On this page
-
Text (2)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
GB . AND SUSION"S ^ H .. &TIO 2 * IN £££ 27 CHZi 8 ? SIl TO CELEBRViE THE L A'lXG- THE FOTTXDATIONSFONE OF A MOXU : JEN"f TO EE ERECTED IX HOXOUR OF THE LATE H . HUNT , ESQ ., A >* D THE PRINCIPLES OF WHICH , TILL DEATH . HE / WAS A SINCERE , FAITHFUL , TJXCOX OXER ABLE , A 2 JD UNSWERTIXG- ADVOCATE . This lsnda . V . e , praiseworthy , snd patriotic undertskiBg has been long in contemplation by the Chartist 3 , the Monument Committee , end other admirers of the man "who never deceived them . During'the ln ? t "sreek p ! acard 3 trere issued , "which ¦ were creditable both for e . zb and boldness , to tie Committee of Mana ^ tment , and worthy of the gre « t and glorious otjact they had in . view , the follo ^ ng cf "which is a copy : —
* ' Grand procession on GrODdPridaynext , March 25 th , fQX this purpose of laying the foundation sione of a monnment , about to be erected to the memory of the late Henry Hunt , Esq ., in the burial ground belonging to the Rsv . James Scholefield , E 7 ery-street , Ancoats , by F . O'Connor , Esq . "Order of procession—the members of the National Charter Association to assemble in their respective rooms , at ten o ' clock in t ' ae forenoon and move thence to Stevenson ' s-Eojiare , "where they -will be joined by the Associations from the surronsdins districts , and those trades -who have determined t-o tike a part ana join in the tsrocassion .
" The procession "will move from Stevenson ' s-square precisely st eleven o ' clock , in the forenoon , headed by two marshals on horseback , along I ^ ver-street , Piccadilly , Portlaad- ^ trefct , Brook-street , Rashulme-road , to Ar d-sick-grf en , where it will wait the arrival of Mr . O'Connor , then to move along London-road , Piccadilly , Market-street , where the procession "will stop and the bands play the " Di&d il * xch , " then move up Moslsystreet , Piccadilly , LeTer-street , Great Ancoats-street , and Every-street , where Mr . O'Connor "will proceed "With the interesting ceremony of laying the foundationstone and briefly address t ± w assemblage . Favours to be -worn in tfce tb . 3 procession cre ^ n and wbita . " Joseph IisSEl , \ afimauis . " Gabriel Habgbeayes , t ^^
" Men of Manchester , Salford . and tneu vicinities , come forth in the greatness of your strength , and shew by your conduct that day , your desire for , and lore of , liberty ; and 1 st both Whigs and Tories see that persecution hm not had the effect anticipated by them . " Again , "we call uoon you to come forward like men , determined to drive slavery from your homes , and injustice from your country . And let your motto be peace , law , s . nd order . " By order of the Monument C-Junnittes , "JoHX JIUfiRAl" , Chairman . - " William Gkowcott , Secretary pro tern , " An early application foT tickets for the tea party and ball "will be necessary . Admission into the yard one psnny , platform silxpen cs each . "
Previous appeals hau been made by the steady , sober , and industrious committee to the democrata of the surrounding towns , the result of -which was that they like-¦ wise made arrangements to come in procession to "Witness the ansioTisly-expected ceremony , and many were the prayers sincerely offered that the weather would be favourable . On the morning in question the gods -were propitious ; the sun came out early , the wind calm , and the atmosphere warm , according to the season . By seven o ' clock , hundreds were seen walking throagh the town , distinguished , many of them , by an Exeeutive scarf , others with green and white rosettes . Whilst groups were coming in irom the surrounding villages , the Chartists at their rooms were buisily engaged preparing the flags , " banners , & . c
The £ ne morning—the otgect of the day ' s celebration —the prospect of a grand display—the opportunity of once more seeing ; their great chief , Feargus O'Connor , and many distant friends—1 esidps itrtDgtbfcning their cause by shewing the factions the majesty of their numbers , aU combined to put ths people in high glee , and to Tflftfeft tiieii hearts batrnd and almos . burst with enthusiasm . And surely the dsy will be renumbered and handed down i- > ppsterity as the most glorious ever ¦ witnessed , and has hastened the day when universal justice ahail be established , snd political inequality , injustice , tyranny , and oppression abolished , and when all shall live contented , happy , prosperous and free , , supplied with their natural lights , viz ., good ' food , good clotfeing , good shelter , good education , and proper protection .
Shortly after iea o ' clock , the sounds of oruir . 3 end of other music , were heard from one end and side of the j town to the other , processions coming in at all the great thoroughfares from the surronndin ^ towns . The pro- cession from Oidhaai , Faiisworth , and Newton Heath , I conjointly cams down Everj-strett , headed by in excel- lent brass band , the mtssiciaiiS tastefully drsssed for the '
oce&sion . At the burial ground , the bind hiited , left the procession for a few moments , went isto the yard and played , the B ^ ad MsrcL -withon * any solicitation . This having been performed in a . solemn au ^ l proper manner , they took their place at the front of the proctssion , Etrnck up again ¦ and the music , nags , 'banners , the respectability , and immense number appeared to have quickened that part of the town . Tiey proceeded thence up Chancery-lane , dewn Ashton-street , trader the Railway Bridge , up Travk-street to Brown-street , ¦ where many of the Manchester Chartists had assembled . Nearly in sight and within hearing of the band was the procession coming in from Ashton , Mottram , Stalybridge , Openshaw , and Droylsden . The
procession hsre halted for a few minntes , whilst the pro- ; cession of about ssTen tbonsand from Stoeiport Wer < J < Coming np A * hion-. sireei from the London-rend , wMcll I made the procession altogether more than half a mile i in length ; which-was followed in about five minutes i after by the large Ashton procession . In the above J processions the youths , a » ults , and female 3 took their j various situations , and walked with the most precise ! discipline , order and regularity . Daring this time , ; processions were coming in composed cf people from I Eochdale , Heywooa , Mi « 3 ' . eton , and other ' villages j contiguous to thoBa towns . The people were likewise j entering from Warrington , Eccie 3 , HaMiaw-moor , j B » tton , Macclesfiem , and from all parts of Yorkshire ,, ) Lancashire , and Cheshire . Every railway train was j crowded , and hundreds coming in spring carts and on foot Such was the dense mas 3 , that the square , which has been calculated to hold upwards of forty thousand
• was wedged so much that it was merrily impossible for the marshals to arrange the procession according to j the programme . To obviate which , those who were appointed to lead the procession moved down i Xever-itreet , in order to make way for those in the j adjacent-strsets , who before could not get into the square . Thus having been properly arranged , the ] miTshnU gave the word " march ; " at the instance of wMeh = H the bands struck up at once , and proceeded do-sm LeTer-street , Portland-street , ; I > avid-street , Garratt-road , Brook-street , and Rosholme- xoad , to Ardwick-greea . The Btreets , for npwards ^ of : three-quarters of a mile and nearly , thirtyyards wide , j "were completely crowded with human btirses to meet I Feargus O'Connor , Esq . at the Shakespeare Inn . Som ^ idea may be formed from reading the annexed extract ; from the Harvester Times , a Whig Corn Law League i
paper : — " The length cf the procession may be judged of from the fact that when the rear had arrived abont half-. wav along the London-road sile of the Green , the head o ; the procession was opposite tha Shakespeare Inn . At this time , tha number of people assembled to witness the spectacle -sras very great " Whilst the precession remained stationary here for the space Gf an hour , TJr . Hargraves took a carriage and four , with pcsifliions . the horses being tastefully , but not gaudily , decorated for tee occasion , to Mr . Scholeflald'S , EvfirT-str&et , -when 2 > r . Hu !? y , the Rev . Mr . Scholefield , Messrs . Marry and Railton , th 3 latter tw *» were Hall of Science victims , poor Kailton carrjing his arm in a sling , get ia and came at foil speed to the Shakespcars , for Mr . O'Connor , tbe roads being lined
with spring cart ? and people , which made it dim- 1 cult for the carriage to pass , eTen slowly , with any I degree of safety . The Marshals were not able to move I along with thtir horses . Some idea may be formed of i the pressure when trs state that it took nearly ten i minutes to make an opening for ilr . O'Connor to make ' his way to the carriage . As soon as that gentleman made his appearaEce , he was saluted by the acclaiming ) thousands with the most rapturous applause , which i Tibrated and made the Velkin ring . ' j The carriage having wheeled round towards Kan- i Chester , the procession then , with flags flattering in the I bre ? z ? , music charming ] - playing , moved stately acd ] majestically off from tae Shakespeare towards Ardwict \ Greaa—the people greeting the gentlemen in the car- ' riajje = a they passed aionr .
To attempt to give a description of all the flags , banners , and other democratic emb . ' ems , waa , frcai the crn-s-ded state of the streets , impossible . The mottoes alone would have filled three columns of the StarscSce it to S 3 y , that wa cocnted three hundred splendid fh £ 3 , banners , oE raintu ^ s , and other em-Blsmi The following are , however , r faw : — Behind the carriage , and fastened to a spring cart , was a large , splendid , and ^ srell-execnted oil paiaiing , giving s full representation of the Peterloo massacre , which caused ^ reat attraction , got up expressly for the occasion by the brave Chartists of Brown-street , Manchester . Motto— " Murder demands justice . "
The Marichesler Times said , in reference to the banners , " The number of banners was considerable . " There were fnn-ieEgth oil paintings , bearing the liXentsses of fienry Hnat , Esq ., O'Connor , O'BlieD , 'FlOSt , Williams , and Jones , and M'Douall—all bearing appropriate mottots . A large banner , an oil painting belonging to the youths , bearing the impression of the card of the Association . A beaub'ful flag from the Joiners . —Motto— " We Joiners j « in for the protection of labour . "
There were large digs from Rochdale , Stockport , and other tGwn ? , having various iisscripUons on them . We noticed the following only as a few : — " Wbat mean ye that beat ye my people to pieces , saith the Lord of Hosts ?¦• "Univergal SuSrage , Annual Parliaments , &c , bz ., Silford Branch of the National Charts ? Association . This was a rich . green silk Flag . ' The Nation must destroy public credit or public cre-
Untitled Article
dit win destroy tbem " ' "A government that neglects the i'h ; .. s ; c :-d end nur , il wants of the people onght not to t-xin , " "Down with class legislation . " •' Labour is the source of ail wealth . " A black flag surmounted by the Fyesch blood-red cap of libwty and a large banner with this inscription , " Freedom ' s battle once bsgun , Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son , Though baffled oft , is ever won . " "We have set ourselves upon a cast and ws will stand the hazard of the die . " The procession proceeded down London Road . The windows , balconies , tops of houses , and every convenient v-lioe was crowded with people , who cheered r lvstily—men waved their hats , women th = - ~ ' .-idfcs-rcbsefa and sh . ~~ 3 , and in some
instances v r cap 3 : ^ vhich they v taken off their htads . On ¦ . -r . iing dor , n M-. 'ktii-ai . refct , Mr . Scholefield stepped out ul the carriaao to go to the burial ground to prepare for the arrivdl of the procession , and Messrs . Heywood , Higginbottom , and Cooper , of Leicester , stepped in , and on being asked what they thought of the procession ? Mr . 0 Connor . Dr . Kully , Higginbottom , Cooper and Heprcoti . all concurred in opinion that it was the grandest and most magniScient display they ever witnessed . There were many very large and splendid flags hncg out in various parts of the town . In going through Victoria-street , and over Victoriabridge , the sight both ways was truly _ dazzling , not being able to see the end of the procession either wav . The procession continued to move through
j Salford ; the expressions and enthusiasm of the people j bafflad all description either by pea or tongue . They i tamed into Chapel-stieet . Salford , thence by New i Bailey-Street , Bridge-street , Daansgate , and Peter-; strest , tils they came in view of Peterloo , and here ; halted , whilst the bands played the " Dead March . " i Theuce moved forward by Mosley-street , Oldham-| street , and here "was presented another grand and masjj nificent sight , while casting the tye both ways , which ! was a den 3 e , solid mass of Blowly moving human ! beings . We could jnst discern the white hat of Linney , ) as far as the eye could carry—he being above the beads i of the great crowd , ir . junte < on a horse , urn' on looking '¦ to the end of the piocession , could not be perceived . When we arrived at the New Cross , end of Oldhami street , and on standine UDrieht , etideaTOurinq to see
I both ends c £ the precession , -which -w ? . 3 then the tnil i length cf one street , and a quarter of a mile ia the ! other , we found it imposslbie ; Grcnt Ancoats was ' crammed , whicU is forty yards wi-. le . &rA upwards of I three quarters of a mile in length ; the causeways j lined all the way with closely p .-. cked rr ^ ups of females , ! anxiuus to get a glipse of O Connor , aud Trho nianii fested mark 3 of admiration and applause in every ' i possible manner , he at the same tima politely acknow-I ledginij the respect paid by takiag ufl' his hat , and ; moving in return . 1 When wo erriveii at Every-street , it wa 3 so packed ; that it was dangerous for the carriage to proceed ' Dp to the gate ? , Linney cam ? up by the side of the \ carriage to give Mr . 0 Connor a ineuaJ , v . hich was one ¦ of the first Chartist medals that enme out in 1 S 35 ,
; stating that it wa 3 utterly impossible for hi : u . with his hvrse , to get any nearer , requesting him to put it ( th-u i icedali ur . dtr th 3 stone , -which was done . The carriage was at this time about forty yards from the gate ; and ' many wouid have been very severely crushed had it not been for some one opening ths gate of th ? lowei yard , ; -which is capable of holding about 12 , 000 people . This i hiving a Uttle eased the strost , the carriage proceeded , ; and Mr . O"CoDnOT , accompanied by the other aentlemen , I with very great difliculty obtained a passage into the > yard , which was then filling rapidly , there >» eing three | separate doors to admit of an ingress . The yard in ' which the ceremony was performed is about thirry-[ ieven yards square . There were three hustings fixed ! for the accommodation of the spectators . No . 1 was j fifteen yards by eighteen eleven inch planks wide . ' . No . 2 was twenty-five yards by ten planks . No . 3 five . yards by twenty planks wide .
A Com Law League paper here says— " At the period of their srriv . il the street was much crowded , an ;! considerable difficulty \ ras experienced in grttinsj admission to tha chapel yard . And the yard was crowded -with spectators in a few minutes . " There bticg 2 js many in the yard as cou'd coTnfortr . My stantl , and it being then , as near as we could guess , three o ' clock , the ceremony commenced . The Rev . J . SeholeSeW d : sccnded from the platform , fallowed by Mr . O'Connor , and took their stations by the base of the intended mennment . the Salford Chartist Band playing
" The D 3 ^ d March . " A cavity , lined with lead , bad been prepared in the stone , foreiing the centre of the foundation , for the reception of memorials ; and Mr . oconEor placed a copy of the Memoirs of Henry Htmfc , Esq .,- a copy of his Letters to the Reformers of Great Britain . " written during bis confinement in Ilchesier G . iol , " An Acconnt of the Massacre at Peterloo , " a full length portrait of Fe 3 rgus O'Connor , and a medal , together wh ' a the following inscription , wr itten upon strong paper , whicli was read aloud by Mr . Sehmefield : —
; " A few friends of liberty , nuiir . atsd by the love of \ justice , and having witnessed the dreadfal massacre of i their ftliow-men on the iieH pf St . Peter ' s , when thyy i - « -ere a ^ stmolsd foT a peif ^ tiy lega l purpose—namely , i to petition the British Parliament for XJniVcr . « al Suffrage i and a repeal of the Corn Laws , V . - . te by Billc-t , and a 1 reform of the people ' s House of C ; mmons , they were assailed by a drunien and infuriated Yeomanry ; Civalry , and slaughtered witheut mercy . Therefore , j ta shew our detestation and horror Gf such an unpro-: voked assault npon an unarmed and peaceable people and to perpetuate the memory of Htnry Hunt , ' ; Esq , and also those who fell on that occasion , it was ; resolved to erect s monument and tiius shew to future ! generations how the people estimate sterling worth , and how they appreciate genuine patriotism .
Therefore , we , the undersigned , members of the committee , have requested Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., Uirrister-at-law , tho man of the people , and successor of Henry Ennt , Esq ., to deposit this our humble , but sincere testimony , along with the " Memoirs "of Henry Hunt , " the "Ptterloo Massacre , " and other tokens of that bloody day , the 16 th of Angust , Anno Domino , 1819 , undtr the eeatre of tlii 3 pillar , and -whicU ¦ was done amidst thousands of honest and approving spectators , this 25 th day of Match , Anno Domino , 1842 .
COMMITTEE . James Scholefield , Treasurer . PHILIP Kxight , Chairman , James Wood , He > "RT Parrt Bennett Charles Cholton , Ja ^ ies Ratvcottom , PETE . R ROTDWELL , DaTID APPLETON , Samuel Booth , Thomas ' Railton , Joh . v Coopee , John Cockshott , Joshua Johnson , John Murray , George Exley , Gabriel Hargreaves , Joshua Lomax . Axlen Newton . Joshua Rogers , Peter Campeell . Andrew Melvill , William Gsowcoti , "
These documents having been inserted in ti . place prepared for th . 6 "' , a sniaU s ' aH or stone was la ,: " . on by Mr . O'Connor , who teok the trowel and spread the cemsnt , and used ths mallet like a sY : \ fSI mason , . a 3 ju-ted the stone . A rough drawing pre 5 entic < j a : i ei-jTition if the intended nionumtnt , was iusi ' L-uded over the door of the chapel , and poin ^ d out t > tli- - - spectitor 3 . It is to be about thirty fei-t high , and is to consist cf a plain neat pyramidal shafc , rising from . t square pedestal , th ^ sides of which will be about two yards in width . V tuier the monunrnt thtvs is a lar ^ e vault in which those who prove faithful to death in tli& f-eop-e's cause might ba interred , if the people Ncsireil . The cereraor . y being completed ,
Mr . O'Connor again ascended the platform to address the p-rj ; . le EAsembl ' id . He said they had c iiie tocelhor th-vt cb . v to perf ^ riu a sacred but a mourLfjl duty , f-jr the purpose of doing honour to the memory tf one of the bokleit , briTest , and odb of the most honest public men that i 7 er lived , in any age , or in auy country . iCllceT ? . ) He jjlr . O'C ) thanked G « d they were niet there t- > raise a mocuiiieut to his iiu-rnory , ami aithouth he was i 2 o more , yet l-: s spirit , even at th- » t n :.. mert , animated every heart present , and bore ample assurir . ee of what was to occur f ; r the future , ihear , hear . ; That gretl and good ; jan bad hi * trials . Thoss who lia ^ i coins after ( he , Mr . 0 C . amongst the rost ) were sailicg upon compartiveiy smooth waters . He lived in times when to do what they were assembled to do would
have led permps to another bloody massacre , Taat was not the fir .: time he had performed an s . ct of duty en behalf of the departed . It was his po . i& ' fal and mcumfal duty to preach the funeral oration over the bodie 3 who were butchered at Rithcormac . It was truly encouraging to thosa engaged in the causq of the people to fcuow that their names and character wouid be respected after their departure ; bau he himself not contemplated that he should be respected not only -trtten living , bat after death , he would have flagged long since . He-sra 3 happy to be looted np-n w ' obb of the followers of tbe late Henry Iiunt , and in aliuding to the massacre he contended that justice on the murderers was denied . The day would arrive when in the presence of a just God neither the quibbling-of council
ror the dictum of a judge wculd sava them from the punishment ; they wohU be arraigned iu the awful presence of that great Gud who rewards virtue art ] punishes vice , and btfore that great tribunal would Henry Hunt stand as -witr . e&s against thtru for the slaughter of an innocent , inoffensive a £ d oppressed people . Mr . Hunt "rived in times whe-n if he hud pos-Eessed the disposition of an augrl and spoke in defence of the poor , and devoted his good character , tal-nts , property , and ail , for the sake of right against might , he would be considered a devil by their oppressors . Mr . O'Connor then showed the difference of the present times frem those when Hcnl laboured , and attributed the liberty of speech of the present flay to th 6 growing omnipotence which , public opinion
had created . Mr . O'Connor then said that he bad coiuv ; 270 miles for the purpose of attending that meeting , but he was amply paid for all his trouble and expence by discovering the public sympathy for that patriotic , honest , and good man Henry Hunt . If they had forgotten him , "would it not have been ie 8 s encouraging for every man to go forward in their behalf at the present day ? Wouid not . the good work which they had begun that day stimulate every man to go forward with more fortitude , vigour , and perseverance' The movement had arrived at that strength and eminence , when it was cut of the power of the factions to a ? re it down , shoot it down , sabre it down , or put it devrn by any other means . Time and circumstances have made public opinion of the present day , quits different to wbat it ¦ was in Hunt's day ; yet , he weilded is honestly , boldly ,
Untitled Article
and bravely , and never deserted it . The people had sunk lower and lower in the Bcale of misery and destitution—they had become more impoverished , and they would have to make a , now nation . It was their duty who remained fcbhind , to swear to . , each and ench to all , that they never would desert the principles of him whom they had met to honour that day . Though the man had departed , his principle ? had not ; and if there was anything worthy of remark fop commeinoration in a public man , it was that he should die consistent . Those who had met that day for the purpose of paying a token of respect to Mr . Hunt , would not be nowtaken from their object for any political straw which might' be set before tbem . There were thousands UDon thonsands who really could not obtain a place
to witness the ceremony . Napolean . 'whohad murdered p . r Jlions , had but few to follow bis real remains to the grave , as compared with the hundreds of thousands coneregated only to lay the foundation stone of a monument to Henry Hunt . The one being known to the world as a murderer only , while the other was revered as a hero . Mr . O'Connor then told them he had to be at another meeting that night in Manchester , after which ha would go to Bury , thence to London again , . md he had eaten nothing that day ; he thought it was time that he got his breakfast ( laughter and cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor then begged of them as they admired t ? ie principles and conduct of Henry Hunt , to return to their homes peaceably and quietly ; and on referring to the late onslaught at the Hall Gf Science , he hoped such wonld not take place again ; they must , as he had done , forgot and forgive . Every Irishman an < t Englishman should take each other by the hand , and continue in
one great legal union for the overthrow of that unjust and oppressive ayatem which operates alike on the working men of both countries ( cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor then spoke in a very complimentry manner of priest Heaine , for remonstrating with his floek and countrymen , respecting their rash and disorderly conduct . He next spoke very highly cf Mr . Scholefield , who he said deserved their most sincere thanks ; be hoped some notice would be taken of him—he had watched him well , he had watched him long , and . he had never found him in the least to deviate from the line of truth . He then railed npon the vast assemblage there , under the broad canopy of heaven , to swear never to desert the principles of him , th ^ foundation atone of whose monument they bad just seen laid . Mr . O'Connor then concluded amid the most rapturous applause , "which sc-tmed to animate the -whole assembly . On silence being restored , several voices cried out for Julian Harney .
Mr . Cooper , of Manchester , came forward , and moved this resolution : — " That we , the Chartists of JIanehester . Salford , and their vicinities , feel . grateful to the Rev . James Scholefield , for bis exertions in procuring the erection of this memento of our departed friend , ths late Henry Hunt , Esq , and we pledge ourselves to afford that Kev . Gentlemen all tiw support in our power , whether pecuniary or otherwise , until the work be completed . " Mr . C . Baid—The friends of freedom , his feilow-country men , and particularly the . inhabitants of Manchester , would agree with the resolution when they heard it read . The speaker then read the above resolution , which was followed fcv marks of applause . He felt
confident that his friends would fully agree Wltil the first part cf the resolution , as it alluded to a gentleman whose conduct had been so long before them , and who had been well tried , and always found faithful . Mr . C . then mentioned the many times which he had seen Mr . Scholefield exerting himself at public meetings when he himself was too young to take part in politics . They had more particularly to thank him for the design of the present undertaking , as on that rested the latter part of his resolution . It called upon them to pledge themselves to suppoit him Mr . Cooper then alluded to the bloody affair on Pefcerloo iu 1819 , urged their assistance for the completion of the monumsiit ; and hoped their future conduct would be such , as became men who were determined to be free—( loud
cheers . ) Mr . Leach came forward amid loud cheers , to second the resolution . He -was prou . I to sea them there upon SQCh a laudable question , namely , to pay a tribute of respect to a aau for having stood firm to principle . Mt . Lesch then spoke in eu ' . ogistic terms of the gentleman alluded to in the resolution , for his exertions with them in their struggles for freedom . He was glad to see likewise thu successor of Hunt there that day ( meaning Mr . O'Connor . ) And he hoped the day was not far distant when they would have to lay a foundation stone not over him , nor any one present , but over that abominable and monstrous system of iniquity
—class legislation , -which has enslaved and was now pressing an industrious people to the surface of the earth—( cheers . ) It was the duty of every man to lend a helping hand for fcuch a glorious purpose ; because , until they ( the people ) were prepared to break their own chains , they never would be broken . He quite agreed wife the vote of thanks to the Ujv . Mr , Scholefield ; but let him call upon them to purge from their breasts everything calculated to breed division until they had gained that oKject upon which their minds and & ! &eci , ions thtn rested ; namely , justice and freedom for themselves and posterity . He would conclude by seconding the resolution , which was put and carried nnanimousiy .
Mr . Scholefield came forward and said , fellowmen and countrymen , atlow me to thank you on the preEeut occasion for the good feeling , order , and unanimity which they in their thousands had displayed that day , which had been a glorious one , and would be long remembered . It was near two thousand years since Christ , the Saviour of the world , shed his biood , and the drops of biood which were shed in their cause , of which Henry Hunt was the advocate , had given fresh animation and etilt lived , together with the principles . Reference bad been marie to the Moo <} which bad been lost the other evening at the Hall of Science . He forgave those men . He loved an Irishman—( cheers )—and forgave them most sincereiy—icheers ) and he hoped that they would be united until they had
gained the liberty of mankind and the liberty of the world . Another duty he had to perform , which was to inform them that the very cement which hart been used for the laying of the foundation stone was promised on the last night that Mr . O'Conner lectured . The gentleman who made them such promise bad given them half a hundred weight of Runian cement—( Name ; namoi . Mr . Warren , the CornLaw Repealer —( No good . ) Never mind that , said the Rev . Gentleman , in answer to the above remark ; he has done one good deed and for which he would thank him . He had received likewise ten shillings from Hebden Bridge and £ 1 from Dr . Hully —( Chters ) . He trusted he should continue to
receive what persons had to give until it was nnished , a : vA then what money he had as overplus after the monument was paid for , he wonld hand over to tbe Chart'stfundof that town —( cheers » . After a few other remarks , tht Rev . Gentleman retired amid the plaudits of the people . Many voices cried out again for Julian Harney , when Mr . F . O'Connor came forward amid loud cheeriui , ' and said that he had a duty to perform , after which Mr . Harney would address them , because he ( Mr . O'Connor ) w ., 5 compelled to leave . He therefore begged to move a vote of thanks to his brother stoce-rp . ^ aous who assisted him to } cj the stone—( laughter and cheers ) .
Tne Mover put it , after being seconded , aud it was carried by acclamation . Mr . O'Connor then retired amid loud cheering , "which richer confused the meeting fot a shoTt tinis . hj the pressure of persons who wanted to get to shake him by t ' ao hand . Mr . Haniey gave way for Mr . Cooper , of Leicester , who sr . id he could not stiy with them long . He belonged to an association of ne-nrly a thousand Chartist ? of Leicester—( cb » ers ) . But he had seen such a sicL . t that d ; iy vhich he had never done before , and it re-xVy rti < in-s heart good , EL- bad Been half a uiillL-n of people assembled that day—ihear , hear , an ^ -cKes-s . ) It wili do th « . people of Leicester good also : it had
done hi : *? qcod once more to see their great chief , Mr . 0 Connor— ( cheers , and cries of " God bless him" )—which hi ;' , m Te than compensated him for his journey . Hs then mentioned Henry Hunt , - and said he had used to read of that great , good , brave , and indomitable cban-pl'm of the people when he was but a bo ;' , and there -. vas no Radicalism in that qnarter in "Which hu resided ; bat ha was glad to . say that there were now Chartists in t ^ at part of the "vrorld—( cheers . l Tiieie aie a few Chartists there . Mr . Cooper said they ( th . ^ people ) could see Chartism on a fine scale ; they nuelit expect a rrlerieu * tt-rrest and ingathering to their rabies durir . g the ensuirg yurnmer—( cheers )—all couii ; : ? for tho support of thf Charter . Mr . Cooper then wfiit on to shew thu . prrjulice which bad hitherto existed
acn-inst tbe cUartists by persons -who did notunderstami what the intt-ntions and objects of the Chartists were ; but when th ^ y earsi-j to hear the principles of Chftrtism c-xplained , th = y txa -:: in :-:-: ' -. " 0 ! is that Chartism ? if it is , we f . re Chirt : * ta '—( cliters . ) } Ir . Cooper then recommended teit . 'talisin ; afur which he was about to conclude , whtn hs vrp . *! saiu ' . cd with voices from tha crowd , re-questing him to proceed . "Go ' . " "About what ? ' fc-ai' 4 Coops-r- For tbey must know the short time aMo ^ b'i for encli speaker would not allow him to explain much ; and if he began to explain the Complete Suffrage move , he mi ^ ht-give oflfence . ( " You WOnV ) Last Monday , they ( the Chjutists of Leicester ) gave a blow to Complete Suffrage ; th-. y "would not have it there . ( " No , nor we either . ") They were determined to have the Charter—the whole Charter , nnstripped of any of its details . But , strictly Bpoaking , there were no details in the Charter . Mr . Cooper then shewed clearly , plainly , and logically , the superiority of
the Charter movement to that of the Complete Suffrage movement , by comnifeneing at the first point ia the Charter , and finishing at the last . In reference to Animal Parliaments , he denied that they could have " Universal Suffrage without them , even according to thestaudard laid down in the Charter ; for if , said he , a man was twenty years of age at one eleetion , unless they had Annual Parliaments , he cculd not , when of age , receive his titie to vote . If it was a three years Parliament fle would have to wait two years , till the election came on again , consequently be deprived of his vote for that length of time ; hence the ' superiority of Annual over TrienniaL ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Cooper showed that the Charter neither could nor would be allowed to be uojointed , nor taken to pieces , if it would confer the intended ' benefit ; upon the industrious % niliions . He then congratulated them on their grand display , and the respect they had givtn , not only to Henry Hunt , Esq ., but to their nt » ble
Untitled Article
O'Connor . ( Cheets . ) He was not ashamed to be considered a man-worshipper ; he considered Pym , Paine , Washington , and many others , as the personification of great principles . And what wa 3 F . O'Connor , so long as he said he would and did go for the Charter a man who gave hia labours , his talents , - \ bte wealth to . the cause of 'the people , bnfc a personification ol great p ' riaoipl ^ . \< l ben '\* he . OBghfrto be '' ro ^ p 6 Gi ^ . in ' tte * sa m@ proportion , because he has po interesta , S&ve that of the millions , consequently noi interests in deceiving them . ( Cheers . ) After an admonition not to be led from the Charter , Mr . Cooper retired loudly cheeied by the peop le . ;¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' . '¦ . : ¦¦ . , - . ¦ ¦; . ¦ ¦ _ '¦ •¦ . , ' •! ' . '' , ; . ' . " , ; -:. '
Mr . Harney next came forward amid Voclferbns cheering , which , when it had subsided , he said their respected and reverend friend , Mr . Scholefield , had told them it was nearly 2 , 000 years Bince the Savioni ¦ of the ¦ world was nailed to the cross , who "was the founder ef Christianity . Why was it that he was put to death ? ^ Because he was the advocate of . justice ,, equality , arid right , and for doing which he was accused ; and cdndemned tor sedition . ( Hear , bear , and long continued cheering . ) He - was . not of party , or faction ; he taught no creed but that of V justice to all , " unless they yrould call that a creed , which was that of Feargus O'Connor—( cheers . ) The Rreatj the goody the patriotic of every agei of every clime , and of every country had had the war-whoop of the factions , of the tyrants , and tbe
selfish against them . Wherever a good man has distinguished himself for the love of liberty , of the people , and of his country ; whierevee he basootno forward iu defence of right against .. inight ; Justice against injustice , and truth against falaehood , the cry of sedition aad blasphemer has been raised to destroy both him , his influence , and the good ho was calculated to ; dp-- ( loud cheer& ) There are men who would hunt down Jesus Christ at the present day for preaching similar doc ^ trines to those he did nearly two thousand years ago , the same as they hunted down poor HenryHunt to the grave—jcheers . ) After a faw olher remarks , Mr . Harney said they were called together that day to wash off the stain which has rested upon their heads since the death of Henry Hunt , a etain which bad never been
eff iced till that day . He called uppa them to stand by their principles , as he did—( cheersO He wa ^ the same in 1830 as he "was iu 1820 . H « , Hke O'Connor , was admired for his consistency in the House of Commons and amongst the paople ^ -lcheera . ) They must not be led astray from their object by the Sturgites . They "were hnmbugs , and every other ite , that would not go for a full jneasure . They mere philosophers only for their own interesta , and they—the peoplemust be philosophers and politiciana for their own interests , and not ba made tools of for any party , or fer any selfish or factious interests—( cheers , and " we won't ) No , no , they must make them come to the stickingpoint—corae to the standard of justice—banish exDediency bafora they will deserve or can obtain
the assistance , support , and confidence of the industrious but oppressed and enslaved millions—* ( cheers . ) The universal cry of the people must and ought to be the Charter whole and entire , and no compromise , no expediency , no mystifieatioh , nor any surrender—( hear hear . ) It was how three years since he had the pleasure of'seeing some of his friends from Ashton , stalybridge , Hyde , Bolton , Rochdale , Oldhauj , ic ., many of whom he then saw before him . Since that time , he had been , the self-same , man as he was then when he was taking a tour previous to the first Convention , and always was , prepared to do all and suffer all for the rights of the people . Mr , Harney , who had walked all the way from Sheffield to be present at the great demonstration , then retired amid enthusiastic cheering' .
Mr . Jones , of Liverpool , late North-riding lecturer , next addressed the meeting . They had assembled-to pay a tribute of respect to a departed friend , one who was persecuted ^ spurned , and accflFed at by their oppregsora , because they , like himself , their noble O'Connor , and the preceding speakers bad dared to tell them of their long-witheld rights—( hear , hear ) . If they looked back to history , thty would find that those men who were most virtuous ,-indpmitabie , unconquerable , and prominent in tha agitation of the people , bad ever had the Sllu . ft 8 bf th 6 law arrayed against them' to crash them , und were watched by the Government as objects of their persecution , torture , aud destruction . Many of thosohad been put within the gloomy walls of a duueeon , and there , in many instances , left to perish ;
others had been consigned to the gibbet—to transportation , and the scaffold— - ( hear , hear ) . He stood there not to flatter them , but to tell them the . imtb , The Government would not have carried out their designswould not have been so powerful only ' the people in the hour of trial—in : the iiour of trouble , when firmness was most demanded , the 'people themselves have rushed to mad persecution , which had hardened the selfish rulers in their career , and both government and people had scorned and laughed at the downfall of a patriot , and thus have men in by-gone times fallen a sacrifice to the cause of huiuaa freedom . ; Mr . ; J . theu warned the people against such a line of procedure for the future , and called upon theni by all means so long as their leaders were consistent , to stick by and support them by their
cauntiinanc © and every otbor possible rwaywnioh might ba required . Mrl Jones exhorted them to teach the people , to cherish that divine principle implanted in t ' aeir b « soms , namely , an eternal hatred to tyranny , in any and every shape in which it might shew its Hionstrou 3 , ugly , and duformed head to eradicate all feelings of servility to injustice , and plant in its stead a neverfading lovo of liberty —( cheers ) . Mr . J ., in a mosteloquenfcand fueling manner , shewed 'what cruel and dreadful havoc h : id been made of good men as a warning to the millions to keep them in servility arid passive obeiience . He then exhorted them to press onwards and they would conquer- ^ -their demands were just , and victory would be certain . He retired amid repeated cheers . - « .- .
Mr . Josh . Linnet , one of the marshals * then came forward , and returned them his thanks for their conduct that day , because they were deserving of better usage than they received at the bands of those whom by their industry they had to keep , aucl who , by classmade law , ; prevented them from even receiving the common nceessaru a of life . ; Mr . Linney then shawed up in a masterly manner the conduct of the unti-Coro Law Lertgue , and deprecated a Government , whether of Whig or Tory , that had to be supported by the sword , the bludgeon , the sabre , the scaffolds and the
dungeon , i / istead of tho virtue , spirit , intelligence , and affections of the people . They must remain firm , udbroken , tletermined , and united advocates of the People ' s Charter , and no power under Heaven would be able to much longer withstand their righteous demands . JVu Complete Humbug , no Househould Humbug , no Two Points Humbug ; no Twenty-five Years ' Humbug , no other equivocation , manceyering , or capering , but the Charter , V without any mixture or appendage ; and then down with class legislation , and up with the people—rioud cheering . )
The meeting then dissolved to repair to tll 9 Hall Of Science ; and thus ended a glorioua demonstration of numbers , apleiidour , and good order . The bands , the marshals , th « committee , and all "who took a part , performed their work admirably . It was : the unanimous opiniop of both old and young , and men of long sta ding in Manchester , anil active politicians , that the display cf that city far outrivaled anything ever witnessed in Manchestsr . Not a drunken , bad tempered , disorderly man , womaii , or youth , wost 6 . be se ^ n all the day .
The writer of this report witnessed all tne demonstrations at Birmingham . ; in . the year 1832 ; but they fill into insignificance , as compared with that of last Friday . The Manchester Guardian , which has frequently represented ; i demonstration ,, which has been allowed by competent judges to consist of 200 , 000 to hi } about 5 , 000 , states that " there were 15 000 ia the street by the Chapel Yard . " And at ttiia time An-Cijats-street was filled for nonvly hn ! f-a-mi ! e . S- > that p :: rtii ; 3 knowing tbe the character of Joltn Kdwurd T ; iyW , anij ihe opposition which Qc rjjivfls to our ctmso , will conceive what a niagnificent tura out it was . Not a single accident happened ' 'throughout the day .
TEA PARTY AND BALL AT THE HALL OF ¦ , .. ;¦ SCIENCE . The party was superintended by Mr . Higginbottom , and served up in , excellent style , by the rnamgors of the Insi-itation . About half-past six o ' clock , the , fir&t party had just finished taking their tea , whea -Mr .. ' O'Connor entered , and- was greeted with every manifestation of applause . After sitting for a few minutes , Mr . O'Connor came forward to the front of the platform amid louti cheers . He said , as he had promised to be present with them that evening , and as Mr . Seholefleld had not arrived , they would try to inanage without a cliairaian ,- He had been requested to address them for a short time before ho set off for Bury . He then congratulated them for the order , numbers , and
magnificent ; display which he and they had witnessed that day . It had hitherto been , and was the object of their enemies , to endeavour to make the millions conceive meanly of themselves , and to think powerfully of them . But ho for his part thought powerfully of the working cla :-3 is and meanly of their opponent ) 5 . ( Chews ) They had by their indomitable afiheranco to principle , by theii unswerving consistency and unconquerable courage , they had been enabled to beat down all tbe flimsy , weak , antV shuffling arguments and sophistries of interested parties . There were parties who said they were favourable to the Charter , but they did not like the nameanother called out for their help for an undefined project called Complete Suffiage ; a third called out for a twenty-five years Suffrage ; a fourth , the Charter Su £ frage and Vote by Ballot ; a fifch came forward with » Manbood Suffrage , but did not define When they
considered a man sufficiently old , to have possession of the franchise , whether at forty or at eighteen years . Mr . O Connor then contended that according to the definition of Manhood Suffrage , a youth at eighteen years , if he eould perform as much work as a \ man at forty , was equally- ' entitled 'to the vote .- ( Loud cheering . ) The Chartist ' s standard for the Suffrage was , therefore , most proper , tangible , and defined . They took the law for their guide , and w « re in that , too , supported by custom , because males were atrived aV age at 21 years . They would , because justified , continue to agitate for the Charter until they got it , with all its qualifications ( cheers . ) He should be plain with Uiem because he liked plain dealings with each ottur . He saw no utility in wrapping a principle in mysterious words , which could not be comprehended . They , the Chartists , had beaten one faction , and tue same power which they possessed , by unity and perse vcranCe , would SO foiftfy
Untitled Article
them as to make them sufficiently powerful to beat the other patty ( hear , hear , and cheers . ) And when the two factions saw the people becoming united , resolute , and determmedj they would coalesce to put them down ( hear . ) But they were ready to encounter them ( cheers . ) They , the meeting before him , were sat to-their Jinmble meal , and , thougn humble as it was , it was not often they could bo efijoy tkenxselves ; yetit was . " from ^ their sweat and blood that the dainties and luxuries emanate which spread out the Queen ' s table . Mr . O'Connor then said that a portion of the aristocracy believed that they were born for no other purpose than to eat and drink . He called them the maw-worms ( laughter . ) Had they " not , when they ( speaking totkemeetiw ) had been taking their gambols in the fields , seen , if they
knocked a clod over or a stone , a nest of pismires ? although he asked them this question he knew it was not frequent they ceuld enjoy themselTes so . Had they not observed the pismires , every one taking off its egg . Just Hoit was : with tha . House of Commons r ihey were like a nest of pismires ; there were bo mnny interests and each wanted to carry away its own egg ( laughter and cheers . ) He had never deceived them , and he ppuld tell them that if Sir Robert's Bill passed it would destroy the present organization of society ; He then related what he had told them in his letter , and informed them that Mr . Wakley had recently read one qt his letters , dated 9 th of March , in one of their meetings in Londohi' in doing which he excited much laughter . Alluding to
his •« pro-Tory policy , " he said he had been much accused for that step . Had he done wrong ? -. ( Voices fcom py ' crjf . part of the vast assembly raplied , " No , no . " ) They ; had the Whigs under them . Where was Not raanby , Fox Maule , Little John Russell , and plain John Campbell , who had presutiied to have buri « d Chartism ? They had beaten the Corn Law Laagua . Where is their strength ? They hardly knew which way to look , nor how to look , when they ( the procession ) were passing the Exchange tbat day . All the strength and numbers they possessed could be held very snugly and comfort-I ably in oneroom ; whilst the wide streets of Manchester were too narrow to contain the Chartists—( hear , htar ) . They had beaten down the humanity' and emigration hum hugs , and theywould beat the Complete SutTpa ^
humbug , when it came fairly into the field—ichfers ) . These . ( Junkera were apparently the mo 3 fc affable and disinterested creatures iu Christendom . Joseph * S : urge , the leader of the Completo Suffrage move is a Quaker , all single-breasted —( laughter ) . Joseph Sturge was interested in trying to obtain a repeal of the Corn Laws , because he was one of the greatest corn importers . But then finding that the League object had failed , he vas more cunning and wily than ; the Philips , Greggs , and Cobrfens , by making it appear directly that he wishes to give the people the suffrage , yet indirectly he only wants a Repeal pf the Corn Laws . ( Some one cried out from tho body of the Hall , and asked what Complete Suffrage meant ?) Mr . O'Connor replied by saying be could not tell his friend what they ' meaiit
by it ; but he could tell him what t ' jd Chartiats and himself meant They would go for tho Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing but th « Charter . They were there as a political body ( party they could not be called , because they were Willing to give the sama privileges to others they claimed f ^ r themselves ) , one hiiadred to ¦ one to the factions . What then have they ( the Chartists ) to be afraid of ? The laws had been framed for the benefit tf the few ; he wished them to he made beneficial for the whole of the people —( cheers . ) If-. they ask&l him . to expose the vices of the working classes , he would iell them thi » i he could not , nor wauld not da bo , 'because ' all . - 'their vices ware the result and offspring of the bad institutions of society , and their virtues were characteristic
of their nature—( cheers . ) He respected the men of Manchester for their constant adherence to principle against the force , influence , money , ifitrigue , and plots , plans , and tricks of the Corn Law League , who wished to make tools of them for their own factious interests . He naw doubly respected the working men of Manchester , and he would promise them that his coining amongst them for the future should be more frequently - —( cheers . ) He would give them three more lectures—( cheers ); one on tho effect of class legislation , in connection with the Ssate Church ; another on the effect of the middle classes holding with Vie aristocracy ; the third subject was lost amid the deafening choers . He was glad that there was a kind of a pie-bald I ' ory got into the House in the person of Mr . Ferraad , who
had declared that he would expose tyranny come from what party it may—( hear , hear . ) The speaker then sarcastically told of the doings of Ferrahd amid the con-VUlsive laughter of the audience , in showing how that gentleman had exposed the cotton and commercial lords who would skin a flea for its skin and leather What were their profits made of but labour ?—( hear . ) And where had those men got their property ? boasting , as they had done , that the manufacturers within twenty milesi of Manchester could pay off the national debt . The Speaker then gave a trua and proper description of the Whig . and the Tory . The former promised every thing and did nothing , the latter never promising anything , was a tyrant and stack : to his text—( hear-, hear . ) What was little Lord John Russell ? way , if the Chartists had
him in their ranks they would notentrust him to second a resolution at an outdoor meeting . He told them that Peel would give more than the Whigs , and tbat Russell would join him . The object of the Chartists would be to get about thirty good Chartist members In the House , and if so they would be reported by nearly the whole ariny of the press . The one party doing business in the House , whilst the great body of the people were supporting them but of the House . If they could arrive at suoh a position they would be able to beat the factions combined ^—( cheers . ) The Chartists of Manchester , assisted by their local leaders , deserved immortal credit . The League had exposed tKelr -wives and , daughters for the purpose of getting £ 10 , 000 by the baza ; ir , whilst he ( Mr . O'Connor ) and them had done
more execution than they had > with only three night ' s lectures and £ 45 —( cheers . ) He had come two hundred and seventy miles to be at the demonstration : which they had held . He had spoken twice in Manchester , and had again to speak that evening in Bury , aftor which he would have to return again without any sleep ; They had commemorated the memory of one of the bravest and most indomitable men that ever lived . Hunt braved public opinion even when deserted by his own party . Public opinion was seldom wrong , and never long together . Hunt was scarcely cold in his grave when the people saw their folly . They thought he was no more , and therefore gave themselves up to the guidance of the Whigs , and they had deceived them , which had taught -the people a fine aiid useful lesson ; they would not , with all their cunning and craft , be able to cajole and lead them astray again —( cheers . ) They ( the Cliartists ) must , therefore , stand firm to their principles .
If they saw one of their leaders take a wrong step , they must argue with him , and , if he was determined to persist , why , then , throw him pyerl > eard— - ( hear , hear . ) They have had a body of men in the Executive who had rendered valuable services to the cause ; he never know a body of men more useful , nor men who bestowed better energies on . behalf of the cause , and still the worse paid by the community . Leaders are essential—nay , highly necessary in all great movements ; but > then , they should be well watched by the people , and they ( the people ) ought to be their censors , in order to keep them hsnest —( hear , hear . ) He ' never was more amply paid for a journey than he had been that day . After a few other remarks , he concluded by stating that he would never cease till they had gained the six points , included in tuat important document called the People ' s Chatter . He then retired amidst loud cheers .
A fine Youth , belonging to the Youth ' s Charter Association ; then advanced to the front of the platform , amidst loud applause . He paid he would not detain them long , because Mr . O'Connor said he had to go . If ever there was a time when it was necessary , and when every man ought to come fo rward- in the cause , that time wii 3 the present— - ^ cheers . ) A great deal had been said about the Charter , and what it would do ; but , for his part , he would give but ; little for it , unless it would give them a Government based on tha principles of Republiranism . He wished that a ! l the support possible should be given to Feargus O'Connor , so long as he abides by principle , and when he does not , why then throw him overboard . ( Loud cheers . ) The youth , who appeared to be about fifteen years of age , then called the attention of the audience to the following address , —iloud cheering , )—which he read in a clear , distinct , boid , and powerful te » ne , amid the admiration of the whole meeting : —
" Address of the Chartist Youths of Manchester to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., March 25 th , 1842 . ' * H 0 N 0 UEED AND ESTEEMED Sift , —We , the youths © f the National Charter Association , resident in Manchester , beg leave most respectfully to offer you pur sincere congratulations upon your recent escape from the murderous attack made upon your person by a , band of infuriated rufliaas , hired and instigated by men who not daring to meet you in discussion , knowing the powerful effect that your captivating eloquence would liave had upon the minds of their dupes , and being aware that if you were allowed to be htard the whole of their ftiiiacies would have been exposed and inebn . trovertibly refuted , to the total annihilation of the syBtem of delusion , cant , and hypocrisy , at once agreed that their only hope was in working upon the passions of their followers by representing you as an Orangeman ^ as an enemy to theCutholic religion , and bb a supporter cf Toryism .
"We rejoice , Sir , that their nefarious plans wers nnsuccesaful , and although we cannot but regret that you have been personally injured , yet the loud burst of popular indignation , which has been already expressed through the length and bteadth of the land , with the manifestations of devotsdnesB and attachment to your person which this base attempt upon your life has called forth , must be gratifying to your feelings , si we assure you , Sir , they are to ours , knowing as we do , that these proofs of attachment have been j usily merited by the undt-viating ( jonsistenoy : ' -of character ^ and conduct , with the many pecuniary sacrifices and disinterested txerttons which have marked the whole of your political career .
M We hail you , Sir , as the representative of those great and glorious principles which were advocated by the immortal and ever-to-be-laniented Henry Hunt , ; Efawhose patriotism we have this day met to perpetuate When that sterling patriot waa removed from nsi you , noble-minded Sir , tleaeended uom'wiio raukB of aristocratic distinction , stepped into his place , and amid
Untitled Article
the treachery of false friends , and the base catumnies of avowed enemiea , pursued your noble career , promulgating and defending the glorious cause of democracy , regardless of governmental persecution and imprisonment . V : . : ¦'" : ' . : "'¦ :: ,:,. ' - ¦' :.: . . " ¦ . - . ']¦ ' ¦ "¦' . ¦ :: ' " In conclusion , we hope . Sir , ihat yon will not thinfe na too . bold , if we entreat you to pwBevere in your noble and praiseworthy exertions to benefit an oppressed and much injured people until our glorioua Charter be established as the basis of the future constition of our country , and the top atone of the ; temple of liberty bs crowned by one universal burst of enthusiastic rapture , reverberating from shore to shore , and proclaiming the downfall of tyranny , with the establishment of happiness and peace throughout the ^ world . ' : "ThatyoUj Sir , may be delivered from the malice of your enemies , and have the satisfaction of seeing England , Ireland and Scotland ' great , glorious , and free' is our sincere wialu .. ¦ ¦ -. .:: ¦ :. , ; -.. ; . -- ¦ .: ; : -:
'" Signed on pehall of the Manchesteif Youths' Cbartist Association , . - ¦ - ¦ -. ; " John Hargreaves , sub-Treasurer . ; "JohnSchoiefield , sub-Secretary . " This was followed by long-continued cheering from the meeting , the ladies joining most lustily . : The youth then commenced , before handing it over , to Mr . O'Connor , to say that there were many fathers and mothers present who had cheered him . They would not be acting consistently if they did not send their sons to the Youths' Association , where they would learn the forae and genuine principles of dempcraoy ^ - ( 16 ttd cheers . ) . ' . ' ¦ . ' : ¦ ' ,: '¦ . // .. ' . ' : ; : ' . - : ¦ . ;¦ Mr . O'Connor then stood with the boy ' s hand in his , expecting the boy was about to present the address , when the youth said , stop a bit—one more word , then he had done-- ( loud laughter . ) Little Lord John said they had bnried Chartism ; but they had shews him that Whiggery had been buried in the grave which was made for Chartism—( loud cheers . )
He then in a very p 6 lit 9 manner said , Feargus O'Connor , I here present you with tbis Address on behalf of the Chartist Youths of Manchester . ¦ Mr . O'CONNOR said , anxious as ; he was to depart he had been highlygTatifled with the mannei ia . which the youth had performed hia duty -He wonld nob detain' them by any remarks , but content himself by asking how many thousands a year would many of the aristocracy give for such a youth as that ? ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor then retired for Bury amid the applause of tho assembly . : ¦ . ¦ " . ; : - . ; :
The other parties who had not taken tea then took their places , and were served . After which , theclotU was drawn , the tables sided , and on order being restored , The Rev Mr . Sgholefield was called to the chair , and commenced by observing , that as the ladies wisked to have a little amusement , the speakers would be brief , the time for the Manchester speakers being only five minutes . He then gave as the first sentiment , " The people , the legitimate source of all power . " The Patriotic Salford Chartist Band played the ' ^ Slarselliase Hymn . "
Mr . Cooper ; of Manchester , was called upon to speak to it , and said that he would not trespass long upon theiir patierice , after : the remark which hid been made by their worthy Chairman . Tho subject to which he had been called upon te speak was an important one , and ought to command the attention of every honest and right-minded man : ( Cheers . ) What would a nation bo without its people ? When he thought of the mighty mass of the people he concluded that they were the source ; from whom all wealth sprang that was in the eduntry , and therefore being the producers of all wealth , they are , and ought to be , the only legitimate source of all power . It was impossible for any power to be legitimate uni « S 3 possessed by the people . They , the industrieus people , it were who dived into
the bowels of . the earth to get the minerals , and afterwards formed and fashioned them into useful articles They till the land and weave the cloth , and it was the [ ftbour of the millions which produced everything valuable in society . The people > the legitimate source of all power . ' If they were the source of all legitimate power , hnw was it that without exception , they were tha most r . iiseraVle people in existence ? If the people of tbis country were to have their rightsrr-righb must reign predominant over might —( hear . ) There had beta a great deal said within the last ten years about the people ' s rights , and he knew that there , were parties who pertinaciously denied that the power ought to be
lodged in the hands of the many , and argued that they , the privileged few , ; had derived their right to govern fro : n divine origiiii ' wiuch he the speaker denied ; and if it could , be pr 6 ved ; according to the rules of justice and truth , and according to the laws ef nature , that such power was not of divine origin , but usurped by unjnst laws and class legislation—the sooner they were deprived of it and it given to the people the better . After a few excellent remarks , the speaker urged the people to unite their mental and mcraL powers for the establishment of that which they were seeking—( cheers . ) The . Chai rman gave the next sentimenti , " The Immortal memory of Henry-Hunt , Esq . "
Tune— - " Dead March . " : , The Chairman then introduced Mr . Cooper , Editor cf the Commonmafthsman , of Leicester , to apeak to the sentiment . . ¦'¦ "' . . - . ''¦ ¦ :- . ... '¦ " Mr . Cooper came forward amidst the plaudits of the meeting . The iiumortal memory of Henry Hunt ! Would not his name and principles be remembered by the working men and women of Manchester ? for those were the lerms in which he liked to ; address them . They had , nt Leicester , left : off those terms of " Ladies and Qentlciiitn , " and he would advise the working men of Manchester to leave such fulsome terms off also , and let those use them who could do so with more assumed manners—( hear , hear . ) Would not Zus memory ; ba rerpemberert ? ( Yee . j if they walked into the Cathedral
of St . Paul ' s , in London , they would find that nearly ail the fine statues were in commemoration of some Generals or AuHiirals , or some of the class of butchers . There were oniy few eiceptions , such as those of John Howard , the learned Dr . Johnson , and William Jones ; the rest were lufe ' n of bloody celebrated Cor their activity and : coneralship in destroying ; the { r fellowcreatures . Bu : Iluht would live in the memory of the working : classes , because he was a' friend of the people— ( cheers ) --a ! tnough he was treated by his and their enemies with scora and contempt Mr . Coopeit tbeu alluded to ¦ what had been said about him in the Morhing Chronicle , which he said he mentioned to shew that he was the man spoken of , and that he was hot ashamed to own it . He gloried in it He then
exhibited a piece of a Whig flag , which waa taken ia the contest ; and when he came into conversation with a middle class man , he usually pulled off his cap , to show him the trophy of chartist victory . No ; he was not ashamed to do what be did do at the last Borough election . Had . they , the Chartists , stood alone , they could Only ha , ve commanded thirty-seven ; votes . They , therefore , helpe _ d one faction to cut the throat of the other faction , in order to give the people the power to cut the throat of the remaining faction . He told the Tory candidate to . Lis teeth that they were about to use him to cut the throats of the Whigs , in order that they , the Chartists , niighs cut the throats ' of him and his faction afterwards ; Had the leaders , who stood upon principle , done wrong ? ( Cries ef ' . 'Noj no . " ) After a few remarka' upon the pre-Tory policy , Mr .
C . asked them to permit him to congratulate them again on the glorious display which he had witnessed that day , and the magnificent meeting which he then stood before . He was glad to hear the youth come out Cor RepubVicanism ; he wished they had more of such boys . They would then begin to think that crowns and sceptres wero only baubles and play things . He had read , when very young , ina Black Dwarfi ; the Poor Man ' s Guardian , aad man ; : ; f Cobbett ' s works ; aiid 'had , while working at his : rade , made himself master of five different langniigea . Mr . Cooper animadverted upon the conduct of Francis Qm-dett and Lord Melbourne , the latter for movim ; a vote of thanks in Parliament to : the Yeoinanry for cutting dp ^ vn th ^ people at Peterloo . He then retired amid loud cheera . The CHArRMAN then gave " The Charter , and maj it speedily become the law of the land . " Tune—" Scots wba ha ' e wi' Wallace bled . " Mr . Jones , the I ^ orth Riding Lecturer , rose to respond to it , and on coming forward was greeted with enthusiastic cheering . He said he would occr-ny but a very few moments , because he saw so many youns ladies present who were prepared for othu-r amusements —( Cries of "Go oa half an hour ") Mr . Chair--man , ladies , and gentlemen , it ; was with extreme pleasure that he came forward to speak to the toast given by the worthy Chairman , because ha lirmly agree' ! with the sentiments , belieying that the obtainment cf the Charter would give political justica to the poopltand it was therefore the earnest desire of his hea > -t that it should become the law of the iand . Chartism epntends that every honest , industrioussober man .
, has a decided interest th the good , judicious , and proper government of the country , and to give him h ^ share m the making of the laws by which all were to be governed ; as by : it was determined the interest and destiny of man individually and collectively . And why should he ask for the whbl « power of legislation to bo lodged in the hands of the many instead of , as now , ^ the hands ; b £ the f * w ? Because he knew , palitically speaking , there waa no distinction between the rich and the poor , the high and the low-tcheers . ) They had all an equal right to that power by which their Jives and property should be protected . He saw no difference between the child of the poor man and the child of the rich man . If they could show that nature bad given authority , and had placed a mark on the rich man ' s ohild to govern , and that servility and alayery . were engraven upon the brow of the poor man ' s childhe for
, one would say that the former should command and the latter obey - but until he could be Ehown tuesupencr mark of the affluent and wealthy , and the infenormark of theindustrious buSpoor , whitot nature had given no diatlnction ; he would denounce the system wluch allowed , fostere * . and perpetuatetiit—tcheers )^ and would contend that one portion ought to enjoy privileges to which the other waa deprived . Toe same power which called one into existence called the-other , and although one might be born in the midst of splendour and titles , yet it possessed the same feeiings , wants , and faculties as the child bora amid the toiling slaves . He saw the same features in the rich man ' s child as the poor man ' s child ; the day breaks the gaime upon oneas the other ; the fertilisinij showers descand tho same in the neighbourhood of one as the other ; the sun , the bvighfc luminary of natnre / _ ( Continued inpurteventh page . )
Untitled Article
6 THE NO RT HERN STAR . ' . . " , -. ' . .. : - ' . . ;; .. . . /; ' . ; : ; L / V } ,: ^ ;
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), April 2, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct592/page/6/
-