The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-06-11
TUE rHARTISTs IN ENGLAND,


The movements OF the ChdrtiSts, they call
themselves, is attracting and more attention,
and may lead to very important results. Readers
of news will be glad TO understand the object and
character of the agitation The following, from
the National Gazette, is the best account of it that
we have seen -
The Chartists political party in Great
Britain, the power and jects for which but
little understood beyond the kingdom. We must
not look to the Wing and Tory prints for any r. o
resentation on this subject Even in the fore,ss
correspondence of several leading American jour
nails, which we bave read, there is a very partial
view taken Of the measures and strength of this
mass of adversares TO the present system It's n
matter in which all our intelligent readers should
be interested it s already of solemn impor
lance to the British Government, and is fraught
with consequences of the utmost moment to the
people of the ioalm.
The name Chartst' is adopted by the party,
the adv coates of new Charter or Bill of rights,
which 1t is their purpose to have passed as fun
damental law. The Charter we have procured
The preamble is in these words
"Whereas, TO insure, in far it is possible by
human forethought and wisdom, the just govern
ment of the people, it is necessary to subject those
who have the power of making the laws, TO a
wholesome and strict responsibility to those whose
duty it is to obey them when made
And whereas, this responsibility is best enforced
through the instrumsntalily of body which e.
manates directly from, and ia itself immediately
subject to, the " hole people and which completely
represents their feelings and interests
And whereas. the Commons House of Par
Lament exercises, in the name and the
supposed behalf Of the people, the power of MAX
ing the laws, it ought TO fulfil with wisdom and
with honesty the great duties imposed on 1t, to be
made the faithful and accurate representation Of
the peoples wishes, feelings and interests:
BE it therefore enacted, &c. &c.
The provisions OF the Act are then recited at
length, the essence of which is universal suff-
ruge,' with certain conditions. The mode of con-
Quoting elections, the duration Of Pariaments etc.
are also set forth In full To further the adoption
of their views, the Chartsts have had this instru-
ment circulated with a petition to the House of
Commons for signatures, and number of names al
ready signed amounts to upwards of million and
this body met in London in March last, and the
speeches of members may be viewed the
preston Of the opinions of their political friends.
The meetings of this assembly, held almost
nightly for several successive weeks, attend
ed by immense crowds of citizens, we'll dressed,
respectable in their appearance land orderly in their
attention TO the proceedings Among the speakers
Ills of the existing system of representation, of
determination to urge the passage of the Charter
although the expediency OF using immediate force
IN case of its rejection by the House OF Commons,
which was fully anticipated, caused division a
monS them, and final secession of several mem
addresses TO the people characterized by great
oratorical ability, Among the more ardent, no
terms oil reproach against the government and the
arlstocracy were too fervid and comprehensive =
and no menaces too daring for open aYowai.-|
"TweIve thousand signatures" sad one shank or
"have been appended to the petition in my district
and for every signature there is a pike and for ey.
cry pike stout arm when the hour for action sha
arrive" "We have made, said another
"our marks with quill pen and in black ink