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

But, at the same time, let them speak the truth. The power i had affirmed two resolutions to the effect that the present state
Of sending a Member to Parliament was used by the people— of society was fast involving the middle and working classes in
for what? "Why, that they might have the power of making 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. Haying progressed so far, an important task
tracvauch 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 ela-
tion- to possessing the best form of Republicanism bodied in the following reselution—" 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 thin—millions of people—millions of fer- employment for all, and a sound practical education, for
tile and uncultivated land,—rivers that looked like oceans. f the rising generation in Colonies at Home, under associated
The population, too, sprung from the same stock as ourselves, l 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 up the views expressed by the previous speaker who had met the
resources had furnished them with.—(Cheers.) What was political views of the question. It was observed by Alr. Parry,
the result of this political 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
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 Chatter 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
cult of political power with the knowledge how to use it : justice, inasmuch as it was &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 wa'
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 privilgee
America, the merchants were failing by degrees, and the to both sexes—( Cheers)—and this be felt to be apeculiar feature
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 rile 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 ss s- slow progress, it would require one hundred years before they
tern, therefore let them proceed to colonize society upon rational cculd 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
other. It was time that the whole truth upon the matter was in the last five or six years. Let them compare this with tl.e
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 theh lived, 1 versal suffrage since the daysof Hunt and Carta 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-
:until they discarded from their meinds all paltry prejudices and ing all the exertions of these people, it was likely to continue
class 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, liar- the persecution and opposition ef all parties, with nothing
moniously living together, where they could not injure one te 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 salve, ion of the human race.—( Loud cheers. )
sures beneficial to all, they could nut 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 wards of 1,200 acres of land, upon which they had erected a
to the theological plane. He really did not think he had much building equal, nay, superior to the mansions of the aristo.
need to do so. He hadtio denht that those gentlemen brought up /Tarty. —( Cheers.) They had other advantages, too, which
in Universities and various Colleges were quite as consistent, nu oilier establishment in the country could exhibit; and
quite 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. I measures that would carry salvation to the deserted homes of
Doubtless their dispositions were good. 'they were as honest the working-classes of this and of every other country,
and well-minded as any other party he hat 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. Alm Parry affected to dest ise this ex-
epsans, that they were large manufactaries for turning out I pertinent, but he ought to recollect that the first step in all
- eharaeters for • theological pursuits. The raw material was I new measures was the most difficult and dangerous ; did
' sent down 'partially worked out—( hanghtce)—and they came I he forget the difficulty which had attended the application
out not ::*.t -yards long, but certainly all Articles strong.—( A 1 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 ; i 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 intact new ones, and attach j fate? Y,,t they were now enjoying the benefit of gas and
themselves to a party that ,vouid give them assistance. But i railways. And so it was—the visionary scheme of yesterday
they must net blame them for that. They were like them- j became the practical reality of to-day. Mr. Parry had re-
selves—the creatures of the circumstances in which they were i tarred to America, and said that, ii' they consulted Basil
placed. Any one in that meeting who was opposed to this I Hall and Buckingham, they would find that America pos•
class, would—bad he been brought up under the same cis- Sps s c d many solid advantages derived from universal suffrage
aumstances, 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 j 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 Martineau declared
what class training he had received, he acted tinder the control that America presented all the errors and anomaliesof the corn-
of circumstances. But there was a medium party who sought 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 prin- I slave population in the minds of the aristocratic class, was dis-
ciples and practice by which every.ehild born into society might 1 played in Philadelphia, and the cities of Carolina and Georgia.
trotn its birth be made to become, through the medium of I 'Phis was a system which teas the result of class legislation,
superior training,
a happy, intelligent, and a useful being. lie and nothing better could be done until home colonization, upon
would leave to these who would follow him the task of explain- the wide and comprehensive basis set forth in the resolution,
ing how that was to be done. He had discharged, to the 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 there be no overbearing landlords, or manufacturing tyrants.
• that many
.fit them
contained truth, so far as they went ; -( Cheers. ) The present system of society would be changed—
leat the principle he contended for was one which would coil- it would 1:e changed for one of the highest state of perfection ;
lain
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, he proposed the resolution, "That none of the ordi- i that demon of destruction now, would, under a well-combined
narily proposed 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.) tinder 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 Mr. Fr NC If said it would not he necessary for him to say words of the olds ong, a woman's labours were never ended ; but
' many words in seconding the motion which had been placed , in the state thy proposed it would be entirely altered.—
before them, it having been dealt with in all as ' (Cheers.) Mr. Buchanan concluded a long and eloquent speech
parts se well by the previous speaker. The subject of ,by proposing the third resolution.
the resolution naturally divided itself into four parts, in con- ; Mr. HA LL, having briefly seconded the resolution,
sidering of the remedies proposed. Those of a financial ; - Mr. Vs HEELER rose to speak to it. He said lie should
nature would not answer the desired effect, of removing the not propose :my 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- . Mr. APalimeme rose to move an amendment. He said he
meet of the session, told the people plainly that they had to ' was surprised to see so` many assembled together to deny the
remedy fur their distresses. Having this told to them at the existence of a God.—(Loud laughter was excited by this un-
onset, it 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 almost meeting ; put him down," &c., &c., in the midst of which
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 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 Mr. GA LPIN proposed the following resolution :—. That the
roost 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-
wars were still persisted in, viz., the war in the East Indies and sessed in superabundance by the middle and working classes,
the war with China, which, before they were ended, would cost were they united : and that it is in the power of these classes,
the country many millions of money. And a more unjust, alby a wise combination of their mental and physical resources,
more eruct; amore irrational war was nester undertaken by any j speedily to secure a high degree of permanent progressive
people-than the war in the East Indies and the war in China. prosperity." He regretted that at that late hour he was pre-
Now, a rational man would have taken means to put a stop to vented from going into the subject matter of the ressolution so
these two wars, and have saved the country from those expenses tfully as was desirable. lie must, in consequence, content him-
which, howevei • unnecessary they were, would be entailed self by stating that all that was requisite to relieve the country
upon them. Surety taile one emild expect that the condition of from its present difficulties, now and for ever; was a scientific
one elaemof thenpeophmeould be improved by imposing an in- unietp of land, labour, skill, and capital—every one of which they
come-tax,.. Itemealrobe ene.of the best taxes to lay on, to tax had litegreat plenty. One full, self-supporting experiment,
the rich. That be 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
thexieh:and middle-classes would-of course lessen their expendi- thereon in buildings scientifically arranged, and in the usual
tore: They woulddischarge their servants, they would con- proportions of men, women, and children—the best skill which
some amain their families, and the consequence would be a de- could he obtained—and, with respect to capital, say one million
be
cre
ne arein
fited, , busi
the 'measure. • Then, wip the remedy erection of buildings of all kinds, stock, furniture, &c. The
which had been alluded to by Mr. Fleming, and which operations of colonies founded on these principles would afford
was. proposed by the Charter—(Cheers)—why, they had this a larger interest, and far better security for the funds advanced,
priociple tin America, which had a democratic Govern- to any extent, than any other investment which could now be
ment of the best form which had appeared roe 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
age ,in democratic America, they still contin'?ed 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 Government, 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-
dernocratical party in America were some of the greatest ur dition of high prosperity and happiness, whilst it would give
holders of African slavery.—( Hear.) He need not, as t e time was going on, say any more ; and, as there were a great to their children a sound practical education.—( Cheers.) Time,
however would not now permit him to go into details, and he
number to speak after him, he. would' theiefore 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
many grounds, but it was not his intenti
Mr. PA KILT said he was opposed to the resolution
on to distur upothn be obtained, on application at the Home Colonization Office,
b e 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 them-
for the purpose, lie presumed, of expounding the principles of selYes.—( 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; he should vote against the resolution himself, 1 Mr. Teams proposed the following resolution :—" That the
and he would state to the meeting the reason which remedy ought to be immediately appliA ttnder the direction of the
induced him to do so. Ile had listened to Mr. Fleming with Government ; but that—as it is evident that those who conduct
patience and attention in bringing forward the resolution, and the national affairs are unacquainted with the mode by which
he would endeavour, in the same calm spirit which Mr. such remedy can be applied—this meeting do petition both
Fleming had displayed, to state his objections to what had Ilousesof Parliament, memorialize the Government, and ad-
been said in support of the resolution. Alm Fleming said that I dress her Majesty, praying that efficient individuals may be
there had been no political scheme yet 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 Memorial, Petition, and Address.
bowed. He would not deal with the financial scheme. He " MEMORIAL
would say nothing about the Income-tax that night, nor would ~ op a Meeting called by public advertisement, held at the
he say anything on the theological pinav, as, according to his Crown and Anchor Tavern, London. on Wednesday,
notions, no man could judge another—it was a question alone June 1, 1849; to the Government of Great Britain and
between his God and himself.—( Cheers.)
He would - Ireland, - confine himself to political subjects, arid he said : 1- Shovretla—That your hlemorialists find that a large por-
I
he did believe there had been devised a scheme—a
1 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 no
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. a That Great Britain and its dependencies superabound with
vernment and Legislature of the country. Mr. Fleming ridi- all `lie meanh to remove these evils.
oiled what he called political doctors; but there was another hat u Memel' lists blame no parties for this state of
clam quite as great empiries, for he had yet te learn that the low wretchedness withtwahieh so large a portion of the opu-
Socialist s were better than any other class of society in mending lation is afflicted. or for the grievousgmental sufferings ofPother
the condition of the people. Mr. Owen said they must begin by large portions of it ; but attribute the cause to the natural 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 " ;Nu," disap-
probation, and cheers.) The Charter alone would be the means 1 ciety.
" of accoThat your latemorialists are deeply impressed with the
inplishing 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 now so abundant within -the British. dominions—might be
himestheise who were not he did not fear. How was the sys- I applied most Advantageously for all parties at this period, to
tent of Iterne colonization to work ? The then small and cum- immediately diminish, and 'ere long entirely remove, the
paratively insignificant simony at Tytherly, bow had they pro- causes which
110 W create so much- misery and discontent
hgressed ? And to carry out the scheme they would require throughout the popula.lion of these realms.
undreds of thousands of pounds, for home colonization could a That your Memorialists have a plain, simple plan of relief for
riot proceed without funds. He wanted to know how they these evils, which. they request the Government to investigate,
were to get those funds. Mr. Oweb proposed to appeal to and if it should bo found efficient fur the purpose, that it may
the rich. Now, did Mr. Owen believe that that appeal would be now adopted.
be effectual.. He wished' it might be so. they, had i " That vetir Menhorialists hrge this measure on the Govern-
heen engaged for years upon - Tytherlam and yet it was not meat bechuse no other party appears to have examined this
tinishecanowe and if the whole scheme was to be judged by this,
haveproposed any effectual per-
they subject to its foundation, or to
they would never accomplish` it. Mr. Owen said that home
colonizamen be would manent remedy. a good he would be aisle "
to Pay inaerestaon-the capital but he asked whether he could, And your Memorialists will ever pray," &c.
with the. `atiedosvnt hope, "eipect the wealthy classes to assist " PETITION.
in honiescolonittatien ?: - Whoeret heard of time wealthy classes •" To both Houses of Parliament agreed, aim coming forward'inemnelte to 'relieve the sufferings of the great " Showeth,—That your petitioners are deeply impressed with
mass of the peptilattewhl, He said that the question was absurd. the difficulties and dangers in which all classes are involved in
TThey d
was .fi did 'lraer ask Ihhatheacharity of the wealthy—all they Great Britain and Ireland; difficulties and dangers created by
est te thsapotainahata to hive his rights.—( Cheers.") the past proceedings of society.
The miserable charitiea rif thistcrenstry had beet, its curse. They " That the causes of these evils have been calmly sought by
had soup societies, and a nuMber of other societies, all of your petitioners; that they have discovered these causes ; and
which would not be required if the labourer had his rights.— also the only effectual remedies for them.
( Loud eherra. ) He wanted to see the ng ish ' F 1. a
labourer
" 't hat these remedies are now easy of application, and would
earning his own livelihood by the sweat of his brow, which he be found most advantageous for the whole population, of every
could pot do now, for there was hideous and frightful destitu- rank and class.
rion throughout the land, and which would remain while the " That your petitioners pray your Right Honourable (or
present evil institutions continued. He did not consider the middle Honourable) House to appoint a Parliamentary Commission or
classes were going to ruin, for they were better off now than Committee, or to adopt any other more efficient mode, as it
ever they were.—( Loud cries of " No, no ," and consider- may deem best, to investigate these causes and remedies.
able confusion.) The working man was going to ruin, for if " And your petitioners will ever pray," &c.
they went into his room they found destitution and distress, but
" ADDRESS
And what s,
they did not find that in the tradesman's parlour._. To her Most Gracious Majesty ; from a Meeting called by
was the reason the middle classes enjoyed
.3.larger public advertisement, and held at the Crown and Anchor
share of„ the franchise of the country ? First, the Tavern, on Wednesday. June I, 1842.
franchise was possessed by the Monarchy alone, and it thrived " May it please your M •
ithesty,
under it ; then the aristocracy possessed it, and they thrived "'We, your Majesty's most faithful subjects, in public meet-
under it, and by the Reform Bill the middle classes possessed ing assembled, are impelled by a strong sense of duty to the
it. and they thrived under it.—( Cries of " No, no," and con- deeply suffering, industrious population of these realms,
'to pre-
fusion.) Mr. Fleming had said that America was distressed, sent the following simple statement of facts to your
Majesty,
but he did not find such a thing mentioned in the works of Mr. for your consideration, as chief ruler and'
governor
of the
Flitekingham, Miss Martineau, or even Mrs. Trollope. Look British Empire, upon whom, through the choice 'of your
at Switzerland for a perfect democracy ; there they saw the Ministers, the care and well-being of the whole -
population
people happy. In conclusion he must again repeat that the more especially devolve.
country could never prosper until the Charter became law. " That a large portion of the well-disposed and industrious
Mr. Ft EMING said the time of the evening would not hermit part of the population of Great Brits in and Ireland are unem-
him to reply to Mr. Parry, and in declining to do so he begged ployed, half-employed, or ill-employed.l,, say that it was not because he could not bring good and a 'that considerable numbers of this population arc unedu
sufficient reasons in reply, but that he would leave it to the (mime or ill_edueated, and many in a state of brutal ignorance -
proposer of the next resolution, who would, he hoped, take up ° That, in consequence, vice, crime, and misery, have latterly
such parts 'as required attentien.
rapidly increased, until now they have attained an appalling ex_
A WORKING Mars rose,; and said 1 •
le wished to propose an tent throughout England, Ireland, S. cotland, and Wales.
amendment to the resolution. He should not -
address the " That t' is state of matters seriously endangers the safety
meeting long in support of it, as hebMajesty'sdominions, and the , • "
He thought the working man eu ht wast an uneducated man. and well-being of your .
.tontinu.
wsess the- franchise, ante of Royal power, by reason of its great expenditure and
which was only his right, and hegehontohPe
following amendment :—" That it is the thereforeo
prnpose the these most unsatisfactory results.
pinion of this meet- " That we are most desirous to prevent the longer continu-
jing. that the working classes of this -country will net Obtain ante of the .1 o h 1 nd danger to the Govern-
ustice ,antil they are fully and fairly rep an the en st t e peop e, a .
resented in the Cora- be devised,
ment, until a better system of governing can and,
eahanons House of Parliament."
thiatil ae -'" The amendtvTnt. having been seconded, was - without violence, established.
Put end lost by " That the British Empire possesses, within its own domains,
a'iaan immense majority.
~ ,
, .'-'
The original resolution was then put; and carried almost
: a
_6l unanimously, and amidst-much cheering. . .. .. _ ,
~all the means, wits! every kind ofrequisite appliances, to w
employ and well-educate, ell-
within the British Islands, not only
the whole of the resent industrious class but at least four,
FON.' '. '*, Mr. BucuAri4.N said they' had gone through- mnreethinthai . • the resent ,
(1'
• - • • , f live, or six times lets amount; and most beneficially for every
.4,. , the hueu!en for.Tblob the anemic . bad been egavaaed...They - class, from
-, . ~ ~ , ~,.-: :, .--:.: .:1•,..:..: -r::.. 7• . - - , • -
.. - 'k 4 Y ''. ': l'r '2.', :'.!' ...2-r:-., ~ !!-. ' -
, - /

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