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^ ^ THE TRIAL. _
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Untitled Article
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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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^ ^ The Trial. _
^ ^ THE TRIAL . _
COTEBNHENT PROSECUTION OFFEARGUS OTJONNOB , ESQ , AM ) OTHERS , FOR AN ALLEGED CONSPIRACY . LANCASTER . -NISI PRIUS COURT . Wedxesdat , Mjlsch 1 . ¦ a , . Baron Rolfs , the Judge of the Asska , having I **! this morning for the commencement of the jSs of Mr . Feargus O'Connoranatrthers , charged C ier Majesty ' s Go > ernmeni , nnder the " monBter fhgaeaif-i * copy of which ire published a few ** £ s joo in the StarJ fora conspiracy , by Tiolenee , rZfeg about a change in the Constitution , the fLj * » t an early hour , was besieged by persons ^ ans to hew the proceedings . Tie hody of the / Cjr t irss crowded to excess , and included -a large portion of the defendants , who mixed promia-] l * B < lj « nong the general body of spectators . On ' vTbeiieh were * number of fashionably-attired
{ Tag , die daughters of the gentry resident In the ^ nSjoiirhood of Lancaster , who probably graced |? Cosrt with their presence , for two reasons , first , Ztesr ihB evidence , and secondly , to have an op-* jjniiy of seeing what shocking people these ftertists are . ^ e Learned Judge took his seat on the heneh -jjselj at nine o ' clock 1 soon after which Mr , iVCDWKir , accompanied by Mr , Scholeneld , Rev . « BuUaod w - S ° oertB i Es ^ -j solicitor , of Bath , lie into Coart , And took their seats immediately Swnaihose reserved for the members of the loar . * jie Court having been opened wiih the usual t jEnes , the Clerk of Arraign 3 called oTer the z ^ of the Jurors summoned to serre . Fonr of ^ Special Jorors , upon whomxoiicehad been rexu-Wfjyserred . -did not appear -when calledj and , no ggpent excnse heing tendered for their absence , aiprere , fined £ 25 each .
fbe following genUemen were then sworn on the J 3 J" special . junesRoihwell Barnes , Somer-field , Greai-iever , Join Bentley , of Farnworth , Esq . James Anderson , of Burgh Hall , Duxbnry , Esq . Edward Brook , of Melbourne-place , Rnshofcne , gthini . jscab Ashlin , of Great Mersey-street , Xirkdale , Bsrebant . ^ iomss Edgeley , of Park Tiew , Rosholme , mer-^ jni . jorsyih William Smith , of "WBllneld-plaee , Toxtsh Part , merchant . Charles Armstrong , of St . George ' s-ioad , Everi © n , nsrehaiit . Junw Blythe , of Plymouth-grove , Chorlton upon-^ Bock , merchant . Thomas Haigh , Elm Hall , Aintree , merchant .
TAX . ES 3 LEX . jRiebjrd Harrison , of Barmby , tallow chandler . Qu-leB Storrs Kennedy , of Ulverstone , gentle"BHIiio Scott , of IJlTerstone , gentleman . 5 " ne Jci >» b , addressing the Attorney-General , aid that an objection to serve on the jury had been B » de bj Mr . Bentley , of Farnworth , on the ground j ^ be !^ a magistrate and having taken an active put in the proceedings against the parties with jrbom the transactions about to "be investigated , wot said to hare originated , he did not think he jkoldbe an impartial person for the discharge of the duty . He ( the Jndge ) did not think the reason issfiwient one , but as the objection had "been made , h wished to state it .
The Attobset-Gxhkrax said that if his Learned Jrieods on lie other side had no objection , he had janejo the withdrawal of Mr . Beniley ' snajae . JLr . Drams said , that as appearing for two of lite defendants , he had no objection to be tried by aaj magistrate . A desultory eonTersation followed , which ended in 3 ir . Bentley ' s name being retained on the list . Sr Feeds . Pollock , Attorney-General ; the Hon
Jis . S . WoaiLKT , iLP . and Q . C ; SitGregobt Inns , Knight ; Mr . Hildtaedj and Mr . F . Poliock , appeared to condact the prosecution on the pr ; of the Crown . Jlr . Busts , Q , CL , appeared for James Scholefield jsd William Scholefield . With reference to the last mentioned defendant , £ a Atio&het-GehebjX said he would at once nSeve his Learned Friend from all trouble by eonjeune to a verdict of acqwitai being taken .
Mr . Dukdas , Q . C , appeared for Thos . Aikin and TOJiam Brook . Mr . Sergeant MraPHT appeared for Thomas Jiilton , 'William ^ ohnBon , and John Dei-ham . Mr . Athkbtos appeared for James Fenton and Tfilliam Stephenson . Hi . 34 * Oi ! iaiY appeared ^ or one or more of the &s&d » nts , but we did not diortiictlj anderstand itckSl Mr . T . Toizock opened the pleadings . The in-£ t » &e&t charged the defendants with haying illejjflj conspired together , and with diTers other perstHS to ihe jurors ttnknown , unlawfully assembled ttgeUier , and by violence , threats , and intimidation , to compel persons to desist from their lawful occupations , all tending to bring about a change in the hw and the constitution as established in these realms . To this indictment the defendants had
seTeriilj pleaced not guilty , on which assoe was joined , winch issue it was for the jurors to try , and say whether the defendants were guilty or not guilty . Mr . O'Co 52 H » applied io : hare fee witnesses for enmmanon ordered oat of court , which was immeoxtely complied with . Mr . O'Connor then said , he understood two iejoftsrs were present , who would hare to depose to citerial fact * connected with the present case ; and { hsrefore he-trusted his Lordship woald request Usa to retire . The Coort , after h&ring ieen made acquainted Trah the fact that lhese reporters would only haTe foEiresr to notes of proceedings taken by them , refused the a ^ licatioB .
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL then rose , and ^ dressing the Jnry , said he could assure them most unforcedly that he serer rose to discharge a more pu&ml dniy than the one which fell to his lot to-day , KTO 8 in which he considered that the responsibility an upon those who ad rised the Crown , was greater tbn do the present occasion . While for a moment headTerted to circumstances which , more or less , Srei be wiiidn the knowledge of erery gentleman Ksuprising the Jury , as probably of almost fferj peison in court , —while he alluded to &R for one moment , in order to caution them * Bcnst any impressions which they might have Jaared wiih respect to any indmdual charged ,
i *> re they came into that box , it was scarcely post&Bnot toeniertam the strongest impression of the kager and the mischief that might ensue from * 8 aees saeh as those mentibnedin the indicfaneBt ^ ffiadeed the ? had been committed by thedefendanta . St-jronii can tnair attention exdnBTely on this reason to the facts that would be broaght before % m , * nd he would state in the outset , without th » « fmtst difficulty , that if they were not satisfied of bs guilty participation of erery defendant , w _ all those who had by their own rtdenee or cot implicated themselves , if the eTi-« aca given on the part of the prosecution should Isxtbmj fair or reasonable donbt in the minds of
« s Jmy , haTe ihe benefis of that doubt , and by their Jertie ; beacquiued . The offence imputed to the fefendants was that of endeaTouring , by large as-Koolages of persons , to accomplish by force , vio-«** e , menaces , and intimidation , such a degree of ** ro and terror throughout the country as to proeats a change in some of the fundamental parts of *« Constitution of the eountry . He should not stop * asre to inquire , nor should he , moreover , attempt » dbcass ior one momentj -the merit or the < lef 35 * of the change , or tte teaoiy of " « constitution , or the happiness which it might or ®^» sot shed upon those who had the blessing t © toe imier j , u - „» there—not to discuss aay
P ^ afical subject whaterer . He was there merely 5 * &e purpose of Tindicating the law , and he kvbted no ; bnt that his Lordship would teV . the * ojthat the eonrse « f proceeding which he ( the A : torney- General ) had adTerted to was illegal—that 8 was not by-such proceedings that any ehange , of * kweTer son , was to be brought about ia the con-K mtionof the country ^ and if they w er # satisfied * J the e-sidence that the respectiTe defendants ^ taken any part in a proceeding which had this ~* - ^ 8 object , and those means to which he had Tj " ^ were t&e means to be resorted to by the pendants , then it would be the dnty of the Jury wweier painful , to find them guilty . As little had teto do-Bi th the political origin of the meetingB to
fwenne must first call their attention , He proposed * ° 4 o enter inioihe secret history of the motites of " ¦ jindrridnal anterior to the time when first the law ¦^ Jiokted . Be proposed not to ewer into any in-5 ^ 3 as to what were the circumstances that ** io the commission of these offences , beyond * m Tns absolutely necessary to render the 5 « s eottnected with them intelligible to the « rj . Maying then wated to them the du ^ he had » Perform , and enreated them to dismiss from ~ o * recollections any circumstances tendiDg to 7 ^ prejudice , or to weigh against any of the «« 'BaiBUj indiTiduaBT . or as a bodv , he should t >
to-**? i as shortly as he conld , to narrate the facts ¦^ thhe propoEed to lay before them as matter of fwence . Somewhere about the 25 th of July J&st , l ^ ag was fleld at Ashton-under-Lyne , the 5 ^^ of viiach , as they were probably aware , . £ * £ reference to MaDchestEr , was about six miles ? 7 « wof the town . At the meeting , one of ] &e dtfendantB , William Woodrnfii was the cbair-™ a , and another of the defendants , Rd . Pilling , f * ako present , and the Jury would find that the r ^^ e nsed on that occasion could leare no donbt tfS . t * Ttr 5 "" ^ were the objects and intention r *« f parties who were then assembled . He pro ™* oto read a Tery few Bentenees of what IeU from ** - Unirman and from Pillina , when he addressed
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tetfa ?*' beCa ^ t ? lieTed there ^ ^ 8 no donbt that ewdence wonld be giren to confirm the statement he should make . Woodruff opened the people to grre OTer work nntU they could -8 ' a faU fr $ *** ^ for s fa « - daj ' s wor ^ Th . te ^^ K ' ^ 11118 10 ^^ ess the meeVbg Tee language he used was Tery Btrong , and was personalJy directed to owners of mills in eneighlords , to keep within the precincts of their own hST 1 F ark J m « hte 5 «> m » Son ; and some bold hand , more danng tnan the rest , would reckon witb them , for the reckoning day was near , and a bloody reckoning it was lika to be . " It appeared ttat Bhonly before this there had been ^ me reduction made by the master manufacturers in tne wages of the yarious workmen whom they employed . He believed that two or three of these
reductions occurred in the month of April last year , and seme of the observations made by the defendants were with reference to a still further reduction that was suspected , Tte meeting on the 26 th of July was adjourned to the following day , but either no meeting took place , or else it was so thinly attended , that it excited no public attention whatever . On the 1 st of August , Moorhouse , the bellman of Hyde , gaTe notice of another meeting , and at that meeting , < 5 eorge Candelet , another of the defendants , acted as the Chairman , and notice was then given of a further meeting for Sunday , the 7 th of August , to take place at Mottram Moor , or Wednesoff-green , four miles from Ashton , where ihe Chartists were in the habit of holding their camp meetings . The Jury would find that on Sunday the 7 th of August , two meetings were held , one in the morning and the other in the afternoon , to which he must call their
attention , because in tb . B meantime , the manufaoturers who had gi > en notice of an intention to rednoe their wages , at least allj he believed , with the exception of one , withdrew the notice of reduction . On tnday , the 5 ; h of August , one house having persisted in their intention , a sort of meeting of the masters and workmen of that factory occurred , at which something was said that gave offence to the men . He could hardly suppose that sueh offence was intended ; bnt nndonbtedly some offence was created , and the men immediately abandoned their work , and that he believed was the first commencement of what was called the turnout . On Saturday , the 6 th of August , there was a procession of not less than 1 . 5 U 0 or l « 00 persons
, , whe-went throngh Newton , headed by John Durham and John Crossley . At the meeting held on Sunday , the 7 th of August , Moorhouse addressed the people , and then , perhaps , for the first time , the objsct of the meeting was distinctly avowed . He told the meeting that it was neither a wage question nor a- religious question—it was a national question—and that their object was to make what was commonly called the * People ' s Charter" the law of the land . At that meeting Candelet , one of the defendants , spoke , and-a man named Wild , who was now suffering under sentence , at "hester , also addressed the
people . At two o ' clock in the afternoon , there waa a larger meeting , and on that occasion , the defendants John Leech , Thomas Storah , James Stephenson , and Thomas Mahon , spoke , and it was then stated that on the following day , there would b « a great turn-out , and that no one Bhould return to work until every principle of the People ' s Caarter should become the law of the land . On that occasion , Moorhouse used language , of which he believed this was a correct statement . He said , " Yoa have been told of the evils under which we labour , and I * m requested "Mr . Dundas—There is no such person in the indictment .
The Aitobhet-Genebal was not aware that he had mentioned AJoorhoose as a defendant . He was alluding to language used by the chairman of a meetnsfi , * nd he believed he should be perfectly correct in stating to the Jury , that that which a chairman , uninterrupted , and without opposition , was permitted to stale , was , at least evidence of the intention of those who were assembled at that meeting , and he believed several of the defendants were actually present . Moorhouse said , " You have been told of the evils we labour under , and I am requested to tell you thaUo-morrow a meeting will take place at Stalybridge , at five o ' clock in the morning , wheu we shall proceed from factory to factory , and the hands that will not willingly come out we will turn
them out , and when we are out , we will remain out , till the Charter , which is the only guarantee for your wages , becomes the law of the land . I hope to - meet you all to-morrow moroiitg , when we will join hand in hand in this great national tnrn-out . " On the following morning , a meeting was held at a place called Haigh , near Stalybridge , at which from 2 , 000 to 3 , 0 * 0 persona were present . There were two placards exhibited , on one of which were these words : — "The men of Stalybridge will follow wherever danger points the way ;** and ppon the oiherc—** They that perish by the sword are better than they that perish by hunger /* After the meeting was over , the people proceeded Srst to the mill of Mvssrs . Harrison , where they
turned out all the hands , and stopped the mill . They then went to the mill of Messieurs Lees ,- where they did not find the same willingness to receive their proposal to stop labour . They burst open the door , and by force they did that which at the Messrs . Harrison ' s they were enabled to do merely by their presence and appearance . It was arranged lhat they should meet the following morning , and something was said about going to Manchester . At a very early hour on the morning « f Tuesday the fltfa of August , the people were meeting at Hyde , at Stalybridge , and at Ashton ; and from the place where they all assembled , they determined to march to Manchester . Accordingly some thousands of persons
with certain descriptions of arms , with bludgeons , and banners , having something the appearance of military array and order , marched into the town of Manchester , and finding the military very near the entrance , they halted , and there was a sort of parley between them and the Magistrates . To the remonstrance of the latter , they answered that their object was ** peace , law and order , " and they promised faithfully to keep the peace , and to commit no disorder of any kind . Oa these assurances , the Magistrates withdrew the military , and placed themselves , not exactly at the head of the people , as leaders , but for the purpose of pointing out where they might go , and to watch that they did no . mischief . The people then marched into
the town together , the military having withdrawn to prevent any hostile conflict . They had scarcely got into the town when those who were rather in the rear , . separated themselves into different bodies , going from street to street , and from house to house , and took possession of the to wn . For three days the shops were Bbut up , —all labour waa suspended , and portions of the mob went from place to place , not merely to the mills , but to every place where the labour of man was used , and they obliged a - cessation from labour . In some instances they demanded bread , in others they accepted money , and for three days Manchester was in s state of the most lawiess riot and confusion . The following week , proceedings manifested
themselves of a still more > threatening aspect than perhaps was indicated by the assembling of the people in the manner he had described . It appearea that at that time there had been a meeting , at Manchester , of delegates , or persons from the Trades ' Union ; and he begged to call the attention of the jury to a resolution which was put forth on Friday , the 12 th of August . It was this— " That we , the delegates representing the trades of Manchester and its vicinity , with delegates from various parts of ¥ orkshireaDd Lancashire , do most emphatically declare that itis our solemn and conscientious conviction that all the evils which afflict society , and which have prostrated the industry aud energy of the great body of tb . B producing ffl «««« , arises solely from class
legislation , and that the only remedy for the present alarming distress and wide spread destitution , is the immediate and unmuulaied adoption , and carrying into law , the document known as the * People ' s Charter . That this meeting recommends the people of all trades and callings , forthwith to cease to work until the above document becomes the law of the land . " He znigb i here incidemally remark to the Jury , that if a number of persons had formed the design of going into the country , from place to place , for the purpose of causing a cessation of labour , and compelling the public authorities in different parts of the country to adopt particular changes in the constitution , all those who , in any way , offered encouragement cf any sort to the persons so acting .
become what in the law was called accessoriesbefore or after the fact , made very little difference , for in & case ef misdemeanour , which this was , ali accessories were prinoipaLj—all who nsed encouragement to parties committing this description ot offence , were themselves - guilty of that which they encouraged in others . And it wonld be for the Jury to say whether this re-olutiou , » nd other resolutions of a similar kind , being brought home to" certain parties who were before them * s defendants , could leave any doubt on their minds as to the object for which resolutions of thiB character were put forth . It wonld be fox them to Bay whether ihose who adopted this method of encouraging and uroducine a systtm , and giving effect to the designs
of others , must not be held , in point of fact , Dy them , as adopting such a course with a view to assist and promote the designs of others . If that were so , he believed his Lordship would tell them that such persons , altogether and entirely , participated in the foll ^ uilt which they thus enco uraged . Now by this time , the state of Manchester had attracted the attention of the authorities there , and the authorities in London . Oa the 14 th of August there wasaproclamatia » issued by the Magistrates on their own authority , and , on the loih , anotker proclamation was issued in the name of the Queen by the Executive Goverameut ; and after that proclamation , calling upon every one to preserve the peace , and to abstain from giving any encouragement to t ^ e violence of others , it became still mow , and more the bounden duty of all Parana wfro weie determined to obey the
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law , and who were determined not to disobey it , to abstain from any proceedings that could give encouragement , directly or indirectly , to persons going about the country endeavouring to turn out those who were anxious to continue tb work for their masters . On the Monday following this , a meeting was held at s puhlic-house in Tib-street , Manchester , which ws 3 afterwards adjourned to the Carpenter ' s Hall . The Jury would find that at the meeting various resolutions were carried ; and at length it was determined to issue a placard , to which he thought it right to call their attention . It was worded thus : " Liberty to the trades of Manchester and surroHnding districts ! Fellow-workmen , we hasten to lay before you the paramount importance of this day ' s proceedings . The delegates from the manufacturing distriots have been more numerous at this day ' s meeting than yesterday , and the spirit of determination manifested for the people ' s rights
nas increased every hour . In consequence of the unjag ' t aud unconstitutional interference of the magistrates , our proceedings were abruptly brought to a close by dispersing the meeting , but not until , in their very teeth , we passed the following resolution i * That we , as delegates in public meeting assembled , do recommend to the various constituencies we represent , to adopt aU legal means to carry into effect the * People ' s Charter , 'and further we recommend that delegates be sent through the whole of the country , to endeavour to obtain the co-operation of the middle and working classes , in carrying oat the resolution of ceasing labour until the Charter be made the law of the laud . ' Englishmen 5 rigidly determine to maintain the peace and well being of society , and show by your strict adherence to this resolution that we
are your true representatives . Do your duty , and we will do ours . We meet again to-morrow , and the result of our deliberations will be fully laid before you . " Now , he had read to the Jury the words of this placard . There were expressions with respect to "legal means , " and " kesping the peace . " He was afraid that those who directed the framing of that paragraph differ in the view which hiB Lordship would lay down as to what were the " legal means" by which such an object could be carried into effect . It would be for the Jury to judge whether those upon whose lips hung the language of "peace , law , and order , " were not actuated by very different motives . It would be for them to judge how far the
expressions which were -used in a placard , put forth to the public , really conveyed the intention of those who used them ; or whether they were used with an intention to depart from those professions whenever a convenient opportunity might occur . On Tuesday , the I 6 th of August , a meeting , not of trades , but of delegates , was held , for the purpose of assembling a sort of Convention of persons from different parts of the country ; and in accordance with the recommendation , he believed that not fewer than from sixty to seventy delegates arrived in Manchester . At one of the meetings , undoubtedly about forty attended . At the meeting , an address was considered and approved of , to be printed and pnblished to the people of England . It was an
address from five persons styling themselves , — " The Executive Committee of the National Association , for carrying ite Charter ; " and he begged to call the attention of the Jury to the contents of that document . The proof sheet , corrected in the handwriting of one of the defendants ( Peter Murray M'Douall ) would be produced in evidence . The Learned Gentleman then proceeded to read extracts from this address ; the first of which called upon the people never to resume work until full justice had been done to the working classes , their wives and families , by the enactment of the People ' s Charter . He ( the Attorney-General ) regretted deeply to say that at Preston and Blackburn , there had been a conflict with the military
which unfortunately did terminate in bloodshed . The language used m this address with reference ( 0 the « vent was this : — " Fellow-Chartists , the blood of your brothers redden the streets of Preston and Blackburn , aud the murderers thirst for more . But be firm , ba courageous , be men . Peace , law , and order , have prevailed on our side . Let them be revered until our brothers in Scotland , Wales , and Ireland , are informed of our resolution , and when a universal holiday prevails , which will be the case in eight days , then of what use will bayonets be against public opinion t" Then again , in allusion to the stoppage of the mills , the address said " every hand is at rest , save the peaceful sickle of the reaper in the fruitful fields . " That was perfectly true .
within fifty miles of Manchester , all was still , bat in what way that stillness had been produced , whether by the spontaneous wish of all the persons who were com polled to observe that stillness , the jury would that day jndge by the evidence ; and thvy wonld further judge whether those who prepared this document could by possibility be ignorant , that although , undoubtedly , a large portion of the rest from labour was acceded to cheerfully by many , a very considerable portion of the people—he believed he should not be wrong if he said the greater part , yielded a reluctant aBsant , and were acted upon by the force and threats of those who went from place to place to produce a complete abandonment of labour . The address concluded by asking the
people to leave the deeision of their rights to the u of justice and of battle . " This plaoard was extensively dispersed over Manchester . It became a sort of rallying point at various meetings that took place afterwards , and the question that tho Jury would have to decide was , whether all those who were connected with the framing and putting it forth , —whether in the entire scope and object of the production , they did not find a direot encouragement given to those persons , who were going about the country , from factory to factory , and almost from house to house , to Buspend labour of every kind , and to do it by force , in order to carry out that change in the constitution , which would be effected by carrying the People ' s Charter into law ! The Jury would
have evidence -given them of what occurred at the meeting of delegates ; and as against one of the defendants—he meant Mr . Feargus O'Connor—they would have the strongest evidence of his participation in it , in a direct allusion to it in his own newspaper , the Northern Slar % to which his name was affixed as the proprietor , and for the contents of which he was responsible . He proposed to read from the Northern Star , a few expressions which would clearly connect Mr . O'Connor with the publication of the document . He thought it perfectly right , however , to say that before the date of the p « per to which he was about to refer—the 20 th of August last , many paragraphs had appeared in the Northern Star , dissuading the people from taking
ihe course which they seemed to be bent upon ; and whatever benefit , in any way , Mr . O'Connor could derive from a candid admission on his ( the Attorney-General ' s ) part , that prior to tbe 20 th of August , the Northern Star was apparently directed against the strike , the benefit of that admission he should certainly not seek to withhold from him . But he had not the least doubt , from the paper he held in his hand , that , for some reason or other , —whether because the impulse seemed to be so strong—whether the current seemed to be so irresistible that it was no longer of any use opposing the stream—or whether Mr . O'Connor was carried along by that current—or whether , seeing that there was such a prospect of Chartism becoming
the law of the land , he thought the time was come when use might be made of the crisis , he ( the Attorney-General ) knew not;—he dealt with the facts merely as they were before him ;—and he fonnd in the Northern Star of the 20 th August a statement of a meeting of delegates in conference at Manchester ; and he used this against Mr . O'Connor to prove trie fact lhat was there stated—that there was a meeting of delegates . He should confirm it by notes that were iound in the hand writing of one of the members , who took notes of what passed ; and , last of all , he should confirm it by the testimony of a person who was present , and who now thought proper—with whatever spirit it would be for the jnry to jud ^ e—to give evidence of what took place in
that assemblage . But in order , as he was aware thai remarks might be made on testimony of this description , and as the Jury had a right that snch testimony should be confirmed by every document that he could have recourse to for the purpose , he should prove , against several of the defendants , as U were , out of their own lips , that they were present , and what took place . He would now read the statement which appeared in the Northern Star of the date he had mentioned . [ Tne Attorney-General here read the report of tne * ' Meeting of delegates in conference at Manchester , " as it appeared in tbe Star of the 20 th of August last . ] He wanted to show that this was as good evidence against Mr . O'Connor as could possibly be given ,
because it was deliberately published by him , in a newspaper of which he was the Bole proprietor [ lie also read another extract from the same paper . ] Un a subsequent day , the 3 rd of September , Mr . O'Connor puoiished another number of the Northern Star , in the leading columns of which he gave au account of the meeting of the delegates . It was ia he form of a letter , but nserted as a leading article , and was addressed to the " Imperial Cnartistb . " £ Here he read Mr . O'Connor ' s answer to the letter of the ** Old Chartist , " in the British Statesman , which answer necessarily contained a succinct account of the Delegate Meeting at Manchester , and Mr . O'Connor ' s proceedings at it . ] Sir Frederick then went onto describe the put which Mr . Schole * field had taken in promoting the object of the strike
by lending his chapel for the use of the meetings , and having tea parties of Chartists at his own house . With respect to several of the other defendants , the jury would find language used , the meaning aud objects of which it would be for them to judge and determine what character ought fairly to bfjlong to it . They would fiad that several of the speakers alluded distinctly to the use of direct physical foree-One man stated in particular that he har \ been at Birmingham , Bilsion , and the Potteries , and he found a spirit of enthusiasm prevailing , among the people . He said he should support the resolution uuder discussion without making & long speech because he believed tbe people in Staffordshire and Yorkshire , aud many other part ? , were determined to fight . He vtfts himself prepared for the worst .
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? a f **!* ***** * , Leicester , would not be bet » $ J T ' , th « y wanted to proceed , they K &Vhemselves m a Pr ° PRr attitude and in ^ TJ f Sf Were PWWKwi to fight . " He must appeal to the ootnmon sense of the Jury to Bay ™ 5 r ! if * thia 6 ° r * meant , used in the preby those to whom it waa addressed . He would appeal to them to say whether those who put forth I ? t , « t" J } * f > * *\ he had «« oted JfoWf wilb * ,, ? SL ?^ nded ' foroe * " Pea ^ i l » w < and order ^ oould mean anything but the reverse . If they thought that it had ? the force of peace , law , E iVh £ Vi 3 t ! T . boe 7 £ * aBthe author , they must hold him justifiable . Bnt it wa * hi * lt . h « \ tUtmv .
Generals ) duty-an d he could assure them a most painfnl duty it was , to bring under their cognizance all these circumstances , and to ask them what co » - elusion they could put , as men of sense and experience , upon the language that was thus used . He asked whether the persons who met and put forth this address , could possibly be viewed in any other light than aa abettors of those more unfortunate , because less enlightened , persons , who were going from town to town , encouraged by this address , and provoked by it into excesses which , under other cireumstanes , they would have been disposed to avoid ? Ho could assure the . Jury , that at the innocence of any one of the individuals who was before them he should as much rejoice as any person who could take the deepest interest in their fate . But the duty he had to disoharge to the Jury , to the public , and to the country at large , rendered it imnasaibl « . howAv ^ v
pamtul that duty i might be , to shrink from us performance by showing anything like reserve , Hfl nad now but one statement to make beyond those to which he had already © ailed their attention , It was one which h » made with very mingled feelings indeed , with respect to the intelligence and forbearance of those who took part in the late movement , but one which at the same time furnished a strong illustration of the extreme peril in which the country mast be placed , if suoh things could happen as those he was then authorized to state . Tae labour of the country , not only as regarded manufactures , was stopped , but there was a general turn out of all hands and all trades , even to those engaged in supplying the most ordinary necessaries of life * He
believed the baker and the butcher were permitted to go on , but the shoemaker and tailor were stopped in their labour until the object of the turn-out should have been accomplished . It was manifest that if suohasy 8 tem could be enforced to the very letter , great public mischief must ensue . The Learned Gentleman went on to refer to the formation of a " Committee of Public Safety , " but who subsequently styled themselves a "Committee of Operatives . " This body dispensed licenses to persons , to enable them to carry on business to a limited extent , and great vigilance waa exercised in order to present their going beyond that license . In one instance , a tailor received orders to make some mourning , bnt he dare not execute them until he went to
this committee , and obtained their sanction . He mentioned this fact as a proof of the extraordinary extent and the intelligence with which this matter was carried on , and of the numbers that were engaged in this species of strong violation of the law , at the same time that it appeared to have for its object , to a certain extent , the interests of society . There could be no doubt that if an attempt ' of this sort was to be made , it perhaps could not be made witb more respect for property and for life , than generally did obtain , even where violence was used . He should bear willing testimony to the forbearance that was personally apparent , even in the most lawless acts that were committed . The boldest defiance of the law
had been accompanied by a respeot for life and property , and be felt rejoiced that he lived in a country , where , if excesses of this description did occur , they were tempered by » forbearance which shone conspicuously amidst tho violation of the law that had taken place . In the remarks which he had thought it necessary to make , he had abstained from using one solitary expression of harshness . He desired to give no character to these oflwnces beyond that which the law itself put upon them . He invited the Jury , as . dispassionately as it was possible , to consider the evidence , and that while they acted calmly and coolly , to be firm in the vindication of the law . To them would ultimately be committed the question of the guilt or the innocence of the defendants . It might
be possible that as respected some of them , there would be that weakness of evidence , or that absence of violent spirit , as to induce them favourably to consider suoh of the cases . In that favourable consideration he should cordially go along with them , or to reoommond , if they found them guilty , to the favourable consideration of the court alone . With these observations , inviting the jury as much as possible to abstain from any topic that might disturb them in the calmest exercise of their consciences , and in the most faithful disoharge of their duty , aa well for the defendants , as for the publio , on whose behalf it was performed , and for whose protection this inquiry was instituted , be would leave the case in their handb , again entreating them to be guided by evidence alone , and , as it made for or against the defendants , to return their verdict accordingly .
At the close of the Learned Gentleman ' s address , Geq . Johnson , one of the defendants for whom Mr . Serjeant Murphy had been retained , announced his intention of conducting bis own defence . The following witnesses were then called : — Joseph Haigh . —I live at Ashton-under-Lyne . I was living there in July last . I am a milkman . I remember meetings taking place at Ashton last year . I remember one on the 26 th of July . It was held on au open space of ground called Thaoker's Foundry . I was at a meeting ia the evening from eight to nine o ' clock . I should think from 3000 to 4000 persons would be present . There was a chairman . Hia name waa William Woodruffe , one of the defendants . I knew he was the chairman , by
introducing speakers to the meeting . He was elevated on a cart or waggon , or something of that sort . He is a shoemaker . The first speaker he introduced was William Aitken , another of the defendants . I bad known him before . I remember his saying , after speaking on the Charter and different things , " he should advise the cotton lords , particularly the Messrs . Rayncrs , to keep within the precincts of their own palaces , as dark nights were coming on . and the reckoning day was at hand . " Before that day I had seen a placard on the walls of Ashton with something of that sort on it . I think the words on it were— " Behold the reckoning day is at hand . " Woodruffe did not eay anything more with respect to the reckoning day . I was at a meeting on Friday , the 12 th of August , in Charles *
town Chapel or meeting room , adjoining Ashton This was at nine o ' clock in the morning . The meeting was called by the bellman . John Alexander Stuart was in the chair . Ha is not a defendent . Woodruffe asked him privately if he would take the chair . From sixty to eighty persons would be present . I htard Woodruffe say that he had a resolution to propose to this effect , that in order to facilitate the advance of wages ali labour do cease . Stuart , on taking the' chair , said he hoped that nothing would be brought forward at the meeting , that would bring himself or them within the pale of the law ; bnt as he had taken the chair , he would put suoh resolutions as the meeting thought proper .
Woodruffe advocated the principle of the resolution . He was in an elevated situation . It was a kind of a pulpit . I can ' t recollect what he said in particular . I remember his saying that he was one of the persons instrumental in calling the meeting . I left the meeting at half-past nine . 2 was at another meeting on Sunday , the 14 th of August . It was held a little after nine in the morning , on Thaoker ' s ground . A person of the name of Joseph Hilton was in the chair . He is not a defendant . The meeting begun before I got there . There was some singing . One or two versea of a hymn were sung . Alexander Challenger , one of the defendants , was there , and another , George Johnson . Tae latter gave out the hymn . I remember one verse . It ran thus : —
A charge to keep I have , A God to glorify , A never-dyiug soul to save , And fit it for the sky . " Johnson afterwards gave them a religious exhortation , and when he had done , others gave exhortations . The chairman then said that he had received a communication from some one , whom he did not know , which he would read . Ie was to thiaeffeot , that the committee had como to the determination that labour should not be returned until the Charter had become the law of the land . At the time thia was said , much confusion took place , aa the people seemed dissatisfied . Johnson and Challenger were present , when the chairman read this out . There is
a street called Stamford-street , in Ashton . I was there about nine in the morning of the 30 th of Aug . In going up the street , on the way to the Town-hall , being at that time a special constable * I saw a procession going up . It consisted of men , women , and boys . There were four or five men abreast jb front , and then a lot of women , and lastly , a Dumber of boys . Woodruffe was one of the four men in front The whole number would amount to sixty or seventy . I had heard something said as they passed . They cried "fall in , fall in . " They went to Stalybridge . I followed them as far as the Globe Inn , perhaps 200 yarda from Stamford-street Ashton , Dukinfield ,
Hyde , Sfcalybridge , and Mottram , are in the neighbourhood , and Glossop a little more to the East . Cross-examined by Mr . Dundas—The reason I went to the meeting on the 26 th of July , was from having seen a placard on the wall . I did not take notes of what passed . I nave a tolerable memory . I went to the meeting before I had been sworn in a special constable . 1 was not sent by any person , but went of my own accord . There are three or four magistrates living in Aehton . They were at the Town Hall , at ten o ' clock in the morning of the 12 th of August . The bellman had gone round before 1 had received the summous to be sworn in . I balieve Alexander Challenger ia a factory operative ,
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and "George Johnson is a hatter . The { exhortations givea weie religious ones . There were several thousands present . After the Chairman had read tbe anony . Vious note , there were divisions and murmurs , and aj > itations , in consequence of the meeting being putimo a sort of moveable position . T- ( A laugh . ) Whilst the consternation was going on , I came away . ] Re-examined by George Johnson—I jwish to ask the witness' whether the meeting on the Sunday did not begin by prayer ? ] The Judge—He has said so in substance , but he did not get there till after the meeting commenced . Defendant—Did you not swear on your examination that there was no prayer f ! Witness—I do not remember , for I was not there at the beginning . Judge—He said there were religious exhortations .
Defendant—I have no further questions to ask him . ; Henry Brierley , examined by Sir G . Lewin—I live at Stalybridge , and work at a factory . On the 22 'h of July last , I was present at a meeting held on a plot of ground , called the Haigh , { which is in Stalybridge . I am not aware how it was called . I went to the meeting near eight o ' clock in the evening . I think there were some hundreds of persons there . The Chairman was James Fenton , of Ashton , one of the defendants . I was there at the time he was called to the chair . He was unanimously chosen . After being elected , there was a resolution moved , I rather think it was proposed by Challenger , but I should not know the person again . The effect
of the resolution was , that the reduction of wages was injurious not only to the workmen but also to the masters and shopkeepers . The motion was carried unanimously . I remember seeing Richard PUHng , and Bropny , and William Stephenson , three of the defendants , there ; Storah was there , too , but I should not know him again . Pilling moved another resolution , which was somethingsimilar to the former . They said they wanted a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , but they were of opinion that it could not be obtained unless the Charter became tbe law of the land . The resolution was carried unanimously . A third was then moved by Brophy . I knew him by name and sight at the same time . The nature of the third resolution was to draw up a
memorial to Sir R . Peel , for ten thousand stand of arms . ( Laughter . ) It was for the purpose of protecting the lives and property of the working clashes against those who refused to jpay the property tax . No particular persons were mentioned as having refused to pay the tax . This resolution was also passed unanimously . The meeting then broke up peaceably . They adjourned ] the meeting to Hyde , but I am not aware whether , the proposition was put from the chair . A meeting did take place at Hyde , but I did not attend . I was present at another meeting , at Duckimfield , on the 2 nd or 3 rd of August , at eight o ' clock in the morning . When I got there , I found Storah moving a resolution . !
Mr . Dundas contended that there was no evidence to show that Storah was at this meeting . Tae Attorney-General maintained that the evidence was sufficient , because the indictment charged the defendants with having conspired with divers other persons , to the jurors unknown , and the general character of the meetings , held ; from time to time , must be taken into account . j The Judge concurred in opinion witb the Learned Gentleman , but thought the evidence with regard to Storah was weak . i Examination resumed—The resolution moved by Storah was to the effect , that a fair day ' s wage could not be obtained until the Charter became the law of the land . At this meeting , I heard Pilling giving
a lecture on the 6 tate of the country . He said things were in a bad state , that it was difficult to get a living , bnt be recommended the meeting to observe peace , law , and order . It was about halfpast nine before the meeting concluded . Another meeting was held at Droylsden on the following day . On Friday , the 12 th of August , I saw a procession coming from tbe direction of Mr . Bailey ' s mill . There were several hundreds . They went to a plot of land near Cheetham ' s mill , but no meeting waa held . They then went to the Haigh , wher e James Fenton was chosen as chairman . I saw besides Thomas Mahon , John Durham , and William Stephenson , three other defendants . They were the principal speakers . They ! said nothing
particular , but exhorted the people to stick out until they got a fair day ' s wage . The procession was part of Bailey ' s workmen . They mot again in the evening , at the Haigb , between seven and eight . I saw the same four defendants and Bropby there . They delivered leotures , exhorting the people to try to obtain the Charter by lawful means . There waa another meeting on ! the following morning , at five o ' olock , and they went in procession through Duckenfield to Hyde , and [ returned by Newton . They then dispersed to go for their wasres . The same evening they met again at the Haigh . The same persona were there . A man from Liverpool gave a leotare . He said he was sorry to find the country in suoh a state as it was , and advised them to
go to work again . He thought it was not possible to get the Chatter then . The ieoture , fon the whole , was well received . It wag a veryj good lecture . Brophy gave a lecture , aud recounnauded people to turn teetotallers , and ke ^ p sober ! . On Sunday morning , the 7 ca of August , there ! was another meeting on Mottram Moor . Some thousands were present . The , bellman of Hyde was in the chair William Stephenson addressed the meeting on the principles of the Charter . No resolutions were moved in my hearing . In the evening of the same day there was a meeting in a preaching room , at Stalybridge . From forty to fifty persons ] were present . Stephenaon and Mahon were there . A man came in , and said that he understood that Mr .
William Bailey wished to see some of the members of the committee . Some of them thought it advisable to go , and others not . Mahon said he thought it was of no use going to the masters . ( He said they had turned out for the Charter , and would stick to it . Mahon is not one of Bailey ' s men . The meeting determined they would not go , and they broke up . On the following morning , another meeting took Slaee at the Hai ^ h , at five o ' olock . Bropby adressed the meeting , and said they must get out those who had gone to their work . He said they must get them out by legal means , if possible , or stop them as they were going . Durham said they would have a procession through Duckinfield and Ashton , to let the masters see that they were out . Mahon and Stephesson said that they were gome in procession through Ashton after
breakfast . The people divided into lots , and they fetched the hands out of all the mills . I then returned to the meeting at the Haigh , and Durham said they must get Bailey ' s men out first , and go in procession through Ashton . He ordered them to go peaceably . Durham , Stephenson , Mahon , Brophy , and several other persons , whom I did not know , were in the procession I ; saw Crossley talking to Brophy , going down Daokinfield-hill . The procession went down Caroline-street , over Duckinfield-brow , to Mr . Hiudley ' s mill . They were linked arm-in-arm , and walked four or five abreast . Tnfy had no sticks , only two or three flags and music . Before they got to Hiudley ' s mill the men had turned out . There was no mob near the mill
at the time . A few boys had preceded the procession . 1 went to Hyde , about half-past four . None of tbe men who came j from Stalybridge were there . I found the hands of one factory fetching out the hands of another , I saw Durham , Stephenson , and John Leach , of Hyde , at a meeting in the evening of the same day . Leach was addressing the meeting ] when I got there . He said he thought it was the most proper to turn out for their wages , and not for the Charter . He thought it would be impossible to get the Charter then . Mabon said that the Ashton and the Stalybridge people must have a meeting on Thacker ' s Ground , and go in procession to Manchester , but that they were not to take any sticks
with them . I was at the Haigh , next morning , at five o'olock . Fenton was chiefly the chairman . Durham , Stephenson , and Mahou , were there . A lecture Was given by Fenton . He ) reoommended the people to keep in peaoe and order , in going to Manchester . On the following morning , another meeting took place , at the Haigh , at five o'clock . Fenton , Durham , Siephenson , and ( Glossop were there . They said they would go to Glossop and see how the people there were coming on . I did not go with them , and I don't know whether they went or not . Tho next morning another meeting took place on the Haigh , at the same time . They were falling out between the wage question and the Charter . Fenton thought one thing at a time was
enough , and Durham also advocated the wage question . Stephenson and Mabon advocated the Charter . I did not seo Crossley there . ) I understand that the object of the people ia meeting every morning at the Haigh , was to keep the people combined together . On the 12 oh of August all the workpeople were out . On the 13 th , I saw a procession at Stalybridge There was a public meeting held in the evening . Fenton , Stephenson , Durham , and Mahon were there . I think Aiikin , Woolfenden , John Leach of Hyde , and Johnson , were there also . Wild opened the meeting in favour of the wage question . It was suggested that a list of delegates should ascertain what were the highest and lowest rate of wagea which the masters would give , in
order that they might strike a medium , and go to work . In the meantime the operatives could not return to work , as the masters had { shut up their mills for a month . They agreed to fdo so after the men had turned out . At the meeting on the evening of the 13 th there were several thousands there . Nothing was said about what the operatives were to do until the Charter had been obtained !; but that they were to keep peaoe , law , and order . The Charter was foroed upon the meeting by the Glossop people , who came armed with sticks and bludgeons . On the Sunday afternoon another meeting took place , at which Woolfenden , delivered a : lecture , but I went away just as he was taking a text . Woolfenden said something about the Charter , but not in connection with the wage question , j In the evening another meeting took place , at which a lecturer from
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Manchester attended . He said he wa ? sorry that the people were out of work ; and that it hurt his feelings to think that they had come oat on the Charter . Oa the morning of the 15 uh they again met . Fenton , Stephenson , Durham ; and Mahon were there . Aikin was also present . A , discussion took place between the wage question and the Charter . Mahon and Stephenson thought they might as well go fo * both , but they would give in to the majority of the meeting . They recommended tbe people to keep peace , law , and order and not to injure anyone . I know the Chartist meeting room , at "Ashton . A meeting took place there on the evening of tbe same day . Mahon was there . He read something from a newspaper , after which it was suggested that he should go to
Manchester as a delegate to the Conference there , but that another meeting should be beld to elect him . Cross-examined by Sergeant Murphy—I have been a carder in a cotton faotory . I was not engaged as a turn-out on this occasion , but I have bad experience connected with a turn-out twelve years ago . No mention was made then of the Charter . A committee of working men was formed to direct the movements of the turn-outs . One of the objects ot that committee was to confer with the masters oa the question of wages . At that time there were fifty-two masters who determined to stop their mills , in consequence of the tarn-ont . They would not Jet them work . I believe delegates were chosen on that occasion , to go from one factory to another , to notice tbe course of proceedings of the different turn-outs .
The Attorney-General did not see how his Learned Friend could make what had occurred twelve years ago * matter of argument in this case . Surely his Learned Friend did not justify what had recently happened by a precedent of twelve years ago . The Judge had thought that aB the cross-examination was going on , ihe object of it was to skow that the fact of delegates having been appointed twelve years ago , to ascertain the proceedings of the different turn-outs was not in itself per se criminal . Mr . Serjeant Murphy—Precisely , my Lord , at the meetings I have referred to . Cross-examination resumed—On all occasions in which the Charter was mentioned , peaoe , law and order was inculcated .
Re-examined by Mr . Atherton—The wages of the working classes at Ashton and Stalybridge , were extremely low , during these latter turn-outs , and consequently much dissatisfaction prevailed among&t the working classes and shopkeepers . A great amount of distress prevailed , and some persons could scarcely obtain anything to eat . Wages have been declining 6 ver since 1826 , and the distress has increased in proportion . Shopkeepers have had meetings , and have said that tney would support the operatives in getting a better remuneration . None of them have interfered to prevent the operatives holding their meetings .
Re-examined by Mr . O'Connor—Wakes are aa annual feast , and strangers flock from all parts of the country to where they are held . The first great gathering was held on the 15 th of August- I believe that on that day Bailey ' s men had received notice of a reduction in their wages , amounting to 25 per cent ., and that they must turn out unless they would submit to that reduction . They would not agree to the reduction . The men complained that the Baileys had said they should play for a month , and therefore they said it was of no use to try to go to work . I remember meetings held after the 25 th of August . The owners of the chapels opened their doors for them . They oommissera-ted with the working classes , because they were oat of work . The owners of the chapels were not
Chartists . One of them belonged to the Methodist New Connexion . At the meetings of shopkeepers the general rnmonr was that thej complained of the masters having turned out the men . During all tbe meetings I attended , I never saw a single breach of the peace . It is true that Bailey ' s men went in a body to the mill , and asked to be taken into work again , I saw them go . The fact is as well known to me as any other to which I have sworn . Some of the masters would not open , their doors till the month was out , and in the meantime the men were ready to go to work . Mahon was appointed a delegate on the 15 th of August , and by the 25 th the whole question respecting the Charter and wages was settled , and the men went into work again .
By the Attorney-General—I repeat that I saw no breach of the peace committed . There are twenty-five or thirty mills in Ashton . By the Judge—The people came out of the mills , generally , of their own accord . I do not know any instance in which they did not do so . At this stage of tbe proceedings , the Court adjourned for a few * minutes . Mr . Won . Clayton , constable of Hyde , examined by Mr . Hilyard—I was at a meettne ; held at Hyde on the first of August . George Candelet acted as chairman . The assemblage was addressed by several persons . Candelet , John Leach , Robert Wild , and William Moorhouge . A resolution was put to the meeting bf Candelet . It was to the effect that if there was another reduction of wages offered by their masters , would they , one and all , turn out f There was a cry of " Yes , yes . " The Chairman
proposed a show of hands to thai effect , and Candelet afterwards addressed the meeting . He said he hoped the men at Hyde would prove true one to another , and then we will soon have our rights—that will be the Charter and nothing but the Charter . The other speakers then followed in turn , and after announcing that another meeting would take place on the following Sunday morning at Wednesoff Green , at nine o ' clock in the morning ' , the people dispersed . I remember Monday the 8 th of August . ¦ I saw a procession enter the town of Hyde on that day , I should imagine there would be seven or eight hundred . A few of them had sticks . There was a suspension of labour at Hyde for some time . I remember there was a meeting held in the Market-place , Hyde , on the 11 th of August , and on the 17 th , but I can't state any particulars . None of the other Learned Counsel or any of the defendants asked the witness further
questions . Joseph Little cross-examined by M >" . Poliook—I am the Special High Constable for the division of Hyde , in the county of Chester . I remember attending on the 7 th of August , at Wednesoff Green , in the township of Hollingworth . I have a number of notes which I can produce . I made them as soon as I oould when the meetings were over . At & meeting oa the 7 th , about 400 persons trere present George Candelet , one of the defendants , was there . William Moorhouse , not a defendant , acted as chairman . Speeches were made . Moorhonse said : —
*• My friends and fellow workmen ^ -I am appointed chairman to this meeting , and must inform you that we are not met here for a wage question , or for a religious question , —it is for a national question ; but I will not intrude ou your time , as you will be addressed by my brother Chartists from Stalybridge , Ashton , Hyde , and other places , who are more able to address you than I , and thry will explain to yoa that we are met here as Chartists for a national question . I will sit down . " He then called up another man , whom I did not know , and I left the meeting . These were all the notes I took . In the afternoon I was at another meeting
the same day . About 700 or 800 persons were there . Moorhouse was in the chair . Robert Wild , John Leach , and George Candelet were there also . Moorhouse spoke . At ' the close of the afternoon he said , — "You have bef n told of the evils under which we labour , and I am requested also to tell you that to-morrow a meeting will take- place at Stalybridge , at five o ' clock to the morning , when we will proceed from , factory to factory , and all hands that will not willingly conce out , we will turn them out ; and friends ' , when we are oat we will remain out , until the Charter , which is the-only guarantee you have for your wages , becomes the law of the land . I hope to meet yoa all to-morrow mornincr , at Stalvbridire . when we will join hand in hand in
this great national turnout . " Candelet also spoke , but I dont think I have notes of it . John Leach spoke . I entered what he said the same evening . It is my dnty to make a daily report to the magistrates . Leach began by pointing to me . He said , " There is one of the Government wen , one who is like the black coated gentry who attends that place , ( pointing to the church , in Wednesoff Green , ) built for a good purpose , but now filled with thieves and rogues—the cotton fraternity ; but we would all be parsons and * bluebottles' ( police ) , if we were paid the same ai these , by the Government— £ 80 a-year , a nice sum fora man working one day out of the seven , and for looking after ns poor , ' honest , industrious labourers ; but let me tell yon that the
church is an open hell , and filled by the cotton lords , who are a set of thieves and . rogues , and good honest people they will not allow to enter ; but , friends , let us be true one to another , and there is property in this plentiful country , sufficient for us ali , and if you have not the common necessaries of life , take them , and who can withstand against yon ! Noae . The prisons are full , and in the prisons they do not want yon . The police is in no fault . I wish you all to be quiet , you must not damage property or person ; aud above all , keep out of publio houses , and to * morrow thero will be a general earn out , throughout both the counties , Chester and Lancaster , and the Charter will then be obtained . " He then wished them to be true one to another , and they would soon
havethe Charter . I have no more notes of that meeting . Leach said a great deal more , but I did not take it down . By Mr . O'Connor—Did you take down what was said by Candelet ! Witness—I did not , Sir . Examination resumed . —I was at a meeting on Monday , the 8 : h of August , ia the Market-place , at Hyde . John Lea
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THE NORTHEJfeN STAR fi
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 4, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct982/page/5/
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