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March 6, 1852.J THE LEADER. 215
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AN ADDRESS FROM THE CONFERENCE TO THE CO...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Parliamentary Reform. The Confeeence. Th...
nacociation , and advised the meeting , if Lord Derby 3 to disturb the settlement of 1846 , to hoist not onW the fla" of free-trade , but the flag of something inore than the mere assertion of a mercantile : principle . The delegates Avere then called on to report the state of political feeling in theii-IocaUties ., Mr . Gissing ; of Bradford ^ stated that the-majority of the reformers of that town " were in favour of an extension of the suffrage ; some desired universal suffrage , vote by ballot , and shorter parliaments . He repudiated chartism ; he was a loyal subject of the Queen . The Rev . Mr . Bean denied that the chartists were not loyal subjects .
_ .,.,. „ .. * . Mr . Dick announced himself as a delegate from a society consisting of a hundred-and-seventeen paid members , all pledged to manhood suffrage , and although frequently interrupted by loud expressions of derision and considerable uproar , made a speech in which he boasted that one of his ancestors had suffered in the Grass-market of Edinburgh for the cause of liberty . Mr . I « e Blond , on the part of the chartists of Bradford , repudiated any sympathy with the sentiments of the last speaker , who did not represent any section of the intelligent chartists of the country . The population of Bradford , though very many of them were for a larger measure , were geuerally willing to cooperate with the National Reform Association .
The Rev . Mr . Parsons , Stroud , introduced himself as a chartist and a loyal subject . He had once _ gone so far as to endeavour to prove the justice of the six points from Scripture . He did not care who was chief magistrate , whether Queen or President ; what he wanted was a chief magistrate to govern the people according to the laws the people had made . ( Cheers . ) Believing it to be the desire of our present gracious sovereign to do so , he would not exchange her for all
the presidents in Christendom . ( Loud cheers . ) The people had carried the old Reform Bill against all the corruption of a Tory parliament , and they could do the same again . ( Cheers . ) It was natural for aristocratic * stomachs to like corruption , because it was known that they could not eat game until it was a little high . ( Laughter . ) They liked corruption , and they confessed it , but the Whigs went whimpering about against it , and yet constantly fed on it on the sly . Like the boy stealing apples , described by Cowper , they
" Blamed and protested , then joined in the plan , Partook of the plunder , and pitied the man . " ( Loud laughter . ) He would say to them , don't mind Wliigs or Tories , but join with the association for an enlarged suffrage , and strive for the ballot , and by perseverance very little time would elapse before every reform had been carried . Mr . G . J . Holyoake said the conduct exhibited by the chartists was a thing to mourn over . It was not
in the power of tyranny to say anything against the enfranchisement of the people so bitter as to quote what had been seen that day , if that was to bo taken as an example of the temper and intelligence of the people , But it was not so . For a year and a half he had been , and still was , one of the council of the chief political society of the working class , known as the National Charter Association . That body had certainly elected some to its council who were friendly to confederated action with all who work for the
enfranchisement of the people . The chartists might not forego their own independent class activity . Practical political sagacity had made so much progress among them that they were not likely to offer unanimous opposition to any who would bestow the franchise on any portion of the people now without it . The- social roformors hnye now returned to their ancient interest in political reform , and lend their aid very heartily in the work of popular enfranchisement . Their co-operation would bo practical and effectual . The National and Parliamentary Association went us far as the will of the nation- — further than that nobody could go . Kov . 1 ) . Burn said that the ministers of tho
dissenting congregations wore- rapidly coming to the conclusion that they must take an active part in tho reform movement . ( Hoar , hear . ) Ho concurred cordially in t » o planof tho association . ( Hoar , hear . ) Mr . Ernest Jones then cumo upon tho platform amid some cheering and much hissing , and with much energy aonouneod tho plan of tho association as reactionary . ( . Uli . oh . ) . They had as yot only sought the franchiso the
or rich , and wore now capping . tho climax by providing for buoI i of tho rich oh ronlainod still ( tisfrancniHed . Ho denied that tho association represented tho i \ Tfv ° UUy i ) Ort ' of . tho chartist bo / ly , nnd assorted unit they lmd not boon invited to Leeds or Manchester . 0 cll » Uengod tho association to a discussion of thoir rospoctivo principles , ( Much confusion hero arose . Tho House of tho mooting being against Mr . Jones , while a small body of chartists supported him strenuously . ) 0 understood tho council to say thoy woro all chartists .
Mr . Clarke , as a Manchester chartist , denied the assertion of Mr . E . Jones as to the association having gone to Manchester uninvited . They had been expressly invited by the chartist council , and the proposal had only been resented by a very small minority . The rest of that day ' s sitting was wasted in keeping certain chartists , headed by the redoubted Dick , in order , and the conference adj . oumed at half-past five , until the next day .
The second sitting of the Conference commenced at about eleven o ' clock on Wednesday . Mr . Ralph Walters , of Newcastle , was called to the chair . The same members of the Association were on the platform , and many delegates from various parts of the country : among others , Mr . Alderman Knight and Mr . Alderman Cullen , from Nottingham ; Mr . John Towle , Oxford ; Mr . Thomson Pard , W . S ., Edinburgh ; Mr . John Ingram Lockhart , Phnlico ; Mr . Thomas Jarrold , Norwich j and Mr . J . A . Nicholay , Marylebone .
Mr . Ralph Walters said , that having been elected one of the vice-presidents of the Association , he now took the chair , and , having to follow that excellent and veteran reformer , Mr . Hume , he must claim their , forbearance . He hoped that their proceedings would be characterized by that good feeling which their object demanded . For his own part , there were many tilings said yesterday with which he could not coneur ; but ho was there from a distant part of the country , not to assist in preparing any new measures , but to inquire and decide on the best plan for carrying out the measures prescribed by the National Reform Association . ( Cheers . ) They must never lose sight of that point . This was a time when reformers should net in a body ,
and not single-handed . He did not believe that disunion really prevailed , for it was but a small minority that had disturbed their proceedings the day before . Mr . Walters read the following minute , as to the mode of conducting the business of the day : — " It is recommended by the business committee to the conference that the present sitting be devoted to the discussion of the resolutions read from the chair yesterday , and that they be considered i > y the conference exclusively No persons will move , second , or support resolutions , or take part in this discussion , but members of the National Financial , and Parliamentary Association . The resolutions being disposed of , the rest of the day will be devoted to the reception of reports from the country . " ( Hear , hear . )
Mr . Shaw , Mr . Wheeler , and Mr . Dick , all claimed the right to address the meeting and to move resolutions , but declined the offer of cards of membership from Mr . George Thompson , M . P ., the Secretary , as they " dissented from a great part of what the association had done . " Mr . Thornton Hunt said that it was necessary that the business of the conference should be first done , and then Mr . Shaw would have an opportunity of stating his sentiments . ( Hear . )
Mr . Thompson said that when their object was to enfranchise four and a half millions of their fellow subjects , when they desired to afford the protection of the ballot , when they supported no property qualifications , and when they wished to give not only equal electoral rights biit equal electoral power to all parts of tho country—and when gentlemen nevertheless had tho effrontery to come there and say that they did not agree to thoir objects , they ought surely not to waste any further time upon them . ( Cheers . ) After some further conversation , it was agreed that
the deputations should bo heard until halt-past one , nnd that then the business should bo proceeded with , it being also arranged that all persons desirous of speaking should retire , and givo their names to tho business committee before they wero allowed to address tho meeting . Mr . Shaw , however , said that ho should not intcrforo any fuvtlier , nnd advised all his friends to follow his example .
Mr . Ralph Walters now announced tho first of tho deputations that had passed tho business committee , namely , Mr . Bezcr , who represented tho Committee of the Chartist Association , and who stated that in tho opinion of his constituents any extension of tho sufl ' rngo which did not go tho length of manhood suffrage , would retard rather than accelerate tho enfranchisement of all . ( No , no , ) ' Mr . » S . Rhodes , of Accrington , and Mr . Charles Henry lOlfc , of Finsbury , both expressed their conviction that tho reformers qf all shades of opinion in thoir localities would support tho principles of tho National Reform Association . Mr . Davy , of Exeter , proposed , und Mr . George Dawson seconded tho first resolution : — " That , however
much this conference may regret tho hcoossiou to power of a government avowedly opposod to parliamentary reform , it cannot but congratulate tho country that ono effect of tho recent turn of political events will bo
to relieve reformers from the discussion of measures imperfect in themselves , and utterly inadequate to meet the ; deinariihjf public opinion /' Mr . John Towle , of Oxford , moved the second resolution : — " That this conference commends the interests of parliamentary reform to the active aid of local com * mittees , and associations , which will , best forward the cause by diligently enrolling additional members of the association , by the strictest attention to the registration of electors , by the introduction of proper candidates to constituencies , and by evincing that generous spirit of cooperation in the service of our country , without which no national movement can retain living force . " Mr . Robert Hey wood , of Bolton , seconded the resolution , which was put and carried unanimously .
Mr . Chapman , of Yarmouth , as a man sprung from . the ranks of labour , was desirous of doing all in his power to improve the social and political condition of working-men . He represented men of all classes and principles , from moderate reformers to extreme chartists ; all were desirous of promoting the welfare of the Reform Association , and entirely agreed with its objects . He moved the third resolution : — " That this conference , whilst desiring the maintenance of a free-trade policy , and convinced that the surest guarantee for it will be a liberal reform of the House of Commons , desires at the same time to remind the country that the present state of the representation not only places in peril the advantages which the people at present enjoy , but stops the progress of all necessary political and financial reforms /'
Mr . Dick , of Pimlico , ( not the individual who created so much disturbance ) seconded the resolution . " He wished to say , in self-defence , that his Christian name was Thomas . " Several other gentlemen having spoken , the resolution was put and carried unanimously . Mr . George Thompson , M . P ., then read the following address to the meeting : —
March 6, 1852.J The Leader. 215
March 6 , 1852 . J THE LEADER . 215
An Address From The Conference To The Co...
AN ADDRESS FROM THE CONFERENCE TO THE COTJNTBY . " Opportunity is restored to the party of progress . By the late change of administration , a free field is opened to reformers . At any former period , the accession to power of a ministry like the present would have been a cause of sorrow and dismay ; it should now be an invigorating stimulus to a strong and advancing public opinion to declare itself . Let the opportunity thus afforded to the people for recasting their position be at once embraced , and mutual efforts be made for the establishment of a more harmonious temper , a more hopeful courage , and a more practical determination than have recently characterised popular contests . The National Parliamentary and
Financial Reform Association has created on active organization for popular reform , and kept up a consecutive and formal agitation for equal electoral rights during years when public interest in the question was comparatively dormant . That body appreciates the importance of the crisis , nnd enters on renewed duties with sanguine hopes . Let tho Seop promptly and nobly sustain the men whose past eeds are a title to their confidence and their gratitude . Lord John Russell , since his resignation , has pledged himself to advocate tho extension of tho suffrage to all who are * fit to appreciate it . ' The dootrinc of fitness will now become the subject of political study . Let the people themselves decide whether fitness for the franchise consists in
ability to pay a rate-rent of 5 / . in towns and 201 . in counties , or IDs . in assessed taxes ; or in intelligence , honesty and independence . If , in thp judgment of tho people , tho sterling qualitios last mentioned prove fitness , rather than the accidents first specified , let thorn co-operato with tho National Association to obtain tho suffrage for every occupier of a house , or part of a houno , rated to tho relief of tho poor , without respect to tho payment of rates as a condition of being on the register . Such a schomo of reform would includo tho largest and best portion and class of tho community , and if not univorsal suftVago , would bo at least a representation of tho entire body . Tho triumph of this measure of reform , if universally announced andjudiciously advocated , wo hold to bo inevitable . Great principles , founded in justice , and qualified with political prudenco , command tho nnd of tho
will always sympathies support intelligent : and a cauao which intrenches itself in tho feelinga of tho people of a IVco nation , has no need to fear any prolonged sectional jealousies or party resistances . With those views , tho conference ! puts tho causo of reform before tho country ' s parliament in tho shape of a national demand for equal electoral rights , an equitable apportionment of political power , and security for tho independent oxoroiso of tho trust restored to tho people of tho United Kingdom . Kosolvod for themselves to bo steadfast in tho demand of what they boliovo to bo reasonable and just , thoy will oflfor no impediment to any who may ask for Iohh ; to rofiiso nny part , until all can bo got , would , they hold , bo conduct , tending rather to tho injury than tho advancement of thoir object , iflvory real extension of popular rights will render Jhono still withhold oasior of attainment— -as history has shown in tho homos of which Mngna Oharta , tho Hill
of Iti / j htH , and tho Reform Bill , aro tho representatives . Of Into yours , public movomontu have unhappily been much woakonod by tho want of a gonorous spirit of nationality , intent upon tho interests of- tho whole , rather than upon tho intorostn of separate parties . Owing to tho want of that spirit , minor political difl ' oroncoa havo boon permitted to sovor into sections a groat pooplo . This conforonco will not havo aHHombled in vain , if it shall havo developed , in any dogroo , that higher spirit which subordinates party predilections and prejudices to tho attainment
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 6, 1852, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06031852/page/3/
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