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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th January 1851, Edition 1 of 3, Page 1, Untitled Article

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    • — ? national Ha?iu (gompany.
    • " United yon stind, Divided you foil." TO THE "WOBKIXG- CLASSES.
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      3 IY Fmesds , —In little more than three ¦ y { v " :: s ;» wr you shall read this letter , Parlia-311 . j , t v . iil have met . And , however I may tfi'i'T yea with repetition , 1 agaia remind you of the controversy which will take place bei < H-n all parties in the ensuing session . INot only between the Protectionists and the Government , and the Catholics and Government , I . ut ihc present state of France ; which will liave a greater effect than Protectionism or GatU ' . 'HcIsm . At present the French Ministry is broke" up , and the several parties in that couutfv are contending for power—that is , to establish their own power , but are wholl y -Tmlifieivnt with regard to the people .

      Tnc Special Constable President has resolve ! u P dismissing Chaxgakmek , the Co'iunaii'ler-in-Chief of the army , while a | ioini . i ! of the press tells you , that at least l < ji > . O < X ) soldiers are determined that he shall cciniuue as Coirmiander-in Chief . Now , none of those parties have the slightest consideration for the people , while many declare their resolution of electing the Special Constable aa Wiot . .. , onlwish and

      y . m ; my friends , my y desire ^« to vr « -parc you for the coming struggle . If wa are united * you can turn any change that this convulsion may create , to the benefit of -your own order ; whereas , if you are disunited vour oppressors will turn it to their own benefit And , for this reoson , I do hope and fraa that the ol > ject of the Manchester Conferw * and of the London Conference , will he to dispel all antagonism , and once more create union among your order .

      I attended a meeting on Wednesday night last at the Hall in "Webber-street—a capital mer-tiiig—and from my reception , and from the manner in -which my speech was received and applauded , I have come to the conclusion , that the working men of London , as well as snvscU ' , see the necessity of establishing an uuion among your order . I understand that I have been elected as a delegaie to the Manchester Conference , and I ehal ! have great pleasure in attending and faithfully discharging my duty . I have received invitations from the men of Bradford and Bochdale , and I shall visit both of those tov . Hs when the Manchester Conference con-|

      cludes its business ; and I think that will be the best time—just hefore Parliament meets . And I promise yon , working men , as I represent , you , as well as the men of Nottingham , that I will not fail in performing my duty to you . in the ensuing Session of Parliament . Ai £ . i : a , again , and again , I implore you to placo no confidence in trafficking politicians , or professing leaders , hut rely wholly and entirely upon the strength that your own union viY . give you , and the weakness it will give your oppressors . I work for no class but yours —I think of no class but yours—and I have devoted my time and my fortune to the elevation of your order ; hut the old maxim may be

      true , that " PEOFFERED SERVICE STJXKS ; " but however I may stink in your noslriis , I am determined to die perfumed with the sweet scent of philanthropy ; and , perhaps , when I am dead and gone , you will say of me as you have of Hexhy Hunt , "WE

      TREATED HIM UNJUSTLY . " Bui . in conclusion let me tell you , however you may revile me , or transfer your confidence to profit-mongers and trafficking politicians , I am resolved , " come weal come woe , " to adhere to those principles which will rescue you from the grasp of your oppressors , and enable you to live and support your families as you ought to do—in comfort and affluence . If I had my will , no mother should drag her baby from Kt breast to obey the summons of the dread Curfew , Lut all should remain at home , attending to their families , performing their domestic work ; and then all would he happy , and we should not have a drunkard or a criminal in the land .

      1 must remind you—or rather inform youof soothing that occurred at the meeting that I attended on "Wednesday night I stated that the population per square mile of Jersey and Guernsey was four times as great as that of England , five times larger than the population of lr -laud , and twelve times larger than that ofS' -otknd ; and that they paid from five to seven pounds an acre for Land . As I was coming out of the hall , a fine , tall , able young fellow met me , and told me that he was glad I mentioned it , as he had been hi Jersey nine year * , and that he never saw a beggar or a pauper .

      Kow , working men , will not this fact convince you , that yonr oppressors manufacture your sweat , your blood , your marrow , and your bones into gold , and that THEIR MIST IS T 0 U 11 DISUNION ? Your Faithful and Uncompromising Friend and Advocate , Feabgus O'Coxxok .

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      m SIR , O'CONNOR AND THE MEN OF THE POTTERIES . TO THE EDITOR OF THE XORTHERX STAR . Mr Dear Sib , —You asked me to provide you with a list of the articles manufactured for the Honesty Fund by the men of the Staffordshire Potteries . I have now much pleasure in doing so . The first lot consists of A Tea aud Coffee Set , 45 pieces , Porcelain China , Victoria Shape , decorated with

      Royal Blue and Burnished Gold ; one of tho Newest Shape and Design out . Value £ 5 . Secor . J , —Of one Set ( 3 ) , Porcelain China Vases , Treutham Shape , -with raised Dresden Flowers , and Landscapes in centre ; elaborately gilt with Burnished Gold . Value £ 310 s . Tiiml , —One Set ( 3 ) , Stone China Vases , Matt Blue Ground aud Landscapes , richl y gilt with Burnished Gold . Value £ 2 .

      These articles are all of first-rate quality , put down at prices under rather than above the value . It is expected that the working ffieu aud women who sympathise with the donors , and feel interested hi the case of Mr . O'Connor , will signify the same by corresponding with Mr . Hopkinson , Old Hallterrace , Hanley , Staffordshire . I understand that these things wrill he

      disposed of by subscription tickets , sixpence each : it will , therefore , be an easy matter * w the democrats of Aberdeen , Glasgow , ieeds , Manchester , Derby , London , or elsewhere , to send six postage stamps to Mr . liopkinson , which will entitle all parties so coiug to an interest in the sale . Or , parties of ten , twelve , or any greater number , may cniie together in the variou 3 towns or districts for such purpose .

      , You ai me what I think of the treatment itfr . O'Connor has experienced at the hands of English Judges and jurors . I have always understood it to be the duty of a judge to warn . juries against the influence of prejudice ; and i k . a v ° also understood that a jury should decide all cases brought before them on their snerUs . 0 ' Connor versus Bradshaw , was not tae case , tried hi the Court of Westminster . « was Mr . O'Connor's character , as a po"tician ; and with Mr . Roebuck as opposing

      wunsd , and a middle-class jury iu the jury j . the decision , though disgraceful , and ike jud gment , though unjust , were quite as w ouraUe as Mr . O'Connor could , under such cirenmstances , expect * regret much that any man should suffer ** JIr . O'Connor now does , from difficulties woagUt on , not by personal extravagance , but " } ' Wijust prejudice , and a persecuting spirit * the part of those whose dnty it was to hare Protected the innocent when slandered , and , a *> ve all , to have guarded against the power

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      of prejudice . Were Mr . O'Connor a Tory , and not a Chartist , my sympath y would be the same . The Staffordshire men are working hard in his behalf , and I wish them success . lam , your obedient servant , Samuel M . Ky . dd . . f ,, i ^ ao ^ . h .

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      On Sunday evening a lecture was delivered by Mr . D . Donovan . Many persons from Stookport , Ashton-under-Lyne , Oldbam , Royton , Staleybridge , Hobdenbridge , and Padiham , mostly young men some with large sticks , were seen disputing with the Manchester men , and declaring that their intention in coining to Manchester was to support Ernest Jones by any means in their power . The Manchester men protested against the factious opposition of tome of the men of tho surrounding districts in attempting to swamp them by votes on the visit of Ernest Jones . A greater unity of net ion and mind was never displayed by the men of Manchester in support of their Council than on the preaent occasion . Mr . 3 . Soiion took the chair at half-paat six o ' clock , and eaid he was informed that a great number of persons had come prepared to disturb

      the peace of the meeting , but he cautioned them that should any one attempt to do so they would immediately be handed over to the officers . The directors were determined to protect their hall , nnd the Chartists of Manchester were also determined that the peace of their meeting should not ba disturbed . A great deal of abuse had been allowed on that platform , Buch as would not be tolerated any ¦ where else , and the Council were determined to put a stop to it : discussion was always courted , but personal abuse would not be tolerated . The Chairman then introduced Mr . D . Domovas , who gave a very interesting lecture on the Political and Social Condition of the People of Norway . During the delivery of the lecture , and about eight o clock , Mr . Ernest Jones entered the Hall , and was well received by his friends . When Mr . D . Donovan had concluded his lecture , The Chairmax introduced Mr . Ernest Jones , who

      was loudly applauded . Mr . Jokes taid he had come there purposely to face his accusers , and asked them how they dared to accuse him ? Mr . Jones referred to the letter of tho Manchester Council , as published in the Star of December 28 th . He would not say much until he bad heard whathis accusers had to say against him . Mr . Jones then alluded to the chairman ( Mr . Suttonl and said it was somewhat strange that one of hia accusers was to sit as his judge . Mr . Sonos rose amidst interruption , and said , as Mr . Jones had objected to his sitting , a > chair-Can , if the meeting thought fit , he would leave Tho chair . ( "No , no . " ) Mr . JosBs said he had no objection to Mr . but-Uof t being in the chair . ( Laughter . —A . Voice ; 11 •? Why mention it then ? " ) Mr . Jonei , with great

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      tfthT ' calied n tho Council to come out of face ! ' 8 a )> Whut th ° y had t ( > 8 ay bef ° " ° his te ? ed HV ° f P ° ' - James Loi «* en-TliitV ! i ' aml w " 8 tremendously applauded , 'f gentleman took his seat opposite Mr . Jones and amongst the members of the Manchester Court : chairman °° CUpied thB ri ght band 8 ido of the tnii ? . nAIRMAS then introduced Mr . James Leaoh , to defend every act or deed of the Oounoil . would ^ ! Sllid he was nofc aware Mr : Jone . wouldI haye i . een there so early in tho evening , as , bSifnii " ^ , P ° are ( 1 he could n ^ bo there nerorc nine o clock , or lie' ( Mr . Loach ) would have S » J lier - , Tjie Manchester Council had no oharges to make further than were published in the Mar of Dee , 28 th . ; and every man on the Counoil was prepared to reiterate aud substantiate everv

      syiuoie ot that letter . The Council kid nothing •? h Z agil v Mr - Jone 8 01 > his principles , but SinoJ I P r / ° ^ P Ur 8 uin S » " 7 OUt those principles . H e ( the speaker ) would not permit the cunning and trickery of tho kwver to supplant fair ana- manly ( ii , cussiori . If Mr . ' Jones had come , tDinning that by clap-trap and vapour , ho could cneat that meeting out of a vote , he would bo miserabl y deceived . If he was prepared to enter L j i j : yr and candld inquiry into the cause which had led . to the differences between the Executive and the Manchester Chartists , they were prepared at once to compare notes with him . He ( Mr . Leach ) beeped tocalltlie attention nf t . \ m mooti ™^

      the fact , ttiac when the election of the lato Executive « as announced in the Star , the Manchester UinrtisfM declared , by a resolution passed at a members meeting , that they would have notliin * to do with that Executive , u-ither would they obey any of its mandates . II « (\[ r . Leach ) was not prosent at that meeting , but lie fully concured with the resolution , b . > t U as regarded that Executive , and also the present one . It , seemed to him , from present appearances and from the nonsensuial trash written by one of its members , that the same proceedings which tvi . i brought the Chavtists-andeven tho name of the Charter itself into disgrace-was again to be re-enacted , if the people had no hotter sense than to be made the dupe 3 and toola ot more political niountebankism ; but , as far as Manchester was concerned , ho had no fear whatever . Mr . Jones should have besjun at tho

      beginning , and have traced to the loiter of the 23 th ot December . Mr . Jones sought to place tho Manchester Council on their trial , whereas it was ho wno ought to have been tbe defendant , to justify ins accusations against the Manchester Council , in calling them an "insignificant faction , " a " sordid clique , an '' aristocracy of labour , " an "interested , # ch 9 f , "" rubbish ing clique , " the puppets of Cobden Bright , Walmsley , Ac . " This tirade of unmanl y demagogism brought the reply from tho Manchester Council , which Mr . Jones complained ot ; and as this was tho List published , and Mr . Jones s was thefirst , he shouldsit down , to give him an opportunity of defending , before the meeting , that which he had thought proper to say of the ^ ounci l . He again assured him that he would defend every sentence and word of their reply to his attack . Air . Leach resumed his seat amid tho cheers of the meeting .

      Mr . Josks said that he did nofc apply the aristocracy of labour to the Manchester Council , but to some one else ; but from what had transpired he did not know why he should not . ( "So , no , " hisses , and great uproar . ) Mr . Jones tt . en referred to the members of the Executive , and named them individually ; paying ! V high compliment to each , also to himself , and the lotti-r of the Council on the 2 Sth of December ; alluded to the delegate meeting held that day at Halifax , where the delegates for Bradford sat , and voted f . » r tho resolutions there passed , and he hoped the men of Manchester would ao the same . It was also his intention of havin * a vote of confidence for himself , to test the m « n ° of Manchester ; and he should propose that all those who had confidence should —( "No , no , " great hissing and uproar for some time . " ) [ Mr . Jones was here attempting to steal a vote of confidence for himself , but the audience onicklv nerceitml hU

      dodge and refused . ] Mr . Joues then went on to say , that he should certainly propose a resolution , and he bogged them not to oppose it , as if they offered any opposition to the Executive , Mr . O'Connor would have nothing to do with them . He also reminded them that the Executive had been elected by universal suffrage , and was the acknowledged head of the Chartist movement , and they alone had a right to discountenance the attempts of any local leaders calling a Conference . Ho declared that it was the cowardice of the Convention in ' 48 that ruined tbe Chartist cause ; that Leach and Donovan ran away from Kennington Common , whilst he , ot all the Convention , was the only man who stood his ground , and gave the character of

      firmness and patriotism to the Chartist cause . He was charged with being guilty of misrepresenting the people in tho Convention . He never said there were 50 , 000 men in Yorkshire ready to march upon London . Ho said 30 , 000 . but not 50 000 lie was charged with quibbling , chicanery , falsehood , and extortion ; as one that , fattened on tho dissensions and miseries of his unfortunate victims ; and with platform bravado and private cowardice . After a somewhat lengthy and earnest appeal , Mr . Jones proposed the adoption of the Halifax resolution , viz : — " That this meeting has every confidence in the Executive , and pled ges itself to render them all the assistance in its power . " He ( Mr . Jones ) hoped they would pass the resolution , as

      Mr . O'Connor had expressly stated , that if they offered the Executive any opposition , he would not act with them . The chairman , upon this reminded Mr . Jones that that line of conduct would not do : they must hear both sides ot the question before a vote was taken . Upon this Mr . Jones sat down . Mr . LEAcn reminded Mr . Jones that tho question was not confidence in an Executive , but the policy to bo pursued by the Chartist bod y . The expression of an opinion of the Manchester Council on the system of agitation caused him ( Mr . Jones ) to attack the Manchester Council , and he had called upon him to substantiate his charges , instead of which he had thought it better to leave it alone Turning to Mr . Jones , Mr . Leach saidSirif you

      , , had not done or said anything before derogatory to you as a man , in reference to this dispute , the cunning attempt you have just made to cheat this meeting out of a vote , after the string of falsehoods you have coined , and which have for the first time escaped the lips of any man , is sufficient to bring upon you tho indignation of every friend to justice . We are aware sir , that you did not come down to Halifax for nothing , or take a gig to come from thence to Manchester , as you say , at your own expense , for nothing , either . You have not yet told us what you went to Halifax for ; the Manchester Council were not there . We may be allowed to suppose that it was , as one of your friends of the Executive has remarked in tbe la * t

      weeks Friend of the People , to put down the Manchester treason . Why , sir , both you and tbe delegates , of which you have said so much , do not represent five hundred organised men ; and with all due respect , both to yourself , your Friend of the People , and the delegates » t Halifax , the Manchester Chartists will not bo driven from the position they have taken , until all such vapouring Mustering folly as haa hitherto disgraced our cause , be brou » h " t to its proper level ; as far , at all events , as this district is concerned . And now , a -word about tho charges you say has been brought against you . "i ousay you did not say that there were 50 , 000 armed men in Yorkshire ready to march on London , if the government dared to touch a hair of your head , but that you said 30 , 000 . I always undertood

      I s you said 50 , 000 ; but if you had said thirty men , instead of 30 , 000 , it would only have been a little shorter stretch of your heroic imagination , and one was as likelytoceme down on London as the other . You say you wore charged withbeinga quibler and extortioner , &o . We charge you with no such thing ; but you charge us with being the defenders of the middle class , and , after a bitter philippic , you called upon the Chartists to crush the profitmongers . In reply , we said we were not aware that we had defended the profitmongers ; but tlia one of your profession ought to be the last to provoke comparisons between the trades and professions of men ; that tho highwayman might have some qualms of conscioaco whilst despoiling the victim he had overpowered . Not so the lawvev . he

      | despoiis professionally ; that he wae , from his legal birth , to his grave , a compound of quibble , chicanery , falsehood , and extortion , and , acting under the influence of his education , he robbed upon principle , and fattened upon the dissension and mkory of his unfortunate victims : but we addod . no doubt , Mr . Jones would claim exemption from this rule ; and we said we would grant it , and claim the same in return for thoso he had made tho object of his blander and abuse . You say Donovan and myself ran from the waggon on Kennington-jommon . I have only to say to that , that Mr . O'Connor am myself were looking at you from the waggon , when you were three hundred yards away from it , and that I remained there a ^ nsiderable . tisae after you had left it . And now , ia aonoluaion . led me call

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      LTminlm S ™ to the question , and ask you , as a man , oither at once to come to it < w in liiin SWt n ^ . flAiS \ fr Tni ' ?* ' , I- ' ed httl ° wllctl ' < - they pawed it J \ Z * n " tlOn ° not : b « N if thev lid pas " ^^ r& ^ sELSSih St ^ th t w hi , r - " - " - -ff . S Mr . Jones arose , amidst the applause of his 52 Vt * T VZ P ° ° Counci ? and ^^ ^^ : ^ : ^ s SSaeS ^^ tts ^ S ^

      , onebatel . " f l ° aM twenty of them " Xmeft , ? i < - v ° UrSe ' the Manchester Council carat ; in for their share . If they were Cu-irtists whichTaH ? ' thCy ? ° , VOte " tff « 2 ffiS meeting ° amed at the Ualifilx dele S » t ° Mr . ° LE \ on then alluded to the business in the toS ? ° r' Which Mr ' Jones ha ( 1 referred to . likewise making some remarks on Mr . Jones ' s conduct since ho had been in the hall , particularly his attempt to take a vote of confidence to himself wlu . oh taused-much . laughter . " u"H 8 en , hiS ; i ^? ° T ! ' ° Vopos 0 ™ amendment , as hia friend Leach . would not do so ; before doing so he would call their attention to the report of the executive meeting in tho Northern $ /« ,. ™ . » i , in »

      to the audience , those of the Executive who thought the letter of the Mnnchester Counoil an attack upon the character of Mr . Jones , and those who did not , from which he concluded , from tho evidence of the report itself , that the Executive did not agree that it was m attack upon Mr . Jones ' s character . Tho Manchester Council was aware of the private correspondence going on in the countrv and of Mr . Jones ' s errand to Yorkshire . Mr . Jones had come to organise the Yorkshire mind , and from Ilienco he had come down , well armed , to crush at all hazards , tho so-called " Manchester Faction . " Mr . Donovan made somo remarks on the conduct ot Mr . Jones , after which he proposed the following amendment :-- ' That this meeting adhere to its former resolutions , and lias full confidence in the Manchester Council "

      Seconded b y T . Abbott , who strongly protested against the interference of members of other localities on the present occasion ; ( which protest was oudly applauded by tho Manchester men , and hissed by those of other localities , which caused great uproar for iiom « time . ) Mr . Jonks came in front of the platform to speak , but was hooted and hissed . Silence having been restored , Mr . Jones said :-Mr . Abbott had asked him whether he ( Mr . Jones ) intended to allow persons from other districts to vote ; he would answer : did not a lnrgo number of persons come from other distvHs to vote , when Mr . O'Connor was there ? ( Confusion was created again . ) Mr . Jones made some observations as to what Mr . Leach and Mr . Donovan had said , and strongly called upon the meeting to adopt his resolution .

      Mr . DicKENsoxcamoin front of tho platform to address the meeting , and to propose a rider to the other resolutions . Mr . Jones protested against Mr . Dickenson speaking , and a long parley took place between them , the meeting shouting and hissing one for another , and for nearly half an hour the body of tho hall was in confusion ; a considerable number of persons left the hall during the dispute about speaking , and at length tho Council prevailed upon Mr . Diokenson to offer no further opposition j consc quontly tho motion and amendment were read to the meeting . -The Chairman put the amendment first , and called for a show of hands , when a forest of hands was hold up with a tremendous sliout . Tho motion of Mr . Jones wa 3 put , but lost by a great majority , when another tremendous shout was raisod ;\ t the Vi-fn-y of Donovan ' s motion .

      Silence having been restored , tho Chairman declared Mr . Donovan ' s amendment carried by a large majority , which created another tremendous shout . The Chairman declared the meeting dissolved , and the business terminated about half-past eleveu o ' clock . On the retirement of Mr . Jones from the hall ho was greatly annoyed by hissing and hooting , both from men and women ; one woman was about thrusting her umbrella at Mr . Jones , but the Chairman took it from her . Mr . Jones in refusing Mr . Dickenson a hearing ( who is iu great favour with the Manchester men and women ) has created him many foes . He never experienced such a defeat . Instead of a vote of confidence in him and the Executive , he suffered a sisrnal and complete defeat . Such a meeting never took place in the hall before . James Alcoce , Cor . See .

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE KORTIIKHN STAR . Sir , —As my decision of the meetins ! held last Sunday evening , in tho People ' s Institution , was disputed by Ernest Jones , 1 hope you will allow me to say , through tho columns of the Star , that to tho truth of that decision I should have no objection to testify upon oath . And my opinion is , that-had there been none but Manchester men in the meeting , the majority against Mr . Jones ' s motion would have been ten to one . I am , Sir , yours respectfully , Jons Suttos , chairman .

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      - « a ^ M _ _ THE O'CONNOR DEFENCE FUND . TO THB EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —As a constant reader of your valuable journal , I observed in the Star of December 28 th , 1850 , a letter from our worthy and tried friend Mr . Jude , the latter clause of which I took to be an appeal to the mining population , in behalf of that faithful and unflinching advocate of the working classes , Mr . O'Connor , and I feel proud to say that the miners of Murton Colliery have thought it their duty to respond to the appeal , by sending the sum of £ l 2 s ., to assist in defraying the expenses that have been so unjustly laid upon that honourable gentleman . The miners of the above Colliery are

      sensibly aware that unions , without the aid of the public press , availeth very little ; and that every thinking miner must admit , that the Northern Star has been an organ of defence , in detailing to the world the wrongs inflicted upon them . It is for this privilege that the miners of Murton Colliery have responded to the appeal made by Mr , Jude , " in the hope that their brother miners will act in a similar manner , and not suffer themselves to be one jot behind the National Trades , in the endeavour to rescue Mr . O'Connor from the grasp of his opponents . Signed on behalf of the miners of Murton Colliery , John Bell , Secretary . Murton Collliery , Jan . Gth , 1851 .

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      OPENIKG OF THE ECLECTIC INSTITUTION , SOI 1 O . ' _ .. ! ' „ ¦' ... ¦ ' , ¦ ' ' ' ; ¦ £ " ** is On-Tuesday evenin * a jmMIc mating was belt * at this Institution- , - ' 18 a , Denmark-street , Soho . J attendance was good , ami the [ race—formerly a chapel—commodious , and neatly ¦ fitted riff . Mr . ; J . Milne was called to the chair , and introduced Mr . O'Brien to the meeting . Mr . O'Brihn read letters of apology for nonattendance from Ernest Jones , G . W . M . ' Reynolds and other . speakers , who had been announced to attend . He then detailed the means by which" they ¦ ad attained possession of the Institute , and ex-[• lamed the reasons for naming it the " Eclectic . " The Eclectic philosophers flourished about the timfl

      of the Christian en > , and were joined by many of the early Christians ; they did not confine themselves to any particular sect or school , but took what they considered to be good , from the writings and doctrines of each . In the same manner they intended to take what was goud from all the other parties now in existence , without identif ying them * selves with either ; from the Chartists they took Universal Suffrage , and also the other points of tb . 9 Charter , until they could get belter points ; they agreed to the Ballot , not because it was a good principle , but because bribery and intimidation would for a time render its shield ' necessary , It was tha lesser of two evils . They accepted Annual

      Parliaments , not from any blind veneration for them as an earl y custom in our history j for the fact was , that in ihosedays they were called together merely to give their sancinn to the raising of monev , and were then imm-diauly dismissed ; but because """ ^ ^"^ " ¦""'• ationof . he doctrines now called the Charter , some sixty-yeats since , some mil * lions of persons had assented to Annual Parliaments ; and it would be unwise to disturb their unanimity . Membersol Parliament were only public servants , and should ! e continued in office only as long as they acted hnn-stl y . As an Eclectic body , they . werejiot only . Chanists , but something mote ; and they were determined to make , the world understand what that something more meant . Ha

      dened any government , let it iie constructed on a broad or narrow basis , ever to promote the bappi ness of the whole , people whilst it retained a 3 private property any of the things which God had created . The subject of public credit was equal in importance with the subject of the nationalisation of land , yet , up to that time , no public man had taken pains to make the public mind acquainted with it , and until that subject was as divested of mystery as any other , no real advance would be made in a knowledge of politics ; to do that would be one ol the greatest objects of their society . That great incubus , the national debt , was the accumulation

      of a variety of loans ; a tax was laid on different articles , buch as salt , tobacco , &c ; and mi the faith of the proceeds of these taxes capitalists advanced money to tho government ; the inconvenience of that sy item aoon made itself felt , some taxes realised more , and some less , than the loans for which they were raised . To remedy this , the whole were con-• olidated , and thus our present National Debt was formed , and our system of public credit established . The difference between what a working man produced and what he consumed wai the sole

      foundation of all credit . Although the wotking man was the sole foundation of all credit , lie was deprived of all its advantages ; the only credit he could obtain , waa at h \ s " uncle s , " where , instead of paying five per cent ., like the merchant , he must pay twenty per cent ., and instead of giving a bit of paper for , security , he must give goods to the worth of three times what he received before he could get the value of a "bawbee . " All these suhjecs would be laid bare at that institution , but only by degrees , as the public waa prepared to listen to them . A knowledge o ( their social rights was even more important than the Charter . The Charier would be useless to an ignorant people . Athens and Lacedmaion once

      possessed the suffrage , but the mass of the people being ignorant they soon lost their liberty . America has tbe suffrage now , but things there > vere fast approaching to the same state as in England ; and if it were not for the resource of the back woods , New York and Philadelphia would soon , equal in poverty Manchester or Birmingham . Mr . O'Brien then entered into an interesting detail of the subjects to be . explained in thrir weekly meetings and lectures , ami stated that classes would bs established for all scientific subjects , and that he pledged himself to instruct persons in the French language in twelve lessons , so that they might per > feet themselves afterwards .

      Mr . Leno next addressed the meeting , followed by Messrs Swift and Hunniiselt ,, and the proceedings were closed liy a secund long imn" spirited speech from Mr . O'Brien , during which he made some srtong observations relative to tbe Manchester Council , F . O'Connor , and Ernest Jones . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , who duly acknowledged the same .

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      NATIONAL CHARTER LEAGUE . On Sunday evening last the usual weekly lecturer was delivered by Mr . Thomas Clark , in the absence of Mr . Rendall ; subject : — " National Secular Education . " Some of the views of Mr . Clark were combated by Mr . Nobbs , Mr . M'Grnth , Mr . Walsmgham , and Mr . Doyle . All however agreed that the education of tho people is a primary object ; the only difference of opimon had reference to the power to initiate a proper system . Mr . Clark received the thanks of the ' meeting for liis lecture , and the chairman announced that ' on Sunday next Mr . M'Gratb wouUl deliver a lecture on the interesting subject of " Astronomy . " Tho lovers of this science will do well to attend , as Mr . M'Grath , fully comprehends it , and will , no doubt , treat the audience to a masterly exposition . Chair to bo taken at half-past seven o ' clock .

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      Rochdale . —A public meeting of members was held on Sunday last , when the following resolutions were agreed to : ~ " That all Lund members , both paid-up ami unpaid-up , aro requested to pay their share towards the winding-up of the Land Company , -within ono month from the above date , or lose all claim to what they have paid . "— " That a committee be appointed , with secretary and treasurer , anil that they meet every Sunday , at two o ' clock , to receivo subscriptions . "— " That the following persons be the committee fur tbe next throe months : —Joseph lligg , John Dawson , Abraham Crabtrcc , John Scowcraft ; John Tweedale , treasurer ; Robert Gill , secretary . "—All communications for this branch of the Land Company must be addressed to tho Secretary , 24 , Henrystreet , Rochdale .

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      TxvENTons' Patent Law Reform League , —At a public meeting , held on Wednesday evening , at tho Orange Tree Tavern , George-street , New-road , ( Mr . J . Ellis , in the chair ) , the following resolutions wore agreed to : — " That this meeting having observed a statement in the newspapers to the effect that the government intend to bring in a bill for the protection from piracy of inventions , not already protected by the Designs Act of last year , desires to express an earnest hope that this announcement may prove correct , as it is fully convinced that the Great Exhibition of 1851 will not be a true

      exposition of British ingenuity unless protection be given to British inventors . That to withhold protection from tho British inventor at such a crisis would bo sn act of injustice to the ingenious of this country ( who are anxious fairly to compete with other nations ) , and an insult to all foreigners , who may visit this country ior the purpose ot witnessing tho Great Exhibition . That immediate arrangements should bo made for the holding of pablic meetings in ' the boroug h of Jfinsbury , at Blackwall , Poplar , and in other districts where the subject was likely to command attention and consideration . "

      This National Debt . —Tho Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty ' s Treasury having certified to the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt , in pursuance of tho Act , 10 th Gea . 4 , c . 27 , sec . 1 , that the actual surplus revenue o ? the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland , beyond tho actual expenditure thereof , for the year ended the 10 th day of October , 1350 , amounted to the sum of three million four hundred and sixty three thousand one hunured and fifty-four pounds thirteen shilliaga and one penny . The Commiasionejs for the Reduction of the National ltebt hereby give notice that thu sum of eight hundred and sixty-five thousand I seven hundred and eighty-eight pounds thirteen shilling and throopence , being onoiourth part of , tl \ f said surplus of three million four hundred and I sixty-three thousand ono hundred and fifty-four |

      pounds thirteen shillings and one penny , will be applied under the provisions oftho said act , between , the 7 th day of January , 1851 , and the 5 th day of April , 1851 , t'i th » following purpose ? , v . iz / ij-rTiJ btr applied to the purchaso of stock , JESUS ' ,- ^ 18 s \ £ lv ; . ; add interest receivable on account ofdouutiop ^; Aiitij , ' bi'queststo ho applied to the pitafiaj&'ofistwkf ; £ 3 . 818 10 * . lid . ; total , £ S 69 , aor ^^« L-5 atioi 8 al " Debt Office , Jan . i , 1 * 51 . —A , G ( S > s : AWJ : A ^ - ; G ;<> irin- ; trollcr-General . —Jmdon eaW ; 6 fiTuesilay . - < V . - ¦ . . . Thollev , Mr . Dodawonh ha \ j re ^ V ! yiom < - ambency ef Christ ' s Church , Stt ; PaBQ ; $ ian , de n > . itcredtaeRomishQQoununion , ¦ \ ' -: - - ^ - ^ . - .. L- - . i'It v ¦* - •• . T-TrrTrq ^ fffer- .

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      POLISH AKD HUNGARIAN REFUGEES . A public meeting v as held on Wednesday evening , at the South London Chartist Hall to hear a lecture from P . O'Connor E « q M . P ., on behalf of the above gallant men . About eight o ' clock Mr . O'Connor arrived , and was received with loud cheers from the numerous body assembled . Mr . Lcke Kixg having been called to the chair , briefl y opened the business of the meeting , and introduced Mr . O'Connor . Mr O'Coxxok (« ho , on rising , was again greeted with great applause ) comenced by stating , that although it was a damp night , it warmed his blood to £ ee such a glorious

      gathering for so noble aud patriotic a purpose . They had been told that the Austrian government had demanded satisfaction for the injustice indicted upon Haynau . He ( Mr . O ' Connor ) thought that th ey had not inflicted full justice upon Haynau , * or they would have scarce left him with life ; and , if he was compelled to sell everything he possessed , even to j the A oW / tern Star , he would see that those I brave men of Barclay ' s should not be injured j by any government prosecution . The press of 1 this country had reviled the man Sloane , i for his horrible treatment of the poor girl who had lived with him as a servant , but not one

      of that press denounced the conduct of Haynau fur his tenfold horrible atrocities , until the people spoke out in an uumistakeable manner , and scarce one paper but what denounced the conduct of Barclay ' s men . ( Cheers . ) He only wished that the men had put Haynau into a vat , and brewed him . ] Ko conduct could be too harsh for such a ruffian . He ( Mr . O'Connor ) had never committed a cruel action in his life ; but if he had bei-u there , he should cot have been able to control his feelings . If it had not been for the treachery of Georgey , Hungary would now have been free ; and if Hungary had been so ,

      Poland , and the rest of Europe , would also have been free . He was glad to be able to announce that the results of these past struggles would not be entirel y lost ; a struggle would soon take place in France which would compel the special-constable President to relinquish his office . When the Exhibition took place hero , they would have an immense number of these meu in London . It was estimated that as many as four millions of strangers would be present ; he trusted it might be so ; these brave men would inspire them with some of the spirit which animated themselves . Iu France a soldier only enlisted for seven

      years , but he was a citizen soldier , and a brave man for the rest of his life . Iu this country they did not need to marshal physical force ; if needed , it would come like an electric shock to them all ; but he who marshalled it was either a fool or a kn--ve . He wanted to marshal their minds , and not their arms . If they struggled as hard for one month as he had struggled for years , they would . have the Charter at once . He wished to keep them firm to the question of the Charter , for if they had too many irons in the fire some of them would be sure to cool . He also called upon them not to mis themselves up iu the Papal

      Question . He warned them , that in the next Session of Parliament there would be such an agitation as never had been seen in this country . Formerly , Lord John always received the support of the Catholic Irish M . P . ' s ., but now they would be bitterly opposed to him . They roust not suppose that becaus * the house consisted of 658 members , that it required half that number to defeat a Ministry ; sixty determined members , who would sit and ' rise with the house , would be abletodefcut any government ; there were forty Roman Catholic members , and the spirit that would animate them might be seen from the fact , that John O'Council , who was never once in the

      house during the last Session of Parliament , was now in Limerick , moving heaven and earth against the government . Lord John would thus find that , though the Protestants of England might put down the Catholics of England , they could not put down the Catholics of Ireland . lie wanted not to s « e them divided upon either religious nor auy other questions , but to sec them contented and happy ; to see their prisons and workhouses converted into colleges and schools , and tithes and poor rates un known . That this was not the case they had only themselves to blame ; it was not the fault of the government , but the fault of their own disunion . In the days of their ancestors they bad all the

      points of tbe Charter , with the exception of the Ballot ; but when tbe Charles ' s and the James ' s cime to the throne , and found they could not carry iheir despotic and illegal measures—they enfranchi 3 eil a quantity of petty places , with but twelve or thirteen votes ia each , and thus swamped the representation . He did not come there to cajole or flatter them . He had spent £ 130 , 000 in their cause . He had abaudoned his pleasures , his horses and h « -. unds . to devote himself entirely to them ; and he could lay his hand on his heart , and say that he had never given a vote against his conscience , or performed au act which he believed would be injurious to iheir interests . His father had been buried

      seven years in a cell under ground until his forehead was rotten , because he would not abandon the cause of the people . His uncle was in the fifty-fourth year of his banishment for his devotion to his couutry , and , like them , he would always remain true to the people . As to the Austrian government demanding that the English government should prosecute the lashers of llaynau , it was ridiculous to suppose it . If an assault was committed upon a man in tbe street , be must go before a magistrate , swear to the facts , and confront the accused with cries of "let him come . " The Chronicle advocated the government prosecuting those men in the absence

      of llaynau . Did not this show that there was one law for die poor and another for the rich , in the estimation of the Chronicle * Did not this show them that other parties profited by their divisions ? But he defied the government to prosecute those men ; and if they did , they should be so defended a 3 men never were before . ( Loud cheers . ) lie would do it himself , if the people would not , though he spent his last farthing in so doing . ( Cheers . ) He vribhed to prepare the men of London for the coming struggle . In London they were isolated and unknown to each other , and , consequently , disunited ; it was not so in Manchester—the Northern Dive . That they could

      be united in London the 10 th of April , 1 S 4 S , on Kennington-common , sufficiently showed , but they were never ripe for action , never prepared so well as the men in tbe north . By action he meant mental action ; but he was determined to travel the country , and to use his best exertions to cause them once more to present an united front to their opponents . Mr . O'Connor then gave a humourous description of the relative position of different classes in British society , and shoved that anywhere relief in taxation would be injurious to them ; that if ten millions of taxes were taken off , twenty millions would be robbed from labour . When an income fcix of £ 203 was laid on a manufacturer he reduced

      his labourers £ 400 ; and so with all those who lived b ? the labour of the working men . To him it was a ' horrible sight to see young men , of twenty-seven vears cf age , so emaciatea and wern down by overlabour and deficiency of food , that they would bear no comparison with the ruddy cheeks and healthy appearance of their employers at fifty years of age . It was a well-ascertained fact , that tho average life of an operative , in the manufacturing towns , was only twenty-seven years , whilst that of an agriculturalist was fifty-three year 3 . "VVas it to be endured , that those who produced nothing should live in idleness to an advanced age , whilst those who oroduced all should die of « « -ausUon , ere they could enjoy any result from . " ieir labour ? ;» . ,

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      wanted to see them earn enough by that age to live in comfort for the rest of their days , and thus rid him of the pain of seeing their pallid and careworn faces . Formerly Ireland was England ' s chief difficulty , but France would now also be one of her chief difficulties . When he was in Paris , about the time ^ Cardinal Wiseman came to England , he heard numbers of respectable Frenchmen , including Fh f A a £ dePuties . congratulating themselves that the Pope WOuld convert England ; and they might depend upon it that the old feeling of hate against England waa not yet evaporated . He had often told them that when the last shot had been fired against tyranny then immediately did that tyranny recommence . Was this nofc well evidenced ^ . . . . ,

      oy tne present state of things in Franco ? Though , nominall y , a Republic , no person could write an article in a newspaper unless he signed his name to it . ine nincompoop of a President- ( cries of" We wish we had him here , we would serve him like Haynau ) -no he does not deserve that ; Haynau was a brute ruffian and he is only a fool . The nincompoop of a President was endeavouring to have his salary rawed to £ 120 , 000 a year , whilst the salary of the American President was only £ 5 000 a year ; yet oni every wall and space in Paris you saw the words "Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . Was not that a complete mockery . Not only was discontent rife m France , but in America also , There the people were beeinnini ? to 8 fl « f . hirt

      they must have the land free to all before they enjoyed prosperity , Waa it not a sin that people should be starving in this country for want of employment , whilst we had plenty of idle land , on which to grow the food we were compelled to import fromabroad ? ( Hear , hear . ) He did not want tO locate them all on tho laud , but he wanted to locate those who were now unwilling idlers , and thus make them good customers for the boots , the hats , aud the clothes which the manufacturers produced . Was it not disgraceful to see the bright harness of the brewers' and distillers' dray horses , in which tho poor wretches , by whoso drunkenness they were kept in such glittering splendour , could st-o their pale faces reflected ; and to think that government encouraged aud profited by their drunkenness ? In Ireland , when a man was reduced to his last shilling , he always went to the whisky shop to spend it , on what he called " kill grief ; " and he knew that

      many thousands of men in England also were driven , by desperation , to drunkenness and e .-ime . When speaking once in the house he had told them , that if a man waB starving he though t it would be no crime for him to satisfy his hunger from the crowded butchers' and bakers' shops , ° by which he was surrounded . For saying this he was immediately hooted and attempted to be bellowed down , but ho again reiterated it—that he would bo a vagabond if he allowed himself to die of starvation , while surrounded by plenty . Mr . O'Connor touched on a variety of other subjects connected wiih tho Charter and the Refugees , and concluded an address which was loudly applauded , by stating , that no amount of government patronage which had been tendered him , had ever caused him to desert the people even in thought ; and that whilo he remained true to them , ana to the Charter , he trusted he should ever have their support . ( Cries of "Hear , hear ; " and loudcheers . )

      Mr . O'Coksor then called for a collection for the Poles , which realised £ 13 s ., besides some collected on tho stairs , in addition to a charge of one penny each for admission , to a crowded audience . During tbe collection , and after tho proceedings , the Refugees and Mr . Brown sang a variety of national songs , and the greatest enthusiasm prevailed . Mr . Luss moved , and Mr . Asnu seconded , a vote of thanks to Mr . O'Connor , amidst tremendous acclamation , followed by three times three . Mr . O'Cosxor acknowledged the compliment in a feeling manner , and then retired amid prolonged applause . ° Mr . Bitows , in a very able speech , appealed to his audience to continue their support of these men . Meetings would be held on the following Sunday

      evening at lurnmill-street ; and a public meeting would be held in Carlisle-street , Portraan-market , on that day fortni ght , in aid of their funds . Mr . Brown then stated , that he was particularly roquested by the Refugees to return their thanks to Mr . O Connor , for his generous conduct , as no other public man had done his duty in a similar manner . ( Cheers . ) He also , on their behalf , thanked their friends in tho country for their kind support . A vote of thanks was given to the chairman ; three cheers for Kossuth , Bern , Dembinski , and all wfio had suffered for the cause of Liberty ; and three groans for Haynau : . and thus ended one of the largest and most enthusiastic meetings that has been held in London for some time past .

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      Extraordinary Death . —On Wednesday a long inquiry took place before Mr . W . Carter , the coroner , at the Maryborough Arms , Camberwell , on the body of Mr . William King , aged fifty-four , whose death took place under very singular circumstances . The deceased had been separated from his family for nearly seventeen years , and was nut known to have had any regular home lately , but told his son recently that he was now doing an excellent business , and wished him to give up his situation to join him , but he had declined . On the Sundav beFure

      Christmas-day he had a fit in St . George ' s Church , Camberwell , and seems to have been taken to his mother ' s , where he met his son , who , in the evening , tried to get him a bed , but could not , and left him near Ca-nberwell-bridge . On the Tuesday he was found in the Old Kent road , with a number of persons around him , and on the arrival of a policeman he was supposed to be drunk , and taken to the stationhouse , where he wa 3 locked up all night . In the morning he hud his breakfast and was taken to the police-office , when the magistrate , seeing he was ill . directed he should be taken to the workhouse in a

      cab . It should be stated that on his arrival at the Btanon-house he yave his card , " Mr . King , 19 a . TliToumorton-street . " When he reached Camberwi 11 Workhouse , Mr . Smithers found him in a very bad state , the extremities being almost cold . It was considered there had been neglect at the station-hou > e at Rotherhithe , and the Police Commissioners were written to on the subject . Mr . King , the parish surgeon , saw him directly ; he was then insensible , and the eyes dilated , and not susceptible to light . He had all the appearance of having taken syme opiate , and continued jnsensiblefor several days , ultimately dying on Thursday last . He denied that he had been drinking , and Mr . King found on opening the head that the brain was greatly enlarged , and " the bone was worn to the thinness of a wafer . After a lone consultation tbe jury returned a verdict of " Natural death .

      Ho > E .-Baron Goldsmid has presented the parish of Hove with a piece of land as the site for an additional church . ' 1 he space allotted will , it U . estitawd , afford aooommodRtioB for 1 , 500 poraons ,

      — ? National Ha?Iu (Gompany.

      — ? national Ha ? iu ( gompany .

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      r . ¦^^^^ Jational tradSjourn al

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      V JLffl-JM 9 » i IJDJ . lATuEBAMASlim ii mi # ™«^~ ^ - ~ - ""» -- *¦«» - » ,- «— .

      " United Yon Stind, Divided You Foil." To The "Wobkixg- Classes.

      " United yon stind , Divided you foil . " TO THE "WOBKIXG- CLASSES .

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      o MR . ERNEST JONES IN MANCHESTER . On Friday in last week , the Manchester Council , through their secretary , received a letter from Mr . E . Jones , informing them of his intention to be in Manchester at nine o ' clock on Sunday evening , for the purposes , as stated in the letter , of defending himself against the attacks of the Manchester Council " , as published in theirreply in the Northern Star of the 28 th of December , against the long tirades of slander and abuse previously published , from the pen of that gentleman . On the receipt of this letter , the Council were called together , and they came to the following resolution : — " That this Council having heard rca 1 a letter from Mr . E . Jones , in which that gentleman informs the Council that he intends to be in Manchester at nine o ' clock on Sunday evening , for the purpose of answering the reply of the Manchester Council to the letters Drevionslv

      published from that gentleman in the Northern Star . In reply , the Council have onl y to say , that they are prepared to defend every word and act in reference to the controversy betwixt themselves and Mr . E . Jones , and will afford every convenience in their power to any party who may think proper to impeach their motives , or oppose their views ; and , that a fair opportunity may be given to all parties , a meeting be called for that purpose on Sunday , the 12 th of January . " Intimation of this was sent to Mr . E . Jones , at the same time calling his attention to the lateness of the hour at which he said he should arrive in Manchester . The Council also passed a resolution " That Mr . E . Jones ' s name should be announced in the weekly bills announcing the Sunday evening ' s lecture , as being ' expected to be present . '" Mr . Jones , in the meantime , had written to other parties , informing them of his intended visit .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 11, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1608/page/1/