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Northern Star (1837-1852), 8th April 1848, Edition 1 of 4, Page 7

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    • ^attmtai msottotion ot WlmttXi fete,
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      Untitled Article

      TyP ^^^^**^^^^* ' ^ " — * ¦ \~ T \ 1 TLllLM-lll . poafiJsacein their rulers , by snob & return to the aw dent constitution of this realm , as" will , at least , eeenre to the Irish people their former ex&asive power of using thtmselT £ s for their local parposes , ana of regnlatiag aad administering their local affairs , through their Sovereign , Lords , aod Commons , ican Irish parliament . The Deodhebi Joebsu , 8 tafes 3 , that several highly influential Protestant gentlemen of that town and neighbourhood , hitherto determined anti Repealers , have recently declared themselves favourable to a Repeal of the Union . The same paper contains the following paragraph : — Oa Saturday Iasttne unprecedented sum of £ 6 , 600 was TOtMr&wn from the iaviEg& * bank of this town . The lewer and middle erder 3 mast b » aware of soae threatened'danjer else tbej would cot run on aa institution which they considered heretofore so secure .

      Untitled Article

      GREAT MEETING ON KENSINGTON COMMON . ( From the Morning Chronicle . ) A pnbk ' c meeting was held on Sunday afternoon on Kenningtcn Common . At half-pa 3 fc three the speakers arrived , and the t&bls hitherto ueed For ihe reception of the signatures to the petition was converted into a temporary tribune . There were several thousands then present , and the new-comers were of a more respectable grade . Some gentleman , whose name we are not able to hand down to posterity , was called apon to preside ^ aad the proceedings of the mestirg commeccedi

      Mr Fdsseix ( one of the members of the National Convention , ' ) addressed the meeting in a speech of considerable length , in the course of which he said that the object of the Chartists was to maintain order—thit all property should be respecleJ . The Bank of England , he considered , was an unjust and oppressive monopoly ; the profits now netted by the shareholders ought to go to the State . The clergy lie designated as the most bloodthirsty interest that ever Burronnded the throne , and tke Chartists claimed that the Church lands should be forfeited to the State , and applied to the support and moral instruction ot the poor . He concluded by moving a resolution in accordance with the princinles of the People ' s Char ter , —Universal Suffrage , Vote by Ballot , No Property Qualification , Annual Parliaments , Payment of Members , and Equal Electoral Districts .

      Mr Essest Jokes ( also a member of the' National Convention , ') supported the resolution , not that he thonght they were likely to get what they asked for at the hands of the present House of Commons . They must first become their own parliament , their owu legislature , and their own executive . ( Cheers . ) If they succeeded in getting redress for their wrongs by referrine to Parliament , it would not be by the lore which Parliament bore them , but by the fear in ¦ which It he'd tnem . ( Hear , hear . ) The preceding speaker had told them that the physical fores of the country was certainly against them . That he { Mr Jones ) emphatically denied . They were the millions —tlieir oppressors were the few- ( Hear , hear . ) The bludgeon-men might be against them , but they were only tew in number . ( Hear , hear . ) He

      wgald never believe that another great portion of the physical force of the - "ountry—he meant the soldiers —was against them . ( Cheere . ) The soldiers were the friends of the working classes ; they Fprangfram and belonged to the same erder as themselves . The Charter would be tbe finest thing in ths world for the soldier . Under the Charter he would not be entrapped into the service by tbe pitiful cheat of g iving aim a shilling while in a state 6 f intoxication . ( Hear , hear . ) It would do away with his compulsory period of service ; acd as every soldier was enlisted in the service of the throne and the altar , the throne aad tae alt-ar could be made to give him his reward In the shape of a cottage and four acres of crown laud or church land whenever he quitted the service in credit to himself- ( Ckeers . ) Those cheers told him

      he was not wreng in the recommendations he had published on the subject . Finally , the Charter would not restrict al Ipromotion to the dandy aristocracy . ( Hear , and cheers . ) "Under it the soldiers might arrive at the highest appointment in the armyhe might be placed on a par with Field-Marshal Prince Albert . ( Laughter and cheere . ) The working classes of England had reduced the number of lashes to fifty , and t ! ould soon do away with the cruel practice of Soaring : altogether . ( Hear . ) lie verily believed that towards ' the honest working men of Esg-] and tbe army bad a friendly feeling , and that they FC-ald v . ot separate from Them in tne hour of danier . ( Great cheering . ) The present wa 3 the last humble oetition the working men would ever present to the house of Commons . The 10 th day of the

      present mPHth was tbe last day of grace tfce Chartists would give the Wigs . ( Cheers . ) They would carry their petition to the house orderly , and they would depart peaceably and quietly ; but if they had to SO to tee bcuse a second time , they would then go in at ms . ( Ciieers , and sensation . ) Their friend the Attorney-General would caution them to teware of him . Bat he would tell tie Attorney-General that he hsd more reasen to be afraid of the people . The verylaw 3 under which government eon ) d indict ttem were a 3 rotten as the threads of a worn-cut cable . Let tie Attorney-General look to Ireland ( Hear . ) Let him grind down the spirit of an O'Brien , the heart of a Meagber , and the soul of a Jlitehd , before he interfered with the Cha-tisfcs of England . ( Cheers . ) Let ibe government and

      Parliament have their day of grace snd if they were such political madmen and such social maniacs as to refuse the people ' s prayer , then , as political lacatios , the people must confine them in their political Bedlam . ( Hear , and cheers . ) Let the governinent not try the game of physical force , lest pbysical force be turned against them . ( Hear , hear . ) The people only asked for the Charter ; but the less the government were willing to grant , the more the people vculd be inclined to ask . ( Cheer ? . ) If they refused the Charter , the people would next ask for a republic . ( Tremendous cheers . ) The men of London were ? . s good a 3 the men of Pari 3 , the men of Milan , or the men of Berlin . ( Hear . ) By showing a bold physical front , they would prevent the necessitv for physical action . He did not believe it

      would be necessary for them to strike a single blow . But they must be prepared for tee worst . They must njarch . in divisions , with military precision . They must have their captains and their officers . Tfitti discipline the people would ba an army ; ffithout dsscipiine they are a mob . ( Cheers . ) If the Attorney-General prevented them from so organisleg tbeEseiT'es , he must prevent somebody else beside ? . Tie -Borehipfal the body of shopkeepers had established bodies of volunteers , over which they had their captains and lieutenants , with ribbons on their arms and badges on their breasts . ( Laughter . ) They were not specials , but voluntary specials . ( Receded laughter . ) If it were legal for the shopkesr . ers , it would be equally legal for the Chartists , j

      ( Hear , h ? ar . ) God speed the Irish patriots—might they throw uff the yoke of foreign dominion ! The English , working classes joined in the prayer fer Irish emancipation . "( Cheers . ) The cause or the Engl-sh working classes is the cause of the Irish people . The Irish , resident in this country , . by joining tbe racks of the Chartists , would carry the war into the enemy ' s camp—every blow struck in the metropolis or provinces of England would have double the effect of a blow struck in Ireland . He could tell them that the Chartists of England were eager to charge down from the hills of Yorkshire , Lancashire , and the vales of Northamptonshire , and plant the green 3 sg of liberty in Downing-streer , ( Rapturona cheeric ^ . ) He la ' tely told them that the men of London

      were ready to act , and the men of the Midlands , the manufacturers of Nottingham and Lancashire , and the agriculturists of the rural districts replied that , whatever the result might be , they were prepared to aid the men of London . ( Cheers ) All they a 3 ked for was tbe signal . When the brilliant rocket shot star-like into the he wens , tbe bold and brave of their country would rise , and the crrrupt of every clas 3 would sink . ( Cheers . After remarking at some length en an extract from the Pbesse newspaper , which had been distributed throughout thernetrcpo : U , in the shape of a placard , Mr Jones concluded by calling upon his hearers to be prepared , to be We and prudent , &ni they mmt beYictonoua , Sevca ' - fither members fallowed . f Tie proceedings terminated abonfc fiva o clocs .

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      iimiuii wmp ma , nwraftwiMjiEJ ^ I wiuwwi'i ^ y " " ¦ ™ " « ^ M ^ 1 GREAT CHARTIST MEETING AT JOHN \ STREET INSTITUTION . On Tuesday evening , April 4 th , the Literary Institution was densely crowded in every parfc , almost to suffocation , Mr Johs Fcssbix was unanimously called to the chair , and said , they had again met to make another moral demonstration in favoHr of their just rights . ( Cheers . ) : The press had falsely tolc them that the revolution in France had produced anarchy and confusion , but he repeated it was . false . Sir George Grey had said the government had set their faces sjainst granting concession either to trades or political bodies , hence the necessity of making the demonstration on Monday , peaceable , but 80 numerous that there could be no mistake as to this being a national movement . ( Great cheering . )

      Mr Jonk 3 , of Liverpool , came forward amidst tremeHdoHs cheering to address the meeting , and said : Would h 8 could take them to view the haunts of wretchedness in Liverpool , and show them men who formerly earned from two to three pounds a week , reduced to go to a houp kitchen for food to stay the pangs of hunger ; and the middle classes were fast following them . Could it be surprising that such men should be prepared to demand their rights in a voice of thunder . ( Loud cheers , ) He asked , should such a state of thiugs be continued ? ( 'Ne , No ; ' and great applause . ) Was it not better that they should rush forward and save their falling country , even from the very brink of ruiu ? He was both a ChartiBt and a Confederaliat . ( Great

      applause . ) The French were making theirs not only a political but a social revolution—( loud cheers ) —ant the doctrine of'Liberty , Equality , Fraternity , ' bad frightened old mother Time 3 , and other journals—( hear , hear )—but the Times had recently discovered broken-hearted navigators with four peunds in their pockets and a bill on the provisional government . ( Laughter . ) He invoked them all to ba peaceable and orderly on Monday , as that would bo the finale of moral force agitation . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Mr Thomas Clark came forwardloudly applauded , and in a most caustic speech held an inquest on the remains of Whiggery , which had laid violent handa on itself—he supposed to save tbe people the trouble of doing so . ( Loud cheers , ) Ihey wished a

      peaceable demonstration on Monday , and he had no doubt their numbers would ensure it —( great cheering )—they had resolved at all events that aggression , if it did come , should come from the government , and if they were unwise enough to give it , on their head 9 be the consequence . ( Tremendous eheering . ) He moved the following resolution : — . ' That whereas the exercise of usurped political power has been productive of the most direful results , both physical and moral , to the mass of the British people ; and whereas submission to usurpation is not only injurious , but a most criminal abasement : of humanity , be it therefore resolved , that we struggle with oru brethren throughout the empire , for those civil and social rights which God ordained for the enjfyment

      of man , , Mr Tatiersaii , of Burnley ,: came forward amid hearty cheers , to second the : motbn , and Baid : He trusted that fine enthusiastic feeling he witnessed wasjiot mere froth and pop but a genuine reality . The recent events in France had doubtlessly gladdened their hearts , not simply because a tyrant was hurled from the throne , but because France wa .-now the Polar star of liberty to Britain . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Lord John Russell seemed , since 1832 , to have forgotten that man was a progressive being , he now resembled a mile-stone stopping behind to show man how much he had progressed . ( Hear , hear . )—But ministers and legislators must go with the tide , orthe stream will overwhelm them .

      ( Tremendous cheering . ) The Whigs were trying their hands at prosecution ; they might arrest O'Brien , Meagher , and Mitchel ; 'they might take their heads off and string them up to ca 9 tlo walls ; fcut for every drop of blood that should be shed , a thousand patriots would arise to avenge the bloody deed . ( Tremendous applause , igain and again repeated , secceeded . by waving of hats , handkerchiefs , clapping of hands , and every conceivable mode of testifying applause . ) Englishmen had hitherto been found heroes at Waterloo , the Nile , and Trafalgar , but had proved the basest of slaves at home . ( Hear , hear . ) However , the men of Lancashire had now resolved to have their rights ; and what were they ? Simply , political equality with the middle and upper classes ; and was there anything unreasonable in this ?

      anythingUDjnst ? ( 'No . no . 'andloudoheers , ) No , but there was in the present system , which took from all the wealth their industry aEd ingenuity created , and sent them to feed on skilly and find a pauper ' s grave in the cold bastile . ( Hear , hear . ) Would they longer submit to such a state of things ? ( 'No , no ;' and loud cheers . ) Mr Tattersall next showed the fearful extent of the National Dtbt , the burden borne by Britoca to support the s ? t of German pauper princes , &c . ( Loud chtera . ) You say joa will not longer endure it ; then by the noble example set by France and Germany—by your exiled ; patriots Fro ? t , Williams , and Jones—by the sacred ties oi truth , justice , hutnacity ' and liberty—press forward , never stopping until you shall Lave achieved a glorious democracy . ( Enthusiastic and long continued cheering . )

      Mr Lsach , of Manchester , came forward warmly greeted , and said they had now got the steam up pretty hign , and he was not disposed to get it higher —reason was as important as enthusiasm . la Manchester tens of thousands had calmly resolved to have the Charter , come weal , come woe . ( Loud cheers . ) Wei ) , in Manchester they were swearing in special constables , bnt even the middle classes had convened a meeting for the purpose of telling the magistrate ? , they would do nothing that would prevent the people from obtaining their liberty . ( Loud cheere . ) Be thought that the aristocracy , by their , cruelty and rapacity , had shown their , unfitness to legislate for them , and that the people should take their affairs into their own hands . ( Loud cheera . ) Tfce system by its O 7 ? a weight was falling , but you mugt direct its downward course to prevent it burying you in the

      ruins . ( Loud cheers . ) Government had now got itself into a fis—the deluders were nomore—tricksters wer ? gone—there was no playing off the working men of one country against the other . Now , the working men of Ireland bad taken Englishmen by the hand . ( Great cheering . ) Mr Leach gave a heart-rending description of the condition of ihe Irish people . Ah ! said the speaker , it was blasphemously asBerted that a famine had prevailed in Ireland . It was falseplenty prevailed — the aristocracy were wallowing in luxury—and censequently instead of famine—it was murder perpetrated on the democracy by the aristocracy . ( Loudcheers . ) He , like the other speakers , called on the people to conduct themselves like men on Monday , not giving offince even to the child : and should the prayer of the petition be refused , he should then say , send an address to her Majesty . ( Tremendous cheering . )

      The resolution was carried nrjanimoBsly , amidst rapturous applause . Mr Charles Bolweil , from Batn , declared himgelf a inoral torC 9 Reformer , and said , he should be sorry to see unarmed men o pposed to armed men , or the spilling of a single c ' rop of blood . ( Hear , hear . ) They were about , on Monday next , to present their last petition . ( Loud cheera . ) Whilst he told them he was a moral force Chaitlst , he must , at ths same time , tell them , he never would allow any man te lay violent hands on him without returning it . ( Tremendous cheering . ) He was sent to London , leaving a comfortable and a happy home , that nothing but his hoDe of liberty would cause him to leave , and

      which he hoped to see again . His opinion was materially changed since his arrival in London . He had seen such an eBthuaiasm that ho had nok txpected to witness . ' ( Loud cheera . ) He expected that the Petition would be rejected ; but the Convention would be in London , the workiEg men of England would be in London , in the percon of their represen . tatives ; and their next step would be still more ternble than the National Petition ; and should the baae Whigs drive them te take their liberties , the ? might take something more than the Charter . ( Great applause . ) He then moved the following resolution ; — 'That this meeting resolves to support the Convention in its endeavours to make the Peoples Charter the law of the land . ' .

      Mr Jobkph Linnet , of Bilston , in an energetic speech , seconded the motion , and , like the former speakers , called upon the people to attend the procession in their millions , and never real ; satiatied until they had obtained the Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) MrDASEi , Donovan said , they had been told that a dinner , that was to have taken place at Highbury Barn , on Monday , could not take placer because the magistrates bad threatened the landlord with the loss of his licence if he allowed ifc . But , had they s place oi their own , it could not have been prevented by any magistrate * . ( Loud cheera . ) He said , if the government should attack an unarmed people on Monday , it would be the duty of not only the peo pie of London , but of England , to declare that government should not stand another hour . (

      Tremendous cheering . ) And , on the other hand , should m «> D hired by the government , step . out . of the ranks and strike or shoot a policeman , thatihey would give the traitors into the hands of justice , and let them bear the brunt of their own treason . Now , he bad given them both Bides of the question . ( Loud cheera . ) Mr Ernest Jones came forward , loudly , applauded , and Baid , we stand in the position , of debtor and creditor to tbe government—they were onr debtors for our murdered children and the banishment of our exiled friendB . Well , on Monday we go to demand the bill , long since due , and protested again and again ; they now demand the principal , but if

      that was not settled they would demand both interest and principaMlbud- cheers)—if their petition was rejected then it would be their , duty to try Queen Victoria , and if her mercy Bhould not be moved , why , then would be the time to adopt the plan he had so often spoken " of , ( Tremendous cheering . ) It was said the government was about to commence . prosecution in England ; he said , let them . do it . ( Great cheering . ) 'I'hey had tried it in Ireland ia the persons of Messra Mitchel ,. O'Brien , arid . Meagher , Ele adopted their sedition , every word of it . ( Great ind enthusiastic cheering . ) Well , then , that meet-, ng also adopted it—then let them prosecute that

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      meeting . He had news for them ; the men of Halilax had . held glorious ' meeting ' s , and they formed in precession and marched into Halifax , the soldiew came out of the barracks and cheered , and cheered again . ( Tremendous cheering . ) The Whigs , at Halifax , thoughtit a bad sign , and the government ordered the regiment to Ireland . The people had formed a precession to escort them out and cheer the soldiers which was responded to by cheers from

      the guards . ( Great applause and three cheers for the guards , given by the meeting mskt enthusiastically . ) In conclusioa , he wished Lord John joy with his new regiment for Ireland . ( Tremendous cheerine ; . ) Resolution carried unanimously . Mr Vehnon then came forward and 9 aid a few words relative to & letter that appeared in the Times of today , and some words that appeared in the Star of Saturday last , and was cordially greeted by the meeting . His declaration that he had not been more violent than others elicited warm applause .

      Mr Ciark having paid a few word ? , Mr Vernon cordially shook hands with tho executive , amidst enthusiastic cheering , A vote of thanks was carried , by acclamation , to the obairmaD , who , in responding , read the following letter relative to Frost , Williams , and Jones . Chambers , BadforcUtrQet , Strand . Sir , —r am directed by Mr Wakloy , M . P ., to state , tbat he has made inquiry of tbo Secretary of Stata for the Home Department , whether it is the intention of

      government to pardon , liberate , and restore to their coun . try , Frost , Williams , and Jenaa , and that ho received for answer , that no such intention was at proaent entertained by the government . I am , Sir , your obedient aerrant , 0 , L , HttTcuiN 80 » , Three cheers were then given for the Conventionthree for the Union between the Irish and English working classes—three for theCharter , and the meeting separated . There was a dense crowd of people at tho doors who could not obtain admission .

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      rHE PEOPLE'S CHARTER , AND FRO 3 T , WILMAMS , AND JONES . On "Wednesday evening last , a puWic meeting was con ^ ,-ened ia the St . Pancras Yeatry Rooms ; which were lensely crowded , HC HeNBT , IlETHEBISiGTON- W 88 UHQniinOUSly Cflllofi . o tbe chair , who spoke of John Frost as being a most ; atimabb man ; and as the continental government ! bad liberated their political victims , and as evei England bad liberated her Canadian subjects , fo , ir : ommon justice , should Frost , Williams , and Jones , be restored ? ( Loud cheers . ) Mr W&T 80 N , delegate in the Convention for Newcastle upon-Tjnc , rose to more tbe first resolution , and Baid he thought the people would , on the present oscasion 3 how such a bold , peaceful , yet energetic front , as tc convince the government they were determined to have ,

      and worthy of , the Ciiarter . Tfee coming' procession would be worthy of th * working classes . Mr Watson then road a resolution ia favour of the People ' s Charter , and snid , of such a character was the resolution ho was asked to move , that he should like to see ihe men wbo could bring forward a vestige of an argument against it , Ua contended , that it was the right of every man of tw ^ nty . one years of age to have a voice in electing those who made the laws . They all had to pay taxes , and they ought to have a voice in the appropriation of them . Was it not time that wo got rid of such a system ? The people of the north were determined that they should be admitted to voto , or that the minister should go off , ( Loud cheers . ) The proposition brought before them said , tbat seven-eighths of the people ' were voteless ,

      degraded slaves ; ' and the question was so closely connected with labour tbat , from their not having tho protection of the vote , capitalists got their labour for just what they pleated ; and it would not be gainsayed when he asserted that tbo labour of the working man < vas his capital ; and feeling tbio , tbe people had resolved never to give up until they got the Charter , ( Great cheering . ) Well , then ; will you give us some assistance ? ( ' Yes , yes ! ' ) Will you attend the procession , and let your will bo known ? ( 'Yes , yes ; ' and loud cheers . ) With a bold fren ' , and a nerved soul , and a firm determination , they could achieve tbeir rights . He thought , when he returned , to Newcastle , ho might tell them they had determined to put their wills in action , and eauBO tbe Charter to become tho law . ( Loud cheering . )

      Mr Robert Wild , of Mottram , rose amidst muoh cbutriDg , to second ) ho motion , It give him great pleasure to find that the people of . London were alire to tkf-ir own interest , and from such very numerous , intelligent , and enthusiastic meetings he thought the time was not far distant when they should have tbe Charter , King Solomon said there was a time for all tbings ; tho time for speaking had gone , and he thought this wag the time for action . Ha was in the House ef Commons last night , and heard a member talking- . of ecclesiastic revenues , who said npvtajda of ona hundred -wovlsSng clergymen had not more than one hundred a year , and were without houses to live in ; he thought there were

      many working men who had not £ 'J 0 per annum , and not so much ground as their thumbs would cover ; ay , had jcu the Charter you would not find the House of Commons sympathising with clergymen in possession of two pounds per wtek , and utterly forgetting the woalth producers who peiiuhed for want , amidst heaps of wealth . Every people , every ! , nation ,-was demanding freedom , end shall the petition of a shilfnl , ingenious , and industrious people 3 be treated with contumely , and rejected . Then prepare for the procession on Monday , and be prepared for the worst—the njection of the petitioa . ( fries of ' Wa ava prepared . ' ) He cordially supported the resolution , ( Loud cheers . )

      Mr Walteb , of Worcrster , in an energetic speech , supported tha motion amidst the loudeBt applause , and concluded by inviting all to attend the procesBion and k « p peace , good order , and firmness . ( Great cheering . ) The resolution waB put and carried unanimously , amidst rapturous applause . Mr John Arnoit then came forward and read a Petition in favour of tho People ' s Charter , and moved its adoptioa . Mr Samuel K . TDD , amid the loudest applause , came forward to second it . He Baid there was one portion of tbat petition which said , ' Lubour was tne foureeofall wealth and should be the foundation of all government . ' Franco was often pointed to at tbis juncture of European progress ; tho young blood of France had proved more pon-erful than the blood of all tbo Bourbons , ( Hear , hear . ) The provisional government , as represented in the persons of Albert and Liuis Blanc , understood this question of labour , and would solve the problom so long

      in ateysnee , , as regards England , tbe principles oi the first resolution must be worked out before labour would meet with its due reward , ( Cheers . ) He contended that the labourer sbonld be the consumer and ' Ho nho would not work neitbor should he oat '—( grent cheering ); in any revolution ( hat foofc place here , he would not be satisfied to take anything less than tho People s Charter for its basis . ( Tremendous cheering . ) Bat bsfore he took a dangerous position he must be assured thatbe risked sot bis lifo for a phantom , but , tbat the veritable people of England willed the change . Ho alluded to the iffective ecene produced by the Bimple recital of Bicbard Marsden , in the Convention this dayamid cheera and asked , Were the people prepared to march on ? ( Loud cries of ' Yes , yes . ' ) Do not say ' Yes , ' and mean' No ; ' again , I say , ' Are you prepared to aarcb . onward I ( Loud shouts of ' Yes , yea . ' ) Then he was prepared to go with thf m for Equality for all , ' The king can mak a belted knight , A marquiB , dake , an a' that ,

      Bnt an honest man's aboon his might . ' ( Tremendous cheeriug . ) Mr J . West then moved the adoption of a resolution in favour of the liberation of Frost / Williame , and Jones He moved this to exhibit his sympathy w . 'tb tboae men , although ho thought ita secondary question just now—the question of primary importance being the Charter . ( Loud cheers . ) There now vraa a war against nsurpatioa ; Irishmen and Englishmen must unite , and should Irishmen be treated with brute force , it would be our duty to look to it , ( Tremendous cheering . ) He alluded to the case of Kirmsn , the Irish spy , and Colonel BrowE , vrho hndinstignted Kfrwan to go and get men to make pikes , thus eatrapplng them into illegal acts . ' Did not this prove the Tbigs to be a bloody government ? ( Loudcheers . ) But Colonel Brown oame forward and avowed that he had employed Kirwan , and what then ? Why the magistrate let Kirwan off , ( Hoar , hear , ) ' Irishmen and women were perishing fer want ,

      and Lord John said ho would pnt Ireland down . Why , far better would it bo that Ireland should be deluged with blood from end to end , than such a state of things should continue . ( Rapturous cheering , ) Peace , law , and ordtr he Baid—if it was for all—but if it did not reign through plenty in the cottagea , there should be no peace in tbe castle . ( Great applau 3 D . ) Some time ago be wan charged with being a revolutionist — he was so , he avowed it—be wanted a change—he wished the men who produced to be the first partaker of the fruits . This was reversing the present order of things , and consequently wasj revolutionary , and very necessary , and very beneficial , ay , and a revelation that must be had , ( Tremendous cheering , ) He should like to be one of a deputation to go to Lord Jol n RubbcII , and point out the rebberies itfiicted on labour ; but he really believed the only remedy was tie Charter , and he thought the way to obtain it , was by making the sitting of the Convention permanent , and resolve not to separate , until the Charter lacamc the law of the land . ( Loud cheers . ) ;

      . str ( 3 lesnisteb of Cheltenham , said he had . sincere pleasure in seconding tbe motion for the restoration o £ those good men , Fxpjt , Williams , and Jones , but he did not expect to see them until tho Charter became the law of . the land . ( Loudcheers . ) Mr Eenest Jones came forward amidst tremendous cheering , to support the resolution , and said we had good news from Rome , from France , from Italy , and Germany , and from tbe splendid meeting ? ho nightly Baw , ba believed we should soon hate Rood events . In fact , we were teaching the government French , and they would soon . have to-repeat the lesson ' . —Liberty , Equality , aad Praternity ; and In a brilliant speech , pointed out the , several tbiDgs moving on the political board , and the mode of moving on to success— -alluded to the appsarance of several special reporters at the conference , and tba plaudits by which their , appearance was hailed , and the bold speaking of tbe delegates assembled—suggested , in the event of the petition being rf jected , simultaneous meetings and memorials to the Queen : if

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      those failed , then it would be time ter mural means to cease ; at any rate not to desist , or allow the Convention to separate until the Charter was obtained . ( Great applause , long oontinued . ) The resolution was then put and carried wunlmouBly , Mr John Fdsseli , came forward and moved the adoption of a petition to the Houso of Commons , calling on ( hat house to address he * Majesty foP the ffiafOPitioil of Frost , WilliamB , and Jodbb * ; he supported itin ^ an energetic speech , which was much applauded , Mr Humphbies seconded the adoption of tho petition , which waa carried unanimously . Mr Hintoh moved that the petition for the Charter be signed by tho chairman , and forwarded to L ts ! Dudley Stuart , and tncoao in favour . ' of Frost , Williams , and Jones , to SirB . Hall . Curried unanimously .

      Mr Lucas moved a vote of thanks to the vestrymen for the use of the rooms on tho occasion , Mr Austin seconded , and it was carried by acclamation , A vote of thanks was awarded to the chairman , and the meeting waa dissolved , after giving three tremendous cheers for the People ' s Charter .

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      The Central Committee met on Monday and following days for transaction of general business ; & great roas 3 of correspondence has heon received from all parts of the . country , also the following adhesions for the last few weekB . Oldham tailors , Norwich bruahmakers , Stockport spinnera ( No . 2 ) , Falkirk moulders , Blackburn card-room operatives , Brigg nailmakera , West Brotnwioh miners , West End men ' s boot and shoemakers , The following reports havo also come to hand : — -Mr Williamson reported having waited upon the bricklayers of Lynn ( Norfolk ) to investigate a case of reduction

      in wages . One of thamastors , it appears , had offered a reduction to his men of from two to three shillings per week . ^ The men applied to the Central Committee for their advice and interference . Mr Williamson was forthwith despatched to Lynn , and put himself into immediate communication with ihe master in question , who , at firsr , repudiated the idea : of a third party interfering between him and his mer ; but Mr W . persevered to enforce the men ' s claims , which ultimately resulted in tho withdrawal of seduction , and the men happily continued on at their avocation , rejoicing that a power bo great waa brought to bear on their behalf .

      On the Uth instant , ' a reduction of wage 3 was offered to and exacted 'from the mule spinners of Chickerly , near Dewsbury , without the slighest notice being given to them , But being members of the Association , they immediately communicated with the Central Committee , who appointed Mr Taylor , of Huddersfield , to investigate , and if possible , adjust the dispute ; and the result has been , that on Mr Taylor waiting upon tho employers ] and discussing the matter with them , they desired a short timo to consider the question , and promised to give the men ; an answerby four o ' clock in the " afternoou ; they did so , and honourably withdraw the reduction , and the men joyfully resumed their wonted toil , Curing Mr Taylor ' s sfcsy in Chickerly , a dispute

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      arose between the weavers and their emplojers which dispute he also succeeded in adjusting tatho entire satisfaction of the trade . Notice . —The March report can be had from the Central Committee , price one penny ; it can be sent post free , either singly , or in parcels to any part of the . kingdom . We trust members will make use of this privilege . The Central Committee deem it an important parfc of their duty , and a part they are very much disposed to fulfil to tfie utmoBt of their power , to act as sen * tinels ovgi 1 the generally acknowledged rights and privileges of the trades of England , whether such trades are correctly speaking members of our combination or not .

      There are certain acts of parliament which limit and define the extent to which trades in combination may proceed in defending themselves against the opnresion of capital , Tho acO 0 George 4 , cap , 129 , is the most recent of these , and rnsy be said aG toe present tiire to contain all the essential features of the criminal law of England , as between labour and capita . It is generally con .-iidered in England at this day , that this act fully recognises the undoubted right _ of any number of working men to unite and combine , by ^ mutual consent , for the open and avowed object of raising their wages . nvA resisting aredtic * tion of wages , or any encroachtnents upia their local or trades usages or customs ; provided the means employed in the prosecution of such , object ? is unattended with violence , or threats of violence to indiri ° duals not being members of such combination or society . This construction of the act was most

      distinctly kid down by Baron Rolfe , in the celebiatedtrial at Liverpool in . the summer of last year , in the case of Potts v . Sebb } ; and the issue of that trial has been ! looked on aa a triumphant recognition by one of the first common law judges of tbo day , of the undoubted right of the working classes to combine , to strike , to raise money for the purpose of such strikes , with a view o ? resisting a reduction of , or raising their , wages , of limiting or altering the hours of labour ; or , in fact , resisting any and every encroachment of their employers upon them as workmen . Such is , or waa supposed to bo the law , at least , according to tha judgment and commentaries of Mr Baron Rolfo . But . behold a second Daniel has come to judgment , and Judge Colquhwin , Sheriff of Invernesshire , has overruled Judge Rolfe ' s decision , if he has not absolutely repealed in toto the above recited act of parliament , 6 George 4 , cap . 129 .

      Two trials have recently taken place in Scotland , before the Sheriff of ] Inverness , who in this court performs thesqmewbatanomalouafuncfcions of judge and jury . The victims in thiscase being Bome unfortunate shoemakers of Inverness . The press of matter precludes ua from giving a report of the trial , but the following extracts will place the thing in ita true character before the trades of England : — Sheriff Colquhoun presided . The cases for tho Crown were conducted by George Youn ? , E = q ., ad-Yocate-deputo ( who had come from Edinburgh on purpose ) , and John Mackay , Esq , procurator-fiscal . Messrs Dallas and Simpson , solicitors , were agents for the accused .

      FIRST IBIAL—INIIMIDiTION OJ ? MASTERS , John Noble , liobert Fletcher Macwhinnio , Alex * ander Munro , and John Mackenzie , shoemakers , and John Mackenzie , boot-oloser , were put to the bar , and the indictment against them read by tho clerk of the court . There were four separate chargea against the prisoners . First , with having , as members of ' Ths United Operative Boot and Shoemakers' Friendly Society of Inverness , 'on the 3 rd of November , molested or obstructed the firm of Messrs Dugald and John Macqueen , boot and shoemakers , and dealers in ready-made boots and shoes in Inverness , by threatening a strike , or refusal of work , on the part of the _ aforesaid olub , if the Messrs Mac queen did not dismiss a journevmaa named

      Alexander Hose Poison , from their employment ; in consequence of which , John Macqiuen waa forced or induced to pay the sum of 5 s ., with a view to procure delay in the execution of the threat . Secondly , with having ; five days afterwards , caused the Alesara Macqueen to dismiss Alexander Rose Poison from their employment . Thirdly , by threatening a strike , or refusal to work , as cobblers or menders for the said firm of MesBrs Macqueen , if they did not discontinue importing read y made boois and shoe 3 from London , Dublin , and Glasgow , or other plrces , asd afterwards having all the boots and shoes for their business mads in Inverness . TowlMy , with having , in like manner , threatened Duncan Cameron , Inyerne ? s , by a strike , or refusal to work , if he did not also discontinue bis practice _ of importing ready-made boots and shoes , and having ' all the boot 3 and shoes for his said manufacture , trade or business , made or manufactured ia Inverness or the neighbourhood thereof . '

      Mr Dallas , for the pannels , objected in bar of trial —( 1 . ) That they had not been competently sum * moned , in ferma of the Yth section of tbo statute ^ 2 . } That tbe panels having been apprehend ed under the act upon the same charge , brought before the sheriff , and imprisoned for an indefinite period , oa 8 th December last , at tbe instance of the present prosecutor , and the period ef thrte months , to which the act restricts the punishment of the offence charged , being expired , the defenders must be held to have already undergone the punishment oi the offence . ( 3 . ) _ The statute confers no power on the she * iff to imprison before sentence , and the common lair jurisdiction of that magistrate is , by the decision oftcc Bieh Court , in the case of Knox v , Ramsay , lat July , lS 37 , excluded . After referring to several other authorities , and to ' the statuto itself , in suppovtof the febjer-. titms , ha moved the court to dismiss the complaint simpliciier .

      These legal objections were , of course , instantly overruled by Jadge-sheriff Colquhoun . The prisoners , or ( as they are termed in the Scotch law , ) the paa « pels , severally pleaded cot guilty , when MrDallasoh jected to the relevancy of the complaint . Theoffenca charged was contravention of the 3 rd section of the statute 6 Geo . IV ., c . 129 , which is directed against violence to the porson or property of another , and threats or intimidation , molestation or obstruction , for the purpose of forcing any manufacturer to make an alteration in his mode of carrying on his trade . The governing part of the clause being violence to the person or property , formed , as he thought , tbe key to the meaning of threats or intimidation , and the other terms used , meaning threats of violence Now , in tbe present case , no violence is alleged , nor any threat of violence , and no language calculated to intimidate is averred . In particular , the only allegation being that the accused threatened , in a certain

      event , to refuse to werk , or rather that some other persons , over whom it is not said that the pannela had control , would refuse to do so . Here there waa no active throat , but an intimation that , unless certain demands were complied with , the threatened , or rather others not named , would do what they had obviously a perfect right to do , namely , refuse to work ; in other words , do nothing at all . Ho submitted , with confidence , that the threat of refusal to work was not a threat in the meaning of the statute * even if it had bsen averred that the parties wera bound to work ; and that their refusal would be a vio « lation of some legal contract— : it being clearly implied by the statute , and the ordinary meaning of the terns threat , that it must be something active , and not a passive threat . After seating other objections of minov importance , ho referred to several libels in . 6 imijar caies hi the Justiciary reports and other authorities-to show the interpretation tut upon the statute to be what he now contended for .

      This well-stated and very feasible objection having been over-ruled with the same promptitude as the previous ones , the public prosecutor proceeded with his evidence in support of the charge ^ which it is uot necessar / to report , 33 it was , as in such cases ife usually is , the testimony of renegade and dishonoured members of the shoemakers' society . It referred chiefly to the fact of a deputation ( two of the pri « soBevs ) having been sent to Messrs Macqueea with respect to a man , by the name of Poison , ( a clicker ) , who , contrary to tbo rules of the trade , had been closing boots , The Messrs Macqueen re « fused to accede to the request of the men , which ( as wa 9 proved ) was only an . arrangement , general in tha trade , and previously admitted and sanctioned by tha

      prosecutor himaelf . It waa fully admitted that the deputation were perfectly civil and courteous in , their proceedings , and that no threats or violence wera used , nor any obstruction offered further than , that if they persisted in retaining Poison , in violation of the custom of the trade , the men would cease working for them . Now , there can bo no question that all this was quite lawful . Macqueen had a perfect right to retain Poison if he so pleased , and his mea bad an equal right to agree together and say to him' If you do so persist , we will no longer work for you . ' This was the gist of the first part of the case . Tha second charge was that they threatened to strike

      it their emplojers continued to import into Inverness shoes and boots from Dublin , London ,. and Glasgow , to their injury . This charge is entirely false , aa against tbe men . The facta being , that the men agreed that they would not mend and repair boots and shoes so imported , which we consider they also were lawfully entitled to do . The younger Macqueen , at the close of Els cross-examinatiou said , 'I was entitled to dispense with the workmens servioea when they returned a piece of work finished , and tha workmen were entitled to refuse to work . No work was returned ' to the shops unfinished in consequence of these proceedings . ' We conclude our report Witt MrDallaa ' s excellent remarks in defence

      ofthepriserson . Mr Dallas addressed tho Bench for the pannel ? , Noble , Macwbinnic , and John Mackenzie , ahoemaker . It would be scarcely necessary for him to . Impress upon , thecourt the necessity of judging of tho case upon ita own m ' erltB What ke claimed fcr his clients was na more nor less than what was bo eloquently lauded by the learned counsel for the prosecution , namely , freedom p £ aotion and a right to diapose of their-labour , tha poor man ' s only estate ana capital , upon tbeir owu terms . Ths result of giviDg effect to the views of the learned counsel , in this case , would be to deprive' tho operative BhofemaUerB of Inverness-of this right , rn 3 tbfiir freedom of action , With regard io . \ u story of the importation , or the cobbling work , it was this , A great body of journeymen 8 he = makerB in this town depentlea chiefly , if not entirely , on tha making of new

      Untitled Article

      TEE CHARTER , AND REPEAL IN THE ¦ ¦• CITY . , ' . - .. Ie cmseqHencs of the city aldermen haying witt drawn Mr Cartwrigat ' s billiard license , Eirnply , becauss Chartist and Itepsal meetings wereheld at his housutae Chaitiatsand Confederates resokedtomeet Bettecation by an act of incrsased patronage , and a benefit in the shape of z ' soiree and ball wastha result . The large room in Redcresa-street , was , on Monday evening , densely crowded ; the room was handsomely decorated with caps oi liberty , figures of liberty , American banners , and a French trieoloured flag floated from thewndow .

      Mr Cl&kct waa unanimously called to the chair * and Baid he lopfced on the present time as an epoch in the historic records of liberty ' s struggle , and in the fullness of his soul prayed for the time when Ireland Bhould bs anation , and England in the full enjoyment of her liberties . ( Loud cheers . ) The authorities seemed to think that by persecuting Mr Cartwright they could trample oa our glorious principles , bufc he trusted that the Irish Confederation would convince Lord John that they were made of sterner stuff than to be pnt down by little men in black coats—( lend cheers )—and by their support of M * O&rfcwrighfc , ehowjlhat they duly appreciated his efforts in their behalf . Mr Cartwright had done more for ' the men of no property' than any other citizen—he had much pleasure in submitting the following sentiment : — ' Our upright , honest , and sincere Chartist friend , John Cartwright—may he live to vanquish all his enemies , and trarrple persecution under his feet . '

      Mr A . Shabp and Mr Williahs , tne Chartist baker , supported it in speeches that were warmly greeted . Mr Chables M'Cartht rose to submit the . second resolution , and the cheering from without anfiounced the arrival of Feargus O'Connor , M . P ., who , on hia entering the room , waa moat enthusiastically greeted . Mr M'Carthy said , as their friend and advocate had arrived , he would merely say that he trusted that tbe people " vould band themselves together , like" the lictors' rods , before him , and then

      they would soon obtain their just rights . ( Loud cheers . ) He heartily congratulated the people on the union between Ihe Chartists and the Repealers . ( Great applause . ) He thought they might thank Mr O'Connor for that . ( Hear , hear . ) He further rejoiced that the Young Irelanders had resolved on having Ireland for the Irish , and he hoped tbe Chartists would follow their example , and resolve on having England for the Ep gliBb . ( Loud cheers . ) He had much pleasure 5 b giving the following sentiment : — A cordial union and success to the demeeracies of all nations . '

      The CsiiBiiAH said , tha hour had now arrived fer which he had long sighed . They now had their president amongst them . ( Loudcheers . ) And he had great pleasure in introducing Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., to sppak to the next sentimGnt , as follows : — 1 The Irish Confederation—may it speedily free Ireland frem tyranny and oppression , and give her people such institutions as shall accord with their free and unbiassed opinion . ' - On Mr O'Conkob rising , he was greeted with prolonged cheering , which having subsided , he said he had just arrived from the House of CommoBs , where they were discussing the rights of a dispersed people , the Jews . Now he thought his countrymen were as much a dispersed and a more oppressed people than

      the Jews—and hence he had given up a shore portion of his time to run down there , and advocate their ciuse . ( Loud cheers . ) He had heard one of their friends allude to moral and physical force . Now , those vrere subjects on which he did not give an opinion , except from his place is Parliament . ( Laughter . ) But he did know that the Americans had prayed their good King George III ., of blessed memory , and that he took no notice of thei r prayer , In 1 S 32 , when he was returned for his native county , Cork , forty members were returned , pledged to accept neither place nor pensionuntil they had achieved their rights—and he could not help thinking the Irish people were to blame for sendirg such a cringing lot to Parliament ,

      as -was found there at the present day , after the brilliant example to which he had alluded —had ttey kept np to that mark—and stood firm , oppre ? sion would have crumbled into dust , even as tlroBC 3 wera bow crnmbliEg . ( Loud cheers . ) Notwithstanding all the persecution , jeers , and taunts to which he tad been subjected , he was pleased to think he had ttood forward the firm advocate of the rights of Ireland . He had told the Bouse of Commons plainly his sentiments—that the Irish people were murdered , and interred like dogs , ' unhouselled , unappointed , and Enasnealed ; ' that Ireland was their Poland— ' that the air of Poland was redolent of the fresh smelling blood of the martjra slain in battlewhilst the putrid atmosphere of

      Ire-, laud stinks from the efibvia of tbe wasted bodies of famished slaves' —( loud cheers )—and he aaked , could they restore to life the millions slain by gaunt famine ? The Scripture said , ' It was better to die by the sword than to perish of hunger . ' ( Great ap . planse . I only quote Scripture—and surely the Bible i 3 far better than Lord John Russell ' s logic ! ( Lone cheers . ) He never could agree that Ireland should go in quest of land abroad , when she bad plenty at home—( loud cheers)—and his blood boiled when he thought of an archbishop begging for the means for his countrymen to live . ( Hear , hear . ) He had told the House of Commons , that it was wrong that such things should be . and they give a clergyman , at the "ame time , £ 2 , 000 per annum , the same

      clergyman getting a journeyman to do his work for £ 75 ; but Irishmen did not mind paying their own clergyman fair and moderate sums ; but it was too bad to call upon Paddy to pay for his Catholic doctor and the Protestant doctor as well . ( Loud cheers . ) As regards the Union , it was accemplished by English gold and Irish treachery , and ata time too when Ireland was mourning the lossof many of her patriot sons . ( Hear , hear . ) His father was prosecuted , and his nncle banished . Eight years ago , he had advised the eouncil of three hundred to meet and show the Saxon , what they csuld do in the shape of law makin "; but then , coming from him , it wasnonsense-jbut now . coming from other 3 , it wa 3 good sense ; fer his parfc he did not ask repeal but separation . ( Hear , what had to do

      hear ) Ilecoald not see England with Ireland at all . ( Loud cheers . ) He did not know if thev had as much Milesian blood in their veins as he had . '; if they had , he thought they wonld agree that the coauexion bad existed too long . ( Great applause . ) Bis family had a loBg account to settle , thev had endured more persecution and prosecution than any other family . ( Hear , hear . ) Catholics had thoughtlessly gone on under Protestant rulers , althongh they were only allowed to fill the office of a commoH soldier , and be shot at for one shilling a day . True , it was said that Paddy was too ignorant to be trusted with the franchise , but it was not your ignorance , bat your intelligence , they dreaded . If you had the power of electing M . P ' s ., there would be no

      tithes you would be free of them the next day , and you would learn to build your own castles on your own free labour fields . ( Loudcheers , ) He was satisfied that every Irishman loved hi ? country . At the Birmingham station he had met with an Irishman , who wa 3 an overseer , and he ( Mr O'Connor ) g 3 ; , j « You are an Iriskmaa / and asked him' Did he ever think of Ireland ? ' Ay , ' he responded , ' ay , blood and ' onads , sure'tia always thinking of her I am— ( laughter ) -and , snre , if I was going to die , I would rather swim aoross than die here . ' ( Loud cheere ) But he heard that the young gentlemen were Btirring , and he hoped they would do something soon . Now , he ( Mr O'Connor ) had said— ' Paddy , 'tis Sunday ; I will preach yon a sermon— 'God / Loud

      always helps thrse who help themselves ( cheers . ) And , therefore , yon must not look to Mitchel , O'Brien , Meagher , O'Gorman , or Doheny , but must put your own Bhenlder to the wheel . * ( Great applause . ) He had been for the last twenty-five years an advocate fer Ireland . Now » on Monday next , he was to present a petition for the Charter , which , he trusted , would Le signed by five or six millions of souls . ( Loudcheers . } And , in tbe Convention to-morrow , Le would move that a prayer for the Repeal of the Union be added . ( Loud cheers . ) This was the wedding night of Chartism and Repeal in London , and he wonld drink , in a bumper of cold water / Sueeessto their union , and bad luck to the union between England and Ireland . ' ( Tremendous cheers , during which 3 Ir O'Connor left the

      room . ) Mr Ehnest Jokes rose warmly greeted , and in allusion to the ball about to beheld , said : He hoped ¦ when next they met it wonld be at a ball of a different description . ( Cheers . ) Balls were not very appropriate before a revolution , much more appropriate after . Polignac , in reply to Charles X ., orca said ' A ball wasplcasine because his majesty was dancing ever a ' volcano . ' They were about to dance on the briDkofoPs . ( Cheers . ) Moral and physical force naJ been talked of of late—now , he wa 3 happy to have the sanction of their great chief , to the doc trine * God helps those who help themselves . / Load cheers . ) We have already frightened tio show their signals of distress

      enemy ; they already New he thonght these would prove the fog Bignals , as fee ' fondly hoped did tbe people once begin to surge , that they wonld surge everywhere at once . ( Cheers . ) TTp would beg the favour of one of the ladies hands fora dance , notto-Bight . but when the Charter-was eain * d which he hoped would be speedily after the fSh of April . ( Loudeheers . ) In conclusion he would givo ' Confusiento the politics of all knavish legislators . '* A Loud cheering . ) . Mr SurxH , in a most brilliant speech , which was received with loud applauss , gave the following :-• The just rights oi . ths people as contained in the Charter , and may they speedily be enacted as law . Mr cIjwwbiohi acknowledged the hoeour done

      Three cheers were given for the French Republic , three for the coming British revolution , three groans forThe AUrrmen who tcok away the license , and this interesting meeting dispersed ,

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      Ss : sioL .-As Ahzcdoie of Brahdos Hni .-On lErtMondayneek , rumours , and &" * . . and af ™ ' were veiy prevalent among the old ladies and some Ss in this city . Tfco dreadful Chartists were going to hold a meeting on Brandon Hill ; it was ray dear that the public knew much more about it than we cid . Indeed , our sapient m agistrates were Xr . f /^ Sa « "S » arrffiffiSMSreS ssfcsrMWJSfyp 'K nouncing that Brandon Hill was the nmains of an « tincfc voleano . Something was go . ng to happ non that dav , nobody could tell what ; some of tiu toad ( Stood and watched afar iff . others mere bold actu ^ Uy

      walked over the hill , and as the day wore on , increased numbers assembled . They feltsare that the mountain was in labour , aEd so it was , for econ after the sunwaa set il brought fortha-mouse . JNot-* ithstanding this , there were many fearsjmd bis-FivhSSotS to Friday nifht ^^ S ^ S fiat committee issued their peaceful address , ann&uncing the alorious meeting o'ToeMay . „ The faoMEto the Convention ^ m Wor ^ ter , MtEdkaed Walter , kaBon of © bo rf the m £ t respectable tradesmen of the place , awl bwtaer-in . w to the mayor of Worcester . Besides tonga Clwrtrt , as is an earnest and conscientious advocate for tbe j wsanisation of labour . j i To Tricti fraPpw . nr . twsrd bound , on Fnaay ,

      foisted the Irish national flag at the m&s jhead ,, wjen a few miles out in the Chancel , bnt as « wcuy Vweied . tliem upon chase bsing giYen by her Majesty a mail tender Ringdove .

      ^Attmtai Msottotion Ot Wlmttxi Fete,

      ^ attmtai msottotion ot WlmttXi fete ,

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      l | fi .. . . .. . " . : ¦! , .. v . . :- .: ! ' { ; V : ^ V ! v : ' ¦ ' ¦ ¦ - ilMpRiL 8 , 1848 . '¦ --. - ¦ - ¦ -r : ... . : - :::--::: - ¦ THff ' "" NO"KTH"EW " ' « TJtK ^ " 7 . 7 ' ¦ v . ¦¦¦ ¦ , ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' ' n '

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      We bare still the right of public meeting :, of the free expression of opinion , and of combination . Let us use these privileges faithfully . If we neglect the proper exercise of those rights we now possess , what reason have we to suppose that if we had more we should use them ? It is by the judicious exercise of the power we now have , whereby we can prove to our adversaries that we are capable of using those they now withheld from us . But if we suffer a listless spirit to lull our dormant energies , while our

      commonfoesarepurloining our children's bread , then , indeed , we prove ourselves to be utterly unworthy of our indisputable right ? , undsservin ? of the name of Eoglishmeu , and richly merit all the wrongs and sufferings heartless tyrants can heap upon us . But , friends , we conjure you to use the power you naw possess . Meet together . Organise ! organise ! organise ! and right will triumph over might , and the new oppressed bods of toil will once more be the first partakers of the firat fruits of their own industry .

      Remember , that if ever consummate freedom must be our lot , with all its concomitant advantages , it must be by hard moral contest , by persevering and indomitable courage . For this purpose , organise in one mighty combination , and no power will be able to retain you in bondage . The sovereign voice of the millions will compel capitalists to respect our rights , and force government to concede our political privileges . It is the popular will that has led to every great constitutional change in this country , and it has lest none of its powers now .

      already been sounded on the free soil of France . Its sound is deep , loud , and long . It has aroused the slumbering ecevp > s of oppressed cations , broken the spell of slavery , and now teveberates through the hills and dales of British power , through hearts and souls of British subject , and with a voice louder than ten thousand thunders , commands ua onward to liberty , or to cease our operations ' , and die despised slaves , crushed by our own apathy , and for ever ruined by a fatal indifference to our individual welfare , to our national honour aad glory .

      You are not nsked to use violence . We do not coll upon you to injure the property or person of any , but simply to swell the ranks of our organisation , and in the fulness of yeur moral power , proclaim and defend your independence . Now is the time for action . The whole world is on the move . Every people , and nation , and tongue , are struggling to be free , and we must not be the last , not the least , to deelare and vindicate our most cherished rights . Remember the knell of despotism and tyranny has

      The last is meat decidedl y jour future prosprct , nates ? you move with the age , Ihe day of blackness —of injustice—and of tyranny may be brought fo a speedy close if you unite and act together ; mingle your syrapathies ~ youv voices—your energies with ours , and freedom will be quickly won . Friends , awaken from your lethargy , sleep not on the watchtower , nor remain indifferent tatho inviting signs of the times , that will propel you onward ( if you will not stop if ; F-itn the flowing , restless , swelling , powerful tide of long-sought emancipation . Be up , then , and doing , lay your shoulders to the chariot wheel—help the movement onward and freedom will the more speedily come .

      The enlightened mind of the working class is being disgusted with the present arrangement and estrangement of labour and capital , and ths popular ivill longs to throw off , and to give to the winds , the chains of cruel despotism , that now prrss so teavily upon the poople , which , like a devouring vulture , fea 9 t upon the victims it has made . Let every individual member of this Association , apply the above remarks to himself . Ask yourselves whether you are not now deprived of more than one half of your earnings ? Are not the ' products of your labour appropriated to the aggrandisement of others ¦ while you are left to starve ? Do you Bee any hopes for future amendment ? Do you anticipate the taunts of a picilcss parish overseer , when . your physical strength is exhausted in making others rich !

      tion ; but having accomplished their sinister purposes , they dash the cup of plenty from our hands ; they insult us with fiendish pleasure , and crush us to the earth for our credulity . These are the men who are now our employers , our magistrates , and our statesmen . They deluded ua with their sophistry ; they have goaded us to madness by their cruellies ; and then consign ua to Poor-law bastiles , or to utter starvation , if we have but tha moral courage to stand up in defence of our right . These are startling and painful trains—truths which many of our individual members are now sorrowfully experiencing —being the systematically mado victims of these heartless tyrants , for the purpose of detering others from moving in an onward direction . But such monstrous atrocities must be brought to a speedy termination .

      —will no *? for ever cgnfute , and prove that tbe state should take . care of , and make provision for , the creators of all wealth—the producing classes . But before the government of this country will make such provision for the industrious olaases , they raaafc possess a voice in the Elective Franchise . We unhesitatingly declare that if ever labour must ba properly previded for by the State , labour ' s sons must possess their legitimate portion of political power . Our friends must excuse us for offering thes 9 remarks , but when we see and hear that the present House of Commons is a composition of capitalists and employers , and cold political ecomistf , we cannot help but speak out . For they it is who have largely contributed to our present misery and degradation . They have gulled us by their fascinating delusions . They have inspired us with burning hopes of social

      emancipa-Id noble trance—the pattern of free institutionsthe restorer of liberty to the oppressed and enslaved of every nation . France , we say , ia now teaching us the true relationship of labour and capital , and we trust will practically and beneficially demonstrate the easy fulfilment of their respective duties , and show to the world that these two elements in a nation ' s greatness ( labour and capital ) can operate and cooperate together for the national good , under the guidance and control of an enlightened and popular legislature . This great problem has been looked upon by the intelligent capitalists of tbis country , as the most complicated of subjects , and the most difficult of solution , and in which government could not interfere , but which problem France—the head of nations

      • Union for the Minion . ' Fiuendb , —\^ e cannot help agiin adverting to the great and important changes which are taking place in these eventful times . Tho present age is pregnant with momentous alterations . Everything weave the most encouraging aspect—the wrongs and cruelties so long practised upon the people , appear to be doomed . The long injuries the masses have sustained , are at length moving them to vigeroKs action , and wo anticipate that ere long they will , with the rapidity of an electric ' shock , sweep away and crush for ever the black atrocitjea inflicted upon them , and claim the rights and privileges of men .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 8, 1848, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1465/page/7/