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©otriftponUence, ^QtreBttOtiBenCe*
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i» ~ Chartist Jmtrtlipnte.
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TO THE "WOBKINa CLASSES.
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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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3 ! t Fmejow , —For the last fortnight and ^ 81 h ave been very ill indeed . I hav e not jjeen atte to go oat of my house since Monday ^ eek last , except onenight , otherwise I should j , ave answered the many invitations I have had fasa the Potteries , aad other parts . of England , to attend meetings which they propose holding . As I am now getting hetter , I beg to reply to all those applicants , that when I am able I will make a tour of the country . jly fiiends , notwithstanding that the men vho represented you at the Conference performed their duty well , you see that my
prediction has been verified—thatit has not had the slightest effect upon the Government . Not a single Daily Paper reported one word of the proceedings ; whereas , if it had been a Conference called by the aristocracy , the landlords the manufacturers , banters , merchants , ' stock ' brokers , shopkeepers , orparEons , you would iave had every word * of the proceedings reported in every Dail y Paper . There are not ten Members of Parliament who knew that ihe Conference was sitting ; whereas , as I told yon , if the Conference had set just when Par
liament assembled , then it would have had a powerful effect upon the Governmental mind . My Mends , let me remind you that you will only see one more Northern Star before the ExKbiSbn takes place ; and let me again implore of you not to be led into a physical revolutiotf By any party , and thus sacrifice your liberty , ' your wives , and your children , and ^ erhapiyour lives . I have toldyoua thousand times , that when there is a revolution the last shot firiid constitutes , the" victor ' s trophy , whereas a > mental revolution wonld lead to the
elevation of '| j ) ur " order . . ' ' . . ' V-- ^ r Parliamentis ^ pro » g ^ ed now ^ t ! ll ^ eSiJth of this month . Tour police force is to be increaM- ^ foitf milit&is caUed " out , and is now ieing drilledr-yonr special , constables will be increased-r-airid id show you that your army is to be increased , let me supply you with the following announcement , extracted from the Times of Thursday last . Here it is , and read it cautiously : — Casassramos of Ieoops k asd j&ovsd LondosyonrithstaBding the pretended authoritative contradiction that teas given in some quarters to th » statement made about fire weeks ago , that an additional regiment of
cavalry would be added to the garrison at Woolwich darins the time the Exhibition in Hjde Park - « ras open , that fact is now established beyond doubt , as the 17 th lancers mil arrive at Woolwich on the 29 lh « na 30 th of Ihe present April and the l » tof HajfromBnWin . Ihe regiment is alxrat three hundred and sixty strong , and iicompoitdofsix troops ; and will march from ia ? orpool to WooMch to detachments of two troops , arrivin " liareonthe three succe « siv # dajs abovementioned . The troop of Kojal Horse Artillery at prefent in the Westsquare is ordered to more to the East-square , and three -troops Trill occupy the space previously used for two troops . The sergeant 3 of the Rojal Marines of the Woolirich division , not company sergeants , hare been directed to look ontfor accommodation out of barraelu , as their present quarters will be required for other troons . It is
still expected , as was originally stated , that the lttfle Bri-? adewUl occupy a part of the Kojal Marine barracksaaa as thera -would not bs sufficient room for the whole 480 of the Rifles will be stationed at the Tower of London ! At all events preparations sure making at the Tower for th » accommodation of additional troops . Eighteen additional sentries aare been ordered to do duty at the Bovtl Arsenal at Woolwich , which win require fifty-four additional gunners of the Rojal Artillery to be detached daily from the barracks for the protection of the Arsenal Commanding officers have alto been informed that it will be necessary to rutrici the leave of absence usually granted totLe ma of the Royal Artillery to two men for each company , and that leave be only granted to them on Saturday or Sunday ewnings , and thtn only to eleven o ' clock at night
JJow , when yonread the aboYeyoifwSlcoinetO the conclusion , that if the troops are removed from Ireland , you will have a revolution there based upon the Papal Question ; and remember what has been often stated , that " Ireland is England ' s greatest difficulty . " My friends , when I was sick inbed on Wednesday last , a very eloguent young man ( Mr . Bkows ) and a great advocate and supporter ofthe ^ ForeignRefugeesnowinLondon , waited
upon ) me , and wished that I would attend a meeting of those brave and exiled patriots , in order to prove that they did not coincide with the opinions which I extracted last week in the NortTiemStar from the Times , which was signed by a . number of Befngees . Bat let me again tell you , that however my Land Plan may be abused , that I would not give you twopence for the Charter to-morrow , if I did sot look to the . Charter . as " the means of
locating the surplus population upon the Land ; as you may be sure that no other system would relieve you from the oppression of your employers , who actually base then : wealth and power upon your poverty and . disunion ; and , as I hare told yea a thousand times , I do not blame them , but I blame yourselves . Xbw , my friends , as reflection is a good flung , and as the man who runs headlong , and without consideration , into any movement , generally becomes a sacrifice to the delusion of others , and his own folly , will yon let me
implore of yon not tote led away by the folly of others when the Exhibition takes place ? I do not know that I ever stated to you before the result of my interview with poor Coteay after he was sentenced to transportation . In 1839 , Bussey and others tried to create a revolution without my knowledge ; and in the year 1848 , when the Conference was sitting in London , an attempt was also made to create a revolution , of which I was to know nothing . When Cotfay waB sentenced to transportation I went to see him in gaol . I
aua * , "AH , MY POOR FELLOW . " He replied , / G-D D 3 f IT , DO SOT CALL ME lOUIt POOR FELLOW , TOU WERE SOT TO KATE EJfOWN AKYTHIXG THAT WE WERE TO BO . BUT SOW I'LL SEVER HATE AM COSFIDESCE IN ANY LEADER BUT TOU , AS THEY DECEIVED US . " Uow , working men , I have defended yonall "with my own money when yon have been tried , and I have supported the wives and families of many incarcerated victims ; and the poor gentlemen—who were too proud to work , and too poor to live without labourto whom I paid the largest amount , over £ 100 , many became my bitterest enemies and revilers . But notwithstanding all this , I have Derer deserted the caussto which I have
de-Toted my time and my money , and for . supporting which I have , been abandoned by iiends and relatives . But let me tell you now "us fact—that if I was offered ten millions of nioney to-morrow to create a bloody revolution m this country , with theoption of living upon a humble meal a day , I would prefer the latter , as I abominate cruelty . And besides , if Jour minds were united for a month , you need not shed a drop of blood , and yo ^ would be we happiest Kingdom in the world , as then jou would not have idle land , idle labour , and Mle money . ' I suppose you read tie speech of Lord John i tessEii ,. delivered at the Lord Mayor ' s ^ er last week , when he tried to show the
power of the special constables in 1848 , and ™ at they would have a similar effect upon iorei gnersin 11851 , I do not suppose that if Joulired tillyou were one hundred years of * ge that you would ever meet with a man who j » a 3 suffered the same oppression , and who « as had to contend against the amount of anagonism that I have , and who has never abandoned hispoHcy . Aow , my friends , in conclnaioE , let me beg « yon , ietine implore Of you , and let me enoeat of you , not to be led away by poor gen" « nea , but rest upon your oars until the time J ^ es , and that is not far distant , when the development of your power : will destroy that £ your oppressors , and when the voice of Knowled ge-will silence the cannon ' s roar . - I remain , - ' . . Your Faithful and much Abased - Friend and Advocate , EbABGUS O'CONHOB .
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Pbue Moset . —ToeBday night ' s Gazette gives no-« ce to the late officers and crew of her Majesty ' s ^ m ? ves sel CvclopsVthe ' Hon . George Fowler j ^ to gs , Captain , that an account of bounties , fC received for the undermentioned captures , will * e ibn inntn deposited in the Bflfistry of the High unit of the Admiralty , wl : Boin Successo , capwred ^ th December , 18 i 8 ; Esperbnca , captured Wk Hay , 1 S 49 . —Bornett and "Wynne , Agents .
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As we desire to gire full and free utterance to the Democratic mind of the country , articles under this head are inserted without reference to the particular opinions expressed by the -writer . But the Editor is not to be held responsible for their opinions . ]
PATRICK O'HIGGINS , DUBLIN , TO J . P . BEZJEATJ , F . BERTItAND , T . CHUTELET , C . DELESCLUZE , DIBOU , DUPOXT , TREMOND , D . PERZOO , THEODORE KARCHER . LANGEROJf , LEDRTJ ROLLIx ' LIOXSE , LABAT , DARCASNITZ , LUMARD * J . MADAU , E . FEBVRE . E . M . DE MOSTJATJ , JE ., GUSTATE NAQUET , F . PARDIGOX , PETIT-JEAN , G . PMLIPPE , KOUSSIER , SIBEYROLLA , A . RICATEAU , SUIREAU , L . 7 ILLAIK , GOGUIN , AND INCIDENTALLY TO THE CHARTISTS OF ENGLAND .
Gentlemen asd Brother Chartists . — The Chartists of England who know me , and to whom I refer those brave Refugees who do not know me , will , I am sore , do me the justice to believothat aiyact or deed , calculated to , weaken or retard the progress " of the great and holy causa of Democracy , would give me pain , beyond my powers ' of eipres ^ on . " J . BeKevS me , gentlemen , that I have read with no ordinary feelings of anxiety , and I
may add pain , Mr . O'Connor ' s letter in the Northern Star of the . 5 th inst . I knew right well that its purport and object would be mis taken and misconstrued , and distorted by many . That letter should not have been written at all . It was ambiguous , and liable to misinterpretation . Private enemies could take , and I have no doubt did take , advantage of its ambiguity ; distorted its taeaning , and led those illustrious foreign patriots to imagine that it pointed at them .
My friends , this is a mistake , a greivous , but not an irreparable mistake . Mr . O'Connor ' s letter , as I understood it , was written with the view of putting all patriots on their guard against such men as the Powells , the Dobbins , and the Hke . "Who instituted the Assassination Club in 184 % ? Powell , the spy ! Who instituted the Red Hand Club in Dublin , in 1848 ? Dobbin , the spy ! Will the Chartists say that there are no Powells in England now ; no Popays , no Eichmonds , no Castles , no Olivers ? Will the Fraternal Democrats , the Refugees of all nations , say
that there are none of their respective countrymen , even now , in England , who would traffic in their blood for money ? And even suppose there are not , will none come over to England , drilled , trained , and fuUy prepared to stimulate , urge on , betray , and sell their dupes and victims ? It was to guard you in good time against such characters , that my friend , my honest , upright , true-hearted friend , wrote the warning on the 5 th inst ., which has given go much offence , and of which some hollowhearted , white-livered , English Knave has taken advantage .
Permit me to ask you , Gentlemen , upon whose , or upon what authority do you assert , with so much flippancy and confidence , that Feargus O'Connor is a false Democrat 1 Perhaps your notions of Democracy differ ver y much from either his or mine . Now I am a thorough Democrat , yet I am convinced that such a thing as social equality never did exist , never can exist , until such time as mankind are all one height , all of equal strength of body and mental capacity . I have been called an aristocract—a false democrat—because I would not swallow these absurd doctrines . "VVho is Feargus O'Connor ? - He is . the lineal descendant of one of the most ancient
Monarchies in Europe . His forefathers " were democrats , and sacrificed liberty and fortune to their love of democracy . FeaTgus O'Connor sacrificed family connexions , friends , fortune , and an honourable profession , at which lie was realising a fortune , in the hope of raising the fallen , condition of the democracy ; and now , because a few ungrateful knaves , and their dupes , tura and sting and
calumniate their benefactor , in the hope of obtaining a little ephemeral popularity , or , what is worse , recommending themselves by such wicked means to the enemies of Feargus O'Connor and rational democracy . The man must be but a very superficial observer of passing events , who cannot discover in the address of the French Refugees to the English people , the style of those who have not had the courage to make the attack themselves .
11 Cursed be such knaves , "Who like a deadly blight , Come o ' er the councils of the brave , And . blast them ui their hour of might . " Surely a man may be an honest Democrat , without . being either a Socialist or a Republican . I am neither , yet I know I am as true and as sincere a democrat as ever existed . Feargus O'Connor is an Irishman ; so am I . He is of the pure line of the O'Connor , Kings of Ireland . I am merely the lineal descendant of an ancient race of Irish
Chieftians . He knows—and so do I—that the love and respect of the Irish people for the ancient race—or , as they call it , " THE OLD STOCK " —is boundless ; and , therefore , bo long as this feeling— -whether right or wrong —exists , the Irish people will not be republi cans . Political equality and social rights are , unquestionably , compatible with a limited Monarch ; like that of England ; hut , suppose that you are of a different opinion—that you believe them 'to be incompatible—that they
cannot co-exist—does it follow , as a necessary consequence , that you are a traitor ? Most certainly not . With wbJat show of justice then , or common sense , can you charge FeargUB O ' Connor with being ^ a false democrat , because he believes—without doubt or hesitation—that the enactnient of the PEOPLE'S CHARTER would be preferable to a Republic ? The system of denouncing men for entertaining opinions different from those which : you hold , is ' odious and tyrannical . "
Bear in mind that I am not justify ing Mr . O'Connor's letter . He does not do so himself . Bathe has always said , publicly and pr ivately , that notwithstanding his persecution and suffering for the people , whose cause he espoused , and the base ingratitude of some of them , especially those who lived on him , that he would take np arms and fight agaiust any nation on earth that should dare to invade England .
Now , suppose Ms Holiness the Pope , aided by France , Austria , Spain , ^ Naples , and Sardinia , " invaded England , for ihe , purpose of cramming Catholicism , ( which I-believe to bo true , mind ) down the throats of the Protestants of England , against their conscientious convictions , at the point of the bayonet , and , in addition , excommunicate all . Catholics who would not join him , I ( Patrick O'Higgina ) do swear before high Heaven , though a Roman
Catholic , that I would not only fight against the Pope , should he set a hostile foot on Brit ish soil , but I should shoot him with as little scruple of conscience as I would shoot a cock grouse on the 20 th of Auguet . Am I to be denounced as a false Catholic because I would leave conscience free ? "By . the fist of my father I am ashamed of you" gentlemen ; your charge of " false democrat" against Feargus O'Connor iB too absurd to lequiie further re-
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futation . Your logic upon the present occasion reminds me very vividly of tbat employed by the late Daiiiel O'Connell in order to prove that Sir . S . W . Crawford was an Orangeman , merely because Mr . Crawford / an honest Protestant , was for the total abolition of titles in Ireland , while Mr . 0 'Connell , a'CathoUc , was for a compromise , for recognising vested rights , &c , &c , &c . " Now , " said he , ' "Mr . - Sharman Crawford abuses me , the Orange- , men of Ireland abuse me , and , therefore , Mr . Sharman Crawford is an Orangeman ;" r ^ ( Hear , hear )—cried the . slaves and Bycophants . futation . YourWic UDon the Dresenfc occa-
Feargus O'Connor is not a Republican , and ergo , he must be a false democrat . ' This is sophistry with a ; yengeance . " It ia not in your , power , or the ; power of any man or number of -. men , to damage the character of Feargus O'Connor ,. ; 'He . may make mistakes . He often does ; , " and I battled with him . openly ; and ,- I may add , boldly , tefore any of you were ever heard of > t and I am ready to do so . again . He isnbt a false democrat ; and , as to hishoneatyj at the power on earth would not corrupt bint ^ m pecuniary mattefs . br monetary transactions . It is because he is incorruptible that , he has been . assailed so violently by those who are under pecuniary obligations to him . Ingratitude . is the basest of crimes .
Now , ye Chartists of England , I am at issue with Feargus 0 ' Connor upon one great point , —and that is , as to what you . are to do , what it is your interest to do during the period of the world ' s Exhibition , the Crystal Palace , and so forth ? With respect to those matters , my opinion is , that the Exhibition , the Palace , and the whole affair , originated in the purest intentions , and the kindliest and best feelings towards the whole human family—that free trade , in its widest sense , a friendly intercourse and a reciprocity of interests with all tho nations of the earth , was the predominant idea , and is the object of the author of this novel and magnificent project . Nevertheless , I do most firmly believe , that in the event if my . POLITICAL BRETHRENTHE
, REAL CHARTISTS OF ENGLAND , avail themselves promptl y of the advantages this great Exhibition affords , they shall have done more for the advancement of the People ' s Charter in one week , than it will be in their power to do during the ensuing seven years . What I advise ia—make arrangements , without a moment ' s delay , to hold the greatest , the most powerful Chartist demonstration that
ever was held in England , on the second day of the Exhibition , and as near as possible to the Crystal Palace itself . Have an officer , with a white wand , appointed over every nine men , to preserve order and decorum . Take a motto from the greatest enemy ever the working classes had , and let it be printed on white banners : — " He who commits a crime gives strengthto the enemy . "
Show -your strength , your physical power ; be sober , cool , quiet , steady , and determined . Discuss the Charter , point by point , in the hearing of foreign nations ; adopt a petition to the People ' s House of Parliament : do this peaceably , quietly , firmly , and the world will respect you . Bring forward your best menthe Jones , the Stallwoods , the ^ Reynolds , the Grassbys , the Haraeye , the Doyles , the
M'Graths , the Clarkes , the Wests , the Leachs , the P'Donoyans , the Clancys , the LovettB , the 'Mantles , the Burrells , the Moirs , the M'Carthys , the M'Donalds , the Sollys , tho Parrys , the Kydds , the ' Murrays , the Sweets , the Ruffys , the Coopers , the Scholfields , and all the " old and young guards . " But beware of the Popays , the Powells , and the like . Let good men and true be armed with authority to introduce all evil doers to the civil
power . You have ample time to do all this , and more if necessaryr Take the ground for the meeting , and a few hundred well posted placards will do the rest . . ¦ - Bear in mind how Mr . John Fielden ' s placard earned the Reform Bill . "Tostop the Duke' ' go " for gold . " To carry the People ' s Charter , meet in London , Manchester , Glasgow , on tho same day , and at the same hour .
Now , gentlemen Refugees , I hope I have proved that you have wronged Feargus O'Connor , and that I do not approve of the letter to which you have taken exception . Patkick O'Higgins . Dublin , April 14 , 1851 .
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THE LATE CHARTIST CONVENTION . TO THB EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Bib , —I am much pleased that the Chartist Convention has taken up so ¦ warmly the question of Social Reform . Having been some years connected with the Chartist movement , I have often been surprised at tho number of persons who during times of- excitement joined our ranks , but joined only to be lost again ; I believe this has resulted from the non-poBEefsion of Social advantages . I also found that other localities were in tho same condition , and while others "wondered at these untoward results , I often endeavoured to discover the cause of such discouraging failures . The result of my investigation , is the subject of this letter . I conceive that the want of success on the part of Chartism , on tbe people's side , haa been , the following : —
1 st . —That the majority of the poor are too ignorant of the benefits the Charter would confer on them . t 2 nd . —That the workers are generally too poor to givo their subscriptions to the Chartist agitation . 3 rd . —That the oppression of masters aud capitalists prevents them from joining the ranks of Chartism . ' . Hence to secure to the people political freedom , we must make them wise respecting their political degradation . Secondly , we must endeavour to place them in a condition where ' they will be pecunially benefited , and relieved from the power of the money-lord , whose interest it is to keep them from gaining their political rights . Full political knowledge ha 9 never yet been
given to the mass of our agricultural labourers , hence we have but few thriving localities except in large towns ; and in England we hare about a million of men employed in agriculture , who may be said to be totally ignorant of politics . We have also near a million and a quarter of persons in domestic servica , and others amounting in tho aggregate to about three millions of persons , who may bo said to be greatly in want of political knowledge . In addition to these we have an army of upwards of 100 , 000 , who ' are also destitute . of political Knowledge . YTe muat add to these , men who aro employed in trades , who do not mix with the political parties of the day ; some who continually spend their time in pot-houses , working fer tyrannical masters , who dare not say anything about political " chances , or they would te immediately
thrust from employment . Two hundred thousand of these in cotton factories we have statistics of , and we have been told by Mr . Gray , the delegate for North Lancashire ; in the Convention , that there were hundreds of hand-loom weavers who were toiling night and day for aa . pervreek , and in consequence of the inefficiency of that sum to procure the common necessaries of life , the meu were deprived of all time for improving their political knowledge , or organising their localities for a determined resistance to . political oppression . Look again at . the sweaters of Messrs . Moses , Hyani , and other slop-seller 3 , —the victims to incessant toil , — what time have they for gaining political knowledge , -when sixteen " hours a day , Sundays not excepted , is insufficient . to ^ 11 feed and clothe them ? How can these support an agitation , which has to contend against the united capital , leisure , and ' ^' sSi . jr j ..
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3 ^ oncyholder 3 , 8 tateSmen ; and l p sS = ? pai ^ ISS toiler , baffled in political reforms vS on ct V « ? ^ iorationCstarvedrtill star ! Ind rovoKL ° J ? no . 8 er « beoome 3 seditious Sr 2 £ " I' u - en ia seen thc anomaly of : the E hV , S ? t . willingimnraerer . conipre-K ^ ll ° - grievance ; He aids thecapitalut ¦ hSliTO 2 wf . h ' - t **™** becauso > : he ; 4 s not !? , t $ - * " !? S 0 ClaU ^ politicaLdegradation ' of Si ? S * Bro ; hei > Chartists , " we must enlighten e 6 V 3 / 0 yorn out . politicahahds 6 cial knoftleMiofaU + t ^ ... ^ ., . .
^ J- ^ . ^ , , S&w ™ m hls 1 tl'ue Position ; arid his political and social -power , and > e must givehim knowledge ; Ti e . ? &y / lBto ?* isa : wh 6 is really the aggressor . n »»?« ri £ th roam g-cannonade he silenced by the ' pitying heart , sooner than it could '; be -by ; millions OI unorganised workers contending . against ignorant brute force . _ ; ,, „ , ¦ . .. , , . > ° , / , < ; ., , iThusyowcU ^ i < int&liigrace effeok foi-usy ahd more tba ; n tbis , for , itjwillgiveus thebthei' weapon Wa i £ lw 4 w ^ -fe ^ ' ^ liere ' . ^ mbly take upon myself the m ' of corigratulating . the-Convention upon whaphey have done ; in this matter , and to point out' a few fact 3 to them and my . brother Chartists which I have gained by actual experience . The efforts of modern ' . co-operatovs have established one fact , . which is , that working men , in their Labour Associations , can employ themselves in their respective trades without tbe assistance of
money-mongers or masters , and thus employ the profits of their trades to improve their own conditions . This fact suggests the means by which we may improve the condition of the worker , and make him richer , and in a better position to . maintain an agitation for political enfrancWiemerit . That which was effected by the middk classes in the seven , eenth century , under similar circumstances would be effected by the working classes now . Erom Hie inroads of monarchical tyranny they had the will and power to set themselves free ; from the oppression of had laws and capital the working classes , by self-employment , will have capital to support them
, and by intelligence on their side , they will feel themselves in the position the middle classes formerly were , and they would not fail to throw off the yoke . Do not let it ho supposed I wish to throw down any class , I only wish clashes to be so altered that there shall bo but one class on the face of our island , and that class a labouring intelligent class , and this can only be effotted by Social Reforms going hand in hand with Political Reforms , —Social Intellect with Political Intellect ; hand in Uand thoy will lay the foundation of our liberties , and render us wise and truly prosperous . Yours , &c , James Benny .
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Offices 14 , Southampton-street , Strand . The Executive Committee . of this body held their first meeting since tho sitting of thc Convention , as above , on Wednesday eveuing last . John Milne in the chair . The correspondenc * received was read , including a communication from the Marylebone locality , expressive of disapprobation at the conduct pursued by certain parties relative to ths Democratic Refugees . Messrs . Holyoake and Jones .: were appointed a deputation to wait on Sir George Grey , with the memorial adopted by the Convention on behalf of Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis .. , ' Messrs . Arnott and Milne were appointed to make inquiries relativo to the monies due toMossr * M'G'owan nttid Co . '
It was then agreed , that Messrs . Arnott , Hunt , and Jones be appointed a sub-committee , to draw up an address to the couuti-y . . The secretary reported ; that he had forwarded copies of the programme—as amended by tho Convention—to the whole of the daily , journals ; and also to twenty-one of tho weekly , journals . It was also agreed , that S ^ OOO . cippies of the programme be piinted , for general circulation throughout the country . ' *' ¦ ' ' . The Secretary was instructed to make arrangements for holding a series of district public meetings in the metropolis , for the . purpose of taking into consideration the programme adODtod bv the
Convention , the first to ' be held at the Phconix Tavern , llatcliffe-cross , as early as possible . ' After the transaction of financial and other business , the Committee adjourned to Wodnesday evening , April 23 rd . . TS . B . —Those friends -who < 5 esi' / e to have a quantity of the programme , and also the address of the Executive Committee to tho Trades , for distribution , are solicited to state , by letter , addressed to the General Secretary , the name and address of the bookseller through whose parcel the same can b « forwarded , and also the name and address of tho agent in London who supplies the said bookseller . Signed on behalf of tho Committee , John Arhom , General Secretary .
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Maschbsteu . —A special meeting of tfleenbers , duly announced , was held in tho People ' s Institute on Sunday afternoon , which was numerously attqnded , to take into consideration the resolutions passed by tho late London Convention . Mr . John Button occupied the chair . Ho briefly explained the business of the . meeting ,. and observed , that both policies were now fully before them , If any wavering had taken place in consequence of the doings of the London Convention , now nas the time to make up their minds , and speak plainly on tho subject . Ho also informed the meeting that the Council had been alive to the suggestions of last Sunday ' s meeting ; the council had appointed a committee to examine tbe programme of the
London ConTention , and to bring before this meeting a report of their labour . Th » coimnittoo aecordingl reported ; and suggested the following resolution : — " That inasmuch as the elective franchise belongs to every man as a citizen , and member of tho body politic , and is the distinguishing feature that points'out the freeman or the slave , so in our country , where only every seventh man is allowed to vote for a Parliamentary representative , it follows that six-sevenths of the male adults of our people are in political slavery . That it is our duty as Chartists , by all prudent and honourable means , to put an end to such gross injustice to the great bulk of the British people . It is with great plealUVe Vfe Obscm tho efforts now making . by many parties in our nation , in various ways , to extend the elective franchise to the masses who are , virtually , without the pale of the constitution : and . we arc
satisfied that every accession to the numbers of tbe enfranchised leaves less to do in the work of universal emancipation , inasmuch as tho working olasse 3 are the . only parties excluded . Holding these opinions , and wishing to extend charity to all men , we cannot read without pain the first resolution of tW- London Conference , which commands all Chartists to withhold support front any , measure not embracing the full and complete principles proposed in our Charter ; erroneously asserting , that any extension o'f the elective franchise short of universal , would only render the people move helpless , and worse off than before . "We challenge all thinking men to give the subieot a few momenta conaideration , and we are confident they will find the said
resolution to bo based on . % bad foundation , and . m its tendency and operations selfish , isolated , and factioua , and just embodying the very policy that will keep us the powerless and imbecile body of lieformers that , in reality , we are at this moment ; we therefore protest against such an injurious policy . " Mr . Donovan said hecordially supported the resolution of the committee ; and protested against the first resolution on the Programme of the London Convention as an insult to every working man . He WQ \ iW teau tho first resolution , and hoped tho members would take particular notice - " That since by each and all of the franehue measures now before the people , excepting that embodied in the Peoples Charter , the middle daises would gain far more votes than the working classes would gain , which would place them in a ' moro Dowerlesa
uosition than at the present ; < $ sc . " He ( Mr . Donovan ) denied the statement to be true ; it vtas a false assertion . He should like . to know where the uuenfrancmsed middle classes wera-the middle classes were already enfranchised , and a portion of the working classes-any man paying five shillings per week had a right to be placed on the Burgess ' s lut . ' He fearlessly asserted that any extension of the suffrage mist enfranchise tho- working classes . Ihey were the only persons without the franchise . It was stated m the London Convention , in support of the nrst resolution , that the . aristocracy of labour , and not the Deraocvacy of labour , would be benefited by an extension of the suffrage . Here then is a distinction made of working men , of aristocracy , and democi-acy-of labour according to the amount of . wages they get ,, a . aian . who earns five" ehjl-
Untitled Article
Imga per dor looks with contempt Bpon the man who earns four ; shillings per day , and a man who earns tour shillings per day must look with horror on the man who earns two shillincs ppy dav -as an indmduaL who if franchisee ! would beono of-lus greatest enemies and oppressors .. Who bolwvod in , snch _ a narroTr . . minded : dootrino as the S » ? ? ^ E ^ ^? members present , and would Snnvof l r ,, h ^ mdi 8 nityUgreaterabs ^ dity Sv 'SS " hed Or J ? fom io the »<* M bj ISfS-iSir rtSo f h ? "IfWing . wm called to lira full his vioW ffe n nd 0 a on l ention ' ' " According to S 3 ovBrS tn W ^ H come ver y » the ETLxW b > ^ . o Manchester Chartists , and B y " adopted a conoiliatorySjfclicv He thought SbGen dL v Clart ?^ but as n 0 Mtf tWng . ^ iT-J ™ . ' ^ . should like' this meetin g
¦!» 5 fi S T-I ° T ' { owards thc EttMm&o . 2 ftV 8 Ki / ^ should like to know what w ^ ^ nvT ^ *^' . ? ? , CwvenUon : 3 Programme ? Was ^^ PPS ^ in tho Northern . SHr-aenntiov T £ wL c' ^ t ^ asthe yh 3 dcnt ' outw 6 rkferthem-^ Afe ^ ? . * tee months' discussion ; With respecHo th&fcr . « olution on ^ e CotfvSionW fn 9 wK * £ ? ? Id , ! * ° * Wit' * m pnsseK allf . Who didiUefor to fSosuoh partiea existed in Manchester . ^ o su ch-bodies existed as afmionfrancnised . midd . lo class . The first resolution of the Convention was a- direct attack on the Parliamentary Reform Association .- Ho ( Mr . Leach ) was hying in a house of £ 20 por annum . COnseo ,, inMv
he had no right there . He might bo called a middleclass man , or an aristocrat of labour . No house in a respectable neighbourhood , or in a front street , could be had m Manchester for less than £ 10 per annum . If the franchise was extended to every man who occupied a house , or part of a house , it would place the working classes in a worse position tban they were now . Was this not sheer nonsense ? If such an extension was to take plaeii every mnh tW wuldbe enfranchised ; and if the franchiso would place them m a worse position why come there at all ? What was the use of bothering their brains about an extension of the suffrage ? If four millions of electors were created , and would placo them in a - worse position than they were now , let all progress cease , and eive ud affi ^ Hnw fm . * n nv _
tension of the suffrage . He ( Mr . Leach ) should support the resolution drawn up . by the committee . An . intelligent working-man , whoso name I did not hear , but who had lately joined tho association in consequence of the adoption of the policy pursued by the Chartists of Manchester , strongly recommended the adoption of the resolutions of the committce . —Mr . Hamson contended that any locality or individual kd a right to protest against any resolution they dissented from . The franchise had been cut and twramed so closely that any extension must be beneficial to the working classes , and pro-™ ontothe ena m view . He saw many good things passed in the London . Convention , but the bulwark on which . they were founded was a false
toundation , and he entered his protest against the first resolution the Convention had passed , and hould support the resolution as read by the committeo . —Mr . Tliomas Dickenson said he could not » ree with tlie first resolutiQn passed by theLomlon Convention , it was ' opposed to the good sense of every Englishman . —Mr . Dickenson criticised some of the resolutions passed by tho Convention in a masterly manner , and supported the resolution betore the mseting .-Messrs . H . Nuttall , Guttondge , and others , supported the resolution proposed by the committee , after which the Chairman put the resolution to the vote , and it wag passed unanimously . Tne address drawn out by the committee was next road to ' the memberswhich was
, also passed and adopted by themeetiuff , and ordered to be sent to the A ' ortfiem Star for insertion . On Sunday evening Mr . James Cooper gave a very interesting lecture , in the People ' s Institute on " Thopresent H 6 u . au of Commons , its members and its power 3 . "~ After tho lecture Mr . Donovan iropoaed a vote o { thanks . to tho lecturer , and informed the meeting of what had transpired at tho members' meoting in the afternoon ; which the meeting-fully concurred itt . —Mv . Cooper said he was gomg . to the great public meeting on Wednesday evening , the 10 th- instant , in the Free Trade Hall , and ife was hi * intention to protest against the first resolution on the Convention Programme , and if that meeting would empower him he would
protest a so in their name . —A motion was made accordingly , ' and unanimousl y passed . —Mr . H . Nuttall . briefly seconded the vote of thanks to Mr . Cooper for his very instructive lecture , and the meeting separated . ' ^ Rociidaik . —A public meeting of members took place on Monday evening last . ' After the financial business was transacted , the letter of the French Refugees and Mr . 0 ' Connor ' s reply were read from the star , a lengthy discussion ensued , and the following resolution was carried by a large majority !— ' That we , the Chartists of Rochdale , are of opinion that the letter of the French Refugees has maligned Mr . O'Connor ' s character . W . e believe that Mr . O'Connor ' s letter , of April 5 th , does not
refer to the French Refugees , therefore if ifc is the intention of the French gentlemen ( along with any of the English who may be found to assist them , ) to . shake the confidence placed in Mr . O'Connor , we , the Rochdale Chartists , will still retain that confidence until some more truthful statement has been made than what appears in . the letter of the Frenoh . Refugees . With due respect to all brethren who have been forced to leave their country for the advocacy of liberty , we still hold Mr . O'Connor jus * tihod in cautioning the English people against any danger they may be likely to be led into by natiVea or foreigners . " ' NEwcAsitK-woN-TYNE , — On Monday evening last a public meeting was held in tho Democratic Reading Room , to hear the report ot Mr . J .
Watson , delegate to the late Convention ,, Mr . Watson having given ia his report , some discussion took place , alter which , the following resolutions were adopted :-- '' That the report of the delegate be received , and that the thanks of this meeting be givento ourdelegate , Mr . Watson , and tho delegates of tho Convention , for the satisfactory manner in whieh they have conducted their business . " " That inasmuch as tho People ' s Convention of 1851 has affirmed the truth of the great principles so long , f' { ' " Pemveringly expounded and contended for by M . J . B .- O'Brien ; the thanks of this meeting are justly due to that ardent friend of the people , and to that Convention , for its deliberations and discussons , "
MANcnEsiKa . —A public meeting was held in the l / umberland-street Room ' , on Sunday evening laBt , Mr . John Knight in the chair . The meeting was addressed by Mr . G . J . Mantle , who gave an interesting account of the proceedings of the late London Conference , together with the course ho had taken , the policy he had supported , and the votes he had given as their delegate . The meeting , which was numerous , appeared .. well pleased . with the lucid exposition of the principles adopted by the
vumerunce ; ana Mr . mantle , after stating his general approval of theregulations determined upon , concluding by-expressing his regret at the decision of the Conference , ' relative to Mr . O'Connor , believing , as he did , such a vote to bo unnecessary , although he must say that ' Mr . O'Connor had acted foolishly , in writing the letters which had appeared m the Northern Star , relative to the Refugees . With rospeot to that gentleman ' s votes in the Conference , they we such ns met ms approval . The meeting then broke up .
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Exhibition o » 1851 . —Her Majesty ' s ' Commissioner * for the Exhibition of 1851 have taken into their consideration the question as . to the hours during which the Exhibition should remain open and have determined to adopt the following regulations on the snbject : — " Her Majesty havine been pleased to signily . he * intentionof visiting the Exhibition on the occaaion of ita opening on tho 1 st of May , the doors of the building AjiU not be opened to the publio on that day till one o ' clock , at which hour the holders of season tickets will be admitted ; * nd on that day the doora will . hot be closed until seven o ' clock in the evening . On the two following days , Friday and Saturday , the doors will be opened at ton o ' clock , and closed at six o ' clock . On
Monday , the 5 th of May , and each subsequent day , until further notice , the doors will be ; opened at ten o ' clock , and closed at six o ' clock , excepting on Saturdays , on which day the doors will not be opened until twelve o'clock . At six o ' clock in tho evening , when the doora are shut , the stalls will be covered up , and the police will immediately proceed to close the barriers in the avenue and to clear the building . In case the Commissioners should feel by experience thatit is necessary : to modif y these regulations , either by the further limitation of the hours of admission , or by giving the public ' a longer time for visiting tho Exhibition ; notice of such modification will be given . B y order of her Majesty ' s Commissioners , J . Scott Rusbkll S FT s »» i coxH ^ E ^ ibitiw B ^ i ^ g . ujde Parki 10 bbfS
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THE MEMBERS OF THE MANCnffHTtfi / -i CHARTIST ASSOCIATION TO T 1 IB PB 0 P 1 ?/ Fbuott Covnirvmbn ,-And especially vou Wha are anxiousl y working . and w . aiting for the oio 7 i ^ ho ? bil haV 0 becn ? ur stru "S le 3 in A * P « KS mark LT * *** W s ot tho ^ re-read , marK , and learn , and let experience teach us to ba opJSo ' to / , ! n re F etting ^ w weak a forco we can * selvev ^ dVlo'ttiv ^ pX'To ^ r v abuses i « a great nation liko oui 0 « V 112 N important work , and requires a powerfni ^ 'JlM * ' cation of public opinion-it reauiVes ^ i ^ ° - * and our efforts will coins to naught * ' Vs / The Chartist Association of ° Manchester hav » ¦ \ v had long experience in political . leitationa ^ nS ^
have decided to adopt a line-of policy thatcaifnob fail to strengthen their exertions , and brine them nearer to the goal of their hopea-the full enfranchisement of manhood . We offer to aid and aaeiafc all men , or bodies of men , who profess and attempt to better the political condition of the great bulfc of the people , be their endeavours great or small , their reforms broad -or narrow ; if the ' measures they propound wiIL benefitovivbrethren ( the peopJel we will givo them our hearty support . Wo wouli gam tnenda , and accompliah some good before wa go to our graves , "bowed down with sorrow anS care . ^ llu 313 our line of policy , and this we will do « the future if . all the Vor / d should condema ? w , If Suffered t 0 bDCillle ( 1 "'" d names-foe Hsaaaass B-taa ^
, we are arawn to ofler . this present aduress from ^ m - ? S T ^ firs t "solutionS the pS S ' h » f y * ilch and 1 aM ? fthe fenchise measures ° - ^ efo , the P P » ( except the Charter Vlha middle okues wouldgain far " more votes S SS working classes , consequently the working- people would be fav worse off than they are at present - and therefore popular support , must be withheld cT \ alI » franchlse aeas « 1-es filing . short of tho
Brethren , we believe the premises of that resolution will not stand the brunt of scrutiny—it ha 3 been argued publicly amongst us for the last four months . Continually , and like an ' empty sack " it could not stand up . ' To say here we have six millions of unfranchised men , and if wo give four million of them their freedom , or in other words , the elective franchise . irc > shall make them worse slaves than they wero balore . buroly this is nonsense , or something worse-. Again , let us Bay that at present the middll cfcwse 3 overpower us with their political weight ; but we will strike off the shackles of four millions of our brothers , and then see if all the nine hundred thousand voters , middle and hicher classes , ( us
Mmoare called , ) united in one lump , would bo able to cope with the four millions of new born freemen . We allude to tho household suffrage , proposed by Mr . Joseph Hume , M . P . A mensuro that proposes toexvend tho franchise to all persons occupyin g a houso , room , or tenement . u «» , * nm , nfo n ere A ? u i Ve T ' ^ " ^ ' » S *™™ countenance , that such a measure of reform as Miafc would do an injury to the people , or stop us froia getting the Charter ? . For tho sake of common , sense , suvely nob . v
We all know that the present Franchise includes tho higher , middle , and a portion of the better pai * working classes ; and that , consequently , any E ' xtension . of tbe Suffrage must fall to tho share b £ those at pi-eacut excluded ; through poverty Bankers , lawyers , parsons , millowners , landowners ' shopKeepers , wholesale and retail dealers , and thousands of others have all the power they would have now . The Extension of tho Franchise could <* ive them no more power than thejwt present possess ' . mere is no way in which thc middle class would gam an advantage over the working classes , but Bv supposing that tho four million enfranchised men would sell themselves to the middle elasses , tura traitors to their , brethren yet in bond , and / o « to . tho welfare of themselvos and their countrv . But let such a thoiiffht : perish in its birth , far ( t' wnni # i
mu se "bel on tlie character of Englishmen . # conclusion of tho aforesaid resolution is as vicious m practice as its premises are erroneous in theory . Had our bitterest enemies given such' novice , we should not have been surprised . '¦•¦•' But emanating as it does from those professing-to be our friends and advocates-many of whom have y on our admiration and gratitude—we-are grieved that we havo cause to dissent and protest against their advice , . Yet truth , and our country ' s welfare , demand us to do bur duty , and that wo will ' do-to the beat of ouv abilities , however painful or difficult the task . . . ¦ . ; T In our . town wo wevo aa an organised body , beneath contempt ; We were powerless for good or for evil , but it shall be so 110 more . We have begun to take steps to place ourselves in that commanding
aim aignined position that tho importance of our principles arc worthy of . So for we have met with success , beyond our n £ L ' ClpatlOnS ' and ' if energy , patience , and KrS ^ fwTmand il » success shaU crowa our nopes in tho future . Fellow-oonntrymen , we must now do something We must make up for many years of bitter disapl pomtment-, and lost time and labour . Wo must onH ° » a wlde : P read union of our fellow-countrymen , and we must open wide the gates of our future P y ' w ° allow the . millions of our brethren to imfL a must n , v 8 eriou 8 ' ^ nd do more work 1 mS ? l ? ° T \ x \ mu 3 t court the aid of M nen , no matter what be their station . We must coun * tenance all measures that tend iaany degree to raise us in the scale . of society . . WeJnnSf mat *
allowances for other people ' s prejudices , and be charitable to thosowho differ in opinion from us . We must have less suspicion and more faith in-man . We must love ourselves—but love ow country moro ; and we must expect to find more honest men m tho world besides ourselves . in conclusion , there is no choice—no alternative , if we would really gain the Charter . Wo must act on the liberal , kindly policy -we have hero mapped out , instead of the factious policy of tho resolution of the London Conference .
_ Brethren , do aa we advise , and we shall find friends and respect , our members will increase aa hundred-fold , our power will then be felt in Downmg-street , and , at last , wo shall bear down all opposition , and win our glorious old . Charter . John Soiios , Chairman . Jasie 3 Alcock , Secretary . TWo insert this as an independent criticism on the acts of a public body . At the same timewa believe there is no necessity for the twobodies holding such different opinions as to the course " to ba pursued , with reference to other progressive
noliv mo ements coming into collision with each other . The difference is one of opinion , solely , and " much may be said on both sides . " Both parties will act wisely in directing all their energies affirmatively , and in refraining from . criticising the proceedings of each Other . Each will find their adherents , and those who display the greatest zeal , perseverance , energy , and ability will have the honour of doing most for the glorious cause of puhtical emancipation . We cannot too often repeat , there Is room enough in the world for all of us , and we have no strongth to waste in contention with e&ch . other . —Ed . N . S . )
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Extensive Bobbkitc at Bbistol , and Capture op the Thieves . —During tho last three months an extensive series of robberies from the shops of the principal silk mercers , haberdashers , railiners , Ac , of Bristol have been carried on by some expert thieves , who , until within the last few days , contrived to execute their thefts with such adroitness as to defeat all the efforts made to detect them . On Saturday , the 5 th instant , a number oE robberies were committed at the shops of Mr . Freeman , College-green , Mr . Wintlo , Corn-street , Mr . Gregory , Wine-atreet , Mr . Snow , Winestreet , &c , from whom a number of pieces of silk , satin , levantine . &c . of the value in all ' of from
£ 70 to £ 80 were stolen . In each instance the goods had been missed immediately after 'the * departure of two lady-like personages , who ' , after / looking at a great number of articles and engag . ing the attention of the assistants for some tnneL uade purchases of aome goods of trifling value and left the shop . The police immediately instituted inquiries , and Police-constable Bowden of the dotective force , apprehended thrco fei males , giving their names Hackett , Stuck and Dowde . Upon their being searched tw * «? f £ W-jffaas * i *
tltesssi minus K ?« 5 j l « t ^ railway teri BSffi ! ! f u ^? > which some femala Socket « fef ^ ? r key f ound in Dado ' s whoW 'ft < t i ? ^ ' Ia ifc wa 8 ' contained the , wnoie or the silka missed by Mr 'Freeman Mr S 5 S , "Jf Mr Otegoi-y , as LotiTSc ' sSli articles purchased by tho women at the different snops visited by them . Tho prisoners , who are detained w custody , as well the males as the females , ' - are understood to be connected with a / gang of . London thieves , . -who , ha \ e been levying extensive cou- * tnoutionaia the Yariouaiargo towns . -
©Otriftponuence, ^Qtrebttotibence*
© otriftponUence , ^ QtreBttOtiBenCe *
I» ~ Chartist Jmtrtlipnte.
i » ~ Chartist Jmtrtlipnte .
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_ . A ^ D NATIONAL Tfittfe' TOTTBMAT ^ S T *^— ¦ . ««—— . —— p . , „„— , MM . „ ¦ - ¦¦ !' - ' ;¦ ; , n . ¦ . - ¦ ¦ >^ . ^ - ^ . ' . ^ ' - * rV- ^ r ' ' - ^ -- ^ —¦— A *
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aU them ¦ P J )^_ m . . 702 . LOfllWKJAllfflAY /^ — ——' . . "' . " 77 ' ' ' ' == ;
To The "Wobkina Classes.
TO THE "WOBKINa CLASSES .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 19, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1622/page/1/
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