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Northern Star (1837-1852), 19th February 1842, Edition 1 of 5, Page 5

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      Untitled Article

      TO THE GENERAL COUNCILLORS , SUBSECRETARIES , &c , 0 ? THE NATIONAL

      CHARTER ASSOCIATION . ELECTION OF THE CONTENTION . The balloting lists not having been sent in from B&ny important towns in several electoral disticts , the ballot will be kept open until Saturday , the 26 ih i > -siAyT , then positively to close 1 The numbers for the several candidates will be published in the Star of Saturday , the 5 : h 01 March , when the public meetings for the final election will take ¦ pl ace . , ,. In the Star of next Saturday the resolu . ions and addresses of the Executive , agreed to at their Bristol Bitting , will be published , and the time for the ailing of the Convention made kcown .

      The General Cornell and sub-Secretaries are Etrictly enjoined to complete me ballot , and lorwaid to the General Secretary the correct lists wiihin the time stated . ABy . negJect or delay wnl tend to produce serious confusion . ¦ By order of the Executive , Joh > - Cahpbell , Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      We will , for the . purpose of proving to ycu the pesuliar merits of our plan of Government , explain to you briefly the effects of the system .

      OvB THESENT POSITION . We have issued abonU 0 , 060 cards within avery limited period . That large nnmber must not be supposed to constitute our whole strength , because we hare attached to onr Association inany thousands wno , as yet , hare not taken out their cards , out wno on every occasion , where a demonstration of strength is necessary , master in euch overwhelming numbers as to outvote the expediency-mongers in their own scrongholcs . To afford a more sa'isfactory proof of our gradpally increasing strength , three huuured and thirty " cities , towns , and populous localities have declared for our principles , and have adopzed the plan of organisation of the National Charter Association .

      We have remarked with peculiar satisfaction tfcat the trades have , in manyplace 3 , declared their adherence to the Charter ; that the colliers of the Tvne have adopted our views , and recommended onr pi&n of organisation ; that the Bradford Reform Club hare virtuously overthrown policy and half measnres of Reform , aad acknowledged the necessity of the . People s Charter becoming the law of the land ; that several dissenting congregations have considered it to be . their sacred and Christian duty to attach tnemselve 3 to our bodj , and strive for the political regeneration of their country ; and finally , thtt the ^ is 3 aad benevolent of the Corn Law Repealers especially , have , _ at length , discovered tnat the present House of Caznmon ; mu .-t bs completely purged before any measure of justice worth the acceptance of the people can be carried into practice .

      THE JiATJOJUI , TBTTXlOy . This document issued by the Executive ha ? met with the approval of the English , Welsh and Irish people , and , notwithstanding some temporary opposition in Scotland has b . en adopted by ihe majority of the Scottish working men . It would be a waste of time to occupy many paragraphs in answering the objections urged by some of the S ; oUUh leader ? , ma-ny of whom seem to be more hostile to the National P ; an of Organisation , than tp the m £ j ' : t 3 of the Fetu ' wn , and the motives of whom must be so apparent , that the people can immediately detect them .

      We have no desire to come into collision with the Central Committee of Scotland or be dragged into a controversy with any of our neighbours , neither shall we psnaii personal abuse or pubJio denunciation to lead us into the whirlpool of division , however long or earnestly men may strive to effect it . Wa re : ain our position by and through public opinion alone , and we are determined to do our duty in despite of private animosity or undisguised attack . The Petition i 3 before the people and we shall submit to no decision , except it ba given by the reason , of the majority . To that tribunal we appealed and to no other . W e had a favourable response and it will require more power to alter the decision than our adversaries possess in Glasgow , Dublin , and London .

      If firmness is a crime , we plead guilty to the charge . If consistency is to be denounced , then we must fali . If the rights of labour are not in all points and on every occasion to be defended and upheld , then we can be of no further service as the Executive ; therefore , from the leaders in Scotland , prejudiced , we appeal to the people , unfettered in judgment and all powerful in opinion . O . her documents have been laid before the public for ihtir approval , and simultaneously in Glasgow and . London different petitions have been carried , one of whieh is a mere echo of the National Petition , as the Association from which it emanates is tho Ehadow of our great National Charter Association .

      It has been remarked , that the chief opponents to fhe National Petition have lain in wait for objections , and instead of urging them when a safe remedy could be supplied , they have advanced them only when mischief could be done , on the plea that everything must be wrong which they do not approve of or originate . We have satisfied ourselves as to the approval of the people , and we shall , in further proof of the bentBclal effects arising from the issue and distribution of 100 , 000 petitions , mention the fact that the public press have inserted the document in full , in page 3 where our efforts and principles were formerly ridiculed . We name the York Courant , the Kent Herald , the Gateshead Observer , the Morning Advertiser , the Falmouth Packet , the Welsh press , and a long list of other publications , stamped and unstamped , -

      We have also to record another fact equally illustrating the determination of the people to have their grievances fairly and fully reported , that in the North of Eng . and many have been discharged from the factories who signed the National Petition and received the same treatment for not signing the anti-Corn Law Petition . With Vaese statements and facts before ns , we again urge upon one and all the absolute importance of attaching their signatures to the petition sheets ,

      and of adopting every mode by which a fair and full opportunity should be given to the public in the streets , at their homes , and the doors of public meetings , to rt a 4 their dissent from the atrocious Government and its cruel and unnatural enactments . Remember that be who silently submits , wilfully consents to the system ; but he who manfully protests , performs the first duty which is due ro himself , his children , and his country . He no longer by tacit obedience empowers the Government to repeat injustice and legalise oppression .

      THE C 0 > v £ STI 0 N . Amongst other plans calculated to advance the cause ana give greater effect to the National Petition , we prt » jeeted , the plan of representation which was laid before the association , and it was our full intention to have in each district , the number" of de ' egsies m proportion to oar resources of the constituency . We have received statements from one or two places , complaining of the limited means of the association , which proves that our divisions , extensive as they are , are too limited to afford the proper amount of contributions . Two districts are altogether unable to advance their quota of the funds , "

      and acting upon the sound principle of the Charter , the members of the association do not desire representation without tax&tion . Northampton and Oxfordshire have also been unable to aid Warwick and Worcester in the return of two candidates , which is a mauer of great regret to us , and clearly shows that continued agitation is absolutely necessary to increase onr strength . Notwithstanding these drawbacks , we must impress upon the members of the associations in other distrie ? s , tbe necessity of abiding by the division which has been made and which will bi adopted as a rule for the electors of the forthcoming Convention .

      It is impossible for u ? , neither would it . be just to alter general arrangements , so as to serve particular districts . The rule of action ought to be to legistate for all , not fo- individuals ; therefore , we have not interfered wiih the arrangements previously sanctioned by the people , although we have had requests made to do i-o from several districts . Tne Lancashire Council deserves onr beet thanks for the support they have afforded us in this respect , and without which the plans of the Executive would be guided by every friend , and altered by evtry interest . We nave also to appeal to the people to maintain

      the purity of election ; and wherever the majority have baliored , to pay that obedience to the decision i > f tho many wnich is the duty of a Chartist ; and therefore , to return , without opposition , at the public meetings , those who are pjsced at the top or the poli . We regret to find that in some instances threats have been made to the effect , that if certain men were not returned , the supplies of the Convention would be stopped . We are very willing to suppose this to be the mere ebullition of election sguabbJes , which oughi , bowevfr , never to diegrace our booy , bat whicn we feel firmly of opinion the iteople tiiemselves will instantly forbid and

      oppo-e . Candidates who may be proposed for localities where the number oi voi . es are limited have no right to complain of being in a minority , and the remedy is not to threaten the stoppage of the Rupplits , but to work harder in these districts where the number of votes are so iimitsd . We coiifidently appeal to the people to set these temporary differences rijjht , and , on every occasion they have it m their power , to discountenance all proceeoings likely to bring ridicule or disgrace upon onr national cause .

      Out advice on this subject is very simple , and fonnded on justice to all , obedience to the majority , and respect to ourselves . First , let the divisions of the couu ' . y be strictly observed for this election Secondly , ballot fairly and honourably for the Candidas . Thirdly , return without opposition and unanimously these candidates at the public meetings who have received the majority of rotes . Fourthly 1 st all difivrence be buried , every division be forgiven , all bitterness be forgiven , after the election , and let "« Tery shoulder be put manfully and honourably to the wheel w > rai&e contributions for the support of those men who hare- been returned to gerve as members of the People ' s Parliament . This , we conceive , is sound Chartism ; and the observance of these rules will reflect honour instead of disgrace apon us .

      TOSTPOIfEHEKT OP COKTiNTIOfl . We have , after mature deliberation , decided on altering the day of nuetnig of the Convention of the Inriustnous Classes , ionhe following reasonB : — F . rst , we wish to have tima to coi respond with our Scottish brethren on the important subject of fending delegates to Lond < n , and of ascertaining ih ir decjs-ion as to the numbers they are disposed te elect , or the rules th * -y may think proper to adopt for th ^ r own country ; and we have particularly to request the- opinion of tie CnanibW of the various towi : s and districts who have edeped the National Pctvn&n , and who are willing to co-operate with as :-n ibis greas undertaking .

      Untitled Article

      We are anxious to cultivate a good understanding with them , and we are determined to leave no stone unturned to have a cordial union established between the Chartists of England and Scotland ; therefore whatever complaints may have been made on the subject of the petition , we have resolved to have their opinion and decision on the Convention . Secondly , we are mosi anxious to have a large number of signatures to the National Petition . We conceive that the sanction of three or four million of people will give us mora authority to act , and without which sanction we cannot take that high pesitien from which W 8 could remonstrate wiih effect , and act with success .

      Thirdly , we wish to give the people more time to collect funds for Conventional purposes , that we may have it in our power to secure a commodious and central room to assemble in , and appear in the character of representatives of the people . Fourthly , we have taken into consideration the propriety of carrying down the Petition at the head of as large a body of men as can be assembled together on the day of presentation , and we have strong hopes that the tiades of London , and the people of the neighbouring districts will be present in overpowering numbers at such an important ceremony .

      We fully expect to prove to ; the Government that the simple reason of a people ' s wrongs is calculated to rouse the attention of miilions , and more pa'riotism & \> d intelligence than the borfowed trappings of royalty , or the pageantry of kings . We are resolved to attempt tho contrast , and we rely upon the people of all places toco-operate with us on that day when a demons-ration will be made in behalf of the oppressed . No time should be lost in preparing for such au undertaking , and if possible , the Irish , Scotch , and Welsh should be iuduced to

      take part in the presentation of a document now scamped as the NatioEal Petition . Let the trades of London decide , and we fear not tho result . L * t every man be a '> work to dLet , this desirable object . Let the four nations go down to Parliament peacefully y < t firmly ; great is the majority of union , and powerful is the cause of justic * . Lit their voice be heard at the doors of the House of Commons , and their demands be repfa'ed from the Member to the Mirisiry , and from the Privy Council to the Throne .

      Fifthly , it is important at this critical moment that a watchful eye should be kept upon the movement , of the contending parties in the state , and that in particular , we should be in full posiesaon of the nl eerier intentions of the Government aud tho Com Law Repealers . Such information will bo of great use to an assembly of Delegates , and wo are anxious to have a conference with them , and receive their opinion on the future plans to be adopted and line of action to be purged by tfce Chartists . . We have also most earnestly to caution the people against the deception which will be practised upon them , against the existence of any secret association , and against the encouragement of violent and imprudent m «^ n or measures .

      Finally , we have every reason to congratulate you on the position we occupy , the numbers wo havo enrolled , and the improving prospects whicharebefore us . Oar constant desire is to ssrve you faithfully . Let it be yours to support us manfully , in every proper and just cause which we may pursue . James Leach . P . M . M'Douall . R . K . Philp . Morgan Williams . John Campbell , Seo .

      Untitled Article

      UNION OF THE MIDDLE AND WORKING CLASSES . A meeting of the Anti-Corn Law Delegates and others favourable to the Extension of Suffrage , was held in the small room of the Crown and Anchor un Monday evening . The meeting was called together by the following hand bill , issued by Mr . Smrge , and circulated during the day : —

      " COMPLETE SUFFRAGE . " Joseph Sturge respectfully requeata such of the DslegaWa to tho Anti-Corn Law Conference as may en' ^ criain views favourable to ' Complete Suffrage , ' to meet at the Refreshment Room , Crown and Anchor Tavern , at seven o ' clock this evening . Admission may be procured by presenting a Delegate ' s Ticket at the door . " Friday Morning , Feb . lltb , 1842 . " The room was well filled . Among those present were observed Joseph Sturge , Esq . ; Sharman Crawford , M . P . ; Dr . Madden , Dubliu ; George Thompson ; John Bright , Rochdale ; A . Prentice ,

      Manchester ; Wm . Ibbotson , Sheffield ; Rev . Mr . Bailey , Sheffield ; Rev . Mr . Renton , Kelso ; Rev . Mr . Owen , Staffordshire "; Rev . Thomas Spencer , Bath ; Rev . Mr . Cairns , Paisley ; Rev . Mr . Lowe , Forfar ; Mr . H ; chen , Manchester ; John Childs , Bungay ; Joseph Cor ' oett , Birmingham ; Hamer Stan&feld , Leeds ; Edward Bast < r , Dundee ; Josiah Condor , London ; Nathaniel Grffi'i , E ? q . ; Wm . Boultbee , Birmingham ; Mr . Curtis , Ohio ; Stafford Allen , E ^ q . ; Dr . Perry , Boston ; Lawrence Hcyworth , Esq ., Liverpoel ; Johu Dunlop , E = q ., Edinburgh ; Edward Lankester , M . D . ; C . E . Kawiins , Esq ., Liverpool ; Mr . Henry Hetherington ; Mr . Watkins , Manchester ; Mr . Wm . Lovett .

      Joseph Sturge , Esq . was unanimously called to the chair . The Rev . T . Spencer addressed the meeting at some length in advocacy of an extension of the Suffrage . He thought that the higher and middle clashes did not repose sufficient confidence in cie working classes . For himself he could say no one could have been better received than he at the meeting of the working classes at Hath ; and yet he had done much to provoke them ; but they knew he had done it honestly , and therefore they forgave him . The working classes would think and let think . He had great confidence in the working mea , and the chief mischief of the country was the want of it . In the higher classes there was an unnecessary

      suspicion of them , and thai was because people were apt to judge otters by themselves . Those wno had sinecures and pensions , and brought up their families to the army and navy , and by the law of primogeniture fattened on the spoils , tnink that other classes , if they had the same power as themselves , would use it in the same manner . But before they put the workman in the possession of power , they would be sure that they should not have the same power of abusing ir . They would not have the law of primogeniture , and he wag sure that Mr . Sturge would agree to thip , that they would have less war and less army and navy . These evils nad been ascribed to overproduction ; he was disposed to think there had been an over-production of one commodity—there had been

      an over-production of laws—( loud cheer ? . ) He should very much like to see a Parliament that for two or three sessions , would do nothing but destroy laws , instead of making them . They had laws which meddled with everything , with their money , their religion —( hear , hear , and cheers)—and with their trade ; with everything they could mention . If the working men were admitted to power , he hoped they would guard against meddling with too many things ; the grand thing was to protect person and property , and leave everything else alone . There were no more important words than "let alone "—the laissez faire , of the French . Above all , let them leave tride alone . The grand question was , whether , if the working men obtained a

      general Suffrage , would they judge wisely of their candidates ! When at Southampton , with his friend ^ Mr . George Thompson , he saw that drunken ruffians were hired to disturb their meeting , as long as they etaid , by the County Members 1 * Would the working men have dared to do this ? The Parliament he considered eo ill chosen , that he did not think they could choose & worse . When the best and holiest who ever wore the garb of human nature , Jesus Christ , the son of a carpenter , who even worked as a carpenter , was seen to possess everything that is admirable , and deserved respect , yet the rich despised him ; the Scribes and the Pharisees hated ; Herod and Pomius Pilate set him at nought , but the common people heard him gladly .

      Had the Suffrage , then , been with the rich , woold they have chosen him as their leader ! Would they have chosen th «» very best of the earth 1 No ; but the common people heard him gladly , and would gladly have done it . It appeared to be the will ot God that the common people should be always ready to hear gladly the grand truths of religion and politics . But how were they to obtain the Suffrage 1 Why , they had the power of passive resistance , and of self-denial . He should be willing to deny himself every exciseable article—indeed , he had done bo for other reasons , and bo might alland would the Government do without the money 1 If necessary , he should bo prepared to refuse the payment of the assessed taxes . He approved of the Memorial to the Queen , and said he could state

      some circumstances which led him to believe that their Queen was with the working classes—( cheere . ) The itey . Mr . Yockg , of Andover , urged the necessity of union between the working and the middle classes . The union was a natural one . The working mea stood in need of the capitalist , and it was the energy of the working men that made capital valuable . How was it , then , they had become separated 1 Each party had committed faults , and in order to become reunited , they should look each other boldly in the face , and see what were the faults they had committed . As a middle-class man , he would at

      once admit that too many of the middle classes had looked too much to their own interest . But while ha admitted this , he must say thai the working classes bad also committed faults . ( Cries of Hear , hear . " ) He went fully with them into the suffrage question , but he thought they were in fault , in seeking to peatpone the Corn Law question to the Suffrage question . If ever there was a practical question which came home t « j the working man , it was that of Corn Law repeal . Let them go on with the practical question , and having gained that , let them go on to ibe iheoredeal ques : ion . He urged upon the meeting the necessity of union between the middle classes

      Untitled Article

      and the working classes tocarry tho Corn Law question , which by union they might do ma few months , for the Ministers would give way before them , and he pledged himself to the men of the working classes that they ; would take the suffrage question into their most anxious consideration , and agitate with them for it , tmtil it wonld bo gained . Ha was convinced that without union they could gain neither ; with unien they oould gain both . He would say try the Corn Law first ; and if they fail to carry the repeal of the Corn Law , he would say lay aside ai once the Corn Law agitation , and begin , a fresh agitation for the suffrage , and he would urge them to go on until the nation possessed every right which it ought to possess . ¦ . ' " :- ; ¦ . ¦ ; ¦; ,. ;¦ ¦ . ¦ : ¦;¦ ¦; .-. ¦¦¦ :- '

      Mr . A . Prentice would not have addressed the meeting , had it not been for the conclusion of the address of the last speaker ; The agitation for the suffrage was not now to be begun ; it had begun long Bince , and he protested against postponing Corn Law agitation His desire was not to see one agitation displacing the other , but to see the two going on collaterally . ;? A Gentleman in thebody of the meeting requested to know what wa g the resolution they were discussing ! . •' . / ¦ : ¦ - ¦ ¦'¦ : ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' ' : . ' , ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' : ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ ' - -.. .

      Mr . Sturge explained that the meeting was one rather for mutual explanation in conversational matter than for coming to any resolution' —; there was bo resolution before the meeting . The question before tho meeting was , the propriety of presenting a memorial to the Queen , praying her Majesty riot to take to her oouncils | nor to retain in them , "apy persons who were not prepared tp grant complete Suffrage to the people ; Mr . PALLrsEB had begua life as a working man , and now he was one of the > middle c ' a *» es , possessing a voice in returning . eight Members to Parliament ^ in different places , a right which no man ought to possesBS . He thought working men had shown their wisdom in standing Bti . l as they had done in regard

      to the Corn Law agitation . He bad formerly peen of a different opinion , but he now saw that they were right , and the event had shown ifc Once bit twice shy ; and as they had been deceived on thepecasion ef the Reform Bil ) , they were not again to be caught —( cheers . ) What could they expect froma House of ' Commons constituted like the present ? What they wanted was a House of Commons representing the majority of the people , and not the few —( hear , and cheers ) ^ -not one which legislaited to take money out of the pockets of the people to put it into their own . Since 1815 the landowners who composed the Parliament had treblod their rente . What wa 3 the remedy for this class legislation Why , au extension of SuffrageT- ( cheers ) -r-with

      Vote by Ballot —( loud cheers ) -aud equal electoral districts —( repeated cheers . ) That was what ' himself and his friends in the parish of St . Luke had petitioned for in addition to .-a ¦ t » . talrepeal of the Corn Laws—( pheers . ) The Chartists in his district had joined with them , and he had always found them men of good Bound common sense .. He called upon the middle and working classes to follow their example , and to unite to obtain the complete Suffrage , and to put an end to class legislation—( cheers . ) He had read with indignation and disgust Peel's statements as to the amount of meat and bread consumed by the working classes in foreign countries . Now , what was the mighty discovery Peel had made I Why , that John Bull loved roast beef better than the foreigners did , and that when he could pay for it he would have it . But since Peel had compared the mode of living of the English he

      working men with that of the foreigner ^ ( Mr . Palliser ) should like to make a comparison between the aristocracy of England and . that of foreign oonrir tries—( cheers)—and they would find that the luxury , voluptuousness , and profligacy in which the English aristocracy induged at the expence of the poor men , was what any other nation would blush at—( hear , hear , and cheers . ) And this could not be remedied until class legislation should be done away with . He would remind Sir Robert Peel of what happened to Rehoboam , when he despised the outcries of the people . The cry then raised was— "Every man to his tent ' —( cheers . ) They all knew what was the result . Let the aristocracy beware in time —( cheers . ) John Bull would not submit much longer to be oppressed and plundered as he had been . They did not want to oppress and plunder others , but they wanted to prevent others from oppressing and plundering them—( oheer 8 . ) :

      The Rev . Mr . Miail , who was announced as the editor of The Nonconformist , then stepped forward , and was received with loud cheering . Some persons had urged the necessity of superseding the Corn Law movement by the Suffrage movement , and others had argued for superseding the Suffrage movement by the Corn Law agitation . Let them look at the House of Commons as it had been recently elected , through intimidation and bribery he would allow , but elected by ; the middle elaBses- ^ cheers)—why , it was one which wonld establish every principle of monopoly to its fullest extent . No " w > the only way of remedying this state things was by giving a prominent place to the Suffrage movement . — ( Hear ) At the same time he would not desist

      from agitating the Corn Law question ! . " - '; The Corn Law League , by their agitation , did good to the Suffrage movement . They opened the eye ? of the people , and ho believed verily that that agitation had done more to forward the Suffrage tnovemen ' among the middle classes than anything else . That agitation had noiy been going on for three years ; they had had their meetings , their conferences , their bazaarp , and what effect had they produced upon the aristocracy 1 Before they did that they must have a broader base to rest upon . They : required some stronger lever to move the aristocracy than any they had yet worked , and they could only find that lever fay extending the suffrage . He would be no party to any such delusion as that of asking the working

      chases to postpone tho agitation for the suffrage to the Anti-Corn Law agitation , on an understanding that the middle classes would assist them artemards in obtaining the guffrage-- ( cheer 8 ) He was for the extension of the suffrage to every man entitled to it . Every man hid a right to it —( cheers ) He demanded it for every man as a right —( oheers . ) Now if that right were fully , fairly , arid honestly recognised , he could see no pretencer—he could see neither the wisdom nor the necessity , for postponing the agitation to obtain that right for anything else—( cheers . ) There were other parts of the Charter with which he could riot agree , but ho agreed in the pr incipal question . Let them settle the question of right , and then let them , having settled it , go for the complete suffrage in its most extensive and honest

      sense . He would urge the question upon tho middle classes siirip ' y as one of right . One great argument to be used to the middleclass to convert them to tho cause of the extension of the suffrage was their attention to the fact of the evils of existing monopolies . The utter impossibility of remedying those evils , or preventing their recurrence , without enlarging the basis of the representation , by extending the suffrage to every man who had a right to it . Let them go on with the Anti-Coru Law movement , but they would never succeed unless they joirfed the Suffrage movement with it , Neither the middle nor the working / classes , were sufficiently powerful to carry their point , but by uniting they would break the yoke beneath which they now groaned—( loud cheers . ) - ¦ ' : ¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ / : ¦ : ¦ .: . - ¦• • ¦ ¦ ¦ , ¦ •/'• ¦ ¦ . ¦ ';¦ ' . ' ; .

      Rev . Mr . Young explained . He had not wished to set aside the suffrage agitation for the Corn law agitation , but as of two thiDgs one must be first , he had thought it , under present circumstances , more desirable ta commence with the Corn Law question . ' because it ¦ would more immediately tend tp relieve the wants of the fitmishiBg multitude- ^( cheers )—and tie also thought it was more immediately attainable . If he thought they could obtain the suffrage with eqaal facility , he Would prefer haying the auffrage to the repeal of the Corn Laws— ( Cheers . ) - > ; : ;¦ ¦ - '¦ ¦ ' ¦ : ' . ¦ ' ¦ ¦ . ! '¦ . ¦ ¦ •¦ ' / . •/ ' ., '¦' ¦¦ '

      Mr . William LovETTi-who was yery warmly greeted , then addressed the meeting . He said he bad intended to be a listener , and had not any Idea of declaring Ms sentiments to the meeting . With regard to the People ' s Charter , if it coald be shewni that it contained any one principle , or any matter of detail not necessary to just legislation , he , for one , ; should be most willing to give up that part of it—( hear , hear ) Of all the objections that had b « en urged- against the Charter , he had never heard any satisfactory / reason / civen against any of the details ic included . In the first place , nothing was said in the Charter of Universal Suffrage—( hear , near )—it contained not a word about it . We say that every man twenty-one years of age ought to have a vote -who was untainted with

      crime—( hear , hear . ) We then declare that there must bo a qualification of three months' residence ; having so far conceded the right to the suffrage , we say that he ought to be protected in exercifling that right , and for this purpose we assert the necessity of the Vete by Ballot We say , in the next place , that they ought to be at liberty to choose whosoever they please , and therefore , all property queliflcation is aboliahsd . They considered that if these points were not conceded , all other measures would be a mockery ; it would be like giving the right of the suffrage to spatrowa ; and allowing them to elect only hawks—( hear , hear . ) Saving this power of electing whoever they pleased , they thought they should have the power of paying those individuals for their services . They said that the present electoral system ia unjust , ant . therefore they declare electoral districts to be necessary . All these principles were embodied

      in , and carried out , in the Charter , for this special reason—they had often been taunted with being visionary —with sot being practical . That was the reason the People ' s Charter stated , how all these points ¦ were to be worfced out Details were Important and necessary Tho Reform Bill , when carried in the House of Commons , was entirely marred in the details . He should like to see a cordial union among the people ; he should like to tee the middle and the werfeing classes combined ; they Would never see , or he able to bring about , any change worth mentioning but by this means . But the working classes must w-k , you concedo to ns the right of the suffrage as a principle , why then , thus coinceuing tha principle , should you stand aloof from prejudice ? ( Hear , hear . ) Tbero had dpubtiesa been a great deel of Tiolc-nce and folly amoDg the party who preftrred the principles '; of Ctiartisni , but it vf as no reason for giving up a good and juat cause becattso bad

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      men were among its adiocates—lhear , hear . ) There were bad men to be found among Christians , but was that aiiy reason for rejecting the principles of Christianity ? ( Hear , bear . V How much better wot » ld it be for the middle class to dispel the bigotry that prevailed among them , and ; ^ to bring over tuo working men , and disprove the Tiolcnse and folly that might be found among themr- ( hear , hear , hear . ) This point was clear , that they must come out for the Charter as a whole j let them discuss it : Jet them show that its principles y * pre ferroneous ; let : them discuss it fairly , ahdhe had no hesitation in sayiDg that if they adopted it : honestly ^ the y ^ would find that the middle and Working classes would be in combination in Ies 3 than twelve months . With regard to / the Corn Laws , he was an advocate for free trade ; and the only reason why he had stood apart from the advocates of the repeal of those laws , was a conviction that they would never be able to carry it in the Hqase Of Cdtumons as at present

      constituted—( hear , hear . ) It had also been supposed by the working classes that the agitation for thorepsal of the Corn Laws had been get up as a counter agitaT tiottto the Charter— - ( ho , no . ) It was certain that at tho time the first meeting was « alled in London , for the Charter , inPalacb-yard , just at that time an article appeared in the True Sun , calling ; on the middle classes to coinmence the agitation for the repeal of the Com Laws The -working men were led to bsiieva it was meant as a counter movement . He dirt riot mean to say this opinion was correct , but such was the conclusion they were led to adopt . He did not justify all tho proceedings of the Chartists ; he was opposed to the interference of tho 8 e . who ictsrfered with and interrupted the proceedings of public meetings called on other subjects . But let Mr . Sturge iand his Mends enquire into the Chatter as a Whole ; he should , be prepared to give up points that were proved to be Eon-essential , and by these riieans there would be a chancs of a cordia , ] union between the middle and working classes . ( Gheers . )

      Mr . Miall said they did not deny the justice of the principles of the pharttr , but thought they should do more gpod by adopting the line o £ policy tiey had marked but , than by siicply resting on the principiis of the Chartists , who would not take one point without theother 8 . ; " . Mr . Sharman Crawfobd , M . P ., haying been loudly called for , paid he should be wanting in respect to the meeting , if he did not accede to the call it had made on him , by addressing to them a few obs < rvaf 3 ons . He had obtained both inetrnctSon and pleasure from the proceedings of that evening , for he rejoiced to think that there was a probability of obtaining what was so esssential to the interests of the whole community—a complete union between the employing and the workiug

      classes or this country . It was essential to the prosperity of this conntry , that there should be unity and friendly feeling between them ; and it was to be regretted that it had ever been interrupted . He hoped the time was coming when ill feeling would no longer exist . He considered that all their evils arose from classlegislation —( hear , hear )— -and that they never would be obviated till the whole people were fully and fairly represented in the House of Commons—( cheers . ) He considered that tUe Corn Law agitation and the agitation for an extended sufiFrage ought to go hand ia hand together , and aid one another . Without that degree of union they could not expect' to carry a repeal of the Corn Laws / nor could they expect any good legislation of any description . Front the House of Commons ,

      constituted as it now is , thoy could txpect no gooa measure , not till the people had the full power of electing their representatives-- ( hear . ) He therefore thought the working classes were right in pressing ^ forward that question—( hear , hear ) —because he was perfectly persuaded that it was only by an organic reform . , of the House of Commons , that any good measure could be expected to be obtained—( cheers . ) He had himself given notice of a motion for an extension of the sufifrage to the working classes . That motion waa given ; for the earliest convenient day after the Easter recess . Ibe discussion of the Corn LawB would , he expect-id , take

      up most of the time of tl » e House till that recess . His health , also , though re-established , would hardly permit him to do justice to the question till that time . He wished them to understand that the postponement did not arise from any lufcewaramess . He did not see ariyreason far a distrust of the working classes , inasmuch as their interest , and the interest of the men of property , Were identical . He had always thought that the people we > re entitled to the right of thesufltrage , and bad always endeavoured to contend for it—( cheers ) —and every exertion of mind and body should be given to obtain it , in the position he now had the honour to occupy—( eheerSi )

      Mr . BROOKS addressed the meeting on the moral influence of such assemblies as the present , amid loud calls for Mr . Thompson . : Mi . Geoege Thompson was loudly cheered on rising . He said he was delighted to be there , it was always refreshing : to get upon a discussion embracing some entire principle . He confessed that times without number , and at meetings of another kind , they "were obliged to discuss only the branchea of a great question , and had no opportunities of coming at once to the seat of the disease . One great principle was embraced in their discussion to-night ; they riot only l-ecognised the right of the great body of the people to-the suffrage ,

      but their fitness to exercise it The only security from a constant invasion of their rights and the abuse of political power was , admitting the peopla within the pale of the Constitution , by giving them the right of tue BuflFtage—icheers . ) Mr . T . proceeded to advocate the extension of the suffrage , in a very eloquent address , in which he conceded the extension of the suffrage as a grand and distinct principle , but enforcing the policy of leaving other poirits of detail to be settled by the first Chartist Parlianjent— . hear , '¦' bear . ) Even without the franchise , they ceuld do much in the world ia which they lived * and leave it better than they found it . They might do this , though they had not the baJlqt box , and could notgo openly to the poll .

      After a few observations from the Chairman and Mr . Lovett in expJanatipn , ; The Rev . T . Spencer took the chair , and thants were voted by acclamation tp Mr . Sturge for having called the meeting , and for the able manner in which he hid presided over the discussion .

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      TO THE WOBKINGMEN OF ENGLAND , SCOTLAND , AND WALES . BEOTHEB- CjHARTiSTS , —My friend , Mr . O'Connor , has once or twice called upon you to aid and assist me in again / pursuing the duties of my proftssion , which Were of course ntglected during the agitition and my subsequsnt imprifconment . . I am not vtiy . desirous to depend at any time upon public subscriptions or private aid , and less so when I may easily , without interfering with . my publicservices ih the cause , pursue my avocations as a medical man . At the instigation and by the a < ivice of many of my friends I have decided upon writing u pamphlet , which I shall distribute graiuiteusly , descriptive of the origin and effects of those diseases to which the working class are peculiarly liable , and then offer a remedy to them , which if purchased will contribute to my support aa well as their benent . L

      I will make no hunt-me-custoin promises which I may not be be able to fulfil , nor avail , mjself of the puff of quackery ; but since my political sentiments have excluded me from the chance of exercising my skill aa a general practitioner , I see nO > reasou why I should not oflar a general medicine to the peeple . I shall as speedUy - as possible commence my profesaional duties in the way I have named ; and I shall confidently appeal to my friends in tbe different parts of the country for support , for the appointment of agents , arid for the salt } of a medicine -which shall , I hope , like Chartism , owe its patronage to ita merits alone . ; . : . ' . : // - '¦' - . : > ' - ' , " . " ; ¦ ; . . 7 ; " . ' ¦ . " : ¦ ' / ¦; . ¦¦ :-. ;• . Mr . Leach has kindly offered his assistance for Lanca shire , and I may add copgratulates / me ( along with my brother members of the Executive ) on the prospect ; and if success attends me I will not have to retire from the active duties of fhe'movement . /

      I am not aware that I need eav any more upon the subject , but to request those friends who are disposed to / a-isiBt mo as agents , to forward their names for / the North of England to Mr . Leach , Tib-strefct , Manchester ; and to the South , to Mr . Cleave , 1 , Shoe-lane , London . I remaihi my dear friends , / . Faithfully yours , . P . M . M'Douall .

      ®Lwvtist 3entetffatftw

      ® lwvtist 3 Entetffatftw

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      PiNDeb ' s BLACKJNG . ^ -The following is themoney due to the "Executive for the two weeks past , from the sale of R . / Pinder's Biacking ;—" ' ¦•¦¦ ' - , . ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ " ¦ '" ¦ '¦ ¦ ¦' ¦ : - ;" : : '" . ' . ' y v / ¦ ¦ ; ¦ .. ¦ " ' ' ¦ : . fl . 'd . ¦ ¦' Mr . Llewellyn , New Bridge , South WaltB v .. ¦ •/ . -.. « :. ¦ ... ' ¦ ¦ ' — 1 10 Mr . Chappel , Bath ... .. * ... 1 10 Mr . Emmeraon , Arnold ... ... 10 Mr . Weaiberhead , Kt'ighley ... 4 4 ^ Mr . Hibard , Mansfield . ... ; ... 1 10 ,-, Mr . Baird , Boitori ... ... ... 0 5 Mr . Gibson , Manchester ... ... I 10 Mr . Lunsdoll , Brighton ... ... 110 Mr . Wakefield , CireBcsster ... 2 9 Air . Kingston , Hsirettan ... ... 0 9

      ¦ ' / ' " ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦" ¦ 17 1 ] s Dublin . —The uEual weekly meeting was held at the rooms , 14 , iS ' orth Anne-street . Encouraging letters were read from various parts of Ireland . Mr . John Featherstone , of Kochdaie , was admitted a member by acclamauon . Mr . Q'H'ggins entered the room during the proceedings , wnen he was hailed by three deafening cheere . Whea the cbeerr ing had somewhat BubbiCed , Mr , P ' Hijtgins rose and said , that he was at a . losa how to express hh thanks for the mauly and talented manner in which they defended bis character whilst absent in the eister corintry—England , and in a style that would reflect

      credit on auy body ot' mtn . Mr . O-H . read the address presented to him by the jaen [ ot Leicester , thrdughout tue reading of which he was loudly cheered , and concluded by reading a letter , request ^ ing him to propose Mr . Thomas Kajnbr S / iiari , Mr John Bowman , and Mr .: John Markham , as njemb'fcrs- of the Irish tTniyeryal Suffrage Association . They ^ were Stcouued by Mr . W , hi . i ) oyle » and carried with cheers . T « e address wa 3 oi dered te bo entered on the minutes / After ecvtral members ; beiD ^ enrolled , and notices given ; o ; oihers , thanks were voted to the chairmau , and the meetiug separated . - / :: " ' ' - ¦¦"¦ ..- - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦/¦ '¦ ' . '¦ .. '¦ ' '¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ . ' . ¦ ' : ¦" ¦ ;

      Lewes ;—Mr . Woodward lectured here on Mon-/ day . week ; ^ ' - /¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦/ ' ' . "¦ ; ¦ : " ¦ : /'¦/ , ' // ' .: ' / . / : // . . ¦ ' ' /"¦ ¦ ¦ •'¦ Honlet . —At ¦ a district delegate meting , held here on Sunday , the resolution of the South Lancashire delegates , " 'ffcat those persona wtio i ravel from town to town calling ttiembblvesCharttBt lecturers , do receive their credentials from the sub-Stcretaries of the branch to which they belong , which shall certify that they are good moral characters , and qualified , to fulfil so important a miesioa j and that the yarions branches be i requested not to countenance any one who caanot produce such prerequisites , '' was approved , adopted , and recommended to general notice . A . resolation was also passed requesting each locality iii the HuddefsEeld district , wliwe Mr . Catnpbeli maj have lectured , to send ft delegate to the adjourned meeting on the 20 th ( tomorrow ) as importarit bnsiaess wUl be broueht bmard . ' : •'¦ : ' ,. ¦ -:. . ¦ : .-:. ¦¦ ' ¦ "" <• ¦ . " ¦ ¦ ¦• r-:. ' . ' -. \ ¦ •• • , ' * -

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      , On Saturday last , at Sieffield , of iDflammation in the lungB , Mr . ( jreorge JProotor , aged 20 years , by trade . a Btcntmason . The deceased was a member ot the National Charter Association , aud was warmly respected % his brother Chartists , who now deplore his untimely tate . A large number of friends , male and itmale , utttiiaed the funeral of the deceased , who was inttrred ia the burial ground of St . Marys , Shtffield . ¦ . ;¦ :- . . ¦/¦; O . i Siitur ^ ay , the ;; 5 th ; ipst , Sarah Ann , the wife of Johh PavkhihoUj juii ., poiter dealer , Yeadon , and second daughter ot Mr . Alexandtr , Ofiioer of Excifie Worabw' DaJo , acar liwasiev .

      ! • . ¦ . ¦ . •¦/•¦/¦/ ' : ' . ¦; " :/- ¦ ' : ' ¦ Deaths. : --// /.. ' " ./ '¦' J/-'// ' ¦

      ! . ¦ . ¦ . •¦/•¦/¦/ ' : ' . ¦; " : / - ¦ ' : ' ¦ DEATHS . : -- // / .. ' " . / '¦ ' J / - ' // ' ¦

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      IiONDON—Hammeusmith Road—This loca . Hty met oa Tuesday last * Measures were brought forward-. ' in support of the ensuing Convention , aud ably discussed by Messrs . Aldridge , Mortimer , Stallwoodi Dob 3 on , and Thomson . A Committee was appointed to get signatures to the petition , after which Mr . Srallwcod delivered a , lecture on the institutions of society , much to the satisfaction of

      his audience , arid concluded amid the most cordial approbation . A vote of thahks was unanimously passed to the lecturer and the Chairman . The meeting then adjourned until Tuesday evening next , when the attendance of the meiuhers anil iuends i& particulariy requested . This locality is increasing its BtreDgth by adding new members weekly . LiMEHOusE . —Mr . Farrer delivered an excellent lecture 6 n Taesday evening to a very numerous audienne , and was iriuch applauded . Ward of Ckippleqate Within—The Cobn Laws- ^ -Importam Decision . —On Thursday afiernoon , anumerous meeting of the / inhabitants of the above Ward , was held , at which Sir Matthew Wood , Batt ., the alderman presided , for th «

      purpose of taking into consideration the proposed sliding scale . Several gentlemen spoke at very great length , and subsequently , it was moved , seconded and carried "unanimously " : — . ** Not . to petition either the House Of Commons , for an alteration of the Corn Laws , but to agitate until the obnoxious impost was carried by the voice of the people , by ttie middle and working classes joining as one body . " A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , and the meeting , which consisted of several hundred persons , separated . ;¦' ¦ ••'¦ , / . An Iktklugent Jury . —At an inquest held on Monday last , at the George public-npufe , Castlestreet , Leic Bter-Equare , on the body of a poor man , named Dale , who died in St . Martin ' s workhouse , a fewhoursafter having been found ia a most deplorable state of destitution ia Long-acre , by a police constable of the F division , a long discussion arose as to what verdict should be returned . The foreman

      suggested one , from natural oauses exlucerated by want , " Another Juror said it was quite / clear that his constitution had been " repaired' ? frooi the want of food . Another Juror said he would sit there till he got as thin as the deceased before he would return any other verdict than that of "Died from starvation . " Another Juror —\ Ve can ' t say that the man committed suicide . Another Juror—It is quite clear that the man had nothing to eat , arid ; nature gave him rip . Another Juror—We are keeping the Coroner : Coroner— -I am in no hurrVi gentlemen ; my time is yours . Foremanr-Weli , let's come to some verdict ; i'ts no use to boggle about words . A verdict was subsequently returned tuy the Foreman , of ' * Natural death , exhileriited by the want of the common necessaries of life . " A Juror— ' Accelerated / you mean , I suppose , Mr . Foreman . —Foreman—That ' s what Imeau , Sir —( laughter . ) /

      TH 1 BSK . —Great Mobtality in the Wobkhousk . —A most awlul visitation having fallen on the unfortunate inmates of our prison-workhouso , originating , it would appear , in the iatrodnction of a poor woman and her children from Borou ^ hbridge , who were labouring under virulent meazles and fever , and there being no fever wards , or other place , where they could be kept separate from , they : were obliged to be received amongst the other inmatesamongst whom , predisposed , as they were , to its influence by meagre workhouse diet—the contagious disease spread with the greatest rapidity—so much so that no less than nine times within the paat yreek

      has the earth of our churchyard been opened to receive the bodies of victims to this dire contagion , Surely thope Guardians of the poor , as they are strangely called , must fee ) some compunction for their clamorous refusal , on account of some trifling expence to coincide with the more humane portiou of the board , who were wiahful in some measure to mitigate the horrors of workhouse iuiprisontoeut , by the addition of fever and vagrant wards , that they might be enabled to prevent , / its far as they could , the spread of any contagious diseaso , as well as to put a stop to the compulsory comnriugliDg of our poor , unlortunate , but decent fellow townsfolk , with perhaps filthy beggavs , and casual bo ^ girs , of all descriptions .

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      MR . K . J . RldHAnpSON AGAIN : TO TH ^ EDIT 6 R OP THE NOBTHEIIN STAB . SiE , —In your paper of Saturday last appears a letter from Mr . K .-J . Richardson , denying the charge which Mr . O Connor had made against him in his letter to the Imperial Chartists of Great Britain , and stating it to be utterly -false and without foundation , and calling upon Mr . O'Connor to retnact tbe language he has made use of towards him ; and in the same letter he gives an accotint of some convereatron vrhich he states to have passed between aim and me j which statement I assure you ia riot true . But for your better information , I Will give you the sum aad substance of what did pass / and the manner in which ha came tp my house , on Monday , the 7 th instant , wnich was more : like au . ' animal of tho brute creatioa than a civilizjcl man .

      / On entering the house , tho first question he asked was , Djea a persan of the name of Jsaac Nicholls live here ? " I eaid" Yes , I -am the p&rso . " ' " Do you know anything of a paragraph in the Star of Saturday last , with your name attached to it ? " 1 said " Yea . " . .- " Weil , " -s ' a-Jd he , vrbat do you know about it ?¦ ' v' « Well , " > aid I , "ltold . it to G Connor . " " VSTell , arid ¦ where ; did you come at this information ? " I said " A respectable Rentleman of Oidbani had told me oi it . " "Where was you , " said he , " when he told you of it ? " " ' I was at the Dufee of York public house . " " Where is the Duke of / York , that you heard it at , as . tiioreare two of that name in Oldhaia ?'• I said '' It was that ia Weat-atrett" " Well , " said he , "it is falsa from beginning to end . " ;

      I said , •' Bichardfion , yap know it to be trua" Me said , " It ' s false . " - I replied , " It is trob . " He saldj , V Well , where ia West-atrcet ? " I said , «* You know where it is . " -He said . ' I do not know . Did you give Mr . O'Conuor authority to publish it -with your name attached to it ? : I told him I ; gave tiie information to Mr . O'Cobiior to do as bo thought proper with it . "Are you , " said he , able to prove it before the Association ?' / I said , " What AWociation ? " / HerepHed " Tho Badicol Association . " I said , "What Radical Association ? " He Baid , ' « The Cuaitist . " I said " Yes ¦ and I have another charge to bring against you . " He stood for about two minutes , and then asked if I could ^ ll him vfUera Henry Chappell lesiued . Itoldiiua , for the uhoivil manner iri which he had come to mo , he must find him & 3 he ha 4 fonrid me . Tius is the truth of what passed between * um and me . •¦ - . . ' - ' ¦ ¦ / ; ¦ ¦ ¦ ' . . ¦"¦ • : ¦ ' . ' ¦ ¦ ¦ .. ¦ ¦ ' ' . - ' '' . ¦ ¦

      Your's , respectfully , Isaac NicHOLts Vineyard , Qlrtbam , Feb . 14 , 1842 .

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      ^ HE ADDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION TO THE PEOPLE .

      Brother Caumsrs , —It has been onr custom , iron time to time , to report to onr constituents the progress which hai been effected in the movement , and to lay before them a plain statement of faets , TrJneh Bhall neither deceive their expectations , nor create false and nnfonnded impressions . Unlii-5 another Executive we cave no party to eoasnit , and no faction to fear ; we have one great end to gain , one common bentfit to secure—the good « all to achieve . Therefore , if onr pecuniary resources be limited , and oar delegated powers con-? a « f , we are , nevertheless , stronger than they in the Justice of onr cause , and the imperishable principles « f our Charter ! *~*

      « e need not the savage provisions of factions law o enforce obedience , nor the cruel application of » ice to secure submission . "We do not seek snp-F » t at the expence of truth , nor by the aid of «* ocL neither do we maintain power after the Spince of confidence , and in defiance of opinion . ** e take our stand upon equal representation , equal ** W 5 , equal taxes , and universal powtr , to Eecure « &e equity of all . Armed with trnth , wensearxn-« Qit to convince , and we confidently appeal to ^ on for a decision on the justice of our claims . By pursuing on a smaller Ecale a course which *^ stsoo . A £ r or later be imitated on a larger one . }} ba ' . e v'trved the people inany mcr . ths , haviD ^ 7 ^ C € Qp ] a % t s made , lirtle dissatisfaction excited , * " no rea ^ . naiiqns dfrnaEted , hereby affording a ^ etieai iii ^^ raiion of Cb aru ; in toonr opponen ;? . ^ ch they arc / "Q general too selfish to admit , or too ^^ csfto iini . ' ate .

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      TO THE EDITOS OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sir , —In your journal of last week appears a letter , signed '' Benjamin Stoit , " respecting the charges preferred by na against Mr . R . J . Richardson , in which the writer labours tp niake / it appear that the charges , < fec , had undergone "^ investigation . " When , where , and by whom , however , he has not condescended to inform us .. \ We never heard of any such inyeit : gaucn , where it was entered into ; and who this geEtleman , or the mysterious " . we > " who hud tho managemeirit , of this iiiVescigation may be , we are , therefore , equally at a loss tj conjecture . The mode adopt : d by these mysterioua inveatigators , appears to us '¦'•» . utterly at variance with justice , " and savpurs some what strongly of a desire to adopt a . ' . " ¦ foregone

      conclnsibn . " At all eventa it is a new and unique method of coEductiiig public inveitigatieris .: We beg to state , for the satisfaction of th ^ i public , that we have no knowledge of the person who subscribes himself a " Radical , of the Old School ; " we are equally / ignorant ef Mr . Benjamin Stott , or the secret ' we , " who profess to / have investigated this matter ; but cad they been really inclined to investigate it , they knew where we might be found at any moment ; -we Save never shrunk : from the subjtcti nor are we now about to do bo , bub stand by all our former statements , and remain , Yours respectfully , . . James Wood . James Wheeleb . PAUfc FaIRCLOUGH . jAlitis HAERISON ^ Samuel CHAMBERii . viN . Geo . Mitchell . Henbt / Nutxall . RoBEat Gray . Manchester . Feb . 14 , 1841 .

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      PUBLIC MEETING AT BRADFORD . A great meeiiig convened by the cde stables , was hsld in front of tbe Bowling Green Inn , Bradford , on Thursday last , at half-past twelve o ' clock , to take icto consderalion Peel ' s Corn Law measure ; JixrT . Salt , jup ., unstable , in the chair . Hesby Fohbes , Esq .. though in a weak state of health , moved a reso : ution strongly denunciatory of both Peel and his measure , in a most enefgetio aad telling speech . He said h « Elioulcl be Texy sorry , to deal in mere _ declamation ; what he nttered came from his heart , and might betaken as his sincere convictions . We had in reality arrived si a crisis in oar nation ' s historv and it now remained for us to say if we are

      willing taremain the slaves or more than Egyptian taskmasters —( cheers . ) We had heard some taJk litely of Sir Bobert Peel's heart ; our he would leave the meeting to determine whether * that heart was of cast steel or of adsonant . He I Peel ) had at length revealed his Ccrn Law ; but it was a bn £ - bear , a sheer delusion , an improvement and yet no improvement —( cheers . ) Mr . Forbes then alluded to thespsech of Sir Robert Peel , in the course of which he unfolded his Corn Law , and said that it was fnll of hollow fallacies , it was nranstrous , cold-blooded , he wonld go further , and say , it wa ? murderous —{ loud cheers . ) The whole system was a delusion and a mockery , and if the people of England axe not slaves they will rise up and resist

      it—( cheers . ) He declared that , after giving the matter a serious consideration , he had come to the conclnsion that the new scale was worse than the old one^—( cries of" hear , hear , hear . " ) It was more plausible , to be sure ^ ( laughter ;)—but was as calculated to Eerve the interests of ihe aristocracy , and to starve the people . But every person who dies of starvation while Corn Laws exist , his death lies at Sir Robert Peel ' s door , acd _ hi 3 blood cries for vengeance-The question now is , what ia to be done ? ( Cries of B The Charter , the Char ;« r 3 ") Mr . F . said that he had his mind made up npon the subject . He admitted that the middle classes had not dose the working

      elastea justice ; he willingly made this admission . 2 how was the time for unitiBg all together , and if united surely twenty-five millions could carry their own measures . He was convinced that , though they had a teal repeal of xhe Corn Laws to-morrow , it would not be worth a farthing with , the House of Commons constituted as it ia—( cheers . ) He held that every man of twenty-one years of age , of sonnd mind , and nnconrieted , should have a vote in tbe ehoice of a Parliamentary representative . He connrilled a onion of ail reformers at this important crisis , and concluded by advising & short pnll , a strong pull , and a pull altogether . Mr . F . retired in the midst of loud cheering .

      Geoege OsbsssEj Esq ., in seconding the resolution , said that he found in Sacred Writ a great principle , to which none wonld object— " Do justice and love mercy . "—( cheers . ) He applied it to the Corn Law question , and asked , is it jast to tax any member of the commnnity in a greater proportion to his means than any other member ? If it is nujust to do so , then he applied the test to the Corn Law 3 3 and found the tax on feod was unjust , because it did not bear on each individual of the community in proportion to his means of sustaining it , but pressed most heavily on the working man , who was least » ble to bear it—( cheers . ) He applied the same

      test to the suffrage— ( loud cries of hear , hear . ) He _ rejoiced that we lived under a constitation which recognised the principle of representative & > Yernmeni . He asked—Was it just that any man Ehottld be taxed for the support of a Government without his having a voice in electing a representative of that Government !—( hear . ) H not , then every man called on to pay taxes , either direcrly or indirectly , has a right to be represented—( cheer ? . ) Juit : ee and right went together , and it was on principles of justice that he supported these measnres—( cheers . ) He seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously , amfdsi loud applause .

      Mr . Hodgson moved the second resolution , " That it is the opinion of this meeting , that the present Corn Laws are anjust in principle , cruel in their operation , oppressive alike to both master and workman , and that the proposition of Sir Robert Peel is alike nn just , and unsatisfactory . But while we denounce aad condemn all Corn Laws , and all other monopolies , we are of opinion that they will never 1 » repealed until the principles contained in the People ' s Charter , namely , Universal Suffrage , Yote by Ballot , Annnal Parliaments , No Properry Qualification , and Payment of Members , Equal

      Electoral Districts , be made the law of the land , " in » short Bpeech , in which he very properly deprecated the agitating of tbe country for a repeal of the Corn Laws , which conld clearly not be obtained with a House of Commons as at present constituted ; when the same amount of exertion , which mi ^ kt obtain thatj would be sufficient to cleanse the Augean stable of corruption , and Eweep from the Ftaiute book every unjust law and dishonest monopoly without leaving in the hands of faction the power of reenacting them , or of depriving the peopie by other enactments of their just share of the bene&s to accrue from their repeal .

      Mr . Beook seconded the resolution , which was supported in a short speech by Mr . F R . Lees , and carried unanimously amidst lond cheers . A petitum to Parliament , praying for tbe rejection of Peel ' s measure , was moved by Mx . Remon , seconded by the Rev . J . Acwobxh , A . M ., and an addiuon thereto , praying to be heard by representatives in statement of grievances at tbe bar of the House , and for the immediate enactment , without alt-ration , deduction , or addition , of the People ' s Charter , was moved by Mr . Smith , seconded by Mr . omith , seconded by Mr . Fletcher , and allowed bv uie mover and seconder of tbe petition . The petition ttm 3 amended , was carried almost uiiani-Stonsiy .

      Hr . Stles moved that & memorial , r ' gned hy the Chairman on behalf of the meeting , be transmuted * o her Msjessy . The motion was seconded by G . Audebton , Esq . Mr . Areas proposed an addition to the memorial , the substance of which was , that class legislation was the cause why we had Corn Laws , or any other Dm laws , and praying that her Majesty would adaut to her conntils such men only as will , without oelay , mate the principles contained in the People ' s Uhaner , viz .:-Universal Suffrage . Vote by Ballot , Annual Parliaments , No Property Qjialificatian , and iJajmeBt of Members for their Services , and Equal Electoral Dismcts , a cabinet measure , and aDply remedies to the distress complained of , so as to insure bs immediate and entire removal

      . The addition was seconded by Mr . Jesxsisgs , seeded to by the mover and seconder , and earned on » nunon £ ] y . ? t was then resolved , on the motion of Mr . Collih-** * ,, seconded by Mr . Homsou , Xaat Messrs . Osborn , ByIe 3 , Smith and Arran , bt a committee to digest the petition and memorial * ceordiijg to the resolutions , and to iorward them lor presentajion . " Tkaaks were then voted to the Chairman , and the tteetog broke up .

      Untitled Article

      . THE NORTHEM ^ TAl . 0

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 19, 1842, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1149/page/5/