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Northern Star (1837-1852), 5th February 1842, Edition 2 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      TO IHB EDITOB OF THE > 'OBTHEB . N STAB . Sib , —At a special meeting of the Leeds Short Time Committee , holden on the evening of Jan . 22 d , 1842 , present , eight of the members , the following resolutions were unanimously passed : — : 1 st . —That the " Address to the working nun of Yorkshire , " in reply to the fonl and unmanly attack of the Editor of the Leeds Timesfini in justification of the proceedings of the Ten Hours' Deputation , as bow lead , be adopted ; and that 2 , 506 of them be printed for immediate circulation in the mills and factories of the town anet neighbourhood . lad . —That the Editor of the Northern Star be respectfully requested to give the document insertion in the columns of his paper ; and that hie be kindly thanked for his many former fa Tours . Agreeably to the 3 nd resolution , I beg to hand you a copy of the address , and in the name of the Committee , solicit at your bands , the favour of its insertion , I am , Sir , Yours truly , Jos . Hobson , Secretary . Leeds , Jan . 26 th , 1842 .

      TO THE WORKING MEN OF YORKSHIRE GENERALLY , AND OF LEEDS IN PARTICULAR . . FELLO'W-Cot 7 > TBTME ? r , —The brazen attemps now made , by those who ought to act differently , to injure us in year estimation , and to retard the measure they as well as ourselves have bo long demanded , compel us to resort to this means of defence . The present "Ten Hours' Agitation" commenced in the latter part of the year 183 0 . From its first

      commeaeement up to the present hour , some of the members of the Leeds Short Time Committee have been unceasingly engaged in it- From that period up to the present , Leeds has never been without a regular organised Short Time Committee ; and you , the working men , have , many times and oft . in public meeting assembled , accorded youT confidence to that Committee , thanked tbem for their exertions , and bid them go on "With their praiseworthy efforts to Becurethe passing of a measure founded on the principle that labour ought to be protected .

      Ever since the establishment of the Leeds Times newspaper up to within the last twenty months , that paper has been the known , the accredited organ of the Short Time advocates . Its columns have always been at theii service . Scores of times has its Editor eloquently and triumphantly pleaded the cause of the poor oppressed factory children . Scares of times has it met and confuted the steel-hearted and Mammon-prompted objections of the enemy . Scores of times has it lashed the Mercury for its known subserviency to the owners of machinery and capital ; and scores of times has it asserted tbat the measure of protection sought for was necessary to snatch the infant factor } worker from a state of slavery more galling , more demoralising , more debasing , and more injurious in its consequences , than any other system of slavery the world ever knew !

      Besides this , the Leeds Tiuieshss had scores of pounds ef the money subscribed by you and your friends to advance the Ten Hours cause . His articles have been reprinted from its columns , because deemed worthy of it ; bis reports of meetings have also been extensively dr-rolated when reprinted ; long advertisements have feesn inserted in his paper and paid for ; and every means taken by tfce friends of Short Time to extend his circulation , and establish his paper as an" organ of the working classes , as far as this question , at least , wss concerned .

      Xoic , however , the scale is turned ! JS oid , the Leeds Times violently opposts the measure he before so gallantly defended . ' Now he treats the agitation of the Ten Hours Bill as a fraud ; aiad though it was commenced twelve years ago , he says it is bet just starred for tiie purpose of superseding the an ti-Corn law agitation ! Now bs is more violent in his denunciations , more base in bis insinuations , and more shameless in his lying , respecting us who have maintained our integrity , than the Leeds Mercury himself ! How is this ? Wkat is it , that can have caused such b change ? Gold ; millowners' Gold !! Free Traders Gold ! ! I The man has been purchased by the enemy 1 He must do the enemy ' s work : !

      Is this true ? It is . Here is the proof . About twenty months ago , the conductors cf the Leeds Times -had gone almost as far with it as they could . It did not pay its exptnees . It was offered for sale . It was in the market A bargain was made for it , and a pries agreed on , by Bonie parties connected with Ukworking classes . Had it come into their hands , it would have become luore Democratic , and more Ten Hcur-ocr&tic , \ if the latter were possible ) than it had ever been before . . " = But here was an opportunity for the enemy not U < miss . To get hold of an " organ of the working classes" and turn it to tbeir own selfish purposes , might possibly end in turning the way « f thinking amoegst the working classes themselves ; or it might , at least : produce division in tbeir racks . At all events , the thing was worth the triaL The necessary steps were taken . It was forthwith announced that Dr . Smiles had been admitted a partner in the proprietorship of the paper .

      Now , where did Dr . Smiles get his money to " put into the concern , " to enable him to become " half-proprietor ? " He is not known to have had any of his own . * ? * * * ' Where did he get the money from ? Ay . ' thereby h&tyBihe tale . Two Factory-lords of Leeds fouad the money i They exacted certain conditions before they didjso , as to the line of policy the paper should pursue : bnt they found the money . ' They insisted that Dr . Smiles should be admitted partner , as a guarantee that those conditions would bekept : and ha was admitted .. Twas the money wrung Irom your sweat and bones , that kept the Times in its present hands , to betray you and your cause >

      TTt = conditions which were exacted by the moneyfinders were , that Corn Law Repeal shsuld be worked so as to make it take the precedency of all other measures amongst the working classes , and that the mannfactures should be defended from the complaints of those who groan and smart beneath the " monstrous tyranny " of the Factory system ! Here is the cause of the change ! Here is the key in the present conduct of the Leeds Times . From the Mercury we do not expect fair-dealing . By him we have always been most bitterly and unscrupulously opposed . But his conduct note , bitter and uncompromising an enemy as he is , iB mildness acd PAJB . NESS itselfj when compared with that of the Times . ' !

      The labours of the deputation we recently sent to Ministers to press upon their attention the measure we are organised to watch over and promote , have itraugely excited the ire of T * " « purchased gentleman . He finds himself hampered up . Unable to meet their statements and arguments , he is compelled to resort to tfee next best mode of warfare , imputing bad motives , and heaping upon the deputation lots of abuse- Amongrt other things , he charges them with " artfully beslavering " the Ministers they waited upon , to Berve the paity purposes of the Tories . have

      What are the facts of the case ? The deputation reported the conversations as they took place , as accurately as they could . "We have reason to believe they have only told the truth , as to the mariner in which they were received , and as to what passed at "the several interviews . To have told other than what they have , would have been xo he : and because the deputation Would not do this ; because they woula not sacrifice honour , conscience , and duty to the vile purposes cf an infamouB party , they are abused by the Leeds Times ¦ man and his compeers as beslaverers of Toryism ; and the old cuckoo cry " Tory trick" is raised !

      It is no doubt galling to these men that Tory Ministers should have admitted working men to a friendly conference , when they remember the condnct of the Whig Lord Melbourne , who , as principal Secretary of State , refused to see a deputation of workjrg men , though sent by a Yorkshire West Riding meeting 2 The recollections of these things may be painful ; but tha Whigs should not require the deputation io lie to get them out of the mess . " Well , but then , we are told , the deputation did not press npon Hie Ministers the adoption of the People's Charter . And who eomplains of this ? The Leeds . Times man , who has done his little best to rwamp tfce Charter agitation I The man who has omitted no opportunity of doing his uttermost to sow division in the

      Chartist camp ! who has maligned the motives , aspersed the characters , and lying ] y misrepresented the conduct of the Chartist leaders ! the man who put words into the mouth of Mi . & J . Harney , at the last election for the purpose of hounding on the Whig physicals , to txounce his bones—pnt words into his mouth which were never uttered , and represented him as uttering them in Leeds , when he never saw Leeds on the day named J a man who has systematically traduced the character of J . B . O'Brien , and of Mr . F . O'Connor ! a man who has culled from every source all that he possibly could lay his hands on , which would at all serve his purpose of exciting jealousy and disunion amongst the Chartist Tanks ; a man who is secretary to the Fox and Goose Club , —a society formed for the express -and avowed purpose of- swamping the Charter agitation . This is

      the man to complain that the deputation did not do tbat which they were not sent to do ! This is the man to send his toela , two geese ; two members of bis Fox and Goose Society , to move at the Leeds Music Hall meeting , that the deputation he censured for sot pressing upon Ministers the People's Charter 1 This is the man to act thus , when he and his tools have schemed in every possible way to overreach and put down the Charter agitation ! The . men who moved the amendment at the Music Hall , are botk member * of the "Fox and Goose club ; and the " amendment , " eo artlessly dictated by the modeBt mover on the platform , was concocted , arranged , by the Foxes , before the mover of it came near the meeting at all . And these , forsooth , are the men to complain- that the deputation omitted that which formed no portion of their duty I Ah ! "working men , you will need no spectacles to finable you to see through all this ! You will need no aid . to enable yon to divine the cause of 'Oils new-born yqj f gf tfce Charter , and love of the Chartist agitation ! Not Jong ago , the party of which the Leeds Times is now the paid tool , themselves sent & deputation to

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      the Tory Ministers . Of course Dr . Smiles and his coworkers took care to instruct their deputation to name the People ' s Charter to the Ministers , as a measure of relief ; of course they took care that the Ministers had thai subject brought under their notice . Not they , indeed ! They sent their deputation to press for Corn Law Repeal alone ! and the deputation never mentioned the Charter ! Of course Dr . Smiles censured them for this omission . Not a word of it ! It would not have served his purpose . Apropos . Who sent that deputation ? Whom did they represent ? The Leeds Anti-Cam Law League . And who constitutes the Anti-Com Law League 1 How were they chosen ? Have they had the sanction of a public meeting ? and are they a duly recognized public body T Answer these questions , pray , Dr . Smiles .

      That deputation returned . Instead of all agreeing upon a regular Report of their mission , as the Ten Hours' deputation did , different members began to circulate different statements as to what the Minister had said , upon whom they bad waited . Some of these statements , made to serve , not the Tories , but the Whigs at the expence of truth and fair-dealing , were so outrageously and shamefully false , that other members of the deputation felt themselves bound publicly to contradict the statements , and deny that the language imputed had ever been uttered !! Such was the way the Whig deputation acted ! and because our deputation did not follow the dishonourable example ; because they confined themselves to strictly speaking theiruih , th * y are accused by these same Whigs of aiding the Tories ! The deputation are also charged with not having whispered a word respecting that system of class legislation , which is the cause of the evils under which the country labours . This is a pure misrepresentation !

      The deputation represented that the working people had had no hand or part in the bringing on of the evils they complain of ; they represented that their position is ruch , as to leave them entirely at the mercy of the Capitalist , who does with them whatever he thicks proper ; they represented that the accumulation of evils from this cause bad now become so great that they could be no longer borne ; they boldly stated that the time had come , when something must be Hone for the working people aa a claa 3 ; and that that something must be a measure calculated to protect tbem in some degree from the tyranny and power of the other " classrs" who have hitherto preyed upon them . ' They showed that the evils complained of arose from the fact that , all consideration had hitherto been had to protect Capital , and leavexabovr entirely at its mercy ! Thus showing that it is to classlegislation alone to which we are to ascribe the evils the labonrer has to endure !

      Then look at the recommendations of the deputation . They did not prescribe the Ten Hours' Bill asa" final measure . " but distinctly named it as a beginning ' . That measure involves the principle , pkotectio . n to LABOtB ; and this is the secret of the great opposition and loud cry of the Leeds Times man and his fellows . They know that if this principle ba sajudioned , away goes the powt > r of the manufacturing " class" to press you into the dust . That principle sanctioned and legislated on , you are no longer without the pale of the law ! you are no longer at the mercy of the " classes " who have reduced you to your present deplorable condition .

      It was expressly stated to the ministers by the deputation that the Ten Hours' measure they reeonimentled to be passed , would not do anything like the good it would have done if passed ten years ago . And why ? Because the excessive competition produced by our present system , and-the immense aid given to needy speculator- by the jointrstock banks , had increased our machinery fifty per cent , during that t in years ; and that our machinery , if worked no more than ten hours pet day , was more 'Coxa , equal to the glutting of all tae markets in the world . The ministers were , thertfoie , duly warned that the adoption of the Ten Hours' measure would not be any thing like a remedy for our many evila ; but that ittcouldbe a beginning ; that it would be an earnest that the working ciass , asa class was at last cared for ; that it would bo received in tbat spirit ; but received only as a beginning of a series of measures of justice and protection which the condition of the operative community loudly calls for .

      They also pressed for the immediate Repeal of the New Poor Law , in the same spirit , and for the same object . That law is avowedly founded on the principle that the poor man has no right to lire in the land of his birth ; that nature has doomed him . and his progeny to starve ; that she has provided for him no place at her table . The old original Poor Law of Elizibttb . was founded on the principle that the poor man bad a right to the first take , from the soil . No landlord could get a farthing of rent , until the occupier had first paid up his raits / and the rates could bs laid to any amount , even to the entire swallowing of the entire produce , if the necessities of the poor required it Under thnt law , too , every man reduced to poverty could force a maintenance ; noi a starvation-point existment—but a

      living maintenance . Under that law , Poor Houses were unkhoicn ; there never were any such degrading things thought ot The poor man was to be relieved at home wbtn he needed it No " test" of poverty then ! no submitting to conditions then , which bespeak the absence of all independence and manly feeling ; no requiring tfcat a man must preve that his spirit is completely bowed down ; that he is utterly coved ; that he is no longer a man , before they would grant him relief . He could force a good maintenance when sickness , or accident , or infirmity , or want of work , brought him to poverty . Tbat was the principle of the Old Poor Law of England . The principle of the New one is a complete negation . He cannot / woe a maintenance ; he has do right to be in the land ; if relieved at all , he must submit to degradation the most complete . Against such a system every good feeling and every principle of justice wages eternal war ; and it was in that spirit ,

      and for the purpose of removing one of the most odious evidences of class-Iegislatu n , —odious in principle , * dious and harsh in its operation—producing misery and degradation unheard of and unparalleled before ; it was for the purpose of establishing the right ef the working mas to live in the land of his birth , and to stop the career of desolation and death throughout the land , —for who of spirit but would welcome ^ eath in a thousand shapes be fore submission to the indignities and degradations applied as the " test" of poverty ; it was to establish the right to be in the land , and to arrest the monster ' s lash by which the naked back of honest poverty is scourged ; it was to do these things that the deputation pressed for the immediate i eptal cf the New Poor Law , along with the passing of the Ten Hours' Bill , as an evidence that , at last , the poor should be cared for ; that their interests should be in somewise attended to ; that their wants and requirements should be in some measure satisfied .

      The Ten Hours' Bill contains the principle that Labour seeds Pbotectiok . The old Poor Law of Elizabeth contains the principle that THE POGR have A JUGHT TO BE FIRST KEPT BY THE LiHD . The establishment of these principles will form a groundwork for the working men to work upwards to ihat comfortable and plenteous condition which is theirs by right , by reason , and by justice . Bat were these all the recommendations of the deputation ? Did they suggest nothing morel Yes ! The immediate appointment of a committee of inquiry , formed of practical men ef all parties , for thepuipase of endeavouring to ascertain the cause of the poverty , misery , and discontent now in the land . A committee that should go honestly to work to fathom the

      question ; that should examine into the workings of all portions of our present system , upon all classes : that shonld examine more particularly into the workings of machinery , especially during the last fifty years ; that should receive evidence and take the Btatements of all parties , workman and master , labourer and employer churchman and dissenter , Whig , Tory , Radical , and Chartist A committee that should examine into , and report upon , all the measures of relief that are proposed . A committee that should endeavour to go to the root of the matter , and devise , from the schemes before them , a plain , simple , but comprehensive measure of relief , adequate to the removal of the evils it has to supplant , and adequate to the establishment and

      securement of plenty and contentment throughout every workman's house in Britain , Sneh was the recommendation of the deputation : and what more do the owners of machinery and their advocates want ?! Are they afraid that before a committee bo constituted , and for such a purpose , they could not make out their case ? The Chartist will have ne such fear . He dare rely on the justice of his case . He dare submit his claims against all comers . The advocates for the protection of labour dare do the same . Who , then , is afraid ? If the Corn Law repealer is , be will dread the encounter ! If be ib conscious that he rests his case upon baseless theory and specious fallacies , he will shrink from examination . But not so the man who

      feels the confidence arising from truthful conviction . He dreads no inquiry . He courts it He knows his claims will be heard . He is convinced that the justice of his cause will stand out fully apparent . And is not a solemn inquiry of this kind needed 1 Is it not necesKiy ? Are we incessantly to be stunned by the babble , and din , and confuBion woree confounded , arising from theorists and surface-skimmers dogmatically contending that they alone know the cause of the evil , and alone know how to apply a remedy ? Is this war of werds to be endless ? Are we to have endless crimination and recrimination , and abuse , and denunciation , acd proscription , instead of going to work like men determined to ascertain the cause of our manifold evils , and to apply an efficient and comprehensive remedy ?

      It was for the pnrpose of securing a fair hearing for all parties , that the deputation recommended this course . And it must be taken ! The facts connected with the subject must oe ascertained , before a remedy can be applied . It may turn out that Corn Law Repeal would accomplish all its advocates say it will ; but they must first shew that they know the evils they have to cure , their extent , their depth , and their cause , before we can judge as to whether their proposed measure of relief will at all apply , or whether it would

      not augment the evils already existing . Calm and dispassionate inquiry may demonstrate that the Charter alone , or a plan of Home Colonization , or both united , may get as oat of our difficulties , and enable xia to deal effectually with that disorganising power which has already worked such revolutions in our habits , customs , condition , and feelings . Bat the inquiry must first be had , before the demonstration can be given . The truth is , we have no facts , as far as the tremendous power of machinery is concerned , to accurately guide us . It has sprung op amongst as , deranging all

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      our former calculations , upsetting all our former arrangements , introducing new habits , sad changing the " whole aspect of society ; and yet we know scarcely any- thing respecting it . Its rise is but as of yesterday , and yet it is already almost too powerful a customer for any Government to grapple with . On one hand stand the advocates for aa unlimited extension of it , stoutly contending tbat it has been an unmixed good to all parties connected with ft ; and on the . other bandstand the working people , loudly calling oat tor measures of regulation and restraint ; for it has snatched the blanket from the bed , the beef from the cupboard , tb ? coat from the back ,, and the child from the home of th »

      working man , and doomed the father to unwilling idleness , while it imposes upon ihe infimt toil unteasing , destruction of health , loss of limb , and premature death ! is no inquiry needed here ? Should we not ascertain what really have baen the workings of this tremendous power , whether for good or , evil , or both ; and to point out the one , and the means of escaping from the other ? And can any plan better adapted for accomplishing this object be hit npon , than that suggested by the deputation ? If so * let ub hear of it 1 Till one is broached , let no one complain ! And none bnt those who are afraid to submit their nostrums to examination will dare to comclain .

      Away , then , with the canting cry that the deputation did not press for a Repeal of the Corn Laws , or for the adoption of the People ' s Charter I They proposed a mode by which all parties , Chartists , Free-Traders ^ or Home Colonizers , could have a fair and dispassionate bearing and judgment . Does any one want more ? Does any one want less ? He is conscious he iB o quack , and fears the light ! Such then , Working Men , were the recommendations of the deputation , and such were their reasons for the course they took . What the Ministers may do in these matters , we know not But this we know , that if they possess not the virtue and courage to grapple with these great questions , and grapple with them , too , in such a way as will benefit the distressed working people , they

      will soon have to give way to others who are able and willing to remove the burthens from the backs of a trodden-down people . A very sb » rt time wiil show whether they have this courage or not : and none will more readily join in hurling the Ministers from office should they fail , and in replacing them with better men , than the body who now address you . To the cause of the working people are we wedded . To that cause will wa continue io adhere , spite of all political considerations whatever . We have ever professed ourselves willing to receive atd in this cause from all and everyone : we have readily supported all of every party who would support us ; and we have as readily opposed all of every party who have opposed us . To this course of action we are determined to aiihere ! No

      charges « f " Tory tools , " or charges of " Whig tools , " shall divert us from it The man who will support the cause we contend fur , PROTECTION FOR LABOUR , is onr friend . The man who opposes is our enemy . The one shall have our support . The other pur opposition . Working Men ! we call upon you to be true to yourselves and to your cause ! It never was in so good a position as it now is I True , the miseries you htweto endure are appalling < True , the operations of our present system have brought you to absolute starvation . ' True , it has inflicted Buffeting incalculable upon you : and the system has , at last , reached those who have been fatting while you have been gradually coming to the present pass . True , these things are sol and thnt those who have last come to taste the poverty and care attendant upon our present system bear it with an ill

      grace , flounder about , and cry out most lustily , forgetting what a deaf ear and indignant denial they gave to your cries long since uttered . Trua , that these things are so ! and that heaven and earth are to be moved to procure an " extension" of the system which has atready plunged all into difficulty and want . True , that these things are so ! "iET BE pirji ! A little time longer , and the jrroundwork for your redemption will be laid ! A little time longer , and the cause you have so earnestly and so perseverir / gly fought for -wilJ be triumphant ! Protection for labour must be had , or you must be prepared to run stiil further down the road of competition and commercial strife , your rate of wages and state of being still and still continually deteriorating , as they have ever done since you set out upon it ! Reflect ! what will be the end , if you have not gone half-way yet !!!!

      Heed them not who cry that many of you would be glad to get ten hours work now ! That is a very shortsighted view of the question . Are there not some now working more than ten hours ? Would it not be bt-tter for more of you , if that work was more equalized ? Ten Hours would do that , if it did sothiDg more ! Besides , the Corn Law Repealers say they are going to repeal the Corn Laws . This , they also say , will bring us another " roaring trade . " Will it not be better , then , to have toe Ten Hours' Protection beforehand , so that we can bv sure that the greedy portion of the manufacturers do not again work our children to death 1 When we had a " roaring trade" before , they Worked infants tot eighteen hours continuously , with only thirty minutes intermission for rest , meals , education , and recreation ! Will it not make our next " roaring trade" latt longer , if we run our mills only ten hours a-day , and not run them day and night , while the push lasts , and then have to stand idle till another push cornea ?

      With every determination to meet the foe in whatever shape he may present himself , and with a firm hope that the time is not far distant when the measure we have so long asked for , and over and over again proved the necessity for , will be given as , We are , yourt faithfully , The Leeds Short Time Committee .

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      CHELSEA . A public meeting was held in the Commercial Rooms , Royal Bath Gardens , King ' s Road , Chelsea , for the adoption of the National Petition , on Wednesday , January 26 th . The front of the place of meeting was illuminated by variegated lamps , forming a large P . C ., the initials of the People ' s Charter . The spacious building was well filled . At balf-past seven o ' clock , Mr . S . Ford was unanimously called to the chair , and in a few brief sentences requested a patient bearing for all who might present themselves , and called on Mr . Whitehorn to read and move the adoption of the National Petition . Mr . Whitehorn said it gave him great pleasure to do so , because it contained equal justice for rich and poor . ( Hear , hear . >

      Mr . L . H . LEiftHS seconded the motion . He said as one of the working lasses of this great community , he seconded it with great pleasure , embracing , as it did , the six points of the Charter . We certainly had no wealthy or titled aristocrat to preside over oar meeting ; it was , nevertheless , a most numerous and respectable meeting . The day had gone by for idle pomp , useless glitter , and expensive shows . He would be brief , because he was sure they were anxieus to hear that great and good man , Feargus O'Cunnor , who was present . ( Loud cheers . ) But he would , nevertheless , explain the bearing of the principles of the Charter ; they would , then , be enabled to give their judgments fairly on the principles brought before them . That Government originated from the people in America , was quite true ; but was it so in England ? How was it here ? Why , it originated from a banditti of petty tyrants , and on this basis was monarchy established . We had now oligarchies of landlords , raillocrats , millionaires ,

      who each and all claimed to be the people ; but the millions were not the people . He agreed that all ought to be represented . The millions were regarded as respectable so long as they served the purposes of faction—( hear , hear )—like the ass , so long as they carried the load . ( Hear , hear . ) We complain that the House ef Commons do not tell us what they will or will not do ; no , if they did , it wonld cement the people together . TVe had been disappointed by all parties , how was the present state of things kept up 1 by classlegislation . ( Cheers . ) A large army , and a most expensive rural police was maintained at the pubho expence ; but when the people become enlightenedwhen in every cottage was to be found an English Chartist Circular , and the Northern Star—( loud cheers ) —then would despotism cease . ( Rssiterated cheers . ) Mr . L . then eloquently denounced the atrocious Poor Law Bill , and lashed alike most unsparingly Whigs and Tories , as its supporters , and concluded amid the cheers of the meeting .

      The motion was then put , and unanimously adopted . . Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., now rose , amidst the most deafening applause , ' again and again repeated . He said , Mr . Chairman , Working Men and Women , it gives me great pleasure to meet so numerous a body of my fellow men and women on this my second appearance among you . Whether shall we attach greatest importance to the meeting of yesterday ( the Royal christening ) , or to the forthcoming meeting of Parliament ? he was sure the Windsor meeting was not without its good effects npon the people . Only think of the prdfuse and lavish expenditure , . while thousands of the wealth-producers was perishing ef hunger . ( Hear , hear . ) Now , liistory , science , literature , and the arts

      had found their way among the people , he was sure these tidings that the Royal tables literally groans with the weight of gold ; and that the streets were carpetted for royalty to walk en , while twelve thousand persons were , perishing in Paisley alone—would spread like an electric shock—atd it would be found the schoolmaster had not been abroad for nothing . It is bo difficult to give a name to a Prince that all this fuss must be made—that a kiogmnst come so many thousands of miles . But in this christening he read sign * of the times . There was not that brilliant illumination there was wont to be , nor such a numerous body af lamp gazers ; the middle classes had begun to find they were paying too dear for their whistle . ( Loud cheers . ) In a few

      weeks the Petition would he presented to the House , carrying four millions of signatures on its bosom;—( hear , hear , )—to this House we bad been taught to look for a redress of grievances , and let them not disappointus . Seethe effect of Whig finality in 183 & ~ a majority was found to oust the boroughmojtg < Srs ; in 1842 , a majority of 81 was found to uphold those yery Tories . ( Hear , hear . ) We bad beef told tbat a large mass of blue and red soldiers was kept up to keep . down the people ; but neither theoabre of the one or the truncheon of the other , would be used unless the money was found to pay them . ( Loud cheers . ) He had found the police , especially in Ireland , were employed as spies ; the ; frequently forgot they Were citizens , and

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      lent themselves'tb ttevrorst of purposes . ( Hear , bear . ) Inhli practicei as a barrister , Rafter baffling all other witnessses , he . bad found them with their notes carrying a conviction . ^ He need not tell them he placed ; no rellanee on the evidence go given . ( Hear , hear . ) The time was fast approaching when royalty ¦ itself would not feel comfortable , unless the people were happy—unless the people were pUeed in a position to become consumers , the Exchequer would always be empty . In 1840 , their petition was presented , tigned by two millions , and the Speaker , who ought to be neutral , threw hi « weight in the scale and pyerbahnoed tnetwo million * They would now double the number , continue their steady course , and beat the Tories as they had beaten the Whigs . ( Cheers . ) The Government was as well aware

      of what they were doing as they did ; its was necessary that we show our BtreDgth—then mere Reformers " would go with us . The Whigs admit their mess was spoiled ; believe him the Whigs would rather return to power for an abridgement of the franchise than for its extension ; but let us determine they never shall returato power , unless as Chartists . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . O'C . then most eloquently and laughably anatomised the Midland Counties Charter , amid the loudest applause of the whole meeting , showing ; the fallacy of its provisions . He bad been to Leicester , and asked for Mr . Biggs . who had denounced him in his absence ; but he was not to be found . ( Hear , hear . ) He there had a meeting of at least 4 , 000 ; he put both Charters and the original People ' s Charter was uannimously carried .

      The schoolmaster was indeed abroad , and the people were not to be caught in any trap , neither Poor Law ; Corn Law , or any other humbug . He supposed Mr . Blgga agreed with , the poet / who said th « btst time to court a widow was on her return from her husband ' s funeral ; but he thought Mr . B . would have no chance of catching the people just after the incarcerating upwards of 400 of their best friends . ( Hear , hear . ) He was to appear to-morrow , for the fifth time , in the Court of Queen ' s Bench . He had never travelled a mile or eat a meal at the people ' s expence ; and if the Lord Chief Justice were to say to him to-morrow , you shall have the Charter , if you will take it when people shall arrive at twenty-one years and three days , or you shall go to York Castle for fiye years and pay a fine of

      five thousand pounds , he would choose the latter rather than budge an inch from the people ' s rights . ( Thunders of applause . ) Did ever Nation present such a spectacle as we did at the present tiiqe ? Here we had on the one band the rich and powerful oppressors united , on the other , a ragged and hungry people beating down all opposition ; and Why ? Because they registered their vow rather to die freemen than live slaves . ( Great applause . ) We had been t Id we could not gain the Charter without the middle classes ; but if they will not go with us , we will try if there is not another most influential party learning wit—the trades . ( Loud cheers . ) They had tried everything save the Charter , and hart failed . They were now coming out for that . ( Long continued cheering . ) He had to address the masons

      on Monday ; the shoemakers oh Tuesday ; the weavers on Wednesday ; and shortly the tailors . He / -Should then have an opportunity of telling the trades how machinery affected thein ^ -it was art against nature . ( Hear , hear . ) The people ' s actions relative to the free trade fallacies had amply compensated him : for all his sufferings . There was more money in the country than ever , yet the luillocr ^ ti complained of distress , and hundreds of thousands of people were starving . ( Hear , hear ) Machinery worfctd against manual labour ; that was the cause . ( Hear , hear . ) It was how a gambling affair--a game of chance which bad been going on for the last twenty-flye years . Taxation had increased j and vvouW continue to do bo . Machinery had driven people from their birth place

      to compete with the men of London . It would be better for those in employ to pay those out than allow thorn to act as a reserve for the masters . Mr . OC then passed un high eulogium on the ihusons for their patriotism . He ( Mr . 6 'C . ) was we 1 tried , having been many years before them . He left it to them to say had he ever been found wanting ? ( Loud cries of "No , no ; " lomJ and reiterated cheers . ) Labour would not , or did it require to be represented without the other claiises were also represented . A drunkard reeled along the road the other day ; a gent said "there , O'Connor , that is one of your men , would you give him the suffrage ? ' He would ; and why , because if a teetotaller was to be found for a candidate he would be sure to get his vote ; and so were you to extend the Franchise to thieves , &c ., they weuld

      not vote for thieves , knowiug tlitm too well , ( Loud liugbter and cheers . ) The Charter was the sunshine of liberty , it would moralise the whole ; it was the lever that would raise inauto his proper sphere . He thanked them for the kind and enthusiastic manner in which they had received the names of Frost , Williams , and Jones when read by Mr . Whi « ehorn ; it was the conviction that he should live in the memory of working men that induced him to make such strenuous exertions . Mr . O'C . then showed the glaring injustice of the conviction of Frost , Wiliams , and Jones . The ignorance of the juryman , Christopher Johns , who declared he did not find Frost guilty of high treason , but of being in Newport ; however wo Bhould not get-them back until we could send out a frigate with the Charter colours

      flying . 'Respecting the Dorchester Labourers , he had told the ministers that they ought to occupy their place in their colonies instead of them . He bad aided in restoring them and the Glasgow Cotton Spinners , and he would bring b » ck Frost , Williams , and Junes . ( Great cheering . ) Dont let them mistake ; he did not mean to do it himself ; he must have thoir aid —( hear , hear )—the millocrats with their millions complained of poverty , and wanted the repeal of the Corn L » wa ; but they would never go for the Corn Law repeal if thuy were to have tbe Charter with it ( Hear , hear . ) He would put all the League in tkat room , and go blindfolded into a meeting of workini ; men , and pick out twenty

      men possessing more talent than , au the League combined . The League was to have a meeting on the 8 th of February ; he would meet them , and convince the people , that they ( the League ) were the only monopolists . They were about to have a little parliament of their own—the Convention . ( Loud chews . ) He . bad now performed his duties . Mri O'Connor now showed eards of < the Association , and called on those present who were not enrolled to enrol themselves forthwith . He would take his leave , assuring them that he would be always found at his post ; and should at any time be happy to eome and address the men of Chelsea . ( Loud and long continued cheering . )

      Mr . Mathebs then read and moved the address to the Queen in behalf of Frost , Williams , and Jones . Mr . Gi / THBiE , in seconding it , eulogised tbo character of M » . Frt * t , With whom he had been personally acquainted ; it was put and carried unanimously . Mr . R . Ridley moved , and Mr . Wakminster seconded the motion , '' That Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., present it to her Majesty ; " this was carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , and the meeting broke up .

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      A word of explanation may not be misplaced here . The origin and nature ef feudal service may not be generally understood . v \ :. ^ At the conquest all the land of the kingdom was held to be vested in the victorious sovereign , who became the lord paramount of the soil . He divided it among his comttes , or asaoeiates , to whom he granted , howeyer , only the occupancy of ^ it , reserving to the crown the fee-simple or proprietorship . In return for the right of occupancy and usufruct ; thesa military a-Bociates were pledged to render important service . They defrayed the expences of jurisdiction within their several districts—they maintained order , and were bound to furnish forth a certain numbdr of men with arms , equipmentB * and food , in any military expedition commanded by the monarch . They held their estates from bint as the proprietor , with an express view to the performance of these duties . We need not run

      through the history of that process by which the estates were first held for life , then for two generations , and subsequently became hereditary property—nor need we follow all the changes effected in the conditions of tenure . It may suffice to say that the proprietorship of the soil was ultimately wrung from the monarch , and that in place of feudal homage and burdensome services a land tax was imposed . That which was once held upon condition of furnishing aid to the king in his military undertakings , and which on that condition alone belonged to the occupiers of the soil , was during the commonwealth , held on condition of the payment of a ; steady and unvarying tax , and from all further obligations landowners were released . This obligation , upon the restoration of Charles the Second , the illegal convention of the landocracy immediately abolishedfreed their own- estate ' s from incutnbrance , and tbre , w the burden , In the abapo of excise taxes , upon the people . — -Nonconformist ;

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      MISERIES OF EDITORS , 1 . A kind visitor , whom you would make almost any sftcriflce to rather than offend- ^ wjthout the least ill intention in the world , but merely moved and instigated by mother Eve ' s fatal vice , curiosity , rummaging your private desk , if it happen to be cvmmodiously open , fcxamining your letters and other correspondence ; resorting to your composition drawer , on the ground of intimate acquaintance ; deranging and inspecting manuscripts , when you had as lief he had intruded into your wife ' s dressing-room ; or peeping over the cases , and interrupting compositors , to see the original articles , which you did not intend to show him , or anybody else , except through the medium of the press . ; - .. - ¦¦• ¦ .. ¦ ¦ . •;; ' , : : ¦ . . ¦¦/ . . ¦ •; ' ¦ '¦; . ¦•' . ¦ : ¦' ; ;;

      2 . Receiving a manuscript , of which it seems doubtful whether the writer intended to represent European , Oha'daic , or Chinese characters ; and , after patient attempts to decypber the hieroglyphics , , resorting to the author , and hearing bis unfeigned expression of astonishment that you did not find all as plain and legible as a new tin pan . 3 . Just as you are in the busiest part of your daily duties , in preparing your paper , having an obliging call , with a very verbose communication of a private nature , which you are required not only to receive , but to hear read , amid the din of other calla—•• Proof ia ready . '" - ^ - " Waiting for proof , Sir . ' "—and the prospect of a late paper , and subsequent complaint in anticipation grinding on your feelings . . 4 . Inquiries— " Who wrote that article ? " When you have no fair right to inform , when it seenis unkind to refuse , and incredulous to say you do not know . .. ¦ ¦¦'¦ - ¦

      5 . In a busy moment receiving a personal lampoon , which you are resolved not to publish , yet wish to give your reasons , without time to explain them . N . B — The writer , full of the justice of bis cause , and perfectly incredulous that there are t we sides of a question . 6 . A modest request from a good friend , just as your paper ought to be at press , that you would prepare a special article for his particular view . 7 . And lastly , for the present , a quick succession of com plaints , such as—" Why was our advertisement omitted ?—That communication will be too late next week . —The other . .. paper 8 have that news more in detail —I wonder you should publish so many light articlt * , and leave out commercial ones—This is an important time , and politics ought to be your principal object—Literary articles ought to claim a part of your attention " till , with forlorn gaze , you measure with your eye the extent of the columns of your paper , and wistfully

      exclaim" Ye Gods I annihilate both time and space , And make us printers happy . " PosTCRiPT—Another dreadful misery . —While y ou are collecting news from a dozen or twenty different papers , whtn you have to keep in your mind ' s . eye the leading features of all , to have your papers misplaced , and your arrangements all broken in upon by the busy interference of half-a-dozen goodnatured , friendly loungers , who after having agonised your feelings into a high fever , retire , one after another , humming a tune , ' What ' s this dull town to me ? " or giving some other indication of their idle propensity or negligentatre . — New York New Era .

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      YEOVIL , Somerset . ——A meeting of the inhabitants of this place was held on Tuesday last , tor congratulate tho Queen upon the birth of a son and successor to the British throne . Many of the respectables and clergy of the town and neighbourhood attended , iind .. also a few of the working classes .. The Portreve . was called to the chair , who briefly stated the object of the meeting . : W White , Esq . » iiia short speech , ra which he : eulogised the town for its great loyalty ; proposed an address of congratulation to her '' . Majesty ! which was seconded by the Rev . W . Ai Robinson . Previous to its , being put from the chair , Mr . Bainbridge wished to offer a few remarks . He rose for the purpose of , moving an amendment , and in doing so , be could assure them that it was not out of any

      captious opposition to the address itsolf , not out of any ill feeling tb the geriUemen who : clrtw it up , not out of any want of loyalty , nor a desire to disturb the una-: nimity of the meeting , but from a feeling pf duty to the many , thousands of his suffering fellow creatures to his country and his Queen . The amendment was aa fol owb :. — " That we yonr Majesty ' s most loyal subject * beg most respectfully to congratulate your Majesty on tho auspicious event of the bhth of a son and successor to the British throne , but we trust it will not be considered as detracting from the affectionate loyalty with which we offer these our united congratulations , if while we rejoice In your joy , ; we cannot refrain from expressing our deep sympathy with those who weep , it i . s BcaTcely necessary to state to you , inoat gracious Sovereign , that poverty , misery , and human degradation

      prevails to an aUrniing extent , in every part of this our favoured land , and wb . cu if not speedily remeved , will , la all probability , lead to results the most fearful , to contemplate . Believing that those evils are caused by class legislation , aud being earnestly desirous of securing virtue , happiness , and tranquility to your Majesty's subjects , as- well as protection to your Majtfety ' s crown and dignity . We humbly beg of your Majesty to adopt Such measures as shall destroy the monopoly of political power , ana do ample and equal justice to all classes of the community . " Mr . Wills briefly seconded the amendment G . Harbin ,-Esq ., agreed that great distress prevailed , but thought that it was foreign to the object of the meeting to bring it forward at the present time . Several other gentlemen followed-in the same strain , when the Rev . H . Soley rose aud Bpoke as follows-.

      —The Rev . H . Soley said he had considerable hesitation in putting himself forward on the present occasion , afraid that , from his having been &o short a tiine an inhabitant of the town , it might be deemed presumptuous in him to offer any observations .. Nevertheless , he could not remain an indifferent spectator under circumstances that appeared to kin . of considerable importance . He could not help feeling tbat it was of no slight value to couple with their address of congratulation to their Soveraign an expression of their deep sympathy with the millions , who were suffering in every corner of the land . It seemed to him they would not badeing their duty if , while their hearts

      were full of pity f « r the unfortunate , as he teuly believed they were , their words were indicative only of contentment and joy . They must remember that out of the falnaas of the heart the mouth speaketh , and they must beware lest silence on the subject of such suffering should give rise to the belief that either the suffering or the sympathy did not exist . If they really deeply deplored the condition of their countrymen as it deserved , they could not help availing themselves of such an opportunity of making known their sentiments in a quarter whence relief might possibly flow . But it was fiaid , the present was not a fitting occasion for the addition , be would not call it an amendment to the

      address now proposed . In reference to that point , he would quote the precedent of the Wilts County meeting lately convoked for a purpose similar to the present , when the Earl of Radnor bad moved an amendment relating to the existing distress , and although other places may not in general have adopted such a course , it seemed to him peciiliarlyj natural and right that , while they rejoiced with thoBe who rejoiced , they should not forget also to mourn with them who wept . Why were they to be tied down by precedents , when the sacred emotions of the heart were the only subjects Involved ? : He had very littfc doubt that bis friend would withdraw his resolution in accordance with the suggestion of Capfc Harbin if such should appear to be the decided wifib of the meeting , and the use of the . room ^ were granttecl . ' to tbeln for another public meeting ,

      but for his own part , as he wished to see every congratulatory address throughout the country coupled With references to the national misery , be should , sincerely regret if the meeting' were indisposed to adopt the amendment The ttate of the country was indeed frightful ; even in this town where they , knew nothing of suish misery as in the middle and north of England , there was much , very aiuch to deplore . Well be knew the charitable disposition of many of the hw habitants of Yebvil , and baa rejoiced in paying bis bumble tribute of praise to many of the gentlemen now present , for their late exertions in the cause of the poor . Bnt there was something better than charity , something still more needed—that was justice—an ounce of justice was worth a ton of charity . ^ We Want to see eur countrymen not in want of charity , but able to afford it to others , and if justice were done them ,

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      could it be believed tbat injsucb a country aiEnsSTV long-famed for its industry , its enteSe- 3 % yarJons ^ natural resources ; hundreds VthousanS would be in need of elemosynary support ? ^ He iieM refer bat to one item , of the : wrenwSjJ * SSworHng tnUBons , namely , the (^ rnSwSXw ^ that they were cruellrand most unjustly treated , audit was . because be saw that the working ^ isiaeswere not protected by others , ^ aad were riot allowed fo protect themselves , that be fel it ^ ca * of so much value ^ call the attention of the Sovereign tttbg duty of a govern , ment , to ^^ legislateffar tie benefit of thei whole and not for a few ^ He lriiew

      fering in political matters , but in the face of that meet , ing he must disclaim belonging ; to , or i&ving a n * connection with , any political party . All parties ought to be able to ^ look npofl the ^ ministers' of the Gospel aa their friends , which would not 1 » the case tf thy we ?« ideutifled with an ; one of them , but there were great eternal principles of right and wrong , which be trusted he should never shrink from advocating ; and certainly not , because good and honest men ( meaning tha Chartists ) for doing the same , Were coveredwifb . obloquy and made the victims of persecution . The present occasion did seem ti p him an opportunity for bearing witness to these principles , for which if they let it paw now , they might be called to account hereafter " .

      As it was doubtful whether the original address would be carried or not Every means was used to get Mr . Bambrtege to withdraw his amendment , but without effect After much discussion , those lovers of fairplay determined to put the original address , witk out noticing the amendment ,, which was eventually done , although Messrs . Bainbridge and Soly protested against such an unfair proceeding , " and urged that it was not an address from -th » inhabitants of Yeovil , but of only a few individuals . They carried it by a show of hands . The result of this meeting has created a great sensation in the town , and all cry out against the unfair prooeeding of what are called the " gentlemen" of YeoviL : /• : '¦ ¦/ ' ¦ -.. ¦ ¦¦ " "¦ ¦ ¦¦ : .- ¦ . ¦ - ' .. ' . '¦ - - .: - ¦ ' ¦ -. -. ; ¦ ¦ ¦ :. ' . ' ¦ ¦ .

      PARSING TON . —The Chartistsof Darlington held their weekly meeting in Biggs' long room , when a vote of thanks was carried unanimously to Mr . Stiran and the Chartists of ^ ilaton , for their heroic conduct in carrying their amendment against tbe Vicar and churchwardens for attempting to carry a church-rate . .. KENT . —Proqelesss op Chartism — A puWo meetfag in furtherance of the cause was held In the spacious room of the : Compasses Tayei ' ny High-street , Chatham , on Thursday last The meeting was called for half-past seven ; at that time the room Was densely crowded . Mr . Clark was unanimously voted to the chair . He requested a fair aud impartial hearing for all who might present themselves . Mr . Stallwbod , from London , was engaged , and would address them . He was sure , in accordance with Chartist usage , if any had an objection to offer ^ they would be patiently heard , and fully answered . iCfceers . ) Mr . Stallwood then rose , and was most cordially received . ' He

      exhibited to them , in a manner not to be mistaken , the principles of the People ' s Charter , showed tbe inconi sistency and fallacy of the Midland Counties Chartw ; the absurdity of Sturge ' s dcclaratioh ; and the mischicyoua tendency of free ; t ade under present circumstances—most clearly demonstrated the practicability of the Chartist principles , x « fe ring to Norway , S witzarlarid , & » ., as indisputable proofs— -showed the immeiwe mass of corruption , tumult , convulsion , and bloodshed caused by the present systeHi— and that the only remedy was to place political power in the hands of the people—and concluded an argumentative and eloquent address , ; amid : the loudest applause of a delighted andienca Opposition was com ted , but none offered . The Petition was adopted , and received many signatures . The Chairman announced that Mr . Stallwood would lecture on the ensuing evening ; Several members were added te the locality , and . the meeting dissolved .- ¦ ¦¦¦;¦¦ ¦ - - - ' ¦ ¦;"¦ ¦ ' •• ¦ ¦ : ¦ ' ,:-, ' - ~ -y- .

      On FRiDxr evbntng , the room was again filled . Mr . Clark was ; re-appointed to the chair . Mr . StallJ wood came forward amid loud applause ,, and shovred * the misery , wretchedness , and crime caused by the present system—the inefficiency of our own " institationa" for the present time—that there was no such a place aa the Commons House , the House bo called being a junior House of Lords—and the great necessity that existed for a change .. At the conclusion , a vote of thanks Was given to the lecturer . The Chairman eloquently supported the views of the lecturer . : A

      vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman , A considerable addition was again made to the petition , and several converts entered the { : National Charter Association . Although this locality has only been in existence nine weeks , they have had two - lecturets down from London—held four large meetings—and abtained six hundred signatures to the National Petition . AH that is bow required is the presence of Feargus O'Connor to make Chartism fashionable here . Then hurrah for the cause in the Qoyemuient Borough of Chatham ! : *

      NEWCASTtE , —The NewcastleChartists held their j weekly business meeting on Monday evening , in the ; i Chartists Hall , Goat Inn , Cloth Market Mr . Crothers ] having been unanimonsly called to the cbair . The ; secretary read the minutes of last meeting , likewise ^ some letters which he had received from Leeds , respect-J ing the O'Brien Press fund , and one from York , wheu ^ the following resolutions were agreed to unanimously ^ Moved by Mr . Cockburn , secbnde . d by Mr . Sinclair , ! ' That ihiB associatioh highly approve of thk exertioHS ! of the youths ( in connexion with our bod y ) In their ; endeavours to get ; up a reading room and debating ! society , arid we . do hereby promise them our hearty * support in furtherance of their desirable objects / 'i Moved by Mr . Cockburnl seconded by Mr . Dees , " Tha 4 all who may be ^ willing to become collectors for thef Convention fund , be furnished with books for that pur * '

      pose , and that they be requested to report progress to ? the . Council weekly . " Moved by Mr . Dees , seconded ; by Mr . Frarikland , ' That the secretary be insteucted ' to procure twelve collecting books for the purpose , awi that none be considered duly appointed to collect witU out a mandate , signed by the secretary , on behalf o the phartist bodj . " Moved by Mr . Bium , BecoaieS by Mr . Cockbuxn , •? That a deputation of three bl appointed to wait upon the two memberB of Parliament for this Borough and present them with a copy of the National Petition ( adopted at the public meeting in tut Guildhall ; last week , with the mayor in the chair , ) and a copy of the People's Charter , each respective ]/ , and to request them to support the prayer of the petition in their places in the House . If they should have left for London , the secretary was instructed to forwarj the copies to their addresses in London , with the abov * request : ' ' ' " : ' ¦"¦ / ' ¦ ¦' ¦ ' : ¦ . ¦< " ¦ ' "' . ¦ ¦' .- ^\ . ' '¦'¦' ¦

      Repeal of thb Corn Laws not a Politicai . SUBJEci . —The Chartists of Blaydon waited fiome time ago upon the managers of the Primitive Methodist Chapel to request the Use of the chapel to hold a Chartist meeting in , bat received in answer that it vrm an unalterable law with the Society , that the chapel could not , on any account , be used for any political object whatever ; but what was the surprise of tto good men and true of Blaydon when , upon going abroad on last Tuesday morning , the village and environs were placarded , announcing that Mr . Liddls , anti-Corn Law lecturer , would deliver a lecture on tke Com Laws in the said chapel , ob Wednesday even * ing . Wednesday came , and so did Mr . Liddle ; the Chartists were there too . Mr . L . finding himself in a

      country village , thought he could make them swallow any uonsense be might be pleased to eject ; opened put in a regular tirade of such hackneyed abuse aa the League generally resort to , when they think they can do so with impunity-, but the men of Blaydon wera too old birds to be caught with chaff ; they offered to discuss tbe subject with him ; but he very wisely der elined . The meeting , which was a bumper , came to the unanimous conclusion , that all the evils withwhidi society is afflicted is owing to class legislation , and that nothing but a full and free representation in the state can ameliorate the present deplorable condition ; of the industrious classes . After giving three hearty cheers for the People ' s Charter ; three for F . O'Connor ,

      the friend of the people ; and three for Mr . O'Bnen , the meeting separated . This said Mr . Liddle placarded the walls of Newcastle , announcing his intentions of delivering a course of lectures against the Cora Laws in the Banters' School-room , Neisdrirstreet , on Tuesday evenings ; admission 2 d . each . How many do you think attended his first lecture ? exactly four , including himself and the person appointed to take the twopences when ! they came . Of cburse there was no lecture ; and after waiting nearly an hour , and seeing no more prospect of any twopences , he walked awaj grumbling that "if . the ) folks would not come and get cheap bread , they just must go nod buy . dear . " So much for the prospects of the Plague . j

      TONBRIDGE , ( Kent . ) - —The cause is progresstBg with wonderful rapidity in this part of the Countrr Many of the middl * classes are now coming out for tta Charter . . A public meeting was beld on Tuesday evening , in the large room of the Association , at the Chequers' Inn , for the purpose of adopting the National Petition . The chair-was taken by Mr . Payne , a m o ^ aUunch advocate . of _ the rights of man , who stated at some length the objects of the meeting , and pledged himself , as far as he was able , to ensure every one a fair hearing . Mr . Spring moved the first resolution : — " That the distress which at present existi in tbia country calls for the interference of every generous mind . " - - The resdution was seconded by Mr . Harris . The second resolution— " Tbat all the evils under Which the people labour are caused by class legislation , and that they willnever be removed tilltbe people are fuUy and fairly represented in the Commons House of

      Parliament ; " was proposed by Mr . Shelling , andseconded by Mr . Elliott The third resolution , adopting the National Petition was moved by Mr . Harris , i&rho read the petition , and commented at considerable length thereon , and was seconded by Mr . Hemsly . The whole were carried in a moat enthusiastic manner , the sentiments of the fpeakftrs eliciting the most unbounded applause . This meeting was got np as an antidote to another , composed of Whigs and Tories , held on the same day , to rejoice at the christening of a Prince of Wales . It was the first public meeting held by the Chartists , in Which all the speakers were members of tbat body , and we have no doubt it will have a good effect , and be the means of extending the glorious principles of the Charter . A lecturer would do great good in Kent , as there are many towns willing and waiting to : be enrolled . Agriculfcaral districts have been too much neglected . ^

      Ctjarttist 3enuut' S^N«.

      CtjarttiSt 3 EnUUt ' s ^ n « .

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      6 _ j ^ - ^^ , Q ^^ .. u&MM-W ^ i ^ m-

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      I RAISING THE WIND . When we are urged to make nny sacrifice with a view to get rid of the existing Corn Laws , there is an implied assumption in the exhortation , that by attaining that end we should save the country from impending ruin . The patient , say some , is in danger of instant death . Doubtless , perfect health can only be restored by a course of alteratives which shall act upon the constitution ; but there is no time to carry prescriptions of this character inta effect . The country is sinking from exhaustion . Let our first efforts be directed to a revival of her trade and commerce , and we may then proceed at leisure to the great work of political reform . To this we have hue two objections ; but then they are formidable ones .. First , that wie cannot muster up a sufficient dose of stimulant necessary for securing the revival we need ; and , secondly , . if we cculrt , wt > should proceed bo very leisurely to amend the constitution , that ere long the patient would be as bad

      as ever . .. . .. . . ¦ . . - . . .. - :. ¦ : ¦ - .. - . . ; They may doubt this Who look upon class legislation aB a thing of recent origin , or who imagine they aee iu our present restrictive system no more than " nature erring ' from ; herself . ! ' A slight acquaintance with Parliamentary history will set them right From the first moment of tbe installation of what we may call the landed interest in the supremacy of power until the present time , our legislators have pursued their selfish ends—have aimed at Increasing the value of their own property , at the expence of those whom they were called to govern , with a systematic pertinacUy lio less than instinctive . Their conduct , from beginning to end— - " from niorn to dewy eye , " has been

      consistent . With untiring x . al they have kept before taeiu one object—self-aggrandissment ; with unwearied assiduity they have pursued it Baffled in one instance , they return to the chase with new alacrity—omit no opportunity— spare no vigilance—overleap all the landmarks and hedges of juatice— -turn this whole country into one Vast hunting-ground ,: in which the people are the victims , laws the hounds , and pelf the end of the pursuit The statute-book iB simply , a record of the transactions designed to transfer property from the ruled to the rulers . Our Corn Laws , our Money Bills , our Stamp Acts , our Excise Duties , our Enclosure Bills and Game Laws , the Church , the magistracy , the army , the navy , Colonial Governments— all tell one tale , the rule , or rather the misrule , of monopoly . :

      Singularly enough , the origin of this power , the power of the greater and , lesser landowners , was unconstitutional . The Convention of Peers and country gentlemen , which assembled ; -.-on " the : restoration of Charles the Second , and ^ proceeded to abolish every enactment of the Commonwealth as illegal , was never summoned by the King ' s writ Under pretence of restoring the monarch , tfeey changed the constitutional policy which bad prevailed from the conquest in 1066 . From the feudal services which they owed to the crown , and In virtne of which they held their lands , they exempted themselves , and the commutation land tax which had been established under the Commonwealth

      in lieu of such services they refused to re-enact , but granted instead an impost on wine , cider , beer , and ale , < <» fid afterwards , to make up the deficiency , poll , sad hearth taxes , This , it must be confessed , was a hopeful beginning , and gave promise of that matured selfishness which they have since produced in such ample profusion . They commute the burdens upon tbeir own estates , burdens far lighter than those which pressed upon tbem when they held their lands from the . rown ; and having thrown off feudal homage due to the crown for lands apportioned to them by the crown , as well as the money tax imposed in lieu of that homage , they call upon the people to pay , and shift their debts , as usual , to the country .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 5, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct416/page/6/