Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser – Saturday 08 February 1851
CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF THOMAS PAINE.
On Monday last, about sixty of the disciples of this great man dined together, in the large room at the Seven Stars Inn, Nottingham. After ample justice had been done to the good things provided for the occasion,
Mr. James Sweet was called to the chair, and, in a suitable speech, introduced the following sentiment:—“To the Immortal Memory of Thomas Paine—may Reason and Common Sense guide his disciples in their warfare with the enemies of the Rights of Man;” which having been drunk in solemn silence,
Mr. S. Kyd responded, and gave a faithful history of the times in which Paine lived, the difficulties under which he laboured, and the glorious services which he rendered by his pen to his adopted country. Mr. Kyd’s address, which lasted an hour, was received with repeated cheers.
The following sentiments were also given and responded to:—“The Sovereignty of the People;” “Feargus O’Connor, Esq., and the Advocates of the People’s Charter in the House of Commons—may their number be speedily augmented;” “The Rights of Labour;” “To the Memory of John Horne Tooke, Thomas Spence, Major Cartwright, Henry Hunt, William Cobbett, and the illustrious dead of every age and nation, who, by their voice or their pen, have demanded for every man of due age and sound mind, the rights of citizenship—may their spirits animate their successors, until the working millions are free.”
Patriotic songs and recitations followed in rapid succession, and, during the evening, the “Health of our esteemed Parliamentary Leader, T. S. Duncombe, Esq.,” was given, and sorrow expressed for his long-continued and severe indisposition, and many wishes were expressed for his restoration to health. The “Health of Mr. Kydd, and regret at the absence of several of our Old Friends and Disciples, in consequence of age and infirmities,” having been spoken to, the thanks of the meeting were awarded to the worthy host and hostess, to the Committee of Management, and the Chairman, and the company separated, with best wishes for each other’s welfare.