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WATKINS' LEGACY TO THE CHARTISTSIJiXBODUCTOBT LECTURE TO CHAKTISK . 50 . TI . — : PABT II . Of all the point * of the Charter the l 'No Property QnaliScation" point is the most important , for it is to property or class legislation that the griefs of England are owing . Our lapaided laws hare been enacted by sslf-interested parties in the worst spirit of favouritismthey haTe caused that reverence for property which should always be reserved for merit A worthless man with the insignia of wealth , ia sure to meet with consideration and respect , while a man of worth in the garb of poverty , i « scorned and spurned even by the unworthy . And not only do our class-made lawg operate to exalt the worthless rich and to debase the worthy poor , but they absolutely treat poverty as vice and property as -virtue . They feed the pride of the
rich and encourage them to use thsir superior advantages , not to help but to further oppress the disadvantageous poor . Rich men without the poor man ' s plea , necessity—commit uutempted crimes and yet fiad the law a cobweb ; the po « r are always wronged , suspected , and hardly dealt with . Prevented fey law from obtaining a livelihood , they are next punished by law for not obtaining it Just like the Israelites from whom the game quantity of work was expected after straw bad b « n withheld as before—as if the doom of miafortun ? was cot miserable enough of itself , but it must bt increased by additional hardship and insult . Pharaoh ' s heart was not more hard than are the hearts of our lords and bishops , who though they provoke God ' s judgments on the land , take care to keep themselves exempt . Wkat chance is there of softening them to mercy—of bringing them to reason ? Nothing but fear can operate on their mean minds .
Considering that Government can rob us of foreign respect and of domestic tranquillity thit—it can cause the very breaking np of society by convulsive distressthat it irnot only the arbiter of a nation ' s prosperity in peace or war , but also of it « character and of the Bpirit and manners of the people—considering these things , shall we not consider it to be of vital importance to us all that we have a good Government—that the laws which are to regulate our customs and habits be good 7 The aborigines of this island lived according to nature--the Romans civil ; red them and then the Saxons eonquered them—both Saxons and Danes colonized Britain , yet there was room enough for the Normans , who introduced Vhe feudal system , and mdae but two classes in society—lords and vassals . Few arts were then known
save these of agriculture and war : but foreign Bettlers came who brought wirt them trade and manufactures , and from them a middle class sprung up which gradually brought its influence to bear on Government These were tie burgesses , who at first were called into Parliament merely to vote supplies , but finding their own importance tbey Boon refused to do this until their interests as traders and their rights as men were considered . The Lords having weakened themselves by continual wars and pageants , and being moreover weakened by a jealous monarchy which had often been made to feel their power , the Cemmons led by Cromwell , were enabled to get tbe upper hand , and after expatriating the chief nobility they executed King Charles amid the tears of a pitvicg populace .
John Lilburns , the oracle of tbe people in the time of the Commonwealth , strove in vain to bring the Pn > tector within the rule of reason , the pale of patriotism . The necessary constquenee was a reaction in favour of monarchy . Charles II . was called in by the glad acclaim of the very voices which had followed his father to the block with execrations . In his dissolute and disgraceful reign it is disgusting to find that those whe , in his father ' s time had manfully fought against bigotry and tyranny ; were reduced to plotting and scheming , by which their lives were placed in the hands of spies ; and thus basely fell a Russell and a Sidney .
Religious and civil liberty , like two birds , had lived together . Religious liberty broke loose first , and was soon followed by civil liberty ; but the latter was again caught and confined , and the former now hovers o ' er the cage of its mate tempting it to renewed freedom , and unwilling to take flight without it Strange , that a nation religiously free can endure a civil yoke ! Yet the Reformation « f Henry VIII . did but allow of Protestant freedom . It was reserved to the Revolution of William III . to free Protestant Dissenters , and this was done more out of fe&i of the Catholics than out of love to religious freedom . The Plantagenets were despotic monarchs , who seized property and took life arbitrarily . But more cunning ware the Tudors ,
"Who worked their wantonness in form of law . " The Stuarts were not more tyrannical than their predecessors had been , but the nation had grown lees willing to submit to tyranny , and tbe Stuart was ultimately compelled to abdicate , while the Prince of Orange , chitfl j because he was a Protestant , was called to fill the vacant throne . The Hanoverian line succeeded , under whose selfish sway the nation has rapidly dwindled from a giant nobleness to dwarfish littleness . There was formerly some « xcuse for the submission of the people to their kingB , for there was something manly , nay heroic , in the character and conduct of acme of our former kings—but monnrcha now have little power in England—ministers rule all . Harley , Walpole , Chatham , Pitt , Castlereagh , Peel , and Wellington , have all swayed more or leas the destinies of Great Britain and with , perhaps , the singls exception of Chatham , who was hated by the king because the people loved him , have all tended , by their pernicious counsels , to accelerate the fiefl ' m * and fail of tho English
empire . Now those who have the management of our public , affairs , that is of our private affairs—for the well-being of our private affairs entirely depends upon the right management of tbe affairs of the public—those in whose hands our Interests , our happiness , our temporal , and eternal concerns are placed—who have the very virtues in their keeping—should not tbey be men venerable for years and piety—men who had approved themselvfcs through life the friends of all mankind—beneficient , faithful men ? Yes ; but if there be any such the people are forbid to choose them—the people are forbid any choice at all—property is the only qualification allowed ; it Li tbe one thing needful in voters and candidateswhat wonder that its base influences , whether
by bribes or baits , determines all electionsgives them all a falsa bias—and that / consequently , Parliament ia filled by those who , having bribed their electors , are themselves ready to be bribed by ministers ? But base as our present elective franchise is , it is wisdom , compared with the hereditary principle ; for whereas the one ensures & House of knaves , the other ensures & House of tools . The educatioa of our aristocrats is such as totally to unfit them for senators , or even to play the part of men . What wondei that under such a legislature industry stores patriotism is scoffed , and vise and folly are rampant ? The solemn sanction of law , the awful force of sovereign power , is given to acts which forbid the common efficea
of humanity—which . subvert every principle of justice . Were the tables turned—were the aristocracy to fall into distress , and the people U rise to prosperitythe nation might become " great , glorious , and free ;" for when France had rid herself of her ancient noblesse and priests , she conquered almost the whole of Europe . When England , in the time of the Commonwealth , had , in like manner , vomited her aristocracy into the lap of France , she grew bo great that the name of an Englishman -was synonymous to that of a Bo man , and America i&now the foremost country in the world , ehkny because she is the freest . What are our lords and bishops but weeds , warts , flies that tease the noble im iTn * i whose blood they suck !
Now , it is very evident that the people want power to expel tha vermin that corrupt the state , and to chooBe proper men ; the People ' s Charter will give them thiB power . All the Bound and intelligent part of the population see the remedy , and are resolved to obtain it They have united in a National Association , for the purpose of bettering themselves , and of saving the country—of obtaining justice by means of truth . The Association is constructed thus : —Every man who takes a right view of the cause , and is wiahfol to lead his co-operatioa to effect it , applies to the Secretary of the Branch Society in his locality , to have his name enrolled ; sad takes out a card of membership . He attends the weekly meeting of the Society , subscribing one penny , and taking part , if he chooses , in the debates or business
Hut is going on- The accredited organs of the Asso ciation are the Evening Star , a daily paper edited by Feargus O'Connor , and the Northern Star , a weekly paper edited by Mr- Hill—the former published in London , the latter in Leeds . The talents and capabilities of every member have a free field for exercise , and are soon had in requitition as lecturers , councillors , committee-men , ie . fee . Every member has a vote . The funds of the Association are applied to defray the local and general expences attendant upon it , and the surplus is voted to sneh other uses as the members think most conducive to the interests and honour of the cause , defensive or charitable . A General Council is nominated by the members of the Association , out ef which a Special C # unril , consisting of fire , is elected to serve as an Executive , with salaries ; all other officers are volunteers . The duty of the Executive , which i a chosen annually , is to waUh over the general interests
of the Association—to direct its movements , and so on ; but they are subject to the censorship of the press , and their chief utility is as lecturers . The Association is strictly legal , and seeresy ii prohibited . Perhaps the most needful advice at present is that every locality should attend first to itself—to the spread of Chartist principles in its own neighbourhood by addresses , by tract * , and by every other method of increasing its own members that may be tkosght best adapted to that purpose . Its surplus funds will be most usefully applied when applied to this . See how many each branch can bring into the field ; and let the number be great before any attempt is made te bring the whole together for any great design . There has hitherto been too much time and money sacrificed in premature national efforts : grand demonstrations are exciting and attractive ; bat they are also pxhftnitti"g when got up without mature means .
" In great &tteropti "Hi glorious - e'en to fad ;" but surely it is much wore glorious to succeed . Let us have no rash and ill-lev 5 ad troop *—no hasty and ineon-• ideate mustering ? -but U& them be numerous and wtlldisciplined , —let ns nuke s . tre . Even in Chartism there arc * parties . A . sm * U minority of tbe Chartists are what may be Uxa * 4 autfdJe ^ Usi
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Chartists ; but the great majority are working-clasa Chartists . Tha Chartists can do very well without the co-operation of the middle classes—society can de well without a middle class . We have seen what Chartism and what the Charter is—we have likewise seen what the Chartists are . They are men associated to obtain the Charter , comprising cbif S j tbe great bulk of non-electors . No one can deny the justice of the Charter , though some doubt its practicability , and others doubt the possibility of oblaining it . Let those who doubt lessen or remove their doubts by joining in the cause . Who are not Chartists ? The ignorant , the apathetic the prejudiced , the proud , the malignant , the vain , the self-interested , the duped , the diverted . * We will proceed to show who they are who ought more sartieuiariy to be Chartists . ( To be concluded m our next . )
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TALES WRITTEN EXPRESSLY FOR THE "NORTHERN STAR , " BY CHARTlUS . NICHOLAS POSTGATE , THE OLD CATHOLIC PRIEST . " Sharp biting statues . That long have Iain in dusty archives hid , . He doth unmuzzle . " I was bom in the church of England , and bred in all its sslf-interested prrjudicea against the Church of Rome ; but having lately read several sound expositions of Citholic doctrines , I have conceived a respect for the
priests of that persuasion , both as men and as Christians , and am as pr » partionably disgusted at the misrepresentations that have been imposed upon me by protestant preachers . In the wiah , therefore , to atone according to my poor ability , for the wrong that I have unwittingly done to the Catholic Church by prejudices which , however , must have more injured myself , I have written the following tale , founded » a historical and traditional facts , which occurred in the neighbourhood of my native place . I would dedicate it to any true Chartist Catholic minister , ' and beg him to lay it upon the altar of his forgiveness , as a simple , but sincere offering of contrition .
The English are said to be a people who think for themselves . ' Were this really the case , would they be so easily and so often deluded by misrepresentation aid factious calumny ? In truth they are as credulous as tbey are generous , —they delight in being duped by the marvellous , and in aggravating their own false impressions , especially if extraordinary frlse . Ring the alarm bell —cry out "The Church is in danger , " and instead of coolly considering the case , as becomes a nation of philosophers , they immediately exaggerate their groundless fears till a contagious panic is produced ; and , as nothing ia more crusl than cowardice , woe to the innocent objects of Lheir dread ! Whether it be a state of security that causes this sensitiveness to alarm , as silence makes sound be better beard ; or , whether it arises from a love of indulging prejudices against supposed enemies , we will not determine ; but certain it is , this trait in our national character is a very disgraceful one , and never was it more shamefully exemplified than on occasion of the bugbear misnamed the Popish plot !
At the period of the Reformation which might be more properly termed the Deformation of religion in England , the popular mind or wind , veered against the Catholic doctrines , and many believers in them suffared foT their fidelity . The tide turned under the auspices of Quttn Mary , and the cruelty of the Protestants was too readily retaliated by the exasperated Catholics . It was not a divine , but a diabolical spirit that prompted these outrages which , as long as human nature remains sensible to pain , must be abhorred by human beings . The Protestant faith again ascended with Elizabeth ,
-who was more sanguinary than her sister had been , because the enmity of the parties bad progressively , increased . Not only were the Catholic priwsta persecuted , bnt their very religion was rendered penaL The terrible public spectacles in these reigns of rigour agitated the memories of men unto tbe third and fourth generation , and some weak-minded persons are still susceptible of the fear that abovk their forefather ' s minds ; but a better acquaintance with the Catholic doctrines and with their believers would dispel those unjust prejudices , and unite Catholics and Protestants in mutual charity .
Conscious of the popular prejudice against Catholics , many politicians have taken advantage of it to increase their power . None did this more effectually than tbe Eirl of Shaftesbury in the reign of Charles the Second . Shaftesbury bated the Ddke of York , on account of his religion , and still more on account of his influence over his royal brother . In tbe hope of lessening that influence ( which counteracted his own ) and of excluding the Duke from the succession to the throne , Shaftesbury encouraged an infamous fellow , named Titus Oates , to publish a narrative of bis discovery of an intended Popish plot against the King , the Government , and the Protestant religion ; aided by several singular coincidences , this forgery was remarkably successful—it greatly inflimed tbe people against the Catholics , many of whom were brought to a mock trial and put to
death . But this pretended plot recoiled upon the heads of the inventors who ultimately met the retribntive fate which they so richly deserved . Since then , there has been no Popish plot in England , nor will there ever be anothe ; for though some of our present politicians would fain revive the once popular prejudices of Protestants against Papista , as they are called , the peopla will no longer listen to them—they will no longer suffer themselves to » e made the tools either of political or of religions faction , the most hatefnl of all ; the people are now disposed to view the Catholics candidly and charitably . Tbey now turn upon those who would urge them against their unoffending brethren , and resent the imposition practiced on themselves by atoning the injury which it has led them to icflict upon the victims of their misguided Z 3 sl
Among the many good men who fell a sacrifice to the Protestant plot ( for such in reality it was ) Nicholas Postgate was not the laast deserving a crown of martyrdom . He was above eighty years old , and lived in a little cell in the midst of a wide moor . I have visited that cell , for it still stands where it stood . It is one of tbe poorest huts of tbe poor—a hovel like that which King Lear boused is from the storm—a mere cattleshed in appearance—its little chimney alone denoting it to be a human habitation . There are two or three old ashen trees ( probably planted by the old priest ) that bend their blasted forms and point with their bare branches , like the shrivelled witches on tbeheatb , as if to indicate the spot to the bye-way traveller . Looking towards the North , the West , and the South , a black
and bleak moor everywhere presents its desolate aspect ; but , on the East , a long tract ef cultivated land stretches itself like a promontory , before whose brow a small seabay is visible . Vessels diminished in tbe distance to the B ; za of sea-birds , Beem stationary as they skim with white wings across . After the eye has wandered like a dove , seeking in vain for a green oasis to rest on , it dwells with pleasure on the fields , the woods , the park of MpJgrave , with its castle crowning the ridge that bounds tbe horizon , and looking over land and sea with the pride of its lordly owners who distinguished themselves on both—all but the present degenerate scion of that house who was rewarded for his servile adherence to the late Whig Government by the title of a Marquis —a good name for a car .
I stooped to enter the lowly hut , where pride must be put off with the hat It consists of two small apartments , one emphatically styled the house , " in which the domestic duties are done ; the other a place for rest ; both are on the ground , which is paved with uneven stones . The thatched root ia just overhead ; the latticed windows are very narrow and deeply indented in tbe clumsy walls . There iB a hearth for a peat fire . Yet piety dwelt peacefully in this humble abode , and the sunbeam that shed a ray of glory within was a heavenly halo round its head . I was shewn the spot where once " the garden smiled ; " but no garden flowers remained ; a fsw daffadils had lo&g survived the rest , but the mistaken reverence of some visitors had led them to transplant those perennial relics into their own gardens .
No sounds , no sights now denoted that a reverend hermit had passed his patriarchal days in this lonely cell ; and yet there was a time when he was seen and heard by all the rustics around , all of whom had received His blessing . Many pious persons , wko clung closer to their religion because it was proscribed by the rulers of this world , oft came in secret pilgrimage to this cell , and revered the good father all the more because he was content to reader himself obnoxious to persecution for their sakes . Not a shadow of his person—not an echo of bis voicenothing remains to tell of these things ; but they have not passed away : tradition has treasured them up , and they were the treasures which the holy father laid up for himself in heaven , when , leaving the poor hut that was his earthly abode , he should enter an habitation of glory . Let us go back to the time when the good father lived —let us enter his solitary hut ; let us do more : let us identify ourselves with him ; we shall find tke change all the better .
" Here am I , then , is a poor cot , which , poor as it iB , affords me a shelter from the weather , and a palace could do no more . It is my home , more endeared to me than yon castle to its lord , who , were he benighted in this moor , would also acknowledge mj sheltering shed to be dear to him . The moors are bleak , but they supply me with fuel ; and I have a little garden that exercises my body after my mental exercises , and yields me simple food . I have but few neighbours , and those far between ; bnt their society is more desirable on that account I should be lost in a large town , but
here I know everybody , even as I am known . They are my spiritual children , adopted by me , for I found them orphans and outcasts ; but , by God ' s grace , they will be heirs of bis salvation , I look at the sheep on the moor as their emblems , and I feel myself to be their shepherd , whose time is spent in going among them , comforting , advising , and encouraging than , both in their earthly and heavenly career . Tii true I am old ; but as the value of this world lessens the value of the next increases , and there I look for tbe reward of my self-denial here , and of xny disinterested services to others . "
Thus might the good man ommune with his own thoughts when be had no other comany but that blessed bud . He had made a vow of poverty , and bis path , of life , though so lowly and lone , was a glorioms path , for it led towards hoaven . The alms which he received be safe to those poor penitent * who had con-
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fessed to him that poverty had caused them to sin . He imposed a heavy penance upon the guilty , but made it light by doing the greater portion of it himself } and he was rewarded by witnessing the oompnnction of the sinner , who felt remorse on seeing the innocent old mas a voluntary sufferer for his sake . He encouraged the diffident by confessing to them his own sins- Those disagreeable duties which others shrank from doing , he did fur them , and sometimes seemed to £ o along with the sinner in his ways , that he might insensibly lead him off into the path of righteousness . His crucifix was a better peace-maker than the constable's staff . The humanity of the man overcame the prejudices against the priest , even in triumphant and intolerant protestant minds ; and he made strangers first friends and then Christians . Bad men he treated as though they were good—those who had reviled him as though they had praised him—and those who had injured him as though they had benefiitted him .
This was his method of reclaiming them , and it generally succeeded . He regarded the persecutions against his church as judgments sent for the amendment of her children—that they might better consider their waysand he conducted himself with a more perfect resignation , because he was under the ban of tbe law . Being the victim of prejudice , he felt the value of candour and was particular in practicing it How happy the man who could smile in tbe midst of misfortune—who saw God ' s favour in his chastenings—who was proof against every earthly evil . A long course of religious experience bad made him already a saint—he was truly a Jesuit , one of tbe society of Jesus , abjuring the world for the sake of heaven , and imitating the example of bis great master as closely as a mere mortal can imitate what is divine .
Father Postgate was born near Edgton , in a cottage called Kirk house , which is now literally a cattle-shed . His parents had suffered persecution for their religious opinions , but that did not deter them , from sending their son to be educated in tbe Catholic College , at Douay . After completing his studies , he came over to England , and laboured many years as a missionary in his native parish and county . In those days the Catholics had no Chapels—their religious rites wero solemnised in private dwellings . The prieBts were either domesticated in some family mansion or hermitages , and went about doing good among the neighbouring poor . Of this latter class was Father Nicholas , and such was his benevolent zeal , that some say he made above a thousand converts . However that may be , the majority of the people in that district are Catholics to this day .
One of the laws enacted in the refgn of " good Queen Bess 1 " doomed to death all English Catholic priests who should be convicted of performing the rites of their religion . This severe law had not been enforced since the accession of Charles II ., who was an indulgent king and a secret convert The Catholics had , in consequence , begun to exercise their worship rather openly ; and , therefore , the persecution that snddenly commenced under the auspices of the devil and Dr . Oates , was like drawing a aword that had long been sheathed , and was thought too rusted for use . Nicholas Postgate was warned of the revival f this obsolete law ; and though he cared not for himself , yet , for the sake of his friends , he removed at their entreaty from his abude on the moor into a cottage in the village of Littlebeck , at the bottom of a neighbouring dale called Iburu Dile .
Excisemen have often considered themselves as particularly called upon to favour the prosecutions set on foot by Government A person of this description , named Reeve ? , at that time stationed in Whitby , hearing that a reward of £ 20 bad been proclaimed for the apprehension of any Catholic priest , this hireling immediately sought out Father Postgate , as though be were a contraband article . The old priest did not take much pains to preserve a life that must soon end by the course of nature—indeed he did not pretermit his pastoral duties , and was actually apprehended while performing them . It would seem that the statute law in this instance was resolved te aid the Gospel , by compelling tbe poor Papist priests to perform their acts of charity in secret . Oat upon laws that never conform with Christianity except to frustrate its spirit !
Our old priest was taken to York , and tried—for what ? Not surely for visiting the sick , clothing the naked , feeding the hungry , and comforting the brokenhearted ! No , these are not crimes ; but a colourable pretext was needed , and , accordingly , high treason was imputed to him . He , an old man , who had lived the life of a holy hermit , was indicted for conspiring tbe death of the King ; for endeavouring to subvert the Government ; and for attempting to destroy all Protestants ! This , it may be said , was a mere form ; but it is not a form devoid of power . An ignorant countryman , on hearing such dreadful charges solemnly alleged in a court of justice , would conceive horrible ideas of
the prisoner ; but no : one glance at his saintly aspect would dispel them all : in his tranquil demeanour he would read a silent refutation of the guilty charge . It is tbe usual practice for the accused to prove his innocence by the aid of counsel or witnesses ; but in cases of treason this rule is reversed ; and for no other apparent reason than that the charge is of tbe greatest magnitude . Prejudice iB thus created against the prisoner , which , with the other extraordinary disadvantages under which he labours , it is generally found impossible for { him to remore . Does not the law in these cases put on a Gorgon ' s mask to deceive , to frighten , and to mock justice ?
Never did innocence more truly plead not guilty , than in the person of Father Nicholas , and never was plea less available . Tbe lawyers maintained their wellearned reputation . Sanctioned by the law , they put away every sentiment of justice , and indulged the natural social inhumanity of man to man , heightened as it was by their cial for tke crown , for the law , and for their own credit as clever lawyers . They knew the popular prejudices against Catholics ; and took care to it flame them in the minds of tbe Jury — calling on them as true Protestants to preserve themselves and their religion ky exterminating all papists and traitors . The Judge , like a scarletted huntsman , cheered on'the pack , and their feeble prey was run down by acclamation . He stood like a victim bound to the altar , and never lost his composure but once , while hearing the evidence of one of his own converts—one to whom his charitable hand had often been extended , but who now witnessed against him f His lips then quivered for a
moment and bis eyes shed tears ; for who can withstand the force of ingratitude ? His simple statement in his own defence did but vex bis persecutors tbe more for its truth ; f « r they were bent upon his destruction , and by outrageous clamour they silenced a witness who had spoken in bis behalf . All the evidence of his guilt was , that he had baptiz 9 d a child in the dtholic faith—its mother swore to the truth ef this . Surely the zeal of Pro . testants against Catholics is not a Christian , but an unchristian z-al . The Protestant cause is more indebted to prejudice and ignorance than to its intrinsic merits —to a prejudice which none but the ignorant can entertain . I am not a Catholic , neither am I a protestant , except so far as this , I protest against the illiberal usage experienced by Catholics , who have proved thetnaelves as goud citizens , though tried by much severer tests . " Persecution has taught them mercy . " Tbey Tnight now , in their turn , reform the State-religion of England . But
" A plague o 1 > oth their heuses ;" It is best to belong to neither—every man should be his own priest—let reason be his teacher , and conscience his spiritual gui 4 e . Whilst there remained a hope of his acquittal , for what human being could be thought so fiendish as to condemn him ? the old father felt a desire for justification ; but no sooner was all hope denied him by the verdict of the jury , than be resigned himself to his f Ate . It seemed a voice calling him from earth , and he thanked God !
Tbe lawyers left the court and went to celebrate their victery over a bottle of wine , while tbe poer prisoner was conducted back to bis cell—net that on the moor which had been so long sanctified by his abode- He was visited by the woman whose testimony had been most material against him—bhe came with remorseless tears to beg his pardon—he blessed her , and gave her money to bear her expenses home—money that had been given him to provide himself comforts with , in this hU hour of need . In due time , the holy anchorite was laid npon a sledge and rrawn to the gallows . With hands clasped and eyes lifted to heaven , the Balnt invoked blessings on the people , who crowded to ask them , and to bid him farewell , as he was thus departing on his upward journey home . He felt the vanity of their lives more than of his own ; for he had all his life been learning to die , and his death showed him perfect in the lesson .
Many wonld have die * with him , could they have been assured that they would live again with him . He kissed the gallows , for it was bis cross of martyrdom . He turned to the populace , and disowned tbe bloody maxims imputed to his order , and begged the sheriff to assure the king that he had never , in all his life , wished him any ill , and that he prayed for him with his latest breath . After he had hung for about two minutes , the rope was cut , and his body was hurried away to a fire kindled at a little distance for the purpose of barning hia bowels . The keen knife of the hancman brought him back to consciousness ; but , Jast God ! what to see ? his own bowels throws into the fire \ What did he do ? He forgave the wretch with bis expiring sigh I Hysterica patsio I
Thus was added ene more name to the Catholio book of martyrs—a record more bloody than that of the Protestants—thus , occurred another instance of the persecuting spirit of all state religions . The rwary of Father Nicholas is still shown as a relic In the Catholic chapel at Whitby . Instead of receiving the blood-money , Beeves received odium , which envenomed the stings of his conscience . He thought he saw the old priest constantly looking at him with serene benignity , which was to
him the bitterest reproach . He could not rest , night nar day . As if the purposes of retribution sho « ld be strictly fmlfllled , be vent to the very place where he had apprehended his victim , and drowned himself in a pool formed by the concussion of a mountain cataract that forces oat a basin where it falls , and is called the Devil ' s Damp—a pool that has since been fatal to several anglers . The continual hiss of tha waters seems to sound his repvoaehfal knell ; bnt few who visit the spot know of the wretch who pe ^ rti + d there ia hia despair .
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ALLEGED MURDER AT ARMLEY NEAR
LEEDS . On Tuesday forenoon , an inquest was held at the house of Mr . John Richardson , the Traveller ' s Inn , at Annley Hill Top , before John Blackburn , Esq . coroner , and a Mspectable Jury , on view of the body . Jo j ^ Myere , a ydan * m * n twenty-four years of age , who was killed on Sunday morning last . Three men , all of Armley , named Thomas Briggs , James BngKB , ( brotkerB , ) and James Guy , were taken into custody on suspicion of having killed the man ; and Mr . . Booth , solicitor , of Leeds , attended to watch the proceedings on their behalf . The body of the unfortunate maa presented a shocking spectacle . As tne whole circumstances of the case have caused the greatest excitement in the neighbourhood , we give the evidence of the various wilnes « es who were examined at the Inquest : they deposed as follows : —
John Batler—I reside in Armley Hill Lane , and am a clothier ; I have known the deceased some years ; I am his brether-in-Jaw ; he was a spinner ; he was twenty-four years old last April . I left Armley with him on Saturday night last ; we had been at Leeds . The deceased lived with me , but did not sleep at our house ; we were both sober when we left home ; we did not call at any public house on the road ; we went to a public house near the Central Market , and had three pmta of ole amangat five of us ; there we met with hiB father , hia step-mother , and one of hia brothers at Leeds . After leaving the Central Market , we all five cametogether , till we got to Sam Winder ' s , the Rose and Crown Inn , Armley ; the deceased was sober at that time ; the deceased stopped at Winder ' s ; we all went homethis
; was about eleven o ' clock ; I was called up about three o ' clock on Sunday morning by Thomas Hurst , and in consequence of what he said , I went with him to Armley lane . I found the deceased laid in the road opposite to Wainman ' a field , about three yards from the wall ; he w » a not sensible ; hiB hat was eff ; he was laid on his back , with his head a little on one aide ; Thomas Rogeraon came up at the time ; we shouted to the deceased , but he gave no answer ; it was not very light , but we could distinguish that ifc was him ; we got him up , and took him home as soon as we could . Thomas Austin and Rjuben Lee assisted me ; the place where we found him was about 500 yards from his own bouse ; he was dead when we got him home ; he bled from the mouth ; I am sure he waa sober when I left him at Armley ; he had not fallen at all then ; nor did be fall after we had taken him up .
By a Juror . —We carried him with hia feet downwards , and Mb bead on our shoulders . On behalf of the prisoners . —His clothes were dirty with being laid on the road ; they were not torn ; it was a dry night He had on a pair of black trousers , a black waistcoat , and his blue smock . I did not see that there was a stone h « ap about where he waa laid , nor did I see any loose stones on the road . Samuel Winder . —I keep the Roso and Crown Inn , at Armley ; I knew the deceased ; be came to my house alone about eleven o ' cleck ou Saturday night ; he was sober ; he went into the tap room , which was
nearly filled with company ; he had two pints of ale ; there was no quarrel between him and any of the others ; he left about twelve o ' clock ; the constables , Wheatley , Thrippleton , and Rogerson , came in at twelve and requested the company to go home ; the deceased was one of the last who left the tap room ; he went tight away ; I do not think he drank more than one pint of ale himself : he aaked Joseph Lassey , Lass ' ey ' s brother , and Williamson Brigga , to drink with him ; Myers was perfectly sober ; I did not Bee which way he went , nor did I see any more of him . By a Juror—He seemed In good health .
On behalf the prisoner—The persons in custody , James B . iggs , Thomas Briggs , and James Guy were in the bar all the time that the deceased was in the tap-room ; they were drinking in tbe bar ; the prisoners did not know that Myers waa in tha house ; they conld not see from the bar into tbe tap-room . By the Foreman—The prisoners might have been out and have seen tbe deceased ; but as far as my knowledge goes , they never did . By the Coroner—Tbe deceased , when be was leaving the house , said , " There ' s Briggses in the bar , and if I go in I sholl grieve them . ' Williamson Briggs was about two yards off when he said this , but I do not know whether he heard him or not I said to the deceased , "Thou ' s none going there to-night" He
did not offer to go in , bnt went out directly . I did not know what the observation of the deceased meant . I never saw the deceased and the prisoners together in my life . The prisoners and the constables were in the bar when the deceased went out . The constables asked the Briggses to stay a few minutes , and tbey would all go together up the hill . I do not think the deceased had seen the prisoners in the bar ; he might have heard them talking . He hid an oppportunity of doing so . I did not communicate to the prisoner what the deceased had said , nor did I tell any of them that he had been there ;
nobody else in my hearing communicated anything of it . The deceased had been quite peaceful during the time he had been in my house ; as also were the prisoners . They bad had no previous quarrel in my house . The prisoners stopped at my house till near one o ' clock ; the constables sat in tbe same room with the prisoners until that tima The only other person In the bar with them was Thomas Haywood , of Axmley ; theconstables had nothing to drink ; the prisoners and Haywood had a bottle of porter . Haywood was in company with the prisoners when they went away . The constables followed directly after them . I saw nothing of either the prisoners or the deceased after they left my house .
By a Juror . —There was a possibility of the prisoners having heard the remark made by the deceased . The Briega ' s were both sober . I did not hear the name of of the deceased mentioned during the evening . I never saw the prisoners drunk . Thomas Austin—I am a cloth weaver at Armley . I knew the deceased ; I was in his company on Saturday Bight laBt ; I Qrst saw him about twelve o ' c ock , at Gaorge Hoyle ' s , the Nelson Hotel ; this is about two hundred yards from the Rose and Crown ; he came in by himself ; he and I , and two or three others , had a pint of ale after he came in ; the landlord then gave up filling . The names of the men who drank of the ale were Charles Armitage , Edward Hoyle , myself , and the deceased . We stopped there about half an hear , and
then the deceased went home with me and had some supper ; we had beer to drink ; the deceased stopped there probably an hear ; I did not hear him say any thing about Brigga or Guy . It would be between one and two o'clock , on Sunday morning , when the deceased left my house . When he left my house he asked me to go with him , and to have something to eat and drink at his house ; he was sober . I went with him ; there were several persons at the bottom of the branch road , some without their hats ; they were kneeled and sat down , and were reckoning to pray ; we sfopped with them a few minutes ; the three prisoners were there also , standing watching the men who were pretendiDg to pray . Thomas Haywood was alBO there , and offered one of the men something to ez
and pray in on open grave in the church yard . The man , whose name is John Brigga , said he wonld , and me and the deceased then went away to hia house . We left the prisoners with the other men . We went up the branch road towards deceased's house ; wben we got to the top of the branch road , Char ' es Armitage came up , and walked with deceased and myself te near tbe New Inn , where he left us and went home . We then went on , and saw nobody any more till we got to the Cowcroft stile , leading to Wortley ; when we got there , we found Benjamin Briggs , John Witton , and Joseph Witton ; the latter had bin shirt off to fight We stopped there a minute or two ; the prisoners passed us as we were standing by the side of Benjamin Briggs and the two Wiltons ; I saw nobody with them .
The deceased and myself then went on , the prisoners being a few yards before us . After we bad got a short distance , the deceased said he had left all his money at my house , and that when he wanted more he could get it by going to Thomas Austin , who he said would let him have any money be wanted . To this remark Thomas Briggs , the prisoner , said , " What , that man who employs all the thieves ? " We then passed the prisoners , end the deceased said , " ThieveB , ye've called my father a thief before , and you hod three pounds to pay for it" We then walked on as fast as we could , the deceased and the two Briggs ' s batching all the way ; I did not hear Guy speak at all ; I joined in the conversation ; when we got to Weinman ' s new houses , we beard the prisoners
talking ; we were then twenty yards before them , and could not tell what they Bald ; when we were about half way between Waintnan ' s new houses and Ledger ' s bouse , th 6 prisoner , Thomas Briggs , ran up to Myers all at once , and struck him with his fist at the back of his brad ,, saying , •« D n thee ; " and , turning to me , aaid , " thee and all . " I ran away directly and ran up to their house ; it might then be about two o ' clock , but I cannot tell exactly . I am sure it was Thomas Brigga who struck ; it was not ao dark but what I could see . James Briggs and Guy were both there , a short distante behind ; they were running to words us ; I did not eee whether deceased fell or not ; that was the only blow I saw struck ; when I ran away I said , " I would
go for Jacky Battle , " meaning the witness John Batter , te which Thomas Briggs said , " Damn thee , fetch Jscky Batter , I will thrash you all . " I ran on screaming as hard as I oould , and got to John Batter's house ; I had previously met with Reuben Lee ; Batler got up , and I went first towards the place where I bad left the deceased ; we found him laid on his back about three yards from the wall of a field . He was alive when we got there ; Thomas Rogerson , constable of Armley , came up ; we had not touched the body when he came up . I told the constable Rogerson who had done it Myself , Batley , and Reuben Lee , carried the deceased home ; we carried him very gently ; a surgeon was sent
for directly , but he was dead when he got there ; the deceased never spoke at all . When the frsichlng was going' on Myers fratched as well as them ; both patties used abusive language . They had some old grievances , and they were hatching about them . I amfuitesoie there were nobody bnt the three prisoners in company together when the blow was struck ; Thomas Haywood had left them at the branch road . There was no challenging to fight ; this was the first blow struck . The place where the deceased was found laid , was about 50 or 60 yards from the place where I had seen the blow struck by Brigga . Between the time of the quarrelling and tbe Mow being streek would be about seven or eight BsiaaM . . ¦ ; . ' ' .. . ' . :
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Cross-examined on behalf of the prisoners—I am a weaver . The deceased and myself both worked in the same shop , for my uncle , Thomas Austin . I do not think the prisoners were drunk . The deceased had not given me any thing to go with him . I did not hear him say he wonld set a champion to meet the Briggs ' a . I did not hear him say he expected to meet the Briggs ' s . I did not hear htm mention the name of Britrgs at all ; I am sure he did not offer to fight Briggs—he did not challenge him in anyway . I never had any quarrel with the Briggs ' s , or with Guy . I have not been mixed up in any way with them . I have been charged with an offence , bnt they were not witnesses against me . I was not convicted of the offence with which I was charged . The deoeased was a quiet man ; but when he got beer he was jovial .
Mr . T . P . Teale—I am a surgeon in Leeds . I have examined the deceased since death . Externally there were bruises and scratches in the following situations : —In front of the left hip , on the left elbow , beneath the right arm pit , on the right eye and temple , the back of the neck , and en the back of the knuckles and fingers of both hands . These marks indicated severe contusions . In moat of these places tke skin was off . The jugular veins were much distended with blood , and the skin of the back , neck , throat , and face discoloured , not from violence , but from transudation of blood . On dividing the scalp , and opening the skull , black blood was copiously discharged . The veins of the brain were gorged with black blood , and blood was extravasated in the pia mater in several situations . The base of the skull was extensively fractured in various directions , the principal lines of fracture extending through the left temporal bone and sphenoid bone . No recent disease
was observed in the chest or belly . The stomach contained a considerable quantity of solid food ; I should think the deceased had not been in liquor at the tine . Tbe cause of death was tbe injury to the brain . The brain had undergone severe concussion . The extravasation may have resulted at the time of the injury to the skull . The injury thus given to the brain was tha cause of death , from violence . Had a man been knocked violently from behind , I should think the injury on the right temple might have been caUBed by coming in contact with tbe ground . The other marks on the body have been caused by asucceaaion of injuries ; the wound under the right arm waa somewhat singular , and could not have been produced by a fall ; the marks were all rece » t . It is possible for the man to have run fifty or sixty yards after the injuries described had been produced ; he has evidently lived some time after the injuries had been inflicted .
By a Juror—The marks under tbe arm I think wonld not be so likely to be caused by a kick , as by a grasp or scuffle . Reuben Lee . —I am a cloth maker , at Armley . I knew the deceased , and also know the prisoners ; I was in Stoney Top Lane , Arraley , Hill Top , about half-past two on Sunday morning ; I heard a great noise , and heard Thomas Austin shout "They are killing Jack Myers . " Ha was running when he came to me , and I went with him to Batler ' s house ; we called Batler up , and we three went together to tbe lane where we found the deceased ; he was laid on the road , with his head on one Bide . Thomas Rogewon , the constable came up when we got to the deceased . I assisted Batter and Austin to take the deceasad home ; we never let him fall . I did not see any thing of any of the prisoners at all . We found his bat about twenty yards from the body . Myers lived at Batler ' s , but slept with me , and I was sitting up for him .
Thomas Rogerson . —I am one of the constables of Armley . I was at Winder ' s public-house , on Saturday night ; I went there about a quarter before one o ' clock . I did not go when the other two constables did ; I agreed to meet them there ; they were there when I went in ; the prisoners were also there ; they were sober ; tbey left about a quarter-past one ; Thomas Haywood was with them ; I staid' at Winder ' s till nearly two . I had not seen the deceased until he was pointed out to me by Thomas Austin ; the persons in the lane were Thomas Austin , John Batler , aud Rjuben Lee ; the deceased was laid ou the rpad en his back , with his head turned a little on one aide . H 3 bad no bat on : he was alive but
insensible ; I felt his pulse beat ; I thoHght he was dead drunk ; I tried to rouse him but could make nothing of him . I went to apprehend the prisoners the same morning in consequence of information I received from Austin ; I found Thomas Briggs at his father's house ; the prisoner came down in hia shirt ; and James Briggs cam 6 down after him ; he waa also undressed ; I took them both into custody ; I told them the charge on which I wanted them , they gave themselves up quietly . I saw no more of the prisoners after leaving Winder's , until I went to apprehend them . The deceased was a very quiet man , but when , he got a little drink he was rathei noisy .
Samuel Stecks . —I am a cloth weaver at Moor-side , Armley . I did not know the deceased , nor do I know the prisoners . On Sunday morning , about two o ' cloek , I bad occasion to get up and go out of doors , being unwelL I heard a great noise , which I judged to be at the end of the yard where I lived . I went there in a few minutes , and found all quiet , the noise appearing to have moved further up tbe lane ; I heard some persons say in the place from which the noise proceeded , "D—n him , where is he ? " Who the parties were I do not know .
Reuben Lee recalled—When we had got the deceased home . I ran off for , a doctor , and whea I got past Briggs ' s father's house I saw Thomas and James going towards home ; they were walking fastish ; I shouted to the father of the deceased , who was behind me , " see , they ' re here , " and they then got over a gate , and went along a back way ; they ran across the field in an opposite direction to their house . I saw no more of them . I have never bad a quarrel with the Briggs ' s ; I have never been on bad terms with them . Thomas Wheatley—I am a constable at Armley ; I
apprehended Guy on Sunday morning , about three o ' clock , on the road in front of this house . It would be between nine and ten yards from the place where the deceased was found . Guy and the two Briggs ' s left Winder's house together , a little before one o'clock . I told him what I wanted him for , and he said , " Oh , very well , I am ready to go with you . " He was sober . This being the whole of the evidence , the prisoners were respectively cautioned by tbe Coroner , and then asked if they wished to make any statement They conferred with their solicitor , and then
Thomas Briggs said—I left Winder's after one o ' clock on Sunday morning . We walked forwards , four of us , in company , tilj ^ came to , the new road which leadB off to Armley . When we got there , there were nine or ten men knelt down praying ; it was a mock prayer . We stood on the causeway five or ten minutes ; they began : o break up ; there were five or six men went up the branch road towards Armley ; two of them were Thomas Austin and John Myers ; Austin and Myers had been of the number ef men who were knelt down . When they had parted and got up the road , I heard John Myers swearing , and saying what he would do to Jossy Briggs' sons ; that he would pay them all ; he was talking very loudly . We then turned up to go towards home ; Thomas Haywood was with ua part of
the time when I heard what Myers said . I should have said that I knew a number of the men who were knelt down to be very bad characters . After leaving Haywood , wo mei with them again at the joining of the roads ; they were first about six yards ; they went first till they came to Theaker Lane Top . They ware talking so loud that we could hear them ; we paased by them at Theaker Lane top , and directly they two came walking quickly past us ; there were some men stripped to fight at Cowcroft stile ; they stopped there , and we went forwards . They came sharp up to us again when we got to the Moorside ; when they came up , John Myers said " Thy father ( or Briggs ) had £ 9 to pay , and we'll make him pay again . " He said "It was . for calling bis brother a rogue . " I
said it was true . Thomas Austin begun then of saying I was a rogue , and he would prove me one ; he told me it was I and one of Austin ' s uncles who stole Matthew Moss ' s wtft , some two or three years ago . We then went forward until we got to Middleton's , when Myers said he had made as pay once , and he could make us pay again . He quavered hiB hands about before me , and told me if I struck he would make me pay , aud pay me , too , or words to that effect We walked straight forwards up the middle road , still making the same noise , and calling one another until we came near to Mr . Ledger ' s house . Thos . Austin then came ofijthe causeway , and begun of saying what he would do . Him and me then sparred a bit , and I attempted to strike at him ; be slipped down and I missed him ; he then ran
away , and said he would go and fetch some more ; Hooked baofc behind then , and saw my brother rising from the ground . James Guy wished him to come forwards ; they came up to me then ; my brother had been on his back , and we dashed his coat ; we went forwards home directly . I ought to have stated that I was ten or twelve yards before my brother when I saw him rising from the ground . When we got to the Hill-top Lane end , Guy and us parted ; we went down Heightlane , and said we would watch tbe potatoes , but instead of doing that we went up our own field to our own home . We went round the house and knocked at tbe back door ; they let us hi , and we went to bed directly . That is all I have to say about it James BriggB and James Guy said nothing .
The Corener then proceeded to sum up the case to the Jury , whose duty it was now to determine the cause which had produced the death of John Myers ; and with respect to that cause , he thought the evidence of Mr . Teale went to place It beyond a doubt , that death had been caused by violence . Their next inquiry was to ascertain whether the violence had been accidental or otherwise , and he thought there was no doubt that the violence had not been accidentally brought about , but that it had been isf toted by some persons , by whom it would be for them to determine . The law , as bearing on the case , was that if two or more persons suddenly happen to quarrel , and one
of them received such injuries as to cause death , the offence would be man ^ Rigfr ^*; but if tbne elap sed sufficient for the reason to cool , and for the person to have « me to reflect ' what he was doing , and he th&n deliberately committed any injuries to another so as to cause his death , then the offence would assume a more serious aspect , and it would becsm * mvrder ; to constitute this latter offence it was hot necessary that any premeditation should exist ; for tbe law said that if the quarrel was sudden , If a person had time to reflect , and death ensued , the person Inflicting the injuries causing death would be gmttty of sunder . The Coroner then went otirell : through tb « evidence ,
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pointing out , as he went along , such parts of the statement of the principal witness as was supported by other testimony , and making such comments as the nature of the evidence seemed to require , and put il to them to say whether in this case they could po beyond the crime of m > nfllsu * hter ; bnt If they bnd no doubt , they had ao alternative , ( however paiiiful the duty , than to return a verdict of wilfal murder . The Jury retired at four o'clock , and after an absence of , little better than half an hour , xeturrtprt and pronounced a verdict of "Manslaughter" against all the three prisoners ; adding that fa their opinion the crime was of a very aggravated nature .
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. TO THE CHARTISTS OF SHEFFIELD . Brother Democrats , —Permit me to offer to yoa a few xemarks relative to our present portion , and the duty we owe the cause of freedom at the present crisis . The " strike" manufactured by the " Leaguers" is producing , and will produce , a fearful amount of suffering . I can afford to smile at the abuse heaped upon me by knaves and fools , having the satisfaction of knowing , that while I have saved you from sharing the suffering , I have kept you in a position to txtend the hand of help to your unfortunate brethren .
The events of each succeeding day confirm the BouncTpolicy of the step taken by you in the question of the < ' strike . " I am free to acknowledge that had there been a prospect of making the strike general—carried out voluntarily—I would have joiueJ in it heart and soul ; but no sane man could come to any other conclusion than that the great mass ef the Sheffield Trades 1 were decidedly hostile to any such scheme . Hou the meeting in Paradise-square decided in favour of a eeneral cessation from labour , I feel convinced that only a few would have carried out such decision , at the best a few hundreds ; these finding themselves not supported by the voluntary turn-out of their townsmen , would have proceeded forcibly to eject from their employment the opponents of the strike ; this would not have been the easy task it has been elsewhere ; it is the conviction
of all with whom I bave discoursed on the subject , that a collision with the authorities would have been the Immediate consequence , for , though out Magistrates have been exceedingly shy in provoking excitement , and have wisely done nothing to irritate the public mind , yet no doubt can exist that whether the Cbnrtists had their machinery arranged , or not , the Sheffield mar gistrates . had theirs ! Policemen ' s truncheons and Boldier's bayoneta would have been brought into play against the unarmed people ; some wcunded , more imprisoned , the voluntary turn-puts intimidated and coerced , the men who had been forced out weuld have returned to their employment—while those wh » had pledged themselves " never to return to labour until toe Charter was law , " would have been derided for their short-sightedness and laughed at for their folly .
And upon me would have rested the onus of recommending the strike , tbe curses of women and children would have been heaped upon my head as the author of their calamities ; the men who thoughtlessly or kaavishly eharged me with a dereliction of duty , in not urging upon them to strike ( in the teeth of the impossibility of any good resulting from it ) would hive been the first to blame me for the bitter consequences of their own indiscretion . On the other hand , the press of the Whig and Tory factions wonld have at oace ^ denounced me as the author of all the mischief . The Weekly Chronicle of August 20 th , predicted that Julian Hariiey and the O'Connorite Chartists , would push their fortunes a la Lancashire . It may be well to observe that the Oreenacre Journal of last Saturday , repeats the old lie of Holberry ' s plot to
burn tbe town . No one knows better than George Henry Ward , that the so called plot was concocted , not by poor Holberry and his associates , but by certain parties who affected to bless God for their providential escape from the horrible scheme of which tbey themselves were the authors ; and that instead ef being the author and director , poor Holberry was but the victim of the plot ; but this sneer—this lie oonus well from the Hon . Member for Sheffield , who , while poor Holberry was yet living refused , though repeatedly appealed to , to do anything to Bave from a dungeon death the martyred patriot whose ashes mouldering in the t < mb he thus dares to insult ; it is certainly very heroic for the living ass to kick at the dead lion j but if Holberry is no more , there are not wanting men to do justice to bis name and memory . It may be , Mr . Ward , " We meet again at PMlippL "
Chartiats . mark the following . The Greenacre Journal , after telling its readers that " the Government ia strong against' Turn-outism , ' Chartism , and Incendiarism , because the common sense of the country is with them "which being translated into " common sense , " means that the Government is strong because supported by the middle-class , goes on to threaten the Government with the fearful consequences which are to result from any attempt the Government may make to put down the practical men—the " extension of commerce" gentry , and very significantly adds , that " Cheap-bread men can handle a muaket as well as dear-bread men , and
have the advantage of being the majority" 1 A precious sceundrel this to prate about the " O'Connorite Chartists , " the " anarchists , " fee , setting himself up as the moral regenerator of his country 1 Don't forget the musket argument , for depend upon it , it is the unintentional warning that the Leaguers mean to try their bands at another game shortly , in which the working men BbaAl again fee the victims , while these muskofe devils will , as in the present strike , take , precious good care to avoid the suffering , and using popular turbulence to further their own cursed ends , will , if the movement fails , again join the Government in prosecuting their victims .
The Sheffield Independent , of August 20 , told its readers that the " real Chartiata" had that week preserved the peace of the town , while only one uf the individuals thus described was a ( so-called ) real Chartist , the most active man upon the occasion alluded to in preserving the peace of the town , was a member of the Council of the O'Connorite Chartists ; but no matter , it suited the purpose of the Independent to describe the peace-preservers as real Chartists , and bad the strike taken place it would equally well have suited the Whig scribe to have stigmatized the O'Connorites as tbe peace breakers .
Look at the conduct of these real knaves ; they had net the manliness either to advocate or oppose the strike , but while playing the part of skulking cowards themselves they sent their emissaries among the ignorant to excite an ill-feeling against me , and wind up by the following piece of villany published in the shape of a repert in their fit and worthy organ , the Statesman , of last Saturday : — " A public meeting was called on Monday last to take into consideration the propriety and practicability of a general cessation from labour . Mr . Harney moved a resolution that it was net desirable , and was seconded by Mr . Parkes . This caused a misunderstanding between Mr . Harney and the people , and so enraged were they ( justly or unjustly we cannot tell ) at not being called out by him , that he has been in great personal danger , was compelled to close his shop , and report says , to have the police to guard both him and it "
You men of Sheffield know that the above is a tissue of lies from beginning to end ; but no matter , the author calculated that his lies might go down elsewhere , if not in ShefHeld . Mark how the anonymous slanderer tries to evade responsibility ; " report says , " is the mode adopted of venting his calumnies . He is a reporter with a vengeance . Brother Democrats , these are the base hypocrites whe'disturb your meetings with their treacherous appeals for " union "—these are the plotters that prowling on the out-skirts of your assemblages , testify their desire for " union" by their unceasing calumnies against nun they dare not face—this " gang , " with hearts of gall and tongues of venom , self-styling themselves " real Chartists ; " are indeed the " real" foes of democracy , and the deadly enemies of all who honestly advocate your cause .
' What is our duty ? Our first duty ia to see that the Association is saved from foundering on the rocks of treachery , on which the storm raised by our deadly enemies , the " Leaguers , " has well nigh driven us ; it is my calm conviction that the " strike" was a hellish plot invented by our worst and bitterest foes to damn Chartism and destroy our organization . If I am not much mistaken influences ate even new at work to base upon our hoped-for downfall the triumph of another party . Let us disappoint our avowed enemies , and pretended but false friends . We who have not shared the struggle , shall we be apathetic in raising the rallying cry ? If we have worked well before , let us work doubly well now ; let the labours of ea « a and all be characterized by indomitable energy , and unflinching devotion to the cause— " the good old cause , " and when again our co-operation is demanded by our countrymen , we may thenba in a position to render it , and not be compelled to hold back , as we have recently done , through a consciousness of our weakness .
Secondly , our duty Is , and the task must be set about immediately ) to do all that in our power lies , to save from the cruelties of the law our unfortunate brothers betrayed into its meshes . Remember that a Cooper is numbered among the victims of tyranny , and what , though dastards in Sheffield have raised the howl of " Tory tool" against him—wretches that dared not face the intrepid patriot they calnmniatcd!—w hat , though disappointed , furious renegades have shouted " bully , " w ith the view of depriving him of the sympathy of the
people , that he might the more easily fall , a prey to his enemies . You know his worth , you can admire his talents , and duly estimate his patriotism—prove you do so by supporting him in the hour of danger . White , s victim of the cursed spy-system , is another man every way worthy of the support of all trite democrats . Leach , Skevington , Richards , Jones , O'Niel , and hundreds of our unfortunate brothers look to you for help and aid . Rally , then , to the rescue , to save ( If possible ) from , chains and bondage our noble brothers , sufferers in tbe cause of freedom and of truth . '¦
The fake step which others have indiscreetly % e 3 tsa you have avoided , escaping suffering yourselves . Show that you have hearts to sympathise with your suffering brethren . Subscriptions for the Defence Fund must be raised throughout the land . Let Sheffield do its duty i
Faithfully yew ' s , GEOBGB iVllkJI HaBHET Sheffield , August 31 , 184 *
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_ THE NORTHERN STAB . 7
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 10, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct770/page/7/
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