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M e DOUAIL ADO) COLLINS
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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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M E Douail Ado) Collins
M DOUAIL ADO ) COLLINS
w VffjtWMMBMBaiM CFrem our own Reporter . ) For some time put the Radicals of Manchester ^ ty ? ^?™ *"" £ ¦• , du «» erM » d public entry to Dr . MTJonalL , on his libation from Chester Castle , where he was snSeri&g imprisonment at the instance of a . tyrannical government . The noble and patriotic defence made by the Doctor on ids trial bad woo him the respect and admiration of every lover of his country ; and an invitation to visit Manchester on his liberation was therefore , some weeks back , transmitted to him on behalf of the Badieafe there by the Wfcittle-street branch , ^ which invitation the worthy Doctor accepted Sabsequentfyto this , on the liberation of Lovett « d Collins fr » m Warwick gaol , Mr . James lK »
was appointed a delegate from Manchester to meet those noble-minded patriots at Birmingham on which occasion Mr . Leech invited Mr . Collins ( Mr Lovett having gone on to London ) to be present at the demonstration to M'Douall , which invitation was accepted by Mr . Collins . The knowledge that both these men of the people would be present on the occasion created a great sensation , not only in Manchester and Satford bat also in the surrounding towns ; and every one looked forward w snch a display of the power of the people as should convince the tyrants and their jackalls that Caartism was not dead—bnt had only slept awhile . In the meantime the Whittle-street branch whom the
npon management of the demonstration hid principally devolved , were indefatigable in their exertions to render it effective . Proeessio * and dinner committees were formed , and their activity left nothing to be desired . In order that there should be no pretence on the part of the authorities for interfering with their contemplated legal and constitutional proceedings , Messrs . Haddocks and Melville were appointed a deputation to wait on Sir Charles Shaw , the head of the police , and inform him of their intentions . Sir Charles was absent in Scotland ; but at a subsequent period Messrs . Sleigh and Irvine , who are next in command of the force had an interview with Mr . Wheeler , printer , who had been particularly active in mttmg ud th «
demonstration . They assured him that there would be no interference on the part of the police . That if any policeman did interfere , they should not resist , but take his number , and he should fce punished ; and if any one else obstructed them , they should hand him over to the first policeman they met . The town was also placarded with flaming posters , announcing the procession would start "from Stevenson's-square , at five o ' clock on Saturday the 15 th , and proceed to Cross-lane , Salford , a distance of two muea , where Dr . M'Douall and Mr . Collins would meet them , and all would return U Carpen te ^ s Hall , where those patriotic leaders of the people would address them . The placards also an-Booneed a dmner to these gentlemen on Monday the 17 th , at the Hall of Science . Tiokets 2 s . There was a considerable fall of rain on Saturday morning , and fears were entertained that it would
render the procession less effective , bnt those fears -were groundless . Afser noon the weather cleared cp , and continued fine ( one oi two alight sprinklings eieepted ) to the close of the day . The crowd began to assemble in the square about five o ' clock . Amone the first persons on the ground were the two marshals of the procession ( Messrs . William Grestlev « sd Joshua Ward ) on horseback . These gentlemen wore splendid green scarfs , trimmed with white , -Md green and white favours . A deputation from Wigan , with a splendid banner , next arrived . They were followed by the committee of the boiler--aaker ^ who also appeared with a handsome banner Body after body continued to arrive , and banner - « 8 er banner , including visitors from Stoekport Asoton , Leigh , < fec &c , till past ax , at which time -the procession was marshalled in the following order with the exseption of the dyers , who did not take ud their position till it had arrived at Bridge-etreet —
ORDER OF THE PROCESSION . TtTO marshals on horseback , with green scarfs , and green and while favours . Portrait of Dr . M'Donall , surmounted by the inscriptton-- The Tyrant ' s Foe . " Twenty committee-men , witn staves , scarfs , and favours , ^^ TTTKRR KATIOKAL FLAGS : — White flag . Green flag . White flag . BOfB . HAiP . THISTLE . Spendid Banner of the Brown-street Branch ( No . 1 . ) On one ade a portrait of Dr . MTtonalL with the Inscription—** P . M . M'Douall is ourPriend . " -On the reverse the motto— " God and our rights !"
Eight y » ung women , dressed in white , wearing green and white favours , and carrying four splendid garlands . The Manchester Female Radical Association . New Forester ' s Band . Council of the Dressers and Dyers of Manchester and Salford , with wands . XA «> TFICEfT BAATfRB ; On one side , the Dyers Arms , sunnoanted by the Inscription : — " The Operative Dressers and Dyers of Manchester and Salford . " On the reverse , the inscription : — " The Prosperity of the Working Classes i 3 the Foundation of the National Greatness . "
Band . Operative Dressers and Dyers , six a-breasL Grand Banner ; On one side the Dyers Arms , with the inscription . u Branch Good Intent . " On the reverse , the Royal Arms , with a V . R . " onthetop . Yarions Trades , six a-breast . Splendid Green Flag ; Inscription , * Liberty and Equality , " Surmounting the Rose , Snamrock , and Thistle . On the reverse the same device , surmounted by the Motto , " Labour , the Source of all Wealth . ' * The Members of the Whittle-street Branch , Six abreast . Trieoloared Flag . Inscription , " The Rights of Man . " Operatives , six abreast .
L . ABGE BAHSEB ; On one side a Painting , representing the Massacre of Peterloo . On the reverse , on a black ground , the inscription , u Murder demands Justice . " Operatives , six abreast . SFiETDID BA >\ TEB OF THE WIGA * ASSOCIATION . On one side , a full-length figure , larger than life , of FEAHGU 5 O'CONNOR , Es < j , iiolmilg in his hind a scroll , with " Ttie People ' s Charter ; Wigan District I" inscribed thereon . In the distance is seen Hunt ' s Monument , surmounted with the Cap of Liberty , with the Tri-coloured Flag flying , and on its base the Inscription , To the Memory of H . HuntEs . "
, q The whole surmounted by the words ^—" O'Connor ; Hunt ' s Successor !" vmtne reverse , the Britisb . Lion , rampans , is trampling under foot" Starrarion Basiiles , Debts , Funds , Jew-Jobbers , Aristoeracy , Sb . opocracy , White Slavery , and State Paupers . " A Mitre is seen filing . The Lion holds in his left raw a Flaming Dagger , from which is suspended B A Black Scarf , with the inscription , wown , down , to hell ; and say I sent you there !" On a scroll , over all , the words : — " Tremble ! Tyrants , Tremble I " Operatives , bix abreast . BA 57 TEB 0 ? THB XA 5 CHESTER B 0 ILEB-XAKE& 5 . On one Eide the Boiler-maker ' s Arms , motto ,
" Humani Nihil Alienum . " Surmounted by the inscription : — "Friendly Boiler-makerB . " On the reverse , a beautiful allegorical representation of Unity , Benevolence , and Concord , with the Inscription , Success to Trade !" Boiler-makers , six abreast . Catriage ,-vrith Members of the Procession Committee . Carriage , with Members of Dinnar Committee . Carriages , with various friends . Old Foresters Band . . Black Banner . Oa one side , "Repeal of the New Poor Law Bill . " On the reverse , " Universal Suffrage , Short Parliaments , Equitable Adjustment . " Operatives , six abreast . ^ HSD BAXNEB 0 * THE KANCHESTEB POLITICAL
f . TJKIOS . vl one side , a beautiful figure of Justice , leaning on « . the British Lion . « n the rereree , the inscription , " Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , Annuai Parliaments . " Carriages , with various friends , la this order the procession moved from Stevenson-* g * re along Oldham-Btreet , Mosley-street , Yorkgwt , King-street , Bridge-street , Bailey-street , and Xjapel-Btreet , to the Crescent , near Cross-lane ya arriving at this point it wheeled round , and hav-** 8 formed in order for returning , halted , anxiously fSv ^^ * Ppear * ace of Dr . M'Douall and Mr . g ^ as . It was known that Collins had arrived tTiES * ^ fiht , and had proceeded to Cross-lane £ *«* the Doctor , who was expected there that •^^ WlOOn from T , 1 TPrrWV » 1 Kv Mi'livaT wliA » a Wo \* mA
" » . innrsday evening addressed an overwhelming *™ S | i » at the Queen ' s Theatre . They had not ai& l 0 Qg before atoemeadons eWt w * enesni r «» e top of the Crescent . All eyes were tamed J ?** way and a moment afterwards an open caxj W and four , the postillions in green and white jJ- ^ S j with favours of tho same colour , was ob-!? 7 W * ppreaehing at a snarp trot , preseded by one r » ae xnarshals who had gone to meet it . It con-^ 4 Dr . M'DouaU and Mr . Collins , as well as te ^^_ Leech and Melville , who had b « en deputed ^ ee « ie the procession to receive the distinguished feata tT * ' C 011 " ^ appeared to be in good health ; W blffi : octoT ^^ ev ident marks of the shametor ^^ ent he had received from the merciless toiAiTr k mhis dungeon . The carriageadvaaced fin ^™ «» proeession amidst the shouts and elap-*"» « hands of a » assembled thoosande , the band
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« & £ Foresters advaacing to meet it , playing WlJrtTS " !^? 0011168 1 " When it haa reacled the latter part of the procession , which was cam « e halted . and an interesting ceremony ensued . flST vT ^ h ?^^ ^ PuUtion ^ Tthe SSSS . ? ^? T ^?* ^ a ^^ tion , was driven n ^^ S ? 111 * 1 ^ 1 ^ the distinguished patriots . ™ - £ *^ l ^ . * ? 3 » P « d »*» & * Doctor ' s carnwe , holding in her hand a splendid green SSJ ^ i !! hlte ^ ' ^ decorated > ith » whie satin rosette , which she was commissioned to pr « sent to the Doctor from the ladies of the Hulme Assooation . The Doctor rose , and took off a splendid vihito beaver hat . presented Kim hv tfco m «« «« « S « the f » nq ^ Si ^ So Joi ^ t » e 1 Jl )» JP&SS
Andershaw on his liberation from a Whig dungeon , while the lady proceeded to fasten the scarf over his sbouHcr , amidst the heartiest cheers we ever remember to have heard , the Doctor all the while bowing his aeinoirleagmenta . This ceremony over , the carriage , foUntftd by other * , proceeded at a slow rate along the Ode ef the procession , amidst the most deafening cheers , till it almost reached the head , where all the eamagsa took up their position to return ( the carriage containing the Doctor being first ) immediately after the young women who carried the garlandB . This return was the most triumphant demonstration in favour of the principles of the Charter it was erer our lot to witness . The Crescent , which is a magnificent street , presented , as far as the eye could
reach , a dense mass of human beings ; while , as the procession went down Chapel-Btreet , the windows , the roofs , the hunp ; posts , every point from which a view could be obtained , were seized upon with the greatest avidity . The streets was so thronged that it was with the greatest difficulty the procession could move on at all ; and from the situation we occupied , we could see perions carried off their legs for fifty yards together , by the rush of the crowd , ayery one , too , seemed desirouB of shaking hands with the Doctor , who appeared nothing loth ; and pre should think his right arm will be stiff-for the next fortnight in consequence of the continual shaking of hands . The procession orossed Victoria
Bridge , and soon arrived opposite the Exchange , where the shouts of trinmph on toe part of the People were unbounded . The " nobs" came running out to witness the sight ; and they will not easily forget the impression which it must have made upon their minds . Unfortunately it was now almost dark ; and it was quite so before the procession reached Carpenters ' Hall ; but we are satisfied that there never was a demonstration took place in Market-street equal to the present for numbers and enthusiasm . On passing the Guardian Office , there was considerable groaning , and loud cheers were given opposite the office of the Advertiser . In front of the Mosley Arms HoteL three cheers were givenfor Feargus O'Connor , that being the honse where he stops on his visits to Manchester .
On the procession approaching Carpenters' Hall , a rush took place to obtain seats . This was productive of an unfortunate result . The influx into the hall was so great , and the rush so terrific , that those who had the management inside thought it would be prudent to shut the door till Dr . M'Douall and Mr . Collins , -with their friends , should make their appearance , there being only one entrance to this immense building , which will hold 3 , 000 persons comfortably . This they accordingly did ; but , unfortunately , the distinguished visitorswho were
, greatly fatigued , stopped at a house near the Hall to obtain some slight refreshment ; and , when thev presented themselves at the doors , hundreds , and " , perhaps , thousands , finding the doors shut , and naturally concluding the place was crammed , had gone away . The consequence was , that , though the gallery and orchestra were crammed , the body of the hall was not above three-fourth 9 full . Several policemen presented themselves at the doors , and they were admitted on payment of the usual charge .
On the entrance of the distinguished patriots , the applause was absolutely deafening . On their appearance in the orchestra , the whole company rose ; and they were received with the most overwhelming marks of enthusiasm . The orchestra presented an animating appearance ; the garlandB were tastefully arranged in front ; and the young ladies who carried them were seated on either side of the chair . When silence was obtained , Mr . Jakes Leech , en the motion of Mr . Davis , was called to the chair by acclamation . The Chaimcam , having taken his seat , congratulated those present on their having done their duty that night in being present on this occasion . He was sorry that the arrangements had been such as to preclude Tast numbers from entering the room ,
and Who Wonld have otherwise been present . ( Cries of " True , true i" and " Thousands I" ) It was , however , too late to remedy the evil now , and therefore he would say no more about it . There was one thing he particulaily wished to impress upon their minds * It was this : not to show any marks of illfeeling or disapprobation towards any individual who might be present , whether he wore a blue , or whether he wore a red livery . ( Cheers . ) He trusted they would do their duty Dy the sacred cause in which they were engaged ; and show towards their enemies those feelings of kindness which their enemies would not show towards them . ( Hear , hear . ) An address had been prepared , to be presented to their dungeon-proved friend , Dr . M'Douall ; and he would now call upon tkeir friend , Mr . Wheeler , to read that address .
JIt . Whkelkb . then came forward , and read the following address . It wa 3 receired with loud cheers , and at its conclusion it was handed to the worthy doctor by Mr . Wheeler : —
" TO PETER MURRAY MDOUALL , " "We , the inhabitants of Manchester , in public meeting assembled , beg to congratulate you npon your liberation from your late confinement ; and , by TrmVipg you thus welcome , we would show our tyrants our love of patriotism and hatred of oppression . We feel proud to meet so brave a champion of our glorious cause . You bearded corruption to its very teeth—you told its advocates truthB -which made them tremble , and shook the citadel of tyranny to its very centre . Did they think that , by imprisoning our advocates , they would crush our principles , and achieve the savage work of th <» ir destruction ? It was but a temporary triumph ; and we hail it as a glorious ordeal through which our principles had to pass , that they might come forth in theii purity , and , like the morning sun , clear avray the dark mists of ignorance and error , and illumine the glad
world -with its refulgent beams . Our oppressors can not fetter the ham an mind , which laugh to scorn their puny efforts to arrest its nward progress . While we view ¦ with indignation the despotio and tyrannical conduct of a corrupt government , we cannot too highly express oar esteem for and attachment to you for your bold and unflinching conduct in the hour of triaL You then nobly did your duty in arousing the just indignation of the people against a Government which had broken every vow and violated every pledge made to the people ! Though confined in a dungeon your spirit was still abroad , encouraging the people to persevere in their holy struggle for freedom ; and we feel aBsnred the time is not far distant when the principles for which yon are eotlending will triumph , and a full measure of justiee ¦ will be dealt out to those noble-minded men who have so disinterestedly sacrificed their fortunes and their liberties for the regeneration of their country .
" G-o on , then , brave and noble patriot ' Yours is no party struggle , it is a struggle to rescue our common country from a worse than Egyptian bondage ; it is the cause of tie millions which groan beneath the tyrants' rod . Continue , then , in the glorious career you hare marked out tor yourself ; and when liberty shall once more shed her invigorating influence over tbis nation , and peace and happiness shall beam in every countenance , then shall your name be enrolled amongst those of the great and good men who in all ages have pleaded the cause of the oppressed against the oppressor ; and then shall it be daily remembered in the prayers of a contented and a happy people . **
" That Heaven may long bless you with health and happiness , and guard you against the secret m ^ hin ^ . tiona of your enemies , and give you strength to persevere in this mighty cause till the brand of slavery be erased from eaih man ' s forehead , and till each son of Britain shall stand erect in the dignity of manhood , knowing his rights , and knowing , daring to maintain them—th » t a consummation bo devoutly to be wished may speedily take place , is the sincere prayer of the inhabitant ! of Manchester . " The Chaixkah said he did not doubt that most of those present had read with delight the noble , the
undaunted , the unflinching defence which had been made upon his trial by ibe friend who was here present to-night . ( Cheers . ) He shuddered when he reflected on the number of victims which had been lately made to political expediency , not to political justice . But the reign of tyranny was becoming short ; and if the people would only keep on as they had begun , their tyrants might in their turn be banished from their native soil . ( Cheers . ) He would now introduce to them one who had earned the esteem of every lover of freedom in England , their worthy and dungeon-proof friend , Dr . M'Douall . ( Loud cheering . )
Dr . M'Douall presented himself amidst a perfect Btorm of applause . When it had subsided , he said . Mr . Chairman , friends and fellow-countrymen , and fellow Chartists , I rejoice to meet you once more ; and I rejoice still more , now that I meet you again , to come forward the sams Chartist that I was before I went into prison . If there has been any addition to me and my principles , it has been an addition of firmness , energy , and determination to persevere in the same course—( cheers)—and to
advance , by every possible means , the sacred cause , to advance which we have met here to-night , and for which , if necessary , I am ready to suffer again and again . ( Loud cheering . ) I fear not theirdungeons—1 value not their sentences—I care not for their Juries . ( Tremendous eheers . ) No , my friends ; I value justice more—I value equality more—I value your rights more . ( Cheers . ) My mends , I fear them not ; and I told them on my trial I did not fear them . They have tried to break down my spirit by heaping injnry after injury upon me ; but , like a well-built arch , it became
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the firmer and the stronger the greater the yreight cast upon it . ( " BravoTk'DoualJ , and cheering !) If there was anything ( h © continued ) which could add to the enjoymentTie f # H that night , k would be that the Charter should be made the law of the Und . Ue was rejoiced , on bis arrival among them , to find Manchester occupying the ^ orood position that she ought to do ; and nothing would be capable of adding to his satisfaction except the proclaiming the Charter as the law of EDgland . He had had time to study when in his dungeon ; and he trusted he had studied to stick by their canse , and suffer again , if it were necessary , for his principles . ( Loadcheers . ) By a reference to tht Star of that week they wonld see , that a meeting which he was about to hold in ! ! it ^! l ?^ A ® rtr < H »« fi lM » lF «* tOT * ? * foft *
UMBter , on his release from hiB dungeon , had been interrupted . "He had there been compelled to dissolve a highly peaceable and legal meeting , by order of the police , and under th « threat that if he did not do bo by peaceable means , they would disperse them by force . ( Shame , shame !) That attempt to disperse a legal , constitutional , and peaceable meeting by the police , was attended with a greater amount of good than the delivery of twenty lectures on Chartism , because it shewed the shopkeepers of Chester , many of whom weie favourable to the meeting , that they were under the lash of the magistrates and the police as much as the working men . And they felt it , for they cursed them both . But there was another description of feeling Bhowu at that
meeting—and be mentioned this not that they should place any reliance on the army—but it was a feeling on the part of the artillery quartered there , which , if he had not put an end to the meeting , would have ended in a bloody conflict between them and the police . ( Cheers . ) He did not mean to say that the soldiers would have taken their part—( hear , hear)—they did not want it—( cheers)—ill they wanted was a legal and peaceable change which should give them their rights ; but still it was gratifying that such a feeling should exist in the army , and he was proud to record it—he was proud to state that there were men in the army who , if they heard a Chartist tried , did not forget their rights , although they wore the red coat of a soldier . What did they say on the
occasion 1 They Baid , " although we are soldiers , we have the feelings of working meD . We heard your defence , and we will not let the bloody police disperse your meeting . " ( Great cheering . ) Thus they ( the Chartists ) had gained two things by this dispersion . First , the shopkeepers had curaed the magistrates , and several had offered to be chairman . Secondly , the opinion of the soldiers had been pronounced in their favour , and their principles had been disseminated among them . ( Cheers . ) The Secretary of State had , in thiB instance , no occasion to depend upon the police and the soldiers ; and he ( Dr . M'Douall ) could assure him that if he had spies among the police , he ( the Doctor ) had spies among them also ; and it was owing to this circumstance that he had prevented a perhaps fatal collision
between the soldiers and the police . He had , when on his trial , said he would begin agitating the moment he quitted the gates of his prison ; and ho had done bo . From Chester he haa proceeded to Liverpool , and at the Queen ' s Theatre there he had , on Thursday night , held one of the largest meetings which had ever taken place in that town ; and a vote of thanks had been ( proposed U him otithe occasion by an officer of her Majesty ' s customs . ( Cheers . ) From Liverpool he had come to meet them ; and if anything were wanted to convince him of the spread of Chartism , it would have been in the splendid procession of that day . He firmly believed their glorious principles were more widely spread and more generally adopted now than thoy were on the day
he entered his dungeon . ( Cheers . ) If there was one man in the world who was more willing than another to assist in spreading still more widely those principles , that man was himself ; and he was willing to place himself entirely at the command of the working classes till Chartism should become the law of England . ( Loud cheering . ) No doubt some mistakes had been made during the past agitation ; but he sincerely believed they were more owing to want of judgment than to any thing else . A bad turn had been given to their efforts with regard to physical-force demonstrations ; and another error waa the denouncing the middle classes . The physical-force demonstrations had entirely failed ; and he thought nothing had been gained bv
attacking the middle classes . It was not that he placed much reliance on the middle classes ; bnt still , if their services could be rendered available , they should be accepted . They might be narrowl y watched , and allowed rather to assist than to lead the movement . Since he had left hiB dungeon , the had seen no argument which , in his mind , went to overturn the principles of Chartism . One argument , indeed , had been advanced ; and that was , that the working classes were not prepared to exercise the Suffrage with advantage to the country . When this argument had been alluded to , he had put the question , why should not likecauses produce like effects ? And he had looked to America , and found the same principles carried out there ; and
when he l&oked to both sides of the St . Lawrence , and Baw on the American side a great and civilised people , with an abundance of wealth , busy towns , magnificent buildings , docks , shipping , and the hum of a bnsy and industrious population ; and on the other side , where the people were told they were not fit to be entrusted with the Suffrage , when he saw a thin population earned a scanty subsistence amidst uncultivated heaths and gloomy forests , residing in a few scattered hamlets , which covered the heads of rebels—rebels against a Government who would turn bayonets againBt their breasts , and fire the roof over their heads , if they sought for those rights possessed by America—when he saw all this , he was compelled to conclnde that , if Englishmen possessed the same rights as Americans , the
same ettect would be produced in the one country as in the other . ( Cheers . ) The great abundance of wealth possessed by the American people was the result of labour , which was second only to nature itself . If the people of this country wonld only Teflect , that from their labour sprung all its wealth and magnificence , they would a 3 k themselves why , when every thing else waa going on improving , their rights alone had made no progress whatever ? It was because they did not possess the Suffrage Many agitationa had been got up in the country ; but there was none to equal that for the Charter . The masses , then , must be moved again—( cheers)—they must be set on foot once more , and the tide of opinion must again move along the land—that flood
which was powerful enough to overturn everything but labour itself , and to establish their rights upon an unalterable basis . If any individual would point out any other agitation more important than this , he for one would give way ; but . when he saw what they had already achieved against the power of a corrupt pre 3 s , and of a more corrupt Government , and m defiance of any power whatever but that of the millions— ( cheers)— who supported them , he was more convinced than ever , that if they were only united to effect one purpose , they would be powerful enough to effect any purpose they pleased . There was no time like the present time . ( Great cheering . ) He had deeply and attentively studied the present State of affairs while in his dungeon , and there was
one tmng wnicn promised either a peaceful change or a bloody one . He alluded to the money affairs of the country . After twenty-five years of peace , new taxes were being placed on the shoulders of the people of this country by a reforming Government . ( Shame , shame !) When he turned to France , he b&w that the revolution—not the late revolution , which merely deposed a Bourbon and substituted a baboon —( great laughter)—but the great revolution which began in equality , but which ended in aggrandisement—he saw that that revolution took its rise in money affairs , and in the imposition of taxes in the time of peace . The French people began to feel these taxes , as the English people do now . First one begins to complainand then anotherand
, , then two or three together in the streets , and at last the impetuous stream rushes along , sweeping all before it . Could there be a better one than that they had seen that day ? ( Great cheering . ) Besides the money affairs , there was another cause of the revolution for which a parallel could be found in this country . Voltaire and others overturned the bigotry of the people and the grandenr of the Church , and m pulling down the mitre he brought the throne along with it . ( Cheers . ) Looking at the doctrines or Voltaire , and reasoning from anoiogy , was there not a striking similarity in this country at thepresent moment ? They had Socialism spreading throughout the nation ; and if Socialism was not calculated to bring down the church , he did not know what waa ;
and if it did that , and did no more harm than that , he , for one , did not care how soon it took place . ( Laughter . ) They had also the Total Abstinence and lemperance movement —( loud cheering ) --thi 8 was calculated greatly to advance their cause . When men men left drinking they commenced thinking . The first thing a thinking man thought of was his dinner —( laughter )—and if he could not get any he complained till he was satisfied on that score . He then began to look out for clothing , and his other physical wants ; and when these were satisfied he i > oked J& c ^ ivation of the minds of his children . When they had got all this the people of this cou £ l WOQld stm complain i and why should they not ! They would do right always to complain tiU they received the full wages due for their labour . ( Cheers . ) Let them look at the situation of the agricultural and factory populations of this connthe
try . See peasantry in rags , and misery , and difliresa-W then look at the broad and fertile Valleys covered with waving corn and luxuriant pastures , and the palace of the tyrant rising among the trees . ( Load cheering . ) Then let them turn to the town , and let them point out one trade that was not over-stocked and over-peopled . ( Cries of " Not one . 0 Let them look to the factory people , where death presented itself under a hundred different forms , and where thousands were sinking with disease and misery into a premature grave , the victims of tyranny and murder combined . ( Cheers . ) Let them look to the food and clothing of the labourers even when in full employment , and let them ask which was their refuge in time of want ? They might enter the army—they might enter the ranks of the rural police *—they might emigrate , and carry their intelligence and theirsklll to other nations . and
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they might become criminals . They might become winunaL not because they had an innate disposition wdoso , but because of their poverty anddistress . But «^" il < 5 * ? that Poverty ? The Government--th « oppressors who robbed them . ( Tremendous cheering . ) There was no refuge for working men , then , except tho * e whieh were of the worst and moat fatal description . VYbat rights did they possess to enable them to protect even the email wages they npw received ;? They had the right to meeVand the SSS ^ W ^ W * P ^ * eS ! TheV lSd SK ^' . Mfr ' -toprtittwi jMd they might just as well petition for a hogshead of gin . ( Laughter . ) The j Lad the r ight of Trial by Jury ; and whereS ^ I ^ fLf ?^ % ^* Mt which they might become criming T ^ ^;^ f
» . •* were accused was a , political one . ( Great laughter . ) it was bow high time for this , nation to Bet about obtaining their rights in earnest j and while he would recommend that the Charter should be established , he would not recommend them to take one step beyond the law . From small beginnings great endings ensued ; they would gather streagth as they went on , and if they were determined they would raise a tide of feeling in theirTavOur that would flow to the foot of the throne itself . The tide of opinion ebbed and flowed ; and they had lately seen Ft ebb , and leave the leaders of the people high and dry on the shore . That was because they were not united among themselves for one purpose . When they were , not united they would necessarily b # w « aV .
and trovernment would take the advantage of them . Many noble patriots had come forward in the cause of liberty . They had had a Frost—( great cheering )—and his noble and patriotic friends , who had come forward and oast all upon one reckless die ; and now these noble-minded men , while they wept for the fate of their distant country , sent their voices across the wide expanse of waters that separated them from it , and implored their countrymen again to unite forthe great cause for which they su $ e m d * ^ Loud ? » and cries of " We will , we will . ) Although he witnessed the fate of these patriots , and although the country was stained with me blood of the best and bravest of its inhabitants , that should not hinder him from advocating tne and
great glorious cause for which they suffered wherever he could raise his voice or thrust his head . ( Cheers . ) He had but just left a dungeon , and they saw he came before them neither Bilent nor dispirited . He would carry the Chartist flag , round the whole country ; and he would look for their respect and confidence no longer than while he did his duty . ( Cheers . ) He would go round the land and show ihe people that the men of Manchester were not dead—and he could wave his green searf ( the Doctor still wore the scarf presented by the women of Hulme ) to show that the women of Manchester were alive to the importance of the cause . ( Long continued cheering . ) And now he would conclude , for thev must
be all tired with the fatigues of the day . ( Goon , go on . ) As he had told the Judges on his trial—and those present that night were far better judges of the matter than them , —( laughter , )—as he had told the Judges , he would see the Charter the law of the land yet ; and he would yet meet constitutional John and plain Jack on the floor of the House of Commons—though if he did not meet them there before that time , he did not think there would be much chance of his doing so afterwards , —( great laughter , ) —and have a talk with John about the constitution and with Jack about the law . ( Renewed laughter . ) He would tell them both that he had greatly improved by his imprisonment , and that he hoped to give them the same retirement they had given him . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Let the Charter be the polar star of the people , and let them pot trouble themselves about corn laws or foreign politics . Let
inem steer for oae haven , and let that haven be the Charter . Let them touch the helm with firmness and decision , peacefully , but energetically . For himself , his mind was made up upon the subject . He might meet with difficulties , but he had a mind wherewith to encounter them . His pulse had not quickened when he went into prison , nor when he came out of it . He knew no fear , and he feared no difficulty . ( Cheers . ) He would go on as he had done before { for the prospect of liberty would cheer him on , as the light in the cottage window cheered on the benighted traveller . He need not ask them to stand by him ; and , possessed of their confidence , he should feel himself strong and ennobled—secure , though within the clutches of tyranny , and free , though under the yoke of the oppressor . The Doctor then sat down amidst a volley of cheers and clapping of hands .
The Chairman said it would now be hia duty to introduce to them a man whom he had known and esteemed for some time ; and who , he felt , had still greater chums on his respect since he had witnessed the manner in which he had been received by his fellow-townsmen at Birmingham after he came out of Warwick Gaol . He alluded to his friend , John Collins , who would now address them . Mr . Collins was received with the same lively marks of interest and favour which had greeted the appearance of Dr . M'Douall . He addressed the meeting as fellow-slaves , and said he felt par ticularly proud of that opportunity of addressing the working men of Manchester . He had that morning been reading in onoof the Manohester pap ers an arti « l «
which was written with a-very bitter feeling ; so bitter as to be manifest in every line . In that article the writer , in reference to those whom he called the " poor Chartists , " stated that last week he "Witnessed the extension of mercy by Lord Normanb y to the Glasgow cotton-spiuners ; that thi 3 week M'Douall had been set at liberty ; that favours had been extended to various political prisoners ; and that Collins was again blowing the dying embers of Birmingham Char tism to a blaze . ( Laughter . ) He thought the display of feeling they had that day made would at all events convince the writer of this article that it did not require much blowing on his part to blow Chartism in Manchester to a blaze . ( Cheers . ) He had long been convinced that no converts were ever
made to an opinion by fine , or imprisonment , or banishment ; and if he had wanted any additional argument that this was the case , it would have been aitorded by the magnificent display that day made in the streets of Manchester in favour of men who had been imprisoned for their cause . ( Great cheering . ) He felt sure that tho plans which had been adopted by the enemies of labour were the very best calculated to spread the Charter far and wide and to impress upon the breast of every man the neije 8 sity of making any sacrifice , however great , for the attainment of that most desirable object ; he felt certain that the advocacy of Chartist principles in courts of justice , and the refusal of Parliament to inquire into the treatment of Chartist
prisoners , must impress on the mind of every thinking man the importance of the principles they advocated . The very excellent remarks which had fallen from Dr . M'Douall had given him a great deal of pleasure ; and he would avail himself of that opportunity of conveying to the worthy doctor , in the name and on the behalf of the committee and the great body of the Chartists in Birmingham , the expression of their congratulations on his leaving hiB dungeon , and of their sympathies with his sufferings while immured in it . He would also assure him that on Monday the men of Birmingham had redeemed their pledge at a great meeting on foreign politics at Hollo way Head—that pledge which had not only been made there , but at Peep GreenKersal Moorand all the
, , large meetings throughout the country—the pledge that they would never agitate for any other subjeot —never turn to the right hand or to the left—never cease their exertions till the principles of the Charter became the law of tha land . ( Great cheering ) His friend , M'Douall , had said that since he came out of prison ( where he had been himself ) , the only argument he had heard against the Char ter was that the working classes were not prepared to exercise the Suffrage . Now , he thought this was a mistake on the Doctor ' s part . He thought this was no argument at all , but merely assertion . He thought proof was necessary to constitute an argument . To be sure he did not profess to very learned in these matters , because , from the time he was verv vounp .
he had worked for his bread : but he never thought assertions were arguments . Now , he believed that the working men aa a class ( for , of course , there were exceptions ) were—he was going to Bay as fit , but he would say more fit , than any other to exercise the franchise . ( Cheers . ) And when their opponents said the Chartists wished to give every dishonest man a vote , he would reply that the statement was a foul calumny . The Charter made an express provision to the contrary , while , at present , if a man possessed the requisite amount of property , he voted , whether honest or dishonest ; so that , even if it were true the Charter made no provision to the contrary , the Radicals might reply that they did not see why a poor rogue should not have a vote as
wen as a neb one . ( Cheers , and laughter . ) If he were disposed to look on the assertion as an argument , he wouldsay , by giving them a vote you would raise them in their own opinion . A man who was treated badly became reckless of consequences : but if , on the contrary , he knew he had the confidence of hia neighbsurs , he would endeavour to show that confidence was not misplaced . It might be illustrated by 10 , 000 instances from every oay Mk When a man ^ to pped out in the morning with his shoes well blaoked , he took care to piok his way through the streets lest he should soil them ; but when they had beooae thoroughly dirty , be pame Bplashing through every « uWb . © i ^ ( laughter . ) It was the same thing in morality . If a man treated not
were as fit to be depended upon he would act accordingly . Neither was it the way to raise a man to imprison him for advocating the rights of liberty ; and he was sure the treatment of the advocates of the people ' s cause would only increase the indignation of ihe people , and deepen more and more the impression of the justice of their principles and the injustice of their oppressors . ( Loud cheers . ) Look at their situation . A population ill-fed and ill-clothed , toiling incessantly from morning to sight . He held in his hand a copy of correspondence which took place respecting himself and his friend Lovett—( cheers)—and it contained the testimony of Sir Eardley . Wilmot , a magistrate and M . P ., that ninety-nine out of a hundred labourers . were worse fed and clothed than felons in ihe
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prison . ( Cries of Shame , shame !") They had experience of its truth . They heard of times of ad-Tewity and times of prosperity . Why , what was the difference to the working man ! If times were a little better they only terved him to get out of debt , and to take away hiB things from the pawnbrokers— { hear , hear , )—and then came the panic again , and he got into debt once more , and his goods were again pledged . The talk of prosperity and adversity was all stuff and nonsense—it was all adversity to the working man . ( "Well done , Collins , " and eheers . ) With the people breaking stones upon the roads , and their wives and little ones starving at home , was it to be wondered At that some ahoald have talked of physical force . , ^« cu— . _ u __ ..,,. ^ . .
He could speak freely on this head , as be had never advocated physical force—he had been called an old Brummagem gingerbread woman for not doing bo—( laughter)—yet he did not wonder that some men , goaded to madness should have resorted to threats of violence , especially when he considered the sort of education they had received . ( Hear , hear . ) Some had none at all ; and others were taught words instead of ideas . They had been taughtto lookup with veneration to generals Who had sacked towns , depopulated villages , and made thousands of widows and orphans , and consider thenvthe greatest men the world ever saw ; and was it to be wondered at that they aoted as they had done . He trusted they would soon be able to wield
the far superior power of moral force , and which would enable them to establish themselves in that position which they ought to occupy . Much as had been said on the subject of physical force , it had all along been the great argument of their enemies , who had turned this country into one great arseaal to put down the demand for the Charter . ( Cheers . ) They might continue to spread their Wue-eeated gentry throughout the land , but they would never be able to change the eternal truth contained in their principles—they might go on extending their military force as much aa they pleased , but they would never reconcile the people of thiB country to poverty , misery , and degradation . ( Great cheering . ) God had decreed that they should eat their bread by the
sweat of their brow ; but man had ordained that their brows should sweat , but that the bread should be eaten by others . This they were not content to do . ( Cheers . ) But he would now conclude . They were tired , and he was tired . (" No , no ! " ') He was tired , at least , and he felt it waa not in good taste to keep , them there any longer after the fatigues of the procession , especially as he should again have an opportunity of addressing them on Monday . He hoped , indeed , that he should meet them often—for it was only by the interchange of converse between man ana man that they could hope to improve their condition . It was not by groaning , or shouting , or hissing , that they would gain their objectbut by meeting and instructing
, each other . Again thanking them for the glorious display which they had made that day—and again congratulating them on the presence of M'Douall once more amongst them , he begged to express , in Mr . Lovett ' s name , his regret at not being able to visit them . Nothing but weakness of frame prevented him from coming ; his heart had never quailed—his spirit had never shrunk from the cause —( cheers)—though his body had been bent down , and , he was sorry to say , his constitution was bo weakened and impaired , that it was doubtful whether he would ever be the man again he formerly was . ( Loud cries of "Shame , shame I " "The bloody Whigs !") Still the heart and
the spirit of the noble patriot never failed him ; and he ( Mr . Collins ) was the bearer of the expression of bis attachment to the cause of liberty , and of his determination still to advocate it with all tho strength that tyrants had left him , and with all the ability that God had given him . Mr . Collins then sat down amidst prolonged cheering . Mr . Wheexbb announced that , owing to the premature shutting of the doors , the committee nad got into difficulties , and a collection in aid of the expenses would be made at the doors . He also exhorted tho&e present to subsoribe to the relief fund , and announced that all the dinner tickets for Monday were sold , and that persons would be admitted to the gallery on the payment of sixpence each .
A vote of thanks was then proposed to the Chairman , when a person in the room proposed " Three cheers for Feargus O'Couuor . " On the suggestion of Mr . Collins , three cheers were given for all the political martyrs , and the vote of thanks to the Chairman having been passed , the meeting broke up .
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The CHAiRKAif said they had now arrived at thai particular stage of the proceedings , wh « n it would be necessary to advert to the more immediate business of the evening . The toast he was now about w ¥ ***** " •* & * health of their worthy guest , D * JnJJonaLL No * oon « r wenr the words out of the Chairmwi ' g hpa than the ^ whole company rose and gst » nine fk ^ S !" *] !? " ^ £ ™ ck « P a Scotew * ah « e »"« H thooghthe toaat had been formally annoraced , though w was quite evident that the Jtev . Chairma' ! address had been cut short bv the enthusiasm of < he > meeting . The Chairman having at length « - nouneed the toast in due form . -
Br . M'Dowall rose , and was again greeted wftfr every demonstration of cordial esteem . He said he felt , at It Mrm ; quite overpowered in rising to address them The change from a prison to rach a scene as that which now met hia eye was very great When he compared the damp walls and solitary Bo » rs of bis dungeon with the gay company and faces around him , the great change struck upon hia heart , and prevented a free expression of bis feelings . It would not be necessary for Wra to enter into a detail of the feelings of pleasure -With which he witnessed bo large an assembly as the present brought together , not to do honour to one individual io particular , or any number of individuals , bnt to do honour to the principles for whieh he had suffered , and who were resolved to have the Charter , and nothing but
the Charter . Nothing could give aim greater delight than togo on with them to agitate for tne Charter , led by that tune which goes at once to the heart of every Scotsman . ( Cheers . ) He -was not going to allude to the dungeon into which he had been thrown by the Whigs . He despised them and their dungeons too . ( Greal cheering . ) They had laboured hard and long to destroy him , but , though a emaU person , his body had . the strength of iron , and his spirit had been unbroken by all their machinations . ( Cheers . ) He had gone through their dungeons , and had felt their force ; but he had forgot their prosecutions and he remembered only them . ( Longand tremendous cheering . ) From the moment he left hia dungeon gates he swore in his heart he Would have revenge . ( Tremendous cheering ) He
should not have that species of revenge which waa implied by the general acceptation of the term—bis revenge , would be to see the Charter the law of the land—to contend , peaceably , if he must—yes , peaceably if he . most— ( laughter)—for the great principles to carry out which they were united , aad for -which he hoped all present were prepared to suffer , and , if necessary , to die . ( Cheers-r He was young in years , and he should yet live to see the Charter established ; . and nothing could add more to his resolution * to support the cause than the imprisonment the Whiga bad given him ; and if he bad been altered at all by that imprisonment , it was that he would now go a little further than tie Charter . While in his dungeon , he had studied the subject attentively ; and he looked at
the Charter bat as the stepping-stone to social Improvement—na an arch , a door-way , through which the people must press to obtain their rights , and cover the nation with real and substantial benefits . He thought persecution was the surest way to establish those principles . * He ardently and sincerely wished the Whi g * would go further with their persecutions ; and if they produced the same effect upon others as upon him , they wonld regret they had ever seat one Chartist to prison to stud ; more intensely how they might carry out its principles . The Whigs had learnt nothing from the experience of the past ; and he was afraid that neither judges , nor jury , nor sentences , nor agitation had produced any affect on them . The people might lash them aa they like , but if they got any thing else from them
but villany , fraud and oppression , he was much mistaken . The / effect of these persecution -was to bind more strongly together the people and their leaders , and to plant the standard of Caartism a little furrher in advance . Both leaders and people had been opposed by a corrupt press ; but let them but once firmly unite , keeping one point , and one only , in view , and then there would be found no barrier strong enough to resist them—no government powerful enough to put them down . ( Cheers . ) The present government had already tried to do so , but had they succeeded ? No . They had not destroyed the Chartists , but the Chartists had destroyed them , or were in the course of doing so . They bad risen in public esteem , and brought thousands over to their side in the teeth of their
oppressors , and that in defiance of the paid press . The working men of this country hod shewn they knew how to distinguish their enemies from their friends ; they had now got a press of their own—( loud and long-continued cheering )—long might it advocate the rights of labour . There were many now in prison connected with the , people ' s press ; but they must come out as he had done—their tyrants could not deprive them of a week or rob them of a day ; and , however slow the progress of time , their dungeon doors must at length be thrown open ,, and they must be set at liberty . Yest the time was fast approaching when they would meet their friend , and his friend also , Feargus O'Connor—( rapturous , cheering )—and he cared not how so » n that time arrived . But that time -would come : and
when O'Connor waa free , there would be another true , " good , and honest man . at liberty . ( Loud cheers . ) The gaols in almost every part of the country were filled with victims . Indeed , there was no occasion for him to point it out ; there were evidence there present to prove the assertion . If they looked at home they would find where Whig tyranny had passed , and where Whig tyranny might yet meet with its reward . But the Chartists bad not only established a press of their own ; there-was scarcely acouttof juBtice in the country which had not been converted into a Chartist meeting , and where its advocates , had not written up the namo of Chartism over the wigs ef the Judges . ( Laughter . ) They had converted the courts into rostrums ; they had surmounted
the impediments thrown in their way by both judges and juries ; and his worthy colleague , Collins —( cheers ) —and himself were there that night to celebrate their triumphs , ia spite of every obstacle . From what ha had heard of late events in Birmingham , and from what he had witnessed in Manchester on Saturday * and again that night , he came to the conclusion that the Whig persecution had utterly failed , and that , instead of patting down Chartism , they had only arrested a few Chartists . ( Cheers , and laughter . ) They hadlately heard great talk of the clemency of the Whigs , but he did not know where to look for it If ever there were a time for tho exercise of clemency it was when the Queen married , and thus cast a new burden upon the
shoulders of the people ; this was the time to cast off the burden of honesty and liberty -which weighed upon the gaols , and thus make amends for the burden they had placed upon the pension list . ( Hear , hear . ) They now heard of the Queen ' s gracious intention on their behalf when a certain event should take place . On that occasion it was said there was to be a gaol delivery—( roars of laughter )^—arid of the two deliveries he knew which would give the greatest satisfaction to the country . ( Cheers . ) : At the same time ho should have no objection—and he thought they would have n » objection either—that the " little Doctor" ( alluding to himself ) should officiate at both . ( Great laughter and cheering . If it would not be trespassing too much upon their time , allow him briefly to allude to -what had taken
place previous to his friend Collins and himself being thrust into pri , on . They all knew that the late Convention , which had been elected by the people , surpassed in ability and honesty the House of Commons ; and , as a body , exhibited talent and prudence , and left documents and deeds behind them , which would have conferred honour upon any legislative assembly . ( Cheers . ) No doubt , errors had been committed ; but they were that description of errors which experience would have quickly rectified ; and he mentioned them , not to cast blame upon the members of that Convention , or upon the people who elected them , but simply to prevent their renewal . The first great error was the physical force idea . A wrong course was taken in this respect ; and much deception took place with respect to the real
strength of the people , who had been gathered together without art , and kept together without science . ( Hear , hear . ) Thousands upon thousands joined their associations , but no real union or organization was ever effected ; for , if they had been , the Convention would have continued sitting in defiance of Government , and no one would have dared to resist them . It appeared to him that these associations might be aptly compared to a bundle of sticks , which might easily be broken separately , but , united , would set the strongest and the most powerful at defiance—if they had been united , they would not have turned out to be a broken reed in the hour of danger . At the same time , he did not wish to remove the sentiments he had formerly expressed or entertained . Hia heart was in the right place ,
still ; but he was bound to look , in the first place , to the welfare of the cause itself , and secondly , to the security of his bail . ( Hear , hear . ) Be thought , then , that the'beat plan wonld be to forget physical force , and in the beginning and in the ending of their proceedings to adopt peace as their motto . He would not tell them , as the Whigs had been in the habit of telling them , that what he said to them as a body did not apply to them as individuals ; nor would he imitate Daniel O'Connell , who recommended blarneying a man before he was knocked down , but he would counsel peace in reality . He did not do this out of any consideration for himself , but be considered it politic at present to be cautious . The storm must come , unless their enemies gave them their natural privileges , but while they saw it approaching , he would counsel them all to say nothing about physical force . He had never advised that which he was not himself willing to adopt ,
and be would ask the people to follow only where he led the -way himself ( Cheers . ) However much good might havfr arisen from the impr isonment of some ot the labourers In the cause , ihe people must for the time being have been injured . If a man was a good speaker or a sage general , his loss would be saverely felt during hia imprisonment , while a benefit would , be felt on his arrest , his trial , and hia liberation , while the Court of Justiee would he transformed into a Chartist meeting ; but rtlll it would be better to do wltaouV this , if possible . There wafe another error which had been committed , The midole-clasa , as a body , had been denounced , and this , be thought , was decidedly wrong . As a body , he , himself , entertained contempt for themiddle-classefl , and pity for their ignorance ; but still he thought such denunciations useless . There were tw » courses open to the people , with respect to the middle-classes . If they were determined oa carrying oa their plans alone , then the sward must be ( Continued »» our eighth page . )
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THE DINNER , The dinner took place at the Hall of Science , in Camp Field , on Monday evening . This building is the largest available for public meetings in Manchester , and is capable of containing 3 , 000 persons . On the present occasion it was laid out for dining 59 O , the greatest number the room would conveniently hold for the purpose . There were eight tables extending the whole length of the room , besides the cross-table for the distinguished guests . The hall was hung round with the Banners which figured in the procession , and decorated with garlands . A portrait of Ai'Douall was hung on the right of the Chairman , and a capital likeness of Richardson was placed on the left . The portrait of O'Connor was at the lowor end of the room , facing the Chairman .
About seven 0 clock the guests began to arrive ; and at half-past seven the Old Foresters' band entered the Hall , and enlivened the company with a few sprightly airs . Some of the wives of the Manchester political martyrs were also present . At a few minutes to eight the Chairman ( the Rev . Mr . Schofield , of Every-street Chapel ) , accompanied by the distinguished guests ( Dr . M'DoHall and Mr . Collins ) , Messrs . James Leech , Deegan , Heywood , Dt . Fox , and delegates from Ashton and Derby , entered the room , and took their seats at the crosstable , Dr . M'Douall being on the right hand of the Chairman , and Mr . Collins on the left . They were received with the most enthusiastic applause , the
band striking up , " See the conquering hero comes !" The Chaikman having asked a blessing , the company fell on the eatables , the band playing , "Oh , the roast beef of Old England . " The dinner , which was plain and substantial , was provided by the dinner oomniittee themselves , thoy not being able to get any one to undertake it , because they would not allow any intoxicating liquor to be drank . It was cooked at the Hall , which possesses every facility for the purpose , and was served up hot , and , as far as we were able to learn , gave satisfaction to every one present . A bit of a scramble took place for the plunvpuddings , but it was more the result of the eagernass of tho guests than of any want of arrangements on the part of the committee .
Ou the cloth being removed , at about twenty minutes 10 ten , The Chairman said it now devolved upon him to propose tho first toast ; it was " The Sovereignty of the people . " Mr . Collins—I beg leave to move that we drink that toast upstanding , at all events , and with three times three . The toast was drank with three times three , all the company standing . Air— " The Marseilles Hymn . " Mr . James Leech responded to the toaat . He said the •* ' Sovereignty of the people ! " had been so of ten dinged into their ears , en all public occasions , for the last ten years , that the toast appeared almost a matter of course , and a mere form . No meeting
of the Whigs had taken place without their bawling it out lustily , they all the while having the firm determination to trample under foot the last remnant of the liberties of the people , under the idea of serving their own party interests . So far as the well-being and happiness of the working classes of this country waa concerned , the sentiment of the " Sovereignty of the people"had been reduced by the Whigs to an insulting and bitter mockery . ( Cheers . ) But the working men were at length beginning to form a proper estimate of their own importance in society ; and when they properly understood their own rights , all the effects of bad legislation would speedily vanish befoie them . Who , let him ask , were the people ! The Queen was called by gome one of
the peoplei ; and her husband was , he supposed , another of the people . Then there were Right Rev . Prelates , and the Hon . Members of the House of Commons , the drones who fattened upon the pension-list , and all the tools and satellites of power , they also were estimated as the people . But they , the workin g classesof the country , who by their labour , their ingenuity , their 8 kill , and tfieir industry produoed all the wealth and luxuries enjoyed by the others ; they were not considered by these men as belonging to the people , and therefore the toast was a bitter and insulting mockery on their part . ( Cheers . ) He ho ped it would shortly be a reality . and not a
mockery , and that they would show the world the " sovereignty of the people" was a reality and not a theory . In a land flowing with milk and honey , the people were starving , while a set of idlers usurped all the wealth , and then denied that those who produced it were the people . Why , the idle rascals I if it were not for the care the working classes took of them , they wonld run through the streets in a state of nakedness . ( Laughter . ) They had passed a law to send every man to the treadmill who was found naked in the streets ; and the very law they had passed would apply to themselves , if « common measure of justice was dealt out to them . ( Cheers . )
The Chairman said the next toast on the list was , "The Charter , and nothing less , though dungeons await its advocates . " [ The toast was drunk with thres times three . ] Mr . Chappell , of Stoekport , responded to the toast , and , in the coure of his remarks said , ho represented a town whore twelve men had been thrown into a dungeon for advocating the principles of the Charter . Should their time be spent in prison in vain ! Should they now turn their backs on it , and say they would have nothing to do with it ! Would any man or woman there consent to take anything less than the Charter 1 He hoped the time Wai not far distant when the ken of England , Scotland , and Ireland would arise as one man Tor the Charter , and base the throne on equality and justice- ( Cheers . )
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THE NORTHERN STAR . ^ : } l ¦ they k ^» , ^ / r ^ ' '" ¦ ' :. '¦¦ . , - *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 22, 1840, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2698/page/7/
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