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THE JTOBTHERtf STAE. SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1841.
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VISIT OF THE WEST RIDING AND BOROUGH CANDIDATES TO LEEDS.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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SUPPLEMENT TO THE LONDON GAZETTE OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT . BY THE QTJEEN . A PROCLAMATION , *« DiaaolTing the present Parliament , and Declaring the Calling of another . YlCTOEU , R . Whereas we have thought fit , by and with the ad-Tice of our Privy Council , to dissolve this pment Pu-Xament , -which stands prorogued to Tneeday , the 29 th * ay o ! this instant June : We do for that end publish Ibis oar rUyal Proclamatkm , and do hereby dissolve 4 m said Parliament accordingly : and the Lords Spiritual ¦ Bd Temporal , aad the Knights , Citizens , and BurgesMs , and the Commissioners for shires and burghs , of the House of Commons are discharged from their meeting sod attendance on the said Tuesday , the tirenty-ainth day of this instant June : and We , being desirous and resolved , as soon as may be , to meet our people , and to bare their advice La Parliament , do hereby make known to all our loring subjects our Soyal will and pleasure to call a sew Parliament : and do hereby further declare , that , -with the adTice of our l » rivy Conceil , -we hm given order that oar Chan-• rilor of that part of obi United Kingdom called Great . Britain , and our Chancellor of Ireland , do , respectively , upon notice thereof , forthwith issue out writs in due form , and according to law , for calling a new Parliament ; and we do hereby also , by this or Royal Proclamation , under our Great Seal at our United Kingdom , require writs forthwith to be issued accordingly by our said Chancellors . respectively , for causing the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons , who are to serve in the said Parliament , to be duly returned to , and give their attendance in , our aid Parliament ; which writs are to be icturnable on Thursday the nineteenth day of August MX * GiTen at our Court at Buckingham Palace , this Twenty-third day of June , in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty-one , and in the Fifth yaar of our reign . GOD SATE THE QUEEN .
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THE ELECTION . PLAIN AND SIMPLE RULES FOR CONDUCTING AN ELECTION . DCTT OF K 05-ELECT 0 ES . Evert Chartist in the neighbourhood of an Section should consider it his duty to attend the hustings where a Chartist candidate is to be proposed , whether he intends to go to the poll or not . He should be up betimes , and say to himself , "the battle to-day depends entirely upon me ; if I am absent , my cause is injured , and I am the willing eaose of the injury—the guilty enemy of my country and her liberty . " Every male inhabitant of the locality should meet at a place to be previously agreed npon , having , in the first instance received the blessing of bis wife and family .
The body , when assembled , should then go towards the hustings , as lirge a number as iB prudent getting in front , with a good reserve in the rear , and well flanked . They should not wear any eolonrs , and for this reason , they will be just as well known by the want of them ; and should a row take place , every bird that is plucked of his plumage will , of necessity , be compelled to fall into the daxtist ranks , and fight against hi 3 feathered brethren in self-defence . When the time of nomination omes , they should understand their duty . I will point out the order in which candidates are in general nominated .
They are nominated according to the date of their addresses , if they axe all new candidates , and if new and old , that is , old Members , they , the old , are nominated first , according to the place they occupied ¦ pen the last poll , the highest being first put . I mention this , for fear of a trick , Tery frequently practised , in taking a show of hands twice fer the same candidate , some friend telling the returning officer that the people did not understand ; thus it not unfreqnently happens that the hands are held up in mistake .
What I recommend i 3 this . The ChartiBt candidate or candidates should have a Ehort stick with , a flag , and a * " » " with Bome distinguishing mark , * ach as a handkerchief round his head , should stand behind the candidate or candidates ; and when the Chartists see their candidates and fuglemen jiold up their flags , then they should hold up both bisk ; Bind , both hands , and then you cannot be outjockied , for the others will hold up both . It is a thing of frequent occurrence for so-te old stager to keep the returning officer ' s attention fixed , for a long time , vpon the hands , while Each a conversation as the following is going on : —
B , Mr . Sheriff , look at that quarter ; very slack , aad there , and there—not near as large as Lord Moepeih ' s show . " Now , all this time the hands of those at a distance are being lowered , while the practised fellows are well tutored . Now , to obviate any trick of this kind , I recommend that all hands be kept up till the candidate and fugleman shall lower their flags ; that dose , elap all hands tkree times , then set up a groan , dismal , lend , and leng fop the Whigs , and & funny derisive laugh for the Torifs , and three rousing cheers far the members ; for mind , they are members for all that day and the next , till the close of the
poll ! Then give nine cheers for the Charter , and as many more for Frost , Williams , and Jones , and tell the two usurpers , who appeal to the teu pound votes against your election , that you will have them back . That done get your men and chair them all over the town ; and when they are elected , get them to sign an agreement to restore their trust whenever called npon by a committee to attend a public . meeting of the non-electors , with sufficient notice , provided tfcat meeting shall call upon them to do so . Above all things don ' t lose Eight of this , for , believe me , the time is coming when your representatives will have more p « wer th&n the representatives of walls .
Trust no man too far . Hake no disturbance upon any account ; but if you are attacked , yon must fight like devils . In the evening get up cheap tea parties and dancing , and be jo lly , and go to bed happy in the thought that you have done your daty .
RULES FOR THB CHARTIST CANDIDATES . The first rule which I shall lay down will be for the conduct of the Chartist candidate who goes to the poll upon a coalition with either a Whig or a Tory . In his situation of candidate , he must have no fear of wounding feelings where do offence is intended ; and in his desire to avoid the thing , he xaust take care that his party ' s cause is not
sacrificed to his timidity or over delicacy . The coalition being agreed upon , he must instantly say to hi 3 adopted colleague , " Now , you and I are the only parties who can give the stamp of real value to what , from profession , appears to be our mutual object , namely , a coalition to serve our cause , as we both beet caa ; and for the purpose -of giving full effect to the agreement we must sign the following undertaking : —
" I , A . B ., Whig CTBriirtatft" ( or Tory , as the ease aay be ) , " do hereby pledge myself to vacates ? seat , by accepting the Cuiltem Hundreds , within Un days after Parliament shall bt next assembled , in the event « f twenty voters , who vote for sae , n « t giving thsir awond rote to C . D ., tin Chartist candidate . " L « t Ae execution of this document be witnessed ky twelve Whig lectors upon the Whig Mnatittee , asd by twiirt oon-deeUn apoa the Ckartistt' mbnitUe , aad let it be this miMti . — " We , the twsBty-focr witnesses whose Barnes appear hereunto anuffxpri , do pl * dge ouselves t * the performaaee « f the above agreement , according to the simple ffiRBTiing , upon the part of our respective principals . "
Now , if you do not do this , yon do nothicg , and for this reason , when all the Chartist force shall be ttstd up according to good faith , the Whigs will split with the Tories , to keep OHt the Chartist , and the Waig candidate , in the most honourable and indefatigable manner , will have used all his exertions , in nin , to induce hij supporters to split ; bst what covld hs © o I be wnld surely do no
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mere than . beseech and iir ^ jpre , bat then the prejudice was so strong A gainst the Chartist principle that he , poor fellow , found it impossible to overcome that prejudloe ! Now just make his seat depend upon Ms overcoming it , and you'll very soon find that the mere announcement of the terms of agreement will , pro ianto , enlighten the ignorant aad explain away the prejudice . Mind , and mind well , that no contract can be made with a whole body of electors .
Well , this done , let every Chartist Elector , and every elector pledged to support a Chartist Candidate , assemble in a place agreed upon before the polling begins , on the day of election . Let the whole non-electors' committee remain with them , and let the- polling committee have two n each booth , that is , one to relieve the other , and , every heur , let the members of the polling committee meet and compare notes as to the manner in which the terms of agreement are kept , and in the event of all being right and
proper , let the membra of the polling oommittee come up at a quarter to three to the place where the Chartist reserve is kept , and let them go to their respective booths and perform their part of the covenant ; but if two Tories be in the field , which is most likely , there being no likelihood of catching split votes , and in the event of the terms of the contract being broken , then let the Chartist voters vote for the two Tories , if the contract has been made with , and violated by , a Whig—and for the two Whigs , if made with a Tory , and violated by him .
Now , I ask , can any one suggest any more simple plan than that ! and let me advise every Chartist to insist upen his man insisting upon the agreement before the day comes , else , believe me , they will fling you ! I tell you that men , otherwise kind-hearted , lose their nature , and become Tery sarsges in the heat of an eleetion . Father , , uncle , nephew , friend , relation , and all ties of affection , merge into the one endearing term—partisan . Trust no man ' s word , if you can faster bind him . Even Dr . Philpotts would tell a lie to ensure the return of a Tery ; and , surely , what would be pardonable in a Right Reverend Father in God , would be doubly pardonable in a limb of the Devil , as we poor Chartists are called .
Some one once charged me with having said that I would tell a lie to carry the Charter . I never said such a thing in my life . But now I tell you what Bishop Philkhts would do to get one Tory j and , believe me that I would " go the whole hog " to get one Chartist . I would not say so immoral a thing , as that I would or could even bring my mouth to tell a lie for the Charter . However , if I
WS 3 to swear myself black in the face , Bishop Philpotts would not believe me ; bs , therefore , I wish they would jast TRY ME , and see whether or no J could beat the fellow that said he drove a nail through the moon . Just let the holding of office and the consequent distribution of the sweets depend upon the respective parties pledging themselves to tell lies , and you would have truth proclaimed as a crime , and lying as a virtue !
Well , all the above arrangements , or rather preliminaries , being arranged , the Chartist candidate Ehould then meet his Committee the last thiDg on the night before the nomination , and , of all things , make their arrangements perfect . They Ehould have two committees , one working the electors , the other the non-electors . The non-electors' committee should never stir from the spot where they shall be posted , after they have assisted in forming the procession to escort the candidates to the hustings .
If any row is got up by the fa « tions , the nonelectors' committee should instantly go for their candidate , and placing him at their head , rally round him , and when excitement is once got up , never try to allay it , as such a practice has lost mare elections than any other folly . I have been knocked down . I have had two bayonet stabs upon the same day . I have been trampled upon by dragoon horses . I have been knocked
down in the gutter with an elector on my back . I have stood for hours opposite the 4 th Dragoon Guards , and other regiments , with their drawn sabres within a yard of my face . I have been assailed with porter poJs in a room with closed doors . 1 have been nearly stripped in the street ; and I have in variably found that when the factions are getting the worBt of it , they resort to physical force , and then if the popular candidate gets frightened , the electors get frightened also .
The candidate should inform his committee of all his arrangements and plans , and hold no secrets . He should be very alert upon the following day , and for some time after the election , till excitement subsides , and he should take care that none of his voters axe bullied or intimidated ; this is , firstly , ri ^ ht ; and , Eeeondly , will insure success another time .
THE SXKXCES OF AM BLBCTIOJI . If a candidate does not go to the poll , he is not liable to any expence . I have noticed this before , and again I notice it now . Lord Abingeil , in the case of the Returning Officer of Birmingham against Stuege , has decided the point . The legal expences of taking the poll are denned ; and in justice to the reformed Parliament , I must say , that the only department in which they have made any retrenchment is in that alone where they were most interested . They have considerably reduced the expence of taking the poll , and they have relieved themselves of all those annoyiDg fees paid by members to officers of the House of Commons , by transferring the obligation to the country .
I stood for the Couaty of Meath in 1831 , to assist Grattan ; for Mallow , in 1832 , to assist Daunt ; for Dungarvan , in 183 i , to assist Jacob ; for Yonghal , in 1835 , to assist John O'Connell . I stood for PreBton in 1837 ; and for Glasgow in 1839 ; and not going to the poll , I never paid any thing . In 1837 the Boroaghreeve of Manchester refused to allow O'Biltew to be put in nomination , without first giving security for the hustings' expences . I wrote a protest for him against the election , but I rather think it was not served , nor would there have been much use in it , as it would not have attained our object in time , which was to let Poulett Thomson and Phillips see the blistered hands .
I have never lost an election that I conducted for a friend ; and I attribute success to my resolution never to think eaougb was done , or that the battle was over till the time for polling had expired . If my man was 400 at the head ef the poll two hoars before the close , I would gallop five miles for one
voter . Above all , mind that ! never think you ean do enough , and never reit while work is to be done . It is most fortunate that I am here now , for , if at large , I Ehould positively kill myself this election . I work like a horse , and when the blood is up I am as strong as any doien men . Yon should have seen me flooring two gentlemen right and left in the streets of Dungarvan , who wanted to * teal an elector from me , because he was tenant to one of them . I assure yon 1 made them spin right and left like two tops ; and before they were well upoa their legs , I had my , man polled aad another upon my back . Believe me that that ' s tk « way to go to work .
Having said to naeh spoo arrangement , let me bow advert for one moment to those particular elections in wkieh wo have any interest , while classify the interest aoeording to raise . I begin with
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE . To the result of this election I attach the very greatest importance , and for this reason , because it will , Firstly , ( 3 hould O'Bjlikx be returned ) work into practice oae of our mo 3 t beautiful maxims , " The labourer is worthy of his hire . " - Secondly , it will strongly establish the claim of the brave and virtuous working men of England to the title for gratitude .
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Thirdly , tt will give to the ignorant Irish revilers the best possible denial of the charge that the English people are opposed to Irish interests aid to the Catholic religion , and a Repeal of the Union . O'Brikh is an Irishman , a Catholic , and a Repealer . , Fourthly , it will prove the spread among our own party of O'Bbiek ' b principles , and the prinoipleslof Chartism . Fifthly , it will prove that absence of a friend does not insure forgetfulness of him . Sixthly , it will be a powerful incentive to other teachers , orators , and leaders , to go and do as O'Brien has done .
Seventhly , it will , above all other circumstances , prevent the enemy from again resoiting to torture and persecution , from a hope , or expectation , that they will destroy the influence , character , and prospects of the leaders and supporters of democracy . Eighthly , it must not be lost sight of that Mr . O'Connell made a great handle , in 1835 , of the people of Newcastle having returned an enemy to Ireland ; and though he always confounds the people and their oppressors , and talks and writes more nonsense than any other living man , let us , nevertheless , knock the leg from nader his lies and nonsense , as we have from under his blarney .
I could go onto one thousandthly , shewing stronger and stronger reasons why O'Brien ' s return is to us of paramount importance ; but with yon must rest the means of making the experiment as successful as possible . Let a general four counties' subscription be instantly entered into by Northumberland , Cumberland , Durham , and Westmoreland ; and this night '
that is the night on which you read this , l et every man who spends a shilling with a shopkeeper say " I'll thank you for a trifle to give moral effect to my principles , as I am m > t represented in the House of Commons . " Also , let a general subscription be entered upon ; and , if you can get a coalition , ask the friends and supporters of the colleague of O'Brien for their mite . Believe me , they will mow give it . Lose no chance .
Meet every evening after work , and parade the streets , peaceably and orderly , in your tens of thousands , cheering at the door of every friend , and not noticing the foe . My principle , you see , is to save you from trouble . The affirmative , that is , supporting and applauding your friends , confers a negative upon your
. Let all my instructions be read over and over again , and improved and corrected where found faulty ; but have a plan and act npon it . In short , to insure his return , you must werk like madmen with method , and like wild men with discretion . Of all things avoid tumult—keep you the peace , but to preserve it , let the officers of war know and understand that you will stand NO NONSENSE . Then , Hurrah , for O'Brien and Newcastle ; For O'Brien and Newcastle , hurrah !
NORTHAMPTON . Here we have M'Douall , and lest I might , in my classification , be supposed , by placing him before Vincent , to hint at a distinction in point of public interest and Chartist importance , I beg to say that one must come first , and M'Douall being first in the field , I observe the rule which I have before observed , when settiug forth the nomination of candidates acoording to the dates of their respective addresses .
M'Douall is as fine a little gentleman and Chartist as ever lived ; be is very young , but not indiscreet ; he is very brave , but not imprudent ; he did us much , very much service , by his vigorous , manly , noble , and talented defence . He bore his incarceration like a Chartist , and came purified from the Whig furnace : he has since preserved a most manly , consistent , and straight forward course . He is a good reaeoner , a good , writer , and a good speaker . He is a man in every way trustworthy , and who can sav that too much can be done for such
a friend to the glorious cause ! Then , in point of general importance , he introduces the pr actical illustration of Northern Union and civilization into the great agricultural county of Northampton , under the very nose of Earl Spencer and the high Whigs . They never read of us , but what is written in derision ; but having M'Douall before them , as a living proof of our policy and line of action , will open their blinded eyes and expand their contracted brains . Here you must make a tremendous muster upon the day of nomination , as the feudal system still lives in Northamptonshire , and the vassala will follow the Lord to the hustings , leading their will and commanding their support .
Here , also , let subscriptions be entered into at once—and , above all , make sure of the show of hands , aud read all my instructions over and over again . Then hurrah for Northampton and McDouall—For McDouall and Northampton , hurrah . '
BANBURY . Here we have the BeDjamin Franklin of Chartism , Here "we have the brave and gallant Vincent . Here we have the Chartist General Gaol Inspector , sent , like a felon , through the gauntlet of Whig improved cruelty , and impervious to the oppressor ' s lash and the proud man ' s Bcorn . Here we have the only man honoured with a private visit from the
Gaoler-General , ( Lord Norhanbt , ) paid , no doubt , for a eertain purpose , which , however , failed . Here we have one of the most exciting and animating speakers belonging to our ranks . Here we have the establisher of the Vindicator , and its resuscitator , in . double size , transformed from a mere local sheet to a national organ , the first number of which , for twopence , of immense size , appeared on Saturday last .
Now then , men of Gloucest ershire , march , every man within twenty miles , in good order , and mark the difference between the knowledge of a non-elector and a qualified representative ; mark it well . Thlf is what I have long laboured to effect—to bring unrepresented knowledge and representative ignorance cheek by jowl upon the same stage . 0 , what fun ! O what a glorious day for the werld here ! L « t every town meet and send in its mite , and think if we can get O'Bbien , M'Docall , Vincent , Sakket , Moir , and Duncan into the House . If we can smuggle the contraband goods in , who will dare to seize the cargo , and send them back for an excise informality in the permit !
I hope Lord Nonnanby saw the first number of the National Vindicator , and that he admires Yincent's " IMPROVED STYLE . " Then hurrah for B&nbury and Tincent—For Banbury and Vincent , hurrah !
MARY-LE-B 0 NE . Here we have the noble Sankby , another Irishman , son of one of the gallant Irish members who refused to commit suicide by voting for a legislative Union with England . Here the electors are at sea , having , as ( he first fruits of the ballot , been experimentally handed over , in a flock , from the advocacy of a candidate with one set of principles , to the advocacy of a gallant candidate with another set of principles .
Now , what say you to the balltt , non-electors ! Will tais prsve to you that , under its provisions , yon eottld not have any opposition ; that the minority shomld , for the personal and interested objecti of individuals , merge in the majority , and thus appear to mix elements , discordant elements , in elose fraternity , leaving the minority no organ —buried , all buried in the Bilent tomb of expediency , in the dark recesses of the ballot-box ! However , to the poll Sanket goes ! and you , electors of Marylebone , take care and make your triumph as complete as possible , while the nonelectors , I pledge myself , will do their duty nobly .
Sanket is a Master of Arts , that is , A . M ., of Cambridge , and O'Bbien is A . M . of Trinity College , Dublin ; therefore , let the rotten colleges of
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England and Ireland be fairly represented , by sending the science of Chartism into the classic edifice about to be built for the expression of public opiaion . Men of London , will you not subscribe 1 will yon , in the midst of surrounding misery , be backward f No , I don't believe it . Whatever is Sankbt ' s fate , let him be assured that according to his conduct will be his future position in Marylebone ; and that that conduct will be open , frank , straightforward , and honourable , no man ean doubt ; he will put no one feature of our lovely Charter upon bis banner ; the full face of the Charter jauBt there be presented in all its splendour to the naval hero and his rivals . Then hurrah for Sankey and Marylebone ! For Marylebone and Sankey hurrah !
ROCHDALE . Next comes more of a legitimatist , but not less of a Chartist , another Irishman , the bold and manly Crawford—the only man who has had honesty enough to prefer retirement to prostitution . The value of such a return must also speak in the voice of thunder to the closed ears of Ireland , and prove that Newcastle and Rochdale know no distinction in the Irishman's creed .
One great advantage of Crawford ' s return would be this—that he would give an impetus and spur to the drowsy balance of power , or Buoh of it as may be again returned in the event of a Whig majority . Duncoubk , Wakley , Leadeb , Hume , and Warbubton will be made more forward when pushed behind by such a man as Crawford . Mind that ; for we must attach the distinct and proper value to every one of our acts , and assign a good and satisfactory reason for each . So hurrah for Crawford and Rochdale , For Rochdale and Crawford hurrah '
HULL . Here we have the great gun of Chartism , the physical-force gallant Colonel . Of him you will not require me to say a word more than I have often repeated , namely , that he is the best Radical of his class to be found ; he too will act as a rowel in the spur to prod the sleepy energies of the slothful . But mind , men of Hull ; mind Chartists of Hull ; read last week ' s Leeds Mercury , and mind , or else . Don't poll till the last moment 1 and on the first trick , give them two thumping Tories . I would strongly advise you to insist upon Mr . Clay signing the conditions . But be watchful ; And hurrah for Thompson and Hull ! For Thompson and Hull hurrah !
HALIFAX . Here we have a man with whom I have had the honour of sitting and voting for three years in the House of Commons . . A more amiable , upright , honourable , intelligent man breathes not , than Mr . Gvhir . No power on earth would induce him to violate a single pledge , or held your trust f « r a moment after yon required its resignation into your hands .
Read you also what the rascally Mercury dares to say of one of nature ' s gentlemen ; and , when you see Mr . Gully , as working men and Chartists , feast your eyes by looking upon one who has raised himself to be a proteotor of the poor by his own merit . Upon the other hand , look at the protegees of the Mercury , Wood and Pbotherob ; the one who has voted for the incarceration of your friends , and who has been a crutoh for his brother-in-law , Lord Howick , in their hobbling to power ; while Pbotherob has disappointed your every hope .
Don't you mind Attorney-coroner-brewer-coalmerchant Stocks . Rely upon it , you have nothing to expect from that quarter . Tote for Gully , every man of you ! he is for the five points of the Charter and will be another rowel in the spur . So , Hurrah , for Gully and Halifax , For Halifax and Gully , hurrah I TOWER HAMLETS . Here we have an hereditary patriot in the person of Col . Thompson's son , and we learn that the people are doing their duty , while the leaders are hanging back ; and alii have to say is—to the devil with the leaders ! cut the traces and let them tumble over , while the shaft-horses drag the Chartist waggon op the hill in fustian ! I knew it would come to that , in rotten London . But , fustians , down with the leaders ! down , down , down , down with the leaders ! they will be good company for the bloody Whigs . 1 know nothing of young Thompson beyond the character which the fustians give him—it is enough . So , Hurrah for yeung Thompson and the fustians , For the fustians and yonngThompson , hurrah I BATH . Some of my readers may suppose it strange that I ehould attach any importance to the return of John Abthub Roebuck but I do , and very great importance . In my comment upon Roebuck , I shall speak of him as a whole , and not in his character of a political economist and supporter of the Poor Law Amendment Act . If the question the osly question to be decided in this next Parliament was Poor Law or no Poor Law , I should , at once , select the only foul blot in
Roebuck ' s escutcheon for exposure ; but , inasmuch , as I never have used the measure as a clap-trap to give the Tories support or preference which they do not deserve , neither shall I now allow myself to place mole-hills between the people and mountains . The Whigs are the fathers of the monst « r ; the Tories are god-fathers—sponsors , and pledged to its training , and for which they have promised and vowed three things in its name . Firstly , that it shall renounce the people , and all that ean get work . Secondly , that it Bhall renounce all claims to their estates . And , thirdly , it shall walk in
the same all the days of their political existence . Now , that ' s the plain and simple way of putting it ; and ifto-morrow , we had to choose between Walter and Roebuck , the Poor Law being the question at issue , I would at ones , and without hesitation , vote for Walter—not supposing that the repeal of one bad measure would be any guarantee against the enactment of as bad a one by the same parties , but merely to show popular hatred to it when that hatred eould be effectually direoted to hit
tho mark . But I look more extensively into the whole political mirror , and I ask which , in the present state I of opinion and parties , is the most likely to forward the cause of democracy , Walter or Roebuck ? and who , for a moment can hesitate in coming to a conclusion ? The repeal of the Poor Law Bill would sot advance the cause of democracy by a hair ' s breadth , while every step in advanee by democracy , puts a nail in the devil ' s coffin .
I served for two years with Roebuck , ( and always barring the damning spot , ) he was the most efficient democrat in the House ; he has since served , and he alone stood up against all the crotchet mongers and sliding balance ef power , and by hia democratic principles lost all hold of the time-serving electors . I owe Roebuck no great compliment—he has tried to injure me ; but I owe the public and the cause a duty which no personal motive on earth shall induce me to swerve from , and especially just
now . I am not one « f those puling sycophants who would lose such a gloricus opportunity as the present , for the mere purpose of gratifying personal feelings , or injuring a foe by injuring my cause . No , no ; when it comes to that I shall retire . Now , if the contest was between Waxtjeb and Hobhouse , I should , npon the other hand , have as little hesitation in voting for Walter ; because here I test the whole question at issue , and all the little good being on Walter ' s side , I vote for the one fair spot , and against the mass of putrid corruption . Hobhousb is a rotten thing , neither good for man or beast ; and , therefore , I would vote for Walter ; , and the same holds good in all instances . For these reasons * do I most unhesitatingly
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deolare , that Roebuck would be ! the Tery sharpest rowel in the democratic spur . He is naturally a democrat , and the more so , from ranity ; and , as I before said , if he would bind himself for six months to a Scotch fame * , and then for six months to a Manchester cotton lord , he would speedily discover , whether population presses npon the means of production , or the landlord ' s condition of non-production annexed to leases , presses hardly npon population .
If I was not a good farmer , knowing the fall capabilities of mother earth , and if I had not entered Lancashire College , at Oldham , six years ago this month , and , in the coarse of my education discovered agricultural neglect made manifest in every pale face , I might also have been a " political economist , " which means nothing more or less than an ignorant booby , who , while he speaks of production , wouldn't know how to get any dinner bat grass from the land , if he had it .
OLDHAM . Here we have John Fieldew , the only master manufacturer in England in whose return the white slaves have any the slightest interest ; but , on the contrary , in the ousting of every other they have a great interest . A poor man being a Chartist , and a physical-force one , I can understand , without difficulty ; but a man wallowing in wealth being even a moral-foroe Chartist , I cannot understand ,
otherwise than that he is the very best of men . In faett when the poor begin to think of Fielden ' s wealth , position , opposition to monopoly , and support of their order , they must look npon him as the rarest novelty of the age ; and so he is . There breatheB not the breath of life in a more thorough philanthropist , kind-hearted , shrewd man , than Mr . John Fielden : personally I owe him no great compliment , but I do owe him a duty .
There can be no doubt b « t thafr Fielden will be returned again , along with his excellent , and in every way fitting , colleague , General Johnson . Now , then , I have done so far , bat I have not yet done half my work ; So for all , Hurrah , for our side , For our side , hurrah I Now , then , BVERY WORKING MAN , WOMAN , AND CHILD IN
ENGLAND , IRELAND , SCOTLAND , AND WALE 8 . My dear beloved Children , —Aye yon are every one of you , old and yoHng , my children ; and never was fond father so doatingly fond of an only child . Never did parent look with joy for tho first fruits of his union , with more intense and heartfelt anxiety , than I now loek for an heir to our anion . It is just twelve months since the Star warned faction of the approaching tempest which is now about to rage , — in these words : —
" BEHOLD THE STORM COMETH . " My children , for long before , and ever since , I have been on the watch tower to keep the ship " from foes or wreck , " ready to warn the crew of approaching danger from whatever quarter it may threaten ub . In that time , though apart , we have foaght many battles together in spirit : and bow I tell you the HOUR COMETH !
when the crew must remain on deck , and when " England will expect every man to do his duty 1 " I have done mine I This is the week before the battle ; the very eve of battle ; and I have given you all the instruction that I thought necessary for your guidance . This week the Star should be a hart to guide you in your perilous course-Study it ; follow it ; and you are safe ! I have scarcely slept since Saturday last . My mind has been on the rack as to the best means of serving you .
In addition to what yon will see from me this week in the Star , I have written an address ef sixteen large pages of M . S ., to the Fri « ze coat electors and non-electors of the County of Cork , bearing upon Irish affairs . I have had it published on a sheet by itself , and sent over to be distributed among the soldiers with whom I have fought and conquered , and who still love me . I cannot forget Ireland and in my dungeon I have done my duty to all
The result ot the present contest wilt test the value of tyranny and the increase of Chartism since the general election < of 1837 , and will inform the new Lord Chancellor of Ireland , our old persecutor-General , Sir John Campbell , that he was in a dose when he thought he had put Chartism to rest ! He is to be a Peer aad a Chancellor ! and thus hare the Whigs rewarded one and all of our persecutors ! But no matter ! we will soon be in a situation to right ourselves 1
My children , the Chartist tree is growing rapidly , and spreading its luxuriant foliage over the shoots that daily and hourly spring from its fertile roots . It iB deep sown , but nevertheless springs like good seed scattered in rich soil . O ! how I long to walk among yon , when we shall have killed tyranny ; and to see yon what nature intended you to be , freemen ! emery man with the key of his own store house filled with the produce of his own labour , in his own pocket . These are my politics . I am for a retorn from an artificial , to a natural state of existence .
Mothers , for this make your sons work for the next week ! Wives , for this make your husbands work for the next week ! Sisters , for this make your brothers work for the next week ! Sweethearts , for this make your lovers work for the next week 1 All , all , work for this , n « xt week ! I am now tired and weary , and leave yon with my blessing , and the blessing of God implored in your behalf : and that you may overcome every foe to liberty , and every obstacle that stands between yon and your just and righteous caase , is the sincere and the earnest , the devout and never ceasing prayer of Your fond and affectionate father , Fearods O'Connor .
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MR . O ' BRIEN , O'CONNOR , AND THE NORTHERN STAR . In our last number , we promised to reason with Mr . O'Brien on the subject of the policy which we have thought it our duty to recommend to the people at the coming elections . We felt sorry to lack , on any subjeot , the approbation of O'Brien , and were in hopes of being able to show him that his position on this matter , had been taken ap more hastily than is usual with him . However , as O'Connor was equally concerned in the matter with tha Editor of the
Northern Star , he has thought proper to take it up ; and on reading over his two letters to Mr . O'Brien , we at oaoe laid aside an article which we had prepared upon the subjeot ; satisfied that it unnecessary to occupy space with more than he has said upon the matter . To those letters we refer Mr . O'Brien and the people , and rest contented to abide the issue . We this week give another letter from Mr . O'Brien , following up his former ones .
To that letter then we now request the attention f our readers , in conjunction with his former ones , and with the two letters of O'Connor in reply . It is not our practice to treat the " reasoning" of any man , least of all that of Mr . O'Bribm , with affected contempt ; we desire to give to it all the weight and influence te which the long laboars of suoh a man entitle him ; w « would subtract nothing frea it , by inuendo or otherwise ; and we beg to assmre him , that whatever may h » v « been his inpreesioa , nothing was further fron ear porpose than , in the few
remarks we last waek appended to his letters , to place his opinion or oar own in any undue position . We do not presame to ** dogmatize to our brother Chartists , " or to set up bur opinion " as the established faith of the Chartist body . " But we do think eorselves bound in duty to place our opinions on all great matters of policy honestly and fearlessly before the people—to gire our reasons for holding those opinions—and we think we have a right to ask tho people not to make up their minds " beforehand" to pay no attention
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to those reasons . Again , regretting that we cannot hare in this matter Mr . O'Brien ' s approval and concurrence , we leave the whole matter with tha people , reiterating our deliberate opinion , that If they suffer the present opportunity of effectuall y overthrowing the " Bloodies" to pass by , they will bitterly repent it .
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On Tuesday morning last , this town at an early hour exhibited all the bustle and excitement of an electioneering contest , it having been announced that the whole of the candidates for both the borough and the West Riding , would make their appearance and address the people in the yard of the Coloured Cloth Hall . The factions , were early on the alert . Bands of music , blue and yellow flags and banners , borne by hired dupes , and small and large loaves of bread decorated . with blue and yellow ribbons , were marched in procession through the streets " making morn hideous , " and arousing the lethargic from their heavy slumbers .
But in the midst of all this , there was a party moving in all the dignity of conscious superiority who needed not the aid of pomp and ceremony" to enforce their claims on the publio attention . The Chartists , though not fearing a comparison , concontented themselves by appearing without either colours or music , conscioHS that they were not a whit behind either of the factions in the ability of the candidates whom they had freely chosen , or in the justice of their cause Which they espoused . Mr . George Julian Harney and Mr . Pitkethly were the Riding candidates , and Mr . James Williams and Mr . James Leech the borough candidates of the Chartists ; the Hon . J . S . Wortley and Mr . Beckett Denison the Riding , and Mr . William Beckett and Lord Jccelyn , the borongh candidates of the Tories - and Lords Morpeth and Milton the Riding , and * Messrs . Hume and Aldam the borough candidates of the united corps of Foxes and Geese .
Each party invited their candidates to a publit breakfast . The Chartists had a numerous party to a good substantial repast , at their room , in the Fish Market . The Tories feasted their friends at the Music Hall , in Albion-street , where a large party assembled under the presidency of Mr . Henry Hall . Of course the great and mighty of the land were there" where- the carcase is , there will the vultures be gathered together . " The Whigs oocupied the large room of the Commercial Buildings , and if wo could believe the extraordinary liar ,. we might suppose that they far ™ out-Heroded Herod" in numbers , respectability , wealth , talent , grandeur , show , and everything else , but we have learnt to place a proper value on Neddy ' s statements .
The good things of this life having been doneample justice to , some time was spent by each of the factions in raising their spirits , and preparing them for what might cross their path in the course of the next few hours . Neddy ' s Extraordinary says the speeches of the " Bloodies , " after the gormandizing was over , were " extraordinary" indeed , and " extraordinary" must have been the stomachs of the gulls who swallowed them . About half-past nin « o ' clock , a move was made towards the Cloth Hall Yard .
The ChartistB , conscious of the purity of their pr inciples , were the first who arrived , in procession , certainly , but unaided by decoration , or the least display . Their numbers were , as they always are ,, formidable ; and , though slighted and insulted by the " Liar Extraordinary , " were strong enough tomake him quail when he looked npon them . We ought to remark here that a commodious hustings ,, in two divisions , had been erected by the two great parties , without any seeming provision for the greatest party of all—the party of the people . The candidates and leaders , however , were supplied with , tickets of admission to the hustings , and thev took up their position in the centre .
The Blues arrived next , after parading thestreets in procession , with their bands and banners , and took up position at the far end of the yard , the candidates and their supporters *« ccupyuig that end of the hustings .. . ¦; . * £ ¦• These had no sooner taken their places , than the Whigs arrived and oocupied the vacant part of the hustings allotted to them—their supperters apparently filling the end of the yard from the steps to the gates . We say apparently , because we happen to know that it was not really so , notwithstanding certain extraordinary statements which have been sine * published . The fact is that in this , as in everything else , the Whigs mast have some trick ; they had planned to have the entrance to the yard allotted ta them , knowing that they would be sure of all the droppers-in , who would thus be made to swell their
numbers . And this was more easily effected , and made more apparent , by the fact that the Chartists wore no colours , and that those Blues who arrived late , and in straggling divisions , dispensed with their usual insignia also . But their veil was torn aside daring the addresses of the candidates , and was made particularly apparent even to the exlrardinary optics of the " Queen-groaner , " when , during the spirited and effective address ef Mr . J . G . Harney , the cheers of those who . were thought'to be yellow told so effectually in favour of the candidate of the people ' s choice , and placed beyond all doubt the opinions of the great majority of those who occupied the first portion of the yard . The Mercury knows the faot ; " Let the galled jade wince . '
The number of persons assembled to listen to tho proceedings could not be fewer than fifteen thousand ; we should say more . The greater part of the persons with orange cards in their hats consisted of men hired for . the occasion ; and of lads of from sixteen to eighteen ; the latter were , occasionally , very neisy and unsteady ; but on the whole , the orewd behaved extremely well .
THE WEST RIDING CANDIDATES Lord Viscount MORPETH addressed the multitude at considerable length , in one of his usual carefully prepared and deliberately conned " themes , " on which we imagine tbat some boarding school miss aad bestowed no small amount of feminine taste and pains taking , in the nicely stringing together of neat fitting representatives ef nothing . The Noble Lord ' s speech was a tolerably « correct composition , ' ? by whom written we , of course , know hot ; but , aa a literary effort , it might be considered passable from a fourth form boy in the Leeds Free Grammar School . His harangue , of course , gave much credit to the Government for their determined efforts against " monopoly , " and predicted sad things for the country if the said Government
should be " thrown on their own resources . " He began by stating that the very echoes lingering in the Cloth Hall Yard were charged with the death-kneil of monopoly—tbat he had heard from that place in 1830 war proclaimed against the monopoly of representationthat he had afterwards heard condemned in that place the monopoly ef traffic in human flesh—tbat thesa monopolies were now at an end , and he confidently augured the same fact for the nwnopoly of corn , commerce , and trade . After some left-banded compliments to his Tory opponents , which were too palpable to be well received , he went on to say , — " 1 believe , Gentlemen , the Supreme Ruler of events has so formed this world , with all its diversities of land and of sea , separating land from land , and island
from island , by waters , and rivers , and oceans , endowiog one portion of the earth with exuberant richness ot soil , and with the genial influence of climate ; appropriating another portion to more hardy enterprise by giving to it stores of mineral wealth ; making the cotton plant , the tea plant , and coffee plant , thrive in another region , making iron harden , coal blacken , or diamonds blaze , in another region . ( Cheers . ) I humbly conceive that in making these , the Supreme Architect of nature intended that man should enjoy , and that in order to enjoy , he should work , and h » should exchange . ( Loud applause . ) I need not aak yon whether you have not proved yourselves willing to work . ( Cries of ¦ we have . ) There has been no failure with you in this respect . It can't be pretended that you have not done your duty to the utmost , in working honestly for your livelihood , and for the comfort and maintenance of your families . " ( Hear , heat , and cheers . " ) Then came a great lot of declamation
about tbe scarcity of manufacturing employmtrofcand the driving of our trade into foreign countries by tb » naughty Corn Laws . Tbe Noble Lord proceeded then to argua that inasmuch as the public revenue is not equal to the public expenditure , the Tories , if they take office must increase the revenue by imposing freta taxes , whereas he and bis friends were disposed to do t by taking off taxes 1 Not a word about reducing the public expenditure to meet the revenue : in tbat part ot the tune , the performers are too well studied to let a jarring note be heard . After adverting to the desperate circumstances of his faction , which had rendered it necessary for them to invoke the power of the V House of Wentworth . " The Nable Lord wound up his recitation with the following pithy words which we fan *? he will find to be truer than he ever Intended th * J should be . " The word has gonefrrth against prohi bitions , against exclusion , and against undme prefereaM t # favo « wd classes . ( Cheers . ) The hand-writing is <»
ths wall—the cause of monopoly has had its day-Lord MILTON , having been introduced by 3 x ** Beown , J *» ., EaV , next presented himself , ana » pitiable exbibitie * it was . Th « poor lad was evidortV frightened at the unusual position in which be fooad himself . Some careful grandmother had put downfot him a string of ordinary mean-naught * about his fttha and free trade , which the luckless youth in trying to repeat from memory , stuck repeatedly fast in , and the * referring to his prompt book , lust the liae of his lesson , and , reading wrong , made all Bprts of rediculoni blunders—talking about " driving the free-trade gentlemen , from the field , " &&—his friends behind and arround him on the hustings , several times interfered to keep the Noble Lordling right in his lesson ; but to no purpose . We suppose that such an exhibition of impudent purse-calculating imbecility was scarcely ever before made , as that which his 'friends" are no * aaking of this unfortunate young man .
The Jtobthertf Stae. Saturday, June 26, 1841.
THE JTOBTHERtf STAE . SATURDAY , JUNE 26 , 1841 .
Visit Of The West Riding And Borough Candidates To Leeds.
VISIT OF THE WEST RIDING AND BOROUGH CANDIDATES TO LEEDS .
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4 THE N 0 RTHBR 5 StlR . ___^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), June 26, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct858/page/4/
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