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Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th January 1841, Edition 4 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • ticn anU ©onwstic
    • Cftarttgt 3ftrtetttaetree.
    • HE ] N T OETHER]^ STAE SATURDAY, JANUARY SO, 1841.
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      Ticn Anu ©Onwstic

      ticn anU © onwstic

      Cftarttgt 3ftrtetttaetree.

      Cftarttgt 3 ftrtetttaetree .

      Thire is nothing In the papers ¦ worth presenting to eur readers under this heid . We prefer , therefore ) to Sil the space with good Chartist intelligence .

      Untitled Article

      BIRMINGHAM . —The National Charter Abso-« Sation held their weekly meeting in the Hall of Science , Lawrence-Btreet ; the chair was taken by Mr . Small wood . The minutes of the r last meeting being read and confirmed , the address to the inhabitants of Birmingham and surrounding districts was lead to the meeting . The correspondence was also read , including a tetter froa the Tier . Mr . Hill , « ditorof the S / ar , to the great satisfaction of all present . Mr . T . P . Green then addressed the neeting for some time , in an able manner , when it ¦ was carried unanimously that the address be sent to the Star , praying for its insertion . Many applied fat « ards of membership , but could not ¥ e supp li ed , "the cards not haying armed from Manchester . We hope to be able to snpply them next week .

      Restoratkjx Committee . —By the weekly report of the proceedings of this body omitted from our last , h appears that a number of new honorary members were added to the committee at its eitt' . ng on the 19 th instant ; that memorials from Oldham , Nottingham , Manchester , Barnsley , Forfar , aad Aberdeen , had been received by the committee since its previous meeting . The commutes have determined , as soon as sufficient funds are in their hands , ¦ to cause the memorials to be presented . All memorials , funds , and communications to be addressed for committee , to Mr . Guest , bookseller , Steelhouse lane . Tne committee meets every Tuesday evening , at half-past six o ' clock , at the Hall of Science , Lawrence-street . Admittance free .

      Important Public Meeting . —( From our own Grrrespjndeni . j—At the conclusion of the serrice at the Carisuan Chartist church , on Sunday evening last , it was announced tnat a meeting would be held © a tbe following Tuesday , to hear Messrs . Collins » odO'Neil deliver a report of their mission to Leeds . At the appointed time , hundreds flecked to the place of meeting , anxious to hear the result of tbe long-talked of demonstration . The place was crowded long before the time for commencing business had arrived , and a vast number had to go away , unable to gain admittance ; and such was the eagerness of those present to hear an account of the late transactions at Leeds , that a working man , in the gallery , commenced reading an aceonnt of the proceedings

      from a Leeds newspaper , and was listened to attentively . When the time for opening the meeting had arrived , Mr . Styles was called to the chair . He opened the business by seating . that they had met there that evening , for the purpose of hearing Messrs . Collins and U'Neil deliver an account 01 the result of their mission . Mr . O'Neil , then arose , And proceeded at considerable length , and with great ainntenes 3 , to detail the whole of the circumstance * that had taken place , from tbe time of his arrival at Leeds to his departure . He described his meeting ¦ with the other delegates—the conference between the Chartist delegation and Messrs . Hume , Roebuck , &c—the excited state of Leeds—rhe Chartist procession and meeting—the meeting at Marshall ' s mill

      —the effect produced on the audience-by the Chartist speaker-, &c . and concluded amid great applause . lir . Collins then came forward , amid the hearty plaudits of the assembly , and proceeded in his usual style to explain the more important features connected with the important proceedings that had taken place at Leeds . He said he had no doubt but that good would result from it to the Chartist cause ; he also read extracts from the Leeds newspapers , in eorroboration of his statements ; he likewise de-• eribed what took place at the public dinner , held at the Musio-hall , on Friday evening , and commented on the expressions used at that meeting by Daniel O'Connell and Mr . Roebuck . After fully recounting to his constituents the part he had taken in the Tariou 3 transactions , he eat down amidst long and loud cheering , the meeting being highly delighted with the account they bad received . Mr .

      'Hill then moved " That the thanks of the meeting be given to Messrs . Collins and O'Neil , for the praiseworthy manner in which they had performed the duty entrusted to them . " This was seconded by aeveral is the body of the meetiDg and passed unanimously . The Chairman then read an account of the money received for the purpose of defraying the « xpences of Messrs . Collins and U'Neil to Leedj , and also the expenditure , from which it appeared that a surplus remained , which was ordered to be handed to the Observational Committee . A vote of thanks was then proposed for the chairman and carried unanimously . Previous to the separation of the meeting , a large number of females determined that . a Cfcartist tea drinking should be got up , and retired into tbe vestry , for the purposa of forming themselves into a committee to carry out that object . An excellent spirit prevails here at present , and it is "hoped that the Chartist cause will ere long be strensei than ever it yet was in Birmingham .

      Frost , Williams , ami Joxes . —The General Committee for these victims held their weekly meeting on Tuesday evening , at the Hall of Science , Lawrence-street , Mr . Barratt in the chair . The correspondence for the week was read , and the following resolution wa 3 moved by Mr . Small wood , seconded by Mr . P . H . Green , and carried unanimously : — "That Messrs . Moir , Lovett , and Morgan Williams , be communicated with by this Comnr . tvee , to know whether they are willing to act for tha presentation of tbe memorials to the Qneen , as laid down in the Northern Star . " Tne Committee intend completing their arrangements for the presentation of the menorials as soon as they have sufficient funds in hand . Memorials have been received this last week from Manchester , Carlisle , Brighton , Stout-bridge , and Kinross . The arrangements of the Committee , respecting Secretaries , 1 b as follows : —Financial Secretary , Mr . William Barlow ; Corresponding Secretary , Mr . J . P . Green ; and Committee

      Secretary , Mr . Thompson . BRIGHTON . —A meeting of the members of the National Charter Association took plice here on Monday last , in the Large Room , 110 ,-Gioster Lane , to take measures to secure the return of Fro * t , Williams , and Jones ; ilr . Councillor Frederick Page in the chair , Mi .- Councillor Woodward moved the first resolution : — . " That this meeting is of © pinion that Jolm Frost , Xephaniah Williams , and William Jones , were illegally tried and banished , from their native land ; and it hereby pledges itself to use every constitutional means in its power , to effect their restoration to their country , ynrj their distressed and sorrowing families . "—He proceeded to show that tue local authorities had mdeivoured to do all they could to prevent the holding

      of the meeting . They must know ; he said ) that every ttde&Tour bad been made by their Council to gtt the Town Hall ; and that the authorities were , and are determined , ( so they says not in any way to countenance or ailew any Charus . meeting to take place in Brighton , He was ene ef a deputation who waited on the Constable with a requisition , s i gned by eighty electors , and & > x > fft twenty householders of tbe borough , to reqnest of him to call a public town meeting , for tbe purpose for which they that evening met The Constable thought fit , in the exercis * of his prercgatiTe , to refuse the use of the Hall for- such a purpose , alleging that they intended to hold a Chartist meeting ; that he , in conjunction with the m&gistntes , had leceivfcd a circular from the Home Office , some time

      back , net to allow any Chartist meetings to take place in Brighton , if they could prevent- them . " Well , " said Mr . TV ., " our next attempt to get the Hall was by a requisition to the Cltrk to the Commissioners ; he ( ilr . W . ) having been informed , that if twenty elector * applied for the ase of the Hall , and the Hall was not previously engaged , there was a resolution on tbe CommissienerB * books , that the . Hall should be granted . Weil , the Coeacil got up a requisition , and , to mate » nre , they got appended to it twenty-five lectors' Barnes , instead of twenty . They again met with a refusal , not , as the Clerk said ; that HE refused the Hall , bat that he had no power to grant it for such s purpose , more particularly after their being refused by the Constable . Mr . William Flowers seconded the

      r esolution , aad , in a short but effective address , vindicated Frost and his companions . The resolution was then pat to the meeting , and unanimously carried . Mr . Councillor Colling proposed the n > xt resohation : — *• That , agreeable to the first resolution , a memorial be seat to her Majesty the Queen , praying her to exercise bee prerogative , by causing Frost , Williams , and Janes to be liberated , aad restored to their homes , their fionlliee , and country . " Mr . Colling then read to the nesting the memorial to her Migesty , as recommended fey the Birmingham Committee , and concluded by moving its adoption in conjunction with the resolution Mr . Councillor Allen seconded tbe resolution , and the adoption of the memorial , and alter an eloquent address , aooeinded , amidst cheers , by saying , when the wanes

      of a Russell , a If onnanby , and a Mauls would be forgotten , and rotting in the graves with their bodies , loaded with the execration and det « tati » n of after feaeratioo * , the sames of Frost , Williams , and Jones , O'Connor , Vincent , and O'Brien , would be revered and respected . After generations would sing , in songs of Joy , to tbe memory of the persecuted patriots of by-Coae days . Tbe resolotioaaad address were then put to tbe meeting , and carried amid load velsmarkm . Mr . Councillor John Page rose to propose the next resolution : " That tbre * of tbe old Convention be apyoiated by tbe Birmingham Committee , to presect oar AdfeeM to tbe Qnsen , as represeatotiTes of our feelings , ma wants , and grievaaoet , and oar caus «; aad that

      • tt London brethren be requested to attend oar deputation to the gates of tha Palace ; aad we recommend fc > tb # Btrminghani CommittM . James Moir , William Xievett , aad Murgan Williams , s * the deputation to jnsesfe the address to her M » jesfcy . " Mr . George . Papwotth aeoosdei the reaolutioa , which was unanimously Adopted . Mr . Allen proposed tbe following rcsoimtion . *> That this meeting , deeply aetudbla of the almost ^ apertraman tiftrtiflrf of that determined aad crflinchiag patriot , Feargra O'Connor , Esq ., before and during the trial of tL $ i xOed patriot * , and of tbe Bar . Wm . Tnii , Bditor of tbe Svr&ir * Star , in his fattiest expo-« n » of tbe Illegality of tb « trial , aad injustice of the tmtfft . tender then oar most sincere thanks for th « i >

      Untitled Article

      services , in the cause of freedom and huiiian ty , on that occasion . ? Sir . Alien paid a high-mtrited compliment to the character of the noble Feargus , the friend of the poor , * nd the vindicator of their right ? . Mr . Flowers , seconded the resolution , and said the greatest honour that be ever felt had been conferred on him , was when the noble O'Connor took him by the band at their first Chartist meeting in their Town Bali . Mr . Veness could uot let the resolution pass Without laying claim to a little honour , that he should ever bold in remembrance . He had the pleasure « f riding with the noble champion in bis carriage , from Brighton to Worthing ;

      he should never forget it as long as be lived . A more feeling , a more fatberly-like man , he never bad the pleasure of conversing with , than Feargus O'Connor ; be was kind , generous and noble—he was a real noble —a noble of nature . In aobility O'Connor stood above Normanby , Russell , & Co ., as St Paul's above a mushroom . The resolution was then pot and carried , with a loud hurrah , that made the very buildiag shake again . Thanks were voted to the Chairman , and three cheers were proposed for Frost , Williams , and Jones ; for tbe Charter ; for Feargus O'Connor , and the other imprisoned Chartista , which were loudly and enthusiastically responded to .

      PERTH . —On Wednesday week , a soiree and ball was held here , in aid of the wives and families of the imprisoned Chartists , when the meeting was addressed by various friends ; and at the conclusion three cheers were given for Frost , Williams , and Joh 63 ; for Feargns O'Connor ; for Richardson and Collins ; and for the Charter . After clearing all the expenoes , thirty-two shillings remain , and will be forwarded to the proper quarter . HCBDE 3 T BRIDGE . —Mr . Doyle lectured here a few evenings ago . At the conclusion of his lecture three cheers were given for O'Connor , tho Charter , and for Frost , Williams , and Jonee . JiB . QTLSD'Ettm—On Tuesday evening last , Mr . Doyle lectured here to the great gratincat ion of a numerous auditory , by whom he was rapturously applauded .

      SHEFFIELD . —Chartism wears here a more than usually favourable aspect . At the last weekly meeting , thg members determined to have nothing to do with the Household Suffrage party in any way whatever , and to support neither men nor measures , short of the entire right of Universal Suffrage . WIGAN . —Mr . Bairstow addre&ssd a meeting here , on Monday eveaing last , at great length , in which he detailed the proceedings at the Leeds meetings . At tbe conclusion , three cheers each were given for Feargus O'Connor ; for the speaker ; for the Charter ; for Frost , Williams , and Jonea ; and a vote of thanks to the Chairman ( Mr . Hyslop ) . Mr . B . ' s visits have given a great impulse to the cause .

      SOUTH IiANCASHIRE .-Mr . Leech , the South Lancashire missionary , will deliver lectures at the following places , during the next fortnight : Un Sunday , tbe 31 st , R&tclifle-Bridge ; Monday , Feb . 1 st , at the Carpenter ' s-hall , Manchester ; Tuesday , the 2 d , at at a room , near Droylsden ; Wednesday , the 3 d , at Pilkington ; Thursday , the 4 th , at Mottram ; Friday , the 5 ; h , at Rawden-lane ; Saturday , the 6 th , at Newtoa Heath ; Sunday , the 7 th , at Brown-street ; Monday , tbe 8 th , at Bolton ; Tuesday , the 9 ih , at Wigan ; Wednesday , the 10 th , at Liverpool ; and on Thursday , the 11 th , at Warrington . The various associations are requested to make the necessary preparations for his reception .

      BATH . —On Monday evening last , an interesting meeting was held at the Charter Association Room , Mr . Clarke in the chair , -when several addresses , alluding to" The Labourer ' s Employment Society " of Bath , and the conduct of the police , were delivered . Mr . Aleuander of Newport , also addressed the meeting .

      Untitled Article

      Chxbiist Adhesives , oh Stickers . —We have received samples of two adhesives for letters , from Manchester . On one is printed the sentence , — " Remember Frost , Williams , and Jones ; " and on the other , — " The Charter , and No Surrender . " They are neatly engraved on green paper , ready for pasting , and we would recommend the use of them as a good mode of calling attention to the Chartist victims and the People ' s Charter . IjTHtriuw Gaol Treatment . —A long investigation took place the other diy , at Brixton House of Correction , touching the death of Elizabeth B&Bks , aged 35 , who died just after having descended from the treadwheel . A fellow-prisoner stated , that the poor woman was much troubled in bed with a cough all night previous , and tbat she said the clothing was very thin apon her . The poor creature was put on the treadwhoel twice the following

      morning , and the witness gave the following account of her death : —1 was sitting on my seat waiting for my turn to go , there were four or five persons on the wheel at the same time , when the deceased , who had been up the last time about five minutes , told two of the girls to get ont of her way as quick as possible , when she got down and sat on the seat . She looked very ill , and turned quite blue in the face , and never uttered a single word . 1 ran to her assistance , and supported her upon the seat , when she expired in my armB . " An attempt wa 3 made to clear the prison functionaries of any alleged neglect , but the foreman of the jury remarked , — " that there was no doubt tbat tbe death of the woman was accelerated by the hard labour and prison regulations , at a time when her frame wis debilitated by illness . ' He added that the surgeon could not be aware of her illness , as she never mentioned her cough to him . Verdict—** Death from Natural Causes . "

      More Railwat Accidents . —On Tuesday last , two men lost their lives on the Bolton and Preston Railway ; one from a qnantity of earth suddenly giving way , and the other from being knocked down and run over by some soil waggons . Inquests have been held over them , and verdicts of " Accidental death" returned . U . nxatchal Parent . —The mstgistrates of the Manchester Borough Court , were on Monday engaged in investigating into the oondnctofa brute named Mary Soloman , towards one of her children .

      It had been found in the cole-hole , lying on a few shavings , and so black that it could scarcely be recognised as a human being . The prisoner , it seemed , lived with a person named Cox ; and the reason assigned for their inhuman treatment of the poor child was , that they had entered it into a burial club , and would be entitled to a sum of money Ehould it die . The surgeon deposed that the child was not in immediate danger of losing itB life , and the prisoners were discharged with an admonition .

      Lswholksome Meat . —On Monday , the carcases of two sheep , and three piga , were publicly burned in the Free Market , Leeds . The Commissioners appear to be more vigilant in the execution of the duties of their important office , than they hare previously been .

      He ] N T Oether]^ Stae Saturday, January So, 1841.

      HE ] N OETHER ]^ STAE SATURDAY , JANUARY SO , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      WHAT EVERY ONE SAYS MUST BE TRUE . We take it as an admitted fact , tbat what every one says must be true ; nor do we apprehend that even the concurrence of " th » Great Liar of the North , " will Ehake the maxim , when applied to the tiiumph of Chartism , on Thursday tke 21 st of January , 1841 . Every person , and all authorities , concur in admitting that never was there bo complete , ho entire , and bo Eoble a victory . But if upon the mere face of facts presented to the public eye , all agree in the completeness of our trinmph , what must be the public surprise when all the facts of the ease are laid bare !

      Be it remembered , then , that education was one of the great principles of the Leeds Parliamentary Reform AsEociatioa , " and from the operation of which upon the sound judgment of the industrious classes every hope of an alliance between them and their masters was fully anticipated . " The people were deluded , and only required teaching ; the people were ignorant , and only required instruction . " To bring about bo desirable an end , nothing was so necessary as a parley between tbe rival partiesthe philanthropic masters aad their misled slaves .

      The magical effect of eloquence is almost unbound » d , and it bnt required the oratorical powers of the rieh oppressor to persuade tie poor oppressed that grievances were equally felt bj the capiialist , who from others' labour had amassed millions , and by those whose very sweat had been coined into gold to fill their coffers . " Equal justioe for each and for all , " was , we believe , a point in the principles of the Association . How far this point has been observed , aad how far , and by what means , tbe light of knowledge was to have dispersed the dark clond of ignorance , let us , in the first place , consider , before we proceed with our general review .

      A parley was to hare taken place , whereat all grades of intellect , from id . to 5 s ., were to hare been represented . The first issue of tickets took place ; and ont of . 1 , 500 of the uaintellectual sixpennies , the knowledge-thirsting Chartists , of themselves , purchased bo fewer than 1 , 306 of the number . Thifl fact was eovmranieated U the Secretary of the Club , when , to oar surprise and disgust , the farther issue of tickets was stopped , lest the ignorant people should purehaee a chaneeof be&xinrtbe

      Untitled Article

      truth , and being thereby converted J The reason of this stoppage was most unblashingly made public . However , after a short lapse of time , and when the snow and intense cold promised to operate as a bar to the attendance of tbe Chartists from a distance , —( it being well understood that none at home would venture , under the employer and overseer , to go to the parley in any other capacity than that of hearers and applanders , )—after this lapse , abont 700 more tickets were issued , aad of which the Chartists bought up the number of £ 00 . Upon this second brisk sale , orders were sent by the Secretary to the several vendors of tickets , to sell them to members only , and not to sell one to a Chartist . In pursuance of thiii order , the Chartists were at a

      stand ; and upon one of the body applying at the shop of a liberal newsrendor , at Bradford , he was told that there were none in the shop . In a short time afterward ? , however , the same Chartist saw the same liberal news-vendor packing up two parcels of twenty-fire tickets each ; and when reminded that those were 6 d . tickets , the liberal news-rendor replied , " Aye , I know they are , but they are &o \ vg back to the Secretary , as you want them to oppose the Association . " Now , to the truth of this we pledge onrselres . We cannot for one moment suppose tbat either Mr . Marshall or Mr . Stansfeld would hare countenanced so pitiful a trick ; and therefore we lay it at the door of the orcrdiligent unscrupulous Secretary .

      So much for the positire hindrance offered to tbe attendance of the ignorant , while the great array of Nobility , Gentry , and Members of Parliament , which the programme promised , was of itself suffioient to awe the unwashed into obedience , if not into absence . Iu fact , had all the expected guests arrived , Mr . Marshall might fairly have been said to have stolen a march upon her Majesty , by opening the Parliament in his Flax Mill , on tho 21 at , instead of allowing her Majesty the usual privilege of doing so in person , from the throne of the House of Lords on the 26 th .

      Tickets , as was unblushingly stated , were to hare been furnished , in the first instance , to the members , and 4 , 000 places were let at the various prices , of from Is . 6 d . to 5 s . —a sum much beyond that which either Mr . Marshall or Mr . Stansfeld , eren with Household Suffrage , will allow their men to spare for an intellectual entertainment . The peast was originally to hare been on Wednesday the 20 th ; but , inasmuch as Thursday is the market-day in some parti of the West Riding , and , as those Chartists who are most independent of mill lords have occasion to attend their market towns , it was , therefore , " reasonably deemed" prudent to alter the day to the 21 st .

      With such obstacles , and many others , such as the intimidation of masters and overseers , the Chartists went to work ; and , upon the eve of battle , the enemy struck ! The object ; the one , the sole , the only object , for which the meeting was called , and upon which nearly £ 2 , 000 was expended , was abandoned . Every thing was conceded to the despised delegates of the despised Chartists ; and mercy , even mercy , was asked for , and generously conceded . Tho preliminaries were agreed upon , and a resolution was unanimously adopted as the only test of principle to be proposed . That resolution we here once more insert . It runs thus : —

      " That the great experimemt made by means of the Reform Bill , to improve tbe condition of the country , hath failed to attain the end desired by the people ; aud , a further Reform having , therefore , become necessary , it is tbe opinion of Vhis meeting that the united efforts of all Reformers ought to be directed to obtain * uch a further enlargement of tbe franchise , as should make the interests « f tbe representatives identical with those of the whole country , aud by this means secure a just government for all classes of the people . "

      Now , we ask if a Republican of the ultra school could , by possibility , desire a wider field for the exercise of his imagination , than the boundless space which this positive negative , or negative positive , ( which you please , my dears , ) presents 1 Where , in this resolution , are to be found the strong , the denned , tbe practicable , the intelligible , the enfranchising , the improving , the educating , the equalising principles of the Association , according to the several letters of Messers . Marshall and Stansfeld ; and where are the rules for the government of the body , which were to be submitted for the adoption , not for the consideration , but for the adoption of the apostolical meeting , which was to have consecrated the flax mill by the recognition of our new " Magna Charta" !

      The day arrived , and behold ! instead of a five shilling platform , groaning nnder Peers , M . P . V , and aristocrats , come to feel the pulse of England ' s young pride , the pageant , as far as regards the aristocratic representation , is turned into a puppetshow , where Punch and Judy Hume , Strickland , and Williams , in their own proper persons , represent the English aristocracy ! The first speaker who presents himself , Mr . Hume , is mistaken for Mr . Dasiel O'Connell , who was to have been the " great gun" of the night ; and poor Mr . Hume is assailed with that warmth of bursting indignation

      which for weeks had been bottled for the destroyer of the poor man ' s liberty , and the reviler of English women ' s fame . The * ' destructive Chartists" interfere , explain the mistake , and Mr . Hume is heard ; and thus the business goes on , a Sham-Radical and a Chartist in turn addressing the meeting ; the shams fencing and talking nonsense , the Chartists laying on the whip , and actually electrifying the ignorant platformites , the twoand-sixpenny , and tho one-and-6 ixpenny audience ; while the sixpenny visitors evinced their delight and approbation at the triumph of their champions , in oheers both hearty , loud , and long .

      The Chartists ( and the club know it ) were strong enough to have chosen tLeir chairman , and to hav « carried any resolutions declaratory of their principles ; but they could have hit upon none moro oweeping , iu recognition of their right , and their cause , and their Charter , than that in which all bo happily , and so unanimously agreed . No attempt , from the commencement , was made , by one of the eight thousand persons , to introduce the question of Household Suffrage , to advance which the meeting was called ; while friend and foe declared that Universal Suffrage was the only just , principle of franchise .

      Let ns now ask if such a result could have been contemplated , would the experiment have been tried 1 No , never ! We look , the . i , upon the victory of the 21 st of January , 1841 , as being , in the expreBsive language of the Mercury , the completest of all triumphs . We consider it as the first step in the last stage of our moral warfare—as the first" direction " of public opinion . Public opinion must hare been well created and thoroughly and soundly organised , before the first attempt at its direction could have been so triumphantly successful . One false step on the 21 st , aud Chartism would have received a heavy bJow ; " whereas , prudent management has dealt -death and dismay in the ranks of the enemy .

      The mill meeting was to hare been followed , by transplanting the healthy skoota of young opinion from tbe nursery to all parts of the Empire . That project has , howerer , been abandoned , and the Association , which , but ten days since , was bria-fuli of hope , now lies prostrate , — " UNHOUSED , " " unannointed , " u ttnannealed , " — perished in its infancy , strangled in its cradle , and Bent , " with account unsettled , " before the tribunal of pubiie opinion .

      The Chartists hare been told , insolently told , that they were only potent for eril ; but he ? rho said so dared not witness their potency for good * From all parts of tke country , and from Scotland , they selected their delegates , far out-numbering &ho . ie of tbe Clnb . "They came , —they taut , —they conquivexi . r There was no bullying , no bloater , no declaiation . of war ; no torch , no dagger , but with the scythe of common sense they mowed down every blade of opposition . And singular , most singular , that vita tke

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      single exception of something which Mr . Marshall read froin a piece of paper , and which , as Chairman , he w ^ s bound to do , not one of the members of the " Leeds Parliamentary Reform Association " appeared in the contest . It was the completest represeasatioa of Hamlet , without a Hamlet , we ever heard tell of 1 Where was Mr . Stansfeld , with his Bible , and Traveller ' s Tales , and Joe Miller ? Where was Jiwhwa Bower , Esq ., and where was Charles Cummins , Esq ., and , — " Where , and O where , is my Highland laddie gone f " Where was the thrilling eloquence , the soul-Btirring patriotism , the undying flame , the untiring energy of the Doctor !

      We could not hare had a more happy illustration of the several parties of which society is composed , than that which the Mill was intended to represent on the 2 lst . The platform for the peers ; the 2 s . 6 d . for the upper class ; the Is . 6 * d . for the middle class ; and the 6 d . for the class that pays for all . And let us , as a finisher to the dispute between tne H-o-u-s-e and the intellect , clearly show the advantage which the enfranchisement of the latter must , of necessity , hare over the enfranchisement of the former .

      Universal Suffrage would be the advocate of the meritorious soldier , who had seen serrice , and who understood his duty , against the hairy-lipped monkey who slips from hu mammy ' s apron-string to command his betters . Universal Suffrage would place merit , genius , and talent , indtead of patronised prejudice , folly , and ignorance upon the bench ; and thus make reason and justice , instead of caprice and fancy , preside over men's lives , men ' s liberties , and men ' s properties .

      Universal Suffrage would proteot the capital of him with one hundred thousand pounds , against the capital of him with one million thousand pounds , by so ordering demand aud supply , that a man shall neither swamp the market , or overhold his goods upon the strength of hi 8 large capital , to the destruction of his poorer neighbour . Universal Suffrage would proteot the shopkeeper

      against the truck system of the feeding mongers , and against the monopoly of government purveyors , at the lowest wholesale price , for the worst description of food , for uu willing idlers who , under a good system , would become the best customers of the shop-keeping class . They would wear more hose , more shoes , and more clothes ; they would use more furniture , more coals , and more of the manufacture of their own hands .

      Unirersal Suffrage would protect the banker and the merchant , from all losses consequent upon unnatural trade . Unirersal Suffrage would protect the landed proprietor from the Jew-jobber , the tax-eater , and the money lender . Unirersal Suffrage would protect the peerage as a distinction for merit . Unirersal Suffrage would proteot the large capital ' isti from that crash , that awful crash , which the present system must inevitably subject them to . Unirersal Suffrage would protect the Ministry from too great a responsibility .

      Universal Suffrage would protect tb » Monarch from a Republic , and Wniversal Suffrage would protect the , cottage froc . : uin , while Household Suffrage would placo it iu the power of the wealthy to erect monuments to his own temporary greatness and grandeur , to the immediate ruin of his poorer neighbour , to his own ultimate and certain destruction , and to the country ' s ruia . In short , we cannot improve upon our former position : that Universal Suffrage would disfranchise the vicious

      and enfranchise the rirtuous of all classes , from the aristocracy to Mr . Baptist Noel ' s " without-God-and-without-hupe" staff ; and that if the principle of exclusion is to be admitted , the industrious would represent all other classes moro honestly and efficiently than all other classes unitedly could represent themselves ; and tbat ninety-nine in erery hundred labourers , who nerer can hope to live independently of industry , would have , if possible , a greater interest in upholding the employers' capital than the master himself .

      Now , can any sound judging man deny these facts , without first proving that the working classes are all mad ! Why , we shall be asked , in years of as great distress , have not these things been urged by , or on behalf of , the toiling millions t Why has tbe mere question of abstract riqht t to be forcibly carried , constituted the sum and substance of political agitation 1 The question is easy of solution . Till the reduction upon newspaper stamps ,- ( the greatest revolution ever known in this or auy other country ) , —the people could only think ; tboy could not express their thoughts ; and York and

      Lancaster , the centre of the hire , the marrow of England's back-bone , were represented , exclusively , by the Leeds Mercury and the Manchester Guardian . These two political rips collated , rvhat they were pleased to call , the public opinion of the millions ; and thero being no organ to dissent from their falsehoods , they became the salesmasters of provincial feelings in the metropolis ; hence , London , which is a citadel , always either taken or defended , according to the weakness or strength of the garrison , fell into the prevailing notion , would not stir against Lancashire and Yorkshire , and , in short , took the epidemic .

      Novi how is it 1 The Mercury and Guardian now only represent " the wreok of old opinions . " They kave not , Unitedly , the power to call a single meeting , or oarry a single resolution , for any one purpose ; they cannot assist where they before administered ; they cannot procure a rote , where they before conferred seats . Thus has the freshness of popular provincial opinion giren a freshness to metropolitan opinion , and taken off the rust of ages .

      A koen sportsman once remarked , that he never waa so well carried as when he had only one horse , one saddle , and one bridle . The horse was always in wind , without sore mouth from strange bridle , or sore hack i from badly fitting saddles ; whereas , when he had ten , all were out of order and out of wind . Now , such is precisely the case with the people . Formerly tboy were delighted with a pleasant ride

      upon the ( local hobby-horse ; and we had as many crotchets as journals , and as many journals as crotchets , aad as many officers as soldiers . Now we hare one organ shining with equal brilliancy upon the hovel and the palace—equally illuming the peasant as the peer—a national finger-post , pointing out the one straight road to freedom ; and hence we find all the passengers going the one way upon the great thoroughfare of life .

      Again , then , do we congratulate ourselves , our friends , their delegates , and their cause , upou the victory of victories gained upon the 2 ist 2 By that , the Chartists hare prored to the world that they require but a clear stage and no favour ; and that physical force has only been mentioned in consequence of the unjust and cowardly suppression of moral strength . How could ariotory be more decisive ! Without striking a blow the . enemy Capitulated , surrendered at discretion , and marched out without their arms , leaving their principles , as Sir Peter Teaale left his character—behind them . In fact , the Household troops were surrounded aud made prisoners of war , by the very first charge of tbe Universal brigade .

      But let not our troops suppose that this victory is to be the signal for repose ! No , no , we must go on , adding triumph to triumph , until the Charter becomes the law of the land . Again do we most oordially thank the people and their delegates ; and it now only remains for us to lament the " mill of troubles , " whioh a covetous old gentleman has allowed an indiscreet young boy to bring upon him . The peopleeame—they saw—they conquered . This all admit—became none eon deny it : and " what ererj one Bay * must be true . "

      Untitled Article

      O'CONNOR , O'CONNELL , THE MERCUPvY , AND THE TRIUMPH OF THE 21 sfc . We give the following bit from the journal of the man of veracity ; he says : — " The assemblage . of Chartist * at Holbeck Moor on Thursday was to the last degree meagre and miserable Mr . Fsargus O'Connor , who barns with hatrod to Mr O'Connell , and who considered the latter a « coming to Leeds to triumph orer him , did every thing that fierce personal rancour , as well as political , animosity . , could suggest , to procure an overwhelming attendance of Chartista , with a view to oppose * if not to insalt and silence him . " . ;¦ ¦ - , ,

      Only one word upon ( hat portion of the bit which refers to the triumphant , ( and , therefore , to . the fallen god , "meagre and miserable ") gathering which took place on the 21 st . The " thieving god , " as the honey-lipped O'Connell oalled his friend , gare us 10 , 000 for the " Great Peep Green Meeting , " at which all admitted there were from 300 , 0 * 0 to 400 , 000 persons ; and he gives us 3 , 000 for "The Welcome to Dan" Meeting , while the space occupied , before the thousands had fully assembled , was three thousand square yards . Now , all persons are aware that an out-door

      meeting , and especially in cold weather , packs much more closely than an in-door meeting . In a room there are angles and corners , and other obstacles , to the complete occupation of the whole space . However , a part of the meeting covered 3 , 000 square yards ; the procession filled Briggate , perhaps the largest street in any provincial town in England , as full as an egg ; and having dispatched thousands to their home 3 , we contrived to find room for nearly 5 , 000 of the 3 , 000 in Mr . Marshall ' s Mill ! Why , even old weekly Greenacre Chron . gives us 4 , 000 . How is this , Cocker ? '

      Oh ! Neddy , if it had been a Whig meeting , how many pairs of spectacles would y « u bare had on ! The whole staff of the establishment would hare counted each man twice over , and then would hare multiplied all the numbers severally counted , and the product would hare been the amount , announced thus : — ' * We are always delicate in venturing a guess at large masses of persons , and therefore prefer taking the opinion of an old officer , who was on the ground , and who paid particular attention to the space occupied , and the position of the audience , and he assures us that there could not hare been fewer than from two to three hundred thousand persons present at the period when- the greatest number were together . "

      So much for Mercurial accuracy , delicacy , and arithmetic ; and now a word for the " gentleman" iu his capacity of champion for the sucking dove , the injured innocent , poor Dan . The Mercury forgets who called for , aud obtained , three groans for the Queen of the Reforming King ; he forgets that within the month he and the sucking dore hare been pelting each other with " swindler , " " thieving God , " and so forth i ( but , politically speaking , these are lumps of lore ;) and then he turns upon O'Connor for having * implored the working men of Yorkshire to give O'Connell such a reception as he deserved !

      When did age , sex , rank , friendship , or fellowship screen mas or be&Bt from the filth of the renomromiting wretch , who , for twenty years has lived upou the wreck of character , regardless whether of friend or foe 1 and this is the " Bucking dove , " on whose behalf the Mercury pleads ! Had the first victim to the tyrant ' s rancour met him with the same bold and manly front that O ' Connor ha 3 presented to his erery charge , many a fair fame would hare been spared the soil of

      his dirty tongue . O Connor met him on the threshold ; aud the Mertury appears to forget that he challenged him at his own expence , and without any reference to personal feelings , to meet him in public discussion ; but no , darkness and cowardice shrunk from light and courage . O'Connor is the first man who has triumphantly made the tyrant's friend cry "hold ! " " enough ! '' " spare ! O spare your victim !"—Yes , the victim in bondage has beaten the beast at large .

      But let us take the question upon its merits . O ' Connor was expected in Dublin , and the " sucking doro " said , " If he come , the boys will gire him a swim in the Liffey . " At one of the palavers of his creatures , some blustering coward said that "he met O'Connor at a meeting at Preston , and that he had a great mind to kick him . " What was the pacificator ' s reply f I am glad you did not , my frieud ; that would hare been physical force , which we discountenance . Did he say so ! No ; but the valiant gentleman said , " you never would hare been more right iu your life than you would bare been had you kicked him well . "

      The beast marked O'Connor out for the notice of the Attorney . General ; called him a destructive , torch-and-dagger man , and so forth . Now what did O ' Connor say 1 Did he say kick him ! No ; he said , " let there be no drunkenness , no riot ; if any should attempt it , let him be instantly restrained . " Well , but popular feeling and disgust ran so high that the strongest manifestation of dislike could not hare been possibly restrained , had Dan shown his

      nose in Leeds , as promised ; and it waa O'Connor did it all !!! although , it was all done before he knew anything of the arrangements . Why the Chronicle even saddles a placard upon O'Connor , which O'Connor never saw , or probably never heard of ! Let it , however , be a consolation to O ' Connor to know , that the coward who would not have dared to face him , was prevented by a fair-play-loving English community of blistered hands , from striking him while he was down .

      The poor Mercury makes a leader of a most foolish and enigmatical epistle of Lord Fitzw illiam , forgetting that the said Lord Fitzwilliah , while Baines was groaning the Queen , was declaiming , publicly , the very expressions which the bloodthirsty O'Connor procured to be expunged from the Convention Manifesto , as being illegal . The fact is , that O'Connor , the Star , and the people , hare beaten O'Connell , the whole Whig

      Establishment , the Whigs , the sham Radicals , the Fox and Goose Club , aud the whole community of rich oppressors . Again , we say , there nerer was such a triumph , when the Mercury is compelled to head his report thus : — " Great Household Suffrage Demonstration , converted into a Unirersal Suffrage Meeting ; " and in his leading article he maintains that" the Chartists obtained the completest of all victories—they took captive the enti re army of the enemy . "

      The Intelligencer , a far honester and more efficient organ , speaks thus of the demonstration : — " The Great Demonstration' of the Whig Reformers of the Reform Act , in Leeds , has turned out , as we predicted it would turn out—a decided failure . Qt the announced stars , only a few of the second magnitude were present—Buch as Mr . Hume , Mr . Roebuck , CoL Thompson , Mr . Williams , ( from Coventry , ) Mr , Snannan Crawferd , and Sir George Strickland . Mr . O'Connell was not pte&ent ; but arrived yesterday in time to set

      a bit of dinner . Sir W . Molesworth excused himself ; he Is jealous of Mr . Roebuck . Mr . Baines refused , and left Leeds to show his contempt for Mr . SUnafeld ' s agitation . Letters were read from various parties ; but we did not hear any thing of one from F . H . Fawkes , Esq ., of Faraley Hall , who wrote to decline on the ground that the only point on which he agreed with the managers , was that ' Reform' was at a very low ebb . Surely it was not quite fair to burk the opinions of so active and respectable a local Reformer .

      "The Chartist' Demonstration' was afar more effective exhibition , and shows much greater power both as to Bumbera and the feelings of the working men . They evinced a determined and well-founded hatred ot the trickster O'Connell , and were successful at all points . The Whigs , in fact , made an abject submission to them ; they literally sued to them , in bondsman ' i key , for forbearance ; assigned to them equal rights on Messrs . Marshall ' s costly hustings ! accorded them man for man in the settled list of orators ; and the working Chartists

      men waged the battle of argument with th « Whig nobs , aye , and beat them too , inasmuch at if there bo any arguments good for Household Suffrage , the same arguments must be still better for Universal Suffrage . The lolHarjr resolution moved , was also squared to Chartist toleration . It simply affirms that further reform is required . In this the Chartists of course agree . So the Whigs hare actually taken nothing by their movement ; in all respects playing second fiddle only . We repeat that tbe affair was an utter failure , though an immense Man of money ha

      Untitled Article

      been lavished upon it ; the greater part of vihi * no dou ' et , will fall t « the share of the Mews . Matiibt ))' It Ib an old maxim that foolish persons always eJl for their bobby . . ; :., . ' : . ™ "But although the Whi g * hare broken down in thrf , attempt to enlist under their banner the great bodj > J the working men of Leeds and its vicinity , tfley hJj shewn plainly enough that they are . ready to joinu 2 Chartists , or any body of complainants , as soon aj Conservative and constitutional Government shall i formed Sit Robert Peel and the

      . Were Duke of Wa Iingtbn fa office , these ' Bucklers for Household BaftW would swallow any other nostrum for the sake ^ l influence orer t&e minds of the masses . They are rJ ! altogether devoid of honest principle . We quest !? however , whether the Chartists will ever again accM them as leaders . If they enlist , they must becontj ! to take the lowest rank . They hare peraecuted tS old pupils ; and to trust them again would be i ^ making a bosom companion of the riper . ThesuW quent arrival of O'Connell , and his attendance atlu night ' s dinner , will cot contribute to smooth the \ k ! towards a reconciliation . *

      •* Our report of the proceedings embraces all the leji ing points or the slightest importanoe or interest Tfc » speaking was below mediocrity . Mr . Hume rambU from subject to subject , and scarcely ever finish ^! sentence ; Mr . Roebuck is tiresome ; Colonel Thompa ,-prosy ; Mr . Williams a mere chatterer , ilr . Shai ^ a Crawford appears to be a clever man , but the ni « e ^ evinced a strong indisposition to listen to him , w many persons left the mill as soon as he began to spwi ? The greater portion went to see O'Connell , and » 2 disappointed . Sir G « orge Strickland put himself n ^ defence a * to his conduct as Chairman of the Hutl Ew tion Committee : it would bare been better for him S » he kept silence , for hit explanation only makes the hhX still blacker . ^*

      "We shall hare to return to this and other parts tf the day ' s exhibition , when time and place are more a disposal . We hare said enough , howerer , to shew tfo ! this ' Demonstration' was merely an affair of smoK The mountain laboured , and brought fwrtb . a very tin mouse indeed . " «« j Letthe " thioTinggod " andhis " injured innocent " take their change out of all these proofs of Cbartfa triumph , and add to them the fact , that all who vritnessed the procession admitted that it was tb . % largest , the most orderly , and ^ he most imposi m ever seen in Leeds .

      But , says 'the Mercury , they had no pJaeh we always fought it out , eren with FKAxctj himfolf . Indeed ; let us see . Feargus himself y ^ at Leeds for three years , during the hottest period of excitement , and when a good meeting would har # been nutB to the poor Whigs in Leeds , so cal * brated in olden times forgiringthe tone to England ; how many out-door meetings did the redoubtables call ? Why , just on * , in three years , and u which , though the Mayor was in the cbair and the M . P . Baines and all his family , w

      all the masters , overseers , place-hunters , aj 4 toadies , that could be mustered , congregated . Mr . O'Connor , after a journey of a hundred miles , and with a ruptured blood-res 3 el , met tin whole army singly aud alone ; not a man appoints to second his amendment ; no arrangements made fa opposition . Yet , didO'CONNoacarry his amendment and that too upon the vital question of tin repeal of the Corn Laws , in the centre of the grtii manufacturing county of York , and in defiance of the whole muster , though the Whig Mayor contended , in the very teeth of the meeting , that &t

      majority was for the original motion ; knowing well the contrary to be the fact . So much , then , for the courtesy , civilization , pluck , and politeness of the gallant Queen-grosnet —the veracious politician—the consistent journal ^ —the polished gentleman—defender of the Bucking dove , and so forth . We pity those leetle abortion who sneak after and crouch before the moving maa of filth , that has mocked their very size , and reviled their every act , while we commend the manly bearing of the Gallant Napier and the brave 0 'CoNNOB >* ho have made the bottle-holders of the great vowvaliant slanderer cry , " Hold . '" " Enough !"

      Untitled Article

      LEICESTER . EVEN A GREATER CHARTIST TRIUMPH THAU

      THAT OF THE TWENTY-FIRST . From Leeds to Leicester did Danny and Joet in company start . The object of the Leicester it was , to give to Lord Acre and Bombshell ( Easxhope ) all the advantage which sympatiij for cobblers aud church-rate " martyrs" could bestow , previously to another election . Admission only by ticket ; and Chartists , and even their friends , positively refused entrance . Police , to phisiognoai * erery unwashed applicant , and all the arenues well guarded . Well , says the reader , and where was the triumph Why . hear , and you shall confess .

      Daniel and Joseph vouchsafed an autograph letter to Messrs . Seal and Mahkhau , two leading ChartistF , in which the writers requested the honour of an interview at their hotel , after the meeting , to hare a little chat ; and when the said Danmand Joey would answer any questions which the said Skal and Markham might choose to propose . Well ; what of that!—where is the triumph ! Why , here , in these few words . Messrs . Sui

      and Markuah presented their compliments , and begged to decline the honour which they could sot accept without DEMEANING THEMSELVES ! Now , then , was ever so great a triumph I Whes before did two M . P . ' s receive such a slap on thi face from two of the unwashed 1 Two libertfa ; political pedlars jhawking their wares and volunteuing to be catechised by Chartists , —and the Chartist declining the honour , lest they should DEMBAH

      THEMSELVES ! . This , we say , is a greater triumph than eren tin 21 st ; because , until the working men aretangfo the ralue of self-esteem , their rulers will nerer bold them in batter estimation than as so many nose-W brutes . " We decline the honour , because , by the acceptance we should DEMEAN OUBSELVE 5 !" Well done , Leicester . We confess in these W Words you have outdone us . In proof , we give & < letter of John Markham to Feargus O'ConmJ ,

      and which O ' Connor transmitted to us : — " Leicester , January 23 rd , 184 L " My Dear Sir , —The great church rate meeting !* held here this erening ; Dan . and Hume , Eaaibop * . and Ellis , are all here . Admission only by ticket , V " so scrupulous hare the fellows been that tbty b&vefaM a person at each , of their offices who they thoug ht bid a knowledge of tbe ChartUta and their friends , ' u » they positively refused to Bell a single ticket to any ° who was known to be friendly to us . Dan and Uooa

      sent for me and Seal tonight , to go to their inn , " *• hare a little chat , or to answer any question we mi # think proper to pat to them . " We sent » »*^* inqtanter , to say we should be wanting in selfre « p and a due consideration to the honour of our friett * after such a gratuitous insult offered to our body , " * *• accepted their invitation . ^ Jid " Poor , but yet faithful , "I remain , dear Sir , « Youra truly , " J .

      ilABKHAK" To Feargus O'Connor . Esq . "

      THE ELECTIONS . There are now fire of these things upon the <« P » to wit , Canterbury , where the contest is be tween * Mr . Wilson ( Whig ) and % Mr . Shythk ( Torj ) . Here the betting is twenty shillings to a poo 8 * either way ; and it needs little comment , as it i *> very pretty quarrel as it stands : the Whig n *" * blackguarded the Tory most awfully ; the 1 W haring challenged him ; the Whig has made * copious discharge of gentlemanly compensate * for political language . The letter of apology ro * thus : —

      "Mr . Frederick Yillien , on the part of Mr . Beadker Wilson , disclaims having had the intention in V » abore-mentioned sentences of saying anything P ^ ally offensiw to Mr . Smythe , or what would be J * " " to his feelings as a gentleman . Mr . Yllliers mak «* »• same disclaimer as to any other part of his speech . »* Viliiers farther expresses Mr . H . Wilson ' s regret tWJ his speech should hare been understood by uy one m personally offensir * to Mr . Smythe . " Frederick Vilxibks . , " Frederick sorrow . "January 22 , 1841 . "

      Now , from the words , "feelings a $ a genilt **** it is qnite clear that the most upright gentle ** may be the most consummate political ragabo ** wdotee versa . Well , 8 © muoh for the gentl « fl »* w heroes !

      Untitled Article

      4 , THE NORTHERN STAR . : , .-,-,. ... . . ... ,, _ ^ ^ - ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 30, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct692/page/4/