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Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st December 1842, Edition 5 of 5, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1842.
    • THE CONFERE^ T CE.
    • ®o mei&evfi avfc GQWt&gQvtotntfi.HIW ¦ n - imi^S^— «»¦ ¦ — — "X*1
    • BIRMINGHAM CONFEREKCE.
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      Untitled Article

      , T 0 THE CHAKTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . My Friends , —I am one of those wto think that * an accuse ? should come into court . Jrith clean hands . " I think that we should exhibit consistency in oar character and in our conduct . Struggling with and for each other , for common rightB , against a cemmon enemy , no other -virtue is so necessary and important to as as that consistency of character , which may give the lie to the most plausible and most frequently reiterated objection of thai common enemy to our righteous demand . The objection is , that we are unfitted for the

      exercise of our rights ; that to invest the people with the imm unities of freemen , and' to give them a doe voice in governmental matters , would be to establish a despotism more terrible than any that has yet been known . The only way , successfully to answer this , is to exhibit , in all our own conduct , and is the management of our own afti ' ira , a close attention to the sacred principles of justice which we advocate ; showing thereby that we are Chartists not merely in name , but in character ; that we revere the jsst requirements of oar Charter , and practise them so far as we have opportunity . It ill

      becomes men to find fault with that in others which they themselves practise . Now you had never a better opportunity of proving how much of genuine Chartism enters into the composition of yonr character than is just now afforded you . The opportunity is a painful one , no doubt ; it . is one that every true lover of the cause will deplore j but it is Etill one that ought not to be passed by ; and that cannot be passed by without stultifying ourselves ani in Sic ting an injury upon our cause still more serious than that which it has already suffered from the occurrence of the facts out of which it arises . As Charnsts , you have an Organization which for Chartist purposes is tour cohsirnmoN : you

      have officers whose duty it is to see to the enforcement of that coxsnnmoK in all its prmciples and details ; those officers are appointed by , and . responsible to , toc ; and if they violate thb trust reposed in them the remedy is in your hands . Now the head and front of your just complaining , on the -score of political grievances , is that public servants have the power to trample underfoot the avowed principles of the constitution , and you nave no remedy . ¦ This complaint may be taken to be valid or factious , just as you give proof of your disposition to remedy the grievance if the power were in your hands ; and nothing exhibits this disposition so strcugly as your own manner of conducting the affairs o [ your own association and its movements .

      If in these you evince a disposition to permit reckless disregard and defiance of all the principles of jour constitution to pass , without stamping it with censure ; if , having elected men to office , you leave them to do therein just what they please , without looking to its justice ot its iDJusticer ; if yoa permit the sanction of yonr name and authority to acts by which every principle of right and of common justice is disregarded and defied ; you afford to your enemies a . very forcible confirmation cf their only feasible argument against the concession of your rights .

      For these reasons , and for these reasons . onlybecause I love justice under all circumstancesbecause I would not wink at that in our own body which I denounce in others ; I have thought it my duty to call yonr attention to certain gross and flagrant violations of our constitution by our own officers . The duty was a . very painful and a very unpleasant one ; but I saw it to be a duty , and therefore 1 did it . I never yet shrunk from duty , because it might happen to be more plra ? ant or more profitable to evade it : I trust I never shall . I never yet slunk from my post , because it had become difficult or dangerous to maintain it : I trust I never ahall .

      For the performance of my disagreeable duty in ; commenting honestly and boldly , giving my reasons for everything I said , upon the public documents of ' the Executive Committee , I have baen loaded with every species of abuse and vituperation by ' all the j respective members of the Executive , Eave Mr . j Williams . Not one of my allegations has been met ; not one of my arguments has been answered ; but I : have been abused , vilified , and slandered . Counter / accusations of the most malignant character have j been got np . The most atrocious falsehoods have ; been asserted about my being concerned in divers plots and conspiracies . I have demanded the proofs : no proofs have been offered ; but the parties have .

      travelled frera place to place , repeating the state- j meats , as though they were true . Thus has the real question , of whether the Executive have or have not abased the confidence of the people , bsen kept , to a certain extent , out of sight ; and you have to that B&ms extent suffered yourselves to be amused with denunciation of me , instead of looking to your own afiairs . This b not right : it . is not f-ur . After the proofs of the " plots" and " conspr eB " in which I am alleged to have been coneer . had been demanded , it wa 3 not right in any Chartist aadience to listen to a repetition of the statement , unto those proofs had been furnished . " Fair play is a jewel ; " and I have as much right to it as any other man .

      If the allegations against me can be proved , xxc -rftwtf be troted . And then the question stands just where it did . Call me " assassin , " B villain , " " rogue , ** " traitor / ' and every other choice name which has been applied to me ; and what then 1 Does that prove that the Executive have not violated the principles of our constitution , and of Chartism ; that they have not neglected the one single duty they . wen appointed to perform ; that they have not maUppropriated the hard-earned pence of the poor people committed to their care -. that they have not manifested a contempt of Chartist

      principle by disregarding the remonstrances and respectful enquiries of their constituents ! These are the matters to be answered ; and they will not be answered by mere abuse of me ; and if yoa permit abuse of m « to be substituted for an answer to them , or if you permit them to pass unanswered , you forfeit the consistency of your own character , as a public body ; and you give your enemies thereby a pretext for th « argument that your outcry against their violations of the sacred principles of justice , and their malappropriations of the people ' s funds , is mere factious anc unprincipled clamour .

      The question is onj of national interest and of Bniversal import . The sacred principles of our Char- ¦ ter are involved in it . It is the affair of the whole , people ; and it is the people ' s duty to see to its set- ' tlement . ¦ In the hope of averting public observation from the real question , and from the real magnitude and im-: portance of that question , it has been represented as ; a private quarrel between me and the Executive , ! arising out of some pique , or personal considera- j tion . Not a shadow of a reason has been assigned i for this representation ; and yet the members of the Executive have been seconded in it by some persons ¦ | ; , ' ¦ : ; . ' i . ' :

      indifferent parts of the country . What reasons ; these persons may have for their share of this I disreputable business , they perhaps , best know . I I know , at all events , that a determined effort is made to help the Executive to fasten the enquiry upon me as a personal quarrel . The complaints and investigations which have been Bade by many of the Chartist body in different pacts of the kingdom for months back are ingeniously kept oat ot sight , and the whole matter is represented as a dispute between me and the Executive ; and not a Batter between the Executive and the whole Chartist body . ; I (

      Some members of the Executive , not content with vesting their abuse at ae through the columns of my own paper . have beanoed" and " swaggered " not a Ktflft aboofc- M dragging me , before a public meeting "—about walking barefoot" for the purposeof doing bo—about "following me to the gates of Hell —and suoh Eke rubbiEhly bombast . This may take , when delivered , in my absence , to the people , while fteir blood is jusi warm-from a onerfded s peech—&aughtj perhaps with misrepresenta-

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      tion and falsehood—and while' they are thus prevented from reflecting fairly on all sides of the matter . It may serve , under such circumstances , to bring down a dap ; and , perhaps , | in some minds , to excite a prejudice against me . But the reflecting and discriminating will estimate it at its trne worth . They will know that it is intended merely to close their eyes to the fact , that though ample opportunity has been given for every allegation against the Executive to be answered , they have not answered one of them .

      These blusterers about publio meetings and about my " facing them man to man before the people , " < 5 cc know that they have here a great advantage over me ; they know that I am peculiarly situate ; they know that my health is delicate and very uncertain —that I can never calculate upon being well from one day to another ; they know that my physical strength is unequal to great public exertion : they

      know that my ordinary duties are bo many and laborious , that any addition to them is a very serious inconvenience ; and hence they think themselves perfectly safe in daring me to come out before the people . " They think that I Bhall not meet them in discussion . They commit a small mistake here . I shall not suffer them thus to escape . They have no right to force me into this position . The people bad no right to permit them to do bo .

      I deny the right of either the Executive , or any body else , to represent the inquiry now going on into , the conduct of the Executive as a quarrel between me and them . It is no Buch thing . In the Northern Star I have merely , as a journalist , given honest comments upon facts and documents . I had a right to do this ; and no man had a right to complain of it . I ask nobody to take my opinions for more than they are worth , and I have as much right to express my opinions as any other man . I have done more than most journalists would have done in giving free admission to coarse and scurrilous vituperation in reply . I have given the free use of my own columns to the Executive , not only

      a 3 a body , but to every member singly , in reply to every thing I said . They have us 3 d them for that purpose . They have said and written in the Northern Star , both collectively and individnally , whatever they liked . What more do they want 1 What more have they a right to f I have already given them much more liberty for defence than they were at all entitled to ; because my observations on their conduct were general and directed against the body ; while 1 have given free room to them to reply in both capacities ; both as a body and as individuals . And I deny the right of any man , or set of men , to expect me after that to waste time in public discussion with them .

      But to leave no room for escape ; and lest it may be said that I am valiant only in the Star , and that I fear discussion , I am quite ready to meet either Mr . Leach or any other member of the Executive , as an authorised representative of that body , at aDy mutually convenient time and place ; and then and there , as a member and councillor of the National Charter Association , to mak _ b good my charge AGAINST THE EXECUTIVE C 7 HAVING VIOLATED THE PLA 3 OF ORGANIZATION WHlCa THE 7 WEBB APPOINTED TO ENFORCE , AND OF HAYING THEREIN MANIFESTED A DISKEGARP OF CHABXIST PHINCIPLK AND OF MORAL AND POLITICAL HONESTY .

      I make the charge against them now ; as a body . I have proved it in the Northern Star ; snd I am ready to prove it —before a public meeting ; stipulating only for a free , open , and fair discussion before the people—a clear stage and no favour . Fair play is all I ask . If Mr . Leach be prepared to meet me upon that question , having authority from the other members of the Executive to appear as the champion of the body , and to defend the acts of the body , he will find me quite ready . I will meet any other member of the Executive , or any other man in

      England , on the same conditions . But mind ; I deal with the Executive , as a body ; not with Mr . Leach as an individual . I have brought no charge against individuals ; and my time is a little too valuable to bo wasted in individual squabbles . Who does not see that after the discussion with Mr . Leach , Mr . Bairstow might put in a similar claim for his share of the defence ; and that I must then begin again for M'Donall , and so on for the whole ; and that then , when every one had had his " go , " the Executive , as a body , might disclaim all the individual disputation , and begin de novo . This might very weil suit the brawlers , because it would sicken and naHseate all decent men of the broil . For that

      reason I shall not be party to it . I deny the right of the Executive , or any of them , to claim from me any other opportunity of defence than that they have already had . I repeat that even that has been made nv- -.- ? ample than they had any right to . But if public discussion of the matter will gratify them—and they talk loudly abont it—I am quite ready . Let them appoint their man ; no matter to me whom : Leach , M'Donall , Bairetow , Campbell—or even any volunteer , in whose powers of eloquence and tact they may have more confidence than in their own ; I am ready for any man , let him be but duly authorized , the arrangements fairly made , and the discussion fairly and openly conducted .

      whenever either or ant op them mat be kkadt authorised to appear for the executive , he has osxt to apprise me . i will th £ n name a ftw friends , and thb executive shall name a like number by whom all the preliminaries TjR THE DISCUSSION SHALT , BE AGREED ON ; and I fancy I am quite able to give them enough of it . If the bouncing" of M'Donall and of Leach have been authorized by the Executive , they will take this as the acceptance of their chal-I lenge ; if it have been only individual H bounce , " I | have something else to do than to notice it .

      i And now mind ; let us have no misunderstandings | and no shirking nor shuffling . I have been forced | into this position , very unfairly , and verj much ¦ against my inclination ; I am not now to be forced i out of it again . If the Executive mean discussion , ; I am their man ; and whether they mean it or , not I » o . I have been challenged ; and I ¦ accept the challenge . As the challenged , I have a : right to fix the place of meeting ; and I fix it at Manchester , where the Execntive will surely have : every advantage ; where Mr . Leach , if he be their : champion , will be at home and have no expence in travelling ; where the Executive should be best known and have most influence ; where Chartism

      has a stronger hold on the population than in any other town in England ; where they have had the fall opportunity during all this time of making a party for themselves by telling their own tale their own way , with none to contradict them ; where Mr . Leach has had full swing at me in my absence , to vent whatever fabrications and perversions he pleased , in private circles or public meetings , ad libitum ; at Manchester ; in the very midst of his own friends , disciples and admirers ; where the people have at their own command a spacious building in which they have been so long used to be delighted wiw his eloquence , and to hear his denunciations of me , I am quite ready to meet Mr . James Leach , or any other champion of the Executive , and there

      prove—1 st . That the Elective have neglected the duties of their office . 2 nd . That they have violated the organisation they were appointed to enforce . 3 rdly . That they have done so wiijdllt , after repeated caution and remonstrance . 4 thly . That they have wrongfully appropriateJ the monies of the Association to their own use and benefit . 5 : hly . That they have both manifested in their own conduct , and countenanced in that of othere , a disregard of Chartist principle .

      I offer to prove all these things against them in Manchester—their own town ; where their sittings have been holden ; where their popularity as lee turers is greatest ; and where , as an Exeoutive they should be best known . I ask only "

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      dear stage and no favour **; that one full week ' s notice , in the Northern Star , and by whatever other means the Executive may please , shall be given of the meeting ; that it shall be holden in either the Hall of Science , or Carpenter ' s Hall ; that free admission be given to the people ; that no effort at " packing" Bhall be made , but that the meeting be fair , free , and open . I will pay one half the rent of the room , if held in the Hall of Science , ( if held in Carpenters' Hall , I presume there will be no rent ) , and my own travelling and personal charges ont of my own pocket ; I will

      advertise the meeting in the Northern Star at my own cost ; the other half of the room rent ( if in the Hall of Science ) , their own travelling , if any , and personal expences , and whatever other mode of advertising they choose to adopt , to be defrayed by them —also out of their own pockets ; not touching the people ' s funds for it . The meeting to be at some time mutually convenient for attendance . All other matters relating to the discussion to be settled , without either their . interference or mine , by a committee of five friends on each side to be named for the purpose .

      Now ; is this fair I I repeat that they have no right to expect this . My meeting them in discussion at all is a pure work of supererogation . But notwithstanding that , as they talk much about itand as they would fain have it believed that they attach muoh importance to it , there ' s the chance for them . Let them appoint their man ^ ( I care not who it may be ;) let him tell me when he is ready and I will instantly name my friends , and the arrangement shall be made . After this matter is settled , let them bring their counter accusations if they dare . I am ready to answer in like manner io ANY CHARGES which they , or any of them , or any man in England , may be disposed to bring against me .

      "A publio meeting is the Justice Hall for me " : and to that tribunal I dare the whole pack of yelpers , whenever they have the manliness to put their charges into a tangible shape , as I have done , and *• come fairly out" 1 ! And now , my friends , as far as the Northern Slar is concerned , this matter is for the present at least done with . Save what may be necessary to thiB . meeting , if ever it take place , I will not insert another word upon it , pro . or con . from any quarter ;

      unless two communications which I expect in reference to a dirty rascally trick played by a Mr . Frazer should happen to be too late for this week ' s paper : if they be , I shall probably give them next week . Earnestly desiring to see consistency of character among Chartists ; and to see out movement purged of the ranting , mouthing locusts , who have done it muoh harm , I am , my Friends , Your ' s , faithfully , William Hill . Northern Slar office , Leeds , Deo . 20 . 1842 .

      The Northern Star. Saturday, December 31, 1842.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , DECEMBER 31 , 1842 .

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      Our readers will perceive that we have not as yet got in the whole report of the proceedings of this most important body . In a further Edition we hope to give the whole . We have given up to last night—( that is Wednesday night . ) And by reference to the report , they will see that our anticipations of the intentions and purposes of the Sturge

      party , as far as any real union with the working men was concerned , have been fully realized . We fancy the result of the debate on Mr . Lotett ' s amendment will do muoh to remove the film from honest eyes ; and to show them the real value of their middle class friends . We have at present no time nor space for comment , bnt shall return to the important matters of this Conference at another time . Meanwhile let our readers read and think .

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      CHRISTMAS . In times past this season of the year was characterised by joy and gladness throughout the length and breadth of the land . The winter ' s gloom was enlivened by good substantial fare aud heart-elating merriment . The peasant as well as the prince— tho plebian as well as the monarch , could then enjoy the sweets of life . Youth then sported its playfulness and its vigour , and age gazed smilingly on the scene . Warm and substantial clothing , a good fire , a clean hearth , and plenty on the festive boaid , were visible

      on every hand ; but alas ! how changed is the Bcene . Instead of joy we behold sadness depicted on the countenance of the once athletic and hardy labourer—the pro ? pect of the skilful artizan is overspread with gloom—want has become the inmate of the cot , embittering the cup of life—youth , nay even toothless in fancy , is the victim of the monster ; and age is dejected , drowned in sorrow and veikd in melancholy . The young and the aged are chid in rags ; the hovels are scenes of wretchedness : in grief they

      " Hover o ' er the pigmy fire ;" while the most worthless garbage constitutes their food , and of this but a scanty portion falls to the lot of many . But such is not the case with the drones . They roll through the streets in their gilded carriages ; are attired in the most costly raiment ; are filled to repletion with all the luxuries that they can desire . "Their eyes stand out with fatness , " and in the height of their pride , they look with contempt on the poor by whose labour they acquire all their grandeur .

      Why is this strange anomaly 1 Why are the bees perishing while the drones cDJoy the fruit of their industry ! Because all power is given into the hands of these devourera instead of being possessed by the rightful owners . That power will never be regained until the only efficient axe—the Charierbe appliod , by the united strength of the people , to that Upas tree , class legislation . Then , but not till then , may wo hope to see olden days or the joys thereof , return . Then we may and shall have " a

      nierry Christma 3 aud a happy new year . " We have heard many wish each other the fruition of this blessing , but we tell them they must work as well as wish . The only avenue to a " merry Christmas and a happy new year" is the Charter—it is the sword , the only sword , the six pointed sword , whereby the fell monster tyranny can be slain . Up , then . 6 a to the conquest , and our wishes will be realized to all— " A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YKAB- "

      THE LAW versus THE POOR . We have frequently had occasion to direct the attention of our readers to the mass of corruption with which the administration of justice in this country is fraught . Scarcely a day passes without furnishing facts proving the declension which has crept into courts of law , and calling aloud for a reform of the manifold abuses which obtain therein . The bench is now converted into a market standthe whim and caprice of an ignorant class of individuals , miscalled " Justices , " is laid down as law :

      the grossest partiality is exhibited ; the rich delinquent generally escaping with little or no punishment , while the whole weight of a petty tyrant ' s wrath is poured out upon the poor offender . It appears to be a settled opinion amopg our modern Dracoes , that wealth and virtue are inseparably connected , and that poverty and crime are indivisible . But this position—however much cherished and acted upon by officials of various grades , from my Lord Abinger down to that fagend of the system dubbed a policeman—is untenable , we having continually before our eyes virtue clothed in rags , and vice arrayed in purple and fine linen .

      But as our object is not to dilate upon the virtues of the poor or the vices of the rioh , we shall at once call the attention of the public to the gross injustice and tyranny itflicted , a few days ago , on a poor fatherless boy , by one of the Metropolitan Stipendiary Magistrates , named Greek wood , who carries on buBinesa in the police , court , . Cierkennre ^ , and wh

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      is also one of the 'great | unpaid" or the West Biding of the county of York . The boy , whose name is Williams , was brought' before the magistrate for&olioiting a lady coming out of her house in Eustoo-square to purchase prints . He said his mother , a widow , had given him fivepenoe , with which he had purchased seven of them ; and that the offer of sale was not a pretext for begging was admitted by the magistrate himself , who was astonished they could be sold so cheap . " The prisoner" begged of his worship not to punish him , as he sold the prints for the support of a widowed mother . He had done no harm , and hoped his worship would not punish him . His worship , however , did punish him , by sending him to the H « use of Correction for fourteen days !

      Who thei u lady' * in question may be we know not ; did we , her name should not be kept from tho public , however much it might offend hor superlatively delicate feelings . This woman , or "lady , " as she is termed , cannot be the mother of childrenshe must be devoid of every scintilla of those grades which ought&ver to adorn " Goo ' s first best gift to man , " otherwise her whole soul would have revolted at the idea of a child—a widow ' s son of eleven years of age , being taken before a magistrate and consigned to " durance vile / ' merely for

      soliciting for to purchase a few prints . Such a woman—the walking scandal of her sexought to be hooted through the streets on her every appearance in public , and her company ought to be shunned by all having respect for their character . It might be of service to this "ladyj' were she to have a little instruction in the school of adversity ; then she might learn how to conduct herself towards those who seek an honest livelihood , and who would scorn , like her , to live in . splendour : / and idleness , without returning to society an equivalent for that which they received .

      The conduct of Greenwood , the magistrate , is also reprehensible in the highest degree . He admits the offer of Bale of ' the prints ' i was ! inot a pretext for begging" yet he sentences the poor boy to fourteen days ' imprisonment in the House of Correction . The widow who gives her son her mite—five-pence—perhaps her all , for the purpose of laying out in the purchase of a few prints , in ordor thereby to obtain a morsel of bread , is doomed to see that son , the comfort of her

      age , torn from her and immured in a prison , not for the commission of any crime , but because it offended the dignity of the spawn of some aristoorat whose ancestors probably figured behind the counter , or perhaps vended matches ; if the latter , it might have reminded her ladyship of her origin , when the boy solicited her to purchase one of his prints , which insult the pride of her ladyship could not allow to pass with impunity . : /

      Had Greenwood done his duty he would ha ^ e severely -reprimanded the woman , aud given her to understand that the time of the Court must be better employed than in attending to such nonsense as that ; and that hers would be better employed in learning how to behave herself towards her fcllow-creatureEHe would also have instructed the policeman to employ his time to better advantage than in obeying the wishes and pandering to the pride of such an execrable wretch as her ladyship ; and instead of the boy being torn from his widowed mother and committed tojprison , he would have commended him for his henefit endeavour to obtain a morsel of food for

      himself and bis bereaved parent . But suoh was not the case . The boy was treated as a felon—he was sent to herd among felons ; and should that boy , upon whose character no stain appears , contract vicious habits by being compelled to mingle with the worst of characters , all the consequences thereof may be laid at the door of the despicable woman who was instrumental in his arrest , and that of the magistrate who so unjustly sentenced him to imprisonment , and who ought to be immediately removed from the bench .

      It would be well if both magistrates and policemen would give themselves a little more trouble than they generally do , and not , as is frequently the case , seek to manufacture crime and punish the innocent to suit the whim of every fool who may think his or her pride offended by being accosted in like manner as the Euston-Equare , "Vda ' , y . " The duty of magistrates is to make themselves acquainted with the law , as far as practicable , and administer it with impartiality ; and not , as they often do , to substitute their own caprice for the law , and punish the unoffending for merely being poor and defenceless . With regard to tho police—we tell them ,

      in the words of a contemporary , when adverting to the subject which has called forth these remarks , that" The public will not tolerate this eternal interference of the police with every thing that is going on . Their object is to prevent and discover crime , and to preserve order by day and night . Whether these pi oper duties are adequately discharged we will not now inquire ; but of one thing there can be n © doubt , and that is , their constant interference with matters that do not come within their line of duty . It is much easier , no doubt , to watch little boys selling prints , ( than to make themselves acquainted with the duties for which they are especially appointed . "

      If the law be enveloped in so much ambiguity that the magistrates , &c , are left to do as they list in all cases brought before them , then it shows the absolute necessity of a thorough change of system ^ without which the poor will ever be the vi ctims of the middle and upper classes , who have just about the same amount of sympathy for the labouring portion of the community , as the wolf has for the lamb , or the cat for the mouse .

      That something is radically wrong in the system under which such injustice as that we allude to can be perpetrated with impunity , is beyond all dispute , and that the administration of thb law is vested in persons altogether unfit to discharge the duties of their office is equally evident ; and we may rest assured , that until the axe be laid to the root of the tree , and class legislation completely annihilated , such cases of monstrous cruelty as that inflicted upon the boy Williams , may be repeated , as the Greenwoods are not only a numerous race , but are located in the provinces as well as in the metropolis , as

      will be seen from an article in another column where a young man of the name of Wm . Clement , residing near Bolton-lC'Moors , wa 3 dragged from his bed at Wo o ' clock in the morning , and taken to the police office , on the groundless charge of " assisting in the engravnig of a plate to counterfeit the Halifax and Hudderefield Bank . " From Bolton he was removed to the lock-up in Manchester , where he remained until the 14 th instant , being arrested oh the mormngof the 11 th ; he was then removed to Halifax , where he was confined until the 19 th , on which day hei was brought before the Magistrates , who on enquiring his name immediately liberated him . Now , had the proper inquiry

      been made by the authorities , as was their duty , previous to the arrest of this young man , they would have found that it was an absolute impossibility for him to have committed the offence alleged against him , as he is scarcely qualified oven to write his own name . But to make such necessary enquiry would be a duty too onerous for the well-paid officials ; they find it much easier to lay hold of the first that comes within their reach , regardless of their innocence or guilt ; and for such negligence and uncalled-for interference on the part of the authorities , the innocent are doomed to unjust incarceration and have disgrace imprinted upon their characterR .

      What remuneration will this young man obtain for this injustice--for this loss of time and character ! Nonei whatever . The shield of protection will be held over Mb persecutors , and the youth must pocket all the loss and odium , because he is poor . But we trust that the people will persevere in their efforts to destroy tho parent evii--class legislation—that such acts of injustice may no longer disgrace a oeuntry .-saidtoW' * ' the envy of surrounding nations , AND THB ADJUiliATICW OF THE WORUD" I I J

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      A . B ., an Operative . — We have said scores of times that tee cannot answer legal questions : he must consult a lawyer . A Friend to Justice , FALkiBK . ^~ WV decline * in justice to a numerous party , to insert the remarks contained % n his letter . Hewillperceive thai ' tee have noticed the delivery of the lecture : that is all we can do . ' ¦ . S . Goat , Norwich . —The list sent by Mr . Cleave went through the whole impression on the 17 th , consequently the £ 2 sent by the Norwich Chartists would be there noticed . A Political Mahtyb . —His communication was received ; but it must stand over for further ¦' . : perusal , : . ¦ '¦ V :: ' :. ' . ' .. \ ¦ ' ; ' ¦ • '¦"¦

      S . J ., Bristol . —The subject on which he rentes xs done with so far as we are concerned . J . B . TH 0 MPS 0 N » Sundhrland . —WV cannot insert his letter : he gives very bad advice . - ; , " : A Fife Chartist . —We do not think the publication of his letter would at ell alter the conduct of the individuals of whom he complains . Mb . Wm . Cotton , 38 , Ludgate-hill , Birmingham , delegate to the National Conference at Birmingham for Kilmarnock and Barf head , will feel obliged if his constituents will communicate their addresses to him as soon as possible . Henbv Hodgson . — We do not ' thinkgratuitous vituperation and assumption any answer \ to alleged ' •¦ facts . ¦¦ . - ¦ \ ¦ " ¦ ¦¦' ¦ '¦'¦ ¦ •• ' . . V ' ¦ . ¦; . . ' ¦ ; ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦¦ . : Joseph Baynbb , Hollin wood . —Yes

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      ( Continued from our first page . J , ference . He was received with loud and prolonged cheering . Mr . O'Connor introduced Mr . Patrick O'HigginB , from Dublin , who was received with a similar mark of feeling . The Chairman opened the business by calling upon the secretary to read two letters , —one received from Shaman Crawford , Esq ., M . P ,, and the other from Daniel O'Connell , Esq ., M . P . The letter from the former gentleman was as follows : — " CraufordBburn , Dsc . 24 th , 1842 .

      " Dear Friend , —I Bend by my son , who is the bearer of this , a parcel containing 200 copies of my ' defence of the rights of the working classes , ' which I have taken leave to address to yoa , and to the Council of the Birmingham Complete Suffrage Union , in the hope you will receive it aa a proof of my earnest desire to forward that cause which you and the Complete Cuffrage Union are so honourably endeavouring to promote . " In the observations contained In this publication , I have been desirous to shield the people from the unjust imputations cast upon their conduct , whilst at tke same time , I do not withhold my acknowledg ment of the errors ¦ which have been committed . I bave endeavoured to taker a fair review of the

      principles on which the claims of the working classes are fewuded , and of the objectiens with which their claims are met , and . to impress tbe principle tbatall political institutions ( aB well as all human institutions of every description ) should be viewed , —not as being capable of perfection , —not as being divested bt all possibility of evil , —but as respects the balance of probable good and evil , which may be reasonably expected to result from them ; but above all it has been my desire to inculcate moderation of conduct , and obliteration ; of all : put unkindly feelings , which have existed between the working and middle classes , who are now both suffering the effects of bad legislation , and thus produce that combined agitation for the remedy of this evil , which can alone be effective in creating tjhat moral power necessary for its removal . " As I have already said , I make my son the bearer of

      this communication . I do this as a mark of my respect to you and your conduct , and of my aDxious wish for tke success of the Important meeting , about to take place at your call . He is fully acquainted with my views , and will be capable of giving you any information you might wish for , with reference to the ^ particular nature of eur Irish elections , laws , or regulations , which , in many respects , differ from the institutions of England and Scotland . The Council of the Complete Suffrage Union of Edinburgh were so kind as to propose to put my name in nomination as one of the dele , gates for that city to your congress ; but I requested of them to abstain from their kind intention , because I was of opinion it would be more eligible to select persons as delegates who were not members of Parliament , for tbe reasons contained in the extract , which I enclose you , from my reply to that body .

      "I trust it is unnecessary for me to add , that as a Member of the House of Commons , I shall feel it both my duty and my inclination to co-operate in whatever means shall be deemed most eligible for briugingbefore that House those measures which are required for carrying out the principles of your association . " Believe me , dear Friend * . " ¦' .- . " Yours sincerely , " Wm . Sh arm an Crawford . ' " To Joseph Sturge , President of tne Birmingham V Complete Suffrage Association ^ " * The following is the extract of a letter addressed by Mr . Crawford , to Mr . Robert Noel , secretary to the Complete Suffrage Association , of Edinburgh , and alluded to in the above : — f

      "I feel that it would be my duty to comply with any wiBh expressed by those who have already shown me snch marks of Kindness , but I am inclined to think it would not be eligible to elect Members of Parliament as your delegates , especially those members -whom you will look to as the chief supporters of your cause in the House of Commons . I think it would not be prudent for them to act in both capacities .- Your delegates are to declare the opinions of the people to the members of that house , and I conceive it would be more proper for them to learn the opinions of the people from other persona appointed for that purpose , than to be made themselves the instruments in the connection of such communication . I conceive they would have a greater moral power in the House © f Commons , in the course they should adopt , by not having

      previously besn the framers of the measures whicn the Convention shall recommend . I am of opinion that it is more desirable that a Member of Parliament should not commit himself on any of the points of detail ( meaning thereby the eleotion regulations ) till he has time fully to be aware of the arguments and determinations of the meeting of delegates , because it would be very unfavourable to the impression he might wish to make in Parliament , if it could be alleged that he was acting in obedience to the will ol tfie delegates contrary to any opinion previously expressed as a member of tbat body . * My object ia to stand in the best possible position to be of use in civta * mv assistance in Parliament to the advancement of the great cause we are mutually engaged in , and I think my efforts ^ might be impeded were I to be previously committed in the capacity of a delegate . " *'" ) YIOIU | V

      "Darrynane Abbey , Dec . 22 , 1842 . . "MrRespected Friekd , _ Youi letter , requiring to know whether I could attend in Birmingham at the 53 S 3 ° *! d 6 l < Sate 8 f « r carrying « ut ^ principles of ^ e Complete Suffrage Association , has bee&lollowea by the draught of a bill for that purpose , which draught reached me only this mornipg . oaowgm - a " With reapect to the first point—namely , my attendance atthe Conference . I have ontoefal&t Jnside ? ation determined not to go thaw . Dr » imaaine however , that this refusal results fronvlany wait of f ^^^^^^ ^^ ^ ff ^^ No sach thii * I

      am . thoroughly convinced that every man of legaiiwe who does not forfeit hi * right by crime or Idiocy / haaby the principle vof the British constitution * a distinct inextinguishable Tight to vote for a representative in tbe Commons Hpase of Parliament . I am convinced that such a right on the part of every male adult U to we full as complete as the right of any member of the Hoose of Peers to the privilege of the peerage , . or as the right of our gracious Qieen to the throne . The only diflerence is in practice The two latter are in fuU vigour , and perhaps somewhat superfluously so whilst the former-the suffrage righb-i 8 curtailed , ; , « SiS

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      • tricted , and mutilated ) Urns creating , where all ihoald be freemen , a distinct and separate slave datt , who hr infqaitoui law * , and more iniquitous tneticea / hava been robbed of ^^ their natural birthright , and are eaten . tiaJly slaves . - . ¦ ' v- :. . L- - \ .. :.-- ¦¦ " ¦ •/ . - " . V- ¦' *• I am the friend ef the slave clan in every ellnw and country , bat more especially In the British doao . nionsv ¦ -. ' ¦ . ¦' ¦' .. ; ' :: '' .. ' . ' "' . .. - ' . ¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ . ¦ ¦' ¦; ¦ ¦ : - . . " I am also the most decided advocate for the voting by ballot , —the best , if not the only mode , of preventing corrupt and criminal practices at elections . " I also concur in the other points proclaimed by the Complete Suffrage Association ; and that concurrence , however , is created by my sacriflcnn ? my own opinion of a preference ' -. of triennial to annual Parliaments to my sincere desire of producing unanimity of exertion amongst all the friends of a real , substantiaL and radical reform of Parliament .

      "The reason why I am thus distinct in ones more stating my political creed is , because I can answer for it that the overwhelming majority of the people of Ireland go with me upon these points , and that they will co-operate with their English brother reformers in all legal and peaceable means , —but in no other , —for obtaining a fair , free , and complete representatioa of the people in Parliament The great reason why I do hot consent to attend the meeting at Birmingham is , because I bave convinced myself that I ought rather to be a spectator ol , than an actor in , your approaching exertions . I have been personally so hostile to that class called ' physical force Chartists '—I have been so unjustly , and indeed so a bsurdly calumniated—( loud laughter ) by their writers , that I have brought myself to believe , though perhaps

      Without sufficient foundation , that any efforts I could make for conciliation , and to produce harmony , might be defeated , and that my presence might tend to diminish the prospect of concord and co-operation , which , are so necessary for the successi of your Just demands . Besides , it is to be apprehended that there are toomany other causes of strife and contention between tie more ardent and violent of the Chartist party and tna more placid and mild portion of the Complete Suffrage Association . If I could throw oil upon tne troubled waters , so as that the ark of British liberty m ght float in tranquil grandeur on the political wave , I should at once , and at any sacrinse . And if , after the meeting has been orgam ' zsd , you sbonld be of opinion that my attendance could be of any possible use to the great cause , I will , with the rapidity of steam , place myself amongst yon . : '

      "I do most anxiously desire that the spirit of peace , harmony , conciliation , and concord may . reign in , the Convention ; that you may thus have the means and opportunity of considering and adopting the best modes of insuring success . My entire conviction is , that without oo-operation between the middle and what is caled the lower , that is , the poorer , or working class , you cannot possibly succeed , and perhaps you ought not Whether you ought or not , the concurrence of the middle classes is , in my judgment , most essentially necessary towards obtaining the right of suffrage for the operative classes . Recent events have proved to demonstration the essential importance of the middle classes ' in any struggle for the amelioration of political institutions . I know it was the

      cooperation of the middle classes that enabled the people of Ireland to achieve . Catholic Emancipation . I know that it was the co-operation of the middle classes-that enabled the people of England to obtain the fi < st step in the march of Parliamentary Reform . I see before my eyes at the present moment the irresistible progress of the middle class towards the total abolition of all taxes upon human food . How anxiously , therefore , do I desire to see a combination between , the middle and operative classes for the attainment of Radical Reform . If that combination takes place , the aristocratic classes , who have hitherto trampled upon the people , will be scattered like chaff before the wind ; and the honest and just principles of democratic liberty will pervade , ameliorate , and ennoble all the institutions of the State .

      " Let mej then , coDJure all the friends of peaceable and rational liberty to use every possible exertion to conciliate , to combine , and to consolidate the operative and middle classes . If that can be done , the materials of complete and immaculate success are in your hands —a success unstained by violence or crime—a success deserving the praise of good men—a success deserving , 1 hope , the approbation of the Grand Judge of all . " The meeting at Birmingham is a glorious opportunity fbr working out these purposes . That epportunity may be thrown away . It may be soiled , stained , and destroyed , but the spirit that will work among the best part of the members of the Conference will survive , and even at the worst it will afford an opportunity of

      separating the chaff from the good seed . But let us not anticipate our evils , which may be merely imaginary ; and let me trust and hope that any discordant elements may soon evaporate , leaving nothing behind but kindly feelings and cordial depositions to unanimity in the service of our country , ' .: ¦ ' - " It may be said by way of discouragement that the present Administration , over which the Duke of Wellington aud Sir Robert Peel preside , composed of men strongly inimical to reform , there is no chance of their acceding to any measure approaching to Universal Suffrage . There are , however , two facts connected with the leaders of the Administration which show that they are inspired with a more pliable disposition . , ¦ ¦¦¦ . - .

      " The first of those facts is , that the Duke of Wellington and Sir B . Peel : were selected by George IV . as the leaders of an Administration framed for th « express purpose of continuing the laws by which the Catholics were excluded from the constitution ; yet that very Administration , with those identical leaders , totally repealed those excluding laws . ¦ " Tne second fact is , that the landlord class in England have forced Into power , in despite of the Queen , the same Duke of Wellington and . Sir R . Peel for the express and proclaimed purpose of preserving-in fall vigour the Corn Laws ; yet there are most unequivocal evidences already exhibited to the publM that this same Duke of Wellington and this same Sir R . Peel trill totally repeal those same Corn Laws .

      " These are most encouraging facts . They demonstrate that unless some feud , some violence , &pme selfish dissensions ruin our present prospects , there exists every probability , at no remote period , of vindicating and establishing tile rights of the people at large . ¦ : : . . .. ' - '' . . . . ¦ ' . . , - ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦ - . ¦ ¦ . ¦¦ / . ¦ ¦ " ¦ ' , ¦ " With respect to the draught of the , act of Parliament , I-will return it , suggesting some alteration !' which I believe will be improvements . But in any event , it will be difficult to amalgamate the case of Ireland with that of England and Scotland . There are

      two objections to the inclusion- of Ireland in the same bill with that of Great Britain . There are not in Ireland , as in England , any parish overseers , nor any parish schoolmasters , as in Scotland , though there are schools in almost every parish . The expression ' parish schoolmaster' would , in Ireland be either too vague , or infer , as matter of law , a schoolmaster employed by the proteatant clergyman . 0 / these there-are but a fair , and still fewer to whom it would be safe to trust any political duty with reference to the elective franchise . - ' .: ,- '¦ :- ¦¦ ¦ . - ¦ ¦ ¦ ' . ' ¦ * ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ' " . - ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ' ¦ ¦ . ' ¦ -,

      "The second objection arises from matter of substance . The millions in Ireland who are anxious foe universal suffrage are much more solicitous for the ' restoration of the Irish Parliament . They are conTinoed that in the present state of the property and population of Ireland , a local Legislature is essentially necessary for the peace and prosperity of the country . In this opinion I am bound to say I mo « t thoroughly and en * tirely concur . We Irish are not the less disposed to aid the British people in working out the right of suffrage for every male adult—complete suffrage being the only honest basis upon which either our Parliament or yours should fee founded . "I have the honour to be , &o-, * ' With sincere regard and respect , "Your faithful friend and servant , . " Damikl O'CONNE . n » "To Joseph Sturge , Birmingham . "

      Mr . O'Connor moved that the minutes ef taa morning ^ meeting should be confirmed . Mr , Hobson seconded the motion , which , was agreed lopro forma . The Conference next proceeded to elect the Committee before alluded to . Twenty-six names were pr « po » ed . The following nine had the largest number of . Totev and were consequently declared duly lected : — Mr . Joshua Hobson , Mr . j . H . Parry , Rev : Wm . Hiff , Mr . John Celquhoun , Mr . Q , White , Rev . T . Swann , Mr . Roberts , Mr . James Tickers , and Mr . John Humphreys . TheSECEBTART called upon Mr . W . Bejfgs . 'Of Nottingham , to introduca the bnslness of tke Conference . Previous to this being done , Mr . Paert moved the following business regulations : — ¦ •' ¦ ' ¦ . . ¦ '•/¦ ' ¦'¦'¦ . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ . ¦ . ¦ ; ' ¦ . .. " . - . - » . l v That the Conference meet twiee every day , froin nine o ' clock to one . and from three o ' clock till eight .

      2 . That the Chairman of the Conference shall also be Chairman of any Committee of the whole body . 3 . That the Chairman shall be allowed to take part in the discussion as a member of the Conference , aud Bhall have a casting vote in case of an equal division * in addition to his vote as a delegate . 4 . That all documents issuing from the [ Conference shall be signed by the Chairman . ¦ 6 . That all documents , or letters , addressed to tM Conference , or the Chairman , be referred to the Executive Committee . 6 . That all amendments and propositions arising on of business under discussion be submitted to thaJCbair * maa , and In writing . A— i

      7 . That all speakers be limited to fifteen mhinle each , except when in committee , and then to " *• minutes each , unless in extraordinary cases , to N notiflcd by the Chairman . _« 8 ; That no member shall speak twice on the sau » subjecfi , clause , or matter immediately under diKa »* sion , either in Uie Conference or Committee , except » explanation , or the opener , by wiy of conclusion » reply .. - ; .. ' /\ . - ' ;••¦ ¦ ' ' ¦ ¦ ¦ : ¦ ;¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ . ' ¦ ' - ' - ¦¦¦ ¦ - *¦ ¦ On the motion of Mr . O'Connor , the time propose * to be allowed to each speaker was reduced to m minutes , and i > was also cgreed that the sittings oiw Conference shduld be frdm nine in the moruiag till tWOi and from four till seven . A protracted "isisussionjg * sued as to the time at which the Committee for decaa . ing the disputed elections , should sit , bus of coons » could answer no useful purpose to enter into 'K ^ motion was subsequently made for an adjournmew r

      The Confere^ T Ce.

      THE CONFERE ^ CE .

      ®O Mei&Evfi Avfc Gqwt&Gqvtotntfi.Hiw ¦ N - Imi^S^— «»¦ ¦ — — "X*1

      ® o mei&evfi avfc GQWt&gQvtotntfi . HIW ¦ n - imi ^ S^— «»¦ ¦ — — "X *

      Birmingham Conferekce.

      BIRMINGHAM CONFEREKCE .

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      James Sinclair , Gateshead . —Yes , December 8 th , . per Pickford ' s . : ,. ' A . H ., Dunfermline . —As soon as the account is 8 ftttted , the Plates will be sent . If tbe Person who has called upon Mr . Cleave for a Plate will send his name he will oblige , as the money cannot be credited till we knew who sends it . The Plate has most likely been sent to London since he called . He can have another for the spoiled one . We can speak mote positive on receipt of the name .

      W . D ., KeqwortH ;—Portrait of Hunt 4 d ., and postage ; of Frost 7 ^ d . and postage . The postage of the two will be 4 d ., making Is . 3 ^ d . in the whole . J . M ., KlLRARNOCK . —is the evil remedied tbU week T They are sent by an earlier mail . . Jabez Burns , Dundee , had better , in future , send his cash for Evening Stars direct to Mr . Hobson : it cannot in future be received as It has been ¦ ¦ - hitherto .- ' . ' . ' : ¦ ¦ " - ¦ ¦ . ¦ . ¦ .. : ¦ .. ' . ;;; •¦ . " ¦ ¦;• : Murgatroyd , Delph . —Apply to A . Hey wood . J . Goody . — -Three mouths .

      FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . .. . / " . . : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ .. ' ¦ ¦¦• . . ¦ - ¦ , ., ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦; ¦¦ ' ¦ £ . a . a From Tewkbury , per W . Haynes ... ... 1 0 0 ¦ -. ¦ « . John Wratball ... ... ... 0 0 2 „ afew Chartists at Edinburgh .., ... 0 6 8 ^ P . A ., Hull vw ... ... ... 0 0 6 > . Carrington , near Nottingham , per Richard Hankin ... ... ... 0 5 0

      FOR TUB EXECUTIVE . ; From two -whole-hog Chartists , Melksham Forest ... ... ... ... 0 5 0 FOR MRS . ELLIS . From David Williams , mason , late of Pen- . typool ... .. y ... ... 0 1 G FOB . THE CHARTIST DELEGATES TO THE BIRMINGHAM CONFERENCE . From an Old Radical ... ... ... 0 0 6

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      A THE NORTHERN STAR ; -, ;; . ¦ : ¦ ¦' : ^ : ; v ^^ t- ^ v- - ^^ - ; - ' - ^ y ^ r ± ^^ U % ' ^ B . - ¦ ¦ _ ¦ " ¦ . ¦ ; •* ' - < fc— - ¦ ¦ - ¦ ' iMWHI . ¦ . 1 ¦ —^ S ^ SISSJ —^ B«—I ¦ - ^¦ ^ l——*—— - »^—^— - , - ' —

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 31, 1842, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct917/page/4/