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N R beacon to the future and there hehad...
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WTO THKNED-OTT. -GREAT MEETING AT L1YER....
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WORKING MEN, SUPPORT TOUR ORDER Fellow W...
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THE TEN HOURS' BILL. IMPORTANT MEETING O...
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION...
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CMT&pilUmtt.
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THE COMING ELECTION — DUTY OF THE PEOPLE...
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LIMEHOUSE.
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Transcript
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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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N R Beacon To The Future And There Hehad...
THE NORTHERN STAR May 30 , 184 C aa ^—^^^ M ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ M ^^^^^^^*^^^^^ ^^ n ¦¦ ¦ I " I I
Wto Thkned-Ott. -Great Meeting At L1yer....
WTO THKNED-OTT . -GREAT MEETING AT L 1 YER . F ^ POOL OF THE OPER ATIVE CLASSES . On Thursday evening , the 21 st inst ., a crowded and enttosiastic meeting of ihe turned-out operatives was held ^ the Concerrtall , lord Jfelson-street , for the pnrpose ef taking into consideration the present condition of the building trades , and of devising the best means of render , ing than further assistance . Shortly after eight o ' clock the chair was taken , amid loud applause , by Mr . Thomas Carter . The Chaibxan commenced by saying that he feltjwoud
at having been called upon to preside over such a . meeting . Thenumbers then present were amply sufficient to ihow that there was a proper spirit abroad , and that ; the -workmen were beginning to understand where their an interestslay . The condition ef the wawwg j ,, present time , he was sorry to say , was «?«*« circwn . they could wish it to he ; but , considering * e ^ * tance ( by which it had been surrounded during ^^^ tw months . it was , ^ verttele ^ , m a very of position . HeH ^ ht statetha ^ ^ on , ^ ^^^ the dispute **»«** ^ 5 ^« mi tof employthere were nearly three *<^* * f ( jr refnsing to sign and that they were turned out or re 5 g
ment , * t S m ^ ad ^ other ' employment . An number < rf « fle ^ other parts of ^ COUIltry had S tuiem away ; and now only about 800 operatives Safcned ihe assistance of their fellow workmen . Agreat ¦ umber of men he was sorry to say , had been found base itf unmanly enoug h in many of the branches to si gn the document ; but those men ought not to be judged off too iarsWy . The situation in which they were placed ought lo be considered . The trade to whicl they belonged must be looted at . so also must the position of that particular
trade at the time the document was presented for signature . They had it upon very good authority that " man was the creature of circumstances . " He might mention that out of the whole number turned out in Liverpool in the stone mason trade , not one had signed the document . ( Applause . ) This , he thought , would be sufficient to show that there must have been a cause why so many had been found to sign . He was of of opinion that if the great majority of those who signed the document had fancied originall y that there would be half the amount of protection afforded which had been realized for them by th «? ir fellow working men of Liverpool , they never would have signed ( hear , and applause . ) He felt it necessary to make two or three remarks with reference to the employers . There was only one of Mr . John Tomkinson ' s men out on the strike at the present time . Mr . Tomkinson appeared not to be satisfied with this state of dings , —he seemed not to think it right that other mas"ters should have so many men standing out , and himself having only one . He therefore turned three of his
apprentices out . the sons of three of the men who had refused to sign the document . He demanded from them two foot-rules and their leather aprons , and sent them about their business . ( Murmurs of disapprobation . ) Mr . Tomkinson would have shown a great deal more of the philanthrophist ifj instead of doing evil and injury , lie had protected the lads . The chairman , after again repeating that eight hundred men with their wives anaxamilics were now claiming assistance , and urging atten tion for the various speakers , resumed his seat , amid loud cheers . Mr . Joseph Shepherd , smith , proposed the first resolution : —
"That this meeting congratulates the operative builders on the steady determination which they have evinced since they were turned out of their employment , and trusts they will continue to persevere with the same assiduity and firmness in resisting to sign the document presented to them by their employers . He had not the least doubt that the meeting would congratulate the operative builders on the steady , firm , and determined manner in which they had conducted themselves in this affiiir . Thera never was a strike or turnout which had created more feeling and sensation in the country than the present . The news was spread abroad from one town to the other ; and though the trumpet was sounded feebly at first , he was glad to say that they had now public opinion in their favour , and whatever It willed would , sooner or latter , be carried into effect ( applause ) .
Hnch , from time to time , had been said and written against trade societies , by those who did notreally understand the subject ; but as far as his experience had gone , business was transacted in them in an open , straightfor--ward , and creditable manner . Those masters who had -presented the obnoxious document did not seem to understand what a trade onion was ; hut having been a member of one for several years , he could tell the public and these gentlemen that trade societies had for their object purposes the best and most philanthropic which it was possible for the human mind to contemplate ( applause ) . Trade societies provided for the working man when he was sick , when he met with accidents , when he was no longer able to follow his daily toU ; and they also pro--rided for the decent interment of his remains when life ' s chequered course was finished ( applause ) . Of this they
were all sensible ; but they provided for something more important still , —they relieved him when he was destitute and thrown out of employment , travelling he knew not where , and craving " for leave to toil" ( applause ) . Seeing all this , he did not wonder at the reluctance ot -working men to abandon them . If those who wished them to sign this document would provide for them as their trade societies did , if they would afford them the same guarantee , they as working men were not so bigoted but that they would assist in carrying Qie object into effect . He was sure the day was not far distant when the working classes would be looked upon as having a right and stake in the country . They had not hitherto been represented , their claims had not been attended to . Now the chief objection against trade societies was that they caused turnouts . He put it to the
meeting if any of them ever advocated one ! ( "No . ") He said no ; every working man knew that a cessation from labour was injurious to him all well as to all others . Then how was it that turn-outs did take place ? It was because the working classes had been forced to it ; because they had no tribunal to which they could appeal for justice . Government had never yet recognised the rights of labour , and the consequence was , that the working classes were often compelled to turn out , it being their only resource against the influence of that capital which was arrayed against them ( . vpplause ) . It was never rill the utmost extremity that men left their errplorment . The workmen did not wish to dictate to their employers , as had been falsely represented by those who had an interest in misleading the public on the subject . It was said by their opponents that if unions
went on , the workmen would dictate about contracts , and ruin the publie by their extravagant charges ( laughter ) . But these short-sighted persons did not see that when the working classes became distressed , if there was no union to relieve them , they must become a burden to the parish , and thus have to be supported bv the public ( loud applause ) . It struck him farcibly that union could be carried to a far greater extent that it had ever yet been , and it was his opinion the working classes were now awaking to the utility of carrying It out . If there was one thing more calculated than another to convince the working classes of the utility of union , it was to see that capital , with all its might and influence , was obliged to unite to array itself against them . The working classes were the producers of all wealth , and had a ri ght to share in its consumption .
( Applause . ) He put it to those present If the idea never struck them that they could build for themselves % ( Hear , hear . ) He saw before him men of the highest mechanical genius and skill . If they manufactured things for themselves , did they not think they would answer as well as if they had manufactured them for the employer and capitalist . ( Hear , hear . ) Then he could tell them what they should do . It was calculated in an article in the Crimes on Monday , that if half a million of the working classes laid hy a farthing a week , and all in employment could at least do that —( a laugh)—it would amount to £ 25 . 000 per annum . When they had that fund , they could form an executive , and build workshops for themselves . In four or five years they could make some very large -workshops , and he had no doubt many of them would be as pleased to work in their own shop as in that of another .
Uow , at a slack time when men were walking the streets , and unions had to pay them , though idle , would it not be better to place them in these shops , give them good wages to work for them , and thus all would be benefited . ( Applause . ) Machinery , under the present state of society ; was brought into competition with manual labour , and thus lessened its value ; but , by the plan Tie proposed , for and not against them , prove a general benefit , and it machmery , ifintroduced into tbeirworkshops , would work adopted on a larger scale , would tend to reduce the hours oflabour . It would never do to tax machinery . If it were taxed in this country and not in others , our trade must fall off , and general misery ensue . No , —they ¦ wanted no fetters upon trade—he hated fetters of everv description , but he would fee rejoiced to find sufficient onion and good sense amongst the working classes , as to make machinery available for their own advantage . They must produce for themselves—they had the power , and the sooner they set about it the better . ( Loud applause . )
When they had thus acquired wealth of their own there would be plenty to advocate the rights of la--Ijour—they could hope for justice then from the press , inasmuch as they could pay for advertisements —( laughter and applause)—but at present their claims were neglected and their motives maligned—the press , with one honourable exceptien , stooping to the shrine of gold . ( Cheers . ) He expressed his opinion that the principle of joint-stock companies and unions was spreading through the land - and it was his opinion , that till thegreetprinciple ot union was still farther carried out , they could not curry out the divine precept , of doing to others as they wished others to do unto them . ( Applause . ) Whilst a competitive slate of society existed , they could never love their nei ghbours as themselves . He cautioned them against any infringement of the law , and concluded amid loud applause , " by saying that union was strength—union was power ; by a onion of mind , of capital , and of skill amongst the working classes , anything which they willed , could and would be accomplished .
Mr . Robert Da vies seconded the resolution . After expressing his regret that the struggle should have been -so long protracted , and that in consequence he had again been called upon in public to vindicate the ri ght of the oppressed , he said the resolution which he had to second -called upon the meeting to congratulate those men for their firmness who had been turned out of their employ ment ; and bethought there was no one capable of re . flection but must own that the individuals who were now -the living monuments of the hostility of their employers , were worthy of the sincere attachment and esteem of their fellow-men . ( Applause . ) If there was one thing more
Wto Thkned-Ott. -Great Meeting At L1yer....
than another calculated toma *^ * jSStot ^ £ / minds of those present , it was tnia ^ la gted that there saw in this struggle , so long as fa ^ stood foot t 0 had been one consolidated ooaj ^ ^ ^^ had foot with the antagonis t , ' ^ the 6 tonemason » . yielded . These " ^ ou ? d % ay , jet every associated body ( Loud applause . ) » ° Tb nau prepared themselvei takea lessonfi * m * gone D y _( near , hear ) - for such a stragg r 0 ! ng ^ g rious harvest of what and now they } onsiy tSef . > hy mceting together ^ 'f Scribing their money to vindicate their rights whenever they might be invaded . ( Applause . ) He at all times an advocate for conciliation ; and he had hoped when the large meeting of the masters had takenplaceat Newton the other day , that some step to ^^ — ^^™ _
effect that end would have been proposed . But no , they had evidently assembled with an hostile intention ; and when a deputation of the working men applied for admission , the doors were shut against them ( hear and shame . ) It behoved every rational employer , desirous of establishing the truth , and possessing a spark of humanity in his bosom , to invite submit to , ' and court enquiry . If their object had been a good one , why did they net throw open their doors , and admit of honourable and peaceful discussion ? ( applause . ) He thought if anything was calculated to tell against the false position the employers had assumed it was in that act , —an additional proof of their undying hostility to the co-operation cf the working classes , ( loud applause . )
A person in the bod y of the hall asked for information as to the definite steps which had been taken , or proposals made , towards a settlement of the present unhappy difference ? It was not generally known amongst the trades of the town . The Ctf- « nsiAN read a copy of the letter which had been Sent in by the deputation to the meeting of the masters at Newton , and of their reply ; and the individual expressed himself satisfied . The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . Mr . John Gibson , stonemason , proposed the next resolution ; and replied at some length to the statements made in a pamphlet , printed by Smith , Rogerson , and Co ., widely ' circulated , and purporting to be an account of the proceedings at the meeting of the masters iu the Portico ,
Newington . The pamphlet termed the present movement a strike ; but this he denied emphatically ; it was a turn , out by the masters of the men , ( hear , hear . ) He wondered how the master masons would co-operate with men who had talked from time to time of doing away with masonry and giving plasterers all the work ( a laugh . ) Why , it had lessened the demand for such buildings in Kiverpool ; aadheknew of one plan , in which there was originally much stonework , but it had since been all marked out Perhaps masons would have to go to the railroad , and work with their pickaxe and spade ( continued laughter . ) Well , he was ^ lad they were so innured in youth that they could turn their hand to any sort of labour . He recollected the remark made by a master during the late short , time movement that it was not the length of hours which
made the lives of masons short , but it was the obnoxious sulphur and dust from the stone . But surely , then , they were justified in asking for a reduction of the hours ot labour , that they might be less in that dust , and live to 0 greater age ( laughter and applause ) . The pamphlet in question said , the combinations of working men met in secret , but this he denied . But could they not retort the charge ? When the masters held their meetings , reporters were not admitted , so that the working classes had not an authentic report of it , such as they could rely upon ; and it was these meetings which were hole and corner and in which the business was secretly transacted , but the trades , when anyimportantproposition was made , had always submitted it in public , and invited the gentlemen of the press . Mr . Holme , at the Portico ,
Newington , had said he was not an advocate of oppression ; but was not every man worthy of his hire ? Oppression ( said the speaker ) so help me God , I will never submit to ! ( loud applause . ) They might try to starve him to ifc ; but if he died like a dog in a ditch , he would have it said , tbere died a son of liberty ( continued applause . ) They might hunt him from one end of the country to the other , but there was a country across the Atlantic where there was liberty ( applause . ) They wanted masons there , would give them 8 s or 9 s a-day , and ; if they could not get 4 s . Gd . a-day here , without signing the document , then he said , hie , lads , across the Atlantic ! ( Loud applause . ) The pamphlet said , "your voluntary idleness is a thing
for which we are sorry , but cannot help . " ( Laughter . ) Could they not help it 1 Such a statement he emphatically denied . The pamphlet went on to complain that , in consequence of combinations amongst the colliers , the jirice of coals had been raised , and thus the working classes had been injured . Now , the colliers in this neighbourhood struck for , he believed , and obtained , about 21 d . per ton advance upon getting the coal , but the masters had advanced their price a shilling per ton . Who , then , benefitted mostly by it ? Why the proprietors of collieries themselves : 9 | d . went into the pocket of the capitalist / and 21 d . to those who were , during one-half of their existence , buried in the earth . He then proposed the following resolution : —
"That it is the opinion of this meeting , that a document , emanating from either the employer or the employed , that has a tendency to destroy the liberty of the British subject , is both unjust , unconstitutional , and tyrannical ; and that no roan possessing the least spark of independence would sign such a document ; and that this meeting pledges itself , individually and collectively , to support the men who are now refusing to sign the document emanating from the' master builders of Liverpool and Birkenhead . " He entreated other trades to come forward and assist the operative builders , that they might not , through necessity , be compelled to sign a document which was so repugnant to their feelings , and which they looked upon as so serious an } interference with their liberty . JThe whole reasoning of the pamphlet , with but very little exception , was false from beginning to end . He concluded by a poetical quotation against " pamphleteers void of shame , " and with quoting the eloquent words of a modern writer upon the vast value of labour and
industry . Mr . John Rowlisson , steam-engine maker , seconded the resolution . The speaker then showed at great length the hardship and punishment which in many cases portions of the working classes had from time to time endured before the old combination laws were repealed . One of the greatest evils of the present competitive state of society , was that if a dishonest master reduced wages , all others to keep in the market with him were obliged to follow his example . Trades' Unions originated from the acts of tyrannical employers . ( Applause . ) To show they had at present the high sanction of law , he read the 6 th Geo . IV ., c . 102 , s . i . Both employer and employed had a perfect right to unite , and any document having a tendency to destroy that right was unjust and
tyrannical , and should be opposed by every man valuing Ids independence , or tho welfare of his posterity . Unions , he showed , existed in the lowest and in the highest grade of society , every rank or profession being more or less so incorporated , that others were excluded . The timber merchants of Liverpool and of every other port fixed their prices . The masters of tiiis town were not satisfied With the influence of their wealth , although thoy had the whole press at their command , with the exception of the Liverpool Journal— ( applause)—and they must even send a deputation in the first-class train to the Home Office , to claim the protection and assistance of Sir James Graham against tlie weakness of the poor opera . tive classes . ( Applause . ) What did thoy gain hy it ? Simply the answer " he would consider of it . " ( Loud
laughter . ) If they had been acquainted with the act which he had read , it would have saved them the trouble , the mortification , and expense . After a lengthy speech , he concluded by trusting that the working classes would never consent to sign a document affecting so materially their liberty and happiness . Let them resist it firmly ; be true to themselves , and success was certain . ( Loud applause . ) The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . Mr . John Carlisle , mason , proposed the next resolution , and addressed the meeting at considerable length , eulogising , in an excellent speech , the conduct of those masters who had refused to take the steps which the others had against the liberty of their workmen . Such men were friends to the human race . At tlie Portico , Xewington , it appeared , the masters had come to the
resolution of establishing " a benevolentbuilders' association" — the committee to be composed one-half of employers and the other half of the employed . Its objects were excellent , but it was impossible it could work with fairness ; inasmuch as if the masters proposed anything disagreeable to the workmen , none of those on the committee , through fear of dismissal from their employment , durst rise in opposition ; besides , it conveyed the idea that they did not posaesa intelligence and honesty enough to conduct their own affairs . It was vain to attempt to reconcile the interests of the employer and employed , as things were at present constituted . The shopkeepers were interested in the present struggle , and he entreated all who loved liberty or studied their own interests , to lend their support to those who were engaged in it . He concluded by proposing : —
3 d . — " That the thanks of this meeting are due , and hereby given , to all those employers who have refused to combine with the master builders to carry out their unjust resolutions ; and trust the conduct of their workmen « rill be such as will show them that the straightforward and independent course they have pursued has been duly appreciated . " Mr . Ricbaed Dixon , collier , seconded the resolution , and also addressed the meeting at great length , but our limits preclude us from giving more than a mere outline of his speech . Englishmen were like jack asses , and never stirred till the goad was applied ; and the present event he considered , would lead to that perfect combination of the working classes which would otherwise have taken years to form . He trusted that all trades would concentrate their strength . He denied the reasoning of
the pamphlet before referred to : if a workman got an advance of 2 s . a week in his wages , he in all probabilityspent it with the shopkeeper , and thus the community at large were benefitted . ( Applause . ) If the hours of labour were shorter , so many persons would not be out of employment ; but the masters chose to have some working seven days a week while others walked about , as they had them then more under control , and could readily intimate that if they did not comply with this or that , there were plenty at hand would be glad of their situation . ( Laughter and applause . ) He appealed to the experience of those present if they ever got an advance of wages without struggling for it . ( Cries of "No" ) Their masters wsfenot apt to come to them voluntarily and say , " now ^ ny lads , trade is good , and I will advance your wagea ge . a week . " ( Laughter and applause . ) He saw much ^ the proceedings of Trades ' Unions in times past to lament , nothing to censure , their
Wto Thkned-Ott. -Great Meeting At L1yer....
former errors were a beacon ; to the future ; and there was little doubt but by a long pull , and a strong pull , Trades' Unions could resist all the tyranny which mi ght be brought to bear against them . ( Applause . ) Mr . Holme in the pamphlet had said , " you do less work than formerly . " Well it was high time they did— ( applause)—for the working classes had been compelled to toil so long that they had no time for moral and mental improvement , or for physical recreation . Mr . John Fielden had said some time ago that three hours labour per day , with our present improvements in machinery and powers of production , under a right system of society , was sufficient for all the necessaries of life . Threescore years and ten was according to the scriptures the period allotted for the life of man ! but what was it in Liverpool i—27 J years . ( Hear , hear . ) Then if a man was robbed of better than two-thirds of his existence , was it not time they should speak out ? ( Laughter and ap-¦ V , __ — nn An ' * la a + *«» * ¦¦*«» ¦ oitrf 4 n A * tn
plause . ) Every man mi ght be a master , but all masters would not make journeymen . In Manchester a body of working man had united their means , taken a large timber yard , and had 35 workmen to whom they were paying the best of wages going . There was no document there , and the men were going on peaceably and pleasantl y . Working men had not such a luxurious style of living to keep up ; and such , combinations therefore , he thought , had every chance of success . « ' Many hands make light work , and equal burdens break no hack . " The pence of the working classes , from their number , soon accumulated into pounds . The resolution mis then put and carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was then passed to the chairman , and the compliment having been duly acknowledged , the meeting broke up at half-past eleven o ' clock . The most orderly demeanour was exhibited throughout tho whole proceedings .
Working Men, Support Tour Order Fellow W...
WORKING MEN , SUPPORT TOUR ORDER Fellow Working Men , —Allow me to congratulate you on the practical adoption of a plan of co-operation long since recommended in that valuable paper the Northern Star , and the only one calculated to raise the working classes of this country from that state of degradation and poverty in which they are at present placed . While I rejoice at theattempt now made by my brother craftsmen , at 151 , JDrury-lane , to emancipate their labour from the tyranny of the master-class , and view it as the commencement of a system which will ( if this be successful ) he followed by workmen of moat other trades , I feel a very great anxiety lest this experiment should fail , being fully convinced in my own mind , that every effort that the masters of all trades can amice , no matter the expense , will he made to overthrow the project of the working part of the community for taking into their awn hands the retail trade , and thus appropriating 'he profits of their own labour to the benefit of themselves , their wives , and families .
In attempting to penetrate into futurity without pretending to the spirit of prophecy , what may we not anticipate should this system of co-operation be established , and the small farms proposed by the Chartist Land Association be adopted throughout the land . Why , lam certain that any attempt of mine to describe the beneficial results which must follow the adoption of these plans would fall short of the actual good which will be accomplished . Of this we may feel assured , the names of those patriots who are now toiling for the benefit of the masses will be remembered with gratitude and love when the names of Wellington , Napoleon , Nelson , and a long list of the slaughterers of their fellow men , shall be remembered with regret and pity .
But the object I have in view in thus addressing you is , to endeavour to impress upon the minds of my fellow working men how much it depends upon them whether these plans succeed . I have said that I feel very anxious about the success of the experiment now making in Drary-lane , not because I have any doubts about the practicability of the plan , or in the capability of those who are carrying it out , but for fear that the working men of London should not give that support to it which will place its success beyond the possibility of a doubt . If this support is given , the next thing must be to secure agents throughout all parts of London , who will take orders , transmit them to the principal shop , and receive the goods for the customers ; and this can be done at our Chartist Localities , where , I have no doubt , persons
would be found who would willingly undertake an agency for this purpose . I hope the committee will endeavour to effect this as soon as possible , so that no time may be lost . In concluding this letter , I would most earnestly call upon every member of the Land Association , and every Chartist , in whatever circumstances , to do all they possibly can to further the great cause in which we are engaged . Let us all act as soldiers are somelimes called upon to do , each fo fig ht as if the success of tho contest depended upon his individual exertions . If we do this our triumph is certain . I shall conclude as I began , by saying to my fellows" Working men , support your own order !" Hoping that my feeble effort to do something towards the cause to which I am most ardently devoted may be in some measure successful , I remain , fellow workmen , Yours / respectfully , May , 1 SAG . A Limehoose Shoemaker .
The Ten Hours' Bill. Important Meeting O...
THE TEN HOURS' BILL . IMPORTANT MEETING OF TEE DELEGATES . On Saturday evening a meeting of the short-time delegates from the operatives of Lancashire and Yorkshire was held at their rooms in Beaufortbuildings , for the purpose of devising measures to continue the application to Parliament this session , and also read over and consider the debate of Friday night . Mr . John Brewer , chairman of the delegates , presided . The CuAiRMiN , in opening tho proccedinga , observed , that although their cause had suffered a nominal defeat on Friday night by a majority of ten in a house of 400 members , he considered it a virtual victory , considering that the whole power of a hostile government had been brought to bear against them , as well as the united efforts of the leaders of the Free Trade movement .
Mr . S . Howarth , of Bolton , in moving the first resolution , observed , that having heard the speech of Mr . Cobden read from the newspapers , and having been in the House of Commons when it was delivered , he felt greatl y surprised that he should have ventured such a charge against the delegates as that to which he gave utterance . Mr . Cobden had told the House of Commons that the persons of whom he ( Mr . Howarth ) was one , who had come up to London pretending to represent the operatives , were not Free Traders , but the very parties who had , from time to time , disturbed the Free Trade meetings in the country . Now , as far as he was concerned , he
most distinctly contradicted that assertion , and could refer to Dr . Bowring and Mr . Henry Ashworth for a confirmation Of that contradiction . Under those circumstances , he did not hesitate to denounce the charge made by Mr . Cobden as wicked and untrue . He concluded by moving— " That the delegates now assembled in London cannot return to theirconstituents without expressing their unqualified disapprobation of many of the statements made in the House of Commons last night , during the debate on the Factory Bill , more especially that made by Mr . Cobden , when he charged the " delegates with having at various times disturbed the Free Trade meetings in the north of England . "
Mr . Jons Mills , of Oldham , in seconding the resolution , in the most emphatic terms contradicted the calumny set forth by Mr . Cobden , and he observed that he believed that Mr . Cobden had made tbo e charges with a wicked design , knowing them to be untrue . Mr . James Greaves , of Saddleworth , took the same view of the subject , declaring that he had frequently got himself into disrepute amongst many of his fellow operatives in consequence oi having taken an active part in his own neighbourhood in promoting a repeal of the Corn Laws . When he heard Mr . Cobden make the charge against the delegates he was perfectly astounded , and could not have believed it had he not heard it from his own lips . He did therefore throw back the foul slander as untrue as far as he was concerned .
Mr . Paul Haroueaves , of Manchester , said he had never taken public or private part in any meeting on any other subject than the Ten Hours' Bill , and therefore he entered his protest against the charge made by Mr . Cobden . It was true he had on one occasion assisted in the election of Dr . Bowring , an offence of which he would never again be guilty . ' Mr . David Ross , of Leeds , followed in the same strain , and declared that he had never , at any time or in anyplace , attempted to disturb any meeting of Free-traders , or any other party . Mr . William Arrowsmiiu , of Manchester , was indeed surprised to hear Mr . Cobden mako the statements he had mado . The Hon . Gentleman had frequently attended the meetings of the trade association to which he ( Mr . Arrowsmith ) belonged . At those meetings he ( Mr . Cobden ) held out the hope that if the Corn Laws were repealed the Ten Hours " Bill would follow , and by such inducements the
operative cotton spinners had joined the Free-trade movement , and had appointed deputations from their own body to wait upon other traders who were not interested in the Factory Bill to urge them to join the Free-trade movement . After what had been done in this way , and the Free-trade measures being now carried , ho considered it cruel on the part of Mr . Cobden to make such charges against the working classes , which he believed was done with a view of injuring them . But when his statements went forth to the country , it would be seen by the operatives that Mr . Cobden had never any desire to do them any good . Not more that a week ago he met Mr . Cobden in the lobby of the House of Commons on this question , when he advised the delegates to go down to the manufacturing districts and form an association to agitate for a Ten Hours' Bill , and that if they would do so , he ( Mr . Cobden ) would become the patron of tho society , and go down to the manufacturing districts ,, and agitate for it as energeticall y
The Ten Hours' Bill. Important Meeting O...
as he , had ever done for the repeal of the Corn Laws . Mr . Oooden knows well enough that such an arrangement could never be brought about bv an agreement between masters and men , and , therefore he could perfectly understand the motive which stimulated him to give such advice . / The Chairman , oh putting the resolutions , said , hia 1 opinions on the subject of Free Trade were so well known that it was unnecessary to give any explanation . He had travelled hundreds of miles in promoting the measure amongst his fellow operatives , «(* H / i Itntl n . a nu J f * l I" ¦ •¦ .. _
having been led to believe that a repeal of the Corn Laws would have facilitated the passing of the Ten Hours' Bill instead of retarding it , and he challenged Mr . Cobden to give up his authority upon which ha had made his unfounded charges , and also to show that any one of the delegates had ever taken any part in disturbing a Free Trade meeting . The resolution was then put and carried unanimously . , In the course of proceeding the following resolutions were also unanimously adopted : —
That the delegates once more advise the factory operatives not to be deluded into the trap of combining to pass the Ten Hours' Bill by turn-outs and strikes , believing , as they do , that a combination for that purpose would tend to dissensions between masters and men , and be calculated torevivo that spirit of hostility »«" them which has ever been one of th » objects of the W » ort Time Committee and the leaders of the movement to 8 That a deputation from tha delegates be appointed to wait upon some influential members of the House of Lords , with a view of ascertaining whether it is passible to get the Factory Bill , as it now stands , introduced into that house , and Jf possible carried into a law this session ; that this course appears to the delegates perfectly reasonable , and they believe they are quite justified in adopting this course when thoy look hack to the proceedings taken in 1844 to prevent a renewal of the two divisions which affirmed the principle of the Ten Hours' Bill .
Thanks having rbeen voted to their friends in Parliament , and the Chairman , the meeting separated .
Memorandum For The Next General Election...
MEMORANDUM FOR THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION . Working men ! Treasure the following list of the division on the Ten Hours' Bill . Saturday , 22 nd May , 1846 . You know what use to make of it !
, MINORITY—AYES . Acland , Sir T . D . Heathcote , G . Ji Acland . T . D . Henley , J . w " . Acton , Colonel Hervey , Lord A . Adderley , C . B . Hildyard , T . B . T . Aglionby , H . A . Hill , Lord M . Ainsworth , P . Hindley , C . Alford , Viscount Hollond , R . Archdall , Capt . M . Howard , Hon . 0 . 77 . 0 Arundelj Surrey , Barl of Howard , Hon . E . 6 . 6 Austen , Colonel Hudson 6 . Bdgot , Hon . W . Ingestre , Viscount Bjigge , W , Inglis , Sir R . H . Bailey , J . Jervis , J . Baillie , W . Johnson , General Bankes , G . Kemble , H .
Banuerman , A . Knight , F . W , Barnard , E , 6 . Lambton , H . Baakerville , T . B . M , Law , Hon . C . E . Beckett , W . Lawsou , A . Bell , J . Lefroy , A . Benett , J , Lennox , Lord 6 . H . 6 . Benet , P . Leslie , C . P . Bentinck , Lord G . Liddell , H . Bentinck , Lord H . Lowther , Hon . Col . Beresford , Major ' Macaulay , Right Hon . T . B Berkeley , Hon . C . Maclean , D . Bemal , It . M'Carthy , A . Blackburne . J . I . M « Donnell , J . M . Blackstone , W . S . Manners , Lord J . Borthwick , P . March , Earl of Bradshaw , J . Miles , P . 'W . S . Bramstoa , T . Yf . Miles , TV . Bridgeman , H . Milnes , R . M . Brisco , M . Morris , D .
Broadley , H . Mostyn , Hon . E . M . L , Broadweod , H . Muntz , G . F . BroAlehurst , J . Napier , Sir . C . Brooke , Lord If eeld , Joseph Brotherton , J . Neeld John Browne , Hon . V 7 . Newdegate , C . N . Buller , C . Newry , Viscount Buller , E , Norreys , Lord Burrell , Sir CM . O'Brien , W , S . Busfeild , W . O'Connell , D . Cayley . E . S . O'Connell , J . Cliandos , Marquis of Ossulston , Lord Christie , W . D . Paget , Colonel Christopher , R . A . Paget , Lord A . Churchill , Lord A . S . ' Palmer , R . Clifton , J . T . . Palmcrston , Viscount Cole , Hon . H . A / Plumptre , J . P . Colquhoun , J , C . Plumridge , Captain Cowper , Hon . W . F . Follington , Viscount Crawford , W . S . Rashleigh , W .
Curties , II . B . Repton , 6 . W . J . Denison , J . E . | Rich , H . D'Eyncourt , RightHon . C . T . Richards , R . D'Israeli , B , Rolleston , Colonel Douglas , Sir H . Russell , Lord J . Douglas , J . D . S . Ryder , Hon . G . D . Duff , J . Sandon , Viscount Duke , Sir J . Scott , Hon . F . Duncombe , T . Shaw , Right Hon . F . Duncombe , Hon . 0 . Shell , Rig ht Hon . R . L . Dundas , D . Sheppard , T . East , J . B . Sheridan , R . B . Ebrington , Viscount Sibthorp , Colonel Entnisle , W . J Smith , A . Etwall , R . Smith , Right Hon . R- V
Evans , Sir De L , Speonor , R . Ewart , W . Staunton , Sir 6 . T . Famham , E . B . Stuart , Lord J . Follows , E . Stuart , J . Ferrand , W . B . Strickland , Sir G . Finch , C . Taylor , T . E . Fitzroy , Lord C . Taylor , J . A . Fox , C . R . Tolleinache , J . Frewen , C . H . Tower . C . Fuller , A . E . ) Towneley , J . G ardener , J . D . Troubridge , Sir E . T Gaskoll , J . M . Tumor , C . ( Con . ) Gooch , E . S . Tyrell , Sir J . T . Gore , IV . O . Vane , Lord A . Gore , W . It . O . Verner , Colonel
Goring , C . Vyse , ILH . h \ . H . Granby , Marquis of YTaddington , H . S . Granger , T . C . Walker , R . Grey , Right Hon . Sir G . Watson , W . H . Grimsditch , T . Wawn , J . T . Grogan , E . Welby , G . E . Grosvenor . LordR . Williams , W . Halford , Sir H . Wodehouse , E . Hall , Sir . B . Worcester , Marquis of Hall , Colonel Wyndham , J . H . Camp Halsey . T . P . Yorke , II . R . Hamilton , G . A . Harcourt , G . G . Tellers . Harris , Hon . Captain Wakley , 1 ! . Hatton , Captain V . Fielden , J .
MAJORITY—NOUS . A'Court , Captain Hope , Sir J . Alexander , N . Hope , G . W , Bagot , Hon . W . Houldsworth , T . Baillie , Colonel Howard , Hon . J . K . Baine , W . Hume , J . Baldwin , B . ! Halt , W . Balfour , J . M . James , W . Barclay , D . James , Sir W . C . Barkly , II . St . Jermyn , Earl Baring , Right Hon . F . T . Jocelyn , Viscount Baring , lit . Hon . W . B , Joses , Captain Barrington , Viscount Kelly , Sir F . Bell . M . Ker . D . S . Bcllew , R . M . Labouchere , Rt . Hon . II Benbow , J . Langston , J . H .
Bodkin , VT . H , Lascelles , Hon . E . Boldero , H . 0 . Lascelles , Hon . W . S . Botfield , B , Legb , G . C . Bouverie , Hon . E . P , Lemon , Sir C . Bowes , J . Lindsay , Hon . Captain Bowles , Admiral Lockhai-t , A . E . Bowring , Dr . Loekhnrt , W . Boyd , J . Lyall , G . Bright , J . Lygon , Hon . General . Bruce , Lord E . Mackenzie , T . Cardwell , E . Mackenzie , W . F . Carew , W . H . P . M'Neill , D . Carnegie , Hon . Capt . Mahon , Viscount Cavendish , Hon . C . C . Maitl . nnd , T . Cavedish , Hon . G . H . Manners , Lord C . S . Cliolmondeley , Hon . H . Marshall , W .
Chute , W . L . W . Marsland , II . Clay , Sir W . Martin , J . Clerk , Rt . Hon . Sir Q . Martin , C . W . Clive , Hon . R . H . Masteraan , J . Cobden , It . Maule , Right Hon . F . Coekburn , Right Hon , Sir 6 . Meynell , Captain Colebrooke , Sir T , E . Mildmay , II . St . John Collett . W . R . Mitcalfe . II . Coote , Sir C . H . Mitchell , T . A . Corrie , Right Hon , II . Moffat . C . Craig , W . G . Morgan , C . Cripps , W . Morpeth , Viscount Currie , R . Mundy , E . M . Dahneny , Lord Norreys , Sir D . J . Darner , Hon . Colonel . Northland . Viscount
Dawson , Hon , T , V , Ogle , S . c . H . Deedes , W . Oswald , J . Denison , J . E . Orven , Sir J . DennistoHn , J . Paget , Lord W . Divett , E . Parker , J . Dodd . G , l'atten , J . W . Douglass , Sir C . E . PaUison , J . Douro , Marquis of Peelj Ri ht llm > Sir R Doivdesivell , W . p eei j Drummond , H . H . Philips , G . R . Doekworth , Sir . J . T . B . Philips M . ^ dalO ' W . S . Price S / i- it . Duncan , Viscount Protheroe . E . Dun 0 an , G . Reid , Sir J . R . Dunoaiinon . Viscount Reid , Colonel Dunaas » » Ricardo , J . L .
Memorandum For The Next General Election...
Dundas , Hon . J , G . Romilly , J . Egerton , - W . T . Bound ; J . - - ' * E « co « , B . Busabold , C . E . Esteourt , T . G . B . - Russell , C . Evans , W . Sanderson , R . Fielden , W . Scott , R . Ferguson , Colonel Seymour , Lord Filmer , Sir S , Seymour , Sir H . B . Fitamaurice , Hon . W . Shelburne , Earl of Fitaroy , Hon . H . Smith , B . Flower , Sir . J . Smyth , Sir H . Forbes , W . Smythe , Hon . G . Forman , T . S , Somerset , Lord G [ . Forster , M . Sotheron , T . H . S . GibsonT . M . Stanafield . W . R . G —
, Gill , T . StruU , E . G isborne , T . Sutton , Hon . H . M . Godson , R . Tancred , H . W , Gordon , Hon . Captain Thesiger , Sir F . Gore , M . Thornely , T . Goulburn , Rig ht Hon . H . Tollemache , Hon . F . J Graham , Right Hon . Sir J . TrailL G . Greene , T . . Trelawney , J . S . Hallyburton , 'Lord J . F . G , Trench , Sir F . W . Hamilton , J . H . Trevor , Hon . G . R . Hamilton , W . J . Vernon , G . H . Hamilton , Lord C . ' Villiers , Hon . C ,. Hanmer , Sir J . Vivian , J . E .
Hastie , A . Walpole , 8 . H , Hawes , B . Warburton , H . Hay , Sir A . L . Ward , H . G . Hayes , Sir E . Wellesley , Lord C . Kayter , W . G . Wood , C . Henoago , G . W . Wood , Colonel Hepburn , Sir T . B . Wood , Colonel T . Herbert , Right Hon . S . Wortley , Hon , J . S Hinde , J . H . Wyndham , Col . C . Hodgson , F . Wynn , Sir W . W . Hodgson , R . Tellers . Hogg , J . W . Young , J . Holmes , Hon . W . A'Court Baring , H .
PAIRS . FOR MINISTERS . AGAINST MINISTERS Attwood , John Colvile , C . R . Brooke , Sir A . Grattan , H . Bruges , W . H . L . Gladstone , Captain Baillie , H . J . Attwood , M . Cresswell , B . Blake , M . J . Codrington , Sir W . Milton , Lord Compton , H . 0 . fioyer , J . Hughes , W . B . Packe , C . W . Kirk , P . Bateson , T . Mackinnon , W . A . Fleetwood , Sir P . H . Morgan , © . Ackers , J . Noville , R . M'Geachy , F . A . Semerton , Viscount Campbell , Sir H . Villiers , Viscount Seymer , H . K . Noes ( tellers included ) 205 Ayes ( tellers ineludod ) 195 Majority 10
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The Coming Election — Duty Of The People...
THE COMING ELECTION — DUTY OF THE PEOPLE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE " KOBTHEBN STAlt . " Sir . —Should the Ministry be defeated after all on the present Corn measures , it may not be uninteresting or useless to enquire what course the Working Class ought to pursue , for though they are not permitted in elections to vote , they enjoy the privilege to bawl , and though their voices beat all times harsh and discordant , they become on these occasions sweet and harmonious enough to the ear of those in whose favour the welkin is made to ring . .. and all the
We are told h y Peel , Graham , D'Israeli , Other great orators both for and against the measure , that the real question at issue is " What is for the improvement of the social and moral condition of the masses , or that great class which subsists by manual labour . " Now , surely we , the much cared for class , should know what is required to amend our social condition ; and if these sympathizing Genilemen had but bethought themselves to ask us this question three months ago what a deal of bickering , personalities , and mental and bodily trouble we might have saved them . As to our moral condition , if they mean by it our mental blindness and low moral character , though our Legislators often talk about it as something even more to be deplored than our physical hardships , they just need
amendment in this respect equally at least with ourselves . Talk of mental blindness indeed ! and here are 658 of the talkers debating for months about what is required to amend our condition , when any one , with half an eye may see , that if we had not been robbed to a most Shameless extent , we must have been now in a comparatively happy state . Since 1820 we have produced five times as much clothing as before that period , and we are now able , by agricultural improvements , to produce twice as much from a given quantity of soil , as is now raised in any other country in . Europe or America . Notwithstanding this superabundance we are actually worse off than before the improvements took plaee . I f shameful robbery was not practised this could not be . We ought clearly to be much better off instead of worse .
We are often told that we are ignorant , and we do not know what is good for us ; but when any of our ghostly teachers tell us this , they generally add , " God alone knows what is best , " they are seldom sufficiently insulting to aver that our fellow men can know better than we ourselves do . Lest , however , they should still think that we do not know , I may just state what it is that we agree amongst ourselves to think necessary for our good . It is simply this , " That we should work for ourselves , and enjoy that which we produce , without being under the necessity of toiling to ke « p others all their lives in idleness and abundance . " This is what wo think necessary to make our social condition what it ought to be ; but the idlers whom we are obliged to solicit to make it so are not likely to do it for us ; and indeed we should be
as great fools as they profess to think US were we to hope for anythingof the kind ; so the question which we have to considers , " What can we do , in the event of an election , towards accomplishing something for ourselves ?" According to the present theory of elections the public and not individual good ought to be studied by the electoral body . If every man had the vote the principle would be different , for then each consulting his own inte . rest alone , secured through the medium of legislation , the general good would be thereby obtained . Now before a man can know what is necessary for the general good he must thoroughly understand what is the real condition of the great mass of society ; and he must know too what that condition oug ht to be . This would be a knowledge easy of acquirement , if it were not for that unnatural
position in which we are all at present placed ; the rich being above , and the poor below nature ' s lerel , On-ing thereto we view every thing connected with society through an impure medium , and hence it is , that we are everlastingly running one against arother with our various projects for amending our condition ; whilst , at the same time , the confusion springing therefrom is doubled by being awed and coerced by the governing power ; and our minds meanwhile bewildered by the sophistry OffOOlS , or designing knaves . But if instead of listening to what others say , we were , with our minds divested of all prejudices . , to study men and things ; perusing nature ' s volume only , the mystery would vanish , and the solution be easy . We see first one and then another improvement take place in producing the necessaries and
enjoyments of life . There must have been a time when these improvements had a commencement , and before this period , it is equally clear man could only have subsisted by hunting wild beasts and gathering such fruits as nature spontaneousl y put forth . But bye-and-bye animals would be domesticated , and fruit trees planted ; roots and other vegetables suitable to man ' s sustenance would be , one by one discovered , and thus the earth ' s value would become appreciated ; when war and plunder would speedily lead to its undue appropriation , and to that accursed monopoly of the soil , which has ever since rendered every improvement , to the disinherited mass & f mankind , a bane instead of a blessing . Every useful plant and animal , with every rood of cultivateable soil soon became the possession of a few ; whilst the remainiug members of the human family having nothing left
for their sustenance but water and air , were thus placed completely at the mercy of the monopolists , aud of them they had to crave for liberty to toil . Every improvement , every new invention the monopolists wrenched to their Own purposes , to make themselves less dependenton their slaves . The simple invention ef that useful implement , the spade , would be to the tyrant a godsend . Fewer slaves , by its means , would be needed to dig up the soil ; the others he would bring under his war banner , to fight his battles , to gain fresh conquests , to extend his power and to wreathe his brow with victory ' s laurels . Far better would it have been for the tyrant-doomed sons of toil if the ground had yet to be scratched up with the fingers , to fit it for the reception of seed , aided only with bits of Sticks , and no other fire to harden their points than JEtna ' s belching blaze .
Here then is the present position of the working class . Every material from which the necessaries of life must ho raised in the possession of a few monopolists the landed and monied capitalists . These two unnatural exerescenes are now sending out their cancerous fibres into each others vitals . Hitherto they have existed if not in harmony , at least in peace with each other , save that now aud then a glance of withering eontempt was . directed from tho elder to the younger , but now the younger in its more lusty eagerness for prey , is seizing upon that which hath hitherto
been required to feed the elder . . These vile antagonists have now the hyprocrisy to pretend that they are each actuated by a desire to promote the welfare of those beings which they have hitherto made their prey . Happily the feudal power of tyranny is extinct , or from the fens of Lincolnshire and tho South of England , the agricultural serfs would rise to meet the mill bound slaves of Lancashire and Yorkshire in battle array , to spill each others blood . This state of things need not ho apprehended now ; all the fighting has to be dona at the poll booth , and they merely wish us to bawl and shout , and carry by popular clamour the election in their favour .
If a lion and tiger were struggling for the mastery , and tho other animals upon which they usually fed were to come aud array themselves , some on the lion ' s side and others on the tiger ' s , and then commence tearing each others throats , what would any man say who should chance observe » , " Poor silly creatures , " he would
The Coming Election — Duty Of The People...
naturally remark , "they were onl y made to be eaten » And what would be the feeling of any rational " man » b he saw working men arraying themselve 8 , « 8 orae on Z landlords side , and others oh the millowners ? " Look " he would instinctively " exclaim , with a glance of indignanf seem , "how those brutes in human shape , dtovb th * H selves fitted only for slaves I" * m *' Working Men , let us no longer be gulled . Hitherto w have either boen duped by their sophistry , or hired 1 * selves as willing tools , traitors to our order for a liithw their gold . If we wish well to ourselves and ouron ! . terity , let us change our tactics , and neither be fool ^ nor bribed . Hl i It— % . * . _!_ it iL « . . ^^*>
Sir , I fear that I have exceeded the limits assi gned w , Correspondent ' s , and hare as yet said little or nothing of the course to be pursued in the event of a speedy dissolu tion of Parliament . I deemed the foregoing remarki necessary to a clear understanding and justification of my views . If you will insert them in your forthcoming piper , I shall consider such mssrtion a proof of your willingness to print one more letter on the above subject . Tours respectfully , Richard Mabsdkn .
Limehouse.
LIMEHOUSE .
ELECTION OP A DELEGATE TO THE ENSUING NATIONAL CHARTIST CONVENTION . On Monday evening , May 25 th , a public meeting , for the above purpose , was held at tho Brunswick Hall , Itopemaker ' s-flelds . Mr . John Saiw was unanimously called to the chair , and the proceedings were commenced by singing the National Charter Anthem . The chairman said , they had assembled for the purpose of electing a delegate , Mr . Ernest Jones , a poet , who was known as the author of "My Life , " and other works , and several of whose contributions had , from time to time , appeared in the Northern Star — ( hear , hear ) — had volunteered hig services . Of course , it would be their duty to question him , and if they thought him not qualified they had tha opportunity of nominating and electing some one else , ( Hear , hear . )
Mr . Atlino , in an excellent speech , moved— "That this meeting do now proceed to the election of one delegate , to represent Limehouse , in the National Charter Convention . " Mr . BEiNABD , in an able speech , in which he entered into an elaborate exposition o the principles of tlie People ' s Charter , and refuted several objections urged against it . He added they had now met for the eleetion of a delegate to a National Convention , to deliberate on and adopt means for carrying into practice the great principles of the People ' s Charter —( loud cheers )—an event of far more importance than the birth of a Princess which had that day taken place . ( Hear , hear . ) Ha cordially seconded the motion . The resolution was adopted unanimously . Mr . Athho , after paying a marked compliment to Mr . Jones for his talent as a democratic poet , proposed : — " That Mr . Ernest Jones is a fit and proper person to be our delegate to the ensuing Chartist Convention . " Mr . Anset . Ii seconded the motion .
Mr , Peirce thought it necessary that they should have an opportunity of hearing Mr . Jonos ' s statements before they proceeded to the election . The Chaibm & n said he conceived that the best mode of eliciting the sentiments of Candidates was by questioning them , and he should , therefore , be happy to hear any one who had a question te submit . Mr . Bbadj & m asked , was Mr . Jones a member of the National Charter Association , he put the question as he understood not . Mr . Jones said he had not been until very recently , he had called at the office in Dean-street , a few days ago and found the Executive were absent from London , on a visit to the Chartist estate , and that the Secretary ' s wife , who was in care of the office , could not take the money for the six months' contribution , or issue a card . He had , however , obtained the " Hand Book , " left his name and would call again for tho card and pay the sis months contribution .
The Chairman said the answer appeared satisfactory . Mr . Jones was unquestionably , a man of talent , his recent address that appeared in the columns of the Star , shewed him to be a thorough Chartist , whilst bis poetical effusions , breathed the purest democracy . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Jones , in an eloquent speech then addressed the meeting on a variety of political subjects , and in the course of his address , made the following observations on the present deficient representation of the people : —He said , that in the National Convention he saw a great principle about to fee evolved , the right of the people to self-government ; and when he remembered that there was not more than about 800 , 000 electors out of the many millions of our countrymen , that every means was resorted to , from secret bribery to open intimidation , to-paralyse and nullify the use of the franchise by those electors ; when ha
remembered that place and pension were but given for party services , and preferment was the reward of political subserviency , —that government has at its disposal twice the amount of places sufficient to influence the majority of the eletced , and patronage enough to bribe a majority ot ' electors ( without mentioning private interest and local influence)—remembering all these things , and thus seeing this shadow of a representation reduced to a shadow of a shadow , he could not help considering it a matter of wonder , that the people of this mighty country should so long have submitted to a . system so nefarious , a misrepresent ition so flagrant . ( Great cheering . ) He further alluded to the want of sympath y shewn b y the privileged classes towards the working classes . They promised much indeed . They even told us they had already made a beginning . They were enforcing reform . Oh ! the liberal
men ! What was the result of their measures ? What was the measure of their liberality ? They had emancipated the black slave abroad : —Why did they not emancipate the white at home ? ( Cheers . ) . They had sent their church-missions over the habitable globe : —Why did they not purify their Church of England . ( Loud cheers . ) They told us they had cut down sinecures : — so they had . But tor one they abrogated , they created ten . There were , somehowor other , always places enough for the portionless younger sons of the aristocracy , and the bribed seceders from the ranks of the democracy , and there always would be , as long as we were thus governed , Again , they told us , we were not fit to rule ourselves . We had not the intellect , the experience , the something or other , he believed they scarce knew what themselves . Tbey said we were not sufficiently educated . The more
shame for them then . Why then did they not educate us better f They had had timo enough to do so . Why did they in the ^ same year vote £ 70 , 000 for the Queen ' s stables , and only £ 10 , 000 for the education of the poor ? ( Cheers . ) He would answer those noble legislators , that hereditary andcollectivewisdom , there wasnota manin the far nobler assemblies of the people , , wbo would not make a kinder statesman than the Duke of Norfolk , or a more eonsciett " tious minister than Sir James Graham . ( Loud cheers . ) But they- still objected , this was not the fault of this class , it was but the fault of the ministers in power . Ministers were transitory things—and , as a class , they would atone for what , as a government , they had enacted . Strange , then , that we had Tory ministries , Whig ministries , Conservative , and so-called Liberal , aye . Radical ministries , all taken from their own class ,
and yet the results of all had been much the same!—How remarkably odd , that they should just have turned up such unlucky specimens ; ( Cheers and laughter . ) Trust to their sympathy , indeed ' . To their sense of right as a class ! "Was it harboured b y men iike llobhouse , who opposed a two hours' reduction in the daily amount of labour , because the revenue might happen to lose 21 millions sterlingper annum , Down with such sympathy ' . Let them save the millions of fellow-beings—keep infants from the factories and women from the looms—and perish ten times two millions sterling from the revenue . Let the deficiency be made up by a less expensive court , less salaried and fewer officers of state , fewer palaces ot royalty , and smaller stables for theroyal horses ( cheers ) Or was that sympathy enshrined in a bench of bishops , who , to the 6 od of Peace proffered thanksgiving for a
terrible slaughter , but could not offer a petition to parliament for their starving and suffering countrymen : From the bishops , who rolled in luxury , while their brethren in Christ were perishing from want . Who , in the churches , separated the poor from the rich , and smiled on the great man ' s half-cmpty pew , while the pauper stood shivering on the stones ( much cheering ) . Mr . Jones , then , after alluding to tho Sviffi'agO , the POOt Law , the moral and physical force question , and other points , said he felt it necessary to add a few words on the occasion of his coming amongst them : Perhaps it was a novelty to have a connection of aristocracy mis with them , but he did not see why , because his forefathers held Conservative opinions , he was not to hold , and hold sincerely democratic opinions ( hear , hear ) . He thought by so doing he was setting a good example , although he would by 110 means wish to stand in the way of any
veteran m the cause who was better qualified than himself . Mr . Jones resumed his seat amid " great cheering ^ In answer to questions put by Mr . Aitseli , Mr . Jones said , he would move for or support a plan fer the better organisation of Chartism throughout the eountry , and advocate the sitting of a peimancnt Coimntion during the discussion of any important question in Parliament , the sending in Petitions to the Legislntuae , and attention to the Registration of perssns who werft qualified to become electors , by the holding of property to tho value-of £ 10 annually , and otherwise . Ue feefnght the law of . Primogeniture an absurdity , because » 4 would be ridiculous to punish a man for any crime his father might have committed ; and it was equally , ridiculous tcreward him for any good deed performed by his ancestors . ( Loud ofcaers . ) He should not like to see any party » pring up and profess to be advocates for tho principles without the name , if any did he should suspect them .
The Queriest said , the Complete Suffrage Men were the party to whom he had alluded . Mr . Jones replied , that he hoped that party would now combine with the Chartists , and form one grand whole . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Phaser , in an eloquent speech said , that the ensuing Convention would b 4 totall y different from any that had preceded it , and for his part he should much like to see Feargus O'Connor and Joseph Stuvge on the most friendly terms in that Convention , and a plan adop ted , in which all would march on unitedl y for the attainment of the great princip les of the Pnople ' s Cliarter-( Hoar , hear . ) The motion having been agreed to without one dissentient voice , the Chairman declared Ifr . Eawrsr loSSi duly elelcted , amid loud cheers .
A Subscription was then opened to defray the exponca of sanding the Delegate to Convention , for which purpose Mr , Bernard was elected Treasurer ,
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 30, 1846, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_30051846/page/6/
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