On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (10)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1842.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
&o 3$e<ftev0 attii @om$potftreut0»
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
TRIJLL BY JURY—1794 . On Saturday evening , a dinner took place atRadley's Hotel , Bridge-street , " Blackfriars , in celebration of mother anniversary of the acquittal of Thomas Hardy , John Horne Toeke , and John Thelwall , in 1794 , and In commemoration of the institution of tbe " Trial by Jury . " Shortly after rix o ' clock the chair was taken by T . S . Dancombe , Esq ., M . P . There were also at the npper table CoL P . Thompson , W . Coates , Esq ., R . Taylor , Esq ., Major BeTell , the Canon Riego , Jl . Galloway , Esq ., a P . Thompson , Esq ., P . A . Taylor , Esq ., Dr . Epps , and J . Coppock , Esq . Abont 130 gentlemen , well-known for their Bteady and consistent support ef liberal principles , sat down to dinner . The cloth having hrpn drawn .
The ChaibhaN rose , and was msst enthusiastically received . He said he bad now to propose" the first toast of those which he should have the honour of submitting to them . It was one of which , ont of a meritorious , but mistaken , notion of gallantry , " had of late years been departed from . It was , " The Sovereignty of the People "—( immsnse cheers ) . He " was glad that such toast had been placed first on the list , £ Dd he wa 3 bare that there had never t > een a sovereign who was more ready to acknowledge the authority by which she
reigned than Queen Victoria—( cheerins ) . Whether Ibe Bame disposition was felt by the wretched faction who now unfortunately surround her , ana who had forced themselves into power , as much detested by tne people a « ¦ unwelcome to the monarch , he mucn doubled —( cheers ) . But the circumstance that tnch a faction now surrounded the Queen was the best reason why they should commence with proclaiming that which they should always be prepared to assert— " The Sovereignty of the People "—( loud applause , three times three , and much subsequent cheering ) .
The Chaiskas next proposed , " The Qaeen , long may she live ! to see the condition of her people improved , the laws reformed , ani the privileges of the people greatly extended . " ( Loud and long-continued applause . ) Tie CHaibMan said that perhaps they would understand the next toast better than he did - it was " An honest Ministry—consistent men—good measures . " He was afraid that , under the present system of representation , such a wish was the day-dream of a political enthusiast , but if any believed that such a wish could ever be realised , no one must think that by the toast they intended to pay the slightest'compliment , or to allude in the smallest degree , to her Majesty ' s present Government—( cheers , and lauijhter . )
Testing the Government by the rule of the toast , that the ministry was an honest one which was composed of consistent men , and which gave good measures , what were they ? He would mention one instance : the gentleman that did them the honour to preside over the HoMe Office—( cheers , and laughter . ) He / Sir J . Graham ) had once said , that the very men with whom be j now acted , were " the materials of the worst cabinet ! that this country had ever produced . ' Such was the i consistency of the members of the present Aminhtra- j tion , and the good or evil of their measures was ! proved by the present condition of the country—! ( cheers . ) Whilrt the ruined manufacturer , the duped ; agriculturist , the starving artisan , were crying ' shame' i upon them , they were meeting at a handsome house j
at Windsor—( laughter )—and proroguing the Par- ; liament for a still longer period . Th * y cared for nothing ; but their own cenvtnience They wished nothing ; but the enjoyment of country sports . With suck [ men the meeting of Parliament was regulated by the ; partridges more than by the ptople— ( cheers and i laughter . ) The Parliament had been prorogued when ' the shooting season commenced , and it would not meet ' ts&in until the shooting season was over—( continued j cheers and laughter . ) Human nature could not be tx- ; pected to endure evfla so intolerable . The only remedy : however , was with the people themselves ; and if the : people exerted themselves boldly , then , and then only , j would the wish be fulfilled which was conceived in the toast he had the honour of proposing— " An honest
Jlirjistry—consistent men—good measures . "—( loud aiid long-continued cheering . ) ; The CHA . IEKA 5 again rose . He said he had now the ; honour to propose the toast which was more iiunedi- j ately the object of their meeting— " The purity of trial : by jury . "—( Loud applause . ' When he saw himself sur- ! rounded by gentlemen who half e century ago haJ -wit- j nessed the dismay , the indignation , and natural ssrrow-¦ vrhich was excited by the exile of the Scotch patriots , . Hair , Palmer and the others , and the exultation which the acquittal of Hardy , Horne Tooke , and Tfcelsrall bad caused , he conld not but regret that this tosst had not . proceeded from some of them . He , however , bslievcd ; -bat tfcere never "had been a period of Britiih history in
¦ which it was more necessary for the people to stand by that palladinm of liberty thin the present To be sure the present government came not so mai . fujiyforward as William Pitt had done , to attack the liberty of the subject , but he feared they wculS surreptitiously undermkuj . it in as dangerous a manner . It-was th _ - especial duty then , " of the juries who had to try cast * of sedition—a charge totally undefined by the laws of the conctry—to be ot their guard , and to defend their oppressed brethren . Tenons charged with high treason , it bad been said , " were covered with the whole a : mour of tbe-iaw ;" but the defence of th * man who was charged with sedition was at the . discretion of the judge . —ibear ) He alluded to this fact in eonsequen&s of . what had reeently occurred at the trials at the Special Commission
in the counties of Stafford , Chester , and Lancaster . He was sure there was cot an individual present who had not read the charge of one of the learned judges who had been selected by the Government for that important daty . If snch charges -were allowed—if the special juries were to be directed , es the grand jury had been , by Lord Abinger , at Liverpool—he would fearlessly say that no man ' s liberty , no man ' s life , would be « ft ) , if tried by that individual—( Tremendous and long cortiiined cheering . ) He said , therefore , there never was a time In which it had been more necessary to maintain the independence of the juries—/ applause . ) He donbted not that many persons there had read Dean Swifts " History of Political Lying . "— -augbttrj The Dsan there said that the Whigs and Tories of his day
were both celebrated for lying , but which had the best of it ha found it difficult to say—( laughter . } . If he , however , had lived in these days be would have found an Abinger and a gentleman sitting at the Home Office equal to any of them—; Great cheering and laughter . ) In illustration of his opinion , he would tell them what . occurred on the evening ef the day upon which the ; commission was sent into the country . In the * . " History of Lying" to which he hart aHnded , tie Dean had styled one lie the " terrifying lie" —( Hear ,. hear , and laughter . ) This " terrifjing lie" the Government had studied , for on the eve of the day of ¦¦ the imnirtg thfe cominu-sicn Ihfcy had ordered arresis to be made in different parts of the country , as weli aa in ,
London . { Caeers . ) Several persons vrhe were called Chartists , F . O'Connor and others , were arrested , and ; for what object ? Why , to terrify the public mind , and to impress upon ths juries the idea that a dreadful ! conspiracy was hatching—that a fearful revolution was on foot ( Loud cries of hear , and cheers . ) These were charged with ofiknees equal to those alleged against Hardy , Horne Tooke , and Thtlw&U— Enormous bail w j demanded at the police tffices . The trials took i place , and sope of them were transported and many imprisoned , which , under the p : esent state ef prison discipline , was worse than executio , for it was a long and lingering death . ( Cheers ) Was not such 3 system disgraceful to the G-overcment ? The time would come when it would be iruporiant to look into this
great question . The time had corns when juries woo had to try such charges must not allow their prejediees to be aroused , and thtir judgn . entd to be warped by the conduct of the Government . Lv » them not think that the discontent which prevailed amongst all classes of the people aros * either from the Chartists on the one hand , or the Auti-Corn Law League on the other—( cheers , —but let them , as they in justice were bound , ; lay the blame , the guilt , and the culpability , at the door of the House of Commons . ( Load cheers . ) Let , them attribute it to that c ' a&s-legistetion which has j been the cause of misery to bo many thousands of the ! British people . ( H « ar , « and immense cheering . ; It .
was for them—it was for the British people—to put an ; end to thi * nefarious and iniquitous system ; but above _ ¦ all things . lhey were bound net to allow the conduct j of the Gsvernment , or the charges of the Judge , to ' ¦ ¦ warp or prejudice their opinion , whil 3 t they were ¦ sitting upon juries , jlany members of the Governmtnt j would say that he now was talking sedition . It was ' not sedition—( cheers )—he was only exercising his light : as as EngUsman to discuss public grievances in public ' ¦ assemblies . To support , strengthen , and maintain that < right he now begged to propose " The Purity of Trial ; by Jury . " ( It was greeted with loud applause , three times three , and continued cheering . )
Major Revell said he had to propose "The threa Jurica whp , in 1794 , acquitted Hardy , Horne Tooke , and TbfclwalL *'—( Applause . ) He observed that he had lived in those times , and that such was the Teign of terror then » ri « ti"g , that those who lived in the present comparatively quiet times could have no , or very imperfect , idea of what then prevailed . This was a period of repose compared with 1794 , bad as " things were ; but then if any one ventured to say anything favourable to the claims and rights of man , he was liable to be insulted , or unceremoniously turned out of company—( Hrw , hear . ) Every preparation was made to pack the Juries , in order to hang the parties accused ; and something like Impartial Juries were only secured by the names of persons liable to serve having been put into and drawn out of a hat—( hear , hear . ) He had the greatest satisfaction in proposing the toast— " The three Juries who , in 1794 , acquitted Thomas Hardy , John Horne Tooke , and John Thelwall . ' ( It was received and honoured with great applause )
Mr . COaXES said that he had been complimented with having entrusted to him the proposal of a toast in honour of the memory of those whose triumphant acquittal they had that day met to celebrate . He had attended there to show bis gratitude t ) the departed , and to support their excellent Chairman —( applausa There was not in the Borae a more honest , straightforward , and independent representative of the people than the gentleman who did them the honour to preside on the present occasion —( cheering . ) In Parliament ,-he rejected all cold , conventional terms— throwing to th « winds all points of minor importance—having nothing to do with party ; he spoke plain truth in a place where truth was rather unfashionable . He wished there were more such members in what by a faction was termed the People ' s Houje of Parliament—( cheering .
Untitled Article
In proposing this toast , in recalling the memory of the dead , he coald not bur observe that he missed many honest faces that used to appear among them ; and it was painful to know that they had departed for ever . Still all bad not gone . He rejoiced to behold that Alexander Galloway still lingered among them ; be bad suffered much from indisposition , but it was gratifying to see that he had so much recover 1—( ebeeri ) . He ( Mr . A . Galloway ! had not changed , as many othert had done , with every changing gale—he bad honour * ably , steadfastly adhered to his principles—( great applausa ) Besides the gratification of seeing among them so old and steady a friend of the cause , it was most cheering to witness the presence of bo many young men , ready , he hoped , and was delighted to believe , to carry on the great work in which such men as Hardy , Tooke , and Thelwall had straggled—( applause . ) Those men were , indeed , an honour to their country . Reform had in our time become
something of a fashion ; indeed , it required some courage , even in a Tory , now-a-days , to Bay that he was against all reforms ; but when those men lived , it demanded much boldness and virtue of no ordinary character , to avow the advocacy of rtform —( heax , hear . ) Pitt at that period panted for the blood of tbe Reformers , and had he succeeded , Parliamentary Reform would have been staved off for an immense period—( hear , hear ) . He bad to propose the " immortal memory" of those who , by their boldness and courage , bad done so much f » r the cause of Parliamentary Reform—who had been charged , and some tried , but all of whom were found to be " not guilty "—( hear , hear )—and whose memories deserved to be embalmed in odours of never-dying praise —( applause . ) He concluded with proposing " the immortal memory of Thomas Hardy , John Horne Tooke , John Thelwall , J . A Bonny , Stewart Kyd , Richard Hodgson , Thomas Holcroft , Jeromiah Joyce , Thomas Wardell , Matthew iloore , John Baxter , and John Richter . " It was honoured in solemn
silence . Mr . P . Thompson proposed , " the memory ef Erskine , the gratuitous and able advocate of tbe accused patriots of 1794 . " > lr . Richard Tatlob proposed "the memory of the London Corresponding Society , " by whose exertions political knowledge had been imparted to the people of this country . They had advocated full , fair , and free representation ; and what did that mean but" Complete Suffrage ?"—ihear , bear ) . He confessed he did not sympathise with those who were satisfied , because they had the franchise ; there onght to be Complete Suffrage ? ( applause . ) Property was not entitled to exchuiveness oi" power ; and as to tbe land , it bad only exercised powers to relieve itself from burdens , such as land-tax
and legacy duty —( hear , hear ) . A landowning Parliament bad plundered the people ; it had bees an organised body to plunder the rest of the community . That was Lhe plain Engliah of the matter—( cheering and much laughter ) . And what had been the consequences of br . viog a landowning Parliament ? One in thirteen manufacturers was a pauper ; and one in seven of the favoured agricultural clasa was a pauper—( hear , hear . ) There were other countries not bo happy at this ; they were destitute of the " high" class ; to be rare they were equally rid of the destitute class—( laughter and cheers)—and those countries had got rid of those blessings called primogeniture , entails , 4 c securing a more equal distribution of property among chiidreji . To be sure , those countries had not the
happiness of possessing " higher orders ; " they had not an aristocracy ; so that they had not the advantages of possessing the Hertfords and toe Frankfarta , who did so much to diffuse refined taste and elevated morals ( tremendous laughter and cheering . ) Therefore all questions . had their good and bad sides ; so that he feared if they were to . get rid of tbe destitute classes , thsy would also have to undergo the loss of such elevated examples as those to which he had alluded—( great cheering and laughter . ) The toast he proposed with great pleasure . Though few of the society ( which was suppressed by Act of Parliament . ' ) remained , he had gTeat pleasure in seeing that Alexander Galloway still survived—( applause . ) He concluded wilh giving " Tbe memory of the London Corresponding Society , " which was duly honoured .
The Chairman added to the toast— " And the repeal of the law that suppressed the society" —( loud applause . ) Mr . A . Gilloway rose to return acknowledgments , but he vras so afftcted by the kind and enthusiastic manner in which he -was received , that for some time he was unable to express his gratitude for the notice taken of himself , and the honour done to the memory of tho society . He earnestly enlarged on the ust ; fal and straightforward character of the society , and tbe good it had done . They constituted a large political school , and they were the first who taught the people thu value of political information . It , however , had the misfortune to be largely misunderstood ; and , consequently , it had a large share of political odium to withstand . It was now , however , well understood , and all who were acquainted with its character and conduct knew that the country , the cause of political information , had been nuch indebted to it—( hear , hear )
Mr . P . Taylor proposed "Freedom to tradeprosperity to agriculture , "—being doctrines broached by no less distinguished a person than Sir James Graham—slaughter- and cheerB)—and advocated by Sir Robert Peel—( hear , hear . ) The corn laws still continued certainly , but all argument in support of them had been abandoned—forca alone now maintained them . Mr . Hodbkin proposed "The memory of Margerot , Gerald , Muir , and Palmer , the victims of an arbltary and vindictive Scotch court in 1793 ;'' observing that their prosecution showed how different was the state of political information in the two countries . In England the spirit of liberty had been assiduonily cultivated ; in Scotland , at that period , it was nof . known . And as to juries , they obeyed the direetion of the judge . —( Hear , ht . ar . ) A free press did not then exist there ; the spirit of liberty was unknown in Scotland at that time . — ( Hear , hear . ) The toast was duly honoured .
Dr . Erps proposed " The Liberty of the Press , " which was received and honoured with enthusiasm . Dr Sjsjpsox proposed "Daniel O'Connelland justice to Ireland . " He did not know any reason why this toast had been placed in his hands , unless it was the fact of his being a native of Ireland . Mr . Dunbar , the present mayor , and lately member for Belfast , was in the habit of boasting that he had been a Protestant , and that he had &ucked in Orangeism with his mother ' s milk . Like him , be ( Dr . S . I had sucked in Protestanism from his mother ' s breast , but , thank God , it was mixed with Christian charity and love towards his neighbonr . Unlike Mr . Dunbar , whose bigotry and hatred of P « piste increased with his years , every day ' s experience proved to him that there was as much honesty of purpose and goodness of heart among Roman Catholics as among Protestants . He , therefore , felt unmixed pleasure in proposing the toast .
CoL P . Thompson proposed " Radical Reform , " which was greeted with loud cheering , Mr . Horsley proposed " The immortal memory of Washington , Franklin , and other founders of liberty in the United States . " A Gentleman suggested that they should add Thomas Paine . The Chairman said the toast put in his hand was , " The immortal memory of Washington , Thomas Paine , Franklin , &c " -, —( applause )—which was applaudingly honoured . Mr . H . Pjtten gave " Civil and Religions Liberty all the world over , " which was honoured with warm applause .
The meeting did not separate till nearly twelve o ' clock . It was one of great interest throughout , and so fully occupied and deeply interested were the company , that no singing was required to pass the time .
Untitled Article
THE RASCALLY PRESS AND THE THREA ^
TENED SPECIAL COMMISSION . To talk of the justice of this country , or the impartial administration of its laws , has long been a farce disgusting to all reasonable and right-thinking men . But we live in times when faction seems resolved to do its work , and rush to its own destruction over the trampled remainB of British freedom . We submit the following choice morsel from the Dublin Monitor , as a fair specimen of the reckless and devilish career pursued by the whole press of " the establishment : "—
" There u a report very general that , at the close of the present term , a new comrjvVron wi ' l ba issued for the trial of Mr . Feargus O'Connor and the other Chartists who have traversed . It is thought that the Government is particularly anxious to hare these cases disposed of previous to the meeting of Parliament . As to the fait of ihe accused , but tittle duubi can be entertuined , for tne \ hut * excited ihe strongest prejudices against
themselves . Tha Tories and Whigs rival each other ii their detestation of those most unhappy politicians The first fear them , because they believe that tb < ultimate aim of the Chartists is to destroy property the Whigs hate them , because they not only refus e * to aid in the Anti-Corn Law movement , but did thei utmost to render it ungucce&sfoL I have heard somi anecdotes relative to their " preachers , which I pui posely reserve for another occasion . "
In this deliberate attempt to prejudge the cause o the doomed victims—this crusade against thi rights of humanity—the whole press of th factions , from the Times and Mommg Ckro nick to the mest paltry print which thai gold can bribe or their threatening terrify has done its best to close up the remotest chano of a fair trial for the accused . Let the country note well the language of th scribbler of the Moniior , and let them recollect tha the Monitor is par-excellence , a " Liberal , " not on of O ' Co . nxell ' s tools , but an advocate of liberty and yet this Liberal paper joins with the mos
Untitled Article
rasca ll y of theJCoDservative journals in seeking the destruction of these who are endeavouring to " undo the heavy hardens , and to let the oppressed go free . " We especially call attention to the fact that the miscreants of the presB are doing all they can to prejudge the case , and to force the jury class into the coming to a verdict of guilty . We have seen this to be the game for Borne time ; but the Monitor has overshot the mark , and will not , we fancy , get much thanks from his masters for thus drawing aside the veil , and admitting us to a peep behind the curtain , We are told that the Special Con * -
mission is to be issued for the express purpose of " trying Mr . Fbabgus O'Connor , and the other Chartists who have traversed . ' So , so I the law allowed the victims of malicious treachery to traverse , but the Government sets itself above the law ; and , by means of a Special Commission , ( for which it is not pretended the state of the country affords the slightest occasion , ) the right of traverse Is to be virtually taken away , and those who constitutionally cannot be put upon their trials before March ara to be unconstitutionally compelled to endure all the hardships of winter travelling , and all the horrors of winter confinement , if the prosecutors sucoeed in getting a conviction . Well , we live in an age of improvement , and we suppose thiB is one specimen
of it . Mr . Feaegus O'Connob mast be sentenced ; ( and he will be , and no mistake , if the efforts of one of the vilest of the vile reptiles of " the race who write" can succeed in his murderous design . ) But Mr . O'Connor must have the appearance of a trial , and so must all the rest ; and , in order to keep up the form of law , while its spirit is being violated , the country mus t endure the infliction and expence of another Special Commission . The fact is , Government have a case which will not keep ; they dare not leave it to the decision of even middle class jurors , when calm reflection has had time to operate , so they will try the Chartists now , JeBfc when prejudice shall have had time to cool , a verdict of acquittal might be the result .
That there does exist' in the preis , and consequently in the minds of the higher and middle classes , of which the press is the index , a prejudice against the accused , is proved by the above from the Monitor . " AS 10 THE PAXK OP THB ACCU 9 ED BUT LITTLE DOUBT CAN BE ENTERTAINED , FOR THEY HAVE EXCITED THE STRONOfcST PREJUDICE AGAINST THEMSELVES" !!! And has it really come to this !! Is the fate of the victims of a political persecuiiou so certain that a newspaper scribbler can predict , with almost certainty , the fate of the accused ?! The constitution
holds every man to be innocent until he is proved to be guilty ; but it beems that reform has reversed tha whole affair , and the man is to be pronounced guilty and then to be insulted with th « mockery of a trial . Yet , judging from the way in which Government seem resolved to proceed in reference to those who having traversed and entered into the required securities , supposed their liberties certain until March , it does seem that a conviction , with or without evidence , is resolved on ; and the press of every shade of politics is hounding on tbe Executive of the country to its work . Mark the
secret way in which this infamous scribbler tries to influence the jury class . The Chartists " have excited much prejudice against themeelves , therefore tbe fate of the accused is all but certain . " That is , in plain English , " the political opinions of the accused are in opposition to the opinions and supposed interests of those who have to pronounce upon their guilt or innocence . These persons are so much the slaves of prejudice as to let it predominate even in the jury box , and , though sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence , they will go point blank against it if need be , in order to gratify that prejudice which must be satiated even at the expence of public odium , and corrupt perjury . " If the words on which we are
commenting mean anything they mean this ; aud if there be one spark of real English feeling left in the bosoms of the middle classes , they will feel and repel with indignation the foul calumny ihu 3 heaped upon them . Of course it is not for us to say what will be the result of the coming trials ; but we do know that a public prosecutor never came into court with a more despicable or pallry case , and we also know that if the jury do really value the oaths they take , a conviction upon such evidence is impossible . But the drift of all this is clear enough . The charge if left to itself , must fail ; hence it is Bought to make it a party question , and to excite strong party prejudices against the accused , that the verdict which honest conviction would never
give , may be secured by an appeal to party prejudice and passion . If our readers doubt this , let them look at the concluding portion of the sentence we have quoted : — " The Tories and Whigs rival each other in their detestation of those most unhappy politicians . They first fear them because they believe that the ultimate aim of the Chartists is to destroy property . The Whigs hate them because they not only refused to aid in the anti-Corn Law movement , Java aid their utmost to render it unsuccessful . "
Come , Mr . Monitor , this is speaking out with avengeanoe . The Tories fear the Chartists , and the Whigs hate them . What for 1 Because the first deem them destructives , and the second find it impossible to make them such . Thus the picture of Chartism as drawn bj the oppressing factions is destructive and non-desttuctive at the same time . And 60 it is broadly intimated that , as the Chartists refuse to become the tools of either faction , it is resolved , without evidence , or in defiance of evidence , if need be , to make them the victims of both .
There is much in the few lines quoted above which should call up the energies of the people , and make them resolve that ihe cause shall be triumphant . We have no doubt that " the Government is particularly anxious to have these men disposed of previous to the meeting of Parliament . " No doubt , Government would be extremely giad so to dispose of the cause , as well as the men ; but , thank God , that is beyond their reach . These Chartists being
at large , aud ready to direct the energies of the people at the opening of Parliament , would , no doubt , be extremely inconvenient to the occupants of Downing-street ; and therefore all decency mnst be set aside , all , even the appearance of " fair-play 1 violated , justice insulted , and tbe ' majesty of the law" once more exposed to the contempt of the whole country , for the noble purpose of precluding the voice of the people from disturbing tho eage deliberations of our assemblies of Iccurables 1
What fools these fellows are ! Do they think that the incarceration of the leaders in factionruled dungeons will still the storm or hush tbe raging of the tempest 1 As well might they expect to frustrate the laws of the universe by one of their Acts of Parliament , or by a lithograph missive from their renegade " man of all work , " Sir James Graham . N »; Government may be anxious to get all the people ' s tried friends incarcerated , but the day which consigns them to a dungeon
will sound the death-note of faction ; and the ptople will take care that Parliament ehall not rest upon a bed of down while suffering patriots are doomed to separation from their homes and all they love . This anxiety so evidently displayed b y Goreramenfc , and by the masters of the Government , the villanous middle classes is an infallible sign of weakness ; they are falling , and they know it . Hence , in their madntss . they catch at anjthiug . But their doom is sealed .
After all , it must be admitted that faction fights hard and dies game . It is a most relentless adversary . In its death struggle it can afford to miss no vantage ground , however cruel or dishonourable the means of its attainment . If the purpose of the authorities be rightly surmised by the Monitor and its co-mateB of devilism , there is much in this arrangement which bespeaks the vigilance and the anxiety of faction . Much that shews the fell determination of the factions to " pnt down the movement" at all risks .
Untitled Article
It was known that arrangements were being made as fast as the crippled resources of industry per-, mit , for the raising of funds for the defence of the accused , and for the maintainance of their respect * tive families , when the juries l ; have done their work . " This , the scoundrels for whom the whole of ' Established press" write , would regard as a& evil of no small magnitude . The struggle is for life !; it is to put down Chartism ; this could be effeoted probably with more ease if the provision of the people for its " doomed" advocates eould be interfered with ; and hence the determination
for a grand effort to get them into gaol now , and starvo the victims in prison , and their families out of it . This triumph the rascals must not have . The whole country must now . arouse itself , and funds must be instantly raised both to meet the expence of the ensuing trials , and > to provide for the victims and their families , while enduing the privations and sufferings inflicted by . the wicked administrators of olass-made law .- Let active Committees be | at once formed in every locality . And let not the members of our association be alone called upon to aid in this cause ;
but let every shopkeeper or tradesman , especially those who profess to be Liberals , be solicited ; and let the Chartists adopt , as far as it is practicable , a system of exolusive dealing . Let / for this once at vll events , the pipe and pot be abandoned . Let him who thinks it hard to be deprived of his pint of beer , recollect that the threepence he pays for it might procure bread for the famishing child of a class-made victim of oppression . We see in this persecution an infallible test of principle . Let no man who indulges himself in an unnecessary gratification at a crisis like this , dare to profane the name by calling
himself a patriot . This is no time for talking but for action . Make a bold front , and the reptiles will shrink from you with a humbling sense of their insignificance . But be supine and negligent ; let them see that they can condemn your best friends to slow murder with impunity , and you may rely upon it , the sentenoe of condemnation will be of no sparing character , while yon your , selves will be the noxt victims , until not a vestige of your boasted liberty remain . If the people wish to gain their rights , let them them prove by . their actions that they are worthy of them .
Untitled Article
influenced by other motives , which they kept a secret from the parties , afforded the strongest presumption of corruption . " This reasoning mnst have been conclusive to any Judge on whom reason could make any impression . But it was all lost upon Mr . Justice Patteson , who has evidently made np his mind to sanction any stretch of power or perpetration of injustice , provided the offenders be Magistrates and the victims Chartists .
"Mr . Justice PATTES 9 N observed , that upon the Btatement of the Learned Counsel , there appeared to be no evidence of any corrupt motive having influenced the Justices in their conduct . That he did not mean to state it aa his opinion that the conduct of tbe Magistrates was at all proper in the circumstances . The question upon the present application was not whether the Justices were juustifled in what they had done , bnt
whether they were bo manifestly influenced by partial and corrupt motives aa to be liable to the peculiar and extraordinary proceeding of a criminal information . Before he ( Mr . Justice Patteson ) granted such a rale aa that which was now applied for , he must be satisfied of the corrupt intentions and motives of the Magistrates by such conclusive and satisfactory evidence as be could not perceive to exist in any degree in the present instant > . " ¦
And then , having thus declared his inability to discover that , which is clear beyond dispute to any unprejudiced mind , this decider upon the conduct of his fellow-men , aud who is in the theory Of the law supposed to be counsel for the prisoner , and is said to be bound to make prominent every point in his favor ' proceeded to institute one of the most villanous comparisons which ever disgraced the bench of justice-r " The very thing which the magistrates had done in the case in question had been formerly done in this court by a learned judge , who rejected a person who was tendered as bail , and who was unobjectionable in reference to the necessary amount of pecuniary qualification , but who kept a gambling house . "
To which vile attack upon the characters of honest men , the council for tha application most promptly and properly replii d that he "Submitted to his Lordship that there was a great difference between rejecting a man as bail because he kept a gaming-house , or wasotherwise liable to the criminal justice of the country for having committed some indictable offence , and rejecting him for no other reason than his conformity in political opinions with the party for whom he was to be bound . "
What the Learned Judge might think of this , it is not for us to say ; but we do perceive what the people , who are taunted with their ignorance and brutality , will both say and think about such a villanoua comparison . It might be , no doubt , an excellent reason for refusing a man as bail who kept a gambling house , or even a man with the habits of the gambler ; because however rich he might be at any given moment , he might become a beggar within
the next half hour . But are men such as these to be classed with the honest entertainers of political opinions , however unpalatable those opinions may be to those in authority 1 This disgrace must be wiped away , and will be when the people , feeling as they ought to do , their accumulated wrongs , resolve to obtain their rights , and place those whose province it is to administer the law , under the control of public opinion , by making them really responsible to a freely and fully chosen Parliament .
One thing is clear beyond question , that is , that if the doctrine be admitted that the magistrates may refuse bail quite unexceptionable on such grounds as these alleged by thei Stafford authorities , the holding men to bail is a ridiculous farce , and the liberty of the subject a mere name . It is certain that , in a majority of cases , an accused party muBt look for sureties amongst those who are of the same opinions as himself , and if this is to be deemed a sufficient ground for refusal , then we may as well be told at once , that it is resolved that no Chartist shall ever be allowed bail . This is evidently what is intended ; and the sooner the dofltrine is officially promulgated the better .
Another inferenoe from this case is not to be lost sight of . If , on such grounds , bail may be refused before trial , it may also be refused in oases where sureties to keap the peace are required after the expiration of the sentence . It is no uncommon thing for the Judge to sentence apolitical offender to a term of imprisonment , and then to find bondsmen in a considerable sum for his keeping the peace for a length of time afterwards .
Now , if Magistrates may thus act in reference to bail , the transition is easy to the bond required after conviction ; and then it will be in the power of any malignant rascal in the commission of the peace to inflict imprisonment for any length of time he pleases , by merely declaring that he is not satisfied with the security tendered on the part of the
prisoner . Let the people look to it , for in it they are most deeply interested . There is a deep and deadly hatred to liberty in the bosoms of all in authority . The movement is to be put down at all risks , and no method , however unjust or tyrannical , will be left untried to accomplish that object . The factions will do their worst in crushing public opinion ; if the people do not do theirs by a bold , manly , and determined , but peaceful resistance to the usurped authority of their rulers . Let , then , union be our watchword , and by union let us regain our rights , and give a blow to the oppressor from which it will be impossible for him to recover .
Untitled Article
people will at all events make themselves intimately acquainted with it ; that they will read it carefully along with the plan of organization , and observe strictly the degree of faithfulness with whioh the funds passing through the bands of their acknowledged servants have been appropriated and expended in accordance with its provisions . We think the Executive have aright to require this of them ; it is well and necessary to exhibit palpably the contrast between the mode of management adopted in like matters by the factions over whom the people have no control , and by their own appointed and responsible public servants . Nothing tends more forcibly to illustrate the value of our principles than the comparison between reckless class rapacity and stern democratic honesty .
Untitled Article
Robert Tcrnbbll . —The flaming " professor" who told him that to die of hunger was one of the greatest blessings of Christianity is a fool , and something more ' Wm Cbany . —That is the right way to meet the 11 plague" -men . Argument is just the thing they don ' t like . F . Popplewell . — We have another long letter from W . P-, this week * which occupies all the space we can now devote to the subject . We will try to find room for him next week . The Execi'tivb . — We give the letters of T . W .
• Wheeler and Mr . Watkins , omitting Jrom the latter one sentence . We hope our friends will always try to conduct their discussions in good temper and without asperity . Where all are honest and mean well this is important . Differences of opinion will probably always exist amongus—nor is it desirable that it should be otherwise : the great thing to be minded is to express our opinions without using unnecessarily offensive terms , and to give all good men credit for good purposes . A . G . —His question was answered before . He must pay the rent and taxes to secure the
settlement . Wm . Blare . — We cannot give Mm the informationnhe seeks with so much preciseness as he seems to require . 'Tisnot easily found out . Evan Da vies . — We believe that Mr . Edwards does not give anything to the Executive . / Samuel Clarke . — We have no information ] , on ihe matter . He must address the Treasurer * Joseph Morgan . — We have no room . '~ : * ¦'" . Duckenfield . — We have not room for the long printed address sent . G . A . N ., Sheffield . — We have no wish to question the warmth or sincerity of his patriotism ; but we cannot insert his letter . The day of hard words and strong epithets has gone by ; they are
lost upon the factions , who only laugh at themt having no sense of shame ; and ( hey are calculated only to excite in the people a blind fury t which does much harm . We perfectly and heartily concur in his urging upon the people the duty of alleviating , so far as they can , by subscribing money for the purpose , the sufferings of those who have exposed themselves and families to the brunt of battle on their behalf . This is what the people ought to do , and what we cannot suppose they will omit to do . We are aware that there is much poverty in the cwntry % and that people need all their money to
procure the most ordinary comforts for themselves ; but we cannot suppose there are many Englishmen who will for a moment hesitate to sacrifice something , even of their scanty necessaries * to aid those who have boldly and benevolently braved on their behalf much greater matters of endurance . ¦ Wm . Porhitt , Bolton . —We have no room . Wm . Lond , of Red- Lion-street , Richmond , Surrey , will feel obliged if Mr . Joslyn , late of the Lambeth locality , will communicate his address , as he ( Mr . Li ) has something of importance for him .
Bacup . —Any lecturer intending to visit Bacup must . communicate with the corresponding secretary , .. ' James Pinkerlon , to the care of Anthony Marsden , Temperance Hotel , Bacup , and await hit answer , otherwise his services will not be accepted . ¦ Bradford . —The person who has this week sent us a lot of news from this place will save us much trouble , and himself a great deal more , i f he will not cut his paper into such small odds and ends . Robert Ramsden , Salford . —Leach was perfectly right . . " I WILL HAVB MEBCT , AND NOT SACRIFICE . " sfyiU appear . Nathaniel Morltng will see that the P £ . to Mr . Campbell ' s letter , in this week ' s Star , has made his letter unnecessary . James Maw calls loudly on the Chartists of Durham and the North Riding of Yorkshire to bestir
them on behalf of Ellis . P . O'D . —His report of the lecture and discussion is not of a character to suit us ; having no efficient notice of the lecture , only one of the discussionists being reported , and no result of the discussion given : we thank him , nevertheless , far his good . will . Wu . Foster . —Yes . Will Mr . Wm . Thomason . late of ihe Vale of Leven , send his present address to John Millar , bookseller . Bonhill , as he wishes to communicate with him ?
The Hull Councillors wish to correspond with Mr . West , late of Derby County Gaol . The Letter of Mr . John Campbell in his own Defence . —We feel some apology to be due t % our ' readers for having , by the insertion of this letter , permitted our colums to be again polluted with a name which we hoped never again to see in them The unprecedented villany and brutality of such an attack upon men circumstanced as Mr . Campbell and his fellows are , must furnish our excuse . It was natural that Mr . Campbell should feel it . His letter is temperate , mild , and gentlemanly , and by these very qualities , places the hideousness of * lhe thing' * in a light so prominent that none but like "things " can avoid loathing it . We have received many communications upon the subject , exhibiting
a spirit o f indignance among the people } and many resolutions of meetings , holden for the expression of opinion on it . To prevent disappointment , we may as well at once inform all parlies concerned , that we will have no more of it . The people may meet if they like : we think they may find much better ^ occupation for their lime ; but that isiheir affair , not ours : we have certainly much better occupation for our space ; we know no man to tchom we would have permitted any allusion to the matter in our columns but Mr . Campbell , and we except him only because of his peculiar position , station , and circumstances' To all other parties we say that it is perfectly useless to send here one worn about the itarved viper or his , stinking cess-pool . We will not permit them even to be named .
Untitled Article
The Portrait of T . Dun combe will be given to a'l our Subscribers on November 19 th . They will be : " ¦ in the hands of all the Agents by November 16 th j The charge for the Star on the day the Portrait of Buneombe is distributed will be the same as the charge for it on the day the Petition Plate -was delivered . Yarmouth . —No : it was ano ther person of that name J . Walker , Campsie . —Not strictly : call upon Mn Davie , and see if you can arrange with him . Duncombe . —Yes .
FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . ¦ ¦ ¦ £ . a . d . From . Bri 8 toJ , per Simeon ... ... ... o 8 6 , „ afew / riendaat Bocklng , Eisex ... 0 10 0 „ a few friends , Coggleshall , near Kelvedon , per Samuel Harrington ... o < J 6 „ a few friends at Coekermouth , per X . Nixon ... ... ... ... o 5 0 « . Hull , per Mr . Wall ... ... ... e 3 9 „ Hnll , perMr . Padget ... ,., ... 0 3 0 „ J . H ., Leeds ... ... ... ... 0 0 3 .. a poor woman ... ... ... ... o 0 1 « , £ . Pybus , Leeds ... ... ... o Iff * . a few Subscribers to ^ he Northern Star and the Evening Star ,
Bradahawgate , Leigh ... ... ... ... * 3 0 „ afewCnatttetsatGrolbourne ... ... 0 8 0 .. Holbeck , per J . Davies 0 2 10 ~ Shrewsbury , per E . Jones ... ... 0 12 6 ' i . the Chartists of Sawerby „ . ... 0 7 o - „ the Triangle , at Sowerby ... ... 0 8 0 « . Yarmouth , Norfolk , per W . Trosey ... 0 11 © „ . the Chartists of Sutton , near Skipton in Craven , per Wm . Foster ... 0 5 0 ~ ft few Chartists , Bingley ... ... 0 5 6 ~ Bingley , ( transferred from Contested Seats'Fuhd ) ... ... ... 0 16 6 ~ : a few friends at Rochester and Stroud A 8 0 « , a band of brothers , Shettieatone , sear Glasgow ... „ . ... ... 1 0 0 i ~ Mr . Ford , and N . B ., per Simeon , Bris tol ... ... ... ... ... 010 ~ Bramley , per Wm . Smith ... ... 0 3 1 ~ the Chartists of Aston-street .
Birmingham ... ... ... ... 0 18 0 a few friends , Berry Brow ... ... 0 6 0
- FOR MR . ELLIS . From the Chartlata of Tredega ? ... ... 08 0 ~ two travellers , per R . H . ... ... 0 2 0 i . a few friends at Rochester and Stroud 0 3 6 „ , a few friends at Bald-foa'd S ' . t 3 , Croydon ... ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 ~ the Somers' Town Victim Committee 0 5 0 FOR MR . BROOK . From the Somers' Town Victim Committee 0 5 0
Untitled Article
4 THE NORTHERN STAR . .-, ¦ .- ¦
The Northern Star. Saturday, November 12, 1842.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 12 , 1842 .
Untitled Article
EXCESSIVE BAIL , AND THE STAFFORDSHIRE AND BIRMINGHAM MAGISTRATES . In another part of our paper will be found a letter from George White , and also a report of proceedings in ' the Bail Court , before Mr . Justice Patteson , in reference to the refusal of bail for Mr . O ' iSEiL by the Staffordshire authorities , to both of which we beg to call the mos . t serious attention of all our readers .
The proceedings of every day tend more and more to convince us of the intolerable nuisance of class legislation , and of those institutions by which it is fostered and supported . The most glaring injustice is constantly perpetrated by tbe local magistrates who have , in general , been placed in the Commission of the Peace , not because of their fitness for the important duty of . administering the laws ,
but because of their strong party bias , and their ignorant and rancorous hatred to everything bearing the shape and semblance of popular freedom and independence . That this is the case in Birmingham , no one , at all acquainted with the constitution of the Bench of Magistrates in that town , can for a moment doubt ; and the infamous proceedings in reference to poor Whits prove that their Worships have no regard either for law or justice .
White tells a tale at which Englishmen ought to blush * that such a system of flagrant injustice is suffered to exist in a land calling itself free , and boastmg of its C hristianity . After stating that he had received two letters , one of whioh was from the prosecuting attorney , informing him that eight sureties in fifty pounds each were required ; and tbe other from a friend at Bath , stating that Lfour in a like amount was demanded , he proceeds : —
"I am unable to say which statement Is correct ; but this I know , that the names and residences of nine sufficient persons were handed to Mr . Griffiths on Wednesday last , and on Friday be delivered his decision to my friend to the following effect : —Messrs . Nurse and Humming were accepted ; and Messrs . Taylor , Watts , Corbett Follows , Wright &nd Moule were rejected . Another gentleman , named Grattan who is a press-tool maker , is not yet decided on .
" From the conduct of the Birmingham Authorities , it is quite cleat that they are determined to keep me here until the Assizes . From the time of my arrest to the present moment they have acted basely towards me . At the conclusion of my examination I applied for bail , which was granted , the Mayor informing me that he should require two sureties in one hundred pounds each , which , he said , would do for all the three indictments . I had then two respectable freeholders in court , who were well kno ^ n to be worth ten times the amount , waiting for the purpose of offering themselves aa my sureties , and informed tbe magistrates that I was then prepared ; upon which they said they most have fortyeight hours notice , although the two persons were ai well kown as any in tho town .
"In ten minutes after , I was hurried off to this place , ayintance of twenty-onemllea from Birmingham ; and for some reasons , best known to the magistrates , the men who came unsolicited to tender bail for me , afterwards declined . The next time that my friends applied they were told that four sureties , in £ 100 each , would be required , and the Governor of this prison afterwards informed me , that from the manner in which the commitments were signed , he should
require six sureties in one hundred pounds each , and that the Mayor . ' must ' have known it from the first , he being the person that signed two of them . They have since then refused about fourteen shopkeepers and tradesmen , who are worth a vast deal more than the amount required ; and I am informed that the policeman who was sent to inquire into the qualification of some of those who gave their names as willing to become sureties , threatened and bullied them about being Cliartista . "
Certainly no man in his senses can doubt that the Birmingham worthies are ordered to inflict as much hardship and suffering on their victim as their fiendish minds can prompt them to invent , and their power enable them to execute . But . it is part of the system , aud will continue until the system itself shall have ceased to exist . That the magistrates , though conscious of violating the most saored rights of the subject , are encouraged to do so by the certainty of being shielded by the higher authorities of the law , is proved by the proceedings of the Stafford Justices , in the case of O'JMeil , who was arrested on a charge of attending an illegal meeting , ! and after examination was
committed for trial , but as tho law required , held to bail . Bail of the most unexceptionable character w » s tendered and refus 3 d , because they held , or were supposed to hold , similar political opinions with the accused . After considerable delay this monstrous proceeding was set aside on an application to Judge Tindal , and the bail at once accepted . On this a rule has been applied for to compel the justices bo acting to shew cause " Why a criminal information should not be filed against them for having illegally , partially , and corruptly refused to accept bail upon the part of O'Neit , there being no objection made to the persons tendered as bail excont that they were alleged to be of the same political principles whioh were professed by O'Niel himself . "
No one , we should suppose , could for a moment doubt the propriety of this application . It is as clear as noon day , that the magistrates were actuated by party motives in their refusal to take bail , and as the Learned Counsel very properly argued {—" That as in general , it would not be supposed that persons in the situation of O'Neil could procure bail from any other class of persons except those who sympathise with his political opinions , it would be a most formidable doctrine to lay down that a Justice of the Peace may refuse bail upon the ground of their political-opinions--being the same as those of the party for whom they proposed to become sureties . " And
that" It would not weaken the grounds of the applioation as the Justices had no right to alter ihe measure of justice with any reference to the politics of the parties ; and if they ( the Justices ) had solely acted from political canses , it was impossible for them to contend that they were free from the imputation of partiality ; whilst it may be said in addition that the fact of their declaring that they wew
Untitled Article
THE STURGE CONFERENCE . The people mnst not let the multiplicity of the urgent affairs on hand prevent any of them from being duly attended to . Cool heads and even tempers do much work with little bustle . This is the spirit we want to see among the people : it is worth all the bluster and rant and botheration of all the mob orators in the world . The feelings of the people may be well and usefully appealed to , and their spirit stirred , in new districts where our principles may be imperfectly understood , and where an apathy to politics consequent upon an ignorance of their value may prevail , but where our principles are well known , where they are rightly understood , and the
only question is , " How are they to be made operative V * the faculty in requisition is cool vigilancethoughtful and constant watchfulness—whichjturns all circumstances to account . Hence , therefore , while looking to the victims , and preparing for the trials , let not the Conference be forgotten . We had purposed to say something more upon it this week ; but , as Mr . O'Connor has written on it , we refer our readers to his letter . We intrcat them to read that , and to read our article of last week , and to mind the instructions given . We warn them that if they are not watchful , they will be " jookied f while the Conference may be made " a great card * for the movement , if it be but " well played . "
Untitled Article
THE QUARTERLY BALANCE SHEET Oi
THE EXECUTIVE . This important document will be found elsewhere inserted . We call to it the especial attention of all members of the General Council , and , indeed , of all members of the National Charter Association . We hope that every man will read it carefully , and that every man will refer carefully to the plan of organization , and read them together . Wise , active , and honest publio | servants always thank the people for the exercise of vigilance . Nothing is so necessary and especially at this time , as that the people should look well to the conduct of those who have the guidance of their movement and the control of their
funds , giving honour to whom honour may be due , and according such censure or admonition , as may serve to keep every foot in the strait and straight path . If the peopli have a fault , it is that they are frequently disposed to be too remiss in surveillance , whereby small deviations from right practioe , wo often grow at length into frightful aberrations from principle , which compel them to cast off parties who with better watching might have long continued to be good and useful servants . We have neither space nor time this week for the direotingof attention to many items in this dooument which we think speoialiy deserving of regard . Whether we may do so next week or not , we trust that the
&O 3$E≪Ftev0 Attii @Om$Potftreut0»
&o 3 $ e < ftev 0 attii @om $ potftreut 0 »
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 12, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct779/page/4/
-