The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-10 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Bread-street, Birmingham, Feb. 2.
SlR,—Anxious to enlighten, by every means in our
power, the minds of otir fellow-subjects, both of the middle
and working classes, we subjoin the first of a series of three
or four addresses alternately to each, the insertion of which
in your paper will oblige, your's sincerely,
JOHN COLLINS.
ARTHUR O'NEILL.
TO THE MIDDLE CLASSES OF THE UNITED
KINGDOM.—ADDRESS, N. I
Gentlemen,—Many years have elapsed since Britain
witnessed a scene similar to that which took place at Leeds
on the 21st ult. A scene that has strengthened in us the
hope long cherished, that this year w:11 not be charac
tensed, like the past, by the flagrant neglect of that duty
so important to both the employer and the employed, of
meeting together, and consulting each other OR subjects of
mutual interest.

A deep chasm, produced by mutual pride, prejudice, and
ignorance has long separated the two classes. We hope
the day has at length dawned that shall sec that breach
filled up by mutual necessity, forbearance, and intelligence,
so as to form a common ground whereon to stand in united
opposition against the common foe.
In the public, interview at Leeds, the unanimous declare.
tion of the Chartist Delegates was, " That the People's
Charter was the only fulcrum on which the powerful lever
of the masses could rest."

You will ask what has given the to the dcep.seatcd and
almost universal desire of the millions to establish the prin.
ciplcs of the Charter. It is not because they are opposed
to any number of individuals as such—it is not because
they desire to take away power from one section of the
community, and confer it upon another; it is because the
full perception of the evils necessarily connected with that
demin monster, irresponsible power (by whomsoever pos-
sessed), has penetrated into the depths and dens of po-
verty, and, enforced in a tenfold degree by their increas.
in; necessities, has found a home in every heart, and an
echo upon every action of the unenf;anchised many. Its
wars, taxations, tyrannies, persecutions, and (pen enmity
to the best interests of manufacturer and operative, have
made them miserable, whether it appeared under the name
of Toryism or Whiggery. No wonder, therefore, that in
the People's Charter they hail principles, which, by con-
ferring power en all who are justly entitled to it, shall so
control the Legislator as to make him the virtual repre-
sentative of the will and interests of all.

From their thorough conviction of the necessity of a
change in the Government (without reference to indivi-
duals), they refused you their assistance in the Anti-Corn-
law agitation; they felt persuaded that, although by a
momentary pressure the lion was forced to give up its
prey, they had no security, that as soon as the pressure was
removed he would not stretch out his unhallowed paw,
and take it in again, being still posses-sod of the power.
In addition to this, they felt that, is their unjust exclu-
sion from the franchise, they were slaves. Their desire
was not to obtain that which would have only made
them well-fed slaves. They desired liberty for her own
sake. The degrading thought was constantly beLre them,
that they were deprived of a right which a few bricks and
mortar conferred upon others, no wore industrious, vir-
tuous, or intelligent than themselves. And however much
many may doubt it, there is a deep.seated desire among
the millions to obtain by the development of their minds
that intellectual and moral importance which alone en-
nobles man, and without which he is but a worm, however
gilded and however rich. Gentlemen, these are the rea-
sons that have given rise to that deep determination of
the masses never to agitate for any measure short of
justice to all, We rejoice that the same effects that
nave been produced in our minds are now displaying
themselves in yours. We have long deplored the ex-
istence among you of a peculiar spirit of caste that has
hitherto prevented you from holding intercourse with
those whom you supposed birth, rank, or riches, had
placed below you. It has prevented you from examining
our principles. We fear you have too often cherished
groundless prejudices; believing a press that has always
pandered to these prejudice, as a means of securing suc-
cess, and confounding the fortuitous and rash conduct of
a fevv,men with the mighty and sacred principles they
professed to advocate. Actuated by these fe. lings, and
swayed by these errors, you have neglected your true in-
terests till, although there is still abundant field for com-
mercial enterprise, some of the richest advantages have
been lost never to be regained. We rejoiced that in your
desire to extend to others their rights you proclaim you
are wiser to-day than you were yesterday ; too long
have we all been ignorant of that truth, that to be happy,
and prosperous we must be just. That to feel all the hor.
rors of bank' uptcy and misery we require only to be selfish
and exclusive.

How little real power does the present franchise confer
upon you? Witness the reception of your Anti-Corn-
law Bill by your nominal representatives. In truth there
is no representation ; your power only enables you to no-
minate, once in seven years, an individual who then be-
co►mes independent of your opinions, and too often careless
of our interests.

11 there bo one feeling of contempt in your minds for
any man, it is for him who, possessing the franchise, looks
down with supercilious pride on those who have it not ;
his power is but a name, his pride is that of a maniac, who
points to his straw coronet and wooden sceptre, and thinks
himself a king, though chained and miserable.

Every day and every hour the commercial prospects be.
come more gloomy ;* universal bankruptcy is inevitable;
uniess exclusive prejudices are speedily thrown avcay.
There is no hope but in a union of the oppressed classes
to secure for themselves virtual instead of nominal repre-
sentation.

We remain your unenfranchised fello;v-subjects,
JOHN COLLINS.
ARTHUR O'NEILL.
* The news of the New York panic, come to hand since
the above was written, fearfully verifies it.

MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE.--Yesterday morn-
ing the Honourable Miss Spring Rice, eldest daughter
of Lord Mcnteagle, and grand-daughter of the Earl of
Limerick (lately one of the Maids of Honour to her Ma-
jesty), was married to Henry Marshall, Esq. Tho cere-
mony was performed by special licence, at Ail Souls'
Church, Langham-place.

WALSALL ELECTION.—It would be a mere
affectation of an indifference we do not possess, were we
to say that we attach no importance to the result of the
Walsall election. On the contrary, we regard it with
regret and mortification. Tile antagonist principles of
free trade and untaxed food, and fettered commerce
and restrictive law?, were here brought into di-
rect conflict, the victory remaining with those who
are destroying our manufactures, and sapping the
prosperity of the nation day by day. The re-
sult will be hailed by the landlords as promising a long
career of impunity in extorting enormous rentals ; the
foreign manufacturer will exult at it, for our markets will
now be his own. The electors of Walsall have betrayed
a cause which was that of millioLs ; they may have yet en
opportunity of redeeming themselves, but till then public
indignation will. loud m.rair,st th-m. Where are the
rulers who will hesitate to fix the yoke on the necks of a
people who eourt oppression ?—.Devonport Independent,