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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st December 1842, Edition 2 of 5, Page 4, THE NORTHERN STAB,. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1842.

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    • THE NORTHERN STAB,. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1842.
    • &? &eatrer£ artfr ^oroggon&eitfg.
    • BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE.
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      Untitled Article

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . My Fmruds , —I mix one of those who think that ¦ an accuser should come into court with clean hands . " I tliink that we should exhibit consistency ra oar chancier and in our conduct . Strangling With sod for each other , for common rights , against a eemmon enemy , no other virtue is bo neoessary and important to ns as that eonsistency of character , which maj give the be to the most plausible and most frequently reiterated objec tion of that common enemy to our righteous demand . The objection is , that we are unfitted for the

      exercise of our righto ; that to invest the people with the immunities of freemen , and to give them a due roioe in governmental matters , would be to eefa hKA a despotism more terrible than any that has yet been known . The only way , successfully to answer this , is to exhibit , in all our own oondnct , and in the management of oar own affairs , a close attention to the Bacred principles of justice which we adroeate ; showing thereby that we are Chartists not merely in name , but in character ; that we revere the jast requirements of oar Charter ; and practise them so far as we bars opportunity . It ill

      becomes men to find fanlt frith that in others which they themselTes practise . Now you had neTer a better opportunity of proving how much of genuine Chartism enters into the composition of your character than is jast now afforded yoa . The opportunity is a painful one , no doubt ; it is one that every true lorer of the cause will deplore ; but it is still one that ought not to be passed by ; and t >»« . t cannot be passed by without stultifying ourselves and inflicting an injury upon our cause still more serious than that which it has already suffered from the occurrence of the facts ont of which it arises . As Chartists , yoa hare an Organization which for Chartist purposes is totjb . coysiiTcnon ; yoa

      hare officers whose duty it is to see to the enforcement of that constitution in all its principles and details ; those officers are appointed by , and responsible to , too ; and if they violate the > trust reposed in them the remedy is in your hands . Now the head and front of your just complaining , on the score of political grievances , is that public servants have the power to trample underfoot the aTowed principles of the constitution * and you hare no remedy . This complaint may be taken to be Talid or factious , just as yoa giro proof of your disposition to remedy the grievance if the power were in your hands ; and nothing exhibits this disposition so strongly as your own manser of conducting the affairs of your own association and its movements .

      If in these yon evince a disposition to permit reckless disregard and defiance of all the principles of your constitution to pass , without stamping it ¦ with censure ; if , having elected men to office , you leave them to do therein just what they please , without looking to its justice or its injustice ; if you permit the sanction of your name aad authority to acts by which every principle of right and of common justice is disregarded and defied ; yoa afford to your enemies a jvery forcible confirmation cf their only feasible argument against the concession of your lights .

      For these reasons , and for these reasons onlyteesose I love justice under all circumstancesbecause I would not wink at that in oar own body which I denounce in others ; I have thought it my dnty to call your attention to certain" gross and flagrant violations of oar eonstitntioH by oar own officers . The duty was a very painful and a very unpleasant one ; but I saw it to be a duty , and therefore I did it . I never yet shrunk from duty , because it might happen to be more * pLasant or more profitable to evade it : I trust I never shall . I never yet slunk from my post , because it had beoome difficult or dangerous to maintain it : I trust I never shall .

      For the performance of my disagreeable duty-in commenting honestly and boldly , giving my reasons for everything I said , upon the public documents of the Executive Committee , I have been leaded with every species of abuse and vituperation by all the respective members of the Executive , save Mr . "Williams . Not one of my allegations has been met ; not one of my arguments has been answered ; but , I have been abused , vilified , and slandered . Counter aMosKfcioFBa « T Ae most msligtrast character nave been got up . The most atrocious falsehoods have been asserted about my being concerned in divers plots and conspiracies . I have demanded the proofs : no proofs have been offered ; but the parties have

      travelled from place to place , repeating the statements , as though they were true . Thus has . the Teal qnestion , of whether the Executive have or have not abused the confidence of the people , been kept , to a certain extent , oni of in phi ; and yon have to that same extent suffered yourselves to be amused with denunciation of me , instead of looking to your own afiaira . TMb is not right : it is not fair . After the proofs of the plots" and " conspiracies " in which I am alleged to have been concerned , had been demanded , it w& 3 not right in say Chartist audience to listen to a repetition of Ahe statement , until those proofs had been furnished . fi Fair play ia a jewel ; " and I have as much right to it as any other

      man-I ? THB AIXEGaTIOSS AGAE « 5 T ME CA * BB PKOVED , x ^ i them be peoved . And then the question stands just where it did . Call me '' assassin , " * villain , '" " rogue , " "traitor , " and every other choice name which has been applied to me ; " and what then T Does that prove that the Executive have not violated the principles of our constitution , and of Chartism ; thai they have not neglected the one single duty they were appointed to perform j that they have sot malippropriated the hard-earned pence of the poor people committed to their care : that they have not manifested a contempt of Chartist

      principle by disregarding the remonstrances and respectful enquiries of their constituents ! These are the matters to be answered ; and they will not be answered by mere abuse of me ; and if you permit abuse of me to be substituted for an answer to them , or if you permit them to pass unanswered , you forfeit the consistency of your own character , as a pnWic body ; and you give your enemies thereby a pretext for the argument that your outcry agaias > , their violations of the sacred principles of jastice ^ Had fAeir . malappropriations of the people ' s funds , isfniere factions and unprincipled clamour .

      The -question is one of national interest and of Bniversal import . The sacred principles of our Charter are involved in it . It is the affair of the whole people ; and it is iae people ' s duty to see to its settlement . In the hope of averting public observation from the real question , and from the real magnitude and importance of that question , it has been represented as a private quarrel between me and the Executive , arising out of some pique , or personal consideration , Not a shadow of a reason has been assigned for this representation ; and jet the members of the Executive have been seconded in it by some persons

      in different parts- of the country . What reasons these persons may have / or their share of this disreputable business , they perhaps , best know . I know ,, at all events , that a determined effort is made to help the Executive to fasten the enquiry upon me an a personal quarrel . The complaints and investigations which have been made by many of the Chartist body in different parts of the kingdom for months back are ingeniously kept out of sight , and the whole matter is represented as a dispute between me and the Executive ; and not a matter between the Executive and tLe whole Chartist body .

      Some members of the Executive , not content with venting their abuse at me through the columns of my own paper , have "Jwunoed" and « swaggered " nota . little about M < Jragging me before a public meeting" —about " walking barefoot" for the purpose of doing bo—about " following me to the gates of Hell "—and such like rubbishly bombast . This may ** take , " when delivered , in my absence , to the people , while their blood is just warm from a onesided speech—fraught ; perhaps with misrepresenta-

      Untitled Article

      tion and falsehood—and w ' ailei they are thus prevented from reflecting fairly on all sides of the mat * ter . It may serve , un ^ er such ciroamsUnoes , to bring down a olap ; a-jd , perhaps , fln some minds , to excite a prejudice ag » n « t me . But the reflecting and discriminating will estimate it at its true worth . They will know that it is intended merely to elose the $ r eyes to the fact , that though ample opportunity has been given for every allegation against the Exeoutive to be answered , they hare not answered one of them .

      These blusterers about public meetings and about my " facing them man to man before the people , " &c know that they have here a great advantage over me ; they know that I am peculiarly ' situate ; they know that my health is delicate and very uncertain —that I can never calculate upon being well from one day to another ; they know that my physical strength is unequal to great public exertion ; they

      know that my ordinary duties are so many and laborious , that any addition to them is a very serious inconvenience ; and hence they think themselves perfectly safe in daring me to come out before the people . " They think that I shall not meet them in discussion . They commit a small mistake here . I shall not suffer them thus to escape They hare no right to force me into this position . The people had no right to permit them to do so .

      1 deny the right of either the Executive , or any body else , to represent the inquiry now going on into the conduct of the Executive as a quarrel between me and them . It is no such thing . In the Northern Star I have merely , as a journalist , given honest comments upon facts and documents . I had a right to do this ; and no man had a right to complain of it . I ask nobody to take my opinions for more than they are worth , and I have as much right to express my opinions as any other man . I have done more than most journalists would have done in giving free admission to coarse and scurrilous vituperation in reply . I have given the free use of my own columns to the Executive , not only

      as a body , but to every member singly , in reply to every thing I said . They have us ? d them for that purpose . They have Baid and written in the Northern Star , both collectively and individnally , whatever they liked . What more do they want 1 " What more have they a right to ! I have already given them much more liberty for defence than they were at all entitled to ; because my observations on their conduct were general and directed against the body ; while I have given free room to them to reply in both capacities ; both as a body and as individuals . And I deny the right of any man , or set of men , to expect me after that to waste time in public discussion with thenw

      Bat to leave no room for escape ; and lest it may be aaid that I am valiant only in the Star , and that I fear discussion , I am quite ready to meet either Mr . Leach or any other member of the Executive , as an authorised representative of that body , at any mutually convenient time and place ; and then and there , as a member and councillor of the National Charter Association , to make good mt charge

      AGAINST THE EXECUTIVE O » HAVING VIOLATED THK FLAK OF ORGANIZATION WHICH THEY WERE APPOINTED TO EITFOBCE , AKD OF HAVING THEREIN MANIFESTED A DISREGARD OF CHARTIST PRINCIPLE AND OP MOKAL AND POLITICAL HONESTY . I make the charge against them now ; as a body . I have proved it in the Northern Star ; and I am ready to prove it before a public meeting ; stipulating only for a free , open , and fair discussion before the people—a clear stage and no favour . Fair play is all I ask . If Mr . Leach be prepared to meet me upon that question ,

      having authority from the other members of the Executive to appear as the champion of the body , and to defend the acts of the body , he will find me quite ready . I will meet any other member of the Executive , or any other man in England , on the same conditions . But mind ; I deal with the Executive , as a body ; not with Mr . Leach as an individual . I have brought no charge against individuals ; and my time is a little too valuable to be wasted in individual squabbles . Who does not see that after the discussion with Mr . Leach , Mr . B&irstow might put in a similar claim for bis

      shore of the defence ; and that I must then begin again for M'Douall , and soon for the whole ; and that then , when every one had had his " go , " the Executive , as a body , might disclaim all the individual disputation , and begin de novo . This might very well suit the brawlers , because it would sicken and nauseate all decent men of the broil . For that reason I shall not be party to it . I deny the right of the Executive , or any of them , to claim from me any other opportunity of defence than that they have

      already had . I repeat that even that has been made more ample than they had any right to . ' But if public , discussion of the matter will gratify them—and they talk loudly about it—I am quite ready . Xet them appoint their man ; no matter to me whom : Leach , M'Douall , B&irstow , Campbell—or eveu any volunteer , in whose powers of eloquence and tact they may have more confidence than in their own ; I am zeady for any man , let him be bnt duly authorized , the arrangements fairly made , and the discussion fairly and opsnly conducted .

      "Whenever either ok ant of them mat br beady authorised to appear for the executive , he has om-t to apprise me . i wixl then name X F-E . W FBIENDS , AXD THB EXECUTIVE SHALL NAME

      A . L 1 K . E NUMBER BY WHOM ALL THK PIIELIMINaHIES FOB THE DISCUSS 105 SHALL BE AGREED ON ; and I fancy I am quite able to give them enough of it . If the "bouncing" of M'Douall and of Leach have been authorized by the Executive , they will take this as the acceptance of their challenge ; if it have been only individual " bounce , " I have something else to do than to notice it . And now mind ; let us have no misunderstandings and no shirking nor shuffling . I have been forced into this position , rery uaf&iriy , and very much against my inclination ; I am not now to be forced

      out of it again : If the Executive mean discussion , I am their man ; " and whether they mean it or not I / do . I have been challenged ; and I accept ' the challenge . As the challenged , I have a right to fix the place of meeting ; andl fix it at Manchester , where the Execntivo will surely have every advantage ; where Mr . Leach , if he be their champion , will be at home and have no expence in travelling ; whore tho Executive should be best known and have most influence ; where Chartism has a stronger hold on the population than in any other town in England ; where they have had the full opportunity during all this time

      of making a party for themselves by telling their own tale their own way , with none to contradict them ; where Mr . Leach has had full swing at me in my absence , to vent whatever fabrications and perversions he pleased , in private circles or public meetings , ad libitum , - at Manchester ; in the very midst of his own friends , disciples and admirers ; where the people have at their own command a spacious building in which they have been so long used to be delighted with his eloquenoe , and to hear his denunciations of me , I am quite ready to meet Mr . James Leach , or any other champion of the Executive , and there

      prove—1 st . That the Elective have neglected the duties of their office . 2 nd . That they have violated the organisation they were appointed to enforce . Srdly . That they have done so wilfully , after repeated caution and remonstrance . 4 thly . That they have wrongfully appropriated the monies of the Association to their own use and benefit . 5 ihly . Thai they have both manifested iu their own conduct , and countenanced in that of others , a disregard of Chartist principle ..

      I offer to prove all these things against them in Manchester—their own town ; where their sittings have been holden ; where their popularity as Jec toreis is greatest ; &sd where , as an Executive Uiay should be beet . known . I ask only "

      Untitled Article

      clear stage and no favour "; that one fall week's notice , in the Northern Star , and by whatever other means the Executive may please , shall be given of the meeting ; that H shall be holden in either the Hall of Science , or Carpenter ' s Hall ; that free admission be given to the people ; that no effort at " packing" shall be made , but that the meeting be fair , free , and open . I will pay one half the rent of the room , if held in the Hall of Science , ( if held in Carpenters' Hall , I presume there will be no rent ) , and my own travelling acd personal charges out of my own pocket ; I will

      advertise the meeting in the Northern Star at my own cost ; the other half of the room rent ( if in the Hall of Science ) , their own travelling , if any , and personal expences , and whatever other mode of advertising they choose to adopt , to be defrayed by them —also out of their own pookets ; not touching the people's funds for it . The meeting to be at a > me time mutually convenient for attendance . All other matters relating to the discussion to be settled , without either their interference or mine , by a committee of five friends on each side to be named for the purpose .

      Now ; is this fair t I repeat that they have no right to expect this . My meeting them in discussion at all is a pore work of supererogation . But notwithstanding that , as they talk much about itand as they would fain have it believed that they attach much importance to it , there ' s the chance for them . Let them appoint their man ; ( I care not who it may be ;) let him tell me when he is ready and I will instantly name my friends , and the arrangement shall be made . t After this matter is settled , let them bring their counter accusations if they dare . I am ready to answer in like manner to ANY CHARGES which they , or any of them , or any man in England , may be disposed to brine against me .

      " A public meeting is the Justice Hall for me " : and to that tribunal I dare the whole- pack of yeJpers , whenever they have the manliness to put their charges into a tangible shape , as I have done , and " come fairly out" !! And now , my friends , as far as the Northern Star is concerned , this matter is for the present at least done with . Save what may be necessary to this meeting , if ever it take plaoe , I will not insert another word upon it , pro . or con . from any quarter ;

      unless two communications which I expect in reference to a dirty rascally trick played by a Mr . Frazer should happen to be too late for this week ' s paper : if they be , I shall probably give them next week . Earnestly desiring to see consistency of character among Chartists ; and to see our movement purged of the ranting , mouthing locusts , who have done it much harm , I am , my Friends , Your's , faithfully , William Hill . Northern Star ofiloe , Leeds , Dec . 20 , 1842 .

      The Northern Stab,. Saturday, December 31, 1842.

      THE NORTHERN STAB ,. SATURDAY , DECEMBER 31 , 1842 .

      Untitled Article

      THE CONFERENCE . Our readers will perceive that we have not as yet got in the whole report of the proceedings of this most important body . In a further Edition we hope to give the whole . We have given up to last night—( that fa Wednesday night . ) And by reference to the report , they will see that our anticipations of the intentions and purposes of the Storge

      party , as far as any real union with the working men was concerned , have been fully realized . We fancy the result of the debate on * Mr . Lovett ' s amendment will do much to remove the film from honest eyes ; and to show them the real value of their middle class friends . We have at present no time nor space for comment , bnt shall return to the important matters of this Conference at another time . Meanwhile let our readers read and think .

      Untitled Article

      CHRISTMAS . In times past this season of the year was characterised by joy and gladness throughout the length and breadth of the land . The winter ' s gloom was enlivened by good substantial fare » nd heart-elating merriment . The peasant as well as the prince—the plebian as well as the monarch , oould then enjoy the sweets of life . Youth then sported its playfulness and its vigour , and age gazed smilingly on the scene . Warm and substantial clothing , a good fire , a clean hearth , and plenty on the festive board , were visible

      on every hand ; but alas ! bow changed is the scene . Instead of joy we behold sadness depicted on the countenance of the once athletic and hardy labourer—the prospect of the skilful artizan is overspread with gloom—want has become the inmate of the cot , embittering the cup of life—youth , nay even toothless in fancy , is the victim of the monster ; and ago is dejected , drowned in sorrow and veiltd in melancholy . The young and the aged are clad in rags ; the hovels are scenes of wretchedness ; in crief they

      . * ' Hover o ' er the pigmy fire ;" while the most worthless garbage constitutes their food , and of this bat a scanty portion falls to the lot of many . But such is not the case with / the drones . They roll through the streets in their gilded carriages ; are attired in the most costly raiment ; are filled to repletion with all the luxuries that they oau desire . " Their eyes stand out with fatness , " and in the height of their pride , they look with contempt on the poor by whose labour they acquire all their grandeur .

      why is this strange anomaly 1 Why are tho bees perishing while the drones enjoy the fruit of their industry 1 Because all power ib given into the hands of these devourers instead of being posstessed by the rightful owners . That power will never be regained until the only efficient axe—the Char / erbe applied , by the united strength of the people , to that Upas tree , class legislation . Then , but not till then , may we hope io see olden days or the joys thereof , return . Then we may and shall have M a

      merry Christmas and a happy new year . " We have heard many wish each other the fruition of this blessing , but we tell them they must work as well as wish . The only avenue to a " merry Christmas and a happy new year" is the Charter—it is the sword , the only sword , the six pointed sword , whereby the fell monster tyranny can be slain . Up , then . On to the conquest , and our wishes will be realized to all— " A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW TEAR . "

      Untitled Article

      is alao one of the / jreat | onpaid of the West Riding of the county of York . The boy , whose name is Williams , was brought before the magis . trate for 3 BolicUing a lady coming out of her hop , g in Euston-square to purchase prints . He ^ id his mother , a widow , had given him fiver / Cnde , with which he had purchased seven of them ; Mid that the offer of sale was not a pretext for begging was admitted by the magistrat e Jimself , who was astonished they could be sold fl 0 cheap . " The prisoner" begged of his worship d . ot to punish him , as he sold the prints for the support of a widowed mother . He had done \ io harm , and hoped hiB worship would not pnnish him . His worship , however , did punish J aim , by sending him to the House of Correction for fourteen days ! . .

      . Who the " lady in question , may be we know not ; did we , her name should not be kept from the public , however much it might offend hor superlatively delicate feelings . This woman , or "lady , " as she ia termed , « aanot be the mother of childrenshe must be devoid of every scintilla of those graces which OTghtfever to adorn * God ' s first best gift to man , " otherwise her whole soul would have revolted at the idea of a child—a widow ' s son of eleven years of age , being taken before a magistrate and consigned to "durance vile . " merely for

      soliciting her to purchase a few prints . Such a woman—the walking scandal of her sexought to be hooted through the streets on her every appearance in public , and her company ought to be shunned by all having respect for their character . It might be ' -of service to' /• ¦ ib is"lady , " were she to have a little instruction in the school of adversity ; then she might learn how to conduct herself towards those who seek an honest livelihood , and who would scorn , like her , to live in splendour and idleness , without returning to society an equivalent for that

      which they received . The conduct of Grebnwood , the magistrate , ib also reprehensible in the highest degree . He admits the offer of sale of the prints [ wasi " not apretextfor begging , " yet he sentences the poor boy to fourteen days ' imprisonment in the House of Correction . The widow who givea her son hermite—five-pence—perhaps her all , for the purpose of laying out in the purchase of a few prints , in order thereby to obtain a morsel of

      bread , is doomed to see that son , the comfort of her age , toru from her and immured in a prison , not for the commission of any crime , but because it offended the dignity of the spawn of some aristocrat whose ancestors probably figured behind the counter , or perhaps vended matches ; if the latter , it might have reminded her ladyship of her origin , when the boy solicited her to purchase one of his prints , which insult the pride of her ladyship could not allow / to pass with impunity . :.

      Had Greenwood done bis duty he would ha * e severely reprimanded the woman , and given her to understand that the time of the Court must be better employed than iu attending to such nonsense as that ; and that hers would be better employed in learning how to behave herself towards her fellow-creatures * He would alBo have instructed the policeman to employ his time to better advantage than in obeying the wishes and pandering to the pride of sach an execrable wretch as her ladyship ; and instead of the boy being torn from his widowed mother and committed togprison , he would have commended him for

      his honest endeavour to obtain a morsel of food for himself and his bereaved parent . But such was not the case . The boy was treated as a felon—he was sent to herd among felons ; and should that boy , upon whose character no stain appears , contract vicious habits by being compelled to mingle with the worst of characters , all the oonsequenoes thereof may be laid at the door of the despicable woman who was instrumental in his arrest , and that of the magistrate who eo unjustly sentenced him to imprisonment , and who ought to be immediately removed from the bench .

      It would be well if both magistrates and policemen would give themselves » little more trouble than they generally do , and not , as is frequently the case , seek to manufacture crime and : punish the innocent to suit tho whim of every fool who may think his or her pride offended by being aocoBted in like manner aa the Euoton-Bquaroi" lady ?* The duty of magistrates is to make themselves acquainted with the law , as far as praoticftble , and administer it with impartiality ; and not , as they often do , to substitute their own caprice for the law , and punish the unoffending for merely being poor and defenceless . : With regard to the police—we tell them ,

      in the words of a contemporary , when adverting to the subject which has called forth these remarks , that" The piblic will not tolerate this eternal interference of the police with every thing that is going on . Their object is to prevent and discover crime , and to preserve order by day and night . Whether these pioper duties are adequately discharged we will not now inquire ; but of One thing there can be ne doubt , and that is , their constant interference with matters that do not come within their line of duty . It is much easier , no doubt , to watoh little boys selling prints , ( than to make themselves acquainted with the duties for which , they are especially appointed . "

      If the law be enveloped in so much ambiguity that the magistrates , &c , are left to do as they list in all casea brought before them , then it shows the absolute necessity of a thorough change of Bvstem , without which the poor will ever be the vi otims of the middle and upper classes , whohave just about the same amount of sympathy for the labouring portion of the community , as the wolf has for the lamb , or the cat for the mouse .

      That something is radically wrong in the system under which such injustice as that we allude to can be perpetrated with impunity , ia beyond all dispute , and that the administration of the law is vested in persons altogether unfit to discharge the duties of their office is equally evident ; and vie may rest assured , that until the axe be laid to the root of the tree , and class legislation completely annihilated , such cases of monstrous cruelty aa that inflicted upon

      the boy Williams , may be repeated , as the Greenwoods are not only a numerous race , but are located in the provinces as well as in the metropolis ; as will bo seen from an article in another column ^ where a youn /? man of the name of Wk . Clemen ^ , residing ^ near Bolton-le-Moore , was dragged from his bed at two o ' clock in the morning , and taken to the polico office , on the groundless charge of " assisting in tho engravnig of a plate to counterfeit the Halifax and Hudderefield Bank . " From

      Bolton he was removed to toe lock-up in Manchester , where he remained until the 14 th instant , being arrested on the morning of the 11 th ; he was then removed to Hali fax , where he was confined until tho 19 th , on which day he was brought before the Magistrates , who on enquiring his name immediately liberated him . -Now , had the proper inquiry been made by the authorities , as was their duty , previous to the arrest of this young man , they would have found that it was an absolute impossibility for

      him to have committed the offence alleged against him , as he is scarcely qualified even to write his own name . But to make such necessary enquiry would be a duty too onerous for the well-paid officials } they find it much easier to lay hold of the first that comes within their reach , regardless of their innocence or guilt ; and for such negligence and uncalled-for interference on the part of the authorities , the innocent are d oomed to unjust incarceration and have disgrace imprinted upon their characters .

      What remuneration will this young man obtain for this uijaBticc ^—for this loss of time and character f 2 \ % ie whatever . The shield of protection will ' be held over his persecutors , and the youth muet pocket all the lose and odium , because be is poor . But we trust that the people > il ! persevere in their efforts to destroy the part'nt evil—class legislation—that such acts of injustice * » ay no longer diggraoe a country said to be " thl '« bmvy . of surrounding nations , AND THE AbjilRATlt ' N OF THE WORLD" ! ! I

      Untitled Article

      A . B ., an Operative . —We have satd scores : of times that tee cannot answer legal questions : he must consult a lawyer . A Friend to Justice , Falkibk . —W « decline , in justice to a numerous party , to insert the remarks contained in his letter . He will perceive that we have noticed the delivery of the lecture : thai \ is all we can do . S . Goat , Norwich . —The list sent by Mr . Cleave went through the whole impression on the 17 th , consequently the \ £ 2 sent by the Norwich Chartists would be there noticed . A Political Martyr . —His communication was received ; but it must stand over for further perusal .

      S . J ., Bbistol . —The subject on which he writes is . done with so far as we are concerned . " . J , B . Thompson , SvnvKRtkHt . — We cannot insert his letter : he gives very bad . advice . A Fife Chartist . — We do not think the publication of his letter would at all alter the conduct of the individuals of whom hecomplains . Mr . Wm . Cotton , 38 , Ludgate-hill , Birmingham , delegate to the National Conference at Birmingham for Kilmarnock and Barrhead , will feel obliged if his constituents wilt communicate their addresses to him as soon as possible . Henry Hodgson — We do not think gratuitous ptfu-. peration and assumption any answer Jo alleged ' : ¦ facts . ¦ ¦ -. ' . ' . " '¦ . ¦' . - '¦ ¦ ' : ' ' ¦ '•¦ . - ¦¦ "¦ ¦'¦¦ - "¦ Joseph Ratner , Hollinwood . —Yes .

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      ' " ' ¦' .- •¦ ¦ ¦ r —^^ " —— .. - . ; . James Sinclair , Oateshead . —Yes , December 8 th , per Pickford ' s . A . H ., Dunfermlike . —As soon as the account ia settled , the Plates tfill be sent If the Person who has called upon Mr . Cleave for a Plate will send his name he will oblige , as the money cannot be credited till we bn » w who sends it . The Plate has moat likely been sent to London since be called . He can have another for the spoiled one . We can speak more positive on receipt of the name .

      W . D ., Keoworth—Portrait of Hunt 4 d ., and postage ; of Frost T ^ d . and postage . The postage of the two will be 4 d ., making Is . 3 jd . in the whole . J . M ., Kilmarnock ,. —Is the evil remedied tbiA week ? They are sent by an earlier mail . Jabez Burns , Dundee , bad better , In future , send his cash for Evening Stars direct to Mr . Hobson : it cannot in future be received as it has been ' hltnetto . /¦ ¦¦ . - . ; ¦ •; . ¦ ' ' ' : ¦ . ¦/¦ ' \ - \ , ' ' : ' // ¦ ; Murgatrotd , Delph . —Apply to A . Heywood . J . Goody . —Three months .

      FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . . ¦ . -, ¦ ¦ :... v '¦ . : ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ : .- ¦/¦ £ . b . a From Tewkbury , per W . Haynes ... ... 1 0 0 .. John Wrathall ... ... ... 0 0 2 „ a few Chaftiata at Edinburgh .. ... 0 6 8 ¦ ¦ „ P . A . ^ Hull ... ... ... ... 0 0 6 „ C « rrington » near Nottingham , per - Richard Hankin ... ... ... 0 S 0 FOR ; THE EXECUTIVE . From two whole-hog Chartists , Meltsham Forest ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 FOR MRS . ELLIS . From D&flfl Williams , mason , late of Pontypool ... ... ... ... 0 1 . 0 FOR THE CHARTIST DELEGATES TO THE . : BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE . From an Old Radical ... ... ... 0 0 6

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      ( Continued from our first page . ) ference . He was received with loud and prolonged cheering . Mr . O'Connor introduced Mr . Patrick O'Higgina , from Dublin , who was received with a similar mart of feeling . The Chairman opened the business by calling upon the secretary to read two letters , —one received from Sharman Crawford , Esq ., M . P ., and the other from Daniel O'Connell , Esq ., M . P . The letter from the termer gentleman was as follows : — . " Craufordsburn , Dec . 24 th , 1842 ,

      " Dear Friend , —I send by my son , who is the bearer of this , a parcel containing : 200 copies of my 'defence of the rights of the working classes , " which I have taken leave to address to you , and to the Council of the Birmingham Complete Suffrage Union , in the hope you' will receive it as a proof of my earnest desire to forward that cause which you and the Complete Suffrage Union are bo honourably endeavouring to promote . " -.. •_ ¦ - . . . " ¦[ "In the observations contained In this publication , I nave been desirous to shield the people from the unjust imputations cast , upon their conduct , whilst at the same time , I do not withhold my acknowledgment of the errors which have been committed . I

      bave endeavoured to take a fair review of toe principles on which the claims of the working classes are founded , and of the objeetiena with which their claims are met , and to impress the . principle that all political institutions ( as well as all human institutions of every description ) should be viewed , —not as being capable of perfection , —not as being divested of all possibility of evil , —but as respects the' balance of probable good and evil , which may be reasonably expected to result from them ; but above all it has been my desire to inculcate moderation of conduct , and obliteration of all past unkindly feelings , which have existed between the working and middle classes , who are now both suffering the effects of bad legislation , and thus produce that combined agitation for the remedy of this evil , which can alone be effective in creating that moral power necessary for its removal .

      "As I have already said , I make my son the bearer of this communication . I do this as a mark of my respect to you and your conduct , and of my anxious wish for tfce success of the important meeting , about to take place at your call . He is fully acquainted with my views , and will be capable of giving you any information you might wish for , with reference to the particular nature of our IriBh elections , laws , or regulations , which , in many respects , differ from the institutions of England and Scotland . The Council of the Complete Suffrage Union of Edinburgh were so kind as to propose to put my name in nomination as one of the delegates for that city to your congress ; but I requested of them to abstain from their kind intention , because I was of opinion it would be more eligible to select persons as delegates who were not members of Parliament , for the reasons contained in the extract ; which I enclose you , from my reply to that body .

      . " I trust It is unnecessary for me to add , that as a Member : of the House of Commons , I shall feel it both my duty and my inclination to co-operate in whatever means shall be deemed most eligible for bringing before that House those "measures which are required for carrying out the principles of yeur association . " Believe me , dear Friend , " Yours sincerely , " Wm ,. Shabman Crawford . ' To Joseph Sturge , President of the Birmingham " Complete Suffrage Association . " The following is the extract of a letter addressed by Mr . Crawford , to Mr . Robert Noel , secretary to the Complete Suffrage Association , of Edinburgh , and alluded to in the above :- — ¦

      . " . " ¦ I feel that it would be my duty to comply with any wish expressed by those who bave already shown me such marks of kindness , but I am inclined to think it would , not be eligible to elect Members of Parliament as your delegates , especially those members whom you will look to as the chief supporters of your cause in the House of Commons . I think it would not be prudent for them to act in both capacities . Your delegates are to declare the opinions of the people to the members of that house , and I conceive it would be more proper for them to learn the opinions of the people ( from other persons appointed for that purpose , than to be made themselves the Instruments in the connection of Buch communication . I conceive they would have a greater moral power in the House ef Commons , in the course they should adopt , by not having

      previously been the framers of the measures which' the Convention shall recommend . I am of opinion that it is more desirable that a Member of Parliament should not commit himself on any of the points of detail , ( meaning thereby the election regulations ) till he has time fully to be aware of the arguments arid determinations of the meeting of delegates , became it would be very unfavourable to the impression he might wish to make in Parliament , if it could be alleged that ) ho was acting in obedience to the will of the delegates contrary to any opinion previously expressed as a member of tftat body . ? * My object is to stand in the best possible position to be of use in riving my assistance in Parliament to the advancement of the greatxause we are mutually engaged in , and I think my rtotUrmm be impeded *\ t % I & K ^ bS committed in the capacity of a delegate . " *

      *' D »» ynaneAbbey , D 6 c . 22 , i 842 . . " Mt Rejspected PaiENjD . —your letter , requiring to know whether I could attend in BirminghanL rt the meeting of the delegates for carrying eut the principles of the Complete Suffrage Association , has been followed ^ M " Ugll , ^ bill f 0 r I th * P P 08 e - ^ WcaianlS reached me only this morning . . . ¦ "With respeot jto the first point—namely , my attendance at the Conference , I have on the fullest conE : ation determinednot to go there . Da a 9 t imagS fei ^ ? J& * «^» from any wan \ of al in the of Universal

      » cause Snffrage . ' No ^ chTlun I amlhoronghly convinced that every man of legal age who does not forfeit his right by crime or idiocy , has by toejrinciple ^ of the British coostitution , a diaSnc ? toextinguisbable right to vote fora representative in fcbe Commons House of Parliament . I am oonviijoed that such a right on the part of every male adult isto tte lull aa complete as the right of any member of the Honse ofPeer * to the privilege of the peerage , oras the rigUt otour gracious Queen to the thronef TheToX d fferenceis in practice . The two latter are in full vigour , and perhaps somewhat / superflaously so ^ wniSt tte former-the suffrage rlght-ia cu ^ iild / and ^

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      stricted , and mutilated ; thas Creating , where all should be freemen , a distinct and ' fceparate ; slave class , who . by iniquitous law * , and more iniqultoaa pnetiees , bavo been robbed of their natural blrtorlgut , and are essentially slave * . % " I ' am the friend « f the slave class in every ellma and country , but more especially in the British don- ' - nions . : - _ . . ¦ . ¦ / . , ¦¦ ¦ . .. " .: / . ' ' , - .. - .. ¦• ; -. ,,.. ¦ "I am also the most decide ^ advocate for the voting by ballot , —the best , if not the only mode , of preventing corrupt and criminal practices at elections . ' . : "I also concur in the other points proclaimed by the Complete Suffrage Association ; anj that concur * rence , however , is created by my sacrificing my wa opinion of a preference of triennial to annual Parli * . ments to my sincere desire of producing unanimity of exertion amongst all the friends of a real , ubtt&ntiil , and radical reform of Parliament

      "The reason why I am thus distinct in once more stating my political creed is , because I can answer foe it that the overwhelming majority of the people bl Ireland go with me upon these points , and that they will co-operate with their English brother refonnen in all legal and peaceable means , —bat in no other , —f « obtaining a fair , free , and complete repreientaUon of the people in Pdrliament " The great reason why I do not consent to atte nd the meeting at Birmingham is , because I h&Te convinced myself that I ought rather to be a spectator of , than an actor in , your approaching exertions . I have been personally bo hostile to that class called < physical force Chartists '—I bave been so unjustly , and indeed so absurdly calumniated—( loud laughter ) by their writers , that I have brought myself to balieVe , though perhaps

      without sufficient foundation , that any efforts I could make for conciliation , and to produce harmony , might be defeated , and that my presence might tend to dialnish the prospect of concord and co-operation , whieb are so necessary for the success of your jo » t demands Besides , it is to be apprehended that there are toomany other causes of strife and contention between themore ardent and violent of the Chartist party and the * more placid and mild portion of the Complete Soffrag * Association . If I could throw oil upon the troubled waters , so as that the ark of British liberty might float in traoqail grandeur on the political wave , I should at once , and at any sacri&ae . And it , otter the meating has been organized , you should be of opinion that nif attendance could be of any possible use to the great cause , I will , with the rapidity of steam , plaee myself amongst you . ¦¦ .-. -,

      "I do most anxiously desire that the spirit of peace , harmony , conciliation , and concord may reign in , tb « Convention ; that you may thus have the means and opportunity of considering and adopting the best : modes of insuring success . My entire conviction is , that without co-operation between the middle and what ia called the lower , that is , the poorer , or working class , you cannot possibly succeed , and perhaps yoa ought not Whether you ought or not , the concurrence of the middle classes is , in my judgment , most essentially necessary towards obtaining the right of suffrage for the operative classes . Recent events have proved to demonstration the essential importance of the middle classes in any struggle for the amelioration of political institutions . I know it was the

      cooperation of the middle classes that enabled the people of Ireland to achieve Catholic Emancipation . I know that it was the co-operation of the middle classes that enabled the people of England to obtain the fl : at step in the march of Parliamentary Reform . I see before - my eyea at the present moment tbe irresisUble pr » - gresa of the middle class towards the total abolitioa of all taxes upon human food . How anxiously , there * fore , do I desire to see a combination between the middle and operative classes for the attainment of Radical Reform . If that combination takes place , the aristocratic classes , who nave hitherto trampled upon the people , will be scattered like chaff before the wind ; and the honest and just principles of democratio liberty will pervade , ameliorate , and ennoble all the inititDtions of the State . ' " /

      - " Let me , then , conjure all the friends of peaceable and rational liberty to use every possible awrtion ' to conciliate , to combine , and to conaoli late the operative and middle classes . If that can be done , the materials of complete and immaculate success are in your , hands —a success unstained by violence ot crime—a success deserving the praUe of good men—a success deserving ; I hope , the approbation of the Grand Judge of all . " "The meeting at Birminghamia aglorioosoppoe > tunity for working out these purposes . That epportuuity may be thrown away . It may be soiled , stained , . and destroyed , but the spirit that will work among the best part of the members of the Conference will survive , and even at the worst it will afford an opportunity Of separating the chaff from the good seed . Bat let us not anticipate our evils , which may be merely imaginary ; and let me trust and hope that any discordant elements may soon evaporate , leaving nothing behind but kindly feelings and cordial dispositions to unani- : mity in the service of our country , . ¦ : '¦ ¦ ¦

      " It may be said by way of discouragement that the present Administration , over which the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel preside , composed of men strongly inimical to reform , there is no chance of their , / acceding to any measure approaching to Univeratl Suffrage , There are , however , two facts eeonected with the leaders of the Adminiatratiori which show that they are inspired with , a more pl / able -diav position . ' .. ' ¦ ¦' . ' . . ¦ ' '¦'¦ .- ¦ : . '¦ ¦ ' / ' .. ;¦ : . ;•/' " The first of those facta is , that the Bake of Wellington and Sir R . Peel were selected by George ¦ / IT . as the leaders of an Administration framed , foi tb ^ express purpose of continuing the laws by which the Catholics were excluded from the , constitution ; , yet - that very Administration , with those identical leaders , totally repealed those excluding laws . ; "

      " The second fact u , that the landlord class in England have forced into power , in despite of the Queen , the same Dote of Wellington and Sir R . Peel for the express and proclaimed purpose of preserving in fall ? vigour the Corn Laws ; yet there are most unequivocal evidences already exhibited to ; the publia that this same Duke of Wellington and this same Sir R . Peel Will totally repeal those same Corn Laws . "Theseare most encouraging facts . They demon * strate tha , t unless some feud , some violence , some selfish , dissensions ruin our present prospects , there exists every probability , at no remote period , of vindicating and establishing the rights of the people at large . ¦ " . ¦'¦ ¦ . // -z - ' . ¦ ' . ' : '¦ ¦ '¦ ' ¦ ¦'¦ ¦ '¦' . - . ; . ¦ . ¦ ¦

      " With respect to the draught of thej act of Periu > ment , I will return it , suggesting some alterations which I believe will be improvements . But in any : event , it will be difficult to amalgamate the case of Ireland with that of England and Scotland . There aretwo objections to the inclusion of Ireland in the same bill with that of Great Britain . There are not ia Ireland , as in England , any parish overseen , nor any parish schoolmasters , as in Scotland , though there axe schools in almost every parish . The expression ' parish , sclioolmaster' would in Ireland be either too vague , or inftr , as matter of law , a schoolmaster employed by the protestant clergyman . Of these there are but a few , and still fewer to whom it would be safe to trust any political duty with reference to the elective franchise . . '¦ ¦ . ¦¦ ¦¦ ¦'' . ' . '¦ ' ¦ .- ¦ ¦¦ . ' ¦ .. ¦ -: ¦ .: ¦ - . •• ¦ .-.

      "The second objection arises from matter of sub > stance . The mUlions in Ireland- who are anxious for universal suffrage are much mote solicitous for the restoration of the Irish Parliament . They are convinced that in the present state of the property and popular tion of Ireland , a local Legislature is essentially necessary for the peace and prosperity of the country . In this opinion I am bound to say I moht thoroughly ' . and entirely concur . We Irish are not the less disposed to aid the British people in working ont the right of suffrage for every male adult—complete suffrage being the only honest basis upon which either our Parliament or yours should fee founde *? . : " I have the honour to be , &c , " With sincere regard and respect , '¦';¦ . ¦ ¦ ' "Your faithfal friend and servant , "Daniel O'Connbll . " To Joseph Sttitge , Birmingham . "

      Mr . O'Connor moved that the minutes ef the morning ' s meeting should be confirmed . Mr , Hobson seconded the motion , which was agreed ; to pro forma . The Conference next proceeded to elect the Committee before alluded to . Twenty-six names were proposed . The following nine had the largest number of votes , and were consequently declared duly sleeted : — Mr . Joshua Hobson , M * . J . H . Parry , Rev . Wm . Hill , Mr . John Celquhonn , Mr . G . White , Rev . T . Swann , Mr . Roberts , Mr . James Tickers , and Mr . John Hum- v phreya . ¦ ¦¦ / ' -: ¦' . /¦ . s ;; . ' - . ;¦ .. - .. . '' . ' ¦ . ¦¦ The Skcretaet called upon Mr . W . Beggs , of Nottingham , to introduca the business of tke Coufetenoe . . Previous to this being done , Mr . Parrt moved the following bualnesa regulations : — . ¦ ' . ' -. / ¦ - : : r '; . ' - - ¦ . ¦ ' . : i . That the Conference meet twice every d » y , from nine o ' clock to one , and from three o ' clock till eight .

      2 . That the Chairman of the Conference shall also be Chairman of any Committee of the whole body . : 3 . That the Chairman shall be allowed to take part in the discussion as a member of the Conference , and ' shall hive a casting vote in case of an equal division * in addition to his vote as a delegate . 4 . That aU documents issuing ttom . the 'Gonferenod shall be sighed by the Chairman . 5 . That all documents , or letters , addressed to the Conference , or the C habman , he referred to the Executive Committee . 6 . That all amendments and propositions arising out of business under discussion be submitted to the | Cnalrman , and in writing . 7 . That all speakers be limited to fifteen mtnntas each , except when in committee , and then to flre minutes eaeh , unless ta extraordinary cases , to be notf fled by the Chairman .

      * 8 . That no member shall speak twice on the s » td » fiubject , clause , or matter Immediately under - discosnon , either in the Conference or Committee , except i * explanation , or the opener , by way of conclusion' ^ * ep » y- : \ - \ ¦;¦ : ¦ ' ¦ ¦ . . . . ;¦ ¦ / ¦ : -: y .: ^ . : ] ' ¦ On the motion of Mr . O'Connor , the time proposed to be allowed to each speaker was reduced to tea minutes , and it was also agreed that the sittings of the Conference should be from nice in the mornlag till two , and from four till seven . A protracted discussion ensaed as to the time at which the Committee for decWing the disputed elections , should sit , bnt of course it could ahawer ho useful purpose to enter into it ' " A Bjotioa was ¦ subsequently made for an adiournjneBt to

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      THE LAW versus THE POOR . We havo frequently had occasion to direct the attention of our readers to the mass of corruptien with which the administration of justice in this country ia fraught . Scarcely a day passes without furnishing facts proving the declension which hag crept into courts of law , and calling aloud for a reform of the manifold abuses which obtain therein . The bench ia now converted into a market standthe whim and caprice of an ignorant class of individuals , miscalled " Justices , " is laid down as law ;

      the grossest partiah ' ty ia exhibited ; the rich delinquent generally . escaping -with little or no punishment , while the whole weight of a petty tyrant ' s wrath is poured out upon the poor offender . It appears to be a settled opinion among our modem Dracoes , that wealth and virtue are inseparably connected , and that poverty and crime are indivisible . But this position—however much cherished and acted upon by officials of various grades , froaj my Lord Abinger down to that fagend of the system dabbed a policeman—is untenable , we having continually before our eyes virtue clothed in rags , and vice arrayed in purple and fine linen .

      But as our object is not to dilate upon the virtues of the poor or the vices of the rich , we shall at once call the attention of the pubJic to the gross , injustice and tyranny inflicted , a few days ago , on a poor fatherless boy . by one of the Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrates , named Gree . nwood , who carries on business in the po ] ise ; court , . ClerkenwoII / aad wh

      &? &Eatrer£ Artfr ^Oroggon&Eitfg.

      & ? &eatrer £ artfr ^ oroggon&eitfg .

      Birmingham Conference.

      BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE .

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      THE NORTHERN STAR . 4 ' ' , •• : "¦ - ¦ ¦ ' - — : — - " v ¦ . . . . . . . .. ; ¦ , . . - . ... . ¦ ., ¦ •' ;• " .. . ' , ¦¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ . .. . - . . ' . '"' . — - — = & ' .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 31, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct462/page/4/