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TO THE IKDUSTRIOITS PORTION OF THE MIDDLING CLASSES.
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TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
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C^avtt 'iSt 3EnteUt3ence» 1 ¦
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BRADFORD.—-Court Hocse.——Worsted Acts again.—Wm. Porter, of Bradford, worstedtop maker, appeared before tho Magistrates on
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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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« Forgivenea to tlie injured doth belrag . " GzsTLExsx , —For a long time yoa have clo sed your ears against reason , and Bhut your eyes against th e haToc that you bare made , Has experience , as jet , made yon wise , or has a fellow feeling juade yon kind ? If so , the time has arriYed when man may appeal to yon , when judgment and the TOioe of knowledge may complete the triumph of right oTer might . " How foolish , how very foolish it is . that two parties struggling apparently for the
same object should allow a phantom to separate them ; but in proportion as their position becomes assimilated , in the same rate does the phantom lose its horror . The party that robbed the people are now robbing you ; bo long as their plunder was conficed to the people , you aided the plunderers and cheered them on in their mad career . You refused to listen to the claims which industry was making on its own and your behalf , while you went blindfold as it were to the jury box , and on your oaths pronounced a Terdiet of guilty against yonr best , your only friends . You knew that bo long as one
hundred millions sterling was annually paid , in national and local taxation , to a law church and useless professions dedicated to discord , and prostituted to the indiscriminate support of right or of wrong— . you knew , or you ought to hare known , that such a " stomach pump" would very speedily empty the belly of those to whom it wa 3 applied , and that when that source was dried up the Btate engineers would next apply it to your order . You knew that your polincal influence could hare reduced ihe hoadred millions sterling per annum to fiye millions sterling , and yet ensure a better discharge
of all the functions of Church and State ; and you knew that , of the ninety-fire millions saved , you , as agents between the producers and-oonmimers , -would feave yoar just and righteous share . You knew that the people acknowledge y our agency as necessary to their comfort , and only object to job because of your support of their oppressors , not to your utility as a class , when your duties are properly performed . You knew that the successful speculators in machinery , the bankers who supplied them with artificial money , and the merchants who speculated
upon the produce , had duped yon into a belief that they constituted part and parcel of your order , whereas your interests and theirs were opposite as the poles ; and yet you joined these some few scores of speculating politicians in the Tain , the foolish , and delusive cry of " cheap bread , " " cheap bread , ' " cheap bread" I you joined them in their disingenuous clamour , instead of joining the people in their demand for their righteous share of the profits , and out of which you would h&Tehad your jost share of gain .
Gentlemen , let me suppose a case , and not an extreme one . Suppose a manufacturer employing one thousand hands , each one of which would be folly entitled to one pound per week , and more , and suppose the employer in coosquence of his command of the labour market , and with the surplus population of m&ehinery-m&de-idlers to fall back upon as his reserre to cheapen labour ; I say , suppose that employer to reduce his hands to ten shillings per week ; did yon eyer reflect that such reduction was twenty-six thousand per annum out of the jackets of the neighbouring shopkeepers , while the saYing all
went into the pockets of the banker , the merchant , the large pawnbroker , and the speculator . It may not leave a profit of twenty-six thousand per annum to any one , because the inducement to gamble on low wages , would of itself superinduce an overplus and consequently a reduction in the Talue of pro > dnce , while the full wages paid to the one thousand hands , would have enabled them to make their own produce more valuable by being part consumers . And now are you so foolish as not to have discerned
thai profits made by merchants , bankers , pawnbrokers and manufactures , and profits made by labourers , go into very different channels ! The profits of the former are vested in the funds , or in the purchase of lauds , houses , railroad shares , or other heavy speculations , while the profits of the latter Sow through your tills . and constitute the very heart ' s blood which replenishes your veins . Yet have you joined the few in their wild speculations , while you have persecuted the many in pursuit of their own and your salvation .
But what is the phantom of which you professed fear while you had yet somethiBg to protect 1—" phtsicalfobce . " Alas ! Gentlemen , the shadow has vanished vith your substance , and I rejoice to think that in youtwisdom yon have dissevered that the producers of wealth are not likely to become the destroyers of their own produce . But you have learned a better lesson than even that . Yon have learned that a people who have patiently borne
persecution , starvation , and iasult with an astonishing forbearance , may he trusted with some authority over life , liberty , and property , when more regard is paid to their own . Reason must have convinced you that if neither life , liberty , or property have suffered damage from a people whose violence would be justified by the first and dearest law of nature , that life , liberty , and property stand in no danger from the same people , when an interest in the preservation of all waa conferred upon them .
Gentlemen , you mast do me the justice to admit that in my several addresses to the electors and non electors of Yorkshire , in 1838 , and in several letters of a prior date , I pointed out to you the certainty of that state of thing 3 coming upon you which ha 3 at length overtaken you . You must allow that I distinctly shewed how every aristocratic excess , which then pressed upon the indnstriou 3 order , wonld , when that order was drained , then pres 3 equally hard upon you . You inuit admit that you joined in the cry for the Poor
Law Bill , and gave to it 3 most unchristian clauses jour very best support , while you went even farther , ai > d furnished the Government with all the required and expensive machinery of a rural-police force to injure its operation . You then thought thai the odium and the tax would fall upon the insulted people , while you now discover , that from the remnant of your savings , you must furnish the means of upholding both . How now do you like the Malthu-Ejan plan of throwing the people and the police upon tovs kesoubces ? Surely you cannot complain , as yen were lusty in your approval of throwing the people upon their oirn resources . You now find jourselves , like a vessel wjfhout a rudder , buffetted
bsivreen ths vraves of faction . - The billows of taxeating Toryism are striking upon the one side , while the recediDg waves of Whiggery leave a chasm upon the other , and afford you no support against the raging torrent . Yes . the Whigs used you , deceived you , and deserted you . You stood by them until their multiplied delinquencies actuary gave to the affrighted public a favourable impression of the hideous visage of Toryism . For years you EDStaiced them upon no better principle than " keep &e Tories out" and now that the Tories are in yoa find the Whigs either become csnveits \ o the ezemhs' principles or laying down in apathy , while vour dearest interests are beicg undermined .
Gentlemen , hare you ever attempted to solve the riddle of the present Whig apathy ? If r . ot , allow ies to do it for you . The Whigs who constituted the late gcTernment , and their supporters , desire no greater change than that which will once more transfer the fruits of office and taxation to their party's hands , while the Whigs of no party or principle are engaged in a squabble as to who shall be leader of a party not in existence . You find that all trie old planks of Ehipwrecked Whiggery are stiil Soating in the very latiinde in which the roiten hulk was wrecked . The old ministers , the Morning ChnnicJe , the eclipsed Sun , the Leeds
Mercury , the Manchester Guardian * the Weekly Chronicle , and all the Whig newsmen are still clinging to the fragments of Whiggery , and are foolish enough to imagine that on the rains of Toryism they may once more float their shattered bark . But they bnild without their host . Whiggery , that is , practical Whiggery , is dead and buried , never more to rise ; and now the question for your consideration and onrs is whether or not we are to be affrighted at the giant strength which Toryism has acquiredby Whig delinquency white in office , and Whig cowardice while in opposition ! I say not . I say to the industrious of all orders , " onward with one reiolve , to overcome aristocratic lust and establish
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the rights of industry on its ruins . " There is no danger in the trial if made with one accord , and a resolve to conqmer ; while there is every daagei to the state by allowing Toryism to assume that strength wkich , in its hands , is sure to degenerate into despotism . Gentlemen , you and your order . have tried , through your leaders , all sorts of schemes to lure the people , and they have all failed , and it is fortunate for you that they have , for believe me that you yourselves must be sacrificed to overpowering taxation to support an idle aristocracy , their church , and their unjust and unchristian wars by any change short of that which the combined intellect cf the industrions classes have get their hearts and minds upon , The P . ecplb's Chaster .
Gentlemen , I would implore you to strip this lovely image of the hideous garb in which prejudice and ignorance have dressed it . Strip it naked , then view it in all its loveliness . " Nature's dress is loveliness , The dress you wear , " my lovely Charter . Be not guided in your discernment by advertising journals and interested ** political pedlars" Examine the thing fox-yeturselvas , and having done so then say in what it would abridge your rights or make ihoBe possessed by others hostile to you .
All means have been used to divide and destroy us , but- all , all , have , thank God , failed , and all will fail ! Our union would be dishonourable to you and hopeless to us were we to weaken ourselves by the abandonment of our principles ; therefore hope not for such a change ; while if you admire our principles and acknowledge their justice ,-why make yourselves contemptible in the eyes of your enemies and suspicious in ours by asking us to abandon our honoured name , hallowed by persecution , and rendered dear by oppression aiid opposition 1
Gentlemen , see the noble example set by the Chartists of Nottingham , and , with the single exception of the Globe , mark how the corrupt Whig press has preserved a dignified silence upon the subject , thus convincing you at once , that the principle , and not the name of Chartism , is the thing dreaded ; and that the invitation to change our name is but an artful device to get possession of our movement , in order to reduce public opinion down to Whig temperature . Oh , if the contest for Nottingham lay between a pure Whig and a pure Tory , what leaders , what articles , what letters from ourself to onrself , what encomiums ou the Chartists , what reverence for their discretion , what prayers for their success !
xsow , then , I ask you , what you have to expect between the two paities ! The Chartists upon the one hand , whose principles you profess and approve , but whose name you cannot acknowledge ; and the leaders of Whiggery on the other hand , who object not to the name , but are opposed to the very principle which it denotes . Again , from the triumph of Whiggery you can expect but desolation , while in the triumph of Chartism you must be participators . Can you , then , longer hesitate \ The right hand of fellowship is tendered to you ; accept it in time , I pray you . You but weaken yourselves by delay ; for do it you must , or die or emigrate , in the long ran . Taxation and class legislation have Bwept away your foundation and you cannot long stand .
. " Lay not the flattering unction to you eouIs " that we will change our principles or oub name ; for , as one , I tell you that both for your sake and the people ' s sake , I would rather beg my bread for the remainder of my life , than be a party either to the one or the other . Gentlemen , I shall write you six letters upon this subject , and when they are concluded , I pledge myself that all who read and judge without prejudice will confess himself in name and principle . Gentlemen , I have the honour To remain your obedient servant , Feakgus O'Connor .
¦ Ekrata—In my letter of last week , paragraph 3 . line 19 , for " Afighanistans , " read "Afftfbans ; " and in paragraph 7 , line 4 , for " democrat , '' read " Duncombe . "
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Mt deab Friends , —It will be in the recollection of iho&e persons who attended the meetings at which I spoke , now nearly seven years ago , when establishing Radical Associations , that of all things to which we should look as a means of insuring virtuous-public men , public censorship , in my opinion , stood first ; and I have told you , over and over again , that to the want of that public censorship might be ascribed all the woes of all nations , but especially those of Ireland of a later date . I have insisted that had Mr . O'Connell ' s first acts of public
delinquency been remonstrated against , his talent and cunning would have been directed into the saving , instead of , as now , the destroying channel . I have told you that passing by unnoticed any , even the most trivial , error , committed by a public man , was an inducement to that person to weigh his individual opinion against public opinion , until , by degrees , he ultimately succeeded in laying the latter in trammels . I have been very , very severe upon this head in each and all of my discourses , protesting on behalf of public censorship for the people's sake , and relying upon public discretion
to distinguish between wuful transgression and error of judgment , as the safeguard of public character . Nay , 1 have gone so far as to say , that I as-an individual , never would place confidence again in any man who had once deceived the public . Now these points in my several discourses all must remember , because I have spoken impressively upon them . There is no difficulty in the way of a public man who steers an honest and straightforward course . His way is as the race-ground , roped mon both sides by defined principles ; the winning-post is hi 3 goal , and the prize , for which he contends , is that object which public opinion has resolved upon
achieving . If a horse bolts in his race , no man will again bet upon him ; but should he be overweighted , and thereby overcome , hi 3 present defeat entails no damage upon his character . So with a public man ; should he be overmatched is his struggles for the attainment of the general object , public opinion will rally round him and give him an increased power for his next encounter ; but should his defeat be in anywise a consequence of his dishonest runniDg , ' public opinion will not back him in his future trials . The Romans esteemed the Public Censor as the most important officer in the state , and they were rig ' at .
And now , my friends , let me give you my idea of what a public man should be , and what the duties of a public censor properly are , in the word 3 of Plutarch , in his description of the Legion which Cato the younger , was appointed to command , that he had made them " dreadful to their enemies , and courteous to their allies ; AFRAID to do a DI 3 H 0 X 0 URABLB TH . IXG , AUD AMBITIONS OF HONEST pbaise . " A public man , then , should be " afraid to do a dishonourable thing , and ambitious of honest praise . " In starting in public life , he should weigh
well his reasons for attaching himself to the party for whose principles he professes a preference , and having once made his election , he should consider himself as a member of the body , which could not be otherwise severed from it than as a diseased limb is removed to preserve the patient's life . Or should his cessation he a voluntary act , in consequence ef virtuous misgiving , arising from a conscientious doubt as to his party ' s integrity , he should in eueh case retire altogether from public life rather than form a coalition trith any other Apolitical party . His
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retirement would prove his fear of doing a dishonourable act , while his coalition with former enemies would prove that his ambition was not for honest praise , but for notoriety . He should be so strong in virtue , that , although not above suspicion , the consciousness of integrity should find a corrective for tie virulence of reproach in the mildness of his defence . Anger , vituperation , and insolence rather stamp accusation with truth than force a belief of innocence . He should go all lengths with his party , so long as he remains one among them . He should be proof against taunt and scorn , and prefer an honest poverty to riches gathered from the Bale of
nce . Such , in my opinion , should be the leading features in a public man , while the duty of a public censor is to guard with an anxious and a watchful eya over the conduct of public character ; bo that those whose confidence has elevated him to the post , shall not , while sleeping or unobservant , be lulled into false security , or be surprised when unprepared for an assault . If he sees more than others can at first distinguish as likely to occur from the first false step , it is his duty to present the act to all in precisely the light in which he himself sees it ; he is the pub'io eye—he must not diminish or magnify the object to suit the probable taste of the public ;
it is his duty to say , if such be his belief , I see a promised monster in that which is now presented to you in an infant and harmless shape , if you mature it , it will destroy you , and then blame yourselves ; if you see as I do , siy ? e it and j / ou are saved . And inasmuch asthe wiles and machinations of a bad man can work much evil to the public cause , if unrestrained ; while the temporary direction of publio opinion to a suspicious act of the best man , can effect no material or any permanent damage either to himself or to his party , in my opinion , that censor who is over hasty to question , is a better servant than he who is over cautious in proclaiming what he conscientiously believes to be wrong .
My friends , having said so much about public men arid public censors , let me consider for a moment , whether ior not the virtuous indignation so recently expressed by a few against what they are pleased to term" denunciation ' , was as sensitive upon all former occasions ? or whether the present honour 13 not rather au ebullition of anger , from detection , than a feeling of virtuous disapproval 1 Firstly , allow me to assure my readers , that whenerer an attack is made upon the Northern Siar , however plausibly or artfully it is nought to be confined to that journal , Feargus O'Connor is also aimed at . This no man iu his senses can for one moment dispute or deny ; and now for a moment's retrospect upon the subject of denunciation .
When Brewster and Frazcr , m Edinburgh , O'Connell , in Dublin , the Political Uniou in Birmingham , and Lovett and the Working Men ' s Association , in London , all proclaimed , at one and the same moment , the necessity for denouncing and getting rid of me , —not one soul but my old and only friends , the poorest of the poor , flew to my defence or protection .. Then there was no virtuous indignation about denunciations ; then the mania Was , " PUBLIC MEN ARE PUBLIC PBOPERTY " , AND " * LIBERTY OF SPEECH AND OF THE PRESS " .
When , subsequently , the Champion , the London Dispatch , the Charter , the Southern Star , thz Northern Liberator , and the Birmingham Journal , and , more recently , the Dundee Chronicle , the Perth Chronicle , the Scottish Patriot , the National Liberator , the British Statesman , and the Western Vindicator , made me the weekly subject , not only of denunciation , but oi the vilest slander and abuse : then virtue was silent , and poor Bairstow was absolutely denounced for daring to say of me , " Who works like him ? "
When Dr . Fletcher attacked me for a speech made by Dr . Taylor , and given to me by the blundering Sun , it was subject of merriment until my opponent was vanquished , and then the cry of" shame ! why denounce a good man ! " was raised , —not again 6 t the denouncer , but against the denounced . When Mr . Hetherington attacked me most brutally , when he thought that Whig barbarity had placed manacles upon my hands , and after having
declared to the five stonemasons who waited upon him in the Queen ' s Bench , " that Feargus O'Connor and the Northern Star thould be put down ; " when he so attacked me , be demanded the insertion of all his letters in the Northern Star as a matter of right , thus making my own paper the organ of his denunciation of me ; this was considered " fair " , while he published his letters also in his own paper , but re / used to publish any of my answers . This met no " denunciatioa" from any one .
When Hume declared to his Montrose friends , that "Vincent , Collins , Hetherington , Lovett , and many other good men , were doing all they could to destroy O'Connor and the Star , not a word of " denunciation" then . When the Sturgites had appointed Daniel O'Connell one of their council , not a word of " denunciation" theD . When Harrison had the courage to bring the hypocrites and traducers face to face , no " denunciation" then ; but , on the contrary , a virtuous cry of 11 shame to repeat the substance of what passed at a meeting of another body !"
In fact , my frieiids , for seven long years I have been the object of untiring , continuous , and iusoleut abuse , and my general answer has been , here I am with my party , and resolved to stand by my party to the death , and point out the single blot who can . Now , my friends , it is necessary that public opinion should be set right upon the question of denunciation . And here I am , after my busy life , aud I can come before any portion of the public and say , where 13 the man whom I have ever publiciy denounced by speech or publication ! and , above all ,
where is the sentence , word , or syllable written by me casting reproach upon a tingle individual connected with our cause ? or where is the man whom in private conversation I have done other than praise till I have been actually l&ughed at 1 whist I declare to God that , iu nearly every town throughout England and Scotland , I have been denounced , both by letter and in conversation , in the most heartless , shameless , aud unbounded manner , aud yet have I never resented it , privately or publicly , neither shall I .
I must now say one word of the Editor of the Northern Star ; and perhaps my charge against him will be considered more grave and serious than any which has yet been preferred . The first intimation that I had of Mr . Pnlip—o . nk of our executive—having done an act ( I care not howsoever mdirect ) at variance with what I considered tobetfieduty of one of the people ' s servants was conmmunicated to me throagh the Star , while I was at Brighton . 1 instantly sat down , and wrote a letter for insertion in the Star , much , very much , stronger than anything that I have seen , and the " rascally" Editor actually suppressed my letter , informing me , aa a reason , that it was much better to leave all euch matters to the people themselves . 1 wish that letter had
been published ; because in it I pointed out the exact difference between the act as committed by Vincent , and the act as committed by Philp as one of five , wto , from his appointment , 1 contended , as I ever shall contend , damned himself to all eternity by presuming to use the power which we had given him to augment that of an opposing party . I don't care one straw what all the old womea in the country may say ; I condemn it . And if it was right to do it , why not confer with the whole Executive ? I shall say no more upon that subject . 1 shall not even express any opinion as to those who would now defend Mr . Philp . No , if the act is justifiable , I can stand by it , and it requires not the authority of others to render my ground tenable .
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I shall ^ jrjj ^ r direct attention to I find in the Stat ot last week , relative to the charge brought ajB ^ ast me , and which appeared in toe report of tfc * ' iaiceiter proceedings . By an exteact from a pallet recently published , it appewa that Mr . O'Briea charges me with feping a party to misrepresent bi » , in the following terms : — " That the whole % * base concoction of O'Coanor , yourself , and othert , to diaoreditmewith the Chartist pubJio . " Now , to tipslthall be expected to reply * , and what denunciation can be -stronger 1—and my ansvrer is , I do herein jttoat solemnly swear and declare , that
1 never , bj word of moutb , by message , by letter , or by insinuation , diwotly orindirectly , made a ^ remark or offered a suggestion , or said one word to Mr Hill , or aay other ^ person , upon tjhe ( Subject ; and , further , that in the whole course of my ^ life , I never have attempted to inflaenoe the Editor of the Star as to his course . Now , is not that the way , thefair way , for a public man , who is *> afraid to do a dishonourabh thing , and who is ambitious of honest praise " i * meet denunciation of the gros 8 est kind 1 Denunciation which actually charges him with conspiring against a friend to rob him of his reputation . .. .. ,. V " ¦ ¦¦ ; ;• ¦ : ¦ \ ; " ; ¦ ,.. / ¦"¦ ¦/¦;¦ ¦ ' . ¦¦ /¦ ¦ ¦ ;
No ^ 4 k ^ ioftclading these my remarks upon the subject of denunciation , just let me ask tho ' simple question . Was ever journal so attacked ^ arid yet so mild in its defence I Was ever censuie more mild , if censure it can be called , than that of which Mr . O'Brien and Mr . Philp complain ? And , good God 1 is the mouth to be : for ever closed ? or isthe orybf " denunciation" to be set up whenjonly mild criticibm is resorted to ! If men cannot bear this , much better that they should well weigh every act , before they take any Btep which will be likely to subject them to it .
Let me ask a question . Suppose I had taken the step which Philp did , although not a member of the Executive , who , in suoh case , would have been my reprovers ! Why , the very men who cannot now bear the slightest touch of the flesh-brush . When I find it impossible just now to attend crowded meetings , I bestow all my leisure moments to the improvement of my party . I write gratuitously for Cooper's Commonwealthsman and for Cleave ' s Chartist Circular . I will go with you the whole length for the attainment of our common object , but I never will , while upon the watchtower , fail to cry out " mad dog , mad dog , " when I see the animal approaching you .
The Editor was denounced for attacking the foreign policy men , the Corn Law Repealers , the Fox and Goose Club , the Sturgeitcs , and all the hypocrited ; but , in spite of all , he has , with your assistance , succeeded in annihilating all the weeds which would choke the tree of Chartism ; and he shall ever have my thanks and assistance in his good work . The Tories are too strong to use spies or
hirelings to destroy us ; and now , believe me , my friends , that Whiggery , putrid Whiggery , is once more trying to resuscitate itself by means o' the advocacy of principles nearly allied to Chartism ; and they will spare no means of hiring Chartist outcasts to work under the garb of Whiggery . The set of idle rascals ! I'll pummel them vyherever and whenever I meet them . For seven long years we have been pestered with this generation of vipers .
I am , my friends , Your devoted Servant , ' Feargus O'Connor Wednesday , June 15 th , 1 C 41 .
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NOTTINGHAM . —a meeting of the united council was held at the Democratic chapel , Rico-place , © a Sunday , the 12 th instant , Mr . Souier in the chair . Ho opened the business by calling their attention to the address of the Executive ; the address beiug read and Mr . Hill ' s reply , after a little discussion it was moved by Mr , Cropper , and Reconded by Mr . Oates , that a resolution should bo not up and be submitted to the public meeting held upon the forest in the evening , which was unanimously agreed to . The chairman next called upon th «" s secretary to read the report which appeared in the Star , from Leicester , which being done and commented uron , Mr . Boonham moved , and Mr . Barber seconded , that a
resolution embodying a vote 6 f thanks to Mr . Cooper , of Leicester , for the able manner in wjiich he defended our organization from the base and insidious attacks of Mr . O'Brien , should be drawn up and submitted to the meetiing on the forest . Carried unanimously ^ Messrs . Boonham , Barber , and Caiater , were appointed to draw up the resolutions . Thanks were voted to the chairman , and the meeting broke up . On Sunday evening an unu&ually large concourse of people assembled to hear a lecture from Mr . E . P . Mead , At the cenclui ion Mr . Barber Btepped forward and called the attention of the meeting to the address of the Executive . He said he held a resolution in hid hand which he would submit to the meeting . He took counVzanee
of the different parties who were assailing the character of the editor of the Northern Star , and called upon all present to exert their own free thought with respect to the resolution he held in his hand . The resolution is as follows :-- " That this meeting views with regret the foul aspersions which have of late been cast upon the Rev . W . Hill , editor of the Northern Star , by certain parties , calling themselves the friends of the people . We view sach charges with disgust , and recognise no man , nor sot of men , who has for his or their object , the building of their popularity upon the reputation 6 f either the editor or ihe proprietor of the Northern Star , but with all due deference to the Executive , and as much as we appreciate their services , we beg to tell them that
wo cannot see any thing in the conduct of the Rev . VV . Hill , or the course he has pursued in reference to correcting the imperfections of the documents emanating from the Executive , to warrant the charges that have been brought against him ; we consider him merely in the capacity of editor in suppressing language which would tend to throw the managers of the Northern Star wiihin the meshes of the law ; and we , the Chartists of Nottingham , in public meeting assembled , take this opportunity of expressing our ui ; Q'j : ilified approbation of , and confidence in , the Rev . W . Hill , for his consistency and uncompromising advocacy of the rights of the toiling millions . " M r . E . P . Mead seconded the resolution , which , being put the meeting , was carried
unanimously . A young man read the report which appeared in the Star from . Leicester , on which Mr . Souier come forward to move the next resolution , — "That this meeting regrets exceedingry the course lately pursued by Mr . O'Brien , with regard to his attacks upon ihe National Charter Assciatiou , as we believed him to be a man in whom the country could confide , but circumstances have arisen of late which have put it beyond doubt that such is not now the case , we therefore tender Mr . T . Cooper , of Leicester , our warmest thanks , tor hh ability in unmasking the unblushing hypocrisy of J . B . O'Brien . " Mr . Mitchell seconded the resolution , which was put to the meeting and carried witli acclatnatioa . The people of Notttingham have engaged E . P Mead , for one month . ,
The Chartist Boot and Shoe Makers held a meeting on Monday , the 13 ch inst ., at Mr . Smith ' s , the ai ^ n of the Britannia , Mount-street . The following resolution * was proposed by Amos Poulson , and seconded by Mr . John Abelj —• " That we , the Chartist boot and shoe makers of Nottingham , do place the utmost confidence in the honest integrity of the Rev . W . Hill , editor of the Northern Star , and we pledge ourselves to defend him , so long as he advocates the rights of the working classes . We are sorry to see the " Executive Committee" very sensitive aiid " thin skinned , " for we believe that nothing but fair and gentlemanly criticism has been advanced by the editor of the Northern Star . Carried unanimously .
Lambley . —At a general meeting , on the 12 th inst ., of the Lambley Charter Association , it was the unanimous opinion , " That Mr . Hill , the editor of the Northern Star , has taken a very upright and gentlemanly course , in giving instruction to the Executive Committee and correcting their mistakes , and we highly approve of his conduct in that respect and place implicit confidence in him , as the editor of the people ' s organ ; we are also very sorry that Mr . O'Brien has taken the course that ho has , in trying to impede the Chartist movement , and we regret being a party to putting the means into his hands for mischief , "
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BaowN-SraBET , Manchester . —A general meeting ottu 3 tian-cutters , called by placard , to take into consideration the principles of the People's Charter , wa 3 held in the Brown-street Room , on Wi dnesday evening , June 15 th . Therfl was a numerous attendance of the trade . Mr . J . O'Connor / was called to the chair . Excellent speeches were made by various parties , and the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That this meeting / is of opinion that the alarming distress and low wages existing amongst the fustian-cutters can be traced to political causes ; and further consider , that good wages and permanent employment can never again be enjoyed by the fustian-cutters generally , until that document , called the People ' s Charter , becomes
a legislative en ^ ctmeat . "" That it is the opinion of this meeting , that it is the paramount duty of every cutter to immediately join the National Charter Association , for the avowed purpose of causing the People ' s Charter to become the law of these realms . " "That the fustian-eaUers of Manchester will not acknowledge any peirson as a piiblio lecturer or leader of the people , or a delegate to any'Chartist meeting , unless the same bo a member of the Charter Association . " We have only to add , that after a vote of thanks to the Chairman , the moetiag separated . We bate every reason to suspect there i was a government spy in the room . A person who was unknown was taking notes ; and , from a conversation which took place between him and one of our men that we can place confidence in . \ rahave
beea led — ' *— — -- "' Tir-n fhnt | ffi * - hniriTiiWOMil was for no good to the Chartista . ^ The conversion was as followsir-Would it not be a good plan to organ ** e to resist the Government , and he thought tho colliers were a likely set of men to take the front of the battle , and that ho was quite willing to do all he could for the object , in getting money to coyer the expences , and in any other way that he could assist privately , but he could not take part publicly , and he had no objections to Jay down six or seven pounds to commence with . Our friend , as soon as the meeting had thinned , called a few of the friends together , and gave them this information , that they might be on their guard . He also gave his address . We send this to put the Chartists on their guard , as' we have every rea-on to believe that the harp i es are abroad . —Manchester Correspondent .
Portsmouth . —Sib , —I am instruotedby the members of the National Charter Association of this locality , to forward you the following resolutions , passed at a meeting held last evening . ( Monday ) , at the Son of Freedom , Spring-street , Landport : — Passed unanimously— "That ; in the opinion of this meeting , the conduct of the Editor of the Northern Star , in attacking the characters of men foremost in the pursuit of justice , especially that long-tried noble of nature , Brontcrre O'Brien , is highly reprehensible , and is calculated to undermine the standing of the Northern Star , and produce disorder in the ranks of the people ; and hopes a speedy termination to such evil policy will take place . " Passed unanimously—' That the resolution be sent to the Star for insertion . ' * Yours , &c , J . D . Leggett , sub-Secretary to the National Charter Association . [ We should like to know how many people attended this meeting . —Ed . ]
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Wednesday last , upon au information charging him With having , in April last , purchased a quantity of wool , from one Edward Dowling , a comber , then in the employ of William Smith , of Bradford , manufacturer , his property , without first having obtained his consent , and knowing that Dowling was so employed . Porter ( a regular victim of the arbitrary laws ) was on the present occasion taken by surprise , and had no opportunity of preparing his defence , having ( contrary to the repeated general directions of the Magistrates ) only been warned immediately previous to appearing j but , fortunately for 'him , Mr . Clarkson , his attorney , happened to be in Court , and succeeded in extricating his client from the precipitate charge . The Worsted Inspectors conducted the prosecution , and called Mr . Smith who
proved that in April last he delivered two quantities of wooi to Dowling to comb , who had not returned his work , and had absconded . Dowling ( who had been fetched from Ireland by direction of the worsted committee ) was then produced to prove the alleged sale , and his brother called in corrbboration ; neither of whom proved the fact , but rather contradicted each other in details . Mr . Clarkson , on behalf of the defendant , reviewed the evidence , and contended that the ; prosecutor , backed by a powerful committee and assistance of their experienced officers , had failed both in law and fact to mako out a case , the alleged sale not being proved ; and presuming that it had , no evidence was adduced to show that Porter knew that Dowling was in Smith's employ , and had no authority to dispose of the wool , consequently the charge must be dismissed ; in which the Magistrates , after a short consultation , concurred .
Sending Cattle to Grass . —Some weeks ago , Mr . Matthew Booth , Inn-keeper , Little Horton , announced by placards , that persons keeping cattle might be accommodated with grass , in the Park , on reasonable terms . A number of persons , nearly a score , availed themselves of the opportunity and placed their cattle under his care . On Tuesday morning last the bailiffs marked all the beasts they found in the said Park , far rent and arrear ? , and when the owners went to milk them they were prevented from doing so until the rent was paid ; and thus the affair stands .
Suspected Child Murder at Shelf , —Circumstanceshave occurred at Shelf , near Bradford , which leave but little doubt that a murder of an uncommon character has been perpetrated . At present the state of the inquiry , and the evidence collected , is such that it would be premature to enter into minute details . The facts as they appear at present , are as follow : —Oa Saturday last , about four o'clock , a female named Caroline Pollard , who resides at the junction of the old road : to Halifax over VVibsey Slack and the new road , having occasion to visit : n out office belonging to the house , discovered in the dung , immediately under the seat , what 6 he * 6 upposed to be a human body . She left the place , and related what she had seen to the neighbours . Several
persons immediately ran to the place , and , with a littl « exertion , the body , which was rearly buried ( nothing more than the lower part of the back beip-t visible ) was got out , and after a short time , was washed and conveyed to the Shoulder of Mutton public-house , where it remained until the assistance of Mr . M'Lachen , surgeon , was procured . It was quite dead when taken out , but warm , and had evidently been in but a very short time . It was also divested ofelotbinR . There were no marks of violence to be observed oa the external parts of the body , and it was evident that it had died from suffpeation among the matter in the privy , and not from any other cause- This discovery , of course , txciied the greatest wonder ; and after the body
had been decently disposed of , the course ot conversation turned upon the question , to whom did the child belong , and who had put it thereT As the news of the discovery spread rapidly , the attention of persons at a distance was called to it , and among others , a woman named Rhbdah Barraclougb , who resided at Wibsey Slack , at the desire of her husband , went to view the body , and recogriisod it . Her statement is , that between one and two in the afternoon of Saturday , she wda passing a similar place to that in which the child was found , arid hearing the cries of an infant , her curiosity , was excited , aiid on looking in , she saw a woman who ha , d rested at her hous ? twice before in the course of a fortnight , sitting with a child on
iier knee , and a buudlo beside her . Thinking that a very unfit building for a resting place , and having a knowledge of the woman before , Mrs . Baxraclough asked htr to go to her cottage , and gave her a scat . She put several questions te her , but received very tew answers , the woman appearing to be very much " down" in spirits , and not at all inclined to talk . While she remained she had occasion to open the bundle which rt-ffiained at her pido , to obtain some usefal articles for her child , which was at that time in good health . After sitting some time she left the house , taking the road to Shelf . At about half-past three , a woman similarly dressed was seen going up a garden , at Shelf , which led to a privy , and was evidently making to it , but was obliged to go back in consequence of some one entering before her . The woman had a bundle with her and
also a child , but this infant was dressed in different apparel to that with the woman at Mrs . Barraclpugh ' s ; but from the description given , the latter female asserted that she had seen such articles in the woman ' s bundle when she opened it . Another female , named Ellen Wilson , who resides opposite tho place in which thebody was found , saw a woman with a child enter the place ; but thiB being a circumstance of frequent occurrence she did not watch her , and consequently did not see her come out . An inquest was held on the body on Tuesday last , at the Shoulder of Mutton , Shelf , before G . Dyson , ; Esq ., Coroner , and after the examination of some witnesses , including the surgeon , who deposed that the child was finely formed , and perfectly healthy , and that it had died by suffocation as described , the inquiry wub adjourned to Snday week , at the same place . A
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v _ ' ^ . o r - ^ y ^ -j - ; /^ l ^/ A ^ Ai ^ ^^ - ^> - ^ // iL s ^ tcA u URED 8 . —The New Improviment Bill . —Oa readers will bear in mind that the adjourned meeting on this subject will be held on Wednesday evening n « t , at Bern o ' olock , at ( he Court-House . A UrgtaUtadaoeeis absolutely nec&eary . The Bill , as it has jussed the Committee of the Hoasa of Commons , is mow printed ; and some enrious disclosures inaj bo expected on Wednesday . Vi 8 Itati 68 . —Atthe visitation of Archdeacon Mas-Stave , at the parish church of thiB town , on
Wednesday last , toe recently elected Cfiartiat churchwardens were duly installed into office , having previously made and subscribed the necessary de-° ' » Wtion . They , of course , attended the service at tha ehQjcb , where tfle sermon was preached oy the Kev . W . Sinclair , M . A ., Incumbent of Si . George ' s , Leeds , and at the close of ihe sermon , tfiecler * y and onurchwardens having ' assembled in front of the conjjnunion rails , the clerical roll was duly called , and the Archdeacon delivered a very long and elaborate ; charge . ; . ¦ - ' , >
Improvement Commissioners' Accounts— - Adj ourned Meetikq , —Un Monday eveuintf last , the adjourned meeting for receiving the report of the present Improvement Commissioners on the £ 64 9 * 3 ; lid . the refunding of which they had been requested to apply for , was held at the Court House , Mr . Nicholte ; in the chair . None of the Commissioners were present ; but their clerk reported that the amount in question hatd not y tt been refunded . At the commencement o ! ' the Baseiing , there were very few persons in ; attendance , * and tho Chairman having called upon any person who might have a proposition to submit , to do so ,. Air John Beckwith said ; he had a resolution which
he thought would either settle the question or lead to measures that would settle n . This resolution proposed to confirm the resolution of the 17 r h March , disallowing the item in quesiiois , i £ 6 i Ds . lie ., ) and directed the Law Clerk of the present Commissioners t j > apply for payment of the same to the Commissionera for executing the Leed 3 Borough Improvement Bill now before Parliament so soon as it shall have become a liw , and to refund tho same to tHe Treasurer of the Leeds Improvement Rate . Some time elapsed during which nothing was done ; no person haying seconded the resolution proposed , nor moved any amendment . The attendance , however , was ., taobu larger , and after traiting for
some nnnutca , Wr . Thos . Fraxsr mov « d | * wi Mi . Joseph JoneB seconded the following resolution : — That thi& meeting views with ext reme surprise : the manner in which a former expression of publio opinion respecting this item in the Commissioners ' accounts had been received by that body ; and again calls their attention to this . matter ,. -trusting " . that they ( the Commissioners ) will not treat the inhabitants of the Borough iu so slighting a manner as they Kaye done ; and further be ^ s to remind the Commissioners , that they are but the servants of the publiCi and not its directors , and £ , 3 such they are bound to- obey the publicly-expressed will ot the inhabitants ; therefore this public meeting hopes the Commi 88 ioneT 8 will act as the pubhc directs them ,
a . nd take immediate steps to reeover the monoy , £ 64 . di . lid ., from the parties who have received « 6 contraiy to the will of the inhabitants . " This resolution passed without a dissenting voise . On the motion of Mr . Joseph MiddL . ton , seconded by Mr . Robert Garbutt , the meeting was than adjourned until Friday the loth of July , to be held at iho . Court House , at seven o ' clock in the evening , and the Commissioners were requested tnen to report what they have done in the ma ' . ter , and give their personal attendance at such adjourned meeting . Canine Madness . —A notice has been issued by the Chief Constable of this Borough , cautioning ail persons to keep their dogs confined for two months , in consequence of symptoms cf madness in some of the ammala . having presented themselves .
Drunk and Disorderly . —On Monday last , a young man named Gavins , was charged at the Court House with being drunk and disorderly in tho street , on Sunday morning at an early hour . On bein # asked what he had to say for himself / he admitted having taken a few pints of ale , wnich had by some means or other got into his head , and remarked that if ho knew any thing at all about the Ja * v , it was the duty of watchmen , when they saw a man laid drunk in the street , to take him home , and hot to the station house . The Bench dissented from this doctrine , and fined htm as . and costs .
Suicide . —On Thursday morning , an inqupst was held at the Court House , before John Blackburn * Esq ., on the body of Mr . Joshua Naylor , aged twenty-four ysars , lately residing in New Parkatreet , who . put a period to his existence on the day previous by hanging himself in his bed-room . He had for some time been in a desponding state of mind , and the jury , without ; hesUationj returned a verdict of "Temporary insanity . " Alleged Robbery . —On Monday last , a young
man named George Calyert , was charged at the Court House with having stolen eleven or twelve shillings from th , e person of Abraham Learoyd , of Hunslet , labourer . The robbeijr was said to have been committed on Saturday night week , whilst the pi-osecutor was asleep at the Golden Cock Inn . They had , however , both been drinking together , are uncle and nephew , and the magistrates being of opinion there was no evidence to bring home the felony , the prisoner wac discharged . :
Assault and Robbery . —On Monday last , a rather resjjectable-looking young man , named George Hawtliorn , was charged at the Court House vrith having , at an early hour on Sunday inoming , assaulted William Calvert , of Royds Green , and robbed him of his hat , which he was seen to hand to another , person , who ran off with it . The case took place in York-street , and is one of frequent occurrence ! in that part of the town . The . 'prisoner denied having any thing to do with the affair ,- ' 'but .-the witnesses being positive that they saw him strike tHe prosecutor , the magistrates fined him 20 s . and costs for the assault .
Fatal Accident . —On Thursday moraing an inquest was taken before John Blackburn , Et-q ., at the Court-house , on the body of a little boy , four years of age , the sou of Mr . Almack vtailor , Wharf street . It appeared that on Wednesday evening , a wherry laden with wood , the property of Messrs . Phillips and Son , was standing in ihe Callg , about which some children , amongst whom wa 3 the deceased , were playing . Before setting the horses off , the waggoner took means to drive thein all away , but it would seem that the deceased had , unseen , got under the wherry , and on to the wheel and when the horses started , ' his head was crushed between the wheel and the timber , in such a manner as to cause his instant death . There wasno Wame to be attached to the waggoner , and the jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death . "
Soiree MusicALE . —Mr . A . Ormonde , gave hia second musical entertainment to a niiDUtous auditory , at the Mechanics' Saloon , on Monday evening . Wearesorry we cannot speak of ifciii su h favourable terms as . of his former tffort ; it failed , to .. give satisfaction . , Miss L . Bruce it is true , ti ' una ; most delightfully , in eome of her songs ; of Mr . King we say hotting . There was also some very injudicious departures from the songs of the prograriime , and why "Johnny Cope" wa « read insteadof being' sung , we are at a loss to imagino . "A night wi' Burns " is far superior to tho " adventures of Prince Charlie"
-An Incorrigible . —On Monday morning , Matthew Storm ., who contributes largely to the borough fund , made his appearance in the deck at the Court House , on the usual charge- ^ -druhk and disorderly ; on this occasion , however , he departed-from his usual practice , and instead of kicking up a row in the . street ,- he went to the police office and caused a disturbance there . It appearing that he had not paid the previous week's fine and costs , ho was ordered either to pay them directly or to Bit five hours in . the stocks . He raised the wind , and was then discharged ; proraising not to offend again .
11 Bone . Grubbsrs" again . —On Mon ' ay la , st , two lada of this description , who seldom miss any thing within their reach , which is not either too hot or too heavy for them , were charged before the magistrates , at the Court House , with having entered tho cellar of Mr . Beevors , in Hanover-plac- , from y vbence they stole a quantity of butter , cheese , and bread , which were found in thtir baj < p , en being stopped , after they had been seen to leave the premises . 'They gave their names John Marran and John Wallace , and were sent to Wakefield for two months . !
Assault . —On Tuesday la = t , Jame 3 Firth was brought up by warrant at the Court House , on a charge of having assanlted Mr . Bcrijamiu Barton , constable of . Wortley . Mr . Barton stated that abowt xoidnight on Saturday , tho defendant , ¦ ' ¦ with some others , Cpmmeuced gambling under a lamp opposite tp his house ; he was annoyed by them for some time , and about two o'clock in : the morning he went out and desired them to go away . Instead of this thfey attacked him , and the defendant struck him two or three times . He was fined 203 . and costs , or in default of payment sent to Wakefield for a month . Mk . Wa . Hirst . —Elsewhere our readers will find a letter from this gentlemen , iiv ; re ' erence to his newly invented process for felting clotk , to which , as well as to his aavenisement , we call atteutioh .
To The Ikdustrioits Portion Of The Middling Classes.
TO THE IKDUSTRIOITS PORTION OF THE MIDDLING CLASSES .
To The Imperial Chartists.
TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .
C^Avtt 'Ist 3enteut3ence» 1 ¦
C ^ avtt ' iSt 3 EnteUt 3 ence » 1 ¦
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fSC ^ rfV ^ V ^ lM ^ ' ^^^ W ^ A ^ W ^ -A . ' - ¦ " LEEDS . —At the weekly meeting of the Leeds Chartitts held on Tuesday night , June 14 vh , after considerable discussion , the following resolution was come to , — "That this meeting thus expresses its high opinion of theretiripg 'Executive Committee , ' as having , so far as means would permit , performed their duty as faithful servants of the people ; and we hereby record the confidence we ' -possess in the uprightness of that body , from the beginning of their labours until the conclusion '/ of their . -. term of office , andwe hope their judicious , well-meaning course .-of business will be pursued by their sucuessors , as we have no doubt it will tend speedily to allay all feelings of animosity existing among the membera of the Association . "
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•¦ ' 1 AND LEEDS &EHEB 13 L ADYEKTISEfi . HAra
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YOL . Y . NO . 240 . SATURDAY , JUNE $ 4 1842 . ""' J" ^"" f » MY ' - " I ' I ' ' ¦ I — 1
Bradford.—-Court Hocse.——Worsted Acts Again.—Wm. Porter, Of Bradford, Worstedtop Maker, Appeared Before Tho Magistrates On
BRADFORD . — -Court Hocse . ——Worsted Acts again . —Wm . Porter , of Bradford , worstedtop maker , appeared before tho Magistrates on
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 18, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct893/page/1/
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