Current:

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

Page 4
Page 4
4 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (2)
    • Death or the Americas President Death or the Americas President.
    • THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, MAY 1, 1841.
  • Text (9)
  • 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

      FREEDOM OF DISCUSSION : CORN LAW LEAGUE LIBERALITY . TO THE EDITOB OF THE SOKTHEHN STAR . 8 lR , —To give the country some idea , of the nature of the anti-Corn Law party , I ¦ w ill relato to you the proceedings of a meeting held in Addingham , on Monday timing last , for that purpose . I attended aa a speaker at a Chartist public meeting in Siisden on the « ame day , and at the concinsion of basiness I was invited to go to Addinfham . ta assist in arguing the merit * ef Chartism in opposition to the Corn Liw humbug , at a meeting , of the middle class men . in the Odd Fellows' Hall , of that town . Thinking

      it only right that the inhabitants should hear both Bidet of the question , I accordingly wentthere , accompanied by a few friends from Keighley and Silsden . On entering the room , which is capable of holding five or six hundred , I perceiTed a few middle men in one corner talking the thing oTer in evident alarm , haTing heard that thsre was a prospect of opposition Tery won after my arrival the room was well filled , ¦ when a carious looking fellow , said to be the constable , walked into the chair without cocsnlting the meeting . Ho then got np and read the cry calling the Meeting , jnd announced his readiness to hear any person who was disposed t « addrea the meeting on the subject

      This invitation "was no sooner made than a ptrson , acting in the double capacity of a Methodist parson and cobbler , got np and said , 1 propose that the petition we haTe got np be adopted ; and before he had queezdd the words out of his msnth , another griniioeking fellow in a earner bawled oat , I second the motion . With this brief introduction—without a word baring been said either pro or con—they were on the point of jmfcting it , "when I stepped forward , and said , " Mr . Chairman , I wish to make a few observations before you try the motion . " "Yon have no business hfcre , " cried oui the parson , " we shall allow no one to speak here but those who -will sign the petition . " I said " The < 3 hairmin will perhaps allow me to speak . " " No ,

      yon are a Chartist , " bawled out the pirson , " and y » n ahill not speak here . " The bulk of the meeting , conaistiiig of working men , said they were determined that 1 should ba heard ; " for , " said they , " if truth is jowr object you should bear every one speak . " " We Will hear no person speak , ' * 'said the Corn Law men , Who is a Chartist . " Here the confusion wa * beyond description . " Come and sign the petition , " shouted tbe parsen as he stood upon the table , " and throw the Chartists out of the room . " This was answered by the people calling out , " Sign it thyself , thon cobbling parson ; tbou wants to get thy living without working . Thou applied to be a policeman , and the governor of Siipton BiStile , and they would not have tbea" Another person , whom I . took to be either a

      parson or a doctor , peeped off at a comer and said , * ' the Chartis ' j will all go to hall ,. ; they are & lo ^ of tkieves , " and away he ran down the steps as if Beelrebub was after him , to taks him home . Another fellow , of the same party , got his mouth to my ear , and bawled out till he almost split his month , " you are come here to pick our pockets .: You are come to win us , you thief , you ; " while another of them got bold of me by the collar , and said , " you will get put in prison if you do not get off out of this room . You have spoiled the concern , you d—& rascal . You are a paid Chartist , to make mischief . " I continued to speak amidst all this uproar , till I was nearly exhausted , and had gained the general approbation ot the meeting with tke exception of the few in the

      • orner . At this stage of , the business , the parson agate mounted the table , a » d said , " the motion was carried unanimously . " Not willing to allow this falsehood to pass , I got up also , and said , " Sir , you are mistaken ; " his answer was , " you are a liar . " " Well , then , " said I , " to prove the matter , all you Who are in favour of Universal Suffrage , and against the Corn Law League , hold up your hands , " when the whole meeting held up their hands with the exception Of the old half dosan . The parson then got off the table , and seiaing it by one end , threw both table , inkstand , and myself , on to the floor , shouting in a rage , "there , take that , you sinner , " for your impudence , I Would do more if I durst , and 1 wish All Chartists were at the devil" As soon as I recovered from the

      Soaring effects of the s&infs strength of body , I got np again , and told Mel I was much obliged to him for so many proofs of his Christian charity , " bat they sheuld not deter me from speaking the truth , and exposing their hypocrisy , and that I was willing to discuss the question with any mxn they cwu' .-i Snd , either then or at any other time . " We will not hear you , you scamp , " said the parson . On asking the meeting who the fellow was , " O , " said they , " Le is a csbbler , but he does not like to work , and wi ' J ratter preach 01 do any kind of dirty work Bks this {>*»¦ " stick to his last and bristles . " Through the exceedingly crowded state of the room , and the uproarious conduct of the half dozen , 1 w&s by this time nearly suffocated , and by way of finish , I raid—All

      those who want the Charter , follow me ; and let all Who want to hunt after a repeal of the Corn Laws , - * Uy wi ; h these blackguards . I then left the room , ad got into the street , and in less than five minutes I >«¦* the whole meeting at my heels . With the exception of eight solitary individuals , who were left to mourn on the failure of their scheme . Just at this time , the Addingham band of musicians made their appearance , and assisted , by their excellent abilities , in celebrating our glorious victory over the knot left behind in the building . As I wished to explain to them the principles of the Charter , which I h&d been in a measure unable to de before , I addressed them to the effect that the object

      of the Corn Law Leaguers was not to benefit the working people , and that the middle-class men were their greatest enemies- That if ^ they wanted to benefit themselves , as working people , they should is * 1 st in getting the Charter , and never depend upon what others would do for them , but place themselves in a petition to work out their redemption ; for what this Government give * to day , they can take away to-morrow . At the conclusion of my address , thr < -e cheers Were given for O'Connor and tke Charter , and three groans for Daniel O'ConnelL After frequent solicitations 1 promised to pay them another" visit The band then played another march , and the people , went Vo their homes crying Hurrah for the Charier . Thomas B . Kxowl-es . Keighley , April 27 , 1 S « .

      Untitled Article

      MR . SPURR . TO THE XDIT » E OF THE XOB . IHEB . K STAi . £ ir , —As one ot the delegates who met at Manchester in July last , when the original plan Jor a national organisation was devised , and feeling , as I do , deeply interested in its ultimate success , by which the united puwtri , energies , and resources , moral , philosophical , and intellectual , as well as pecuniary , of the enslaved millions , were to be called into active operation against the citadel « f tyranny and corruption , I cannot in terms sufficiently rtroag express my sorrow that anything should have occurred to prevent the accomplnhznsnt of an object so desirable to every lover of liberty Ktd justice .

      Sir , I am free to admit , 1 am willing to acknowledge , Bad ready to confess , that that plan was not altogether waeh as to arrest the attention , and secure the hearty o-operation . of the legally-fearful and physically-timid professors of our creed ; and , therefore , £ nch , nnder the fear of courts of justice , glooray prisons , and clanking irons , had an undoubted right to stand aloof ; and , if they thought proper , to propase a plan of their own , M Lovett and Collins have done , in my opinion , tw » right is Inherent in every individual in every country and in every clime ; but it does not follow that erery man exercising his own individual right , in his own way , would be acting a wise and prudent part either to himself or his fellow-man : nay , quite the reverse wonld be the case , for , if every Chartist was to eome forth with his own individual plan , there would be as many plans as there are Chartuts ; and , therefore , the union which Messrs . Lovett and Co . profess to desire , would never be found to exist , and consequently oar object never obtained .

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

      Soccess will never attend any undertaking for the advancement of our cause , where nnity of action , as well as unity of object , is not found to prevail ; and snity of action can only exist where the majority are allowed to direct Will it be said that , by going with the majority I do wrong , because the majority are Cor Feargus O'Connor , and have established a sort of « aa-worship ? Be it so ; but they are mistaken . I "Will never be one to cry , I * m lor Paul , Apollos , or Otphas , O'Connor , Lovett , or Collins . No , no , I am for Mbvty—universal liberty . Who is 0 Connor ? who is Lovett ? or who is Collins f Can they get the Charter , « tkber the one or the other , or the three combined ? Certeixly sot Then , Sir , I have an independent right to follow tb * dictate * of my own mind , and remain tn board the ffooi thip Charter , which ha » weathered so long " the

      fettle and the breesV' and refuse to risk my noble man on the new constructed raft , in a boisterous ¦ M , without being guilty of paying a devoted homage , « r yielding a blind obedience , to O'Connor , or any other f the officers appointed by the crew . Away with all Mfly nonsense and flimsy subterfuge * ; tke ignorant working classes are throwing aside their leading ¦ tzings ; and I hail with feelings of unutterable p ' ea-Bne the present aspect of the people ' s determination no longer to be duped by leaders crying " " lo here and lo there ; " and itisniy firm belief , that if Feirgus 0 Con-» or wa » to attempt to act in an arbitrary manner in the position in which the people have placed him . from that moment he ¦ would cease to command their respect and esteem , and would be thrown oveiboard , as others have been bef on him .

      Untitled Article

      There is no despotism or tyranny in giving an opinion , or holding out a recommendation ; although some have attributed it to O Connor , in recommending certain perseni as fit to sit on the Petition Convention . 1 do not , and therefore beg to recommend to the Executive Council the propriety of getting the articles , or Iteneral laws and rules for the government of the National Association printed as soon as possible ; as also to call their attention to the necessity of immediately taking measures for the establishment of a daily evening Star , which two things , especially the paper , would produce , in mj opinion , greater results in one year , than Mr . Luvetfs plan in twenty . Longing for that liberty for -which I -will ever contend in union with the million * , I am , Sir , Its feeble Advocate , Richabd Spu&b . No . 91 , St John ' 8-street , Smithfleld Bars , London , April 26 th , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

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

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

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

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

      Death Or The Americas President Death Or The Americas President.

      Death or the Americas President Death or the Americas President .

      The British Queen , Captain Franklin , reached Liverpool on Wednesday , bringing New York papers to the 12 th , Baltimore , Boston , and Philadelphia to the lltb . The arrival of the British Queen puts ua in possession of the important announcement of the death of General Harrison , the new President of the American Republic , after the short reign of one month in the high office to which he h&d been elected by the citizens of the United States . The gallant General breathed his last on the morning of the 10 th , and the Vice-President ( John Tyler ) was installed in the Presidemal Chair of his predecessor on the fth . The prevailing opinion at New York ie , that President Tyler will carry out the views of General Harrison's foreign policy , but that the question of a National Bank will not meet his encouragement . — The political and commercial news from the United States is unimportant .

      Untitled Article

      THE "NEW MOVE ; " ITS OSTENSIBLE CONCOCTORS ; THE TROWBRIDGE CRITICS ; AND THE "NORTHERN STAR . " Elsewhekk we pnbliBh , at the request of the subscribing parties , an epistle from certain Chartists , members of the Genera ] Council , residing at Trowbridge , first published in the Sun , and addressed " to the ChartiBts of Great Britain , and more particularly to Mr . Hill , the Editor of the Northern

      Star , and Mr . William Lovett . " We admit the right of all Chartists in the Empire to criticise the style and manner of our publio advocacy of the principles of truth , while we insist equally on our own right to choose oar owa style , provided always that it be just- We ask only that , in criticising as , our friends shall act on their own principles—that they shall avoid the fault they attribute to us—'' intemperate language" and unju 3 t assertion . We deny emphatically their assertion that

      " la the XorUiej-n Slur ef the 17 th instant , there is an editorial article abounding from first to last , and in every variety of low phraseology , with charges and imputations of fraud , falsehood , and trickery against Messrs . Lovett and Collins . " Our observations were directed not against those gentlemen individually , but against the new national project , which they have published , and the mode of its publicauoa . We ask the writers of this letter to read 3 gain the article referred to—to read their own letter with it , and to tell us the single "

      imputatation" contained in our article that is not borne out and sustained by their letter . In the first article we wrote on this subject , we say distinctly the > e word 3 : — " Let us ixol be misunderstood . We make no charge against the tur gentlemen whose names are appended to the document . We know some of them to be men incapable of any thing dishonest or dishonourable ; and ice know nothing to the contrary of any of them ; but v > e say that the scheme is capable of being thus perverted ; and thai , therefore , it is not one which the people ought to lake any steps for bringing into operation . "

      Is this , then , the scurrility , " the "every variety of low phraseology , " the "imputations of fraud , falsehood , and trickeiy , " of which onr Trowbridge friends complain ! And yet we defy them to point out anything in onr article of the 17 th , inconsistent with this , or any " imputation" against either Lovett or Collins whioh is not equally strongly brought in their own letter . We adopt most fully the very language of our Trowbridge friends , and we use it as the justification of the language we have ourselves used

      throughout the whole of our strictures on this " New Move . " "We concur with that address [ the address of the ' New Move' gentlemen ] that we [ that ie , the people ] must become our own Bocial and political regenerators , or that we shall never eujoy freedom . " And , therefore , wo denounce the system of a self-elected board of management , into whose hands the people are modestly asked by the "New Move" gentry to put the application of £ ¦ 255 , 480 , without having a shadow of contreul over its expenditure .

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

      ought not to countenance it . We beg our Trowbridge frieadi to read the published doownents of the " New Move" care / ui / y ; they will find them all in the Star of the 10 th , and they will then see whether we cast upon it any " imputations " unduly . Again we adopt the language of our Trowbridge friends in reference to this ** New Move ' most cordially : — " Distriot halls , circulating libraries , missionaries , tract 3 , and so forth , all Beem to us well calculated to eacourage and ensure an enlightened public opinion ; to fortify and consolidate the strength of our friends ; and to mitigate the fears cf those who oppose us from not understanding our objects . Bat then—and here we come to the

      Untitled Article

      point to which we alluded at the outset , and on which we altogether differ from Mr . Lovett and the four other gentlemen acting withhim in thoaddressthey propose to establish * n Association to carry out their plan . In this we see them altogether wrong . We do not call them—our injustice would be greater than their deficiency of judgment if we were to call them ' thieves , liars , and traitors , ' but we think that they have committed a great error , and the sooner they acknowledge it the better we Bhall think of their sincerity and consistency . We have an association—the National Charter Association—chosen in the most fair and publio manner , and all but universa ly recognised as the Representatives of the Chartists of Great Britain . Already has this body met and aeted in its

      representative capacity ; and we may refer to the zeal with which one of their laws has been carried out—that of enforcing on every publio meeting the Charter and its principles—as a proof , and a strong one , of our faith in its wisdom . To these our representatives^—the National Charter Association—Messrs . Lovett , &c , ought in our opinionyir * J to have submitted their plan ; it would have been received and discussed with all the respect and consideration it so well merited ; and , if there adopted , would thus have been girded wiih a moral strength that would have gone far to secure its success . "

      Again , then , while we thank our Trowbridge friends for the expressions of good opinion contained in their letter , we would seriously ask them to shew us the just grounds for the censure with which they have seen fit to risit us . Our fault seems , however , in the estimation of our Trowbridge friends , to have extended beyond the range of our own fire . We are censured for not censuring others—for not having taken the whole country to task in reference to the stroDg resolutions of opinion come to on the subject of this " New Move" by a great many portions of the people . Our

      friends talk of " holding up a man in triumph on a Tuesday , and knocking him down on a Wednesday ; " but this is really knocking us down both Tuesday and Wednesday . They complain of having lately observed in our paper what they M cannot but consider a spirit of intolerance towards every opinion but that of its editor ; " they remind us very preperly , that" the day of dictation is gone by ;" and then they find fault with us for not dictating to the whole people the opinions they shall form , and the manner in which they shall be expressed !

      For ourselves , we say at once that any Buoh onrBe as our Trowbridge friends seem to point to us for adoption would , as we think , be highly " despotic ;" and much rather would we incur even justly the censure of our Trowbridge friends for being , now and then , intemperate in our own language , than assume the right of moulding public opinion to our own will and pleasure , by commenting upon every resolution emanating from meetings of the people , which did not exactly square with our own critical notions of policy .

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

      the press in general , as well as by the thinking and reflecting portion of Chartists , instead of being made a legitimate subject for discussion , waa only made the bu ) 'j&ct ot contempt and ridicule by the people ' s organ , the Northern Star , the editor of which designated national education as a " national jackass , " and without condescending to review or rebut the arguments we had adduced , hinted that our plan waa altogether worthless . "

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

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

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

      Now , supposing this statement to be correct , what wonld it prove ? What inference could be fairly drawn from it t We were long aware of the " Secret Move . " Various parties were very importunate with us on the matter of alleged illegality iu the Constitution and Government of the National Charter Association , which they desired us to lay before the public . We knew well , and at ones , that the object was just that which ha 3 since appeared , namely , to engender fear of the law , and suspicion of the leaders . The matters objected to by the " New Move" men had not escaped our notice ; we

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

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

      did any other person employed at this office by our authority or with our knowledge . We know nothing of the article which Mr . Lovett speaks of as Mr . Place ' s , and as having been inserted without acknowledgement ; but we suppose it to mean an article on the law of organisation which we first inserted in ths Star % the week before the sitting of the Delegate Mettiag , by which the National Charter Association was organised . Some months previous to that period , tome person sent us anonymously a placard of the Political Union of 1832

      ot the law of political societies , and though it contained no new information to us , for we had in our possession the Acts of Parliament to which it referred , yet , as it gave a valuable digest of their provisions in brief space , we folt obliged to the party , and reserved it for use , if needful—that placard we used as a ready written articleattlie time above stated . Wehavesincelearned that it was sent byMr . Place , though we did not know it then . We suppose that to be the article to which Mr . Lovlmt alludes , and in respect of which he geema very desirous to insinuate somo charge of

      Untitled Article

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

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

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

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

      But Mr . Lovett says that they would admit Peel , Rus » u , and Wellington , if they chose to join us . Now , we would not , at any price , and for this reasoa , that their objeet would be to disunite us , to divide and conquer us . Iu conclusion , then , we ask the Trowbridge Councillors whether the ; are now satisfied by the reply of Mr . Lovett , that legality or illegality was a mere trick , aa Mr . Lotett says , distinctly , that the legality of its present altered form ia a question upon which

      he does not feel himself called upon to offer an opinion . We ask them to take that as the ultimatum , as the determination , of Lomsxt and Co . to proceed in that course which the Trowbridge Councillors so heartily depreoate , and to awrt whichjhey would do so much' and make such concession , —a « d then let them say whether their bland and soothing phraseology has gone further ki convincing obstinate men against their will , thao our fiercer denunciation and unsoftened publication of a people ' s just and reaeonabl » sentiments .

      Let our course be travelled over , from the commencement of the plan to the present , and we defy the Trowbridge Council to come to any other conclusion than that we have discharged our duty honestly , and with as much mildness-as the cireumstancea would admit . If they imagine that calling high offences by pet names is likely to correct error , they will find their mistake . We defy them , in any on * aiiigle insiacoe , to point out a case in which the Editor of the Star

      has been scurrillous , dogmatical , or vituperative ; hut when attacks are made upon the people ' s cause , we care not from what battery the shot comeswhether from Whig , Tory , or sham-Radical—we saall fire metal , th » heaviest ia our store ; and , inasmuch as we see no reason , upon reflection , to retract , alter , » r qualify what we have said , upon the one hand , nor yet censure what the country has more boldly said upon the other ; we cannot

      now doubt but we shall have the co-operation of our Trowbridge friends . 1 In conclusion , wo cannot refrain from thinking that the publication , of matter reflecting upon us , in the Sun newBpa . per ,.-will at once show that the open eensure upon us waa intended as disguised praise for those with whom ib professed to find feult . However we have great pleasure in referring our readers to the subjoined letter , addressed by Mr . John Moore , one of the Councillors , to Mr . F . O'Connor .

      " Tijowbridffe , 34 , Mortimer-street , « April 2 ® th v 1841 . "Honoured Si » , —Most probably you have seen our address in the itily Sun newspaper , of the 22 d inst . The reason «* ' our sending out that address in the manner we did , was , we thought that there might be some misunderstanding between parties , and not wishing to see any bad feeling or split in our . ranks , wo thought that it might be the means

      of doing some good , by pointing , oat to Messrs . Lovett and Co ., where we thought they had done wrong . We also made some remarks respecting the warmness of sonw words of the Editor of the Star ; but , on seeing your letter in the Star of last Saturday , we are led , to believe that it is a Whig scheme . On Monday evening we had a public meeting , when tho questiuu was well discussed , coolly and deliberately . After some time the following resolutions were unanimously agreed to : —

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

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

      Untitled Article

      O'CONNELL'S MEM BER FOR NOTTINGHAM . During the fever of a contested election is not just the time to judge either of the relative fitness of the candidates , or of the motives which may induce many honest and consistent electors to vote with apparent inconsistency . The meddling morning and evening drabs of the metropolis , however , judge only in the midst of excitement , knowing that their only chance of catching anything is to snap it actually out of the

      fire . Tho Whigsoannot , indeed they do not , expe ' ct anything frbm sober judgment . The mere bubbles of excitement themselves , they still live in their native element . Bat now , perhaps , Easthope , Young , and Co . and the remainder of the conspira tors , will have time for reflection ; if , in truth , they ever do reflect . Perhaps they will now have discovered that Mr . John Walter is not the Chartist , but the O'Connell Member for Nottingham . Walter is the O'CoNNELLMember for Nottingham ; and , from that fact , let hia servants at Downingstreet learn to estimate the full value of his name as a

      permanent partner in the firm of Melbourne , O'Connell , and Co . It does well enough for a booby , with the means , to enter into partnership with * sharper having the Wats , now and then . The firm may thrive for a season , but , in the long run , the chap with the way * will swamp the chap with the means , and then the odium must be equally borne by the innocent and the guilty ; though , in truth , in the present instance , neither of the parties appear to have the slightest advantage , beyond that which a superior knowledge of hia trade gave to the old juggler .

      The misfortune however is , that tho Whigs , as a firm , are ruined , and for ever ; their promissory uote , bond , or I O U-, not being worth their weight in pa ; er ; while he with the ways will set up fresh business upon Ins own account ; the frauds whic

      Untitled Article

      he practised upon bis old partners , the Whiga , bemg his principal slook-in-trade . Yes , the man whose unprincipled support of an easy-going faction , who has been the means of returning Mr . Walteb , and of arraying all England against the 7 Ymwserring ministry , will go to the Corn Exchange and make money of his own delinquency . O'Conrell returned Walter , because , had the Whigs relied upon , good works , instead of upon the corrupt support of the most profligate , disbonest , unprinoipledt cold-blooded ^ politician that ever lived , they would not have been so hard pressed of late ; neither would they have been deserted , in the hour of need , by those upon whose backs they rode to office and whose bellies they pinched in return .

      Mr . O'Connor has very often , and very truly , told the people that the existence of three political parties in a state is incompatible with the existenoe of good order and harmony , and that we should anihilate one of them before we could be acknowledged as a distinct party . We have been told that we , the Chartists , are no party ; that we may bo quelled with a breath and courted with a feather ; aud if the Chartists of Nottingham had so far forgotten their own dignity , as to have strengthened tho " base , bloody and brutal' faction , Eastuopk , when next making merry with the hospitable Premier , wonld have said— you see my Lord , A wife , a Chartist , and a walcmt tree , Tbe more you beat them the better they'll be .

      We can abuse them for six days in the week and frighten them apon the seventh , by the magic of ' Oh ! 60 , fie , naughty , naughty children , would you unite with your ' natural enemies . ' " We have now shown that we would , and will agaio , against our " unnatural friends . " But the Whig scribes have gone npon the wild assumption , that support of Mr . Walte * proves the Chartists to have tuvoed Tories ; as well might they say that support of Larpent would prove them to have turned Whigs ; and , lacking all otherjjust cause

      for congratulation on- the event , being spaced the ignominy and disgrace of being called Whigs of itself suffices . No , but the fact is , either Whigs r Tories must bid for the Chartists £ 10 ,. £ S , £ 8 , £ 7 , £ 8 , £ 5 , £ 3 , £ 2 , £ 1 ); Universal Suffrage v that ' s their price ; and as to any hope from , or affection for Mr . Walter , the Chartists of Nottingham , hare none whatever . Indeed , they consider him so thorough a political rip , that they look upon'their triumph as being complete in proportion to his-unwortniness .

      Whoever supposed that a Chartist would have voted for Walter against a working man ! Not one ioNottingham ; so they ? have sent poison , deadly poison , " night shade , " if th » y will it , among ou * virtuous rulers . Walter is not the representative of the people of Nottingham ; he is O'Connelil ' s child , hiB own legitimate offspring , begotten by Dan , upon the body of Whig folly ; while with the Chartists he is u achoice- af evils . "

      Coalitions are things most whimsically spoken of , according to the whim and icaprice of those affected * by the act , and out of small causes great results * sometimes spring . The result of Walter ' s return for Nottingham will bo a Wellington , Peel , Melbourns , and Rvssell coalition , highly approved of by the Chronicle as a means of getting rid of Dan ; and thus will the Chartiats of Nottingham have deserved tbe principal glory of having destroyed both factions , by making them wdHr . in their strength and jealoas in their union .

      Suppose Walter , Easthopr > and O'Connor had stood for Nottingham at a general election , with two vacancies , how , in such case , would the poll stand ? ' Walter 4 , tOO , Easthopb 4 , 000 , O'Connor 400 ; not a Chartist would vote against O'Connor , while Whigs and Tories would unite against him ^ But to prove the great reaction in ths public , mind . If the Whigs were aeked , some two years ? ago to what constituency it ; would be most safe to ~ " commit" a Minister ! the answer would have been ,. " Oh ! to Nottingham of course . " Where now will , they send Sir Jons C . Hoshouse ! who we are * assured was fairly staggered- by the announcement * of Wa ^ ier ' 8 return .

      There is not a better Chartist town in England < than Nottingham ; in proof whereof we merely state ' that wa anticipate a greater number of signatures to the National Petition from Nottingham than from any other town in . England , Scotland , or Wales * in proportion to the number of inhabitants , with the exception of Glasgow , Barnsley , and Huddaisfield . Tho Chartists of England have jast reason to , be thankful to their Nottingham brothers , for the noble manner in which they have triumphed 1 over Whiggery .

      Will Lord John RussEiiiLnow believe O'Cowmoa ' s petition , that the people would oppose every , man who . either voted for the Starvation Act , or- who did not pledge himself against it ? Will the little fellow now say that a meeting of poor people , inet to . petition against the damnation law att Manchester , were unworth ? of consideration because they were not respectable , or persons of nofcs , that ib . notorious persons , vtt suppose , like his . Lordship ! Will they now * dissolve ! that ' s the rub ! If they do , hurrah for the resistance and no surrender ! Then we will show them whether or no we have power .

      Oh ! what a glorious minority of about 180 her Majesty will have ia the nexC j ? . arliameaa of torch and dagger , physical force , fire-eating destructives —of every-thing-in-the-way-to-the-Treasary Chartists ! We never had the ball fairly up before ; we must now keep it moving . In order to shew the real feeling of the Irish people upon Whig clap-trap , we insert the following , upon the Nottingham election v from the Dublin World , certainly the most Radical * honest , and consistent paper in Ireland : —

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

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

      are a little partial to him . Mr . O'Connell pronounced an eulogium upoa Vincent , tfie Char list leader , at a late niectiDg ; aud we observe that be is fighting the battle of Walter at Nottingham . The masses have taken up the view of the Conservative gentleman mentioned in the Times—who refused to subscribe money to swell the Carl ton Club stock purse , upon the score that ' nothing could be gained by turning out Ministers , as their places would be filled by another set of scoundrels equally bad '—and hardly care which side wins . "

      Untitled Article

      THE SHORT PARLIAMENT . THE CRISIS . It is , in some instances , a great misfortune to be compelled to register weekly opinions upon an unsettled state of society , which , though in part true , and now and then prophetic , are ever and anon liable to be made fly in your face , by the caper of a clown , the wheelabout of a Jim Crow , or the turnabout of one having authority . With all these fears before us , however , we can safely appeal to our registered opinions in proof of tho little we have ever expected , or led our friends to expect , either from the strength of their parliamentary friends , or from the weakness of their parliamentary foes . We have endeavoured to turn attention wholly and altogether from the parliament to the people ; and we rejoioe to say that we have not failed iu our undertaking .

      Untitled Article

      We h * ve published meagre roports , and ao reports , of . the heresies , ignorances , insults , and follies of " tht' House ; " and our readers have judged of the sack from the sample , and felt most pleased at seeing our space altogether unencumbered by parliamentary juggling , traffic , and thimbl e-rig . But if we have hitherto been soeptical , we do now as vouched by our bi dding , see a change , and a va st and mighty ehange ; and at no great distance . 4 change which must be for the better for the people ag worse it possibly avmot be . As to what that change shall te , now . mainly depends upon %

      exertions , unanimity , firmiesa , and resolution of the "Short Parliament . " W . e do not mean the chapg who have been sitttag , and i . ving , and crowing , md eating , and drinking « ncethe 2 ffth of'January till now and who have merely provided for" physical force" to collect rents for fund-lords , land-lords , mill . ] Ords king-lords , queen-lords , and the Lord knows who ! No ; we iiean the " bakers' dozen "—th * lhirt « nJ the cheap fcread parliament , which meets an London on Monday next , the 3 rd of May . To these men now l ook , a * d we can assure them the coantryjeefef with an anxiety even greater than that whi « ft wag felt upon the assembling of the old Convention ,

      It is for the » to prove whether or not all that w * then done was done for good or for evil . It wilpfo for them to pay . whether or no we are to stut from that point where they left eff , or to pull all tW has been done t » pieces , with a view to the mora masterly arrangement of the parts . In their deliberations they shook ! bear in mind that the party which they now so creditably represent has sprung from contemptible notice into universal observation . That at the period when the old Coo- I ? ention met , they wove looked upon as the mere I babbles of disturbed waters , whiJ * those who how represent us will be considered as a part of the vast current of publio opinion , before which all most sooner or later yield .

      It is true that no minnteguns will announce the opesmg of their deliberations ; no throne will arrest I the attention of gaping fool *; : no fooJ will sit upon it I to be gaped at ; no military will line the streets to add to the pageant attendant upon the opening of the anmal ** raree show ; " ho-usherr or gold stick or Sergeant at arms , or Meoe , or Purser , or Speaker , will obey their command in summoning the easy ami ) pliant servants , who grant " us" ways and means , to ** our" presence ; but yetr tbose who pay for all will toe there in spirit , while the muscle , sinew bones ' , ami flesh of the w&ale country will look with ? becoming anxiety far the resolves of their honest , though not numerous Parliament ,

      Although * a certain line of conduct may have been chalked out- for them , yet , apart from theroatiaa business , wot shall await their opinion npon what has been done , and their advice as to- what shall be ' doner with great anxiety . With then * we feel assured that « u honour , our country , and our cause- ) an safe ; bat more than- that we require . W » require an unequivocal expression of their opinion as to the best mode of strengthening the hand of the Executive Council of the National Charter A&sociition . I We require their advice as to what is- to be tht I

      next step , ia > the event ot the liberation of the ¦ prisoners bein&refused , provided that tbe national I petition is as numerously signed as we- have every I season to anticipate ; and here let ; us < observe , that I upon the working classes theatelves will ¦ much depend the tone which their rearesentaiires B will feel themselves justified in taking . If the K ministers shall be able to say , Is this the poor m few who look upon our treatment of Chutist m prisoners as oppressive , after one death , three Ij

      transportations ,, and nearly 500 brutally treated ¦ ] victims V theaundeed will the whfrk-labour have I ] been lost ; ties-would it have been-amh better I ] not to have shown the national indifftience to our I ] enemies , and then well may the delegates be war- H ranted in keeping civil tongues within , their teeth : U but should then petition be numerously signed , tbra ¦ the country will have imposed upoa > their repre- I Bentatives the imperative duty of giving soma I council and advice , in case of the rejestionby di 8 I House , " of the .- people ' s just and reaeonable praver .

      We have often known much mon good to b « done in a fortnight than in a tweJwaonth ; and that not a single opportunity o& serving tht cause may be thrown away , wg throw ont the following hints , for the consideration of the Executive Council . They should by all means provide a sufficient number of cards , of membership for each delegate to dispose of ; and we think that much good may be done by holdiog several meetings in diffewat parts of the metropolis , for the purpose of enrolling members and of passing some spirited resolutions , which should be prepared with care by the delegates , in- eider to preaerv * uniformity of action . i

      If the thirteen delegates arranged matters so a& x to hold four meetings each nigbfc&r the twelve nights * - J of their sojourn , at each of which meetings threedelegates could attend , they would , in the short tim » i allotted , hold forty-eight meetings ; and sap- - pose one- hundred members to be enrolled at eadi - meeting ., we should have added four thousand eight ; hundred to our Association ; . - perhaps more tha&an . { equal auaber would enrol , dating tbe day , at the Jar ; of the House ; so that admitting 10 , 000 , the Executive , by these means would at once be furnished , with > funds to the amount of £ 250 ; and supposing our 1 calculation to be over-rated by one half , there- Wild « . be raised a fund of £ 125 to commence bwaiess | with . "' i

      Now , we ask , could time be better jor mwe pro- | fitably disposed of ! Again , we ask of what «™ 1 J to appoint an Executive , if that body is to be left 1 breathless , nerveless , and paralysed for wast of the Jj proper means of carrying out the viewa of the body | of the people ! 1 A good push made just now , in Lwidon , wrfd J cause an instantaneous demand from tia countrj for j association tickets . An address and recommend * " 1 tioa to that effect , would , we hesitate not to say , a enable the Executive to furnish every oonntj in m

      England , Scotland , and Wales , with talented , able , M and trustworthy lecturers , whose , duty it would be ¦ to arm themselves with all the . ieoalitt ia their -m power , by addressing the sevesal constituencies aa - ¦ M candidates upon a dissolution of Parliament . Ti » fe . M places them , at once , upon a perfect eqv&VJ aa M regards the right of calling eleotors and non-electora a together , with either Whig or Tory ; » * J ? " . a even now , we would most strongly recommend all -m missionaries , but more especially those who . we Jj either under recognizauco for good behaviour , « M receiva judgment wbon called upon , to . '' -il instant recourse to this mode of canvassing F " ' M

      opinion . : m We shall pnblish all that transpires is oar own | | " House ; " and should any unforeseen accidest nappe * m to our representatives , we shall instantly pub ^ ft J ° j 11 emtraordinary Star , " to announce the f »« ' im * m country . M Of one thing we feel convinced , that w < «** j " | | not get an order for a counter march , oHor o _^ || single step backwards ; while we trust th » t >» -a be forcibly impressed upon the country , w » r M Chartist party is now the most P * *™ *^ fl the state ; and that , come what will , the Charw . ym to be the law of the land . « The Charter , ti *««»• : M Charter , and not an atom less than the Charter . - ^ M

      That the delegates will do their duty , w ^ j dread ; that the country win do theirs , " W little cause to fear . However , let no man wj-J m that the withholding of his name * ffl be !^ a M indifference , as many such believers would Je »« _ | W ead result . It will scarcely be believed , but B . | B theless it is fact , that infernal demons , beio »* M . to the working classes , are actually at *«« fyjjm veut the people from signing the Pf ^ 'f "' ., ^ J seconds for eaoh man or woman is T , ftb «| M required to make their will a command . M » K done , and at once . ^ m

      The Northern Star Saturday, May 1, 1841.

      THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , MAY 1 , 1841 .

      Untitled Article

      _ 4 THE NORTHERN STAR . . ¦ ¦ ' ' . - - . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ' ^ ¦¦

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), May 1, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct853/page/4/