Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 25th September 1841, Edition 4 of 5, Page 4

Page 4
Page 4
4 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (1)
    • THE JN T ORTHE£N STAR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1841.
  • Text (6)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      SHEFFIELD , ( From ou . 1 own Correspondent . ) Dr . SFDouall . —This ek-quest vindicator ' of the rights of the oppressed masses delivered his second lee core in the Toto Hail , on Wednesday evening , September 15 th . Mr . Gi ., presided , & ± en toe pre-• noes eTeninf . The Hall was again dens . ' y crowded by zn attentive and enthusiastic Eud .-: nce . The lecturer commenced by congraiolatiug the meeting on the downfall of tae pe / Sdious Whigs ; at ; he same time , he could cot rejoice in the triumph of their opjx > uent 3 j the Tories , a faction whom ia heart and soul he detested . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then advened to , and commented upon , the several panaceas put forth by the Whigs and sham-Racioals , first taking Household Suffrage , shewipg that , under such srsi-iia , » mass of intelligence and worth wo ^ ld be

      excluded from the franchise , scarcely interior to that excluded by the present system . Police returns from ihe town of Liverpool sht wed that there \ ras 17 . 000 persons residing in cellars , and living by "dfreputable means . " The same -returns shewed that there was 45 , 000 lodgers , and 20 . 000 cierka and shopmen living in , and around the town of LiTcrpooj . Now , under a system of Household Suarage , the iljUOO vicious members of society inhabiting the oelbra . -. vould be enfranchised , while the 45 ,-OOQ lodgers sad 20 , 000 clerks snd shopmen would be exciace * from the right of suffrage . How preposfcexoniSwonld this be . ( Cheers . ) Yet this was vravely proposed fay certain parties who would not reppCT Universal Suffrage , because , forsooth , of the ignorance V ^ t isuaoralfty of a great portion of the working class . What humbug J ( Cheers . ) Let thea fcave tfn ea&IMfe extended to e ^ try maa , and

      Untitled Article

      then while right was established , no > j ^ i woaid result far tfee aoaest aiid urtelligent : the 45 ^ 00 lodgers and 20 , 000 shopmen would effec * jaAlj swaap the corrupt 17 , 000 living by disrep- j tew 0 » eanB . ( Cheers . ) The lecturer then entered at great length into the subject of Corn Law repeal combatting the arcwnenU , and shewing tip the fallacies of the u cheap . bread" geetry in maste Hy Bt ; le . In the course of bis remarks , he shewr jd that oar foreign trade * in many parts , ™ " > at , Bot through the operation of the Corn LawB , b a % through the villasooa competition of the ma < ju&Ctarers vith each other . Before the introdoc fa * of machinery , and ¦ whea out cotton goods wei -b made wholly by the hand-loon weavers , the f 1 &brics were Substantial ,

      and English good ? , before » U others , were sought by all the natiou of the tf xth ; bat m > this the ease now ! . No , tbe millocra Xb most make fortunes in a day , no matter by wl j&t dishonest means ; goods were made xapidly , ar ^ d of an y rubbish they oould impose oa the b ayer . This had disgusted the cheated foreign ? r , and he was now manufacturing forhmself . ( Coders . ) The lecturer . then showed what would be the 'iffrct upon tba currency » y Corn Law Repeal , and r adduced some striking arguments utterly «* bversive of the theory of the ** 5 i * loafers . " The Doctor concluded an hour and a hairs address , by a fervent and eloquent appeal to his hearers to agitato for nothing less than the Charter—tbe whole hog , iristles and all—and sat down amidst the most

      tremendous cheering . —Mr , Harney said that , after the able and eloquent lectures of Dr . M'Donall , there certainly could not bo two opmioES as to the right of the working ma& to the franchise , and the necessity of making the Charter the law of the land . < Cheers . ) The question was , how was the Charter vo be gotten ?—( near)—HiB answer was , by union . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Harsey eulogised the pnblio character cfDr . M'Douall , and called upon the people to give their rapport to the Republican Journal . He con-^ eluded by moving the following resolution : — " That this meeting , after hearing the talented discourses of Dr . M'Donall , being more than ever convinced of the necessity of exerting their every energy to obtain the glorious Charter of their rights , do pledge

      themselves to join the ranks of the National Charter Association ; and further , assure the Executive Council of their undivided support . Lastly , thia meeting give to Dr . M'Douall their hearty thanks for his services in the cause of democracy , and for his eloquent advocacy of the rights of the millions upon the occasion of his present visit to Sheffield . " Mr . M'Kettriek seconded the resolution . The Chairman took the sense of the meeting , when it was carried . Thanks being voted to the Chairman , and three cheers given for Dr . M'Douall , three for Feargn 8 O'Connor , three for the Welsh Victims , three for O'Brien and all the patriots , and three for the Charter and no surrender , the meeting dissolved .

      Delegate Meeting . —A meeting of delegates from places in the neighbourhood of Sheffield , took place on Sunday last , in the Association-room , Fig-Tree-lane . The attendance was not so numerous as could have been wished ; still as the beginning of a good and neeessary work , the meeting was of some importance . The following were the delegates present : —Sheffield , Messrs . Harrison , Buxton , and Frost ; Rotherham , Messrs . Kamsden and Russell ; Doneaster , Mr . Coulson ; Eccleafield and neighbouring villages , Messrs . Lunn , Nicholson , Boothroyd , and John Nicholson ; Walkley , Mr . Foster . Mr . Harmon was called to the chair ; Mr . M'Kettriek of the Sheffield association was appointed secretary .

      An interesting conversation took place relative to the strength of the association in Sheffield , Rotherham , Doneaster , &e . It was arranged that meetings to extend the association should be forthwith held in the villages of Ecclesfield , and Walkley . On the motion of Mr . Ramsdea , seconded by Mr . Buxtea , the following resolution was adopted . " That the delegates present do recommend to their constituents , the propriety of making Sheffield the centre for all places within twenty miles of its bounds ; and that the several sab-secretaries do correspond with the Sheffield sub-secretary once in every fortnight , reporting tbe progress of the cause in their respective localities . "

      The Jn T Orthe£N Star Saturday, September 25, 1841.

      THE JN ORTHE £ N STAR SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 25 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      ATTEMPTED RESUSCITATION OF THE "NEW MOVE . " It is said that there are some kinds of poisonous reptiles which acquire strength by irritation ; and as we apprehend that the " new move" partakes largely of this character , we have regretted , and do still regret , the—to our thinking—ill-judged and unnecessary attack which has recently been made upon

      it . It has merely inspired its dead and almost putrid carcase with an artificial show of life , while it has enabled its persevering coneoctora to throw a little oil upon such embers of dissatisfaction ^ animosity , or personal disunion , as might yet retain anything of warmth ; and has resulted , as we expected it would , in the issuing of another manifesto from the would-be apostles of disunion and Btrife .

      This document is something of a curiosity in its way . It is valuable inasmuch as it developes the character of the party frem whom it emanates , beyond the possibility of mistake or contradiction . As it is probably the last" move" of these " knights " upon the Chartist chess board , we have thought proper to bestow upon it Bome little attention , and , in accordance with our usual custom , to afford no one a pretext on which to charge us with garbling or dishonest quoting , we give the whole thing in another part of our paper , in the nakedness of its own deformity , just as it was sent to us by the sub-Ecribers . Our readers will find it under a like head to that which stands at the top of this ar ticle .

      We have said that this document betokens the character of its concoctors , and in truth we feel now compelled to acknowledge the superior penetration of the people , who , as with one voice , denounced the " new move" taen for treachery , while we lamented only the aberration of their judgment and their puerility of mind . This document , however , at its very outset , carries on its front an evidence of such craft and subtlety as belongs not to the honest prosecution of democratic objects . It purports to emanate from " a mee : ing of the members of the National Association ; " and we doubt not that this

      neaamj ? is intended to lead people to suppose—and when read in the Whig papers , which will gladly favour the trick , it may lead some to suppose—that the National Charter Association is here meant . This may serve one of two purposes , alike necessary and desirable to the " new more" men ; nay , by somo chance i ; might happen to effect both . It might induce the supposition that the National Charter Association had repudiated the Northern Star , and had adopted or assented to all the abuse thereof contained in this address ; or it might induce the supposition that the National Charter Association was an illegal

      society ; subsisting in branches and acting in sectional parts ; as the subscribers to this document state that they " remain , on behalf of the members of the National Association residing in London . " Indeed , we have some reason to believe , from the very suspicious circumstances attendant upoa tae darkling intimation about " liability to apprehension , " given to some active and useful London Chartists ( see our County Council repor , )} that the next " move ' contemplated by these precious " new move" gentry , is the hounding on of the Government to seek some pretext for

      prosecnting that really " National" Association which they ( the M new move" men ) have laboured so hard aad so impoient 3 y to destroy . If thi 9 be their : object we tell them they will fail . The members of i the " National" Charter Association are too well ; aware of their own position . They know the law , ' - and though they hold it to be an arbitrary and an unjust law , which prohibits Political Associations I of a national character from holding local and I sectional meetings , they are still prepared to avoid

      i its danger . They do noi talk of the members of the ; " National" Association meeting in a tavern ; they 1 meet in their respective localHie 3 , not as members of : the National Charter Association , but as Chartists ! each in his individual capacity . The National Charter Association has no meeti * g 3 ; it exists only I in its principles , in its enrolment of members , 'in its officeri , and in the public acts of its ( Council ; while its objects and purposes , being per-; fectly legal , are prosecuted by its members indi' viduaily and iu their personal capacity .

      j we like to convert evil in : o the means of good , where practicable ; and htnee , therefore , we take this opportunity of again impressing this legal provi * j sion , which we have before noticed , upon the minds of i all the members , and especially of the Councillors and sub-Secretaries of the National Charter Aeso-

      Untitled Article

      ciation . A Chartist meeting might be hol'ien , or a trades meeting might be holdea , and all the persons attending it might happefc to be > members of the Methodist Society , and yet H would not therefore be » Methodist rooting , nor , in legal phrase , tk meeting of the Methodist Society . It weald be a meeting of Chartists , or of u the trade , " as the case- aright be . Just so ; tbe meetings in the respective localities through the country , thaugh they may be attended principally , or even wholly , by persons who are members of the NationaT Charter Association * are not therefere " meetings of tbe National Charter Associa tion ; ** they are meetings of Chartists , and as Chartists the several individuals composing them

      are perfectly competent to the discussion of all matters which may affect their interests or that of tbe « ause to whkh they are devoted . We hope this will never be lost sight of by the partieB who report these meetings for the Star , or who take a prominent part in them . We have no doubt that "friends" are plentiful , and we are exceedingly desirous that not the slightest pretext should be afforded to the enemy by the people themselves . This is our reason for the digression into which we have thus been led by the announcement of Messrs . Hetherington and Lovktt , that a meeting of the members of the National Association" was held at the Globe Tavern , Shoe-lane , Fleet-street , on Tuesday week .

      Oar readers , of course , know that this 'National Association" is not the National Charter Association ; it is the " New Move" Association of Messrs . Hbthkrington and Lovett ; and the fact that a meeting of its members—( the members , mind —not the council , or committee , or offioers , but the whole society—the members of the National Assocition)—was holden at a Tavern in Shoe lane , may h «] p them to some idea of the very flourishing and numerous body which these New Move" Nationals" command .

      The meeting was holden at the Globe Tavern ; whether in the club room or the Bar-Snug , deponent sayeth not ; the address is signed Henry Hxthebikgtox and William L&vett , and these gentlemen do not condescend to tell ua whether any other persons were present at this meeting of the " National" Association or not . They do tell us , however , that the address was unanimously adopted ; from which circumstance we take leave to suspect that they most probably had the whole thing to themselves . B « that , however , as it may , here is the address of Messrs . Hetherington and Lovett

      in the capacity of " Nationals . " And a very pretty address it is 1 In the early portion thereof , after modestly claiming credit for M having been mainly inBtiumental in embodying in the People ' s Charter those political principles which , for a great number of years , were cherished by all true Reformers , " they tell us , we think very justly : — " That the past conduct of a number of those who professed to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter , was wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure tbe co-operation of the wise and the confidence of the good . "

      We perfectly agree with this sentiment , and so we fancy will all who remember that Hesrt Hethbbinston and Wit . Lovett have " professed to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter , " and who look at the past conduct" of these gentlemen , illustrated as it is by their present conduct in reference to this same " new move" transaction . We are also disposed to believe with them , ' * that the falsehood , exaggeration , and violence of those who were active to scheme , but too cowardly to act , has led to the sacrifice and incarceration of hundreds of

      victims , by which means our cause has been retarded and defamed . " We have less fear for the future , and , therefore , lose something of our regret for the past in this respect . The people are now too " wide awake" to suffer harm from the " falsehood , exaggeration , and violence" of such men as HEJfar Hbthebixgton and Wm . Lovett ; and our cause now stands npon too firm a basis , and is beginning to be too well understood , both by the operative and the "higher" classes , to be in danger of any injury from such causes .

      After this very modest , just , and veritable denunciation of all persons prominent as Chartists , save themselves ; after thus , covertly , and by insinuation ascribing falsehood , exaggeration , violence aad cowardice to all who are not ready to bow to their cap , Messrs . Hbtheringtoh and Lovktt proceed to intimate that " accordingly "—that is , because all who had not acknowledged their leadership were w wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the cooperation of the wise and the confidence of the good , "—they , " about five months ago } , put forth a proposal for forming a national association . "

      Respecting which proposal they 6 ay , after enumerating the objects of their association—to create and extend an enlightened public opinion in favour of the People ' s Charter , among persons of all creeds , classes , and opinions , by the means of missionaries , lecturers , circulating libraries , tracts , &c ; to build public halls in which for the people to hold their meetings , instead of in public-houses ; to establish schools for the benefit of our infant population ; and to impress on our brethren tbe necessity of devoting to those ennobling purposes those means which had been previously wasted in frivolous efforts and childlike displays : —

      " Thia proposal , while it wag warmly greeted by the preas , and received the commendations of a gwat number of intelligent minds among all parties , was met with falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , by the moafc prominent organ of Chartism , the Northern Star , Its proprietor and editor jeintly denounced it as a production of Messrs . O Connell , Hume , and Roeback—as a plan intended to destroy Feargus O'Connor's political supremacy , and subvert one which he bad previously concocted . Education was ridiculed ,

      knowledge was sneered at , facts were perverted , truth suppressed , and the lowest passions and prejudices of the multitude were appealed to , to obtain a clamourous verdict against us . We were denounced by them and their hired partisan * as ' thieves , '' liars , ' and traitors ' to the canse of Chartism , as persons who , if a guillotine' existed in England , would be itsjust victims . Nay a sermon ! has been preached by one of those profetsers of freedom to show the necessity for privately ' aasassiuating' us .

      " As far as we have been able to obtain insertion for a vindication of our conduct , through the channel by which -we have been calumniated , we have called , but called in vain , for proofs of their base assertions . As far as they have dared to reply ta us , they have proclaimed themselves false , intolerant , and reckless in the eyes of every reflecting man . " This is pretty well for the meek victims of" falsehood , exaggeration , and violence" ! It would really seem as if the authors of this document had set themselves to verify their own statement , that " a number of those who professed to subscribe to the

      just principles of the Charter , was wanting in that integrity , honesty , and justice which are necessary qualifications to secure the co-operation of the wise and the confidence of the good . " We need but point the attention of those who habitually read th 9 Northern Star , and who read it through all the discussion consequent upon the first introduction of this new and secret move called the M National " Association , and demand fearlessly whether falsehood , exaggeration , intolerance , bitter rancour , and want of integrity , honesty , and justice , were ever more folly exemplified than in these two paragraphs 1 They are really so perfect a tissue of all these enviable distinctions that

      it is difficult to conceive how they could have been written by anybody , much less any one " professing to subscribe to the just principles of the Charter . " We shall perhaps best answer them by recapitulating , briefly , the reasons on whieh we have , from the first , grounded our opposition to this new National " Assftciation ; and which we still maintain , ought to induce the people to discountenance it . These reasons we have given- again and again . Our readers will remember them and will form their own estimate of the charges of " falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , " brought against us by these meek and dove-like " new move" " subscribers to the just principles of the Charter . "

      Untitled Article

      Those reasons wore—in sho / t—that the Move ** altogether was anacoordant with "the just principles of the Charter" which it professed to advocate . The proposal' * was to establish a " National " Association ; and they went about the establishing of it by sending their ** proposal" through the Postoffice , to such persons as they theught fit , enclosed in a letter , of which the following is a copy : — "London , 118 , Tottenham-court Road , Man * 1841 .

      Beak Suu- ^ -The following address intended to be Bubmitteito all the leading Chartists throughout the kingdom that wa can hare aocessto , in order to obtain their signatures , when it will be printed and published as their joint address ; previous to which it will be considered a breach of honour for any individual to cause its publication . It is also INTENDED THAT TUB PERSONS SIGNING IX SHALL FORM

      a Provisional Boabd op Management for six ob . Twelve Months , ( as may be advisable , X . to aid in forming the Association by the gale of cards , or otherwise , after which the Board of Management is to be elected by the Members according to the rales and regulations . By returning this to Mr . Lovett , 118 , Tottenham-court Road , signed or otherwise , by return of Post , you will oblige , yours respectfully . " & . e . .

      Now , if there had been no national organisation at all in existence at thia period , we should have denounced thia as a most inconsistent and unwarrantable mode of Becking to establish one . Persons professing to advocate the Charter cannot consistsntly do otherwise than act upon its principles ; but there is in this proceeding a flagrant disregard of those principles . Here is the attempted establishment of a * National" Association withont any appeal to the nation . A few icdividuals take upon

      themselves to act for the nation . The very spirit and essonco of Toryism ! Had there been no National Society at that time in existence , and had these parties , instead of creeping thus stealthiiy and aeoretly about it , laid their plans at once before the people for acceptance or rejection , we should have commended them as zealous and consistent patriots . But , instead of that , Messrs . Lovbte and Co . Bend their proposals to such parties as they think likely to act with them , to be returned by return of post :

      THE PARTIES SIGNING IT TO FORM TUB PttOVISIONAL BOARD OP MANAGEMENT FOR SIX OR TWELVE MONTHS So that this " National" Board of Management was to be , to all intents and purposes , self-elected ; the proposals hinting at the same time that this selfelected Board of Management was to have the fingering and appropriation of two hundred and fifty-six thousand six hnndred pounds of the people ' s money ! Now , we tell Messrs . " New Move Nationals" that there is no self-elected body in existence to whom the people ought to entrust the unrestricted management of so serious a sum . Nay ,

      farther , we tell them that it is utterly inconsistent with " the just principles ef the People ' s Charter , " for any self-elected body to exercise controul either over the funds or the movements of the people . Why , do the people find fault with the constitution of the House of Commons \ Because it assumes the controul and expenditure of the national funds , while it is not elected by the nation . Why were the old Tory Municipal Corporations so deservedly unpopular 1 For the very same reason ; because they were for the most part self-elected , and yet claimed and

      exercised controul over the people ' s money . And , are we te be subjected to the abase and " violence" of Mr . Hetubrington and Mr . Lovett , beeause we protest against the establishment of Chartist Associations on the very same principles , and by the very same means , of pare and unmitigated despotism , which the Charter is intended to subvert 1 If this be the "intolerance" of which Messrs . Hetheringtnn and Lovett complain , we can promise them no abatement of that intolerance . We shall ever protest against the principle of assumed power , and for that of self-government .

      We now deliberately reiterate a portion of our "falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest ranconr" of the 17 th of April last : — " There are some very curious . facts connected with this document . It denounoes idolatry , while it assumes leadership . It claims co-operation , while it respectfully resolves that , with or without it , it will use every ' possible effort * for the attainment of its object . "Let us just ask a question or two . If tho names attached to the document had a right to expect so much publio con&dence , why keep the

      project secret , except from the ' Leading Chartists' Apropos , we imagined that one of the great objections to modern agitation was Leadership . Why assume leadership ! Why not call a meeting in London , on the spot , and where the pretensions of the six gentlemen were best known , and where , if acknowledged by a public meeting , the thing would have had the stamp of publio confidence and the sanction of public approval , not only of the Leading Chartists' but of the body of ChartiBta !

      Why have a self-elected Board of Management ! because we find the following most astounding admission : * It is also intended that the persons signing it shall form a Provisional Board of Management for six or twelve months . ' Is this Universal Suffrage ? Is this the free choice of officers ! Is this Election by Ballot ? Is this vigilant popular controul ! Here we have six gentlemen

      actually nominating a National Board , writing to and inviting whom they please as members of that Board . Monstrous ! most monstrous ! ! and asking them to keep the project a complete secret from the people , until the infernal maohine shall be sufficiently loaded to be discharged , ( also we suppose in the dark , ) when the country would be told , ' ! you are too late , the deed is done ; why did not you object in time V

      " Here we have a whole nation surrounded in the dark by hal ^ pgozen gentlemen , and handed over , neck and heels , to the tender mercies of a Provisional Government of their appointment ! But they are all for Universal Suffrage , and , as a matter of course , they have acted upon that prmciple , and only elected those whom they knew would be acceptable . In faith , it is marvellous lucky for poor O'Connor tkat he did not even recommend to such an appointment , or offer funds to a missionary , or he would be called a ' despot , ' and would cease to be an 'IDOL . '"

      Supposing , then , that the plan of these parties had been the best plan in the world , their mode of seeking to establish their " national" society was not one which honest Chartists could either approve or support . Of this they evince a perfect consciousness in their earnest deprecation of the publication of their scheme before they had become sufficiently strong by the adhesion of " leading Chartists" to cram it down the people ' s throats : — "Previous to tehieh it will he considered a breach of honour for any individual to cause its publication" ! Why this fear of premature publication ? It is not

      characteristic of Chartism . Chartism , " strong in the conscious rectitude of its principles" ever seeks the light , and courts public ity . But Messrs . Lovett Hetherington , and Co ., knowing how the people had heretofore been " led" by their simple confidence in men whom they believed to be talented and honest , calculated on the force of this habit being sufficient to induce an overlooking of the iniquitous principle upon which they sought to constitute their society , if they could but introduce the thing with animposing array of "leading Chartists . " Hencetheir dread of premature publication , and their " breach of honour" denunciation . Again , mark the cautious

      haste . The "leading Chartists" whom they did consult were allowed very little time for thought about the matter . The address must be returned , signed or unsigned , by next post . Nothing can show more clearly than does this wily manoeuvre , the consciousness of the " New Move" leaders , that reflection would necessarily show to the honest men with whom they corresponded , the impropriety and inconsistency of the whole proceeding . Seme who were thus caught complained afterward of the trick put on them . They had been accustomed to pot implicit faith in Hetherington and Lovett , and therefore they signed with but slight examination of tie

      Untitled Article

      general features of the plan . We repeat , that almost every expression in the short but most wily tetter with whieh the " New More" men introduced their ** proposals , " contains evidence of their perfect consciousness that the proceeding waa at utter variance with aUtb ^ ir own professed prineiples . And yet these are the men who , in the address which we now print from them , coolly speak of themselves thus : — ,

      " Helding the principles of democracy , we will yield to no man's dictation : w « believe that both England and Inland have been ettised by man-worship , to Ow sacrifice and delay of tfeflt . fr tedora we are sow contending for ; and ' because we 1 hive dared to honestly assert our opinions , we have Incurred the 1 highest displeasure of all those whose vanity exgectB the homage of acrtwd , peculiar patronage , and exclusive power . Bat warring against roch selfish folly and mischievous authority , whether displayed in the courtly aristocrat or the social oppressor , we shall ever exert oor humble powers to prevent individual Ot social despotism from being introduced !'

      We have written thus far on the assumption , that there was not then any national concentration of the people ' s energies for the attainment of the Charter . But , to demonstrate still more fully the character of this " new move , " we must here repeat another portion of our "falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour" from the Star of the 10 th of April , the first article we wrote upon the subject :- —** There is already a National Association in existence , embracing all

      TUB OBJECTS OF TBB PROPOSED SCHEME . This AsEOciation , if legally constituted and honestly conducted , supersedes the necessity for another ; if not , it is requisite that its illegality , or its corruption , or the incap ability of the means it proposes to attain the end sought , should be demonstrated ; that tne necessity for another and more effective association may be shown . But the subscribers to this document , do not affect to find fault with the association sow in

      existence ; on the contrary , they say that they have * no disposition to oppose' it . This admission at once cuts the throat of the * new movement ; ' for these parties muitknow that it iB impossible to organise another * National Association' without crippling the energies of that which is already in existence . In fact , none know better than those at the head of this 'new move , ' that its effect , if successful , must be so to divide the forces of the advocates of right as to neutralise and destroy the operation of their power . ? * *

      "And the crowning reason of all is , that the attempt to establish it would necessarily fail , while it would as necessarily jeopardise the whole strength and vigour of the movement , by dividing our forces , and frittering away our strength . Let the people stick to the National Charter Association of Great Britain—let them strengthen the present Executive —let the classes be regularly visited , and the funds collected and placed at the disposal of their own accredited and chosen officers : let a oneness of feeling and purpose be manifested by all , and our success is certain . Let us suffer ourselves to be thus split , and chopped , and divided , and our defeat is certain . "

      In these articles , and in various others written about that time , we thus gave our reasons for opposing this movement . We shewed that the new plan contains no advantages which axe not already provided by the old one ; that every one of the objects proposed to be attained by this new organisation under the management of a self-elected Board of Management is equally easy of attainment by the really National Organisation now existing , under the Management of a General Council and Executive Committee , elected by the people . We shewed that two National Societies cannot subsist withont destroying the energies of each other , and that no good or sufficient reason has been

      shewn why the already existing National Organisation should be given up to gratify the taste for "Man Worship" and personal distinction of Messrs . Lovett , Hetherinoton , and Co . ; and when these gentlemen find themselves called on for an answer to our reasonings upon the subject , they cry out that their proposal , ** while it was warmly greeted by the [ Whig ] press , was met with falsehood , intolerance , and bitterest rancour , by the most prominent organ of Chartism , the Northern Star" ; and unblushingly assert that in the Northern Star •' education was ridiculed , knowledge was sneered at , facts were perverted , truth suppressed , and the lowest passions and prejudices of the multitude were appealed to . "

      To this womanish abuse it is unnecessary for us to reply . The writers know it to be false , the world knows it to be malicious , and we feel it to be powerless for harm . Those who have read the Star will estimate it rightly . These men prate of facts being perverted ; while they impudently attribute to us the indignant expressions of the people , in their resolutions adopted at pablio meetings ; ascribing to us the words "thieves , " "liars , " traitors , " and various other epithets applied to them by parties over whom we had no controul , nor any other influence , than simply that which is equally open to Messrs . HETiiEfiiNGTON and Lovett—the influence of truthful reasoning !

      These men prate of facts being perverted ; while they ascribe to the sermon of Mr . Watkins a meaning which no honest man can find in it , and at the same time speak of that sermon , and of some expressions used in it , in such connection with the Editor of the Northern Star , as amounts to a positive assertion that we have held out threats of assassination against them i ! These men prate of " falsehood , " and of the " perversion of facts" ; while they speak of the reception of their " new move" by the country in such a manner as to imply that every one who disapproves of it i 3 a " hired partisan" of ours !!!

      Theso gentlemen pnfte of " falsehood ; " while they assert that we have denounced their " new move "—0 As a plan intended to destroy Feargus O'Connor ' s political supremacy , and subvert one whiohhe had previously concocted . " Why do they not show where and how we contend for any political supremacy for Feargcs O'Connor ? Simply , because they know that the only supremacy which we have ever asserted for Feargus O'Connor , is one which he would be moat happy to share with them—a supremacy of hard labour—of pecuniary sacrifice , and of consistency of principle and conduct .

      Theso men prate of "falsehood , " while they assert that they •« have called , but called in vain , for proofs of our assertions" J ; These men speak of those who have opposed their scheme in the following terms : — •' Their vanity has inUamed their intellect , their prejudices have darkened their understanding , and toleration and charitable feeling have been blotted from their minds . Believing themselves supremely wise , they spurn with Gothic ferocity all knowledge , truth , or justice ; and judging from their actions , they seeem to think that liberty can only be realised by violence and proscription . " And yet they prate of intolerance and rancour !!! These men ask : —

      " Whether the best means of obtaining the Charter , and the placing of our liberties on the securest foundation , do not form proper and legitimate questions of inquiry for every man in the United Kingdom V While at the same time they apply language such as that we have just quoted , to those who dissent from theii opinions , and meet the arguments of their opponents with the cry of " intolerance , " " bitter rancour , "— violence "— « proscription "— * cunning schemers "—* ' wily politicians "— and " the political supremacy of Feabgus O'CoNMoa" !!

      These men talk of the " suppression of truth , " and yet cry out that the Editor and Proprietor of the Northern Star have jointly denounced their pet move as a bantling of Messrs . Hume , Roebuck , O'Connell and Co . ; ory out that they have called and called in vain for proofs ; and yet " suppress tho truth" that , in Mr . O'Connor ' s letter to Mr HKTHEttiNexoN , published in the Star of the 24 th of April last , proofs of { this were given to the following tune : —

      Untitled Article

      " Now , I pray you Attend to the summing up of the evidence : —Before Christmas I inform the Editor ef the Star of a oertain * move' which is to he made . Ia January a great Household Suffrage meeting ia etovehed at Leeds . Mr . Collins is United , andhniftttes to attend . Mr . Francis Pla ^ rataequattly write * » letter to Mr . (^ liinfl ^ adrauig hint to attend , for the purpose of forming a union , between the two elasKs . Mr . Collins and Mr . O'Neil attend , and endeavour to have all the resolutions , and theaddresato theQaeea proposed by the Committee of thei working otin ' t meeting , set aside . They coquette with the enemy They denounce the Committee . They are to be found running like pet rabbitt in and out of the Timor-office , the ore an of the AfMtatiation . '

      "On Thursday , Collins attends a meeting of the people at which resolutions denouncing Ministers are passed . On . Friday , he dines with ^ Ir-O'CbMriL and the Association , at a 7 a . 6 * d . dinner , and drwks the health of those Ministers , and . backs the objects by a speech , which is published in the Leeds Tints ? and when attention is pointed to one of the declarations at that dinner , it is attempted to be qualified by Collins ! ! * " " *•*« "Collins , in reply , asks as ( in the very terms of your own observation , ) to point out the difference between Household Suffrage , as he pleases to define it , and Charter Suffrage . Upon the day after the dinner at Leeds , a meeting takes place in the Rotunda , where Messrs . Hume , O'ConneUj-aad Roe buck deliver themselves as follows : — " Mr . Hume submitted a definition of what he considered Household Su ff rage ought to be , which teat to betaken into consideration by ( he association . He

      stated that the leading men of the tear king classes generally concurred in the definition , and had pro mised to give their assistance , were an agitation for such a Household Suffrage to be set on foot . " Mr . O'Connell cordially concurred in the suggestions of Mr . Hume , He considered it as of the first importance that the reasonable portion of the Chartists should begot over to the . aid of the rational Reformers . He urged the necessity of tome central body being established in London , for the diffusion of knowledge upon political subjects . The public mini should be saturated with facts bearing on the present gross defects in the representation of the people . ' ' * Mr , Roebuck said that such a body vat at present in contemplation in London , and He trusted that it would very speedily be set in operation , so as to act in concert with the Leeds Association . "

      " New , Sir , here we have Mr . Hume stating : — ' That tbe leading men of the working classes generally concurred in his definition of Honsehold Suffrage and bad promised it their support * " Mr . Roebuck said that : — 'An Association was being formed in London , for tb » purpose , and would , he trusted , be very speedily set ia operation . ' "After this , Sir , your battle must be with Mr . Hume and Mr . Roebuck , and not with me . He gays the leaders have concurred , while you and your friends are the only leaders who appear to hare had . anything to do with the subject ; so that I call upon you to contradict Mr . Hume flatly , or call apoa hist

      to say who were the parties , if you and your friends were not . Subsequently to this came the negociationa—aye , subsequently , and negotiations : —for there were two ! Previously to the first Vincent was in'prison , and he attended at the second ; but the Leeds meeting not having succeeded according to Mr . Collins ' s instruction , the thing was placed in abeyance for christening . . "Thus , then , is it not clear that in the beginning of January you were in diplomatic confederacy with Messrs . Hume and Place ; that you were subsequently confederated in February ; that you sent out your address in March ; and now observe that Mr . O'Connell , before it was published i » any paper .

      announced the very terms of your agreement with Mr . Hume , according to the precise terms of your own letter ; but not one word of this is mentioned in your circular . He says your object is to agitato for Household Suffrage and shorten the duration of Parliaments . " Pray , Sir , keep the latter object in view , and connect it with your adhesion to Triennial Parliaments . Then , Sir , to this add the fact of Mr . Place being the author of a bugaboo document signed ' An Old Chartist , ' and extensively circulated among the' leading Chartists , ' to whom your circular was sent ; and bear in mind that it was circulated just before the Leed 3 meeting . The object of that

      document was to scare all from any connection with the old and established move . Then , Sir , add the fact of Tillman , the Secretary of the National Association , receiving letters from Place , Lovett , Collins , Richardson , and others , ' plaguing his life out , ' to use his own terms , about the * illegality . ' Then add Mr . Collins' and Mr . O'Neil ' s absolute refusal to allow a delegate to be . appointed to consult with their fellows in Manchester , upon the very subject upon which they professed to hinge their only objection . Then , Sir , add the fact , that on the 20 th March , Mr . Roebuck did me the honour to call upon me , and that he then told me that an Association was

      about being formed . I replied , that one was already formed . He answered 'Yes , but there are some apprehensions as to its legality . '• I rejoined , 'Of course no law will legalise a Chartist Association . " Mr . Roebuck laughed , and said , ' It looks very like it ; ' and added , ' They have sent me the rules of their new Association for my opinion . ' Connect this with Mr . Collins' admission that he had applied to Mr . Roebuck for bis opinion , and then say if any doubt remains as to the identity of the persons named by Mr . Hume and Mr . Roebuck at Leeds , and Mr . O'Connell in Dublin , and to an object agreed upon , but not set forth in your address . Who told Mr . O'Connell V

      We opine that , after this , the ** rectitude of pria * ciple' * of Messrs . Hethehixoto 5 and Lovett will be more than doubted . We were willing , while a shadow of chance for their succeeding with the publio remained , to excosf them , on the ground of an , ill-matured and puerile thirst for leadership , which could not bear to see the National " Board of Management" in other hands than their own . We adopted this view of the matter as the more charitable one , in preference to that

      of considering them deliberate traitors to the cause We find it difficult now to admit this supposition ; and certainly the document we this day publish from them much increases the difficulty . However , we have admitted this notice of their last effort for existence , just to show " how hardly some people die . * ' We now leave them to repose quietly on the bed of infamy and contempt which they have prepared for themselves ; and we advise the country and the men of London to do likewiso . Let them

      fulminate their ''National" edicts from the back room of the Globe Tavern , and amuse themselves with th » report of their pop guns iired through their own organ , the apppropriately named " Odd" Fellow . They need send no more to us ; for we do not purpose further to annoy ourselves or the country witn such " Characteristics of the most ignorant and noisy portion of the Chartist body—persons who , without thought or judgment , are empty professors to-day , but worshippers at any other shrine tomorrow . "

      We very cordially evince our good feeling for Messrs . Hethfuington and Lovett , by adopting from their addreES the following words as an appropriate close for this article ; and an answer » t the same time to all their bluster about the "intolerance" of the Northern Star . — " We believe that the great bulk of our Chartist brethren is composed of men whose conviction in favour of tbe Charter has . sprung from observation , inquiry , and patient investigation regarding the causes of political injustice and social misery . Men of this description may be deceived and dialed fora season by mystification and falsehood ; but their minds , bent on inquiry , and ever open to conviction , will soon penetrate the flimsy veil which has been drawn over their understanding .

      "To men of this character we confidently appeal j and we ask them whether the best means of obtaining the Charter , and the placing of our liberties on tha securest feundation , do not form proper and leg itimate questions of inquiry for every man in the United Kingdom ? Or , is it that the solving of thew questions forms the exclusive prerogative of m * particular individual or party among tbe people tthus practically exemplifying in conduct the despotic principles which we seek to overthrow , and bidding fair to render Chartism a by-word and derision . "

      We only add to this that we have no fear . " We know the people too well . They will not permit Chartism to become " a byeword and derision" to gratify a few , ' * violent" spirits ; and therefore we shall hear no more of "discussions on the New Move" or of any other notice being taken by the people or their friends of the defunct * ' wily politicians" or their " cunning scheming . "

      Untitled Article

      4 . _ T I * L _ Pjj ! L Hern 8 TAB »

      Untitled Article

      MARYLEBONE—WELCOME TO OXX ) NNOR . On Friday lart , the Work ' jjg Maa * Hall , OrcaBstreett New Baad , -was c . o ^ dei to excess , far the parpOM of meeting Hz . O' Cobbos . Mi .- Christopher wu j » Ued to t *» ebaiz . A ,: ge&Uenazt , ¦ witose , sams m did sot catch , moved tbA . joUowing rotation : — t ihafc ^» j we jconi e Fearfu O'Connor , Esq .,- on his reletn ferja the a « ngwm in which , hia persecutor * had immuie ^ i him , and pledge ourselves to agitate fet aothioz abort of Ma Chartefc . "

      Ms . Scott lecoaded the reaolntion . He said it "was vn > M pleasure he aw Mi . O'Coanei samps them after his sufferings . Oar advocates have tees prosecuted , imprisoned , aad &row& into dungeocs ; wme of . then have lost their fivts through being sent there ; every feeling of Iwusan nature haa been violated ; butbewai rtad to find tbat tta puttie « y « epaaii » d with the oppressed ; tMs meetieg iu a proof of such sraiMSthy , andfee boped lh »* iroald prove teat their friends ^« re &el 4 don b ? them . The wsetatioa , « n beinj p * . was carried « aanlaionsly . Mr . O * e 0 KK 0 R"wa » greeted 'with great applwae on riogz to-speak ; alter which hexommenoed as £ oltowg : —

      After the fhT * "g had in . -tame degree sassled , he said it'would be six years fcvmorrow sicce he-had first »* jrea » ed them at a meetisg held net far ^ rom the spot oa which * hey were now met During t&atpsriod JUdiw ] principles hadnBoesgaoe awTerstriai—they had been well teeted , and bad well stood the * eet . ( Ap-» Hs » . ) Tbe Whigs h * i succeeded fe ^ time in batting ^ tfce Radieal fc ^ y—because ti » Radicals , ¦ erer -willing to hope ^ geed , bad bean determined to gi * s them -fair triaL J K » sy bad had tfceir trial—the delwion vna gone by ; feeir power to detede had goae ¦ wfthit ; * td the peopto wer * no * one -body—firmly united far toe attaimBeat of one object ; and that . ob-¦ ject not * he destroctfcn of any portka of society , bntthe dertruetiwi « : the system by whieh ruin and

      'was Vww ^ ht on alL vLong conttsued cheering . ) flhis was why they ted gone « b ineseasiiig , and not deereattBg , in number . The Teries -ef yesterday were the CowsrvfttiTW « f to-day ; the Wfeigs of yesterday were tbe Reformers « f to-4 ay ; but tbeEadicals of years gsn © bf were still * & ******* - Their principles wen unchangeable : tho principles contained in the People ' s Chart * were preosely tbs same praoiples whieh its * iwxiesh * d BTer «« afessed . Mt O'Connor then went on-toeKplsiBthe-awsesof the disppointments wfeieh had been-experiHoced ; * e was sorry for tbe disappointment outF « id » y , but is was not his fault ; he knew nothing of tbe meeting till-the jncraiBg after it bad been holden . Aaain , on WedBesday then was * meeting at the Archery Koonw . Sow , < m Oat occasion it had bees the Star notice

      published throughe&t London , and in a had appeared , that he was t # be at Brentford on that day ; he eooid not , therefore , have been expected at fit . Paaeras , wbsn It was known th&t he was engaged elsewhere . He iad never failed in attending any tsagogement , however great the distance , « incon-Tenient Since hie release from iaaaieeratiaa , he had bees at mestiBes nearly every night . ( Hear , hear , and -clears . ) He had * great duty to perform , and would cot shrink from it . ( Cheers . ) While incarcerated his spirit had been still free ; his courage bad never failed , sod his activity baA never slackened . ( Hear , hear . ) And he might now be well proud , tsd moretLan proad , to contemplate the spirit and enthusiasm of the people on his reappearance . iHear , hear , and loud cheering . ) Meetings such as those whkh ke had lately been habitually attending , were

      ezhft ? T » i . ing to tbe spirit , and might held np the heart of any n » &a ; though if it ware to be nothing bat Bight after night talking and faflriBg , he -would soon give theai up , » a mere keeping of the people from tfeeli families . But he saw a something in the distance , a bright « Uad ef promise , whence he augured results of a character tegbd the heart . He s&w evidences in the sppearancei * f the times , that this moving of the spirit upon the waters wu the prelude of a new cre&tioc in which sH fofog « should be politically good . ( Hear , btar . ) The people were now in power ; the Goverment ¦ wzs . de facto ia their h&nit ; tot he was satisfied that if they bestirred themselves rightly , every measure to be carried in the House must be first carried out of it He lt * A stated t&ore than once or ten times ; that three partial were incompatible with the state ; and sow , th » Tit God there were but two partieB . The Whigs , as

      a party , were ruinihilsted ; they were politically desd ; and their grave -was dug deep in pnblic execration , iioad cheers > The WhigB bad ruled us ten years ; coercion for Ireland , and starvation for England , had te * n tfrf"T ruling principles . They were now dtfonct . Would the Tories be permitted to rule on liie priucitiples ? Would Sir Robert Peel role Irelsnd by the sword ? Wonld he make the almost irholly Catholic population bow Its neck to the ispious donunation of the bloated law church ? He might try , but should he be jp «* "P enough to do so , he wcnld sorely find that the people who bid oasted one faction from the seat of poorer , Tronld burl thence their successors -with lest trouble and as little compunction . ; Cheers > Peel

      bad been toed in Ireland ; he began bis career there , Iretaod was now threatened with a revival of the power of the Orange faction . Should he dire it , the people of England would take up the gauntlet ; they tronld teach Irishmen that they belie England , who represent her sons ss being nationally averse to Irelsad ' s rights ; that they were looking forward to the establishment of those principles of universal justice which recogniseed their rights and grievances as fully as their own . ¦ . Cheers . ) He had promised Sir Robert Peel , at the first meeting which he attended after his release from prison , tbat whenever ihexword should be drawn in Ireland the Bcabbard should be thrown aTray in England : he now reiterated that p ^ edgel { Lond and long eontanned cheering . ) Mr . O'Connor then spoke ol

      th « slanderous imputations of physical violence so lavishly bestowed npon the Chartists by tbe factions ; they were called " torca and dagger" men ; their ob-} eet was avowed to be to equalise property by plunder . Thousands of times had these calumnies been disavowed , tad yet with simple impudence had they been repeated . This wa 3 indeed a pretty charge to come from th « se who had robbed the people of the -whole country . , &res , t cheering . ) It reminded him of a saying of Mr . O'Conneli " B ttpon one occasion . In answer to a libel charge made by one of the Beresford ' s , he said , " What , the Bsrestords accuse us of a wisb to plunder ? Tbe Beresf ords , -who have robbed Ireland cf mountain ? of land r ( Hear , hear , and great cheering . ) They did not want to steal the land ; they merely wanted to

      enjoy its fruits , the fruits of their own labour , paying a reason&bia compensation to those -who -vrith -whatever justice , were legally acknowledged its proprietors . Tht j ¦ wiuted legislative representation , by which they might be enabled cot to rob others , but to protect themselves against robbery . ( . Great cheering . ) Mr . O'Cocjior-vreEt on at great length to castigate both factions , s . nd to demonstrate the acvnal depen&anee of all the so-called higher r ^ ntrn of s-jciety upen the wcrkin g people for Hubiistance . He dfescanU Q on theanonukTisprbYisions of tbe law , 2 nd the slumefal difparitj of i : s operation "witii regard to rich and poor ; and iiisiited vpon She right ot a cniTa ^ al participation in the legislati-re power , as tbe only safe , certain , and pennantitt remedy ior ai ] tie political evils of tbe state . iHear . /

      We mast ba no longer tampered -ffiui ; tbe rale of justice mast be the mie of CrOYerament ; the Trorking classes must be rendered bappy . If there -were tue hundred cUsses , &Ed , if by Universal Suffrage being enacted , ail po-wtr fell into the bsads of tfee woikh-g classes , I would not complain , for the working classes would k&ve an interest in supporting all the other classes , if useful ; thus the -3-oiking m&n would not deprive bis employer cf the means of employing "him ; rather -sronld be support hi 3 employer ; is it now -was , the great body vtss at the mercy of ail the little knots . After repudiating physical ioix , and giving his de 3 nition e : the difference of moral and physical force , Mr . O'Connor referred to the chaileaijs of Mr . Hethcrington .

      I hope , said ilr . O'Connor , ttst any gentleman , who mzj attend at the dUcassion . 'wili give a patient bearing , tiid ofi \ j no interruption . Single handed I -will meet them , &r ; d try if any diSt-Tsrices-which Ei % y . exist cannot be amicably arranged . -Hear , and cheers . ^ Mr . O'Connor th'a reicrred to an expression osed by Mr . Attwood , relative to his iilr . A . ' sj not being ready to concede to Ireland hir rights , and -which Mr . LoTett promptly icet ; znA concluded by declaring that thoueh be had every comfort and protection , he would not be satisfied till the people -were comfortable and protected . He fsnad that he vras a ; ain able to tittle in their eause , s = d he hoped lij was destined for minj services in the cause , -Cheers )

      Mr . O'Connor retired amid tbe nppi&ase of all preper . -t , and tbe meeting shortly after iej . ara . tcd .

      Untitled Article

      JfEWCASTl ^ .-Thc Chartists met on Friday evening . It was determined to send a delegate to ' welcome O'Btku from his ceil . Mr . Morgan ,-tltt county missionary , reported that he had visited . Hartley Pans , Seghili , Foreman's Row , Blyth , Bedlington , Cramlington , at all of which placef most excellent meetings were held , ami where «* . banner of the Charter was unfurled .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 25, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct722/page/4/