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Northern Star (1837-1852), 7th September 1850, Edition 3 of 3, Page 1, ?^\ * V^^E^ffiSl>8,—My last trip to Leic...

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    • i'ZZ&^tJ&i ? ¦ J*?V*- ¦£¦*- ?^P^#pE WORKING CLASSES;
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      I'Zz&^Tj&I ? ¦ J*?V*- ¦£¦*- ?^P^#Pe Working Classes;

      _i'ZZ _&^ _tJ _& i _? ¦ J *? V * - ¦ _£ ¦* - _?^ P _^ _# _pE WORKING CLASSES ;

      ?^\ * V^^E^Ffisl>8,—My Last Trip To Leic...

      _?^\ _* V _^^ _E _^ ffiSl > 8 , —My last trip to Leicester _^ _"t j _^ f _j _^ _lng ham has inspired me with no _/ * _- ; i _^ if _? hojpB of the renovation of veritable ' _•^ . _" _CyartStoV- _' I left London on Saturday night

      _^ L « cest & r , to attend the meeting at _Mount-^ ' _^¦ nrjrdi-ra company with your friend and nune , ¦ - V _* _EESBsfrJbNES . U p on ouraiTivahitLcicester—• : ¦ ¦ _¦ '• _betvp _^^ e and two o ' clock in themornmg—a , ' _?" nSmtfer _^ taxmch Chartists met us on the - : mtiSor _& m accompanied us to our hotel . " Z WSalMaWr . J ° _* and _I-accompanied b y < - ' - - _iW _* _f-tiiemices 6 er Old Guards-proceeded ' _-, _# Mo _^ t _^ _rwl , a distance of about eight miles , Zy _^^ _tim _^ _pe sat down to dinner at halt-past _V" _^ _-r _^ fe . * wT _«^ fi » , n forty to fifty working men . ~ to tho of

      ' £ f _Kfi _^' fi _& nee ; we proceeded place ] i V _-izati _^ _gywhere there was assembled a most " _^ .-f- _^ _Btn _^ _Hp _^ ' congregation . I shall not attempt : - * - _it _^^ _Ve you anv' account of ihe proceedings , as . _'fterl-wafTi reporter present , and whose report f . _fypnlwi _^;?^* _^ Northern Star . Thespeak" : 4 - _* ere ' a _^ _driBS _^* the meeting from the steps of a _f ; _T _^ dmi _4 voCy * summit of the mount . Mr . v _; v ' fl 5 iBMp _^^ of _Nottingham , was in the chair , ' f- _- ; and ; _Cond " ucted the business in a very able and ,. _ . _sati _^ ct » rjrmanner . Ernest Joxes and my' - * " B > _lf _*^ _ere"fiononred -with a reception which I

      think _... _wetbotpmerited , and by which we were _tofc-gtetifiedV' We were accompanied down _ihS'ifflli _^ hen _^ the meeting had closed , by sefel _^ sterlihg _^ honest fellows , who had come : _ _wSJDerbyahire and other , parts ofthe country _^ OV _^ _twOTty miles , on foot Many had also _^• _WnieondPorJt from Nottingham**—I believe a still _greater , distance—and about twenty vans , full of my ctfcstitaents ; that ' -is , the _iion-electors , \ _vrho also came ; from . _Notftngiam _/ : _1 From the -top : df- the _!; steps ~ -of _; the ;; _wmdinill-was the most f _;^ l _^ did lc _^^ v _^ _aH f _^ _T _)^ fland , rich but ' _Uncultivated—the 6 Wnery £ maghificent , but only ; _valuable to . , the monopolist . However , Mr . _JoJresa « dinY 8 elf were more than

      delighted "with the union and enthusiasm manifested _T > y the ' vast congregation , which amounted to over twenty thousand _Eispp le . On the same evening I started for _^ _ybttingham , to be prepared to _raeetJ _5 nAi > SHAT 7 and _ is friends in the Market-place , on Monday .

      This "DEATH ' S HEAD ON A BROOMSTICK , " as his townsmen very properly designate him , issued a number of placards hostile to me , in the hope of showing his power and destroying mine . Here is the placard , and only think of such a ruffian trying tb make it appear that it emanated from the National Charter Association ! Here follows the placard : —

      _PKABGTJS o _' COSSOB ' S VISIT TO SOTTKJGnAM ! Although Mr . O'Connor has received £ 112 , 000 from shareholders in the _National Land Company , which money he is still carefully taking care of , and has now two subscriptions open , one to wind up the Company ¦ which has produced upwards of £ -50 , and the other for costs inthe Action for Libel against the Journal , the proceeds of wbich amount to nearly £ 300 , yet Le has never been paid , according to the s : xth point of the Charter , for bis valuable services as Member of Parliament for _Nottingham ; it has

      therefore been suggested tbat three of the oldest Chartist Guards shonld cany hats round tbe _meeting in the Market Place on Monday , and mafce a collection for the Great Champion of Chartism , after he has explained the many important measures he introduced into the House of Commons during the last Session for tbe benefit of tbe Working Classes . Chartists , let the pay he in proportion to the work . Bv order of the _National Charter Association . _ neust 31 , 1850 .

      Now I will give the reader the answer of my friends . It was also placarded , and from it lie will learn , that neither my friends or 1 , am afraid to meet our eHemies face to face . Here is the answer : — TO THE _ELECTORS A _* SB SOS-ELECTORS OF XOTTISGnAM . F . O ' Connor , Esq ., M . P ., will address bis constituents , in the Marketplace , on Monday next , Septembers , ai OTie o ' clock precisely . Several members of tbe Town Council having baselv slandered the character of that gentleman ,

      and made charges against him , in his absence , arc hereby invited to meet him on the platform , and prove those charges , if they areable io do so , in bis presence . That beautiful specimen of humanity , Mr . Job Bradshaw , who has , weekly , been in the habit of venting hi 3 spleen in the columns of his declining Journal , is , also , specially requested to attend ; and every other slavish tool , whose stock-in-trade is abase of the same individual . Justice and fair play , for all parties , will be strictly enforced .

      What will the reader think of " Death ' s head on the broomstick'' having the impudence to sign his placard thus : — "By order of the National CharterAssociation . _" And what will he say when he hears that every newspaper in Nottingham , the town council , and all the middle classes , are opposed to me , and yet not one ventured to make the slightest charge against me ? . ftMy-friends , I never had so large a gathering inf 3 he ' . market place of Nottingham at any _thn-a 'when I have tendered my resignation , at _Ihejclpse : of the session . Before I took my place npon the platform , I was told that parties had been hired to face me upon the platform , for the purpose of putting questions to me ; however , no mortal person presented _Inmself for such a purpose .

      Mr . James Sausders , druggist , and a highly respectable man , was called to the chair . " The chairman opened tbe proceedings with an excellent Bpeech , stating the purpose for which 1 had come to Nottingham , inviting any man who had any questions to put to me to come upon the platform , assuring them that they should have a fair and impartial hearing . He then introduced me . I shall not attempt to report my speech , hut I told them that I appeared there according to my usual practice , to carry out two points of the People ' s Charter —annual parliaments and universal suffrageand that I was prepared to resign my seat , if the non-electors called upon me to do so . I was never better received in my life , _notwithstanding the violent antagonism against which

      I have had to contend . I will give the reader one passage from my speech , as it created greater laughter than I have ever heard at any meeting , and , perhaps , may amuse him . I was illustrating the fact , that there is one law for the rich and another for the poor—that there is more danger to the peasant that shoots the squire ' s hare , than to the squire who shoots the peasant ' s head—I illustrated this fact hy reminding them ofthe invitation g iven by a landlord at the meeting , presided over by the Ddke of _Sichmond , wishing the farmers to mount their horses , and to march , as cavalry , to London , to flabbergast the government . I said" Now , suppose I was to say , March , march , Leicester and _Xottimjam ,

      Why , my lads , don ' t jun march forward in order . March , march , Derby and _lou | hborough , All the brave Chartists are over the border . Mount and make ready then , song of the mountaia glen ; _P _ ut for yonr r ights , and old England ' s glory ! "Now , " said I , " suppose I had said that ; BUT MENT ) , I DID NOT SAY IT . " This sentence was followed by roars of laughter , which continued for some minutes ; the reporteT 8 themselves \ _iektg as much convulsed as the audience .

      Well , in concluding my speech , I tendered my resignation , and invited any man who had any question to put to me to do so . When I bad concluded , the Chairman i _ rite _ any man who had questions to put to me to appear npon the platform . No one appeared ; and after a short time the following questions ' were sent te me in writing : — Sib , —A nnmber of friends , and that number is not few ,-would be glad to know your reasons for Boasting in yonr place in the House of Commons at

      a time when the real friends of the human Ace were battling on the continent for liberty ; that y OU had written and spoken more against Republicanism than any man living ; and your reasons for writing against the Republic of America , seeing that America is the asylum of your persecuted and expatriated brethren , the Irish ? _£ Also your reasons for voting thafc the policy of Lord Palmerston was good , knowing at the same time that Lord Palmerston had sent an armed fleet to put down liberty in Portugal , and had attempted

      ?^\ * V^^E^Ffisl>8,—My Last Trip To Leic...

      in all his proceedings , to erect a raiddle-elass harrier against the Proletarians in every country in Europe ? It is highly necessary tbat a man professing himself to be the friend and representative of the Proletarians sbould answer these questions . This was my answer to the first : — " I contend for no principles but for those of Chartism ; and when you achieve those , you may have a republic , a monarchy , or what you please . I don't care whether the pope , the devil , or the pretender is upon the throne , provided the power behind the throne is greater than the throne itself . ( Loud cheei _* 6 . )

      I never have , nor I never -will , endeavour to have too many irons in the fire at tho same time , as I have spent my time and money in endeavouring to heat the onl y iron that can alleviate your order . ( Loud cheers . ) I am not an advocate for _alloAving the President of America , nor any otherpla . ee , tobe elected for four years by means which distract the mind of the country . " . I might have added the followingfact , ; 'but _jlvfrrg _^ Wthat m _$ j & . _fieastate-f 6 £ America , _^ -fiie _^ slaye trade was _sMvcohtinued f _^ republican government . " _- .: __ -.,.

      My answer to the second question was this :- — . " That if the motion had been one of confidence in the ministry , and not in _LordPALMEBsion , I should'have voted against it ; but as I looked dn * _ ord ~* P _^ lMEBSTbs as the boldest and most independent foreign minister that our country could have , under our present Bystem ; and as I considered that in spite of party antagonism he had risked his character and situation to _preserve the lives of Englishmen abroad , I voted for him , and would do so again . " ( Loud cheers . )

      "When I had concluded my reply , your old friend and mine ( James Sweet ) moved the following resolution in a most able aud amusing speech ; and our friend and veteran , George Hakiuson , as ably and as amusingly seconded it . " That we , the electors and non-electors of Nottingham , beg most respectfully to tender our sincere thanks to our distinguished representative ,

      Fear-jus O'Connor , Esq ., for his utiwearied and talented services as member of parliament for this town . Notwithstanding the base slanders heaped upon bim by nn hireling and corrupt press , and tbe ingratitude of a portion of the working class , we beg to assure bim that our confidence in him still remains unshaken . , therefore , most earnestly request him to resume those duties be has so ably performed with honour to himself and satisfaction to us . "

      The resolution being put , every hand , with the exception of four , belonging to two men , was held up in its favour , and the exhibition was followed by most enthusiastic cheering and waving of hats . I briefly replied to the compliment—nay , the honour—paid to me b y my constituents , asking for three cheers for the Charter , and three groans for the Whigs ; both of which were given with as great enthusiasm as the mind of man can conceive .

      I have frequently given the reader a fair and unmistakeable definition of the virtue and integrity of the Press , and I will now give him another instance . 2 * To doubt it was anticipated by all , that I -would have been met by my constituents , and received by them in a very different manner ; and in order to circulate my anticipated reception the platform was literally crammed with reporters . About two hours _befoi-e the proceedings commenced , a very intelligent , respectable , and gentlemanlike looking man called upon me at my hotel : he told roe that he was employed by the Times

      newspaper to send a full report to that journal , and by the earliest despatch . He asked rae if he could have a copy ' of the resolutions , or _sny other proceedings that were to take place , that he might he prepared to send them by the earliest train . He also called upon Mr . Sweet , and made a similar application to h m . He attended on the platform , and took notes of every word that was spoken . When I arrived on the platform at ten minutes past fonr , to start for London by that train , in company with mv

      three _friendB , Mr . Saunders the chairman , Mr . Sweet , and Mr . Wilson , ' we met the reporter , who told us that he had dispatched his report ; but what will the reader say , wlien he understands that not a line of it appeared in the Times newspaper ? Suppose that I had been unkindly received , and that my resignation had been accepted , at what length would it then have been reported in the paper which is under the management of my colleague Mr . Walter ?

      Now would it be possible for me to give the working classes a fairer definition of the impurity , the infidelity ,, and rascality of the Press ? I invited my FRIEND , Jon Bradshaw , to meet me npon the platform ; he lives in Nottingham , and is the proprietor of a newspaper in that town , while I am a stranger , and he dared not meet me . However , my friends met him , for as he was returning to his house after the meeting had closed , the Old Guards , in whose name he had the insolence to issue his placard , met him , hissed him , hooted him and pelted him , until he was obliged to take refuge in a shop .

      Men of Leicestershire and Nottingham , I beg to tender you my warmest thanks for the cordial reception you have given me , and in return to - assure you , that I will contend against the servility of the Press , the tyranny of the Government , the power ofthe law , the antagonism of those who live and luxuriate upon your sweat , your blood , and your disunion , and against the rascality of unfaithful vagabonds , many of whom I have rescued from the bastile , and placed them upon their own land , where they might have been freemen , but have become plunderers .

      Electors and non-electors of Nottingham , accept my thanks for your gratitude and confidence . You have again accepted me as your representative , and that office I will continue to discharge with honour to myself and faithfully to you , however little service as an independent member , I may be able to confer upon your order . However , I do not despair . I am dogged as a mule when I take anything in hand , and I am determined , come weal , come woe , to remain ,

      Tour Faithful Friend , And Independent and Uncompromising Representative , _Feargtjs O'Connor

      To Parry Off The Blows. Not A Drop'of Bl...

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      A\Rn \Tatta\Tat Tratwq' Tatt"Dmat "- Z.,...

      A \ rn \ TATTA \ TAT _TRATWQ' TATT " DMAT _" -

      Oy T.Io0.672. Ltmb01,8atlbdiu___^ Tl^;. ...

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      Severe Gale In Thk West Indim.—The "West...

      Severe Gale in thk West Indim . —The "West India papers contain accounts ofa destructive gale which visited the northern islands on the night of the 10 th and morning of the llth of July . In Antigua , though the shipping road out the storm , considerable damage was done on land , many mills and houses being destroyed . At St . Kitt ' s a cutter , belonging to a private gentleman , -was totally wrecked . Tbe bark Benjamin Greene , of London , struck on the sandy beach to the eaet of the town . She had inst commenced loading , and had in about

      fifty hogsheads of sugar and somo puncheons of molasses . Several vessels -were thrown into most precarious situations just outside the breakers . The consequences of the gale , however , were moro lamentable at Dominica than at any _« f the other islands . The Osbert , which was to have sailed for England on tbe llth , -with a full cargo of nearly 700 hogsheads of sugar , went ashore item on . The vessel was wrecked , but the crew fortunately escaped . The whole cargo , except six puncheons of mm , waB lost . Manv other casualties are reported .

      To The Unlocated Membrs Of The Land Comp...

      TO THE UNLOCATED MEMBRS OF THE LAND COMPANY . My Plundered Friends ,--Let mc call your attention to the following letter of Mr . John Gathard , one of the allottees on the Minster Lovel Estate , and wliich letter was published in the Manchester Examiner and Times of Saturday last . Here is this honest gentleman ' s letter : — FEABGUS O'CONNOR AND TIIE MINSTER . LOVEL OCCUPANTS . TO TIIK EIiITOR OF TUB EXAM 1 NEU AND TIMES .

      Sir . —We need not advert to the former transactions of Mr . O'Connor relative to thc National Land Company , regarding bis mismanagement of whose affairs your columns have furnished much information , as well as many other well-merited exposures . On this occasion , however , wo beg respectfully to call your readers' attention to his present proceedings with reference to the _occupants of the estate at Minster Lovel , in Oxfordshire . Alter having endured nearly three -years of incessant hard labour , absolute want ; of : tbe commonest necessaries " of . subsistenceif * and M « n _* _- _twitted . _^ have " _beenriunable _. on bin demand , ... to ' pay » 0 .

      _enormdus-rent unwarranted-by the rules ot _thejLompany , and in direct opposition to * the recommendations and resolutions of the conferences , he has entered into a compact with the trustees of the mortgagee to serve the occupants , in- their ( tho trustees' ) names , with notices of ejectment in the Court of Queen ' s Bench . They have resisted sucb ejectment , gone to trial , and have received judgment against them in tbe said court . Ilence they are advised , and have it in contemplation , to file a bill in the Court of Chancery , where they are told by equity barristers that they have an efficient plea . Their scanty means , which have been already so much strained by going to trial in tbe late suit , are inadequate to carry the case iuto chancery . As a last resource , rather than be dispossessed in November , which would inevitably be to take its

      the case if the law be allowed ceurse , they have decided upon making an appeal to the sympathies ofthe public to aid them in _filing a bill in chancery , which will obtain an injunction to stay the proceedings in the Queen ' s iieucli , and give an opportunity of assorting and attaining the equitable right of the Company ' s property which O'Connor has surrendered to the trustees of the mortgagee , and from such portions which ho held was , on Friday last , legally ejected by the sheriff's officer . Thus , sir , having briefly laid our unfortunate situation before you , we humbly solicit your assistance by receiving and acknowledging subscriptions , or in such other manner as you may deem expedient , and you will infinitely oblige , on behalf of the oceupants , John _Gatuahd . Minster Lovel , August 26 th , 1850 .

      Now , what does the reader thmk of this announcement ?—After having endured nearly three yoar 3 of incessant hard labour , absolute want of the commonest necessaries of subsistence , and unlimited abuse by Feargus O'Connor , because they have been unable on bis demand to pay an enormous rent unwarranted by the rules of tbe Company . Now , what will the reader say to this rapscallion ' s complaint of the enormous rent , when h _? understands that this juggler bas had possession of a magnificent cottage , four acres of the best land upon the estate , with £ 30 aid money , an immense quantity of the best manure , and has never yet PAID ONE FRACTION OF RENT ? Then let me call your attention to the last paragraph of his letter . He says _;—

      Thus , sir , having briefly laid our unfortunate situation before you , we humbly solicit your assistance by receiving and acknowledging subscriptions , or in such other manner as you may deem expedient , and you will infinitely oblige , on behalf of the occupants . JonN Gathard . Will not the reader understand , from the above paragraph—the fact of which I have frequentl y reminded him—thatthe "MANCHESTER SCHOOL , " the nropounders of

      the FREEHOLD ALLOTMENT SYSTEM whose terms are—That a man can live independently upon two acres of barren soil , without honse , road , or aid money , and can pay thirteen and a half per cent , upon the outlay ? I say , will he not understand that these located ruffians look to the " Manchester School" —fcom whose fanes I tried to

      emancipate them—as their trustees and benefactors , when their object is to plunder the poor and honest men , by whose means they have heen released from serfdom ? Only think of the abomination of handing these ruraaue over to the tender mercy of the mortgagee , when I was paying £ 225 a year interest to the mortgagee , out of my own pocket , while these rascals would not pay a farthing !

      The reader , perhaps , is aware that I brought an action for libel against the Manchester Examiner , for articles published with reference to the Land Company ; but perhaps he is not aware that , when I withdrew the action at his own request , he met me , in company with my solicitor , Mr . Turner , at his ofiice , expressed his regret for having published the articles , stating " THAT HE WAS THEN DECEIVED , BUT HE NOW SAW THAT I WAS THE PARTY WHO HAD BEEN MOST UNFAIRLY AND UNJUSTLY TREATED BY THE ALLOTTEES . "

      I do not think I need say more to give the reader a fair definition of the virtue of the Press , and the gratitude of some of their order . Your Faithful and Uncompromising Friend , Feargus O'Connor .

      The Route Of Mr, Ernest Jones. Mr. E. Jo...

      THE ROUTE OF MR , ERNEST JONES . Mr . E . Jones will attend the camp meeting at Nottingham , on Sunday , the 8 th instant , and will be at < Sheffield , on Monday , the 9 th . Rotherham , Tuesday ; the 10 th . DoncaBter , "Wednesday , the llth . Hebden Bridge , Friday , the 13 th . Bingley , Saturday , the 14 th , and Sunday , the 15 th . Bradford , Monday , the 16 th . Holmfirth , Tuesday , the 17 th . Birslal , Wednesday , the 18 th . LeedsThursday , the 19 th .

      , Further dates will be given next week . All loiters for Mr . Jones , to he forwarded to 62 , Queen ' s . road , Bayswater , London . As Mr . Jones declines practice he requests that no legal business may be brought before him on his lour .

      Bears Prom Calipormia.—Among Tho Passeng...

      BEARS prom _Calipormia . —Among tho passengers brought by the West India mail-packet Avon , which arrived at Southampton on Sunday , were three grisly bears from California . They were caught in the following maimer : —At one ol tne gold diggings the carcase of a bullock had been hung up in an open place . Its magnitude was reduced considerably one night , and the owners suspecting thata human thief-was inthe vicinity , set a watch , when an enormous grisly bear was seen approachiug the carcase . Bruin was caught violating the laws of meum and _tuwm , and , ot course , was killed by tha watchers . It proved to be a she bear giving suck . Her den was tracked , and tfiree

      very young cubs were found . They were purchased in California by one ofthe passengers onboard tne Avon , \» ho brought them to England . They were very docile on board , and were allowed to run loose about the deck . One of them particularly was bo tame that it would play and roll about tne ship with the boys on board . They grew amazingly after they left Chagres . The passenger w'he brought them home , brought to Southampton 25 , 000 dollars worth of gold dust in skins , alter paying his passage for himself and bears , which cost him about 800 dollars . , A Gkbuan , on being asked how old he was when he got married , replied , _"Iwas dirty when 1 married , and my wife was dirty-two . "

      Great Chartist Demonstration In Leiceste...

      GREAT CHARTIST DEMONSTRATION IN LEICESTERSHIRE . The ancient little town of _Momitsorrel , wliich is situated on the old London and Manchester-road , seven miles north of Leicester , four miles from Loughborough , and nineteen from Nottingham , was on Sunday last the scene of greater activity than , at any previous time in the memory of the oldest inhabitant . The number of inhabitants it contains is under 2 , 000 , but it was estimated that that- number was multiplied by ten on Sunday afternoon .

      It had been announced during the previous week that Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., and Ernest Jones , Esq ., would attend and address a camp nieeting , to bo hold on Mount sorrel Hill , commencing at two o'clock , and the result was such an influx of visitors from Leicester , .. Loughborough ' . ]' and the _surrouudingnyiljages _^ Hteraiiy _; filled ] _thOiplace . The _^ _rnain . sti _* eet : is [ three- quarters' jp | sa ( mile loh _|^ _-fand ; from _one-endl-ito ; _.-the-iother-. it-iWas tihropged _^ th _^ cbmj § fodJU ; ed 5 ? jn ; ; the f ! Sp _^^ _- _* puse s , _*»^ f ; _1 which the _^ j _^ a _lai-gOTpum containing more 1 irihabii _& _atsi : FlySjf' gigs ; phaetons , arid various other vehicles lined the

      _igtraJBts , and at some of the inns the'stock of hay was exhausted . At the appointed time , the vast concourse of persons assembled round a windmill , situated on a lofty eminence , about half a mile from the town , from which spot the landscape is more than ordinarily beautiful . Mr . O'Connor , Mr . Jones , and some local leaders having mounted the mill steps , which served as a platform , and a short-hand writer , the only one present , who had been engaged by the Leicester Chartist Council to furnish a faithful report of the proceedings , having taken a place as convenient as circumstances permitted , on the motion of Mr . White , of Leicester , Mr . __ George Harrison , of Nottingham , was appointed chairman .

      The Chaikman , -who has grown grey in the cause , said he liked to see young blood in the field and at work , but he would always be at bis post , and bear bis share of the burden . ( Hear , hear . ) They were met upou what was called a good day . He called all days good , but in order to accommodate the feelings of religious persons , they would say that was a good day ; and they would so far conform to

      the practices of religious people as to open their proceedings with singing , which would save hiin from making a long speech . He had made several long speeches in advocacy of the cause , but did not want to make man y more , He thought that there had been almost enough talking , and he wanted to see every man and woman doing their own work . ( " Hear , " and cheers . )

      The Fourth hymn in the Chartist Hymn book , commencing " Britannia ' s Sons though slaves ye be , '' was then sung , after which The Chairman said , that instead of conforming to the usual mode of worship , by offering up a prayer , he thought it would be consistent for them , as rational men and women , to reason on the subject . He had found that many of hia follow priests had been praying for twenty or thirty years for Almighty God to clothe the naked , and feed the hungry , but he saw no answer to their prayers ; for , while they were praying for this ,

      the Legislators were actiug diametrically opposite ; and he , therefore , thought that the best prayer they could make use of , was so to use their individual exertions , so that thev could procure for themselves those rights which had so long been withheld from them . ( Hear , hear . ) It would be presumption in him to detain them longer when such men as his father , Mr . O'Connor , —( cheers )—and their talented young friend , Mr . Jones , —( renewed cheering)—were present . He would , therefore , at once submit to their notice the first resolution , which was as follows ,- — ' * As taxation without representation is * tyranny , and as all who obey the Jaws should , through

      theu * representatives , have a voice in making them , we cannot but think the present representative system , which is a monopoly in the hands of a Binall minority to the exclusion of six-sevenths of the adult male population , is unsound in practice , and unjust in principle ; and as our present misery and degradation is to be attributed to class legislation , the laud and money-lords being the law-makers , we are of opinion that until the labouring classes are represented , justice will not be done them ; and the only political measure we know of that will be of solid benefit to us is the People's Charter , and we earnestly resolve to agitate for it—whole and entire—until it passes into law . "

      This resolution was briefly moved by Mr . White , and seconded by Mr . H . Bakrow , both of _Leicester ; and the Chairman called upon Mr . O'Connor to support it . Mr . O'Connor , who was received with loud cheering and clapping of hands , said , Mr . Chairman , aud my friends , I derive no small pleasure from meeting tho men of Leicestershire under the canopy of the broad blue sky to-day . I see before me there tho spire of a church . I do not think so good a psalm was sung in that church to day as you have sung here —( hear)—but perhaps a better sermon

      was preached there than that I shall preach to you . ( " No , no . " ) There is this difference , however , between tho parson who preached that sermon and mc—he is paid for juggling you ; I am not . ( Cheers . ) It gives me no small pleasure to see such a meeting as this , -when I carr ; my mind back to the lime when I first established these principles , when five or six men in a cockloft wns considered a food meeting . Every man in Leicestershire now nows what Chartism is , and it only wants unity of your powers to attain your object . Every movement has to go through three conditions before it is successful—the creation ef mind , the organisation of mind , and the direction of mind . You bave now no chance in the House of Commons , or out of

      it , until you are represented . ( Hear , hear . ) If a meeting a _Bfth the size of this had been called by the ' blnck slugs , " in order to prey upon your eretol- y" ~ 1 * lt was ca , _* ° _y t , ie frco traders , or the Whigs , the whole of this platform would have been surrounded by reporters , and tbe proceedings would occupy eight , nine , or ten columns of their papers ; but , becauso it m a meeting to try to upset their principles , we are obliged to employ a reporter for _oui-Belves . ( Hear . ) Look at the House of Commons . There are Whigs , free tradeiB , Financial » i , rJi _!" ' ' God knows what besides ; but , let the _Charter be left to a casting vote in that house , and even the Financial Reformers would givo tho casting vote against it . ( Shame . ) I stand independent in the Houseof Commons . ( Cheers . ) Itis now twenty years since I first had tbe misfortune to have

      a in that house , and I have never given a vote which did not accord with the principles I profess ( _Itenewed cheering . ) You havo nothing to hope for from that house ; you must depend upon yourselves . ( Hear , hear . ) The time is como wben , in consequence of what has taken place in France , we shall have little Lord John _Bimcllasking , " What is tbat wlii 8 tiing on the wind ? " and saying , " Explain to us what the Charter is , Mr . O'Connor . " Hold them when I first expounded the Charter at

      Stockport , that I would not give that ( snapping his _fingersjfor tbo Charter , if tho Land was kept looked up . ( Hear . ) I long for the Charter , because , if J had it to-morrow , instead of seeing this beautiful counfry—[ alluding to Momitsorrel Common , a large portion of which is covered with fern and furze]—around me a barren waste , I would see beautiful cottages in the midst of fields—every man living under bis own vine and fig-tree , ' none daring to make him atraid . ( Cheers . ) You do not suppose that so long as there is competition in tbe labour

      Great Chartist Demonstration In Leiceste...

      market , there is any hope foi * union ? The man earning one pound _iiweekf 'looks down upon the man earning but toil shillings ; and the man earning- ten shillings a : week , looks down upon the pauper . ( Hear , hear . ) If you were united you would all earn two . or throe pounds ' a week . ( _I-Ieaiv-lftar . ) Then jou would have a ve . vival of tbe _^ hps ; of King : Alfred , when the tweiity-fouj _^ h . ours _' of a day were divided into three _parts—eiglipfoursbeiiig set apart for labour , eight for rest , _anuT ' the remaining ' eight for ' recreation . You would have no murderers , no thieves , hut every ninn wAuld live well and be happy . As tho Special Constable President of France has been hissed and bellowed at inf his tour through the provinces , and

      " Vive , lallepublique" has been tbo cry instead of '' Vive ; le President , " I will-expound to you thatit is nouse . a ' ppoiniibga system , whicb the people are not ripe for " . 'f When the Republic was formed , aiid Napoleon was ' appointed President , he wanted to be thought as great a inan as liis ' uncle ; he wanted tc he Napoleon the Second , hut he ' , f a P _- 'f e , jt nincompoop ; : Aohangd will come _. ' niidit is for tliat change ; IWantto _. preparoyoui' _;! . wish you , when an erup- ; tionbetween France and England _does _/ _tako / _placef-- ' a ?; t . akp place , j _^ _Idp-not want to instruct _^ _uftofuBofphysicaL-forc ' _e'V F _^ _f _^ 6 ' _^ y _^ _ift'i _^^ pjni 6 n pf . ypu ' rimofST power . t _jJSo _' ma ' n nbedvloSjPiHair ' of _hisfhead td'gaiii the CharteiV . if the _people will but _be-unitedV . micyi

      have'hung men they called rebels—tbey -have trans / i ported-men they called : rebels—they _-have incaf- ' _" cerated line andi _& youi * friend , Ernest . Jones . ( Shawe , ) f ; Thoy _$ _Tave confined me ifi Bolitar _^' _contiiiement for eighteen months , and your _tluquent friend for two years , and yet I stand upon the platform here to-day with more pride than I should stand upon a platform witli Prince Albeit . ( Cheers . ) Some time ago there was a . lavse meeting at tlie Crown and Anchor Tavern ; the Duke of Richmond in the chair * and the farmers talked of turning their plough horses into cavalry horses , and coming up to London to flabbergast the government . I asked Sir G . Grey if no steps were going to be taken by government on the subject . Sir 0 . Grey declined

      to give an answer . If it had been a Chartist meeting there would bave been an answer ready . I hope that when trade gets a little worse the goad will be driven into you and enlighten you . Whenever trade ia good , and a lecturer comes amongst you , you say , " Let us alone , wo are very well otf * . '' but when it gets had , you say , " Lead us on to deaih or glory . " You do not care who goes to prison or the _liulks . If every man of you had worked as Ihave done for the last thirty years , the Charter would now be the law of the land . Do you think you have anything to hope for from the House of Commons as it is now composed ? A little nincompoop , who cannot be beard six yards from where he stands , _oalks for a few minutes , and is reported in the next

      morning's pnpers at a length of a column , or a column and a . half . I get up and give a good rasping speech ofan hour and a half long , and get only a few lines , interpolated with " Oh ' s , " and ' Ah ' s . " ( Shame . ) But when I think of my uncle being in the fiftieth year of his banishment , and tliat my father passed seven years in a damp dungeon for the advocacy of liberal principles , I feel proud ' that I am labouring iu , the cause of the people . ( Cheers . ) And I can say with pride , that I never travelled a mile , or eat a meal , at the expense of the people . ( Renewed cheers . ) I would rather travel through the land barefoot to preach my principles , than preach them for base lucre . ( Cheers . ) After exhorting the meeting not to he led away by the professions of men who would deceive them , as Attwood , Douglas , and Salt did , Mr . O'Connor continued : Under this burning sun , and as I shall

      have to address my friends at Nottingham " to-morrow , and , as my young , able , and esteemed friend has to address you , I shall not detain you longer . I think you will say I have definod what are my principles , and what yours ought to be , and come what will , come what may , rather than abandon my principles , 1 will not , as John O'Connell said , " Die on the floor of the Ilouse of Commons "—but I will have my head cut otf . ( Loud cheers . ) I repeat , that I am glad to see sucb a meeting as this . My desire is , to see tho country open to you all j to see you live upon your labour ; and the only requital I want , the only ' reward I wish , is to leave t he world better tban I found it . ( Loud cheering and clapping of hands . ) The resolution was then put , and carried by acclamation , not a single hand being held _xip against it .

      The Chairman then read tho second resolution , which was as follows : — " That it appears to us that the social systein we at present live under is radically wrong , that pauperism , crime , and misery increase with wealth , and , _therefore , there cannot be a just distribution of thc wealth produced ; that as labour is the source of all wealth , the labourer should he the first partaker of thc fruits of his industry : and this cannot be done while the present system exists , as it is supported by the aristocracy of land and capital for the sake of profits _. Arid * to effect the destruction of the present

      ruinous competitive system , and establish _^ more evenly balanced _stateuO _^ _ocietyv-it is _neoessary _to'distri-. huiC : ; . _the-pe"ffp 1 e ' _-Wbm land , so as to thiii tho artificial labour market , and place them in the natural labour field . And wo <¦ firmly believe the monopoly of the land , and a false systein of currency , are two of the greatest evils we bave to contend against and it is further our opinion , that in order that the people shall bo able to u- c the franchise for their own benefit , when it is obtained it is necessary they should be instructed as to what their social rights are . "

      Mr . _Johv _Fakhow , of Loughborough , briefly proposed that this resolution be adopted . Mr , Thomas Yocno , of Leicoster , seconded it . He said , tho question of social rights wa 3 one which had been long neglected by the- people , and it was now time that they wero thinking of it . It was of no use getting political rights without their social rights . ( Cheers . ) Thc peoplo must help themselves . A few of them were taking tho lead in agitating for their rights , and they must be suptoned .

      Mr . Ernest Jones came forward , amidst loud cheering , to support the resolution . Ho said , that when ho was in prison they told him that Chartism must bo at a very low ebb , and democracy was at a discount in tbis country , because now thero was very little enthusiasm at public meetings . His reply was , " so much the better , because it shows that men aro beginning to think . " They said , you may go to a public meeting and hear no cheers , lie still replied , " so much tho better , becauso it shows they are going to act . " They said , "But you will find yourself mistaken , if you think you can get large congregations of people now trade is good , and people are well off . " He still said , " so much the better ; for tbe time to act and to agitate was

      when they were strong rather than when they were weak . " And that meeting proved that he was right in all three of his answers . ( Cheers . ) The resolution he held in his hand showed that men were beginning to think , and make up their minds on the question on which they wero thinking . They were no longer going to agitate for vague political rights , but to ask bow tbey would be better off when they got these political rights , and tbey found that bread and freedom went hand » in-liand . ( Hear . ) They had raised aery for political rights , and were considering what they would do when they had the power . Look at France , and then look at home at their own brethren , their own fields , thoir own hearths . They had had the power in France , but

      where was it now ? Drowned beneath a sea of blood , imprisoned in a dungeon where it would only break out beneath a flash of fire . They ( the meeting ) were going to agitate for political power , and let them consider what they would do with it when they got it , so that ihey might not be led astray by Lord Waterbrains , or the Honourable Mr . Pepperfist . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Without mincing the matter , and without infringing thc rights of any man , tho conflict in whicli they were engaged waa a battle of the rich against the poor . These principles seldom found their way into the House of Commons , except when brought forward there by Mr . O'Connor . And when a question was brought on in that house there was a ory of " divide , " and those on one side went into one lobby , and those against it into another . That

      was the position he wanted to see taken up in thc country . He wanted to see all honest men on one side , » nd all rascals on the other . He wanted to see the working men united on one side , and all Die middle _clnsB _mmby-p-mpya separated from them . ( Hear . ) Itwas to the toilers the men of toil must look * , tiono hnt working men -wonld fight tho working men ' s battle . They must co-operate . Look what co-operation had done in thc glorious Land Flan , and how far it had been crushed , so far as they could crush it . Those who told them to co-operate and get rich together would deceive them . That kind of co-operation placed tho people in a similar situation to a swarm of ants , which worked until they got a good ant-hill , and then had it knocked over by some big boy with a big stick . That big boy—in the people ' s case—was Lord John Russell , and his big Btick was political power . The people wanted something in their hands

      Great Chartist Demonstration In Leiceste...

      to parry off the blows . Not a drop ' of blood need bo spilt ., not a blow need be struck , if tne people were united . " It was not to the middle classes they must look ' -for tbe attainment * . of ; political power , neither w onld they get them liy prayer to heaven : they might pray to ; all eternity , before they got their rights . God helped those -who * helped , themselves _Ihefnohles ' t ' prayci * was lahonr for man ' s redemp tion ' _.-aiid they must ono and all labour for'it . As their resolution stated , there was something radi ciUIy . wrong ih tlie present system . When the manufacturing operative got better off the agricul _itura -labourer got worse off ; and when the agricul tural jahourer got . bettor . off the operative got : _woi-se off . _; They could not pull one .. thing right . without _pulling two ov throe things _wroni : because _t ° parry off the blows . Not a drop ' of blood need bo

      under the present system tho prosperity of one class was based upon injury to other' classes : When he saw that church and that bastile—those two blots prinked upon that beautiful page which God had opened before their ovps—he said something was wrong . If the money spent in building _that-cluu-ch and that bastile had heen spent in building cottages for the-. people , there would be no occasion for such sermons as he heard preached at Hastings the other day , when a clergyman said , if they did not contri bute towards _buildinor more churches they would be compelled to coiit-ibute towards building more gaols . Miv Jones touched briefly upon ' 'several other points , upon whicli lie expressed bis intention to-dwell , more'fully on the following . evening at ]* icestcr , and concluded by exhorting _thc--working class : s to self-reliance . ¦ i _^

      - A vote of thanks was given to Mr . O Connor and Mr . Jones , in reply to which . . ' ; Mr , O'Connor said , if you tender your thanks to nio , I bog leave to tender my thanks to you . I am . very sorry that you should -have to give up ' tlie only day you have ' -t ' _o'lipai * these principles expounded _, lam in the thirtieth year of my agitatior >} fa ' nd am determined ' _'thatVfoom ' e . 'We ' _nlif _' _comeiiwoe _^ -I _^ _iiLicbn-! ti n ue _i . to' a d vocn te , c the , ; _piinciples : . L : ad _vpoajtefhow . t _Cbeers . ) _vWhen'Jy . _^ fp . gpt any . other _{ _Ispxmh _^ erer . - ..,.. Get _the _^ Charier . t 0 : _^ 6 _rrtfw ,,, a _^ _''deybteftheT ' remaih'dei _^ fofimy - days' to ' piacjng the . Rurpluspop _^^ " The i _* ofd -f _sp > f ef y ouI ' a nd ' p i'p . _fecfybu'ffr ' conie _"twenty _whiles _tofbear ' you 1 _^ p . _?* 'f ' J

      -Air . Jones . also * thanked them for the vote , and said ; ' _ho _^ noked up ' _ohfthat-day as thc first leaf of the first cjuipter _^ _or-ra _' ne-w book _^ _as the first _ste-p in the first match of a new campaign . He couldnot tell how long they might be marching , but they could decide that , for they could time the march , ff they marched slowly they would be a long time—if they marched quickly they would ho but a short time . ( Cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor had been defending their principles for thirty years , and he ( for . Jones ) hoped ho might live to defend them thirty years more . ( Cheers . ) He ( Mr . Jones ) had not defended them more than a sixth of that time , but he felt that he had thirty years * work in him yet , and he pledged himself that it should be spent in opposition to the land-monger and the money-monger . ( Loud cheers . )

      A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , Mr . O'Connor saying , that he would rather address an " Old Guard" like him than the Speaker of the Ilouse of Commons , aad Tho proceedings were concluded by three cheers for the Charter , three groans for the Whigs , three cheers for the working classes , and three cheers for Mr . O'Connor . . Mr . O'Connor , whose experience in attending large meetings is well-known , estimated that there were fully 20 , 000 persons present .

      Mr. Ernest Jones At Leicester. On Monday...

      MR . ERNEST JONES AT LEICESTER . On Monday evening Mr . Ernest Jones delivered a lecture in ' the New "' Hall , Leicester , on , " Dread and Fveodom _. " The orchestra , and reserved seats were well filled , and the hotly ofthe hail was crowded , although a charge for admission was necessary to defray the expense of the hall , & c , < fcc . Mi' . Winn * was called to the chair , and the proceedings were opened by singing the hymn , commencing " Base oppressors , leave your slumbers , Listen to a _Nation's cry . "

      The Chairman expressed himself as honoured by presiding over so largo an assembly , met . to welcome their persecuted friend ; a man who had suffered two years of _themost _crut-1 treatment which a malicious government could _uivo liim . They had tried to break his heart , and shatter his frame , but thank God lie was there that night —( tremendous cheering)—to stand in the breach between the down-troddeu unemancipated poor of the land , and the tyrannical , selfish , idle , and plundering sot * Of men who had trod them down . ( Renewed cheering . ) Mr . Jones was received with another volley ot cheers . When the cheering had sub-tided , he said , he did not stand there to find fault with the Old , without suggesting the Sew ; he did not stand

      betoro them to point out the misery man had created , without pointing out the good which God had given ; he did not stand before thein to warm them with the fire of rhetoric , but to unfold to them a _page which might lead them to happiness . ( Cheers . ) If there were any persons present who were prejudiced against him on account of his politics , he hoped they would dismiss that prejudice from their minds , and though they might be opposed to his politics , that they would listen to his arguments . He hoped they would lose sight of the humble individual who was addressing them , and . consider that it was Timo and History which were addressing them tliat night . They bad doubtless long heard it whispered about , that the country was in a

      declining state ;' - -tbat tor many years it had been goin « _- to ruin , but , like an old " tale , they had heard it so often that they had begun not to heed-it . —The question for them to consider was , what should be done to save the people of this , country from utter ruin ? ThatL many . of them . had , beenf ! biihd thus long he was riot surprised . a"t ; * fthat they' Bad -been inactive so long ho did not _blamff ttienvfoi _^ _Wcause tho men who occupied the pulpit arid commanded the press had been misleading them . ( Hear , hear . ) But , if ho could show them tliat _ e country was declining—tliat the people had been going on from . bad to worse—then , he thought , they must admit that thb system under which they were living was a bad ono If he could show them that tho means of

      averting the calamity which threatened them were easy of access , and effectual in application , when once applied , then , he thought , erery man would admit that it was timo for the whole people to in . terfere , to vindicate the rights of the people and the will of God . ( Cheers . ) " Mncaulay , in his recently published history , had been attempting to prove that this country had been progressing . Let them listen to the voice of history ; that would tell them how they wore progressing . History would show them that rents had been increasing and wages decreasing ; and that , although the population had been rapidly increasing , the amonntof food

      produced in this country had been decreasing from the commencement of the present century . Since 1811 , the population had increased 7 , 000 , 000 ; and yet there were now 300 , 000 fewer agricultural labourers than there were in tliat year . In 1807 , the wages of agricultural labourers were fifteen shillings a week ; in 1840 they were reduced to eleven shillings ; and , at the present time , they had fallen to eight shillings a week . Tho common right and pasturage formerly enjoyed had been taken away from them , and cottage rent had doubled since 1807 ; and the labourer had often to walk thirty-six miles a week to and from his work . That was how the

      labourer had been progressing to starvation . Thon , if they looked at the other crutch on which old Britain was hobbling along—the manufacturing operatires—they would find that , since the year 1807 , the manufactures of this kingdom had been doubled ; but , notwithstanding this , they had net increased in valuo , owing to the fall in prices . In consequence of an artificial labour market having been created , more labour had been employed in manufactures , and four men were now getting the same wages whicli one used to get . In 1 S 1 _U , the average wages of the hand * loom weaver was nineteen shillings a week —now it was only five shillings . That was the way the manufacturing operatives had been progressing —to starvation . Mr . Jones tben proceeded to show , by statistics , that disease and crime had increased in a fearful ratio as the people had been withdrawn from the natural labour field into

      the artificial labour market which had been created , and said , that was how the working classes wero progressing — to the gaol , and to the grave . He also showed by . statistics and extracts from tiie works of travellers , that in France , Switzerland , Belgium , and other countries where the small farm system was in operation , the people wero happy and virtuous , and pointed _« ut that Sparta , Athena and Rome , were strong in power while their inhabitants were cultivators of the soil , but that they decayed and fell , as they abandoned the natural system for an artificial one . He quoted from Parliamentary returns to show that there waa plenty of land in this country to sup-Dortm comfort n much larger population than we have at present . In Rome , he said , families were

      kept comfortably by the cultivation of two acres per family ; and in this country there wero eleven acres for each family . To do justice to the leoture would require a dozen times tbo apace wo can- this week devote to it , and as many of onr readers will have an opportunity of heaving it for themselves , there w not that _necessity for us to give it at the length which otherwise might be desirable . Having pointed out the evil and the remedy , iu a very eloquent ani argumentative manner , he pointed out tho _Feopie « Charter as the great means by which tbey wouiu attain their social rights , and urged the mee » , g to union among themselves , and . to he cxeu * se of _self-relianc / and c onfidence » * _- _™ _™ £ power , and assured them that _itf _«• _" «••' success was certain- . , , , i _» , " ™ f . „ Vq „„ „ ivDn to tho lecturer and to _JSSSSSlSSSm i _^'

      ' W J. - - - - - \N S ¦ \ R -A J ¦ Ns^T ...

      ' W . - - _- - - \ _N S ¦ \ r -A J ¦ _ns _^ _t _> k . _^**> A - \\ _i : \ ii nil J __\ _' _H > < N i ! i _^ _-i ; \ _^ s \ vA ¦) i _\^ rj r _>& :. < \ m I i _* V ;¦; 1 v \ ¦ ¦ ¦ 1 r _& ' - _~ " j -i 1 ... . :

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 7, 1850, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_07091850/page/1/