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tfre three and a quarter acres,, obtaine...
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RECEIPTS OF THE RATIONAL LAHQ GQMPAKi. F...
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LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES. LXV. M W...
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[revised] OBJECTS AXD RULES Of the Assoc...
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THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS. . . . TO ALL DE...
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PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM. MEET...
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LATEST FOREIGN NEWS. DISMISSAL OF TIIE F...
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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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Adoption Of The O'Connor Cure For Pauper...
i tfre three and a quarter acres ,, obtained a cfca . ttutm . of iof £ 39 4 s . 3 d ., or £ 12 Is . 3 d ., per acre . im . Mr . Jobs Sillett , . in his evideDce before the the Land Committee , deposed that he main-1 tarn , tamed , on-only two acres ofland , himself , his wife ! ^ o ?? chudren . and made besides a clear profit ' ° ™ ° lfr f ^ Peracre ; and Mr . Garland , head-master of ti of the form school , established by the Bridgnorth Um Union , at Qoatt , Shropshire , comes near to this pro prodneeofMr . Shxeti ' s , extraordinary as it may app appear . By detailed accounts furnished to Mr Sp Stmosds , another of the inspectors , Mr . Gjslaxd sho shows on four acres ot arable , and half-an-acre of ™ ™ g ? Z' % S ° Pr 0 duce of £ 2 a ™ acre > = » d a net pre profit of £ 14 per acre . In iSiS his gross produce inc increased to £ 2 a an acre , owing to the introduction of of Italian rye-grass , which he had been able to cut fiv five tunes in one year . We can add our personal tei testimony as to the enormously productive chato three and a quarter acres ., obtained a cleat return
r e racier ot this invalnable crop for stock . Mr . Bowteb ' s report abounds with valuable facts ai and practicalmfo rmation as to the rotation Of CrODS , « - » -the most profit-Ale kinds to grow—modes of ma-IB na | ement ; & c ., which we can only mention here . Au . Bbowse , the Inspector of the Northern Disti tnct , is equally emphatic and pointed in his recomh mendation of industrial training , and especially the c cultivation of land by the elder boy s—which he cons sders ' peenliariy desirable "—inasmuch as it dill minishes the expenses , saves the manure tbat would t be otherwise wasted , furnishes a healthful and i moral occupation , and does not interfere nreiudi
< ciaiiy with the labour market , in which instruction i w-Vj f oes ' Mn BsowSE sneaks highly of the J Kirkdale and Leeds new industrial schools , as showi ing the advantages of a new and superior method of : treating pauper children . The report of Mr . Stmuxds for Wales and the Western District of England , is rich in materials of a similar description , but for the present we must pause . Sufficient has been done in the present article , to prove that in the highest quarters the theoretical speculations of llalthusian philosophers and onesided political economHte . are losing their influence .
The stern facts of every day life are more powerful than theories , however ingeniously manufactured , or however much bolstered up by great names . Pood and work are two great primary requisites which the Government begin to feel the people must have . Instead of looking to new Manchesters and iresh foreign markets to supply these indispensable requirements , it is being made evident to them and to the country , that in the soil of our native land , and the arms of our own people , they possess the means of supplying both , with advantage to the individual and to the nation .
We will not twit our adversaries with their former opposition , nor their tardy conversion . Neither shall we indulge in any complacent egotism or selfpraise for the share we have had in producing this change . It is sufficient to know that the wedge we lave been so long driving at , has penetrated so far . Past success will only induce us to renewed efforts in order to drive it home ; England shall yet be covered with the habitations ofa free , independent , educated , and prosperous people .
Tfre Three And A Quarter Acres,, Obtaine...
Novemie , 3 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN S-TAR . 5 I ' ""' "" ' —¦— ' ^— ——¦*— i i iii i ¦
Receipts Of The Rational Lahq Gqmpaki. F...
RECEIPTS OF THE RATIONAL LAHQ GQMPAKi . For the Week Esddcs Thbbsdat , November 1 , ISid . SHARES . it . * . £ *• £ s . a . Mottram . .. 216 0 J . Clay .. 0 1 G Stroudwater .. 114 9 G . Mowl .. 9 10 iotangfcam .. 014 11 J . Bntterworth .. 016 3 £ 6 4 5 EXPENSE FUND . Mottram .. 010 0 Sottingnam .. o 1 C
Oil 6 TOTALS . land Fund 6 4 5 Expense ditto 011 6 loan ditto . .. . 0 2 0 Transfers 0 4 0 3 few Company , per R . J . M . 39 4 0 ifathon , perK . G . B ... 135 0 0 & m 5 11 * f . Drxos , C . Dotie , """"""~~" T . Clakk , Cor . Sec . P . M'Grath , Fin . Sec .
EXECUTIVE FOND . Received oy w . Rideb . —Hax-dressers , landernean , Finisterre , France , per D . Held . 5 s . ; Prestonholme , per D . Held , 3 s . ; Nottingham , per J . Sweet , 3 s . Received by S . Kron—5 s . id . DEBT DUE TO THE PRINTER . Received liy W . Ridee . — Nottingham , per J . Sweet , Is . Id . Beeeived atloxo Office . —U . TV . Ruffey , 2 s .- ;—Received liy & Booxham . —F . L ., Sheffield , Is .
FOR THE AGITATION OF THE CHARTER . Received bjr TV . Rises Young Chartists , Walsall , per J . Fm-Tdns , 3 s . ; Bristol , per C . Clark , 3 s . 9 d . ; Greenwich , per J . Bligh , Is . Cd . FOR WIDOWS OF THE LATE MESSRS- WILLIAMS AND SHARP . - Received by TY . Rider . —Afew joung Tailors , Worcester , jer J . Harding , 3 s . ; Nottingham , per J . Sweet , Is . 2 d . . - TO EXEMPT PRISONER'S FROM OAKUM PICKING . Received by TV . Rjdeb . —J . Scott , Lynn , Is . ; Bacup , per J . Wilson , as . ; J . Rowland , Thrapstone , Is . ; Halifax , ( to exempt E . Jones } , per J . Cnlpan , £ \ . FOR WIVES AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS . Received bj W . Rideb . —Landernean , Finisterre , Plaxdressers , per I ) . Reid , 15 s . ; A few Friends , per J . Redrup , Is . Sd . ; Mrs . Ackennan , Queen-street , Soho , 6 d . ; Barnstaple , per R . Farleigh , 8 s . ; York , collected bj George Walls and H . Roberts . £ 1 6 s . ; Stockport , perW . Benfold , 5 s . ; Congfcton , per T . 1 'ickfbrd , £ 1 lis . Id . ; Nottingham , per J . Sweet , 5 s . ; Reading , Queen's Arms , per TV . Groves . 5 s .
VICTIM FUND . Received by S . IJooxhaj * . —Bridgewater ; per Fink , Is ; Rotherhain , i > erJIr . Kjdd , lis . ; Mr . IL J . Bland , Is . ; Bermondsej , is . ; Westminster , Mr . Barber , Gd . ; Jlr . Wflks , 6 d . ; Xr . Rider , £ 4 ISs . 3 d . ; proceeds of Thomas Cooper's second oration , South London Hall , 12 s . 10 d .
Letters To The Working Classes. Lxv. M W...
LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXV . M Words are things , anda small drop of ink Fallui ^ -Jfte dew—upon a thought ; produces That width makes thousands , perhaps millions , think . " MBO . V .
NOTES AND NOTICES OF DEMOCEATIC AFFAIRS . BROTHER PROLETARIANS , In another column of this day ' s paper ¦ will be found an address from the Committee formed for the purpose of receiving contributions for the "Widows and Children of the late Joseph Williams and Alexander Sharp . There needs no words of mine to enforce the Committee ' s all-sufficient appeal . If the people are not stimulated fo perform a most sacred duty by the few but telling words addressed to them by the Committee , " neither -would they be persuaded though one rose from the dead . "
But lest " everybody ' s business" should , as too often , turn out to be " nobody ' s business / through the want of willing and working individuals to bring the appeal of the Committee Tiometo "the Public , " I suggest to Chartist Councils the necessity of at once appointing collectors—energetic and trustworthy mento obtain subscriptions . Appointed by the local Councils , the
collectorsshouldyneverthe-Jess , act under the sanction and sjal . of the London Committee . Where no councils , are in existence , a few friends should meet and form themselves into a committee for this good work . Money should be raised not only by collecting subscriptions , but also by getting n p theatrical benefits , concerts , soirees ,, & c . ; the profits to be devoted to the fund for the Martyrs'famuies . ¦
I would impress upon all friends , not merely the necessity of doing this righteous -jrork / bnt also of doing it quickly . Ihe Committee propose to meet the first Monday in every month . I wish I could see the probability of the Committee . tang m a position I make permanent monthly payment to the It to me
i « nilies-but I cannot . appears Stheliommittee will , at the best , be unable tolmorUan collectaFund Withwhichtofur-Sst X widows with the means « fm tole best advantage , their own industrial ^ crls for the support of themselves and tetween this time and the 1 * « ^ J Text . In this , as in all other public matters , isoneofthe firstoi" ***
ENERGr . ^; il * kSl-t the monument to the memories of tbe deceased patnote , Wtt tLrs Sharp , and Hansard , is m course ot Jrh ^ TbY Mr . Walter Cox ( late of SSS )> traP idIy approacbing comw £ rA certain amount of money is still £ 55 , ** 3 l doubtless , wiU be obtained j £ & £ a that subscrip tions «« j be paid toMr ; Bideb , " Northern ® ar" Office , Mr .
Letters To The Working Classes. Lxv. M W...
Boonham , Land Ofiice ; and Mr . Thomas Brown , Secretary to the Committee , 28 Golden-lane . ' In another column you will read the letter of Daniel Donovan , one of the Chartists lately imprisoned in Kirkdale . Our friend is mistaken in supposing that the liberation of himself and fellow-sufferers could possibly be regarded as a matter of no public importance . To all true Chartists , tbe liberation from prison of sufferers for the Charter , is an event deeply interesting . It appears that Twelve political prisoners were liberated on the 12 th ult . from Kirkdale . Tinmen iu 1 . ™ A Offioa . ™ A tu _ ™
I have just learned that ten political prisoners , have been liberated from Wakefield House of Correction , after having suffered sixteen months' imprisonment . Their names are —Ambrose Tomlinson , John Connor , Francis Vicary , Isaiah Heaton , James Down , William Winterburn , Thomas Fell , Nathaniel Frith , Andrew Beanland , and William Smith . Let us hope that Ernest Jones , Dr . M'Douall , and flie rest of those still in bonds , may be speedily restored to their families .
One fact of importance appears in Mr . Donovas ' s letter . He states that before being discharged from custod y he was required to enter into recognizances , " to be of good behaviour for two years , " himself in 100 Z ., and two sureties iu 25 / . each ; and I understand him to state that his comrades were subjected to the same gagging process . Would it not be well that the friends of the victims yet remaining in prison , whose sentences included the finding of sureties to & c , & c should have "bail" in readiness to tender at a moment ' s notice ?
The London Chartists will see by an advertisement in another column , that two public meetings are to be holdennext week for the purpose of electing delegates to a Metropolitan Conference , which will assemble the first week in December , to devise measures for th 6 reorganisation of the Chartist party . The meetings will take place at the John-street Institution on Tuesday evening , and the South London Hall on Wednesday evening . It is to be hoped that the good men and true will muster strongly , and once again fling to the breeze tbe banner of THE CHAKTEll AND
NO SUltREKDEll ! L'AMI DTJ PEUPLE November 1 , 1849 .
[Revised] Objects Axd Rules Of The Assoc...
[ revised ] OBJECTS AXD RULES Of the Association of FEATEENAL DEMOCRATS . " Equality—Liberty—fraternity . " OBJECTS . This Association is established to promote : — The Fraternity of Nations , and , especially , tbe brotherly union of tiie Proletarians of all
countries . The abolition of tbe Penny Stamp , and all other fiscal and oppressive restrictions on the Freedom of the Press . The political emancipation of the Working Classes of this country by the legislative establishment of the principles of the People ' s Charter . The diffusion of sound knowledge on Political and Social questions , by means of the distribution of tracts , addresses in the public journals , lectures , public meetings , < fcc , with the view of preparing the proletarian classesfortheachievement of their deliverance from the oppression of irresponsible Capital , and usurping Feudalism . Rui . es .
1 . —All who desire the progress of Democratic and Social Reform , wherever residing , may become members of this Association by contributing to the General Fund a sum of at least Oxe Shilling annually ; to be paid in advance . 2 . —In addition to the General Fund there shall be established a Fraternal Fond , to be solely applied to the aiding of Brethren ( British and Continental ) suffering from persecution . To this Fund the members of the Association shall be invited to contribute according to their means .
3 . —The Association shall be conducted by a committee of nine member . ' ., including treasurer and secretary , elected annually . An annual statement of the receipts and disbursements of the ' General and Fraternal Funds shall be laid before the members .
The Fraternal Democrats. . . . To All De...
THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS . . . . TO ALL DEMOCRATIC AND SOCIAL REFORMERS . Friejjbs , —The present state of Europe calls loudly for the united and energetic action of the true friends of the people—the sincere and devoted advocates of Democratic and Social Reform . The -victories gained by our brethren on the con * tiuent in 184849 have been everywhere reversed . Terror is the order of the day , and the defenders of Liberty who have escaped death , are in chains , in concealment , or in exile . This terrible reaction has been brought about by the intrigues , the treason , and the brutality of those privileged and selfish classes who profit by the slavery and misery of the proletarians , and who are the . irreconcileable enemies of Justice and the Rights of Labour . It is to be lamented that the
enemies of the people have been , in too many instances , aided by the ignorance , the folly , and the blind confidence of the people themselves . Indeed , truth bids us add that m iu this country the ignorance and apathy-of a too considerable number of the people are the primary causes of popular slavery and misery . But Nil JDesperandum must be the rallying-cry . Defeat and suffering , and the wrongs of the present added to those of the past , will but stimulate true men to renewed and more vigorous efforts for the triumph of Justice . We have resolved to re-organise the association of Fraternal Democrats , with the intent of thereby establishing an efficient Democratic Propaganda , having for its twofold mission the fraternisation of the Democracies of Europe , and the advancement in this country of the principles of Democratic and Social Reform .
The combination of the enemies of mankind's freedom and happiness , is an all-sufficient reason for the fraternal union of the champions of Justice . Autocrat and usurer , king and kaiser , pope and president , have conspired to arrest the progress of Liberty , and are still banded together to keep the people in subjection to their unholy rata Let us then marshal against their criminal combination , the brotueruood of the peoples . Let" Am . for each , axd each tor am ,, " be the motto of the nations ,
when next they march against their oppressors . Mindful of the existence of the Alien Act—proposed by the British Government at the request of the despots of the continent ^ and passed by the British Parliament iu a spirit of hostility , to the Democratic refugees—our association will be composed exclusively of natives of the British dominions ; but means will , nevertheless , be taken to render our society a veritable link of union between the Democratic and Social Reformers of this countrv , and those of continental Europe and
America . One special means of promoting the principle of Fraternity is set forth in Rule 2 of our Association ; Our proscribed brothers who have been driven to , or who have sought refuge in this country , have' the strongest claims on British sympathy—sympathy which we desire to see expressed by deeds rather than by words . If , however , good men amongst those we address may be , at present , unable to contribute to the Fraternal Fund , let that not hinder them from enrolling themselves members of our body by sending their contributions to the General Fund . The existence of the Propaganda we desire to establish is imperatively necessary . Let , therefore , those who think with us , unite and act with us , and the good and glorious work will be forthwith in progress .
By ourselves , and in co-operation with other bodies , we propose to agitate . and labour for the repeal of the iniquitous laws which tax , fetter , and corrupt the Press . Wc hold that a Free Press is essentially necessary to guide the people in their efforts to achieve their political and social emancipation . Desirous of co-operating with all friends of progress wedesireno obstruction tothe "Parliamentary Keformers . " But believing that the-principles of the Charter are founded in Justice , and that their legislative establishment is indispensable for the political and social protection of the people , we shall give our strenuous exertions to the good work of hastening the enactment of that most salutary and necessary measure .
Holding that Political Reform must be valueless unless productive of Social Reform , we shall advocate the political , as preliminary to tbe social rights of the people . By public meetings , by lectures , by the printing and distribution of Tracts , and by addresses m the public journals , we shall labour to expose social evils , and make p lain the measures necessary to put an end to those evils . By so acting we hope to be able to inspire the working classes to seek with zeal and energy their poIiticalfranchises , and to make a wise aud all-saving use of those franchises tfhen won .
The Fraternal Democrats. . . . To All De...
J > ot wishing to usurp t he place of any other association established to advance political and social reform , we shall aim at no rivalry , excepting that of good works . Should a reorganisation of the Chartist party take place , we shall be happy as Chartists to take our part therein . But wc have a mission to fulfil which no association formed for the agitation of Chartist principles only can perform ; and a deep sense of the importance of that mission bids us be up and doing , in the full confidence that the thinking and the energetic—the able and earnest friends of Democratic and Social Reform , will give us their fraternal co-operation . ( Signed by the Committee ) John Milxe , TViuiaji Shute
, Edwin Gill , Johx Anson , EpivARD Petue , Alexaneer Percy , Heexry Ross , Chairman . James Grassbt , Treasurer . G . Julian- Harney , Secretary . London , October 20 , 1840 . * W The existing Committee is acting only provisionally . It is intended to hold a members' meeting in the first week in January , 1 S 50 , for the election of the regular Committee for twelve months .
Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...
PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM . MEETING AT BRIGHTON . On Monday evening a crowded public meeting was held in the Town Hall , Brighton , for the purpose of forming in that town a branch , of the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , and of receiving a deputation from the parent society . On the motion of Mr . John Good , Colone Robberts was called to the chair . The Chairman , in opening the proceedings , said the revenue her Majesty's ministers had to play with amounting to 54 millions per annum , out of which the industrious classes of society paid 34 millions . He asked if that was a fair " proportion between the people and the aristocracy ? He was
not for running down the aristocracy , because he was fully persuaded ! that in that class there were many honourable minds . ( Hear Hear . ) As union was strength , he trusted that the industrious classes of socity would join the middle classes , and that they would thereby obtain a reduction of taxation . If they were not banded together , they would obtain nothing , but he trusted that they would go hand in hand . Letters were then read from Capt . PccheH , M . P ., Mr . Cobden , M . P ., Mr Josebh Hume , M . P ., Mr . J . V . Shelley , who had all been invited , excusing their attendance at the meeting . W . Comxgham . Esq ., moved , and Mr . Giles
secconded , the following resolution . — " Tbat whilst this meeting is convinced that a great reduction of the national expenditure and a more equitable adjustment of taxation are imperatively necessary and almost universally demanded , it cannot see any reasonable hope of permanently securing those important objects until such a measure of electorial reform has been obtained as shall g ive the people a direct control of the taxes which they are required . to pay ; that an association be formed in Brighton in connexion with the Natioml Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , and that this meeting will give to such association its hearty co-operation , "
C . Wordsworth , Esq ,, one of a deputation from London , stated the object of the association . lie said , it was formerly the law of the land that parliaments should be triennial . There was an act passed to that effect in 1641 , which was repealed iri 1661 , and re-enacted in 1694 , and repealed again in 1715 . This was one of the points they were contending for . Were they asking for anything which was unconstitutional ? They wore not asking for anything which was novel , but for something which had been known ti . ihe country and acted upon . He contended that the parliament of 1715 ) which repealed the triennial act , and passed a bill pro . longing its own cxistance to seven years , violated the constitution : and he referred to Smith ' s
lectures on history , and to Dallam , who both stated , that ministers were afraid at that time to dissolve parliament , lest the constituencies should elect a new House of Commons , who were favourable to the return of the Stuarts . In 1734 they tried to get back to triennial parliaments , but the motion was lost by 247 to 184 . When Mr . Hume brought forward his motiort it was supported by only 84 members , 130 less that in 1734 , showing that we were not advancing in legislation , but were going back . The speaker then ably descanted on the other " points , " and concluded by an appeal to the meeting to support the association by spreading its principles , and contributing to its funds .
W . A . Wilkixsox , Esq . next addressed the meeting . The working classes , he said , had the best of this bargain ; there was concession on both sides , but the working classes would benefit largely , inasmuch as they were to be enfranchised to the extent of four-fifths of their number , -whereas the middle classes generally had the franchise already , though such was the anomaly of the system , that there were some men of property who did not occupy houses who had no vote . The word revolution had been mentioned . What they were seeking was a revolution in one sense , because-they knew that in this country the whole power was now vested in the lords , instead of the three estates ; whereas the association sought to secure to the people a due
share of power . That was a revolution certainly , but not in the general sense of the word . What they really wanted was a restoration . And now he would say a word to the gentlemen in broadcloth . They soudifc relief from unequal taxation as the working classes did ; and they souaht more than that , they sought security for that which they had . Now he wanted these gentlemen fully to understand that they must not fold their arms and sit down content with things as they are , simply because they were not now much pressed , for there was now no safety , no comfort for them , unless the working classes were comfortable likewise . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Lissock inquired whether it was intended to do away with the rate-paying clauses ?
Mr . Wilkinson . —The voter will be in a position in which he can claim to be rated , but the payment of the rate is not to be necessary for his vote . Mi * . Comxqham briefly replied , and the motion was then put and carried unanimously . Mr . J . G . Bass moved the second . resolution : — " That this meeting rejoices in the hope that a hearty union between the middle and working classes has at length been attained ,- and strongly urges all those who complain of any grievance to cocentrate all their energies to procure such a reform in the Commons House of Parliament , as shall render full and impartial justice to all classes of her Majesty ' s subjects . " He did think that at a time like the present , when they saw throughout the
country an increase of pauperism , and an increase in the navy and army expenditure , it was time for all persons to . come forward and support their political principles . When they saw that in Ireland there had been pauperism to an extent never known in this island , when the legislature had been tampering with law upon law regarding the poor of that country , it was a proof that the legislature was inadequate to the task ; and when they looked at the composition of tile legislature they need not he surprised at it . When they considered that the country was governed by a house of peers , with a bench of bishops , that the House of Commons was mainly composed of sons of peers , of gentlemen in the army and navy , and officers of government , and that
the squirearchy in the House of Commons were nominees of the aristocracy , how could they be surprised that the sympathies of those gentlemen went with the aristocracy of Ireland , and not with the poor of that country ? He was in Ireland last summer , and he saw land that had been in cultivation a short time before , lying idle , and at the same the union houses were full . Men , women , and children , were there doing nothing ; there was not so much as education going on . The men he saw took out for a walk , and the land was lying idle . And why ? Because there was no security . They knew if they grew anything , the agent or the taxgatherer would come to seize it . But he found , on inquiry , there was an increase in cattle for dairy
purposes . He was struck with that , and inquired tbe reason , and was told that it was because they could drive cattle away when they saw the agent or the tax -gatherer coming , but growing crops they could not remove . Andall this was going on in a country which had 48 , 000 soldiers to keep them quiet and police barracks at every turn of the road , not such police stations as there are in England , but more like soldiers barracks than anything else . They were told that the Irish were disloyal and disaffected to this country , but only give them fair play , and they would find the Irish as loyal as the English or Scotch . ( Hear . ) Mr . Feakgus O'Cossor was next introduced to the meeting , and was received with cheers , which lasted for several minutes . He wished , with all his soul , this was an
ordination— ( laughter ) — and that the chairman would ordain him to solemnise the marriage between the Middle and the Working Classes , and in truth , as they had au uuion of church and State , of Church and Army—the Duke of York haying been Bishop of Osnaburgh and Conimaudcr-in-Chief of the Forces at the same time—he did not see why the chairman , being a colonel , should not bo a bishop on the present occasion . ( Laughter . ) However , he assured them that nothing ever gave him greater delight than the union he saw now taking place between the working and middle classes . He was not going back to the year Vjlo or 1 ? 34 > but he was going to bring their minds to dwell on the age of reason , when the j electric telegraph , the printing press , the '
Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...
pennr postage , steam navigation , railway travelling , and all those great powers which had so developed the mind of man , had entitled them to their fair share in the government of the country . But if he was compelled to go back to those barbarous ages , let him remind the hon . and learned gentleman who first addressed them , and repudiated the People ' s Charter , let him remind him that the rehpse was uot from triennial to septennial parliaments , but from annual to septennial parliaments . Ho wished the gentlemen advocating Parliamentary Reform , and anxious to
establish a union between the veritable middle and working classes , would abstain from casting any disrepute upon the Chartists and their principles . He desired this because , while he stood there as the advocate of the union , he would not tamel y submit to any insult attempted to be cast upon the principle or its advocates . ( Cheers . ) ITas that gentleman aware that five of our pointsnamely , annual parliaments , universal suffrage , equal electoral districts , no property qualification , and payment of members — every point , with the single exception of
the ballot—once constituted the basis of tho English constitution ? ( Cheers . ) And lethim ask , if the improved mind of this enlightened age was not more capable of exercising those privileges than the barbarous mind of by-gone times . ( Loud cheers . ) Yes ; and it was the improvement of that mind , and not their ignorance they dreaded , as the ignorance of a people is the tyrant ' s best title to power . ( Cheers . ) Well , they cheered that , while they had most significantl y exposed their own ignorance that night , and he would show them how . They listened attentivel y to the gentlemen strangers who addressed them , while they
treated an eloquent man of their own order with levity and insult . ( Cheers and cries of " Shame ' " ) Ay , it was a shame , and upon this repugnance to . their own order their . eneniies based their power . If a buffoon came amongst Uicra in . his gilded coach and four , accompanied by his gingerbread flunkies—one to put him in , and the other to take him out of his carriage—they would cheer him to | the echo , although he had neither brains nor knowledge ; while if a poor man , one of your order , robed in honesty aud full of knowledge , came amongst you as his opponent , you would
scout him . ( Hear , hear , and "It ' s true . ' ) The middle classes said they had been overpowered by the feudal system , and that to break the present system of legislation down , they required the assistance of the working classes . They tried by the Reform Bill to break it down themselves ; they failed , and now they opened their arms and were ready to call the working classes to help them . They struggled for the Keform Bill ; they got it , and how did they like it ? The Catholics struggled for Emancipation , and they got it ; but still the loug spire of the church showed
the ascendancy of the Trotcstnnt . The middle classes struggled for Pree Trade , and were going to parliament for a reduction of taxation ; but that was not the principle on which he asked them to join the Asosciation—but why he joined it was because they adopted the legitimate means to the end , viz .: parliamentary reform , as the means , and universal ( and not mere class ) reduction of taxation , as the result . ( Cheers . ) Nowthesecond gentleman had stated that the middle classes could do without their co-operation , while they could not do without the middle-class co-operation ; aud « s
it was necessary that all parties should have a thorough understanding , and as he was not going to allow this movement to be based upon the kind condescension of the middle classes , lethim assure that gentleman , that the working classes were perfectly aware that the middle classes would not seek their co-operation , if they could do without them —( loud cheers );—and while neither vanity nor ambition should induce him to throw any—the slightest—obstacle in the way of this union , he would not
allow tho middle-class party to base their policy upon humanity or philanthropy , but upon self-interest . ( Cheers . ) And for this he did not blame them , as self-interest was the basis of human action , and now the veritable middle classes had discovered , that their interest and that of the working classes were identical and inseparable . They had heard great ministerial boastings of the good that had been effected by the Keform Bill ; but he had been a member of that reformed House in the
years 1833 , 1834 , and 1835 , 1847 , 1848 , and 1849 , and from such Reform , "Good Lord , deliver him . '' ( Cheers and laughter . ) Ho would now critically develops the evils of the present system , and would show to the landlords , who were calling out for a reduction of taxation , the only meaus . by which their object could be attained , and the only means by which they could preserve their property from the sharks . Let him state that he had a great advantage over all other speakers in this movement . It was this ; that whereas other gentlemen could not retpeat their speeches , as
they were fully reported , he might make the same speech upon every platform , as he was never reported . ( Hear , hear , and "It ' s true . " ) Nowitwould be impossible fortheleaders of this movement to developc any principle or express any sound opinion with regard to politics , that the working classes were not perfectly familiar with ; and , therefore , his opinions and sentiments were delivered rather with a view to enlighten their new allies , than to confer information upon the Chartists . ( Cheers . ) We still lived under , and were governed b y , the feudal svstem . The landlords , as the
working classes were aware , had ever measured their property by the standard of patronage , and not by its food-producing value . The middle classes tolerated this ascendancy so long as the industrious classes were capable of yielding sufficient to maintain both . ( Loud cheers . ) Taxation and misrule , however , had grown to such an enormous size , and the landlords still possessed such an unjust monopoly of power , that the middle classes could see no
means of salvation , save through a reduction of taxation ; and the working classes could discover no means of achieving any redaction that would confer the slightest benefit upon them , except Parliamentary Reform . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The feudal lords are increasing in power , as the result of the Reading and West Surrey election irrefutably demon--strates— ( hear ,. hear ) — and all classes ' are aware of the fact , that if we had an election to-morrow , ' the feudal lords would have the
majority , and would throw the country into revolution , to uphold their own power . ( Cheers . ) That is , they would throw the country into revolution if the people now were not too wise to be caught in the old trap . ( Cheers . ) Well then , how are they to right the ship ? thus . '—instead of measuring the value of their land by patronage , they must measure it by state necessity —( cheers)—they must bring it into the retail market , and then the estate now worth 10 , 0002 . a year in rent , and 5 , 000 / . insecurely in patronage , will be worth 15 , 0001 . a year , when applied to its rational , its legitimate , and national purposes . ( Loud cheering . ) That was his ultimate hope from the destruction of the feudal
systemthat system had governed the country for generations , until , ' as Lord Brougham said , the necessity to uphold it had bound us over in eight hundred millions to preserve tho peace . That was tho vieiv he took of the feudal system ; and now he would show the fallacy ef middle class hope , and all former middle class agitation . The interest of the shopkeeper , and of those who made profits of the industry p . fthe well-paid labourer , were never identical with tho interest of those whose profits exclusivel y resulted from ' the reduction of the wages of the labourer . ( Loud cheers . ) Their union was based upon their justifiable hostility to the feudal system ; they were organised politically as a class , and called Liberals , while socially then- interests
Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...
were wholl y different ; and the object of Chartism , and the result of Chartism , would bo to represent tho iutcrests of all , and to make the rich richer and the poor rich , by . a proper developement of their national resources . ( Cheers . ) Suppose that the wealth of this country now amounts to four hundred millions per annum , and if tho employers of Jabour can grasp the lion ' s share of profits , they would prefer that limited amount of production to three thousand millions a year , if the veritable producers were entitled , by fair representation , to have a fair share of the profits . ( Loud cheers . ) He had shown how an evil system had for centuries preserved the
monopol y of power ; aud as it was indispensable that they should be thoroughly acquainted with the Labour question , let him now show them the power of the money-lords , and the evil to all classes arisiugfrom that active power . In the good old times , the father worked at his loom , the mother at her spindle , aud the children at some easy occupation ; in those , days master and man were co-partners ; the veritable value ot capital and labour was stamped upon the fabric ; the master was as dependant xiponttic labourer as tho labourer was upon tho master , and if he required a little additional labour to complete an order in time , ho went to the cottage , and not to the coll of tho labourer . He went as an interested
partner , not as a domineering tyrant , he went , perhaps on Wednesday or Thursday , and said : " Well , Will , lad , wo must have the work in Tuesday , and here's five or ten . shillings for thee , to get up a bit earlier , and work a bit later . " ( Great cheering . ) Well , machinery came upon us with a hop , step , and jump ; there was no law to control Its power , until its owners became sufficiently powerful to resist tho law ; living man became tributary to inanimate machinery ; instead of being the co-partner of the master he became his serf bound slave ; instead of the morning invitation to accept more for working , he was obliged to obey the summons of the dread Curfew .. lie was supplanted by . feeble woman , whose legitimate occupation was the care
of the household ; she was compelled to listen anxiously and wakefully for the sound of the Curfew ; she was obliged to drag the sucking babe from the mother ' s breast , to hand it over to the tender mercies of one who had no maternal feeling , to one who had no interest in the training , the bringing up , or the educating the child ; and now the power of the small tyrannical minority which has upheld that system , would basethat power upon the ignorance ofa people , trought up as he had described . ( Loud continued cheering . ) Well , if the landlord could increase the value of his land fifty per cent , by political patronage , see what the money-lord can do . If he employes a thousand hands , and in consequence of competition created by tho land being locked
up—( cheers )—if he reduces the wages of his hands by 2 s . a week , two thousand shillings is £ 100 , and thus he makes a profit of £ 5 , 200 a year . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Well , as with the landlord so with his class ; a miserable attempt was made to destroy the effect of this injurious competition by the enactment of the Ten ' Hours Bill ; but the local power of the money-lord is as great as the political power of the feudal lord , he defies the law , and violates the statute ; thus showing you that under the present system there is the spirit of the law for the rich , and no law for tiie poor , that there is more danger to tho peasant who shoots the squire's hare , than to the squire that shoots tho peasant ' s head . ( " It's true , " and cheering . ) Murder is repudiated , and God knew that no man repudiated murder or any description of cruelty more than he did . The father , driven to insanity by poverty , murders n darling child , and is ho to be blamed ? ( Here a very
officious Quaker who did not appear at all pleased with Mr . O Connor's appearance upon the platform , shouted out " . Oh , oh ! " in a verv significant manner . ) Mr . O' Connor turning round to him said . Who says " Oh , oh ? " who is the murderer ? the system , or the fond father who rises from his loathsome bed of straw , strong , able , and willing to work , but by the system not able to . procure work , while God ' s g ift—the land—which is his birthri g ht , is withheld from bin ) . ( Cheers . ) Now would the gentleman re-echo his "Oh , oh ? " . ( Laughter . ) No ; let him apply to his own class , if he is a Brighton shopkeeper . ( Laughter . ) Let him reflect upon the different profit that lie would derive from the cultivation of the land under his nose . ( Cheers ) Let him calculate the difference between the profit of a well-paid customer , and the profit of maintaining tbat customer in the workhouse . ( Loud cheers . ) What description of trade in Brighton that would not benefit by receiving their corn , and every other article of consumption produced under their very noses , as compared with the cost of importing it from other countries ? ( Cheers . ) Why tho very fishermen would be large gainers by this change , as the cultivators of one element would be better
customers for the produce of another element , both of which were given to . man by God . In the upper room he heardthe piper or the fiddler , and the ladies and idle gentlemen , dancing upon the light fantastic toe . Now what enabled them thus to luxuriate ? Was . it their industry ? far from it ; their silk stockings , their dancing shoes , their dresses were all produced by labour . [ Again the Quaker interposed his " Oh ! oh ! " ] Mr . O'Connor continued : Why , did they make them themselves ? ( Great laughter . ) And would not they be all naked but for the labourer ? ( Renewed laughter . ) Kay , more than that , if it was not for the labour of others should they not starve , unless like Nebuchadnezzar the King of tho Jews , they could live upon
grass , and then the country would soon be overstocked . ( Cheers and laughter . ) This Brighton presented a very curious illustration . He once was put in nomination for . their borough , in opposition to the most eloquent man in the House of Commons-Lord Alfred Jlervcy . ( Great laughter . ) Why did they laugh ? He repeated it ; because he never heard him utter a sentence that was not replete with argument , and shrouded in eloquence . ( Renewed laughter , and shouts of " Ho never spoke at all . " ) Well then , he ( Mr . O'Connor ) never heard him deliver a bad speech . ( Renewed laughter . ) Now , was he not a " nincompoop" to represent Brighton ? ( Cheers and "Ay . " ) Well , there were many more there than would constitute a majority of the Brighton constituency , and would one of them vote for him . ( Shouts of " No , not
one . " ) Well then , did not that explain the system ? Upon the day of nomination , not an elector may be present , upon the day of polling , not a non-elector can be present—that is—to give a vote . He did once hear Lord , Alfred Ilcrvey make a speech , it was his hustings oration . His exordium and peroration were electrifying , and were enthusiastically cheered ; his exordium—as you recollect—was a blow of his nose in a little white cambric handkerchief ; and his peroration was the squeeze of an orange with his little finger , held up as a token Ot his aristocratic bearing , and fitness as a representative . ( Tremendous cheering and laughter . ) There was by him , upon the platform , a veteran reformer , who had long contended in Westminster against the
feudal system—he alluded to Mr . Prout —( cheers)—that gentleman , he believed , was perfectly cognizant of ail political matters ^ and if he ( Mr . O'Connor ) was wrong , Mr . Prout would correct him . He believed that the veritable number that would be enfranchised by the proposed Parliamentary Reform Scheme , would * be about three million , which in addition to about one million already possessing the franchise , would give them about four million voters ; and , without exaggeration , he believed that the number that would bo entitled to the vote , by simple and unadorned Chartism , would be about five millions and a half . If , then , the four millions had the vote , and if it was possible for them to tolerate the enactment of laws to oppress the
remaining million and a half , their newly enfranchised brethren would have greater power than they have now , and would very speedil y co-operate with them for the whole Charter , as injustice could not be- done to the ¦ million and a half unenfranchised without equally affecting the newly enfranchised , of their own order . ( Loud cheers . ) Let them look to the barbarous atrocities of the bloody northern bear . ( Tremendous shouts of execration . ) Let them look to tho overthrow of the Roman Republic by the Special Constable President of Prance . ( Hisses . ) Let them look to the butcheries of the beast- Haynau , and then let them teach their new allies that . it was the want of that knowledge which the English people so
pre-eminently possess that led to those melancholy results abroad . And let them convince them that they are now thoroughly acquainted with the value of moral power—too much so to be led astray by any Whig , Tory , or Protectionist Will-o-the-wisp—that they now understand that what is to be done for the people must be done by the people —( cheers)—that they can estimate the difference between promises and mere transitory concessions , extracted by physical force , and sound and permanent changes based upon moral power . ( Loud cheers . ) Wi . v was to tnide what the hotbed was to tho plant—it forced it but strengthsned it not in its growth , while peace was as the pure air of heaven , that forced it not , but strengthened it till it arrived at a wholesoim .
matuvijy . ( ttcnuwed cheers . ) That was his reason ibv offering his ¦ determined resistance ) to poor gentlemen who were too proud to work , and too poor to live without labour , who roused them to madness and then consigned them to their fate , when the bubble burst . ( Cheers . ) Let him illustrate the present state of society , so that their order may be made thoroughly acquainted with the relative position of classes . There was a street , or a magnificent square—open , clean , and healthy . Hero lived abishop—here a parson—there a barrister—there a lawyer—there a stockbroker—here a general , an admiral , a banker , a merchant , a poor law commissioner , * magistrate , a government official—and God alone knew now many more idlers : and there , in the unhealthy slums , and in . rural hovels , lived tho
Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...
agricultural serf , aud the mechanical slave , uj-OU whose industry all revelled in luxury ; while no such class would be required if nature ' s gifts were legitimately enjoyed by nature ' s children . ( Loud cheers . ) In passing , he might he permitted testate a fact which led to tho conclusion , that the ' littlt lord " would be prepared to make great changes , in the ensuing session . The Secretary of tho Greenwich Reform Association wrote to Admiral Dundas—their member—inviting him to attend the meeting . He apologised for his inability to attend , at the same time assuring the secretary that , in the approaching session , frightful reductions would be made both in army and navy , and a large extension of the suffrage would bo conceded . ( Cheers . ) And
although Admiral Dundas was not a cabinet minister , yet lie was a government official in high trust , and they might rest assured that he would not have stated the fact without authority to do so . The government will see how they can tickle public opinion by feeding class upon class ; but the mess furnished from labour twis now too small to satisfy the cravings of any one class ; and while upon this branch of tho subject , he would define ministerial theory , as compared with ministerial practice . The free trade government admitted the justice of the tenant ' s demanding a reduction in their rent , and justified the tenant ' s reduction of the labourer ' s wages . Now , that was practice as regarded landlord and tenant ; but let them mark the contrast
when applied to their own salaries . If free trade tended to reduce the price of produce so as to compel the landlords to reduce rents , and the farmers to reduce wages ; and as wheat gave the standard value for gold , and everything else , was it not reasonable to call upon government officials to reduce their salaries ? Well , the attempt was made , and the noble lord and his assoeiatas cried , "No ; this cannot be done . We do not care for ourselves , but it would he derogatory to the dignity of the Crown . " ( Cheers and laughter . ) As regarded this movement lie would not onl y not offer it any opposition , but would give it his cordial support . He did so from principle , and also from a conviction that a
cooperation and union between his own country and England was the only means of effecting good for impoverished , oppressed , and famished Ireland . ( Loud cheers . ) Ho begged their pardon , be forgot that he was an Essex man —( loud laughter )—and he assured them that he would sooner ho an Essex calf than one of the generation of Irish slaves created by John Council ' s father . ( Loud cheers . ) They were aware that he attended those meetings with the view of keeping their newly adopted brethren in the straight course . ( Cheers . ) He knew that they would much rather be without him ; but , however , as a thorough understanding could be the only true basis of a veritable union , he begged , in some degree , to modify tho proposition of Mr . Wilkinson , as
regarded his invitation to the working classes to subscribe their funds to carry out their object , He too , said , subscribe your funds , but pay them to your own treasurers , in your own localities —( cheers ) —and apply them economically in support of the present movement . ( Cheers . ) He had always been for local government , and he thought that would be the most discreet and profitable mode of applying their funds , while from it their new associates would derive the greatest amount of benefit , and the people would know how their own monies was expended . ( Cheers . ) For himself he would cheerfully give his unpaid services to the cause , as in his soul he believed its propounders were zealous , honest , and sincere in its promotion .
( Cheers . ) ' Let them no longer be led away by clap trap sights , and raree-shows . Her Gracious Majesty went to Ireland to destroy the potato blight , and produce a brotherly feeling amongst her subjects . She left ; and as if to deny her providential power , the potato blight followed in her track / and the feuds and dissensions have multiplied a thousand fold . She was to have opened a coal hole in London to-morrow , but as if by magic she , too , unfortunately , lias been struck with some kind of blight—the chicken pox , the cow pox , or some other disorder-and Prince Albert , and the Royal babes , are to go alone ; and so great will be the pressure of the gaping multitude that I and others will be obliged to go a considerable distance round , as London Bridge will be occuoied with fr . inina
gawkics . ( Laughter . ) Now ho had only another word to offer , and it was this—ono of tho newspapers represented him as the self elected " father of Chartism , " and as he did not wish them to be considered his illegitimate children , ho would ask all , in the presence of the Ri ght Rev . Bishop in the chair , who acknowledged him as their father , to hold up their hands . ( Here every hand was held up amid loud and long continued cheering . ) Now then , said ( Mr . O'Connor , ) as you acknowledge me . to be your father , I pledge myself to my children , that they shall never he juggled ; and I pledge myself to their new allies , that while 1 will not directly or indirectly offer any opposition , but , on the contrary , heartily and energeticallv
sunport their movement , I would rather die upon the platform than abandon one particle of the urinciples of the People ' s Charter , the only stable foundation of the people ' s rights . [ Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid loud and long continued cheering , ] Mr . Pnoui , who was received with cheers , said he was deputed , along with his friend Mr . Wordsworth , by the . association to . attend this meeting , and he was bound in . candour and honesty to combat some of the propositions which had been laid down by the last speaker . Mr . O'Connor had said it-was the middle classes who carried the Reform Bill , but that was not so . The middle and the working classes , and a hrge section of the aristocracy combined to carry it , and it was by their co-operation it was carried . That bill was a stepping-stone to a better bill , and they had found it had not worked as they expected . With regard to universal suffrage , they had it in France , but that had not enabled tho
French nation to prevent their government from putting down a sister republic . If the French government had sent 50 , 000 men into Italy last year , when Piedmont was struggling , or 100 , 000 this year to the banks of the Rhine , when Hungary was struggling ,. Italy would not have been overrun by Austrian troops , nor would Hungary have had to succumb , and the brutal Haynau would have had no opportunity to perpetrate his brutalities . He was not objecting to universal suffrage , but the conduct of' the French . government showed that universal suffrage had not induced it to adopt a course to secure the liberty of other nations . Mr . Prout then stated the principles on which the association was formed . He wanted to know whether they would , as practical men , assist in this movement . ( "Yes . ") Jfnot they would have assembled there as mere talkers ; but , if they would assist in their emancipation , then they would be worthy oi the name of freemen . ( Cheers . )
Mr . A . Waixis moved a series of rules for the guidance of the Association , which were seconded by Mr . BnowN , in a short speech , in which he expressed his approbation of the objects which were sought to be obtained . He hoped that no obstacle would be thrown in the way of the movement by holding too extreme opinions , but that all would harmoniously unite to accomplish the common object . Mr . Mathews objected to the present meeting deciding upon , the rules ; he thought they ought to receive the sanction of subscribers to the fund only . Representation without taxation he held to bo as bad as taxation without representation . Mr . Kent objected that there were no working men placed upon the committee , although ho had ^ ent in a list .
Considerable confusion ensued , several parties endeavouring to obtain a hearing . - Mr . Kent declared that he had no faith in Mr Brown , as a member of ihe committee , he having voted for a Tory upon the occasion of electing commissioners .
The resolution was ultimately put and carried . _ Mr . Cokixcham regretted to witness the confusion and apparent want of unanimity in a question which required so much harmony . Mr . A . Wauis then moved the names of twentyone persons to act as a ¦ committee . The mention of Mr . Brown ' s name called forth loud expressions of disapprobation . - Mr . Kbxt again called' upon the leaders of the movement to add some working men to the Committee . Mr . Nias supported the proposition and declared he had little confidence in tho leaders . After a deal of disturbance , Mr . Sua moved the omission of Mr . Brown's name from the list of the committee . A division was taken upon this proposition , when the Chairman declared the majority of the meeting in favour of Mr . Brown ' s name being retained .
Mr . Kent again , urged his proposition , and stated that the four working men he wished to add to the committee were Messrs . Boys , Nias , Gibbs , and himself . This announcement was received with expressions of derision . Mr . Coningham then moved a vole of thanks tothe Deputation ; which being seconded by Mr . Kent was-unanimously adopted . Thanks having been voted to the Chairman the meeting separated at nearly twelve o ' clock .
Latest Foreign News. Dismissal Of Tiie F...
LATEST FOREIGN NEWS . DISMISSAL OF TIIE FRENCH MINISTRY . The Ministry Inne resigned in masse , and the he following new appointments aro made : —General -ral d'Hautpoul , Minister of war ; M . Achillc Fould , Id , Finance ; M . Rouber , Justice ; M . Ferdinand , nd Barrot , Home Department ; M . A . de Rayneval . al . the Minister at Naples , Foreign Affairs ; M . M . Dumas , Commerce and Agriculture ; M . de de Parr-leu , Public Instruction and Worship ; Admiral iral llomain Desfosses , Marine and Colonies ; M . M . Bineau , Public Works ; General d'Hautpoul ia . ia charged , ad interim , in the absence of M . de de Rayneval , with the Portfolio of Foreign AfMrsj rsj All the above belon lafcive Assembly .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 3, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_03111849/page/5/
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