On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (8)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
grtfffnal Corregpomrtnt*.
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
"" "" " ""' X MOrX TAIN OF FACTS . „ plain tale is best , being plainly told . " ¦< come one , come all , this rock saall fly jjgm its finn base , as soon as I . " Y FUSTI AN JACKETS , BLISTERED * ° saSPS . A 2 H ) O'SHORN CHINS OF ^ ENG-^ SCOTLAND , AND WALES , AND TQ ^ ' RAG&ED . BACKED , BARE-FOOTED
TglSHj ^ jjjDS , MY I > £± B FBJEJSDS , 1 CT OKLT ^ t —Here I &m is solit ary confinement , in a ^ " ^ & the twelfth , month of my confinement ; ^ Za& . to ipiA unchanged m principle : and though * \^ l in constitution , yet unshaken in purpose , ^ Jisa once more assailed by the oldea f oe . Does sweet a similar instance of resolution upon ff ^ s land , or of treachery upon the other ? Tfc fo&oviog declaration of Mr . O'Connell places i position , which , to have othenrise assumed , 91 j » Te been presumptuous , bat ¦ which to leave ^ jsed , wonM ie cowardly . —
« Si understood that there -was an Association about k ^ ftaned , at the bead of which were Messrs . Lorett , J 5 ? L a d Cleave—three of as good men as -were in Sr ^ sBMi ity—having *<* itB o ^ ect Household St-Mjnd Shortening the Duration of Parliament , Spec ' eetlj Tmconnecied with Feargus and bis wild BsffW . i » commenting upon this declaration , I ^ a 2 i » » Kttle egotistic *! as possible . U fia ontMt , my friends , let me say tiat I fully ^ Mr . Q ' Connell , that the principal object of ^ ,, Bf mo ve" is to destroy all that has been done , ^ 1 djomt from the inference , that " getiixg rid of ¦ aitltonjh a primary object : would hare the effect , ^^ jjii the free mind * of Englishmen to the snpja ; i the treasonable project No , no ; for in making ns j ^ pendent of ethers , I baTe laboured to make ' vm&FsAert of myself also .
' vt fne » 5 * i before I proceed to the detail of tireum-Qjiai fccts , allew me to cheer your souls by the ; Ta Bmooneemest , that slthoogh mine enemies vjufcy » aarefor me , and although , assassin like , jipkn ataeda deadly blow at their -rictim alone aia the dark , yet has the God of justice and of tog ^ , tta aerer-forsaking sentinel of the prisoner and £ s af&n , delivered mine enemies into my hands . Ta' oj comrades , the wicked hare been caught in tbs « n out , and the blow aimed at me in the && rill recoil upon the heads of the eenspinia !
SrfnsDd * , is it not enrions that while thus secluded jku ae Torid , I should bare been made the instrudh ; of bringing to light one of the deepest laid ris es era hatched by man for the destruction of his fei « n ? Ian tbe evidence of a gkstlxhah , of a gentlesis of Teahfc , of honour , and of station , that this " oTECTe" vMCODcoeted at Mr . Hume ' s . by Mr . Hume indMi Frueu P lace upon their part , and by some el 2 * open of the new prospectus upon ioue IU 1 ?
1 bin it , that "it was to be done whilel was in prison , ai i cotld * tf be effected if I was at large . " I hare it , Sal its otjeet was to' effect a ' fusion' of the middle aad Sx raking claaes for the attainment of Househoc Sa&ajB . " I hare it , that after the Leeds meeting it tu et&fidered necessary to hold the promulgation of & kbmt in abeyance , until a " suitable name " vu decided span , and until the principles were agreed jps . I vis in possession o ! these faetf as early as Febrary hit , but knowing that my communication with the raid could be only surreptitiously accomplished ,
sad iaiiaj tie absolute necessity of being upon the jp ot Bd ai liberty to meet erery eoonier statement , l ru enpelbd to hear til in silence , until facts had so nsKplied u to narrow my correspondence to a mere direexE of yonr minds to those fact * which , in my abssa , mast speak far me , and from which the people mas iar their own conclusions . For the present , tbet . 1 rely up * n circumstantial evidence , and upon tin : iaKt ; pledging myself , upon the expiration of my iu . -n ' KwirfBt , to sabmit direct testimony upon the subj « to i eoaanittee of seren pewm * , eho » en by working EH TBO TOBK .
Xot , ibj frisads , I proceed calmly to a consideration tftiatlsts been the object nearest the heart of the sa 3 e elaa Vadmi , and some of the London Chartist toa , from the moment that the first unbely alliance " »» lined between those parties * I pass oTer , for the pawi , fte treatment whkh I ha-re inTariably met with f » * iat vu called the London WorTting Men " s Atao ^ zzb ; l&spre the ingratitude with which " the peor JJsiatiff labjarers" were compelled to treat me upon tferaan ; slwsys perched up in publie , between two d wnnaittee and nrrer allowed to » y so much as "tak t « l" to the man -who built the house of
^ Ki- W&kley had merely to open the door for B * - I pas oTer the many attempts of this body kinest iM from speaking at their meetings . I pass ^ tberwolniion entered into by tfee committee for ™* a = E $ ibe Delegates agitating England on «* d the Slssgow Cotton Spinners , to the effect £ * J tsi not to tpeak . I pardon the ingratitude of the *«* Spamers in obeying the instructions of Mr . " « I » ad Mi . Place , in not coming to see the j * » ho taTfclled 2000 mil « in tlie depth of winter ^ feem wurag e in the d ock ; who ro used Eng land ^ Woad , sod spent £ 200 of his own money in ° y !* t I forgiTe those men for not coming to see me , an
"l ^ fcHi hour ' s journey of my solitary celL I Z !* **} * & being inrited to any one of the numerous Jj ^ aieBU which I myself haTe proposed and been ll ^ Stt 0 T 0 fhi London . I pardon the London men for ^ * hbedled me out of my Uni ve rsal Snffrage Club , j *^ J forgm tiifeii non ^ o-operation to defeat tbe ^ S marting for the erfeclion of monuments to the ^ joto ots , when they , one and allj re / osed to w uaai dment declaring f « r the principles for ? io * asrtyi died I forgire their erery act of kJ" * dhtifiet body ; aad I now proceed to a jj ^ an of the treatment which I hare receired " ¦ U grotederniHai .
^ ^ -S 38 , they rtarted to Scotland . Messrs . Attwood ; jz-byatiu , Salt > M represenlatiTea of the tJj cUutt . » d John Collins , as a kind of working e ^ T ^* - Ml traTelled , fed , and lodged at the * sis •„ &i BlTOia Sbain rnion . [ 1 hare neTer been 5 ^ . * P tia $ aeeount setUed yet—I must hare it ] g ^^*^ , is committee , to my being in-rited to 1 ;^ ¦ " * £ looked rery like a device to get rid j ^ - ^ wt , Z 5 S 3 , they held a great meeting at Eol-^ « d , BirminghaHi , to -which many perrons ¦ arhed . 3 »« nQt When we -went to the to to of
^ **• wapelled listen a parcel old ^ ^^ ig nonsense ; and I asked the chairman k * aa r ? d biTe * ° ° PP « tnnity of speaking , and j ^ i ^ nito retom fejaks to the chair , or to ^ or * '' ^ tha t effect l &ea took the ^ mtato jn ^^ , L ondon f riendg haTing eu ^ , JT ^* for J » d J regretted being obliged to *** »« L 0 Bt " *** ' Steele said he < aan 9 thepe ^ pii ^ j ! ^ ** * ^ . the Liberator of Ireland . A fe ^^^ that day after the meeting , when i ^ spto itnt fOr I > an ; Mdl nPon a gentleman I ^ J * to reply , Mr . Muntz , the eh ^ rm ^ n , -whose r *'**^ " r Uttis dnmptiness , the Queen , " but r *«« " ^ Birmil i » bam , called the geaUeisSftJT ' ^ aid that poUticswere not totw
^ 4 »» ri ^ IaU my book ; s « I rose (^ wier , and it is not for me to say , but for ^ Vjb ^ " ** 1 ^ bet ' ireen Mr - Steeleand ^ l&Jj ^ 0 ^ " ^ the b « st of it When I sat jj ^ ooi took me by the hand and said , " Well , ^ fttifjf ** TEIED ^ « fc viihcnU you , bid tee ** oT m 6 eting * " ^ L 011400 - M 7 » P"" ^ ¦ " aot "W palatab le ; and I got ' 'Zr * tentil tf » ee on the list at starting * C 2 ? pcpp 8 d ^ ^ ^^ " ^^ «»» j »» y « ^ 'Ste ^ * - 00111101 . would you allow this per-* ^ || ««»« . » dttaottarpa » on , totakip » . r ^ ft . L T U 1 ' hurry ? " ' Mr . Dillon Brown , rft" ^» od l think . r « i Th ^ ' i / went uixee
' ( fan . n . * "uu »» mu , % Sr ^ introdne 6 d ' ^ ^ not decided ^ S » tvT * ' ** ** ^ Port ^ oe o tbs ^ l thit * M the ground-wor & ^ I t ^ COnTeDt 5 On " ^ " lljj ? Stor " ' recommendation , so many 1 >! mTtw !' ** ' CmB * derS beam 8 IS *« mltT ^ 1 1838 ' ^ 0 months before ^ tt iZ ^*** ' ¦ Daatta ' 1 > hom 1 be&rtily """ " ^^ t career , ) and Bre-wster , mored
Untitled Article
in Scotland . Salt , Douglas , Edmunds , and Collins , misled at Birmingham . Lorett and his party moyed in London ; and O'Connell mored in Dublin , as if by magic ; all at one and the same moment . Fraser and Brewster called upon the people to denounce me ; Collins and his party called upon the people to separate from me , as I was an Irishman , and had , in Mr . Collins ' s opinion , done much mischief by declaring that the Charter should be law by Michaelmas Dsy , [ which opinion I maintain would hare prored correct , had i t not been for the treachery , treason , and Tillany of the Birmingham delegates . Nothing eould haTe impeded us , but Attwood dreaded it Lorett and his party denounced me in London , and O'Connell said that the moral-force respectable Radicals of Scotland and England had denied all cotmecUoa with the toreh-anddagger men—Stephens , Osstler , and O'Connor .
The Birmingham men charged me with acts of omission for not haring denounced Stephens ; while an Executive Council of some sort or other , at Manchester , summoned me to appear at their bar to answer for my miacondnct in not baring more fully defended Stephens at Birmingham , Now , ob * erre , an ExecutiTe at Manchester , of which Mr . R . B . B . Cobbett was secretary , summoned me to plead to a charge of not defending Stephens ; the fact being , that I did defend him . In August of the same year , - when I attended the most «
lonous delegate meeting er « convened at Glasgow , consisting of sixty-four noble fellows , Mr . Arthur O'Neil was most indignant with me for submitting to the meeting the justice , prudence , and propriety of forming a committee to proem * subscriptiena and petitions for the release of Lorett , Csllins , if'Di / uall , and Vincent ; and yet it was done , and some short time afterwards , tbe treasurer -wrote to me to know to whom he should pay £ 100 -which had been collected . Thus was I situated , from time to time , wrong if I did not defend , and abused if I did
defend . Well , in the depth of -trinter , I went to meet the foe at Edinburgh ; I remained their pleasure , and I conquered . I went to Paisley , and went alone Into a ticket meeting of ilr . Bre-wrter ' s friends . I was tossed from head to head orer the meeting into . a kind ot boxed-up cock-pit , where Mr . Brewster and his bottle-holder were ready for a Tictory . We sparred for about half an hour , when Bre-wrster mffved an adjournment from his own friends to the largest church in Paisley . There I went , but there he was afraid to follow ; and there I triumphed OTer his own flock , in his own town . He then challenged me to meet him in Glasgow . 1 accepted it ; we hid sexen thousand hearers ; and be was obliged to fly , like John Qilpia , leafing his hat and wig- to follow after .
I then proceeded alone to Birmingham , and met the enemy there , and broke up the most rotten . Association of Whigs ever yet known—the Council of the Birmingham Union . 1 then went to London , although George Henry Ward , M . P . for Sheffield , dared me , and told me the police -would seize me ; howerer , I went ; and after attending many meetings , and not finding tbe enemy present , I then went into their own quarters , to a meeting at the Sail of Science , where Messrs . Loreti , Moere , and a long tail of my ac « users made their appearance . I was placed in the chair , and gave them all tbe most perfect fair-play , and insisted upon an attentive hearing far each , whieh each had , and then the meeting delivered a unanimous verdict in my favour , and a unanimous manifestation of reproach against my
accusers . Thus I had triumphed over three of my four foes ; and it being difficult to meet with the old " dodger , ' I addressed him publicly through the papers , and challenged him to meet me in Dublin , and in parts of England , to substantiate his charges ; but he was too wise . At this time the Chronicle , the Sun , the Morning Advertiser , and the Greenacre Chronicle , and the whole of tbe English and Scotch press joined the conspirators against me ; but I beat them all , and did the people's work at the same time . Well , that did not cost my enemies anything ; but , in faith , It cost me no trifle , and bear in mind that it never costs the enemy one farthing to assail me ; nay , they make m » ney of it ; while the defence costs me hundreds , as my hand only goes into ray own pocket .
Now I pray your attention to the pres + ni move of the same parties . Fraser and the True Scotsman and Brewster , renewed the attack and opened another fire on me and the physical-force Radicals , simultaneously with , the Fox and Goose Club , and when the ttria Metropolitan Association was in course of formation , bnt too young to join in the battle . The True Scotsman died with Feargus O'Connor ' s ghost before it , upon its death bed . Collins , at Birmingham ; Lovett
and Co ., In London ; O"Connell , in Dublin ; the Chronicle , Sun , and all the " establishment ; " in fact , the whole batch of the former conspirators , have opened upon me simultaneously within the last fortnight . Why do I say upon me ? because I « an prove it ; because O'Cbnneli admits it ; because my friends of Mansfield , in their personal reply , throw it back upon the idolators .
But let me go farther ; I call upon Messrs . Hill and Hobson to say , on their word of honour as men , whether or not 1 informed them of this precise mote , and of the precise parties who were to make it , months ago ; and whether or not I put Mr . Hill upon his guard , before Christmas . I know it was before Christmas , because it was before the Inspector deprived me of the poor privilege of seeing friends in my yard ; and I mentioned it to Mr . Hill in my yard . I told him that the move at first could not be for less than the Charter , like the Russian move , in -which the conspirators were " Chartists and something more ; " but that it was to dwindle dewa into a Household Suffrage anti-Corn Law move , when it got strength . I told him the men in the three kingdoms upon whom we had to depend ; I ask him , upon his honour , is the name of one of
them upon tbe list appended to the Association , with the single exception of Keesom , and which I regret to sse . 1 ask him if I did not tell him tbe names of the prime movers , and tbe very plan which would be resorted to ; and that CrCoiineU would then " fire away at me in Ireland : " —those were my wbeds . Tiow , then , my friends , for a bit oftplain reasoning . How did Daniel O'Connell know , ur Dublin , of this move for Household Suffrage , which " Lovett , Collins , and Cleave were at the head of , " before it was published in acy paper ? and is it not strange that he ishonld have been put in possession of the facts of which I informed Mr . Hill ? that the document should have been pnblished in the Chronicle , with a leading article , and in the Sun ? and that George White , my paid reporter at £ 52 a-year , to whom I have not written one single line since he went to Birmingham , beyond the following : —
•* You will make arrangements to procure the result of tLe W&lsall election for the first edition , if possible j but if not , and if necessary , express it for the second . " Yours , faithfully , " F . O'Connor : " is it not , I say , curious that that consummate fool , Mr . Arthur O'Neil , should confess that he bad called my excellent friend and impartial reporter , [ a man whom gold eould not purchase , ] " » spy , " just at the same time ? It is a curious system of spying , where the employer in his heart and soul regrets the coarse of the employed , but fears to interfere in ignorance of facts ? Tes , I regretted that White published so much of their accursed blasphemy ; bnt I never once complained . Let White answer on oath , if required .
Now , my fri ends , let these facts speak for themselves , and couple my warning upon the " i sms" which were to take place with tbe " itmt" which have taken place , and take all in connection with the manifesto of the new Association , the Birmingham move , the Dublin move , and the Chronicle and Sun move ; and then doubt , if yon can , the existence of as deep a conspiracy as ever was hatched in hell . Bnt , my friends , above all , bear one fact in mind ; when Dan had procured my imprisonment , he was satisfied and silent ; for eleven months he never
mentioned tbe dead man's name . From January to April , lot thirteen weeks , he even bore the Leeds defeat ; never hinted at tLondon , on th Curragb , or in the Corn Exchange , till the new mere was announced , and until I had " drawn tbe badger . " Think , my comrades , that for nearly four years I have been trying to make him fight , but be would not ; ne , I never could bring h im to the scratch . Star after Star has challenged him , but all in vain ? until , until , until , ( hear it , ye Chartists , ) the voice of the prisoner in the felon ' s cell , bad gone through the land ; it
Untitled Article
had passed the channel upon the breez ? , and been lisped by every tongue in Ireland— "the Liberator should fight or mrrender . " O ( it was gatl and wormwood to mention the Star ; but what could he do r The letters to O'Malley , as the Editor truly said , had found their way to the Irish hovels . The Associations—four Chartist Associations were in existence , and what was to be done f For eleven months he && the delicacy not to mention my name ; but upon the twelfth he saw that
my- triumph would be insured by his silence , and then , for the first time , he opens upon me , the Star , and the Chartist * , and at the same time prematurely exults in the prospects of aid to be derived from the new Association , of which he was long aware , but would not even then have mentioned , but for the purpose of infusing hope into the drowsy spirit of hi * creatures , wfeo know that they are only " patriots" npon sufferance , and that union « . mong the people is ruin to them .
But , good heaven ! how does the Liberator meet me ? How does the friend of free discussion—the man of the people—propose to putdown Chartism in Ireland ? Why , by tbe spy system ; by setting the police to watch them ; by threatening them with hanging , and transportation , and persecution ; and he says they are but eighteen . Ah . ' by ^ Tove , they are tailors then ! for though nine tailors go to make a man , yet are the tailors the most enlightened and best patriots in the kingdom ; and our eighteen tailors make just « ne hundred and sixtytwo Chartists .
But mark the folly , and the sophistry , and the hnmfcug of this Liberator ; he says , " Whtre is Loughcrea ? can any one inform me where Lougherea is t there is no such place upon the map . " But next day he finds there is such a place , just leaving out the C ; and then he wants to know who Barnard M 'Donald is , and because none of the kid-skins know him , forsooth , " Barnard is no one , and Feargus is the lady . " New we have no secrets ; and as to this said letter , it was sent by a lady to Dr . M'Douall , and , at her request
thinking that its contents would give me pleasure , it was Bent by M'Doosll to me , and given by me to Mr . Hobson to hand to Mr . Hill , and is , I rejoice to find , still in existence -, so Dan , your " delicacy about the lady being in the case" Im wholly overcome—your modesty is quite overpowering . But how will Dan get over the letters of Francis Mellon and Richard M'Cartney in last week ' s Star , detailing tfce neglect of poor aged Mrs . Mellon , by the compensation to Tenants' Act Ah . Dan , I have you there .
It is now quite clear that Chartism in Ireland is to be persecuted . Lst it work . The first man that is brought to the bar of justice shall have tbe ablest counsel that the Irish bar affords—three of them . And , if I ara at large , though not among the ablest , I will make one . We have teur Associations in Ireland . ; put them down who can . Dan admits two , —one in Newry , and one in Golden Lane ; but he says , " Ogh ! that ' s where the Orangemen meet . " What humbug ! What child ' s play ¦ Don't all parties meet at all places to which they can procure access ? and , in faith , it now appears
curious under such a reign of despotism that the poor fellows were allowed to meet even there . But would OBe of them drink the glorious , pious , and immortal memory of the man " who saved th ^ m from POPEBT , SLaTEHT , WOODEN SHOES , AND BRASS money , " ( the Orangemen ' s oath , ) as the Liberator did ? Would they , one of them , sit , though starving , between an Orange Lord Mayor and Barney M'Cleary , the Orange tailor , and pass resolutions to break up their unions , as Dan did ? Would one © f them call for a tally-ho , and three cheers for the Orange Beresford , the Marquis of Waterford , as Dan did ? No , not one of them , to save his life , would do
it-And then another mare ' * nest the fool finds , in " infant Chartism , " and he says , " pray you mark that , the infant Chartism . " Well , what of all that ? Bah ! bumbng is gone . What next ? Why , we shall have a Lord jSurleigh ' a nod from the Liberator ' s head , and the patriots will cry "hear , and loud cheers "; or , mayhap , the Hon . Gentleman may place his finger once Main upon his sagacious nose , amid astounding applause . But talk now of the dark days of Catholic sufferings , when in barbarous ages the people ' s priests were compelled to preach by stealth : is this not as bad , or worse , when the people in our civilised times are not to be allowed even to meet ?
However , I have been trying in vain for four years to bring Dan out of his hole . He knew that to ment'on me would be death , so he abstained till he could no longer do so with safety ; but now I have " drawn the badger , " and he must either show fight or give in . If he shows fight , I will back myself singlehanded agaiogt him and his bottle-holders , every man of them , at ten to one ; and if be gives in , then on goes tLe cause ; so in either case Dan is done . Now , observe my friends , I don't blame Hume , Roebuck , and Place , at all . They ore consistent They say , " we think Household Suffrage would do every thing , and that with a good agitation for that we conld Repeal tbe Corn Laws , which in our estimation , is the greater evil com plained ot . " What can be more just and fair then , than for those persons to recruit their forces from all ranks ? There is not a shadow of
a shade of charge even of inconsistency against them . But what must I say of those who would dare to offer such a list as that now before me , of nearly 90 names , as tbe persons to form a Provisional Government to direct our movement , upon tbe ostensible grounds of advocating the Charter , but in reality . for the purpose of establishing a working class aristocracy ?! What must I say of the insolence , audacity , and presumption of the wretches who dared to insult me by sending me one of
their invitations on the 39 th of March , to become one of an acting body for the next six months , when I was to be seven months and twelve days in solitary confinement ? I venture to say they sent my friend , my dear friend und countryman , O'Brien , one also . No doubt they did ; bnt did they send tbe beadsman with it , with his axe , to say " aign this or take this ? " as nothing less could procure bis signature to the traitorous document .
The Eilitor of the Star could not do everything ; and be has omitted , in his multiplicity of work , to analyse the question as it bears upon the principle of equal representation . What then do we find ? Not one man for the hive . No , not a sonl for Lancashire , glorious Lancashire—not one . While tor Yorkshire we have W . G . Burns , ( I give them in their order from the list , ) W . G . Burns , Edward Thorp , John Peck , William Martin , of Wakefleld , ( not the Irishman , ) William Barker , Thwmas Wild . Now , I ask , do those gentlemen—all honourable men , nodoubt —represent the working classes of Yorkshire ? Then , for Birmingham , John Cjllins , Arthur O'Neil , and Brown , the authenticity of whose signature is denied by his friends . And then for Glasgow not a single one ; but they got a bit about the edges , and put down two gentlemen from . near Glasgow .
But let the working men look the list over , and judge for themselves , and ask whether it was not insolence to us to invite many , nearly all * l those who have joined , to take the management of our cause into their bands ? Just look at the Russian rump pinned to their tail ! Now , then , I come to the close . For years I have beaten you , one down and the other come on , and sometimes altogether , and now from my lone and solitary
cell I challenge you , with your master , O'Connell , at your head , the Treasury at your back , and the " Establishment" at your command : I say , " come on , I am ready for you altogether . " I charge you with the design of destroying the people ' s cause . I charge you with having conspired with our enemies to do so . I hurl defiance at you , and ask you to charge me , if yon can , with one single dishonest act , one inconsistent act , one qngqntlflninnlit-a act , or one act tending to injure our csute .
I have a letter in my possession which came to me while I have been here , telling me that I was to be b « nght or assassinated . Bought , I may be ; my price is Universal Suffrage ; I abate not an hour of my claim in the age of tbe elector . If I am assassinated—in twentysix hours after , England , Scotland , and Wale * would be in ruins , and then you would have that social equality for which you profess to contend . I give you leave to search all my letters , and advertise for them , which I have written since September , 1835 ; and I foefy you to find one sentence of secret , one word calculated to create distrust in any man , who was doing hia duty ; or indeed one line that was not to heal some breach .
You may say that you are not charging me ; but I say you must charge me with some act tending to injure or dishonour the cause , before you can prevail upon the people , as y » ur caster says , " to get rid of Feargus . '
Untitled Article
I haunt the ruffian ' s dreams ; he curses me after his prayers : I bare him dead beat , though in solitary confinement . I knew what the effect of the little hidden rocks would be upon sober Ireland . You do charge me and my whole party with incompetency , by your audacious attempt to ride over us . Now , my friends , " these are the times to try men ' s souls . " Perhaps I have lost your confidence also j if so , speak out like men , and let me retire from drudgery , incessant labour , danger , responsibility , and poverty , to ease , comfort , security , irresponsibility , and inder
pendence , I require but to be disinherited by the people to be more wealthy than I could desire . To me the cause is slavery and expence , but an honour to suffer for it , if I hold your , esteem . If not , say so . You have but to command , I will obey . But bo lorn ? as I am trusted , so long will I defend my infant with all the courage of a fond father from the assassin , in whatever shape he presents himself , even at the haxwd of that life which I would hold as not worth preserving if dishonoured by being traitor to my principles .
You have the guarantee that In dismissing me you lose no friend—yon make no enemy , because my battle is for principle—not for man . I will neither turn Whig or Tory . I vrill never accept of placa , pension , or emolument from any government , or under sny laws save those made by the whole people , be your judgment what it may . You have now but one alternative-. you nwtst either throw me and those friends with whom I have acted , and who will not act wjth traitors , overboard j or you must throw the traitors overboard . No mincing : to the thing at once .
The leaden that I allude to are O'Brien , O'Connor , M'Douall , Moir , Boss , Pitkethly , Williams ; Binns , Marsden , Deegan , James Taylor , Leech , Butterworth , Higgins , Duke , Martin , White , Ball , Boggis , Spurr , Dover , Vevers , Burnett , Arran , John Leech ( the glorious John Leech , ) Skevington , Jack , Thompson , Ross ( Lambeth ) , Sankey , Culium ( Glasgow ) , John Duncan , A . Duncan , Rankin , Arthur , Charlton , Bowman , Hanson , Robert Wilkinson , Balrstow , Cooper ( of Leicester , a host in himself , editor of the Young Star ) , Seal ,
Markham , Sweet , Ashton and Hoey ( my two noble countrymen ) , Frest , Frost , Frost , Peat , Hey wood * Hobson , Rider , Lennie , Watklns , Bolwell , Owen , Worsdell , Cameron , Parker ( London ) , Parker ( Leeds ) , Jones , Gardner , Mason , Shorrocks , Dean Taylor , T . P . Green , Bartlett , Robert Kemp Philp , Neal , Shellard , Edwards , Greaves , Wheeler , Cartledge , Carrier , Bell , Campbell ( not Sir John : be belongs to the other list ) , MorgsD . j Simeon , Allen , Page , Flowers , Healey , Hick ( our poet ) , Duke , Benbow , Fenny , and Hill .
Now , I have given you eighty-eeven names from the old list , against the eighty-seven in the new ; and to these add the nearly seven hundred , already published , of real working men , from which the Council to OUR Charter Association i < to be chosen , and choose between us . I have given you the first eighty-seven that crossed my mind . I have left out hundreds , thousands , of as good men , but I wanted man for man . Now then , let us have no child's play about so dear a stake as life and liberty . You must , and shall decide . Tbe question Is not O'Connor and O'Connell ; that has been often decided ; the question for you is the new or the old list I am in the old , my enemies are in the new ; declare for one or the other . I cannot serve two masters . 1 must know whose servant-I am .
I am In prison-, my condiUoni are , I think , but mederate ; I require a strong , an instant , an unequivocal verdict for one of the lists ; should it be in favour of the new list , I surrender my office . The Star never shall be turned against you . It was established upon the condition that the working men were to subscribe £ 800 , to which I was to put £ i %% . You only raised £ 070 , to which I put several thousands . I have paid off above £ 270 of tbe £ U 7 « . I will pay tbe
remainder , and will baud ove * the Star , lock , stock , and barrel , unencumbered , with the best stocked office out of London , and by far the best property of any provincial paper In the empire , to my successors to advocate your cause , as your chosen leaders , [ theSlur is national property : it never shall be made the organ of a faction , or the tool of an individual , ] and I wil * aj lk from my cell into my wig and gown , and like Quintns Cincinnatus , return to my plough .
My friends , let no man be disheartened ; this attempt to divide is but the beginning of the end . The desertion of such trumpery will strengthen us . Any inan who has watched those Malthusian Whigs for tbe laat six years , must confess that they haunted my erery step by day , like an evil spirit , while I caa assure you they sat upon my slumbers as a night-mare . They bated me with a deadly hatred , because I was opposed te subscriptions . Nothing troubled them so much as opposition to the Foor Law . I dragged them after me like a dead horse-Thank God , I am new released from the burden . O , what a relief )
Now then , we commence with the beginning of the end . We shall be well tutored when taught temperance by men intoxicated with pride , educated by men who don't know half so much as those they profess to teach ; and religion by men who would rather rule in Hell than serve in Heaven . I assure you that these men would not allow us to carry the Charter if they could help it . Recollect , I do not speak of all who signed the list ; as many of them hare , ere this , repented . I speak of those who concocted the scheme , and not of those who signed It in ignorance of tbe facts I have stated , as to the compromise .
They want " TO get bid" of me , their leader says ; faith , they have accomplished it nicely , by taking themselves out of my way ! But let them be assured tbat -whatever they may think , my namo is of same value to any firm , where principle , honour , and integrity are to be discounted ; and with all classes , even the enemy , it will go farther than the whole firm of the new jobbers . Some people may think this letter too long ; perhaps it is for them , but not for the occasion .
Let us now have the country ' s voice upon the two lists . 1 have given you eighty-seven followers of your will and leaders of your cauBe ; they have given you eighty-seven leaders of your will and followers ol tbeir decrees . Cato , it appears , calls them the New London rat-catchers . I call them the Old London-Damn Nations , because they would break up that cause upon which depends the happinesB of many nations .
I shall be a new man when relieved of tbe dead weight , and live till Saturday in the hope of seeing a Star full of decisions , one way or the other . My motto ever has' been , " Never trust a man a second time , who has deceived you once ; " and I require to be judged by tbe strictest lines of my own rule . It is folly to say , " We have not charged you . " Dan says the objeot is " to gel rid" of me ; and the whole manifesto breathes an angry , jealous , sneaking , cowardly , undergrowl snarl at every project I have recommended . Cover their treachery how they will , they want to get rid of me first , and O'Brien after ; and then they would deal very summarily with all the others , in succession , down to my fustian jackets , who would be sold all in a heap .
I can be banished , but I never will betray yon . These are my conditions—till they are decided upon , one way or other , farewell . I am , your Friend , FEARGUS O'CONNOR .
Untitled Article
TO HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN . Madam , —I am well aware tbat in this enlightened age of so-called Reform , to consider the man who has broken the laws of bis country , er those enactments of a class-legialatnre which baTe assumed the name of law , as entitled to the considerations of humanity , andas forming » link in the chain of human beings , will be deemed by the " liberal" and " enlightened" as the height of folly and the daring of presumption . Yet , even in the teeth of all that < nodern philosophy , falsely so called , may say , and in spite of the dicta of Interested selfishness , I am ready to maintain the claims of all who nave been formed in the image of God , however fallen and defaced that image may have become , not merely to justice , but tvlso to the kindly and merciful consideration of their fellow-men .
I contend that tbe principle that until a suspected person is proved to be guilty , he must be presumed to be innocent is one tbat is equally accordant with natural equity and sonnd policy ; and that , in accordance with this acknowledged principle of right , no hardship should be inflicted which is not absolutely required for securing the safe custody of the person accused . In aU
Untitled Article
cases , when the well being of society does not imperatively demand the contrary , bail should be taken ; and the amount rf such bail should be regulated by an . act of the Legislature , and duly apportioned to the nature of the crime and the station and circumstances of the accused , instead of being left to the caprice or even deliberate judgment of the presiding magistrate . And , even in those cases where the good of society imperatively demands that a restraint should be put upon the personal liberty of the subject , no system of prison regulations should for one moment be suffered to inflict a hardship whkh could- be dispensed with , in accordance with such safe custody of the prisoner .
That the principle laid down above , is one fully recognised in theory by all out writers on criminal jurisprudence , no one possessing the ^ lightest acquaintance with constitutional law -will venture to deny ; but how stands the practice ? Just the \ ery reverse of this 00 much boasted principle . We have prisons erected , in which the system of regulations is such aa to make scarcely any distinction between the Safe custody of an accused party , and one who is enduring the penalty awarded by the judge as the just consequence of his offence .
The injustice of this mode of procedure Will be the more apparent if we take into consideration the fact , tbat it is no uncommon thing tor the judge to paig a more lenient sentence in consideration of the previous Imprisonment which , the prisoner had undergone . I ara not disposed to find fault with this procedure-, it is in many cases one of the utmost propriety , but it evinces , in a very striking point of view , the injustice of those ^ regulations which doom the accused to the endurance of that kind at treatment which tbe law has appointed as tke proper and legitimate punishment of crime .
If tbe law say that six months'imprisonment and hard labour is the due reward of a given class of offences , and the Judge say , that as the criminal has been in confinement two months , he is to be imprisonment and kept to hard labour fot four additional months , it is clear that part of the penalty awarded by law is omitted , namely , the hard labour for two months ; and this , as being in compliance with the dictates of mercy and forbearance , is perfectly justifiable , inasmuch as it is far better to remit a pott , of the punishment due to the offence , than to act with the severity of vindictive justice . But suppose the party accused to be acquitted , what compensation has
he or can he nave for the two months of suffering and of privation , of punishment in fact , which he has been unjustly doomed to endure 7 During two months be has endured , with the exception of the hard labour , all that the convicted criminal has endured , privation of liberty , loss of employment , separation from family and friends , the consciousness that to some extent his character must have suffered , and the knowledge in many cases , that those dependant upon him have been subjected to numerous hardships , which they never ought to have endured . Now what compensation does tbe law offer to one so circumstanced * Just
none at all . It may be that none can be offered ; it may be tbat such were tke circumstances that erery Mind must feel convinced that the deprivation of his liberty was most essential to the common weal ; but will any body pretend that all , or that any of the regulations which apply to the convicted offender , beyond the bare confinement under lock and key , were either necessary or proper to be inflicted , before a jury bad pronounced upon the guilt or innocence of the party suspected of a violation of the law ? and if not , then is it not clear that this portion of our system of criminal jurisprudence is just anything but what it ought to be ?
Again , let me draw your Majesty ' s attention to tbe fact , tbat while the bar requires magistrates in numerous cases , to liberate an accused party , upon security being given for hie appearance to answer ta the charge made against him , this wise and salutary regulation is often rendered merely a dead letter by tbe mischievous operation of the discretionary powers vested in the bands of those whose duty it is to administer the laws . I am not prepared to say that in ordinary cases this discretionary power is abused or misapplied ; but I do say that recently , in reference to « ne class of offenders , it has been most shamefully degraded to tbe furtherance of the purposes of party . We have seen criminals af a
certain rank , and who had been guilty of crimes of no ordinary turpitude , held to bail in sums , which , to them , were of a merely nominal amount , w hile persons of a humbler class , whose only offence was thinking justly , and speaking honestly , but which thinking and speaking were high crimes and misdemeanours in tbe estimation of aristocratic and middle class magistrates , were required to find bail to an amount which it waa well known their humbld connections were utterly unable to furnish , and which therefore it was only an insult ta require . I know that in the eyes of tiusu parties a political speaker and thinker is one of the vilest reptiles in existence , and I also know that
the glitter of a noble name is capable , in the world ' s esteem , of gilding the most odious vices ; but I ask , ought these things so to be t and I am sure tbat your Majesty must answer " No . " Suffer me , then , to point out tbe only remedy for this part of the evil of which I complain . The power of fixing the amount required in any given c&se must not be allowed to continue where experience has shewn as tbat it is so liable to be abused . Those who make the laws ought to apportion the security required to tbe nature of the
offence and the quality of the offender ; especial care being taken , tbat in no case should it be such as might be fairly presumed to be beyond the means of procurance by the accused party . This is clearly what ought to be done in this case ; this mast be done if justice is to be secured to the whole people , and this will be done , when there is a oneness-of feeling and of sentiment between tbe nation at large and those entrusted with an authority to enact the laws by which the affairs of the social family ore to be governed and regulated . I am , Madam , Your Majesty ' s faithful and obedient subject and servant , NUMA . London , April 13 , 1811 .
Untitled Article
CHRISTIAN CHARTIST CHURCH , BIRMINGHAM . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —For these last three months I have regularly attended , and , to the utmost of my power , supported the Christian Chartist Church , Newball-street , Birmingham , hoping that great good would be done in arousing the people of Birmingham from their lethargy , and stimulating them to a united action , for the attainment of that great object , namely , the Charter . During this time I have closely watched the leading men , and am able to form some little idea of their designs and intentions , so far as regards tbe carrying oat the principles of the Charter . At the formation of tbe Christian Chartist church , theae men were quite aloof from the
Charter Association , because , as they end , of its illegality ; and ever since the plan has been remodelled , and mode legal , so squeamish were these nobleminded men respecting its legality , that they formed a committee , for the purpose of investigating the plan , and said , should that committee decide in favour of its legality , they should have no objection of immediately joining the Charter Association . Upon these grounds many of the people have been anxiously waiting to hear the result of the committee , so aa they might join the Association . This committee has been formed upwards of six weeks , and has written to Messrs . Colonel Thompson and Koebuck npon the subject Colonel Thompson has been in Birmingham since they wrote , and been in conversation with some of the committee .
Still the people have not bad any definite answer npon the subject , although several Inquiries have been made ; and hence we hare a complete division among the peeple of Birmingham . Messrs . White and Martin have waited upon tktm on their weekly meeting night , and endeavoured to impress npon them the great necessity of their joining the National Charter Association , but these men have been received with every other spirit than that of a Christian spirit , which they talk so much about Therefore , it la quite evident to every man , who Ib in possession of the smallest particle of common sense , that these men never will , nor never did intend to join that Association , for tbe very reason of the new move , which , in my opinion , if adopted , will cause a complete division among the working classes of tail country , and throw the Charter
completely in the back ground ; and It is with these impressions acting upon my mind , that I am induced to lift up my voice against them , and , as a working man , I do feel it a duty incumbent on me to make their actions and conduct known to the country . On Thursday evening , the 16 th instant , a lecture was delivered by Mr . O'Neil , on the science of phrenology , the churchwarden ta the choir ; he opened the meeting by saying that no person would be allowed to make any remarks at the close of the lecture , for they had come to a determination not to have their meetings disturbed by any man , or any body of men , and as they had placed him in the chair , he hoped they would stand by him and support him in the per ' forniance of his duty . Mr . Editor , this appears to me to be very like the proceedings of the Com Law clique .
Untitled Article
Is this the liberty of conscience ? Is this tha carrying out those precepts which their Divine Master laid down , Wherein he says '' Do anto others as you -would others do unto your " ' . It-this- the pure spirit of Christina charityr No ; it Is tyranny , and that of th * Vorsi sort ; it la jnst that sort of tyranny which Feargiu O'Connor , Esq ., speaks abont in hit letter of the . 3 rd inst ., Where he speaks of a Christian Chartist Church , whilst , though mild in its name , Jand tolerant and sycophantic in its infancy , would gain presumption m it gained strength , and increase in tyranny , as it increased in power ; it is a true spirit of vindictivenesa , which I have seen manifested , and if not eradicated ,
no good can ever be attained towards the forwarding of our object . Then let as , as working men , exert ourselves , and endeavour to mould the broken spirits of the people into one united feeling of love , and persevere onward , towards the attainment of oar great and noble object , the Charter ; for I , as an individual , am determined never to join any other plan till the National Chatter Association has completely failed . The » onward and we conquer , backward and we fall . Yours most respectfully , RlCHABD TOHV *» N . t Court , 4 House , Hurst-street , Birmingham . ¦ . ? — . ~—
Untitled Article
TO THE EDITOR OP THK NORTHERN STJtR . SIR , —As there appears in the Star of l » t Saturday , appended to your threat , that " should the sword be drawn you will throw away the scabbard , " a paragraph in which it is stated that you bad been informed by Mr . Pitkethly , that . Mr . Rogers had declared his signature bad been attached to what you call" the Lovett and and Collins Document , " without his knowledge or consent ; accompanied by Mr . Lovett , I waited or that gentleman this morning , and in ray presence Mr . liogers declared tbat such statement was untrue , and wrote and delivered to Mr . Lovett the following letter .
COPT . " SI , High-street , 10 th April , 1841 . " Mr . W . Lovett , . " Sir , —I am sorry to learn by your application ^ tbat it is supposed that you appended my name , to the ' Address to the Political and Social Reformers of the United Kingdom , ' without my consent . Such is certainly not the fact I promised you to slgu the document , and I fully approve of your having appended my name . " 1 am , Sir , yonrs very truly , " George Rogers . "
In another part of the same papsr , headed " Mr . Brown , Birmingham , " it is stated by . " Mr . Samuel Davis , " and others , that Mr . E . Brown ' s signature" mukt have been obtained by party statement , misrepresentation , " &c . < &c . I have to state , this also is untrue , as I have in my possession two documents in which he requests his name may bo adaed to the Address , and states his entire concurrence in the oijeata proposed . Tour insertion of this letter will be but an act of justice , and oblige Yours , Ac . Charles WESTiMiTos . IS , Park-side , Knightsbridge , April 19 th , mi . [ In reference to this letter , we can only say th . it we gave our authority for tbe statement in regard te > M * Rogers ; tbat authority was Mr . Pitkethly , who cm probably set the whole matter right . With regard to Mr . Brown , we do not think the inferences of the Committee , as to the means by which he wa . s induced to sign , have been at all attempted to be met by the statements in this letter . —Ed . }
Untitled Article
MR . LOVETT AND THE MEMORIALS ' . TO THE EDITOR OP THE KORTHERN STAR . Sir , —Having seen in the Star of yesterday some expressions of regret that I did sot sooner ] iial ; y known my intentions respecting the presentation of . Memorials to the Queen for Messrs . Frost , Williams , ami J . ins , I beg you will d » me the justice te insert tlie following letter , which I forwarded in reply to Mr . T . P . Green , of Birmingham , on the 22 d of February , and which ought to have been sent you when it was stated that I had refused to present tbe Memorials . I am , your obedient servant . April 3 rd , 18 * 1 . Wm . Lovett . To Mr . T . P . Green , C « rre $ ponding Secretary to the Sirmingham Commillee , / or Messrs . Front , WiilUmi , und Jones .
DEAB SIR , —I received your letter of the 2 lst , In which you wish to know whether I am prepared to act in presenting Memorials to tlio Queen , according to the plan laid down in the Northern Star . In aDs-vtr to which , I beg to state . that I have never seen the plan referred to ; but from enquiries I have made . 1 understand that it is contemplated to present these Memorials in a court dress . If such Is the case , I beg to « tate tbat I cannot consent to be a potty to such farcical proceedings ; for , with every disposition to assist in restoring John Frost and his unfortunate colleagues to their families and friends , I will not wrong their feeling * in their absence by memorializing fur them in drtssea so ridiculous as bag-wigB , swords , cocked-bats ^ and comedians" embroidered coats . My notions on this
subject are not new to you , neither are they now set forth for th « tirst time as an excuse from presenting the Memorials to the Queen , for if she will consent to receive them from persons In plain dresws . I will most willingly assist in their presentation . But considering that a departure from principle is involved in yielding to such a ridiculous ceremony , I cannot do bo ; fur it ia presumed that none but courtiers can approach her Majesty In dresses so expensive ; therefore I wiil not assume the garb of a courtier to obtain as a boon , t ) mt which every citizen ought to obtain as a rfj / i ( , namely , to approach her Majesty on all reasonable occasions
when grievances are to- be told or wrongs redressed . This right , I am satisfied , we shall never obtain by a departure from principle , in complying with a barbarous and foolish custom ; and little is to be expected from memorialising the Queen , of England till she has the wisdom to set aside such absurd wages and become more acceptable to her people . Indeed the Queen of Christian England might , in this particular , learn a profitable lesson from a Turk , when she learns that tbe Sultan will readily take a petition from the meanest subject be may meet with in bis wnlka . Hoping you will excuse me from , a ceremony so repugnant to my feelings , I remain , your fellow cit ' een , Wm . Lovett . 183 , Tottenham Court Road , Feb . 22 d , lUi .
Untitled Article
TO DANIEL O'CONNELL , ESQ ., M . P . Sib , —Having seen , a speech of jours , spouted to a set ef your hungry , gaping , place-hunting crew , la the Corn Exchange of Dublin , on Monday , April 5 , 1841 , in which speech yon charge an English Chartist with corresponding with parties in Dungarvau , with a view to act treacherously towards them ; I Ihetefeie take this opportunity of informing you tbat I am the person to whom you alluded . Now , Dan , I am not an English Chartist , I am an Irish Chartist , and one who is proud of the appellation ; and one too , who has , for a length of time , watched your every move ; ami , after viewing your conduct in the most favourable light , I am compelled , for truth ' s sake , to pronounce yon a " miscreant of the deepest dye ; " tor did you not , for the sake of political power , sell tbe lost
remnant of Irish liberty , tbe 40 s . franchise , and thereby send adrift on tbe world 300 , 000 families to famish and starve ? Did you not , " Demon like , " betray the Dorchester Labourers , by declaring to the world tbat they were illegally convicted , and then go to tbe House of Commons and there justify the same conviction f Did you not , for £ 1000 , sell 35 , 000 factory infants , by voting against them , and thereby , in your own words , committing " cold-blooded murder ? " And did you not sit silently by and see the Canadian patriots butchered by -wholesale ? Did you not oppose a mitigation of the sentence of the " Glasgow Cotton Spinners ? " Did you not also advise Russell and Co . to withdraw the troops from Ireland , to pat down liberty in England , and , at the same time to- raise a police force in their staid .
thereby committing an act of two-fold " villany 1 " And have you not set the blood-bounds of the law on the Chartists of England , for doing less than those with whom you now associate , but whom you once designated , and truly too , as base , bloody , and brutal t And have you not boasted that it was ft set of " Irish boys , " with on " Irish Serjeant O'Daley" at their head , who defeated the patriotic Frost , and his unhappy " companions , whu , had you been honest , you might have saved ? And have you not represented t » the people of Ireland , my noble and warm-hearted countryman , Feargus O'Connor , as being a traitor to bis cou » t * ff" - ~ But would to heaven you were Ilka bind Had yon but one spark of that warm-hearted devotion to your
country ' s cause , or one single feeling in unison with his , you would not be as . you now are , despised by all honest men ; whilst he , though locked np is a dungeon , there are millions whose hearts pant to show their devotion' to a man whose name will be lisped with feelings of veneration and honour , when yours shall be justly execrated as the foul betrayer of a " nation's confidence ; " and as to me , to whom you have dared to attribute traitorous intentions , I beg leave to say , that my motives in writing to Hangar van wm to give your dopes in that town an opportunity of judging for themselves as to the feeling entertained towards them fcy the English Chartists , and also that they might notice— . . ¦ ¦ ¦'
" Stern oppression's iron gripe , And mad ambition ' s gory hand , Sending , like blood-hounds , from tlie slip , Woe , want , and murder through the land . " I will now , Sir , take my leave for the present , by assuring you that" Your name shall live ; Amidst the traitors ' not a few , ' Who have sprung from Hib ^ rnia ' S land , There are none so base as you . " I have the honour to be , Thomas Clark ,
An Irish Roman Catholic Chartist , And Sab-Secretory to the National Charter Association of Great Britain . Temperance Yard , Hill Oate , April 19 , 1841 , Stoekport .
Grtfffnal Corregpomrtnt*.
grtfffnal Corregpomrtnt * .
Untitled Article
^^ === ___ THE NORTHERN STAR , 7
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), April 24, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct852/page/7/
-