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Northern Star (1837-1852), 20th October 1849, Edition 3 of 3, Page 1, Onward and we conquer, Backward and we fall."

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      Onward And We Conquer, Backward And We Fall."

      Onward and we conquer , Backward and we fall . "

      "The People's Charter Am ) No Surrender....

      "THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER AM ) NO SURRENDER . " TO THE CHARTISTS . Mr _Friesds , —I feel assured that the perusal of the proceedings at the recent meeting at Aherdeen will give you no small pleasure but you will be still more gratified when you learn that the Chartists of Aberdeen are about the sternest in princi ple to be found in the country .

      A number of the paltry middle classes _retted to take P _^ " * our proceedings , and _t | _^ - ? _rOTOst— the Lord deliver me from such a Provost—who latel y presented the Freedom of the City to Sir _Robbht Peel , refused to attend , because _Fbacgus _O'Coxxon was to be present ; and , no doubt , was afraid the gilt would be taken off his p EEL-grogerbread . A great number of the veritable middle class refused to attend , and you will be struck with iiorror when you hear the reason ; The Magistrates , as you are aware have the power of granting licenses for the sale of spirits , and nearly one in two of the Aberdeen shopkeepers sell spirits .

      Aberdeen and Edinburgh , aTe the two most priest-riddentowns inScotland , or , perhaps , in the world ; and , if those persons selling spirits take what they term a violent part in politics , the Ministers—who do not repudiate drunkenness—interfere with the Magistrates to suspend the licence . Thus these pious apostles base all their power upon the injustice of partial Justices . There is also a large distiller , who is a

      justice of the peace , and this fellow ' s policy—if not his politics—is measured b y the bushel of analt ; and he , too , is a kind of nincompoop Whig . In consequence of this opposition the meeting was obliged to be heldin the Chartist Hall , and the _firstre _^ lution ; •" proposed by Mr . _Witso _y , the Editor of the " Gazette , " —an eloquent speaker and sterling Chartistwent to the extent of Universal Suffrage , which after some discussion—but by no means of an acrimonious character—was so modified

      as to prevent any ( the sli g htest ) dissension . M y friends , 1 never attended any meeting that gave me more unbounded pleasure than that held at Aberdeen on Monday last . But , nevertheless , I told you that I would warn you when I saw breakers ahead . There was nothing occurred at that meeting that was not _eminentl y calculated to promote our cause ; and I have frequently told you that we had to

      rely as much upon the integrity of the Press as upon our own energy , for the success of the -cause . I can hear any description of obloquy or insult , so long as its effects are merel y personal ; but when they are calculated to damage your cause , then I will not bear them . Hitherto , I have told you , that , of the daily papers , the "Dail y News , " the " Monthly Advertiser ;" -and the " Sua" were the only papers that _condescended to notice our movement .

      However , it would appear that the organ of the party is beginning to feel that they would be better without Feakgus _O'Coxxor ; and I think lean establish the truth of this opinion upon the fact that—no matter how I may be received—no matter how my opinions may lay the foundation for a perfect fraternisation between the working , and middle classes ; and although the working classes—that is , the Chartists—constitute the main strength and force of the party—yet the "Dail y Neios " condescends to notice my speech at Aberdeen with twenty one lines .

      M y Friends , I have frequently reminded you of the power of the Press ; and now , finding that the Press—that portion of it which represents this movement without representing the value of Chartist co-operation—appears to swamp Chartism altogether , it is my intention , and that ere long , to establish a dail y paper , which shall do even-handed justice to both parties , and , unlike the organ of . the

      pre-. seut movement , shall g ive a full and fan * report of the speeches of all parties connected with it . I am always ready to allow the _greatest latitude to journalists ; and , therefore , I felt not the slig htest objection to the " Daily News" picking every l ying scrap from the provincial journals , that was aimed at the Land Plan ; while , upon the other hand , 1 have never opposed the humbug

      "FREEDOM FOR , THE _MILLIONS " plan , least my opposition may give a handle to our euemies . The "Northern Star' always fairly publishes the speeches of the middle classes who take part in those movements , i ; hus exhibiting impartial justice . In the month of December and January it is my intention to make a tour of the country , and , if I am treated in the same way by the organ of the present movement , to test the Talue they ( the Chartisfe , ) set npou a daily organ to represent them ; and , should I fail iiAhc attempt , I -will establish it upon my ¦ own bottom , as I am determined that the Chartist cause shall never perish . Tom-faithful Friend , Feakgus O'Coxxoe .

      The Mathox Estate. 10 Jeaugts O'Coxxott,...

      THE _MATHOX ESTATE . 10 _JEAUGtS o ' _cOXXOTt , ESQ ., _ii-PDear Sik _, —The undersigned have requested me io write respecting the purchase of Mnthon . It is _tUouslit that the purchase may be completed after the following manner : — £ 2 , 000 deposit paid , the amount that _' has been paid by purchasers money in the Bank , belonging to the Land Company , and the remainder to he borrowed . "We think the balance re quired need not alarm you for the result , for there are plenty of purchasers when you are prepared to oirc the title and possession , hut they will not part with their money before ; and those , like myself , must be satisfied to pay a per _centago for such accommodation . I hope a favourable result , as I am prcnarinsr to make up the amount to purchase the _ouaiitityTFor which I have paid a deposit . Sincerely hoping this splendid Estate may be retained , we hen to subscribe ourselves yours faukfuBy m the

      good work , __ . James Uaemxc , Wiiliam Allex , Samuel _Piieus , Thomas Newell . City Aims , Worcester , October 10 . My _Feiexds , In repl y to the above I have merely to say , that you do not appear to understand the nature of Land purchase . Tou are not aware that every farthing of the money must be paid before I can receive possession , and that it would be impossible for me to g ive title

      until I have got possession ; and , I think , that if it is not impossible , it is , at least very improbable , that I would delay making those titles for a single day . I can only repeat what I have frequently stated before , that if the people in the neig hbourhood themselves are not prepared to purchase such an Estate they deserve to he slaves ; while , I am happy to state , that we have got some new purchasers in consequence of my being able to get an extension of -time for payment . Faithfully yours , Feakgus O'Connor .

      The Mukder At Clapiiam. ( Continued From...

      THE MUKDER AT CLAPIIAM . ( Continued from the _GApage . ) tier of 3 Ia _» a Westoi _^™ _' _^ Jenrent a re-exa-Weston , _tosnto _* Ster on Thursday morning . ss _^ _as _^ _SA Mr Pariot _" , and said he was the _gmgj" _*™ look his sense , away , and who ordered thech igsto i ° g iven . After talking in an _^^ _« a S ™« _' 5 » ner . put his hand to Lis forehead foi . a . tew and

      *— i- .. i <] _sniil that Air Pritcnaru _anu _» " «» " ¦ . ' _SSS _^ te _^ _to 2 _£ fld S released his _* Sff Sored to him in two years . He knCTr C _^ bout thc charge of murder . He was quite ¦ not £ _Senses were taken from him at the _senaelfes . Ufa- backiohim slowly , day by _^ _' Sat waf aU he . _Tiad to _say . -The prisoner _ScoSS for trial at the Central Criminal Court for wilful murder .

      ./.$/ Wm/Lr. ^C'U^^A^'T/Ue^Yy Cn4o<44~X ...

      . / . _$ / _wM _/ lr . _^ _C'U _^^ a _^' t / _ue _^ yy Cn 4 o < _44 _~ x cc _* _$ U > _- r _d-tn _*& _6 ? z _^

      ./.$/ Wm/Lr. ^C'U^^A^'T/Ue^Yy Cno<~X And...

      AND NATIONAL TRADES ' JOURNAL .

      Vm ^ Mp.626. L08don, Saturday 0c«R10j849...

      VM _^ mp . 626 . L 08 DON , SATURDAY 0 C « r 10 J 849 ~ _^ _-SS-JS _^^" - ,

      Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...

      _PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM . MEETING AT ABERDEEN . Decidedl y the largest , and most enthusiastic , and the most important meeting which has been held ™ deei 1 f ° * a long time , was held at the Union Hal here on Monday night , in support of the principles of the Metropolitan Parliamentary and Finan cial Reform Association . Tliehall _, which ' is the _largest in the town , was . crammed , although the _r _i _S £ seats nad oeen _Amoved from tho centre of the building , with the view of accommodating a Iwiiiiiitetk could have found seat-room . There could not hare been fewer than 2000 persons

      , present ; probably the number was much larger ; and throughout the whole of the proceedings the utmost unanimity and attention prevailed . Sir Joshua Walmsley , JU . P . for Bolton ; G . Thompson , Esq ., M . r . ; and . Mr . Coningham , late candidate for the representation of Brighton , and a member of the council , attended as a deputation from the Metropolitan Association . Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., was also present . The deputation was received on entering the hall with loud applause , though from the density of the crowd which had filled the room before the hour of meeting , much difficulty was experienced on their part in reaching the platform .

      Mr . J . Macphebsox , comb-maker , having been called to the chair , introduced the business of the meeting , and the deputation . He expressed regret that from unavoidable causes , the Lord Provost of the city _7 _^ _wbiisai _^ a » patiliie »< 'he _* iflew _* were- with them , had been prevented from attending , but he trusted that they would have his aid on a future occasion . The simple object of the association was to do away with unnecessary-expenditure as well as corruption in the management of the affairs of the nation , and till the unanimous voice of tin injured people was brought to bear upon their rulers , nothing towards this purpose would be accomplished . It was the object of this association to combine all classes , and bring that voice to bear upon the rulers of the country in such a manner as would show them the folly and the impossibility of attempting longer to perpetuate the present rotten system . The chairman concluded a few further remarks by calling upon Mr . Wilson to propose the first resolution .

      Mr . Wrzso . _v , of the Gazette , who moved the first resolution , viz ., — " That this meeting approves of the _Actional Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , believing that if the objects contemplated hy that institution be realised , the people will ultimately be fully , fairly , and freely represented in Parliament . " * lie said they had met that evening on the assumption that the House of Commons stood in need of being reformed ; a glance at the present composition of that house would show that in this assumption they were ri ght . It contained six marquises , who are eldest sons of peers ; seven earls , ditto ; 26 viscounts , who were eldest sons of peers and Irish lords ; 133 brothers , sons , and immediate relatives of peers ; 56 baronets ,

      related and belonging to the aristocracy ; 26 eldest sons and immediate relatives of baronets ; 85 landed proprietors , connected with peers by marriage ; 47 owners of church patronage , not included in these ; 81 colonels , majors , captains , lieutenants , and cornets ; 63 government officials , 26 sons of military officers , 25 sons of clergymen , besides lord-lieutenants , deputy-lieutenants , and other magistrates , the remaining few being the only representatives of trade , commerce , and industry . ( Hear , hear . ) Sow , he was not there to say a word against those men . He did not blame them for occupying the posts they at present enjoyed ; they were the representatives of a corrupt " system of representation , and he therefore blamed the system and not the

      men . ( Hear , hear . ) There were in . Great Britain and Ireland about seven millions of adults above the age of 21 : of these only one million possessed the elective franchise . With a constituency thus limited ami based on a property qualification , what could they expect but a House of Commons that did not represent the people ? The tree was known by its fruits . It was the object of the Rational Parlia mentary aDd Financial Reform Association to redress this grievance . It proposed to add four millions to the present roll of electors . ( Cheers . ) That would be a great step gained ; but it would do more , for once enrolled , the five millions would elect a House of Commons that would soon enfranchise the other two ; and he must there state p lainly and honestly that he supported the association entirely on that ground . ( Great cheering . ) He would join

      with those who felt that when they could not get 20 s ., they should he content with Jos . in the pound , provided no discharge in full was given . ( Cheers . ) To this extent the resolution pledged the meeting and nothing more . At _Norwich Mr . O'Connor said he supported the association because it gave him four ot the six points of the Charter , and that a four-legged animal was likely to give him surer footing than one with two . But that depended on circumstances . If one of the legs were lame , he would rather have a good sound biped than a quadruped that could only walk on three . Row , he was afraid that the Rational Parliamentary Reform Association had a lame leg . ( A laugh . ) It proposed to give household suffrage , but it attached a condition that every householder must he rated or claim to be rated for the support of the poor . In Scotland that condition would never do . In

      Aberdeen , for example , they had 6 , 000 householders . Of these only 2 , 800 were rated for the poor , while 1 , 200 only at present had the elective franchise . By household suffrage nearly 3 , 000 more persons would be enfranchised than by the plan now proposed , but by universal or manhood suffrage at least 10 , 000 working men would be added to the roll . { Great cheering . ) In other towns the rate-paying clause would be equally unsatisfactory as in Aberdeen ; but in the counties of Scotland it would amount to a complete disfranchisement of many parishes where the constituency at present was large . For example , in Scotland there were 880 parishes . Of these . C 02 only were assessed , the remaining 278 supported their poor by voluntary

      contributions or charitable bequests . Row , the rate-paying clause in the scheme now before them would disfranchise all these . ( Hear , hear . ) "With the ether objects of the association , viz ., vote by ballot , triennial parliaments , equal electoral districts , and no property qualifications in members , they had no fault to find ; but unless the lame leg were healed the association would not command the support of the people of Scotland . ( Cheers . ) The association also sought to promote financial reform . Well , there was great room for working in that department of the State . In the House of Lords , for example , they had 49 peers who were State pensioners receiving annually £ 22 , 035 ; 30 peers , who were militarv and naval officers , receiving

      £ 51 , 043 ; 34 peers receiving £ 274 , 533 ; 16 drawing salaries from office and place , £ 10 , 000 ; 20 bishops , who divide amongst them £ 21 S , 000 ; S peers who are clergymen with livings , getting £ S , 000 ; 638 immediate relatives of peers in the army , navy , < fcc , £ 253 , 200 ; 227 immedi . ito relatives of peers in the Church , £ 138 , 500 ; and 67 immediate relatives of peers in office and place receiving £ 84 , 930 all per annum . ( Shame . ) There were only 47 out of 433 peers who bad not relatives in the army , the navy , or the Church . ( Shame . ) This also was just the natural fruit o f a corrupt system of representation , for if the Commons were had , the Lords might be _Mcnw-ted to be much worse . If the financial

      reformers could remedy this evil , they would do a great work ; but it was his opinion , and that he believed of the great mass of the community , that this could only be done by a House of Commons which fully , fairly , and freely represented the people , and that he honestly believed could only be obtainedI by universal suffrage . ( Cheers . ) Mr . SMAKT , a working man , seconded the motion . He rejoiced in the establishment of this association , for it would not only tend to unite the middle and working classes , but would g ive them such a measure of reform as would secure good government , and lead to the whole people being ultimately enfranchised . ( Cheers . ) The resolution was carried unanimously .

      Mr . _Hurcnixsox moved— " That as the middle and working classes are equally interested in the adoption of just principles , and in the attainment of good and cheap government , wc earnestly recommend a cordial union of the two great classes , for such a measure of reform as will secure the full rights of both classes , and realise these desirable objects . " The simple fact that one fortieth of the people of this nation could at present make laws for the other thirty-nine fortieths , was weightier than a whole volume of abstract pleading . It was at once

      _reasonable , just , and desirable that the franchise be extended , but the present movement contemplated another object—an object to which he attached mm * importance—the union of the middle and workiu" classes in working out this reform . ( Hear . ) He knew not a greater evil than that which had so Ion" festered amongst them , in consequence of the broad line of demarcation which had been drawn between one class and another in this country . f « Hcar hear , " and app lause . ) They had heard much of the evils of caste in India , but letthemlook at home , whore each _classkept creeping into its own

      Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...

      cell , and looking out with distrust andaluBationon the other . Did they not find the _arist _^ a _" cy—those Corinthian capitals , as they had beetf ' el _^ _fc-atfecting to despise the commercial classes ' , sireeMng at the cotton lords ; and the commercial classes , in their turn , looking with equal distrust on the working classes ; while not a few capitalists appeared to consider the productive classes onlv as- hewers of wood and drawers of water , out of whom it was their business to extract the grcatestpossible quantity of labour at ' the smallest possible price ? ( " Hear , hear , " and applause . ) The working classes themselves had , under temptation , got into wrong positions , done wrong things , and : made foolish speeches —( laughter)—but were the two classes to

      meet familiarly now and then , each would find the other not at all so bad as was supposed . He recollected a story of a Hi ghlander who had to travel up a hill , the summit of which was enveloped in mist —in the centre of the mist he discerned something that appeared to him to be a hideous creature , the uncouthness of which gradually disappeared as he neared it , till at length he discovered that it was his own brother . Let both classes , then , brush aside the mists of prejudice , and they would find that those upon whom they had so long looked with distrust and aversion were in reality their brethren . ( "Hear" and applause . ) There was no necessity for a rough or defiant mode on the part of the

      working classes m asserting their ri ghts ; this only exercised a repulsive influence , but it should be their stud y , by cultivating and storing their minds , to convince their foulest maligner of their capability of discharging the duties , and exercising the ri ghts , off fee and- honest citizens . Without _self-TeformJall political reform , even if achieved , would be lost to them individually—it would he but twining the ivy round the ruin , and not regenerating the structure . ( Loud applause . ) Mr . David _Wrioui _, a working man , seconded the resolution . He was of opinion that the middle and working classes had been hitherto mutually too severe upon each other ; and that , in order to atone for the errors of the past , they should endeavour to amend for the future . ( Applause . )

      Mr . David Deans , a working man , moved the next resolution : — " That as a means to effect this desirable union , we cordially approve of the national conference of reformers about to be called by the Rational Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , and resolve to send delegates thereto to represent the middle and working classes of this city . " He briefly supported the resolution , which was seconded by Mr . W . Lixdv , and unanimously passed . Sir Joshua Walmsley , M . P _., was then introduced by the chairman , and received with loud applause . He congratulated himself and the chairman on the vory numerous and highly intelligent meeting which had assembled before them , and on having heard

      a series of speeches which would have done credit to any assembly in the world . Had their rulers been present to have heard the sentiments which had been propounded from that platform , ho could not think but that a good result must have followed . ( Applause . ) It was his firm convictionand few had better opportunities of judging than himself—that there was amongst the productive classes a great mass of intelligence . The journey of the deputation had been amply repaid in their being present at such a meeting as the present—it was ample satisfaction . He begged to thank the chairman and the meeting for the reception which they had given , not to the individuals of the deputation , but to the cause , and he thanked them in

      the name of that association , over which for a time he had the honour to preside . The association sought such an extension of the franchise as would give to every adult man , who is an occupier , or p art occupier of a tenement , for which he shall have claimed to be rated for the relief of tho poor , a ri g ht to be _registered as an elector . ( Applause . ) It was their wish to secure one simple fair principle of registration , but in the meantime they must adopt some specific plan to enable them to carry out the objects proposed . It was to be remembered that they had now to deal with those possessed of the elective franchise , and who were prejudiced against the enfranchisement of the working classes . It was very well for gentlemen to say , " We are for universal suffrage , and we will take nothing less ;" but the time when this principle was acted upon had now gone by —( hear , near)—thanks to the men

      of Aberdeen for joining lianas with the middle classes , and woe to the man who attempted to interfere with their friendly intercourse . ( Loud applause . ) He trusted that the link which had been broken , but which was now united , would continue united for ever , for the purpose of advancing social and political progress . ( Applause . ) The object aimed at by the association would augment the electoral body from one to five millions , gathering a large majority of the adult males of tho country withm the pale of the constitution , giving them as complete a controul over their representatives as they might think necessary , and enabling them to remove the monstrous anomalies to which the oligarchy—the territorial oligarchy—trample on the rights and liberties of the people . ( Cheers . ) At some risk of tresspassing on their time , he would venture to remind them of what had been said of a

      countryman of their own , Alexander Mackay . In a pamphlet on electoral reform , he showed that sixteen of the largest boroughs , including London , Liverpool , Manchester , Wolverhampton , Bristol , Salford , Leeds , and Sheffield , contain one-half of the borough population in the kingdom , and yet return only thirty-three members to the House of Commons . The other half of the Borough population of England returned 290 members . ( Hear , hear . ) There were thirty of these boroughs with fewer than 300 electors in each , sixty-three with less than 400 electors in each , eighty-one with less than 650 each , while in large populous districts _. containing thousands of houses of the yearly value of 10 _J ., were only represented through the county

      constituency . Thevc wero eighty-six members returned by a smaller aggregate constituency than that of the Tower Hamlets , which returned onl y two members—one of whom was his friend Mr . George Thompson . There were , also , sixty-nine nomination burghs , totally under influence . In England there was one member for every 32 , 000 of the population—in Scotland , one member for every 48 , 000—in compliment , he supposed , to the intelligence of the Scotch . ( "Hear , hear , " and a laugh . ) And in Ireland—that misguided , misgoverned , and misrepresented country—there was only one member for every 88 , 000 . ( Hear , hear . ) Out of twenty-three Scotch burgh representatives , nine were sent up by 627 , 000 of the population , and

      the other fourteen by 355 , 000 . And if the representation were tested by property they would find a similar anomalous result as with population . Some , of whom better things might have been expected , advocated an adjustment of the representative system on the laws of property , and even on this system an entire change of the whole system would ensue . The time would come , however , when man as man would stand or fall , irrespective of other considerations . ( Applause . ) The Parliamentary and Financial Association aimed at those ends which , though perhaps not the most desirable , were yet easiest of attainment , and he congratulated the inhabitants of Aberdeen on their determination to aid in the struggle . The , " Corinthian . capitals , "—

      as they have been called by Mr . Hutchmson—were perhaps not with them ; but when they saw by their orderly conduct , by their earnestness and determination , that they were prepared faithfully to carry out this movement , —when the tide of public opinion began to flow steadily in the right channel , and the new movement became fashionable—then the upper classes xrouli he with them . ( "Hear , " and applause . ) In the Anti-corn Law League the bankers and great merchants only came in when the movement became fashionable , and so would it be in the present case . ( Hear . ) Again , what had the Scottish constituencies done amiss that the county qualification is fixed at £ 10 , while that of England was fixed at 40 s . ? Was it that the Eng lishman had so much more intelligence , that with 40 s . he is to be preferred to a Scotchman with £ 9 19 s . lid . ? The House of Lordsit has been well said ,

      repre-, sents the oligarchy ; and the House of Commons represents the House of Lords . ( Hear , hear . ) Where , then , were the representatives of the people ? They wcro to be seen in the lobbies of the House of Commons , seldom exceeding eighty , and oftener some eight orten , and ever overwhelmed by the scions of the aristocracy . Look at some of the returns of last session , _acd sufficient proof of this would be found . Upon Mr . Cobden ' s motion for a reduction of ten millions from the national expenditure ( which it would be remembered had increased fifteen millions since 1 S 34 ) , what was tho reply ? A majority against 275 to 72 . ( Hear . ) Mr . Hume s motion for the very reforms they were now advocating , was negatived by 208 to 82 . Mr . Berkeley ' s motion in favour of the ballot was lost by 136 to S-5 , and when Mr . O'Connor brought forward his motion in favour of the charter the numbers were

      224 to 1 G . ( Hear , hear . ) Then , again , there was Bernal Osborne ' s motion for reform of the Irish church—that incubus and anomaly which compel ! seven millions to pay for the religion of one million —what was the result with it ? Rejected by 170 to 103 . In fact , every measure calculated to benefit

      Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...

      the . people , to relieve their burden ? , or to elevate thonil in their moral or p hvsical condition , was ! V _* fK _? _^ ith the same contempt and acorn . ( Hear . ) ! _*' _soothe fault of the p « oplo themsche 3 that thcsd thip * wore so . ( Hear . ) But let thorn henceforth Ho the _$ ; dut ) _- , jmidhohesitntednot to say .. that in the coujfBe of three years they would achieve all that the y ?!? _B 0 ught . ( Applauso . ) Already thero were whisperings—alread y the straws began to moveit _ww rumoured that ministers were in consultation , and , that some great reductions were to take W _^? S _? 'T « y flt they should ; but this could not sati 8 t _£ ; tnem without important alterations in tho representative system also . He would not enter the

      upon _^ . f'wide . question of financial reform . Bo nughfehowever _, ask them what they would think " . merchant were selling his tea at Is . 9 R , and the purchaser coming out of the shop pleased witli his bargain being arrested by a man at the door , whoshould _ demand 2 s . 2 id . as duty—( laughter ) - and _yetWiat was the effect of thepresent tax . The House _^ of ' _-Commons , about eighteen months ago , was . _yearly . driven from its propriety by a proposal for _^ _BOricrease of 7 d . in the pound upon the income t _^ _W _^ the working classes pay Ss . and 10 s . per P _? S _& _$ pP . the conveniences and almost upon the _^ # 1 $ ?? $ existence . ( Hear , hear . ) When the aristoMoy " _managed to substitute indirect for diro _' nt .

      _twatw _^ tthoy succeeded in ; shifting tho burden of _'ta _^ ti bw _^ om their own shoulders' to those of the vforkhi _^ iass cs ; but once get it shifted back again , _* Sd _}^^ _gwould soon have' economy and _retreneh-^ _fllPP _con blusiori , the hon . gentleman said , — ( _GJg _^^ n ,, _tlii . s : _is my first visit _tojScotland . ( Lbjra Though' I CMmofefp * _« tinuelong , still it will last for time , and if necessary , I will visit every borough in Scotland , England , and Ireland , rather than that this movement should fail . ( Loud applause . ) I have seen in coming through your country the manner in which your land is tilled , and it is certainly superior to

      anything that I have seen in England , except in small patches . ( Hear , hear . ) We are proud , as Englishmen , of our soil ; you may well then bo proud of your men as Scotchmen . Gentlemen , it is to Scotchmen that I now appeal—I appeal to the real energy and perseverance which has enabled you to cultivate many barren soils , and to make the wilderness blossom like the rose . I appeal to you to carry out , on the same princi p les , the great , the good , and the just cause for which wc are associated . ( Loud applause . ) Let a voice go forth from the men I see before me through the length and breadth of tho land , and if you speak , as 1 know you will , and in every way exert yourselves in

      aiding and promoting this movement , it cannot be long withheld . ( Applause . ) Gentlemen , I feel that I have taken up too much of your time —( " Ro , no , " and applause )—especially as there are others to address you more eloquent than myself . I pretend to no eloquence , but simply to an honest , earnest , firm determination to carry this measure , come what may , and with your good aid we will carry it . ( Loud and continued cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor then stood forward , and was received with much cheering . He rejoiced to see the rose , the thistle , and the shamrock thus blended . ( Cheers . ) He rejoiced in what he had seen and heard that evening . Onl y one mistake had been committed . Mr .

      Hutchison had mistaken the cause for the effect ; that was all . He had stated that the want of comfort and education among tho working classes was their own fault . It was no such thing . It was the result of mis-government and oppression . ( Cheers . ) The working classes of Scotland were more intelligent than the middle classes of England , and the middle classes of Scotland more intelligent than the aristocracy of England , and God knows that was not saying much for them . ( A lau gh . ) Every mau kuew that all are born with propensities that mi ght bo nurtured into virtue , or thwarted into vice , according to his training . ( Loud cheers . ) And to prove the assertion , any man to-morrow might

      so educate and train the Princess royal , as to make her a drunkard , a prostitute , a liar , and a thief ; whereas if the experiment was tried to establish the truth of the assertion , the same man may so educate and train the child of a murderess , a prostitute , a drunkard , a liar and a thief , as to make her abominate vice and be a pattern of virtue . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Wilson had eloquently and graphically shown that the House of Commons did not _represent the people , and a glance at a few facts regarding the county franchise would make this yet more plain , and would also fully explain the cause of the recent continental revolutions . Those revolutions never would have occurred

      if the people in those countries were allowed to develope their moral power ; but when tyrant oppressors denied to the improved mind those changes _Avhich wore rendered necessary by the _developement of knowledge—then there was no alternative left to the oppressed , but the substitution of p hysical for moral power . ( Hear , hear . ) But they—the wellinstructed men of Scotland , knew their order were ever the greatest sufferers by this lamentable substitute , as those who used them to attain their own party triumphs , when conscious of their power , were the first to diminish

      that power . ( Cheers . ) Well , it was against the feudal system that the people of this emp ire had now to contend ; but Mr . Wilson , who had most eloquently and unanswerably explained the result of that system , by his graphic description of the elements of which both Lords and Commons _ivas constituted , had omitted to explain the basis of the feudal system . This was no fault of him ( Mr . Wilson ) , who had done his own work well , and upon the princip le of co-operation , had left other speakers to do their share . Mr . Wilson had shown them how a few idle sons and relations

      of peers shared annually amongst themselves over 1 , 100 , 000 / . of the public money , He had very truly described how the House of Commons was constituted ; and now ho ( Mr . O'Connor ) would explain the basis of that constitution , and would show that the balance of power was still in the hands of the feudal lords . ( Cheers . ) In round numbers , there were about 400 , 000 count y voters , that constituted more than one-half of the electoral body who exercised the franchise . ( Hear , hear . ) The whole of that number—whether they hold leases or not—were more or less

      subject to the caprice of the landlords ; while 10 _^ , 000 Avere mere tcnants-at-will , constituting over twenty-five per cent of the whole ; therefore holding the balance of power—even if the majority could be independent—and upon polling-day were driven like sheep to the market . ( Loud cheers . ) Was it not an anomal y —nay , an absurdity—that those 50 / . tenantsat-will , may vote for a representative for seven years , but could not vote to keep their farms , out of which they voted , for more than one year ? ( Laughter . ) Well , the feudal system was upheld thus—colonels , majors , captains , and juvenile lieutenants—all looking for promotion , and all paid out of your pockets

      —sat behind their respective patrons , cheering their rubbish in the expectation of promotion , while they know as . much about leg islation , as an Irish pig does about geometry . ( Laughter . ) In talkiug of Ireland , let him call their attention to the condition of that miserable country . That land was bowed down , oppressed , and enslaved by the feudal system . ( Cheers . ) Thero was sympathy for the tyrant landlord , who oppressed and starved the poor ; and death for the poor who dared to resist their aggressions , and to preserve life by the onl y means in their power—the preservation of the food produced by their own industry . ( Cheers . ) The inducements to revolution were of an

      extraordinary nature ; they were always justified—no matter how atrocious—when waged against the people ; they _vtcvg always treason —no matter how justifiable—when waged by

      Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...

      the people . ( "Hear , hear , " and , .. cheers . ) They read their Bible , and that .. Bible _^ told ! thenvthat _, _ _v . ¦; _% _., [ ' _S _^^ _i _^> _- _<& _- \> ''" ' ' _^ _Hiiyyvlio died b _>^ the swori . _'M-DbbVter than they who perish from hunger , for their bodies piue away strickon through for want of the fruits of UiefieUl ( Hear , hear . ) Now , it was to destroy the abomination of this feudal system that he had devoted his time and energy !; and to show them how great- its power still was—although professedly destroyed by the Reform Bill—if there was a general election to-morrow , b y this orei-balancing . power that he had described , the Protectionists would return a large

      majority to the House of Commons , and that fact , and not Lord John ' s love of justice , would be the basis of tho extension of the suffrage he had promised , and the extension that he would be compelled _tb grant . ( Cheers . ) Then what were the ineahs by which the people could accomplish such . ' a . change in the franchise as would for !> r _| r * destroy . and annihilate those ministerial _^ t \ _Viste , which , were merel y acquiesced in to . preserve the balance- _. of power , each for their own ! _party—thatncliatige ws _\ s

      UNION between the veritable _^ middle and working- classes . ( Loud cheers . _)^ . And let him j explain his notion of that union and Lord John . Russell's > notion . When Mr . Grey complimented him ( Mr . O'Connor ) upon the fact , that his definition of the Suffrage and the Equalisation of Electoral Districts , was more candid , ingenuous , and understandable than that of the hon . member for

      Montrose ; but neither his ( Mr . O'Connors ) candour nor ingenuousness , induced the noble lord or the right hon . baronet to vote for his proposition . ( Cheers and laughter . ) But he was too old a soldier to bo caught in such a trap , and he voted for the instalment of the hon . member for Montrose . ( Loud cheers . ) He did this as well from a conscientious feeling of his duty , as to prove to the working classes that neither vanity , ambition , nor ministerial laudation should induce hiin to be

      a stumbling block m the road to progress . ( Great cheering . ) It was upon their disunion that ministers relied to uphold their power ; and , perhaps , the best proof he could adduce of the consequences of disunion would be to show that it sometimes preserved a charm . Once upon a time there was an Irish Roman Catholic clergyman , one of the most pious , humane , and kind-hearted men that ever lived . His house was ever open to the needy , and ho was ever present at the bed-side of the siek . His esteemed character led all to believe that he could charm . He was removed from his own parish to a wealthier

      livin g , and the parishioners , amongstwhom it was his future lot to live , believed him capable of doing anything . Tho following month of April there was very boisterous weather , raining and blowing , hailing and snowing , and the parishioners resolved upon asking his reverence to chango the weather . A deputation of seven waited upon him for the purpose ; he did not deny his power ; but said he would receive the deputation separately . When the first man presented himself his reverence said :

      "Well , Tim , what kind of weather do you want ? " "Wisha , your reverence , " replied Tim , " but the ewes are yeaning now , and I'll like a little sunny weather for the lambs . ' ' " Very well , Tim , " was his reverence ' s reply . When the next man was introduced , his reverence said , "Well , Darby , what weather do . you want ? " " Wisha , ' your reverence , " replied Darby , "I ' ve just got the ' praties , oats , and barley in , and but I'de like a dash of rain without

      the wind . The next was introduced . " Well , Jerry , " said his Reverence , " what kind of weather do you want ? " " Wisha , your Reverence , " replied Jerry , " I've just got the corn thrashed , and I have my rent to pay , but 1 can't clean it out of doors , the weather is so wet , and I'd best like a good brisk breeze without any rain . " Well , the other four were introduced in turn , and no two of the seven having agreed , his lleverenco called them all in together , and told them that it was not in his power to give them seven sorts of weather—that if they would all go home and agree upon one kind , they should have it . ( Tremendous laughter and cheering . ) Row he could not more faithfully illustrate

      the manner in which both uhig and Tory governments preserved a charm of their power—it was by the disunion of the people . ( Loud cheers . ) That disunion was now , thank God , dissolved , and the people had combined , as bad men hud conspired against them —( cheers)—and , if ho could prevent it , neither trick nor art should dissolve that union . Now this Reform Association had agreed upon one description of organisation , and , therefore , his reverence , Lord John , would lose that charm which he might have preserved , if , like the seven Irishmen , the squeezing party held seven different opinions . ( Cheers . ) Sir Joshua Walmslcy had complimented them upon the state of agriculture in Scotland ; but

      he ( Mr . O'Connor ) would ask thorn whether the poor labourer—whose sweat , and sinews , and marrow had been expended upon giving tho country such a cheerful and magnificent appearance—had his fair share of the produce ? ( Cheers . ) Sir Joshua Walmslcy had also said there would be an end to the Charter now ; but he ( Mr . O'Connor ) repudiated such a notion — ( loud cheers ) — and God forbid that he should stand upon the platform in antagonism to the propoimtlov of this great and mighty movement , while ho would feel equally disgraced if he gave his silent assent that we were to hear no more of the Charter . ( Cheers . ) Why both hon . members ( Sir J . Walmslcy and Mr . G .

      Thompson ) voted for the Charter—iJoud cheers)—and surely he was not going to deny the justness of the princip le by repudiating the prudence of the vote . ( Cheers . ) lie had every reliance upon the integrity of Sir Joshua Walmslcy , and the party with whom he was connected —( cheers)—but while he was more than proud in being able to co-operate with them for that large measure of justice , which could not take the shackles oft" the then enfranchised without also knocking them off the still unenfranchised , that soeiety should have hi * unpaid services until their object of full , free , and fair representation of the people in the Commons House of Parliament was effected . ( Cheers . ) Lot him now

      give them a more extensive illustration ot the term " union . " Tho Scotch people had no state church , poor rates in Scotland were not levied as in England —but ho would , nevertheless , show them the perfect identity of interest that existed between both countries upen these two questions . Mr . Wilson had touched upon this question , but he had not told them that the bloated lawn-slcevcd bishops and peers in tho House of Lords were patrons of very nearly 3 , 000 livings . ( "Shame , shame" ) Now , the majority of the funds arising from those livings were national property , belonged to the poor , but by our feudal system were appropriated to the kindly use of the rich . This description of property

      produced over 10 , 000 , 0007 . a-year . ( "Oh , oh . " ) Well , poor rates last year porduccd over S , 000 , 00 UZ . Those two sums making over 18 , 000 , 000 ? . a-ycar ; and if we had free trade in legislation as those revenues are national property , they should be applied to stats necessity , and expenditure , and your excise , and customs , and taxes upon all the necessaries of life should be proportionately reduced . ( Loud cheers . ) He was glad they understood that , as his great object was to show to the people of tho empire the great social benefits that would result from political equality—( cheers . ) — and that those social and political _changes never could be effected except by a

      thorough union . ( Cheers . ) Now , let him go lurtbcrto describe the consequences of the present system . Did they ever reflect upon the fact , that the working classes were , by Divine law , awl by Common law , the veritable owners of church property and poor rates ; and have they ever taken into account the expense of braiding and managing poor law b : \ stiles—of building and managing gaols ami court houses—of building and managing barracks , police-stations , lock-ups , and all the foroeious establishments that are only rendered necessary to uphold a vicious system ; to suppress moral power by physical force , in order that the rich may live upon the plunder of the poorl ( Loud cheers . ) Had they ever reflected upon the fact , that the vast

      Parliamentary And Financial Reform. Meet...

      sums expended . upon those abominations would place every father in his own sentry box , in tho middle of his' own labour field ?—( loud and tremendous cheering)— thus reducing ' competition in the labour market , and making every able-bodied niana willing volunteer to-fi ght for the preservation of a constitution which _uplicl-i and defended his rights as a man . ( Cheers . ) But this , let him assure them , never could be effected by any ' reduction in the national expenditure , as proposed by the Financial Reformers , inasmuch as , if they had a reduction of 19 , 000 , 000 / . or 20 , 000 , 0002 . to-morrow the working classes would not deiive a particle of beneit from the change : but he cordially on .

      operated with the association . when they , adopted ' the _jwinieans to achieve the required _end—yi _" z _,, _sucharspresentatioriofthe people as would givethem their fair share jn every reduction that took place . Let the working classes' be but represented , and they , would liear . no more of p hysieiil _iforce . _" The GhMtists / i _» e *& _dmewto _desperntiotfby oppression and misrule—SSat'drhvetbem _torerplntion , because they folttbey had no other means of gaining ! their just rights . What had led to tho revolutions on the continent but the-refusal to grant concessions ; until it was , too late . ? ' Md what could prevent ! a revolution in this _countyjr . bii . ttimely concessiono from the ruling powers ?/ _' ( Sheers . )'; By a _unioiv of the middle and tho working classes they wou _& squeeze

      an uiey wantea out _oi the _beggarlv Whigs . He confessed that his _principal motive in joirang the movement was to get a _sqneeze of Lord Johnt-1 lie knew of no man so littteinmind and body as-lord John Russell . He was a viper , a gnat , a little wasp—( laughter)—and there had not been agrkter upholder ot infamy in the- Constitution than _Sord John _Kussell , sinco the- Reform Rill had passed . ( " Oh , " and " hear . " ) ltewanted to sec Lord John turned to the wrong side of Jhe table , that there he mi ght bite , and sting , and buzz about the ears of the Protectionists , who were now rising , and who , if a dissolution were to take plaee to-morrow , would have a majority in the new house . It had been gloried in that he . had abandoned public life . Ho had done so , and was _despaiving , when this new

      movement arose , and that gave him new life . ( Hear . ) Whenever he hoard ; of it , ho revived : life came into his body ; hi * nerves wove again strung , and then ho said , " Away with these babbling dreams-j . for Feargus is himself again . " ( Laughter and cheers . ) And so ho was > and he would go through Scotland , England , Wales , ay , and Ireland , to advocate this question , that he might give the ¦ little m « 2 n _^ a _^ Bel _*^ % n _^ r _( _iment-j » o _^^ _tiii ; Char ' tisT imprisonments—no' mbiVamenomenfl of the Charter on such a scheme as that how before them , and by a union of heart and hand they would triumph in tho end —( cheers)—and Scotland ' would bo herself again . Her people would be happy in their native bind : and

      Breathes there a man with soul so-dead , Who never to himself liath said , This is my own , my native land . Mr . _O'Connor resumed his scat amidst tremendous cheering . Mr . Convnoham protested in some degree against what had been said by tho last speaker . They had been told that the middle classes were the enemies of the working classes . On behalf of the middle classes of Brighton he was thero to deny that assertion . Tho middle classes mi ght have been mistaken in their dealings with the working classos , but he felt perfectly assured that they v / ero actuated by the most friendly feeling . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Conyngham then stated the circumstances under

      which he had contested Bri ghton at the last election , and contended that as he had the show of hands at the poll , although he got but 900 votes at the election , he was virtually tho representative of tho people of Brighton , and on this ground they had a strong claim on him to seek the extension of the franchise to every man who had a house or tenement for which he paid , or claimed to pay , rates for the poor . He believed that some error prevailed regarding the extent to which the franchise would bo enlarged under the plan proposed by the National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association . Not only did it propose to give the voto to every person that had a tenement and paid a poor-rate , but to every person who might claim to bo rated for the relief of the lioor : and it must bn

      an essential element in the New Reform Bill that a claiming clause should be inserted , lie had no intention to detain them with any lengthened remarks , but he could not sit down without reminding them that thoy coultl not cany on this agitation successfully " without tho sinows of war . ( Hear . ) Though not called upon to say so , he felt it right to state that a subscription had been opened , mid he had no doubt it would be well supportod . Let them give their sixpences and shillings towards the fund for advancing this great cause , and they would soon succeed , for by such means not only would they prove their earnestness , but would most effectually cement the bond of union between the middle " and working classes , now so auspiciously begun . ( Cheers . ) ( Continued to the _otli page . )

      The Late Conyevnon And Assembly. We, The...

      THE LATE CONYEVnON AND ASSEMBLY . We , the members of tho Chartist Executive Committee residing in London , desirous of seeing the debts of the late Convention and Assembly honourably discharged , call upon our brother Chartists to forthwith collect and forward the necessary monies according to the following scale : — £ s . d . £ s . d . Aberdeen ... 2 0 0 Manchester ... i 0 I ) Ashton ... 1 0 0 Marylebone , Pad-Biiston and _diiigton and District ... 2 0 0 Somes Town 2 0 0 Blackburn ... 1 0 0 Mid-London , Bradford ... 2 0 0 including the Birmingham City and and District 4 0 0 l'insburv ... 2 0 0 Barnsley ... 1 0 0 Nottingham ... 2 0 I )

      Bristol ... 2 0 0 Northampton 2 U 0 Bolton ... 2 0 0 Newcastle-upon-DttwJco ... 2 0 i ) Tvne ... 2 0 0 Dudley ... 1 0 0 Norwich ... 2 0 0 Durham ... 1 0 I ) Oldham ... 2 0 0 Edinburgh ... 4 0 0 Preston ... 1 0 0 Falkirk ... 1 0 0 Paislev ... 2 0 0 Glasgow ... 2 0 0 Rochdale ... 100 Greenock ... 1 0 0 Soutli London , llvde ... 2 0 0 includinsr Hull ... 2 0 0 Greenwich ... 2 0 0 Halifax ... 2 0 0 Sheffield ... 2 0 (» llanley and Stalybridge ... 1 0 0 l ' ottcries ... 2 0 0 Swindon ... I 0 > l Lynn ... 1 0 0 Stockport ... I 0 0 Leeds ... 2 0 0 Tower RamleU 2 0 < l

      Liverpool ... 2 0 0 AVorccstcr ... 1 0 0 Lancaster ... 1 0 0 IV'igan ... 1 0 0 Macclesfield ... 1 0 0 Warrington ... 1 0 O Post Office Orders ( made payable at the Bloomsbury Post Office ) must bo addressed to Mr . Thomas Clark , 144 , High Holborn , London . If , after paying the Printers' Bill , any surplus should remain , it will be handed over to the National Victim Committee , or be otherwise disposed of as the Chartist body may determine . We trust that the loe . il councils , and active Chartists generally , will take steps to raise the money , so that the Printer ' s Account may be at once settled , and the honour of Chartism be ' thereby conserved . _Foiiocs C'Co . _vvoK , Samukl Kydp , Philip _M'Gkaih . Thomas Clark ,

      G . Julias Hakmky , William Dixox , Edmund Stallwood , James Gkas » uv , Henry Boss . [ Not having had an opportunity of consulting my colleagues , I do not understand on what _grounds to Edinburgh has boon allotted the rawing of iM aml to Glasgow only . - £ 2 . It appears to me that . £ 2 is as much as can be _reasonably required from _thelulinburgh Chartists . Koighloy is not included in the above list , but a letter has been received at the Star office from the democrats of that place slating that they will pay their share as soon as informed of the amount . Our Keighlcy friends will do well to send as much as they can , according to their means , as it is morally certain that the money will be wanted . —G . Jlxian Hak . v _« v . ]

      The Bkismondsey Murder. — Friday Afterno...

      The Bkismondsey Murder . — Friday afternoon summonses were sent out from the office , of Mr . Maule , tho solicitor to tho Treasury , to all the witnesses engaged in this case , requesting their attendance at the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday next , the 2 ' M _inst ., at ten o clock , on which day abill will be preferred before the grand jury , against the Mannings , for the murder of the Jate Patrick O'Connor . " It was originally expected , indeed it was the intention of the _Attorney-Cenornl lo ii . v Thursday next for the trial of the prisoners , but in consequence of a letter winch was received on Friday morning from Mr . William Massey , one of the pi-ijicip . il witnessess , it is extremely doubtful whether tho trial of the prisoners will ta ke place this session . Mr . Mnssoy _, in his letter to Mr . Bodkin , one of the . counsel engaged by the crown on behalf of the prosecution , states that he is _labouring under severe indisposition , and that

      he is is advised by his medical attendant that it will not be prudent for him to leave his house , Swanstone Hall , Derbyshire , for several days to come , if at all during the ensuing session of tho Central Criminal Court . An officer ami it medical gentleman will this dry be despatched to Swanstone Hall to ascertain tho real facts of Mr . Massey _' s indisposition , and should it be found that he is in a fit stale to undertake a journey to London , he will be brought up on Monday morning . The eoun - scl engaged by the crown to conduct tfic prosecution arc the Attorney-General , Mr . Bodkin , Mr . Waleby , and Mr . Clark . Up to last night the prisoners had not definitely engaged any learned gentlemen to conduct their cases " but it is expected th < it fuml » _- will bo produced to enable Mrs . M anning to engage Mr . Wilkins , whom she particularly wishes to be retained , Tho male prisoner , it is stated , wishes to retain Mr . Clarksou .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 20, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_20101849/page/1/