The Sun.
London, England, 1838-12-13 00:00:00

ON THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE

RADICALS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Sta,—At the present stage of the proceedings of my
Radical brethren, I beg your permission to offer these few
remarks. Having seen and learned a great deal in my
connection with the late Henry Hunt, and many of the
leading Radicals of the London branch of the Working
Men's Association, when belonging to the former National
Union of the Working Classes, and also having taken an
active part as " class leader" of the 7th and 12th Classes,
I declare it unhesitatingly to be my opinion, that the Radi-
cal Reformers will be farther than ever from attaining their
objects, unless they alter their present course, and amend
the programme of their intended proceedings on the assemb-
ling of Parliament. The Council of the Birmingham Union
have done well in denouncing the rash projects of the advo-
cates of "physical force," but that is not enough. The
good work thus begun by rational and moral men must be
properly completed. Notwithstanding the good intentions
of the " physical force" advocates, they must be declared by
a law of the Society to be inadmissible as members ; exclu-
sion to be strictly enforced against them whenever they
openly avow such sentiments ; because the majority, wishing
to carry out their objects by lawful and peaceable means,
are at all times liable to be made accountable for the actions
of those who are only associated with them in nominal mem-
bership, but not in sentiment. Therefore, as the past an
present have shown, whether in Governments or Societies,
of whatever shade, ambitious individuals, if tolerated, will
seek every opportunity of breaking through restraints im-
posed upon their evil designs. And, Mr. Editor, I hope I
shall not be considered encroaching upon your good nature
if I now give an unanswerable and practical instance, known
only to a few. One of the Committee of the former Na-
tional Union of the Working Classes, was the late G. Pe-
trie. He was known on all occasions to be outrageously hot-
headed. Often have Messrs. Cleave, Hetherington, Lovett,
and other rational advocates of moral force, opposed his
wild schemes and absurd motions. But in an evil hour com-
mon sense was overcome ! He succeeded at last in carry-
ing in the Committee a motion, for a meeting in Caltl orpe-
street, to take into consideration the propriety of adopting
a National Convention ! Without having held a series of
preliminary meetings on the safety principle within their
large premises in Theobald's-road, and previously instructed
the Working Classes in all the bearings of such a question,
they by ill-timed language placarded the town, and with-
out proper consideration raised that opposition of Govern-
ment which they might otherwise have avoided. The
meeting took place, and Mr. Mee was duly installed Chair-
man. But did George Petrie make his appearance when
the crisis arrived ? No ; I saw him at the Union public-
house, in Bagnigge-wells-road, along with Mr. Duffy, his
brother apostle of violence, both so drunk, that after watch-
ing at a distance, as long as they were able to stand, the
effects of their schemes, they again reeled into*the tap, and
eventually were sent home.
Now this comes of charity misused. Because he was
believed to be a true patriot, he was allowed to act along
with those who were opposed to the means he advocated,
for achieving Radical Reform, and the melancholy result
was, union was made a curse instead of a blessing ; and
with the addition of a policeman's life being lost, William
Fursey ; or any other fellow-creature, might also have
been sacrificed. Such facts as these ought to guard us for
the future. And being a Radical Reformer at heart, lam
anxious to see those principles triumph by rational means.
Well, then, one thing is certain, physical-force and
moral-force men, cannot act together. And as the
Radicals of the latter class are the originators of the
present Charter demonstrations, they must exclude what I
would term the Hotheads, and declare that they will
never have part with them. Having accomplished such
a desirable object, and admitting that all are now united
for each, and each for all, are they likely to get Universal
Suffrage, &c., &c., by the plans already laid down, and in-
tended to be acted upon when Parliament meets? I
think not. In the first place, they have raised at the onset
one of the greatest barriers to the accomplishment of their
objects that can be conceived. They have given the lie to
the misrepresentations of friends to corruption, by de-
claring " that it is only by moral and constitutional means"
they seek the establishment of their just rights. Well,
then, that can only be effected by such a judicious course
of proceeding as shall obtain, as far as possible, the aid of
the other classes ; or, at all events, disarm their hostility,
instead of increasing it by pernicious doctrines about the
independence of one class of another. Also by increasing,
and afterwards strengthening, the Radical party in the
House of Commons. Such are the means of bringing
about a change, morally and constitutionally. lam satisfied,
that by the spread of intelligence, unanimity of sentiment,and
adopting a rational lino of conduct, the Radicals could
bring about a change in their favour in the present House
of Commons, as easy as it was for a Tory House to anni-
hilate themselves by being compelled to pass the Reform
Bill. Mind, there are more ways of using moral force
than petitioning, in case that should fail. There is no
need of bloodshed in this country. By only using the wea-
pons of the Whigs, I will show in another letter all the
powers in the country united could not resist us. But my
present purpose is with the proceedings intended to be
adopted on the opening of Parliament. Because petition-
ing in isolated cases, and not properly followed up, has to
the Radicals proved a farce ; they are about to make it
worse than a farce. As I before observed, at the very on-
set they have themselves raised one of the greatest barriers
to their further progress. Demonstrations have been made
in all parts of the country, and delegates have been ap-
pointed to form a " National Convention," to take charge
of the " People's Charter," and watch the progress of the
" National Petition ;" also, according to the decision that
may be come to by' the House of Commons, when pre-
sented by Mr. Attwood, to take such further measures as
may seem advisable, a " National Rent" being subscribed
to carry them into effect. Well, then, admitting the validity
of my brother Radical's opinions, that " we demand" more
becomes the language of men entitled to what they ask
for than " we petition," or " your humble petitioners will
ever pray," still, the standing orders of the Houses
of Parliament being known to be against the admit-

Sion, more especially the reading of petitions informally
worded, of what use is such petitioning at all ? I like
petitioning to be effectively followed up, or not at all.
Petitioning in a few cases, on a subject that is of general

importance, becomes a farce, because it not being a mani-
festation of the general will, ceases to make an impression
either on the Legislature or the Executive ; and informal
petitioning being labour in vain at the onset, becomes worse
than a farce. But I am certain that my brother Radicals are

too intelligent not to be aware of it ; therefore I presume
that it was intentionally done. They never intended that
it should be received ; and I therefore protest against the
injury our cause will sustain by the avoidable ridicule, and
unnecessary opposition that will be levelled against our
friends in the House, besides making the working people
of England look like a nation of fools.
Having a sincere wish to see my country benefited,
without a distinction of sect or class, I beg the insertion
of this, and permission to resume the subject in an-
other letter.

Your obedient servant,
EDWARD HANCOCK.
Clerkenwell, Dec. 5, 1838.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

- London, Dec. 5, 1839.
Sin,—As you gave insertion a few weeks since to a few
admonitions to my brethren who are now " tossed in the
rough sea of civil discord," I am again desirous of review-
ing our position by the aid of The Sun, which, like the
great orb of day, spreads its effulgence and genial influence
all around. Among the heterogeneous mass of the present
day, who call themselves Reformers, the foremost are
O'Connor, Stephens, and Co., but I am happy to say that
those Utopian enthusiasts are sinking into their pristine in-
significance, being disowned by their own party. The
time is now come when some of our Whig grandees must
agree to some measures of acknowledged utility, the first
of which must be the Repeal of the atrocious Corn-laws
and the adoption of the Ballot. I have observed with much
pleasure the well-timed letter of Sir T. Lethbridge, which
must have an electric effect in the west of England, by
opening the eyes of the farmers to the enormous thimble-
riggery of the Devil's Laws. It must be a source of some
pleasure that, whilst that faded old beau, Burdett, has
turned his back on all his former principles, and whose
former " big, manly voice has turned into childish tones,
and whistles in the sound," that we have at least one fine
old English gentleman who seems to adapt himself to the
spirit and manner of the age. We are now living in event-
ful times, and must consider the neutral and lukewarm as
much our foes as the Tories. There is now no excuse for
inactivity in this distressful hour, when loud discontent
is extending itself at home and the enemies of liberty are
assuming a menacing position abroad, bread at almost
starvation price, the Colonies on the point of rebellion, and
Ireland determined to have separation or reparation.
Woe, then, to those who still exhibit apathy and indif-
ference while they have it in their power to aid in support-
ing our national character abroad and securing peace
and order at home. Let some of our leading gentry, then,
' make common cause with the people, as in Ireland, whose
" surpliced ruffians" and " alien" population have assumed
so noble a position, and put to the blush the stiletto and
bullet men. Yes, the men of Ireland are determined to be
free by their display of moral power. The men of the me-
tropolis, aided by the hardware suns of the colossal towns
of the north, have only to adopt moral
power, and act in
concert with the Reformers of Ireland. We must aim at ob-
taining some measure on which most men can be united, and
which will produce the greatest possible good to the greatest
possible number, so that we shah ultimately realise the sub-
lime
language of Sheridan Knowles in refcrenoo to Switzer-

land, and become as free as our torrents are, that leap ou
rocks and plough our valleys, without asking leave ; or as
our peaks that wear their caps of snow in very presence of
the regal sun. I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
HENRY RICHARDS, a Working Man.