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HOUSE OF COMMONS . —Moxdat . ( Continued from our Sixth Page . ) and cruelty on ths part o ! the Poor Law Commissioners exceeding anything that had yet been heard of , and mere fetal in its consequences ? Wouid he aid kiin ( Mr . Fielden ) in bringing to light the conduct of the commissioners , theii assistants , and their correspendpondents , -with regard to the sending of labouring people from the southern counties into the northern factories ? Wonld he mike them produce their ccrrespandtnes , and 'would he Hiake them render an account of the thousands ( there ¦ were upwards of ttn thousand ) that "were ma £ e the victims of the " migration" scheme ? He wanted the whole of ths
correspondence , not the commissioners' garbled extracts . He granted to know where the remnant of their victims were row to be found ; bow many they had sent down , how many had died , how many they had sent back , and the condition of those that remained . If the Right Bon . "Bmenet would aid him in . that , there was matter enough to be brought to light , and he did not see how be could refuse his aid in that matter , if he really thought the commissioners were c f use in bringing to light the cruel treatment of the poor . Bnt , until this aid were given to him , and the commissioners made to account t « Parliament for tb « se poor emigrants , he would not consent to pass a bill which proposed to contterae their existence one hour .
Mr . La"wso >' , who rose amid a loud call for a dm-Hon , defended those "who opposed the biil from being actuated by any " vulgar" pandering to the popular feeling on the subject . The House then divided , when there appeared , For Mr . Duncocifee ' a motion 37 Arainstit ... 156 Majority for going into Committee en the Bill ... 119 The House then went into Committee , and Mr . Wjlkley moved the postponement of the first clause , which enacts ihat the period of duration of the Poor Law Commission shall be for five years . His object in proposiag the postponement was to get the provisions of the bill fettled , and the power of the Commirsiontrs defined , before the period of duration of tke Commission was decided en . He supported his motion by a speech against theJNew Poor Law , warning the House against the consequences which he dreaded from the parsing of the bilL
Sir James Graham protested against the language used by the opponents of the bill , and the harsh accusations which they indiscriminately dealt out to its Enpperters , who were of all parties , Tory , Whig , and BaaicaL The workhouse test was by no means a novelty , as was contended i it was distinctly provided for in the 9 th Geo . L , whose provisions had been relaxed in 1796 , in corssqnence of prevailing distressa relaxation which contributed mainly to the extension of those abuses , which it was the object of the New Poor Liw Act to remedy , and which , in remedying them , did so by a retarn to old principles . The maintenance of the Poor Law Commission was the kryetone to the bilL Mr . Edwakd Bcller showed that the primitive Poor Law Acts of Elinbeth were far from deserving the credit for humane consideration for the poor which was BSualJy ascribed to them .
Mr . Benbtt opposed the extreme powers given by tile Bill to tile Poor Law Commissioners . As a possessor of tfce soil , he felt that lie bad duties to perform towards those whose labours contributed to his wedth snd comfort , and he did net wish to evade his share cf responsibility . Though he could not make up Ms mind as to the actual continuance t-f the Commission , he would vote for the postponement of the clause . Mr . Rice was satisfied as to the wisdom and policy of having a central controlling power in the administration of the law . Mr . S . Wortley supported Mr . Wsiley's amendment , as did also Cipfeun Pechell . After some explanation from Sir James Graham ,
Mr Cabdtteli , pteadsd for the postponement of the clause , on the ground that it was unfair to ask them to come to a decision on the continuance of the Coraniisacn . until they saw what wonld be the character of the BilL XLr . Darbt thought thsi the entire subject of tbe Poor Laws should come from time to time under the revision of Parliament ilr . Thojus Di > -com be quoted from the debates of last year , showing that on the BUI bronght in by the late Government , Sir Edward Knatchbull had made a
motion of a nature precisely similar to that cf Mr . Wailey ' s on the present occasion , and which the Paymaster if the Forces , had supported on similar grounds . Admitting that Sir Edward might have good reasons Irr changing his opinions , he thought that Sir Robert Peel must have been actuated by a little sly malice in putting Sir Edward's name on the back of tbe present Bill , as one of those by whom it was bronght in . Sir Edwabd KsAXCHBfLL vindicated his consistency , on the ground that the present Bill was of a more modified nature tfr « -n tha Bill of last session .
Some further explanation ^ passed between Mr . Thos . Dor-combe and Sir Edward KnatchbulL Mr . Philip HowaED supported the ITew Poor Law . Part of its unpopularity arose from the use of terms by the Commissioners which had the appearance of harshness . ilr . Waklet replied ; and on a division his amendment was rejected by £ 06 to 74 . Mr . B . Wood proposed aa amendment having for its orjact the abolition of tha system of a&sistantcommiBsionersbip . Sir James GsaHaM contended that the assistantc * mmi £ sionera were the hands and eyes of the centra ] board-Colonel Sibthorp supported the amendment , wishing to cut up the system root and branch .
Mr . Fesband said , that as the qnestioa now under consideration related to the assistant commissiontrs as being necessary to carry out the bill , and as within the list few § sy 3 two of these assistant commissioners had forwarded reports relative to the union to which he had the pleasure of being connected , and further , as one of these reports furnished by Mr . Mott , and containing a charge of a serious nature against the magistrates of the place , had been qnoted by the Right Hon . Bart ., the Secretary for tbe Home Department , he ( Mr . Ferrand ) trusted that the House wcnld indulge him for & few mominta . He now stated , as a Member of that House , that that part of Mr . Motfs report which charged tbe magistrates with interfering with tbe relief of the poor in the Keigbley Union was amalirions
falsehood . When an assistant-commissioner could go down at such a momentous time as just when tttsre was going to be a debate on the Poor Law , and make these scandalous charges against the magistrates , he did think that the House should take such Bteps as would prevent Mr . Mott from ever acting as an assistant cemniisaioner again . Was the House aware who this Mr . Mott was who went down and made these scandalous charges ? Mr . "Mott had accused him ( Mr . Ferrand ) another member of tbe House , and four other gentlemen in the commission of the peace with having , for the sake of gaining popularity to themselves , interfered with the relief of the poor ; sni ha had » right to show tbe Heuse who Mr . Mott wss . He found , then , that Mr . Mott had been a
contractor for the maintenance of the poor of Lambeth , and that he had undertaken to farm ont the peor in different parts of the country , and among others the poor of the parish of Alverstote , in which Gofpert is situate ; that , as appeared from his examination before the Commissioners of Poor Law Inquiry , he farmed the poor of Lambeth at 3 a . lid . a head , and those of Gosport at 2 s . 8 d . a iead ; that he found that Ecoweriug the scales at the Lambeth workhouse made a difference of about half an cuace in the scales , or about 50 ; b . of meat a week . The Hob . Member went on « o state , amidst cries of " question" an 6 ¦• divide , " that Mr- Mott bad proposed in this examination that the diet in workhouses should be reduced , both in quantity and quality , by a compulsory order . This was the man ¦ whose charges against the magistrates of Keighlcy he ( Mr . F errand ) declared to be false , en the authority of a gentleman who had sat at the Board of Guardians
since it was formed ; and also of the deiks of the magistrates , who assured him , with-the sanction of the magistrates , that there was not one word of truth in that part of the report- Then as to Sir J . Walsham ' s report , he ( Mr . Ferrand ) knew to fee false several of tbe extracts which had been read by tbe Right Hon . Baronet ( Sir J . Graham ) from that rtport . The Board of Guardians had sat that msrning , and he had so doubt that he should receive by to-morrow ' s post word from them that Six J . Walsham"s statements were grossiy exaggerated . He was convinced that Sir J . Walsham wns sent down in order to get up a statement to mett tnm ( MB Ferrand ) in the House of Commons ; and ht ssked the Right Hon . Gentleman whether he did not know of Sir J . Walfham ' s having been sent down previous to the debate ? As to the statement of that gentleman , that a pauper in the Bhigjey workhouse had been obliged to lie in the same tod with a dead parson , he considered it a most monstrous stattmenL
art JAIIIS G&AflAM challenged Mr . Ftrrand to move for a ctmmittee of inqniry into the management of the poor in the Keighley Union—a motion , which , if made , be would second . After some delate , the amendment was rejected by 226 to ih . 2 Jr . Feera 5 D revived the subject of Mr . Mott and the Keiglilty Union , which prodnced some further remarks of Sir James Graham , and & notice from Sir Charles Napier that he would accept the challenge which Mr . Ferrand did not seem disposed to do—moring for a committee of inquiry . The Hcuse resumed , on the motion of Captain Pechbll , and the remaining business was then disposed of .
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Australian Bbbf . —The Sussex has brought two casks of South Australian beef as sample . The shipper says— " The cattle feed eo well here , I think feeding cartle and sending it to London or Liverpool will pay better than sheep-farming . Wesballbep&idii we get 3 d . per pound in Londen ; and I think that will be less than Ireland can furnish joar market ¦ with beef of so good a quality as South Australia . I have seen grass-fed beef in Adelaide market better thaa ever I Baw in England . " We nnderstand that Borne of the beef which was brought to the table of a gentleman in London was heartiiv approved of .
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THE VICTIMISED PENSIONER . TO THE ED 1 T 9 B OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sib , —I hereby transmit to you a post office order for be sum of three shillings and sixpence , in the name of lr . Ardill , for John Hindea , who , &a has before ppeared in your paper , has been deprived of his hard ained pension because bf his stern advocacy of right gainst might . Sir , I am well acquainted with the individual in [ uestion , _ -and I believe his ODly crime to be that of upporting , as far at laid in bis power , tbe poor man gainst his oppressors , which has caused him to be a aarktrd man by the straightbacke-l gentry of Shorsham , n 1834 . he attacked the clergy and churchwardens of Shcreham , for the unhallowed design of levelling the
jraves of the poor in tha churchyard , whose friends rFtre not wealthy enough to erect a tombstone , to point rat the place where thtir remains were laid ; and also ) ulling down a wall which they had thought proper to sect for the purpose of stepping an a-. cient footway icross the churchyard- Having defeated them , in this &se , bis next crime was that cf standing up against joining the Stepney Union , on the atrocious New Poor Law , which I believe he would have defeated had not sriberybeen in the camp , by making one of his partners in the struggle a relitving oEctr . His next step was to ainder Boms of tbe wealthy shopocracy from taking in ground belonging to the parish , to appropriate to their Dwn use , without having obtained consent . And bis battling the cause of the poor at every vestry , in which be was nearly alwajs successful , holding the straightbacks of the place at arm ' s length , until he was defeated by the Custom House minions and others by taking the
chair at the meeting of the 7 th of December . 1 S 38 , when - he lost his hard earned pension . But at this he Derer repined until the hard times have helped the enemy to cru ^ h him , aud he has been completely levelled by the vermin ; not only by their depriving him of his pension , t-nt also by tikirg every local advantage of in jnring bini tfeat lay in their power : tbus has a life of danger and toil been wound up by a disgraceful clergy and others . A man , Mr . Editor , that tas fought and bled for his country in tbe battle cf Trafalgar , and with Sir Samuel Hood , off Roclifort ; likewise assisting at the taking of tbe Isles of France , Java , and Buo ^ es Ayres ; and likewise the destroying and taking oi upwards of one hundred and fifty-two ships and vessels of different descriptions , with other services for ¦« hieh this pension was granted ; and now in liis old age to be deprived of it for standing up fer bis poliucaj rights aa contained in that valuable document called the People ' s Chaiter .
Should our brother democrats throughout tbe land be kind encash to sabscribe to him the required turn , he may yet hold up feis head again . He bas a large family of a wife and nine children , and has , I believe , JsteJy suffered some very severe privations ; and I sm Eure hi" would never have applied to the Char tints of Great Br . tiin bad it nut been for the persuasions of niyse ' jf and another friend to do so rather than die in a ba ^ tile , as jre considered him a 3 great a victim in the causa as any . Hoping you will make hi £ case as public as possible , I remain , Sir , yours in the cause , Fra > cis Haeds . Shoreham , June 20 , 1842 .
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KEW 5 FOR EMIGRANTS . TO THE EDITOB OF THE NORTHERN STAR . London , 19 th June , 1 S 42 . SIR , —The following is an extract of a letter from Sydney , dated the 28 th December , 1841 , which I hope you will find room for in your valuable paper , and canrot be too widely circulated in Ibis country , when so many people are embarking diiily for that colony . This colony is in a most deplorable state , since the Govemrject has declined senoing any more convicts here . Emigration has been carried on to a most alarming extent ; there are now four ships with emigrants on beard ( about 1 , 060 ) , and about 1 , 000 more living in tents , supplied by Government . It is most distressing to sea the poor creatures , with families of
children , and not a penny in their pockets . wanderiDg about the town ia search of employment . The wealthy settlers will not engage them but upon tbe most extreme low wages to proceed into the interior . Consequently , they remain in Sydney , starving themselves and others by working for little or nothing ; and the amount here is from six to ten Bliiliings per week . You . would scarcely believe that there are upwards of 100 carpenters now ont of employ in Sydne-y alone ; stonemasons , bricklayers , &c , in proportion , owing principally to tbe influx of emigrants of this description arriving , and going in to work at rednced waxes . The printing business is getting very bad . The Monitor paper has lately been published three times a week , but commences the New Year as a weekly paper ; the Temperance Advocate died last Monday , as the Editor observed , from actual starvation . . There are a great
ifi&Dy more in our trade ont of employ , and several have gone into the interior as shepherds , ic in fact , taincs never were in suck a state aa at present . Twelve sr fourteen of our principal merchants and shipowners have latfcly become insolvent , some to the amount of from £ Sd , 000 to £ 100 , 000 ; and shopkeepers , aud even publicans , are daily assigning over their effects to their creditors . The Governor does not know what to do fui money to dtfray the espences of the emigrarts who aTe daily arriving ; he has advertised for loans of £ 100 etch to the amount of £ 200 , 000 for twelvemonths , at 8 per cent . This is a pretiy state of things , masters daily discharging hands for want of money to pay them . Tbs office where I am eEiploye ; l have not paid a farthing wages these three la « t weeks , and we woTk haTd and many hours , there being but six compositors to briEg out tha three times a week .
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^ TO THE EDITOK OF THE NOETHEEX STAR , Sib ., —I am glad that our friends at Leamington have conveyed to you an expression of the confidence which we ° feel in your political integrity , and cf the high estimation in > hich we hold your services in the cause of Chartism . "When in . conversation with parties whose prejudice against certain individuals is so invetarate as to exclude from their calculation all appreciation or acknowledgment of even the good qualities and services of the latter , ( for black indeed must be the character which has not-one bright , one redeeming feature in it » cemposition , ) I find that the most eligible proceeding is to submit to them one simple interrogatory , to this effect , namely , " In what condition would the Chartist agitation be at this moment , if Mr . O'Connor and the Northern Star had not been in txistence ?"
. Ailow me , Sir , to propose this question te the speculation and conjecture of youxTeaders . A candid response to it would convey a good deal of wholesome admonition and instruction . I am , Sir , Yours respectf nlly , Ryde , Isle of Wight , J . B . Smith . June 22 nd , 1832 .
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NOB . THEB . N STAR . SlS ,: —As a poor suffering coal miner , I must ssy I have very much admired the honest , faithful , and clear manner in which tbe Commissioners have set forth the enormous and diabolical evils connected with the coal mining system . Much has been said , very much , and I hope something will be done te remove those evils . Bat , Sir , much as has been said , there is yet a point or two which seems to have escaped the notice of all , and to which I wish to call your serious attention , and through you , the attention of the country and Government .
Si * 5 the first thing that I have to notice ia the firedamp system . You frequently hear tell of explosions by fire-damp , and of very great sacrifice of human life by such explosions . Sometimes upwards of a hundred human beings fall victims at once to the devouring element ^ while a few of their more fortunate companions are brought out of tbe " bkzing dungeon " alive . Now , Sir , did you ever know tbe reason of se many luman beings falling a sacrifice at one time , and in this manner ? I dare say not . Then , Sir , I will tell you the secret It is tbe driving their works such a tremendous distance from the shaf t—in -some cases a mile or two , as J have been informed . Bnt let the miners of Newcastle , and other places , answer &s to tbe truth of ibis statement . I should be glad if any one would just give to the world true and correct information aa to tbe general and utmost distance of theii works from the ihaft of the pit
Now , 1 can inform the public that there is a coal-pit very near where I live , where some cf the works are jnst at this moment moie than a thousand yards from tbe shaft ; and they will be somewhere about a mile wLtn they get to the utmost extent of their boundary . >' ow , suppose any serious explosion of fire-damp should take p ace with a nnmfeer of men and boys while labouring » o tir from the pit-shaft , what would be the constqumoe ? Why , either all or most of them would perish . If they were not all actually burned to death they would be smothered by the pestiferous and noxious smell which always follows an explosion j and the reason why eo many perish at once is , because they are so far from the pit-shaft ; they are at such a tremendous distance under-ground while it is impossible fer them to make tbeJr way home alive .
Judge for yourself , Sir , when I tell yon , the moment that an explosion takes place , all the lights an blown out ; all are left ia complete darkness . There are also hundreds of different places blown down by the blast which fchould convey the sweet , fresh , atmospberio air to the sufferer *; bnt now it ia cut oS . They are a mile , or perhaps more , under-ground , — an explosion takes place , —some are burned to death , some are dashed to pieces by tie blast , others who have escaped these , have the calamity to be so far from home , without fresh air , and have nothing bat a ptstifereoi iteam , something like brimstone , to breathe in , tfcat escape is next to impossible . Then there are bricks , stones , planks , dead , or dying horses , fcc , laid and blown in their way . They run for life as far as they can , then they sink down and give np the ghost
Sir , you will say this ia a inelancholj picture , but is there any remedy ? Yea , Sir , there is a remedy . It is this . Let coal masters sink two or three pits where they only sink one , and if they will no t do it of them-
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selves , ( which I a » sure they will not , ) then the Government ought to make them . This Tery snbject ought to form a part of Lord Ashley ' s Bill at this present time . It is for this very purpose that I write these lines . Sir , there is another point to which I wish to cbII the attention of the country and the Government It is a custom at some places to run their ropes sadly too far . I myself have known several instances where ropes have been run while they have actually broken , and men aud boys have had to venture their lives np and down the pit on these very ropes . The whole concern , Sir , is a lore of money , more than the lives , limbs , bodies , or souls of men !! In one word , it is all a traffic in human life , for the Bake of gaining wealth , and will never be altered except by law ; and I am afraid it will never be done by law till the People's Charter becomes law . However , the subject is fairly before them , so we shall msp .
Now , Sir , as to this thirteen years of age system , in Lord Ashley ' s Bill ; two things are indispensably necessary before that Bill should pass into law . The first is , they should make provision for all such children and families otherwise till they arrive at that age . The second is , no hurrying-road ought to be allowed to be any less than thirty-six inches in height , let the coalbed be what it may , as it would be impossible for a boy thirteen years of age , to go on a hurrying-road under that height , if he had never been in a coal-pit before . Hoping those things will be duly weigned over , I remain , Sir , Yonrs , &c A Constant Reader of the Star . June 23 rd , 1842 .
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TO THE CHARTISTS IN GENERAL , AND THOSE RESIDING IN THE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS IN PARTICULAR . Brethren and Friends , —Having recently visited a portion of . the agricultural districts , being well acquainted with the Cifiiculty of so doing , aud ttusre having seen the good effects of introducing our principles , and also feeling with my brethren of the late Convention the imperative necessity that exists for carrying the enlightening principles of democracy into those dark shades of Toryism , I beg to submit , with all due deference , tbe following as a means of carrying it out : First , I premise there is not a county in England , nay , scarcely a town or village , in which there does not reside two , three , or more individuals who have
imbibed the principles of the Charter ; nay scarcely a town , village , or hamlet but gets the Star weekly . — Secondly , —I recommend those persons to consult with each other . To invoke tbe assistance of those who profess to be advocates of civil and religious liberty , and having thus ascertained their strength , we have an Executive coming into iflice , who have just been returned by the -voice of the people , whose duty , intertst , and without doubt , inclination , it will be to extend the principles as much as possible ; then let those individuals in the various counties , towns , hamlets and villages , after having ascertained their strength , immediately correspond with tbe general secretary , requesting an advocate for their dibtrict . The Executive being the only body paid from ti . e general Chartist body ,
I mean by tbe members of the Natienal Charter Association and their friends ; the unagrtated agricultural districts having no available means f jr the purposestanding most in need of that spirit that a Chartist agitation would impart , they musi aud will become tbitf oljecta of the •* Executive ' s" deepest solicitude , as they arc now that of the Chartist body at large . Well then some cr the whole of the Extcutive committee wou : d devote their time and attention to this most important object ; bnt te enoble the " Executive" to perform this great service to the Ckanists in particular , and to the countiy in general , there is one thing very necessary fur the members or the National Charter Association to bear in mind , viz—that th-. y pay their own con . ributiens as members regular ! y , aud that tho sub
secretary forward monthly , one fourth of such contribution to the General SecreUuy , and then your Executive will have ample means ; and ehuuld , as appearances indicate , and as I fervently hope may be the case , the districts become too large , the work be too much to be accomplished by tbe Executive Committee of five , they will be enablftd to send forth approved advocates te aid and assist in tbe great and woodwork . It has to me beeu very painful in corresponding with persons relative to our Chartist movement , to continually have the following iterated and reiterated : — " am surprised that our district should have been neglected , when it rtquiies agitation as much or more as any other , and hope the dark region cf — will b » blest with a ray of Chartist light "
My friends , from my recent visits to the agricultural disiricU , from the coirespondence 1 have bad with some of my brother Chartists in those districts , and from my general experience , obtained by nearly fourteen yean' service jin the cauBe of democracy , I conclude , that the suggestions I have offered nre at the present time best calculated to serve the cause . It you arrive at the Bame conclusion , if you are convinced of the necessity of increasing our numbers—if yuu deBire the Bphere of our usefulness to be enlarged—if ( nnd aa sooil demorats you must do ) you desire Chartist
principles to prevail from one en-: rf the land to the other , you will immediately go to work , reduce this theory to practice , and by increasing Chartitm and Chartists destroy persecution , prevent prosecution , and ultimately , yet shortly , break the bonds which bind you ; throw down at once the demon class legislation , by causing the principles contained in the People's Charter to be the law of tbe land ; and thus by obtaining the great key , the elective franchise , open the door to fitedom , prosperity , and happiness for yourselves and posterity . Faitlfully yours ,
Edmund Stali / wood 6 , Little Vale-place , HammersmitL-road , June 22 . 1842 .
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ADDRESS OF THE IttlSH UNIVERSAL STIFFKAGE ASSOCIATION TO THE CHARTISTS OF ENGLAND . BROTHERS in Bondage , —Deeply concerned in the result ef your struggle against oppression , suffering from tbe same causes , and actuated by the sime hopes , we address you with a twofold object . First , to cheer yon on in the peaceful but energeiic warfare you are waging with corruption and injustice . Secondly , to enlist your sympathies on behalf of our peor countrymen , who will shortly appear amongst you to labour in your fields for the mean « of paying a griping agent the priee he sets for a non-resident , rack-renling landlord on tke scanty acre from which they gather a miserable vegetable existence .
Brethren , we have said that we suffor from the same causes ; the same monster-monopolies grind us both to tbe earth . The land , transferred by feudal violence and blood-stained confiscations , from many-handed industry to the iron grasp of powerful pride and hereditary idleness ; its possessors fenced round by proscriptive privilege and statutory txemptions ; laws framed to ensure luxury to ths few at the txpence of privation , even cf famine , to the many ; parks , plantations , lawns , preserves , enclosures , woods , g . ime laws ,
rojallies , waite lands , reclaimable begs , cultivatable mountains , unworked mines ; every restriction that could thwart ihe designs and bounty of nature , which has supplied sufficient for all , and dooms us , like Tantalus , to die of hunger surreumled by plenty , conspires to render our lot more intolerable as we gazi on the involuntary unemployed labourer obliged to periodically expatriate himself in order to prevent his being forcibly thiast from the nnrrow strip of ground on which he and a numerous family depend for tueir annual snpply of potatoes .
Such is the forlorn and cheerless state to which agricultural tyranny aud misrule have reduced the Irian peasant Like you too we suffer under the reckless intruder Machinery . Whole trades have been annihilated , and others partially destrojed as regards manual operation : and were our crowded workhouses searched , and the history of the unfortunates there elicited , in nine casea out of ten their destitute condition could be traced to tbe introduction of self-acting machines into their respective trades . If like you , we have not to
mourn the miseries and demoralization of the factory system which d waifi the physical growth , and dims the mental faculties of England ' s rising generation , it is because the bloated Moloch , Capital , has not yet acquired sufficient footing in our land to cause oui children to pass through the fires of his infernal sacrifices kindled on the altai of Mammon ; and we are led to pray that our country may never enjoy the benefits , as they are called , of commerce , if they can only be proenred at such a disastrous price , and by means so truly Satanic
But while to the various tyrannies under which we groan you can add , in a more particular manner , those heartless conquests achieved by Capital over Labour , think not that we are without our peculiar oppressions ; we are under the tyranny of Patriotism . We mean Irish mock patriotism , the love of country and kind being here supplied by a blind and unreasoning devotion to one man , to whose political vagaries be is accounted an "incomprehensible vagabond" ( by the Corn Exchange clique ) who does not implicitly subscribe . The servant and supporter of aristocracy and the middle dasseB , Mr . O'Connell , has never yet done
anything for the poor ef Ireland , save extort from them their unsnpeifluous halfpence ; and finding those of late coming slowly in , he bas now called for their farthingB , which are not coming In at all . The generous but unthinking amongst our peor countrymen by force of custom belisve all his assertions , and hate whatever and whoever he bids them ; a few pecuniary parasites assist him in accumulating and sharing the profits derived from the simplicity , credulity , and despair of the people , and these it is generally believed make him more inconsistent , peevish , and unjust , than he otherwise would be .
Amongst the many absurd and reprehensible things which the history of his sapience , the present Lord MByorof Dnblin , will exhibit , nothing will fxciteso much surprise as his zigzag course regarding the People * Charter . Now praising the document , and shaking hands with its supporters ; now abuaiDg it , and then anon qualifying , aye eatl g , bis words ; and then c . mlng ont with new Insinuations , and fresh denouncements . We have sometimes thought , in reference to this loverlike procedure , tliathe was , at
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least as regarded the Charter * doating . But there is one threat of bis to which it is our business here particulail ? to allude , because it is one which we believs , notwithstanding all tha bigotry it has been his ubjeot to preserve , all the Inter-national hate which he has delighted to foster and to sow , found ho echo in the general besom of Ireland , and which , bad he brought forward a motion ! on the suhject , not eyen his creature , Tom Reynolds , his clerk , O'Niel Baunt , or his body servant , Tom Steele , would be found to second . We allude to the fact , that this brawler for freedom , this advocate for civil and religious liberty all over the globe , in public assembly , frequently , and very recently , declared , that in the event of the Chartists of England being goaded by oppression , Bt-irvation , and despair , into laying their hands forcibly on bread for their famishing families , he would march 500 , 000 Tipperary men to put them down .
Brethren , you have not resorted to Buch justifiable violence we rejoice to say ; we admire your fortitude and forbearance , but In our own country hunger bas arisen in its desperate strength , and has been purchased at the the expense of blood , This drivelling braggadocio and most wanton insult uttered by this singular man , we beseech you to pass over with mag . nanimous contempt : we implore you to hush the indignation and repress the natural resentment which might prompt you to avenge on ths heads of our poor waudering countrymen the outrage their deluder and
plnnderer has committed on you . Exhibit rather the contrast which Christianity would suggest ; rendei- them good for evil ; extend to them the kindness which lightens toil ; relieve , where you c » h , their physical distress , and above all , pour into their minds the noble and dignified doctrines of the Charter ; raise them from their mental degradation and fatuity ; excite their reasoning faculties ; teach them to think and judge for themselves—to shake off the dictator's stultifyinryoke , and send them back to praise the generosity of Englishmen , and scatter the good ties ds of political enlightenment amongst their less Informod neighbours .
Slowly and silently ,, but effectually , la Chartism ramifloating throughout our land . It is already powerful enough to command the - silent respect even of our patriots , and enforce their forbearance ; while , as they become acquainted with its fcublhne and elevating principles , the working classes learn first to admire and next to embrace them . ' It will be for you , during the sojourn cf the poer exiles of Erin amongst you , to do much to forward the cause of true freedom and real humanity , and send them back—lowly as they are—apostles to effect the political regeneration of their country . Confident that ysu will exert yourselves to do bo , and assuring you of ourunalteraWe attachment to the national work—our sympathy foryour Bufferings— -our admiration for your endurance—our pride in your successes , and our certainty , by unity , perseverince , and energy , of yet fully establishing the triumph of right over mightof the people over the oligarchy . :
We remain , Your trusty auxiliaries in the cause of democracy , Of truth and of humanity , Patrick Rafter , Chairman . W . M . H . Dyott , Secretary .
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—— - ? - . . THE WIDOW HOLBERRT . TO THE OUAItTlSTS OF GREAT BRITAIN , " Ye good distressed , ye generous few , Who here unbending stand Beneath life ' s pressure , yet bear up awhilo , And what your bounties can , pray do bestow . " Brethren , —As one who feels deeply upon the subject of this leter , I hope I may not be considered presumptuous in , calling your attention ; to its purport Many are the trials and troubles of a people struggling for freedom . Persecution , . and prosecution , death in the dungeon or on the . scaffold , are the only rewards that tyrants award to sterling patriotism and virtue ; and so will it ever be until the people rise aa one man to destroy the present system of niiBrule . '
Holberry , the patriotic and brave ! has fallen a victim to the heartless and coldblooded treatment or neglect of those in whose hands his life was placed . His wife , for whom he breathed such fervent prayers , is feft a widow to battle with the system tbat has murdered him ; overcome with grief her mind has become affected , and dreadful may be the consequence unless provided with the mtana necessary to raise the drooping spirits of a half broken heart . Fellow countrymen and ceuntrywomen , to you then I appeal in behalf of our sister in her troubles ; let the
suffering of her husband , her loss , and present awful situation stimulate you to exertions .. Has she not already suffered enough ? can Chartists hear of her present situation without feeling the deepest anguish and using every facility in their power to raise her above want , nay , to place her in perfect independence ? Nothing would please our oppressors more than to see us neglect those who suffer , through our cause ; nothing will tend more to damp tke energies of thosa who have wives and families to leave behind . Let us be men ; let us deceive tho one , and give joy and hope to the other , for as Pope
says"How far the little candle throws his beams , So shines a good deed in a naughty world . " Brethren , much is in our power collectively , and as drops of water running into one channel will create a mighty flood , so may the united exertions of the people raise all that 1 b required upon this occasion , without distressing the poorest of tbe poor . The plan that I propose is as follows : —By the address of the General Secrttaiy lately published , there appears to be 400 towns and villages in the Association . Let each town raise 2 s . 6 d ., or as some of the villages may not be able to do that , let those places which Can . give more do so ; 2 s . 6 d . from 400 places will raise . £ uOj and with that sum she may commence in some small way of business , which no doubt would be supported by those friends in whose cause her husband haa perished ;
Brethren , let this be commenced immediately , let there be no hanging back , no towns trusting to others doing their share ef the work , but let each try to be the first in so laudablo a purpose . Let the General Council everywhere take it up ; the sum is small to each , surely none will have the uncharitableness to say it cannot be raised . And who will say that the paltry sum I appeal for is a sufficient atonement for the mighty loss she has sustained ? Men of the East and North Riding , to you let not my appeal be made in vain . Stretch out your bands upon this occasion , and assist in saving the sorrowing and afflicted widow from that doom to which u « r present mental suffering must shortly consign her .
" Honour and shame from no condition rise ; Act well your part , there nil the honour lies . " I remain , Brethren , In the cause of justice , Yours in union , Edw . BifRtEr . York , June 28 tb , 1842 . P . S . I hope Mr . Hobson will have no objection to be the Treasurer for the above fund . E . B .
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TO THE WOMEN OF ENGLAND . Friends an » Fellow Countrywomen , —That period haa now arrived , when nian , aroused to a full sense of his misery and dsgtadation , and having succeeded in groping his way from darkness to light , immerges from that ignorance in which superstition and fanaticism have hitherto fast bound his mind , and is exerting his powers of reason in order to obtain for himself those rights and liberties which are now most uiijastly denied him .
And that period has alBO arrived , "when woman , awakening to a sense of the social miseries by which she is surrounded , and by which she is degraded and en-Blaved by her desolate home , by her deserted and fitelesa hearth , by her starving ehildren , and by her own hard toil and scanty fare , has taken her staud in the arena of politics , has raised her feeble voice in defence of her rights , and those of "her injured country , and haa em . barked with . her light boat upoa the ocean of agitation , to assist in steering the shattered bark of liberty to a smooth and sheltered haven .
In consequence cf physical superiority , man , while In a state of ignorance , always treats woman aa an inferior creature , as one who was formed to be a slave to his pleasures and his will , and not as an equal and companion ; for while in a state of ignorance , man being insensible to his own mental and intellectual qualities , it v = ry naturally follows that he cannot appreciate those of women , and he therefore regardB the kind offers , the fond attentions , and the tender endearments of woman , not as things which it ia his duty to repay with kindness and protection , but as things which fiho has a right to give , and he only a right to expect and demand .
As civilisation advances inan gradually becomes more inclined to place womim on an equality with himsfllf , and though excluded from every thing connected with publio » life , her condition is considerably improved ; still she ia regarded in an inferior light , her proVince being only to make a pudding , prepare 4 dinner , clean the house , tend to her children , if she have any , and such like . Now these are all necessary things , nay they are essential , our comfort and well-being in society demand that they should be done . But are we , because we are women , to be excluded
from the more rational enjoyments of life ? If so , why then was woman gifted with a mind to which in point of delicacy of taste , depth of feeliDg , and devoted affection , even proud man himself must bow . / Why then , if we are thus gifted , are we to be thus treated ? Shall we sit still and tamely submit to a slavery against which our cheeks glow with shame and our hearta burn with indignation ? No . ' perish the thought in the bosom of its ignoble birth . Rouse yourselves to a sens © of your merits . Assist those men who will , nay , who do , place women in on equality with themselvea in gaining their rights , and yours will be gained also .
God is our guide in the great and glorious struggle in which we are engaged , and liberty u out birthright , which the Chaiter alone will give us . Join with us , then , for the Charter of enr freedom . Come forward and unite with us in our great struggle for independence and for those rights which are ours by nature , but which a cruel , despotic , and tyrannical government have deprived us of . Do not say you have no business with politics , and that you leave such things for your husbands , fathers , and brothers . You have an interest in politics , a deeper
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interest than you are aware ef . If the country is misgoverned , and bad laws instituted , and goed laws perverted , it is on you those lawB fall heaviest ; witness those which regulate the price of food and the monopolies . If tke country is well governed , and good laws acted upon , does it not naturally follow that we shall also feel the benefit of them ? Besides , if you have busibands , fathers , or brothera , who are Chartists , your participating in that which interests them most will please and tnt ! fi ibbjn to further exertions If you have husbands , fathers , or brothers , who are not Chartists , your example will influence them , and induce them to become such . . - . ¦ ¦ ¦ "¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦¦' . ¦ ¦ . '" . - ¦ •/¦ - •• ' ' „ ¦ ¦ . ¦ •• .. ' - - . ¦ ¦ ¦ . '
The principles of the Charter , if carried out , ate such as will give man not only bis political rights , but will enable him to get a more equitable remuneration for his labour , aud that will enableyou to live in more comfortable homes—to give your children as much food as they require , and prevent your leading such wretched lives of poverty and unrequited > toil . Unite with us , therefore , far in union only is strength . Let the Charter be the foundation-stone on which to rest all your hopes ; and remember , however much the
name of Chartist may bo now despised , and made the butt for every witless fool to fling his jest at—however much it may now be held up to ignominy and scorn , the time will come ( and will come sooner , too , if you will dome forward and assist ns ' j when the poor , despised , and persecuted Chartist shall be honoured as the saviour of his country . Susanna Inge , Member ef the Female Chai ter Association of the City of London . 55 , Old Bailey , June 27 th .
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NOMINATIONS TO THE GENERAL
COUNCIL . : '¦'¦ ¦ . ¦ NOTTINGHAM * Mr > William Wood , Pepper-alley , Narrow marsh framework-knitter . Mr . James : Humphries , ditto , ditto . Mr . James Burbidge j needle-maker . Nekon street , Mr . William Rice , ditto , Wood-. treet . Mr . Isaac Burton , Cherry-place , Coalpit .-Jane , frarnewdrk-knitter . Mr . John Spencer , Sunhill , framework-kiiiftir . Mr . William / Parker , Cricket-court , Barker- ^ ate , ditto . ; . : ¦ " : ¦ ¦ , ¦ " . - '¦ ¦ ' ¦ - , ¦ ' ' . . Mr . Christopher Bell , Frame-couri ; , Parliamentatreet , sub-Treasurer . Mr . Timothy Thatcher , Sheridan-streetj cordwainer , sub-Secretary .
• WOLVEBHAMPION . Mr . Joseph Steward , spectacle-frame maker , Brickkiln-lane . Mr . J . Farmer , accountant , Folill-st . Mr . Wm . ' Sim . s , locksmith , Graisley-row . Mr . Job -Hammonds , buckle maker , Wa ' salistreet . .:. .- . . . : Mr . Nicholls , ' miner , Menmore-grcen . Mr . H . Caddy , Mason , WalJsall-st . Mr . FosaU . tiie-cutter , North-sti . Mr . T . Wilson , news agont , Worcester-st ., sub-Seoretary . '
.:.. DCKEKFIELD . Isaac Kelsall , hatter , Town-lane . William Wild , do . Old-road . Joseph Blandj carder , Parliamftnt-st . James Jagger , ; weaver , Hall-green . Seth Jenkihson , spinner , Georgo-st . Henry Shaw , miner , Town-lane . Henry I ^ ateliffe , Dog-lane . William ; Hibbert , weaver , Wellington-st Joseph Stafford , moulder , Aetley-st . Abraham , Bird ; weaver , Wellin » ton-st . William Cook , sub-Treasurer . Edward Butter worth , sub-Secretary .
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XONDOW . —Mr . Farken lectured on Sunday evening at the Goldbeaters' Arms , Somerstown . Albion , Church-Street , Shoheditch . — - —Mr . Wheeler lectured here on Sunday evening , and pave satisfaction to his audience , Reports were received from the delegates'to the Monthly and the London . i / ehg&te Council . , Monthly Delegate Meeting . —This body assembled on Sunday morning at the Star Coffeehouse , Golden ^ ane , to hear the report of the committee appointed to draw up rules , &C ( J Mr . Jagd was calkd to the chair ; Mr . Nagle reported on
behalf of the committee , and the Secretary read the rules adopted by the committee which were discussed seriatim , and ultimately adopted by the meeting ; Mr . Ridley moved that the Secretary be instructed to Bummons the whole of the members of the monthly , the Surrey , and the London Debate Council to meet and decide upon , the adopti on of the rules on Sunday morning , at the Star Coffeehouse . On a suggestion of Mr , Wheeler , it w"a 3 altered to Sunday afternoon , at 55 , Old Bailey , provided the London Delegate Meeting , would grant the use of the room ; and in that shape carried unanimously . The meeting then adjourned .
S « gab Loaf , Church-Street , Mile-End , Newxown . —A crowded audience assembled on Sunday , at this house , to hear a lecture from Mr . Balls , and ah address from the newly-elected member of the Executive , Mr . Bairetow , ; -whp was en route to Bristol . The sentiments uttered by Messrs . Balls and Bairstbw were highly applauded , and their recommendation of a subscription for poor Holberry was nobly responded to , 10 s . 4 d . being immediately collected . Mr ... Tucke ? , who haa greatly exerted himself in raising this new localityj moved a vote of thanks to the lecturers and the chairman , which was carried unanimously , and the meeting separated highly gratified with the proceedings of tho evening . Mr . Duffjeld lectured on Sunday evening , with his usual lability at the Carpenters' Aims , Bvicklane . ¦ ' V
Stonemasons , Cbaven-Head , Drury-Lanr—The above association held their usual weekly meeting oh Saturday evening , and after the usual business of the association was gone through , and several minor subjects discussed , the meeting adjourned . Delegate Council . —This body met on Sunday , Mr . Morgan in . the chair . Mr . Wheeler read aa extract from a letter of the Ren William Hill's , Editor of the Northern Star , averring that be is a member of the National Charter Association , and commented upon the conduct of those who had so industriously propagated a contrary belief . Mr . Wheeler also reported that Mr . Cleave had kindly offered to present them with a quantity of unsold , copies of the Northern Star ,- and moved that a Committeo be appointed to receive them of Mr . Cleave . Mr . Blake seconded the motion . Messrs . Dowling
and Humphries supported the motion , and Messrs . Wheeler , Ridley ; and Salmon were appointed . Mr . Ridley moved , and Mr . Wheeler seconded , that the report of the Committee appointed to draw up rules for the complete organisation of London be heard and decided upon on the ensuing Sunday ^ and that the use of the Hall be given to the whole of the Councils oh that occasion . Carried with one dissentient . Credentials were received from Mr . Knight , for Finsbury , and Mr . Bell , for Limehouse . A report wasreceived regarding the Trades' Delegate Meeting . The sum of lOs . was received from Limehouse , and 2 s . 6 d . from the batters . Mr . Langwith was appointed tolnquiro into certain affairs said to be going onin his locality . The Council then proceeded to the investigation of some matters of personal acd local interest , which occupied the remainder of the time .
Chelsea . —The Chartists of this place met as usual at the Stag Tavern , Fulham Road , Mr . NevHt in the chair . Mr . J . Dowliiig delivered an able lecture at its conclusion . A subscription was entered iuto for Mason ' s Defence Fund , and other business connected with the locality transacted . The deputation appointed to wait on Mr . Feargus O'Connor reported that he had left his residence for a tour in Yorkshiro . They were instructed to wait upon him pa his return . LASSWADE . —The people of this place hate been very inactive Jately , consequently the Chartists
resolved to call a public meeting , m order to rouse them from their apathy . The meeting took place on Wednesday evening week , and was well alluded . Mr . John Stuart was called to the chair , who , after a short speech , introduced to the meeting MxyRbbt . Lowery , who addressed the nieetiDg for an hour and a half , in a . strain , of fetvid eloquence and cleat logical reasoning , carrying the feelings of ; tho meeting with him . Mr . L . stated to the meeting how the late Convention acted during its sittings . He gave great eatfefacttdn . Meetings like th ' . s have a tendency to do much good .
TONBRX » GE ; .- ^ -Kl : nt . —A public meeting was held on Wednesday evening week , at the Chequers ' Inn , for the purpose of hearing a lecture from Mr E . StallWoo ' d of London ; At the conolusiOTi , Mr . Suelling moved a vote of thanks to the lecturer , and briefly supported his views , as did several others . Oa Friday evening , the club room of the Cb < quers was again filled , and Mr . Stallwood delivered a second very , able lecture , for which he received tha thanks of the assembly . . Tonbridge Wells . —On Thursday week , Mr . E . Stalhvoodof London , addressed a public meeting , at Ainbld ' 8 Temperance rooms , Calverley-place ; at the close of -the lecture , a yote of thanks was unanimously passed to the lecturer . A locality of the National Charter Association is about to be formed
STOCKPORT— The youths of this town are getting on rapidly ; they have succeeded in gettine a room to theniselves capable of holding eeveral hundred persons , which they have opened for the purpose of disseminating political instruction to the riBirJg generation . Wm . Hardwood , one of the members of their debating class , dollvered a very instructive lecture on Sunday afternoon last ,. on the principles of the People ' s Charter to a numerous audience for which he received a unanimous vote of thanks . Lectures are delivered every Sunday forenoon and afternoon , and Tuesday evfeuiiig .
AsiiTON-under-Ltnb . —A delegate meeting was held in the Chartist Room , Charlestown , on Sunday last . Delesatea present : —Ashton , James Taylor ; James Wilcox , and William Aitken ; Hooley Hill , James Leech , James Lowe , and Hargreavea Ashton ; Stalybridge , George Baxter and Thomas Wilson ; Droylsden , Samuel Clongb ; Dukinfield i _ James Hague and Edmund Butterworth ; Mottram , SamHel Lees and Robert Wilde j MoFsley , W . Bradbury . The following resolutions were adopted : — That meetings be held in the localities that have gent deputies here to-day ^ arid that a correspondence be opened with Messrs . Lea « h , Bairstow , and _ some other Manchester friends to address the meeiinge . "That the deleeates assembled , wheuthey return to
their locaiitieB , see how many men will volunteer to address public , meetings or act as Jeciurere , and that they brine tneir names witb . them to the next delegate meeting . " " That an address be got up by Mr . W . Aitken , shewing the people the necessity of joining the Assdeiation , and that ' tho , sam ^ be printed and circulated amongst the people . £ na * the delegates assembled impress upon the members of their Associations the necessity of pajmg one penny each to the friends of all deceased memberB , and that aa many as can conveniently attend the funerals of all members do so . " "That another delegate meetiDg be Held in the Ashtpn-nuder-Lyne Room , on Sunday , the 10 th of July , « , t one o ' clock ia { he forenoon , to see what Eteps can be effectually taken to organise our out distriots , aud to hear the reply of Mr . Leach . 'V
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THE NORTHERN STAR . 7
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STOCKPOE . T . GREAT PUBLIC MEEriNG TO ADOPT A PETITION TO PARLIAMENT ON THE SUBJECT OF THE LATE SLAUGHTERS AT ENN 1 S , IN IRELAND . On Wedneaday evening last , one of tbe largest public meetings held in Stockport for eome time aasemMedin the Castle Yard . Mr . Henry Smith was unanimously called upon to preside . The Chairman opened the meeting by expressing his desire to Bee both Irish and English united to put down the present system , which the police were hired fco tnsinfcain .
Mr . Thomas Webb then rose and moved the first resolution , and in so doing , he could not help remarking that , as an Irishman , be felt confident that the English people were his best friends . The Irish police had slaughtered his innocent countrymen , because they would not starve in a land of plenty . He concluded by moving the ; folio wing resolution : — " That we view with abhorrence and disgust the late bloody and brutal outrage committed on the peaceable inhabitants of Ennis , Ireland , by a ruffianly and bigotted police force , and that we eympathise with them ; and also that a petition , emanating from this meeting , be presented to the House of Commons , praying for an immediate inquiry into the cause of the distress in Ireland , and to disarm the police force . " Mr . JOIIN WillGiiT came forward to second the motion , which waa put and carried . The Ohaikman then introduced to the meeting
Mr . Thomas Clark to move the adoption of the petition . He knew there were some of bis countrymen there who imagined that if they had a repeal of the Union , they would then be happy . ( Heat , hear . ) This be denied , for if they had a Repeal of the Union to-morrowy with th « present franchise , they would be little or no better off . ( Loud criesof hear , hear . ) Supposing they had a Parliament sitting in College Green , who are the persons who Would make the laws ? \ yby , the landlords , to be sure . ( Hear . ) And ( said he ) Task is there an Irishman here to-ni ^ ht so foolish as for one moment to imagine that londlords will ever make laws to beneflfc the labourer . ( No , no ) No , for it is not their interests to give the labourer power , for if the did , the first use they weuld make of that power
would be to break down that accursed monopoly upon which they feed and fatten . ( Cheers . ) This he defied any Irishman to gainsay . ( A voice , " I wish we had it , any way . " ) Yes , said Mr . Clark , I wish you may get it—( laughter )—for ( said he ) you cannot surely expect the present House of Commons to give it you , and you know well the base wretches who last ruled the destinies of the Empire would not give it you . Then how must you get it , for you know you must not taka it ? No , that would be physical force , and he knew Irishmen were not physical force men . ( Laughter . ) You must evidently « et a new House of Commons , based on the principles of the Charter . ( Loud cries of hear , hear . ) And let me ( said the speaker ) ask . ray friend if it be only a ParHanient he wants ? If so , he bad no
hesitation whatever in saying that the people of this country would mate them a present of their ' s , Lords , Queen , and all ; and give them something handsome into the bargain . ( Criesof hear , and laughter . ) It is also a notorious fact that there are fewer Members in the House of Commons now who would vote for a Repeal of the Union than there were when Feargus O'Connor brought forward his " premature" motioiij or forced the liberator to it ; how ia this after we have bad ten years of reform , and how many times have we been made to throw up our cjvwbeens and ablllelahs and give three cheers for the Queen , and the best ministry ever Ireland say ? 2 Whilst at the time we were giving those strong , cue « rs from weak stomachs , Mr . O'Cdnnell was proclaiming to the
world that we had obtained a bloodless victory , and ats the same time informing us of the astounding fact , that there were three millions of IrUh who rose every mornlug without knowing where to get their breakfast—( Bhiime , Bhame )—and all this too after having tasted the sweeta of Corporate Reform and Catholic Emancipation ; but aa a poor Irish slave , . be proclaimed that he was not emancipated j and he contended that the poor Irish labourer who laboured with his spade at the back of a ditch for eixpenceaday was not emancipated , and as a Irisbman and an Roman Catholic said he , I osk yon . my countrymen , what have the Irish Catholic
members done for us ? Nothing aye , or worse than nothing , for they have been the greatest enemies to the liberties of the people . Where , oh whera , were these Cathelio memhers of Improved Ireland , when his noble countryman , O'Connor , moved that the widow Kyan should have her name placed on the Pension . List , in place of some Idle placeman ? Would ye believe it , the mctlon fell to the ground for the want of a seconder . To such a heiRht had patriotism risen under the benign influence of Catholic Emancipation . AJ 1 he wanted to see was a unity of sentiment and action between the oppressed of both countries . He should thus draw to a close by moving the following petition : —
To Hie Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and Ireland in Parliament assembled . The Petition of the Inhabitants of Stockporl in public meeting assembled , HUMBLT SI 3 EWETH , That it ia with feelings of pain and regret we call the attention of your Honourable House to the cruel and inhuman treatment exercised by a party , of the Irish police force towards the peaceable , unoffending , and unarmed inhabitants of Ennis in the county of Clare , Ireland / That , from evidence which appears in the public papers , the magistrates and police authorities deny having given the police orders : to fire , but that the men fired of their own accord , proving discipline to be little known amongst them ; and also that they ore not the " efficient force" they have been represented by members of your Honourable ; House .
That your petitioners respectfully direct your attention to the fact , that several of tbe unfortunate suffeters were shot in the back , furnishing proof the most conclusive of the entire absence of the real necessity for firing ; That your petitioners feel that a want of that which nature requires for its sustenance Ibut of which the people ore deprived through the instrumeutality of wicked Jaws , ) has been in a greatnaea * nre the cause of bringing the people into collision with the law ; That your petitioners cannot but deeply lament the existence of such a state © f things as to call forth such favourable opportunities for the display of those flendlike propensities which has ( unfortunately for the toiling millions of both England and Ireland , ) uniformly characterised the proceedings of that party whose spirit , initheopinion of your petitioners , actuatsd the 'instigators" and ^^ perpetrators of so ctuel and cold-blooded an act , as that of slaying those on whose blood and vitals they feed and fatten .
That in the opinion of your petitionera , the working class of Ireland is fully entitled ^ to the same protection fi'oin your Honourable House , as the most wealthy and influential class in the state , which protection we are sorrytosay they do not at present receive . ¦ Norls it the opinion of your petitioners they ever will until every man is fully and fairly represented in your Hon . House ; through the adoption of the " Peopled Cbarter" as the law of the land , that your petitioners look upon an . armed police as being not only the very worst possible description of a force , but as unconstitutional in the extreme , and admirably calculated to asaist plundering factions in depriving the people of that paltry remnant of liberty which the most unbearable despotism has left them . ¦ ¦ ' ' ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ' . ... - . \ : ¦ . . ¦ . - ¦ .- ¦ , v ¦¦ . . ¦ - . ' , : ¦
That your petitioners therefore call upon your Hon . House to cause immediate enquiry to be made into the cause ot the distress , and also to disarm the Irish police force , not mere to prevent tbe oecurrence of such acts , than on the ground of their being a disgrace to a nation calling itaelf civillfled ; and also , as standing armies in time © f peace are strictly unconstitutional . And this force is one of the most obnoxious nature . And your petitioners will as in duty bound , ever pray , &c . ; Signed , by order of and on behalf of the meeting . Henby Smith , Chairman .
The speaker then again briefly spoke to the efficacy of union , and concluded thus V « onward , onward , your green banners tearing , Let every sword go flesh to the hilt , ; For on our side is virtue and Erin , On thelrtta the Parson and guilt " . -V ¦ ¦ ¦ . v -- : . -. ¦ ¦ ' .. ¦ -. .. ¦ •¦•¦ : . -.: ¦ ( GreatapplaUBe . ) Mr . Thomas West seconded the adoption of the petitlon , which was carried With acclamation , Tbe meeting then quietly dispersed .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 2, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct760/page/7/
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