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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd December 1848, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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    • My Dear Children, These ate Christmas times, and I have receded my Christmas-box in the aigual victory I hare achieved over my several enemies; and as I have not time this week to consult with the Directors, I sun not prepared to present joawith a ChriBtmas-kox, hut next week I hope, with their consent, to present yon with a New Year's Gift.
    • TO THE LAND MEMBERS.
    • ?URTHER PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT
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      My Dear Children, These Ate Christmas Times, And I Have Receded My Christmas-Box In The Aigual Victory I Hare Achieved Over My Several Enemies; And As I Have Not Time This Week To Consult With The Directors, I Sun Not Prepared To Present Joawith A Chribtmas-Kox, Hut Next Week I Hope, With Their Consent, To Present Yon With A New Year's Gift.

      My Dear Children , These ate Christmas times , and I have receded my Christmas-box in the aigual victory I hare achieved over my several enemies ; and as I have not time this week to consult with the Directors , I sun not prepared to present joawith a ChriBtmas-kox , hut next week I hope , with their consent , to present yon with a New Year ' s Gift .

      I have always contended for a lease for ever , at a corn rent , as the only just tenure upon which the agricultural resources of the country can be cultivated to their highest state of capability ; and I have also preferred that tithe system which compelled the parson to be participator in all casualties and calamities to the system which fixes tithe at a rentcharge , making him the head landlord and first claimant . There was more justice in the landlord digging every tenth rod of rotten potatoes , and taking every tenth sheaf of blighted corn than there is in estimating the ;

      value of those valueless potatoes and damaged corn by the high standard of price of good potatoes and good corn . Thus , if A , B , and C lose all their crops , or it a majority of the crops of the whole nation are so far injured as to increase the value , and the price of what is sound , the rent-charge is absolutel y increased upon those who have lost their all , and ia whose misfortune , under the old system , the parson should be participator ; and as to

      the landlord , I have always insisted that , as his necessities are of the year , and should BotbemeasuredbyhiB own , his father ' s , or his grandfather ' s speculation , that his rent should , be measured by the current price of produce ; and what can be fairer , when he is but the representative of one-fifth , while the farmer , his capital , and the labourer , represent ihejother four-fifths , but , nevertheless , have to bear all casualties , calamities , and uncer . tainties .

      Mr Sbarman Crawford , a large landed proprietor , has declared that the owner of the soil and the cultivator of the soil are co-partners ; and , believing in the truth of this undeniable assertion , they should be participators in every reverse of fortune to which the land , the climate , and the atmosphere , may subject the cultivator . If , then , this maxim holds good as regards an individual landlord in relation to a chance tenant , how much more applicable is it iomy position as founder of a national scheme , fand those who have joined in the undertaking ? from confidence in that scheme .

      H I have maturel y thought of this Plan , and I have looked with a just and jealous , rather than with a partial and jaundiced eye , to the position of those who are now located , and who , but for the potato rot and the damage done to corn by the wetness of the harvest , would have been in a most enviable position ; and although I have been treated with unexampled ingratitude by those for whom I have labouj-ed , yet that ingratitude cannot change mysgnse of justice into spleen , vengeance , and malignity ; and for this reason it is not my int&tion to submit to the Directors the

      propositlin made to the Birmingham Conference , to foregethepaymentoftherentdueinNovember last for three years ; but it is my intention to propose to them a more large and sweeping measure of justice , namely—to remit' the year ' s rent altogether , and to extend the time of paying their promissory notes to two years instead of one ; and should the unlocated members , or a majority of them , object to this proposition , I will nay the rent out of the

      amount due to me by the Company . And , as purchasers do not stand in the same position as balloted members , I also propose to postpone the payment of the rent that fell due in November for three years ; while , as regards balloted members , I shall propose , that in consequence of the failure of the crops , and the novelty of their occupation , that it be forgiven altogether ; and this is no more than an individual landlord , if actuated by justice , should do .

      Those who have let their land will have to pay the rent ; and in all cases where parties have transferred without refunding the Company a dues , the occupants in such cases will be immediately ejected , and their allotments be disposed of by bonus . This proposition—if accepted bj the Directors—will be considered a handsome New Year ' s Gift , and you may consider it accepted , as , in case of refusal , I will pay it ont of my own pocket ; and that is the description of New Year ' s Gift 1 generally receive for my services , and that is the manner in which I take vengeance upon the most unruly and refractory of my childrenbecause I believe that all their virtues are

      characteristics of their nature , while all their vices are consequences of oppression and misrole . And now I would implore of all those located to struggle through any difficulty for the two short remaining months of winter , and when March and the long days come , they will bless their stars that they did not return to their abodes of pestilence and famine . Thus , while I shall ever be prepared to act according to the strict rules of justice , I shall also be prepared to resist every and any attempt to convert the Land Plan into a jobbing speculation for labourers , and those who under-let for profit shall receive neither consideration nor indulgence at my hands .

      I hope to receive the opinion of the several localities upon this point next week , and that the proposition will be considered an act oi justice , rather than one of charity or grace : and thus the revenge which I seek for the ingratitude of the most fortunate , is the heaping of coals of fire upon their heads . Your affectionate father , Feargus O'Connor . P . S . —I hope shortly to announce the complete registration of the Company , F . O'C .

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      HOUSE OF LORDS . Tuesday being the day to which parliament stands prorogued , their lordships met for the purpose of farther proroguing it till the 1 st of February next , open which day it is to meet for the despatch of business . Shortly after two o'clock the Lord Chancellor , Lord Langdale , and Lord Campbe ll , took their seats below the Throne , robed as Lords Cumtnissioaers , for the purpose of further proroguing tk parliament .

      Mr Polman , the Deputy-Usher of the Black Rod , was then desired by their lordships to summon the Commons io hear the Commission for proroguing the parliament read , and in a few minutes Mr H . Ley , accompanied by several officers of the house , and only a single member , the hon . Mr Campbell , appeared at the bar . The Commission for proroguing the parliament having been read by the Chief Clerk at the table , The Lord-Chaxceixok , in Her Majesty's name and by Her Majesty ' s command , declared the parliament prorogued to Thursday , the 1 st of February , to be then holden , and it was prorogued accordingly .

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      WEST RIDING ELECTION . — DEFEAT OF I HE FREE TRADERS . DICLARATIOH 07 TBS FOIL . Monday wai the day appointed for deolarieg the remit of the poll for the representation of the West Eidinp . it the place of election fixed by the Reform let , the Court House , Wakefield . At half-past three o ' clock the Ucder-Sheriff announced that the remit of the poll was—For Edmund Dentaon , Esq . 14 , 743 Sir Culling Eardlej Eardlej , Bart . 11 . 795 Majority for Mr Denison 2 , 948

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      Seven er eight boraeasre kept at the fire police elation in Temple Court temj to be immediately yoked in caie of fire ; and it is a carisns fact , worthy perhaps of record , that whenever alarm is communicated at the stati jr . ( as made known by the fierce ringing of the bell , and the immediate bustle . ) the horses exhibit . ; reat restleKneia , and appear eager to be off . This » more particularly the caw with two that are Kept ready harneased ia » itable next door , and which sve always the first despatched with an engine in gdraace . —Dv&lin Paptr .

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      TO THE CHARTISTS . Brother Chartists , Seme of our best , our trnest , and most peaceful friends , have been snatched from usbut , as from every drop of the martyrs' blood ten thousand patriots spring to avenge the martyrs' death , so , from the living tomb of every incarcerated victim , let ten thousand Chartists spring to supply bis place . This is not the time to remind you of my frequent cautions against secret meetings , spies , and informers . This was the trap , and those were the baits with which the unwary w ere caught in London , Edinburgh , Chester , York , and Liverpool , but , as long as you have faith in the principles , let not the treachery or perjury of hired spies and informers disturb that faith .

      You will see how the Attorney General and the Jud ge , at Liverpool , mourned over the lossofthe-REDCAT . How the official , with a perfect knowled ge that I had resisted all appeals to violence , and denounced all secret meetings , had the cowardice , the insolence , and the audacity to lament to his Jury and his audience , that they had not been able to lay hands upon him who instigated his dapes to the perpetration of crime .

      Now , what can be more unjust , what can be more cowardl y , than for this paid official , in the narrowness of his little professional mind , to assert what he knew to be false ? He knew that I had been denounced by the National Assembl y , and in nearly every town in England , for having resisted an appeal to physical force ; he knew that his pet , Powell , swore that they proposed to threw me overboard because I was for adhering to moral force j he knew that the old Chartist swore at the Old Bailey that he had been converted from physical to moral force by reading the " Northern Star " and yet , in the littleness of hissoul , heinsidiouslvand coward-like holds

      me up as the instigator which they desire to catch . However , he has not caught me yet , as he wiU find when Parliament meets—and although he had the unblushing effrontery to state , on Wednesday week , that there was a meeting held the night before in Liverpool , at which the most violent speeches were made , he had not the candour to tell his audience that I stated , that if the Constitution was narrowed into still smaller limits , that I would keep within it , though I was obliged to walk sideways . I tell this official , that I would not accept his office and perform his dirty work , for all the money in his master ' s exchequer ; for—as I told his predecessor at

      York—« ' Hb li the tool of the Minister , nst of the C « own , Hade by hii smile , and unmade bj bit frowH . " But never mind , Chartists , for you may depend upon it that tyranny and persecution but whets the appetite for justice—that a fellowfeeling makes a man wondrous kind ; and when , in five short weeks we become free importers of corn , grown in free countries , he haters of Chartism will become inquirers into its principles .

      Whiggery has had its triumph , but it will be short-lived ; as , ere many weeks , Chartism will have its victory , by driving from office those who drove Chartists to the hulk and the dungeon . Peel gave us a fair trial , and had an honourable and upright Attorney-General . The Whigs have convicted without a fair trial , by the fraud of their official , the partiality of their judge , and the prejudice of their urors .

      Think of Grocott , Bankin , Danovan , West ; White , Cropper , Leach , Chadwick , M'Donough , and Nixon , being consigned to the Whi g dungeon , and will YOU ALLOW THEIR FAMILIES TO STARVE ? 1 answer for you—No , never ! Your faithful friend and Chartist , Fbargus O'Connor

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      WORCESTER . 0 CONNOR AND RICARDO . ( from our own Correspondent . ) Monday last was a great day for our spiritual city . Speculation as to the appearance of our honourable M . P . and his sanctified clerical conspirator created great excitement , which was considerably augmented ^ by the anxiety of the curious to hear the Lion ot Chartism roar on the boards of our Theatre ; and although the charge for admission was too high for the working classes , yet we venture to predict that even in this—the theatrical season—no star will" draw" as large an audience as the LION . It was a bnmper , and composed of all classes .

      When the LION made his appearance , he was received—in theatrical phrase—with several rounds of applause . There is an innate love of fair play in JOHN BULL'S nature , when he sees a perfect stranger—and especially one against whom a universal prejudice has been attempted to be created—boldl y standing forward to meet his assailants in that arena , where the local power of a Liberal M . P ., and the spiritual Omnipotence of one of the shepherds of the local Right Reverend Father in God , must have furnished strong

      presumptive hope of a powerful muster of secular and spiritual prejudice . Under such disadvantages , JOHN is a fair and impartial umpire between the belligerents . Mr Stevenson , a person highly respected by all classes , was called to the chair , and in a short address announcing the objects of the meeting introduced—Mr O'Connor , who was most enthusiastically received . It would be impossible to give more than a sketch of a speech which occupied nearly three hours , and during which period not the slightest feeling of impatience was

      manifested , but , upon the contrary , the speaker rivetted the attention of bis audience ta the last . He said : —Gentlemen , I am a perfect stranger to your city . lam an alien in language , and an alien in blood , ('' No , no . " ) So Lord Lyndhnrst , an English Lord Chancellor , has declared ; however , not by a pompous challenge , but by a gentlemanly invitation , I have invited your member—Mr Ricardo—and his spiritual coadjutor—Mr Goodrich—to meet me ; the one before his constituents , and the other before the flock of his shepherd . to substantiate the charges

      they have made and published against the Land Company , or , like gentlemen , to retract those charges . ( Cheers . ) Gentlemen , my accusers have been civilly invited , and have been pro * mised an impartial hearing , but they are not here . ( Cheers , and "They dare not come . " ) But upon what will your member base bis ab - sence ? Will he endeavour to treat the affair with contempt , and urge his aristocratic blood as an apology ? Gentlemen , I have more respect for the honest man whose fortune is

      the produce of honest industry , than I have for the fool who may chance to be born with a gold spoon in his mouth . ( Great cheering . ) But , should Mr Ricardo base his absence upon such a flimsy pretext , I answer , that his is plebeian blood , while mine is aristocratic blood . ( Loud cheers . ) Yet they are both the same colour . Should his lauded possessions be urged as a reason for not meeting me ; my answer is , that my family possess ' acres for every rood he possess . ( Loud cheers . ) That they hold theirs by descent ; while his title is based upon specu-

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      lation in human blood , shed at Waterloo and on other battle-fields . ( Cheers . ) Should he urge his position as an M . P . ; I answer , that he but represents the prejudices of a privileged minority , while I also am an M . P ., and base my title upon the confidence of a large majority—( great applaHse )—arid should he urge intellect and capability ; you will judge between usr . ( Laughter . ) But upon what will the little shepherd base his absence ? Will he urge the maxim " Do unto others as you would they should do unto you ? ' '— ( cheers )—or , " Judge _ .

      not lest ' ye may be judged ? " or , "Love thy neighbour as thyself ? " or , "Thoushalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour V —( Cheers)—but he was merely a tool—a poor tool—in the hands of the cunning man . ( Hear , hear . ) If your member had been here I should have astonished him , and convicted him . But with more justice than he has manifested towards me , I shall abstain , in his absence

      , from charging him with deception , falsehood , and fraud , and shall merely content myself with stating what is known to many . — When I built cottageij and a school-house for the . uneducated wanderer , in the vicinitv of this WOULD-BE ARISTOCRATSI estate / he feared lest their destitution would impose an additional burden upon his highly-rented tenants , and he nominated him who has the responsibility of the CURE OF

      SOULS—( laughter)—not as the kind shepherd of my lean flock , but as a spy and conspirator—( shame , shame , )—and well did his spiritual coadjutor perform his master ' s work . No means were left untried to create dissension confusion , and strife . ( Shame . ) The absence of all sectarian instruction , at the school-housa , was asore point , and , with the Liberal and the DIVINE , a tender one . Some of the occupants were invited to the mansion of your liberal M . P ., and there made drunk . ( Shouts of « Shame . " ) They were assured that they need pay no rent , and a Mr Hayter , solicitor , brother to the Chairman of the Select Com .

      mittee , was to be consulted . ( Shameful . ) He told the tax-collector , that he would pay no rates nor taxes until the poor occupants were compelled to pay theirs . ( Shouts of " Down with him . " ) While with characteristic modesty and feelings of Christian brotherhood his clerical adviser , entrusted with the responsibility of the cure of souls , toldthem , that they were all right , that they need pay no rent , and could not be dispossessed so long as they paid their tithes . ( Shouts of laughter and cheers ) Now , there was a fostering liberal landlord , and a pious parson , for them . But let Ricardo

      bear m mind , that the most grievous charge against Daniel O'Connell and the Young Irelanders was , that they proclaimed Ireland for the Irish , which was interpreted into a recommendation to pay no rent , and now the Irish were acting upon that advice j and when the broken-down tenants of such landlords as Ricardo shall follow the examp le , they may quote his advice to the Land Company ' s tenants , as a good and valid authority upon the subject — ( Great cheering ) --the difference being , that we have come honestly by the Land , by purchase in the open market , while I doubt if he could show as good a title . ( Cheers . ) Haying now given you a mere outline of the charges , and not wishing to prefer others of a graver nature—even

      against my accusers , in their absence—I tell them , that , with more candour and honour than they possess , I am still ready to accept their denial of those charges as their apology —( hear , hear)—but they may rest assured that the matter shall not rest here , as they have mistaken their man if they imagine that I am inclined to allow them to take such liberties with me and mine . ( Cheers . ) I do not know much of Ricardo ; he was vulgar enough , and forward enough , to speak to me upon some occasions without an introduction , a liberty that gentlemen never take . I have never heard his voice in the Senate House . Have you heard of his speeches there ? ( Laughter and " No . " ) Well neither of my accusers have ventured to an '

      pear ; the one is beneath contempt , the other would be , were it not for the power of doing mischief with which the electors of Worcester have endowed him . Mr Macaulay took great liberties with me and the Chartists at Edinburgh ; we promised to take satisfaction upon him the first opportunity—we did so , and unseated him for the city . I was mainly instrumental in returning Mr Gisborne for Nottingham ; he violated his pledges , and became his successor . ( Loud cheers . ) And now I tell your Liberal M . P ., that whatever trouble or inconvenience it may cost me , I will

      unseat Ricardo fer Worcester at the next electurn . ( Here the whole house rose , and the cheering and waving of hats and handkerchiefs continued for a considerable time , ) My own children , said Mr O'Connor , may fight with me—and they sometimes do—but they all bristle up like a porcupine when I am unjustly attacked by others , ( Cheers , and " Ay . " ) Mr O'Connor then entered extensivel y into the questions of Free Trade and Labour . "Now , " said he , " you are a cathedra' cityyour trade is the manufacture of c ? ilia and gloves—and which do you think , yt ur

      neighbonrs the farmers , and even the labourers , would be best customers , receiving fair prices for their produce , measured by the burthens imposed upon them , or low prices , measured by the competition of the produce of the world ; in the one case , if the farmer ' s servant breaks a portion of a service of china , the wife and daughter insist upon replacing it with one of the newest fashion , * but in the other case the sticker is sent for , and he cobbles the tea . pot , the salad bowl , aad all the broken crockery . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) So with gloves ; if well paid , he will have a pair of new gloves ; if ill paid , he will h « ve the old ones patched . Now that is Worcester ' s share of Free Trade .

      But then you have "High wages , cheap bread , and plenty to do . '' Are your wages higher ? ( Shouts of "No . " ) Is your bread cheaper ? ( A man in the Pit : "Yes" ) Then , as cheap and dear are relative terms , is my friend better able to buy the cheap loaf than he was to buy the dear loaf . ( " No no , " and shouts of laughter . ) Well , then , that is just what he told them , that one day they would find themselves starving in a cook shop . ( Hear , hear . ) Had they plenty to do ? ( Shouts of " No , no , " " Out of work . " ) Well , then , let them emigrate . You do not

      appear to receive that well , but it is the recommendation of your Prince—but surely , if we were over-populated , he had no business to come here . ( TremendouYcheers and laughter . ) What , a German Prince to receive as much English money and produce as would feed thousands of English people , to tell those English people to leave the land of their birth and seek the means of subsistence in foreign climes ? But hold , I stray . Perhaps he philanthropically measures their future

      destiny by his own good fortune , and presumes that they will all be foreign Princes . ( Roars of laughter , ) Now , ( said Mr O'Connor ) I have dealt with those questions , and I come to the source from whence your enemies receive their knowledge and information—the Press . ( Hisses . ) Now , it is my glory to say , that not a newspaper in the world does aught but abuse me—( cheers)—and when they cease to do so , you suspect me . But understand that the editor of a newspaper—if his principles do not accord with those advocated by

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      that paper—is as much the 6 lave of the pro * prietor as a scullion or a dog-boy is of his master . You have a paper in this town that has been very unlimited in its abuse of both me and the Land Company . ( Shouts of " The Herald , " and "Take that , Mac" ) Mr 0 Connor continued : —Mac , did ! hear ? Why , I will tell you a story of a friend of mine of the name of MacMallon . ( Tremendous laughter . ) This MacMallon was a teetotaller ( Renewed laughter . ) He abused the Land Plan most ferociously ; but , in order to win ' j resorted to the plan of enclosing him an advertisement weekly , with a five-pound note

      as an accompaniment , and Mac immediately began to think—ay , and to write , toothat he was mistaken about the land—that he had discovered that land would give potatoes , and cabbages , and carrots , and parsnips , and wheat , and oats , and bariey , too . ( Laughter . ) Why do you laagh ? Does barley remind you of malt , and malt of Mac r ( Shouts of laughter , and "Take that , Mac . " ) Why , what is the name of the editor of the " fleraW that you laugh so ? ( Shouts of "MacMallon , " and "There ? be is , scratching his head / ' ) . Oh , oh , then . ifiour friend Mac is a water drinker—^ J ^^^ n ^ Vvery w ell j but suppose M ^ Siod iunnoge . he was ff ^ ttiriff 6 ' « .

      week for lr ^ s 1 ng nmGairp ^ fn »^ offered him 67 . to praise it , he would soon stiffen the cold water with a glass of brand y , to put fire into his articles . ( Cheers . ) Why , go next > eek , when Mac is buying his turnips or his cabbages from a stall in the market , and ask him where they grew , and he will tell you , under the table to be sure , as he sees the greengrocer supplying his customers from under the table . ( Great laughter . ) Why .-he knews no more about land nnd its capabilities than an Irish pig knows of geometry . Some of you have read a report of a

      meeting , over which the Ri ght Reverend Bishop of Worcester presided , and the High Sheriff was present , and many clergymen , and all the practical agriculturists of the neighbourhood , and you recollect a practical gentleman ' s statement of what may be done with four acres of ground . ( Cries of " Yes . ' ) That gentleman stated , that he would not weaken his position by stating to them in their present state of ignorance , what the land was capable of doing ; but that he would < nve them a very moderate standard , established upon a slovenly mode of agriculture , and that

      ne natt arrived at his conclusions from long experience and minute investigation , and the result was , that a man , by moderate industry , might make a profit of 40 ? . per acre—that was 160 * . for four acres . ( Cheers . ) Ay , it is all very well for those who wish to preserve an idle competitive reserve to fall back upon , as a means of reducing wages , to abuse the Land Plan ; but the sane mind of the country was beginning to see through the folly of Englishmen relying upon foreign produce as a substitute for what they could grow at their own door . ( Cheers . ) Here we saw men making China ,

      without a dish—men making gloves without a glove—men making shirts , breeches , and shoes , without shirts , breeches , and shoes , and men growing food for others , famishingwhile these very men , unable to consume their own produce at home , are invited to transport themselves three , four , and five thousand miles across the seas , in the hope of being customers of that domestic produce which at their own doors they cannot procure . ( Cheers . ) Now , is not this nonsense ? ( "Ay , " and " It is / ' ) Well , and who but you tolerate it ? It is you—your own jealousies , disunion , and

      hardheartedness . The man who receives 15 s . a week laughs contemptuously at him who ' can only earn 10 s . ; and the man who earns ' \ 0 s . frowns upon the pauper , who is consigned to the bastile . ( Shouts of "It ' s true . " ) Ay , and more shame for you that it is true . So no longer blame Whigs or Tories , as you are the fabricators of your own sufferings and misfortunes . Mr O'Connor then explained the constitution of the House of Commons , and showed the impossibility of its representing Labour . "Andnow , " said he , in conclusion , " I have given ' my friend Mac a Roland for his

      Oliver . I set him at'defiance as a journalist , until he brings the mind of his readers to that pitch of blasphemy that they will believe that the earth , created by God , and given to man lor his sustenance , is denuded of God ' s blessing and capability , by man ' s curse and ma n s laws . ( Loud cheers . ) But if ever Mac and I should meet upon the social stage , removed from the busy scene of politics and the Land , we will have a glass of cold water together , with something in it ; and , though represented as a firebrand , a devil , and a destructive , Mac will find me to be a jolly good fellow , " ( Roars of

      laughter , and cheers . ) Mr O'Connor concluded— " Now , then , I have dared my enemjes , and the enemies of this Land Plan , to meet me anywhere and everywhere . I have met them in the House and in the Committee Room ; I have met them in Scotland and England—on the platform , and in the Conference ; and I appeal to this assembly , whether any man , or any plan , has ever passed through such a fiery ordeal unblemished and unscathed . ( Shouts of' No , never /) No ; and although , like the old fox , I may be headed in my course , I will reach the goal of my ambition

      —1 will , in spite of the potato rot , and the scUm thrown up to the surface in the first experiment , persevere , until I see every surplus labourer located upon the land of his birth . ( Loud cheers . ) There never was such an undertaking , it is the miniature of England ' s future full-length portrait . I do not want you china-makers or glove-makers to go upon the Land , but I want to thin the Labour market of those who would otherwise compete with you , and to make them consumers of your produce , instead of reducers of your wages . ( Loud cheers ) . In Austria ,

      in Prussia , and in France , the land and the destruction of the old feudal system are the questions which all are trying to settle ; and the reason wh y you have not , thank God , had a revolution here is , because your mind is set upon the Land—because you know its capability and Rvalue ; and if allowed , youarewilling to purchase it . ( Loud Cheers . ) We are told , that every beginning is weak , but my beginmng was strong , and my infant was only prevented from arriving at its giant growth by the poverty of some , the ingratitude and villany of others , and the malicethe deception

      , , and cunning of auch men as Ricardo and Goodrich . ( Cheers . ) My friends , if Prince Albert naa built three hundred cottages for the poor , and tour school-houses to educate them , there would be offices in every town in England , and agents to HsRue tickets to visit the lovely cottHgesofthe philanthropic Prince . ( Cheers , f a i ' l , ' but as X hBve built them , if Lady Bridget ' s attention is called to them by Lady Dolly , while passine throng one of

      those estates , Lady Bridget says , . "Pull down the blmd , my dear ; they are the beastly novels of that Irish brute . " ( Tremendous cheers . ) But notwithstanding the falsehoods ot the Press , the deception of the wily , and the ingratitude of the fortunate , I swear to you before Heaven , to-nig ht , that the LAND PLAN SHALL GO ON . " Mr O'Connor resumed his seat , after speaking for nearly three hours , amidjthe most rapturous applause from all parts of the house . Mr Conn , our well known and well tried friend , frcmPershore , rose to propose the fol-

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      lowing address . He said that it required no comment from him , that the working classes of this country were now proof against the slander of the Press ; that Mr O'Connor ' s character had been long before them , and that the address which he had the honour to propose , was no more than a just tribute to his long and honourable services . He then read the following address : — " Estbwikd Sib , "We , the Chartists of Worcester , gladly avail oargelvea of the present opportunity of testifying to you , onr acknowledged leader , and unpaid champion , the high estimation in which we held 7011 , as the un > purchased and unpurchaseable obaapion of democraoy .

      . ' We , air , have , for many years watobed your political conduot—and oan with truth assert—that from yourfiratreturn to parliament for yournativecountry , to the preient moment , you hava ondeviatinRly supported the einie of the toiling millions , alike against Whig or Tory , oligarch or aristocrat . We are aware tbat such conduct has brought upon yon a host of enemies , and more particularly has it in-• nredyou the hostility of the British press ,-the most venal in the nniTewe—which for itt mendacity ia unequalled , and whose hireling scribes , ever ready to prwtitate their ability for filthy lucre , are bo sunk

      io infamy tbat even Judas Iscariot would by comparuen appear ai an angel of light . But heed not , brave patriot , the Bonrrllity of the bate pres » -gang . Proceed , noble sir , in your patriotic , career , and soon Ibtlljoof exertions , aided by . the united democraoy of England , Ireland , Soot land and Wales , succeed in wresting from our sordid and tyrannical oppressors , the Charter in its entirety * which once obtained will enable Labour ' s sods speedily to emancipate themselves from their thraldom , and to enact saoh laws as shall injure the greatest amount of happiness to the greatest numberof individuals , for the greatest length ot time .

      Onee more , sir , we tonder you our heartfelt thanks and pledge ounelreito increased exertions ia oarrymg to a successful iMae ) the glorious oau « e in whioh we are embarked . " The Chartists or Wobobsibb . " Mr Jackson' rose to second the adoption of the address . He said—Many of my own class met me in the streets , and asked if my name was appended to the bills announcing this meeting with my own consent ; and when I answered in the affirmative , they expressed great wonder and astonishment that I should countenance suchja proceeding ; but I told them to come and hear , and judge for themselves . Many of them

      are here now , and I appeal to them with pride and ' ask whether I have any reason to regret having allowed my name to be associated with this Jmeeting , and the gentlman who has addressed it . ( Cheers , and "No , ho . " ) On the contrary , after the able and eloquent address they had heard , and considering the just indignation under which the speaker must have laboured , he would ask those who had previously expressed astonishment , and many of whom were there , whether one unseemly , ungentleman-like , or ungenerous expression had escaped the honourable gentlemen . ( Cheers ,

      and ' « Not one . " ) For that reason , then , as well to convince his friends of their foolish prejudice , he felt no ordinary pleasure in seconding the proposed address . ( Loud cheers . ) The address was submitted by the Chairman , and carried without a single dissentient . Mr O'Connor returned thanks , and proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman , which was unanimously carried , and after cheers for Mr O'Connor and the Land , the meeting separated , all classes expressing the highest gratification and satisfaction , and not an ungenerous re * mark , even from our TEETOTAL FRIEND MACMALLON .

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      TO THE DEMOCRATS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Fellow Countrymen , —During the term of our office we are resolved tbat no political incident shall transpire without an effort upon our parts to turn it to the advantage of the Chartist movement . And , in pursuance of this resolve , we shall have frequently to addres ? . you . We shall communicate with you as circumstances arise , developing the policy which , in our judgment , would most conduce to the weal of our cause . To be a successful political party we must be a practical one . The ultimatum of triumph can be only reached by the road of action . We should ever have in hand eorae laud , able piece of work , the completion of which will be

      an advance towards the goal of our aspirations . And although our progress at first be slow , we must not be daunted , perseverance will give it that celerity which mil speedily bring us to the consummation of our political hopes , namely , the People ' s Charter as the law of the British empire . In short , our view is , that we should become henceforth an active , vigilant , practical organisation , taking advantage of every occurrence to promote the release of the millions from class-bondage . And if the National Charter Association becomes not an organisation of this description , it will not be the fault of the Executive Committee .

      Brother Democrats , the principal object ef this address , is to direct your attention to the important subject of parliamentary registration . We recommend that every local council should act at once as a local registration committee . Their duty should be to see that the name of every person qualified according to the Reform Bill , and favourable to the prnciples of the Association , be placed upon the register . They should at once commence to organise a body of electors which , when elections occur , might be made the means of returning to parliament a few staunch supporters of the People ' s Charter . With sound organisation great things may be done , without it we are , oa the day of polling , the merest

      mouthers , devoid of a particle of inflaence in the decision of the contest ; But whea each town has its staff of organised democratic electors , acting as the representatives of the unenfranchised masses , and when their numbers give them the balance of power between the rival factions , no difficulty will be experienced in making a covenant beneficial to the cause of the people . Let no time be lost in taking this practical step , fer it seems to us calculated to accelerate the establishment of the People ' s Charter . We hope then speedily to hear of many election and registration corami . tees'being in existence and in full operation . Another important duty of the local election Committees , should be to acquire the greatest possible amount of local influence for our

      party . One m ? ans of securing this , would be the return to Municipal Councils of men favourable to the People ' s Charter . The presence of judicious democrats in our civic parliaments would , in a variety of ways , tend to the advancement of the cause of democracy . Their efforts to rectify abuses , and effect reforms , could not fail to secun-Jsympathy and support for those princip les , which regulated their public conduct . Besides , there are many local privileges , valuable in agitation , enjoyed by Whigs and Tories , which are denied to us through our lack of corporate influence . Hence we urge on you the necessity of using every honourable means to fill your civic ^ offices with men devoted to the grand cause of human progression .

      We observe that several vacancies have recently occurred in the mock representation of this country ; such vacancies from the uncertainty of human life , and the bestowal of government patronage , will be continually taking place . Our opinion is , that in every possible instance of this sort , candidates holding our six principles of representation , should be brought forward ; in some instances it may be unwise to go to the poll , but in every instance , it v ? ill be advisable to proceed to the nomination . To go thus far , will cost little or nothing , and when done with propriety , will never fail to redound to the interest of our cause . This cause

      will give the advocate of the Charter an opportunity of dispelling-prejudices against our principles and of rectifying misconceptions respecting our aims . It will also enable him to place the principles of democracy in the comprehensiveness of their justice , m juxta-position with those miserable mental abortions which constitute the Whig and Toiy political creeds . We might , were it necessary , refer to the several places where Chartist candidates were brought forward at the last general election , in proof 0 f the good which may by tbia

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      means be done . A few days ago , Mr Kydd * , one of our body , ably supported our principles at the nomination meeting of the West Riding of Yorkshire ; and although Wakefield is somewhat 0 ! an ungenial place for Chartism , we are assured that the shovr of hands was in his favour . Mr Dixon is , while we write , engaged at King ' s Lynn , where we doubt not the show will be overwhelmingly in his favour . But the gaining of the show of ha"ds is nothing compared with the dispelling of prejudice , the correcting of misrepresentation , and the placing in their true li ght the principles and objects of our party .

      Old Guards , we rely upon you , to adopt promptly the practical steps recommended in this address * We rely upon you to urge their adoption upon the young recruits . They are the only ways to secure triumph , like that at Nottingham , at the next general election , and thus secure in the Legislature a band of patriots devoted to the emancipation of

      man . Brother Chartists , in our last address , we appealed to you for the means of enabling us to give force and efficacy to the movement . We still look with firm faith to your devotion . We cherish a strong hope that your NEW YEAR'S GIFT will be worthy the cause , and that it will augur a propitious career of agitation for 1849 . Let every Old Guard , and new recruit , cheerfully cast in his mite for his country ' s emancipation — the People ' s Charter and no Surrender .

      Signed by the members of the Executive , at pre sent in the metropolis : — Philip M'Gbath Ebudnd Stallwood Thomas Clark Henri Ross O . Julian uabnbv . December 18 th , 1848 .

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      MR KYDD'S TOUR . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . My Dear . Sir , —My friends in Yorkshire will admit that since 1 left London I have had a fait share of downright hard work , and I now sit down to briefly report progress . After leaving Dewsbury , I arrived in Halifax , and , although a few houri notice was only given , the Odd Fellows' Hall—« spacious building—was well filled . At the condu * sion of my lecture , a friendly and admirable discus * aion ensued on Free Trade and the merits of Sue Culling Eardley . My opponents—who were working men—did not understand the questions discussed i but were upri ght and honourable ; and I now thank them for their manliness and courtesy . The result

      was satisfactory . My visit has strengthened confidence , and aided the organisation materially t The swarm of new-born politicians that flourished during the revolutionary months of August and September , have melted away like the first fall of snow before thesun ; they are nowhere to be ' seen or heard of , and the trusty few of the old stock—the Rushtons , Clissetts , and Shackletons—are saddled with the mortgage of their folly , in Defence and Victim Funds . No language can express the reprobation due to those unthinking , heedless wretches , who swelled for a moment to an unnatural size—with an unmeaning enthusiasm—leave the victims of their folly to rot in gaols , and their wives and little ones to starve—unnoticed and uncared for . Shame on Such a race of miscreants—better for their country that they had never been born .

      At HudderBheld the large hall was crowded to suffocation , and many hundreds were unable to obtain admission . The audience , which was composed ! of men of all classes , listened with an attention never surpassed , and at the conclusion I was honoured with a round of applause that made the walls echo again . Mr Richard Brooke—the gentleman who seconded my nomination at Wakefield—presided . On Sunday last I was among my old and respected friends at Kei ghley , and was welcomed by a hearty shake of the hand by the same men whom I first met six years since—and what joy on earth equals the meeting of old friends—labourers in the same cause—workers for humanity—those who have

      known the world ' s tosses and crosse s , and who meet you with more than the sympathy of brotherhood . At Keighley the Working Man ' s Hall , in the afternoon , was crowded ; in the evening hundreds could net obtain admission . The subjects of lecture were' England considered-her agricultural and commer ^ cial history and relations ; her judicial and political capacity . ' Nowhere in England does Chartism stand higher than in Keighley . The hall—which is an excellent and substantial building—is their own property , to which belongs a committee room and library ; they teach a Sunday school ; hold their mutual instruction and reading classes ; also classes for instruction in grammar and logic ; their orchestra

      consists of vocal and instrumental music ; all their leaders are sober men ot known respectability and worth—some of them men of property . Let our irieuds throughout England take a pattern by this institution . My London friends must not be offended , when I say that I looked down on my audience , composed almost exclusively of males—intelligent , well-clad , and bearing every outward sign of mental and moral elevation—and my thoughts wandered unaccountably to the metropolis , as I inwardly said , What a reproach is this to the wealthiest city ofthe world . ' Men of London , will Chartism never have a local habitation and a name among you ? Will it neverstep out in daylight from

      the dark rooms of beer shops , and the corrupting influences of gin palaces ? Let us hope it may . The bond that unites our Keighley friends is never affected by a sudden burst of passion . Whether Louis Philippe be breakfasting at the Tuilenes , or , dining in England at a country inn—whether : Pops Pius has left Rome , and gone—God knows whereis altogether a secondary consideration . The Chartists of Keighley remain unmoved . They have an interest in their own institution , which possesses the germs of a people ' s college , and they are at once the most intelligent , most respectable , and influential body of the district . If you would all do likewise , next Christmas you would celebrate the anniversary of the enactment of the People ' s Charter .

      On the evening of Monday , the 19 th , I lectured in the Odd Fellows' Hall , Bingley . There were many other sources of excitement and amusement in the town . The hall was well filled , but not crowded , a money admission being charged at the door . This town is famei for the Bingley riots , and the military and magisterial successes of William Busfeild Ferrand , Esq Nothing can be more ludicrous than the accounts I have heard of the excesses of Mr Ferrand during the late riots . When I next return to Yorkshire , I may , on the spot , pen a fen sketches of character , such as will amuse and astonish the sober minded people of England . I may truthfully outline a mixture of bullyism and cowardice , never surpassed , and draw down upon the head of the warlike hero , who commanded tha

      gamekeeper infantry of Bingley , the sneera and ! contempt of every honest English gentleman . Ms Ferrand , who has hitherto taken an active part in tha election contests of the West Riding , has , at the late struggle between Sir Culling Eardley and Mr Denison , remained apart , merely walking to Keighley and voting blue , unnoticed and uncared for . The name and fame of this Devil ' s dust magistrate—hi » ignorance , insolence , cruelties ,. and atrocities—are too notorious , ever to be forgotten or forgiven in Yorkshire . Chartism is destined to flourish in

      Bingley . The local leaders are men of the ri ght sort . I lecture in the district every evening this week ; on Sunday next at Leeds , proceeding by Sheffield to Leicester , Nottingham and Derby to London . Those places in the Midland Counties , desirous tbat I should visit them , will make arrangements , beginning on or after Ne w Year ' s day , and will please write to Mr Sweet , Goospgate , Nottingham , whose arrangements , on my behalf , aie definite and final . I leave for Bradford in a quarter ot an hour , and remain , Yours fraternally , Samuel Kydd . Bingley , December 19 th , 1848 . P . S . —I hope to receive the Executive New Year ' s Gift at all the places I visit , and let the out districts send their contributions by delegates , and , if supported , Chartism will yet strike terror into thQ heart of the oppressor . S . K .

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      Firs in ihb Albert Dock , Litbepool . —A fire » which at one time threatened serious oonsequeccet , broke out about half-past seven o ' clook on Wednesday moriring , en bo * rd an Araerioan ship , the Masconomy , belonging to Newbury port , and lying is the above dock . The fire commenced in the fore * castle ; but its cause if unknown . By great exertion the fire was confined to that patt of the ship in whioh it broke out , and the ship was removed from the dock . She has received considerable damage ; and a lartje portion of the Beamcn ' s clothes has been consumed . The crowd round tue deck was very great , and we regret to state that two persons have been very seriously injured , having been forced by the orowd over the side .

      Thu Arms in Ireund . —! The dBrM ^ BBtutn * state the forces at the dieposalSr / S& ^ ttrbitrUSta in Ireland for the month of Decc ^ b ^ JicIuSUiBwABB & detachments of artillery and QHiti&B , JitM £ j £ ffiC pensioners and aimed police , M iw ^ wiW ^ J ^ fcfl % it iiSSM « X ~ S / O » JC

      To The Land Members.

      TO THE LAND MEMBERS .

      ?Urther Prorogation Of Parliament

      ? URTHER PROROGATION OF PARLIAMENT

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      | ^ ^^^^^ . " "" ¦¦? .- < : ¦ ¦ ¦ * 0 ' AND NATIONAL TBAiES' JOURNAL .

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      VOL XII . K 9 583 . LONDON , SATURDAY , DECEMBER 23 , 1848 . Vi ™ CB * iyepBNCE «* TiTe 8 h »"" g « and Blxpemce per Quarter TT */\ miTTl / ITT A v \ mvnmM ^ —^———^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 23, 1848, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1502/page/1/