History of the Chartist Movement, 1837-1854

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1894. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... favourable to those principles. He condemned the democratic institutions of America, and said all he could to excite the prejudices of his hearers against the prisoners, and expressed the deepest regret that the law was not more stringent with regard to offenders of that class. In sentencing some of the prisoners he told them that he entertained for them no other feelings than those of abhorrence and contempt. He also told them that the House of Commons would never allow members to sit in that House without a property qualification. He appeared ignorant of the fact that all the Scotch members were already sitting there without any such qualification. In short, this ferocious political judge threw all the opprobrium he could on the industrial orders, and all who advocated their cause. He set forth that the bulk of society were ever to remain the branded slaves of the few. This charge excited great indignation throughout the country. Even the middle class press denounced it; and it was made the subject of discussion and of a motion by Duncombe in the House of Commons; and although the motion was lost, it had a goodly number of supporters, and a very strong opinion was expressed against the brutal conduct of Lord Abinger, who not long after died, we believe unregretted, except amongst his private friends. Almost immediately after the March assizes Duncombe also brought forward a motion for the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into certain grievances complained of by White, Harney, Brook, Leach, Morrison, Skevington, and many others, in all about twenty-two persons. The petitions set forth a number of complaints as to a demand for excessive bail, harshness of proceeding when arrested, annoyances while in prison, and other similar matters. Duncombe, in a ...