The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-04 00:00:00

11..
Bat, at the same time, let them speak the truth. The power I had affirmed two resolutions to the effect. that the present state
I wending a Member to Parliament was used by the people— i of society was fast involving the middle, and working classes in
for what? Why, that they might have the power of making I ruin, and they had also affirmed a resolution, that the ordinary
their own laws through that person. Well, was there no country • financial, commercial, political, and theological schemes, were of
that had exercised this power ? There was a country—a demo- no service. Having. progressed so far, an important task
eracy such as the world had yet never seen—a democracy, such as remained for him, namely, to propose what he conceived
very likely the world would never see again ; because, in addi- to be a substantial measure .of relief, and which was em-
tion to possessing the best form of Republicanism bodied in the following resolution—. That the only effectual
which the world ever yet had seen, they had, added to this, and permanent remedy is to provide constant beneficial
and better than all this,—millions of people--millions of fer- employment for all, and a sound practical education, for
tile and uncultivated land,—rivers that looked like oceans. the rising generation in Colonies at Home, under associated
I
The population, too, sprung from the same stock as ourselves, arrangements uniting the interests of all parties." In establish-
.they were, industrious, and possessed energy and all the re- ing the truth of this proposition it might be necessary to take
quisites to call into being the immense wealth their natural I up the views expressed by the previous speaker who had met the
, s esoureee had furnished them with.—(Cheers.) What was political views of the question. It was observed by Mr. Parry,
the result of this pol,itical freedom—what was the result of all in the speech which he made in reply to Mr. Fleming, that
. this immense power of producing wealth which they had lying political changes would be established if the Charter became the
1
around them? Let them read the American papers for an law of the land, which would secure permanent relief to the
answer—let them read the debates of the Congress of that suffering people of this country. He also told them that the
American Republic for a reply—let them read the statement Charter would be a measure of full justice.—( Cries of "It is
of the President of the Republic. He (Mr. Fleming) held in so.") Now with respect to the Charter, he declared that he
his hand a letter dated 14th May, from Philadelphia, and he went the whole length of the Charter, and much further,
would read an extract to describe the result—the actual re- but still he declared that the Charter was not a full measure of
stilt of political power with the knowledge how to use it : justice, inasmuch as it was a species of class-legislation, cutting
" I have nothing at present to say, more than that We are in a off one half the human race—woman.—(Loud cheers.) It was
terrible situation, and I fear it will be long before we are an artificial principle of justice, to exclude woman from equal
better. Our merchants are failing by dozens—business is at a rights with man; and no measure or scheme, whether known
stand, and the Sheriff is the only man busy." Why, this by the name of the Charter or by any other name, could be a
was the exact counterpart of Stockport. There, as in measure of full justice, unless it secured equal rights and privilgea
America, the merchants were failing by degrees, and the to both sexes—( Cheers )—and this he felt to be a peculiar feat ure
sheriff's officer was the only man busy. This needed not to be of the system of home colonization which he proposed for their
dwelt upon. It was a fact that, at this moment, destitution adoption. Mr. Parry told them that this system was a paltry
prevailed. Commerce was embarrassed, bankruptcies and in- system; that they had occupied a number of years in establishing
solvencies were rife in all the commercial towns. This distress a small community at Tytherly, and that if they made such
must continue so long as they persisted in continuing a bad sys- slow progress, it would require one hundred years before they
tem; 'therefore let them proceed to colonize society upon rational could colonize the whole population. He answered, look to
principles, and one class would then be unable to opress an- what they had accomplished towards the salvation of society
ether, It was time that the whole truth upon the matter was in the last five or six years. Let them compare this with the
known. They would blame no man or body of men—what progress which had been made in political agitation for uni-
they blamed was the false system under which they lived, versal suffrage since the daysof Hunt and Carte right. 'Why the
and they ought therefore to take means, as speedily as possible, country was in a worse state than it ever had been, although
to alter that system—which was injurious to all classes of so • the last forty or fifty years had been devoted to agitations upon
ciety—until they carried out a truly catholic and elevated spirit ; the most extended scale for political change, and notwithstand-
untd they discarded from their minds all paltry prejudices and ing all the exertions of these people, it was likely to continue
Wass training ; until they could learn to view their fellow-men so ; while they (the Socialists) had been progressing amidst
as children of one father, inhabiting one common home, har- the persecution and opposition of all parties, with nothing
moniously living together, where they could not injure one to encourage them save a deep-grounded conviction of the
without diminishing the happiness of the whole.— (Cheers.) truth of their principles and their competency to effect the
Until they learnt the valuable lesson, hew to construct mea- ultimate salvation of the human race.—( Loud cheers. )
sures beneficial to all, they could not take the first step towards What had the Socialists accomplished in the last four or five
regeneration, or benefiting of their fellow beings.—(Hear.) years? Why, in the last nine months they had obtained up-
He had only one more point to allude to, and that was to refer 1 wards of 1,200 acres of land, upon which they had erected a
to the theological plans. He really did not think he had much 1 building equal, nay, superior to the mansions of the arisen.
need to do so. He had no doubt that those gentlemen brought up ' cracy.—(Cheers.) They had other advantages, too, which
in Uesiversities and various Colleges were quite as consistent, no other establishment in the country could exhibit; and
uite as unblameable in believing the superiority of the it would form a nucleus, a centre, from which would radiate
Church, and wishing for church-building and new Bishops. measures that would carry salvation to the deserted homes of
Doubtless their dispositions were good. They were as honest the working-classes of this avid of every other country,
and well.minded as any other party he had named. The fact under heaven. This was what they had accomplished during
had often struck him when passing through our University , the last few years. Mr. Parry affected to deal ise this ex-
towns, that they were large manufactories for turning out I periment, but he ought to recollect .that the first step in all
characters for theological pursuits. The raw material was 1 new measures was the most difficult and dangerous ; did
sent down partially worked out—( Laughter)—and they came he forget the difficulty which had attended the application
out not 39 yards long, but certainly 39 Articles strong.— ( A of steam to locomotive purposes? Did he not know
laugh.) Then they were bound to believe those Articles as the that the project for lighting that great city with gas was
best things in the world. The doctrine was a first-rate doctrine ; derided as visionary by the so-called very ablest practical men
and this being a kind of trade, they required shops, and it was of that day, and that the project for. railways shared the same
therefore natural that they should build new ones, and attach fate? Yet they were now enjoying the benefit of gas and
themselves to a party that would give them assistance. But railways. And so it was—the visionary scheme of yesterday
they must not blame them for that. They were like them- became the practical reality of to-day. Mr. Parry had re-
selves—the creatures of the circumstances in which they were ferred to America, and said that, if they consulted Basil
placed. Any one in that meeting who was opposed to this Hall and Buckingham, they would find that America pos-
class, would—hart he been brought up under the same cir- sensed many solid advantages derived from universal suffrage
cumstances, trained in the same manner, surrounded by the •in that country. He (Mr. Buchanan) had read the works of
same incitements--have been exactly like one of them. No Miss Martineau only six months since, and yet, notwithstanding
matter how wrong any fellow-man might be—no matter the statements of Mr. Parry, Miss filartineau declared
what class training he had received, he acted under the control ' that America presented all the errors and anomalies of the corn-
. of circumstances. But there was a medium party who sought I petitive system of this country ; and Mr. Buckingham declared
for rational reform, for universal reform, for harmonious re- that you dare not open your mouth in vindication of the rights
form, for moral reform, who would teach man to go forward of the slave. This was not the case in the slave-holding States
with his heart in his hand teaching truths, and breathing the alone, but the prejudice against the black population and the
spirit of charity to all men, explaining in that spirit the grin- slave population in the minds of the aristocratic class, was dis-
eiples and practice by which every child born into society might played in Philadelphia, and the cities of Carolina and Georgia.
from its birth be made to become, through the medium of This was a system which was the result of class legislation,
superior training, a happy, intelligent, and a useful being. He and nothing better could be done until home colonization, upon
would leave to those who would follow him the task of explain- I the wide and comprehensive basis set forth in the resolution,
',ing how. that was to be done. He had discharged, to the I was carried out. When every man and woman should be use-
best of his ability, the duty which had devolved upon him, , fully employed in cultivating the soil, combined with moderate
without bad feeling to any, for he believed that every one of and scientifically-arranged labour in manufactures, then would
the projects he had attacked were put forward honestly, and I there be no overbearing landlords, or manufacturing tyrants.
that many. of them contained truth, so far as they went ; --(Cheers.) The present system of society would be changed—
but the principle he contended for was one which would con- I it would he changed for one of the highest state of perfection ;
tain all truth, and was based on universal first principles, and labour would be brought to bear on the production of the most
believing that the country could only he emancipated by these useful articles of wealth ; and machinery—that monster power,
means, his proposed the resolution, " That none of the ordi- that demon of destruction now, would, under a well-combined
. narily pro posed measures—financial, commercial, political, or system of society, itself become an angel of light, scatter-
theological—are competent to effect substantial permanent re- ing comfort and blessing around.—(Cheers.) Under the pre-
lief from the increasing difficulties and sufferings of the middle sent system, woman, regardless of her condition, was employed
and working classes."—( Cheers.) day after day, and became a mere drudge and slave; in the
Mr. Fist: It said it would not be necessary for him to say words of the old song, a woman's labours were never ended ; but
many words in seconding the motion which had been placed , in the state they proposed it would be entirely altered.—
before them, it having been dealt with in all its I (Cheers.) Mr. Buchanan concluded a long and eloquent speech
parts se well by the previous speaker. The subject of Iby proposing the third resolution.
the resolution naturally divided itself into four parts, in con- I Mr. HALL, having briefly seconded the resolution,
sidering of the remedies proposed. Those of a financial ' Mr. %V HEELER rose to speak to it. He said he should
nature would net answer the desired effect, of removing the ! not propose any amendment, but he considered the only means
distress of the people. He need not say more en that question. ;of emancipating the nation was by the adoption of the Charter.
Both Whigs and Tories had in Parliament, at the commence- I Mr. M‘Mtneess rose to move an amendment. He said he
merit of the session, told the people plainly that they had no was surprised to see so many assembled together to deny the
remedy for their distresses. Having this told to them at the , existence of a God.—(Loud laughter was excited by this un-
onset, rt was folly to expect that any remedy would be proposed. , warranted assumption, and cries of " It's an insult to the
• They had measures brought before Parliament—and a!most , meeting ; put him down," &c., &c., in the midst of whet'
the only thing Sir Robert Peel had in view was—to make up he sat down.)
the deficiency in the revenue. Now he had two ways of I The resolution . was then put, and carried amidst much
doing this—either by lessening the expenses, or increasing cheering.
the income • but so far from adopting the former, and I Mr. GA LPIN proposed the following resolution :—" That the
most rational mode of restoring the finances, he allowed ' means to provide constant beneficial employment to all, and a
the present lavish expenditure to continue. Two unnecessary sound practical education for the rising generation, are pos-
war. were still persisted in, viz., the war in the East Indies and i sessed in superabundance by the middle and working classes,
the war with China, which, betore they were ended, would cost t were they united : and that it is in the power of these classes,
the country many millions of money. And a more unjust, a by a wise combination of their mental and physical resources,
more gruel, a more irrational war was never undertaken by any \ speedily to secure a high degree of permanent progressive
people than the war in the East Indies and the war in China, 1 prosperity." He regretted that at that late hour he was pre-
ow, a rational man would hay* taken means to put a stop to l vented from going into the subject matter of the ressolution so
these two wars, and have saved the country from those expenses i fully zit wt. desirable. He must, in consequence, content him-
Which, however unnecessary they were, would be entailed ' self by stating that all that was requisite to relieve the country
uphn them. Surely no one could expect that the condition of from its present difficulties, now and for ever, was a sc.entific
one class of the people could be improved by imposing an in- , union of land, labour, skill, and capital—every one of which they
some-tax.. It might be one of the best taxes to lay on, to tax had in great plenty. One full, self-supporting experiment,
' • the rich. ' That he would not dispute. But could the poor be would decide the principle, and to establish this they required
improved by taxing the rich and middle classes? No ; because ; about 2.000 acres of land; as many inhabitants, located
the rich and middle classes would of course lesson their exper di- 1 thereon in buildings scientifically arranged, and in the usual
sure. They would discharge their servants, they would con- 1 proportions of men, women, and children—the best skill which
sume less in their families, and the consequence would be a de- : could he obtained—and, with respect to capital, say one million
crease in business to that extent; therefore, no class would be sterling, which would include the purchase of the land, the
benefited by the measure. Then, with respect to the remedy erection of bui'dings of all kinds, stock, furniture, &c. The
which had been alluded to by Mr. Fleming, and which 1 operations of colonies founded on these principles would afferd
was proposed by the Charter—(Cheers)—why, they had this , a larger interest, and far better security for the funds advanced,
principle in America, which had a democratic Govern- 1 to any extent, than any other investment which could now be
merit of the best form which had appeared for very many found in the world. Under wise arrangements the scheme
ages, indeed, perhaps, that had appeared in the world, would be adapted to all ranks and classes of the people, offering
yet in democratic America, they well continued among advantages which were not to be obtained by any under the
them the African slave-trade.—( Hear, and cheers.) Now, present system. It would, however, if adopted, as it should be,
if democracy gave the people equal rights only, why did it nor by the Governmeut, or large capatilists, on an extensive scale,
induce democratic America to liberate the slaves? They almost immediately absorb all the unemployed labour; skill, and
found, upon reading accounts of the state of America, that the capital of the country, and place the adult population in a con-
democratical party in America were some of the greatest up- dition of high prosperity and happiness, whilst it would give
holders of At rican slavery.—(Hear.) lie need not, as the to their children a sound practical education.—( Cheers. ) Time,
nine was going on, say any more ; and, as there were a great however, would not now permit him to go into details, and he
number to speak after him; he would therefore conclude by must, therefore, refer them to the works of their Venerable
seconding the resolution which had been laid before Chairman, who had had a large share of experience in these
them. —( Cheers. ) matters. These, together with any further information, might
Mr. PA RIIT said he was opposed to the resolution upon be obtained, on application at the Home Colonization Office,
many grounds, but it was not his intention to disturb the 57, Pall-mall; and he would recommend, as many as could, to
harmony of the meeting which had been called by Mr. Owen, visit the Society's estate, in Hampshire, and judge for theme
for the purpose, be presumed, of expounding the principles of selves.—(Cheers.)
what he called home colonization. It was not his intention to Mr. T. HUNT seconded the resolution, which was carried
disturb the harmony of the meeting by proposing any unanimously.
amendment ;Ire should vote against the resolution himself, Mr. TRAVIS proposed the following resolution :—" That the
and he would state to the meeting the reason which remedy ought to be immediately applied under the direction of the
induced him to do so. He had listened to Mr. Fleming with Government ' • but that—as it is evident that those who conduct
patience and attention in hinging forward the resolution, and the national affairs are unacquainted with the mode by which
he would endeavour, in the' same c'tlm spirit which Mr. such remedy can be applied—this meeting do petition both
Fleming had displayed, to state his objections to what had Housesof Parliament, memorialize the Government, and ad-
been said in support of the resolution. Mr. Fleming said that dress her Majesty, praying that efficient individuals may be
there had been no political scheme jet devised as a satisfac- appointed to investigate this most important subject." He
tory remedy for the great evils 'under which society at present la- then read the following MemoEMORIALrial, Petition, and Address.
boureth he would not deal with the financial scheme. He " M
would say nothing about the Income-tax that night, nor would "Of a Meeting called by public advertisement, held at the
he say anything on the theological plans, as, according to his Crown and Anchor Tavern, London, on Wednesday,
notions, no man could judge another—it was a question alone June 1, 1842, to the Government of Great Britain sod
between his God and himself.—( Cheers.) He would Ireland,
conitie himself to political subjects, and he said " Showeth,—That your Memorialists find that a large per-
he did believe there had been devised a scheme—a tion of both classes are in a degraded and deplorable state of
line of policy which would redeem this nation from existence, and experience much mental suffering, such as on
its present financial and other difficulties. That scheme human beings should be compelled to continue to suffer in any
was the Charter.—( Cheers.) Why were the working classes civilised country, after remedies have been discovered.
suffering ?It was because they had NO control over the Go- " That Great Britain and its dependencies superabound with
vernment and Legislature of the country. Mr. Fleming ridi- all the means to remove these evils.. • -
culed what he called political doctors; but there was another " That your Memorialists blame no parties for this state of
elms quite as great empirics, for he had yet to learn that the low wretchedness with which so large a portion of the popu-
Socialists were better than any other class of society in mending lation is afflicted. or for the grievous mental sufferings foother
the condition of the people. Mr. Owen said they must begin by large portions of it ; but attribute the cause to the naturl and
producing wealth for themselves.—( Great cheering.) Now the unavoidable progress from an inferior to a superior state of so-
Charter would enable them to do this. —( Cries of " Ni,," disap- eiety.
probation, and cheers.) The Charter alone would be the means " That your Memorialists are deeply impressed with the
of accomplishing this.— (Disapprobation.) He would place a conviction that the means of relief from these evils—means
few facts before them. Those who were rational would listen to new so abundant within the British dominions—might be
him, those who were not he did not fear. How was the sys- applied most advantageously for all parties at this period, to
,
tern of home colonization to wark ? The then small and con- immediately diminish, and ere
long entirely remove, the
paratively insignificant co!ony at Tytherly, how had they pro- causes which now create so much misery and discontent
gressed ? And to carry out the scheme they would require throughout the population of these realms.
hundreds of thousands of pounds, for home colonization could " That your Memorialists haven plain, simpleplanof relief for
not proceed without funds. He wanted to know how they these evils, which they request the Government to investigate,
were to get those funds. Mr. Owen proposed to appeal-. to' and if it should be found efficient fur the purpose, that it may
the rich. Now, did Mr. Owen believe thit that appeal would be adopted.
be effectual? He wished it might be so. 'f They had " That your Memorialists urge this measure on the Govern-
been engaged for years upon Tytherly, and wet it was not meet, because 110 ether party appears to have examined this
finished now, and if the whole scheme was to be judged by this, subject to its foundation, or to have proposed any effectual per-
they would never accomplish it. • Mr. Owen said that home manent remedy. .
colonisation would be a good investment—that he would be able " And your Memorialists will ever pray," Bcc.
to pay interest on the capital; but he asked whether he could,- s' PETITION.
with the shadow of hope, expect the wealthy classes to assist is To both Houses of Parliament agreed, &c.
in home colonization ? Whoever beard of the wealthy classes " Showeth,—That your petitioners are deeply impressed with
corning forward en masse to relieve the sufferings of the great the difficulties and dangers in which all classes are involved in
mass of the population ? He said that the question was absurd. Great Britain and Ireland; difficulties and dangers created by
They did not ask for the charity of the wealthy—all they the
wanted was for the poor man to have his rights.—(Cheers.) past proceedings of society.
" 1 hat the causes of these evils have been calmly sought by
The miserable charities of this country had been its curse. They your petitioners ; that they have discovered these causes ; and
had soup societies, and a number of other societies, all of also the only effectual remedies for them.'
English labourer
which would not be required if the labourer had his rights— "'That these remedies are now easy of application, and would
(Loud cheers ) He wanted tobe found most advantageous for the whole population, of every
rank and class.
earning his own livelihood by the sweatse of his brow, which he
could not do now, for there was rehousoualiadd
remainfrightful
di
thetdule- " That your petitioners pray your Right Honourable (or
tion throughout the land, andHonourable) House to appoint a Parliamentary. Commission or
wHneedidwnot consider thwe
present evil institutions continued. Committee, or to adopt any other more efficient mode, as it
classes were going to ruin, for they, were better off now than may deem best, to investigate these causes and remedies.
ever they were.—(Loud cries of ' No, no ;" and cdnsider.-
" And your petitioners will ever pray," &c•
voing to ruin, for if
able confusion.) The working man"ADDRESS
" To her Most Gracious Majesty ; 'from a Meeting called by
they went into his room they found destitution and distress, but
tublic advertisement, and held at the Crown and Anchor
't avern, on Wednesday, June 1, 1842.
they did not find that in the tradesman's parlour. _ Andl what
~
We,
"May iNtiap
jleesatsye,ivornursAtlfaaletahstfyu,l
was the reason the middle classes' enjoyed a arger
shire of the franchise of the country ? First, the
franchise was possessed by the Monarchy alone, and it thrived
*subjects, in public meet-
under it ; then the aristocracy possessed it, and they thrived
ing assembled, are impelled b
under it, and by the Reform Bill the middle classes possessed
deeply suffering, industrious population strong sense of duty to the
onf o f
facts
to realms,
yourtoaj
et
y.
pre-
it, and they thrived under it.—( Cries of " No, no," and con-
sent the following simple statemeantr
fusion.) Air. Fleming had said that America was distressed,
for your consideration, as chief ruler 31 • •
andn
choice of
of the
but he did not find such a thing mentioned in the works of Mt.
British Empire, upon whom, throug
Ru-kineham, Miss Martineau, or even Mrs. Trollops. Look
Ministers, the care and well-being of the whole population
at Switzerland far a perfect democracy; there they saw the
more especially devolve.
.rThat a large portion of the we -di
People happy. In conclusion he must ago n retreat that thell 'sposed and industrious
country could never prdsper until the Charter became law.
part of thepopulation of Great Britain and Ireland are unem-
Mr. FLEMING said the time of the evening would not permit
e
him to reply to Mr. Parry, and in declining to do so he begged p eyed, half - employed,
•r That considerable
ornumbers
ill-employedofi sthtait of brutal ignorance.s
population are unedu-
to say that it was not because he could not bring good and
rated or ill-educated, and many in
..
ardent reasons in reply, but that he would leave it to the
proposer of the neat, restitution, who would, he hoped, take up vice, crime, and misery, h •
have latterly
such parts as required attention. ' rapidly increased, until now theyhave attained an appalling ex-
" That, inconsequence,
A Wcieetem he rose, and said he wished to an
tent throughout England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
amendment to the resolution. He should not proposeaddress the " That this state of matters seriously endangers the safety
and well-being of your Majesty's dominions, and the continuo
meeting long in support of it, as he was an uneducated man.
He thought the working man ought to possess the franchise, ante of Royal power, by reason of its great expenditure and
which was only his right, and he should therefore propose the these most unsatisfactory results.
fellovving amendment :—" That it is the opinion of this meet- " That we are most desirous to prevent the longer continu-
ing. that the working classes of this country will not obtains ance of these evils to the people, and danger to the. Govern-
justice until they are fully,and fairly represented in the Corn-
put and lost by merit, until a better system of governing can be devised, and,
int,,ns House of Parliament. ' without violence, established.
"That the British Empire possesses, within its own domains,
'The amendment having been seconded, was
• an immense majority. - all the means, with every kind of requisite appliances, to well-
. The original resolution was then put, and carried almost employ and well-educate, within the. British Islands, not only
uninimetoly, and amst much cheering. 1 ... the whole of the present industrious class, but at least four,
Me. Bucga NA N said they had gone through more than half five, or six times its amount, "and most beneficially for every
tke, business for which the meeting bad been convened. They class, from the highest': 0'.., belovvJg