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WATKINS'S LEGACY TO THE CHARTISTS LECTURE II . " Do uato others u you -would be done by . " St . Luke , chap . vi . Of course I that is fair , and the English , are said to love fair play . This rule would make each man his own standard the measure of justice to himself . For what is it that wb ¦ would bare done to ourselves ? la is not when hungry to be fed—when naked to be clothed—when sick 01 in prison to be visited—when strangers to be taken in ? —in a word , would we not wish our wants to be relieved and our woes comforted ? Yes , nature itself , in all these cases , cries ont for succour and for sympathy Then , since this is what we would hare done to ourselves , our very nature teaches us to do it to others , — and justice says that unless we do it to others we do not deserve to haT 6 it done to ourselves .
Now , by doing unto others as » re would they should do unto us , what is that we do but t « ach them what ire would hare done ? " One good turn deserves another j" and we may add , that it often begets another . The likeliest method of bringing others to do onto os &s we would they should do , is for us to do so to them , for gratitude , or at least pride , would not gaffer them to be behindhand with us , or beholden to us . But , on the contrary , when we do unto others not as we would be dene by , we teach them , we proToke them , we in a manner force them to do unto us not as
we would be done t > y . In the former instance we raise man ' s better nature to be our friend ; in the latter we rouse his evil nature to be our enemy . We , as it were , gfr-e the injured party a right to wrong us . And whav tare we to trust to but his forgiveness , bis forbearance , or his powerlessness ? Aye , it is to the powerless , to those whom we fear not , from whom vre think we are in no danger of recrimination , retaliation , or retribution , that we con . nion ] y do eTil But none are so powerless ls not to have it in their power to be a friend or an enemy .
When we do unto others not as we would be done by , we do but teach "bloody instructions which being taught return to plague the inventor . " We act like Phalsris who invented an eDgine of torture in the shape of a bull , and was the first man on whom its efficacy was proved—the first victim who suffered by it " Curses , " it is said , " come homo to roost" The maxim holds good both ways—if we would have good done to us , we fb aii do it to others , and if we would not have evil done , we shall not do it Tntra are good men certainly who will not revenge an injury except by forgiveness , which is the noblest revenge . Yet surely these are the last men to whom an iDJury should be done , and he who does an ipjary because he calculates upon forgiveness , is surely the very vilest of offenders , the most mean . I have
attempted to shew that we are not to calculate upon the present powerlessness cf the party to whom we do an injury , nor upon his forgiving disposition ; for an unprovoked injury is the most likely to provoke one , although a good , or a wise ma ; will not suffer himself to be provoked , and it should be cu- care not to give an evil ™; m that excuse . Shylock , whom Shakspere makes the very impersonation of malice , is , nevertheless , net left without an excuse for his vindietiveness , and a reasonable excuse too . The character would else have been unnatural and un-Sbaksperian . Shylock would have been a better man bad he been better used ; but he was a psor persecuted Jew , and in his hour of fanci * d retribution he says to his maJcreators , " The villany you teach me , I will execute , aud it shall go hard but I will better the instructions . "
If those are the best of men who return good for evil , those are the worst who return evil . for good ; but I need not dwell upon characters of this description : it is enough to sum up their sins in one condemning word —they are ungrateful . What is it that causes us not to do unto ethers as we ^ rouid be dene by ? Many seem to think that by doing good to another , unless he be in a capacity to return , or to requite it , they would but part with their own good , and part with it to an enemy , or to one who could not be a friend—that , in fact , they would do evil to themseryes . How is this ? Is man th 6 natural enemy of man ? Not so ; but there is an artificial system of society at work that is fast making man tb . 9
entmy of man , and the present system tf Government patronises , if it has net produced , this unnatural state of things , lien do not do unto others as they would be done by ; they will not do it ; they do the reverse , and ¦ what is ths consequence ? You see it , you-feel it , you hear it « very day and every hour cf the day . We experience it continually ; it has made us what we are , wretches of want , and woe , and wickedness , victims and victimiseTS . Ihere is not one of us but it may be said of him as of Ishmael— " His hand is against every man , ~ and every man's hand against him . " But see , how unequal are the odds—millions against one . ' Wfcii wonder that we suffer « much—what wonder that we are crushed beneath the weight of this hostile world—that we writhe like worms under it :
There are doubtless many who wish to do unto others is tn « -y would be done by , who -wish it for the sake of others or for the sake of increasing the little goad that is in this evil world ; but what avails it if the good ¦ wishes of a few are frustrated by the evil wishes of the many ? They have to strive against a stream of corruption , which either sweeps them away or overwheliis them- But could they succeed in turning the stream , in nicking it purify itself , and flow moK smor . < tb : y , What ease and happiness it might spread over the ruffled waters of thi 3 world ! The socialists are
endea-Touring to do this . They wish to £ . ct on . the principle of doing unto others as they would be done by , and by acting on it themselves they pursue the likeliest means of inducing others to act on it , for example makes more converts than precept . May their little community go on increasing like the cloud that at first appeared just ab ve the horizon , and was the siza only of a man ' s hand , but rose and spread until it formed a canopy equal with the heavens . Chartism is the precursor of Socialism , as St John was of Jesus Christ . Chartism is preparing the way for Socialism—it is the dawn of a bettar daj—the harbinger of a newer , a more moral , and consequently a happier world . Do unto others as you would be done by . What can be plainer ? What can be more equitable ? What con be more conducive to our welfare ? Let ns see what we
should gain if all acted upon this principle : why each would do good to himself , esch would have the other for bis friend , his assistant , his servant . We should mutnally and reciprocally benefit each other . ~ So man could have anything to do for himself that another could do for him . All that he could not do for or by himself would be done for him , by and with others . One man would have all men for his helperbis ass oriatei We should be twice blessed—blessed in receiving bnt more blessed in givlDg , for it is more blessed to gfre than to receive . Good would be dealt from land to hand in a never-ctasins round of joy . We should be like the fiirles that can have all they wish for with a wish . How delightful it would be to live among those who lived for each other—who lived in love—a party of pleasure , each striving to make the oth » r more happy than himself , and each enjoying the happiness of alL Why it would make this Pandemonium become 3 Paradise ; yes , this golden mle would restore
ths eolden age ; the earth and all things in it would again become as good as when Goil first made and blessed it But what do I talk of ? a mere Utoph—an ideal world that cannot be realized ? Cannot ! It mkbt , ami simply by foil-wing the rule in my ttxt . If men ¦ R-fccJd bnt take as much pains to assist oas another as tfeey oo to thwart t'ceanothtr the thing would be done , acd how much tetter would it be for us all ; how much comfort we should have where now we have care ; how ranch joy where now we have sorrow ; how much happiaeas instead of misery ; how much e j > ymeLt of this ] : fe , and what an increased hops of joy in the life to cuiiir . There would be no poverty with crime—no WaTit -with woe—no sin with suffering—toil would be turned iate pleasure and we should all go in concert lite 3 party of haymakers working or rather playing in ihe * uc . Blessed w < rldl in which the only rivalry , the only competition "ffonJa be who could best please —cocid most serve the other . Talk of self-love I this TrcnM be true stlf-love .
Wei ) , we have now seen what would be done — "w \ Lat would be if we did unto others as we would be done by . We have seen what we should s ^ u by the exchange ; bnt alas . ' bo far from doing un = D others as we would be done by , instead of doing too , -we often do evil , even to those who have done tu goo-1 . Nay , we stir up others to do them evil , and letd oar assistance to do evil more frequently than to do good . When any of those inevitable accidents or eviia that are the lot of life befalls a poer brother , do we sympathise with him , do we succour him , do we fchaic the burthen ? Do we not rather exult , sad add to i f - ' - Ate not some of us so spiteful that we glory in vexiEg and disappointing others ?—so malicious , that
so far from doing good ourselves , we ¦ would prevent others from doing it , an- ; would destroy good itself rathtr than that it should be done ?—so basj , than we ; abase , calumniate , and circumvent each other , as though we deemed a : other ' s welfare incompatible with ] our o-wa ? Do rot some lie in wait , and exnt all their ) powers for the injury of others , as thtugh life was given them for that sole purpose ? and thus they con- ticue to the end , -when they find how vain , how worse j than Tain , how wicked their lives have been , tost but J for tLeiaiclTes aid each other might hare been s » od s and happy . . Better the oay of death the than day of ; birth , if we are born to live thus—better still that we \ had znzTex been .
But thiB nut our nature , for if so , God , who made us , ¦» ere to b ' ame—before it comes to this pass , onr j nature ^ has been lost , it is changed , it is perverted , j The milk of human kindness is soured in "us all—we j are surrounded by evil circumstances- ^ we hear what : is evii , -we see it , we inflict and bear it—what wonder i thit we should become evil—that our nature should ; be scbdued to that it works in ! No , God is j cot to blame , nor are -we to blame—it is the system , the accursed system , that is in fault Thc-st who vxw'd do unto others as they wou . d be i ficne by , are prevented by those who could but will not ! For the great art not goed , nor do they love the good— j their pride takes a pleasure in evil , and if prevented J from plfcasiEgtbsJr pride they would have no pleasure ; in lif < 3 itstlf . They are then only in iheii tlemtnt j when ihty live - . j " Ib -stretched into change of wrong for vrrorg , j Striving ' midst a con ^ i-t ous werld wtere none are i strong . " j
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Such men would be centent to bear evil rather than forego the ' vindictive gratification of inflicting it Yet they are fools ; for we are so constituted , our nature is euch , that we cannot injure others without at the same time injuring ourselves . If the party we injure be not in a situation to make us feelTrhat we have made him feel , yst out consciences make ug feel it , and our conscience makes us feel it all the more if the party have the power to punish but forgives . Conscience will balance accounts with us ; vengeance will be repaid , if not by man yet by God himself to whom alone it belonjrg .
Man u ^ ot naturally man ' B enemy ; he is too much his own friend for that ; but the present competitive system is turning friends to foes , and relatives into opponents . It operates thus by degrees , firstmaking us selfish , then sordid , then savage . Selfish , because we are-taugbt to believe that God has not provided enough fur all ; sordid , because selfishness itself degenerates into sordidness , when it ba 3 accumulated more than its due Bhare , and broodB over it ; and savage , because we then fear thai those who in consequence of our overplus have too little , will make us relinquish onr prey—wiU force us to disgorge our spoiL Hence laws ar « made to fence the avaricious , and to keep the needy at bay—hence arose the rights of property , founded on the wrongs of man—artificial rights , to which man ' s natural rights have been sacrificed . Men are first robbed , then killed—that is , when destitution seeks restitution . Would this be the case if all did to each , as each would be done by ?—would it be
the case if he who has enough of this world ' s goods and to spare , and knows that his lacking brother is perishing with hunger , not only knowB it , but sees itnot only knows it , and sees it , but is the cause of itwould this be the case , I say , if he who has more than enough , were to Btrip himself of the undue advantages which the world , and the world ' s law , have given him , and place . himself upon an equal footing with him who never found the world his friend , and has always felt the world ' s law to be his enemy ? —would he think he was done to as he would be done by , if . when he asked for bread , he was given a Btone—for fish , a serpent ?—would he wish his cries of hunger to be unheard , unheeded—bis sufferings neglected , mocked?—his appeals refused , rebuffed—imprisoned for beiug poor—punished for making known his wants—starved , and his death , rejoiced at , by the proud oppressor that first robbed him by law , and then murdered him under the mask of justice ?
But , alas . ' tis a common observation , and the time gives it proof , that those to whom fortune has been the most favourable , whom providence ha * been most bountiful to , are the most niggardly—he who has the most" means to do good , generally does the least—tht farther we are removed from suffering , the less sympathy we feel for it—the higher we are placed above it , the more we scorn it—the greater our ability to dc good , the less our inclination , and thus it is that the poor have "to keep the poor . ( To be continued in our ntxL ) m
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and Peto , ) it appears by a letter from our delegate , A pril 23 rd , 1842 , thatGrissell and Peto have written to Hunter , their agent , informing him that oo men were employed on new work at Woolwich , and that very little was doing at the Monument ; circumstances which they would not have occur for five hundred pounds . This Hunter has made another attempt to induce some of those on strike to proceed to Woolwich , but in which he has agiin most signally failed . The number now on the funds , sixteen . At Penryn , where we also keep an agent , it appears that their prospects are materially improved . They are in debt to their turnouts , which now number Severn .
By the above report it will be perceived , that out of above four hundred individuals that have been engaged in our strike , only eighty-four remain ; and be it borne in mind , that of this large number only six cases of traitorism have occurred , not withstanding the strike having been protracted over the extremely long period of thirty-two weeks . As an evidence that it is materially important to the trades generally , and more immediately to the trades cf London , that the pending struggle of the Masons should be prosecuted to an honourable termination , we notice the following circumstance , which has transpired at Mr . Jackson ' s ( builder ) yard , Pimlico .
During last week , Mr . Jackson ' s agent set some ten or twelve of our members to work at the above named place , the whole of them , or nearly so , having been on our strike ; these men , especially that portion of them having families , were consequently reduced to a slate of poverty , which circumstance an attampt was made on Saturday last to take an advantage of . They were paid after the rate cf twenty-eight shillings instead of thirty shillings per week , the latttr snm being the usual rate for masons in London . But notwithstanding the poverty of these men—the privations they and their families had for a long period previous been subject tothey were unanimous in their determination to resist it .
On Monday morning , however , to prevent any misunderstanding , and not knowing but it might have been a mistake of the pay-clerk , they proceeded at the usual time to the yard , and worked until breakfast time , when the proper parties appearing , enquiries were immediately made , when it was ascertained not to be a mistake , and every man of them " lifted his tools , " and left the works , rather than submit themselves instruments in the hands of avarice , to rednce the already too limited means of subsistence doled out to themselves and fellows . Respecting this proceeding , we shall venture with more than ordinary seriousness to put the following questions , espeeially to those connected with the tuildins ? trades : —
Had not Mr . Jackson a knowledge of the long-endured poverty of these men ? Was he not aware of the precariousness of the resources upon which , in the event of refusing his terms , they bad to fall back ? Were they not chosen as the objects of attack from these two circumstances ? And if be had been successful , was it likely he would have stopt there ? No , brcther 8 and fellow-workmen ; the object is palpible . If he had met with passive quiescence on the part of the masons , then throughout the entire ramifications of his extensive works , would the same spirit of avarice and despotism have been extended . Bricklayer , carpenter , plasterer , plumber , painter—in short , every species of labour—would have been attacked ; and , as this has placed an extra burden on us , we hope thit we shall receive a little extra means to enable us to bear it .
Sensible that we have contracted a very serious amount of debt duriDg our protracted struggle , and that the ordinary means of our paying it , viz ., a general extra tax upon our members , is at present , by the general depression of trade , more than usually limited , and knowing , too , that the shopocracy , as a body , by their political servility , tergiversation , and apostiicy , ' hare contributed much to the depressed and degraded position in "which the working classes are now found , and that many of them have , during cur pending struggle , openly espoused the cause of Allen , we have , with a view to liquidate the debt by the profit arising from articles of food cousnmed by ourselves , and which hitherto has found its way into their tills , appointed a committee of eleven members to consider and report the practicability of establishing a co-operative provision store .
It is also in contemplation to prepare and print , in a small volume , a brief history of our strike , to be sold at about one shilling each , the profits cf which to be applied to the payment of the debt . This however will depend upon the number likely to be disposed of . and we would feel obliged if at the first meeting of each trade society , &c , throughout tha country , the sense of the meeting be taken upon the subject , and the number likely to be required communicated to our secretary . In conclusion vre beg to state that every practicable means at our disposal shall be taken faithfully to discharge all the liabilities we have contracted ; and , in once more returning thanks for thj support we have and yet continue to receive , in the event cf our opening a provision store , we beg thus early to sol ^ t your co-eperation and aid . We beg to subscribe ourselves ,
Gratefully yours , The Maso . ns om Strike , Thomas Shoiitt , Sec 6 , Agnes Street , Waterloo-road , Lambeth , April 2 ath , 1842 . P . S . Upon the subject of publishing a brief history of the strike , the Mason ' s committee most respectfully solicit all those that feel disposed to subscribe for a copy , or copies , to forward their orders , in writing , to the Masons' Corresponding Secretary , Craven Head , Drury Lane , London . However useful such a publication may be considered , as we cannot afford to run the risk of a loss , it cannot be proceeded with unless a sufficient number of subscribers be obtained to guarantee us against the chance of losing ; we , therefore , hope our friends throughout the country will not forget us on this occasion , and that they will be prompt in sending their orders .
If a sufficient number of subscribers is obtained , we will endeavour to make arrangements with Mr . Cleave , 1 , Shoe-lane , London , for their transmission to the country .
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Coalijrook Dale . —Chartist Demonstration . On Whitsun Tuesday , the 17 th instant , the members and fris-nds of the Coalbrook Dile Association intend to ht » ld a Chartist demonstration on the Wrekin , and respectfully , yet urgently , invite the co-operation of all the Chartists in Shropshire , or the surrounding counties , they having adopted the old Tory toast of " all friends round the Wrekin . " It is the intention of the Dale Chartists to meet their Salopian and other friends in Watlingstreet , near Wellington , at 11 o ' clock , and from thence proceed , with banners and music , to the Wrekin . Mr . Mason and several other gentlemen are expected . Dvdvet . —Mr . Candy will lecture here on Whitsun Wednesday .
Bilstox . —A grand ball will be held in the larte association room , Stafford-street , on Whit Monday ; musicians are already engaged for the purpose ; tickets fourper . ee each , to be had at the . following places : — namely , at Mr . Thomas Rogers , Waisali-street ; Mr . Robert Getting ? , Oxford-street ; Mr . Jonn Jones , hair-dresser , Wolverhampton-street ; and at the Co operative Stores , Stafford-street . Dablasto . v . —A delegate meeting oF great importance , will be held at the Seven Stars Inn , Darlaston , at two o ' clock on Whit-Sunday , May 15 th , when delegates from the following places , are earnestly requested to attend : —Dudley , Wednesbury , WalsalJ , WolTorhampton , and Bilston , when business respecting the district lecturer will bo transacted , and other matters of importance .
Derby . —The Charti « t 3 of this town , will have a tpa party and ball at Mr . Pegg ' s , Tanner's Arms , on Tuesday in Whitsun week . Hooley Hill—On Monday , May 16 th , Mr . Dixon , of Wj # an , will deliver a lecture at this place , at seven o ' clock in the evening . Nottingham . —A County delegate meeting will be held at ihe Democratic "Chapel , Rice Place , on Sunday next , when it , is requested that all places in the locality will send delegates , as business of importance will be brought forward . Mr Simmdks , from Sutton , will preach twoser mons on the Forest , on . Sunday , May 8 th , at two in the afternoon , and six in the evening . Mr . Cooprr , from Leicester , will preach two sermons on the Forest , on Whit-Sunday afternoon and evening .
Bradford . —Alecture will be delivered at the Masons' Arms , Church Houses , on Saturday ( this evening ) by Mr . Edwards , on behalf of the Association . Ramsbottom . —Mr . James Duffy will open an Association at Mr . James Taylor ' s , the Dun Horse Inn , on Monday , May the 9 ; h , at eight o ' clock in the evening . Little Horto >\—Mr . J . Arran will lecture in the Chartists' Room , on Sunday evening next , at six o'clock . Adwalto . v . —A Chartist CamD Meeting will be held at this place to-morrow , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . Long Land ' s Place . —Messrs . Alderson and Rawnsley will lecture on Wednesday evening next .
Arnold . —Mr . Soar , from Nottingham , will preach in our Chapel on Sunday evening next , at six o ' clock . CH 0 wnE > T . —Mr . Isaac Barrow , of Bolton , will deliver two lectures in Harrison ' s Chapel , on the 15 : h instant . The lectures < o commence at half-past two o ' clock in the afternoon , and at half-past eix in the evening . Collections will be made at the close of each lecture , to defray the expenses of the Chapel . Middleton . —Mr . Wilson will deliver a lecture in the Chanist Chapel , on Monday next , " On the present alarming state of the country , the cause oi it , and it 3 remedy . " Doors to hi opened at halfpast seven o'clock , aad the kcture to commence at ei ^ ht .
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THE GRAND NATI 0 NA 1 DEMONSTRATION On -Monday , morning thousands of hearts , ^ in thw large Metropolia , were beating with hope and anxiety regarding the result of the novel , arid by many affirmed to be , dangerous experiment of the sons of labour , marching ^ to the House which ought to represent them * and . demanding that the rights of labour should be ^ respected , and that a nation ' s wrongs should be redressed . ¦ / ¦¦¦ . ¦ '¦ "¦ '¦ - ' ¦ -:- ¦ :. ' . -. .,. ¦ ¦ . ¦ : . '¦ . _ : ' '"¦ - . The Times , and other Tory papers , were not wanting In their cautions to the people that it was illegal for them to go to their own house to present their own petition , and impressing upon them the heavy nature « f the penalties they would incur ; but , unfortunately , as but few ^ f- th e class inte rested Indulged themselves in reading the lucubrations of these sapient journalista , their labour of love , and their well meant advice , waa entirely disregarded . 34
it . ° ^! f- f " . mei » . Pressing to- have imbibed the Chartist principles ,. were not wanting In their denunciations of such wanton and useless expenditure of money ; it was time , they affirmed , that all such gewgaws aa music and banners , for such a purpose , should be thrown aside , and that men should become the intelligent , the high-minded beings , which they supposed themselves to be . These men being a century in advance of their fellow men , their voice was lost in the far distancefrom whence it had to echo , and only some slight reverberations of it ever reached the ears of the
thoughtless multitude , -who seemed determined that day to fight their enemies with their own weapons of tinselled glitter . and idle pomp , " and thfc result will prove that they acted wisely and well ; that they inoculated thousands with the spirit of Chartism to whom it had previously been a dead letter ; arid demonstrated to their late Whig undertakers that they were neither dead nor slumbering—that the spiiit which animated tlieii breasts was too subtle ever to be confined by a Whig Attorney-General , too elastic to be bound by any doctrine of Whig finality .
On Monday morning all promised well—the sun shone gaily— and thousands were seen assembling together in their local divisions , previous to commencing their march to the central appointments . By nine o ' clock vast masses had collected in Finsbury-square , Waterloo-road , Bethnal-green , Church and Circusstreets , Marylebone , &c . Colours were flying , bands playing , and niaTshalmen on horseback were hurrying to and fro , collecting and conveying intslligence . In the mean time , the members of the Convention were not idle : from an early hour they were assiduously engaged in adding signatures to the huge document , and in preparing for the procession .
By eleven o ' clock , the immense area of Lincoln's-innfields was occupied more densely than ever it had previously been in the memory of its oldest inhabitant ; and much curiosity was evinced as to the cause of such an imposing spectacle , which vrns -8 b . oir . tiy gratified by the arrival of the great National Petition Itself . About twelve ^ clock , it waa with considerable labour placed in a frame made for that purpose , attached to which were two wooden bearers or poles , " thirty . feet long ; on the froit of tha frame waa painted in hrge figures 3 317 , 702 , this being the number of signatures the petition contained ; and under this was written in large characters , ' the Charter ; " tho back of the frame had inscribed on it the word ' Liberty , " and also the number of signatures ; the sides were ornamented with
the Six Points of the Charter . The weight of the petition was immense ; its length was ascertained to be six miles and fifty yards ; the bearers , consisting of Hien from the various trades of the . metropolis ,, having arrived , the giant was lifted on high , and the bearers commenced slowly wending their way towards Linr coins Inn-fields , preceded by Dr . M'Douall and Mr . Kuffy Ridley on horseback , as marshals , and numerous fhgs ^ and banners , followed by the members of the Convention , three abreast , headed byi Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., Mr . Moir . and Mr . iM'Pherson ; following the Convention were numerous delegates from Manchester , Cheltenham , Reading , Brighton , Nottingham ,-Northamrton , and many other places . The arrival of the petition and Convention at Lincoln ' s Inn Fields was greeted with
triumphant cheering , and after making the circuit of the place , this monster petition was deposited on mother earth' much to the ease of the bearers , who , though thirty in number , were compelled to be relieved several times during this short distance . Among the bearers vrere several g ? the masons who had the honour of carrying the last petition j ; also ; a Scotchman in the national garb of his country . Owing to the immense assemblage in this pl . aee , it was a work of some time to arrange the procession in marching order ; but thearrangementshad been ^ well conducted ; the niarshalmeri , twentyfour of whom were on horseback were well acquainted with the duties , and about half-past' one o ' clock they commenced moving towards the place of their destination amid the most deafening shouts of applause .
The route taken by the procession to the House of Commons , was down Queen-street , Holborn , Museumstreet , Russell-street , Tottenham Court Road , Oxford-Btrett . Regent-street , Waterloo PJace ,: P < tll Mali , Cha ring Cross , and Parliament-street j all of which were crowded with spectators , Windows , house-tops , and every portion of the fcuihlings being put in requisition . Waggons , carts , i&o . were stationed in places along the line for thtir accommodation , and much profit derived by their proprietors . In many places the procession was greeted with inmWnsfr cheering from the assembled multitude , and with waving of handkerchiefs , &c from the ¦ windows p . nd house-tops . Omnibuses and cabs sported the tricolour ; and all seemed to be aware of the ruspect due to such a demonstration of the party of the people .
The balconies of the various club-houses in Pall Mall and its neighbourhood were crowded with Members of Parliament and other persona of distinction ; and on passing these places the cheering was truly deafening , and reverberated along the whole line , ¦ which extended upwards of a milo and a half in length , and was allowed by all parties to be larger and more splendid than tde procession of the Trades ' Unionists for the release of the Dorchester labourers . Of the numbers present , it would be impossible to form any calculation , suffice it to say that the Times , Tory paper , gives us 50 , 000 , and we may fairly cilculate upon ten simes the numbers , an opponent gives ua ; indeed towards Pall Mall and Parliament-street , the whole was one dense mass of fcumati beings . The
procession reached to the House of Commons , previous to a portion of it leaving Oxford-street . At the House of Commons , the pressure was so tremendous , that it was scarcely possible for the marshals to clear a road for the petition to be conveyed to the House . The policemen were busy with their staves ; but taking their conduct as a whole during the day they acted well , no party atttsnipting to offer the least obstruction . When the petition reached the lobby of the House , they found that the bulk of the petition was so great that the frame was compelled to be broke , and the petition pirtially unrolled ere it could be admitted . In tho course of this operation , a few of the windows were broken ; but eventually , the prayer of the nation was laid before ' the bar of ihe House ;
Mr . F . O'Connor and other members actively assisted in the duty of forcicg the petition into the House , and wtre loudly cheered by those around the doors of the House . This was taken up by the line of procbssion , and the whole line speedily became one vast tcho of triumphant cnetring . To avoid confusion , the great bulk of the procession after a few-mom-nts pause , passed over Westminster Bridge , and contiDucd their route up York Road , whore ten minutes rest was allowed for the banner men and others to obtain refreshment , and though the heat was intense and the dust very inconvenient , yet to the honour of the men of London be it said , that not a single instance of
drunkenness occurred during the whole route . If it ha « l been a procession of teetotallers they could not have acted in a more sober or orderly manner ; indeed their conduct on this day will show that the foul charge of ignorance , violence , &c , so often brought against them is a base and und caluroniouM falsehood . From York Road the procession proceeded up S camfurd-street , across Blackfri . r ' s-bridge . where thoueh tho numbers were considerably lessened still the appearance was very imposing , the banners and flics being brought into closer contact . The line tf route was then up Farringdbn-street , Holboru-hill , Holtwrn , Smithfitlil , John-street Road , Pentonville , to White Coniiuit House .
Toe following waa the order of procession from Lracolu ' s-inn tielda : — Ten Marshalmen on horseback , wearing Executive scarfs . Brass band . Splendid banner—Motto— " The sufferings of the people shall be redressed . " Counoilmen cf the Western Division , four abreast , wearing Executive scarfs , oud carrying red ' , wands . Delegates from Yarmouth , bearing splendid banner—On one side , 'Yarmouth Universal Suffrage Association . " Reverse— " May every lover of his country unite uutil we obtain our rights . " The following were a few ef the other flags , with their mottos : —
Universal Suffrage , and no surrender . Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , See . Cap of liberty . " We have set our lives upon a cast ; we will abide the h ? ZKd of a die . " The Six Points of the Charter . Cap of liberty , and bundle of rods . "We demand our rights . " Universal Suffrage . 11 We demand our rights . " Brass baud . " He that oppresses the peor shall perish from the land . " " The abolitiomof cl 6 se corportions . " Two splendid Union Jacks . Splendid Welsh tri-coloured
flaj" We are determined to have the Chatter . " Excellent painting , representing . the card of the Association . Portrait pf'Heriry Hunt " United we stand , divided we fall . " 11 Thou shall neither vtx the stranger , nor the poor . " Large black banner ,: ehowing the enormous expenditure of money on the Bishops , & < q , ' Body of carpenters .
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. . ; . - ; "Flag— ... .. ' ; . ¦ . ¦¦ Motto—" . 'United Carpenters' Association ;" And various other trade devices . " . -:, - ¦ - ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦' . ¦ •¦;¦¦' , > ' ' . ' . -Band . ¦ :. ; . '¦ . . W : ' / . ¦ Stonemasons' Scotch banner , La ^ Body of Stonemasons , with varicu . 3 trade emblems . Flag— " Dr . M'Douall , the tyrants dread and the friend " of the poor . " targe black flag with the following inscription : " Question ^ ' What man is that when you ask him for bread will give you a stone ?• Answer , ' The parBon b ? the Church of England . '" . '" . . ' .. ¦[ ' : ' ¦ - .. . Band . ; ¦ . ¦'' ¦'" . ' . . Large trieoloured Flag . Motto , " Finsbury locality . " A large tanner with portraits of the Welsh victims . " Dr . M'Douall , the friend of the factory children . "
" United we stand , divided we fall . " " Our birthrights—we are determined to have them . ' Lictors with cap of liberty . " Truth and Justice will preyaii . " Finsbury banner , tricolour . Foll « wed by marshals on horseback . '¦' ¦¦ Band .- ' :
THE ( SBAND PETITION , Supported by the extra bearers on each side . Band of Grenadier Guards . The members of the Convention threo abreast Country Delegates three abreast Band . Green flag . Motto—National Charter Association Reading . Beautiful banner representing the Manchester massacre , . * . and on the reverse" ¦ Murder demands justice . " On passing the Unit « d Service Club House , this banner was displayed to the members of the club at the balcony , and some trifling excitement was manifested . This banner attracted universal attention , and niany hundreds were heard to express their sentiments of abhorrence and resentment at that brutal transaction . Xarge trieoloured flag , — - " The People ' s Charter , equal rights and equal laws . "
" Freedom of the Press . " Green Flag—Reverse— " Cheltenham Association . " " Dr . M'Douall . the Tyrant ' s Foe . " " Universal Suffrage . " " Our Rights , we are determined to have them . " " Universal Suffrage and no Surrender . " " Feargus O'Connor , the People ' s Friend . " " Love mercy and truth , and defend the rights of the ' Poor . " «• Calverton National Charter Association . " " Feargus O'Connor , the Tyrant ' s Foe , " Reverse— " They have set up kings but not by me .
God is our king him will we obey . " " Silk Weavers , Tower Hamlets , " " Justice before Charity . " " The Charter and no Surrender . " Triceloured Flag . Silford Association—Brick Line Association . " Universal Suffrage . Salaries of the Bishops in full detail . Salford large tri-colour . Large white banner , preceding the bagpipesplayers in full national costume . Ladies' Shoemakers . Trieoloured Flag . " Six Points of the Charter . " " Freedom of the Press . " " Charter . " Cap of Liberty . " We know our Rights and will have them . " Henry Hunt cheeriig from the clouds Feargus
O'Connor . " Chatter and no Surrender . " Large banner . Portraits of Frost . Williams , and Jones . And some hundreds of other flags of which it is impossible to give ; any account . In fact such a numerous and imposing quantity of banners ttbafiks to our country friends ) was nsver before seen in the Metropolis .
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first band followed these flassv Next t 6 the band was a flag inscribed "We require jus tice before charity—the People ' s Charter , sad no surrender !" and on the other JJide of it were these words , " Every man iB bom tt * e , and God has given man equalri « htB and liberties ; and may it please God to give man knowledge to assert those rights , and let no tyrannical faction withhold them from the people . ' Then followed the flags belonging to the Hudders field and Kettering Association , together with those from the association at the Tower Hamlets . Following these was another band , in the midst of which was
a flag inscriben , * ' 0 Connor , the tried champien of the people . / ' The appearance of this flag was hailed with a leui burst of cheering ; from the persons assem bled in Emcoln ' s-irin-square to view : toe . procession as it passed . ' immediately following this flag was one bearing the quotation from Exodus , ''W hosoever sheddeth ' - ' man ' s blood by man shall his blood be shed . " Several other fl * i ; 8 followed , and by two o ' clock the procession bad left the square . It . proceeded up Great Queen-street , Drury-lane , up Holborn , to Oxford-street , and arrived at the House of Commons at a quarter past three . v ¦ ¦•' :. "'¦' . . - ... ' - . '¦' : ¦' : -. " ' ¦¦ : ¦ :. ¦
Everything was conducted in the mest peaceable and orderly manner . Not the slightest confusion prevailed from the time of the assembling of the multitude in the morning to that of its departure with the procession . A hrute body of the police , under Superintendent Sandrook , were in attendance , but they were not required to act in any way .
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BRADFORD . —Masons' Arms Club Houses . — The inembera cf this Association have unanimously adopted a resolution to abide by Feargus O'Connor , the six paints ; and the name of the Charter . MANCHESTER . —Delegate Meetixg . —The South Lancashire Delegate meeting was held in the 3 rown . strefct : Association Room , on Sunday ; Mr . Guthrie in the chair . The dehgates present were—Messrs . James Hbyle , Salford ; HenryGillmore , Bolton ; John Leach , Rocndale ; William GriiBa , Jlosley ; David Whittaker , Newton Heath ; Henry Warren , Failswoith" ; Henry Waters , Miles Platting ; John Key , Hoilin-wood ; Charles Bowman , Droylsden and Opensbaw-j William Guthrie , Eccles ; James Cartr led ^ e , Warrington ; William Stephenson , Stalybridge ; Thomas Lawltss , Oldhani ; Robert Beaumont , Waterhead Mills ; David Jordan , Hulme ; John Nuttle , Manchester . Tho Secretary read the minutes of the last meeting , which were confirmed . _ : After receiving
notices of- motions , the meeting adjourned until halfpast ene o ' clock , when Mr . Cartledge gavo an account of bis mishion to . the North Lancashire delegate meeting . Mr . Griffin moved , and Mr . Bowman seconded , "That , having Ueard therepprt of Mr . Cartledge , respecting bis ' mission , 'to the North Lancashire delegate meeting , the delegates are perfectly satisfied with the feeling manifested on the subject of unity and good understanding between the Chartists of South and North Lancashire . '— Carried . Moved by'Mr . . Griffin , and seconded by Mr . Davis , " That ten shillings , the amount of Mr . Gartledge ' s expences , be paid . " Moved by Mr . Cartledge , and seconded by Mr . Bowman , " That the explanation ¦ received from-Robert . Kemp Philp » regarding ^ his , signing the . Sturge Dseparation , is satisfactory to this meeting , and that the correspondence bttwixt Mr . Cartledge and Mr . Philp be sent to the Northern Sfar for insertion . The following is the correspondence : —>
" 34 , Lomas-streefc , Bavi Top , Manchester , March 30 th , 1 S 42 . " Dear Philp , —At the South Lancashire Delegate Metting , on Sunday laat , it was ananiaiously resolved that I should write to you , requesting an explanation cf the policy pursued by you in signing the ' Complete Suffrage Declaration . ' - " This they think is due to them , aa a portion of the National Charter Association , as it appears contrary to the general line of policy pursued by the Chartists * and is diametrically opposed to that they have found it necessary to pursue in Lancashire .
" This tbey-tuink is due to you as a member of the Executive ¦ Committee , for they have no inclination to condemn you unhrard , though I must inform you that you have caused , iereat disapprobation end very great dinsatisfactioQin this part of the country ; for we can * not consent to any compromise with cue party who on every occasion hire bludgeon-men to force us to submit to their views of reform . Your partner wiil lemember how he was treated in the Carpenters' Hall when here , which will justify us in watching with jealousy every movement pf thesa commercial schemers . " I am , dtar Sir , " Yours , respectfully , " James CAnTLEDGE . " To Robert Kemp Philp . " - " 1 , Shoe Lane , Fleet street , London , "April 27 th . 1842 .
"My DEAR CARTiEnGE , —Believe roe the only cause of the delay of my answer to your official note , asking an explanation' of nvy conduct , in reference to the complete suffrage' movepient , has been the pressure of public and private duties . " I thank the ' South Lancashire delegates , for their just conduct in asking my defence against a particular accusation , ' before they pronounced their judgment Their conduct has , however , been an exception to the rule , for in . most places from which condemnation has proceeded , no investigation has been made , but unequivocal denunciation has been sent forth , based upon the most false and malicious representations of my conduct . "In explanation , I now declare that I have never from my first connexion with Chartism , contemplated or advised the abandonment of one principle of the Charter , or ev , en the name , by wlsich our pursuit ia designated . " ' - ... ' "
" I glory in the name of Ckaitist , and whether in company of friends or foes , I proudly acknowledge what I am . ¦¦ " '' : "I signed ; the 'declaration' because it involved no compromise of principle , and that by so doin ^ I misht be able to assist in sending Charjists to the Conference , to defend and advocate our cause , and endeavour to secure its triunjpb , " To a great extent my efforts were successful , two Chartists were sent for Bath , and aided by good and true men from other places , the Six Points were unanimously adopted . The Conference was resolved upon to consider -of the Charter aa a whole ; -now when this is about to take place I shall act as I did before , in order to secure the adoption of the Charier in substance , detail and name ::
" O'Connorhas haa now expressed his intention to act in this way with regard to the next Conference , yet it is fortbis precisely that I have been denounced . My opinion is that we must abide by bur organisation , be true to ourselves arid our cau ? e , and we cannot fail to triumph . Jylany evils result from violently denouncing our enemies , but when a tide of hasty and unmerited denunciation is poured out upon our friends , aseriout injury is done to the movement . In the course of our agitation we shall have frequent occasions to differ in opinion ; we iuu ? t hold ourselves prepared for this , but
if we cwndenm with bitterness of feeling and rail afc and denounce those who think upon some objects different from ourselves , we never shall succeed , and despotism will ride rampant Over a divided and quarrelling people I cannot go n ' t greater length . at pu-seut , ; read my letters in the V'indicator , the resolutions from B ; vth in the Star , &c . & . c , ami look at the results ; view the previous illtreatment I have- received . Believe me sincerely and truly devoted to the people ' s cause , and that lnisrepreserrtaUoH , abuse , fUtteryv nor temptation shall never corrupt the democratic heart of
" RoiiEBT Kemp Philp . " The circular from the Convention , requiring further aid , was read to the . delegate )? . Mr . Cartledge msved , and Mr-Giiluioru seconded , the following resolution : — " That we send five pounds to the Conventicn , \ z ., three pounds for our representative , and two pounds towards the expences of tbat body in carrying out the duties imposed UpQn it' * Agreed to . Moved by Mr . Bowman , and seconded by Mr . Raiiton— " That the committee haVo power to give two pi nads fhore to the Convention shouidit be required . " Agreed to . Mr . Leach moved , and- Mr . Cartledpc seconded— " That no delegate bring forward a motion for the levying money on the members . of the different localities without giving
notice to the delegate meeting previous . " Agreed to Mr . Cartledge moved , and Mr . Nil ' . tie seconded , the following resolution : —" Thi 3 meeting having the greatest confidence in the integrity and ability of Feargua O'Connor , E-q ., the Rev . Wni . Hill , an ' d-tbe people ' s paper , the Northern Star , pledge themselves to stand by them so long aa thsy fearlessly and ably advocate the rights of the working classes , and hereby call , upon the people to support the Charter . n : une and all , at every public meeting called for political purposes . " Moved by Mr . Railt ' on , and seconded by Mr . Bowman— " That we the delegates of Sjuth Lancashire , in delegate meeting assembled , do recommend to the various looa ) itie . s . to give no countenance or support to any man or men who do not belong to the National Charter Association , for by supporting such individuals is only calculated to breed discard and confusion in our ranks . " Mr . Waters moved and Mr . Nuttle seconded , " that in const qaence
of Mr . Joseph Llriney having neglected bis appointhients , and thereby caused disappointments which have proved injurious to the cause , this meeting therefore autooriie the Secretary to get some one to fulfill his place the remainder of the' plan . "—Moved by Mr . Lawless and seconded by . ViMr .- Cartledge , " that no locality be allowed to take away any lecturer from iris engagement without the consent of the locality by which be had been engaged . "— Mr . Hoyle moved acd Mr . Railtoa secended , " That we , the delegates of South Lancashire , do he eby teader a vpt i of our confidenoe to the Convention now sitting in Ijondon . " Car tiedutianiriiowsly A vote of tbaiiks was given to the Chairman , and the meeting separated until that day luouth . From the accounts of the delegates from drfferent parts of the country there appears to ba > an Increase of numbers to the Asspciatibn and a fixed defjrmiriation to pwsa forward until the working cMa ? g are in possession of their just " , rigtt 3 ; their awtto is » " ¦ ' Tha whole Charter and ng iBunendef !"
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THE NOR TH E R N T A R . '¦¦ : ¦¦ ¦ A : J %
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CIRCULAR OF THE OPERATIVE STONEMASONS . " Sydney , New Souih "Wales , October 28 th , 1842 . " At a meeting of delegates cf all the trades , held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern , George-street . Sydney , on the 21 st of October , 3 841 , it was unanimously agreed that emigrants aad been deluded to this colony by the bounty agents holding out such prospects to them so as to cause , niany to emigrate here who are now in a state of great distress , mere particularly in other trades than in onr own .
" There were not less thsn thirty ont of employ , duringlhe last s . x months , out cf five hundred masons . Our trade is Tiot so brisk at present , owing to the Govennneti public "works being done by prison labour , which ¦ was formtrly done by Government emigrants . But since emigrants have come out in bounty ships , they have Ect lieen employed in Government works , but the day after their arrival they are left to perish in the streets -with their wivts and families . " W « , therefore , beg of you of the Trades' Union t < j petition some Member of Parliament , to cause emigrants to come out in Government ships , as on their arrival they are employed by Government , and provided to in
• with h ^ iises liv e -until they obtain other employment . Beware of bounty emigration , for it is only a delusion . Employment is scarce , bouse rents high ; and provisions dear , as you ¦ will see by the following statement Onr wages are from eight to nice shillings per day , for competent ¦ workmen , vrith precarious employment . There is no Eurtty of work more than a -week at a time , as the work here is so very uncertain . Coupled as they are with yery stringent laws between -workmen and their employers , and entirely different to -what is enforced in Great Britain and Ireland , as -we have an aristocracy here ¦ who-make laws to suit their own private ends to the detriment of the working man .
We bave here sent you a plain statement of the state of the coiony which we hope you will take intovonr serious consideration , and then juage for yourselves whether to remain at home or emigrate to this country , bearing in mind that you have to labour for eight months in tha year under a vertical sun , "with the following" deduction from your "wages , if you have employment , viz , house rents for & man and his -wife , ten shillings per week ; fire-wood , candles , and provisions will average two pounds per week . Single men must pay at the rate of one pound ten shillings peT week ; this must be furnished weekly , inclusive of clothes , tools . &C icz .
" Dear brothers , "we leave you to judge trw state of the poor labouring man "who only gets at the rate of four shillings per day , "when he has employment , "what must be his condition srith the high r&ta of living . We "will continue to hold a monthly correspondence "with you in future : should things cet better , you "will be made acquainted from time to time . " We wiah you to circulate this statement amongst the working classes of Great Britain and Ireland , to prevent the sad occurrences we bave already "witnessed . We
• wish you to be particular in our correspondence "with you only in this circular , as for the future we shall have a stamp , so that you will know it is from our society , as ; he masters . are in the habit of not only writing , but getting printed circulars sent from this colony to Great Britain and ' Ireland , with false statements both of the colony , trade , provisions , house rents , &c , "which has caused many deiUded emigrants to end their days in wane on uur shores , who mi fe ht have seen better days in their native iand . " I remain , yours ,
" William Goodall , Secretary " Society of Operative Stonemasons , Mr . Baker ' s , Crown and Anchor , George-street , Sydney . " " To Thomas Siort , Secretay of English Society of ilasons . "
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THE STONE MASOXS OX STRIKE , FROM THE > 'EW HOVSES OF PARLIAMENT , AND SELSOS ' S Muhl'ME . NT , L 0 > "D 0 N , AKD THE WOOL' "W 1 CH DOCKTAKD , To the Public a \ d ihe Trades of Great Britain and Ireland .
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" Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many . " " There is much to be done : stick to it steadily . " Franklik . " Screw your conrace to the sticking place , And well not £ iil . " Suakspeee ,
BB £ THBE > ' , —Although happy to state "we are still furthtr reouced in number , we are yet in the battlefield of moral -warfare , contending with all the means at our disposal , and all the tact that occurs to our minds " , against the " golden power" ( i f our own creati ^ nj the combined and extensive influence of the common enemies of . our order , and , ns is our duty , we most grstefnlJy acknowledge , that since the iftuing of cur last afidress . or raiiitr appeal , our meanB , tkrough the prompt manntr in wtich you have responded to it ,
have b * tn iria : eriaily improved . We , however , frel b » . und to state , that even yet we are about £ 130 in debt to our turnouts ; and as they have not exnibited the shghteit disposition of traitorism or division—circumstances but too frequent when strikes are mnch protracted ,. even when ihe specified allowance is fully and regularly paM— and sensible too that they subtn : t : e& to much inconvenience and even privation for the -want cf their respective portions , "we seriously solicit , at your eiriiest convenience , means to pay them .
" Masters , " says Doctor Adam Smith , " are always and everywhere in a sort of tacit but constant and uniform combination not to raise the wages of labour . To ¦ violate this combination is everywhere a most unpopnlar action , " arid a soit of reproach to a master among his neighbours and equals . " This , although brief , "we believe a tru 3 and clear exposition cf"the disposition of employers and capitalists generally towardB workmen . Upon the same premises , taking the opposite position , lei us follow their example Ltt us on the present trying occasion manifest the same degree and uniformity of combination . Let each of those that may be found amongst na , of whatever trade Dr profession , "who has not contributed his share in proportion to hi * means in support of this Important and material struggle , " reproach" himself "with a serious dereliction of dtity , and expiats it by at ones sending in bis subscription in aid of the payment of this pressing and peculiar debt , and it "will Boon be discharged . at
Tfce ^ nuiiiber of turnouts present on our funds from ie Houses of Parliament and the Nelson Monamett ) gfetaer , are reduced to about thirty . At Woolwich , as stated by thsir secretary , only f : een blacks are at work , and those are engaged either ¦ i mming fixed -work , or reducing dreEsed stuff to preent an entire stoppage . At present they have not a ugle rough stone . the property of Grissell and Peto , pon the premises ; the number of our members that irasd but Tew nearly a hundred ; only tweuty-five jiuain . At Plymouth the turnouts are rednced to six . At Dartmoor , where , be it understood , an aeent is ept ty both parties , ( teat is , by ourselves and Grissell
^Rfi)«Mms Cf)Arttgt $8leeim$0
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The following are the accounts furnished by the Times and the Morning Chronicle of the " National " procession : — ( From the Times . ) Yesterday was what may be termed a grand demonstration of the strength of the political body called Chartists .
According to the instructions issued to the various divisions and sections , the Chartist party began to assemble in the Waterloo-road , Bermondsey , Deptford , Croydon , Bethnal-green , Shoreditch , Finsbury , Marylebone ; Somerstpwn , Pancras , and numerous other places , at various hours , varying from seven to eleven o ' clock , so as to enable them to be in proper order in Lincoln ' s-inn-fleltls , where the different feodies were to assemble and form themselves by twelve o ' clock . Accordingly , the neighbourhood of the place of assemblage began to present a very bustling appearance as early as ten o'clock , and the multitude continued to increase up to the time the procession began to move , about half-past one o ' clock , at which hour the number of persons who were drawn to the place could not have
been less than 20 , 000 persons ; the greater part were , however , merely spectators , for the numbers of persons who actually formed in procession were , according to the returns made to tb . 9 Commissionersof Police , I 960 , anda fraction above , females incuded . The numbers were ascertained by persons belonging to the police being placed in different parts with orders to count . The number of banners and Bags waa 70 ; there were six bands of music , and three Scotch pipers , and three caps of liberty surmounting the lictor ' s rods . As soon as the proces-Bian was formed the movement commenced by four persons on horseback , bearing wands mounted with trieoloured ribands , the riders , as well as the rest , wearing a trieoloured rosette and a trieoloured # ilk scarf . They were followed by a purple silk banner , with the
inscription , " The sovereignty of the People , " followed by others bearing buod . as " The Charter , " "Universal Charter , " " No Surrender , " ' Liberty , " and " Free Press . " One of the flags from the inscription of ' ¦! ' More pigs and less parsons , " with " Universal suffrage , " occasioned a vast deal of amusement . The first and second divisions having passed along Little Queenstreet and Holbern , were followed by the division to whose care was entrusted the petition , which was placed upon a framework of wood : it weighed about two cwt ; and was carried by 33 men , the woodwork being ornamented with " The Charter—the People ' s right ; " and the whole body then moved forward at a slow rate , but in a most peac ? able and orderly manner , along Holborn , Tottenharri-court-road , New-road , down Langham-place , Regent-street / and then in a direct line to the House of Commons , which place they reached
about half-past three o clock . Long before their arrival both aides of Parliament street and the open space before the House of Commons , as well as those points which commanded a view of the processioD , were crowded to excess ; so that at the time the petition arrived the number of persons assembled could not have been less than 50 , 000 . Across Palace-yard a fctroDg body of police , under the directions of Superintendents May and Ghinsell , were placed so as to afford a free passage for the members of the two Houses of Parliament , while to prevent any mote inconvenience than was necessary , the procession filed off towards Westminster-bridge . The leader having informed Mr . Superintendent May that they only requited the deleg » te 3 and those who carried the petition to be admitted , an avenue was immediately formed by the police .
The windows of the House of Commons , looking into the open space , were filled with Members , the most prominent b « iug the Hon . Member for Finsbury ( Mr . T . Duncombe ) , who having agreed t > present the leviathan petition wa 9 loudly chested . The petition was then carried to the Members' entrance , but from the height and bulk it got jambed in the doorway , much to the annoyance of several Members , who were prevented from entering the House . The Hon . Member for Montrose ( Mr . J . Hume , who happened to come down at the time , upon seeing the petition jambed in the doorway , suggested that it should be taken round to the other door , but a dilemma again presented itself— tho petition was immovable . It was at length suggested that the framework should be reuioved ; this , in a few minutes , was broken away , and the petition carried into the House .
Owing to the excellent arraHgements''of the police , not the slightest accident occurred , while the only instance of disapprobation expressed by tho mob was at some barristers , who had placed themselves at the window over the private entrance to the Court of Queen ' s Bench .
( From the morning Chronicle . ) Yesterday being the day appointed for the presentation of " The National Petition , " the Chartists assembled in large bodies in different quarters of the town at an early hour . Soon afcer nine o ' clock , the streets leading to Lincoln ' s-imvflelds were thronged with members of the various Associations of the metropolis and elsewhere , all wending their way towards the place of rendezvous—viz . the square ef Lincoln ' sinn-fields . The time appointed for the formation of the procession waa one o ' clock , and by that time the square was densely crowded . The windows of the houses in the vicinity "were occupied by spectators , principally ladies . The members of the National Convention arrived in the Square at one o ' clock ; those who were recognized by the assembled multitude were greeted with loud cheering
The members of the Convention were preceded by the , monster petition , borne on the shoulders of thirty-three able-bodied men , selected from the different trades in the metropolis . It was carried on a kind of portable stage or plat - foTm , which had been constructed for the purpose , arid was covered with . ribbons , and otherwise decorated . On the front was placed a placard , displaying the number of signatures which it contained , and from which it appeared that the number was 3 , 317 . 702 ; The procession was formed" soon after one o ' clock , the , petition being placed in" front After the petition car / ie a large and ample black flag , bearing the inscripti-on , " Murder demands Ju 8 tice , 19 th August , 1819 . " On the other side the flag was a representation of the Manchester massacre . Next to this flag were several staves , bearing on each a representation of the . Cap of Liberty . Then came several flags , bearing each tht inscription , " United we stand , divided we foil . " ThA
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 7, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct753/page/7/
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