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XO THE INDUSTRIOUS POKTION OF THE MIDDLING CLASSES.
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Cpfttgt 3£utent2*t«e.
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¦ TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
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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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« Forgrreness to the iBjored dotii beleng . " G * kiixmek , —For a long time you have closed « osr ears against reason , and shut your eyes against the havoc that you hare made . His experience , as yei , made yon wite , or has a fellow . feeling B&deyoakind ? If so , the tiiae has arrived when nan may appeal to youj when judgment and the TOicd of knowledge may complete the triumph of right over might . How foolish , how Tery foolish it is , thft , t two parties struggling apparently for the
same object , should allow a phantom to Beparate fchem ; but in proportion as their position becomes assimilated , in the . same rate does the phantom lose its horror . Tab party that "robbed the people are nt > jr robbing yon ; so long as their plunder was con fined to the people , yoa aided the plunderers and cheered them on in their mad career . You refused to listen to the claims which industry was making on its own and yoar behalf , -while you went blindfold as it were to the jury box , and on your oaths pronounced a verdict of guilty against your best , your only friends . Yon knew that eo long as one
hundred millions sterling was annually paid , in national and local taxation , to a law church and useless professions dedicated to discord , and prostituted to the indiscriminate support of right or of wrongyou knew , or you ought to have known , that such a stomach pump" would very speedily empty the belly of those to whom it was applied , and that when that source was dried up ihe state engineers would next apply it to your order . You knew that your polnical influence could haTe reduced the hundred millions sterling per annum to five milKoas sterling , and yet ensure a better discharge
of all the functions of Church and State . ; and yon knew that , of the ninety-fire millions saTed , you , as agents between the producers and consumers , would hate * your just and righteous share . Yon knew that the people acknowledge your agency as necessary to 4 heir comfort , and only object to jou because « f your support of their oppressors , not to your utility as & class , when your duties are properly performed . Yon knew that the successful speculators in machinery , the bankers who supplied them with artificial money , and the merchants who speculated
upon the produce , had duped you into a belief that they constituted part aad parcel of your order * whereas your interests aud theirs were opposite as the poles ; and yel you joined these some few score ' s of speculaiiug politicians in the Tain , the foolish , and delusive cry of " cheap bread , " " cheap bread , ' u cheap bread" I you joined them in their disingenuous clamour , instead of joining the people in their demand for their righteous share of the profits , and out of which yon would have had your just share of gain .
Gentlemen , let me suppose a case , and not an extreme one . Suppose a manufacturer employing one thousand hands , each one of which would be fully entitled to one pound per week , and more , and suppose the employer in cousqnence of his command of the labour market , and with the surplus population of machinery-made-idlers to fall back upon as his reserve to cheapen labour ; I say , suppose that employer to reduce his hands to ten shillings per week ; did you ever nfLect that such reduction was twenty-six thousand per annum out of the pocket 3 of the neighbouring shopkeepers , while Ihe saving all
went ; into the pockets of the banker , the merchant , the large pawnbroker , and the epecDlator . It may not leave a profi ; of twenty-six thousand per annum to any one , because the inducement to gamble on low wages , would of itself superinduce an overplus and consequently a reduction in the value of produce , while the full wages paid to the one thousand hands , would have enabled them to make their own produce more valuable by being part consumers And now are you so foolish as not to have discerned
that profits made by merchants , bankers , pawnbrokers and manufactures , and profits made by labourers , go into Tery different channels ! The pro £ tst > f the former are vested in the funds , or in ihe purchase of lands , houses , railroad shares , or other heavy speculations , while the profits of the latter flow through your tills , and constitute the very heart' < blood which replenishes your vsins . Yet have you joined the few in their wild speculations , while yon have persecuted the many ia pursuit of their own and your salvation .
But what is the phantom of which you professed fear while you had yet somethisg to protect ?—" phtsicaltobcs . " Alas ! Gentlemen , the shadow has vanished with your substance , and I rejoice to think that in your wisdom you have discovered that the producers of wealth are not likely to become the destroyers of their « wn produce . Bnfc you have learned a better lesson than eTen that . You have learned that a people who have patiently borne
persecution , starvation , and iasult with an astonishing forbearance , may be trusted with some authority over life , liberty , and property , when more regard , is paid to their own . Reason must have convinced you that if neither life , liberty , or property have suffered damage from a people whose violence would be justified by the -first and dearest law of nature , that life , liberty , and prop&rty stand in no danger from the same people , when an interest in the preservation of all was conferred upon them .
Gentlemen , yon mast do me the justice to admit that in my several addresses to the electors and non electors of Yorkshire , in 1838 , and in several letters of a prior date , I pointed out to yon the certainty of that state of things coming upon you which has at length overtaken you . You must allow that I distinctly shewed how every aristocratic excess , which then pressed upon the industrious order , would , when that order was drained , then pres 3 equally hard upon you . Yoq must admit that you joined in the cry for the Poor Law Bill , and gave to its most unchristian clauses your very best support , while you went even farther , and fnrnished the Government with all the required
and expensive machinery of a rural-police force to insure its operation . You then thought that the odium and the tax would fall upon the insulted people , while you now discover , that from the remnant of your savings , you must furnish the means of upholding boih . How now do you like the Malthu-£ ian plan of throwing tie people and the police upon tous BtsouBCES ? Surely you cannot complain . as ycu wore lutty in ycur approval of throwing the people upon their cicn resources . Ycu now find ¦ yourselves , like a vessel without a rudder , buffetted between the waves of facrion . The billows of
taxeating Toryism are striking upon the one side , while the receding waves of Whig ^ ery leave a chasm upon trie ether , and afford yon eo snpport against the ra ^ irg torrent . Yesu tie Whigs med you , deceived you , and deserted you . Too stood by them until their multiplied delinquencies actually gave to thd sffrigUed public a favourable impression of the hideous visage of Toryism . For year 3 yon FDrtained them npon no better principle than " keep the Tories out , " and now that the Tories aTe in jou find the Whigs either become converts to the enemies' prmciples or laying dovnx in apathy , while vonr dearest interests are beia * undermined .
GemlemeD , have you ever attempied to solve the riudle of the present Whig apathy ! If not , allow me to do it for you . The Whigs yfbo constituted the late goTeTcment , and their supporters , desire no gna-. fT change it-an that which will once more transfer the fruit ; of office and taxation to their party ' s hands , while the Whigs of no party or principle are engaged in a squabble as to who shall be leader of a party not in existence . You find that all the old planks of shipwrecked Whijjgery are still Soating in the very latitude in which the rotten hulk was wrecked . The old ministers , the Morning Chronicle , the eclipsed Sun , the Leeds
Mercury , the Manchester Guardian , the Weekly Chronicle , and all the Whig newsmen arestill clinging to the fragments of Wiiggery , and are foolish enongh to imagine that on the ruins of Toryism they may once more float their shatteied bark . But they build without their host . Whiggery that is , practical "Whiegery , is dead and buried , never more to rise ; and now the question for your consideration and ours is whether or not we are to be affrighted at the giant strength which Toryi&m has aequiredb y Whig delinquency while in office , and Whig cowardice while in opposition ! I-say not . I say to the industrious of all orders , * ' onward with one resolve , to overcome aristocratic lust and establish
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the flght 3 of industry on its ruins , " There is no danger in the trial if made with one accord , and a resolve to conquer ; while there is every daDger to the . state by allowing Toryism to assume that strength which , in its hands , is sure to degenerate into despotism . Gentlemen , you and your order have tried , through your leaders , all sorts of schemes to lure the people , and they have all failed , and it is fortunate for you that they have , for believe me that you yourselves must be sacrificed to overpowering taxation to support an idle aristocracy , their church , and their unjust and unchristian wars by any change th > rt of that which the combined intellect of the industrious classes have set their hearts and minds upon , The People's Charter .
Gentlemen , I wonld implore you to strip this lovely image of the hideous garb ia ¦ which pr < judice and ignorance have dressed it . Strip it naked , then view it in all its loveliness . " Nature's dress is loveliness , The dress you wear , " my lovely Charter . Be not guided in your discernment by advertising journals and interested political pedlars " Examine ihe thing for yourselves , and having done so then say in what it would abridge your rights or make those possessed by others hostile to you . All means have been used to divide and destroy us , but all , all , have , thank God , failed , and all will fail ! Our union would be dishonourable to
you and hopeless to us were we to we * ken ourselves by the abandonment of our principles ; therefore hope not for such a change ; while if you admire our principles and acknowledge their justice ^ why make yourselves contemptible in the eyes of your enemies and suspicious in ours by asking us to abandon our honoured name , hallowed by persecution , and rendered dear by oppression and opposition ?
Gentlemen , see the noble example set by the Chartists of Nottingham , and , with the single exception of the Globe , mark feow the corrupt Whig press has preserved a dignified silence upon the sabject , thus convincing you at once , that the principle , and not the name of Chartism , is the thing dreaded ; and that the invitation to change our name' is but an artful device to get possession of our movement , in order to reduce public opinion down -to Whig temperature . Oh , if the contest for Nottingham lay between a pure Whig and a pure Tory , what leaders , what articles , what letters from oureelf to oarself , what encomiums on the Chait'sts , what reverence for their discretion , what prayers for their success ! Now , then , I ask you , what you have to expect between the two parties ! The Chartists upon the one hand , whose principles you profess and approve , but whose name you cannot acknowledge ; and the leaders of Whig % vrj on the other hand , who object not to the name , but are opposed to the very principle which it denotes . Again , from the triumph of Whiggery you can expect but desolation , while in the triumph of Chartism you must be participators . Can you , then , longer hesitate ? The right hand of fellowship is tendered to yon ; accept it in time , I pray you . You but weaken yourselves by delay ; for do it you must , or die or emigrate , in the long run . Taxation and class legislation have swept away yonr foundation , and you cannot long stand .
" Lay not the flattering unction to yon souls " that we will change our principles or our name ; for , as one , I tell you that both for your sake and the people ' s sake , I wonld rather beg my bread for the remainder of my life , than be a party either to the one or Vae other . Gentlemen , I shall write you six letters upon this subject , and when they are concluded , I pledge myself that all who read and jud ^ e without prejudice will confess himself in name and principle . Gentlemen , I have the honour To remain your obedient servant , F . EABGUS O'COJTJfOR .
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Mr DEAB Friends , —It will be in the recollection of those persons who attended the meetings at which I spoke , now nearly seven yeare ago , when establishing Radical Associations , that of all thing * - to which we should look as a means of insuring virtuous pnblic men , pnblio censorship , in my opinion , stood first ; and I have told you , over and over again , that to the want of that public censorship might be ascribed all the woes of all nations , but especially those of Ireland of a latf r date . I have insisted that had Mr . 0 Connell ' s first acts of public
delinquency been remonstrated against , his talent and cunniDg would have been directed into the saving , instead of , as now , the destroying channel . I have told you that paeBing by unnoticed any , even the most trivial , error , committed by a public man , wa 3 an inducement to that ptrtou to wei # h his individual opinion against public opinion , until , by degrees , he ultimately succeeded in laying the latter in trammels . I haTe been very , very severe upon this head in each and all of my discourses , protesting on behalf of public censorr-hip for the people's sake , and relying upon public discretion
to distinguish between wilful transgression and error of judgment , as the safeguard of public character . Nay , I have gone so far as to say , that 1 as an individual , never would place confidence again in any man who had once deceived the public . Now these points in my several discourses all rmm remember , because I have spoken impressively upon them . - There is no difficulty in the way of a public man who tteers an honest and ttraightforward course . His way is as the race-ground , roped in on both sides fey defined principles ; the winning-post is his g-oai , and the prize , far w&iea fce contends , is
that object which public opinion has resolved upon achieving . If a horse bolts in his race , no man will again bet upon him ; but should he be overweighted , and thereby overcome , his present defeat entails no damage upon his character . So with a public man ; should he be orermatched ia his struggles for the attainment of the general object , public opinion will rally round him and give him an increased power for his next encounter ; but should his defeat be in anywise a consequence of his dishonest running , public opinion will not back him in his future trials . The Romans esteemed the Public Cec ? or as the most important officer in the state , and the \
were ri ^ ht . And . now , my friends , let me give you my idea of what a public mau should be , and what the dune .-of a public censor properly are , in the words oi Plutarch , in his description of the Legion which Cato the younger , was appointed to command , that he had made them " dreadful to their enemies , and courteous to their allies ; AFRAID to do a DISHONOCBABLE THISG , AND AMBITIOUS OF BOKEST praise . " A public man , then , should be " afraid to do a dishonourable thing , and ambitious of honest praise . " In starting in public life , he should weigh
well his reasons for attaching himself to the party for whose principles he professes a preference , and having once made his election , he Bhould consider himself as a member of the body , which could not be otherwise severed from it than as a diseased limb is removed to preserve the patient's life . Or should his cessation be a voluntary act , in consequence oi virtuous misgiving , arising from a conscientious donbt as to his party ' s integrity , he should in such case retire altogether from publio life rather'than form a coalition icith any other Ipolitical parly . His
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retirement would prove his fear of doing a dishonourable act , while his coalition with former enemies would prove that his ambition was not for honest praise , but for notoriety . He should be so strong in virtue , that , although not above suspicion , the consciousness of integrity should find a corrective for tie virulence of reproach in the mildness of his defence . Anger , vituperation , and insolence rather gtamp accusation with truth than force a belief of innocence . He should go all lengths with his party , so long as he remains one among them . He should be proof against taunt and scorn , and prefer an honest poverty to riche 3 gathered from the sale of
nce . Such , in my opinion , should be the leading features ia a public man , while the duty of a public censor is to guard with * an anxious and a watchful eye over the conduct of public character ; so that those whose confidence has elevated him to , the post , shall not , while sleeping or unobservant , be lulled into false security , or be surprised when unprepared for an assault . If he sees more than others can at first distinguish as likely to occur from the first
false step , it is his duty to present the act to all in precisely the light in which he himself sees it ; ho id the pubMo eye—he must net diminish or magnify the object to suit the probable taste of the public ; it is his duty to say , if such be his belief , I see a promised monster iu that which is nt . w presented to you in an infant and harmless shape , if you mature it , it will destroy you , and then blame yourselves ; if you see as I do , st'Jleit and you are saved . And inasmuch as the wiles and machinations of a bad man can
work much evil to the public cause , if unrestrained ; while the temporary direction of public opinion to a suspicious act of the best man , can iffcct no material or any permanent damage either to himself or to his party , in my opinion , that consor who is over has y to question , is a better servant than he who is over cautious iu proclaiming what he conscientiously believes to be wroug . My friends , having said so much about public men and public oensori , let me consider for a moment , whether . or not the virtuous indignation so recently expressed by a few against what they are pleased to term" denunciation " , was asFensiciveupon all former occasions 1 or whether the present honour is not rather an ebullition of anger , from detection , than a feeling of virtuous disapproval ?
Firstly , allow me to assure my readers , that whenever an attack is made upon the Northern Star , however plausibly or artfully it is sought to be confined to r . hat journal , Feargus O'Connor is also aimed at . This no mau in his senses can for one moment dispute or deny ; and now for a moment's retrospect upon the subjvet of denunciation . When Brewster and Frazer , in Edinburgh , O'Connel ) , in Dublin , the Political Union , in
Birmingham , and Lovelt and the Working Men's Association , in London , all proclaimed , at one and the same moment , the necessity for denouncing and getting rid of me , —not one soul but my old and only friends , the poorest of the poor , flew to my defence or protection . Then there was no virtuous indignation about denunciations ; then the mania was , " PUBLIC MEN ARE PUBLIC PROPERTY " , AND " THE LIBERTY OF SPEECH AND OP THE PRESS " .
When , subsequently , the Champion , the London Dispatch , the Chart er . the Southern Star , the Northern Liberator , and the Birmingham Journal , - , mere recently , the Dundee Chronicle , the Perth Chronicle , the Scotfish Patriot , the National Liberator , the British Statesman , and the Western Vindicator , made me the weekly subject , not only of denunciation , but of the vilest slander and abuse : then virtue was silent , and poor Bairstow was absolutely denounced for daring to say of me , Who works like him ?"
When Dr . Fletcher attacked me for a speech made by Dr . Taylor , and given to me by the blundering Sun , it was subject of merriment until my opponent was vanquished , and then the cry of " shame ! why denounce a good man ! " was raised , —not against the denouncer , but against the denounced . When Mr . Hetheringtou attacked mo moat brutally , when he thought that Whig barbarity had placed manacles upon my hands , and after having
declared to the five stonemasons who waited upon him in the Queen ' s Bench , " that Feargus O'Connor and the Northern Star thould be put down ; " when he so attacked me , he demanded the insertion of all his letters in the Northern Star as a matter of right , thus making my own paper the organ of his denunciation of me ; this was considered "fair " , while he published his letters also in his own paper , but refused to publish any of my answers . This met no " denunciation" from any one .
When Hume declared to his Montrose friends , that Yincent , Collins , Hetherington , Lovett , and many other good men , were doing all they could to destroy O'Coaiior and the Star , not a word of " denunciation" then . When the Sturgites had appointed Daniel O'Connell one of their council , not a tvord of " denunciation" then . When Harrison had the courage to bring the hypocrites and traducers face to face , no " denunciation" then ; but , on the contrary , a virtuous cry of " shame to repeat the substance of what passed at a meeting of another body !"
In fact , my friends , for seven long years I have been the object of untiring , continuous , and insolent abuse , and my general answer has been , here I am with my party , and resolved to stand by my party to the death , and point out the sinylc blot who can . Now , my friends , it is necessary that public opinion should be set right upon the question of denunciation . And here I am , after my busy life , and I can come before any portion of the publio and say , where is the man whom I have ever publicly denounced by speech or publication ! and , above all ,
waerc is the sentence , word , or syllable written by ma carting reproach upon' a tingle individual connected with our cause 1 or where is the man whom in private conversation I have done other than praise till I have been actually laughed at ? whilst I declare to God that , in nearly every town throughout England and Scotlaud , I have beeu denounced , both by letter and in conversation , in the most heartless , shameless , aud unbounded manner , aud yet have I never resented it , privately or publicly , neither SHALL I .
I must now say one word of the Editor of the Northern Star ; and perhaps my charge against him will be considered more grave and serioua than any which has yet been preferred . The first intimation that I had of Mr . PiJip— one of our execvtive—Laving done an act ( I care not howsoever indirect ^ var iance with what I considered to be the duty of one of the people ' s servants was conmmunicated to me through the Star , while I was at Brighton . I insractly sat down , and wrote a letter for insertion iu the Star , much , very much , stronger thananything that I have seen , and the " rascally" Editor actually suppressed my letter , informing me , as a reason , that it was much better to leave all such matters to the people themselves . I wish that letter had
been published ; because in it I pointed out the exact difference between the act as committed by Vincent , and the act as committed by Philp as one of five , who , from his appointment , I contended , as I ever shall contend , damned himself to all eternity by presuming to use the power which we had given him to augment that of an opposing party . I don't care one straw what all the old women in the country may say ; I condemn it . And if it was right to do it , why not confer with the whole Executive ? I shall say no more upon that subject . I fhall not even express any opinion as to those who would now defend Mr . Philp . No , if the act is justifiable , I can stand by it , and it requires not the authority of others to render my ground tenable .
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I shall only now direct attention to what I find in the Star of last week , relative to the charge brought against me , and which appeared in the report of the Leicester proceedings . By an extract from a pamphlet recently published , it appears that Mr . O'Brien charges me with being a party to misrepresent him , in ; the following terms : — " That the wholeis a base concoction of O'Coanor , yourself ; and others , to 'discredit' me with the Chartiat publio . " Now , to this I Bhall be expected to reply , and what denunciation can be stronger ?—aiid my answer is , I do hereby most solemnly swear and ^ declare , that
I never , by word of mouth , by message , by letter , or by insinuation , directly or indirectly , made a remark or offered a suggestion , or said oue word to Mr . Hill , or any Qther person , upon the subject ; and , further , that in the whole course of my life , I-neverhave attempted to influence the Editor of- the Star as to his course . Now , is not that the way the fair way , for a publio man , who is " afraid to do a dishonourable thing , and who is ambitious of honest praise , " to meet denunciation of the -grossest-kind 1 Denunciation which actually chargos him with conspiring against a friend to rob him of his reputation .
Jnow , m concluding these my remarks upon the subjeot of denunciation , just let mo ask the simple question . Was ever journal so attacked , and yet so mild in it ' s defence ? Was ever censute more mild , it censure it can be called , thau- ' . that of which Mr . O'Brien and Mr . Philp complain ? And , good God is the mouth to be for ever closed ? or is the cry of " denunciation" to be set up whenjouly mild criticism is resorted to ? If men cannot bear this , much butter that they should well weigh every act , before they take any step which will be likely to subject them to it .
Let me ask a question . Suppose I had taken * the step which Philp did , although not a member of the Executive , who , in such case , would have been jiiy reprovers ? Why , the very men who canuot now bear the slightest touch of the flesh-brush . When I find it impossible just now to attend crowded meetings , I bestow all my loimire moments to the improvement of my party . I write gratui tously for Cooper ' s Commohwealthsman and for Gleave ' s Chartist Circular . I will go with you the whole length for the attainment of our corrmon object , but I never will , while upon the watchtower , fail to ory out "mad dog , mad dog , " when I see the animal approilohing you .
The Editor was denounced for attacking the foreign policy men , the Corn Law Kepealere , the Fox and Goose Club , the Sfurgeites , and all the hypocrites ; but , in spite of all , he has , with your assistance , succeeded in annihilating all the weeds whioh would choke the tree of 'Chartism ' and he shall ever have my thanks and assistance in his good work . The Tories are ^ too strong touse spies or hirelings to destroy us ; and now , believe me , my
friends , that Whiggery , putrid Whiggery , is once more trying to resuscitate itself by means of the advocacy of principles nearly allied to Chartism ; and they will spare no means of hiring Chartist outcasts to work under the garb of Whiggery . The set of idle rascals ! I'll pummel them wherever and whenever I meet them . For seven long years we have been pestered with this generation of vipers . I am , my friends , Your devoted Servant , Feargcs O'Connor . Wednesday , June 15 th , 1841 .
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NOTTINGHAM . —A meeting of the united council was held at the Democratic chapel * Rice-place , en Sunday , the 12 th instant , Mr . Sumer in the nhair . Ho opened tho business by calling their attention to the address of the Executive ; the address being read and Mr . Hill ' s reply , after a little discussion it was moved by Mr . Cropper , and seconded by Mr . Oates , that a resolution should be ^ ot up and be submitted to tho publio meeting held upon the forest in the evening , which was unanimously agreed to . The chairman _ next called upon the secretary to read the report which appeared iu the Star , irotu Leicester , which bein « done and oommeuted uron , Mr . Bponham moved , and Mr . Barber seconded , that a
resolution embodying a vote of thanks to Mr . Cooper , of Leicester , lor the able manner in which he defended our organization from the base and insidious attacks of Mr . O'Brien , shouloba ( iiawn up and submitted to the meeting on tho forest . Carrie d unanimously . Alessrs . Boouham v Barber , and Ca ister , were appointed to draw up ' ' 'the resolutions . ' Tbanks were voted to tho chairman , and the ineetin / i broke up . Ou Suuday evening au unusually largo cohco ' urse of people assembled to hear a lecture from Mr . E . P . Mead . At the conclusion Mr . Barber stepped forward and caSlyd the . attention of the meeting to the address of the Executive , He said he held a resolution iu his hand which he would submit to the meeting .. He took cognizance
of the different parties who were assailing the character of the editor of the Northern Star , and calied upou all present to exert their own free thought with respect to the resolution he held in his hand . The resolution is as follows : — " That this meeting views with regret tho foul aspersions which have of ! ate been cast upon the Kev . W . Hill , editor of the Northern Star , by ' certain parties , calling iliemselves the friencs of the people . We view Kuch charges with disgust ,, and recognise no mart , nor net of men , who has for his or their object , the builiJiif / of their popularity upon the reputation of either the editor or the proprietor of the Northern Stur , but with all due deference to the Executive , aud as much as we appreciate their services , we beg to tell them that
we cannot see any thing in the conduct oi tho Rev , W . Hill , or the course he has pursued ia rbt ' erenco to correcting the imperfections of the documents emanating from the Executive , to warrant the charges that have been brought against him ; wo consider him meroJy in tho capacity of editor in suppressing language which would tend to throw the' maua-gei-H of the Northern Star within the nitshts of tho law ; and we , the Chartists of Nottuu ; haui , ia public meeting asfembled , take this opportunity , of expressing-our unqualified approbation of , aud coiin ' iiermc in , tho Rev . W . Hii ! , for his consistency and uncompromising a ^ voouoy of the rights of tho toiling millions . " Mr . E , P . Mead seconded the ruspuuoii , which , being put the meeting , was carried unanithu ft
mously . A yt > u ; i ^ ' intn read port which appealed iu the Star from Leicester , on which Mr . Souter corue forward to move the ntxt resolution , — " That this meeting regrets exceedingly tho course lately pursued by Mr . O'Brien , wiiiV regard to hiB attacks upon iho N&tioiial Charter Assciatiou , as wp believed him to be a man in whoinme country could confide , but circumstances have arisen of late which have put it beyoud doubt that such is not now the case , we therefore tender Mr . T . Cooper , of Leictsv ter , our warmest thanks , for his ability in uuma : king the unblushing hypocrisy of J . BV O'Brien . " Mr . Mitchell seconded the resolution , which Was put to tho meeting and carried with acclamation , 'the people of Nottiiu ^ liaui have en ^ agbd E . P Mead , for
oiie mouth . The r HARTisT Boot and Shoe Makers hold a meeting ou Monday ^ the 13 th inst , at Mr . Smith's , the sign of the Britannia , Mount-street . The following resolution was proposed by Ainoa Poulson , and seconded by Mr . John Abel , — "That we , the Chartist boot and shoe makers of Notunnhaui , do plac 9 the utmost confidence in the Jionrst integrity of the Rev . W . Hill , editor of the Northern-Star ; and we pledge ourselves to defend him , so long as he advocates the rights of the working classes . We are sorry to see the " Executive Committee" bo very sensitive and " thin skinned , " for we belicvt that nothing but fair and gentlemanly criticism has been advanced by the editor of the Northern , Star . Carried unanimously .
Lambley . —At a general meeting , on the 12 ' ; h inst ., of the Lambley Charter Association , it . was the unanimous opinion , " That Mr Hill , the editor of the Northern Star t has taken a very upright and gentlemanly course , in giving instruction to the Executive Committee and correcting their mistakes , and we highly approve of his conduct iu that respect and place implicit confidence in him , as the ediror of the p ' epple ' s organ ; we are ^ ilso very sorry that Mr . O'Brien has taken the course that ho has , in trying to impede the Chartist movement , and we regret being a party to putting the moans into his hands for mischief . "
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MACCtESFiELD . —Mr . Mitchell , late of Stockport , lectured in the Chattist Association Room , MacclesfleltJ , to a crowded audience , and gave great satisfaction . At the conclusion of the meeting , a vete of confidence in the Editor of the Northern Star , for his inanly and straightforward conduct in exposing the fallacies advanced by some ef the members :. of ; : the Chartist body , and indeed for his able and impartial conducting of the People ' s Organ generally , was passed .- r " . ; . ¦¦ ¦ - . . ¦ ' . : EAR . L 5 HEATON . — -The threatened reduction of the weavers , slubbers , spinners , and raisers has causad a great excitement in tliis district during the past week . As early as five o ' clock on Monday morning vast crowds wera parading the principal streets with flags . and bands
of music , being determined that if possible they would induce tfco hanilB of Hemingway , Tonge , do ., to turn out , they being tae firm who have attempted the reduction . By nine o ' clock they succeeded , the men all coming out and determining t » resist to the utmost . A most numerous meeting of all the district took place on the Town Green , at four o ' clock ; Mr . WWt attended and addressed the assembled . lualtitudo for an hour and a half , and pointed out to them tbat while they resisted local tyranny they must not fail to direct their attyntion to the great mtmator tvil , class legislation . A great many manufficturers were present , and the eloquent and argumentative address of Mr . West has made a
many converts . Ssveval new members . joined- the association , beiruf convinced . that there * in no hop ? for the poor man but iu having a puwer in his own hands to protect his labour by baing represented lo Parliament . Four out of every five niamifachm-rs in the district declare that the raJuction is as uncalled for as it is riiijufit ane ! cruel , r . ni \ if tho in n stand firm they : will support them to the utmost of tauir power . The shopkeepers and nil classes generally feel great sympathy for tho men , and there is no doubt of their pnecess . A memorial is about being presented to the Cfovornmant to know if it is with their sanction tb . a . t their orders must be completed by such a barefaced robbery of tbe workmen ' s wages .
DAVBNT ^ Y . —Mr . Bsuatow lectured on Friday and Saturday evenings , in tho Market-place , to very large and attentive audiences . MBXCSSTElti— Qur " Shaksperean Association of Leicester Chartista" now number tiro thousand one hundrfcd , men , women , and jouths . Helps are springing-up for the agitation that will , manifestly , be of great service . Mr . Cooper bein ^ nearly done up . with exertion ( having held meetings in the open air in Leicester every -iii ^ lit th «» preceding 'weefc . save Saturcluy ) was relieved last Suuday afternoon , by a now local loeturer of great promus— Mr . Koberfc Jackson . Several other of our Leicester operatives havealaot ied tbirir hand in the villages , and we shall have occasion to mention their names ere long . Mr . Cooper held forth in the Marketplace , as usual , at night , in spite of the police spies , with whom the magistrates are now surrounding meetings . The result of the days' labours in Leicester was rifty-five new members . An animated
meeting succeeded , at tho bottom of Hiimberstone Gate , on Monday night , when an honi-st operative from Lancashire addressed a few hearty words to the assembly at the close of Mr . Cooper ' s lecture . Sixty new members were Obtained . In- the villages Mr . Beedham is performiri , ' vt » ry extended and praiseworthy service Thurmaston . SiUiby , Syston , CKenn , Wiestbn ^ Narborough , \ Vcelstone and Markfield have been visited by him within the last week ; and at the latter place he foruied a society of fifty-three members in one evening ; The number of members in Thurinaston is eigfcty ; in Wigston eighty ; in Anstay fifty ; in Glenn twenty-six ; in Burbage sixty ; in Earl Shilton fifty ; in O idley forty . AH these associations have been formed since the opening of Spring . The Executive cannot know half the strength of the " National Charter Association , " we imagine ; poverty prevails so intensely in our county that scores caiinot buy their cards as > yet . As long as the Executive calculate by tfee issue of cards merely , they cannot know thenumbrr o ? enrolled members .
Leicester , All Saints Open . —On ¦ Monday night / last , - ' a meeting was heid t « take into consideration the appeal , made to tho people by the Editor of the Northern Star on Saturday last , and to express their opinion of his conduct as Editor of that paper . The following resolution was unasimously agreed to : — " That this meeting having reviewed , do confirm the resolution unanimously adopted on Thursday niftht . last ; and after duly considering the Editor's appeal in the Star of . 'the . l '
lthlust ., regrep to say that they consider the conduct charged upon him in that resolution as applicable in other cases , and that such a Hue of conduct pursued a few months longer will ( as it has already done in too many instances , ) cflecinally , but notJess cruelly : drive every man from the Chartist cause , whose character , talents , or integrity can render the movement worthy or enpport . " [ The latter part of this resolution insinuates a falsehood ; and wo there / ore omit it to obviate tno necessity for reply . —Ed . ]
Lkigh . —Mr . Wai . Bell , of Heywood , lectured on Monday evening iasb , to a numerous and attentive audience . Ashtonle-Moors . —This Tory-ridden village -was visited on Tuesday last , by Mr . Bell , who delivered a very interesting lecture explaining the principles of the Charter , and exposing the tyranny of those who hold the monopoly of power . The meeting ; was announced to take place at the Stocks , at half-patt seven o'clock . At ih « time apppointed we found a treat portion of tli ' e ground occupied by three carts belonging to oiie of tho ( shop-keeping mill-O'vnerrt ; thoy were drawn close to the Stocks , to prevent , if possible , tho meeting taking place . After some delay , caused by some of the neighbours
refusing to lend a chair tor the lecturer to stand upon , some of them saying that they dur ^ t not lend a chair ior fear of their masters ; a chair was at length obtained and the lecturer commenced his address , which was responded to by tha assembly . At the conclusion of the rrteting a great oUamHy of Chartl-fc circulars and copies of the Charter were Bold ; every one seeming anxious to obtain a knowledge of what the Charter really is . The working men seem bent on obtaining knowledge , aud the masters seem bent on preventing them obtaining it . A few more lectures in this place will do much to remove the prejudice that now exi&ts against the Chartists , and may lead to the forming of a Charter Association in this hot ^ bed of Toryism .
Brown-Street , Manchester . —A general meeting ol tustian-cutters , exiled by placard , to take into consideration the principles of the People ' s Charter , wa 3 held in the Brown-street . Room , on Wednesday evening , June loth . There was a numerous attendance of the trade . ' Mr . J . O'Connor was called to the chair . Excellent speeches were ma < 5 o by various paTties , and the following resolulions woro agreed to : —V That this meeting is of opinion that the alarming dist-ress and low wages
existing amongst the fustian-cutters can be traced to political causes ; aud further consider , that . good wages and permanent employment can never a ^ ain bo- '' enjoyed- by the fustian-cutters generally , until that document , called the People ' s Charter , becomes a legislative enactment . " ** -That it is the opinion of this meeting , that it is the paramount duty of every cutter to'immediately join the National Charter Association , for tho avowed purpose of causing the Pt'dpie ' s Chartor to become the law . of" these realm ?/ ' " That ' i-he fustian-cuttera of Manchester
will not acknowledge any person as a public lecturer or leader of the people , or a delegate to any Chartist meeting , nnlcss the same bo a member of . the Charter Association ; " We have only to add , thai after a vote of thanks to the Chairman , the mooting separated . We have every reason to suspect there was a government spy in the room . A person who was unknown was taking notes ; and , from a conversation which took place between him and one of our men that we can place confidence iii , wo have b-cciv led to the conclusion that hia business there was for no good to the Chartists . The conversation was as follows : —VVodcl it not be a good plan to
organize to resist the Government , arid he -thought ihe colliery were al'kely set of men to take the front of the battle , and that he was quite willing to do all he could tor the obji-ct , in getting money to cover tht > expmeeH , and in ' any oth > T way that he could assist privately , but lie could hot take part publicly , and ho had no objections to lay < iown six or seven pounds to commence with . Our friend , as Won as the meetiug had thinned , called a Jew of the friends together , and gave them this information ; that they might , bu on their guard . He also gave his address . We SQad thi 3 to put the Chartists oh their guard , as we have every reason to believe that the harp ' . ta are abroad . —Afanchester Correspondent .
Portsmouth . —Sir , —I am instructed by the members of the National Charter Association of this locality , to forward you the following resolutions , passed a ? a meeting held last evening ( Monday ) , at the ! Soa of Freedom , Spring-street , Landport : — Passed unanimously-r- " That , in the opinion of this meeting , the conduct of the Editor of the Northern Star , f in attacking the characters of men foremost in the pursuit of justice , especially that long-tried noblo of nature , Brontcrre O' Brienj is highly reprehensible , and is calculated to undermine the standing of the Northern Star , and produce disorder in the racks of the people ; and hopes a speedy termination to such evil policy will take place . " Passed unanimously—" That the resolution be sent to the S / ar for inBertioa . " Yours , &c , J . D . Legqeti , snb-Secretarv to the JJatloual Qiarter Aesociatiba , [ We should like to know how many people attended this meeting . —Ed J
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sft ^ ^ f ^^^ ic ^ STAITOiRO ;—Great Tbiumfh op thb GwaStists ovee the Combined Factions op Abistocbacy and Shopocbacy . —On Monday last , a puolic meeting , of the nobility , gentry , clergy , freeholdtrs , and electors of the county of Stafford , wu held in tbe Shire Hall , Stafford , for the purpose of moving a congratulatory address to her Majesty on her providential escape from assassination . The meeting was called for one o ' clock , at which time the Chartists murtered in great . numbers , and on the doors of t&e hall being opened , the Court-hooce vu isrtantly flltad by tie
working classes ; after waiting a considerable time , the High-Sheriff of the counfcy , in company with Arcbdeacod Hodsoh ; Earl St Vincent , and a 6081 of the aristocracy and middle classes of Stafford , made their appesurancei the Under-Sheriff ' s officer , Mr . Hand opened the busi ness of tho meeting by reading the requisition . The High-Sheriff being in the chair ; Earl St . Vincent tben came forward to move the address , which he did in a muff of a speech , ( if it is worthy even or that title ) . The address was a tissue of futsome adulation ; the Ksv . Archdeacon Hodson seconded it , and on the High-Sheriff rising to put it : to * the meeting , Mr . Willi-mi Pdplow , a working man , rose to move an amendment , amidfet the cheers of the meeting , which made tne
Conrt-honse ring ; he bad not proceeded fax -when Mr . Hand , the Sheriffs-offieer stopped him to know if he was a freeholder ? To which he replied , that he was one of her Msj sty ' s liege subjects , and demande-i in that public meeting , that Mb voice shauld be he-srd on the occasion . Here the gentry were impatient for him to be put down , but the meeting would h ; : ve no humbuir , and again the cheering was loud iu his favour . S ime more altercation then took place between Mr . P . and the High Sheriff , Mr . P . being ' ' tiet ? rniined to" proceed : upon which , Mr . Ellis , from the Potteries , who had been selected fc » second the addendum , suggested the propriety of his proposing it as a freeholder ' of the county—to which Mr . P . acquiesced .
Mr . Ellis now came forward to move the addendum Mr . E . had not proceeded far before he shared the fr ; te or" Mr . Pcplow—that of intertuption and interrogatioa by the Sheriff and the Aristocracy ; but it was nogoitho meeting would not have it ; and at this stage of the proceedings the scene was awful : the meeting ; rose , and one and all of the working men demanded that Mr . E . should be heard . The aristocracy took the hint , and slipped but of the side door , headed by the Noble "Earl St . Vincent and the Sherift' Mr . S . Ward then proposed'tbat Mr . Alfred Hannible should take tna chair , -which was cirrled unanimously , with every Uftiionstra' ion of applause . Mr .. Ellii ai { ain came forward , arid in a long arid eloquent speech Bhowed the rottenness cf the present systeni , and pr-, ved there Woa no hope of redress so long as it lasted . Mr . W . Pfiplow again came forward , and showed the distinction
between freemen and slaves , as instanced by that dny' 8 prficeedirtgs , ' he being refused a voice in that meeting because he was not a freeman , and with much furee lashed the aristocracy for thair cowardice . The meetiug was also addressed , in long and eloquent speeches by , Mr . M . Simpson , from H . inley , and Mr . Peter Ki ^ -by , from Ghorley . The following r > solution was als <> c . "jfried with great applause : —* ' That it is the opinion of this meeting , the principles contained in the People ' s Charter are just in themselves , and calculated—tTben reduced to practice—to remove the cause of our social misery , and therefore pledge ourselves te agitate for nothing short of it" A vote of thanks -was then given to Mr . Hunnible for his impartial conduct in t : ia chair ; and , after tho usual Chartist honours had been given , the meeting broke up , having lasted upwaras of three heurs . ; ' ¦ ' . '
BROIttSGROVE . —Mr . Fraser Pearson delivered , on Saturday evening , in front of the Town-hall , tp many hundreds of all classes a most powerful and impressive lecture on the ovils of class legislation ; and the necessity of the Charter becoming the law of the land * which was listened to with marked attention , and made an impression that will not soon be forgotten . Tiiree hearty cheers were given for the our patriotic Feargus , three fur the independent and uncompromising ; Etiitof of thb-Star . three for the honest forty-nine , and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones . A vote of thanks was proposed to the lecturer , arid carried with cheers . Mr Pearson preached on Sunday morning , in out Chartist ! hall , a m 98 t lucid , eloquent , and impressive serin an , to a numerous congregation .
REDPrTCH . —Mr . Fraser Pearson preached in the Chartist hall , on Sunday evening , a most appropriate and elpqusnt sermon to a most numerous and highly respectable congregation ; of male and female Cbartiata And their friends . ¦ VTATPORD .- —Mr . Stall wood lectured in the Tern , perance Hall for upwards of an hour and a half , on Friday evening , and was listened to with breatblosa attention . . Toe sufject was freedom and temperaji . ; e . Mr . Stillwood demonstrated that a drunken man wafl nob ai thinking man j that a non-reflecting , unthink nil
man was always a plqdding contented slave ; toat the only -difference between a slave a and freeiran was the possession of the iblective franchise 1 those who possessed it not were to all intents and purposesr—call them hy what name you will , disguise it aa yon may—slaws . At the cooclusion , Mr . Benn « tto proposed u vote of thanks to the lectarer , which was carried unanimously . The National Anthem , from N " o . . ,. of theEnglish 6 hqiiist Circular , ' . wi » . svmg in fnil chorus ; and thus , ended the second meeting of the kind ever hald in tiiiB town . jL very livcv . ? - abie iinpreation has been created fey Mr . Stallwood ' s ¦
lectures . :- . .: : ¦¦/¦ '"¦¦ : ¦; ' - ¦ ; ' ¦ ..:. - . : ¦¦ ¦ - . ' : * * ¦'" ... ¦' .. . . ' , ' . - . - ¦ ¦¦ ¦ : ¦ ClflTHEROE . —There vras a large publio meeting hoWen ontheSabden side of PendleHill , on Sond 3 y afternooiii' June ; 12 th . TKe ffeneral impretsion was that there were between five and six thousand persons present . Mr . Henry Wood presided over the meeting , who opened the proceedings by exhorting the assembled thons&nds pot to cheer or clap hands . Mr . Tattersall was then called on ; and dwelt at some length on the numerous mean 3 that the working men possessed to work out their own political emancipation . Mr . Beesley was then called upon , who entered into a long detail of the privations , sufferings , and starvation , that nt present existed amongst the working classes ; and
clearly proved that it was only the natural effect of class made law . He then went into a long , sarcastic , and searching examination of the abuses that at present exist in the law-made cburcb , in the navy , army , ic . j andiu conclusion implored the working men to become united and organized , to take their own affairs into their own hands , to cultivate union and brotherly love , to force . our principles on the attention of our eneniios , to disseminate them amongst the uaenlightened , to BijrW -by their determijiation that tbey will never stand still till they have obtained their country ' s regeneration . Mr . Mooney was then called on , and dwelt at gieat length on the distress that is at present txbting in wie
neighbourhoad of Colne and Barnoldswick , and maaa some wirty remarks on the circumstance of soldit . « being fetched to Barholdswick . Mr . Tattersall again rose and -wound up the afternoon ' s proceedings in an eloquent speech of half an hour's length . The whole of the speakers were listened to with the greatest auention , and ' the meeting has done much to strengthen tha cause of •• democracy in this -part of the couutry . ' At the conclusion a motion was ma > - ; e and carried , that a Chartist camp met ting be held on the top of Haptoa Skirts , near the turnpike-road Leading from Acerington to Burnley , on Sunday , June 19 th , at one o ' clccit in the afternoon , when the meeting separated .
W £ D 3 * ESBUHy . —At a delegate meeting , held in the Gnartistr Koom , Wednesbury , on Sunday last , the following resolutions were come to : —• ' That two delegates be sent to the delegate meeting at Newport , on Sunday ,, the' 19 th ; " carried unanimously . V That a delegate meeting be held at the Ked Lion Inn , Sedeeley , on Sunday next , June 19 th , at three o ' clock in tbe afiernoon , to make arrangements for getting up a defence fund for the purpose of deffcndirig . Mr . Mason , add ihe seven others with him , at Stafford , the forthcoming sessions , and delegates from tiie following places are
rcqu .-Bted . to attend— -Wiilsall , Tipton , Wednesbury , Duuley , Bilston , DarlaEton , Wolverhanipton , Coseley , BirmingLam , and Ssdgley , and the delegates a re requested to bring all they can collect with tlrsm f . > r the above purpose . " . " That Mr . Cook , .. draper , of Dudley , be the treasurer for the defence faiid . " /'' That tne next delegate meeting be held at VValsall , on Sunday afternoon , June the 26 th , at three o'clock ^ in the Chartist Boom , on bUsintss coniiected with the lecturer , and delegates are requested to attend from the following places—Dudley , Wolyeraainpton , Wednesbury , Tipton , Coseley , Walsall , and Diwlaston . ' *
¦ BATTERING , NORTHAMPTONSHmE . —The real principles of democracy are making rapid strides in this littie town . The dark cloud of prejudice is fast disappearing , arid giving place to reason : the Visit of Mr . J . R . Bairstow ; has done a great deal towards removing the one and establishing the other ; ' "first , by a sermo n tbat he preached on Sunday evening , June 5 th , to an attentive audience in the open air , a ^ d then by his lecture on Tuesday night , in a large room hired by the Chartists , "On the distressed state of the country , ' stating , in an argumeutative and aniinating manner , the cause of that distress ; then fcllotving it up , on Wednesday , with another lecture , "On the fast , present .
and future prospects of Cnart' . sm , ' amid the repeated plaudits of the assembly . At the elose of the leciure , three cheers- were given for -the Charter , three for Feargus O'Connor , three for Mr . Bairstow , and tSree for Frost , Williams , and Jones . The national remonstrance and memorial to the Queen were adopted , with only three dissentients . After a vote of thacks to the Chairman , the meeting broke up . Eighteen of the company came and joined the Society . A number of the Society then accompanied Mn Bairstow to the Three Ciowris public-house , kept by a member of the Society , and Bpent the remainder of the evening , enlivening' eacn . other with sentiments , Bongs , and recltetiuns till the clock told the hour of midnight . A Female Chartist Association hasbeen formed here , a Council chosen , and a sub-Secretary and Treasurer . Any person writing tothe Chartist females , will be pleased to diicct for Mrs . Wilimot , Hogs Ley « Kettering . " ' . ' •¦ ¦ . . ;¦ ¦ ¦ " ¦¦ ¦'¦ " v :- - . . - .. '¦ ¦• •¦ . , y-- ; r ' . :.- ^ , ' ; ^ ^^ J ¦¦'¦; ^^ ¦ '¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦'¦ BINGLEY . —Mr . Brophy deliyerea twl | i ^ e } £ fiffl ^^ dresses In the Forestera * Courts on S"M # nSytP ^ . _ attentive audiences . ; : ' <¦_ ,- . ,: , .- "SjQtJJIns ^'^^ W . - *' . STAtYBHiDGa—A public me *^^ a £ wW ^[|^\ n ^ the Town Hall , on Thursday evening ^^ h ^ g ^ ai * rfjfR > \\ monstrance to the Commons arid tMtgi ^ Mi ^ MSflffllMfetf >* p fli ; Queen were adopted . ExceUent bp ^ m ^^^ J ^/ WSLJ by leach and other ' . ^^^^ - / = ^> f 7 : ¦ " - ' ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ' . ¦ ¦¦' ¦ ' ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦" ;; ;¦¦ :: ¦ " ^ lavdSJda ^
Xo The Industrious Poktion Of The Middling Classes.
XO THE INDUSTRIOUS POKTION OF THE MIDDLING CLASSES .
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Errata—In my letter of last week , paragraph 3 , line 19 , for"AfFjjhanistans , " read " Afi ^ han . s" aiid in paragraph 7 , line 4 , for "democrat , " read " Duncombe . " i ' i ^
Cpfttgt 3£Utent2*T«E.
Cpfttgt 3 £ utent 2 * t « e .
¦ To The Imperial Chartists.
¦ TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .
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AND LEEDS GENERAL AOTllTiSia ,
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YOL . Y . NQ . g 40 . SATURDAY , JOTE 18 , 1842 . :. ^ £ jglff # &jg ^' -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 18, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct435/page/1/
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