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THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1841.
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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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TRIUMPH OF CHARTISM AT WALSALL . DISGRACEFUL AND COWABDLY COIKDUCT OF THE CORK LAW " PLA . GIJE " ln accordance 'with the -wishes of a few " good men * nd true" at Walsall , the town was posted -with placards announcing tiro lectures to be delivered at the White Lion Inn , High street , by Mr . Gsorge White of Birmingham , en the evenings of Wednesday and Thursuay U 19 2 nd and 3 d of Jane , the first" on the cause of the present miseries endured by society , " the second , » n Ih © " real remedy . " At ti * e time appointed on Wednesday evening , a Urge number of working men were in attendance , and
Mr . Schofielb , a miner , was called to the chair He said that the meeting had been convened for the purpose of enabling Mr . White to explain his Tiews trith regard to the evils that afflicted society . He understood from the placards , that discussion was inTitedat the conclusion of each lecture ; he therefore hoped that a fair hearing would be given to all persons . He then introduced Mr . White as a man who was well known amongst the working classes . Mr . White commenced by entering into a statement of his TiewB with respect to the existing Corn La \ Fs , and then proceeded to explain the manner in ¦ which Government had been originally constituted , and shewed that whether they had established the present system by force or fraud , it was quite dear that the
great mass of society were not protected by it He denounced the present Government as a corse to mankind , because instead of protecting society from the plunder of individuals , they themselTes were the greatest plunderers for they made use of their office to rob the working classes , and to sncb a pitch had it been carried chat the working man wss reduced to the lowest depth of poverty , and rendered completely miserable . He pointed out the manner in which the present House of Commons were elected and shewed that they were a gang of usurpers . He then described the enormous sums dragged from the people in the shape of profit !
and rent afland , shewed up the hollowness and sophistry of those that represented the Parliamentary taxes as the sole source of the nation's distress , and" was about to describe the enormous power of production and means of happiness , which existed in the country , if properly applied , under the superintending care of a wise and hsnest Government , when he was interrupted by the entrance of a troop of drunken anti-Corn Lvw men , headed by a lawyer named Kettle , from Wolverhampton , and another sprig of the same profession named Wilkinson , residing at Walsall They immediately commenced an uproar , 54 r . Kettle jumping up several times to interrupt the speaker .
ilr . White asked them what they meant by their tumnltnous conduct , and was told by Mr . Settle that they wished to commence a discussion there and then . Mr . White immediately agreed to the proposal , although it was out of the order originally proposed , he not having concluded his address . It was then arranged that each speaker should be allowed a quarter of an hour to address the meeting . Mr . Kettle commenced by denouncing the Corn Laws as the sole cause of the nation ' s distress ; entered into a long tirade of abuseagainst the landed proprietors for the exorbitant rent they received ; warned the working men not to be deceived by men who wew hired by the Tories to divide them on the eve of the forthcoming
elections , and ended by a frothy piece of bl&ckguardism , in which he told the meeting that Mr . White was a second Jfightingale , who had come to Walsall to impoverish the working classes , and hinder them from getting cheap bread and plenty of work , and that his sole object was to support the Tories . Mr . White replied , and stated although a lawyer might be expected to make out a good case , yet Mr . Kettle had failed in doing so . He congratulated him on his truly Chartist opinions , for every word that he had stated against the system bad been often preached by the advocates of the Charter . He perfectly agreed ¦ with V'tti tlia . t the Com Laws were an evil , but instead of shotting that his doctrines were false , Air . Kettle fead entered into a long tirade of personal abuse , which proved that he had a lame cause to defend . He then showed up the glaring inconsistency of the men who were continually shouting " No monopoly , " whilst they monopoHsed the poor man ' s right , and although
they were continually asking the working classes to attend their meetings , and appealing to their judgments , yet -when an election took place they would not allow the working men to vote , thus proving their hypocrisy , aad showing that their agitation for Corn Law repeal was m-rely intended to benefit themselves , without any reference to the grest body of tho people . But supposing that they were really sincere in their professions , and that a repeal of tie Corn Laws would better the condition of the people , where was their means of accomplishing it ? They had not sufficient power in the House of Commons , and none in the Lords ; they weU knew that the landholders would not consent to their repeal , and yet they asked the workin ? men to cease urging their claim to perfect freedom , and conB < ait onoe more to yoke themselves in the harness tf their bitterest foes . He therefore was determined to agitate for the Charter , which would give the people the power cf repealing all bad laws . -
Mr . WiLKiasO " , a lawyer , of Walsall , jumped up and commenced a volley of abuw that would disgrace Billingsgate . He denounced Mr . White as an enemy to the working classes—as a hired spy ; and raising his voice to the highest pitch , bawled out that he was like Judas , -and would betray them for thirty pieces of silver . He endeavoured to incite the drutken gang who accompanied him to acts of violence , bat finding that he was over ruled by the good sense of the meeting he sat down . Mr . White replied , amidst uproar and interruption , an 4 litcx a stormy debate in whieh about twelve took part , the business concluded at eleven o ' clock , Mr . White giving notice that he -was prepared to renew the discussion on the following evening . > fow fur a specimen of the liberality and love of truth manifested by the Corn Law rtpealing Liberals . .
On the morning of Tbnrsday the town of Walsall ¦ b-ss posted with handbills containing the following words : — " Look Here ?—No farther dissussion will be held ¦ with the Tory Chartist Those who wish to strengthen the bread taxers will attend , and they -who honestly seek the improvement of the condition of the people ; the inerea&e of employment and wages will not by their presence , countenance the absurdities of Toryisminits new form . Go not near the enemy ! He has heen bribe I to sow the tares ef disunion amongst the peeple . "
The above placard shews the real spirit of ths anti-Corn Law party and proves that they are nothing but Wbies in disguise . As the time of meeting drew nigh * gronps of working men were to be seen conversing in Hich-street , and several drunken men who bad the appearance of excavators were to be heard shouting , " We will have a half loaf rather than nothing . " It was isi = rred from this that the fair dealing " League " had bc-en up to some of their dirty tricks , on a similar scale to their Manchester doings . It was therefore determined th&t no drunken person should be allowed to enter the meeting . When the time arrived for commencing the business , "M . I . William Phillip , a journeyman broBhmaker , was called to the chair , and opened the business in a very cleTer a ~ d appropriate speech , and hoped that all parties -wouVl be allowed a fair and impartial hearing .
Mr . White then commenced his address by showing nt > the gross inconsistency of the parties who had issued the placards , and exposed the paltry subterfuge of calling him a Tory , when it was well known thai no man could be more oppvsed to Toryism than he was . The very reason why he hated the Whi ^ s was . that they were Tories , and something -worse . He then proceeded to state , tint as the parties who had opposed on the previous evening were not irclined to hear a further exposure of their trickery , he . would enter on the subject for which the meeting had been called . He exp ' -ained the principles of the Charter , and showed the immense benefit it would confer on the people—and the means by which it could be established , and concluded by requesting that any person who wished to ask questions should do so .
Several working men asked qutstions with regard to the Con Laws—they had been led to believe that they could get them repealed very easily , and that thtir repeal would confer an immense benefit on them . Mr . White answered tfcem in » friendly mannerinformed them that he was opposed to the Com Laws as much as them—bnt that the same agitation that would secure a repeal of the Corn Laws would" get them the Charter , and then they could repeal all bad la-ws , and make such as -would protect their labour , and give them not only cheap bread , but happy homes , good clothing , and a release isjm all manner of tyranny . .
Jlr . Robert Taloise then moved the following resolution : —" That the principles contained in the People ' s Charter are consistent with truth and justice , and are capable of protecting the prr-perty and industry of every man who is isclined to live honestly , and willing to do his duty u an honourable and upright member of society -, and as the National Charter Association has for its object the establishment -of those principles , this meeting therefore approves of the same , and will joiu it forthwith . " Mr . M'Mahch * seconded tbe retolntion , when it was put from tke chair aad carried unanimously , with the exception of two hands whieh were held up against it The decUioa of the meeting eaued three hearty cheers for thr "People * Charter .
The ChaibkaK then announeed feu readiness to take the name * of aU persona wh » were willing to become members of the National Charter Association ; upwards of twenty persoe * then enrolled their names , and a large Enmber expressed their willingness to do so at the next meeting . It wa * than agreed to h * ld a weeting at the g&me place on the following Wednesday . Three hearty cheers were again gfvea for the Charter ; after which , the meeting separated . Walsall will soon ocecpy- a proud poiitum in the Chartist ranks .
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Djss oi . Fn 0 l < of P ^ BiUMOiT . —It is fieneraily ex petted , her Hsvesty will prorogue Parliament in person on Tuesday next , the 15 th instant , and that the Gazelle of the game evening will contain a proclamation dissolving the present legislature . — Standard .
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THE FACTORY SYSTEM AND LORD ASHLEY . Tbe Short Time Committees of the West Riding being anxious to ascertain the present opinions of their old and tried friend , L » rd Ashley , and also the plan he intends to pursue in ease of a change of administration , recently commissioned Mr . Mark Crabtree to correspond with his Lordship upon tbe subject , in answer to which his Lordship aent the following reply which has given general satisfaction : — June 1 st , 1841 . Mr . Crabtree , —When you were in London , a few days ago , you expreasAd , on behalf of the operatives of the West Riding , a wish to know whether my opinions remained the same on tbe subject of a limitation of the hours of labour for young persons between the ages of thirteen and eighteen . I now state again to yon what I stated then , that I am more than ever satisfied of the justice and necessity of such a pro Titian , and that I will spare no efforts whieh , under God's blessing may contribute to attain so desirable a conclusion .
You added , likewise , a fear that the acceptance of an office in Six Robert Feel ' s Administration might , to a great degree , embarrass my proceeding in this matter . I reply then , without speculating either on the probability of a Cabinet te be formed by Sir Robert Peel , or on the probability that I should be invited to take any subordinate station in his Government , I will never place myself in any situation where I shall not be as free as air to do everything that I may believa to be conducive to the happiness , comfort , and welfare of that portion of the working classes who have so long and bo confidently entrusted to me the care of their hopes and interests . I remain , Tour most obedient humble servant , Ashley . To Mr . Mark Crabtree .
The Northern Star Saturday, June 12, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , JUNE 12 , 1841 .
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TREACHERY OF THE BLOODIES ! MEDITATED SLAUGHTER OF THE CHARTISTS ! RASCALITY OF SIR CHARLES SHAW , CHIEF OF THE MANCHESTER 6 FIE 8 .
INVITATION TO THE STARVING PEOPLE TO EAT STONES AND " MEET THEIR GOD . " The Heralds have proclaimed the terms upon which the " bread -war" is to be conducted . The people have been invited bj their masters to discussion , and the ; have been bludgeoned , in cold blood , in thepresence of the hosts , and of England ' s new band of life-and peace-preservers , and by the dbsikb of the inviters !
If we can argue coolly upon this cold-blooded villany , we shall best serve the cause we profess to advocate , —the cause of truth and justice . We gave the mere outlines of the conspiracy in our last ; for further particulars and confirmation of what we then asserted , we refer to our present number . The whole transaction must be made plain to every man in Europe . The Mayor of Manchester was applied to for the purpose of calling a public meeting , in aid of the " Bloodies ; " but , aware , we presume , of the tender mercies of the masters towards their starving men , he very prudently declined ; whereupon , ten of the " Plague " took the task upon themselves . The Chaktists
¦ WEES 1 KVITED TO ATTEND iSD DI&CUSS THE MERITS OF the ( jcestio . x . They , never shrinking from that open discussion , which , for years , they have courted in vain , accepted the invitation . This was made known to a rascally hired menial of the "Plague , " one FisMGAJf , and this man put the question to Mr . James Wheeler— " Do the Chartists mean to attend V " Yes , " was the reply , " assuredly ; yon have invited discussion , and that is ai / we » o « i . " "Tell them , then , " rejoined the feeder , " TO BE PREPARED TO MEET
THEIR GOD . " Whp . kt . fr is an old man , and one who has drank deep of the cup of adversity , oppression , and treachery . In 1819 the breast of Wheelkb ' s wife was cut off at Peterloo , in the massacre so loudly praised by the present Whig premier , Lord Melbotjhke . This fact naturally made poor Wheeleb cautious ; and , after taking council , he communicated the circumstance to Sir C . Shaw , chief of police , and demanded protection . Surely that did not bespeak a determination upon the part of the Chartists to commit a breach of the peace . Having learned that admission to the Whig hustings could be procured by tickei only , the brave Chartists built hustings of their own , along-side the " bloodies" slaughter-house , on Wednesday
morning . On Tuesday , Damel 0 'Com « ell arrived at Manchester , for the purpose of holding a "Repeal meeting in the Carpenter ' s Hall , but was mortified at finding not more than a few scores in attendance , and refused , though money was paid for admission , to perform to so thin a house ; he accordingly stayed outside , where he designated the Chartists as Orangemen and Hanoverians , and enemies to the Catholics ; but he declined attending tbe meeting of Wednesday .
Wednesday wa 3 the first day of the races , and a day of general holiday to the poor half-choked creatures who have been pent up in hell-holes for a long and dreary winter . The Whigs hired a sufficient number to remain at home ; and thus , the preliminaries being arranged , the tragedy was commenced by the bludgeon-men taking possession of the Chartist hustings , to the number of about 290 , while an equal number were ranged in military array about the "Bloodies "' slaughter-house , and on guard at all the important avenues leading to the Square . In fact , the whole thing bore the appearance of the approach of battle . The
spygeneral was housed with his staff ; and who do you suppose , moral-force Chartists and fair play loving Englishmen , was the adjutant and commander-inchiefof the "bloodies" ! Why no other than the paid pacificator and Iife-pre 3 erver , Sir C . Shaw !—yes , the modern Fouche sat in conclave with his hired blood-honnd 3 , and he , he , he , Englishmen , it was who issued the tickets for admission to the slanghter-houre . Now what say you to that holy alliance?—you who have preferred the open foe to the wily friend ? What , we repeat , do you say to that dispoiiticn of the Whig peace-preserving forces ?
Well , the forces thus arranged the battle commenced . Cobbes was in the chair , and Tom Potter was at his elbow . Now of Potter we say nothing . God forbid that we Ehonld mock even the frolic 3 of dame nature . In a capricious mood she said , " L ° t Manchester have a natural born idiot , " and behold , Tom Pottxk -was produced ! Potter is positively " clean daft , " so of him we say nothing .
But unfortunately for Cobden , he has no such plea to a similar charge against the fickle dame . He is no fool , but is a deep designing moneymongering villain , who knows that " cheap bread " means a " wind-up , " for the present , of all bad bygones , and a clear ledger for inconceivable speculation in white slavery . He , we believe , meditated this onslaught ; and dearly shall he pay for it .
Having proceeded thus far , the unwarrantable attack , which we noticed in our last , commenced upon the Charting ; and now let us see what the hired advertising press of the " Bloodies" say of the affair , and Iti us see how we can meet and refute their every calumny . The Chronicle estimates the numbers present at ten thousand five hundred , and his hired penny-aliner volunteers a most palpable and easily refuted lie , in aid of his employers . He says , the Chartists
" exhibited a pike , and that one assaulted person with a piece of iron , " and that " the Chartists commenced the disturbance ' " This fabrication the Spectator and other prints take from the Chronicle ; and the Examiner concludes a characteristic picture in these words : — " We shall hear no more of Chartist interruption to the Anti-Corn La ^ r party in Manchester . " To that , for the present , we merely say— " Wont you , thongh ! ! I "
If the Chartist 6 meditated such an attack , why apprise Sir Charies Shaw , aud request that means should be taken to preserve the peace 1 If the Cbartifits were the aggressors , why did Cobdem and
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Tom , the fool , remain tranquil and delighted with the fnn ! and why were the bludgeon-police , who stood with , their staves in their hands , nob ordered to make any , the slightest exertion , to arreso the Chartists in their wicked and premeditated ! design 1 Let those questions be answered ! They shortly must be answered ! Farther , we assert upon the very best authority , that not a Bingle Chartist at the meeting had a weapon of any description . Indeed , the Chronicle reporter and the
Manchester reporters are compelled , thongh reluctantly , to let the truth Blip out . They say that the Corn Law repealers took offence at a Chartist flag which was raised full in front of the " Bloodies , " and that an attack by the Iranians upon that flag , was the cause of the conflict . A murderous attack upon the invited guests was indiscriminately commenced , the result of which , we regret to learn , is likely to terminate fatally to many .
But we have ^ et mor » say . The military were all within calif and we have to announce a fact hitherto unknown to our readers ; the Bloodies " of Manchester actually sent off to Darlington and other parts of the north , on Wednesday , for & reinforcement of troops 1 In obedience to the order about 310 dragoons were despatched to be present at the slaughter ! Let us now contrast the second Manchester projected attack upon the people with the famed Peterloo butchery . In 1819 , the " natural enemies" of the people not only did not invite them to attend , but cautioned them against attending ; whilst in 1841 the " unnatural friends'' of the people invited them to attend , and actually had all the implements of
death ready to provide them with " cheap bread " and " cheap lodgings" for the remainder of their days , and for all time to come I In 1819 , the deliberations of the people were not appealed to by a Minister of the Crown against a majority in the House of Commons . In 1819 , we were tinder the influence of what was called " the rotten borough system ; " while io 1841 , we live under the shade of reform ! In 1819 , we had not a police establishment , appointed solely for the purpose of rendering military interference unnecessary ; while , in 1841 , we are cursed with such a generation of ruffians ; so that , upon the whole , the Peterloo affair , but for the good sense of the Chartists in 1841 , would have been a mere trifle to the Whig premeditated butohery of the latter period !
We have considered it our duty to make the most minute enquiries upon the subject , from all available sources , and unhesitatingly declare the Chartists to have acted with a manly and becoming prudence , forbearance , and courage , while the murderous Whigs behaved with the most brutal treachery and cowardly reserve . A correspondent at Huddersfield , who was present at the meeting on Wednesday , in Stephenson ' s Square , has furnished us with an account of what he saw and experienced on that day : — Myself and Mr . Mabon , a real Irish Chartist , left Tib-street , along with the people and the banners , to attend the meeting . Hustings had been
erected by our friends for our speakers ; but on arming at Stephenaon ' s Square , judge of oar astonishment to find them filled with policemen , and no admittance to be obtained . In passing tke front of the hustings , an old man ( an Irishman ) pulled out a bludgeon , and held it in the face of my friend , and exclaimed , " You are a b y Chartist , and a Tibstreet man ; if it was not daylight , I would give it you , until you did not know who had dene it . " 1 turned round to reason with the man , or rather brute : when he informed me that he would do the same for me . At that moment , one of our banners arrived in front of our own hustings—the place where it was intended to have been folded , so as to
cause no obstruction , when a party of the 'hired ruffians' by my Bide exclaimed ' There ' s a b y Chartist flag . ' The rush at that moment was tremendous ; my friend was carried along with it , and at the same moment a blow was aimed at my head , but luckily came en my shoulder . I instantly grappled with the villain ; we struggled , and I succeeded in wrenching the murderous weapon from him , but was directly pinioned behind , and the weapon was taken from me . There was one poor old man , upwards of sixty , with fire of the fiends beating at him at one time , the blood flowing in streams from his head . One of our banner-bearers exclaimed , ' I cau bear this no longer ; ' and , striking the pole of the banner across part of the hustings ,
broke it into five pieces , which were instantly seiz-d by four other noble fellows , who , in the course of a few moments , cleared a space round them in fine style—the hired villains giving way on all sides . Now mark ! the police were not fire yards distant from the place where the slaughter was going on , but they looked on and laughed . One of them said in my hearing , 'They are serving them right , let them go on V But the very moment they saw the fire Chartists making retribution on the heads of their assailants , they were ordered out upon the men who had thus been defending themselves from ' the bludgeons of the hired crew , ' and they were all taken into custody , but not oue of the hired baud ; no , not one .
Richard Cobden , the pet of the Anti-Corn Law League , was appealed to by the meeting , if he would see his fellow-townsmen murdered in that manner ; but the cold-hearted wretch only turned round his head , and smiled . Remember this , ye men of Stockport . He be your representative 1 TiuBt him not . Friends , if the following does not look like a preconcerted plan , say so . A Whig * gentleman' ( not a plebeian ) was seen using a bludgeon in a most cowardly manner on the heads of the unarmed people , who were
making the best of their way out of the 6 cene of blood , when a working man , observing his doings , struck him on the small of the arm with his walkingstick , which rendered his arm useless , and he deprived him of his weapon . Judge of his horror , on examining it , to fiud that it was what is commonly termed a life-preserver , with at least half a pound of lead let in at one end ! Will not this satisfy any unprejudiced mind that it was a concocted plan from beginning to end ?
Since the general conflict , we have now to add tbe further particulars of Saturday ' s proceedings , which will speak for themselves , and which prove not only the existence of one plot , but of a deeplaid and systematic conspiiacy against the lives of the people : — THE SKCOSD BLTCHSRV IN MANCHESTER , ON SATWRDAT , JUNK 5 , 1841 . Pursuant to a resolution passed at the Tib-street meeting , on Wednesday , the 2 nd instant , the purport of which wa ? , that a committee should be elected , whose business it wuu ! d be to take steps to prevent for the future fcuch outrageous conduct as was displayed by the Irishmen and the Corn Law repealers ,
in Stephenson ' s-square on that day . the committee met on Thursday , June 3 , in the Executive room , Whittle-street , and resolved to call another meeting , in the Carpenters' Hall , on Saturday , to give the mhabitatitsof Manchester an opportunity to express their opinions either for or against such proceedings . Accordingly ,, on the Friday , June 4 th , placards were i ; umerou ? ly issued , calling a public meeting in the Carpenters' Hall , at two o ' clock on the Saturday , for that purpose . The above notice caused great excitement ia the toivu among all parties , ami more especially among the Corn Law repealers , whose wish it was , if possible , to prevent the meeting ' being held . To carry out their designs
, they industriously circulated a lying report that the Chartists had called a public meeting in Carpenters' Hall , at , which it was their intention to burn the effigies of Daniel O'Cunnell , and Father Hearne , the Catholic priest . S : outs were sent among the Irishmen , who told them that the Chartists were coming armed , and that they must come aimed also . On Saturday morning about half-past nine o ' clock , our correspondent was at Mr . Brown ' s Temperance Coffee House Great Ancoats-street . The town at this time was in the greatest bustle and confusion , and much anxiety was being manifested as to the probable result of the proceedings at the coming meet
ing . On seeing a great number of people running in the direction of Oldham Road , he went out to see what was stirring , when to his astonishment a crowd of Irishmen presented themselves , armed with bludgeons , pokers , &c . &o . ; and , by their gestures , gave our correspondent to understand , that if he had any respect for his life , he must g » t away He then went into Brown ' s Hotel again , and remained for a few moments , during which time the crowd came back with a great accession of numbers . While the Irishmen were parading the streets in this manner , oue of the police came bv
mounted upon a grey horse . He rode off , asihoujfb . he was going to eonvey information to head quarters . When the streets were clear , our correspondent went down to the Tib-street-room , where he found agreat number of people , who had assembled prior to going to the meeting . He conveyed the information of what he had seen , and urged the necessity of a deputation to Sir Charles Shaw , requesting his assistance to maintain peace , and prevent the people from beiDg butchered . Accordingly , a letter was written by Mr . Doyle , but whether it was sent or not , our correspondent never could ascertain . He then left the room , and walked round the town , and while
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doing so , saw the Irishmen wending their way , in large bodies , to the place of meeting ; and likewise many , by twos and three ? , all well armed with bludgeons . About one o ' clock , tbe Oldham band entered the town , accompanied , as near as we can gness , by seven hundred people , who made their way to the Tib-street-room , which by this time was incapableof holding half the people who hadassembled . At two o ' clock , the band struck up , and the colours were hoisted , when the people marched in procession down Tib-street , Oldhsm-street , Market-street , and Portland-street , until they arrived at Gartatroad . In their way thither , they were met by individuals , who had been near tho Carpenters' Hall and
seen the Irishmen , and who wished the people to be upon their guard , as they intended to use their bludgeons , to prevent the meeting . The band continued to play until the parties came in sight of each other , when the Irishmen gave a tremendous shout . Those who were leading the Chartists , and tho others who wished to attend the meeting , gave the signal to halt , which was done , and to save the instruments the musicians took them into an inn contiguous . The Irishmen all this time were brandishing their weapons over their heads . According to the calculations of many who were present , the number amounted to 1 , 200 armed men , besides hundreds more who seemed to enjoy the sport . A number of
respectable gentlemen came to the leading men in the Chartist ranks , roque sting them to remain where they were , until assistance could be prooured from the police . M'Mullen , one of the police force had seen all that transpired , came to our correspondent , apparently very much agitated , and said that the police force must be fetched , and gave orders that the people must not approach nearer to the Irishmen . He then set off with great speed to apprise Sir Charles Shaw of what was going on , and if possible obtain assistance . While standing there , several men came out of the crowd , who had been most brutally used , and were bleeding profusely . A report was brought us that they had caught
Wheeler , a man above sixty years of age , and had nearly killed him , and that Mahon and Cairns were served in a similar manner . About half-past two o ' clock , a few of the Police arrived , headed by Captain Sleigh and two other officers , all on horseback ; and on viewing the array of Irishmen , he retreated till a stronger tbrce came up , whioh was in not more than five minutes . After the latter detachment had joined them , Capt . Sleigh took the lead of the Chartist racks , and marched towards the infuriated Irishcaen . Upon whioh the Irishmen came running , brandishing their bludgeons , evidently prepared for an attack upon the police ; and the people seeing this , Capt . Sleigh
and the two horsemen halted , until the Irishmen came up . Captain Slftigh then held up his bands , as though he wished to address them . All this time every man who approached the Hall was sure of having his head broken . A conversation took place betwixt the Irishmen and the Captain , in which the latter was heard to say "he would protect them , and that no meeting should be held that day . He was an Irishman himself , and would therefore render them his support . " Hearing this , groups of people left the place , disgusted with tho Captain for lending his assistance to stifle public opinion , and declaring it to be their opinion that the Irishmen had been set on , and were encouraged in
their brutal and outrageous conduct . Other bodies of police arrived , and wore marshalled in the street , and whiie standing our correspondent counted one hundred and fifty . A gentleman , who was said to be Sir Charles Shaw , came up , and told the officers to withdraw their man into the back streets , whioh was accordingly done . About half an hour elapsed while this manucevering was going on . The police were now all drawn off , and the people left at the mercy of the mob , who attacked indiscriminately every one who had not a small white riband in his button hole , which was a mark to enable them to distinguish their own party . By this time ( three ©' clock ! a great many had adjourned
to the Tib-street room . One of the Irish scouts heard of this , and went and informed the army of ItishmeD , upon hearing which , and fancying it was thea too late for the meeting to be held in the Carpenter ' s Hall , they cave a deafening shout of triumph , and immediately walked in procession up Garratt-road , ( at thetop of which was Mr . Walker , the magi 8 trato , who looked on with perfect indifference ) along Portland-street , across Market-street , down Lever-street , and Oldham-street , until they reached Great Ancoats , to Tib-street , where a number of Chartists had assembled . While they were coming along Portland-street , oar correspondent sent a young man to inform the people assembled in the room , that the Irishmen were comimr to break up
the meeting , if there were one . The messenger arrived in time to clear the room . The Irishmen 6 eemed more than ever exasperated , and continued to run up and down the street for half an hour , threatening to kill every Chartist they could find , the police looking on and taking no notice . At the Sherwood Inn , adjoining the Tib-street room , was assembled a lod ^ e of Foresters , whom the Irishmen took to be Chartists , and in order to convince them , one of the officers , guarded by the police , had to go and speak to them from the steps , assuring them that they were Foresters , and not Chartists . They then went several times up and down the streets , brandishing their Bticks and shouting . After whioh , finding no more Chartists' heads , upon which to exercise their bludgeons , they dispersed .
In addition to the foregoing report we have re ceived the following letter , amongst many others :-
To th 4 Editor of the Northern Star . SIR , —On Saturday , the 5 th inst , I along with three of my eons and two other friends , went down to Manchester for the purpose of seeing the clubs walk in procession , particularly the Foresters and Temperance Societies . Having gratified ourselves for some time -with thiB , and looking aboufc us in the town , until we thought of making the best of our way home , for this purpose we passed over from CampfleJd to Garrett Read ; and when going up Hunt-street , we were set upon by a number of Irish , who asked us if we were
Chartists ? to which we replied , " we do not take with either Chartists or any one else , " and begged of them to allow us to pass ; but one of them more bloody than the rest , said , if you are not Chartists , you are Protestants , and Immediately they began to best us with bludgeons and fire-pokers . I was severely cut on the back part of my head , and while in this state , bleeding profusely , I called to two policemen , who were standing near , for protection ; but they would not so much as speak to me—no doubt , acting under the orders of their superiors .
. At length , I was taken to the Infirmary to have my head dressed . The Dr . asked me many questions about the affair , and particularly the number of the policemen , which , in the bustle , I forgot to take . Sir , I am not accustomed to write for the press , nor to take part in public matters ; but if this be the state of ' protection' of inoffending individuals like myself , the sooner we have a change the better . I am , dear Sir , Yours , &c . &c . Geo . Bbadlet . Hyde , June 8 th , 1841 .
In this state of things our council is sought , and we £ ive it as follows : —We recommend that immediate measures be taken for holding a great county meeting in Manchester , for tho purpose of addressing the Queen upon this subject . We recommend that sufficient time be allowed for the arrangements , and that , in the meantime , an " Anti-Slaughter Committee" be appointed in every town , village , and district throughout Lancashire—aye , throughout England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales , to co-operate with the Executive . We recommend that the opinion of each town shall be ascertained as to the most convenient day for meeting . We reoommend that every man shall go to the meeting , as Christians ought , in the words of Mr . Finnigah , " Prepared to meet his God 1 " We recommend that an immediate
halfpenny subscription be entered upon for the Executive , to aid them in the investigation which must and shall take place . We recommend sufficient time to be allowed , as the English blood will not cool , for the great Lancashire meeting ; while , in the mean time , the other towns should forthwith assemble and speak out . We recommend every town and village to pass a resolution , declaring every man an enemy to his country and her industrious people , who shall vote for a " Bloody" of auy shade at the approaching election . We recommend Mr . Cobden ' s return to the especial favour of our Stockport brethren . And so far from the villanous and treacherous conspiracy putting a stop to Chartist meetings , we must now have ten for one , and not a Whig should be allowed upon the hustings .
This bludgeoning istheWhiganswer to the national petition , and a most characteristic one it ia ! This bloody affair will make a difference to a goodly lot of Whigs who hoped to « neak into the next Parliament . If judiciously managed , we have no doubt that it may be made " the beginning of the end" of our agitation ; and , that it will be well and prudently done , we have no doubt . In the meantime , the county delegates should meet the Executive on Sundays , at Manchester , and confer with , them ; and if funds admit , a meeting of a National Provisional Council of thirteen , should sit for three day Bin Manchester previous to the grand county display . Those delegates , to avoid heavy expence of travelling , should be sent from tke largest towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire , and one from London , and should receive £ 1 each for the three days' services , thus imposing
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a tax of only £ 13 for so much of the machinery . Let it be borne in mind that all classes will subscribe to such a fond , inasmuch as we learn that men of every shade of politics in Manchester are outrageous at the dastardly conduct of the Whigs ; while the hungry people declare that men who have recourse to such means for " cheapening" bread most have A GREAT , A VERY GREAT INTEREST " . . ' IN .. THE QUESTION . .
Thus hare the Manchester u Bloodies" put an end to all moral force meetings ; and in compliance with the early suggestion of the Globe , they have now placed the motto— "BREAD OR BLOOD" upon their banners . This rascally invitation , long since given by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs in his little print , we abstained from noticing ; lest the very mention of it should lead to the desired result . Bat now we announce ,
that the Globe , well-informed upon Ministerial tactics , declared , in the outset , that the conflict would terminate in a call for M BREAD OR BLOOD . " The Globs is a prophet , with the power of fulfilling bis own predictions ; and , behold ! the blood of the people has been spilled ! And we will have our SATISFACTION—a tame word to conclude with , but it is more appropriate in the mouth of one about to " meet his God" than Revenge 1 !
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TREACHERY OF CHARTIST LEADERS . Chartist policy , and Tory policy , being both opposed to Whig policy , and a brisk fire being kept up at the enemy from both camps , the slovenly leaders of the " Bloodies" begin to cry out " O , foul and unnatural alliance I "— " treachery of the Chartist leaders 1 "— " hired by the Tories ! " , Nothing can be more laughable than this hue and cry , which is heard in the daily hedge-fire , and echoed by the heavy artillery on Saturday night .
Even the Examiner , a . gentleman living in a very precarious glass house , touokes slightly upon the subject , forgetting that the pen which wrote the censure is a tool hireabla for the job to be pointed out by the employer . Thus , whether the engagement be for a wooden leg for Whiggeryi ordered by Easthope , or a broken arm for Denman ordered by —— , the work is undertaken by the Examiner with equal energy , confidence and principle .
Mr . Bairstow has been honoured as their first object of attack ; but we assure our meddling friends that their shots never hit " point blank . " They fire wide of the mark . We- look not to the enemy for approval of our friends , neither shall we arraign thorn upon their charges . Should a Chartist leader , with or without hire , attempt to inculcate the doctrines of Whig or Tory , the Executive would very speedily submit his conduct to the proper tribunal ; and to acts alone we look .
The " Bloodies" are furious that Chartist ' eloquence is not chained to one spot , and that it has now almost the charm and power of ubiquity . They are savage that they cannot hire a single man from our ranks ! Did the Examiner ever witness a shooting or arche * ry match I If so , we beg to assure him that the deadly antagonists who fire at the same objeot , are not more opposed , in their respective good wishes for eaoh other , than are the Tories and the Chartists .
We do not court Whig approval , neither shall Whig slander injure our cause . So long as our leaders present a bold and manly front to the enemy , immediately before them , so long will we support them ; and we beg to assire Mr . Bairstow that the revilings of the enemy will considerably enhance his value in the eyes of the people . To him we say , Go on , go on , go on ! Smash the " Bloodies " first ! _
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LEEDS "LIBERALITY . " THE FOX AND GOOSE CLUB . We give the following excellent article at full length , from our able cotemporary , the World , and from it our readers will gladly learn that those events which but a short time ago were confined to the narrow precincts of each locality , are now become matter of national observation ; thus patting an end to all local hole and corner politics , and opening the wide field of national disputation : — " It will be fresh in the memory of many of many of our readers that last winter a political body was formed in Leeds , called the Leeds Reform Association , which we very soon discovered to be a gross public cheat . This dishonest confederacy was stoutly opposed by the Leeds Mercury , whioh is about as
unprincipled a Whig print as any in the empireand the Northern Star , the able and indefatigable orgau of the Chartists—and advocated by a strange sort of go-between " best possible instructor " y ' clept the Leeds Times , which in the height of its zeal wished us all upon this side of the water to abandon Repeal , and make common cause for Household Suffrage , the Ballot . and Triennial Parliaments . The first meeting of this Association left no doubt that its projectors merely wished it to act as a Whig engine lor disuniting the Chartisti , who were then becoming amazingly inconvenient to indolent and Palace-dining ministers . This scheme , however , failed , notwithstanding that every exertion was made to insure its success , even to the sending down
of that fiery Radical , Roebuck , to lecture upon the advantages of moderation , and proceeding at a slow rate for the achievement of political rights . The people saw through the clumsy fraud , and would not be caught in the snare oi their adversaries , who even themselves were as divided in their opinions as our own deleotable Ulster Association . It was no fault of those who took a leading part in the affairs of this association that such was the case , as they endeavoured , from the commencement of its career down to the great and motley gathering congegated at the mill of Mr . Marshall , to have it believed that they were ready to swallow everything with the exception of Universal Suffrage , and that they might even be induced to gulp down this unsavory morsel
at no distant day . Now , when an election is about to take place , how do we find this Leeds Association acting , in choosing new representatives for its own locality , as Mr . Baines , the proprietor of the Mercury , and Sir W . Molesworth , are about to retire 1 Why , by bringing forward an unfledged barrister of tho name of Aldam , with Mr . Hume , who are to oppose William Beckett and Lord Jocelyn , who had just been married to the niece of the Premier . This Aldam upon being introduced to a packed meeting of the Whig and Radical electors of Leeds , commenced by excusing his father , who , if not a Conversative , must be something worse , as he voted for Sir John Beckett , the Tory candda
ite , at the last election . This got over , he declared himself a Corn Law repealer , but he refused to pledge for the Ballot or extend the Suffrage until the people were educated , and , strange to relate , he who expressed his readiness to vote for so sweeping a change as a total repeal of the Corn Laws , resolutely declined to support the voluntary religious principle , stating that he thought the fixed church revenues conic not be disturbed without causing a convulsion that would utterly shake society in this couaery . Touching the Extension of the Suffrage and Vot « by Ballot , it is worth while to peruse tho following lete-atete which took place between Dr . Smiles , tixe Editor , of the Leeds Times , and the Whig candidate : —
"' Dr . Smiles—With their permission , he would put a few questions . The questioa he wished to put was with reference to Mr . Aidam's answer on the Suffrage question . Air . Aldam had distinctly stated that if a measure of National Education were passed , he should have no objection to extend the Suffrage " Mr . Aldam—I think it -would be practicable and safe tfcrnn to extend the Suffrage . I think no material extension of the Suffrage is practicable and safe now , but I think that probably then a considerable extension might be made . ' Dr . Smiles—It happened that the Reformed House of Commons had rejected every motion for National Education that had been brought before it : how long were they to rest satisfied with the present Suffrage ? Would not Mr . Aldam then , at all , extend the Suffrage till a measure for National Education bad passed the House » f Commons ?
" Mr . Aldam—He should mse his best exertions to support any measure of National Education , but he thought before that was passed , be should not be for materially extending the Suffrage . •" Dr . Smiles—He had stated that he would notsupport a measure in Parliament for establishing the Vote by Ballot . tCiiea of No no . ) It was well known that at piesunt there was an awful amount of intimidation and corruption practised throughout the country , had Mr . Aldam any other measure to propose besides the 3 allot for preventing that corruption and intimidation ? " ' . Mr . Aldam—No ; the only measure was the Ballot The questioa with him had always been one of a balance of evils . The evils of open votitig were great , but the evila of secret voting also appeared to hint great . ' u One would think that Aldam , after having made this confession of hie political faith , would have been
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hunted from the presence of the oat-and- outers of th » Leeds Association ; bat he met with afar more fa . y orable reception . Pint Bpoke Mr . Hattoo Stan £ feld ,-and he , confiding man , said , He thought Z all eTenti , tiutf would be satisfied now that M ? Aldam was not a Tory . ' Then Aldermaa Goodman ' a shining light of the Associa tion , ventured alittU further , and told his auditors that ' H e had beforf advised them to suspend their judgments till the * had seen Mr . Aldam . He was assumed in his own mind that he would come oat right , for , in soma w . »
or other , years ago , he had understood that Mr Aldam was very nearly , if-not all out , a Radicali » And , lastly , Mr . Marshall , the relative of SDrino Rice , and the great champion of the HauBehokf Suf frage scheme , informed the meeting that ' He w » sure he could congratulate them most sincerelv ^! having found in Mr . William Aldam a Whiff JS he thought they might say a Liberal Whig , and oSJ in every respect well qualified to represent this im portant constituency at the present most momenton . crisis . ' This is being easily satisfied , and we im » gine that such tergiversation would h ave provXS the wrath of Dr . Smiles ; bat he , forgetting an vj splendid theories , went home and wrote the follow ing article : — w *
" ? On several questions his answers are mnchmoi . favourable than his letter bad led us to antici pate- hi ! opinions seem , howrer , only in process of format , ^ on the Ballot , the Suffrage , and the Church question With proper drilling , he may , however , b » render ** sufficiently acceptable to the electors . On the snbW of Free Trade his opinions are sound , and that i «^» great moment in the present crisis . Should the reaui ? sition whioh is now on foot , be signed by a UrgeDwI ponderance of tne Liberal electors , we shall considw it tixe duty '' of all classes of Reformers " to unite k supporting Hume and Aldam , and retura then triumphantly as their representatives to Parliament *
"Just think of ultra Radicals selecting a juveniW representative , whose opinions are ' only in pro ce * of formation on the Ballot , the Suffrage , and tfc ! Church questions ! ' WU 1 Dr . Smiles , who usS sometimes to edify us with his advice , inform usin what particular Aldam differs from a Torvi " Dublin World . * — What will the " poor Doctor" say to that ? This mauling of him is not by the fire-brand print " the Northern Star . Affected contempt will not serre his purpose this time I He must meet the World ,- * -and what can he say ?
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IF "CRACK SKULL" IT IS TO BE ,- « CRACK
SKULL" LET IT BE I " They hate cried hurrah for the fight ; let us err hurrah for the resistance . "— Daniel O'ConneU . Chartist Wood haa been copiously spilt in the streets of Manchester . The drones have stung the bees in the very hive . The course of nature has been perverted . The peor have been hired to shed the blood of the poor , and the rich looked on and laughed at the unnatural and shocking outrage . We have , in another article , entered generally into the merits of the question , and now turn we to a consideration of some of the movers in the Bad . catastrophe .
It will be in the recollection of our readers that some three weeks ago , we cautioned Lord John Russell against creating an agitation which would assuredly end in the annihilation of his order . It will be borne in mind , that so lately as the week before . last , in our remarks upon the effect which the projected reforms would have upon Ireland , we predicted that the solution of the problem would resolve itself into the excitiBg conclusion of " 0 ! OUIl RELIGION WILL BE ATTACKED BY THE TORIES ! " and that all consideration of the real ( luestion being lost , the poor Irish would actually bo incited to cut their own throats , with no prospect of any other result than that of strength , enxngthe hands of the Whigs , to cut their country ' s afterwards .
That we were right in our conclusions , is fully manifested by the conduct of the deril O'Conneu , at Manchester , on . Tuesday , the day previous to the slaughter ; when lacking language to defend himself against the charge of having bo often sold his own country and England , he had recourse to the old buggaboo ; " O , the Chartists ake Orangi men and Hanoverians ! " Thus has this hired
minion of a despicable faction completed that work which has been the study of a long life . He has systematically racked invention as to how the peopk of the two countries oould be most successfully arrayed against each other in open hostility . Whether the question was one of general policy or of mere individual : comparrison , he has never lost sight of the rent collector ; disunion , religious animosity , and bad blood .
When administrative or legislative oppression is complained of towards Ireland , the people of England are said to be the workers of Irish ruin . If comparrison is made , we are told that one Tipperary boy would beat seven Welsh men ; and if gorged and surpliced ruffians attack the Catholic faith and denounce its priesthood in Ireland , the English people are lugged in . Now , we tell the Irish resident in England to ponder over the following facts : —
The English aristocracy and middle classes retain their anti-Irish prejudices to the present moment , and only tolerate the Irishmen ' s sojourn in the land of strangers because their labour is of value in keeping-down the market price of that commodity . By the first and second classes they have been designated as '' aliens in language and aliens in blood ; " while those of the only order who are affected by their presence , have , of themselves , silenced the reproachful tongue of national inequality , and . have taken the very competitors by the hand , and treated them , not as aliens , bnt as brethren . Yes , the English working people , much
affected by Irish labour , have met the foes of Ireland ; and while the sneaking aristocracy and the wily middle classes have never hazarded a word za defence of the Catholic people of Ireland , the English workmen have , at great inconvenieace , mustered thousands and silenced orange prejudice and protestant slander ; and , in truth , the harsh treatment and just rebuke which a Manchester tramping Protestant proselyting surpliced ruffian received in Bath , from the " English Chartist Orangemen , " ha ? been well repaid by the cowardly scoundrels who had not the manliness the honesty or courage to meet the same religious cock upon his own dunghill ! Yes , the Rev . Parson Stowell preached in perfect
peace against the Irish Catholics in their stronghold ; but when he went to Bath , where there are few , if any , Irish workmen , he was extin guished by the " Chartist Orangemen . " Now , we merely remind the Irish , who have arrayed -themselves in open hostility against the Chartists , of these facts , to prove their folly and ingratitude , and not with any d « sire to win them over by blarney . Such is not our object ; for , haYing taken an open and conspicuous part against the registered will of those very people who have taken them so nobly by the hand , we now tell them that argument having failed , and as they have substituted " crack-skull" for argument , they must be prepared
to take the consequence , as M crack skull" is the game agreed upon . Ho doubt , we shall have a cougratulatory address , from the mou » tebank to the Royal-Loyal puppets concluding thu ^ : — " Hurrah for Manchester Wheeler's skull is cracked I hurrah ! Wheeler's skull is cracked ; for Manchester hurrah ! Such must be the high boast of the spirited Irish Catholics ; that the poor old man , whose wife ' i breast was cut off by the Protestants in 1819 , b * had his skull cracked by the Catholics ia 18411 0 , what a glorious triumph 1 and what a great day for Ireland ! !
But , let us assure Mr . O'Connbll , the Wai legalized peace-disturber , that he will find himself not only mistaken , but disappointed in his endeavour to perform his Irish farce of Protestant , " " Oro n ^ men" and "Sassenach" oa the English Btage . No , no i thai day is gone by . Enough has been made by the manager 6 t the piece , which has had a most sue * cesaful run of thirty juus ; but further it shall not co .
The Charter is a national question ; and the Irish ' man , the Englishman , or Scotchman who opposes theCharter , declares lor the worst of all monopolies , for a monopoly of thought , and speech , and action ; and they are ( no . matter of what country ) enemies ta the millions , and shall be met as suoli , and deal !
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4 T HE Nt ) RT H E R "t A R " f . ¥ t . . ... . . , , . ,. . ., ; , .., . ... / ..,,.,,.. .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 12, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct710/page/4/
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