On this page
-
Text (5)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
BRIGHTON . A public meeting of tie inhabitant * of Brighton TO held on Monday evening week , at-the Town Hall , to take into consideration tta propriety of addressing ft petition to tbe Commons * House of Parliament in favour of a document entitled the " People ' s Charter . " sad to adopt such measures as the Mid meeting might deem expedient . The meeting m convened by the High Constable , on s reguisitiaa being presented to him , signed by a numerous and respectable portion of the Inhabitants of Brighton . In the absents * ot the High Constable , who TO confined to bis house by severe indisposition , the chair was taken by Mr . Johk Good , Delegate for Brighton in the tat Convention .
Business commenced by the Vestry Clerk reading the requisition , during which we believe both the Members for the Borough entered the room , and took their seats en the right of the Chairman , amidst long continued socialise ; in fact the applause fer Captain Pechell , one of the glorious thirty-nine , was tremendous . Hardly bad the cheering subsided , but the old hall rung again and again on the entrance of Charles Brookes , Esq . ; peal after peal vibrated through the hall on the appearance of the Honourable Gentleman on the platform , beside the Members for the Borough . Silence haying in some degree been gained , the Vestry Clerk finished reading the requisition , the Chairman briefly requested the meeting to preserve order , and give , as he had no doubt they -would , s fair and impartial hearing to
every speaker . Mr . Allen rose to propose the following resolution : — " That in the opinion of this meeting , the rapidly increasing tide of distress , which is involving all the industrious and commercial classes of society , is attributable solely to the existing inequalities of a system which essentially protect ! particular classes at the expense of the rights and interests of the great body of the people . " That till all classes of men be placed on a footing of equality before the laws of the country , the evils sow so universally complained of will continue to grow , and at last to threaten a national convulsion . " That , in the opinion of this meeting , nothing short of the adoption of the ' People ' s Charter' can effect the desired object , and that we , therefore , adopt the petition called ) the ' National Petition , ' praying for this object "
Mr . ALLE . n , in a long and eloquent speech , spoke to the resolution with a fervour and admiration that called down upon him the repeated applause of the meeting . An incident occurred , during his address , that placed the meeting in such a spirit of delight , that for a few moments all order was at an end . ETery man and woman were standing , waving hats and handkerchiefs , shouting at the top of their voices—the rery building seemed to tremble with the weight of their loud hurrahs . One man had entered the hall from one of the sate room * , followed by a few trusty aad faithful fiy > T > rt «_ He mounted the platform—passed in front of the borough members to the left of the chairman—he was recognised—it was their beloved schoolmasteryes , it was Bronterre O'Brien—he wb ' e hid passed the
aery ordeal of Whig persecution ; nearly two yean since he had been in Brighton ; yet with all , he was t > n > same r" * - ^ ; thnngh there is not that smiling countenance—yet tie same features are there—the same undaunted spirit—the same determination of mind ; eighteen months' persecution has not damped the ardour of his soul—the same inspirations to free bis country exist in his manly breast ; yes , with all the brutal persecutions of his oppressors—he is the same undaunted—the same determined advocate and teacher of the millions of his persecuted and oppressed fellowsubjects . O'Brien in Brighton , is surrounded by a host of friends—men who have stood by him in the days of adversity—men who have braved and treated wiVh contempt the contumely of the proud and haughty , the
rich and titled , and rallied round one of the noblest of j nature ' s creation such was the the enthusiasm of the j meeting , as we h&ve said before , for the time every-. thing was at a standstill , lit . Allen resumed his ad- ; dress , ky appealing at once to the - people to discoun- ; teaanee the brutal Whigs . " See" said be , " a victim ! of their cruel and brutal treatment—look at your brave O'Brien . Men of Brighton , look at your noble teacher —Whigs of Brighton , a vaunt from the withering glance of the man your party have so brutally treated ; hide yourselves for ever from the sight of your honest Char-1 tist neighbours ; look with , shame at the victim of the \ bloody despotism of your party when , in power who , I
thank God , exist no longer as a party of any cense- ' quBnoe to be worth noticing . Men of Brighton , forget ; not the sufferings of poor Holberry , Peddie , and nu- j merous others of your Mends , who have been and some [ of whom are still cod fined in the loathsome dungeons i of your oppressors , in which the despotism of the late Whig Ministry placed them . And will you , can you support such a parky ? ( Loud . cries of " no , no , never . "; j No , never said Mr . Allen ; their day is gone for ever— , they had now a fsc . ion who ¦ will try their best to put them don ; bat they -rill fail . The rising intelligence of the people will in the end prevail , and the Charter become the Lur of the land . Mr . Allea resumed bis
seat "trid the most tremendous applause , and was followed by Mr . Collisg , who , in a neat and most effective speech , seconded the resolution ; -which , after being read by the Vestry Clerk , was put to the meeting by the Chairman , and carried with loud cheering . Mr . WOOCSvabd rose to propose the adoption of the National Petition . He congratulated his brother Chartists on the progress their cause has made in the town of Brighton , and the county of Sussex . It was nearly four years since the Charter was introduced into this town ; since which time Chartism and its advocates had borne a terrible persecution ; still the principles of the Charter are all paramount ; hundreds of their best P *»* noblest compatriots had suffered
long and lonesome incarceration . Although bamcadts had been erected at previous meetings in this townsoldiers under arms—their fellow-towamtn sworn in as special constables , to bludgeon them—vile coast-guardmen were introduced in the body of the meeting with naked cutlasses—with all these against thpm , they had triumphed , and seethe consequence ; no tumults , nor no rioting . Mr . W . impressed on the meeting the fact , that whenever a new sect sprang up among the peeple , whether in politics or religion , persecution was sure to follow ; they had been persecuted—their friends had bees torn from them ; still cot of a fiery and cruel penecution , Chartism came more pure—the spirit burned stronger and more determined , and nothing int the sincerity and resolution of the people is wanted to lead them to a successful conclusion , i Cheers , j The
good seed sown by Mr . Feargus O'Connor three years since , tnd the doctrines he had promulgated among them , had not been forgotten , but on all and every occasion they had responded to fh *» p ? , aud in spite of a Tile and corrupt prea they were a £ last recognised as a powerful party in the state , ilr . Woodward then entered into a history and defence of the Charter , seriatim , pointing out the differences that existed in the various boroughs , comparing the small * rith the large , instancing small boroughs with a population of two or three thousand sending as many membirs as
a population of three hundred thousand . He then drew a p : cture of the state of the poorer classes of this country , and with considerable feeling read extracts from the Timss newspaper , giving an account that at the same time her Majesty was delivered ef a Prince , three poor women were co&fined in one bed and two in another , at the same time , on the same day . at Ssvenoaks Union workhouse . ( Great sensation was evinced by the meeting- ) Mr . Woodward urged upon every man to sign the petition , if agreed to , and resumed his seat amid loud eontinned cheerine .
The TZSTB . Y Crtfii living resA the National Petition , Mr . Flowers , in a speech of some lftngth and spirit , seconded its adoption . The venerable and good old man spoke -with an energy vre have seldom witnessed . The cheering of the meeting told us that , his feelings were responded to . ar , <\ on resuming his seat , tbemeetog gave him one loud and long r ^ und of applause . Mr . BaoNTEs . £ E O'Buiex was called for , and on shewing himself to the ir . ceting , the cheering was tremendous . Af ttr it had subsided , he thauktd them for the manner in which they Ind received him that evening , and said he ought te be grateful , forthe people of Brighton never forgot him in his time of trouble . He had never solicited their support , yet they came forward to
his assistance Then most needed It was gratifying to him to see fifteen or sixteen hundred honest faces , after having seen nothing but the faces of thieves aad smashers for the last eighteen mouths . Mr . O'Brien gave an account of his companions , which elicited repeated outbursts of the meetings indignation at such abominable treatment . He said he would undertake to prove that the misery of the people was the result oi acts of Parliament , and he would undertake not only to shew that , but that the men who made those acts oi Parliament , made them , for the pu-pcae of robbing and enslaving the people , and more than that he would undertake to show , in opposition to any ODe , what those acts of Parliament ¦ were ; < .. r if there were evils existing , which wer « not the result of sets of Parliament , they
were the resalt ot the w < mt of such acts , -which they would have if other acts of Parliament did not protect them . He thought it necessary to make this remark , because it had been frequently said in the House of Commons , that the distress of the people was not owing to legislation . Lord John Bassell Jiad made a statement to that effect , and so had Sir Robert Peel ; and the Times the organ of the monied class , on the occasion of the great meeting in Palace Yard , to elect delegate ! to the Convention , after abusinz the Chartists , foi their folly and presumption in tb'nVing they had any claim to the suffrage , said , "What , do you mean to shew
us that Parliament could do anything to setter your condition ? Draw up a Bill , which if carried into a law would ameliorate your condition , -and present it to the House o . ' Co mm ens , and we will undertake to say that , however meanly you may think cf that Housa , it will not hesitate one moment in passing that bill into a law . " That was all delusion , or to use a strong ** expression , it w& 3 » U humbug . In the first place , ii was not by one ac > of Parliament that the people were brought into thfeirpresent condition , and they had no right to expect that one act of Parliament would bring thtm out ot it , much less one proceeding from that House , 03 at i * -reaeat constituted . No : if they were to remedy the evils
Untitled Article
of the country , they must have power in the hands of those who suffered from the evils , and net exclusively confined to the classes , who , either did not suffer or were interested in tbe system that caused the evils . But , perhaps , there might be persons present who thought that the distress was exaggerated , and that the decline of wages alluded to in the petition was not true . He knew that the Duke of Wellington not long ago said , " The talk about distress was exaggerated , for all men willing and able to work could find a living . " Mr . O'Brien si verted to the distress that existed in Stockport , when there were spinners , who four weeks ago were yy ** Jng only I 7 a > per week , 'while three yean ago , these came men were In tbe receipt ot £ 5 a , week . Hundreds were walking the street , and could get no
employment at all ; and he never witnessed a sight that appalled him more than the sight of thousands of gaunt half-starved looking men , -who were walking the streets of Stockport , almost in rags , and with every appearance of mental and bodily suffering . In the same town , there were power-loom weavers earning 10 s . per week , who not many years ago were earning twice that sum . Mr . O'Brien also adverted to the distress existing in Carlisle , in Wigan , Blackburn , Burnley , Todmorden , and various other parts of Lancashire ; and even in Yorkshire , where the people were generally better off , he bad found tfeem living at the rate of 5 s . to 6 s . a-week , and some of them were at 4 a . ( Shame . ) The men of Brighton- had the g » od fortune to live In a part of the country where the
mass ot the people did not depend on any particular branch of trade ; and they , therefore , had no experience of these things ; but if they had been in the districts he had been in , and witnessed the sights he had witnessed , they would see at once how it was th % 9 the people throughout the northern districts were calling so loudly for tbe People's Charter , and for a total change in the present system of society . It might be said that this was the result of machinery , of the Corn Laws , and of the want of free trade . But all these things he would assert , were caused by bad laws . ( Hear , hear . ) In all tbe towns he bad visited , he found the wages of the hand-loem weavers to have declined in the proportion he had stated . In Bnddersfield they were now getting 2 Ad . a-yard for weaving what they got 5 d . for in 1828 ;
and in Barnslty they were getting 7 s . a-piece for what they got 14 :. for ten yean ago . The only class of handloom weavers who were earning as much as 6 s . per week were a certain number who had been many years la the employ of Mr . Fielden—a Member of Parliament , and a man whom be respected , and whom he believed was honestly inclined towards the people—and he had kept up the wages by 2 s . a-week higher than the wages of all around them since 1833 . He asserted that those men whose wages had been reduced had been robbed of five-sixths of their earnings ; that the man who got 6 s . where his father got 33 s . fer less work ( and the father got less than he ought )—he asserted that that man was robbed of five-sixths of his earnings , because he continued to give the same wealth to society , while
five-sixths of the wealth he ought to receive was taken from bfrn by a power he could not resist Then , the next question was , who were the robbers , and who ¦ were tbe receivers of stolen goods ? Now , there happened to be two honourable gentlemen then present , and no one felt more ivtpect for them than he did , seeing that they were not ashamed to show themselves to the people , and he should be ashamed if he did not repeat what he said in other parts of the country , that the receivers were those who lived on fixed incomes , and for which they rendered no service to society , and that the robbers werettoaewhomadetbelaws by which they continued to receive those fixed incomes -without giving au exchange . Now , observe , he made no charge against the PRESENT House of Commons . All the preceding
Houses were robbers and receivers of stolen goods , but he was not going to apply that to the present one , because , according to the laws , be could treat a dead Parliament like a dead dog , but not a living one , because if he did they would send him again to Lancaster Castle . ( Laughter and cheers , ) It was a hard name to give a Parliament to say that they were the receivers of stolen goods , and the man who did it ought to give his proofs ; and here he was to give it in respect to all past Parliaments , and excepting only the PRESENT Parliament , which was composed of honourable and right honourable gentlemen . ( Laughter . ) Well , then , they bad accompanied him in bis statements to show that tbe poor man had been robbed of at least five-sixths ef his earnings ; and the next question was ,
who were the receivers of the stolen goods ? When a policemanbeard of a roetx-ry , the first thing was to look after tbs stolen property , and if he got that he was certain of getting at the thiet This was the course he should take , and then , having got at tbe property they would get at the honourable and right honourable gentle men , all belonging to previous Parliaments . Well , then , men of fixed incomes received those incomes because the law was strong enough to give it them , not for any value which they gave in return to society . He would take one case at a time . By men living on fixed incomes he meant fundholders , living on the dividends ; he meant also men living on rents derived from land , men living on rent-charges , no matter how they got them , during the time the wages of the hand-loom
weaver had declined . Begin with the fundholder , going no further back than 1810 or 1812 . Tbe fundholder Would receive about £ 60 for £ 100 stock in the three per cents ., but if the same man were to sell out now he would receive £ 90 , and in the meantime he would have received £ 90 more for usury . Here , then , after receiving £ 96 without doing anything for it , the value of their capital was increased £ 50 per cent . ; but it did not end there , for they could go into the market and buy feur times as much of the produce of the handloom weaver as the same money would purchase at the former period ; they could purchase four times the amount of Manchester g&ods and three times that of Birmingham goods . ( Hear , hear . ) Here was the fundholder taking the usury given to him by Act of Parliament , which , if
Parliament was elected by the people , would be put an end to , because it was forbidden by Moses . Here was £ 90 received for usury , contrary to the low of Moses , and tha common law of England—here was property raised from £ 60 to £ 90 , and in addition to that every pound in that capital was worth £ 3 compared to the former time ; so that here was a three-fold robbery , eTery one by Act of Parliament . It waB Parliament that contracted the debt without the nation ' s consent , and then there was the interest of the debt , which was far worse than the debt itself . Now , then , compare the different facts he had stated—the workpeople being robbed of five-sixths of their earnings , and ihen tbe men of fixed incomes receiving more by fifty per cent beside the usury , and every pound of that being three
or four times more valuable . Tbe fundhelders could , therefore , command fire or six days * labour of the handloom weaver where before they could only command » ne ; and he who could command the labour of another rendered him his slave . ( Loud applause . ) Now , then , the receivers of fixed incomes had received what the hand-loom weavers had lost , and consequently they were the receivers of the stolen go ^ ds . Then tho next question was , who were the robbers ? He answered the Parliament of England , and those who made that Parliament The reason why he used this language was that they tthe Chartists ) had been again and again denounced by Members of Parliament and by a corrupt press . The fact was , he never , in tbe course of his life , penned a sentence which went to say that a farthing
of the property of the rich should be taken from them and given to the poor , though he had written hundreds of sentences to destroy the power they had of taking it He shuuld be serry to use any language with a view to give any unnecessary insult to the tvro Hon . Gentlemen -who were there , and who were Members of Parliament . ( Applause . ) But it was one thing not to insult them , and another to blink the truth . It was his opinion that the People's Charter would produce nothing but bloodshed from one end of the country to tha other , ¦ unless the people pos esBing property , co matter how th y ? ot it , were secured in the possession of it . i , Heat , hear . ) The repeal if tue taxes would not relieve the people . No denbt , the tsxes were a burden to the people , but
they were nothing compared to other grievances . Mr . O'Brien then stated that he believed he was the legacy ejected member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; he vras chosen by 11 , 000 people who held up their hands in his favour , while the Whig had only 200 , and the Tory 120 ; bat though no poll was demanded , the Returning Officer declared the others elected . Mr . O'Brien it-ted to tte meetiDg the tyrannical treatment he had recsiYtd -wii-jn in prison ; he was not allowed to -write for tbe pruts , by order cf Lord Normfinby , as he -was termeii the " most dangerous man of tbe whole party . " Mr . O'Brien then gave a mimic description of the readies of the indictment by which he was tried , and the manner in -which he illustrated the reading—of " routs , " " riots , " and " tamults , " " tending to disturb the ptace of the country , " " creating insurrections against our Sovereign Lauy the Queen , her Croirn , and dignity , " ; i > oor dear little creaturei , called forth peklS Of derisive ianehter . AdYertiug to the accession of the
Torjts to tffici . Ac . Mr . O"B . continued , that if they attempted to suspend the Tuibeas corpus against the majority of the people of the country , that the people would rise aa one mass and put down the conspirators . ( Tremendous applause . ) He was as willing as any man to obey the laws , even if they were bad , so long as the law left him the means of raising public opinion to alter the Liws ; but if tkat law ( referring to the fiabeas Corpus act , ) Was put an tnd to ; U the present Government should thick ii necessary to suspend the law , and govern by military conimiEiions , then he , for one , should feel himself relieved from all obligation to Parliament , and he would not hesitate a moment—( Long-continued cheering . ) Mr . O'Brien concluded by exhorting every person present to hold up their bands for the petitien , and not to leave the Hail till they had appended their names to the petition sheets , and resumed his seat amid Ion ? continued and rapturous applause .
Charles BROOKER , Esq . rose , but owing to the lateness of the evening he should not deliver any address to the meeting . He had intended to have done so ; but if the sense of tbe meeting was snch that he should proceed , he would do bo . A short discussion ensued between tha Chairman and Mr . Brooker , when Mr . B . raid he fully agreed with the petition , and resumed his sea * amidst great applause . The motion for the adoption of the petition was then put to tha meeting , and carried with loud cheers .
,. Mr . Sandy moved" That the thanks of this meeting &re due , and &re hereby given , to Captain Pechell and J . N . Wigney ,
Untitled Article
Esq ., Members for the Borough , for their attendance here this evening . Mr . Woodwahd , in a few observations , seconded the resolution . A little squabbling arose between Mr . Woodward and Mr . Wigney , owing to a misunderstanding arising on a promise , which Mr . Wigney made to Mr . Woodward , to vote for the release of Frost and his copatriots . Mr . Wigney did not deny , in Wo , the promise ; but he considered that , if be did so , it must have been privately , and so ought to have been kept by Mr . Woodward . After the squabble bad somewhat ended ,
Mr . O'BRIEN rose and again shortly addressed the meeting . He complimented Captain Peehell on his vote on Sharman Crawford ' s motion , on the motion for the release of the political prisoners , and many other -rotes be had given in Parliament That proved to him that he had a mind not to be ledgaway , and that he bad voted oasoientioosly . Mr . O'Brien said both their Members were entitled to their thanks for their attendanoe that evening . It was not common to see Members of Parliament at meetings like this , and therefore he did oonsider that thanks were doe to them . The motion was put and carried unanimously .
Captain Pechell rose and said , in compliance with the invitation he had received , he had attended that meeting . Ha considered it to be bis duty to pay that mark of respect and attention to them , when he knew the many acts of kindness which they had conferred upon him , sad the many sacrifices many of them had made in bis behalf . He congratulated them on the manner they had conducted the meeting . He did not think it necessary for their honourable and talented visitor , Mr . O'Brien , to guard himself that he did not intend to cast any insult upon their representatives ; he did not think that the Hon . Gentleman wished to cast any insult upon them , well knowing that he had
received from the hands of his Meads of Brighton most efficient support , and in such service he was an humble instrument With reference to the language he had used upon former Parliaments , &c , he knew it was language that must be applied , and which in many cases was strictly applicable . ( Load cheers . ) They must do himself and colleague justice in believing that they should certainly not submit to allow the petition which had emanated from that assembly to be treated with disrespect in that place where they bad a voice , and that they would mention the intelligence in which the petition had been argued at that meeting . After a few observations , the Gallant Captain rammed his seat amid loud applause .
J . N . Wigney , Esq ., M . P ., next presented himself , and said in consequence of an invitation received by him , he had attended the meeting , and received great pleasure in his attendance , as he had the honour of being one of the representatives of the town ; it was always bis pleasure to attend meetings like these , and hear the sentiments of others upon all occasions . Sentiments such as had been there spoken were well worth hearing , and well worth the consideration of the public at large , —( cheers )—and whilst he could not fully accerd with ail that bad fallen from the talented speaker , Mr . O'Brien , still he could not refrain from saying he luxd spoken many wholesome truths . Taking the statement of Mr . O'Brien as correct , as to what he suffered in his imprisonment he should say it waa a disgrace to a
free country like this . He should not take upon himself to judge the case ; but , taking the statement of Mr . O'Brien , he thought the punishment far more than commensurate for the alleged offence . With , regard to what had fallea from Mr . Woodward , be would Bay , he had never given one pledge privately or publicly that he should be ashamed to acknowledge either on these or any other boards , and he should be ashamed to state in a private room what be could not publicly acknowledge ; he hoped , therefore , that he should stand at all events , fairly before that meeting , and that it was not to be supposed , for a single moment , ' that he should at one time say one thing , and at another time
another thing . With his Honourable and Gallant Colleague , hf > should have great pleasure , if he were to hear anything derogatory in the House of Commons , to a petition like the present , in showing the House the erroneous views they took of it The sentiments of Mr . O'Brien bad given him great pleasure . They contained many wholesome truths , and tbe only thing be might find a little fault with , was that be was rather too sweeping in his observations on late Houses of Parliament , ( Mr . Wigney formerly representing Brighton . ) He should be most happy to see Mr . O'Brien in the House of Commons , and if Mr . O'Brien got there , be would not , be thought , come out and say he had left behind him an assembly of thieves androbbeis .
The following resolutions were severally proposed , seconded , and carried : — Resolved— " That a Committee be appointed to obtain signatures to the petition , and that the following persons do form such Committee , with power to add to their number , viz .: — "Messrs . Woodward , Allen , Flower , Allcorne , Morllng , Lansdell , Giles , Colling , John Good , and John Rose . " " That the expences incident to this meeting be defrayed by the High Constable , and charged in his account " " That the thanks of this meeting are due , and axe hereby presented , to Charles Brooker , and James Bronterre O'Brien , Esquires , for their attendance this erening . " " That the thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to Mr . John Good , for his able and impartial conduct in tbe chair . "
The meeting lasted four hours and a half . Mr . O'Brien ' s address lasted abeut two hours . The meeting broke up by giving three cheers for the Charter , three for O Brien , O'Connor , Frost , Williams , and Jones , and all the Incarcerated viotims .
Untitled Article
working people were starving ; they felt that all endeavours to remedy this state of things would be useless so long as the aristocracy remained in possession of their present power ; and therefore they wished to assail the master spirit of monopoly that had called forth the Corn Laws . The Chartisti were not oppose to free trade : anything that levelled the restrictions on It would indeed be a glorious achievement , and optn the way for others ; but the aristocracy feared this , and strove to keep the people divided , in order that they might thus have it in their power to plunder them . The interests of the aristocracy were so wound up in these restrictions , that they would rather risk a civil war than give up one of them . ( Hear , hear . ) The aristocracy looked upon the people a * their
serfs , as their property ; they dreaded free trade as an encroachment upon their rights ; and therefore they opposed , and would oppose , every approach towards this . This being the ease , he would put it to the Editor of the Chronicle , whether it would not be far more benevolent in the middle and upper to aid the working classes in obtaining their just righto , than to waste their strength in getting up such a mighty revolution for the mere Repeal of the Corn Laws : if they got the former , they would soon get the latter ; but it was very doubtful if , with all their efforts , they would get the latter without having first obtained the former . Mr . Vincent then again referred to the Charter plan of Universal Suffrage , and showed it would be more efficient than Household , because the
latter would exclude all lodgers , who -were among the most intelligent class of the community . It would not be wisdom on the part of the Chartists to waste their strength in endeavouring to obtain a repeal of tbe Corn Laws as things now were : toe attempt had been made —by Hunt at Peterloo , and by others since then—and it had failed . The working classes had taken part in the agitation for the Reform Bill , and what had they gained r Nothing . Past experience showed that whenever tbe aristocracy were beaten on one point , they endeavoured to regain strength in another . Mr . Vincent then at some length showed how the aristocracy have ever Bought to keep the people in ignorance and debase their mlkds , because in this ignorance their great security consisted ; and instanced the state of the
rural population , who are still the least educated , and who are taught from their childhood up to reverence mere wealth and rank , without asking whether their possessors are good and yirtuous , and deserve their respect He ( Mr . V . ) liked civility , but not sorritity , because he saw under it the fruits of the slavish system that enslaved and debased them . He was not there to flitter the working classes ; and he must tell them , that though there was mere intelligence among them than among the agricultural , yet they were too much caught by mere glitter and show , and their minds too much turned towards the aristocracy by the raree show and "good old sports" they so generously provided for the people , in order to keep up their " manly oharacter "such as boxing , bull-baits , and oock and dog flrhts
;all to debase the minds of the multitude , so that they might change the sport when they pleased , and turn the dog-fight into a national one * . To the working classes , he had a few words ot advice to give : —they must obtain greater knowledge in every department of trade , and th ' s was to be got by increasing their intelligence and general knowledge . An intelligent man was a courageous man ; and he would not rest contented with a pig-sty while there was a palace open for him . But though they were not yet so intelligent as they might and ought to be , yet they were intelligent enough for the exercise of the franchise , and those who were not so at present , would soon acquire knowledge . But if the middle and working classes were all intelligent , and were divided amone themselves , they would do no
good . If government saw that they were resolved on obtaining an object , tbe first thing it would endeavour to do would be to sow dissensions among them : and for this purpose would employ , as it had done before , tbe press and the pulpit also , besides other means . In the Chartist Convention of 1839 , many bad men took part in the movement , and spies were paid by Government , to Introduce themselves Into the society of Chartists . [ Of this Mr . Vincent related an instance he himself knew of . ] If the government saw the anti-Corn Law League and Chartists united for the attainment of Universal Suffrage , they would fear and tremble , and would seek to deBtroy its effect by the meang he had just spoken of . In some places—in Bath for instancesome of the middle class had professed themselves in
favour of the principles of the Charter ; but the Tory press said nothing of it , and strove to revive the old prejudices : —this procedure , however , though it might defer for a time , would not put off the day of reckoning . Mr . Tincent then went on to speak of the misunderstandings existing between the middle and working classes , and to show their folly : —there was not a working man wbe would not like to be a master to-morrow if he could , ' and rightly so ( hear , hear ); and if the working classes were well paid , the middle classes benefited thereby , for the people were their best customers ( hear , hear)—better than the majority of the aristocracy , who , if they did give grand orders , were often excessively indignant if the tradesman should presume to send his bill . ( Laughter . ) It must be plain to
all that no state could stand long , if the people were not comfortable , for their hatred of property was engendered by the existence of distress , while their neighbours were rolling in wealth ; and they looked upon the rich among them as the cause of their distress ; but if they were uncomfortable , they would have no cause for this feeling of dislike to property . \ Hear , hear . ) If the working classes had been to blame in disturbing meetings called by them —( and he did not wish to palliate all their conduct)—the middle classes were also to blame for the way in which they had been accustomed to speak of the working classes—saying they had rather be governed by St . James's than St . Giles ' s , which was an insult to the people . Now St James ' s had been tried and found wanting , but St . Giles ' s had not ; and .
besides , what had made St . Giles ' s and placed a wall of adamant around it but the conduct of those in St . James ' s f ( Hear . ) But England was not all one St . Giles ' , bat had some intelligent men in whose hands the power of government would be safer than in the present hands . This language produced recrimination , and thus the breach was widened ; while they pursue a contrary course and mix aud converse with each other , the more they would find in each other to like . ( Cheers . ) He ( Mr . V . ) wished to see this state of thingB come to pass—when both classes should meet each other on mutual grounds ; and though he did not venture to hope his humble efforts had done much towards it , yet he hoped he had said nothing to widen the breach . — For what . then , were the two classes to unite ! For
the obtainment of a mere childish change ? No ! rather let them go on for a while endeavouring to convince each other of the justness of their respective views ; and meanwhile the wish to promote the good of all should animate us all . Mr . Tinuent then referred in terms of high commendation to the Nonconformist which was edited by a gentleman formerly resident in that town [ Mr . Miall , ] and which ably advocated the necessity of great changes in oar political institutions . Speaking of what we were to expect from the present Government , he asked what could we expect from Sir Robert Peel , who , at a dinner given to him at an university , said that , if ever the time came when the multitude should seem likely to get the upper hand , would the aristocracy submit to it ? No ! they
would remember their past glory , their castles , their ancient families , and splendour , and they would rise and put the multitude down 1 Pretty doctrine this , ( said Mr . V . ) for an advocate of passive obedience and non-resistance , and the person who gave it was now Prime Minister and principal adviser of the Queen . ' But the people would teach such men there vras virtue and greatness among them , and that they also had something to look back upon with pride . He ( Mr . V . ) thanked Sir Robert Peel for this doctrine ; for if the few bad , as he said , a right to resist the will of the many , how much more right had the many to resist the will of the few ? ( Loud cheers . ) Let the people teach Sir Robert Peel that they , too , had a memory ; and that no pretended legislation , no canting sympathy for
the distresses of the people , no tricks , no old follies nf the Whigs , dressed up afresh fur 1811 , would satisfy them . ( Cheers . ) He did not wish to offend any one by thus touching upon the fallings off of the Whigs ; but even their friends must acknowledge taat , as a party , they had sadly fallen off since the days ot Charles James Fox , who was very much lite a Chartist , and was for Universal Suffrage . ( Hear , hear . ) Sir Robert Peel might think , perhaps , to carry on the Government in the see-saw way of the late administration ; but he hoped their supporters , though lenient to their own Government , —( laughter , )—would not bo so
to the Tories . Sir Robert was a good disciple of modern Wbiggery : —there would doubtless be , on the opening of the Parliament , a good Queen ' s speech , plenty of promises , but no performance . ( Laughter . ) Middle men ( said Mr . V . ) let us unite to prevent tuisunite , not against Sir Uobe * t Peel , but against the system that gives him power—and let us seek to obtain its overthrow . ( Loud cheers . )—Mr . Vincent then expressed his readiness to answer any questions , and after a few observations on the spread of liberal principles among the people , and thanking the audience fer the patient hearing he had had—Bat down amid loud cheering .
The Chairman then made a few remarks , and said he hoped that in tbe central town of England—a town where the great doctrine of Universal Suffrage had been advocated in the magnificent diction of Robert Hall , and had been urged by the fervid eloquence of a Muraell , and the glowing patriotism of a Miall , —the present happy occasion would not pass without some advocate for the broad rights of man , present in that hall , rising to express bis consonance with Mr . Vincent ' s views . He knew that the working-men were thirsting to hear tbe voice of an eloquent friend of liberty then iu that room , aud be trusted they would not be disappointed . The cry here became almost general for " Mr . Mar * sell , Mr . Mursell , " and the room rang with tremendous plaudits on the mention of that gentleman's name . After the lapse of a minute or two ,
The Rev . J . P . Muusell ascended the platform , when he was received with loud cheering . He had not ( said the Rev . Gentleman ) come to the meeting with the intention of Baying anything—he came merely as a listener . With Mr . Vincent ' s lectures he bad been much pleased : he had never listened to more able ones in that hall ; and he had only to regret that every person of every class had not been present to listen to them . Ho hoped they would do good , and thought they Bins ! do good . He had not been converted to any new opinion by them , for he had always been an
Untitled Article
advocate of Universal Suffrage —( loud cheers)—and not all the arguments brought against it by some of the middle dans had been able to convert him from his opinion . Some of them objected to it because of the ignorance of the working olasa ; bat tills was no argument , because the working class were not more Ignorant than their rulers , and their ignorance was but a reflection of what was in high places —( cheers ) ;—had they been more virtuous , the working and middle classes would have been more so . He ( Mr . M . ) was in favour of electoral districts , and longed for the day when the great principles of the Charter should be carried Into effect , ( Load applause . ) Referring to tha allusion made to Mr . Miall , Mr . Mursell said they had both long entertained the same principles , and talked over the
question in their little family circle * . Mr . Mlall bad done great good , and had made many converts to Universal Suffrage by his writings among the middle classes , who were before afraid of the word . What was now wanted was union ; and he hoped that would be carried into effect by the lectures of to-night and last Tuesday ; it must be brought about by necessity . Those who composed the Antl-Corn-Law league , when disappointed in their object , would tome and unite with them ( the Chartists . ) They wished to get rid of the Corn Laws , and say to the Chartists , Unite with us for this purpose : but when they got these laws repealed , they would not unite with the working classes in favour of Universal Suffrage But the working class who have studied Euclid , say , the
greater involves the less , and if you will unite With UB for Universal Suffrage , then we will unite with yon tot the repeal of the Corn Laws . And he ( Mr . M . ) would say to the Chartists , Do not give up your rights , hut demand the great principles of the Charter . - ( Loud cheers from the Chartists ) The struggle now was not between mere parties , but between Aristocracy and Democracy ; the straggle , if he mistook not , was soon to be made ; and let them be ready to unite in the work , to advance the great principles or the Charter . From henceforth , this arm ( said Mr . M ., raising his right arm ) is bared in defence of Universal Suffrage . ( Tremendous cheering . )
There was next a call for Mr . Winks , who addressed a few wards to the meeting . He cordially approved of much that had been said by Mr . Vincent , and he would beg to propose a vote of thanks to him for his lectures . ( Hear , bear . ) The general tendency of his remarks bad been to promote a better feeling between all parties : there were some other things he could have wished had not been said , or had been said differently ; but upon those he would not touch , for fear he might say something not bo agreeable to the feelings of the assembly as what he had said . He ( Mr . W . ) was in favour of an extension of the suffrage , though he might not go quite so far as Mr . Vincent . He cordially moved the vote of thanks .
The Rev . Mr . Mursell seconded it Mr . Bairstow moved as an amendment , a resolution he had written in the course of the evening , embodying the previous one , to the following effect : — " That this meeting , in expressing its thanks to Mr . Vincent for his able and eloquent lectures , likewise feels that the sole bond ot aaloa between the middle and working classes must be based . on the ' right of the latter to a full , free , and righteous representation in Parliament " Mr . W . Kempson , manufacturer , begged , before the amendment was put , to be allowed to make one remark . There was one sentiment ba had heud expressed tonight , which he did not think could be correct : be therefore wished to know if he beard aright . It had been said , that if the Corn Laws were repealed , the
working classes would be in a worse situation to obtain an extension of the Suffrage than before . Surely , if we got that measure of Reform , aad thus diminished tbe power of the aristocracy , we thereby gained extended power to get fuller privileges . ( Hear , hear . ) The middle class have ever struggled for every measure of liberty hitherto obtained ; why , then , should the Chartists , though they may be ot opinion that the Repeal of the Corn Laws is not so important as the Extension of tbe Suffrage—why should they try to repress * that movement ? Meetings had been held to promote that otject , and had been put a stop to ; yet the people had not been prevented from endeavouring to obtain their object . ( Hear , hear . ) Such conduct was neither just nor -wise . Surely , if the Corn Laws were repealed , we should be in a better position to obtain an extension of our privileges . ( Hear , hear . )
The Rev . Mr . Mursell rose to say he wished to withdraw the original resolution . He thought Mr . Kempson must have referred to a sentiment expressed by him . He was not wanting in solicitude for the Repeal of the Corn Laws ; but if he was right in his assumption , there were many gentlemen in favour of the abolition of the Corn Laws , but not in favour of an extension of the suffrage . Those who were against the extension of the suffrage would not be converted , because they had obtained a Repeal of the Corn Laws ; and many connected with the anti-Corn Law League were directly opposed to extension of the suffrage . For instance , he knew Mr . Cobdeu very well , —and he did
not hesitate to say , that Mr . Cobden was for no such thing as Universal Suffrage . ( Loud cries of hear , hear , and mark that !) He would say to the working classes , " Support the Repeal of the Corn Laws , but never at the expence of your own richt . " ( Cheers from the Chartists . ) He regretted the interruptions at former meetings , alluded to by Mr . Kempson , but he hoped the pacific manner in which this meeting had been conducted might be taken as a sign that a better spirit was gaining ground : indeed , it would be a shame if at any future meeting any peiBon weie prevented frem expressing nis sentiments . The eloquent gentleman sat down amidst the most rapturous and long-continued cheering .
After a little hesitation , Mr . Winks ( who regretted much the introduction of Mr . Bairstow ' s amendment ) consented to tbe withdrawal of the original resolutionat the same time stating he quite agreed with Mr . Kempson that the first and best thing would be for the working classes to get a good bellyful , and then try their theories . ( Hear , bear , and laughter . ) Mr . MARKHA . M seconded the amendment , which was put by The Chairman , who , before deing so , justified his
conduct in having proposed the amendment at the meeting to address the Queen ; and stated that , with all respect for Mr . Mursell , he was not convinced that he should not be justified in so doing at any future meeting for the mere repeal of the Corn Laws . He also said that the disturbance at thai meeting was not commenced by the Chartists , but by the other , party . He frankly confessed he had been more bitter in hia personalities than he should have been , owing to the fierce opposition he met with . Tbe resolution was carried unanimously .
Mr . Markham also disclaimed having gone to tha Anti-Corn Law meeting on purpose to disturb its proceedings . Mr . Vincent returned thanks for the handsome manner in which the vote of thanks had been carried , and the meeting dispersed at about half-past ten o ' clock—a collection being made at the door to defray expences . Before the meeting dispersed , the Chairman proposed three cheers for the People's Chatter , Feargus O Connor , Mr . Vincent , and Mr . Mussell , which were gives con spirito .
This meeting ha 3 raised great excitement among the middle classes . Mr . Mursell is being denounced by some of them ; but he and his friend , the Editor of tbe Nonconformist , are believed to have " nailed their colours to the mast . "
Untitled Article
NEWPORT . —MONMOUTHSHIUE . . GREAT AND GLORIOUS VICTORY OF THE BLISTERED HANDS OVER THE BROAD CLOTH GENTRY . On Sunday , the 19 th , iu pursuance of a requisition signed by upwards of 80 persons , a public meeting of the inhabitants took place at the Police Court , fur the purpose of expressing to her Majesty their feelings of loyalty and attachment to her royal person , and of joy at the auspicious event of the birth of a prince . Twelve o ' clock was the hour named by the gentry ( no doubt thinking the greater portion of the working classes would be then engaged at their work ) but , to their utter discomfiture , they found that self-interest was i f little consideration when placed against the expression of public opinion , therefore at the hour appointed the Court was full . Mr . Townsend proposed the ex-Mayor as Chairman , on account of his having been in power and office at the tirao of the event which cau&d the present manifestation .
^ Mr . Wells seconded the proposition . There was a dispute about the policy of appointing Mr . ' JEIughes in preference to the present Mayor , and & show of hands was called for , when the meeting unanimously concurred in Mr . Townsend ' s proposition . The Chairman , in his usual luminous manner , stated tbe object of the present meeting ' , and hoped the public would strictly confine themselves to it . Mr . Hawkins then read the address , which contained the usual quantum of adulation ant ! flattery with which our liege Lady the Queen has beeu so pestered by her loyal and dutiful subjects . He moved that it be adopted . Mr . Ceonin , the Secretary of the Chartist Association said , he had an addition which he intended to propose by way of amendment . ( Cheers ) Chairman—Are you an occupant of this town , and what is your name ? Cronin—I am , Sir , my name is Win . Cronin .
Chairman—I hope you will strictly adhere to the subject for which this meeting is called . Cronin—Mr . Chairman and fellow-working men , before I commence reading the addition that I intend proposing to the address , I will beg leave to offer a few remarks , and but few . ( Cheers . ) I dare say you axe all well aware and fully convinced that there have been insinuations and foul calumnies set forth by our enemies—that we have been denominated physical force men , torch and dagger men , or destructives of property , and Qod ltnows how much beside . We have been designated disloyal subjects ; bat they would show this day that they were as loya , ! and true as any of the gentlemen present . He , for one , loved his Queen as much as any man , and therefore they would place no obstruction in the way of the address ; they would merely add a little to it , by way of amendment . Mr . Crouin tixen proceeded to Show the utter poverty and misery in which the working' classes were placed throughout the land .
Untitled Article
Chairman—I cannot allow you , gfa ., to dkx *^ i- this - style of language . FWWlJ « Mr . Dowiing , Editor of the famed MonmouOithin , Merlin , arose , and appealed to the better sense of m * Cronin , and tried by alternate coaxing and tbnateniiw to intimidate him . ^^ * Mr . Cron in—I will not be bullied or coaxed by Mi Dowling or any other gentleman present Mr . Dowling appealed to the meeting to protest him against Mr . Cronin ' s attacks , and said it was not his intention to bully any person . Sir . Cronik—I think you have done so , inasmuch g . yon had no business to interrupt or contradict me won addressing the chair , it being tbe business of the Chafa ! man to call me to order if necessary . Chaieman—Your © bserrattOMsjwtotoUy foreiiati the object of the meeting and the terms of thereanL sition . H
Ceonin—I think , Sir , you will find my remsrh quite consistent with the addition which I am about b introduce . If you look , Sir , at the manufac turing dk tricts , you will find the condition of the working mat worse , if -possible , than that of Newport Yo > will find starvation and misery in the public street and the slave brand mark on the pale-faced ant emaciated form of our fellow subjects . ( Loud cheen . The Chaieman interfering , Mr . Cbonin bowed submission , and proceeded to read the amendment amid frequent and vociferous cheering , as follows -. We , yeur Majesty ' s loyal and dutiful subjects , b » to congratulate your Majesty on the event of yo 2 having given birth to a prince , and an heir to thW kingdom , and also your recovery from the same .
We desire at the same time to assure your Majett ) that we do this , not in compliance with the establish ^ form , or custom—not as an homage due to your rani and station—but in obedience to those great and sactai principle * which teach ua to regard with feelings tj affectionate sympathy every member of the husm family ; for , whatever may be the distinction of ttA and power which necessity may permanently , or caste * and expediency temporarily require , we are all estet tially of one nature , have one common interest , oia Master to serve , and one God to adore . We rejoice that your Majesty is now placed in tin responsible situation of parent to our future monarcL and we humbly hope your Majesty will see the neee ? sity of ameliorating the political condition of yo % people , as a certain means of securing their deTPtJ (| and loyalty , when it may please God to call him to U » throne . Believing also that it is our duty to endeavor to render your Majesty ' s reign happy , we in all tb .
centy venture to point out a few means by which th * power vested in you for the good of the people may it used for that righteous end . We beg , therefore , to represent to your Majesty th « urgent necessity of appointing wise and just men tt inquire into the serious and lamentable condition of tin people of this country , who , though more enlightenel skilful , and industrious than any other people , are yi in a state of dreadful poverty and misery . We belien this state of things to be caused by exclusive teguUtio * —that is , power placed ia the hands of a few to ti » great detriment or tbe many , and tbe peeple , to whl ^ such power properly belongs .
We beg your Majesty also to consider the feelings cf the bereaved families of Messrs . John Frost , & phaniah Williams , and William Jones , and also iQ other political prisoners who are now exiled or impi } soned , through endeavouring fearlessly aad hooeeth to point out a remedy for thorn evils ; and we most i » spectfully entreat your Majesty to grant them ft * pardons , and a remission of tbe remainder ef their « . spective sentences , that they may be restored to their wives and families . ( Long and continued cheers . ) Mr . Wells , provision merchant , considering ti » addition just and reasonable , would second it ( Cheen ) Mr . Ceonin—This course will be adopted in erar town throughout the length and breadth of the land . Mr . Dowling—Addresses have been carried b Bath , Cheltenham , and several other places , which !* nomad . >
Mr . Townsend said , it was a delicate suljeot to deal with . He concurred with Mr . Dowling that nj difference of opinion would aeetn . as a -want of loyalty but be wished to know if there was any inoonaut ^ in stating the distress of the country to her Majesty ct the same time as the congratulation , as it wasuwleH to appeal where there was no power , but to wbeo there was power , and a will to use it justly . ( Lai cheers . ) Mr . WM . Edwards said , he admired the laogaip of the gentlemen , and especially that of Mr . Towasedd , but wondered that Mr . Bowling sbonld allow himself to be carried away by the warmth of his temperamot It was of vital importance that they should take the present opportunity of addressing her Majesty for tbaaselves ; they never could have a better one . Mi
Edwards then proceeded to show the great and ter rible distress which prevailed , with considerable tirt and ability . He said the working classes were uttedj destitute , the middle classes on the verge of bankruptcy , and that in four years time , it would bring down tbe aristocracy . ( Loud cheers . ) He would suggest that s few of the gentlemen would reconsider the address aid amendment , and endeavour to form a proper adtea out of both , so as to gain unanimity , and carry ontth « object of beth parties . ( Hear , hear , and chem ) Mr . E . alluded also to the paragraph in the additJoa concerning Frost , Williams , and Jones , and urged tha meeting strenuously to seek for a remission of their sentences , and concluded by wishing the Queen happiness duriDg her life , but at its close , he-hoped Monarchial Government would be closed for ever in England . ( Cheers . )
At this stage of the proceedings the consternation visible in the countenances of the tithe-fed parsons wu ludicrous in the extreme . One of them left tbe room accompanied by a few would-be-thought over-loyal ud weak-stomached gents . Mr . Jones then rose and said , Mr . Chairman and Gen * tlemen , I wish ^ to say a few words in behalf of my fallow working men , and tbe course which we have this dSJ adopted . Some may think it presumption in us to correct your proceedings , or break the unanimity of this meeting ; but , gentlemen , we will shew you thatmb is not our intention , as we wish to see unanimity ud cordiality prevail in every public meeting . We do not intend to say anything against the original addiesi is far as it goes , but wish to Bee those things contained in
tbe amendment added to it ( Cheers . ) Some may say it is not our place , as working men , to interfere ins cause where so many men of wealth are engaged in ft , but permit me to say , Mr . Chairman , that I consider the man who would apply his wealth and influent to retard the progress of liberty , a tyrant whom all mea should hold in abhorrence and contempt Ireg&rd every rich man in proportion to the good use he mike * of it . Whenever a public meeting is called to send an address or petition to either the Houses of Parliament or to royalty , as a Briton I claim the right of expressing my opinions on the subject , it being a legacy bequeathed to us by our ancestors . The Queen bath entered into a solemn covenant with her people , ud by virtue of that covenant she has a heavy call upon us , that is to defend the territories at home and abroad ,
and to support her Government ; also , we , on tbe otba hand have got a great demand upon her , i e . that < t » should listen to our grievances , and do all that is to her power to redress them , and , therefore , we cswwt let slip the present opportunity of laying before bei » few of the heavy burdens , under which we Isbom and I canuot possibly see how the amendment already proposed should diminish the loyalty and congratulations of tbe original address . The royal babe is called the Prince of Wales , and I have no doubt many Welsh " men are proud of it , but they would be infinitely mow so if they feund , that such as happy event should 1 >* the meam of her Majesty paying a little attention ^ the grievances of the people . I be ? leave to rappd * the amendment , because it contains the opinion * <* the great masses of the principality of Wales .
The gentlemen endeavoured by promises to P" ™ ; on Mr . Croniu to abandon his audition , but witbw effect . They held out promises to call a meeting fort 69 express purpose of considering the distress of tW country ; the Mayor and others promised their sopP ** and encouragement , and tried every means in ^ r power to put off the amendment , but Mr . C . and W friends remained firm . The Chaiejian then endeavoured to put the original address without the amendment , when he was informs * respectfully by Mr . C . that if he did not pnt W amendment , he would take the liberty of doiBg himself . After sitting for a length of time and looking unutterable things , the Chairman declared the m ^ wf dissolved .
Mr . CRoNIN immediately proposed three cheers f <* Frost , Williams , and Jones , also for Feargua 0 'GomoT ' and the Northern Star , and the Charter , which were responded to in such an enthusiastic manner as wonld ntf * gladdened the hearts of the exiles had they heard *
Untitled Article
All the Mills at Chorley , near BoKon , were at a stand last week , and the workmen " turned om upon the master-cotton-spinners attempting to ?* * duce thoir wages twelve-and-a-half per cent . Conviction of Sib Edward Knatch buu t' ° { j Evading a Toll . —On Sir Edward Kuatc |^« accepting office , last September , in Sir >* " f L . Ministry , a new election of course took place tor h » county of Kent . A Monday was the day appom ^ for ttie nomination , and Sir Edward K oatcnlttW who lived twenty miles from Barham Downs ,-wnew the election was to take place , left his h ° ma Saturday , ia order toarriye in time on Monday . *" niT / viri »>« nnl 1 in » nn CunrToir Tha "RlCfht . HOnOU !* " " .
Baronet considered this travelling for the PfV ^ Z an election , and on that account he refased •«>?« ¦ the tolls . For refusing at a gate near CanterOttn he was summoned before the magistrates of thaii w on Monday . The court was crowded to hear the caw Counsel attended on both sides , and , «« ; . firjS r investigation , the magistrates decided that ; oir f " . ward had unlawfully claimed the exemption , ^ fiutd Jura in the sum of £ 2 2 s ., aad to . 6 a . cos * Tne Right Hon . Baronet announced his d 3 te fS tioa to appeal from tho conviotion- ^ f **""!^ - involved is of considerable importance to J ™ " £ of turnpike roads , and persons having busing eleotiohs . It will tend tomulot the-fomev *»* , electors of a county may leave their ««' "" » Satulday to attend a Monday ' s electiOD , acaw great convenience to many freeho lders .
Untitled Article
LEICESTER . Mr . Henry Vincent ' s Second Lecture in the New Hall , on Monday tvening , the lGlh inst ., will belong remembered , as having resulted in bringing out the Rev . J . P . Mursell , tbe eloquent successor of the immortal Itobeit Hall , in a bold and unshrinking position , as the advocate of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Cooper was called to the chair , and gave out the " Chartist National Anthem , " which was sung by the immense company , standing and uncovered . The Chairman , in his opening address , defended the Chartist
coalition with the Tories at Nottingham and Leicestersaid it waa the greatest act of statesmanship that ever engaged the minds of the people : they were forced to it by the conduct of the Whigs—it was a step exteedingly repugnant to him , one which it was long before he could make up his mind to take—and he sincerely hoped the Whigs would never force them to the same measure again . If the Middle Classes would come out for the Chartists , the Chartists would come out for the Middle Classes , who , he hoped , would forget all that was past , as they listened to the eloquence of his friend , Henry Vincent . ( Cheers . )
Mr . Vincent then came forward , and was received with loud cheering . He proceeded to recapitulate at some length the main points of his first address ; and then went on : —The fact that the people feel interested in ques'iuus of a political nature , is anything but pleasing to those interested in keeping things as they are . It miy be that our demands are listened te when the passions of the people have been roused ; for when our rulers have seea our strength they have dreaded the monster , and have granted it something to ktiep it quitt : — but we have never obtained anything till matters have proceeded thus far . But I am here to speak npon the divisions of the people , and tho means of healing them . I think we may take it for granted , that whatever our differences are , we have
but one common view—all are d ° . eply interested in the annihilation of everything that mars the beauty of the -vrhole political system . I have shown that the governinc at should represent and be for the good oi the people : the first thing , therefore , to be contended for , is the power of controlling the government . Now , the H < . use of Commons possesses buch a vast amaunt of prerogative , ia spite of the great prerogative of the Crown , the Church , and the Aristocracy , that most of the evils of which we complain would cease if that House were composed of upright men . Therefore , the true philosophic method of remedying the evils under which wo labour would be , to extend among the people the power of choosing the House of Commons ; at present , we may say , that all the members are returned by little more that 300 , 000 electors ! What a
monstrous anomaly this—the idea of only 300 , 000 electors out of somewhere about 6 , 000 , 000 male adults being allowed to choose the representatives of the wholfl people ! ( Loud cheer ? . ) It is indeed a monstrous anomaly , for this small body of electors can be so acted upon by tho Aristocracy in various ways , that it cann , t be said to represent the wishes of the people . ( Hear , hear . ) The lecturer then glanced at the composition of the present House of Commons , and asked what would be done ? There was a majority of ninety-one Tories , who , of course , would oppose anythiug of a liberal nature ; and when the question of Free Trade was brought forward , the supporters of the late government would make long Bpeechts in its favour , and vote for it —the Whig papers would tay with great exultation ,
" See the progress of literal principles ! See how many more voted for Free Trade than have overdone before V —and there would be tbe end of it . ( LaugLter . ) Such being the case , ( continued Mr . Vincent ) will it be wise to call into existence a mighty revolution merely for the purpose of endeavouring to obtain the repeal of a measure that can be re-enacted the next day ? Will it not be the wiser way to see if there be not some way of promoting a union between the two classes—the middle and working—and thus placing ourselves in a pcsilion for effectually carrying the measures that are necessary ? ( Hear , hear , hear . ) Mr . Vincent then referred to the observations made by the Editor of the Leicester
Chronicle last week , with respect to what he considered the one-sided view of union taken by him , and tfce absence of any statement as to what the amount of co-operation was to be on the part of tha Chartists in aid of Commercial Reform . Withali due respect for the Editor of the Chronicle , he would say , let those who think it practicable to obtain the Repeal of the Corn Lawd petition by all means ; but if the middle classes wished to prove the honesty of their intentions tov arda the working—if they wished to open the doors of trade freely—let them do so by showing they were ready to ¦ ¦ issist . in obtaislr . g lor them thtir rights . T he Chartists admitted ihs . t trade had been destroyed by tbe ftjltL'S put upon it by the aristocracy—they admitted tha : the
Untitled Article
E R N ST A U but THE NORTH ^ .
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 27, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct963/page/6/
-