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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th June 1842, Edition 2 of 5, Page unpag, TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.

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    • TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS.
    • CfcartfjSt $nteXliQmte.
    • ADDRESS OF THE LONDON DELEGATE COUNCIL TO THE CHARTISTS OF LONDON.
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      Untitled Article

      jlr Bsloted i ' BiEfDS , —The time is fast approaching when the tariff bubble must burst ; and fte effect ^ hich lt 3 fa *" T"H produce , —for fail ^ -jnll—will yery speedily be made manifest in the jiisorganisatiw 1 of what has been called civilised godeiy . Don't misunderstand me . The anticipations of Sir Bobfiri Peel will be fully realised as regards a f * Hj ^ d . * eonaderiblft &Hj in prices ; but gje redaction will be felt in tbe wholesale market ujjIjj jt wili not visibly affect the retail market . Thus it will bare a positive as well as a negative

      tendency to create dissatisfaction . Tfee reduction in thei > rice of live stock , wheat , and grass produce , will conaderably reduce the value of land . This will damp the loyalty of landed proprietors , and hare a positive effect upon their after course ; while the failure of the measure in reducing the retail price of food will shear it of all popular approval . Now , if a butcher fcnjfi a beast of six hundred ponnds weight at a redaction of ££ , ia consequence of the tariff ; and if the present price of beef be 7 d . per lb . j the reduction ^ £ 1 per 1001 b . in the price of the beast , would enable him to sell the beef at within a fraction of j

      2 | i per lb . under the 7 d . j that is , at 4 | d . per lb . But jaink you be will make that abatement ! No ; nor jet a fraction of a farthing for some time , until either competition among butchers , or combination of consumers to bny and slaughter for themselves , shall by degrees , and very slowly , force the butcher to a trifling reduction ; but never to one half of the relative wholesale abatement in the price of live stock . Now keep that in your mind , because I mean to use it as a case strictly aualagons to that which a repeal of the Corn Laws would present . If a fall in ibe wholesale price of liv « stock would not present & corresponding reduction in the retail

      price of meat , what guarantee or assurance would the consumer of bread have , that a fall in the price of wheat would produce a corresponding reduction in the price of bread \ None whatever ; and thus , my friends , we at once discover the inability of the Government of an artificial state of society to give the real stamp to their own measures , however beneficent , jost , and equitable , their intentions maybe . Here we find Sir Robert Peel , whose measure is . bold , and intended to be sweeping , unable to produce any other result than the odium and suspicion of his own party , and the disappointment of the people .

      Have I not told you ten thousand times , when replying to the fallacies of the " cheap bread" men , that it was wholly and entirely out of the power of any government to regulate the retail price of food by Act of Parliament ; while I have also shown you that society is not without its remedy ; and the only remedy , under heaveni is to make so large a portion of society their own producers as would render them , and allj through the extensive market 0 / their surplus produce , independent of the speculators in human food . Again and again , I repeat the fact .

      In my first letter upon tae tariff I told you that it would effect a considerable reduction in the prices of most articles ; but I told you also that nothing short' of the People ' s Charter would turn the alteration to your advantage , I sow ; repeat that assertion ; while I lament to think that it is only out of the evil which the promised good will produce that any ultimate benefit can arise to society at large . Yes ; from the disappointment of the landed proprietors and the people will spring an amount of confusion which few can contemplate ; while the increased demand upon the middling classes for war expenees will swallow up much more than the largest amount of savings that the tariff will yield

      to them . Now , just for a moment think of the worse than brutality of paying in three year 3 more th * Ti thirteen millions sterling as the first instalment foT out foreign conqnest over the brave , the simple , the innocent , and peaceful Aff ^ hanistans ! Th&t amount is but the first instalment , while our conquest promises to be a defeat . I ask if this be just or Christian , or whether it be right to carry our desolatirg new inventions for the destruction of hnman life among the Chinese , a people anxious to live in peace with all the world ! But especially I ask , if this squandering of life and money Can be JEstified , or even tolerated , while hundreds of thousands of our brave people are actuilly perishing for want of the humblest fare 1

      England , with , all her wealth , has become a vast sea-bound dungeon , filled with starving paupers Her martial glory abroad is tarnished , and her only domestic greatness is to be seen in a gorgeous soldiery and in a military police , whose warm backs , flushed cheeks , and comfortable homes , furnish a sad and striking contrast to the naked bodies , palid faces , and wretched hovels , of those whose voices they are hired to smother , and npon whose very miseries they live ! How often have I told yon , that . hunger , like the water , would find its level . How often have I reminded you , that York , without its machinery , _ could not draw a cordon sanataire" around its

      walls , and say to prowling poverty— " thus far shalt ttoa go , but no further . " How many times have I assured the comparatively happy villagers , that their peaceful resting place could not be the one fair spot , bidding defiance to the raging plague ! And is it not so ! Haa sot the searching eye of desolation ferretted out the last remaining hamlet ! and has not the . griping hand of taxation been stretched forth for the peaceful villager ' s contribution towards the shedding of his fellow ' s blood , to swell our foreign ¦ conquests , and make us a great sation ? Alas ! my friends , even , the ocean furnishes no bounds to man's

      rapacity . No ; for in the accounts from poor Ireland , we find that while an able-bodied man in full and in the best employment can earn no more than aghtpence per day , he is obliged to pay sevenpenceh&lfpenny for fourteen pounds of potatoes i That is two pounds of dry potatoes per day for a man , his "Rife , and family , say of five children ; and to pay rent , and supply clothes , and fuel , and EDUCATION out of his savings . 0 GHEAT NATION 1 O most mighty nation of plundered paupers and plundering rascals ! 0 most civilized and enlightened priesthood I 0 most Christian ministers of

      Christ ' s religion ! 0 most pious ruffians , when will yonr sympathy begin I oxfwhen ' imll God's vengeance overtike you in your race of benevolence ! ! 0 Mr . AuorDey-General give me but one month ' s fling at the enemies of mankind , of peace , h . w , and order , with an assurance that you will not prosecute me toe the tbuth , and I will draw for you a picture which the devil himself would blush to look upon ! But in the midst of all this suffering , still peace reigns ^ and life and property i 3 secure . Thanks be io God for that . Ye 3 , my friends ; the police of Ireland , armed as soldiers , and dressed as rifle-men , were compelled to look on peaceably , while the

      starving men of Werford unloaded a sloop laden with potitoeSj and bound for Liverpool , and the potatoes were sold in the market at a reduction of lid . per stone . Yes , the police were peaceably and looked on while the people quietly asserted their rights to be first partakers of the fruits of their own labour . " They bonght the potatoes , and though at a reduced , yet at an exorbitant price . I often told you that the moral force Irish would'nt stand much nonsense ; and I trust that the Pacificator General and bis staff will immediately take effectual mean 3 for preserving ths same order thai my " wild followers" have observed through many seasons of ihe most trying and galling privation .

      Let me now , my friends , point out to you those circumstances which , above ali others , foment and Perpetuate legislative discontent . I will begin with " ^ iggery ^ the Whigs . That political party is dfcf&nci as a representative body—Thank God for itet' The reason why they have no back is this WBen we knocked them down , their own party kicked them for falling . They were willing to cling to them while in office ; although the Whigs in Power never represented the Whig constituency , nor yet a tithe of the electoral body . There is 8 great

      difference between the theory of Whiggery and the practice of a Whig Government , The Whigs in ofice did not go far enough for the majority of the Whig electors . This is fully proved by the fact of Ru-isell and hi 3 Government , making a great merit of reducing the duty on foreign corn to 8 s . per qnany , "while ninety-nine in every hundred of the Whig electors were for a total repeal of the duty . How has practical Whiggery fallen by Chartist hands , while the theorotical Whig 3 who thought themselves insulted , bat awaited the first blow to insure their former friend ' s defeat 1 Now the dif-

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      ference between the theory and practice of Toryism is exactly the reverse , inasmuch , as the Tory constituencies declare that their Government goes too far for them . In fact , had Lord John Russell and the Whigs proposed Peel ' s tariff , the Tories , if no other means had been at their disposal , would have stopped the supplies : so that we may say with the Poet" O ^ what a contradiction is man ! What in another he one moment spnras , The next he does himself complacently . "

      In the midst of all this chaos , my friends , the opposition is being marshalled ! and it mu 3 tbe our business to take care that the brave , the mmly , the eloquent , and consistent democrat , who came to our aid when we were spurned by all , and who did not wait till we had become powerful , shall in the struggle for leadership remain our head , our general , and our chief . None shall rob him of the laurels of his manly stand in the people ' s cause . We will give him a power and an importance which no monarch can bestow , and of which faction shall not deprive him .

      The next great change of political parties will be this : all -persons with accumulated readymade wealth , all landed proprietors , and statechurch cormorants , all fund-holders , bankers , and - rich merchants , together with the leviathans of machinery , and head * of professions , will flock to the standard of Toryism ; while the dissenters and the industrious of all classes will range themselves under the banner of Chartism ; and then the battle begins in the House of Commons Then , like an electric spark , the fervor will be communicated to the pile of ripe opinion outside Away will go the rotten fabric , which all

      attempts to patch has but weakened ! while its ruin will be hastened by the internal dissensions of the new adherents to Toryism ; for , believe me , that nothing but the dread of a bolder foe will prevent the disappointed landlords from falling foul of the church , the fund lords , and all persons of fixed incomes , whose bonus will be carved out of the landlord ' s rum . In this state of things the publio mind will not long allow the public affairs to remain ; and , as public opinion cannot be driven back , onward it must go . Let us remain on the watch , and ba prepared to take advantage of our oppressors difficulties ! Ever your faithful friend , and devoted Servant , Feabgus O'Connok . Thursday , June 9 th , 1842 . P . S . —My friends , keep your eyes upon Nottingham . We have every reason to expect the immediate issue of the writ , and then we must and will return Stnrge . Had I been aware that " my time could have been devoted otherwise than to Nottingham this week , the state of the weather would not have allowed me to call meetings in doors , nor to have snbjected myself and my hearers to the destroying influence of a burniHg snn . When the election at Nottingham is over , and the weather becomes more cool , then I shall start upon my tour of inspection . F . O'C .

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      Gextlehs : * , —Having been called npon to act as Delegates representing the various localities of this great metropolis , we feel ourselves bound to address you upon the importance of your co-operation in carrying out the recommendations of the " late Convention , '' in further organizing London and its district . Confident that onr put conduct and success will insure to us that support ¦ which iB accessary for toe advancement of Chartism , it needs little or bo appeal on our part to you , -who are already convinced of the principles of the People ' s Charter , but we must remind you of the motto bo frequently used by men advocating the cause of liberty , that " United we stand , divided we fall "

      the prey of our enemies and the enemies of liberty ; by the support we have received from yon we hare in twelve months aroused London from one of the most a pathetic to one of the foremost cities in the cause of liberty and the Charter , and this has been done at a less expense than was incurred at the great Kereall Moor meeting . We have raised from the ranks of the working classes , a somber of ardent Lecturers in the cause of human redemption , who have been rewarded by the steady co-operation of their fellow-men , for the many sacrifices they have mode ; and sow , Gentlemen , we ask yea still to fee firm with us in the cause of liberty ; and London shall be the envied and admired post of Chartism . ,. " For he who values liberty confines His zeal for her predominance within So narrow bounds ; her cause engages him Wherever pleaded— 'tis the cause of man . "

      It is not now a time for petty jealousies to obtrude among the associates of popular rights , or for any to secret-themselves in their closets , instead of manfully upholding their sentiments . A great public question is at state , ard " he who Ib not with us is against us . " We have to determine ¦ whether class legislation , with its notorious corruption and abomination , shall continue at the expence of a starving people ; we have to determine whether the abuses of the Church of England shall remain untouched , or the religion ot that Church shall be preached pare and undeflled—whether a property tax shall be instituted , or the industrious poor deprived ol more than half their small pittance to support an hangbty oligarchy , who have treated with contempt three millions of their

      fellowmen , whose interest they were bound to protect ; in short , we have to determine whether despotism or liberty , misery or happiness , shall exist at home , war or peace abroad . These are important connderatienB ; and he wiio does not take it to heart k unworthy the name ef an Englishman or a Briton ; means are possessed of rendering this country the greatest among nations , and the natural industry of our countrymen untrammelled from the present system of exorbitant taxation -would be a Bure warrant of their well being , while attended with health and strength ; their generosity a dependence for honest old age . Then , friends , we call upon you to bestir yourselves st this critical period oT your country ' s fate ; adopt the remonstrance and memorial of the late Convention , and furnish to us the means of carrying on the agitation "which , with your approval , we will prosecnte with redoubled zeal ,

      and show by yonr unanimity that you are strong ; and by your ' peaceable eonduct that you are aware of the importance of the taefe that devolves upon you . The time now presents itself for you to effect a bloodless . yet one of the most glurious revolutions ever recorded by the frail hand of man . If you lose this opportunity , not only may you , but your children and children ' s children , be doomed to dra ? the heavy chains of slavery ; the rights of conscience may be disowned ; the altars of your Q-od dishonoured ; and your bomes , which ought to be the seat of happiness , thus rendered the harbours of misery and degradation . The Charter , which is the panacea for the existing evils , can only be obtained by union ; therefore , be firm , and attach yourselves to those whom ytu have tried , and who have struggled for and protected the glorious cause of Chartism from the injuries of crofessing friends and open foes . By your desire we will continue the good war of truth against error . Tour ' s , Philip Martyn John Bassage Ruffy Ridley William Wilfcins Edward Langwith Salmon James Morgan John Whitesides John Simpson George Humphries William Coffaf John Ferguson William BaiUett William Cooper Charles Dobell — - Poizer —— Christopher James Southie - — Blake Henry Dobson John Hawkins WilliariT-Smith Edward Granshaw Richard Wakeham William Goulding Thomas Sweet William Drake John Long Seale Baxter Searle John Dnffield Robert Seriven Thomas il . Wheeler , Luke King Sub-Secretary . Universal Liberty , and no surrender !

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      LnTLEBOBOTJGH . —Mr . William Bell , of Heywood , delivered a very eloquent lecture in the Chartist Association Room , Durn , near Littleborough , on Tuesday last , to a very numerous and attentive audience . At the close of the lecture , nine new members were enrolled . The spirit of democracy progresses here with rapid strides r it is but a few weeks since we begun our Association with a mere handful of members ; wauoro namber 110 »

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      NEWCASTLE . —FBESH EFFORTS OF THE LEAGUE . The Coal tax being calculated greatly to affect this district , the League , taking advantage of this , have changed their cuckoo song of cheap bread , and have hired their old advocate , Mr . Liddle , to echo through the colliery villages his new song of " No coal tax . " His second rehearsal of the new song came off at Beaton Delava , on the evening of Tuesday , the 3 lBt of May . * As soon as it was announced , some of the pitmen of that locality saw meet to invite Mr . Cockburn , of Newcastle , to attend and scan his sophistry . About balf-psst six the large room in Mr . Bell's public-house was tolerably filled , when Mr . Stephensan , one of the coalmaster's schoolmasters was unanimously called to the chair . — Mr . Liddle commenced his harangue by telling the

      pitmen that the suljsct of his mission was a life and death question—with them it was whether they were to continue in employment or be reduced to the condition of the manufacturing districts of Yorkshire and Lancashire . He then read a number of statistics , showing the amount of coal exported- during the time the duty existed , by which , it appeared the average amount was 50 , 000 tons . Now , in 1841 , thare was exported upwards of 1 , 400 , 000 tons , whereas our internal consumption had dscreased about 109 , 000 tons in the last six years . Now we had an increasing population , and if the tax was again laid on , and the exportation reduced to the old rate , what would become of the coal hewers ? But he had shown that our internal concumption had decreased . Now this clearly proved that

      our trade did not increase in proportton with our population . Various opinions had been- given - as to the causes of our national distress ; some blamed machinery , but what , he would ask , could we do without machinery ? . Would they like to see their wives and children carrying down coals on their backs to Blyth and loading the ships ; yet this would be the ci&e were it not for the assistance of machinery . Some called out for annual Parliaments , as if that would remove the distress , and said that a year was long enough for a bad servant . Now they might elect a Parliament every six months ; in short , three months , one month , or a fortnight , was long enough for a bad servant ; they might , therefore , elect a Parliament once a fortnight Now there could be no good government

      without a good commercial state of society , which he waa prepared to state did not exist . When the pesplein the Highlands of Scotland were starving for want of bread , they -had more herrings than they could nse . Nuw they werd willing to exchange these different articles with each other , but the Corn Laws interposing , doomed the Highlanders to starve for want of bread , and the Spaniards for want of herrings . This shewed a bad commercial state of society . It was all the same to the people , whether they had a Tory Government , & Whig Government , a Radical Government , or a Chartist Government so long as . this was the case . Let the people join with those who want to improve our Commercial condition ; above all , let them resist by every means in their power , the obnoxious coal tax . They

      had compelled the Government to reduce it from 4 s . to 2 s . already , and would compel them to desist entirely by standing firmly to each other . In conclusion , be called upon them to disseminate knowledge upon the subject , by raising subscriptions to publish tracts , by petitioning , and by using such other means as the exigency of the case might require . One of the viewers , whose name we could not learn , moved that a petition be adopted , praying the Commons' House , not to enact the coal tax ; tais was Beconded by another viewer , named Richardson , and after a few remarks from the chairman was carried . Mr . Liddle rose and recommended that future meetings be held of a similar kind . Mr . Cockburn then rose , and said he did not come there to interfere with local matters , with which the colliery districts were particularly interested , but he thought

      it his duty , as a working man , to attend all such lectures and defend the interest of his order when attacked , as Mr . Liddle had done that evening . The first remark of Mr . L . to which he would object was his stating that it was of no use for the people to look after good government until they had the nation in a prosperous commercial condition . Now , he would say , that a nation could not be prosperous without good government , and there fore to talk of a good commercial state of society first , was , to say the leaBt of it , a blunder of a very glaring description , unless he expected good to now from evil . [ This excited considerable approbation amongst the pitmen . ] Mr . L . rose , and said he would answer any questions , but would not allow a speech to be made in that room , as he had paid for it Upon which Mr . C . said he wondered how an avowed friend t » free-trade

      could oppose free inquiry . Mr . L . got into a great rage , and declared he would not allow suoh an improper use to be made of his room . Mr . C . lamented Mr . L ' s . want of temper , and asked if he would ba allowed to reply to certain portions of his ( Mr . L's . ; lecture , which he considered objectionable ? Mi . L . said , that was not a fair question . Mr . C . wanted Mr . L ' s . definite answer , wbetber he would allow his lecture to be tested by the meeting . Mr . L . said , I tell you , sir , that is a dishonest question . Mr . C . said it was evident to all present , that Mr . L . was not disposed £ 0 give an honest answer , and he would again ask if Mr . L . would allow the privilege required ? To which Mr . L replied , that he must , have an hone&t opponent , upon which one of the pitmen moved an

      adjournment to the door , which was carried with acclamation , Mr . L ., the Chairman , and a fry of coal hewers being all that were left behind . Mr . Cockburn then commenced at the door to address the multitude , who stood with breathless attention during h . s whole address , which lasted about an hour , and was only interrupted by most enthusiastic bunts 0 ! applause from the honest workies who surrounded him . Mr . C . spoke nearly as follows : —Working men , this is the first proof which these liberty-loving gents , has given of their desire to benefit you ; they come hare to preach slavery under the garb of freedom , and refuse to hear their villany exposed . Mr . L . Bays he has paid for the room , as if his money gave him a right to deceive the public . Now , he ( Mr . C . i

      would prove that he had deceived , grossly deceived the public , and that his object was to uphold tyranny , and to induce tbo people to consider it a blessing . He had said the people could not do without machinery , as if the foe * to the free trade scheme were opposed to it . Now , this was not the case ; so long as machinery tended to ease labour of a portion of its toil , it was a blessing ; but when an avaricious capitalist made use of it to throw thousands of men out of employment altogether , then it became a curse . Manufacturing districts are in distress ; and this is a proof , says Mr . L . that trade is not increasing according to our population . Now , let us take the population of this country forty years ago , and the amount of goods manufactured

      then , and compare it with the population now , and the quantity of goods manufactured now , and we will find that manufactu . es have increased twenty fold , whereas the wages of the working men have fallen to a very considerable amount Mr . C . then gave the meeting a number of excellent statistics , which clearly proved the position he had taken , and seemed to astonish the major part of his audience , and even some of bis enemies confessed that he was not far wrong . He said Mr . L , had read a batch of statements relative to the amount of coals exported during the exiBtenca of the coal tax , and since it had been repealed , proving the immense amount of employment the coal hewers had received since that time . Now , he would have liked if Mr . L . bad likewise stated the amount of

      wages received during the dinereLt periods referred to ; but what were tbe facts of the case ? In 1807 , when the coal tax to which he alluded existed , and an additional war tax of 8 % per cent , the coal hewers had then from 8 ? . to 10 b . per day , with little material change , to the loth of August , 1834 , when the duty was repealed , and ever since that time the condition of the men was annually getting worse —( cries of "tbat'd true , " amongst the men . ) Now , he ( Mr . L . ) granted that the population of the colliery districts were increasing to a grtat amount , but he would ask , what was the cause of this increase ? Had not numbers of working men from the manufacturing and agricultural districts , driven from their once happy homes by selfish and exclusive legislation , bei n forced into the mining districts , and thus created a

      competition for labour , which enabled their employers to reduce the wages to the present low amount Now you heard what use Mr . L . made of this fact this evening . Ton cannot expect good wages , says he , when scores of men are seeking for employment , and your masters can get them for less . Now Mr . C . would ask why scores were going abjufc in quest of employment ? The country is capable of producing food for double its present population ; our people are capable of manufacturing goods sufficient for baif the world , in short we have within ourselves the power to make all our population happy , and yet tens of thousands , yes , hnndreds of thousands of industrious artisans are in-the most abject misery . All this Mr . L . would cure by free trade , which means nothing more or less than

      plenty of work , and little for it . He would next advert to Air . Ls' . remarks relative to Annual Parliaments ; before alluding to this he would remind his audience that the Chartists appreciated Annual Parliaments upon condition of Universal Suffrage only , which Mr . L . took care to keep out of Bight . A fortnight , says Mr . L . is long enough to keep a bad servant , and upon this principle we ought to elect a Parliament ence a fortnight . Now Mr . L . knew this was ali twaddle . Let us apply his principle to municipal elections . Why do the corporations elect their mayorsonce a year , a fortnight being long enough to keep a bad servant ? According [ to Mr . Ls ' . proposition they should elect tbeij mayors once a fortnight . Mr . L , had called him ( Mj . C ) his dishonest opponent . Now workingmen associate , a * Mr . L . wants ; circulate-ttacta

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      agreeable to hfa wishes , and sign his petition ; do ») 1 this and you will be safe enough in year- employment , bat join with us for the Charter , assert th * rights of labour , demand justice for the millions , and then let me ask you what would be the fate of many of you ? would yon not be turned from your employment , your names circulated through the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce , and compelled to se » fc employment at some other occupation , or starve . This was the proof he would give of the comparative honesty of the Chartists and the Leaguers , and I do not donbfc bat many •••{¦ you have suffered for the advocacy of the principles of real liberty . Mr . C . then concluded by exhorting the people to unite for the principles of the Charter -u ^ the only means to ameliorate their present cpnditien , and retired amidst the saost enthusiastic cheers of all who heard him , except Mr . L . and his clique of viewers ; who said to a friend of Mr . Cs \ that he was sorry to see such divisions in the ranks of working men . Mr . Ca \ friend

      told him the reason was that they had been too long imposed npon by being directed to look to shadows instead of substances , to alleviate their imfferlngB , that they had come to a firm determination to he deluded no longer with their will-o ' -the-wisp humbnsr , but to direct their whole energies towards the acquirement of the People ' s Charter in full , p , said Mr . Liddle , if you will guarantee me £ 3 . per week , I will advocate the principles of the whole Charter for you . Can anything be fairer than that ? Nothing Sir , ( said Mr . C . 's friend , who is a working coal miner , ] nothingcoald have shown you in your true colour better than your last offer , but we are afraid that if we should engage you as our advocate , that you would betray our principles , as you have now offered to de the Leaguers In consideration of £ 3 . per week . Jpwish you a good night , said Mr . Ca \ friend , and lam happy yoa hav « undeceived us , and showed your-pliancy to work for a living . With this the subject dropped , some of Mr . Liddle ' a adherents disgusted at his apparent want of principle .

      Weekly Meetings . —The Chartists of Newcastle held their weekly business meeting in the Chartist ' s Hall , Goat Inn , Cloth Market , on Monday evening , Mr . Deea was called to the chair ; the Secretary having read the minutes of lost meeting , which were confirmed , Mr . Cockbnrn moved , and Mr . Smith seconded the following resolution , which was agreed to -. —That outdoor meetings be held in Newcastle on the evenings of Tuesday and Friday of next week , namely , Spital on Tuesday , the 14 th inst , at eight o ' clock in tbe evening ; and Garthheada ( Shield's New Road ) on Friday evening , at eight o'clock . " Mr . Llvington moved as an addition , " That the memorial to the Queen and the remonstrance to the Commons be submitted to each of the meetings , " which was seconded by Mr , Finley , and carried unanimously . Mr . James Purvis said that in accordance with the rules of the association he now

      gave notice that he would bring forward the following resolution for discussion and adoption on this night week . It was not without precedent to bring it forward to-night , but that none might have occasion to say that it emanated from a hole and corner meeting , he thought it more advisable to bring it forward in the most publio manner possible the reselution to which he referred was as fellows : —Kesolved " That this association have great confidence in Feargus O'Connnor , Esq ., the proprietor , and the Bey . William Hill , the editor of that unflinching , organ of the people , the Northern Star , and do hereby pledge themselves to stand by those advocates of our principles so long as they continue to advocate the cause of real liberty as

      they have hitherto done ; and believe that the nut aspersions thrown out against Mr . O'Connor are unprincipled calumnies , because they cannot induce him to become a political pedler , as some of themhavedbne . The Rev . W . V . Jackson , of Manchester was nominated a fit and proper person to become a member of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association . Several contributions were paid in to Mr . Sinclair as treasurer for the Lecturer ' s Fuud ; All places desirous of uniting with Newcastle for the support of a lecturer , are respectively r . quettud to send in their names immediately to Mr . James Sinclair , No . 3 , Pipergate , Gateshead , as we are to enter into arrangements with a lecturer as soon as possible .

      COVENTRY . —We had a lecture on Sunday , on th evils of war , and of a standing army . The lecturer finally dissuaded young men from enlistment On Monday , being fair day , a number of hand bills of a . like character , with the preceding day ' s lecture were distributed among the country people . WINCHCOMB . —According to announcement we had a good meeting on Sunday laBt , at Toddipgton , where Mr . Melsom attended and gave a very spirited lecture on existing evils and their causes . The hearers were greatly pleased and unanimous in their desire fdr justice . On Monday night , at the monthly meeting , a vote of thanks was given to Mr . Melsom , of Cheltenham , for his 1 indefatigable and persevering conduct in advocating the causa 0 / the People ' s Charter .

      HANLEY AND SHELTON ( STAFFORDSHIRE Potteries . )—The members of the association in this place have removed their place of meeting to the Sea Lion Inn ( Hanley . It has been proposed that lectures shall be given here periodically , and every means used for the propagation of our principles . Much good may be expected from the change now resolved upon . Dundee . —At the weekly meeting of the Democratic Council , held on the evening of Monday week , Mr . James Anderson introduced the " National Remonstrance , " concocted , adopted , and promulgated by a party calling themselves the" City Members of the National Association . " Mr . Anderson stated that ho had some correspondence some time since with Mr . Lovett , about certain business , and that Mr . Lovett

      had sent him a circular enclosing a copy of the remon-Btrance , and requesting him to use his influence in obtaining signatures to it . Mr . Anderson read the remonstrance , a very leflgthy document , and similar in some respects to the National Petition . Mr . Wm . Davidson expressed his disapproval of the remonstrance . An outcry had been raised against the National Petition because it was said to embrace too many subjects , and this remonstrance lay open to the same chargn . It was also put forth b ' y a body who had no claim to the title of National , and ' whose motives might be questioned , seeing that the Convention , a body elected by and responsible to the people , had issued a remonstrance to which all Chartists would agree . He at one time was an advocate for the exercise of tee right of petitioning ,

      and urged upon all to sign their petitions , but he was now so thoroughly disgusted at the reception the people's petitions had' met with , that he , as an individual , would never sign another petition , unless recommended to do so by a truly natiopal body , and with a , prospect that it would be ef some use . He moved" That the Council have nothing to do with the remonstrance sent down by Mr . Lovett" The motion having been seconded , Mr . Anderson defended the remonstrance . He denied thac it embraced too many subjeets , or at all tesembleci the National Petition , it only pointed out the defactive system of representation , and a few of the evils arising therefrom . It could not be called a petition , as it asked for nothing . Mr . Rutherford also defended the

      remonstrance . Mr . James M'Pheraon supported tb * motion of Mr . Davidson . He heJd that the remonstrance was as open to attack as the National Patition was , that it was to be inferred that those who signed that docttmenC wished to abolish all the grievances there instanced ; that they embraced the court , the civil list , the army , the church , colonial government , &C , all which subjects -would be seized upon and made the most of by our enemies . He had supported the National Petition for the sake of UnanJaiity , seeing that it was adopted by fehe ' great body of the Chartists of England before 16 was objected to in Scotland . Mr . A . had opposed the adoption of the National Petition in Dundee , and he ( Mr . M . P . ) was surprised to find him urging the adoption of a similar document , what was in fact neither more nor less than a second National Petition , for it distinctly prays that the members

      of the House of Commons will speedily declare ^ in favour of the People ' s Charter . He believed the object of the parties who have put forth the remonstrance Mas to get themselves recogniSLd as a national body , by its general signature . After some farther discussion , the motion was put from the cnair and carried , only one hand being held up against it ; A : new field has been opened here for the spread of Chartism , the seamen , a body hitherto unknown as active Chartists , have had a little of the spirit of genuine freedom infused into them by one of themselves lately returned from , Gibraltar . A considerable number met in the council room on Friday evening . They were addressed by Messrs . John Duncan , William Davidson , and William Anderson , on the distressed state of the country , and in explanation of the principles of the Charter . Arrangements are in progress for calling a meeting of the seamen by hand-bills .

      The body of a young man was found in the river at Wills Braes , on Thursday week . From stones being found inside his jucket and in his pockets , there is no doubt but he threw himself into thb water . The individual mentioned above as having led the sailers to think of Chartism , was among the persons who discovered the body . A lady and gentleman were present who were loud in their sentimental lamentations , and attracted the notice cf the honest tar , -who pointed to the body of the suicide , and told them to look upon it as one result of class legislation , the young man probably having destroyed himself for want of the means of subsistence . The gentleman anticipated much evil from the adoption of Universal Suffrage , and the sailor getting warm with the subject , delivered a good Chartist lecture on the spot . We « 5 an fancy the effect of his address—supported as he was by such evidence against a system which compels men to seek death as a release froia . their miseries . —Correspondent .

      Untitled Article

      LONDON . —CAMBEBWEtL— The Chartfets of this locality held their weekly meeting at the Rose and Crown , on Monday evening * After the local business was concluded , Mr . Anderson delivered a lecture : on the evils arising out of the present system of class legislation , showing that the only remedy for improving the Government of this country was the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing l ^ sa . The lecturer throughout was listened to vntb great attention . A vote of thanka was given to the lecturer , and the meeting separated *

      BbomptoW . —The members met ^ asi usual at the Brompton Coffee House , on Tuesday evening , Mr . Wheeler in the chair . Reports of a satisfactory nature were given in from the London Delegate Council and from the Monthly Council ; Reports were also received from the Committee meeting at the Three Doves . The General Council were appointed to meet the Committee from the Delegate Council on Monday evening , at the Clock House , Castle-street , Leicesterrsquare . After the transaction of other business relative to tho funds , the meeting a ^ journedi ROCHDALE . —A larae and enthusiastic meeting was held on Monday , in the open air , for the purpose of memorializing the Queen to dismiss her present Ministers and call to her councils those who will make

      the People's Chatter a cabinet measure . The meeting was called by requisition to be held in the Butts . At the time appointed , Mr . Thomas Livsey was called to the chair , -who opened the meeting by rsadingiUie placard , and in a neat and appropriate speech introduced Mr . John Leach , to address the meeting , who , in a speech of Borne length drew attention to the distress which existed throughout the country , the cause of such distress , and the remedy . He concluded by reading . ^ b « remonstrance , and entreating the masses to come forward as men and enroll themselves members of the National Charter Association . —Mr . James Ashley seconded the remonstrance in a sensible and argumentative address . —Mr . James Taylor , sen . supported it in

      in a pithy and sarcastic manner , dealing his remarks with equal severity against both Whigs and Tories .- — The Chairman then invited any person forward wishingto make an objection , but none appearing , it was put and carried unanimously . Mr . Jordan Chadwick moved ,: a memorial to the Queen , in an excellent speech . —Mr . Benjamin Rudrnan briefly Becpnded the memorial , which , ou being put to the meeting was carried without a dissentient voice . Mr . James Taylor , jun . made a few remarks on the remonstrance and memorial , and moved a resolution to the effect that Wm . Sharman Crawford , Esq . be requested to forward / them to their proper quarters . Mr . James Casson seconded the motion . A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman and the people separated .

      Baildon . —A CbartiBt Camp meeting was held at this place on Sunday afternoon last , which was very numerously attended . Mr . Smyth and Mr . Kitchen addressed the assembly . GuiSELEY . ^ -Messra . Alderson and Brook attended a meeting at this place on Sunday afternoon last . Little Horton . —Mr . Smyth delivered a lecture on Machinery and Capital , on Sunday evening last , which gave general satisfaction . A resolution was unanimously passed to open a Sundaysohooi in the room , on Sunday next , for the purpose of teaching reading , writing , and arithmetic ; the school to commence at half-past nine in the morning , and at halfpast two in the afternoon . The members meet every Sunday evening , at six o ' clock , for transacting business ... ¦ ¦ . ¦ . .. ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦"¦ '¦ . ¦ -, ¦ '/ . ¦

      Stafford . —The Chartists of this place have commenced agitating the surrounding villages . On Sunday last , Messrs . Hunnible and Ward lectured to the villagers of Weston , who paid great attention to their discourses . Mr . Wm . Peplo w preached at Sand on ( the seat of the Noble Lord of that name ) from the 22 nd chapter of Proverbs , verse 6 , and was listened te with much attention . Chai . fqbd . —At a meeting held here on Thursday week , two shillings were collected for the Convention , which were paid over to the Stroud friends , tobeby them forwarded to the Ganeral Treasurer .

      BOLTON—BIr . Ross , of Manchester , attended here on Sunday evening , and delivered one of the most powerful and energetic addresses which We have latelv had the pleasure of hearing . The room , capable of holding « ight hundred persons , was crammed to suffocation , and many were compelled unwillingly to depart . An open air meeting having been convened for Monday evening on a large space of ground adjacent to the Exchange , a large concourse of people assembled long before the time of meeting , who evinced a great deal of anxiety as to the result , it being the first open air meeting held in this town since the 13 th of August , 1839 . At the time appointed for business , between four and five thousand people had assembled ,

      when Mr . Baird was unanimously called to the chair , who called upon Mr . GiHmqre to move the remonstrance issued by the . Convention , which waB seconded by Mr . Smith , aud carried unapimoualy . Mr . Richardson next came forward to move the adoption of the memorial which was seconded by Mr . Prentice , and carried unanimously . The Chairman then introduced Mr . Rossi who was most cordially received , and addressed the meeting for upward of an hour in his usual eloquent and masterly style . After a vote of thanks to the lecturer ; and chairman , three cheers for' the . Charter , three for O Cunnor , and three for Frost , Williams , and Jones , the meeting , the most spirited one held here for a considerable time , quietly dispersed .

      Due to the Executive for the sale of William Brelsford's Blacking , No . 18 , Royle Road , Burnley—Mr , Samuel Magson , Mytholmroyd 1 0

      To The Imperial Chartists.

      TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS .

      Cfcartfjst $Ntexliqmte.

      CfcartfjSt $ nteXliQmte .

      Untitled Article

      ADDRESS OF . THE EXECUTIVE CO MMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION TO THE PEOPLE . THE PEOPLE ' S DUTIES TO THE CAU 3 E , THEMSELVES

      AND THEIR ADVOCATES . The duty of the people to the sacred cause of Chavtista is , to keep in the undeviating path of perseverence . Opposhion should increase determination and zeal . Calumny and misrepresentation should stimulate the people to greater energy in the spread of truth and the diffusion of democratic principiea . All the movements of the people should be distinguished by unanimity , and the recommendations of all delegated deliberative assemblies elected by the universal voice of the people should bo supported and acted upon by all . The minority should in all cases yield £ 0 the majority , aud thus good feeling and just democratic principles would be the more effectually cultivated .

      It should neV ' . r be forgpttea by the Chartist body that hundreds of thousands of the industrious classes are pining in want of the common necessaries of life . Crime , di-ease , and death are all engendired and increased by the hideous monster class legislation . These ills can nevorba removed but by the triumph of burpriuoiples , and although perrieverence , danger , and sacrifice are needed to effaot ; the victory , the rbward will be great and glorious ; but to become / amt-hearted aud dravv back , will only be to hug the chains of despotism , and to remain iu the most degradiug aud agonizing slavery , ever groaning in misery aud sighing for release , withoui the least hope of freedom boing gained ; our motto then must be forwardin the good cause , for tyranny and death are behind , bufc liberty , happiness , and lite , invite us to march onward .

      Among themselves , the people should cultivate the best feelings qf , democratic friendship ; our political association , ; should be a Unitep Brotherhood , among whom , quarrels , dissensions , strife , or malice , should be unknown . Iu their conduct , the most strict sobriety should be observed , and it ought to be the most pleasing duty of Chartists to aid each other in distress , to rally rjund and protect each other from persecution and injury , and an insult or wrong inflicted un one , should be regarded as a deep injustice to alh . . :. To their advocates , those ; , who are foremost in danger , and whose patriotic exertions are the mainstay of the movement , tho people 6 hould extend tho

      best feelings of favour aud affection ; and at all times Chartists should be slow to condemn men whose lives have been devoted to the cause , and who have given , ia many good and virtuous actions , patriotic and positive proofs of their political integrity . ' The personal quarrels of these advocates , which it is to be hoped wjII never more arise , should never create division in the people ' s ranks . The actions of men should be regarded as the only true test of their sincerity , and a spirit Of ill-will or recrimination between those who are foremost in tho people ' . - * ranks should never be encouraged or ; magnified into importance by ihe proceedings of -the people

      themselves ; differences of opinion have arisen , now exist , and will of a certainty again spring up . We have reason and judgment enough to adjust differences , and the- will of the many should be euforced , and the obedience of the few be made a ready compliance ; tiie people , therefore , should protect all their advoaatea from perstoution / misrepresentation , and wrong , itnd cheer them on , and encourage them in there hazardous war / a e against despotism and corrttjsiioiu By these means alone , can mutual confi-( Lence and friendship be obtained , and that union promoted which is absolutely necessary to the sucoaaaof our holy cause .

      Untitled Article

      ' ¦ : ¦ ¦ .. ¦ ^^ S ^ cr THE PtANS PROPOSED . J& /^*~ ^ We have , since we were appointed to thScffice of . the Executive , struggled to defeat the common enemy by imitating their tactics , and employing the same powerful weapons against them which they have so successfully wielded against the people . Therefore , we have earnestly recommended th © General Council to assemble . and transact business in central points , and to organise the people iO districts . London and Manchester have followed that rule with a success which has been creditable to the leaders sod advantageous to the cause . We have recommended district lecturers to be chosen ^ ; and appealed to the neoDla to afford us the requisite

      funds to send accredited persons into the nnagitated parts of England and Wales . : We ^ wish , in ^ particular , to direct the people's attention to the position the National Charter ^ Association is in now as compared to what it was when we were elected to fiil the honourable aad responsible offioe of being mem bors of the Executive Committee . When we accepted office we had only sixty-six towns enrolled in-the National Charter Association ; : we have now 401 towns , villages , and hamlets enrolled in the Association . There were nearly 10 , 000 cards issued when we took office ; during the last twelve months we have issued 35 , 000 cards , and from information we have before us , we are convinced that there are not less than 50 , 000 members in the Association , as thousands have joined as who will not take out cards until after the election for the new Executive .

      W are now on the « ve of resigning office , and once more impress upon the public mind the vast importance of pursuing the line of agitation we have drawn ; and most earnestly do we declare to them that an Executive body can never be thoroughly supported unless it be backed by a long continued and unremitting agitation of the country . We also desire to point out to the people the prinoiple upon which the agitation of the various districts sneuld be conducted . We are of opinion that the perfection of freedom consists in local . government being " unchecked in its workings ; and therefore ^ we recommend each district capable of supportipg a lecturer , to empower the General Committee to elect an eligible person , and pay a salary suffloient :

      for his maintenance and remuneration for his labours . We do not desire to have undue power placed in our hands ; and therefore disapprove of the proposed plan of giving the Executive the power of appointing a corps of- lecturers on the principle that the directing power is quite enough for us to possess , and that the agitating ; power should , be held and controuledby the General CoanoiL We likewise ^ iaapprbve of the plan of electing a limited number of lecturers , on the principle tha- it would be a restriction on the genius which we observe springing up in the ranks of our association , which talent should have a fair chance of being-matured , a wide field to exercis . e itself in , and therefore to affard the young an honourable opening for a wise and just competition , we would leave tho choice of the lecturers to the General

      Council in the district : ? , the whole Association being the class from which the lectures should be chosen . We have no bbj ^ ctioa to offtr to the principle Gf allowing the Executive the temporary power of sending qualified persons to agitate parts of the country where the Association has not yet been established ^ but that powe r should not be retained after the districts were organized and capable of directing their own movouients . Each locality knows its own wants bes-t , and should endeavour to supply them whilst the Executive should overlook , direct , and devise plans of operation lor the whole . The efforts of the General Council should be local , the duties of tho Executive National , ani if we always made that honess and Chartist distinction , we would fulfil our separate duties without the chince of dispute , and with every prospect of success to our glorious principles .

      • - ¦ . ¦ . THE OBSTACLES WE HAVE ENCODMERED . The first grand obstacle ; that has crippled our efforts has been the limited funds of the Association , and the irregular manner in which wo have been supplied with ths sinews of war . We are fully satisfied that the people will have to amend'the plan of organiZition . in regard to tho collecting of funds , and make an ; . equal levy on the districts , or by any other means the general council may suggest . We have to assure thi country that the want of funds hag crippled our best efforts , and prevented us from laying before them schemes of greater magnitude for the advancement of our cause . We have likewise

      encountered much difiicuky from the want of meeting places of proper dimensions and in convenieut situations , and we would particularly recommend to companies of shareholders to erect , during this summer , wooden houses , as tho first step to the erectingof more fcubatamial buildiBgs . Every member must see the necessity of sacrificing something to effect au object which would make us independent of our enemies , richer in our funds , and more united in our agitajioa . We have calculated that frbm £ 15 to £ 30 would erect commodious wobdeu houses , or sheds , which might be insured at their full value to prevent the danger 0 ! conflagration . We have likewiso encountered considerable opposition to our movements , in consequence of jealous

      and brainless divisions amongst ; public- men , and unfair criticism from our Own press , both of which are calculated to Tab us of public supjpdrt and esteem , and renders the Executive a vain and farsical appendage to the Aissociatioh . We are in a position , as officers of the Association , to be held responsible to the people , who elected us , and fairly open to the fair criticism of speakers , writers , aDd editors—our documents , recommendations , and actions are fair game for public approval » discussion , or condemnation ; but , we contend , that beyond that we are not compelled to submit . ; It is with considerable pain we allude to the hostility which the Editor of the Northern Star : has shown towards one of our members , and to the

      degrading position in which he has cast the Executive itself . We are most ready to admit ' , 'tkeiStar as the leading organ of tho movement—to acknowledge cheerfully tho groat services it has rendered to the cause of Chartism—but it is not above criticism , any more than the Executive ; and , whilst we thank its Editor for the services he has conferred oh the movement , and the attention he has bestowed on us , we are nevertheless determined to assert our independence of action on the one hand , and on the other our responsibility for all our deeds to the people alone , whose servant 5 we are . ' ¦ ; The Editor of the Star has asserted that he has

      altered our documents to preserve us from the fangs of the law . The accusation borne on tho face of this admission is a serious and important one . because it necessarily implies that we are criminally ignorant of our duties . In reply we have to say , that to the best of our recollcctiqa , the assertiou of Mr . Hill is utterly unfounded , and calculat 3 d to set forth his own , judgment and importance at the expence of the people ' s publio and responsible serFaiits . If the assertion is correct , then Mr . Hill has assumed a power to himself he had ho right to , and which we are determined to resist , until such time as he may be elected by the people to be public censor and general supervisor ever the Executive Council .

      We most solemnly protect against the power assumed by the Editor of the Star . Firstly , because it is contrary to the spirit of Chartism , and the rules of the association , and the rights of the people , who are , and ou » ht to be , the sole censors of the Exeoutive . Secondly , it is establishing a dangerous precedent , and conferring a despotic power on the press , which , if added to-. its present enormous influence , would not only leave tho character 0 : men at its disposal ^ but tho very documents which they wrote in their defence might be exposed * o designing alteration and Unjust dedactions .

      We hold that the- - Editor has no right to alter public documents ; but to insert them entire , accompanied with such , renurks as may be suggested by a man oocupyinii the poaition of Mr . Hill , and a mind elevated and desirous of liberty , and ever anxious ' to advise and reason , instead of condemning and undermining . We thank Mr . Hill , if his intention was to s ^ rva the Executive and protect them from danger , but with all due deference to the superior intelligence of Mr , Hill , we beg mos-t emphatically to have the privilege of correcting our ovvn documents , dfcfending our own characters , and answering to the people for our ignorance and oriminal Omissions . Wo shall not be dragged into a hostile c 6 rfesppnder . ee , cr into quarrels of any kind , and therefore we appeal to the people on ono ^ raud point , namely , are we to be responsible to the peopla or the Editor of the iVorthern Star I if to the former , we are content ; if to the latter , vote him into his office , and tve will obey .

      fellow Chartists , —The period of our sittings have nearly expired , and on retiring from office we feel that we have done the very best wo coultl under existing circumstances to forward the movement ; we have striven to maintain our position , ( how we have done so we have already mentioned ) to propagate our principles and to increase our numbers . Finally , we have laboured to put down division ( there has never been any in our body ) to secure unanimity and preserve our independence and your rights . ; - vm have not hadany votea of disapprobation , but manyV very many of a contrary nature .

      In taking leave of you , we publicly thank tho Gsneral Council for their continued co-operation , and the people for their general support in a period of unexampled distress . We have now but one earliest recommendation to give—one sincere advice to offer —oiie lbng-fncouraged hope to cherish until it is matured , ; v ; z ., thav the people may practice the principles ot the Charter as well as understand them . Never forget that a principle which is just applies equally to the transactions between a

      Government and ai nation , as it does to the common intercourse between man and man ; therefore , let U 3 thiuk , act , and judge of measures , movements , and men , by . the golden rule of the Charter . We have the hoabur to be , Your faithful representatives , Jame 3 LEACH ,: P « siie ^ t . P . M . M'DoVALL . \ R . K . Philp . Morgan Wiiliams . John Campbell , tecretary .

      Untitled Article

      : | AND LEEDS GENERAL iLBfiMlSl ^ VOL .-Y . ' H . O . . 239 . ' ¦ SATURDAY , JIME ^ 184 ^ ^' ^ Sg . , ^^

      Address Of The London Delegate Council To The Chartists Of London.

      ADDRESS OF THE LONDON DELEGATE COUNCIL TO THE CHARTISTS OF LONDON .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 11, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct434/page/1/