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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st December 1842, Edition 1 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN.
    • THE tfORTHERtf STAB,. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1842.
    • % ttestoevft atttr <2?orr^jpoW)rett^.
    • BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE.
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      To The Chartists Of Great Britain.

      TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN .

      Mi Fmbim , —I am one of those who think that ¦ an accuser should come into eourt with clean hands . " 1 think that we Bhonld exhibit consistency n . ou character and in our conduct . Strn « gliBg With and for each other , for common rights , against a oernmon enemj , no other virtue is bo necessary and important to us as that oonsiBtency of character , which may giro the he to the most plausible and most frequently reiterated objection of that common enemy to our righteous demaad . The objection is , that we are unfitted for the exerle with

      oseof our rights ; that to arrest the peop the immunities of freemen , and to give them a due voice in governmental matters , would be to eett hKA a despotism more terrible than any that has yet been known . The only way , successfully to answer this , is to exhibit , in all our own conduct , and in the management of our own affiirs , a dose attention to the Bacred principles of justice which we adroeate ; showing thereby that we are Chartists sot merely in name , but in character ; that we revere the jast requirements of oar Charter ; and practise them so far as we have opportunity . It ill

      becomes men to find fault with that in others which they themselves practise . Now you had never a better opportunity of proving how much of genuine Chartism enters into the composition of yoox character than is jast now afforded you . The opportunity is a painful one , no doubt ; it is one that every true lover of the cause will deplore ; but it is still one that ought not to be passed by ; and that cannot be passed by without stultifying ourselves and inflicting an injury upon our cause still more serious than that which it has already suffered from the occurrence of the facts oni of which it arises . As Chartists , you hare an Organization which fax Chartist purposes is toxjb . cchsriTCxios : 70 a

      have officers whose duty it is to see to the enforcement of that cossmtmos in all its principles and details ; those officers are appointed by , and responsible to , too ; and if they violate the trust reposed in them the remedy is in your hands . Now the head and front of your just complaining , on the wore of political grievances , is that pnblio servants have the power to trample underfoot the avowed principles of the constitution , and you hare no remedy . This complaint may be taken to be valid or factions , just as yon give proof of your disposition to remedy the grievance if the power were in your hands ; and nothing exhibits this disposition so strongly as your own ntaaser of conducting the affairs of your own association and its movements .

      If in these you evince a disposition to permit reckless disregard and defiance of all the principles of jour constitution to pass , without stamping it -with censure ; if , having elected men to office , you leave them to do therein just what they please , without looking to its justice or its injustice ; it you permit the sanction of you name aad authority to acts by which every principle of right and of common justice is disregarded and defied ; you afford to your enemies a jvery forcible confirmation cf their only feasible argument against the concession of your lights .

      For these reasons , and for these reasons onlyteesose I love justice under all circumstancesbecause I would not wink at that in our own body which I denounce in others ; I have thought it my dnty to call your attention to certain" gross and flagrant violations of oar constitution by oar own officers . The dnty was a very painful and a very unpleasant one ; but I saw it to be a duty , and therefore I did it . I never yet shrunk from duty , because it might happen to be more * peasant or more profitable to evade it : I trust I never shall . I never yet slunk from my post , because it had become difficult or dangerous to maintain it : I trust I never shall .

      For the performance of my disagreeable duty-in commenting honestly and boldly , giving my reasonB for everything I said , upon the public documents of the Executive Committee , I have been leaded with every species of abuse and vituperation by all the respective members of the Executive , save Mr . Williams . Not one of my allegations has been met ; not one of my arguments has been answered ; but , I have been abused , vilified , and slandered . Counter a £ BosKfca

      travelled frem place to place , repeating fbe statements , as though they were true . Thus has . the real question , of whether the Executive have or nave not abused the confidence of the people , been kept , to a certain extent , ont of right ; and you have to thatBame extent suffered yourselves to be amused with denunciation of me , instead of looking to jour own affairs . This is not right : it is not fair . After the proofs of the plots" and " conspiracies " in which I am alleged to hare been concerned , had been demanded , it was not right in aay Chartist audience to listen to a repetition of ihe statement , nntil those proofs had been furnished . fi Fair play ia a jewel ; " and I have as much right to it as any other man .

      IP THB ALLEGATIONS A 6 AB » 5 T ME CA * BB PKOTEU , xrr theh be raovzD . And then the question stands just where it did . Call me '' assassin , " •' villain , '" " rogue , " "traitor , " and every other choice same which has been applied to me ; ' and what then f Does that prove that the Executive have not violated the principles of our constitution , and of Chartism ; that they have not neglected the one single duty they were appointed to perform ; that they have not noalippropriated the hard-earned pence of the poor people committed to their cue : that they have not manifested a contempt of Chartist

      principle by disregarding the remonstrances and respectful enquiries of their constituents ? These are the matters to be answered ; and they will not be answered by mere abuse of me ; and if you permit abuse of me to be substituted for an answer to them , or if you permit them to pass unanswered , you forfeit the consistency of your own character , as a public body ; and you give yonr enemies thereby a pretext for the argument that yonr oatcry against their violations of the sacred principles of justica ^ as fAeir . malappropriations of the people ' s funds , isfmere factious and unprincipled clamour .

      The -question is one of national interest and of « niversal import . The sacred principles of our Charter are involved in it . It is the affair of the whole people j and it is the people ' s daty to see to its . settlement . In the hope of averting public observation from the real question , and from the real magnitude and importance of that question , it has been represented as a private quarrel between me and the Executive , arising oat of some piqoe , or personal consideration . Not a siadow of a reason has been assigned for this representation ; and jet the members of the Executive have been seconded in it by some persons

      in different parts- of the country . What reasons these persons may have for their share of this disreputable business , they perhaps , best know . I know , * t all eTeats , that a determined effort is made to help the Executive to fasten the enquiry upon me as a personal quarrel . The complaints and investigations which have been made by many of the Chartist body in different parts of the kingdom for months back are ingeniously kept oat of sight , and the whole matter Is represented as a dispute between me and the Executive ; and sot a matter between the Executive and ike whole Chartist body .

      Some members of the Executive , not content with vent ing their abuse at me throngh the columns of my own paper , have J (« ineed" and *? swaggered " jnota little about " dragging mo before a public meeting "—about " walking barefoot" forthepurposeof doing bo— about " following me to the gates of Hell "—and sneb like rubbishly bombast . This may ** take , " when delivered , in my absence , to the people , while their blood is just warm from a onesided speech—fraught ; perhaps with misrepresenta-

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      tion and falsehood—and w '^ il ei they are thus prevented from reflecting fairl . y on all sides of the mat * ter . It may serve , un ^ er such cireomstaaoes , to bring down a dap ; a ^ d , . perhaps , pn some minds , to excite a prejudice tgrnst me . But the reflecting and discriminating will estimate it at its true worth . They will know that it is intended merely to dose their eyes to the fact , that though ample opportunity kos been given for every allegation against the Executive to be answered , they hare not answered one of them *

      These blusterers about pablic meetings and about my facing them man to man before the people , " &e . know that they have here a great advantage over me ; they know that I am peculiarly ' situate' , they know that my health is delicate and very uncertain —that I can never calculate upon being well from one day to another ; they know that my physical strength is unequal to great public exertion ; they

      know that my ordinary duties are bo many and laborious , that any addition to them is a very serious inconvenience ; and hence they think themselves perfectly safe in daring me to come out before the people . " They think that I shall not meet them in discussion . They commit a small mistake here . I shall not suffer them thus to escape They have no right to force me into this position . The people had no right to permit them to do so .

      1 deny the right of either the Executive , or any body else , to represent the inquiry now going on into the conduct of the Executive as a quarrel between me and them . It is no such thing . In the Northern Star I have merely , as a journalist , given honest comments upon facts and documents . I had a right to do this ; and no man had a right to complain of it . I ask nobody to take my opinions for more than they are worth , and I have as much right to express my opinions as any other man . I have done more than most journalists would have done in giving free admission to coarse and scurrilous vituperation in reply . I have given the free use of my own columns to the Executive , not only

      as a body , but to every member singly , in reply to every thing I said . They have us ? d them for that purpose . They have said and written in the Northern Star , both collectively and individnally , whatever they liked . What more do they want ? What more have they a right to f I have already given them much more liberty for defence than they were at all entitled to ; because my observations on their conduct were general and directed against the body ; while I have given free room to them to reply in both capacities both as a body and as individuals . And I deny the right of any man , or set of men , to expect me after that to waste time in public discussion with them *

      But to leave no room for escape ; and lest it may be said that I am valiant only in the Star , and that I fear discussion , I am quite ready to meet either Mr . Leach or any other member of the Executive , at an authorised representative of that body , at any mutually convenient time and place ; and then and there , as a member and councillor of the National Charter Association , to make good my charge

      AGAINST THB EXECUTIVE O » HAYIIiG VIOLATED THE PLAJf OF ORGANIZATION WHICH THEY WERE APPOINTED TO EKPOKCK , AJTD OF HAVING THKKEIN MANIFESTED A DISBXGABD OF CHARTIST PRINCIPLE AND OP MOBAL AND POLITICAL HONESTY . I make the charge against them now ; as a body . I have proved it in the Northern Star ; and I am ready to prove it before a public meeting ; stipulating only for a free , open , and fair discussion before the people—a clear stage and no favour . Fair play is all I ask . If Mr . Leach be prepared to meet me upon that question ,

      having authority from the other members of the Executive to appear as the champion of the body , and to defend the acts of the body , he will find me quite ready . I will meet aay other member of the Executive , or any other man in England , on the same conditions . But mind ; I deal with the Executive , as a body ; not with Mr . Leach as an individual . I have brought no charge against individuals ; and my time is a little too valuable to be wasted in individual squabbles . Who does not see that after the discussion with Mr . Leach , Mr . Bairstow might put in a similar claim for his

      share of the defence ; and that I must then begin again for M'Douall , and soon for the whole ; and that then , when every one had had his " go , " the Executive , as a body , might disclaim all the individual disputation , and begin de novo . This might very well suit the brawlers , because it would wicken and nauseate all decent men of the broil . For that reason I shall not be party to it . I deny the right of the Executive , or any of them * to claim from me any other opportunity of defence than that they have

      already had . I repeat that even that has been made more ample than they had any right to . ' But if public ^ discussion of the matter will gratify them—and they talk loudly about it—I am quite ready . let them appoint their man ; no matter to me whom : Leach , M'Douall , Bairstow , Campbell—or even any volunteer , in whose powers of eloquence and tact they may have more confidence than in their own ; I am ready for any man , let him be bnt duly authorized , the arrangements fairly made , and the discussion fairly and openly conducted .

      ¦ Whenever - either or any op them may ef beady authobised to appeab fob the executive , he has only to apprise me . i will then name A ? rW FBIEITDS , AND THB EXECCTITE SHAM . NAME

      A L 1 K . E NUMBER BY WHOM ALL THK PBELIMIXaIUES FOB THE DISCUSSION SHALL BE AGREED ON ; and I fancy I am quite able to give them enough of it . If the "bouncing" of M'Douall and of Leach have been authorized by the Executive , they will take this as the acceptance of their challenge ; if it have been only individual " bounce , " I have something else to do than to notice it . And now mind ; let us have no misunderstandings and no shirking nor shuffling . I have been , forced into this position , very unfairly , and very much against my inclination ; I am not now to be forced

      out of it again : If the Executive mean discussion , I am their man ; " and whether they mean it or not I / do . I have been challenged ; and I accept ' the challenge . As the challenged , I have a right to fix the place of meeting ; and I fix it at Manchester , where the Execntivo will snrely have every advantage ; where Mr . Leach , if he be their champion , will be at home and have no expence in travelling ; where tho Executive should be best known and have most influence ; where Chartism has a stronger hold ou the population than in any other town in England ; where they have had the full opportunity during all this time

      of making a party for themselves by telling their own tale their own way , with none to contradict them ; where Mr . Leach has had full swing at me in my absence , to vent whatever fabrications and perversions he pleased , in private circles or public meetings , ad libitum , - at Manchester ; in the very midst of his own friends , disciples and admirers ; where the people have at their own command a spacious building in which they hare been so long used to be delighted with Ms eloquence , and to hear his denunciations of me , I am quite ready to meet Mr . James Leach , or any other champion of the Executive , and there

      prove—1 st . That the Exective have neglected the dutieB ot their office . 2 nd . That they have violated the organisation they were appointed to enforce . Srdly . That they have done so wilfullt , after repeated caution and remonstrance . 4 thly . That they have wrongfully appropriated the monies of the Association to their own use and benefit . 5 thly . That they have both manifested in their own conduct , and countenanced in that of others , a disregard of Chartist principle ..

      I offer to prove all these thing 3 against them in Manchester—their own town ; where their sittings have been holden ; where their popularity as lee torers is greatest ; and where , as an Executive thay should be best . known . I ask only "

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      clear stage and no favour "; that one full week's notice , in the Northern Star , and by whatever other means the Executive may please , shall be given of the meeting ; that it shall be holden in either the Hall of Science , or Carpenter's Hall ; that free admission be given to the people ; that no effort at " packing" shall be made , but that the meeting be fair , free , and open . I will pay one half the rent of the room , if held in the Hall of Science , ( if held in Carpenters' Hall , I presume there will be no rent ) , and my own travelling acd personal charges out of my own pocket : I will

      advertise the meeting in the Northern Star at my own cost ; the other half of the room rent ( if in the Hall ofScience ) , their own travelling , if any , and personal expences , and whatever other mode of advertising they choose to adopt , to be defrayed by them —also out of their own pockets ; not touching the people ' s funds for it . The meeting to beat sttne time mutually convenient for attendance . All other matters relating to the discussion to be settled , without either their interference or mine , by a committee of five friends on each side to be named for the purpose .

      Now ; is this fair t I repeat that they have no right to expect this . My meeting them in discussion at all is a pure work of supererogation . But notwithstanding that , as they talk much about itand as they would fain have it believed that they attach much importance to it , there ' s the chance for them . Let them appoint their man ; ( I care sot who it may be ;) let him tell me when he is ready and I will instantly name my friends , and the arrangement shall be made . , After this matter is settled , let them bring their counter accusations if they dare . I am ready to answer in like manner to ANY CHARGES which they , or any of them , or any man in England , may be disposed to bring against me .

      " A public meeting is the Justice Hall for me " : and to that tribunal I dare the whole- pack of yelpers , whenever they have the manliness to put their charges into a tangible shape , as I have done , and come fairly out" !! And now , my friends , as far as the Northern Star is concerned , this matter is for the present at least done with . Save what may be necessary to this meeting , if ever it take place , I will not insert another word upon it , pro . or con . from any quarter ;

      unless two communications which I expect in reference to a dirty rascally trick played by a Mr . Frazer should happen to be too late for this week ' s paper : if they be , I shall probably give them next week . Earnestly desiring to see consistency of character among Chartists ; and to see our movement purged of the ranting , mouthing locusts , wbo have done it much harm , I am , my Friends , Your ' s , faithfully , William Hill . Northern Star oftloe , Leeds , Dec . 20 , 1842 .

      The Tforthertf Stab,. Saturday, December 31, 1842.

      THE tfORTHERtf STAB ,. SATURDAY , DECEMBER 31 , 1842 .

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      THE CONFERENCE . Our readers will perceive that we have not as yet got in the whole report of the proceedings of this most important body . In a further Edition we hope to give the whole . We have given up to last night—( that is Wednesday night . ) And by reference to the report , they will see that our anticipations of the intentions and purposes of the Stdbge

      party , as far as any real union with the working men was concerned , have been fully realized . We fancy the result of the debate on * Mr . Loveti's amendment will do much to remove the film from honest eyes ; and to show them the real value of their middle class friends . We have at present no time nor space for comment , bnt shall return to the important matters of this Conference at another time . Meanwhile let our readers read and think .

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      X fm ¦ ¦ _!¦_ > riiiM ^^^^ wr—' n .-h- ^ i . vw m ¦« r % m CHRISTMAS . In times past this season of the year was characterised by joy and gladness throughout the length and breadth of the land . The winter's gloom was enlivened by good substantial fare « nd heart-elating merriment . The peasant as well as the prince—the plebian as well as the monarch , could then enjoy the sweets of life . Youth then sported its playfulness and its vigour , and age gazed smilingly on the scene . Warm and substantial clothing , a good fire , a clean hearth , and plenty on the festive board , were visible

      on every hand ; but alas 1 how changed is the scene . Instead of joy we behold sadness depicted on the countenance of the once athletic and hardy labourer—the prospect of the skilful artizan is overspread with gloom—want has become the inmate of the cot , embittering the cup of life—youth , nay even toothless in fancy , is the victim of the monster ; and ago is dejected , drowned in sorrow and veiltd in melancholy . The young and the aged are clad in rags ; the hovels are scenes of wretchedness ; in grief they

      . * ' Hover o'er the pigmy fire ;" while the most worthless garbage constitutes their food , and of this bat a scanty portion falls to the lot of many . But such is not the case with / the drones . They roll through the streets in their gilded carriages ; are attired in the most costly raiment ; are filled to repletion with all the luxuries that they can desire . " Their eyes stand out with fatness , " and in the height of their pride , they look with contempt on the poor by whose labour they acquire all their grandeur .

      Why is this strange anomaly ? Why are tho bees perishing while the drones enjoy the fruit of their industry } Because all power is given into the hands of these devourers instead of being possbsaed by the rightful owners . That power will never be regained until the only efficient axe—the Char / erbe applied , by the united strength of the people , to that Upas tree , class legislation . Then , but not till then , may we hope 10 see olden days or the joys thereof , return . Then we may and shall have M a

      raerry Christmas and a happy new year . " We have heard many wish each other the fruition of this blessing , but we tell them they must work as well as wish . The only arenne to a " merry Christmas and a happy new year" is the Charter—it is the sword , the only sword , the six pointed sword , whereby the fell monster tyranny can be slain . Up , then . On to the conquest , and our wishes will be realized to all— " A MEBBY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR . "

      THE LAW verms THE POOR . We have frequently had occasion to direct the attention of our readers to the mass of corruptien with which the administration of justice in this country is fraught . Scarcely a day passes without furnishing facts proving the declension which has crept into courts of law , and calling aloud for a reform of the manifold abuses which obtain therein . The bench is now converted into a market standthe whim and caprice of an ignorant class of individuals , miscalled ' Justices , " is laid down as law ;

      the grossest partiality is exhibited ; the rich delinquent generally ? escaping with little or no punishment , while the whole weight of a petty tyrant ' s wrath is poured out upon the poor offender . It appears to be a settled opinion aatong our modern Dracoes , that wealth and virtue are inseparably connected , and that poverty and crime are indivisible . But this position—however much cherished and acted upon by officials of various grades , from my Lord Abinger down to thai fagend of the system dabbed a policeman—is untenable , we having continually before our eyes virtue clothed in rags , and vice arrayed in purple and fine linen .

      But as our object is not to dilate upon the virtues of the poor or the vices of the rich , we shall at once call the attention of the public to the gross , injustice and tyranny inflicted , a few days ago , on a poor fatherless boy . by one of the Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrates , named Gree . nwood , who carries on business in the police ; court , . ClerkenrvoH / aad wh

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      is alao one of the / jreat | unpaid " of the West Riding of the cflunty of York . The boy , whose name is Williams , was brought before the magis . trate forJSsoliciting a lady coming out of her bov & in Euston-squaw to purchase prints . He /^ d his mother , a widow , had given him fiver ^ nce , with which he had purchased seven of them ; and that the offer of sale was not a pretext for begging was admitted by the magistrat e iimself , who was astonished they could be sold eo cheap * . " The prisoner" begged of his worship D ^ fc to puni sh him , as he sold the prints for the support of a widowed mother . He had done Mo harm , and hoped hiB worship would not pnnish him . His worship , however , did punish Uim , by sending him to the House of Correction for fourteen days !

      . Who the " lady' in question , may be we know not ; did we , her name should not be kept from the public , however much it might offend hor superlatively delicate feelings . This woman , or lady '' asshe is termed , « aanot be the mother of childrenshe must bo devoid of every scintilla of those graces which ought ' ever to adorn" God's first best gift to man , " otherwise her whole soul would have revolted at the idea of a child—a widow ' s eon of eleven years of age , being taken before a magistrate and consigned to "durance vile , " merely for

      soliciting her to purchase a few prints . Such a woman—the walking soandal of her Bexought to be hooted through the streets on her every a ' ppeaKH 100 in public , and her company ought to be shunned -by-all having respect for their character . It might beof service to this "lady" were she to have a little instruction in the school of adversity ; then she might learn how to conduct herself towards those who seek an honest livelihood , and who would scorn , like her , to live in splendour and idleness , without returning to society an equivalent for that

      which they received . The conduct of Greenwood , the magistrate , is also reprehensible m the highest degree . He admits the offer of sale of the printsiwas " not aprelesifor beg-§ ing , " yet ho sentences the poor boy to fourteen days ' imprisonment in the House of Correction . The widow who gives her son her mite- —five-pence—perhaps her all , for the purpose of laying out in the purchase of a few prints , in order thereby to obtain a morsel of

      bread , is doomed to see that son , the comfort of her age , torn from her and immured in a prison , not for the commission of any crime , but because it offended the dignity of the spawn of some aristocrat whose ancestors probably figured behind the counter , or perhaps vended matches ; if the latter , it might have reminded her ladyship ofber origin , when the boy so * licited her to purchase one of his prints , which insult the pride of her ladyship could not allov . 'to pass with impunity . -, ' " : ¦ : .. - "¦ . ¦ ¦¦

      Had Greenwood done his duty he would ha v e severely reprimanded the woman , and given her to understand that the time of the Court must be better employed than in attending to such nonsense as that ; and that hers would be better employed in learning bow to behave herself towards her feUow-oreatur € S » He would also have instructed tho policeman to employ his time to better advantage than in obeying the wishes and pandering to the pride of such an execrable wretch as her ladyship ; and instead of the boy being torn from his widowed mother and committed tojprison , he would have commended him for

      his honest endeavour to obtain a morsel of food for himself aad his bereaved parent . But such was not the case . The boy was treated aa a felon—he was sent to herd among felons ; and should that boy , upon whose character no stain appears , contract vicious habits by being compelled to mingle with the worst of characters , all the oonsequences thereof may be laid at the door of the despicable woman who was instrumental in his arrest , and that of the magistrate who eo unjustly sentenced him to imprisonment , and who ought to be immediately removed from the bench .

      It would be well if both magistrates and policemen would give themselves a little more trouble than they generally do , and not , as is frequently the case , seek to manufacture crime and : punish the innocent to suit tho whim of every fool who may think his or her pride offended by being accoBted in lite manner aa the Euoton-BquaTeY * lady" ( . ' . ' ; . The duty of magistrates is to make themselves acquainted with the law , as far as practicable , and administer it with impartiality ; and not , as they often do , to substitute their own caprice foil the law , and punish the unoffending for merely being poor and defenceless . : With regard to the police—we tell them ,

      in the words of a contemporary , when adverting to the subject which has called forth these remarks , that" Thep . blic will not tolerate this eternal interference of the police with every thing that is going on , Their object is to prevent and discover crime , and to preserve order by day and night . Whether these pioper duties are adequately discharged we will not now inquire ; but of one thing there can be ne doubt , and that is , their constant interference with matters that do not come within their line of duty . It is much easier , no doubt , to watoh little boys selling prints , { than to make themselves acquainted with the duties for which they are especially appointed . " -V

      If the law be enveloped in so much ambiguity that the magistrates , &o ., are left to do as they list in all cases brought before them , then it shows the absolute necessity of a thorough change of Bystem , without which the poor will ever be the vi otims of tho middle and upper classes , who have just about the same amount of sympath y for the labouring portion of the community , as the wolf has for the lamb , or the cat for the mouse .

      That something is radically wrong in the system under which such injustice as that we allude to can be perpetrated with impunity , is beyond all dispute , and that the administration of the . law is vested in persons altogether unfit . to discharge the duties of their office is equally evident ; and vie may rest assured , that until the axe be laid to the root of the tree , and class legislation completely annihilated , such cases of monstrous cruelty aa that inflicted upon the boy Williams ^ may bo repeated , as the Greenwoods are not only a numerous race , but are located in the provinces as well as in the metropolis , as

      will be seen from an article in another column ^ where a young maa of the name of Wk . Clemenx , residing ^ near Bolton-le-Moors , was dragged from his bed at two o ' clock in the morning , and taken to the police office , on the groundless charge of " assisting in tho engravnig of a plate to counterfeit the Halifax and Hudderefield Bank . " From Bolton he was removed to the lock-up in Manchester , where he remained until the 14 th instant , being arrested on the morning of the 11 th ¦' ; he was then removed to Halifax , where he was confined until tho 19 th , on which day he was brought before the Magistrates , who on enquiring his name immediately liberated him , vNow , had the proper inquiry

      been made by the authorities , as was their duty , previous to the arrest of this young man , they would have found that it was an absolute impossibility for him to have committed the offence alleged against him , as he is scarcely qualified even to write his own name . But to make such necessary enquiry would be a duty too onerous for the well-paid officials ; they find it much easier to lay hold of the first that comes within their reach , regardless of their innocence or guilt ; and for such negligence and uncalled-for interference on the part of the authorities , the innocent are d oomed to unjust incarceration and have . disgrace imprinted upon their characters .

      What remuneration will this young man obtain for this hijaetice—for this loss of time and character f None whatever . The shield of protection will' fee held over his persecutors , and the youth muet pocket all the loss and odium , because he is poor . But we trust that the people > 'ill persevere in their efforts to destroy the pait-nt evil—clasa legislation—that such acts of injustice * may no longer disgrace a country said to be " thl ' ' bmvy of surrounding nations , AND THE AbjilBATlt ' N OF THE WORLD" ! ! !

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      James Sinclair , Oateshead . —Yes , December 8 th , per Picfcford ' s . "¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ A . H ., DcNFERMLirrE . —As soon as the account is settled , the Plates * ill be sent . If the Person who has called upon Mr . Cleave for a Plate will send his name he will oblige , as the money cannot be credited till we knew who sends it . The Plate has most likely been sent to London since be called . He can have another for the spoiled one . We can speak more positive on receipt of the name .

      Wi D ., Keg WORTH—Portrait of Hunt 4 d ., and postage ; of Froet 7 ^ d . and postage . The postage of the two-will be 4 d ., making Is . 3 ^ d . in the whole . J . M ., Kilmarnock . —Is the evil remedied thi * week ? They are sent by an earlier mail . Jabez Burns , Dundee , bad better , In future , send his cash for Evening Stars direct to Mr . Hobson : it cannot in future be received as it has been hitherto . \ - \ ¦ . ''' . - ¦¦ ¦'; ' ¦¦ ¦ Murgatrotd , Pblph . —Apply to A . Heywood . J . Goody . —Three months .

      FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . : - ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ :. - . ¦ ¦ .. ¦ . ¦ ¦ . : - ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ : .. ' -: ¦ £ . b . a From Tewkbury , per W . Haynes ... .. ^ 1 0 0 .. John Wrathall ... ... ... 0 0 2 „ a few Chartists at Edinburgh .. ... 0 6 8 ¦ ¦ „ P . A . i Hull ... ... ... ... 0 0 6 „ C « rrington , near Nottingham , per . Richard Hankin ... ... ... 0 6 0 FOR ; THE EXECUTIVE . From two whole-hog Chartists , Melksham Forest ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 FOR MBS . ELLIS . From DayW Williams , mason , late of Pontypool ... ... ... ... 0 1 . 0 FOR THE CHARTIST DELEGATES TO THE . BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE . From an Old Radical ... ... ... 0 0 6

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      ( Continued frotn our first page . J ference . He was received with loud and prolonged cheering . Mr . O'Connor introduced Mr . Patrick O'Higgins , from Dublin , who was received with a similar mark of feeling . The Chairman opened the business by calling upon the secretary to read two letters , —one received from Sharman Crawford , Esq ., M . P ., and the other from Dinlel O'Connell , Esq ., M . P . The letter from the former gentleman was as follows : — . " Craufordsburn , Dec . 24 th , 1842 ,

      " Dear Friend , —I send by my son , wbo is the bearer of this , a parcel containing ; 200 copies of my ' defence of the rights of the working classes , ' which I have taken leave to address to you , and to the Council of the Birmingham Complete Suffrage Union , in the hope you' will receive it as a proof of my earnest desire to forward that cause which you and the Complete Suffrage Union are bo honourably endeavouring to promote . - ¦ ¦ .- . - '" ¦ ¦ " ¦ •' In the observationscontained in this publication , I have been desirous to shield the people from the unjust imputations cast . upon their conduct , whilst at the same time , I do not withhold my acknowledgment of the errors which-have been . committed . I bave endeavoured to take a fair review of the

      principles on , which the claims of the working classes are founded , and of the objeetiens with which their claims are met , and to impress the . principle that all political institutions ( as well as all human institutions of every description ) should be viewed , —not as being capable of perfection , —not as being divested of all possibility of evil , —bnt aa respects the' balance of probable good and evil , which may be reasonably expected to result from them ; but above all it has been my desire to inculcate moderation of conduct , and obliteration of all pajfc unkindly feelings , which bave existed between the working and middle classes , who are now both suffering the effects of bad legislation , and thus produce that combined agitation for the remedy of this evil , which can alone be effective in creating that moral power necessary for its removal . "As I have already said , I make my son the bearer of

      this communication . I do this as a mark of my respect to you and your conduct , and of my anxious wish for tbe success of the important meeting , about to take place at your call . He is fully acquainted with my views , and will be capable of giving you any information you might wish for , with reference to the particular nature of our IriBh elections , laws , or regulations , which , in many respects , differ from the ioatituliona of England and Scotland . The Council of the Complete Suffrage Union of Edinburgh were so kind as to propose to put wy name in nomination as one of the delegates for that city to your congress ; but I requested of them to abstain from their kind intention , because I was of opinion it would be more eligible to select persons as delegates who were not members of Parliament , for the reasons contained in the extract , which I enclose you , from my reply to that body .

      . " I trust it is unnecessary for me to add , that as a Member of the House of Commons , I shall feel it both my duty and my inclination to co-operate in whatever means shall be deemed most eligible for bringing before that House those" measures which are required for carrying out the principles of year association . " Believe me , dear Friend , •¦ ' Yours sincerely , " WM . SHARMiN CRAWFORD . To Joseph Sturge , . President of the Birmingham " Complete Suffrage Association . '' The following is the extract of a letter addressed by Mr . Crawford , to Mr . Robert Noel , secretary to the Complete Suffrage Association , of Edinburgh , and alluded to in the above : — ¦

      • 'I feel that it would be my duty to comply v ? ith any wish expressed by those who have already shown me such marks of kindness , but I am inclined to think it would , not be eligible to elect Members of Parliament as your delegates , especially those members whom you will look to as the chief supporters of your cause in the House of Commons . I think it would not be prudent for them to act in botb . capacities . Your delegates are to declare the opinions of the people to the members of that house , and I conceive it wouldbe more proper for them to learn the opinions of the people from other persons appointed for that purpose , than to be made themselves the instruments in the connection of Buch communication . I conceive they would have a greater moral power in the House of Commons , in the course they should adopt , by not having

      previously been the framers of the measures which' the Convention shall recommend . I am of opinion that it is more desirable that a Member of Parliament should not commit himself on auy of the points of detail ( meaning thereby the election regulations ) till he has time fully to be aware of the arguments arid determinations of the meeting of delegates , because it would be very unfavourable to the impression he might wish to make in Parliament , if it could be alleged that ) he was acting in obedience to the will of the delegates contrary to any opinion previously expressed as a member of'Oat body . ? * My object is to stand in the best possible position to be of use in riving mv assistance in Parliament to the advancement of the great cause -we are mutually enga / fed in . and I thinfr my efforts might be impeded < £ & I to KpiviSy committed in the capacity of a delegate . " x """"** *

      - '' DwTynaneAbbey , Dec . 22 , i 842 . , "Ml Ke ^ pected PaiEND , —Your letter , requiring to know whether I could attend in Birminghanx rt the ^ . ngof toe delegates fo r carryin g « ut ttTprincipies of the Complete Suffrage Aswciation , has beau followed ^ W 1 KL ^ ^ . ^* - » aHon determined not to go there . Do MtS SmTS : — 2 refusal re 8 Ult 8 from any TanTof te 5 l !! 5 aaS No such thing .

      S- « K ^ E «^ " ^ ' I amlhoroughly convinced that every man of legal age fe f ; ? . rfeit hte ri 8 ht fey ' ^ or idi ocy , has by the princ ple ^ of the British constitution , a diatinc ? taexUn guishabVright to vote for * representative in tW ° ^ f ¦ = «»» of Parliament . I am convinced that such a right on the part of every male adult fsto the full as complete as the right of any member of the House of pee « to the privilege of the peerage , ! * „ ^ tight of our gracious Queen to the thronef The only io ^ r nce ^ m v practice - Tb 0 ¦ two ^^^ tterare iniuu vigour , and perhaps somewhatsuperfluously so -whilst the fprmer-the suffrage right-is curtailed ! ' J ^

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      stricted , and mutilated ; thas creating , where allshooM be freemen , a distinct andtaparate ? slave elan , who , b > inioLaltoua laws , and mote talqidtoas pncUees , hav « been robbed of their natural birthright , and an esces . tially Blavea . ; "I am the friend ef the slave class in every dime and country , bat more especially in the British don- ' , nions . - . ¦/ . ¦ - .. - . ¦ ¦ . .. " .: . . '¦ ¦¦ V .. - .. ¦ ¦ ¦ . -. , - . ... ¦ "I am also the most decidqd advocate tat the voting by ballot , —the best , if not the only mode , ot preventing corrupt and criminal practices at election * . "I also concur in the other points proclaimed by the Complete Suffrage Assoclatioa ; an ^ that eoncur rence , however , is created by my sacrificing my owa opinion of a preference of triennial to anonal Parll « ments to my sincere desire of producing unanimity of exertion amongst all the friends of a real , ubstintiil , and radical reform of Parliament .

      "The reason why I am thus distinct in once more stating my political creed is , because I can answer for it that the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland go with me upon these points , and that they will co-operate with their English brothev refonnew in all legal and peaceable means , —bat in no other , —Jm obtaining a fair , free , and complete repreientaUon of the people in Parliament * .. ' .-" The great reason why I do not consent to atte nd the moeting at Birmingham is , because I have convinced myself that I ought rather to be a spectator of , than an actor in , your approaching exertiona , I have been personally bo hostile to that class called ' physical force Chartists '—I bave beau so unjustly , and indeed so absurdly calumniated—( loud laughter ) by their writers , that I have brought myself to balieVe , though perhaps

      without sufficient foundation , that any efforts I could make for conciliation , and to produce harmony , migh £ be defeated , and that my presence might tend to dial * ¦ nSsh the prospect of concord arid co-operation , whieb are so necessary for the success of your just demand * Besides , it is to be apprehended that there are toomany other causes of strife and contention between themore ardent and violent of the Chartist patty and the more placid and mild portion of the Complete 8 ufffaga Association . If I could throw oil upon the troubled waters , so as that the ark of British liberty might float in tranquil grandeur on the political wave , I should at once , and at any sacrifice . And if , after the nesting has been organized , you should be of opinion that lay attendance could be of any possible use to the great cause , I will , with the rapidity of steam , place myself amongst you . ¦ - .-. -,

      "I do most anxiously desire that the spirit of peaoS f harmony , conciliation , and concord may reign in , tha Couveution ; that you uwy thus have the meana and opportunity of considering and adopting the best modes of insuring success . My entire conviction is , that without co-operation between the middle and what ia called the lower , that is , the poorer , or working class , you cannot possibly succeed , and perhaps yon ought not Whether you ought or not , the concurrence ot the middle classes in , in my judgment , most essentially necessary towards obtaining the right of suffrage for the operative classes . Recent events have proved to demonstration the essential importance of the middle classes in any struggle for the ameliora tion of political institutions . I know it was the

      cooperation of the middle classes that enabled the people of Ireland to achieve Catholic Emancipation . I know that it was the co-operation of the middle classes that enabled the people of England to obtain the fl : at step in the march of Parliamentary Reform . I see before my eyes at the present moment the irresistible progress of the middle class towards the total abolition of all taxes upon human food . How anxiously , there * fore , do I desire to see a combination between the middle aad operative classes for the attainment of Radical Reform . It that combination takes place , the aristocratic classes , who bave hitherto trampled upon the people , will be scattered like chaff before the wind ; and the honest and just principles of democratic liberty will pervade , ameliorate , and ennoble all the initiations of the State . ' " .

      - " Let me , then , conjure all the friends of peaceable and rational liberty to use every possible exertion to conciliate , to combine , and to eonsoli late the operative and middle classes ; If that can be done , the materials of complete and immaculate success are in your , hands —a success unstained by violence or crime—a sucoesa deserving the praise of good men—a success deserving ' , I hope , the approbation of the Grand Judge of all . ' "The meeting at Birminghamii » gloriooaopportunity for working oat these purposes , That epportunity may be thrown away . It may be soiled , stained , and destroyed , but the spirit that will work among the best part of the members of the Conference will survive , and even at the worst it will afford an opportunity of separating the chaff from the good seed . Bat let u » not anticipate our evils , which may be merely imaginary ; and let me trust and hope that any discordant elements may soon evaporate , leaving nothing behind but kindly feelings and cordial dispositions to unanip mity in the service of our country , . ,-. : '¦¦

      " It may be said by way of discouragement that the present Administration , over which the Puke of Welliogton and Sir Robert Peel preside , composed of men strongly inimical to reform , there ia no chance of their acceding to any measure approaching to Uniyeratl Suffrage . There are , however , two facts csunected with the leaders of the Adminiatration which show that they are inspired with a mare pliable -dis position . " - . ¦ . ' ¦¦ ¦' . '¦' . . ¦ "¦'¦ .. ¦' . - : ¦ : ' ... ,. ; . ¦ " The first of these facts is , that the Duke of Wellington and Sir R . Peel were selected by George IT . as the leaders of an Administration framed . foi tb $ . expreao purpose of contiuuiBg the laws ., by Which ttUJ Catholics were excluded from tha , constitution ; yet that very Administration , with those identical leaders , totally repealed those excluding laws . -

      ? ' The second fact is , that the landlord class in England have forced into power , in despite of the Queen , the same Dote of Wellington and Sir R . Peel for the express and proclaimed purpose of preserving in fait vigour the Corn Laws ; yet there are . most unequivocal evidences already exhibited to the publie that thla same Duke of Wellington and this same Sir K . Peel trill totally repeal those same Cora Laws . " These are most encouraging facts . They demon * atrate tha , t unless some feud , some violence , some salnsh dissensions ruin our present prospects , there exists every probability , at no remote period , of vindicating and establishing the rights ot the people at large . . " . - ¦ ¦ - . ;; -. - ' . ¦ ' - ¦ ' ¦ '¦'¦ ' ¦¦ ¦' ' -,. .

      " With respect to the draught of th 8 j act of Perllcment , I will return it , suggesting some alterations ¦ which I believe will be improvements . But in any event , It will be difficult to amalgamate the case of Ireland with that of England and Scotland . There are two objections to the inclusion of . Ireland in the same bill with that of Great Britain . There are not ia Ireland , as in England , any parish , overseers , nor any parish schoolmasters , as in Scotland , though there are schools in almost every parish . The expression pariah schoolmaster' would in Ireland be either too vague , or inftr , as matter of law , a schoolmaster employed by the protestant clergyman . Of these there are but a few , and still fewer to whom it would be safe to trust any political duty with reference to the elective franchise . . '¦ '¦ •• ¦ ¦¦ ¦ . ' . ' ¦ ¦ .- ¦ ¦¦ . ' ¦ ¦ - : ¦ ¦ .: ¦ ¦ . ¦¦ ¦ ¦ - -.

      "The second objection arises from matter of substance . The millions in Ireland who are anxious for universal suffrage are much more solicitous for the restoration of the Irish Parliament They are convinced that in the present state of the property and population of Ireland , a local Legislature is essentially necessary for the peace and prosperity of the country . In this opinion I am bound to say I mobt thoroughly and entirely concur . We Irish are not the less disposed to aid the British people in working out the right of suffrage for every male adult—complete suffrage being the only honest basis upon which either our Parliament or yours should fee founde *? . : " I have the honour to be , ic , " With sincere regard and respect , ; "Your faithful friend and servant , " Daniel O'Connell . " To Joseph Stutge , Birmingham . "

      Mr . O'Connor moved that the minutes ef the morning ' s meeting should be confirmed . Mr , Hobson seconded the motion , which was agreed to pro forma . The Conference next proceeded to elect the Committee before alluded to . Twenty-six names were proposed . The following nine had the largest number of votes , and were consequently declared duly elected 2—Mr . Joshua Hobson , Mr . J . H . Parry , Rev . Wm . Hill , Mr . John Celquhonn , Mr . G . White , Rev . T . Swann , Mr . Roberts , Mr . James Tickers , and Mr . John'Humphreys . ¦•• : ¦' ¦ - ¦ . ¦ - . - ¦ . -: ¦" . ¦'¦ . ' ¦ . ¦;¦¦ ¦ . ' . ¦ .-. ;•' ¦ " - ¦ . . ' ¦ The Secretary called upon Mr . W . Beggs , of Nottingham , to introduca the business of tke Conference . . Previous to this being done , Mr . Paret moved the following business ^ regulations : — ' . '• ..- ; ;¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦ -. : : r '; . ' : - ¦ ¦ 1 . That the Conference meet twice every d * y , from nine o ' clock to one , and from three o ' clock till eight .

      2 . That the Chairman of the Conference shall also be Chairman of any Committee of the whole body . 3- That th » Chairman shall be allowed to take part in the discussion as a member of the Conferenco , and shall have a casting vote ia case of an equal division , in addition to his vote aa a delegate . 4 . That all documents issuing from the ' Conference shall be sighed by the Chairman . 5 . That all documents , or letters , addressed to the Conference , or the Chairman , be referred to the Executive Committee . 6 . That all amendments and propositions arising out of buslnesa under discussion be submitted to the | Chah > maa , and In writing ; 7 . That all speakers be limited to fifteen minntea eacn , except when in committee , and then to five minutes eaeh , unless in extraordinary cases , to be notified by the Chairman .

      8 . That no member shall speak twice on the ttm » subject , clause , or matter Immediately under' discus-« on , either in the Conference or Committee , excO ? t ;™ explanation , or the opener , by way of conclusion" fa * eply . : ; - , ¦ ¦ - ¦ : ¦ . ' ¦¦ . .. : ¦ ¦ : .. ; . ¦ ¦¦ . -: V- / : . r ¦ On the motion of Mr . O'Connor , the time propossdf to be allowed to each speaker was reduced to ten minutes , and it was also agreed that the sittings of the Cenferenceshould be from nice in the mornlag till two , and from four till seven . A protracted discussion ensued as to the time at which tne Committee for deciding the dispnted elections , should sit , bnt of course it could answer no useful purpose to enter Into it A » otioa was ¦ subsequently made for an adjouinineBt to

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      A . B ., ah Opebativb . —We have said scores ; of times that tee cannot anstoer legal questions : he must consult a lawyer . A Fbiend to Jdsticb , Falkikk . —We decline , in justice to a numerous party , to insert the remarks contained in his letter , lie will perceive that tee have noticed the delivery of the lecture : that is all we can do . S . Goat , Nokwich . —The list sent by Mr . Cleave went through the whole impression on the 17 th , consequently the £ 2 sent by the Norwich Chartists would be there noticed . A Political Mabtyr . ^ - ^ T « s communication was received : but it must stand over for further

      perusal . S . J ., Bbistol . —The subject on which he writes is . done with so far as we are concerned , * . J , B . Thompson , Sunderi . and . — We - cannot insert his letter .: he givesverybad . advice . ¦ ' .. . A Fife Chartist . — We do not think the publication of his letter would at all alter the conduct of the individuals of whom he complains . Mr . Wh . Cotton , 38 , Ludgate-hill , Birmingham , delegate to the National Conference at Birming ' ham for Kilmarnock and Barrhead % will feel obliged if his constituents will communicate their addresses to him as soon as possible . Henry Hodgson !—We do not think gratuitous ptJuperation and assumption any answer Jo alleged ' : - facts . ¦ ¦ - ' . : . ¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ . ' : ' ' '•¦ ¦ - ¦¦ " ¦ ¦'¦¦ ' " ¦ Joseph Ravner , Hollinwood . —Yes .

      % Ttestoevft Atttr &Lt;2?Orr^Jpow)Rett^.

      % ttestoevft atttr < 2 ? orr ^ jpoW ) rett ^ .

      Birmingham Conference.

      BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE .

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      THE NORTHERN STAB . 4 . ^ . —— - —— : ¦ ¦'• ¦ ¦— " . _ - — - . . - — ,..- . ¦ . . 1 ^ .. . , _ , — - ¦ , ;

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 31, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1193/page/4/