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ADDRESS OF THE LONDON DELEGATE COUNCIL TO THE CHARTISTS OF LONDON.
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TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
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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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Mr Beloved Fbiekds , —The time is fast approaching when , the tariff bubble must burst ; and the effect which its failure will produce , —for fail H will—will very speedilj be made manifest in the d isorganisation of "what has been called civilised society . Don't misunderstand me . The anticipations -Of Sir Robert Peel will be folly realised as regard ?* fall , and ft considerable fall , in prices ; bat the re daction will be felt in the wholesale market only ; it will not visibly affect the retail market . Tho 3 it will have a positive as well as a negative
ten dency to create dissatisfaction . The redaction in the price of lire stock , wheat , and grass prodoee , will oonsiderably reduce theTalue of land . This will damp the loyalty of landed proprietors , and hare a positive effect upon their after course ; while the failure of the measure in reducing the retail price of food will shear it of all popular approval . Now , if a butcher bays a beast of six hundred pounds weight at adduction of £ 5 , in consequence of the tariff ; and if the present price of beef be 7 d . per 1 b . ; the reduction of £ 1 P& lOGIb . in the price of the beast , would enable him to sell the beef at within a fraction of
2 id . per 1 b . under the 7 d . ; that is , at 4 ^ d . per lb . But think you he will make that abatement ! No ; nor yet a fraction of a farthing for some time , until either competition amoDg butchers , or combination of consumers to buy and slaughter for themselves , shall by degrees , and very slowly , force the butcher to a trifling reduction ; but never to one half of the relative wholesale abatement in the price of live Etock- Now keep that in your mind , because I mean to use it as a case strictly analagons to that which a repeal of the Corn Laws would present . If a fall in the wholesale price of live stock would not present a corresponding reduction in the retail
price of meat , what guarantee or assurance would the consumer of bread haTe , that a fall in the price of wheat would produce a corresponding reduction in the price of bread 1 Ndne whatever ; and thus , jny friends , we at onee discover the inability of the Government of an artificial state of society to give the real stamp to their own measures , however beneficent , jost , and equitable , their intentions may be . Here we find Sir Robert Peel , whose measure is bold , and intended to be sweeping , unable to produce any other result than the odium and suspicion of his own party , and the disappointment of the people .
Have I not told you ten thousand time 3 , when replying to the fallacies of the " cheap bread" men , that it was wholly and entirely ont of the power of any government to regulate the retail price of food by Act of Parliament ; "while I have also shown you that society i 3 not without its remedy ; and the only remedy , under heaven , is to make so large a portion of society their own producers as irould render them , and all , through the extensive market of their surplus produce , independent of the speculators in human food . Again and again , I repeat the fact .
In my first letter upon tae tariff I told you that it would effect a considerable reduction in the prices of most articles ; bnt I told you also that nothing short of the People's Charter would turn the alteration to your advantage . I bow repeat that assertion ; while I lament to think that it is only out of the evil which the promised good will , produce that any ultimate benefit can arise to society at large . Yes ; from the disappointment of the landed proprietors and the people will spring an amount of confusion which few can contemplate ; while the increased demand upon the middling classes for war expences will swallow up much more than the largest amount of savings that the tariff will yield
to them . Now , just for a moment think of the worse than brutality of paying in three ye&T 3 more than thirteen millions sterling as the first instalment for our foreign conquest over the brave , the simple , the innocent , and peaceful Affgb&nistans ! That amount is but the first instalment , while our com quest promises to be a defeat . I ask if this be just or Christian , or whether it be right to carry our desolating new inventions for the destruction of toman life among the Chinese , a people anxious to live in peace with all the world ! But especially I ask , if this squandering of life and money can be justified , or even tolerated , while hundreds of thousands of our brave people fire actually perishing for want of the humblest fare !
England , with ail hex wealth , has become a vast sea-bonnd dungeon , filled with starving paupers I Her martial glory abroad is tarnished , and her only domestic greatness is to be seen in a gorgeous soldiery and Ht a military police , whose warm backs , flushed cheeks , and comfortable home 3 , furnish a sad and striking contrast to the naked bodies , palid faces , and wretched hovels , of those whose voices they are hired to smother , snd upon whose very miseries they live I
How often have I told you , that hunger , like the water , would find its level . How often have I reminded you , that York , without its machinery , codd not draw a " eordon sanataire" around its walls , and say to prowling poverty— " thu 3 far shalt thou go , but no further . ' How many times have I 4 £ sured the comparatively happy villagers , that their peaceful resting place could not be the one fair spot , bidding defiance to the raging plague ! And is it not bo ! Has not the searching eye of desolation fertetted out the last remaining hamlet ! and has not the griping hand of taxation been stretched forth for
the peaceful villager ' s contribution towards the shedding of his fellow ' s blood , to swell our foreign conquests , and make us a gbeat nation ? Alas ! my friends , even the ocean furnishes no bounds to man's rapacity . No ; for in the accounts from poor Ireland , we find that while an able-bodied man in full and in the best employment can earn no more than -eightpenee per day , he is obliged to pay sevenpencehalfpenDy for fourteen pounds of potatoes ! That is two pounds of dry potatoes par day for a man , his ¦ wife , and family , say of five children ; and to pay teat , and supply clothes , and fuel , and
EDUCATION out of his savings 0 GREAT NATION 0 most mighty nation of plundered paupers and plujdering rascals ! 0 most civilized and enlightened priesthood i 0 most Christian ministers of Christ ' s religion ! 0 most pious ruffians , when will your sympathy begin I orjwheniwill God ' s vengeance overtake you in your race of benevolence 1 I O Mr . Attorney-General give me but one month's fling at the enemies of mankind , of peace , law , and order , with an assurance that you will not prosecute me ion tbs ibuxh , and I will draw for yon a picture which the devil himself would blush to look upon ! But in the midst of all this suffering , still peace reigns , and life and property i 3 secure . Thanks be to God for that . Ye 3 , my friends : the police of
Ireland , armed as soldiers , and dressed as rifle-men , were compelled to look on peaceably , while the starving men of Wexford unloaded a sloop laden with potatoes , and bound for Liverpool , and the potatoes were sold in the market at a reduction of Hd . per stone . Yes , the police - were peaceable , and looked on while the people quietly asserted their rights to be first partakers of tbe fruits of their own labour . They bought the potatoes , and though at a reduced , yet at an exorbitant price . I often told you that the moral force Irish would ' nt stand much nonsense ; and I trust that the Pacificator General and his Ei&fi wUl immediately take effectual means for preserving the same order that my " wild followers" have observed through many seasons of ; he most trying and galling privation .
Let me now , my friends , point out to yon those circumstances which , above all others , foment and perpetuate legislative discontent . I will begin with "Wbi Rgery and the Whigs . That political party is defunc : as a representative body—Thank God for that . The reason why they have no back is this when we knocked them down , their own party kicked them for falling . They were willing to cling to them while in office ; although the Whigs in power never represented the Whig constituences , dot jet a tithe of the electoral body . There is a great
difference between the theory of Wbiggery and the practice of a Whig Government .- The Whigs in office did not go far enough for the majority of the Whig electors . This is fully proved by the fact of Russell and his Government , making a great merit of reducing the duty on foreign corn to 83 . per qnarter , while ninety-nine in every hundred of the " vViiig electors were for a total repeal of the duty . How has practical Whigkery fallen by Chartist hands , while the theoretical Whigs who thought themselves insulted , but awaited the first blow to iasare their former friend's defeat ' Now the dif-
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ference between the theory and practice of Toryism is . exactly the reverse , inasmuch , aa the Tory constituencies declare that their Government goes too far for them . In fact , had Lord John Russell and the Whigs proposed Peel ' s tariff , the Tories , if no other mean 8 had been at their disposal , would have stopped the supplies : bo that we may say with the Poet" 0 , what a contradiction is man ! What in another he one moment spurns , The next he does himself complacently . "
In the midbt of all this chaos , my friends , the opposition is being marshalled ! and it must be our business to take care that the brave , the nnnly , the eloquent , and consistent democrat , who came to our aid when we were spurned by all , and who did not wait till we had become powerful , shall in the struggle for leadership remain our head , our general , and our chief . None shall rob him of the laurels of his manly stand in the people's cause . We will give him a power and an importance which no monarch can bestow , and of which faction shall not deprive him .
The next great change of political parties will be this : all persons with accumulated readymade wealth , all landed proprietors , and statechurch cormorants , all fond-holders , bankers , and rich merchants , together with the leviathans of machinery , and heads of professions , will flock to the standard of Toryism ; while the dissenters and the industrious of all classes will range themselves under the banner of Chartism ; and then the battle begins in the House of Commons ! Then , like an electric spark , the fervor will be communicated to the pile of ripe opinion outside ! Away will go the rotten fabric , which all attempts to patch has but weakened ! while its ruin will be hastened by the internal dissensions of the new adherents to Toryism ; for , believe me , that nothing but the dread of a bolder foe will prevent the disappointed landlords from falling foul of the church , the fund lords , and all persons of fixed incomes , whose bonus will be carved oat of the landlord ' s ruin . In this state of things the public mind will not long allow the public affairs to remain ; and , as public opinioa cannot be driven back , onward it must -go . Let us remain on the watch , and be prepared to take advantage of our oppressors difficulties !
Ever your faithful friend , and devoted Servant , Fkabgcs O'Connob . Thursday , June 9 th , 1842 . P . S . —My friends , keep your eyes upon Nottingham . We have every reason to expect the immediate issue of the writ , and then we must and will return Sturge . Had I been aware that ' my time could have been devoted otherwise than to Nottingham this week , the state of tho weather would not have allowed me to call meetings in doors , nor to have subjected myself and my hearers to the destroying influence of a burning sun . When the election at Nottingham is over , and the weather becomes more cool , then I shall start upon my tour of inspection . F . O'C .
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GeStlembs , —Having been called npon . to act as Delegates representing the various localities of this great metropolis , we feel ourselves feonnd to address you npon the importance of your co-operation in carrying out the recommendations of the " late Convention , " in further orgaaizlDg London and its district . Confident that oar past conduct and success will insure to us that tnpport which is necessary for the advancement of Chartism , it needs little or no appeal on our part to you , who are already convinced ot the principles of the People ' s Charter , but we must remind you of the motto so frequently used by men advoc&tiag the cause of liberty , that
" United tre stand , divided we fall " the prey of our enemies and the enemies of liberty ; by the support we have received from you we have in twelve . months aroused London from one of the most a , pathetic to one of the foremost cities in the cause oi liberty and the Charter , and this has been done at a less expense than was incurred at the great Kersall Moor meeting . We have raised from the ranks of the working classes , a number of ardent Lecturers in the cause of human redemption , who have been rewarded by the steady co-operation of their fellow-men , for the many sacrifices they have made ; and novr , Gentlemen , we ask you still to be firm with us in the cause of liberty ; and London shall be the envied and admired pott of Chartism . " For he -who Talnes liberty confines His zeal for her predominance within No narrow bounds ; her cause engages aim Wherever pleaded— 'tis the cause of man . "
It is not now a timB for petty jealou « es to obtrude among the associates of popular rights , or for any to secret themselves in their closets , instead of manfully upholding their sentiment * . A great public qnestion is at stake , and " he -who is not "with us is against us . " We have to determine whether class legislation , with ita notorious corruption and abomination , shall continue at the expence of a starving people ; we have to determine -whether the abuses of the Church of England tball remain untouched , or the religion of that Church shall be preached pure and undeflled—whether a property tax shall be instituted , or the industrious poor deprived of more than b « M their small pittance to support an haughty oligarchy , who have treated -with , contempt three millions of their
fellowmen , _ whose interest they were bound to protect ; in short , we have to determine -whether despotism or liberty , misery or happiness , shall exist at home , war or peace abroad . These are important considerations ; and he who does not take it to heart is unworthy the name ef an Englishman or a Briton ; means are possessed of rendering this country the greatest among nations , and the natural industry of our countrymen untrammelled from the present system of exorbitant taxation would be a sure warrant of their well being , ¦ while attended with health and strength ; their generoiity adependence for honest oJd age . Then , friends , ¦ we call upon yon to bestir yourselves st this critical period of your country ' s fate ? adopt thb remonstrance and memorial of the late Convention , and furnish to us the means of carrying on the agitation ¦ which , with your approval , we will prosecute with redoubled zeal ,
and show by your unanimity that you are strong ; and by your peaceable conduct that you are aware of the importance of the task that devolve * upon you . The time now presets itself for you to effect a bloodless . yet one of the most glurious revolutions ever recorded by the frail hand of man . If you lose this opportunity , not only may you , bat your children and children ' s children , be doomed to drag the heavy chains of slavery ; the rights of conscience may be disowned ; the altars of your God dishonoured ; and your homes , which ought to be the seat of happiness , thus rendered the harbours of-misery and degradation- The Charter , which is the panacea for the txisting evils , can only be obtained by union ; therefore , be firm , and attach yourselves to those whom yen have tried , and who have struggled for and protected the glorious cause of Chartism from the injuries of professing friends and open foes . By your desire we will continue the good wivr of truth against
error . Tour ' s , Philip Martyn John Bassage Huffy Ridley William Wilfeins Edward Langwith Salmon James Morgan John Whitesidea John Simpson George Hnmphries William Cuffay John Ferguson William Bartlett William Cooper Charles DoboU Poizer Christopher James Southie Blake Henry Dobson John Hawkins William Smith Edward Granshaw Richard Wakeham William Goulding Thomas Sweet William Drake John Long - — Se&le Baxter Searle Jokn DufSald JKobert Scrivea Thomas iL Wheeler , Luke King Sab-Secretary . Universal Liberty , and no surrender . '
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WEWCASTLE . —FBESH EFFORTS OF THE LEAGUE . The Coal tax being calculated greatly to affect this district , the League , taking advantage of this , have changed their cuckoo song of cheap bread , and have hired their old advocate , Mr . LiddJe , to echo through the colliery villages his new song of " No coal tax . " His second rehearsal of the new song came off at Seatou Delava , on the evening of Tuesday , the 31 st of May . As soon as it was announced , some of the pitmen of that locality saw meet to invite Mr . Cockburn , of Newcastle , to attend and scan his sophistry . About half-past six the large room in Mi . Bell's public-house was tolerably filled , when Mr . Stepbensen , one of the coalmaster ' s BchoolnaaaVers "was unanimously called to the chair . — Mr . Liddle commenced his harangue by telling the
pitmen that the sutject of his mission was a life and death qnestion—with them it was whether they were to continue in employment or be reduced to the condition of the manufacturing districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire He then read a number of statistics , showing the amount of coal exported during the time the duty existed , by which it ' appeared the average amount was 50 , 000 tons . Now , in 1841 , there vras exported upwards of 1 , 400 , 000 tons , whereas our internal consumption had decreased about 106 , 000 tons in the last six years . Now we had an increasing population , and if the tax was again laid on , and the exportation reduced to the old rate , what would become of the coal hewers ? Bat bo had shown that Onr internal consumption had decreased . Now this clearly proved that
our trade did not increase in proportion with oar population . Various opinions had been given as to the causes of our national distress ; some blamed machinery , but what , he would ask , could we do without machinery ? Would they like to see their wives and children carrying down coals on their backs toBlyth and loading the ships ; yet this would be the cue were it not for the assistance of machinery . Some called out for annual Parliaments , as if that would remove the distress , and said that a year was long enough fora bad servant . Now they might elect a Parliament every six months ; in short , three months , one month , or a fortnight , was loug enough for a bad servant ; they might , therefore , elect a Parliament once a fortnight . Now there could be no good gxyercmt-nt
without a good commercial state of society , which be was prepared to state did not exist . When the people in the Highlands of Scotland were starring for want of bread , they bad more herrings than they could use . Now they were willing to exchange these different article * with each other , but the Corn Laws interposing , doomed tbe Highlanders to starve for want of bread , and the Spaniards for want of herrings . This shewed a bad commercial state of society . It was all the same to tbe people , whether they bad a Tory Government , a Whig Government , a Radical Government , or a Chartist Government so long as this was the case . Let the people join with those who want to improve our Commercial condition ; above all , let them resist by every means in their power , tbe obnoxious coal tax . They
had compelled t ' ae Government to reduce it from 4 s , to 28 . already , and would compel them to desiBt entirely by standing firmly to each other . In cod elusion , he colled upon them to disseminate knowledge upon the subject , by raising subscriptions to publish tracts , by petitioning , and by using such other means as the exigency of the case might rtquire . One of the viewers , whose name we could not learn , moved that a petition be adopted , praying the Commons' House , not to enact the coal tax ; this was b econded by another viewer , named Richardson , and after a few remarks from the chairman was carried . Mr . . Liddle rose and recommended that future meetings be held of a similar kind , Mr . Cockburn then roie , and said he did not come there to interfere with local matters , with which the colliery
districts were particularly interested , but he thought it his duty . aa a working man , to attend all Buch lectures and defend the interest of his order when attacked , as Mr . Liddle had done that evening . The first remark of Mr . L . to which be would object was his stating that it was of no use for the people to look after good government until Ikey had the nation in a prosperous commercial condition . Now , he would say , that a nation could nst be prosperous without good government , and there fore to talk of a good commercial state of society first , was , to say the least of it , a blunder of a very glaring description , unless he expected good to flow from evil . [ This excited considerable approbation amongst the pitmen . ] Mr . L . rose , and said be would answer any questions , bat would not allow a speech to be m&de , in
that room , as he had paid for it upon which Mr . C said he wondered bow an avowed friend te free-trade could oppose free inquiry . Mr . L . got into a great rage , and declared he would not allow such an improper use to bo made of his room . Mr . C . lamented Mr . L's . want of temper , and aiked if he would bs allowed to reply to certain portions of his ( Mr . L's . ) lecture , which he considered objectionable ? Mr . L . said , that was not a fair question . Mr . C wanted Mr . L ' s . definite answer , wbetber he would allow his lecture to be tested by the meeting . Mr . L . said , I tell you , sir , that is a dishonest question . Mr . C . said it was evident to all present , tbat Mr . L . was sot disposed to give an honest answer , and he would again ask if Mr . L . would allow the privilege required ? To which
Mr . L replied , that he must havu an honest opponent , npon which one of the pitmen moved an adjournment to the door , which was carried with acclamation , Mr . L ., the Chairman , and a fry of coal hewers being all tbat were left behind . Mr . Cockbnrn then commenced at tbe door to address the multitude , who stood with breathless attention daring h s whole address , which lasted about an hour , and was only interrupted by most enthusiastic bursts of applause from the honest workies who surrounded him . Mr . C spoke nearly as follows : —Working men , this is the first proof which these liberty-loving gents , has given of their desire to benefit you ; they come here to preach slavery under the garb of freedom , and refuse to hear their villany exposed . Mr .
L . says he has paid for the room , as if his money gave him a right to deceive the public . Now , he ( Mr . C . j would prove that be had deceived , grossly deceived the public , and that bis object was to uphold tyranny , and to induce the people to consider it a blessing . He bad said the people could not do without machinery , as if the foea to tbe free trade scheme were opposed to it Now , this w&s not the case ; so long as machinery tended to ease labour of a portion of its toil , it was a blessing ; but when an avaricious capitalist made use of it to throw thousands of men out of employment altogether , then it became a curse . Manufacturing districts are in distress ; and this is a proof , says Mr . L . that trade is not increasing according to our population . Now , let us take the population of this country
forty years ago , and tbe amount of goods manufactured then , and compare it with the population now , and the quantity of goods manufactured now , and we will find that manufactu ; es have increased twenty fold , whereas the wages of the working men have fallen to a very considerable amount Mr . C . then gave the meeting a number ef excellent statistics , which clearly proved the position he had taken , and seemed to astonish the mejor part of his audience , and even some of his enemies confessed tbat he was not far wrong . He sa ! d Mr . L , had read a batch of statements relative to the amount of coals exported during the existence of the coal tax , and sinca it had been repealed , proving the immense amount of employment tbe coal hewers had received since that time . Now , he won Id have
liked if Mr . L . had likewise stated the amount of wages received during the different periods referred to ; but what were the facts of the case ? In 1807 , when the coal tax to which he alluded existed , and an additional war tax of 8 ) £ per cent , the coal htwers had then from 8 ° . to 10 s . per day , with little material change , to the 15 tb of August , 1834 , when the duty was repealed , and ever since that time the condition of the men was annually getting worse—( cries of "that ' s true , " amongst the men . ) Now , he ( Mr . L . ) granted that the population of the colliery districts trere increasing to a grtat amount , but he would ask , what was tho cause of this increase ? Had not numbers of working meu from the manufacturing and agricultural districts , driven from their once happy homes by Mlflsh and exclusive legislation , been
forced into the mining districts , and thus created a competition for labour , which enabled their employers to reduce the wages to tbe present low amount . Now you heard what use Mr . L . made of this fact this evening . You cannot expect good wages , says he , when scores of men are seeking for employment , and your masters can get them for less . Now Mr . C . would aak why scores were going ab . > ut in quest of employment ? The country is capable of producing food for double its present population ; our people are capable of manufacturing goodg sufficient for haif the world , in short we have within ourselves the power to make all our population happy , and yet tens of thousands , yes , huudreds of thousands of industrious artisans are in the most abject misery . All this Mr . L . would cure by free trade , which means nothing more or less than
plenty of -work , and little for it . He would next advert to Mr . Ls . remarks relative to Annual Parliaments ; before alluding to this he would remind his audience that the Chartists appreciated Annual Parliaments upon condition of Universal Suffrage only , which Mr . L . took care to keep out of sight . A fortnight , says Mr . L . is long enougb to keep a bad servant , and upon tliis principle we ought to elect a Parliament © nee a fortnight . Now Mr . L . knew this was all twaddle . Let us apply his principle to municipal elections . Why do the corporations elect their mayors once a year , a for tnight being long enough to keep a bad servant ? According tto Mr . La * , proposition they should elect their mayors once a fortnight . Mr . L . bad called him < Mr . C ) his dishonest opponent . Now workingmen associate as Mr . L . wants ; circulate tract *
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agreeable to bis wishes ,- and sign hi » petitien ; do » 11 thi « and you will be safe enough to yeur employment , but join with u » for the Charter , assert the rights of labour , demand jartfcei Jot the mllliona , and then let me &bS you -what would be the fate of many of you ? would you not In turned from your employment , your names circulated through the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce , and . compelled to seek employment at some other occupation , or starve . This was the proof he would give of the comparative honesty of the Chartists « nii the Leaguers , and I do hot doubt bat many of you have suffered for the advocacy of the principles of real liberty . Mr . C . then concluded by exhoitlng the people to unite tot the principles of the Charter as the only means to ameliorate their present condition , " and retired amidfit the most enthusiastic cheers of-all who heard him , except Mr . L . and his clique of viewers ; who said to a friend of Mr . Cs . that he was sorry to see such divisions in the ranks of working men . Mr . Cs ' . friend told him the
reason was that they had been too long imposed upon by being directed to " look to shadows instead of substances , to alleviate their Bufferings , that they had come to a firm determination fco be deluded no longer with their will-o' -the-wisp humbug , but to direct their whole energies towards the acquirement of the People ' s Charter in fall . O , aaid Mr . Liddle , if you will guarantee me ^ 3 . per week , I will advocate the principles of the whole Charter for you . Can anything bt > fairer than that ? Nothing Sir , ( said Mr . C'sfriend , who is a working coal miner ;) nothing could have shown you in your true colour better than your last offer , but we are afraid that if we shoulA engage you as our advocate > ttsj * rjqnj would betray our principles , as you have now offered to 4 « the Leaguera in consideration of £ 3 . per week . I wish you a good night , said Mr . Cs ' . friend , and I am happy you have undeceived us , and showed your pliancy to work for a living . With this the subject dropped , some of Mr . Liddle ' s adherents disgusted at his apparent want of principle .
Weekly Meeiinos . —The CbartiBtB of Newcastle held their weekly business meeting in the Chartist ' s Hall , Goat Inn , Cloth Market , on Monday evening , Mr . Dees was called to the chair ; the Secretary having read the minutes of last meeting , which were confirmed , Mr . Cockburn moved , and Mr . Smith seconded the following resolution , which was agreed to : —That outdoor meetings be held in Newcastle on the evenings of Tuesday and Friday of n ^ e xt week , namely , Spiral on Tuesday , the 14 th inst ., at eight o ' clock in the evening ; and Garthheads ( Shieldl ' s New Road ) on Friday evening , at eight o ' clock . " Mr . Livingtonj moved aa an addition , " That the memorial to the Queen and the remonstrance to the Commons be submitted to each ot the meetings , " which was seconded by Mr . Finley , and
carried unanimously . Mr . James Purvis said that in accordance with the rules of tbe association he how gave notice tbat he would bring forward the following resolution for discussion and adoption on this night week . It was not without precedent to bring it forward to-night , but that none might have occasion to say that it emanated from a hole and corner meeting , he thought it more advisable to bring it forward in the most public manner possible the resolution to which he referred was as fellows : — -Resolved ' ' That this association bave great confidence in Feargua O'Connnor , Esq ., the proprietor , and the Rev . William Hill , the editor of that unflinching organ of tbe people , the Northern Star , and do hereby pledge theuiselvea to stand by those advocates of our principles so long as
they continue to advocate the cause of real liberty as they have hitherto done ; and believe that the ftul aspersions thrown but against Mr . OCounor are unprincipled calumnies , because they cannot induce him to become a political pedler , aa some of them have done . The Rev . W . V . Jackson , of Manchester , was nominated a fit and proper person to become a member of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association . Several contributions were paid in to Mr . Sinclair as treasurer for the Lecturer ' s Fund , All places desirous of uniting with Newcastle for the support ot a lecturer , are respectively requested to send in their names immediately to Mr . James Sinclair , No . 3 , Pipergate , Gateshead , as we arc to enter into arrangements with a lecturer as soon aa possible .
. COVBNTRY . —W 6 had a lecture on Sunday , on th evils of war , and of a standing army . The lecturer finally dissuaded young men from enlistment . On Monday , being fair day , a number of cafld bills of a like character , with the preceding day ' s lecture were distributed among the country people . WINCHCOMB . —According to announcement we bad a good lueeling on Sunday last ; at Toddington , where Mr . Melsoni attended and _ gave a very spirited lectura " on exJbttng evils and their causes . The hearers weie greatly pleased and unanimous in their desire for justice . On Monday night , at the monthly meeting , a vote of thanks was given to Air . Melsom , of Cheltenham , for his indefatigable and persevering conduct in advocating the cause of the People ' s Charter .
HANX . EY AN » SHELTON ( STAFFORDSHIRE Potteries . )—The members of the association in this place have removed their place of meeting to the Sea Lion Inn , Hanley . It has been proposed that lectures shall be given here periodically , and every means used for the propagation of our principles . Much good may be expected from the change now resolved upon . Dundee . —At the weekly meeting of the Democratic Council , held on the evening of Monday week , Mr : James Anderson introduced the " National Remonstrance , " concocted , adopted , and promulgated by a party calling themselves . the " City Members of the National Association . " Mr . Anderson stated that he had some correspondence some time since with Mr . Lovett , about certain business , and that Mr . Lovett
had sent him a circular enclosing a copy of the remonstrance , and requesting him to use his influence in obtaining signatures to it . Mn Anderson read the remonstrance , a very lengthy document , and similar in some rerpects to the National Pbtition . Mr . Wm . Davidson expressed his disapproval of the remonstrance Aa outcry had been raised against the National Petition because it was jsaid to embrace too many subjects , and this remonstrance lay open to the same cbarg « . It was also put forth by a body who had ni > claWto the title of National , and whose motives might be questioned , seeing that the Convention , a body elected by and responsible to the people , had issued a remonstrance to which all Chartists would agree . He at one time was an advocate for the exercise of tbe right of petitioning ,
and urged upon all to sign their petitions , but he was now so thoroughly disgusted at the reception th * people ' s petitions had met with , that he , aa an individual , would never sign another petition , unless recommended to do so by a truly national body , and with a proBpect that it would be ef some use . He moved " That the Council have nothing to do with the remonstrance sunt down by Mr . Lovett" Tha motion having been seconded , Mr . Anderson defended tho remonstrance . He denied that it embraced too many subjects , or at all resembled the National Petition , it only pointed out the defective system of representation , and a few of the evils arising therefrom . It could not bo called a petition , as it asked for nothing . 'Mr . Rutherford also defended tho
remonitrance . Mr . James M'Pherson supported the motion of Mr . Dividson . He held that the remuiir strance was as open to attack as the National Petition was , that it was to bo inferred that those who signed that document wished to abolish all the gtlevancea there instanced ; that they embraced the court , the civil list , the army , the church , colonial government , ita ., all which subjects would be seizad upon and inadts the most of by our ; enemies . -He had supported the National Petition £ > r the sake of unaalaiity , seuing tbat it wao adopted by the great body of the Chartists of England before it was objected to in Scotland . Mr . A . had opposed the adoption of the National Petition in Dundee , and he . ( Mr . M . P . ) was surprised to find him urging the adoption of a similar document , What was in fact neither more nor less than a second National Petition , for it distinctly ; prays that the riiernbers
of the House of Commons will speedily declare m favour of the People ' s Charter . He believed the object of the parties who have put forth the remonstrance was to get themselves recognised aa a national body , by its general signature . / After some further discussion , tho motion was put from the chair and carried , only one hand being held up against it ' . A new field has been opened here for the spread of Chartism , the seamen , a body hither to unknown as active Chartists , have had a little of the Bpirit of genuine freedom infused into them by one of themselves lately returned from Gibraltar . A considerable number met in the council room on Friday evening . They were addressed by Messrs . John Duncan , William Davidson , and William Anderson , on the distressed state of the country , and in explanation of the principles of the Charter . Arrangements are in progresB for calling a meeting of the seamen by hand-hills .
The body of a young man was fovind in the river at Wills Braea , on Thursday week , : From stones being found inside hia jacket and in his pockets , there is uo doubt but he threw himself into the water . The individual mentioned above as having led the sailers t 6 think of Chartism , was among the persons who discovered the body . A lady and gentleman were preseut who were loud in their sentimental lamentations , and attracted the notice of the honest tar , who pointed to the body of the suicide , and told them to look upon it as one result of class legislation , the young man piobably having destroyed hlniself for want of the means of subsistence . The gentleman anticipated much evil from the adoption of Universal Suffrage , and the sailor getting warm with the Bubject , delivered a go&d Chartist lecture on the spot . We can fancy the effect of his address—supported as he was by such ovideuce against a system which compels m ^ n to seek death as a release from thefc Briaeries .- —CorrespoKdcwJ .
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XONDON . —Cahbebweix ^—Tiie Chartist ? this looality field their weekly meeting at the Hose and Crown ; on Monday evening . After the local business was concluded , Mr . Anderson delivered a lecture on the evils arising out of the present system of class legislation , showing that the only remedy for improving the Government of thia country was the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less . The lecturer throughout was listened to with great attention . A vote of thabks ! was given to the lecturer , and the meeting separated .
BBOMproy .- ^ T he members met a 9 usual at the Brompton Coffee House , on Tuesday evening , Mr . Wheeler in . the chair . Reports of a satisfactory nature were given in from the Loiidoa Delegate Council and from the Monthly Council . Reports were also received from the Committee meeting at the Three Doves . " The General Council were appointed to meet the Committee from the Delegate Council on Monday evening , at the Clock House , Castle-street , Leicester-square . After the transaction of other business relative to tho funds , the meeting adjourned .
ROCHDALE .- —A lanre and enthusiastic meeting was held on Monday , in the open air , for the purpose of memorializing the Queen to dismiss her present Ministers and call to her councils those who will make the People ' s Char ter a cabinet measure . The meeting was called by requisition to be held in the Butts . At the time appointed , Mr . Thomas Liyaey was called to the chair , who opened the meeting by wading the placard , and in a neat and appropriate speech introduce * Mr . John Leach , to address the meeting , who , in a apeech of some length drew attention to . the distress which existed throughout the country , the cause of such distress , and the remedy . He concluded : by reading the remonstrance , and entreating the masses to come forward aa men and enroll themselves members of the National Charter Association . —Mr . James Ashley
seconded the remonstrance in a sensible and argumentative address . —Mr . James . Taylor , sen . supported -it ^^ in in s pithy and sarcastic manner , dealing his remarks with equal severity against both Whigs and Tories—The Chairman then ; invited any person forward wishing to make an objection , but none . appearii > # , It was put and carried unanimously . Mr . Jordan Chad wick moved a memorial to the Queen , in an excellent speech . —rMr . Benjamin Rudman briefly seconded the memorial , which , on being put to the meeting was carried without a dissentient voice . Mr . Jamea Taylor , jun . made a few remarks on the remonstrance and memorial , and moved a resolution to the effect that Wm . Sharman Crawford , Esq . be requested to forward them to their proper quarters . Mr . Jamas Casson ; seconded the motion . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman and tho people separated .
Baildon . —A Chartist Camp meeting was held at this place on Sunday afternoon last , which ¦ was very numerously attended . Mr . Smyth and Mr . Kitchen addressed the assembly . GulSEtEY . —Messrs . Alderson and Brook attended a meeting at this place on Sunday afternoon last . Little HORTON . —Mr . Smyth delivered a lecture on Machinery and CapitaU on Sunday evening last , which gave general satisfaction . A resolution was unauiniously passed to open a Sunday school in the room , on Sunday next , for the purpose of teaching reading , writing , and arithmetic ; the school to commence at half-past nine in the morning , and at halfpast two in the afternoon . The members meet every Sunday evening , at six o'clock , for transacting business . .. ¦ , .. ¦ - ¦ : ' ¦ ' ' . . ¦ ¦ ' . ¦ ' . .- ' .. ' ¦¦ ¦
StAFFOBD . —The Chartists of this place bavo com * menced agitating the surrounding villages . On Sunday last , Messrs . Hunnibla and Watd lectured to the villagers of Weaton , who paid great attention to their discourse * Mr . Wm . Peplow preached at Sandon ( the seat of the Noble Lord of that name ) from the 22 n « l chapter of Proverbs , verse 6 , and was listened te with much attention . Chaxfoed : —At a sieeting held here on Thursday week , two shillings were « ollepted for the Convention , which were paid over to theStroud friends , to ba by the ^ n forwarded to the General Treasurer .
BbLTON .- ^ JIr . Ross , of Manchester , attended here on Sunday evening , and delivered one of the most powerful and energetic addresses which we have lately had the pleasure , of hearing . The room , capable ot holding eight hundred persons , was crammed to suffocation , and many were compelled unwillingly to depart . An open air meeting having been convened for Monday evening on a large space of ground adjacent to the Exchange , a large concourse of p ' ebpla asstmbled long before the time of meeting , who evinced a great deal of anxiety as to the result , it being the first open air meeting held in this town since the 13 th of August , 1839 . At the time appointed for business , between four and five thousand people had assembled ,
when Mr . Baird was unanimously called , to the chair , who called upon Mr . Giilmbre to move the remonstrance issued by the Convention , which was seconded by Mr . Smith , and carried unanimously . Mr . Richardson next came forward to move the adoption of the memorial which was seconded by Mr . Prentice , and carried unanimously . The Chairman then lntrodnced Mr . Ross , who was most cordially received ,, and addressed the meeting for upward of an hour in his usual eloquent and ; masterly style . After a vote of thanks to the lecturer and chairman , tbiee cheers for the ' Charter , three for 6 Connor ; and three fo * Frost , Williams , and Jones , the meeting , the moat spirited one held here for a considerable time , quietly dispersed .
Dub to the Executive for the sale of William Brelsford ' s Blacking , No . 18 , Royle Road , Burnley—Mr . Samuel Magson , Mytholmroyd 1 0
Address Of The London Delegate Council To The Chartists Of London.
ADDRESS OF THE LONDON DELEGATE COUNCIL TO THE CHARTISTS OF LONDON .
To The Imperial Chartists.
TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .
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ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION TO THE PEOPLE . THE PEOPLE ' S DUTIES TO THE CAU 3 E , THEMSELVES ,
AND THEIR ADVOCATES . The duty of the people to the sacred oause of Chartism is , to keep in the undeviating path of perseveren . ee . Opposition should increase determination and zeal . Calumny and misrepresentation should stimulate tbe people to greater energy in the spread cf truth and the diffusion of democratic principles . All the movements of the people should be distinguished by unanimity , and the recommendations of all delegated deliberative assemblies elected by tho universal voice of the people should be supported and acted upon by all . Tho minority should in all cases yield to the majsriiy , and thus good feeling and just democratic principles would be the moTQ effeciualiy Cuitivatbd . ; .
It should ntivvr be lorgottea by the Chartist body that hundreds of thousands of the industrious classes are pining ia want of the common necessaries of life . Crime , di-ease , and ^ death are ' jbll engendered andi increased by the hideous monster class legislation . These ills can nevar be removed but by the triumph of our principles , and although perseverance , danger , and sacrifice are needed to effect the victory , the reward will be great and glorious ; but to become faint-hearted aiud draw back , ^ ill only be to hug the chaiiis of despotism , and to reinaiu in the most degrading and Dgoniziiig slavery , ever groaning in misery and sighing for release , without tho least hope of freedom being gained ; bur niplto then must hQ forward in the good cause , for tyranny and deavh are behind , but liberty , happiness , and life , invite U 9 to march onward .
Among themielves , the people should cultivate the best feelings of democratic friendship ; our political association should be a Uniteo BKorHEBHOOD , amon ^ whoni , quarrels , dissensions , Strife , orinalice , should be unknown , Li their conduct , the most strict sobriety should be obsorved , and it ought to be : the most pleasing duty , of Chartists to aid each other iu digress , to rally rjund aiid protaet each other from peraecu ion and inj iry , and an insult or wrong iiflicted en one , uliaulti be . regardod as a doep iHJusitce to alt , ' - - ' To their advocates , those who are foremost in danger , and whose patriotic exertions are the mainstay of the raoveinentj the p > opla ( should extend tha best feelings of favour and affection ; and at ail times Gbanists should be slow to condemn men whose to
lives have b ^ en devoied cause , and who have given , in many good and virtuous actions , patriotic and positive propfa of their political integrity . The personal Quarrels of these advocates , which it is io be hoped will never more arise / should never create division in the people ' s ranks . The actions of men should be regarded as the only true tsst of their sincerity , and a spirit of ill-will or recrimination between those who are foremost in the peoplb ' ts ranks should never be encouraged or magnified into importance by ihe proceedings of the people themselves : differences ol opinion have arisen , now exist ,
and will of a certainty again spring up . We hayo reason and judgment enough to adjust differences , and the will of the many fahould be enforced , and the obedience of the few be made a ready compliance ; the people , therefore , should protect ; all their advocates from persecutiou , misrepresentation , aud wrong , and cheer them on , and encourage them in their huzardou 8 warJa'G against despotism and corruption . By these means alone , can mutual ooufidence and friendship be obtained , and that union promoted which is absolutely necessary to the success of our holy cause .
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THE PLANS PB 0 P 0 SED . ; ^ T We have , since we were appointed to the effice of the . Executive , struggled to defeat the common enemy by imitating their tactics , and employing the same powerful weapons against them which they have so successfully wielded against tho people . Therefore ,, we have earnestly reconimended the General Council to assemble and transact busiup-s in central points , and to organise the people ia diitricts .. London and Manchester have follorwed that rule with a success which has been creditable to the leaders and advantageous to the cause . We nave recommended district J « oturer 3 to be chosen , and appealed to the neoole to afford us the requisite
funds to eend accredited persons into the unagitated parts of England and Wales . We wish , in particular ,, to direct the people ' s attention to the position the National Charter Association is in now as cornpared to what it viras when we were elected to fill the honourable aHd responsible office of being membora Of the Executive Committee . Whenwe accepted office we had' only sixty-si * townsenroUed in the National Charter Association : we have now 401 towns , villages , and hamlets enrolled in the Association . There were nearly 10 , 000 cards issued when we took office ; during the last twelve months we have issued 35 > 000 cards , and from information we halve before us . we are convinced that thure are not less than SOjOOO members in the Association , as thousands have joined us who will not take out cards until after the election for tho new Executive .
We are now on the » ve of resigning office , and once more impress upon the public mind tho vast importance of pursuing the line of agitation we have drawn ; and most earnestly do we declare to them that an Executive body can naver' be thoroughly supported unless it be backed by a long continued and unremitting agitation of the country . ^ We also desire to point out to the people tho principle upon which tho agitation of tho * yaxion ' 9 districts should be conducted . We are of opinion that the perfection of freedom consists in local government being unchecked , in its workings ; and therefore 1 we recoaimend each district capable of supporting a lecturer , to empower the General Committee to elect an eligible person , and pay a salary sufficient for
his maintenance and remuneration for his labours . We do not desire to have undue power placed in our hands ; and therefore disapprove of the proposed plan of giving the Executive the power of appointing a corps of lecturers on the principle that the directing power is quite enough for us to possess , and that the agitating power should be held and controuled by the General Council , ¦; We likewise disapprove of the plan of elecfciqg . a limited number of lecturerg , on the principle tha ' , it would be a restriction on tho genius which we observe springing up in t . ho ranks of our association , which tiileut should have a fair chanco of being matured , a wide field ia exercue itsolf inj and therefore to aiford the young an honourable opening ' for a wise and just competition , we would leave the choice of the lecturers to the General
Council in the districts , the whole Association being the class from which the lectures should be chosen . We have no objection to offer to the principle of allowing tho Executive the temporary power of sending qualified persons to agitate parts of the country where the Association has not yet been , established , but that power should not be retained after the districts were organized and capable of directing Jheir own movements , ^ ach locality knows its own wants be £ t . and should endeavour to supply them whilst tho Kxecutive should overlook , direct ; and devise plans of operation for tho whole . The efforts of the General Couitcil should be local , tha duties of tho Executive National , an i if we always made that honest and Chartist distinction , we would fulfil bur separato duties without the fhinco of dispute , and with every prospect of success to our glorious principles .
THE OBSTACLES WE HAVE ENCOUNTEKED . The firit grand obstacle that has crippled our efforts has been too lizaited funds of the Association , and the irregular manner in which we have been supplied with ihs sinews of war . We are fully satisfied that the people will have to amend the plan of organization , in re » .- ) rd to the collecting of faad ^ and make an equal lev y on the districts , or : by any other means the general council may suggest * : We have to assure thvdountry that the want of funds has crippled our best e& ' urtSy and prevented us from laying'befqr © them schemes of greater magnitude for the advancement of our cause . We have hkewiss
encountered much difficulty from the want of meeting places of proper dimensions and in convenient situations , and we would particularly recommend to cpmpaniea of 6 hareholder 3 to erect , during thia summer , wooden houses , as the first step to the erecting of mbre * utsta » tial bnildjngs . Every member must see the necessity of sacrificing something to effect an . object which would make us independent of our enemies , ripher in our funds , and more united io our agitation . We have calculated that from £ 15 to £ 30 would erect commodious woodea houses , or Bheds , which might be insured at their full value to prevent the danger of conflagration .
We havb likewise encountered considerable opposition to our movements , in consequence of jealous and brainless divisions amongst public men , and unfair criticism . from our own press $ both of which are calculated to rob ns of public support and esteem , and renders the Executiveia vain and farsical appendage to the Association . "We are in a position , as officers of the Association , to be held rerponsible to the people , who elected us , and fairiy open to the fair criticism of speakers , writers , and editors—bur documents , recommendations , and actions are fair game for public approval , discussion , or condemnation ; but , wo contend , that beyond thai we are nol ; compelled to submit . -:
It is with considerable pain we allude to the hostility which the Editor of the Northe > n Star has shown towards one of our . members , aud to the degrading position in which he has cast the Executive itself . We are most ready to admit tie Star as the leading organ of the movement—to acknowledge cheerfully tho groat services it has Tendered to the cause of Charti&m—but it is not above criticism , any more than the Executive ; and , whilst we thank its Editor for the services he has conferred on the movement , and the attention he has bestowed on us , we are nevertheless determined to assert our independence of action on the one hand , and oh the other our responsibility for all our deeds to the people alohe , whose servaut ^ we are .
The Editor of the Star has asserted that he haB altered bur documents to preserve us from the fangs of the law . Tho accusation borne on the face of this admission is a serious and important one . because it necessarily implies tlat we are criminally ignorant of bur duties : — ¦ Iu reply we have to say , that to the best of our recoHcctioH , the assertion of Mr . Hill is utterly unfounded , and calculated to set forth his own judgment and ; importance at the expence of the people ' s public and responsible servants . If the assettiph ' ia correct , then Mr . Hill haa assumed- a power to himself he had no . - -right to , and which we are dotermined to resist , until such time as he may be elected by the people to be public censor and general supervisor sver the Executive Council .
We most . solemnly protp . 't against the power assumed by the Editor of the Star . Firstly , because it is contrary to the spirit of Chaitism , aud tha rules of the association ) and the rights of tlie people , who are , and - ' . ' ought to be , the sole censors of the Executive . Secondly , it is establishing a dangerous 'precedent , and couf ' err ; hg a despotic power on the press , which , if added to its present enornious inflaence , would n <» s only leave the character 01 men at its disposal , but the very documents which they wrote in their defence inight be exposed > o designing alteration and mnust . deductions .
We hold that tho Editor has no right to alter public documents ; bus to insert them oiiiiro , accompanied with such rcaiirks as may be sujj } jested by a Dnaa occ ' upjiiiir tho position of Mr . Hill , and a tnind elevated and desirous of liberty , and ever avixioua to adyi-e and reason , instead of condemning and undermining . We thank Mr . Hill , if his intention was to serve the Executive and protect them from danger , but with all due deference ; to the superioT intelligence of Mr . Hill , we beg mo .-t emphatically to have -ihe privilege of correcting cur own documents , defending bur own characters , and an 8 werhig to tho people ibr our ignoracce and criminal omissions . Wo shall not bo dragged into a hostile correspouileiiC 8 , cr into quarrels of any kind , and there ' oro wo appeal to tho people on OHu > -raiid point , namely , are wa to be responsible to tlie poopla or the Editorof tha Northern Star t if to the former , we are conr . eut ; if to thelatter , vote him iiHy his office , and we will obey . i . - . -. '¦ .
Follow ChartistF , —The period of our sittings have nearly oxpired , and on" retiring from office we feel tlvat we . have done tho veiy best wo could uuder existing circumstances to forward tho movement ; we have siriyen to maimaiu our position , ( how we have done so We have already mentioned ) to propagate our principles and to increase our numbers . Finally , we have laboured to puc down division ( there haa never been any in our body ) to secure unanimity and preserve our independence and your rights ; ws . have not had any vote 3 of disapprobation , but many . very many of acontrary nature . ' ¦ ' [ . In takiiiK leave of you , we publicly thank the
Gjneral Council for their continued co-operation , and the people for their general support in a period or unexampled disttess . We have now but one earuest recommendation to give—one sincere advice to offer , —one long-encouraged hope to cherish until it ia matured , vjz ., that the people may practice the principles of the Charter as well as understand them . Never forget that a principle which is just applies equally to the traasactions between a Government aud a nation , as it does to the common intercourse between man and man ; therefore , let . u 3 think , act , and judge of measures , mavements , and men , by the golden rule of the Charter .
We have the honour to be , Your faithful representatives , r James Leach , Prtfliiett . V : M . M'Docail . R . K . Philp . -- -.- Morgan Wiluams . John Campbell , secretary
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IarrLBBOBODGH . —Mr . William Bell , of Heywo qd , delivered a very eloquent lecture in the Chartist Association Room , Durn , near Littleborough , on Tuesday last , to a very numerous and attentive audienoe , At tbe close of the lecture , nine new members were enrolled . The spirit of democracy progresses here with rapid strides : it is but a few weeks since we begun our Association with a mere handful 0 / members ; we now number 110 .
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Y 0 L . Y . NO . 239 . v S 4 TraB ^ , ; jti ^ ' ^
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AND LEEDS GENEB ^^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 11, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct602/page/1/
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