On this page
-
Text (3)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
CtBAND 33 KIONST&AT 1 OH IK TXASTCHES ^ S , TO CELEBREX THE L -YIXG THE FOUNDATION" STOXE OF A MONUMENT TO EE ERECTED IN HONOUR OF THE LATE H , HUNT , ESQ ., AND THE PRINCIPLES OF WHICH , TILL DEATH . HE WAS A SINCERE , FAITHFUL , UNCONQUERABLE , AND UNSWERTING ADVOCATE . This laudable , praiseworthy , and patriotic undertaking has beta long in contemplation by the Chartists , the Mexoment C ^ iamittee , und other admirers of the man -who never deceived them . lining tte last -week placards -weTe issued , which were cr = ditaKs both for s : zs and boldness , to the Committee of Manag ^ iaeut , and -worthy of the great and glorious object they had in "new , the-following of which ia a copy : —
" Grand procession on Good Friday next , March 25 th , for the purpcss of laying the foundation sione of a monument , abotii to be erected to the memory of the late Henry Hmi , Esq ., in tie barial ground belonging to the Rev . James Scholefield , E 7 ery-Btreet , Ancoats , by F . O'Connor , Esq . " Order cf procession—the members of the National Charter Association W assemble in their respective rooms , at ten o'clock in the forenoon and move " thence to Stevenson ' s-square , where they will be joined by the Associations from the summndins districts , and those trades who haTe determined to take a part and join in the procession .
" The procession mil move from Stevenson's-square preasely at eleven o ' clock , in the forenoon , headed fcy two marshals on horsab-ck , along isvt : i-3 tK * t , Piccadilly , Portland-street , Brook-street . Busholms-road , to Ardwick-green , where it will wait the arrival of- Mr . O'Connor , then to move along London-road , Piccadilly , Market-street , where the procession trill stop and the bands play the " D ^ ad March , " taen move up Mosleystreet , Piccadilly , Lever-street , Great AncoatsrStreet , and Every-streefc , where Mr . O'Connor will proceed ¦ with the interesting ceremony of laying the foundationstone and briefly address tha assemblage . Favours to be worn in the the procession green and white . Joseph Linsete , \ MariMls . " Gabriel Habgmates , f x *™ ***
-" "Men of Manchester , Salford , and their vicinities , come forth in the greatness of yonr strength , and shew by . yonr conduct that day , your desire for , and love uf . liberty ; and let both Whigs and Tories see that persecation lias not had the effect anticipated by them . " Again , "we call upon you to come forward lie men , determined to drive slavery from your homes , and injustice from your country . Aud let your motto be peace , la-ff , raid order . " By order of the Monument Gommittee , " Johx AIC 2 EJl" 5 \ Chairffi ^ u . " "William Grotvcott , Secretary pro te xn . " An early application for tickets for the tea party and ball will be necessary . Admission into the yard one penny , platform sixpence efiefc . "
Previous appeals had bsen made by the steady , sober , and industriou 3 committee to the derjjerats of the surrounding towns , the result of which ?¦ as that they likewise made arrangements to come in procession to witae&s the anxiously-expected ceremony , and many were the prayers sincerely offered that the ¦ weather would be favourable- On the tacming in question the gods "Were propitious ; the sun came ont early , the -vrmii calm , and the atmosphere warm , according to the season . By BBven o'clock , hundreds were seen walking -through the town , distinguished , many of them , by an Ex ^ eutive scarf , others with green and white rosettes . Whil 3 t groups -were coming in from the surroundicg villages , the Chartists at their rooms were buisily engaged preparing the flags , banners , < fcc
. The fine morning—the object of the days celebration —the prospect of a grasd display—the opportunity of once more seeing their great chief , Feargns O'Connor , and many distant friends—besides Etrzngtliening tieir cause by shewing the factions the majesty of their numbers , all combined to pul the people in high glee , and to make their hearts bound and alaiosi burst with enthusiasm . And surely the day wiil bff remembered and handed down to posterity as the most glorious ever witnessed , cud has hastened the day when universal justice shall be established , and political inequality , injustice , tyranny , and oppression abolished , and when ill shall live contented , happy , prosperous and free , supplied -sritti their natural Tights , ^ \ Z-, good fuod , good dotting , zo-si shelter , good education , and propsr protection .
Shortly after ten o ' clock , the sounds of drams an a ' of other mnsic , were heard from one end and side of the town to the other , processions coming in at all the great thoroughfares from the surrounding towns . The procession from Oldham , Failsworth , sivl Newton Heath , conjointly came down Everr-street , headed by en excellent brass band , the innsiciaiis tastefollv dressed for the
occasion . At sie burial ground , tie band hilled , left the procession for a few moments , went in : o the yard and played the Dead March without any solicitation . This having been perfoimsd in a solemn and ^ proper manner , they took their place at the front of the procession , struck up again and the music , flags , banners , the respectability , and iTDTTionsa mimber appeared to have quickened that part of tte town . TZQJ proceeded thence up Chancery-lane , deira Ashtoa-tlrett , under the Railway Bridge , up Travis-street to Brown-street , whare many of the Manchester Chartists had assembled . Nearly in sight and within hearing of the band ¦ was the procession coming in from Ashton , Motiram , Stalyhridge , Openshaw , and Droylsden . The
precision here halted for a few minutes , whilst the pro- j cession of about seven thousand from Stockport were I coming np Ashion-street from the London-road , which ( mads tbe procession altogether more than half a mile i in length , which was iollowe 4 in abom five minutes after by the large Ashton procession . In the above I processions the youths , a ^ ulis , and females took tacir i various situations , and walked -with the nost prtcise i discipline , order and regularity . Daring this time , j processions were coming in composed of people from j Sociidale , Heywood , 2 £ i 4 . dleton , and otisr villagescontiguous to those towns . Tha people wtre likewise entering from Warrington , Eecles , Halsbaw-moor , ! B * l » on , ilaeclesfteW , and from all parts of Yorkshire . Lancashire , and Cheshire . Every railway train was crowded , and hundreds coming in spring carts and on j foot . Such was the dense mass , that the . square , which
has been calculated to bold upwards of forty thousand , j was wedged so much that it was marally impossible I for the marshals to arrange the procession according to j the pTogratnm ? . To obviate which , those who were appointed to lead the procession moved aown ' Xever-street , in order to make way for these in the ; adjacent-street 3 , who before coald not get into thts : square . Thus having been - properly arranged , the j marshals gave the word " march ;'' at the instance \ of "which all the bands struck np at once , and proceeded down LrreT-strefet , Portland-street , ; David-street , Garratt-rcad , Brook-street , andRosholmeroad , to Ardwick-green . The streets , for upwards of three-quarters of a mile and nearly thirty yards wide , ¦ were completely crowded with human brines to meet Feargus O'Connor , Esq . at the Shakespeare Inn . Som = idea may fee formed from reading the annexed extract from the HaT ^ chester Times , a Whig Com Law League paper : —
•• The length of the procession may be judged of from lie fa « thas -sriea tbe rear had arrived about half-way along tbe London-Toad side of the Green , the head of the procession was opposite tha Shakespsare Inn , At this time , the number of people assembled to vritness the spectacle was yerj great " Whilst the procession remained stationary here for the space of an hour , Mr . Hargravea took a carrisge and four , with postillions , the horses being tastefally , but not gandCy , decorated for the occasion , to Mr . Schole-Seld-s , Erery-street , when Dr . Huily , the Rev . ill . Scholefield , Messrs . Murry anfl Railton , tie latter tw #
were Hall of Science vienms , poor KaiHon carryiag his smi in a sling , get in and came at fall speed to the Shakespeare , for Mr . O'Connor , the rc 3 d 3 befog lined ¦ with spring cart ? and people , which mads it dimcult for the carriage to pas 3 , even slowly , with any degree of safety . The 3 Iarsha 3 s were not able to move along with thtir horses . Some idea may be formed " of the pressure when we state that it took nearly ten minutes to make an opening for Mr . O'Connor to " make his way to the carriage . As soon as that gentleman made his appearance , he "arss sainted by the acclaiming thousands with the most rapturous applause , -which vibrated and made tie "Wfelkin ring .
The carriage having wheeled round towards Manchester , the procession then , with flags fluttering in the breeze , music eharmingly playing , moved stately and majestically off from the Shakespeare towards Ardwick " Green—the people greeting the gentlemen in the carriage as they passed along . To attempt to give ft deserr&tion of ail the flags , banners , and other democratic emblems , was , from the cro—ded state of the streets , impossible . The mottoes alone would have filled three coluirns of the Starsuffice it to £ 3 y , that we counted three hundred splendid fl . 3 gs , banners , oil paintings , and other em" Blems . The following are , however , a few : — Behind the carriage , and fastened to a spring cart , was a large , splendid , and well-execntsd oil painting , giving a full iepresentation of the Peterloo massacre , ¦ wh ich caused great attraction , got up expressly for the occasion by the brave Chartists of Brown-street , Manchester .
Motto— "Murder demands justice . " The M < aickesLer Tiuus said , in reference to the banners , " The number of banners "was considerable . ' ; Tbere were fniWeHi , th on paintingB , bear ing tbe likenesses of Henry Hani , Esq ., O'Connor , O'Brien , Frost , Williams , and Jones , and M'I > ouall—all bearing appropr iate mottots . A large banner , an oil painting belonging to the youths , bearing the impression of the card of the Association . A beantifa ! flag from the Joiners . —Motto— " Wi 6 Joiners join fox the protection of labour . "
There were large flizs from Rochdale , Stockportj and other towns , havirg various inscriptions on them . TTs noticed tie following only as a few : — " Wfeafc mean ye that beat ye my people to pieces , s&ith the Lord of Hosts ? " " "Universal Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , &c < fcc , Salford Branch of the National Cbwtar Association . This was a rich green aJk Flzg " The Nation must destroy public credit or pnblic cre-
Untitled Article
dit win destroy tbem" " a government that neglects the rb ; blcal ar . ' . l moral -wants of the people ought not to rxist , " " Down -with class legislation . " ' Labour is the source of all wealth . " A black flag surmounted by the French blood-red cap of libwty and a laige banner with this inscription , ' Freedom' 8 battle once beeon , Bequeathed from bleeding sire to son , Though baffled oft , Ib ever won . " " We have set ourselves upon a cast and we will stand the hazard of the die . " Tbe procession proceeded down London Road . The window . " , balconies , topa of houses , and every convenient r ' ace was crowded with peopla , ¦ wh o cheered m - - h-stily—men waved their hats , women th .- - " _ Hikerchi > fs and shi— X and in some
instances v reaps , -whica tbey V- cafeen off their hesda . Oat : ning down Mvrket-s-Li-eet , Mr . Scholefield stepped out or the carriage to go to the barial ground to prepare for the arrival of the procession , and Messrs . Heywood , Higginbottom , and Cooper , of Leicester , stepped in , and on beiug asked what they thought of the procession ? Mr . 0 Connor , Pr . Hully , Higginbottom , Cooper and Heywood , all concurred in opinion that it was the grandest and most magniflcient display they ever witnessed . ¦ There were many very large and splendid flags hun « out in various parts of tbe town . In going through Victoria-street , and over Victoriabridge , the akht both ways was truly dazzling , not beins ? able to sea the end of the procession either way . The procession continued to move through
Salford ; the expressions and enthusiasm of the people bafflsd all description " either by pen or tongue . They turned into Chape ! -street , Salfjrd , thence by New Bailey-street , Br idge-street , Deansgate , and Peterstreet , tiL they came in view of Peterloo , and here taited , -whilst the t > anda played the , " Dead March . " Theace moved forsrard by Mos ' ey-street , 013 tamstreet , and here was presented another grand and magnificent sight , while casting the eye both ways , which was a dense , solid mass of slowly moving human beings . We could jnst discern the white hat of Linney , as far as the eye coald carry—he being above the heads of the great siowd , m ^ unte .-l on a horse , and on looking
to the end of the procession , conld not be perceived . When we arrived at the Ntsw Cross , end of Oldhamstreet , and on standing upright , endeavouring to see both ends of the precession , which was then the full length cf one street , and a quarter of a mile in th-j other , "we found it impossible ; Great Ancoats was crammed , which is forty yards wide , ai . d upwards of three quarters of a mile in lencth ; tbe cause-trays lined all th 9 way with closely pricked jjr-ups of females , anxivjn-i to get a gtipso of O'Connor , and who manifested marks of admiration and applause m every possible manner , he at the same t ^ m-j politely acknowledging the respect paid by taking off his hat , and movin ? in return .
When we arrive ! at Every-street , it was bo pacned th 3 t it was dacgeroua for the carriage to proceed up to the gates , Lincey came up by tho side of the carriage to give Mr . O'Connor a medal , which was one of the first Chartist medals that enme out ; in 1 S 35 , stating that it was ntteriy impossible for him , with bis horce , to get any nearer , requesting him to put it ( the medal '! ur > -leT tha stone , which "was dona . The carriage was at this time about forty yarJs from the gate , - aDd many would have b .-en very severely cmshed had it not b ; -en for some one opening the gate of the lower yard ,
which is capable of holding about 12 , 000 peopla This having a little eased the street , the carriage proceeded , and Mr . O'Codbot , accompanied by the other gentlemen , with Very great difficulty obtained a passage into the yard , which was then filling rapidly , there being three separate doors to admit of an ingress . The yard in which the ceremony was performed is about thirtyseven yards square . There were three hustings fixed for the accommodation of the spectators . No . 1 "was fifteen yards by eighteen eleven inch planks wide . > Ta 2 waa twenty-five jst&s by ten planks . No . 3 five yards by twenty planks wide .
A Corn Law League paper here says— "At the period of their arrival t ^ e street was much crowded , and considerable difficulty vras experienced in getting admission to the chapel yard . And the yard was croTTded with spectators in a few minutes . " There bting as many iu the yard as could comfortibly stand , and it being then , as near as we could guess , three o ' clock , tbe ceremony commenced . The Rev . J . Seholeficld defended from the platform , followed by Mr . O'Connor , and took their rtitions by the base of the intended monument , the Salford Chartist Band playing
" The Drad March , " A cavity , lined -with lead , had been prepared in . the stone , iomir . g the centre of the foundation , for the reception of memorials ; aed Mr . O'Connor placed a copy of the " Memoirs of Henry Hunt , Esq ., " a copy of bi 3 " Letters to the Reformers of Great Britain , " written during his confinement in IlcheaVer Gaol , ' An Acconnt of the Massacre at Peterloo , " a fnli length portrait of Feargus O'Connor , and a medal , together wuii the following inscription , written upon strong paper , which was read aloud by Mr . Scholefield : —
" A few friends of liberty , ccimstsd by the love of justice , and having witnc . « ed the dreadfnl massacre of their fallow-men on the lieM of St . Peter ' 3 , when they were asstinbled for a peiTectiy legal purpose—nameiy , to petition tile British PirViament for Universal Suffrage and a repeal of the Corn Laws , Vote by Billot , and n reform of the people ' s House of C 'mmons , they were assailed by a drunken and infuriated Yeomanry Cavalry , and slaughtered witheut mercy . Therefore , ta shew our detestation and horror of such an unprovoked assault upon an unarmed and peaceable people and to perpetuate the memory of Htnry Hunt , Esq ., and also those who fell on that occasion , it was resolved to erect a monument and thus shew to future generations how the people estimate sterling worth , and how they appreciate genuine patriotism .
Therefore , we , the undersigned , members of the commlitss , hava requested Fearens O'Connor , Esq ., Barrister-at-law , the man of tha people , and successor of Henry Hnnt , Esq ., to deposit this our humble , but sine < re testimony , along with the " Memoirs of Hsnry Huut , "the "Peterioo Massacre , " and other tokens of that bloody day , the 16 th of August , Anno Domino , 1819 , under the centre of this piliar , and which was done amidst thousands of honest and approving spectators , this 25 th day of March , Anno Domino , 1 S 42 .
COMMITTEE . Jajies Scholefield . Treasurer . Philip Knight , Chairninu , Jajies Wood , Henry Pakjiy Bennett Chakles Cholton , James Rawbottom , Peter Rotuwell , David Appleton , Samuel Booth , Thomas Rajlton , John Cooper , John Cockshott , Joshua Johnson , John Murray , George Exley , Gabriel Hargheaves , Joshua Lomax , Allen Newton , Joshua Rogers , Peter Campbell . Andrew Melvill , William Gjuwcott "
These documests having been inserted in th j place prepared for th ^ m , a small s'a ^ i or stone 'was laid on by Ml . O'CoilDOr , Trbo took tbe trowel and sprend the cemenS , and used the mallet like a sj ; iif al niiisou , and a ^ jai-ted the stoae . A rough drawing present : ;! : ; an eluvition tf the intended monument , "was su ^ sridei ! over the door of the cb 3 pel , and poinwd out t > th * spectators . It is to be about thirty feet high , und is to consist of a plain neat pyramidal shafc , rising from r square pedestal , the sides of which vrill be about tvro yards in ¦ width , "trader themonumtnt there is a tarqe vault in which thosa who prove faithful to death in the people ' s cause rcight be interred , if th « people tsired . The ceremony being completed ,
Mx . O'Connor again ascended the platform to . isl ( ire .. -3 the pt } O ; le asssxnVled . He said they had c . me together that <;;< ; - ' to perform s sacred hufc a mountil c ! vty , fur the purpose of doing honour to the memory of one of tbe baldest , bravest , and one of the most honest public men that ever iived , in any ege , or in ar ; y country . . Cheer ? . ) He ( Mr . O"C ) tbanted G » d tDty Wrre Hiet theii Ij raise a mocirmer . t to his memory , antl although he Iras no more , jet bis spirit , even at thit miment . animated tvery heart present , and bore ample assurare ? of what was to occur f > r the future , irieir . hear . ) That great and good iaan had hig trials . Those who ba-i coKiM after ( he , Mr . O'C . amongst the rest ) were mailing upon corapartively smooth waters . He lived in times when to do "what they were assembled to do would
have led perhaps to another bloody massacre . That was -cot the £ ii . time hs had performed an act of duty on behalf of the departed . It was his painful and mctir-Ufnl duty to preach tha funeral oration over the bodies who -were butchered at Rithcormac It was truly encouraging t ^ those engaged in the cause of the people to know that their names and character would be respected after their departure ; had he himself not contemplated that he should be respect-d no !; " only when living , bnt after death , he would have flagged long since . He was happy to be looked npon as one of tne followers of the Lite Henry Bunt , and in alluding to the massacre ie contended that justice on the murderers was csnied . The day would amr * when in the presence of a just God neither the ouibbliuz of couBcil
nor the dictam of a jadge would save them from the punishment ; they would be arraigned in tbe awful presence of that great . God who rewards virtue and pnnish&s vice , and before that great tribunal would Henry Hunt stand as witness against them for the slaughter of w& innocent , inoffensive and . oppressed people , ifr . Hunt lived in times when if he- hs . d possessed the disposition of an angel and spoke in defence of the poor , and devoted his good character , talents : property , and all , for the sake of rigbt against might , he would be considered a t'evii by their oppressors . Mr . O'Connor then showed the difference of the present times from those when Huni laboured , and attributed the liberty cf speech of the present day to the growing omnipotence which public opinion had created . Mr . O'Connor then said that he had come
270 miles-for the purpose of attending that meeting , but he was amply paid for all his trouble and expence by discovering the public sympathy for that patriotic , honest , and good man Henry Hunt . If they had forgotten him , would it not have been less enconragiug for every man to go forward in their behalf at the present day ? Would not the good work which taey hai begun that day stimulate every x&an to go forward with more fortitude , vigour , and perseverance ? The movement had arrived at that strength and eminence , when it was out of the power of the factions to awe it down , Eboot it down , sabre it down , or pnt it down by any other means . Time and cirenmstances have made public opinion of the present day , quite different to what it was in Hunt ' s day ; yet , he weilded it honestly , boldly ,
Untitled Article
and bravely , and never deserted it . The people had sunk , lower and lower in . the &cal& of misery and destitution—they had bfcome more impoverished , and they would have to make a new nation . It waa their duty who remaine / ' behind , to swear to each and each to all , that they never would desert the principles of him whom they had met to honour that day . Though the man had departed , his principles had not ; and if there was anything worthy of remark for commemoration in a public man , it waa that he should die consistent . Those who had met that day for the purpose of paying a token of respect to Mr . Hunt , would not be nowtaken from their object for any political straw which might be set before them . There were thousands upon thousands who really could not obtain a place
to -witness the ceremony . Napoiean , "whQh ? . dmuT 6 erecl millions , had but few to follow his real remains to the grave , as compared with the hundreds of thousands congregated ODly to lay the foundation stone of a monument to Henry Hunt The one being known to the world as a murderer only , while the other was revered as a hero . Mr . O'Connor then told them he had to be at another meeting that night in Manchester , after which he would go to Bury , thence to London again , and he had eaten nothing that day ; he thought it waa time that he got his breakfast ( laughter and cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor then begged of them as they admired the principles and conduct of Henry Hunt , to return to their homes peaceably and quietly ; and on referring to
the late onslaught at the Hall of Science , he hoped such would not take place again ; they must , as he had done , forgot and forgive . Every Irishman and Englishman should take each other by the hand , and continue in one great legal union for the overthrow of that unjust and oppressive bystem which operates alike on the ¦ working men of both countries ( cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor then spoke in a very complimeutry manner ;' of priest Hearne , for remonstrating with his floek and countrymen , respecting their rash and disorderly conduct . He next spoke very highly cf Mr . Scholefield . who he said deserved their most sincere thanks ; he hoped some notice would be tnken of him—he had watched him well , he had watched him long , and he had never found him in the least to deviate from the line of truth . He
then called upon , the vast assemblage there , under the broad canopy of heaveu , to swear never to desert the principles of him , the foundation stone of whose monument they had just ssen laid . Mr . O'Connor then conc-nded amid the most rapturous applause , vehich seemed to animate the whole assembly . On silence being restored , several voices cried oat for Julian Harney . Mr . Cooper , of Manchester , came forward , and moved this resolution : — " That we , the Chartists of Manchester , Salford , and their vicinities , feel grateful to the Rev . James Scholefleld , for bis exertions in procuring the erection of this memento of our departed friend , the late Hunry HuiQt , Esq ., and we pledge ouraelves to afford that Rev . Gentlemen all tb . 9 support in our power , -whether pecuniary or otherwise , until the work be completed . "
Mr . C . said—The friends of freedom , his fellow-cotratry men . arid particularly the inhabitants of Manchefter , would agree with the resolution "when they heard it read . Th » speaker then read the above resolution , which was followed In ? marks of applause . He felt confident that his friends would fully agree with the first patt of the resolution , as it alluded t ° a gentleman whose conduct had been so long before them , and who had been -well tried , and always found faithful . Ml . C . th&n mentioned , the many times ¦ which he had 9 een Mr . Scholefield exerting himself at public mec tings when he himself was too young to take part in politics . They had more particularly to thank him for the design of the present undertaking , as on that rested the latter part cf his resolution . It called upon them to pledge themselves to support him Mr . Cooper then alluded to the bloody affair on Peterloo in 1819 , urged their assistanca for the completion of the monument ; and hoped their fatare conduct would be such , as became men who -were determined to be free —( loud
cheers . ) Mr . LEAcncime forward amid loud cheers , to second the resolution . He was proud to uee them there upon such a laudable question , namely , to pay a tribute of respect to a man for having stood firm to principle . Mr . Leach then spoke in eulogistic terms of the gentleman alluded to in tfae resolution , for his exertions with them in their straggles for freedom . He was glad to see likewise tha successor of Hunt there that day ( meaning Mr . O'Connor . ) And he hoped . the day ¦ was sot far distant when they would have ij Jay a foundation store not over him , nor any one present , but over that abominable and monstrous system of iniquity
—class legislation , which has enslaved and was now pressing an industrious people to the surface of tlie earth—( cheers . ) It was the duty of evary man to lend a helping band for such a glorious purpose ; becausa , until they ( the people ) were prepared to break their own chainB , they never would be broken . He quite agreed with the vote of thanks to the Rsv . Mr . Scholefield ; bnt let him call upon them to purge from their breasts every thing calculated to breed division until they had gained that object up : > n which their minds and affections then rested ; namely , justice and freedom for themselves and posterity . Ho ¦ would concluda by seconding the resolution , which was put and carried unanimously .
Mr . Scholefield came forward and said ; fellowmea and countrymen , allow me to thank you on the present occasion for the good feeling , order , and unanimity which they in their thousands had displayed that day , which bad been a glorious one , and would be long remembered . It was near two thousand years since Christ , the Saviour of the world , shod his biood , and the drops of blood which were shed in their cause , of which Henry Hunt was the advocate , bad given fresh animation and still lived , together with the principles . Reference had been made to the blood which had been lost the other evening at the Hall of Science . He forgave those men . He loved an Irishman—( cheers)—and forgave them most sincerely—icheers ; and he hoped that they would be united until they had
gained tbe liberty of mankind and the liberty of the world . Another dnty he had to perform , which was to inform them that the very cement which had been used for the laying of the foundation stone waa promised on the last night that Mr . O'Couner lectured . The gentleman who made them such promise had given them half a hundred weight of Roman cement —( Name ; name ) . Mr . Warren , the Corn Law Repealer —( No good . ) Never mind that , said the Rev . Gentleman , ' in answer to the above remark ; he haa done one good deed and for which he would thank him . He had received likewise ten shillings from Hebden Bridge and £ 1 from Dr . Hully —( Cheers ) . He trusted be should continue to
receive what persona had to give until it was finished , p . n ^ then what money he had as overpl us after the monument was paid for , he would hand over to the Chartist fund of that town—( cheers ' . After a few other remarks , the Rev . Gentleman retired amid the plaudits of the people . Many voices cried out again for Julian Harney , when sir . F . O'Cojooncame forward amid loiul el ' -eerini ; and saia that he had a duty to perform , after which Mr . Hsrney would address them , because he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was compelled to h-p . ve . He therefore begged to move a vote of thanks to his brother atone-reasons who assisted him to lay the st ^ ne—daughter and cheers ) .
Tae Mover put it , after being seconded , and it was carried by acclamation . Mr . O'Connor then retired amid loud cheering , which ratl-. cr confuvd tha meeting for a short time . l > y the prc ^ iue of persona "who wanted to get to shake him Ly the hand . . Mr . Harney gave way for Mr . Cooper , of Leicester , who said he ccuhl not star with them long . He belonged to an as 3 > H-. i ; iifrn of nearly a thousand Chartists of Leice / ster—( cheers ) . But he- ha < l seen such a sight that day vi . ich he had never doiu before , and it really rti . S his heart good . H-j had seen half a million uf peOlHB assembled thiit day— , hear , hear , amVcb .: cvs . ) Ic *> iil do the people ef Leicester good also : it 1 ku
done him qoc-J . once more to see their great chief , Mr . O'Connor —(^ beers , ' and cries of " God bless him" )—which had morj th : m compensated him for his journey . He then mentioned Henry Hu it , and said he had used to read of that great , good , brave , and indomitable chamr . 'sen of tho people when he was bnt a boy , an < 3 there v , as no Radicalism in that quarter in which he residt . il ; but hy was g ! ad to say that there were now Chartists iu thfit part of tbe world— ( cheers . ) ' Tuere are a few Caanisrs there . Mr . Cooper said they ( the people ) could see Chartism on & fine scale ; they mieht expect a glorious J . nrTcat and ingathering to tiifcii mutts duriiig the en&uini ; hummer—( cheers )—all coming for the suppjri of the Charter . Mr . Cooper then -went , on to shtiW the prejudice which had hitherto existed
against the Chartists by persons who didnotunderstand whaL the inu-ntions and o'jeets of the Chartists . were ; bufwben th < = y came to h-. ar the principles of Chartism ««; aintd , Uity tx =-.:.: mcO ., "O ! is that Chartism ? if it , is , we are Cbirt ; sM '—( cheers . ) Mr . Cooper then recommended tet-t-Aa' -ism ; after % Thich he was about to conclude , when h ^ -wns sa \ ut « i . with voices from the crowd , requesting him to prcc-.-ed . " Go on . " "About what ?'" sai 4 Cooptr . For they must know the short time allowed fo ? each speaker would not allow him to explain much ; and if he began to explain the Complete Suffrage move , he might give offence . ( "You -won't- ' ) Last Monday , they ( the Chaithts of Leicester ) gave a blow to Complete Suffrage ; th : y would not have it there . ( " l > o , nor we either . " i They were determined to have the Charter—the whole Charter , unstripped of any of its details . But , strictly spcakingi there were no details in the Charter . Mr . Cooper-. then shewed clearly , plainly , and logically , the superiority of
the Charter movement to that of the Complete Suffrage movement , by comniencinc at the fisst point in . the Charter , and fLniihing at the last In reference to Annu . il Parliaments , he denied that they could have Universal Snffrage without them , even according to the standard laid down in the Charter ; for if , said he , a man was twenty years of age at one eleetion , nnles 3 they had Annual Parliaments , he ccnld not , when of age , receive his title to vote . If it was a three years Parliament he would have te ¦ wait two years , till the election came on again , consequently be deprived of his vote for that length of time ; henc 9 the superiority of Annual over Triennial . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Cooper showed that the Charter neither could nor would be allowed to be unjointed , nor taken to pieces , if it would confer the intended benefit-upon the industrious millions . He then congratulated them on their grand display , and the respect they-bad gmn , not only to Henry Hunt , Esq ., but to their noble
Untitled Article
O'Connor . ( Cheers . ) He was not ashamed to be considered a man-worshipper ; he considered Pym , Paine , Washington , and many others , as the personification of great principle ? . And What yroa E . O'Connor , so long as he said he would and did go for the Charter-a man who gave his labours , his talents , his wealth to the cause of the people , but a personification / of great principles . Then be ought to be respected in tbe same proportion , because he has no intBrefits save that of the millions , consequently no interests in deceiving them . ( Cheers . ) After an admonition not to be led from the Chatter , Mr . Copper retired loudly cheered by the people . '¦ ¦ \ : v . ¦ . ¦ ¦ " -v v- -,- ' . ¦ . :. '¦'¦ ' "¦ ' ' . ¦ ' ¦ ''" ' ' ' ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ :- ¦'¦ .
MirJ Habney next came forward amid vociferous cheering , 'which , when it had subsided , he sai d their TeBpecteA ; ma reverend friend , Mr . Scholefleld , h ^ J told them it was nearly 2 , 000 years since the Saviour dif the world was nailed to the cross , who was the founder ef Christianity ; Why was it that he was put to death ? Because he was the advocate of justice , equality , and right , and for doing which he was accnBed and condemned for sedition . ( Hear , hear , and long continued cheering . > He was not of patty , or faction ; lie taught no creed but that of "justice to all , " unless they would call that a creed , ¦ which was that of Feargus O'Connor- ^—( cheers . ) The great , the good , the patriotic of every age , of every clime , and of every country had had the war-whoop of the factions , of the tyrants , and the
selfish against them . Wherever a good man has distinguished himself for the love of liberty , of the people , and of his country wherever ho has come forward in defence of right against might , justice iagainst in justice , and truth against falsehood , the cry of sedition and blasphemer baa been raised to destroy both him , his influence , and the good he -was calculated to do —( loud cheers ' . ) There are men who woiild hunt down jeeua Christ at the present day for preaching attnila * doctrines to those he did nearly two thousand years ago , the same as they hunted down poor Henry Hunt to the graye—icheers . ) After a few other remarks , Mr , Harnoy said they were called together that day to ¦ wash off the stain which has rested upon their heads since the death of Henry Hunt , a st ; iin which had never been
eff . iced till that day . He called upon them to atand by their principles , as lie did—( cheers ) He was the same in 1830 as lie waa in 1820 . He , like O'Connor , was admired for hia consistency in the House of Commons and amongst the people—( cheers . ) They must n ? t be lod astray -front , their object by the Sfcurgltes . They were hunibuga , and every other He , that would not go for a full msasura They were pb . ilo 8 opb . era only for , their own interests , and they—the peoplemust be philosophers and politicians for their own interests , and not bu made tools of for any patty , or fer any selfish , or factious interests— ( cheers , and " m
won't ) No , no , they . must make them come to the stickins : poinfe—come to the sta » dard of justice—banish expediency before they ^ will deserve or can obtain the assistance ,, snpport , and confidencis of tbe industrious but oppressed and enslaved millions— - ( cheers . ) The universal cry of the people must and ought to be the Charter whole and entire , and no compromise , no expediency / no mystification , nor any surrender —( hear hear . ) It was now three years since he had the plenaare of seeing aome of his friends from Ashton , Stalybridge , Hyde , Balton , Rochdale , OldhanJ , Ac , many of whom he then saw before hini . Since that tinie he had been the self-sama man as he was then
when he was taking a tour previous to the firbt Convention , and always was , prepared to do all and- suffer all for the . . rights , of the people . Mr . Harney , who had walked all' the way from Sheffield tp be present at the great deinonstvation , then retired amid . enthusiastic cheeriuj f . : : Mr . Jones , of Livorpool , late North-riding lecturer , next addiessedthe meeting . They bad assembled to pay a tribute of respect to a departed friend , one who w ; is persecuted , spurned , and scoffed at by their oppreasors , becaiiBe they , like himself , their noble O'Connor , and the preceding speakers had dared to tell them of their loDg-withcldrights > - ( hear , hear ) . If they looked back to history , they would find that those nien / who were most virtuoua , indomitable , unconquerable , and
prominent in tbp agitation of the people , had ever had the shafts of the law arrayed , against them to crush them , and were watched by the Government as objects of their persecution , torture , and destruction . Many of those had been put ¦ within the gloomy walls of a duugeon , and there , in many instances , left to perish ; others had been consigned to the gibbet—to transportation , and the scaffold—( hear , hear ) . He stood there not to flatter them , bui to tell them the Utttb . The Government would not Save carried out their designswould not have been so powerful only the people in the hour of trial?—in the hour of trouble , when firmness was most demanded / the people themselves have rushed to mad persecution , which had hardened the selfish rulers in their career , and both government and people had scorned and lau ? hed at the downfall of a patriot , and thus havo men iu by-gone times fallen a sacrlflca to the cause of human freedom . Mr . J- then warned tHe
people against such a line of procedure for the futute , and called upon them by ollmeaasso long as their leaders were consistent , to stick by and Bupport them by their countenance and every othtir possible way which might ba required . Mr . Jones exhorted them to teach the people to cherish that divine ' principle implanted in their bosoms , namely , an eternal hatred to tyranny , in any and every shape in which it might shew its monstrous , ugiyy and deformed head to eradicate all feelings of servility to injustice , and plant in its Btead a neyerfaUing lovo of liberty-- ( cheers ) . Mr . J ., in a most elo ^ quent and feeling manner , showed what cruel and dreadful havoc had been made of good men as a warning to the millions to keep them in servility and passive obedience . He then exhorted thein to press onwards and they would conquer—their demandsi were just , and victory would be certain . He retired amid repeated cheers . ¦
Mr . josh . LiNNEY , one of the marshals , then came forward , and returned them his thanka for their conduot that clay , because they were deserving of better usage than they received at the hands of those whom liy their industry they had to keep , anA who , by classmade law , prevented them ft-om even receiving the common nceessaric s of life . Mr . Lmney then ahawod up in a niattjrly manner the conduct of the tnti-Corn Law League , and deprecated a Government , whether of Whig or Tory , that had to be Eupported by the sword , tbobludg .: on , thti sabre , the scaffold , and the
dunReon , instead of the virtue , spirit , intelligence , and affections of ttio people . They must renialh firm , unbroken , deieraiined , and united advocates of the People ' s Charter , and no power under Heaven would be able to : nucb longer withstand their righteous demands . No Complete Humbug , no Houaehould Humbu ? , no Two Points Humbug , no twenty-five Yeats ' Humbug , no other equivocation , maneuvering , or capering , but the Cliartsr , without any mixture or appendage ; and then down with cIms lesialation , and up with the peoule —( loud cheering . )
The ' . meeting then dissolved to repair to the Hall of Science ; and thus ended a glorious demonstration of numbers , splendour , and good order . The bands , tha marshals , the committeei , and all who toolc a part , performed their work admirably . It was the unanimous , opinion of both old and young , and men of long sta ding in Manchester , r . nd sictivo politicians , that the display cf that d&y far outrivailed anything ever witnebstd in Manchester . Not a diunken , bad tempered , disorderly man , woman , or youth , \ ras to be se ^ n all the day .
The writer of this report witnessed all the demonstrations ai Birmingham in tha ytiu 1832 ; but they fill into insignificance , as compartd with that of laet Friday . The Manchester Guardian , ; which has frequently represented ii demonstration , which has Iwen allowed by competent judges to consist of 200 , 000 to ho about 5 . 000 , states that "there were 15 000 iu the street by . the Chapel Yartl . " Ami at this tinio Ancoati-streftti was filled for n . 'Arly hnlf-a-mile . S . 5 that piltAtiS knowing the the character of J ; : hn Edward Taylor , and the opposition which ho gives to tnix cause , ^ riii Conceive what a magnificent tura out it was . Noi a single accident happened throughout the day .
Untitled Article
them as to make them sufficiently powerful to beat ; the other-piuty . ( hear , hear ; and cheers . ) And -vehen the two factions saw the people becoming united , resolute , and determined ; they would coalesce to put tKem down ( hear . V Bnt they ¦ were ready to encounter them ( cheers ;) They , the meeting before him , were sat to their humble meal , and , though bumble as it was , it was noli often they could so eDjpy themselves ; yet it was fron ? their sweat and blood that the dainties and lnxnries emanate which spread out the Queen's table . Mr . O'Connor then said that » portion of the aristocracy belieVed . that they were born for no other purpose than to eat and drink . He called them the maw-wdrms { laughter . ) Had they not , when they ( speaking to the meetingv ha < i been taking their gambols iti the fields , seen , if they
knocked a dbd over or a stone , a nest of pismires ? although he asked them this question he knew it waa not frequent they ceuld enjoy themselves so . 'Had they not observed the pismires , every one taking off its egg . Just so it was with : the House of Commons , lhey were like a nest of pismires ; there were so many interests and each wanted to carry away ite own egg ( laughter and cheers . ) He had never deceived' them , and he could tell them that if Sir Robert ' s' Bill passed it would destroy the present organization of society . He then related what ie had told them in his letter , and informed them that Mr . Wakiey had recently read one of his letters , dated 9 th of March , in one of their meetings in London , in doing which he excited much laughter . Alludintf to
his " pro-Tory policy , " he said he had been wnoh ac '' . isBd for that atep . Had he done wrong ? ( Voices if torn every part of the Vast assembly replied , " No , no . " ) They had the Whigs under them . Where -was . Normanbyj Fox Maole , Little John Russell , and plain John dsnip ' - bell , who had presumed to have buried Chartism ? They h&d beateii the Coin Law League . Where is their strength ? They hardly knew which way to look , nor how to look , when they ( the procession ) were pissing Abe Exchange that day . All the strength and numbertf they possessed could be held very snugly and comfortably in one room ; whilst the wide streets of Jtf&nchester were too narrow t <> contain the Chartists —( hear , he : ir ) _ ; They had beaten down the humanity and emigration humbugs , and they would beat the Complete Suffraee
humbug , when it came fairly into the field— 'chee'sji These Quakers were apparently the most affable and disinterested creatures in Christendom . Joseph S ; uige , the leader of the Complets Suffrage move is a Quaker ; all singla-breasted- ^ T ( laughter ) . Joseph Sturge was in * tiareated in trying to obtain a repeal of the Corn LaWB , because he was one of the greatest corn importers . But then finding that the League object bad failed , he vas more cunning and wily than the Philips , Greggs , and Cobdens , by making it appear directly . that he wishes to give the people the auffrage , yet indirectly he only Wants a Repeal of the Corn Laws . ( Some one cried out froin the body of the Hall , and asked what Complete Suffrage meant ?; Mr . O'Connor replied by say-. ing he could not tell his friend what they meant
by it ; but he could tell him what tho Chartists and ; himself meant They would go for the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing but th » Charter . They were there aa a political body ( party they could not be called , becausa they were willing * o give the same privilegea to others they claimed for themselves ) , one hundred to one to the factions . What then have they ( the Chartists ) to be afraid of ? The laws bad been framed forithe benefit of the few ; he wished them to be made beneficial for the whole of the people ^ - ( cheers . j If they asked him to expose t-m vices of the working classes , he would tell them that he could not , nor weuld not de so , because all their vices were the result and offspring of the bad
institutions of society , and their virtues were characteristic of their nature-Wcfceers . ) He respected the men of Manchester for their constant adherence to principle against the force , influence , money , intrigue , and plots , plans , and tricks of the Corn Law League , who wished to make tools of them for their own factious interests . He now doubly respected the working men of Manchester , and he -would promise them that hia coming amongst theni for the future should be more frequshtly —( cheers . ) He would give them three more lectures—( cheers ); one on the effect of class legislation , in connection with the Slate Church ; another on the effect of the middle classes holding wiJhfcp aristocracy j the third subject was lost amid the deafening cheers . He was glad that there was a kind of a pie-bald Tory
got into the House in the person of Mr .: Ferraad , who bad declared that he ¦ would expose tyranny come from What party it may—( hear , hear . ) The speaker then earcastically told of the doings of JFerrand amid the convulsive laughter of the audienee , in showing how that gentleman had exposed the cotton and commercial lords who would skin a flea for its skin and leather . What were their profits made of but labour ?—( hear . ) And Where had those men got their property ? boasting , as they had done , that the manufacturers within twenty miles of Manchester could pay off the national debt . The Speaker then gave a true and proper description of tlie Whig and the Tory . "The former promised every thing and did nothing , the latter never promising anything , was a tyrant and stuck to his text —( hear , hear . ) What
was little Lord John Russell ? why , if the Chartists had him in their ratiks they would not entrust him to second a resolution at iin out door meeting .-He told them that Peel would give more than the Whigs , and . that Russell woulii join him . The o&ject of the : Gbartists would be to get about thirty good Chartist mambera in the House , and if so they Would b © reported by nearly the whole army of the press . The ono party doing busineas in the House , whilst the great body of the people were supporting them out of the House . » r they coald arrive at such a position they would be able to beat the factions combined —( cheerB . ) The Chartists of Manchester , assisted by their local leaders , deserved immortal credit . The League had exposed their wives and . daughters for the purpose of getting . £ 10 , 000 by the
bazaar , whilst ho ( Mr . O'Connor ) and them bad done more execution than they had , with only three night ' s lectures and £ 45—( cheers ;) He had come two hundred and seventy miles to be at the demonstration which they had held . He had spoken twice in Mancheat « r and had again to speak that evening in Bury , after which he would have to return again without any sleep . They had commemorated the memory of one of the bravest and most indomitable men that ever lived . Hunt braved public opinion even when deserted by his own party . Public opinion was seldom wrong , and never long together . Hunt was scarcely cold in his grave when the people saw their folly . They thought he was no more , and therefore gave themselvea up to the guidance of the Whigs , and they had deceived them , which had taught the people a fine and useful lesson ; they would not , with all their cunning arid ciaft , be able to cajole and lead them astray again-T-lcheers ;) . They ( the Cfir . r-
Usts ) must , therefore , stand firm to their principles . If they saw one of their leaders tako a wrong step , they must argue with him , and , if he was determined to persist , why , then , throw him overheard— - ( hear , hear . ) They have had a body of men in the Executive who had rendered valuable services to the cause ; be never knew a body of men more useful , nor men wbo bestowed better energies on behalf of the cause ; and still the worse paid by the community . Leaders are essential—nay , highly necessary in all great movemente ; but , tben , they should be well watched by the peopled and they ( the people ) ought to be their censors , in order to keep them honest— < hear , heat , ) " He never was more amply paid for a journey than be had been that day ; After a few other remarks , he concluded by stating that he would never cease tm they had gained the sis points , included . * , in that important document called the People ' s Charter . Ho then retired amidst loud cheers . . ¦ - ¦
A fine Youth , belonging to the Youth ' s Charter Association , then advanced to the front of the platform , amidst loud applause . He « iid ho would not detain them hag , because Jilr . O'Connor said he had to go . * If ever there was a time when it was necessary , and when every man ought to Come forwaid ; in the cause , tbat time to sae present —( cheers . ) A great deal had been said about the Charter , and what it would do ; but , for his part , ho would give but little for it , unless it would give them a Government based on tho principles of Republicanism . He wished that all the support possible should be given to Feargus O'Connor , ao long as he abides by principle , and when he does not , why then throw him overboard . ( Loud cheers . ) The youth , who appeared to be about fifteen years of age , then called the attention of the audience to the following address , —( loud Chfcering , )—which he read in a clear , distinct , bold , and powerful tene , amid the admiration of the whole meetinar ;—
" Address of the Chartist Youths of Mancfiester to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., March . ' 25 th , 1842 . . " HONOUREI ) AND ESTEEMED SIR . —We , the youths of the National Charter A&sociatipn , re 8 ident : in Manchester , beg leave most respectfully to offer you our sincer * congratulations upon your recent escape from the murduToua attack made upon your person , by a band of infuriated ruffians , hired and instigated by men who not dtring to meet you in discussion ; knowing the powerful effect that your captivating eloquence : would havehiid ; upon the minds of their dupea , and being aware that if you were allowed to bei heard the whole of their faiiacies would have been { exposed and incontvdvertibiy refuted , to the total annihilation of the Bystem of delusion , ; cantj and , hypocrisy , at once agreed that their only- hope was in working upon the passions of their followers by representing you as an Orangeman , as an enemy to the Catholic religion , and as a supporter of Toryism .
•• We rejoice , Sir , that their nefarious plans were unsuccessful , and although we cannot but regret that you have been personally ibjured , yet the loud buist of popular indignation ; which has been already expressed through the length and breadth of the land , with tho manifestations of devot ? dness and attachment to your person which this base attempt upon your life has called forth , must be gratifying to your feelingB , as we assure you , Sir ^ they are to ours , knowing as we dp , that these proofs of attachment h : \ ve been justly merited by the undeviating consistenoy of character and conduct , with tho many pecuniary sacrifices and disinterested exertions which have marked the whole of your political career .
"We hail you , Sir , as the representative of those great and gloriouB pirinci ples which were adviocatedbythe irn ^ - mortal and evei-to-fte-lamented Henry Hunt , Esq ., whose patriotism we have this day met to perpetnatft When that sterling patriot was removed from us , you , noble-minded Sir , descended iioui tUd ranks of aristocratic distinction , stepped into his place , and amid
Untitled Article
the treachery of false friends and the base calumnies of avowed enemies , pursued your noble career , promulgating and defending the glorious cause of democracy regardless of governmental persecution and imprisonment . : ' " . ' ; : * ¦' .-7 ' / "* .- ; *; :. ¦ " . ¦ . "¦' ¦¦ ' : ¦¦'¦ . "¦ . ;¦ : '¦ " In conciusion / w « hope , Sir , that you will not think ' ¦ / as too bold , if we entreat , you to ptrsevere in your noble and praisewerthy exertions to benefifc an oppressed and much injured people until our glorious C harter be established as the basis of tiie futute consti tion of our country , and the . top stone of the temple of liberty be icrowned by one universal burst of enthusiastic rapture , reverberating from shore to shore , and prociaiming the downfall of tyranny , with the establiahment of happiness and peace throughout the world . " " That yon , Sir , may be delivered from tbe malice ^ of your enemies , and have the satisfaction at seeing England , Ireland and Scotland ' great , glorious , and free * is cur sincere wish .
" Signed on behalf of the Manchester Youths' Caartist- Association , '• ¦' - , : . '¦; , ' ¦ ¦ - : - . •' . ¦ - . " ' ' . ¦ - < - , ¦ ' ' ¦' - ' ¦;¦ " John Hakgreaves , Bnb-Treasurer . " John Scholefield , aub-Secretary . " This was followed by long-continned cheering from the meeting , the ladies joining most lustily . : The youth then commenced , before banding it over to Mr O'Connor , to say that there were many fathers -and mothers present who had cheered hua . They would not be acting consistently if they did not send their sona to the Youths' Association , where they wisuld learn the true and genuine priuciplea of democracy— ( lottd cheers . ) : ¦¦ '¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - " ¦ •;¦ . ' . ' ¦¦ : ¦'¦¦¦¦• ¦ ¦ ;¦ . i- : - " - ' . ' / : ' ^'" ^
Mr , O'Connor then stood with thebby ' s hand ioliis , expecting the boy was about to present the address , when the yonth eaid , stop a bit—one more word , then he had done— ( loud laughter . ) Little Lord John said they had buried Chattisni ; but they had shewn him that Whiggery had been buried in the grave which was made for Chartism —( loud cheers . ) ;• :, He then in a very polite manner said , Feargus O'Connor , I here present you with this Address on behalf of the Chartist Youths of Manchester . ;;¦ ¦ . . ; . Mr . O'CONNOR said , anxious as he was to depart he bad been highly gratified with tbe manner in which the youth had performed his duty He would not detain theni by any remarks , but content himself by asking how many thousands a year would many of the aristocracy give fqrsuch a youth as that ? ( Loud cheers . ) Jir . OConnof then retired for Bury amid the applause of the asa&mbly . ;
. The other parties who had hot taken tea then took their places ,. aud were served .: After which , the cloth was drawn , the tables sided , and on order being restored , , . The Rev Mr . Scholefiei . d was called to the chair , and commenced by observing , that as the ladies wished to have a little amusement , the speakers would be brief , the time for the Manchester speakers being only five minutes . He then gave as the first sentiment , " The people , the legitiruato source of all power . " : . The Patriotic Salford Chartist Band played the <( Marselliase Hymn . " •¦ : ¦ ¦¦ ¦
Mr . Cooper , of Manchester , was called upon to speak to it , and said that he would hot trespass long upon theh- patience , after the remark which had been made by their worthy Chairman . The subject to which ho had been called upon to speak was an important one , and ought to command the attention of every honest and right-minded man . ( Cheers . ) ^ That would a nation be without its people ? When h « thought of the mighty mass of the people he concluded that they were the source from whom all wealth sprang that was in the country , and therefore being the producers of all wealth , they are , and ought to be , the only legitimate source of all power . It was impossible for any power to be legitimate unless possessed by the people . They , the industrieus people , it were who dived into
the bowels of , the earth to get the minerals , and afterwards formed and fashioned them into useful articles . They till the land and weave the cloth , and it was the labour of the millions which produced every thing valuable in society . The people , the legitimate source of all power . If they were the source of all legitimate power , ha w was it that without exception , they were the most raiserablo people in existence ? If the people of this country were to have their rights— -right must rdgn predominant over might—( hear . ) There haA been a great deal said within the last ten years about the people ' s rights , and he knew that there were parties wh « pertinaciously denied that the power ought to be
lodgeu in the hands of the many , and argued that they , the privileged few , ' had derived their right to govern fronviiivineorigin , which he the speaker denied ; and if it could be proved , according to the rules of justice and truth , and according to the laws ef nature , that such power was not of divine origin , bnt usurped by UDJu&t laws and class legislation—the sooner they were deprived of it and it given to the people the better . After a few excellent remarks , the speaker urged the people to unite their mental and moral powera for the establishment of that which , they wew seeking— ( oheeia . ) -. Jflsi > CHAiKMArr gave the nest sentiment , " The immortal memory of Henry Hunt , Esq . "
Tune— " Dead March . " The Chairman then introduced Mr . Coeper , Editor cf " the Cominoawcaltfisinan , of Leicester , to speak to the sentiment . - ¦ ' . ¦ : ¦ . ' .. '¦' : ¦ ' . ¦ ^ -: ¦ . ¦¦ ¦ ''" - ;¦ . -. ¦ ¦ : ? ¦¦ - ; Mr . C 00 P £ R came forward amidst ttiei plaudits of the meeting . The ; iHimortal memory of Henry Hunt ! Would not hia '' name Ad ... principles be remembered by the wbrfcing men and women of Manchester ? for those were the teems in which be liked ; tp address them . They had , at Laicester , -left off those terms of " Ladies and Gent ' . r iiicn , " and he would advise the working man of Manchester to leave such fulaome terms off also , and let those use them who could doa © with more assumed manners —( hear ., hear . ) Would hot his : memory be rametnbere' 1 ? ( Yea . ) If they walked into tha Cathedral
of St . Paul ' s , in London , they would find thai : nearly all the fine stttues were in commemoration of Borne Generals or A lasirals , or some of the class of butchers * There were on y fe . «• . exceptions , such as those of John Howard , tho karned Dr- Johnson , and William Jones ; the rest were :, » en of blood , celebrated for thefat activity and geueralship in destroying their fellowcreatures . JBu ; JIuat would live in the momory of the working classes , because he -waa »¦ , friend of the people —/ cheersi—aJthough he was treated by bis and their enemias with scorn and contempt- Mr . Coopet theu alluded to what had been Baid aboutWm in the Siorniiig Chronicle , which he said ^ he mentioned to shew that he whs the man spoken of , and that he was not ashamed to own it . He gloried In it . - He then
exhibited a piece of a Whig flag , which was taken in th& Contest ; and when he came into conversation with a middle clasa man , he usuaUy pulled off his cap , to show him the trophy of Chartist Victory . No ; he was not ashamed to do what ho did do at the last Borough election . Had they , the Chartists , stood alone , they could only have commanded thirty-seven votes . They , therefore , helped one faction to cut the throat of the Other faction , in order to . giva > the / people the power to cut the throat of the ; leniaMng fackion . He told the Tory candidate to his teeth that they were about to use him to cut the throats of . the AVhigs , in . order that they ,. the Chartista ,. vuigh ^ cut the throats of him and his faction afterwards . Had the leaders , who stood upon principle , done wrong ? ( Cries isf " No , no . " ) After a few remarks upon the pre-Tory policy , Mr .
C . : asked theni : to permit , him to congratulate them again on the glorious display -which he had witnessed that day , and the magnificeat meeting ^ -which , he then stood before . Ho was glad to hear the youth come out for Republicanism ; he wished Uiey had more of such boyp . They would then begin to think that crowns and sceptres were only baubles aud play things . He had read , when very young , the Black Dwarf ' , the Poor Man ' s Guardian , and ruauy of Gobbett ' s works ; aud had , while , working at hia trade , made . himself master of five differeht languages . . "Jr . Cooper animadverted upon the conduct of '; 'Francis Burdett and "Ji' ) T& Melbouriie , the lattfeu , ' .. {<* movir . i ; a vote of tbanks in Parliameht to the Ycoinanry for cutting dowa the people at Peterloo . He then retired amid loud cheers .
The Chair man theu gave "The Charter , and may it speedily become the law of the land . " Tune— " Scots whaha ' ewi' Wallace bled . ' Mr . Jones , the North Riding Lecturer , rose to respond to it , and on coming forward was greeted with . enthusiastic cheering . He said he would occupy but a very few moments , because he saw so many young ladies present who were prepared for oth ' . r -amuse-. ments —( Cries of " . Go ou hair an Lour . " ) Mr Chairmau , ladies , and gentlemen , it was with extreiine pleasure that he came forward to speak to the toast given by the worthy Chairman , because he firmly agreed with the sentiments , believing that the obtainment of the Charter would give political justice to the people ; and it waa therefore the earnest desire of hia heart
thatit should become the law of the land . Ckartiam eontendfl that every honest , industrioud , sobev man . has a decided interestin ^ good , juUicioua , and proper government of the country , and to give him his share in the making of the laws by which all were to be governed ; as by it Was determined the interest aud destiny of man individually and collectively . And why should he ask for the whole power of legislation to be lodged in the hands of the many iastead of , aa now , the hands of the few ? Because he knew , politically speaking , there was no distinction between the rjch and . the poor , the high an d the low ^( che « rs ) T ^ ey had all an equal right to that power by whish tbeur Jives and property should be protacted . He saw S ? - ^? ^? ¦*»«^«« n - * W child of the poor man and tfaechUd of the rich man . If they could show that nature nad given authority , and bad placed a mark on the rich man ' s child ta govern , and that serVihty and
alavery were engraven upon the brow of the poor man ' s child , be for one would say that the former should command and the latter obey ; but until he could be shown thesupuner mark of the affluent and wealthy , aqd the iufenormark of the industrious butpoor , whilst nature had given no distinction ; he would denounce the system which allowed , fostered , and ^ perpetuated it—( cheers ) - ana would contend that one portion ought to enjoy pnyileges to which the other was deprived . Ta « same ; power which , galled one into existence called tho other , and although one might be born in the midst of splendour and titles , yet it possessed the same feelings , wants , and faculties as the child bora amid the toiling Blaves- He saw the same features in the rich man ' s child as the poor man's child ; the daf breaks the same upon one as the other ; the fertilising showers descend the same In the neighbourhood of o& as the other ; the sun , the bright luminary of nat ure , ( Continued in our seventh vage *)
Untitled Article
6 THE 50 RTH 1 IIN STAR . ___ ¦ ¦ — . - . ¦ " ¦¦ ' ¦ - - . ¦ . ¦ : ¦ - ;¦ - ;¦ ¦ - ¦• . - . . . -. ¦ ' . - ¦¦ - . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - ' ' ' ' . "'' ¦ ' . ; ¦ " ' •™ " ~ ' - > - "
Untitled Article
TEA PARTY AND BALL AT THE HALL OF SCIENCE . The party was superintended by Mr . Higginbottosii , and served up in excellent style , by the ma agers of the InsMtu ' tinn . About half-past six o ' clock , the first party had just finished taking their tea , when Mr . O'Connor entered , anit \ v& 3 greseted . with'every manifestation of applause . AftGr sitting for a few mii . ntes , Mr . O'Connor came forward to the front of the platform amid loud cheers . He said , as he had promised to be present with them that evening , and as Mr . Soholefield had not arrived , they would try to manage without a chairman . He had bten requested to address them for a short time : beforo he set off for Bury . Ho then congratulated them for the order , humoers , and
magnificent display which he and they tiaa witnessed that
considered a maa siiffiuientJy old , to have possession of the franchise ,: whettier at forty or at eighteen years .. Mr . O'Connor then contended that according to the definition of Manhood Suffrage , a youth at eighteen years , if he eould perform as much work as a man at forty , was equally e ; titled to the vote . ( Loud cheering . ) The Chartist's standard for tha Suffrage was , therefore , most proper , tangible , and defined . They took the law for their guide , and were in that , Wo , supported by custom , because males were arrived at age at 21 years . They wottld ^ because justified , contiuno to agitate for the Charter until they got it , " with all itn qualifications ( cheers . ) He should be ' plain with them because he likod plain dealings with each oth-r . He saw no utility in wrapping a principle in mysterious words , which could not be comprehended . Tfley , the Chartists , had beaten one faction , and the same power which they possessed , by unity and perseverance , would so fortify
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), April 2, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct748/page/6/
-