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TO THE PEOPLE.
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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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" United , you stand—Divided , you fall . " TO THE WOR KING CLASSES .
jit Fbiekds , — I have i © YCT offered .. the ggitest personal antagraism to any Chartist 3 o honestly and fau + y advocates , propounds , and s upports your principles ; tut , as I lave often told you , Q > j > k men agreeing inprinciplea juav differ as to , the means of accomplishing jtose princi ^ ieSj I again appeal to you as to the rtop riety , GbLB prudence , and discretion of hold-^ gaN ataonei Conference in Manchester , at the time proposed by the veteran Chartists of that \ ovn— namely , on the first of January . X Sad that a large majority of delegates , « lo lately assembled in the West Riding of
-jfljishire / ltave dissented from my proposition , chile they famish us with no available or substan tial reason for doing so . They say , in one cf their resolutions—Seeing that the Yorkshire and Lancashire * delegate " ^ jns lately held at HeWLen-bridge , sanctioned the deei lion of the present Executive , to consider that it would bk r ^ toldficafion of the decision of that meeting Sa t His , -ij ' ces represented therein ,: liar-act under the dictafata-flf ijr other partv , nntil they shanpbare either res % nfia 55 hs ZZa , imposed in them , car shall bwe been . dep « se * iij ^ Ujjjgal consent or iBovnariaiTioqji-.-.- ^^ - " -i-v ^ r
*^^^ - ^ 2 fow , in answer to the above , I beg to stkte fbat it is neither my desire , intention ^ nor wish $ at the present Executive should be depo&jdy ' jnt that my object is , that the universal mind of the country should he roused ^ froni . - ijs - present apathy , and that the real principles of Chartism , and the mode of carrying them out , should be veil digested , and fairly comidunicated to all its advocates . Again , the delegates
declare—That as soon as the arcnmstaiices wffl admit , a continent fand shall be raised for the purposes of defending the Tsianers *"'* -iTiaTTifaiTTiin g fiipir y nniliffs , dnring times of Political persecution . This is a resolution which should particularlv please me , as , for many years , I have Jeen the pecuniary victim , -who has been compelled to do a nation ' s -work ; but , in answer to it , I would state that my object in holding itis Conference is to prevent any such physical antagonism as would require funds legally to protect those called offenders . My object is to
makefile voiceof knowledge silence the cannon s r oar , and destroy legal party persecution . I do not like to see such an anticipation propounded , that our agitation for our just rights should again lead to the developement of the tyrant ' s legal power . Physical revolution is humbug and nonsense ; moral revolution is sound common sense : and , as I have often told you , if jou work- for a month as I have vorked for thirty years , your objects would be achieved , jour order -would be elevated , and your oppressors would be subdued . *
1 have read Mr . Joues ' s tour , not only Tvith pleasure and satisfaction ,: Irat with delight ; -while at -the same time as men agree to differ , I must dissent from the terms in -which le disapproves of this Conference . He says : — Moreover , . many of-those places which returned delegates to the Convention and . assembly of lSiS , have no political orlch * nr *> as members of the Association ; neither council , committee , nor members are sour to be
jmnft ; therefore , the' macnmeiy is fiufing Thereby thej iwraMbe enabled to send delegates to the Conference ; and afchougtt the people are beginning at last to awaken from their lethargy , and the spirit of democracy is ones more beginning to show itself , I Maintain it has not yet sufficiently ripened to cause the people spontaneously to came forward for the formation or support of the intended measure . Trade is still too brisk , the public mind is not Tet sufficiently prepared , public attention is not jet sufficient ! xformed , in short—it is not yet time .
~ So \ v , if I spent months in reflection , could I give you a stronger proof of the necessity of reorganising the wand . -winch has l > ecome so apathetic ? MrC Joxesi tells : ySoj ^ a *^ se ffho were most active in 1818 are new most apathetic ,, and that one reason for their apathy is , because TBADE IS GOOD . Hare I not often told you , that the usual cry is , " TFe are very -well ofi , let us alone I" and ffhen trade gets bad , the cry is , " Now we are readvj lead us on to death or glory V * And therefore my object is to make use of that time -when the mind cannot be roused to
folly and madness , but when it can be directed by sound sense and ¦ wisdom . And what I desire to do hott , -while the mind of the country is becoming more lively and energetic , is to develope it to the government and the apathetic of your order . I can hardly reconcile the fact , that the men -who were most energetic in 1848 , and are now the most apathetic , are again beginning to open their eyes ; and if they are beginning to do this , this is the fit and proper time to make them understand the improved mind and feeling of the country .
Again , Mr . Joxes tells yon , that if you postpone the Conference till May or June , yon may produce an effect which you cannot produce now . "Why , May and June , the middle of summer , i 3 just the very time when it TOuld be most difficult to induce working men to give up their pleasure . Moreover , Parliament will then have sat four months ; while my object is , that the wise and discreet
acts of that Conference , held a month before Parliament meets , should impress your rulers TOth such' a conviction , as would lead them < fflt of the ' path of error , and into the road of truth . Moreover , in May the great Exhibition which is to take place , and to last for three months , -would completely divert the minds of the working classes , and those most « apaMe of reprefienting them in the Conference .
Again , Mr . Joses says : — Atthat time , above aU others , it would be necessary for a Conference to assemble jnotattheopemng of the session , o , isaeed , as at present proposed , actually a month Morelts opening—but whea the noBowness of party promises , and the treachery of "Whig statesmen , shall have raised the indignation of the people ; and when it is requisite for the people effectually ana authoritatively to Fotestarainst the delusive measures of their rulers , and Jiff democracy to assume that proud , prominent , and dacave position , which afuO , and / alrrepresentation of the aaioiua mind , through the means of a Convention , can £ boe enable it to do .
Sow lioV can any man imagine that the usual Parliamentary tyranny , practiced for the last eighteen years by the Eeformed Parlia ment , can have such a wonderful and electrical effeet upon that mind which has always tamely Em itted to its dictation ? Surely , before Parliament meets , is the proper time to develope fte united mind of the kingdom , and for the people to instruct their rulers as to . the course it is { heir intention to pursue if Government should stiUperaist in upholding its tyranny and subduing their power .
Again , Mr . Jokes says : — lhare now . vldied most of die principal towns of Eog taa and Scotland , and plainly perceive that they are not o a poaiion to support a National Conference , nor snffiwntlj aroused yet to act on the suggestion of holding Gas . Surely , if good trade is the reason why the ptople are now satisfied , and that bad trade "will urge their minds on still further , it is rather a curious thing that the people in the principal townB of England and Scotland , iri the 3 e times of good trade , are not capable of P&yiog for . delegates , that they should be so * ien trade gets bad .
My friends , I anticipate the most beneficial result from the Conference , which I propose sh ould be held in Manchester , and which the J&en of Manchester and a great majority of &e country approve of . All parties in the Souse of Commons are now divided into section ^ each contending for such laws as will be ifcst suited . to elevate- their order . Inconsequence of the present state of Ireland , which , &s every Minister has stated , is England ' s Safest difficulty , the Whigs will lose that * ° tteu crutch—the Irish trafficking lickspittles % > n whose support they have so long relied
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Che Pope and aQU ^ . bisiionsjSQSrch ^ Hshops are n ^ w ;^ gvQii ^ g ^ V est ' ablish a 5 yste » n in this' cojafl ^ Wji ^ lBch-ycHij * may rest wsured will erearfe ^ ol ^ ef ^ gii convulsion ; and as I have ^ e ^ e ^ fly ^ te ^^ eu , £ he state of other coun ^ KS ^^^ eat ^^ ffGci ; upon England thanTS ^ B ^^ re ^ of ^ Sgiaiid -has upon itself , I ^^^ pr ^ psire ^ you for the coming ^ gghSj- . ¦¦ " . - . ¦ In conclusion , let me tell yon that there is no man in whose integrity , intellect , honour and ability , I have greater , confidence than in that of Erxest Jones ; and that there is no man for whom I entertain a greater personal
; regard and affection ; while , at the same time , aftermy thirty years of experience , the antagonism I have had to contend against , the persecution I have endured , and the tens of thousands ,, of pomids : ; I have expended in , your wu ^ hofe 4 ^ ^§ 0 cji $$ iff l 8 £ &&& friendjJBENfeST ^ Mes , ^ j ^ 5 a 4 nntl&ai rl ;? am not "' 5 nr | r just || e || y ? j £ me ^ r ^ ater pleasure , and , I am sure , nothing wotddrre ' nder you greater service , than that -EissBSTv iToNBS should be one of jour fepresentatiyes -at that Conference .
:-Mjgijhend 3 , for the reasons , that I have stated ! and . for other reasons which I dare not publish , ' but which I shall be very glad to state to the Conference ; and assuring you that I neither do , nor will , offer the slightest antagonism , or opposition to the present Executive , I implore- of you unanimously to agree to the Manchester Conference , and to make the necessary preparations to elect your delegates ; and let them be sound , sensible , honest , and honourable Chartists . I remain , Tour faithful Friend and Advocate , Feahgus O'Cosnok .
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THE LAND .
Within the last week Ihave received several applications from members of the Land Company , requesting me to refund the amount they have paid . One alone threatens to sue me in the County Court , if I do not refund his money ; and my answer to one and all is , that preparations are now being made to windup the affairs of the Company , and , as soon as that is completed , every member will be fairly dealt with ; whilst I also state , that any man who seeks to recover his money before the Company is legally wound-up , SHALL NOT RECEIVE A FRACTION . The Chief
Bakon of the Exchequer , in Bradshaw ' s action against Me , stated that the whole property was mine , and that no man could sue me , or was entitled to receive what he had paid into the Company ; and although other men would most gladly avail themselves of such a judicial decision , yet it is my pride and pleasure to state , that I would rather starve , than appropriate a farthing of their money to my own use . I trust that the several parties who have written to me will receive this as a general answer . Feabgus O'Cohuob .
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A public meeting was held on Monday evening at the large room , Cowper-street , City-road , to hear a lecture upon the above subject irom-Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P . Shortly after eight o ' clock , the room being about three-parts full , Mr . O'Connor made his appearance , and was received with deafening acclamations . In the absence of Henry Vincent , who had been announced to preside , Thomas Martin TVliefiW tPA . fi called to the chair .
Mr . Wheelbh expressed his pleasure at again presiding in that room over so large an assembly of his fellow men , who had met to express their sympathy for their Polish and Hungarian brethren , and thereby offer a solemn protest against oppression , whether exercised abroad or at home . Despotic governments were the same in all ages and in every nation , wherever man was despoiled of his rights ; wherever power was kept in the hands of the few , there the many were to be found in poverty and destitution . The purple and the palace , the wealth and the influence , were
confined to those who were entrusted with political power , whilst thoEe who were destitute of it , were compelled to toil for a bare subsistence : thankful even for the liberty to toil ; every attempt they made to rise in the scale of society was darkened into a crime ; every attempt they made to assert their rights as citizens was the signal for all the military power of the government to be brought against them until crushed down to the earth ; they then found that they had nought left them but labour and toil , surrounded on all sides by the prison , the hulks , the gallows , and the treadmill . This had been the resul
in Hungary , in Poland , and in every nation of the earth , and ever would , until by one vast effort they shook off the yoke that oppressed them . The tyrants of Europe had made the very earth that they gorerned , rich and fat with the blood and the bones of their slaughtered sons and daughters ; some had escaped their vengeance , and were exiles in this country and it was to express their sympathy for these men , and their determination to support them , that the meeting had been called ; and though it might to some seem of small importance , yet its echo -would be heard in the very heart
of AuBtria ; the voice of their sympathy , though uttered in London , would ring in the ears of their oppressors at St . Petersburg and Vienna . The Chairman concluded by introducing to their notice their old and tried friend , Mr . O'Connor , who , having felt in his own family and his own person the weight of bitter persecution , was well able to sympathise with all who were oppressed . ( Cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor , on rising , was received with waving of hats , &c . When this enthusiastic reception had subsided , he commenced by stating the great pleasure it gave him to assist
in carrying oAthe objects of the meeting . It was not so croVed as the one he had last addressed in that place , but he blamed those who were absent , and not those who were present Mr . Wheeler had told them it was govemment which kept them in poverty and subjection . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) told them it was their own disunion j and that it was not in the power of any government to keep them in subjection , if they would but be united amongst themselves . Mr . Wheeler had also
told them that their meeting would have an echo in Austria , and be felt throughout the world . Such would be the effect if they had a honest press ; but now , neither Lord John Russell , nor any person who was not under the grade of a shopkeeper , would hear one word of that meeting . ( Hear , hear . ) If that had been a meeting for Free Trade or Finan cial Reform , they would hftYC had fifteen or sixteen reporters present ; but , because it was a meeting of honest working men ,, to express their sympathy for their poor expatriated Hungarian and Polish brethren , wt one member
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of'the press was present . The press had no sympathy with them , because it was supported by those classes who lived in comfort upon their credulity and disunion . He attended " a meeting on the previous Monday at the London Tavern , and , though it was held at mid ; day , yet it was a full meeting of shopkeepers , merchants , members of parliament , andtthers —men who were anxious to elevate their own order , " net that of the working men . Ho had told that meeting some rather unpalatable truths , which , ; . as probably few in the present meeting had heard , he would again repeat , Mr .
0 Connor then gave-that \ ritty definition of the different classes of society living in one of our fashionable squares , which appeared in the report of his speech last week , which then was received with cheers , hisses , and laughter , was now , greeted with unbounded applause . If the same foreigner T ?? ho asked these questions w . e ^ to _ go ^ dnt ^ uil 9 . back sluma , pf Londpnj . iOr P ^ P ^^^ na ^ -were ^ urrying to the factories , through streets half way up to their knees in mud , and asked who lived in those wretched abodes , he would learn with
astonishment that it was the men who supported the other class in aristocratic splendour . His family had been persecuted - and exiled , in standing up for liberty in Ireland ; and , therefore , he was an advocate for the oppressed and the exiled , let them come from whatever country they might . Ireland was his country , but the world was his Republic . The gallant men on the platform might not understand his language , but they would understand the result of their meeting , and that Englishmen would not allow these brave men to be in danger of starvation . When the Russian and Austrian Governments
knew that English working men were supporting the Hungarian and Polish Refugees , then they would believe that some real sympathy existed for them . He had come ten miles to be present at that meeting , and he would have attended if he had to have travelled one thousand miles ; nothing could give him greater pleasure than to assist the oppressed . If they cast their eyes at France , they would see that the Special Constable Louis Napoleon was tottering on his seat . If his power was destroyed , then would be the time for the Poles , the Hungarians , aye , and
the English , to obtain their rights . If the people of England were united , they might achieve them without spilling a drop of blood , without losing a single hair from their heads . If the hatters , the carpenters , the spinners , and other trades were well employed , they were satisfied ; the man who earned £ 1 was conentwitb . it , not reflecting that he might receive £ 2 or £ 3 for the same work , were it not for the jugglery of the middle classes . In the good old times the stamp of every man's labour was on the fabric he made , and he was paid in proportion to his labour ; if to
oblige an employer , he worked extra hours , he was paid -accordingly , but now steam had divorced man from his labour . Steam and not government was the ruling power over man ; all the mighty-changes it had effected were benefits only to the capitalists , and not to the shop' keepers or working men and when the whole capitalof the country had got wfoj j hehands of the few-, then the middle clasH ^ wouid 'discover the error they had committed . Already they began to complain ; as long as the taxes could be wrung from working men they were content , but they now
began themselves to feel the pressure , and to grow discontented . He was not a trafficking politician ; for thirty years he had been before them , and he had never eaten a meal , or travelled a mile at their expense , but had spent £ 100 , 000 in advocating their causo . He had been persecuted and confined in prison for his principles , and though they bad now made him an M . P ., he considered it more a degradation than an honour ; neither his vote nor his speech was of any use to them . If a nincompoop lord spoke nonsense for ten minutes it was reported in the press , with additions and corrections ,
extending to some columns ; but if he spoke for an hour ( and they knew he was not exactly a fool ) , the press only gave him a few lines . He was often called to order for his language in that house ; he did not , liko many , make a speech on the platform to court popularity , and retract it when in the house . He told the honourable house , that he did not care whether it was the Pope , the Devil , or the Pretender that was on the throne , so long as there was a power behind the throne greater
than the throne itself ; he was called to order , but he still persisted in it ; and he could assure that meeting , that no offer of any office or place would ever tempt him to desert the people . Take away protection from the Land , tithes from the bishops and parsons , and their loyalty would soon follow . Since the taxes had been in some degree taken off labour and placed on profit , the middle classes were not so loyal as they used to be . When he uttered these sentiments in the house he was bellowed
at , and attempted to be hooted and shouted down . He was glad to see that the men of London had so greatl y exerted themselves on behalf of the Refugees ; he wished to God that the men in the country had done the same . The last National Petition was said to be signed by fire millions of people ; suppose that each of those contributed a farthing a week , it would give over a quarter of a million of pounds a year ; if they contributed a penny a week , it would give one million a year ; and if they contributed one shilling a week , it would give twelve millions a year , or it would
purchase 500 , 000 acres of Land on which to locate them , or their English brethren . Did not that prove that all other classes lived by the antagonism subsisting amongst working men ? He would give them Dean Swift ' s Charity Sermon : the Dean being engaged to preach a charity sermon in a fashionable church , and seeing that the audience came chiefly out of curiosity , gave the following brief sermon : — "He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord . If you like the security down with your dust . " Those
that gave to the Poles gave to a far greater charity than contributing to support a host of black slugs ; so if they liked the security let them down frith the dust . When a man propounded a new principle it was at first laughed at , then mocked , reviled and persecuted , until at length it was adopted ; this would be the case with his Land Flan , until the day at length came , when all that desired it should have their little plot of land ; should sit under their own vine , and their own fig tree , pone daring to make them afraid . He would not give one fig for the Charter unless it would lead them to the possession of the land . An old couplet said ,
God gave us light , and saw 'twas good , Billy Pitt took it from us , damn his blood . " he ( Mr . O'Connor ) Baid , " God gave us laud , and fishes likewise , Tyrants took them from us , damn their eyes . " ' ( Tremendous cheers and laughter . ) The scriptures said , " that it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle , than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven . " The priests did not care about the Heaven , nor the Bible , they made this earth their Heaven , and the people ' s hell . If a bishop was certain that he must give up £ 2 £ 000 a-yeartogo to Heaven , and that if he retained it he would go to hell , did they for a moment doubt but that he would retain the money ? ' 1 WS 9 were the men who professed to preach the
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religion of God , but who were ever found mos active m injuring their fellow men . Mr . O'Connor then relateg-an anecdote- of his uncle , Arthur 0 Connor ^ who had been ordained a parson ; but hasifljkpreaohed his fiM sermon in Belfast , it was termed" a , rebellious one ; and-he was excommunicated , "and-of course not allowed to preaohagain . They paidthe archbishops , b . ishopSj and parsons in this country above ten millions a year ; they paid eight millions to support a standing army , and eight millions to supporttheir system-made paupers , whereas , if justice -was done to . the people , all would worship God according to the dictates ' ' of their own hearts , and not a bishop would be needed in the land : contentment and plenty would abound , there would be no rebel to be found in the country , and ; consequently ,-no need for a " soldier ; and ,. paupers being unknown , there would be no need of a poor law . The ' whole . of these sums , amounting to auffioierit to nav off the interest o
the National Debt . might then be saved . The great landlords in Ireland -were beginning to feel the effects of the system , and their loyalty was oozing putjOf their- fiagers' ends . They would soon be ^ liged ^ M ic ^^ more . to their iand as a means of ^ In ^ iniijl ^ lp ^ bsifcion ^ anrto . politicaij ^ l ^ ence . HeTradJoirg ^ since ^ ariiedVth ^ ffi'aJpw'jIfife suit , and 'thai they must make the mosi ^ pf 4 he , ir . property by dividing it , and bringing it into the retail market , yet , for doing so , he had been more reviled than any man living . Committees had been appointed on the Woods ' and Forests , the Crown Lands , and other public bodies ; but in no case such a careful scrutiny been manifested as towards the Land Compaay ; and , while in all the other cases they found that the public had been robbed and defrauded , in his case he was proud to say , all their malice could not detect even a flaw . Before he
concluded , he must inform them that he had received three guineas from the manufacturing districts , for the Poles and Hungarians . ' ( Cheers . ) If he was as rich as he had been before the ingratitude of the Chartist body in saddling him with heavy legal expenses , and the cost of the Land having nearly ruined him , he would not have , attended that meeting to beg for them , but would have contributed it himself , if ho had lived ever so frugal to have done it . In all other countries a portion of the nobility , bankers , merchants , officers , and of the middlo class , were found acting in union with the democracy . He had received from the refugees a beautiful memorial , drawn up by an exiled Pole , who had been a lieutenant in the army , but had
quitted it to join the people . Would they find a Lieutenant Redrag in the British army , who would give up his commission to join the people ? Would they not rather find him too happy to shed their blood as a means , of securing his own promotion ? He did not come there to make an eloquent speech — stringing together a lot of words with no meaning . He was anxious to impress his mind upon their minds . He knew they would give him credit for sincerity when he told them , that if to-morrow , he could increase his popularity , by joining with any other party , if he did not in his heart believe that . it would tend to the elevation of their order , he would remain on his oars , and suffer in popularity , rather than be ' a party to their deception . Ho had given up every enjoyment in life to promote their welfare ; his only vi 3 its were to the meetings of
working men ; he was not like John 0 Connell , no did not say he would die on the floor of the house , he would not willingly lose the last joint of his little finger for the Charter , because he was'convinced that if they were united it could be achieved without sacrifice or bloodshed ; but he would rather lose his head than abandon the cause he had so long battled for . He was now getting old , and many of their young leaders seemed anxious to snuff him out ; if they could effect more good than himself , he was willing to lie on his oars —( loud cries of " no , no , and they shan't , " );—but however he . might be reviled , he would still remain steadfast to the Charter , and would not willingly allow others to go beyond it . Mr . O'Connor sat down loudly cheered , indeed his whole address was frequently interrupted by prolonged bursts of applause . ¦
The Chairman then announced , that the refugees would sing some of their national songs . ' - This was done , and the whole audience seemed animated with the spirit-stirring words of the "Barcarole , " 11 Massaniello , " " Marseillaise , " and other noble songs of freedom ' s sons . Mr . O'Connor , -who seemed delighted with the enthusiastic spirit evinced , proposed a subscription for the benefit of the refugees , which was immediately carried into effect , Mr . O'Connor collecting on the platform ; the result was that nearly £ 2 was collected in addition to the charge for admission and the collection at the door .
Mi . Brown then moved a vote of thanks to Mr . O'Connor ; he was the only' public man who had nobly come forward and done his duty to those gallant men ; he taxed them all with neglect of duty , they vapoured and foamed about Kossuth and Bern , but he should have no more faith in them ; it was all humbug , they had no sympathy except for themselves ; he called on them , as working men , to do their own work , to pay no man for agitating , but to agitate themselves ; they had mind and intellect sufficient in themselves to carry on , in their homes , in their workshops , in every place of public resort , the great work of democratic propagandism , without the assistance of these would-be leaders . They must use their own judgment , and no longer be
duped by men whom they had flattered and spoilt ; he spoke a plain language , but it was the language of truth . If he thought Mr . O'Connor acted wrong he would at once tell him so ; they were greatly indebted to him for bis presence at that meeting , but they had not done with him yet ; he must do more for them , he must go to the Polish Ball at Guildhall , and demand a share of the receipts for those men . [ Mr . O ' Connor ; I will do it ; which was followed by enthusiastic applause . ] Lord Dudley Stuart had deceived these men ; he wanted to drive them to America ; ho was fearful they would be too useful to the democratic movement in this country . The Poles who received money from Lord Dudley Stuart ' s Committee were not the men who fought
foruniversal brotherhood , but the men who fought for aristocracy and kingcraft . The humble man who worked hard at his stall was worth more than all the Lords or Dukes in . existence ; the shoemakers of Calendar-yard had nobly done their duty to the 3 e men ; they did not want men who made fine frothy speeches , but men of practical deeds and words . He asked his fellow working men to support those brave men , to come and visit them at their Fraternal Home in Turnmill-street , Clerkenwell , and bring them food and raiment , not to give it them as charity , they did not want charity ; those that gave it as charity had better stop away ; it was not Charity , but sympathy they asked for ; it was a debt of gratitude that was due to them . They had fought in the battle-field , whilst the democrats of England had comparatively laid on a bed of roses ; the men were a credit to them ; it was a pleasure to see them
dress and look so comfortably on the small pittance they could allow them . They were all willing to work ; and those who were learning them trades were delighted with their behaviour . Kossuth , Bern and their companions would soon be in England ; how could they look those men in the face and say they sympathised with them , unless they could at the same time point with satisfaction to the manner in which they had supported their poorer brethren ? He invited his fellow men to come among them and see that the funds they had contributed were properly applied . Mr . Brown concluded a long address , which was greeted with great applause , b y again thanking Mr . O'Connor for the manner in which he had performed his duty , and reminded him that it was not concluded as long as the men were in this country and needed support . He also suggested that a regular monthly meeting should be held in that room on their behalf .
Mr . Osboenb seconded the vote of thanks , and passed a well-merited compliment upon the last speaker , for his untiring energies on behalf of the refugees , and expressed his hopes that the democrats Of the country would do more than they had hitherto done for so praiseworthy an object . The Chairman then put the vote of thanks , whioh was carried unanimousl y amid loud approbation . Mr . O'Connob , in reply big to the compliment , expressed the pleasure it gave him to listen to the enthusiastic and excellent speeches of the two young men who had last addressed them ; he would ,
with great pleasure , see lord Dudley Stuart , and demand a portion of the proceeds of the Polish ball ; and he would do more : he would tell him that it was neither creditable nor honest to deprive them of those funds to which they were justly entitled . Great cheering ) Ho would also put aside all other business and attend the monthly . meeting in that room on behalf of the refugees ; ho fell that it would be a more profitable ' employment of his time than even attending in his place in the house . Mr . O'Connor then left the meeting amid tumultuous applause . . ' \
Mr . Staixwood made some observations , relative to Mr . Brown charging the leaders of thepeople with neglect of duty ; he attended thereto prove that the Executive were sympathising with them ; Mr . O'Brien bad lectured on $ beir behalf , and Mr , ¦• ¦¦ .. ¦ . - ¦¦ ¦ .. .... . » i --i ;•¦ . ' : m ' !
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Cooper had also made a collection for them at John-street . He concluded by proposing a vote of thanks to Messrs . O'Brien and Cooper for their services , and called on Mr . Brown to second it . Mr . Brown briefly explained , and On the suggestion of the Chaihman a vote of thanks was given to the gentleman named , and also to all who had exerted themselves on behalf of the refugees . A vote of thanks was also given to Mr . T . BrowD , for his great exertions on their behalf . Several foreign ana English songs were then given , the audience assisting in their , execution ; and this fine display of democratic feeling concluded b y a vote of thanks to the Chairman , the meeting having previously ; come to the resolution of holding a monthly meeting in the same largo place of assemblage .
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Rochdale . — Mr . D . Donovan , of Manchester , delivered , a lecture here on Sunday . the 20 th inst ., 'j On the relative difference of Co-operative Societies in England and France , their rise , progress , and present condition , " and concluded hy showing that they could ! not be carried out beneficially without political power . - A discussion commenced at the close " of the lecture to show that co-operative would not
stores alone , obtain political free * dom . The discussion was adjourned to Sunday , the 27 th inst . A discussion also commenced relative to a report which had been laid before the Board of Guardians with a view to introduce into the Rochdale Union the Separation Clause of the New Poor Law Act . The discussion was adjourned to Sunday , November , the 3 rd , at six o ' clock ia the evening . A public meeting of the members of the Chartist Association , was held on ? Wednesday , the 16 th inst ., and also adjourned ! to Monday , the 21 st inst ., to take into conaU
deration the various propositions that are before the country . Mr . O'Connor ' s letter was * read from the Star relative to the proposed Chartist Conference . After a lengthy discussion , the following resolutions were agreed to : —1 st . " That we , the Chartists of Roch- . dale , agree with the proposition of Mr .. ; O'Connor , that a Chartist Conference be held in Manchester , and also agree with the- ' men of Manchester , that that Conference ba held on the 1 st of January , 1851 , and call upon the country to elect good and true Chartists to sit in- ; that Conference . " 2 nd . : ' " That-we do not recognise the present so- . '• ¦ * ^ Pl ^ iftaffflas ^^ ^ MpraKw S ?^ ; pla ^ laB 1 dol ? : Q « ^ ii % « ^ ' - ¦¦ - ¦; Democratic Conference , neither shall we adhero to any name but that of the National Charter Association and the six points of the People ' s Charter . " The Executive Committee of the National Charter Association held their usual weekly meeting on Wednesday evening last , at the Office , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand—Mr . Edward Miles in the chair . Correspondence of a highly encouraging character was read from Hastings , Holmfirtb , and Lynn : and also from Mi * . Christopher .
Shackleton , of Halifax , detailing the proceedings of the West Riding Delegate meeting at Bradford , on Sunday last . On the motion of Messrs . Grassby and Arnott , the following re-Solution was adopted : — " That the Exccutiva warmly approve of the resolutions adopted at the West Riding Delegate meeting on the 20 th of October , and commend the same to the Chartists throughout the country . ' ' . Mr . Harney then moved , and Mr . Stallwood seconded , the following , which was also agreed to : —" That the members of the Executive Committee of tho National Charter Association having taken into serious consideration-.
the proposition to hold a Conference at Manchester , disapprove of the same , lecause , inu the present state of . the country , it is impossible to assemble a truly national Conference , and tho meeting of a mere sectional body would he mischievous , rather than advantageous , to the Chartist cause . The Committee , moreover , consider the metropolis the only fitting place for a meeting of the National Delegation , and this Committee—the recognised head of the Charter Association—the only party duly authorised to convene such delegation . " The Committee then adjourned to Wednesday evening , October 30 th .
Sheffield . —The council hold its usual weekly meeting on Sunday evening , in the Democratic Temperance Hotel , 33 , Queenstreet , when Mr . HJgginbottom was called upon to preside . The speech of Mr . O'Connor , was read from the Star , which was highly applauded , there being but one opinion of its excellence . After the "financial business had been dispensed with , Mr , Gr , Cavill moved , and Mr . Ash seconded : — " That a soiree and
ball be got up m honour of E . Jones , Esq ., and that the Half in Rockingham-street ba taken for that purpose , to he held on the 5 th of November . "—Carried . On the motion of Mr . Rooke , the following persons were appointed to carry fully out all the necessary arrangements ;—Messrs , Cavill , Whaley , Higginbottom . Allinson , Hayne , and Buck . A vote of thanks was awarded to the Chairman , and the meeting adjourned to next Sunday .
NoTTiNGHAJf . —The members of the Seven Stars locality held their usual weekly meeting on Monday evening last , when a resolution , approving of Mr . O'Connor ' s suggestion that a Chartist ^ Conference be held in Man « Chester was unanimously passed , and likewise a resolution approving of the men of Manchester , naming the time the said Conference should meet . Mr . Ernest Jones in the Potteries . —< On Monday evening last , the People ' s Hall , Brunswick-street , Shilton , was crowded to excess by an highly intelligent audience , to hear a lecture from Ernest Jones , Esq . Mr . J . Copewell in the chair . It would be
impossible to give even a faint outline of this splendid discourse . The immense mass of statistical informationj and the masterly elocution displayed in every sentence , drew forth such rapturous bursts of applause as was never before heard within the walls of that building Previous to the lecture , a tea party , in honour of this sterling patriot , took place in the Hall , which was crowded . At the close of the meeting , on the motion of that unflinching democrat , Mr . C . Hackney , three tremendous cheers were given for the London brewers , and three awful groans for the old Austrian Tiger . Upwards of ISs . for the Polish and Hungarian Patriots was collected at tho doors .
Coventry . —A largo concourse of persons assembled on Tuesday , the 22 nd inst ., in St . Mary's Hall , the use of which had been kindly granted by theJVTayor , to hear an address from Mr . Ernest Jones on " the Reorganization of the Chartist Movement . " Mr .: Bedder was called to the chair , who having opened the proceedings of the meeting , introduced Mr . Ernest Jones , who was receivedwith the greatest applause , which lasted ^ several minutes . When silence was restored , he delivered an address of nearly two hours ' duration , which for eloquence and sound reasoning , was never surpassed within the
walls of that ancient edifice . At the conclusiqn , a vote of thanks was given to Mr . Jonesr and the Chairman , also a vote of thanks with three cheeers foi the Mayor , for the use of the hall , likewise three hearty cheers for the victhns of Whig misrule , when the ^ meeting , at the hour of eleven , quietly dtofeysed . A numbGr of friends then adjoyrne ^ t ^ ffie ; , Temperance Hotel , and forthwith formed'themselves into a Chartist locality , Mr . V Hosier being appointed treasurer ; A . Yates , secretary { and John Greenhall , John Gilbert , William Bedder , Thomas Pickard , and George Freeman , committee . A subscri ption was immediately entered into for current
expenses , . . . NouTHAMPT 0 N . ~ On Sunday afternoon , Dr . Frith , of Bradford , preached a sermon , contrasting the gospel of Christ and the teachings of the priests of the present age , also giving a severe casti gation to all the fraternity of the "black slugs . " The meeting was numerously attended . On Monday evening , Dr . Frith delivered an address to an intelligent audience on the union of the several Democratic societies of Great Britain and Ireland , and showed that , without , union , tho people need not look . for . or . expect power ; and , after briefly ' commenting ; on the ¦ W « M * y a ™ l ' s meeting inrLondon , finiehed an address of , one hour arid a halCs duratwn to ; the eatjg-( toitMra of the audience , , 'i-
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nrr JmsHWt-iifisflJfo abseniirom Lon-, ; L tea ^ rraXfertifiaft ; . anfl , ffierem thosewho ' iddresa ^ eftersJto . me , can not fi 2 ct any answers to their ^ letters tffl' my re-•^ However , " I shall write the state of Sm afiairfl for ifie . NbrffornStar . ' i < ^ Tour faithfulFrierid , - Eeabgus O'Coxsob .
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To The People.
TO THE PEOPLE .
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THE PROPOSED CONFERENCE . Brother Chartists , —I postpone , until next week , addressing you on a subject , to which I had intended adverting , in order to offer a few observations relative to the proposed National Conference ; a , matter on whipli I ^ wpuld ¦ ' ri . pt ; have ventured to ^ yp % ^^ F ^^ fl 8 ^»^^ it 4 nofc ^ haJLMyisfi ^ Fully agreeing 1 ^ i | p ^ Conference , I yet differ SI to 'tfie' 4 in ^ pgi ^ 8 t ? ai ? or its assembly . It is necessary that ~ on ' such bi&fcft sions the mind of the country should be fully and fairly represented ; but this is , at present , impossible , from the following causes : — Very many of the localities that flourished in
1848 have . now no political existence whateverneither council , committee , nor members ; of thoso remaining in the field , many are scarcely able to meet their local expenditure ; organisation lies prostrate , and , with it , the machinery for electing and supporting the members of a Conference . Moreover , though the democratic feeling is , I believe , wider spread than ever , and beginning rapidly to awaken from its two years lethargy , it is not yet sufficiently directed and concentrated to one point , to embrace the idea of the proposed Conference ; Trade is yet too brisk ; the reaction has not yet proceeded far enough to show the people the necessity of union ; the Conference would not meet with general support , and would inevitably display the weekpess of the movement , which it in no way added to its strength .
The result of a Conference meeting on the 1 st of January next would be that not one town in ten would send a delegate ( those far removed from the place o'f assembly could not afford it , ) and the socalled "National" Conference at Manchester would be only a few delegates from Manchester and the immediate neighbourhood . We have already too often experienced the evil effects of local meetings calling themselves national representation . They assume to legislate for the whole body of Chartism , but the majority not having had a voice in the election naturally refuse to abide by the decisions of the elected ; and thus a breach is too often created among the people where an union was meant to be effected . It is the duty of the Executive of a
movement to see that a Conference be not called at a time when the majority of the body would not be represented , which they would not now be , from the causes I have adduced . If , on the other hand , the Conference be postponed for a few months—say till May or June—we should , I conceive , derive the following advantages , which could not row be realised : — The interval should bo employed in organisation —in re-creating the defunct localities ( several have been re-established during the last few weeks)—in concentrating and directing the public mind ; the machinery for this is in existence—there is an Executive—there are lecturers—and there is far more democratic literature than there was in 1848 .
The money , that would now be only wasted in supporting ' a , partial Conference , would , if devoted to the object , of organisation in the several localities , enable a National Convention to meet in the spring , which would in . reality be a reflex and recognised guider of the public mind . . Another thing should be taken into consideration ; by-the time I name , " Parliament will have met , and the policy of the various parties be developed ; the ensuing will , inevitably , be a stormy session ; Whigs and Tories will have their opposing phalanxes in the field , and propose their conflicting measures and mock reforms to catch the people ; this , of itself , -will raise excitement in the country , and , at that time above all others , it would be
necessary for a Convention to be sitting in order to take the helm of the democratic movement , and place it in a dignified and authoritative position in the face of faction . A Convention then sitting would answer the voice of faction with the voice of the people—give that weight to our movement , which a Convention alone can do—and , above all , be backed by tho power from without , which , at an earlier period , would be almost utterly deficient . To hold a Convention or Conference on the 1 st of January would be a failure—it is too soon—it is a month before Parliament meets—when the country will bo almost dead in feeling His just after Christmas time , when the people will have spent their ready money ; it is prematurely forcing the movement , when it has not strength to bear the artificial growth—it would dwindle like a hotbed plant—and
what object would be gained ? We do not want it to form a plan of organisation : we have one sufficient for all present purposes . We do not want it to lay down rules for an association : we have one which , I trust , we shall never dissolve till we have carried the Charter . We do not want it to help us through a time of crisis : it is five months too soon for that—the crisis has not yet arrived . The only thing that , as appears to me , could be urged in its favour , would be to determine our policy towards the middle class reformers and even this is premature . They are , it is true , beginning to unmask themselves ; but , till they have proceeded further in their career , the country at large , ( whatever may be some of our individual convictions ) , is not in a position to take a just estimate of their intentions , and therefore but too liable to adopt an erroneous policy , if called upon , at present to decide .
It is , therefore , I suggest the postponement of the Conference until May or June ( unless circumstances as yet unforeseen should arise in the interval ) , and that the whole country should decide upon the place of meeting . I haye never flattered an individual—I am as littlo disposed to flatter an individual locality . With all due respect for the men of Manchester , I do not see why Manchester should decide where the Conference should meet , anymore than London , Halifax , Nottingham , Glasgow , Aberdeen , or Derby , or any other place . Wo do not want a Manthester Gonfe * rence , but a national one . I suggest that the Convention should assemble in London , because London will become a gathering
point of demderacy owing to the exhibition of 1 S 51 . En almost every locality where I have been , the leading Chartists have expressed their intention of visiting London during the time of the Exhibition : we might , and ought to , take advantage of this ; we ought to place the " People's Parliament" side by side with the squabbling factions of St . Stephens ; in London we can back it , at that period , with an amount of external power and talent , which could not be realised at any other place at any other time . The glass-palace is the apotheosis of the middle classwe ought to show the spirit and power of Chartism in the same city on the same day . Its voice sounds louder when raised . it the very doors of the House , than when sent from a distance of two hundred miles . London will be a camp of faotion—in the 1
enemiescamp we ought to plant our standard . The objection that London is less central than Manchester will not hold good then , thought it might be valid to some extent now ; all eyes will then be directed to London ; by that time funds will lave been raised , for organisation , and public feeling will have been developed and aroused—and the seat of the legislature ought to be the seat of our democracy as well . I purpose submitting , at a future period , a few suggestions to the Metropolitan Delegate Council , as ( o how material advantage may be taken by them in furtherance of our organisation , of the influx of democrats from the provinces , and remain , brother Chartists , Your faithful servant , Ernest Jokes . Coventry , 23 rd of October , 1850 .
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MMMKfM ^ M ^ M / A ^ MIVM . . Buried Alive . —On Thursday morning information was sent to Mr . Bedford , the coroner for Westminster , of the death of a man named Michael Cushion . Deceased was at work with others at a house in South Audley-street , and employed in digging out a large quantity of earth for the purpose of enlarging the foundation . He had undermined a considerable way , when another man got on the top of the ground under which he was at work , and the whole j mass , gave . way . He was completely buried underneath an immense mass of ground , tho other man falling with it on him . As soon as assistance could be obtained he was dug , out , insensible and much injured . He was taken to St . George ' s Hospital , and after lingering for a time , expired , in onsequence of internal injury . «¦¦¦ - » ..
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 26, 1850, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1597/page/1/
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