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v $ S WHO IS 2 fOT WITH TJS IS AGAINST TJB . " pakt n . ij , ire should not care T ? ho-were against to , if those aaasTfi far us were with ns indeed—if they Tree an trn&— "bat thosei whe are against us , have great means * o ~ use . against ns—they have power , they have -wealth , gjPT can persecute , they can bribe—and eastern is on ihBlr side—we are poor ani havB nothing to effer but eSifcade . Those who are not satisftad with tbe jast-Ssslif the cinse and the approval of their otto consciimSs , are led ij other inducements ^ by considerations to ^ Kais ** to betray us . We are God ' s «> nnscllors aria plead ibe cause of the poor—they have the rich for ^ tB ^ nd tteyadTOc ^ to worldly mtemts . ___ _
jj is in . Tain for us to to appeal to the understandings t £ onx enemies—thty srs already convisced that -we are jgfr—iL & tonally vain to appeal to their feeling—Sgy h . rre nont—they try to deprecate onr resentment in jgenasg sympathy ; to delay the time by devising Sam-rtijrniB—they try eveiy art to blind us , to seduce « , to repel us—and nothing Trill they yield to tut to te ^—no nobler motive -will ever make them give np fljar ill-gotten prey , and if ever they are compelled to restore to U 3 tor rights , it will nol ; bs without a ggjennlE stion to deprive va of them soon again i / posbHb , so th 3 iii is no less necessary to be ei . er ? etic to j ^ sin ow ri ghts , than it -will necessary to be watchful to secure them when gained . look to Parliament
"We baTe been accustumed to for jggreya , to petition Parliament—bnt as vrell might the jjsibloci to the trolf for pity , the dove implore the fcilE for release , as the people look to the Parliament tfcit pKjs E P ° thfcm . The people mast agree , mnst tssecaxe , n .-nst oKuniss to gain their Charter and £ et a pjjjjjament of their ffwn before ever they can hope , or gjamoIrearesB . I co not know -whether any of yon h&Ye everbeen to seethehigh court of Parliamect , -where ^ jje « j 51 ecdTe -wisdo « J of the Dation sits—I never have __ I coala " xct see -without disgust nor listen but -with 3 ji p&ii £ Bee to the proceedings there ; for what should jjeeaad hear?—scented dandi&s " perfumed like milfasa , * flecked -with trinkets like sta ^ e-playera , things ^ jjjootheaa or hear t , thai call themselves members . — S EMBg h to be members of a club of horse-jockeyb , —jjjggs , or ccckfiditers ; but not the representatives rfypeojile -whose sniseries are but mirth to tht-m .
; jjg peop le do not know their own strength , do nor jgHhsix own importance , or They wculd never let such jjEaJBres es these libd and lansh at them . Then there ae orators "who love to show their wit at the expence of ihe country , or their folly at their own expeneejjjjl fed squares "srho go to take a nap after dinner , aolhins baig so somnolent as the speeches jjjEre __ anibiS 0 osain 5 "worldly wise men , fonder of thfcmgeira ton o f ihdr country—lawyers , usurers , syco-Tjbacts , irbo , "sieseTer an honest man xIbeb like ajsplfit JcSiksafisia the midst of them , set up such howlings sad Boeecfeajrs to Eeaxe Mm back , that one would bejisTe Sedlaffi had broken loose , and all the mad folks iad come there . Now -what can the people exptct fjoa snch . a motley assembly , but further injury and insalt ? Would that another Cromwell would arise and go tmon ^ th&m to t l t hem hat hey are , andto make dan rive pJace to honester men .
It is in vain expecting our aaghts , or even a cessation tJ Trroug from the Court , the Ministry , or the P-iriia-E £ ri : —from whom , then , must we expect it ?—why from nous but eurselves . We must unite and with tee voice—a voice like the sonnd of many waters—Wb urns . » 7 » these tMEgs ehail no lenger be ! When the Romans ocited to mske known their minda , their - ? 6 ices Tere so loud that the xoise struck the birds of the air ss -ffiti a shot , and made them fall dead to the ' ground . B to pteple tf England , Scotland , aad Ireland were gjBs to raise oes universal shout for freedom—the pyras that be , the despots on high , Slie carrimi , the birds that hover over us for prey , would immeiBstEij fell from their high estate and strew the ground &e wisbered leaTes shaken from freedom ' s tree by fijelfcreM-blasi of liberty . to be
^ it effect this our voices must united not only ja anther , but in sound ; we must not have scattered jadoHflrxry cries , but one only accordant cry " The CfcHte ! " We-srereattEheu&igforthe Charter , 'bats 6 Hie KBimg -at , some who had taught us that shout , turned roma upon us and sad , " Oh , you Trant the Charter ; iat yon shsnt have it until you can spell it , and rea& it , asd Trite it , and lell ns what is Latin for the Charter ;" in ibcrt , we mn&t buy the books they write , distribute 2 b trsctslhey print , and read their jepers , pamphlets , lad-periocicais . You must appoint them as miEsionices , ai 3 y mmdyou pay them well ! You must have
a GxaHtSicg ffiasry , snd not only see that the books circulate , tut afco that the library itself -walk rousd bam town to town and village to village . You must bmld schools for yourselves to go to school in ; you nmS have pleasure-grounds and play-grounds , baths , sumac , and dancing ; a laboratory for you to find tfee pH ! osephei " a stone in ; and schools to teach school "meters in as welLas scholars ; in short , you must all become complete gEntlemen and men of Bcienca , and never mind thonga all the while you have no bread to eat , no clothes to wear , do houFs to put your heads io , TioiiiDS to do , -and nothing to live os .
AUthiswas very grand , very glorious , enough toimmortaliE the eoEeoetorsof the scheme—the CharUst schoolmaster would have gene abroad i But , -onfortunately , while Hsey were building these castles in the air—while they were counting their chickens , the eggs were yet -to be hatched ; they had the foundation to lay ; they hsd not counted on the means—and the vision vanished . flo is continued . )
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HA 2 T-W 0 RSHIP—Pabi 3 . The true patriot ever lookB at the cause , never at himself ; sot does he ever interpose himself between Its cause and the people , like the fly in the telEKope , to intercept their view . The cause is not toserTelaEi , but he is to serve ths cause , and he 1 b ^ a 3 y to sacrifice all for it . Bj constantly fixing his pe on iS , he grows like it— -he imbibes its influenceshs becomes great and good . Are there any who join Km ? Bergoieesat it for ihe cause sake ! Bo they getbstorehiin ? ha rejoices still more 1 Eall they into fisenemj ' B hands ? He laments as ftasbingtcn did Thai Ins brother General « -nfl compatriot lee ieil into &ahsads of ihe English ; he is willing to second or
So ls&A , as drenmstances may require . Has fortune fsToored him , he will use Ha fortune to favour the lees fetasie . Be will check , every disposition of the people to God him , and will seek rather to inspire them with confidence in themselves than in him , as lett till , who , when the men « f Switzerland wonfisredat Ms boldness , told them that not » ne of tbem bii miihi do as he had done , for he was but a man like use of themselves . He will never raise false expectations ij promising mere than he can perform , and will put iwj horn himself every suspicion of Beeking personal agOBfliffinieiifc or profit , as Cffiaar put away his susjscaa wife ; for , said tear , the wife of Cffisar shall nolle inspected . He will not seek , neither will he shun
Tswution , far lea flee from it ; and he "will eanae -whatever suSkring tke eovernmeiit may impose ttpoa Km with manly foriitnde having always the tsBoar-cf the cause in view and being wishful to set an eawangfrg example , Such an one will serve the « b » whh success—such an one will attain true glory . « & ilu 3 how few snch tiiere are—Washington is tatst the only one . How seldom u it bnt that the Psat maa Mis in love with himself , and the mere he toa Miaself the less he will love the tsuse . Be wfll ¦ k fca to fi&tterers and grow jealous of friends—Le wDi te tool *—the needy and unscrupulous will . form his **« . lake Jupiter , the light aad heat which he ta » trom the sun he will communicate to these lSe-ite » who in like manner revolve round him . The
cuss into lese its own name and be nambd sfter ^ - ^ t-Killit come his cause , instead of the cause of I— ibolc p&ople— and we »>»* H become his parUzin . ^^» , what is Chartism ? < 3 iartism , as 1 said at the £ 8 ™^ is pur * principle , It set out with an inten-™» aotto be factions , to have nought to do with faction , m wJ ™^ as to notice it . Chartism took its stand ™ 'Kfe ground aad soaring in the cigEity of its ^ TBcalgraidextr ^ gi ! above all party or personal racstE » . it isovErs in the Heavens like the eagle of the han ' nfiL * ° P 0111106 ^ P faction or partisanship and 3 ^^ ° ^ *** preJ " K tbere ** c ^ ? re * ¦ r ^ I Par ty spirit in ChRrtign , they will render it ^ L « te than Whiggum or Toryism ; Chartism evn ?^ ately lose all power to expel those *? m Soar ( QoTerament or from society—the £ ? & * cf tSaram wifl go out of it , all its moral rr * 'Kill eroire . fThartlsm will lose it * the of
^ a afiafli men , it -will cease to attract their jT » * L ^ a «* bopes—it will no l onger beregarded -taLrr * ° ieal the wounds of the wretched , bs a j ^ wa to care tfee evils of the wronged . Only by ¦*» jS- *^ ° * those vices which we denounce , can ^^ ajowj to ess * tbem cut , or escap * the charge Izx ™?* 1 *? XEe true Chartist la enUUed to regard ^^ -S ^ nperlor to any man who is factious or \^^^ erihaX n ^ a be styled a Bake , a lord , or T 57 &frt ^^ ^^ C ^ a " 5 * 1 * to do "Hitli either ^ J V ' to aenonE «! both . Expediency is to a ^ " ^ ^ ^ 7- Kever let our palms itch . T ^ ^ t Foa&of the syfitem ; or be scored or branded o , ^ ~? C * : The Chartist who votes for either Whig , " v « comes a heterosenoua comooend—an acoto of
QaJ \ ^ eaUQra himBelf the name WhigfeJriH ^ * ^ PoMic capacity acts unjustly , and ~^ « sa B cnour of a Chartist . iBaST . ? stpevoi toChrisUanity itsaf in this Q ^^^^ ka its name from no man ; vchereas io 5 ^™ J - ** ***** i » in Jesus Christ the * Carta « , - ^ . tea ^^^ are ' ^ y modifleations j epsr ^ Tf ^ ' « ch taking its name from ita fe ^ Cjh ufMer . " as the dottrins of Calvinism Ga «^ - Wfcsleyanism from Wesley , &c Now Qa . ^_ /*** higher ; it takes ita name from the teaWv ** tta B 3 ul of jiifinee , cf which the Char-< 5 artiia b " . Thete Jkould be no Eectorianism in it tesh ia . Or m 7 enJion of one ™* m any more than Gai ^ , ^^ < aase has no father but the Pirst Great ^ hil -RT .. r ^ it—we advocate it ; we do not set
* * CS ^^ r ^ r ioD 6 w can a man have than to ^^ fces aa ??" v ] f Sreatcr approval than his own ^ a « wS « r " ¦ He 1 Bin mi * eek—ie will t ^ io knTtT ^ * olher iioEouT . if men are it-^^ JfeftL ^^ 18 he - ^ n raise thtm up ; V ^ S ^ igS ??* ^ e , U is allowable 5 * « otjfcror 5 " ttat M a ^ "itnal abstraction . J ^ JUfcflS ? ^! worship G&d . All other ^^ U » cS ' ^ 'SF blci 'edestaae flnrselves and
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There is a degree of esteem—a degree of deference dee to advocates for the cause sake ; and so long as they , remain true to the cau-je they deserve to bees teemed next to tit : but never as it—never before- it . No good man but will refuse-worship when oBered to him . No great ^ people will refuse to offiar it Whence , then , does the man-god rise ? fTo be continued . )
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TBE V 1 CTIM& TO TBtE EDITOK OI THE SORTHERJt STAK . Sra . —In the Northern Star of December the 17 th , appeared & report of a meeting of the Somerstown Yictim Committee , at which meeting five shilliBss was voted to Mr . Peter Foden , and a like snm to Mrs . Clayton , both of this town . Allow me . through you , Sir , to inform onr London friends that 1 last week paid over the above sums to Mr . Fcden and Mrs . Ciajton . Mr . Ardill has their receipts for the money . lir . Foden and Mrs . Clayton return their grateful thanis to their kind friends , the Somerstown Committee .
With respect to Mr . Foden , allow me to state that after suffering two years imprisonment in the cansB of Caartism , he has returned to Shtfiiald to find hiB homfc -broken up and himself thrown upon the wide world without employment and without resources , to maintain himself and family . He is by trade a baker and confectioner , bnt owing to the depressed state of trade canro £ obtain employment in Sheffield . His present o > ject is therefore to start in business in the » bove line for himself ; he of course needs the pecuniary mtana . The Sheffield Chartists have rendered him all the assistance in their power at the present feme , and could any of eur CbartiBt friends , out of Sheffield , add to the ^ ittle store Mr . Foden has at present in hand , it would be the means of renderinghim independent of the employ oeracy , and in furnishing him with the means of honourable subsistence would render his services of greater utility to the good cause .
In the Siar of Dsc 31 , appeared certain resolutions adopted by the Sheffi-ld Chartists respecting the fund lodged at the Siar tfiice , coHected for the purpose of bringing the remains of our departed brother Clayton from Koethallerton to Shtmeld , but which , earing to
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unfavourable circumstances , was not applied to that purpose ; it was recommended in the said resolutions that ths tnui in question should be given to Mrs . Clayton , No opinion has been expressed on the subject out of Sheffield , and if , after tbe appearance of this letter , the country should still be silent , it will be infarredby Mrs . Clayton ' s friends that all who subscribed to the fund are willing that it should be given to and appropriated for the benefit of the widow . I beg leave to call the attention of my Sheffield
trienda to the case of Mrs . Ellis . Upon the awful calamity that has overtaken that much injured woman I need not comment ; all are acquainted with the particulars of that cruel stroke of tyranny by which she has bean deprived of her husband , her children of their father , and both of a home . Mr . Cooper is exerting himself with praiseworthy zsal to secure the latter ( a home ) for thia persecuted family , all that 1 » needed is a few pounds to secure " a consummation devoutly to be "Wished" lay all lovera of the Charter and sympathisers with their suffering
fellowcre&ntres . Sheffield has been appealed to , and I hope will not be backward fn giving-its support . I will keep s book open for the receipt of monies for Mrs . EUis from the present date to the 21 st February , when all sums received shall be acknowledged in the Northern Star , and remitted to Mr . Cleave , treasurer for Mrs . Ellis . The case of Mrs . Roberts , of Birmingham , —in whose behalf appeared an address in the Star of last Saiurday , —is one also demanding the active sympathy of all having a heart that can :-feel for another . In the case of Mrs . Roberts , only a very few pounds are required to afford her the means of procuring a decent livelihood for herself and children . Was something like FlrE shillings given by each cf the important Chartbt localities the sum -wanted would be more than realized . For thia object I will keep open a book for the receipt of monies until the 14 th ' . of February , when all sums received shall be acknowledged in the Nortliern Sfeir .
Trusting you will excuse the length of this , and give it insertion in your-columns , I am , Sir , faithfully yours , GE 0 B . GE JXTLIAN HABNEV . Shtffldd , January 17 , 1843 .
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FIXITY OF TENURE . The following is the letter of Mr . O'Connell alluded to ia Mr . O'Connor ' s letter of last week : —
" TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND . " Hereditary bondsmen 1 know ye not , Who would be free themselves must strike the blow ?" •¦ Tnere are two propositions of perfect trath , which ought to be kept in the constant recollection , and engraved on the mind of every true Irishman . " The first is , that no political measure whatsoever can be of any efficacious or permanent value to Ireland , except the repeal of the union—the restoration of her native parliament " The second is , that at the present period the means o f constitutionally and peaceably repealing the union are in the hands of the people of Ireland .
' * As to the first proposition , I need waste no wards in proving its accuracy . . No man can know anything of the real state of Ireland without being conscious that any other measure , Bave the repeal of the union , can , at best , be the palliative * or lenitive of some particular evil ; but that there can be no real remedy for the immense and augmenting distress of the Irish people , save only the restoration of the Irish Parliament . Without that restoration the destitution of the people must go on augmenting ; and the connection of the two countries must terminate in a total separation . If driven to it , the Irish people are perfectly capable—of course they are—of managing and maintaining their independence as a separate uatwn He is an idiot who could doubt It 1 But it would be a grievous calamity , uader all the circumstances , to be driven to the necessity—a necessity which , whilst I live , can never arise . Whilst I live , there shall ever be , at least hope—of the repeal ; * nd repeal only begins when hope ends .
" As to the power we have of attaining the repeal , that man is a greater idiot still who could doubt that the people of Ireland have sufficient power to obtain the repeal of the union statute . The overwhelming majority of a nation , whose peeple amount to eight millions and a half , never yet combined to achieve any one political advantage which it would be practicable to withhold from them . We have that majority unequivocally favourable to the repeal . All we want is combination , because without combination millions are but chaff before the wind . With combination , they are as pswerful ( without being destructive ) as the thunderbolt ! " Men of Ireland . ' simplify your political creed ; it consists bat of two propooittoa-s : — " The rh-Bt—* That the repeal of the union is the only remedy for all the woes of Iru anJ . "
"Secondly— 'That you h * r « the repeal of the union in your own power , if jou baVi > the huncj-ty to desire it , and the virtue to combine for its achievement . ' - After some further reference to the repeal of the union , Mr . O Connell thus proceeds : — " This is my new year ' s gift to yon . people of Ireland , the knowledge that you can , if you will , be freel " It requires an Irish parliament , & domestic legislature , t * achieve the great measures esbeotial to do justice to Ireland or to promote the prosperity of her people . " The" measures essential for these purposes are"Firstly—The total extinction of the tithe rentcharge . " Secondly—The establishment of fixity of tenure for the occupying tenantry of Ireland .
" Eveiy day more and more painfully demonstrates the uecee&ity of an arrangement of this description . It is a pure question of blood , whether multiplied murdera are to be continued and to fill us with horror and apprehension ] Are these things to be continued ? Are we to have the multiplied landlord murders of the clearance system t Are we to have the diabolical assassinations of the landlords and their agents . Ought any motive to be so strong as that which should impel us to remove the causes of these horrible and degrading crimes ? I cocjmre every man who calls himself a Christian to join with me in extinguishing the causes of those most unchristian crimes .
" Let it be recollected that it is a act unquestionable in political economy , that all over the world countries are prosperous and the people are happy , in the ratio at the numbers of occupying proprietors . Countries are miserable , aa the number of occupiers cease to be proprietors . Misery exists in the ratio in which the occupiers hold lands by a Bhort , an uncertain , or unstable tenure . It is true that the state of property in Ireland forbids the hope of multiplying for the present the number of occupying proprietors ; but a remedy would be found to mitigate the evil , end to increase the security , and thereby the prosperity of the occupying tenant , by giving him fixity of tenure—a fixity which would leave to the landlord an acUqnate rent ; but would allew the tenant ths continuance of his enjoyment of the land and the bentfit of his improvements .
• ' Seme symptoms bave latterly appeared in England of the disposition on the part of some of the tenantry to join in any application to the Legislature to pa 83 a law , tending to secure fixity of tenure . If this disposition were extended , as in truth it ought , we , p' rbaps , might get English assistance sufficiently to enable U 3 to procure relief for the Irish tenants . Au identity of interests may produce a co-op ; ration equally advantageous to both parties . "It has , indeed , betn said that to legislate against the landlord would be to deprive him of his properly , or to depreciate it ; and that , therefore , no law ought
to be enacted to benefit the tenant at the expencu of the landlord . Those whe reason thus , totally forget that several acts of Parliament have been passed in favour of the landlord , and against the tenant . Let tbere be no act of Parliament at either side , and the condition of the tenant will'be greatly benefited by depriving the landlord of much of the legal machinery by , which he . is enabled to txtort exorbitant rents from the occupying tenants . All that would be necessary would be to repeal a few acts ef Parliament , and to restore the ancient common law of Engl and with respect to the relation of landlord and tenant "
Hi . O'Connell proceeds to r = view the state of the law of landlord and tenant in Ireland , and thus concludes : — " By reason of the acts ot Parliament I have mentioned , the laudlord C 3 res nothing for the character of his tenant , nor much for his solvency , provided that he can stoek the lands at alL If the seasons be abundant , and prices high , the landlord gets an enormous rent Jf the seasons are bad , or if prices fall , the landlord pounces upon the tenant—sells all his maveable property and crops—totally ruins him—and then , by civil bill ejectment , at the eost of a few shillings , evicts him from the possession , turns him and bis family adrift upon the world , aud makes them beggars .
"The enormity of this landlord-power in such a country as Ireland , is full of the most disastrous and sangninary effects . And , alas ! the avarice of the Irish landlords is but very frequently aggravated by the very bitter antipathy which too many of them bear to the people and to the religion of the people . " Surely nobody can say that it consists with humanity , aye , or with public safety , to leave this tremendous power in the hands of the landlords . " If the machinery of oppression , wbijfelttie statute law gives to the landlords , were takewSway . froni them , the difficulties in the way of an arrangement for fixity of tenure would be easily obviated , *• But after all , it is only in a domestic legislature that this subject can he calmly and deliberately taken up and handled , and legislative security given to the industrious tenant for the permanency of Ms tenure .
" Thirdly , The third measure necessary for jnstice to Ireland is , the legislative encouragement and protection to our native manufactures . " Fourthly—The fourth great measure essealial for justice to Ireland , is the extension of the franchise and vote by ballot . " TUB 1 UFTH MEASPSE ESSENTIAL TO THE PROST-KKiT-jr op Ireland is—the abolition of tub PHESENT STSXEM OF P 00 B LA"WS , AKD THE SUBSTITUTION OP A GREAT INCREASE OF MEDICAL ASD OTHER WELL-ARRANGED PUBLIC CHARITIES ' There is nothing so satisfactory in the arrangement of public charities , nor any plan that could be
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made to work bo well , as the principle of the Irish medical dispensaries—that is to say , that wherever private subscriptions wore collected , there should be given one of public moneys a Bum equal in amount to such subscriptions . » " * ^ ese P ^ Wic moneys , however , should hare nothing to do with grand Jury presentments ; but should either come out of the consolidated fund , of be produced by an income tax upon all peraons haying a certain income —^ \ or example , to begin with £ 500 a yeat . Fellow-countrymen—I put forward these five great measures as the basis upon which I seek to combine all Irishmen In the struggle for the Repeal of the Union . They constitute the great national compact upon which I call npon Irishmen of every persuasion to rally together in order to obtain national Independence and prosperity for their native land . They are these : •—
" Firstly—The total abolition of the tithe rent-charge . " Secondly . —Fixity of tenure f « the ocoupying tenants . " Thirdly—The encouragement and perfecting of Irish manufactures . Fourthly—Complete suffrage and vote by ballot 'Fifthy—Abolition of the present poor-law , and augmentation of well-regulated charitable institutions . Sucn , fellow-c ountrymen , is the basis of our repeal agitation for the year 1843 . " I hare the honour to be , fellow-countrymen , " Your ever faithful and devoted servant , " . Daniel O'Connell . Ddrrynane Abbey , January 1 , 1843 /'
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BIRMINGHAM . CHARTIST CONFERENCE . For the last few months , and in faot , since the memorable " strike" of the colliers and others , Chartism in thia town was in a disorganized state ; for although the localities existed in name they fell sadly short of efficiently ; performing those duties which fill to the lot of all well-organized bodies . A number of active and intelligent members of the National Charter Association , deeply deploring this state of things , and knowing well that Chartism was numerically etrong in BitmiBRhMn , resolve A to issue printed circulars calling on each member and friend of the National Charter Association to attend a general meeting ot Conference of the whole . The subject was brought before the members of the Ganeral Council for Ashton-street Locality , aud it was agreed that printed circulars should be issued , of which the following is a copy : —
" Birmingham , ' January 11 th , 1843 . Sir , —You are requested to attend a meeting of the members and friends of the National Charter Association , resident in Birmingham , on Monday , January 16 th , at the Royal Oak Inn , Little Ckarles-atreet , at seven o ' clock in the evening , for the purpose of considering the best mode of extending and strengthening the cau « in this town , and adopting a good mode of operation for the future , in order that full confidence ) maybe established amongst all the members . We remain . Sir , yours respectfully , George Richardson , chairman ; William Talbert , secrefary ; Messrs . Rcece , Parkes , Bates , Cowan , Sauntiers , Q . Waits . Murlees , councillors . '
At the time appointed , a large number of persons were in attendance in the large and commodious room o f the Royal Oak Inn , Little Charles-street , amongst whom wore the most active and intelligent Chartists of the town . A kind and brotherly feeling pervaded the whole ; and , from the general tenor of the proceedings , it will be seen that each man was animated with a desire to make B . rmingbam what she ought to be . On the motion of Mr . Q . White , Mr . John Mason was unanimously called to the chair .
Mr . Mason then took the chair , and said : —As they had done him the honour of electing him to preside on that occasion , he hoped that every one present would make it hia study to preserve a good ' feeling whilst they freely expressed their opinions on the various questions which might be submitted to their consideration . A more important object than that fur which they had now assembled could not engage the attention of the sincere and devoted patriot in his struggle for liberty ; he congratulated them that they had been breught together for the immediate purpose of creating a good understanding amongst the honest and sincere Chartists who desired the freedom of their country , and he bad so doubt thoy would Ultimately succeed . There was a po ^ ver then present competent
to accomplish an organizition of great magnitude , which , if c « ndusted with energy and prudence , under the guidance of as efficient directing body , invested with the entire confidence of all the Association , would call forth the activity of the surrounding districts and set an txituple to the country at largo , fie did not anticipate ' any frivolous objections would be urged , or that any person would complain of a waut ot proper respect in the distribution of the circulars , as he felt confide , t that everything had been done for the best , considering the short time ia which they had to dia ' . ribute such s large number . He hoped that they were all animated by noble sentiments , which he had no doubt would characterize ' their deliberations that evening—( bear , hear ) . The general good was their paramount o'ject ; and he was certain that unanimity
and decision would be the surest guarantee for their future success . Mr . White would now read over to them a series of propositions to be submitted to thvlr consideration . They had been drawn up with a tenacious regard of the existing organiz ition . Bat it was obvious that , from the vastness of the population of Birmingham , and the disgraceful manner in whioh the Whig leaders had abused their confidence , it was necessary to adopt a more comprehensive mode of action than had been previously in operation , in order to arouse the immense energies of the working classes ; and he hoped that their proceedings that evening would be conducted ia such a dignified tone of feeling as to give life and vigour to the cause in Birmingham , and prove to England that that power which displayed itself in 1830 would now be used for a nobler purpose . ( Cheers . )
Mr . George White hiving been unanimously appointed to act as Secretary , explained the reasons for calling the meeting , and pointed out the mode by which Birmingham might be made the grand centre and bulwark of sound chartism . He referred to the immense nuuibars who , at all times , came forward at public meetings to support their principles , as a justification of the steps they were about to take , to bring about a good understanding and healthy organisation of the whole . He then read over a number of propositions which had been drawn up at a preliminary meeting , and concluded by expressing a hope that they would tbat evening make such regulations as would place the cause in Birmingham on a sure and iiremoveable foundation . - . - - : i ¦ ¦¦
After a few remarks from the Chairman , and Messrs . Carter and Williamson , ^ fiillP ^ Mr . T . Sa VJiDBSS said , that from wbttstttojd heard read by the Secretary , it appeared to hljii | BP ^ bere was an intention of breaking up the localit ^^ ind establishing them into one body . If such Was ? tbe case , they had bttter submit a resolution to the effect at the outset He therefore ' moved , " That the whole of the existing localities be merged into one body . " Mr . Joseph Washboubne objected to the resolution , as a member of the shoemakers' locality . - He felt convinced tbat they would not agree to it . Messrs . Chilton , Thorne , and Williamson , also spoke on the subject , whoa Mr . Saunders withdrew his mution .
Mr George White then addressed the meeting . It appeared to him that at a time like this , the advocates of liberty should not cavil about trifles . There were numbers of our best friends at that moment with a prospect of imprisonment before their eyes ; and it would add to their punishment i f , after they were incarcerated , they should find that their labours were in vain . If they would not act energetically to support those who had been placed in that position , what could be thought of them ? Tens ot thousands ot honest men were then suffering all the horrors of starvation , and tbere was not a man theu present but was liable to share the same fate . They well knew that there was no protection for working men under the present system , and , in order to come to an unanimous decision , be would move the following resolution : —
"That as it is necessary to improve the position , and extend the principles of Chartism in this great and important town , in order to concentrate our power , we hereby resolve to unite our energies without interfering with the businetB of the various localities as at present conducted . " Mr . Edwaed Murless seconded the motion , which was put from the chair , and unanimously agreed to . The Secretary then read the following portion of the propositions ;—" That , members of the General Council for the town of Birmingham be now elected , composed of twenty or more , if necessary ; that their duties shall be to divide tbe town into districts , appoint collectors , dud to take all cecessary means of extending and consolidating tbe organization ; that they shall bave tbe power of electing a directing body from their members , who shall be authorised to convene the council as often as they shall deem it necessary . "
Mr . W . chili on moved that the reaolution juatiead , be adopted by this meeting . Mr . John Newhouse seconded it . Mr . James SaUNDE&S moved an amendment , " That tbe words < directing committee' be substituted for ' g eneral council . * He thought tbat it would be less objectionable and would be more legal . Mr . Smith Linden supported the original motion . He could not see any reasonable objection that could be raised against it . Mr . John Williamson could not see any difference in the terms . It was quite clear tbat the Council proposed to be appointed were intended to be superior to
the local councils now existing . They were to do that which the others had not done . They were to extend the Organization of Birmingham , a town containing a population of nearly 200 , 000 . They had now only three localities , when they ought to have more tbou forty ; and no doubt they would have if they bad a good working committee , aye ! that was the word—that was the real name they should call it , aa ib was exactly what was required—( hear , hear ) . The Anti-Coin-Law League were moving heaven and earth to gain one proselyte , and why should they not do the same ? It was necessary for them to take more energetic steps , and he had no duH&S that they would present as strong a Io 3 y ere
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long , aa they did previous to ithe passing of the infuaoos Reform BilL Be Bhould rapport the original motion . - . ] Mr . Joseph Reece supported the original motion . He would suggest the propriety of adding tbe word Birmingham , to thoso . of General Council , iu order that it might be fairly understood . Mr . SAON pers again repeated his former statement . He considered the substitution of hia amendment would not alter the spirit of the rtsoltition , whilst it would legalise the whole . : The Chairman explained . [ They were acting perfectly right in pressing the resolution as it stood , as they were not met there solely as members of the National Charter Association . That meting was open and legal , and any council they appointed would be legal also . ! Mr . Wm . Smith Lindon , took the same view as the Chairman . ;
Several persons here called for the resolutions to be put , as Mr . Saunders' amendment had nob been seconded . \ Mr . John Magee thought it , a perfect waste of time to indulge is the present discussion . They bad not come there to talk about legality . He was perfectly tired of such nonsense . It was a shame for men to talk about It who knew that there was nothing which a working man did that could not be turned into illegality by the present irresponsible Government . Was it not notorious that they bad no law to protect them ? Was not the very name " Chartist , " scouted by the wealthier classes ? He should support tbe motion . The Chairman then put the motion , which was carried with one dissentient . \ The Secretary then read the next proposition , " That the Council abail meet once per week , and oftener , if required . "
Mr . Smith Lindon moved its adoption . Mr . Walter Thorne seconded it , and it was cartied unanimously . i Tbe Secretary read the proposition under the bead " Contributions , " " That each member he rtqnired to contribute one penny per week or more , if their circums ' ances will permit , and tbat no member shall be excluded through inability to contribute . " s Mr . EdVf akd M ub less moved its adoption . Mr . Edward Taylor seconded it Mr . J . Sminders could not see any utility in it . The localities ought to have power to j dispose of their own funds . . Mr . Williamson thought it I would be useless to elect a Council unless they were invested with the necessary amount of power for jarrying out the objjet for which they had been chosen . \
Mr . White said tbat the local j Councils would bave tbe same power then as they now possess , with this difference , tbat they would be expected to act in conjunction with the others who might be selected that evaning , j Tbe resolution was carried unanimously . Mr . John Newhouse moved' the following resolution , — i " That a monthly Conference he held , at which a full and correct account of all the transactions of the Council flhiU be submitted to the member a . That taoh member be supplied with a printed copy of the Balance Sheet , containing a complete detail of tbe income and expenditure , and that tbe Council be empowered to receive all contributions and disburse the same for the benefit of the united Chartist body . " Mr . Joseph Reece seconded ! tbe adoption of the resolution . :
Mr . J . Williamson objected to providing printed monthly balance sheets for tbe use of the members He thought a quarterly Balance Sheet sufficient ; other societies only published tbem half-yearly . He nevertheless should not move an amendment . Mr . Walter Thorn b moved , " That the Balance Sheet be published once a quarter . " Mr . J . Magee seconded tbe motion . Mr . Smith Lindon supported the original motion . He had a vast deal ef experience ! as a collector , and bad often been asked by these who could not attend every meeting , vehen do you produce your Balance Sheet ? What do you do with the money ? The publication of a monthly sheet was objected to on account of the expenee . He just heard Mr . White remark , that a halfpenny each might be charged for them , and as they would cost only about a farthk-g each , those which were lett could be given to tbe poor members that could not pay .
Mr Saunders supported the amendment , and suggested the propriety of each collector taking a written Balance Sheet for the satisfaction of the members . Mr . Wm , Chilton supported ] the motion . The balance sheet could be produced ^ at very little cost ; being a printer he could foxm a ptetty comet estimate of it , and he knew tbere was not one present who would refuse to pay one halfpenny for a copy . Mr . Thorns again spoke in favour of his amendment , and after the necessity of jsuppljing a printed monthly balance sheet bad been spoken to by Messrs . White , Lindon , and others , Mr . Williamson declared himsalf satisfied with its utility , ! and Messrs . Thome and Magee consented to withdraw their amendment TheCHAiKMAN put the resolution , which was carried unanimously .
The Secretary then addressed the meeting on the necessity of having the most energetic and business men of tbe town elected to carry out the resolutions already agreed to . He often remarked that in large meetings like tbat there was often a difficulty in selecting proper persons , through tbeit not knowing each ether properly—with this view , the preliminary meeting bad selected the names of the most active and useful Chartists in the town , not by way of dictation but tj assist tbem in the selection of proper persons ; thty could reject any that did not suit them , and put as many as tht * y liked on tbe list , when a vote would be taken for and against each . They had been selected from each locality , so that full jati&fuction might be given to ail . He then read over the names of twentyseven persons . Several names were added to the list at tbe suggestion of various persons present .
Mr . J . Saunders moved •¦ That the meeting should not proceed to the election of Councillors , but refer their previous resolutions to the judgment of the localities . " i Mr . J . Magee seconded tbe motion . Mr . jE . Taylor said tbe meeting would stultify itself by complying with Mr . Saunders ' resolution , as they had already agreed to elect twenty or more . Mr . G , White spoke in favour of proceeding at once to the election . | Saveral addresses were delivered on the subject . A resolution moved by Mr . White , shewing the neebsnity of a union of action , a&d allowing each locality to add any active person they thought proper , was agreed to almost unanimously .
The names were then proposed and seconded separately , and put to the meeting . Out of the original list some declined to act , and others were rejected . The following persons were eleeteel : — David Potts George ( White John Follows William Smith Lindon Alfred Fussel John Williamson John Mason tticbard Thompson William Hopkins Walter JFhorne Joseph Reeco Joseph WaBhbourne Edward Murless Mr . Watson John Newhouse Edward Jones Thomas Welsford Thomas Langh ton James MaviUy William Bradley William Chilton Mr . Gibbons Mr . Cowan Petsr Hi $ gins John Magee Ohariesi Steward William Knight Mr . Barry Thomes Blake Edward Taylor George Richardson Mr . Wright
The Secretary then gave notice that other important business was intended to have : been brought forward that evening , but as it was then too late to go into it , he would advise that the meeting , at its rising , do adjourn to Monday evening next , at seven o ' clock , to be holden at the Royal Oak Inn , Little Charles-street —This was unanimously agreed to . ] It was also resolved that tbe Secretary should convene tbe Council for Sunday next , for the transaction of business . Their first meeting will therefore be held at the Ship Inn , Steolhouse-lane , on j Sunday , at three o'clock ia the afternoon . . ; Tbe Chairman then read the following address , which was unanimously agreed to , and ordered to be published with the report in the Northern Slar : ± -
" Fellow Patriots—Lovers of ! Liberty , —It is nnder no ordinary feelings that we have undertaken to address you on tbe present occasion , and we cannot but suppose that you , although not moving so ardently in the cause as we would desire to see every devoted lover of their c-mntry , that you , nevertheless , are animated to a high degree with similar sentiments to ourselves . The perils , difficulties , and persecutions to which all great political movements expose the most zealous of their promoters , are such as ever to be regarded concurrent in struggle against constituted pWera ; but when these tfforta originate in the desire to-establish real and substantial jnstice , ancf contemplate the sublime object of exalting degraded humanity , we cannot but regard apathy at this period , with the fearful persecution now threatening some of our most virtuous men , as most disreputable to the character of the ) working classes . Did the present struggle merely comprehend ttie elevation of a class of society , as in the case of the Reform
Bill , and all the other measures proposed by the middle otileis of the community , we should have found an adequate explanation in your silence ; but , as this struggle for tbe entire political freedom ofj the enslaved , is the only grand attempt having for its object substantial justice , we feel unable to account ] for your present quietude , under such unparalleled sufferings . Let us crave , for the character of our order , you a ill rally to the cause of liberty . To adduce facts of your sufferings would only be an insult to your intelligence as men , ond as but weak in the force ot description , conipareu to the daily aud hourly miseries you are doomed to undergo , and feel more keenly than language can express . B « it then yout duty to spurn such a [ condition . It is unworthy the spirit of men to submit to such a fate , and still more unworthy , with the power in our own handfi to put an end to It when ever we have virtue to will it . What motives vrkich could emulate oppressed humacity in this the ratst rational and
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gl&riotts of causes , do not inspire ns to accomplish the freedom of our families and country ? The greatest bravery and perseverance have been and are now devoted iu the cause of tha worst of human tyrants , for personal ambition , imperial aggrandisement , or the suhjsrtioo of every effort made by tfce patriots of nations to free enslaved humanity ; and , -a ely , we do not over calculate the dignity of sentiment and feeling which animate the working class , in supposing that they will prove themselves too proud to remain , much longer the abject slaves of a heartless race of rich
tyrant -. Come forward , then , men of B rmingham , and organize your moral power ; concentrate your means and energies in such a manner and numbers as will set an exar apre of political power to the people of England . Ltthontity . prudeuce . snd oravery be the qualifications of your officers , and , supported by yonr confidence and power , you will attain a position ot moral greatness , which the haughty aristocrat will fear to despise , and the usurping ehopocrat dread to resist We demand justice and equality , and he who would refuse or trample upon tbe eternal principJos of huoun right is a tyrant , and deserves a tyrant ' s fate . "
A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , to which ho britfl / replied . A collection was made for a poor rmmbar of the National Charter Association , from S&oekport , and the meeting adjourned to Monday evening next . Although much discussion took pSaco ou the various propositions , yet tbe whole waa coaducted and eoncluued iu the most satisfactory rnaaat ?; and the best results are anticipated from the highly important meeting of Monday evening . We shall now have a good acting and guiding bodj f it tuia town , the want of which haa cramped our energies to a great txteiat . It ia internist * .-to divide the town into d ' atricts and
commence an active canvas , as ail that is necessary is to bring the great amount of Chartist feeling in this town into active operation .
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RADFOBD . —At a genural meeting of the Chartist 9 of Radford , Mr . John Watkins , Mr . John Gjorg Dron , Mr . T-. iomas M .. Wheeler , Mr . Ruffy Ridley , and Mr . William Boiweil , w « re nominated as 6 c persons to examine the accounts of the Executive . fcSICESTER—The Shakspereans were addressed by Mr . Ctwper , last Sunday night , in the Shaksperean Room , on Stukspere , and dramatic literature and dramatic representations , —the usual form of
sermonizing being laid aside for this occasion ; —and on Monday night , Shakspere's great play of Hamlet was performed to a densely crowded audience , in the Amphitheatre , Mr . Cooper taking the chitf character . Tue affair waa received with great favour , acl the play is to be repeated next Monday evening : Ad-linon ' s Cato is to follow . On Tuesday evening the half yearly meeting for settlement of accounts , election of committee , &c » which had been unavoidably postponed f com the close of the ye ; tr , owing to the Birmingham Conference . &c , was hsld . The ^ . leeti'n of officers for the ensuing year was postponed till eext Tuesday evening .
&ID 8 £ -RSHtfST £ R . ' -A meetinR of the unemployed of tbia town was held on Suttee Common , on Monday last ; Mr . Cli&set being on & visit at Kirtderminster , give a short address . Mr . Crouch followed , and announced that Mr . Clissit Would deliver a lecture at the Free Mason ' s Aims the same evening ; but tha landlord refused the use of the room , assigning as a reason that it was wet aud that it vcu-l . i cost him three shilliags to cleia the room . Notwithstanding this disappointment , we sent the cryer round the t > wn , announcing the meeting to take place at the White Horse Inn . Mr . Crouch was unanimously called to the chair , who , in a brief speech , introduced Mr . Clissit to the meeting , who delivere-i a plain but instructive lecture , during which he frequently elicited the plaudits of his hearers . The Chairman theu delivered a rather lengthy discourse , and at the close announced his intention of delivering a lecture in tue saiae room , on Monday next .
CAKRIWGTON , NEAR NOTTINGHAM . The Ch&rtista in this locality met at their ruora , Mansfield ^ road , ou Sunday evening last , and after the pecuniary business waa gone through , it wa 3 atreen to have a tea party and ball on Shrove Tuesday , for the beueflt ot the wives and children of the victims of magi sterial oppression , who are now i » uff = ring various terms of in »» prisomnent in Southwell house of correction . EJUKI ^ FXEta . —Mr . Rigby lectured in this town on S mday night . He showed the moral impossibility of Class Legislation , no matter how propped vp by political quackery , ever effecting any general gcoti to society . The audience waa sniiili in coimeqac-nce of the shortness of the notice .
ItEAullNGTOS . —At our usual weefciy meeting at the Prince of Wales Inn , Mt . Henry Sinsford ia the chair , Mr . James Green deliverti a very abie lectors on the pxesei . t distress of the country aad its remedies ; after which a long discussion fo lowed on Cooper ' s proposed plan of Organization , by Messrs . Smiford , Shepherd „ Hobson , and A ^ len . The debate was altimatbly aojourned till ntxt Sunday evening . Soveral new weiubtrs were enrolled , and many oM one& came aud paid their subscriptions . RUTBteRGLEN' . —Oa Monday the ninth instant , a public meeting of the inhabitants of this place was held ia Mr . Fulton ' s Hall , to hear the report of tbe Delegates ( Mr . Charks ME «* an and Mr . W . E . Pattieon , ) of the proceedings at the Conference .
STCCEkPOBT . —On Friday eveEin ? lsst , Mr . E . Mantz , of London , visited this town , and lectured ia the Association Room , on the present aspect of society ; but owing to the brevity of the notice , together with tbe inclemency of the weather , the auei . d'mce waa not so , ? reat , nevertheless tha talented lecture -, went through much interesting matter , ami throughout displayed a thorough knowledge of his subject At thu conclusion he received a unanimous vote of thanks , and the meeting broke up quite satisfied with ihe proceedings ef the e / eniDg . On Sunday night , Mr . Ma . iz preached to a numerous and respectable audience . His ( tistoutse was listened to throughout with marked attention , and gave universal satisfaction . Fifteen sbilliir&s and ninepence was collected at the door ; also four shillings and three-pence for a member s ? ho was then oa hi 3 deathbed .
LONGTON , ( Staffordshire Potteries . )—A few men of tbe right sort having determined en opening tbe Association Room as soon as they could procure some talented lecturer ; they engaged Mr . £ . M mtz and Mr . Brown , of London , who were passius ; tbraugh . that part of the country . Mr . Man z lectured on Monday , the 9 th , -to a glorious meeting . Mr . Browu J'iCtured on the 10 th , to a very good audience , an' * gave general satisfaction . On Thursday , the 12 t . h , Ma M . Simpson , of Hanley , lectured to a very good audience , and was cheered throughout his lecture , which lasted about one hour aud a half . The Association Room will be opened on every Tuesday night , at seven o ' clock , when lectnres will be delivered . ; X The council hope to open the room as a general newsroom , in a short time , when the Nortnem aud Evening Stars will be publicly read . ; SOUTH SHIELDS . —A placard having appeared from the Committe *) of tbe Anti-Corn Law Association
of this town stating tbat a Mr . Liddell woul 1 deliver a lecture on the repeal of the Corn Laws , on Thursday , the 12 th iust . ; the Chartists considered it desirable , as it was the first time they had dar ^ d to attempt to palm their free-trade nostrums upon the working men hew publicly , to nip their proceedings in the bud , and if possible , to strangle their darling bantling at its birth . Consequently , long before the tims appointed for holding the meeting , the room was crowdttf to suffocation , aad hundreds went away unable to gbt admittance . Business was commenced by appointing Mr . Brings , a member of the Society of Friends , as c / i . iirman , to which no opposition waa offered . The lecturer was also allowed to proceed without tbe least ' ' ntsrruption throughout the whole of hia addresss > and after he had
finished , Mr . Wm , Carr , chairman of the- Complete Suffrage Union , proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer , when lir . Hamlet Booth , a working man , said he could not let this meeting separate wrsnout giving his opinions frankly and disinterestedly upon some ot tbe statements ot the lecturer . Thia was the signal for the freebooters to commence their usual interruption by groans aud yells of the most discordant sound , not fargetting to use physical force by putting the coat of ourfriend , and other ungentlemanly means ; but Mr . Booth was not to be put down , and proceeded to shew forth the fallacies tbat bad been adduced , in a bold and straightforward manner , proving to the satisfaction of all unprejudiced minds that it was useless for the working classes to attempt a repeal of the Cum Laws or
auy other bad law until they had first gained the Suffrage , and after a very able address proposed the following resolution amidst the cheers of the Chartists and wry faces of tbe humbugs : —*• That this meesing is fully alive to the wicked and mischievous effects of the Com Laws , and also monopolies of every kind ; we , therefore , resolve to use all lawful means in our power to remove tbe parent of all monopoly—class legiulatiouj aad aa taeonly honeBt and effectual way of attaining this de-Birable object , we pledge ourselves to agitate for the document called the People ' s Charter , being satisfied that all attemptato waste tbe people ' s time and money on anything short of thia can only call forth our pity for their Ignorar / ce , or contempt and dericion at their futile and wicked designs . " Mr Mitchell secended the resolution in a very able manner , and sat down smittat Uemendons cheering . Mr . Carr again rose , and iu a
plausible and deceitful speech , in -which be attempted to gull the working men into a baiief that the rspealera were honest in their intentions when th » . sy stated that the repeal of Cyrn Laws Would give food aad employment to all classes of the community , sat , clown by proposing the following amendment : — "TLafc tbe repgui of the Corn Laws would be of great beutllt io the Working e . assea . " Mr . Gooi secondeu the amendment . Tfce Chairman pat the amendment first , whoa very fcw bauds were heid up . Be theu put tiw motiua , wiioa a i ' oreat of bauds were raised ; Mr . Broadbsiiu . MasadVto give hie decMiiou , stating that the Cbartisvs fcadiield up boib hand 3 instead of one . Mr . Mitchell then propesad that each party hold up b&ta fcandsv when tiifl huiafeuga confessed that they were beat Threa chuera were giv < : n for F . O Cunnor , three for Fr « st , % yiUiams , Jones , and EUis , aud tares for the Chatter , wkeftUW meeting Bfua ' zated . . .. ..
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THE ADDRESS OF THE SOUTH LANCASHIRE DELEGATES TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS , AND THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL - CHARTER ASSOCIATION GENERALLY . Bkethb . es , —There never was a time in the history of this country that tbe working classes had more to contend with than they have at the present period , nor was there ever a time -when apathy was more prevalent . We had hoped that the persecution which power and eapital has raised in the country , and more especially in Lanc ashire , vrould have long rincearouied yon to a sense of your duty ; and we can only attribute it to your unparalleled suffering , and the tyranny of yonr merciless employers , who will , we are « ure , exercise the tame power ova you thai they have hitherto done , unless you seek to establish your own rightthe right of bbourin opposition to the right claimed by capital .
We are on the eve of the -day when many of our best men are to be condemned by class-made laws— ( tiled and sentenced they have been already ); thby are to be separated from their homes , their kindred , and their friends . For -what ! For advocating tbe right of a class ? No ; but for assertiEg the right of all men , ¦ w ithout reference to class or erted . This , in the eyes of unjust law makers , is a crime not to be forgiven . Why do they persecute ? Why do they imprison ? Why no they ezpitriate our brethren ? Because we want that unity of interest and fellow feeiing which thsy have for themselves and them oi ly . let to in this instance shew them that -we do not want sympathy for those who have stood forward as advocates for the rights and privileges of us and our children ; nor that we iio not want moral courage to come forward and take our itand as they have done . Do this and the work of periecution is at an end .
Brethren , consider for a moment what must fee the feelings of those -who are to be deprived of the society and-support of these men ; the poet B&ys" There ore hopes from the prison , Bnt none frem the tomb . ' Bnt what hope can they have from an apathetic people ? wbst consolation can it be to them to know that their children are dependent oa you fw support ? Away theu -with littlessness ; rally all yonr energies ; deprive yourselves of all tbat is unneceftary ; abandon the public-house , for it gives strength to our enemies ; deal only with our friends , with those who will give towards tha support of the victims of class legislation .
Brethren , we faava beheld with extreme regret , the defalcation in the attendance of delegates \> i the Santh Lancashire Council . It therefore became our duty to remind the Chartists of this district , that ?« consider it of the utmost importance that the varieus localities should have their representatives present at such council meetings , in erder to create a feeling of brotherly affection in the Chartist ranks in the division of Lancashire . We also know that the Cbaitista of Great Britain have been in the habit of looking up to this meeting aa the j aost important meeting in theconntry . In the hope , therefore , that the past will nwre than suffice , we have to announce that a delegate meeting will take place on
the 22 nd , when Butjecta of the most vital importance ¦ wQl be brought forward for the consideration of the delegates , one of which -will be the propriety of employing a lecturer in this division of the county ; also the new plan of organization . Another equally important subject will be the most efficient means of procuring fuiida to defend tha victims at the forthcoming trials , and render support to the wives and families of those ¦ who may be incarcerated . There is also another subject -which will demand the careful deliberation of the delegates , which is the emendation of the constitution of the county council , aad placing it upon more thoroughly democratic principles .
We call upon the members of trades unions to come forward at this important crisis , and assist their countrymen in obtaining a thorough reform in the Commons House of Parliament , —a reform which will give to every man an equal share in the legislation of the country ; and this can only be obtained by the enactment of thst document called the People ' s Charter . Trades unions have not answered the purpose for which they were originally intended , namely , keeping up the price of labour ; and whilst w * j are willing to admit that they have stood as bulwarks between the oppressor and the oppressed , yet they have not , nor cannot , bucetssfully combat against the grasping and insatiable evarice of the griB ^ fflggitpttalist ; and why ? Because the law protects h&&fi » etty : in fact he is one of -he
law-maitw , whWi » e ! lioBert and industrious working man has no law to protect : his labour . On tbe contrary , every law made is more or less opposed to bis real interest ; and no wonder , because he is not allowed to have a hand in making it Then seeing such to be the case , " » a cali upon you , the intelligent mechanics and srtizms—we urgently call npon you . the very life ' s i-iood of this nation—you who are the sinews , the prop and support of the Government and its " abettors , to rally round the standard of true democracy , and Ehew by your honest andfirm adherence to it that yoH are determined to be politically free , and implacable enemies to that Leviathan , Class Legislation , which has , like a devastating tornado , blasted and destroyed the vital interests of the great body of the working community .
To you of the Trades who have already joined our ranks , we are compelled to say , but we do it with all due respect , that yon have been wanting in your duty ; you have bten tpatbetic . In truth yonr conduct lately evinces a complete indifference to the glorious cause which yoa professed sinctrefy to espouse . To you we zay , shake of your lethtrgy , rouse from your sloth aed exert your best energies to promote the onward progress of cur holy principles . Ton have ho excuse ; you are convinced of the trnlh of the political tenets which we have preached ; tieiefore we say once more , put on yonr armour and be ready to fight the moral fight t f right agaiBst cruel and oppressive might . Let your and our enemies Bee by your virtuous attachment to the banner ef freedom , that yoa are worthy of those rights which God and nature intended you should possess .
Brethren , we need uot remind you of the necessity of giving your undivided support to that portion of the press -advocating purely democratic principles . We are ot opinion there are none so deserving attention as the Northern and Evening Stars . These bright luminaries , under all circumstances , have nobly defended the rights of the toiling millions , and , regardless alike of calumny and persecution , have fearlessly derounced ir-justice and oppression , no matter whether emanating from Government ( . facials or local tyrants . And it ¦ would manifest tbe bastst ingratitude on your part , if
yon do not strive by all possible means to promote the rarcnlation of both papers first , by taking than yonrselves in preference to otoers , and then by introducing them into your Temperance Hotels and other places of public resort where you hava any influence . By thus performirrg -what is no more than your duty yoa are-removing the prt-judices of those who are not acquainted vrith your principles , and , at the same tune , carrying terror iato the camp of your enemies , and siltntiy , yet effectually , promulgating those glorions truths on which alone can be based the happiness oi yourselves and the salvation of your country .
In conclusion , brethren , -we call upon you to shake off the apathy winch yon bave so lpng manifested . Exercise all the energies you possess in the prosecution of yoar noble enterprise . Bs determined that your principles shall be known , being fully assured they have oiiiy to be known to be appreciated by all who are not inaccessible to conviction . Let no danger induce you tozelinqui&h the contest , and soon , very soon , will victory crown your united efforts Then Trill liberty be proclaimed upon the mountain tops , and the valleys
edio back the sound , while the glad news of your country's freedom vriil reverberate from shore to shore till distant nations catch the delightful theme , and with one spontaneous burBt of enthusiastic rapture proclaim , ?• Tyranny is fallen , is fallen ' and freedom , happiness , and peace is permanently established •" Weremain , yours , In behalf of the Delegates assembled , Thos . Raii / ton , Chairman . TVm . Dixox , Secretary . Manchester , January 8 th , J 843 .
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Untitled Article
^ . THE NORTHEBNJTAR , 7
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 21, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct919/page/7/
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