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THE CONFERENCE.
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THE HOKTHEftH STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1842.
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8fo z&ttaftv& mm ®t>m$wt(t!ent
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.. SuiCIDE FROM THE Vf ANT OF POWER TO EAT.— Mr. Baker held an inauest on Mondav. at the Coal^
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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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MORE TRICKERY OF THE MIDDLE CLASSES AT SOUTHAMPTON , AND THE TREACHEROUS COKBTJCT OF SOME , ONCE THE
ilOST ACTIVE OF THE ASSOCIATION . TO THE SDITOB 0 ? THE MOBTHEBN STABDeab Sis—Onreading frequently , your remarks in the leading articles of the Northern Star , on the midole classes , -I have hem led to believe that they were harsh and unmerciful : ? et at the same time I eoold irot justify the belief with sufficient argument to contradict them . The events of the past fortnight in thie town , hare confirmed me in the opinions you entertain ; and in giving yon a report in this letter , of a pnblic meeting held here on TaeBday evening last , for the election of two delegates to the National CoBterenoe at Birmingham , I will accompany the report with such comments as I think necessary for the occasion . In the first plase I must state that
the council of the Association resident here , came to the conclusion of effecting , if possible , a union of all shades of reformers favourable to the principles of the People ' s Charter . This , then , was sought to be done by every , available means in our power , and rieh'v we-deserve , for oar truckling , the treatment we have experienced at their hands . A deputation waived upon the most active and prominent men in the Comp ! ete « Suffrage movement , to know whether they intended to take any part in sending delegates to the Birmingham Conference , to which they replied , they had not considered it , but that they would call together a few friends and let us know . Mr . Bartlett was not admitted to the presence of the conclave .
We next sen } to them to know if they would call a public imeeting . At the meeting alinded to above , they decided that that they would call no meeting . The Complete Suffragists knew if we called the meeting , the chagrin of defeat would not be so great , and thus they coqueted with some of our members to get us to call it , which they did , on a promise to pay a portion of the expences . They had , previous to the meeting , been using every means to secure two delegates of their own . Many master tradesmen attended with their men on purpose to defeat as . Whilst they were thus engaged we were engaged also in getting up the meetisg , and neglecting to rally » our party .
WeU , now to the meeting . It was called , and but poorly attended , Dot above 300 bans present ; and on a raoiioB-i > emg made that Mr . Goodman ( Chartist ) do take the chair ; an -amendment was proposed in favour of Mr . Whaksby ( Complete Suffragist ) . It was pat to the vote , and Mr . Whale-by carried . A resolution having been moved and seconded , that this meeting d © elect two delegates to the National Conference to be held at Birmingham , on the 27 th instant , was pat and earned . The following perBrns were thensaaiinated as delegates : Mr . J . Bartlett ( Chartist ) . Mr . F . Cooper ( Complete Suffragist ) , Mr . Ekless ( ditto ) , and Mr . Philip Brecon ( Chartist ) . On » show of hands being taken for Mr . Bartlett , the Chairman could not say whether he had a majority or not . and he left it undecided , till he took a show of hands for theothers , which being done , the
election fell on Mr . F . Cooper and Mr . Ekless ; the basest meaDB having been reported to to gain a majority , which only was accomplished by the masters of different shops attending and" heading their meB , telling them when to vote , which they have done most willingly ; one , a large coachbuilder , has obtained a most enviable notoriety at this meeting . He ib better known now by the cognomen of the " Above Bar Bnliy and hia white ¦ laves . " A resolution was then put to the meeting , u That the delegates be instructed to vote for and Support the six principles contained ia the People ' s Charter , " which was pat and carried . Through this rejclnlion being passed , one of the delegates , * - ] ¦ - . Rkiess has resigned . Another meeting will be i ; j . lled to elect another individual in his stead .. Thus nve we been-beateu by the treachery of some and he duplicity of Others . —Correspondent .
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WHAT IS A * BASE COMPROMISE . " TO THE EDITOR OF THB KORTHKKX STAR . Sib , —Mr . O'Connor , in his letter inserted in last week ' s Star , accuses Sunderland of having been guilty of i" base compromise . " I don ' t think it worth while to waste words , and occupy yonr columns with % ch&rge which seems as foolish as it is uDjust ; bat for the purpose of discovering what meaning or justice there may be in the accusation , 1 would like an answer to the following questions : — 1 . What principle , or principles of the Charter , were compromised in electing any one , or all , of the fonr representatives chosen at Sanderland f ~ 2 , With which of the delegates was the compromise made !
I thmk it could not be Joseph Storge , whom Mr . 0 'Comsor admits to be honest , " and whom also he deemed well worthy and qualified to represent the people ot Nottingham in Parliament , certainly a mnch more important trust than that of a member of the coming Conference . That it was not Roberts with whom the compromise was made ia also evident from the testimony Mr . O'Connor now bears to his worth and character . Mr . O'Connor could sot safely assert that a compromise was made in supporting Mr . Thompson , because he ( Mr . CC ) is ignorant of his personal character and pnblic conduct . I can tell him , and the people of Sunderland know these to be facts , that Mr . Thompson is not a mushroom professor of the principles of the
Charter—that for six years he has repeatedly and publicly declared his attachment to , and advocated those principles , that his parse has ever been opened io any appeal made to him for assistance , in dissemin&tiijg its principles , or defending . the victims ; th&t ae nobly proposed that brave champion of freedom , Mr . George Binns , as the representative for Sunderlaad , in opposition to the / serious candidates . Was the baae compromise made in supporting me * —if so , what have I done J Sorely | he opinion of the people of Sanderland , who know me . best , and have witnessed my career , ought to be takes . They hare judged me . Their opinion is shown , by my election . ¦
That I hare enemies is trae ; who has not * . but I defy any one , or all of them , to prove me unworthy of the Chartists' confidence , in a fair public meeting . I am . Sir , Yours respectfully , J . WlLL . Ii . H 3 .
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SHEFFIELD . j Ma- O'Coksob visited Sheffield on Tuesday last , ' and , in the evening addressed a crowded and enthu- j siasuc meeting in the Circus . j At eight o'clock , Mr . O'Connor entered the meet- ; ing , and waB received with the most deafening ap- j plause . ** Well Tally around him , " was immediately j sung in gallant style , the people chorusing most heartily . j Mr . Edwin Gjll proposed that George Evinson ; should take the chair . Mr . Hoots seconded the motion , which was agreed to nnanimously .
Mr . Eyihsos , on taking the chair , expressed the pleasure he felt a * the honour conferred upon him . He would ask for Mr . O'C a hearing ; he ks « w they were anxiously waiting to hear him—( cheers ) . The Chairman concluded by introducing Mr . O'Connor . Mr . O'Cohhob , on eomisg forward , was received with repeated and thundering cheering . - He-thanked them for the reception they had given him . . It had been said men change ererj seven years ; his presence there to-night was a df Dial of the assertion . He was the same man now that he was when , exactly seven years ajio , he stood before them in Paradise-square , and was greeted with the cry of " Huroo Pat , who sent yon here ! " ( Cheers . ) He was still the man he was then , but the people had
advanced . Was evidence required , he would say lock at the glorious triumph or the working men of Shefiield yesterday . ( Loud cheers . ) That victory was but the precursor of a greater victory . ( Cheers . ) Poverty , rapidly on the increase , would ensure that victory . The middle el ^ ss were fast learning what were the na'ural fruits of the present- system . Through indirect taxation , the . Parliament had squeezed the people ; by direct taxation they were now squeezing the middle class ; but squeeze as they would they would shortly be unable to squeeze any more , for thongh Samson was a strong man , and Solomon a wise man , yet neither of them could pay money if they had it not—( cheers . ) So long as " the middle classes could sqseeze you , we heard
nothing about union . He was for union—he had preached union , —but what sort of union ! Union among the working men themselves—( load cheers . ) All the legislative and social changes of the last few years had done the working classes no good—( bear hear ) See how the Reform Bill had worked ; after ten years of reform we have bow a House of Commons who would repeal the Reform Bill ; whereas before that period we had a boronghmongering House of Commons who were willing to , » nd did pass the Reform Bill . All the schemes of amelioration and improvements proposed by the middle class at the present time , were calculated osly to give increased power to the speculator and capitalist , at the expense of the working classes . He was for free trade , but he was for a free trade in legislation
£ rst . Under the present system they were making knives , forks , spoons , rasors , fenders , pots , kettles , 4 c for the Chinese and other nations , while all the timethej were in want of these absolute necessaries themselves—( Cries of " True . " ) The present system was not only ruining the working classes , bat also the small manufacturer . A struggle was approaching of immense importance , a struggle between the agricultural and prmticxl landlords—( cheere . ) The Corn Law Repealers talked about free trade ; they would get it when they let the people into the Heuse of Commons , and nor before—( cheers . ) In opposing the free-traders now , he was but acting consistently . In 1824 he voted against a repeal of the Corn Laws , and also voted against the New Poor Law . Though an Irish Member he always ftdvccated the rights and interests of the English
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people . He had toiled seven years in - their service , and now th&t he had made Chartism respectable , now that he saw » , man like Donoom . be—one of the aristocracy , allying himself with the people , and declaring that the Charter was the only thing worth struggling for ; when he saw this , he would ask , shall calumny and tyranny drive them from the pursuit ot their object ! No ; for himself he would say , come weal come woe ; come prosecution or persecution ; come slander , come calumny , come bonds or death ; he would persevere for the obtainment of the Charter , nor be satisfied with less than it entire—name and all . ( Immense cheering . ) Ah ! but they say , " you don ' t go the right way . " He wonld answer , show him the right way , and he would walk io it ; but no onion with those who have played the part of betrayers before . ( Cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor next entered at great length into the question of
machinery , the operation and effects of which he explained in a masterly manner . He next took np the Peel tariff , showed how it affected the landlords , and that his prophecies respecting it bad been more than verified . After speaking at great length on these subjects , Mr . O'Connor alluded to the ealnmnies that had been circulated respecting himself , such as that be was paid by the Tories , and that the Evening Star was supported by the Carlton Ciub . Mr . O'C . ably replied to these calnranies . lashing the slanderers most severely . His defence was responded to by the most hearty and repeated cheering . He challenged the Corn-Law repealers to discussion , and concluded by declaring that no matter what he suffered at the hands of his slanderers and persecutors , he wonld break oppression ' s head , or oppression should break his heart . Mr . O'Connor resumed bis seat amid lond and repeated cheers .
Mr . Otlkt was glad to have an opportunity of stating to Mr . O'Connor his opinions . He approved of much that had been said by Mr . O'Connor that evening , but he condemned the pro-Tory policy recommended by Mr . O'Connor at the last election . He deplored the disunion existing at the present time ; the people , instead of denouncing each other , should denounce the Whigs and Tories . ( Cries of " and humbugs too . " ) He condemned the Chartists for not giving the Siurgeites a hearing in the Town Hall , and concluded by expressing his hopes that in future the people would unite with each other and battle only with the oommon eneuvr . Mr . Otley
was at the commencement received with partial applause , but his remarks elicited considerable disapprobation . Mr . O'Connor again rose and was received with enthusiastic cheers . His reply to Mr . Otley ' b objections to the pro-Tory policy was received with general applause . Mr . Otley talked about anion , he ( Mr . O'C . ) was anxious for union , yet there were those who professed to have adopted our principles but would not onite with ns because of a name . Mr . O'C . defended the working classes from the charges brought against them by Mr . 0 ., and again alluded to the glorious victory of the previous day . Mr . Harnet also replied at some length to Mr . Otley .
Mr . Samuel Parses moved the thanks of the meeting to Mr . O'Connor , for his able and talented address . The motion was seconded by Mr . Sorrow and carried by acclamation . Mr . O'Connor replied , and concluded by proposing three cheers for the Charter , name and all . The meeting enthusiastically responded to the call . Mr . O'Connor then retired amid the oft repeated cheers , of the meeting . Mr . Harnrt proposed the thanks of the meeting to the Chairman , which having been awarded , the meeting dissolved .
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The Northern Star of Saturday next will contain a FULL REPORT of the important proseedings of this National Body during their sitting , np to the latest possible period before going to press with each edition . This report will not be by the " * Reporter of the Northern Star ; " but by a gentleman specially engaged for the occasion , whose talent is second to none in the provinces , and who has held situations in the establishments of the two leading provincial newspapers , ( excepting our own . ) His instructions are to furnish a faithful account of each day ' s proceedings . The reader may rely on it that he will do so .
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THE CONFERENCE . Oph space is so full of the news of the elections that we are unable to do more than barely refer to them . Oar . readers will perceive that they have gone on gloriously ; that " whole hog" men have been returned in almost every inatanoe . We hate now some solid ground of hope that the Conference will be a great meant * of effecting good ;
that it will cement together all the good men in both movements to form a phalanx against tyranny , while it will drive out the worthless from both to find their own place . But though in all the large towns and important districts Chartism has triumphed , the men of Humbug will muster a strong body from the small places . There will also doubtless be every " dodge" resorted to for annoying that free spirit of the people which they have been unable to delude . We shall doubtless have plenty of disputed elections , plenty of protests , and other means of delaying business and of shewing the sweet
conciliatory spirit of the Sturge men . We hope that our former advice upon the subject will be kept carefully in mind ; that where any Chartist delegate ' s election is at all likely to be disputed , a fall written statement of tie circumstances will be not only transmitted to the council at Birmingham , bnt also confided to some other gftod Chartist , whose election is undisputed , and who can therefore see that-justice be done in the matter . Any communication of thiB sor t sent here to-morrow , addressed Mr . J . Hobsoh , Star Office , Leeds , or Bent to Hull , addressed Rev . Wh . Hill , Hull , will be Eure of being attended to . But remember that we shall be off on Monday
morning . Above all things , let every Chartist delegate take care to be in BirminRham on Monday night , Teady for business at the very opening of the Conference on Tuesday morning . The first busihess will be THS SETTLING OP DlSYtTCED SKATS . EveTJ Chaitist delegate who , not being detained by some absolutely uncontroulable circumstance , is absent from his post when his aid is required for this business , will i grossly betray his trust .
MR CAMPBELL'S RESIGNATION . We call attention to the following paragraph , attached by Mr . Campbell to the end of his statement of Executive receipts for the week : — " J . Campbell is no longer secretary . I will publish the Balance-sheet for the quarter in the Star of Dec , 31 st , 1842 , and from the appearance of this notice I entirely give op tae eecreteryiaip , referring toe country to my pamphlet for the cause of my resignation . I also resign the office of Executive Councillor . I have done bo long ago ; (!) and in taking fare well of my brother democrats , I hope they may secure some person who will be , as I nave been , an honest and failhfid servant" ! ! !
Mr . Campbell has managed bis resignation in the same manner as the whole business of his office has been managed ; as blunderingly and as insultingly to his constituents as possible . He had no right to resign , without first giving notice of his intention to do bo , and calling on the people to appoint some person in whose bands the books , cards , public documents , and other property of the Association bolden by him should be placed . This was his duty . As usual he has neglected his duty . We now call upon the people to remedy the blunder in the best way they can .
We call upon them to determine immediately m their respective localities upon some person in whose hands these things may at once be lodged , with an instruction not to give them np to anj person but a new General Secretary of the National Charter Association , elected by the members of the whole Association . We suppose that there will not be two opinions
apon the fact that this is a neoeesary thing to be done , and to be done immediately . The man may perhaps excite some discuBBion . We think John Cleave a man who has as much of the confidence of all parties as any other man we know . Ho also happens to be the General Treasurer to the Association ; and , therefore , from that circumstance is the most proper person to be entrusted with the custody of the property of the Association ,
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN Mr Fitreiaffl , —I am one of those who think that " an aooaser should oome into court with clean hands . " I think that we should exhibit consistency in oar character and in our conduct . Straggling with and for each other , for common rights , against a common enemy , no other virtue is bo necessary and important to us as that consistency of character which may give the lie to the most plausible and most frequently reiterated objection of that common enemy to our righteous demand . The objection is that we are unfitted for the
exercise of our rights ; that to invest the people with the immunities of freemen , and to give them a due voice in governmental matters , would be to establish a despotism more terrible than any that has yet been known . The only way , successfully to answer ibis , is to exhibit , in all our own conduct , and in the management ot oat own affairs , a olose attention to the sacred principles of justice which we advocate ; shewing thereby that we are Chartists not merely in name bni in character ; that we revere the just requirements of oar Charter , and practise them so far as we have opportunity . It ill
becomes men to find fault with that in others which they themselves practise . Now you bad never a better opportunity of proving how muoh of genuine Chartism enters into the composition of your character than is just now afforded you . The opportunity is a painful one , no doubt ; it ia one that every true lover of the cause will deplore ; bat it is still one that ought not to be passed by * ; and that cannot be passed by without stultifying ourselves and inflioting an injury upon our cause still more serious than t ' lat which it has already suffered from the occurrence of the facts out of which it rises .
As Chartists , you have an Organization which for Chartist purposes is toub constitution you nave officers whose duty it is to Bee to the enforcement of that constitution in all its principles and details ; those officers are appointed by , and responsible to , tou ; and if they violate the trust reposed in them the remedy is in your hands . Now the head and front of your just eomplainingyon the score of political grievances ^ that public servants have the power to trample underfoot the avowed principles of the constitution , and you have no remedy . This complaint may be taken to be valid or factious , just as you give proof of your disposition to remedy the grievance if the power were in your hands ; and nothing exhibits this disposition bo strongly as your own manner of conducing the affairs of your own
association and its movements . If in these you evince a disposition to permit reckless disregard and defiance of all the principles of your constitution to pass , without stamping it with censure ; if , having elected men to offioe , you leave them to do therein just what they please , without looking to its justice or its injustice ; if you permit the sanction of your name and authority to acts by which every principle of right and of common justice is disregarded and defied ; you afford to your enemies a very forcible confirmation of their only feasible argument against the concession of your rights .
For these reasons , and for these reasons onlybecause 1 love justice under all circumstancesbecause I would not wink at that in our own body which I denounce in others , I have thought it my duty to call ycur attention to certain gross and flagrant violations of our constitution by onr own officers . Th » duty was a very painful and a very unpleasant one ; bnt I saw it to be a duty , and therefore I did it . I never yet shrunk from duty , because it might happen to be more pleasant or more profitable to evade it : I trust I never shall . I never yet slunk from my post , b cause it had become difficult or dangerous to maintain it : I trust I never shall .
For the performance of my disagreeable duty in commenting honestly and boldly , giving my reasons for every thing I said , upon the public documents of the Executive Committee , I have been loaded with every species of abuse and vituperation by all the respective members of the Executive , save Mr . Williams . Not one of my allegations has been met ; not one of my arguments has been answered ; bat I have been abused , vilified , and slandered . Counter accusations of the most malignant character have been got up . The most atrocious falsehoods have been asserted about my being concerned in divers plots and conspiracies . I have demanded the proofs : no proofs have been offered but the parties have travelled from place
to place , repeating the statements , as though they were true . Thus has the real question , of whether the Executive have or have not abused the confidence of the people , been kept , to a certain extent , oat of sight ; and you have to that sane extent suffered yourselves to be amused with denunciation of me , instead of looking to your own affairs . This is not right . It is not fair . After the proofB of the 11 plots" and *• conspiracies" in which I am alleged to have been concerned , had been demanded , it was not right in any Chartist audience to listen to a repetition of the statement , until those proofs had been furnished . M Fair play is a jewel f and I have as much right to it as any other man .
I * THE ALtEGATIOKS AGAINST ME CAN BE PBOVED , lot them be paovED . And then the question stands just where it did . Call me " assassin , " " villain , " " rogue , " "fcvitbr , " and every other choice name which has been applied to me ; and wh * t then t Does that prove that the Executive have not violated the principles of our constitution , and of Chartism ; that they have not negleoted the single one duty they were appointed to perform ; that they have not mahppropriated the hard-earned pence of the poor people committed to their care : that they have not manifested a contempt of Chartist
principle by disregarding the remonstrances and respectful enquiries of their constituents ? These are the matters to be answered ; and they will not be answered by mere abuse of me ; and if you permit abuse of me to be substituted for an answer to them , or if you permit them to pass unanswered , you forfeit the consistency of your own character , as a public body ; and you give your enemies thereby a pretext for the argument that your oatory against their violations of the sacred principles of justice , and fAitrmalappropriations of the people's funds , is mere factious and unprincipled clamour .
The question is one of national interest and of universal import . The sacred principles of our Charter are involved in it . It is the affair of the whole people ; and it is the people ' s duty to see to its settlement . In the hope of averting public observation from the real question , and from the real magnitude and importance of that question , it has been represented as a private quarrel between mo and the Executive , arising out of some pique , or personal consideration . Not a shadow of a reason has been assigned for this representation ; and yet the members of the Executive have been seconded in it by some persons
in different parts' of the country . What reasons these persons may have for their share of this disreputable business , they perhaps , best know . I know , at all events , that a determined effort is made to help the Executive to fasten the enquiry upon me as * a personal quarrel . The complaints and investigations which have been made by many of the Chartist body in different parts of the kingdom for months back are ingeniously kept out of eight , and the whole matter is represented as a dispute between me and the Executive ; and not a matter between the Executive and the whole Chartist body .
Some membera of the Executive , not content with venting their abase at me through the columns Of my own paper , have " bounced" and " swaggered " not a little about " dragging me before a public meeting "—about " walking barefoot" for the purpose of doing so—about " following me to the gates of Hell "—and euch like rubbishly bombast . This may " take , " when delivered , in my absence , to the people , while their blood is just warm from a onesided speech—fraught perhaps with misrepresentation and fakefcood— -and iwhile tfcey are thus pre-
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vented from reflecting fairly on all sides . of the matter . It may serre , under such cireamatances , to bring down a « l * p ; and , perhaps , in acme minds , to excite a prejudice against me . But the reflecting and discriminating will estimate it at its true worth * They will know that it ia intended merely to close their ey « 8 to the fact , that though ample opportunity h at been given for every allegation against the Executive to be answered , they hate not answered one of them . : ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ : . -V ¦; % -- ¦ .. : ¦¦ . ¦ ¦ . ' ¦ ¦¦¦' : . ¦ -: ¦
These blusterers about public meetings and about my " facing them man to man before the people /' dec know that they have here a great advantage over me ; they know that I am peculiarly situate ; * they know that my health is delicate and very uncertain —that I can never calculate upon being well from one day to another ; they know that my physical strength is unequal to great publio exertion ; they know that my ordinary duties are so many and laborious , that any addition to them is a very serious inconvenience ; and hence they think themselves perfectly safe in daring me to " come oat
before the people . " They think that I Bhall not meet then in discussion . They commit a small mistake here . I shall not suffer them thus to escape . They have no right to force me into this position . The people had so right to permit ; them to do so . I deny the right of either the Executive , or anybody else , to represent the inquiry now going on into the conduct of the Executive as a quarrel between me and them . It » no such thing . In the Northern Star I have merely , as a journalist , given honest comments upon publio faota and documents . I had a right to do this ; and no man had a right to complain of it .
I ask nobody to take my opinions for more than they are worth , and I have as muoh right to express my opinions as any other man . I have done more than most journalists would have done in giving freo admission to coarse and scurrilous vituperation in reply . I have given the free use of my own columns to the Executive , not only as a body , but to every member singly , to reply to every thing I said . They have used them for that purpose . They have said and written
in the Northern Star both collectively add individually whatever they liked . What more do they want ! What more have they a right to ! I have already given them much more liberty for defence than they were at all entitled to ; because my observations on their conduct were general and directed against the body : while I have given free room to them to reply in both capacities ; both as a body and as individuals . And I deny the right of any maa or set ot men to expect me after that to waste time in public discussion with them .
But to leave no room for escape ; and lest it ¦ ay he said that I am valiant only in the Star , and that I fear discussion , I am quite ready to meet either Mr . Leach or any other member of the Exeevtive , as an authorised representative qf that body , at any mutually convenient time and place ; and then and there as m member and councillor of the National Charter Association to hake good ky charge AGAINST THE EXECOTIVH OF HAVING ViOLAlED THE FLAK OF ORGANIZATION WHICH THEY WEAK APPOINTED TO ENFORCE , AND OF HAVING THEREIN MANIFESTED A DISREGARD ' OF CHARTIST PRINCIPLE
AND OF MORAL AND F 0 L 1 T 1 CAL HONESTY . I make that charge against them now ; as a body . I have proved it in thet Northern Star ; and I am ready to prove it before a publio meeting ; stipulating only for a free , open , and fair discussion before the people—a clear stage and no favour . Fair play is all I * sk . If Mr . Leach be prepared to meet me upon that question , having authority from the other members of the Executive to appear as the Champion of the body and to defend the acts £ the body , he will find me quite ready . I will meet any other
member of the Executive , or any other man in England , on the same conditions . But mind : I deal with the Execative , as a body ; not with Mr . Leaeh as an individual . I nave brought no charge against individuals ; and my time is a little too ^ valuable to be wasted in individual squabbles . Who does not see that after the discussion with Mr . Leach , Mr . Bairstow might put in a similar claim for his share of the defence ; and th&t I must then begin again for M'Douall , and so on for the whole j and that then , when every one had had his " go , " the Exeoutive , as a body , might disclaim all the individual disputation , and begin tie novo . This might very well suit the brawlers , because it would sicken and
nauseate all decent men of the broil . For that reason I shall not be party to it . I deny the right of the Executive , or any of them , to claim from me any other opportunity of defence than that they have already had . I repeat that even that has been made more ample than they bad any right to . But if public discussion of the matter will gratify them—and they talk loudly about ¦ it—I am quite ready . Let th « m appoint their man ; no matter to me whom : Leach , M'Douall , Bairstow , Campbell—or even any volunteer , in whose powers of eloquence and tact they may have more confidence than in their own ; I am ready for any man , let him be but duly authorizad , the arrangements fairly made , and the discussion fairly and openly conducted .
Whenever either or any op them may bb ready , authorised to appear for the executive , he ha 9 ontt to apprise me . i will then naice a few friends , and the executive shall name a like kl / mbfir , by whom all the preliminaries TOR THE DISCUSSION SHALL BE AGREED ON \ and I fancy I am quite able to give them enough of it . If the "bouncing" of M'Douall and ef Leach have been authorized by the Executive , they will take thiB as the acceptance of their challenge ; if it have been only individual "bounce" have something else to do than notice it .
And now mind ; let us have no misunderstandings and no shirking * nor shufflings . I have been forced into this position , very unfairly , and very muoh against my inclination ; I am not now to be forced out of it again . If the Exeoutive mean discussion , I am their man ; and tohether they mean it or not I no . I have been challenged ; and I accept the challenge . As the challenged , I have a right to fix the place of meeting ; and I fix it at Manchester , where the Exeoutive will surely have every advantage ; where Mr . Leach , if he be their champion , will be at home and have no expence in travelling ; where the Executive should be best known and have most influence ; where Chartism has a Btronger hold on the population than in
any other town in England ; where they have had the full opportunity during all this time of making a party for themselves by telling their own tale their own way , with none to contradict them ; where Mr . Leach has had full swing at me in my absence , to vent whatever fabrications and perversions be pleased , in private circles or publio meetings , ad libitum ; &t Manchester ; in the very midst of his own friends , disciples and admirers ; where the people have at their own command a spacious building in which they have been so long used to be delighted with his eloquence , and to hear his denunciations of me , I am quite ready to" meet Mr . JameB Leach , or any other champion of the Exeoutive , and there prove— ^
1 st . That the Executive have neglected the duties of their office . 2 ndly . That they have violated the organisation they were appointed to enforce . 3 rdly . That they have done so wilfully , after repeated caution and remonstrance . 4 thly . Thafc they have wrongfully appropriated the monies of the Association to thei * own use and benefit . : ¦ : / \ : ' ;; '' ' . A ;• ¦ ¦• ' ¦ ¦ '¦ ' ¦ ' : ... .. ¦ : ; '' fithly . That they have both manifested in their own conduct , and countenanced in that of others , a disregard of Chartist principle .
I offer to prove all these things agaiast them in Manchester—their own town ; where their sittings have been bolden ; whew their popularity as lee turers is greatest ; and where , as an Executive , they should he be , best known . I- ¦ ask only "a
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cl « ar Btage and no favour *; that one full week ' s notice , in the Northern « Star , and by whatever other mean * iho Executive may please , shall be given of the meeting ; that it shall be holden in either the Hall of Science , or Carpenter ' s Hall ; that free admission be given to the people ; that no effort at " packing" shall be made , but that the meeting be fair , free , and open . I will pay one half the rent of the room , if held in the Hall of Science , ( if held in Carpenters' Hall , I presume there will be no rent ) , and my own travelling and personal charges out of my own pocket I will
advertise the meeting in the Northern Starfat-my own cost ; the other half of the room rent ( if in the Hall of Science ) , their own travelling , if any , and personal expences , and whatever other mode of advertising they choose to adopt , to be defrayed by them —also out of their own pockets ; not touching the people's funds for it . The meeting to be at some time mutually convenient for attendance . All other matters relating to the discualln to be settled , without either their intarfereiMfe or mine , by » committee of five friends on each side to be named for the purpose . :
Now ; is this fair ! I repeat that they have no right to expect this . My meeting them in discussion at all is a pare work of supererogation . But notwithstanding that , as they talk much about itand as they would fain have it beliered that they attach muoh importance to it , there ' s the chance for tboM . Let them appoint their man ; ( I care not who it may-be ;) let him tell me when he ia . ready and I will instantly name my friends , and the arraBgement shall be made . ;
After this matter is settled , let them bring their counter accusations if they dare . I am ready to answer h » like manner to ANY CHARGES which they , or aaj of them , or aiy man in England may be disposed to bring againgt me . ° "A pubKc meeting is the Justice Hall for me" : and to thai tribunal I dare the whole pack cf yelpera whenever they have the manliness to pot their charges into a tangible shape , as I have done , and come fairly out" !!
And now , my friends , as far as in * Northern Star is concerned , this matter is for the present at least done with * Save what may be necessary to this meeting , if ever it take place , I will net insert another word upon it , pro . ot con . from any quarter ; unless two communications which I expect in reference to a dirty rascally trick played by a Mr . Fraaer should happen to be too late for this week ' s paper : if they be , I shall probably give them next week . Earnestly desiring to see consistency of character among Chartists ; and to see oar movement purged of the ranting mouthing locusts , who have done it muck hatm , : I am , my Friends , Your ' s , faithfully , WiLUAiii Hill . Northern Star offioe , Leeds , 'Dee . 20 , 18 * 2 .
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TO DOCTOR PETER MURRAY M'DOUALL AND TO JAMES LEACH , In a letter written by you Dr . M'DecAtL , and published in the Evening Star of Thursday , Deo . 1 st 1842 , I find these words : — "The Executive received letters from various J tarts , informing OB that a conspiracy was . being ormed against them , and particularly a letter from Leeds , which stated that Mr . Hill and others agreed
there in a certain honse , to pursue a certain course of conduct against the Executivo . the basis of which was—that the character of the Ericutive toat to be efficiently shaken first in private , and then by a simultonetnuly pvblic assault . * ? " Wnere are the men f oh I both men and letters can easily be forthcoming , and my respected colleagues can have no difficulty in producing them if they are wanted , an event whioh certain parties will not demand to be realised . "
This letter was written for publication in the Northern Star and was published in the Northern Star , of December 10 , in whioh paper / demanded the publication of those letter * . They have not yet been published . At the South Lancashire delegate meeting , on Sunday , Nov . 27 th , yuv , James Leach , ace reported to have made a similar statement , and also to-have said thai t- — \ : . ' - . ¦ ;¦ .. ¦ : ' . ' .., - . ¦ ¦ ' ' ., . V ' - . " ' ; . ¦ ¦ '¦ "• ¦' . "Ia the month of ix&j last , the Hull Chartists were about to pass the Balance ' Sbeet , when Mr . Hill entered the room and put a step- to it , and a friend that was present at that meeting wrote to Mr . Campbell stating that there was a plot hatching against the members of the Executive , of which he wonld receive the first attack in a short time . " .
In the Northern Star of the 10 th of December , the Hull Councillors , of whom I an one , demanded the publication of that letter , and the name of the writer . It has not yet beeu published . I now reiterate the demand that these letters , and all of them , be published , together with the writers ' names—that the writers may substantiate their statements if they can . I offer you the free use of the Northern Star for their publication . I deny the truth of these statements , so far as I am concerned . ' ¦; . ¦ . ; ;¦; . ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' : ; . — ; ¦ ¦ .: ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ; .- '' "; - ¦ ¦' . ¦ And until those letters which you say contain AND CONFIRM THESE STATEMENTS ( and Which yOU have been required to publish , but have not done 80 ) BE PUBLISHED , TOGETHER WITH THE WRITERS *
NAMES , TO GIVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY OF MEETING THE charces fairly , I BRAND YOU , Doctor Peter Murray M'Douall , and YOU , James Leach , each AND ; SEVERALLY , BEFORE ALL THE PEOPLE , AS A LIAR AND A . SCOUNDREL « . ! : , At the samo Delegate Meeting on the 2 ? th November , you Jakes Leach are reported to have said : — . ' ' : ¦ ; , ¦ ' ... ¦ . ' , . ¦ ' ¦ •* ' .... ¦ ' i . ¦ ¦ .. ¦ ¦ ¦¦ . "When I was at Leeds I had some conversation with Mr . Hill concerning a man in the movement , whose wife lives not far from this place , and he is leading a common prostitnte about the country with him . Mr . Hill asked me what was to be done ! I said drive him from the ranks . Mr . Hill thought it
would not be advisable to do So , as in a short-time a great number of the advocates would be in prison , and the movement would want all the assistanca that could be got . I thought that was the very reason that we should drive such scamps as him from amongst us . When the honest friends of the people were locked up—the greater the neeesssity . of the few that remataed at large being unimpeachable in their moral character . But Mr . HiU thought if it could be kept-quiet it would be better . I sard that that was impossible , as six differeat distrioU had already exposed him—and yet at the very ti ' oie that he was talking to me thus he had an article wrote to damn four of us . "
You , James Leach , know this to by j a wicked perversion of that conversation . You . know that it is nothing like what was said on tha t occasion . I will not place my assertion against yours ; becauBe there were witnesses to that cr nversation , who heard what was said , and Who can confirm your statement if it be true . I dar . o you to call those witnesses and to ask them to publish a correct statement of what really was said . And until you have done this , I PU ' RTHER BRAND YOU , JAMES LEACH , BEFORE THE WHOLE PEOPLE AS A B A 8 E AND WICKED CALUMNIATOR .
I shall ^ publish thia letter in the Northern Star every week , til' , these statements are either proved or retracted , as far as they concern me . ¦ ¦ ¦¦"¦ . ¦;¦• ' . ¦¦' . Yours , "' . ' ¦¦ . " ' ' ¦ ' : ¦ " ' :- ' .-A true man , and a Lover of Fair Play , WILLIAM HILL . NortliemStar , LeedB , Dec . 24 , 1842 .
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P - * n ^« «^' -- ^ - >»/ -y » W »»«« ,-A > -- »^ inrf . » «) i ' that toemtghtojten find room fora shortletter , w . ten a long one stands no chance at all . His present one , in answer to W . P ., is necessarily excluded by its great lengthy which far exceed ) , the space we can spare for , such a discussion He think all the points might have been put into a much shorter fetter than the one he has sent ¦'¦ ¦ ¦ US . ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ? . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . : ¦ . ' . ¦ : ¦ . ' .- ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ; ¦ . ¦ . . - . - . .. Northampton . —/» the report from this place- inserted in our last , it was stated ' that 8 s . 6 d ! had fc £ !^ B , T . Morrison .-We regret much that we did not receive his suggestion fast iceek : it might then have been acted on ; but cannot nov . Thereis S ^^ £ i ^^ ^^«^^ ^
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SlABi ? to IrelaiTO j—^ genuine Scotch Chartist at the rtght school writes us an fallow ,. — " */ " Condd « vii > g erery friend of the cause ahonU do ¦» la his power to forward the same , I have made it . pracUee to lend my Stars to Ireland for two y « £ put } anu seeing a notice in the ^ ar some ^ ni « go . and wiriehnotteewa . often repeatea , fromi real or pret&ided J . C . Grady , who « e addrew wai Mar French P « k , Connty of Roacommon , iZ land , ' wi 8 bingfo . 'aUttIeStor . Hght , I toordS have sent a many papew tothataddrew ; andM he wished those who enfc ; . idm papew to irrite to
him , I sent him thy enclosed letter , which hai been returned to me : soch a penonsa J . C ' Oiady could not be found I Tdl « wears an n ^ fy look , if there in no J C Qndj , at Freiwh Park , who hai received all the papera which have been sent there to hia address ^ It ( In my oplnlen ) looks very like a plot Do , my Dew Sir , Jta yout next ; ^ Te us your opinion on thia matter , ao that your reideta who nave been in the habit of sending papa * there may be put on thebr guard , . and send them where a better me may be made of thvm . " ' ¦
We advise parties sending Stars to send item to Mr . Dyott , toho is secretary to the Irish Universal Suffrage Society , and toho is a prh . % tei ' and stationer , residing in King-street , JJubiim By sending them to him they may be sure < of their being redistributed to advantage to the cause . An old and tried Democrat , tcAo hot seen more than twenty years' service in the cause . wriUs us that an old friend of his , athorough-goingChJir list , and one of the " eight honest men" who tilt in the first Conveniion , and faithfully discharged his duly as " Chancellor of the Exchequer , " jwrM him a visit the other day , and , among other subjects of conversation , the peculation ef , m& shvenly method , of thing public business op , the present Executive came upon the carpet , when he observed : —
"Well , yon may be surprise * at what I sm goltqrto taUyou , —but it U nevertheless true , —that there aw in H- ~— a aet of CeRowtt . wh « eall thenuelve * Chartista who absolutely tell u that we havenotbing whatever to do with the aeti of the Ezeeu " tive—not even to call their eend act into question ? that they are appointed to the office , and they hav » a right todo as they think jroperrr ;" The writer continues : — "Sir , I was not surprised to hearofBaab consummate nonsense emanating from professed Cbartista . " After a quarter of a century ' s service in the army one ought to learn something f aad In that time I have learned the fact that soaay have marched with us who cannot learn discipline . Some know
nothing bat toe enemy ' s tactica ; some look only for promotion > and some , for fidfle fame , are incessautfy sporttaf their tinsel , and , parrot-like , ate ever chattering about "foaming cataracts , mighty avalanches , and eloud-capp'd moantaina , " Such * Sir , are the bane- of tiiecanae ; andil amgladyoa have the eaiarage to give the alarm libfr » fiithfal and trust-worthy sentinel . Leave not yoar post ; but keep a strict look out , and inspect well oar own ranks , until the awkward squad are oompelledl to desert . Mind net their blarney abooV" creating disunion ; " for they , whom you justly denounce are the only author * ef disunion , and ate * an insuperable barrier to oor progress . Until stub t * mor « are ; removed we caaoot enter the havea of our
We need scarcely say that we reciprocate theumter ' e sentimentsaboutthe mouthers . We havenever eeosed to warn the people against them ; tee never shall do while we retain the power . J ? the people choose to be gtdhd , cheated , sold , and laughed at , we cannot hetp it ; but tee tvili at least do our duty . Tho * a 9 Allen . —We think not ; butwoaldnot he to sure about the matter . ^ 1 G ... Y . —H xs remedy wowli be an action against the gaoler ; but tee fear it would be a remedy worst than the disease . Pbter Riemr . —Next week , if possible . A Reader op the Stab , —If ke wish to remain \< m
the roll he must pay the shilling , if demanded ) . B .: A . Dromcoole . —Neat week , ifpossU > le . Sakuel Alunson . —fT « cannot insert his letter . Vjekitas must of necessity stand over for the present We regret it , but eannot help it ; ourspac&if ¦'¦ full . . . - '¦ ¦' . . '¦ . •¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ' ¦'''¦ ¦ '' ¦ ¦ :.. ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ?^ Thb Bath Chartists . "— We have received a long objurgation in the shape of an addresSy adopted on Wednesday , the lilh , by nine persons , i » Bath , and impudently subscribed " Thk Bat » . Chaktkij I" We have heard of people being " more JR . thanF . " : tee suspentthe parties to th \* * Bath Chartists ' Address" to-be a little more F . than It ., even . Daniel Dicgle . —We cannot give- any " opinion * on , the matter ; but wetwillgive his \ letter ai soon a
we have room , and let it tell its own tale , Babbeb , Nottingham . —Want of space compels us > to emit his letter . Indeed , it comes too la ( e the mischief being dene . P . —We have not room for hit letter ; but we quite ogre * with him in the opinion that he does ot deserve much pitg . S . B . —TA « answer to his first question depends on the terms of the lands in gmsiiQn . To his second question , No . " : \ To { his ^ t ^ fdy-Q . iirJ- ' o ^ uanthat the pond might be dragged or the gasometer removed without the permission of the ownerthat it must be done at the expence of the hundred—and that the owiier would have his remedy f o * damages by an action against the hundred . ¦'
JOHN Cain . — We have no room . ¦'"' ¦¦ : ¦¦" : ' . " - John Lewis has a right tahis opinion . We neither envy it nor ask him to , change it . We beg only fa be permitted to keep , our own . perhaps-w have a little more knowledge of the matter than he has . At all events , when we need his " school ing " : we'll send for him * : N . B . S . —Certainly noli he must give yo-i sut months' notice , and htimust sogiveitns [ thaiyou quit at the end of an . exact year of your tenoney Thomas Raii / ton . —His . letternext ' week . Wovvebhampion . —Was Mr . Candy present when the resolution sent . here teas passed t Hk » he had any fair opportunity , of meeting and « rplaining the charge t In the absence of anu m-
formahon on these points , tee should not think ourselves justifia We in publishing the resolution . W . M . C . wishes to inquire whether it be Mr . Watkins ' s purpose to > publish his Essay on , the System , in a seperals forrai We have several other likeinquiries . . Gko . Ferguson . —A meeting held on the Zth would be rather stale news now . Gxo . Grebnslad * . —We have sent his letter m reference to the Victim Fund to > Mr . Cleave . John Trueman . —What were the resoiutionsl we do not recollect them . . ' ... .- ¦ ¦'¦" :.: ¦ ¦ Calvemon , Nokts . —Their list of Cvunait is incom plete—the residences are not given . When they
forward it right it will be inserted . Stroud . —All letters and communication in future must be directed to Mr . James Neu / man , of New Mills , Slpoud . To THE LecTUBBKS ON THE SOOTH LaNCASHIRX Plan . —The lecturers appointed on lite plan for Royton are hereby informed that they need not go , as the Chartists of the a&eve place cannot make it convenient to have any meetings at . - present . ¦ ¦ '¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ : ¦ ' ¦ ::,. ' ¦¦ : . . . - . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ - : ¦ ' Wm . Dixon , district secretary . P . S . Jf the parlies appointed for Royton would take vp James Ashley ' s appointments , ets he is ia prison , they would greatly oblige the Chartists of South Lancashire , W . D .
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H . Pritchard , Stroud . —The persons-who took the Star np to the 19 th of November are entitled to Dancombe ; but not the others . C . Harrison—To theS / ar Office . W . Lindsley , Leeds . —The Protestant J >\ aen \ iBg Ministers , and " Poor French Refugee Clergy , ' « cc , receievd £ 3 , 494 7 s ., and the Protestant Dissenting Ministers , " Iceland , received £ 34 , 384 out of the Taxes raised by Government in the yeai 1841 , —as per Annual Finance Account for the year ending 5 th January , 1842 . Hamer , Oldham . —Please say what the ' atainps aw : ' . ¦¦ ¦ ¦ for ... .- . ' . ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ . ' ¦ - .. - ¦ : ' ¦ ¦ . .., ¦; . ¦ ¦ *' . ¦ ' ¦ ¦ .. ' . G . ESPLIN , Sdnderland , doea nor say what the Post * office-order is for . _
FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FWM > . '' " ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ' " ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ' " ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦• • ' ; ' £ . ; « . t FromHuddersfleld , per J . Broadhead ... o 4 8 - W . Hood and A . M . Jedburgh , ... 0 6 0 j . Hunslet , by Longbottom ... " ... n S " .- . 3 a few frienda at Newcastleton , per WaltarCrozier .., „ . .,. 0 5 0 FOB THB CHARTIST DELEGATES TO THE BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE . From a few friend * at Heckmondwike , per J . Penny ... ... ... ... 0 3 # VOS . MRS . ELLIS . From Northampton , per C . Harrison ... 0 8
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meter ' a Arms , Heath-street , Stepney , on the body of Robert Gampbell , aged 72 . From the evidence * f tne witnesses it appeared that the deceased ' s spirite naa been recently much affected by a fear that a complaint under which he suffered , and which in a RTeat measure prevented him from eating any boM food , would eventually cause him to di « of atarvation . He often expressed his horror at th » idea of auob . a death , and from the want ^ of
power to eat , grew very thin and emaciated . On the afternoon of the 6 th instant hia wife weut out to post a letter , and upon her return , in a fewminnteft j saw him sitting up in bed , and bleeding froja * ra 2 or 'Wound he had inflicted iu his throat . Mr . Falkner , a surgeon , was called in , and attended mm . The surgeon said that the deceased woiUo have soon died from the complaint under wWm m was labouring , but there was ino doubt" that »»« wound ia the throat accelerated bis death . 1 " died ou Monday morning . Verdict , " Temporar y Insanity . " ; s < ;
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4 TH E yORTHEllI S ^ : i !_ : '¦ " ^ - : : Iv £ -
The Conference.
THE CONFERENCE .
The Hokthefth Star. Saturday, December 24, 1842.
THE HOKTHEftH STAR . SATURDAY , DECEMBER 24 , 1842 .
8fo Z&Ttaftv& Mm ®T≫M$Wt(T!Ent
8 fo z&ttaftv& mm ® t > m $ wt ( t ! ent
.. Suicide From The Vf Ant Of Power To Eat.— Mr. Baker Held An Inauest On Mondav. At The Coal^
.. SuiCIDE FROM THE Vf ANT OF POWER TO EAT . — Mr . Baker held an inauest on Mondav . at the Coal ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 24, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct783/page/4/
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