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Northern Star (1837-1852), 9th February 1850, Edition 1 of 3, Page unpag, Untitled Article

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    • m? rHABTISTi OF THE WEST P Aiding of Yorkshire.
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      Untitled Article

      ^ t \ rnit to you the following admirable toother Vith the - resolution unaniy ^ Ja abd by the delegates representing ^ . L q told Northerns ) who have done as ^ ° \ i to forward the people ' s cause as any & ] e in Engl ^ 5 m& J wovl& ask you ^ 1 them , whether the complaint , which instlv make can be more mortif ying & %£ a . than it is to me ? I ask youiO { hint of it—whether any other proprief " of a newspaper in the world would allow 11 conduct not to be criticised , but censured

      ^ reviled , as I have allowed mine to be in I a 3 t you whether any circumstance is so _ re . ei » incntly calculated to disturb and destroy Jjnon in your ranks , as the promulgation of disunion among your leaders ? The dismissal < , f 3 Ir . Hobsos , fortheabuBe of the men of 3 fary lebone , cost me nearly five hundred pounds , -while niy honest clients , whose character I would not allow to be reviled , paid not a farthing of the amount .

      3 lr . Hill ' s abuse of Dr . M'Douaix , while a refugee , cost me a good editor , and inflicted jgnch damage upon our cause ; while the publication of my own resolution that the Chartists of 1848 should not go undefended—together -pith the exemption from oakum picking—cost me five hundred pounds : thus showing that -tthat is published in the Star is always legally construed against me , when liberty or money is the penalty ; while the publication of violent and ridiculous speeches has been the

      • cause of my incarceration and heavy pecuniary "loss . But now , in answer to the wise and discreet resolution of the men of the "West Biding , X g ive it under my hand ;; THAT THE JfOfiTHERN S TAR SHALL ~ SEtERAGAIS BB MADE TM ORGAN FOR CIRCULATING ANT JERSOXAL OR PRIVATE SQUABBLES OR DISSENSIONS . IT SHALL REMAIN WHAT IT EVER HAS BEEN—THE TRUE- REFLEX OF THE POPULAR MIND OF THIS COUNTRY . Tour faithful Friend , Feabgtjs O'Couxor .

      Bradford , Yorkshire , Feb . 4 th , 1830 . De * b Sib , —I forward too the following resolution unanimously adopted at a VestBiding delegate meeting , held in the Democratic School-Boom , Croft-street , Bradford , Feb . jforedVy George Webber , seconded by Edward Smith : — That iv » , the delegates of the various towns in the West mdin » , assembled at Bradford , February 3 rd , 1860 , are of cninion that the Korthern Star ought aot to be made the -medium for persons to advocate and slander each other ;

      and ire request Jlr . O'Connor , as the proprietor cf that paper , not to allow the Star to be used for any such pur ijosie , as we consider such proceedings to be highly in-. ^ crioas to the cause of liberty . * * Delegates present who signed the above : —Joseph East wood , Honley ; Thomas Holt , KeJghley ; George Webber , flaU&x ; Henry- Marsden , Holmfirlh ; Edward Smith , Bradford ; Joseph Smith , Huddersfield . —Henry JIarsden , Chairman ; Diehard Gee , Treasurer ; Henry Wflcock , Secretary .

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      " United we stand , Divided we fall . " TO THE WOEKING CLASSES . My Feiehds , You now have the foreshadowing of your hope from the present session of Parliament , tuid as I predicted for yon , the subtleness of the ministry is based upon your supineness . and presumed satisfaction . A majority of forty-nine in the House of Lords , gave Lord John Xt / sseli such confidence in his power over the Commons , that in reply to Mr . Hume , the noble lord repeated and adhered to his " rnfAirrr" principle : he told the honourable Member for Montrose . in bold and

      unmistakeable language , that it was not the intention of Her Majesty ' s Government , to propose any extension of the suffrage ; and he was . right , q uite ri g ht , so long as he can draw his quarter ' s salary , and base Ms enormous patronage upon your justly presumed satisfaction . I say justly presumed , because he knows , as well as you know , that had there , during the recess , been a resolute manifestation of the popular mind , that the Queen ' s speech would have been framed in accordance with -the popular will ; and there being no such manifestation , the royal speech naturally presumedthat yon are satisfied with the present system .

      In that speech there is not a word of hope for yon , nor from the speeches of any member connected with the Government can you anticipate any , the slightest benefit . Am not I , as well as the Government , justified in presuming , that a great majority of the people are satisfied with the present system ? And acting npon the principle of Universal Suffrage , would I be justified in urging the dissatisfaction of the minority as grounds for resisting the satisfaction of the majority ?

      "Working men , it would be fair in me to base my opinion upon such a presumption , was I not aware of the truth of the maxim , that " self preservation is the first law of nature , " and that your preservation depends not npon your natural , but upon your unnatural dependence upon your employers . I am not so wild a politician , as to censure the father who would rather suppress , or even deny , his political feeling , than consign Ms wife and little children to beggary , starvation , or the bastile , by the avowal of his principles . And it is not at all unnatural that the master should endeavour to preserve Ms ascendancy , by thus holdin g Ma slave in bondage , when Ms wealth and power is based upon that bondage .

      It is , therefore , because I do not measure your apathy by your presumed satisfaction , but by the masters' power , that I do not believe that the majority—or even & large minority—of the working classes are satisfied with their present position . Working men , however I may sympathise with the sufferers in foreign countries , it has ever been my desire to keep the English eye steadily fixed upon English policy ; and nothing grieves me more , or irritates me more , than to hear speeches , at meetings of working men , wholly and entirely devoted to foreign

      matters : whereas , if the mind of England "was kept steadil y fixed upon English affairs , and was so framed as to mould English Government in accordance with that mind , then England would be able to express something more than sympathy for foreign nations . At the present moment the promised Constitution of France , based upon the blood of the French people , is being moulded down to aristocratic convenience . If the suffrage is not to be altered , giving the vote is to be made more difficult ; and lest the vote should be the reflex of the national will , not only is the free

      expression of opinion suppressed by the prevention of public meetings , but the Press which circulates it is prosecuted . TVorkmg men , let me now furnish you with the strongest proof that the capitalists , who live upon labour , do not desire any alteration in the present system that would increase your power . On Wednesday next , the 13 th inst ., there is to be a large gathering of Parliamentary and Financial lieformers in the Free Trade Hall at Manchester , and on this day week you will learn ho \ r many mill-owners and employera of labour will have taken part in that

      meeting , the object of which is to increase your political power . I predict the sprinkling of that class will be small ; whereas , if ths meeting was held for the mere purpose of reducing taxation which falls npon them , and enabling them to increase the taxation that fells upon yon , the vast edifice would be far * 5 o small to contain them . Working men , we have now had one week of the present Session of Parliament—that is , a twenty-fourth part of the whole Session , presuming that it will last six months , and will uold its meetings each day—and I cannot fearn , either from the Speech from the Throne , w from any speech delivered in the House , *« at it is intended to confer one particle o £ waefit upon your order . "We have had Pro-

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      Free Trade , Greece , Ceylon , the Colonies , Ecclesiastical Commissions , and several other questions—in which , until you possess the vote , you are in no way interested - —criticall y discussed . So the Session commenced ; and , if you are apathetic , so it will end . Working men , you are like all other animals —you are dull and sluggish in -winter , when the blood flows coldly in the veins ; but when it waxes warm , you are not behind any other xslass , in any other country , in vigour and energy ; and here goes to prepare you for the change . In April , the Parliamentary and Financial Iteformers are to hold a Conference in London

      —then the blood will be up . -You remember the 10 th of April . 1848 ; and what I now propose is , that a Conference of English , Irish , and Scotch delegates shall be held in London at the same time , and I will . undertake to say , that the brave Irish people will elect shrewd , firm and intelligent patriots to represent them , and will cheerfully defray their share of the expense ; and as the British minister , has ever based . Ms power upon Irish resistance to the English people , this union M ^ HoA ^ p ^ t ^ both countries , will teach him that he can no longer maintain his power upon so frail » pretext .

      Thig has been the darling object of my life , to destroy that horrible prejudice entertained against the English by the Irish ; and in order to overcome it , I have withstood all slander and persecution . It would not be fair for me to publish what I hear privately in the House of Commons ; while I may tell you that the general feeling is , that the people are supposed to have abandoned the Charter altogether , in consequence of their not subscribing funds to support the cause . You see the amount subscribed by the Parliamentary Reformers upon a . platform at one meeting : it amounted to over 1 , 500 / ., while presuming

      our Conference to consist , of forty-five ; England , Scotland , and Wales , electing thirty , and Ireland , fifteen « and setting down the salary of each delegate at 21 . a week , and assigning three weeks for the period of its continuance , the whole amount—apart from the travelling—expensei to be paid by England , Scotland , and Wales would amount to 180 / ., or less than a shilling a piece from four thousand individuals , or about one penny a piece from forty thousand ; and let me ask you whether , ifthe people are not prepared to make such a sacrifice , the Government is not justified in resistingtheir every appeal ?

      I have often told you that nothing was more injurious to a cause that was paralysed and struck down by tyranny and persecution , than an attempt to arouse it from its slumber while thus paralysed : and I hare also . told you—as I told PLAIN JOHN—that where Chartism was struck down by the tyrant ' s arm , it would there remain until the day of resurrection came ; that it would not retrograde ; tout , holding the ground it had gained , would still march onward . And Chartism having been in a state of lethargy for the last two years , what I now propose is , that that Conference shall assemble in April , and that upon theday that 1

      make my motion for the PEOPLE S CHARTER there shall be a peaceable demonstration of the Chartist mind upon KRNNINGTON COMMON . And to prove to you that I am not afraid to take the lion ' s share of danger , if elected , I will act as Chairman of the Conference , and as Chairjnan of the Meeting ; and I undertake to pledge myself , that no man shall be victimised by my rashness , intempe ranee , or folly ; but that I will so marshal and direct the mind , at both Conference and Meeting , as will prove to our opponents that we require something more than is promised in the Royal Speech , but nothing more than is just .

      Working men , I know not whether you will consider me right or wrong when ( however the proposition may be repudiated by thousands ) I again appeal to you to prepare a NATIONAL PETITION and local petitions as well , to be presented to the House of Commons ; and for this reason—because Government and your opponents base their opposition upon your indifference ; and I would appoint discreet men to seek veritable signatures , and not the obscure signatures of spies and informers , whereby my power and yours may be weakened , and the power of our opponents strengthened .

      In conclusion , let me tell you now , as I have told you to surfeit before—that the working classes of this , or any other country , will never derive benefit from a physical revolution ; while nothing so much tends to weaken their cause as violent language , wMch is calculated to intimidate thousands who would otherwise co-operate with them . My day-thought and night-dream have been devoted to reflection

      upon those means by which I could best serve the interest of all classes—making the rich , richer and the poor , rich—living down prejudice , and leaving the world better than I found it : and the greatest opposition against which both you and I have had to contend , has been the violent language of poor gentlemen , who are too proud to work , and too poor to live without labour .

      My dear friends , does it not make your heart sicken—does it not almost drive you to despair , despondence , and madness , when you read of the dissensions that exist between parties and individuals professing the same principles ? And what would you think of me if I attempted to base my popularity upon the spouting of mere " airy and metaphysical nothings / ' sinking all thought of people in self , and being more satisfied with clamorous applause than substantial reform ? Do not you think that I have suffered enough from Government persecution and POPULAR INGRATITUDE , to prove to you that I aim at something higher than personal ambition and mere popular applause ?

      Working men , twenty-eight years of steadfast adherence , and the expenditure of a large fortune in your cause , imprisonment without conversion , and slander without desertion , should be a sufficient testimony of my character ; and what I have ever endeavoured to accomplish has been the union of leaders , to insure the union of followers—for , believe me that , when officera disagree , soldiers are likely to mutiny . And now , what I most fervently implore of you is , at once and for ever , to put the

      extinguisher upon all dissensions—to let those who differ fight their battles , not upon the public platform , or in the Press , but in a private conversation—as I am resolved that your organ , the NORTHERN STAR shall never again contain one column or line of party or personal squabble ; and I believe you will admit , that no other proprietor of a newspaper in this world would have allowed his own organ to be the medium , not of censure only , but of abuse of himself .

      These remarks do not refer to the present , or even to recent times only—they refer to the period when the first Convention was held in 1839 , when the poor gentlemen , having expended your money , sought to make a living by your disunion , and for which I was the sufferer and the paymaster . Working men—United you Stand . Divided you Fall : and scout from your ranks rery

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      man who would make you fall b y your own disunion . Your Faithful and Uncompromising Friend and Representative , Feargus O'Connob .

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      TO FEAltGUS O'CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Dear Sir , —I learnt promiscously to-day that a deputation from th » Parliamentary and Financial Eeform Association , consisting of . Sir J . Walmsley , George Thompson , Esq ., and Mr . Atkinson , would be in Nottingham during the present week ; not feeling satisfied with respect to the report , I set to work and learned for a positive fact that the Mayor had been applied to , and had granted the use of the Exchange-hall for the above object . Having learned this much , I deemed it my duty to call a meeting of the Chartist Council , and inform them of what I had learned . The parties gettine up the meetinp

      are keeping it very still , as yet ; the meeting will be held on Friday evening next , but they have not issued any bill publicly , yet , calling the meeting : we think they are doing this to prevent us from sending for you . Having laid the facts of the case before the council , they instructed me to write to you immediately , and request you to attend at the abovementioned meeting . The council are of opinion , that the parties in Nottingham getting up the meeting , wish to exclude you from taking part in the proceedings , so as to give the public press a ehance

      of saying that a meeting of this kind Lad been held by your censtitutents , and that you had never been invited , so as to make it appear to the world that the people of Nottingham had become disgusted with your conduct , as their representative . Such not being the case , vre are very desirous you should attend the meeting , if possible , and thereby convince our enemies that so long as you continue to discharge your duties in the praiseworthy manner you have hitherto done , we—at least—the working men of Nottingham know how to appreciate snen

      services . Have the kindness to write by return of post , so that we can give as much publicity as possible if you attend , I remain , Yours respectfully , on behalf of the Chartist Council , Johh Skehritt , Secretary . Lewis ' s-square , Rancliffe-street , Nottingham , Feb . 5 , 1850 . 24 , Notting-hill Terrace , London . February 7 th , 1850 . Deak Skerkitt , —

      In consequence of your letter being addressed to the Northern Star office , and not to my residence , I did not receive it till this ( Thursday ) morning , when I beg to tell you that I fully agreo in every sentence it contains , but , nevertheless , no power of any party will be able to shako the confidence of those who returned me , and whoso feelings and interests I trust I faithfully represent . I regret , however , that it will not be in my

      power to be present , as you will learn , from the enclosed letter , that I am to attend a consultation at seven o ' clock to-morrow ( Friday ) night , with respect to my action for libel against the Nottingham Journal , which it is supposed will be tried on Saturday ; and had it not been that my attendance at that consultation is indispensable , nothing would give me greater pride or pleasure than to meet friend and foe upon that battle-field where my blood has been shed , but where the vigour of the people nobly asserted Us triumph .

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      BeWf *? ceited ' yoiif'letter : I was made acquainted with the ? . dodge , " but the stratagem of faction shall never turn my co-operation into hostilityjjso long as I feel convinced that the principles of my personal opponents , if adopted , would serve the cauaeidfiytfie : people .,. ; . ; \/ : ' ¦ ¦?/' . I have ' every reliance and confidence in the brave n % of Nottingham , with , whom I have had so nrany'struggies , aud to whom give my kindest love and Wection , ' with the assurance that , ere long , I will again Wet them in their native town , . '¦ : ' ' -r Your Faithful Friend and Uncomprdm ^ fajg ' ' ' . Represe ^ tive , ' . . '' . , v ; Feakgps O'Connor . P . S . ^ Read this bfftfi e platform ;

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      '• For a > nat | 6 n to bo free , > tls sufficient that die wills it . " fFjam t& MsJimcm ; ^ ^ Februaty 2 nk ;) : . ' \ inflgPiiB !^^ ings in theaS grfch ofEnglaijd ^ ll ^ t ^ eeki"ji yas out of my P % 6 fcif % iWi ^|^| o ^|| j ^ you appear , once more , U have a sufficient number of irons in the fire , perhaps you sustained no disappointment ; meantime , allow me to assure you , that however any of those irons may be heated or struck , you will not receive one particle of benefit from the weld .

      I have been invited to attend the first grand demonstration of the Democratic party , which is now being organised for the purpose of cooling all the irons of the several tinkers , and making such a furnace as will thaw and dissolve all humbug , and for ever ; and as it is to the union , to the voice , and to the power of the veritable people alone that I look for a veritable change in their condition , all other business laid aside , I shall consider it my duty to be present at the inauguration of Ireland ' s regeneration , ~ and her new birth unto r ighteousness .

      Irishmen , the old policy was , enlist every man who is willing to enter your ranks as a willing soldier , and drink his health in the Botnb Water ; now the policy is to divide Ireland into five parties—Protectionists , Free Traders , National Alliance , Conciliation Hall , and Democracy ; and believe me , that if the Democrats are only true , zealous , and energetic , the other four parties will merge into utter insignificance .

      Can anything be more absurd—nay , treasonable—than the fact of one party basing its power upon an opposition to Lord Glengali . and others , who nibble at Repeal ; while those who base their power upon that opposition declare Repeal to be their darling object ? Again , can anything be more absurd than the fact of Mr . John O'Connell basing his opposition to the principles of the National Alliance , upon the grounds that Mr . Dui ? i ? r has spoken slightingly of the PorE ; while the Italian people , all Catholics , as well as Mr . John O'Connell , and all eye-witnesses of the

      Pope s doings , have rebelled against him ? And can anything be more absurd than the fact , that the Free Traders of Ireland are now being marshalled , not as mere opponents of Protection , but as the presumed supporters of that very Government which for years they have been denouncing ? My countrymen , although I never have despaired , and never shall despair , of establishing such a union of hardy and determined Irishmen , as will ultimately , and for ever , overthrow the knavery of their several cunning opponents , yet you may rely upon it , that in the course of a very short time you will hear

      the olp cry , " Whcerer divides the Liberal interest is an enem / to his country . " And you may depend upon it , that the leading cuckoos in that cry will be Government toadies and lickspittles , who will endeavour to use your presumed satisfaction , in the House of Commons , for the purpose of gaining patronage for themselves ; as the cause of battle between the contending parties will now be Protection or Free Trade , while , if you are wise , you will contend for Free Trade in its entirety—namely , Free Trade in Legislationas the only means by which Free Trade in corn , or anything else , can be turned to national instead of class benefit .

      Could the most ingenious or subtle men in the world more fully prove the fully anticipated results from Irish agitation than Mr . John O'CoNNELLhas developed in his threatto resign his seat in Parliament ? Was not the plain English of that threat—I anticipated the hope . of being able to live comfortably upon the proceeds of a more paying profession than that of the law , namely , the profession of agitation , and from which agitation I anticipated the liberation of my country ; but now , that I anticipate greater profit from my legal than from my agitating profession , I abandon my country ' s cause , and wrap myself in

      selfishness . Ir ishman , you are not to augur ill , or to anticipate defeat , or even difficulties , from such secessions ; but , on the contrary , they should inspire you with hope , as they are purely based upon the great fact that the Irish mind can no longer bo used for individual selfishness . You know but little of England or of England ' a . power , and as you know as little of England ' s weakness . England ' s power is based upon her machinery , and the control ftiat the griping capitalist has over labour :

      her weakness is based upon her enormous debt , her colonial difficulties , and the hatred of all continental powers ; while her gbeatest difficulty would be a thorough union of the Irish industrial mind . And it is to prepare you for such an union , that I . beg ] to subscribe my name as a member of the Irish Democratic party ; and to establish such a union that I shall once more be amongst my countrymen at the proposed meeting of that bedy ; and then I shall subscribe something more than my voice to aid you in the accomplishment of your object , which I believe to be the regeneration of your country .

      Good God ! how it must sicken any true patriot ' s heart to read tho discussion between Irish exiles in the United States ; and how it must raise the hope of those who have ever lived upon your disunion . I was aware that your first labour would be to destroy the old and rotten system of Irish agitation ; but I still had the hope , that those who clung to tho old and broken fragments would be so few and insignificant , that your new edifice would rise and tower to the admiration of the world : and I confess that what I learn of the materials of which your new Democratic Association is composed inspires me with no little hope , and animates me with no alight courage .

      My countrymen , it was my intention to navo written you a series of letters upon the land , and the means of converting it to national instead of class purposes , but the pressing urgency compels mo to prepare you for the coming action , as it would bo nonsense to developo the value of tliu land without first preparing you with the means to acquire it ; and tho principal object tfcatl have in now addressing you is to caution you against the old bodge —namely , that you should not be ngaiu cnlUtod to stmgglo negatively against the .

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      ihfluenco of the opponents of the Government , but AjTiBMATiYktiY for the accomplishment , of your o w n rights ; ' v : . ¦ x" : • You know the old saying , when " rogues fall'out , honest men come by their own ; " and you know full w ^ . thakajt th e £ oguo 3 ,, wjy > live , arid fatten upoia ^ pM ^ jwu ^ and ;^^ now fallen < mt- ; an ^ vjioujougji ^ to knaW ; , | nait ; if you are ^ not ^ us ^ d bytfie ^ lgliei , you will ' cwneT by your qyral ^ j ?; tt ' Iainwritfiigto you on Tuesday , and , "therefore , » m liqt awiri of tlie result ; of the Free Tr 4 a © : g 4-theringilbu ' t'iyou may rely upon it thatit ' -hp ' i ! - oeived ; nofconly the countenance of the the GaoIiER ? GKflBRAirlQF Ireland , but also of the British ; Go > veranjent , rand that your , independent member , the WorahipfoljloRn Mayor , will trumpet it in the Uo"s ? i 9 f 'Commons , agtho strongest proof , of Iriih confidence

      v m the Whig Government , f : ' ' ' V \ i TV ^ Ti . ^^ countrymen , if such a meeting Was called tor-vtiie purpose of passing censure upon the bovernfiufot , and however beneficial its resulta might W 0 the country ; , it-would either be put down byiproclamation , or it would bo surrounded bythe CUoler-Gbnkral and ' his staff . All-rows thattako ^ lace at . Prpteotionist meetings are lauded ^^ ^ M ^^^ Vytl ^ -PrVsa ; while , during tho ireo , Trflde , agitatipn , ; if any ; Chartist undertook to 8 % vSr } W lotion fairly ^' and " temperately , and offered noiopposition , btra fair discussion , the police f *? 5 PMIt ^ 'i « he # ^; . hurled from the platform ; hanfled ; 'ovep ^ 'the lender" fliercy of the bludgconmeffk , and ; kioKed * an ~ dscuffed as he was draegwt tltoug ¥ Hfe ^ u « nounced by the pfess as a Chartist ' ruffian ; an INTRUDER , AND REVOLUTIONIST .

      Now , this will show you tho difficulties against which men who advocate the true cause of democraoy , have to contend , while , nothing despairing , and still unintimidated , I rely upon the growing mind of Ireland to trample upon the tyranny of despots and the rascality of the press , In my invitation to be present at the inaugural Democratic meeting , I am requested to invite some of the popular English leaders to accompany me ; and I shall have tho more pleasure in complying with this request , in order to convince my countrymen of the injustice , of the slander and denunciation to which those talented men have been

      subected ; and I do hope that their introduction to their Irish fellow working-men , all rowing in the samo boat , will be the means of cementing such a union between Celt and Saxon , as no Government can destroy , no artful dodger can weaken ; as , rely upon it , that upon the union of the people of both countries , and upon that' alone , the liberties of both countries can be securely based . Your faithful friend and countryman , Pearous O'Connor . P . S . —To show you thatlshall not appear at your meeting as an intruder , I present you with the following invitation . —F . O'C .

      Irish Democratic Association , Anglesey Buildings , 38 , Lower Abbey-street , Dublin . Sib , —lam directed by the Committee of the Irish Democratic Association to inform jou that an aggregate meeting of their body will be held on an early day . Knowing the deserved influence which your position necessarily gives you , they deem it of the greatest importance to secure your attendance , if possible , at that meeting , in order that you may have an opportunity of explaining to the Irish people those sound political principles which have tended to enlighten our English neighbours . Hoping that it will suit your convenience to send an answer in . the affirmative , and anxiously awaiting your reply , I have the honour to be , sir , your devoted servant , Andiiew L ' ngush , Secretary . To Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., AI . P .

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      PARLIAMENTARY REFORM IN ABERDEEN . VISIT OF O . W . M . REYNOLDS , ESQ . A crowded intelligent and enthusiastic meeting was held in Bon-Accord Hall on Monday night , to receive an address from G . \ V . M . Reynolds , Esq ., in favour of constitutional reform . _ The large hall was well filled bnforethe hour ofmeeting , and was densely packed during the whole proceedings . Mr . Reynolds , who appeared on the platform , accompanied by his lady , ¦ was loudly cheered on making his appearance . Mi * . George Smart was by acclamation sailed to the chair .

      The Chairman ' . returned thanks for the honour which had been conferred upon him . The subject upon which the speakers were to address tho meeting was second to none in . importance . lie had applied his mind , though a working man , to this subject for the last eight or ten years , and had been daily more and more convinced , that unless working men proceeded to demand reform , based upon sound principles , their condition must become worse and worse , ( Loud cheers , ) Mr . David Wright moved the first resolution . — "The downward tendency of the affairs of the country was evident from the decline which had taken placo in the remuneration for labour . ( Hear . ) It was further evident in the appalling increase of

      pauperism , and in tho amount of social degradation and wretchedness which prevailed throughout the country . " Mr . Wright proceeded to point out the anomalous inequalities of the representative system , and the gross corruption which prevailed in . the Financial department of government , and which was well and emphatically indicated by the declaration of Mr . W . Chambers , " That the financial concerns of the country were conducted in such a mysterious and unbusiness like manner , that it was impossible for any human being to understand them . " ( Loud applause . ) It had been urged by their city member ( Captain Fordyce , ) that the People's Charter would give a preponderance of influence to the working man . But , did they ever hear of any one grudging a preponderance of labour to the working man And if a working man could manage affairs of vital importance to himself , if he could vote for a minister to attend to his soul , was

      he not also fit to vote for a representative in parliament ? ( Applause . ) And had not the working man a preponderance of taxation on his shoulders ? Mr . Wright concluded an eloquent , and loudly applauded speech , by proposing the following resolution : — " That in the opinion of this meeting , the alarming o , nd downward tendency of the labouring and general commercial interests of tho united kingdom , is the result of the present unjust and unequal system of representation , promoting as it does , the corrupt interests of a small faction , at the expense of the people at large ; and that this meeting expresses its deliberate conviction , that the only safe , effectual , and permanent remedy for this state of affairs , is such a change in our representative system as will place the House of Commons under the direct control of the nation , by tho admittal of the entire male adult population within the pale of the electoral franchise , under the plan laid down in the document entitled the People ' s Charter .

      Mr . Jonx Braik seconded the motion , which was put by tho Chairman , and carried unanimously . Mr . William Ltndsey moved the second resolution . He had never met a working man who after calm consideration did not admit the perfect justice and fairness of the principles of the Charter ; but it was not sufficient to be convinced of the truth of these principles—they must be carried into effect . He would not throw obstacles in the way of any party that might be agitating for a less measure of reform , but all who considered that the Charter

      contained only a necessary measure of reform , were at the same time bound to agitate for it . ( Applause . ) Mr . Lyndsey , in conclusion , moved the following resolution : — " That in order to make effectual the demand for the People ' s Charter , it is necessary that the friends of that measure should forthwith form themselves into an association for that purpose ; and that this meeting therefore earnestly calls upon—especially the working classes—the unrepresented masses of the United Kingdom , to join tho National Charter Association , as organised at the late Metropolitan Chartist Conference . "

      Mr . Arch . Macdonald seconded tho resolution . The principles of the Charter had been in part contended for since the first dawn of civilisation , though it could not be expected that they should have reached the samo maturity in ancient Greece or Rome as in this country , with an enlightened press , and such noble advocates of reform as their friend Mr . Roynolds . ( Loud applause . ) In every page of the Bible these principles were inscribed . That book told them that God had made of one blood all nations of men upon the earth , and that all things were given to man for his enjoyment . But class legislation had uprooted and rovorsod tho laws of Heaven , and trampled upon common humanity . Loud applause . ) Ho was , however , as anxious as

      anyone present to hear Mr . Reynolds , and would not detain the meeting . The Chairman tlion called upon Mr . Revtows , who stood forward amidst a storm of applause . After apologising for his having beon rather late , owing to his having lost his passugo once or twice on his way , Mr . Reynolds returned thanks for the very cordial reception which he had just met , and which he considered to be moro than a reward for any trouble which his journey north might have cost him . He knew weil tho merits of the , working man , and sympathised , deeply with him , tinder his privations . While labouring in the oause or the working man , no kad reaped no rawd and . m

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      r sought none It was , to him , sufficient satisfaction ^ tffihaaiionWiUufctf ^ oppressed ;; All ^ roort ^ wero origii | ally . on ; equal oircuii \ stai * cesVafid- " why ffas it'that " iib « r > the bulk . of theirfeiiowmen . were roCb ' ed of their natural right—/ ' the franchise ^ It could only , bo by iniquitous ty-VftnnyK ^ h ¥ Ves ' ult *? the iniper / dot'reprCSonttttioa ' of ^ haloouhty , 'in : " pYliament ' was evident , in the faft that they : found , the -iuistituiipysiof'tlieubarbaroua Pil ^ ejige 8 stiltexi 8 tiuW % d ^ ^ !? P ' ^ MW , WgW ^^' wit ^ th ^ niiglfeveKt ^ f ppveSent-. --y JVTf ¥ iof wi / wio

      ' u «¦« was preposierpus , Ap ^ wuaw otCojmjmons'to rqform its ^^ withput ^ 'vigorb $ . -pressure from withdiit . > " TBe ^ tEedry bWUie ? Briti 8 | i ;; . Mn 8 titutjpn % ai ^ Kings ,.: lords , and Commons . But'it-was found tha . ti the aristocracy , who > we re of coursp Bol ^ rjjlerslinth © . ; House of Lordsi l »^ . ^ o ; KrgeVy ' encri > acieu upon the ' prerogatives , and- ^ Htsv of the crownna ; nditfi 5 . ug& he did not lament the ;; abridgGmpiit pf ; tn ? 5 i 5 | hlf i " of the crown |; he thought" that anything toitMfrSB - it should . bo given , not-to a tyrahical ^ inaiolent ; , and bloated aristocracy , but to the' peppfer ^ Tfiie aristo ? Wacy ^ HaW ' also' mariaeed . 'to ' engrossthe Houseiofj ' Commonsitaeli , ustieu ' aa the Army / NayV . ChurcbV ^^ and' other ; appointmpntsand they coiiidithroueh- > i

      - , , tliKHouae of' Commons ; put . their hands into ; jjj » l Pi" ?!^^^^^?! 0 * " * ' P" 'l ??! P . * -W 9 ? % \ tPv wiysfr e . ye . ^ 1 i 6 $ ^ ant ^ of | tnfi ' ctouatry ' . ' jfe ^ ft . ' fn tjreiy . at their mercy . And wnp . wero'ihiesS ' aristocrats ?~ 6 ither descendants of ( fiat ruffian Will jam the Cbnqueror . or de ^ ce ' ndants . of gay ladies who prostituted themselves toCh ' arlesII ; - ; these " were ' the individuals ; who -with a face _ of brasi , and a ~ heart of iron , set' themselves against ! all . reform ,-and whom it was therefore the duty ,. ojf the people effectually to knock down . The Queen ' a

      speech , delivored / theother day , gave out , thatthe country , was . in ' . a Very , favourable state . Now . ' . thejr had , already .-heard , ! that upwards of a million ' , ol paupers" existed in England -and he knew for-a fact , that on-last Chistmas day , one hundred thouS sand persons in London alone were dependent upoa charity for their Christmas dinner , while the ' poor labourers in the agricultural districts , were starv-r ing oh five' oiv six shillings ; a week : many of . tha mill-hands j in the-manufacturing towns wero . ' but . half employed , and the ^ most ^ dcpiorable ignorance , ; wretchedness , and demoralisation prevailed . ' . But , whattould tho nebpledo . unamed 4 ; ing ! ie ; pfe . sence (;

      mow : tteh ^ cfown ^ ih ^^ ffl eirt- ' ^^^ inpte ^ lp snow an hostile attitude ? lie did ndt mean to encourage any attempt at / violence . lie believed that in the English constitution , bad as it was , there existed elements of freedom sufficient to accom-1 plish their purposes . One of the great principles ' which lie held with respect to land , was , that every ' one who needed sustenance out of it , should have that sustenance before any other man should have moro . than sustenance , and that the industrious should be well fed before any one could be permitted to eat the bread of idleness , ; but this regulation , had been reversed under the present system . Mr .. Reynolds then took up in detail the different points , of the People's Charter . Why had the supporters ,

      of that document been vilified and abused ?—simply becauso the aristocracy constantly strove to throw scandal upon those who were devoting themselves to the work of dragging the people out of the mire . It is said , that the mass of the people could not be entrusted with the franchise , owing to their ignorance ; but it was the intelligence of the people that was in reality , feared . "Whether did the occupation and works of tiic aristocracy , or of the working man , produce more to benefit society and to pi'ovo intelligence ? Everything for convenience , comfort , and luxury , was furnished by the working man ; and if the working classes worn ignorant , what had those who threw their ignorance in their teeth done to enli « rhten them ? On the continent , in

      several quarters , the people last year were for some time , in possession or full power 3 : and was their conduct such as the opponents of universal suffrage would have predicted ?—were they not on the contrary , everywhere great , generous , and magnanimous ?—Yes ; too magnanimous in some cases , for they allowed the aristocrats again to assume power , and what was the policy which was immediatelyadopted ?—they lacerated and scourged women , slaughtered children , filled their dungeons , and sent hundreds to the scaffold . A " party of order , " as it was called , arose to complete tho ruin of the causo of liberty . Let the friends of reform see to it , that no such party of order arise in this country ., The government and parliament told the people of

      Britain , that they were free—yes , they were free to set off to work very early in the morning , and to continue very late at night , to take small wages for much work , to give the aristocracy everything , and to retain nothing ; and then the press and the aristocracy would laud their condition as " free born Britons ' , the greatest people on the face oC the earth , " Ac . They wore also told of the immense extent of the British empire ; but what was this to the working man ?—the colonies wero nothing else than a series of . lucrative sinecure post 3 for the scions of the aristocracy ^ tpvbo paid by taxes wrung from working men ; Another principle of the Charter was the ballot , which would be required to give tho working

      man protection after he had obtained Lniveral Suffrage . It was objected that the Ballot was un-English—was it un-English to secure fair play ? But the plea , especially coming from the aristocracy , which , imported French millinery , cookery servants , Sic , and which upheld the system of flogging soldiers—were any of these measures decidedly English ? Again , at present many persons speculated largely in borough seats in parliament . Thero were 056 members returned to the House of Commons , and at any general election there were about 1 , 000 candidates . It had been calculated that the

      cost ^ of the entire constituency averaged a pound per head—not that every elector ' s vote was purchaseablo , but reckoning the sum paid for purchased votes alone . Tho expense of contesting those elections was about two millions of pounds . But the investment—costly as it appeared to bewas one of the best that a man could put his money into , considering tho numerous pensions and places and honours that might be obtained—particularly by those who thought fit to vote with government . It was with the working classes that tho hopes of tho Reform Movement lay , for it was evident that the middle classes did not want to do awav with .

      tho House of Lords ; indeed , they wero interested in upholding the aristocracy , as they might expect to fill posts in it themselves . Mr . Reynolds then dwelt at length , and with striking effect , on the absurdity of the Property Qualification , and rebuked the disposition to worship money , which ( he said ) prevailed even amongst the working classes themselves ; and ho concluded an eloquent and repeatedly cheered speech of nearly two hours' duration—of which the above is necessarily a very imperfect sketch—by appealing to the working men of Abei ' - deen as they valued their own rights , the rights of their families , and of their fellow men ^ -to lend themselves honestly and earnestly to the movement . Mr . Reynolds sat down amidst loud and

      long-continued cheering , which had repeatedly interrupted him during his address . Mr . John Smart moved the following resolution , which ( he said ) required no remark or recommendation of his : — " That this meeting returns its most cordial thanks to G . W . M . Reynolds , Esq ., for the straightforward and able manner in which he advocates the works of labour in his writings , and also for struggling so zealously for its emancipation ; while grappling with tyranny before the public on tho platform ; but , in particular this meeting would beg most respectfully to thank him and his lady for their kind and generous visit to this city—solely undertaken at their own expense—to promote the cause of freedom , and the elevation of the human race . "

      Tho motion was carried amidst rapturous cheering . A cordial vote of thanks was passed to tho chairman , and three times three " cheers having been given for Mr . Reynolds and the Charter , the large assemblage dispersed .

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      On Tuesday evening a supper was given at the Caledonian Hotel , in honour of the visit of Mr . and Mrs . Reynolds to Aberdeen . The festival was served up in excellent style , and presented all tha succulent substantialities of a real Scotch supper . Mr . Lyon presided ; and amongst those who spoke to the various sentiments proposed , wero Messrs . D . Wright , Smart , Branik , Lindsoy , Alexander M'Donald , < fcc , &c . Tho sentiments were of tho usual appropriate nature . The healths of Mr , and Mrs . Reynolds were drunk with "three times

      three , " as was that of Mr . Fearaus O'Connor , M . P . Mr . Reynolds returned thanks for himself and Mrs . ReynoliJs , and likewise for his absent friend Mr . O'Connor , whose unwearied , honest , and staunch patriotism , he eulogised in a manner which elicited immense-applause . Sentiments in honour of tho « imprisoned exiled victims ; " the Red Republicans of Franco ; " " tho rights of tha people ; " " the Democratic press ; and other appropriate subjects , wero duly proposed ; and tho assembly broke up at about eno m the morning ; the whole proceedings having been comluctl-d to tha entire satisfaction of all pvssent . ¦ rmnn

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      To Drive away Rai ;^— Get a paper bag full of human hair from a bs . vbev ' s shop , and stuff the rat holes with it ; they will never appear there again . — . Commiwicaied to tU famlenesr' Cki-oniclc . In ANTirwATioN . of the intended reduction in tho army which is about to take plnoo , several l-ocruit-irig parties have been called in , particularly those ooiU nected with the reserve battalions . Weight oy the Hntis Brain . —Tlio brain of Cuvier weighed 04 } ounces ; this was tho . largest on record . That of Dr . Abcrcrombic was 03 ounces ; that , of Dttpuytven , a oslobvatetl surgeon of France , G 3 J ; Dr . Chalmers , 53 ( skull very thick ); Sit-Walter Scott , not lavge , perhaps average , but not ireigb . Qd ; L ord , Byron , G § owes .,

      M? Rhabtisti Of The West P Aiding Of Yorkshire.

      m ? rHABTISTi OF THE WEST P Aiding of Yorkshire .

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      th £ ' mathox estate . TO THE > B 8 B £ QSITORS FOR THE PURCHASE OF-TflliMATIION ESTATE . Mt Pbiends , I have had three or four applications for the return of a portion of the funds subscribed for the purchase of the atove estate . In twe instances where the amount required was stated , I repaid it by return of post ; in two

      other instances , where questions were asked and upon the reply to which the withdrawal depended , I stated to the applicants , that if not satisfied with my response as to the probable time of completing the purchase , that they also should receive their money by return of post ; and now I have to inform the several depositors in that fund of , to . them , a most important event . ; = sv \ When I purchased the estate , as I then tiiite ^^^ i able-io a jointur ©«) f 300 Z . a year to Mrs .- Cliff , the owner of the estate , that is , the purchasers during her life , would

      be liable to a rent of 12 s . an acre . This charge upon the estate reduced its value to the purchaser by from 3 , 000 / . to 4 , 000 / . ; that lady , however , lias departed this life , and the property has consequently increased in value to that amount , the purchasers now not being liable to any rent whatever , a circumstance which , I dare say , will lead to the very speedy completion of the purchase of the property ; while I beg to state , that all parties who have paid up the amount of money , representing the number of acres that they wish to purchase , shall receive back their money if inclined so to do .

      Some complain that the purchase has not been completed as speedily as they expected it ; while they seem ignorant of the fact , that title deeds connected with the purchase of a large estate , cannot be concluded so easil y as they imagine , and especially during a period which is called the " long Tacation , " when conveyancers are generally out of town--and that vacation lasts during August , September , and October .

      I trust that the parties who hare deposited monies for the purchase of this estate , will be satisfied with this explanation ; while I may further add , that if it is not fully purchased , I shall apply the proceeds from the sale of the Minster Lovel and Snig ' s End estates to the purchase of the remainder for the Land Company , and those two estates will be sold in April by the mortgagees ; and I have handed over the PROPRIETORS of the Lowbands Estate to the tender mercies of Mr . Roberts , who has advanced 1 , 000 / . by way of mortgage , and as the occupants at O'Connorville are , generally speaMng , the best conducted upon any of the estates , I will deal

      more leniently with them ; and the strongest proof that I can give of the confidence and gratitude of the people is , that the men of Bradford—among whom the dissatisfied Mr . Oddy has again gone to reside—sent a larger amount for the Land Fund last week , than has come from all England for many weeks past . But to furnish you with the strongest evidence that men sometimes do wear two faces under a hood , I . request your perusal of the following" letter , written three months since by the most violent and wily obstructor of the Land Plan , and the man who has endeavoured to do it moro injury than Mr . Bum Beatxie of Minster . Now please to read the letter : — .

      Bear Sib , —If you see Ifr . O'Connor , please io tell him that Squire York , of Forthampton , near Tewkcsbury , has employed me to draw up a plan of three-acre allotments , best mede of cropping , building , &c ., &c , which I purpose to bring to Squire York , on Wednesday next I understand that he is about to put all his farms , that may be giren up , of which lie has a great number , into small allotments . Squire York and I have had two or three hours conversation on the subject . Messrs . Doyle and Cullingham kindly gave me their assistance . I feel assured of pleasing . Mr . O'Connor ' s phophecj is beginning to be verified . Yours truly , 1 * . J . O'Bbien , Schoolmaster .

      Reader , what think you of the sentiments of this philanthropist ? and do you not wonder how I withstood the slander , the villany , and ingratitude of such fellows . Faithfully yours , Feargus O'Connob .

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      ¦¦ ¦ ANPfAHONAL TMDES' JQJMlIr I

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      tection and WUfflLP . 642 . LOMOH , SATURDAY , MM * 9 , 18 &ft ^ r {•? pl ^ ^^ t ^^ i

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 9, 1850, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1560/page/1/