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    to receive the ' Mat 6, 1848. -. ;=---; ...

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  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    The National Assembly. Monday Morning, A...

    _ksn happy to receive the support of Mr M'Carthy in the former C § nTention . He called on them to accept Mr M'Carthy , snd show their desire to _fz-atemise with those mea who were _reoreseated by _Capjjja O'Brien te day . ( Loud cheers ) Jdx T , M . Wsbbmb _suggested to Mr M'Carthy to _withdra w , and get re-elected at the meeting _absutto be held of tbe _denizsss ef tho city and Finsbury , on Clerkenwell Green . Mr Ktbd thought the epeech of Mr Jones impolitic , sad thit Recording to the instructions , issued , Us M'Cmhy ' _s election could not be sustained . Mr _M'CiaTHT said , he woald withdraw , and _acendingly left tha hall ; but several members wishing the question to be put , it was accordingly done , and Mr Clark ' s motion declared to be carried , by a majority Of two . Ayor _ti t { f Delegates relative to the Condition of their several Districts .

    m Mr Sruw ( Tower fl & mltrts ) said . the people were bi si most alarming condition . They traced their _autremoclfla legislation _, and were prepared to t ! _£ fi y aa < i _" _^ 8 tep _^ _c _^ _ted to remove it . and they held the Whig government in the most profound contempt . Mr _Dirox said , he had nothing to add to what he had delivered on a former occasion , except that some meetings had beea held at Bury St Edmunds , where the Charter was received most gloriously . The Norwich people , since the appearance of Mr _O'Conagr ' s letter , bad expressed a desire to have the Assembly postponed . Mr Veskox ssid , his constituents were notexact _' y in a starving condition , and therefore oould not bt _r » _ted as mere belly _Chartists , but he believed fiom the mode in which he was elected , that tbey would su pport this Assembly in its onward progress . ( Cbeers . ) The Assembly then adjourned to nine o ' clock on Tuesday morning .

    TUESDAY MORNING , May 2 nd . Mr W . Duos took the chair at nine o ' clock . % \ _r J . West handed in his credentials for Stock-£ 0 _it ; J- Hargreaves , for Warrington ; George Abbs , ongten ; R . Mirfie . _'d , Keighley ; W . losoll , Dudley ; S . Bentole , Macclesfield ; J . Hoy , Salford ; H . Roden , Birmingham ; J . Shirron , and C . B . Henery , Aberdeen . Mr _ADiHi moved : — That the names of members absent without leave , be published . ' Mr M'Crae seconded the motion . Mr J . Shaw objected . Mr _Raxkut did not think the suggestion jasfc thrown ont by Mr Cochrane , a _g to _nnbUshiag the list ef _pterent and absent members , could be adopted . Mr We « t thought it child ' s play , that a consciouscess of right ought to be sufficient .

    Mr Sievbssos said , he oid not conceive it child ' s play , as it was Tery annoying to members , to haTe others coming iu aa hour after , and asking what was done . After _s few words in reply from Mr Adaks , the motion was carried witb one dissentient only . Agitating Committee . Mr Basest reported the meeting at the South London Hall , _wnich was well attended ; that a meeting would be held at Bishop Bonner ' s fields , at three o ' clock , at which Dr M'Douall and Mr Lightowler would attend . He believed that 20 , 000 would attend . Business Committee , Dr _M'Dmiall reported that a daily paper had sent them an offer , and he should be enabled to report in the afternoon . The doctor also alluded to arrangements pending with the _Noethehh Stab , abeutgiving _tspolementei

    Dekgata * Report . Mr T . Class was called on and said , he had a colleague in the person of Town Councillor Briggs , who could give a better state of tbe feeling of Sheffield than ho conld ; however , they were in favonr of a moral agitation for the People ' s Charter . Mr _Concciller _Brings ssid , he did not believe that Sheffield was prepared to go by any other means than moral ones for the People ' s Charter ; the Charter was making great progress , not only amongst the working but middle classes also . A requisition was ia course of signature to Mr Ward , M . P ., calling on him to resign his _eeverntaent situation , and he be lieved that a majority of the electors would sign that requisition .

    Leave of absence * ffas here given to the business _eamnoittee to retire . Mr _Crosby mi , he was sent here by a lirge body of operatives , who were desirous of contending for their _sataral and political rights , by all legal and moral means . Mr _MATHUwsaid _, _hecouldnotsfateasMrTaitereal ! had done , that his constituents wonld Sght for tbe Charter , but he could eay that , on last Sunday hut one , on Blackstone M _* or . they had one of the largest meetings ever held for Chartism—nene ef the enthusiasm had died away . Distress existed in an

    nnparalle'ed degree . He had witnessed men—mechanies--reduced to the condition of scavengers , and instead of _earaing two pounds per week for their labour , sweeping the streets for Eome three or four shiUirgs per week . Mills were about to clise , or had just offered a reduction of thirty-three per cent . His constituents wonfd loek np to tbis Assembly with much anxiety , to see what practical steps would be taken . Some of his _constituents since the election hnd objected to a _delega te coming , as they apprehended forty-nine would be balloted for , bnt the _proceedings of their body would doLbtles 3 obviate that objectioa _.

    Mr _Stetbssos said , his _aistncfc was only some five miles from that of tbe last speaker , many of his constituents could scarce obtain a meal a day , and they wished him to state that they saw no help of permanent remedy nntil the people were enfran caused . Their lives under _present circumstances were valueless , and they could not look forward for anything , until snch times as the _Charter opened new labour field ? . They _wished legal and moral means to be _sdopred , but would nor ceaES their agitation _unless they obtained their object , or were either peaceably or violently laid in their graves . The trades had called a meeting for the purpose _^ of uniting with each other in obtaining their political rights , his constituents were determined to obtain their rights some way or other . Mr _Mackintosh presented his credentials , from _Nswcastle-on-Tvne .

    Mr P . M'Grath handed in credentials from Stockport and Hanley . Mr Shaepe said , he attended many meetings of his constituents who _thought they had begged and prayed long enough , and that the memorial to the _Queen was the last step in that direction ; thousands of men were in a starving condition ; their wives and children crying for bread and they had none to give _theto . Mr J . D . _Stephexscs presented his credentials ss delegate fr < m Worcester . Mr J . Shaw ( London ) , asked the chairman if he had heard that Mr M'Grath ' s credentials related that he represented the trades of Stockport . 'The _CHAisj & i 5—Yes , A discussion then arose as to Mr M'Grath ' s credentials being received , _su-d , as in the case cf Mr M ' Carthy , tbey were returned for amendment . The Delegates then resumed their reports as follows : —

    Mr _Cakbelet said , in his district an immense amount of distress prevailed , which , year after year , increased . They attributed this to several causes , oae of which was improved machinery , and they thought it the duty of government to look to those ¦ who were so thrown out of work- The people were go destitute that they were now living three and four families _snder one roof , they had resolved on effecting a reform by some means er other . The memorial to the Queen for dismissal of ministers they would support . Hi * constituents were looking forward to thi 3 body for a _soHtd organisation . The middle classes were beginning to sympathise , and were his chief supporters . As regard * ulterior measures , when the prooer time came he would give a statement of _tVa feelings as regarded that .

    Mr Pkbardt could not place his constituents In tbe light his _predecessor had done ; bnt they were anxious for a change . They found that _labour was cot represented , and they trugted tbat this assembly would see what were the best steps that could be taken forthe furtherance of Chartism , and bring it to bear on the government . Thay wished eo fores whatever to be us ? d , but strictly moral means . Mr R . _Cochhase said , that in Paisley in the dead of winter there were 1 , 500 people without either bed or blanket , and things were getting worse . The inhabitants were principally hand-Icom weavers , who , when in employ , only earned some _Svecr _eix shillings per week ; and thus , the moment they were ont of vrork , they were in a starving condition—which , as a natter of course , much reduced the middle classes

    also . They _relieved if they had a voice in making laws , that a different state of things would prevail , and that laws would be made for the good of all . A large meeting had been held in Paisley , which the Whig papers had admitted was attended by 20 . 000 persons ; and , as they had admitted 20 , 000 , he thought tbey would be under the mark if they said 30 , 000 , and they evinced their enthusiasm , as not _Isu than 100 banners were exhibited at the meeting . They were determined to hare the Charter , at any rate .

    Mr _M'Ceae said , his constituents had long been deluded by free trade . But , instead of a big leaf , they found themselves without bread at all . Hence their eyes were at length opened , and they had begun _tafook up to the Charier . Meetings were of almojfc daily occurrence . They had the attendance of specials and military . The middle classes had formed * society for _protection ot life and propelty , and the wotting ck & ses ha *! resolved , to form a _flfationaJ Guard for a similar purpose . In fact , with the Scotch poet , they

    agreed—That moral force was all a humbug , That nothing persuade * like a lick in the lug . Mr Carvir handed in his credentials as delegate forthe BirmiHghamdistrict . Mr Psacock said , the letters of Mr O'Consorfcad _QHdesone { aw lukewarm . Bat they resolved that

    The National Assembly. Monday Morning, A...

    no man , but principles , should be their guide Thev looked up with _sonfidtnee to this body , and were tired of humbly oetitioaing and _memorialising . Mr S . BABrLKrr said , his constituents were desirous thatthe movement should be pushed on , but tbat moral means only should be resorted to . They were not prepared with any other . Notwithstanding he hsd seen a letter to Colonel Napier from Lord John Russell , in which he stated that , should the Reform Bill not ba carried , he ( the colonel ) was to hold himself ready for any emergency . He hoped the

    reporter fer the Bristol paper ( who was present ! would report this :-Mr Berkeley had said that an immense number were in favour of a loyal address ofconfadence in government . Now , he could tell thea that a notice was posted up at tha gates of a firm , at which five hundred men were employed , stating that they must sign it . But only two out of the five hundred had signed ; acd so unpopular were those two men , that the ma-ters had found it necessary to discbarge them , instead of rewarding them . Meetings—very large meetings—were of frequent _occurranee on Brandon-hill .

    Mr T . M . Whbblkb eaid , distress prevailed to a great extent . The _psople were firm , and had resolved that the memorial to tbe Qijeen should be the last farce in whioh they would take a part . They were forming a National Guard to protect life and property , and themselves from foreign foes or domestic spoilers . Mr Shaw ( Barnsley ) said his coastituents were ready and determined to support the Assembly . Public meetings bad been held in Barnsley , almost every day . It contained a population ofsome 12 , 000 inhabitants . They had specials and military . His constituents were willing to exert every moral and legal means ; but when they found the middle classes arming , they thought they had a _ru-ht to arm , too . The letters of Mr O'Cennor in the Northers Stab bad given greatoffence to his constituents , and they _otrtainiy did wish to know what connexion prevailed between the late Convention and Mr 0 ' Connor on that subject .

    Mr Torre said their county wa 3 misrepresented by Mr _Batrge _. Lord _JoceljD , and Lord George B _. ntinck . The Jatter had recently written a letter , in which he Et & ted that any alteration in the _constitution of the lower house at piesent would be injurious to tbe working classes . Lynn embraced a mixed population —sailora , corn porters , and otheTSi The sailors were entirely with them . He did not mean to fay that the people were _prepared to ' tuck up their sleeves and go at it ; ' but tbey resolved not to petition or memorialise any more , and they would support this Assembly . Mr M'Grath thought the course they were at pre-Bent taking aimless and a waste of time . Hence , he would recommend tbat they should cease the reperta , and go at once to the business ofthe _programme .

    Mr E . Joses said , he thought it necessary to hear a report ef the state of the country , as on that report mnst in a great measure , depend the course that Assembly would pursue . Mr M'Grath said , as it _appeared that the Assembly was in favour of reporting he would withdrawhis motion . Mr E . _JoyES said , he shonld only be repeating what had been already heard , if he stated thedistrm prevailing in Halifax The notion of getting anything from petitions or memorials was dying away . Processions had been discountenanced by the magistrates but held nevertheless . His constituents were willing that all moral means should betaken , but were not willing to go on petitioning , after the memorial to the Queen . They were quite ready to

    support tbis Assembly . They drew the _distinction between civil and political laws j the first they were wilting to _observe while in force , but for the latter they were prepared to break them . They were de-Bircus of observing the laws that protected life and property , but determined to break those that restricted _liberty . and justice . Mr Jones then referred to his Scotch tour . He had witnessed great firmness atid enthusiasm in Aberdeen ; a . National Guard , consisting of nearly 1 . 000 persons , was formed , and should thisAssembly _declare itself a parliament they were determined to support it . Next day he attended at Dundee , whero the people were ready to support ibi 3 Assembly to the utmost . On Wednesday he _attended st Edinburgh ; the feeling there was strong . He had addressed a large meeting in the Waterloo rooms in connexion with his friend Adams and Dr

    Hunter . Meetings were held , 30 . 000 strong , on the Carlton Hill ; and they had commenced talking ef forming a National Guard . On Thursday night he attended aa enthusiastic meeting in the Low Church at Paisley and next day . at twelve , an immense meeting and procession , of some 30 , 000 people , with 100 banners and twelve bands of music . A remarkable circumstance occurred here—that ot handing ever the Eafety ofthe town by the magistrates to the Chartists , and the greatest peace and good order prevailed , all the shops were open , and not an accident occurred , though fire-arms were discharged _aloig tbe line of the procession in token of rejo ' cing . The same night he attended an overflowing meeting in the City Hall at Glasgow , where the same pledge

    of support was given to the National Assembly , on _whatever course it might _decide . On the next day , Saturday , a meeting acd procession were held at Greenock . Here a guard of honour of 200 soldiers was sent down with him and Mr Adams , from Glasgow . A glorious procession was formed . A precession through the town was prohibited . The soldiers were hid under the bridges with Bail cloth , but nevertheless they pushed a paper through the cloth to a member ofthe Cbartist Committee , to the effect' Don ' t hold the procession to-day , bnt pass a _resolution in _favour ot _premolion from the ranks . ' The employers locked tbeir men in their premises , which showed they were all Cbartist ? , and after the meeting was over , the police intercepted their peaceable march . But before they left the town , they _ascertalced all waa qniet—at a later hoar in the even ' me

    the police broke the leg of an old man , who , he had heard , had since died . The same evening , he proceeded to Alexandria , and attended a large meetine in tbe Church therei where full support was pledged to the Assembly . On Monday , he attended with Mr Adams , an open-air _ meetine , at one o clock , at Coatbridge , of the miners , wbere they _celebrated a uniou between the Repealers and Chartists , and he could assure them that the miners were strong , and had the right Bpirit . The same evening , at Hamilton , there was a meeting in tbe church . Four men had been put in prison for circulating the letter' Soldier and Citizen '—however , they were let out again . There , too , they pledged the fullest support to tbe Assembly . He bad now stated lhe result of his tour without colouring , indeed , he _should think himself criminal were he to deceive them . A letter from

    his constituents instructed him to take his seat , without reference to any ballot . Mr Haelkt said , great suffering prevailed in Glasgow , many people existing ; on turnips and oatmeal _, since the riots tbat took place , the upper classes had endeavoured to get them employment . Some had " got out doer labour at one shilling a day . Others bad been stone-breaking at about fourpence per day . Chartism was in a much healthier state than it bad ever before been . The press had given them credit for 100 , 000 at their meeting on Glasgow Green , but he believed there were near ' y 200 , 000 , notwithstand ing the masters bad told the men under them that if they went to the meeting , tbey need never return te their work . He believed tbat the men of Glasgow would support us in all common 6 enBe objects . -

    Mr Adams said , tbat a case af sedition that had been trumped up against two printers , would break down , as the witnesses were such fools they could make nothing out of them . ( Laughter and applause . ) A trades' delegate meeting of five hundred had met , and resolved to support this Assembly . Mr J . Basset said , some of his constituents were indigent , some in affluent circumstances . Tbe middle classes were coming over as fast as we cnuld wish . The trades , too , of which he was a member , had to a man held up their bauds for the Charter . He had been instructed to act with prudence , yet firmness . Whilst they would try all moral means , they would be ready to take any steps circumstances might require . He would say that his colleague

    had hardly been correct m his statement ; instead ofa national _euard , they were forming a life and property _protectioa society . Mr S . M'Lsas said , in Alva eight hundred men practised rifla shooting , and most excellent marksmen they were . The _Chartist organisation is going on well . He thought it essentially necessary tbat this Assembly Bhoald take up the queption of organisation on a popular basis . For the list _fifteenmonths ' many of the people had been involuntary idlers , living on turnips . This Bource was nearly exhausted ; and unless something turned up , nothing but anarchy could be expected . The Assembly adjourned until half-past two o ' clock .

    AFTERNOON SITTING . The Agsembly met at about a quarter to three , and the roll having been gone through . The Chairman called npon Mr Kydd to make his report as one of the _delegates fer Oldham , and as ene ef tbe missionaries to Ireland . Mr Ktdd accordingly rose , and stated that in obedience to the object which the Assembly had in view , he ani hu _co-delegate ( Mr Leach ) made the best of their way to Dublin and waited upon Patrick O _Higeins . considering that gentleman as identified with the canst ofthe Charter in England , and being at the head ofthe Universal Suffrage Society in Ireland . They were received with _characterises hospitality . They also waited upon the Council of tbe

    Irish Confederation , who , he might take that opportunity of _sayine , were aa _aaxious to see the deputation as the deputation were anxious to see them . The first question which was put to them by the council was as tothe terms of union which the Chartists proposed to their brethren in Ireland . This the ' deputation replied to by _^ tating that they were not prepared to lay dowa _any'distinct line of policy , but to express a feeling of sympathy with the Irish people in thegreat struggle in which they were more immediately en . gaged . He went on to Btate that maBy gentlemen of _thecounoilapprovedol the Charter in some points , but disapproved of others ; acd Eome went so far a * - to insinuate that it was not the province _ofthe _^ Englkh people to dictate the policy of Irish agifation . He

    The National Assembly. Monday Morning, A...

    regretted the existence of views so narrow . But , without reference to those minor details , he believed the council of the Irish Confederatien to be singleminded and sincere , and he believed the day to ba not far distant when Ireland would achieve her _iudependanoe . . ( Hear , hear . ) After the arrival of the deputation , a meeting was recommended to be held on tke Easter Monday ; but there were oh that day numerous meetings of the vestries is the city ; and , besides , there was a meeting appointed to be held at Conciliation Hall—a hall called by that name , but Used chMy by oonntry gentlemen , who met there for the purpose of blowing each other up—( a laugh )—so that it waa thought better to hold a meeting at the Princess ' s Theatre ; and , although priceB & t

    admission were charged for admittance todifferentparts of the house , he could state , from the receipts at tbe doors , that there were upwards of 1 , 000 present . ( Cheers . ) He madethis _. ' _statement , because , although the Irirjh people had done them justice aa regarded the numbers present at that meeting , the English press bad rot . At that meeting the principles of tbe Charier were fully propounded , and resolutions ap _. proving the People s Charter passed unanimously . ( Cheera . ) From his own knowledge of the country , he was enabled to say , that if properly canvassed , the Irish people were fully prepared to receive tbe principles of the Charter , and he firmly believed tbat , when Ireland obtained her own Parliament , it would be a Parliament based upon the principles of the

    Charter . ( Cheers . ) Through the kindness of tbeir Irish friends he ( Mr Kydd ) and his colleagues were introduced to many leading and influential men in Ireland , whose opinions were in the highest degree coBfirrsatery of the determined spirit of tbe Irish people . Of these he could not forbear relating the expression of one gentleman of eminence in the IriBh Church , and of great historical learning , in answer to the question of what he thought of tbe prospect of the present struggle in Ireland , who made u _? e of the remark of Robespierre . Sir , ' said he , ' these people will do much , because they mean all tbey fay . ' ( Hear , hear . ) After a few general observations _« n the subject of the Huffrage , Mr Kydd adverted tn the _sooial condition of the Irish people , and stated tbati

    although he was well . ' acquainted with the condition ofthe labouring classes in Glasgow , Aberdeen , Dundee , Manchester and other large cities in England and Scotland , he had never witnessed the depth ef poverty and wretchedness whioh he had witnessed in Ireland . __ He went on to describe the condition of a large portion of the peasantry at Farberry , within twenty-five miles of Dublin , where numbers ofthe poor creatures had no shelter from the weatber , and no bed but the hard earth . Tbey carried straw ' ? ilh tbem and slept on the road aide . He concluded by stating , tbat at a meeting held in Ireland , he had received instructions to exercise bis free judgment

    and discretion in forwarding the great principles of the Charter for , and on behalf of , the people of Ireland . It was , he said , obvious to all tbat either Lord _Cla-endon and Lord Rnsselldid not know how to govern Ireland , or they were jugg ler * who could eat hot tow without burning themselves . The starving people pointed to the soldiers mounted on horses better fed than the labourer , and they said , ' These horses eat the corn and these soldiers take the money which we should have . ' Sueh was the outcry of the people . The government compained of conspiracy , but that conspiracy _*? as so widely spread tbat to put it down it would be found necessary either to destroy or to export three fourths ofthe people .

    Mr _CrjsnvnuQ said , he represented a constituency o _^ _abeut one hundred and fifty thousand . They had not suffered _^ so much as the people in the manufacturing districts , yet amce he was returned to the late Convention , Chartism had made rapid progress in the district . His constituents said that tbe social condition of the people was dependent upon their political condition—they said Parliament hadthepowe ! to reorganise the labour of the country—that the national resources were abundant to give employment to tke whole population , rod that there was so hope of any improvement until labour was represented in Parliament as well as all other interests . They were , however , in favour of pursuing this great object by _striet'y moral and constitutional means .

    Mr H . Rankin corroborated the statements of his oolleague , Mr Cumming , as to the progress of Chartism in Edinburgh . Meetings were held in the Cullen Hall every week . He wished to state that the people of that city deeply deplored the publication of Mr O'Connor ' s _letters in the Nobthbrm Stab , as being both impolitic and uncalled for , and that they were also of opinion that the people ' s petition had been traated with great injustice . They had no faith in the middle-class movement for electoral reform , headed by Messrs Hume , Cobden , and Bright , seeiBg that all these parties had been opposed to the labour question , and were the great upholders of tbat system of political _econoisy -a hieh ground the working classes te the dust . At a public meetine . it had been _asreed to form a national guard of 1 , 600 persons , to put down domestic anarchy and foreign interference , and it wa 3 to be divided and subdivided in regular military order , and headed by captains , lieutenants , Ac .

    Mr H . Child said , trade wa * bad—rents _hiuh —taxes ditto , and tbey thonght it the duty of the government to put ihem in such a state a 3 would enable them to pay them . Tbere was not that physical force feeling that had keen represented . The people thought here that all Englishmen had aright to have arms in their possession . He had such since his boyhood . The people were determined to support their cause . Mr P . M'Gbath said , his constituents had not chalked out any particular line for him to pursue , but were wishful for the Chatter .

    Mr J . Leach . —In Manchester , ten thousand persons were out of employment according to hia last report , but he had been informed tbis had been increased by two thousand . Tbere were seven thousand persons receiving parochial relief . . Rates were hieh , which waa a screw npon the middle _olassrs . Men of all classes have admitted we must have aome change . Tbe press , that was the government portion of it in Ireland , deceived the Chartists , aBd the press of England deceived the Repealers . Why ?—In order to keep them disunited . Bet tbere was no real difference between them . They were each _struggling for their rights .

    Mr Donovan said , there was not a body better prepared to obtain their rights tban were the men of Manchester . On his tour he first went to Norwichthe men had a good spirit , but it was far from a physical force spirit . They went tbence to Ipswich , where a similar spirit prevailed ; and tbence to Bury Saint Edro & _nds , where tbey bad the largest meeting ever held—tbe first ever held there for the Charter—and the spirit was equal to those he had alluded to . From thence tbey proceeded to Braintree , and not only the people of the town , but of the district , were in attendance , and there was only one class that was _dis-Ratii-fied—the shopkeepers—and they were dissatisfied simply because a number of policemen were brought in , and they would have to pay lor them . ( Loud laughter . )

    Dr M'Douall said , he had attended large meetings in Nottingham and district . In Nottingham they had a meeting of 8 , 009 . At Loughborough a quiet meeting in the Market-place . The men of Leicester had marched eleven miles tbere and eleven back again , which was a test of their determination at Lougbb ' irougb . When they wanted specials , they asked , 'Have yon signed the National Petition ? ' and they went en thi 3 way __ till at length they found they would haye no specials—at last they lound they had but three . In Mansfield they had a large

    meeting _, and from the mode in which it had betn conducted , it had brought over a great number of the middle classes . At Nottingham meetings had been held , both of working and middle classes , and at the latter they had aereed to Universal Suffrage , thc mayor proposing Universal , instead of an Extension of the Suffrage , ' _^ he opinion of the men of Nottingham was , that as the National Petition was disputed , that local petitions bearing name and address should be got up and presented as a basis to this assembly .

    Mr ABKEr . L said , as the representative of the _workirgclasses , and having been a farmer , he thought he knew as much of the werking classes in Swindon as any man , and never were they so badly off as now , He had been a reformer for twenty-five or thirty years , and he believed that if things went on , that nothing in the shape of small tradesmen would exist before long . The working people had known nothing of Universal Suffraee until the last two or three ye 3 rs , but he believed if delegates could be Sent , the agricultural labourers would become the best reformers .

    Mr J . We 8 i said , he bad attended meetings at Stockport , Macclesfield , Northampton , Longton , Birmingham , Bilston , and other towns , where large and enthusiastic meetings had been held . The delegate from Northampton to the Convention had attested tbat the people there were prepared _forphysical force . This was not correct . They were , however , prepared for a good moral force agitation . At Leicester , a splendid meeting had been held intbe Amphitheatre , and at Loughborough , it being , matketday when he addressed the people there , many farmers were present . At Nottingham poverty and poor rates were on the increase . Mr Wright , the banker of that town , had sent out circulars soliciting information on certain points , from those whe were well acquainted with the social and politic al condition

    ofthe people . From the returns to these circulars , it appears that in 1844 the number of in-door poor to whom relief was given was 602 ; in 1847 , it was 1 , 027- In 1844 . out-door relief was given to 1 , 691 persons ; in 1847 , to 3 203 . In 1845 and 1848 , the poor _rataii were 4 ? . 2 d . in tho pound ; in 1848 they were Bs . lOd . ( Hear . ) When these circumstances were taken into consideration , it waa impossible tbe people conld ba contented . With KBpect to tbe state of Stockport , he found by a table which had recentl y been prep > red _, that there were 68 mills employing 18 , 256 hands ; of these there were 4 566 entirely out of work , 561 working two days a week , 4 , 901 three days , 4 , 122 three days and a half , 2 , 214 were working four days , 871 five days , and S . 6 S 8 five days and a half ; The whole table gave an increase cf 17 per cent , in employment over last March . Mr J . Hargrbavss said , the people in Warrington had suffered more last winter than they had erer

    The National Assembly. Monday Morning, A...

    douo before , aud had been kept alive by BOup kitchens and the charity of same of the gentlemen . The people were now fully alive as to their righto _, f hey did not wish a revolution of blood , but wished tofigbt the moral battle , believing thought omnipotent . Mr Abbs related the oppression practised on tbe poor in tbe _Putteries . The people ofthe Potteries were f _.. r using moral means for obtaining tbeir just rights . Mr Whitfield said , he believed Chartism never prevailed to a greater extent . The thing he was sent here for was to _iorm a plan of organisation , for they said we bad not one . Mr Insoll sa'd . the people in tho neighbourhood of Dudley were Chartists from principle , not from necessity . They wished to have a plan of organisation and operation in aotion .

    Mr S Bkhtolb eaid , he believed a month or two since the people were worked up to a great pitch . Within this Inst week or two a great change had come over the people . Up to that period the people had reposed every confidence in their leader . Mr _O'CoBuor'a letters had _staggered them . However , they had faith in thia _Assembly , and would follow it , if it was disposed to lead . Tbere was no desire for an outbreak , but they were disposed for a firm moral movement , for the obtainment of their just rights . Mr J . Hotle said , ihe condition of the working claases in Salterd was closely allied to that of Manchester . Many had not done any work for sixteen months past . Of course , starvation made them impatient .

    MrRnDBNsaid , the feeling of the working classes was farther advanced thau he had ever known . The people of Birmingham placed every confidence iu tbe Assembly . They had a _middle-olasB movement for Universal Suffrage , and another for Household Suffrage . Mr J . Shirron said , the agitation in Aberdeen was _increasing . They bad _isent him nn helpmate , who had just arrived , and would give them a later account . He thought an organisation necessary . Mr Henbrv _said , their instructions were to get tbe Charter by moral _meam if you can , but git tbe Charter . If the people waited muoh longer , they would be in their craves

    Mr LionTOWLKRsaid , he had to say that the mayor and ot ' ners had come out for tho Charter . They _wished moraf force to be tried to the last , but at the same time they were preparing for another » _pecUsoi force . Many people did not get one shilling per week to live on , Mr J D . Stephbj , son said , tome ot tbe middle clasa asked , ' Will you not take ten shillings in the _piund ? ' forgetting thatsome would get ten shillings and others none . The people were for the ' Charter and no surrender . ' Mr W . Carver said , the Irish had sympathised with them in tbeir district . They wished every moral means to be tried , and the principle ? of th ? Charter inculcated from one end of the kingdom to the other .

    Mr J . Mackintosh said , they were _fastfalling into that state when insurrection became a less evil than submission to th * powers that be . They were desirous of baring the Charter , and would nntaccept the suffrage by instalments , not even a £ 5 suffrage . Also , they would unite with any , and _iorgiva even that chief of political sinners , Lord John Russell , if he would go with them . Mr Peacock obtained leave of absence fer Wednesday forenoon . The Assembly then adjourned . WEDNESDAY MORNING , Mat 3 . Mr W , Dixon resumed the chair afc nine o ' olock . The galleries , aa usual , were crowded . Mr T . Jones handed in his credentials as delegate for Liverpool .

    The Business Committee reported to the _effrot , tbat tbey were to receive a _deputation on the subject of a full report of tbe proceedings of the Assembly . Mr Couroillor Brigos was ultimately appointed treasurer to the _Assembly . Reports of the Dhtricts . Mr T . Jones said until this last tew weeks , Liverpool was dormant as _regarded Chartism , but now it was up at a great _height . A meeting had been held on the North Shore , at which something like _90 , 000 persons attended . They were fully determined to have tbe Charter either by moral or physical force _. Rifle club * and shooting galleries were tobe found in the _tonn .

    The _Ri-v . J . Barker said , he could not eay tbat his constituents were disposed to fight for the Charter—at least , tbere were very few that would ; and even those would like every moral means to be first tried . This was fully proved by their electing two moral force advocates . Thpy trusted ffficient steps would be taken to further the agitatun by this Assembly . Reception of Programme , Dr M'Douall moved that the programme be received . Mr Stevenson seconded the motion . The following was the programme : — Reports from Delegates on the state of the country _. Means of enabling the Assembly to give renewed vigour to tbe movement . Organisation of the Chartist body .

    Policy of the Cbartist body in _reference to other parties seeking a reformation short of the People ' s Charter .

    GREAT SOCIAL OBUVANCES . 1 . The Land Monopoly . 2 _. Pauperism , 3 . Crime . 4 . The Remedy .

    OaEAT POLITICAL G _& IEVAHC 2 S . 1 . Tho Restricted Franchise . 2 . Oppressive and Umqutil Taxation , 3 . Army and Navy , 4 . Judicial , Civil , and _Penalon Lists . 5 . The National D « bt . 6 . Repeal of tbe Union . 1 NDUSTBUL QUESTION !! , 1 . Labour and _Caphal , iheir relative position , 2 . Machinery , ito eftvete . _COMMERCIAL _QUESTIONS , 1 . Free Trade . 2 . The Currency Question . National Education . State Cburcb . Criminal Code . Free Press . The most approved mode of presenting tbe Memorial to her Majesty .

    Mr Wheeler thought it had bsen re ceived , and the first point acted on . Mr Rankin thought that the Assembly had net received the programme , and that the motion was proper . Mr _Kvod wished the matter to be properly stated by the Business Committee . Dr . MDouall _naid , he had moved the reception for the purpose of enabling Mr Kydd to more his _promised amendment . Mr Ktdd then moved as an amendment , ' That this assembly go into committee for the purpose of _discussina the ' organisation ofthe Chartist body . '

    Mr _VfiitNONKWO to second the amendment of Mr Kydd and did not anticipate either the _BuBinesB Committee or any other body would offer any objection to that course . He had listened with great satisfaction to the reports of the various delee & _tes . He was delighted to find that England , Ireland , and Scotland were determined to have the Charter . He waB further pleased to hoar tbat they _desired moral force to beu 6 ed in its obtainment , although he must confess he was anxious to know what was meant by

    ' moral means . ' He was delighted to find , that with about six exceptions , the delegatea reported that their constituents were determined to have the Charter at all hazards . He should not like any surgeon who would be so _blnod-thirsty as to cut offa patient ' s leg at first sight , but he should equally dislike the doctor who would be dallying and trifling with a patient , _giving him medicine that he knew was of no avail . Ho should , in fche committee , be prepared to offer some moral means for the attention of that committee .

    _ Mr Churchill attended and banded in hia creden _^ _tials and tonk his seat as one of the delegates for tbe City of London and borough of Finsbury . Mr J . West said , he had recently had the opportunity of going _amongBt the most densely populated parts ofthe country , and be emphatically declared tbat neither Leicester , Birmingham , _MacoleBfield , nor Stockport were prepared for physioal force , and hence it was _deluding the country to assert that they were so prepared . Ho hoped they would go into the discussion of tbe first question on the programme . Mr _Basset said , he was instructed to act prudently and discreetly , yet firmly , and he said , take all moral means first and then talk of other means . Mr _Mathbw would support Mr Kydd's amendment , that the assembly at onoe go into committee on organisation .

    Mr Dohovah would like mt Kydd to withdraw his amendment , and simply move ' that this assembly do go into committee on tbis subject . ' He did not see why tbe question of moral and physical force should bs agitated . Mr Ktdd would agree to Mr Donovan ' s suggestion . Mr Adams thought Mr Kydd's amendment was now _vague and indefinite . He mnst support Dr _M'Douall'a motion , _sb he thought it necessary that they should have the programme before them .

    Mr E . _Jonbb said they were not sent here to discuss abstract principles , but to adopt measures for the enactment of the Charter . Mr Jones here read through the eighteen propositions ofthe programme , and then reminded the assembly of the Reports of the Delegates . Had they not beard that men were living on Is . per week in Bradford ~ that in some towns numbers 'had not more than ljd . per daythat in other districts they lived on turnips , and the supply was tailing short—that in numerous instances families kept their bods to still the ravings of hunger—and then he asked them , whether they _eoald

    The National Assembly. Monday Morning, A...

    reconcile it to their eonaciences to sit there week by week , discussing abstract political principles ? Was it for that , the starving poor paid them to sic in that assembly ? It was argued that the middle class were coming round—and therefore we should _conciliate tbem by such temporising . Why were they coming round ?—because they felt the pressure of want . Agitation , aotion—n _» t talking—could increase ( he pressure . Wait f or them , indeed , —till a litte more hunger gave them a little more sense I While they were growing a little more hungry wbat was to become of the men at ljd , per day ? , ~ by the time the middle class not hungry enough to swallow the Charter , tbo people would be starved into tbeir graves . Ho therefore moved the following as the programme of the Assembly : —

    Means of enabling the Assembly to _givo increased vigour to tho movement , The organisation and policy if tho Cbartist body . The _premutation of the memorial to the Queen . The best practical method for making the Cnarter law . Mr Rankin would second Mr _Jones ' _a amendment . Mr Cumming said , were tbey to go into a debate on tbe programme , it would be _converting tbis Assembly into a debating aooiety . He would'support the amendment .

    Mr T . Clark said , he agreed that their constituents had made up their minds , but the object of that Assembly was , that other persona resident in these islands should also have an onportunity of knowing what we wanted , and of making up their minds . _—Disoussion was what they wanted . He was sure of this—tbe Charter would be bad wben the people were determined to bave ir , they had been misrepresented on many of the questions submitted and it waB their duty to set them « elveB right by _discu 8 sine those questions and _letting their _opiniohs go to the country through the press . He thought the best way waa at once to adopt the programme , and when they came to an _exceotionablc point , a member _objectins could then offer his objection , Mr Basset must support the amendment of Mr Jones , or we shonld have eighteen discussions instead of one _.

    Mr J . ' . West said , be entirely _diffen-d with those who thonght we were wrong in letting our constituents know what our _objects were , and what our _opinians on tbese questions were . Wo had been represented as a set of ignorant declaimer _* _, and he eaid it was our duty to refute thin , by showing that we thoroughly understood the politics ofthe country , and tbat we were prepared 'to carry out our _objeot by reason and argument , and by sucb means should they obtain the voice of the great mass ofthe people with them . Mr Candblet _aaid , his _constituenfs looked forward with anxiety to the deliberations of this body , and expected something more from it , than they bad from the late Convention . Tbe questions on the programme would take up too much time , hence he _mustsuDport Mr Jones ' s amendment .

    Mr Versos said , he quite agreed " with Mr Jones ' s amendment , and did not think the opinion of that Assembly on some of tbe que & _tions would be very conciliatory to some of tbe middle classes ; he did not like abatrnne _qneBtiong _. but wished them to confine _themoelveg to the Charter , and oould not conceive the _discussion of those other points could lead to any beneficial result . Mr Harlbt said , he thought the effect of Rending this programme forth would be to excite distrust in our constituents . Hence , be liked the abridgment moved by Mr Jonea . He thought to talk of going into committee , without stating what they were to do so for , was ridiculous .

    Mr Shaw ( Tower Hamlets ) said , be was sent here _deo'dedly for the purpojo of obtaining those things mentioned in Mr Jones ' s amendment , and he believed the great body ofthe Chartists understo od the other questions quite as well as tho delegates themselves . He said it was not to be conceived tbat a starving people could support tbeir sitting there whilst ihey discussed those _questions . Mr _Mackirtosh " said , he bad , on reading the programme , positively doubted Dr MDouall ' _s orthodoxy as a Chartist , aa he certainly abandoned Annual Parliaments when he submitted the programme . f « r certainly no Annual Parliament would get through it . ( Lauehter . ) He must support Mr Jones . Mr 0 . M'CARIHT _presented bis credentials , and took his seat as one ofthe representatives of the city of London and borouah of Finsbury .

    Mr A . Sharps said , his constituents were anxious that they should go to business on the question of the Charter . Mr M'Grath said , they were hereto imbue tho people with their principles . A great deal of _prejudice _existed _against thera . Tbey were represented as bloodthirsty anarchists . He was anxious to retm ve these prejudices , created by the public press , and he oould not _eee a better mode tban by the proposed _disouesion . Mr Harley had said , let them have tbe principles contained in the programme in a public address . Why , would it not take time to discuss that ? The complaint was that the programme contained ton much . Well , if so . let the points be objected to when they were arrived at . But there waa Repeal and tho Church question . Was it not necessary

    that they should let tho parties moving in these matters be acquainted that wo are not their opponents . Hence , he was for the programme . Mr _Kidd safd he would like to withdraw his _amendment , and say a few words on the motion . Some of those questions were puzzling nations who had tbe Cnarter , and he could not think that it would be wise to cause disunion amongst themselves by entering on those subjects , which would be quite in place as matters of debate , when the Charter was obtained . He oould not support Mr Jones because he was in favour cf part of those his amendment would _orait , heneebe would support the reception of the programme , reserving his rightto those amendments against those questions wb _/ ' ch he thought it would be injurious for the Assembly

    to discuss . Mr Councillor Bmoos eaid he oared not how tbey got to business so that they did so . He cared not very muoh how they got the Charter so that tbey did get it , He _thought it best to take the programme as it stood , and then put the acceptance or rejection of the questions therein striatim .. Mr M'Crab said , the delegates seemed to forgot that the country was in a divided state , as wa 9 shown by a great number of delegates not having yet taken their seats—some _adhering ta the Assembly , some few going with an individual not hero . He thought it would be well to rake steps for tbe presentation of tho memorial , and then , if they had no other business , take a discussion on the principles ) laid down in the programme .

    Mr Cochrane said he agreed with a young mend , that they appeared to want to discuss questions before tbey got into tbe house . He did not believe his constituents sent him bere to take up a month or two discussing these questions . He did not think it at all necessary to adopt the programme . Mr Shirron thought it necessary that some of the the questions should be discussed , hence he would vote for the adoption of the programme , rejecting sorse of the subjects when they came before the Assembly . Mr Jones ( Liverpool ) Baid his misaion had a _twofeld object , —to get tbe Charter , and to prepare the mind of tbe people for what would follow . lie should support Mr Jones ' s amendment , as he did not see that it would prevent any member introducing the queBtion of an Organisation of Labour .

    Mr Leach moved a new programme , embracing Mr Jones ' s , and added , ' Land Monopoly , '' Repeal of the _Urnon , ' _'Organication of Labour , ' 'State Churob , ' 'Free Trade , ' ' Currency , '' Free Press . ' Mr Leach said , land monopoly was one of thoBe things that were the cause of crime . The questions he had mentioned in his amendment , were necessary to be discussed . Mr Clark suggested to Mr Leach , the propriety of allowing the question to be taken on tbo matter at issue , and submitting his as an after amendment . Mr Leach embraced Mr Clark ' s suggestion , and withdraw his amendment . MrJ . D . Stephenson said , he trusted they would decide on the question atones . He was prepared to support Mr Jones ' s amendment .

    Mr Donovan _eaprcesed a desire to address the Assembly , hut the chairman Baid , his impression was , that Mr Donovan had already spoken en the question . Mr Aekell Baid , bis conception was , that it was their duty to take into consideration the _bestmenns of presenting tbe memorial and the obtaining tbe Charter , and as Mr Jones'a _ameadment was the nearest approach to this , he would support it . Dr M'Douall eaid , that nothing could afford a greater evidence of the horrible system under which we have been reared , than the fact that even in this Chartist Assembly , a party spirit should insensibly creep in . In moving tho reception of tha programme he had done so as tbo seoretary ofthe Business Cun mittee . so that it might be taken into consideration

    and adopted , or cut in pieces . Personally , he had no objection to either course . But he did object to the remark made , that it was time enough to discuss the important questions in the programme , when wa got into the House ' of Commons . Allow him to tell Mr M'Intosh that unless we _Bhowed a capacity to discuss tbese questions , few of us would ever be elected to sit in tbat house . The Assembly waa placed in a peculiar position . Our . constituents Were through their poverty and privations impatient of all delay , and exclaimed , 'When shall we bave the Charter ? ' The middle clasa , © n the other hand , said , ' What will you do with it when you get it ? ' We must discuss that . That it was necessary to convince

    the middle clasa , Mr Jones proved by moving the issue of tracts to be distributed amongst them . We must certainly be prepared to point out not only grievances , but the cause and remedy , otherwise we should not gain more credit than the House of Commons , as legislators— to be eccupied in discussion . In regard to the time , the Dcctor approved of Mr _M'Crae ' a suggestion , as te fixing a time for the presentation of the memorial , whether in one , two , or three weeks . In the meantime tbe great question ofthe organisation of the Chartist body would be brought under consideration . Time was wanted to effect that , ond as the Chartists _treto charged with ignorance it would be their duty to disprove it . fhe

    The National Assembly. Monday Morning, A...

    middle class b-d " re _* rai « _it-d trom at ending _thcip meet- _; . inns and some means oug ht to be adopted t 0 makes them acquainted with our real views , opinions , and ! intentions ; as to the programme itself , he had coj personal feeling on tbe question . The question was then put , and the _amendment of E Mr Joaes was declared to b _* carried by a _larga ma--J It was then moved and seconded- ' Tbat the As- _oembly do go into committee on the amended pro- grarnroe . '—Carried unanimously . Mr T . Clark eaid , as he was one of the members of F tbe business committee , he had no objection to _st _**«>» what were the proceedings to be adopted . Tho first < proposition was— 'The means of enabing the As- ¦

    _sembly to give renewed vigour to the _moveroerit . This was to call upon the country for means , wbich was of all things necessary ; and be believed the appeal would be _rtsponded te , particularly after the representations tbey had received from the delegates . Surely those who were stated _toben-ady to _rii-k tbeir livep , would be willing to supply the mesas for carrying out the objects of this As-cmbly . He waa p _repared to do his duty , and _benco _iin called upon the country to do theirs , by _supplying the me & CB . which would be a go < d test of their sincerity , lie would move—* Tbat an address be ismed to the country , calling upon them to supply _^ the means to eDab . ' e this Assembly to carry out tbeir object to a _kucceesfal

    issue . Mr J . West seconded the motion . Mr M . DonBNT presented hi « _ciedentiale , and took his Reat as one of the _delegates f _<> r Salford , amidst loud cheere , and said , he felt proud anH gratified at tbe kindness of their _reception . He _bxd been much in the north of England , he bad been at Birmingham _, nnd attended a meeting in favour of _Hou'eh' _-ld Suffrage , bnt how _ithippened be could n » t tell , but _theie arguments all went for Universal Suffrage . It appeared to him that it was a _question of bricks and mortar _aiautBt intelligence . He w . _>« ld take thia opportunity of stating it hs his opinion that thiB Assembly should never give up the sacred principle of Universal _Suffrate . _H-s _ne-tion was that agitation

    was the greatest curse that cnuld be inflicted on any eountry , and the way to obviate perpetual agitatioa was , to at once go for the whole rights of man . ( Cheers . ) He thought that it was _thi-ir duty to ask nil , and as to taking it , tbey must do as tb < y could , for ihey were obliged to take the Casting Bui . He must take this opportunity of thanking the people at large for the _support tb < y had given him . He accepted and reciprocated their fraternity , ( Loud cheering . ) The Irish had but recently understood their principles . During the _Catholic agitstion they had been taught to leok on them as anarchists . ( Hear , hear . ) From the proceedings in this hall , he trusted he sbould hear that man ' s rights wonld ba vindicated and won . ( Great cheering . )

    Mr Mathew said he rose to Bupperc Mr Clark « motion . Mr Ernest Jonks said he thought it would be vain to attempt to raise funds until wo bad reassured tbo public mind , and further , that tbe f urn required from each district should be elated Tbe addresses eheuld . also set forth tbe feeling that -now existed ; in thought it would be wibb in Mr Clark to defer m motion for tbe present , since before they could _ejpect the country to find money for the _assemblyi was necessary tbat the Assembly _ehenld tell country that tbey meant to set to work . Mr _Babkeu said , he thought it would be _advisable that the course of agitation should be pointed out before funds were called for , as on this much would depend . Mr Clark would place _bie question in abeyance until suoh time as that question was submitted .

    Mr Jons Wkbt would move , ' Tbat the question dk _organisation of tho Chartist body be considered before any addresses be issued . ' __ Mr Kvod seconded the motion , Dr M'Douall said , he thought it would be better that the addresses should be first issued , nnd that Mr Jones would be in otder in moving a Secret Committee to draw up an _address . Mr Cochrane could not eee how an address could be issued before _sisme line of policy was adopted and an organisation set going . Mr Babkbb thoujrht the support they received would entirely depend on the policy they adopted .

    Mr _Ebnes > t Jones eaid , the policy they were justified in adopting WOUld also depend on the support they received . In the present _etate of tbe public mind , no time should be lost in issuing an addressand if tbey waited to discuss a line of policy , which mig ht take the whole week—the golden opportunity of rallying 'he public mind wruld be lost . Mr T . Clabk Baid , he thought they sbould comail themselves to a definite and unmistakable nolicy » be , therefore , suggested that thoy sbould let their Business Committee' retire . He would , therefore , move , ' Tbat this Assembly , ac the rising , adjourn ubtil to-morrow morning for tbat purpose . Mr Bartlett seconded tbe motion . Mr Cm'ncniLL eaid , he wished a larger Committee , as this m . mine's proceedings had shown tbat they were not satisfied with thrir conduct .

    Mr Cochrane s aid he differed with mr Churchill . The Assembly had shown their confidence by return _, ine the Committee . One o ' clock having arrived the National _Assembly adjourned Ufitil _half-past two .

    AFTERNOON SITTING . The Chairman resumed the chair at half-past two . Messrs Churchill and M'Carthy briefl y reported from their constituents of Finsbury , that they were very poor , but they were quite prepared , inany way , to obey the commands of that Assembly . The Press . The Committee appointed to _maka arrangements for obtaining a full report of the proceedings of tho Assembly , reported that tbey had waited uprn the _DroDrietors of a daily paper , who had offered to given

    them a certain am ' _tunt of space upon certain stipulations . They had also _endeavoured to see Mr O'Connor , with the view of getting him to publish _supphments , but had failed to see thit gentleman . Mr Ktld eaid , that all tbe Af _aerobly required was not so much a full , as a fair report of tbe proceedings , and be begged publicly to state that the MoitMrca Advertiser had given an impartial and accurate account of their previous sittings ; it was , therefore , a question , seeing that one journal , at least , did them justice , whether they should take any farther steps in the matter .

    Mr Cochkanb said he had been anticipated by Mr Kydd with reference ti the _Morniivg _Aovertiseb , which he wished lo recommend to the aupporc of the eountry , as a paper whicb , unsolicited , bad given fair and impartial reports fit ' their proceedings . _Sevtrai other delegates concurred in thia view , and the subject then dropped .

    Future Polity of the Chartists . The debate on the question of _issuing an address , was then resumed Mr Webt moved that tbey should first discuss tha general policy oftho Assembly . Mr Kydo said it was impossible to look at the daily press and avoid coming to the conclusion , that a great movement in favour of electoral reform was commencing among the middle classes . It wan equally evident lhat no party could irfluence parliament that was not supported by the great body o' the people , lie wished , under tbese circumstances , that Mr Jones should postpone his motion for the issuing of an address , until they had discussed tbo question of their policy with reference to other bodies seeking a reformation short of the People ' s Charter .

    Mr Carver _trusted that if tbey did send out any address , it would be couched in plain and unmistakablo language . . ,, Mr BeM ? _T said , if tbey did not palter with the people , but speak out manfully , tbey would be supported by them . , , Mr Vernon urged the immediate _inning of an address . Mr Dokovan wished to know whether tho " proposition was—that they should issue an answer to Mr O'Connor ' s letters ? He thought they were there to do tbeir own duty , altogether _irrespective of what that gentleman might Bay or do . It was proposed by Mr Jones that an address should be issued , but what it was to be about n » one knew . The very first Ott-Bmess . _nurely _, was to decide _vrhatsufu ' ect lhat address should be npon .

    Mr Churchill said , the subject of the addresa should be to show that Chartism so far from being dead , as tho organs of the middle classes had lately represented , was alive and rampant . Mr Sharpe and Mr Rankin argued that the address should be immediately issued . Mr West said , tbat being desirous of unanimity , he would withdraw his amendment , in order that the address might be agreed to . The motion tbat an address be issued to the country was then carried .

    Mr T . Clabk proposed a series of resolution ? , pledging the peopio to use nothing but moral force , as instructions to tbe oommit iee appointed to draw up the address . He knew the people of England we !] , at least as well , if not better thnn many ot _tkoce who made physical force speeches . - „ . Mr _Hahorbavks said , tbis motion was one of greac importance , because it was perfectly well known that that was an illeg al assembly . ( 'No . no . _»«>»«« chairman . ) He repeated , that it * - _«™* f _^ _J parties that it was an illegal assembly , and it it Si _menanced violence they might be nested jy tbe government ; and the queBtion wa w . _^* v h w r pr t _^ people were prepared to support tbem if they were ? Ho did not believe that they were so P « P » K _* , nor did be believe they were prepared to resort to pbysicnl force

    . . , . _ . ,-,. „» _* . _» Mr _Hbabt mov ed , as an amendment , That tho committee be instructed to mention neither physical nor moral force , and that the address Bhould be con . fined entirely to a statement that the best means to improve their condition was to make the Charter the law oi the land . ' , _^ _iU , . Mr Chvrchill seconded tbe amendment . Mr Ktdd proposed another _amendment , 'That tho document known as the People ' s Charter waa a fair digest of the political principles entertained by tho Assembly , and that the Assembly recommended lectures , _tracts , and public _meetinga as the only _meana

    To Receive The ' Mat 6, 1848. -. ;=---; ...

    'Mat 6 , 1848 . _-. _; _=--- ; _--= — _. , THE NORTHERN STAR .

• Citation
  • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 6, 1848, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_06051848/page/7/