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GREAT CONFERENCE ' - AT BIRMINGHAM . fCon&nwdfTBm out lasLJ THURSDAY , DECEMBER 29 . —Third Dat . I The Conference assembled at nine o ' eloak this j moraine . „ j Mr . Sturge hsrin ^ resigned the cbair , the Xrst , Imsiness was to appoint his successor . ^ On the motion of Mr . O'Ooxsor , Mr . G'Higgins , ; of Dublin , was called to the enair . That seoiU man iaving taken tbe chair , offered a few ttb&sraiioas , recommendatory of abstinence , from ali irritating feeling , and justifying th ^ *• ¦ > crio "which ihe advo-• catf s of the Charier ha « : - —ivtrU noon . of
The next business * . ^ the 8 pp » mia 53 Et a SeeretarY , and on the u .-.: iea of Mr , O'CexxoK , Mr . j loveK was appointed to the office , j Mr . Hobsos , of Leeds . moved that * deputation ^ be appointed to -waft oa Mr . Morgan , the late Secretary , to r > ~ qiest him , in the name of ike Conference , to deliTcr up the missies of the proceedings , » copy of the b . 11 , and all other doca » enis - * 7 hich the Confereace ¦ n-e re entitled to pessesa . In accordant * ¦ with this resolution , a deprtaaon Tvas appointed , and after waiting upon Mi . Marg » n , Mr . Moik , of Glasgow , reported that the late Secretary bad expressed his perfect "rollingness to handover to the Confcrenc * all d »; umeuts to which they were entitled . The Sschetart read the folio-wing letter from Mr . Morgan , announcing his resignation : —
" Birmmgbas :, Dec . 2 &rh , 1 S 42 . < rSiS , —1 take 1312 l&eriy cf forw&raing to yi ^ ur care the enclosed copy cf the sninntas of the -Conference . " The period having-arrived in "which I feel that my 4 nty-ss a delegate caEed upon me to decline acting ¦ with the majority of the Conlercnce . it is obYioss that my attendance as ¦ Secretary ^ acrn-d involve ail partita ± 1 some degree of tcnecessaiypain . J therefore think ^ fijafl shall most cenduce to tie preservation of that peaceful discussion "which ought ever to cbasacteiizi -great assemblies cf the representatives of the people , J > y handing to yon this resagnauon , instead-cf giving "my personal attendance to-present it .
* At the same tains , I beg you -will convey to the -gentlemen over whom you -jKeMiie my gratitude for the -candid forbearicce exercised towards me , and an as-¦ surance of BjyTmaltsrable dssdre for the political and ^ social happiness of my couiray . " 1 air . Sir , " Tour obedisnt Servant , WllO-IAM MOEfiAS . ' ¦ . To the Chairman of iia Meeting of Delegates . " * Tha resignation of Mr . Morgan was accepted . Mr . SsrrriJ , of L verpool , sm ^ ges ted that a voto of "thanks shouJd be given to Mr . Morgan , for his ser-Tices—( Hear , hear , aud No , no . )
Mr . Hobsjs , of Leeds , « aid he should oppose such -a morion , as he never-cenld consent to give a rote of thanks to a man "who had deserted hi = post—irlexr , hear ) . Mr . Ssiith did not ofsr any resolution en the subject , and the matrer dropped . -Mr . O'Coivstm move-d the adoption of the nsinctes © f the previous evtnii g ' sproceeding- ; and afser some objections on the pan of Mr- Robebis , the motion was put and carried . The- Rev . Mr . -Som-st moved the adoption of the resolutions moved by Mr . Beggs , on me first day of the sitting , wiih the exception of Jh « fourth ^ recognizing the bill of the Complete Suffrage Association , as a basis of discussion , and snb ^ tmuin ; . ' the amendanent-moved by Mi . Lovett , that the Charter shonid be the ba&is of discussion . Wish , this alteration , the . motion was adopted .
Mt- 'Hemble proposed the appointment of an Executive Committee . 3 ir . Wett seconded the motion . Mr . WiLKissoN opposed the motion , on thaground that it -would be uaadTi- ^ ble to take out of the Con - ference a dozen Delegates , to examine documents whicn could as well-be disposed of by the Conference at large . Mr . Roberts moved , as an amendment , that the Conference itself be the Executive Committee . Mr . Wilkixsox secooded the amendment , and it was put and agreed to . A resolution was thea moved and adopted , tiat the Conference should go into a discussion of the ck . ascs in the Charter . The Chair 3 LO ? read the preamble , which was as follows : —
• ' An Ad-is proride for 4 hz just Representation ofthe . peo pU # f Great Srit > iin and Iretiind , in itte CvsitttCiis ' Soasi 0 / Pariiaxtesi . " Whereas , to insure , in as far as it is possible by human forethought and "wisdom , the jast zovcmiafcai of Hie people , it is necessary to subjec ; thuse who b&v& the po-srer of making tht la-sri to a -wholesome and strict responsibility to tb . osa Tthose duty it is to -ofeey yb (» TTi -when made And -whereas , this resjonsibiliry is best enforesd through the instrnmentality of a body- -which emanates directly fioja , and is itself unuie 4 ia . tely subject to ifcf "Whole people , and -which completely represents tbeir feelings and their interests :
And "whereas , as the Goraaoni' House , of Parliament now essreisea in the name asd on the supposed bebaTf of the people , the power « f Kiakicf the laws , it ought , in order to fal&l "with "wisdoa aad -with honesty tb ^ great duties imposed on it , to be made the faithful aad accurate rt-presentation of the -people ' s "wishes , feelings , and interests 1—3 Ji . rr THEairoB . E e ^ act £ i > , That from and after the passing of this Act , every
male inhabitant of these reali&s be entitled to vote for the election of a Member of Parliament , subject , ho" = v-¦ erer , to the folla ^ nng conditions : — 1 . Titathe be e cit ? z ; n of these realms . 2 . Th ^ t he be t-WentyK > ne years of age . 3 . That he hat 2 ot bren declared intane by a jury . A . That fcahas _ eot been conricted of felony . 5 . That he has 3 ot btsa convicted of bribery at -elections , 01 of peiMEHiicm , 01 forgery tsf eivction certificates .
6 . That the Secretary of State icj the Pome Departr Tnent shall appoint three competent persons as cota-Tniwiontgs , and zs jt-sny sub-commissioners as m&y t * necessarj for settling the boundarias of each of the three hundred eleeUcsJ districts , and so on from time to time , "whenever a stv dcCesninal census of the pecple be tat en . . That the necessary expenses of-the said comais-SioneTs , snb-commi £ sicD 9 E 3 , clfrks , and other persoas employed by them in the performance of their duties , he paid out of the pnblio tseasury .
REQISTilifliaX OFFICEES . Be it enacted , that -for the purpose of procuring as accurate registration of ^ titars—for finally adjudicating in all cases of «> j = ctions made against persons claiming to be rejfisteiei }— Iot leccivitg the nomioation of the Members of Parliament , sad xetarning omeers , and declaring their election—aa ^> sil as for conducting and superintending all parties counseled with registration , nominationj and eltclioos , according to the provisions cf this Act , the followins officers he appointed : — 1 . Keturning officers for each eisctoral district 2 . Deputy returning ofiLcais for e ^ ch district . 3 . The jarish clertB tea the time being in every
: > ' > -g officer , ^^ d dctjes . 1 . Be it enacted , that at the fast general election after the passing t , f ttas Act , a returning officer i » elected lor every felect > siai district throughout the kingdom , and so in like nsanner at the end of tilery ¦ three years , 5 . That at the end of evary szch perio-i , the returning efficerfor each districibe noEamittd ia like manBer and elected at .-ihe same time ss the Member cf Parliament for t 2 » distact . BLeihaa be eligit-1 ^ to be ie-elfccted .
S , That TacanciaE occasioBed by lie death , removal , or resignation , of the returning « ffi « jj i = hall , in like manner be filled ap as vacsficies for Members of Parliament , lor the ; jnexpired termaf the three years , 4 . Tost every returning cfiter shaJl appoint a deputy returning cScer for the-day of electios , for every ballottang place -within ha district , and in all casc 3 be *^ onabte lor the just fulfilment of tbe duties of £ uch depntifcs . fii S ^ S ? ^^ ^ ^^^ « acer to see &a . the ptm ^ derk in eaea parish ia properly qualified for the dunes e * TesjistTafiTO , and if notTto represent ae ^ same to the paroc ^ ^^^ ^ ho j ^ -th ^ e ^ and commanded to * ppoint a per ** 3
& That he also see that proper balloSng pi ^ ^ 3 pottererectioiB amaybe veeu ^ & %££ * by each pansh ( or any number feat Hay be unit edi andaat J to taDoH ^ g boxes be . nade Ld ™ accoromg to jhe proviaoaa of this Ast T . That he reeeive tte lists of -rcters from all the parishes m his district , in-Btich HsteihaU be marked SiSfT ^ J 0311116 * ^ PWSOM srhohave been objected to by the parisa elerki , or any * ther persons . Mr . P ^ st moved it 3 adopfion , and ' snggest « d J 3 n& he has not been convicted of Mnm , " . t , » word sshonld
^ mn ^ beinBerted , "ThatTebenot * £ **** . ^ e sentence of tie W at the t ^ e irhoi » Ued on to exercise &e dectoraf rights . " Mr . Lo-wjjby seconded the motion . AJ this stage of the proceedings , a resolution was ^ opp sed and carried , for the admisaon of thf pnbhe towitness the proceedings of tha Confeienoe . ^ a Williams , ot Sunaerland , moved as an MMQdment on the proposition of , Mr . Parry , that ?• . Preamble ef the « Bm of R ^ ^ ,, ^^^ " Ih f t whewppon the trne tnwrj of the British Consfatntion , " should ie rabHtituted . ¦ Mi , PgiLP , of Banborongb , seconded the amend-BejK i
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The CHAiaiu . ^ read tae preamble which was ? is FoIIowb - — " Wnereas , opon the true theory of the British Constitution eTery male person of full age is patty to making an Act of Parliament being present , thereat by his representative ' , and whereas it is rjotorious that the laws which have long prevailed in tne choice of members to ssrve in the Comn \ ons House of ParliameDt , have failed to carry out such theory into practice ; and whereas it ia expedient to Uke effectual mea-urea to render the theory and practice of the constitution uniform , by securing to -every mali person of full age the right to T © te in the cnoiceof hk repTesenta . tiv « in PaxiiaBient , "asbein > t the delegate to whose chsxee is committed the
disposal of his property , iirs liberty , and his life , and for this purpose to grantthe right of returning representatives te districts having an equal amount of population in every -county , to provide that the election of such snail be annual , and by way of ballot , that any perstra qualified to be * n elector may be chosen to be a TepresentatiTe , and that ail members be -paid for their serviees and charges in the execution of their-office : Be it therefore enacted by the Queen ' s most Excellent Majesty , by and with the advice and consent of the Lords'Spiritual and Tern-; poral aad Comatons , in this present Parliament asl sembled , and "ty the autheritgr-of the same , that the ' provisions of this Act shall commence and take j effect from and after the -end * f the present Session i of Parliamest .
"And belt enacted , that all laws , statutes , and nsages , shall be and the same are hereby repealed , . in so far as they may be inconsistent or at variance with the provisions of this Act . I " And be it enacted , that every male person , of full i age , shall , if duly registered according to the proi -tisions hereafter contained , be entitled to vote in j the election of a member to serve in Parliament for < the district in which hs bhall be so registered . " I A long disenssion -ensued on this amendment , into which we have nol now time to enter . On a division , the amendmeut was lost by a large majority . The preamble of the Charter , therefore , with the alterations proposed by Mr . Parry , was carried .
The Conference then went into Committee on the clauses in the Charter , and at the close of the evenh g * s sitting , one half oi them were got through . Tarious alterations and amendments were proposed , some of which were agreed to , and others negatived . It is important to state that the following reso-Intion , proposed by Mr . O'Co >*> "oa , was adopted unanimously : — " That any alterations which may be proposed to , and received , by the majority of this Conference , shall be submitted to the whole people , for the purpose of testing public opinion , wiib respect to these alterations , with the view of submitting them to any future Conference , and called by the whole prtiple . ' The proceedings were adjourned at eight o ' clock . FRIDAY-Fourth Dat . Mr . O'Higgins took tie chair at half-past nine o'clock .
The Sbcreta-RY rf ad the minutes of the previous afternoon ' s sitting , which -were ordered to be eunflrmed . Mi Roberts said that in the Times newspaper which had reached Birmingham that merning , it -was insinuated that the Conference wonld go off on a claim of prioriety , on the part <> f the Chartist party , met by a similar claim by the Complete Stiff age party . Now , it was well known thu ^ Mr . L-mtt had off-red to withdraw his amendment , if Mr . Beggs . would have consented to adopt the same course with regard to the original resolution—( hear , bear ) . But in order that the Conference might understand how the matter leally stood , he would take the liberty to read the terms of the invitation by which they had been convened . Mr . Roberts then read as fallows : —
" We therefore advise that Public Meetings be called by advertisement or placard , giving not less than fvur clear days' notice in every town throughout the K'Egdom , inviiin ? tbe inhabitants to elect representatives to hold a National Conference at Birmingham , on Tuesday , the 27 th of Dacember , 18 * 2 , for the purpose of preparing a Bill to be submitted to Parliament , for securing the just representation of tbe whole- people ; and for determining on such psac fal , legal , and constitutional means aa may cause it to become the law of these realms . "
Is was tras , indeed , that the object of this proceeding was to change tbe name of the Charter . Weil , they were told of that before hand , but many of them did n » t believe it- It was plain that the Complete Suffrage parly intended thac the future agitation of th .-question thould go on under the name of the * ' Bill of Bights , "' and on that account he ( Mr . Roberts * was plad that the advocates of the Charter bad stood up so manfully for the inviolability of their principlesicheers ; . Who did the proposition come from ? It came from a V > 4 y of men—a society known by the designation of " Friends , "—a society whose pertinacious
adherence to fonsis and ceremonies , perhaps indifferent in themselves , but which served as symbols of the persecution they bad endured—( hear , hear } . Were the advocates of the Charter , then , to be blamed , if they displayed the same pertinacity in favo&T of their principles , as did the society of Friends in favour of their symbols ?—( hear , hear , and cheers ) . He called upon the supporters of the Charter to carry to victory the standard under which they had so long struggled—a stan-3 ard never stained by one act of dishonour on the part of thoss -who had stood forward in its defence—; ehee .-s ) . He now btgged to move the fo lowing resolution : —
" Tha ^ the opinion lhi 3 Onferenee , the members of the Complete Suffrage Union , who have ab--rap ly retired iiom the discussion , have not exhibited ^ ood faith , bui , on the contrary , have acted in direct violation of the terms on whieh they were -called together . The country were invited to send delegates to Birmingham , for the pur-: pose , amongst other things , of ' Preparing a Bill to-i > e submitted to Parliament for securing the just japresentation of the whole people . ' At a sacrifice alscost too £ reai . for them to bear , the eonntry responded to this invitation , and at a large expense of time , toil , and money , elected delegates for the purp&se of so preparing the bill above-mentioned ; in vhcfcil and fervent hope that their united efforts .
while they would give no precedence or priority to any individual section , would re ? ult in a cordial uitioi-of all classes cf reformera , for the purpose oi seoeiing a just -representation of the whole pe * pie in the Commons' House of Parliament . The delegates met together and proceeded to ihe busiuessfor which they were elected . On the first day -of their discussion , a declaration of principles was proposed by Mr . Beggs , on tbe part of the Complete Suffrage Union , which declaration insisted , * That tbe Bill to be presented by the CoanciJ of the Complete Suffrage Union , be taken as the basis of 4 iscuss 5 ou . ' Jhe Chajtist body opposed shis elaiai » e priority in favour of a Bill which they had never seen or heard , and which had never been
seen or beard except by the members of tbe Complete Su&age Union : thay anxiously and often sought ; the withdravzal of tke offensive and insulting distinction , but tbeir n guest was met with a determined and 1 emphatic refssal . The Ckariisi body then , rather than admh tbe claim of priority and precedence repaired by the Complete Suffrage body , proposed as an aoendmenta declaration 'that the document called the People ' s Charter should form the basis of discas-. sioiij ' and this amendment , after a long and temperate dehcte was carried by a majority oi 193 to 94 . And thes , for the first time , the Conference were informed ; by their Chairman , Air . Joseph Surge , that he and ( the members of the Complete Suffrage Union should now retire from the Conference , and fiom the further discussion for whieh they had assembled to
gather . This condnet of the Complete Suffrage Union sgjpears to the Conference an nnfair desertion of their duty . They believe that if the country had befotathe elections been informed of the intention of th * Complete Suffrsge body to retire from the discussion , unless an invidious priority were given to ihe bill over the People ' s Charter , no Charti-st constituency would have thoaght it requisite or dtsirable to send delegates to the disenssion—a dUeussion which must thu 3 necessarily hare resulted in disappointment . It iB therefore the opinion of this Conference that the Complete Suffrage Union ought , in the first instance , to have avowed their intention ; and that bv not doing so , they have evinced a want of good faith and honest purpose . "
, Mr . O"Cox > "OB seconded the motion . Mi . Moir , of Edinbro , ' had not hitherto troubled the Conference much with remarks of his own , but he could not then omit the opportunity of saying that there seamed to be a disposition on the part of some persons , aad those the advocates of Complete Suffrage , to get rid < sf the ChartiBts as a body of men whose principles T&re inimical to the welfare of society ( hear , hear ) . Now , surely , if this were an argument in favour of mteh persons , it were equally so if directed by the Chartist * against them —( hear , hear ) . What ¦ was the object of both parties , or rather the professed object ? A cordial union of the two ? Was the union likely to be brought about by siuch " insurrections" as these ?—(« No , no" ) . He called upon the Conference to be consistent , and not to stnltify its own proceedings by pandering to expediency—( cheers ) .
Mr . Piekcb , isle of Wight , as a member of the society alluded to by Mt . Rooerts , beggei to say , in reference to what had fallen from that gentleman , that tiiOBa -who had caused v ^ e accession from the conference , were not members 01 * the society , but those who -were the -rery elements of discord—( cheers ) . He had no sympathy with their pr # ceeoJngs , or otherwise he inonid not hare been there —( hear , hear ) . iJ ~ , LoTE" regretted that this issoloUon had been ittrodnced , because they had carried s vu"te of thanks to Mr . Stage , and had almost reiterated the reelings of ™^ T ' . * " * yrom TOn * o Parallel toes . He regretted the introduction of that resolution , too , because , F % S * u Uiatmch -worD- "dkhonesty " and " want of faith , manifested hostility to the Gomplete SaJ&sge Association—( hear , and no , no ) . He hoped it would Sut be agreed to . He admitted the propriety of puttinx - fortfaasvtementoifacts , h » t he deprecated theintro ! daction of v-ordi calculated to generate hostility . The
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great principle of democracy recognized the right of every man to set f rth their opiniena honestly and boldly , as to the salvation of the country and the social condition of the people . The right he claimed for himself , he conceded to others , and he regretted to see high intolerant hostility manifested in this resolution . If the Conference adopted it , they would keep up the Intolerant spirit , which he had hoped they were met to have prevented . He should move that the words " want of good faith" aud " honest purpose * ' should be expunged from the resolution—( hear , hear , and no , no ) .
Dr . Wade seconded the proposition , but in doing so , he could not help expressing the indignation he felt al the manner iu which the Conference had been treated—( hear , hear ) . He did not believe that any real Chartist would have come there , if he had thought that the " Bill of Rights , " as it was so termed , wa < to have been taken as the basis of discussion—( hear , bear ) . At the same time , it would answer no useful purpose to foment disunion , and for the sake of avoiding that he should support the motion made by Mr . Lovett . Iu doing so , he did not think that be was at all compromising the
great principle which they had in view . He thought that the advocates of the Charter weuld stand in a more honourable and excellent position if they altered the resolution , as suggested by Mr Lovett , than to sanction it in its present shape . He did not wish them to sacrifice ene iota of the principle of the Charter , but rather that , aa a bedy of men knowing their own rights , they were determined to abide by them—( Cheers . ) If the Complete Suffrage Associatieu did not choOse to unite with them , let them the " go on in their own way , and the advocates of the Chartet would go on in theirs—thear , bear . )
Mr . Roberts here consented to expunge the words , " honest purpsse , ' Mr . Colquhocn moved that the resolution of Mr . R / oerts be referred to a committea Mr . BuciianaX seconded the proposition . Mr . tTCOSNOR was strongly of opinion that the motives of Mr . Roberts , in bringing forward the resolution , had been misunderstood—( hear , hear . ) Mr . Lovett appeared to think that tbe advocates of the Charter had pledged themseives not to introduce a resolution of this kind , because they had proposed a vote of thanks to Mr . Sturge . No ^ , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) proposed that resolution , and he stated , at the time , ' that be would not enter into any discussion as to the htep which had been token by the Complete Suffrage
Association ; but that be would confine himself exclusively to a vote of thanks to Mr . Sturge , aa their Chairman— ( hear , hear . ) What had taey been called together for ? To promote tbo adoption of the Charter—( bear , bear . ) That was his object in coining there . Supposing the advocates of the Charter had failed to carry on tbbir agitation ; suppose they hid \> een left in a mino ity , and suppose , for instance , upon such a ilucision , tbat they had immediately secadud , would not the organs of the Chartists have represented such conduct as odious and tyrannical?—( hear , hear ) . Then , again , objection bad bteu taken to the resolution , on the ground that it was a slur on the society of Friends . Sd far from him ( Jir . O'Connor ) viewing it in that light , he took every word of it as a compliment to them for tbe manner in which they had borne their persecution — ( hear , hear » . He would nsk tha Conference , coutd
they go away witbout expressing thuir opinions in tll « manner proposed by . Mr . Roberts ?— ( shouts of " No , eh . " ) After putting the country to au expense of £ 20 ( 19 , to assemble delegates at Birmingham , ought Lbtjy to srparaie without expressing tboir opinions on tbe manner in vbich the C ^ nfere'ice bad been treated ? —ino , -noi . The resolution spokw of the conduit of the Complete Suffrage Association , being a breach of gi > od faith—jcries of " It is" ) . Was it not a breach of good faith?—( yts , yes ) . Was there evtr a grosser violation of Rood faith ?—( no , no ) . Why , such conduct reminded him of a man who invited a number of guests to his table , but when they had assembled he said , " Here you are , but unless you sign a declaration you shan't eat your dinners "— ( hear , bear , and lau ^ httr ) . If there had been 300 delegates present , ai . d 29 !) of them had voted for thu Bill , he would have stuck to ttie Charter—( cheers ) .
Mr . Campbell did not think that the Complete Suffrage party had sneaked out of the room , as seemed , to bo insinuated by some persons , for they had honestly avowed that ttuy could not go along with the advocates of the Charter —( hear , bear ) . iir . Williams taid , that he could not allow the resolution to pass , some portion of which he most cordially supp-irted , and some portion ot which be most cordially dissented from , without taking this opportunity of stating his sentiments . He thought that some matters had been introduced into thB rt solution named
by Mr . Roberts , which were not strictly the fact , and tbat some expressions had been introduced which were o > jactionable—( No , no . ) He knew that he was addTesaing those who entertained decidedly different feelings and opinions . He did not think that it was strictly tbe fact tkat tbe council had displayed bad faith—( yes , yes ) The ^ -elrgates had been called together to consider the details of a bill to be submitted to them by the council —( No , no . ) If they would read the programme , they would &nd his statement to be strictly the fact—'• ( No , no )
Mr . White thought they had had enough of long speechifying— ( hpar , hear . ) A statement of facts onj ^ bt tos ; o forth to tbe world , showing the manner in which tbe Suffrage party had acted—( . hear , hear . ) They had called delegates from all parts of England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales , and then having got them together in Birmingham because they would not submit to the dictation Buught to ba practised by the Suffrage party , the latter walked out and left the Conferenceisbame ) He wished things to be called by their proper names and b » should vote for the retention of the words , ' bud faith" —tcnecta . )
Mr . Boberts claimed bis right of te ply ; but he would exercise it very britfly . He wished to set the meeting right wiih regard to a mistake into which Mri Williams had fallen . The programme was not printed until tbe delegates met at Birmingham —( hear , hear ) . Tfley were invited for the purpose of preparing a bill ; and not to take the bill that hai already been prepared —( loud cries of " hear , htar ") . It had been said that he had spoken in terms of co ttmpt of tbe body called Quakers for their attachment to the symbols of their opinions ; now so far from wishing to convey such m eauing , ue thought adherence to them reflected the highest honour , and be urged it as a reason for a pertinacity on toe psrt of the Cfcartisto in adhering to their principl'S—( hear , hear ) . He contended thnt the
Complete Suffrag-e party had acted moat inconsistently — ( hear , hear ) , it was just tne tame as if a man , having invited 200 or 300 friends from a distance , either on business or pleasure , without stating any terms for their conference , was to'aa-y to them that they niust agree to a . certain principle before he would hold that conference ^ -whereas he most have known before hand tbat not a man invited woald agree to it—( cries of hear , hear "| . For himself , he had attended that Conference at great personal inconvenience . He had Chartist trials to attend to , and clients requiring his attention all over the kingdom ; and he declared that he would not have sacrificed the money of bis constituents to submit to the conditions imposed by the Suffrage party—( hear , hear ) .
Tbtt--CiiAi £ LHAN was decidedly opposed to any per- ; son or any body of men in that Conference setkinsjl i to cause a quarrel between the two sections of r ^ formvrs . j He thought the best way to psomote the object they j had in view was to unite more firmly for the future , j and not weaken themselves by unless bickerings about what had passed . He would rather that this resolution had not been brought forward at s ! l , » nd in order to show how far they \ rere mistaken a * to the feelings of the other party he would state a fact which he thought of no small importance . A discussion took place in the
Association Rooms , as to the admission of paupers to the electoral privilege . One member moved , and another seconded , a resolution , that no pauper should have a right to vote , vho had received paroehial relief three months prior to an election . Not a single member , save the mover and seconder , voted for it—( hear , hear . ) This showed that the Association was firm to its principles , and h « thought that whilst the Conference were of opinion that tbo Suffrage party were mistaken in the course they had tzien , they ought to give them credit for honest intentions—( hear , hear . )
After a desultory conversation , tb « resolution was amended , by the substitution » f bad tatte for the terms bad faith , and on being put to the vote , it was carried with only two dissentient * . The Conference then proceeded with the consideration of the remaining clauses in the Charter .
AFTERNOON SITTING . The Conference again assembled shortly a'ter three > 'ciock , and the discussion on the clauses was resum ed . Chia part of the business -was got through at five >' clock . Mr . O'Connor moved that the Chairman do leaw he cbair , in order tbat the Conference , having been in Committee , might resume . This motion having been carried , and Mr . O'Higgins Laving again taken the chair , Mr . Houson moved" That the document which has been read before Jonfevence , in Committee , subject to the suggested ¦ mendments which have been agreed upon , be now ubmitted and agreed to as a whole . "
Mr . BnowN , ef Lambeth , seconded the proposition . Mr . Parry said thatj they had recognised in this document the rights of man , but they had said nothing about the rights of woman . —daughter ) . Gentlemen around him were laughing , and it was quite possible , when the rights of man were talked of in the House of Lords , that they should be met with the * arae kind of risibility as that which had been excited in the Conference when he spoke of the rights of women . He had come to the Conference , impressed with this con-Tiction , that every adult weman as well as every adult man , » onght to possess the franchise ; but he should not
then offer a motion on the subject , and for this reason He should content himself by the Bimple expression of his opinion , that it was as unjust to deprive woman of her rights as it was to deprive man of Wb rights ( question j ; and his only reason for not offering ^ resolution on tbe subject was , that it might be said he was guilty of gross impracticability , and that it would be assisting to defeat the efforts which were making to obtain the Charter—( hear , hear ) . In order therefore that that should not be said , and in order that no slur might be "ait npon tbe Conference , he declined moving a resolntu / . Oj hut at the same time he took that opportunity of
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saying that in bis opinion , the rights of woman ought to be as dear and cs sooted to her aa the rights of man — ( hear , hear . ) Mr . 0 'Conno . h implored the Conference not to enter into the consideration of any such question . —( hear , hear , ) Mr . Roberts observed that the Conference could not entertain the question , even if they were so disposed , because they were called to consider the rights of man and not tbe rights of woman—( bear , hear . ) Mr .. Buchanan differed from Mr . Roberto . He could not call the Charter a measure of full justice , ; while it took away the franchise from the female part ] of the population—( Question . ) No delegate rising to offer any further observations on tbe question , the Chairman put the resolution moved by Mr . Hobson , which was adopted unanimonsly and amidst considerable cheering .
Mr . Loteit moved , "That the People ' B Charter , being a bill to provide tor the just representation of the people of Great Britain and Ireland , in the Commons ' House of Parliament , revised at a Conference of tbe people held at Birmingham , December , 1842 , with tbe suggested alterations printed in italic , be printed and circulated , previous to receiving the sanction of another Conference , to be called for that purpose . " Mr . O Connor seconded the motion , and it was agreed to . A resolution was proposed and adopted— " That Mr . Cluave be the publisher of the amended bill . " Mr . Cleave thanked the Conference for the honoUT , and said it was his intention to publish the bill , as amended , in a double sheet of t'ie Chartist Circular , and also another edit on , suitable for the pocket—( hear ,
heart . Mr . Hiiuson moved—' ¦ That Thomas Slingsby Duncomhe , I ' - Nq , M . P ., be the gentleman to whose care tbe bill for Bticuriup the just representation of the whole people , tiuw ri . 1 and adopted by this Conference , be contiiieil for tfro purpose of being introduced in a formal manner , to the House of Commons , and that John Temple L-aJer , Esq ., be r . quested to second the motion fur ltfuvo to bring It in . " Mr RuiiisiiTs seconded tha motion . —Agreed to . Mr . Hodsu . n said he found in the 7 th clau-e of the
address inviting the country to convene this Conference the following words : — " To express an opinion as to the duty of tho people giving tbeir countenance and support to all those who may suffer from espousing their causa "—( hear , hear ) . That was one of the ebjeets which they were met to consider , and he therefore begged to move— " That this Conference , cannot separate without expressing its deepest and most sincere sy 111 pa thy with the persons who are now suffering , er who may have suffered , from espousing the cause of tho people , and advocating their ri ^ ht to a just and equal represent itive Government ; and its consideration of their pre-eminent claim to the sympathy , assistance , and support of the people , whom they have S 3 Woll ani so faithfully served . '
Mr . Roberts seconded the motion , and in doing so regretted the absence of members of the Complete Suffrage Association , because theit presence jiuight be valuable in this instance . In March mxt , sixty Chartists would have to tuku their trials , and as society was constituted , there could be no doubt that these individual would need all tbe assistance of tbeir Jriendz It was tbe duty of the Conference , therefore , to render them all the assistance in their power ; an'i he trusted that the names of John Frost and William £ ! lis would ntver be absent from tbtir memories , or tb ; it they would ever allow their effurts to cease , until under the protection of the Ciurtur , they were restored to tbeir native iRle—icbeeis ) .
Air . FUSSELL . of Southwark , hoped that while they were iu Birmingham , they would not forget thnt three perdons bad been exiled from thit town , whose cases bad scarcely ever been uearu of At the present time , the poor unfortunate wifo of Mr . lioberts—a temperance man , a member ( if the Ctmich of England , aud he ( Mr . Fusselli believed oue of the best members of the Chartist Association , was now in a starving condition —( hear , buur ) . She was desirous of exerting herself to obtain an honest livelihood , which she could do , if the country would only raise her the small sum of . £ 10 to commence in business . Mr . Clakke , of Stockport , thought tbat the Conference ought to express au opinion on tbe judicial conduct of Lord Abmger during the latu Special Commission—I hear , hear , and no , do ) .
Mr . Parky rose to order . He thought it would be a waste of time to enter into a discussion which could lead to no practical result He was very much inclined to bring forward the unconstitutional conduct of Mr . Justice Cress well , but for the reasons he had stated he should abstain from doing so . Mr . H . 4 I 1 NEY hoped that the names of Clayton and Mulberry , of Sheffield , who had lived und died Chartists , Would not be forgotten —( hear , hear ; . As the representative of the Chartists of that place , he could not return home , and look tbe widows of those true
and brava men in the face , without doing all in his power to alleviate their sufferings , by bringing their cases before the notio-of the Conference—thear , hear ) . Mr . Cooper wished to announce that the widow of William Ellis was then in , the rouni , and that £ 3 bad been collected for her—( heat , hear ) . She was now in the deepest distress , and the authorities hud ttm atened to place her iu a has tile—( Bbaniei . It had been said that she was to be taken care of by the father and mother of her husband , but it was untrue , and there s . emi-d to be a disposition to punish the unfortunate woman still more by starving her—( shame ) .
The resolution waa then put and carried unanimously , by ucc ' amation . Tba R « v . Mr . Solley said that the resolution which he was about to propose must , under any circumstances , co my recommended to their beat attention , but especially so on that occasion , seeing that they had an Irishman in the obajr—( hear , hear ) . The resolution he wished to propose was" That this Conference of National Delegates hereby express in the strongest manner their earnest desire to promote a cordial , brotherly , and permanent good understanding between tho people of this country , and our breshttjri in the siattr kingdom of Ireland , and their determination to use their utmost endeavours to secure for the Irish people equal political and social rights , which they also desire to obtain for this country . ' — ( etc eras .
Mr . Brown , of Saltmarah , seconded the motion . The Chaiksiajv , before putting the resolution , said that this was what he had always expected from the representatives of the English working classes , because he believed that the latter were anxtuus for the social and political amelioration of the same class in his own country —( hear , hear ) When he first visited England , eighteen years ago , be observed that the people wertw-ell fed , and well clad , and that there was scarcely a poor man , or a beggar , to ba seen—< beur , hear . ) At that time he felt desirous that the eonititiou of the working classes of Ir < 4 and should present a similar appearance—( hear , henrj But , in h » s proaent visit , he found that cl-um-legitilatum bad brought down the operatives of E . igland to a more degraded position than the working classes of Ireland -were placed in —( loud cries of hear , hear . ) In evory district be had travelled
through , the people gumned to be crushed to the very face of the earth by this system , and he maintained that any man , priest or friar , lawyer or member of Parliament , who woujd oppose the efforts of Che Confereuce to break down such a eyetem , was the enemy of tho people—( cheers . ) The union of England with Ireland had bbea brought about by men who sought to crush the people ; but if the peepie became thoroughly united , they wouM make it tbe dearest union tbat ever was heard of—( cbeers . ) He thanked them for tbe resolution which had been proposed , and be could assure them that , conveying as it did , &u assurance of the Chartists of England to co-operate ia promoting a friendly union between the two countries for obtaining the political rights of both , would ba received with ' that gratitude for which the character of faia countrymen was so signally distinguished—( cheers . ) The resolution was then put and carried .
Mr . Parry said they bad met for tbe purpose of promoting union , though at the same time they recognised ttie undoubted riijht of every man to act upun his honest convictions . In order to show that they were above anything like party or factious feelings , but that their great object led them to overlook the dfforences that had taken ptace— -whilst they held their opinions firmly , and whilst they considered that thu body who seceded from them acted in an impolitic manner , jet , that because the Conference admitted their right to do so , he tnought they would be acting : on great principle s , irrespectivo of all party feelings , j if they manifested a charitable disposition towards those who misfit differ from them as to the means of
attaining their object . Entertaining these feelings , he ' i begged to move the following resolution : — , " Tbat as the principles of democracy fully recognise the right of individuals or bodies of men to ex-1 press their opinions boldly aud honeatiy on all ques- ' iiooB i'ff ' . cting their political and social interests , this . Co . iferenca deems it necessary to proclaim this im-1 T > orto » t right ; and at the same time to express their : opinion that the cause of the people will be best served ! by a cliaritable and forbearing spirit towards all clashes : of Reformers , who recognising the same great principle of I political justice , yet feel themselves conscientiously called . 'ipo » fc 0 pursue the attainment of those principles bj" different means . " Mr . Ve ys&S seconded the motion .
Mr . LowE'tt * should oppose the motion , because in his opinion , it stultified the resolution moved by Mr . Roberts , on the previous day , and which the Conference adopted—( hear , C ^ eu ) . He had another otj « ctton . He could not admit the principle that expediency was justifiable at any time w . ^ eo it was a departure from right — ( cheers ) . The beBt Vay to go to work "was to go the right way , and not beat about the bush to see which way the other people were , oing—( hear , hear ; . ' , Mr . Jones was aonyto a ^ y that among those who professed so much anxiety for an onion between the
middle and working classes , the . 'o were some who did not wish for any union at all— < bear , hear ) . These parties had propheoied before coming to the Conference that there was no chance of such an unl ^ n being effected , and not wishing to appear as false prophets , would make no effort to secure an union at all—; hear , hear ) . The Charter had suffered more from disunion than any thing else , and he thought tbat any delegate opposing this resolution was acting in a very uncharitable epirit - < - ( no , no ) . Mr . White moved the following amendment : —
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" That ttiis Conference recognises the right of every aa to tak ' e any course ho thinks proper ,, boldly and anestly , in the advocacy of tha People ' s Charter , whilst e retain [ to ourselves the right of pursuing in the une straightforward manner which we have hitherto ursued , and resolve nevar to cease from a firm , steady , ad determined agitation until the People ' s Charter bejmas the law of the land . " Mr . Ridley seconded the amendment . Mr . Lovett observed that there was a variety of pinion iu j tae Conference ; and if they claimed a right > think for tbeiuaelvesflfce thoaght nothing could be so
intolerant as to deny that right to others . No man had been rc > ore persecuted for opinions' sake than he had been , but at the same time he was one * f those who wou ! d | give credit to every man who honestly differed from him—( hear , bear ) . The principles of democracy gave to every individual an opportunity of exercising his opinions fully and freely , and in his opinion the resolution moved by Mr . Parry was a conciliatory one and amounted to nothing more than this , that as democrats , [ they wished to do away with the Intolerant spirit which had produced so much mischief in their ranks—( bejir , hear ) .
Mr . MOlia said that no man valued more than he did the right of private judgment ; but there were times and seasons when it was not always expedient and politic , and when that spirit did not display the very best judgment . The resolution maved by Mr . Parry appeared td him to be a complimentary one to the minority who had seceded from them—( hear , hear ) . That they had ii right to do so he freely admitted ; but having called the representatives of the people together , he thought ! they would have displayed much more good sense if thjey had allowed themselves to be guided by tho decision of the majority—( hear , hear ) . Unless this principle were to ba acte 1 upon , he could not see upon whatiprinciple they were ever to be united . They had d ffured very much in opinion ; but surely it never could be rikht for the party who happeued to be in the minority to kick up their heels and rui out of doors—( hear , hear ) . If they wanted to establish a flrra position , they fjnust act from principle , and not from expediency—( hear , hear ) .
Mr . Clajuc thought that tbe resolution amounted to nothing more nor leas than indirect cenaure upon thenistiives—( hear , bear . ) He had heard Mr . White represented aa everything that was injurious to their cause , but never , { having had the pleasure of meeting him before , he begged to thank him for tbe amendment he had proposed . Mr . O'Connor was of opinion that the resolution amounted io a censure , because it would announce this fact , that they ( the majority ) had seen the error of their ways , ' in having taken an injurious path , and one contrary to tho principles of democracy—( hear ) He remembered that in the Scottish Conference a similar
resolution was proposed , and rejected by a large majority , because it was supposed to have another meaning than the iwor < ia imported—( hear , h « ar . ) Ha quite agreed with the sentiments expressed by Mr . Parry , that every man bad a right to express his opinions freely andj fully , and he believed that the Chartist body had been the first and the loudest to claim that risht for feverr man—( hear , hear . ) Like his frieml White , h ^ would go straight down the road . He would not abuse anybody , and it wns because he did not thirk the resolution neo-ssary for castigation ; and as castitfatibn was not necessary f jr tbe past , they did not want it as a warning for the futuro—( hoar , hear . )
Mr . Ba ! Rstow should give his unqualified support to the resolution , bt / cause it simply asserted a truth which no human being could dispute f > r a moment , — namely , the right of a man to think for himself ! Mr . Cooper supposed that they were assembled to promote legislation and organizitien ; instead of which it seemed they were met to listen to a number of speeches . For his own part , the resolution seemed to him to be a sort of lo * p-hole out of which the Complete Suffrage party were' to escape—( hear , hear ) . Mr . Co % Van , of Liverpool , thought the resolution entirely uncalled for , and that its introduction was designed to throw their proceedings overboard altogether — ihear , hear ) . Mr . Pakry—I beg to say that I indignantly disclaim any such intention— ( hear , heat ) .
Mr . Roberts thought he saw tbe temper of tha Conference !; and in ' the amendment he was about to propose , he fancied he should have the support of tbe largest number . It was admitted that the resolution of Mr . Parry was the enunciation of a truth ; but it was also admitted that , at this time , the resolution Wonld be Offensive to a large portion of . them— ( hear , hearl . Th ^ re were other causes of division , without introducing fresh ones ; and he would press upon the Conference | to go back to the previous question , in order that they might get rid of this apple of discord which
had unfortunately got among them—( hear , hear ) He attributed nothing to Mr . Parry but the most sincere motives : and he believed that no man had been more successful in his tff' > rts in inducing members of tbe Complete Suffrage Association to jijin the Chartist ranks than that gentlenua had been—ihear , hear ) . But , at the same time , he believed that when Mr . Parry proposed his ' resolution , he did not think that it would have given rise to so much discussion , and to bo much d if renco pf opinion —( hear , hear , from Mr . Parry ) . He begged to
move" That neither the amendment or resolution bo entertained . ' : A Delegate seconded the proposition . Mr LOvkiT saul it seemed to him that they were manifesttngja very intolerant spirit , and if Mr . ' Pjrry ' s resolution was lost , he should pursue his own course for the future . '{ Mr . Green thought that if the motion aud amendment wery ininuti-ly exaruined , there was no difference between them . The amendment pledged the Conference to uniie to the utmost of tbeir power for the
attainment of the Charter , and io carry out its principles Nowj was there a single -word in the original resolution which went to cramp th ir efforts ? Ho maintained that it did not . If ther .- had been a single expression that went to cramp the independent judgment of any man in carrying out his principles , he would have opposed it as strongly as any man ; but he conceived that independence of thought , and the most indomitable ( adherence to the principles of the Charter , were as boldly and unlinchintfly asserted in the resolution as in Mr . White ' s amendment—( hear , hear , and no , no . ) !
Mr . Parry , in reply , said be could assure the Conference that he had not tbe slightest ideu that a . resolution enunciating a principle of this description , could have excited so much confusion , and apparently so much ill-will—( hear , hear . ) Gentlemen seemed to think that the resolution rtflected on some course of conduct which had been previously adopted , but he never intended it te have any such auction , nor did it in his opinion , bear such a construction . Mr . O'Connor seemed to think that the country would put a false construction upon it . Now so long as be ( Mr . Parry ) was conscious tbat the resolution contained nothing b \ it what was true and right , he cared net one iota about tbe country putting a wrong construction upon it—( cbaerp and ibisses ) If the resolution were "false , it
would fall of its own weakness . He would now sayone or two jwords with respect to the reasons which had induced him to bring it forward . He believed he might eay that his public career had neither been a long or a remarkable one , and he b . lievetl he had never come into personal collision with any man advocating his own principles —( hear , bear . ) From the bottom of his heart he regretted that there should have been this difference , end disunion , and bad spirit among men who ought to have been united in one common bond of brotherhood I against the comrnon foe—( hear , hear . ) They could not blink this fact nor cuuki they disguise it They were th ' fii assembled in solemn Conference on an important object , and men who had been quarrelling with each other aud abusing each other in various parts of tbe couutry , were met together to agree , if possible , on one common object , and his motive , in moving this
resolution , wiis , that they should substantially pledge themselves before the country , tbat whatever past differences might have occurred , they should be forgotten , and that as they had agreed on tfne great principle , they should go to . the world as an united Chartist body . — ( bear ) . He { believed the adoption of this resolution would have ja greater moral effect upon tho country , than anything else they could devise . It had been remarked by one delegate that the resolution was intended to help forward the movement of the anti-Corn Law League . —( hear ) . No man despised that body more than he did , and he did and he would take ever / fitting opportunity to show that their opinions were not the opinions of the people . —( cheers ) . In order , then , to shew that he bad no wish to cast any rtneotieu upon what had been done before , he h ; id no objection to accede to an alteration being made in the resololution . —( hear ) .
Mr . Cooper end Mr . Roberts urged Mr . White to withdraw his amendment . Mr White said that if Mr . Parry was willing , they would vote for Mr . Roberta's resolution . Mr . Parr ? j , in reply , said he could not agree to such a course . ! . Mr . White then intimated his intention to press his amendment , j After some time spent in altering and amending the original resolution , without giving any satisfaction to the objectors , i The Chairman put the amendment of Mr . Roberts , namely , that the Cunferencs should go to the previous question , which was carried by a large majority . Mr . Lotett regretted the decision to wliich the Conference i > ad come , because it manifested the same intolerant spirit [ of which he had before complained—( no , no ) , fa ' s should consider it his duty to have the votes recorded- —( much confusion and uproar ) .
Mr . Paeet soiggested to Mr . O Connor whether the resolution might ti 9 t be so formed as to meet the views of all , without ! sacrificing the principle for which be b * d been contending . After a considerable loss ot time , Mr . O'Connor rose ami said that the " firebrand " was now going to try to throw a little oil on the troubled waters—( laughter ) . Ihe resolution he had drawn up was as follows : — " That , as the principles of democracy fully recognise the right of individuals or boo tes of men to express their opinions boldly and honesty on " all questions affecting J tbeir political and social rights , this Conference deems it essential t © proclaim th . ' s important right , and at the same time to express thtir opinion that the cause j of the people will be best served by a manly perseverance in their agitation for the Poople ' 8
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ZZ _^ •— ^ =. ^ Charter , while they receive with gratitude and thanks the co-operation of all parties who shall , in parsuance of their own means , endeavour to achieve the same , and we further recommend that all means , not inconsistent -with principle , shall bo used to conciliate all classes of Reformed '—( cheers ) . Mr . Parry said that the resolution met with bis entire approbation , and he should have great pleasure in seconding it—( cheers ) . The Chaikjian then pat tha resolution , which was carried amidst great acclamation , and with only four dissentients . Mr . Hobson moved— " That all papers and documents belonging to thiB Conference shall be placed in the hands of Mr . Lovett , and that he retain possession of them until duly authorised to deliver them up . " Mr . O'Connor seconded the motion . Agreed to . ^
It was then agreed that Mr . Lovett should prepare a copy of the minutes suitable for publication , aud Mr . Hobson announced his intention to print them in cheap form for the use of the delegates and the Caartist body generally ., The business of the Conference having terminate ! , Mr . O'Connor rose and said—Sir , I rise to discharg e a most important duty , and in the outset , I rejoice to think that Mr . Lovett has been a false prophet When the seceders left us , Mr . Lovett expressed his opinion that it would be the forerunner of the existence of tare © parties , bnt I think our subsequent position has preved that hereafter there will be but two—( bear , hear ) , it has been my fortune to differ with Mr . Lovett , ( and he has broadly intimated tbe fact , ! but from this moment
all thought and all recollection of it is banished from my mind—( cheers ) . I may often have been placed ia such peculiar circumstances as to render it impossibly for me to explain , because others -would not explain with me . I rany truly say when speaking of another or denouncing another , that I have had my full and ample share of it throughout the country . I have only to say f « r the future , that so long aa Mr . Lovett con . tinues 1 which I am sure he will ) to perform the same duties in the samo way , so Ions ; will he find in me a supporter instead of a denouncer—( hear and cheers ) . It frequently happens that a number oi individuals may form themselves into associations , but all theit actions woil be spurioua unless propelled by the mind , which is the only true spring of action . Mans
bickerings have taken place in our ranks , and it is not unlikely that before we come to the conclusion of ear career , there will be more . But how&ver great the delusisn aud however thick the cloud that may be thrown round us , public opinion will break through the mist , and the man will be seen according to his real value ^—'( hear , and cheers ) . I dont - think a man the worse for being denounced—reaction takes piuce in his favour , and puts him in possession of the fact tint he is not infallible—( hear , hear ) . We have discovv .-Ttid more than one thing ; we have dig . covered not merely that Mr . Lovett is dearly wedded to these principles , but that be will continue to use his efforts to earry them into practical effect—( cheers ) . Then I ask whether any difference should exist among
men who are labouring for the same objects ? When you talk of an union between the middle and working classes , which is so desirable , is there net another thing still more desirable ? I mean an union among the working classes themselves ?—( cries of " Hear , hear . ' ) Their weikness is the enemy ' s strength ; their strength is the enemy's weakness—( hear , hear ) . And now , tit , if I have been the means of saying one word which hai been personally offensive or hurtful to the feelings « f Mr . Lovett , I trust that I did sa under a misapprehension , aud that I did not do it for the purpose of denunciation , but for the purpose of what I conceived to be tru < . —( hear , heart . I now beg leave to tendei openly to Mr . Lovett my apology to him for any pain
I have caused him , and I have only to hope that the example set throuah our proceedings , will prove t » those * ho would fetter and keep us in chains , tint while we are united among ourselves it is impossible for them to succeed in their object—( hear ) . In conclusion , Sit , I beg to move that the rnoit cordial and heartfelt thanks of the Conference be j » ivaj to Mr . Livett , for the services he has rendered as seerstary , and for the p-trt he has taken in drawing up thai document which has stood public agHatioa for fire yearB , and which I trust ere long will become the safeguard of the rights and liberties of the people of Eng land . — ( load cheere ) . Mr . Cooper , seconded the motion .
Tbe Chairman put the resolution , which was carried unanimously amidst great cheering . Mr . Lovett , on rising to return thanks , was receive } with much applause . He said , in reply to what haj been urged by Mr . O'Connor , during the twenty yean that I have been engaged in political agitation , I hava always iu the first place enquired whether the thing was right and just , and without waiting for the sanction of individuals or parties , I have always , pursued 1 straightforward course towards its attainment , regard , less of personal consequences towards myself , or whatever others might chose to say of me—( cheers . ) Ia pursuit of this object , and in acting up to these views , my plans have been de ounced , my sincerity has been impugned , and my object has been greatly
retarded ; but it has given , me some satisfaction to find that as public opinion progressed , I have seen an approximation ' a the opinions I have always entertained—[ hear , hear . ) Reference has been made by Mr . O'Connor to the National Charter Association . Oa' that point he has Btated tbat they were deficient iu a plan of organization . You may remember that while suffering impij . soumeut in Warwick Gaol , I always concurred with him in opinion that it was deficient I conceived that it was not only necessary tbat we should put forth 1 sound principle , but that , if possible , we should devisg means to prepare the people to carry that principle into operation . Hence I laid down a plan of united agitation—a plan the first object of which was t »
create an united public opinion in favour of the Charter ; and I thought that while we were labouring for that object , sjilw means might be devised for educating and instructing the people . ' That plan mt published with all its details , and then the only question was , how it could be carried into practical effect When it was projected to the country , it jvas assaM from a quarter which I little expected ; but as ai apology has been made , I will say nothing mon on that part of the subjest—( hear , hear ) . I alwayj considered it to be far preferable to the National Charter Association , ' and I say so without any feelings of disrespect to the gentlemen wha may have been associated witb it . I believe it to be m because it combines a plan of education , not merely
the elements of reading and writing , but a plan which would teach the people while they are agitating ftf their rights , how to answer those who taunted thes with the reproach that they were unfit for the suffrage because they were not sufficiently enlightened— ( hea ^ hear ) . I know not whether my plan will ever be acted on er not , bat I think I shall best answer the great object of democracy in pursuing the course which appears te me most likely to lead to a speedy and satisfactory result—( hear , hear . ) NVw , in America the people have possessed the franchise for fifty years , and iu that country the great mass of the people are the staves of Ihe few . i haTS asked the reason of this , and I find that it is for wauJ
of real knowledge on the part of the people as to-wbi constitutes their political rights—( hear , bear . ) It i > for this reason that I want to combine with our systematic plan of agitation , some means for instructor the people , so that the elective franchise may become I blessing to them and not a curse—( hear , hear , hear . ) I am not aware that I can say anything further . I hope we shall go on peacefully and successfully for the future , and so far as any exations of mine , either personal or otherwise , can conduce to tbe attainment of our common object , be assured they shall be most cheerfully and willingly rendered * Mr . Lovett resumed his seat amidst loud and continueJ cheering .
Mr . O'FIiggij : s then left the chair , and on the motionof Mr . Parry , seconded by Mr . O'Connor , it was takei by Dr . Wade . Mr . Parry said a most pleasing duty devolved on him , Damely , that of proposing the cordial thanks oi the Conference to Mr . O ' . Higgins , for the admirable manner in which he had discharged tha duties of Chairman—( cheers ) . Mr . O'Higgins was the representatite of a Scotch county , but morally he might be said to be the representative of the Chartists of Ireland , and he hailed his presence among them as an omen that the day would soOn arrive when "justice fo Ireland" * would find a practical echo in the breasts of every Englishman . Mr . Roberts seconded the motion . The Chairman put the proposition , which we need scarcely say was adopted amidst great cheering . Mr . O'Higgins , in a few words acknowledged tW honour , and
Mr . Hobso . n then moved , and several mem&fl 18 seconded , " That this Couferance do now dissolve . "! Which was put from the chair , and carried uns ^ mously . At half-past nine o ' clock , the laborious sittings 0 * the Conference were brought to a conclusion .
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MERTHER TYDVIL . —A full meeting of the Charter Association , Mr . David John in the chair , tbfl following resolution was unanimously passed : — " Tteb the thanks of this meeting are dad and are hereby given to Mr . Wm . Lovett , F . O'Connor , Esq ., ana others , for the honest and manly course they took in the late Conference , in bringing the People ' s Charters * au amendment to the imperfect doeoment of tb 6 Stnrge patty . " WALSAfcL . —Mr . John Mason was entertained W the Walsall Chartists at dinner on Thursday sfl ' nw ' S * at the house of ! Mr . p . Staudley , the New I » w »
ohn-street . The dinner was of excellent quality , wf le cloth being drawn , Mr . Mulholland was called to JW tiair , and in a neat and eloquent speech propaaea th ? ealth of Mr . Mason , eulogising his past conduct , wfl tpressed his belief that his future life would be sod » s would entitle him to the high estimation in ^ which e is held at present Mr . Mason rose to respond , a * 'as met with loud cheers . He delivered one of th « lost eloquent speeches ever heard , occupying upward * r an hour and a half . Several patriotic songs au * > asts were given , and the company broke up hlg&v leased with the proceedings of the evening and tfi 8 > mpany of their old friend .
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g THE NORT ^ L ? *** ^_ A 5 : __^_ , ' —
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 7, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct785/page/6/
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