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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st December 1842, Edition 3 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1842.
    • 3To l^eatrer^ <0om^tttrent^.
    • BIRMINGrHAM CONFERENCE.
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      Untitled Article

      ^——» i^^— - ¦ — . —— ¦ ^ ——— TO THE CHARTISTS OF GRiSAT BRITAIN . My Fbihtos , —I am one of those who tiiink that an accuser should oorae into oonrt with clean lianoV I think that we should exhibit consistency Jtt our character and in oar eondnct : Strut ting With and for each other , for common rights , . gainst a wmnura enemy , no other virtue is bo necessary and important to us as that- consustenej of character , which may give the Se to the most plausible and most frequently reiterated objection of that common enemy to oar righteous demand The objection is , that we are unfitted * ar the

      exer-« se of our rights ; that to invest the people with t he immunities of freemen , and to give them a < Ine Toiee in governmental matters , would be to tf tabUsh a despotism more terrible than any that iaa yet been known . The only way , successfully to answer this , is to exhibit , in all our own conduct , and in the management of our own affiirs , a close attention to the sacred principles of justice which we advocate ; showing thereby thai we are Chartists not merely in name , but in character ; that we mere the just requirements of our Charter , and practise them so far as we hare opportunity . It ill

      becomes men to find faalt with that in others which ihey themselves ' practise . Now ycra had never a better opportunity of proving how much of genuine Chartism enters into the composition of yonr character than -is just now afforded you . The opportunity is a painful one , no doubt j it is one that every true lover of the cause will deplore ; but it is still one that ought not to bs passed by ; and that cannot be passed by without stultifying ourselves and inflicting an injury upon our cause still more serious than that which it has already suffered from the occurrence of the facts out of which it arises . As Chartiste , you have an Organization- which for Chartist purposes is iouk cossiitftioh ; you

      have officers whose duty it is to-see to the enforcement of that cOHSHTCTios in all its principles and details ; those officers are appointed by , and responsible to , tot ; ; and if they violate the trust reposed in them the remedy is in your hands . Now the head and front of yonr jost complaining , on the score of political grievances , is that public servants have the power to trample underfoot the avowed principles of the constitution , and you have no remedy . This complaint may be taken to be valid or factious , just as you give proof of your disposition ta remedy the grievance if the power were in your hands j and nothing exhibits ., this disposition so strongly as your own manaer of conducting the affaire of your own association and its movements .

      If in these you evince a disposition to permit reckless disregard and defiance of all the principles of your constitution to pass , without stamping it with censure ; if , having elected men to office , you leave them to do therein just what they please , without looking to its justice or its injustice ; if you permit the sanction of yonr name and authority to acts by which every principle of right and of common justice is disregarded-and defied ; you ' afford to yonr enemies a ' . very forcible confirmation cf their only feasible argument against the concession of your rights .

      For these reasons , and for these reasons onlybecause I love justice under all circumstancesbecause I would not wink at that in our own body which I denounce in others ; I have thought it my dnty to call your attention to certain gross and flagrant violations of oxir constitution by our own officers . The doty was a very painful and a very unpleasant one ; hut I saw it to be a duty , and therefore I did it . I never yet shrunk from duty , because it might happen to be more pleasant or more profitable to evade it : I trnsi I never shall . I never yet slunk from my post , because it had become difficult or dangerous to nw <" it i I trust I never nh * H-

      Far the performance of my disagreeable dnty m commenting honestly and boldly , giving my reasons for everything I said , upon the public documents of the Executive Committee , I have been loaded ? with every species of abase and vitnperatwn by all the respective members of the [ Executive , save Mr . Williams . Not one of my allegations has been met ; not one of my arguments has btsen answered ; bat I haje _ been abused , vilified , and slandered . Counter accusations of the most maligaaat character have been got up . The most atrocious falsehoods have been asserted about my being concerned in divers plots and conspiracies . I have demanded the proofs : no proofe have been offered ; but the parties have

      travelled from place to place , repeating the statements , as though they were true . Thus has the real question , of whether the Executive have or have sot abused the confidence of the people , been kept , to & certain extent , out of sight ; and you have to that same extent suffered yourselves to be amused with denunciation of me , instead of looking to your own aflairs . This is not right : it is not fair . After the proofs of the " plota" and " conspiracies " in which I am alleged to hare been concerned , had been demanded , it waa not right in any Chartist audience to listen to a repetition of the statement , until those proofs had been furnished . " Fair play is a jewel ; " and I have as much right to it as any other man .

      If the allegazioxs agaisst he cas be proved , ih them be PiOVBD . And then the question stands just where it did . Call me " assassin , " " villain , " " rogue , " "traitor , " and-every other choice name which has been applied to me ; and what then \ Doe 3 that prove that the Executive have not violated the principles of our constitution , and of Chartism ; that they have not neglected the one single duty they were appointed to perform ; that they have not maHpproprialed the hard-earned pence of the poor people committed to their care : that they have not manifested a contempt of Chartist

      principle by disregarding the remonstrances and respectful enquiries of their constituents t These are the matters to be answered ; and they will not be answered by mere abuse of me ; and if you permit abuse of me to be substituted for an answer to them , or if you permit them to pass unanswered , you forfeit the consistency of your own character , as a public body ; and you give your enemies thereby a pretext for the argument that yonr oatcry against their violations of the sacred principles of justice , and their malappropriations of the people ' s funds , is mere factious and unprincipled clamour .

      The question is one of national interest and of aniversal import . The sacred principles of our Charter are involved in it . It is the affair of the whole people ; and it is the people ' s dnty-to see to its settlement . In the hope of averting public observation from the real question , and from the real magnitude and importance of that question , it has been represented as a private quarrel between me and the Executive , arising ont of some piqoe , or personal" consideration . Not a slsadow of a Teason has been assigned for . his representation ; and yet the members of the Executive have been seconded in it by some persons

      in different parts- of the country . "What reasons these persons may have for their share of this disreputable business , they perhaps , best know . I know , at all events , that a determined effort is made to help the Executive to fasten the enquiry npon me as a personal quarrel . The complaints and investigations which have been made by many of the Chartist body in different parts of the kingdom for months back are ingeniously kept out of sight , and the whole matter is represented as a dispute between me and the Executive ; and not a matter between the Executive and ike whole Chartist body .

      Some members ot the Executive , not content with venting their abuse at me through the columns of my own paper , have bonnced" and swaggered " not a little about " dragging me before a public meeting "—about " walking barefoot * for the purpose of doing so—about " following me to . the gates of Hell "—and euch like rubbiBhly bombas ; . This may take , " when delivered , in my absence , to the people , while their blood is just warm from-a onesided speech—fraught , perhaps with misrepresenta-

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      tion and falsehood—and while , they are thus prevented 1 rom reflecting fairly on all sides of the mat * ter . It may serve , under such circumstances , to brio * down a dap ; and , perhaps , pn some minds , to excite a prejudice agVnst me . But the reflecting uid discriminating will estimate it at its true worth . They will know that it is intended merely to close their eyes to the fact , that though ample opportunity has been given for every allegation against the Executive to be answered , they have not answered one of them .

      These blusterers about pnblio meetings and about my "facing them man to man before the people , " &c know that they have here a great advantage over me ; they know that I am peculiarly situate ; they know that my health is delicate and very uncertain that I can never calculate npon being well from one day to another ; they know that my physical strength is unequal to great publio exertion ; they know that my ordinary duties are so many and laborious , that any addition to them 1 b a very serious inconvenience ; and hence they think themselves perfectly safe in daring me to " come out

      before the people . " They think that I shall not meet them in discussion . They commit a small mistake here . I Ehall not suffer them thus to escape They have no right to force me into this position . The people had no right to permit them to do bo . I deny the right of either the Executive , or any body else , to represent the inquiry now going on into the conduct of th « Executive as & quarrel between me and them . It is no such thing . In the Northern Star I have merely , as a journalist , given honest comments upon facts and documents . I had a right to do this ; and no zsao had a right to complain

      of it . I ask nobody to take my opinions for more than they are worth , and I have as much right to express my opinions as any other man . I have done more than most journalists would have done in giving free admission to coarse and scnrrilons vituperation in reply . I have given the free use of my own columns to the Executive , not only as a body , but to every member singly , in reply to every thing I said . They hare ussd them for that purpose . They have said and written in

      the Northern Start both collectively and indiridually , whatever they liked . What more do they want ! What more have they a right to f I have already given them much more liberty for defence than they were at all entitled to ; because my observations on their conduct were general and directed against the body ; while I have given free room to them to reply in both capacities ; both as a body and as individuals . And I deny the right of any man , or Bet of men , to expect me after that to waste time in public discussion with them .

      But to leave no room for escape ; and lest it may be said that I am valiant only in the Star , and that I fear discussion , I am quite ready to meet either Mr . Leach or any other member of the Executive , as an authorised representative of that body , at any mutually convenient time and place ; and then and there , as a member and councillor of the National Charter Association , to make good my charge

      AGAINST THE EXECUTIVE 07 HAVUfG VIOLATED THE PLAN OF OBGAMZATION WHICH THBT WEBS APPOINTED TO ISTOBCE , AND OF HAVIKG THEREIN MANIFESTED A DISREGARD OP CHARTIST PRINCIPLE AND OF MORAL AND WLITICAL HONESTY . I make the charge against them now ; as a body . I have proved it in the Northern Star ; and I am ready to prove it before a publio meeting ; stipulating only for a free , open , and fair discussion before the people—a clear stage and no favour . Fair play is all I ask . If Mr . Leach be prepared to meet me upon that question ,

      having authority from the other members of the Executive to appear as the champion of the body , and to defend the acts of the body , he will find me quite ready . I will meet aay other member of the Exeeutiva , or any other man in England , on the same conditions . Bat mind ; I deal with the Executive , as a body ; not with Mr . Leach as an individual . I have brought no charge against individuals ; and my time is a little too valuable to be wasted in individual f ^ uabbles . Who does not see that after the discussion with Mr . Leach , Mr . Bairstow might put in a similar claim for his

      share of the defence ; and that I must then begin again for M'Douall , aad 60 on for the whole ; and that then , when every one had had his " go , " the Executive , as a body , might disclaim all the individual disputation , and begin de novo . This might very well Euit the brawlers , because it would sicken and nauseate all decent men of the broil . For that reason I shall not be party to it . I deny the right of the Executive , or any of them , to claim from me any other opportunity of defence than that they have

      already had . I repeat that even that has been made more ample than they had any right to . But if public discussion of the matter will gratify them—and they talk loudly about itr—I am quite ready . Let them appoint their man ; no matter to me whom : Leach , M ' Douall , Bairstow , Campbell—or even any volunteer , in whose powers of eloquence and tact they may have more confidence than in their own ; I am ready for any man , let him be but duly authorized , the arrangements fairly made , and the discussion fairly and openly conducted .

      Whenever either or ant of them mat be eeadt authorised to appear for the executive , he has only to apprise me . i will then name A FB . W FBIEKDS , AKD THE EXECUTIVE EHALL NAME A i . IKE NUMBER BY "WHOM ALL THE PRELIMINARIES FOR THE DISCCSSION SHALL BE AGREES ON ; and I fancy I am quite able to give them enough of it . If : the " bouncing" of M'Douall and oi Leach have been authorized by the Executive , they will take this as the acceptance of their challenge ; if it have been only individual "bounce , " I have something else to do than to notice it .

      And now mind ; let us have no misunderstandings and no shirking nor shuffling . I have been forced into this position , very unfairly , and very much against my inclination ; ' I am not now to be forced out of it again . If the Executive mean discussion , I am their man ; and whether they mean it or not I r > o . I have been challenged ; and I accept the challenge . As the challenged , I have a right to fix the place of meeting ; and I fix it at Manchester , where the Exeentive will surely have every advantage ; where Mr . Leach , if he be their champion , will be at horns and hare no expence in travelling ; where the E&eutive should b < 5 best known and have most influence ; where Chartism has a stronger hold on tie population than in

      any other town in England ; where they have had the full opportunity during all this time of making a party for themselves by telling their own tale their own way , with none to contradict them ; where Mr . Leach has had fall swing at me in my absence , to vent whatever fabrications aud perversions he pleased , in private circles or public meetings , ad libitum ; at Manchester ; in the very midst of his own friends , disciples and admirers ; where the people have at their own command a spacious bnilding in which they have been so long used to be delighted with his eloquence , and to hear his denunciations of me , I am quite ready to meet Mr , James Leach , or any other champion of the Executive , and there prove— ' -

      1 st . That the Exective have neglected the duties of their office . 2 nd . That they have violated the organisation ihey were appointed to enforce . 3 rdly . That they have done so wilfdxlt , after repeated caution and remonstrance . 4 thly . That they have wrongfully appropriates the monies of the Association to their own use and benefit . 5 thly . That they have both manifested in their own conduct , and countenanced in that of others , a disregard of Chartist principle .

      I offer to prove all these things against them in Manchester—their own town ; where their sittings have been holden ; where their popularity as lee tarers is greatest ; and where , as an Executive thay should be best , known . I ask only "

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      dear etage and no favour "; that one fuil week ' s notice , in the Northern Star , md bj whatever other means the Executive may please , shall be given of the meeting ; that it shall be holden in either the Hall of Science , or Carpenter ' s Hall ; that free admission be given to the people ; that no effort at " packing" shall be made , but that the meeting be fair , free , and open . I will pay ' one half the rent of the room , if held in the Hall of Science , if held in Carpenters' Hal ! , I presume there will be no rent ) , and my own travelling and personal charges out of my own pocket ; I will

      advertise the meeting in the Northern Star at my own cost ; the other half of the room rent ( if in the Hall of Science ) , their own travelling , if any , and personal expences , and whatever other mode of ad * vertising they choose to adopt , to be defrayed by them —also out of their own pockets ; not touching the people ' s funds for it . The meeting to be at same time mutually / convenient for attendance . All other matters relating to the discussion to be settled , without either their interference or mine , by a committee of five friends on each side to be named for the purpose .

      Now ; is this fair ! I repeat that they have no right ; to expect this . My meeting them in discussion it all is & pure work of supererogation . But notwithstanding that , as they talk much about itand as they would fain have it believed that they attach much importance to it , there ' s the chance for them . Let them appoint their man ; ( I care not who it may be ;) let him tell me when he is ready and I will instantly name my friends , and the arrangement shall be made . After this matter is settled , let them bring their counter accusations if they dare . I am ready to answer in like manner to ANY CHARGES which they , or any of them , or any man in England , may be disposed to brine against me .

      M A public meeting is the" Justice Hall for me" : and to that tribunal I dare the whole pack of yelpera , whenever they have the manliness to put their charges into a tangible shape , as I have done , and " come fairly out" !! And now , my friends , aa for as the No rthern Star is concerned , this matter is for the present at least done with . Save what may be necessary to this meeting , if ever it take place , I will not insert another word upon it , pro . or con . from any quarter ;

      unless two communications which I expect in reference to a dirty rascally trick played by a Mr . Fraser should happen to be too late for this week ' s paper : if they be , I shall probably give them next week . Earnestly desiring to see consistency of character among Chartists ; and to see our movement purged ot the ranting , mouthing locusts , who have done it much harm , I am , my Friends , Your ' s , faithfully , William Hill . Northern Star office , Leeds , Dec . 20 , 1842 .

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      THE CONFERENCE . Ocr readers will perceive that we have not as yet got in the whole report of the proceedings of this most important body . In a further Edition we hope to give the whole . We have given up to last night—( that is Wednesday night . ) And by reference to the report , they will see that our anticipations of the intentions and purposes of the Stcrge party , as far as any real union with the working men was concerned , have been fully realized . We fancy the result of the debate on Mr . Lovett's amendment will do much to remove the film from honest eyes ; and to show them the real value of their middle class friends . We have at present no time nor space for comment , bnt shall return to the important matters of this Conference at another time . Meanwhile let our readers read and think .

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      ^ r ^^ » ^ ^ ^ r —^ r ^ r i ^*~ v v ^ - ^ v ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ¦ ~~ ^ ™~ » - ^ - ^ -r ^ ^ — — — — — CHRISTMAS . In times part this , M * son of the year was characterised by joy » nd gladness throughout the length and breadth of the land . The winter's gloom was enlivened by good substantial fare and heart-elating merriment . The peasant as well as the prince—the plebian as well as the monarch , oonld then enjoy the sweets of life , Youth then sported its playfulness and its vigour , and age gazed smilingly on the scene . Warm aud substantial clothing , a good fire , a clean hearth , and plenty on the festive board , were visible

      on every band ; but alas ! how changed is the scene . Instead of joy we behold sadness depicted on the countenance of the once athletic and hardy labourer—the prospect of the skilful artizan . 1 b overspread with gloom—want has become the inmate of the cot , embittering the cup of life—youth , nay even toothless in fancy , is the victim of the monster ; and age is dejected , drowned in sorrow and veiltd in melancholy . The young and the aged are clad in rags ; the hovels are scenes of wretchedness ; in grief they

      "Hover o'er the pigmy fire ;" while the most worthless garbage constitutes their food , and of this bnt a scanty portion falls to the lot of many . But such is not the case with the drones . They roll through the Btreets in their gilded carriages ; are attired in the most costly * raiment ; are filled to repletion with all the luxuries that they can desire . "Their eyes stand out with fatness , " and in the height of their pride , they look with contempt on the poor by whose labour they acquire all their grandeur .

      Why is this strange anomaly 1 Why are the bees perishing while the droneB enjoy the fruit of their industry ! Because all power is given into the hands of these devourers instead of being possessed by the rightful owners . That power will never be regained until the only efficient axe—the Charterbe applied , by th « united strength of the people , to that Upas tree , class legislation . Then , but not till then , may we hope to see olden days or the joys thereof , return . Then we may aud shall have " a

      merry Christmas and a happy new year . " We have heard many wish each other the fruition of this blessing , but we tell them they must work as well as wish . The only avenue to a " merry Christmas and a happy new year" is the Charter—it is the sword , the only sword , the six pointed sword , whereby the fell monster tyranny can be slain . Up , then . On to the conquest , and our wishes will be realized to all— " A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY ' NEW TEAR . "

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      THE LAW versus THE POOR . We have frequently had occasion to direct the attention of our readers to the mass of corruptien with which the administration of justice in this country is fraught . Scarcely a day passes withput furnishing facts proving the declension which haB crept into courts of Jaw , and calling aloud for a reform of the manifold abuses which obtain therein . The bench is now converted into a market standthe whim and caprice of an ignorant class of individuals , miscalled " Justices , " is laid down as law ¦ the grossest partiality is exhibited ; the rich

      delinquent generally escaping with little or no punishment , while the whole weight of a petty tyrant ' s wrath is poured out upon the poor offender . It appears to be a settled opinion among our BWdern Dracoes , that wealth and virtue are inseparably connected , asd that poverty and crime are indivisible . But this position—however much cherished * and acted upon by officials of various grades , from my Lord Abinser down to that fagend of the system dubbed a policeman—is untenable , we having continually before our eyes virtue clothed in rags , and vice arrayed in purple and fine linen .

      But as our object is not to dilate upon the virtues oflhepooror thevice 3 of i he rich , we shall at once call the attention of the pubi . ' c to the gross injustice and tyranny inflicted , a few > JayB ago , on a poor fatherless boy , by one of the Metre oolitan Stipendiary Magistrates , named Greenwood , who carries on business in the police ; court . . Cifcxke . ^ wcH / and wh

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      ia also one of the * great [ unpaid" of the West Biding of the county of York . The boy ; whose name is Williams , was brought before the magistrate for&olioiiing a lady coming out of her houBe in Euston-square to purchase prints . He said his mother , a widow , had given him nyepehce , with which he had purchased seven of them ; and that the offer of sale was not a pretext for begging was admitted by the magistrate himself , who was astonished they could be sold so cheap . " The prisoner" begged of his worship not to punish him , as : he sold the prints for the support of a widowed mother . He had done no harm , and hoped his worship would not punish him . His worship , however , did punish him , by sending him to the House of Correction for fourteen days !

      Who the ¦ " lady'' in qaestion may be we know not ; did we , her name should not be kept from the publio , however much it might offend her superlatively delicatefeelings . This woman , or "lady " as she is termed , cannot be the mother of childrenshe must be devoid of every scintilla of those graces which ought-ever to adorn" God ' s first beat gift to man , " otherwise' her whole soul would have revolted at the idea of a child—a widow ' s son of eleven years of age , being taken before a magistrate and consigned to "durance vile , " merely for

      soliciting her to purchase a few prints . Such a woman—the walking scandal of her Besought to be hooted through the streets on her every appearance in public , and her company ought to be shunned by all having respect for their character . It might be of service to this"lady , " were she to have a little instruction in the school of adversity ; then she mig ht learn how to conduct herself towards those who seek an honest livelihood , and who would scorn , like her , to live in splendour and idleness , without returning to society an equivalent for that which they received .

      The conduct of Greenwood , the magistrate , is also reprehensible in the highest degree . He admits the offer of sale of the printsjwas " hot a pretext for beg ' ging , " yet he sentences the poor boy to fourteen days ' imprisonment in the House of Correction . The widow who gives heir son her mite—five-pence—perhaps her all , for the purpose of laying out in the purchase of a few prints , in order thereby to obtain a morsel of bread , is doomed to see that Bon , the comfort of her

      age , torn from her and immured in a prison , not for the commission of any crime , but because it offended the dignity of the spawn of some aristocrat whose ancestors probably figured behind the counter , or perhaps vended matches ; if the latter , it might have reminded her ladyship of her origin , when the boy solicited her to purchase one of his prints , whidhinau // the pride of her ladyship could not allow to pass with impunity , v

      Had Greenwood done his duty he would have 8 evrrely reprimanded the woman , and given her to understand that the time of the Court must be better employed than in attending to such nonsense as that ; and that hers would be better employed in learning how to behave herself towards her fellow-creatures * He would also have instructed the policeman to employ his time to better advantage than in obeying the wishes and pandering to the pride of such an execrable wretch as her ladyship ; and instead of the boy being torn from his widowed mother and committed t of prison , he would have commended him for

      his henebt endeavour to obtain a morsel of food for himself and his bereaved parent . But such was not the case . The boy was treated as a felon—he was sent to herd among felons ; and should that boy , upon whose character no stain appears , contract vicious habits by being compelled to mingle with the worst of characters , all the consequences thereof may be laid at the door of the despicable woman who was instrumental in his arrest , and that of the magistrate who so unjustly sentenced him to imprisonment , and who ought to be immediately removed from the benoh .

      It would be well if both magistrates and policemen would give themselves a little more trouble than they generally do , and hot , as is frequently the case , seek to manufacture crime and punish the innocent to suit the whim of every fool who may think his or her pride offended by being accosted in Hk « toftnneir cm tfca EuBton-squarej" lady . " The duty of magistrates is to make themselves acquainted with the law , as far as practicable , and administer it with impartiality ; and not , as they often do , to substitute their own caprice for the law , and punish the unoffending for merely being poor and defenceless . With regard to the police—we tell them ,

      m the words of a contemporary , when adverting to the subject which has called forth these remarks , that" The p i bl jo will not tolerate this eternal interference of the police with every thing that is going on . Their object is to prevent and discover crime , and to preserve order by day and night . Whether these proper duties are adequately discharged we will not now inquire ; but of one thing there can be m doubt , and that is , their constant interference with matters that do not como within their line of duty . It is much easier , no doubt , to watch little boys selling prints , ( than to make themselves acquainted with the duties for which they are especially appointed . "

      If the law be enveloped in so much ambiguity that the magistrates , &C , are left to do as they list in all cases brought before them , then it shows the absolute necessity of a thorough change of system , without which the poor will ever be the vi ctims of the middle and upper classes , who have just about the same amount of sympathy for the labouring portion of the community , as the wolf has for the lamb , or the cat for the mouse . That something is radically wrong in the system under which such injustice as that we allude to can

      be perpetrated with impunity , is beyond all dispute , and that the administration of the law is vested in persons altogether unfit to discharge the duties of their office is equally evident ; and we may rest assured , that uutil the axe be laid to the root of the tree , and class legislation completely annihilated , such cases of monstrous cruelty as that inflicted upon the boy IFitfiams , may be repeated , as the Greenwoods are not only a numerous race , but are located in the provinces as well as in the metropolis , as will be seen from an article in another column

      where a young man of the name of Wm . CLEMENr , residing near Bolton-le- Moors , was dragged from his bed at two o'clock in the morning , and taken to the police office , on the groundless charge of " assisting in the engravnig of a plate to counterfeit the Halifax and Huddersfield Bank . " From Bolton ho was , removed to the look-up in Manchester , where he remained until the 14 th instant , being arrested On the morning of the 11 th ; he was then removed to Halifax , where he was confined until the 19 th , on which day he was brought before the Magistrates , who on enquiring bis name immediately liberated him . Now , had the proper inquiry

      been made by the authorities , aa was their duty , previous to the arrest of this young man , they would have found that it was an absolute impossibility for him to have committed the offence alleged against him , as he is scarcely qualified « ven to write his own name . But to make such necessary enquiry would be a duty too onerous for the well-paid officials ; they find it much easier to lay hold of the first that comes within their reach , regardless of their innocence or guilt ; and for such negligence and uncalled-for interference on the put of the authorities , the innocent are doomed to unjust incarceration and have disgrace imprinted upon their characters

      What remuneration will this young man obtain for this irijoBtice--for this loss of time and characterf None whatever . The shield of protection will be held over his persecutors , and the youth must pocket . all the loss and Odium , because he is poor ^ But we trust that the people will persevere in their efforts to destroy the parent evil—class legislation—that suoh acts . of injustice may no logger disgrace a country said to be " the envt of sul ^ otindinq nations , AKD THE ADMIRATION OF THE WOL' 4-D" ! ! !

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      James Sinclair , Gateshead . —Yes , December 8 th , per Pickforrt ' s . . : A . H ., DuKFERMLiNE . —Aa soon as the account , is Bettled , the Plates will be sent If the Person who has called upon Mr . Cleave for a Plate will send bis name he will oblige , as the money cannot be credited till we knew who sends it . The Plate has most likely been sent to London since he called . He can ' have another for the spoiled one . We can speak more positive on . receipt of the name .

      W . D ., Kegworth . —Portrait of Hunt 4 d ., and postage ; of Frost 7 ^ d . and posta ge . The postage of the two will be 4 d ,, making la . 3 £ d . in the whole . J . M ., Kilmarnock . —Is the evil remedied this ; week ? They are sent by an earlier maiL Jabez Burns , Dundee , had better , in future , send his cash for Evening Stars direct to Mr . Hobaon : it cannot in future be received aa it has- been . ' ¦ ' hitherto . ¦ ¦ : . ' . . ' : ¦ ¦ ¦ . - ¦¦ .. ; . - ¦ ; ¦ ¦ . - ¦ " . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ " ¦ " " - MURGATRO 5 D , Delph . —Apply to A . Heywood . J . Goody . —Three months .

      FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . : ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - . ¦ ¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ .. ¦ ¦ - . . . - ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦; .: ¦ ; ¦ : ¦ £ . : ¦ ; * d From Tewkbnry , per W .. Haynes ... ... 1 0 0 ¦ , „ John Wrathall ... ... ... 0 0 2 _ afew Chartists at Edinburgh .. ... 0 6 8 ^ P . A ., Hull .... ... ; .. ... 0 0 6 „ Carrington , near Nottingham , per * Richard Hankin ... ... ... 0 5 0 FOR THE EXECUTIVE . From two whole-bog Chartists , MeUuham Forest ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 - FOR MRS . ELLIS . From David Williams , mason , late of Pentypool ... ... ... ... 010 FOR THE CHARTIST DELEGATES TO THE BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE . From an Old Radical ... ... ... 0 0 6

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      ( Continued from our first page . ) * ferenoe .-He was received with loud and prolonged cheering . Mr . O'Connor introduced Mr . Patrick O'Higgina , from Dublin , who was received with a similar mark of feeling . The Chairman opened the business by calling upon the secretary to read two letters , —one received from Sharman Crawford , Esq ., M . P ., and the other from Daniel O'Connell , Esq ., M . P . The letter from the farmer gentleman was as follows : — " Craufordsburn , Dec . 24 th , 1842 ,

      '••« Dear Friend , —I send . by my son , who ia the bearer of thia , a parcel containing 200 copies of my ' defence of the rights of the working classes , ' which I have taken leave to address to you , and to the Council of the Birmingham Complete Suffrage Union , in the hope you will receive it aa a proof of my earnest desire to forward that cause which you and the Complete Suffrage Union are so honourably endeavouring to promote . ; . (< In the observations contained in this publication , I have been desirous to shield the people from the unjust imputations cast . upon their conduct , whilst at the same time , I do not withhold my acknowledg ment of . the errors which have been committed . I

      bave endeavoured to tak , e a fair review of the principles on which the claims of the working classes are fonuded , and of the objections witb which their claims are met . and ' to impress tlio principle that all political institutions ( as well aa all human institutions of evfery description ) should be viewed , —not as being capable of perfection , —not as being divested of all possibility of evil , —but aa respects the balance of probable good and evil , which may be reasonably expected to result from them ; bat above all it has been my desire to inculcate moderation of conduct , and obliteration of all past unkindly feelings , ¦ which Dave existed between the working and middle classes , who are now both suffering the effects of bad legislation , and thus produce that combined agitation for the remedy of this evil , which can alone be effective in creating that moral power necessary for its removal .

      "As I have already said , I make my son the bearer of thia communication . I do this as a mark of my respect to you and your conduct , and of my anxious wish for tke success of the important meeting , about to take place at your call . He ia . fully acquainted with my views , and will be capable of giving you any information you might ¦ wiah for , ¦ with , reference to the particular nature of eur Irish elections , laws , or regulations , which , in many respects , differ from the institutions of England and Scotland . The Council of the Complete Suffrage Union of Edinburgh were bo kind as to propose to put my name in nomination as one of the delegates for that city to your congress ; but I requested of them to abstain from their kind intention , because I was of opinion it would be more eligible to select persons as delegates who were not members of Parliament , for the reasons contained in the extract , which I enclose you , from my reply to that body .

      ' I trust it ia unnecessary for me to add , that as a Member of the House of . Commons , I shall feel it both my duty and my inclination to co-operate in whatever means shrill be deemed most eligible for bringing before that HouBethosa measures which are required for carrying out the principles of your association . ' Believe me , dear Friend , " Yours sincerely , ¦ ; , ;•• Wm . Sharman Crawford . ' ' To Joseph Sturge , President of the Birmingham . ;¦*• Complete Suffrage Association . " ¦ The following ia the extract of a letter addressed by Mr . Crawford , to Mr . Robert Noel , secretary to the Complete Suffrage Association , of Edinburgh , and alluded to in the above : —

      . ¦•• I ftel that it would be my duty to comply with any wish expressed by those who have already shown me such marks of kindness , but I am inclined to think it would not be eligible to elect Members of Parliament aa your delegates , especially those members whom you will look to as the chief supporters of your cause in the House of Commons . I think It wonFd not be prudent tfor them to act in both capacities . You * delegates are to declare the opinions of the people to the members of that house , and I conceive it would be more proper for them to learn the opinions of . the people from other persons appointed for that purpose , than to be made themselves the instruments in the connection of such communication . I conceive they would have a greater moral power in the House ef Commons , in the course they should adopt , by not having

      previously been the framers of the measures which the Convention shall recommend . I am of opinion that it is more desirable that a Member of Parliament should not commit himself on any of the points of detail ( meaning thereby the election regulations ) till he has time fully to be awaie of the argumenta and deterai . nations of the meeting of delegates , because it would be veiy unfavourable to the impression he might wish to make in Parliament , if it could be alleged that he was acting in obedience to the will ot the delegates contrary to any" opinion previously expressed as a member of tkat body . ? ? My object ia to atandin the best possible position to be of use in Kivina mv aasiatance in Parliament to the advancement b ? the greatjause we axe mntuAlly engaged in , and I think myen - orta . mightbe impeded wtr ! I £ teprevK ? committed in the capacity of a delegate . " ' * ' ^ ¥ WU 8 iy

      "Darrynane Abbey , Dec . 22 , 1842 . ' ^ Mt Respected FRiEND .-Your letter , requiring to know Whether I could attend in Birmingham st the meeting of the delegates for carrying eut the principles of the Complete Suffrage Aasociation , has beeii foUowed by tbe ^ draught of a bill for that purpose . wS Sht reached me only this morning . wuiuiurangnii . " Witti reapect t 5 the first point-namely , my attendance at the Conference , I have on the f mieatSdtoatton determined not to go there . Di net imaging ^ T ^™! " ^ ™™ from any wanfrof zealin the of

      cause Universal Suffrage . Vo sucnlaun * I am thoroughly convinced that every man of legal age who does not forfeit his right by crime or idiocy , ha / by the principle of the Britiah coMtitution . a dUttnc £ toextinguisbawe right to vote for a repreBentatiVe ia S « f « T ° f ^ oa 8 e of Pa « k * ent . I »» eonyinoed % « $ arlghfc 1 ° a the Wrt . of . crwry male adultis to the full aMomplete as the right of any member of the House of Peers to the privilege of the peerage , ' oraa the right of our gracious Queen to the throne ? The only , w » t i 8 ip . praotl

      Untitled Article

      atrioted , and mutilated ; thus creating , where all should be freemen , a distinct and separate ¦ lsre . claaa , who , by iniquitoua Uwa , and more iniqaltous pnetices , hava been robbed of their natural biilhtight , and are euea tiallyfllaTet . V ^~^ •« i am the friend ef the slave elan in every clime and country , but more especially in the Britiah dan- ' . nlons . ¦¦;¦ ' .. : ' ¦¦ . ¦' _ ¦ • ¦ ' ¦' - . : . '¦¦ '¦'' . ' . ¦ . ¦ ¦ -.. ¦; . ; . - .. - " I am alao the most decided advocate for the voting by ballot , —the best , if not the only mode , of preventing corrupt and criminal practices at elections . " I also concur in the other points proclaimed by the Complete Suffrage Association ; and that concurrence , however , la created by my sacrificing my owa opinion of a preference of triennial to annual Parliaments to my sincere desire of producing unanimity of exertion amongst all the friends of a teal , substintifA and radical reform of Parliament '

      " The reason why I am thus distinct In once more stating my pelitical creed ia , because I eaa an » wei for it that the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland go with me upon these points , and that they will co-operate with their English brother reformers in all legal and peaceable means , —but in no other , —fjp obtaining a fair , free , and complete represeutation cf the people in Parliament . : << The great reason why I do not consent to attend the meeting at Birmingham is , because I have convinced myself that I ought rather to be a spectator of , than an actor in , your approaching exertions . I have beea personally so hostile to that olau called ' physical fore * Chartists '—I have been ao unjustly , and indeed so absurdly calumniated—( load laughter ) by their writers ,

      that I have brought myself to balieve , though perhaps without sufficient foundation , that any efforts I could make for conciliation , and to produce harmony , might be defeated , and that my presence might tend to dimU njah the prospect of concord and co-operation , which are so necessary for the success of yonr j ( ut demands . Besides , it is to be apprehended that there are too many other causes of strife and contention between the more ardent and violent of the Chartist party and the more plscid and miJd portion of the Complete Suffrage Association . If I could throw oil upon the troubled waters , so as that the ark of Britiah liberty might float in tranquil grandeur on the political wave , I should at once , and at any aacxinoe . And if , after the meating has been organized , you should be of opinion that my

      attendance could be of any possible use to the great cause , I wiil , with the rapidity of steam , place my-8 « lf amongst you . j :: « 1 do moat anxiously desire that the apirit of peace , harmony , conciliation , and concord may reign in ^ tha Convention ; that you may thus have Hie means and opportunity of considering and adopting % be best modes of in&uring success . My entire conviction ia , that without co-operation between the middle and what ii called the lower , that is , the poorer , or working class , you cannot possibly succeed , and perhaps you ought net Whether you ought or not , the concurrence of the middle olauea ia , in my judgment , most essentially necessary towards obtaining the right of suffrage tor the operative classes . Recent event * have proved to demonstration the essential importance of the middle classes in any stiuggle for the ameliora

      tion of political institutions . I know it was the cooperation of the middle classes that enabled the people of Ireland to achieve Catholic Emancipation . I know that it was the co-operation of the middle classes that enabled the people of England to obtain the frat step in the march of Parliamentary Reform .. I see before my eyes at the present moment the irresistible progress of the middle class towards the total abolition of all taxes npon human food . How anxiously , there * fore , do I desire to see a combination between the middle and optrative classes for the attainment of Radical Reform . If that combination takes place , the aristocratic classes , who have hitherto trampled upon the people , will be scattered like chaff before the wind ; aud the honest and jost principles of democratio liberty will pervade , ameliorate , and ennoble all the inititutions of the State .

      " Let me , then , conjure all the friends of peaceable and rational liberty to use every possible exwtion to conciliate , to combine , and to consoliiate the operative and middle classes . If that can be done , the materials of complete and immaculate success are in yonr hands —a success unstained by violence or crime—a succ 3 ss deserving the pmlse of good men—a Baeceu'deserving , I hope , the approbation of the Grand Judge of all .: . " The meeting at Birmingham is a glorious opportunity for working out these purposes . That opportunity may be thrown away . It may be soiled , stained , and destroyed , but the spirit that will work among the beat part of the members of the Conference will survive , and even at the worst it will afford an opportunity of separating the chaff from the good seed . But let u » not anticipate our evils , which may be merely imaginary ; and let me trust and hope that any discordant elements may soon evaporate , leaving nothing bebiut but kindly ^ feelings and cordial disposition * to unanimity in the Beivice of our country , : .

      "It may be said by way of discouragement that the present Administration , over which the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel preside , composed of mm strongly inimical to reform , there ia no chance of theif acceding to any measure approaching to trnivewti Suffrage . There are , however , two facts canneoted with the leaders of the Administration which show that they are Inspired with a more pliable di «» position . - ' ¦ ¦ - .: ¦¦ . ¦ ; .- ¦ .. v .. - ; ¦ ¦ ' . . ' .. ¦¦ .- . ¦ - ¦¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' " The first of those facts is , that the Duke of Wellington and Sir R . Peel were selected by Q ^ oega IV . as the leaders of an Administration framed for tha express purpose of continuing the la , wa by which tbe Citholics were excluded from the conaUtutloa ; yet that very Administration , with those identical leaders , totally repealed those excluding laws .

      " The aecond fact ia , that the landlord class in England have forced Into power , in despite of the Qaeen , the same Duke of Wellington and Sir R . Peel for th ©> express and proclaimed purpose of preserving in full vigour the Com Laws ; yet there are most unequiTOOcS evidences already exhibited to the public that this same Duke of Wellington and this same Sir B . Peel will totally repeal those same Corn Laws . "These are most encouraging facts . They demonstrate that unless some feud , some violence , some selfish dissensions rain our present prospect * , there exiatx every probability , at no remote period , of vindicating and establishing tbe rights of the people at large . .. . ' - •" : ¦ . ¦ ¦ . - /• ¦ . ¦' .. . ; . :, : . . - ' , ' : :.. ' -. . "¦"•

      " With respect to the draught of the ; act of Prrlkr * ment , I will return it , suggesting some alterations which I believe will be improvements . But in any event , it will be difficult to amalgamate the case of Ireland with that of Eogland and Scotland . There are two objections to the inclusion of Ireland in the same bill with that of Great Britain . There are not in Inland , as in England , any parish overaeers , nor any parish schoolmasters , as in Scotland , though there are schools ia almost ; every parish . The expression < pariah schoolmaster' would in Ireland be either too vague , or infer , as matter of law , a schoolmaster employed by the protestant clergyman . Of these there are but a few , and still fewer to whom it would be safe to trait any political duty with reference to the elective frauchiae . . : ¦¦¦'¦ ¦ - .. - ' . ¦ ¦ ¦ . . ¦ ¦ . ¦'¦ . - . ¦ ¦ : .. - :

      " The Bt-cond objection arises from matter of substance . The millions in Ireland who are anxious for universal suffrage are much more solicitous for the restoration of the Irian Parliament They are convinced that in the present state of the property and population of Ireland , a local Iiegislature is essentially neoeasaty for the peace and prosperity of the country . In this opinion I am bound to say I mo » t thoroughly and en * tirely concur . We Irish are not the less dispossd to aid the British people in working out the right of suffrage for every male adult—complete suffrage being the only honest basis upon which either our Parliament or yours should fee foundeo ' . V " I have the hononr to be , Ac ., " With sincere regard and respect , " Your faithful friend and servant , " DANIBL O'COtfMBLW --" To Joseph Sturge , Birmingham . "

      Mr . O'Connor moved that the minutes ef the morning ' s meeting should be confirmed . Mr , Hobson seconded the motion , which was agreed to pro forma . The Conference next proceeded to elect the Committee before alluded to . Twenty-six names Were prtposwt The following nine had the largest number of votes * and were consequently declared duly elected : — Mr . Joshua Hobson , Mr . J . H . Parry , Rev . Win . Hill , Mr . John Celquhoun , Mr . Q . White , Rev . T .: Swann , Mr . Roberts , Mr . James Tickers , and Mr . John Han * phreys . ¦; - . - . "¦ : \ , "¦ ' ¦ ' ' ' ¦ ¦'¦ . ' . - ¦¦ ¦ The Secretart called upon Mr . W . Begga , of Nottingham , to introdaca the business of tke Conference . Previous to this being done , Mr . Parht moved the following business regulations : — . . ' ¦ ¦ - ¦' . . . ¦ : ' . .. ¦ ¦ . ' ' r ' ¦ ¦ ¦ : . : .,-- ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - l . That the Conference meet twice every day , from nine o ' clock to one , and from three o ' clock till eight .

      2 . That the Chairman of the 'Conference shall also be Chairman of any Committee of the whole body . 3 . That the Chairman shall be allowed to take part in the- discussion aa a member of the Conference , and shall have a casting vote ia case of an equal division in addition to his vote as a delegate , 4 . That all documents issuing from the ^ Conference shall be signed by the Chairman . . 5 . That all documents , or letters , addressed to the Conference , or the Chairman , be referred to the Executive Committee . - 6 . That all amendments and propositions arising obi of business under discussion be submitted to the | Chafr maH , and in writing . 7 . That all speakers be limited to fifteen nrinutta each , except when in committee ^ and then ; to fit * minatea each , unless in extraordinary cases , to W nollfled by the Chairman .

      8 . That no member shall speak twice on the safflf subject , clause , or matter immediately under disco * slon , either In the Conference or Committee , exeept | n explanation , or the opener , by way of conclusion » reply . ' ¦ ' :- ' : " '" , ¦ ' ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦' : ¦¦ " ¦ ' ' "¦ ¦ ' ¦ ' [^ On the motion of Mr . O'Connor , the time propose to be allowed to each speaker wUs reduced to tea minutes , and It was also agreed that the sittings of tne Cshference should be from nine in the morniag till twa , and from foui till seven . A protracted disenssion ensued as to the time at which the Committee fordeoW ' Ing the diluted elections , ahould A \ i , Mt of ««« 88 V couldanswor no useful purpose to enter into it . » motion was subsequently made for an . adjournment w

      The Northern Star. Saturday, December 31, 1842.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , DECEMBER 31 , 1842 .

      Untitled Article

      A . B ., an Opehativb . —We have , said scores of times that we cannot answer ' legal questions : he must consult a lawyer . A Friend to Justice , FjLiia&K . —We declines in justice to a numerous party , to insert the remarks contained in his letter . He will perceive that we have noticed the delivery of the lecture t that is all we can do . S . Goat , Norwich . —The list sent by Mr . Cleave went through the whole impression on ihel 7 th t consequently the £ 2 sent by the Norwich Chartistswould be : there noticed . .. A 'Political Mahtvr ; - ^< H "» s ' . communication , was received ; but it must : stand over for further ¦

      perusal . . . ' .. . ; , " ' ¦'¦' : ' . ' ¦ ' ¦ - ¦ - ''•' S . J ., Bristol . —The subject on which he writes is done with so far as we are concerned . J . B . Thompson , SdndeRland . —> Tc cannot insert his letter : he gives very bad advice . A Fife Chartist . — We do not think the publication of his letter would at all alter the conduct of the ' individuals of whom he complains . * Mb . Wm . Cotton , 38 , Lttdgate-hill , Birmingham , delegate to the National Conference at Birmingham for Kilmarnock and Barrhead , will feel obliged ifL his' constituents will communicate their addresses to him as soon as possible . Henby Hodgson .- —We do not think gratuitous vitu ' peration and assumption any answer \ to alleged facts . . ' '" ' ¦ ¦"' ' ¦ - ' ¦ .- ¦ ... ¦ ' ' ¦ ' ..: ¦' . . ;¦• ¦ . ' Joseph Rayner , Hollhwood . —Yes .

      3to L^Eatrer^ &Lt;0om^Tttrent^.

      3 To l ^ eatrer ^ < 0 om ^ tttrent ^ .

      Birmingrham Conference.

      BIRMINGrHAM CONFERENCE .

      Untitled Article

      , . - THE NORTHERN STAR . — - —__^ Ai . " ¦ ¦¦ : : — — ¦ - ' »¦' ¦ ' ' ' . ¦ ' - ¦ ¦ ' " — ¦ - ¦ ' ¦ »__ :

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 31, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct631/page/4/