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THE POLITICIAN'S TEXT BOOK.
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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1842.
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
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MANCHESTER , GKAXD FESTITAL IN HONOUR OF T . S . DUXCOMBE , ESQ , M . P ., AND FEARGU 5 O-CONNOR , ESQ . A Tea Party and Bill wa ? held in the Carpenter ' s Hal ! , Old Garrett-Toad . Manchester , on Monday evening in honour of the above illustrious gentlemeiL Sis o ' clock -sTe-i the time annoucced for tie tea to be upon the table ; but long before that hour thousands were OOEtrcj ? ated aroand tbe doors , anxions to be admitted . Nstwufasttinding the committee had limited thp num . b 2 r of tickets to one thousand , such was the demand for them , and the importunities of the people , that they
were compelled to break tar « ugh their original arrangements , and grant a second issue . The committee had neither spared trouble nor ejpence in decorating the room . The platform hid an imposing effect upon tb 9 sijtt ; over the frtnt of it tos erected a magniflcient triunphal arch , in tbe ctntre of which was suspended the portrait of T . S Dancombe , Esq ., in a splendid rosewood frame , rapper ; -d on the right hj that of F . O'Connor , E ? q , and on the left by the ever-tobelamenied John Fiot , in frunes of the . same material . Around tte Hall were many small bankers bearing appropriate mottos . . An excellent quadrille band was in attendance , and played S 3 T . ral popnlar airs dnriue tea .
A out eight O ' closk , Mr . Daneombe . accompanied by Mr . O Connor , enters-. ! the Hall , and here ensned a scene that isffi ? s description . The people rose npon their feet from the tables ; movad by one common impulse to do lionour to the nsen who Lad advocated their cause through good and evil report . The chWing at tbia moment surpassed anything that Ve ever Witnessed before . The waving of bats and has 3 kerchiefs continued for a considerable time ; in fact , it appeared as if the people th : nght they could no : sufficiently skew their gratitude to these nobles of nature , who had done bo much for the suffering sons of toil .
It was with considerable difficulty that they made their way to the plaiform , upon mounting which the cheering recommenc-d a : ; d lasted for several minutes . Order being restored , the peop ' e commenced consuming the good ' -kings set before them ; aud , notwithstanding 1500 persons tock tea , Ejtting down at four different times , yet , all ¦ was conducted with the utmost decorum and good order . The people were highly delighted ¦ with the arraiuejaenu made by the committee ' for tieir comfort , find all were perfectly satisfied with the quantity and quality of the provisonf" provided , for them . Upon the tea equipage being removed , ilr . Dixos moved that ilr . J . R . Cooper do take the chair . The motion being seconded and put to the meeting , it w . is carried snanizBonsly .
Mr . Cooper said that he would not occupy their time hy any preliminary remarks , but just observe that on account if the crowded state of the room and the lateness of the hour , it had been thought advisable to omit a large rumber of sentiments that originally stood upon the list , reserving only three . Yet there wea one that he comd not dispense with , he would read it and call upon Mr . James Leach to respond to it " The working classes , may they enjoy the fraits of fhcii own industry by the speedy abolition of class legislation , and become united , happy , and free . " ¦ Mr . Leach rose amidst loud cheers aad responded to ibe toast in a speech which did honour both to 'his head and heart , and retired amid the plaudits of his fellow townsmen . Air by the Band— " Scots wha ha * . " The Chairman said that the next toast was one which all would hail with delight , it was -.
—" Our ulmtrions guests , T . S . Doncombe , Esq ., and F . O'Cannor , E-q ., and may they live to receive the congratulations of a free and happy people for their disinterested advocacy of their rights . " This was received with tremendous cheering , which Was repeated for several minutes . When order was restored , Mr . DtrsceMBK said—Ladies and kind Friends , — You most excellent Chairman has truly said , if there is anything worth living for , it is to know that we have honestly done our duty to our fellow-man , and in return receive the thanks of a grateful people . The flattering reception that yon hs-re given to me , an entire stranger amongst yon , has bo overpowered me . and embarrassed my mind , that I feel it a difficult taste to return to you
the thanks which yon deserve , or to find words adequate to convey to you tbe feelings of my heart on this occasion . Bat we are not strangers in reality ; for although we reside at & distance from each ether , yet we have fought long together Against oppression and injusticewe hav * long been struggling in the same cause . Mr . Dor . combe then said he remembered the honour the working classes conferred upon him in the last session of Parliament by entrusting to his care the National Petition—( lend cheers )—and he also remembered the manner that th&l Pe'Auon was treated by the House of Commons : and the language made use of by the members of that House . They hid called the Chartists spoliators and destructives . But he ( Mr . Duncombej told them it was a libtl on the working men . of Engthe
land . T ^ iat petition told truth concerning your grievances , and pointed out the only remedy—the People ' s Charter . That petitioa also prayed for your delegates to be heard at ihe bar of that House . But they durst net bear you—if they had , you would have told such truths as would have made them ashamed of themselves ; and would have laid bare to the whole country the grievances you complained of , and at the sama time the justness of your demands . Mr . DuECcmbe then commented in severe terms upon the conduct of the members of the House of Commons Bpon that occasion . He ( Mr . Duncombei thought it would have been time enough to have called them destructives , and to have cavilled about the wording of the petition , when they bad heard what yon had to Bay
upon the rabject He would tell them how that petition was received by the men calling themselves tbe representatives of the people . When the vote was taken for you to be heard at the Bar , there were 51 cut of 658 , for your being heard ; and if a > proof was ¦ wanting to show that the House required reform , this vote fully substantiated the fact , thr . t nothings short of a remodelling of the House of Commons weald ever benefit this country . He lamented that fatal vote ; he called it a fatal vote ; for if the House of Commons had sot come to that vote , the late disturbances would not have taken place . If they had instituted an inquiry into the distress of the country , tbe people would , bave had something to have hoped for ; but by that act they doomed them to despair . Had the House done its duty to
the country at that time , hundreds of familieewouM nut at this time have had to lament the death of their sasural protectors . The consequerce of that neglect-was , that the working classes , seeing they had nothing totxp < . ct from the £ ouse of Comiaocs , struck for an advance of wages , which they had a perfect right to do—nay more , as the law at present stands , theyha * l a right to combine together for that purpose if they thought proper . They also might say to the workmen of another employer , " you ought not to work for that man without be will give you a certain amount of wages " : further than this they cannot go . If thty compel others from working against their win , then they fali a prey to the pangs of the law . And if- ( said Mr . Dancombel 'what I read at the time was correct , I
bave no hesitation in Bajiruj that the law has been rtrrtched by certain parties to suit their own purposes . Englishmen have the right to meet , peacefully to discuss their grievances ; and if the assembling of a few hundred persons outside of the building where the meefcg is held makes the meeting illegal , why this may be called an illegal meeting : if . that is the law , the House of Commons is often surronnded by <» grumbling crowd of people , and therefore their meeting must be illegal . The authorities had no right to interfere with your delegates , who were peaceably assembled together to do your business : it was their duty to see that the crowd in the street did no violence , but it was illegal for them to disperse the meeting , that was peacefully doing their business inside of a
buildisg . But that is not all I have heard since I came into town of the conduct of the magistrates of this place , remanding men day afUi day for thirteen days , and in one instance for nineteen days , asd then discharging them , having no evidence against them . I ! this is the way > said Mr Duncombe ) that the laws are to be administered , then farewell the liberty of the subject "Where is our boasted Habeas Corpus , the palladium of our liberties ? Mr . Duncombe commented upon toe conduct of Lord Abinger , and hoped the men of Manchester would fellow tbe noble example of the men of London , and get up a petition to the House of Commons , and get it as numerously signed as possible and forward it to your representatives . —( Cries of ' It ' s no use to Bend it to them . " ) Oh , yes , ( said Mr- D . ) they are very
respectable men . —( Cries of " They will not . do . ")— Well , but yen must try them . He \ Mr . Buncombe ) would do all that was in his power to bring about the necessary enquiry . —( Loud cheers . }—Mr . Duncombe then said that the Coro-Law-Repealers thought that if the-Corn-Laws were repealed that that would heal all our evils . He ( Mr . D . t was of a contrary opinion . There was 1 othing wonld save this country but ths Suffrage , and to that point all real reformers should rally . The Repealers were going to raise £ 50 , 000 . Well , he ( Mr . D , ) hoped they -would get it ; and he would advise the Chartists not to throw any obstacles in their way . It -would be a fiulore ; they would not succeed . It wonld oar / be & feollah waste of money and time ; and after that has proved weless they will come to you—( load cheers ) . Gentlemen , the suffrage must be extended before say good can be accomplished—and come that must , aad come it wQL The House of Commons
most be reformed before tbe Com Laws or any ¦ other IftWi for tbe good of tbe people can be repealed . There an six yean of tbe term for ths Tories yet , and when yon fariog any thing before them , they as goed a * ay the Septennial Art is in existence , and yon may talk u yon will , we are secure for the remainder of the term . Mr . D . said that he had stated in his place in Parliament , when he presented the petitioa containing three millions and a half of signatures , that heTrould never again be tbe means through which that House should insult tbe working men of England . He ( Mr . D . ) had very little faith in petitioning the present House of Commons—( cheers ) . You must rely upon yosr own strength . Unite tog-ether for the overthrow of oppression and injustice ; and whatever Hfctte I can do towards bringing about that change * O desirable at present for the MMJttoratioB of tie condition of the working
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c ' . as'as , 1 eball feel a pleisure in doing it . Mr . Dancjmbe then referred to the peace with China , and said he wished it was in his power to proclaim peaca between the people and those who governed them . If he had the power he would tell Her Majesty that tbe only way to secure tbe stability of tbe throne was to tcive equal laws and equal justice to the subject j and on the other hand if there vraa no protection for the poor man ' s labeur , there could be no security for the rich man ' s property —( cheers . ) Mr . D . then thanked them for the hearing they had given him , and al «> for the reception he bad received , and retired amid thundering rounds of applause .
Air by the Band— " Auld lang syne . " The Chai-man then gave the foilowing toast : — "The People ' s Charter , with all its honest advocates ; may they continue to struggle in the glorious cause until ita principles become the basis of our future laws , thereby giving peace and prosperity to the community . " Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., then rose , amidst tremendous cheering , which continued for a considerable time . After the cbeeriDg had subsided , Mr . O'Connor said , Mr . Chairman and Brother ChartistB , it is seven years this very week , if not this V 6 ry day , since 1 first advocated the principles of Chartism to you in Manchester . You and I have fought many a battle together Bince tfaen . We have passed through obliquy aud mis .
representation . We have suffered persecution ; they have incarcerated some , and entombed others . Though they have murdered a Clayton and a Holberry , still their spirits beckon us on to greater exertion in the cause ef Chartism . Mr . O'Connor then enlogised the c . nduct of Mr . Duucombe , for the manly course he had pursued in the Commons House of Parliament . But he ( Mr . O'Connor ) differed with that gendeman wh n he said that he was a stranger , it was true that they resided at a distance from each other , but the people of Enfland were not unmindful of those that dared to stand forward in tbe cause of the toiling millions . It was a ( Treat mistake to say that the people were fickle : if any person said that to him , he would toll him that he -was a renegade , for tke people never left their friends until they proved themselves unworthy of their
confidence . Mr . O Connor then gave the Plague a severe c&stig&tion , and rtferred to Mi . Buncombe ' remark , concerning the £ 50 , 000 being a failure ; and , said Mr . O'Connor , "by the blessing of God , it shall fail , and soon too ! He then stated that he was colled a victim , and he gloried in the name ; it was an honour to be a victim in a good causa . He was no conspirator ; be never in his life had attended a secret meeting ; he never belonged to any secret association . It was the law that conspired against him , and not him against tbe law . But if they imagined that they could put him down by persecution , they reckoned without their host . If they put him in prison every day of the week , and he only had Sunday left , he would agitate the one day in seven ; and with that alone he would beat faction out of ths field . Mr . O'Connor then called the attention of
the meeting to the hubbub about the great distress that prevailed hi the rural districts ; they were no politicians or they would know the cause ; they had no brains or they would know the reason of that distress He would tell them what it was that productd this state of things in the agricultural counties . The late " Prosperity" was the close ; during that prosperity they ' were kidnapped to serve tke turn of the manufacturer , until they conld get machinery made , and then they were thrown by like old cog-wheelB in the lumber-room . And these were the men that he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was to join ; with men that had " plenty" oa their tonnegs . but slmrvatton in their hands —they niisht join them At they pleased , but he never would , John Edward Taylor , that handsome young
man , ( save tbe mark , ) says that there are only 13 , 000 Chartists in England—but there are three millions and a half at least ( Loud cries of there are 4 , 090 , 000 . ) Yea , said Mr . O Connor , 6 . 000 , 000 , if we count the women . ( Mr . Leach aaid they were ladifs . ) No ; according to the definition ef Jlr . Cobden . at Liverpool , ladies were bread-breakers . Now , the working men ' s wives were not ladies ; for they had left them no bread to break . It was Peel's 3 per cent , in their incomes that was making the shopkeepers wince ; and that was the ticket for Chartism . Mr . O Connor then remarked , that it matttred nothing to the working classes what we got from China ; it would not make one farthing difference to them if we got £ 500 , 000 , 000 from them . Mr .
O Connor theD gave a glowing description of the growth of his principles in his own country , and showed in clear and convincing language the difference between Paddy and John Bull . Itwas simply this , that we had to live from hand to mouth—whilst Paddy , with all his poverty had , at this time of the year , four or five months potatoes in the hole , and he would live upon one meal of these in the twenty-four boors , and agitate without the fear of his employer . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) would never rest satisfied until he had removed tbat state of things which left them at the mercy of their greatest ' enemies . Mr . 0 'Connor"s speech ¦ was a master piece of oratory , and perfectly electrified the audience . He was loudly cheered throughout .
Air , by tbe band . — " A man's a man foi a * that . The Chaibmas then gave , " The democratic press , more especially the Northern and Evening Stars , and may they receive the support of those whose interests they flopowerfnjly advocate , and be tbeiety stimulated to more powerful exertions in the causa of human freedom . " The toast was responded to by tbe repeated plaudits of the meeting . Mr . O CoNnob . then proposed , " The thanks of not only the men of Manchester , but the working classes of England , to T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P ., for his manly and straightforward conduct in the cause of freedom . ' The proposition was seconded by Mr . Leach , and carried with tremendous cheers . Mr . Duncombe returned thanks in a feeling speech ; after which the two illustrious gentlemen left the room , followed by the blessings of tbe people .
The ball was then opened aud the dancing aud singing were kept up with spirit till five o ' clock in the morning , when the assembly dispersed highly delighted with tbe treat
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T HAVEgreat pleasure ( andno small share of pride ) JL ia submitting the following encomium upon my little Compilation , the POOR MAN'S COMPANION for 1843 , to the notice of the Public generally ; convinced that the lovers of right and tbdth will be pleased , with me , that this three-penny-worth of " Facts and Figures" is calculated to be of use in guiding tbe public mind to a correct appreciation of several political and social schemes of amelioration advocated by the advanced sections of the Reformers . The letter , in which testimony to ; his
effect is borne by a gentleman whose good opinion 1 value more than that of any other man breathing , is , as will be perceived , a private one to myBelf . 1 take the liberty , however , to use it in this public manner ; satisfied that A 3 r . O'Connor will not object to my doing so , as its publication can only have the effect of accomplishing hia own desire , —ensuring the increased circulation of what he deems a good and a ~ : ful bock ; usrfui , I hope , to the Poor Man and to the Poor Man ' s cause , Jos . Hobson . Leeds , Nov . 21 st , 1842 .
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" THE REAL WORTH OF CHARTISM . " Under this head , the Times has published a paragraph , in which it comments / in its own way , upon the balance . sheet of the Executive , gives in tbe Northern Star of last Saturday bat one . The object of the Times is evidently to allay the apprehensions of its patrons as to the growing influence of thoBe principles of right by which the axe eball ere long be laid fairly to the root of tbe fell npaa tree of class dominance , under whose shade tbe Times and its supporters bave so long nestled . Be affects to sneer at the amount of tbe quarter ' s income and expenditure , and to regard it as evidence that the Movement to which it appertains most be contemptible . Here is the paragraph : —
•« the Real Worth op Chartism . —On Saturday the provincial organ of Chartism , the Vorthem Star , pnbliaied th « balance sheet of the executive ' tot the last quarter . This . ' casting up of accounts . ' will en-
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able the public to judge of the extent of Chartism , and the sympathy which its advocates find In the mass of the population , better than by the 3 , 000 , 000 signatures asserted to have been attached to the National Petition . ' From the recent disturbances in the North , it would be imagined by loose who are not aware of the ease with which the unemployed and discontented workmen of that district are excited , that such a bustling placo as Ashton , where Chartism boasta of having taken np a strong position , would shew a very respectable muster of what O'Connor Btyles blistered bands ' in support of the Chatter , and also a goodly contribution to assist in its consummation . The balance sheet .
however , shows that Aahton has but sixty « fraternizing ' Chartists , and that their permanent resources for the quarter amount to exactly the sum of 10 s . At Birmingham , where Chartism is supposed to be , numerically speaking , stronger than in any other part of the kingdom , there are but 175 bona fide ' paying ' Chartists ; and the amount they have < sent in ' to the Executive during tbe last three months is 18 s . 4 d . ;—18 s . 41 ., or £ 313 s . 4 d . per annum , from Birmingham in support of the Charter ! This is sympathy indeed . Coventry adds 100 Chartists to the ranks , and 16 s . 8 d . to the funds . Carlisle gives j £ 5 ; Darlington £ 5 ; Darby £ l ; Huddersfield £ l 18 s .: Hull £ l 12 s 6 tJ .:
Halifax £ 1 15 a . 4 d . ; Liverpool has 280 communicating Chartists , and pays £ 113 s . 2 d . and Manchester , with its 524 brethren , sends £ 0 17 s . 4 d . Such are the bona fide indications of the strength of a faction whose noiso and violence , artfully associated with the distress unfortunately so general in the north , have half ' frighted the Isle from its propriety . ' The grand total of the income of the executive for three months from the 3 , 000 . 000 of partisans , friends , and sympathizers , is £ 160 Is . 5 d . The greater portion of the sum has been swallowed up by three of the principal itinerant
lecturers : Dr . M'Douali ' s wages' and travelling exptnees for two months amount to £ 35 10 s . ; Bairstow ' s to £ 33 8 s . ; and Leach ' s to £ 21 10 s ., the three taking £ 90 18 s . This is agitating to some purpose . Tne extent , nature , and value of Chartism may be well judged of from the fact that a laborious organization , carried on in every county in England , has enabled its various associations to induce only 11 , 363 persons to eurol themselves as members , at twopence per quarter , and of these 11 , 363 there are no fewer than 4 , 813 who have neglected to pay their twopencea . "
Thus it is that the middle and higher classes are led blind-folded , and many of them prevented from forming due estimates of things by the care taken to pervert the information which is furnished to them . Tbia paragraph is fraught with folly as with virulence . The Times writes habitually for the sordid classes , whose god ia Pelf , and who estimate everything , not by its right , its justice , or its necessity , but by its profitableness . He calculates , aud in all likelihood , rightly , that his readers must think meanly of the powers of a Movement , national in its character , and affeotiDg all the interests of society , of which tbe sum total ef its income is one hundred and sixty pounds , one shilling , and five pence , for three months ! The Times knows nothing of the potency of principle ; nothing of the honest , earnest enthusiam which makes men
" Doubly aotive in a losing game . " He weighs power in tbe clasB-balances of money , and , at tbe rate of party payment finds £ 160 to give so small a modicum , that he becomes merry with his coaceit of " the real worth of Chartism . " It may be t ; well tbat we should help the readers of the Times to a more just mode of reckoning ; one that is less likely to mislead them . We shall do so presently , and show that this account of £ 160 for three months , is no statement of Chartist funds at all ; and that , were it tenfold more or less than what it is , it affords no criterion whereby to estimate the power or capacity of that Movement .
But the ingenious dullness of tho writer is most striking in his manner of making out the paucity of numbers devoted to the principles of Chartism . He looks down tbe column of cards issued during the quarter to each place respectively , and chuckles over his owb blunder a ^ assumption that these figures indicate the number of enrolled Chartists in each place . Thus be cackles respecting Ashton-under-Lyne : — " From the recant disturbances in the North , it would be imagined that Buoh a bustling place as Ashton , where Chartism bo * Us of having taken up a strong position , would show a very respectable muster of what O Connor styles blistered bands in support of the Charter . The balance sbeet , however , shows that Ashton has but sixty fraternizing Chartists . "
Ia like manner the goose gabbles of " a hundred and seventy-five Chartists at Birmingham , " aud o f a" hundred Chartists at Coventry" 1 The quantity of cards thns issued during the quarter to each place is cast up at the bottom of the column , and amounts to the number of 11 , 363 plain cards and 79 enamelled cards ; whereupon Goosey , still reasoning from her own manufactured premises , thus further cackles : — " The extent , nature , and value of Chartism may be judged of from the fact that a laborious organization , carried on in every county of England has enabled its varions associations to induce only 11 , 363 persons to enrol themselves as members . "
Now whether this be sheer stolidity or wilful misrepresentation , it is not the less likely to be mischievous , in causing tbose by whom it is read and trusted to mistake their owb position , and the whole nature of the great matters to which it has reference ; and therefore we take tbe trouble of adverting to it . It is right that those whom the misstatements of the Times might otherwise deceive , should be informed that those statements are erroneous ; that the number thus given as tbe total number of enrolled Chartists in England is nothing more nor less than the number of new cards of membership issued by the Executive during tbo three months included in tbe balanoe sheet ! and that instead of showing the total number of enrolled Chartists , it exhibits merely the increase during that period II
The gabblings of the Goose of Printing House Square upon her supposed discoveries of the strength of Chartism in this Balance-sheet are really not a little amusing . She thinks that— 1 " This editing up of accounts will enable the public to judge of the extent of Chartism , and the sympathy which its advocates find in the mass of the population , better than by the three millions of signatures rn&erted to have been attached to tbe National Petition . "
It is difficult to believe that the writer of this silly paragraph was unaware of the bollow and falsa character of these statements ; but for the mere common credit of humanity we will presume it . Goosey infers tbat because only 175 cards have been issued to Birmingham , " the three and a half millions of signatures , asserted to have been attached to the National Petition" forms no criterion of Chartist strength ; and tbat , in reality , tbe Chartists are a puerile and contemptible set of whom nobody need be afraid . We have shown already that her inference rests on a false basis , and is therefore worthless . But the National Petition , quoth Goosey ,
is no proof of the general prevalence of Chartist doctrines and principles . As we have no disposition tojbe captious , we Ehall not defend the point . We may however whisper into Goosey ' s ear a little fact that is proof of this so much dreaded matter . In this same town of Birmingham , where there are only one hundred and seventy five Chartists , and where of course the rest are all Whigs and Tories , neither Whigs nor Tories dare come honestly , boldly , and openly before a public meeting of the inhabitants to controvert any one of the principles of Chartism , for fear these one hundred and Beventy-five Chartists should out-vote them ! In this same town of Birmingham , where there are one hundred and seventyfive chartists , and of the contemptible character of Chartism , of which Goosey cackles so lustily ,
neither of tbe factions even ' dare to permit these jone hundred * nd seventy-five Chartists to hold a public meeting , for th « assertion of their principles , whenever they can prevent it . Tho case is similar in every town in England . Will this enable Goosey to "judge of the extent of Chartism and the sympathy which its advocates find in the mass of the population better than by the 3 , 000 , 000 of signatures asserted to have been attached to the National Petition \ " Poor Goosey finds herself and her patrons in a mess , and we much doubt this blundering will not help it . But tbe money ! the money ! the " casting np of aecoaate" ! there is at all ereatB no getting over that . Tbe whole income of the Chartist movement , for a quarter of & year , has been little more than £ 160 . And what can be done for £ 160 ? What alarm need
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' action have on account of any body , or any oodo of principles , for the sustenance of which only £ 160 can be raised for a whole quarter ]! O ! what a pity that Goosey and her patrons know so little of the indomitable spirit , the persevering energy , and the ceaseless activity infused into a people by Buffering and poverty , the known consequences of injustice . To help Goosey and her patrons to some slight acquaintance with the matter , let us just look at what has been done by the advocates of CbartiEm , and the sympathy which those advocates have found in " the mass of the population . " What have they done ? They bare baffled all the efforts of all Goosey ' s friends , whether Whig or Tory , Pro-Corn Law or Anti-Corn Law ! All the wealth of the whole
nation ; all the power of the whole nationas weilded first by a Whig and then by a Tory Government , —has been employed to put down Chartism . It has failed ! All the blandishments of eloquence , so easily at the command of wealth , have been exhausted by the Anti-Corn Law League in attempting to persuade the " massof the population " to give up their sympathy with the advocates of Chartism . The League has spent upon this single object very many thousands of pounds already ; they have contemptibly failed ; and are now seeking to raise £ 50 , 000 more to renew the effort . Failing in persuasion , they have tried jugglery and treachery ;
they have pretended to espouse our principles that they might lead us from them , trying thus to cheat U 3 out of that which they couldn't cajole from us . They have failed , and are being laughed at , as they are preparing to slink from our ranks like a discovered and well-ducked spy . The " free-traders ' have endeavoured to enforce compliance by starvation ; they hava brought down wages for the avowed purpose ; they have , in many instances , refused employment to all men of known Chartist principles . Every means has been tried to induce the " mass of the population" to refuse to " fraternize " with Chartists ; but in vain : their " sympathy with its advocates" was too Btrong to be thus
overoome I The factions thon joined together for the purpose . They agreed to "sink minor differences , " aud make one mighty effort to crush Chartism . They played into each other ' s hands , the League forcing an insurrectionary movement , and the Government coming to their aid with Speoial Commissions , partisan Judges , law myrmidons , and all the paraphernalia of power aud terrorism . The League orators , the Buckingham and Chandos orators , the whole press of the "Establishment , " the Legislators of St . Stephens , and the Judges on the Bench , have all concurred in describing Chartism as a dangerous monster , which , if not slain , would deBtioy property , and rank , and literally
" Fright the fair isle from its propriety 1 " All the powers of all these parties have been severally exerted and unitedly combined to crush this same Chartism . It has all failed !! and Goosey now comes to the affray with hope to sneer it from the field , because all its mighty [ efforts , offensive and defensive against the power of tyranny , seem to have been made at almost no cost . " The grand total of the Executive for three months is £ \ 60 Is . 5 d . "
Had Goosey not beenjeither a | very silly or a very dishonest goosey , she would have cackled otherwise . She would have said , if Chartism , with an income of only £ 160 for three months for its Executive , has been able , thus successfully , to defy and £ corn us ; if with this paucity of pecuniary resources given from the pence of starving men , Chartism holds on its way , and lives against all odds , it is Burely high time to inquire seriously if there be not
good and [ sufficient reason for it 1 if a system so enduring in its character , and finding such perfect and universal " . sympathy in the mass of the population , " be not based upon justice and upheld by truth \ Had Goosey thus commended to her readers an enquiry into the merits of Chartism , instead of inspiring them with a contempt for it , her oacklings might have been regarded as approximating much more nearly those of her ancient prototype who saved the capitol .
We think it nooeasary , however , that the readers of the Times should know more about the matter than it is plain the Times does . The Times makes the gross mistake of substituting tbe expenditure of the Executive for that of the whole Chartist body . Thus it is for a goose to cackle upon matters of which it knows nothing . The Balance Sheet of the Executive has merely reference to one of the many departments of the Chartist agitationj ; and that the one which is or ought to be the least expensive . The Balance Sheet has merely reference to the expences of that general supervision of the
whole which pertains to the Executive . Goosey seems not to know that every district , and generally speaking every locality , has its own fund j and its own staff of lecturers , tracts , meetings , delegates , and other means of agitation , by which the strength and animus of Chartism is kept up , and through which its power is made manifest . Goosey never made a greater mistake , nor one calculated to do more injury to those who trust her cackHngs than in thus substituting the Executive for Chartism . We readily make Goosey a present of the irference , that if the real worth of Chartism
is to be reckoned by the Executive balance sheet , it stands but at a low ebb ; but we warn Goosey ' s keepers that her cacklings are fallacious . We point them to the fact that with an Executive receiving but £ 160 for one quarter , and of that small sum grossly misapplying a large portion , Chartism has vet made head against all the power of faction ; and we ask them to think what must have been its position , if their remorseless cruelty had not so bound down the hands of poverty as that £ 160 has had to come in the shape of deductions from the half-meals of a people half-famished 1 We ask them to think
if with an Executive grossly misapplying their , funds , the people have yet made head for Chartism , what will ' they do when those scanty fupda shall be honestly disbursed , and wisely appropriated ] We ask the patrons of the Times to think upon these matters , and to consider whether it be not useless to prolong the contest of might againBt right ? when according to the showing of their own organ , a struggle so momentous so peaceful , so determined , and so perfectly rational , as that of Chartism against faction , is conducted at
a cost so trifling that even tho expenditure of an extravagant jobbing Executive is quoted by tha * organ as matter of contempt , because of its small amount ! while we bid the people see in this another indication of their power , and another indication of the trembling fearlessness of faction , which so dreads the fair form of principle and right , that it refuses even to look upon it but obliquely , and tries to please and sooth itself , by conjuring up a creation of its own , of which to speak contemptuously as " the real worth of Chartism . "
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starvation , and whose only offence was their peaceably assembling to discuss their grievances , and , according to tbe unquestionable right of the British Constitution , to raise the voice of remonBtranoe against that vile system of " Class-legislation , " which has produced , and would perpetuate such a state of-things . . V ' . . * The foul and tyrannical spirit in which the proceedings of " the Commission" weie carried out , demanded the meeting ; and most nobly indeed did " the men of London" respond to the demand .
To say that the great room of the Crown and Anchor ( estimated to hold "three thousand persons , " ) was filled , would bo short of the description , and tame for the appearance . It was literally crammed ^— " crammed to suffocation "—not only women ( who were there in large numbers ) , but men , being so oppressed by the heat and pressure as to be frequently carried from the room in a fainting state ; and all this , while " thousands" who presented themselves at the doors of the tavern were compelled to go away disappointed , —the lobby and staircase approaches to the great room being choked with a living mass of excited , interested , and anxious people .
In the memory Jof the oldest " meeting goers , " no such orowdod demonstration has before taken place , even within the walls of the celebrated Crown and Anchor . Even the oldest reporters of the London newspaper press , —men , be it remarked , accustomed te public meetings , and whose opinions ( the result of experience and observation ) are worthy the highest attention—admit that they have never witnessed any thing to equal it .
"The breath of the people , " says the proverb , "is mighty ; " and on J this occasion it was not only mighty in its " indignation , " but mighty in its * ' condensation . " Ascending in imperceptible vapour , it descended from the coved and lofty ceiling in large condensed drops—a rain-like shower—indicative of the wedged and firm-set mass from whom it emanated . And yet here are men who say that " Chartism " is dying , and that its members and advocates are falling off . Chartism dying ! This great , this mighty meeting of " sympathisers , " or , in the words of the immaculate and pure-minded Lord Abinger , of " a kind of people called Chartists , " looks like it —gi / es the answer to it . .
Let the Government not ba insensible to the importance of this great Meeting , in its collective form , and in its individual membership . Let it think , reflect , dwell upon , take a lesson and a moral from it . Let it be not as "the deaf addtr , " or "the moping owl , " insensible to what is passing , and to what so deeply concerns it ; but , if it bave " eyes to see , " and " ears to hear , " let it" hear and see , " and judge accordingly 1 Let it fling away the " oracles" and " spectacles" of the wily , willing , and ready tool , Judge "Je ff ries , "— we beg Mb Lordship ' s pardon—Judge "Abuser , " we meant to
say . Let the members who form and carry on tbe Government remember , that this great demonstration of men and mind was no ordinary one : that it was a mighty commentary on their proceedings ; and if they would not have it a lasting , and a destroying one , let them , while they have yet time , reflect in their councils upon it , and regard it as a "light" held out by an outraged yet forbearing country , to lead them from the dark labyrinth in which they are floundering , into the highways and broadways of justice which they have so shamelessly , guiltily , unbluahiogly , and unprincipledly abandoned .
To the " Men of London" who constituted that great meeting—of London , " the mighty heart of the Nation" —the highest praise is due ; and be the highest honour given ; for the manner in which they got up , and carried out , this astounding demonstration . To the rest of the country—to every City , Town , Hamlet , and Borough , within its bosom , we would say , " Go and do likewise . " The Great City has moved . Let the minor ones follow ; let the Towns , the Hamlets , the Boroughs , and Rural districts follow ; and in this way , without
distressing any one , such a " Victim" and Defence" Fund cannot fail to be created , as will defeat tyranny , tear the scales of Justice from the polluted hands of a PoIitioalJudge , defend the innocent , defeat the unjust , and , by putting an end to Class Legislation , " and building up the great principle of "Justice to all" protection to all , equality , of " political rights" to all—make this country what she ought to be— " the glory and admiration of the World , " free in her institutions , and happy in the independence , comfort , and union of her children .
Up ! then , " Men of England ! " "Be up and stirring ! " Follow the noble and " soul-exciting example" of the "Men of London , " —an example which cannot fail to cheer the very " Victims" in the salitude of their cold , dismal , desolate , and healthdestroying cells . " Up ! " it is * the Voiceof Liberty , " from your " native hillB ** and "valleys , ' that calls upon you ; your suffering fellow countrymen , in their bondage , echoing the sentiment , call upon you ;
" all Nature" calls upon you to be" up ! " Sett / our meetings going ; and without violating any law , yon will , we repeat , by this course , create such a " Victim" and" Defence" Fund , as -willgenable you to beat the enemy , set your country and kind free , and lay the basis of a system of legislation and feeling , in which the Crown will find its protection , and the . Community its wisest safeguard . —Evening Star of Wednesday . ' ?
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ELECTION OF GENERAL COUNCIL . The eighth article of our General Organization provides that the nomination of persons to serve on the General Council for the ensuing year , shall take place on the first day in December in every year . There has been hitherto in this as in every other part , of it , an utter want of attention to the working of the Association . It is the General Secretary ' s business to instruct all the Sub-Secretaries , and through them the General Councillors of the Association , as to the proper mode and time of performing this and all the other « duties that devolve upon
them ; so far as we can learn , this business has never been done ; and the consequence is that abuses , and disorders have abounded everywhere , and we , have literally , in point of fact , had no Organization at all . Instead of having , as by rule we ought to have , a general annual elect ion of Councillors , they have been elected in all sorts of ways ; some plaoes electing them every three months , others every Bix months ; and some at one period , and others at other periods of the year . Nominations for General Council have been continually sent to us for publication
throughout the whole year , without the observance of any rule upon the matter ; so that in point of fact tbe National Charter Association , so called , has been no National sooi 6 ty at all . It has beenBimply by tbe Executive ' s neglect of duty , a heap of disjointed local societies acting without either system or concert , and exposing all its members to exactly the same legal risks as were incurred under tbe old Organization without any of the benefits of tho confessedly more stringent ^ character of that Organisation . ; ¦ ¦ ' ... ¦ : .,. ¦ - . ¦ " ¦ ' ¦ - ¦ "¦' ¦ •• . " .. ¦ , . ¦
It is high time for this state of things to come to an end . Seeing that the Executive , to whom the duty of carrying out the Organisation is more peculiarly entrusted , lack either the disposition , ojr the ability to do bo , the people must now do it for themselves . They do not need the Executive , but they do need tbe Organisation . That is their only effective rallying point against tbe enemy ; and that must now be carried vigorously , liuto effect . It must be
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done , as all other good things must be done , by the people themselves . Let tbe people " but do their duty , and the members of the Executive , whoever thsy may be , will be speedily compelled to dotheira There could be no such doings as have been practised by the Executive if the people did their duty . Let them begin now , then . Now is the time for the general nomination of the , Councillors of the whole kingdom . This nomination is the business of the several sub-Secretaries , for be it remembered thai the National Charter Association cannot legally have any existence , but in tbe acts of ita functionaries , and the publio registration of its members .
It has been very common , in several localities , for the weekly meetings to pass resolutions electing such and such men , as Members of the General Council of the National Charter Association . All such resolutions are illegal . The nomination of Councillors is the business of the sub-Secretary , anj of him only . But though the actual nomination is legally the business of the sub-Secretary , every sub-Secretary does , or should take , for his guidance in it the only democratic " pole star , " Publio Opinion .
To make this plain , we will suppose the nomination of members for the next General Council to be now taking place . The Chartists of Bradford meet ia their usual place of resort , on Monday evening ; among other subjects of discussion , the relative merits of nine men who have started as candidates for the General Council , and out of whom seven are to be elected , comes upon the carpet ; the people express their opinion upon the matter by vote ; they have a right to do so ; it is a matter for public opinion ; and though this expression of public opinion forms no part of the actual operations of the National Charter Association , tbe sub-Secretary , whose duty it is to nominate tne Councillors , will of
course nominate no other persons than those whom public opinion has thus marked out ' or him . Should he dare to act otherwise , he would , in our opinion , prove himself te be utterly unfit f « r bis situation , and we should advise the Association instantly to replace him by a more worthy man . The people must bear this in mind , that their weekly meetings , in their several localities , are not meetings of the Nations . . Charter Association ; they axe meetings of the Chartists thereabouts resident in their individual capacity . The business of the officers of tbe Association ia , to watch the current of opinion in their several departments of the Chartist world , and to regulate their
movements accordingly . We shall shortly submit a still better , and more certain mode for electing all the officers , and obtaining a general vote upon any question of importance , but there would not be time to put any new mode of action iuto operation before the first of December . The nominations , therefore , must all be now made in the usual way , and the chief thing of importance for tbe people to look to is the tort of men to b « nominated . The office of General Councillor is one of great importance . They should be all men of cool discrimination , combined with a due . share
of zeal and firmness . They should be men of business-like habits . They should be men who thoroughly understand the Organization , andjwho will , therefore , keep a watob over tbe Executive , and over the members in their own locality ; vigilantly guiding and guarding tbe one against , and , if necessary , restraining the other from , or at least rebuking them for , its violation . They should be such men as the Councillors of Hull . Above all things they should be out and out heart Chartists ; they should have the root of the matter in them ; they should no £ be men who seek office ,
either from motives of interest or vanity . These are the kind of men whom the people are most apt to put into office , and who are the most unfit for it . Let these men be noted ; they are easily known : let them be avoided ; they are dangerous . Where tke people see a man , coming amongst them , who is very fond of hearing himself talk ; who likes to be a forward man and a head man . in every thing , and who evidently likes to thrust himself into office ; who likes particularly to be concerned in money matters ; and more especially if they have noted , that such a man came amongst them very poor , and
that , without visible increase in his means , he bsi since he became a leading and a head man in everything , become more flush of money than is usual with persons in his sphere of life : wherever the people note such a man , let them note him as an uafit man for a General Councillor . A Councillor of the National Charter Association should be above suspicion ' s breath . He should have the clean hands and pure heart of a true patriot . There is a very unwise practice in Bome localities of
electing too many Councillors . It is of much less consequence to have many , than to have then of the right sort . The people cannot be too cautious in these matters . The main work , after all , rests with them . Let them but do their own work , and their officers can scarcely go far wrong . Let them remember , then , that a very important part of their work consists in the exercise of judgment and prudence , in marking out proper men for nomination as General Councillors .
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THE EXECUTIVE , THEIR BALANCESHEET , AND THE ORGANIZATION . We call attention to the correspondence which wo give elsewhere upon this very important , subject . It is vital to our movement that the people should know well , and trust implicitly , the men who , aa Executive Councillors , have , to a great extent , the direction of the movement , and the handling of a large portion of its funds . We should ill-discharge our duty , did we hesitate to probe , honestly and fairly to the bottom , a discovered rottenness , that might , if not remedied in time , have seriously
damaged the constitution of oar movement . It is reasonable that those who are entrusted with the highest offices , and with the greatest amount of power and influence that Chartists can bestow , should be required to act in accordance with their own principles . We esteem as highly as they themselves can wish us the personal services of some members of the Executive , as lecturers and agitators for the cause . We have no wish to detract anything from those services , but we cannot permit the services of these men in one capacity to blind us to their mal-practices in another ; nor must the
country do so . In reviewing their acts as an Executive , the only proper course is to leave out of sight all other considerations ; to look at the plan of Organisation , at the duties of [ the office , the defined powers of the office , and the purpose for w ^ iich the office was instituted ; and to consider how far all tbese matters have or have not been regarded , as may best become good men and honest Chartists . To guard all the interests of a great public movement requites great circumspeotness , great prudence and coolness , and great command of temper . It " requires that , as far as possible ,
discussions and differences should be private and friendly j that the enemy may take no advantage of them : and hence , while we have always holden it to be the duty of the people to keep a strict surveillance over all the acts of all their publio officers , and to admonish , reprove , or censure as might be necessary we have always deprecated , the doing of this with undue harshness of expression , or in any manner more public and offensive than was absolutely neces sary . For this reason we have very frequently abstained from publio Icomment both on the Execu tive and other prominent and leading parties , where admonition and reproof were evidently needed ;
thinking that doubtless other members of the Asso ciation were looking on—that the same deviations from Btriotly defined rules and duties , which struck us , must strike others—and that doubtless kindly private intimations , from perhaps many quarters , would be sufficient to prevent a recurrence of evils , which we wereready to ascribe rather to lack of experience and inattention , than to any other cause . It will be remembered that the balance sheet published in July , excited , and very properly , muoh discussion , and much serious dissatisfaction amongst tke members , and that an important meeting of delegates , at Leicester , consisting of not fewer than twenty-one delegates , representing all . the important localities of
The Politician's Text Book.
THE POLITICIAN'S TEXT BOOK .
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l ^ ndon , Nov . 19 , 1842 . Mi dear Hobson , —You -will see by the Evening Star , that I have made a good use of your invaluable little book ; the very bes . that ever appeared in the English language , and one which bas taught me that I was a fool till now . You should have called it the " Whig Economist" It is splendid . The tax-payers on the platform started again , when I read the extracts from it But I have not hud time to do it justice . I
forget the increased expence of sending Frost and others out of the conntry . That item is frightful . Your book should be in tsreij honse , from tbe palace to the cobbler's stall . It is the very best book ever published : and I beg of you to accept my thanks for it . What labour it must have cost you in the compilation . Yours , very thankfully , Fbabgus Q'Connor . P . S . —Our meeting was glorious . The Shams are routed for ever ! Not a ChartiBt wonld nibble !!
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The J '» or Man ' s Companion * may be had at the Publisher ' s Offices , 5 , Markftt-street , Leeds , and 3 , Market-walk , HuddirsSaid ; of J . Cleave , 1 , Sboelane , Fleet-Etreet , and J . Watson , Paul ' s Alley Paternoster Row , London ; A . Heywood , and J . Leacb , Manchester ; Paton and Love , Glasgow ; G . J . Harney , and W . Barraclough , Sheffield ; and of all Booksellers and News Agents in Town and Country .
The Northern Star. Saturday, November 26, 1842.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 26 , 1842 .
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THE GREAT GATHERING . DOOM OF FACTION . It is with feelings of pride and pleasure that we refer the publio attention to the Great Meeting—for "Great ' in the strict sense of the term it was—held at the Crown and Anohor Tavern , Strand , on Thursday evening last , to pronounce " in the sacred name of the country , '' the strong verdict of M denunciation "on those tyrannical proceedings of the present government , which fill at this moment our jails with " Political victims , " carrying desolation into the bosoms and hovels of the hard-working
poor , and which have put in motion the heavy and foully concocted machinery of " Special Commissions , "' with a bloated , bigotted , torturous-minded " partisanjudge , " and " packed" and " compliant " juries to work them out ; thus heaping censurable expense on the country ; and , in violation and barefaced defiance of all sense of right and principle , inflicting punishment on innocence , denying justice to the injured , and carrying , on the blasted and envenomed wings of revenge , blight , misery ^ and ruin to the wive 3 and " little ones " of the accused , —those poor , but virtuous-minded men , whose , case was
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The . country" ts answering to this spirited and energetic call ! It fc responding to the challenge given it by the patriotic sons of toil in the metropolis . It is responding to that challenge most spiritedly . Look at the Manchester demonstration on M onday evening last ! The large room of the Carpenter ' s Hall filled ; and hundreds refused admission for want of accommodation . Look , too , to the answer Stpckport has given ; aad look also to the answer Leeds is preparing to give ! The Chartists of other places are also getting ready and , by the time that Parliament meets , we shall have , we hope , throughout the country , such an expression of indignant publio opinion as will drive the " Partisan Judge ' from the Bench , and compel the Government to revoke the unjust sentences he has passed .
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4 T . HJ . E NORTHERN STAR .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 26, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct626/page/4/
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