On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (14)
-
iBBEST OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR.
-
Northern Star Office, Thursday Evening, ...
-
Onward, and we conquer! Bsehward and we ...
-
Beifc therefore enacted, by the Queen's ...
-
.-, . . ' ^L?w x /^^W^ J i«L Wi AND NATI...
-
. VOL- XL No 547 ~ LONDON, SATURDAY, APR...
-
Halifax.—A district camp meeting will be...
-
TO THE ENGLISH PEOPLE. Thursday nigh M y...
-
HOUSE OF COMMONS. Thursdat, Aran. 13. NA...
-
iwMnaw>ii'i'iiriiiviii'»ffim'ii'i-'f-'fl...
-
ROUTE OP THE MISSIONARIES APPOINTED TO A...
-
ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL AS...
-
METKoroiirAN DuuiOiTB CouNClL, Apr i l :...
-
is ii S !! A\ ..'t'jj lv ' M \ I I ^N*v ...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Ibbest Of Feargus O'Connor.
iBBEST OF FEARGUS O'CONNOR .
Northern Star Office, Thursday Evening, ...
Northern Star Office , Thursday Evening , quarter past ten . Mr O'Connor has justbeen arrested upon he Speaker *' warrant , and taken off in stodv t 0 _& e _^ ouse ° _f Coramons .
_SECOND EDITION . Friday Morning . Our readers mil see , from our report of lie proceedings in the House of Commons , that Mr O'Connor was liberated , after mu- .
tual exp tanations between bimseJf and the Honourable Member for Cirencester ; and that the House exhibited much satisfaction at ( he manner in which the altercation was arranged .
Onward, And We Conquer! Bsehward And We ...
Onward , and we conquer ! _Bsehward and we fall ! -THE _FEOPIE' 3 _CHAPTER ASD KOSURREBDER
TO THB IMPERIAL CHARTISTS . _# y Fbiesds , jit Dear Emends , You will not expect me to attempt any description of my feelings forthe last ten days . It would he impossible—utterly and wholly impossible—to convey to you the faintest notion ofthe state of anxiety and excitement I have bsen in for that period ; working hard all day , eating _bufrlittle , and spending sleepless nights , but never once resorting to any artificial means to sustain me in the struggle . I declare to you
that my thoughts for tbe last ten days would constitute a life ' s history . It has never been my practice to denounce tbe ardent and enthusiastic too severely , while you and I have always been the great sufferers from tbeir intemperance and folly . I can make every allowance for new and exciting circumstances , producing new and excited feelings ; but while I am thus tolerant , I can in nowige consent that that wbich is dearer to me than life itself , should suffer damage , even from justifiahle excitement .
In health and appearance I am ten years older than I was ten days since , hut I am twenty years younger in hope , because , while folly has had its fling , prudence has had its triumph . And with so much of a preface , I shall now describe the reality of tbe past , and map out for you the future . When the announcement of our intention to hold a meeting on Kennington Common , and thereto form a procession to escort the National
Will to the Senate House , was made , tbat announcement was allowed to pass unnoticed by the _uovernment for many weeks , and , now that we have triumphed in our moral strength , I assert , without fear of contradiction , that that intention would never have been inter f ered with by the Government , but for the folly of some , the indiscretion ; of . some , and tbe treachery of some of those professing to belong to our ranks .
However , the effect of this folly , this indiscretion and treachery , was evidenced in the issuing of a proclamation forbidding both the meeting and the procession . You may rest assured that theappearance of this proclamation imposed many hours ef serious thought npon me ; and , after anxious deliberation , the conelusion to which I came was , that the _abandons ment of the meeting would be equivalent to the death of Chartism—that perseverance in the procession wonld hare been followed by the death of thousands and tbe prostration ofthe cause ; and I decided upon violating the law in defence of tbe Constitution and the cause of the people in the one case , and laughing brute force to scorn in tbe other .
Had we surrendered the meeting , we would have -had no channel through which to justify the abandonment of the procession ; but a meeting , out of which the procession was to he constituted , was the ' constitutional and legitimate tribunal to appeal to . We did so ; and to the honour , to the wisdom , and the prudence of that meeting , it not only consented to , but it approved and applauded , the policy . And so far from the boastings of the government ,
or the jeers of special constables , being able to eke a triumph out of oar prudence , _OUTj _* esolve sounds the death-knell of tyranny . Chartism—heretofore under a bushellaughed at hy the Press , and mocked in the House of dommons , now finds a place in every newspaper , and haunts every man ' s brain ; whereas , if ChartismZ had made a feeble resistance to an armed force , the principle would have been destroyed . .
The great , the mighty preparations made by a strong Government , will prove its terror and your strength while yonr principles—the justice of which no man can deny—are now being extensively discussed by thousands who had never previously heard of tbem , and tens of thousands who previously mocked them . What they say is , " I s thb the dead tMDg ? Is this-the contemptible principle _^ which so' affrig hts the isle from its propriety , ' and compels the peer to handle the policeman ' s bludgeon ? There must be something In this Chartism ; I will inquire and investigate . " Well , my
friends , that ' s all we want—inquiry and investigation , for our princip les will stand both ; and even up to this hour ( Thursday ) , I see tbe fruits of our victory in numerous letters of « Ki 2 _jatnlation , and numerous appeals from the middle classes to be allowed to join-Again , suppose that our ranks had been brought into collision with an- armed force on Monday ; and suppose I had escaped the vengeance of tyranny—which is not only doubtful hut improbable—how weak and contemptible I should be to-morrow night when I enforced the claims of MILLIONS '
It was extensively announced on Saturday , Sunday , and Monday , in newspapers and placards , that Feargus O'Connor had fled , and left his dupes to their fate . ; But I sat in the centre of the front seat , in the post of danger , and smiled as we passed through the reserve of pensioners , and the hody of foot and mounted police . And , my friends , my prudence did not fail me when I saw assembled upon Kennington Common such a sight as tbe human eye has seldom seen before . And now , in order to prove the truth of the estimate that I have formed of the _Prass , snd opinion , when Chartism _, is concerned _, and when the people are . to be
counted . I will give you a correct representation ofthe varying calculation as to our numbers upon that day . A member of the House of Cemmons , -sitting in the Library , assured me , with indignant passion , that he was on the Common * and that there were not 4 , 1500 people . Sir De Lacy Evans—a military man—asserted , upon the authority ofa brother officer—that there were , not more than 35 , 000 . Some of tbe newspapers set us down at 8 , 000 , some at 10 , 000 , some at 15 , 000 , some at 20 , 000 , and . ; ene—the Morning- Post—at
150 , 000 ; and the Evening Sun—mark , the first paper to give the account upon the same day , and not influenced by tbe Government , the fears ef old women , or the speculations of the Stock Exchange—also states tbe numbers at 150 , 000—as a matter of course , each assuring its readers that there was a large reserve O ? the idle , curious , and flanked b y companies of boys and children ; but . you know the form ofthe " ready reckoner' that I have published for the solution of such questionsit is , to add the several _numbers g iven by the several papers , make a total of them , double it , and then vou will be near the mark .
2 v ow I think that experience enables me-to make a better guess in such cases than the Penny-a-liner , and my estimate of . our numbers on Monday is rather under than over 41 ) 0 , 000 ; and I tell you how I arrive at a con-
Onward, And We Conquer! Bsehward And We ...
clusion—I carry in my eye a building which will hold a certain number , and I estimate the number of times that the number of persons would fill tbe building ; and I assert , without fear of contradiction , that the numbers present on Monday would have fortv times filled a building capable of holding 10 , 000 , However , be the numbers what tbey may , tbe conclusion tbat you are to draw jis , that
the Tress , being the mouth-piece of a faction , has an interest in proclaiming your weakness . However , thank Orod , they have been baulked of the delicious repast of counting the slain . So much for the meeting , whose obedience , whose prudence , and whose courage has repaid me for a long life of agitation—of persecution - _^• and of suffering . And now to the consideration of a still more important questionthe question of
THE ILLUSTRATED WHIG TREASON ACT . That is the title I have given to the Government gagging Bill in the House of Commons , and _^ as _Instated there I repeat here— " It is treason against the Crown , treason against the Constitution , and treason against the People . " Itis - - "
» A BASE , BLOODY , AND BRUTAL BILL " —A Bill which , if _passed _inte law , will assuredly create a revolution in this country—a Bill which tbe proud minister expected to he law on Tuesday , but which does not yet disgrace the statute book . Men of England , if the power of man can do it , I will scotch the monster until you have the power of proclaiming your horror , and evincing your constitutional opposition ;—and its opponents are not few in the House of Commons-Fox of Oldham , Thompson ofthe Tower Hamlets , Osborne of Middlesex , Crawford of
Rochdale , and several constitutional lawyers , are in the ranks of the Opposition ; and if the Irish members , _calling themselves liberal , presented a steady front , it never would be thelaw ofthe land . The effect of this Bill , if passed , will be to transport every man who speaks his mind " openly and advisedly , " or prints his opinions if the Government can procure , within three days , a treasonable conspiracy er plot through hired spies and informer _& in one case , or if a Jury should ccme to the conclusion that the object of such speaker or writer was to lead to such an overt act , in the other case .
Men of England , this comes f rom the "base , bloody , and brutal Whigs , " whose boast it is , tbat the constitution is BASED UPON THE BLOOD OF THEIR ANCESTORS , . and these are tbe Reformers for whom your brothers burned and suffered death in 1832 . If this bill is passed , there is an end to the constitution of this country , and whether it passes or not , and however I may be mocked f or my presumption and folly , it is my firm resolve to move the impeachment of Ministers for their treason to the Crown and the People .
For God ' s sake , Englishmen , do not he foolish , and say that you will not petition against this Bill , when I tell you that , by _soloing , you disarm your friends and arm your enemies . Petition by day and by night , and send your petitions to different Liberal members , so tbat ah may be armed with popular power . Humble as I am , you see how my prophecy has been realised , that , from my place in Par *
liament , I would he able to give circulation to your opinions , your principles , and your _strength , which I never would be able to do out of the House ; and if by niy poor exertions , backed by your confidence , I have been enabled thus to circulate those princip les , will you nob now preserve every channel and , valve through which the national strength is conveyed to a national representative .
My friends , Monday has heen such a triumph as has struck terror to the hearts ofthe enemy . Do not weaken it b y inactivity—do not sully it by folly . And when you hear speakers telling an unarmed people to rush upon danger and to death , tell them tbat it is my intention to secure a great moral , a great social , and political triumph for all , and that , upon the banquet day , not one of Nature ' s children shall be missed from Nature ' s feast .
Let me exhaust my energy , my means , and perseverance ; and your patience and confidence , before you abandon the exalted position you now hoUL I know how hard it is to offer placid counsel to starving men , but I know , if you use the Easter recess with judgment , the battle , after that period , will commence with an opposition arrayed against the Government , to whose will it must bend and yield . ¦
There are now materials , ample materials , in the House of Commons , if properly disciplined , to hurl the despotic Minister from power , and to proclaim the National Will . If Young and Old Ireland would surrender their personal jealousies and feelings , and unite , as one man , to fight their country ' s cause , and if the Li beral section of English-Members would join with them , we have ample materials to fight the battle of Freedom in tbe House of
Commons , and such a course is now about to be adopted . My f riends , as I will not he accountable for any man s speaking , or for any man ' s writing , but my own , I now announce to you that again I assume the office of Editor of the Northern Star , and tbat , disregarding the mystery of the _Press-gang , ever _^ word written by myself , shall bear my own signature . . ' This is a safe precaution ; this is the manl y course ; so that I will suffer for none , and none shall suffer lor me . I shall now confine my agitation to the walls of the House of Commons , as no constitution could hear what I have been in the
habit of imposing upon mine , and I entertain the vain impression that you do not want to lose me yet . Next week I shall draw your attention to the means by which the present system may be upset , and the present Ministers burled f rom office , in one week after Easter . And , having hitherto followed my counsels , and honoured me with your confidence , I am prepared to say , that you have no right to expect me to join in your rashness if you refuse to adopt measures which , hy a peaceful and resolute demonstration of your will , maybe effected without violence or bloodshed . But , come
what will , though death should be my portion your admirable discipline on Monday has can vinced me that your eause is worth living for and worth d ying for , On Saturday next you shall have the developement ef my whole plan . Ever your faithful Friend and Representative , Feargus _O'CoukoR .
Beifc Therefore Enacted, By The Queen's ...
_t _egv _^^^ . - - - _.-, . . ' _^ L _? _w x _sZ _^ . J _^ 1 ) % _/^^ W _^ J * _"t _*^/^ u i _« L Wi
.-, . . ' ^L?W X /^^W^ J I«L Wi And Nati...
AND NATIONAL TRADES' . JOURNAL ,
. Vol- Xl No 547 ~ London, Saturday, Apr...
VOL- XL No 547 ~ LONDON , SATURDAY , APRIL 15 , 1848 . Pivc _. _i _^ _JSSS _^ _'W-• ¦ _.- " . — _. — -=
Halifax.—A District Camp Meeting Will Be...
Halifax . —A district camp meeting will be held on Swilling Top Hill , near _Bradshaw-l & ne , on Sunday , April 26 > b , at one o ' clock in the afternoon . Delegates from all parts of the district are requested to meet in the Association Room , Bradsbaw-lane , at e . _' eren o ' cloek in the forenoon , when business of great importance will be brought before the delegates . N . B . _—Speakcrs from Bradford , _Keighley , Halifax , and other places , are expected to address the camp meeting . ' ' . A Meeiiko of the committee for the Frost Demon stration at Westminster Temperance Hall , _wiitake place on Wednesday evening , at eight O ' _clock , atthe _Bsellive , Castle Lane , Pimlico , for _aseMeincht of accounts with Mr Wheeler .
' Sheffield—A magnificent _Cbartis tcamp meeting rrill be held on Attercliffe Common , on Sunday , ApriI 16 ta , at two o'clock in th e afternoon . The Chartists of tha undermentioned places are _requited ' to attend . —She & eld , Attercliffe . _it-Jther ham , Masbro , Darnall , Greashro , Eclesfield , Woodboat * . Thorpe , Hekley , and _Handsworlbt
To The English People. Thursday Nigh M Y...
TO THE ENGLISH PEOPLE . Thursday nigh M y Friends , I now sit down to put yon in possession of what has transpired on tins ( Thursday ) evening _^ in the House of Commons , and I cannot do so more simp ly and plainl y , than by giving you the following report of the proceedings from the " SUNj" which , though very incorrect , will give you some notion of the tone and temper of your deliberate assembly . When Mr Cripps had closed his insolent and audacious statement , and when I had - replied , Heft the House , and sent my friend , Mr Jones , there , with tbe following letter
—Osborne ' s Hotel , Adelphi , Thursday evening . Sir . —My friend , Mr Jones , will hand you this letter—he has my authority for acting on my behalf . Tour obedient _serranfc , Feargus O'Connor . Mr Jones repaired to tbe House , and sent in his card twice to Mr Cripps , and received as an answer— " That the hon . member could not leave the House * " It is but justice , to Mr Cripps to say , that he was under a p ledge not to do so . I am now writing ADVISEDLY and temperately , and I assure you that such a brutal howl was never heard as that with which I was
assailed when I rose to defend your petition from its assailants . However , a most dreadful onslaught has been made upon vou , and I had not ONE SINGLE SUPPORTER in the House , but 1 HAVE YOU ; and new for the result . I have resolved upon not submitting your Petition , or your claims , to the House on Friday ( to-morrow ) , and for this simple reason , _because by this course I best serve
your interests . I have " heen charged with falsehood by a Member of the House . I shall be with my Constituents on Easter Monday , and they shall judge between us ; and the Aristocracy of this country will learn , meantime , whether constitutional liberty has lost or gained by the base attempt to insult YOUR REPRESENTATIVE . Englishmen , I now leave MY CREDIT and YOUR CAUSE in vour
hands . If I have been uilty of _falsehood or deception , I am unworthy of your confidence ; if I have been insulted as your representative , I have taken the course which honour suggested to defend myself , and the country will acquit me and defend me . I have not obeyed the order of tbe House to attend , because the House violated its duty , and so did the Speaker , in tolerating language which , if used to any other membec would have been scouted . Yours faithfully , Feargus O'Connok .
House Of Commons. Thursdat, Aran. 13. Na...
HOUSE OF COMMONS . Thursdat , Aran . 13 . NATIONAL PETITION . Mr Thohklkt brought up the report of the Committee on Public Petitions , which Btated tbat npon tbe 26 th of November la » t a committee was appointed to report to the house the number of signatures attached to all petitions presented to that house , and that they had felt it their duty to make a special report to the hoHse open tbe subject of the National Petition , presented on tbe 10 th of April , by the hon . member for Nottingham , signed by subjects of tbe British crown . The committee attached the utmost value tothe rightofpetit'oning and to tbe
_exercise of that most important privilege by the subjects of this realm , and felt deeply the necessity of preserving the due exercise of Boch privilege from abuse , and having also a due _regwd to the importance of a petition so very numerously signed , had made that petition the subject of their present report . _IThey felt bound , in the discharge of their duty , to represent to tho house that with respect to that petition there had been a gross abase of that privilege . ( Hear , hear . ) Tbe hon . member for Nottingham , upon presenting the petition , had stated that the petition was signed by 5 , 706 . 000 persons . Upon the most careful examination of the number of
signatures in tha committee , with the assistance of thirteen law stationers * clerks , who acted under the superintendence of tho various clerkB of the committees , the number of signatures attached to tbe petition does not , in tbe opinion of the ' committee , exceed 1 , 975 496 . —( Hear . ) It is farther found , that a large number ofthe eignatures were consecutively written by the same hand . It was _alae observed that a large number of the signatures were those of persons who could nit be supposed to have concurred in its prayer ; among those were tbe name of her Majesty , signed Victoria Rex , the Duke of Welliogtn ., Sir Robert Peel , & c , & c . There was _also noticed & large number of names which were evidently fictitious , such as * _Pugnose , ' ' Longnose , ' Platnoie , ' Punch , _'« Snooks / * Fubbs / and also numerous obscene names , which the committee would net _offi-Hd the house or its dignity by repeating , but which evidently belonged to no human _baing .
( Hear , hear . ) Upon the motion that the report do lie upon the tsble , Mr F . O _' CosNOa said , that it would be quite impossible for any _thiitsen clerks to count , from the time the petition waa printed , even 1 . 900 , 000 signatures , and he should therefore move for Che appointment ofa committee to _inquire into the subject . There waa an old saying , * that those who hid knew where to Snd , ' and he believed that if such abuses did exist , it no doubt waa the act oi some of tbe government _spie 3 .-- ( 0 h , oh . ) lie fully believed that the number of _signatures he had represented the petition to contain was correct . He would apply another test to the petition . The petition was
contained iu four or five large bandies , ana it took himself , assisted by four other persons , to lift the largest of the bundles . ( Oh , oh . _) _^ He did not believe be should have any difficulty in obtaining & petition upon the same subject signed by 15 , 000 , 000 , or double or treble that number . _MpThorxibt _sdid that the petition was treated with all the respect which was due to one so numerously signed , and if he might take the liberty to speak , of au individual so humble aa himself , he would _statejthat there were _pointe referred to in tbat petition with which he cordially agreed , the vote by ballot , for instance . But the house would probably remember what tbe hon . member was not awnra of , that the committee of wbich he had the honour to be the chairmau , was appointed in the early part of the session , and entrusted to report to the house the number of signatures to each and every petition _aaat
presented . It had been necessary to can in - tionalaid in order to ascertain the number of signatures to the petition . He believed that that number had been ascertained with perfect certainty . ( Cheers . ) Tbe hon . member had referred to tbe weight ofthe petition as a proof of the _correctness of his statement of the number of signatures to it . That petition had been _weighed this morning , and it had been found tbat the whole of it together weighed 6 " _2 cwt . The committee was , he truBted , too well know * to render any further statements . upon the subject necessary . They considered that they were only acting in conformity with their duty in laying the statement with respect to the petition before thehoaee . ( Cheers . ) " Lord J . Russell said , that he gave full and entire credit to the report ofV the committee upon the subject , and considered that it waa entitled to tha "fullest credence . ( Uear , hear . )
The Earl of _Attvsnuh and _Sbrrbt said , that among the many falsehoods that bad been stated with respect to tbe meeting on Kenninf . ton Common on Monday last , tha greatest of all he believed tobe the proclamation that had been issued by the Convention , stating that a glorious demonstration had taken place , and thata quarter of a million had as . _sembled on Kennington Common , fle was notthere himself , but hehad bees informed by the 3 o who were ttut there were not 25 . 000 persons there . He believed ¦ hit that was an over-statement , and that there were not more than 15 , 000 person there . ( Hear , hear- ) Now , be would ash , was it to ba supposed that the country would ba deceived by a jset of men such as formed the Convention , when they dared lo tell them such a falsehood ? In his opinion , men who . wouldso : act wera the greateat enemies of the people , traitors to their country and their Queen , and rebels to their God . ( Hear . )
i Mr Maurice O'Con . nell denied that the Irish Repealers had taken any part in tho demonstration that had taken place on Kennington Common . ¦ Sir R . II , _Iiceus believed that such an exposure as had now been made , not only of gross
House Of Commons. Thursdat, Aran. 13. Na...
_exjjggeratipa of tbe numbers , but of the character of feho "parties signing the petition wmld at ones- convince the Legislature how little faith _itcotrldpidcejn such a petition . ( Hear , hear . ) It was ' _$ e $ vfrom . aH' that had been stated , that the P _^ _itidn or which so much had been said , w . vt not _worththersapsr on whioh it waa written . ( Hear . ) _Ho'lhsagbi those who had so grossly _exaggerated their _Btstementa with respect to the petition were the _w f _£ _^ C 6 f the right of petitioning . ( Hear . ) ne should not move any resolution on the subject , but he would _eabmit whether , as a means of ensuring the _yalufrcf petitions Bome plana should not be adopted
8 , _™ _V to that which © sisted some years ago , of adding to-tfeo names , tho residences and occupation ° \ _those _sigrjing- . tha' petition . ( OrieB of ' Hsar . ' ) He trusted _taas fas government would state , either to-night or t _^ mairQw , v _» _hat course they _intended to adopt , in _ordajfto put a Btop to such demonstrations as they were threatened with on Monday last —( hear , hear )—in order tbat they might not occur again , and he hoped also that ministers would do something for thoso who had so spontaneously come forward in support of the government and the peace of the country .
Mr _Cnippis said , after what bad fallen from the honourable gentleman the member for Nottingham , and the reflections he had easton the committee , he felt it to be his duty to get up aud confirm what had already been stated by his honourable friend opposite . ( Hear , hear . ) When the honourable gentleman made the audacious statement that this petition was signed by oWOtJ _. _OOO personS- _^ _derisiveeheeTs _^ h _^ wetitfroin hia place to examine the petition and compare it with tha population returns . ( Hear , bear . ) Ho , was not aware then that it was signed by women , but he bad sines ascertained that out of every 10 000 signatures that were attached to the petition 8 , 200 wero thoseof _wamen . ( Cheers and laughter . ) He did not Wish to thrown obloquy and ridicule upon the petition itself , but he did wish , to ridicule , and cast obloquy and derision upon the hon . gentleman who bad made these monster statements . ( Cheers . ) Mr O'Connor rose to order .
The Speaker said , if tbe hon . gentleman wished ta make any explanation upon bis personal conduct , he must wait till the hon . gentleman in possession of the chair had resumed his seat . ( Cheers . ) Mr Cbipps proceeded to remark that the statements of iho bon . member were unworthy ol ere deuce , and he hoped the poor people whom he had so shamefully deluded would now see , in its proper light , the character of the man they had dealt with _, ( lleari hear , ) Were the _8 e things te- be tolerated while parties who he could not say wera immediately connected with the hon . gentleman —( cheers )—but who availed themselves of the opportunities he placed in their way to ruin honest tradesmen at such places
as Camberwell . _^ ( Loud cheers . ) This petition teemed with wickedness and obscenity , and there were words affixed to' it that the lowest strumpet in tha streets would ba aahamed of . ( Hear . ) Upon one of the sheets were written the word ' we could get paid for no more , ' and had he been aware ofthe nature ef tbe signatures tbat were attached to it , be would have objected to tbe petition being received at the time it was presented . What is it to get 5 , 000 , 000 petitioners' names ? They could get any number , definite or _indefinite , if they chose to adopt such a course . He hoped the houso would not cast such a censure upon the Committee of Petitions as to appoint another Committee to inquire into the subject .
Mr F . O'Connor said : Sir , I have three distinct duties to perform—one to the house , one to the Petition Commit'ee , and one to myself . To the first , I reply , tbat it woa'd be impossible for me , or for any ether man , to he answerable for every signature to bo voluminous a petition ; that I have palmed no falsehood upon the house , nor do I believe the _assertions of the hon . member for Cirencester ; to the Committee I _reply , that I never once charged them with any attempt to practice a deception , but that 1 did _state the impossibility of the number of clerk ? , said to be employed , counting the signatures within the time specified . I have now , sir , without being under tbe influence of that . excitement under which the hon . member , laboured , discharged my duty to the house and to the Committee . Mr O'Connor then left the houso .
Mr Absl Smith said thathe was present on Ken nington Common en Monday _.-from first to last , and * he _ could state most _positively / that never was thw « at any time within the common more than Sheen thousand persons . The whole area of the common could not possibly contain more than ninety thousand persons ; ytt the _honourable member for Nottingham bad himself stated in the house that there waa not less than half a million persona present . Colonel _Sibthorp said that as it had been said that bis name was attached to the monstrous petition , he _begged most emphatically to deny tbat he had ever signed the petition , or consented to have his name placed there . He would not so for have disgraced his family by acting in such a manner .
Mr Hums thought that the hon . member for Cirencester bail taken a very improper course in tha remarks he had made on tha BUhjeet of the petition . He thought that the dignity of tha house would have been much better preserved if notice had been given of bringing the subject properly before the house . He expressed his deep regret that any honourable member should have made use of anything like irritating language . He believed that it was the rale of the house that every honourable member should be responsible for the petitions which he might present , and that every party who attempted to impose in such a manner upon the house ought to bo punished .
Mr R . Yobub differed from the honourable member for Montrose . He thought the eause o { truth waa under great obligation to the member for Cirencester _, ( llear , hear . ) It was true he had used strong langWsi ? e , hut he thought he was justified in doing 80 . ( Hear , bear . ) He had made statements ! wiih respect to the honourable member for Nottingham , which he had ot course denied . Lord _CASTLEnuAGH rose to order ; he thought that assertion ought not to be mad * , with respect to the statements of honourable memh-rs , when 'hey were not present . There might be many persons who had a different notion of honour to himself in that house , but he should think himself unworthy of a seat in it if he brought charges and made statements against an lion , member when he was not present .
Mr R . _Yohkb said that the hoaourable memberfor Nottingham ' s absence was his own fault . ( Hear _, hear . ) He had asserted , and he would assert again , that the statement made by the hon . member for Cirencester was correct . ( Hear . ) Mr B , Cochkahb wished ta Unow from the noble lord at the head ot the govemment whether he thought , after the discussion that had taken place that evening , it would be right or just to waste the whole of the evening to-morrow in _dLcussing thc question of the Charter . ( Hear . ) Lord J . Roa 3 ELL observed , that having stated some
days ago that it would be impossible to give Monday up for the consideration ofthe Chartist petition , and having proposed that its c nsideration should be proceeded with on Friday , he certainly could not consider himself at liberty to depart from tbat arrangement . ( H < -ar . ) . Mr C . _LoauiHaTON observed that the hon . member for Nottingham had stated that he had two points to explain , one of which he had explained there , and the other he said he should explain iu another place . ( Hear . ) Now , his _ooubt wa 3 , whether the hon . member , in his explanation in another place , would not put a wrong construction upon what had taken place in that house that night .
Mr _DisuABii thought it would be exceedingly ridiculous if they had , as appeared likely to be the case , a morn _BMloun _meeting ia that house than had taken place on _Xeaomgren Common . ( Bear , bear . ) He tkought that it the hon . gentleman made a statement grossly incorrect , and calculated to do _misohlef , it waa tho duty of hen . gentlemen to _bring it under tbe con slderaiion of the house calml y and deliberately . ( Hear . ) Tbe hon , _member for Cirencester was entitled to pruise for the Huai ho had displayed ia _atfotding the house information upoa lUe _suVJtcUf . tbis petition , but _eiill he had indulged ia exceeding warm and _unuBual language , and he therefore trusted the Speaker would interpose bis authority to prtvent the occurrence of unpleasant events . ( Hear , hear . )
Sir G . _Gbbi would bo sorry , because St would he ridiculous , if this debato led to a personal conflict between the two hon , members ; bat really he had heard nothing to'lead bim to that _conclu _.-ion , except It was that the hon . member for Cirencester had spoken ' Vrhh a good deal of warmth . ( Hear . ) ' . l £ r . It . _PilMEE £ i 8 tlnct ! y neard . the bon . member fer Nottingham state that there were three thingafor him to explain , two of _( _rbieh he should take _notice of there , and the other he _should leave for another place . ( Hear . ) Lord J . _ItossELi , said , under th ' is . o circumstances he should moro that ibe hon . memberfor Nottingham ba taken into custody forthwith .
The S ? E _* K _* Eain calling upoa the hon . member for Cirenee 6 ter fo _givdhim an _as _^ rance that ho would not report to ulterior measures la this matter , took occasion to poiat out the absolute necessity of bon . nibmberB being guarded in the _statements they made to tbe home , particularly so far as related to their accuracy . ( Hear , hear . ' Mr _CRirrs would readily give the required assurance , but at the _sarr . e time be begged to be understood tbat Le was sincere iu what he itated ,
House Of Commons. Thursdat, Aran. 13. Na...
After a fow _wurdB from Lord _Castm-breach , Sir Ss Lact Evans said , tbat he did not iu the loast degree feel surprisod at the feelings of tho hoa . member , who was a member of tho committee . Bathe trusted that the hon , _member would at _onco get up in hie place , and regret that ho bad used language which had given offimae te any hon . member . Mr Crtrrpa said , that he certainly deeply regretted hav . Ing made use of any language which might bo considered unparliamentary . Tbe _CHAwcEtioB of the _ExcHEQusa suggested tbat some restraint should be put upon tho hon , member for Cirencester , in order to _prevent his leaving tho house in his present excited state . The motion waa then agreed to , that Mr F , O'Connor be requested to attend in his place forthwith . MR . F . O'CONNOR—SERVING THE NOTICE . The Serj 2 imt-at-Arms _advanced to the table and mtima'ed thai the _orier to attend the _houaa had been served on the hon . member for Nottingham ( lir _F . O'Connor . ) ' _
The messenger -who served the notice waa then called to the bar , and In reply to questions , Stated that he served the notlo upon the _feon , member personally , at the ofice of the Nobthebh Stab , at twenty minutes before seven o ' clock . Did be make any answer ?—He asked me what the _conscqaenccs _troald he if he did not attend . ¦ I told him I did not know . Thu messenger having with drawn , ¦ Sir G . Gbet said—I consider it my duty , in _conaequsDOe of tha statement just made by iho _jueBeenger of ? thW : fidnBB , to-move _. -ta accordance with the _inratlablo practice of this house , when one of its _raembora has an order served upon him _'inquiring his attendance foith ° with , and declines to comply , that _Feargas O'Connor , _B-q ., the member for Nottingham , having been ordered to attend forthwith ia bts . place , snd having neglected do so , he be taken into the custody of too Sergeant at Arms .
ME . FEARGUS O'CONNOR IN CUSTODY . The Sergeint-at-Arms ( Lord Charles Russell ) here approached the Speaker , and announced that _ffetrfgUB O'Connor , Esq , _ttbs now in custody _. Sir Q . Gbe ? moved thst Fear-jus O'Connor , Biq . be discharged out of custody of tho _Sergeant-at-Arms , in Order that he might attend in his place in the house forthwith . The motion was put and agreed to , and in a few seeonds Mr O'Connor entered the house _. The Speaseb _, then addressing Mr O'Connor said—I am given to understand that an _expression fell from yoa before you left the house thin evening , which I , unfortunately , did not hear , or I should then have noticed it which h _* 4 led the house to suppose that you intended to take _h- * stile steps against a member ef _, this house ia consequence of words spoken hy him ; end I hope that yon _ivill now assure tbe bouse . that such was not your intention . During your _abaene ? the bon ; member for
Cirencester has expressed his regret tbat any _expreesi -n should have fallen from him at all unparliamentary ; but as you were not here at the time , I think it only due to you to call upon the hoa . member for Cirencester to repeat what he has said in your presence . ( Hear , bear . ) _MrOaiPPs had no hesitation in complying nith tbe request of the Speaker , and acknowledging that he had spoken with warmth . When be beard the conduct of the committee impugned , and the report said to be capable of contradiction , In so extraordinary a manner , by the Hon , Member for Nottingham , he had certainly been canied away by his indignation . If—said tbe Hon . Member for Cirencester—If I exceeded , in any respect , the lias which , as a member ot Parliament , I ought to observe , in any thing I said , I deeply regret it , as it is the first time in the coureo of my life that I have been betnyed into such a difficulty , or tbat a single ¦ word 1 have said haa Often In any _wey called into ques _. tion os to its gentlemanly bearing ( He _» r , hear . )
Mr O'Cosnob observed that he had said , before ho left the _hous-, that he had three duties to perform—one towards the house , one towards tho committee , aad one towards himself . As _regarded the house , he said he hoped it would not he believed that ho was a party to any attempt at delusion ; as to the committee , so far from casting any reflection upon it , he had expressly stated , as plainly as a man could speak , that there was no reflection whatever could he cast vtpon it ; and , without further observation , he then left the house . In that house , in times past , he had witnessed some temuestuons scenes , and out of that house he had led a life Hkely to lead him into collisions ivith others ; but never in that house hnd he uttered a word whieh reflected upon the private personal character of any _member—( cheersl—and if his character were so impugned , he should not , he considered be worthy to hold a seat iii that house if he did not
m some way resent it . But now his honour was satisfied , the hon . gentleman having said that , if he had used words unbecoming for one gentleman to use towards another , he regretted it . He w is not capable of foster _, ing any resentment , or of allowing an ill feeling of any kind to rankle in his breast . ( Cheers . ) Ho had now to perform a higher duty to himself , and to the persons who hail signed that petition . After what had taken place that night , he should abandon tho motion of which lie had given nstioe for the morrow . ( ' Loud cries of hear , hear . ') He would leave the merits of the petition between the government and the country , and between the government and those who had signed it , but he would state one thing fairly , freely , and frankly , that , however it might be said to be the duty of a member of that house to scrutinise every petition lie presented , it was utterly impossible in aU cases to perform that duty .
It would have been morally and physically impossible for him ( Ar O'Connor ) to have seen all lh 6 _siguatureS'tO'thC petition presented on Monday , so as to be answerable ior them to the house . He ceuld not , therefore , possibly have averted what had happened . With respvet to the hon . member for Cirencester , he was glad that he ( Sir O'Connor ) had not been led away in a similar manner by the excitement ol the moment . _IhehoiLmembarhadnow performed his duty as a gentleman and as a member of Parliament ; and he would , therefore , cheerfuUy repeat that tho hon . member was in an error when he supposed that there had been _anyintentien on his ( Mr O'Cennor ' s _) part to cast any imputation on the committee . Thehon . member concluded by expressing hi- ; hope that what had occurred would place the intercourse of hon . members on abetter and more gentlemanly basis . ( Loudeheers . ) The _conversation respecting 1 this afiair then Ceased .
The adjourned debate in committee , on the Crown and Government Security Bill , was fixed for Friday , at twelve o'clock . Mr Faqab' 8 motion for a committee of the whole house for Tuesday nest , on the subject of ministers ' money in Irrland , was , after a debate , rejected by a majority of 7 * , the uumbars 149 to 73 . After some other business had been gone through the house adjourned .
Iwmnaw>Ii'i'Iiriiiviii'»Ffim'ii'i-'F-'Fl...
_iwMnaw > _ii ' _i'iiriiiviii' » _ffim'ii'i- 'f- 'fl ifiia SECURITY OF THE CROWN . A BILL FOR THE BETTER SECURITY OF THE . CROWN AND GOVERNMENT OP THE UNITED KINGDOM . ( Note , —The words printed in italics are proposed to be inserted is tbe Committee , } Whereas by an act of the parliament of Great Britain passed in the thirty -sixth year ofthe reign ot his late majesty King George III ., intituled , 'An Act for the Safety and Preservation of hie Majesty ' s Person and Government against treasonable and seditions Practices and Attempts , ' it was atnocg other things enacted , ' That if any person or persons whatsoever , after the day of the _passing of that act , during the natural life of hia said Majesty , _ind until the end of the next session of Parliament after
tho demise of the Crown , should , within the realm or without , compass , imagine , invent , devise , or intend death or destruction , or any bodily barm tendin ? to death or destruction , maim or wounding , imprisonment or restraint of the person of his said Majesty , his heirs or _auozessora , or to deprive or depose him or them from the style , honour , or kingly name of the _Imperial Crown of this realm , or of any other of his said Majesty ' s dominions or countries , or to levy war against his said Majesty , hia heirs avid successors , within this reals ] , in order by force or constraint to compel him or them to change his or their _measures or conncilfl , or in order to put any force or constraint upon , or to intimidate or overawe both houses or either House of Parliament , er to
move or stir any foreigner or stranger with force to invade this realm or any other : of hia said Majesty ' s dominions or countries under tbe obeisance of bin said _Majesty , his heirs and successors , and such com _passings , imaginations , inventions , devices , or intentions or any of tbem should express , utter or declare , by publishing any printing or writing , or by any overt act © r deed , being legally _convioted thereof , upon tbe oaths of two lawful and credible _witnesses upon trial or otherwise convicted or attained by due course of law , then every such person or persons so as aforesaid offending should be deemed , declared , and adjudged to be a traitor and traitors , and . ebadld softer pains of death , and also lose and forfeit aa in cases of high treason .
And whereas by an Act of Parliament past in tbe 57 th year of tha same reign , intituled , ' An act to make perpetual certain parts of an act of tho 36 th year of his _presoBt-Msgestj ' _a person and government against treasonable aad seditious practices and attempts , and for the safety and preservation of the person-of his Itoyal Highness the Prince Regent against treasonable practices and attempts , ' all the hereinboforcreoited provisions of the said act cf the 3 Q ± year of his said Majesty ' s reign which relate to the heirs and successors of hia said Majesty , tho sovereign of those roalms , were made perpetual . And whereas doubts are entertained _whether the provisions _so-raade perpetual were by tho last-recited act extended to Ireland .
And whereas it is expedient to repeal all auch _provirions made perpetual by _tbeJast-recited act , as do not relate to offences against . the person oftbe sovereign , and to enact other provisions instead thoreof , _applicable to all parts of tbe United kingdom , and to extend-to Ireland such of the _proviflionB of the _Bai acta as are not hereby repealed _.
Iwmnaw>Ii'i'Iiriiiviii'»Ffim'ii'i-'F-'Fl...
Beifc therefore enacted , by the Queen's most _^ Excellent Majesty , by and with the advice andI _consenfcof tbe Lorda spiritual and temporal , and Com . raons , in thia present parliament assembled , and by the authority of the same , that from and after the passing of this act , the provisions of the said act of the 3 < 3 ch year of tha reign of Kine George III ., made pc ? potuafby the said act ofthe « Uu « u of be samereign , _eave such of the same as relate to . the _comnnss . w . \ mMin . t . e . invent Dff . devising , or intending _passingimsg _/ ninf ? inventingu » " _- " » bp »¦ ¦ -y _.-Beit therefore enacted , by the Queen's _raosfe _^ Excellent Majesty , by and with the advice and con- _sentof the Lords spiritual and temporal , and Com .
, , , death or destruction , or any bodily barm tendng to death or destruction , maim or wounding , im P f ; mentor restraint , of the person oftbe heirs ana ajipces'ore of _hissaid Majesty King George in ., ana Efie expressing , uttering , or declaring of sucfl _comllafags , imaginations , inventions , devices , ov _intan-§ f % y > r any of them , shall be and the same are _herebMepealed . And be it declared and enacted , That such o tha Baid recited _proviaions made perpetual by the said act oflthe 6 ? th year of tho reign of King George the
Third as are not hereby repealed , shall extend to * and ba in farce in that part ofthe United Kingdom called Ireland . And be it enacted " , That if any person or persona _whatsoever after the day of tbe passing of this act shall , within the realm or without , compass , imagine , invent , devise , or intend to deprive or depose our most gracious lady the Queen , her heirs and _succwsors , from tbe style , honour , or royal name ofthe Im « perial Crown of this realm , or of any other of her Majesty ' s dominions and countries , or to levy war _againsft her Majesty , her heirs and _successors , within any part of the United Kingdom , in order by force ot
_oonstraint to compel her or them to change her or their measures or counsels , or in order to put any force or constraint npon , or to intimidate or overawe both houses , or either house of Parliament , or _td move or stir any foreigner or stranger with force to invade the United Kingdom , or any other her Majesty's dominions or countries under the obeisance of he *? Majesty , her _heirs and successors , and such cord " passings , imaginations , inventions , devices or intentions , or any of them , shall express , ntter , or declare . by _publishing any printing or writing , or by open and advised speaking , or by any overt actor deed , shall be deemed guilty of felony , and every person so offending , being convicted thereof , shall bo liable , at the discretion of the court , to be transported beyond the seas for the _tejm of his or her natural life : ' or foe
any term not less . _than seven years , And be it provided and enacted , Tbat nothing herein contained shall lessen the force of , or in any manner affect anything enacted by the statute passed in tne 2 < 5 tb year oi King Edward the Third , intituled ' A Declaration which Offences shall be adjudged Treason . ' Provided also , aad be it enacted , That if tho _faots or matters alleged in an indictment for any felon ? under tbis act shall amount in law to treason , such indictment shall not by reason thereof bo deemed void , erroneous , or defective , and if the facts or mat '
iers proved on the trial of any person indicted foe felony under this act shall amount in law to treason , such person shall not by reason thereof be entitled to be acquitted of such felony ; but no person tried for such reioay shall be afterwards prosecuted for treason upon tbe same facts . And be it enacted , That in the case of every felony pnniBhable under this act , every principal in the second degree , and every accessory before the fact , Shalt be punishable in the same manner as tbe principal ia the first degree is by this act punishable ; and every accessory afterthe fact to any such felony , shall on conviction be liable to be imprisoned , with or without hard labour , for any term not exceeding two
jeara . And be it enacted . That this act may be repealed or amended during the present session of Parliament ,
Route Op The Missionaries Appointed To A...
ROUTE OP THE MISSIONARIES APPOINTED TO AGITATE THE KINGDOM PREVIOUS TO THE MEETING OF THE " NATIONAL ASSEMBLY . " MR TATTERSALL . Sunday , Manchester , - Monday , Buryj Wednesday , Rochdale ; Thursday , Burnley ; _Friday , Blackburn .
MR 8 HAW . Sunday , Leeds ; Monday , Bradford * , Wednesday , Barnsley ; Thursday , Wakefield ; Friday , Skircoat Moor , near Halifax . MESSRS EDMUND JONES AND SMITH . Sunday , Birmingham ; Monday , Bristol ; Tuesday , Mer t h yr ; Wednesday , Swansea j Friday , Liverpoel .
MESSRS WILD-AND BOLWKLL . Monday , _Cheltenham ; Tuesday Bath j Wednesday , Exeter ;• Thursday ,. _PJ ym o utb ; Friday , Totness . _, „„ "" , ' _^ MESSRS _DONO-VaN _^ AND p ' _lXONi- " Monday , Norwich ; Tuesday , Ipswich * Wed « nesday , Bury ; Thursday , Colchester ; Fri day , Braintree .
MESSRS WEST AND LINNET . Sunday , Stockport , Mr West ; Sunday Bilston , Mr Linney ; Monday , Macclesfield ; Tuesday , Northampton ; Wednesday , Leicester ; Thursday , Nottingham ; Friday Birmingham . ERNEST JONES , DR HUNTER , JAMES ADAMS . Monday , Aberdeen ; Tuesday , Dundee : Wednesday , Edinburgh ; Thursday , Glasgow ; Friday , Paisley ? Saturday , Greenock , MESSRS MARSDEN AND BUCKBY .
Monday , Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; Tuesday , South Shields ; Wednesday , North Shields ; Thursday , Sunderland ; Friday , Newcastleupon-Tyne .
Election Of Delegates To The National As...
ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY .
The following- are the places at which elections are to take place for' Members of the National Assembly . Particulars will be forwarded to each of the Secretaries , in the places named , as to the mode of election , and the extent ef the District for which each of the places above-named is to be __ the place of election . ENGLAND . No . of
_CountisB . Delegates , Places of Election . Berks 1—Reading . Cheshire 3—Stockport , _Macelepfield , Hyde . Derbyshire 1— -Derby . Cornwall 1—Trnro . Cumberland I—Carlisle * Devon 3—Exeter , _Totneas , Plymouth . Durham 3 ~ Durham , North and Senth Shields , _Sunderland , aud _Biabopawearmontn . Essex 1—Co \ chsster . Gloucester 2—Gloucester , Cheltenham . Kent 2—Maidstone , Brighton . Lancaster _12—Mancheater _, 2 ; Salford 1 ; _Aehton _, 1 ; Rochdale , 1 ;
Warrington , 1 ; Preston , 1 '; Bolton , 1 ; Bury , 1 ; Blackburn , 1 ; Li « verpool , 2 . Lincoln 1—Horneastle . Leicester 2— -Leicester . Middlesex 8-London , Monmouth 1—Newport , Norfolk 1— -Lynn . Northampton 2—Northampton , Peterborough . Northumberland 1—Newcastle-upon-Tyne . Nottingham 3—Nottingham , 2 ; Mansfield , 1 . Oxford 2—Oxford , Banbury . Southampton 3—Isle of Wight , Southampton ,
Portsmouth . _Staff-ird" 3-Honley _, 2 ; Dudley . Suffolk 1—Ipswicb . Warwick _-i-Coventry , 1 ; Warwick , 1 ; Bir _rningham , & , Westmoreland I—Kendal . Wilts 2-Devizea , Swindon . _Worcester _3-Worceeter , Kidderminster , _„ , ,. Skuthridge . Yorkshire _lO-Leeds _, 2 ; Sheffield , 2 ; Bradford , 1 ; Halifax , 1 ; Hull , 1 ; _Uuddtrsfield , 1 j _Ktighley , 1 ; « _., m , . _Barnaley , 1 . Merthyr Tydvil 1 ~
_ , , SCOTLAND . Edinburgh and Leith _, 2 . A ber d een , 1 . Arbroath , Forfar , Montrose , & o „ 1 . _Dunfermline—Fifcahiio , 1 . _Dundep , Cupar Angus , Ac , 1 . Falkirk , Stirling , Tillicoultry , Alva , & C , 1 Glasgow , 2 . Paisley , I . Greenock , 1 . , Dumfries , and Surrounding Towrs , 1 . Perth , Crieff , and Auchternrder , 1 . IRELAND-8 .
Metkoroiiran Duuioitb Councll, Apr I L :...
_METKoroiirAN _DuuiOiTB _CouNClL , Apr i l : 13 ; - — Minut _. s tead and continued .- _Moved--i' 1 _hatftleyy oa « ach _lecality of equal to threepence per _. memSet is immediately required to defray the csp > n ' s ' es _> ftho Metropolitan memliMB iii tho _Nationa _^ _G _|' _Tl _veutIorl _. Carried unanimously . The committeeaiijourneii- ft ) Monday next at eight o ' clock , when erery member la _p-iriicnlarly requested to be in att endance , " as bus 5 * ness of very great imp- _rtsnee _> _vill come under thei cottsideratica _,
Is Ii S !! A\ ..'T'Jj Lv ' M \ I I ^N*V ...
is ii _S !! _A \ .. _'t'jj lv ' M \ I I _^ N _* v ( _( . _¦( . ¦ _\ N M 111 ! XV- - ! _. ! f * J J V .-TO
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), April 15, 1848, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns4_15041848/page/1/
-