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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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SHEFFIELD . CHARTISM TRIUMPHANT-DEFEAT OF THE HUMBUGS . Again the green banner floats triumphant over faiteu faction prostrated in the dost by tha voicei of * in * tly indignant people . It ^ 11 be remembered bytteread 4 ofthY&ar , tbiu a pntl . c meenps ol theinhabitants of Shefndd , wnrened by " q ^ U ^ , was held in laradife-square , on the = 24 h ot ^ be 7 last , at which meeting four d < legates were el ^ telto sit in the forthcoming Conference that ihe lete Suffragists
Ttwfllbo reacted Comp placarded the town , announcing their resolution to t « teno part in the meeting , and that any delegates ejected at such meeting would not represent their interests and opinions . Well , the . meeting passed 0 Ter . jjje chartists did their work quietly and well , and no more was heard of the objections or intention- nf the Stnrgites until the evening of last Tuesd ay Dec . 13 ; h ) when a resolution wa 3 agreed to by tied to hold a iown ' 3 njeetia ^ on Monday , the 19 th , for the election of delegates ; and this in spite of the election , which had already taken place . How waa this ! The Rev . H . G . Rbodes , their Chairman' was present at the last conneil meeting of the Sturgites held in Birmingham , and from their resolving
immediately on his return to Sheffield to hold another election meeting , we may justly infer that the Rev . Gentleman had been in consultation with M friend " Sfcurge and Co ., and that the reeult of their deliberations was the promise of the Birmingham Councillors to back the Sheffield Sturgites in their intended illegal and aati- democratic proceeding ? , and to aid them in their efforts to exclude from the Conference the men elected by the public meeting on the 24 ' . h of November . So sure did the local Stnrgites feel of being able to carry all before them , that the Mr . Barker who figures so conspicuously and disreputably below , was fool enough to talk about the distinguished honour that awaited him , ( I ) and othtr 3 of their chiefs who spoke at the usual
meeting on Tuesday last were most valorou * in their denunciation of O'Connor , the Northern Star , < fcc , & « . Well , on Friday , December 16 th , out came their huge pink placards , ( the colour being that of the cheap bread sham-Radical Buckingham school ) , announcing the meeting . The Political Institutionists had coalesced with them , and they depended on the aid of the freebooter * , to . secure ihem the victoryaid which to a considerable extent they found on the day of battle . Now for the other side ; the proceedings of the Sfcrrgites In Glasgow and other places , znore particularly the infamous conduct of that faction at Leicester , had excited feelings of deep disgust and strong indignation in the breasts of the ishf ffield democrats , and sow that it became clearly apparent that they were determined to vrolate even
their own ordinances for the purpose of having their own men seated in the Conference instead of tbe men previously elected by the people , one feeling of resistance immediately kindled in the hearts of all the honest and determined friends of the Charter . A small bill was issued on Sunday morning , calling on the Chartists to attend the meeting , and t » be at their post at twelve o ' clock precisely , and as the segue ] will shew the appeal was not unheeded . Monday arrived , and ait ten minutes before twelve Messrs . Harney . Parkes , Edwin Gill , Foden , Hc-ole , Sutton , Dyson , Evinson , and other leading Chartists entered the Hall , and took np their station on the right of the chair . A number of Complete Suffragists were already posted on the left of the chair .
"We have not the honour of knowing many of the gentlemen , tut among them we observed the Rev . John Divia , Messrs , B » ker , " Allen , and Rent , also Mr . Bridgford , of the Iris , and Mr . Wm . Qill , of the Political Institute , together with some minor stars of that party . At twelve o ' clock the Hall was nearly half filled , and every moment increased , thentimbf rs ; and at about twenty minutes past twelve the Hall ¦ wa 3 crowded in eTery part . Proceedings commenced at ten minutes past twelve , by Mr . Barker proposing the Rev . Mr . Davis for chairman ; the nomination was seconded by a person whose name we did not learn . Mr . Julian Harney ( who was loudly cheered ) proposed as an amendment , that Mr . -George Evinaon , a working ' man , s . hoald take the chair . Mr . Parkes seconded the amendment .
Mr . Barker said he supposed the courtesy of the meeting would allow him to put both the motion and the amendment . Mr . Harney said he had no objection trusting to Mr . Bar ter ' s love of fair play . The show of hands was then taken , when a large majority appeared in favour of Mr . Evinson , but notwithstanding this was apparent to" every unprejudiced person in the meeting , Mr . Barker declared Mr . Davis elected . This announcement was received with cheers by the Storgites , and load groans and execrations on the part of the Chartists . Mr . Harney protested against snch a derision , and Mr . Evinson proceeded to take tha chair , greeted by the thundering cheers of the Chartists .
A scene of uproar now commenced which continued for more than ten minutes ; Mr . Evinson made several attempts to speak , bat the uproar on the part of the Sturgites continuing , Mr . Evinson remarked that their hooting and yelling would have bo effect on him ; he had , st his dally labour , to bear the scorching sommer ' B son ana the fierce winter ' s blast , and they were much mistaken if they supposed , their brutal noises would affect him—( enthusiastic cheers from the Chartists ) . A preposition was bow made to take the ahow of hands a second time . Mr . Harney assented to this ,
hoping tc bring Mr . Barker and his friends to reason . Accordingly , the show of hands was taken the second time , and a still larger majority appeared this time for Mr . Evinson . Again the Stnrgites refused to submit to the decision of the meeting—again the uproar commenced ; groans , hisses , cheers , and counter-cheers again occupied about s quarter of an hour . The Chairman called upon any gentleman who had business to bring before the meeting to do so . — ( Hisses from the Sturgeites and cheers fiom the Chartists . ) ,
After more time had been spent in tumult , Mr . j Davis shewing a disposition to addms the meeting , the chairman and Mr . Harney exerted themselves u > 1 procure him a hearing , bat so outrageous were the j respectable Siurgeifcea that it was wuh difficulty a ' hearing could be procured for him from his own j friends . 1 Mr . Davis would assure the meeting hi 3 temper ! was quite unruffled , and neither the hisses nor the ! groans of the opposite party would disturb him ; his party complained not of tbe election , but that the chairman had not been elected by , but forced npon the meeting . —('" Tisfalse . " groaosaad hisses . )—Mr Davis continued in a similar manner for some minutes , but the uproar recommencing we could hear nothing further .
About three-quarters of an hour had now been spett in tumnit and confusion , during which time the ! most ferocious threats -were directed against Mr . j Barney by the ** cheap bread " ruffians , a number of whom had congregated below the platform , save-1 * 1 bright specimens of the politieal , institute rivalling their friends , the ** freebooters , " in their infamous conduct . Again a third show of hands was taken , and the meeting this time decided by a tremendous majority that Mr . Evinson was the chairman , not less than three to one holding up their hands in his support . * - i
A gent who professed to be an impartial spectator , and to belong to neither party , volunteered bis services to settle the matter ; a hearing being procured for him , he acknowledged * ' that Mr . Evinaon was elected chairman by the majority ; " but added , " that the Chartists ought not to have interfered wuh the meeting ; the meeting had been called by another party ; that party had . come to do their own business , not any other party ' s . " ( Ob , oh J groans , and laughter . ) This was , of course , a settler , and the " impartial gentleman" found it prudent to " shut np . " '
Tbe Chairman , now insisted that the business Bhould be proceeded with ; the Sturgites hung fire , hoping that as it was now about one o ' clock , the working men would be compelled to leave , to return to their work ; but in this they were disappointed . One o ' clock came , bnt seemingly none left their post . Mr . Evinson , as chairman , again demanded that the business should be proceeded with ; but was told by Mr . Davis , " the meeting was not constitnted /* * How so V demanded the Chairman ** Where ' s the requisition ! " was the reply of Mr D . ( Cries of " ia jour pocket . " ) The Chairman '
said he had been asked a question by Mr . Davis ; he would answer it ; the requisition was in Mr . Davis ' s pocket . ( Cheers . ) The rev . gent , replied , that n the requisition was in hU pocket , and he would keep it there ! 2 " This was their last" card , " but the " artful dodge " failed them . Messengera were * immediately dispatched for a eopy of the placard , and in a few minutes one was procured and exhibited in triumph to tbe meeting . The humbugs now saw tbattteir game was op—soaaded a retreat , and "bolted with the triumphant ckeers of the democrats ringing in their ears .
A alight attempt at opposition was made by one of the *> ar ty who had volunteered to perform tbe hopeless task of covering the retreat of his discomfitted colleagues , but as he factiously refused to acknowledge the chairman , the meeting very properly refused to hear him . Tne Chairman then introduced Mr . Edwin GilL Mr . Edwin GiH on coxBJnc forward was received who disapprobation by tbe Sturgeites , which was eampleterj drowned bj the ZBaense cheering of the Chartists , Ha deHYewd a wt eloquent address , showing up Hie hypocrisy of the middle class humbug * , not tngMiug the p arsons , two of whom figured as zeqnisitionists calling the meeting . He mi frequently interrupted by tbe repeated plaudits of the aoenBbge , and sat down enthusiastically cheered , after proposin g the following resolution : — ** That a public meeting of toe inhabitants of Sheffield Earing been held in Paradise-square , o n the 24 th day of November last , at which meeting every instruction of the two circulars of the Complete Suffrage Council was strictly complied with ; and that meeting having unanimously elected four delegate * to reprewtt the inhabitants ia tbe forthcoming
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Conference at Birmingham , this meei ' w ^ con siders tho present one unnecessary for the pIcc , iou of oiher persons ; and hereby declares that the f our delegates elected at Paradise- ? quare—to wit , JVessrs . Samuel Parkes , Richard Abbott , George Juli An Harney , and William Beesley . are the veritable representatives of the people of Sheffield . " Mr . William Dy sen seconded t ' ae resolution . On a show of hands being tak ^ n one vast forest of hand 3 was held up in its Euprx > rt , against it a few hands were upheld in the body of the meeting . The chairman declared the resolution to be carried by a tremendous majority . T . he announcement was hailed with deafening cheers .
The chairman having t-j return to his labour vacated the chair , and Mr , Dyson was installed in his place . Mr . Harney then addressed the meeting for about three-quarters of an hour . His address was recpived with repeated and enthusiastic bursts of applause . He concluded by moving the thanks of the meeting to Mr . Evinsoa , for his able and impartial conduct as chairman . Mr . Samuel Parkcs seconded the motion , and at some length addressed the meeting . He was loudly cheered . The motion was agreed to unanimously . Mr . Peter JFoden briefly addressed the meeting , and concluded by proposing the thanks of the meeting to Mr . Dyson . Mr . Pike seconded the motion , which was also adopted unanimously .
The meeting was vhen dissolved , first giving three cheere for the Charter , three for O'Connor , three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , three for the martyr Ellis , and three " for our glorious selves . "
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TO MR . R . K . PHILP . Sir . —I observe , in the Statesman , of last Saturday , a letter with your signature , in which occurs the following paragraph : — Xi White , Cooper , Harney , and others are playing the part prescribed to them . They go iho whole hog , or lose their pound a-week . " I merely notice this to say that I have neither a pound nor a penny a-week , from any source , in the shape of salary . I have never received or asked one farthing for correspondence to the Star , nor ever thought of doing bo . I have no other source of income ia the world than my business , as a news agent and keeper of a coffee-house .
I trust , Mr . PbUp , that this honest and unequivocal statement will draw forth a similar one from yourself , namely , that you have thrown out either a false conjecture , or an aspersion taken on hearsay , with an intent to prejudice me . THOHiB CoGrER . Lecicester , December 20 th , 1842 . [ We would by no means have admitted this letter had tbe Statesman been still going on . But as the last number of that paper announced its own demise , we think it only fair to Mr . Cooper . — Bd . N . SA
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TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . SfR , —Being present at the meeting yesterday for the election of delegates to the Birmingham Conference , I was surprised at the conduct of professed Chartists supporting a resolution repudiating the appointment of pledged delegates , while the very men invariably call upon the people to support no man , at our municipal and general elections , who will not pledge himself to " seek the return of Frost , WillianiB and Jones . " How consistent . ' : Docs there not wont a Radical Reform in the Chartist camp ? Observer . Leeds , Dec . 20 lb , 1 S 42 .
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IiEEDS . GRAND FESTIVAL AND TEA PAB . TY , IN HONOUR OF T . S . DUNCOMBE , ESQ . M . P . AND FEARGUS O"CONNOR , ESQ . On Monday evening last a brilliant soiree was held at the Alusic Hall , Albion Street , Leeds , in honour of T . S . Duncombe , E ? q ., M . P ., the presenter of the National Petition , and Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., the preparations for which were on a scale commensurate with the importance of the occasion , and were such aa to rt fleet credit upon all parties concerned . For some days the demand for tickets had been such as to leave no doubt that the working men were alive to the importance of the occasion , bnt no sobnor had it become known that Mr . Duncombe and Mr . O'Connor were really in the town ,
than numbers of the middle class purchased with avidity those tickets which remained on band , and , ample as were the means of accommodation , soon after the opening of the doors the numerous tables in the spacious saloon were crowded by a respectable company , a great part of whom were well-dressed females . A committee of ladies , indeed , had been indefatigable iu their exertions to secure the comfort and happiness of the numerous guests , and their endeavours in this department , and their attentions to the honours of the tea table , merited and obtained for them a due meed of praise . The room was neatly , but not gaudily , decorated . Festoons of evergreens and artificial flowers were tastily arranged ; and ia the orchestra , over the Chairman ' s sea . t , were suspended portraits of T . S . Dunoombe , Efq . and Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., with
the plate of the presentation of the National Petition , in beautiful frames , wreathed with evergreens . Around the back of the circle of the orchestra was a white scrolls with the motto •* The People ' s Charter , the only measure to secure justice to one and to all f while from tbe wall to the Chairman ' s right was suspended a largo and handsome green flag , frith a white border , on which was emblazoned " Universal Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , No Property Qualification , Equal Representation , Vote by Ballot , " and on the left a flag with the emblem of Erin , and the motto , " Uaue and be free . " Along the whole length of the front of the gallery was another white scroll with the motto , " T . S . Duncombe , theutflinching advocate of tbe People ' s Rights ; * ' and and on each side of it a flag with an appropriate inscription .
Along the floor of the saloon were placed six tables , seated on both Bides , with space between them for convenience of the company and the waiters , and under the gallery were placed two tables ; all these were covered with white , and were plentifully furnished with every description of plain and spiced bread of excellent quality . Id the gallery was staioned an excellent band of music , which played a variety of airs during the repast , and at intervals during the subsequent proceedings of the evening . An excellent party of glee sirrgerB were also stationed in the orchestra , and contributed by their performances greatly to the happiness and entertainment of the numerous company . The doors of tho Music Hall were announced to
be opened at half-past five o ' clock , and tea to be on the table at half-past six . Soon after this hour , Mr . Duncombe and Mr . O'Connor were announced , and they entered the Hall , accompanied by Mr . Leach , Mr . Bairstow , Mr . Brooke , Mr . Wn > . Jones , Mr . Frazier , and Mr . Joshua Hobson , amidst the most enthusiastic cheering of the audience , who rose from their seats en masse , and welcomed their guests in good old English style . Having entered the orchestra they took their peats at a table specially appropriated for them . Mr . Wm . Brooke presided , and was supported on hisxi ^ ht by T . S . Duncombe , Esq . M . P .. Mr . James Leach , Mr . Joshua Hobson , and the Rev . Wm . Hill ; and on the left by Feargus O'Connor , Esq .. Mr . Bairstow , Mr . Jones , Mr . Roberts , and Mr . Frazer .
The proceedings were prefaced by the Chairman calling open the Rev . William Hill , to ask a blessing . The Chaibjjait , after eome time , rose and said , that although the tea was hardly over , yet as the evening had got bo ler advanced , they would commence with business , and as there was Buch a variety of talent on either side of him , it would be altogether useless for hin to detain the meeting by any remarks of his own . He would therefore proceed to give them the first sentiment of the evening , — " The people , and may they soon enjoy their political rtehts , as laid down in the document entitled the People ' s Charter . * * He hoped the meeting would respond to this toast by giving three time * three cb&era , [ Here the whole assemblage rose and gave three times three in the most enthusiastic manner . Tbe ladies joined in the demonstation by waving their handkerchiefs" ! The
Chairman resuming said , he begged to introduce Mr . Jones , of Liverpool , to respond to the toast , -whom he believed they all very-well knew . He bad been in this quarter about three months ago , and was very mnch applauded at that time for the manner in which he enforced the principles embodied in the Charter . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . W . Johes , of Liverpool , on presenting himself , was received with loud and prolongel cheering . He nid that in presenting himself to the meeting , he hoped ne should be allowed to express , in the first place , the peculiar gratification which he felt at witnessing so many bright and happy faces , assembled on bo importand praiseworthy an occasion . It was a lovely sight to see tbe i « Qe of gladness and the beam of joy animating the "hwnan face divine , "but more especially , when knew
they that the smile of gladness was lighted up with tbe proud » od reasonable antbuaiam In to * holiest of cuuea In wbleh a baman being could be engaged—( ebeert ) . In wpoading to the toast which the meeting had adopted witti three tinm thm , he did not , # hen speaking of the people , confine himaalf to an ? par Ucalar elan in tha ataU— ( hear , hear ) . He included tha whole family of nun—the princ * and the peasant , the quae » and tbe peaper—ever / individual who was % membn of tha hnmaa family—( hew ; . Be responded to the toast of " Th « People , " because he belimd that it waa one which ought at all times to be recognised at every public assemblage of the people . He believed that the people had hitherto neglected the opportunities which had been Afforded them , of
assarting their ovn sovereignty , and in conatquence of that neglect , they had hitherto been kept the abject slaves of tyranny and oppression . ( Hear , hear . ) He responded to the toatt of " ThtPeoiie , " became be knew that tie
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people were tbe only source ot legitimate power—they were the only sovereigns whom nature's God made ; and the only monarehs whom God erer designed . iCheers . ) This was the reason why he responded to the toast of " Tbe People ; " and as he bad but a short time allotted to him he should proceed to another portion of it , which expressed a hope " That may they boon enjoy their political rights as laid down in the document entitled the People ' s Charter . " He believed there was no man who knew anything whatever of the principles embodied in that great measure , and also at the same time wished well to the family of man , but would give to that document bis most enthusiastic and vigorous support ; and any man who professed the principles of liberalism , and who desired to see his
fellow-beings free and happy , and yet at tke same time would not give bis support to the Charter , was nothing less than a heartless professor—a dissembling , canting hypocrite , who merely assumed the position of patriotism for the purpose of deluding the people , the better to enable him to carry on his own base design * to accomplish his own elevation—( loud cheers ) . He knew that many individuals who really professed a desire to Bee the condition of the working classes improved and elevated looked with some degree of astonishment at the proposition embodied in the Charter , —that all men ought to be politically enfranchised . They appeared to think that a man without a shilling ' s worth of property in his possession , but who obtained an honest livelihood by bis own honest industry , to be entrusted
with political rights and privileges , would be exceedingly dangerous to the rest of the community —( laughter . ) He would ask the mee ' . lng this honett and simple question , —why was tbe working man excluded from a participation in national affairs ? Why was he excluded from the pale of the Constitution ? Why was he robbed of bis natural rights , and deprived of his social privileges , converted inio a mere drawer of water , a mere hewer of wood , a mere toiling machine , producing an enormous amount of wealth , which , after Kb production , he was obliged to hand over to others to enjoy ?—( hear , bear , and cheers . ) Was there any natural difference between the rich mnn and the poor man ? Was there any evidence that nature intended the working classes to be the base and servile
slaves of tbe aristocratic and middle classes ? If there vas , let it be pointed out , so that in future they might bow down to those whom God bad set up as their superiors—( cheers . ) Those parties who oppose the principles of the People ' s Charter , on the ground that tho people were not possessed of property , and that they were not in possession of a sufficient amount of intelligence , for tbe judicious exercise of the franchise , knew nothing whatever of the principles of the Chartists , or they would never make such a fatal objection — ( hear . ) Show him the difference between the proudest ' aristocrat and the meanest peasant ; show him that nature had established a difference between the two , and then he would acknowledge that the poor , hardtoiling peasant ought to be the slave of the other man ,
and that he on whose brow was stamped the seal of aristocracy , shonld ride rough-shod over the rights and privileges of the other . —( Loud cheers . )—Take the chill ot the rich man and the child of the poor man , and they would find a complete similarity ; for although money , title * and a gilded canopy awaited the rich man's child at its birth , although it was favoured by a royal smile cheering its infant slumbers , and although it might inherit u title when arrived at the years of maturity—yet , after all , it possessed only the same natural capabilities , and the same germs of intellect and morality as a child born beneath the straw roof of the peasant , and which was doomed tram its very birth to be the slave , of some proud and oppressing tyrant—( Cheers . )—He knew that some parties had assumed the position that nature had given & preference to the rich man over the poor man , but where was tbe evidence to prove tbe truth of such
a proposition ? ( Hear , hear . ) Point him to the material universe , or to one single proof that nature ever intended to give a preference to the rich man over tbe poor , and then he would admit tbe soundness of tbe proposition . —( hear , hear . )—But how stood the fact ? Did nature withhold her bountiful gifts , because the soil was tilled by the poor man ? Did the sun refuse its genial warmth because the poor man tilled the earth ? Bid the -winds of heaven sweep with a terrifio sound around tbe humble dwellings of the poor man , and yet breathe with gentle softness and with a zephyr ' s smile around the dwellings of the rich?—( cheers ) . No ; and until he was put in possession of some such evidence as this , he was resolved to cling to the old fashioned opinion , that until he saw one man born with a saddie upon bis back , and another with spurs upon his heels , be would never believe that nature bad doomed one man to be the slave of
another , and that the other should ride rough shod over him—( loud cheers ) . He believed that nearly every political party in tbe state , at the present time , would readily acknowledge that there was a necessity for an extension of the franchise— ( hear , hear ) . He believed that even professed Tories , themselves , would acknowledge that a greater portion of tbe people ought to be enfranchised ; and yet there were some individuals so void of intellect , so destitute of honesty , of discrimination , and of natural justice , as to proclaim that the franchise was as fuily extended as it ought to be—( hisses ) . That man must be a cruel-hearted scoundrel and an unprincipled wretch , who would stand by and see a fellow man robbed of his political privileges—( hear , heat ) . He would brand as a dishonest man him who
would witness a fellow man robbed of any portion of bia property , when at the Bame time he had the power to prevent such a robbery—( bear , hear ) . And yet there were thousands who stood by and saw unprincipled robberies practised on the people—robberies of the most sacred rights that man could possibly possess ; and yet these individuals were accounted honest , honourable , and respectable members of society— ( hisses and cries of " Shame , shame . " ) If the fact that the woikiDg classes were poor and degraded , and insulted by the other classes o < society ; if tbe fact that tbe middle classes were now crying out that trade was ruined , that debts were bod , that their trade was gone , and that their pockets and tills were empty , and that they were standing oa the verge of bankruptcy and rain , from
the tyranny of the aristocracy—if the fact that above £ 12 , 000 , 000 a-year was taken out of the pockets of the people to support a state church , from which they derived no benefit—and if the people proclaimed against this injustice , they were persecuted in this world , and threatened with damnation in tbe next —( laughter )—if the faot that the people had to pay upward * of £ 20 . 000 , 000 annually for what was called interest on a debt , which they were no patties to contracting—( hear , hear )—whilst the nation was in a state of comparative beggary—if all these facts were not sufficient to convince men that there was a necessity for a change , then he would direct their attention to the poor factory child , and to its pale and emaciated features , as furnishing a ready answer to the question ,
( Hear , hear . ) And if this was not sufficient , be would ask thousands of unhappy mothers , who were obliged to abandon the comforts of domestic life , to neglect tbe education of their children , to descend into the bowels of the earth , and work like beasts of burthen in a state of half nakedness—( Cries of " shame , sLame" ) —and exposed to all those hardships and privations which none but hard-hearted and unprincipled wretches would submit them to—whether they thought there was any neceEBity for a change ?— ( hear , hear ) . These women were possessed of as tender hearts , and of as fine feelings as the wives and daughters ot their proud oppiMSors . —( bear , hear ) . Were things right as they existed at present ?—( Ehouts of " no , no" ) . No . There was figuratively a voice rising from tbe gloomy grave ,
where the victims of class legislation were crumbling iktodtut , echoed back from the desolated dwellings of tbe industrious poor , which would arouse the spirit ot justice from its slumbers , and would hurl injustice and oppression from their blood-stained throne to the gulf of nverlastine ruin . ( Loud cheers ) The people must not expect to obtain their rights , by sitting calmly down at their own fire sides , and complaining of the grievances under which they laboured . ( Htar , hear , ) No . They must make a grand struggle for their lights . No nation could be free until it was prepared to establish its own freedom . ( Hear , hear . ) They must not allow the various adverse circumstances by which they were surrounded , to deter them from the exercise of their moral energies . Let their natural love of freedom animate their hearts under all circumstances , in all times , and in ell places , aud 1 st them endeavour by
every honourable , fair , and legitimate means , to accomplish the object which the Chartists had so lorig bad iu view . Tbe Government might attempt to defeat that object , by prosecuting the people ' s friends ; but he begged to tell the emissaries of too Government , that the mere prosecution of Chartist leaders would not enable it to accomplish its design by formally suppressing public meetings . —( bear , hear . )—He begged to tell them that he should never be detensd from persevering in the good cause , simply because he had to appear next March , before a judge , who no doubt bad already made up his mind what the sentence upon him was to be . —( hear , and lauehter . j—So far from that , he was looking with burning anxiety for the arrival of the month of March , when be should have tbe glorious opportunity of holding a Chartist meeticg in the Court-house , at Leicester , when "My Lord Judge , " would do him the honour to take the chair on
tnat occasion—{ much laughter and cheering . ) He should have an opportunity of telling the Government , at that time , that although the jury might pronounce him gnilty , they could not stain his soul with crime , — that although they might confine him in a dungeon , they could not chain down the aspiring energies ef a free-born » ind , and that whatever punishment they might inflict upon him , they could not suppress the soul-inspiring hope within him , that soon a time would eome when injustice and tyranny would be crushed to ruin , by the virtue and intelligence of an emancipated people , and that on its wreck a temple would be erected to the spread of universal freedom—( loud chesrs . ) The Government might employ their
spies—soulless wretcbes , who possessed merely the form of humanity , but tbe disposition of fiends—bnt they would be defeated in their aim—( cheers . ) He was proud to see the disposition of the people manifested in the way it had been with respect to such men as Griffin—Griffin by name , . ind Griffin by nature , — a nan who was so despicable in * his own estimation as to become a tool la tbe hands of a corrupt Government , to swear away the lives of his feh ' ow countrymen for the sake of paltry g « ld—( loud cheers . )' " Oh , fora tongue to curte the slave , : Whose treason , like a deadly blight , Comes o ' er tbe councils of the brave , And blasts them in their hour of mich .
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May life ' s unblessed cup for him Be drugg'd with treacheries to the brim , With hopes that but allure to fly . 7 With joys whlohtanish while he slpBLike dea * sea fruit * that tempt the eye , But tura t « ashes on thie lips ; His country ' s curse , his children's shame , Outcast of ¦ virtue ; peace andTame— - May he at last , with lips of flame , On the parched desert , thirsting die ; Whilst lakes which shone in mockery nigh , Are fading off , untouched , untasted , Like the once glorious hopes he blasted ; And when from Earth his spirit flies . Just prophet , let the damn'd one dwell ; , Foil in the sight of paradise , Bsholding heaven and feeling helL " Such was the language of the poet with respect to individuals like these . To such language he responded , and he believed every honest heart in the assemblage be had then the p leasure to address , would do likewise—( cries of " we do , " and cheers ) . If there were any middle-class men present , who might act as jurymen in March next , he would take that opportunity of informing them that they could not prevent the people obtaining their rights , by pronouncing Verdicts of guilty against trw Cbartist leaders-- < cheers ) . They never could prevent the onward progMss of democracy , unless they could chain down the human mind , and to da that they might as well attempt to pull down the dazzling orb of day , in the full blaze of meridian splendour , to command the ocean to recede ,
or the heavenly bodies to stand-still—( Much cheering . ) No . The Government might attempt to put down Chartist meetings , and by that means , endeavour to prevent the people from obtaining their rights , but the attempt would fail— ( hear , hear . ) He Would advise Government to remember the observations of Junius on this point That distinauiBhed writer , said— " I like these public meetings . ; They warn us of the approach of the thief , and bid us be prepared for his coming . ' — ( Cheers . ) Let them remember this beautiful saying . Let them remember that public meetings are a safety valve , through which tho exeited feelings might eecape , but if that channel of escape was destroyed , society would become like a volcano , scattering the burning elements of destruction , which had ! long been accumulating , on the green valleys beneath . They might euppreBs public meetings , but they could not root but from tho public mind , the hatred , the indignation—the virtuous indignation , of
honest men agaicst the present system—( cheers ) If the Government did suppress public meetings , they ¦ would drive the people to brood , in gloomy silence , over their wrongs . Keaolute men would form secret meetings . The torch of incendiarism would tinge the sky with a glare that would light the despot to Ms grave , and tho steel of the ¦ assassin would strike in Becret at the oppressor ' s door—( heav hear . ) He called upon the Government , then , to weigh weU the consequences of preventing public meetings ; and he also called upon the people never to cease from their exertions , until by every honest and peaceable means they had established the principles of the People's Charter . ( Shouts of "We never will / ' ) All oppoaltion Draught against them would not be able to prevent them obtaining their political rights . He believed that even now they were on the eve of obtaining that for which six long years they had been struggling , and , in anticipation of that victory , he would say , in the words of he poet , : . . '
" , it shall come . High Heaven the decision approves Oppression now stiucgles in vain t To the bell she has formed , superstition removes , And tyranny bites his own chain . In the records of time a new era unfolds / All nature exults in its birth ; His creation benign the Creator beholds , And grants a new Charter to earth . Oh , catch the high import , yo winds as ye blow I Oh bear it , ye waves , as ye roll * : From regions that feel the sun's vertical rayB To the furthest extremes of the pole . Equal rights , equal laws , to the nations around , Peace and justice their precepts impart , And wherever the footsteps of man can be found , May he bind the decree on his heart . " Mr . Jones resumed his seat amid loud and prolonged approbation . Glee— " As the moments roll . "
The Chairman said he now came to tho sentiment of the evening , namely , tbe health of their illustrious guest , Mr . Duncombe . ( Cheers . ) He ( tbe chairman ) was quite sure that if the only service which the Hon . Gentleman had rendered to the people , was the presentation of the National Petition to the House of Commons , signed by three-and-a-half millions , it was sufficient to entitle him to their heartfelt gratitude . —( loud cheers . )—But he had also used his exertions to release Dr . M'Douall from the unjust persecution which bad been instituted against him by a Tory government , and on that account also , he merited the thanks of every honest Chartist . —( hear , bear . ) Without any farther recommendation of his own ( for the sentiment amply recommended itself , ) he begged to propose " The health of our illustrious guest . T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P . and may he live long in the hearts of the British people , for his noble exertions in their cause . "
The toast was drunk with immense and prolonged cheeriDg . ¦ : . .. . •/ . ¦¦ . ¦ . ¦ .. : ¦ - ¦ '¦¦ . ... / . T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P ., in rising , was greeted with the most enthusiastic plaudits , deafening shouts , and clapping of hands , in which the ladles most cordially joined . These tokens of approbation having subsided , the Hon . Gentleman said he really most sincerely wished that he could , even for an Instant , believe that any services that he had been able to render to the cause of the people , in his place In Parliament , entitled him to any portion of that kindness , anu those compliments , which that vast and respectable assemblage bad been pleased to pay him . But he confessed , as a Yorkshirernan , that be did feel proud to stand there , addressing Yorkahiremen , aye , and
Yorkshirewomen , too , on an occasion like tbe present . ( Cheers . ) An occasion , not like one of those meetings of which they read of as being of frequent occurrence in the present day—he meant those meetings between what were called agricultural constituents , and their agricultural representatives , where they read in ' tho daily jour rail , that those moat worthy gentlemen wen occupied the whale time , whenever they met any portion of their constituents , or any portion of the pub-He , b the vain endeavour of trying to wipe away from tholr faces and their persons , some of that filth and some of that dirt . Into which party spirit and . tbe ' present minister of tha day , had so unmercifully dngged them dunug the late session of Parliament —( cheers and laughter ) . No , thank God , he ( Mr . Duncombe ) had
no votes to explain away—( cheers ) . He bad ho inconsistencies to excuse—( hear , hear ) . He stood there as an Independent representative of the people in Parliament , asbne who . he trusted , had never deviated , and . please God , never would deviate from that course which he first matked out for himself , upon his entrance into public life , nearly sixteen years ago , when he ranged himself on the side of tho people—when he went there determined , as far as his humble abilities would allow him , to protect them from oppression , and to extend to them those righto and those privileges , which he felt as an Englishmen , as his fellow men , and as his fellow freemen , they were entitled to possess . —( Loud and prolonged cheering . )—He was much pleased to find that bis conduct , in presenting to the House of Commons the National Petition ,
met with the approbation of the meeting . When he was asked to present the petition , he considered it one of the greatest honours that could be conferred upon any man- ^( hear , hear . ) He was prepared for the taunts and reproaches with which he was aware be should , in a } l probability , be met —( hear , bear . ) He was prepared , and he also prepared those who placed the petition in his hands , for the probability of insult beint ? offered to the working classes of this country— ( bear , hear . ) He knew the materials he had to deal with , and he must say he was not disappointed as to the insults that were offered— - ( bear , hear . ) The people came to the House of Commons ( and Leeds , be was proud to say , furnished a considerable number of signatures to the petition—he believed some 16 , 000 or 18 000 )—( hear , hear . ) , ^ . The Chairman . —Thirty thousand—( cheers . )
Mr . Duncombe . —Thirty thousand . He was glad to hear it , because it was much more to their credit Well , then , as he was before observing , tbe people came before the House . of Commons , and what was the result of their application ? They came there stating that they bad manifold grievances to Complain of , and that even the petition , long as it was , did not contain a tittle of their grievances —( hear , hear . ) They asked simply to obtain a hearing at the bar of the House of Commons , in oid « r that they might state for themselves , much more eloquently than he should hate been able to do , their own grievances and their own wrongs . The meeting knew the manner in which that application was treated by the Heuse—( hear , hear ) . They knew it was treated
in a manner that if any man , any honest and upright man , had a doubt en the subject before , must have gone to his home satisfied that there was no sympathy between the House of Commons and the people , and that it had no more to do with the wrongs of the people , or exhibited any desire of removing them , than the vote they came to on that evening—( hear , hear , and cheers ) . To be sure , they bad fifty-one members out of the 658 , who did vote for bearing the people at the bar of the House , but be maintained that if they wanted an additional proof as to the necessity of reform in that Home , it was to be found in the manner in which they treated the petition of three millions a half of the industrious classes » f the country—( loud enters ) . They ,
to be s * re , admitted that the distress of the people was great in the manufacturing districts , but what was the remedy r Did they propose to grant any rell « l for that distress f No . Empty compliments was all that they drew from the Ministry—compliments to the people for bearing their griefs , their sorrows , and theif sufferings , In the most exemplary , manner —( load laughter ) . Very satisfactory , no doubt , to the Buffering millions of this country—( exclamations of " very , " followed by laightw ) . Now , at the commencement of the last session , he remembered that one of the representatives for Leeds ( Mr . William Beckett ) , who seconded the Addrea—( loud cries of «« Oh , oh ') , an extremely good sort of man , If he were not a Tory—
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( laughterj ^ was obliged admit existence distress " and be said that all the accounts that had been made to Parliament during the preceding Session were not in the slighest degree exaggerated ; but , on the contrary he believed that the distress was greatly on the Increase—( loud oriss of " hear . hear" ) . He ( Mr . Duucombe ) wanted to know , was that distress even at tbe present moment in the slightest degree on the decrease ? I-fshouts of "no , nos on the increase . ") He believed that throughout the manufacturiog districts , the digdistress which Mr . Beckett then admitted , to be still on tbe Increase ; and if so he wanted to know where it was to sto p?—( hear , hear ) . Who was to stop it ? The House of Commonj , as at present constituted , would not Btop it—( cries of " heat , hear , hear ) . He would say anivereallyi that there wasnot a man in the House
of Commons , who would not admit tbe distress of ttw people . Nay , be would go further , and be would * ay that there was not an individual out of the House , or in foreign couiitries , wh » was not aware of the distress under which the manttfacturiDg population were at present suffering—( beaiv hear . ) 16 was only the other day he was talking to a gentleman , ( to be sure he was a slave oiroer of Kentucky ) who had been through the manufacturing districts , and had Visited LcedB , Manchester ; and other places , and he said he was shocked at the distress he had witnessed—( hear , hear . ) He made use of this language : — "I am a slave owner , but to talk of the misery and suffering of my slaves j Why it JsnotbiDg comparable to the suffering of , yeur white slavesin the manufacturing districts "—( hear ) . Ifay . he
Went further . He said— " Every one of my slaves have their cottages and their garden , and they each of them have their dog , and I will venture to say that their dogs consume more animal food in a week than the moral Jaeluring operalivet in either Leeds or Manchester con-Wine in twelve months . "—^ Ories , of "Hear , hear ; " and •' Shame , shame . ")—He ( Mr . Duncombe ) believed tbit it was a true picture of the state of the manufacturing population of this country . —iHear , hear . )—Then what did it proceed from ? What was to be the cure ? They knew that the evils under which the country laboured proceeded from what was very properly designated ¦• ' class-legislation . " — ( Hear , hear . )—It proceeded , from the attention of one class of the community to their own nterests . antl total neglect of all others . —( Hear )—That
was what the Chartists , as sensible and honest men , wished to prevent in . future . Several remedies had been proposed to alleviate the public distress , and to remove the existing discoutent . They were told— repeal the Corn Laws , and distress will immediately disappear— ( laughter ) .- — But supposing the Corn Laws were repealed , and distress should disappear with them , would diacoatent disappear also T —( cries of " , no . " ) They were quite right in saying no . The repeal of the Coin Laws might , and would , he had no doubt , give employment to a few ; but if they were repealed tomorrow , Wag it to be believed , was it to be supposed , that the people of this country , who aow began to know and to appreciate that which was their right , would sit down quietly , und not auk , as they were at present
asking , for a participation in the electoral franchise ?—( loud cheers ) . No . He was an enemy to monopoly of every kind , and he should vote and give his strenuous oppositon to the Corn Laws . He bad , and be should always vote for , their repeal ; but he should deceive the meeting , and he was satisfied he should deceive those gentlemen who asked simply for a repeal of the Corn Laws , if they expected to obtain it from the present House of Commons—( loud ^ eers ) . The Corn Law was merely a sore on one limb of the body politic —( hear , hear ) . They might remove and heaithe sore , but unless they also removed the disease from which that sore emanated , they would only . have half done their work—( hear , bear , and cheers ) : Repeal , then , the Corn Laws ; and he should be agreeably
surprised if the present House of Commons carried such a measure , but be should not believe it until he saw it . —( Hoar , hear , and laughter . )—It was stated the" other day at Stocfcport , by a gentleman , that the AntirCorn Law League would obtain their £ 50 , 000 . He ( Mr . D . ) hoped they would , because ha was satisfied at the end of the next session of parliament that that' £ 50 , 000 would become 50 , 000 additional reasons in favour of the Charter . —( Loud cheering . )—He hoped then that the League would obtain the , £ 50 , 000 , not for their own sakes alone , but for the sake of the Charter . But then when they bad failed—when they should have admitted that these " rascally Chartists ' after all were right , then came the question , how were they to proceed to get tbe repeal of the Corn Laws ?—( hear . ) They ( the Chartists )
c « uld tell them . : Reform tbe House of Commons—( great cheering ) . They wanted free trade ; but they must have free franchise in the first instance . Then they would see the materials that they had to ideal with in the House of Commons . There would jump np , perhaps , in the first instance , some rampant Tory , followed and seconded by some maudlin Whig , who weuld say to them , " What , is it possible ; are you going to join in this cry for an extended franchise—would you attempt to disturb the settlement of that great Constitutional question as laid down by the Reform Bill ?"—( laughter ) . Why , no doubt , on that point , there was not the slightest difference between the Whigs and the Tories . Sir R . Peel and Lord John Russell were both united in considering the Reform Bill a final
measure—( hoar , bear ; bear ) . He ( Mr . Dancombe ) was in the House of Commons , and assisted in passing the Reform Bill , and he shonld probably be told that there was a sort of compact entered into between the supporters of that measure and the opponents of itthat it should be a fixed measure , and that it would be a gross breach of faith on the part of ¦ ¦ any- individual to propose to disturb the settlement of that great constitutional question , as it had been called . This language , in point of fact , had bean used over and over again . He ( Mr . Duncombe ) &b he had before observed , was a member of the House of Commons , and assisted in passing the Reform Bill . He heard of no such compact , and . none was entered into- —( hear , he ** . ) - No rational man but of the House would have listenod to it for a
moment How was the Reform Bill passed ? By the voice of tbe people . Tue people expected great benefits from it , but they had been disappointed . ( Loud cries of hear , hear . ) - They never entered into any compact , that it should be considered a final measure , and . they would nave been idiots had they done so , ( Cheers . ) He Bhould like to know what any one would think to a man , the foundation of whose house was giving way , the walls of which were coming down , and the interior of which , from day to day , was becoming more foul and more filthy—what would they think of such a man , if any one remonstnled with him , and Baid " don't you think it would be better to repair and wash your house ? " and the party was to reply to that remonstrance by : saying ,
" What you state is very true , but recollect I washed this house eight or ten years ago , and I considered that a final washing" t ( Loud laughter and cheers . ) Why that , after all , was exactly the argument which the Whfgrf and Tories used , when he , and those with whom he acted sought to effect a Reform in tbe present House oi Commons , which he bad no hesitation in saying was much worse than the old House , of Commons , and that it was day by day becoming more foul and more filthy than the original House ever was —( loud cheeis ) . Well , then , the question came , what Sort of a washing were they to give this filthy place ?—( cries of "Chartist waskjng' *) . He knew what they , as honest men , what they , as good workmen , would sa ? . They would say the first experiment having
failed ,-let us at all events do it effectually ; let us have no bit by bit reform , no more nonsense , no more half measures—( cheers ) . That was what they would say . They would examine the foundation of the building , and if they found the foundation not sufficiently wide , as they had already pronounced it , and believed it to b « , they would of course expand and widen that foundation ; having done that they would improve the interior , and they would also lay down a rule that tbe interior should undergo very frequent examination and inspection—an examination , perhaps , once a year—( hear , hear ); by which means , if any vermin or rats , or anything of that sort should by any possibility creep into the building , they might be very speedily expelled ; or if any decay was visible in . consequence of these rats ,
it might Very speedily be renovated and strengthened—( cheers ) . That was what they , as honest men and as good workmen , would propose . It was what the Chartists proposed . It was what the National Petition proposed ; and when the men of Leeds uffixed their signatures to that petition , that was the rational view which they took of the question —( bear , ' hear , hear . ) Well , then , what was the great objection to their principle ? It was said that if Universal Suffrage was to be established to-morrow—that if the interior of the House of Commons was to be decorated by gentlemen who were returned there by Universal Suffrage , that -. in tke first place the House would become more corrupt than at present ; as if that were possible —( cheers and laughter . ) Then it was said that
a set of people would be in possession of Totes who had no stake in the country . Why Lord Abinger had said that the idea of a person without any property at all having a vote for a Member of Parliament , or . that anybody who proclaimed sucb a doctrine , proclaimed that which fell very little short of High Treason —( Much laughter and applause . ) Again it was said that such persons having votes would be so exposed to the temptation of bribery , treating , and corruption , that in point of fact they would have a more corrupt and wicked legislation than they had at this moment . —( Cries of , " No , no . 'O—Now with regard to bribery he ( Mr . D . ) had offered to prove that a vast majority of the members of the present House of Com * mons , ( and mark he undertook to prove this before their faces at the bar of the house ) were returned by the grossest bribery , corruption , and intimidation that had ever taken place in the annals of electioneering— ( Great
cheering . )—Did the members of the House of Commons deny this ?—No ; they shrank bom tbe charge , and they passed it over . —( Bear , hear . )—Here , tb * n , they had a House of Commons which stood self-convicted as the offspring of gross bribery and corruption . But it was said again that if the working olasses bad Totes , they would become th « victims of treating , ; of drunkenness and of intoxlea . tlon ; that the public house would be to * much for their virtue at an election . He should like to know if an account which he had read the other day in the newspapers was correct , and which be believed was correct , that at an election going on in the West Riding for tbe registrarehip , there bad been sent In to oae of tb » candidates , a bill , tbe first item of which , waa eight thousand glasses of brandy and water—( Great laughter . ) And for whose use was this brandy and water ? Was it for the working classes 1 No ; no man was entitle ! to vo \ 9 at an dectioa for regtBtnur , unless he was
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Pisas ^ holders poasessing property to the amount be " bai before stated- ^ ear , hear . ) Could ttie Working « la ££ do more than that ?—( cries of "no , no ) . " Well th «* j treating was what they were « o much ^ fraK ; wS . be ™« fc worse by admitting the working classes within the pale of the Constitution ?—( loud cries of " no no" ) No , he maintained that sooner o * later it must eome to that He believed that there would be no hap . piness , no peace , and no contentment fa this counta until the working classes were brought within the pale of the Coostitation ; and looking at their growing latelhgence they ought not to restsatisfled , and he hoped that they would net rest satisfied
until they b « 4 obtained that which he belleted to be their rishUag men ( cheers . ) He hoped at the same time that in seeking , their rights , they would conduct themselves-as he felt snro they would—peaceably and conBtitutionaHy ; but that they would not on any account concede one lota of that which they knew to be their right—( cheers and cries of " we won't" ) . It was one of their inalienable rights to meet in public and discuss their grievances . ' and strong must be that Governments-strong must be that arm of power—and unconstitutionally illegal would that arm of power be whenever it was attempted to be used for the purpose of attempting to put down meetings of the people assembled to express their opinions on tbe Government of the day —( loud cheers ) . He trusted that the people never would concede one iota of that sacred privilege . It had been attempted to
deprive the people of it in consequence of what took place daring last autumn in the manufacturing districts —( hear , hear ) . An attempt bad been made by magli > trates and judges , or at all events by one judge on th 9 bench , to show that the people had no right to meet ia public —( hisses ) . Lord Abinger hod had the audacity to state that it was impossible for three or four thousand Englishmen to meet together , and that that ahould not be an illegal assemblage—( hissss ) . And why did he Say so ? Because , " in all probability , discussion would be at an end in meetings of that description . * ( Exclamations of "Shame . ' ) He ( Mr . D . ) could only say that he bad attended meetings much more numerously composed than three ' or four thousand , and be had seen their conduct , which the present House of Commons would do well to imitate . ( Hear , bear . ) He bad heard n&ne of those noises and
he had witnessed none of those disgraceful scenes which he had so often seen in the House of Common * when discussion was going on —( hear , hear- ) But Lord Abinger tuew nothing of the people , still less did be know any thing of their spirit if he supposed that they would submit to doctrines like this— ( cheer * . ) And if thure waa a spark of feeling for the people of this country in the House of "lommons , although they might refuse an extension of the franchise , they could not lie thought refuse an enquiry into . that Judge's conduct , when it was asked for ; and moreover , that they would not refuse an enquiry iutothe conduct of the magistrates , more par * ticularly those of the neighbourhood of Manchester , ; previous to the issuing of the Special C-immlsaion , and
daring the time tbat the disturbances were taking place—( loud cries of " hear , bear . ") From the informitien which he ( Mr . D . y received when he was at Manchester , he had no hesitation in saying that he believed more vindictive proceedings never took plaoe than those which were instituted against certain individuals by tbe magistrates of Manchester , merely and solely because the men proceeded against passed by the name of Chartists—( cheers . ) Chartism did not yet find a place in the statute law of this country , where it was supposed to be a crime . If-it Were a crime , many of their ancestors were equally criminal . Even one of his ( Mr D . ' s ) ancestors , bearing the same name as himself , and nearly related to bis family , who represented the entire county of York for many years , be
believed for seven Parliaments , in conjunction with Sir George Saville and Mr . Wilberforce , advocated those very principles which he had then the henour to advocate before that meeting . ( Cheers . ) He knew that the present generation of his family Was well known to ail of them , and they had been represented by som& of them who were Tories ; but for himself , 80 fat from having fallen from the original family politics , ( if politics were to go by families , ) he maintained that he was adhering to tbe polities which his family originally entertained , and which he had proved to have existed in that individual who had had the honour of representing for seven Parliaments the whole oounty of York—( loud cheers ) . He was proud on this occasion to me « t bis brother Torkshiremen , and to receive from them this distinguished mark of their approbation . He was pleased to find that his services , humble as they W 6 re ,
should be thus rewarded . They might depend upon if , ' that if it was possible for him to want an additional incentive to pursUethe course he had hitherto followed , be should find it that evening in their kindness , aud ;'» the vote to which they had then come , and which he could assure them to the last hour of his life never could and never should be forgotten by him—( loud cheers . ) He could only say that , so long as he had a seat in the House of Commons , and they , the men of Leeds , be they Chartisia , or be they what they might , if they found their right * lavaded , and they thonght that his services , or any exertions on bis part could be at all effective in protecting them , tbey had nothing to do but to call npon him to his place in parliament , and , to the best of his abilities , be would serve them . ( The Hon . Crentleman' resomed bis seat amidst enthuaiastlc and foud cheeclug . ) Glee— "Weel may the Boatte Row . " /
Tbe Chairman said he had now to give the healtb of that distinguished and well knows individual ,, who sat on his left , with whom they . were all well acquainted , aud who , ' therefore , needed no remark of his to introduce him to their notice . He begged tog ive— \ . ¦;• ¦ : ¦ - . ; . ¦ " ¦ ¦ ' ; ¦ ¦'¦ , . ¦ ' ' - . . . . ¦ " Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., and may he live to triumph over the powera of faction and tyranny , and see onr common country blest with that freedom he has so long struggled to obtain forber . * . The toast was drunk with deafening applause .
F . O'Connor , Esq ., on rising , was hailed with rapturous applause . He commenced by addressing the assemblage as Brother Chartists , English mother * ,. English daughters , English women , and English children . Wheu he cast back a glance to about tbat day seven years , or to that time seven years , and when he considered it was ; then that he came first among the men of Leeds , though stronger in health and m « re ' powerful la constitution , bearing with him the same principles that be had heard so eloquently advocated thereby a Yorkshireman ; if in the advocacy of those principles he had lost some health , he could look back upon the services be bad rendered , and say that It bad been lost in a good cause—( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) . If Mr . Duncombe had reason to be proud—and who should
not be proud to receive such an approval of his conduct from the lips of those whom he desired to serve ?—if he , as a countryman « f their own , as a county man of thel * own , felt proud at receiving their congratulations , how much more proud should he ( Mr . O'Connor ) be , as an " alien in language , " an " alien in blood /* a " foreigner " and an Irishman , thus standing before them—( Loud cheers . ) He had leng looked for this day . He was well aware that although they had been sowing their seed stealthily by the disk of the moon , as the good husbandman always did , yet th » t there would come a day when they would acknowledge them under the canopy of the broad blue sky —( cheers . ) They looked at members of the House of Commons
like his Hon . Friend , Mr . Dancombe , to propel tha power which was passing outside— " the pressure from without "—and they had ever found him true to bis post He had eome among them that night to maintain the gloiious principles which he had so manfully and fearlessly avowed in the House—he had before nailed nil colours to-the ' , mast , and like every true-hearted patriot he waa determined ^ to stand or fall by them—( cheera ) Mr . Dancombe'had told them he was a Chartist O 1 'twas a sweet name , though it might smell foul in the nostrils of faotion —( h « ar , hear . ) It was of the utmost importance that Mr . Dancombe should thus mix with the people . And why f When he undertook to be their advocate in the House of Commons , he was not ashamed to read the humble
letters of those whom , perhaps , others would not descend to peruse , —then he spoke only from hear-eay Now , he could go before the legislsture and say— "I speak from ocular demonstration—from oral traditioft I have witnessed the honesty and sufferings of the people , and I admire the righteous means by which they propose to relieve themselves . "—( cheers . ) Whatf The dog of a slave in . Kentucky to eat moreanimal food in a week , than a free bora Englkhman iu twelve months ! Ah ! be knew something of the manner in which the slaves of America were treated , and he should like to know how they would feel if called upon to pay £ 20 , 000 , 000 to emancipate the while slaves of England-- ( hear , hear , and cheers ) . As Chartists , they did not approve cf
slavery . He would much rather see them in a more honeurable position , Batiafied that in the end tiatf would work out their own social and political amelioration—( hear , hear ) . Bat vu it not a degrading thing that a slave owner should come among the people of England , and taunt them with being in a worse state of degradation than the black slaves , who were kept iu bondage by their oruel owneri- ( hear ; u « M )! What was this state of things to be attributed to ? Not to the Coin Xaws , not to any ' one alngle sore on the limbs of the body politic , but to grasping , destroying class legislation —( cheers ) . What had class legislation done for them ! Some of them knew what it was to labour for a bard day ' s work at the caprice of a tyrant maste ?—( txtMt , hew ) . Some of them , too , toad beta masters , but class legislation bad reduced them almost
to paupers . The * ystem of which tbe Chartists eon * plained was so framed as to preserve politieal powet in the hands of the few , which enabled them to dUtri . bute the wealth produoed by the industrious dassel among their own order , and far tbeir ow » exclusive benefit and enjoyment , preoeating tb » startling anomaly that ki a country , aimorf boundless in its capabilities of productiveneffli an « wealth , the very beings who were the proc ! aoer » of all wealth , were left without the means of feediaf or clothing themselves —( cries of " shame , sbane . ^) What were the Chartists contending for npwf HU friend ( Mr . Jones ) bad told them that he was sot goto * to b « intimidated by being locked up in tkoaUegetot a week—( laughter . ) He hoped that Mr . Jones woald not learn much more than be knew , for it would break COoniinued in » wr Seventh Page . J
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 24, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct630/page/6/
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