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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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- ; / - TO THE CHARTISTS . Mr 3 ? hh 3 sbs , — """" . - ¦• • - ¦ ¦ Circumstances , lt& abroad and at Tinw , a inspire me Mth the atomS ^ 2 ^ emancipation of your S 3 ?« d ? L if tfaamihatlhave-wihia ^ a t tte en { hu " StsraS sSr ? ssasaass
# a » S 2 ! K ^ Marylebone and Lambeth-au enthusiasm me mth the strongest W ; . and these m « T ^ are to l ^ follfwed bfoth ^ mXoSn meetings for the purpose of electing metrojg taa delegates to the proposed Congjjjb be held in London early m
My friends yott must dearl y understand that it is not ihz intention of the Chartist SS £ t ^ ^ ' ^ s ^ test , opposition to &e Parliamentary RefiW &L mtion , but , on the contrary , to give ! p it their most heart y and energetic support . While , upon the other hand , as the test way to avoid danger is to be prepared to meet it , we must show—by our union and our resolution—that we are not to be used as playthings . . If a great contin ' ental revolution was to OCCttT again , it is very probable , that , as on the
lUUi ot April , aU parties would sinlc their political differences to aid the Government in the suppressiaaofwhat they would then term Chartist violence ; hut I am defcexmmefr-fliat there shall be no more Chartist violence Bor Chartist victims—but that we will show to our opponents , that all jealousies havebeen merged into a common cause—that the working classes are now united , and that the voice of knowled ge ia stronger than the cannon's
xoar . There is nothing more necessary than that you should understand your position . In this country , more than in any other country in the world , labour is tributary to capital , and therefore the labourer is subject to the capitalist ; and , whatever change takes place * you may rest assured that no capitalist will surrender any portion of his profits upon labour ; and , therefore , you must come to the inevitable conclusion , that if your order is to "be benefited by a change , that change must he from the increased wealth of the country . '
Now bear that fact strictly in mind , that the represented classes will not surrender the share of the present national wealth that they enjoy , which is prefit derived from labour . I do not talk of reduction of taxation , for it is humbug , but I talk of national wealth ; and , therefore , if both classes are to be benefited , that national wealth must be increased ; and toII the shrewdest philosopher , the ablest statesman , or the most wily political economist , show me how that can be effected , except by the application—the just and legitimate application—of labour to the most
profitable devdopement , and most equitable distribution , of our national resources ; and will any other man point out any other available sourcebut the application of the—at presentidle labour to the cultivation of the soil ? They cannot Labour may be casually or capriciously employed in other avocations , but they are not stable . It was so in the manufacturing districts , when every " rattle-box'' became a charnel-house , parishes were depopulated , and the theretofore satisfied clodpole , and his family , were sold like live stock in market , to the speculators in their labour .
2 sow , my Mends , above and before everything else , I wish you to keep this fact in view . All changes that are based upon mere commercial speculations are but transitory . If they succeed for a time * they give them more power , andmakeyoumoredependent ; and when reverse comes , then- power and your dependence enables them to rescue themselves , and make you the sufferers ; whereas , the change that I propose—namely , the application of now surplus labour to the cultivation of our uncultivated land—would go on for generations improving the condition of aU classes , making the rich richer and the poor rich ; and this
^ oa never can accomplish until you indisputably prove to the mechanic , the artificer , the artisan , the tradesman , and the operative , that they would be greater gainera by the establishment of a larger number of customers , -than they now are under the system of direful -competition ; and you must also explain to the shopkeeper , that the then well-employed labourer would be a better customer ; that hi the one case he would take his money to the -counter on Saturday night , while in the other caselie is called upon by the poor-rate collector on quarter-day , to maintain this unwilling idler .
My friends , I never saw a better feeling than nowexists amongst your order in London , and what I seek to establish is as much harmony amongsUhe leaders of Chartism ; and to effect this object -f rely upon the wisdom and sound judgment of the working classes . Ishall make no reference to parties whom the " old gentleman "himself would not reconcile io any views but their own , however Utopian . One of those gentlemen appeared upon the John-street stage on Tuesday last , but was Tery speedil y brought to order by the good sense of his audience—no not of his audienceas when they discovered his object , they would not listen to him—but of jhe meeting .
You will not expect me to wnj » ailonjg letter this weekj as the columns of thj ^ fffl- " will "be crowded . Next -week , Mwejr&t , will be the twelfth anniversary of the "Northern Star . " It and its proprietor will have survived twelve years of such persecution as no -other newspaper proprietor was ever subjected to since the world hegan ; and in the first num-Tjer of its thirteenth year , I promise you the disclosure of a fact that will make you jump for joy , and I am not one .-to deceive you . Now , - ¦ when youhave read this letter , keep it in mind , and above all things remember , that "WHAT IS TO BE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE MUST BE DONE BY THE PEOPLE . " Tour faithful and uncompromising friend , FEAEGUS O'CONKOB .
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TO FEARGUS O'COMOB , ESQ ., M . P . HOSOURED ASD RESPECTED LEADER . —Id COmpliance with the earnest wish of the Brighton Chartists I hereby offer you their sincere and heartfelt thanks for your most valuable services at the large and splendid meeting held on Monday week last . Bad it not been for your eloquent speech we should have felt but little interest in its proceedings , as it was , we were enabled to develope our stre ngth and to silence the shams . We think "FriendBass ' will not easilv forget the snubbing he received on that occasion , and he richly deserved it for his wicked perversion of what you said . Sorely such men wiUnever unite hoaestly with the woriungmen to obtain their rights . However it was a glorious Sumph of truth over error . There is one cu-cum-SanceNre very mnch regret , that is ,-that wecould Snjoy onoW with you privatelyeither ^ before or after the meeting ; many of us did not know you were coining until Sunday evening , or we would have made arrangements to receive you m a more becoming manner . Should you honour us with another wit , as we trust you will , we will manage things better . Hoping you will forgive the past > and accept our warmest thanks for your past exertions in the glorions cause of Freedom . On behalf of the Democrats of Brighton , Joes Page .
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Mb Tores Shmb * i one of the Inspectors of Facton ? ' died on Saturday last . Mr . Stuart was the Pditor ' of the Courier , and was appointed by lard MeKmeto the situation of Factory Inspector He died in his 74 th year , of a disease of the heart .
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COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH . Sittings in Banco , hefore Mr . Justice Coleridge , ik Justice Wightman , and Mr . Justice Erie . HACNAMARA V . FKABCTOS O ' COSNOB . This action was brought to recover the balance of the plaintiff ' s bill , amounting in the whole to £ 316 17 s . 6 d ., for defending certain Chartist prisoners , tried for sedition at the Old Bailey ia the month of June , 1848 . Atthe trial which took place before Lord Denman at Guildhall , at the sittings after last term , the plantiff obtained a verdict for £ 10117 s . 6 d . Mr . Sergeant Shee ( with whom was Mr . Prentice ) now moved for a rule , calling on the plaintiff to show
cause why the verdict should not be set aside and a new teal had , on the ground that the verdict was against the evidence , and also on affidavits . The defendant , who was one of the members for the town of Nottingham , and the well known leader of the Chartist party , pleaded that he was never indebted , and contended that the plaintiff had not been employed by him , but by the committee appointed for raising subscriptions for the defence of the Chartist prisoners . That committee called themselves " The Defence Committee , " and consisted of several members ; but the defendant was not one of their number . Ia order to fix the defendant with liability several articles were read at
the trial from the Northern Star , a Chartist paper of which the defendant was the proprietor , and which , taken alone , seemed to show that the defendant meant to make himself personally liablo . The plaintiff also called as a witness Mr . Cope , the govenor of Newgate , who stated that on the 10 th of June , 1848 , he saw the plaintiff and defendant at the prison , together with Ernest Jones , Fussell , Sharp , and 'Williams ; and that , in reply , to ^ a question as to who was to defend the prisoners , the defendant said the plaintiff wa 3 to act , and no other , and that he ( the defendant ) would see the prisoners ably defended , and that the plaintiff was to conduct the case . The Rev . Mr . Davisthe
, ordinary of Newgate , was also called , and proved that the defendant had said to him , that he ( the defendant , never left his children in the day of trouble , and told him to tell the prisoners that they should be ably defended . The plaintiff also relied upon a letter written to him by the defendant on the 18 th of June , in which he said , — " ! beg you will transact your professional business with me , and incur no expense without consulting m » . I doubt whether you will find the committee good security , " &v . On the other hand , the defendant relied upon the plaintiff ' s own bill , which though made out to the defendant , showed that the plaintiff was acting under the instructions of the Defence
Committee , and not of the defendant . It was further proved by one of the defendant ' s witnesses that , subsequently to the letter of the 18 th of June , the plaintiff and the defendant were both present at a meeting of the Defence Committee , when one of the members laid down £ 50 upon the table , thai being the amount of the subscriptions received up to that day , and requested the defendant to act as treasurer and to engage counsel ; and that the defendant consented to do so , but added , in the presence of the plaintiff , that he would be answerable only to the extent of the funds which might be collected . The defendant added , as a reason for his caution , that he
had been a victim in several cases . During this time the plaintiff was taking part in the conversation , and muBt have known the condition upon which the defendant consented to act as treasurer . These facts were proved by the evidence of a witness whose credit no attempt was made to impeach ; he ( the learned Sergeant ) therefore trusted the court would take the opinion of Lord Denman as to whether his lordship was satisfied with the verdict to which the jury had come , in order that a rule might be granted for a new trial . Mr . Justice Coleridge said , the Court would communicate with Lord Denman on the . subject .
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THE LANCASHIRE MINERS . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERS STAR . J 3 nv-1 have great pleasure in informing the Miners of other districts that weave daiiy adding to our numbers in the union , and that an advance of wages is the result . Since I last wrote the Miners have received an advance of ninepenee per score at Bradley Colliery , Standish ; at the Lower Ground Colliery , Shevington , they got an advance of one shilling and ninepenee per score ; and at Auckley Colliery they have obtained an advance of one shilling per score , and threepence per yard . At the county delegate meeting held at Mr . Christopher Brownlow \ Ainsworth Arms , Halh " -
well , near Bolton , on Monday last , we had a delegate from Chorley district for the first lime , at the County Board . All the resolutions passed at the Wigan special delegate meeting were sanctioned , and two of the agents were appointed to draw up statements , and get them printed and distributed to each district forthwith . It was resolved that every member ' s name be registered by the Secretary in the county register book . The lodge and district secretaries are requested to be careful in sending in proper lists of all their members names , with the amount of each member ' s contribution , as ijo one will be entitled to receive victim pay unless his name is in the county secretary ' s book—fop the future —and lie must also have paid all dues and demands
for six weeks previous to his application for support . The request of the Miners of the Potteries for the loan of an agent , was discussed , and it was found , that under present circumstances , it was impossible to comply with their request . Special delegate meetings were ordered to be held during the fortnight at St . Helens , Rochdale , and Halshaw Moor , and placards ordered calling a public meeting of the Miners of TVigan , Ince , Hindley , Pemberton , Shevington , Chorley , and Aspul ; on Aspul Moor , November 21 st , when all the above districts are expected to come in procession to the meeting . The county meeting was adjourned until November 12 th , at ten o ' clock in the morning , to the George Inn , Chorley .
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KE-OKGANI SAT 1 ON OF CTLtttTJgp GREAT MEETlNGKr JOHN STREET ^ A crowded public meeting waa heid at thfiT . ite . sawsttka&H ZffT lj - Called to the ^ £ d saSHtaS ^ fTST-ttW ai s £ W&-UKGANISAT 1 ON OF I II li II
lX : Tf "Z - would not be discreet in him to 55 i , J £ ?* ° the Ob -J ect of the meeth > £ ** SL JkS ?" « amza « on of the forking Classes , which we are , and have been for the a ? Dear te ° Lten m ?^ Awith ? ufc' Political , parties ? E r ha ! e 8 etHed down " >*» calm , it is for this meeting to say whether this calm ' shaU contuiue He ( the chairman ) thought otherwise , seeing that the wrongs of the working men were Lemon * existea , logfve rest and renewed energy Setter future exertion . The continent had exhibited S aetmty in political matters , especially in Hunmrl md Rome | but whilst the conti qentM : % e * Sns the
" rtfflSSOT- * * t . S ^? ? Mattered units ffitofttffi ^ te done-and weU done ^ - aHdubnght future is before us if we go to the work , with spirit , the victory must be won ( Loud cheers . ) If we look across St . George ' s tnannel , we see parties moving there : that prince of humbugs , John . O'Connell , is trying it on with his party , andthefriends of the immortal Mitchel-( rapturous cheering ) -and we , who have always been the vanguard of progress . must again erect the Banner of Chartim—( loud cheers )—for depend on it , so long as you remain torpid , Whigs and Tories wUl laugH at you , and tell Mr . O'Connor and other Parliamentary friends , that you do not want the suffrage . He was sure that everv handwmiW ha
neltt up for the resolutions about to be submitted to them ; but this was not sufficient , they must ettect a perfect organization for their rights . ( Hear , hear ) The conveners of this meeting propose that a Metropolitan Conference of delegates ; should be held on the first Monday in December , to carry out this great work . He now would introduce Mr . Reynolds to move the first resolution . Mr . G . W . M . Reynolds was received with great applause and moved the resolution as follows " That , in the opinion oi this meeting , the circumstances of the present times are eminently favourable to the establishment of an energetic , determined , but peaceful and temperate agitation : for the accomplishment of those fundamental
principles of an equitable constitution which are contamed in the People ' s Charter , and upon the realisation of which depends the future well-being and liberty of the industrial classes of the united kingdom . This mesting , however , declares that the establishment of such a movement is not intended in any way to interfere with , or impede the progress of agitations for minor reforms , but simply to obtain , ia the shortest time possible ; the complete representation of the wholo people in parliament . ^ Mr . Reynolds said : He di d not think an individual present would say one single word against the resolution he had the honour to submit . They intended no opposition to any cetemporaneous movement . Asreffarded the Parliament *™ n f «» m
Association he thought it his duty at the onset , to say , that its president , Sir Joshua Walmsley , was as good and as honest a man as ever stood forward for a modicum of rights for the people . ( Cheers . ) But he was sbackelled b y the men who surrounded him ; indeed , Sir Joshua had said as much in Iris public speeches .. ( Hear , hear . ) He ( Mr . Reynolds ) contended for direct Universal Suffrage , nothing less ou ht for one moment to be thought of . The population of Great Britain waa seven millions , only one million of whom had votes , the other six millions were slaves . The Parliamentary Reform Association -proposed to emancipate four millions , " thus leaving two millions still slaves ; ought not , then , a party toie got up who would eo for the
emancinabpn . orall ? ( Cheers . ) The working people must be up and stirring for themselves . The Parliamentary Reformers plan says , a man shall be in possession of his residence twelve months before he can claim a vote ; now the People ' s Charter wisely specifies a less time , as the working classes are naturally migratory , their several occupations subjecting them to change of residence . ( Hear , hear . ) This he contended was a loophole for the lukewarm amongst the middle classes to creep out of . With the ballot both Chartists and Reformers were agreed . The Parliamentary Reformers proposed triennial parliaments , but he ( Mr . Reynolds ) thought the Charter plan of annual parliaments far preferable , as it gave the constituents more frequent opportU "
nlties Of making the representative really responsible , and of choosing fit and proper persons to represent them . In the matter of electoral districts , and the abolition of the property qualification , they were both agreed ; but as regarded payment of members , there was a difference ; and he ( Mr . Reynolds ) contended that the " leisure class" never could represent labour , and hence tho necessity of a paid Assembly . Capital and professions are represented now , but let the working man appear in the House as the representative of his labour , and see what a difference there would be . ( Loud cheers , ) He had not the most distant wish of throwing any impediment in the way of the movement headed by Sir Joshua Walmsley , but would support it as far . is
it went , and when it stopped , go on fer the whole Charter . ( Cheers . ) Were the people to throw themselves into this middle class movement without thus stating their determination , it would be abandoning that glorious principle of Chartism to which they had so often pledged themselves . Hence , he said , go with the Par liamentarians as far as they go , and then proceed onward in the glorious work until the people ' s Charter shall be obtained . ( Loud cheers . ) If they relied entirely on tho Middle Classes , he feared they would be deceived . History showed this had invariably been the case . Who had rolled back events in Hungary , Rome , and France ? The Middle Classes called themselves
the party of order and raised up their Haynau in Austria , and their arch and accomplished traitor , Louis Kapoleon , in France , but banished the glorious Mazzini from Rome . ( Tremendous cheering for MaKini . ) What would the Middle Clas » shams do for you if they once obtained their modioum of reform ? Why tell you that they could not have a revolution every year , and that the discontented riff-raff , and rabble , must be put down , and as a media , would jump into the jury box to convict you . ( Loud cheers . ) Hence the urgent necessity of a Working Class movement , and then Lord John could not say you did not require reform . He , ( Mr . Reynolds ) was for a moral force movement . Let your proceedings be peaceful and legal ; but determined , and the day was not far distant when the Charter would be the
law of the land . ( Loud cheers . ) The initiative had already been taken in London , and a conference had been decided on , each metropolitan borough heing called on to elect four representatives , and satisfied he was that proper , discreet , and intelligent men would be chosen . He trusted the people would take a lesson from their enemies , and wisely cement the bond of union amongst themselves . He had frequently announced his principles to be those of glorious Republicanism , ( great cheering ) but he was prepared to unite with the several shades of Democrats f or the People ' s Charter . Ho gave credit for sincerity to all parties—but said let us unite in favour of the rights Of one common humanity . —that great principle Of truth that stretches from earth , to heaven . ( Loud cheers . )
The chairman here announced , that a note had been placed in his hand from Mr . Harney , pleading indisposition as a reason for his absence . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . S . M . Ktdd came forward loudly applauded , to second the resolution , and said : This , like all others , was the time to contend for what they deemd was right . We are not quite fresh to Suffrage movements , and ho thought he might safely Bay , he had never heard one valid argument against tho Charter , and he believed they never would have had a Parliamentary Reform Association unless an ulterior party had previously existed . ( Hear , hear . )
In asking for the Charter we only ask that which the intelligence of the country demands should bo granted ; tho Charter was the most just and wise system of representation that could exist . ( Loud cheers . ) Why should we be talking of re-or ^ anisation ? Why was the Charter not law now ? Simply , because the people had not thoroughly willed it . ( Loud cheers . ) No , the people at large have never g iven us such a proof as would have warranted the government in giving it ; the people would hold up their heads at public meetings , and then return to their workshops and their homes , to sink into apathy ; and anon be caught in the first clap-trap
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sssffflSi ^'*™' KemsTlvr ^ " " ^ I energetic or honest enough for * £ fennn . M th ? , char'er i » ™ wdern SrttfiJK ;^ f ? olds ' any other DeoDle Tr ? m « , , r ? , rd uriIess supported by the ? Loud oheers . ) Babim ^ nn m «— .. i ^ i ... f , . asserted
ffloriod in wW : "b"r" "" wuurov , and fiuias Ve thZ l ° fathers had aco ° * plished , ttieir ewrHnn , v chlldren t' ffere not benefited by ^ ta ^ j ^ jH ** Well , then should JiSK&ASf Z * M not intend . to say . that political reform Vas all that was - required . No Political , moral and social reforms , were all parts of one g ? eaTwho 1 Cbartism . had been ; Bneered and scoffedI at-but notwithstanding this , it was the ism " .+ A Wrtfc
umv CGreafc cheering , ) ,, The ,, prinolple flatted—ifc : * as ' representation ' arid taxation . Let others boast of their ancestors being warriors and statesmetfj M . ( Mri , Kydd ) was proud of being a labourer , and proud , because all our greatness sprung , from labour . He ( Mr . Kydd ) couldsee no distinction between the man who met him off the highway and took hispurse , and the man who entered his house and took his furniture under a law in which he had no hand , or concert in making . ( Cheers . ) In . the House-called the Commons House—he found the Church represented , law represented , capital represented , land reDreseted—a «
a proof of the latter being represented , it had risen in value to double , or more than double its original amount , whilst the people who had created its additional value were poorer ; and the reason the people were thus robbed of what rightly belonged to them , was because they had not honesty or courage sufficient to maintain their own rights or privileges . Well , if they really intended to regain then ; lost rights , they must take a different road to what they had hitherto done ; it was not tho fault of leaders , but themselves that were to blame if they hoped for . success , he reiterated tw n «\ ct
fight the battle themselves . The People ' s Charter which he was here contending for as the great palladium of right , was not obtained because they the people , were apathetic ; they had been too fond of seeing Lord Mayor ' s and Queen ' s shows , and too He was ambitious of maintaining his rights as a man ; and if the people-were equally ambitious , they would speedily have the Charter , instead of being in the , position of cheering him , whilst seconding a resolution in its favour . ( Great cheering . )
Mr . O'CONNOBon rising was received with leveral rounds of cheers . He said it was true that after a , fltorm came a calm , and It was equally true that after a calm came a storm . Nothing gave him greater pleasure than to witness such a gathering to aid in the revival of a good old cause ; and nothing gave him greater delight than to see upon the platform many of their former leaders , who from pique , from jealousy , or mistaken mistrust , had separated from them . ( Cheers . ) The mode by vrhich all other parties had been enabled to triumph over them—was by the union of their leaders-- ( hear , hear , )—aud he trusted
that the leaders of Chartism "would from henceforth Bint , and for ever , all their piqueu , their jealousies and differences , as the only means of achieving national and universal justice . They , the workingclasses of England , had from the trafficking polic y and from the profit made of their labour , by all other classes —greater difficulties to contend against than the people of any other country in the world , and he would explain tho reasons to them . In every other country when a revolution took place—whether in France , in Hungary , in Rome , in the Italian States of Austria , in Polandin Siil
, cy , in Naples , and when the Belgians wished to release themselves from Holland , and in Ireland , also whenever there was a revolution in any of those countriesthe war of right against might was not confined to > a mere struggle between the veritable working classes and the hi gher orders ; but , upon the contrary , in all those other countries , princes , nobles , magnates , military officers in high rank , and the middle classes enlisted on behalf of the people . ( Oheers . ) Well , why was it not so in England ? It was simply because our money-mongering system enabled all other classes in England to lire luxuriousl y upon the labour of the poor . ( Cheers . ) ' Athey
y , cheered it , but the fact was a disgrace to them , as they—the English working classes —if united for one common object—the regeneration of their order—had more power than the working classes of any other nation . Their mind had not been directed to the Labour question . ( Hear , hear . ) But however he might be charged with tautology or repetition , he would continue to anal yse the question even to surfeit ; for until they understood it they would remain willing slaves . ( Hear , hear . ) The reason that induced him to revive the Chartist spirit , and the Chartist movement was this—not to offer any , the slightest opposition , to the Parliamentary Reform Association —( cheers )—while he was determined that the
Chartist body should be regarded as something more than a mere corps of reserve , to be used for mere middle class purposes . ( Cheers . ) If they allowed the Charter to merge into any other question , that other question would be considered as the only object for which the Chartists struggled ; whereas , if they kept the Charter prominently in view , it would convince the government , their opponents , and their new allies , that from the Charter alone' the working classes could receive real justice . ( Cheers . ) ... They must understand that the coming time was fraught with importance .
The Protectionists were now recruiting their sluggish forces ; the middle classes were recruiting theirs ; and the policy of both was opposed to the present government . ( Hear , hear . ) "W ell , then , they may rest assured that the present government—like all preceding governments—would endeavour to enlist the co-operation and support of the strongest party , and , if united , the people would be that party . As to Financial Reform , it was a mere humbug . Did they suppose that if the Queen Dowager died to-morrow , that their order would denve one particle of benefit from the saving of the hundred thousand pounds a year dower . ( Shouts of "No ! " ) Then did not that fact of itself sufficiently prove that the
whole system was one entangled skein , as far an money was concerned ? Were they not aware , that if a reduction of ten millions , or twenty millions a year was made in tho National Expenditure , that their order would not derive a particle of benefit if not represented m th © House of Commons ? ( Cheers . ) It was upon this complication of our monied . nystem that the power of the government was based . He had often told them that they could not discover the amount of tax paid to the tobacconist , for a pennyworth of tobacco , the grocer for an ounce of tea or a pound of sugar , or to the publican for a pint of beer ; whereas if the taxgatherer came to the house of the labourer
upon Saturday night , and asked for twothirds or one-half his week ' s earnings in tax , to represent the duty now paid to such dealers , he would take him by the nape of tho neck and thrust him into the street . ( Loud cheera . )
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There was . nothing better ca&ulated to drive moderate men to extremes than resistance to Sffa + r - . andhG wouK very clearly illustrate the position for them . Many very enthusiastic agitators informed them that the Land was common property . To each a doctrinehe ( Mr . . O'Counor ) had offered his most resolute oppoation . He wished to develope the value of the Land without arousing the indignation or alarming the fears of the government or landed proprietors but when fc * discovered the impossibility of procuring legal protection for land purchased for the poor with the ^ nonies of the poor , while there was ample protection for the property of the rich , then he admitted the assertion that the Land was national property . ( Loud and long-continued
cneenng . ) Well , would not this fact prove to the government , and to the country , that th « greatest danger to the atate was resistance to Irj ** ¦ " # *• & ° people ? ( Cheers . * " 4 at 4 , lrdand .- at the present moment-the S £ r 2 V ? M ^ laBt ™* n *™ expenen « e 4 rLinco 6 ghi ^ f ^^ i . who declared ™ if ° 9 than double rent * as demanded ; ftat there was aeither , hous e nor offices upon the farms , and that the rates and taxes would amount Jo as mufeh as the land was worth ; andm the midst of the horrible scenes that mo taking place in that distressed country , the methers . and their starving babes are hurled mto the high road , and their miserable hovels levelled . "The blackness of ashes now marks where it stood , While the wild mother screams o ' er her famishing
mwim ^ T ' ^^^ the injury that this system entails upon their order . It crowds their Str ^ i competitors readyto recej ™ any wages rather than starve ; and what possible Kv . " *?** ? 3 \ orking classe 3 k ^ to enable them to apply this otherwise surplus labour to Je cultivation of their own land ? ( Loud cheers ) He did not desire to place all upon tHeland ; many may not wish to go , but let him analyse its value , both sectionall y and nationall y . Suppose that meet ' ing to consist , of 2 , 000 persons of the same trade , ; T * ° Rnn y be 1 . ng employment for 1 , 500 , the remain , ing 600 constituting a surplus reserve to enable their masters to reduce wages , if the 500 were placed upon the land , the remaining 1 / inn wmilH
receive more wages than the 2 , 000 ; while they would be relieved from the necessity of contributing towards the support of their unemployed brethren . ( Loud cheers . ) Well , then , if they understood it they must act upon it ; whereas , now , as he had often told them , the man who receives 15 s . a week , but ought to receive £ 2 if fairly represented , scoffs at his poorer brother who cannot earn morethan 7 s . or 8 s . a week . ( Hear , hear , and it is true . ) Ay , and shame for them that it was 2 » Jr K m ask the ? ifc happened that , while the aristocracy and the middle classes were improving their-condition , that of the working classes was as rapidly deteriorating . John Hanson , a very intelligent operative from Yorkshire , once waiteu
upon frank Place , the tailor , as one of a deputation to explain the condition of the manulactunng operatives . John happened to have a silk waistcoat on , and Place observed " what right have you to complain ? " " Did your ancestor were such a waistcoat as that ? " John was flabbergasted and dumb , but he might have replied "No ; nor the man that made it would not receive as much as my ancestor did , according to the value Of JllOney in those days . " "And didlTOUR ancestor live in such a house as this ? " "Had he such furniture ?" Did he go to his . country villa in his carriage at mght j and return to his shop in his carriage in the morning ? ( Loud cheers . ) But to go higher , and to measure class distinction and improvement by the standardif the
Royal - adulterous , incestuous , Harry the "Eighty who put his subjects to bed tatnolics , and made them rise Protestants , because the Pope would not give him absolution for his crimes , his abominations and sins—if he was to rise from the grave and enter the house of Frank Place , or any other man who lived luxuriously upon the ill requited toil of the labourer , he would look upon it as a magnificent palace , and wonder at the progress we had made in art and science since his death . ( Great cheering . ) Well , but had the condition of the labouring classes improved in an equal ratio ? ( OrUsBof ' No . " ) No , they had not . And why ? Because their own jealousies prevented a proper developement of their own power . They heard of direct taxation and its oppression , while
tney Heard but little of Church and poor rate burthens . There was eighteen millions a year , ten millions of it unequally and unjustly expendedhere ; there was an idle and luxurious bishop receiving £ 20 , 000 or £ 30 , 000 a year from salary and peculation , and there was the havd-worked curate , the spiritual labourer , receiving £ 75 a year for doing all the work , and saving their souls . ( Cheers . ) Let him now ask them if the history of the world presented a greater anamoly tfwwv oW present church system ? There were , God knows how many creeds , the professor of each undertaking to point out the true road to Heaven , but all compelled to pay , one class of spiritual engineers . ( Cheers . ) Now , did they suppose that the all-wise
Creator of man and the world , so intended that that faith -which all should be taught to understand , should be so mystified and entangled by the cupidity and self-interest of those who undertook to explain their own several views ? ( Hear , hear . ) In Scotland they had seven different sects of Baptists ; the one sect baptised in a shivt , coming down as far as this , the Other in a shirt coming as far as this , and the women in bathing dresses , that came down to this . ( Here Mr . O'Connor ' s definition of the length of the womens bathing dresses produced one general roar of laughter . ) Many of whom he waa then addressing never entered a Protestant church , and yet all had to contribute towards its support . ( Hear , hear . ) He would illustrate the injustice by
an anecdote : — " The Bishop of Cork , a very hasty man , employed a hair dressei 1 and wig maker , whose name was M * Cracking . M'Cracking was a most amusing and lively man ; he took to farming ; he took a little farm of twenty acres ; i \ t that time the tithe upon an acre of potatoes was thii'tyshillings , upon an acre of wheat over a pound , and so on in proportion . Mr . M'Craclung received a notice from the tithe proctor , to pay £ 20 tithe : he instantly rushed to tho palace , where the Bishop was entertaining a select party of friends . The butler announced Mr . M Crackling ; his lordship instantly said , " Shew him up , shew him up ; he's a most amusing fellow . " Mr . MCracking waa announced . " Well Mr . M'Cracking" said his
lordship , " How do you do ? Take a chair . Sit down . What ' s the best news . " " Why , my lord , " replied the wig maker , " I have just got a b ' ill for £ 20 for tithe , and I have not been in a church those twenty years . I don't see why I Bhould pay it ? " " Pooll , pooh , " answered the right rev . father in God , in a tremendous rage , " Go about your business , go about your business ; it was your own fault if you did not go to Church . The Church was open to you every day , and you might have gone if yon had wished . " " Oh ! I beg your lordship ' s pardon , I did not think of that , " and he retired . In about an hour he returned , when the butler annonnced him again . " Oh ! " said his lordship , " Show him up ; I suppose ho has relented . " Mr . M'Cracking
waa again introduced . " Well , Mr . M'Craeking , " said his lordship , " What ' s the best news now ?" " Why I have brought your bill , my lord , to balance the tithe account" was the reply . The bishop foamed at the mouth , and stamping , exclaimed" Get out you rogue , get out ; I never allowed a Saturday night to pass , without paying your account , and I paid you last Saturday . " " I do not care a d n for that my lord , " replied M'Cracking , ' My shop was open to you , every day since Saturday , and I would have given you ten wigs if you had called , and I would have dressed the young ladies hau « ag often a 3 they liked , and if you did not come it was your own fault . " ( Roars of laughter . ) Well , then , was
it not a fair mode of balancing accounts ? M'Craking did not go to the bishop ' s shop , and was obliged to pay because the shop was open , and why should not tho bishop pay because he did not go to M'Cracking ' s ^ shop that was also open , and where he might have received better value for his money , than M'Cracking . would get at the bishop ' s shop . Ho would now repeat tho illustration that he had given at the Drury-lano Theatre , of the present system , in future days , supplying one omision—namely , the representation of the labourer . In ten years time , when the nurso would be entertaining little children with tho story-book , illustrative of the present system—the child would seo the picture of two bishops of the present time attired hi white petticoats and lawn sleeves . She would say to tho .
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' ^ W /^ A ^ fe ^ ' aZ ^^ k ^ i "ISt 1 ^ 'i * £ * - * l » t « M womanAihere ?" " And Jm i ? - * £ W the MM « wnfld-reply . another S ^ that 5 ther ; ' nurse * " "Th » t 8 'SafiEiSBoi y ft " fr ^ at was thft i ^ f tfRSfe ?* B 2 rJB Lei JfeJ " Poking , man there , dressed so queer , with a coalscuttle upon his head ? " " That's LiSP " ' ?* W , " wbat ' ' ^ at in his hand and what * that long spike upon it ? * mtsa . musket , mydear , to shoot the people , and a bayonet to stick them . " « Oh , dear me , how flornd ; fop what , nurse ? " " 'Rfii > miBo t . lio » vn ,, u
not starve , my dear . " " Well , nurse , who is that nice looking little man there , so beautifully dressed V "That was an officer to command the soldiers , mvdear . " " WeU , but nurse , what makes him so small , awt the soldier so big V " Becaiisff ha fS \? tW a ™ t ° craey , my dear , and their SsCTas ^ rsffft ^^^ a -tis sse S ^ Ettts sy& si-SMrl * ? , P ici 5 mte , ™ a * V incomplete qJSiSS ? ' « , ouldno f . them t » keep their eye lSSffiW f r thfenew - m 0 Tem * never to loae Bight of the labour question , and ' of the Land
™ vnarter , as tho means- of possessing one S j ! mu n ^ atln $ . the other ( Cheere . ) He bel « eved that Sir Joshua Walmeley and several others , were sincere in this new move , , and he would offer S ? 1103 " 1011 ' , ut on thecontraryrgivo them » f u J 31 8 u PP ° rMloud ch « eK »)~ whife he never + wl »• * consenting Pa ^ y to the destruction of tEL * v \ cwutor P"nciP le » - ( 'Renewed eheers . ) lne ttog to which he woultfoall their attention was tne Land ; and again he would remfi »< i them , even to surfeit , that the materials of which . that Stv «> mP ^ ed-everything : in that room-SW ^ back 3 -eve * jfthingt hey ( rfept !! ^ i . ' Jpi Bdw ^ mor 8 el thj > y consumed -every book they read , and evervthimr tWm » -
t \ w ^ a * rTed b , y the Landi-and thatirom iiiJS *^ ^ tuation / alone could they secure- ' fair 7 X , X T ^ slAi » 8 tence . " The- Bi-ee-Tracers 1 * n ^ T * SJ en 0 Iie ^ Wflt&flloBed'another was open fos- kbour ; many dismissed operatives KZlf naVVieS ' f dw 0 I % « pop . tte wHromta . fl > a veryfew years the Speculators m their labour were enabled to invest three hundred ! millions of moaey in bubble-speculations , while the labourer wa » consigned to starvation ; and now ,, the only ntw K-u rtb * ' -JP ° Pen nation ' s P ap-to nation a children , so that all may suck at nature ' s Dreast , instead of remaining servile pauper * . ( Loud ; cheers . ) Yes , bad to effect this their order must ^ \ u ^ ? . them fourteen years ago ,. in Stockth
& ; 5 *» ' > wn that he visited uponhis touriw > if fry "J wwtHm would come , that Bool and nSLrt ^} W » P ular support ,, when it beeamethe basis of governmental influence ; : and nrAvir / ^ ere worth enlisting was sufficiently mS P l - fact , of tho Momentary Reform Associationi having adopted No Property ^ ualifioatiou as another ot their principles . Mr . Reynolds P , v £ m £ ded i them « f ad 0 Pting the principlo of Paying Members ; and he ( Mr . O'Connor ) upon , his Sir . t ? , hai ' ter V n the House of Commons , reminded the House , that labour could only ba faithfull y represented by the labourer , and that the laoourer , if not remunerated for his services-as- a representative would not abandon his trade
, . ( Cheers . ) This movement had not slumbered ; as ftir . Kydd said , for six or eight months ; bub it was dead since May , 1848 , eighteen months , but again , with their co-operation , it would revive , and their motto would still be tho The Peoples Charter and Ho Surrender . Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid the most enthusiastic cheering . Mr . BnoxTERRE O'Brien said Ins presence there might be said to be accidental , and as far as the gentlemen on the platfovni were concerned he did not know what their particular principles OV objects were . As regarded the Charter , lie and every ono with whom ho acted were heart and soul with it—( near , hear ) -but they simply looked on the Charter as the means to an end—( hear . heavV-t . hnvlinli ( wflrf
the people never would bettor their condition without social rights . The question of social rMitswasof jar greater importance than that of political rights . The Chartist movement had failed-yes , failed . He believed it was because a thorough discussion of social rights had not been permitted . He thought there was a great number of humbugs in the Parliamentary Reform Association , and a great number of honest men out of it , who were being humbugged by them . Was it not humbug to talk of reducing ten millions of taxation , whilst they had added four hundred millions to the Jcbt by a change of the currency laws ? PreeTrade too , it was said , would reduce our expenditure nearly one-third . Well , this was nearly effected , and what was the result ?
Why that there were more peo ple out of work than ever there were before , whilst tho debt was increased . Of what use was it then to transfer large masses of property merel y from ono class to another ? A change must take place , and the alteration must be made through the People ' s Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) Men must understand their social rights . let previous errors be avoided , if they wished for success . He wished it to bo understood that landlords and usurers robbed the people of £ 300 , 000 , 000 per annum , and that they did so because the people were not represented , and had not possession of their social rights . Let tho people once know what their social rights were , and no power would prevent their gaining the Charter , as tho means of effecting those social
rights . ( Greatcheering . ) Mr . D . w . Ruffy said that he , like Mr . lleynolds , was a Republican , and something more , for he wag a Socialist . The . necessity of tho movement proposed was apparent . He had no confidence in tho middle classes . He well remembered how they took up the buton of special constable , and witb . what avidity they jumped into the jury-box , to convict the Chartists , simply because they ( the Chartists ) wove real reformers . ( Hear , hear-. ) Ho wished tho people to be partakers of what they produced . As a resident of the borough of Mm-ylebone , he feared that they had scarce time em . ugb to select fit and proper men to represent them in Conference ; however , he was ready to go on with any honest democratic movement , either in the ranks , or by the side of the ranks . ( Cheers . )
Ihe Chairman- said , he must differ with both Mr . Ruffy and Mr . O'Brien . Ho could not agree in censuring the whole of the middle classes [ Mr . O'Brien here interposed and said he did notcensuro the whole of that class . ] Neither did he agree with Mr . O'Brien , that Social Reform , had not been discussed . The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously , amidst loud cheers . Mr . Thomas Clark rose to move the second resolution , as follows : — " That this meeting having heard explained the intentions and \ bjects of tho proposed Metropolitan Conference , approves of the same as a wise and prudent course of action , and agrees to the appointment of four delegates to be present at such Conference , as the representatives of this meeting . " Mr . Clark said his was a business resolution , but previous to that heing put , he must unite his voice with the Chairman ' s in
disavowing the sentiments uttered by Messrs . Ruffy and O'Brien , as regarded the middle classes ; and he ( Mr . Clark ) , their Chairman , Messrs . Kydd , White , West , and many other of their advocates , " had been tho _ strenuous advocates of Social rights in tho teeth of juries , &c . Their object was the looking for a common ground , on which they could all agree—that ground appeared to him to be the People ' s Charter ; and he hoped they should hear no more of personal denunciations , for of these they had had too much . He thought it a duty to elevate more , and degrade less . He ( Mr . Clark , ) as a member of tho Parliamentary Reform Association , had attended many meetings , and never foiled to advocate their whole claim ; the middle classes had been used against them—they now had an opportunity of using them in their favour , and he thought they should avail themselves of the opportunity ; take what we can get , and then go on for the whole . ( Cheers . )
Mr . TJtting seconded the resolution , which , after a few words frond Mr . Goodfellow , was unanimously carried . Mr . G . M . Reynolds then nominated the following persons as delegates to tho ensuing conference for the Borough of Marylebono : —Feavgus O'Connor . Esq ., M . P . ; Messrs . W . Dixon , T . Clark , and chavies Utting ; the nomination was seconded b y Mr . lvTOD . Mr . A . Packer nominated Mr . J . Godwin , seconded by Mr . Clark . Mr . Godwin declined . Mr . Fuzzon nominated Mi-. D . W . Ruffy , Mr . T . Brows seconded tho nomination . Mr . Ruffy declined . Tho names of the four persons , nominated by Mr . Reynolds , were then put , and they were unanimously elected . A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and the meeting quietlr broke up shortly after eleven o ' clock .
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Cube porDronrehskssis Swedes . —The Swedish , fovcrnment has just onacted certain laws against runkenness , which show the degree to which that disgusting vice has attained . For tho first offence a fine of fifteen m-dollars is imposed ; for the second , thirty rix-dollars ; for the third or fourth , the elective franchise and the privilege of boinc elected a member of parliament are forfeited ; and the offender , is moreover exposed in tho pillory on the following Sunday in front of tho parish churoh . For tho fifth offence the cul prit is immuved in a house of correction for on © year . A person convicted of having induced another to drink to exces 3 pays fifteen vix-dollavs , and tUirtv if the victim be a minor . " General Thanksgiving . —The Queen in Council has appointed Thursday , tho loth of November , to he observed as a day of thanksgiving for the recent abatement oj tt » ohalora .
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HUIN HIM WITH EXPEN SES ^ Melbourne . O'CONNOR AND MACJTAMARA . TO THE mwEB OF JUSTICE My Fmends , Keveryman ' sworkbecomesone manWrk S ? = 5 fK : S * Ai » -afc £ BK 3 f ! 3 ^ haps my vnSxnmsii to do so when I was able , rf ^ J a P a % * toen I am unable JS LW ! 1 to Jon as- a matter of jus-S . r
^ tice , and not of favour , whether you will allow me to be sacrificed to this young shark ? I hare not onl y procured new and unanswerable d ocumentary evidence , but I have also procured fresh oral evidence , of which I was not aware when the trial took place . I have now applied to the Queen ' 8 Bench for a new trial , at -which I can produce this ; fresh evidencei ; the Bench has repaired time to confer with Lord Denman , who . tried the case : but according to law , the New Trial will not be
granted except upoii ;^ f . pa , ynAent of . the plaintiff * costs nM » ri ^' | b lite jrCTiotf ^ fcial My owncbsfe must idadi ^ f afli ^ aitdyou are aware of wh * t legal expenses are ., Ifyou a > a not , I am ; and now I appeal to you as men profe 3 smg honesty and love of justice , to enable me to meet this action brought against me for the defence of your friends . Some towns , I know , will promptly respond ' to the appeal , while others , and more wealthy ones , may be indifferent , and exclaim . " OH LET
HIM BE SACRIFICED : WHAT IS IT TO US . " Those who do send money will remit it to Jfc TVihjam Rider , "Northern Star Office , 16 , Great Windmill-street , Haymarket , London . I remain , Your faithful dupe , Feargus O'Coxnob
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The Presekt axb the Futobe . —There was never so great a thought labouring in the breasts of men as now . The revolutions -which impend over society are not from ambition and rapacity , from impatience of one or another form of government , but from new modes of thinking , which shall recompose society after a new order , -which shall animate labour with love and science , which shall destroy the value of many kinds of property , and replace all property within thedomimoii of reason and equity—Emerson .
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| ^ = ^ MATIONAL TRADES' . TOTTRNat ' ¦ ui
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0 itaeifThe ruth fill TO NO coo ' ' 'rcQ v ^ x jji
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 10, 1849, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1547/page/1/
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