking about It being now near ten o ' clock , the further proceedings were adjourned till next day .
ADJOURNED 1 NQVEST . The inquest on the body of tbe unfortunate man was resumed on Tuesday evening , at five o ' clock , at the Barley Mow Inu . The concourse of persons assembled was immense , all eager to gaiu a glimpse of tbe prisoner , as he was driven up from Leeds . The names of the jury having been called over , the Coroner enquired if any additional evidence would be offered . A man , named John Harrison , of Bramley , was called ; bis statement went merely to show that he had had a conversation with the prisoner after his apprehension , in which he made some admissions aa to the time which the affray with the deceased occupied .
A woman , named Ann Stead , also of Bramley , offered some statements , to tbe effect that , on the night of the murder , she was ou the road , near Holmes's Lane End , at near eleven o ' clock , when she heard & noise as of two men quarrelling proceeding from the place where the body of the deceased was found . She saw nobody , consequently could not say whether the prisoner was one . of the men or not Neither of the « e statements were taken down , the jury not thinking them at all important The Coroner then proceeded to sum up the evidence , and directed the attention of the Jury to the two points for their consideration—whether death bad ensued from violence or from accident ; and if from violence , whether offered by the prisoner or some other
person . He went carefully through the evidence , dwelling upon such parts as bore most strongly upon the case , whether for or against the prisoner ; remarking more particularly upon the statements of Mr . Teale , the surgeon , with whose evidence he did not coincide in every particular . With regard to the law , as bearing upon the case , he observed , that If a man assault another with intent to do him bodily harm ( and tbe intent must be gathered from the extent of the violence ) , and death ensued , that would be murder , provided the act were of such a nature as plainly , and in the ordinary course of events , must put the life of tbe party in danger . After describing the violence wbicb in this case bad been used , he said he could not help thinking that it was of such a nature as plainly , and in the ordinary course of events , to put the life of the deceased in danger . Tho injuries were sufficient to produce insensibility ; and therefore If a cart wheel went over the deceased , when in a
state of exhaustion , debility , or insensibility , arising from the personal violence , and if the injuries thereby received were the immediate cause of death , yet the personal violence which produced the exhaustion , debility , or insensibility , was « f such a nature as to put the life of the deceased in imminent danger , —in the language of the surgeon , if he had been left in that state without further injury , death might have ensued ; and therefore if the deceased was left in a state of exhaustion , debility , or insensibility , by reason of the personal violence offered to him by tbe prisoner , or any other person , which rendered him unable to walk , or to remove himself from the road to a place . of greater safety , the party committing the violence and leaving the deceased thus exposed , would betray such absolute recklessness and utter indifference about the life of tbe deceased , as to render him guilty of murder , for ' the law knew no difference between the guilt of such a case and that of an intention to destroy . The jury then retired , and after consulting together for two hours , returned a verdict of WILFUL MURDER against Thomas Milett Tbe prisoner was then committed by tbe Coroner to York Castle , to take his trial for tbe offence at the ensuing assfZ'S .
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PUBLIC MEETING IN THE SQUARE , SHEFFIELD . ( Abridged f 10 m the Sheffield Mercury . ) During the latter part of last week , a number of bills were posted in the towu , stating that the treacherous faction—the pretended anti- Monopolists and Corn Law repealers—having held a meeting of their own menial dependents , and falsely called it a publio meeting , the inhabitants of Sheffield were respectfully invited to attend a public meeting to take into consideration this proposition ; whether the proposed alteration in the Corn Laws and sugar duties would improve the condition of the working classes , or whether they should not go for their ratural and indisputable right , Universal Suffrage .
The placard further announced , that the Master Cutler having been waited upon , and he having declined to call such meeting , the requuitiouists thereby convened one themselves , to be holden in Paradise-square , on the forenoon of Whit-Monday , at half-past ten o ' clock . This announcement caused some consternation among the Whigs ; for those wise men of Gotham , after divers grave and profound deliberations , issued the following very magniloquent address , the italics in which , however , we should premise are our own : — "No Monopoly ! Men of Sheffield , last week you made an emphatic declaration against the monopolies which tax your food and ruin yeur trade . Yon petitioned our young arid lovely Quten to stand by you against the
monopolists ; and she has heard your prayer .. You are called upon by the treacherous men who hand over the people of Nottingham to the monopolists , to let them play the same game with you . Men of Sheffiold ! mus-er in Paradise-square , at half-past ten o ' clock , on Monday morning , and show the monopolists that , neither by them nor their tools , will you be deluded . Attend , and maintain your consistency as honest . and thinking men ! Show your country , —show your wives , —show your children , — without compromising any right to which you deem yourselves entitled , —that you will have food , — -that you will not be diverted from the mighty contest , in which you are sure to succeed , against the plundering and famine-creating monopolies I "—The above
choice morceuuK of Whiggery haying made its appearance , the Chartists retorted in no very gentle terms , by issuing another placard , in which they asked , the men of Sheffield if they were prepared to place any reliance upon the " base and treacherous Whigs , " with their new-born cry of " No Nonopoly , " the offspring of despair , and brought forward to support in office a base Ministry , who h ive never attempted any measure for the good of toe people , but whose cole object bad been to eurich their hungry tools , by robbing the poor man of his hard earned wages . By the hour , of meeting , on Monday morning , a very large concourse of persons had assembled in the square . Upon the steps of the Freemason ' s Lodge were stationed the leaders of the
Chartists , and also a . number of the leading Whigs . As , however , it was found that the steps were inconveniently crowded , the Whig party quitted the steps and took up a position upon a waggon which immediately adjoined the steps upon the left . Mr . Oiley proposed , that Mr . Parkes , a working man , should take the chair , on which , Mr . Bramlev proposed Mr . William Fisher as chairman , and a scene of uproar and confusion then ensued , which it is altogether out of the power of words to describe , cheers and hisses , and footings , being harmoniously blended . Mr . Bramlet and Mr . Otlkt attempted to speak , on which they were both assailed by the hootings of their respective opponents , which were endeavoured
to be drowned b y the cheers of their friends . Tranquillity having in some degree been restored , the question was put to tho meeting , aud the shew of Hands was declared by Mr . Otley to be in favour of Mr . Parkes ; the Whigs maintaining the contrary very stoutly . After a good deal of disputing , the question was put afresh , and Mr . Otley again asserted that the show of hands was in favour of the chairman whom he had nominated . The disturbance then recommenced and continued for a considerable time , the Whigs and the Chartists alternately hooting , groaning , and cheering , as the friends of either party attempted to address the assembly . In the midst of the turmoil Mr . Parkes
and his friends strenuously asserted his right to the chair , and the other P * rtj as . strenuously resisted it . About twelve o ' clock m it was found impossible to proceed with the business of the day , some attempts to bring about a compromise were made , the Whigs , as we understand , proposing that there should be two chairmen , and that an umpire should be appointed to settle any dispute that might arige between them . This proposition however fell to the ground , and the noisy strife before described was kept up for Bome time longer . Towards halfpast twelve o ' clock , Mr . Gill came forward to move the first resolution , and he had not uttered more than a few sentences , when he was assailed by the hootings of the Whig party , which his friends
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endeavoured to overcome by their hear ty cheers . The uproar thH 3 created prevented the speaker from being heard . He made several attempts to proceed , but without success , and he at last , seeing the hopelessness of all attempts to gain a deliberate hearing , brought his remarks to an abrupt conclusion , by proposing the following resolution : — J * That the present measure of relief proposed by the Whigs is an insult to the toil worn and suffering millions of this country , and proves that they have no desire to do justice to the people . They nave also proved , by eight years' heartless profirgaoy and misrule that their most solemn promises and professions are not to be regarded , and that they are unworthy of the peoples confidence . That although the Corn Laws are unjust and oppressive , yet the present House of Commons being inimical to the people ' s rights , will not repeal the same exoept through an agitation bordering on revolution . "
Mr . Marsh having scoonded the resolution , - Mr . Parkes asked if the party on the waggon had any amendment to propose , and he was answered by being told that they did not recognise him as chairman . He proceeded to put the resolution to the meeting , when the uproar , which had been some what allayed , was renewed , and kept up for some time . Mr . Fisher then got up , and , as ho said , he merely wished to speak to a point of order , a hearing was obtained for him , through the exertions of the party on the steps , and those in the vrsggon . Silence having been restored , Mr . Fisher said , that though he retired peaceably from that meeting , yet , he did not do so from any cowardly motive , for he did not fear
one party or another , having never inflicted an injury upon any man . He came there with his friends , at the request of a number of working classes , to advocate their interests . He thought that what was tho interest of the workmen was the interest of the master , and that the interests of the two were inseparably connected . He had been a workman himself , and as poor as any man in that meeting , and therefore lie could sympathise with the working classes . After exhorting both parties to lay aside all party feeling , and to endeavour to promote the common welfare , Mr . Fisher left the waggon amid the loud cheers of his friends , Mr . F . having been heard with the greatest attention , the Chairman said a specimen had been given of the manner in which he and his friends would treat their opponents . He hoped from that time * forward , they would be able to conduct their future proceedings in peace and harmony , aud that they should
endeavour to come to a oalm and dispassionate conclusion upon the question before them . Mr . Ibbotson said he had guessed some such resolution would be brought forward , and , therefore , he had come prepared with an amendment upon it . He then went ou to laud himself as an advocate of free trade , and all other good things , for a long time . After he told the meeting that ho had been shown , by some Tories , some letters from the Chartist loaders , acknowledging the receipt of money week after week— - ( cheers , confusion , and cries of " Its a lie , " "Names . ") He was suro tho majority of the meeting who knew him would give him credit when he affirmed that what he stated was the truth . ( No , no , and yes . ) He would not Btat . e names ; but he was ready to make oath that he read the letters . Ho would do this , aud leave any explanation to the Tories . Mr . Ibbotson concluded by moving the following amendment to the resolution : —
" That it is clearly shown that the abolition of the monopolies , especially in corn and sugar , and a revision of the import duties generally , would greatly improve the circumstances of the people ; that without opposing the extension t > f the franchise , or the advocacy of their political claims by any portion ef our countrymen , we are of opinion that the men who would weaken our efforts to abolish monopolies are the abettors of the monopolists , and are not the real friends of the extension political rights and of the welfare and happiness of the people . "
Mr . BtNso \ seconded the amendment , observing that he would not adopt the course followed by Mr . Gill , but would state at length the reasons why he seconded the proposition . Mr . Gill here indignantly observed that it was the party with whom Mr . Benson was connected who had prevented him from going into the question at length . He was perfectly ready to state fully his reasons for supporting the resolution , and to disprove tho slander of Mr . Ibbotson . He had never received a penny from either the accursed Whig or Tory factions , and never would do . Mr . Bknson said , that as Mr . Gill , and some of the supporters would have to address the meeting , in support of the original motion , he would simpiy then second the resolution , and reserve what he had got to say to a later period of the meeting .
Mr . Baibstow , the Chartist lecturer said , he appeared before the assembly to support not only the rights of those present , but the rights of tho working millions throughout the country . A statement had been made with the view of prejudicing the minds of the meeetiug , against the Chartist leaders on that ocoasion . He declared that he had never received anything either from the Tories or any other party . He was employed by the working men , and by them he was paid . The question with them then was , whether the abolition of the Corn Law or Universal Suffrage should be the grand object of the working classes to attain . He complained that those who now opposed monopoly had a monopoly of the suffrage . Who was it who passed
the Corn Laws 1 ( " Tories . " ) But how was this ! The Tories passed that law assisted by the Whigs , at tho point of the bayonet . Tho Whiga , he contended , would never repeal that law . The Sun newspaper had declared tnat the Whigs wouldnever repeal that law , and he considered chat a sufficient authority . Lord Johu Russell hal proposed a fixed duty of 8 i . per quarter on Corn , and to shew the effect of thai proposition he would refer to the last three years . ( Hear , hear . ) Tho importation of corn during that period had amounted to 9 400 , 000 quarters , and the duty paid upon it was £ 1 , 6000 , 000 ; but if Lord John Russell ' s fixed duty of 83 . had been levied upon every quarter of grain imported into this country , that duty would have amounted
to £ 2 , 400 , 009 . This waa shown by the returns supplied to the House of Commons . What ( he asked ) had induced the Whig Ministry to come forward at the present time , now that they were struggling in the agonies of political death . The answer was this : they felt confident that ; they had abused the trust reposed in them—they felt confident that they had not performed their promises to the peoplethat they had made the agitation on the question of the Reform Bill - subservient to their own interests—they were fully conscious that up to the present time they had resisted any repeal of the Corn Laws—for when the Anti-Corn Law deputation waited upon Lord Melbourne , at the commencement of the last session , he then stated that
he deemed the repeal of the Cora Laws one of the maddest projects that ever entered into the imagination of man . What a chamelion , then , mut Lord Melbourne be , to advocate the repeal of the Corn Laws at tbe present moment . He contended that the WhigB would never repeal the present Corn Laws , and that pledges and promises were the staple material in which the Whigs always deal . Cheap bread and free trade were the arguments of those who wished to lower wages ' . Who but the Whigs had been the means of establishing rival manufactories through the whole of Continental Europe ? They it was who had allowed the exports of machinery . Mr . Gregg , the Member for Manchester , had established manufactories in
Belgium , and on other parts of the Continent , for the purpose of beating down English labour at home . Yet these were the men who were bawling to the people to come forward and stick by the Whigs , and keep the Ministerial traitors in office for another Bcssion . If the Whigs were ( as they professed to be ) the friends of cheap bread and high wages , why did they keep the working classes from being represented in the House of Commons , and thereby giving them the means of protecting their labour ! Every interest except that of labour was represented in the House of Commons ; and he contended , therefore , that the Charter was the only means of remedying the evils under which the working classes at present suffer ( Cries of " What did
you do at Nottingham V ) He would answer that question . The Chartists possessed the balance of power between the Whig and Tory factions . They were on the eve of a general election , and it was not the intention of his friends to bring forward Chartist candidates . He detested both the Whigs and Tory factions as heartily as any man then present did ; but at Nottingham he acted on the principle of Judas Iacariot , who was by the Creator made the means of orucifyiug Jesus Christ , thai the world might be saved . Both the Whig and Tory parties being now so nearly balanced , neither party could succeed without Chartist co-peration . At Nottingham they asked the Whigs if they would support the Chartists —( hear , hear)—and on their
ropijiuK iu kiio uoKikiiTa , mo vjiiainavo nauv over to the Tories , and they did so on this principle . At present the Chartists had two parties of obstructives to contend with in obtaining the Charter ; and if they gave their balance of power in favour of the Tories at a general election , the Whigs must walk out , and the Tories must walk in . They would then have only one party to contend with instead of two . Consequently , his advice to the Chartists in Sheffield was , in the event of a general election , to support the Tories . He contended that Lord John Rumll was as much of a Tory as the Duke of Welttagton , and ought to ranee himself on the tana tide . Did
not Lord John Russell state that the Reform Bill was a final measure 1 When the Whigs were out of office they were rebels , and when they were in office they were tyrants . What did they give to the people of Ireland ) The Coercion Bill , which led O'Connell to style them a " base , brutal , and bloody faction . " Another of their measures was the New Poor Law . It was true the measure was supported by some of the Tories , but it was brought forward and carried by the Whigs . He recommended the working men of England to stand by their order , as Earl Grey declared ho would stand by his . The Whigs bad stuck by their order , and he recommended
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the working classes to Btand by their order .. j swamp the Whigs , who were base , rascally S treacherous . *"*»«« The Rev . R . S . Bayley , who was received wiH . mingied cheers and hisses , spoke at some lenS favour of the amendment . = " «« « On the conclusion of Mr . Bayley ' s address The Chairman said he should proceed to Dntti ^ question . •""«• _ No sooner had he made this announcement th . Mr . Benson came forward , and the Whi £ £ *? menoed hissing the Chairman ; and one gentlenS " whose name we do not care to mention . xnd ^ rather " o ' er-stepped the modesty of nature , " S with true Whig fairness , on Mr . Benson beingK before the motion was put . •""• Bnearj The Chairman said that Mr . Benson had beW spoken , or might have done , and therefore heCI ? right then to speak : he would , however oat it ? the meeting whether or not Mr . Benson
ghioS speak : -w »» u wiouy ^ The question was then put , and negaJi > . , Mr . Benson , after some grumbling at tEo decision J the meeting , desisted . ™ UI 1 M ; Mr . EBENEZKK Elliott , "theCorn Law Rhv » A .. 1 then proceeded to address the assembly in hii « ' , " calm" and " dispassionate" manne " i / dowS he was aseailed with hootings and hissings iT said that some mention had been made of tn « ra conduct of the proprietors of machinery ; he 3 th * here , ? / ! » l d .. » * t the end * -Vf - a" £ n witnoui f
macninery notmng had been said oriiT injustice of the landowners , and he would , thereW endeavour to 6 upply the deficiency . The linT owners starved Napoleon Buonaparte to death , * St . Helena ; they would not suffer him to toddle U ' rW *?! . d'rtK ^ only allowed himTLS of boots through which his toes protruded . This sapient reasoning was received , as it deserved to be , with shouts of derision . ¦ When Mr . Elliottt had spoken
, The Chaibman pnt the amendment , which »« . lost by a very great majority ; and three cheers wert then given for the Charter . WB A vote of thanks was then voted to the Chainn » n on the motion of Mr . Otley , seconded by JfT Duffy , and supported b y Mr . Pitketiily , of Hudder * : field , and the meeting broke up about half-Daat tw « O « lock . r . ¦ two
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An inquest was held on Saturday , at the Saints . tion Tavern , Woolwich , on the bodies of six convicts ? £ , JosePb Clarke , aged 57 , convicted at Leeds ! Wm . Malthouse , aged 31 , convioted at Glasgow ! Frederick Boltwood , aged 26 , convicted at Chelms ' ford ; James Hoaie , aged 34 , convicted at Edin . burgh ; John Clarke , aged 32 , convioted at Chelmaford : and Joseph Denman , aged 27 , convioted at Kirton-Lindsay . Dr . Hope said that every possible attention had been paid to them ; and that their deatks resulted from affections of the chest Tht Jury returned a verdict of Natural Death
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-------- - ------ - _^^^^^^—— - — v ww-ww ^*^*^^^* CONTINUATION OF THE NOMINATION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL . IPSWICH . Donald M'Pherson , tea-dealer William Haldimand Giles , printer George Terry , coach-trimmer William Gorrard , carpenter , sub-Secretary William Lyon , ditto , sub-Treasurer . MACCLESFIELD . William Lowe , bookseller , George street Henry Swindells , labourer , Cross-street Luk ' e Kiley , weaver , Nixon ' s Yard Peter Bowles , ditto , King Edward-street Einunuel Robinson , ditto . Green-street John West , ditto , Union-street , sub Secretary William Frost , ditto , Newgate , sub-Treasurer . STOCKKPORT , BAHFORD-STREET . Thomas Webb , Heaton-lone Daniel Rodgers , Dukenfield-place Peter Jones , Heaton-lone Thomas Clarke , Temperance Yard , Hill-gate James Torkingtoa William Owens , sub-Sscretary James Barlow , John-street , sub-Treasurer .
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HOUSE OF LORDS . —Friday , Juke 4 . Their Lordships were occupied with the presentation of petitions , chiefly on the subject of the Corn Lam .
— ? HOUSE OF COMMONS , Feiday , Junb 4 . Several private Bills were advanced a stage . The House was occupied till half-past five o ' clock with the presentation of petitions for and against u alteration in the Corn Laws , and on the proposed alter ation of the duties on sugar and timber . Mr . Scholefield renewed his motion on the subject of the distress existing among the industriou classes for the 15 th June . In answer to Lord Teignmouth , Lord Palmbbstos said the governntant h ; d despatched instructions to their minister at Constantinople to induce the Turkish government to make such arrangements with regard to the revolted Candians as would rescue person and property . The " Want of Confidence" debate was resumed by Mr . Suetl , who , along with Mr . C . Buller , Sir H . Verney , and Mr . Hawes , spoke in favour of Ministers .
- Lord John Russell also expressed his confidence In himse / if , or the Ministry , which is the same thing . 8 ir S . Canning , Lord Dcncannon , andCoL Sibthorp who observed that the Government had promised a diminution of the public burdens , and had involved the country in an enormous debt They had retained office by shuffling which would have disgraced the devil himself , as . he would have no objection to give them a quarter ' s salary , provided they went out of office at once —( much laughter)—Lord Stanley , and Sir 8 . Peel spoke on the other Bide . The Whigs got » severe flagging from the other faction . . The House divided , when there appeared—For the motion 312 Against it .. 311 Majority against Ministers 1 The announcement of the numbers was received with loud and protracted cheers by tbe opposition members ..
Lord John Russell stated , that on Monday be should take tbe estimates necessary for the public service ,- and he should then state what course he would pursue with regard to tbe Corn Laws . ' Adjourned at half-past three o ' clock .
Mtvt L^Outtfl ^Atrtot*.
mtvt l ^ outtfl ^ atrtot * .
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On "Friday morning , the 7 th ult ., a daughter wm born to John and Mary Jane Dodd , of Plymouth , Devonshire ; and on Saturday she was registered by the name of llary Jane Frost O'Connor , after Cambria ' s exiled patriot , and Hibernia ' s noble gift to Britannia . _ The wife of Mr . T . Storkey , High-street , Stokeupon-Trent , waa safely delivered of a son , which 1 nas been duly registered and christened in honour 01 in « " caged lion * and the exiled patriot , Feargus Frost
Stotkey . The wife of Mr . Samuel Lees , of Hadfield , was safely delivered of a son on the 28 th ult ., who has beeii duly registered by the name of John trosf Christened lately , at Bradbury , near Stockport , Eear ^ us O'Connor , the son of Charles Bardsley ana his wife , of that place , _ Born on the 12 th of April , Zephaniah Hunt Fetfgus FroBt , the son of Thomas and Ruth Abbott . Maria Feargus O'Connor Frost , daughter . « Thomas and Mary Hughes , of Ardwick , was ba ptised b . y the Rev . James Ssholefield , at Christ Cburcn ,
Manchester , on Sunday , Feb . 13 th . ... Christened at Trinity Church , Carlisle . ontbeli" } of April , Feargua O'Connor , son of Joseph ana Margaret Pattiaon . ' w ., ij , Mary O'Connor White , daughter of Mr . Wuliam White ,, was duly registered at the registrar's ottce , Manchester , March 16 th . « r .. Feargus O'Connor , the infant son of Mr . j »»" M'Lanen , of Leith , was duly registered ***** £ tised by John Duncan , pastor of the Christian tnw tist Church of Dundee . _ . . _ , *« The wife of Mr . John Sidaway , sub-SecT « W ~ the Gloucester National Charter Associanoni w ?" safely delivered of a female child , which wa » ouv registered , oh the 26 ih of April , by the »« n » Catherine Vincent Sidaway . , safari Robert Fewgua O'Connor . Brearley , soiirfftg I
ana 15 ettj HrearJey , 01 aiunero « u " i "«' y ; u was duly , christened by the Rev . Tnooa « J « the Baptist Minister of Riahworth , on the ^» ^ At Edinburgh , on the 20 th of April , the wft J James Dingwall , confectioner , Stirling , o f ***™* , on tie 2 Jth , was registered and christened *»* O'Connor Dingwall . . . „ 1- fa Recently at Christ Church , Manchester ,, w ^ . Rev . J . Sohofield , Maria Feargus Oj ^ * g Hughes , daughter of . Thomas and . ^^^ tfflo . 7 , Blind-lane , Higher Ardmck , » e * r v ^ * jfiDtf , the wife of W « . Mowaw , « K 5 » Juniper Green , had a daughter bapw ^ J ^ T O'Connor Mosaman , by the K * ' }* " ^^ of parish minister of Collington , on the »» «¦* * Latelyat SheltonPotteriei , Mary F «* f JJJ jSiii Matthew Yate ! , daughter of Jeremiah and « - Yates . , T . mflsani Also , Feargus O'Connor Corns , son ol ! James Martha Corna , Hanley-bath , in the parish of . & » fcpbn-Txent , Staffordshire . _ Mr Bruce , On the 25 th of February , by the Rev . Mr . d Robert Feargua O'Connor Yeatea- son or rw Yeates and Margaret Shillinglaw , Le » «
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Iiovki . Attempt at Suicide . —On Monday morni » g , about half-past five o ' clock , a very well dressed feaale , about thirty years of age , was observed to rush hurriedly down the western steps at the sontheod of Blaekfriars Bridg * ; having reached : the bottom , she deliberately threvcaer ihawl into the river , it w * b of ccnrse immediately carried away j a rather expeneive bonnet followed , which also floated down the tide . She then walked into the water as high up as her knees , when suddenly changing her mind , she walked out again , and passing under the dry arch , leisurely walked up thi Bteps on the , other ode , to tbe no small amusement of " a large party of ooalheavera and ticket porters . The unfortunate wowan did not appear to be intoxicated , and pissed on very leisurely and quietly along Great SurreysLltujt .
$M$*Rtal. ^ Atltanwnt.
$ m $ * rtal . ^ atltanwnt .
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$ THE NORTHERN STAR . . ¦ ,, . ¦ .,
To The Electors And Non-Electors Of The West Riding.
TO THE ELECTORS AND NON-ELECTORS OF THE WEST RIDING .
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PEiiow-CorsiETMEN , —Another of those important ttraes which gives the Wealth and intelligence of tills great but distracted country an opportunity of ehoosinc those men who ore to moke the laws by which we are to be governed appears to be upon the eve of takins place . It cannot be necessary , in an address like the present , to impress upon the electors , and noneleci-rs . * tie vast importonoe of the steps which those who have the franchise will be called upon to take in the even : of a dissolution ot Parliament taking place at the prrsent crisis ; for , we are informed , opon the authority of tbe Chincellor of the Exchequer , that the rerence of tie country is deficient in this last two or three yc ° . rs to tlie amount of seven or eight milliQiss ; that : J-3 : ax ? s arising from all articles of consumption nsed l-y ihe working classes are fearfully decrtasmg ; tth&t unless seme mode of indirectly augmenting the
revenue c-in be resorted to , he will be compelled to lay a direct tax upon property , or else , notwithstanding the glnt of oar warehouses for want of a market ; notwithstanding the fierce competition which is arising in every eorntr uf ' the world to our manufactures ; notwith-BtaE ^ ing our haying to labour under tbe burdtn of an enoT-iiO'j * taxation , rendered more onerous by the gross and con . p ' . icated monopolies which have arisen out of thi * tiixsiiiim ; that , notwithstanding all these complicated ti-. mculues and disadvantages , he will be compelie i : > lay a tax upon that " ntw power"' which has been tLe foundation of all our commercial greatness , and -which only , can fire us a chance of maintaining that CKitness ; that , notwithstanding all these things , We ar- _ - i :. formed , by the Chancellor of the Exchequer , in h ! 5 place iu Parliament , that without some indirect mode cjd " r-e resorted to of augmenting the revenue ,, he will be compelled to lay a direct tax upon property , or i- ' s-.- w tax that " new power" the steam engine !
Iu a Iviition to this , we are told by a first Secretary ' State , that we have arrived at a " commercial crisis ;" that . ar merchants and manufacturers ore in the Tery " gui ; •¦{ bankruptcy ; " that our men of property are onatlc t'jjgetany " rrnta" for that property ; that our Bhopkeepers arc- " ruined ; " that our ' ' labourers are lining seventeen iu nva yards sqoare ; " that " the pawnbrokers < liops aje filled with the furniture and clothes of our aruz-Uis ; " that '' our manuf&ctnrinj labourers have f :- ? a those beds" upon which they ought to « trttL-h those weary limbs which want renewing for the toils ' .-fa future day . Merciiul heaven . ' have we lived to sec u . c day when a first Minister of State shall prove this r - be the coiiditioa 0 / the labourers of tha " envy of surrounding nations , and the admir&tien . of 'the WotIq :- "
Such being prored to be tbe condition of this country , the question nstuially arises what can bo the cause of all tfcU . ' What can it be that has reduced us to this ? Wh ^ t ta is be that has brought the " envy of surrouii-. ! : ns nati ; ns " to tbe " gulf ef bankruptcy ?" TVhit ¦ ¦ aasi has t-etn at wwk to have compelled the " adn ^ i-tiun of the world" to live " seventeen in five yards square ? ' T ^* hat can hav e eGmpelled them to have " . ; e 4 Uieir clothes / " and eaten their beds ? " Tfce answt r to this undoubtedly is to be found in the £ ict cf tl ; :.- aristocracy having hod possession entirely of the vib / . ' e legis . ative power of the country ; '(•)¦ their harvini had the p-o ^ er to fill the Hyuse of Commons with tirir own nominees .
Ib-. n , electors of the West Riding , will you not pauir before yon eltct two scions of that aristocracy , ¦ which f .- ^ s caused the laborer ? to " eat their beus" to fill the House of C jmuions ? Will you not pause before yen u-: > that far them which you heaved heaven and earth to prevent them from doing for themselves ? Will you s ^ nd men to the House of Co ; iunons , who are imiLeciitely inierestfcd in maintaining the -ascendancy of that sn .-totra : y which has brought our " merchants to the £ r .: i of bankruptcy , " and our labourers ' ¦ to eat their bnis V It y < u do , you richly merit all that their syst « u rias brought you to ; but which "will bring you further than " the eulf of bankruptcy , " yta , which will vet make yon like the iabonrcxs , glad to " eat your
; > i j i , ¦ ! ' , ' I still , perhaps , be told that these are exceptions , that their bowels yearn with compassion for the \ poor ; " thit their breasts are filled with the milk of ; human kindness , and that they will do more for you ' than y-u could do for yourselves , and much more of j the saaie kind . Xo doubt whatever they will pro- j nise en ^ ush , but as it chances we have the career of one of : ae : n before us . The man who is a " lord by i the accident of bi 3 birth" has been before the public ; for the last half score years , and can yon , after the j most mature consideration , lay your finger upon one , singl- act , which had the least tendency to benefit . the rre ^ t mr-ss of the population of this country ? In
; ' fact , his whole career has been one of decided hostility to everything liie liberality of principle . It" is true-he . twa ~ . i " . vi in"lady-lik 8 soft bastard latin" about the ; " rigLu of humanity , " but what have been his actions ? "What was his vote upon the infamous ? tew Poor Law : Bill . Why , in the b » uuty of his heart , to throw upon hi * uwa rfcsoar ^ rS the man wh- m their accursed systrii . Lid reduced to " pawn bis clothe , " and " eat his > -ra . *\ He voted for the Iriah Co rcion Bill ; he voUd : or the Bill -wh . ch gives the bodies of the houseles ? i- ^ -or to be dissected for the becefiXof the -rich . " Fauch ! the thing is r . mk ; it smells to Heaven !"
Well , but about the other , my Lord Milton ; at all even's , yon eannot have any objection ; he has never yet been tried ; he is yet bnt a young man , but ef . great prosui ^ : from the H . rnse from which he has descended . " A p ' . i-. ^ ue on both your houses ! " But then , seriously , is r j-uag , inexperieEced man a proper person to entrni :: ^ " . th ' he destinies of a great , but falling nation ? Where Ls his talent and experience to come from , to enable him to grapple with our monstrous debt , and eonseouent taxation ? In what school has he leurnt sJlth * c'iniplicatfed interests of onr commercial system ?
Where is UiOt knowledge to spring from which is to ena&le him to tn ' ilow , in all it * sinussities , our , horrible system of paper money ; that thing which is 1 " strength iu the beginning and weakness in the end ; " i that sysueni , which , along with its twin brother , debt ' and taxation , is grinding the energies of the mort industrious prople on tbe face of the earth to atoms ; and which has brought our " merchants to the gulf of bank- rup : cj ; " filled our pawnbroker ' s shops with the cloths of our artizins ; and caused our " manufacturing libourtrs w eat tb . fcir b * d » . "
But , however , we are gravely told that he has no exp-rirnee ; and theugh he has no experience , there is his fither tb . 3 " gr » at statesman , " not like Pitt " eow eo more , " but now xr " the House of Lords" to render him assistance . And , ore we to be made to believe that that house of aristocracy "will either propose iu > elf , or send men to the House of Commons to propus-e . anything inimical to the interests of that aris-. ociacy ? Will the heir of Eirl Fitzwilliam propose in thr House of Commons , as Lord Milton , measures which will be inimical to himself as the future Earl Fr . Z ' -villiam ? " Or , will the present Earl Fitzwiliiam instruct him to do so . ' The thing is too ridieuloas to be entertained for a moment .
But Vnat has been the career of the present Earl Fitz ¦ William -who is to be the mentor to his son ? What are the examples the son is to follow ? Gome np shades of those who bave been skUlied to death in the hostile , and then dissected for the benefit of science , and with your desp sepulchral tones , tell tbe electors of the West Riding , that this mentor of youth , declared that that law , which throws on his own resources the man who has " eat his bed ; " that law which tears the sucking babe from tke breast of its mother ; that law which tears ihe wife from the arms of her husband ; that law which has sent you prematurely to that " bourne from whence no traveller returns ; " tell them that this Mentor of youth , declared that that law which does all these-rt-ings , ( and hundreds beside too horrid for the catalogue , ; was but the mild prelude of the abolition of all law fur the relief of the poor !
And again , is it not acknowledged on all hands , that if ever we have any relief to the miseries , of our social system , it must be through the extension of the suffrage ; and what has this mentor said or done upon this question ? What are the " sage advices" which will have to govern bun 1 the youth > in hi « future career ? Has he not recently declared that the Reform Bill had gone quite far enough ; that it was a complete revolution ; ? jid that we could not afford to have a revolution every ten years ? There ' s for you , now ! Here ' s a liberal Lord ! Quite willing and competent to destroy that system which has brought our " merchants to the gulf of bankrnptcy" and our labourers to " eat their bed . " But what need of argument ; -will the present Earl Fitrwilliam , in the House of Lords , and the future one in the House of Commons , ever propose anything to destroy their own power ?'
But the ChiDcsller of the Exchequer bos declared , that without some indirect mode of augmenting the revenue can be resorted to , he will be obliged to laj on * property tax , or tax Max new power , the . " steam engine . " Jfow , electors , stop and ask yourselves ¦ eriously whether these Lordlings will vote for a tax npon their property , or for a tax upon the steam engine ? Tbe bare asking of the question conveys the full answer ; and tails yon in tones not to be misunderstood , that it is your duty to seek out from your own order , men who ore to represent your interests . Can this great manufacturing district afford no one who is competent to represent the oemmercial interests » f this great county , without being compelled to seek for them in the ranks of the aristocracy ! If it canno , representation is a force . Let us down on to Gtir knees at once , and acknowledge our masters ; let m retara at once to feudalism , and no more be led astray by the mockery of representation . A FSEEHOLDKfi . June 2 nd . 1 S 41 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 12, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct383/page/6/
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