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L household for the votethan all the pro...
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%uwtvt$f <Mtw$, $c Inquest
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Mcrdbb or as LffAxr by its Nbbse.—On Sun...
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GLASGOW. . Tub Glasgow Chartists, to the...
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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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Gmovtms Wuugtwt.
THEiMbjUftTTY AND CW ^ DEATH " <" ¦ ¦ , ' tTE BUNKHM EMS . At " * iaeefite We ! v held in Aylesbury , for "the «« S ™ fr ^ S jiStlioroushlvdiscussingthe quca-M OtaS ***^ &* 5 a gainst the " barbarous piw *** : ~~ We ire rWt fi ^ , liscass the 9 uestion withariew to hroiuDJastJ ^ hW . m cspedieacy , and the great duty rf repr-ssiriff ' crime : I should be abusing patience and i nsulting common sense-, were I to waste oie moment of jnur ' i i :. enforcing nlia t no man who has once thought of the rudiments of thesv- things will now dispute , what no government that has risen above a state of primitive batbtrity does not ' adopt as an axiom , that with mere vengeance the l » w has nothing to do . Thatthemerephrase ,
« He deserves it , " is beside the whole question of justify ing the punishment . That its sole object , its sole justification , lies in as & r as may be the prevention of crime . Example , then ! ( Hear , hear . ) This is not a question to unich to apply vrild theories , vain conjecture , inconclusive ( peculation . I wish to rest aU I have to say , all , on the practical experience which is common to us all . Upon tills ground I take my stand . In our own experience we faiow the example fails of its object . The example is bad . Ipntittothistest—I ask you whether , in any one instance of a public execution , it calls forth the feelings the law intends—it answers the object the law intends 11 answer in not one , proveably not one . I will show you that it is a moral and natural impossibility that it should effect the object it intends in the case of any one human creature who ever jet . saw an execution , or ever can be
tailed upon to see one . I will prove this , and I beg you to attend to this , for it is one of the main hinges of my argument . The spectators are one of three classes : — 1 . The merely curious . Those who go to it because such a thing'is not , at least now is not , to be seen any week in England . It is a tragedy of a coarse and vulgar mind . Now , gentlemen , mere curiosity to see a man deliberately tilled is not what the law intends . There is another class—these who behold it with deep sympathy for the sufferer . Beep sympathy with the guilty is not what the law intends . A third—savage exultation . Savage exultation is not what the law of any civilised land intends , lynch law feeling is not what the common law of England intends to set up as the guardian influence of public safety . Now what the law does suppose and mean , is a
manifest impossibility : the existence of a fourth state of mind , which never yet did exist , which God never intended should exist in the human mind , because he has so constructed the human mind as to make it absolutely and manifestly impossible : regret that a fellow creatine should have justly subjected himself to the penalty of a violent death , a mournful sense of the suffering we are witnessing ; a deep regret that any human being should so suffer , and jet such a master sense of the justice ofthe lair th & t if I could by raising my hand relieve that suffering and prevent that life being taken away which God gave , I would not doit . . Xowthis is a state of feelings co-cxisttnt in direct antagonism to each other , which it is plain never existed in one hnman breast since the breath of life was breathed into the first man ' s
nostrils , and which clearly never ought to exist , because it is divectly contrary to nature , contrary to the whole organisationofthehum-yimindasGodhasmadeit . Well , then , I bring you to this conclusion , that a public execution never did , never will , cannot , by the constitution of nature , ever answer with the spectators the object thelaw intends . Example ! . Ask those who watch the course of the law in the example it gives . Ask the master if he sends bis servant , ask the parent if he sends his son , ask the guardian if he sends his pupil , to profit by it K he docs , the example is in his opinion good . But if he does not—if he close , the eyes and ears of his whole house against all view , and against aH hearing of the horrid act —why then , in his opinion , the act of the law is such as , instead of example , threatens to spread a moral pestilence through his bouse . ( Cheers . ) So much for example . '
Ask the chaplain of jour gaol , ask that most excellent officer ( the governor ) of your gaol , ask the police , ask the judge upon the bench , ask the Secretary of State , whether the crime to which alone the punishment of death is now practically limited—whether the crime of murder is diminishing nnder" the influence of the gibbet , or increasing . Look at the statistical returns of prosecutions and convictions . At every fire years' end since the punishment of death has been taken away from lesser crimes , and limited practically to murder , at every five years' end ( although there is no longer any reluctance to prosecute for forgery , sheep-stealing , horse-stealing , privately stealing in shops and dwelling-houses , and from the person , as was felt while these crimes were capital ) , the prosecutions for these crimes , and the crimes themselves , have considerably diminished . The one crime to which
practically yon apply the punishment of death , murder , has frightfully increased—is frightfully and daily increasing . Do yon saj this is because juries hare often a reluctance to act np to their oaths , and hare of late often acquitted in the clearest cases of guilt ? Bo yon say this ? Then yon admit yourselves out of court You show that public opinion is against the law ( loud cheering ); and , where law and public opinion arc opposed , the law must give way . Juries are empanneued to try the prisoner ; they acquit tlie prisoner wherever they can find a shadow , nowevtv faint , of excuse for such a verdict , and they find against the law . The law is found guilty by trial l » j jury . Ton show that , in such cases , jurymen are placed in the alternative between tampering with their oaths , or inflicting a punishment they iold in horror , and that they act as thinking ( mind I
do not justify , I only state the fact ) that there is one crime worse than perjury , and that is the giving effect to the law . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) Why , then , I repeat you ' oniy show that law and public opinion are in conflict and tlie law must give way . I desire not to be so totally misapprehended in what I say as to be supposed for one moment to speak disrespectfully of thejury who do their duty on their oaths , or of the judge , who , whatever be his own opinions as to the justice ofthe penalty , is bound by the most solemn of all duties to direct the jury aright according to his view of the evidence , whatever be the result and to carry out with firmness and impartiality the provisions of the law whose minister he is . I reverence much too sincerely the great principle of trial by jury , which , 1 believe , the best conceived and best administered that any country ever saw for the protection of human
rights , human safety , and , the greatest of aH things , human liberty . I reverence much too sincerely the character of our judges , who , I firmly believe , administer the law nish a purity and impartiality , according to the law , unparalleled in any other nation . But of the law I may speak nith freedom . I may call the law , that I believe it to be a- » unwise , a wanton , an unrighteous , and a hateful law . ( Hear , hear . ) About a month ago , a human creature stood in that dock , righteously , I think , convicted on strong evidence of murder , as black , as deliberate , as cruel as ihe . human mind can contemplate . From that dock he was sent by the award of a public tribunalsent for example's sake , to be publicly deprived , on that scaffold , of the life God gave him . For example ' s sake ! "What was the example % The space below was crowded with the curious . Not a sound was heard . The feeling
was deep horror of the spectacle and of the suffering . What was the result ! How did that very evening close ? Before the sun which had shone on that dreadful spectacle had set the public-houses were echoing with sounds of revelry ; The streets were thronged , with what ? Drunken quarrels and ruffianly fights ! A publican on the Newroad , who had opened his house to a throng of those who had come from a distance to witness the law ' s example , was robbed of bis watch and money by some of the pupils -who had come recent from this moral lesson of a public execution . So much for the example ! O , how rightly did parents , guardians , masters , act who kept their children , their servants , aloof from the contagion of that whole day ! lTow wisely did the masters of families act who blocked their windows from the sight the law had prepared for public exhibition . ' Where was the example ?
If taken well , then those who took it wanted no example ; if ill , then the example confirmed old ruffianism , and excited new . ( Hear . ) Am I singular in this opinion Ask those whose unhappy duty it is to attend ; and they will tell you . They will tell yon , whose habit it is , from a sense of decency , if possible , to anticipate the hour of execution , and thus deprive the public of the spectacle , and defeat the law of its publicity . ( Great cheer ing . ) Hen ! men ! I appeal to every feeling of manhood within yon . You are husbands—jon are fathers—yon are brothers . There are hearts beating purely , tenderly , warmly , with every feeling of wives , of mothers , of sisters , Of daughters . ¦ Not a week ago , not three weeks after that execution , many of them—do 1 blame them!—0 , 6 od bless them , no!—innocently , joyously , they joined in the happy amusement which so well befits their happy
youth . But where 1 Almost under the threshold of that scaffold , which not three weeks before , was prepared by the hands of man to be—I will not proceed . ( Loud and general cheering . ) But allow me on another part of this subject . On that scaffold stood two men . The one a murderer—the other the executioner of the law . I ssk you , which of these two , the murderer and the hangman , which , with the spectators , was the object Of sympathy , and which of disgust and repulsion ? Why , while the just and venerable judge in his ermine is an object and justly , of reverence and honour—why is he who carries out the sentence of the judge to be " a man for-Jrid , " nuder a social ban , the object of repulsion and disgust ? Why , because public opinion , because the natural feelings of man , are against the law . Because the law itself shrinks , .
conscience-strickenshame-strickenbe-, , fore the fulfilment of its own ordinances . ( Hear ,, hear , hear . ) I know no of clearer rule of moral conduct than fliis—never command what you would be ashamed to do . ILond cheers . ) Apply this to the law . I heard the other day of a person—God forbid I should mention his name , God fa bid 1 should mention his calling—I mention the fict only to show the hrutalising effects of laws like these OH , the mode of thinking , feenng , and conversing , even among men of education . A gentlemen , one whose Station and caumg ^ n ^ ht have bespoken something fer < fifierenrin taste and feeling , observed on a late conviction , " What ! not hang hfmj a vile and infamous mnraerer ? -I can only speak my own feeBnes =-iI would
WDingly have tied the knot myself ! " Gentlemen , I wflj Hngly repress' -evay ' ieeling of mdignation and horror . Such a speech , " erre * neither .: It is bat the speech of BHna . that . haa . lost ite adtaommana , drunk with'the » Qwraring . excUement of the evttJoctrines of a bar-¦ «> U 5 la . w ,... I wqujdmereh / answer , « Indeed , good sir 1 Tartes mayjipM ,, disputed . . But it is onlya pity you ^ . "S ^ Z ^ ^" ^ " ( Cbeers . ) AHgovern-S ^ % \<* $ ^> . <* t ^< npoa compact ex . S ™ can give to another what he is not himself master of . SmT YoS ^ r ^ ** ™ "Sffca * . *«««««* giveto another , jon . cannotgive to
Gmovtms Wuugtwt.
sociery , power over your life . It is not yours to give . It is an unrighteous compact . It is a compact to give what is not yours . The compact is void . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) Again , I have no right to deliberately kill a murderer . If I see a man going to commit a murder , which I cannot in any other way prevent , I slay him , without hesitation . Plainly , because I sacrifice , a guilty life , if in no other way I can save an innocent one . But the murder once done , have la right to take that murderer ' s life wherever I meet him—in his bei , at his hoard , inhis pathl Undoubtedly not It would be murder . The character of the act is not altered by the complication of agency . I cannot rightfully delegate to the hands of many what it would be wrongful to do by my own . ( Hear , hear . ) Again : An irremediable punishment is irreconcilable with fallibility of judgment The prerogative of
vengeance belongs to the Almighty—why ! Because bis judgments are incapable of error . We can form ours only by the best attainable evidence . It is fallible . We have no right to inflict a punishment which , if we shall hereafter find ive have been in error , can be neither revoked , nor repaired , nor compensated . My lamented friend , Sir James Macintosh , moved , many years ago , for a return , which showed , for a long time back , during different cycles of years when capital punishments were very frequent in England , that the average had for many years been at the rate of one person executed every three years , whose innocence had been afterwards satisfactorily and publicly established . One every three years , on an average , in this well educated country , in this moral country , in this free country , this country of popular tribunals and incorruptible judges—once every three years ,
a deliberate , cruel , anpalliable murder , committed by your tribunals publicly before your people . ( Hear , hear . ) Do you wish for an acknowledgment on the part of all society , on the part of the ministers of public justice , of their disconfidence in ¦ their own judgment ! 1 give it The prurient curiosity , the unappeasable thirst for the confession of a condemned culprit If sou . distrust yonr verdict , why did you pronounce an irreparable punishment ? If you trust it why can you not he tranquil till your victim has assured you that you are right ! Why this prying into the gloom of the condemned cell ? Why this treasuring up of the gleanings of the scaffold , to be winnowed at leisure by either a wanton cariosity , or a conscience ill at ease with the remembrance of what it has done ? ( Hear , hear . ) Hence the last hours ofthe dying man disturbed .
Hence the impertinence of obtrusive advice . Hence the persecution of even his spiritual adviser , who is pat to the question to disclose what he is bound by the clearest ties of honour , by the distinct injunctions of his religion , by the duties of his office , never to betray—what has been revealed in confidence to him by one whom he was preparing to meet his God . ( Hear , hear . ) He is to be appealed against before the Secretary of State : but fortunately the Secretary of State , more wise and more just , does give the applicants this lesson at least in their duty ; he declines any reply . ( Loud cheers . ) So much for your confidence iu the justice of your own irreversible sentence , that a fellow-creature has been hurried by a human tribunal before the judgment seat of the living God . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) We are accused of being theorists , and upon the strength of an untried theory seeking to
repeal what has invariably received the sanction ofthe wisdom of all who have gone before us . Untried theoriesand the wisdom of our ancestors ! Our ancestors had a theory which they did try for many generations . They applied the theory of the gibbet to forgery . They applied it to horse and sheep stealing . They applied it to stealing in shops , dwelling-houses , and from the person . They applied it to cutting down fruit trees with malice , to consorting for twelve months with persons called gipsies , and to cultivating the tobacco plant in England , because it interfered with the produce of ^ ur colony of Yirginia . But I appeal to you , our opponents now . You remember when the repeal of the death punishment for horse-steal ing , sheep-stealing , and forgery , was resisted , aye , and by good men too , with just as much pertinacity as the gibbet is now retained for murder . I ask you , is there one of
you , who clung to the punishment of death for forgery , who would restore it now % —who does not look back upon it with horror and with wonder f I ask you , and lay your hands on your heart , were you not as much in earnest then as now ! And is it not possible that when this barbarous , this wanton , this utterly inoperative law of death shall be totally repealed , is it not possible that you may look back upon it twenty years after it shaU . be repealed , as you now look hack on what was the last twenty years ago , with equal horror and wonder ? At least do not call us the theorists . We told you . the death punishment of forgery was unjustifiable , was inoperative , was what you would one day look back upon with astonishment . The time is come . We were right We stand now with experience at our back . Yonr theory was wrong . You were the theorists , you admit . You were wrong in your theory .
You were the self-confessed sciolists . ( Loud and long cheering . ) Distrust your judgment on the like subject now . But we are told to see how frequent is the crime of murder now ! "It is increasing ! Would you try your experiments now ? See the disease is increasing under my remedies . 01 do not call on me to alter my treatment now . See the birds of prey are flocking round my scarecrow . They are perching npon it Donotcallon one now to destroy this venerable monument of the wisdom of our ancestors . " ( Laughter and cheers . ) Gentlemen , I have done , I have detained you too long . I feel it ; but I could not be content without expressing my opinions , and giving my reasons fer them in full . I will conclude with a few words of prediction only . , A deadly race is now running between atrocious crime and unjustifiable law . The example is inoperative except for evit
The memory of the punishment perishes with the wretch who is the object of it I call upon you to adopt one which shall he lasting , exemplary , will meet the feelings of all mankind , and by which just retribution shall be kept alive in the minds of all . I beg a reply . I conclude with this prediction , I beg you to do me the honour to keep it in mind . Juries are becoming daily more reluctant to convict . The law will soon utterly fail . It nil ] soon be repealed . Mark my words . The gibbet has not fifteen years' life in it If in 1860 , fifteen years hence , there shall be a death punishment existing , if we shall still he in this world together , reproach me with being the falsest prophet , the veriest fool , that ever presumed to talk of the advancing spirit of the times . Meanwhile , unless I can be shown to be wrong in every argument I have laid before you , he , as wise men should ever be , a little in advance of the times you live in , aud join your efforts to urge the repeal of this inoperative , this
demoralising , this unjust this barbarous , this hateful law . Petition both Houses of Parliament , address the throne . Address your Queen , as a good and gracious Queen , as a wife , as a mother , as a woman : for these are points on which the heart teaches wisdom , and whereof the wisdom of women , it is little to say that it is as much to be confided in as that of men . ( Hear , hear . ) Set your hands to this great work . It will be achieved before many years shall have passed . And whether we live or not to witness its achievement if we hut take our share in it now , you , and I , and all of us now in this hall , will not have lived in vain . ( Loud and protracted cheering . ) I move yon , Mr . Chairman , " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the punishment of death bylaw is totally ineffectual in its object as to the prevention or diminution of crime ; that it is of bad public example ; and ought to be totally abolished . " The resolution was unanimously carried .
L Household For The Votethan All The Pro...
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Mcrdbb Or As Lffaxr By Its Nbbse.—On Sun...
Mcrdbb or as LffAxr by its Nbbse . —On Sunday morning , about ten o ' clock , a frightful murder was committed at the residence of Mr . John Drake Ffinch , of South-street , Greenwich , solicitor . The facts of the case are as follows : —Martha Bricksey , aged eighteen years , theunder nurserymaid in Mr . Punch's family , went into the kitchen shortly before ten o ' clock , and asked the cook for a knife , and said she wanted to cat a pencil for Mary , who was np stairs in tlie nursery . The cook gave her an ivory-nandled knife , but remarked that a smaller one would do better for the purpose . She said no , that would do , as she could use it for cutting the bread and butter at tea in the afternoon , and immediately proceeded upstairs . In a few minutes afterwards she came
down stairs again , and , opening the parlour-door , told her master and mistress that she had killed the baby . Mrs . Ffinch , in a state of indescribable astonisment , asked what the wretched girl said ; and was in the act of rushing np stairs to the nursery , but was stayed by her husband and Mr . Traill , the Union Ilall police magistrate , who was paying the family a morning visit . The girl again said that she had killed the infant , and hoped that" God would forgive her . " On Mr . Ffinch and some of his family going upstairs , his infant son , aged ten months , was discovered lying on the bed , with his head severed from his body , in a pool of blood . On this fact being made known the whole ofthe family became horror-struck Mr . Ffinch immediately sent for a police-constable ,
and James Quin , R 164 , conveyed themurderer to the station-house in the Blackheath-road . The name of the deceased is Robert Barry Ffinch , aged 4 ten months , the youngest of seven children . The wretched girl , Bricksey , has been three years and a half in the family of Mr . Ffinch , as under nurserymaid , has been much respected b y her master and mistress , and beloved by the children . She had , however , recently intimated to her mistress that she was not quite satisfied , and wished to leave . Mrs . Ffinch said if so , she had better go home to her parents . She subsequently begged Mrs . Ffinch to retain her services , saying she was sure she could not meet with a kinder or better mistress . Some slight acts of irregularih- and folly had very lately been observed , but nothing which led to a supposition that her mind was affected . Dr . Caleb Taylor , of
Deptford , and Mr . Edward Downing , the police-surgeon , attended the prisoner in the police cell , and remained with , her nearly two hours on Sunday , during which she was overpowered with frequent fits of grief , arid as often caflir ifr , aloud to God for forgiveness , and declaring that she had no dislike or ill-feeling towards either the infant or its parents . It was done entirely through a momentary impulse , for which she could not in the remotest degree ) account . Thk iKftBKSi . —On Monday a jury was impanelled before Mr . C . J . Carttar , the coroner , to investigate the cironihgtances attending the death of Robert Barry Ffinch , / the infant sou of Mr . John . Drake Ffmch . ' who . was found dead with his head nearly separated , fromibis '' ' body on Sunday morning . The jury having been sworn , the coroner stated to them all the circumstances which , had come to his know-
Mcrdbb Or As Lffaxr By Its Nbbse.—On Sun...
ledge , and then . proceeded toyiewthebody . Martha Bricksey . the girl who stands' . charged vv-itli the murder of the . deceased , was then brought into the room in custod y ofthe police , accompanied by her mother and ithe female ikeeper . who had , been appointed to attend her in the police cell . The first witness called was Sarah May , . upper nurse in the family of deceased ' s father . She deposed that she had beeri ' twb year ? in Mr . Ffineh' s family . The . deceased wasnine months old . The prisoner , Martha Bricksey , was under-nurse . Witness saw the infant last alive at a quarter , before ten o ' clock on Sunday morning . She put him into his cot , and left him sleeping at that time . The prisoner was in the next room . Five minutes before she left the nursery the prisoner said , "Do you think Mrs . Ffinch will forgive me ? Will
she . let me stop ? " Witness replied , "No . " Mrs , Ffinch had candidly told her she would not . She then advised the prisoner to he quiet , as it would be much better for her . She had been worrying her mistress on Saturday , begging her to forgive her , and let her remain . Mrs . Ffinch hadsaid "No , " positively . Shehad seen a person that would suit , and could retain her services no longer . To all this the prisoner made no answer . On Sunday morning the prisoner said , she wondered if Mrs . Ffinch had seen the new ; maid . Witness remarked that she would call on Monday . This conversation took place while making the beds . Witness then left the room , and went down to the kitchen , taking one of the younger children with her . She there left the children with the cook and housemaid and went into the back
y ard , and while there she heard loud screams . She immediately ran into the house and went up into the nursery , whence the cries came . All the children were crying very much , and Mrs . Ffinch was in a frantic state . Mr . Ffinch was preventing the prisoner from going upstairs . The cook ha < f gone upstairs . Mr . Traill and Mrs . Ffinch were below in the hall . Witness found the child lying on its back , and the head nearly off . She had left it lying asleep on its side . Oh looking round she saw an ivoryhandled table-knife covered with blood . The children were at this time all below , crying in the hall ' About seven minutes elapsed during all this . The prisoner had always behaved very well towards the children . The prisoner had behaved very oddly about a mourning-gown which her mistress had given
her , andshewasgoingtoleaveparttybh thatacoount . About three weeks ' ago she complained much about the ^ dress not fitting ner . She subsequently cut the body from the skirt in the nursery and burnt it . Witness told her she ought to be ashamed of herself , and that she would tell Mrs . Ffinch oh her return home . The prisoner was , in a great passion when she burnt the body of her dress , but became quiet ' afterwards , and seemed satisfied with what , she had done . Witness repeatedly advised . her hot to burn it , as ' . it fitted her . She was most determined , and said slie wished the dress-maker had bcen ' at ihe devil before she , had made the gown ; she further said she ' . wished to leave and get anbuseroaid ' splace . Mr . and Mrs . Ffinch were exceedingly kind to'her and to all the servants : thinks it wasi mere pride , as the dress
fitted well . All the seryahts . had , mourning ; alike ; prisoner bought a new body for 8 s . ' , at idhad it made up . She still didnot like it , and took it . to a . pawnbroker ' s . She told her mistress that she had sold it , but could get it again * She was ordered ; to fetch it , and did so , when her mistress told her if shewould conduct herself properly , she would . forgive , her , but if anything moreaboutthedress occurred , skemustgo . She was sent out with the children on Friday and kept themwithouttheirdinner . Mrs . Ffinch , on herreturn , remonstrated with her , and told her she should write to her mother to fetch her away , and did so . Prisoner told Mrs . Ffinch that she wished to seeder master to induce him to retain her , and mistress replied that her mind was made ' up , and that master would not interfere in her domestic arrangements . The
prisoner had appeared unhappy during the last three weeks , and had taken medicine twice a day for three weeks or a month ; complained ; of her head at times , but had been better since . taking the . medi cine . She was always treated with ¦ ' . the greatest kindness . Mrs . Ffinch told her that she would give her a character , and that she was at liberty to come and see the children and the servants as often as she pleased . —Mr . ; James . Traill , of Lewisham , police magistrate , deposed , that he called at Mr . Ffineh's house at a quarter before ten o'clock on Sunday mojrning , and went into the drawing-rbom . He ' was let in b y the housemaid ! Mr . and Mrs . Ffinch came to him in a minute or so afterwards , and they conversed together from five to ten minutes , when the door opened , and the prisoner entered ; she presented
an . unusual and distracted appearance , and .. immediately exclaimed , "What have Idone . ! What have I done ! " many times over ; and againj "What will become of me ? What will become of me j I ; arii a murderer . I have killed the baby , " ., Mr . . Ffinch demanded to know what had happened ! to the child , and rushed from the room , yitaestf * impression was , at the moment , that some dreadful accident had happened , and that the child had been dropped out of window . He then followed Mr , Ffinch up to the nursery , and saw Mr . Ffinch coming ,, down ... Mr . Ffinch returned , and drew his . attention to thf chUd ^ s cot , where the deceased lay with , his . head severed nearly from . his body . On leaving the room he . met the prisoner ,, and ordered her downagaih ; .. He then went into the drawing-room to Mrs . Ffinchi . '
Witness next saw the prisoner in Mr . . Ffineh's dressingroom , apparently , in great distress , saying , " What will become of me ? What will become of , , me ?" Witness said , "You are . a poor miserable wretch , " and she said , "Will God pardon me ?" . He held her hands , and got the servants to assist until he could procure a police-constable , and prevent further violence . The whole family had at this time assembled in a most distressed state of mind . The prisoner again addressed deceased ' s parents , and implored their forgiveness . —Elizabeth Middlewieh , housemaid , said she saw the upper-nurse washing the deceased at a quarter past nine o ' clock on Sunday morning . Witness went down stairs , and the nurse followed at ten o'clock with the youngest ' child but one , and left it in the kitchen with the other in care of the
cook . The nurse then went into the yard . Mr . and Mrs . Ffinch and Mr . Traill were in the parlour at twenty minutes to ten o ' clock . The prisoner came into the kitchen shortly after the nurse , and went into the pantry . Witness followed , and asked her what she wanted . She took a table-knife out ofthe box , and said she was going upstairs with it to cut a pencil for Miss Mary . Witness said , " You had better take a desert-knife , " and she did so , saying that the larger one would do to cut the children ' s bread and butter in the afternoon . She felt the edge of the large knife to see if it was sharp . Prisoner stood a minute in the passage looking at the child standing by the cook , and then went upstairs . In three minutes after she heard aloud screaming , as if from the passage . She ran up , and met Mr . Ffinch
coming down' ; and'the prisoner said , " Good God , I have cut the dear baby ' s throat . " She ( witness ) went into the room ana saw the deceased , and the bloody knife lying on the floor . The prisoner said she was miserable about being discharged . —Sergeant G . Goode , 2 R , deposed , that he was sent for by Mr . Ffinch , and produced the knife with which the murder was committed . He saw the prisoner at the station , who said— " Oh , Mr . Goode , I hope God will forgive me . " He received the knife from the hands of Dr . Sutton . —A note was here handed to the coroner , written by the prisoner , and left by a policeman at the house of Mr . Ffinch on Sunday morning . It ran thus : — "Dear May—Pray send a gown , & c , and prayto God for the wickedness I have done . I do pray sincerely . Martha Bkicksev . "—Mr .
'Sutton , M . p ., deposed that he was called in vmmediateiy after the melancholy eventj and found the child's head had nearly been separated from , the body ; great force must have . been usedindoingit , and deathmust have been instantaneous . —Eliz . Garratt , monthly nurse , deposed , that she was engaged by the police to watch theprisbner in her cell . The note produced was written , by the prisoner in her presence ! She called for peri , ink , and paper , and said she was going to write to the nurse for something she wanted . Witness did not suggest the propriety of her doingso , or otherwise . The Coroner inquired ' of the p risoner if she wished to ask the witnesses any questions , to which she replied in tho negative . He then asked her if she had heard all that had been said ; and ,
after cautioning her , desired to know if she had anything to say as to the melancholy affair . ' The prisoner replied that she'had nothing to say , but hoped he would plead all he could in herbehalf . This being the whole of the evidence , the Coroner summed np , remarking that there could not be the slightest doubt as to the cause of death ; and as regarded the sanity or insanity of the prisoner at the time of the commission of the dreadful act , that must be the subject of inquiry by a higher tribunal . The Jury then consulted together about five minutes , and returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder against Martha Bricksey . " The Coroner then handed over his warrant of commital to Sergeant Goode , 2 R , who conveyed the prisoner in a carriage to Newgate for trial .
C&Arttet Itmimm
C & arttet ItMimm
Glasgow. . Tub Glasgow Chartists, To The...
GLASGOW . . Tub Glasgow Chartists , to the Chartists or Scotland . —Brethren , —We address you at this time , but not on the great principles for which we contend : for on those vre conceive you are resolved ' - conscious yhat they are the embodiment of the' glorious and moral' principle of "Do unto others as ' -we would they should do unto us , " and can alone form the' basis of a political system , the effects' 6 'f which will be . cbinfort an & . happiness ttfJa ) l , ' rendering ^ W ' mtelUgence of the oeome'the sebufitv of the State , antf rh « intoivst
ofthe le ' gislature ^ he welfarepf . thepeppie . ' ' Thatth'iS teaching of our principles lias done much ? for } the en-Bghtenmcnt ottne ' age , ^ tion of the ' . toiling masses forah miirovedniental , moral , physical , and aoiiiar . statei . ^ e ? think ; ' vtiirbe ' admitted by every nnprejudice ^ bMerv ^ r of . men arid things : arid . we ^ ssure youthat > e s hail with ' pleasure ' the general movement of the'T ^ ades of England arid Scotland , as convincing ; proofs of tHe ability ' '' of the working classes to legislate for themselves , who , although labouring under the vitiated influence of
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aristocratic laws and money power , with'their almost countless train of wrongs , yet show that the influence 0 f great principles , is ' . Sufficient - to' effect a great , change .. ' TheirpraeticabilUyis jrbvedbytheir constant application to every sectional movement : convincing evidence'that the time has at length arrived when every man possessing an attachment to the princip les ofthe people ' s Charter , should exercise every legitimate means in his power , consistent with the principles he advocates ^ to give a practical effect to his professions by cO-operating with his' brethren . At present Scotland does not possess either local or national organisation commensurate with her intelligence and attachment to democratic princip lBs . We believe that local power must concentrate itself into national organisation , as sure as the free and
unimpeded circulation ofthe blood in each vein and limb ofthe human body is reflected in the free and muscular power of the united and energetic construction of the whole man ; and had wc possessed extensive local power , it would , long ere this , have resolved itself into national action ; and wc , at this , moment , instead of appealing to you to concentrate the scattered fragments of democracy , would have had to address vou in the happier tones of congratulation . Scotland would have assumed her proud and honourable position , of the leader of the patriots of all lands , and with honest pride would have pointed to her shares , and exclaimed to their brethren in bondage , " Go ye' and do likewise ' . " Actuated b y no motive more noble than justice to all , and no interest less selfish than your political emancipation in common
with bur own , as a branch of the National Charter Association ; we have resolved to employ a'lecturei , on oar own responsibility arid at bur own expense , receiving from any individual or locality such contributions as he or they please to give towards defraying the necessary expenses : the said lecturer to be provided with cards of membership for the National Charter Association , empowered to form new localities , to lecture on the p rinciples of the People ' s Charter , or any other subject connected with the movement , also leaving him free to lecture to the Trades , or any other body , apart from political agitation : he being alone responsible to us for his ' conduct . All monies designed for his support may be remitted to our treasurer , arid application for his services sent to our secretary . Men of Scotland ! We have laid
before you our object , and our plan for its | execution . We have engaged as our lecturer Mr . Samuel Kydd , a gentleman well known to us ' all , and in whose talent asa lecturer ^ and honesty as a man , we have the utmost confidence . We have resolved to strain our every nerve for the spread of purely democratic principlesandtliegeneralimprovementofall . Hoping that ho party feeling or narrow jealousy will lessen the sphere of pur action or mar our success ; conscious tnatyou have again arid again , in assembled thousands , avowed your attacluhent to the principles for which we contend ; that your interest is our interest—your success Jpur success , we . leave the matter in your hands , and confidently . anticipate your co-operation arid support . —Signed , on behalf of the Council ef the Glasgow Branch of the National Charter Association , Isaac Vincent , Chairman j James Smith , 'Secretary ;
NATIONAL VICTIM AND DEFENCE FUND COM
MITTBE BALANCE' SHEEI . ' 1844 . £ s . d . May 29 Total Income from September 17 , 1843 , to May 29 , 1844 .. .. .. 68 7 11 £ Expenditure .. ,. 67 17 4 Balance in hand May 29 , 1844 .. .. 0 10 7 June 2 ThomasMarsden , Manchester .. .. 010 July 3 Per Mr .- William Hamor , Oldham ( quota ) ,. .. .. .. .. 077 14 Carpenters' Hall collection for the fund .. 0 2 8 21 ditto 'ditto 0 3 0 28 ditto ditto 0 4 0 Aug . 14 Christopher Doyle ' . .. 006 14 A friend , per Mr . Naylor , for Jenkin Morgan : .. .. 0 1 0
14 Per Mr .-. WiUiam Hamer , Oldham ( quota ) .- . .. .. 077 14 Mr . Thomas Edwards and a few friends ' at Somers Town for Morgan 0 14 3 7 Carpenters Hall collection for fund .. 0 3 1 7 Prom general treasurer , Feargus O'Connor , Esq 10 0 0 18 Carpenters'Hall collection for fund .. 0 5 1 25 Joseph Barrett , Manchester ,. .. 003 25- Carpenters' Hall collection for fund .. 0 110 Sept . 1 ditto ditto .. .. ' .-. ' .. 007 1 Christopher Doyle .. .. .. .. 0 0 6 8 Carpenters Hall collection for fund .. 0 2 0 8 Mr . James Gray 0 0 6 15 Carpenters Hall collection for fund .. 0 15 15 Second remittance from Somers Town locality , for Morgan - .. .. .. 040
15 Per Mr . Chippendale , of Halifax , for general fund . ., .. .. .. 0 18 0 15 Per Mr .. Ardill , of Leeds , for J « nkin Morgan 0 5 0 29 Carpenters' Hall collection for general fund .. .. 6 2 7 Oct . 6 ditto ditto 0 11 13 ditto . ditto 0 17 20 ditto ' ditto 0 2 8 fc Nov . 10 ditto ditto 0 8 3 17 ditto ditto 0 3 4 } 17 A friend ; Manchester ., .. ., 002 17 Anne Lee , Manchester 0 10 17 Bridport , Dorset , for Jenkin Morgan .. 1 10 0 11 Choir of Carpenters' Hall , Manchester per Mr . Wrigley .. .. .. .. 0 15 0 24 Carpenters' Hall collection for general fund' . 049
1845 . Feb . 9 ditto ditto 0 6 3 : a 10 Received from O'Connor and the Star office , per O'Connor , for Morgan .. 621 10 From general treasurer , F . O'Connor , Esq . .. .. 5 0 0 Marchl 2 Carpenters' Hall collection forgenoral fund 0 6 7 Received from T . M . Wheeler , Mr . Clear ' s subscription for Morgan .. 050 Income .. .. 30 4 10 Expenditure .. 27 0 3 Balance in sub-treasurer ' s hands .. 347
Ejcpenuituve . £ s . d . July 7 Joseph Linney , Bilston , Staffordshire 0 10 6 23 Mrs . Cunliff , Staffordshire , to convey her to Brighton .. .. .. .. 200 23 Thomas Arden , of Royton , to assist him in a small business .. ,. 1 10 0 25 Joseph Linney , of Bilston , Staffordshire .. . ; .. ., 050 August 1 Thomas Cooper , in Stafford Gaol .. 100 14 William . Williams , of Oldham , to support him home .. .. .. 100 28 Secretary , for postage and moneyorders .. ' .. .. .. .. .. 048 Sept . 4 James Williams , of Preston .. ¦ .. 0 15 0 11 John Richards , alius Daddy Richards , of Staffordshire .. ., .. .. 110 0
11 Mrs . Murray , for cleaning room , fire , and candles , twelve . weeks .. .. 040 Nov . 17 Advanced Jenkin Morgan .. .. 100 20 John Wright , of Stockport , late of Knntsford Prison ,. . ' .. .. 100 Marchl 2 John Weal , of Bhelton , Staffordshire , very ill health . :., .. .. : ,. 1 0 0 12 John Richards , alias Daddy Richards , to convey him to his settlement—in plain , terms , ' theibastile .. .. 1 10 0 12 Jenkin'Morgan . Tredegar Ironworks , Moriinouthshire .. ,. ' .. .. 13 1 4 12 Mrs . Murray , for cleaning room , fire , and . candles , from September 11 , 1844 , to . Februaryl 3 , 1845 .. .. 060 16 Secretary , for postage , money-orders , and papers 0 4 2
27 0 3 Income from Sept . 17 , 1843 , to March 16 , 1845 98 4 S | Expenditure 94 17 7 J Balance .. „ „ ., 371
LONDON . Important Public Meeting . —A highly respectable public meeting was holden on Monday evening , May 5 th , in the South London Chartist Hall , 115 , Blackfriars-road : _ Mr . R . Candy was unanimously called to the chair , and briefly opened the proceedings . He concluded by calling on Mr . Law , the delegate to the late Convention , to give in his report of the proceedings of that body . —Mr . Law then dehverea a clear account of the proceedings and measures of the late Convention . During tho delivery of the report the speaker was much applauded . —Mr . Gathard moved the following resolution— " That this meeting having heard from their delegate a report of the proceedings of tho late Chartist Annual Convention , dohienly approve of the same , and nledse
themselves , to use their exertions to cause the measures ofthe Convention to be carried into immediate operatiori , more especially the iheasures for the appointment of election committees and practical operations upon the land ; and that we hereby tender a vote of thanks to our delegate for his services on the occasion . " Mr . May seconded the resolution . — Mr . F . O'Connor rose to support the resolution . He said , it afforded him much pleasure to find that they were satisfied with the conduct of their delegate , and with the measures of the Convention ; and he had no doubt that those measures would afford the country in general equal satisfaction . Chartism was the only im that could keep its footing amid the raging fever of speculation that now prevailed —( hear , hear)—thus proving itself as dear to the people as ever .. He was no prophet ; but he would nevertheless predict that so soon as the present transient fit of p rosperity had passed over , ' thenChartism would be in the ascendant . It would-be the only thing left ' to fallback
upon . Then would the' delegates of the Convention of 1845 be thanked for furnishing , the people with something practical to work npon ; ¦ ( Loud cheers . ) He was glad to fihdthat the two principal measures pf ' the Conver ition-i-Registratidn , and . allocation on the' Land—met with so much favour , from the public . ( Cheers . )' , No one knew better than himself the importance' of having ' members' inthe House oi Commons' to speak ' their'sentiniehts . For instance , the press would wp 6 ft ! allfiagauisti fche-people ,. every bit of slander ever uttered : ' but their' Executive ; or any other of their advocates , might speakj no matter , how trulyi' and Hot a , single line' would appear " > If } howeve ^ - the y'had ' only ^ ''few'ineB'in : the honse who really , represented ttfeni , this sentiments' they , gave utterance £ to would be carried ¦ on ' -th ' ewings of 4 he press to the four'cornersi'of ¦ the earthi and the ChartWts would at' orice'become a > great ; and influential party . ( Loud cheers . ) 1 * Birmingham , Manchester , and other large towns , there were more Chartist
Glasgow. . Tub Glasgow Chartists, To The...
householders , qualified for the vote , than all the prcsentj electors put together : ( Hear , hear . ) And if these men , so favourably placed for the obtainment of their just rights , would not take the suffrage tho law placed within their reach , why then they deserved the richest "licking "they could get . ( Great cheering , ) All power , was not invested in a majority of the ' House of Commons , for a well organised and trusty riiinority could work wonders . At the present time , the working majority of the Tories did not exceed some thirty or forty ; and such a minority as he had spoken of could , by their combined and conjoint exertions , easDy be obtained . Suppose that the borough of Bradford contains 300 Whig voters and 336 Tory voters , and the Chartists have only forty voters i li . i . u- " ... i ! c .. i . i ' ... ii . i « ± 1 -. ii . tkn n « A-
—it is quite obvious that the balance of power would be in tlie hands of tlie Chartists . ( Loud cheers . ) Whilst he was mem ber for the county of Cork ; his constituents as / ced him what could they , the Radical party , do , seeing that they were in number only 43 ? He answered , " anything , if they would but act as one man . " Forty-twowouldalwaysbetheaveragebalance of power . Thus , when Mr . Wilberforce was a member , ' if the minister of the day offended him he would take up his hat and walk out with " good morning ; remember we are thirteen . " " What ' s that you say ?" " # e are thirteen , and if one of my friends docs not obtain a place we shall vote against you ! " Thus did Mr . Wilberforce carry his object with thirteen only ; and Mr . Duncombe has shewn what even one man
can effect in that house ; and he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had the gratification of telling them that Mr . Duncombe had consented to becoine president of their Central Registration arid Election Committee . ( Loud cheers . ) With regard to the land , he had written in favour of the project as early as 1831 ; therefore with him it was no new subject . But then people said he was mad . Now he had the pleasure to find that all minds and all pens were ' engaged on the subject . ( Hear , hear . ) The laud gave the franchise . But some asked what do the people knowabout the land ? Not much : the more is the pity . With the land looked up , he would not give a farthing for the Charter tomorrow . Under present circumstances a man might have £ 310 s . a-week for his wages , and another would
come and say , I will do the same work for £ 2 10 s ., arid this man would get the work . But let working men have the land , and then , instead of under-working , his neighbour , each ' would ask £ 4 per week for his labour , instead of being willing to take the lesser price of £ 2 10 s . ( Cheers ' . ) It was not at all likely that the great' capitalists , who were just now busily speculating with their funds in all parts of the world , would aid and assist them in getting the land ; neither did : he anticipate that the landed aristocracy would be a bit more generous . The working men must combine , and by that combination they could raise £ 5 , 000 , and buy land as a corporate body , and then they might re-sell it in small lots of £ 5 worth if they liked , and at thesame time have the advantage of
the wholesale inarket , by which means they might be enabled to rent two acres of land with a cottage thereon for £ 5 per annum . Mr . O'Connor hero illustrated his arguments by reference to the successful practice of Mr . Biggs , of Sheffield , and Mr . Linton , of Selby . He looked on the land as the working man ' s saving bank : - The Chartist plan would grant leases for ever ; "but oh . ' " exclaim some , " thelandis the property of the people ! " He admitted the rich had no more title to the land than the poor . ( Loud cheers . ) But Mrs . Glass , in her famous instructions on cookery said , "first catch your hare and then proceed to cook it" ( loud laughter ); and he said , "first
get the land , and then you may be enabled to keep it . " ( Much cheering . ) He had been twelve years labouring with and for them , and was still asableand as willing to obey their call as ever . ( Much cheering . ) He had been called vain and . ambitious . He was vain of doing good , and ambitious of serving them . ( Cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor concluded by paying a high compliment to his colleagues ofthe Executive Committee , for their honour , honesty , industry , intelligence , and indomitable perseverance , and resumed his seat amid loud and protracted cheering . The resolution was carried unanimously . Mr . T . Clark then moved the adoption of the following petition : —
To the Honourable the Commons of Great Britain and / round in Parliament assembled . The petition of the inhabitants of Lambeth in public meeting assembled , Sueweth—That the working classes of the united kingdom have for a long series of years suffered tho most galling want and privation , consequent upon our unnatural social system . That during the last fifty years tins trade and commerce of the country have increased enormously ; that the triumphs of inventive genius have given ns the most astounding powers for tlie produce ol wealth ; but that , notwithstanding , there has been a visible deterioration in tho physical , social , and moral condtion of our much-abused and deeply-injured labouring population .
That your petitioners , with feelings of pain , call the attention of your honourable house to the voluminous criminal calendar of the past year , as a proof of the lamentable condition to which the people are reduced . Yo . ur petitioners would likewise add , that the astounding revelation made a short time ago in your honourable house , by the Secretary ol State for the Homo Department , that "one of every ten of the population of England and Wales is a pauper , " is another added to the long catalogue of proofs of the horrible destitution to which the producers of wealth have hern reduced by the baleful operation ofthe iniquitous system of misrule under which it is their misfortune to live .
That in the opinion of your petitioners the destitution and crime existing in tile country may be traced either to the existence of bad laws or to the want of good ones ; andthat of all bad laws upon the statute book , those thatyreveitt the working classes from employing their labour upon their native soil—upon God ' s free gift to his creatures—aw the . most destructive in ( heir consequences , and unnatural in their operation . That your petitioners have observed with indignation , that whilst your honourable house has at all times
squandered the public money upon objects the most unworthy—such as £ 70 , 000 for the purpose of building royal stables , £ 21 , 000 a year to his Majesty of Hanover , £ 50 , 000 annually to another foreign monarch , Leopold , King of the Belgians , £ 20 , 000 , 000 as compensation to the unnatural , the anti-Christian traffickers in human flesh and blood , for relinquishingjtheir claim to what they never had a right to—your honourable house has not ^ evinced the slightest inclination to legislate for the elevation ofthe labouring population from their prostrate and degraded condition .
That your petitioners would call the attention of your honourable house to the fact that a vast portion of the common lands of the kingdom has been seized by the aristocracy under the guise of law ; that your petitioners conceive that the people ' s right to the common lands is clear and indisputable ; that the reversion of the ten . millions of acres of common lands to the people would be productive of incalculable benefit ; that those ten millions of acres might be divided into two millions of farms of five acres each , upon which two millions of families might be located , and surrounded with circumstances of health , peace , and prosperity ; and that the location of even half the aforesaid number of families upon the land would take the " surplus population" from the artificial labour market , leaving the residue in a position to secure an equitable remuneration for their toil .
Your petitioners , therefore , pray your honourable house to repeal all Acts for the enclosure of common lands , and restore thera to the people , their legitimate owners ; and that your honourable house will be pleased to vote a sum of money for the employment of the "surplus population" on such lauds . which sum may be realised by reducing tho civil list , ' the array and navy , and other Governmental expenses ; thereby reducing the poor-rates , and giving an impetus to a valuable and eahitavy home trade . And your petitioners will ever pray . [ The Executive Committee beg to call the attention of the several localities to the subjoined petition , which they recommend to be adopted at meetings called for that purpose ; to bo signed by the chairman of such meetings , and forwarded to the membar representing the borough or district in Parliament . —Tho » . M , Wheeier , General Secretary . !
Mr . Clark said it might be asked , why petition for anything less than the Charter ? If this was less than the Charter , he should say , because they were desirous of instructing the House of Commons , and they had no- other means than by petition . ( Hear , hear . ) The people had plenty of work in general ; but they required more necessaries , more comforts , and more enjoyments in return for that labour . ( Loud cheers . ) He saw no necessity for going to other countries for food , whilst they had plenty of land , and hands willing to labour in its production , at home . ( Cheers . ) It was the duty of a Government to find beneficial employment for the people , and if their rulers did not do this , they were not a Government , but a usurpation . ( Loud cheers . )—Mr . Doyle said , the reason why the Executive had thought it
necessary to bring this-matter before the meeting was , that the House of Commons might be made aware that the people knew the land belonged to them ; and also that they might be informed that the people did not like their substance to be wasted on unworthy objects : and he thought further , that , professing , as those honourable gentlemen did , to be the representatives of the people , if the people petitioned for a sum of money to place them on the land , they were bound in justice to grant it . ( Loud cheers . )—Mr . M'Grath said he would cordially support the . adoption of the petition . That the people had a right to the land no one would attempt to deny . The legislature had at different , times passed Acts of Parliament to the number of two thousand , under
which Acts they had deprived the people of not less than sixmillion acres of land—( hear , hear );—and one of those precious legislators , Lord Worsley ,. appears anxious to deprive them of the remainder by enclosing the common . and waste lands . ( Hear , hear . ) It was their duty to let the house , know that they were acquainted'with ¦ this , and that they were resolvedto resist the fell destroyer to the utmost . ( Cheers . ) The Convention hadjheard elaborated a plan by : which the :. workihg . ; c ] ass might to a great extent regain ipossession of the land . Another thing the Convention recommended was . the establishment of co-operative stores . *; iProfit-mongering ; was England ' s bane , and working men must be stultified indeed if they did not throw off ttiia tax . and the
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profit that might accrue-from , the stores ? . < - ' . t einployed in locating them on the landi" ' l ' . iu ' , ,. £ of those who live without producing anything „ J 8 is seven millions . It was said by some , "but tC do not live on your industry . " He contended , hm ever , that those who produced , nothing theruselZ yet lived , must lire on the substance of those * . ? did produce . ( Loud cheers . ) And he contended until the divine injunction givenby Saint Paul waJ carried out—namely , " He who will not work , n eitC shall he eat "—poverty , misery , degradation « , starvation , would continue the lot of the many jA M'Grath resumed his seat amidst the loudest an ! plansc . The petition was' unanimously adopted and ordered to be signed by the chairman on behalf of the meeting , and forwarded to the members of tfo borough for presentation . A considerable numb er came forward and took out cards of raemDerxhjt , f the National Charter Association , and the mectinJ then dissolved . ° nuifif fliaf miffht flCCl'UC from tho ntnivu ,....: < . .
Citv Chartist Hall , Tir arfAQArN " -usi ; . ~ IJ ( p . tant Lectuue . —Mr . M'Grath delivered a very ta Iented and instructive lecture in this hall , on Sunday evening last , to the most numerous assemblage of persons congregated within the walls for a lon « peri a i of time . Mr . Dear was unanimously called" to the chair , and after reading the leading articles from the Northern Star , introduced the lecturer , who took f 0 r his subject " The Present State and Prospects f Political Parties , " which he handled in his usual style , ' clearly showing that , however prostrate Chartism may be at tlie present moment , it stm maintains a supremacy above all " clap-trap " ann
" expediency-mongering " . measures . He then most ably reviewed thu cause of the failure of Trade s Unions and strikes , took a hasty glance at the Re . peal movement during the last twelvemonths , con . derailing Mr . O'Connell ' s wavering policy between "federalism" and " simple Repeal , " and the con duct of " Irish Repealers on the Maynooth grant ;" and he finally concluded amidst loud applause , Several gentlemen briefly addressed the meeting on the questions he had raised , pro and con . The lecturer replied , and a vole of thanks having been passed , the meeting broke up , highly delighted with the treat afforded them .
Metropolitan District Council , 1 , Turnag & ut . lane , Sunday , May 4 th ; Mr . Pattenden in the chair . —Mr . John Arnofct moved— "That the best thanks of this Council are due , and are hereby given , to the members of the late Chartist Convention , for the able manner in which they propounded and put into practical shape the highly , important measures brought under their consideration . And this Coimcil earnestly request all localities to exert them , selves to carry the same into operation . " The resolution was seconded by Mr . Milne ; and Messrs . J . p . Linden , T . M . Wheeler , Tucker , and others , having addressed the Council in favour of the same , it was earned unanimously . A resolution was also unanimously adopted , calling upon all Chartists ( especially those residing in the metropolitan districts )
immediately to take up their carus ana nana-Dooks . It was likewise unanimously agreed that an address be issued to the Chartists of the metropolitan district , and that Messrs . J . r \ Linden , J . Arnott , and E * . Stallwood be appointed to prepare the same , and bring it before the board on Sunday next . The Council then adjourned . Chartist Hall , Blackfriars-koad . —The Lambeth Chartists met in the above hall last Sunday evening , when an excellent lecture was delivered bv Mr . Candy on the " Poor Man ' s share of Prosperity , ' as set forth in Lord John Russell ' s resolutions . Seventeen males and three females took up their cards of membership , and on Monday , after the report of the delegate to the National Conference , sixteen more were added to their number . The Chartists of Lambeth will carry out the resolutions of the Conven tion respecting the Registration and the Land .
Whitkchapel . —Mr . Bolwell lectured on Sunday evening to a respectable audience at the White Horse , St . Mary-street , Whitechapel , and was greatly applauded . Mr . Shaw , late delegate to the Convention , also addressed the assembly , and urged them to renewed exertions in the good cause . The chair was ably filled by Mr . Perry . Several new members were enrolled , and the members present took up their renewed cards of membership . Victim Commutes . —This newly-elected committee
met for the first , time on Sunday ^ May 4 th , at the hall , 1 , Turnagain-lane : Mr . Mills was unanimously called to the chair . The secretary ( Mr . T . M , Wheeler ) was instructed to write to Mr . Clark , secretary to the late Manchester Victim Committee , for all necessary information . Also to communicate with Mr . O'Connor , that the committee may be acquainted with the amount of funds in hand . One sovereign was then voted to the victim John Richards , and the committee adjourned until Sunday afternoon next , May 11 th , at five o ' clock .
Mauyleboke . —Mr . Clark lectured on Sunday even . ing to an enthusiastic audience , at Circas-street , Marylebone , on the subject of ' 'Trades Unions ;" proving that although theymight be palliatives totbe present unnatural system , yet they of themsclvea could never enable the labourer to receive the full reward of his industry , because he was not intb-e possession of equalpolitic . il power with tho capitalist who employed him . Mr . Clark ' s illustrations were highl y approved of , and a unanimous vote of thanks was given to him for his services . Somers Tows . —Mr . Doyle lectured to a crowded audience , on Sunday evening , at Somers Town , on thesuhjectof "Registration , " and " The necessity of carrying out the plan of the Convention to obtain possession of the Land : " both of which subjects he treated with great ability , and to the satisfaction of the audience .
Cajibeuweix and Walworth . —At a numerous meeting ofthe Chartist , of the above districts or Monday evening , May the 5 th , at the Montpelier Tavern , Walworth . —Mr . John Ingram in the chair —the following persons were nominated General Councillors ofthe National Charter Association . Messrs . R . Sewell , John Sewell , John Simpson , James Rhodes , William Ingrain , Edward Murhall , II . S . Jordan , and John Llewellyn . Mr . John Simpson was likewise re-nominated to the Metropolitan District Council . A vote of thanks was passed to Mr . John Simpson for the great service rendered by him to Chartism in this district . At the unanimous request of the meeting , Mr . Simpson consented to becoine a member of the Central Registration jmd Election Committee for this district , and was ap « pointed accordingly . Several new members were enrolled .
. City of Losnox . —Sir , —The City of LondonlooaUt request insertion for the enclosed resolution in fhe forthcoming Star . I am , sir , yours , respectfully , D . Cover , jun ., sub-sec . Resolved— " That wc , theCliartists ofthe City of London , most heartily congratulate Mr . Thomas Cooper on his release from suffering and imprisonment in Stafford gaol , ; consequent upon his great and earnest exertions to promote the welfare and the best interests of mankind ; and as it was in the cause , and for the benefit ofthe working classes that he laboured , we feel in duty bound to render to him our hearty and sincere thanks for the noble and determined efforts made by him , and the untiring energy he exhibited in endeavouring to regain for us those legitimate richts which the
' factions' have unjustly deprived us of . Wc deeply regret that anything should have arisen to mar this otherwise happy and joyful event ; but we feel that we should fail in discharging our duty to him and justice , did we not express our regret at the m anner in which his letters have been suppressed , vindicating him from ( what we deem ) the unfounded and unjfflt charges brought against him at Manchester , " 'a also most cordially and sincerely wish him in his future progress through life that happiness and pro * sperity which he , by his exertions , endeavoured * J confer ou others , and , in conclusion , we hope that at no distant period those efforts will bo crowned i" ™ th
success , and that he will be rewarded with e thanks of a happy and free people . " l " give insertion to the foregoing , though it comes unaccompanied bv any explanation of the tkii or place where the meeting at which it purports to have been passed was held , or , indeed , any explanation or introduction at all , other than the one wc have given . Respecting the resolution itself , we have only to say , that the regret expressed respecting the " suppression of letters , " if at all intended to apply to us , is based on a falsehood : the fact being , that every line , word , and syllable ^ sent by Mr . Cooper , in " vindication" of himself from the charge made at Manchester , found a ready place in the Star . }
NOTTINGHAM . On Sunday last a public meeting was held in the Democratic Chapel , Nottingham , to receive Mr . Dorman ' s report of the proceedings of the late Conference . On the motion of Mr . Mott , Mr . Sweet « aa unanimously called on to preside , and opened the business by a few well-timed remarks , and then in . " troduccd Mr . Dorman to the meeting . Mr . Dorraan spoke for nearly an hour , calling the attention of hia audience to the several propositions of the Convention , which appeared to give satisfaction . At the close he received the unanimous thanks of the meeting for his services . The chairman concluded the meeting by calling upon all true democrats to act up to their principles , and to be united , for they would ultimately triumph .
STOCKPORT . On Sunday evening last , a public meeting of tM inhabitants of Stockport was held in the Charts room , to hear the report of the delegate to the b » Chartist Conference . The chairman being appointedi Mr . T . Webb proceeded with his report ; . after ffhiw he dwelt at considerable length tipon the . necessw of the people becMnin ? members of the Chart * Co-operative Land Society , and als tthe desiraoiW ) of establishing a registration' committee . ** f " Webb ' s report gave general satisfaction ; and at M ™ conclusion of his address-fifteen persons enterN their names as members of the , Land Society , 3 °° are prepared to comrnence subsoriptions-as soon » the necessary-arrangements are entered i " ' ?) Lj board of directors . Seven members also joined W Chartist Association .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 10, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_10051845/page/6/
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