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0B>-BRAL ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCI...
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TO HAMEB STANSFELD, ESQ. " All classes o...
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TO TBE EDITOR OF THE R03THEB.V STAB. SIR...
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TO MR. CHARLES WALKER, SECRETARY OF THE ...
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF SOUTHAMPTON. Brother...
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TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR, ESQ " My Lords and ...
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Sir,—Tbe great error of allreformers, ha...
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PUBLIO MEETING AT PAISLEY BREWSTER DEFEA...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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0b>-Bral Address Of The Executive Counci...
0 B > -BRAL ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO THE PEOPLE , AND THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER . _ASSOCIATION " . Bbother Chabtists , —Having assembled in _London , aecarding to our published resolution , it becomes ow ' dnty , at the conclusion of our sitting , to address ou on the state of our Association and the prospects _pgfore us . We bave considered it necessary , for the _jgMoas assigned elsewhere , to discontinue the _Exeg _ajjTe Journal . We have issued an address to our brethren in _ScsUand , entreating them to remain united _vgb . bs in our exertions to gain that cause which _inyolraa ti a fkte of both nations ; and we have instructed job , our constituent * as to the future measures to be _Adop ted for the increase and benefit of the National _Charter _Association . We cannot separate without pesa _& ag a general address to the whole people
Xhs Association , of which we form the Executive _rjonmiii-ee , was projected byjthe people , who defined our _gre ets to be the obtaining of a full and faithful _reprejgjtatian cf the entire people of the United _Kusgdom , } _b strict accordance with the _princ'plea , spirit , and _jgssiEg ot the People ' s Charter . In striving to obtain such a jut and glorious end , we are enjoined to use none but peaceable and _constitcti onal means . How are we to succeed ? We must have numbers ; because without numbers , ve never can become formidable . We must have _gzion ; because , without that , we never can be feared ; _jcd we must have energetic co-operation amongst tbe peeple _' a _ehasen leaders , because , without mutual _confidence , we never eaa be suecessfui
Bering oar experience , as an Executive , we have every reason to be satisfied with the rapid increase of the Associat ion , the decreasing apathy of the people , _jcd the widening spirit of inoruiry which gives _vigour go tbe movement in all parts of the country . Bnt we onnot even , amidst our success , withdraw onr attentioa from those factious squabbles which have been equally disgraceful aad injurious to our sacred cause . It is easy , nay pleasant , for us to meet and give battle to our public opponents , and find weapons destructive enoag b . in reason and argument , but when we receive tke _isost serious injury from our own professed _hrotaas , remonstrance and patience are exercised in vain , an d no other course is so open or so effectual as a direct _jp- _^ sl from the Executive to the people who have _eWcttdus .
We now make such appeal , and call upon you to Barer from every corner of the land , whether we are jo tolerate any longer the vain , the idiotic , and _misehievcr _ai party spirit which will , if unchecked , sear the _hJr prospect before us , and blast for years the tender _yoasom of a nation _^ Jhopes Working men , forbid it _Mothers , if ye respect the cause of industry , if yo feel its wrongs and demand its rights , forsake the cause of _inea , and cling to that of tiie Charter alone . You _sicoe have the power to restore unanimity , and enforce obedience . The t ime baa now arrived when hesitation ai 70 m part may be fatal , when division on your pari will assuredly call down the vengeance of a p crerfcl and _accursed faction on the scattered and _^ _rresstin _; mass ; _l Ranember that division is ever the _forerunnei of persecution , and he who sows it in our ranks _soay u well sound a trumpet for the Government to
Remember , toe , that when the day of denunciation mires , it is no _logger safe for independence or honesty toraaain as ths prey of the designing and the _malioecs . _y * y , if once encouraged , like all other evil kibitz , it gathers strength with its virulence , and it * appetite for fresh victims keeps pace with its ferocirj . Crash this spirit , feQow labourers , or it wQl crush Tear cause . Put it daws with s strong and active bed , or a reign of terror wQl arise when it will be
» longer possible to serve you earnestly withont being SBspeeted , or pause in serving you without being dewsneed . It has indeed arrived , and simultaneous _GtsmEriations have occurred in Scotland and England . Even one of cur own body has been accused , and , as ths evidence proved , he was falsely accused . The same _rwslt has taken place in other cases ; is fact , bnt one _Hsslt has ensued . From what malignant spirit has all fids mischief originated ? Jealousy . That accursed one , which has existed , is in active being , and will reread to distract and destroy ua
Ton must seize it boldly wherever it arises , and like a poisoncus nettle , when crushed the hardest it will _yotmd the least The evil does not rest in loealitiss ; every squabble fads its way to the public press , there to delight tbe enemy , and disgust over friends . We are firmly of opinion , that whatever may be the intention of parties , the end of tieir senabbles would HSireffly be ths aestrae _^ en of our public men , and ol _ocr public interest , and whilst we would support neither , _nsless their actions corresponded with their professions , they have a right to the protection of the per pie , so long as they serve them .
To conclude our remarks regarding the obstacle wilfnflj cast in our way , we may allude to the insane _discaaoss upon moral and physical force , legality and _fltegality , education crotchets , _acd criticisms and de-EEEdations upon the supposed treachery of the past sad the present leaders , all of which expose our cause to the deserved ridicule snd _contempt of our delighted _oppDnects . Brothers , we are firmly convinced that we need only to _sppsil to the goad sense and reason of the working men , and if they do not resolutely , at all hizaras , exterminate these rain and reckless fends , we _offer you no earthly hope of success ever crowning the lonscaKhmtd efforts which have been made to emancipate the scfedng and desponding millions .
CCS _PTTBilC _OFPOSESTS . _TVe contemplate this part of onr address with far less _uaietj and much m » re firmnesa The principal enemy _ec tha most powerful is the present Government , from » hose mercy or justice we expect nothing ; but from viose infatuate * policy we anticipate much . It must _keranenibered that the last _GoveniEient had a strong _krdesey to pr . Uct and benefit the present electoral diss at the _xpence of the non-electors—merely using 2 _ss _ndddle class as willing oppressors of the working
tis- B _^ : _ttc have a government now who wiil neither _iJEpa'i _";; wiih tor _rejpect the sufferings of either El-cl » c ? working men ; therefore it is we purine our tt 2 = _via : li ; g c _.-urse and _ruil the _Charter to the ma 3 t We _E 17 rationally expect a vast _accassioa of _istrfcngtb _n-e- _frsm the middle cias 3 , who , if tbey do not join us fees : _jrirdj-le wiil co so from _compnlsion . Tie middle £ 3 ? carrot _ciirj their measures without pubiieopinion , _a _^ _ifye are wise and determined , they _ought n _^ v .. r _tilsTei : unl £ r » _jfc-.-y do justice to you as well as _tctm-Kh-s .
ii mutual service is required , then _mutual benefit _K & _it t j hi secured and certain .
THE COB > LAW _EEPEALEHS & _£ _spin _jsu 10 aid them in their struggle . They _hiYc _taitnjftE _^ c on their side ; you have no :. They _proe _^ - _jen a benefit WLy do they deny yen the poim to _ktep h : The ( _Xm La * 3 were caused by class legislation . What _* ai aboiiii the cause ' : UrJvcrsii Suffr _^ , e * ~ _hlcliv-ii ! _Oits _aj goui _-s-bieb may 3 _jw from _repeal _cqaai ' v _BEiTtrsil , and if i ? is cot so it will be _vrortklsss to you , _atsciuh beneficial to your r * _iasters . If th = _Iz ' . ier id _^ a is _correct , the cn ' y qc ? stio _^ you tire to _diicuss is , " TV better the abolition cf the _GWS _li _-E- s or tie _CLirter wiil bs most _bex .-- _£ _cial t & in ?™ ,. . ' *' » then , on thst question ; discuss it with them _* t . y , and let _arguineE ; and reason _; _revail over every _t'PJ _^ _aiUcn . in the justice of cur cause _consists cur _fresgth , and if cur principles be truth itself , we need 80 _Cii-fcr auxQiaj y than the reasoning faculty of man .
I « t us be fair ari _corsisttm towards them , and _eTa - _vdi sj . e ? dily _shtw whether the G-jf' -rnment may cr _ruynr , ; foroe _thtni into cur ranks , ahould such 811 _tvet take plies , we _Tiviil at _Itait L _^ _ts the Tories _^ £ _iQ ) _j _^ tn the Hii _.-. _as Corpus Act is
_fcus-Pad-d . t , -- _^ _* ligLt opposition has been experienced from the _^ _" _^^ _-s- "Wt do net acniire tLe prudence of the C 0 £ r * _s pursusd by either _oppr-aen _*? ; but we trust that ¦ _jSSn _est wiil prevail _ov _. r _factions opposition in every < _^ _usd ° u _>» iiich _icay tike place , SEi _> S TO BE _T 5 ED . T , - _wly _j _K _^ est way of aoi _ _LciL _^ the cause is by adding j , _" _^ f -- —bers cf the - _^ _icciati-ju ; and every _lecturer _« _j _JT ~ _^ _iie it par : if Lis iiu . . _" _u _> _register names arid v ~ \ c : ear _^ 3- at tbe conclusion of each lecture . - _^ tt » irs always give _courcge to the timid and create C _^ v _ _anjCLgit _uur _fei-e-niies , and where thousands _* _: ivined the association , it becomes impossible for g _^ 7 local t j rants to meet the victims of the patriotic ' ¦ p . . I , — ' - — _—r that onr _peicefnl _declariUons ensure us j _^_ _= _Persecution _dirtattd by fear , and ia too many _^ _Cis . _iinued by a hatred to principlea
onr Me _-Bc- uid _rceuiamend the General _Ckjuncil to direct _^ _f _par-ieciir attention to the organisation of the _j -nc : j , and the -. pp ointment of fit and qualified is - ' f _^ f ' ° Eisonld' m every instance be ballotted for , _s- Uey were _officers of the association . _ifeegatca _fchonia be appointed by pnblic meetings , ' _Jtpr-iaat , places in a I > istrict Council before which _*^ Easiness relative to that district should be decided .
THE TBADES . Those important bodies of men should he _sronsed tc ense of duty to themselves , and wherever it is _prac"whs a Trades' Chartist Association ihould be formed . h _" ® _'wonimend tbe Chartist Association to be _dis-«^ fr om the Trade ' s Union . * e place great-dependence on the faith of a body of _Szj . , _^ iutereats are _identical as their pursuits are _ai-ir _* ' _^^ _maH _" kn own to his neighbour , and 7 r _* 5 hbour ' _i interest is the same as tbat of his felr * ' _^ aca bodies of men car . no ; be led far astray , and _5 ~? Reform Bin strnsgie was one to p _^ ace the _raid-^ _5 _* ss in power , so ours _mry be said to be one which _!?~ *« ratethe _tredes to their proper position , and SI ? " * a weapon of ofience and defence far more _en-~~ ffi lUiail the limited acpedient of unenfranchised ¦ _Bwnistg . be im
_^ should pressed on these important bodies J ™* no trade can t _* eTer long protected or well _retiZtf _** _^ ' _UBlens the members of each body are poli-
0b>-Bral Address Of The Executive Counci...
Social benefits seldom remain long untouched , unless there is some political power to arrest the plunderer in his danger , and the law of the rich in Ita usurpation . The trades have long timed at the guardianship of tbeir separate rights . Tbey bave blocked up and barricaded the gate by wbich the master invaded them , with many excellent expedients ; but tbey have sever yet attempted to do the same to the political gate through wbich the Government entered to tax their treasered earnings as repeatedly as they have accumulated . Unions are bnt temporary securities against the avarice of masters , but offer no protection for tbe oppressive enactments of aa irresponsible horde of rulers . It must have become apparent to all the trades , that something more than a mere Union lor the protection of wages is wanted , because at tbe beat they only shackle the band of the master , whilst they leave unchecked and free the arm of the tax gatherer .
Tbe trades have hitherto been mere creators of funds for the benefit of rulers ; and whilst they suspiciously watched tbe weekly payments of the master they paid no attention to the weekly theft of the tax gatherer . The _question for the trades is one easy of comprehension . _Whether would it be better to have two protections or one—social power without political , or both combined ? The suffrage would strengthen Instead of weakening the Unions , because the want of it on their parts , and the possession of it on tbe part of tbeir masters , give rise to tho laws of combination , correspondence , and conspiracy , all directed against men who simply demanded a jast wage for their labour .
The master class have discovered that with the law and law ' s punishments on their Bide , they cannot triumph over their slave class ; and do the trades suppose that the chains of the law will not be drawn tighter , and re-forged stronger ? If they believe the contrary , they will discover their mistake when robbed of the power to remedy or resist . Let one general appeal be Triads to them , and their amrmativB answer would shake the Government to its centre , and supply tbe absence of a middle class , a thousand times more powerful than ours . _VTe have now conveyed to you our united opinion and advice . Brethren , let it be well considered ; and , if correct , let these , our instructions , be immediately adopted .
"We are the servants of ths Association , and we expect the people to treat us as such ; but , as the servants of the Association , we feel It to be our duty at all times to speak freely , to act firmly , and to fall back npon the people when our own power is insufficient to effect these objects which are necessary for the welfare of onr constituents , and the success of our cause . We await your decision . Tour faithful Representatives , B . K . Philp . _MosGAjr Williams John Campbell , James Leach . _~ P . M . 31 _'DouaI . i .
To Hameb Stansfeld, Esq. " All Classes O...
TO _HAMEB _STANSFELD , ESQ . " All classes of men , under the present limited in . fiuence of Christianity , will prey upon all other classes , just as much as they son and dare ; tor , the frailty of human nature tells me , that were the manufacturer or the warking classes in their ( the aristocracy ' s ) places , they would , alas ! go and do likewise ' * Hameb Stansfeld Sie , —I have chosen the above extract from your lecture on " Monopoly and Machinery" as a motto to this letter to you ; for to my mind , it contains a full and complete answer to the whole of the question you have stated , and an argument against which there is no appeal , in favour of the necessity , as well as the rigbt , of " every man who is to bo called upon to obey a law , or to be subject to the influence of such law , to have a voice in the making of tbat law _.
I am not aware that there is the least dispute ab out tbe utility of machinery . I never conversed with any one , to whom the subject was explained , who ever quarrelled with machinery , as machinery , but with the _distribution ol its products ; with the " party working - underhand , and _cbiainirig all , and even more than all , the advantages which machinery has rendered . " The questien therefore resolves itself to this : how are we to prevent " the power working underhand from obtaining more than all the advantages froin machinery " ? Tnere is such a _laxness in your use of the word monopoly , that one feels _almost at a loss as to what yon would particularly apply it But from the whole , 1
come to the conclusion that yen mean by the word monopoly—the corn laws . If such be your meaning _, and if you really expect that their abolition would be tbe panacea for all oar evils , you are certainly the most mistaken of men . What , expect that the abolition of a single law wonld give us , " if not indemnity for the past , " at least " security for the future , " after your acknowledgment in the motto , "that all classes will prey upon each other just _rj much as they can and dare 1 " What is to prevent the aristocracy preying upon us as much in future as they con ? Nothing but this dare ; and that 'dare is , with their present power , only the _fpar cf our not being able to continue to labour .
Suppose that the com laws were abolished to- morrow , and suppose that that abolition had a tendency to produce all yon dream or say . _Suppaee that it caused ub to have tho command oi the markets of the world ; Euppose that it Gaused Englishmen to have the supreme happiness of labouring sixteen hours every day without intermission ; suppose that it had a _tendency to cause us to have prosperity for ages , as I once heard you say it would ; suppose all this ; what will there be to prevent " the party working underhand from obtaining even more than all the advantages" which would accme from the measure ? Have you not admitted in the words or my motto , " that all classes will prey upon each other just as much as tbey dare ? " Come , Mr . _Stansfeld , do tell us what is to prevent their preying upon us in future ?
I ask , again , whit is to prevent " tbe power working underhand" from obtaining even more than rll the advantages" ? What is to prevent their taxing or laying a rent -for tax appears to be an harmless thing with you ) upon all mines or minerals within the bowels of the earth , _equivalent to their loss by the repeal of the com _Liws ? What is to prevent their making the full value of their estates out of the new taxes ? Can no new _commissions be created ? no new churches , or colleges , or governorships , no retiring upon splendid
pensions as a _reward fer past services , to mate way for _li'jTV _t _^ f irrmts to serve their country ? Is there no way left for coming at even more than all the advantages _ytu'would derive from the _mtasure ? Is there no contraction of the currency to make you give them double the _qosntity you give them now for the taxes ? Aye , that , _tbsre is , and a thousand-and one ways besides , to _ecaVle that " class of men wbo have the power of miking laws to prey upon all other classes just as much as tbey dare" , and to reap " ev . n n . ore tL . » . n _ull tbe : _vdyan-12 . 2 .- " ' of ail your skill and labour into tbe bargain .
Then again , what is it bnt tte monopoly of making the _ii ' . vs which _hava caused ail the other _mo-opolies ¦ A which you _complain ? In f-ct , tbey are but i . fTshor . ts fruui the master monopoly ; _und until that master monopoly be destroyed , bo ' . h ro _^ t and branch , theie ; _rrer can he any security for the peace and happiness oi this country . _Besides , Sir , are you not inconsistent upon your _ovrn principles , twit you do not endeavour with ali your might to _destroy the master moncpjly , _afu-r yim admission " that all classes will prey -upon all o ' . ner classes just as mnch as they can and cire . " What , after this , can you expect to be the fate w : chia country , _witcou : evtry man
who is subject to a law , or its tendency , huve a voice in the _Tnaying oi that law ? Either you wish the people to be ¦ ' preyed '' upon , or you do not . if you wish them to be preyed upon , you will take no s ' . eps to destroy the _power of the prey era . If you wish them net to be " preyed " upon , after your admission " tbat all classes will prey upon tii ctber classes just as much as they can and dale , " you wiil from this time , make every effjTt in your povrer to prevent any class from preying upon the other by endeavouring to cause every _msn to have a voice in the _mniing of the laws he is called open to tbey . Tke _diiemn . a is unavoidable . Tate your choice , and from this day we shall know what to expect from
But you will ask "how is Universal Suffrage to be _chained ? " I wiii _answer the qutstion , by asking you ; ow you propose to obtain the repeal of the corn laws ? Ton will answer , by an union of the middle and working , eh _^ es , and by thtir making a Seng pull and a strong pull and a pull altogether , as they say at sea . W . _uat hopes haTe you that such a union , and such a pu . il as you describe , would have the desired effect ?; Because , you wiil say , the Reform BUI of 1831 , was ! carried by such an union ; and because the aristocracy , j besotted as they are , durst not resist the firmly _expressed ) wili of a whole people , for fear of consequences followirg which wonld deprive them of all power . Just so . j And wonld not such a union , and such a pull , obtain
the suffrage ? Durst they despise the expressed will ' of a wLoie people when they demanded the justice of ! the suffrage , any more than when they demanded the ; repeal of the eom laws ? Not they . Then , if you be _f sincere , come forward at once and seek to obtain that j which wiil destroy all present monopolies , ana prevent all-future ones . If you and your class decline tbis , you \ only more fully convince the world that yen wish to be [ or that *• class ol men which preys upon all ctheT classes jus ; as much asthey can and dare ; " and that yonr only j aim is to be that " party working underneath and j obtaining all , and even more than ail , the advantages j which would result from the measure . " 1 Hoping that you will choose the nobler part , j I remain , yours respectfully , : _Jajiks Pehkt . ! MUlbridge , Nov . 17 , 1841 . j
To Tbe Editor Of The R03theb.V Stab. Sir...
TO TBE EDITOR OF THE R 03 THEB . _V STAB . SIR , —if you will have the kindness to insert tbe following in your widely circulated and valuable ' journal , you will much oylige Tour humble but suffering Servant , _, GEOEGB B _/ . ACK , I of Nottingham . . A few weeks ago , an article appeared in tbe Star , 1 headed , " Save ns from our friends . " Sir , in writing this , you might intend it for my good , and the good of i the cause generally . You veiy likely did not intend to j injure my character ; but so it is . I will not say j
To Tbe Editor Of The R03theb.V Stab. Sir...
"Save me from my friends ; " but this I will say , O , that we were all united as friends ! I have my friends ; I have my foes . So has every man that is taking an active part in this movement . Sir , I find it as I thought I should . Some look upon me with suspicion , some call me spy or traitor ; others wish mo to appeal to my friends that know me ; and I hope you will allow me that privilege . A word or two to those who take me to be a deceitful or treacherous person—as there are some who are not backward at making use of their influence to destroy me . I tell you that you bave already done me a
serious injury ; and I tell yeu candidly I had rather any person would take away my life than my character . AUow me to say I would not have made the sacrifices I have made , if i had intended to deceive my country . My friends at Nottingham will remember that it was on account of my principles that I was turned out of the Baptist church ; aad amongst tbat body of people I had a great number of friends , whom I loved as I loved my life . But I appeal to those who have known the most of ma whether I have made it appear evident that the principles embodied in the People ' s Charter have been more dear to me than life itself .
If had intended to turn traitor , why not at the second Convention 7 If I intended to sail the cau 3 e , myself , and family , why not to the Whigs at the lato elections ? If altogether a selfish person , why did I go to London at all ? It was not because I was the most competent person in Nottingham ; 'but because there was danger , and nobody else would go . Did I not lose the ten frames ? or , in other words , were they hot taken from me ? Before I had been at London one week , the work was taken from these frames ; and who will contradict me when I say those frames were bringing me in seven shillings per week , besides what I could earn myself ? Was I not thrown out of work on account of my principles , and many a time not naving more than one meal a-day , my wife and family starving ?
Thanks to those kind friends who lent me their assistance to raise a few stockings and gloves , & c . & c ; and many thanks to the kind friends who have thought well to encourage me , by purchasing goods of me . And now I have been going about the country between sixteen and seventeen months—in which time I have gone overabout six thousand miles—often one hundred and fifty in five days . I will leave it for others to judge whether I have been a sufferer in tiie cause or not . Can I Siy " Britons never shall be slaves ? " I see no other prospect than a very scanty living ; or , in other words , a dragging out of a miserable existence , and my children after me . All the hope I have is in the People's Charter becoming the law of the land ; and must I , shall I , have I turned traitor ? Those who think no better of me than this I heartily wish I could bring them to sit a little while with the disconsolate
and often hopeless Mrs . Jones , and from thence to Mrs . Williams and children ; and from thence to Mrs . Frost and family ; and from thence to those poor widows whose husbands lost their lives at Newport These were to have been pensioned off ; but , instead of this , I often find them starving for want , both mothers and children . Had you a little of the company of these sufferers , if you be people of any feeling , I think you could not turn traitors , whatever you think of me . Every man may have his price , and I have mine ; and 1 heartily wish I coald get my price for eveiy principle within my breast With the Charter , and a Republican Government , every poor man in Great Britain and Ireland should have his five-acre cottage , and something to stock it with O to be united as friends ! I remain , Your humble but injured Servant , Geobge Black .
P . S . —I now appeal to those Associations where I am best known . —Have you any cause to say you have ever heard ma utter a sentence intending to injure the cause ? Speak of me as you have found me . I now from the following _plnces demand justice , and crave no favour : —Nottingham , Arnold , Calverton , _Bastord , _Sutton-in-Asbfield , Merthyr Tydvil , Pontypool , Newport , and Cardiff Merthyr Tydvil , Nov . 14 , 1841 .
To Mr. Charles Walker, Secretary Of The ...
TO MR . CHARLES WALKER , SECRETARY OF THE ROCHDALE REFORM ASSOCIATION . Dear Sir , —When I was elected the Representative of Kochdale—I took that trust upon me—subject to the engagement contained in my address—viz : " annually to submit my Parlamentary conduct to the test of the decision of my Constituents . " In conformity with that declaration , I now take leave to submit to them , throngh you , a short detail of the most pro : uinent points of public policy , with reference to which I had occasion to act during the late short Session . In my address I told you— " that I would not go to Parliament to support the objects of any Party , or Ministry , or any Leader—but to sustain , to the best of my judgment , by my honest votes , the combined interests of all Ciasses of the Community . "
I shall refer to the first occasion on which I felt myself called on practically to demonstrate my sincerity in that principle of action . Neither the Speech from the Throne , nor the Address in reply , as moved by the late Ministry , contained a single allusion to any umendment of the Reform Act , or any _txtonslon of the Bights of tbe People . In thy debate which took place on the Address , the _subject was studiously abstained from by those Speakers in connection with the late Ministry , although alluded to
by some of the more Radical Members . I did expect that some of those Honourable Members who expressed these opinions , would have given notice ef au amendment to test the different parties on their disposition to consider the extension of Popular Rights . I delayed taking any step myself , in that expectation , till after the debate had been protracted to the fourth night . Finding that no intention of that nature was intimated , I tben gave notice , that I would move , on the bringing up the Report of the Address , an amendment in the following words : —
_"Thst we _furthar respectfully represent t o your Majesty , that , in our opinion , tbe distress which your Majesty deplores , is mainly attributable to the circumstance's of your whole peopie not being fully and _fainy represented in this House , and that we feel it will be our duty to consider the means of bo extending and regulating the suffrage , and _adopting Mich _improvements in the system cf _voting , as vrili confer on the working classes that just wdi ; at in the _representative _boiiy which is Eecessary to Ef cure a due consideration of tbeir interests , ar . d wbich tfcoir present _patitnt _endurance of suffering gives ttiem _th-3 _sirougesl titie to claim . "
1 moved this amendment agrepably to my notice . Thirtynine members , besides the tellers , ( making altogether forty one , ) divided in favour of it . But you are atrare that th _« motion was objected to by some of the Liberal members , who lefttheHouse and did not vote , _although tbey expressed _themseives favourable to the _principles oi tbe amendment ; I , _therefore , think it right to aiiu . lt ) to the reasons aeshjDed by them for this course . The _objections may be collects A from the speeches of the ' Hon . Members for _Sheffield and Eath ( Mr . Ward and Mr . Roebuck ) , the former member said , tbat " _hecon'ri nut but _regard it .-is an insult offered to tha popuinr interests in this House to briLg forward a _question of this magnitude at a moment when _tnere ib no Minister breser _. t—at a moment too , when , in f ; ict , tbero is
no Ministry m _existence . iSovr , it _appeared to me , tbat I _would be violating tho declaration in niy _address , which 1 hue qnoitd , if I had abstained from _bringirforward this question for the reasons stated by the Hon . Member . I do not conceive that it is ths duty of ! tha representatives of the people to waive the _dtclara- ' lion of their rights , because the Minister in office did not think fit to attend , or because one Minister was ! about to make his exit , and another to assume his i post . I elo not conceive that those repre- ) _sentatives of the people who advocate the ' extension of popular rights , are to avow siu humble 1 _buobei-v . ency to tne ministerial tactics , or to put those : right * : n abeyance , unless aided by the countenance of _> _niiiiivterial authority . The _honouran ' . u member fur
_Bi . h ( Mr . Roebuck ) said that it -was disrespectful to the majority represented by the Right Hon . _Raronet _iSir Robert Peel ; , and that it was not giving bin ; 11 fair trial , it was to me a very new doeuir . _a to learn 1 that sv . _i-h deference as this was to be paid to a _wv ! j jnty ; snd -with reference to the fair trial claimed for ' the Ii ; t _; ht Hon . Baronet , I am as willing to give him ! that fair tr : al as the honourable niu-mber for Bath ;; but , I wou ; d ask , was it not acting with , the g :- < _atest ' _pssible fairness to call upon the House to _tiselr-ie its ) opinion en this question before the Right Hon . Baronet ; assumed tffice ? Was it not the best mode of instruct- ' ing the minister ? Waa it not the best mode of : ' guiding the sovereign in the _selectien of ministers , j that the House of Commons should dec _l are to the ! sovereign their _opinions on great constitutional qr . _astions ? A powerful _niinoritv had divided n . sninst ihe _i
Conservative amendment to the Address—a minority which , if disposed to net for tbe People ' s K' _-. _'ht . _'j . must ultimately extort more or lets concession from any ministry . I ask , waa it not rrcper to test the princip _es of tbat minority ? To _ascertain v .-nether they were impelled by an honest z _/ v . l for _thoaa rights , or actuated by tho Jess dignified object cf retaining place and _fc-o wcr for a party . Was it not right tbat the people should understand _^ _h-. ther those members ot the late ministry , who would be now looked up to as leaders of the new opposition , persevered or did not persevere , in the declaration of the finality of the Reform Act ? 1 adm t it might not be convenient for the purposes of party that tbis test should be applied . But I submit to my _constitu-n-. s , that in the course I adopted , 1 acted strictly a . dfaithfully in conformity with my declarations to them _.
Another objection _raist > 1 to my proceeaing on this occasion , by the Hon & ura _';> le Member for Sheffield , waa , that " no five men in ihe House had been consulted . " 1 do not understand my duty ao a Member of Parliament if I am to be preclui-ed from acting on my own responsibility ! If 1 am to b-i compelled to place myself under the control of auy clique of Members , whether larger or _emalier . ' If a Member , _acting on hia own responsibility . makes a motion _deserving of _support , iB his proposition to be qu ished because be had not consulted certain individuals ? Why ahould it not be opposed or approved on its merits ? I admit that if an organisation were _tffectw among tbe Liberal representatives for the support of popular questions , it might be useful , and indeed _necessary , that individual Members should sub-
To Mr. Charles Walker, Secretary Of The ...
mit tethe general arrangement , as far as might be possible without dereliction of principle : but , I think individual Members ought not to be bound by the regulations or opinions of any section of Members / farther than their own judgment determines to be right I have stated these points for the consideration of my _constltaSBts , because I consider It Is desirable that the representative , arid the _^ constituent body he represents , should have a common feeling on the coarse of conduct to be pursued on other occasions of a similar nature , wbich it is very probable may eften occur . The next Important question , was the Amendment on the motion of Supply , moved by Mr . Fieldento
, the effect , that it was the duty of the House to esquire into the distresses of ( h a people , and the remedies , before any supply should be made . On this amendment , I felt it to be my duty to divide with the Honourable Member for Oldham , and baving done sO on this occasion , I conceived it was only consistent with the spirit of that resolution to press her Majesty ' s Government again , on the necessity of immediate enquiry , and therefore on the next Motion of Supply , having stated examples of the distressed condition of Kochdale , I again divided the House against Voting the Supplies , till the condition of tbe country shonld be Investigated .
In opposing the supplies , I . had no wish or intention to exhibits factious oppositiont . her Majesty ' s Government j but I am of opinion that the wholesome practice should be asserted , of looking to tho condition of the people , and the means of paying taxes , before the items of expenditure should be determined on . The means of tbe country should be first ascertained , and then the expenditure shonld be made , as far as possible , to correspond with these means . There are many grants which might properly be voted under a prosperous revenue , which mi ght be withheld or reduced in adversity ; and , therefore , I consider that the estimates should not be voted as a matter of form , but that tbey should be discussed with due consideration to the pe ' wers of the country to discharge _tliem .
The last question which I desire to refer to , is the Poor Law Continuance B 11 L Mr . Fielden gave notice , at an early period , that at some stags of this Bill he would divide the House against it in toto . In this I concurred with'him ; but being perfectly satisfied that our opposition would be unsuccessful , I thought the next bust coursa would be to endeavour to reduce those powers of tha _Commissioners which were moat productive of practical evil . My constituents are aware of the amendments which I moved , in both of which I was defeated , and I divided with Mr . Fielden against the Bill on the third reading . I need not dwell on this subject , as my opinions on the Poor Law have been stated on so many previous occasions .
The Corn Law question was not brought forward in a substantive form during the late Session of Parliament—a course of proceeding which , I must , say , I regret Sir Robert Peel was pressed on various occasions to declare his intentions on that question;—but I am of opinion , tho fairest and most effectual mode of eliciting bis opinions , as well as those of tbe House of Commons generally , would bave been to have brought them to the teat of a distinct proposition , and a division on tbat proposition : —but an objection was raised to this course—it was said , the anti-Corn Law party are divided—the one portion for a fixed duty , the other for total repeal , and an exhibition of weakness would he the result;—on the bther hand , I think it might be fairly argued , if these two sections cannot agree , is it
reasonable or fair to press the Minister ? The aiguraent , I think , is unanswerable . In my opinion the question never can be advanced till a decided course of action be taken—protection or no protection—monopoly or no monopoly . The anti-Corn Law League are bound to the principle of tota extinction—I , ask then , can they have any moral weight with the country if they shrink from the bold advocacy of that principle in Parliament ? Can they create that confidence which is the only source of success , if they consent to permit that principle to be put in abeyance , in order to acquire a fallacious appearance of strength , by a union with the fixedduty men ? It appears to me that the supporters of an eight shilling fixed-duty , have no pretensions to rank with bread tax repealers : —they are really and substantially monopolists as well as their opponents ;
thty differ chiefly about the moBt expedient mode of securing that monopoly . It _Js a delusion upon the country to frame evasive motions for the purpose of catching such useless votes . It Is better for the people to understand what real support the anti-corn monopoly principle can muster in the House , and then the moral power of the nation will be more speedily and effectually roused to increase it Such are my opinions on this subject But it may be asked , why I did not act upon them in the late session , by moving _myxelf on this question ? I answer , because I considered it restvd more properly in other hands—1 mean tho & o of Hon . Members more directly connected with tbe anti-Con Law League ; and I , therefore , felt I should net be justified in taking on myself the responsibility of any step which had not their concurrence j this was a case in which , as I conceive , on individual member was
properly called on to defer to the opinions of oth . r members , especially gentlemen representing the views of so influential a body as the anti-Corn Law League . it is right I should state to you tbat I disagree from many Members in the allegation , that questions affecting the rights of the people Bhould not bo pushed to tho test of a division , unless a large minority could be _rallied : —I consider that if the question bo one which ia in itself proper to be raised , it will suffer less by a small division than by waiving the question , or by tiebating it without dividing . Under existing circumstances , questions affecting the advancement of popular liberty can only be carried by the excitement of a moral power out of doors;—and I hold that thia moral power
cannot be raised by any Parliamentary proceedings , unless the leaders in Parliament prove their own Sincerity by having the moral couraee to face a great opposing majority . When the people see a few mem hers struggling under adverse circumstances for their rights , attention is drawn to them , their propositions are diecussed out of doors , and , if worthy ' of _support , au enthusiasm is excited in their favour . I think that the practice of what may be termed flash motions , has been carried to a great and injurious extent in former Parliaments . After hours spent in speeches , we have often found th j result , " Motion t > y leave withdrawn . " 1 think this ; _-nict ' ca tends to bring the Parliament into contempt with the country , and lead * to no useful result .
There is one other _subject to which I wish to draw the attention of my constituents , not strictly _forming a portion of my parliamentary conduct in tho late session , but : it _tli'i & _i ! iic time intimately _connected with it . In my _agrees , I state as follows : " With refereiuo to Ireland , I claim for that _pjrtton cf the United Kingdom , equal rights , privileges , a : d franchises with Britnin , and 1 ' . _iti-sire to inc : > rpor : _ito the interests oi tbj two Countries by the communication of mutui _advautas--s , _through tic means of just ami impartial y > rinciple 3 of united legislation . " There wero no
_measures introduced ir . the last session which had _particular reference to reoarnto _Iii _^ h Legislation ; but sii : _ce the recess o- _Parliament , I have deemed it _rLLt to _publ' _-ih my _opinions on tho present system of a _^ itaMon earned en by Mr . 0 Conneil , in Ire-Ian-1 , _'• ith tha prof jssed object of repealing the Union . As I think it pro . er 'H' _evwry jure of my public _conduct shr . uH _b _^ m ' -. . o known to my constituents , I er . _eloso i _.-i .-jwi . li espies of the letters I published on that j-ul jt _it— v v _' ch . _bting placed in your hands , any of my _Ci' : i _^ it « _-nt-3 who _ilusire it , may have an opnoituni _' . y of _r-ferring to . ¦
It - -, niv nw . ution _, previous to tho _nv-xt session of Par ; ia :. ' / . ' 7 i :, to _appear personally btforo tho . ve whom I have the _honour ' . 0 represent , na ; aely , th ;) constituency f the Borough of Rochua ' _o , —and then to inform myself more fully of their wants and their _wishes , and to _lewive such observations •« thty uKiy thin ) : tic to :: ; a ' .-e , upon the _coiuruuniciuou which I now _iako leave to address to them . I ant , dear Sir , Your sincere friend , Wm . SHA . KM _& K Crawford . _C-awfordsburn _, Bangor , Ireland , Nov . 13 'h , 1811 .
To The Chartists Of Southampton. Brother...
TO THE CHARTISTS OF SOUTHAMPTON . Brother . Chartists , —A National Petition has been drawn up , and approved of by the . Executive , _r-. ncl they have also decided , that in order , that that Petition should be duly respected an its presentation in Parliament , it should be backed by a General Convention of the industrious classes . Thia , then , being decided on , it is incumbent on you , as well as every _Chaitist throughout the British empiiv , to be active and industrious , in _getting as many signatures to it as possible .
Will yeu . then , Chartists of Southampton , remain apathetically indiffurent to the call of your fellow countrymen , a : d cowardly shrink from performing your share of duty in the effort of a glorious _redemption of your class from political _slavery ? I tnow many of you are ( and I cannot but sympathise with you ) shackled by ths despotism of your masters , or in other respects trammelled by domestic tyranny . Yet for ail this if you are inclined to do that which the distressed state of your country requires you should do , you tan do it , and in a manner without iujuriDg _either yourselves or families . No rational man would expect you to do that But where there is a will there Is a way In ev _^ ry case . So there is in this . Because if you cannot assist , by any other _meana , you can in a pecuniary way . By such you can secure from other quarters that aid which you require , without endangering yourselves .
Yet , notwithstanding this persecution which you uffer , can yoa independently lift your heads aloof , and ot feel the indignity of your situation ? Can you _upip . ely lie down under such vile oppression , and not lake an effort to release yourselves ? No , rather laim the ri ghts of freemen , and stand in the image of cur Maker f earlessly advocating the truth , and under very circumstance determined to maintain it , than tain your souls with such foul degradation bysubmiting ) it Having lately come from Bath to Southampton , I am 'ithou _. a doubt a stranger to many of you , and known Qt to a fsw . It might be thought presumptuous inui « 1 thus addressing you . Nevertheless , I cannot be lactive , aud _buffer the cause to remain in the state 'hich I unhappily find it in this place .
I therefore _appeal to you to arouse and do your duty _, he _tinia is come when every solitary Chartist must be ; his post , not quarrelling about the superiority of this
To The Chartists Of Southampton. Brother...
or that plan , but unitedly struggling to obtain their rights . The plan as laid down by the Executive is a good one . Pursue it with energy and spirit ; it must ultimately succeed . , , In the first place , you must obtain a place to meet in , for it is only by meeting and public discussions that you can create that unity of sentiment so desirable to a just and firm union . This I hope will be done shortly , and that we may have in this place as many signatures to the National Petition as any place , in _proportion to its inhabitants . i Sincerely hoping you will attend to this , I remain , your * , S . BAETLETT .
To Feargus O'Connor, Esq " My Lords And ...
TO FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ " My Lords and Gentlemen , believe me , that no human being , has a more thorough contempt for a mere politician , than I have , whether he be Whig , Tory , Radical , or Chartist , except ho has some great social object in view . Lock up the laud to-morrow , and I would not give yoa twopence for the Charter next day , because you would have deprived it of its jeweVF . O'Connor to the Landlords of Ireland , third letter . " My maxim , to day is tho same , which I laid down for you in 1831— ' A fair day's wage for a fair day ' s work . ' dive that , and use your political power for the conversion of machinery into man ' s holiday instead of being man ' s curse . "—F _; O'Connor to the Landlords of Ireland , second letter .
Sir,—Tbe Great Error Of Allreformers, Ha...
Sir , —Tbe great error of allreformers , has ever been their endeavours to conciliate those whose only sense ot right is their own personal aggrandisement . To meet this , they have one and all shunned the true position , and , consequently , all by wbich they ever could command consideration or respect They who contend for either more or less than justice _awards , are reprehensible ; they whose arbiter that principle is , can alone bejiwtifled . Principles are eternal , and know no change : to compromiso is to desert them , and to leave any part to
covered is te betray them . To rejeot or a _^ ree dispense with any right or privilege that justice entitles us to , is to reject the goodness of God . Nature does nothing in vain , neither does a principle of justice demand more than is really necessary . No followers of justice can give ground or make conditions of any kind farther than is dictated by principle . Monopoly , or not monopoly , is the grand distinction between justice , and injustice ; and they who would benefit the human race , must understand it as regardless of all consequences .
Sir , are you prepared to test Chartism by principle ? If so , now is the time to submit its tenets to arbitration , so as to disentangle what is really Chartiam from the Malthueian Whig axioms that have all along been mixed up with it . Tbis much is necessary to make it consistent and intelligible ; and without which _itcannet be consolidated , nor brought within the range prescribed by justice ; aud this must be the case before it succeed-Then why defer enquiry ? iinoe what must be , _» hall oe as well do so now as then . I know it is no agreeable task for a friend to strike within tho limits of a concentrated move ; nor would I , wero it not to avert the certain ruin that must result from following delusion _. As truth leads to truth , so urro- to error ; therefore tbe sooner all er ; rs are expunged the better .
" Repeal the Corn Laws , - have high wages , plenty te eat , and plenty to do . " So say tho Whigs . " Down with all monopolies , repeal all unjust taxation , and have a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work . " So say the Chartists . These statements aro similar in their nature , aud 1 hesitate not to say that those who assert either have as yot much to learn concerning the nature of the consitution we live under . Ba it known to all , servitude and monopoly are co-existent—twin brothers Destroy tbe one and you annihilate the other . I know a system can bo promulgated where monopoly can be
dispensed with ; but men in tbat case will not live by servitude ; nor have either Chartists or Whigs considered the nature of that system , I will not _fol lew either party through the labyrinth of nonsensical twaddle by which they support their views en these matters , but _fchali vest contented with ono plain statement , namely , I object to a repeal of these monopolies ; not because I consider i hem just , or in any shape a necessary part of legislation , but because the _people have not properly considered the _res _, ults that will follow , nor are _ptepared to meet them .
It has been said , repeal tho Corn Laws , and the balance will be in favour of the money holders ; or expunge ths national debt , and tho balance will be in favour of the landholders , which propositions are quite nood ; repeal either monopoly , and the remaining monopolists will be the employers cf those who live by labour ; do away with both , and to whom shall the labourer go with his oniy commodity ? It is quite clear that neither of these can purchase his labour , as none , of either party , _btlug money into the world , so can neither have it but by monopoly ; in some _shspa , destroy these , and it is of no use to look for employment in that quarter . Under such circumstances , what shall become of those whose ouly dependence is labour ? I know though all existing monopolies were repealed ,
others might ba substituted j say that every one above six feot high should be entitled to a few hundred thousands per annum , cr that p . ll above twelve stone weight should be similarly privileged ; then these would becomo aristocrats , and employ labourers , and be looked up to , and become _iriflaeiitinl , the same as the aristocracy now is , and men would busy themselves to attain those qualifications , the samo as is done at present , only differing according to tho diffvicnt nature of the monopoly ; un _> ier such regulations , the system of governing now pursued might go on quite as much in accordance with the spirit of justico , as at _preseut _, and any other similar scheme may be adopted , and the same results will follow . Bat this much knowall —withont a privileged class in some _thape , tho present
Constitution cannot exist . It is a > _-ystem ot servitude , and those who employ servants must , iu the first place , he provided with the means of _paying-thetn , along _tvith the appropriation of the means whereby men can live _othtrwisu , which must be enforced before a system iiks ; ours can bo brought into operation ; but being understood and faithfully ui _^ _lniaiiit ;' , the system , as a system , of master aud servant , m ;' . y be turned as you _W'iU in all othur _rtspecta ; but if tho present method of carrying oa that system in done a ' _-vay , and nothing of a similar _nature _eubstitutefl , thtn down the system must come . And I ask the _question seriously , are tho people prc ; _-Lued to undergo th _» vtry material change that must follow , and if jot , is it either prudent or s & fe to destroy th * present order cf _things ?
Those who would have a proper view of tbe effects of _innL-binery on cur legislat . _vc system , should c _? mp :. _- _. a tho positions of parties among US at this day _wi'h what they were 10 . 0 years ago . We know the great change since then is attributed to the revolutions of Franco and America . Repeal the monopolies these created , such as tho National Debt and the Com _La"A-3 , all of which might _l-. _ivs been gone into indeptndent of _either , and v ; e sr > . a ! l find the only part they had in tho matte ? was , that they furnished a pretext for creating the . ?;? . Why did mechanical skill _aluuO' _- _> : i - iu th « arms of our artisans before th « n ?—Where were our numerous ships and lair cities ?—Why w _*» ro merchandise so cheap and wages so low?—Why did our population not increase ? all for tho very palpable _reason , —we had no field for the display of our
energies ; the monopoly of land then existed , and no more of anynoto ; an I the great body of the po _^ n ' _-. j lived ihe feudal slaves of those who held it , until other monopolies were created which gave others , not _landholders , the opportunity of calling forth _thesa energies _,, the influence of which has created tho present statn of things . At a rough calculation the at cant has been since 1780 ; ' since _^ hen _therevonuebasdoubh d and quadrupled ; tho prlct ) of land , and all connected therewith , population _, _demand for labour , and mechanical skill , have risen in a corresponding ratio ; and wero it not for the introduction of machinery , by raising the revenue ten lim- s higher than now , all kinds of property wonld rise also , and the result would be an ir skas _^ d demand for labour , higher wages , increase of population , & c . & c . ; this to any extent ( keeping tbe _exception in view ) , as often as-the-means were-applied .
That whose blighting -influence will _damothe present order of things is machinery , _na its effect is to _paraljZJ manual labour ; in thia it not only threatens the annihilation of the great body of workmen , but likewise thosu who employ it . Machinery consumes not , and by supplying ths place of those whs do , must curtail _tto demand for articles of coniHi > rce ; add to this the txtinction of all monopolies . _» i \ d who are the consumers ? These may manufacture for each other , but farther than this they have no mart ; though partly seen , thisis but slightly felt , aa yet : let the preparations now going on be completedaud we shall know more of it . However
, many idlers , and whatever the rate of wages now are , we shall then have more of the one and ' less of tbo othw . The manufacturer ' -will not derive large profits from his _speculation among the working part of the community ; ami what are his prospects on the other sHe ? If he chooses to give the aristocracy money in the shape of monopoly , and then succumb , and cringe , and become a tool in their handsthen they may ba induced to hecorno his customers , or , at least , the customers of that part of the mercantile world who can outdo the rest in these particulars , and even thia when they hold tbeir monopolies , and no
longer . From these considerations , there is enough to stimulate all the active part of mankind , to look out for a system whereby they may mutually benefit each other . Strange that these should use means to straiten each other's paths , jfor tho mere purpose of maintaining a parcel of drones , and eventually give their substance to these merely to procure a market for their produce ; yot , however _extraordinary , _suchis the meaning and intent ; and all that can be obtained by the present system .
As these things are necessary or not , that system may be justified or not ; one thing I am sure of , none will say it io just ; none will say that ha rmony or peace are its results ; ' . and' from bearing the statements of all parties , I see little to recommend it to _lonsi-leration of any kind , in preference to any system , having the least shallow of justice or benevolence t o recommend it Still this much is necessary to be known concerning the unnatural , delusive , unequitable , cruel system of servitude and slavery , before we can with any degree of
Sir,—Tbe Great Error Of Allreformers, Ha...
certainty or _safetyoiumber it / with the things that were . That it entirely depends on having a p iviieged © lass ; while it exists , that class must exist ia some _shapa ; and if it is to be discontinued , tbe more numerous that _elars _, and the more they receive , i * will be better for those who work _^ _tt'iigaiBes very little how they _receive their incomes , as all ; monopolies are unjust . Still , if _weare to understand from tho agitated state of the public min > H that the peeple are wearied of a state of things where justice has no part ,-in '<} od " S name , sje they prepared withasubstitute ? If so , and if it is satisfactory and sufficiently understood , down with the praaent aysteni ; but if not , be aware of pulling
down that , however _deteetabte , on which on * very existence depends , if you Would not see all burled in ita ruins j if you are Inclined to fall back to the state you were in before , the Corn Laws ' , National Debt ; and the circumstances therewith connected existed , ' prepare to do so ; draw the preamble of aa act for par * celling out the land . In email allotments f hive it passed , and retire under its provisions , and' take your living from the soil , the mere serfs of the _landowners , as you then were , tben farewell improvement and . nil our sanguine topes ; and along with _thesa liberty , and justice , farewell . , " I bave the honour to be , Sir , your obedwht servant , Charles Duncan . ( To be continued in cur next . )
Publio Meeting At Paisley Brewster Defea...
PUBLIO MEETING AT PAISLEY BREWSTER DEFEATED AT ONE OF HIS OWN . ' . MEETINGS . On Wednesday evening , the 17 th inst ., a public meeting of the inhabitants of Paisley was held in the Old Low Church , called at the instance of the above Rev . Gentleman , for the purpose of _hearing him deliver a lecture on the best meant ? of obtaining the Charter . Ths price of admission to hear the lecture was one half-penny , which gave very great offence to the majority of the working classes , thousands of whom are out of work at
present ; aad , when the Rev . Gentleman entered , which was about an hour after the time which he had appointed , he was met by a most _indignant volley of hisses , amid cries of " Ye made it a bawbee of admission to prevent us from getting in , " After order was restored , Mr . Robert _Cochrane , a true blue Brcwsterite , proposed Mr . Wood as chairman ; and Mr . Wm . Houston proposed Mr . James Peterson , who , on taking the chair , was received with tremendous cheers .
The Chaibuan having read the bill for calling the meeting , Mr . Brewster , in his usual way of sowing the scads of . dissension , instead of proceeding with hiB lecture , aaid that he was afraid that seme physical force men had got ia amongst hie Committee , and had altered a word in the bill , or perhaps it might have been a physical force printer who hail done it . ( Much hissing , and cries of " get on with your lecture . " ) The Rev . Gentleman then proceeded with his lecture , the opening part of whioh was to tbo effect that we , aa Chartists , ought not to epposo any class of , Reformers , whether they were going for a repeal of the Corn Laws , cr for any other measure of reform , but let us . steadily-persevere for nothing less than the Charter . It boob
became evident , however , that the Rev . Gentleman was labouring in deep water , - .. caused , as we supposed , by his adherents not being _abls to carry tbeir Chairman , for he boob left off _reading hia lecture , and , in a very forcible manner , appealed to the feelings of the unemployed , a great number of whoa were present , stating to them what was the law of nature in regard to the poor , if the proper authorities did not . provide for them , although he would not advise tbem to follow the said law . But all this would not do , for when a remark was made by any of these unfortunate but ill-fed individuals net to the taste , of the Rev . Gentleman , he immediate !}* turned round , and , in the most un _^ _emlenianiy maimer , charged them , with being wrong in their garrets or upper stories , olios tho Drain , aiid denounced them as spies and traitors : and in one instance he became
; o exasperated that he drew himself up like a fiend of darkness , and pointing to a certain portion of the _audience , _eaid , in a voice of . hysterio . passi < n , "These are the hungry wretches whom I have fed , who have come here to-night to opposo _nxe . " At the conclusion of this sentence euoh horrific murmurs ef just and strong indignation took place as would have appalled any other than tbo living bronzi statue who stood fcaoro them . Still the Rev . Gentleman proceeded , and launched out into a tirade of abufo against , a certain portion of tho Chartist leaden-, and when he alluded to Mr . O'Connor , it was always , followed by three cheers for him . The meeting now became bo uproarious that he wcr-obliged to cut his lecture short . At the conclusion 01 which , to cur utter _astonishment _.
Mr . Robebt Cochrane rose and moved a resolution to the _effoct , That the thanks _t > f this meeting be given to tiie Lecturer for his able lecture , coupled with a Vota of . cAmmre on some of the Chartist leaderg , who had not gone along with Mr . Brewster in all his crotchets . John _CaMPBEicr ., Esq . one of the . members of the Town Council of Paisley , moved the following amendment , " That this meeting has no confidence in the Rev . Patrick Brewster as a Chartist , " ( TremendQUfl applause . ) The Chairman having put the motion and the amendment , gave it as hia opinion that the
amendment was carried by a i _» ost decided majority . Mr . Brewster , as usual , protested against the decision of the Chairman ; and the Chairman , to humour him , said he would put the vote _again , r . nd called on Mr . Wm . Campbell and the Rev . Mr . Kennedy to act with him in deciding on tbe vote . The vote having again been put , the Chairman _arfhered to his former opinion . ¦ Th e Rev . Mr . Kennedy" said that he had some difficulty in-deotaing , " but he rather thought that the major ; : y _tvas in favour of Mr . Brewster . Mr . VVji . Campbell said he bad no difficulty whatever in giving his opinion , and that was , that tho amendment was carried by three to two .
Mr . _'Kt- ; nnkdy -said that ho was of opinion that orje of > iv * ouj . ets for which the meeting was called , hads : ;' . ! boon overlooked , v ' z ., that some ! hing should hf , dono to heal the division that existed among the Chart :-ty , for which reasons , he would submit a fow resolutions . The resolutions of Mr . Kennedy , three in number , wore tho same in substance , as the rules and renulau _. ; tis of t : _ie _Lansrkshireand Renfrewshire Political Unions . At this stage of the proceeding * , Mr . Poi . in read 'ha rules of the Renfrewshire Universal Suffrage Association , and paid that lie saw no use for Mr .
Kennedy's _resolutions , aa they were just about the Fame ns those ho had now read , an J that the said rcsolu'ionshad been acted on {¦ ¦ ince ' _- 'Febrr . ary last , by the ouly political union in existence in _Paisb-y . Mr . _Brewster said that there , was a very great difference between the _resolutions read Ly Mr . Kennedy and those read by Mr . _ Viin , and that ho ( Mr . Brewster ) _intended to move an amendment , but , if Mr , Polin would withdraw _his resolutions so that they might all bo unanimous on the resolutions of Mr . Kennedy , he would not press the amendment , which he intended torn five . Mr . Polin at once _agreed to the _suggestion of Mr . Brewster : when , toil it not on the _Calton
Hillpublish it not in Birmingham — whisper it not in tho ear of the Lord Major of Dublin , that tho Rev . Gentleman at once recanted , and said , " Well , we will have one quartervf an hour of it yrv _* v' and forward he ctma . Aft _» . r a > peech of fifteen minutes , he concluded with his amendwent of ** Under no _circumstauces whatever-as aa association , will we resort to arm ;* . " Now , ' said the Keverend Gentleman , do you not see the force of ¦ such a resolution ; if yoa are attacked , dissolve your union , and then you are ready for yonr enemies ,
seemg that you aro man organised state . After a considerable pause , the Chairman asked if the amendmen t of Mr . Brewster was seconded . ( Criesof " KO , no ") ¦ ' ¦ ¦ Mr . _Beewsteb then leaned over the side of the pulpit , and _asked home of his committee , if none of them would second his amendment , when one of them said that , upon principle , ' he could do no SHch thing . \ ¦; ' . Mr . Bbewstf . k then , in an imploring manner , requested the Chairman to put it to the meeting , if no one would second his amendment .
The _Cjiaibman replied that he had asked the meeting three different times , but that he wonld do ic a fourth . Having dona so , an individual in the gallery _taid , not that he approved of the amendment , bat _t-j at they might get the proceedings brought to a close , he would second it . The amendment was then put , when all the hands which we saw held op were only ait , each individual holding np both hands , the principal acted upon durin g the whole of the votes that wero taken . A forest of hands was then held up for the
resolutions of Mr , Kennedy , whioh appeared to as to be an unanimous vote , with tho exception of the three who voted for the amendment . , Three cheera were then given for Mr . O'Connor , and three groans for Mr . Brewster . A unanimous vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman for his impartial conduct in tho chair , when the meeting broke up about two o ' olock in the morning . The above is merely an outline of tho meeting _, we would have given the speeches at length , but it would bave occupied too much space in v oui-vssduablfl paper . — _. _FrpwaCorrespondent . _Ayy _ AJ
The three poor law unions c nufacturihg population of the bor ter and Salford , with their immedi ; contain altogether no less than i —Liverpool Standard . 3 -X _£
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 27, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_27111841/page/7/
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