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Northern Star (1837-1852), 13th November 1841, Edition 1 of 4, Page 7, Untitled Article

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    • HORRID DESTITUTION
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      Untitled Article

      CUPAR , FIFESHIRE . ( JIOBIOUS DEMONSTRATION IN HONOUR OF FEARGU 3 O'CONNOR , AND IN FAVOUR OF THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER . On Monday last , the above patriotic and talented inaiTidaal visited toil place , aad received a right hearty ^ eitome from tbe lovers of equal rights . Tbe morning m nther buy and vet , wkicb , -we haTe no donbt , had tbB effect of keeping back numbers from & diatjmee -wbo would oUiennae have been present ; bat , ggdritfrtuding . we think laia ns oae © f th » most BBiuenmily attended demonstatJona in fcvtrar of the Oarter ever held in Fifethire . We think it aorpassed *

      k jrsmben the one bald wi December , 1 & 88 , -when Mi . jtattew vu elected representative to the Convention , jt -which It was estimated there were more than tga tbomaud persons present The prooesdoa started front the School-hm at eleven o'clock , and was Vfeed » t M'Nab ' s inn by a coach and four horses , Vbifih , along with the procession , proceeded abost two jjaesilon ^ the Dundee road , where Mr . 0 Conner and jlr . J . Duncan were net . The procession then retoroed , jod , tfier ptiifring several tarninga is the town , halted at gie east ton bar , -where a hustings wa » erected in the earner of a field .

      Mr . Tboius Scott commenced the proceedings by j laminating Mr . John Duncan , the people ' s represents- j tire for Fifeshire , to the chair . j Mr- Dtjscax , on taking tbe chair , was loudly ap- j pjjndfd ; and , after thawing them for tbe honour oon- ; fcrred on Mm , and cautioning them against being en-, to » f ped into any disturbance , introduced Mr . Lat . son , of Newbnrgh . who proposed the first jeniutkia , which was to the effect , that all the poverty j sad degradation which afflicted the indnstrion * classes ; « fthis country , was the result of class legislation , -and 2 aJtbe only remedy -was the moving the principles ' eoatained in the Charter the law of the land , and that . ' fl » tbanki of the meeting were doe to Feargua O'Con- ' gar , for his able advocacy of these principle . * , j Ttiis was seconded by Mr . LustSDEJf , of Baintown , j sad carried cnasinoBsIy . '

      Us . W . if £ tTli . LE , Karkinch , proposed the next jawhiSon , which was , that this meeting agree to petitjon Parliament in farour of the principles contained in the Garter . l&r , Scott seconded the resolution , which , like the ! otisr , vu carried unanimously . There bein& no other resolution , i Hr . 0 Cos . nor was introduced , amid tremendous asplsase . When the cheering had subsided , he said he I ipeed with their worthy chairman when 2 u > s&ld that j % plain Jobn had buried Chartism , it mnst now hare ' jad s glorious resurrection . Mr . O'Connor spoke aA eojntderable length in a temperate and conciliatory man- ; ser , lMiHudod to the tile ealnmnies and

      misrepresentjtjenj of the press , and , in particnlar , noticed a ras-: aByaud libellous attack upon him , which had appeared j fiat sune week in the Fiftshire Journal , calling him a i « lawless demagogue . " " Better ( said Mr . O'Con- ! Bcf ; be a lawless demagogue than a brainless j pedagogue ; for in the former case then was a ! hope of repentance , but in the latter there could be no i pntfpeet of any amendment . '' He denied , however , j that be was a " lawless demagogue "—in proof of ¦ Tineb , be had cot been put in bonds for any fault of hia ers , bat for publishing what was called the faults of others . Mr . O'Connor was listened to with the most proEoEitd silence , except when it was broken by the \ iood spplanse which eTer and anon burst from the ; aaembled thoBsands . ,

      JA the canrinwon , three cheers were given / or Mr . ; O'Connor , three for Mi Danean , and three foi the Qiattei , when the meeting dispersed . ' Among tlte erowd we observed a large number of the ; Biddle das **—mosUy all tbe lawyers , of which there are not a few in this place—and a Tast number of shopkeepers were present during tha whole time . Several , of the bi ^ ier classes were also present ; and we . cleared Maitland Macgill Crichton , Esq ., of Rankeilob , tbe celebrated non-intrusion advocate , standing is the middle of the dense < " «« during the whole pro- \ rt * Jmr % . ***** ii i y ¦ : SOIKEE . ! In the eTeumg a grand soiree was held in the Mason ' s SiB , which was crewded in erery part by a most rarpeetable assembly of " braw lads and bonnie ;

      Kt W . Melytlle , Markincb , amid loud cheers , ws talkd to preside , when , after thanking the meetisf tat the high honour conferred on him said , when he bebrid such a brilliant assembly as that before him , and it&eted on the glorious display which they bad all tiaifiay seen , it was a proof to him that the principles olCksnism were w » t + h «» y dead nor dormant , but that fbej were gradually forcing themselves open tie con-TiGioa of eTery unprejadiced mind , and , rotwithstand" m | iH opposition , would be the principles which would yeSrnletha world . iCherrs . ) That persecution had

      erebiled to accomplish that wMcb . it was intended , he aid the history of the world fully verified ; and the procsadjufj tiis day were only another addition to the innrmnable instances already recorded . While the pmsecctcrs of Sir . 0 'Conner had been driven from c 5 « imid the execrations of an insulted and oppressed petals , he was welcomed and applauded for bis stern e 4 racompromMng advocacy of righteous principles . ideerj . ) Af : er a few more remarks , the Chairman pn the £ ret toast on the list , " The People , the source of iHpoHtital power . " { Cheers . ) Instrumental band— " Scots wha hae , " it

      Original song by Mr . Philp— " Briton ' s now by FeargB ! St&Dd . lie Chaiexaj said , the next toast which he had the honour propose was one which he need only mention to he reecired -with atariajnatios , it was , " Feargus O"CoDW , EfQ .., ind miy he lire to see those principles tompb for irhich he has suffered . " ( Tremendous 6 xmvg . ) iMtnmentalband— "See tbe conquering hero comes . " 8 cb&— "B-ald , braTe , O'Connor , O . " Oaill . 0 C 05 S 0 E rising , he was presented with a ipiriied scd well-written address , which was read by Kt J . Scott , in the name of tie Chartists of Cupar . Mi . O'Connor spoke nearly an hour and a half in the sebs admirable and convincing manner that he had toe during the day , and was rapturously appiaude * . The next ientimeat was ' ¦ The Charter , and zany it sxm be the law of the land . " iCheers . ) Instrument *! band— " My love she's but a lassie

      The BEEtiment was spoken to by Mr , Chas . STrAii , I young gentleman from St Andrews , who made a deqnent speech , which frequently elicited bursts of tpp&ute . nP 6 CluISi £ Ajr ^ d , the toast which he had now j teCCKHii to propose was the health of no less s dis-Jf ? = afced individual than their representative—not as foxhunting igncramus up the way—slaughter )—rat the real nrember of the people's choice—he meant dm tnend Mr . Dcacan behind him . ( Unch applause . ) ^* rms 3 ita 3 baid— " Tpaad wanr them a' . ° fcGDg— "Tte old country gentleman . " ^ ~ J cyCxy ' QU ri ^^ g to return thanks , was loudly EB ^« Be speke at great length in his usual ani-Ei ^ d maatr , and was listened to with marked attention .

      A ^ ter Mr . Duncan bad done speaking , Mr . O'Connor Jetjia room , apologising for his doing so that he had * JHaa thrte meetings on the morrow , namely , Kirk-* WJ . Leah , snd Edinlurgb , « tw ^ otter sen lilS € Et s were then given , namely , ^ s Chartist Press , " spoken to by Mr . Stuart " The ** t oe * , rpdktn to by Mr . John 3 > unesJi . A number of ^> ana redtatiocs were also given , and tbe interest * £ ewJmdaan kept up till Beariy twelve o ' clock , « ™? tboux are boms . At the conclnaon , three cbeers ? w ^ ven for Mt . Q-Conna . t h ** e for the etisrter , ^ 'w Ro st , WiUiiiEs , and Jones , three for Bronterre " ^ atn , tire « for Mr . Duncan , acd three for the Chsii-^ Jiign the company made way to join in the merry

      Untitled Article

      O'COXXOR'S VISIT 10 DUMFRIES . " lo ! he comes , be comes ! Gsrlards for every shrine ; Strike lyres and sound the drums , Bring roses , pour ye wine . Swell , swell the Dorian flute Through tbe blue triumphal sky ; let the eyttern ' B tone salute , As the patriot passes by . ' " g ^ ^ was the motto of a placard announcing that tecrttwrf . n" " B ' cmld terminate his triumphant < m titter s * oUand h J » pubUc entry into Dumfries jofeTL & ™* geizmts had been for some time SbTii ^ - vf ? w t 0 imnre ^ O'Connor such a receph fia < SSi 'J * Stify the esteem » " ^^ e 2 * be was held aamsts here , and aujoidisgly on the eventful i uuuueis irum ouusi

      limyrt «»_! v-i """"• " »* me , ISSKzf 3 ** " dock « ******** *^>« niar-\* enmt II' ¦ ** S ° «» I . there to receive : h « S « ^ l of tte charter ' » ho w " expected , PlttSof JS ? * ' * 1 ^ by tte Glasgow coach . About Km ^ L ^ S P ^ rt ^ nd-plaee the procession halted ,: Ke 1 » Tf W&rdrt > P and M'Dawall , in an open car- : RLrfe w X . ^ f ^ P ^ ched for the purpose of , C ^» j « - 0 Connor . The coacb Boon met them , Nthew 2 ' , <* Jnage *** its P 134 * * n *• procession , Bt cfbT ™ ! i pBSple were at leB 8 « i gratified by a , ' EL ^ ^ ' k ° m . a ?! had heard ao much , ' a 5 raiaeon the warmth

      & » £ ¦ ^~ r * w J » evinced ' Ki ^ T ^ WtaB ^ ad » me ^ bat |^^* 8 am , the procession moved on witii flags and Ki « £ S » J ™?* " ™™ berless , - the spiritrstirring »^ . me musical mstruments intervening with tbe fS SaxSnf nltitade - The P «« ession passed j |^ a AttweUtown , ana ^ prindpal streels of ' P ^ -e ^ a ^ t « le such a , was never I _ ,.. ^ o marEhals , on horseback , ; ^ " ^ S ^ a sashes , and other omamente . ] m Pi Band . m * t £ 15 ^ V * * ^ Men ' s Association , Sbwf H * i ^ P ** ' ¦»« on toe other an M . tab ^ ematical figure of Liberty , carrying oa a spear the » Bonnet Rouge " ; with the British Lion t . eouehant at her i feet , I

      Untitled Article

      followed by a deputation of the society , three and three . Irish Flag , followed by Irish Chartists and others , three and three Scottish Flag . Supporters , three and three . Banner" This is not the cause of faction or party , bat that of every lover of his country . " Curriers , Skinners , and Tanners , with the flags of their respective trades . Banner— ' " When Adam delved * nd Eve span , Who was then tbe gentleman V Shoemakers , with Trade ' s Flags ; and in the body ef tbe trade , Banners—1 st Do net rich men oppress you and drag you before the judgment seat 7 Ye are many the ; are few . 2 nd . Turn the drones oat of the hive . Tailors with flag and banners .

      1 st He that will not work , neither shall he eat 2 nd . Taxation without representation is tyranny . Stocking makers with flag and banners . 1 st In your own land ye crouch in dread , Craving but leave to toilfsr bread ; Rise ! wrestle for your rights instead . 2 nd . Methinks I hear a little bird that sings , Tbe people by and by will be the stronger . Millar Lewis , a jnvenile Chartist en a brown palfrey , with an address to Mr . O'Connor , beautifully ornamented with bay leaves and holly . Hammermen with flag . Kings , would ye chain The zack and the rain ; Would ye fetter the lightning and hurricane ? They are free—And so shall we be . In an elegant open carriage drawn by four greys with postillions ,

      O'CONNOR , With Wardrop and M'Douall on each side . Lockerbie band . Country deputations , three and three . Squaremen with flags . Motto— " Union shall make ns free . " Hand-loom Weaver's Flag . And also a large Green Flag , on which were inscribed the names of illustrious patriots of former days , to which the figure of an angel appeared pointing , as if to animate the spectators to emulate their deeds . Below the " eloud of witnesses" w « the verse— " Behold what witnesses unseen Encompass us around ! Man once Wee as , by Bufferings tried , Bat now With filo * y erotmed .-

      Is this order the procession passed through Maxwelltown and the principal streets of Dumfries ; it denied across the New Bridge into Dumfries , down Bridge-street , up Friars' -vennel , passed throofh Highstreet , into English-street , by Queen street into " Shakespear-street , and again into High-street , where it drew up at the Commercial Inn . Here Mr . Wardrop addressed a few words to the assmbly , and announced that Mr . O'Connor would be present at tbe soiree in the evening , when he would have an opportunity of addressing them .

      THE SOIREE . Previous to six o ' clock , the doors of the Relief Church were besieged by an eager concourse of people , all anxious to secure seats ; and oa tbe appearance of Mr . O'Connor , at seven o ' clock , he was received with immense cheering . Mr . John Bell was called to the chair and at his request the R = v . Mr . Carson said grace ; and the company proceeded to the discussion of the good things so plentifully provided for them by the stewards . Tbe Chairman opened the proceedings is a neat speech , in which he sketched the lowly origin of Chartism—its progress in Dumfries , comparing the early meetings of the friends of freedom , consisting of thirteen or fourteen individuals , with the glorious display which that evening presented ; and augured from this the certainty of ultimate triumph to the principles they had espoused . He sat down amid loud cbeers , and called upon

      Mr . Waedeo p , who made a few remarks ; but he said that he would not them occupy much of their time , as he intended to speak at greater length when the evening was more advanced . Song— " Hurrah for the Charter , "—Mr . Adam Patenon . Mr- W . M'Dowall was then called upon , and was received with applause . He stated that he was entrusted with a document for presentation to Mr . O'Connor , namely , —an address of the Chartists of Dumfries and Maxwelltown , on the occasion of his visit ; previous to which he would say , that if gave him pleisare to see the inhabitants ef tils town coming forward in such numbers and in sueh enthusiasm on this occasion ; it was a proof and a pledge to him that the deeds of

      their illustrious guest bad not been overlooked or forgotten by them . It was a proof aod a pledge of something more important still—that of love and regard for the great principles which had impelled him forward in his career of agitation . There was , in the first place , esteem manifested to the man ; in the second place , adherence and attachment to the measures which be b&d advanced ; and these feelings seemed bo inseparaby connected , that in speaking of the one he could scarcely fail speaking of the other also . When the cry of the factory children arose wild and clamorous , appealing to heaven and to man against the unnatural toil to which the votaries of mammon had doomed tb * m—whtnthis cry arose and came unheeded on the ears of the marble-minded masters—when the

      Parliament of Britain shut out their prayer—when there was none to plead their cause in the gate , three individuals stood forward , and , in spite of tne frowns of the powerful , and spuming the proffered bribe of those whose interests wera endangered , testified loudly and long against the atrocity of the system . These men were Stephens , Oast-er , and Feargus O'Connor . And when the numberless privations to which the people were exposed Lad conspired to make them investigate their cause—when their burdens became so heavy that they could no longer be borne patiently—when the iron of oppression had entered within , and touched as with electricity their long benumbed energies , and they arose as one man with tie demand , what shall we do to be saved ? How shall we elevate our social position ? By what means

      ! -Vi « . H we stem the tide of desolation , whose waters have so long covered us ? How shall we erect a bulwark which shall shelter us , and repel the encroachments of power?—when tbe psople were in this dilemma , conscious of their grievances , but comparatively ignorant of their cause , helpless in their misery , and hopeless of a cure , wko so forward to announce the tidings of deliverance as Mr . O'Connor ? He , with his other brave compatriots , went from place to place , unfolding the cause of the national grievance , and propounding the cure , the only effectual cure—Universal Suffrage . From henceforth makiDg this bis rallying cry , and saying to tbe hosts of enemies who leagued for his destruction , because it was like the death-knell to that system , of class-legislation and party privilege on which they prospered—saying to

      these" Come one . ' come all . ' this rock shall fly From its firm base as soon as I . " To the principles thus promulgated , he ( the speaker ) looked as the only guarantee for the happiness of the country . Make the Government irresponsible as in Russia , and you subject the people to the iron yoke of an unmitigated despotism . Continue the Government responsible to a class only as in Britain , and the interests of that class will be consulted , and the welfare of the community sacrificed at the shrine of their selfishness . What the Chartists wanted was a responsible

      Government Rttponsible to the C&biaet ? 2 fo ! Responsible t » tie aristCCiacy ? Ko ! Responsible to the middle classes ? ^ o ! Responsible to tbe ten pound householders , or rather to the ten pounds' worth of bricks and mortar which they possessed ? Responsible to them or these ? Jf o ! But a Government representing and responsible to all who pay for its support , who are liable to figfct its battles , who bear its burdens , and who are affected for good or evil by the tendency of its enactments . Mr . M * D . then read an address which had been prepared for presentation to Mr . O'Connor .

      Mr . O'CoJiSOE , who had remained standing while the address was being read , then , amid the acclamations of the meeting , began by expressing his high sense of the conMence reposed In him by the men of Scotland , adding that the reception he had met with in Dumfries was more than a reward for the privations of a five years ' strugjle for freedom , prosecuted under the scorching sun of summer and through winter ' s chilling blast He had nurtured his bantling until it had grown a giant , powerful to destroy all evil and to support all good . The principles which he advocated could alone save the country ; and the higher classes , in supporting exclusive legislation , were Doarishing a viper which would in the end destroy them . A base press bad heralded his approach . He was charged with inculcating

      principles subversive of social order—he had been misrepresented until men came to see him , wondering whether he were man or devil ; but he straggled for liberty tempered with reason and discretion , not to promote rapine and licentiousness . He had long watched the progress of Reform '; and , before the Charter was even heard of , he had taken the entire of bis native county of Cork from the Tories—a county which returned eight members to the Imperial Parliament—without expending a single shilling , although opposed by a powerful and s wealthy aristocracy . The principles upon which that struggle was conducted were Universal Suffrage , Annual Parliaments , Vote by Ballot , the Abolition of the Property Qualification , the Redistribution of the Electoral Districts , Payment of Members , Repeal of tbe Union , Exclusion of the Bishops from the House of

      Lords , the Total Abolition of Tithes , and the Election of the Magistracy by the People . Wten he established the Northern Political Union , he was assailed on all hands with , * ' Don't disunite the working classes from the-Whigs ,-- but who , he wenld ask , broke faith first ? The Whigs , who had violated erery pledge which they had given to the people . During the nine years they were in office they had passed a Coercion Bill for Ireland , the Poor Law Amendment Act , and introduced a Rural Police into Britain . When , however , the party was buried in the grave which the undertaker , Plain John Campell , of Cupar , said he had dug for Chartism , the cry was raised of free trade , cheap bread , and plenty to do . So loaf as the Whigs were in tflice , they held that the distress of tbe country was local ; but no sooner were they out fry * they dis-

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      covered that it was national . The Tories , who bad succeeded them , cow that they were in office , alse attributed the distress of the country to local causes The object of his mission was to arouse the energies of the people for s last assault upon both factions , not for the purpose of spoliation , but for tbe attainment ef equality under the law . The disciples of Malthas , while allowing the existence of wide-spread destitution , attributed it to the increase of the population beyond tbe means of suppsrt . He . { Mir . P'O . J dented that God never sent the month without tbe meat These infidels told the people not to look , like the grovelling ox , to tbe earth far support , but to stand erect like philosophera , and look abroad to Dantzio , and Poland , and America , for food . They had cheap food

      and high wages in America ; bat there they had also Universal Suffrage , in Britain , under the existing system , the landlords let their farms in large allotments , although they lost thereby £ 20 , 000 , 000 a year in rental . But the extent of the farm increased the dependence of the cultivator : the landlords could thus more readily command tbe votes of their tenants ; and having the controul of the Legislature , they divided among them more than £ 120 . , 000 a year , in pensions , sinecures , and commissions for their relatives . Let the people obtain Universal Suffrage ; and tbe landowner would be iniuoed to bring his property into the retiil market The land would then not only be better cultivated ; but tbe necessity for emigration would be done with . When the improvements in

      machinery had enabled the manufacturers , in a great measure , to dispense with manual labjur , the people were told to emigrate . Bat , although they had got the means of manufacturing , they had got none of consuming ; and tbe shopkeepers were beginning to find that out He , too , was a friend to emigration ; bat he was for removing the useless population first Let them freight a vessel of state paupers and parsons , with a crew of bishops and Philpetts for a pilot ; and he would bid it God speed . Before the psople were thrown on their own resources , justice demanded that others should be takes off these . He was also tor a voluntary church ; and then , instead of the pastor selecting bit flock , the flock would select their pastor . He had been denounced as an advocate of physical force and a man of blood ; but he had never struck a " > y > nor injured a dumb animal in his life , and he would rather wear his fetters all his life than one drop of human blood should be shed in the present struggle ; the

      man who marshalled physical force destroyed it ; and be who would recommend it was a knave or afooL When , in 1832 , Grey was shoved oat of office , the moralforce Whigs set Bristol , Nottingham , and Newcastle in flames ; but , during the whole course of the Chartist agitation , with the solitary exception of the Moamoutb affair , which was got up by Whig spies , not one life had been lost nor one pennyworth of property destroyed . Let the people , then , continue in a coarse of peaceful agitation ; their strength lay in their onion ; their power was in their voices ; and they were to look for their success in their perseverance . For his own part , be had embarked with the working classes in the same boat ; and he would sink with the crew rather than desert the ship . Mr . O'Connor then sat down amidst thunders of applause , reiterated bants ef which greeted him during the delivery of a brilliant and effective speech , occupying two hours in the delivery , and of which this is but a faint and imperfect outline .

      Songs—The Rover ' s Bride—Mr . L . Ingram . The Fine Young German Gentleman—Mr . E . Haining . Mr . A . Wakdbop again rose , and was received with strong marks of respect He was proud of the exhibition given this evening of the prevalence of Chartism . When he looked back four abort years , and recollected with their respected chairman , when a few obscure individuals met in a secluded room , in a most secluded corner of the town , there to study the principles ef political freedom , and when he saw now that they were increased to such extent that they were able to beat both Whig and Tory on matters either of Church or State , and carry their Charter , he bad reason to rejoice . What had made him a Chartist ? It was misgovernment ; and cood government could not be

      obtained without the Charter . When ke saw that wealth and not labour was represented , —when he saw the wealth of the few gained at the expense of the poveity of the many , —and , above all , when he saw that those who were rolling in luxury received the whining adoration of those who called themselves guardians of the poor , and followers of Him who was the patron of the poor , —when he saw the one , working infants to death , regardless of their temporal welfare or their spiritual interests , and tbe other , clad in purple and fine linen , and faring sumptuously every day , heedless of tbe tears of children crying for bread , or the sob of the mother over her famished babes , — when he looked at this and called alond for help , who ajiawored the cry ? Waa it the minister of the Gospel ,

      who prays to God that there may be plenty for man and beast , and who kisses tbe Bword that is' bared to cut down the suffering people ? Who preach poverty is a passport to heaven , and takes a way strewed with roses for himself , —who preaches passive obedience for the people , and herds with their oppressors , —who calls the bloated occupants of tbe throne tbe servants of the Mest High , and the reaisters of oppression the disturbers of vested right , —who , wben the people ask for bread , gives them a stonechurch , and for education the prayer book . Was it from men acting in this manner that he was to look far help ? No , but to the people themselves . They were to persevere in their present course . Be net led away by any cry bnt the Charter . An united people could

      carry anything . Some called for progressive reform , but how can yon get it , if the House of Commons will not progress ? Ask yourselves if benevolence actuates the minister , justice the thief , morality the debauchee , and then look at the Commons for good legislation . It baa been truly said that you could sooner move Gibraltar than their hearts . The philosopher laments the accumulated wrongs of bis country , and sinks in despair ; or be may make an occasional attempt to remove one of the millstones from the neck of the people , such as the State Church , but he fails , because be is powerless in the Commons . Is be a friend to family equality , and tbe overthrew of the blessed entails ? How can he expect this wben the men he appeals to reckon these as their best privileges . Does he sigh for free trade ?—the men he solicits exist upon monopoly . And he will be baffled in all his attempts at reform till tbe people receive tbe suffrage ; and if he is eager for their relief , let him lend his aid towards giving them

      that To tell a poor man—poor because be wants political power—that he is too ignorant to be free , you add insult to injustice . Let brother cease to insult and persecute brother ! Let the political philanthropist unite with the people , and thus regenerate them . The battle of right against might cannot be fought without the people . Let all unite , therefore , to bring into operation the principle that taxation without representation is injustice , —that tbe represented and representative should annually r ^ new their trust , —that the representative Bhould be paid for bis labours , —that poverty should not circumscribe your choice of representatives—that electoral districts should be established , and that the ballot should protect the electors , and with them the visions of the philanthropist will be realised , and the happiness of the people consummated . ( Mr . W . sat down amid thunders of applause . ) Song— "The Flowers o" the Forest , "—Mr , Thomas Watson .

      Mr . Donaldson , from Gatehouse , was then introduced , and gave a varied and beautiful address , which was responded to with the utmost enthusiasm . We regret our want of room to give a speech replete with humour , good sense , and spirit Song— " M'Crimmon ' s Lament , "— -Mr . Alexander . Mr . Lawson then proposed briefly a vote of thanks to the Rev . Mr . Blackwood , and the managers of tllB caujeb ., for tte ready manner in which it had been granted for their accommodation j and after three cbeerg for O'Connor and the Charter , three for Frost > Williams , and and Jones , three for the strangers , and three in acknowledgment of tbe excellent conduct ; of the Chairman , the O Connor Festival terminated . [ We copy the following account of O'Connor ' s visit to Dumfries from the Dumfries Times : —

      " After all their doubts and fears , the Chartists of the district have had their visit of the " uncaged lion , " and , unless he has much changed bis manners , he is not half bo wild or so dangerous as he has been called . Arrangements had been for some time going on , in order to insure Mr . O'Connor such a reception as might testify the esteem in which he was held by the Chartists here ; and , accordingly , on Friday last , the men of tbe traces , and numbers from other classes , assembled on the dock , and , after being marshalled into order , proceeded up the Sands , across tbe New Bridge , into the Glasgow road , there to receive the gjeat Champion of the Ciiarter , who was expected to arrive at three o'clock , by the Glasgow coach . About a gun-shot past Portland-place , the procession halted , and Messrs . Wardrop and

      M'Dowall , in ah open carriage and four , were dispatched for the purpose of taking in Mr . O'Connor . The coach soon met them ; and when the carriage took lto place in the procession , and the crowd of people were at length gratified by a sight of him of whom they had heard so much , a deafening shout of gratulation evinced the warmth of their welcome . When this had somewhat subsided , again the procession moved on with flags & ° d banners " in number numberless "—the spiritstirring tones of the musical instruments intervening with the plaudits of the mnltitnde . The procession passed throngh Maxwelltown and tbe principal streets

      of Dumfries : it defiled across the New Bridge , into Dumfries , down Bridge-street , up Friar ' s Vennel , passed through High-street , into English-street , by Queen-street into Shakspeare-street , and again into High-street , whereit drew up at the Commercial Inn . Here Mr . Wardrop addressed a few words to the assembly , and announced that Mr . O'Connor would be present at the soiree in the evening , when he would have an opportunity of addressing them . Previous to six o ' clock , the doors of the Relief Church were besieged by an eager concourse of people , all anxious to secure seats ; and on the appearance of Mr . O'Connor , at seven o'clock , be was received with immense cheering .

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      ^ MACCLESFXSX . D . —Mr . Doyle lectured to a crowded audience on Sunday evening last , on the People ' s Charter , and made a fireat impression . Several new members were enrolled at the close of the meeting . His labours are doiDg a vast amount of good throughout the country .

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      DA 1 VKEITH . CHARTIST DEMONSTRATION , PUBLIC MEETING ; AND BOiREE , IN HONOUR OF FEARaUS SiSS ^ SPftl ^^ t ¦ AND THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CHARTER . Our demonstration in honour of the above noble ohattpion of the rights of mankind came off on Wednesday , November the 3 rd .: and considering this district being an . agricultural one , aod the great influence of the Tory Duke of Baoolea ^ h , . we had a grand turn oat , ' The good men and true mastered in great numbers from LaasWade , Musselbur ^ h , Patbead , store Bridge , Ac , with bands of music , and appropriate flags , banners , &e . Great fears were entertained at one time for the weather , owinir to its

      being unsettled . Many were the prayers of Whig P « T « y , that the day might be wet J however , we had & fine day . The sun beamed out as if to smile upon the exertions of the thousands determined to be free . The Demonstration Committee having choBen Mr . William Daniells , of L&sswade , and Mr . Taylor ., of Dalkeith , as a 'deputation-to conduet Mr . O'Connor to Dalkeito , those persons started early by railway to Edinburgh , Md found Mr . O'Connor at the Black Bull Hotel . After » little trouble they succeeded in hiring an elegant coach witii four grey horses to conduct him to the enthusiastic thousands , who were waiting with open arms to receive him . Besides the deputation , Mr . O'Connor was accompanied by Mr . Robert Lowcry and Mr . A . Duncan in passing through , the streets of Edinburgh , the coach attracted universal attention : all stopped to look at the man of the people ' s choice . On arriving within about a mile of Dalkeith . the carriage was

      met by the procession , headed by the Dalkeith band , in military uniform . The carriage here stopped , while the procession passed round it ; Mr . O'Connor standing uncovered . He was hailed witn loud acclamations . On reaching the town the streets were thronged with people , all eager to catch a glimpse of him who had done and suffered so much for the cause of freedom . In front of the carriage was borne a triumphal arch , composed of evergreens , &o . with O'Connor" worked in the centre with flowers . This clever piece of workmanship met with universal admiration . The procession then passed through the principal streets , Mr . O'Connor standing in the carriage , and bowing gracefully to all . The windows were crowded , to witness the way the people act towards him they delight to honour . After parading the town , and passing the Duke of Buooleugb ' s gate , the procession returned to the marketplace , where a hustings had been erected , to hold a

      PUBLIC MEETING . On Mr . O'Connor appearing on the hustings he was greeted with cheers lend and long . Mr . Wm . Daniells then came forward and said , — Men and Women of Mid-Lothian , I most heartily congratulate you upon the noble manner in which yon have conducted yourselves this day , which I am sure mast be gall and wormwood to the enemies of the Charter and Feargus O'Connor ; as it is always oar wish to conduct our proceedings in a legal and orderly manner , I beg leave to propose that oar friend , Mr . Wm . Taylor , do take tbe chair , ( Cheers . )

      The Chairman then informed the meeting of the objects for which it was called—to again petition the House of Commons to enact the People ' s Charter , and to congratulate Feargus O'Connor , Esq . on his release from the fangs of his and oar oppressors ; he exhorted them to hear the different speakers with attention , and to conduit themselves so as to put to tbe blush those who say that Chartists were ignorant , and disorderly . He then called upon Mr . James M'Pherson to move tbe first resolution . Mr . M'Pherson , in a very neat speech , moved the following resolution : — " That this meeting again petition tbe mis-called House of Commons to pass , without delay , , the Act entitled the People ' s Charter , and that we pledge ourselves to devote all our energies to cause that measure to become the law of the land . " Mr . D . Potter , in a short but pithy speech , seconded the resolution .

      Mr . A . Don can thtn came forward to support the resolution , which he did in his usual eloquent style , and was loudly applauded . The Chairman then called for a show of hands for the resolution , when thousands of hands were held up . He then called for a show against it ; not one was held op ; consequently it was declared carried amid loud cheers . Mr . W . Daniells proposed the following resolution , in a short speech : — «« That this meeting congratulate Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., on bis release from prison , and cordially welcome him to Dalkeith , and thai we will stand by , and repose every confidence in him , so long as be advocates the People ' s Charter , and the rights of the suffering millions . * Mr . Samuel Kidd , seconded the resolution , and like the last , was carried nem . dis .

      Mr . O'Conmor now came forward , and was met with most tremendous cheering . As soon as silence could be obtained , he said , —My friends , I do not se much thank you for the last resolution , reposing confidence in me , as I do for passing the first , pledging yourselves to petition for the People ' s Charter , — ( cheers , )—inasmuch as the one is of far more vital importance than the other . He ever had , and ever would do his duty ; he was not to be deterred from advocating the people's rights by persecution or prosecution , and so long as the people stood with him , so long would be stand by them . ( Loud cheers , j He then went into the question of tbe Corn Laws , and proved , that although these laws were most unjust and wicked ; yet their repeal ( alone ) would not benefit the

      working man . ( Hear . ) That the orject of the Corn Law repealers was to get cheap bread for the people , in order to give them an opportunity to lower the wages of their workmen , or , as they were pleased to call it , to enable them to compete with foreign manufacturers—( cheers)—but it should be borne in mind , that those countries were not taxed to half the amount , as the people of this country were . ( Hoar , hear . ) He then ¦ went into the question of machinery , showed how it was superseding manual labour , and glutting the markets with goods , thereby lowering both prices and wages ; he then went into a lengthened argument on the necessity of placing the unemployed on tbe waste land ; showed tbe good it would effect ; but let no one think that he wished to take the land from its preaent possessors . ( Hear . ) No , he would allow a just rent to be paid for every acre . { Cheers . ) He contended that if we had a just Government that they would

      immediately set about placing the people on the land at home , instead of sending them to the colonies . ( Loud cheers . ) He said the working men were the shopkeepers' best friends , and invited them over to our ranks . The middle classes wete at length beginning to be convinced of the necessity of joining the people for an empty till on a Saturday night , made a ugly wife on a Sunday morning , ( Great laughter . ) Ha then stated that the only effectual remedy for the present distress was the Charter— -he would stand by the Charter , tbe whole Charter , and nothing less than the Charter . Onward , and we conquer , backward and we fall . His motto yet was , and ever should be Universal Suffrage , no surrender I Mr . O'Connor retired amid loud and enthusiastic cheering . After a vote of thanks to tbe Chairman , three cheers for O'Connor , three for the Charter , and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , this immense meetiDg separated in the most orderly manner , convinced by the truths they bad heard .

      The Caledonian Hunt wero dining together this day at an inn close to the place of meeting , and many of them attended to hear the proceedings , lbs Ear ) of Dalhousie was observed to bo present during the time Mr . O'Connor was speaking , as well as a number of gentlemen on horseback . There were also present most of the shopkeepers and middle classes of the town , who are so convinced of the justness of our claims , that they can hardly believe that Mr . O'Connor is the same person whem the Whig and Tory papers so much misrepresent . Their eyes are beginning to open ; so Hnrrah ! for ' the good old cause Of equal rights and equal laws !

      THE SOIREE . The Soiree took place at night , in the Freemason's Hall , and in a short time after the doors were opened the spacious Hall was nearly ailed . . On Mr . O'Connor entering , accompanied . ' by . ' Mr . Lowery , Mr . A . Duncan , and other friends , the company rose and cheered them in the most rapturous manner , the women waving their handkerchiefs , and the men their hats , the band ( which was stationed in the gallery ) at the same time pliylng , See the Conquering Hero comes . Mr . Taylor took the chair , and called upon Mr . A . Duncan to aak a blessing . After partaking ef a substantial tea , Ac , thanks were returned by Mr . D . Potter . The cups and saucera being removed , The Chairman rose to propose the first sentiment , which was

      The people , the source of all national power , which he did in a few choice remarks , and then called upon Mr . Robert Lowery to respond to the same . Mr . Lowest on rising was much cheered . He appeared to be , labouring under a severe cold ; notwithstanding he spake for about an hour , in a most eloquent and convincing manner . He complimented the com * pany on their respectable appearance , and said , " Was it possible that people such as he saw before bim , so decently attired , and with such intelligent looks , that they could cat one . another ' s throats , as had been imputed by their enemies ? " ( Loud ctiea of no , no . ) He then went into an interesting argument on the question of " Who are the people f" He gave great satisfaction , and sat down loudly cheered . Tune , by th ^ baud—Scots wha hae . Song—Rule Btltannia ., by Mr . Campbell . The second sentiment

      was—The People ' s Charter , may it soon become the law of the land . Mr . A . Di / KCAN spoke to the same , and proved that all parties had their Charter , but the poor party . Why Bhould not the working man have his Charter as well as the rich , when he contributed so much by his labour , to make other parties comfortable , while he was miserably peor ? Because he was not represented , while the other parties were , ho they had managed to get their Charters , while the poor -wanted theirs . He entreated them nil to unite in one holy bond of brother-

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      hood , and demand their righto , and neither Whig or Tory Governments , could long xefg&e to , . grant them . He made a feeling appeal to the ladtea to come over and help us , and thus persuade their husbands , brothers , and levers to join the glorious movement for freedom . He would say the same to them as he would to his own wife . Bat he would maintain , that the woman whose hosband was not a member of a Charter Associa tion , that she bad not a man for her husband , bit a bnbUjock ! ( anold SsotUah wora for * turkey . ) This remark wai received with loud cheers » nd laughter . Tone by the instrumental band—ManalUea hymn . Song—Hurrah for the Charter , Mr . Urquhart The Chairman then railed upon Mr . James M'Pherson , to come forward to present an address to Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., written in blank ver te , by Mr . Wm . Millar , the poet laureate of the Dalkeith Charter Association .

      Mr . O'Connor was standing daring the reading of the address , after which , he came forward to address the meeting and was received with deafening cheers . He spoke for about two hoars , in a most animated and talented manner—it would be impossible to follow him through his able statesmanlike speech . He ran through a history of the Corn Laws , the monetary system , the Courts of Law , the Church , and the enacts of machinery , and proved to the satisfaction of his audience , that nothing could remedy these evils , and the numerous ills of the social compact , but the People ' s Charter . He exhorted them to unite , and thereby to concentrate their powers , and let tbe Charter , and tbe Charter only , be the object which they contended for . He said machinery had over-stocked the markets , had

      superseded manual labour , had reduced , and ( unless the working man was represented ) would still reduce wages , and now the Corn Law Repealers turned upon them , and told them the Corn Laws had done this . No doubt these laws were wrong , bnt their conduct in laying all fault on the Corn Laws reminded him of an Irish anecdote , which , as they were la such good humour , he would tell them . ( Hear , hear . ) " Mrs . Brady was an Irish widow , and she sat all day in the chimney corner knitting , her stockings , and smoking her short cuddy pipe . Now Mrs . Brady always made it a rule to purchase a farthing candle from November to March , so , when she goes for her farthing candle in November ( the war had broke oat during the time she had bought the last ) the Bhopman told her it was a

      halfpennny . A halfpenny' says she , ' what ' s the cause of that ?• " ¦ ' 0 , ' says he , it ' s tke war ! ' the war , ' aays Mrs . Brady , says she , ' bad luck to . the scoundrels , have they not time enough to fight by daylight , that they want to fight bylcandlenghL ' " ( IloaMof laughter . ; This was the fifty-eigth public meeting he bad addressed since he came to Scotland . ( Hear , hear . ) To-morrow he should meet Brewster at Glasgow , on the next day he should go to meet the men of Dumfries . During the day a delegate had arrived from Dumfries in Dalkeith , and after a good deal of persuasion , induced Mr . O'Connor to visit that town . He Bat down amid loud and general applause ; indeed the cheering throughout his address was unbounded . Tune by the band—The Shamrock so Green . Song—Exile of Erin , —Mr . George Thomson .

      Mr . O'Connor again rose , and said he wished to draw their attention to their brethren In London , the stone masons , who had struck at the new Houses of Parliament , to withstand a low , mean tyrant ( Hear . He considered it the duty of one trade to support another under such circumstances , and he trusted they would assist the stone masons during their struggle ( Cheers . ) This , we donbt not , will be well responded to . Mr . O'Connor here left the meeting , along with Messrs . Duncan and Lowery , and shortly after left Dalkeith in the carriage together , for Edinburgh . On leaving the Hall , they were loudly cheered—the hand playing "All the blue bonnets o ' er the border . " The next sentiment was—Frost , Williams , and Jones ; may they soon be restored to their native land . Responded to by Mr . Kidd , in an energetic speech . Mr . Macpheraon then recited the

      Fall of Poland . Air by tbe band—Draw the sword , Scotland . Several other songs were given ; thanks were voted to the chairman ; three cheers for the Charter ; three for O'Connor ; and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , when the delighted company broke up about twelve o ' clock , having been gratified in the Hall for about six hours . Thus has ended our demonstration , and its effects are , our enemies are silenced , the indifferent and apathetic are roused , and are now rushing to join the Association—no less than twelve joined on Saturday night , and as many axe expected to joia this night . Qt ) d _ speed the Charter !

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      EDINBURGH . GRAND SOIREE AT THE WATERLOO ROOMS , IN HONOUR t ) F FEARGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., J . B . O'BRIEN , ESQ ., AND THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY . This Soiree took place on Monday evening , the 2 nd of November , in the large Waterloo Room , when upwards of a thousand Chartists were as sembled to do honour to the patriots who had so nobly fought the battles of the unenfranchised millions , and suffered the pains and penalties awarded by Whig malice . Every one who has seen this Soiree joins in praising the admirable

      arrangements of the Committee , the activity of the Stewards , and the highly respectable character of the assemblage . This is the largest room we could obtain , Otherwise wo could have easily doubled the numbers ; hundreds could not gain admission , and three and four prices were offered for one ticket , and always refused , those who had them would not have parted with them for any price . Mr . Peter Andekson took the chair , and regretted the absence of our truly worthy friend , Mr . Henry Rankin , who was necessarily detained in the country , and also that of Mr . John Watson , through indisposition .

      Mr . Blackie , our excellent and indefatigable Secretary , then read two letters , one from « L B . O'Brien , the other from J . Moir , of Glasgow , stating their inability to attend and regret thereat . The whole assembly then rose and sung the People ' s Anthem in grand style . After it had finished , Mr . Anderson rose and proposed as the first sentiment , The People , the legitimate Bource of all power . Mr . Sankey , in an eloquent manner , responded , and was loudly cheered in the course of his speech . Mr . O'Connor who had been at Lerth , aS a

      Soiree , then ascended the platform , and was received with waving of hats , ladies' handkerchiefs , clapping of hands , and loud cheering , that for some minutes made the welkin ring . After the cheering had subsided , and Mr . Sankey finished , The Chairman gave The Charter , and may it speedily become the law of the laud . Mr . John Duncan , of Dundee , then rose , and amidst the approving plaudits of the people , responded in fine style . He showed the importance of the Charter movement over every other at the present time , pointed out its benefit ) to the rich as well as poor , rejoiced that the cry had passed over the Channel , and after along and excellent speech sat down loudly cheered .

      The sentiment of " The distinguished champions of Chartism , Feargus O'Connor , Esq . and J . B . O'Brien , Esq . " was then followed by loDg continued cheering . Oar Secretary , Mr . Blackie , then read an address , adopted at a public meeting , to be presented to these distinguished patriot ? . A gentleman also read an AddresB from the Teetotal Chartists of Edinburgh . Mr . O ' Connor then rose , and was again and again loudly greeted with peals af applause . He remarked that it wonld be five years next month since he had visited Edinburgh first , and appeared before a large jury of modern Athenians to plead the cause of the people ; and although the case has

      been unfairly tried by the hirelings of the press , he had returned , to receive the meed of praise from them . He talked in glowing terms of the " crime" for which he had been incarcerated , and said that if loving to see the poor man enjoying his just rights was a crime , then he was a criminal . The only count that plain John and his minion * could find him guilty of , however , was being proprietor of the Northern Star . He said there was an adage in Ireland , that the best time to court a widow waa wben coming from the funeral of her husband ; and the Whigs , as if wishing to give Governmental authority to the saying , had tried to win the Chartists , shortly after having immured in dungeons 500 of their friends , * and when they could neither cajole

      nor allure them , tney turned rouna ano sjuu wan me Chartists were a miserable faotion . This put them in the position of owning that they themselves were weaker , having been beaten by these very factious Chartists ; He defended the course we have pursued ¦ with regardto annihilating the Whigs . Mr . O'Connor had attended forty-five meetings , and addressed upwards of a million of working men , in one fortnight . He gave cheering accounts of the spirit abroad , and anticipated glorious rewards for the struggling millions in the speedy attainment of their liberties . He spoke of the vrronga . of his native Ireland in a tally masterly style , and said that if he could help it he would never let England or Sootland obtain freedom one moment before ; Ireland . Ha contrasted out preaent poorer with o « position

      in 1831 , and said that it had cost us an immensity ot labour , six months and nearly £ 9 , 000 , to obtain one million two hundred and thirty thousand signatures in that year ; while in 1840 we had « 6 t , in one fortnight , for £ 69 only , two millions of signatures . Mr . O'Connor wanted thiB petition ^ for whiph he was now agitating , not to give confidence to Feel , bnt to the people . Be Baid that he had once objected to petitioning , but had altered his opinions on the subject , and had candidly confessed the utility of petitioning : he was ever open to conviction , and ready to yield to what was just . He referred to the forthcoming Convention , and trusted that with God s blessing they would do a , true service to the country . He referred to the Irish calling the Chartists , who had no controul over their own oppressors , the oppressors of Ireland . He contrasted the treatment

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      of Robert Lowery , in Dublin , with that of some of our Irish friends who came to visit us , and said thai Mr . LWery might be termed the Chartist Precursor Aviation of Ireland . We had now our 700 members in Dublin , and other ten Associations through the eountry . Mr . O'Connor was almost glad thatlne people had not go * the suffrage in 1833 . tha increase of political knowledge , which received a great impetus at that time , having been . 8 © marked and beneficial . Mr . O'Connor said that he was a friend to emigration , but that he would only . Sake one out of- avary parish , and that the people would feel the benefit of that system ; he would only take a state parson from every parish , and that would be the beneficial method of purgwg

      the country of the useless portion of the community In conclusion , he called upon his countrymen to stretch out the hand of fellowship to the . Scotch , and to remember that though Ireland was their country , the world was their republic ; and he asked what man amongst the Irish did not wish to render th « green land of his birth a home meet for a premier , and a grave worthy of bis ashes . The talented patriot then sat down amidst thunders of applause which lasted a considerable time . Mr . Andekson then gave oar distinguished repre ? sentatives , Col . Perronet Thompson and Mr . Robert Lowery . Mr . Lowery replied in a speeoh replete with beautiful sentiments and lofty language in every way worthy of himself . The next , the " Speedy return of Froat , Williams , and Jones , was given from the chair . ¦ Mr . Abram Duncan , in a pathetoio and foroibla address , responded . ¦ - ¦ .

      The " memory of Muir , Palmer , Margoret , Gerald ,, and Skiiving , " was . the next sentiment . Here an old venerable gentleman , one of the 1793 patriots , came to the front of the platform , and waj nailed with rapturous applause . > Mr . Sankey replied in his name to the sentiment , and said , that though the snows of age had fallen * he might say , on . the brows ef his venerable friend , Mr . Aickman , yet , was his heart as warm in the cause of liberty a ? when the , fire of youth and love of justice , prompted . him to associate himself with such men as the glorious . Muir ; he had known Thos . Muir , and if he waa guilty of , any crime in seeking freedom , his friend , Mr , Aickman , claimed to shwe , and gloried in the participation thereof . After Mr . Sankey sat down , the plaudita of the meeting , werelong and loud , and they were increased when they beheld tbe aged head , with lockfl as white as snow , applauding warmly the sentiments that had been uttered in his name .

      The CHArajuNnext gave the Northern Star , and democratic press . Mr . Abbam Duncan replied with pithy and pointed remarks , highly eulogising the hading Chartist organ , impressing upon the people the necessity of supporting the organs through which their principles and opinions passed untainted to the world } and also eulogised the Scottish Patriot , and wished God speed to every engine they possessed of combatting tyranny . Cheering and clapping of handsfollowed his noble appeal in behalf of the people ' s presB .

      Mr . Blackie then came forward and addressed the meeting . ' He alluded also to the absence of our our good and true Chartist brother , Mr . H . Rankea and Air . John Watson . He thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had attended the meeting , and was proud to eay that , instead of selling the number of tickets issued , he could have sold double the number . He also , thanked the gentlemen who had contributed to the intellectual feast . Mr . Innes proposed a vote of thanks to Messrs . M'Alpine and Slatie for their vocal entertainment . Three cheers were then given for the Chairman ; three for Feargus O'Connor ; three for O'Brien , and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , when th& assembly broke up highly delighted with the evening's entertainment ; and as peaceably as could be expected of men who valued their principles .

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      CRUEL AMD HEART-BENDING WORKING OF THE INHUMAN POOR 1 AW . Sir , —In allowing the following distressing account to appear in your columns , yon will be doing a shadow of justice to suffering humanity . Yesterday evening , after a lecture I delivered in Brick-lane , Spitalflelds , a person requested the audience to make a subscription to give relief to a family in the last stage of starvation , consisting of a man , his wife , and seven children . The meeting did so , and I was deputed to take the sum collected , viz : seven shillings and eightpence , and inquire into the case . I obeyed their request , and several other persons accompanied me . Our guide took us to a wretched looking house situated in a filthy court We ascended the stinking staircase ; in a nauseous garret , we found the unfortunate victims of class legislation , unjust laws , &c

      Thoname andresidence of the wretched man is Henry Potta , No . iy , Vine-court , Spitalflelds ; and be it remembered , this ia only an isolated case , out of numbers in this district Round the fire-place I saw huddled the ghastly spectres ef the mother and her seven children , nearly in a state of nudity . I was struck with horror . My feelings were overpowered and tears stole down my cheeks . I glanced round at my companions and found I was not alone in sorrow at the sieht of this wretched family . I asked the woman if her husband wtvs at home , but she told me be WHS gone to his brother ' s . I asked if she had no relief from the parish ? The answer was no—they had refused all out-door relief for some time , and that the family must come into the workhouse . She sa'd' she could not bear

      the thoughts of being parted from her children , and chose rather to die with them from destitution and starvation . The children vary in age from nine months to thirteen years . The man is a weaver . It appears ho is past work from exhaustion ; there was same kind of work in a loom "which he had got the end of last week , it will take him , with the assistance of his family , three weeks to finish , and then he would earn tea shillings . The family cannot live on air for that time j . and what is tbe money when they get it ? little more than one shilling per head . All the furniture the room contained was a stool , a broken table , a kind of bedstead , no bedding of any description , a dirty rotten ruj , part of a broken dish , and a jug—no other domestic articles of any kind whatever .

      I cannot dwell lpnger on this p&r&lvzvng scene pi horror . If any of your readers doubt my statement , I ask them to be their own witness . Sir , I would ask , through your journal , his Grace the Duke of Wellington , Sir Robert Peel , andtheii colleaguea in office , to enter the dens of misrule , and judge for themselves before they , in their official capacities , make a public statement that " no distress exists in our unhappy land . " I would ask his Grace the Bishop of London and the prelates under him , to obey the dictates of their Lord and Master Jesus Christ , by visiting these scenes of human misery and relieving the wretehed sufferers .

      I would askmycountrymenof all grades and opinions , to raise their voices against tbe inhuman system of starving their fellow countrymen to death . I remain , Sir , The servant of the people , Ruffey Ridley , Chartist Lecturer , IS ) , DOyley-street , Sloane-street , Chelsea . Nwembei * ttu 1841 ,.

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      An Amateur Informer . —On Friday night a man of respectable appearance went into the Norlbik Arms in the Strand , and ordered glasses round to a posse of individuals not the most unexceptionable in appearance or conduct , and tha landlord seeing that his customer had already taken too much for his own comfort , advised him to go home . This the foolish fellow would not , and said that he should inform against the landlord for refusing to serve him , and took a card of the house , so that he might not make any mistake . His companions highly applauded his resolution , and offered to take him to an informer who was " up to everything , "

      and away he went . The . next morning , however , his wife , buoyed up by hope , yet almost crushed with fear , presented the card , and asked whether £ 30 had been left for security with Mr . Cbilde . He then explained how lie victim ha * «* the card , and remembered that he had boasted of caving so much with him , which tho " gentleman who was up to everything" had no doubt taken notice of . Narrow Esc ape on the Gkbenock Railw ^ t . — On Saturday evening week , as the luggage < awin waa wending its way from Glasgow to , Greenock , the engineer descried the body of a man lying across the

      rails . The signal was immediately given , and tne breaksman stopped the train , but not . before the trucks , had , it was supposed , gone over the body . Burns , the breaksman , alighted on the train , stopping , and picked up the unfortunate individual , and brought him into Paisley . He proved to be a mason , who was the worse for liquor , and had fallen out of the third-claeft carriage . The guardjn froat of the engine had providentially , pitched the body off the rail , and thereby prevented his death . Had this individual been taken into custody , he would , ia accordance with the Railway Act , have been severely fined or imprisoned ; .: ¦ ¦¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ __ . _ ; „ .. ¦ ' ¦ ^ . J j The of the

      Mabbiages on the Boeder . — priestess far-fenwd temple of-Hvmen , the Sark ToUbar , m he ? evidence on a trial for feigajay lately at Cockeraouto , stated that 1300 couples bad been married there within the last six years . ; Thw , however , is exclusive of the number married by the . "bishop ^ of Gretna-hall , which ia one of the principal places of refuge for persecuted loveia . —Carlxde Journal . CoaSTOF Afbica . —From letters just received from Captain Buttfirriold , of her Majesty ' s ship Fantome , it appears that he has juat token another piize , berog the thirteenth since he has been on that station . The prize was a schooner , 30 feet m length by 9 feet beam , and had on board one hundred and five slaves , all children , besides the crew . The deck on which the slaves were stowed was only 18 inches clear from the mat they lay on to the deck between the beams . It is a curious circumstance that the whole Of tne prizes taken by Captain Butteifield have been captured on a Sunday

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      Horrid Destitution

      HORRID DESTITUTION

      Untitled Article

      THE NORTHERN STAR . . ' >'; . ¦ . VT ^ '

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 13, 1841, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1135/page/7/