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Northern Star (1837-1852), 8th March 1851, Edition 1 of 2, Page 1, Untitled Article

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    • Vgrch, march, Derby and Looghhorongb , TTbjmj lads doa't yon march, forward in order ! ijjrth, march, Lefcerer and Nottin gham," jjl the hrave Ghartistsare over the border." ." • Moratanduiakereaay.thai, . , ¦ ¦ Sons of the mountain glen—. ¦. Look for joar rights . . . . - " .. . ' And old England's t;lory. . . ; «in THE WORKING MEN OP ENGiU ; : LAND. ;;
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      jItFbiesds , —You see that I am so stire to ^ c caug ht by the law , that I use the term jgolc , and not fight , for | our rights and old gland ' s glory . You will see , by the report 0 { the proceedings ° * the Executive ou Wednesday night , that the old maxim is . true , « That the folly of to-day may be the wisdom of the morrow . " They have agreed ; and I thiuk rather foolishly , that the Conference shall be held on the 31 st of March ; whereas , I not only think , but I am convinced , af ter deep reflection , that it should have been held

      upon the 3 rd of March ; however did- not oppose , but , on the contrary , I supported the holding of the Conference off the 3 l 8 t Of starch , in preference to the 1 st of Jane ; and I do hope and trust that those ; districts that are to be represented in that Conference will clect sound , discreet , and honourable men to propound their views and principles . I very ' much fear that the apparent apathy of the people vn \\ , -within thatriime , have welded the materials of the WMg Government again ; whereas , had the Conference been sitting now , it would ; as I stated to you before , have had a powerful effect upon the ministerial mind . ¦ " ¦ ' ' •""'

      On Tuesday last , Lord John Russell had a meeting of three hundred Members of Par liament , ' at his official ' residence ; and there , although be stated his intention of making some modification in :-: tfie ^ Papal- Bill , ^ Mr , 6 EEE !^ tt § 'iyre ^ I > er ior'Kilfenny , * no voteVI for the -Charter , ShakMas CBA ^ FOEDf , " who seconds iny motion for the Charter , and several other Irish Members , -warned Lord John ¦ Russell of the effect that this Papal measure

      would have upon the minds of the Irish yeople . " You are aware of the great absurdity which las marked over a month of this Session of Parliament ; and , perhaps , you are also aware that Lord Jons Russell and his party will try to play the THLMBLE-RIG until the great Exhibition takes place , which will be in less than two months , and to which he anticipates the people's mind—and , indeed , the minds of all classes—will be more directed

      than to Parliament Xow , my friends , although I was very much in favour of holding this Conference atthebeninning of March , yet let me implore of you to dab yonr pence now , and elect wise and discreet men to represent yon . Let me now define to you the feeling of the Press—that is , the daily Press—for your own cider . On Wednesday night last , I attended a large meeting at St . Martin ' s Hall , Long-acre , convened for the purpose of abolishing taxes on newspapers , and paper duty . A very gentlemanlike man—Mr . Professor Hewetx Ret

      —was appointed as Chairman . A great many gentlemen made very good speeches , and Mr . Cobden made a very admirable speech , exposing the folly of taxes upon knowledge . Mr . Joksos , though not called upon to speak , exhibited an American paper as large as the " Xorthern Star , " the price of which was only one penny . Mr . Shaw , yonr imprisoned friend and mine , presented himself in a most respectable manner , offering no opposition and exhibiting no violence , hut merely to state that he

      approved , of Universal Suffrage as the best means of- diffusing knowledge . Many of the upper and middle classes being present , he waB shouted at , and bellowed at ; but the speaker , in a most respectful manner , insisted that every man ' s opinions should be fairly heard . But what will you think , when I tell you , that the "Times" does not mention Mr . ShaVs , name ; while the " Daily News " gives a very fair report of his speech . Here is the account from that paper : —

      Mr . Shaw , a working man , said that he did not appear tore Ihemtrith any antagonistic mtentiahW-He zfp $ ei in much flat had been said by previous speakers , ~ -ljut h ? considered the real and only core for all obnoxious taxes tras universal suffrage . ( Hear , hea * -, and cries of " Question . '' ) There could be no doubt hnt that the people of the country were opposed to these taxes , and the only reason n !) T the ; conid not give effect to their wishes was that the ; were without power from not posse&ifig the elective franchise . . ( Sear . ) I should mention to you that a number of working men in the Hall cheered Shaw—and

      justly , too—most lustily . The most of those gentlemen who spoke at the meeting wereproprietors of unstamped newspapers ; and , therforc , you may base their speeches and policy upon old Brooks' maxim— " Lord love you , we are all for ourselves in this world . " It was my intention to have addressed the meeting ; but as I could not have abstained from propounding every principle of the PEOPLE ' S CHARTER , I did not wish to interfere with any policy which , if adopted , "would be serviceable to yonr order .

      Another of the principles propounded b y the meeting was to take the tax off advertisements ; and now let me repeat to you what I have frequently stated before : that if the stamp was taken off newspapers , the duty off paper , and the tax off advertisements , every newspaper in the kingdom would advocate C 11 ARTIST PRINCIPLES ; whereas , now the " Timea , " which makes' its fortune by advertisements , advocates the principles of solicitors , servants , barristers , shopkeepers , manufacturers , traders , auctioneers , and all parties who take the paper for the mere puri pose of reading the advertisements .

      My friends , I have told you before , but I will repeat it again , that however Lord John Russell may reconstruct his Ministry for a time , this Papal Question will , and naturally , snuff him out . ^ On Friday night last a petition was read at toe table " of the House from four Catholic Archbishops and twenty-four Catholic Bishops of Ireland , all denouncing the policy of Lord t'onx Russell . Mr . Johx O'Cojiseix , the member for Limerick , and Dr . Power , the

      member for the County of Cork , are to be thrown out at the next election , for voting with " > rd Joux Russell against Disraeli ' s motion ; while the " NottinghamReview" tells [ you that I am to be thrown out for voting Pg « nst Lord Jonx Russell ; and could i gfre yon a stronger instance of the difference between the English and the Irish people ?—po , pardon me , I should nothave said that , as If do not think the " Nottingham Review , " in sjts article , has fairly represented the " mind of Pts townsmen—and now Conciliation Hall is to

      fi closet ! , as the people will subscribe no more . % friends , there was one fact in the follow-Jg number of the " Nottingham Review , ' ' Jich I shall now comment upon . It states hat Mr . Walter is a Free Trader , and is in ¦ wmr of an extension of the suffrage ; while * farther reminds its readers that , although ^• . O'Coxxor voted for Mr . Locke Kixg ' s " Mien to reduce the agricultural suffrage from f * to £ io a Tearj that the liberal Mr . Walfc ^ as absent , " AND TOOK . NO PATIT

      " THE DIVISION . " Now , these are the "act words of my friend of the "Review . " tiowCTW not only England and Ireland , but J ^ ope , is now } n gncQ a state of convulsion , wat I hope I shall be very speedily exonerated E «^ e onerous dutv of sitting in the " Show Jjo x , " as j prophecy to you now , that ere ! Ong the Charter will be carried ; and then , 5 | ead of being represented by noble lords " nincompoops , you will be represented by . J ° or own class , and you won'thave a drunkard , * pauper , or a criminal in the land : the

      sur-F s nands will then be cultivating their own * jj > and instead of being importing food from * " parts of the world , you will be exporting ** « d yourselves and " your families will be friable , happy , and independent . - ' Co not care how often I repeat it , bnt I

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      , my Woolruncold , when I see your very sweat your blood , and your marrow , coined into gold tfte idle rich living luxuriously upon the industrious poor ; and which I attribnte , not to their power , but to your own disunion . In conclusion , my friends , let me not only ask you , but im plore of yon , to elect wise , dig . creet , and honourable men to represent you in the forthcoming Conference ; and do not base your votes upon mere party feeling , but upon a . sound political basis . Do not you remember tne time that Buch a Ministerial convulsion as has now taken place would have placed th ' e higher orders in fear and jeopardy , whereas Ww they rest upon . their oars , seeing your own disunion . Rouse yourselves , then , once more , ye Chartists ; in the words of the Duke of Wellington—

      "UP OLD GUABDS AND AT THEM . ' ^ - I remain , r * xour Faithful and Uncompromising ^ ''' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' Friend and Advocate , £ & ,.: : ? : Feahctos O'Connor . efetis-: ^! ~ v . ^ yjga&aafe ^ i ^ M-ti ; i h ... \ , .. ;¦ . ¦ . , * -: ; ; :. ¦^ -rti J _* , —J * . ' .-- ^ . r ---¦ MMnaBawtfMa ^^^^ BM ^ " ^^" ^^ _^ . ¦ *

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      . With respect to John Cam Hobhouse , —when he ? as £ aterinS ' for P ° pnl-wity , he threatened to turn Mi ° r " ™ ' ' ° House of Commons , and sweep all the members out . Poor fellow , he is now consigned to the hospital for incurables , where wo will , for . thepresent ,. leave him . We cannot part thus with Mr / Walter . If the first paragraph is to be believed , tlien . iliesecond must ba-untrue . If Mr . Walter ; as tiw Review assures us , is in favour of an extension ; of the suffrjige , how comes it that he took no part in the division on Mr . King s motion , when h " e ; had the opportunity of convincing all those who were ? doubtful of his sincerity ? The Review must explain this apparent inconsistency , or it must stand convicted of another wilful perversion of facts ! r .. win ... ii ^ ¦* , T _ .. .

      In conclusion , we . would beg to remind the . electors that the votes " of Mr . O'Connor areupou record : yie challenge a comparison of those votes with tbeTotesdf Mr . Walter , or his proposed colleague , the" Hon . E . Strutt . " If these gentlemen are for Free Trade , bo is Mr . O'Connor , upon just and honourable terms . If they are ( but which appears to us . very doubtful ) for an extension of the gafirage , so is Mr . O'Connor ; and he has proved it bfvbis conduct on every occasion . Where Mr Walter his spent one hour in your service . Mr . O iyO ™ ^ spent a week . Some moro tangible re asons must be given to us than has been done at g ^^^| 9 E ?* f ** na 11 consent- to the proposed

      -Wrask ^ -WiU ^ the ' eighteen hundred electors who voted foe , Joseph . Sturge consent to be made '• <* bargain and sale of , " bjeadespicable clique of antiquated Whi gs and new fledged consewatives ? Will the men . who ventured their lives to secure the passing of the Reform Bill , consent to be made the tools by which the manacles are to be riveted on their enfranchised brethren ? Ko . we cannot be-Ueve it . We invoke you by the lose you bear to

      your prmciples , —by the duty you owe to your country -not to disappoint the hopes , or . mar the expectations ^ the people , at this eventful crisis . 5 iT ? ? . . one P ress . boldly and honestly discharging their duties , instead of pandering to class prejudices , who , in the words of Sir Joshua Walmsley , would say » Whig and Tory are nothing ^^^ f they will advance the People ' s Bill of nights , the necessity would nothave arisen for tnus trespassing upon your time . We remain , gentlemen , yours respeotfully . ( on behalf of the Election Committee ) James Swbet . John Skerrht .

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      CARDINAL WISEMAN ON THE ECCLES 1 ASTICAL TITLES' BILL .

      Cardinal Wiseman has addressed a pastoral letter to the congregations of all the Roman Catholic chapels under his jurisdiction ; and which was accordingly read on Sunday from the pulpits of the various chapels in and around the metropolis . After prescribing various observances to be kept during Lent by the Roman Catholic community , Cardinal Wiseman adverts to three special points which ought at that period to occupy their attention ; the first of these being the measures recentl y introduced by Lord J . Russell . He says : — " Your attention is now most naturally drawn to eur present as well as to our more recent crisis . You know , ' dearly beloved , the violent commotion which has been raised against us .

      We wish not to revive the memory of what , through divine mercy , has well nigh passed away ; but you know that popular excitement has given way to a more cunningly devised and deeply meditated measure of legislative persecution ; the avowed object of which is to cramp or paralyse the essential ecclesiastical organisation of our Church , while its secret aim is to despoil our institutions of the poor crumbs of charity which since their former plundering they have slowly gathered up . Where is our protection—where is our hope ? Before men we are weak , but before God we are strong . While jou cataly resist by all lawful means the infliction of a cold blooded act of insult and injustice , your trust will be far greater in the protection of that righteous Judge and merciful Father who will stretch forth hisarm to shield the unjustly stricken aud parry for them the thioitened blow . "

      After referring to certain blasphemous inscriptions on the walls of the metropolis and expressions referring to the Catholic religion , Cardinal Wiseman recommends the Catholic congregations to perform certain acts of reli gion by way of expiation for those insults offered to the Deity . In adverting to the coming Exhibition he says , — " Ton are aware that , this year our metropolis will become the scene of such a display of earthly magnificence and the gathering place of such a multitude as tiM world perhaps never before witnessed . It will be in fact the worid ' s jubilee ; its pilgrimH will be the curious , the idle , the rich , and the gay ; and , as much as the industrious and observant , the objects of their interest will be the collected marvels of human production by wealth or skill ; their occupation enjoyment throughout every sense . Whatever is fair to the eye and alluring to the appetite will tempt any and every throughout this newly created paradise . " . .

      ' Great as may be the spectacle of material splendour which will be presented to all nations , who does not fear that increase of sin and vice , if not of crime , which this"immense concour . -e for such P UT poses must Inevitably produce ? All our , USUal temp * tations to folly or extravagance—to dissipation and worldliness—will be increased . Every snare that awaits youth will be multiplied—every evil principle more variously and ingeniously advocated—and there will be a concentration of corrupted and corrupting elements brought into the metropolis and the nation such as no other occurrence would unite . And all this-will endanger faith and morals , and , perhaps , still more charity ; for how easily are the interests of the poor aud the attention necessary to their wants forgotten amid the brilliant and fascinating attractions of such a worldly display ?

      ' Then , dearly beloved , let us beforehand lay up blessings and grace in abundant store for ourselves , a « d avert any evils that may result from this national display of greatness , whether directly or indirectly . Let us bring down on . it , aa far as our poor etfortB may avail , a sanctifying blessing or merciful regard ; and let us arm ourselves against its distractions and allurements , by carrying a more charitable and well regulatedand interior spirit . ' ' The pastoral had the usual signature of " Nicholas , Cardinal Archbishop . "

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      THE MINISTERIAL CRISIS ; . itth ? Ktl ^ T ° f ^ ^? ^ ' 11 on > Monday eTening . court-road tl ] *}™> JphiMtreefc . Tottenham ! Crisis ! DSlder tko - preiimt Government Mr . Wright pf Aberdeen , " was called to the tense ofSft they T ^ ? * P ressed * formlt . y > ' " cv < i ( Jeterniined to perc hS ' s !!?! | \ h 0 was received with loud cheers , moved the first resolution :- « That this wP & bel p ,, thBt th 0 declaration made bv Cri fcS ? 8611 ^ ™* th 0 m Ministerial SH "Ismail . extension of the Suffrage mghtbogranted at some future time , is a bale subterfuge to . keep the people from demanding a full measure of justice , resolve not to be content mentor the principles of the PooDle ' a Charter , and

      irl U tr * Vl J ™ ' - rmers throughout the country , to shew that this ; , is - also their determination as we are fully confident thatthe political £ IdaooiSl rights ot the makes can only : be secured by the complete establishment of those principles . " Since tbeyjAst : mat ; Ministers had fallen in the most ignominious manner , because they had a laree surpl ' ^ IuM how * ° S & , - K the Chancellor f ** W * i »/ a' wise or a good man , he would have effected great good with so large a surplus . as three millions .. Great destitution prevailed atnone

      Hiat class who produced the wealth of the country , and the surplus should have been applied to their benefit . lie'could not even , behave honest to the middle classes , who . had hitherto supported him . He wished the working class were as unanimous as the middle clns 3 in not being swindled , but even to them he could not remit even the window duty The government had no sympath y with the middle or working class ; they could hot move out of the aristocratic circle . There were men in the houso whom he had a little more faith in than the aristocracy- such as Cobdea , uid Bright , but even these men were not applied to . This showed that not only were they determined to keep the working , but also the middle class , out of all share in the government therefore the

      , and Whiga still remain in office Everything had been sacrificed to that stupendous humbug of Prince Albert—the National Exhibition . It mattered little to working men who were in office whilst their friends were excluded , but it was a duty , and also a piece of Parliamentary etiquette , that the party who h : id defeated government in any great measure should be the party called upon to Bupply their plaee ; according therefore to etiquette , Locke King and his friends should have been called to office . When any tyrannic measure was to be adopted , this etiquette was adhered to ; but when the cause of the people waa to be served even this was abandoned . A dissolution of parliament would have taken place , but they feared that in the excitement which would take place , the Exhibition , already a partial failure , would became a ridiculous one . Lord John

      Russell , in his late speech , h ; ul enunciated a most tyrannic doctrine , and had at the same time laid bare to the people the secret of his craft , when he stated , that any suffrage based upon numbers was not consistent with the welfare and safety of the crown the aristocracy , and the church . If there was anything good in these institutions the people would not wish to pull them down ; it was because they were corrupt and unjust . The people did not want anarchy and confusion ^ These institutions existed in defiance of the people , who , if they were polled to-morrow , would vote against them . The declaration of Lord John Russell was a serious one , it told them that the influence of too oligarchy and aristocracy were still to be paramount . The

      people had buoyed themselves up with i he hope that patience , and forbearance with the chapter of accidents , might at some day induce the government to grant them this reform . As'far as the justice or generosity of the government was concerned , they were not nearer attaining tho Charter than they were two hundred years ago . —( hear , hear)—that was , if it depended on the will of their rulers , but it depended upon the people , themselves , and if they did not raise such . an agitation in this country as was never seen before . " they would deserve to remain serfs and slaves . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Reynolds then went , into the claims of , tlie aristocracy -to govern this nation ; exposed the church establishment , and concluded by calling upon them to throw off such a vile system , and ensure their own happiness and the welfare of the nation , by adhering to the principles enunciated in the resolution . Mr . Bezou seconded the resolution , nnd said , the

      Chartists had often been laughed at , but now the government were in their turn laughed at . Thev could not amongst them even make a Cabinet . Instead of its being " On ! Stanley , on ! it was off ! Stanley , off ! " The parliament would have been dissolved had it not been for that protty plaything , the Exhibition . They feared that if a tresh election took place there would be an exhibition which Prince Albert had not calcula-ed upon . Costermongers were now going a-head of members of parliament . At the Sunday Trading meeting , a few costcrmongcrs and newavenders read Messrs . Williams and Wakley such a lesson that they had seldom before received . These M . P . ' s were compelled to say they had acted wrongly , and had brought a Mil into Parliament which one of them did not understand , and the other had . not even read ; but taught by the working men , they were forced to say they would alter and amend their conduct . Mr . Bezor was loudly cheered .

      Mr . O'Brien supported the resolution . Lord John Russell was a man whose bill had often been before them , but it was always protested , it contained promises , and not payments . Lord John had taken a leaf out of Cobden ' a book—tbat government should get recruits of the raw material of the house , and thereby infuse fresh blood into it . This was the very thing against which the people should guard . They wanted no fresh power placed in the hands of the government . The people had been struggling for their rights since the days of Cartwright , and they were not now going to ignore them by agitating for any minor measure of reform . Any extension of the suffmge short of universal , would be an addition to the calamities of

      the people . It would only be , adding a fresh host of vampires and bloodsuckers to those they alread y fed . They told'the people , that if the class of respectable and raonied men , who lived in lodgings , were given the franchise , they would add to the stability of our glorious institutions . This was thu very thing that the people did not want . They needed to be shown what Lws made the rich , rich , and the poor , poor . Because this had not hitherto been done , was the reason the Chartist agitation had failed . He was glad to see that this fault was being amended . So longas the working classes believed that the middle class had the same interests as themselves , so ) ong would they remain in serfdom . The interests of the two classes were as op

      posed as light to darkness . If the interest of the manufacturer and the workman was tne same , would tho formal' be allowed to have 800 , and , itt some instances , 2 , 000 slaves working for him , ami creating him arf ihc ' ome of £ 30 , 000 or £ 40 , 000 n year , whilst the poor slave was living on a bare pittance , dealt out to him on a Saturday niijbt . A minority of the middle classeR were honest— -those would act with them ; but , unfortunately , a large majority of the working men were so degraded that they cared nothing about the matter . But it was rank fallacy to state that the interests of the two were identical . The middle classes were interested in screwing labour down to the lowest figure ; whilst the interest of the working man was directly the reverse . England was called the richest country in the world—ho called it the poorest . He did not . deny that we had many rich men—we had two

      hundred times too many of them ; but the working men of England were the poorest , with the exceptiorfofthofein Ireland , of any in the known world . Men were compelled to . work thirteen and fourteen hours a day . for the poorest pittance imaginable . In the days of Alfred , a man had eight hours a day for meals and recreation , eight for labour , eight for sleep ; and he was enabled to live in comfort . Could they say so of the present race of working men ? Was it not shameful that , on tho evidence of the Times , 1 , 500 merchants and bankers of the City of London could pay off tho whole National Debt , and have plenty to live on in 'abundance , whilst tens of thousands in Ireland were not even worth the shirts on their backs ? This state of things arose from our laws of land and usury . Mr . O'Brien , in a long address , further iliustvated this subject , and was much applauded .

      The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was given to the Ohairman , who briefly replied , and the meeting dissolved .

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      1 nn . n 5 Ji K 0 IL 0 P TIIE MANCHESTER CHARTIST ASSOCIATION TO THE DEMOCRATlo REFORMERS OF GREAT Billliilo . ' Fellow Counirtmes , —a series of events whioh nave been occurring for some time past , have conspired to place the association of Chartists , whom we nave the honour to represent , , in the fowsrouml , asnnauguvatovaand defenders oft . H system of a ^ iram « V ; . of thc Pco P > s Charter > * *™*> in h-H * hUh ° t i Wtmhn , from . tho mode which ™ f 7 bee " > n operation , ; and , like all disviolSrt e ? rt llslKld Prac * ice . w have been most AS , v n i ' y tbe 0 rtll 0 d 0 X ' ' evcr > - conceivable calumny has been dlrocted-ngainst us ; and had we not known wrsolves better tl ^ n we are kno * n by our revilers , wo should bo inctfned to doubt , not only the wisdom , but also the integrity of our

      con-H S i ^ f- ' , P art of ' Plans'to waste iml ? " ° m at' ° 8- » hwg 08 which can bo rendered mporUnt onlyby tho notioe of those against whom S ^ V" ' oni ; -to » sine « s S 8 with matters of profound interest to those who are really anxiou £ to nir '; - i i ab ou of England , emancipated from political degradation , and otherwise elevated so as to silence reproach , and to . command the rospeut of all uma ^ TbmajM it j inipeW to usp but one nude of . aecomplis | i [ f |^ . ig 3 no 8 tdisag ' reeable result —to aid efficientl y and heartily in the obtainment of any measure ^ . . political , - commercial , or social change likely to give ineveased power or influence to-the unenfranchised masses .. The history of our country . for centuries past , is one continued sucoessionof meliorations in . its political condition , the

      measure of each alteration being regulated by ' the desires of tho people ; these desires . bein »' 'themselves the reflex of prevailing intelligence . We do not see that the principle of progression is different at tins moment , although , happily , causes now exist to make transition fi'om old to new opinions much more rapid than formerly . Through the comhined exertions of labour-mental nnd physicalscience And art are , in a thousand different ways , employed m subjugating wrong , and' in dissipating error ; the mighty stoam-enaine now lends its aid to penetrate mountains , connect remote lands and dl peoples , to illume the humblest cottaae wicn toe blaze of reason , and to humanise the most lonely b y the God-iike force of letters , through i ts agency ; the pages of furthest antiquity are

      invitingly opened to the most humble , and everywhere tliero exists abundance of means for the true retormev to make known his desires , and to enforce the justice of hia claims . The agitation for the Charter has hitherto been conducted in a mannev , as we believe , wholly opposed to the tasto and disposition of the people- it has been rather a roar of defiance , than a philosophical appeal to the good sense of the nation ; and the consequence is , that it has aroused a spirit of resentment and antagonism , where it ought to have provoked one of respectful inquiry . All national antecedents have been overlooked , and it has been hoped , by the mere force of clamour to destroy institutions , which , if not based' upon the opinion of the country , do at . least exist by its sufferance . :

      It has been thought that , by some grand ad captamdummeasme on tho part of the agitators , that the proposed change would be effected , and that by a sort of coup de main , possession could be taken of the national representation , and thus would the whole question be settled . Experience has shown this to hsvo been a most fatal blunder , and we now find ourselves , after many years of anxious and expensive exertions , confronted with the problem , how we are to obtain What wo seek ? This important question ennnot , and , as far as we are concerned , shall not te longer evaded ; the Charter has long enough been employed as a sort of " Will-o ' -the-Witp , " to lead in every direction but the right one ; but , in tho future , we must understand more clearly what we are about , who we are to follow , and . to . what purpose .

      Have the working classes within themselves the means of causing the Charter to become law ? It has been customary , heretofore , to represent them as all powerful for any purpose which they may dosire , but reflection and experience have led us to a widely different conclusion ; and we are firmly persuaded that , npt only are tho working classes unequal to the accomplishment of any political change , but that it is highly desirable that any alterations which may take place should he assented to by all classes of tho community , as otherwise change , instead of being reform , would result in anarchy , nnd , instead of being governed by public opinion , we should then be ruled by afaction .

      The Middle Classes . The hostility which has been excited between the Chartists and the middle classes has tended most mntt'i'iivlly to diimage our interests as a party ; because the middle classes are the persons , alon <' with ourselves , most interested in just and equit " able government , and because without the liberal and direct aid of a large section of that body , it is utterly hopeless to effect any extension of political power . This co-operation we may obtain by exhibiting some of that liberality of feeling , tho want of which , in others , we are not slow to condemn . Those who have conMai . tl yS and pertinaciously denounced this class of men from our platforms , have themselves been chiefly destitute and

      proflijjate members of that body , who have fallen hack upon us as a last resource , and whose advocacy of our cause has been adopted as an easy kind of vocation ; it is the interest of those men to keep tho clasees apart , for if the classes were brought together , the influence of thn agitators would cease , and they would be reduced to the necessity of doing something useful for their daily bread . Wo wish to . deal plainly and frankly with this question , because we feel that it lies at the root of all the disasters which have befallen our movement ; and without intending to be personally offensive to any individual , we desire to place on record our protest against clubs of professional agitators— " crisis " and " sti'usrglo " makers interferine in the nolitics

      of the working classes , to no other end than to mar all efforts at meliorating the condition of the people , and to render odious by their folly , mendicity , and cowardice , a cause which needs but the alienee of-mere "leaders , " to become powerful find respecLed . We feel that we have too long lent ourselves to the- miserable purposes of personal ambition , and of incompetent pretension , and that it is now fully time to take our stand in defence of a course of action which shall result in some practical good to our class , and whichshall rescue Chartism from the disgrace which its professed friends have caused to attach to it . We have a ri ght to he heard

      upon this matter , equal at least to that of any body of men in the country ; we represent the largest organisation of Chartists—hare at all t : me 3 subscribed more largely than any body to all Chartists fund 3 , — no matter for what purpose , —in tho political prosecutions which cowardly folly have superinduced , we have been the greatest victimsanil in fact in whatever manner Chartism has required service , this Association has invariably been reoguised as the first to act , to pay , and to suffer . l ? o one , then can claim a prior or a greater right to speak upon the subject in hand ; we lament only that the course which wo have at length determined upon , hud not been taken many years ago .

      Future Policy . The Manchester Chartist Association haB resolved to remain as a distinctive and as an independent political body , organised for the purpose of accomplishing the legal enactment of the People ' s Charter ; but , in the mean time , it haB decided upon giving its support to any body of Reformers whose objects , if securedi would facilitate the attainment of the end which Chartists propose to themselves . Our sympathies are with all who are seeking even a modicum of justice . If the whole fabric of legislative corruption cannot be overthrown by one effort we will be but too happy to assist in carrying BuCh of the out-works as shall enable U 3 to Obtain possession of thecitadel itself . Jfo good shall remain undone for the want of our help , and we avail ourselves of the present opportunity to express the satisfaction which we have experienced at the efforts of the

      National Parliamentary and Financial Reform Association , To promote the extension of the Suffrage , and to assure the President and Council of that body that they have our confidence and respect ; that we honour them for what they have done ; that we luily sympathise with their toilsome , but noble undertaking ; that so far from interposing ungenerous suspicions to impede their cause , tnat'such support as we are capable of shall be most freely accorded ; that we shall march shoulder to shoulder with ihem , and will regard their opponents , whomnoover they may bo , as the enemies of our common interests . We repudiate the notion that any considerable bedy of the working classes of this district , are unfriendly to the Reform Association ; on the contrary , we know that the labouring population varo most anxious to see something done which shall open the path of political importance to them-

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      selves and of freedom to tho country at lar"o . Ha must have an ohtuse understanding , indeed , who can suppose that the folly Of obstruction , which untortunatel y has been so successfully enacted for the past thirteen years , can be repeated ; we say that m Manchester it cannot , and that , as far aa we are concerned it shall not . Wo are pained and i * , -- — * " * m mui » h nuci i » v / uiv } ft * iu \>\« twin uisgusteilwh

      . , en \ t e reflect upon tho shamelesa amount of energy , time , talent , and wealth which " , ? m ft 8 llatl 0 n . J ^ e Charter lias involved ; and n , rt » rh ° " ? ev thnt - ilt this moment , the entiro party throughout the nation can hardIv command stTJ ^ SrhiJI fl " muat - h ; ivc a " ' tered - state of things ; as labouring men , we have no intcrest in common with mere atftntors . m \ I i « wm not permit them longer to make pJe- either of our [ lohttcs , or of our proportv .

      Social Rights . Attempts have recently been rnado to a ttach a kind of mougivl Socialism to Chartism ; this notion has been IJwioweil from tho Parisian school of philosophers ; iu Eugland we are content that govern * niL-nt should mind its own business i wllilt wo dosire is , time n-e should bo allowed to mind ours , intorruptcii as littlt ! as possible by thc offieiousness of centralised power . We feel how greatly tho civilised world is indebted to Gallic genius in many particulars , but we have not observed anything in tho social economics of France which w " e would care to adopt as a model , in tho practices of that country . Whilst , therefore , we are favourable to " Social Ri glus , " we disbelieve in the " right" of government to regulate thorn ; and are wholly opposed to the project of adding plans for tho reconstruction of society , to a nierc political measure like the Charter .

      Co-operation . Wccanumlmtanu , andarc tavoui-able to , nssocmions vyhove the capital , skill and labour of all nreoombincd-whero caouis entitled to share , in proportion to .. he capi . al and labour which he . may employ to add to the gt 5 ,, eral stock . This doea not inter ere with iho principle of private prouertyraod of nMiviuuBl right , which we believe to be the fundamental law aiid . Mainstay of society ,.. Such combinav **~^ - ° r WhisJ | 58 Crftt ; nnd have been more pr ^ s t-roductive of t ^ Jfctf good . Such associauojis . jnaJsejhe . p . eople familiar with the legitimate uses , and . real advantat-eiof capital '; thty tend also to elevate their Dinnborsju , the social scale , andthu 3 to ex'end a knowlvdse " of the advantages of commerce and pence , as the great instruments of the en"gutincnt and j-ivilisa tiiJifoTtlio world . To interest

      a people by dn-ect participation in industrial pursuits , m a proprietor sensi < , is the surest method of anticipating anarchy , aiid ' uf abiding revolution . iellnw Countrymen ! We have , without reserve , and without ostentation , submitted our opinions for > onr judgment ; we have neither flattered nor calolert ; we have spoken sentiments which time and circumstances have impressed upon our minds , and should we not have s , a > d what you think , we have uttered what we ftol to be risht , and are prepared to wait until you shall have hail an opportunity ofjudging from actual practice , haw tar we are correct in what we have submitted to your -attention . To us the Charter is endeared by suffering and persecution ; out we cannot consent io see a cause so noble , i-rostitwed to mere petson . i ) ends ; and should ) ' 0 U 110 t join with us m rescuing it from degradation , we must even fight the battle alone . James Aixock , Secretary .

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      ADDRKSS OF THE CHARTISTS OF DERBY TO THE ClURTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM .

      Brother Democrats , —We address you at this important crisis , in ord ' tr to impress upon you the necessity of taking your own uffiuta into jOur own . hands . The direction of the democratic mind ha 3 been too long in the hands of our professed leaders , whose bickerings and jalousies have scattered out forces , decimated our ranks , and made us the laughing stock of every othur party in the country . Had the Executive acted wisely we might now have been in a position to lake advantage off the present weak state of the government ; we mi ght Uave obtained from their fears what they have sm ' long denied to justice . But the policy which has heeu

      pursued _ by the heads of our movement ha .- ( in our opinion ) been suicidal in the extreme . Friends , it has been nothing but the petiy jealousies of our professed leaders , which has inflicted so much injury on our cause . W « are sick at heart at the many drawbacks the cause has sustained from this source and we now call upon you , in the name of God , and your country , to at once throw of . the trammels of parly , and ihow the powers thai be , that you will no longer he . humbugged by pressing friends , hut that yon are determined to do that for yourselves which you have hitherto entrusted others to do for you . There is talent sufficient in the ranks of labour to conduct tbe movement - without their airi * let US , then , at once sel to work and collect fumis , to defray the expenses of a Conference—for , i : i our

      opinion , the holding of a Conference is the most important step that can be taken under the present circumstances—in order to create a really imtiunal organisation ; and if those who have hitherto been at the helm of our affairs , refuse to move oaward with us , why , let them stay behind , and worry « dch other as they have hitherto done ; but let hs no longer take part in their foolish squabbles and bickerings . There is ample time between now ami the first week in April to mnks ihe necessary arran gements for the holdiug of a Conference , hut not a moment to lose . Hoping , then , that the friends of Democracy , throughout the country , will at one ? , set themselves in motion , we remain , on behalf of the Chartists of Derby , Thomas Chester , Chairman . John Moss . Secretary .

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      « d > - DEMOCRATIC CONFERENCE . This body held its ninth sitting in the C-ifW-room of the Literary Institution . Jobn-strent , FiZMj . square , on Sunday , March 2 nd Mr . J . M ' . ln-. in the chair . Mr . Leno moved a resolution , calling upon ' . he democratic party to aid in the election of good :-. ntl true men to sit in the National Convention , auoiraoned by the executive Committee of the National Charter Association , and to contribute to thc nmd now raising to defray the expenses which wii ! attend the proceedings of that Convention . Air . Pkttie sficonded the motion .

      Mr . Le Blond objected to the resolution , ,- . nd moved , the following as an amendment * . — - This Conference seeing by the public prints lhat Urn Executive Committee of the National Charter Avr >' .-iation has under its consideration a programme of operations to be adopted by the country at large , c-xpre 63 a hope that some definite plan may bs hit flpnn ihat may unite the scattered elements o ^ ilemoeraey in a piaclical mode ; and therefote rcappoint tbe Committee of Observation to act according to events , and so call the Conference together before the first Sunday in April , if need be . " Mr . Hunt seconded the amendment .

      After some discussion the motion was withdrawn , and thn amendment adopted . Mr . Pettie then moved the following resolu . ton : — " To appoint asub-coromittee of five to watcli ' . he publication of the forthcoming plan of action of the National Charter Association , and summon the Conference at such time as shall to them seeranecessary , should an exigency occur . Also , with power to draw up and issue an address to those persons who are recognised , as leaders , teachers , and guiil ? s of tbe democratic movement , by the different sections thereof , calling upon those persons to meet ssid advise together on the present state and fuuire prospects of democracy , and to discuss the forthcoming plan of action of the National Charter Association , before referred to . "

      Mr . Piercey seconded the motion . Agreed to . Mr . Le Blond , Mr . T . Hunt , Mr . Pettie , and Mr . Leno werethen appointed a sub-committee , in accordance with the resolution . Mr . Arnott resigned his office as tecretarj to the Conference , and iMr . J . Pettie was elected in his stead , The Conference then adjourned .

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      Collisions at Sea . —On Tuesday week the Tied Rover trawling sloop , Captain Brown , when lyinw about eight miles south of the Eddystone , with her trawl net down , was run into by the John E Adams of New York , outward bound , with German emigrants , and would bave sunk had not the fluke of the ship s anchor caught the sloop ' s mainsail , which it tore to ribands , striking the gaff , andcorrvine away the mamshcet . OnKth ult , a pilbtboat landed hnk ? T ° / n . Cap \ \ - a" Eorden ' of tlie ^ ch httkrt ; Ta Bg ( Tagu » y , which , on the 23 rd of Feb . at ten o clock m the avoning , was run into by a strango brig , which sailed on . By tho voia-: cf her crew she Wi , s judged to bo an Englishman . lie huker showed lights , but the brig had m-no . Ihe lagc was struck on the bluff of the bow , ttud became very leaky . Thc pumps were manue I , and several of the cases of cheese were removed aft ., bo * / r"TTTr"Jr > as to get the leak out of tho water , but these e ( l .. rg » / i > s ~ £ ' £ X were unavailing , and the crevr were obliged to take ! is& ? ' : ~ - . ;^ ,- £ \ R refuge on boavtl the Welcome , from Lisbon , bmnJ } ? & . & $ , » W ff to Holland . Soon after joining her they saw tWJ » tV-s £ "lV ^ - ^ flj fi ? huker go down . . ^ feffef ^ vdimi 4 v ^ fvjw ) & K < M § S M

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      mmmm m ^ mm ^ m ^ . - - schemed ;;;; . " . ^ ¦ TO THE EBIT 0 R OP THE IBED 3 TIMES . ' Sib , —rln looking over your valuable journal of February 8 th , I find you have inserted a letter from one of my brother allottee 3 at Chartervillo . Xow , this same George Bubb , was one of the dearest friends that O'Connor had in this world . While we were struggling with O'Connor and showingup his system , he , abovo all others , looked upon O Connor as an honest and upright man , and said he would do justice to all concerned . I need not tell the public what his opinions are now about O Connor , his own unvarnished story will speak for itself ; out I think in justice to myself and the other members of the Land Company , that it would be criminal in me if 1 were to be silent on the present occasion ; for I and my family , being victims to O ' Connor ' s cruelty , are likely persons to tell a plain storv .

      2 fow , Mr . Editor , on the 20 th of July , 1848 , 1 and my family , seven in number , entered upon O ' Connor ' s " Land of Promise , " called Cbarterville , at Minster Love ) , in Oxfordshire ; bnt , from the cruel treatment-we received at tbe hands Of O'Connor for two years and four months , I shall name it "Paradise Lost . " In consequence of taking my farm from another person , O'Connor refused to let me have the £ 30 aid money , stating I had no right to it according to rule . At the same time 1 found about six

      occupants on the estate that had got it under similar circumstances ; and one man got it that entered upon the estate after me . Xot liking this sort of treatment , and seeing the partiality that waa shown to some , I was determined to go to Conference ; so in October , 1848 , 1 went to the Birmingham Conference and got a loan granted of £ 30 instead of the aid-money ; but my " honoured and respected father , " Feargus O'Connor , diddled me out of the £ 30 loan , as well as the aid money . The consequence was that I and my family have got out of bed in a morning in the depth of winter , with not one morsel of food to satisfy the cravings of hunger , until we had been begging or borrowing . Yes , I have been so done up that I have begged a raw carrot to eat

      , and O Connor knew all about it at the same time ; for I wrote several letters to him that-. I thought wonld have softened the heart of any man ; but they had no effect upon him . Now , sir , as I am one of O ' Connor's own " dear children , " and once thought he was almost a heavenly father , you will naturally think I should not say one word against him without just cause . My heart sickens within me to think of it , but in justice to my fellow-men I am bound to write the truth and show him up in his true colours . Give me credit for sincerity when I say that I have proved Feargus O'Connor the most cold and callous-hearted man that ever trampled upon the rights of a poor man . O' Connor says that no man care 3 more for the poor man's

      pence than he does . A truer word never . slipped ¦ his tongue ^ Butj sir , allow me to addj through sad experience , that no man living cares lessfor a working man than he does after he has got possession of those ponce than O'Connor does . To give you all particulars about his deception wonld fill a newspaper ; but if any one should dispute my statement , let him bring O'Connor , if he can , before the public of Huddersfield to deny my charges ; and iet us have it out before the public . O Connor has promised often enough to come to Hnddersficld . What is the reason he does not make his promise good ? O * Connor Knows ; but he is afraid of the public knowing . How , sir , I have seen more real destitution at Charterville , and there felt more , than ever I did in all my lifetime ; yet , after all , on

      the 15 th of November last , O'Connor ' s hirelings turned my wife and three children into the highway to perish , while I was here earning a little money , to pay my way , 180 miles apart . They ar . rived at Locknvood between eleven and twelve o ' clock at night , after being three days and three nights without ever having had their clothes off , or been in bed ; the consequence was , that my wife miscarried in ten davs after being turned out ; and through being thus * connected with . O'Connor , I have lost a darling child of five years and three months . Poor Johnson , tbat Bubb mentions in his letters , also lost his daughter , the only one he had

      in twenty hours after being turned into the highway . Bnt the worst is not told yet . After the hirelin-3 of O'Connor had turned them out , and taken all they could lav theii-fingersupon to pay the expenses of the ejectment , they want £ 101 2 s , 6 d . ; to recover which they have taken a warrant out against four of the turned-oat occupants—Battey , Gathard , Holland ., and poor Johnson . Gathard and Holland are now prisoners in Oxford Castle , and the harpies are after the other two ; and they say they can take any one of us that was turned out . Sow , sir , what do you think of a man that has got out of us our hard-earned pence , and nut H 3 into prison into the bargain ?

      Mr . Editor , " this is the truth , the whole truth , and nothing but the truth ; so help me God ; " and I am ready and willing to face it out any day . I now conclude , and subscribe myself one of O'Connor ' s plucked dnpes , John Bradshaw Lockwood , February Qth , 1851 . This is my reply to the above letter : Mr . Editor , —This is a He , a whole lie , and nothing but a lie , so help me God ; and I now conclude , and subscribe myself , One of John Bradshaw ' s plucked dupes , Feargus O'Cosxor .

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      TnE .. B . EPRESENTATION OF XOTT 1 XGHAM . TO THE ELECTORS OF THIS IMPORTANT BOROUGH . Gestleues , —In the Review of Friday , February 28 th , you will find the following paragraphs , which , taken in connection with tbe wilful perversion of facts of the previous week , with respect to Mr . O'Connor , will show you from what quarter the wind is blowing at this eventful crisis . The following are the paragraphs alluded to ;— " Represe . v tation of XoTTisoHAJi . —In the event of a general election , it is understood , that there will an attempt ma 4 e by ike leading Wiigs and Conservatives , to secure the joint return of the Hon . E . Strutt and Mr . Walter . Both these gentlemen are Free Traders , and in favour of an extension of the suffrage .

      A coalition of this nature would be very formidable , and would not , it is thought , —unless Mr . O ' Connor again presented himself- be at all opposed ; nd even then only very ineffectually . " Pretty modest for the Radicals of the Review stamp !! Have you ever understood , gentlemen that you were to be so kindly cared for by these kadmy Wldgsand Conservatives ; and that vour interests had been diligeutly consulted ; none of your time having been wasted upon this occas i on ? It would have been as well , perhaps , if the Review had condescended to inform its readers how Ion " Mr . "Walter had been converted to the true faitb ° and where such conversion took place . Whoever

      heard of him being favourable to , or voting for , an extension of the suffrage ? Really this is a wonderful age we live in : —what discoveries are being made : — " a formidable coalition " truly , which no Sonconformht 1 Radical . ' Catholic . ' Elector would think of opposing ! Do not »> e in a hurry , gentlemen : allow us now to introduce you to the next paragraph , asfoUows : —" Sir J . C . Ilobhouse , ( now Lord ' Broughton ) woundup his political tergiversations and parliamentary career in the lower house , on Thursday night , by voting against Mr . Locke King ' s motion for an extension of the suffrage in the Counties . Sir . Walter took no part in the division : bat Mr . F . O'Connor supported the proposition "

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      Foreign Ice . —The first arrival of foreign ice this ye ar has just taken place by a vessel arrived in the river from one of the Norwegian ports , with nn entire cargo , comprising several' hundreds of tons weight of the article . ,

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      ^ AND M 1 I 0 NAL TRADES' JfmRNAT . P 5

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      «S « Well . you againthat it makes verji U a ^ . . 698 . 5 : || LttOB , SATURDAY , MARCH 851 ~~~ ~~ - >™«» ° * ~ '" 'C ^ ... . •"" " * ; * Ive Sh « IH « B » and Sixpence per QimrHr - ? * £ ;¦?" . . you again , that it . mnVoa mv ¦ »«„ .: ; ¦ " . : — : _

      Vgrch, March, Derby And Looghhorongb , Ttbjmj Lads Doa't Yon March, Forward In Order ! Ijjrth, March, Lefcerer And Nottin Gham," Jjl The Hrave Ghartistsare Over The Border." ." • Moratanduiakereaay.Thai, . , ¦ ¦ Sons Of The Mountain Glen—. ¦. Look For Joar Rights . . . . - " .. . ' And Old England's T;Lory. . . ; «In The Working Men Op Engiu ; : Land. ;;

      Vgrch , march , Derby and Looghhorongb , TTbjmj lads doa ' t yon march , forward in order ! ijjrth , march , Lefcerer and Nottin gham , " jjl the hrave Ghartistsare over the border . " . " Moratanduiakereaay . thai , . , ¦ ¦ Sons of the mountain glen— . ¦ . Look for joar rights . . . . - " .. . ' And old England ' s t ; lory . . . ; « in THE WORKING MEN OP ENGiU ; LAND . ;;

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      "Come one , come all , this rock shall fly . ferom its firm base as soon as I . " My dear , my worthy , my honourable , and consistent friends of Nottingham , I thank you most sincerel y for the above answer to the "Nottingham Review . " I had written my reply , with regard to the contrast between me and Mr . Walter ., before I had the honour of receiving your address , and . that reply convinces me that our principles and our views are harmonious and identical : and now let me

      assure you that , however great may be the power of the Hon . Mr . Stmjtt , and my hon colleague , Mr . Walter , that at the next election I will fi ght the battle to the last , and will develope the mind of the non-electors , as well as the electors , and , if necessary , remain up night and day during the contest , as I did when we tried to return Mi * . Sturge . Men of Nottingham , a THOUSAND MILLIONS OF MONEY would not bribe me to give a vote contrary to the interests of the down-trodden and oppressed slaving millions . So hel p me God , I would rather crack stones by the road-side , or beg my bread , than give one vote tbat was repulsive to my own feelings and to your principles .

      I am perfectly aware of , the present power of the higher and the middle classes !; but I have devoted my whole life to the overthrow of that tyrannic power , and if all were as brave / consistent , courageous and united as the good men of Nottingham , England ' s liberty would Soon , bo established . M y friends of Nottingham , again thanking you , let me tell you , in conclusion , if I am opposed by the violence of parties at the next election , I will show them such a struggle as Nottingham never saw even during the agitation for the Reform Bill .

      Electors and non-electors of Nottingham , I remain , Your Independent and Uncompromising Friend aud Representative , Feauqus O'Connor .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 8, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1616/page/1/