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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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BIBJMINGHB . BI . TOWN HALL MEETING . . A crowded and enthusiastic meeting ,, called by requisition , vps held in tie Town Hall , oa Friday , th 9 lgth inst ., the Mayor in the chair . Previous to the opening of the Hall , the street adjoining ¦ was thronged with groups of men of all classes , each being eager to secure a good position . The Committee Room of the Hall was also thronged 'with the requMtieniats , awaiting the opening of the door leading to the organ gallery . It should here be mentioned that the most unfair and dastard ; y conduct -was resorted to , in order to exclude the Chartists from the hustings—the respec tables . taking care that only Bome six or eight tickets should find their -way to the Chartists , so that there ir es a difficulty is procuring tickets for Messrs . Leach , Campbell , Mason , and others , although upwards of 300 had been issued .
A . t eleven o ' clock , Mr . O'Connor arrived , in town , and met several of tha most active Chartists at the house of Mr . Porter , Moor-street , from -whence they proceeded to the Town HalL Shortly after eleven o ' clock , the door which leads irom the Gommittee Boom to the organ gallery was opened for the admission of the favoured few to the front seats . The doors were shortly afterwards thrown open , and the rush to the side galleries was such that they were filled in a few minute s . The people flowed in like a tide to all parts of the building , "which" was soon filled . Various were the surmises that were passed from man to man through the vast assemblage , as to the policy that would be adopted by the Corn law Btrosalers , as it was understood that an arrangement had been entered into by them with Mr . Joseph Sturge on the previous evening , and that a declaration in favour of the People ' s Charter would form a prominent feature in their proceedings .
At the time appointed for the commencement of the business , the Mayor , accompanied by the other parties Who intend to take part in the proceedings , made their appearance in the centre of the organ gall-ry , and were londly cheered , af ^ r which The Mat OR ( Mr . Samuel Beale ) proceeded to read the requisition calling the meeting , when Feargus O'Connor . . Esq ., entered the gallery , and was received with enthu-d&stic cheers by the meeting . He then attempted to advance to the front , and was assailed by some scores of the so-called respectables , by the moit
infamous epithets , and not content with foul words , they even threatened violence , and swore they would murder him if he persisted in his attempt to advance ; they then formeii into a strong compactboely about ten dc-ep , the mure tSectually to prevent him ar any other person favourable to the Chartists , from getting within heariDg of the speakers , the consequence of which was , that they could not hear a single sentence by being kept , so fir behind ; suffice it to say , that amoe rnffianly set cf blackguards could not he fined in her Majesty ' s donfnions ; yet , those man have the impudence to talk cf lie " vio ent physical-force Chartists . "
When the uproar caused by the parties in the gallery had subsided , the Mayor proceeded to address the meeting . He said he was sorry that the n * e of the Hall could not be obtained on an earlier d 3 y in the weei ; that was the first timB he tod the honour of presiding over a meeting since he entered en the duties of his office : he hoped tha proceedings would be conducted wiio temperance and moderation , and stated his wuh to contiuct the business with fairness sad impartiality . 24 r . Alderman Westos then ttwd iorward to propose the first resolution , which was to the following effect : —
"That for a long time past the trade and commerce of Birmingham have been most seriously depressed , and both masters and workmen have , in consequence , been in a state cf unprecedented sufferings ; that those . sufferings are either traceable to , or grievously aggravated by the laws which restrict the importation of food j that £ ho Ministerial proposal f k the amendment of these laws , adds issult to * injury , by it ? mockery of reitf ; that the certain prospect of such an amendment being supported by a majority of the present House of Commons' , affords imf / agable proof of the necessity of putting an end to these , and other evils of class legislation , by such an extension of toe Parliamentary franchise as shall secure to all ranks of the people thit full , fair , and free representation , to ¦ which , on the principles of Christian justice and the British constitution they are entitled . "
Mr . "WzsTOS said that the proposition he had read agreed with bis own views more than any which he had ever moved . Five months had elapsed from the time that the member for Tamworth had undertaken to provide a remedy for the sufferings of the people , and now he declared that they were beyond the power of remedy . He denounced him as a quack , and said he ougtt to make way for those who could bring ftrward a proper remedy . He agreed most cordially with that part of the resolution whish declared the right of the ¦ wh ole people to the elective franchise , and said that every man -who centributed to the tixes , who was amenable to the Iaw 3 . or liable to be called on to defend their country , had an undoubted right to be represented in tha House o £ Commons , and stated that he won ! 3 rather live under a government of the working classes than that of the plundering aristocracy , and scoffed at toe idea of irozidng me being too ignorant to vote .
. Mr . Alderman Tax Wart seconded the resolution in a abort address . Mr . Thomas Attwood then addressed the meeting si some length on his usual topic , the Currency Question , and endeavoured to justify his conduct for supporting that which he formerly repudiated- H « waa received very coldly by the meeting . Mr . ABThCB O'Neil made a long speech in favour of the resolution , and hoped that they would all be unanimous that day . He rejoiced to nna the middle classes taking up the Suffrage question , and congratulated the meeting on the numerous signatures which ¦ were being appended to Mr . Sturge ' s declaration , and read a note at the conclusion which informed the meeting that Mr . Joseph Sturge's document lay in the committte room for signatures .
The meeting then set up a universal shout for O'Connor , which was endeavoured to be drowned by tha respectable conciliating * gentry in the organ gallery ; but it was no use ; " O'Connor , O'Connor , " resounded from all parts of the building ; and when it ¦ was dearly perceived that opposition was useless , the Mayor was instructed to put the question to * -a show of hands , -when nearly every hand in the immense building -was held up , witi the exception ef the few labid ruffians in the gallery . Mr . O Co > 'SOB then stepped into a raised rostrum in the centre of the gallery ; and on his appearance in front , was hailed by thundering applause , which was repeated several times . The gallery gents tried with all their might to binder him from being heard , but
it was useless ; for their miserable squeaks were drowned by the enthusiastic cheers of the meeting . This was the grand object of the day ; one party being determined he should not be heard , and the other , namely , tha working men , being resolved he should have a hearing . Mr . O'Connor commenced by thanking the Mayor for his courtesy ; and said , that if any man had reason to fael proud on the present occasion , he was that individual ; as it proved beyond the possibility of doubt , that his services were appreciated by those in wbo = e behalf he had exerted himself so long . He had not corns there to divide them , a 3 had been asserted by some of the party behind him . But if there was to be a union , as they seemed so much inclined to act with the working men , it should be one
of principle— ( bear , hear ) y—for he was determined not to give one jot of his principles . He was glad to find that the people of Nottingham were proceeding in the right road , not for the purpose of protecting the interests of a fraction , but to assert the rights of all . How dare any person stats that he wished to cause division , when he had uniformly expressed his conviction that the interest of the Bhopkeepar was closely bound up with the working man , who was his best customer . From the position in which he was placed he could not hear any of the speeches which wera made , but he had heard one of the speakers refer to the poverty of the country , whilst no mention was made of the heavy taxes which were wrung from the nation . He had been called a physical force Chartist
and a firebrand , bat he could stand before that meeting , and ask , Where was the proof of those assertions ? He had never fiinehed from his principles , neither -would he do so—( loud cheers . ) He would never give up one iota of his principles , and if union was to take place , the Charter must be the foundation stone —( cheerB . ) They sow hid the enemy in advance . Sir Robert Peel had brought forward bis saaped pigtail sliding scale , and that was his plan of " Corn Law Reform . " But the Corn Law Repealers had different plans alsa . Mr . Chr istopher was in favour of ono plan , Mr . Villiers differed from Ti ? m < and Lord John Russell differed froia both . But the people would fling back their schemes , and spurn their offers . He was under greater expenee by attending that meeting than any person present He
did sot thrust himself upon them , but ss he was there he Would boldly declare his principles . That was , the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less —( loud eheers- ) What was the position of the people ? They were now invited to unite with the middle classes , and if a union took place it must be an honourable one . The working men should look upon themselves in their proper character , as self-respect was the only ornament -which could ennoble them . The Reform Bill had failed —it had been destroyed in the details , —the excitement of the people had subsided immediately after the passing ef that measure , and all its effects vanished at the third session aftar its enactment . Therefore , if they ¦ wanted a union , he would require that thirty working men should be seat into the House of Commons to look
after their interests , and take eare that jnrtiee was done . Why did they taaat him with causing disunion between the middle and working closes . Where was ' the man who had spent more of bis own money in the present s * raggie , jad received not one flushing in return . He above all men ought not to endeavour to perpetuate jdiTMon , for ha waa interested in bringing it to a con-^ tbntact * as it wa » veil known be derived nothing bat iDOMWnt labour from the position he had taker up . Jf everthelen be would still stand by the people until they iqid ff&fthliihed Universal Suffrage , Annual ParliamcnW-Vote " b / Ballot , Ho Property Qualification , Eqnai Electoral Districts , and Payment of Membersand those were , desired by every -working man in the country . . ( Load eheers . } The people of Birmingham alone wold not cause a union of the middle and work .
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in ^ classes ; they ould go for the C faaxter , they might all go to bed and he would nave meetings of 500 , 000 at Manchester , Glasgow , and the other large towns , ¦ which would hurl despotism from her throne , and establish the liberty of the people in its stead—( cheers . ) The present system bad brought the working classes to such a state of misery that they were scarce able to live ; bat let Sir ^ Robert Peel * quarter-day depend on the working man ' s Saturday niglit , and they would soon see the alteration . He con trasted the state of affairs in America with that existing in England . In America the Government were bank rupt whilst the people had . plenty ; but in England the Government was wallowing in wealth whilst the people were starving . He did not wish for a distribution of property , but he -wanted every man to have the equal protection of law , s « that the same punishment Bhould be dealt out to the nobleman who shot the poor man's hen as to the poor man who Bhot his deer . In the advocacy of
the people ' s rights he would not be intimidated . He defied the dungeon , the dock , or the scaffold . He sought equal justice for all , and thought that as Lord Cardigan was tried by his peers , it was only right that the working man should be tried by his peers also . He had not heard the resolution read which was before the meeting , and , consequently , could not make any observations on it , but he hoped that whatever they had done , they would stand by principle . He looked for ne benefit for himself ; all he desired was that their liberty should be first established , after which he would willingly retire ; and , when he finally departed from the scene of political strife , it might be written on his tomb—• ' Here lies the body of one who worked , without pay , for the people , receiving only their gratitnde as his reward . " 2 Hr . O'Connor then retired , amidst loud cheers from all parts of the building . His speech , of which this is a mere outline , was admired by all present .
At this stage of the proceedings , it was expected that the Chartist body -would bring forward an amendment , but , as it was understood that the Intention was to move a petition to the Queen ; and , ai there had been such an outcry against the tyranny of the Chartists at their former meetings , it was thought best to allow the resolution to pass , as they had a requisition to the Mayor in course of signature for the adoption of the National Petition ; in fact , there were various opinions on the matter , some insisting on an amendment , and others against it , as they thought the principles of the Charter was fairly recognised by the parties who had got up the meeting assenting to it in their resolution and speeches . The Mayor then put the resolution , ¦ which was carried unanimously . Mr . Schofielb moved the adoption ef a petition founded on the resolution . Mr . John Colliss seconded the motion in a brief
address , in which he asserted that the principles of the Charter were fully recognised in the resolution . . - Mr . Mason then came forward and said , Mr . Chairman and gentlemen , although he was comparatively a stranger to the psople of Birmingham , he could not refrain from offering a few remarks on that occasion . It was quite evident , a time had arrived when a great ehange must take place in the constitution of the government of these realms . Sir R . Peel had now proved how far be was disposed to relieve the sufferings of the working classes : his proposition , for a modification of the Cora Laws , not only indicated his opinions on this question , but it also proved , that he ( Sir R . Peel ) was prepared , as a leader of the aristocratic faction , to
defend every other usurpation and privilege of this feudal order —( cheer ? . ) Yes , but there was a power in the people , when directed by intelligence , for the accomplishment of any great measure of justice—( loud cheers)—a power which ultimately will compel them to surrender their unjust emoluments to the honest demands of an oppressed and suffering nation—i cheer ? . ) He ( Mr . Masonj felt a degree of pleasure at witnessing the middle classes coming forward to recognise the universal enfranchisement of tha working men , as a great organic principle in the constitution of government , whatever might have been the conduct of that class to them , the working mer . He was as an individual ready to forgive , if they were honestly prepared to do the ingenious suffering mechanic and the hardy
labourer justice—full and completa justice . He contended for justice not for any one class—do ; he would resist the disenfranchisement of any class , however wealthy , equally as he would resist the rich dispossessing the working man of the elective franchise . He contended thai the land-owner , the merchant , the manufacturer , and the shopkeeper , had all an inalienable right to a legitimate protection ; but they had no right to immolate the legitimate rights of millions to promote their private interests ( cheer * , j They desired justice , and by all that was sacred in human nature , they would have it—despotism should be resisted wherever it existed , he weuld resist the tyranny of a democracy , equally with the tyranny of an aristocracy ; they heard much of a spirit of union which was to exist among
them from that day forward ; he hoped that a great and honourable compact would be formed by therespectable members of society ; he hoped that day was now at hand when Englasd—yes when England should behold the great Charter cf British liberty conferred upon heT people ; he hoped that day would be memorable to the heartbroken sla-ve , that the hard-working mechanics wonld have cause to bless them as great instruments in promoting their liberty ; he hoped , however , these gentlemen wonld not attempt to strangle in detail , the great principle they had recognised , who would attempt to deny the qualification of many of the working men
to si : in Parliament , some of the brightest and most glor ious spirits which have adorned the human race , sprung from the working ranks of society —( cheers . ) Before I retire , let me enjoin you , if these gentlemen intend again to aid us in in this struggle , to watch with caution their every step ; weigh in your minds every sentence they atter ; investigate seriously and dispassionately every sentiment and speech which falls from their lips—[ hear , hear . ) In conclusion , I thauk you fer the patient hearing you have afforded me , and may this beauuf ol land soon present a people as great as heaven has designed , and our own intelligence u capable of making it . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . Douglas moved that the petition be signed by the Chairman , on behalf of the meeting , and be presented to the Q'leen by the borough members . Mr . Boultdee seconded the resolution , which was carried . The meeting then called for Mr . P . H- Muktz , who addressed them briefly . He said that he had no intention of taking any part in their proceedings , but as he was called for he would tell them the reason why he had not joined the anti-Corn Law Association . He was then of the same mind as formerly : he believed that the House of Commons , as at present constituttd , would sever repeal the Corn Laws , and that it was useless to petition them . He expressed himself highly satisfied with the speech of Mr . O'Connor , although he had found fault with him formerly . He moved a vote of thanks to the Mayor .
Mr . Edward Browne attempted to address the meeting , but was shamefully hissed by tha Corn Law Repealers , and not suffered to proceed . The motion was then put and carried unanimously , after which three cheers were given for the Charter , and tho meeting separated . It will now be seen whether the parties who have thus admitted the right of the people to full , fair , and free representation , will keep good faith with thu Chartist body , and go for the whole Charter without shuffle or tquivocation : if they do attempt any sort of trick or Eubierf uge , their existence as a political party in Birmingham is at an end , for their baseness will then be so transparent , that they can never again expect to be tolerated by the working men . They have now a chance of again falling into the ranks of the people , if they are really honest ; if they prove , by their future conduct , that ihey are not so , they ou ^ ht to be scouted from the presence of the men they have tried to Detray .
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pHTiVfc'ITIT . vy DEFEAT OF THE CORN-LAW REPEALERS AND SHAM RADICAL HUMBUGS . TRIUMPH OF THE CHARTISTS . The news of Finality Russell ' s defeat reached here on the afternoon of Thursday , the 17 th , and that evening it was announced , per bellman , that a public roeetiug would be held in Paradise-square , the day following , at twelve o ' clock . Tha next morning , shabby looking placards announced the meeting , stating it was called by " The Operative (?) Corn Law Association" ( an Association , by the bye , never heard of before in Shefiifclil ) " to consider the best means of repeating the Corn Laws . " The parties calling the meeting no doubt
thought that Friday was a day so Inconvenient for ths working classes , that they ( the Repealers ) could have matters all their own way ; moreover , an intrigue bad been carrying on for some days previous , the object of which was the seducing of the Chartists , or at least the Chartist leaders , into supporting a humbug resolution for Universal Suffrage and the Billot They wtra partly successful , and yet , despite of all , the " whole hog" men triumphed ; the people showed they were true to principle , and were not to be deluded by those who had deceived and trampled upon them before . Whifgtry is fallen in Sheffield , and all wko would extend to it a helping had are justly doomed to share its fall and perish with it in its rottenness .
On Friday , Feb . 18 th , by eleven o ' clock , the people began to muster in the squire , and by half-past twelve , there must have been little short of ten theusand people assembled . Oa the motion of Mr . Shbldon , seconded by Mr . Hoole , Ecw AB . D Bramley , Eiq ., was called to the chair , and said , —Fellow-townsmen , I could have wished that some one older than myself had been called upon to occupy the post of Chairman , but I will endeavonr , Gentlemen , to do my duty , and obtain a patient
hearing for every one who may address you . 'Che question was , how are we to get rid of the Com Laws ? ( " The Suffrage—the Charter < " ) Not by addressing ourselves to the reason or the justice of the legislature . Have they any justice?—( No . ) Not by appealing to their humanity . Have they any humanity ?—( no , ne . j No , Gentlemen , we matt do the work for ourselves and by ourselves —( Loud cheer ? . ) All party distinctions must be abrogated—all class-interests most cease— " Each for all and all for each" must be ear motto—( cheers . ) I sow make ¦ way lor tbe gentlemen who are to propose the resolutions .
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Mr . Beale came forward to move tae first lesolution : — . " .. - ¦ ' : ' . ¦¦ ¦ : ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦' •¦ ¦ - ¦ . ' ¦ : ¦' . " That this meeting has learned , with the greatest indignation , that the sufferings of the working classes , and the embarrassments of their employers in the manufacturing districts , will receive no alleviation from any measure proposed to Parliament by the present Government , but that , on the contrary , their distress is met by an insulting proposal to perpetuate the bread tax , and therebj to keep up the first necessary of life at a famine price , for the exclusive benefit of the aristocracy . " ;¦ - ¦ ¦ Mr . Hoole seconded the resolution , which waa carried unanimously . :
Mr . Palpbbyman , who was received with loud cries of - " Where is Holberry ?" ¦ replied he would answer that question . Had they ever known him refuse to defend any person who placed his case in hishandB ? By the rules of the profession , he was bound to undertake the cause of prosecutor or prisoner , whoever night first apply , acting not in a personal but in a professional capacity . He had opposed Universal Suffrage on those Bteps ; but having Been petition after petition rejected by men not chosen by the people , and now even some of the Whigs voting against Lord John Russell ' s motion , and no less than twenty-eight of the Liberal members absent , including Mr . O'Conneil and Mr . Sniel , of whom he must hear some good account before he could pardon their absence , what was to be hoped for ? The necessity for a change was established , aad let them all
unite to demand an extension of the Suffrage . Let that be united with the Ballot ; and as to minor points , let them be passed over until these were carried , which would give the power of carrying all the rest He did not propose this resolution as a concession . They had been driven to it —[ cheers . ) How ? Not by external circumstances , but internal . The argument had been forced home by strong necessity ; and now they were willing to unite with the mass of their countrymen , in the demand for Universal Suffrage . At Manchester , a large meeting , comprising the wealthiest merchants and manufacturers of the place , had passed a resolution , declaring their conviction that there could be no permanently good and impartial Government until the Suffrage should bo Universal . The resolution he had topropose was as follows : —
" Having lost all confidence in the Government and the House of Commons us at present constituted , ami desiring not only the repeal of bad laws , but a guarantee for future good government , and fearing those unhappy outbreaks which must result from the continued oppression and starvation of the people : being also convinced that no effectual remedy will be provided until it be placed in the power of the people , this meeting is of opinion that the franchise ought to be extended to every man twenty-one years of age , of Bound mind , untainted with crime , with the security of secret voting , and such other matters of detail as may be found sece 88 ary to the honest and practical working out of the principle . " ( Cheers , and cries of " The Charter . " ) Mr . John Sheldo . v seconded the resolution . Mr . Samuel Parkes came forward and moved the following amendment : —
"That this meeting , aware that the Com Laws and every vile law which disgraces tho statute-book of tbisi country , are but the natural fruits of class legislation , hereby declare that they will be content with nothing short of the full representation of the people as provided for in the People ' s Charter , which , as the only remedy for national wrongs , they rttmand to be adopted whole and entire , as thu law of the land . " They had learned by the experience of the past , that both factions meant to keep them in slavery . Lord John Finality had proposed a remedy for poor John Bull , a flour , sugar , and timber powder ; but it would not operate on the diseased state of poor John , and therefore he lost his power . They bad now a Dr . Peel , who had proposed something he thought would remedy
the distress , and that wa 3 to Elide them into the grave gradually . Let them consider that both factions were determined , by united heart , head , and hand , to keep the people in subjection to abominable laws . Lord John congratulated Sir Robert Peel that they were not disagreed on the Poor Law . The Tories , on the hustings , bad professed to be prepared to alter it ; but he was glad Peel was not for having recourse to that cbangc . He congratulated him also , thpt they were agreed on every law that tended to degrade and injure the people . They bad to-day another proposed remedy . A motion was proposed respecting the monopoly of legislation . There was such monopoly;—they opposed it , and meant to abolish it—( cheers . ) They had been told of the character of the Corn Laws , that it was
opposed to the law of right , of nature , and of God ; but though he had not the learning of a barrister or a lawyer , he thought there was as much a curse , connected with other laws as that The New Poor Law was opposed to the law of God . God said , whom he had joined let no man put asunder ; yet , by this law , a man loving his wife , must , because of his poverty , enter a bastile , and be parted from bis wife . God . commanded every man to train up his children in the way they should go ; bat the Poor Law Guardians said , we'll train them for you . Thee go that way man , thee that way woman , and tbee that way child . Tbat law disgraced the character of this professedly Christian , but practically infidel land . He would now try to dissect the resolution proposed by Mr . Palfreyman . It said , "Having lost all confidence
in the Government and the House of Commons as now constituted . " The parties who proposed Universal Suffrage and the Ballot had lost all confidence in the present Government . Why 1 He did not believe they ever had much , but the litt ' . e they had was lost , because they had not repealed the Corn Law . Had they done so , the gentlemen would not have lost confidence in the Government , —their rock of confidence was gone for ever , dashed to pieces by the wave of public opinion ; and he hoped that , by the energies of the people , no rock of confidence would stand , but in the full rights of man . The resolution went on , " Desiring the repeal not only of bad laws . " What laws did they mean ? It was vague . Lord J . Russell and Sir Robert Peel , and many aristocrats , thought the Poor Law not
bad ; many thought the Coin Law not bad , and the Game Law not bad . Though God had given all beasts and birds to man for food , the aristocracy , because they possessed the land , claimed also the birds and the fish . Did this resolution point out what the bad laws were ? Did it tell all the bad laws . [ Chairman : That weuld be very difficult ] No doubt it would , for even the Judges who tried the expatriated Frost , Williams , and Jones , did not understand there ; and how , then , should the people understand them ? The resolution went on , " and anxious to avoid the nnhsppy outbreaks that must result from the continued oppression and starvation of the people . " They perceived here that those worthy characters professed much sympaty with the working classes . Did they think bo before
the Corn Law received its decisive blow for the present session , when Cobden urged on an attack on the people in Stevenson ' B-Equare , because they exposed the deceit of the League ? No ; the parents of Whiggery and their offspring were alike . Who sent spies , Informers , agitators , to urge the peoplaon , but the Whigs ? Who paid secret service money to urge the people to break the laws , and then banished them to distant lands ? Were they anxious to avoid outbreaks ? Then let them come forward as they ought Thi resoK-. tion continued — " Feeling convinced that there can be no effectual remedy till the power is lodged iu the hands of the people . " They knew this as Chartists , and had supported it throughout the faree kingdoms , and the anti-Corn Law League had opposed them . ( No , no ) They had told
them theCharter waa mt . heir right ; but before they had done , they would have the whole hog , bristles and all —( cheers . ) Having ne > t read the part of the resolution relating to the Suffrage , he said—That they did not object to it It was the right of every man . BJack-Stone declared tbat taxation , without representation , was against right and law . But they would have the whole Charter , and with united voice , demand their rights . " Together with the privilege of secret voting , and such other matters of detail as maybe found necessary to the h « nest and practical working of the principle . " What were the matters of detail ? A builder wanted his foundation firm , the cement good , and all prepared for a perfect structure . But here was a vagueness . Why might not the gentlemen have
added the other points of the Charter ? It left them at liberty , if they went for this , to delude and divide the people . What were the matters of detail ? What would Universal Suffrage and Vote by Ballot do without annual Parliaments ? If tuey got this measure , and stopped short of the rest , they might have septennial or triennial Parliaments ; and they might send representatives who , once there , would laugh the people to fcorn , as in times gone by . Let them stick to the Charter , and contend for annual Parliaments , that if they had a bad servant they might turn him about his business , and elect a better . N o property qualification was important and essential . Hj would pay for Members without qualification , but he "would not pay for those who had property . Take away the property qualification , and every fit man might be elected . He said , let them send the man that the people chose , be his property what it might The poor man , whatever his learning and powers , could not go to Parliament
without a property qualification . Get rid of that , and they might send men who were qualified , and not as now , men who often had no qualification but money . It was necessary to have " paid Members , " for if he were well paid , he would do his duty : he would be bound to do it ; and if he neglected , might be discarded . He would not occupy their time by referring to equal electoral districts . Let them not be led astray by the motion of to-day , but ask gentlemen to agree to the Charter , ¦ which was tangible , and embodied the rights of every man . They did not want to take away the privileges of the rich , bub they claimed the right for themselves . He exhorted them , by the remembrance of the five hundred who suffered in the gaols of the country for the cause of Chartism—by the Jnetnory of Frost , Williams , and Jones , let them contend for the Charter . He besought them , by their duty to postsrity , to contend for the Charter , and they wonld fetch back their expatriated countrymen , which he feared , without it , the ; would not get ( Load cheers . )
Mr . Julian Harket said , it was not his intention to take up their time at length , after the able and excellent address of the last speaker—a woiking man of their own order ground to the dust by the classes above him—not clothed in purple and fine linen , or rolling in luxury;—still , he was " a man , for a * tbat " Ha bad advocai # d nobly the right * of hla order , and supported sn amendment for the Charter , whole and
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entire . Tney weie called oa to assemble to consider the decision of the House of Commons oil Lard John Rnssell ' s amendment . "They , we re-to' protest against the Government and its measures . They all agreed in denouncing the effect of class . legislation .- It appeared tkey all agreed as to the cause of the removing the cause—( cheers . ) Mr . Palfreyman said their adhesion to Universal Suffrage was a concesaion forced from them . Bjr whom ? BythVChartists- ^ aoud cheers . r ; S : x months back , Lord John Russell appealed to the country on the 8 s . duty ; and if the Chartists bad given their support , the duty wonld have been carried , and they would never have heard of Universal Suffrage or the total repeal of the Corn Law . Thia was to * cause the people had refused their support to the
repealers ; and if the repeaters had got what they de-Bired , the people might have gone to the d— -I for anything they cared —( cheere . ) He was asked to be careful as to his language . Bub what sort of language had , the repealers used ? Did this motion receive the sanction of tho anti-Corn Law party?—( loud cries of "No , noy no . " ) He wm told it did not Thu * , if they had passed tbu resolution , supposing it pledged the middle classes , they would be humbugged . Did the Independent , the organ of the repealers , support Universal Suffrage ? Would it support this humbug resolution ? Wou ' . d the Iris ? If so , it was suddenly converted I foritaaid on Tuesday , that they had nothing to hope from the Chartists , and treated them with contempt But ; they were not contemptible ,
and would have the Charter , whole and entire , and nothing short of it— ( Great cheering ) . He asked the sudden converts , and those not yet converted , if they could hope to carry the Corn Law Repeal -without the enfranchisement of the people ? Lord John Russell ' s motion had been lost by a majorify of 123 , and there would be a greater majority against Mr . Villtera ' a motion . Then , what had they to hope for , unless they stuck to the Charter , ami established the sovereignty of the people on the ruins of : the aristocracy ? ( Cheers . ) The power that would give a total repeal of the Corn Law . would carry the Charter entire . They were told
the Reform Bill was but a step , and the Reformers would not cease till tbey : had established Universal Suffrage . If the people lent their power to the Repealers , they would find , if they got the repeal of the Corn Law , they might whistle for the Chatter . Let them wait a bit Tile people had waited , ai ? id could afford to wait— not because they did not want cheap bread and meat , but because they wanted right above all . ; Let them stand by tbe Charter entire . They now occupied a prouder position than ever , and if they waited awhile , the middle class must join them , and it would become the law of tho land—Hcheeis ) . He seconded the amendment .
Mr . Otley said , he should not have spoken , but that bu heard the cry , " pt'e ' y ; it /' won't do , " ( Interruption ) He had aeryvd them faithfully , he had advocated their interests , and supported their views , whenever they had called upon him to do so . But he wished to explain the position in which he Btood , and then he would leave every candid man to judge of it . He had iio connexion with any party but the Working classes . He had received an invitation to meet some workingmeni whom he supposed to be conected with tho Freu' Trade Society . Tbe original resolutions were not agreed to by him , but he laid them before the Chartist Council , advising that they should not adopt thtm unless they were satisfied with them . Without a dissentient voice —( no , no)—without a dissentient vote , tlieu , they were agreed to : and then he conveyed
the resolution now proposed to the parties with whom he had conferred . After that came a note ' -from Mr , Hamey , haying that they hid changed their mindfl , and objected to the resolution . But : he had pledged himself to the support of that resolution , and now he would jglve his reasons for thinking that such a course was the best He chaUonged any man to show that the working classes could work out any good : for themselves by themselves —( hear , hear , hisses ^ and interruption ^ ) He had never courted their praise , and he would not for fear of censure refrain when it was bis duty to tell them the truth . He believed that many who made a boast about having the hog and tbe whole bog , even if they had it in their mouths , would pretend scruples of conscience , and spit it out acain—( diaapprobatioa ) They might Liss , but in twelve months they would be of his opinion .
Mr . Jones , the North Riding lecturer , who was loudly cheered , said Mr . Otiey had professed to be in favour of the whole Charter , now if Mr . Otiey and those who acted with him were satisfied that tho other points of the Charter were the . necessary details ,: they would if they wero honestnun abandon the motion and support the amendment —( cheers . ) In years gone by when theworking classes relied oa aristocratic leaders , they were deceived ; . and the- present movement was merely contrived to pitch thu present Chartist leaders overboard—( cheers . ) He would hold out the hand of friendship to any man , but if they would unite with him , he must have a guarantee that he should not be deserted when his partner ' s object was gained , and they could have no security bat the Charter—( hear , hear . )
They had no chance of retaining the proud position they now held , if they gave in one iota . What made the working . "classes make this concession ? They were promised Universal Suffrage , because ifc was said it was right ; but were not the other points of the Charter their rights ?—( cheers . ) He believed that those who origninated this meeting would , if they succeeded , band theni over to either faction . Let them remember the Qmker ' s ad ace— " if thy friend deceive thee once , shame on him ; if he deceive thee twice , shame on thee . " They hod been once betrayed , and deceived ; but once bit , twice shy , ami they never would be humbugged again . Standing out , as they had done , they compelled the middle classes to come to Universal Suffraje and the Ballot Let them : reject this offer , and they should get a better ; and so on from time to time , till they gottae Charter , hog , brisUtJB , and all . —( cheers . )
Let the middle classes come forward for the whole measure of justice , and ho would go with them .. Let them not give support to the Whig faotioD , till they would concede all their rights , ff they took less than the whole Charter ,, their fcopes were blasted for years to coxao . The people were now prepared to compel the middle classes to adopt any measura they chose . Having compelled them to offer Unirenm ! Suffrage and the Ballot , thuy would compel them to give the whole . If they now abandoned their position , they would in after years regret that they had not enfriwi the whole when they had the opportunity . Their deBtiny was now in their own hands , to remain in slavery for years / or enjoy the blessings of freedom . He was determined ; no inatter what courjje of policy others pursued , to have nothing but the Charter , hoping speedily it would be the law of theland —( cheers . )
Mr . Gill said he too was for the Charter j bufcit was only to be obtained by the united exertions of the middle and the working classes , and not by the paid teols of a party ( hisses and disapprobation . ) The Charter would never be established by men who lived by agitation and had an interest in prolonging injustice—( groans)—by men who lived by the injustice . Such men had not the same interest in obtaining justice that those men had who lived by their labour ( cheers from the Repealers and groans from the Chartists . ) He
cared not for their frowns and hissing ; for them he had run the risfc of sacrificing hia domestic comforts . He cared for the frowns of no man . He challenged any man to show that fae bad ever received a farthing for any service he had rendered , while he bad , at the same time , the opportunity of followinghis occupation ; and ho asked who , among those to whom 'he had -alluded / could-say the same ?—Mr . Gill retired , amidst the loud and general disapprobation of the Chartists , mingled with faint applause from his new friends the Whigs and Corn-Law Repealers .
Mr . Harne wished to ask a question : Who did Mr . GUI mean by " paid tools ?' ¦ Mr . Gill : Mr . Harney is " a paid tool of Feargus O'Connor ' s ( tremendous groaning , hissing and confusion . ) Mr . Harnev said he would not now interrupt the course of the proceedings , but he challenged Mr . Gill to make good bis charge at the close of the business for which the meeting had been called ( loud cheers . ) Mr . Pa lp re mxn said a few words . The Chairman then took the sense of the meeting , and declared thenmendment carried . This announcement was received with loud and repeated cheers . Full two-thirds of the meeting held up their hands ^ or ther" whole hog '? amendment , On the motion of Mr . Harnby , seconded by Mr . Jones , the thanks of the meeting were unanimously given to the Chairman for bis impartial conduct The Chairman returned thanks and retired . Mr . Hol y oak e was then called to the chair .
Mr * Harne y called on Mr . Gill to substantiate his charge , but lo and behold the valiant denunciator had vanished , having niade his exit by a back-door of the building , from the steps of which the speakers had addressed the meeting . A Mr . M'Kettkick stood ^ forward ^ to speak for Mr . Gill , but shrunk before the fearful storm of disapprobation with which hu was assailed . \ Mr . Harne y then briefly addressed the meeting . Mr . Jones moved a vote of confidence in Mr . Harney , which was unanimously given : and three cheers having been given for Feargus O'Connor , and three for the Charter and no surrender , the meeting dissolved .- . ¦'• ; ¦ ' .- . "V ¦ ; ' ; , - ¦' . ' . J ¦ . ... - ¦ ..- ¦'¦ ¦ . ' . ; ' .. ¦ . " .: " ¦ ¦ " '¦ :- ' -.. [ V . ' .: '' The Corn Law Repealers amused themselves by burying two bundles of rags intended for effigies ofthe Duke and Peel ; had the Chartists done this , they would have been denounced as dagger and torch men .
In the evening , a meeting was held In Fig Tree-lane , the room was literally crammed ; and hundreds could not gain admission . ° . ¦"' . ' . '¦ ' ¦ ' . . . - "¦¦ ¦ " ... ¦ . - " . ' :.. ; . '" :: Mr . Holyoake addressed the meeting , most ably showing ! up the fallacy cf " union with the middle class . " - ¦ ' : " ; ' /' r . ' . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ " ' . ' : ¦ ¦ : . ; ' :..- .: ¦¦ : ' i '; .. ' . ' : "' , ' \ Mr . Ha ^ N EY followed in a lengthy address . A Member of the association moved the adoption of the following resolution :- ^ - \ " That this meeting highly approves of the result of to-day's meeting in Paradise-iquare , and return theb ? sincere thanks to those friends of the cause who so nobly and unflinchingly advocated the rightsi of the people as embodied in the People ' s Charter . " . ' :. The resolution was carried unanimously , a large number of members were enrolled , and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed . ¦ . ' ¦ . ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ' . ¦; ¦ ''¦ : ¦;¦' / ' : - . " , ' •¦ . ' . ' ¦ ' ' '¦ ' :.. '
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The population of Glasgow is erroneously stated in the account of the late census returns at 257 , 592 , It should have been 267 , 463 , » n important error of nearly 10 , 000 in stating the popalatfoa of that eity .
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- THE STONE MASONS ON , STRIKE , FROM THE MEW HOUSES OP PARLIAMENT , JtND NELSON ' S MONUMENT i LONDON , AND THE WOOLWICH DOCKYARD , " : - ' TolhePublicandlAeTrada o /^ " No man possesses natural and inherent wealth within hfmself—he has merely a capability of labouringof producing , —therefore if a man possess any created wealth—any capital—and has never made : use of his capability—has never laboured—never produced , the wealth which lie holds in possession — -cannot rightly belong to him ; It most belong to some persons who have created it by labour— , who have produced it , and been acquired by him through the existing fraudulent system of' unequal exchange ; . ' Capital is not self-existant "
Brethren , —Twenty-two weeks have passed away since by " insults , wrongs , and contumelies '' we were driven to strike against our late employers , who sot only refused to redress our grievances , but gave open countenance to the unfeeling author of onr wrongs . During this long period , notwithstanding the many privations we have endured , and the formidable conclave ef capitalists and class-made authority arrayed against us , we have perseveringly devoted our time and exertion in that direction appearing to us best calculated to destroy the cause of the insufferable , indignant , and contemptuous treatment unto which w © had been subjected . To manifest that we are capable of discriminating between becoming humility and debasing submission , and to enforce from those for whom existing usages of society compel us to toil , treatment more consonant with the feelings of reflecting minds , and due from one man to another .
To aid us in this moral contest we have received unparalleled support from the trades , and some small portion of the public , especially those located within the immediate vicinity of the scene of action , where all theicircumstances of th e"ca se are .. ' fully kno » n , and which is not only an evidence of the justness of our canse , but that ifc is clearly perceived its result will materially affect the interest of the working community and should stimulate our brother operatives in the provinces to renewed exertions in support of a contest , tha first of its nature which has ever taken place—the first strike ever entered Unto where pounds , shillings ,
and pence has not bean "the principal matter in dispute . Yet , notwithstanding all the aid we have rt * ceived , and continue to receive , and all the exertions we have made , the " gold ' -ea power with which tha working classes have supplied their opponents—the capitalists—who , however much they may appear to differ on other subjects , are perfectly agreed to pro £ - trate in them every faculty of the human edifice , that it may obsequiously minister to their sordid avarice , added to the apathy and division of themselves , has , up to this moment , so operated against us as to prevent the consummation of our wishes . .
. It is , however , with no small degree of pleasure we inform you that at Woolwich opposition is daily becoming less formidable ; the " incapables , " as they finish up their jabs , are making their exit At the Houses of Parliament , as far as our information extends , a general reduction of wages has again taken place ; a circumstance in perfect keeping With their proceedings at Woolwich , preliminary to the introduction of piece work , which "resulted in the ' ^ mutiny" reported in our last sheet . There is , however , a circumstance connected with this , which did not transpire at ¦ Woolwich : Mr . Peto , contrary to custom ( his business iii the firm being to attsnd to the country ¦ work s ) has intetfered . He cannot understand how masons could be worth more wages when strangers to the work , and during the short days in winter , than after some months' practice , and the days and season so much improved , and ' demands , " as we are informed , an explanation from Allen on this matter .
At Plymouth and Dartmoor , circumstances are much the same aB when we last reported , otherwise than that the four who went thither from Aberdeen , have applied to our members for means to take them home , and they would leave ; this has most properly been refasedi At Ponryn our turnouts are reduced to fifteen . Upon the whole , circumstances are dally tending to our advantage ; every day brings with it cheering omens ; and we do not 'hesitate to predict , from minute observations of pur antagonists' movements , that they are making preparations , if our ranks continue unbroken , to render us that justice they have nnavailingly used every imaginable stratagem and misrepresentation to withold from . ua . ' . " - ¦ ' . ¦ - . •; - -.- . ¦' ¦ :: ¦ . " ... ' : " . ¦ : - . ' / - . : .-.... - ¦
To secure it , however , unity of purpose and of action continues indispehsible : The world , as was manifested at the ball for our benefit on Monday evening at tho White Conduit House , has left off single hornpipes , and dances sociably in gay quadrilles , so if we are even now , when at its threshold , to be borne on to victory , mast individualism be abandoned , and sociality and . union exist amongst us . Let none think that what is now ostensibly gut case is not also his , because he may nob be immediately affeeted by it . It is the cause of all . If any think differently , let them reflect , and the philanthropy which nature has implanted" in their bosom , will teach them that oppression and contumely sheukl be abjured and annihilated front whatever quarter it may spring . Let each individual then shake a hand with each other individual , each pledging himself to the other to aid by his subscriptions , influence , and exertion , the masons on to victory , and
"The mighty multitude shall trample down The handful that oppress them . ' * Desirous of "destroying the necessity for strikes by rcmeving the cause from which they spring—namely , inequality of labour and inequality of exchanges , wo solicit your consideration of the few lines at the head of this address . The truths there developed are indisputable . Man possesses every " capability of labouring—of producing , " in connection with bia fellows , every thing essential to his comfortable existence , and no man has a right to that which he does not produce , for which he does not render an . equivalent to its producers . This is a fact admitted by all who have written on the subject ; , yet how different is the existing system of society , the great mass being subject to excessive toil , the produce of Which the ; few dissipate in luxuries and idleness , never labouring , never producing , except indeed it be misery and contention amongst their victims .
We have it from high authority , and the oracles of that authority are incessantly ringing it in our ears , that " He who does net labour neither shall he eat , " coiiclusive evidence that those only should refuse to work , to labour , to produce , who can live without eating and drinking , and that none other were intended to be idle . Bat , undir the present usages of society , those who are idle not only eat and drink , but with sordid avarice consume the very vitah of those who produce it for them . , - ' / -:. ' .,. ; \ - -v '" ¦ ' : - , '¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ '• . ' ¦ : : V . - : . - ..- ; ¦ ¦ ' ¦ - . - - ¦" -. ¦ ¦' . ¦ The groundwork of this system and its tendency has
been examined , and resulted in the erection of a science called political economy , and which lays down three elements as essential to the comfort and happiness of human life , namely— "That there shall be labour , accumulation of labour , and exchange of labour ' s produce ; " and be it understood that these conditions are laid d&wn by these economists as general in their application ; no reservation of class ' or grade is made . Itis ; - therefore , laid down , as on absolute condition of existence , that thete shall be labour , and that that labour shall be universal . Contrast this with the present system of ' s ' oclety . ¦ . " " r : ; . ¦ .. . '" : " / " .. '¦"¦ ¦ ' : '¦¦ ¦ .. ' . ¦ ¦" . . " / . - ¦
These economists , in telling the productive among tae other classes of the community to accumulate , add insult to injury ; the evation of the condition—that labour'shall be universal , presses them to the very earth . IJnder exiting usage they cannot accumuhtj , not because they are idle , intemperate , or ignorant , but because the accumulations of former generations , Which should be applied to the benefit of the present as a whole , are usurped—their advantages enjoyed by classes and individuals . - "V ... ¦'¦ ¦ , - . . Oa the subject of exchanges , we think too much attention could not be given . The infraction by the capitalist of this condition , contributes more than all
other causes combined toitbe maintenance of tbat inequality of condition so maeh felt and deplored by the working classes . Man can bave but two things to exchange—namelyj , labour and the produce of labour . It is , therefore , the duty of those who do labour , who do produce , to enforce in their exchanges mutual advantages . In considering this part of the question , the idea must be repudiated , that what the capitalists appear to give in exchange for the workman ' s labour was generated either by his labour or bis riches . He never laboured—he never produced . It was originally obtained from the labours of the workma ; , and by"a fraudulent system of unequal exchanges , is even now daily token from hiia . " ¦ .-: ¦ ¦
From a review of these circumstances , it must be obvious that to remove such a destructive state of things " more than the isolated endeavours of a mere fraction iB indiapensibie . " Individualised habits must be ^^ abaudoned—the energies"and means of all must be blended each must wo * for all , and all for each ; and the inflaence of such union would soon dispel the evils resnltingfrora the present unnatural system of society ; the result of every day ' s labour would add a fresh stimulant to exertion ; sound morality and domestic happiness increase , co-operati an instituted , and building societies established ; : '¦ . '•¦¦ ¦' . ¦ . •;¦ : - -- ' - ' . ¦' . ¦ : ¦ ¦ " : And every man in . - every face , ; Would meet a brother aad a friend . "
Again , most heartily thanking otffor tbeir ex ertions in our behalf , ^ ¦ .- ¦ : . . ' ,- ... ' ' -,- ; - : ¦; We beg to subscribe ounelTes / ' .-. '¦¦ Gratefully yours , : ? Thb Masons' society , , Thomas CIhobtt , Sec . e , Agnps-street Waterloo-road , Lambeth , Feb . 16 , 1812 . i
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A-bridgikg a Toll . —A party < tf " navvies , " oeing at work at one 6 ide » of the Thames , and lodging on the other , hit apdn * o ingenioas plaa tor reducing the bridge-toll . They deputed one of their party to inquire of the collector how much weight * man waa allowed to carry , and whether any sort of weight was allowed . The collector answered "Carry what you ehoose , and as much as you can . " Tbef took him at bis word , and assembling the whole force on the bridge , they divided the party into two sections , and one carried two through the gate , more to the merriment of the lookers on , than to the amuaement or profit of the oollecUr .
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Release 0 ? Mb . Elton . — Mr . Edmnnd Elton , late midshipman of the Cambridge , whose case has excited a good deal of attention , was on Friday morning released from the MarBhalsea by order of the Lords of the Admiralty .
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A DDRESS PRESENTED ^ THE LEICESTER CHARTIST MEETING AT ALL SAINTS OPEN" TQ MR . PATRICK d'HIGGlNS . FaiENii and Brother , —It is with heartfelt satisfaction that we embrace the ^ opportunity which your visit to this place has afforded us , to present you with this tribute of respect and fraternity , from ourselves and the : body which we represent 7 . Having been long and ardentlyengaged in the > holy struggle to restore to the people of this country the possession of those inalienablfl rights , which had been forcibly or fraudulently wrested from them , we have been often led , during our warfare , to east the eye of pity and commisseration upon the condition of our still more unhappy brethren in tile sister Island . We beheld you in a condition of Blavery the most abject ; of serflsm , which words are incompetent to express . Without the necessaries to support life in a land flowing with milk and honey , we saw you driven bythousands from your
fattier land , the homes of your birtb and infancy , —dear as the vital blood to your hearts , —in search of those means of existenca abroad , -which your remorseless tyrants denied you at home ; whilst every endeavour on your part , to amend your wretched condition , was met on the part of yo « r tyrants by military subjugation , enforced by the unanswerable arguments of the bullet and the bayonet . Aware that the real cause of the continuance of this unutterable misery , was the political ignorance of the great mass of the people , we sent over our talented and indomitable friend , Mr , Lowery , to endeavour to enlighten their minds , and convince them that the Chartist body in this country , sympathized with their sufferings , and wished to assUt in their alleviation ; but the brutal emissaries of those who profit by your wrongs—who saw in this fraternization the exposure of their tyranny , and the downfall of their usurped power , were instigated . to endanger the life of our friend , and forcibly expel hto from your shores . ; .
We lament that the deluded followers of those , who to serve their own selfish purposes mislead yon ; have not yet had their eyes opened to the imposition which has been practised to deceive them . They have , told you that the Chartists a e your enemies , and the enemies of repeal . We throw back into their teeth , with indignation and contempt ,: the base falsehood . The men who are waging war at home against class IegiElation , can never tamely consent that their brethren in Ireland shall be cursed with a mock legislature . We know that with a iniserable minority in the English House of Conimons , Ireland will be no further cared
for , than to rob it for the aggrandisement of the aristocracy of both countries , and their hungry and unprincipled satellites ; and we also know and feel , that she can never enjoy her rights , or take her proper station among the kingdoms of the earth , till her affairs are managed by a legislature of their own , freely and fairly elected by her whole adult male population . These opinions have been thundered in your ears by bur matchless friend , your own Feargus O'Connor and they are responded to "by the mouth and from the heart of every real Chartist in the empire . ¦'¦ ¦ - . ;' ' ¦ - ¦ ¦>¦ " ¦ - '¦ ; -. ' .:. ' - :- ¦/ - . '
We rejoice in spirit , anfl our energies are awakened te learn that , at the last , a phalanx of patriots have arisen amongst yon , oneouraged and led on by yourself ; who , thoroughly sensible of the insults and injuries inflicted upon your unhappy country , have determined to combine and persevere for their redress . 4 You have discovered the real cause of these manifested evils , and the only emcient remedy for their removal . Already the dark clouds which have so long enshrouded the gem of tho ocean-r-the Emerald Island , have .-begun " 'to disperse , and we here and there have a view of the lovely horizon .
Go on , then , bravely , boldly , fearlessly , and we doubt not , ultimately , successfully . The words of the God of justice are your encouragement , and the hearts of your friends in EnglaHd are with you . Let us become as brethren of one family , united in an indissoluble bond of Hnity for our common welfare . Let us for"ever abolish the petty distinctions of soil and name , and be ' . recognised as one ; by our union in pursuit of the eternal principles of truth and justice , and our untiring endeavours to obtain the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number ; which ought to ba the end and aim of every member of society . Finally , let the Charter be our motto , and no surrender our unalterable determination . By order of the meeting , John MAEkHAM . John Bowjian . T . R . Smart .
The : following reply to the above was returned by , Mr . O"HigRhi 8 : — \ . Friends and Brother Chartists , —The kind , eloquent , and friendly address with which you have honoured me , has placed rue in such a novel position that I feel '¦¦ at a loss for suitable terms to give expression to my { gratitude and thankfulness , for so high , so valued , and so signal a mark of your approbation . - . - . - , . . . ' .. v . .. " . ¦ " '¦ ¦ :. . " .. . ' ; - ,. : : v- - I am not so vain as te imagine , for a moment , that so humble an individual as I am , is at all deserving of the distinguished compliment which your kindness has bestowed npon me . At the aame time I must confess that it is with pride and pleasure I receive your manly and independent address , in that spirit which I am sure you intended , and which enhances its value ; not as a personal compliment , but as ah earnest of that spirit of amity and fraternity , which it "is your wish ,
as well as the wish of every real lover of public liberty , to promote , foster , and cherish between the paople of Great Britain "and ; Ireland . It is the effoits which I have , from time to time , been making to disseminate amongst my countrymen , those kindly feelings which you so cordially entertain for them , "that has recommended me to your notice . I have ever looked upon it , as essential to the enfranchisement of the working classes , of both countries ; that their interests should be common , identical , mutual , and cleirly understood and concurred in ; and I am thoroughly convinced , that a bond of brotherly affection between the people of Great Britain and Ireland would accelerate the happiness and prosperity of both . But how black must the heart of that man be , who exercises all his power , all his eloquence , and all his influence , to sow discord , hatred , andrcUglotts bigotry between the people of both countries .. ' .- . ' . ' ¦ ¦ ' : ¦" ' '¦ ¦ ¦ - . - ' : , ; .. ... . - , ¦'¦ " \ '¦
The principles of the People ' s Charter , or Radical Reform , for they are both the same , wore early instilled into my mind by the Writings of your immortal countryman , the late William Cobbett , M . P . for Oidbam;—a man , whom I have every reason to know was one of the soundest politicians , the most sterling and incorruptible patriots that any country ever gave birth to , —a nian who , as a sincere , steady , unflinching friend , a good father , and a good husband , set an example to the world ; Had he been spared to us , Ireland would not , now , be in that state © f political ignorance and degradation ; which you so truly and forcibly describe , and so feelingly de * plore . During his visit in Ireland , in the autumn of 1834 , he opened the eyes of the peop " e to the trne
causes of their sufferings , and he pointed but to them , in a manner , and with a sincerity , more like a father tbau a visitor , the real , the only mode of redressing those grievances effectually . His lectures , his answers to the nvunerous addresses which were presented to him , and his public speeches , were all so clear ) , so lucid , that even those / who were bonsidsred the most ignorant of the people ^ began for the first time to understand the value of Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Annual .-- ' : . Parliaments ' ,: ;' aiid Equal Electoral Districts . But it pleased the great Ruler of the Universe , tn » take him away in a few short months after hia visit to Ireland , and before he
could bring before Parliament those abuses and crying grievances , of which he took as much pains to obtain a thorough and a personal knowledge . This blow , this irreparable loss to 'the Radical Reformers of Great Britain , and his Irish Radical pupils , saved the tyrants of both countries that exposure which was prepared for them ; and left Ireland at the mercy of a gang of unprincipled political place-hunters ; men , while they had the Repeal of the Union eternally upon their lips , were only using it as a means to an end , which end was the open and un ? disguised sale of the Counties and Boroughs to the opponents of Repeal , for place , pension , and emolument .
It was while Ireland was in the market , the sale was going on , and the Repeal of the Union , in abeyance , that your missionary , Air . Lowery , visited Dublin , and the ill-treatment which he received at the hands of someofthecitizens , you very generously , and , permit me to add , very justly attribute to the deluded emissaries of those who profit by our wrongs , - and who have a direct interest , a life annuity , in the continuance of those wrongs . It is now notorious , that most of those who led on the cowardly , and I regret to say , brutal sttack upon Mr . Lowery , have since been provided for by the Whig Government .
The treatment which Mr . Lowery received , and the compliments which were publicly paid to his assailants by the Lord Lieutenant , and the threats which were held out against those who should have the temerity to advocate , or even countenance , Chartist principles in Ireland , retarded the advancement of those principles , frightened the timid but well-meaning ; and gave impunity to the unprincipled place-hunters . Any attempt to disseminate true political knowledge , under such circumstances , appeared to be Utopian , A favourable opportunity at length presented itself ; the Chartists , who were kept together by a few venerable patriots , aided by their indomitable secretary , P . M . Brophy , embraced that opportunity , and : notwithstanding the disgraceful and unlawful efforts which were made to assail and crush them , yet they have prospered—Chartism has taken root in the land—Jt has nearly surrounded the kingdom , and is ramiflcating In the Midland Counties . / V :
In conclusion , penn « t me to say , that there never was a period when the Chartists were more imperatively called upon to act together , like one man , than the present time ; to sink for ever all minor differences , to increase the number of their friends , and to weakei by all lawful and constitutional means , tbe power of their enemiep . Dipend upon it , that the day is not distant when every sound thinking man in the empire , wiUlw proud to call himself a Chartist " \ ' ' . ;¦ •' " Patrick O'Higqins . ¦¦' .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 26, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct587/page/6/
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