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Northern Star (1837-1852), 25th September 1841, Edition 2 of 5, Page 4, THE A'ORTHEEN STAR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1811.

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    • THE A'ORTHEEN STAR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1811.
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      Untitled Article

      HARYLEBONE—WELCOME TO O'CONNOR . On Friday last , the Working Man ' s Hill , Circusstreet , New Bead , -was crowded to excess , for the purpose of meeting Mr . O'Connor . Mr . Christopher wa » called to the chair . A gentleman , -whose name we did not catch , moved the following resolution : — •« That we welcome Feargw O'Connor , Esq ., on his release from the dungeon in which his persecutors had immured him , and pledge ourselves to agitate for aotiiing short of the Charter . "

      Mr . Scott seconded the resolution . He said it was with pleasure he sew Mr . O'Conner amongst them after his sufferings . Oar advocates have been prosecuted , imprisoned , and thrown into dungeons ; some of them have lost their lives through being sent there ; every frpttng of human nature has been violated ; but be was glad to find that the public sympathised with the oppressed ; this meeting was a proof of Euch sympathy , and he hoped they would prove that their friends were beJd dear by them . The resolution , on being put , was carried unanimously . Mr . ( VCoxsok was greeted with great applause on rising to speak ; after which he commenced as follows : —

      After the cheering had in some degree subsided , he said it would be six years to-morrow since he had first : addressed them at a meeting held not far from the ; spot on which they were now met During that period j Radical principles bad undergone a severe trial—they had : been well tested , and had wtU stood the test . < Ap-, plaose . ) The Whigs bad succeeded for a time in j disuniting the Radical body—because the Radicals , ! ever -willing to hope good , had been determined to ' give then a fair trial . They had had their trial—the ¦ delusion was gone by ; their power to delude-had gone ' with it ; and the people were now one body- —firmly suited for tbe attainment of one object ; and that ob- ; ject not the desteuction of any portion of society , j bet the destruction cf the system by -which ruin j

      was brought on all . ( Long and continued cheering . )' This was why they had gone on increasing , and not ] decreasing , in number . The Teries of yesterday wore j tbe Conservatives « f to-day ; the Whigs of yesterday j were the Reformers of to-iay ; but the Radicals of-years I gone by were » till Radicals . Their principles were unchangeable : the principle * contained in the People ' s Charter were precisely the same principles which its j advocates had ever professed . Mr . O'Connor then went on to explain the causes of tke disppointments which had j been experienced ; be was sorry for the disappointment : on Friday , but it was not his fault ; he knew nothing \ of the meeting till the morning after it had been holden . J Ag » n » . on Wednesday there was a meeting at the ]

      Archery Rooms . 2 » ow , on that occasion it had been ; published throughout London , and in the Star a notice j bad appeared , that he was to be at Brentford on that ; day ; he could not , therefore , have been expected at > St . Paneras , when it was known that he was engaged j elsewhere . He had never failed in attending any ! engagement , however great the distance , er incon- j venient Since his release from incarceration , he had been at meetings nearly every night ( Hear , hear , and j cheers . ) He bad a great duty to perform , and would j not shrink from it ( Cheers . ) While incarcerated his ) spirit had been still tree ; his courage had never-failed , and his activity had never slackened . -Hear , hear . ) \ And he might ; now be well proud , and more than proud , ; to contemplate the spirit and enthusiasm of the people on his reappearance . ; Hear , hear , and loud i cheering . ) Meetings such as those which he ; had lately been habitually attending , were ex- i foSHT »« Tvg to the spir it , and might held up the I heart of any man ; though if it were to be nothing but ' . night after night *» i * ing and talking , he would soon ; give them up , as a mere keeping of the people from j their t *™ n »*_ But he saw » something in the distance ,: & bright cloud of promise , whence he augured results ofj a fh' ^^^ r to glad the heart He saw evidences in the j appearances of the times , that this moving of the spirit < upon the waters was the prelude of a new creation in ! ¦ which all tH " g » should be politically good . ( Hear , j hear . ) The people were now in power ; th « Goverment i was de / aclo in their hands ; for he was satisfied that j if they bestirred themselves rightly , every measure to I be carried in the House must be first carried out of it j He bad stated more than once or ten times , that three ! parties were incompatible with the state ; and now , ( two Tbe

      ft ^ nV God there were but parties . Whigs , as i a party , were annihilated ; they were politically dead ;; and their grave was dug deep in public" execration . ¦ \ Loud cheers . ) The Whigs nad ruled us ten years ; . coercion for Ireland , and starvation for England , had betn their ruling principles . They were now defunct ¦ Would the Tories be permitted to rule on like prindciples ? Would Sir Robert Peel rule Ireland by , the j rword 1 Would be make the almost -wholly Catholic : population bow its neck to the impious domination of \ the bloated law church ? He might try , but should he i be '"««><> enough to do &o , be -would surely find that ! the paople who had ousted one faction from the seat of ' power , would hurl thence their successors with less ; trouble and as little compunction . ( Cheers ., Peel i

      bad been tried in Ireland ; lie began his career there . Ireland was now threatened with a revival of the power of the Orange faction . Should be dare it , the people of England would take up the gauntlet ; = they -would teach Irishmen that they belie EcgUnd , who represent her sons as being nationally averse to Ireland ' s rights -, that they were looking forward to the . establishment of those principles of universal justice -which recogniseed their rights v ^ A grievances as fully as their own . i Cheers . ) He had promised Sir Robert Peel , at the first meeting which he attended after his release from prison , that whenever the sword should be drawn in Ireland tbe scabbard should be thrown away in England : he now reiterated that pledge . » Loud and long continued cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor then spoke of

      the slanderous imputations of physical violence so lavishly bestowed upon the Chartists by the factions ; j they were called " torch and dagger" men ; their ob- ; ject was avowed to be to equalise prepp-rty by plunder . ; Thousands of tones had these calumnies been disa- ; vowed , and yet with simple impudence had they been \ repeated . This was indeed a pretty charge to come ! from these "who had robbed the people of the ; -whole j country . ( G-reat cheering . ) It reminded him of a say- ' ing of Mr . O"CcnnelTs upon one occasioa . ¦ In answer j to a libel charge made by one of the Beresford ' B , he said , ' " What , the Beresfords accuse us of a wish to plunder ? The Beresfords , who have robbed Ireland of mountains i of TmthI ! " ( Hear , hear , and great cheering . ) They : did not want to steal the land ; they merely wanted to

      enjoy its fruits , the fruits of their own labour , paying a reasonable compensation to those -who with whatever ; justice , were legally acknowledged its proprietors . They j wanted legislative representation , by -which they might ! be enabled not to rob others , but to protect themselves j against robbery . ( Great cheering- ) Mr . O'Connor went ; on at great length to castigate boti factions , and to demonstrate the actual dependaace of all the so-called ! higher ranks of society upsn the -wcikin g people for ' subsistaiice . He descanted on the anomalous previsions j of the law , and the shameful disparity of its opera- j tion with regard to rich and poor ; and insisted upon the right of a universal participation in the legislative j power , as the only safe , certain , and permanent I remedy for all the political evils of tbe state . Hear . ) I j ; ¦ , j j I )

      We must be no longer tampered with ; the rule of i justice must be the rule of GoTennnent ; ILe working j classes must be rendered hippy . If there -were one hundred classes , and , if by Universe ' . Suffrage being ' enacted , all power fell into the hands of the -working . classes , I would not complain , for the working classes ; would tave an interest in supporting all the other j classes , if useful ; thus the -working man srould not j deprive his employer of the means of employing him ; rather woald he support hi » employer ; as i : bow -was , , tke great body was at the mercy of all the little knots . After repudiating physical force , and giving his defini- tion ef the difference of moral and physical force , Mr . j O'Connor referred to the challenge of Mr . Hetherinzton . i I ' ' : I [

      I hop * , said Mr . O'Connor , that any gentleman , who may attend at the discussion , will give a patient hearing , arsd offer no interruption . Single handed I Trill meet them , and try if any differences -which miy exist cannot be amicably arranged . Hear , and cht-rs-y Mr . O'Connor thea referred to an txprtssioa used by Mr . Attwood , relative to his t . Mr . A / ej not being ready to concede to Ireland her rights , aad -which Mr . Lovett promptly met ; and concluded by declaring that though he had every comfort and protection , he wjuld not be eatisSed till the people ¦ we re comfortable zai protected He found that he vis again able to battle in , their cause , and he hoped he "was destined for many services in the cause . ^ Cheers ) Mr . O'Connor retired amid the app ' . iuse of all present , and tbe meeting shortly after separated .

      Untitled Article

      SHEFFIELD . ( From out cwn Correspondent . J Da . M'DoujlLl . —This eloquent vindicator of the rights of the oppressed masses delivered his second lecture in the Town Hall , on Wednesday evening , September loth . Mr . Gill presided , as on the previous evening . The Hall was again densely crowded by an attentive and enthusiastic audience . - The lecturer commenced by congratulating the meeting on the doivnfaU of the perfidious Whigs ; at the same time , he could not rejoice in the triumph of their opponents , the Tories , a faction whom ia heart and soul he detest ad . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then adverted to , and commented upon , the several panaceas pat forth by the Whigs and sham-Radicals , first taking Hoiuehold Suffrage , shewing that , under snch system , amass of intelligence and worth would be excluded from the franchisescaroelv inferior to

      , that excluded by the present system . Police returns from the town cf Liverpool shewed that there wa 3 17 , 000 persons residing in cellar ? , and living by " disreputable means . " The same returas shewed that there was 45 , 000 lodgers , and 20 , 000 clerks aad shopmen living m , and aroond the town o ? Liverpool . _ Now , under a system of Household Suffrage , the 17 . 000 vicious members of society irihsbit : i ; j ; the cellars would be enfranchised , while the •; 5 , 000 lodger ; and CO . GOJ clerks and shopmen wauld be excluded from the right of suffrage How preposterous would this be . ( Cheers . ) Yet this was gravely proposed by certain parties who woald not sapport Universal Suffrage , because , forsooth , of the ignorance and immorality of a great portion of the working class . What humbug ! (( W ) Let thejB have tbe Guffrage extended t » ^ rjynany and

      Untitled Article

      then while right was established , no evil would result for the honest and intelligent ; the 45 , 000 lodgers and 20 , 000 shopmen would effectually swamp the corrupt 17 , 000 living by disreputable means . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then entered at great length into the subject of Corn Law repeal , combatting the arguments , and shewing ap the fallacies of the " cheap bread" gentry in masterly style . In the course of his remarks , be shewed that oar foreign trade , in many parts , was lost , not through the operation of the Corn Laws , but through the villanooB competition of the manufacturers with each other . Before the introduction of machinery , and when our cotton goods were made wholly by the hand-loom weavers , the fabrics were substantial ,

      and English goods , before all others , were sought by all the nations of the earth ; bat was this the case now i No , the millocrats must make fortunes in a day , no matter by what dishonest means ; goods were made rapidly , and of any rubbish they could impose on the buyer . This had disgusted the cheated foreigner , and he was now manufacturing for himself . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then showed what would be the ef&tct upon the currency by Corn Law Repeal , and adduced some striking arguments utterly subversive of the theory of the " big loafers . " The Doctor concluded an hour and a half s address , by a fervent and eloquent appeal to his hearers to agitate for nothing less than lie Charter—the whole hog , bristles and all—and sat down amidst the most

      tremendous cheering . —Mr . Harney said that , after the able and eloquent lectures of Dr . M'Douall , there certainly could not be two opinions as to the right of the working man to the franchise , and the necessity of making the Charter the law of the land . ( Cheers . ) The question was , how was the Charter to be gotten ?—( hear)—His answer was , by union . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Harney eulogised the public character of Dr . M'Douall , and called upon the people to give their Eupport to the Republican Journal . He concluded by moving the following resolution : — " That this meeting , after hearing the talented discourses of Dr . M'Douall , being more than ever convinced of the necessity of exerting their every energy to obtain the glorious Charter of their rights , do pledge

      themselves to join the ranks of the National Charter Association ; and further , assure the Executive Council of their undivided support . Lastly , this meeting give to Dr . M'DourfU their hearty thanks for his services in the cause of democracy , and for his eloquent advocacy of the rights of the millions upon the occasion of his present visit to Sheffield . " Mr . M'Kettrick seconded the resolution . The Chairman took the sense of the meeting , when it was carried . Thanks being voted to the Chairman , and three cheers given for Dr . M'Douall , three for Feargus O'Connor , three for the Welsh Victims , three for O'Brien and all the patriots , and three for the Charter and no surrender , the meeting dissolved .

      Delegate Meeting . —A meeting of delegates from places in the neighbourhood of Sheffield , took place on Sunday last , in the Association-room , Fig-Tree-land . The attendance w&s not bo numerous as could have been wished ; still as the beginning of a good and necessary work , the meeting was of some importance . The following were the delegates present : —Sheffield , Messrs . Harrison , Buxton , and Frost ; Rotherham , Messrs . Ramsdenand Russell ; Doncaster , Mr . Coulson ; Ecclesfield and neighbouring villages , Messrs . Lonn , Nicholson , Boothroyd , and John Nicholson ; Walkley , Mr . Foster . Mr . Harrison was called to the chair ; Mr . M'Kettrick of the Sheffield association was appointed secretary . An interesting conversation took place relative to the strength of the association in Sheffield , Rotherham , Doncaster , < kc It was arranged that meetings to extend the association should be forthwith held in the villages of Ecclesfield , and Walkley On the motion of Mr . Ramsden , seconded by Mr . Buxten , the follovriug resolution was adopted . " That tbe delegates present do recommend to their constituents , the propriety of making Sheffield the centre for all places within twenty miles of its bounds ; and that the several sub-secretaries do correspond with the Sheffield Bub-secretary once in every fortnight , reporting the progress of the cause in their respective localities . "

      Untitled Article

      ATTEMPTED RESUSCITATION OF THE "NEW MOVE . " I ; is said that there are some kinds of poisonous reptiles which acquire strength by irritation ; and as we apprehend that the " new move" partakes largely this character , we have regretted , and do still regret , the ^—to our thinking—ill-judged and unnecessary attack which has recently been made upon

      it . It has merely inspired its dead and almost putrid carcase with an artificial show of life , while it has enabled its persevering concoctors to throw a little oil upon such embers of dissatisfaction , animosity , or personal disunion , as might yet retain anything of warmth ; and has resulted , as we expected it would , in the issuing of another manifesto from the would-be apostle 3 of disunion and strife .

      This document is something of a curiosity in its way . It is valuable inasmuch as it developesthe character of the party from whom it emanates , beyond the possibility of mistake or contradiction . As it is probably the last" move" of these " knights " upon the Chartist chess board , we have thought proper to bestow upon it some little attention , and , in accordance with our usual custom , to afford no one a pretext on which to charge us with garbling or dishonest quoting , we give the whole thing in another part of our paper , in the nakedness of its own deformity , just as it waB sen ; to us by the subscribers . Our readers will find it under , a like head to that which stands at the top of this article .

      we have caid mat this document betokens the character of its concoctors , and in truth we feel now compelled to acknowledge the superior penetration of the people , who , as with one voice , denounced the " new move" men for treachery , while we lamented only the aberration of their judgment and their puerility of mind . Thi 3 document , however , at its very outset carries on its front an evidence of such craft and subtlety as beloDgs not to the honest prosecution of democratic objects . It purports to emanate from " a mee : ing of the members of the National Association , " " and we doubt not that this

      heading is intended to lead people to suppose—and when read in the Whig papers , which will gladly ¦ favonr the trick , it may lead some to suppose that the National Charter Association is here meant . This may serve one of two purposes , alike necessary and desirable to the " new move" men ; nay , by some chance it might happen to effect both . It might induce the supposition that the National Charter Asso-[ ciation had repudiated the Xorlhem Star , and had ! adopted or assented to all the abuse thereof oontained , in this address ; or it might induce the supposition

      • that the National Charter Association was an illegal : society ; subsisting in branches and acting in sec-1 tional parts ; as the subscribers to thi 6 document state that they " remain , on behalf of the ' members of the National Association residing in ' London . " Indeed , we have some reason to believe , from the very suspicious circumstances attendant upon the darkling intimation about " liaj bility to apprehension , " given to some active and useful London Chartists ( see our County Council report ) , that the next " move" contemplated by

      these precious " new move gentry , is the hounding on of the Government to seek some pretext for prosecuting that really " National" Association which they ( the " new move" men ) have laboured so hard and so impotently to destroy . If this be their object we tell them they will fail . The members of the " National" Charter Association are too well aware of their own position . They know the law , and though they hold it to be an arbitrary and an unjust law which prohibits Political Associations of a national character from holding local and

      sectional meetings , they are still prepared to avoid its danger . They do not talk of the members of the " National" Association meeting in a tavern ; they meet in their respective localities , not as members of the National Charter Association , but a 3 Chartists , each in his individual capacity . The National Charter Association has no meetiags ; it exists only in its principles ; in its enrolment of members ; in its efficere ; and in the public acts of its Council ; while its objects and purposes , being perfectly legal , are prosecuted by its members individually , and in their . personal capacity .

      we like to convert evil into the means of good , where practicable ; and hence , therefore , we take this opportunity of again impressing this legal provi " sion , which we have before noticed , upon the minds of all the members , and especially of the Councillors and eb ; -Secretaries of the National Charter Asso-

      Untitled Article

      ciation . A Chartist meeting might be holden , or a trades meeting might bo holden , and all the persons attending it might happen to be membors of the Methodist Society , and yet it would not therefore be a Methodist meeting , nor in legal phrase , a meeting of the Methodist Society . It would be a meeting of Chartists , or of " the trade , " as the case might be . Just so ; the meetings in the respective localities through the country , though they may be attended principally , or even wholly , by persons who are . members of the National Charter Association , are not

      therefore " meetings of the National Charter Associa tion ; " they are meetings of Chartists , and as Chartists the several individuals composing them are perfectly competent to the discussion of all matters which may affect their interests or that of the cause to wbioh they are devoted . We hope this will never be lost sight of by the parties who report these meetings for the Star , or who take a prominent part in them . We have no doubt that "friends" are plentiful , and we are exceedingly desirous that not the slightest pretext should be afforded the enemy by the people themselves . This is our reason for the digression into which we have thus been led by the announcement of Messrs .

      Hetherington and Lovett , that a meeting of the membersof the " National Association" was held at the Globe Tavern , Shoe-lane , Fleet-street , on Tuesday week . Our readers , of course , know that this 'National Association" is not the National Charter Association ; it is the " New Move" Association of Messrs . Hethesington and Lovett ; and the fact that a meeting of its members—( the members , mind —not the council , or committee , or officers , but the whole society—the members of the National Assocition ) was holden at a Tavern in Shoe-lane , may help them to some idea of the very flourishing and numerens body which these New Move" Nationals" command .

      The meeting was holden at the Globe Tavern , whether in the club room or tho Bar-Snug , deponent sayeth not , the address is signed Henry Hethringtos and William L » vett , and these gentlemen do not condescend to tell us whether any other persons were present at this meeting of the " National" Association or not . They do tell us , however , that the address was unanimously adopted from which circumstance we take leave to suspect that they most probably had the whole thing to themselves . Bo that , however , as it may , here is the address of Messrs . Hetuerington and Lovett

      in the capacity of " Nationals . " And a very pretty address it is ! In the early portion thereof , after modestly claiming credit for " having been mainly instxumental in embodying in the People ' s Charter those political principles which , for a great number of years , were cherished by all true Reformers , " they tell us , we think very justly : — " That the past conduct of a number of those who professed to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter , was wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the co-operation of the wise and the confidence of the good . "

      We perfectly agree with this sentiment , and bo we fancy will all who remember that Henbt HETHrBi 5 GT 0 N and Wm . Lovktt have professed to subscribe to the jast principles of the Charter , " and who look at the " past conduct" of these gentlemen , illustrated as it is by their present conduct in reference to this same " new move" transaction . We are also disposed to believe with them , that the falsehood , exaggeration , and violence of those who were , active to scheme , but too cowardly to act , has led to the sacrifice and incarceration of hundreds of

      victims , by which means our cause has been retarded and defamed . " We have less fear for the future , and , therefore , lose something of our regret for the past in this respect . The people are now too " wide awake" to suffer harm from the " falsehood , exaggeration , and violence" of such men as Henby Hethkringtoj * and Wm . Lovett ; and our cause now stands npon too firm a basis , and is beginning to be too well understood , both by the operative and the " higher" classes , to be in danger of any injury from such causes .

      After this very modest , just , and veritable denunciation of all persons prominent as Chartists , save themselves ; after thus covertly , and by insinuation , ascribing falsehood , exaggeration , violence and cowardice to all who are not ready to bow to their cap , Messrs . Hethebi . ngton and Lovett proceed to intimate that M accordingly "—that is , because all who had not acknowledge their leadership were " wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the cooperation of the wise and the confidence of the good , "—they , " about five months ago , put forth a proposal for forming a national association . "

      Respecting which proposal they say , after enumerating the objects of their association—to create and extend an enlightened public opinion in favour of the People's Charter , among persons of all creeds , classes , and opinions ; by the means of missionaries , lecturers , circulating libraries , tracts , &c ; to build public halls in which for the people to hold their meetings , instead of in public-houses ; to establish schools for the benefit of our infant population ; and to impress on our brethren the necessity of devoting to those ennobling purposes those means which had been previonsly wasted in frivolous efforts and childlike displays : —

      " This proposal , while it was warmly greeted by the press , and received the commendations of a great number of intelligent minds among all parties , waa met with falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , by the inosfc prominent organ of Chartism , the Northern Star . Its proprietor and editor jointly denounced it as a production of Messrs . O'Connell , Hume , and Roebuck—as a plan intended to destroy Feargus O'Connor ' s political supremacy , and subvert one which he bad previously concocted . Education was ridiculed ,

      knowledge was sneered at , facts were perverted , truth suppressed , and the lowest passions and prejudices of the multitude were appealed to , to obtain a clamourous verdict against us . We were denounced by them and their hired partisans as ' thieves , ' « liars , * and traitors ' to the cause of Chartism , as persons who , if a ' guillotine * existed in England , would be its just victims . Nay a sermon ! has been preached by one of those professors of freedom to show the necessity for privately ' assassinating ' us .

      " As far as we have been able to obtain insertion for a vindication of our conduct , through the channel by which we have been calumniated , we have called , but called in vain , for proofs of their base assertions . As far as they have dared to reply to us , they have proclaimed themselves false , intolerant , and reckless in the eyes of every reflecting man . " This is pretty well for the meek victims of" falsehood , exaggeration , and violence" ! It would really eeem as if the authors of this document had set themselves to verify their own statement , that " a number of those who professed to subscribe to the

      just principles of the Charter , was wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the co-operation of the wise and the confidence of the good . " We need but point the attention of those who habitually read the Northern Star , and who read it through all the discussion consequent upon the first introduction of this new and secret raova called the "National " Association , and demand fearlessly whether falsehood , exaggeration , intolerance , bitter rancour , and want of integrity , honesty , and justice , were ever more fully exemplified than in these two paragraphs ? They are really so perfect a tissue of all these enviable distinctions that

      it is difficult to conceive how they could have been written by anybody , much less any one " professing to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter . " We shall perhaps best answer them by recapitulating , briefly , the reasons on which we have , from the first , grounded our opposition to this new " National " Association ; and which we still maintain , ought to induce the people to discountenance it . These reasons we have given again and again . Our readers will remember them and will form their own estimate of the charges of "falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , " brought against ua by these meek and dove-like " new move" " subscribers to the just principles of tbe Charter . "

      Untitled Article

      Those reasona wetc--ia Bhort—that the Move ** altogether was unaccordant with " the just principles of the Charter " : which it professed to advocate . The * proposal" was to establish * " National " Association ; and they went about the establishing of it by sending their " proposal" through the Postoffice to such persons as they thought fit , enoloaed in a letter , of which the following is a copy : — " London , 118 , Tottenham-court Road , ' March 1841 .

      Pear Sir , —The following address is intended to be submitted to all the leading Chartists throughout the kingdom that we can have access to , in order to obtain their signatures , when it will be printed and published as their joint address ; previous to which it will be considered a breach of honour for any individual to cause its publication . It is also INTENDED THAT THE PERSONS SIGNING IT SHALL FORM

      a Provisional Board of Management for six ok Twelvb Months , ( as may be advisable , ) to aid ia forming the Association by the sale of cards , or otherwise , after which the Board of Management is to be elected by the Members according to the rules and regulations . By returning this to Mr . Lovett , 113 , Tottenham-court Road , signed or otherwise , by return of Post , you will oblige , yours respectfully . " ^

      Now , if there bad been no national organisation at all in existence at this period , we should have denounced this as a most inconsistent and unwarrantable mode of seeking to establish one . Perrons professing to advocate the Charter cannot consist 3 ntly do otherwise than act upon its principles ; but there is in this proceeding a flagrant disregard of those principles . Here is the attempted establishment of a " National" Association without any appeal to the nation . A few individuals take upon

      themselves to act for tbe nation . The very spirit and essence of Toryism ! Had there been no National Society at that time in existence , and had these parties , instead of creeping thus stealthily and secretly about it , laid their plans at once before the people for acceptance or rejection , we should have commended them as zealous and consistent patriots . But , instead of that , Messrs . Lovett and Co . send their proposals to such parties as they thiak likely to act with them , to be returned by return of post ;

      THE PARTIES SIGNING IT TO FORM THE PROVISIONAL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT FOR SIX OR TWELVB MONTHS ! So that this " National" Board of Management was to be , to all intents and purposes , self-elected ; the proposals hinting at the same time that this . selfelected Board of Management was to have the fingering and appropriation of two hundred and fifty-six thousand six hundred pounds of the people ' s money ! Now , we tell Messrs . " New Move Nationals" that there is no self-elected body in existence to whom the people ought to entrust the unrestricted management of so serious a sum . Nay ,

      further , we tell them that it is utterly inconsistent with "the just principles ef the People ' s Charter , " for any self-elected body to exercise controul either over the funds or the movements of the people . Why , do the people find fault with the constitution of the House of Commons t Because it assumes the controul and expenditure of the national funds , while it is not elected by the nation . Why were the old Tory Municipal Corporations so deservedly unpopular For the very same reason ; because they were for the most part self-elected , and yet claimed and

      exercised controul over the people's money . And , are we to be subjected to the abuse and violence of Mr . Hethbrington and Mr . Lovett , because we protest against the establishment of Chartist Associations on the very same principles , and by the very same means , off pure and unmitigated despotism , which the Charter is intended to subvert ? If this be the " intolerance" of which Messrs . Hetheringtnn and Lovbtx complain , we can promise them no abatement of that intolerance . We shall aver protest against the principle of assumed power , and for that of self-government .

      We now deliberately reiterate a portion of our " falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour" of the 17 th of April last : — " There are some very curious facts connected with this document . It denounces idolatry , while it assumes leadership . It claims co-operation , while it respectfully resolves that , with or without it , it will use every ' possible effort' for the attainment of its object . "Let us just ask a question or two . If the names attached to the document had a right to expect so much public confidence , why keep the

      project secret , except from the * Leading Chartists / Apropos , we imagined that one of the great objections to modern agitation was Leadership . Why assume leadership ? Why not call a meeting in London , on the spot , and where the pretensions of the six gentlemen were best known , and where , if acknowledged by a public meeting , the thing would have had the stamp of public confidence and the sanction of public approval , not only of the 'Leading Chartists' but of the body of Chartists ?

      " Why have a self-elected Board of Management ? because we find the following most astounding admission : . ' It is also intended that the persons signing it shall form a Provisional Board of Management for six or twelve months . ' Is this Universal Suffrage ! Is this the free choice of officers ? Is this Election by Ballot ? Is this vigilant popular controul ? Here we have six gentlemen

      actually nominating a National Board , writing to and inviting whom they please , as members of that Board . Monstrous ! most monstrous !! and asking them to keep the project a complete secret from the people , until the infernal machine shall be sufficiently loaded to be discharged , ( aljo we suppose in the dark , ) when the country would be told , * O ! you are too late , the deed is done ; why did not you object in time V

      " Here we have a whole nation surrounded in the dark by half a dozen gentlemen , and handed over , neok and heels , to the tender mercies of a Provisional Government of their appointment ! But they axe all for Universal Suffrage , and , as a matter of course , they have acted upon that principle , and only elected those whom they knew would be acceptable . In faith , it is marvellous lucky for poor O'Connor that he did not even recommend to such an appointment , or offer funds to a missionary , or he would be called a * despot , ' and would cease to be an'IDOL . ' "

      Supposing , then , that the plan of these parties had been the best plan in the world , their mode of seeking to establish their " national" society was not one which honest Chartists could either approve or support . Of this they evince a perfect consciousness in their earnest deprecation of the publication of their scheme before they had become sufficiently strong by the adhesion of " leading Chartists" to crani it down the people ' s throats : — "Previous to which it will be considered a breach of honour for any individual ta cause its publication ! " Why this fear of premature publication ! It is not

      characteristic of Chartism . Chartism , strong in the conscious rectitude « f its principles" ever seeks the light , and courts publicity . " But Messrs . Lovett Hetheeington , and Co ., knowing how the people had heretofore been " led" by their simple confidence in men whom they believed to be talented and honest , calculated on the force of this habit being sufficient to induce an overlooking of the iniquitous principle upon which they sought to constitute their society , if they could but introduce the thing with an imposing array of "leading Chartists . " Hencetheir dread of premature publication , and their " breach of honour" denunciation . Again , mark the cautious

      haste . The "leading Chartists' whom they did consult were allowed very little time for thought about the matter . The address must be returned , signed or unsigned , by next post . Nothing can show more clearly than does this wily manoeuvre , the consciousness of the " New Move" leaders that reflection would necessarily show to the honest men with whom they corresponded , the impropriety and inconsistency of the whole proceeding . Some who were thus caught complained afterward of the trick put on them . They had been accustomed to put implicit faith in HsiHERiNGTONand Lovett , and therefore they signed with but alight examination of the

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      general features of the plan . We repeat , that almost every expression in the short bnt most wily letter with which the " New Move" men introduced their " proposals , " contains evidence of their perfect consciousness that the proceeding waa at utter variance with all their own professed principles . And yet these are the men who , in the address which we now print from them , coolly epeak of themselTea this : —

      " Helding the principles of democracy , we will yield to no man's dictation : we believe that both England and Ireland have been cursed by man-worship , to the sacrifice and delay of that freedom we are now contending for ; and because we nave dared to honestly assert our opinions , we have incurred the highest displeasure of all those whose vanity expects tbe homage of a crowd , peculiar patronage , and exclusive power . But warring against inch Belfiab . folly and mischievoua authority , whether displayed in the courtly aristocrat or the social oppressor , we shall ever exert our humble powers to prevent individual or social despotism from being introduced . "

      We have written thus far on the assumption , that there was not then any national concentration of the people ' s energies for the attainment of the Charter But , to demonstrate still more fully the character of this " new move , " we must here repeat another portion of our " falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour" from the Star of the 10 th of April , the first article we wrote upon the subject : — " There is already a National Association in existence , embracing all THE OBJECTS OF THE PROPOSED SCHEME . ThisAsSOciation , if legally constituted and honestly conducted , supersedes the necessity for another ; if not , it is requisite that its illegality , or its corruption , or the incapability of the means it proposes to attain the end

      sought , should be demonstrated , that tne necessity for another aud more effective association may be shown . But the subscribers to this document , do not affect to find fault with tbe association now in existence ; on the contrary , they say that they have * no disposition to oppose * it . This admission at once cuts the throat of the ' new movement f for these parties must know that it is impossible to organise another ' National Association' -without crippling the energies of that which is already in existence In fact , none know better than those at the head of this ' new move , ' that its effect , if successful , must be bo to divide the forces of the advocates of right as to neutralise and destroy the operation of their power . * * *

      "And the crowning reason of all Jb , that the attempt to establish it would necessarily fail , while it would as necessarily jeopardise the whole strength and vigour of the movement , by dividing our forces , and frittering away our strength . Let the people stick to the National Charter Association of Great Britain—let them strengthen the present Executive —let the classes be regularly visited , and the funds collected and placed ; at the disposal of their own accredited and chosen officers : let a oneness of feeling aad purpose be manifested by all , and our success is certain . Let us suffer ourselves to be thus split , and chopped , and divided , and our defeat is certain . "

      In these articles and in various others written about that time , we thus gave our reasons for opposing this movement . We shewed that the new plan contains ao advantages which are not already provided by the old one—that every one of the objects proposed to be attained by this new organisation under the management of a self-elected Board of Management is equally easy of attainment by the really National Organisation now existing , under the Management of a General Council and Executive Committee , elected by the people . We shewed that two National Societies cannot subsist without

      destroying the energies of each other , and that no good or sufficient reason , has been shewn why the already existing National Organisation should be given up to gratify the tasto for " Man Worship" and personal distinction of Messrs . Loyett , Hetherington , and Co . ; and when these gentlemen find themselves called on for an answer to our reasonings upon the

      subject , they cry out that their proposal , " while it was warmly greeted by the [ Whig ] press , was met with falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , by the most prominent organ of Chartism , the Northern Star" ; and unblushingly assert that in the Northern Star " education was ridiculed , knowledge was sneered at , facts were perverted , truth suppressed , and the lowest passions and prejudices of the multitude were appealed to . "

      To this womanish abuse it is unnecessary for us to reply . The writers know it to be false , the world knows it to be malicious , and we feel it to be powerless for harm . Those who have read the Star will estimate it rightly . These men prate of facts being perverted ; while they impudently attribute to us the indignant expressions from the people , in their resolutions adopted at public meetings ; ascribing to us the wordB ' thieves , " " Iiar 3 , " traitors , " and various other epithets applied to them by parties over whom we had no controul , nor any other influence , than simply that which is equally open to Messrs . Hetuerington and Lovett—the influence of truthful reasoning !

      These men prate of facts being perverted ; while they ascribe to the sermon of Mr . Watkins a meaning which no honest man can find in it , and at the same time speak of that sermon , and of some expressions used in it , in such connection with the Editor of the Northern Star , as amounts to a positive assertion that we have held out threats of assassination against them 1 ! These men prate of " falsehood , " and of the " ptrversion of facts" ; while they speak of the reception of their " new move" by the country in such a manner as to imply that every one who disapproves of it is a " hired partisan" of ours !!!

      These gentlemen prate of " falsehood ; " while they assert that we have denounced their " new move" — " As a plan intended to destroy Feargua O'Connor ' s political supremacy , and subvert one which he had previously concocted . " Why do they not show where and how we contend for any political supremacy for Feargos O'Connor ? Simply , because they know that the only supremacy which we have ever asserted for Feargus O'Connor , is one which he would be most happy to share with them—a supremacy of hard labour—of pecuniary sacrifice , aud of consistency of principle aud conduct .

      These men prate of "falsehood , " while they assert that they " have called , but called in vain , for proofs of our assertions" ! These men speak of those who have opposed their scheme in the following terms : — •' Their vanity has inflamed their intellect , their prejudices have darkened their understanding , and toleration and charitable feeling have been blotted from their minds . Believing themselves supremely wise , they spurn with Gothic ferocity all knowledge , truth , or justice ; and judging from their actions , they seeem to think that liberty can only be realised by violence and proscription . " And yet they prate of intolerance and rancour !!! These men ask : —

      " Whether the best means of obtaining the Charter , and the placing of our liberties on the securest foundation , do not form proper and legitimate questions of inquiry for every man in the United Kingdom V While at the same time they apply language such as that we have just quoted , to those who dissent from their , opinions , and meet the arguments of their opponents with the cry of " intolerance , " "bitter rancour , " — " violence "— " proscription" —" cunning schemers "— " wily politicians" -and "the political supremacy of Feabgcs O'Con nor" !!

      These men talk of the " suppression of truth , " and yet cry out that the Editor and Proprietor of the Northern Star have jointly denounced their pet move as a bantling of Messrs . Hume , Roebuck , O'Connell and Co . ; cry out that they have called and called in vain for proofs ; and yet " suppress the truth , " that in Mr . O'Connor's letter to Mr . Hetherington , published in the Star of the 24 th of April last , proofs of [ this were given to the following tune : —

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      M Now , I pray yon attend to the Bumming up of the evidence : —Before Christmaa I inform , the Editor of the Star of a oertain * move' which is to be made . Ia January a great Household Suffrage meeting is convened at Leeds . Mr . Collins ia invited , and refuses to attend . Mr . Francis Place subsequently writes % letter to Mr . Collins , advising him to attend , for the purpose of forming a union between the two classes . Mr . Collins and Mr . O'Neil attend ; and endeavour to have all tho resolutions , and the address to the Queen , proposed by the Committee of the working men ' s meeting , set aside . They coquette with the enemy They denounce the Committee . They are to be found *

      running like pet rabbits in and out of the Ttmw-office , the organ of the Association . -i " On Thursday , Collins attends a meeting of the people at which resolutions denouncing Ministers are passed . On Friday , he dines with Mr . O'Coanel ] and the Association , at a 7 s . 6 d . dinner , and drinks the health of those Ministers , and backs the objects by a speech , which is published in the Leeds Tunes and when attention is pointed to one of the declal rations at that dinner . it is attempted to be qualified by Collins 1 " Collins , in reply , asks as ( in the very terms of your own observation , ) to point ont the difference H f to

      wvuiTQvu »» v * . « v . * w » . « ^ w «^ v , ww uv * v <^ o IM UviUlB it , and Charter Suffrage . Upon the day after the dinner at Leeds , a meeting takes place in the Rotunda , where Messrs . Hume , O'Connell , and Roebuck delivered themselves as follows : — " Mr . Hume submitted a definition of what he considered Household Suffrage ought to be , which was to he taken into consideration by the association . He stated that the leading men of the working classet generally concurred in the definition , and had promised to give their assistance , were an agitation for such a Household Suffrage to be set on foot . " Mr . O'Connell cordially concurred in the tuggw

      tionsof Mr . Hume . He considered it as of the first importance that the reasonable portion of the Chartists should begot over to the aid of the rational Reformers . He urged the necessity of some central body being established in London , fer the diffusion of knowledge upon political subjects . The public mini should be saturated with facts bearing on the present gross defects in tho representation of tht people . " Mr . Roebuck said that such a body was at present in contemplation in London , and he trusted that it would very speedily be set in operation , so as to act in concert with the Leeds Association . "

      " New , Sir , here we have Mr . Hume stating : — < That tbe leading men of the working chase * gene , rally concurred in his definition of Household Suffrage , and had promised it their support ' " Mr . Roebuck said that : — ' An Association was being formed in London , for the purpose , and would , be trusted , be very speedily set la operation . ' " After this , Sir , yonr battle must be with Mr , Hume and Mr . Roebuck , and not with me . He says the leaders have concurred , while you and ; your friends are the only leaders who appear to have had anything to do with the subject ; so that I call upon

      you to contradict Mr . Hume flatly , or call upon bun to say who were the parties , if you and your friendi were not . Subsequently to this came tho negocia tions—aye , subs « queatly , and negotiations : —far there were two ! Previously to the first Vincent wag in prison , and he attended at the second ; . but tha Leeds meeting not having succeeded according to Mr . Collins ' a instruction , the . thing was placed ia abeyance for christening . "Thus , then , is it not clear that in the beginning of January you were in diplomatic confederacy witfc Messrs . Hume . and Place ; that you were subse * quently confederated in February : that you seat

      out your address in March ; and now observe thai Mr . O'Connell , before it was published in any paper , announced the very terms of your agreement with Mr . Hume , according to the precise terms of your own letter ; but not one word of this is mentioned in your circular . He says your object is to agitato for Household Suffrage and shortening the duration of Parliaments . " Pray , Sir , keep the latter object in view , and connect it with your adhesion to Triennial Parliaments . Then , Sir , to this add the fact of Mr . Place being the author of a bugaboo document signed * An Old Chartist , ' and extensively circulated among

      the' leading Chartists , ' to whom your circular wu sent ; and bear in mind that it , waa circulated just before the Leeds meeting . The object of that document was to 6 care all from any connection with the old and established move . Then , Sir , add the fact of Tillman , the Secretary of the National Association , receiving letters from Place , Lovett , Collins , Richardson , and others , ' plaguing bis life out , ' to use his own terms , about the ' illegality . ' Then add Mr . Collins' and Mr . O'Neil ' s absolute refusal to allow a delegate to be appointed to consult with their fellows in Manchester , upon the very sub * ject upon which they professed to hinge their only objection . Then , Sir , add the fact , that ou tbe 20 tk Marcb , Mr . Roebuck did me the honour to call upon

      me , and that he then told me that an Association wta about being formed . I replied , that one was already formed . He answered ' Ye 3 , but there are some apprehensions as to its legality . ' I rejoined , ' Of course no law will legalise a Chartist Association . " Air . Roebuck laughed , and said , ' It looks very like it ; ' and added , ' They have sent me the rules of their new Association for my opinion . ' Connect this with Mr . Collins admission that he Aad applied to Mr . Roebuck for his opinion , and then say if any doubt remains as to the identity of the persons named bj Mr . Hume and Mr . Roebuck at Leeds , and Mr , O'Connell in Dublin , and to an object agreed upon , but not set forth in your address . Who told Mr . O'Connell 1 "

      We opine that , after this , the " rectitude of principle" of Messrs . Hetheringto . v and Lovett will be more than doubted . We were willing , while a shadow of chance for their succeeding with the public remained , to excuse them , on the ground of an ill-matured and puerile thirst for leadership , which could not bear to see tha National " Board of Management" in other hands than their own . Wo adopted this view of the matter as the more charitable one , in preference to that of considering them deliberate traitors to the cause We find it difficult now to admit this supposition and certainly the document we this day publish from them much increases the difficulty . Howerer , we have admitted this notice of their last effort for existence , just to show " how hardly some people die . " We now leave them to repose quietly on the

      bed of infamy and contempt which they have pre « pared for themselves , and we advise the country and the men of London to do likewise . Let them fulminate their " National" edicts from the back room of the Globe Tavern and amuse themselves with tht report of their pop guns fired through their own organ , the apppropriately named " Odd" Felloe They need send no more to us ; for we do not p arposs further to annoy ourselves or the country w » such ¦ " Characteristics of the most ignorant andnoisT portion of the Chartist body—persons who , witnout thought or judgment , are empty professors to-day , but worshippers at any other shriae »• morrow . "

      We very cordially evince our good feeling for Messrs . Hetherington and Lovett , by adopting from their address the following words as an appropriate close for this article ; and an answer ** the same time to all their bluster about the "intolerance" of the NorlJiern Star . — "We believe that the great bulk of our Chartist brethren is compos * of men whose conviction in favour of the Cbarifr has sprung from observation , inquiry , and p ^* investigation regarding the causes of politic *! injustice and social misery . Men of this descrip tiM * may be deceived and misled for a season by my 5 "" fication and falsehood ; but their minds , bent ob inquiry , aud ever open to conviction , will *>** penetrate the flimsy veil which has been drawn ora

      their understanding . , " To men of this character we confidently 8 PPfJ and we ask them whether the best meansof obtaining the Charter , and the placing of our liberties on tfl securest feundation , do not form proper ^^^ mate questions of inquiry for every man in United Kingdom ? Or , is it that the solving of the * questions forms the exclusive prerogative oi W particular individual or party among the peop le thus practically exemplifying in couduct the d * po ' tic principles which we seek to oTerftWj and bidding fair to render Chartism a byword »««

      dension . " « r . We only add to [ this that wo have no fear vJV know the people too well . They will not pe" ^ Chartism to become " a byeword and derision gratify a few '' violent" spirits ; and therefore * shall hear no more of " discussions on the K Move" or of any other notice being taken by t people or their friends of the defunct " wily po » - * cians" or their " cunning scheming . "

      NEWCASTLE . —The Chartists met on # " evening . It was determined to send a , deleg » ^ welcome O'Brien from his cell . Mr . Mo rgan ^ county missionary , reported that he c » a o , ^ Hartley Pans , beghill , Foreman ' s Row . ^ g Bedliiigton , Cramlington , as all of « f »« y , the most excellent meetings were held , ana w . «» banner of the Charter was unfurled .

      The A'Ortheen Star Saturday, September 20, 1811.

      THE A'ORTHEEN STAR SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 20 , 1811 .

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      A THE NORTHERN STAB : . ¦ " , ' ' ¦" ' ; ¦ . ¦ -V- " . ¦ : - ¦ - - ¦ *** i ¦ ¦ - i t-t — - -- - -- - — — i ^__ i _ - ' . .. - ¦*¦«¦ — ' ¦ ¦**""^"' mm ™ ' ¦¦¦»¦¦ — ii ' i 1 ^ ^ ^^ ' ^ ' * ""'*^ " ^ "" "'''^ " ^^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^ ' ' ¦ ' * '"" ' """ " **^*"" MMMi *^ " * " ^^^^ M H ! t

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 25, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct398/page/4/