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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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MISS MABY AN 3 WALKER ON THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . A crowded and mo ? t respectably composed meeting , convened by public advertisement , was held last Monday evening , in the spacious and elegant bail of ; he National or Complete Suffrage Assoc i ation , High Holborn , for the purpose of hearing Miss JJary Ann WaJker deliver & lecture on the social ev 3 s which sffici the State , and on the People '; Charter , as the remedy , and the only remedy , for the removal of : hose evils , and restoration of the happijjess and isdeptndance of Great Britain and her depeadeiicits . The meeriEgTvas convened for eight o'clock , and coxt afier that hoar the hall hegaa to fill rapidly in Hi parrs . Tre meeting at this time began to manifest impatience to hear Miss Walker , by loudly camping on : he fljor , as a signal to haTe tie chaii » ien . Among the mass of persons present , was a lar ^ e proporron of very elegantly dressed ladies , usany of whvm were of the superior classes oi soeiety- ;
Ai aooui ten minutes past eight o clock , a simnltaceoas burst of applause from all parts of the jne * 'ing , announced the presence in the hall of . Miss Walker . She "was attende-i by Bumerous friends , among :- ! whom we were glad to see the encouraging and supporting presence of many ladies ; and as she advanced np the body towards the platform , the app } --a ? e co 2 * 2 sTiDg of cbe < ring , clapping of "hands , waving of handkerchit fs , mingled with the lend "Huzzi , " and other demonstrations cf welcome , bfasr-e marked and ecthur-iartic , almost beyond dercrip'ion- There were a icw bad spirits in that part of the gallery 10 the right of the pisiform : but their d 5 ? s > ntient voices or ratber . aid The more to their di ^ raee—hisses- '—were overwhelmed ia ifae reverberating ein of acelunaiion . On Teaching the p-atfora , Miss Walker was again and again lond ; v cheered , a compliment which rhe acknowledged by
rccim-Eg repearcciy to tne audience . She W 25 dressed > a mourniiij :, a hac : t which it is her calam :: v to w-ar for the des . ih of her fafaer , of vrtom she ha ? not been very cany in-jnchs bsreaved . T , ie body of her cress wis partially and bee-ominglv low , displaying a very graceful busi , srnd ' . ending to set tfi 1-3 grea : ex interest a fignre and form of interesting proportions , she appeared mere than usually wan in countenance , the tfiect , doubtless , o ! her anxiety io tj '_ > ju 5 i 5 cr to hgr subj » ct , as d con rev inftructiou and siiisacuon to ner audience . She were a light sort of crape scarf , or nrgi ^ te , attached gracefuUy to . and hanging cr 2 p « -jy-ii £ e from , her aim ? , the tS-.-cz te £ diDg to sfi off her cosiume , enlivening and con : ra-ting with ; r . e black maieriaL A jci neklace , sii > pcndiiig a * ' Cross , " "¦ Which J ~ ws miehtkiss . and InSdels adore . "
adorned her be&om , giving a fiiish to her coaionr . The ^ nxiery and exci-. emcut of the aunenee wa = now wotiii : i up to the httihest pitch to Late ice j > iuce = 'iinf ; s commence ; and , on the motion oi X r . Ortrioii , Seconded by Mr . Cuffiy , Mr . Silk was Eiianlmously ciHed to the chair . He could cot . he observed , tut feel honourec at havirg be-in called upon to take the chair on this iaieresrini ; occasion ; int-erestins , because they were as ^ sibled that ni ^ u : to hrar the great , the fundamental principle ? of "The People ' s Charter ' defined and a-jvosstt-d by 036 of the softer asd beiier sex ( Aj .-p * au > e- ) He considered , as " Tne Peopl ..- ' * Cnart- x" tvss io remove the misery -which afiLc *> : d Sid b&re down tho people of ihis country imt ihe female class GHtiit to be hailed in the cauW as the besi of * ' propagators . "' ( Much laugater . ) Be conadored , also , thai great praise vras due to His ; Wi . kcr aiid Miss luge , for having come forward in
the cms ? of their country , and of humanity . ( Hear , near , and applause . ) Miss Walker had seen the p L ^ try , aad it ~ a- creditable to her to come forward in aid o , iis alkviauoa , and to show that it wa _ - sol-ijibc cStv-: s of corrupt '" Class Legislation . " ( Hear , Lear , and cheers . ) She had come forward io a-sis : ihe People in advancing " The People ' s Chiiier" ( Cheers . ) He therefore claimed their induUer . ee iu Lex favour . ( Hear , htar . ) It was her first time—he nugh ; almost say her first—of addrei-sing a great pnbhc assembly , and he , therefor-, hoped they would h ? ar her without interruptiun . At tre cotcluiion of the address , Miss Walicex wuuld answer aiiy qnesuons wheh might be put to her . He would not longer detain them than io espress ihe very great pleasure which he felt in ia : rocueiE 2 W their noiice , 31 i 55 Mary Ann Walker , { . Loud aud loBg contiaucd cheers ) , amidst which ili = s Walker ro ? e and said , shs deeply felt the dificuhy of iier siruauon on that evening , but feeling , as the same
time , most deeply on the subject of her great and lovely country ' s wrong ? , and of her fellow-countrymen ' s and women ' s suSsrisg ? . she had no apology to make for presenting herself before the meeting that evening . It was a bold thing , she adnrned . for woman to si ^ p out of her retirement ; and of would be faund who
coarse mere always persons would put foul constructions on her motives in order todeierandrcrowhcrback . ( Hear , hear . ) And if there were any in that assembly who asked why she ( Miss \ S a . ker ) cmae ont , to hini she answered , " She came there at htx country's call / ' If the hnmaa misery waieh aSfci-cd the people of this sreac couc--ry ttss beyond the prtwer of man to control—if it was the ordination of Providence , tLen would it be lean ' s duty to submit ; but when such was not the cs- e , it was time , she would say , that man aroused him " - self , and oughf to resist its canse . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers . ) There never was a time when Enaland possessed such abundance as at present ( Hear . ) How was it , then , she would ask , that two-thirdof the population were , ia the face of snea a- fact ,
Witnont food ! < Hear . hear , hear . ) How was it that they couJd not take up a paper , but they were Bhc-cked and startled to read some frightful and affecting snicide ? ( H = rar , hear ) How was it ihat bst a few days a ^ o , a yunng girl , of aboat fonrteea years of age , committed oiiciiie ? And , be it remembered , she was of a respectsLiT f 3 miiy , but had disobliged her father—how , bnt because she jionld not get employment . How was ir raat the worsen of ' Ens-and were reduced to icske shirts for one penny each , and tad to find ibrt-ad on \ of tbst t ( Indigu&nt cries of " Shame ¦ " from ail parts of the hall . ) How was v that Mr . Comyn , a surgeon , for whose character she ( Miss Walker ) entertained ihe highest respect , had recently called a meeting on behalf of those poor shin cakers 2 How came be to know of
their circumstances and most deplorable condition ? Alas 1 ihrc > ngh having been called in to one of them , who to put an end to her Jiiseries , had taken TitnoL ( Drep sensation . ) Thst poor creature had worked for sLr . ' een hours c day for sixpence J i . Hottot , accompanied by cries of " Saame , Shame !" pervaded and ran through the meeting . ) ' This had led to that gentleman tayice ; . those poor thir ; - mai-: rs , " would bf- satisfied with one penny more . ' * In that , she ( Miss Wa ter ) did cot agree wiih him . Those pcor creatures should Lave a fair remunerative price for their labour . ( Hesr , bear , and applause . ) She inquired 2 j a shop-keeper ' s , an -employer in this way , onthesnbject or the " penny a Eairt" remuueraiion , and was informed by him thai the taxes obliged Liui to give thus iiule ,
aad she then set herself to work to learn who gained by those taxes . * - The £ : aci Lit ! " whieh she held in her hand , would answer . ( Hear , hear . ) And she would advise every po « r , every working-man to possess hinkelf of ihaf list . First , then , let them take the income of £ 47 ' --, 0 u 0 ayear , or £ 1287 12 s . a day . Then there was the Duke of Cumberland , now Kini : of Hanover , with K ; -w Palace . ( Groans . ) She ( Miss Walker ) would a > k , -why sfccnld they keei > him , an . 1 give b ? ia one iiid twenty thousand a-year . or £ 37 10 s per day . ( Hear , hear , groans for his " Hanoverian" Majesty tnd cheers for Miss Walker . ) Then , then was
iEOther King pensioned on them , Leopold of Saxe CobouTg , ( now Kirg of the Brlgians . ) wi : h _ Clare-Eont Palace ; why wss he receiving £ 50 , 009 a year from this oppressed country . ( Hear , hear . ) Why , sbe would further ask , were the people of this rerourrr gronnd down as ibey were , taxed to keep s Queen I ) ove&gei—Queen Adelaide ? who , besides the Koval Masox and Palace of Hampton Court , the park and domaiES of Bnshy , also Marlbc-ronsh Hou ^ e , in Pail Mail , two parks , and three Royal Palaces , drew from tbe taxes of England £ I 0 . i <> 00 a-year , or £ 274 per day . ( Shame , shame . ) Why "was that ? Ana she ( Miss Walter ) would a-k hpw u an old lacy" could spend it . ( Hear , acd cheers . >
—[ A voice—She gives it in charity ! ( Commotion ) She iMia Walker ) Tery much question ^ thai . Ho ' , tben . the Trcnid a * k . could thai " old laaj- " ' sprc ^ £ 274 a day , from the time she gets up till the tins * s-l ^ e goes to bed ! 'Laughter in tie meeting , acd " much commotion among a f ecdon of Tories in the eatery on thericht' She ( Miss Walker : did not quarrel vilhtts Qae * n Bo-waeer for what she got ; but she thpnebt tint a ytsrly salary to kirep her comfortable -wenjd be tr £ - C " cst . acd that ibelore this Sinch -vrae snTen ter , tte ^¦ oiEen of JErgUud rnrh : to be paid b-. ttcr ft . r tn > ir tbour . ( Hear , hear , and cheers- But tie j ; ectltn . ac ia the csJlery b . Bd aid tbat the QaetE Dcwicer bad ctveh £ » sT hprir . crrr . e in chaiirv rLinckter .: It was
waracterUtic of EEtlitLmec to be f : enerou 5 ; bui tbeij tity wished , BtTeirfceUss , to see thv mor . ty tiey give for paiticnlar pnrpests earned . . "Hear , hror . ; Sts ¦ Miss "Walter ) came there to explain national abn ^ s acd social grievances , aud she was resolved to explain and expose them , in public and private , and on all © reasons . . Crits of " Btsto ! Miss TValierr " Hear , " and chesrs . ) ilin Waiker then referred the attention cf the meeting to the atnsts in the New Poor Law system , aDd rarrated , a * au itsisree cf its inhumxri ' . y , ti » caw of a poor vctnaa ¦ whom she saw reduced to go me caw of a poor vctnaa vcom see saw reuucea to go
to the parish . She iMiss "Wi'ker > kcew her . She fc = a three ciuidren , from whom she was separited . [ Much inieiiuption io tite proctsdisf * t * m "' a laccratt < i tEct of ToHea" in the gallery , "wricli c ^ ustd tie chairman t > call to " Order \ " and tbresttn to turn any cue cut wto muOit disturb the procwdines : std Mr . Guffiy to obeerre that a be- 'J * r -way -would te for tie party ta cime forward at the end uf ihr iccturt . j X : sj rT 3 i £ --r resumed . The cett . v'niEa "who thus -i-Uiicpted her f ¦> t t- > -c to ts - ¦ r er y
were "EnglifhEca '— -ist'rce , fhsn : e—ard if tb were "EnglifhEca '— -ist'ire , rf-sme—ard if tb aenped in ercccrecicg sich ! -tts ss t-- > I" c ' ve tbftliow ccuctrywcEeE y-t ^ n c * for j ^ ut ^ c :: r .: urs a ca l-t a peinv a skirt , wki ' . c v ? ue « n Acrl-. " .- r c-r -- e tu cred tetnaiEd ponrds j-rur ,- I £ -J were Ej : trciLfc ; h
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( Mis 3 Wa'ker ' e notice—( Hear , hear , and load cheers . ) The poor -woman to -whom she had referred , - was dragged and separated from h « r children , seat to Norwood , and not allowed to be present to close the eyes of one ef them at its dying hour . She ( Miss Walker ) bfesitated not to say that a law , under -which cruelty was practised , was a most inhuman , a most harbarous law *— iOfwrepeattd cries of heir ., Bat let them loot at the ^ proTiEiocs of the vile law , xnd the expellees of working it—( Heir , hear . ) £ . s . d To Three Conur . iss-oners at £ 2 , 000 per annum each ... ... ... 6 . 000 0 0 ( ' * Shame I" ) To Secretiry ... ... 1 . 200 0 0 To Assistant Secretaries , one at £ 700 , and so furth — ... 1 , 259 0 0 To Assistant Commissioners , eighteen
at £ 700 each ... ... ... 12 , 600 0 0 Travelling expenses those eighteen Commissioners , acd salaries to their Clerks ... 15 . 318 1 1 Contrast , she would say , this and other profligate Expenditure of this oppressive law , with the workhouse difctaryfor "the ab ; e-bodied pauper , " and take as aa example his Sunday fare : — Breakfast Dinner . Bread 7 cz . Gruel 1 | pt Bscon 2 J cz , potatoes lib . And as to supper , it jast amounted to a few ounces of br = a < i aad one aia , ce of cheese . There , she repeated , was " Snnday farr '" far an " able-bodied pauper . ' ' - Bat in this shameful way -was it that the poor of England were trealed , while the commissioners of the law drew tbfcir thousands , and from thousands to millions iiaushter , — from the rates levied on the people for ¦'• relief of the poor . " Oa ! it was too baa ! In this way they went on , -while the poor infirm prrsons . aud ; hose t-hove seventy years of age , were to be allowed > nc 02 Z 7 . ce of iea , with milk , seven , euuees of sugar , < nd three ou ^ ce 3 and a half of bu ' . tjr , instead of gruel , wrtkly . iShame . j There ' s for you , continued Miss Walker , a man of seventy years of aue , should be in rery good condition to live on that—shear , hear , aid laughter . ) Divide , f-.-r instance , tha one ounce r . f tea in : o fourteen parts , and s * e how far that would e <;—» btaj \ hear , and laughter . ) Bnt after ili ifeat , the Commissioners , perhaps , in the exercise of : Lcir ecoi .. jniy , car = fally c » liect " Uie leaves , " and Send Lr . ern I ack agiin to thi .-ir grocers , to be dried and ressQcd—( lond and long continued laughter ) . Yet , whb
Eli ths inhuaianiiy o ? these workhouse regulations , such as their t . ariag husband from wife , and parents from children , thoss CuminL-sioners called them " Uaions . " —igrest Isaghter ) . If ow , a greater misnomer was never heara of —( hear , hear , cheers , and laughter ) . Turning back tija : n to the Rjyal palaces , and contrasting these doings to the poor , with those within the Royal menage , tfcry found tt _ - expences <> f the Lord Steward for one yt . Er , for the item cf wine slone , £ JS 50 ; for liquors , £ 1 S 43 ; and for ale and beer , £ 2811 . Now ; hat was pretty -K-e . l for one year ' s work— ( laughter ) . When she ! Miss Wa . keri read those things , she was not at all surprised a :, the roya * : nurse being ciscovere j in a state of * ' intoxication "—( gTtat and eontinued laughter ) . But she wculU asi , how it was Ibat these things -were permitt-rd ? How it was thai loi 3 system -w ascarried un ? —; &ear heart , sa ^ found that it all arose from " class lfgisla-. ion . " and that of all the persons sent to the House of Commons , not one "was sent to represent the
" wuiking-iuen "—( hear , h-ar , and cries of " shame !") Monopoly of a ' : l kinds had its protection in that Honse — hear ) . " The Army" hai its Detection , " the Xavy , " " tie landed jrjter ^ t . ' "thi Capitalist , " and no : forgetting "the Church" —( laughter)—all had iL-.- ; r prvtection , . xcept labour ; and the House itstlf in fact , -vras '" the very 'tey-stone' of monopoly "itesT , hear , hf-ar . chesrs , and mnch laughter ) . It was because she felt that the Peoples Charter would ren ; edy those and ail other social evils , that she stood before that great meeting to enrteaTour to explain it in all its points . Miss WUker theu went over the sis points of tie Charter , in consecutive order , commencing w ith Universal Snffc ^ e , then proceeding onward to Vote by Ballot , Bribery at JSiections , AnDnal Pdriiafuents , Xo Pioperty Q Vilification , and Equal Electoral Districts ., eich of which she einci-Iated in a very able ai : d comprehensive macntr , infinitely to her own credit , sn creatly to the edification ef her audience . Were
thct document the law of the land , she s . iii 3 , soldiers and sailors irouid have a v ^ te as "well xs other men , ia the representation of the country , and for her iMiss TT .: il : er ' s ) par :, she di ^ no ' . »«¦ why those t ^ o clusses of men . the dtferdtrs cf their country , the fighters of the &a : tits of their ouiitry , shou'J not have a vote'hear , he _ r , and applause , j Shs fe ! t that they cnght Xv Lave ; and sbe hop ? d thty -would never rest content urtil thty compel tht Suffrage to be extended to themErthnsinstic i If the she
— chfering . couutTy , repe . 't-. d . had the Charter , it -would no longer fve ( iis ^ racrd by ihe use of " bludgeon" and "bayonit" 1-w at elections , drinking , treating , fce , for the ballot -would cure all that ; bribery , unitr it . -with Universal Suffrage -would be ia : possi'i ' e ; for to bay a vote in \ trz . t case , would be lifee 'bnyira a pig in a poke . "— : n ; uch laughter)—and sndi £ -,-a as Mr . Fear ^ irs O'Connor -would be in Parliament -as representatives ef the people . Thit gettlemin , vrbo hsd done much service in the cause of the c-nntry , a-: d who was so faithful to the people , had been elected , bet was declared disqualified to sit , bec ; use it was alleged he had not tnfficient " Property Qualification . " Could anything , she -would ask , be nit / re absurd than that ? ( Heal , hear . ) Aud -what
relation there was between the standard of " gold" and " i-tcllicence" she "was quite at a loss to know . In other -words , -was gold to bs made the standard of intfrili 2 fc : xe ? iCfceers . ) She trcnld iUu ? trate the absnruiry of this property qualification still further , by a reference to the election of Mr . Hall , of Marylebone . That gectltrTHnTi ' s QnaliEcation -was derived from his vrife . He - was elected in ihe morning , she ditu in the conrsa of the day , acd he was net a member of tht " Honourable House" in the evening . She then refirrefl ihe attection of the mtetir- ^ to Lord Abingvr ' s eondact at the lata Special Commissions . Sbe -was sure , she S 2 i 3 , if the Coarter -was adopted , they -wuuid net have such a jud « e as that—such " a modern JrfrUs '—on tht judicial brcch . ( Hear , hear , hear , great hiFS ' . ne at
tse mention of his Lordship ' s name , and cri ^ s of *• G" > c it him , Mis 3 Walker ! " ) No , such conduct bs he ¦ was gailty of would net , -were that ( Jocumeut the law ef the iand , be aiio-wed to pass with immunity—ibear , hear . —and the Bench -would be thorougaly purified from * uch cfcaracteis . And theMatistrates , would they be allo wed . ULder that document , to play such pranks as they htd lntlerly betn indulging in ?—iHear , hear , ana cries cf bravo !) On this subject , she alluded to tbe extraordinary : iud culpable decision of tiia magistrate Ec-nie lev days back , in the case of the girl " Morg ; c , " who -was , she said , so sbamefnny aud . ur . jus . tly committed sorat * days bacX , fcy a ceunrry justice , for haviL . i » been gniltv of the cfivnee of objecting to pass through the men ' s bed-room white they were in their
Dens . This silnsion produced great groaning against the m a ^ irirate in question , -which -was followed np on Miis Walkers very just criticisms on the committal of th = poor giii to prison , and the really Amoral z ' ng as wri ; as ruinous tfiect on her prospects in life , wLich snch incarceration , connected with the poverty it nai »; ht lead to , might be productive of . She then referred to the church , and to those holy pasrages ic the BiMe -which pronennce destruction to the snicice , and commented on that spec es of conduct cf clergymen of the JSsUbl ' shed Church , and magistrates , which brings poor creatures down to poverty , and thuB leads them to self destruction , the guUt of which , and the peiil of their " soul ' s salvation , " ste charged on the beads of those magistrates and parsons . She wxt alluded to the crusade of the Rev . Mr .
Kopmsou , of Holborn , against bis parishioners , seme of -whom he bas thrown in Chancery , ar ; d exposed to htjivy expencs ip that most « sp = nsive court , in pursnit of ais tities She bandied the KeT , Gentleman very sevtrely . She dwelt on the oath he tad taken at his orcicaticn , on tne Holy Evangaiists , to the effect , " Thst it was not you or yeiiis he souiht , bat you osly . " an ? , -urged that be ought to be prosecuted for perjary , for violation of that most solemn oath , as in th = case cf throwing his parishioners into Chancery ( Tfcfr reccmmendiitiuE w ; s k ' -adly cheered . ) Then , -with rcc-rd to tte t , reat expeniivcne- « i 3 of that Conrt o . ' Ct-cicry , she narrated the result of an interview ¦ wLich the had had vith the i ^ -rd Chancellor on the ssrjcc : of ar . tsricg a MU of sa 3 e in the case cf an a ^ ed frircu uf hers , narp . t-d Jacobs . * rho ^ ' -i betn most oppretsivtiy deult "with by a 5 ir . J . tn Dent , of Cra-wfordjtrcrt . and ? aid that his Lordship " .- * adi- ' ce to her was to
fiir i rill , the first step in which vronid cost £ 20 . Her 3 » i . ii fciead was a poor vridnT , and had lived fi-r liiariy jt ^ rs in Mocfci sut--sqnare . The brutal treatrurnt "wtich she had ncfived was almost beyond belief . iKcir , hear . ) For three days she had been kept a close prisoner in her house , slaost in a stare uf starvation , and then drasged therefrom by a policeman . aEi ! all under the sanction of class made law . She rt .-rmnitnced these considerations to the notice of the Tiir . es , if th * - reporter from tbat paper were present Zlc isrration of ihe- cruelty precrisc-d in the ab ^ ve case , the nilr , ut = particulars of which press of othtx matter row oriicca us to emit , excited mingled feelings of iyrrpirhy ana disguBt in the meeting . Referring to the bca * t made by a centletcan in the gallery of the *• Qusen Dowager ' s Charity , * ' Miss Walker put it to vhe gentlemtn whether she ithe Queen Dowager ; wcuid visit that poor wiiiow "with her charity- She ailndcd , in a very ior . icrous vein , to those " gosling * officers of the army , ¦ who put a handsome uniform , -with gold epaulets , on thtni * eiv € « , strut into drawing Toom ? , and throuch the
Pirk «; ar < i said she -would not have any objection to : Ltir ttci-nifLa Fitld ilar . 'hals , provided thty " fought ILeir "vray up to them , " on the principle of -win ynui }; u-f Is iuri iTtsr them , " fcu : tfcese greei ; crt-aturea , wlo purer = 5 e tfcrir -way np ovti the heads of " brave men , " und \> l . o Cevgj antiJed powder , she had no patiecce -wi : h . Such a system was another of the bad effects oi *• Cl-ir L-glilr . i'on . " L ' , ad chirrs -ad ttnch laughter : r . ;^ . vrcl ' -v . < : ~ - . * --. ; « v . tth of tts ircseK > ta * . e of cm " s .: raT . >; . . ; . lS - : ;;;; ia ; : at -nrhTn she was first drawn ¦ -- en ; is : - eg .:-. vii .-he Ijid eo ' . thenght of puttitg -r h-ne . i £ - _ - .- = rhi Luiil ; :: Let she hid ..-n thst evcniiig
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been reading of tbe conduct of Lord Abinger in his judicial capacity on tbe Special Commissions , | Groans ) and being iu the Chartist Hall -when the subject of the Charter was discussed , har excited Btate of mind and sympathy -with her suffering fellow creatures in that commission , the "Political Victims , " led her to speak on the subject . The Times , oa thst occasion , made her the subject of its *<¦»*» T » g articles , covering her -with its scoff * and gibes ; b « t where it meant to do harm , ahe was glad to say it had done mnch good . ( Great cheering . ) Miss Walker then stated that she was receiving letters from all parts ef the
world , encouraging her to go on , and at that moment held one in her hand , -which emanated from a public meeting in Perth , signed " John Shannon , secretary , *' and highly complimentary to her . She concluded by assuring the meeting that if she were satisfied that her coming oot had tie effect of alleviating the trouble of even one poor fellow creature , she wouM feel herself for life repaid , and "would ga on in tbat virtuous course , let the obloquy and the consequences that would attach to hei be what they might 'Loud and enthusiastic cheers , amidst which Miss Walker resumed her seat )
Miss Emma Miles then move * , and Mrs . Watts seconded , that the thanks of the meeting be given to Miss Waiker , which were accorded with great acclamation . a young gentleman named Foster , bere put two questions to Mias Walker , namely , whether in her attacks on Lord Abinger , she meant to include tbe whole judicial bench ? and whether in her strictures on the Rev . Mr . Robinson , ahe meant to attack the whole of the clergy of the Church of England ? ( Great csnfusion , and cries of "Order ! order ! " "Spoke ! spoke ! " -The Meeting ia over , " &c , followed ^ Mr . Foster ' s questions . )
Misa Walker , hawever , came forward , and having assured the meeting that she had no thought or intention of making a sweeping charge , observed , with regard to L « rd Abinger , that inasmuch as one diseased sheep spoils a whole flock , and as one diseased limb will contaminate the whole body , to prevent which the skilful surgeon would at once amputate such limb , so , for the honour and purity of the Judicial Bench , and of the clergy of the Established Church , she would hare Lor ^ i Abinger cat off , by removal from the one body , and the Rev . Mr . Robinson from the other —( great and long-continued cheering , amidst which Captain Acherley proclaimed tbat Miss Walker had nobly done her duty , and protested against any more questions bring put to her . ) . Mr . Foster said that he was satisfied -with Misa Walter ' s answers , though he had nothing else to thank her for— : laughter )
Tr . ar . fcs were then Toted to the Chairman , and tbe meeting separated , highly delighted , ana much edincd with the vtocatdisBa . — £ ceni « s Star .
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first of all , to ssy a few wprds withregard to the late trials . His services in defeiiding the prisoners in the north had showed him many painful scenes ; but even in ths midst of these he bid cause- to be happy , for he had thereby become acquainted and bid opportunities of conversing with many good and honest Chartists , whom he should probably have neve * seen . Mr . R . related a conversation- ;¦ witch took place between himself and Mr . Coopei upon the subject of the aectioiial differences which- -ao : unhappily divided the Chartist body , wherein hs portrayed the folly . of division / and the great necessity of union , amongst the working classes With regard to the sentiment before them , be ( Mr . It ) , most heartily : agreed with it He was not what might bs termgd , will ¦ ' acquainted with Mr . Duncombe ; but he . could say this of him , —that he section
was no man , but a -real Chartist ; and was in fict , wherever Chartism was to be found ; and as long as Chartism was , the subject of discourse , he believed he cared not whether it was from the lips of Mr . Starve , or from those of Mr OConnor , Mr . Geo White , or anyothet man . He seemed equally delighted from whatever quarter it came ; aud , though Mr . Duncombe was one of the aristocracy , yet it was not surprising to find the name of Thomas Duncorabe , Esq ., in any proceeding of Chartism . Mr . Roberts then gave a vivid description of the Crown and Anchor meeting , and gave a very interesting account Of the late trials , in Which h 9 explained the reasons for being so axious for separate trialu for the prisoners . Mr .
Roberts thought the subject of defence ought to be taken up more warmly . A great battle was to be fought , and a large portion of that battle was to be fought with money , The mere traverses would amount to £ 1 , 500 . Ha hoped those who were out of prison would make larger sacriflces i than heretofore , for what , he would ask , was a few shillings , when compared with ^ two years' imprisonment ? and they were all striving for one cause , and were as much implicated as those who were undergoing terms of imprisjuraent and transportation . Fat himself he should be happy in passing his whole life in defending his poor and oppressed fellow-Cbartists . Mr . Roberta sat down amidst great and unanimous applause . ¦' .
A vote of thanks to W . P . Roberts , Esq ., for his conduct in defending the prisoners at . the late trials was then agreed to by acclamation . After which a recitation upon tbe desolating effects of war was gWtn by a little boy , and responded to in some very suitable remarks by the grandfather . Mr . Chapel said , ene of the purposes for which they had met that evening , was to commemorate the establishment of the Northern Star newspaper . He felt well persuaded of the grout benefits to be derived from the press , and ttu y gr&tefu ' l for the assistance which had been afforded to the cause of Chartism by that excellent democratic paper the Northern Star ! They had now another paper , which bid fair to become a powerful organ to their cause , and harbinger of good things— he aliuded to the Evening Star . ( Great cheering . ) He wculii , hoWever , read- th-i following resolution , and leave its support to those more able than hiay fl .-if : It was as follows : —
"That m commemorating the establishment of the Northern Star , this meeting halis with . satisfaction : the general character and tone of that able advocate of the people ' s rights , and hope that it rosy long continue the pilot of the people ' s cause , aided by its contemporary the Evening Slar . " . Mr . Twite ; iu responding . to the above * said he bad at the commencement"hailed the appearance of the Northern Star with the utmost gratification ; he had observed its progress during the five years of its establiskment , and he could now say that it had always beei the unflinching aiivocato ef the Charter and the people ' s rights , and the protector of tlie oppressed from the stroBg hand of the oppressor . It had been tha only true and lasting defender of those noblo patriots who ¦ werenowsuffering for their advocacy of the cause of the people ; and for this it deserved the warmest considerations cf the workina cImscS . He wished he coulil- ' sea
the young men of this country come forward more generally and unite with their -elders in ' endeavouring to obtain those rights which the Star had continued so ably to advocate . It was a disgraco to them that they did not do so . It was the young men and tbe young women who would have to suffer most from the present state of things , and if thty did not come forward now te assist those who bad been sacrificed in advocating their rights , they would deserve their sufferings , let them come as heavy as they may . He longed to see the day whta the bright light of liberty would find its way into every corner of the globe * and tyranny should be heard cf no more . Their intentions had been JfalsiiSed ,
auA calumny after calumny heaped upon thew by their opposers , bnt they had fouud a noble defender in the Northern Star . Mr . Twite then related an instance of a poor mun-ra Chartist , at D = V ! Zss—who had been insulted , and : even whipped by one farmer , for the sole , reason that he was a Chartist ; and who had had a small tenement -which he had built entirely destroyed , and the materials scattered over different parts of the common by those very persons who have been pleased to stigmatise the Chartists as " destructiyee . " The man had : placed the matter in the hands of an attorney , and was likely to make these persecutors ( who had expressed a desire to compromise the affair ) repent their diabolical
outrage . ¦ . ¦ .- ¦ ¦ . ¦ .. ¦ . ¦ . . . -- . ¦ ; . ; .. ¦¦ Mr . W . J . ESSLASD , in rising ta support the motion before them , said , that "the freedom of the pnesa " was at tha present time but a byword in this kingdom ; for it could scarcely be said such a thing as freedom of the press existed . Though the press in this country was not so , immediately shackled by the Government as in some countries , yet it bora , bonds more stout , and which made it more injurious to the interest of the people . The great msjority of the press . o ! Great Britain , instead of being the advocates of the freedom of the many , were the base and pandering slaves to party spirit of the most rancorous description , and the upholders of tyranny and oppression in its worst shape , against the oppressed and-illused working classes . Many portions of the
press , too , were to be found pandering to the sinister motives of individuals in direct opposition to the public good . This was a deplorable state of things , a-. d it grieved him to the heart that that which was of bo much importance to the prosperity of any country—the independeEce of the preaashould be found in so low and grovelling a state , as was at present the case in Great Britain .. It seemed bo inconsistent too , that those of the press who were csntinua'ly making such leud outcries of their devotion to their country and its government , should be ; such deadly enemies to any and eyery thing , the object of ¦ which is to raiea the civouniBtances of tbe working population , who are the source of all tbe wealth and all the power of the country , and that they should continually seek to destroy those without whom their
boaated constitutiou could not exist Had it not been for the falsified statements of the press at the time of the trials of Frost , Williams , and [ Jones , ' . those noble spirits would never have been banished from the shores of their native country . And . did the press possess but a slight shara of true patriotism , the present Government would nevtr have dared to exhibit their persecuting spitit in the late unjust proceedings at the trials in the notih . The press , which , when conducted rightly must be the harbinger oi the greatest benefit to tbe people , and the mighty protector of their liberty from the tyranny of their governors , must also , when basely applying its influence , be the destruction of every social tie , and of every political right , and the most certain instrument in making a fiee nation a nation of slaves . But
though the great majority of the press of this country may be said to be opposed to tbe rights t > f the people , yet there were a few , would to God there were more , exceptions to this , and foremost iu these exceptions stood tbat paper which the motion be bad the honour ; to support referred to—the Northern Star . When Chartism first dawned in this country it was a dark time ; black clouds filled the moral and political atmosphere : but a slight breaking took place , arid discovered to the sight ' a . . small portjou of ; clear , blue sky , and this was Chartism . In the midst of this bright spot appeared the Northern Star , which had realised in ; its services the truth of its name , for it had indeed been the polar star of Chartism ; it hivd nobly defended the working men from the malignantly asserted falsehoods of their enemies : it had piloted them through the
storm ; aud had been the mean ? bf saving Chartism from spitting upon the quicksands of the many infceri > al divisions amongst themselves yes , had it not been for the watchful eye of the Northern Star , which had cau- ; tioned the working men of the pophistries of their enemies , he believed Chartists wbuki have now become extinct as a body , and been divitled into a hundred different sections and parties . In reference to the late movement of the Complete Suffrage party he would ask if they had showed themeelves to be honest men ? ( no ) . Bethought not . For if they were truly desirous of obtaining the Chatter , as according to . their profesaions they were , why not have joined the Associations already
formed for that purpose , instead of forming a separate one for'the same .. bject?—( hear , hear . ) They had now , he was hippy to say , also a most valuable acquisition to their cause in the Evening Star , ' -which , like its contemporary in the North ; , had for its so !* object , the people ' s rights , and if properly supported by the working millions , would be a means of further enlightening the public mind ; and of firmly establishing the truth of their cause in the public estimation ; and eventually making the cause of the people to be proclaimed victorious . ' Mr . E . then impressed upon them the importance of rallying round UveBe atandaida of tbe Charter , and sat down amidst great cheering .
Several songs , * c . were afterwards sung , and three cheers for Frost , Williams , and Jones , and the rest of the snffering Chartists ; and three cheers forFeargns O'Connor and the Northern and Evening Stars having been given , a vote of thanks w&s returned to the Chairman , the meeting geparateil at a late hour , highly gratified with tbe evening ' s entertaicment . ;
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ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . PROPOSED AMENDED PlAN OF ORGiSlZATI ^ N rqn . the national charter association BY ; kR , COOrKB , SKCReTART OF THE SHaK ' SPEARIAN ASSOCIATION OF LEICESTER CE A R' TISTS . ¦ ' ¦'' ' ' ¦' : ' . ¦ .: ¦ ' ' ' ' .. ' ¦ ¦
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOBTHEEN STAR . Sir—A few hints given by you in the Northern Star of to-day , and a letter of a correspondent on thd subjeci of our ergantntton—impel me to lay before the general body an outline of an amended plan of organisation which I have already broached in substance to Dr . M'Douall ( during our brief companionship at the Sturge contest for Nottingham ) , to joureelf Uiurint * my first interview with you at Leeds ) , to Mr . O Connor ( iu several conversations ) , my beloved friends . Bairatow , Julian Harney , George White , and Skevington . and to my own brigade , on various occasions . The fact of the outline having been appreved , in whole or for the greater part , by every one to whom I have described it , inclines me still wore to offer it to the consiiieration of my brethren at a time when so importaut a subject seems likely to claim their serions attention .
• I . The government of the general . bpdy to be vested in an Annual Convention , to be assembled in London , Birmingham , ' -. and Manchester alternately , in the first week of April , iu each year , and to close its sittings at the end of the third week in each year , or earlier , if convenient . . ¦ : ' ¦ . "'¦ ¦ '¦ . .. ' .. ¦•¦¦ ¦ ' . ¦ ¦ . . . - . ; : 2 . The said Annual Convention to be composed of delegates from Chartists districts , the districts to be arranged by the first annual convention ; and rearranged , as need may be , in succeeding cohy «; ntions . * 3 . The first business of the said Anfiual . ' Convention to be the election of a president , secretary , and trcUMirtr ; and its last business to be the appointment of an Executive Committee to be c jmposhdbf the president b " t Cou > vention , the ' secretary of Convention , the . trvsworvr of Convention ; and two other , members of Convention then and there chosen . v
4 . The said Executive Committee oj the Annual Con vention to assemble . t ° Retber . ib London for one weak daring the month of July , —4 n Birmipgham for one week during the month of Octo&br—anl in Manchester for one week during the month of January . : 5 . Th-ii Secretary of Convention to be the only annual officer occupying his whole time Witb . the general business of the Association , and receiving from its fum ' . s ' . a fixed weekly salary ; other members of the ' Executive Committee to occupy themselves with tho general bhsirjeS 3 of the Association , and to receive from its fun '' s an allowance oniy for the three weeks of meeting mentionuti in article 4 , with travelling essences to and from , &c .
6 . The said Secretary to furnish each Chartist locality in England and Wales , with a yearly c ' assiookand monthly ^ c / ass-ixyjeisr-arranged on an uniform plan , from time to tiine , by the Anniinl Codventions , or the Executive Comiuittees , at their sittings , autl also with cards of ih <; ra&ersh i " p of the National Charter Association , and the s » iu Secretary " to receive a -monthly account of the cumber of meinbera in his locality , from the £ > ub-Secretary in each locality , and to publish tuo same , for the information of the general body . 7 .- Tbe General Fund of the National Cbarter
Association , fvora which the exotsneea of the Aunu-il Ctmveutions and of tlie EsecutiVe Committees , as well as the salary of the Secrotary , the cost of c < vrda . of membership , uniform class-books , < fea , shall be defrayedto be raised by the collection of one penny , on the first Monday of eaca calendar month , from each member of the Association who can afford the same , by the charge of one penny for each card of membership , and by tbe payment op . the part uf the localities , of such a sum for the class-books as shall be agreed upon . by the Annual Convention , or Executive Coniiuittees .
8 . The ( deal funds of the . Association to be raised by the collection of one penny on the reinaining . Monday ' s'in-each . calendar ' .-month , from each member of the Association who can '' afford the same ,- ^ and by such other means as the members of the Geneial Council resident in each Chartiat locality may devise . Without going into the . details of election of general councillors , sub-secretaries , &c . < Sco , the fore-going may suffice , Mr . Editor , to show the drift of my proposed amendments—if my brethren think my hints deserve that name . . .. ' "
.,-.-But what would be the advauttigea of the proposed alterations over usages which now prevail ? I answer .-First , the assembling of ah Annual Bepreseiitative ifody would give an established and imposing character to our agitation , in tbe public eye , and would train the unenfranchised class in the important practice of legislation . The govornmenfe of the Association by such a body would , also , be essentially a government by representative democracy , while the government , by a directory of five may , in its very nature , be termed an ollgarchyi ' ' " :
. Seeondly , the election of an Executive Committeer by the great representative body , could not fail to issuo in the appointment of five men of manifest fitness ( or office : —the men of real business , of energy , of ; prudeuce , would- . be ; aura-to " stand out on the canyass" of each picture of the Convention ; they would be marked by their follow delegates . Thus , the mockery of selecting five men , in the dark , according to present cuntom , would be avoided . I sag iriiheddtk . for it is nothing better to circulate lists of a score of names among the members , and to request theni to mark Jive Jil
men , / whereasi . many of the members have not se » u or heard five men . of any kind , out of the score . So much for the mode . of electing the Executive ani then the office of the Executive would be freed , at once , of much of its present irksome character to themselves , and also of all its present apparent irre-SDODSibilitieB , inasmuch as the Executive would be merely" the Committee of the Annual Convention , instead of a Government appointed by the people , and would have restricted po-vers , leaving all weighty questions that could conyeniently be so left , for the decision of the ensuing annual Convention .
Thirdly , ' the-association ; of the treasurer with the Executive weuld tend to give that-officursomethinf ? like his proper share of opportunity for giving advice on the affairs of the general body , aud for becom i ng acquainted with it ? condition . At present this highly important officer seems to be a mere name . Fourthly , tlie furnishing of each locality with uniform yearly class-books for the use of the sub-Secretaries—in other words , with registers of the members , describing their names , residences , trades , ages , amount of family , franchise , ic , ( These books to be of various dimensions , so as to be adapted for large or small localities . )
and also with monthly class-papers , ruled and prepared for containing ; a : d f ) Z'in or more names to be visited by collectors ; the act of regularity and punctually furnishing each locality with these-. mat ' eriats for sound local organizition could scarcely fail to secure it . I need scarcely remark that the proposed monthly account from each ' . sub-secretary , of the number of members in his locality ( tbat account t ¦» be tt classified one , —describing the proportion of Tiienibeis of either sex , of whatage , Sec , &e . i according to a nuidfc fixed by the great RepresentaUve body )—would a . U <> promote the same desirable object . ¦
Fifthly ' . the cpileotion ot the primary monthly penny , disliticilt / for the General fund of the Association , wbulri bring the ( igilalion . as a whole constantly before the mind of each individual member , giving it value and importance then , ' proportioned to its real consequence . The grand National bond arising from this perpetual presentation of the movement in its uniyersaiity—^ n its giant triight—to : the thought of each indiviiiuul member would , —or I am a sanguine dreamer , —speedily render us politically omnipotent . FeariDg that I have already treaspassed too largely on your limits , ' : I am , Sir , Yums , most respectfully , THOMAS COtirER .
LeiceBter , Dec . 3 , 1842 r ^ * The Chartiat delegates to the appreaching Stnrgo Conference to be empowered by the people to make a temperary arrangement of districts for the election of delegates to the First Annual Convention .
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' ' ' ¦ : : ¦ : -- "" . - . ' ¦ ? ' — . ¦ ESSAY ON THE PRESENT SYSTEM . ; '• ; . ' , ¦'¦ ' . ' . "' , ¦'¦ '' .: PART VI . - . - . ¦ ¦ Feeling that Government oppressed instead of proteeting them , and that society had grown moet unsocialtothem , the working classes were compelled , in IssK-defence and for self-preseivationi to form unions such as trade unions , benefit clibs , &C To support these , they have to tax themselves in addition' -to- the taxes which they pay to support Government , and it is a question whether the good done outbalances the sacrifices of time and money . We should be insHned to tay not , when we see men who . are zealous _ supporters oftheBystem , patronise some of tbese - nniona . Witness Colonel Sibthorp , wUo , I believe , is an Odd Fellow . Besides these , partial remedies arising from th « necessity of the case , some disinterested and sonic self-interested men bave proposed others of a more speculative character . Tbere is Robert Owen , but the
best Hiivice which he has to offer a starving population is to goand buy . land ! He tells ns to eiiter into cbmmUBity- ^ to leave off competition . ; The great error of Owen ' s scheme , as of most other schemes ia , that it lets Government , alotie ; it does riot meddle with politics—it shrinks , as Wesley did , from any ^ contact with the great fonntain-head of all our miseries : and thus it reudera itself non-effective , for a watchmaker might as well think of setting a watch right by re-constructing or remodelling some of tne smaller wheels , and leaving the mainspring unregulated—the great fly-wheel that sets all the rest agoiug . We wight as well endeavour to repair a miil dam without iirst turning off the stream . Why , as faskas we stepped up
one hole , the water would burst out at another ., nud overwhelm us even at bur work . Community t' what avails it to p « n the sheep in the fold , if tbe wolf can leap the fence ? If tbe hawk e \ U upon the highest perch in the dovecot , can be not make a prey when he pleases ? Nor is it advisable to do away with competition-r-obly with the excess of it 'Competition is a principle in human nature that excites to emulation—to noble de * cl 6 There is not a boy ' s Rame but derives its zest from competition . Next follow the teetotallers , who go upon the assumption that all the vice and misery in the wbrld is caused by intemperance ; but what causee intemperance j 1 htbiute not to tay , it ia tfee sjst « : iwliich drives many a uian to drint > aiid uiupw aii
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others . Art not Kin-shops licensed and builv with an alluring front ? Does riot Government ^ derive an immense revenue from intoxication , even as the Pope does from prostitution ? Now it is of no use dealing with effects while the grand caase of all is left in full , in free operation . No partial remedy can suffice to enre a general evil . W « must go to the root—it matters Dot loppir ^ cfF the bmiches . Otheis talk of a repeal of the corn laws , of the poor laws , of r ^ ulatir g infant labour , of taxing- miichinery , of emigration , ana I know not what ; but : none but the eagie-eyed Chartists can look the real remedy ia the face , and that ia the sunlike Charter . Fjst , Universil Suffice ! Have we not a Universal Father ? are not all tqual in hia eyes ? do not even the bishops tell us . that Christ died for ali ? that all may inherit heaven . , ' . How is it then that such distinction should be made on earth ? God ia no respecter of pereors-i-he suffers all—he showers his gifts alike on all . Uaturftis a great republic ; nor does it require more than a year for the earth to mako its
revolution—for the sun te do all the business of ail the seasons . U is said that the planet Saturn take * seven years to circle the sun , " and that the climate there is te consequence too coltv for life . We find that our senators , who take seven years at a time to do the peoy ' . e a business , grow very , cool about ii—leave it unilone— do <* nly their own ^ fall into a stnpor . If we have no pro-P > tty qualification , we innst have payment of memliers . The geutlenien that at present serve us io Parliament have no other qualification , but a property qualification . One would think thtjy must have a great love for na , for they profess to serve us for nothing , but we find that they are serving-themselves all the while , and serving us very scuryily . No ; let us have a personal , in place of a property qualification—let . ts pay our servants—let each man have a voice in their election , and choose whom he likes , whether by ba'loi or not . This is the People ' s Charter—by this the people would regain the rights which have been niched from themwith . thttir rights they would regain power to prevont wrong , and to justify'themselves . '¦ ¦'' ¦' . ( To be concluded in onr . next . J
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THE EXECUTIVE . - Brother CUA&TiSTS . T-We have gone through many shucks , and survived- them all lmt this li-it shock upon our credit wi . l be the most dflicult torecoyer fronu J have . often observed that the thing ¦ which , . above all others , keep 9 men from joining ant Association , is their want of confideiice in each ovhtr , au . il thoir fear that the funds will be muippli ^ d . I was in hapes that those whom we appointed to the bishest place of 'trust , ' and whom we liberally paid * would n « ifc have ( Itwived us ; and very sorry I am to find that they , even they , have not kept their " toncuc i from lying , and their fingers from , stealing . " Oh , it is a sore reproach—the treason of the " new movers" wss nothing to this . It is enough to destroy all confidence inn ' s , ' and tokeap ^ ll support fro m usV
As far as I can see , the Executive had no excuse for this peculation I wonder at Dr . M'Douall to set arich an example . He must have known that the " receive is as bad as the thief , " and that the ten shillings vweek extra , was stolen put of the funds wanted for butter purposes . Tbe money spent in flying is sadly misapplied , but it sppVars that mouey has also been misappropriated in other ways by the -Executive , and the suspicions of « mbezzlenient raised by several items ia the balancesi , 6 et . CilVB been Conveiteil to csertainty by Uae manner in which the secretary refused to answer inquiries for i .-xnlanatloUi This is very bad , and worse when , we consider that mauy who subscribed to the fund pinched
themselves to ( io it . Surely £ 1 10 s .. a-weefe is wage enough for doing nothing— -it is three times as much as the labourers who subscribe to pay it get for hard clays' works all th « week . It is now Very eviderit that the Executive are of no use , except as lecturers , and iiuUihtj could be , without being an Executive . We want no aiuecures , neither in Government , nor in Chartism . It seems that , in addition to their pay »» an Executive , they were getting as much and more for lecturing at the aurae time ; and appear to have been actuated by tbe deairo of getting air they could . We don't blaiuethem for this , if only they got it honest / y and not by fraud and deception . But thty have . lu . uiie uspay dear for their advocacy of the cause . ,
Upon the whole I am of opinion , with the Editor of the Star , that an unpaid Executive ; would fee best . We should then see who would serve the ' eauae for love of , h , and not because , of the loaves :, nnd fishes . " Su ' m ' e * thing ijiust be done different from what has been done , or ChsrtiMu will sick . I don't see any great use for a psrinauent Executive ; if they have nothing to do they will do iniscbief—becanse they thiiik they roust do Eomething to earn thoir salaries . The French republic had un Executive Directory ; but that was not before , but after , the republic was gained , arid then they had the Government of . the country to administer . The Secretary and the treasurer should riot be one persoUj becuuae then tlieie is no check , upon him . How che enemy scoff at us fw this affair of thu Executive I They say , we do " not deserve too Suffrage because wa ch « oae men that cheat us . Any man may be once ik'ceived . They ought to clear their oharacteis or resign for the good of the cause . Yours , ¦¦ . ' ¦ '¦ : A Chartist Councillor . london , DcO . 7 tti , 1842 . -
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ScHEDtEBS have boon sorved on the managers of disseiHiii ^ . congregations , requiring rtturnf of the seat-rents of chapels , with a view to impose a proptriy tax onthe . ra , ¦ ; Compa'sio . vate Judge is Texas . —A very framed aud eonitjas . sioiiate judge in Texas , on passi ng aentenctt oh one John Jones , who had been convicicd of murder , concluded his remarks as follows : — " Tbe ( act is , Jones , that the Court did not ' - 'intend to order you to be executed before next spring , but the ' weather , is very rold-i-our gaol , uiifortuualely , is in & very bad condition—much of the glaES in the
windows is broken— the chimnies are in such a dilapw dated state tl ; at no fire can oe made to render your apavi meats comfortable ; besides owing to the gr-jafc cumber of prisonera , not more than one blanket cjwi beallowed to each- ^ to sleep soundly and comfortably , therefor ..-, wiJlbe out of the . question . I" consideration o / . ' these- circumstaiiceei and wishing to lessen your rnffir-ririgs as-mucb as possible , the Court in the exercise of its . humanity and compassion , do hereby order you to beekecutpd to-morrow morning , a « soon after breakfast as maybe convenient to thesheriff ^ nd agreeable to you /'— Quebec Gazette .
Railway Accident . —On Tuesdaj evening last an atuocious aUempt vfaa mad « to ttvrov ; the Londo * mail train off the Birkenhead and Cheetcr Railway , by placing a large beam of wood , called a sleeper , about tine feet in length , in such a position as to coine in contact with the engine ; and it had actually pericrrated tbe en ^ inCf bnt not the boiler , or it mi ^ ht have burst . The injury was not so extensive as to prevent the traiii from passing to its dFstination . A . clan oi' the name of Morton is in en ? tody on tna charge of having been guilty bflhis wicked act . ROBHEBY OF THE CASTLEa » MBEB MaIL . —On V . ' eduesday morning last , as the Fost-boy * ai proceecii : g from Castlecomer to Balljragfe'et % with the Uurrow and Baliyraj-gett mail-bags , be was stopped by tWo men , about Iwo miles from Ca .-tlecomer , ana ¦ dtpnv ' fco of thebaRs . The bags were sub ? tqutnt \ y vouuo on a limekiln near the spot . One b ^« was u ^ oue hed acd'the other opened , but the leiterd insvAiii : s . no injury—Carlow Sentinel , :
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- - ¦ . THE N OR T H E RN ^ TuiR , v / ¦ . ' ¦ . / ; . — : - ; ;; . ; ,. . . ;;¦ ' ; ' . ' •• V ' . . ' - . ; . - ¦ ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦' :. ¦ . ..- -
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BATH . TEA MEETING TO COMMEMORATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE "NORTHERN STAR . On Monday week a Tea Meeting was held in the Chartist Rooms , No . 4 , Gallowaj ' s-buildings , for the purpose « 'f commemorating the establishment of the Northern Star , and to sympathize with the late political ¦ vic tims . The meeting was one which bore ample testimony to the fact that Caartism is ^ ot dead iu Bath , for the
crowded room contained many a true C / jart' . st and tried , ani the hereditary genius of democracy showed itself in its proudest and truest bearing , from the grandfather to the grandson ; aud the smiles cf the many ladies , true democrats , who were there , showed that the patriotic spirit still h-jld a high station amongst them , as well as in tbe breasts of their LtheH and their brothers . Tea commenced at six o ' clock , aad-true social convivial ,: y abounded ; and at leDgth , on the removal of the rattling apparatus began in true earnest
" The feast of reason and the flaw of souL " On the motion of Mr . Hopkins , seconded by Mr . Twite , Mr . Phillips the father of Chartism in Bath , ¦ was appointed President ; Mr Hopkins officiated as Vice President . The President then , in stating the object of their assembling that cveninsr , saW , they were met there as Chartists—aa men , and as women who had the interest of their fellow creatures at heart , and who -were endeavouring to obtaia for all their rightful shara of power in that Government whose laws they were called upon to obey . They were met for a double purposeof CDJuBJbiJQorating the establishment of the Norlliern Star , that upholder of the people ' s rights , which had so ab ' . y defended them from their enemies , and piloted thtm tbri-ugh the storm for the last five years ; and
also to express their sympathy with these persecuted patriots who hkd been made the victims of a tyrannical Government and of a partisan Judge—( cheers ) . It was too true many had been taken from their rants , had been torn from their domestic circles , and cast iuto the ceils of prisons ; yet there was another circumstance ¦ crhich was calculated to do more hann to thtlr cause than this ; he meint , if they allowed themj'elvss to be divided ; for as the Government had imprisoned their best men , all they had to do -was now to be honest to tfccm = elves , and to sympathise - with the sunvrers for tticir canse by every means in their power . i and they would thereby aiieviate in some measure , the sufferings
of those who were undergoing the sentence of their tyrants , and the cause of tbe people must become victorious . He beliared the pres ? nt Government had do . ; e much to forward the Chartist cause by the late prosecutions —\ hear , hear ) . Many who bifore were wavering in their opinions were now be believed , firm Chartists . Their eyes had been opened , and they hid become disgusted by those tyrannical proceedings , anil led to see tbat nothing but the Charter couid bring about a rig ht state of things . He would , thtrtfore , call upon them te unite for the cne purpose of carrying the Charter ; for it was uuity alone which could r . ccorupli&h this , and every other measure tending to the welfare cf tiieir ffcilow creatures —( applause . )
S ^ ng , " Let liberty ' s flag be spread over the warld . " —Mr . Hopiins . Sentiment , " The People—the source of ail legitimate power . " Mr . EOLWEL , in responding to the sentiment said he believed not only that the people were the source of all legitimate power , from his . merely having heard so , but be was an observer of men and of things , and from long experience and deep observation he -was convincedhe had no doubt on tbe matter—he knew that they were so , and that the time was not far distant when it would be realised in the truest sense of the word—( hear , bear ) . It was but a question of time . He would not say it would occur during his life ; but that it would be realised was ctrtain . It gratified him to see so many happy countenances there to-night
—so many patriotic spirits met around the social board who were striving for their rights ; and not oniy for their own rights , but for the rights of all . He would spurn the man -who sought only for right for himself . Tfeey were social beings ; they had shown themselves to be so to-ni ? ht . They possessed reasonable faculties , and virtuous affections peculiar to their clsss , which made them bo , and which set them infinitely above tbe rest of creation . A sacred duty devolved on them all , acd especially the female portion of the community , to do what they could for the advancerneu : of the moral and political dignity of their fellow-creatures . He had said the females especially , because ef the moral degradation of so large a number of their sex . Let them look to Bath , and to the manufacturing districts , : md they could not but be struck with the
truth cf his assertion ; let them tnrn their attention to London—the city In which the Queen resided , in which the aristocraey resided , aye , and in which so many of the bishops resided , too , who receive so much money for the purpose of promoting morality and religion ; and there , tfc ' ey were told , by calculations ou the subject , were to be found no less than 80 , 000 females living by prostitution . Tea clergy tell ub this is for want of education , but why did they not educate the people ? He -would observe that it was not the education which taught passive obedience and non-resistance that would remedy this state of thlng 3 ; but they must have that learning which elevated the character ami showed m ; m in the form of his Miktr . He believed tbere were souls present who ruade it a practice to read , mark , and inwardiy ijioe . , and it was tbe kno-wleiisi .- gained by this means -which titted a n . an fer a cit z-: i cf the worM . Mr .
Bolwell then pictured tbe intcUcJtuji ttateof the working classes in this country previous to tbe Chartist agitation , and should the progress of intellectual improvement : and political inte < iigence since thst period , despite the formidable array of power against it . Mr . Biiwell also exhibited the advan t ageous state of the Chaittst body now to what ic waa five years ago , and thought , when it was considered what they had to contend wiih , there -was no cause to despond that they haa not Jet obtained the Charu-i . Tne systtni which the Chatter proposed to reform had exist « d for ages , and was supported by the bigotry of custom . It was n ^ t , therefore , to be supposed that it -was to be alters ;! in a moment . They must be more united before thty could expeat to gain their obj < xt , for he was convinced tb at nothi : ig but the firm determination of the people to be free , would ever shake the present sytteni to its foundation . Mr . B . urged those present to nnite for the Charter , and attend tbe meetinzs ot the Association , md sat down
amidst great applause . mu After a patriotic song by Miss Bolwell , The Departed Pstriets , " was given as a sentiment , and acknowledged in deep silence . Mr . Twjte , an old veteran in the cause of Chartism , in re ; ponding to this sentiment , epukt with much feeling , and in true democratic spirit , cf the worth and good qualities of those patriotic Chartists who had departed this life sinca the corcmencemi-iit of the agitation , and dwelt upon the loss wnica tbe Bath Associa tion more particu ' . atly hid expeiienced in the deaths of Messrs . Meeling and Bartlett Several patriotic aud social songs , dnets , axd gl « were sung , and sentiments given and responded to by those present . Vyon "Tbe unflinchk ; Friend of tbe Peopl e , T Dunconibe , E-. q ., M . P ., " bting given , the Prc 3 id = r . called noon W . P . Roberts , E = q . tJ n ; ake a response . at
Mr . Robei . is said he was ha } -py i . 0 2 nd ' ^ thonsn they ., e : c met for a social su ^ jcc ; , ifil tb ^ y fc-. fl seticus tL ^^ ih-jB , Ee though ; lie mighi , U-crtfarc-, be aJ ^ wta i s i
Untitled Article
s . ; f Robbsrt at Norwood E > -d—On Thursday night , five men with their faces blackened , forced an ens trance in o the residence of the book-keeper of the f Cnesterfield Canal Company , at Norwood End , and wi * h pistols in thoir bands demanded the keys '• of the boxes , desks , &a . Having thus obtained pos-; session of the keys , they proceeded to search for money , and obtained a gum of about £ ' 2 OO , with ttkich they got clear off . The officers of justice are , we hear , in pursuit ot these daring burglars , and we hope they rviil soon ' ' siieo . o Jin capturing t , fauH . j
Untitled Article
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Brother Citartists , —Mr . Leach , at the Delegate Meeting at Mnuchester , in bis defence of the Executive , having spoken of a . plot or plots against that -body , in which my name is mentioned , I deem it a duty to myself to state , that I have had no connection with , nor knowledge of ; any plot ; -anti it is tho Bnt won ] I have heard of my name beine put forward no . a candidate for a new Executive , or of such a tody being in contemplation . . ¦' . . .
It is true , having observed what I considered improper proceedings on . the part of the Executive of 1841 , I joined , with my brother delegates at Leicester , / in fxpressing my disapprobation of the same ,, and consider that it was my duty s \> to do ; for how could I consistently condemn the conduct of the Government , and connive at similar conduct in the head of our own body ? but it is not newssaty for me to enttr into any detail , as the whole-subject has been laid before you by the Editor of the Northern Star , who , I consider , is entitled to the thanks of the people . Thus much I may say , tbat . as one at the delegates v-hen the plan was reconsidered , that I have a purfect recollecfion that Manchester was fixed as the . place of its sittings . ¦ ' ¦ ' . '¦ ¦ ' " . ¦ -. ' " ¦ ¦ . ' . ; ' . .. '" ¦ ¦ " . ¦ . . ¦ ¦
Had the subject been a mere personal : aff * ir , I should certainly not bay * '' . . Interfered ; ' as I would most wiiliug ' y beat anything ; msself , rather ttan cause strife , which I have not done / though I have been coii'iected with the Movement previous to the firat Convention ; waina meriiber of that body ami of the one i . i 1841 ; have repreaentfcd my own locality in four national delegate . meetings , besiiles local o-esj have given them my services as lvptuTcr , gtnerally bearing my own txpencee , in viBiting thevilkijes , aud doing Jny bt'Sfc to keep the cajise agoing , —and can siy I never asked un individual for a vote , or ever ^ juxht to get luysalf put forward as candidate for any office , -which 1 kimw has been ' practised by others , nevertheless , the people here bave generally put roe in nomination , —tbe last time without asking my conseiit ; and I believe I Lave their , confidence in a greater " degree now than whcnflist chosen to represent them . ¦; Trusting that those who seek to destroy corruption ¦ will eschew the former and practice the latttr ,
' . '"/ .- I am , brethren , ; . Yours in the cause of right against mfplitj ;¦"¦ ¦ ¦ . '¦ ' . ¦ ' . '¦ : John Skevikgtoit . Loughborough , Dec 6 , 1842 . P . S . The friends here > u ? gest that such of the delegateB at the . Biimirigham Conference that may happca to be members of the General Council should have the power to investigate and decide upon the subject .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 10, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct782/page/7/
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