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Northern Star (1837-1852), 1st May 1841, Edition 4 of 5, Page 4

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1841.
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      Untitled Article

      FREEDOM OF DISCUSSION : CORN LAW

      LEAGUE LIBERALITY . / TO THE IDITOB OF THE NOBTHEH > - STAR . Sib ., - —To grre the country some idea of the n&tnre ot "the anti-Cern Law party , I will relate to you the prc-• ceedingi of a meeting held in Addingham , on Monday VTeidMy&st , fur that purpose . I ^ Bpded as a . Bpeaker at a Chartist public meeting is Silken on the « am » day , and at the conclusion of basiness I was invited to go to Addingham . t » assist in arguing the merits ef Chartism in opposition to the Corn Law humbug , at a meeting of the middle class TTfwi , in the Odd Fellows' Hall , of that town . Thinking it only right that the inhabitants fsbould bear both tide * of the question , I accordingly went there , accompanied by a few friends from Keighley and Silsden .

      On entering the room , which is capable of holding five or six hundred , I perceived a few middle men in One comer talking the thing over in' evident alarm , baring heard that there was a prospect of opposition . Yery soon after my arrival the room was well filled , When a curiout looking fellow , said to be the constable , ¦ walked into the . chair without consulting the meeting . He then got np and read the crj calling the meeting , and announced his readiness to hear any person who tu disposed to address the meeting on the subject . This invitation was no sooner made than a person , acting in the double capacity of a Methodist parson and obbler , got np and said , 1 propose that the petition we have got np be adopted ; and before be had squeezed the words out of his msuth , another grimlooking fellow in a earner bawled out , I second the motion .

      With this brief introduction—without a word haying been said either pro or con—they were on the point of patting it , "when I stepped forward and said , " Mr . Chairman , I wish to make a few observations before you try the motion . " " You have no business here , " cried out the parson , " we shall allow no one to speak here but those who will sign the petition . " I said " The Chairman will perhaps allow me to speak . " " No , yon are a Chartist , " bawled oat the pirson , " and yen ¦¦ hill not speak here . " The bulk of the meeting , consisting of working men , said they were determined that 1 should ba heard ; " for , " said they , •* if truth is fast object you should hear every one speak . " " We will hear no person speak , " said the Corn Law men , Who i » a Chartist . " Here the confusion was beyond

      description . " Come and sign : the petition , " sheuted the parssn as he stood upon the table , " and throw ihe Chartists oat of the room . " This was answered by the people calling out , " Sign it tbyself , thou cobbling parson ; thou wants to get thy living without Working . Thou applied to be a policeman , and the governor of Skipton Bistile , and they would not have thee . " Another person , whom I took to be either a parson or a doctor , peeped ofi at a corner and said , " the Chartists will all go to hell , they are a lo' of thieves , " and away he ran down the steps as if Beelzebub was after him , to take him home . Another fellow , of the same party , got his mouth to my ear , and bawled out till he almost split his mouth , " you are come here to pick our pockets . You are come to

      ruin us , you thief , you ; " while another of them got hold of me by the collar , and said , " you will get put in prison if yon do not get off out of this room . You lave spoiled the concern , yon d—d rascal . Yon are a paid Chartist , to make mischief . " I continued to speak amidst all this uproar , till I was nearly exhausted , and had gained the general approbation of ( he meeting with tke exception of the few in the corner . At this stage of the business , the parson again mounted the table , a&d said , " the motion waa earned unanimously . " Not willing to allow this falsehood to pass , I got up also , and said , " Sir , you are mistaken ; " his answer was , " you are a liar . " " Well , then , " said I , " to prove the matter , all yon Who are in faToar of Universal Suffrage , and against

      the Corn Law League , hold up your hands , " when the Whole meeting held up their hands with the exception of the old half dozen . The parson then got off the table , and seising it by one end , threw both table , inkstand , and myself , on to the floor , shouting in a rage , " there , take that , yon sinner , for your impudence , I Would do more if I durst , and 1 wish all Chartists Were at the devil . " As Boon as I recovered from the f ooring effects of the saint ' s strength of body , I got np again , and told him I was much obliged to Trim for so many proofs of his Christian charity , bat they should not deter me from speaking the tenth , and exposing their hypocrisy , and that I Was friTiiag to discuss the question with any man they ceuld ind , either then or at any other time .

      " We wi ; l not hear you , you scamp , " said the parson . On asking the meeting who the fellow was , " O , " said they , "he is a csbbler , but he does not like to work , and wi' , 1 rather preach or do any kind of dirty work Eke this than stick to his last and bristles . " Through the exceedingly crowded state of the room ., and the mproarious conduct of the half dozen , I was by this time nearly suffocated , and by way of finish , I said—All those who want the Charter , follow me ; and let all Who wast to hunt after a repeal of the Com Laws , Stay with these blackguards . I then left the roem , and got into the street , and in- less than five minutes I had the whole meeting at zaj heels , with the exception of eight solitary individnals , who were left to mourn on the failure of their scheme- Just at this time , the Addingham band Of musicians made their appearance , and assisted , by their excellent abilities , in celebrating our glorious

      victory over the knot left behind in the building . As 1 wished to explain to them the principles of the Charter , which I had been in a measure unable to do before , I addressed them to the effect that the object of the Corn Law Leaguers was not to benefit the -working peopie , and that the middle-class men were their greatest enemies . That if they wanted to benefit thenzselres , as working people , they should assist in getting the Charter , and never . depend upon what others would do for them , but place themselves in a position to work out their redemption ; for what this Government gives to day , they can take away to-morrow . At the conclusion of my address , three cheers were given for O'Connor and the Charter , and thr »? e groans for Daniel O'ConnelL After frequent solicitations I promised to pay them another visit . The band then played another march , snd the people went'io their homes crying Hurrah for the Charter : THOMAS B . KXOWLES . Keighley , April 27 , 1541 .

      Untitled Article

      MR . SPURR . TO THE XD 1 T » X OP THE JJ 0 KTHEK 5 STAB . gia > —As one of the delegates who met at Manchester in July last , when the original plan for a national organisation was davised , and feeling , as I do , deeply interested in its ultimate success , by which the united powers , energies , and resources , moral , philosophical , and intellectual , as well as pecuniary , of the enslaved Bullions , were to be calied into active operation against the citadel « f tyranny and corruption , I cannot in terms sufficiently strong express my sorrow that anything should have occurred to prevent the accomplishment of an object so desirable to every lover of liberty and justice .

      Sir , I am free to admit , I am vrilling to acknowledge , and ready to confess , that that plan was not- altogether aseh as to arrest the attention , and secure the hearty " o-operation of the legally-fearful and physically-timid professors of our creed ; and , thcr ^ ore , such , under the fear of courts of justiee , gloomy prisons , and clanking irons , had an undoubted right to stand aloof ; and , if they thought proper , to propase a-plan of their own , M Lovett and Collins have done , in my opinion , this right is inherent in every individual in every ountry and in every elirns ; but it dots not follow that every man exercising his own individual right , in his own way , would be acting a wise and prudent part either to himself or his fellow-man : nay , quite the reverse would be the case , for , if every Chartist was to oome forth with his own individual plan , there would be as many plans as there are Chartifets ; and ? therefore , the union which Messrs . Lovett and Co . profess to desire , would never be found to exist , and consequently oar object never obtained .

      The great fundamental principle contained in the Charter is Universal Suffrage . And as the consistent , though humble advocate of that principle , I feel bound to reject every plan and mode of action which has not been submitted to the universal test of the people's opinion , obtained through the medium of the people's delegates elected at public meeting ? . And -while 1 Would abstain from denouncing as traitors , thieves , and conspirators the men who prepared , issued , and r igned the document , ( believing , as I do , their inability to justify their proceedings in accordance -with their owa professed principles ) I will not fail , under any onsideraiioa , in an honourable and dignined manner , to express my belief of the error into which they have fallen , and to prevent , to the utmost of my ability , the enlargement of the wound which they have inflicted on the Chartist body .

      Soocess will never attend any undertaking for the adTaneemsnfc of our cause , where unity of action , as well as unity of oibject , is not found to prevail ; and mnity of action can only exist where the majority are allowed to direct Will it be s&id that * , by going with the majority I do wrong , because the majority are for Feargus O'Connor , and have established a sort of man-worship ? Be it so ; hot they are mistaken . 1 will never be one to cry , I am for Paul , Apollos , or < 5 ephas , O'Connor , Lovett , or Collins . No , no , I am for XbartT—universal liberty . Who is O'Connor ? who is Lo-ratt ? or who is Collins ! Can they get the Charter , cither theose or the other , or the three combined ? Cer-4 atnly » oW Then , Sir , I nvreanindependentrightto follow ttkt dictates of my own mind , and remain on board the food ship Charter , which has weathered so long " the

      fcattte and the breese , " and refuse to risk * my noble « vease on the new constructed raft , in a boisterous aa , without being guilty of paying & devoted homage , er yielding a blind obedience , to O'Connor , or any other ef the officers appointed by the crew . Away with all jQly nonsense and ftimsj subterfuges ; tke ignorant working classes are throwing aside their Kin ing ¦ toings ; and I hail with feelings of unutterable pleafare the present aspect of the people ' s determination no longer to be duped by leaders crying " lo here ami lo there ; " and it is my firm belief , that ifFeirgris 0 Con-BOT was to attempt to act in an arbitrary manner in the position in which the prople have placed him , from that moment he would cease to corom ^ nd their inspect esd esteem , End would be thrown overboard , as others fere been befort him .

      Untitled Article

      There is no despotism or tyranny in giving an opinion , or holaing out a recommendation ; although some have attributed it to O'Connor , in recommending certain persens as fit to sit on the Petition Convention . I do not , and therefore beg to recommend to the Executive Coundl the propriety of getting the articles , or general laws and rules for the government of the National Association printed as soon as possible ; as also to call their attention to the necessity of immediately taking measures for the establishment of a daily evening Star , which two things , especially the paper , would produce , in my opinion , greater results in one year , than Mr . Luvett ' s plan in twenty . Longing for that liberty for which I will ever contend in onion with the millions , I am , Sir , Its feeble Advocate , Richard Spurr . No . 91 , St John ' s-street , Smithfieid Bats , London , April 26 th , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      TO THE EDITOB OF THE nORTSUlt STAB . Sir ., —Permit me to present my Sjtk thanks for the prompt and fearless manner in which yon have exposed and denounced the conduct of Messrs . Lovett Collins , and Co ., and in doing which I am persuaded you will receive the support of every really honest Chartist in the kingdom . At the conduct of Mr . Lovett . I am by no meaus surprised , having long expected some such result ; but that he should have sufficient influence to hoodwink a man like John Cleave is matter to me of the greatest astonishment : his name is the last which I should have expected to have seen appended to such a document , as I have always considered him as fine a specimen of a genuine John Bull , and of as sterling a character as any in existence , and most earnestly do I hope that he will yet retrace bis steps .

      As Mr . Lovett can no longer be considered a member of our body , I wish to know how you intend to proceed in respect to his promised portrait ; if the plate is not Vegun , I trust it never will be , as you will probably not get many thanks , and less money for it : if , however , it be in progress , allow me to suggest some little alterations—cannot you direct the engraver to give it two faces—from the mouth of one proceeding the words " No vote , no musket , " and from the other " No education , no vote ; " and as a finishing touch , to be branded across the forehead with the word " renegade . "

      While on this subject , allow tn « to state a fact in illustration , of the nature and prospects of union among the projectors of this new move . A day or two after the address was published I had some conversation with one of the six gents whose names are affixed to it , and on my making some remarks on the political character of one of them , namely , Mr . Rogers , ray worthy friend replied , " Oh . I can't say much about him , I am too Radical for him . " Here , then , is a valuable admission in the outset , and if such is the budding of the tree , what may we not expect from the fruits ?

      In conclusion , allow me to say , that if any thing can work repentance in the mind of any of those men , it is the unqualified manner in which they hare been praised by the whole Whig press , and above all by that incubus of political iniquity , Daniel O'Connell , whose commendations , as I have often heard some of those six gentlemen declare , would damn the most righteous cause that was ever brought before the public eye . I am , Sir , Yours , ice , HEKKT KlTCHIN . London , April 25 , 1841 . 14 , Charlotte Terrace , White Conduit Fields , Pentonville .

      Untitled Article

      Death o * the American President . The British Queen , Captain Franklin , reached Liverpool on Wednesday , bringing New York papers to the 12 sh , Baltimore , Boston , and Philadelphia to the 11 th . The arrival of the British Queen puts us in possession of the important announcement of the death of General Harrison , the new President of the American Republic , after the short reign of one mouth in the high office to which he had been elected by the citizens of the United States . The gallant General breathed his last on the morning of the 10 th , and the Vice-Pre 3 ident ( John Tyler ) was installed in the Presidental Chair of his predecessor on the « th . The prsvailing opinion at New York is , that President Tyler will carry out the views of General Harrison ' s foreign polioy , but that the question of a National Bank will not meet bis encouragement . — The political and commercial news from the United States is unimportant . <

      The Northern Star Saturday, May 1, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , MAY 1 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      THE "NEW MOVE ; " ITS OSTENSIBLE CONCOCTORS ; THE TROWBRIDGE CRITICS ; AND THE "NORTHERN STAR " Elsewhere we publish , at the request of the subscribing parties , an epistle from oertain Chartists , members of the General Gouncil , residing at Trowbridge , first published in the Sun , and addressed " to the Chartists of Great Britain , and more particularly to Mr . Hill , the Editor of the Northern

      Star , and Mr . William Lovett . " We admit the right of all Chartists in the Empire to criticise the style and manner of our public advocacy of the principles of truth , while we insist equally on our own right to choose our own style , provided always that it be just . We ask only that , in criticising as , our friends shall act on their own principles—that they shall avoid the fault they attribute to us—'" intemperate language" and unjust assertion . We deny emphatically their assertion that

      " In the yorthern Star ef the 17 th instant , there is an editorial article abounding from first to last , and in every variety of low phraseology , with charges and imputations of fraud , falsehood , and trickery against Messrs . Lovett and Collins . " Our observations were directed not against those gentlemen individually , but against the new national project , which they have published , and the mode of its publication . We ask the writers of this letter to read again the arucle referred to—to read thjtt own letter with it , and to tell us the single ** impjV own jeiter yniu it , » uu iu ten us mo omjio uunr

      tation" contained in our article that is not borne out and sustained by their letter . In the first article we wrote on this subject , we say distinctly these words : — " Let us not be misunderstood . We make no charge against the tis gentlemen whose names are appended to the document . We know some of them to be men incapable of any thing dishonest or dishonourable ; and tee know nothing to tke contrary of any of them ; but ice say that the scheme is capable of being thus perverted ; and that , therefore , it is not one which the people ought to take any steps for bringing into operation . "

      13 this , then , the " scurrility , the " every variety of low phraseology , " the "imputations of fraud , falsehood , and trickery , " of which our Trowbridge friends complain ! And yet we defy them to point out anything in our article of the 17 th , inconsistent with thiE , or any " imputation" against either Lovett or Colli . vs which is not equally strongly brought in their own letter . We adopt most fuDy the very language of our Trowbridge friends , and we use it as the justification of the language we have ourselves used throughout the whole of our strictures on thi 3 " New

      Move . " "We concur with that address [ the address of the ' New Move' gentlemen ] that we [ that is , the people ] must become our own Bocial and political regenerators , or that we shall never eujoy freedom . " And , therefore , we denounce the system of a self-elected board of management , into whose hands the people are modestly asked by the "New Move" gentry to put the application of £ ¦ 256 , 480 , without having a shadow of controul over its expenditure .

      Now , do not let our Trowbridge friends again misunderstand us . We are not speaking of persons , but of a plan . We do not call Messrs . Lotett and Coll ^ s " Thieves , liars , and traitors ; " we never did call them eo ; though our Trowbridge friends have so adroitly introduced these pretty epithets into their objurgation , &s to make it seem as thongh we had . We do not say , that if Messrs . Lovktt and Collins were entrusted by the people with all this money , they woHld not honestly apply it ; but we say , that the " New Move" plan puts no power of controul into the people's hands ; that the plan is thus capable of being made into a flimsy cover for dishonest purpose * ; and thst therefore the people

      ought not to countenance it . We beg our Trowbridge friends to read the published documents of the " New Move" carefully ; they will find them all in the Star of the 10 th , and they will then see whether we cast upon it any u imputations " unduly . Again we adopt the language of our Trowbridge friends in reference to this " New Move ' most cordially : — " District halls , circulating libraries , missionaries , tracts , and so forth , all seem to ns well calculated to encourage and ensure an enlightened public opinion ; to fortify and consolidate the strength of our friends ; and to mitigate the fears of those who oppose nsfrom not understanding our objects . Bat tnen—and here . we come to the

      Untitled Article

      point to which we alluded at the ont&et , and on which we altogether differ from Mr . Lovett and the four other gentlemen acting with him iu thoaddressthey propose to establish en Association to carry out their plan . In this we see them altogether wrong . We do not call them—our injustice would be greater than their deficiency of judgment if we were to call them * thieves , liars , and tr&itors / but we think that they hare committed a great error , and the sooner they acknowledge it the better we Bball think of their sincerity and consistenoy . We ha ve an association—the National Charter Association—chosen in the moat fair .-snd publio manner , and til but universally recognised as

      the Representatives of the Chartists of Great Britain . Already has this body met and acted in its representative capacity ; and we may refer to the seal with which one of their laws has been carried out—that of enforcing on every publio meeting the Charter and its principles—as a proof , and a strong one , of our faith in Us wisdom . To these our representatives—the National Charter Association—Messrs . Lovett , &c , ought in our opinion ^» ra < to have submitted their plan ; it would have been received and disenssed with all the respect and consideration it so well merited ; and , if there adopted , would thus have been girded wiih a moral strength that would have gone far to secure its success . "

      Again , then , while we thank our Trowbridge friends for the expressions of good opinion contained in their letter , we would seriously ask them to shew us the just grounds for the censare with which they have seen fit to visit us . Our fault seems , however , in the estimation of our Trowbridge friends , to have extended bejond the range of our own fire . We are censured for not censuring others—for not having taken the whole country to task in reference to the strong resolutions of opinion come to on the subjeot of this " New

      Move" by a great many portions of the people . Our friends talk of " holding up a man in triumph on a Tuesday , and knocking him down on a Wednesday ; " but this is rea ) ly knocking us down both Tuesday and Wednesday . They complain of haviug lately observed in our paper what they " cannot but consider a spirit of intolerance towards every opinion but that of its editor ; " they remind us very properly , that" the day of dictation isgoneby jj " and then they find fault with ns for not dictating to the whole people the opinions they shall form ,

      and the manner in which they shall be ezprossed For ourselves , we say at once that any such « ourse as our Trowbridge friends seem to point to us for adoption would , as wo think , be highly " despotic ;" and much rather would we incur even justly the censare of our Trowbridge friends for being , now and then , intemperate in onr own language , than assume the right of moulding publio opinion to our own will and pleasure , by commenting upon every resolution emanating from meetings of the people , which did not exactly square with our own critical notions of polioy .

      So much , then , for our share of the Trowbridge objurgation . We now turn to tie reply of Mr . Lovitt to this same letter ; and which we also publish in our third page . Mr . Lovett says : — " Onr plan for obtaining the People ' s Charter hj peaceful and moral means—by the erecting of halls , the establishing of school * , the formation of libraries , and by every means seeking to raise the intellectual and moral character of our brethren , while approved of by

      the press In general , as well as by the th'nVig and reflecting portion of Chartists , instead of being made a legitimate subject for discussion , was only made the subject of contempt and ridicule by tbe people ' s organ , the Northern Star , the editor of which designated national education as a " national jackass , " and without condescending to review or rebut the arguments we had adduced , hinted that out plan was altogether worthless . "

      Now to those who have read what we have written on this plan , it is scarce necessary for us to say a word in reply to this . We believe that no disinterested man , who has read those articles , will say that we have not made the plan a legitimate subject for discussion . If the result of the discussion has been to make it also the " subject ot contempt and ridicule , " we are Borry Mr . Lovett should hare been so unfortunate in the selection of his plan ; but cannot help it . The assertion that the Editor of the Northern Star called National Education a "National Jackass , " is false .

      Mr . Lovett speaks of his and Collins ' s declarations at the several meetings which they attended , of their intention to form the Association now proposed . We can only say , that this is the first we have heard of these declarations . Mr . Lovett attended no meetings ; and Mr . Collins never mentioned the plan as proposed in the secret ciroular ; atleastwe never heard of his doing bo . The next question to which Mr . Lotbtt refers , is that of illegality ; and to this we pray attention . Mr . Lovett says : —

      " Mr . Collins called the attention of the Editor of the Star to the subject of illegality of the Cuarter Association , and the necessity of cautioning the working classes on the subject . Tbe persons engaged on that paper subsequently wrote to Mr . Place of London to ascertain the state of the law on the subject , which that gentleaian readily furnished them with , but several weeks were suffered to elapso before any notice was taken or warning given , when Mr . Place ' s article appeared without the least acknowledgment of the author . "

      Now , supposing this statement to be correct , what would it prove ? What inference could be fairly drawn from it I We were long aware of the " Secret Move . " Various parties were very importunate with us on the matter of alleged illegality in the Constitution and Government of the National Charter Association , which they desired us to lay before the public . We knew well , and at once , that the object was just that which has since appeared , namely , to engender fear of the law , and suspicion of the leaders . The maVterB objected to by tlie " New Move" men had uot escaped our notioe ; wo

      knew them all ; and we have here Mr . LovfcTr ' s own confession , that so far from adding fuel to the flame , we tried , by every means in our power , to remove all just cause for fear or suspicion , and to disarm the opponents of the established Association of the people of every weapon ; insomuch , that knowing we could not be too secure within the law , we even asked Mr . Place to furnish us with such acts , as he feared we should bring our friends into collision with . And what do we then do 1 Why , give Mr . Place ' s opinion all the value which would attach to an editorial article . Such

      we maintain to be the conclusions legitimately resulting from Mr . Lovktt ' s premises , about " Mr . Place" and "illegality , " supposing the premises to have been correct ; and we ask , does this prove a disposition to quarrel , or to use all means to conciliate ! And did the legal plan recommended by the " oracle" destroy the only pretended obstacle to Lovett and his party joining our Association ? But the facts are not correctly stated . We are not aware of having « ver held any correspondence with Mr . Place . We never m&de any such application to that gentleman as Mr . Lovett speaka of ; nor

      did any other person employed at this office by our authority or with our knowledge . We know nothing of the article which Mr . Lovett speaks of as Mr . PLACE ' s , and as having been inserted without acknowledgement ; but we suppose it to mean an article on the law of organisation which we first inserted in tho Star , the week before theJitting of the Delegate Meeting , by whioh the National Charter Association was organised . Some months previous to that period , some person sent ua anonymously

      a placard of the Political Union of 1832 , or the law of political societies , and though it contained no new information to us , for we had in our possession the Acts of Parliament to whioh it referred , yet , as it gave a valuable digest of their provisions in brief space , we felt obliged to the party , and reserved it for nse , if needful—that placard wo used as a ready written articleatthe time above stated . We have aiuee learned that it was sent by Mr . Place , though we did not know

      it then . We suppose that to be the artiole to which Mr . Lovett alludes , and in respect of which he seems very desirous to insinuate some charge of

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      plagiarism against as . He is quite welcome to all the benefit of that move * Mr . Lotett would hint that the illegality of tbe Association was his reason for not joining in it , and yet declines to say that be thinks it illegal now .. If union was , in truth , the object of the New Move " gentry , and if supposed illegality was the only preventatire to that union , " so devoutly to be wished , " why did Messrs . O'Nkil and Collins refuse , when asked , to attend a meeting of delegates called for

      the express purpose of making the ground sure about us . They were within four hours'journeythey were invited , but they declined , and , having declined , the shout of illegality is still kept up ; Mr . Collins professing that ho waits for Mr . Robbuck ' s opinion previous to making up his mind . Now , has he received that opinion 1 if yes , why not publish it I and if no , is it not clear that Mr . Rocbuck baa nothing pleasant to say upon the subject , and that , nevertheless , his want of scruple fails to remove Mr . Collins ' g queamishness ?

      Agam , Mr . Lotjstt would fasten upon us an assertion which belongs to his own friends . It was not the Editor of the Star who announced , in the first instance , the fact of Messrs . Hume and Roebuck being in collusion with the present association , but Messrs . Hume and Roebuck . It wad those gentlemen who prematurely divulged it at L « eds . Then with regard to the secrecy . Mr . Loyett , very artfully , would make the step analogous to the manner in which the Irish address was got up . How sil ' . y ; how very foolish—was the object of the

      Irish address to form aa association ! Were the signers to constitute themselves into a self-elected provisional committee for the sole management of English political movements t As well might Mr . Lovett say that the total abstinence pledge , whioh we moBt cheerfully signed , was analogous , beoause we were requested not to publish it , till it had received a certain number of signatures of men who had assumed tho right of controlling THEMSELVES , and not others , in the use of intoxicating drinks .

      But Mr . Lotett says that they would adnu Peel , Russell , and VVelli . \ gton , if they chose to join us . Now , we would not , at any price , and for this reason , that their object would be to disunite ua , to divide and conquer us . In conclusion , then , we ask the Trowbridge Councillors whether the j are now satisfied by the reply of Mr . Lovett , that legality or illegality was a mere trick , as Mr . Lovett says , distinctly , that the legality of its present altered form is a question upon which

      he does not feel himself called upon to offer an opinion . We ask them to take that as theultimatnaa , as the determination , of Lovett and Co . to proceed in that course which the Trowbridge Councillors so heartily deprecate , and to avert which they would do so much and Make such concession , —aad then let them say whether their bland and soothing phraseology has gone farther in convincing obstinate nen against their will , than our fiercer denunciation and unsoftened publication of a people ' s just and reasonable sentiments .

      Let © wr course be travelled orer , from the commencement of the plan to th « present , and we defy the Trowbridge Council to eocne to any other conclusion than 'thai we have discharged our duty honestly , and with as mueh Mildness as the circumstances would admit . If they imagine that calling high offences by pet Barnes is likely to correct error , they will find their mistake . We defy them , m any on * single instance , to point out a case in which tke Editor of the Star

      has been scwrilloua , dogmatical , or vituperative ; but when attacks are made upon tbe people ' s cause , we care not from what battery tbe shot comeswhether from "Whig , Tory , or sham-Radioal—we shall fire metal , th « heaviest is our store ; and , inasmuch as we see no reason , apon reflection , to retraot , alter , * r qualify what we have said , upon the one haad ^ nor yet censure what the country has more boldly said upon the ether ; wo cannot now doubt bat we shall have tke cooperation of our Trowbridge friends .

      In conclusion , we cannot refrain from thinking that the publication of matter reflecting upon us , in the Sun newspaper , will at onee show that the open censure upon us was intended as- disguised praise for those with whom it professed to find fault . However we have great pleasure is referring our readers to the subjoined letter , addressed by Mr . John Moork , oae of the Councillors , to Mr . F . O'Connob . " Trowbridge , 34 , Mortimer-street , R April 28 th , 1841 .

      "Honoured Sir , —Most probably you have seen our address iu the daily Sun newspaper , of the 22 ti inst . The reason of our sending out that address in the manner we did , was , we thought that there might be some misunderstanding between parties , and uot wishing to see any bad feeling or split ia our ranks we thought that it might be the means of doing some good , by pointing out to Messrs . Lovett and Co ., where we thought they had done wron ^ . We also made some remarks respecting ; the warmness of some words of the Editor of the Star ; but , on Beeing your letter in the Star of last Saturday , we are led to believe that it is a Whig ; scheme . On Monday evening we had a publio meeting , when the question was well discussed , coolly and deliberately . After some time the folio ( ring resolutions were unanimously agreed to : —

      1 . " * We , the Chartists of Trowbridge , in publio meeting assembled , do deprecate tho new-fangled scheme propounded by Messrs . Lovett and Go ., and do consider that the present plan laid down by our representatives that met in Manchester , ia July , 1840 , and February , 1841 , is quite sufficient to cause the People ' s Charter to becomo the law of the land , and are resolved to join no other league , unless first recommended by the Executive Council , chosen by the people . " 2 . " 'Aslongaa Feargus O'Connor , Esq . remains the unflinching advocate for the rights of the people , we , in return , will remain the faithful supporters to the cause of justice , for which he ia now Buffering . "

      " Sir , since the above were passed at our meeting , we have Been Mr . Lovett's answer to our address , which is more Whiggish than we expected . " Trusting , Sir , that you are in good health , " I remain , ' Yours , in the cause of justice , ' John Moork , sub-Treasurer . " Another word is needless .

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      O'CONNELL'S MEMBER FOR NOTTINGHAM . During the fover of a contested election is not just the time to judge either of the relative fitness of the candidates , or of the motives which may induce many honest and consistent eleotors to Tote with apparent inconsistency . The meddling morning and evening drabs of the metropolis , however , judge only iu the midst of excitement , knowing that their only chance of catching anything is to snap it actually out of the fire . The Whigs cannot , indeed they do not , expect s anything from sober judgment . The mere

      bubbles of excitement themselves , they still live in their native element . Bat now , perhaps , Easthope , Young , and Co . and tho remainder of the oonspira tors , will have time for reflection ; if , in truth , they ever do reflect . Perhaps they will now have discovered that Mr . John Walter is not the Chartist , but the O'Connell Member for Nottingham . Walter is the O'CoNNEtLMember for Nottingham ; and , from that fact , let his servants at Downingstreet learn to estimate the full value of his name as a permanent partner in the firm of Melbourne ,

      O'Conmell , and Co . It does well enough for a booby , with the means , to enter into partnership with a sharper having the ways , now and then . The firm m ay thrive for a season , but , in the long run , the chap with tho u > ay » will swamp the chap with the means , and then the odium mast be equally borne by the innocent and the guilty ; though , in truth , in the present instance , neither of the parties appear to have the slightest advantage , beyond that which a superior knowledge of his trade gave to the old juggler .

      The misfortune however is , that the Whigs , as a firm , are ruined , and for ever ; their promissory note , bund , or I 0 U . not being worth their weight in paper ; wliilo he vr tih the ways will set up fresh business upon his own account ; the frauds « hio

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      he practised upon b . 'S old partners , the Whigs , being his principal stock-in-. trade . Yes , the man whose unprincipled support © ' an easy-going faction , who has bsen the means of returning M * - Walter , and of arraying all England against the TWw-serving ministry , will go to the Cox -n Exchange and make money of his own deHnquenoy . O'Conhelz . returned Wavier , because / had the Whi ^ relied upon good works , instead of upon the oor . -aptsuppo ** of . the most pr » fligate , dishone 9 t , M » princil - > led , cold-blooded , politician that erer Hvwi , A / ej would not haTO bee « so hard praised of lato ; neitbor would they haTe been deBerte * i » the hour © f need , by those npra whose baoks tkey rode toofflce and whose bellies they pinched in' netwn .

      Mr . O'Conmor has Tery often , and : ? ery truly , told the people that the existence » f three political parties in a state is incompatible wkh the e xistence of good order sod harmony , and that we . should anihilate one of them before we cooW be act nowledged as a distinct party . We haTe leen told that we , the Chartists , are no party ; that we » ay be quelled with a breati and courted wife a feathet ; and if the Chartists of Nottingham bad se > far forgotten their own dignity , as to have strengthened the base , bloody and brutal'' faction , Bi ** rHorB , when next making Berry with the hospitable Premier , would have said— " you see my Lori , A wife , a Cbarttot , anda walnut tree , The more you beat tbem the better they'll be .

      We can abusa them for six days in the week and frighten them upon the seventh , by the magi * of ' Oh 1 fie , fie , naughty , naughty children , would y * u unite with your * natural euenaies . ' " We have now shown that we would , and will agaiu , against our " unnatural friends . '' But tbe Whig scribes havevgone nponthewili * assumption , that support of Mr , Walter proves th « Chartists to have turned Tories ; : as well might they ? say that support of Larpent would prove them to haTe turned Whigs : and , lacking-all otherfjust cause

      for congratulation on the event „ being spared the ignominy and disgrace of beinft , called Whigs of itself suffices . No , but the fact ie , either Whigs or Tories must bid for the Chartists £ 10 , £ 9 , £ 8 , £ 7 , £ « , £ 5 , £ 9 , £ 2 , £ 1 ; Universal ) Suffrage ; that ' s ; their price ; and as to any hope from , or affeotioa for I Mr . Walter , the Chartists of Nottingham hare aone whatever . Indeed , they consider him so thorough a" political rip , that they look upon their triumph as being complete in proportion to hisiinworthiness . '

      Whoever suppossd that a Chartist would have voted for Wavtb * against a working man 1 Not one-in Nottingham ; : bo they have sent poison , deadly poison , " night shade , " if they will itj among our virtuous rulers . Walter is not the representative of the people of Nottingham ; he is 0 * Connell ' s child , bis own legitimate offspring , begotten by Dan , upon the body of Whig folly ' r while with the Chartists- he is M a choice of evils . "

      Coalitions are things most wbimsicaEy spoken of , according to the whim and caprice of those affected by tbe aot , and out of small causes great results sometimes spring . The result of Walter ' s return for Nottingham will be a Wellington , Peel , Melbourns and Rvssb&b . coalition , highly approved of by the Chvnicle as a means of getting rid of Dan ; and thus will the Cbartwts of Nottingham hare deserved the principal glory of having destroyed both factions , by making them weak in their strength and jealous in their union .

      Suppose Walter , Easthopb , and O Connor had stood for Nottingham' at a general election , with two vacancies , how , in such case , would the poll stand f Walter . 4 S . W 9 , Easthopb 4 , ( M % O'Connob 408 ( . not a Chartist would vote against O'Connor , whila Whigs and Toaea would unite against him . But to prove the great reaction in . th « public mind . If the Whigs were asked , some- two years ago to what constituency it would be most safe to " oonimit" a Ministes-f the answer would have been , "Oh ! to Nottingham of course . " Where now will they send Sir John- C . Hobhouse ! who we are assured was fairly staggered . by the announcement of Walter ' s- return .

      There is not a better Chartist town , in England than Nottingham ; . ia proof whereof we merely state that we anticipate a greater number of signatures to the National Petition from Nottingham than fitom any other town in England ,. Scotland , or Wales , in proportion to the number of inhabitants , with the exoeptioa ot Gbjsgow , Barnsley , and Huddersfield . The Chartists of England have just reason to be thankful to their . Nottingham brothers , for the noble manner in whioh they have triumphed orer Whiggery .

      Will Lord Joan Russell now believe O'Connor's petition , that tbe people would oppose every man who either voted for the Starvation Act , or who did not pledge himself against it * Will the little fellow now say that a meeting of poor people , met to petition against the damnation law at Manrchester , were unworthy of consideration because they were not respectable , or persons of note , that is notorious persons , we suppose , like his Lordship ! Will they now dissolva ! that ' s the rub >! If they do , hurrah for the resistance and no surrender I Then we will show them whether or no we have power .

      Oh ! what a glorious minoiiy of about 180 < her Majesty will have in the next Parliament of torch and dagger , physical force , fire-eating Destructives —of every-thing-in-the-way-to-the-Treasury Chartists ! We never had the ball fairly up before ; we must now keep it moving . In order to Bhew the real feeling of the Irish people upon Whig clap-trap , we insert the following , upon the Nottingham election , from the Dublin World , certainly the most Radical , honest , and consistent paper in Ireland : —

      " There is warm work at Nottingham , where Mr . Walter of the Times , and a Mr . Larpent , have entered the ring . Which of the two will obtain the seat seems to be just now rather a matter of doubt . The opposition gWen by Mr . Walter to the infamous Poor-Law Bill has rendered him extremely popular amongst the operative class ; and it is a remarkable sign of the times that his cause is espoused by Tories and Chartists . The Sun , somewhat of an erratic public guide , which started by praising Mr . Walter , and wishiug him success , notwithstanding that in twenty-four hours afterwards fiercely abused himand the Cork Southern Reporter- —as . abominable a

      literary hack as can be any where found—have both denounced any Reformer who will vote for Mr . Walter , iu consequence of his connection with the Times . It would be much the moro honest and sensible plan to show what sacrifice of principle a Chartist makes in voting for a moderate Tory , instead of a Ministerial Whig . We have read the addresses of the two candidates , and it strikes us that that of Walter is by far the most democratic ; and therefore we cannot blame the Chartists if they

      are a little partial to him . Mr . O'Connell pronounced an eulogium upon Vincent , the Chartist leader , at a late meeting ; and we observe that he is fighting the battle of Walter at Nottingham . The masses have taken up the view of the Conservative gentleman mentioned in the Times—who refused to subscribe money to awell the Carlton Club Btock purse , upon the score that * nothing could be gained by turning out Ministers , as thrir places would be filled by another set of scoundrels equally bad '—and hardly care whioh side wins . "

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      THE SHORT PARLIAMENT . THE CRISIS . It is , in some instances , a great misfortune to be compelled to register weekly opinions upon an unsettled state of Booiety , which , thongh in part true , and now and then prophetic , are ever and anon liable to be made fly in your face , by the caper of a clown , the wheelabout of a Jim Crow , or the turnabout of one having authority .

      With all these fears before us , howeTer , we can safely appeal to our registered opinions in l . oof of tho little we have ever expected , or led our friends to expect , either from the strength of their parliamentary friends , or from the weakness of their parliamentary foes . We have endeavoured to turn attention wholly and altogether from the parliament to the people ; and we rejoice to say that we have not failed iu our undertaking .

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      We have published meagre reports , and no reports , of the heresies , ignorances , insults , and follies of " the Haute ; " aad oar readers have jud ged of the sack from the sample , and felt most pleased at seeing our space altogether unencumbered by parliamentary juggling , traffic , and thimble-ri g . But if we have hitherto been sceptical , we do now as Touched by our heading , see a change , and a vast and mighty change ; and at no great distance . A change which must be for the better for the people as worse it possibly cannot be . As to what that change shall be , now mainly depends upon ths

      exertions , unanimity , firmness , and resolution of the ?* Short Parliament . " We do not mean the chaps who haTe been sitting , and lying , and crowing , aad eating , and drinking since the 26 th of January till now and who have merely prorided for" physical force" to collect rents for fund-lords , land-lords , xnill-lorda king-lords , queen-lords , and the Lord knows who , No ; we mean the " bakers' dozen' '—the thirteenthe cheap bread parliament , which meets in London on Monday next , the 3 rd of May . To these men we now look , and we can assure them the country looks with an anxiety even greater than that which was felt Mfva tbe assembling of the old Convention .

      It is fit them to prove whether or not all that was then don » was done for good or for evil . It will b ? for then ? * o Bay whether or * w > we are to start from that prini where they left •* , or to pull all that has been dwe to pieces , with a view to the more masterly arrangement of the parts . In theirdeiaerations they shoolttbear in mind that the party whicfii they now so creditably represent , has sprung front contemptible nothje- into universal observation . Thst at the period wbeatbe old Convention met , they were looked oyoi * as the mere bubbles of disturbed waters , white&ose who aow represent ns will b * considered as a paii « f the vast tttrrent of publio- opinion , before whioh all must sooner or later yioM .

      It is true that no- minute guns will anaoonce the opening of their deliberations ; no throne will arrest tbe attention of gaping fools ; no fool will sit upon it to-ke gaped at ; no military will line the- streets to add to the pageant attendant upon the opening of the- annual " raree sh * w ; " no usher , or gold stick , or- Sergeant at arae , or Mace , or Burser , or Speaker , will obey their command in summoning the eass and pliant servants , who grant " us" ways and means , to " our" presence ; but yet , those who pay for all will be there iu ' spirit , while the muscle , sinew bones , and flesh of the whole country will look- with becoming anxi « ty for the resolves of their honest , thought not numerous Parliament

      Although a certain line of conduct may have been chalked out for themy . je ^ apart from the rostine QgiDess , we shall await their opinion upon , what has been done , and their advice as to what shall be done ,. with great anxiety * With them we feel assured that our boaour , our country , and onx > eanse are safe- ; , but more than that we require . We reqaiw an unequivocal expression of their opinion as to the best node of strengthening the hand of theBxetutive Council of the National Charter Association . We require their advice-as to what is to be the

      next step , in the event of the liberation ef the prisoners being refused , provided that the natieaal petition is as numerously , signed as we have-every reason , to anticipate ; andhere let ua observe * . tbat upon the working olasses themselves- will much * depend the tone whioh their representatives will feel themselves justified in taking . If the ministers shall be able to say , " Is this th * poor few who look upon oar treatment of Gtatist prisoners as oppressive ^ after one death ,, three

      transportations , and nearly 500 brutally tnated victims V then indeed mil the whale labour * hive bcen . loat ; then would it have been much . batter not to have shown the aational indifference t » oar enemies , and then well i may the delegates b » warranted in keeping civil tongues within their teeth : but should the petition ' -be numerously sign *} , then the country will have imposed upon theimepresentatives the imperative duty of giving : some oouMil and advice , in . oase of the rejection * bj" the House , " of the people ' s just and reasonable prayer

      - We have often knows much more good to be dona in a fortnight than in a twelvemonth- ; and that not jK ^ ungle opportunity of serviag the cause may ^ P thrown away , we throw oat the following hints for the consideration of tfee Executive Council . They should by all mesas provide a sufficient number of cards of membership for each delegate to . dispose of ; and wet&ink that nuich good may bo-done by holding 6 ow ? al meetings in different pasts of the metropolis , for the purpose of enrolling members and of passing some spirited resolutions , which should bo- prepared with care by the delegates , in order to preserv * ¦ niformity of action .

      If the thirteen ! delegates arranged matters so a * to hold four meetings each night for the twelve nights of their sojourn * at each of which meetings three delegates could attend , they would , ia the short time allotted , holdi forty-eight meetings ; and suppose one hundred members to be enrolled at each meeting , we should have added four thousand eight hundred to our Association ; perhaps more than an equal number would enrol , during the day , at the bar of the House , j so that admitting lfyMO , the Executive by these maans would at once be furnished with funds to thft amount of £ 250 ; , and supposing our calculatioa - lo be over-rated by eae half , there would be raised a fund of £ 125 ta commence business with .

      Now \ we * sk , could time ba better jor more profitably disposed of ! Again , we ask of what avail to appoint an Executive , if that body is to be left breatUess , nerveless , and paralysed for want of tke proper means of carrying out the views of the body of the people ! A good push made just now , iu London , would cause an instantaneous demand from the country for association tickets . An address and recommendation to that effect , would , we hesitate not toi # « enable the Executive to furnish every countyw England , Scotland , and Wales , with talented , able , and trustworthy lecturers , whose duty it would be to arm themselves with all the legality ia their

      power , by . addressing the several constituencies as candidates upon a dissolution of Parliament . That places them , at once , upon a perfect equality as regards the right of calling electors aad non-electors together , with either Whig or Torj ; and , indeed , even now , we would most strongly recommend all missionaries , but more especially those who are either under recognizance for good behaviour , ot to receivo judgment when called upon , to haw instant recourse to this mode of canvassing public

      opinion . We shall publish all that transpires in onr own "House ; " aud should any unforeseen accident happen to our representatives , we shall instantly publish ta M extraordinary Star " id announce the fact to the country . Of one thing we feel convinced , that we shall not get an order for a counter march , or for oa * single step backwards ; while we trust that it will be forcibly impressed upon the ftquntrjr , that & Chartist party is now the most powerful party in the state ; and that , come what will , the Charter i « to be the law of the land . " The Charter , the whol « Charter , and not an atom less than the Charter . "

      That the delegates will do their duty , we b » Te no dread ; that the country will do theirs , we hare little oauso to fear . However , let no man suppose that the withholding of his name will be matter of indifference , as many such believers would lead to a sad result . It will scarcely be believed , but nevertheless it is fact , that infernal demons , belonging to the working classes , are actually at work topre * veut the people from signing the petition . *< & seconds for each man or woman is ail Us ** required to make their will a command , let it " done , and at oace .

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      4 THE NORTHERN STAR . --

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 1, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct704/page/4/