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    • THE CHAETEB , THB WHOLE CHAE teeT^sT) NOTHING BUT THE CHARTER.
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      The Chaeteb , Thb Whole Chae Teet^St) Nothing But The Charter.

      THE CHAETEB , THB WHOLE CHAE _teeT _^ _sT ) NOTHING BUT THE CHARTER .

      •'" United, You Stand. Divided, Yon Fall...

      •'" United , you stand _. Divided , yon fall . "

      TO THE CHARTISTS . My _FniESDS ,-Altirug h , as I _to " . _*^ nuently stated , _Inevo : have , _andlnev _^ all _Jffer any oppo _' _siti . _^ to any _^ _vernon _¦* _£ _*» the Parliamen

      I _^ ndon Tavern , convened by - tarv Reform A ssociation ; and I did so not for the purpose of removing their stepping-stone , bat for the purpose of convincing them that I , at all events , would not adopt any measure short of the six points . They have not adopted either of the two great points to which I attach the greatest importance , and -without which I would not give you a straw for their _principles . I mean , ANNUAL

      _PARLIAMENTS ana PAYMENT OF MEMBERS . They contend for Triennial Parliaments ; but bear in mind , that you have had Triennial Parliaments since the passing of the Reform BiU . You had a general election in 1832 , in lS 3 i , in 1837 , in 1811 , and in 1847 . Prom 1832 to 1817 includes fifteen years ; and you have had five elections within that period ; and what benefit have you derived from them ?

      Not a particle . And then , with regard to Payment of Memhers , where would he the use of doing away with Property Qualification , if an enlightened and industrious man , worthy the confidence of the people , was incapable of sitting in the House of Commons , because he could not exist without wages for his manual labour , if he was not remunerated for his mental labour , which would be more valuable to his order and to society at large ?*

      I found , atthe several meetings of this association which I previously attended , thatthe Object ofthe Managing Committee , was to extinguish Chartism altogether ; and I also found that this paid committee , like other paid committees , acted upon the old maxim , that " Self-interest is the basis of human action . " I have every confidence in the memhers of Parliament who attended that meeting , namely— Joseph Hume , Sir Joshua Walmsley , George _Thompson , Mr . Fox , Lord Dudley Stuart , and Col . Thompson ; while , at the same time , however great the experience of many of them may be , they have not associated -witli the _workins : classes as I Lave ;

      and , howerer long their experience may he , they do not understand their feelings and their principles as well as I do . [ Mr . _HuaiE is certainl y a veteran politician ; wbile , at the same time , his mind has been princip ally directed to mere Parliamentary mechanism . He always has contended , that it is the right of the middle class to deal as they think proper with the working class ; while I have always stated , ihat the middle class have no right , and ought to have no power , to compel the working classes to pay taxes for the power of suppressing their mind hy tyranny and brute force .

      1 have gained no little experience as to the intellect ofthe working classes , from the very slight progress that the Parliamentary Reform Association has made ; and the people niight lave looked upon me as a trafficking politician if Ihad opposed their p rincip les before they were thoroughly developed . I do not even oppose them now ; but I would not allow them to convince the government , and the country , thit the people had abandoned Chartism , and adopted the New Parliamentary . Reform system . The Press never reports our

      proceedings , while there were thirteen or fourteen reporters at the meeting on Monday last . As a matter of course , in the centre of this wealthy metropolis , a number of money speculators attended at tbat meeting ; and , as a matter of course , tbey reprobated and hissed my repudiation of their juggling system ; while it is my pride and my boast to say , that an overwhelming majority cheered and supported my principles . The meeting was announced for tAvelve o ' clock , a time when the

      working classes had not an opportunity of attending ; while , nevertheless , to their credit , numhers of them were present , althoughwhat I consider to he unfair , unjust , aud partial—it was a ticket meeting . Many of the speakers lauded the Freehold Land System , but not one of them adverted to my Land System , the oulv svstem—if you had the Charter —by which vour order could be made happy aad * independent , and the svstem which every political economist is now beginning to

      3 Q . VO Ci _« l to My friends , I wish to prepare you for the coming _struggle . The Morning Chronicle of this week has published several able and irrefutable statements from its Paris correspondent . He truly defines the state of Paris , the object of the " Special- Constable" President , the caprice of parties , and the growing mind of tbe people . He tells you—and truly—that

      when the National Assembly meets—which will he in a short time—that the different parties struggling for different principles will create unheard of dissatisfaction ; and it is because the state of France will have a greater effect upon the English government tban Chartism , Financial Reformism , and all other " isms , " that I wish to prepare you for thc coming straggle . No matter how a few may endeavour to disunite the Chartist mind of

      England , rest assured that when that struggle comes , neither folly nor trickery can disunite the mind of this country . The Times does not give us so fair a definition ofthe present state of France as the Chronicle does ; and why ? Because the Times is the tool of the government , and to France the government looks as the means of upholding tyranny in this country . It has often been predicted that each comino- Session of Parliament would be the

      most confused , and that parties would be in the greatest antagonism . I have frequently thought so myself , not being able to see the possibility of a Government up holding its position hy the diffusion of patronage ana conversion of some of its opponents ; now , however , that the landlords are in a doleful state , when all other countries are beginning to compete with English manufacturers , and when the great wealth of this country is centralised in the hands o f the few who have

      manufactured it hy machinery ; in conse quence , I say , of the present state of Europe , the present condition of the landlords , and what is likely to be the condition of the Capitalists , 1 am of opinion , that the next Session of Parliament will astonish the Government , the people , the country , and the world . And , it is for that coming struggle that I wish io prepare the mind of those out of whose industry , power , capital , tyranny and poverty are manufactured .

      I have frequently told you that the man who has jumped out of his clogs into Spanish leather hoots , and out of his dung cart into a carriage , weeps and wails and gnashes his teeth , if one year he loses ten thousand pounds out of half a million that he has manufactured ont of the dependence and servilit y of thc working classes . He never reflects upon the worse state he was in ; he always thinks of the better state he is in .

      The Irish landlords are now beginning to squeak ; and of so much importance does the Times consider their influence over the minds of the Irish people , that that paper ' s columns are daily filled with the strongest censure of their conduct . The state of Ireland , however , will have a greater effect upon the English Government , if the landlords and peasants pull together , than even the state of France . I have no great confidence in many of the Irish memhers of Parliament , but 1 have con-

      •'" United, You Stand. Divided, Yon Fall...

      fidence in the power that the Irish people can exercise over the English Government ; and I have confidence in that union and co-operation which will very speedil y be cemented between the English and the Irish people . Let me now give you'the strongest instance of the'foll y of our system , and of the injustice of our rulers . There is now in the-Exchequer a surplus of over four millions of money—an amount extracted from the industrious labourer , and yet not a fraction of that will go to the support of the poor , or to the reduction of poor rates . Working men— -h / _lA-nAn i— XT il * . .

      " Words are but wind , . Actions speak the mind . " And I think if you required a true definition of this maxim , you will find it in the fact , that while you laud , you praise and eulogise the brave Polish and Hungarian refugees , you are allowing them to . starve in this country ; while a hiite from each would not only support them in comfort , but would convince your own rulers , and those of the countries _^ _nn which they were exiled for their patriotism , that the English people were possessed of the feelings

      of charity , humanity , and philanthropy . I am going to attend a meeting on Monday next , at Cowper-street , forthe purpose of aiding and assisting those brave and expatriated exiles , who lost their liberty at home by contending for the liberty of their country , and who have now a just claim npon the English people , who should have received them harmoniously . I trust the meeting will be a bumper ; and , in conclusion , I beg to subscribe myself as Tom * faithful Friend and Advocate , Feargus O'Connor .

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      Fidence In The P That It(W B J : " ¦ 'I ...

      P ' IT ( W _B _J , TOI ,. m . . 678 . LONDOH , SATDKPAY , _| _^ 1850 . . £ _^^ g _^ _Mi I _* t - *•— - - _^^^^^^ " _^^^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦ _^ ¦¦ ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦• ¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ _J 1 _*"' 1 _*?

      "National Reform Association. A Publie M...

      "NATIONAL REFORM ASSOCIATION . A publie meeting , called by the memhers of this association , was held on Monday , in the large room of the London Tavern ; Sir Joshua Walmsley _3 _J . P _., president of the association , in the chair . The meeting was advertised to be held precisely at twelve o ' clock , but it was not till half-past twelve that the chairman and his friends made their appearance on the platform , and at that hour the room was not more than two-thirds full . Those that did attend manifested considerable impatience at the delay , which was , however , changed into vociferous cheering -when Mr . Feargus O'Connor made his appearance on the platform . There were present Mr . Hume , M . P ., Mr . John Williams , MP ., Mr . Fox , M . P ., Colonel Thompson . M . P ., Lord D . Stuart , M . P ., Mr . O'Connor , M . P ., Mr . Tindal Atkinson , Mr . II . Tinceut , RungoBapogee , « tc .

      The _Ghairmas , on taking his seat , was received with much applause . lie said that , it had appeared to the Council of the "National Association expedient to convene the present meeting in the city of London for the following among other reasons , — they thought it would furnish a fitting opportunity for a review of the late session of Parliament , from the proceedings of which little could he gathered in the way of encouragement , although something might be learned to guide the people in their future efforts to advance their own cause . The council were also desirous of making known the changes which , since the general conference held in March last , had been made in their constitution , with the view of bringing it as far as possible into harmony

      with the objects and principles of tlie association , and of carrying out the original wish ofits founders , —namely , a cordial union tor a common end , of the various classes of the community , without respect to property . ( Hear , hear . ) Finally , the council having it in their _contemplation to hold a series of meetings in the provinces , considered it an apf propriate prelude to hold a meeting like tho present one in the metropolis . The only lesson whicli it seemed to him they could extract from the proceed- _^ ings of the late Parliamentary session was this , " that if the people would gain an extension bf their political rights , they must win it through their own exertions . ( Cheers . ) Yarious measures affecting , more or less , the great question of the franchise

      were brought before the Mouse of Commons during their late sitting . What had been their fate ? They had all , without exception , heen fruitless , save the Government measure for Ireland . ( Hear , hear . ) The veteran leader ( Mr . Hume ) made his annual motion , embodying the principles which formed the basis of their present movement . The case was complete ,-his arguments were unanswerable , hehad truth and justice on his side , but he lost his motion . The hon . member for East Surrey took up the cause of the occupying tenants in counties who pay rents ranging between £ 10 and £ 50 , but who were , nevertheless , as much disfranchised as if they were lunatics , felon 3 , or aliens . He showed the monstrous injustice of excluding from the exercise of

      political power this class of their fellow subjectsa class as respectable , as intelligent , and as eligible in all respects for thc discharge of overy civil duty and political right as any body of persons in the kingdom . But , though Mr . Locke King had reason and fact to support him , he was defeated . The People's Charter was brought forward by the hon . member for Nottingham , who was allowed to occupy the attention of the House for seventeen minutes , when the claims of millions of the working classes were summarily disposed of by the Parliamentary process of what was technically called a " connt out . " The hon . member for the Tower Hamlets ( Sir W . Clay ) introduced , for the second or third time , a bill to relieve what were called compound

      householders from some of the vexatious impediments thrown in the way of their getting upon the register ; but the Gorernment managed , by the arrangement of the rote _papers , to prevent its proceeding beyond the second reading , and with a host of other bills in various stages it had gone into winter quarters . Let them not , however , suppose that the House of Commons came together and deliberated and voted and did nothing . Much was done by that hon . House , though there might be a difference of opinion respecting the value and patriotism of its measures . It voted £ 12 , 000 a-year to the son of the late Duke of Cambridge—( " Oh . oh I" and hisses)—in addition to his private fortune and his pay and allowances as an officer of high rank in the British army . It voted money for the budding of stables at Malborough-house , be .

      cause it might be some day the residence ofa Prince now nine years of age . ( Renewed hisses . ) It voted £ 14 , 700 to complete the house of the ambassador at Constantinople , in addition to £ 12 , 000 voted in 1849 , £ 12 , 000 in 184 S , £ 12 , 000 in 1816 , £ 13 . 000 in 1845 , £ 10 , 000 in 18-14 , and £ 10 , 000 in 1848 , loaking in all £ 83 , 700 for the mere residence of the English ambassador at the Court of the Sultan , and adding £ 14 , 000 a-year salary , and other expenses for the same period ( eight years , ) or £ 112 , 000 , they obtained a grand total of £ 195 , 700 as the cost of the English embassy at thc Sublime Porte . From these small items they would gather that the people ' s representatives in Parliament had not been inattentive to that which was their duty , namely , to watch over the expenditure ofthe peoples money . He had alluded to a change which had been made ' in their constitution . The council for that

      association formerly consisted of those who were subscribers to their funds to the amount of £ 10 and upwards . Thc- conference recommended a revision ofthis partof the constitution , and the council , readily yielding to that recommendation , proceeded to abolish the £ 10 money qualification . He could not omit to notice , as a gratifying proof of the _progress of their principles , the recent election for the borough of Lambeth , which resulted in the choice by the independent and Radical electors of that constituency , of a gentleman long distinguished for his unswerving _integrity in the Ilouse of Commons , and whose re-election to a scat in Parliament was an important gain to their small band . They were asking for nothing but that which the constitution had solemnly guaranteed to the people of England . They demanded just and equal representation ; and ,

      solono- as that was denied , though they were m theory , living under a government o . _Queen , Lords , and Commons , they were , in fact and in reality , under the government of an oligarchy , _llid the constitution sav that the people should elect the Ilouse of Commons ? No one would deny that the constitution said that the people should do so . Did the people in reality elect the Ilouse of Commons ? Who that knew anything of their system would say they did ? iiad every man a vote ? No , only one in seven . "Was every man who had a vote a free agent ? Again he believed he might with truth say i . o not one in seven . Did those who were free control the elections ? So , tho scale was invariably turned by the timid , thc slavish , and the corrupt . Jn nine out of ten of all the constituencies in the Kingdom the balance of power was in the hands of inosewho were influenced by impure and improper

      "National Reform Association. A Publie M...

      motives . Where , then , waa the freedom and purity of election over . which the constitution watched with such jealous eyes , and for the preservation of which so many provisions had heen made ? If nomination , bribery , corruption , and intimidation were rife in the boroughs , what should they say of the counties -J Were they , or were they not , in a state of abject subjection to a . landed oligarchy ? He would not except the very largest of them , for the fact had long been notorious that the great division of Yorkshire , for which Mr . Cobden then sat , was only wrested from the dominion of landlordism by tho purchase of . freeholds in the county by the men of Leeds , Bradford , and of Manchester . The same was equally true of the next largest constituency—th » _- ..:

      southern division of Lancashire . Iu order to remedy these evils they advocated the extension ofthe fran f chise to all adult male occupiers ofa bond fide _dwel--ling , whether it were the whole or a part of a house ; To insure the country against imposition they said , let the occupier be registered for twelve months on the parish books ; they said , let the voter have the security of the ballot . Let the sacred trust he was called on to discharge be protected _^ from outrage by the secrecy of the vote . Let him have an opportunity of voting independently by having the opportunity of voting in , such a way that the fact . of the person for whom he voted should be known only to himself . Was their third proposition a startling one ? Were triennial ,

      Parliaments an invasion ofthe constitution ? Why , one of the violations of the constitution which had been most denounced in this country was that committed by the Parliament which passed the Septennial Act . Had they proposed annual Parliaments , they would have been going back to the system which prevailed for ages and centuries . They thought , however , that a three years' reckoning , under the other arrangements they advocated , with the influence ofthe general public opinion in the meantime , as well as the vigilant oversight of a large constituency , might be frequent enought to keep representatives tolerably honest . One cf the most important alterations they proposed was that of the equalisation of the numbers of the constituencies . At

      present the contrast between the larger and the smaller constituencies was ridiculous and monstrous . Their gross number of electors was 1 , 000 , 000 , but a clear majority of the House of Commons was returned by 141 , 000 , or one-seventh ofthe whole number . Was it not preposterous that while the twelve largest county constituencies in the kingdom , numbering 163 , 000 voters , sent only twenty-four men to the Ilouse of Commons , 227 other constituencies , numbering only 141 , 000 . should send 339 ? Was ifc not equally preposterous that Thetford , with 210 voters , should send two members , while the West Riding , with 36 , 750 , and the Tower Hamlets , with 21 , 000 , should send only two each ? They proposed then to equalise the numbers , not with absolute arithmetical precision ,

      which would he impracticable , but as far as known and well-defined boundaries would allow of it , and thus to make every member amenable to a large and independent electoral body , a body that , on account of its numbers , should be equally beyond the reach of corruption and of dictation . Such were the objects they sought , and such thc changes through which they sought them . They again appealed for assistance to their metropolitan friends in aid of the great cause ; they had hitherto been faithful stewards , and had adhered inflexibly to the principles on which they first sought assistance . In conclusion let him exhort those he had the honour to address , and all to whom his humble words might come , to renew their exertions in the cause of Parliamentary Reform . ( Great cheering . ) Mr . Searle moved the first resolution * . —

      That , on a deliberate view of the proceedings of ( he hist session of Parliament , this meeting feels called upon to express its strong dissatisfaction with many of the votes of public money , —votes altogether unwarranted hy thereasons _assigned for them , or by the financial coiidition of tlie country ; that , connecting these votes with the neglect of numbers of petitions from the people for Parliamentary and other reforms at home ; the disregard of general and just complaints from our fellow subjects in the colonies abroad ; the continuance of heavy and oppressive taxation , and the maintenance of overgrown and unnecessary establishments ; this meeting is deeply impressed with the necessity for a radical reform in the Commons Ilouse of Parliament , for the purpose of giviug to the people a constitutional control over the proceedings ofthat assembly , and , consequently , over the taxation and expenditure , of the country . " ¦ -- - ' --

      lie thought thafc tho time had arrived when the people should make a strong effort to free themselves from the necessity of submitting in silence to tho exactions of so ill-constituted an assembly as the Ilouse of Commons . Let them look at the present condition of the national expenditure , and the uses to which tho public money was put . What a palace had the members been building for themselves—a scene of gewgaw oligarchy , showy enough , but unfit for all its business purposes . ( Hear . ) Let tbem remember the venerable old Houses of Lords and Commons—venerable fov the acts whicli tooK place in them—and they would all feel that thc fire which had destroyed them had destroyed one of the country ' s grandest monuments , to make room for an erection such as they might fancy represented in the scene of a playhouse . What had

      been done by the present Ilouse towards reducing the list of admirals ?—( hear , hear)—who were kept up to live on the shore and grow grey in peace , without ever seeing the water ? What had been done to help the administration of their navy , and prevent thoir building iron vesssels by the score , vessels so bad _* . _*| bat when a section of one was put before a battery , in --pile of sheathing of gutta percha and wood a foot thick , it would uot stand the shots fired against it in a friendly spirit of trial , ( ilear , hear . ) What had heen done to remove these and other abominations ? and what had been done to elevate the condition of the people ? _Nothing . The peoplo had a perfect right

      as inalienable as that of an individual , to regulate its own expenditure , and that could only ho done hy extending the franchise . Tiie speaker here glanced at the acts of the last session of Parliameut . He exhorted them to persevere in their present efforts , and , though their opponents might affect to disregard them , they would ultimately be successful . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Searle then adverted , at considerable length , to the present condition of the Continent , and particularly to recent political events affecting Kussia , Germany , and Austria . lie said , that the English people ought to tako an interest in the success of tbose who struggled for liberfy _, as their success in the cause would be something more than an augury of the welfare of their own .

      Mr . W . J . Fox , who was received with great cheering , said that he should not follow tho analysis of tbe last session ; he had several reasons for not doing so . He was not a reformer on account of what passed last year ; he had been so for half a century . He was a reformer when it was a stigma and opprobrium to be so , and when such a meeting as that at which they were assembled would have been put down by the strong arm of thc law , and any individual would have taken part at his own peril in that which they now did in safety , with abundant co-operation and well-merited honour . He was a reformer when Lord J . Russell said , in the House of Commons , tbat there were a million of men in this country worthy of possessing the

      franchise , and that they ought to have it . ( Hear , hear . ) They had bad the Reform Bill since , and where was the additional million ? If , in 1825 , a million of men were fit to _liavc the franchise , and were not possessed of it , what must be the case at the present time , when , during thc long interval , knowledge had made such gigantic advances ? One great qualification required to fit the people for the free exercise of the franchise was education . Ho ( Mr . Fox ) had been voting in minorities on this question - especial" j on the bill which he attempted to _introduce . ( Great cheering . ) The fate of that measure proclaimed two or three instructive lessons . It elicited throughout the working classes of this country a strong disposition to havo that

      knowledge , if their superiors would allow thorn to have it . ( Hear , hear . ) The majority against him on that question was greater than usual , because it was a combination of all the priest-ridden factions . Those who so long held Europe in darkness , and were now bringing new titles into this island—such as Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster , sent their members to oppose it . The Puseyites sent their member to oppose it . The old hierarchy sent thc government to oppose it . Leading members of sects sent members on the same errand , and thus swelled the majority ; but ifc was his determination to proceed again , though not in precisely the same form as to details . On the former occasion it was urged

      that he left too large a power in the bands of the Committee of Council . They should not make that complaint again , ne believed that there was a necessity on the part of the people for education , uncontrolled by priests or by government . ( Great cheering . ) That education should he paid for by self-imposed local taxation , directed by voluntarily chosen local management , free to all classes , and endeavouring to embrace all classes —( hear , hear)—whilst it should bo too good for the poorest it should be good enough for the wealthiest . ( Hear , hear . ) In pledging themselves to parliamentary reform , they did not pledge themselves to a light or brief work .- They had to contend against great difficul-

      "National Reform Association. A Publie M...

      ties . _ : They > had the vis _inertioiAoi "tiimd _' , peoplekto resist--people who were always . calling to _them-io let well alone—who said tbati ' n . stofmy * times 7 Buch efforts endangered the state-ia " calm _-fiinesl tliat quiet ought not to be disturb " ed-ih ; times' 6 t a _* _dverl fKv , they ou _*? ht t ' o _' atten'd to the physical ' . _^ ah ' _ts ot tne people , and in times of-prosperity / _'that'they were not required . A-Whig deficiency showed * ah unfavourable time , and a Whig-surplus—that rare _event-sl aughter ) -showed thafc no roform [> _was needed . It _would-bo _^ easy to reverse all this reai soning and turn . it upon its authors , " were it wbi'tti while to , do so .. Th ' ey . had to contend _^ _againBt' coi _* r in .. . ¦

      ruption boroughs , ' . where votes were gained over _» y _g'n ; . and , lastly ; f they . 'had their hoaViist drawback in their ' want ofun ' ioivamorig themselves . ' He ' knew that many frierids . differed among themselvesi as to the : reform whioh should ultimatolyvbe sought ; but _leathern unite in the first instance ; to get . any , reform _•* _at-all . To discuss-final measures ' at _^ present was toVdivide tho spoil before . the ; battle % & _s won , and _. whilefyefctheir most strenuous efforts _* _Jf ° required . to _. bring * , about what ; they _* fdesired , Mlthens , unit _*& . am ' ongTfctheriiselves in _the'firsliiai ? f ? ncej _remembeWngthat ' th _^ _iii usehad b ' _eSrr ' trans . _tonted-ta-thejn , _atobatthej _^ gMfhavo i _& tv & m their own ' examples _as' ah encouragement . They would , then find that , sooner or later , the words of the poet would be fulfilled : — " Freedom ' s battle onco begun ,

      Bequeathed from dying sire to son , Is baffled oft , but always won . " ( Great cheering . ) Mr . Hume , M . P ., Lord Dodlet Stcarx , and Col . Thompson , M . P ., successively addressed the meeting in support of the objects ofthe association . Mr . O'Connor , on rising , was received with loud and long continued applause . He said , that he was not a trafficking politician , and therefore ho was neither afraid nor

      ashamed to attend such a meeting as the present , although he did not acquiesce in the principles adopted by that Association . ( Cheers . ) Nevertheless , as he stated in the outset , he would now repeat it , such gatherings gave the higher and the middle classes an opportunity of judging of the intellect , the knowledge , and intelligence ofthe "vorkiug classes ; while they enabled the working classes to judge of the folly and cupidity of the higher and middle classes . ( Cheers and hisses . ) Although ho would not oppose the Financial Reformers , yet , nevertheless , however near they may profess to come to the Chartist principles , he would never abandon Annual Parliaments , _TJnivGi-sal

      Suffrage , Vote h y Ballot , Equal Electoral Districts , No Property Qualification , and Payment of Members . ( Loud and long continued cheering . ) Thank God , they Avere all beginning to open their eyes now upon the Land Question . ( Cheers . ) Tho Chairman , in his opening speech , had told them that one foreign ambassador , in the course of a very few years , had cost the country £ 200 , 000 , an amount which would purchase 8 , 000 acres of land , which , allowing four acres to a family , would support two thousand families , that is , at five to a family , it would support ten thousand people . ( Loud cheers . ) But that was not all . Mr . Searle , in a very able and powerful speech , described what the House of Commons

      was . He told them , that notwithstanding the amount it cost the country , no voice could be heard in it . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) _considered that a great blessing , as he thought it would bo better for the people if the rubbish spoken there was never heard . ( Great cheering and laughter . ) But let him give them a valuable bit of information , with ref ' erorice to the amount that that " show bos " cost them , the peoplo : it would purchase a'hundrcdihpusand acreS _vttf _^ _W _^ f _^ K _^ i _^| _p | _pr _^ r _^^ family , and allowing five to each family , would support ONE HUNDRED AND

      TWENTYFIVE THOUSAND PEOPLE , without paying any rent . ( Loud cheers . ) He had listened with great pleasure to the speech of Mr . Fox , upon the question of education , while , he would ask him , and the meeting , how it was possible for a child eight years of age , working six hours a day in heated and unhealthy atmospheres , to devote any time to education ? ( Hear , hear . ) How was it possible for a child thirteen years old , working ten hours and a half per day , to receive any education ? And he would tell them , and thc Financial Reformers , that ifc was upon this

      ignorance , upheld by tlie tyranny of tho speculator , that they preserved and upheld their power , and made their fortunes . ( Hisses aud loud cheering . ) What did he care for the hisses of the geese ? He was there to speak the truth , and in spite of any antagonism he would do so . Mr . Hume had told them , that many of tbo working classes , who had acquired votes , voted for the most corrupt members ; and was it not a true definition of his ( Mr . O'Conuor ' s ) maxim , that their oppressors based their power upon the peoplo's disunion ? ( Cheers . ) He had frequentl y defined the construction of the House of Commons to the working classes . However , as what he had told their order may be a novelty to the

      middle classes , he would now define it for them . There were - 'dimrals , captains , lieutenants in the navy , supporting the party from whom they expected promotion . There were generals , colonels , majors , captains , and lieutenants in the army , acting upon a similar principle . There were bankers , merchants , manufacturers , traders , landlords , traffickers , and all description of classes , whose vote was based on thc power of the Government in office , or the party expecting office . Not ono of those classes had the slightest consideration for the peoplo , nor had the peoplo any , the slightest , power over any of those persons . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Ho had devoted thirty years of his lifo in the endeavour to establish

      that union , and no matter what antagonism ho had to contend against , he was resolved to adhere to his principles . ( Great cheering . ) He would implore ofthemnotto pay any _attention to Financial Reform rubbish . The blessing thata reduction often millions a year in taxation would confer upon them was received by many foolish men witb great applause ; but let him explain the benefit that their order would derive from such a reduction . Estimating the population of the United Kingdom at thirty millions , it would be six shillings and eight pence a head , a farthing a day , three halfpence a week , a pint of beer a fortnight , a quart of beer a

      month , three gallons of beer a year . ( Tremendous cheering , and loud laughter . ) But as tlio land had been referred to , he would again draw their attention to that subject , and explain to those who , perhaps , had never h _<* ai _* d it before , what he had often stated to the working classes . England had a population of 300 to a square mile , Ireland 250 , Scotland 100 , while they wero importing food from all parts of the world with idle land , idle labour , and idle money at home , paying eight millions to support unwilling idlers ; while in Jersey and Guernsey , with a population of nearly 1 , 200 to a square mile , four times tho amount of England's popHlation ,

      nearly fivo times the amount of Ireland ' s , and twelve times the amount of Scotland ' s , they were exporting food , and had not a pauper in the country . ( Loud cheers . ) Well , but why was this ? It was because the manufacturer aud tho trader wore enabled to live upon their sweat , their marrow , and their blood , by their disunion . ( Tremendous cheers and continued hisses , which lasted for a considerable time . ) Aye ( continued Mr . O'Connor ) , the geese may hiss , but let him remind the working

      classes that the man who employed a thousand hands , and made only a shilling a day profit upon each ( while ho made much more ) , would realise £ 50 a day , or £ 300 a week profit . ( Loud cheers . ) But ho would givo tho Financial Reformers a stronger illustration of the stato of this country they paid to archbishops , bishops , and parsons , about ten million three hundred thousand a year ; they paid eight millions to support unwilling idlers in bastiles ; and they paid eight millions to support a useless army for theso three charges , as much as

      "National Reform Association. A Publie M...

      _^ _vamsTihmmwM _' _oim- tc 7 Wr % _^ WIf _foit _^& _£ _V 6 f & lft _& _struggle " . ' % _fe ' BbBp _? _M _^ Mf _atate . _'of convulsion ; and to _provisoVttieatS _^ p _Mglijskrjiyetem : ¦ , was based . _uponwIftS _^ l _^ _ffi _. uhion _^ capitaliBts ;; . let him ; re | pnd _,- ; th _^ e in _^&" ' _^ _sl _pep _^ _in ' _otfior _^ ountries _^ in FM g _^ _-iiili _^ _JMy iii Pi _$ _'lfi _^^^ _struggled _' f 6 r"their rights ' , " liftbl _^ rds _^;^^ _aii _***

      ; 'ciiwses ; _- ; uanKers , ana _mercnants , * would jou wi _% ; ifie _^ pmie ; t <) establish ' iheii _>^ ighi 6 _;^ vhiWiii this "fooftntry _^ _l the poorest shopkeeper _^ wBb ' " sb' _? p | _iltl _$ ndspp ' vfer . s _were'baspd " upon the ppvefJy _[^' otz \ hi people-an % the : tyranny of the law , _wfialfrophoBe $ _?^ R « . Pp , _lerrf 5 ( Loud cheers and hisses . ) 'M _& ft ' _iCoh-59 Vn turaed ; a _^ ind to . a gentleman _uponMheaplatftPviaM _^ _Omting at him , said , _M-Themfexthe ' _fe _^ he _^ _gMder that is ; _hosing . " (" _iMMfiJJcers # _^* _fr * toere they _^ _tvaware ofW _« 6 w _!>» f ' _: Mkforbigmm $ tim s _tr _^ a _*|® pe _«^ end whose hom ? 1 ghi _^ mMmm _^ _mhi a _^ m _^ im-and _^ M _^ miK

      wmmmmm _^ _mbmmo ,. mh _^ mm _^ My Lord Nincompoop ' s . Whose is that ? Colonel Itedrag ' s . "Whoso is that ? Mr . Cheat ' s , the banker , Whose is that ? Mr . Juggler ' s , tho merchant . "Whose is that ? Mr . Plunderer ' s tho stockbroker , Whoso Is that ? Mr . Slyboots' , a barrister . Whole is that ? -Mr . Swindler ' s , a solicitor . Whose is that ? Dr . Physic ' s . Whose is that ? Mr . Puke ' s , a druggist . "Whoso is that ? Mr . Hypocrite ' s , the- parson of the parish . ( Tremendous cneers , laughter , and hisses . The laughter and cheering lasted for a considerable time . ) Well ( said Mr . O'Connor ) , he would now develope to the Financial Reformers what his bloodthirsty notions were , and he would describe it as he had frequently described it to their order . Moral power is the deliberative quality in each man ' s mind , which teaches

      him how to reason , how to endure , and when forbearance becomes a crime ; and should that fail to secure for man all the rights to which he is justly entitled , and should physical force be required—which God forbid—it would come to their aid like an electric shock ; but the man who marshalled it destroyed it , and the man who recommended it , was a traitor or a knave , and would be tho first to desert it . ( Loud cheers . ) As other speakers were to follow him , he would conclude by again assuring them that they had nothing to expect except from tho union of thoir own order and whatever antagonism and persecution he might be subjected to , and however great their own disunion mit'ht be , he would hold fast to the principles of the PEOPLE'S CHARTER , and Ho Surrender ! Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid loud cheers and waving of hats .

      The Chairman declared that the association had never asked any man to abandon his principles ; but they believed they had taken the course which , upon the whole , would soonest accomplish reform . He condemned the language which had been used —( hisses)—he dissented from many of the sentiments which had been uttered—( repeated hisses)—but he called upon the working men to take the middle classes at their word —( " humbug" )—to go with them as far as they would go , and then go further , if tbey thought necessary . Tho resolution was then put and carried with only one dissentient voice . Mr . _Kicholay moved tho second

      resolution—That this meeting desires to express its gratification at the recent changes in the mode of election to the general council ; also the pleasure witli which it has heard of thc activity and extension of the Reform _Association throughout the metropolis , and would earnestly ciill upon the members of this Association , as well as upon the friends of reform throughout the kingdom , to sustain hy prompt contributions the funds of the couueil , that the necessary means may be obtained for prosecuting with vigour anil _eflk'ieney the great cause of tlie present organisation . Mi * . II . Vincent supported tho resolution . lie said if anything in that assembly could give him momentary pain ifc was the little irritation of feeling which had been exhibited . It was not to be disguised that there were gentlemen present holding

      various views as to the extent to which political rep _^^ _g _^ ioj _^^ j _^ _gfl _^ _ffii _^^ l & lTl ih ' g _himsolfT _^^^ _raft duty _^ _rtnrmbtiv _^ _liTOfeexpe _^ _iTOeyJahd asrthe '¦ result of some reflection , to give his independent support to the association . ( Cheers . ) It must be obvious to all that there was no political party in this eountry which could boast that it had made no mistakes ; and while moderate men might feel angry with some of the old Chartist body , because they did not understand its principles , and because they sometimes confounded the declared opinions 6 f hired servants of the government with the sober convictions of the virtuous and intelligent Chartists of England —( cheers)—on the other hand , working men were apt to refuse tho liberty which they

      claimed for themselves . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The object of that association was to create a general public opinion in favour of progressive reform . Principles were , in his judgment , superior to councils , and there were many principles to which he clung as a portion of his creed , though they were not inculcated by that society . But he saw on the platform men who , though in some respects they differed from himself , yet clung to the progressive character of the institutions of the country , and he ivas un advocate for such a casting down " of prejudice and such a union foi * action as would combine in ono compact phalanx those who believed that , through their exertions , despotism was destined to perish . The tendency of things in England was

      obvious , Tbey had heard from the platform most powerful arguments for the extension of the suffrage . He would urge upon the upper classes—he would urge upon tho Ilouse of Peers—nay , ho would urge , with becoming respect , upon her Majesty , that the question of extending power to tho people ceased that day to bo a dcbateable question , and assumed an aspect important alike to the ruling and tho ruled classes . ( Loud cheers . ) The power of tho aristocracy as a distinctive corporation was dead and gone . He would put it to Lord John Russell , or tbo distinguished leaders ofthe "Whig or the conservative party , whether they could reckon on fifty rising young men of title to whom the businesslike , shrewd , and energetic , middle and

      workingclasses woullc liko to commit tlio government of this country ? When death had swept off a fewillustrious names thafc might be mentioned , the ancient families would be powerless without a hearty constitutional union with the great body of thc people . ( Hoar , hear . ) The tendency of the country was democratic . Nor must men be alarmed at this fact ; for to quarrel with democracy was to quarrel with Christianity , which taught thafc God made all the nations of thc world of one blood , and which was more democratic than the constitution of thafc society , \ rr even of tho People ' s Charter . He was pleased to hear Mr . Hume refer as he had done to the Peel monument in Punch . It showed that ho was not , as some hail imagined , only a man of

      figures ; and it reminded him that on one occasion that gentleman himself was represented in Iho character of an Ethiopian serenador , playing . his banjo in Downing-street , while Lord John Russell , represented as an elderly lady , with a broad-bordered nightcap , asked , " Who ' s dat knocking at the door ? " ( Great laughter . ) Ifc would ultimately be found that the music played hy that veteran reformer had found an overpowering echo in the heart ofthe nation . ( Cheers . ) The recent changes in the commercial policy of the country had done much to ensure ultimate success to tho cause of reform . In his travels in Suffolk some of the farmers had said to him , " Don't you think we shall have protection back ? " and when he replied " No , " they rejoined ,

      "Well , at all events wemust have the taxes down . " ( Hear , hear , and _laughter . ) As to the feelings of the agricultural labourers they were well expressed in his presence the other day by a Yorkshirodabourer _, who said , " Eh ! this be a grand change ! There was a time when wo used to cut a slice off the loaf for tbe children and then put jt away , but now we put the loaf on the table and it ' s cut " and come again . " ( Laughter and cheers . ) The tendency to cut down sinecures would do much to advance thc good cause , and be _lirmly believed that ton or twenty years hence England would bo one of tho most enlightened and democratic , yet conservative , countries in the world . Never was

      there such a general conspiracy of intellect and conscience against darkness and despotism . The other day ho visited tho Major of Southampton to ask hini what sort of reception ho would give to Kossuth . ( Cheers . ) Tho reply was , that he should havo such a reception as bad been given to no man who had ever visited this country . Tho sound of liberty was abroad , and if they were 200 years in advance of many _continental nations , they must give those nations * the benefit of their counsel and experience . For his own part , he had cast his fortunes with , the democracy of the world , nor would he ever cease to exert himself until the people were in full possession oftheir rights . ( Immense cheering . )

      The Chairman ( referring to Mr . Vincent ) said Thafc is one man from the ranks of the people . ( Hear , and cheers . ) There are thousands as good

      ^'•He :Fbe:$It"-O'Urs I | ^ Of -^"^Ij&S*...

      _^'• he : _fbe : _$ it " -o ' urs | _^ of _- _^ _" _^ ij _& _S _* _- _^ • _c' - ' _^ 5 _^^ _jffiffl _*^^^^ _Si _3 _S _*^ lS _^ S _^ _$ cted _^ ith _^ _omi _^^ Wmr _^^^^^ _^ f _^ _^ _raueKrefe _*^ _MP _« S _(^ Mpp _^ hichf ; he said , waa _^ _-M _^ M _^^ i _^^ imWndder the auspices of _py _^ _m _^ _PSJbgte _^^^ 7-r _^ _"MUfM _*^^^ he . had ; just -re-: _A _** : _^*^^ M _?^|^" i _^ uld _' . be follow ' dd - by

      . ; . gifts from _fmany-othiers , aa an _assoeiatibri 6 f'this nature * ' conld- not posBihly ; be carried on without : fundsVi ( 7 _Hef"als 6 ' ; .. s sjpla ( jediin ?' h « .. _iiah _^ iay " ¦ _MoSe ft _^^ 'i _& effecfcachan _^ ofthe Society . _* le § _ipil | _m they lliffllonlt _^ tl ils i

      itswii _^^ Vr _RplS _& _i'te _^ i _l ipil _jte _^^^^^ _ljii ? afydt _^ bf . _^? 6 : r . _Gbairmfe-iiaving ., sat uve ' h 6 viYS . _., _'f-T _^ hWee % a % & : cM r ) evMi % tho room ; f ¦ :: ¦ * _¦¦&} _&*>(& \ _yi- _? _- ; : by < V ' - _¦<*? . ¦ ¦;/ , _,: . '; -: ' T _"' / _f- 't _^ _-fe _&^ a ' _-iM < 6 [ f - * _yhi _^'' m _ee'tir _i- _^ _--pfro v © s that thefo -is * ; _" a ¦ ¦ ' ' _yride--jan'dv ' ' at present , impassable gulf fie ty _^^ _ji ' tah f _^ offered

      _;^ _tw _*^^** i _^ r / . _war : to any of thb fsp _% lcers _/ f . . ' T _^' _fnumerbu _^ body of Chartists _listene ( _£ pauen _^ f _^^ m _^ S _0 ov _riseiit _^ n _0 _^ _m _^^ _MPfi Was evinced upon _the'platfofm , hy jibes and jeers ahout the Land Plan ; and no sooner did he touch upon the wrongs of labour than their spleen found vent in hisses and attempts at confusion . Perhaps Mr . O'Connor ' s nervous expressions _werVnot'suited to the mercantile atmosphere off . the London Tavern—certainly

      thoy foil harshly upon the ears of any _ft-ho might be living upon those wrongs which he was ahout exposing . They would , therefore , agree -with their chairman in expressing their dissent both to the language used and the sentiments conveyed ; hut we think they might have taken a better method of giving an expression to it . The Chartist hody , when they read the report of Mr . O'Connor ' s speecbi will , in all probability , come to a different conclusion respecting it to that arrived at by Sir Joshua Walmsley , and the members of the Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . ]

      The Contented V. The Discontented Allott...

      THE CONTENTED v . THE DISCONTENTED ALLOTTEES AT MINSTER LOVEL . IO THE EDITOR OP THE OXFORD CHRONICLE . We , the undersigned allottees on the Minster Lovel estate , having read a letter in the Northern Slar , copied from your paper of the 28 th of September , signed , J . Wilcox , J . Gathard , and J . Beattie , on behalf of the allottees , beg to say that we entirely dissent from them . They tell you that they were induced by Mr . O'Connor to take shares in the National Land Company ; they all knew Mr * . O'Connor was the founder of the Company when they took their shares ; they also knew that thousands of shareholders were content that Mr . 0 'Con nor should purchase in hi 3 own name ,, as trustees could not be appointed until ifc was legalised . They speak of having broken up their homes , left their callings , and travelled here at a great expense . This first named person—J . Wilcox—is not an allottee ,

      nor even a shareholder . He came here with Jackson , from Nottingham , a two acre allottee , who has left ; he worked his land for him , but he now holds seven acres that were occupied by Gilbert , of Coventry , and Squires and llorne , from Brighton . He has not produced so much from them as a two acre has produced near to him . He says ho will hold them ; he has puid no rent , nor will he pay . Poor sufferer , what claim has he upon your readers to help lnm into Chancery ? The next is Gatbai'd . No doubt he has suffered for want of a sufficiency of the commonest necessaries of life , for ho has nof produced near so much from his four acres as his near neighbours have done from their two acres , _althoush " he said he would instruct us . Wo think he ought not to lay tho blame to Mr . O'Connor ; he got his house , four acres of land , thirty pounds aid . money , a quantity _^ of manur _^ _and-ateova-guaiitity

      several others _*^ " ? * t _®* tftnt were pborfwith part of our aid money , advanced to us in London by the Directors , to enable us to get here . We consider ifc ungrateful to turn against our benefactor—Mr . O'Connor—through causes over whicb he could havo no control . Mr . O'Connor has considered our inexperience , and shown us great lenity , by taking the rent in part , promising a louse when wo havo paid all . We have confidence in him . - Tho next that claims your assistance is J . Beattie . He has a good four acre allotment ; he has boasted of producing fine vegetables , fine potatoes , whicli he is famous for ; had tho thirty pounds aid money , lets three acres of his land , for which he has already received £ 26 ; he has one acre and his house to himself , and having been a soldier , is in receipt of a pension . He lias paid no rent , he says ho will havo

      the lease first before ho will pay . He was employed on the _estato as a labourer before the houses were finished , at 12 s . per week ; while the farm labourers where getting about Ss . ; so much for his expensive travelling . Sow lie is called a good hearted Irishman , and so he is sometimes ; but his ingratitude and revilings towards Mr . O'Connor , who has endeavoured to hotter tho condition of tho working classes , calls from us our loudest protest . Wo leave it to your readers , after theso facts , if ifc is a case worthy ofyour sympathy . Charles Willis , William Chandler , William Hoy , George Lay , Benjamin Munday , Thomas BelVtead , William Smith , Johu Stone , Masfin Hart , John _Drii-kwater , John Metcalf , John Hayes , Charles Smith , John Wilkins , James Price , Charles Ireland , John Bennett , Charles Ni _* ppard . Minster Lovel , near Witney , Oxon , October 9 th , 1 S 50 .

      Chartorvillo , October _lOth . Sin , — -The above is a copy ofa letter which I sent to the Oxford Chronicle last Thursday , with five enclosed postage stamps for a paper , containing tho above letter . It was to be addressed to Mr . _llayes , my neighbour , but wo have not yot received it . Ifc was the wish ofthe _allottrcs that I should send you the above for insertion in tbe Star , if ifc meets your approbation . Your humble servant , Charles Willis .

      Capabilities Of The Land. To The Editor ...

      CAPABILITIES OF THE LAND . TO THE EDITOR OF TBE SOOTHERS STAR . Siu , —Being an enthusiastic admirer of tho land nnd ot the Land Plan , I crave a small portion ofyour paper while I give the results of the proceeds of a * mall piece of garden . The size of garden in all is only nine falls , and I have kept a careful account of the quantities ot each crop , and have marked the price at what the same were selling in their season . I had two falls planted with potatoes , which yielded one and a half bolls , which , at 5 d . per stone , gives £ 1 ; 200 cabbages , at four for a Id ., 4 s . 2 d . ; 200 stalks of beans , 4 s . 2 d . ; 100 German greens , at four for a Id ., 2 s . Id . ; 400 leeks ( some of them six inches round ) , at eight for aid ., 4 s . 2 d . ; 2 Slbs . onions , at _ljd . per lb ., 3 s . Gd . ; one stone of

      carrots , 8 d . ; ono bed of lettuce , 8 d . ; sold 2 , 500 Gorman green plants , at 2 d . per 100 , 4 s . 2 d . ; two double rows early peas , under value , at 2 s . ; three pints of black currants , at -Id ., Is ; eight pints of red and white currants , at 3 d , 2 s . ; twenty-six pints of gooseberries , at 3 d ., Gs . Cd . ; twelve leek heads of the Scotch kind , containing three dozen in all , at lOd . per dozen , 2 s . Gd . ; one lb . German green plant seed sold at 10 d ; two bee-hives , one of which hived twice , value of hives , £ 1 ; the old hives being put down produced four pints of honey , at 8 s , £ 112 ; total , £ 5 10 s . 2 d . Besides this , I have oft '

      my ground , a pig-sty , a dung-pit , a bleaching-gveen , a handsome flower plot , besides roads , & e . A neighbour of mine , William Breaton , has a look bod _. ' oight yards by fivo , in whioh are seventeen rows , for whieh ho gets Sd . per row , or lis . -id for tho whole . Who , after this , will say that tin land is valueless ? Like Mr . Crockett , I use tho liquid manure largely , and have been greatly indebted to Mr . O'Connor ' s admirable instructions , and hope ho will be long spared as a social aud practical instructor . I am , Ac ., Robert Miixer . Markinch , Fifcshire . Oct . 12 th .

      A Tuft? As Is A Pufv.-A Correspondent Of...

      A Tuft ? as is a _Pufv .-A correspondent of tho New York Courier and Enquirer writes _« n _nccom . at a good iron safe which was exposed to , ahe . t ; iwt _completely destroyed its _"X _& _tf 2 i _"« _iS was taken , after the trm , c 'oos er _^ of stamped butter . _^ ham va posed . — Boston Mail .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 19, 1850, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_19101850/page/1/