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Ci)At»tt0t %nUUi%ente,
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOHTHEBN STAR.
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v gg.O'CO NNOR TO MR. JAMES B. O'BRIEN. T IiKTTEH. II.
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WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET.
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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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1 BT EXPRESS . ) June 25 . —Our arrivals of Wheat are larger ; the Bale is steady at a decline of is . per quarter . Barley nominal . Oats and Shelling as before . Beans and other articles without material alteration .
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PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION FOR THE BOROUGH OF LEEDS , ' JUNE AND JULY , 1841 .-Borough of Leeds , in the County of Turk . TN PURSUANCE OF A PRECEPT duly J . directed and delivered to me , WILLIAM SMITH , Esquire , Mayor and Returning Officer tor tbe Borough of Leeds aforesaid , authorising and requiring me to proceed to the Eleotion of
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TO THE ELECTORS OF THE . BOROUGH OF LEEDS . aENTLEMENr-The progress of our Canvass is bo flattering to ourselves , and so full of promise to the triumph of those constitutional principles which we offer as the pledge of our public conduct * that we cannot hesitate to express onr unfeigned satisfaction in finding how much the political sentiments of the great body of the Electors are ia unison with our own . The Requisition is more than confirmed by the promises of support since made to ourselves . Our prospects in every quarter are most gratifying , and the only present return we can make for the confidence hitherto reposed in us is the hearty assurance , which we now give yon , of onr unflinching perseverance in support of that good cause in which we are embarked—a cause no less dear to you than to
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i % t > ozT iffSB& P **» we have given a letter from li n'Coawr to Mr . OTJrieB , is * nswer to the fe « si « UB > M froih Mr , 0 * B . inserted in ow last . ¦ SlbJ } BWi » Jll « tiM Mr . O'Connor continues tie ¦ F ~ jL 3 ^ < Y f tSte questions there mooted . J R- jjAB O'Brixh , —I bow resume tbe eonsidera-| \ * the qnfstion upon which wb are at issne , sod Kj . i take to be tbi * : — " Hew Is the balance of ¦ TlZ tD be igaeifoA in the hudi of the nurepre-Bf ^ i d » w * , ' oT transferred to tbe Boose of Commons , E ^ je ret more perfect by lotting tbelr represents-^ Lfeto the Hobs * witboat prejudice to the pressure HP * ,. y ow , that I take to be the question ; while
jijeet of both is the means of arriving at a sound L ^ ion . Earicf said so ranch , let me bow plsee to , jtm the two most prominent passages upon the ^^ to be found in yonr letter . In a postscript to T ^ ger to Bowmin , yon write thus : — H we vote , for either Whig or Tory , we at e-nee ^ ge the usurpations of tbe party we rote for , and jLgfr otnaelrfii morally , for fetare resistance to XAHnhation . We Tofce * OT them , with a foliand ^ t Knowledge of their acts and character , and -rfcsre lose all right , morally , of afterwards calling
IT to account for tbe same before the tribunal of ^ opinion . It is only , as I said before , when one te otba parties agrees to split their Totes in favour ^ aadidate , that we can coasdentionsly or honours -rote for their candidate . We can do so , then 5 r becinse , while ostensibly Toting for them , we ] i reality noting for oar own man , and onr own Ljdes , —but chiefly , because the simple fact of IpkctioB so recognising onr claims , as to agree to a their votes with us , is pro tcado , an abandon-_ j of the usurpation we charge them with , and does -fare , entitle them to onr approbation and support
* % si no vote!—no support !—to either batch of b imrperi , —till they flat recognise onr political ] t anoiher of yonr letters yon say that yon ^ act find words sufficiently strong to express yonr 00 pT ft ? wl » l 1 6 & - * 0 r- * v 9 » f * nd yon » y jot be mad . Now , I shall not use one single i—rw tsnn towards yon , because I triU not of end
,. jad yon shall not use one towards me , becanse I ^ ? ot be zOFXESDXD . J A « w ft « fear of Hv * i Cxbbett be / ore « y eyes . ' Howerer , while I make ! Btsrt , yon will allow me the privilege of taking a pjr with myself ; and I do most solemnly assure yon , ^ IlaTo not brains to com prehend the meaning of ( fat and the last sentence in the above passages , is they are taken conjunctively . As they say in ifc £ ire , "I eonld do with one , but both caps me " , te first yoa Tery properly express a jealousy about ^ gpnblie opinion astray . Yon say , th » t "if we fefes Whig or Tory , we recognise their usurpation , i&qnalify ourselves , morally , for future resistance &r domination . * Now , that I eonld understand ; jifeen tsken in connexion with the following sen-C I am punled ; and I assure yon , when I am otod , three in eTery ten of the working people , totsrenot so much time to analyse it as I have , jgbeprczledslBo . Tob s * y , " But chiefly , becanse the Eimple fact of te faction so recognising onr claims , as to agree to Bfteir votes with ns , is , pro ionic , an abandoned of the usurpation we charge them with , and * l therefore , entitle them to onr approbation and
not in retnrn . " Kow , here yon use the word " snp-& in its ityH ""^ " mercantile sense to denote £ c upon terms o ! mntnal conTenleaee , and in which Kjot ; Vnt the word " approbation" is what is called tetisg the deviL" Bnt I shall reason npon thase [ jimportant passages . Kow , which do yoa imagine k the easiest task , to convince the unrepresented it tbe Tories were nsed as mere tools to beat the Sp without the slightest recognition of their prinjiao approval of their usurpation or domination , or TZiStiDX the people that twenty Whigs or twenty dm having , for expediency , sacrificed their ljp
sad of Chartism for the mere purpose of acquiring laeani of perpetuating their usurpation and doroitka , were entitled to oar approbation and to onr belief ; * , jrro tanio" they ha * wither abandoned their E 5 atioB , or recognized ow ? title to representation ? kbc tell yon , while yoa eoald not conrince one in a &s tkat tbe Chartists supported Whig or Tory from grml of their usurpation , or a desire to perpetuate her domination ; yon could not , upon the other hand , fiSthe logic in the world , persuade one in a Sa that tbe Whig or Tory who receires Chartist [ jpart ipon condition of splitting votes had thereby eifad one single particle of hostility to the prin-¦ $ at £ Cbartism , or was enMtled to our "
approaa , * howerei self-interest , prudence , and policy ij estitle them , pro taxto , to onr " support " Ca you hope to make Whig , Tory , or Chartist desUad the . sentence in any other sense than this . ' st Ooxtist who coalesces with a Whig or a Tory a , by iplitting his vote , " tanio , " entitles him-» to their " rapport and approbation , " for the aban-Eaost of his principles and recognition of the OB— " usurpation and dominion" —of those for whom , Ktag , he testifies his approval . Ton cannot have Threading , a Tory reading , and a Chartist reading , '( he aune sentence ; and I assure you I have given i the general acceptation , as also the proper reading , ¦ faSi mfoadis . "
i a Tory , by coalescing with a Chartist , thereby ttses the Chartist's title , and renounces his i " Bsurpation and dominion , " can any one a&isg , upon this plain earth , be mere plain , than : ti » Chartist who coalesces with a Tory does ** T recognise Tory principles , and renounce his I " dominion ? " I cannot otherwise comprehend « ad I assure yon that one of my principal reasons » tcftering myself as a candidate , was from the T bet which the above sentence fully establishes , sty , that ten thousand versions may be given of a
^ tifa ittobean utter impossibility in the present * rf the franchise to transfer the balance of power B * exterior to the interior of St . Stephens , and f&Breason : —The Whigs , while they hope to do Swt them , would rather have ten Tories returned , ¦« e Chartist , and vice vena . Let me show you * &e last House was situated . For three years , * ma have constituted the balance « f power : e , Srote , Warburton , Leader , Molesworth , Dun-* k , » aa Wakley ; bnt they used it treacherously ;
I * a , they acquired a kind of persenal popularity ' «« iasg at Whig measures ; but , whvn the question !¦ * « csi came to be decided , they invariably , one k »> 3 , Toted for the very men whose measares they - ^ sd to abbsr- Why was their rmall party inf * ^? Simply , because there was no back to P * t them in their assault * against corruption ; bep ITnig death was Tory life , —Wh ; g delinquency was BJaja mph . Now , if the Whig * were in opposition I *« ld not require such a staff as this ; fur the ¥ id of being in opposition would push all
for-^• yem speak of getting fifty Chartist members 4 * Home pledged to the tnpport of the Charter , •*« my lips water ; and for this simple reason , » ntOd do Qu trick HI Thirty would oblige SoTemment to keep more than would be * S * o remain of a working midnight majority from * $ > the brothel , the gaming-housr and the finish . " * ¦ of myself , by perseverance stopped many mev *» &et midnight .
i * ^ o * arguing to show the impossibility of trans-^ J the balance ef power to the interior , in the pre ~ * * « f tbe Euifrage ; and when I arrive once at t ^¦ ' ^ ttnon , my second consideration naturally is , ' *» ore yet U XMake the balaxte of power mosl ** a the hands of the unrepresented classes ? *•»; I shall put this very plainly . The party ^ * fco « 8 pressure from without is to operate is the P » Power . The parties who are to aid in the opel ?** the people , by their voice at public meetings , l ^~* expression of thei r opinions through their n * . « opported by an opposition . Well . the » .
" ¦ M amply to discover npon which party , as ^*» ent , on petitions and tbe public voice are r » fears the greatest « fftct , and who as aa oppo-> B > nkaly to give them that effect . That's th « : & » ai to talking bow of "helping tbe weaker 0 » stjonter , " and mem instead of measures , " ^*« aine ! We want tools to work with , and " ^ for onr purpose . Observe , then ; firstly , "S ^ to the right of petition , the Whigs have * mockiry of it ; while , as regards tie effiect pro-• pon then ^ M ^ Q 0 Tf enunenii by petition , let *? ee 8 eding year of their usurpation speak . 3 > o . Sad , at I have more than once explainsd
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that tke votes annually taken upon tbe same question , instance tbe Poor Law A ~ T T'Wi' * nHmt Bin , bare been in an exact inverse ratio to tbe number of signatures , as if to show their contempt for all non-represented interference with tbeb > * ' Honourable House ? " Can I give yon a stronger illustration of the fact , than that presented by the recent debate upon the great National Petition ? Now , suppose the Tories in power , and the the Whigs in opposition , what would have been the result produced by the presentation of such a petition and for such a purpose , the release of political offenders ? I wnrteQ yon . If there were 358 Tories and 300 Whigs in the House , instead of tbe man of the
neuter gender outweighing 2 , 000 , 000 of the working classes after a shabby palaver for an hour or so , we should have had a ten nights debate , appeal after appeal made to the iujored bbople and neglected unrepresented to send another and another ; no ; not to send , but to BRING IT in all their might and strength ; and then we should have the prayer granted to avoid a great organic change . Such would be the result if we had had an opposition ; but tbe Whigs , assured of back from the Tory tyrants , treated that as they have treated every other petition—with contempt ; and bat for the ikpoeijlKCE of the time when it was presented , we should bare beard that it was not constitutionally
worded . Hence , I give it as » y opinion , that , in tbe present state of the franchise , we cannot tranfei the balance of power from the exterior to the interior ; and also , that we cannot hold the balance of power at all , ¦ without a popular opposition , and that tbe Tory party never will constitute that popular opposition . How , then , you may ask , is the balance of power to be used ? I answer , in the same way that it was used in 1830 , when the people beat the King , the Lords , the Commons , and the factions ; but used for a different purpose now . * I contend for it that the Whigs did not want Keform then , but were willing to ride it to power . I contend for it that although they do not now want the Charter , they will
mount it , in the hope of riding it also to Dowmngstreet , and there ' stabling it ; and 1 contend for it that in that attempt , which will be in less than six months , if they are now in a minority , that we can upon perfectly honourable terms , ' accord them both enr Bnpport and approbation . I contend for it that the hungry Whigs out of office in 1841 , will do as the hungry Whigs out of office have ever done before ; while the people in 1841 , will take precious good care that the result shall not be the same ; as "WE "will then make the returs op mas roa mas , <* " sine qua nan ; " and let no man on earth persuade you that the Whigs , as a body , wonld refuse such a compromise , though a few of the " constitutional" old fogies wonld pair off and file aS .
Never lose sight of the fact that there are two packs of hounds and only one trough and one mes :. The patronage and disposal pill , of army , navy , church , state , royal , civil , colonial , foreign and domestic pickings will be swallowed with an immense proportion of Chartist powder in it ; and the Whigs will swallow it Indeed tbe squeamish Barenet , to averse to strong political drugs , was preparing his mouth to take the Ru&sell purge in 1 S 35 ; and his high bid for popularity , by promising to go much further in reducing
Irish tithes than the Whigs had done , was the very thing that alarmed the Whigs , and so unceremoualy sent him to the right about They said "this will never do ; this fellow is ontbidding ns . " Bnt since then the Tories have mustered corruption snd constitutionality , behind Whig delinquency ; and now they are too strong to court power by any other than amsliivtionaL meant Let me get them before me , with the Whigs at my back , and give me one slap it that thing called " constitutional prerogative , " which , though ridieuled by the Whigs , forms , nevertheless , the precedent for their every act .
Before I take leave of the legitinuitUts , just let me assure you that we shall have no small difficulty this time in getting in Col . Thompson , Mr . Sharman Crawford , and that noble felloir Gully ; and here , apart from the Poor Law , I" must , in a political sense , add Roebuck . I served with him , and , apart from that measure , I unhesitatingly declare him to be tbe most efficient democrat upon democratie principle * , that I have known to hold a seat in the House of Commons since the Reform Bill . I wish he weuld bind himself to a Scottish farmer for six months to learn the capability of the soil / Yon may say , "bad is the best ; " but recollect that he . Thompson , Crawford , yaithfull , and
myself , were all too democratic for the present constituencies ; and now just mark how the villanous , rascally , prostitute Leeds Mereury , but , nevertheless , the organ of the factions , speaks of Thompson and Gully , and is silent about Crawford . We are led to infer that a Tory is to go in for Hull with Clay , and that Gully only " -wards a dear stagt and so favour . " Men in glass honses should not throw stones . Gully does not live in one ; and perhaps some -of his most insolent , upstart revilers would not lone since have rejoiced upon arriving
at Lteds , to be able to boast of a clear conscience and a dean shirt . Now then let such villany open yonr eyes to the merits of the " weaker rascals" whom you wonld rather assist against the stronger ; while I , in truth , would beat down both at once by pummelling the one with the other . In six months , Thompson , Crawford , and Golly , must go a step further , to suit the united Whig and Chartist standard ; while instead ef a choice of evils at Newcastle , yon will be appealed to , on bended knee , to unite with the Whigs . No man can doubt this who is n ot mad .
Now I come to the second branch of my subject , — the Ckartist electors . I fear you and I use the term in different senses . I use them to denote parties , who , by the exercise of popular powaj ^ would be indnced from conscience or compelled ^ Ma interest to vote for our man : hence my recommendation to resert to prelusive dealing . I fear yon use the term in tbe confined sense of qnalified persons , who would ^ row preference , vote for a Chartist candidate . Believe me , that usurpation ,- tyranny , neglect of registering officers , and disgust from hopelessness of being able to effect invthing , has reduced that body to a mete fraction , and
that our principal force would be recruited from the extreme liberal section / who , when pressed , wonld appear to comply from choice , rather than proper direction in the disposal of 4 beir trust , but who would be most baypy to be released from tbe trammels of popular will . And obssrve , they would gladly seize upon that portion of your letter , and would , ander the name of the body of Chartist elector * , embrace the opportunity of damning , and foT ever , the cause which they profess to love , but secretly and heartily detest , and the more so , in consequence of its proper exercise of authority .
Before I quit this branch of my subject , allow me to say a word about your advice to Chartist el « ctors , to remain neuter in case we cannot use them : you might just as well ask a Coghlan or a Howrabane to remain with bis hands in his . breeches pockets while their parties were fighting . You don't appear to me to comprehend tbe great change which the public mind undergoes sodden ! y during a general contested election ; nor in fact can any man who has not mixed in the turmoil and witnessed the working . Now , as I have conducted , and taken part in , more violently contested elections than any man living , allow me to assure yon ,
that nothing but the very most powerful excitement can keep one in a thousand from voting . Those who enter into the mot . ' solemn resolution in tbe morning , are operated upo > " as the battle rages ; and indeed it is not wonderful Now then , my policy was to get control ! over that party ; while yours would leave the eo&tronl in other hands' aad probably to be nsed against as without rtfsrene * -to any defined or general plan of operatiom . I did aot tell them not to v * te , beeaue I know they will vote ; and knowing that I hoped to turn them , as a body , to the best account , for rendering the unrepresented balance of power more efficient hereafter .
Now , as to any coalition , I do , thank God , stand free from all charges of personal motives . I have narrowly watched tbe course of events , and the working of men's minds , produced witttoot their knowledge , npon
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the eve of a great political struggle like the present A General Election has its martyrs . Poor Hunt fell a sacrifice to popular folly in 1832 ; Cobbett fell m sacri fice to disappointment from the General Election » 1834 ; O Council fell a sacrifice , bnt had not tbe grace or feeling to die , to the General Election of 1837 , and 1841 will finish him . It must finish him , when 11 is discovered that it has furnished the Irish means of strangling Repeal Now , I bare resolved , that the present contest should aot kill me ; and for that reason , I have refused to stand for numberless places to which I have bees invited . The first was from Leicester , when the follow * ing question was put to me : — " Will you coalesce with a Tory , to insure your election ? " Answer" No , decidedly not . " That was my answer , adding ;
"but use me as a teol to bring a less hideous devi-1 in , if yon can , and they will gladly take a Chartist te get rid of tbe great devil . " My excellent friends at Halifax also invited me , and offered to pay all expenses , but my answer was No , still No . Why did I do this ? Because I was reolved upoa recommending my party to strain every nerve to get a few into the House ; and if I had allowed myself to be pnt in nomination upon the plan , it would have given to the principle the complexion of motive , and yon know "how easy it is to give motive a bad name , — " Had « OG , had POG . " So now , coma wfcart will , here am I ready to follow your plan , or any other good plan , to secure in the people ' s hands the balance of power , and readj to do a man ' s part in directing that power . I have now nearly concluded , and you force from me the following explanation : —
In the first place , I hold a Whig opposition to be indispensible to our cause ; and , therefore , should I have nsed all my influence to place them in a minority , and , again , when I found M'Donall , Vincent , Sankey , and , I hope , my dear friend Moir , and Abraham Duncan , in Scotland , likely to be in the field , I thought how I could best insure so desirable an object as their return , and I came to the conclusion , after many nights of reflection , of placing the Whigs upon the horns of a dilemma , I gave them tbe choice of evils , either a Tory House , or such a God-send as five or six " out and outers , " and I threw them out tbe bait to stimulate tbe hungry devils ; and to give them the first bid , I offered them six , seven , ten , and twenty for one , in order that we might have the rallying point inside .
Now , you have my motives , both of them . You have my plan for ensuring success ; and , in conclusion , you shall have , firstly , the steadiness with which I have worked ont that plan for years , which yon now profess to have brought your friends to the approval of ; and , secondly , you shall have the justification of my plan by the approval of it by so high an authority as the World newspaper . Firstly , then , I beg leave to submit for your perusal the following extract from a letter ot mine published in the Star in September , 1839 , and reprinted ta the Star of the 27 th of February last , for the purpose of keeping up the steam . Here it is : —
" If the Tories beat the Whigs with their own measure , the Whigs , in opposition , will not be less craving after pelf , and in less than two months' probation npon the bleak side of the Treasury , all the riolence ot the persecuted Chartists would fade into utter insignificance , compared with the hungry bowlings of the revolutionary crew . Then once again shall we see tbe black flag—the monarch ' s drooping head—and the executioner ' s bloody axe , demanding a renewal of the Whig lease of Downing-street ; and then shall we take care that every man of twenty-one years of age shall be a party to the bargain . When you look back , and consider that we have never held our real position
in society till now , but have always been used to grace the Whig pageant , one moments reflection will tell you that standing alone , the only party who dares to meet—tbe only party who dares to speak—tbe only party who defies persecution—that we are one of tbe two parties whose power must be acknowledged . Upon tbe next general election , the Whigs cease to exist as a party ; and upon tbe consequent fallowing agitation , tbe Tories will degenerate into a faction , and a very few of the most wealthy will remain as a memento upon the opposition benches , whese only business will be to gratify their own ambition , by endeavouring to affright the representatives of the people with the bloody ghost of Toryism .
" Men of ShefBeld , —Tfce game is now in « ur hands ; the ball is at our foot . If we but play and kick them as our enemies deserve , the next General Election should furnish from 409 to 500 Radical Members . We must be prepared to stand alone . In Sheffield you will do your duty . You have Crabtree , Gill , and others , in whom you can repose confidence . Invite them as candidates—return them as members—and , having done so , chair them through your town , exhibit them in populous places , and proclaim them tbe
representatives of your wilL For one moment imagine what must . be the result of this cheap experiment It will cost yon but one day ' s attendance at the hustings , instead of days of ceaseless agitation . It places you at once in the ascendant It gives you a majority in the representative body ; and if England , Ireland , and Scotland , are net prepared for such a step , then do England , Ireland , and Scotland deserve the chains of eternal slavery , which their task-masters will impose upon them . -
"Men of Sheffield , —The press , which has deluded our opponents by laughing at oar weakness—by denying our union and our strength—the press , which is the index and the horn-book of a' 1 the factions—will not be able to blindfold the several candidates , who themselves shall be made witness of their own defeat No act would so far tend to give the enemy ocular demonstration of our power , of their weakness , and newspaper deceit " Now , my friends , I shall conclude by imploring you to stand alone ; and we then must triumph . I thank you—from my soul I thank you—for the powerful , the orderly , the splendid demonstration of Menday night last It will long be remembered in
Sheffield , which I have now made the key to Yorkshire , and with which I pledge myself to open the locked-up treasure , for the benefit of the human family . I implore you to watch well the manner in which the Whig and Tory press will dispose of that night ' s proceedings ; whilst such an exhibition in favour of either of tbe factions would have decided the destiny of the nation . Ge on , good men ! onward , and we conquer—backward , and we fall ! Give the watchfnl and perfidious enemy no handle over you ! Break no law ; and in a very little time , you will make laws which no mas "will dare to break with impunity ! I shall be amongst you from time to time ; for I have voved , if I stand alone , to accomplish the great principle of Universal Suffrage . "
Now , then , compare that with my recent advice to stand apart with our numerical strength and displays , and with every word I have written , still holding the distinction between the refomed electoral body and the unrepresented classes , and say who has been on tbe watch tower—who has been the least negligent—who looked for the 400 or 500 representatives , and who recommended the people to chair their Members , and then to leave the factions to themselves ? Recollect the letters were written in September , 1839 , and reprinted in 1841 ; while yon say , if what is now
recommended by the Star had been done three months ago , we should have been in a very different position . I think I have done too much ; and if I bad only done a man ' s share , so much wonld not be expected from me . I have kept dinning , and dinning , and dinning the same old tune into the popular lug for nearly six years ; and when I bad fondly hoped that I bad not dinned in vain , I am mortified by discovering that all went in at one ear and out at the other , while my only consolation is that I hope the whole has made some impression .
I wonld not have noticed tbe charge of madness , treason , or folly , bat I feel that the charge of neglect ant want of judgment would naturally and justly weaken tbe influence of myself , the Convention , and tbe Star . 1 b condition , if I hare erred , I am happy to have erred is such good oompaiiy as the Convention and tbe whole people who expressed their approval of the principle to a greater extant than laid down by me , and nobly carried omt by tbe brave Chartists of Nottingham . However , when men differ , they should take counsel ; and now , I beg to call to our aid the opinion of one of the profoundest political teachers , and most uncom . promising patriots of the day , the Editor of the World , who speaks thus in last Saturday ' s number of that glorious paper , destined to be tbe regenerator of Ireland . Ha say s—
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" The dissolution of the dying Parliament )¦ drawing near , and the rival factions are preparing for the encounter ; but , just as we should have expected , the masses take no interest in the electioneering battle , and display a provoking apathy . The Tories entreat them to come to the rescue of the Constitution , and the Whigs , ¦ npoa dfrp ded knees , beseech them to arouse in their migbV ^ l ^ p by one vlgoreas effort , frighten away their antigKLsts from their meditated assault upon Downing-etreet To the everlasting disgrace of " tbe swinish multitude , " they will not stir , but remain in a state of motionless indifference . What has become of tbe men of the Political Union , who used to congregate in thousands and tens of thousands , in the market places , and upon the broad moors , to
the terror of the Newcastle * and WinchlUeas ? They are far in advance , having left the Tories and Whigs to squabble in the rear , and will not return to take part with either faction . Instead of the millions , tbe Whigs and Tories will be respectively backed by the moral , edncated , and middle class electors cf such places as Cambridge , St . Albans , and , might we not add , Dublin , who will vote for tbe man with tbe longest purse , utterly regardless what may be the hue of his principles . In sooth it is a fearful time for candidates , and well may they wriggle and writhe at the prospect of coming to the hustings . The aristocratic Whigs were the first to sneer at political inconsistency—nay , such ornaments of the party as Lords Patmerston and Plunketthave , by their career ,
shown how easily principle can be sacrificed to profit ; it is , however , a horrible thing when the unwashed people grove themselves apt scholars . Happily , corrupt electors can only now and then indulge in their evil propensities ' , while trading politicians may daily have an opportunity ot bartering tbelr principles ; but the former , as if made ravenous by long abstinence , contrive to do a great deal of havoc in a short space , and never , it is sail , bad they a sharper appetite than at the present moment . Candidates in every quarter appear to feel this , and , therefore , those who have little to expect bnt senatorial distinction , are skulking from the field to soek the comforts of domestic life ; while others , like West , are endeavouring to get a full-blooded man to aid them in tbe contest ; or after
the manner of Dick Sbeil , preparing to take refuge in some convenient and cheap locality , where its constituency may have a relish for bribes , but dare not insist upon them . Throughout the country we now hear of nothing but rich men and titled striplings coming forward , resolved by the weight of tbeir purse and aneestral pretensions to obtain tbe privilege of making laws for us . Is it not rather remarkable , that if the treat object were to obtain the honour of assisting in framing just and equal laws for the whole of the community , such sacrifices should be made , and such immense sums of money squandered awsy to purchase a laborious , and , if honestly discharged , an unprofitable duty . Neither under a genuine system of representation are wealthy or titled persons the description of people that ought to be sent to represent the national sentiment In Parliament , who can have but little sympathy or accquaintance with the wants and wishes of the great bulk of society . However , this system , which
generates corruption and demoralization is that alone which ensures the upholding of class interests at the expense of the prosperity and happiness of the country . When & better state of things arrives , the people will choose honest and able representatives , instead of looking out for the affluent and high-born . Whatever party may triumph during tbe approaching struggle will have very little influence upon the great social changes which must soon take place . Should Ministers D 6 able to maintain their ground , they will , in all probability , have learned that their stand still policy can bo longer be persevered in ; and should tbe Tories succeed them , and Sir Robert Peel assume tbe reins of power with a majority of sixty , affairs will receive a still greater impetus , as the powerful minority , sustained by the " pressure from without / ' will soon tend to convince him that be may as well think to restrain the ocean wave as the onward march of events , which are influenced by a power and intelligence far beyond bis control . "
Now , in the above article yoa have a full outline of my pollcyt and I recognise the principles of my countryman , whom I glory in , although I am ignorant of bis name . I beg of you to read again and again from the words " should Ministers be enabled to maintain their ground ; " and bear in mind that w « must look to tbe opinions of all ; while , nevertheless , there is no one whose opinions will go farther in guiding mine , when nearly balanced , than those ot James Bronterre O'Brien . Having now concluded all that I mean to Bay upon this subject , I again subscribe myself , Your faithful associate , And sincere friend , Feakgus O'Connor .
P . S . Surely I may indulge in the news which has just reached me , and which proves that the men of Yorkshire did not wait for the ball to be kicked to them . Twelve candidates are at this moment assembled in the Leeds Cloth Hall yard—four Whigs , four Tories , and four Chartists—all upon equal terms—two Chartists for West Riding , and two for the Borough of Leeds . Let that ball rebound , as it is the rebound from the Star ' s four years' exertion—a candidate for each year . Your ' s . &c , F . OC .
Ci)At»Tt0t %Nuui%Ente,
Ci ) At » tt 0 t % nUUi % ente ,
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WEST RIDING DELEGATE MEETING . The above meeting took plactt on Sunday , the 20 th of June , in the Chartist Rooms , over the Co-operative Stores , Dotrsbury , when delegates were present from the following places : — Mr . W . Moseley Stott , Dewsbnry . Mr . Andrew Gardiner , Fish Shambles , Leeds . Mr . W . Hiok , for the Teetotal Chartists , Leeds . Mr . Edward Clayton , HuddersSeld . Mr . Stephen Johnson , Waiefleld . Mr . Thomas Bradley Knowles , Keighley . Mr . John Shaw , Lepton . Mr . John HelliweU , Sowerby . Mr . John Arran , Bradford . Mr . John Hell ! well in the chair . The following resolutions were adopted . Moved by Mr . Gardiner , and eeeonded by Mr .
Knowlks"That Mr . George Julian Harney be re-appointed West Riding Lecturer for two months . " Moved by Mr . Gardiner , and seconded by Mr . Stott" That two Chartist Candidates be brought forward for the West Riding of Yorkshire at the next General Election . " Moved by Mr . Knowles , and seconded by Mr . W Hick"That Mr . Lawrence Pitkethly and Mr . George Julian Harney be requested to allow themselves to be put in nomination for the West Riding at the next General Election . " Both the above gentlemen being present , the question was put to them , when they both answered , that they considered it to be their duty to come forward when called upon by such a large portion of the people of tbe West Riding , through their delegates . "
It was then unanimously agreed that Mr . Pitkethly and Mr . G . J . Harney be put in nomination for the West Riding . It is hoped that the non-electors of the West Riding will show to both factions that they ate no longer to be gulled by either , and that they are determined to support no man who will not give to them their undeniable rights .
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STOCKPORT . —All ia here quiet again . TV " Plague" men seem to have profited by their lesson , and the people are suffered to assemble , and disperse peaceably . Mr . Bairstow addressed an assemblage of ten or twelve thousand on Tuesday evening , without the least disturbance . MANCHESTER . —At a public meeting in Tibstreet , on Monday last , it was resolved , in consequence of information having been received that the "Plague" were again mustering their Irish forces for the election , that the Chartists of Man : Chester would forego their intention of bringing forward candidates at this election , ia order that no pretext for massacre may be afforded to the bloodthirsty villains , pledging themselves at the same time to support to the utmost of their power their brethren in any other town where Chartist candidates have come forward .
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Sib , —I returned from my Scotch journey late on Saturday last , and was immediately called upon to stand as a candidate for the representation of the West Riding of this county . Lords Milton and Morpetb having arranged to meet the electors here on Tuesday . An arrangement was entered into that Mr . Harney and myself should , with proposers and seconders to each , have tickets to the hustings ; that Mr . H . should succeed Lord Morpetb , and that 1 should follow Lord Miltor In accordance with that arrangement , I went and presented my ticket for the hustings at the door of a ware * house through which was the only passage to them ; I was admitted , but on my way through the warehouse , Mr . Qeorge Crossland , on bearing my name announced ,
exclaimed , " No Mr . Pitkethly here , " and suiting the action to the word in away that I could not ward off , struck me a violent blow on the left breast , and collaring me , pushed me back . When I resisted , the Whigs , the only party present except myself , rushed between us , and I was instantly asked if I knew whose premises I was in . I said , " I was there in no one ' s premises—that I came there upon public grounds . " "O >" said they , " those are Mr . Crosaland's premises . " I said , "I could not consent to be considered upon private premises—that the chairman of their committee bad given me an " order to tbe hustings—and that my right there was as good as George Cropland ' s , or that of any ono else . " I went again towards Crossland to demand by what right be had committed so violent and brutal an assault upon me , when another row was the consequence , and , standing as I did , alone , of course 1 was
overpowered , and my entrance to tbe hustings completely blocked up . I attempted to reach tbe ear of Mr . Brooke , the chairman , to explain , but without effect , ami on reaching the street 1 found that daring the Whig exhibition of physical force inside the building , a regularly organised bloody and brutal attack bad been made by tbe Whigs , who were mounted on horseback ; that just before turning the corner , a few buildings from the hustings , they taado a btilt , when a signal und orders were given by one ot tbe body to gallop right down upon the people , an order which was instantly obeyed . Many were knocked down , in their passage through tbe crowd . They struck right and left with whips and other weapons , and many were wounded . In selfdefence the " boys" used some stones , but the Whigs on f « ot ubmI both bludgeons and stones , and that they broke windows there is ample proof .
I am prepared te provt , by incontrovertible evidence , that what I state is only a small portion of the barbarity perpetrated on this Whig field of Paterloo , and is demonstrative of what that brutal faction would do if they had the power . I pray my frieids never at anytime to put themselves within the reach of Whig treachery , and trusting that they will be a very small minority in the next Parliament , I remain , yours faithfully , L . Pitkethly . Huddersfield . June 24 th , 1841 .
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£ ^ ^ ¦ Sz ^ tz * - ^ ^ -Tn ^/ - fcBSDS . —Thb Chartist CjjmrDj& £ . —A . sobfit meeting wms called b y placard for Thursday evening last , in the Yicars ' s Croft , for the purpose oT enabling Mes 3 W . WiUiMM antl Leech , the Chartia * candidates for this borough , to address the elector * and non-electors . At the commencement of the v meeting , sucb was the interest exoited , that upwards of tiro thousand persons had assembled . Mr , Brook , grocer , was called to the chair . He spok # for some time in most effective style , recommending the necessity of supporting the Chartists : h © ' -
iras followed by Mr . Bnggs , who in hisusaal ettecttive manner , Jaid bare the sophistries of Whigxery , and the " expediency" measures of the " bloodies /* Mr . Williams , in an address of two hoars ' duration , tore to pieces 'the flimsy ?«»» of > his opponents , and showed the superiority of the Charter as a safeguard for tho people * and as the most comprehensive plan for securing ib * rights and liberties of all classes of the commnoity . He was loudly cheered . Mr . T . B . Smith apologised for the non-attendance of Mr . Leech , who had been unexpectedly detained ia York to attend an
anti-Corn Law discussion m that city . Mr . Andrew Gardiner then proposed a resolution , pledging ib * meetiog to use their most strenuous exertion * tosecure the return of Messrs . Williams and Leeoiu The resolution was seconded by Mr . Jones , and carried by acolamation . Thanks were then voted fc > the Chairman , and three tremendous cheers having been given for O'Connor , for the two candidates , for the Charter , and for the liberation of the victims , the assembly , which then amounted to four or fiva thousand , quietly dispersed about half-past tea o ' clock . -
Leeds Borough EiECTioN . —The Chartists ' Election Committee will sit in Fish Market from eight till ten this evening , to receive subscriptions from collectors . All collectors are requested to attend and pay over their monies . . DEWSBURY . —On Thursday the two Conservative candidates for the West Riding , J . S . Worfcley and Beckett Deaison ,, Esq ., visited this town and addressed the inhabitants at the Market Cross . The meeting was very numerous , and evinced the greatest possible decorum and attention .
a certain proof that Whiggery is here at a great discount now , if compared with former occasions . Mr . Martin , late victim of Whig despotism , was present , and did his duty nobly . He was certainly viewed with suspicion by tbe Whig Radicals who knew him not , and the out-and-out Whigs insinuated that he was in the pay of the Tories ; but hedid his duty to his country , and we wish many others , professing Chartism , would imitate his example , instead of shewing tbe cloven foot in favour of Whiggery .
BRADFORD . —Chartist Meeting . —A meeting of Chartists took place on Wednesday evening , opposite the Odd-Feliows' Hall , when it was unanimously resolved to support the election of John Hardy , Esq ., for the borough of Bradford , in opposition to the Whig candidates .-Anti-Monopoly Humbdg . —For several days the walls of this town vrere placarded with bills announcing a free frade and anti-monopoly lectnre , on Thursday evening , by the electioneering Mr . Buckingham ; and as the Whigs , whose tool the " oriental traveller" is , delight in " anti-humbug " and " anti-monopoly , " they generously made the lecture free for the ten-pounders , but" ticketed" the
non-electors and starving weavers at sixpence each ! However , by some means , the"lads " got hold of ft lot of tickets , and attended pretty strongly . The lecturer was heard fn some time with patience , bnt on his attemping to palm off to a Yolkshire audience , the " amiable" Lord Morpetb ^ a storm was raised about his ears which disturbed hia equanimity , and caused him to inquire the reason ; an answer was ready for him , —he stood forward as the apologist of the Whig starvation and bludgeon-ruling policy . He attempted to proceed .
but it was " no go , " and pocketing his lecture , he sneaked off , accompanied by his friends . The "bloodies" looked unutterable things : they saw that their clap-trap had failed and that it was useless to contend against the intelligence of those whom they had presumed to "ticket . " They are utterly chop-fallen at this signal failure of their darling scheme . At the close of the lecture , the " ladsV proposed and carried three cheers for the Charter , and threo for O'Connor and the incarcerated Chartists , with three tremendous groans for the " base , bloody , and brutal Whigs . "
WIGAN . —Leech has been lecturing here with great suocesj . The Charsiats here are all rights they have their own man , a sterling and talented Chartist , Mr . William Dixon , in the field . District meetings are being holden , and the villages Hindley , West Hougbton , Leigh , Chowbent , Astley , Tyldesley , Banks , &o . are all alive for the struggle , and determined to shew themselves men .
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PLAN FOR CHARTIST OPERATIONS AT AN ELECTION . [ The following leUer was originally published in the Star of September 21 st , 1839 ; and again re-printed in the Star of March 6 th , 1841 . Mr . O'Connor , in his firBt letter to Mr . O'Briem inserted in our seventh page , refers to it , as the reader will perceive , and here it is again . ] Broiheb Radicals , —For tbe same reason that a servant ' s gnard of disciplined and armed troop 3 will beat and put to flight a squadron of raw and unarmed recruits , have we been- beaten by factions disciplined in the arts of treachery and deceit . We most discipline and remedy this evil . We must meet them on their own ground , and with their own weapons . We must organise , and show the front of freemen . In order to effect it , then , I submit the following suggestions for your consideration : —
Peel says " Register , register , register !"—O'Connell says " Register , register , register ! "—the Whig press and the Tory press say " Register , register , register I " and , therefore , there must be some magic in the word Register . " Yon cannot register , but you can Unite , unite , unite ! " and Russell says it is your right to exercise influence over tbe elector ; while O'Connell says that it Is your right to use gentle coercion towards tbe elector . Let ns , then , place ourselves in a position to be prepared whenever tbe Btruggle may come ; and , believe me , it is at hand , else would not our enemies be loading tbeir pieces . Let a committee be established in every town and village throughout England , Scotland , and Wales , according to the following form , and for the performance of the following duties : —
THB ¥ O&K . Let the electors and non-electors instantly form county , city , and borough-election clubs . Where the clubs consist of several hundreds , let them be divided into hundreds . Let each hundred appoint a chairman . The hundreds shall then be divided into tens , and each ten should appoint a chairman . Tbe chairmen of the hundreds should constitute the General Election Committee . The chairmen of every eleven tens should , according to convenient locality , constitute the district or ward committees . The committee of tens should report on every Monday night , to the General Committee * , the state of the public mind in their several districts ; after which , a compendious report should be submitted by placard , handbill , or through the medium of tbe press . The terms to constitute membership to b « one penny per week . The funds to be appropriated as a Finance Committee , appointed by a show of hands at a general meeting , shall direct . THK DUTIES . Tbe duty of tbe Election Club will be to select a fit and proper candidate , who shall be vigorous and active in laying before bis constituents the principles upon which he claims their support—to read at public meetings , ai often as opportunity affords , the reports and resolutions from the several cemmitteesL Every candidate should be pledged to support Universal Suffrage and a repeal of the Legislative Union between Great Britain and Ireland , to take bis seat if returned by anujority in tbe bouse called Um House of
Commons—and to restore his trust whenever required to do so by a majority of a committee to be tailed " The committee of review of public m «|> conduct , " which step D / ost be sanctioned by a public meeting of bis constituents . The committee should also appoint collectors of c / ntributions , who should leave the following printed form of application at tha house of every voter in their district : — " We , the committee appointed to superin-Vond the management of the election of -, do respectfully solicit your support and interest , and also such contribution as you can conveniently give , to promote the aforesaid object . " A book should be kept
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containing the names of all the electors in the seven ] districts , to be called "The canvass and contribution book . " When the whole machinery is completed , public meetings of the electors and non-electors should be convened , to take into consideration the propriety of appointing a National Election Convention of twentyone , whose duty it shall be to sit in London for the purpose ot receiving ,: and disseminating throughout the country , digest ^ reports from the several Election Committees . 9 V I think , at a iHgle glance , you will see that the adoption of the foregoing plan will at once raise a safe and constitutional standard round which the friends of Radicalism may rally . We shall then stand upon an equality , in the field of agitation , with both Whigs and Tories ; and , according as we are treated , so shall we
treat the enemy . In this instance the Constitution recognises no superiority ; and if we are not prepared to carry out this principle , we are not deserving ef Universal Suffrage . If , npon the other hand , we are prepared , and if , by our united exertions , we can return a majority of the six hundred and fifty-eight , we shall be justly entitled to go to the House of Commons upon tbe first day of the nr xt session of Parliament , and there pass a law directing her Majesty to issue new writs for tbe return of a Parliament upon the principle of Universal Suffrage . This requires no exhibition of physical force , aa any opposition offered to the will of a nation thus manifested would be high treason upon tbe part of our opponents . The effect of our preparation would be the immediate liberation of our friends from their
dungeons ; for , believe me , that our enemies but await our unlon . to obey our command . I cannot conceive a more glorious sight than a nation of freemen marching to the hustings in sections , divisions , and squadrons , there to show their hands , which are ready to support the dictates of their hearts . My mind is always upon the rack , my invention ia ' ever at work , to learn bow I can best serve your cause ; and lazy men , who will not work themselves , call me presumptuous—but how much more pleasing and easy would" it be for me to remain idle , if those who abuse me would work ; but the work must be either left undone , or done by a few . Instead of constantly nibbling and carping at my propositions , let them suggest , and I will follow ; but I cannot and will not remain idle so long as a single grievance remains unredressed . I implore you , then , my fellow men , by your valour , by your patriotism ,
and by your humanity—by the love which you bear to your God , your country , your family , and your kind , to awake , arise , and let the voice of freedom be heard upon each passing breeze throughout this sea-bound dungeon ! Let us proclaim the right of the labourer to enjoy the fruits of bis labour—of the freeman to enjoy tbe protestion of bis castle—of the community te enjoy social comfort and happiness—of the poor to live upon the land of his birth—and of tbe nation to be governed by laws made equally for the protection of the rich and the poor . Let union be your watchword—liberty your idol—and Universal Suffrage , and no surrender , your motto . For these things I have lived , and for these things I am ready to risk my life ; and am Your faithful and sincere friend , Feabgus OConnob . Leeds , 20 th , Sept 1839 .
To The Editor Of The Nohthebn Star.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOHTHEBN STAR .
V Gg.O'Co Nnor To Mr. James B. O'Brien. T Iiktteh. Ii.
v gg . O'CO NNOR TO MR . JAMES B . O'BRIEN . T IiKTTEH . II .
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AND LEEDS GENEEAL ADYEBTISEB .
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YOL . IY . ffO . 189 . SATURDAY , JUNE 26 , 1841 . g "' % ^^ ^^" '"
Wakefield Corn Market.
WAKEFIELD CORN MARKET .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 26, 1841, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct385/page/1/
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