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HORRID DESTITUTION.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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CUPAR , FIFESHIRE . ftlOBIOrS DEMONSTRATION IN HONOUR OP ^ FBASGFS O'CONNOR , AND IN FAVOUR OF THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . qd Monday l&st , the above patriotic and talented in-* TidBil visited this place , and received a right hearty ^ conif from tie lovers of equal rigbta , The morning -jg rath 8 r btxj and wet , which , we hare no doubt , j-a a » effect of keeping back numbers from a di » - jjoee who would otherwije have been present ; bat , -rt ^ ithrtsnding , we think this was one of the most « Bnatmsl 7 attended demonstrations in £ » tout of the Jjarfcr ever held in Fifediire . We think it surpassed the held in
^ jonbHS one December , 1838 , when Mr . jkthew vis elected representative to the Convention , 4 Tftko it -was estimated there were more than M tboaoBd persona present The procession started ^ pnj a » School-hill at eleTen o ' clock , and was wsed ** M'Xab-B inn by a ooacti and four boratt , ££ && , along with the procession , proceeded abont two jailailonj the Dundee road , where Mr . O'Conner and j £ t j . Duncan were met The procession then returned , jnd , after mating several fctunings in the town , halted it the east toll bar , where a hustings was erected in the jjjner of s field .
j it tbomas SCOT ! commenced the proceedings by ggaiostiiig Mr . John Duncan , the people ' s repreaentajjte for Flfeshire , to the chair . Mt Dcscais , on taking the chair , vu loudly app iindfd ; and , after fomViwg them for the honour confgxd on him , and cautioning them against being enjapped into any disturbance , introduced Hi . Li"w so > " , of Newburgh , who proposed the first jgohi&ku which was to the effect , that all the poverty fsi degradation which afflicted the indnstrioo * classes ofthis conn try , was the result of class legislation , and fjgi the only remedy was the Tn * yfa g the principles canty ™** in the Charter the law of the land , and that tig fo * nV « of the meeting were do © to Peargm O'Con-» r , for bia able advocacy of these principle * Tha waa seconded by Mr . Lumsdb * , of Baintown , iq 3 carried unanimously .
Hr . w . MEiTiiLB , Markinch , proposed the next resolution , ¦ which was , that this meeting agree to petition Parliament in favour of the principles contained in the Garter . Hi . Scoti seconded the resolution , which , like the otfcr , w « s carried onanimoaaly . There bant , no other resolution , Mi . O'Coskor was introduced , amid tremendous ipplinaa When the cheering had subsided , he said he ineed with their worthy chairman when he said that if p lain John had buried Chartism , it must now have fc » d » glorious resurrection . Mr . O'Connor spoke at am&der&ble length in a temperate and conciliatory manset , » ca alteddd to the rile calnmnian and
nuarepresen-Uaoos of the press , and , in particular , noticed a rasoBj &ad libellous attack upon him , which had appeared flat Buae week in the Fifahire Journal , calling him a » uwiea » demagogue . " " Better ( said Mr . O'Conbo-: be a lawle&a demagogue than » brainless p dagojw ; fox in the former case there was a hope d repentance , but in the latter there could be no prospect of any amendment" He denied , howeTer , iat he was a " lawless demagogue "—in proof of Yfcith , be bad sot been put in bonds for any fault of hi > own , but for publishing what was called the faults of other * . Mr . 0 Connor was listened to with the most prcfcnnd silence , except when it was broken by the toed applause which ever aad anon burst from the koembled thousands .
it the conclusion , three cheers were given for Mr . O'Connor , three for Mr . Duncan , and three for the Oarer , when the meeting dispersed . Among the crowd we observed a large number of tke niddle dasses— mostly all the lawyers , of which there bc sot a few in this place—aad a vast number of shopkeepers were present during tha whole time . Several of the higher classes were also present ; and we oterodHaitl&nd Maegffl Grichton , Esq ., of RankeQon , the celebrated non-intrusion advocate , standing is the middle of the dense mass during the whole
prosoirbe . li me evening a grand soiree was held in the Mason ' s HiE , which was crowded in every part by a most lapotaMe . assembly of " Lraw lads and bonnie Mr , W . Mkltille , Markinch , amid loud cheers , to called to preside , when , after thanking the meeting for the high honour conferred on him said , when he behdd raa a brilliant assembly as that before him , and nfeettd on the glorious display which they had all ttoidxy seen , it was a proof to him that the principles of Garuan were neither dead nor dormant , bnt that fijey tet 6 gradually forcing themselves upon the eonvietkm of every unprejudiced mind , and ,
notwithstanding au opposition , would be the principles which would yet rale the world . ( Cheers . ) That persecution had era failed to accomplish that which it was intended , he Bid the history of the world fully verified ; and the pro-CMmap ttia dsy were only another addition to the mnmenble instances already recorded . While the pmecoiors of Mr . O'Conner had been driven from cffi « amid the execrations of &s insulted and oppressed people , he was welcomed and applauded for his stern ad ^ compromising advocacy of righteous principles . tQssj . ) After a . few more remarks , the Chairman jmthfi first toast on the list , " The People , the source tfaHpoMcal power . " ( Cheers . ) Instrumental band— " Scots wha hae , " &c
Original song by Mr . Philp— " Briton ^ s now by Fearpi stand . " 3 > e Ce ^ ibmas said , the next toast which he had the boon propose was one which be need only mention to be received with acclamation , it was , " Feargus O'Conft > , Eso ., and may he live to see those principles kimph for which he has suffered . " ( Tremendous 6 eerig . ] iMfcrmaental band— "See tfee conquering hero comes . " Saog , — " Bold , brave , O'Connor , O . " Oa Mr . 0 "C 05 > OB rising , he was presented with * piEsa * aa well-written iHress , which was read by «¦ J- Seott , in tbe name of the Chartists of Cnpai . * t O'Connor spoke nearly an hour and a half in the » ae adminfele and convincing manner that he had ooae dnrfnj the day , and was rapturously applauded . " * Mxt tentiment was " The Charter , and may it » m bs as law of the land . " ( Cheers . ) l aSmmeutal band— " My l ove she ' s but a lassie
The sentiment was spoken to by Mr . Chas . Stcam , » 7 omg gentleman from St . Andrews , who made sr doqnent speech , which frequently elicited burst * ol ippkasa . *** CHAiEais said , the toast which he had now tte hongBr to propose was the health of no less a dis-? >«^ ed individual than their representative—not jm fa-bating ignoramus np the way —( laughter)—ro the real member of the people ' s choice—he meant ess friend Mi . Dnncan behind him . ( lluch applause . ) t ^ ranartal band— "Tpandwaurthem a . " * S ~ -The old country gentleman . " ^ Dr 5 CA 5 , on rising to return thanks , was loudly " * - * W- He spoke at great length in his usual ani-« & . « manner , and was listened to with marked
stten-Afier Mr . Dunesn had done speaking , Mr . O'Connor « s the room , apologising for his doing so that he had » wad three meetings on the morrow , namely , Kirk-• % , Leith , and EdinVurgh . tT ° ^ seBiimeat 8 ^ ere then given , namely , Tm Chartist Press , " spoken to by Mr . Sroart " The T ™* " « poken to by Mr . John Duncan . A number of ** p » and recitations were also given , and the interest ¦ a ffithuEasm kept up tiU nearly twelve o ' clock , «™« aiout fire hours . At the conclusion , three caeers J » e pren for Mr . O'Conner , three for the Charter , £ « «* Frost , WilllamB , and Jones , three forBronterre j ™ three for Mr . Dunean , and three for the Chair-^ wiwn the company made way to join in the merry
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I 0 CX ) KS 0 B ^ TJSIT TO DT ^ IFREES . I " Lo . ' be comes , he comes ! J Garlands for every wTinp" ; ' - Strike lyres and sound the drums , g Bring roses , pour ye wine . Swell , swell the Dorian flute I Through the blue triumphal sky ; f l * t the cythem ' s tone salute , As the patriot passes by ! " Safc was the motto of a placard announcing that liter . J 12161 *^ lion" would terminate his triumphant i « HhT ^ Scotland by a pnblic entry into Dumfries Ito 7 ¦ Alrangement 8 had been for some time r * s : on n order to insure Mr . O'Connor such a recep-« a as m ^ ^^^ ^ £ gteem ^ wMcfa be ^ beJd J « « i ^ narhsts here , and accordingly on the eventful Jjae men of the trades , and numbers from the other ^ assembled en the dock , and after being marr ^ amto . order , proceeded up the sands , across the W » S v ^^ "" Wixgo" road , there to receive » JrT ^ cam pion of the Charter , who was expected iZr £ r tllree ° eloe : k by the Glasgow coach . About *?*««* past Portland-place the procession halted , KL eKa " " ^ ankop and M'Dawall , in an open « arlaS , fcmr > " ie dkpaiehed for the purpose of ¦ Jr « n » Mr . O * Connor . The coach soon met them , waea ae earrage took its place in the procession , Rtnft . Qt P 601 * 16 were &t leB « tfl fiatined by a ¦ g ot tun of whom they had heard so much , a ¦ f *™? S shout of gratolation evinced the warmth ¦ ^ a * w ^ eotte . When this had somewhat KvZT ^ 8 a *• Procession moved on with flags aad ¦ £ «» . in » number namberleas , - the spirit-stiaing aKii ? . ^ cal instruments intervening with the ¦ J ""» rf the multitude . The procession passed ¦ CSL *» xweUtown , and the principal streeU of ¦ £ " *«• It presented a spectacle such u was never I ^ o marshals , on horseback , wiui green sashes , and other ornaments . B Baod . | u ^ V Wariing Men's Association , ¦ m ° o « side the six points ; and on the otter an m . emblematical figure of Liberty , carrying ¦ on a speaz the " Bonnet Rouge , " B with the British Lion H i eouchant at her * f « et ,
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follewed by a deputation of the society , three and three . Irish Flag , followed by Irish Chartists and others , three and three . Scottish Flag . Supporters , three and three . Banner" This is not the cause of faction or party , bat that of every lover of his ooontry . " Curriers , Skinners , and Tanners , with the flags of their respective trades . Ttftin ^ r" When Adam delved aad Eve span , Who was then the gentleman ?' Shoemakers , with Trade ' s Flags ; and in the body ef the trade , Banners—1 st Do net rich men oppress you and drag you before the judgment seat 7 Ye are many they are few .
2 nd . Turn the drones out of the hive . Tailors with nag and banners . 1 st He that will not work , neither shall he eat 2 nd . Taxation without representation is tyranny . Stocking makers with flag and banners . 1 st . In your own land ye crouch in dread , Craving but leave to toil f » r bread ; Rise ! wrestle for your rights instead . 2 nd . Methinks I hear a little bird that sings , The people by and fey will be the stronger . Millar Lewis , a juvenile Chartist en a brown palfrey , ¦ with an address to Mr . O Connor , beautifully ornamented with bay leaves and holly . Hammermen with nag . Kings , would ye chain The rack and the rain ; Would ye fetter the lightning and hurricane ? They are free—And so shall we be . In an elegant open carriage drawn by four greys with postillions ,
O'CONNOR , With Wardrop and M'Douall on each side . Leckerbie band . Country deputations , three and . three . Squaremen with flags . Motto— " Uilon shall make ns free . " Hand-loom Weaver ' s Flag . And also a large Green Flag , on which were inscribed the names of illustrious patriots of former days , to which the figure of an angel appeared pointing , as if to animate the spectators to emulate their deeds . Below the " cloud of witnesses" was the verse ^— " Behold what witnesses unseen Encompass ns around . ' Men once like us , by sufferings tried , But now with glory crowned . "
In this order the procession passed through Maxwelltown and the principal streets of Dumfries ; it denied across the New Bridge into Dumfries , down Bridge-street , up ' Friars ' -vennel , passed through Highstreet , into English-street , by Queen-street into Shakespear-street , and again into High-street , where it drew up at the Commercial Inn . Here Mr . Wardrop addressed a few words to tbe assmbly , and announced thai Mr . O'Connor would be present at the soiree in the evening , when be would have an opportunity of addressing thara . THE SOIREE . Previous to six o ' clock , the doors of the Relief Church were besieged by an eager concourse of people , all anxious to secure seats ; and on the appearance of Mr . O ' Connor , at seven o ' clock , he was received with immense cheering .
Mr . John Bell was ealled to the chair and at his request the Rev . Mr . Carson said grace ; and the company proceeded to the discussion of the good things so plentifully provided for them by the stewards . The CHaieman opened the proceedings in a neat speech , in which he sketched the lowly origin of Chartism—its progress in Dumfries , comparing the early meetings of the Mends of freedom , consisting of thirteen or fourteen individuals , with the glorious display which that evening presented ; and augured from this the certainty of ultimate triumph to the principles they had espoused . He sat down amid loud cheers , and ealled upon Mr . Wardrop , who made a few remarks ; but he said that he would not then occupy much of their time , as he intended to tpe&k at greater length when tie evening was more advanced . Song— " Hurrah for the Charter , "—Mr . Adam Paterson .
Mr . W . M'Dowall was then called upon , and was received with applause . He stated that he was entrusted with a document for presentatien to Mr . O'Connor , namely , —an address of the Chartists of Dumfries and Maxwelltown , on the occasion of his visit ; previous , to which he would say , that it gave him pleasure to see the inhabitants of this town coming forward in such numbers and in sueh enthusiasm on this occasion ; it was a proof and a pledge to him that the deeds of their illustrious guest had not been overlooked or forgotten by them . It was a proof and a pledge of something mere important still—that of love and regard for the great principles which had impelled him forward in bis career of agitation . There was , in the first place , esteem manifested to the man ; in the
second place , adherence and attachment to the measures which he had advanced ; and these feelings seemed so inseparaby connected , that in speaking of the one he could scarcely fail speaking of the other also . When the cry of the factory children arose wild and clamorous , appealing to heaven and to man against the unnatural toil to which the votaries of mammon had doomed them—when this cry arose and came unheeded on the ears of the marble-minded masters—when the Parliament of Britain shut out their prayer—when there was none to plead their cause in the gate , three individuals stood forward , and , in spite of the frowns of the powerful , and Bpurning the proffered bribe of those whose interests were endangered , testified loudly and long against the atrocity of the
system . These men were Stephens , Oastler , and Feargus O'Connor . And when the numberless privations to which the people were exposed bad conspired to make them investigate their cause—when their burdens became so heavy that they could no longer be borne patiently—wben the iron of oppression had entered within , and touched as with electricity their long benumbed energies , and they aroBe as one man with the demand , what shall we do to be saved ? How shall we elevate our social position ? By what means shall we stem the tide of desolation , whose waters have so long covered us ? How shall we erect a bnlwark which shall shelter us , and repel the encroachments of
power?—when the people were in this dilemma , conscious of their grievances , bat comparatively ignorant of their cause , helpless in their misery , and hopeless of a cure , who so forward to announce the tidings of deliverance as Mr . O'Connor ? He , with his other brave compatriots , went from place to place , unfolding the cause of the national grievance , and propounding the cure , the only effectual cure—Universal Suffrage . From henceforth making this his rallying cry , and saying to the hosts of enemies who leagued for his destruction , because it was like the death-knell to that system of class-legislation and party privilege on which they prospered—saying to
these" Come one ! come all ! this rock shall fly From its firm base as soon as I . " To the principles thus promulgated , he ithe speaker ) looked as the only guarantee for the happiness ef the country . Alake the Government irresponsible as in Russia , and you subject the people to the iron yoke of an unmitigated despotism . Continue the Government responsible to a class only as in Britain , and the interests of that class will be consulted , and the welfare of the community sacrificed at the shrine of their selfishness . What the Chartists wanted was a responsible
Government Reiponsible to the Cabinet ? No ! Responsible t « the aristocracy ? No . ' Responsible to the middle chases ? No . Responsible to the ten pound householders , or rather to the ten pounds' worth of bricks and mertar which they possessed ? Responsible to them or these ? No J But a Government representing and responsible to all who pay for its support , who are liable to fight its battles , who bear its burdens , and who are affected for good or evil by the tendency of its enactments . Mr . M'D . then read an address which bad been prepared for presentation to Mr . O'Connor .
Mr . O'Cok . nob , who had remained standing while the address was being read , then , amid the acclamations of the meeting , began by expressing his high sense of the eosfidence reposed in him by the men of Scotland , adding that the reception he had met with in Dumfries was more th » " a reward for the privations of a five years ' struggle for freedom , prosecuted under the scorching sun of summer and through winter ' s chilling blast He had nurtured his bantling until it had grown a giant , powerful to destroy all evil and to support all good . The principles which he advocated could alone save the country ; and the higher classes , in supporting exclusive legislation , were nourishing a viper which would in the end destroy them . A base press had heralded his approach . He was charged with inculcating
principles subversive of social order—he had been misrepresented until men came to see him , wondering whether he were man or devil ; but he struggled for liberty tempered with reason and discretion , not to promote rapine and licentiousness . He bad long watched the progress of Reform ; and , before the Charter was even heard of , he h » d t » frfcrt the entire of his native county of Cork from the Tories—a county which returned eight members to the Imperial Parliament—without expending a single shilling , although opposed by a powerful and a wealthy aristocracy . The principles upon which that struggle was conducted were Universal Suffrage , Annua Parliaments , Tote by Ballot , the Abolition of the Property Qualification , the Redistribution of the Electoral Districts , Payment of Members , Repeal of ( he Union , Exclusion of the Bishops from the House of
Lords , the Total Abolition of Tithes , and the Election of the Magistracy by the People . Wten he established the Northern Political Union , he was assailed on all hands with , " Dont disunite the working classes from the Whigs ; " but who , he would ask , broke faith first ? The Whigs , who had violated every pledge which they had given to the people . During the nine years . they were in office they had passed a Coercion Bill for Ireland , the Poor Law Amendment Act , and introduced a Rural Police Into Britain . When , bowever , the party was buried in the grave which the undertaker , Plain John Campell , of Cupar , said he had dug for Chartism , the cry was raised of free trade , cheap bread , and plenty to do . So lo ^ as the Whigs were in office , they held that the distress of the country mi local ; bat bo sooner were they oat than they dis-
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covered that it was national . The Tories , who had succeeded them , bow that they were In office , also attributed the distress of . the country to local esnses . The object of bis mission was to arouse the energies of the people for a last assault upon both factions , not for the purpose of spoliation , bat for the attainment ef equality under the law . The dheiples of Malthas , while allowing the existence of wide-spread destitution , attributed it to the increase of the population beyond the means of snpp « rt He ( Mr . O'C . ) denied that God never sent the month without the meat These infidels told the people not to look , tike the grovelling ox , to the earth for support , but to stand erect like philosophers , and look abroad to Dantzic , and Poland , and America , for food . They had cheap food
and high wages in America ; but there they had also Universal Suffrage . In Britain , under the existing system , the landlords let their farms in large allotments , although they lost thereby £ 20 , 000 , 000 a year in rental . But the extent of the farm increased the dependence of the cultivator : the landlords could thus more readily command tbe votes of their tenants and having the controBl of tbe Legislature , they divided among them more than £ 120 , 000 , 000 a year , in pensions , sinecures , and commissions for their relatives . Let the people obtain Universal Suffrage ; and the landowner would be induced to bring his property into the retail market The land would then not only be better cultivated ; but the necessity for emigration would be done with . When the improvements in
machinery had enabled the manufacturers , in a great measure , to dispense with manual labjur , the people were told to emigrate . But , although they had got the means of manufacturing , they had got none of consuming ; and the shopkeepers were beginning to find that out He , too , was a friend to emigration ; but he - ma * for removing the useless population first Let them freight a vessel of state paupers and paTBons , with a crew of bishops and Philpetta for a pilot ; and he would bid it God speed . Before the people were thrown on their own resources , justice demanded that others should be taken off these . He was also for a voluntary church ; and than , instead of the pastor selecting bis fljck , the flock would select their pastor . He bad been denounced as an advocate of physical force and a man of blood ; but he had never struck a man nor injured a dumb animal in his life , and be would rather wear his fetters all his life than one drop of human blood should be shed in the present struggle ; the
man who marshalled physical force destroyed it ; and be who would recommend it was a knave or a fool . When , inl 832 , Grey was shoved outof office , the moralforce Whigs set Bristol , Nottingham , and Newcastle in flames ; but , during the whole course of the Chartist agitation , with the solitary exception of the Monmouth affair , which was got up by Whig spies , not one life had been lost nor one pennyworth of property destroyed . Let the people , then , continue in a course of peaceful agitation ; their strength lay in their union ; their power was in their voices ; and they were to look for their success in their perseverance . For bis own part , he had embarked with the working classes in the same boat ; and he would sink with the crew rather than desert the ship . Mr . O'Connor then eat down amidst thunders of applause , reiterated burst * ef which greeted him dur ing the delivery of & brilliant and effective speech , occupying two hours in tbe delivery , and of which this is but a faint and imperfect outline .
Songs—The Rover ' s Bride—Mr . L . Ingram . The Fine Young German Gentleman—Mr . E . Haining . Mr . A . Ward bop again rose , and was received with strong marks of respect He was proud of the exhibition given this evening of tbe prevalence of Chartism . When he looked back four short years , and recollected with their respected chairman , when a few obscure individuals met in a secluded room , in a most secluded corner of the town , there to study the principles ef political freedom , and when he saw now that they were increased to such extent that they were able to beat both Whig and Tory on matters either of Church or State , and carry their Charter , he had reason to rejoice . What had made him a Chartist ? It was misgovernment ; and pood government could not be
obtained without the Charter . Wben ke saw that wealth and not labour was represented , —when he saw the wealth of the few gained at the expense of the poverty of the many , —and , above all , wben he saw that those who were rolling in luxury received the whining adoration of those who called themselves guardians of the poor , and followers of Him who was tbe patron of the poor , —wben he saw the one , working infants to death , regardless of their temporal welfare or their spiritual interests , and the other , clad in purple and fine linen , and faring sumptuously every day , heedless of the tears of children crying for bread , or the sob of the mother over her famished babes , — when he looked at this and called aloud for help , who answered the cry ? Was it the minister of the Gospel ,
who prays to God that there may be plenty for man and beast , and who kisses the sword that is bared to cut down the suffering people ? Who preach poverty is a passport to heaven , and takes a way strewed with roses for himself , —who preaches passive obedience for the people , and herds with their oppressors , —who calls the bloated occupants of the throne the servants of the Meat High , and the resistors of oppression the disturbers of vested right , —who , when the people ask for bread , gives them a stonechurch , and for education the prayer book . Was it from men acting in this manner that he was to look f » r help ? No , but to the people themselves . They were to persevere in their present course . Be not led away by any cry but the Charter . An united people could
carry anything . Some called for progressive reform , but bow can you get it , if tbe House of Commons wil not progress ? Ask yourselves if benevolence actuates the minister , justice the thief , morality the debauchee , and then look at the Commons for good legislation . It has been truly said that you could sooner move Gibraltar than their heart * . The philosopher laments tbe accumulated wrongs of his country , and sinks in despair ; or he may make an occasional attempt to remove one of the millstones from the neck of the people , such as the State Church , but he fails , because he is powerless in the Commons . Is be a friend to family equality , and the overthrow of the blessed entails ? How can be expect this when the men he appeals to reckon these as their best privileges . Does he sigh for free trade *—tbe men he solicits exist upon monopoly . And he will be baffled in all his attempts at reform till the people receive the suffrage ; and if he is eager for their
relief , let him lend his aid towards giving them that To tell a poor man—poor because be wants political power—that he is too Ignorant to be free , you add insult to injustice . Let brother cease to insult and persecute brother ! Let the political philanthropist unite with the people , and thus regenerate them . The battle of right against might cannot be fought without the people . Let all unite , therefore , to bring into operation the principle that taxation without representation is injustice , —that the represented and representative should annually renew their trust , —that the representative should be paid for bis labours , —that poverty should not circumscribe your choice of representatives—that electoral districts should be established , and that the ballot should protect the electors , and with them the visions cf the philanthropist will be realised , and the happiness of the people consummated . ( Mr . W . sat down amid thunders of applause . )
Song— "The Flowers o' the Forest /'—Mr . Thomas Watson . Mr . Donaldson , from Gatehouse , was then Introduced , and gave a varied and beautiful address , which was responded to with the utmost enthusiasm . We regret our want of room to give a speech replete with humour , good sense , and spirit Song— " M'Crimmon ' s Lament , "—Mr . Alexander . Mr . Lawson then proposed briefly a vote of thanks to the Rev . Mr . Blackwood , and the managers of tbe church , for the ready manner in which it had been granted for their accommodation ; and after three cheers for O'Connor and the Charter , three for Frost , Williams , and and Jones , three for the strangers , and three in acknowledgment of the excellent conduct of the Chairman , the O'Connor Festival terminated . [ We copy the following account of O'Connor ' s visit to Dumfries from tile Dv . rn . trUt Times : —
" After all their doubts and feara , the Chartists of the district have had their visit of the " uncaged lion , " and , unless he has much changed his manners , he is not half so wild or so dangerous as he has been called . Arrangements had been for some time going on , in order to insure Mr . O'Connor such a reception as might testify the esteem in which he was held by the Chartists here ; and , accordingly , on Friday last , the men of the trades , and numbers from other classes , assembled on the dock , and , after being marshalled into order , proceeded up the Sands , across the New Bridge , into the Glasgow road , there to receive the great Champion of the Charter , who was expected to arrive at three o ' clock , by the Glasgow coach . About a gun-shot past Portland-place , the procession halted , and Messrs . Wardrop and
M ' Dowall , in an open carriage and four , were dispatched for the purpose of taking in Mr . O'Connor . The coach soon met them ; and when tbe carriage took its place in the procession , and the erowd of people were at length gratified by a sight of him of whom they bad heard so much , a > deafening shout of gratalation evinced the warmth of their welcome . Whan this had somewhat subsided , again the procession moved on with flags and banners " in number numberless "—the spiritstirring tones of the musical instruments intervening with the plaudits of the multitude . The procession passed throngb Maxwelltown and the principal streets
of Dumfries : it defiled across the New Bridge , into Dumfries , down Bridge-street , up Friar ' s VenneL passed through High-street , into English-street , by Queen-street into Shakspeaws-street , and again into High-street , whereitdrewupatthe Commercial Inn . Hen Mr . Wardrop addressed » few words to the assembly , and announced that Mr . O'Connor would be present at the soiree in the evening , when he would have an opportunity of addressing them . Previous to six o ' clock , the doors of the Relief Church were besieged by an eager concourse ot people , all anxious to secure seats ; and on the appearance of Mr . O'Connor , at seven o ' clock , he waa received with immense cheering .
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D 4 LKBXTH . CHARTIST DEMONSTR&TION , PUBLI 0 MEET-1 NO , AND SOiREB , IN HONOUR OF FEABCFUB O'CONNOR , ESQ ., AND THE PRINCIPLES OP THE CHARTER . : Our demonstration in honour of the above noble champion of the rights of mankind cataeoff on Wednesday , November the 3 rd . ; and conBicforing this district being an agricultural one , and the great influence of the ToryDukeof Bacaleugh , ^ had a grand turn out . The good men and true mustered in great numbers from Usawade , MusselbuT ^ h , Pathead , crore Bridge , & 6 ., with bands ofmusio , and appropriate flags , banners , &c Great fears were entertained at one time for the . weather . owintr to its
being unsettled . Many were the prayers of Whig and Tory , that the day might be wet ; however , we had a fine day . The sun beamed out as if to smile upon the exertions of the -thousands , determined to be free . The Demonstratiou Committee having chosen Mr . William Danielle , of Lasswade , and Mr . Taylor , of Dalkeith , as a deputation to conduct Mr . O'Connor to Dalkeith , those persons started early by raUway to Edinburgh , and found Mr . O'Connor at the Black Bull Hotel . After a little trouble they succeeded in hiring an elegant coach with four grey horses to conduct him to the enthusiastic thousands , who were waiting with open arms to receive him . Besides the deputation , Mr . O'Connor was accompanied by Mr . Robert Lowery and Mr . A ; Duncan . In passing through the streets of Edinburgh , the coach attracted universal attention : all stopped to look at the man of the people ' s choice . On arriving within about a mile of Dalkeith , the carriage was
met by the procession , headed by the Dalkeith band , in military uniform . The carriage here stopped , while the procession passed round it ; Mr . O'Connor standing uncovered ., He was hailed witn loud acclamations . On reaching the town the streets were thronged with people , all eager to catch a glimpse of him who had done and suffered so much for the cause of freedom . In front Of the carriage was borne a triumphal arch , composed of evergreens , &c . with " O'Connor" worked in the centre with flowers . This clever piece of workmanship met with universal admiration . The procession then passed through the principal streets , Mr . O'Connor Btandine in the carriage , and bowing gracefully to all . The windows were crowded , to witness the way the people act towards him they delight to honour . After parading the town , and passing the Duke of Buocleugh ' s gate , the procession returned to the marketplace , where a hustings had been erected , to hold a
PUBLIC MEETING . On Mr . O'Connor appearing on the hustings he waa greeted with cheers loud and long . Mr . Wm . Daniells , then came forward and said , — Men and Women of Mid-Lothian , I most heartily congratulate you upon the noble manner in which you have conducted yourselves 1 this day , which I am sure must be gall and wormwood to the enemies of the Charter and Feargus O'Connor ; as it is always our wish to condact our proceedings in a legal and orderly manner , I beg leave to , propose that our friend , Mr . Wm . Taylor ,
do take the chair , ( Cheers . ) The Chairman then informed the meeting ot the objects for which it was called—to again petition the House of Commons to enact the People ' s Charter , and to congratulate Feargus O'Connor , Esq . on bis release from the fangs of his and our oppressors ; he exhorted them to hear the different speakers with attention , and to conduct themselves so as to put to the blush those who say that Chartists were ignorant , and disorderly . He then called upon Mr . James M'Pherson to move the Erst resolution .
Mr . M'Pherson , in a very neat speech , moved the following resolution : — " That this meeting again petition the mis-called House of Commons to pass , without delay , the Act entitled the People ' s Charter , and that we pledge ourselves to devote all our energies to cause that measure to become the law of the land . " Mr . D . Potter , in a short but pithy speech , seconded the resolution . Mr . A . Duncan then came forward to support the resolution , which he did in his usual eloquent style , and was loudly applauded . The Chairman then called for a show of hands for the resolution , when thousands of hands were held up . He then called for a show against it ; not one was held up ; consequently it was declared carried amid loud cheers . Mr . W . Daniells proposed the following resolution , in a short speech : —
" That this meeting congratulate Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., on bis release from prison , and cordially welcome him to Dalkeith , and that we will stand by , and repose every confidence in him , so long as he advocates the People ' s Charter , aud the rights of the suffering millions . " Mr . Samuel Kidd , seconded the resolution , and like the last , was carried nem . dis . Mr . O'Connor now came forward , and was met with most tremendous cheering . As soon as silence could be obtained , he said , —My friends , I do not se much thank you for the last resolution , reposing confidence in me , as I do for passing the first , pledging yourselves to petition for the People ' s Charter , — ( cheers , )—inasmuch as the one is of far more vital
importance than the other . He ever had , and ever would do his duty ; he was not to be , deterred from advocating the people ' s rights by persecution or prosecution , and so long as the people stood with him , so long would he stand by them . ( Loud cheers . ) He then went into the question of the Corn Laws , and proved , that although these laws were most unjust and wicked ; yet their repeal ( alone ) would not benefit the working man . ( Hear . ) That the object of the Corn Law repealers was to get cheap bread for the people , in order to give them an opportunity to lower the wages of their workmen , or , as they were pleased to call it , to enable them to compete with foreign manufacturers—( cheers)—but it should be borne in mind , that those countries were not taxed to half the amount , as the
people of this country were . ( Hear , near . ) He then went into the question of machinery , showed bow it was superseding manual labour , and glutting the markets with goods , thereby lowering both prices and wages ; he then went into a lengthened argument on the necessity of placing tbe unemployed on the waste land ; showed the good it would effect ; but let no one think that he wished to take the land from its present possessors . ( Hear . ) No , he would allow a just rent to be paid for every acre . ; ( Cheers . ) He contended that if we had a just Government that they would immediately set about placing the people on the land at home , instead of sending them to the colonies . ( Loud cheers . ) He said the working men were tbe shopkeepers' best friends , and invited them over to our ranks . The
middle classes were at length beginning to be convinced of the necessity of joining the people for an empty till on a Saturday night , made a ugly wife on a Sunday morning . ( Great laughter . ) He then stated that the only effectual remedy for the present distress was the Charter—he would stand by the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less than the Charter . Onward , and we conquer , backward and we fall . HIa motto yet was , and ever should be Universal Suffrage , no surrender t Mr . O'Connor retired amid loud and enthusiastic cheering . After a vote of thanks to the Chairman , three cheers for O'Connor , three for the Charter , and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , this immense meeting separated in the most orderly manner , convinced by the truths they had heard .
The Caledonian Hunt wera dining together this day at an inn close . to the place of meeting , and many of them attended to hear the proceedings . The Earl of Dalhousie was observed to be present during the time Mr . O'Connor was speaking , as well as a number of gentlemen on horseback . There were also present most of the shopkeepers and middle classes of the town , who are so convinced ot the justness of our claims , that they can hardly believe that Mr . O'Coanor is the same person wham the Whig and Tory papers so much misrepresent Their eyes are beginning to open ; so Hurrah 1 for the good old cause Of equal rights and equal laws !
THE SOIREE . The S » iree took place at night , in the Freemason ' s Hall , and in a shctt time after the doors were opened tbe spacious Hall was nearly filled . On Mr . O'Connor entering , accompanied by Mr . Lowery , Mr . A . Duncan , and other friends , the company xose and cheered them in the most rapturous manner , tbe women waving their handkerchiefs , and the men their hats , the band ( which was stationed in the gallery ) at the same time playing , See the Conquering Hero comes . Mr . Taylor took the chair , and called upon Mr . A . Duncan to ask a blessing . After partaking of a substantial tea , ice ., thanks were returned by Mr . D . Potter . The cups and saucers being removed , The Chairman rose to propose the first sentiment , which was
The people , the source of all national power , which he did in a few choice remarks , and then called upon Mr . Robert Lowery to respond to the same . Mr . LOWER ? on rising was much cheered . He appeared to be labouring under a severe cold ; notwithstanding he spake for about an hour in a most eloquent and convincing manner . He complimented the company on their respectable appearance , and said , " Was it possible that people such as he saw before him , so decently attired , and with such intelligent looks , that they could cut one another ' s throats , as bad been imputed by their enemies ? " ( Loud cries of no , no . ) He then went into an interesting argument on the question of "Who are the people ? " He gave great satisfaction , and sat down loudly cheered , Tune , by the band—Scots wha hae . Song—Rule Britannia , by Mr . Campbell . The second sentiment
was—The People ' s Charter , may it soon become the kw of the land . Mr . A . Duncan spoke to tbe same , and proved that all parties had their Charter , bnt the poor party . Why should not the working man have his Charter as well as the rich , when he contributed so much by his labour , to make other parties comfortable , while he was miserably psor ? Because he was not represented , while the other parties-were , so they had managed to get their Charters , while the poor wanted theirs . He entreated them all to unite in one faoly bend of brother
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hood , and'demand their rights , and neither Whig or Tory Governments , could long refuse to grant them . He m » d 9 a feeling appeal to the ladies to come over ana help us , and thus persuade their husbands , brothers , and levers to join . tbe glorious movement for freedom . ; He would say the same to them as he would to his own wife . ' But he Would maintain , that the woman whose husband ws » not a member of a Charter Association , that she had not a man for her . husband , bmt a bublijock ! ( an old Scottish word for a turkey . ) This remark was received with' loud cheers' and laughter . Tune by the instrumental band—MarsaiDe * hymn . Song—Hurrah for the Charter , Mr . Urquhart The Chairman then called upon Mr . James M'Pherson , to come forward to present an address to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., written in blank verse , by Mr . Wnu Millar , the poet laureate of the Dalkeith Charter Association . ' - ¦ " ' ¦¦'¦ :
Mr . O'Connor wot standing daring the reading of the address , after which , he came forward to address the meeting and was received with deafening eheera . He spoke for about two hourg ; in a most animated and talented manner—It would be impossible to follow him through hta able statesmanlike speech . He ran through a . history of the Corn Laws , the monetary system , the Courts of Law , the Church , and the effects of machinery , and proved to the satisfaction of his audience , that nothing could remedy these evila , and the numerous ills of the social compact , bnt the People ' s Charter . He exhorted them to unite , and thereby to concentrate their powers , and let the Charter , and the Charter only , be the object which they contended for . He said machinery had over-stocked the markets , had
superseded manual labour , had reduced , and ( unless the working man was represented ) would still reduce wages , and now the Corn Law Repealers turned upon them , and fold them the Corn Laws had done this . No doubt these laws were wrong , bub their conduct in laying all fault on the Corn Laws reminded him of an Irish anecdote ,, which , as they were in such good humour , tie would tell them . ( Hear , hear . ) "Mrs . Brady wan an Irish widow , and she sat all day in the chimney earner knitting her stockings ] and smoking her short cuddy pipe . Now Mrs . Brady always made it a rule to purchase a farthing candle from November to March , so when she goes for her farthing candle in November ( the War had broke out during the time she had bought the last ) the shopman told her it was a
halfpennny . ' A halfpenny' says she , ' what ' s the cause of that ¦?¦ ' ' 0 / says be , ' it's tbe war ! ' the war , ' says Mrs . Brady , says she , ' bad luck to the scoundrels , have they not time enough to fight by daylight , that they want to fight bylcandlelight . '" ( Roars of laughter . ) This was the fifty-eigthpublic meeting he had addressed since he came to Scotland . ( Hear , hear . ) To-morrow he should meet Brewater at Glasgow , on the next day he should go to meet the men of Dumfries . During the day a delegate had arrived from Dumfries in Dalkeith , and after a good deal of persuasion , induced Mr . O'Connor to visit that town . He sat down amid loud and general applause ; indeed the cheering throughout his address was unbounded . Tune by the band—The Shamrock so Green . Soag- —Exile of Erin , —Mr . George Thomson .
Mr . O'Connor again rose , and said he wished to draw their attention to their brethren in London , the stone masons , who had struck at the new Houses of Parliament , to withstand a low , mean tyrant . ( Hear . ) He considered it the duty of one trade to ' support another under such circumstances , and he trusted they would assist the stone masons during their struggle ( Cheers . ) This , we doubt not , will be well responded to . Mr . O'Connor here left the meeting , along with Messrs . Duncan and Lowery , and shortly after left Dalkeith in the carriage together , for Edinburgh . On leaving the Hall , they were loudly cheered—the band playing "All the blue bonnets o ' er the border . " The next sentiment was—Frost , Williams , and Jones ; may they soon be restored to their native land . Responded to by Mr . Kidd , in an energetic speech . Mr . Macpherson then recited the
Fall of Poland . Air by the band—Draw the sword , Scotland . Several other songs were given ; thanks were voted to the chairman ; three cheers for the Charter ; three for O'Connor ; and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , when the delighted company broke up about twelve o ' clock , having been gratified in the Hall for about six hours . Thus has ended our demonstration , and its effects are , our enemies are silenced , the indifferent and apathetic are roused , and are now rushing to join the Association—no less than twelve joined on Saturday night , and as many are expected to join this night . Godjspeed the Charter !
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of Robert Lowery , in Dublin , with ihat . of some of our Irish friend ? who came to visit us , and said that Mr . Lowery might ba termed the CbArfisiTrcfiii * - sor Association of Ireland . We had now our 700 members in Dublin , and other ten Associations through the country . Mr . O'Connor was almost glad that the people had not got the suffrage in 1833 the increase of political knowledge , which received a great impetus at that time , havinj ? been so marked and beneficial . Mr . O'Connor said that he was a friend to emigration , but that he would only take one out of every parish , and that the people would feel the benefit of that system ; he would only take a state parson from every parish , and that would be the beneficial method of Durrinc
the country of the useless portion of the commuflity . In conclusion , he called upon his countrymen to stretch out the hand of fellowship to ^ e £ cotch , and to remember-that though Ireland was their country , the world was their republic ; and he asked what man amongst the Irish did not wish to render the green land of his birth a home meet for a premier , and a grave worthy of his ashes / The talented patriot then- sat down amidst thunders of applause , which lasted a considerable time . ' Mr . Anderson then gave our distinguished representatives , Col . Perronet Thompson and Mr . Robert Lowery . Mr . Lowest replied in a speech replete with beautiful sentiments and lofty language in every way worthy of himself .
The next , the "Speedy return of Froat , Williams , and Jones , was given from the chair . Mr . Abb am Dcncan , inapathethie and forcible address , responded . The' •* memory of Muir , Palmer , Margoret , Gerald , and-Skirving , " was the next sentiment . Here an old venerable gentleman , one of the 1793 patriots , came to the front of the platform , and was hailed with rapturous applause . Mr . Sankey replied in his name to the sentiment , and said , that though the snows of age had fallen , he might say , on the brows ef his venerable friend , Mr . Aickman , yet was his heart as warm in the cause of liberty as when the fire of youth and love of justice prompted him to associate himself with such men as the glorious Muir ; he had known Thos . Muir , and if he was guilty of any crime in seeking
freedom , his friend , Mr . Aickman , claimed to share , and gloried in the participation thereof . After Mr . Sankey sat down , the plaudits of the meeting were long and loud , and they were increased when they beheld the aged head , with locks as white as snow , applauding warmly the sentiments that had been uttered in his name . The Chairman next gave the Northern Star , and democratic press . Mr . Abbam Duncan replied with pithy and pointed remarks , highly eulogising the leading Chartist organ , impressing upon the people the necessity of supporting the organs through which their principles and opinions passed untainted to the world : and also eulogised the Scottish Patriot , and wished God speed to every engine they possessed of combatting tyranny . Cheering and clapping of hands followed his noble appeal in behalf of the people ' s
press . Mr . Blackie then came forward and addressed the meeting . He alluded also to the absence of our our good and true Chartist brother , Mr . H . Ranken and Mr . John Watson . He thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had attended the meeting , and waa proud to say that , instead of selling the number of tickets is 8 ued , he could have sold double the number . He also thanked the gentlemen who had contributed to the intellectual feast . Mr . Innes proposed a vote of thanks to Messrs . M'AIpine and Slatie for their vocal entertainment . Three cheers were then given for the Chairman ; three for Feargus O'Connor ; three for O'Brien , and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , when the assembly broke up highly delighted with the evening ' s entertainment ; aud as peaceably as could be expected of men who valued their principles .
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CRUEL AND HEART-RENDING WORKING OF TBE IN-, HUMAN POOR LAW . Sir , —In allowing the following distressing account to appear in your columns , you will be doing a shadow of justice to suffering humanity . Yesterday evening , after a lecture I delivered in Brick-lane , Spitalfields , a person requested the audience to make a subscription to give relief to a family in the last stage of starvation , consisting of a man , his wife , and seven children . The meeting did so , and I was deputed to take the sum collected , viz : seven shillings and eightpenee , and inquire into the case . X obeyed their request , and several other persons accompanied me . Our guide took us to a wretched looking house situated in a filthy court . We ascended the stinking staircase ; in a nauseous garret , we found the unfortunate victims of class legislation , unjust laws , &c
Thename and residence of the wretched man isHenry Potts , No . 17 , Vine-court , Spitalfields ; and be it remembered , this is only an isolated case , out of numbers in this district Round the fire-place I saw huddled the ghastly spectres ef the mother and her seven children , nearly in a state of nudity . I was struck with horror . My feelings were overpowered and tear * stole down my cheeks . I glanced round at my companions and found I was not alone in Borrow at the aifihtot this wretched family . I asked the woman if her husband was at home , but she told me he was gone to his brother's . I asked if she had no relief from the parish ? The answer was no—they had refused all out-door relief for some time , and that the family must come into the workhouse . She said she could not bear
the thoughts of being parted from her children , and chose rather to die with them from destitution and starvation . The children vary in age from nine months to thirteen years . The man is aweaver . It appears he is paat 'work from exhaustion ; there was seme Kind of work in a loom which he had got the end of last week , it will take him , with the assistance of bis family , three weeks to finish , and then he would earn tea shillings . The family cannot live on air for that time ; and what is the money when they get it ? little more than one shilling per head . All the furniture the room contained was a stool , a broken table , a kind of bedstead , no bedding of any description , a dirty rotten rug , part of a broken dish , and a jug—no other domestic articles of any kind whatever .
I cannot dwell longer on this paralyzing scene of horror . If any of your readers doubt my statement , I ask them to be their own witness . Si * , I would ask , through yout journal , bia Grace the Duke of Wellington , Sir Robert Peel , and their colleagues In office , to enter the dens of misrule , and judge for themselves before they , in their official capacities , make a public statement that " no distress exists in our unhappy land . " I would ask his Grace the Bishop of London and the prelates under him , to obey the dictates of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ , by visiting these scenes of human misery and relieving the wretehed sufferers .
I would askmycountrymeaof all grades and opinions , to raise their roices against the inhuman Bystem of starving their fellow countrymen to death . I remain , Sir , The servant of the people , Rtiffey . Ridle * , Chartist Lecturer , 19 , D'Oyley-street , Sloane-street , Chelsea . November 4 tb , 1841 .
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An Amateur lNF 0 BMER .- -On Friday night a man of respectable appearance went into the Norfolk Arms in the Strand , and ordered glasses round to a posse of individuals not the most unexceptionable in appearance or conduct , and the landlord seeing that his customer had already taken too much for his own comfort , advised him to go home . This the foolish fellow would not , and said that he Bhould inform against the landlord for refusing to serve him , and took a card of the house , so that he might not make any mistake . His companions highly applauded his resolution , and offered to take him to an informer who was " up to everything , ' * and away he went . Tfle next morning , however , his wife , buoyed up by hope , yet almost crushed with fear , presented the card , and asked whether £ 30 had been left for security with Mr . Childe . He then explained how the victim had got the card , and remembered that he had boasted of having so much with himwhich the " gentleman who waa np to
, everything * ' had no doubt taken notice of . Narrow Escape on the Grbenock Railway . — On Saturday evening week , as the luggago train was wending its way from G lasgow to Greenock , the engineer descried the body of a man lying across the rails . The signal was immediately given , and the breaksman stopped the train , but not before the trucks , had , it was supposed , gone over the body . Burns , the breaksman , alighted on the train stopping , and picked up the unfortunate individual , and brought him into Paisley . He proved to be a mason , who was the worse for liquor , and had fallen out of the third-class carriage . The guard m front of the engine had providentially pitohed the body off the rail , and thereby prevented his death . Had this individual been taken into custody , he woold , in accordance with the Railway Act , have been severely fined or imprisoned . _ ¦ . ¦ _ " ¦ - _ . i .. - ' The of the
Marriages on the Bobdeb . — priestess far-famed temple of Hvmen , the Sark Tolibar , in he * evidence onfttrial forttgamy totg ly atCockermouth , stated that 1300 couples had been married there within the last six years . . Thte , hweTer , Ji exclusive of the number married by the "bishop of Gretna-hall , which is one of the principal places of refuge for persecuted loverfl .--C « W » ste Journal . -. Coastof Africa . —From letters just received from Captain Butterfield , of her Majesty ' s ship Fantome , it appears that he has just taken another pnze , beiBg the thirteenth since he has been on that station . The prize was a schooner , 30 feet in length , by 9 feet beam , and had on board one hundred and five slaves , all children , besides the crew . The deck on which the slaves were stowed was only 18 inches clear from the mat they lay on to the deck between the beams . It is a curious circumstance that the whole of the prizes taken by Captain Butterfield hare been captured oa a Sunday
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IffACCLESFIELD . —Mr . Doyle lectured to a crowded audience on Sunday evening last , on the People ' s Charter , and made a great impression . Several new members were enrolled at the close of the meeting . His labours are doing a vast amount of good throughout the country .
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EDINBURGH . GRAND SOIREE AT THE WATERLOO ROOMS , IN HONOUR OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., J . B . O'BRIEN , ESQ ., AND THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY . This Soiree took place on Monday evening , the 2 nd of November , in the large Waterloo Room , whea upwards of a thousand Chartists were as sembled to do honour to the patriots who had so nobly fought the battles of the unenfranchised millions , and suffered the pains and penalties awarded by Whig malice . Every one who has seen this Soiree joins in praising the admirable
arrangements of the Committee , the activity of the Stewards , and the highly respectable character of the assemblage . This is the largest room we could obtain , otherwise we could have easily doubled the numbers ; hundreds could not gain admission , and three and four prices were offered for one ticket , and always refused , those who had them would not have parted with them for any price . Mr . Peter Anderson took the chair , and regretted the absence of our truly worthy friend , Mr . Henry Rankin , who was necessarily detained in the country , and also that of Mr . John Watson , through indisposition .
Mr . Blackie , our excellent and indefatigable Secretary , then read two letters , one from J . B . O'Brien , the other from J . Moir , of Glasgow , stating their inability to attend and regret thereat . The whole assembly then rose and sung the People ' s Anthem in grand style . After it had finished , Mr . Anderson rose and proposed as the first sentiment , The People , the legitimate source of all power . Mr . Sankey , in an eloquent manner , responded , and was loudly cheered in the course of his speech . Mr . O'Connor who had been at Leith , at a Soiree , then ascended the platform , and was received with waving of hats , ladies' handkerchiefs , clapping of hands , and loud cheering , that for some minutes made the welkin ring . After the cheering had subsided , and Mr . Sankey finished ,
The Chairman gave The Charter , and may it speedily become the law of the land . « Mr . John Duncan , of Dundee , then rose , and amidst the approving plaudits of the people , responded in fine style . He showed the importance of the Charter movement over every other at the present time , pointed out its benefit to the rich as well as poor , rejoiced that the cry had passed over the Channel , and after along and excellent speech sat down loudly cheered . The sentiment of " The distinguished champions of Chartism , Feargus O'Connor , Esq . and J . B . O'Brien , Esq . " was then followed by long continued cheering . Our Secretary , Mr . Blackie , then read an address , adopted at a public meeting , to be presented to these distinguished patriots . A gentleman also read an Address from the Teetotal Chartists of Edinburgh .
Mr . O'Connor then rose , and was again and agam loudly greeted with peals ef applause . Heremarked that it wonld be fire years next month since he had visited . Edinburgh first , and appeared before a large jury of modern Athenians to plead the cause of the people ; and although the case has been unfairly tried by the hirelings of the press , he had returned to receive the meed of praise from them . He talked in glowing terms of the " crime" for which he had been incarcerated , and said that if loving to see the poor man enjoying his just rights was a crime , then he was a criminal . The only count that plain John and his minions could find him guilty of , however , was being proprietor of the Northern Star . He said there was an adage
in Ireland , that the best time to court a widow was when coming from the funeral of her husband ; and the Whigs , as if wishing to give Governmental authority to the saying , had tried to win the Chartists , shortly after having immured in dungeons 500 of their friends ; and when they could neither cajole nor allure them , they turned round andeaid that the Chartists were a miserable faction . ^ This put them in the position of owning that they themselves were weaker , having been beaten by these very factious Chartists . He defended the course we have pursued with regard to annihilating the Whigs . -Mr . O Connor had attended forty-five meetings , and addressed upwards of a million of working men , in one fortnight . He gave cheering- accounts of the spirit abroad , and anticipated glorious rewards for the struggling millions in the speedy attainment of their Uber ties . He spoke of the jm > ngs of bis native Ireland in a truly masterly style , and said that if
he could help it he . would never let England or Scotland obtain freedom one moment before Ireland . He contrasted our present power with pur position in 1831 , and said that it had cost us an immensity of labour , six monthB and nearly £ 9 , 000 , to obtain one million two hundred and thirty thousand signatures in that year ; while in 1840 we had got , ia One fortnight , for £ 69 only , two millions of signatures . Mr . O'Connor wanted thiB petition , for which be was now agitating , not to give confidence to Peel , but to the people . He said that he had once objected to petitioning , but had altered his opinions on the subject , and bad candidly confessed the utility of petitioning : he was ever open to conviction , and ready to yield to what was just . He referred to the forthcoming Convention , and trusted that with God s blessing they would do a true service to the country . He referred to the Irish calling the Chartists , who bad no controul over their own oppressors , the oppressors of Ireland . He wntrMtod the treatment
Horrid Destitution.
HORRID DESTITUTION .
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______ THE NORTHERN STAR . 7
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 13, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct869/page/7/
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