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THE POLITICAL VICTIMS . GREAT MEETING AT THE CROWN AND ANCHOR TAYERN , STRAND . On Thursday night , the men of London and Its adjacent parts—the friends of humsnisy and jav . iraassembler in tbeir thousands at the Crown ana . Astiioi Tavern , to testify by thfcir present * the sympathy ¦ which thfy expf-ritEced -wiih those sibits and putrjotis individuals-who hare been recently h : a-ie ia ^ tu ' : j- _ -s : s of pusec-ution st the lat « Special Coiniuiraons , to t-kt into consideration the proceedings -which had cLar ^ c-
terised those Commissio . -. s , find to adopt tnca measurts as might be c .-jemcd requisite to ensure a fair , paucnr , and impT * > i -rial to inil-. vidnals yet to be indict' J , 3 j > parvr - . - j In tfee late " lamentable disturbances iu lit c u as-i mid : ani ccur . u ; atxi to iiffjrd relh f lu E— iv 380 f .. adlies , "who . 1 the convictions el si s-.-nten . iS airtsdy passed , h-vi * b : sn deprived cf tht : r natural prottctors , a :. n are ther by left an oihtr alternative than 10 se ~ k refuse in union we--khou = es , or tu become bootless and destitute ¦ vriiEGtrers ibruugh the land .
The meeting was ealU-d for hs"f- ~ a £ t Kvcn o ' clock . bat long before tha : hour H ; n : a ; ir . 5--nL hn ' sl in -which the meeting "was Leld vras cm-s- ^ -.-d ; o ixci . vs , -with s TesprCtaMe an < t an inteiikeut un . ieBC * . lac oichev . rai gallery "was fi led -with lotlUs . and on the platfi-isa we noticed ii . ss M . A . Waik-. r . iliss ln . ; e , Mi . > s Si ; ks . j , nd a large Lumber of the leading members of ' The Fema ' e Ch-r : ist Association . " Shortly nfier h »* f-ps * t scVi-n o ' clock , T . S . Dnncvmbe , Esq ., M . P .. accooipinietl by F . OCoi . ncr , E q . V \" . P .
¦ Roberts . E-c- J- C eaTe E 5 q ., J . Duucomba . Esq . Dr . Blacfe . Dr . Bjwtett . J . Datoan , E q ., Messrs . CimpbeL , Sbsw , RuJty , sn-. i a hcsS of other well-known nrivocates of tha people ' s rights ana privil- , ses tatt-rcd ihe rood , and proce « . < ic _ l on to the piiitionn aEiiitst the most eniiiTisustic cheering and waving of hats and handkercii ^ is . Having entered ui ^ n the plauuria , ill . Dusc-omba -was Eal \ st * d with , threa distinct i-ui ds of apphnsc , eo hearty raid so unanimous , ss c ^ aid not fail to niihe prcu- ? th ^ honest and deserving recipient of the ts ; ovle ' s favour .
On the motion of Mr . Cleave , T . S . Dancombe , Eiq . M . P Wis called to the cbsir . As soon &s silence was in come decree obtained , the Cbaiimsn rc-sa to address themeetinz , but the piaudits Here again and again renewed , so thut it was some minute * before be could proceed . At length , he Eii'i : —The truly independent and patriotic Englishmen who originated the proposition for calling this meeur > e , must feel huhly gratified at the ntsble manner in which their call hia been responded to . The numerous attendance of this eTe : c ; Eg must afford them the highest crst : tiJ 3-tion—( cheers ) . Bat f--r mys ^ if ts be ucanimou > ly eltctrd , to preside u » on . in ucc . v .-ioa so interesting—concerning a canse so connected with the rights and liberties , and I may say , the distresses of the working classts
of this country—1 consider it higily acnourarle , not-• Withstanding , that a learned Judge of tfce land , in bi 3 Hiost unconstitutional ch ^ rire to tfce Grand Jury , t-id tha audacity to assert tbat three or fuur thousand EnglisiiHien 6 ould uot meet togtvher for the purpose of deliteating ; and discussing pjliticsl cricvanccs . w . thout such association being guilty of committing ' . hit which , in the eye of the laT , or rather in the eye of ! h * Judge , ia an unlawful assembly . His Lordship said , that no man in his senses could believe , that an assembly of three or four thousand persons could be convened for any usefiii le ^ al p-irpis-i —( groans and h isses ) . But . I am perfectly satisfied that the assembly -which I bee before me , and -which -would be five tims-a as large if the room -would contain them—ihear , hear )—I s ^ y that
this assembly -will give a practical contradiction to the assertion of the Cuitf Justice ; and if any difference of opinion shou'd occur among you , you will htar with patience and attention any person -wto maj wish to express such difference —( hear and cheers ) . There may be those , I trass not here , but elsewhere , who may endeavour to misrepresent our motives ; but it is my especial dnty to inform you of the purposes for which you are assembled , rather than express any opin : oa of my own—( hear , hear ; —We are here not to > yrnpathisa with crime or jastiy any disobedience or resistance to the Jaw—( hear , hear ;—or to advocate any violence to property or person—( bear , hear , bear )—
buS -we are h ' -re for the legitimate purposs cf publicly discussing our grievances—in exercise cf a privilege -which is tha birthright of Englishmen . And " if the administrauen of public affairs , or any portion cf that »> . dministratioB , deserves that condemnation , we are here , as Englishmen , loudly , firmly , and boldly to condemn it , ( Lou-J cheers ) In the first place , yen have met here to discuss—to listen to the statements that may be made , ana to jadge whether , in the late uufortuns , te disturbances -which took place in the maacfi-cturing districts , and in consequence of which a . commission was Rpj » inted , strict j ^ tic * . fc 11 ^ no ciore , -wa » administered—whether that commission had done its
duty faiuy and impartially , and whether against those ¦ who have been already put on their tnal , and those irbo are to be put on their trial , any unfair pn-judices have keen diss&minate 4 , or any advantage taken of the party feelings which prevailed , in the prosecutions of such persons ( Hear , hear . ) Lastly , we are met to express our sympathy iriih the -widow and the fatherless —with the 300 poor families who are at this moment in the greatest sd . ciion in consequence of the . sentences which "hiva besn already passed . Doubtless there may be some amoBg the individuals who have suffered , and who are about to Euffer , that may have committed" crime , but surely even in their cases , the particular circumstances ef the country shou'd be considered , end the distresses arising from ds-vs legislation ,
and toe sordid , narrow views of the House of Commons , and the state of misery in wbieh the lower classes are , and for some time have been , should not be forgotten . ( Loud cries of hear , and great chrering . ) At ail events , it is ihe duly of Englishmen tt > meet and Inquire whet&er the laws LaTe not been oTsrstraiced to meet their cases , and for & etfll more benevolent purpose , Til , to excite others to contribute to the support of , and to console the families of the poor men who are in so deplorable a condition , and to create a fund sot only to meet the exigencies of the present case , but to serve as & protective fund for the liberty and constitutional freedom of the subject . ( Hear , bear . ) I mean , a fund so arranged and so distributed , that it might be applied to the defence of those individuals
who may be persecuted by the Government , and may not have the power of coping witb the Treasury—who need assistance , and who will have the consolation of knowiag , that ereijtking will be done to give them a fair and impartial trial—an honest Jury and an honest Judge . There were many instances , unfortunately too many , where oppression was practised , and should be resisted . In the disturbed districts , in South Stafford , a poor man , thutipkI John Mason , and severe other Working men , were imprisoned on the representations of police constabiea . They were tried oV the Quarter Sessions , and Mason was sentenced to six months ' Imprisonment ; and the other workmen ordered to be imprisoned from two to four months—( groans . ) But previous to their convictions , the magistrates sent to
Mason and the others , to tell them that if they pleaded guilty , of unlawfully attending a Chartist meeting , the record against them would be withdrawn . But Maton and his companions nobly said , that as they were innocent , they could not plead guilty , and hence they were punished fox not being base enough to tell a lie—( loud cheers and cries of Shame . ') They said they bad met in public to discuss public matters , and the authorities had no right to interfere with them . They spoke constitutionally , and the authorities acted otfeerwise . "What was the conduct of the people of Stafford ? To their credit be it recorded , the members of all classes , and , I believe I may say , parties , thought those individuals - so ill used , that they entered into a subscription , which he believed still -existed .
for the purpose of maintaining the families of these poor men . Precedents -are of great Talcs in the House of Commocs—( laughter . ) This one should be so with . us . I again repeat that it is our bounden duty to esquire whether the men who have been tried have been tried fairly , and whether the prejudices of others have not been appealed to and awakened in order to exaggerate their guilt—if guilty they ¦ were , A case was lately communicated to me by Mr . Boberts , a solicitor residing at Bath , which I will relate as much for the purpose of showing the rpirit of fair plsy which actuated Lord Chief Justice Tindal , as to exhibit a specimen of the paltry prejudice by which magistrates are actuated against the Chartists . -Some men were tried at the Shfford Csramission for offences
or imagined offenres , connected with the late disturbances . Sir . William Peplow , in order to obtaininformation for the solicitor who defended them , Mr . Roberta , and which was absolutely necessary for the defence of the poor mtn , was obliged to go in and out cf the court . Th * second or third time he attempted doing SO , ha was stopped at the door , and fortidden admission . We always thougbt that at least into courts of justice the people had free admission , and so Peplow expressed himself to the doorkeeper . "Thst may be all very good , " sa > d the official , " but I have strict orders from the High Sheriff not to allow you to pass , btcause you are & Chartist ! - Mr .
Roberta being informed of the matter , communicated it to the Judge , Lord Chief Justice Tindal , who said , "Let the man go in and out as often as he thinks proper , we know nothing of Chartists here . " How different has been the conduct of Lord Abis § er at Liverpool asd ether places . With him a m&n has only to be proclaimed a Chartist , and his guilt was tupposed if the slightest suspicion of Chartism attached to a man , there was no mercy for him , not even the benefit of cisrgy . Does Lord A binger know that formerly men uhigh in station u the Duke of Bedford and the Duke of Richmond were CTwtitfo , and advocated principles which hia Lordship now proclaims m r £ > elliou and treasonable ? Tot bave aU heard of that bkmtal and
bloody Jadge of former day * , Judge Jeffrie * . There 1 b a passage related in Us life which reminds us of the mods of lawrtaftriTig the g * ilt of the accused in Uverpool and Manchertar lately . An Individual was brought before that Judge , and it appeared that the crime ' with which he waa charged really had no foundation ; but the counsel employed against him said , that the prisoner sometimes west to church , and sometimes went to the conventicle ; in abort , my Lord , said the counsel , he is what is called a trimmer . Oh , a trimmer said Jeffries , is he a trimmer then ? Let the monster stand np nntil I see a trimmer . The poor man was so frightened , that be knew not what to ssy ; in abort he was condemned , not b ; ca « e he tu guilty of the crime
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j c' vr : ^ d tu -. \ i ,-: X him ; 1-ut V-t . ^ so * . va 3 a tr r . nr . ; r . j Tuere vreis u ; iny individuals nof I 3 i : £ a shin ? in pri .-oa -str . ose oniy real effence -was their being Chartists . As 1 said before , niy duty chiefly is to explain the object of the meeting , others will nuke such statements as su ' \ t the occasion , and are founded on tiutb . 1 ftel satisfc" ed i that this meeting mil gi \ o a flit contradiction to I ^ ord i Abincers i pinion , that three or four thousand Ecr ^ ishi men could not mest without conimittiug the s ' . i / htest : breach of the law , am' difcuss those grievances -which ; the Parliament o : GoverEiu . nt of the day bave inflicted U ; ' ^ n this country . The Hon . Gentleman took his seat . uinid the samt dtafeuing appluute which greeted his i risire .
Mr Ball proposed the £ i ; b resv > ut ? on , but -oms for l ltr . (; i . h if t ' : awr in ; Ui ' . bl 3 . He was understood to Bay : n ; t : ci :- > s . eguic-. ion w tt o tb-j cause of tha majority of ihe-fcvsisuiiotr-vfijic - i tl-. o lower c . assc-s was groaning . Ic was fiv- y .-ars ago t ; . nc ^ be sul'scribed to the People ' s C-sarUr , and theu , r . nd hiucc then , ha b .-licved tiiat noti / . iig Kna . n rtmeify their eviia , except the adoption uf tl . e Pt . -i > le . " s Charter . It was useless to calk cf pirtisi re : ii ! ruies—there was no remedy but a fur rcy-iestn ' -aiLin . The aristocracy comj-laincd , because the pecpiu wcre discontented , tut he told the aristocracy that the people wonlu , ? . iA ought to be , disccnUiiUd as 1 'jng as th ' - 'ir juat rights were vritheld from tbtrn—• h . : r . hear , ar . d che- ; r £ . )
D . * cto- B- VTKETT ntxt arcs ? , arr . id grrat cheering , to seci-2 u ten resolution . 1 :: tiie £ rsi iiistauce ha calle : ' up-Jii taoit prtit : ut to csprc-ss tL . ir s ; . ni ; -athy not oiily at the degiadei ccndi ' . ioii of the -victims at present incarcerated in the kuo . s . but likewise of the huuitkr t ) asi ? s of their c ^ ur . trvn . Mi generally . P ? tieucfl was prcachtd to them Sjec ; . j air-cr Sunday torn thonsinv - ' a of puipila , tut tv * . * _ ' i cf < : ! ,.:. u lLat ihiir text the old be ' ¦ Thou Elza . lt Co no miiidtr . " Wken a manccju-Eii' . ted murder , the ere :. test horror was expressed ; and if U : e authorities dia uot at o : ; ce arrest him , they were cciif ' clcrtd c < . jii ; viit ar . rt inutlcntive ; tut be told tfcem that by the i-V > .-ia rVoie sjtU-m of class legislation , th =::- - -li ! da , ays , nuiiio-s , wtre acnuftlly iiiur < l-.-red , -whkb could n . t' e too much der recited— ihear , h * ar . )
Dr . Bjvkttt -htn advtrtfcd to the -reports oi the sanatory c ^ d-. tion i . f the people of Euciand , -wliich ex hV ' it « . a ? he melancholy C ( -mpar 5 sRn retv . tri .-n the compai ? . tte aees oi the aristocratic a-U fue vrurkine classes—the a , * es of the fo : aier averaged foitj " -three 5 i . ar . s , Trhilit tha * of tbe lower classes v as twi-tty-two ! ¦ vCries of ' Oh , ob . ) Tho speaker then di . ated upon this appalling fact , ai-. d gave a vivid description of tho distrtgsis of the poor ; illuEtraticg bis stittmtnt by appalling instances uf destitution . A shoemaker whom he kr . tf-B- vand who yrss an Lor . L » t industrious man , had been ncrntly ve : y unweil—he advised him to exeicisa z . iittle , in order to improve bis health , but the poor man Jilj his co : ivale :-ceree shoui i ba eiiipk . yeu in ¦ wcr kirn for his children , to s . v < » them from tt . rvation .
Dr . B >^ ke : t tht-n reamrked that life w .. u ! d be abrk ? 2 ed if he did not exercise ; up-. n -which the poor m ^ n said tbat death would be a rtntf to him , aDd thut the £ * cuet he got out of this life the better , for ho \ ras s-. ary of it . The learned doctor , in continuation of the bai-rowing picture which be b :-. \\ arawn of tbe -workiiig classes , and of the degraded coniiition into which they wtre brought by " C : rss Lesislaiicn , " alluded , in further illustration i . f their -wre ^ chedr . fcfs , to n case o : inlUviiiual niercensriness in his own neighbourhood , ¦ which might , for its rerklessness a :: * r-.- ! fi 5 > : nets . be retarded as eman-itinj ; from , an ^ i in fce-. F-ing -with , that buss ' ¦ ( iais Lecislation , ' to which tie bad alluded , and -which they were then m ; t to denounco . The person who a ^ urrd so litiie to Lis credit in thij business , - was
supposed in tli « neighbourhood ( Popbri to be a mc . st li exemplary ar . d religious" man , ar . d yet he had let a number of small " hovels" to the labouring poor , the uia . ost ixttnt of Vhose hovtis being bix fe « . t by eight , and cut of which , while the wretched iuroates were wirhont ¦ wattr-haitt , or any other accommodation ( they beiig obliged to drag water from tbe Thames ) he was draTi-iEg at thu rate ef 75 per ctnU At tLe * -nd of the tow of houses in question , the said iudiviJuil had a " stable , " the accommodations end comfoits for his " horse" which were far beyond what he afforded those " human beings" his poer tenants . ( Shame . ) He , Dr . Bowketti Hientinned these circumstances in
order to sht-w how little the arUtceracy— and even the " reputed reiiffiuus" amongst them—felt for " the poor ' and how much i ; . ore they thought of their horses than of their fellow-creatures . ( Hear , hear . ) And it was right , he fth , if such doings should not be preached against and denounced from the pulpit , tbat they should be told in , and go forlh from , such p ' . aces as the meeting -which he was then addressing was assembled in . ( Hear . ) With these observations , regretting that they had neither " pnre relijiion ' nor " pure charity ' in the country , he would content bimeelf with seconding the resolution . iLf-tsd cheers , amidst , which the rticlution was put and carried unanimously . )
Mr . OCO . NSOa then aros . ' to address the meeting , and waa received Triih overwhelming and tumultuous cheerids ; . trhich lasted for a considerable time . Silence having been restored , ilr . O'Connor spoke as follows : " Mr . Chaiman and brother Chartists , now I am on my legs I don't know what to say—( cbec-rs . ) I am afraid there may be some of the noble Graham Judges present —( cheers)—and perhaps , though I rony in m ; estimation maie n-c of language pcrftct ' y legal , some cf their lordships may , by pervtrskm of the law , construe i * . into constructive treason—( cheers ami laughter . ) Ill tell you a story—there ' s r . othiDg illegal in that ( che « r 3 . ) I think we -were talking &t * ut Juries and Judgf-s . There was once up . n a time a man of the naino of Curly Mulligan—he waa an Irish Catholic and
consequently an outlaw—he held about foity acres of land from a Mr . Trevors , a P / otestantlandlord , and Curly had raised the value ol the land from about forty shillings to fifty shillings an acre , and his landlord was very anrious to get hold of his piece of land ; but Curly had a little impediment called a leise ; Trevers had determined , however , that that should be no impediment ; and Abinger , I beg pardon , Lord Xorbury , soon after tried poor Curly Mulligan ; and Carly could uot speak a word of English , &e -when they asked him wbethtr be would submit , or whether he would traverse , he did not understand what they meant At last , however , it was battered into his head , and be always hai Travers in his mind ; and be said in his native tonguo , I don't know what this Smith is , but to the devil
I give Travers . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) He was tried in English , and he was found gnilty , and the flnt intimation that he had of what waa goiDg on was the Judge putting on the black cap , then the crier of the c « urt told him he was guilty , and asked him if he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him . " What the devii is that ? " ' says Curly . " Tell him , " said the Judge , " that the jury kave found . him guilty , and ask him what he has to say . " " Oh , " BayB Curly , " to the devil I give the jury—I'm going with none of ' em ' —( cheers and laughter . ) Tbat is my position , just muialis mutandit , Bay Trhat you like ; but neither Judge nor jury care for what you say . Bat I am here not to appeal to year charity ; I am here to lay before you . as
Englishmen , the truth regarding a certain circumstance , and to expound to you tbat which cannot be kept in darkness by tbe Judges . I am one of the victims —( lou'l cheers . ) " This is my sixth criminal prosecution within these five years . Six of them ! and here I am as large as life—( cheers . ) Well ! but , now , what is the object for which you have been convened here to-night ? That's the question . This is a meeting of all classestf all shades of politics—of all lovers of justice—( cheers . )—You are not here to express your approbation of any political principle , for the aiding of which your friends have been committed ; but you are here to express yonr abomination of laws being stretched to put down the expression of sentiment—you are here for tbe purpose of showing , that fritter away as they
msy the British Constitution , there yet remains in it a spirii which no Judge can destroy , which no jury can efface!—( loud cheers . ) If you pronounce me innocent , what eare I for the verdict of a packed jary 7 —lloud cheers . ) _ Rather would I carry the impress of their infamy into my lonely cell , being consoled with your verdict cf innocence , than walk a ' wmt with their verdict of acquittal whilst you pointed with the finger of scorn , and designated me " guilty" —(" ond cheers . ) I am a conspirator —( cheers . ) I wss cited to appear on Saturday last before thfc Queen ' s B ^ nch , to answer for a conspiracy—( cheers . ) Why , the law has conspired against ma , not I sgainst the laws—( cheer ? , ) What is the meaning of conspiracy ? Conspiracy means consulting together in secret to destroy what is
legitimate and ought to exist . Why , I never asted in secret—I never held secret communion or consulted secretiy upon politics in all my life ; what I have done I have done openly—I have done boldJy , f-r I knew that I had justice on my side—( lond cheers . ) Bnt they arrested sixty-two of us , and as Mr . Duscombe observed at the last meeting at which he had tho honcar to preside—for tfcongh a member of that august assemblage— the House of Commons—I eay it is an honour to ba called en to preside at each a meeting as this —( cfcetrs )—that there Wa 3 an o > ject in our arrest , and so there was ; it was to give a tone to the Bubjett—to give importance to the suVjsct—an old hat is mended by cocking it ; there must always be an addition to it ; and what do von think that cock cost
us ? Why , £ 331 . Sixty-two labourers were served with notices on Monday to appear , either personally or by proxy , at the Queen ' s Bench ; for that they paid £ 5 8 s . each . But there must be another cock in the old hat ; that fashion would not last beyond the term ; there was an invitation to appear before her Majesty wherever she might be . I was in bed when I received my invitation , and I was near about getting up and starting off for Walmer at once—( cheers and l&ughter . ) We entered an appearance , however , and we must plead next term , and that will cost us all £ 5 8 s . more ; We must all pay our traverse fees , £ 600 more . Men , to avoid remaining in custody , are obliged to find ball , nd their expenses are very heavy , amounting , at least ,
to £ 1 , 400 ; £ 2 , 400 before conviction 1 Before a ma gistrate , if a man Jj fined £ 2 for a petty lareeny , and cannot find bail , he goes for two months to the House of Correction . How nanv months should we have to be in prison for tbe large amount of mtney which these proceedings have cost us ?—( cheers . ) The indictment charges with—what ? Meteing on tbe 17 th of August , and creating certain rows and riots on the 1 st of August —( cheers . ) Aye , but tken you dont see this ; yon dont know what this means . The law has nothing to do with this . It it a political take . What do you think this new more was for ? Chartism was going out of the minds of tbe landlords—it was going out of the minds of the Income Tax pavers , and that was why we were to be prosecuted . " Halloo . " says Peel , " the
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? - ' rs aroabsnt ; t ; : a won't no ; . we must reconcile the " . r . corce Tsx payers to tha Ircome Tr . x ; wa . must let I them see what we wnnted the Income Tax for ; to put j down Ihe Chartists to ba sure—( loud cheers . ) Wo 1 must keep Chartism up as a bugaboo to frightun them , and convince the aristocracy that the are all Roiug to be murdered "—( cheers , Bnd a voice , " The Chartists don't want that" ) We do not not want you to teil us that , my friend—( cheers ) Here , then , is that wonderful charge brought Bgainst us . We met on the 16 th August at Manchester , we met openly ; we threw open ^ ur doors ; we interpospd an authority to prevent bloodshed , ar . l -we pub'ished every thinj that was done . But there -was a placard upon the walls—a placard of which we k : ~ > ew nothing ; hut I knew
everything ! at least , they said so . Roebuck saia I druw n >> tbo National Petition I Bat there was a placard stuck up , and I declare that I never s < x \ v it , 1 take my oath , tiil it ^ asstuck up—( cheers ) . It was put ttu-ra by the tn ^ rai ' -s to the Cbaitist cause—lebeere ) , I am not gohi ^ toaiipcsal to the charity of you , gentlemen , at all —lam £ oic » : to appeal to your pockets —( cheers ) . Here it is ; hare is the little book ( " The Poor Man ' s Companion . " ) These prosecutions have cost us £ 2 400 . Now , Government prcsecuticnB , since tho year 1800 uv > to tho passing of the Rtform Bill , averaged a ' t >(> ut £ 50 , 000 a year ; since tha parsing of the Reform Bill it has cost as much ns £ 350 , 000 a year for Governmental prcs&cuticna—( cries of " shame , shame . " ) And j find in every jer . r sinco tha Chartist persecutions , an
increass of 38 pfcr cent , in the secret servica moneyi ? hamt ) . And e-ci ^ ry year whin there is an election , the expence ia doubled . So you see , gentiiunun , you not only pay for prostcuting ua , but you afterwards—at 1- ait the generous portion of you—pay for defending us ichters ) . Not ? , cs a n . at : cr of course , weehiill be tried ; perb ^ i-s we sh-ul be convicted—What of that ?— ( cheers ) I tavo been ^ 'Evicted before —( loud chwrs ) — If-we go to jiil , uhat of that ?—( cheers ) . We wiH cine back again —( Iced cheerai . Acrt then w « 'll meet you ht = reaj ; ain —( rinov , vd cheers ) . Aye , but we bavi ? the Whigs now ; ami , by the bye , ourfriend , Mr . Duncombe s ^ oko of ynce ' ent—our friend wrote on behalf of Wiiite to Sir James Graham , and Graham replied that ho had not dina-ted from the rules laid down by
Kusscl ! r . nil Xv > rn .: vubj . Here you have u-x-m ; To . ies acting upon V . ' nic precedent , and Whigs upim Tory uiibru ' e Some pe * -p ! i .: aay " You have the Whigs , now is Ihe tiuio to foiui an alliance between the working men end tbe mi-.: u ' e classes . " I am ready—I a'waya was ready—fcr that , but if we have a union it shall be a union of princ ' plo —( load cheers ) . Not if it were to save my lifa to-nicrrow . much kss to save myself from imprisonment wi . ulii I give up one single point of that Charter by wkrh 1 hail so Ion ? stood—( sheers ) .. If the Whigs M-.-. nt me , heio I nm ; they know where to QnA me . To th-.-ii ; i wt , u't move an inch— , cheers ) . If t ' .: ey think to pag me by any humbug of Free Trade , t ? : ty may just as wtil think of turning tho sun fnm his course—( loud cheers ) . If they wish to to
ft > r ;» i a frta tiu ! e . su tbat it shail be a bktsin . ^ all , k-t them look to us for the means of efctibltsLit !? it—( lcud and con ' . inufd cheers ) Jfofc -when I am haute
springs up—for thu progress of the mind of man -will not be arrested till the object of that mind is gained ( cheers ) . We cui ; ht aluicat to rejoice In the recent outbreaks , for they have proved that tho people in the possession cf tower do not trtato anr » Tcby—the people rote enmatse . anil no blood wassked—110 greater hurm was done than the pulling out c f a p ! ug or two —tckeers ) . Will , I thank God they have attempted to point the fiugtr at ine , aud have selected a hired informer for that purpose , and have treated us with a special jury , apprehensive leet a union might lake place between the Whigs and the Ch > T / i 8 ts—iloud cheers ) . Sow we ' ve got a special jury—tbat is , suppose to-morrow a kindly feeling should arise in favour of Chartism , tha Ciuv . n has the
power of appointing forty-eigbt jurors fiom the uuecntaminated class to try ua . ( Shame ) I have bee-n tried by two special juries before , and , as a matter of course , they both found me guilty of being—a Chartist . ( CUers ) Thete -was no evidence at aU required before a modern J . ffries—the modern Jiffries who deeply sympathised with the Buffering people—he woulil like to see the streets paved with penny loaves , and to Bee rendered happy evt-ry weeping aivocate of the poor and Uetolats of their kin . ( Cheers and laoebter . ) Aye , the cause ef our disorder lies not in tbt > Tories , not in the Whigs , but , as our excellent friend haa said , in claw legislation . ( Loud cheers . ) But let them do what they can , let them judge as they please , till the great Tamworth doctor can discover by what chemical process
he cm make gold ou " . of paper , he cannot keep tbe Chartists down . ( Ctecrs . 1 He must get pure gold out of piper first , and he cannot do that . We must ge on—Buffer , suffer , suffer till we see an end to it ; we must not dishonour ourselves in the hour of trouble by a compromise of our principles . ( Cheers . ) Could there b ^ anything more inviting—could there be a momrnt more precious—an opportunity more seemly than the present , for ma to move fiom my principles ? But I wiil not—not one jot or one point . ( Loud cheers . ) No , no , " Whistle , and 111 come to you , my lad , " won't do . They are the men that prosecuted us , and now they act upon the old system—courting the widow cnniing from her husband ' s funeral ; and now they think to csurt the Chartists when their friends are confined .
No , no , we are going to have a large augmentation to our ranks . All the shopkeepers are'on the point of bankruptcy . ( Cheers . ) All the ootton lords are beginning to squeak— ( cheers )—every man of them . ( CheeTs . ) AU thoie who woald mako cheap bread by substituting iron , and wood , and sttam for flesh , and blood , and sinews—by substituting machinery for manual labour , they are coming to the dungeons like yourselves . ( Cheers . ) And when wo are all engulphed in general ruin , then ont of chaos will spring life , and shape , aud form . ( Loud and continued cheers . ) But I am not the man to hasten that , nor am I the man to avoid it , to place you in greater jeopardy . ( Cheers . ) Tbe Government will shortly be without the means of paying their soldiers and their sailors if you don't
replenish the exchequer . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I have now laid before you the whole case . Everything we did in Manchester we did with open doors—we have published it all , and yet we have been stigmatised in the public press as " conspirators , " and I am the man who , like the trumpeter , should be hung upon the tree . That was -what the Sunday Time * said . ( Hlssea . ) And , my friends , whenever you go into a coffee house , and see that paper , put it into the fire . ( Cheers . ) Now , that is a leaf out of their own book ; they told Peel to hang me up like the trumpeter , and now I tell you to put that paper on the fire whenever you see it ; it is a demoralizing , beastly paper , and panders to tbe worst passions of its readers . The man who writes for you mn 3 t write virtue und morality , for
none other will receive your support . ( Cheers . ) I h- ; ve an opportunity now of speaking to you daily . There was a good article yesterday in the Morning Advertiser , and I am thankful for small mercies , though they come too late . But the Advertiser forgot something ; I have been hammering away every day for two weeks , and the Advertiser said that none of the press had touched upon it , whilst I have positively blistered my hands in writing upon Lord Abiuger's conduct . What would you say of the press that would repudiats the idea of calling Suisse a valuable servant , and yet would refuse to animadvert upon the unjust conduct of such a Bervant of the public as a Judge ? Why should the press take upon itself to hunt down individuals ? The day is not far distant when public
opinion must bold its sway , and I thank my God tbat I have now a shield to guard me from the weapons pointed at me by such papers as tho Sunday Times . ( Laud cheers . ) I have tbe little terrier and 1 bave the great bull-dog . ( Cbaers . ) I have the terrier that stops at the door to bark when he hears tbe footstep of the enemy , and I have tbe bull-dog to keep off the intruder . ( Loud cheers ) I have the pistol , and I have the blunderbuss . I bavo the little Evening Star—( tremendous applause )—and 1 have the great Polar Bear , established this day . five years , sounding in their ears the thunder of democracy . ( Loud chsers . ) And do you suppose that in se ' ztng us there wa 3 no intention to put down these papers * ( Cheers . ) The Evening Star is losing £ 80 a week , ar . d
if it lost £ 100 or £ 200 every week , all the combined powers of WZiigs and Tories shall never put it down . lLoud cheers . ) There ia nODe of the Duke of Buckingham ' s money here . We receive not a- farlbing from the Cariton Ciub , not a rap of the £ 50 , 000 from the Leaguers . I dare say they would give £ 20 a column for a Corn Law article ; but I would not give them one stickfull for the whole £ 50 , 000 . ( Cheers . ) Now it rests with j on to say whether we have committed those enormous offences which would justify the country to sent } us to trial without tbe prospect of a defence . ( Cheers . ) That is the question . ( Cheers . ) That is a moral for Chartism ; that is appealing to your judgment ; it is not exciting your passion , not exciting your charity , but asking for working men , who , in theii attachment to your cause , have submitted themselves to be entrapped by tho law , that they may be tried whether they are guiity or not ( Cheers . ) They have fimiliei dear to them as tbe families of the aristocracy
—they have wives and children depending on their labour for support . ( Cheers . ) I feel confident that this appeal will not be made in-rain . I ask not this for myself ; mj defence has not cost tbe country a farthing , nor have I received a fraction fiom a living m ^ , ( Cheers . ) In 1839 and 1840 , I gave £ 30 * to the Defence Fund , which , has never been paid to me , and I have never asked for it . ( Load cheers . ) I have now enough to do to pay for myself . Tola has cost me £ 300 aa far as it has gone . I had to sand my physielan and attorney , and both my bondsmen down to Liverpool , and to keep them there for many days , and you may be sure professional gentlemen would not go there for nothing . If I am guilty I have paid the penalty , and if I am not , who will pay me back what I have lost ?" ( Cheers . ) I cannot speak so long how as I ased to do ; I have not spoken in pnblio for two months , and I feel that I have exerted myself too much ; but I cannot conclude without congratulating the meeting
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and -the ' . Chartists '• generally , on the fact - of . " our excellent friend . Mr . Duncotube being here ?—( cheera . ) I do uot disregard rank , title , and honour , if honour , rink , and title sit upep honourable shouldersiCbeera ) . I do : not honour Mr . Duncombe the less because be is not a working man , but I do honour him the more , because , belonging to a higher order of society , he can tako his place amongst them , and can yet participate in the feelings of the working men ;—( 1 ) ud cheers ) and though the proud aristocracy may attempt to point at him the finger of scorn , or may nttatli to bis name the title of Demagogue , the honours which snail devolve upon him will be more than sufficient , to shield' him from their shafts , -which will fall harmless against him —( loud cheers ) . I have now
performed my pnrt of the duty , and as it is likely that atfewpts will ba made Jo form a union between'tho working and middle classes , I say . do it not at the sicriflce of your principles . I know that there are eimss-rieB . about , I know that the police are at work , that the spied are in . employment ; but if in the course of ten days . or a fortnight , God restore me to Ruch health and strength as will enabla me to take field once . more , I will challenge the new order of democrats to an every night meeting , and will prove to them that their principles are humbuz . and that uotbing but the : Charter will accomplish the freedom of tho people . Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid tremendous applause , and the waving of hats and hnmlfcevchifcfp . : ¦ . ¦' ¦ . ¦ ¦ " .
i Air Fussell , who may be looked upon as one of tho Poiiticnl Victims , " having suffered persecution aud incarceration nt the Lauds of the Government , roso to move the eecond resolution , which he rea :. i to the folla-wirgeffect :- ^ '¦'¦¦ . / . : " That . whiifi tJ ) . ts . riieotiJi ( j readily a'lmit that persons convicted on Eriio- and-sufficient eyideci-je before a just Judge ilud honest Jury , of auy real crime connected ^ . itb tha lamentable outbreaks referred to , were do-SM'ViiiU of . ' punishment , they think th . it such punishlafent thould hiivd been awarded only in proportion to the wi- <> Uj $ 8 proved to have buen iufl'ttted on " society , and v , ith a ilub regard to that merny ' with which the ariniiniatration of the la-sp should hive been tampered , especially under the peculiar circumstances . '
In ' proposing that resolution , he could not but explain wh&t ho hud witnessed with his own eyes in the «^ iaturbed midland districts . Ha assured that meeting tbat the Cbarfcista , far from : being the fomeutera or enof . ura nii if they -riobtfd the law , much allowance should be mada in thtir favour . ( Shame ! shame !) Reassured the meeting -that in many instances the innpect ^ rs of
p illco had waited on Mr . Gsorga-White ( r . ferred to by Mr . O'Connor ) , and represented ' -to him , that if the meeting would bo allowed to be held , tbqy woulil not disturb or interfere with it . But nbtwitii'tandint ; all this , n « twithstandin (» that no Btf-p 3 weru tn . kon . -by tho author ! tiih to prohibit tho holding of B ' ,-. ch a meeting , notwithstanding . ' that its objects were peaceable .,, and that it w ;> s convened for the legitimate 'discussion of the people ' s grievances , tile magistrates , on Thursday before tbe meeting , Issued a proclamation , " That any person who should attend tho meeting would be guilty of a violation of tho Uw . " ( Groans , and cries of shnme . ) Tho Government had persons , police spu s , and others , employed to misrepresent the actual state of those things in that district- Independent of those wrones , their Chairman ( Mr . Duncombe ) had justly
alluded to the case of Mason . Mr . Fussell then detailed to tho meeting , whose feelings -were shocked by the narration , that one of the witnesses employed under Sir James Graham , to ewear away the liberty of the SUffoTd ' f-hlre prisoners , has since been indicted for " stealing ducks . " So much for Sir James Graham ' s witnesses . ( The announcement was followed by exclamations of disgust . ) The meeting would also hear with disgust , that in the case of George White , aworn to be at the nu eting , although in reality he waa not , the Government had emyloyed a " vile woman " -as witness against him—( cries of hear , hear )—who , it fumed out , was " keeper of an infamous and . notorious brothel . ( Loud bursts of indignation . ) Mr . Fussell , after some further obscrvatio . s , in which he txpuiined the unprincipled causes and motives which led Sir Robert Peel to have recourse to the harsh measures of
the Special Commission , and to the connection which that minister would doubtless attempt to establish between the failure of the Tariff and the disorders which led to those harsh measures which he had adopted , concluded amid loud cheers by moving tho resolution , and expressing bis anxious trust that a real union of all good men-wna about to take place for Uia cari } ing of the People ' s Charter . Mr . Westerton , of the Parliamentary Reform Association , suggested that tbe speakers who were to follow him would confine themselves as closely as possible to the question , and to ten minutes in the delivery of their sentiments , for the meeting had still a inultitude of business to get through . He rose for the purpose of Becondina ; the resolution proposed by Mr . Fussell . He ( Mr . Westertou ) had been always given
to understand that tbe reason , wby the British Constitution was called " tho envy of jurrounding nations , and the admiration ef the world , " was , that it threw the shield of its protection over the weak and oppressed as well as over the strpng and mighty . ( Cheers . ) But the fact , and the result of th « Special Commission had led him to think otherwise . / Hear , hear . ) Tbe proceedings under that Commission , he dared to assert , were a violation of tho first principles of the British Constitution . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) Ha called upon that meeting and upon the country to raise their voices In a Uoeof thunder againat such proceedings , and , by a well-combined effort , to strike a death-blow to a system at occe so unjust and [ tyrannical , recollecting that " he whe allows oppression shares the crime . " ( Loud cheers , and crlks of " Hear , hear . " )
Colonel Thompson stood before tae meeting to support the resolution which they had just heard read , and would engage to keep within the limited time . He once told a speaker in " another house , " that he thought " two minutes" enough for any man to convey whatever he bad to say in . ( Laughter . ) He ( Colonel Thompson ) was of opinion that the people were not impressed with the necessity of supporting the victims yet waiting for trial . It was a pity , that when large masses of men were cast into prison for their adherence to public liberty , as on the present occasion , the public did not ariuse themselves and come forward in their support . ( Hear , hear . ) They had had sufficient warnings on this head in bye-gone periods of history . ( Hear . ) There waa no worse things on earth than political judges .
( Hear , hear . ) Np wan could have a " fair" trial , no man could bo considered secure , when the judicial bench waa stained , and the scales of justice were influenced by political prejudice . Peace , happiness , and security , it was well known , depended upon a just administration of the law . But , instead of weighing and impartially examining the evidence , political judges gave way to the worst passions . ( Hear , hear ) No man would deny that there was dire and general dissatisfaction with the nunnar in whtah tue law bad been administered on this occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) What every man says must be true . ( Hear . ) Why should it be so ? ( Hear , hear . ) The people were ground down , and be saw no remedy for them but the Charter . He was sure that in the assembly which he saw before him ,
there were scores who , for years , bad been in tlie same profession as himself ; and he would put it to those men , whether when complaints were made , they did not know that it was the officers who were to blame . ( Hear , hear . ) And so it was in this instance ; those who were administering the affairs of the country were to blame . ( Hear , hear , with loud and long-protracted cheers ) Did not the people see before their eyes that aU this Was the effect of class legislation ? which implies in particular , those who exercise it . ( Hear , hear , and cries of " True , true . " ) No class by itself , was fit to govern all clasaes . ( Cries of " Bravo ! " ) That was the great secret which men wished to learn , but had not learned yet Men , however , Were coming round—they must come round!—( Hear , hear , hear ! renewed cries of " Bravo ! " and cheers . ) They mu > t find it out , and it must oua day , find its way into the head of the Government-MKsiterated , loud , and long-continued-cheers ) He did not despair of the Government . What , he
would ask , would they think of a Government like the present , if . it ( even it !)—and he did not despond at present—should correct its error , and do something humane for those unfortunate men who have recently been prosecuted , and those who are yet awaiting trial I Such an act would be a work worthy a statesman—( Hear , and applause . ) It would be -well if the Government would hear the voice from that hall , and do . something ( Hear and cheers ) The people were always grattful , and would-be deeply so far such an act —( hear , hear . ) Would then , that the Government would , in that hour , mako the experiment ! would that it would redress the wrongs and sufferings of the poor men then in prison ! and see whether it would not reap a glorious harvest of hononr to its name—( Lond and long continued cheering , intermingled with ¦«¦ Bravos , " amidst which the gallant Colonel concluded , intimating that ho felt great satisfaction in giving his heartfelt support to the reaolutien . )
Mt . Cleave roiie to move the third resolution , prior to reading which , he observed , being one of the Subcommittee , who had been concerned in the getting up of that meeting , h « would let them Into a secret , namely , that the committee had unanimously come to the determination of reminding every speaker that he should confine himself to fifteen or tweaty minutes at the outside ( Laughter ) He ( Mr . Cleave hsd been applied to to move the resolution which he then held in his hand ; and on the committee he had been appointed to another duty—that of holding a " plate" at the door—( hear , hear , and Iavghter . ) The resolution which he held in bis hand , an * which he would read related to it : It mi to
theeffeot" That nearly three hundred families having by the sentences passed during the late Special Commission , been deprived of their natural protectors , and reduced thereby to a condition which presents no other alternative than to seek refage in Union Workhouses , or to become houseless and destitute wanderers ; and such enormous expences having been entailed upon the individuals indicted , who have traversed their trials , as to demonstrate that justice ( which should be freely dispensed ) to be procured , must be deuly purchased ; it
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therefore now behoves the friends generally , of humanity , apart from all reference to individual , political , or other opinions ; to testify their sympathy for the unfortunate families of the men already sentenced , and at the same time their desire to sen justice secured in future , by establishing a General Defence and Sup , port Fund ;" They should remember that " friends" and " foes "" wouid draw an indication of the public feoling from that meeting , and he ( Mr . Cleave ) hoped they would do their duty by subscribing that night—( hear , hear . ) They would remember that every man who ( acknowledging the Charter ) was taken up , had done his duty —( hear , hear , hear and enthusiastic cheers . ) He ( Mr . Cleave ) felt assured that the brave men who had taken their trial ,. and who were still to take their trial , would not rely on Englishmen in vain—( loud cheering . ) And if there were a man in that room who was fond of his pot and his pipe , " let him , if he be poor , make a
generous Bacnn ' ee of both , and by an act of self-denial , give the amount to the " Victim Fund , " to such an extent as the Chancsllor of the Exchequer would feel , and aa would make the heartB of the " oppressors " tremble—( cheers , cries of " Hear , hear , " and ?• Bravo ! ' ) Mr . Jenkins , iu a speech replete -with , classic learning and allusions , displaying an intimaw know , ledee of the wisdom and abstruse loio . of the philosophers , seconded the resolution , in doing which ha remarked that he onco know of a man , who lost his liberty through consequence alone , of a want . of money . Ho was found guilty of a i offence a ainst the laws of hia oountry , and would Lave been acquitted , hud he had means wherewith to get up his defence . ' ' That fact , alone , spoke volumes to tha present meeting ; for precisely so waa it with " the victims , " in the present case—( hear , hear . | It needed no rhetorical tfibrfc of speech to siipporb the causa they ^ vere then advocating j and in that conviction he would merely call upon them ¦
as •« Liberals , " ami as Englishmen , to support tae o ^ patB which the meeting had in view—( heur , hear , und fcpplause . ) Mr . Spukr , in supporting the resolution , begged to call the attention , of the meeting to the condition of the families of tLe men who had suffered in the csuse of few people— ( hear , hear . ) He felt . pained . by fitatins that th-. y were not eupported as they ought to be ; but he trusted that they were not to bo negtectsd , now tint their only provider * were takeu from them by a corrupt and inhuman system of class legislation—( hear aud cheers . * He would not say to the people what they onfiht to do , but this he would ssy , that it was contrary to tho law of the Creator to starve in the midst of plenty —( cheers . ) He thought a man could not b 9
guilty of ft greater erima than £ uifcide—( hear , hear . ) And he thought that that crime was to be committed without cutting thvoata ; for instancy , if the industriouB mail was'driven to starvation , ha ( Mr . Spnrr . ) would like to know whether it was his duty to starve or assist himself from , the stock-which'he * had assisted to accumulate ?—lloud chters . ) H < t hope ;! every man would ; isk himself a .. few . ' questions , upon the rights wtr ' ch-he ou ^ ht to possess , and not to run away with the blind doctrine of—no liberty , no struggle —( hear , and cheers . ) He had ' atrugstlerl in . the cause of tLe people , and had stood at the bar of a metropolitan police oflke , with all the horrors of a prosecution before his © yes , and yet he had not been diverted from the path be ou ^ ht to pursue— ( cfeeers . ) Ha hoped every man would come forward iu the ^ reat cause now at . issue , and join heart and soul-without bickering ,
which would be sure to strike terror into the enemi .-s of freedem —( loud checra . ) In conclusion , he ( Mr . Spurr ) would recommend the working men not to throw away their money in defending- state prosecutions , for If the Chatter was to be had , it-was only by . Buffering in dungeons that it was to be attained ; and he ^ boiight if it was worth having , it mm worth a struggle , though that struggle would be painful , and it may happen fatal to aome—( eheera . ) He thought no man ebould fear a prison , when that alone was the-way to achieve the liberty of the enslaved English working-iaro ; and he would advise every man to be prepared to suffer iu the great and glorious causo of the People ' u Charter , as it was the only remedy for the great , the mighty , and overwhelming evils of his unfortunate and long unhappy country . Mr . Spurr then sat dawn , amid loud and protracted cheering .
Mr . Roberts , of Bath , after repeated calls fnsm the vast assemblage , then rose and addressed the meetluu ; . He felt happy that night in beholding the citit .-ns of the first city of the world , assembled to record their detestation of & base Tory conspiracy—( loud cheors ) . He was , indeed , happy to have the opportunity of recording his feelings upon the acts of that base , malignant , and bloodthirsty conspiracy , which the enemies of the people had been guilty ofr-r- ( bear , hear , and cheers ) . He was indeed almost deprived of the power of utterance , when the scenes he had witnessed rushed : upon his already affrighted mind—( sensation ) . What , said Mr . Ro ' oetts , when the uuaappy victims were not only entrapped bat caged , they wers to be denied the right of defence—( loud eries of shame ) .
He would inform the meeting thnt when fie applied to Bellamy , a gentleman whom they had all heard of , about the copy of indiotmeuts against his clients , so aa to prepare their defence , that gentleman had the humanity to shudder at the idea of him ( Mr . Roberts ) attempting todefend Chartists—( cries of shame ) . He ( 'Mr . Roberts ) , would assure the moeting that be ; Was not mis-stating , forit wasnotoriousthatnotonl ? wore the prisoners tried by packed juries , but they were denied the liberty of a messenger having Ingress and egress at the Courts —( cries of shame ) . He ( Mr . Roberts ) had every impediment thrown in hisway—( hear , hear ) . He would just mention that the High-Sheriff , writing Sheriff with two rs , a man who could not spell the designation of his office , bnd given orders to
the' doorkeeper of the Court , not to allow any messenger on the part of the "blackguard Chartists , " -to enter there—( loud nnd reiterated cries of " shame ) . *' And it was not until counsel rose and claimed the interfrffenco of the judge , that he ( Mr . Roberts ) was allowed tho ri <; ht of a luesaensjsr to assist him in his duty to his clients . But if one thing more than another shocked him , it was that of the treatment of the martyred Ellis . [ A deep and lasting thrill of painful sympathy followed the announcement of the name of that fill but ' murdered-. patriot , ' which , had my " Lord Abiiiger" witnessed , wou'd have pierced his adamantine heart ] He ( continued Mr . Roberts ) was marked out for the political sacrifice ; he had , at a certain time , given offence to my Lord Ingestrie , by ousting him from
the chair at a public meeting , and now his turn was come ; and bitUr indeed did that noble lord mix the poisoned draught fur his helpless victim . He would tell the meeting , that in the whole course of hia life , in all that he had read , and all that he had witnessed , he had never found a parallel to this same Lord Ingesttie . ( Heat , hear , hear ) When he , the noble Lord , beard the foreman of the jury pronounce the word " Guilty , " he rose from his seat and smiled upon him . —tho foreman , who happened by the greatest chance in the world , to be his ( Lord Iugestrie ' s ) tenant . ( Loud and angry bursts of indignation followed the announcement . ) In fact , be ( Mr . Roberta ) looked upon that truly good and most . ¦ imLible of men ( William Ellis ) as a sacrifice at the shrine of freedom . { A . deep
and mournful sadness pervaded the meeting at this part of Mr . Robert ' s speech ; and when he alluded to tbe family of the expatriated man , and pourtrayed their last sad partiDj , the melancholy was painfully expressed upon every face , and relieved were those Whose tears obeyed the noblest feelings of tbe heart ) Mr . Roberts then alluded to the noble conduct of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , who ,, in the strongest manner , ordered him to defend every prisoner , whether Tory , Whig , or Chartist , as long as he was a working man , which drew down the hearty applisuse of the meeting ; and concluded by a heart-Btirring appeal on behalf of the suffering families of the victims . The learned gentleman took his seat amid loud and long-continued , applause , previously to which he offered the following resolution , which was unanimously passed : —
" That , James Scarlet , Lord Abinger , Chief Baron of Her Majesty ' s Exchequer ; one of the Judges appointed to preside on such Special Commission , did deliver certain charges , which , the opinion of this meeting would humbly represent , were improper , as proceeding from , a Judge npon the Bench , being of an unfair , unjust , and political tendency ; calculated to prejudice , mislead , and exasperate tbe minds of the Juries to whom such charges were addressed , and by whom the individuals indicted as participating in the late disturbances were to bs tried . "
The resolution was supported by Mr , Frazior , who said that the grand object of their assembling together was to make known the grieve nces of their fellow men , to tell the hardships under wliioh they had suffered , until tho last remnant of liberty was taken away from them , by that abominable system cf class legislation , and an oligarchical government ;—^ cheers ) . A bold attempt would have to be made to put an end to such systems ; it '' would . . not do for them to shew that they were mere jackalls ; something more was wanted . They must prove themselves to be slap-up roaring lions—( cheers ) . The poor victims had suffered much , —their sufferings hud been considerably augmented by that modern Jeffries—( groans ) . Yes , he ( the speaker ) would , not finch in saying that the conduct of that man had caused the heart of many a friend to bleed . His position was not enviable . He , for one , would not like to occupy his place . He had heaped upon Chartism all tbat was
degrading and insulting . He had even gone so far as to say that Chartism was illegal —( hear ) . Yes , he had , also said that it must be put down : but that could not , and never would be done—( cheers ) . The best means that could bo done , would be for that great mass to assist their cause—toassist the cause with their pounds —to assist the cause with their shillings—to assist the cause with their pence . Ho ( the speaker ) could not help alluding to the great apatby that exist * in the hearts of many persons ; he would bave them bestir themtelve * . and go up as one man to the help of the weak against the might/—( cheers . ) Look aftfae jnstloa of tbia country ; see how it ia meted out If on Individual with a ¦ tarring family goes oat , and in the frenay of the mo ^ ment , while seeing hia children starving , takes meant to prevent their death , he is immediately put down aa a blood-thirsty Chartist —( Hear . ) Hia ( the speaker's ) object was to assist tho working man in getting what had been so long denied him—his right and nothing
more . Dr . Black next said he rose to perform a grateful duty . Although the hour was late he could not refrain from say ing a few words with resEect to the conduct of Mr . Dancombe , their worthy chairman . Shortly after the Convention was called a number of friends -waited
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upon Mr . D ' . mcombo and requested . him to . use his infla * ence throughout the Housa to get all the support ho could to the People ' s Petition . He had dene so much ; he was enabled to do what no other man could do , and he ( Dr . Black ) was persuaded that no person could havefXerted himself more than Mr . Djncombe bad , even if his own brothor hr . d been conSned in prison , and by his exertions he was a wore would hare procured his liberty . No ; no man could have dona more than he had done . He would therefore move that the moeting wou'd tender to the worthy chairman their united thinks—( cheers . )
Mr . Smith said , he would wish to correct an error that fell from the lips of one of the speakers ; it was with respect to each p-. rson paying one penny , which he said would bring a large amount into their exchequer Now he knew perfectly w « ll that one penny frora . each poreon would not pay the current expences of the night he therefore hoped that they who were in a condition togive more would not withhold it , but , at the same time , he hoped that those who con'd not « ff . > rd to give more tban tbe penny , would give it . It was for a noble object—it was fpr the support of the poor wives and families ofthe victims—( cheers . )
Mr . John Campbell rosj to second tho vote of thanks to the chainuwu . He , for one , had great p ! easure in doing" bo . The conduct of Mr . Sub . combe had been most praisewovthy . He had carefully watched bis conduct through the House of Commons , and had always found him to be the bold advocate for the rights of the people . He ( Mr . Duucorabe ¦¦ ¦ had presented that document , the People ' s Potit ion , before the House , —he had brought forward the Daptford affiir , — he had likewise brought forward the case of thsir old . tried , and much respected , but persecuted friend , Dr , M'Douall . ( Immense cheering . ) He was so satisfied with the conduct of Mr . Duncombe on every occasion , that he ( Mr . Campbell , living in his district ) would vote for him at the next election , providing he w « a entitled to a vote . ( Cheers . )
Mr . Duncombe next acknowledged in a neat speech , . the omp . imunt passed upon him . He said the meeting h : i nobly done its duty , aDd it remained for him to do his . He was to be intrusted with the petition , which he should lay before the House of Commons , and he need not tell tha moeting that he should givo it all the support in his power . ( Cheers ) He conceived that the Members of that House ought to be made acquainted with tbe views of Chartism . They were ignorant of the real oSj ^ cts the Chartists are attempting to aecemplish . If they were to examine the document called tho People's Charter—if they were to peruse it carefully , and without prejudice , they would discover that Chartism is not that hydia-headed monster it has been represented , ( Hear , hear , bear . ) When tho petition and resolutions are brought before
the hoire , and the conduct of Lord Abinger looked into , if he mistook uot , they would say , that hia conduct had been t » say the least , most intemperate and quite unconstitutional . In hl 3 opinion , Lord Abinger ought not tQ remain upon the bench . He , for one , -wouid by every possible Hieaus ex « rt himseif in presenting the petition to get his lordship dismissed : an > 1 more thin that , he would not refuse to put his ( Mr . Duncombe ' s ) name to the petition . Ho would not detain them any longer , but concludo iby eayinjj . that the conduct of the numerous persons who had met together tbat night had been most circumspect—had been most praiseworthy . Their conduct was worthy ofthe bench at Liverpool—wotthy of the House of Commons , and he ( Mr . D . ) hoped that when he goes to address the House of Commons on the prayer of that p ^ titbn . that the ho iouiable members will behave as well . —( Great ckeerin / r . )
Mr . Duscombb then vacated the chair , and waa saluted with three most vociferoua cheers . ¦ Mr .-BSOWN said , he hoped before the meeting separated that he should be allowed to propose " a vote of thanks to Mr . Roberts , who was so nobiy engaged in conducting tbe defence of the Political Victims iu the North . He felt with Mr . Boberts , that it waa aa honour to be acquainted with Ellis—( cheers . ) He must say , that Mr . Roberts had done that which will redound to his glory , and be remembered when he ( Mr . Roberta ) is known only byname—( cheers . ) His conduct had been such , that he had exerted himself in every way , not only for Ellis , but the whole number of persecuted victims . He should , tfeerefere , make no apology in proposing a vote of thanks , which being done was seconded and carried , amidst the most entfausiastie marks of approbation . Mr . Brown then proposed , three cheers for Mr . Duucomhe , three for Mr . Fearijus O'Connor , and three for the Evening Star , after which the meeting separated in in a quiet and orderly ¦
manner . . : .. The following was the flist resolution : — Resolved—" Tbat this meeting most ; deeply regret and sympathize with tbe degraded and distressed condition of the labouring porti'in of their fellow subjects , show particularly tkreugheut the late unfortunate dJaturbancea in the Northern and Midland Counties . " ' The following persons , with power to add to their number , were elected a committee to conduct the fund to be * raised for the defence of the victims , namely , Messrs . O'Connor , Ridley , Westerton , Pray , Wheeler , Dron , Frazier , Sankey , Cleave , Harris , Black more , Shaw , Balls , Swaine , Campbell , Dr . Bowkett , Dr . Black , Norton , and Rogers ;
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In connection with this meeting , the Evening Star oi the following day ( Friday ) has tho following comments , which , to make pur report of the proceedings complete , we here insert : — "The meeting to which the public has looked forward with more than ordinary interest , was held last night in the great room of the Crown and Anchor , Thomas S . Dancombe , Esq ., M . P ., in tha chair . The hour appointed for commencing business was half-past seven , but long before that time the room , and every approach leading to it , was crammed , while scare after score -were compelled to tarn their backs in despair before they had even reached the outer door . Shortly after the appointed hour . Mr . Dancombe entered the room , attended by the office-bearers , carrying wands , and the committee "of management . To attempt any thing like an account of his reception , however , would but subject us to the ridicule of those who witnessed the real thing , and therefore we shall merely say that
it was in every respect what grateful thanks for the honest service of a public man should be . It was cordial , long , and heart-frit ; but when he had wedged his way through the Isshy mass , and presented himself In front of the platform , then it was astounding . The huge mass appeared to be animated simultaneously by some sudden impulse , and literally jumped up together , as if put in motion by machinery . This part of the business gave us great pleasure , because it is right and proper that public men should be honoured for honest public service—and none have done their dnty more faithfully , nay ; half so faithfully , to the working- c asses as Mr . Duneombe . The advocacy of some ¦' Imperial Patriots smells of a change of eirenmstances ; and many who spat upon Chartism during Whig ascendancy , would now willingly court the outcast , to make its
" put the Tories out" "scapegoat : " not so with Duncombe ; he battled the Whigs In their hottest rage , and when , their very existence depended npon the strength that put the Chartists down , Duncombe plagued his own party night after night , and in the worst days of persecution defended the persecuted , in spite ofthe fashion of his order . It is a remarkable fact , that Duncombe has basti courted by the people , not the people by him ; and that in those days when Attwood and Fielden were playing ' pitch aud toss" with the working classes for a bit of popularity , Duncombe never bid against them , nor yet , like others , from spleen , opposed them . It is also remarkable , that Dancomba has never stepped out of bis way to gain Chartist applause while the Chartists were strong , but has invariably thrown himself into the fire when lewd authority baa threatened Chartism with its vengeance .
" These are facts , and striking facts ; and facts which ( as his reception last night proves ) have struck tbe great mass of the people as they have struck ourselves ; Dancombe is now , b y election , THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE , and , consequently , the envy of the shop boys wno bid , but bid in vain , for those honours to which they had no teal pretentious . We have given the proceedings at considerable length , and therefore crlticum upon th « mere speeches is rendered unnecessary ; tbe more so , as our sagacious readers , whatever WE here say , will read and think for themselves . To those , however , who were not behind the scenes , and who saw nothing of the by-play or the performances
before the curtain was raised , we will say a word or two . In speaking of speculations , none of our -remarks apply to the general committee , nor yet to the . very excellent managing sub-committee , fey whom the arrangements were completed ; they apply to the ¦•• T ^ ong stop" Whigs , who had smelt a lat that aavoured strongly of a Whig and ChartUt pie , and in which tha Chartists were to play tbe crust . There were a number of Lurchers , keen as a rat-catcher ' s dog upon the watch for bolting vermin . We do not speak upon mere surmise , we speak from facts . The several recruiting companies in Whiggery were all on the gut vive , and in the most modest manner possible the experiment was to be tried .
•• The meeting , as announced in the bills , was intended to have been a gathering of all orders of politicians ; and the consequence was , a strong muster of Whigs , flanked by the several skirmishing parties of th&t rooted force . Sympathy is a , fine rellylng word , justice a ' seducing recruiting sergeant , and charity an unputoffable beggar ; * and sympathy , justice , and charity , "Wo jundo in uno , " were emblaioned npon the banners of the company . Ah , but then these things in general come too late , and then thay are looked upon as strained , not free—no ! as the " quality of mercy /* but as the trick of faction . The tilings have been long felt by the poor and persecuted Chartists . They bav »
leaned that men are ever uptn the alert to fly-catctt those who would tender brass as the price « f prin ciple . They know that hitherto the poorest ef the poor have had the honour of supporting the Tfcttm * of faction . Such , then , were the respective feelings and positions of the respective parties last night , and boldly and nobly did tbe Chartists do theft duty . -Applause was bestowed where applause via due , but the words charity and undefined union fell flat npon the anxious ear . Toe speech of Mr . Feargus O'Connor ( whose position in the Chartist ranks even hit enemies are now beginnins ; to acknowledge , —all attempts to pluck him ont of Labour ' s heart having proved futile ) was hailed by all parties with marked and ( Continued in « ur Seventh Paee . J
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a THE NORTHERN STAR . . : . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - - * . :-V ¦ - - ¦ ¦ - ¦¦¦ a ' P ~— ' -- * l ' ¦ ' ¦ ' - . — . — . . . «_ I - I —^___ -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 26, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct626/page/6/
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