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Northern Star (1837-1852), 27th November 1841, Edition 4 of 6, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      BRIGHTON . A public meeting of tbe inhabitant * of Brighton iru held on Monday evening week , at the Towm Hall , to take into consideration the propriety of addressing a petition to the Common ** House of Parliament in favour of a document entitled the " People ' s Charter , " ¦ ad to adopt « ach measures as the « aid meeting might deem expedient The meeting iris convened by ttre High Constable , on * requisition being presented to him , signed by a mxmeroai and respectable portion of the inhabitants d Brighton . In the absenwof the High Constable , whe m confined to his house by severe indisposition , the absir was taken by Jdr . Johs Good , Delegate to Brighton in the first Convention .

      Business commenced by the Vestry Clerk reading the requisition , daring which we believe both the Member for the Borough entered the room , and took their seats so the right of the Chairman , amidst long continued applause ; in fact the applause fer Captain Pechell , one of the glorious thirty-nine , was tremaadoa * . Hardly bad tits cheering subsided , bat the old hail rung again and again on the entrance of Charles Brooker , Esq . ; peal after peal vibrated through the hall on the appearanee of the Honourable Gentleman on the platform , beside the Members for the Borough . Silence having in some degree bees gained , the Yestry Clerk finished leading the requisition , the Chairman briefly requested the meeting to preserve order , and give , as he had no doubt they would , a fair and impartial hearing to every speaker . Mr . ali . es row to propose the following resolution : —

      " That in the opinion of thii meeting , the rapidly increasing tide of distress , which is involving all ths industrious and commercial classes of society , is attributable solely to the existing inequalities of a 8 j stem which essentially protects particoiar classes at the expense of the rights and interests of the great body of the people . " That tHl all classes of m « n be placed on a footing of equality before the laws of the country , the evils bow so universally complained of will coitinne to grow , and at last to threaten . a national convulsion . " That , in \ tt opinion of tMi meeting , nothing ¦ tort of the adoption of ttie People ' s Charter' tffect the desired object , and that we , therefore , adopt the petition calledj the ' National Petition , ' praying for this object "

      Mr . ALLBK , in a long and eloquent speech , spoke to the resolution with a fervour aad admiration that called down upon him the repeated applause of the meeting . An incident occurred , during his address , that placed the meeting in such a spirit of delight , that for a few moments all order was at an end . Every m&n and woman were standing , waving n&ts and handkerchiefs , shouting at the top of their voices—the very b'lilaing teemed to tremble with the weight of their loud hurrahs . One tp 1 " * had entered the hall front one of the ante rooms , followed by a few trusty saa faithful friends . He mounted the platform—passed in front of the borough members to the left of the chairman—be -was recognised—it fras their beloved' schoolmaster—TM , it was Broniarre O'Brien—be trb » bad passed the

      fiery ordeal of Whig persecution ; nearly two years since he had been in Brighton ; yet with all , he was the same man ; though there is not that smiling countenance—yet the same features an there—the same undaunted spirit—the same determination of mind ; eighteen months' persecution has not damped the ardour of his soul—the same inspirations ' to free his country exist in his manly breast ; yes , with all the brutal persecutions of his oppressors—be is the same Bsdaunt » d—the same determined advocate and te&cher of the millions of his persecuted and oppressed fellow-• ubjects . O'Brien in Brighton , is surrounded by a host of friends—men who have stood by him in the days of adversity—men who have braved and treated with contempt the contumely of the proud and haughty , the

      rich and titled , and rallied round one of the noblest of nature ' s creation ; t&eh w&i the the enthusiasm ot tbe meeting , as we have said before , for the Urne every . tiring was at a standstill . Mr . Allen resumed bis address , by appealing at once to the people to discountesasee the brutal Whigs . " See" said he , " a victim of thfir cruel and brutal treatment—look at your brave O'Brien . Men of Brighton , look at your noble teacher —Whigs of Brighton , avaast from the withering glance of the man your party have so brutally treated ; hide yourselves for ever from the sight of year honest Chartost neighbours ; look witt shame at the victim of the Moody despotism of your party wbea ia power who , thank God , exist no longer as a party of any

      censequence to be worth noticing . Men of Brighton , forget sot the sufferings of poor Holberry , Peddie , aad numerous others of your friends , who have been and some of whom are still confined ia the loathsome dungeons of your oppressors , in which the despotism of the late Whig Ministry placed them . And will you , can you support such a party ? ( Loud cries * f " bo , no , never . ") Ho , never said Mr . Allen ; their day is gone for everthey had now a faction who will try their best to put them do-cm ; bat they will £ » U . The rising intelligence of the people will in the end prevail , and the Charter become the law of the land . M . r . AUtn resumed his Mat amid the most tremendous applause , and was followed ky

      Mr Collikg , who , in a neat and most effective speech , seconded the resolutioa ; which .. after being read by the Vestry Clerk , was put to the meeting by the Chairman , and carried with loud cheering . Mr WooDWiBD rose to propose the adoption of the National Petition . He congratulated his brother Chartists oa the progress their cause has made in the town of Brighton , aad the county of Sussex .- It was nearly four years since the Charter was introduced into this town ; sisee which time Chartism and its advocates had borne a terrible persecution ; still the principles of the CharUr are all paramount ; hundreds of their best and soblest compatriots had suffered long aad lonesome incarceration . Although barricades had been erected at previous meetings in this townsoldiers under arms—their fellow-towBmea sworn in as

      special constables , to bludgeon them—vile coast-guardmen were introduced in the body of the meeting with Baked cutlasses—with all these against them , they had triuiEpbed , and seethe consequence ; no tumults , nor no rioting . Mr . W . impressed on the meeting the fact , that -whenever a new Beet sprang up among the people , whether in politics or religion , persecution was snre » follow ; they had been persecuted—their friends had been torn from them ; still oat of a fiery and cruel persecution , Chartism came more pure—the spirit burned stronger and more determined , and nothing knt the sincerity and resolution of the peopie is wanted to lead them to a successful conclusion , tCheers . ) The food seed sown by Mr . Feargus O'Connor three years since , and the doctrines he had promulgated among them , had not been forgotten , but on all aad every occasion they had responded to them , and in spite of

      a vile aad corrupt press they were at la » t recognised as & powerful party in the state . Mr . Woodward then entered into a history and defence of the Charter , seriatim , pointing out the differences that existed in the various boroughs , comparing the small with the large , instancing small boroughs with a population of two or three thousand sending as many members as a population of three hundred thousand . He then drew a picture of the state of the poorer classes of this country , and with considerable feeling read extracts from the Times newspaper , giving an account that at the same time her Majesty was delivered ef a Prince , tkree poor women were confined in one bed and two in another , at the same time , on the same day , at Sevenoaks Union workhouse . ( Great sensation was evinced by the meeting . ) Mr . Woodward urged upon every man to sign the petition , if agreed to , and resumed his seat amid loud continued cheering .

      The Yestst Clsbk baring read the National Petition , Mr . Fiotbes , in a speech of some length and spirit , eoonded its adoption . Tne venerable and good old man spoke with an energy we have seldom ¦ witnessed . The beering of the meetisg told us that his feelings were responded to , and on resuming his seat , the meeting gave him one loud and long round of applause . Mr . BaoxTEaaE O'Brien was called for , and on shewing himself to the meeting , the cheering was tremendous . After it bad subsided , he thanked them for the Banner in which they had received him that evening , and said hs ought tebe grateful , forthe people of Brighson never forgot him in bis time of trouble . He had sever solicited their support , yet they came forward to

      his assistance when most needed . It was gratifying to him to see nfteen or sixteen hundred honest faces , aftej having seen nothing but the faces of thieves and smashers for the last eighteen months . Mr . O'Brien gave an account ef his companions , which elicited repeated outbursts of tiie meetings indignation at IUCD abominable treatment He said he would undertake to prove that the misery of the people was the result ot acts of Parliament , and he would undertake not only to ¦ hew that , but that the men who made those acts of Parliament , made them for the purpose of robbing and enslaving the people , and more than that he would undertake to show , in opposition to any one , what those Bets of Parliament were ; or if there war * evils existing , which wen not the result of acts of Parliament , they

      were the result of the want of such acts , which they would have if other acts of Parliament did sot protect them . He thought it necessary to make this remark , because it had been frequently said in the House of Commons , that the distress of the people was not owing to legislation . Lord John Russell bad made a statement to thai effect , and so had Sir Robert Peel ; and the Times , the organ of the monied class , on the occasion of the great meeting in Palace Yard , to elect delegates to the Convention , after abasing the CWt ista , for their folly and presumption in thVnUng they had any taim to the suffrage , said , "What , do you mean to skew

      *» that Parliament oould do anything to better you condition ? Draw up a Bill , which if carried into a lav would ameliorate your condition , and present it to the House of Commons , and we will undertake to say that , however meanly you may think of that House , it will Bet hesitate one moment in passing that bill into a law . " That was all delusion , or to use a stronger expression , It was all humbug . In the first place , it was not by one act of Parliament that the people -were brought into theii present condition , and they had so right to expect that one act of Parliament would bring them out of it , much less one proceeding from that House , as at pre > amt constituted . No ! if they were to remedy the evils

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      of tbe country , they must have power in the hands of those who suffered from the evils , and net exclusively confined to the classes , who , either did not suffer or were interested in the system that caused the evils . Bat , perhaps , there might be persons present who thongbt that the distress was exaggerated , and that the decline of wages alluded to in the petition was not true . He knew that the Duke of Wellington not long ago « sid , ' The talk about distress was exaggerated , for all men willing and able to work oould find & living . " Mr . O'Brien adverted to tbe distress that existed in Stockport , when there were spinners , who four weeks ago were earning only 17 s . per week , while three yean ago , these same men were in the receipt of £ 2 a week-Hundreds were walking tbe street , and could get no

      employment at all ; and be sever witnessed a sight that appalled him more than the sight of thousands of gaunt half-starved looking men , who were walking the streets of Stockport , almost in rags , and with every appearance of mental and bodily suffering . In the same town , there were power-loom weavers earning 10 s . per week , who not many years ago were earning twice tk » t stub . Mr . O'Brien also adverted to the distress existing in Carlisle , in Wigan , Blackburn , Burnley , Todtnorden , and various other parts of Lancashire ; and even in Yorkshire , where the people were generally better off , he had found them living at the rate of 5 s . to 6 b . a-week , and some of them were at is . ( Shame . ) The men of Brighton had the geod fortune to live in a part of the country where tbe

      mass of the people did not depend on any particular branch of trade ; and they , therefore , bad no experience of these things ; but if they had been in the districts he had been in , and witnessed the sights he had witnessed , they would see at once how it wib th « . t the people throughout the northern districts were calling so loudly for the People ' s Charter , And for a total change in the present system of society . It might be said that this was tbe result of machinery , of the Corn Laws , and of the waat of free trade . But all these things be would assert , were caused by bad laws . ( Hear , hear . ) In all tbe towns he bad visited , he found the wages of the hand-loem weavers to have declined in tbe proportion he bad stated . In Huddersfield they were now getting 2 id . a-yard for weaving what they got 5 d . for in 1828 ;

      and in Barnsley they were getting 7 s . a-plece for what they got 14 s . for ten years ago . The only class of handloom weavers who were earning as much as 05 . per week were a certain number who had been many years Im the employ of Mr . Fieldec—a Member of Parliament , and a T" * n whom he respected , and whom he believed was honestly inclined towards the people—and he h » d kept up the wages by 2 s . vweek higher than the wages of all around them since 1833 . He asserted that those men whose wages had been reduced had been robbed of five-sixths of their earnings ; . that the man who got 6 s . where his father got 33 s . fer less work ( and the £ & . ther got less than be ought )—he asserted that that man was robbed of fivt-sirtha of his earnings , because he continued to give the same wealth to society , while

      five-sixths of the wealth he ought to receive was taken from him by a power he conld not resist Then , the next question was . who were the robbers , and who ¦ were the receivers of stolen goods ? Now , there happened to be two honourable gentlemen then present , and ko one felt more r * spect for them than he did , see ing that they were not ashamed to show themselves to the people , and hs should be ashamed if he did not repeat what he said in other parts of the country , that the receivers were those who lived on fixed incomes , and for which they rendered noservice to society , and that the robbers "weTethose wbuuiadethelaws by which they continued to receive those fixed incomes without giving an exchange . Now , observe , he made no charge against tbe present House of . Commons . All the preceding

      Houses were robbers and receivers of stolen goods , bat be was not going to apply that to the present one , because , according to the laws , he oould treat a dead Parliament like a dead dog , but not a living one , ' because if he did they would send him again to Lancaster Castle . < Laughter and cheers , ) It was a hard name to give a Parliament to say that they were the receivers of stolen goods , and the man who did it ought to give his proofs ; and here he was to give it in respect to ah past Parliaments , and excepting only tbe PEBSKKT Parliament , which was composed of honourable sad right honourable ^ entlemen . ^ ughter . ) Well , then , they had accompanied him in bis statements to show that tbe poor man had been robbed of at least five-sixths of his earnings ; and the next question was ,

      who were the receivers of the stolen goods ? When a policeman beard of a rofeb ry , the first thing was to look after tba stolen property , ard if he got that he was certain of getting at th « thief . This was tbe course he should tlte , and then , having got at the property they would get at tbe fumourab ' e and right honourable gentU nun , all belonging to pre ^ iovs Parliaments . Well , then , men of fixed incomes received those incomes because the law was strong enough to give it them , not for any value which they gave in return to society . He ¦ would take one case at a time . By men living on fixed incomes be meant f undholders , living on the dividends ; he meant also ne& living on rents derived from land , men living on rent-charges , no matter how they got them , during the time the wages of the hand-loom

      weaver had declined . B ? gin with the fundholder , going so further back than 1810 or 1812 . The fundholder would receive about £ 60 for £ 100 stock in the three per cents ., but if thu same man were to sell out now he would receive £ 90 , and in the meantime be would have received £ 90 more for usury . Here , then , after receiving £ 9 » without doing anything for it , the value of their capital was increased £ 50 per cent . ; but it did not end there , fur they could go into the market and buy fear tieies as much of the produce of the handloom weaver as tbe&ame money would purchase at the former period ; they could purchase four times the amount of Manchester g « ods and three times that of Birmingham goods . ( Hear , hear . ) Here was the fundbolder taking the usury gives to him by Act of Parliament , which , if

      Parliament was elected by the people , would be pnt an end to , because it was forbidden by Moses . Here was £ 90 received for usury , contrary to the law of Moni , and the common law of England —here was . property raised from £ «• to £ 90 , and in addition to that every pound in that capital was worth £ 3 compared to the former time ; so that here wag a three-fold robbery , every one by Act of Parliament . It was Parliament that contracted the debt witdout the nation's consent , and then there was the interest of the debt , which was far worse than the debt itself . Now , then , compare the different facts he bad stated—the workpeople being robbed of five-iixths of their earnings , and then the men of fixed incomes receivieg more by fifty yer cent beside the usury , and every pound of that being three

      or fsnr times more valoable . Tbe fandhelders could , therefore , command five or six days' labour of the handloom weaver where before they could only oommand ne ; aad he who could command tbe labour of another rendered him his slave . ( Loud applause . ) Now , then , the receivers of fixed incomes had received what the hand-loom weavers had lost , and consequently they were the receivers of tbe stolen go » ds . Then the next qnestion was , who were tbe robbers ? He answered the Parliament of England , and those -who made that Parliament The reason why he used this language was that they ( the Chartists ) h&d been again and again denounced by Members of Parliament and by a corrupt press . The fact was , he never , in the course of his life , penned a sentence which went to say that a farthing

      of the property of the rich should be taken from them and given to tbe poor , though he had written hundreds of sentences to destroy the power they had of taking it He should be serry to use any language with a view to give any unnecessary insult to the two Hon . Gentlemen who were there , and who were Memoers of Parliament ( Applause . ) But it was one thing not to insult them , and another to blink the truth . It was his opinion that the People ' s Charter would produce nothing but bloodshed from one end of tbe country to the other , unless the people po § -easing property , no matter bow thy got it , were secured in the possession of it ( Hear , hear . ) Tbe repeal of the taxes would not relieve the people . No doubt , the taxea -were a burden to the people , but

      thej were nothing compared to other grievanoes . Mr . O'Brien then stated that be believed he was the legally elected member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne ; he was chosen by 11 , 000 people who held up their hands in his favour , while the Whig had only 200 , and the Tory 120 ; but though no poll was demanded , tbe Returning Officer declared the others elected . Mr . O'Brien stated to the meeting the tyrannical treatment he had received when in prison ; he was not allowed to write for the press , by order of Lord Normanby , as he was termed the " most dangerous man of the whole party . " Mr . O'Brien then gave a mimic description of the reading of the indictment by which be was tried , and the manner in which be illustrated the reading—of " routs , " " riots , " and " tumults , " " tending to disturb the peace of the country , " " creating insurrections against our Sovereign Lacy the Queen , her Crown , and dignity , " ( poor dear little creature ] , called forth peals of derisive laughter . Adverting to the accession of the

      Tories to offloe , * c . Mr . OB . continued , that if they attempted to suspend the habeas oorput against tbe majority of the people of the country , that the people would rise as one mass and put down the conspirators . ( Tremendous applause . ) He was as willing as aay man to obey the laws , even if they were bad , so long as the law left him the means of raising public opinion to alter the laws ; but if that law ( referring to the habeas corpus act , ) was put an end to ; if the present Government should think it necessary to suspend the law , and govern by military commissions , then he , for one , should feel himself reli : red from all obligation to Parliament , aad be would not hesitate a moment—( Long-continued cheering . ) Mr . O'Brien concluded by exhorting every person present to hold up their hands for the petitieo , sad not to leave the Hall till they had appended their names to the petition sheets , and resumed his seat amid long continued aid rapturous applause .

      CHARLES BlOOiia , Esq . rose , bat owing to the lateness of the evening he should sot deliver any address to the meeting . He had intended to have dona so ; but if the sense of tbe meeting was such that he should proceed , he would do so . A short diseassion ensued between the Chairman and Mr . Brooker , when Mr . B . said he fully agreed with the petition , and resumed his seat amidst great applause . The motion for the adoption of the petition was then put to the meeting , and carried with load cheers .

      Mr . Sakdt moved" That the thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to Captain Pechell aad J . N . Wigney ,

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      Esq ., Members for the Borough , for their attendance here this evening . " Mr . Woodward , in a few observations , seconded the resolution . A little squabbling arose between Mr . Woodward and Mr . Wigney , owing to a misunderstanding arising on a promise , which Mr . Wigney made to Mr . Woodward , to vote for the release of Frost and his eopatrioU . Mr . Wignbt did not deny , in Colo , tbe promts *; bat he considered that , if he did so , it must have been privately , and so ought to have been kept by Mr . Woodward . After tbe squabble had somewhat ended ,

      Mr . O'Brien rose and again sboitly addressed the meeting . He complimented Captain Pechell on his vote on Sharman Crawford ' s motion , on the motion for the release of the political prisoners , and many other votes he had given in Parliament . That proved to him that he had a mind not to be ledjaway , and that he had voted conscientiously . Mr . O'Brien said both their Members were entitled to their thanks for their attendance that evening . It was not common to see Members of Parliament at meetings like this , and therefore he did consider that thanks were due to them . The motion was put and carried unanimously .

      Captain Pechell rose and said , in compliance with the invitation he had received , he had attended that meeting . He considered it to be his duty to pay that mark of respect and attention to them , when he knew the many acts of kindness which they had conferred upon him , asd the many sacrifices many of them bad made in his behalf . He congratulated them on the manner they had conducted tbe meeting . He did not think it necessary for their honourable and talented visitor , Mr . O'Brien , to guard himself that he did not intend to cast any insult upon their representatives ; he did not think that the Hon . Gentleman wished to cast any insult upon them , well knowing that be bad

      received from tbe hands of bis friends of Brighton most efficient snpport , and in such service he was an bumble instrument With reference to the language he had used upon former Parliaments , 4 c , he knew it was language that must be applied , and which in many cases was strictly applicable . ( Loud cheers . ) They most do himself and colleague justice in believing that they should certainly not submit to allow the petition which had emanated from that assembly to be treated with disrespect in that place where they had a voice , and that they would mention the intelligence in which the petition had been argued at that meeting . After a few observations , tbe Gallant Captain resumed bis seat amid loud applause .

      J . N . WiQHsr , Esq ., M . P ., next presented himself , and said in consequence of an Invitation received by him , he had attended the meeting , and received great pleasure in his attendance , as he had tbe honour of being one of the representatives of the town ; it was always bis pleasure to attend meetings lika these , and hear the sentiments of others upon all occa&ions . Sentiments such as had been there spoken were well worth hearing , and well worth the consideration of the public at large , —( cheers )—and whilst he could not fully accord with all that had fallen from the talented speaker , Mr . O Brien , still he could not refrain from saying he had spoken many wholesome truths . Taking the statement of Mr . 0 Brien as correct , as to what he suffered in his imprisonment be should say it was a disgrace to a

      free country like this . He should not take upon himself to judge the case ; but , taking the statement of Mr . O'Brien , he thought the punishment far more than commensurate for the alleged offence . With regard to what had fallen from Mr . Woodward , he would say , be had never given one pledge privately or publicly that he should be ashamed to acknowledge either on these or any other boards , and he should be ashamed to state in a private room what he oould not publicly acknowledge ; be hoped , therefore , that be should stand at all events , fairly before that meeting , and that it was not to be supposed , for a single moment , that he should at one time say one thing , and at another time

      another thing . With bis Honourable and Gallant Colleague , he should have great pleasure , if he were to hear anything derogatory in the House of Commons , to a petition like the present , in showing tbe House the erroneous views they took of it . Tbe sentiments of Mr . O'Brien bad given him great pleasure . They contained many wholesome truths , and tbe only thing he might find a little fault with , was that be was rather too sweeping in his observations on late Houses of Parliament , ( Mr . Wigney formerly representing Brighton . ) He should be most happy to see Mr . O'Brien in tbe House of Commons , and if Mr . O'Brien got there , he would not , be thought , come oat and say be bad left behind him an assembly of thieves and robbers .

      Tbe following resolutions were severally proposed , seconded , and carried : — Resolved— " That a Committee be appointed to obtain signatures to tbe petition , and that the following persons do form such Committee , with power to add to their number , Tit : — " Messrs . Woodward , Allen , Flower , Allcorne , Moriing , Lansdell , Giles , Colling , John Good , and John Rose . " " That the expences incident to this meeting be defrayed by the High Constable , and charged in bis account " "That the thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby presented , to Charles Brooker , and James Bronterre O'Brien , Esquires , for their attendance this evening . " " That tbe thanks ot this meeting are due , snd are hereby given , to Mr . John Good , for bis able and impartial conduct in the chair . "

      The meeting lasted four hours and a half . Mr . O'Brien ' s address lasted abeut two hours . Tbe meeting broke up by giving three cheers for the Charter , three fot O'Brien , O'Connor , Frost , Williams , and Jones , and all tbe incarcerated viotims .

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      LEICESTER . Mr . Henry Vincent ' s Second Lecture in the New Hall , on Monday evening , the 16 th inst , will belong remembered , as having resulted in bringing out the Rev . J . P . Mursell , tbe eloquent successor of the immortal Robert Hall , in a bold and unshrinking position , as the advocate of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Cooper was called to the chair , and gave out the " Chartist National Anthem , " which was sung by the immense company , standing and uncovered . The Chairman , in his opening address , defended the Chartist coalition with tbe Tories at Nottingham and

      Leicestersaid it was the greatest act of statesmanship that ever engaged the minds of tbe people : they were forced to it by the conduot of tbe Whigs—it was a step exoaedingly repugnant to him , one which it was long before be could make up bis mind to take—and he sincerely hoped the Whigs would never force them to tbe same measure again . If tbe Middle Classes would come out for tbe Chartists , tbe Chartists would come out for the Middle Classes , who , be hoped , woald forget all that was past , as they listened to the eloquence of bis friend , Henry Vincent ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Yikcekt then came forward , and was received with loud cheering . He proceeded to recapitulate at some length the main points of bis first address ; and then went on : —The fact that the people feel interested in questions of a political nature , is anything but pleasing to those interested in keeping things as they ate . It may be that our demands are listened to when tbe passions of the people have been roused ; forwben our rulers have seen our strength they hare dreaded tbe monster , and have granted it something to keep it quiet .- —but we have never obtained anything till matters have proceeded thus far . Snt I am here to speak upon tbe divisions of the people , and tbe means of healing them . I think we may take it for granted , that whatever our differences are , we have

      but one common view—all are deeply interested in the annihilation of everything that mars the beauty of the whole political system . I bare shown that the government should represent and be for the good of the people : tbe first thing , therefore , to be contended for , is the power of controlling the government . Now , the House ef Commons possesses such a vast amcunt of prerogative , in spite of tbe great prerogative of tbe Crown , tbe Church , and the Aristocracy , that most of tbe evils of which we complain would cease if that House were composed of upright men . Therefore , tbe true philosophic method of remedying the evils under which we labour would be , to extend among tbe people the power of choosing the House of Commons ; at present , we may say , that all the members are

      returned by little more that 300 , 000 electors I What a monstrous anomaly this—the idea of only 300 , 000 electors out of somewhere about 5 , 000 , 000 male adults being allowed to choose the representatives of tbe whole people ! ( Loud cheers . ) It is indeed a monstrous aaumaly , for this small body of electors can be so acted upon by tbe Aristocracy in various waya , that it cannot be said to represent the wishes of tba people . . ( Hear , bear . ) The lecturer then glanced at the composition of the present House of Commons , and asked what would be done ? There was a majority of ninety-one Tories , who , of course , would oppose anything of a liberal nature ; and when the question of Free Trade was brought forward , the supporters of tbe late government would make long speeches in iU favotr , and vote for it

      —the Whig papers would nay with great exultation , " See tbe progress ot liberal principles i See how many more voted for Free Trade than have ever done before I " —and there would be the end of ft . iLaugbter . ) Such being the case , ( continued Mr . Yiooeni ) will it be wise to call into existence a mighty revolution merely for tbe purpose of endeavouring to obtain tbe repeal of a measure that can be re-enacted tbe next day ? Will it not be the wiser way to see if there be not some way of promoting a union between tbe two classes—the middle and working—and thus placing ourselves in a petition for effectually carrying tbe measures that are necessary ? ( Hear , bear , bear . ) Mr . Yineent then lebned to the

      observations made by the Editor of tbe Leicester Chnmiile last week , with respect to what be considered the one-sided view of union taken by him , and the absence of any statement as to what tb * amount of co-opentioB was to be on tae-part of the Chartists ia aid of Commercial Reform . With all die respect for tbe Editor of the Chronicle , be would say , let those who think it practicable to obtain tbe Repeal of the Corn Laws petition b > all means ; but if the middle classes wished to prove the honesty of their intentions towards tbe working—if they wished to opea the doors of trade freely—let them do so by showing they were ready to assist in obtaining for them their rights . The Chartists admitted that trade bad bees destroyed by tbe fetters put upon it by tbe aristocracy—they admitted that the

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      working people were starving ; but they felt that all endeavours to remedy this state of things would be useless so long as the aristocracy remained in possession ot their present power ; and therefore they wished to assail the master spirit of monopoly that bad called forth the Corn Laws . The Chartists were not opposed to free trade : anything that levelled the restrictions on It would indeed be a glorious achievement , and opui the way for others ; bat the aristocracy feared this , and strove to keep the people divided , in order that they might thus have It in their power to plunder them . The interests of the aristocracy were to wound ap in these restrictions , that they would rather risk a civil war than give up one of them . ( Hear , hear . ) Tbe aristocracy looked upon the people as their

      serfs , as their property ; they dreaded free trade as an encroachment upon their rights ; and therefore they opposed , and would oppose , every approach towards this . This being tbe case , he would put it to the Editor of the Chronicle , whether it would not be far more benevolent in the middle and upper to aid tbe working classes in obtaining their jnst righto , than to waste their strength in getting up such a mighty revolution for the mere Repeal of the Com Laws : if they got tbe former , they would soon get the latter ; bat it was very doubtful if , with all their efforts , they would get the latter without having first obtained the former . Mr . Vincent then again referred to tbe Charter plan of Universal Suffrage , and showed it would be more effioient than Household , because the

      latter would exclude all lodgers , who were among the most intelligent class of the community . It would net be Wisdom on the part of the Chartists to waste their strength in endeavouring to obtain a repeal of tbe Cora Laws as things now were : the attempt bad been made —by Hunt at Peterloo , and by others since then—and it bad failed . The working classes bad taken part in tbe agitation for the Reform Bill , and what bad they gained ? Nothing . Past experience showed that whenever the aristocracy were beaten on one point , they endeavoured to regain strength in another . Mr . Vincent then at some length showed how the aristocracy have ever sought to keep the people in ignorance and debase their minds , because in this ignorance their great security consisted ; and instanced tbe state of the

      rural population , who are still tbe least educated , and who are taught from their childhood up to reverence mere wealth and rank , without asking whether tbeir possessors are good and virtuous , and deserve their respect He ( Mr . V . ) liked civility , but not servility , because he saw under it the fruits of tbe slavish system that enslaved and debased them . He was not there to flatter tbe working classes ; and he must toll them , that though there was more intelligence among them than among the agricultural , yet they were too much caught by mere glitter and show , and their minds too much turned towards the aristocracy by the raree show and " good old sports" they so generously provided for the people , in order to keep up tbeir " manly character "such as boxing , bull-baits , and cock and dog

      fights;all to debase the minds of the multitude , so that they might change tbe sport when they pleased , and turn tbe dog-fight into a national one . To the working olaases , be bad a few words of advjee to give : —they must obtain greater knowledge In every department of trade , and this was to be got by increasing their intelligence and general knowledge . An intelligent man was a courageous man ; and be would not rest contented with a pig-sty while there was a palace open for him . But though they were not yet so intelligent as thsy might and ought to be , yet they were intelligent enough for the exercise of the franchise , and those who were not so at present , would soon acquire knowledge . But if the middle and working classes were all intelligent , and were divided among themselves , they would do no

      good . If government saw that they were resolved on obtaining an object , the first thing it would endeavour to do would be to sow dissensions among them : and for this purpose would employ , as it bad done before , tbe press and the pulpit also , besides other means . In tbe Chartist Convention of 1839 , many bad men took part in the movement , and spies were paid by Government , to introduce themselves into the society of Chartists . [ Of this Mr . Vincent related an instance he himself knew of . ] If the government saw the anti-Corn Law League and Chartists united for the attainment of Universal Suffrage , they would feat and tremble , and would seek to destroy its effect by the means he had just spoken of . Id some places—in Bath for Instancesome of the middle class bad professed themselves in

      favour of the principles of the Charter ; but the Tory press said nothing of it , and strove to revive the old pnjudioes : —this procedure , however , though It might defer for a time , would not l > ut off the day of reckoning . Mr . Vincent then went on to speak of the misunderstandings existing between the middle and working classes , and to show their folly : —there was not a working man whe would not like to be a master to-morrow if he could , and rightly so ( hear , hear ); and if the working classes were well paid , the middle classes benefited thereby , for the people were their best customers ( hear , hear)—better than the majority of the aristocracy , who , if they did give grand orders , were often excessively indignant if the tradesman should presume to send bis bill . ( Laughter . ) It must be plain to

      all that no state could stand long , if tbe people were not comfortable , for their hatred of property was engendered by tbe existence of distress , while their neighbours were rolling in wealth ; and they looked upon the rich amoag them as the cause of their distress ; but if they were uncomfortable , they would have no cause for this feeling of dislike to property . ( Hear , hear . ) If the working classes bad been to blame in disturbing meetings called by them —( and he did not wish to palliate all their conduct )—the middle classes were also to blame for tbe way In which they had been accustomed to speak of the working classes—saying they had rather be governed by St . James ' s than 8 t Giles's , which was an insult to the people . Now St James ' s bad been tried and found wanting , but St Giles ' s bad not ; and ,

      besides , what had made St Giles ' s and placed s > wall of adamant around it but the conduct of those in St James ' s ? ( Hear . ) Bat England was not all one St Giles , bat had some Intelligent men in whose hands the power of government would be safer than in tbe present bands . This language produced recrimination , and thus tbe breach was widened ; while they pursue a contrary course and mix and convene with each other , the more thsy would find 1 b each other to like . ( Cheers . ) He ( Mr . V . ) wished to see this state of things come to pass—when both olassea should meet each other on mutual grounds ; and though he did not venture to hope his bumble efforts had done much towards it , yet be hoped be bad said nothing to widen the breach . — For what , then , were the two classes to unite ! For

      the obtainment of a mere childish change 7 No I rather let them go on for a while endeavouring to convince each other of the justness of tbeir respective views ; and meanwhile the wish to promote the good of all should animate us alL Mr . Vincent then referred in terms of high commendation toth&NonccTtftrmist which was edited by a gentleman formerly resident in that town [ Mr . MiallJ and which ably advocated the necessity of great changes in our political institutions . Speaking of what we were to expect from the present Government , he asked what could we expect from Sir Robert Peel , who , at a dinner given to him at an university , said that , it ever the time came when the multitude should seem likely to get the upper band , would the aristocracy submit to it T No 1 they

      would remember their past glory , their castles , their ancient families , and splendour , and they would rise and put the multitude down ( Pretty doctrine this , ( said Mr . V . ) for an advocate of passive obedience and non-resistance , and the person who gave it was now Prime Minister aud principal adviser of the Queen f Bat the people would teach such men there was virtue and greatness among them , and that they also had something to look back upon with pride . He ( Mr . V . ; thanked Sir Robert Peel for this doctrine ; for if the few bad , aa be said , a right to resist the will of the many , bow much more right bad the many to resist tbe will of the few ? ( Loud cheers . ) Let the people teach Sit Robert Peel that they , too , had a memory ; and that no pretended legislation , no canting sympathy for

      the distresses of the people , bo tricks , ne old follies of the Whigs , dressed up afresh for 1841 , would satisfy them . ( Cheers . ) He did not wish to offend any one by thus touching upon the fallings off of tbe Whigs ; bat even tbeir friends mast ; acknowledge that , as a party , they had sadly fallen off since the days of Charles James Fox , who was very much like a Chartist , and was for Universal Suffrage . ( Hear , hear . ) Sit Robert Peel might think , perhaps , to carry on the Government in the see-saw way of the late administration ; but be hoped their supporters , though lenient to their own Government , —( laughter , )—would not be so

      to the Tories . Sir Robert was a good disciple of modern Whiggery : —there would doubtless be , on tbe opening of the Parliament , a good Queen ' s speech , plenty of promises , bat no performance . ( Laughter . ) Middle men ( said Mr . V . ) let us unite to prevent thisunite , not against Sir Robert Peel , but against the system that gives him power—asd let us seek to obtain its overthrow . ( Loud cheers . )—Mr . Vincent then expressed his readiness to answer any questions , and after a few observations on the spread of liberal principles among tbe people , and thanking the audience fer tbe patient hearing he bad bad—sat down amid loud cheering .

      The Chairman then made a few remarks , and said be hoped that in tbe central town of England—a town where the great doctrine of Universal . Suffrage had been advocated in the magnifioent diction of Robert Hall , and bad been urged by tbe fervid eloquence of a Mursell , and the glowing patriotism of a Miall , —tbe present happy occasion would not pass without some advocate for the broad right * of man , present in that hall , rising to express his consonance with Mr . Vincent ' s views . He knew that the working-men were thirsting to bear the voice of an eloquent friend of liberty then in that room , and be trusted , they would not be disappointed . The cry here became almost general for " Mr . Mursell , Mr . MurseU , " and the room nag with tremendous plaudits on the mention of that gentleman ' s name . After the lapse of a minute or two .

      The Rev . J . P . Muksell ascended the platform , when be was received with load cheering . He bad not ( said the Rev . Gentleman ) come to tbe meeting with the intention of g » ying anything—he came merely aa a listener . With Mr . Vincent ' s lectures he had been much pleased : he bad never listened to more able ones in that ball ; and he bad only to regret that ; every person of every class bad not been present to listen to them . He hoped they would do good , aad thought they most do good . He bad not been converted to any new opinion by them , for be had always been an

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      advocate ef Universal Suffrage—( loud cheers )—and not all the arguments brought against it by some of the middle class had been able to convert him from Ms opinion . Some of them objected to it because of the ignorance of the working class ; but this was no argument , because the working das * were not more ignorant than their rulers , and their ignorance was but a reflection of what was in high places —( cheers );—bad they been more virtuous , tbe working and middle classes would have been more so . He ( Mr . M . ) was in favour of electoral districts , and l onged for the day when the great principles of the Charter should be carried into effect . ( Loud applause . ) Referring to the allusion made to Mr . Miall , Mr . Mursell said they had both long entertained the same principles , and talked over the

      question in tbeir little family circles . Mr . Miall bad done great good , and had made many converts to Universal Suffrage by bis writings among the middle classes , who were before afraid of the word . What was now wanted was union ; and he hoped that would be carried Into effect by the lectures of to-nlgbt and last Tuesday ; it must be brought about by necessity . Those who composed the Anti-Corn-Law league , when disappointed in their object , would come and unite with them ( the Chartists . ) They wished to get rid of the Cora Laws , and say to tbe Chartists , Unite with us for this purpose : but when they got these laws repealed , they would not unite with the working classes la favour of Universal Suffrage . But the working class who have studied Euclid , say , the

      greater involves the less , and if you will unite with us for Universal Suffrage , then we will unite With you for the repeal of the Corn Laws . And be ( Mr . M . ) would say to the Chartists , Do not give up your rights , bat demand tbe great principles of the Charter . ( Loud cheers from the Chartists . ) The struggle now was not between mere parties , but between Aristocracy and Democracy ; the struggle , if he mistook not , was soon to be made ; and let them be ready to unite in the work , to advance the great principles of the Charter . From henceforth , this arm ( said Mr . M ., raising bis right arm ) is bared in defence of Universal Suffrage . ( Tremendous cheering . ) There was next a call for Mr . Winks , who addressed

      a few words to the meeting . He cordially approved of much that had been said by Mr . Vincent , and he would beg to propose a vote of thanks to him ( or bia lectures . ( Hear , hear . ) The general tendency of his remarks bad been to promote a better feeling between all parties : there were some other things he could have wished bad not been said , or bad been said differently ; but upon those he would not touch , for fear he might say something not so agreeable to the feelings of the assembly as what he bad said . He ( Mr . W . ) was in favour of an extension of the suffrage , though he might not go quite so far as Mr . Vincent . He cordially moved tbe vote of thanks . The Rev . Mr . Muksell seconded it

      Mr . Bairstow moved as an amendment , a resolution he had written in the course of the evening , embodying the previous one , to the following effect : — " That this meeting , in expressing its thanks to Mt . Vincent for bis able and eloquent lectures , likewise feels that the sole bond of union between the middle and working classes must be based oa the right of the latter to a full , fees , and righteous representation in Parliament " Mr . W . Kehpson , manufacturer , begged , before the amendment was put , to be allowed to make one remark . There was one sentiment he bad heard expressed tonight , which he did not think could be correct :. he therefore wished to know if he heard aright . It had been said , that if the Corn Laws were repealed , the working classes would be in a worse situation to obtain

      an extension of the Suffrage than before . Surely , if we got that measure of Reform , aad thus diminished the power of the aristocracy , we thereby gained extended power to get fuller privileges . ( Hear , hear . ) Tbe middle class have ever struggled for every measure of liberty hitherto obtained ; why , then , should tbe Chartists , though they may be of opinion that the Repeal of the Corn Laws is not so important as the Extension of the Suffrage—why should they try to repress that movement 7 Meetings bad been held to promote that object , aad bad been put a stop to ; yet the people had not been prevented from endeavouring to obtain their bject . ( Hear , hear . ) Such conduct was neither just nor wise . Surely , if tbe Corn Laws were repealed , we should be in a better position to obtain aa extension of our privileges . ( Hear , hear . )

      The Rev . Mr . Mursell rose to say he wished to withdraw the original resolution . He thought Mr . Kempaon must have referred to a sentiment expressed by him . He was not wanting in solicitude for the Repeal of the Corn Laws ; but if he was right in his assumption , there were many gentlemen la favour of the abolition of the Com Laws , but not in favour of an extension of the suffrage . Those who were against tbe extension of the suffrage would not be converted , because they bad obtained a Repeal of the Gem Laws ; and many connected with the anti-Corn Law League were directly opposed to extension of the suffrage . For instance , be knew Mr . Cobden very well , —and be did

      not hesitate to say , that Mr . Cobden was for no such thing as Universal Suffrage . ( Loud cries ef bear , bear , and mark that !) He would say to the working classes , " Support the Repeal ot the Corn Laws , bat never . at the expence of your own right" ( Cheers from the Chartists . ) He regretted the interruptions at former meetings , alluded to by Mr . Kempson , bathe hoped tbe pacific manner in which this meeting had been conducted might be taken as a sign that a bettor spirit was gaining ground : indeed , it would be a shame if at any future meeting any person were prevented fr « m expressing his sentiments . The eloquent gentleman sat down amidst tbe most rapturous and long-continued cheering .

      After a little hesitation , Mr . Winks ( who regretted much the introduction of Mr . Batrstow ' o amendment ) consented to the withdrawal of the original resolutionat tbe same time stating be quite agreed with Mr . Kempaon that the first and best thing would be for the working classes to get a good bellyful , and then try their theories . ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) Mr . Mabkhau seconded tbe amendment , which was put by The Chairman , who , before deing so , justified bis

      conduct in having proposed the amendment at the meeting to address the Queen ; and stated that , with all respect for Mr . Mursell , be was not convinced that he sheuld not be justified in so doing at any future meeting for the mere repeal of tbe Com Laws . He also said that the disturbance at that meeting was not commenced by the Chartists , but by the other party . He frankly confessed he bad been more bitter in his personalities than he should have been , owing to the fierce opposition he met with . The resolution was carried unanimonsly .

      Mr . Markham also disclaimed having gone to the Anti-Cora Law meeting on purpose to disturb Its proceedings . Mr . Vincent returned thanks for the handsome manner in which the vote of thanks had been carried , and the meeting dispersed at about half-past ten o'clock—a collection being made at the doer to defray expences . Before the meeting dispersed , the Chairman proposed three cheers for the People's Charter , Feargus O'Connor , Mr . Vinceat , and Mr . Mussell , which were givea con spirito .

      This meeting has raised great excitement among the middle classes . Mr . Mursell is being denounced by some of them ; but he and his friend , the Editor of the Nonconformist , are believed to have " nailed their colours to the mast . "

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      NEWPORT . —MOK M OUTHSH 1 KE . GREAT AND GLORIOUS VICTORY OF THE BLISTERED HANDS OVER THE BROAD CLOTH GENTRY . Oa Friday , the 10 th , in pursuance of a requisition signed by upwarda of 80 persons , & public meeting of the inhabitants took place at the Police Court , for tbe purpose of expressing to her Majesty their feelings of loyalty and attachment to her royal person , and of joy at the auspicious event of the birth of a prince . Twelve o ' clock was the hoar named by the gentry ( no doubt thinking the greater portion of the working classes would be then engaged at their work ) but , to their utter discomfiture , they found that self-interest was of little consideration when placed against the expression of public opinion , therefore at the boar appointed the Court was f ulL

      Mr . Towrisend proposed tbe ex-Mayor as Chairman , on account of bis having been in power and office at the time of the event which caused tbe present manifestation . Mr . Wells seconded tbe proposition . There was a dispute about the policy of appointing M » . Hughes in preference to the present Mayor , and a show of bands was called for , wheu the meeting unanimously concurred in Mr . Townsend ' s proposition . The Chairman , la his usual luminous manner , stated the object of the present meetiag , and hoped the public would strictly confine themselves to it Mr . Hawkins then read the address , which eon- , tainedthe usual quantum of adulation and flattery with which oar liege Lady the Queen has beea so pestered by her loyal and dutiful subjects . He moved that it be adopted .

      Mr . CaoNiM , tae Secretary of the Chartist Asso ciation said , be had an addition which he intended to propose by way of amendment ( Cheers . ) Chairman—Are you aa occupant of this town , and what is your name ? Cronin—I am , Sir , my name is Wm . Cronla . Chairman—I hope you will strictly adhere to the subject for which this meeting is called . Csoniw—Mr . Chairman aad fellow-working men , before I commence reading th * addition that I intend proposing to tbe address , I will beg leave to oSer a lew remarks , and but few . ( Cheers . ) I dam aay you are all well aware and fully convinced that there have

      beea iasinuationa and foul ^ MnwniM set forth by our enemies—that we have been denominated physical force men , torch and dagger men , or destructives of property , and God knows how much beside . We have been designated disloyal subjects ; bat they would ahow this day that they were as loyal » nd ^ f ^ ^ **• ¦ wHwff » * w « iifc He , for one , loved his Queea as much M any man , and therefore they would place no obstruction in the way of the address ; they would merely add a little to it by way of amendment Mr . Cronin then proceeded to show the utter poverty and misery ia which the working classes w « re placed throughout the land .

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      Chairman—I cannot allow you , Sir , to proceed la this style of language . Mr . Dowling , Editor of the famed Monmovihshira Merlin , arose , and appealed to the better sense of Mr . Cronin , and tried by alternate coaxing and tbxtateniu to intimidate him . ^^ Mr . Cronin—I will not be bullied or coaxed by Ms . Dowiing or any other gentleman present Mr . dowuho appealed to tbe meeting to protect himagaiest Mr . Cranin ' s attacks , and said it was not bis intention to bully any person . Mr . Cronin—I think you have dose so , inasmuch a * you had no business to interrupt or contradict me whea addressing tbe chair , it being tbe business of the Chair man to call me t j order if necessary . Chairman—Your observations are totally forei gn to the object of the meeting and the terms of the requi . sition .

      Cronin—I think , Sir , you will find my remarks quite consistent with the addition which I am about to introduce . If you look , Sir , at the manufacturing districts , you will find the condition of the working mes worse , if possible , than that of Newport Ton will find starvation and misery in the public streets and the slave brand mark on the pale-faced and emaciated form of our fellow subjects . ( Load cheers . ) The Chairman interfering , Mr . Cronin bowed submission , and proceeded to read the amendment amid frequent and vociferous cheering , as follows : ' We , yeur Majesty ' s loyal aad dutiful subjects , beg to congratulate your Majesty on the event ef your having given birth to a prince , and an heir to this kingdom , and also your recovery from the same .

      We desire at the same time to assure your Majesty that we do this , not in compliance with the established form , or custom—not as an homage due to your rank and station—but in obedience to those great aad sacred pr inciples which teach us to regard with feelings of affectionate sympathy every member of the humaa family ; for , whatever may be the distinction of rank and power which necessity may permanently , or custom and expediency temporarily require , we we all essen tially of one nature , have one common interest , one Master to serve , and cue God to adore .

      We rejoice that your Majesty is now placed in the responsible situation of parent to our future monarch , and we humbly hope your Majesty will see the necea * sity of ameliorating tbe political condition of you people , as a certain mean * of securing their devotion aad loyalty , when it may please God to call him to the throne . Believing also that it is our duty to endeavour to render your Majesty ' s reign happy , we in all sincerity vesture to point but a few means by which that power vested in you for the good of the people may be used for that righteous end .

      We beg , therefore , to represent to your Majesty the urgent necessity of appointing wise and just men to inquire into the serious and lamentable condition of the people of this country , who , though more enlightened , skilful , and industrious than any other people , are yet ia a state of dreadful poverty and misery . We believe this dtaU of things to be caused by exclusive legislation —that is , power placed in the hands of a few to the great detriment of the many , and the people , to -which such power properly belongs . We beg your Majesty also to consider the feelings of the bereaved families of Messrs . John Frost , Ze > phaniah Williams , and William Jones , and also all other political prisoners who are now exiled or imprisoned , through endeavouring fearlessly and honestly to point out a remedy for those evils ; and we most respectfully entreat your Majesty to grant them free pardons , and a remission of the remainder « f their respective sentences , that they may be restored to their wives and families . ( Long and continued cheers . )

      Mr . Wells , provision merchant , considering the addition just and reasonable , would second it ( Cheers . ) Mr . Cronin—This course will be adopted in every ton throughout the length and breadth of the land . Mr . Dowling—Addresses have been carried ia Bath , Cheltenham , and several other places , which he named . Mr . Townsend said , it was & delicate subject to deal with . He concurred with Mr . Dowiing that any difference of opinion would seem as a want of loyalty ; but he wished to know if there wa 3 any inconsistency in staUng-tbe distress of the country to her Majesty at theaame time as the congratulation , as it was useless to appeal where there was no power , but to where there was power , and a will to use it justly . ( Lend cbetrs . )

      Mr . Wm . Edwards said , he admired the language of the gentlemen , and especially that ol Mr . Townsend , but wondered that Mr . Bowling should allow himself to be carried away by the warmth of his temperament It was of vital importance that they should take the present opportunity of addressing her Majesty for themselves ; they never could have a better one . Mr . Edwards then proceeded to show tbe great and terrible distress which prevailed , with considerable tact and ability . He said the working classes were utterly destitute , tbe middle classes on the verge of bankruptcy , aud that in four years time , it would bring down Us

      aristocracy . ( Loud cheers . ) He would suggest that a few or tbe gentlemen wonld reconsider the address sad amendment , and endeavour to form a proper addna out of both , so as to gain unanimity , and carry out tin object of beth parties . ( Hear , hear , and cheea . ) Mr . E . alluded also to the paragraph in the addition concerning Frost , Williams , and Jones , and urged the meeting strenuously to seek for a remission of their sentences , and concluded by wishing the Queen happiness daring her life , but at its close , he hoped Monarchial Government would be closed foi ever in England . ( Cheers . )

      At this stage of the proceedings the consternation visible in the countenances of tbe tithe-fed parsons wai ludicrous in the extreme . One of them left the room accompanied by a few would-be-thought over-loyal sad weak-stomached gents . Mr . Jones then rose and said , Mr . Chairman and Gentlemen , I wish to Bay a few words in behalf of my follow working men , and the course which we have this day adopted . Some may think it presumption in us to correct your proceedings , or break the unanimity of this meeting ; but , gentlemen , we will shew you that such is not our intention , as we wish to tee unanimity and cordiality prevail in every public ' meeting . We do not intend to say anything against the original address ai far as it goes , but wish to see those things contained in

      the amendment added to it ( Cheers . ) Some may say it is not our place , as working men , to interfere in a cause where so many men of wealth are engaged in it , but permit me to say , Mr . Chairman , that I consider the man who would appl y his wealth and influence to retard the progress of liberty , a tyrant whom all men should hold in abhorrence and contempt I regard ejery rich man in proportion to tbe good use he makes of it Whenever a public meeting is called to send an address or petition to either the Houses of Parliament or to royalty , as a Briton I claim the right of expressing ray opinions on the subject , it being a legacy bequeathed to us by our ancestors . The Queen hath entered into a solemn covenaat with her people , aid by virtue of that covenant she has a heavy call upon us , that la to defend the territories at home and abroad .

      and to support her Government ; also , we , on the othef hand have got a great demand upon her , i . « . that aha should listen to our grievanoes , and do all that is in her power to redress them , and , therefore , we eaniot let slip the present opportunity of laying before her a few of the heavy burdens , under which we labour , and I cannot possibly see how the amendment already proposed should diminish the loyalty and congratols * tions of the original address . The royal babe is called tbe Prince of Wales , and I have no doubt many Webb ' men are proud of it , but they would be infinitely more bo if they found , that such an happy event should be the means of her Majesty paying a little attention to the grievances of the people . I beg leave to support the amendment , because it contains the opinions of the great masses of the principality of Wales .

      The gentlemen endeavoured by promises' to prevail on Mr . Croniu to abandon his addition , but without effect They held out promises to call a meeting for the express purpose of considering tbe distress of the country ; the Mayor and others promised their support and encouragement , and tried every means in their power to put off the amendment , but Mr . C . and hit friends remained firm . The Chairman then endeavoured to put the origin * address without the amendment , when he was informal respectfully by Mr . C . that if he did not put W amendment , he wonld take the liberty of doing *> himself . After sitting for a length of time and looking unutterable things , the Chairman declared the meeting dissolved .

      Mr . Cronin immediately proposed three eheew fot Frost , Williams , and Jones , also for Feargus O'Connor , and the Northern Star , and the Charter , which were responded to in such an enthusiastic manner as woald bite gladdened the hearts of tbe exiles had they heard it

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      Alt , the Mills at Chorley , near Bolton , were at ft stand last week , and the workmen " turned out upon the master-cotton-spinners attempting to reduce their wages twelve-and-a-half per cent . CoNvicnoH of Sir Edward Kkatchbull po » Evading a T « ll . —On Sir Edward Knatchbull accepting office , last September , in Sir R . Peers Ministry , a new election of course took place for the county of Kent . A Monday was the day appointed for the nomination , and Sir Edward KnatchbuU * who lived twenty miles from Barham Downs , where the election was to take place , left his home oa Saturday , in order to arrive in time on Monday , sad . void tmellinaoa Sunday . The Right Honourable Baronet considered this travelling for the purpose of

      an election , aad on that account be refused to pay the tolls . For refusing at a gate near Can ^ urv , he was eummoned before the magistrates of that city on Monday . The court was crowded to hear the casa . Counsel attended on both sides , and , after rpafceu investigation , the magistrates decided that Sir Edward had unlawfully claimed the exemption , ana fined him in the earn of £ 2 2 s ., « d 8 s . 6 d . cos * The Right Hon . Baronet announced his determination to appeal from the conviotion . Tfle qaeatwn involved w of oonfliderable importance to trustees of turnpike roads , and peraonB having business ** elections . It will tend to mulct the former , if a" «» electors of a county may leave their homes on Saturday to attend a Monday ' s election , and be a great convenience to many freeholders .

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      6 THE NORTHERN STAR . ¦ .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 27, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct730/page/6/