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April 8 1848. .. THE NORTHERN STAB. .* •...
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GREAT MEETING ON KENNINGTON COMMON. (Pro...
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Bristol.—Ak Akecdgie of Brakdor Hill.—On...
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THE CHARTER, AND REPEAL IN THE CITY. In ...
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GREAT CHARTIST" MEETING AT JOHN STREET I...
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THE PEOPLE'S CiURrER, AND FROST, WILLIAM...
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¦'w.jyiii' -™ Rational Wonation of mwim €xm&
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' Unton fc-rtl>e Minion,* Friends,-—Wo c...
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Transcript
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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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(From Mr Wm Correspondent.) Dubuh .3** A...
_eo _nfiiencB in tbeir rulers , by such a _rttura to the _anient constitution of this realm , as will , at least , _stcure to the Irish people thtir former exclusive power of taxing _feEmselTet for thi _' _it local paTpo ? es . and of regulating and administering their local erWrs , through thtir Sovereign , Lords , and Commons , inan Irish parliament . The _Dsc-QHMa _jQWtti states , that several highly influential Protestant gentlemen of that town and neighbourhood , hitherto _detTtntned anti Repealers , have reoentlv declared themselves favourable to a Repeal of theUnion . The same paper contains the following paragraph;—On Saturdav last the unprecedented sum of £ 6 . 000 was ¦ withdrawn _? rom the savings' tank of this town . The lower and miidle orders mnst be aware of some threat ened _danger els _« they _wou _' . d not run on 3 a institution which they _considered heretofore so _sveure .
April 8 1848. .. The Northern Stab. .* •...
April 8 1848 . .. THE NORTHERN STAB . . * _•^ 5 ____ * __ ___ ¦ - -. . - - - - ¦ ¦ - - - - „ " _, i i _">*¦¦ _u ¦— _a _, _'„ i _.,,., _i-i „ i , rii _. i _. n _. 111 t-- _" ¦"' ¦ ¦ l - » _. ' _. i . r _. ; l _' Mi _.,. - in _^^ _•^' _SB _- _'gs _^^
Great Meeting On Kennington Common. (Pro...
GREAT MEETING ON KENNINGTON COMMON . ( Prom the Morning Ghrtmt . lt ) A public meeting was held on Sunday afternoon on Kei : ningtpn Common . At half-past three the gpeakera arrived , and the table hitherto used for the reception ofthe signatures to the petition was converted into a temporary tribune . There were several thousands then present , and the new-comers were of a more respectable grade . Sonne gentleman , whose name we sre not able to hand down to posterity , was called upon to preside , aad the proceedings of the meetirg commenced .
Mr Fcsseu . ( one of the members of the * National Convention , ' ) _addressed the meetin _g in a spsech of considerable length , in the course of which he said that tbe object of the Onanis t * was to- maintain order—that all property should be -respected . Th * Bank of England , he _considered , was an unjust and oppressive mohopo ' y ; the _profit- * now netted by the shareholders ought to fro to the State . The clergy he designated as the most bloodthirsty interest that ever surrounded the throne , and the Chartists claimed that the Church lands should be forfeited to the State , and applied to the surport and moral instruction ot the poor . He concluded by moving a resolution in aecjrdauce with the Frincioles of the People ' s Charter , — "Universal Suffrage . Vote by Ballot , No Proper : ? Q . _islification , Annual Parliaments , Payment of Members , and Equal Electoral Districts .
Mr Esse * - - ! Jokes ( also a member of the' National Convention , ') supported the resolution , not that he _thoaahtthtyTre-e likely to get what they asked for _atthehandsof the present House of Commons . They must first become tbeir _osn _parliament , their own legislature , and their own executive . ( Cheers . ) If they succeeded in petting redress for their wrongs by _referrinn te Parliament , it would not be by tbe love which Parliament bore them , but hy the fear in which it held tbem . ( Hear , hear . ) The preceding speaker had told thera that ihe physical fo ce of the
country was certainly against them . That he ( Mr Jones ) _emphatically denied . They were the millions —their oppressors were the few ( Hear , hear . ) The _bludseon-men _miuut be _against them , but they were only few in number . ( Hear , hear . ) He would never believe that another great portion of the physical force of the .-ountrj—he meant the soldiers —was against them . ( Cheers . ) The soldiers were the friends of the _working classes . ; they sprang from and rj ? ion ? ed to the sitae order as themselves . The Charter would be the finest thins in the world for the soldier . Under the Charter he would not be
entrapped into the service by the pitiful cheat of _eiv-Ins him a shilline whiie in a state _e-f intoxication . ( Hfca < -, hear . ) It would do away with his compulsory _perirjd of service ; and as every soldier was enlisted in the service of the throne and the altar , the throne and the altar could be made to _gire him his reward in the shape of a _cottase and four _aeresof crownland or church land whenever he quitted the service in credit to _hisiseif- ( Cfieers . _) Those cheers told him he was ' not wrong in tbe _recnmmendaunn 3 he had published on the subject Finally , the Charter would not restrict al 1 promotion to the dandv aristocracy . ( Bear , and chetrs ) Under ic tbe soldiers mi ght arrive at the _highest appointment in tbe armyhe mi » ht ba plneed on a par with Field . _Marshal
Prince Albfr _" _- . ( _laughter and _cheers . ) The _wrrkins classes of England had reduced the number of lashes to fifty , and wouid _S' _-on do away with the cruel practice otfl ] £ sin £ _altogether . ( Hear ) ne veril y believed that toward 3 ~ ihe _ honest working men of England the army had a friendly feeling , and that thty would pot si pirate from them in the hour of danuer . ( Great _chtericc ) The present was thelast humble petition the working men would ever present to the house of Commons ! Tbe 10 : h day of the present rnoElh wss the last day of trace tke Chartists -would give the Whits . ( Cheers . ) They _wi _* uld carry their petition to the house orderly , and they ¦ would depart _pescfably and quietly ; but if they had to go to tbe hQU _^ e a second time , they would then go
in arms . ( Cheers , and sensation . ) Their friend the i _Attori . ey-General _wcnld caution them to beware of ; him . Bat he weald fceJJ ihe _AttPrnev-Gfneral thati he had more reascn * to bs- afraid of the people . ! The verylaws nccer which _gcvernment conld indict ¦ them were as rotten as the threads of a worn-out . cabie . Let tbe Attorney-General look to Ireland j ( Hear . ) Let him grind down the _i-pirit * of ani O'Brien , the heart of a _Meagher , and the soul id a ! Jlitchel , before he _intertend with the _Cha-tists of _ErjHland . ( Cheers . ) Let the government and j Parliament have their day of prate snd if lhey were ; such political madmen and such social _maniuC 3 as to refuse the people ' s prayer , then , as political j lunatics , the peop le must confine _the-n in their po-
litical Bedlam . ( Hear , and cheers ] Let ths govern- j meet not try the game of physical force , lesl . phjsi- j cal force be turned against them . ( Hear , bear . )' Tee people only asked for the Charter ; bat the less thegoTernment were willing to grant , ihe more the people vould be inclined to ask . ( Cheers . ) If they refused the Charter , the people wonld next ask for a republic . ( Tremendous cheers . ) The men of Loridoh were ? _a g _<* od as the men of Paris , the men of Milan , or the men of Berlin . { Hear . ) By showing a bold physical front , they wonld prevent the necessity for physical action . He did not _^ believe it ¦ would be necessary for them to strike a siugle blow . But tbey must be prepared for tne worst . They must march in divisions , with military precision .
They rnust bave their captains 3 nd tbeir officers , j With discipline its people would ba an army ; _jclih- j out _discipline they are a mob . ( Cheers . ) If tbe j Attorney-General prevented them from soorganis-l ing * themselves , he must prevent somebody else be- j sides . The worshipful the body of shopkeepers had j established bodies of volunteers , over which they : Lad their captaiES and lieutenants , with ribbons on ! their arms and _badges on their breasts , ( Laughter . ) They were not specials , bat voluntary specials j ( Renewed laughter . ) If it were legal for the shop-: keepers , it would be _equally _lecal for the Chartists , j ( Hear , hear . ) God speed * he _Iris-h patriots—might i they throw idf the yoke of foreign dominion ! The j English working classes joined in the prayer for Irish ! emancipation . ( Cheers . ) The cause o _^ tbe Engl ' _sh |
_"working classes is the cause of the Irish people . ' The Irish resident in this country , by _joining the ¦¦ ranks of the Chartists , would carry the war into the i enemy ' s camp—every blow struck in the metropolis ier provinces of England would have double the effect lof a blow struck in Ireland , He could tell tbem i that the Chartists of England were eager to charge < down from the hills of Yorkshire , _Lancashire , and _tthe va ! e 5 of _Northamptonshire , and plant the green _iflig of liberty in Bowning-street . ( Rapturous cheeriing . ) He lately told them that the men of London _iwere ready to act , and the men of the Midlands , the imanntactUTers of Nottingham and Lancashire , and
ithe agriculturists ofthe rural districts replied that , whatever the result might be , they were prepared to aaid the men of London . ( Cheers ) All they asked f fo r wa 3 ihe _signal . "When the brilliant rocket shot Estar-like into the he -yens , the bold and b ave of iheir _ccoontry woald rise , and the _corrupt of every class vvrould sink . ( Cheers . After remarking at some Ilength on an extract from ths _Paesse newspaper , Vrrhjchhad ken distribntid throughout themetrcppoi 5 , in fhe shape ofa placard , Ur Jones _conclcded bby calling upon his _hearere to be prepared , to be bbrave and prudent , and they must be victorious . Seve * a' other members followed . The proceedings terminated about five o ' clock .
Bristol.—Ak Akecdgie Of Brakdor Hill.—On...
Bristol . —Ak Akecdgie of _Brakdor Hill . —On _MastMonday wetk , Tumours , and fears ,, and alarms , were veiy prevalent among the old ladies and some _ccthers in this cily . The dreadful Chartists weie ggoing to hold a meeting on Brandon Hill ; it was TTery clear that the public knew much more about it _tlthan we cid . Indeed , oar sapient magistrates were Eeo certain of oar _irea- _'ODshle intentions , that they © crammed the police station at the foot of the hill wwhh the bine coated gentlemen , ready primed for an _iusxp _losien . I should mention that one of our town _rhscuneilioH _, considered by some a very 6 'ienufle man ,
_istsorre time ago alarmed our quiet _citiz ns bj aneooencing that Brandon Hill was the remains of an _^ Extinct volcano . Something was going to happen on _Iththat day , nobody could tell what ; some of the tirsid st stood and watched afar , eff , others mere bold actually iwaralked over the _Lill , and as the day wore on , _in-Brareased numbers assembled . They feltsure that the _immonntam was in labour , and so it was , for scon after Ittthe sun waa _setil brought forth a—mouse . _Notiwwithstanding this , there were many fears and _misgijivings dowa to Friday _ni _| ht last , when the Char" _jsist committee issued their _peaefiful addrfss , ar > ¦ _joionneiEg the glorious meeting of Tuesday . 1
lBsDi . LiGATr . t 9 the Convention from Worcester , iMr Edwabd Waltee , is a son of one ofthe mostrepipeet & _bla _tradesmen of Ihe place , and _yrather-in law _o o the mayor of Worcester . Besides beingA Chait sfc , » eie is an earnest and conscientious _advoeats forthe _rffganisation of labour . ' Two Irish trader ? , outward bound , ea _FrS-Jay oioisted the Irish national fi'g at the masihead , wken 1 few miles ont in the Channel , hut as _qaicki ? i . w . Trered . them upon _chass being _giysp by herii _^ estv ! s ftifti ! tender Ringdove .
The Charter, And Repeal In The City. In ...
THE CHARTER , AND REPEAL IN THE CITY . In cmsequenceof tho city aldermen having withdrawn Mr Cartwright ' s billiard license , simply _bacans _* Chartist and _Rtpaal meetings were held at his hou ? e , * he Chaitistsand Confederates reBohed to meet perfeo _ition by ap act , of increased patronage , and a benefit in the shape of a soiree and ball was tbe result . Tbe large room in _Redcress street , was , on Mono _' ay _evening , dense ' y crowded ; the room was handsomely decorated with caps of liberty , figures of liberty , _Amerierin banners , and a Preach tr / _eoloered flag &< ated from thewindow .
Mr Clmjct was unanimously ca'led to the chair _, and said he looked on the present time as an epoch in the historic records of liberty ' s _strDjjgle , and in the fullness of his soul prayed for the time when Ireland should be a nation , and England in ihe full enjoyment of her liberties . ( Loudeheers . ) The au'horilies seemed to think that by persecuting Mr _Cartwrigbt they conld trample on onr glorious principles , but ho trusted that ( he Irish Confederation would convince Lord John that they were made of _s-erner 8 tuff than to be put down by little men in black coats—( loud cheers )—and by their support of Mr _Cartwright , show _^ _that they duly appreciated his _fcffarts in their behalf . Mr Cartwright had done more for ' the men of no pnpeity'than any other citizen—he had much pleasure in submitting the followinz sentiment : —* Our upright , honest , and sincere Chartist friend , John Cartwright—may he live to vanquish all his enemies , and trample persecution under his feet . '
Mr A . Sharp and Mr Williams , the Chartist baker , supported it in speeches that were warmly £ r 6 Btcd Mr Charles M'Caeiht rose to submit the Beoond resolution , and tbe _cheering from without announced the arrival of Feargus O'Connor , M . P ., who , on his entering tbe room , was most enthusiastically greeted . Mr M'Carthy said , as their friend _andadvocate had arrived , he wonld merely say that he trusted that the people would band themselves toeether , like the _lictors' reds , _btfoie him , and then
they would soon obtain their just rights . ( Loud cheers ' . ) He heartily congratulated the people on the union between the Chartists and the Repealers . ( Great applause . ) He thought they might thank Mr O'Connor for that . ( Hear , hear . ) He further rrjoiced that the Young Irelanders had resolved on having Ireland for the Irish , and he hoped the Chartists wonld follow their example , and re . « olve on having England for the English . ( Loud cheers ) Hehad much pleasure in _givinc the following sentiment : — * A cordial union and success to the democracies of all nations . '
The Chairman said , the honr had now arrived fer which he had long eighed . They now had their president _amouest them . ( Loudeheers . ) And he bad great pleasure in introducing _Fesreus O'Cot . nir _, Esq-, M . P ., _torp'sk to the rest sentiment , ss follows : — ' The Irish Confedetation—may it Epeedily free Ireland from _tyranny and oppression , and give her people such institutions as shall accord with their free and unbiassed opinion . ' On Mr O'Cofkob rising , he was greeted _^ ith prolonged cheering , which having subsided , he said he had just arrived from the House of Commons , where they were discussing the rights of a dispersed people , the Jews . Now he thought his countrymen were as much a dispersed and a more oppressed people than the Jews—and hence te had given np a short portion cfhia time to run down there , and advocate their c use . ( Lond cheers . ) He had heard cne of their
friends allude to moral and physical force . Now , those were subject's on which be did not give an opinion , except fnm his place in Parliament . ( Laughter . ) But he did know that the Americans had prayed their good King George III ., of blessed memory , and that he took no notice of their prayer . In 1832 , when he was returned for hi 3 native county , Cork , forty members were returned , pledged to accept neither place nor pemionuntil they had achieved tleir rights . —and he could not help thinking the Irish people were to blame for sending such a cringing lot to Parliament , as was found there at the present * day , after the brilliant example to which he _hfd alluded —had tkey kept np to that mark—and _atond firm ,
oppression would have crumbled into duBt , even as thrones were now crumbling . ( Loud cheer 3 . ) Notwithstanding all the persecution , jeers , and taunts to which he _r-ad been subjected , he wns _pleased to think he had stood forward the firm advocate of the rig hts of Ireland . He had told the House of _Commons plainly his sentiments—that the _Irsh peop le _^ -ere murdered , and interred like dogs , ' unhousdled , unappointed , and _unatnealed - , ' ihat Ireland was their Poland— ' tbat the air of Poland was redolent of the fresh _smelliug b ' ood of ihe martyrs slain in battle , whilst the putrid atmosphere nf Ireland stinks from tbe effluvia of the wasted bodies of famished slaves '—(' oud direr *)—andhe asked , conld thev restore to life the millions slain by gaunt
famine ? Tbe Scripture said , ' It was better to die by the sword than to perish of hunger- ' ( Great applause . I only quote Scripture—and surely the B ble is far _better than Lord John Russell ' s logic ! ( Loud cheers . ) lie never could agree that Ireland should go in qaest of land abroad , when she had plenty at home : —( loud cheers )—and his biood boiled when he thoug ht of an _arehbuho" _* banging for the means for his countrymen to live . ( Hear , hear . ) lie had told the House of Commons , that it was wrong that such things should be . and they give a clergyman , at tbe same time , £ 2 . 000 per annum , the same eler . gyman getting a journeyman to do his work for £ 75 ; but Irishmen did not mind paying their own _clergyman lair and moderate sums ; but it was too bad
to call up' _-n Paddy to pay fat" his Catholic doctor and the Protes tant doctor as well . ( Loud cheers . ) As regards the Union , it was accemplisLed by English gold and Irish treachery , and ata time ton when Ireland was mourning the lossof many of her patriot sons . ( Hear , hear . ) His father was proseeuted , and his uncle banished . Eight years ago , he had advised the council of three hundred to meet and show the Saxon , what they could do in the shape of law making ; but then , coming from bim , it was nonsensebut _nowjcomins from others , it was good sense ; fer his part , he did not ask repeal bnt separation . ( Bear , hesr . ) He coald not see what England had to do with Ireland at all . ( Loud cheers . ) He did not know if they had as much Milesian blood in their
veins as he _hadj ; if they had , he thought tbey wonld agree thatthe _connexion bad existed too long . ( Gieat applause . ) His family bad a long account to settle , they had endured more persecution _acd prosecution than any other family . ( Hear , hear . ) Catholics had thoughtlessly gone on _usder Protestant rulers , although they were only allowed to fill the office of a common soldier , and be shot at for one shilling a day . True i it was said that Paddy was too ignorant to be trusted with the franchise , but it was not your ignorance , but your intelligence , they dreaded . If you had the power of electing M . _P's ., there would be no tithes , yon would be free of them the next day , ind yoa wonld learn tobnild yopr own castles on yonr _iwn free labour fields . ( Lond eheera . )
_newassa-• isfied tbat every Irishman loved hh country . At ihe Birmingham station he had met with an Irish-¦ nan , who was an overseer , and he ( Mr O' _0 ° nnor ) said— 'You are an Irishman , ' and asked him ' Did be ; ver think of Ireland ? ' ' Ay , ' he responded , ' ay . blood and ' _ounds , Bure 'tis always thinking of her I am—( laughter )—and , sure , if I was going to die , I wonld rather swim across than die here . ' ( Loud cheers . ) But be heard that the yonng gentlemen were stirring , and he hoped they wonld do something soon . Now , he ( Mr O'Connor ) had said— ' Paddy _, 'tis Sunday ; I will preach you a sermon— ' God always helps _th-se who help themselves . " ( Loud cheers . ) And , therefore , you must not look to
Miteiiel , O ' Brien , Meagher , O'Gorman , or Doheny , but must _^ ut yonr own shoulder to the wheel . ' ( Great _applause . ) ne had been for the last twenty-five years an _advocate far Ireland . Now , on Monday next , he was to present a petition for the Charter , which , he trusted , would be signed by five or six millions of souls . ( Loudeheers . ) And , in the _Conc-entisn to-morrow , he would move that a prayer for the Repeal of the Union be added . ( Loud cheers . ) This was the wedding night of Chartism and Repeal in _Lon- _'on , and he wonld drink , in a bumper of _jold water / Success to their _union , and bad luck to the union between England and Ireland . ' ( Tremendous cheers , during which Mr O'Connor left the
room . ) Mr _Ebseit Jokes rose warmly greeted , and in allusion to the ball abont to be held , said : He hoped when next they met it would be at p . ball of a different description . ( Cheers . ) Balls were not very _appropriate beforea revolution , much more appropriate after . Polignac , in reply to Charles X ., ores said : A ball was pleasing because bis majesty was dancing aver a volcano . ' They were about to dance on the brink of one . ( Cheers . ) Moral and physical force hai been talked of of late—now , he was happy to bave the sanction of their great chief , to the doctrine 'God helps those who help themselves . ' [ Loud cheers . ) We Lave already frightened the ; neroy ; they already show their Bignals of distress . New , he _thought these would prove the fog signals , is he fondl y hoped did the people once begin to surge ,
lat they wonld surge everywhere at once . ( Cheers . ) _ie would beg the favour of one of the ladies , hands ir a dance , not to-night , but when tbe Charter was lined , which he hoped would be speedily after the 1 th ol April ( Loudeheers . ) In conclusion he would ive ' _Confusisn to the politics of all knavish legis-. tors' ( Loud cheering . ) Mr Smyth , in a most brilliant speech , which was : eeived with locd applause , gave the following : — rhe . jnstrighU ot tho people as contained in the harter , and may they speedily be enacted as law . ' Mr Cabiwbigbi acknowledged the boEOur done m - Three cheers were , given for . the French Republic , _reMrrthe coming British revolution , three groans r fhe" _Aldtrmen who tcok away the license , and is lav- testing meeting dispersed .
Great Chartist" Meeting At John Street I...
GREAT _CHARTIST" MEETING AT JOHN STREET INSTITUTION . On Tuesday evening , April 4 th , the Literary Insti tutian wa ? densely crowded in every part , almost to suffocation . Mr Jons Fussell was unanimously called to the chair , an _^ said , they had a _^ _ain met to mike another moral demonstration in favour of their just _rights . ( Cheers . ) The press had falsely told them that the revolution in France had prodnc : d anarchy and confmion , bnt he repeated it was false . Sir George Grey bad said the government had set their faces aiainst _cranting concession either to trades or political bodies , hence the necessity of mak ing the demonstration on Monday , peaceable , but so numerous that there could be no mistake as to this beimz a national movement . ( Great cheering . )
Mr Jones , of Liverpool , came forward amidst tremendous cheering to address the meeting , and said : Would he conld _t-ike them to view the haunts or wretchedness in Liverpool , and show them men who formerly earned from two to three pounds a week , reduced to go to a soup kitchen for fo . _^ d to stay the pangs of hunger ; and tbo middle classes were fast following them . Could it be surprising that such men should be prepared to demand their rights in a voice of thunder . ( Loud cheers . ) lie asked , shou'd such a state of things be continued { ( 'No , No ; ' and great _applatte _* . ) Was it not better tbat they should rush forward and save their tailing country , even from the very brink of ruin ? He was both a Chartist _« nd a _Confederalist , ( Great
applause . ) The French wera making theirs not only » political but a social revolution—( loud cheers ) -and the doctrine of' Liberty , Equality , Fraternity , ' had frightened old mother Times , and other jouma . s--( hear , hear ) -but the Tm & a had recently discovered broken-hearted _navigators with four pounds in their pockets and a bill on the provisional government . ( Laughter . ) He invoked them all to be peaceable and orderly on Monday , as tbat would be the finale of moral force agitation . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Mr Thomas Clark came forward loudly applauded , and in a most caustic speech held an inquest on the remains of Whiggery , which had laid v . olent hands on itself—he supposed to save tbe people the trouble of doing so . ( Loud cheers . ) They wished a
peaceab ' e demonstration on Monday , and he had no doubt tbeir numbera would ensure it —( great cheering ) --they had resolved nt all events that aggression , if it did come , should come from the e & vernvnent , and it they were unwise _enouirh to give it , on their beads be the consequence . ( Tremendous chetring . ) He moved the following _resolution : — ' That whereas the exercise of usurped political power has been productive of the most direfnl results , both physical and moral , to the mass of the British people ; and whereas submission to usurpation is not only _irjiirions , bnt a most criminal abasement of humani'y , be it therefore resolved , tbat we _strufigle with oru brethren throughout the empire , lor those civil and social rights which God ordained for the- erijr _yment of man .
Mr Tattbrsall , of Burnley , came forward : _armd hearty cheers , io second ihe motirm , and said * . He trusted tbat fine enthusiastic feeling he witnessed was _' not mere iroth and pop but a genuine reality . The recent events in France had doubtlessly gladdened tneir heart ? , not simply because a tyrant was hurled from the throne , but because France wa sow the Polar star of liberty to Britain . ( Tremendous cheering ) Lord Jchn Russell seemed , since 1652 , to have forgotten that man was a progressive being , he now resembled a mile-stone stopping behind to show man how much he had _progressed ( Hear , hear . )—But _ministtrs and legislators must go with the tide , or the _stream will overwhelm them . ( Tremendous cheering . ) The Whigs wcre _trjina
their hands at prosecution ; they might arrest O'Brien , Meagher , and Mitchel ; they might take their heads off and string thera up to castle walls ; but for every drop of blood that should be shed , a thousand patriots would arise to _avecee the bloody deed . ( _Trtmendous _applause , _i-jain and again repeated , succeeded by waving of hats , handkerchiefs , clapping of hands , and every conceivable _tntde ol testifying applause . ) Englishmen had hitherto been found heroes at Waterloo , tho Nile , and _Trafalgar , but had proved the basest of slaves at home . ( Hear , hear . ) Howtver , tht- men of Lancashire , had new resolved to have iheir rights ; and what were they ? Simply , political equality with the middle and upper classes ; and was there anything unreasonnb'e in tbis ? anything unjust ? ( 'No . no , ' and loud cheers , ) No ,
but there was in the present system , which took from all the wealth their industry _aisd _ingenuity _cteattd _, and sent them to feed on skilly nnd find a pauper ' s grave in the cold bastile . ( Uear , hear . ) Would tliey longer Bubrait to such a state of things ? ( 'No , no ' aiid loud cheers . ) Mr Tattersall next showed the fearful extent of the National Dtbt , the burden borne by Britons to support the stt of German pauper princes , _&? . ( Lond cheers . ) _Tou hay you will not longer endure it ; then by the noble example soi by France and Germany—by your exiled ; patriots Frost , Williams , and Jones—by the sacred ties ol truth , justice , humnnity _' and liberty—pre _? _s forward , never stopping until you shall tare achieved a glorious democracy . ( Enthusiastic and long continued _cheeriug . )
Mr LEAcn , of Manchester , came forward warmly greeted , and said they had now got the steam up pretty _higb , and he was not disposed to get it higher —reason was as important as _enthusiasm . In Mancheater tens of thousands had calmly resolved to have the Charier , come weal , come woe . ( Loudeheers . ) . Well , in Manchester they were swearing in special constables , but even fhe middle cla ? ses had convened a meeting for the purpose of telling the magistrate- " they would do nothing that wonld prevent tbe people from obtaining their liberty . ( Loud cheers . ) He thought that the aristocracy , by their cruelty and rapacity , had shown their unfitness to legislate for them , and that the people _shoald take their aifairs into their own hands . ( Loud cheers . ) The system by its 07 TB weight was failing , but you must direct its downward course to prevent it burying you in the
ruins . ( Loud cheers . ) Government had now got itself into a fix—the _deluders were nornore—tricksters were gone—there waB no playing off the . working men of one country against the other . Now , the working men of Ireland had taken Englishmen by the band . ( Great cheering . ) Mr Leach gave a heart-rending description of theeondition of the Irish people . Ah ! said the speaker , it was blasphemously asserted that a famine had prevailed in Ireland . It was falseplenty prevailed — the _aristocracy were wallowing inluxnry—and _cecaf _quently 'instead of famine—it was murder perpetrated on the democracy by the aristo . craoy . ( Loudeheers . ) He , like the other speakers , called on the people to conduct themselves like men on Monday , not giving offence even to tbe child ; and should the prayer of the petition be refused , he should then say , send an address to her Majesty . ( Tremendous cheering . )
The resolution was carried unanimously , amidst rapturous applause . Mr Chabi . es Bolwell , from Bath , declared hiraselfa moral iorce Reformer , and said , he should be sorry to see unarmed men opposed to armed men , or the spilling of a single _^ rop of blood . ( Hear , hear . ) They were about , on Monday next , to present their last petition . ( Loudeheers . ) Whilst he t 9 ld them he was a moral force Chartist , he must , at the same timo , tell them , he never would allow any man to lay violent hands on him without returning it . ( Trcmendous cheering . ) He wassent to London , leaving a comfortable and a happy heme , tbat nothing but his hope of liberty would cause him to leave , and
which he hoped to see again . His opinion was materially changed since his arrival in London . He had seen such an enthusiasm that he had not expected to witness . ( Loud cheers . ) He expected that tbe Petition would be rejected } but the Convention would ba in London , the working men of England would be in London , in the _person of their _representatives ; and their next step would be still more terrible thau tbe National Petition ; and should the _bas < = "Whigs drive them to take their liberties , they might take something more than the Charter . ( Great applause . ) He then moved the following resolution —• 'That this meeting resolves to support the Convention- in ils endeavours to make the People's Charter the law of the land . '
Mr Joseph Linn ey , of Bilston , in an energetic speech , seconded the motion , and , like the former speakers , called upon the people to attend the pro cession in their millions , and never rest satisfied until tbey had obtained the Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) _MrDiKiEi . Donovan said , they nnd been told thai a dinner , that was to have taken place at Highbury Barn , on Monday , could not take place , because the magistrates bad threatened the landlord with thtloss of his licence if he allowed it . But , had they a place oi their own , It could not have been prevented by any magistratej . ( Loudeheers . ) He said , if the government should attack an unarmed people on Monday , it would be the duty of not only the peo
pie of London , but of England , to declare that government should not stand another hour . ( Tremendous cheering . ) And , on the other hand , should m <>» hired by the government , step oui of the ranks and strike or shoot a policeman , thatthey would give the traitors into the hands of justice , and let them bear the brunt of their own treason . Now , he had given them both sides of the question , ( Loud cheers . ) Mr _Ebnebt Jokes came forward , loudly applauded ; and said , we stand in the position of debtor and creditor to the government—they were our debtors for our murdered children and tbe banishment of our exiled friends . Well , on Monday we go to
demand the bill , long since due , and protested again and again ; they now demand the principal , but if that was not settled they would demand both interest and principal —( loud cheers )—if their petition was rejected then it would be their duty to try Queen Victoria , and if her mercy should not be moved , why , then would ba the time to adopt tha plan ha had so often spoken of . ( Tremendous cheering . ) It was said the povernmtnt was about to commence prosecution in England ; he said , let them doit . ( Great cheering . ) They bad tried it in Ireland in the persons of Messrs Mitchel , O'Brien , and Meagher , He adopted their sedition , every word of it . ' ( Great and _enthunastic cheering . ) Well , then , that meeting also adopted it—then let them prosecute that
Great Chartist" Meeting At John Street I...
ra _leting . He had news for them ; the men of Halt t ax had held glorious meeting ' s , and they formed in prcesBion and marched into Halifax , the _Boldiers came out of ths barracks and chsered , and cheered again . ( TremendouB cheering . ) The Whigs , at _Hnlifas , thought it a bid sign , and the government ordered the regiment to Ireland . The people bad formed a \ _. _ cession to escort them out and cheer the soldiers whioh was _responded to by cheers from the guard ? . ( Great applause and three cheers for _ttw guards , given by the meeting _racist enthusiastically . ) In conclusion , he wished Lord John joy with hiB new regiment for Ireland . ( Tremendous cbeeriW , ) Resolution carried unanimously .
Mr Verno . v then came " forward and said a few words relative to a letter that appeared in the Times of today , and some . words that appeared in the Star of Saturday last , ' and was cordially greeted by the meeting . His declaration that he had not been more violent than others elicited warm applause . Mr Cure having paid a few word " , Mr Vernon cordially shook hands with the executive , amidst enthusiastic cheering . A vote of thanks was carried , by acclamation , to the chairman , who , in responding , read the following letter relative to Frost , Williams , and Jones . Chambers , Budford . _street , Strand . Sir direc
, —I am ted by Mr Wahlej , M P ., to state , that he hns made inquiry of the Secretary of Stats for the Hrttnt- Department , whether itis the Intention of government to i . ardon , _libernte _, and mtore to thtir conntry , Frost , _Wiliiams , and Jones , and that he received ter answer , that no such intention was at present entertained oy thc government , I am , Sir , your obedient _servaat , S , L . HUTCHlHSON . Three cheers were then given for the Conventionthree tor the Union between the Irish and English working classes—three for theCharter , and the meeting separated . . There was a dense crowd of people at the _deors who could not obtain admission .
The People's Ciurrer, And Frost, William...
THE PEOPLE'S CiURrER , AND FROST , WILLIAMS , AND JONES . On _Wednssday evening lam : , a public meeting waa convened in the St , Pancras TeBtry Rooms , wbioh were densely eronded , Mr Henry . _IS-sihebikotom was _uBsniraouely called to the chair , who spoke of John Frost as being a most _estim-iblo man ; and as the continental governments had liberated their political victims , nnd as even England had liberated her Canadian _flurjacts , eo in common juBtice , should Frost , 'Williams , and Jones , ho restored ? ( Iiou _. _4 cbeers _. )
Mr W & TB 011 , delegate in the Convention for Newcastleupon-Tyne , rose to move ' the first resolution , and said , - ho thought the people would , on the present oscasion , show Buchnbold , peaceful ,. yet energetic front , as to convince the government they were determined to have , nnd worthy of , the Cbarter . The coming procession would be worthy of thi working classes . Mr Watson then raad a resolution ia favour of the Peeple ' _s Charter , and said , of such a charactor waa the resolution he was asked to move , that he should Ilka to see the men who could bring forward a vestige of an argument against it . _Ht _; contended , that it was the right of every man cf tw . nty-one years of age to have a _voloo in electing those who made the laws . They all had to pay taxes , and they onght to have a voice in tbe appropriation of tbem . Was It not timo that wo got rid of such a system f Tho ptopleofthe north were _determined that they should
be admitted to vote , or that the minister should go off . ( houd cheers , ) The proposition brought before them > aid , that seven-eighths of tha piople 'were voteless , degraded slaves ; ' and the question was so closely connected with labour tbat , from their not having the protection of the vote , capitalists got tbeir labour for just what tbey pleased ; and it wonld not be _gaineayed _vrben he asserted ibatthe labour of the working man ffaabis capital ; and feeling tbis , tbe people had resolved ntver to give up _nniilj thi y tot the _Cbaru-r . ( Great cheering . ) Well , then , will you give us some assistance ? f' Yes , yes 2 ' ) Will you attend this procession , and let your will he known ? ( ' Yes , yes ; ' tnd loud ohe » rs ) With a bold fien _** _, and a nerved soul , and a firm determination , they could achieve tbeir rights . Ha thought , when he returned to Newcastle , ho wight tell them they had determined to put their wills in action , and cause thc Charter to become the law . ( _Liud clieerinir . )
Mr Robert Wild , of Mottram , rose amidst much chaerlng , to second the motion . It give him great pleasure to fin _4 that the people of Iioridon were alive to t _' acir own interest , and from such very numerous , intelligent , and enthusiastic me' . _tings he thought the _tlma was not tax dis ' . ant when they should have the Charter , King Solomon s _, iid there w . ia a time for all things ; the irue for speaking had gone , and he thought this Was the time for action . He was in the House of Commons ¦ ' ait night , and beard n _member _talking of ecclesiastic r ; venuep , who said upwards of one hundred working _olor-^• _yrnen had not more than one hundred a year and wire without houses to live in ; ha _ihought there were
many working men wbo had not £ ' 10 per annum , and not so much ground as their thumbs would cover ; ay , ban jcu the Charter you would not find the House of Commons sympathising witb clergymen In possession of two pounds per w _« ek , and utterly forgetting the woMlth producers who _peMshcd for-want , amidst hoops of wealth . Every people , every nation , wag demanding freedom , and shall the petition of a ekllful , ingenious , and industrious people S be treated with centnmely and rejected . Then prepare for tho procession on Monday , and be prepared for tho worst—the rejection of the _petitioQ . ( Cries of ' We are _prepared . ' ) He cordially supported the resolution . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr _Wameb , of Worcester , In an c-nergetle _gpeeeh , supported tho motion amidst the loudest applause , nnd concluded by inviting all to attend tho procession and keep peace , good order , and _firmaess . ( Great cheering . ) The resolution was put and carried unanimously , amidst _tap'urou . _8 applause . Mr John Abmott then came forward and read a _Pett'ion in favour of the People ' s Charter , and moved its adoption . Mr S » hdei , _Krnn , amid the loudest applause , came forward to second it . He said there was one portion of that petition which said , ' _Liboiir was the source of all wealth and should be the foundation of all government , ' France was often pointed to at this juncture of European progress ; the young blood of France had proved more powerful than the blood of all tho Bourbons , ( Hoar , _tienr . ) Tlio provisional government , as represented in _theperBons of _^ Albert and L . _uls Blanc , understood this question of labour , and wonld solve the problem so long
in abeyance , anil , as regards England , the principles of the first _rrsolntion must be ivorked oat before labour wonld meet wiih im due reward , ( Cheers , ) He contended tbat tho labourer should be the consumer and 'He who would not work neitbar should he oat' ( great _cheering ); in any revolution that took place here , he _iveuld not be satisfied to take _anything leas than the _People ' s Charter for Its basis , ( Tremendous cheering . ) _Butboforehetook a dangerous pesition he must bo as . sured thathe risked not his Ufa for a phantom , but , that 'he veritable people of England willed the change . He alluded to tho iffective tctne produced by the _Biaiple recital Of Richard Marsden , in the Convention tbis dayamid cheers—and asked ; 'Were the people prepared to march on ? ( Loud cries of 'Yea , yes . ' ) Do not say ' Yes , ' nnd mean ' No ' agaia , I say , ' Ara yoa prepared to match onward ? ( Loud shouts of ' Yes , yes . ' ) Then ho Was prepared to go with thrm for E _quality for oil , Thc king can mak a belted knight , A marquis , duke , an a' that ,
But ah honest man ' s _aboon bis might , ' ( Tremendous cheering ) Mr J . WJ-. BT then moved the adoption of ft resolution In f ivoor of tbe libtration of Frost , Williams , and Jones . Uo moved this to eshlbit his sympathy w ' tb those men , although he thought Ha secondary question just now—tbe _qneslion of primary importance being tbe Charter - . ( Loud _ohfiBrs . ) Tberonow wai a war _againuJ u » urpatiOB ; Irishmttn and Englishmen mu » t unite , and ahould Irishmen be treated with brute force , it wonld bo our duty to look to It . ( Tremendous oheering . ) He alluded to the case of Kirmw , tho Irish spy , and Colonel Brown , who had instigated Kirwan to go and get men to malie pikes , thus entrapping them into illegal acts . Did not this prove tho _Vhigs to be a bloody go . vernment ? ( Loudeheers . ) But Colonel Brown came forrrard and avowed that he hid employed Kir-ran , and what then ? Why thc magistrate let Kirwan off . ( Hoar , _h-ar . ) Irishmen and women ware perishing for want , Lord JohBald he
and n would put Ireland down . Why far better would it bo tbat Ireland should be deluged with blood from end to end , than such a stato of things should continue . ( Rapturous cheering . ) Peace , law , and order he said—if it was for all—but if it did not reign through plenty in the cottages , there _shovild be no peace in the castle . ( Great applame . ) Some time ago he wan charged with being a revolutionist — he was so , ho avowed it—he wanted a change—be wished thc mon Tbo produced to be the first partaker of tbe fruits . This < va 8 reversing thc present order of tbfDgs , and conse . qaently was | revolutionary , and rery necessary , and rery beneficial , ay , and a revelution that must bo had . ( Tremendous cheering . ) He should like to be one of a deputation to go to Lord Jo' n Russell , and point out the rebberies inflicted on labour ; but he roBlly believed the only remedy was the Charter , and be thought the way to ohloia it , was by making the sitting of the Convention permanent , and resolve not to separate , until the Charter _became the law ofthe land . ( Loudeheew . )
Mr Gi / _BNNisisa of Cheltenham , said he had sincere _pleoture iu seconding tho motit u for the restoration of those good men , Frost , Williams , and Jones , but he did not expect to sea them until tho Charter became tbe law ofthe land , ( _L-udchetra ) Mr _EasEsi Jones came forward amidst tremendous cheering , to support . the resolution , and said we bad pood news from Rome , from Francp , from Italy , and _Gk-rraany , arid from tho splendid _meetings he nightly saw he believed we should eoon have flood events . In fact , we were teaching the government French , and they would soon bave to reptat the lemon : —Liberty , Equality , and _Fraternity ; and in a brilliant _upeepb , pointed out the several things moving on the political board , and tbe mode of moving on to success—alluded to the _apptarance of several _speoial _reporters at the conference , and the _plaudits'b y . which their _appcaranoa was bailed , and the bold speaking of the delegates assembled- —suggested , in th « event of the petition being rejected , _slrauitaneciaff meetings and memorials to the Queen ; if
The People's Ciurrer, And Frost, William...
those tailed , then it wonld be time fer mural means to oease ; at any rate not _todouist _, or allow the Convention to separate until the ' Charter was obtained . ( Great applause , long oontinued ) Tho resolution was then put and carried un mimouBly , Mr Jonci Fdsbell same forward and moved tho adoption of a petition to the Hours of Commons , calling on ihat bouse to address her _Mnjeaty for thc _restoration of Frost , Williams , and Jones '; he supported it in ' an energetic speech , which was much applauded . Mr Hdmpbries second-id the adoption of _thepetltlon , which was carried unanlmou _3 ly . Mr Hintom moved that the petition for tho Charter be sinned by the chairman , and forwarded to L rd Dud * ley Stuart , and the oa * in _fwouv'f Front , Williams , and Jones , to SirB . Hall . Cirried unanimously . Mr _Lrcis moved a vote of _tbanks lo the vestrymen for tbe use of the rooms on tho occasion .
Mr Acs-Ms seconded , and it was earned by acclamation , A voto of thanks was awarded to the chairman , and the meeting was dissolved , after giving three tremendous cheers for tho People ' s Charter .
¦'W.Jyiii' -™ Rational Wonation Of Mwim €Xm&
_¦' w _. _jyiii' - _™ _Rational _Wonation of mwim € xm _&
' Unton Fc-Rtl>E Minion,* Friends,-—Wo C...
' _Unton _fc-rtl > e Minion , * Friends ,- —Wo cannot help again adverting to ihe great and important chanees which are taking place in these event fa 1 times . The pre 3 ent age is pregnant with momentops alterations . Everything wears the most encouraging aspect—the wrongs and cruelties so long practised upon the people , appear to he doomed . Tho long injuries the masses have sustained , aro at length moving them to _vigorous action , and we anticipate that ere long they will , with the rapidity of an electrio Bhock , sweep away and orush for ever the black- _airoDities inflicted upon them , and claim the rights and privileges of men .
In noble France—the pattern of free institutionsthe restorer of liberty to the oppressed and enslaved of every nation . France , wc say , is now teaching us the _trno relationship of labuur and capital , and we trust will practically and beneficially demonstrate the easy fulfilment of their respective duties , and show to the world that these two elements in a nation ' s greatness ( labour and capital ) can operate and cooperate _together for tho national good , under the guidance and control of an enlightened and popular legislature . This great problem has been looked upon by the intelligent capitalists of tbis country , as the most complicated of subjects , aid the most difficult of solution , and in which government could not interfere , but which problem France—the head of nations
—will now for ever confute , and prove that the state should take care of , and mako provision for , the creators of all wealth—the producing classes . But before the government of this country will _makesucb provision for tbe industrious classes , they must possess a voice in the . Elective Franchise . We unhesitatingly declare that if ever labour muat be ' _-roperly provided for by the State , labour ' s sons _mnafc possess tbeir _legitimate portion of political power . Our friends must excuse us for offering these remarks , but when we aeo and hear that the present House of Commons is a composition of capitalists and employers , and cold political _ecoraist ? , we cannot help bnt speak out . For they it is who have largely contributed to onr present misery and _degradation . They have gulled us by their fascinating delusions . They have
inspired us with burning hopes ot social emancipation ; but having accomplished their sinister purposes j they dash-the cup of plenty from our hands ; they insult us with fiendish _pleasure , and crush us to the earth for our credality . These are the mon who are now our employers , our magistrates , and our statesmen . They deluded ua with their sophistry ; they havo goaded us to madness by their cruel * _ia ' s ; and then consign us to Poor-law _bastiles , or to utter starvation , if we havo but the moral courage to stand up in defence of our right . These are startling and painful , truths—truth 3 whieh many of onr individual members are nowsorrowfully experiencing —being tbe systematioallymade victims of these heartless tyrants , for the purpose of deteting _oihcrs from moving in an onward direction . But such monstrous atrocities must be brought to a speedy
termination . The enlightened mind of the working class is being disgusted with the present arrangement and estrangement of labour and capital , and the popular witt longs to throw off , and to give to the winds , the chains of cruel despotism , that now press so heavily upon the people , which , like a devouring vulture , fea 9 t upon the victims it has made . Let every individual member of this Association , apply the above remarks to himself . Ask yourselves whether you are not now deprived of more than one half of your earnings ? Are not the ' prodticts of vour labour appropriated to the aggrandisement of others while you are left to starve ? Do you see any hopes for future amendment ? Do you anticipate the taunts ofa
pitiless parish overBeer , when your physical strength is exhausted in making others rich ? TbelaBt is most decidedly your future _prospfct , _UBless you move with the age . The day of blackness —of injustice—and of tyranny may be brought lo r . speedy close if you unite and act together ; mingle your sympathies—your voices—your energies with ours , and freedom will be quickly won . Friends , awaken from your lethargy , sleep not on the watchtower , nor remain indifferent to the inviting signs of the times , _thst will propel you onward ( if you wi )] not stop ii ) with the flowing , restless , _awelling , powerful tide of long-sought emancipation . Be up , then , and _doinff , lay your Bhouldere to the chariot wheel—help the _. movemenfc onward and freedom will tbe more speedily eome .
You are not asked to use violence . We do not coll upon yon to injure the property or person of any , bat simply to swell the ranks of our organisation , and in the fulness of your moral power , proclaim and defend your independence . Now is the time for action . The whole world is on the more . Ever ? people , and nation , and tongue , are struggling to be free , and we must not be the last , not the least , to declare and vindicate our most cherished rights . Remember the knell of despotism and _tvrannv " has
already _ been sounded on the free soil of France . Its sound is deep , loud , and long . It has aroused the slumbering energies ot oppressed cations , broken the spell of slavery , and now _reveberates through Ibe hills and dales of British power , throuuh hearts and souls of British subject , and with a voice louder than ten _thousand thunder ? , commands us onward to liberty , or to cease onr operations , and die despised slaves , crushed by our own apathy , and forever ruined by a fatal indifference to our individual welfare , to our national honour and glory .
Remember , that if ever consummate freedom must be our lot , with all its concomitant advantages , it must be by hard moral contest , by persevering and indomitable courage . For this purpose , organise in one mighty combination , and no power will be able to retain you in bondage . The sovereign voice of the millions will compel capitalists to respect onr rights , and force government to concedo our political privileges . It is the popular will that has Jed to every great constitutional change in this country , and it has lost none of its powers now _.
We have still the light of public meeting * , ofthe free expression of opinion , and of combination . Let us use these privileges faithfully . If we neglect tho proper exercise of those Tights we now possess , what reason , have we to suppose that if . wo had more we should use them ? It ia by the judicious exercise of the power we now have , whereby we can prove to our adversaries that we are capable of using those they now withhold from us . But if we suffer a listless spirit to lull our dormant energies , while our common foes arc purloining our children's bread , then , _indeea \ wo prove ourselves to be utterly nnworthy of our indisputable rights , _undeserving of the name of Englishmen , and richly merit all the wrongs and Bufferings heartless tyrants can heap upon ns . But , frienda . we conjure you to use the power you new possess . Meat together . Organise I organise . ' organise ! and right will triumph over , might , and the new oppressed sons of toil will once more be the first _partakere of the firafc fruits of their own industry .
The Central _Cemmittee met on Monday and following days for transaction of general business ; a ? reat mass of correspondence haa heen received from all parts of the country , also the _followine : adhesions for the last few weekB . Oldham tailors , Norwich _bruahmakers , Stockport 9 pinners ( No . 2 ) , Falkirk _moulduts , Blackburn card-room _operatives , Brigg nailmakers , West Bromwioh miners , West End men ' s boot and shoemakers . The following reports have also come to hand ;—Mr Williamson reported having" waited upon the bricklayers of Lynn ( Norfolk ! to investigate a case of reduction
in wages . One of tho masters , it appears , had offered a reduction to his men of from two to three shillings per' week . The men applied to the Central Committee for their advice and interference . Mr Williamson was forthwith despatched to Lynn , and put himself into immediate communication with the master in question , who , at first , repudiated tho idea of a third party interfering between him aud his mec ; but Mr W . persevered to enforce the men ' s _olaims , which ultimately resulted in the withdrawal of reduction , and tbe men happily _continued on at their avocation , rejoicing that a power SO great was brought to bear on their behalf .
Oa the 14 th instant , [ a reduotion of wages was ° ? _SS . *<* a _, exacted from the mule spinners ot _Chickerjy _, near Dewsbury , without the slighest notice being given to them . But being members of ( he Association , tliey immediately communicated with the Central Committee , who appointed Mr Taylor , of Huddersfield , to investigate _, and if po 33 ible , adjust _thedispute ; and thb result has been , that pn Mr Taylor waiiing upon ibis employers and discussing the matter with them , they desired a short time to consider the question , and _promieed to give tho ' men , an . answer by four o ' clock in the _afternoon _^ they did so , and _honouraWv . withdrew hh & i _& dyciioji , " and ! . t _^ e- ' _' % n joyfully resumed thdir . wonted toil , *' . '; ' _•'¦; ., ¦• ¦ . •"• ¦" ' ' . - ' ,. ' . 'V , "'"' . *•' ¦ ' ¦ - ' "During MrToylor ' ndoy in _'CJiivJserty , ' * dispute
' Unton Fc-Rtl>E Minion,* Friends,-—Wo C...
arose between the weavers and their employers which dispute he also succeeded iu adjusting tothe entire satisfaction of the trade . Notice . —The March report can be had from the Central Committee , price one penny ; it can be sent post free , either singly , or in parcels to any part of the kingdom . We trust members will make nse of this privilege . The Central Committee deem it an important part of their duty , and a part they ara very much disposed to fulfil to tbe utmost of their power , to act as sentinels over tho generally acknowledged rights and privileges of the trades of England , whether such trades are correctly speaking members of our combination or not .
_Tbci-e are certain acts of parliament . which limit and define the extent to which trades in combination may proceed in defending themselves against the oppmion of capital . The act 6 George 4 , cap . ] 29 , is the most recent of these , and may bo said at the present tirre to contain all the essential features ofthe criminal law of England , as between labour and capita' . It is generally considered in England at this day , that this act fully recognises the undoubted right of any number of working men to unite and combine , by mutual consent , for the open and avowed object of raising their wages , and resisting a reduction ot wages , or any encroachments upon their local or trades usages or customs ; provided the means employed in the prosecution ot such objects is
unattended with violence , or threats of violence to individuals not being members of such combination oi ? society . This construction of the act was most distinctly laid down by Baron Rolfe , in _thecelebtatsdtrial at Liverpool in the _snmmer of last year , in tbe cased ? Potts y . _Selsby ; and the issue of that trial haa been looked on as a triumphant recognition by one of the first common law judges ofthe day , of the undoubted right of the worki ng classes to combine , to strike , to . raise money for the purpose of such strikes , with a view of resisting a reduction of , or raising theic _waffes _, of limiting or altering the hours of labour ; or , in fact , resisting any and every encroachment of theic employers upon them as workmen . Such is , or was supposed to bo the law , at least , according to the j judgment and commentaries of Mr Baron Rolfe . Bnt , i nehnld a _Recond Daniel has come to judgment , ani
Judge Colquhoun , Sheriff of Invernesshire , has overruled Judge Rolfe ' s decision , if he has not absolutely repealed in Mo the above recited act oi _parliament 0 George A , cap . 129 . Two trials have recently taken place in Scotland , before the Sheriff of Inverness , who in this court performs the somewhat _anomslousfunetionsofjudge ani jury . The victims in this easo being 6 ome unfortunate shoemakers of Inverness . The press of matter precludes us from giving a report of ihe trial , but the following extracts will place the thing m its true character before the trades of England : — Sheriff Colquhoun presided . The cases for the Crown were conduct * d by George Toun _? , Esq ., advocate-depute ( _rvho had come from Edinburgh _< _3 B purpose ) , nnd John Mackay , Esq , procurator-fiscal , Me . ssra Dallas and Simpson , solicitors , were agents for the accused .
FIRST IKlAh—INTIMIDATION OF _MABTERSi John Noble , ilobert Fletcher Macwhinnie , Alexander Munro _, and John Mackenzie , shoemakers , and John Mackenzie , boot-clo 3 er , were put to the bar , and the indictment against them read by tbe clerk * of the court . There were four separate charges against the prisoners . First with having , as _membsrs of 'Ths United Operative Boot and Shoemakers' Friendly Society of Inverness , 'on the 3 rd of November , molested or _obstructed the firm of Messrs _Dugald and John _Macqueen , boot and _shoemaken * , and dealers in ready-made hoots and shoes in Inverness , by threatening a _i-trike , or refusal of work , on the part of the aforesaid club , if tho Messrs Maoqueen did not dismiss a journeyman named
Alexander llo _^ e Poison , from their employment ; in consequence of which , John _Macqueenwas forced or induced to pay tbe sum of 53 , with a view to procure delay in thc execution ofthe threat . , Secondly , mth having , five days afterwards , caused the MesBrs Mac " queen to dismiss Alexander Roso Poison from , theie employment . Thirdly , by threatening & strike , oe refusal to work , as cobblers or menders for the said firm of Messrs Macqueen , if they did not discontinue impnrting ready made boots and shoes from London , Dublin , and Glasgow , or other _plrc & s , and afterwards having all the _kots and shoes for their business made in Inverness . Fourthly , with having , in like manner _* threatened Duncan Cameron , Inverness , by a strike , or refusal to work , if be did not also discontinue his
practice of importing ready-made boot 3 and shoes * * and having' all the boots and shoes for his said manufacture , trade , or _business , made or manufactured ic Inverness or the neighbourhood thereof , ' Mr Dallas , for the pannels ,. objected in bar of trial —( 1 . ) That they had not been competently summoned , in _lerms of the . _* 7 th section of tho statute . ( 2 . ) Thatthe _pannelshaving been apprehended undec the act upon the same charge , brought before ta & sheriff , and impiiaoned for an indefinite period , oe Sth December last , at the instance ofthe present _prosecutor , and the period ef three months , to which tho act restricts the punishment of the offence . ' barged , being expired , the defenders must be held to have already undergone the punishment ot the
! oflVnce , ( 3 . ) The statute confers no power on th © islien'ff to imprison before sentence , aud thecommos [ law jurisdiction of that magistrate is , by the decision ! ofthe _Hij-h Court , in the case of Knox v . Ramsay , 1 st July , 1837 . excluded . After referring to severs ! ol her authorities , and to the statute itself , in sup ' port ofthe _ebjectiens , he moved the court to dismiss the complaint simpUciter , These legal objections wero , of course , instantly overruled by Judge-sheriff Colquhoun . The prisoners , or ( as they are termed in the Scotoh law , ) the _pannela , severally pleaded rot guilty , when _MrDallasobjected to the relevancy ofthe complaint . The offence charged was contravention of tho 3 rd section of the statute 6 Geo . IV ., c . 129 , which is directed against - —— — — — o * -- " ¦ *** ¦" violence to the
person or property of another , and threats or intimidation , molestation or obstruction , for the purpose ot forcing any man . _Hfaetnrerto make an alteration in his mode of carrying on his trade . The _governing part of the clause being violence to the person or property , formed , as he thought , th © key to the meaning of threats or intimidation , and tho other terms _uted , meaning threats of violence Now , in the present case , no violence is alleged , not any threat of vHence , and no language calculated t @ intimidate is averred . In particular , theonly allegation being that the accused threatened , in a certain event , to refuse to werk , or rather that some other _perafcns , ovev whom it is hot said thai the _pannels had control , would _refasa to do so . . Here there was no active throat , but an intimation tbat , unless
certain demands wero complied with , the threateners , or rather others not named , would do what they hai obviously a perfect right to do . namely , refuse te work _; in other words , do nothing at all . He _submitted , with confidence , that the threat of refusal to work was not a threat in the meaning of the statute * oven if it had been averred that the parties were bound to work , and that their refusal would be a violation of some legal contract—it being clearly implied by the statute , and the ordinary meaning of the terns threat , that it must be something active , and not a passive threat . Alter seating other objections oi minor importance , he referred to several libels in similar _ca-jes in the Justiciary reports and other authorities to show the interpretation put upon the statute to be what he now contended f . r .
This _woil' 8 tated and very feasible objection having been _over-ruled with the same promptitude as the previous ones , the publio prosecutor proceeded witfe his evidence in support ofthe charge , _ which it is not necessary to report , as it was , as in soph cases _ifi usually is , the testimony of renegade and dishonoured members of the shoemakers' society . It referred chiefly to thc fact of a deputation ( two of the _prisouers ) having been sent to Messrs Macqueeij with respect to a man , by the name of Poison , ( a clicker ) , who , contrary to the rules of the trade , had been closing boots . The Messrs Macqueen refused to accede to the request of the men , wb , ich . { as was proved ) was only an arrangement , general in tha trade , and previously admitted and sanctioned by the
prosecutor himself . It was fully admitted that the deputation were perfectly civil and courteous in thai * proceedings , and that no threats or violence were used , nor any obstruction offered further than , that if they persisted in retaining Poison , in violation of the custom ot the trade , the msa would cease work ing for them . Now , there can bo no question that all this was quite lawful . Macqaoen had a perfect right to retain Poison if lie so pleased , and his men had anequal right to agree together and say to him' If you do so persist , we will no longer work for you ' This was the gist of the first part of the case . The second oharge was that they threatened to strike
if their _emplojeru continued to import into Inverness shoes and boots from Dublin , London , and Glasgow , to their injury . This charge is entirely false , as against tbo merii The facts being , that the men agreed that they would not mend and repair boots and shoos so imported , which we consider they alser were lawfully entitled to do . The younger _. Macqueen , at tho close of his cross-examination said , I was entitled to dispense wiih the _workmens' sMy ! flM when they returned a piece of work finished , and the workmen were entitled to refuse to work . No wore was returned to the shops unfinished in consequence of these proceedings . ' We conclude _our-reportiwitt Mr Dallas ' s excellent remarks in defence ot the
_priserson . _, „ . Mr Dallas addressed tbe Bench for the _pannels _. Nohle , Macwhinnie , nnd John _Mackeuslc _, shoemaker , ft would be _scarcely necessary for him to _Impiesaupoa the court the necessity of judgineof tbe case upon its o nn _rhtriis . What ho _chimed for his clients waa no m ore nor less than what was so eJpqueml y lauded by the - learned _connsol for the prosecution , namely , freedom 0 * aotlon and a right to dispose of their labour , tho poor man ' s only e _^ _ate and capital , upon their o _^ a t « ms . The ' result of gi 7 ing _rffsotto tliovtwa ot . thi learned counsel , In this case would be to _deprive _thj-k . operative shoemakers of Inverness of this right , cn _^ , _tui-ir freedom of action , With regard to . the _etpry' _^ E _^ the importation , or . the cobbling work , it was this , " _* L \ great hody of . journeymen shoemakers In th _. _ie-. _tasj _^ , _Se _^ i ponded chief !/ , if not entirely ! oa the making [ oi -bow '
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 8, 1848, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns4_08041848/page/7/
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