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Northern Star (1837-1852), 26th November 1842, Edition 5 of 4, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      THE POLITICAL VICTIMS . GREAT MEETING AT THE CROWN AND . ANCE . OR TAYEKN , STRAND ; On Thursday night , th 9 men of London and its adjacent parts—the friends of humanity and justiceassembled in their thousands at tha Crown and Anchor Tavern , to testify by their presence the sympathy Wfricfe tbry experienced with those mblesnd patriotic individuals ~ sr ~ ° have been recently made tha suVj-cls of persecution &t tbe late Special Commissions , to take into consideration the proceedings which bad

      characterised those Commissions , and to adopt such measures as might be deemed requisite to ensure a fair , patient , and impartial trial to i : j . ~ i < iualB yet to be indicted , as participating in * .- ¦ i ;; u lamentable disturbances in the ¦ northern and ¦ ¦ -uu counties ; and to ifford-relitf to reaiiy 300 f-ui . ' .. es , ¦ who , by the conV . onB and sentences already passed , bave been i : tvriTed ° * their x&tur&l protec . crs , and are thtr-by left bo oiher alternative than to sett refuge in union workhouses , or to become houseless and utst . tute -wanderers , throngh the

      land . | Tfce meeting -was called for half-past seven o ' clock , , but long before that hoar the magnificent ball in which j the mee : ing "was he'd vzas crowded to txctss , with a respectable an * an intelligent aucience . Ttie prchestrsii ' galle */ was fi . led with Indies , and on , the piatfonn "we ; noticed Miss M . A . Wa ' . kcr , iliss Inge , Miss Miles , and j a larce number of the leading members of- " The ;

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      Pemale Chartist Association . '' Shortly after haif-pa * t srvfc . i o ' clock , T . S . Donc ^ mbe , Esq ., > I . P ., accompanied by F . O'Connor , Esq . W . P . BobtrtE . Esq ., J . Cleave Esq ., J . Dane ^ mbe , E « q , Dr . Black , Dr . B ^ wkett , J . Dancr . n , E ^ q ., Messrs . Campbell , Shaw , Ridley , and a host of other well-known advocates of the people ' s rights and privileges entered the xocm , and proceeded on to the platform amidst the most enthusiastic cheering and waving of hats and bane kerchiefs . Having entered npen the * platform , Mr . Doncombe was sainted with three distinct reunds of applause , so beany and so unanimous , as cc-uld not fail to make proud the honest and deserving recipient of the people ' s favour . On the motion of Mr . Cleave , T . S . Dancombe , Esq . J& . P . was called to the chair .

      As boos os silence was in come degree obtained , the Chairman rose to address the meeting , but the plaudits -Here again and again renewed , so that it was some minutes before be could proceed . At length , he said : —The truly independent and patriotic Englishmen who originated the proposition for c illing this meeting , must feel highly gratified a ; the noble ramier in which their call has been responded to . The numerous attendance of t >"" evening mu ? , t afford them the highest gratification—( cheers ) . Bat for myself t * be unanimoucly elected , to preside upon an occasion &o interesting—concerning a cause so connected with the rights and liberties , and I may say , the distresses of the working classts of this country—I consider it highly honourable , notwithstanding , that a learned Judge of the land , in bia

      Bios , unconstitutional charge to the Grand Jury , kad ths audacity to assert that three or feur thousand Englishmen eould cot meet together for the purposs of delit erating and discussing political grievances . w : thont such association being , guilry of committing that which , in the eye of the law , or rattier in the eye of « he Judge , is an unlawful assembly . His Lordship said , that no man in his senssa could believe , that an asst-mbly of three or four thousand persons could be convened for any useful legal purpjsv —( groans and hisses ) . But I am perfectly satisfied that the assembly which I see before me , and which would be five timts as large if the room would contain them—( hear , hear )—1 say that this assembly wiil give a practical contradiction to the assertion of the Chief Justice ; and if any

      difference of opinion should occur among you , you will hear with patience and attention any person who may wish to express such difference— ( hear and cheers ) . There may be those , I trust not here , but elsewhere , who may endeavoai to misrepresent our motives ; but it is my especial dnty to inform you of the purposes for which you are assembled , rather than express any opinion of my own—( hear , hear } . —We . are hers not to sympathies with crime or justify any disobedience or resistance to the law —( hear , hear )—or to advocate any violence to property or perscn—( hear , hear , hear )—bat we are here for tbe legitimate purpose of publicly discussing our grievanoss—in exercise ef a privilege ¦ which is the birthright of Englishmen . And if the administratien of public affairs , or any portion of that

      administratioB , deserves that condemnation , we are here , as Englishmen , loudly , firmly , and boldly to condemn it , ( Loud cheers . ) In the first pUce ,. you have met here to discuss—to listen to the statements that may be made , and to judge whether , in the late unfortunate disturbances which took place in the manufacturing districts , and in consequence of which a commission was appointed , strict justice , and no more , was admini » i * K » i 5— -whpiher that commission had done its duty fairly and impartially , and wnetner agaiaot those ¦ who have been already put on their trial , and those who are to be put on their trial , any unfair prejudices have been disseminated , or any advantage taken of the party feelings which prevailed , in the prosecutions of such persons ( Hear , hear . ) Lastly , weare met to

      express our sympathy wiih the widow and the fatherless —with the 300 poor families who are at this moment in the greatest sfliction in consequence of the sentences which have been already passed . Doubtltss there may be some among the individuals ' who have suffered , and who are about to suffer , that may have committed crime , but surely even in their eases , the particular circumstances ef the country should be considered , end the distresses arising from class legislation , and the sordid , narrow views of the House of Commons , and the state of misery in which the lower classes are , and for some time nave been , should not be forgotten . ( Loud cries of hear , and great cheering . ) At all events , it is the dnty of Englishmen to meet and inquire whether the laws have not been overstrained

      to meet their cases , and for a still more benevolent purpose , Ti * ., to excite others to contribute to the support of , and to console the families of the poor men who are in so deplorable a condition , and to create a fund not only to meet the exigencies of the present case , but to serve as a protective fond for the liberty and constitutional freedom of tb , 8 subject ( Hear , hear . ) I mean , a fund so arranged and so distributed , that it might be applied to the defence of those individuals who may be persecuted by the Government , and may not have the power of coping with the Treasury—who need assistance , and who will have the consolation of knowing , that everything will be done to give them a fair and impartial trial—an honest Jury and an honest Judge . There were many instances , UBfortnnately too

      many , where oppression was practised , and should be resisted . In the disturbed districts , in South Stafford , a poor man , named John Mason , and seven other working men , vrere imprisoned on the representations of police constables . They were tried at the Quarter Sessions , and Mason was sentenced to six months ' imprisonment ; asd the other workmen ordered to be imprisoned from two to four months—( groans . ) But previous to their convictions , the magistrates sent to Mason and tha others , to tell them that if they pleaded guilty , of unlawfully attending a Chartist meeting , the record against them ¦ would be ¦ withdrawn . But Mawm and his companions nobly said , that as they were innocent , they could not plead guilty , and hence they were puniihed for not being base enough to tell a

      lie—( loud cheers and cries of Shame . *) They said they had met in public to discas 3 public matters , and the authorities had ne right to interfere with them . They spoke constitutionally , and the authorities acted otherwise . What was the conduct of the people of Stafford ? To their credit be it recorded , the members of all classes , and , I believe I may say , parties , thought those individuils so ill used , that they entered into a subscription , which be believed still existed , for the purpose of maintaining the families of these poor men . Precedents are of great falue in the House of Commons—( laughter . ) This one fchould be so with us . I again repeat that it is our bounden duty to enquire whether the men who have been tried have been tried fairly , and whether the

      prejudices of others bare not been appealed to and awakened is order to exaggerate their ^ nilt—if guilty they "wen , A case -wag lately communicated to me by Mr . Roberta , a solicitor residing at Bath , which I will relate as much for the purpose of abo-ffing the spirit of fair play which actuated Lord Chief Justice Tindal , as to exhibit a specimen-of the paltry prejudice by which magistrates are actuated against the Chartists . Some men were tried at the Stafford Ommission for offences , ex imagined offences , connected with the late dipturl bance * . Mr . William Peplow , in order to obtain information for the solicitor who defended tkem , Mr . Roberts , and which was absolutely necessary for the defence of the poor hita , was obliged to go in and out of the court The second or third time he attempted he

      doing so , was stopped at the door , and forfciddsn admission . We always thought that at least into courts of justice the people had free admission , and so Peplow expressed himself to the doorkeeper . That may be all Tery good , " said the official , but I have strict orders from the High Sheriff not to allow you to pass , because you are a Cbartisti" Mr . Boberts being informed of the matter , communicated it to tha Judge , Loed Chlei Justice Tindal , Who said , "Let the man go ia and out as often as he thinks proper , we know nothing of Chartists feere . " How different has been the conduct of Lord Abinger at Xivwpool and ether places . With him a man has only to be proclaimed a Chartist , and hisgtflt was supposed ; if the slightest suspicion of Chartism attached to * man , there was no mercy foi him , not e / ren the benefit of clergy . Does Lord A binger know that formerly men

      as high in station as the Duke of Bedford aed the Duke of Bichmond wen Chartists , and advocated principles which bis Lordship sow proclaims as rebellious aad JMMonaMe ? You have all heard of that brutal asd blood / Judge of former dayi , Judge Jeffrie * ' There Ib « passage related In bis life wbi » h reminds ' us of the mode of ascertaining the guilt of the accused in Literpool and Manchester lately . An individual was brought Mm that Judge , and it appeared that the crime with ™* Mni charged really had no foundation ,- but «• wwrdtoV employed agsinst him said , that thepri-SBoersomstfapeg went to church , and sometimes went to ttawrmticle ; in . short , my lord , said the counsel , M lMpfti u ealkd a trimmer . Oh , a trimmer said JeBUa ; Js _ A « a trimmer then ? Let the monster stand ^ taJfll « ee a Wmmer . The poor man was so frigh-« Wg « " * *• k * * n » t what to say j in short he was wiwiiMJ , not bscaaze he was guilty of the crime

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      i-. h ^ Tg- 'd ar ' . u . &t him ; bm fcctiuse he ^ a ^ a triminvr . Tcere wtre miny icdiridnais now languishing in prison whose only real tffesce ¦ was their being Chartists As 11 said befure , lay duty cbitSy is to explain the object , of the meeting , othtrs'will make Ruch statements as suit the occasion , and are founded on truth . 1 feel satisfied that this metting will give a flit contradiction , to Lord A ' oinger ' s cpinion , that three or four thousand Englishmen could not mett without committing the slightest breach of the law , and diBcusa those grievances which the Parliament or Government of the day have inflicted upon this country . The Hon . Gentleman took bis seat amid the same deafening applause which gre&ted his rising .

      Mr . Ball proposed the first resolution , bnt was for a length of time inaudible . He was understood to say that class legislation was the cause of the majority of the evils under which the lower classes was groaning . It was five years ago since he subscribed to the Peoples Charter , and then , and sinco then , he believed that nothing w » u : d remedy their evila , except the adoption of the People ' s Charter . It was useless to talk of partial remedies—there was no remedy but a fair representation . Tho aristocracy complained , because the

      people were discontented , but he told the aristocracy that the people woul . l , acd ought to be , discontented as long as tbeir juat rights were witheld from themihcar , hear , and cheers . ) Doctor BuWKEn i-f-xt arose , amid great cheering , to second tnc reM > lu ; ion . Jn Mm first instance be caHej ) apuii thobe present to express their sympathy not only it tiie degraded condition of the victims at present

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      lncsacerated in the gao ; s , but likewise of the humbler classts of tbtir countrymen generally . Patience was preached to them Sunday afier Sunday from thousanls of pulpitB , but he w&s of opinion that ihcir text should be " Thou Shalt do no murder . " When a man committed murder , the greatest horror was expressed ; and if the authorities did not at ouco arrest him , they were ccniidcred negligent and inattentive ; but he tohi them that by the abominable svstt-m of claes legislation , th&usands , aye , millions , were annually murdered , which could not be too much deprecated—( hear , h * ar ) Dr . Bowktlt Lhen adverted to the reports of the sanatory condition tf the people of Eneland , which ex hibited the melancholy comparison between the com parative ages of the aristocratic and the working

      classes—the ages of the former averaged forty-three year 3 , whilst that of the lower classes was twenty-two ! \ Crits of " Oh , ofc . ) The speaker then dilated upon thi& appalling fact , and gave a vivid description of the distresses of the poor ; illustrating bis statement by appaliing in&tancu of destitution . A shoemaker whom he knew , and who was an honest industrious man , had betn recently very unwell—he advistd him to exercise a little , in order to improve his health , but the poor man said his convalescence should bo employed in working for his children , to save them frcm starvation . Dr . Bowkett then remarked that his life would be abridged if he did not exercise ; upon which the poor man said that death would be a relief to h m , aud that the E «» oner he got out of this life the better , for he was

      weary of it . The learned doctor , in continuation of the harrowing picture 'wLich he bad drawn of the ¦ working classes , and of the degraded condition into which they were brought by " Class Legislation , " alluded , in further illustration of . their -wretchedness , to a case o : * individual mercvjnarinetB in bis own nei ^ bbtiurbood . ¦ which might , for its recklessness ai : « l . » elfMinfc * s , be regarded as emanating from , and in keeping with , that base " Oies legislation , ' to which he had alluded , and which they were then met to denounce . Tiie person who figured so little to his credit in vhis business , was supposed in tha neighbourhood ( Poplar ) to be a most " exemplary and religious" man , and yet he had let a number of Email " hovels" to the labouring poor , the ntinost extent of those hovels being six feet by eight ,

      and out of which , while the wretched inmates were without water-butt , or any other accommodation ( they being obliged to drag witer from the Thames . ) he was drawing at the rate ef 75 per cent ) At the end of the row of bouses in question , the said individual had a " stable , " the accommodations and coruforta for his " horae" which were fsr beyond what he afforded these " human beings" his poer tenants- ( SLame . ) He ; Dr . Bovrfcett ) mentioned these circumstances in order to shew how little the aristocracy— and even the " reputed lelicious amongtt them—felt for " the poor " and how much more tney tijunght of their horses than of thtir ffcllow-ere&Vuifcs . iHear , bear . ) And it was right , he fell , if such doings should not be preached against and denounced from the pulpit , that they

      should be told in , and go forth from , such places as the meeting which be was then addressing was assemMed in . ( Hear . ) With these observations , regretting that they had neither " pure religion" cor " pure charity' j in the country , he would content himself with second- j ing the resolution . ( Loud cheers , amidst which the ,-resolution wa 3 put and carried unanimously . ) Mr . OCosxoa then arose , to address the meeting , and j was received with overwhelming and tumultuous cheer- J ing , which lasted for a considerable time . Silence , having been restored . Mr . O'Connor spoke as follows : j ' Mr . Ohaiman and brother Chartlsta , now I am on my legs I don't know what to say—( cheers . ) I am afraid j there may be some of the noble Graham Jnd ^ es pre- ( Bent —( cheers )—and perhaps , though I may in my esti- ' motion make use of language perfectly legal , some of : their Iordship 3 may , by perversion of the law , constiue ]

      is into constructive treason—( cheer * artd laughter . ) I'll tell you a story—there's nothing illegal in that vcheers . ) I think we were bilking abtut Juries and Judges ., There was once upon a time a man of the name of Carly Mulligan—he was an Irish Catholic and consequftntly an outlaw—he held about foity acres of i&nd I from a Mr . Trevors , a Protestant landlord , and Curly had raised the value of the land frem about forty shillings j to fifty shillings an acre , and his landlord was very \ anrious to get hold of his piece of land ; but Curly had j a little impediment called a lease ; Trevers bad deter- ; mined , however , that that should be no impediment ; ' ¦ and Abinger , I beg pardon , Lord Norbury , soon after j tried poor Curly Mulligiin ; and Curly could not speak a word of English , se when they asked him whether I

      he woold submit , or whether he would traverse , he did not understand what they meant At last , however , it was battared into his head , and he always fcatf Travers in his mind ; and he said in his native tonguo , " I don't know -vrn&t this Smith is , but to the devil I giva 1 t 2 . Vi . ts . " ( Cheers and l&wghtcr . ) He -was tried in Eaplish , and he -was found guilty , and the first intimation that he had of what was going on was the Judge putting on the black cap , then the crier of the cnuit told him he was guilty , and a * ked him if he had anything to say why sentence of death should not be passed upon him . " What the devii is tbat ? ' says Cuily . " Tett him , " said the Judge , ' that the jury kave found him guilty , and ask him what he has to say . " " Oh , " says Curly , " to the devij I give

      the jnry—I'm going with none of " em' —( cheers and laughter . ) That is my position , just mutatis mutandis , say what you like ; but neither Judge nor jury cure for what you say . Bat I am here not to appeal to year charity ; I am here to lay before you , as Englishmen , the truth regarding a certain - circumstance , and to expound to you that which cannot . be kept in ( ' . arkness by the Jndges . I am one of the victim ^—( lou-i cheers . ) This is 1117 sixth criminal prosecution within these five years . Six of tLem ! and here I aru as larf e as life—tetters . ) Well ! but , now , what is the object for trhich you have been convened here to-nigbt ? That ' s the question . TLis is a meeting of : ili classesof all shades of politics—of all lovers of justice—( cheers . )—You are not here to express your

      approbation of any political principle , for the aiding of which jour friends have been committed ; but you are here to express your abomination of laws being stretched to put down the expression of sentiment—you are here for the purpose of showing , tbat fritter away as they may the British Constitution , there yet remains in it a spirit which no Judge can destroy , which no jury can efface . '—( leud cheers . ) If you pronounce me innocent , what care I for the verdict of a packed jury ? —( loud cheers . ) RUher would I carry the impress of their infamy into my lonely cell , being con . « okd with your verdict of innocence , than walk about with their verdict of acquittal whilst you pointed with the finger of scorn , and designated me " guilty" —foud cheers . ) I am a conspirator —( cheero . ) I v as cited to

      appear on Saturday lost before the Qaeen ' 8 Bench , to answer for a conspiracy—( cheers ) Why , the law has conspired against me , not I against the laws—( cheers . 1 What is the meaning of conspiracy ? Conspiracy means consulting together in secret to destroy what is legitimate and ought to exist Why , I never acted in secret—I never held secret communion or consulted secretly upon politics in all my Ufa ; what I have done I have dune openly—I have done bolaiy , f-r I knew that I had justice on my Bide—( loud cheeis . ) But they arrtsted sixty-two of us , and as Mr . Duiicombe observed at the last meeting at which he had tte honour to pre ^ . de—for though a member cf that august assemblage— the House- of Commons—I say 1 !

      ; is an honour to be calkd on to preside a * such a meeting as this —( cheersj—that there was an oi jtel in our arrest , and so there tras ; it was to give a tone to the subjtct—to give importance to th ^ su ? ject—an old hat is mended by cocking it ; there must always be an addition to it ; and vphat do you thirk that cock cost us ? Why , £ 331 . Sixty-two labourers -were served with , notices on Monday to appear , either personally or by proxy , at the Queen ' s Bsiich ; for that they paid £ 5 8 s . each . But there must be eaother cock in the old tat ; that fashion would not last beyond the term ; there was an invitation to appear before her Maj-sty wherever she might be . I was in bed when I received my invitation , and I was near about getting up and starting off for Walmer at once —( cheers and laughter . ) We entered an appearance , however , and we must plead next term , and that will coat us all £ 5 8 a . more

      We must all pay our traverse fees , £ 600 mere . Men , to aToid remaining in custody , are obliged to find bail , and their expenses are Tery heavy , amounting , at least , to £ 3 , 400 ,- £ 2 . 400 before conviction I Before ft magistrate , U a man ia fined £ 2 for a petty larceny , aud cannot and bail , he goes for two months to the House of Correction . How naay months should we have to be in prison for the large amount of maney whieh these proceedings have cost as i—( cheers . ) The indictment charges with—what ? Meieing on the 17 th of August , and creating certain rows and riots on the 1 st of August—( cheers . ) Aye , but then yon dont see this ; you don ' t know what this means . The law has nothing to do with this . It is a political take . What do you think this new move was for ? Chartism was going out of the mindsof fhe landlords—it was going out of fche minds of the Income Tax payers , and that was why we were to be prosecuted " . " Halloo , " says Peel , " the

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      fives are about-, this won't do ; we must reconcile the ' Income T-x payers to the tccoine Tax ; we must let fxvem see what we wanted the Income Tax for ; to put down the Chartists to be sure—( loud cheera ) Wo must keep Chartism up as a bugaboo to frighten them , and convince the aristocracy that they are all going to be murdered "—( cheers , and a voice , " The Chartists don't want that . ") Ws do not not want you to tell us tbat , my friend—( cheers ) Here , then , is that wonderful charge brought against us . We met on the 16 th August at Manchester , we met openly ; we threw open our doors ; we interposed an authority to prevent bloodshed , and we published every tiling that was done . But there was a placard upon the walla—a placard of which we knew nothing ; but I knew

      everything ! at least , they said so . Roebuck said I drew up the National Petition ! But there was a placard stuck up , and I declare that I never saw it , I take my oath , till it * as stuck up —( cheers ) . It was put there by the enemies to the Chartist cause—( cheers ) , I am not going to appeal to the charity of you , gentlemen , at all —lam going to appeal to your pockets—( cheers ) . Here it is ; here is the little book ( " The Poor Man ' s Companion ") These prosecutions have cost us £ 2400 . Now , Government prosecutions , since the year 1800 up to the passiDg of the Reform Bill , averaged about £ 50 , 000 a year ; since the passing of the Keform Bill it has cost as much as £ 350 , 000 a year for Governmental prosecutions —( cries of " shame , shame , " ) And I find in every year since tha Chartist persecutions , an

      increase of 30 per cent , in the secret service money—( shame ) . And every year when there is an election , the expence is doubled . So you see , gentlemen , you not only pay for prosecuting us , but you afterwards—at least the generous portion of you—pay for defending us ( cheers ) . Now , as a matter of course , we shall be tried ; perhaps v ? e shall be convicted—What of that ?—( cheers ) I have been convicted before —( loud cheers ) . — If we go to jail , what of that ?—( cheere ) . We will come back again —( loud cheers ) . And then we'll meet you hire again—( renewed cheers ) . Aye , but we have the Whigs now ; and , by the bye , our friend , Mr . Duncombe , spoke of precedent—our friend wrote on behalf of White to Sir James Graham , and Graham replied that be had not departed from the rules laid down by

      Kubsell and Normanby . Here you have them ; Tones acting upon Whig precedent , and Whigs upon Tory misrule . Some people say " You have the Whigs , now is tbe time to form an alliance between the wonting men and the middle classes . " I aiii ready—I always was ready—for that , bnt if we have a union it shall be a union of principle—( loud cheers ) . Not if it were to save my life to-morrow , much less to save myself from imprisonment , would I give up one single point of tbat Charter by which I have so long stood—( eheerB ) . If tha Whigs want me , he ; e I am ; they know where to find me . To them I wou't move an inch—( cheera ) . If they think to gag me by any humbug of Free Trade , they may just as well think of turning the sun from his course—( loud cheers ) . If they wish to

      form a free trade , so that it shall be a blessing to ail , let them look to us for the means of establishing it—( loud and continued cheers . ) Not when I Bm hunted by the Tories am I to form n base- coalition with the Whigs—( cheers ) . The Whigs prosecuted mo five times , and no doubt the Tories will do so as often . ( Some confusion was here caused in the body of the hall by a woman fainting ) Now , my friends , I'll toll you what—the present struggle is to mar the reality of reform . The great fanlfc of our Legislature is , that they are never forced into a measure hut they rUstroy the tfftct of it themselves—( cheers ) . The higher orders never wanted reform themselves , and it is we -who must struggle sor the true principla Destroy Chartism , and another syBtem of agitation

      springs np—for the progress of tfee mind of man will not be arrested till the object of tbat mind is gained ( cheers ) . We ought almost torejuice in the recent outbreaks , for they have proved that the people in the possession of power do not create anarchy—the ptople rose enmasse , and no blood was shed—no greater harm was done than the pulling out of a plug or two —^ cheers ) . Well , I thank God they huve attempted to point the finger at me , and have selected a hired informer for taut purpose , and have treated us with a special jary , apprehensive lest a union might take place between the Whigs and the Chariists—( loud cheers ) . Now we've got a special jury—that is , suppose to-morrow a kindly feeling should arise in favour of Chartism , tbe Crown has tho

      power of appointing forty-eight jurors fiorn the uncontamiuattd class to try us . ( Shame ) I have been tried by two special juries before , and , as a matter of course , they both found me guilty of beuig—a Chartist . ( Cheers ) There was no evidence at all required before a modern Ji fines—the modern , Jeffries who daeply sympathised with the suffering people—he would like to see the streets paved with penny loaves , and to see rendered happy every weeping advocate of the poor and desolate of their kin . ( Cheers and laughter . ) Aye , the cause ef our disorder lies not in tbe Tories , not in tbe Whigs , but , as our excellent friend has said , in class legislation . ( Loud cheers . ) But let thtm do what they can , let them judge as they please , till the great Tamwortb dector can discover by what chemical proofs

      he c-in make gold out of paper , tw cannot ketp the Chartists down . ( Cheers . ) He must get pure gold out of paper first , and he cannot do that . We must go onsuffer , suffer , suffer till we see an end to it ; we must not dishonour ourselves in the hour of trouble by a compromise of our ps ' inciples . ( Cheers . ) Could therebe anything more inviting—could there bo a moniynt more precious—an opportunity more seemly than the present , for me to move from my principles ? But I will not—not one jot or one point . ( Loud cheers . ) No , no , "Whistle , and I'll come to you , my lad , " won't do . They are the men that prosecuted us , and now t&ey act upon the old system—cdurtlng the / widow coming from her husband ' s funeral ; find now they think to court the Chartists when their friends aTe confined .

      No , no , we arii going to have a large augmentation to onr ranks . All the shopkeepers are on the point of bankruptcy . ( Cheers . ) All the cotton lords are beginning to squeak—( cheers )—every man of them . ( Cheers . ) All those who would make cheap bread by substituting iron , and wood , and sUam for flesh , and blood , and sinews—by substituting machinery for manual labour , they are coming to the dungeons like yourselves . ( Cheers . ) And when we are all engulphed in general ruin , then out of chaos will spring life , and shape , aad form . ( Loud and continued cheers . ) But I am not the man to hasten that , nor am I the man to avoid it , to place you in greater jeopardy . ( Cheers . ) The Government will shortly be without the means of paying their soldiers and their sailors if you don't

      replenish the exchequer . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) I have now laid before you the whole case . Everything we did in Manchester we did with open doors—we have published it all , and yet we have been sticmatised in the public press as ' conspirators , " and I am the man who , like the trumpeter , should be hung upon the tree . That was what the Sunday Times said . ( Hisses . ) And , my friends , whenever you go into a coffee house , and see that paper , put it into the fire . ( Cheers . ) Now , that is a leaf out of their own book ; they told Peel to hang me up lite the trumpeter , and now I tell you to put that paper on the fire whenever yon see it ; it is a demoralizing , beastly paper , and panders to the worst passions of its readers . The man who writes for you must write virtue and morality , for

      none other will receive yonr support . ( Chirrs . ) I h ive an opportunity now of speaking to you daily . Thero was a good article yesterday in the Morning Advertiser , and I am thankful for small mercies , though they come too late . But the Advertiser forgot something ; I have been hammering away every day for two weeks , and the Advertiser said tbat none of the press had touched upon it , whilst I have positively blistered my hands in writing upon Lord Abinger ' s conduct . What would you say of the press tbat would repudiate the idea of calling Suisse a valuable servant , end yet would refuse to animadvert upon tbe unjtub cemiuct of such a servant of the public as a Judge ? Why should the press take upon itself to hunt down individuals ? The day is not far distant when public

      opinion must hold its sway , and I thank my God that I have now a shield to guard me from the Weapons pointed at me by such papers as the Sunday Times . ( Loud cheers . ) I have the little , tcrrie / 'and 1 bave the great bull-dog . ( Cheers . ) I have the terrier tbat stops at the door to bark when ho hears the footstep of the entmy , and I have tba bull-dog to fctop off the intruder . ( Loud cheers ) I have the pistol , and I have the blunderbuss . I have tho little Evening Star—( tremendous applause ) - —and I have the great Polar Bear , established this day five years , sounding in thoir' eara the thunder of democracy . ( Loud cheers . ) And do you suppose that in oe ^ saig us there was no intention to put down th « se papers' ! ( Cheers . ) The Evening Star is losing £ 80 a week , and

      if it lost £ 100 or £ 200 every week , all the cumbined powers of Whigs and Torios shall never put it down iLoud cheers ) There is none of the Duke of Buckingham ' s money tf re . We receive not a farthing from iht Caxlton Club , not a rap of the £ 50 , 000 from tho Leaguers . I dare say they would give £ 20 a column for a Corn Law article ; but I would not give them one stickfull for the whole £ 50 , 000 . ( Cheers . ) Now it rests with sou to say whether wo have committed those enormous uffences "which would justify tiie country to send us to trial - witb » ut toe prosptcl of a defence . ( Cheers . ) That is the question . ( Cheers . ) That is a moral for Chartism ; that is appealing to your judgment ; it is not excitiDg your passion , not exciting your charity , but asking for working men , who , in their attachment to your cause , have submitted themselves to be entrapped by the law , that they may be tried whether they are guilty or not ( Cheers . ) They have families dear to them as the families of tbe aristocracy

      —they have wives and children depending on their labour for support ( Cheers . ) I feel confident that this appeal will not be made in vain . I ask not this for myself ; my defence has not cost the country a farthing , nor have I received a fraction torn » jiving num . ( Cheers . ) Ia 1839 aad 1840 , I gave ^ 300 to the Defence Fund , which baa never been paid to me , and I hare never asked for it ( Lond cheers . ) I have now enough to do to pay for myself . This has cost me £ 208 as far as it has gone . I had to send my physician nnd attorney , and both my bondsmen down to Liverpool , and to keep them there for many days , and you may be Eure professional gentlemen would not go there for nothing . If I am guilty I have paid tbe penalty , and it I am not , who will pay me back what I bave lost ?" ( Cheers . ) I cannot speak so long now as I used to do ; I have not spoken in pnblic for two months , and I feel that I have exerted myself too much ; but I cacaot conclude without congratulating the meeting *

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      and the Chatttuls generally , on the fact of our excellent friend Mr . Dunconibe beiug here ?—( cbeers . ) I do not disregard rank , title , and honour , if honour , rank , and title sit npan honourable shoulders—Cheers ) . I do not honour Mr . Duncombe the less because he is not a working man , but I do honour him the more , because , belonging to a higher order of society , be can take his place amongst them , and can yet participate in the feelings of the working men ;—( loud cheers ) and though the proud aristocracy may attempt to point at him the finger of scorn , or may attach to bis name the title of Demagogue , the honours which shall devolve upon him will be more than sufficient to shield him from their shafts , which will fall harmless against him—( loud cheers ) . ' I have now

      performed my part of the duty , and as it is likely that attempts will be made to form a union between the woiking and middle classes , I say do it not at the sacrifice of your principles . I know that there are emissaries about , I know that the police are at work , that the spies are in employment ; but if in the course of ten days or a fortnight , God restore me to such health and strength aa will enable me to take field once more , I will challenge the new order of democrats to an every night meeting , and will prove to them that their principles are humbug , and tbat nothing but the Charter will accomplish the freedom of the people . Mr . O'Connor resumed bis seat amid tremendous applause , and the waving of hata and handkerchiefs .

      Mr . Fussell , who may be looked upon as one of the " Political Victims , " having suffered persecution and incarceration at the hands of the Government , rose to move the second resolution , which he read to the following effect : — " That while this meeUnt ; readily admit that persons convicted on true and sufficient evidence before a just Jutifett and honest Jury , of any real crime connected with the lamentable outbreaks referred to , were deserving of punishment , they think that such punishment should have been awarded , only in proportion to tbe wrongs proved to have been inflicted on society , and with a due regard to that mercy with which tbe administration of the law should have been tempered , especially under the peculiar circumstances . ''

      In proposing that resolution , he could not but explain what he had witnessed with his own eyes in the disturbed midland districts . He assured that meeting tbat the Chartists , far from being tbe fomentera or encounters of those disturbances , employed themselves in giving advice to the people NOT to violate any law , or be guilty of any destruction of property , or injury to person , ( Hear , hear , and applause . ) This he witnessed with his own eyes in Staffordshire ; and it was for instructing the poor uninstructed , uneducated colliers in the right path that Ellis , and most of their friends , were incarcerated . The people were uneducated , and if they violated the law , much allowance should be made in their favour . ( Shame ! shame !) He assured tbe meeting that in many instances the inspectors of

      police had waited on Mt . George White ( referred to by Mr . O'Connor ) , and represented to him , that if the meeting would be allowed to be held , they would not disturb or interfere with it But notwithstanding all thia , net withstanding that no step 3 were taken by the authorities to prohibit the holding of such a meeting , notwithstanding that Us objects were peaceable , and that it was convened for the legitimate discussion of tbe people's grievances , the magistrates , on Thursday before the meeting , issued a proclamation , " That any person who should attend the meeting would be guilty of a violation of the law . " ( Groans , and cries of shame . ) The Government had persons , police Epies , and others , employed to misrepresent the actual state of thbee things in that district . Independent of

      those wrongs , their Chaiiman ( Mr . Duncombe ) had justly alluded to the case of Mason . Mr . Fussell then detailed to the meeting , whose feelings were shocked by the narration , that one of the witnesses employed under Sir James Graham , to swear away the liberty of the Staffordshire prisoners , has since been indicted for " stealing ducks . " So mucb . tot Sir Jimss Grabatn ' B witnesses . ( The announcement was . followed by exclamations of disgust . ) Tbe meeting would also hear with disgust , that in the case of George White , sworn to be at the meeting , although in reality lie was not , the Government had emyloyed a "vile woman" as witness ngaihst him—( cries of hear , hear )—who , it

      turned out , was " keeper of ah Infamous and notorious brolheL ( Loud bursts of indignation . ) Mr . Fussell , after some further observations , in which he explained tbe unprincipled causes and motives which led Sir Robert Peal to have recourse to the harsh measures of the Special Commission , and to the connection which that minister would doubtless attempt to establish between the failure of the Tariff and the disorders which led to those harsh measures which he had adopted , concluded amid loud cheers by moving tho resolution , and expressing bis anxious trust that a real union of all good men was about' to take place for the carrying of the People ' s Charter .

      Mr . Westerton , of the Parliamentary Reform Association , suggested that the speakers who were to follow him would confine themselves as closely as possible to the question , and to ten minutes in the delivery of tbeir sentiments , for the meeting had still a multitude of business to get through . He roue for tbe purpose of seconding the resolution proposal hy Mr . FuBsell . He ( Mr . Wcsterton ) had been always given to understand that the reason wby the British Constitution was called " the envy of surrounding nations , and the admiration ef the world , " was , that it threw the shield of its protection over the weak and oppressed

      as well at over the strong and mighty , ( Cbeers . ) Bat tbe fact , aud tho result of the Special Commission had led him to think otherwise . ( "Hear , hoar . ) . The proceedings under that Commission , he dared to assert , were a violation of the first principles of tke British Constitution . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) He called upon that meeting and upon the country to raise their voices in a tone of thunder against such proceedings , and , by a well-combined effort , to strike a death-blow to a system at once so unjust and tyrannical , recollecting that " he whe allows oppression shares the crime . " ( Loud cheers , and cries of "Hear , hear . ' *)

      Colonel Thompson stood before the meeting to support the resolution which they had just heard read , and would engage to keep within the limited time . He once told a speaker in " another house , " that he thought " two minutes" enough for any man to convey whatever be bad to say in . ( Laughter . ) He ( Colonel Thompson ) was of opinion that the people were not impressed with the necessity of supporting the victims yet waiting for trial . Ife was a pity , that when large masses of men were cast into prison for their adherence to public liberty , as on the present occasion , the gublio did not are use themselves and come forward in their support . ( Hear , hear . ) They had bad sumcient warnings on this bead in bye-gone periods of history . ( Hear . ) There was no worse things on earth than political judges .

      ( Hear , hear . ) No man could have a " fair" trial , no man could be considered secure , when the judicial bench was stained , and the scales of justice were influenced by political prejudice . Peace , happiness , and security , it waa well known , depended upon a just administration of tha law . Bat instead of Weighing and impartially examining the evidence , political judges gave way to the wovat passions . ( Hear , bear ) No man would deny that there was dire and general dissatisfaction with the manner in which tbe law had been administered on this occasion . ( Hear , hear . ) What every man says must be true . ( Hear . ) Why should it be so f ( Hear , hear . ) Tlie people were ground down , and he saw no remedy for them but the Charter . He was sure that in the assembly which he saw before him ,

      there were scores who , for years , had been in the same profession aa himself ; and he would put it to those meu , whether when complaints were made , they did not know that it was the officers who were to blame . ( Hear , hear . ) And so it was in this instance ; those who wti-6 administering the affairs of the country were to blame . ( Hear , hear , with loud and long-protracted cheers . ) Did not the people see before their eyes that ail this was the effect of class legislation ? which implies in particular , those who exercise it . ( Hear , hear , and cries of True , true . " ) No class by itself , was fit to govern all closaes . { Cries of " Bravo !") That was t&e great secret w&icb men wished to learn , bat had not learned yet . Men , however , were coming touud—they must coma round I—( Hear , hear , hear I renewed cries of " Bravo ! " and cheers . ) They mutt find it out , and it must one day , find its way into the head of the Government . —( Reiterated , loud , and long-continued-cheers . ) He diili not despair of the Government What , he

      would a ^ k , would they think of a Government like the present , if it ( tven it- !;—and he did not despond at presentr-should correct its error , and do something humane for those unfortunate men who have recently been prosecuted , and those who are yet awaiting trial I Such an act would be a work worthy a statesman—( Hear , and applause . ) It would be well if the Government would hear the voice from that hall , and do something—( Hear and cheers ) The people were always grat-ful , and would be deeply so for such an act—( hear , hen ; -. ) tVouid then , that the Government would , in that hour , make the experiment . ' would that it would redress tbe wrongs and sufferings of the poor men then in prison ! and Bee whether it would not reap a glorious harvest of honour to its name— ( Loud and long continued cheering , intermingled with " -Bravos , " . amidst which the gallant Colonel concluded , intimating tbat he felt great satisfaction in giving his heartfelt support to the resolution . )

      Mr . Cleave rose to move the third resolution , prior to reading which , he observed , being one of the Subcommittee , who bad been concerned in the getting up of that meeting , he would lot them intu a \ secret , namely , that the committee bad unanimously come to the determination of reminding every speaker that he should confine himself tofifteen or twenty minutes at the outside ( Laughter ) He ( Mr . Cleave had been applied to to move the resolution which he then held in hia band ; and on the committee he had been appointed to another duty—that of holding a " plate" at the door—( hear , hear , and laughter . ) The resolution which he held in his hand , and which he would read related to it : it was to theeffect— / :

      " Tbat nearly three hundred families baling by the sentences passed during the late Special Commission , been deprived of their , natural protectors , and reduced thereby to a condition which presents no other alternn .. tive than to seek refuge in Union Workhouses , or to become houseless and destitute waudtrers ; and such enormous expences having been entailed upon the individuals indicted , who have traversed their trials , as to demonstrate that justice ( which should be freely dispeoee dj to be procured , most be dearly purchased ; it

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      therefore now behoves the friends general f , of humanity / apart from all reference to individual , political , or other opinions ; to testify their sympathy for the unfortunate families of the men already sentenced , and at the same time their desire to see justice secured in future , by establishing a General Defence and" Support Fund . " They should remember that " friends" and » foes * wouid draw an indication of the public feeling from that meeting , and be ( Mr . Cleave ) hoped they would do their duty by subscribing that night —( hear , hear . ) They would remember that every man who ( acknowledging the Charter ) was taken up , had done his duty —( hear , hear , hear and enthusinstic cheers . ) He ( Mr , Cleave ) felt assured that the brave men who had taken

      their trial , an * who were still to take their trial , would not rely on Englishmen in vain—jloud cheering . ) And if there were a man in that room who was fond of " his pot and his pipe , " let him , if he be poor , make a generous sacriflee of both , and by an act of self-denial , glva the amount to the " Victim Fund , " to such an extent as the Chancellor of the Exchequer would feel , and as would make the hearts of the " oppressors " tremble— ( cbeers , cries of " Hear , hear , " and "Brave ! " ) Mr . Jenkins , in a speech replete with classic teaming and allusions , displaying an intimate knowledge of the wisdom and abstruse lore ¦ of the philosoi which he

      phers , seconded the resolution , n doing remarked that he once knew of a man , who lost his liberty through consequence alone , of a want of money . He was found guiity of a r offence a ainst the-lawsof his country , aud would have been acquitted , had he had means wherewith to get up his defence . That fact , alone , spoke volumes to the present meeting ; for precisely so was it with " the victims , " in the present case— ( hear , hear . ) It needed no rhetorical fcfibrt of upeech to support the cause thoy were then advocating ; and in that conviction he would merely call upon thsm as Liberals , " and as Englishmen , to support the objects which the meeting had in view—( hear , hear , and

      applause . ) Mr . Spurr , in supporting the resolution , begged to callthe attention of the meeting to the condition pt the families of the men who had suffered in the cause of the people —( hear , hear . ) He felt pained by stating that thc-y were not supported as they ought to be ; : but he trusted that they were not to be neglected , now that their only providers were taken from them by a corrupt and inhuman system of Class legislation —( hear and cheers . ) He would not say to the people what they onght to do , but this be would Hay , that it was contrary to the law of the Creator to starve in the midst of plenty—( cheers . ) He thought a man could not be guilty of a greater arime than suicide— ( heat , hear . ) And he thought that that crime was to be committed

      without cutting throats ; for instance , if the industrious raau was driven to starvation , he ( Mr . Spurr , ) would like to know whether it was his duty to starve or assist himself from the stock which he had assisted to accumulate!—( loud cheers . ) He hoped every man would ask himself a few questions , upon the rights which he ought to possess , and not-to run away with the blind doctrine of—no liberty , no struggle—( bean and cheers . ) He bad struggled in tho cause of the people , and had stood at the bar of a metropolitan police orflce , with all the horrors of a prosecution before hi « eyes , end yet he had not been diverted from the path he ought to pursue- ' - ( cheers . ) He hoped every man would come forward in the great cause now at issue , and join heart and soul without bickeriug , which would be sure to strike terror into the . enemies

      of freedom—( loud cheers . ) In conclusion , he ( Mr . Spnrr ) would recommend the working men not to tbrow away their money in defending state prssecutioiiB , for If the Charter was to be had , it was only by suffering in dungeons that it was to be attained ; and heithought if it was worth having , it was worth a struggle , though that struggle would be painful , and it may happen fatvl to some—( cheers . ) He thought no man should fear a priEon , when that alone was tbe way to achieve the liberty of the enslaved English working-men ; and he would advise every man to be prepared to snffer in the great and glorious cause of the People's Cha ^ pr , as it was the only remedy for the great , the mighty , and overwhelming evils of his nnfortunate and long Unhappy country . Mr . Spurr then sat dewn , amid loud and protracted cheering .

      Mr . Roberts , of Bath , after repeated calls fr » m the vast assemblage , then rose and addressed the meeting . H ^ felt happy that night in beholding the citizens of the first city of the world , assembled to record their detestation of s . base Tory cot spiracy—iloud cheer . s ) . Ho « vas , indeed , happy to have the opportunity of recording his feelings upon the acts of that base , malignant , ahd bloodthirsty conspiracy , which the enemies of the people had been guilty of—( bear , hear , and cheers ) . He was indeed almost deprived of the power of utterance , when the scenes he had witnessed rushed upon his already affrighted mind- ;—( sensation ) . What , said Mr . Roberts , when the unhappy victims were not only entrapped but caged , they were to be denied the right of defence —( loud eries of shame ) . He would inform ' the meeting that when he applied to Bellamy , a sentleruan whom they had all heard of ,

      about the copy of indictments against bia clients , so ns to prepare their defence , that gentleman had the humanity to shudder at the idea of him ( Mr . Roberts ) attempting to defend Chartists —( cries of shame ) . He ( Mr . Roberts ) , would assure the meeting that he was not mis-stating , for it was notoriousthatnotonly were tho prisocera tried by packed juries , but they were denied the liberty of a messenger having ingress and egress at the Courts —( cries of shime ) . He ( Mr . Roberts ) bad every impediment thrown in his way—( hear , hear ) . He would just mention that tha High-Sheriff , writing Sheriff with two r a , a man who could not spell the designation of his tmce , had given orders to the doorkeeper of the Court , not to allow any messenger on the part of the " blackguard Chartists /' to enter there—( loud and reiterated cries of " shame ) . *' And It was not until counsel rose and claimed the

      interference of the judge , that he ( Mr . Roberts ) was allowed the right of a messenger to assist him in his duty to his clients . But if one thing more tfean another shocked him , it was that of the treatment of the martyred Ellis . [ A . deep and lasting thrill of painful sympathy followed the \ announcement of the name of that all but murdered patrfot , which , had my "Lord Abinger" witnessed , would have pierced hia adamantine heart ] He ( continued Mr . Roberts ) was marked out for the political sacrifice ; he had , at a certain time , given offence to my Lord Ingeatrie , by ousting him from the chair at a public meeting , and now hia turn was come ; and bitter indeed did that noble lord mix the poisoned draught for his helpless victim . He wbuid tell the meeting , that iu the whole course of his life ,

      in all that he had read , and all that he bad witnessed , he had never found a parallel to this same Lord Ingestrie . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) When he , the noble Lord , heard the foreman of the jury pronounce the word " Guilty , " he rose from his seat and smiled upon him , —tho foreman , who happened by the greatest chance in the world , to be his ( Lord Ingeatrie ' s ) tenant ( Loud and angry bursts of indignation followed the announcement ) In fact , he ( Mr . Roberts ) looked upon that truly good and most amiable of men ( William Ellis ) aa a sacriflce at the shride of freedom . - { A deep and mournful sadness porv&vled tbe meeting at this part of Mr . Robert ' s speech ; and when he alluded to the

      family of the expatriated man , and pourtrayed their last aad parting , the maiancholy was painfully expressed upon every face , and relieved Wtra thoso whose tears obeyed the noblest feelings of the heart ) Mr . Roberts then alluded to the noble conduct of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , who , in the strongest manner , ordered him to defend every prisoner , whether Tory , Whig , or Cbartist , as long as he was a working man , which drew down- the hearty applause of the meeting ; and concluded by a heart-stirring appeal on behalf of the suffering families of the victims . The learned gentleman took his S 9 at amid loud and long-continueii applause , previously to which ha offered the following resolution , which was unanimously passed : —

      " That , James Scarlet , Lovd Abinger , Chief 'Baron of Her Mojesty ' s Exchequer ; © ne of the Judges appointed to preside on such Special Commission , did deliver certain charges , which , the opinion of this meeting would humbly represent , -were improper , as proceeding from a Juuge npon the Bench , being oi an unfair , unjust , and political tendency ; calculated to prejudice , mislead , and exasperate the minds of rthe Juries to whom such charges were addressed , and by whom the individuals indicced as participating in the late disturbances were to be tried . " .

      The resolution was supported by Mr . Frazier , who said that the grand object of their assembling together was to make known the grievances of thrir . . fellow men , to tell the hardships under which they h : id Buffered , until the last remnant of liberty was takan away from them , by that abominable system cf class legislation , and an oligarchical government—( cheert ) . A- bold attempt would hava to be made to' put an end to such systems ; it would not do for them to sh « w that they were mere jaokalls ; something more was -wanted . They must prove themselves to be slap-up roaring lions—( eheers ) . The poor victims had suffered much , —their sufferings had been considerably augmented by that mode ™ Jeffries—( groans ) . Yes , he ( the Bpeaker ) -would not Knch in saying that the conduct of that man had caused the heart of many a friend to bleed . Hisposition was not enviable . He , for one , would not like to , occupy his place . He had heaped upon Chartism all that was

      degrading and insulting . He had even gone so far as to say that Chartism was illegal—( hear ) . Yes , he bad , alsosaid that it muoi be put down : but that could not , and never would be done —( cheers ) . The- beat means that could be done , would be for that great mass to assist their cause—to assist the cause with their pounds —to assist the cause with their shillings—to assist the cause with their pence . He ( the speaker ) could not help alluding to the great apatky that exists in the hearts of ™* ny persons ; he irould have them bestir theuttelw , and go up as ope man to the help of the weak against the mighty—( cheers . ) Look at the justice of this counwy ; see how it is meted out . If an individual with a starving family goes out , and In the freniy of the moment , while seeing his children stoning , takes means to prevent their death , he is immediately put down as a blood-thirsty Chartist—( Hear . ) His ( the speaker's ) objec ' o was to assist the working man in getting what had been so long denied him—his right and nettling

      more . . Dr . Black nest said he mse to perform * a grateful duty . Although the hour w . is lato he could not refrain from saying a few words with reapoct to ih ? . conduct of Mr . Duncombe , their worthy chaiiman . Shortly after the Convention was called a number of friends wa cd

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      upon Mr . Dancombe and requested him to nse his inffa . ence throughout th « Houso to get all the support ha could to the People ' s Petition . He bad dene so much ; he was enabled to do what no other man could do , ani be iDr . Black ) was persuaded that no person could have exerted himself more than Mr . Dancomtfe had , even if his own brother had been confined in prison , and by his exertions he was . aware would have procured his liberty . No ; no man could have done more than he bad done . He would therefore move that the meeting would tender to the worthy chairman their united thanks— ( cheers . )

      Mr , Smith said , he would wish to correct an error that fell from the lips of one of the speakers ; it was with respect to each person paying one penny , which he said would bring a large amount into their exchequer . Now he knew perfectly well that one penny from each . person would not pay the current expencea of the ni ^ ht he therefore hoped that they who were in a condition to give more would not withhold it , bnt , at the same time , he hoped tbat those who could not afford to give more than the penny , would give it . It-was for a noble object—It was for the support of the poor wives and families of the victims—( cheers . )

      Mr . John Campbell rose to second the vote of thanks to the chairman . He , for one , had treat pleasure in doing so . The conduct of Mr . Dun . combe had been most praiseworthy . He had carefully ¦ watched M * conduct through , the House of Commons , and had always found him to fee tha bold advocate for the rights of the people . He ( Mr , Dunconibe had presented that document , the People ' s Petition , before the House . —he had brought forward the Deptford affair ,- ^ , he had likewise brought forward the case of their old . tried , and much respected , bat persecuted friend , Dr ^ M'Douall . ( Immense cheering . ) He was so satisfied with the conduct of Mr . Duncombe on every occasion , that he ( Mr . Campbell , living in bis district ) would vote for him at the next election , providing he waa entitle * to a vote . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . DUNCOMBE next acknowledged in a neatspeech , the compliment passed upon him . He said the meeting had nobly done its duty , and it remainsd for him to do his . He was to be intrusted with the petition , which be should lay before the House of Commons , and he need not tell the meeting that he should give it all the support in his power . ( Cheers ) He conceived that the Members of that Houae ought to be made acquainted with the views of Chartism . They were ignorant of the real otyects the Chartists are attempting to accomplish . If they were to examine the document called the People's Charter—if they were to peruse it carefully , and without prejudice , they would discover that Chartism is not that hydra-headed monster it has been represented . ( Hear , hear , hear . ) When the petition and resolutions are brought before

      the houfle , and the conduct of Lord Abinger looked into , if he mistook not , they would say , that his conduct had been , t ^ say the least , most intemperate aud quite unconstitutional . In his opinion , Lord Abinger ought not to remain upon the bench . He , for one , would by every possible means exert himseif in presenting the petition to get his iordsbjp dismissed : and more ttnn that , he would not refuse to put his ( Mr . Duncombe ' s ) name to the petition . He would not detain them any longer , but conclude ( by saying , that the conduct of the numerous persons who had met together that night had been most circumspect—had been most praiseworthy . Their conduct was worthy of the bench at Liverpool—worthy of the House of Commons , and he ( Mr . D . ) hoped tbat when he goes to address the House of Commons on the prayer of that petition , tbat the honourable memberi will behave as well . —( Great cheering ;)

      -Mr . Duncombe then vacated the chair , and was saluted with three most vociferous cheers . Mr . BROWN said , be hoped before the meeting separated that he should be allowed to propose a vote of thanks to Mr . Roberts , who was bo nobly engaged in conducting the defence of the Political Victims in tha North . He felt with Mr . Roberts , that it was an honour to be acquainted with Ellis—( cheers . ) He must say , that Mr . Roberts had done that which will redound to bis glory , and be remembered when he ( Mr , R ^ Berta ) is known only by name—( chee rs . ) His con . duct had been such , that he bad exerted himself in every way , not only for Ellis , but the whole number of persecuted victims . He should , therefore , make no apology in proposing a vote of thanks , which being done was seconded and carried , amidst the most entha . aiastie marks of approbation . Mr . Brown then proposed three cheers for Mr . Duncombe , three for Mr . Feaigua O'Connor , ' . and three for the Evening Star , after which the meeting separated in in a quiet and orderlj

      manner . The following was the first resolution : — Resolved—" That this meeting most deeply regraj and sympathize with the degraded and distressed condition of the labsuriug portion of their fellow subject * , shown particularly througb « ut the late unfortunato disturbances in the Northern and Midland Couuties . " The following persons , with power to odd to their number , were elected a committee to conduct the fund to be raised for the defence of the victims , namely , Messrs . O'Connor , Ridley , Westerton , Pray , Wheels , Dron , Frazier , Sankev , Cleave , Harris , Blackmon , Shaw , Balls . Swaiue , Campbell , Dr . Bowkett , Dr . Blad , Norton , and Rogers .

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      In connection with this meeting , the Evening Star o ! the following day ( Friday ) has the following comment ! , which , to make our report of the proceedings com > plete , we here insert : — « ' The meeting to which the public has looked f <» . ward with more than ordinary interest , was held last night in the great room of the Crown and Anchor , Thomas S . Dancombe , Esq , M . P ., in the chair . The hour appointed for commencing business was half-past seven , but long before that time the room , and ever ; approach leading to it , was crammed , while scare after Bcore were compelled to turn their backs in despair before they hadevan reached the outer door . Shortly after the appointed hour , Mr . Daucombe entered the room , attended by the office-bearers , carrying wandj , and the committee of management . To attempt anyi thing like an account of his reception , however , would but subject us to the ridicule of these who witnessed the real thing , and therefore we shall merely say that

      it was in every respect what grateful thanks for the honest service of a pnblic man should be . Is was cordial , long , and heart-felt ; but when he had wedged his way through the flashy mass , and presented himself in front of the platform , then it was astounding . The huge mass appeared to be animated , simultaneously by some sudden impulse , and literally jumped up together , as if put in motion by machinery . This part of the business gave us great pleasure , because it is right and proper that public men should be honoured for honest public service—and none have done their duty more faithfully , nay , half so faithfully , to the working c asset as Mr . Duncombe . The advocacy of some Imperial Patriots smells of a change of circumstances ; and many who epat upon Chartism during Whig ascendancy , would now willingly court the outcast , to make its

      " put the Tories out" " scapegoat : " not so with Dancombe ; he battled the Whiga in their hottest ra ? e , and when their very existence depended npen the strength that put the Chartists down , Duncombe phgued hit own party night after night , and in the worst days of persecution defended tho persecuted , in spite of the fashion of his order . It is a remarkable fact , that Dancombe baa bean courted by the people , not the people by him ; and that in tho 3 e days when Attwood and Fielden were playing " pitch aud toss" with the working classes for a bit ; of popularity , Duncombe never bid against them , nor yet , like others , from spleen , opposed them . It is also remarkable , tbat Dancombe has nereif stepped out of his way to gafn Chartist applause whilJ the Chartists were strong , but has invariably thrown himself into the fire when lewd authority has threatened Chartism with its vengeance .

      " These are facts , and striking facts ; and facts which ( as his reception last night proves ) have struck the creat mass of the people as they have struck ourselves . Duncombe ia now , by election , THE MAN . OF THB PEOPLE , and , consequently , the envy of the SHOf BOYs who bid , but bid in vain , for those honours to which they had no real pretentious . We have given the proceedings at considerable length , and therefore criticism upon th » mere speeches is . rendered unnecessary ; the more so , r < s our sagacious readers , whatever WE here aay , will read and think for themselves . To those , however , who were not behind the scenes , and who eaw "nothing of the by-play or the performances

      before the curtain was raised , we will say a word M two . In speaking of speculations , none of our remark * apply to the general committee , nor yet to the verj excellent managing sub-committee , by whom the arrangements were completed ; they apply to the " Long stop" Whigs , who bad smelt a rat that savoured strongly of a Whig and Churlht pie , and in which tbe Chartists were to play the crust . There were a number of Lurchers , keen as a rat-catcher ' s dog upon the watch for bolting vermin . We do not speak upon mere snimise , we speak from fasts . The several recruiting companies in Whiggery were all on the quivive , and to the most modest manner possible the experiment wtf to bo tried .

      " The meeting , as announced in the bills , was Intended to have been a gathering of all orders of po& ' ticiauB ; and the consequence was , a strong muster « Whlga , flanked by tbe several skirraishiBg parties « that routed force . Sympathy is a fine rallying wordi justice a seducing recruiting sergeant , and charity •" unputoSkble beggar ; and sympathy , justice , 8 ° " charity , " Iria juncto in uno , were emblazoned upo » the banners of the company . Ah , but then these thiuj * in generaixome too late , and then tb « y are looked upoj as strained , not free—no » as the quality of aeKJt but as the trick of faction . The things bive been loo * felt

      by tbe poor and persecuted Chartiste They Mj learned that men are , ever upw the alert to fly-a ta those who wonld tender brass us tbe price of pri * ciple . They know that hitherto the poorest of tnepo <* have had the honour of supporting the victim * « faction . Such , then , were the respective feelings positions of the respective parties last night , »* ; boldly and nobly did the Chartists do ** duty . Applause was bestowed where applause ^ due , but the words charity ond undefined union * r flat upon the anxious ear . The speech of Mr . Feaf ?" O'Connor ( whose position in the ^ hartlet ranks evenM * enemies are now beginning to acinoR-kdge , —all & tempts to pluck him out of Labour ' s heart havirjg prorw futile ) was hailed by all parties with marked a 60 ( Continued in mir Seventh Page J

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      a THE NORTHERN STAR . . . _ '' ..: _^ __ " " ¦ '" ' *¦ ¦'¦ ¦ ' - " ¦ ¦' ¦ _^ \ \ J . * - - ¦ . - .... ¦ ¦ _ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ — : : ' ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 26, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct914/page/6/