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Northern Star (1837-1852), 26th November 1842, Edition 2 of 4, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      THE POLITICAL VICTIMS . ' GREAT MEETING AT THE CROWN AND : ANCHOR . TAVERN , STRAND . j On Thursday night , the men of London 3 nd its ad- ! Jsc ~ nt parts—the friends of hninanity and justice— , assembled in theii thousand at the Crown a . ui Anchor Tav .-m , to testify by their presence the sympathy whick they-experienced -with tbo = c inb ' . e Mid patriotic 1 individuals who have been recently made the subjects of p'rc . ecntion at the lite Special Cornniissi'n * , to tske into consideration the proceecincs "which hafi cbanxterue-i those Comniissio : s , and to adopt Eueh measurt-s as micht be deemed requisite to ensure a fair , pa-ieut . anc irrpnrtial trial to ina : viduals yet to be indicted , as pa . ' : c "; pating in t = e la : e lamentable disturbances in the XKr-thsrn and midland counties ; asd to afford itlicf to neatly 300 families , who , by the convictions and s-ntenct-s already pass-d , have b-. en deprived of tbeir natural protectors , and are thereby left no cthtr alternative » han to set k refuge in union workhouses , or to become houseless -nu destitute wanderers through the

      lard . The meeting -was called for half-past seven o ' clock , but lorg before that hoar the maznifictnt hail in which the meeting was held was crowded to t-x ?« s , with a respectable and ^ n intelligent an Ucoe- T- . e orchestral gailtry was filed w th ladirS . and on the platform we Bor . ctd Miss M . A . Water , > Hs . s ic ; e . Mi ~ s Miles , f . nd 8 Lirse number cf the leading numbers of " The F-. n ^ e Chnrtist A ^ s -ciatioD . '' Shortly after ha . 'f past seven oVkck , T . S- Vazccmb * . Esq ., il . P-. accompanied by F . O Connor , E-q . W . P .

      B . oerts . E = q .. J . C ' . caTe . Esq , J . Daneoiube . E-q , Dr . IB'ack . D .-. Bjwkett J Duncm , E-q ., Mwrs . Cuupbel , fiL 3 t ? , Ridley , eij a host of other well-k ^ o"s-a aavocsttrs of the people ' s r ; ghu ami privilrgt ? enltred the rcKin , and proceeded on to tie plalfomi akiidBt tbe must enthusiastic caemnz and ¦ waving of hats and bsnikerchitfs . Eating euttred upon the platform , Jlr . Daxconibe was Saluted with three d-ctinct rounds of applause , so heiny and so ncanini > . u 3 , as couid re : fail to make proud the hoaeit and deserving recipient of the people ' s favour .

      Oa the motion of 5 ! r Oave , T . S . Buncombe , E-q . H P . was calltd to the chair . As soon as silence was in some degree obtained , the Chairman rose to aridiess tbe mcttina , but the plaudits K « re again and agdin renewed , so th . t it w&s sume ir . . nutes before he ceuld proce ^ J . At length , he eaid : —The truiy indepe :. d < rnx and pLtroticEnsiishHifcn who Originated the propjsition for c . iliny this lntetiug , must ft ~ l highly gratified a : the n -b ! e ina ± Jier in which thtlr Ct . 'l hia been responded to . The numerous atttndai . es of ' -his evening nust afford them the highest sratiutati a— : chetra ) . But f « r niys-J t * bt uusn-m-ju ^ iy elcct ' . d , to preside a jx-n an occasion soii . tcresting—Concerning a cause £ 0 coun <; Ctr 1 'With the rights and Hbr-Tti ^ s , and I may say , liie distresses cf the working classes of this country—I consider it L-e . iy h-t . uuraule , nct-¦ W . th = taDdin § , that a learned Judge of the br . d , in his jr .-js * . unccnstitutional cluige to the Grand Jury , kad

      thr- uc jacity toass * it that three or f ^ ur thou ? ana E : ialishnieii eculd . ot meet toge : fcrr for the purpoia of lieli'crntin ^ aad discniiiug p litical ^ rierjincts . without such association br ^ ni &uiity of committing ihafwhich , iE rhe eye of the la t , , t r-ther in the eje ul the Judge , 1 e js uaisvffa' ass ^ nioly . His Ljicsiiip said , that no H-n ta his senses c ^ uld . beiicVc , th ^ t an assembly of thiee cr four thonsand persons cou-d be convened for rlj u ? rfai Iejf&l p-.. rp- ! Si—( gt jan * aj . d hi& > ts * . But I sn . prn ' ectly satisfied that the assembly which I see brf ^ reme , and ¦ wbich -wvuld be five tia > -s aa large if tfce iMm ¦ would coofain ih = m—iheur , hear ;—1 say that this assembly will give a practical contradiction to tfce insertion of tbe CJtitf J notice ; and if any difference cf opinion should oceur among you . you -will hear Trith patience and attention aty person who may ¦ R-ish to txurc&a such clfiiience— ( hfc ^ i and ch ^ = is ,. Thare 3 Hj J hi those , I truit aotherc , but eiaevbsrs , who may eEdeavonr t-o misreprtSrat onr motives ; but it is ir . y espec al duty to inf-jrni you of the purposes for ¦ which you ^ re asicmblcd , rather than txprcss any opinion of bj own—fheai , heir —W < s are here not to fympatl-isc with crim ^ or justify s . ny disibeditnca or resistaiice to the la-s- —( hc&r , hear ;—or to advocate any violence to property or person—ihtar , h&ar ,- beanbut we are here iur the legitimate purpose of pnblicly discussing our grievaLMs—in exercise ef a privilege ¦ which is the birthiight of Es ^ ibhmen . And if the ad-IDiDieiratien of public t ^ iirs , or any portion of that ad-HjiniEtratio !! , dfcsjrvcs th : ; t c ^ nuemnav . ^ n , we are here , as Englishmen , loualy , firmly , ttd boldly to condemn it , Loud cheers I In the frst p ' . vce , yon have met b ^ re to diaensi—to listen to the statements that may be irade , and to jsoge whether , in the late unfortunate disturbancea which to ^ -k place in ths manufacturing districts , and in cunsrquer . ee of which a commission irai appointed , strict justice , and no more , was Edministered—whether that conjmi&tion had done its doty fairiy and impartially , &nu whether against these ¦ wro have been aluaoy put on thfch trial , and tho&c ¦ who are to be put on their trial , any unfair pr ^ jniices

      have feten disseminated , or any advantage taken of tbe party feelings which prevailed , in the prosecutions cf . such persons ( H * ar , . hear . ) . Lastly , we are met to ex- ' pr-48 our sympathy "with the widow and the fatherless — -with the 300 p > or families who are at this . roomfcni in the greatest . sfl'ction in consequence of the sentences vfiich h 3 Te be ? n already passed . Daubtlr&a th' -re may be some among ths individuals who have Buffered , and who are about to Buffer , that may have committed crime , but snrtly even in thdr cases , the ' partiu-nlhT circumstances ef the Cjnntry should be con- ' sidered , pnd the distresses arising from claes legislation , aEd the sordid , narrow views of the House of Com- ' m ini , and the state of misery in whieh the lower ( classes are , and for some time have been , should not be ! forzotten . ( Loud cries of hear , and great cheering . ; At all events , it is the dnty of Englishmen ta meet aci ¦ inquire wbttbet the laws liave not ksen ovwstrained i to m * 8 t thfcil cases , and for a still more benevolent ! purpc-seTia to txeite others to contribute to the imp- i

      , , port of , and to console the families of the p < , or men ! lrho are in bo deplorable a condition , and to creat *; a \ food not only to rsett the exigencies of the present case , ' but to serve as a protective fond for the liberty and ! constitutional freedom of the subject ( Hear , hear . )! I mean , a fund so arranged and so distributed , th 3 t it night be applied to the defence of those , individuals vho may be persecuted by the Government , and may j not have the power of coping with the Treasury—who l Heed assistance , and who will have tbe consolation of , knowing , that everything will be done to give them a ' fair and impartial trial—an honest Jury and an honest Judge . Ihere were many instances , nsfortunately too [ maay . where oppression was practised , and should be i

      resisted . In the disturbed districts , in South Scsffyrd , ! B poor can , named John Mason , atd seven other ' vrorking men , were imprisoned on the representations i of police conatables . They -were tribd at the Quarter , 5 fc 6 sion « , HTirl Mason wag 8 entenced to six months' iffiprisonmtnt ; and tha other workmen or > lered to be imprisonbd from two to four months—( groans . ) -But ; previous to their convictions , the magistrates sent to ! iLaaon and the others , to tell them that if they pleaded ! guilty , of unlawfolSy at ^ euding a Chartist meeting , the record against them would be withdrawn . But Mason ' and his companions noliy said , that as they were inno- ' cent , they could not plead guilty , and h ^ iice th ? y ! were punished for not being base enough to tell a lie— j ( loud cheers and cries of ' Shame . *) They said they had I

      Bri in public to discuss public matters , and the author ities had ne right to inttrfere with them . They spoke constitutionally , aud the authorities acted otherwise . TV hat was the conduct of the people of Stafford ? To tbeir credit be it recorded , the members ' of all classes , and , I believe I may say , patties , thouaht those individuals so ill used , that - they entrred into a subscription , which he believed still existed , for the purpose of maintaining the famines of those poor men . P .-ec « ientg are of great Yahia in the House of ComnioES—( lanehter . ) This one should be so with us . I a ^ ain repeat that it is our bounden duty to enquire whether the men who have been tried have been tried fairly , and whether the prejuiioes of others have n- > t been acr ^ iled to and

      awakened in order to txiMerat-e their guilt—if guaty they » tre , A case was iat > -. y communicated to me by Mr . Rubcrts , a solicitor rcaaiDg at Bath , which I will relate as much for the purple of thowing tb . 6 tpirit cf fair play which actuated Lord Chief Jnst ' ice Tindal , as . to exhibit a specimen of the paltry prejn iice by which magistrates are achm-i against the Chirt ^ ts . Sume men were tried at the St iff ^ r . J Ommission for offences , or imagined off = nrea , &-. nc-:-cted with the la : e disturbance * . Mr . William Pcplow , in order to obtain information for the solicit ; r who defended tiem , Mr . Roberts , and which w ; s absolutely necessary for the defence of the poor jr-.-c , -was ebliged to go in and out of the court The .-cc -nd or third time he attempted doing so , he wa ? s : < Ji ; pwli at the door , and fotViadtn

      admission . We aiw ^ Tf thon ^ ht at l&ist into court * cf justice the pt-oi > l * bad free admtfisioo , and so Peplow eipreaaed br , u ± - If to the d ^ jorkeeper . *• Tiiat may be all Tery good , " said the official , " but I have strict orders from the H-gh Sheriff not to aliow yon to pass , btcausc you are a Chartist !'" Mr . Roberta being informed of the matter , communi cated it to the Judge , Lord Chief Justice Tindal , lrho said , " Let the man go in and out as often as he thinks proper , we knew nothing of Chartists here . " How different has been the conduct of Lord Abinger at Liverpool and ether places . With him & man has only to be proclaimed a Chartist , and his guilt was supposed ; if tbe » H g hfa » fc suspicion ot Chartism attached to a man , these was so mercy for him , not even the benefit of clergy . Poet Lord A binger know that formerly men h high in station as the Duke of Bedford and the Duke

      of BiehmoBd were Cn&rtisU , and advocated principles » hkh his Lordship now proclaims as rebellious and treasonable 1 Tom have all heard of that brmtal and Woody J « dg * of former days , Jitge Jeffrie * . There is a pasag * related in his life which reminds as of the mode of MoerUining tbe gmUt of tbe accued in Liverpool and Manchester lately . An Individual wai brought before that Judge , and it appeared that the crime with whieh be was charged really had no foundation ; but the cocnael employed against him ssid , that the pri-¦ oner Bonutimw west to church , and sometimes went to the eonreBtkle j in abort , my Lord , said the counsel , be is what is called a trimmer . Oh , a trimmer said Jeffries , is he a trimmer then ? Ltt the monster stand up « ntil I see a trimmer . The poor man was so frightened , that he knew net what to say ; in short he was condemned , not because he was guilty of tbe crime

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      chsrg -d acn ' nst him ; but because he was a trimmer . Triere were many individuals now languishing in prison whose only real offence was their being Chartists . As 1 said before , my duty chiefly is to explain the object of the meeting , others will make such statements as mit the occasion , and are founded on truth , I feel satisfied that this meeting will give a flit contradiction to Lord Abineers opinion , that three or four thousand Englishmen could not meet without committing the slightest breach of the law , and discuss those- grievances which the Parliament oi Government of the day have inflicted upon this country . The Hon . Gbutleman took his seat amid the same deafening applause which greeted hia rising .

      Mr . Ball proposed the first resolution , but was for a kngth of time inaudible . He was understood to say that clas-s legislation was the cause of the majority of tbe evils under which the lower classes was groaning . It Wiis five years ago since be subscribed to tbe People ' s Charter , and then , and since then , he believed that D « .-thire tr « u ! d remedy their evils , except the adoption of the People ' s Charter . It was useless to talk of pariial remedies—there was no remedy but a fair representation . The aristocracy complained , because the people were discontented , but he told the aristocracy that the people would , and ought to be , discontented as l-. ng a * their just rights were witheld from themht s . r . hear , and cheers . )

      Doctor Bij'WK . ETT ^ nex . t arose , amid gT ^ at cheering , to second the resoluti&i . 1 » the first instance he called upor . those pretent to express tbeir sympathy not oniy Lt the degraded condition of the victims * t present incarcerated in the pao ' s , but likewise of the humbler classes of their countrymen generally . Patience vrap prtached to them Sunday after Sunday from thousands i f pu ' . pits , but ha was of opinion that their text should bs ' fhou Ehalt do no murder . " "Wken a man committed murder , the greite « t horror -was expressed ; and if the authorities did not at once arrest him , they were considered negligent and inattentive ; but he told them that by the abominable system of class legislation , thousands , aye , millions , were annually murdered , " * hicb could not be too much deprecated—( hfeaT / hfar . )

      Dr . Bowkett then adverted to the reports of the sanatory condition of the people of England , which tx hiHted the melancholy comparison between the compantile ages of the arisLocratic and the working c ' -.. £ *¦ . *— the ages of the former averaged forty-tbrte jtzrs , whilst that o ! the lower classes was twenty-two ! i Cries of " Ob , oh . ) The Bpeaker then dilated upon this appailing fact , and gave a vivid description of the dietrtsses of the poor ; illustrating his statement by appalling instances of destitution . A shoemaker whom he kc ^ w , and who was an honest industrious nmn , had been recently very unwell—he advised him to exercise a little , in order to improve his health , but the poor man said his convalescence should ba employed in wcrkinc f- 'T his children , to save them from starvation .

      Dr . B-. wkttt then remarked that his life wuuld b * s h rilliitd if he did not exercise ; upon which the poor m :. u said that death would r * a relief to him , and th :: t the --- < or . er he got out of thid life the better , for he was w . ary of it . The learned doctor , in continuation of the harrowii ^ picture which he had diawn of the working elates , and of the degraded condition into which they ¦ wtre brought by " Class Ltisisla ' . ion , " alluded , in further illustration of tbeir wretchedness , to a cose o ! individual merr «? c 3 rinfc ? a in bis own neighbourhood , which might , for its recklessness a : ; d felfisbness , be r ? r ^ ari ! ei ! as emanating from , and in keeping with , that base ' CEass L-cislation , ' to which he had alluded , and

      which they were then met to denounce . The person who Sirured bo little to hiB credit in this business , was supr > "Bed in the neighbourhood ( Poplar ) to be a most " tXrniplary and religious" man , and yet be bad let a ncmKr of small " hovels" to the labouring poor , the utmost ( xtt-nt of those hovels beinsj six feet by eight , and mt of which , while the wretched inmates were vri'bout vrater-butt , or any other accommodation ( they bci : g obliged to drag water from tfce Thames ) he was ruv . winij at the rate ef 75 per ctnt ) At the end of the low vf houses in ^ aefction , the said ir . dividuil had a " stahie , " the accommodations and con : frits for his "h-.-r > e" which were far beyond what he afforded these " human beings" his posr tenants . iSharne . ) He . Dr . Bowkett ) mentioned these circumstances in order to shew how little the aristocracy— and even the " reputed relisious" amoDgstthem—felt for " the poor ' and ho » much more they thought of their horses than of their fellow-creatures . ( Hear , bear . ) And it was right , he felt , if such doings should not be p'cached against and denounced from the pulpit , that they should be told in , and go forth from , such places as tho meeting which he was then addressing was assembled in . ( Hear . ) With these observations , regretting that they had neither " pure religion" nor " pure charity ' in the cenntry , he would content himself with seconding the resolution . ( Loud cheers , amidst which the resolution was put and carried unanimously . )

      Mr . O'CONJ » oa then arose to address the meeting , and vas received with overwhelming and tumultuous cheerins ; , which lasted for a considerable time . Silence having been restored , Mr . O'ConDOr spots aa follows : ¦ ' Mr . Chaiman and brother Chattibta , now I am on my legs I don"t know wb : it Vo say—( chetrs . ) I am afraid there may be some of the nobie Graham Judi ; ea present —; c ! . eers )—and perhaps , though I may in my tstimation make use of language perfectly legal , eome of their lortUhips may , by perversion of the law , construe is iato constructive treason—( cheers and laughter . ; I ij teil you a story—there ' s nothing illegal in that ( chet-rs . ) I think we were talking abcut Juries and Judges . There was once upon a time a man of the name of Carly Mulligan—he was an Irish Catholic aud

      consequently an outlaw—he held about foity acres of land from a Mr . Trevors , a Protestant landlord , and Curly had raised the value of the land from about forty shiHingg to fif : y shillings an acre , and his landlord was very anxious to get hold of bh piece of land ; but Curly had a little impediment called a lease ; Trevers had determined , however , that that should be no impediment ,-and Abicger , I beg pardon , Lord Xorbury , soon after iried poor Carly . Mulligan ; and Curly could not ^ eak a word of English , so when they asked him whether he would submit , or whether he would traverse , he did not understand what they meant At last , however , it was battered into bis head , and he always ha « i Travera in his mind ; and he aaid in hia native ton ^ uo . " I don't know what this Smith is , but to thu devil

      I give Tnvers . " ( . Cheers and laughter . ) He was tried in English , and be was found guilty , and the fir » t intimation that he bad of what was going on was the Judge putting on the black cap , then the crier of the c » urt told him he was guilty , and asked him if he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him . " What the devii is that ?" says Curly . " Tell him , " said the Judge , " that the jury kave found him guilty , and ask him what he has to say . " ' Oh , " says Curly , " to tbe devil I . give the jury—I'm going with none of ' em "—( cheers and laughtr . ) That is my position , just mutatis ^ mutandis , say -what you like ; but neither Judge nor jury care for -what you Bay . But I am here not to appeal to y » ur charity ; I am here to lay before you , as

      Englishmen , the truth regarding a certain circnmsuncn , and to expound to you that which cannot be kept in darkcess by the Judges . I am one of the victims—( loud cheira . ) This is my sixth criminal prosecution within these five years . Six of them ! and here I am as large as life—( cheers . ) Well ! but , now , what is the object for which you have been convened here to-night ? That's the question . This is a meeting ot all classescf all shades of politics—of all lovers of justice—( cheers . )—You are not htre to express your approbation of any political principle , for the aiding of which your friends have been committed ; but you are here to express joor abomination of laws being stretched to put down the expression of sentiment—you are here for the purpose of showing , that fritter away as they

      ; may the British Constitution , there yet remains in it a i spirit which no Judge can destroy , which no jury can : efface !—( loud cheers . ) If you pronounce me innocent , j what care I for the verdict of a packed jury ? i — , 'loud cheers . ) Either would I carry the impress of their infamy into my lonely cell , being consoled ¦ : with your verdict of innocence , than walk a ^ out with , their verdict of acquittal whilst yon pointed with I the finger of scorn , and designated me " guilty" —( oud cheers . ) I am a conspiratoi —( cheers . ) I was cited to I appeaT on Saturday last before the Queen ' s Bsnch , to answer for a conspiracy—( cheers . ) Why , the law has conspired aga ; n § t me , not I 3 gainst the laws—( cheers . ) ¦ What is the meaning of conspiracy ? Conspiracy means : consulting together in secret to destroy what is

      legitimate and ought to exist Why , I never asted in secret—I n ^ ver held secret communion or consulted secretly upon politics in all my life ; what I have done I have done openly—I have done boldly , f < -r I knew that I had justice on my Bide—( loud cheftb . ) Bnt they arrested sixty-two of us , and as 3 Ir . Durieombe observed at the last meeting at which he Lad tbe honour to preside—for though a uitmbtr tf that angust assemblage ^—the House of Commons—I say it is an honour to be called en to preside at such a meeting as this —( cheers )—that there was an oVject in our arrfcst , and so there was ; it "was to give a tone to the subject—to give importance to the Euljjct—an old hat is mended by cocking it ; there must always be an addition to it ; and what do you thiuk that cock cost

      us ? V » hy , £ 331 . Sixty-two labourers were served with notices on Monday to appear , either personally or by proxy , at the Qieen ' s Bench ; for that they paid £ 5 8 s . each . But there must be another cock in the old hat ; that fashion wonld not last beyond the term ; there was an invitation to appear before her MDjtsty wherever she might be . I was in bed when I received my invitation , and I was near about getting np and starting off for Walmer at once—( cheers and laughter . ) We entered an appearance , however , and we must plead next term , and that will cost us all £ 5 8 s . more . We must all pay our traverse fees , £ 600 more . Men , to avoid remaining in custody , are obliged to find bail , and their expenses are very heavy , amounting , at least ,

      to 4 M 0 * ; £ 3 , 400 before conviction ! Before a magistrate , if a man is fined £ 2 for a petty larceny , and cannot find bail , he goes for two months to the House of Correction . How nsny months should we have to be in prison for the large amount of maney which these proceedings have cost as ?—( cheers . ) The indictment charges with—what ? Meteing on the 17 th of August , and creating certain rowa and ri « ts on tbe 1 st of August —( cheers . ) Aye , bnt Uen you don't see this ; you dont know what this means . The law has nothing to do with this . It is a political take . What do you think this new move was for ? Chartism was going out of the minds of the landlords—it was going out of the minds of the Income Tax payers , and that was why we were to be prosecuted . Halloo , " says Peel , " the

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      fires are about ; this won't do ; we must reconcile the Income Tax payers to the Income Tax ; we must let them tee what we wanted the Income Tax for ; to put down the Chartists to be surt—( loud cheers . ) Wo . must keep Chartism up as a bugaboo to frighten them , and convince tbe aristocracy that the are all going to be nrurdered "—( cheera , and a voice , " Tbe Chartists don't want that" ; We do not not want you to tell us that , my friend—( cheers ) Here , then , is that wonderful charge brought against us . We met on the 16 th August at Manchester , we met openly ; we threw open our doors ; we interposed an authority to prevent bloodshed , acd we published every thing that was ( lone . But there was a placard upon the walls—a placard of which we knew nothing ; but I knew

      everytbicK ! at least , they said bo . Roebuck said I drew up the National Petition ! But there was a placard stuck up , and I declare that I never saw it , I take my oath , till it -wasstuck up— ( cheers ) . It was put thf-re by the enemies to the Chaitist cause—( cheers ) , I am'not goiDg to appeal to the charity of you , gentlemen , at all —1 am going to appeal to your pockets —( cheers ) . Here it is ; here is tbe little book (•• The Poor Man ' 8 Companion " ) . These prosecutions have coat us £ 2 400 . Now , Government prosecutions , since tbe year 1800 up to tbe passing of tbe Rfform Bill , averaged about £ 50 000 a year ; since the passing of the Keform Bill it has ca * t aa much as £ 350 , 000 a year for Governmental prosecutions —( cries of " shame , shame . " ) And I find in every year since the Chartist persecutions , an

      increase of CO per cent , in the secret service money—Ishame ) . And ev ^ ry year when there is an election , the expence is doubled . So you see , gentlemen , you not only pay for prosecuting us , but you afterwards—at least the generous portion of you—pay for defending ub ( cheers ) . Now , as a matter of courso , we shall be tried ; perhaps we shall be convicted—What of that ?—( cheers ) I have been convicted before —{ loud cheers ) — li-we ^ o to jail , what cf that t —( cheerB ) . Wo will come back again —( loud cheersK Anrl then we'll meat you here again—( renewed cheers ) . Aye , but we have the Whigs now ; and , by the byo , our friend , Mr . Duncombe , spoke of precedent—our friend wrote on behalf of White to Sir James Graham , and Graham replied that he had not departed from the rules laid down by

      Russell and Aormanby . Here you nave them ; ro : ies acting upon Wbig precedent , and Whigs upon Tory misrule . Some peeple eay " You have the Whigs , now is the time to form an alliance between the working men and the middle classes . " I am ready—I always was ready—for that , but if we have a union it shall be a union of principle—{ loud cheers ) . Not if it were to save rny life to-morrow , much less to save myself from imprisonment , would I give up one single point of that Charter by which I have so long stood—( cheers ) . If tha Whigs want me , here I am ; hey know where to find me . To them I wou't move an inch —( cheers ) . If they think to gag me by any humbug of Free Trade , they may just as well think of turning the sun from hia course—( loud cheers ) . If they wish to

      form a free trade , so that it shall be a blessing to all , let them look to us for the means of establishing it—( loud and continued cheers . ) Not when I am hunted by tbe Tories am I to form a base coalition with the Whigs—( cheers ) . The Whigs prosecuted me five times , and no doubt the Tories will do so as often . ( Some confusion was btre caueed in tbe body of the hall by a woman faintiDg ) Now , my friends , I'll tell you what—the present struggle is to mar the reality of reform . The great fault of our Legislature is , that they are never forced into a measure but they destroy the effect of it themselves —( cheers ) . The higher orders never wanted reform themselves , ana it is we -who must struggle for the true principle . I >> stroy Chartism , and another system of agitation

      springs up—for the progress of the mind of man will not be arrested till the object of that mind is gained ( cheers ) . We ought almost to rejoice iu the recent outbreaks , for they have proved that the people in tne pos-smion of power do not trtate ftnnrcby—tbe ptople rose tnwiusse . and no blood w . iBsbed—no gr * : r . ur h ; . rm was doua than the pulliug out of a pluij w two —icfcters ) . Well , I tlunk God they have attempted to pciiit the finger at me , and havo selected a hired informer for that purpose , and havo treated us with a siecial jary , apprehensive lest a union might take place between the Whigs and the CtwrHsts—( loud cheers ) . Now we ' ve got a special jury—that is , suppose to-morrow a kindly feeling should arise in favour of Chartinn , the Crown has the

      powir of appointing forty-eight jurors ftom the ur . contauiinattd class to try us . ( Shame . ) I have been tried by two special juries before , and , as a matter of course , they both found me guilty of being—a Chartint . ( Cheers ) There waa no evidence at all required before a modern Jtffrits—the modern Jeffries who derply ejmpathised with the suffering people—he would like to Eee tho streets paved with penny loaves , aud to Bee rendered happy every weeping advocate of the poor and desolate of their kin . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Aye , the cause ef our disorder lies not in the Tories , not in the Whigs , but , as our excellent friend has said , in class legislation . ( Loud cheers ) But let them do what theyc ^ n , let them judge aa they please , till the great Tamworth doctor can discover by what chemical process

      he c > n make gold out of paper , he cannot keep the Chartists down . ( Cheers . ) He must get pure gold out of paper Erst , and he caunot do that We lnuat go onsuffer , suffer , Buffer till we see an end to it ; we must not dishonour ourselves in tho hour of trouble by a compromise of our principles . ( Cheers . ) Could there be anything more inviting—could there be a moment mure precious—an opportunity more aeeuily than the present , for me to move fiom my principles ? But I will not—not one jot or one point . ( Loud cheers . ) No , no , " Whistle , aud I'll come to you , my lad , " won't do . They are the men that prosecuted ub , and now tbey act upon the old system—courtiug the widow

      coming from her husband ' s funeral ; and now they think to csurt the Chartists when their friends are confined . No , no , we are going to have a large augmentation to our ranks . All tbe shopkeepers are on ttie point of bankruptcy . ( Cheera . ) All tho cotton lords are beginning to squeak—( cheers )—every man of them . ( Cheers . ) All those who wold make cheap bread by substituting Iron , and wood , aud a Warn for flssh , and blood , and sinews—by substituting machinery for manual labouT , they are coming to tbe dungeons like j ourselves . ( Cheers . ) And when we are alLeneuIphed in general ruin , then ont of chaos will spring life , and shape , aud form . ( Loud and continued cheers . ) But I am not the man to hasten that , uor am I the man to

      avoid it , to place you in greater jeopardy . ( Cheers . ) Tbe Government will shortly be without the means of paying their soldiers and their sailors if you don't replenish the exchequer . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I hava now laid before you the whole case . Everything we did in Manchester we did with open doors—we have published it all , and yet we have been stigmatised in the- public press as conspirators , " and I am tbe man who , like the trumpeter , Bbould be hung upon the tree . That waB what the Sunday Times said . ( HiBseg . ) And , my friendB , whenever you go into a coffee house , and see that paper , put It into the fire . iCheeis ) Now , that is a leaf out of tbeir own book ; t £ ey told Peel to hang me up like the trumpeter , and now I tell you to put that paper on the fire whenever

      you see it ; it is a demoralizing , beastly paper , and panders to the worst passions of its readers . The man who writes for you muat write virtue and morality , for none other will receive your support ( Cheers . ) I hive an opportunity now of speaking to you daily . There was a good article yesterday in the Horning Ad-• ertiser , and I am thankful for Bmall mercies , though they come too late . But the Advertiser forgot something ; 1 harve been hammering away every day for two weeks , and the Advertiser said that none of the press had touched upon it , whilst I have positively blistered my bands in writing upon Lord Abiuger's conduct . What would you say of the press that would repudiate the idea of calling Suisse a valuable servant , and yet would refuse to animadvert upon the unjust c « ndnet

      of such a Bervant of the public as a Judge ? Why should the press take upon itself to huut down individuals ? The day is not far distant when pnblio opinion must hold its sway , and I thank my God that I have now a shield to guard me from the weapons pointed at me by such papers as the Sunday Times . ( Loud eheera . ) I have the little terrier and 1 have the great bull-dog . ( Cheers . ) I have the terrier that stopa at the door to bark when he hears the footstep of the snemy , and I hava the bull-dog to ketp off the intruder . ( Loud cheers ) I have the pistol , and I have the blunderbuss . I havo the little Evening Star—( tremendous applause )—and I have the great Polar Dear , established this day five years , sounding in their ears the thunder of democracy .

      ( Loud cheers . ) And do you suppose that in se ' i'ng us there waa no intention to put down th » 3 e papers f ( Cheers . ) The Evening S ! ar is losing £ 80 a week , and if it lost £ 100 or £ 200 every week , all the combined powers of Whigs and Tories shall never put it down . ( Loud eheera ) There is none of the Duke of Buckingham's money here . We receive not a farthing from tho Carlton Club , not a rap of the £ 50 , 000 from the Leaguers . I dare Eay they -would give £ 20 a column for a Corn Law article ; but I would not give them one stickfull for the whole £ 50 , 000 . ( Cheers . ) Now it Tests with j ou to say whether we have committed those enormous offences which would justify the country to send us to trial without the prospect of a defence . ( Cheers . ) That is the question . ( Cheers . ) That is a

      moral for Chartism ; that is appealing to your judgment ; it is not exciting your passion , not exciting your charity , but asking for working men , who , in their attachment to your cause , have submitted themselves to be entrapped by tbe law , that they may be tried whether they are guiity or not ( Cheers . ) They bJava families dear to them as tbe families of the aristocracy —they have wives and children depending on tbeir labour for support ( Cheers . ) I feel confident that this appeal will not be made in vain . I ask not this for myself ; my defence has not cost the country a farthing , nor have I received a fraction ftom a living ma » . 1 Cheers . ) In 1839 and 1840 , I gave * 30 » to . the

      Defence Fund , which has never been paid to me , and I have never asked for it . ( Load cheers . ) I have now enough to do to pay for myself . Thla has cost me £ 200 as far as it has gone . I had to send my physieian and attorney , and both my bondsmen down to Liverpool , and to keep them there for many days , and you may be ture professional gentlemen would not go there for nothing . If I am guilty I have paid the penalty , and if I am not , who will pay me back what I have lost ?" ( Cheers . ) I cannot speak bo long now as I used to do ; I have not spoken in pnblic for two months , and I feel that I have exerted myself too much ; but I cannot conclude without congratulating the meeting

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      and the Chattiata generally , on the fact o ? out excellent friend Mr . Duncombe being here ' —( cheers . ) I do not disregard rank , title , and honour , if honour , rank , and title sit up » p honourable shoulders—( Cheers ) . I do not honour Mr . Duncombe the le . ss because he is not a working man , but I do honour him the moro , because , belonging to a higher order of society , he can take his place amongst them , and can yet participate in the feelings of the working men ;—( loud cheers ) and though th « proud aristocracy may attempt to point at him the finger of scorn , or may attach to his name the title of-Demagogue ; the honours which shall devolve upon him will be more than sufficient to shield him from their shafts ; which will fall harmless against him—( loud cheers ) . I have now

      performed my part of the duty , and as it is likely that attempts will be made to form a union between tbe working and middle classes , I say do it not at the sacrifice of your principles . I km ; w that there are emissaries about , I know that the police are at work , that the spies are in employnient ; but if iot the coursa of tsn days or a fortnight . God restora me to such health and strength as will enable me to take field once more . I will challenge the new order of democrat * to an every night meeting , and will prove to them that their principles are humbug , and that nothing but the Charter will accomplish the freedom of the people . Mr . O'Connor resumed his seat amid tremendous applause , and the waving of hats aud handkerchiefs .

      Mr Fu'SSELL , who m : iy be looked upon as one of the "Political Victims , " having suffered persecution and incarceration at the hands of the Government , rose to move the second resolution , which he read to the following effect : — 11 That while this meetinf ? readily admit that persons convicted on true and sufficient evidence before a just Judge and honest Juvyv . of any real crime connected with the lamentable outbreaks referred to , were deserving of punishment , they think that bucu punishment should have been awarded only in proportion to the wrongs proved to have been inflicted on society , and with a due regard to that mercy with which the administration of the law should have been tempired , especially under the peculiar circumstances . ''

      In proposing that resolution , he could not but explain what he had witnessed with his own eyes in the disturbed midland districts . He assured that meeting that the Chartists , far from being tho fomenters or encourafters of those disturbances , employed themselves in giving advice to the people NOT to violate any law , or be guilty of any destruction of property , or injury to person , ( Hear / hear , and applause . ) This , be ' witnessed " with his own eyes in Staffordshire ; and it was for instructing the poor uninstructeii , uneducated colliers in the right path that Ellis , and most of their friends , were incarcerated . The people "were uneducated , an < l if they Violated the law * much allowance ehould ba made in their favour . ( Shame ! shame !) He assured the meeting that in many instances the inspectors of police had waited on Mr . Gaorg » White . ( rtfurred to by

      Mr . O'Connor ) , and . represented to him , that if tha meeting would be allowed to be held , they would not disturb or interfere with it . But notwithstanding all this , notwithstanding that no steps were taken by the authorities to prohibit the holding of such a meeting , notwithstanding that its objects were peaceable , and that it was convened for the legitimate dincuasion of the people ' s grievances , tbe magistrates , on Thursday before the meeting , issued a proclamation , That uny person who should atteud the uihettug would ba guilty of a violation of the law . " ( Groans , and cries of shame . ) The Government had persons , police spies , anrl others , employed to misrepresent the actual state of those things in that district . Independent of those wrongs , their Chairman ( Mr . Duncombe ) had justly alluded to the case of Masi , n . Mr . Fua-iell then detailed

      to the meeting , whose feelings were shocked by the narration , that one of the witnesses employed under sir j , vnes Graham , to ewenr away the liberty of tho Staffordshire prisoners , baa sinco bet . n indicted for " stealing ducks . " So much for Sir Jamea Graham ' s witnesses . ( The announcement was followed by exclamations of disgust . ) The meeting would also bear with-disgust ; that in tbe case of George White ; sworn to be a | t the meeting , although in reality he . was not , the Government had emyloyed a "vile Woman" as witness ngainst him—( cries of bear , hear )—who , it turned out , was "keeper of an infamous and notorious brothel . ( Loud bursts of indignation . ) Mr . 1 ' ussell , after some further observatio ; s , in which he explained tho unprincipled causes and motives which led Sir Robert Peul to havo recourse to the harsh measures of

      the Special CommiBaion , nnd to the connection which that minister would doubtless attempt to establish between the failure of the Tariff and the disorders which led to those harsh measures which he bad adopted , concluded amid loud cheers by moving the resolution , and expressing his anxious trust that a real union of all pood men was about to take place for the " carrying . of the People ' s Cfiarter . Mr . VVesterton , of the Parliamentary . Reform Asaoci&tiuri , suggested that the speakers who were to follow him would confine themselves ua closely as possible to tho question , and to ten minutts in the delivery of their sentiments , for the meeting had still a multitude of business to get through . He rose for the purpose of seconding ; tho resolution proposed by Mr . Fussell . He ( Mr . We&terton ) had been always tiven

      to ' understand'that . the ' reason why the British . Constitution was called " the envy of surrounding nations , and the admiration ef the world , " was . that it threw the shield of its protection over the weak and oppressed as well as ovar the strong and mighty . ( Cheers . ) But the fact , and the result of the Special Commission had led him to think otherwise . ( Hk ar , hear . ) The proceedings under that Commission , ho dared to assert , were a violatiou of the first principles of the British Constitution . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) He called upon that meeting aud upon the country to ia \ ae their Voices in a tene of thunder against such proceedings , and , by a well-combined effort , to strike a death-blow to a svatbiu at once so unjust and tyrannical , recollecting that "he whe allows oppression shares the crime . " ( Loud cheers , and cries of " Hear , hear" )

      Colonel Thompson stood before tne meeting to support the resolution which they had just heard read , and would engage to keep within the limited time . He once told a speaker in " another house , " that he thought two minutes" enough for any man to convey whatever he had to say in . ( Laughter : ) He ( Colonel Thompson ) waa of opinion that the people were not impressed with the . necessity of supporting the victims yet waiting for trial . It was a pity , that when large masses of men were cast into prison for tbeir adherence to public liberty , as on the present occasion , the public did- not arcuse themselves and come forward in their support .

      ( Hear , hear . ) They had bad sufficient warnings on- thiu head in bye ? go » e periods of history . ( Hear . ) There waa no worse . things on earth than political judges . ( Hear , hear . ) No man could have a " fair" trial , no man could be considered secure , when the judicial bench was stained , anrl the scales of justice were influenced by political prejudice . Peace , happiness , aud security , U was well known , depended upon a just administration of the law . But . instead of weighing and impartially examining the evidence , political judges gave way to the wor » t passions . ( Hear , hear ) No mAi would deny that there was dire and general dissatisfaction with the manner in which the law hud been

      administered on this occasion . ( Hear , near . ) What every man says must be true . ( Hear . ) Why should it be so ? ( Hear , hear . ) The people were ground down , and be saw no remedy for . thorn'but the Charter . He was sure that in the assembly ' which ' he saw before him , there were scores who , for years , bad been in toe same profession as himself ; and he would put it to thoBe men . whether when complaints were made , they did not know that it was the officers who were to blame ( Hear , hear . ) And so it was in this instance ; those who were administering the affairs of the country were to blarpe . ( Hear , hear , with loud and long-protracted cheers . ) Did not the peoplu see before their eyes that all this was the effect of class legislation ? which implies in particular , thosa who exercise it . ( Hear , hear , ¦

      and cries of -v True , true . " ) No class by itself , was fit to govern all clasaes . ( Cries of " Bravo ! " ) That was the great secret which men wished to learn , but had not learned yet . Men , however , were coming round—they mustcoine routid !—( Hear , hear , hear 1 renewed cries of 'Bravo I . " and cheers . ) They mut find it out , and it must one day , find its way into the head of the Governmeni—( Reiterated , loud , and long-continued-cheers ) He did not deipair of the Government .. What , he would asfc , would they think of a Government like the present , if it ( even it!)—and he did not despond at present—should correct its error , and do something humane for those unfortunate men who have recently been prosecuted , and those who are yet awaiting trial \

      Such an act would be a work worthy a statesman—( Hear , and applause . ) It would be well if the Government would hear the voice from that hall , arid do something—( Hear and cheers . ) The people were always grateful , and would be deeply so for such an act—( bear , hear . ) Would then , that the Government would , in that hour , make tho experiment ! would that it would redress the wrongs and sufferings of the poor men then in prison I and see whether it would not reap a glorious harvest of honour to its name—( Loud and long continued cheering , intermingled with " Bravos , " amidst which the gallant Colonel concluded , intimating that he felt great satisfaction in giving his heartfelt support to the resolution . )

      Mr . Cleave rose to ' move . the . ' ( bird resolution , prior to reading which , he observed , b « ing one of the Subcommittee , who had been concerned in the getting * up of that meeting , he would let them into a secret , namely , that the committee had unanimously come to the determination of'reminding every speaker that he should confine himself to fifteen or twenty minutes at the outside ( Laughter . ) He ( Mr . Cleave bad been applied to to move the resolution which he then held in his band ; and on the committee he had been appointed to another duty—that of holding a " plate" at the door—( hear , he » r , and laughter . ) Tho resolution which he held la Ui » hand , an * which he would read related to it : it was to

      theeflect" That nearly three hundred families having by the sentences passed during the late Special Commission , been deprived of their natural protectors , and reduced thereby to a condition which presents no other alternative than to seek refuge in Unioa Workhouses , or to become houseless and destitute wanderers ; and such enormous expencea having been entailed upon the individuals indicted , who have traversed their trials , as to demonstrate that justice ( which should be freely dispensed ) to bepiocired , must be dearly purchased ; it

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      therefore now behoves the friends generally , of humanity , apart from all ¦ reference , to individual , political or other opinions . ; to testify their sympathy for the unfortunate families of the men already sentenced , and at the same time their desire to see justice secured id future , by establishing a General Defence and Support Fund . " ' ' . ' They should remember that " friends" and " foes '* would draw an indication of the public feeling from that meeting , and he ( Mr . Cleave ) hoped they would do tbeir duty by subscribing that night—( hear , hear . ) They would remember that every inan who ( acknowledging the Charter ) was taken up , had done his duty —( bear , bear , hear and enthusiastic cheers . ) He ( Mr . Cleave ) felt assured that the brave men who bad taken

      their trial , and who were still to take their trial , would not rely ou Englishmen in vain—( loud cheering . ) And if there were a man in that room who was fond of " his pot and hia pipe , " let him , if he be poor , make a genorous sacrifice of " both , and by an act of self-denial , give the amount to the " Victim Fund , " to such an extent as the Chancellor of the EKchequer would feel , and aa would make the hearts of the " oppressors " tremble—( cheers , cries of " Hear , bear , "and "Bravo ! " ) Mr . Jenkins , hi a speech replete with classic learning and allusions , displaying an intimate-knowledge of the wisdom and abstruse lore of the philosophers , seconded the resolution , in doing which he

      remarked that he once knew of a man , who lost his liberty through consequence alone , of a want of money . He was found guilty of a ¦ offence a ainst the laws of his country , and would have been acquitted , had he had means wherewith to get up his defence . That fact ; alone , spoke volumes to the present meeting ; for precisely so was it with " the victims , " in the present case—( hear , hear . ) It heeded no rhetorical tffbrt of speech to support the cause they were then advocating ; and in that conviction he would merely call upon them as Liberals , " and as Englishmen , to support the oljects which the meetiugliudin view —( hear , hear / and applause . )

      Mr . SfURR , in supporting the resolution , begged to call the attention of the meeting to the condition . . of the families of tbe men who had suffered ia the cause of the people— ( hear , hear . ) He felt pained by stating that they were not supported as they ought to be ; but he trusted that they were not to be neglected , now that their only providers were taken from them by a corrupt and inhuman system of class legislation—( bear and cheers . ) He would not say to the people what they onght to ' d ' o . -bat this : he-would say , that it was contrary to the law of the Creator to starve in the midst of plenty —( cheers . ) He thought a man could not b 9 guilty of a greater erime than suieide —( hear , hear . ) and he thought that-that crime was to be committed without cutting throotB ; for instance , if the industrious

      mau wai driven to starvation , he ( Mr . Spurr , ) would like to know whether it was hia duty to starve or assist himself from the stock which he had assisted to accumulate!—( loud cheers . ) He hoped every man would ask himself a few questions , upon the rights which he ought to possess , and not to run away with the blind doctrine of—no liberty , no Btruggle—( hear , and cheers . ) He had struggled in the cause o , f the people , and had stood at the bar of a metropolitan police office , with all the horrors of a prosecution before his eyts , and yet he had not been diverted from the path he oui ? ht to pursuu—( chetrs . ) He . hoped every man would come forward iu the great cause now at issue , and join heart and soul without bickering , which would be sure to strike terror into the enemies

      of' freedom— ( loud cheers . ) In conclusion , he ( Mr . Spurr ) would recommend the working men not to throw away their money in defending state prosecutions ? : for if the Charter-was to be had , it was only by suffering in . dungeons that it was to be attained ; ami . hejthought if it was ' worth having , it was worth a struggle , though that struggle would be painful , and it may happen fatal to some—( cheers . ) He thought no man should fear a prison , when that alone was the way to achieve tho liberty of the enslaved English working-men ; and he would advise every man to be prepared to suffer in the great and glorious c : iuse of the People's Charter , as it was the only remedy for the great , the mighty , and overwhelming evilB of his unfortunate and long unhappy com try . Mr . Spurr then sat dawn , amiJ loud and protracted cheering .

      Mr . Roberts , of Bath , after repeated calls from the vast assemblage , then roae and addressed the meeting . He felt happy that night in beholding the ciU& ; na of the first city of the world , assembled to record their detestation of a , base Tory co spiracy—( loud cheers ) . He was , indeed , happy to have the opportunity of recording his feelings upon the acts of that base , malignant , ahd bloodthirsty conspiracy , which the enemies of the people bad been guilty of —( hear , bear ,-and cheers ) . He was indeed almost deprived of the power of utterance , when tho scenes be had . witnesst'd rushed upon his already affrighted mind—( sensation ) . What , said Mr . Roberts , when the unhappy victims vere not only entrapped but caged , they were to be denied the risrht of defence—( loud crieB of shame ) .

      He would -inform the meeting that when he applied to Btillamy , a gentleman whom they had all henrd of , about the copy of indictments against his clients , so as to prepare their defences that gentleman had th » humanity to shudder at the idea of him ( Mr . Roberts ) attempting to defend Chartiats—( cries of shame ) . He ( Mr . Roberta ) , would assure the meeting that . he was not mis-stating , forit was notorjousthafcnotonlf Were the prisoners tried by packed juries , but they were denied the liberty of a messenger having ingress and egress at the Courts—( cries of shsnie ) . He ( Mr . _ Roberts ) had every impediment thrown in htsway— ( hear , hear ) . He would just mention that the High-Sheriff , writing Sheriff with two r « , a man who could not spell the designation of his office , bad given orders to

      the doorkeeper of the Court , not to allow any" messenger on the part of the " blackguard Chartrsts , " to enter there— - ( loud and reiterated cries of " shamey . *' And it was not until counsel rose and claimed the interference of the judge , that he ( Mr . Roberts ) waB allowed the right of a messenger to assist him in his duty to his clients . But if one thing more than another shocked him , it was tb : it of the treatment of the martyred Ellis . [ A . deep and lasting thrill of painful sympathy followed the announcement of the name of that all but murdered patriot , which , had my " Lord Abinger" witnessed , would have pierced his adamantine heart ] He ( continued Mr . Roberts ) veas marked out for the political sacrifice ; he had , at a certain time , given offence to my Lord Incestrie , by ousting him from

      the chair at a public meeting , and now his turn was come ; and bitter indeed did that noble lord mix the poisoned draught ' for his helpless victim . He wouid tell the meeting , that in the whole course of his life , in all that he had read , and all that ; he had witnessed , he had never found a parallel to this same Lord Tngestrie . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) When he , the noble Lord , heard the foreman of the jury pronounce the word "Guilty / ' he rose from his Beat and smiled npou him , —the foreman , who happened by the greatest chance in the world , to be his ( Iyjrd Ingestrie'a ) tenant . ( Load and angry bursts of indignation followed the announcement . ; In fact , he ( Mr . Roberts ) looked upon that truly good and most amiable of men ( William Ellis ) as a sacrifice at the shrine of freedom . { A-deep

      and mournful sadness pervaded the meeting at this part of Mr . Robert ' s speech ; an *! when he alluded to tbe family of the expatriated man , and pourtr . iyed their last sod paiting , tho melancholy was painfully expressed upon every face , and relieved were those whose tears obeyed the noblest feelings of the heart ) Mr . Roberts then alluded to the noble conduct of Mr . Feargus . O'Connor , who , in the strongest manner , ordered him to defend every prisoner , whether Tory , Whig , or Chartist , aa long as he was a working man , which drew down the hearty applause of the meeting ; and concluded by a heart-Btirring appeal on behalf of the suffering families of the victims . The learned gentleman took his seat amid loud and loug-continued applause , previously to which he offered the following resolution , which was unanimously passed : — '

      "That , James ScaTlet , Lord Abinger , Chief Baron of Her Majesty ' s Exchnjuer ; ene of the Judges appointed to preside on such Special Commission ,-did deliver certain charges , which , the opinion of this meeting would humbly represent , were improper , as proceeding from a Judge npon the Bench , being of an unfair , unjust , and political tendency ; calculated to prejudice , mislead , and exasperate the minds of the Juries to whuin such charges were addressed , and by whom the individuals indicied as participating in tho late disturbances were to ba tried . "

      The resolution waa supported by Mr . Frazier , who said that the grand object of their assembling together was to make known the grievances of their fellow mea , to tell the hardships under which they had suffered ; until the last remnant of liberty was taken away , from them , by that abominable system cf class legislation , and an oligarchical government —( cheers ) , A Bold attempt would have to be made to put an end to such systems ; it would not do for them to shew that . they were mere jacfcalis ; something more was w&ntedi They must prove themselves to be slap-up roaring lions—( cheers ) . The poor victims had suffered much , —their sufferings had been considerably augmented by that modern Jeffries —( groans ) . Yes , he ( the speaker ) would not iinch in saying that the conduct of that man had caused the heart of many a friend to bleed . Hispositioh was not enviable . He , for one , would not like to occupy his place . He had heaped upon Chartism all that was

      degrading and insulting . He had even gone so far as to say that Chartism was illegal —( hear ) . Yes , he had , alaosaid that it must be put down : but that could not , and never would be done —( cheers ) . The best means that could be done , would be for that great mass to assist their cause—to assist the cause with their pounds —to assist the cause with their shillings—to assist the cause with their pence . He ( the speaker ) could not help alluding to the great apathy that exists in the heart * of many persons ; he would have them bestir themselves , and go up aa one man to the help of the weak against the mighty—( cheers . ) Itook at the justice of this country ; Bee how it is meted out If an individual with a starving family goes oat , and in the rrecay of the moment , while seeing his children starving , takes means to prevent their death , he is immediately put down as a blood-thirsty Chartist —( Hear . ) Hia ( the speaker ' s ) object was to assist the working man in getting what bad been bo long denied him—his ri ght and nothing

      more . Dr . Black next said he rose to perform a grateful duty . Although the hour was late he could not refrain from saying a few words with respect to the conduct of Mr . Duncombe , their worthy chairman . Shortly after the Convention was called a number of Mends waited

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      upon Mr . DunGombe and requested him to use hia icfla . enca throughout the House to get all the support he could to the People ' s Petition . He had done so much ; he was enabled to do what no other man could do , and he ( Dr . Black ) was persuade * that no person could have exerted himself more than Mr . Dancombe had , even if his own brother had been confined In prison , and by his exertions he was aware would have pro . cured his liberty . No ; no man could have done more than he had done . He would therefore move that the moeting would tender " to tbe worthy chairman their united thanks—( cheers . ) I

      Mr . Smith said , be would wish to correct an error tbat fell from the Ups . of one of the speakers ; it was with respect to each ptrson paying one penny , which he said would bring a large amount into their exchequer . Now he knew perfectly well tbat one penny from each person would not pay the current expences of the nii > ht he therefore hoped that they who were in a condition to give more would not withhold it , but , at the same time , he hoped that those who cou'd not afford to give more than the penny , would give it It was for a noble obj . ct—it was for tbe support of the poor wives and families of the victims—( cheers . )

      Mr . John Campbell rose to second the vote of thanks to the chairman . He , for one , had great pleasure in doing so . The conduct of Mt . Duncombe had been most praiseworthy . He had carefully watched his conduct through the House of Commons , and had always found him to be ths bold advocate for the rights of the people . He ( Mr . Duncombe had presented that document , the People ' s Petition , before the House , —he had brought forward the Deptford affiir , — he had likewise brought forward the case of their old . tried , and much respected , but persecuted friend , Dr , M'Douall . ' ( Immense cheering . ) He was so satisfied With tbe conduct of Mr . Duncombe on every occasion , that he ( Mr . Campbell , living in his district ) would vote for him at the next election , providing he yiaa entitled to a vote . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Duncombe next acknowledged in a neat speech , the compliment passed upon him . He said the meeting had nobly done its duty , and it remained for him to do his . He was to be intrusted with the petition , which he should lay before the House of Commons , and he need not tell tha meeting that he should give it all the support in his power . ( Cheera ) He conceived that the Members of that House ought to be made acquainted with the views of Chartism . They were ignorant of the real oVjects the Chartists are attempting to aecempUah . If they were to examine the document called the People ' s Charter—if they were to peruse it carefully , and without prejudice , they would discover that Chartism is not that hydra-headed monster it has been represented . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) When the petition and resolutions are brought before

      the housa , and ths conduct oi Lord Abinxfer looked Into , if he mistook not , they would say , that bis conduct had been , t ) say the least , most intemperate and quite unconstitutional . In his opinion , Lord Abinger ought not to remain upon the bench . He , for one , would by every possible means exart himself in presenting the petition to get hia lordship dismissed : and rnore than that , he would not refuse to put bis \ Mr . Dirccombe ' s ) name t » the petition . He would not detain them any longer , but conclude > by saying , that the conduct of the numerous persons who had met together that night had been , most circumspect—bad been most praiseworthy . Tbeir conduct was worthy of the bench at Liverpool—woithy of the House of Commons , and he ( Mr . D . ) hoped that when he goes to address the House of Commons on vhe prayer of that petition , that the honourable members will behave as well . —iGreat cheering . )

      Mr . DujicoMBE thea vacated the chair , and waa saluted with three most vociferous cheeTS . Mr . Brown said , he hoped before the meeting separated that he should be allowed to propose a vote of thank * to Mr . Roberts , who was so nobly engaged in conducting the defence of the Political Yictims in the North . He felt with Mr . Roberts , that it waB an honour to be acquainted with Ellis—( cheers . ) He must say , that Mr . Roberts had done that which will redound to his glory , and be remembered when he ( Mr . Riberts ) is known only byname—( cheers . ) His conduct had been such , that he had exerted himself in every way , not only for Ellis , but the whole number of persecutad victims . He should , therefore , make no apology in proposing a vote of thanks , which being done was seconded and carried , amidst the most entimuiastie marks of approbation . Mr . Brown then proposed three cheers" for Mr . Duncombe , three for Mr . Feargus O'Connor , and three for the Evening Star , after which the meeting separated in in a quiet and orderly

      manner . The following was the first resolutien : — Resolved—" That this meeting most deeply regret and sympathize with the degraded and distressed condition of the labouring portion of their fellow subjects , shown particularly throughout the late unfortunate disturbances in the Northern and Midland Counties . " The following persona , with power to add to their number , were elected a committee to conduct the fund to be raised for the defence of the victims , namely , Messrs . O'Connor , Ridley , Westerton , Pray , Wheeler , Dron , Frazier , Sankey , Cleave , Harris , Blackmore , Shaw , Balls , Swaine , Campbell , Dr . Bowkett , Dr . Black , Norton , and Rogers .

      Untitled Article

      In connection with this meeting , the Evening Star of the following day ( Friday ) has the following comments , which , to make our report of the proceedings complete , we here , insert : — . " The meeting to which the public has looked forward with more than ordinary interest , was held last night in the great room of the . Crown and Anchor , Thomas S . Duncombe , Eaq , M . P ., in the chair . The hour appointed for commencing business was half-past seven , but long before that time the room , and every approach leading to it , was crammed , while se * re after score were compelled to turn their backs in despair before they had evsn reached the outer door . Shortly after the appointed hour , Mr . Duncombe entered the room , attended by the office-bearers , carrying wands , and the committed of management . To attempt anything like an account of his reception , however , would but subject us to- the ridiculo of these who witnessed the real thing , and therefore we Bhall merely say tbat

      it was in every respect what grateful thanks for the honest service of a public man should be . It was cordial , long , and heart-felt but when he had wedged his way through the al 33 hy mass , and presented himself in front of the platform , then it was astounding . The huge mass appeared to be animated simultaneously by some sudden impulse , and literally jumped up together , as if put in motion by machinery . This part of the business gave us great pleasure , because it is right and proper that public men should be honoured for honest public service—and none have done their duty more faithfully , nay , half so faithfully , to the working c asses OS Mr . Duncombe . The advocacy of some Imperial Patriots smells of a change of circumstances ; and maoy who spat upon Chartism during Whig ascendancy , would now willingly court the outcast , to make it a

      " put the Tories out" " scapegoat : " not so with Duncombe ; he battled the Whigs in their hottest rage , and when their very existence depended upon the strength that put the Chartists down , Duncombe plagued bis own party night after night , and in the worst days of persecution defended the persecuted , in spite of the fashion of his order . It is a remarkable fact , that " Duncombe has bean courted by the people , not the people by him ; and that in those days when Attwood and Fielden were playing " pitch aud toss" with the , working classes for a bit of popularity , Duncombe never bid against them , nor yet , like others , from spleen , opposed them . It is also remarkable , that Duncombe has nevei stepped out of hia way to gain Chartist applause whiie the Chartists were strong , but has invariably thrown himself into the fire when lewd authority has threatened Chartism with its vengeance .

      " These are facts , and striking facts ; and facts which ( ftB hia reception last night proves ) have struck the ereat mass of the people as they have struck ourselves . Dancombe is now , by election , THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE , and , consequently , the envy of the save boys who bid , but bid in vain , for those honours to which they had no real pretentious . We have given the proceedings at considerable length , and therefore criticism upon tha mere speeches is rendered unnecessary ; the more so , as our sagacious readers , whatever WE here say , will read and think for themselves . To those , however , who were not behind the scenes , and who Baw nothing of the by-play or the performances

      before the curtain was raised , we will say a word or two . In speaking of speculations , none of our remarka apply to the general committee , nor yet to the very excellent managing sub-committee , by whom the arrangements were completed ; they apply to the "Long stop" Whigs , who bad smelt a rat that savoured strongly of a Whig and Char Hit pie , and in which the Chartists were to play the otisL There were a number of Lurchers , keen aa a rat-catcher ' s dog upon the watch for bolting vermin . We do not speak upon mere surmise , we speak from facts . The several recruiting companies in Wbiggery were all on the qui vine , and in the most modest manner , possible the experiment was to be tried ;

      " The meeting , as announced in the bills , was intended to have been a gathering of all orders of politicians ; and the consequence was ,, a strong muster of Whigs , fl anked by the several Bkirraishing parties of that routed force . Sympathy is a fine rallying word , justice a seducing recruiting sergeant , and charity an unputofeble bejrgar ; and sympathy , justice , and charity , ••• tria jundo in uno , " were emblaaoned upon the banners of the company . Ah , but then these thiogf in general come too late , and then they are looked upon as strained , not free—not as the " quality of mercy , " but as the trick of faction . The things have been long felt by the poor and persecuted Chartists . They have

      learned that men are ever upen the alert to fly-cateb those who would tender br&u aa the price of principle . They know that hitherto the poorest ef the poor have had the honour of supporting the victims ex " faction . Such , then , were the respective feelings and positions of the respective parties last sight , ai " boldly and nobly did tbe Chartists do theii duty . Applause was bestowed where applause ¦** due , but the word * charity and undefined union fell flat upon the anxioua ear . The speech of Mr . Fear / fn * O'Connor ( whose position in the Chartist ranks even hi * enemies are now beginning to acknowledge , —all **' tempts to pluck him out of Labour ' s heart having proved futile ) was tailed by all parties with marked atd ( Continued in 9 ur Seventh Page . )

      Untitled Article

      6 THE NORTHERN ST A R . .. __ . . ¦/ . . ¦ .-. . ? " . ' - " - ' V .. ¦ - ¦ V- - -: - ' - ¦ . - ; _ _^ . _^ .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 26, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct458/page/6/