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THE KOETHERN STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1842.
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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.
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$ O THE PEOPLE . 1 . —MY . Bsas . Friends ,- —I regret to address yea on any subject which haa n < -jt % direct oannecttoa -with Chart ) nn , and , still mo ' , % , to allude to matteta which concern myself , and Trtr , di may eaoae any difference of opinion in oar body ^ bat / when I am aa » Oed in to many ways , both by the Government and the Editors of Chartist newspapers , I think 1 should be destitute <* T the spirit of a inan , if I did not appeal to those -whom I nave fir xbf ally served , the -working men of Ungl&nd , Scotland , and Wale * . 2—First—In regard to the Government S—I am prerared , acting on the advice of my friends , and having a 'ine regard for the safety of my colleagues and my ball , to appear in court , and there defend on principle , aua I hope , like a man and a Ckartist , the part I hava taken , not only in the movement generally , bnt during , the strike in particular . 4—Secondly , I hare answered Mr . O'Brien , and his inainnat ioas , in a letter which I expect he will publish
talus paper . 5—Thirdly , I no w A \ down to meet the open and coTert eharges of Ur . Hill , the editor of the Northern Star 1 have read , I beliere , every Star issued ainca my « x 3 efc and I have sot overlooked the ominous meaning of the editorial remarka in the Star . I knew , from private information , from letters directed to the Bzecotire , sod from general observation , that I would sooner or later have to pass through an ordeal of denunciation , therefore , I was in a measure prepared for sn attack ; but , I must confess , I did not believe that the bitterest enemy , or the falsest friend , would have chosen the present moment for an attack upon my character , or to destroy my political existence ; far less -could I believe that a Christian minister , a
fellowlabourer in the cause , and once a real-or professed friend , -would have mouthed me on the one aide , whilst I had the Gevemment on the other , and around about and upon me , difficulties which require my whole energies to meet and subdue . However , experi ence has taught me to feel surprise at no event , however improbable and unjust , or unbecoming to the character of man : it has taught me to expect opposition even from my fellows with whom I have served , and certainly it is true that when you can succeed in attaching anything to a man's character , the accused will be very ignorant of humanity , if he expects consolation or aid from his companions . Fortunately , I neither need it nor seek it , because 1 have an honest and upright jury ia the working-men , and a perfect reliance in the justice of my cause .
6—I need no abusive language to aid me ; . 1 -will make use of no base insinuations against tbe character of any man . I will seek to destroy no fellowworker with cowardly blows , because I neither envy the position , nor bate the character of any man With whom I have toiled . No , my friends , I need sot the aids of injustice and calumny , because I can $ ni \ far better weapons in the facts I shall state , and in the uprightness and consistency of my political conduct , from the first moment I declared myself a Chartist , down to the present toe . I will not shield myself under a counter-accusation , nor trouble myself with —Trfofag- the records of the lives of my opponents ; the first I leave to the really guilty ; the second to the conscience of eyeij mas , and the discriminating judgment of the people , who are the only true judges of ¦ pifT > I take np the weapon of reason and enter the arena as firmly to defend my character from the attacks of my own party as I « i »» ti do in » court of justice to struggle with the Government
?—la the outset I might avail myself of the plea of absence and claim exemption from attack : but since the sense of justice * f my opponents has not suggested to them a little patience and further nursing of their hate , I will not cry mercy though I am on my back .. I bid defiance to them , and if I said it with my last breath , I would waBte it in defying them uBder every circumstance . Why am I thus fearless of assault and calumny ? Because I know that my services hare not gone unnoticed ; though working silently , the woitring men have seen what I have done , nd it will require able tdvocates and weighty charges to make the working class wheel about like a weathercock , at the puff of every writer in a newspaper .
8—I might likewise avail myself of another argument against entering the lists with Mr . Hill . It is that the contest is unfair , in as far as my present letter has to pass through his hands , and will hare an answer appended to it before it meets the public eye ; thus affording him attack and reply , or two blows for my one . That evident and serious disadvantage I will not complain of . It is Mr . Hill's fortune to have the high side of the field , andmine to have the opposite . If he inserts my letter , it is all I want
9—Let me begin then with a declaration of principle , as far as regards the . Star and Mr , HilL Shtfuld any one suppose that in this letter I am answering Mr . Sill , or making my appearance as if in a court at the summons of the Editor of the Star , he must disabuse his mind of that belief as speedily as possible . I never have , nor ever will , admit for a moment that I am ressponsible to Mr Hill , or to the Star , fat my opinions or actions ; neither 'will I be tried by the Editor , nor yet will I pay any attention to H » sentence upon me , or any of my colleagues . I will not fite any account of xaj conduct as a member of toe Executive to the Editor of the Star , or in any public paper , and I deny in toto the right of Mr . Hill to assume to himself die censorship of the National Charter Association , or of the Chartist body . Here are my reasons—
-10—Firstly . If I acknowledge my responsibility to the Editor of the Star , or any other paper whatever , * I would deliver into the keeping of another nun that which is always best in my own custody , vis ., the freedom of speech , thought , and action . I would submit myself to the judgment , and be bound by the decision of a man , whom I never elected , proposed , or dreamed of appointing to the office of judge over my actions ; farther , I would be submitting myself to one who is the servant of another ; who is again the sole proprietor of the Star , the Star itself being a private , and not apnblie speculation , over which I have no control , no cheek , sad so kind of wflnnnop whatever . , If I voted for Mr . Hill , as Editor of the Star , at if I had a vote in displacing him , I then would be bound by hifcaets ,
to a greater or less degree ; but even then the responsibility would be from the elected to the elector , from Mr . Hill to me , and not from me to Mr . HilL As we are now situated Mr . TTill did not appoint me -as a member of the Executive , therefore I am not responsible to him except in as far as lie is a member of the ^ National Charter Association , and then Mr . Pill , the member of an association , ia not the Mr . Hill the E 3 itor of the Slar , I did not appoint Mr . Bill Editor of the Star , therefore I claim no responsibility from him , on account of any thing he nay say or do . ' He is solely responsible to the ewner of the paper , in no way can he be iuflaenced by othera , and in no way ought others to be influenced by him , za&ees they consent to be so , against which concession
I enter my protest as an individual whom he has attempted to can to account . I acknowledge that the press does and ought to exercise a public influence , but that can and ought only to extend as far as tbe reason and justice of its articles , and at all times we should recollect that the freedom of the press is in fact a species of despotism which gives to one man when he chooses to exercise it the power of doing great good or boundless eviL I for one have no great faith in the fourth estate , and I shall always take the ' we * " for -whit it is wort h and no more , viz , the opinion of ONE man ixjkimxd by CAUSES which ice can neither seener control Finally , I wfll not be the slave of the press , and I shall acknowledge no allegiance to it ; at the same time I will not interfere with it .
11—Secondly , I refuse to account to . Mr . Hill , Editor , for my acts , or the Executive , and also to acknowledge his right cf censorahip orer the Charter Association , because no such office was contemplated by the fYnnifg- of the rules and regulations . ; and if so , I demand a voice in electing him . 12—Again , I have always questioned the propriety of bringing every matter connected with forty thousand associated men before miliipnn , and -subjecting the associated Chartists to the influence and votes of men who have no more right to interfere with the Association than the Emperor of Morocco , as well as the surveillance of the Government No man , or set of men , ought to interfere with tbe National Charter Association , unless they belong toil ; and I have yet to learn that it is , or was , a part of my duty to bow to a eenior . Others may do so ; but I am a Chartist , an 3 ¦ will have my vote for or-against the man bef # re I admit Mr . Hill to the watch-tower over me .
13—1 have stated what I will not do : I shall now state What I shall do . For every net of mine , as a public man , I shall appear and answer bef are * fairiy called and open publicmeeting of my fellow-countrymen , then and there to anrwer any charge preferred by Mr . Hill , or any question put by any of my fellow men . Apnblie meeting is the justice hall for me . If I amio be accused by my own party , then let all my acts be can-- vassed , my motives searched into , and a magnifying glass applied to every trivial act and word , and wben it is over , I believe I shall neither be found to be an agent of the Government , of the landlords , or cotton lords . After the scrutiny is concluded I shall borrow the lens , and probably find the old adage realised , viz , "that those who live in glass houses should sot throw
atones . ' ] For every act of mine , as a member of the Executive , I shall appear and answer before the members of any locality , then and there to have all acts , accounts , and deeds fairly blazoned before the meeting , where , at least , . the weakness of on association will not be published to our enemies , nor our divisions by our friends . I will answer any question personally or in writing , put to me fey any member of the National Charter Association . I have always declared my readiness to resign , even if one locality called upon me to do so , andfat all times I have treated with respect and attention the requisitions ol localities , or the wishes of my brother officers . My nomination and election were the acts of
the people , and as to the present salary paid to my "wife it is dearly not due to me , as I cannot perform the duties of the tffice . I shall repay , whenever it is in my power , tbe earn already advanced during my absence ; and I assure the members of tbe Association , that the unprotected condition of my family alone has induced me to receive it If it will be any immediate advantage to the Assodsiion , I hereby radgn ali ct » im to the effice or the salary , and I do is with the most perfect belief that the blast will stili be tempered f jt me , in tpite of the savsre pursuit of my fcEt ^ sies ; at ali erects I shall hear op ate a man , without a murmur , against every blow © f tyranny , of treachery , ox ol fortune ^
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li ^ Ihavea ^ ieady ssidthat l wiUnot iifbMaBiwedent forintroduorog explanations connected with the Associa tion ia the Star , because the proper course is for the member * of the National Charier Association to meet and deliberate on any act of the Executive , and through their , sab-secretaries Bommnnlcate their decision to the Rxeeutiro , taking care that the charge and defence are heard by them as a jury ; or a committee of enquiry , as one sensible tun proposed , can be empaunelled and proceed to conrider the matter at issue . The inost fatal step i * to make the public and the Gevemment parties to your quarrels . The lookers-on rob their hands with glee , and they will find agents to hunt the Star on the game they rejoice to see started .
15—Mr . Hill has preferred a v * j lame and miserable charge against me concerning tbpssm ef ton shillings a week having been paid me in addition to the thirty shillings , and which seems to be tbe head and front of my offending as a member of the Executive . He even proceeds so far as to denounce us as thieves—a charge which no man of any sense of honour or pride could for a moment endure . That is an old card in Mr . Hill ' s hanis , and 1 think he played it first at Hull . Any one who knows me , will never charge me with a selfish love of money , and surely every one must knew that if I had sought gain , I would not , in the first instance , have been a member of the National Charter Association . If I sought money in the National Charter Association , I would have remained a lecturer , and if I want money know , I have only to renounce Chartist
principles . During the time 1 have been on the Executive , I have been ready to lecture , agitate , or work night and day whenever required . I have opened new localities ; and in London , Manchester , or any part of the kingdom , I have kept my appointments regardless of expense , and equally so whether I was remunerated or not One month I travelled so incessantly that say cosch fare alone cost me fifteen pounds . Did I charge the country with that ? Look at all tbe balance sheets since I was allowed ten shillings additional . Yen say that was contrary to rule . So it was ; but was it not also contrary to rule for any locality to expect a member of the Executive to lecture for it , when they were too poor to pay either coach hire , or any part of the incidental expenses ? If the localities bad looked as mnch to rule as tbe Executive , Mr . Hill would not have been so loud hi bis abuse .
16—Now 1 st me ask Mr . Hill what incidental expenses mean ? What limit there is to the half ? and whether would there net be room there for heavy charges ? Let me ask the people if it was not more democratic for me to accept of la . 6 d . per day for incidental expences , than to charge the country perhaps five or ten shillings ? z , et me ask them if it is sot cheaper on tbe whole to adopt that plan , and then let me inform them that I found such an allowance on the average a very great loss ; and let me also say that had it been a very great gain , every penny would have gone to serve them as it hitherto has done .
17—The subject is , however , so mean , so despicable , and withal so exceedingly like the petty but annoying bite of a beg , that I loathe and detest tbe abject spirit which could enable any man to cry aloud , thief— rebber—on such slender grounds . The subject is suggested by malice , "and no doubt will be fanned by those who expect to stand in the Bboea of the present Executive They are welcome to do so , but they may depend upon it they will never prosper by snch deceitful work , their own edifice will tumble on their heads , and , like the piercing undermining mole , they will be crashed in thsir fragile den by tbe heel of an exasperated people .
18—Mr . Hill , in bis aitiele on tbe Executive balance sheet , says , "The excuse of Mr . Campbell , and all the talk of the talent , tbe honesty , (!) and the judgment !?) of the party , " &c Mark the petty spirit which rules the writer here ; see the printer's mark of exclamation when Campbell , in his warmth of heart , attributed honesty to m « , and then mark a second time the printer ' s mark of question ; question when my friend applies the term judgment to my character . Mark altogether the animus which guides Hill ia his charge , and then tell me if the Attorney-General has ever been more subtile , mean , or bitter towards a Chartist prisoner . Then read further , and mark how he smoothly and adroitly asserts , that " We have no vriih to depreciate the worth , or to underrate the tervices of Dr . M'DoualL" Ah . ' he would wish you to believe that , as « ne combatant would wish to convince the onlookers , be has no wish to strangle him he has thrown down , no wish in tbe world , only time to grasp him more securely by the throat .
19—Believe me , wetting men , Mr . Hill has been iong training his small arms and great gun on the Executive . He watches always bis time , and he said at Manchester , ha would ; bat as certainly as there is honesty on earth , he will be defeated . He may press upon a persecuted and absent man , he may serve up a bill ef denunciation against me ; at the same time , tbe Government prepare one to outlaw me ; but the native love of fair-play which sits in the heart of an Englishman , and glorifies his character amongst nations , will cry shame upon him , and force him to sneak away amidst the bootings of society .
20—Mr . Hill says : — " We happen to know that the Executive have been written to privately on these subjects again and again . " So they have , no deubt , . but they were written to on other subjects , of which I have now to speak , and to which I beg attention , as they will prove that that watchfulness is not for the mere love of democracy , which , Mr . Hill would lead us to suppose , only actuates Mm on the watch-tower he has placed , unbidden , in tbe Chartist vineyard . Recollect , I speak of facts which I know ; and in two of which the Executive had documentary and personal evidence , ready at the Manchester meeting , but which
were rendered unnecessary at that time ; first , because a charge was preferred against na by Mr . Hill , and others ; secondly , on account of a vote of thanks , instead of condemnation , feeing proposed by O Cjonor , and seconded by Cooper , of Leicester . I may also say , that I informed Grauby , of Hull , publicly , that his complaint against the Executive , aa fax as I was con . cerned , should bo longer exist . Now , mind that fact , because Mr . Hill knew it , and sow he raises the old objection ! although a consenting party to a vote of thanks :, and one who called on the nation for a tribute to tbe robbers .
21—The Executive received letters from varions parts , Informing us that a conspiracy was being formed against them , and particularly a letter from Leeds , which stated that Mr . Hill and othera agreed there in a certain house , to pursue a certain course of conduct ; against the Executive , the basis of which w&s—thai ike character of the Executive was to be sujfielenilp shaken £ rgt in private , and then by a simultaneous public assault . Nay , the language was reported , and the names of tbe new Executive actually pat upon a list I need not mention that neither Leach , Campbell nor myself were on that list . The plot was very cleverly got up , but it exploded too soon , and the people happened to be rery rusty on the matter . Where are the letters ? I know that will be the cry . I had three of them Which I
gave to Mr . O ' Connor to read whilst in Nottingham , and I must record a fact in that gentleman ' s favour ; be not only expressed bis indignation , bat he wrote privately to parties ( who know the truth of what I write ! , and publicly to the people , declaring that he would oppose and put down all cabalB of such a character . Where are the men ? oh ! both men and letters can flwDy be forthcoming , and my respected colleagues eusn no difficulty in producing them if they are wanted , an event which , certain parties will not demand tobe realised . I 22—What does all this shew ? Nothing more than | that the present Executive are very unpalatable to i Mr . Hill , and many others who have leagued with him I for their destructian , and who h&ve nibbled away with
! great energy for some time at myself and my brother i officers . Time will unfold the success of their labours , i and , in the mean time , I have pointed out the fact . i that there has been a little more than pure democracy i concerned with tbe discharge of the second and largest j gun against the Executive . I pass on to another subi ject , which concerns myself ; and , as Mr . Hill has an-! aounced his intention of removing the mantle of his I protection from those be loves , I hope be will take it r entirely away from those whom he hates , and in a bold and open manner write down their names in full ; with the ciime and sentence in ruled columns . Mr . i Hill says in the same Star , of Nov . 19 th , in his ap > ; propriately named article " Tbe Last Shift , " Wben : speaking of the Executive address—I will pass over i the cries which are mere echoes of Abinger aud the i Press , such as mad , mischievous , and criminal
document , and boldly confess that I am prepared to defend every sentence of that address , together with the propriety and jastiea of issuing it ; and I only refrain from naming the author on the ground that it would be giving information to the Government , which others may do , and get paid for if they like . I despise that mean and grovelling cowardice which would crawl and cringe at the feet of persecution , and whine out miserably . I did not write it , it is criminal , and tbe author ought to be punished for it Oat apon such pitiful poltroons . So help me God , I am so utterly disgusted with the general and abject renunciation of that address , that if the people will secure my five years' bail from all harm , and prepare me new bail , I will return and defend that address , acknowledge myself the author , and meet Mr . Hill in public meeting , at Leeds .
23 . Mr . Hill says , whoever the author is , he must be cast from the people . Mr . Hill knows perfectly well who is the author . He was at the Conference ; he heard what Gregory said ; he knew then , now , always the man he was stabbing under the convenient name of Mr . Whoever . He also insinuates , knowing whose character he is destroying , that the author may be an agent o ! the Corn Law Repealers , or of the Government , but not of the landlords . He even takes advantage of the bonds of the law , and knowing that it was neitherwise noT just of the author to give the government the required
information , he stabs away , satisfied that his man is Tast , and legs and arm , bound together as well ; as seas rolling between them ; and all the time be cries out , in the absence of evidence , nothing could be more base than to cfcarffeihe address upon any one . Merciful God ! Give me Tory malignity and Whig cruelty , bnt spare , mo ffbm the tender mercies of my friends . Jfcvtr mind , let him go an { lei him shako his man privacy Jrst , and then destroy him public ' y afterwards . Let him get up a public opinion against the address , and then cut conies theimme of the author .
2 i . Let him go on ; the people will awake , aye , and soon too ; they Tnll watch tte trials they -will find out the cloven foot ; and I Eialllive to see that man yet not only despised bet repentant ; ayCj bitttriy repenting his unjust assaults upon a man whose greatest crime b&a
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been devotion to and enthusiasm in the * cause of Chartism . He baa done hi * wont against ins , and hand in hand he haa kept pace with my pacsaoatoca . , 25—He denounced the address in the Star mceeedinf the Conference , and the Government followed up with their arrests . He declared it to be tbe cause of the mischief , and the Government commenced their pursuit He denounced me aa a dangerous man , and my letters as mad and mischievous ; . the Government took him at his word , and set a price on my head . He declares the author it an enemy to the cause : the Government , that he is an enemy to his country . He declares the author ' s sentence to be banlshmont from the country . He destroys the author ' s character amongst the Chartists ;
tbe Government his ehanoe among the jury class . And to finish the measure of persecution , Mr . Hill introduces a bill of denunciation at the tery moment the Government file one of outlawry . Working-men , Englishmen , Scotchmen , and [ Welshmen , where have I a chance afforded me ; pursued , persecuted and prejudged , is it not true I made an appeal to my countrymen , and demanded their protection ? I do demand it as an sot of justice , not one of mercy ; as a right , not as a favour . To whom do I appeal ? to the Trades and Chutists of Manchester . Fellow-men speak ont , speak the truth if it should kill me , and as your acts were my acts , say at once whether you approve or condemn . Your decision will influence me much , and I await it with tranquillity and courage .
26—In the meantime let me remind the readers of forgotten facts . The Conference met in Manchester after the strike . When the address was issued , there were none to strike in Manchester . Tbe address appeared only in th » se places where the strike was general , and only for one day ; above all . the Trades' address appeared first and the other second . How then could that address cause the strike ? 27—There are but two ways to blame the address I first , because it did continue the- strike ; aud second , because it did not Mr . Hill Is one who blames it for tbe first cause , and I am anxious to know how many Manchester men , and especially of the trades , agree
with Mr . Hill in condemning that address because it continued the strike . The next charge would be , that the address did not do what it promised , which , certainly , to my mind , ought to be the charge brought forward by the honest Chartists . Now why did it not do what it promised ? Simply becauso Mr . Hill and others would not take any part in the strike , and consequently the machinery spoken of broke down . Mr . Hill came to Manchester , determined to oppose the strike ; and in reporting from places which he said were resolved to take no part in tbe strike ; news arrived to contradict him , and to state that those places represented aa being so obstinate had been the first to move .
28—I repeat it that the Blackburn and Preston murder called for the address and even revolution , but caution or cowardice , mastered folly ' and mischief . God knows I woald have been fool enough to risk my lift ) to avenge the murdered men , and if that Is Mr . Hill ' s charge , I plead guilty . In his own language I say that the people will hi time distinguish their friends , and I can , in the mean time , live down his persecution . 29—1 have stated that some person took away a copy of the address from tbe printer , and read it in Carpenters' Hall previous to any decision on the part of the Conference , or any alteration in the document itself . As it now stands , I am ready to defend it If the chief charge against the author is that of attempting to continue the strike , will the trades , who proclaimed that resolution , first defend their position or desert it ? True , they issued another , aud so might the author , had the law not been quicker than the printer .
39—As the address etands , every one denies having anything to do with it , because it happens to be obnoxious to overntnent , and everyone would have fathered it bad its fate been different 31—Some speak of my flight Let those gentlemen beware of using the word with my name . I neither fled nor hid myself , but remained in and near Manchester until all danger aud disturbance bad ceased . I was the last man to fly , not the first I was quite at my ease , except for my bail , one of whom is a working
man , 32—Now , my friends , I believe I can give you the true reasons for these assaults on me and the author of the address . First , the timid think such a course will recommend them to a lenient sentence ; and , secondly , think they will prevent my return to England , —and I do not know whether Mr . Hill or the Government are taking the best steps to effect it The . ' Brat course might be secured by a simple no ; and the second cannot be secured by any such method as that pursued by Mr . Hill , who seems to think that the best check is to destroy my character , which be most religiously believes he can de . He shoots with a wooden arrow ; the people are not at his beck ; and it will be difficult for a man who did bis best to make the movement fail , to convince the people that that failure is a crime . Let him remember tbe high gallows made for Haman , and let him know I fear him not , if I bad a good old meeting , a free stage , and no favour , which I will have sooner than he dreams of .
33 . —Now , my friends . In conclusion , Jet me state that all the Hills in England will never make me change my principles , —no , if all the people were to condemn me , I repeat now that which I stated in the court at Chester ; I will stand undismayed , between the frowns of a people on the one hand , and the terrors of persecution on the other . I have done nought which will make me fear the face of man , and armed with the panoply of truth and principle , ! take up my position on the justice of my cause , where I am superior to the dart of treachery on the one aide , or the arms of a Government on the other .
34 . —Like the Rosaan who could traverse tbe known globe , repeating in pride and in safety , I am a Roman , so in passing through the shower of shots aimed at my heart , I cry aloud , unhurt and exulting , I am a Chartist . If I am defended bv the people I shall glory in their confidence , which has borne me hitherto , above every trial and trouble , and which has been a shield and a sword in my hands , as well as &n honour en my breast , which as it has been dearly bought , shall be dearly taken away . 35 . —If I am forsaken by the people , I shall still possess my principle , and I shall find consolation ia looking back on the fate of the noble Athenian , who was banished from his country by the votes of his fellow citizens , for no other reason than that assigned by one of tbe voters , " I hated him for his justice , therefore I voted for his banishment . " S& . —I have done ; my case is now before you , and in its justice I anchor my confidence .
37 . —I am , as I ever will be , sincerely devoted to my cause and my country , though An Exile .
The Koethern Star. Saturday, December 10, 1842.
THE KOETHERN STAR . SATURDAY , DECEMBER 10 , 1842 .
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Never did puddle storm more av ? fully than the one which we have stirred : and right thankful may we have cause to be , if the dirt throwing do not choke ns before we have "cleaned out the quarry ! " If ever our readers have seen a batch of light-fingered lightermen on board their craft , doing battle with the constables , to preclude an acquaintance with the " b ^ aks , " they have seen no bad correspondence of the present conduct of the Executive . As an individual portion Of tbe people to whom they are responsible , we have required that they should perform the duties they are paid for ,
and that thoy should themselves conform to the rales which it ia their duty to enforoe ; we have hinted a suspicion that they have in many things not done so , and we have desired to bring them to explain or answer for their conduct to the people , tbe only legitimate authority . Instead of answering our just requirements , and those of the Metropolitan delegates , the Leicestershire delegates , the Hull Councillors , the Birmingham Chartists , and very many others of their constituents , they get aboard
their mud barges , and throw dirt with both hands , in the hope of making farther effort to bring them to a reckoning so disagreeable a bnsiness that their accusers may he sickened and suffocated with the nastiness , and so they may escape . They mistake greatly : we are not thus to be beaten off . The filth and stench of their native Billingsgate and ready falsehood may be a little annoying , bnt it lies only on the surface ,, and can be easily washed off with the clean water of truth .
We think the preserving of the fair escutcheon of oar cause from rust and filth , a matter of too high consequence to mind the soiling of our fingers a little by its cleansing ; and hence we manage to preserve a marvellous equanimity under all the scurrillous abuse , artful misrepresentations , and unblushing falsehoods , that are had recourse to aa a means of diverting the people ' s attention from the information we have given them . It will not succeed , and simply because we shall not permit it . It may be sufficiently disgusting , and not a little
painful , to reply to the sort of stuff which these men vent in their maddened writhings , hut we shall perform the duty , though not the most pleasant one . The people have a right to have the whole matter laid before them , and so far as our time and space affurds opportunity , they shall hare it . They shall have ihe means of forming their own judgment how far their own principles have been recognized in the very c i : vdel of their own movement . We last week nci only peraiited Leach and Campbell to bespatter us pretty liberally with the filth of their joint letter , but wo gave free Tent also to the
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belohings of Lsach ' 8 bout stomach , at the Car penters ' s Hall , and the South Lancashire Delegate Meeting . We passed ihese without note or comment , expecting them to be taken up by other parties > It will be seen , from the communications from Hull , Birmingham , Sheffield , and Loughborough , that they have b , eea so taken up . We bare now to deal with tt » long "denunciation '' of M'pbuALL , which appeared in the Evening " Star of last Wednesday and Thursday , and which ought to have appeared in ' . . the Nortfam Star o £ last Saturday ; but some reason , best known to himself , induced the " denunciator ^ not to send it here , No man ever had or ever shall have any right to complain of injustice or a want of fair play at our hands ,
and hence , though we are by no means bounden to it , we give the Doctor ^ whole document in juxtaposition with onr own observations , and as it is a matter of most unweildly length , we have broken it into paragraphs , and numbered them for convenience of reference . We shall do that which , though it is our own invariable custom , no disputant had ever yet , the fairness to do by us , abide strictly by the matters and things to be replied to , and beep in view the question . Had the Doctor and his mates done this , instead of raising suoh a -pother in the mud , we might have had much leas trouble , onr readers much less annoyance , and themselves a much better chance of " getting out of the mess " than they now have . ¦ :
Conscious delinquency is alwayB inconsistent , and Dr . M'DouijM , forms no exception to the rule ; the head and tail and body of his letter fit so badly together , and form so strange a contrast and diversity , that they make the whole to look like a sad abortion . With the first four paragraphs we have little concern . The fifth contains nothing upon which we think it necessary to observe beyond the passing remark , thai a " Christian Minister ! * nd a fellow labourer in the cause" would have ill discharged his duty , perceiving dangers and abuses , not to point them out .
The sixth paragraph is on 3 that we wish the Doctor had verified in the remaining portion of his letter : ' it would hare saved us much , trouble . We give it entire : — "Xnejta no abusive language to aid me ; I will make use of no base insinuation against the character of any man . I will seek to destroy no fellow-worker with cowardly blows ; because I neither envy the position , nor bate the character of any man with whom I have toiled . No , my friends , I need not the aids of injustice and calumny , because I can find far better weapons in the facts I shall state , and in the uprightness and
conaietancy of my political conduct from the first moment I declared myself a Chartist , down to the present time I will not shield myself under a cou nfcer-accusation , no trouble myself with searching the records of the live of my opponents ; the first I leave to the really guilty ; the second to the conscience of every man , and the discriminating judgraent of the people , who ate the only true judges of men . I take up the weapon of reason , and enter the arena as firmly to defend my character from the attacks of m ? own party as I shall do in a court of justice to struggle with the Government" . . "' . ¦ - . ¦ ¦;•'•' ¦ : : ¦ ¦ ' . ¦'¦ ' : . ¦ . ¦
We regret much , for the Doctor ' s own sake ^ that the major portion of his letter proves that this specious seeming is assumed merely for purposes of tact ; as be deals very largely in all the matters of abusive language and counter acousation which he here promises tQ eschew . In the seventh paragraph , under pretence of disclaiming it , he makes very dexterous use of the string so much fiddled on by his co-mates to divert attention from themselves and the matters with which they s * and charged . He sets up the plea of absence . He is " an absent man "; and , therefore ,
ought not to be attacked 1 Not a word should be said about his delinquencies , because he is not there to defend himself 1 His coadjutors have all sung this song in chorus ; and thei Doctor pops in a very convenient chord by declaring that he won ' t Bing it . Now , supposing that M'Douall really was absent ; this is not a matter on which the plea of absence could , with the slightest plausibility , be offered for him . He was not absent when , for months together , he was every week appropriating publio money under false pretences , and trampling under foot tha Rules of the Organization
which he had been appointed to enforce . He was not absent when , in July last , his attention , and that of his coadjutors , was called to the batter by the kindly and friendly letters of the Hull councillors , and by the very propor and spirited resolutions of the Leicestershire delegates—when he wrote to the Hull secretary that if the Hull councillors were not satisfied about the ten shillings &-week it should be given up , and waB answered that , M of coarse they were hot satisfied" to see the money of the publio illegally appropriated . He was not absent when at Manchester , he publicly stated that
the complaints of the Hull councillors had been considered , and that there should be no more cause for them . He must have known , during all this time , that the balance-sheet would appear again in due course , and would certainly exhibit the evidence of his falsehood and ill faith- The cry of " absence " opposed to ihese clear matters of faot , is contemptible . He was not absent while all this was going on j he is not absent now 1 Of his particular location we know nothing . Whether he may be in England or out of it is a matter of no consequence ; he ia sufficiently present for all matters of defence .
The press is open to him . He has access to it , and as ready ft communication with it as any other man . In the Northern Star : , pf Saturday before last , we made some comments on the conduct of the Executive . In the Evening Star of Wednesday appear two columns from M'Douall in reply ; on Thursday two columns more ; aad in the Statesman of Saturday almost two columns more . Here is a man who , in a paper war , returns three blows for one ; and oryB out that he can't defend himself , because he ' s not there !! The very
letter upon which we ar « now commenting , states , that he has seen every Star ^ ^ issued Binco his " exile . Nothing can be more clear than that the cry of »• absence" under such ciroumstanceB . is a mere ^ artful dodge" to avoid accounting for misconduct by exciting the commisseration of the people and appealing to their prejudices against those by whom his misconduct iB pointed out . The "dodge" shall not serve him . Hfe is no more absent than we are ; and the endeavour io escape censure upon such a plea is in no way t creditable , though it may evince a little tact . ' . ¦•¦ ¦ . : ' ' ¦ ' - . : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ - ¦ ¦ " . ' : . | : :- ¦ ¦ ' ¦ - ' - ¦ ¦ •¦ " ' . ¦¦¦ ¦ - .
In the eighth paragraph he talks of " entering the lists with Mr . Hill . " We beg to assure him he here labours under a small mistake ; when Mr . Hill " enters the lists" it will not be with him . His ninth , tenth , eleventh , and twelfth para * graphs are occupied with denying his responsibility to Mr . Hill , or the right of Mr . Hill "to try him , " or " pass sentence upon him "; and he assigns as reasons , therefore , that" he did not vote for Mr . Hill as Editor of theStar , " and that" he has no vote in displacing him " , and that" no such office as publio oensor , with power to try , and pass sentence upon
men , exists in the Chartist Organization " , and that "the freedom of the press is , in itself , a species of despotism . " Had he been inclined to realize the specioss seeming of his sixth paragraph , which We have quoted , he would have saved himself the trouble of writing all this nonsense . He knows perfectly well that Mr . Hill never assumed any such right of censorship ' , that Mr . Hill never attempted to make the Executive responsible to him aa Editor of the Star , or to" try" and " pass sentence " upon them . As Editor of the Stnr t Mr . Hill
always haa exercised , andalways will exercise , that censorship which legitimately belongs to a free press—the right of canvassing the acts of public men , and of pronouncing an opinion upon those actsi To this ho has always added the practice , which is perhaps less commaon aming journalists than it should be , of giving his reasons for his opinions , and of trying to make those reasons and opinions clear to the appiehension of the people ; and this we fancy is ju 3 tthe '' spsoies of despotiEm" which the i ) ootor fears . He does admit , however , that Mr . Hill ? as a member of the Association" has a right to an opinion ;
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and we presume that no one , unless it be himself Will dispute that he ^ has » right to express that opinion . NowwhatnMMr . Hn ^ donetethiateej cise ! Has he presumed to decide , and ** to pass sentence" on ^ he Executive I In the very article M Executive Balance Sheet" commented on in this letter are the words-- ' we trust we have said enough to show the people that it istimetnsi lookup the matter t » earnest ; " ** & in foe next paper , to which allusion is made in the same letter , the Doctor had before him , iiv plain print , the following words : — - ' : ¦ ' ; ' -. . ¦ - ¦'¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ¦ ' ¦ - ¦¦ ¦/ " : ' ¦¦¦¦ : "'¦ ¦ ¦ . '' .
" To our mind it is of much more consequence to prevent these things in future than to trouble ourselves about the past . That which ia past cannot be recalled ; but the people may make past errors a beacon for the future . We recommend therefore , that the whole matter be taken up by all the localities , at once ; that the members and councillors meet together and deliberate upon the subject ; that they endeavour to keep in mind the whole question , and to keep out of mind everything but the question—the duties of the Executive and the manner in
which they have been performed ; that they lay the balance sheet—not the last merely , but the last three balance sheets and the organization both before them , and examine them together ; that they read in connection therewith , the letters of the Hull Councillors to the Executive—the articles in the Northern Star of this and the last two weeks , and especially all that the Executive have said for themselves in explanation and defence ; that they weigh all these carefully and dispassionately , using their own clear sense of right and wrong , and their own appreciation of principle ; not suffering themselves to be led or biassed , either by us or by the Executive , but judging fairly from the evidence which lies before them , and recording their opinions in firm , clear , and temperate language .
•• The matteris one fraught with as much importance as any that has occupied the publio mind for a long time . We ask not , therefore , that the people should take usi for a guide ; but that they should divest themselves of prejudice , and view the whole subject in the clear light of common sense and Chartist principle . " . ¦' . / ¦ ¦ .-, - ¦ ¦ . ;¦ V ¦¦' . . : . . . '¦ \ . Now with those paragraphs staring them in the face , we ask any man's common sense , if the blash about Mr . Hill ' s " censorship , " and about his assuming a right to " try " and " pass sentence " upon parties , and to make " slaves" of them be not ,
maugreall the Doctor's specious seeming , an impudent " counter accusation " got up without a shadow of proof to rest it on , for the purpose of shielding and covering himself ; the course which the Doctor says ha will " leave to the really guilty / ' -tye shall not permit his " counter accusation "to avail him . He is not indicted at the bar of Mr . Hill , but at that of the Chartist public . Mr . Hill assumes no right of judgment or sentence ; he states facts and leaves the country to judge of them . If M'Douall can rebut these facts ; if he can prove that , as an Executive councillor , he has been guided , in his own conduct by
Chartist principles , aad has acted in accordance with the organization ; if he can prove to the public that he has not violated the rules he was appointed to enforce ;' if he can show that as an Executive councillor he has not forfeited his trust , and broken faith with the people , let him do so , and no man will more readily acquit him of these charges than Mr . Hill . But it is not this swagger about not being response ble to Mr . Hill personally , and about not being a slave to the press , the freedom of which he regards as a species of despotism , that can hoodwink the people to the plain matters of fact in question . He
either has or has not been a party to a-systematic , and long-continued process of fraud , deliberately concocted , and at first ingeniously cloaked over with false pretences ; and afterwards openly and impudently perpetrated without any pretence at all , in open defiance both of the spirit and the laws of the Association . That is the matter with which he stands charged not before Mr . Hill , but before the people ; not by Mr . Hill alone , but by many other members and officers of the Association as Well . The proefs are that he accepted office , knowing himself to be entitled to a certain amount of salary
and no more ; that after some time ; he agreed with the other members of the Executive to increase that salary fully one-third ; that this was done accordingly and paid to him regularly ; that as there was no colourable pretext for this , it was put down in the Balauoe Sheet under the false and disguised entry of " agitating expences , " in hope that it might thus escape detection ; that in July last the Hull Councillors detected it , and wrote about it , and he promised that it should be done no more ; that at Manchester he afterwards publicly stated that the
complaints of the Hull Councillors ( this being one of their complaints ) had been considered and remedied ; and that when the next Balance Sheet was published it appeared that the disguise of the " agitating expences" had been dropped , and the whole sum was , without any pretence of authority , put down as "wages . " Now what M'Douall has to do is net to bluster about Mr . Hill ' s " censorship , " but to meet these facts , and either show that the facts are not so or that they accord with the rules and duties of the office he holds . ¦
But he has another reason also why herefuaoa to answer to Mr . Hill . He denies that the matter is a matter for the public at all . It is a matter exclusively appertaining to the members of the National Charter Association ; and he "questions the propriety of bringing every matter connected with forty thousand associated men before millions , and subjecting the associated Chartists to the influence and votes of men who have no more right to interfere with the Association than the Emperor of Morocco . " And yet in the very next paragraph , the fourteenth , he refuses to acknowledge any tribunal or answer for his acts to any other party than a publio meeting . ' He says : —
" "For every act of mine , as a publio man , I shall appear and answer before a fairly called and open public meeting of my fellowrcountrymen , then aud there to answer any charge preferred by Mr . Hill j or any question put by any of my fellow men . a PUBLIC MEfiTING IS THK JDSTIGfi HALL FOB ME . " How very consistent this is I The referring to M'Douall ' b coaduot , as a publio man , in the Star is reprehensible , because it brings it before millions ,
whereas none but members of the Charter Association have anything at all to do with it ; while yet a public meeting where evidently many , perhaps even a majority , might neither'be members , nor in reality know anything of the merits of the question , is the only " justice hall" for him . There is little dlfBoulty in understanding this ; and in perceiving that it bespeaks much less confidence in " the uprightness and consistency of his political oonduot ' than he is inclined to take credit for .
Again , who does not see that if it be wrong per se to introduce into a newspaper the matters of the Association , the same argument would exclude the balance-sheet from the Star , and would also prevent any member of the Association from giving publio expression to his opinions through a newspaper . And we rather think this is the point really aimed at by M'Douall , Leach , and Campbell . It is the " species of despotism , " the freedom of the press , that " bothers" them . Take from the
localities this mode of communicating with each otherthe law prevents them from corresponding—and there is then the chance that a little peculation might be got much more snugly over . If one locality ; were quick enough to perceive it , perhaps all might not ; and the one might be bullied—aa was attempted with Hull . But the rascally Star tells all of them , all about it , and makes every one as wise as the rest . We feel no surprise at all that M'Douall should have no great affection tot the " fourth estate" ! . ' ¦ • : ' ' ¦ - ¦ " '¦>¦'¦ ¦ V .. ; ¦¦ ¦; . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ' -. ; -:- ' '" ' : ¦ :
In the fifteenth paragraph , he comes for the first time to a grappling with the ^ natter ^ really at issue ; of which a plain acknowledgement , or explanation , Avas allthat was ever asked ^ ox wanted ; and which might have beeen affordwfein two lines Indeed the one single line that we qtfoted last week settles the whole matter : — :
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"You say that was contrary to rule . So it wag . " Here then is a dear acknowledgement of the whole matter charged ; and all alter this ia idle extenuation and mere talk for dWersion ' s sake . The excuse that the localities did not pay the expeneeg we bare already met , in answering Leach and CiMPMLL ; It is xhh ddtt of the Executive to see that the localities do comply with the terms of tha Organization . There | s in this j > ari ^ ph laud * display of disinterestedness , much talk of his own labours and generoBity , and a most virtuou 8 disolaimer of * U " selfish love of money . " We
should have liked all this better had we not known the fact that either hiB selfish love of money" or something else did certainly induce him for many months to receive ten shillings every week to which he had no right—first under the false pretence of » ' agitating expences , " and afterwards , when driven from that position , openly and nakedly in defiance ef all pretence whatever . Plain ficta speak to u much more forcibly than professionst however loud . The sixteenth paragraph is aa attempt to "get
aiway" by a bold dash . He raves about " Incidental expences , " and the manner in which they might be run up ta large sums , as if he had either never read the Organization at all , or , at all eTenta , thought ijobody else had . He has no right by the Organization to charge to the country one farthin ? for incidental expenoes , save when employed in breaking up new ground , and he does not attempt to show that during the time in question he v ? as thus eittr ployed for even a single week . .
The seventeenth paragraph shows the "honest " Doctor very uneasy and uncomfortable un < fer the cironmstanoea of his own seeking . He is annoyed '* thereat . We do not wonder ; nor need he . Had he "loathed" the " meani despicable subject" at ihe proper time , he might have missed the " annoyance / ' Had he not made the "bug , " he could not have been bitten by it . The " bug" ia the consoiodsness of "the mean , petty , despicable ^ fraud wbloh he first took so much pains to conceal , and now tries so vainly to brazen out . We do not wonder at his being angry with Mr . Hill .
He asserts that we are actuated by malice against Mia , He knows that to be a lie . He knows and every body Who has read the Star knows that there has never yet been one man in the movement whom -we havenot supported to the utmost extent of our ability , so leng as we could possibly do ao without betraying the people . Why should we have any malice * against him 1 We have never known him save as » Chartist : and even v ? ere we capable of being actuated by the motives of petty jealousy and personal animosity , what ; is therein him to call forth these qualities in ub 1 He has never crossed our path in any Way , sor ever can do so . But / we shall never sit and see the people bamboozled without telling ' them . ' ' " - ¦ ¦ ¦ '¦ .. - .. / : / . ' . - : : - ¦ ¦ ¦/> ¦ ¦ ; V ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦'* ' : ¦¦¦ ¦¦' ¦
In the eighteenth paragraph , he almost poetize * because we admire his honest ; and question his judgment ? We cannot help it . It seems plain to us that either one or both of these qualities may bo fciirly ^ considered ^ as beyond all question . The nineteenth paragraph ia another small piece ofjfroth about the " absence" cry . That we ^ have already disposed of . The twentieth paragraph afiitms that Mr . Hill was a consenting party to a certain vote of thanks
moved by O'Connor and seconded by Cooper , of Leicester . The writer knows this to be false . He knows that so far from " consenting , " Mr . Hill did not even assent to that vote of thanks . There are witnesses enough of that . Mr . Hill did not vote against it : he knew that there was no nse iu doing so ; he did not vote upon it at all ; but he had previously spoken , distinctly disclaiming all connectipn with anything which expressed approbation either of the Strike or of the conduct of the Executive .
/ Mr . Hill is taunted . with having " ealled on the nation for' /» Jribute to the robbers" ! Why did he do so 1 Because he had a month before seen a letter from M'Douall promising that the robbery should bo discontinued ; he had then the word of M'Douallpublicly pledged to the same effjot ; and he was fool enough to believe M'Dpuaii . He Was deairoas 40 give the Exeoutive credit for honesty of purpose ; and , therefore , he not only called on the nation for a tribute , but from his own scanty purse contributed more to their funds than any other man in the kingdom—save one . He is now 1 uJte willing to acknowledge that the foliy of the act deserved the sneering taunt by which it is repaid . The twenty-first paragraph afiirms that . —
"The Executive received letters from varioua parts , informing us that a conspiracy was being formed against them , and particularly a letter from Leeds , Whioh stated that Mr . Hill and others agreed there in a certain house , to pursue a certain course of oonduot against the Exeoutive , ihe basis of which was- —thatthe characterqf ' the [ Executive was to be sufficiently shaken first in private , and then by O simultaneous public assault f * Itgoeson : —• : . ' .. ¦ ¦ ¦ : ' - // '¦ ¦ ' . ¦ ¦ ' : ¦'¦' ' . ¦'¦ *• Where are the men ? oh ! both men and letters can , easily be forthcoming , and my respected colleagues can have no difficulty in producing them if they . are wanted , an event which certain parties will not demand to be realised . "
If the writer thinks us to be one of these " certain parties / ' he mistakes ; We do demand the producr iion both of the letters and Hie men . We deuandthh : PUBLicATidii of those LEXTEBS . And , if they be not produced and published , and if they do not Bear out this statement , we brand M'Douall as a liar and a scoundrel . If they be produced and published , and if they do bear out this statement , it will be for the writers to substantiate them . Mean *
time we give the people Mr . Hill ' s aesuranoo on the honour of a man , that he never saw or heard anything of this alleged meeting , save from this letter and from Leach ' s speech , reported in last week ' s Star ; that no man ever named or sven hinted any such thing to him , nor anything at all resembling it , or which could possibly be distorted into any thing like it ; nor can he think that any man would dare to do so . ^
. The rest of this long letter consists entirely of mouthing about the unfortunately famous address which has been so often called "the Executive ' s Address . '' He is " utterly disgiisted witliV the general and abject renunciation of that address , " and he is valbrously angry with ua because wo will neither praise it nor father it ; and because we repelled the calumny of the foul-mouthed xuffian . who . charged its authorship upon O'Comnob . Well t we cannot help it . Our opinion of that address has never altered from the first time we saw it . What w ° thought then , we think still , " We never did and never shall defend it . Whoever was its author , we regard him as a most mischievous individual , and one whom the people , if they have
heretofore trusted him , should trust no longer , but cast from them the moment be is . disoovered . " We don't say Whg was the author of it ; nor shall we bo tauntedor " scolded" by M'Douall into auy admission of whether wo knoW the author or not . We leave him to give the Government that information if he pleases ; he seems vastly inclined that way We are quite content , on the part of Mr . Hill , to borrow his own words ; . ¦ ¦•• I only refrain from naming ^ the author on the ground that it would be giving information to the Government ; which others may do , and get paid for , if they like . " M'Douall knows this very well ; and so do those who bully so bravely upon velvet about " coward thrusts" and and "deadly stabs /' &c ;
We are very eorry , for th 6 sake not Only of M'JDouall but of many whom we think better men , ' that he has lugged in this mischievous doounient at all . We have regretted nothing more ia the unhappy business of the last few months than thai knaves and fools would not let that address alone . We have never once named it save when . compelled . ' And yet , in the next paragraph the ymter , fi * . iU Bpeaking of it Bayr / : —
'" He denounced the address in the Star succeeding tbe Conference , and : the Government followed , up with their arrests . Ho declared it to be the cause of the mischief , and the Government commenced their pursuit . " ; ' . w ¦¦ ¦¦¦¦ ' :. - ' ¦¦• ' ¦ ¦' : ' - : .- ¦¦ : ¦¦;/ ¦ ¦
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 10, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct916/page/4/
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