Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser, Saturday, 12 February 1848
A tea party and public meeting was held at the Literary and Scientific Institution, John-street, Tottenham Court-road, on Sunday evening, February the 6th.
The spacious building was crowded with persons of both sexes. The tables having been cleared, Mr. Henry Hetherington took the chair, and the proceedings commenced with the “Marseillaise hymn,” given by the choir of the Institution.
The CHAIRMAN said they had assembled to commemorate the birthday of Thomas Paine, and if the births of such men were celebrated more generally, it would afford us many an opportunity of passing many a social and useful hour together. (Hear, hear.) Thomas Paine was a working man. He took his stand on first principles, and, in justice and truth, demanded the “Rights of Man;” but he did not stop at this, for he gave us the glorious “Age of Reason,”—(loud cheers)—in which work he aimed a deadly blow at priestcraft and superstition. (Hear, hear.) This work clearly showed that the priests stultified the minds of the people, and made them the deluded victims of kingcraft. (Hear, hear.) To those who wished to become acquainted with the principles of Thomas Paine, he would refer them to his works, and they would be amply repaid by a perusal, and then there would be no danger of their being deluded by either kingcraft or priestcraft. Paine’s works abounded with benevolence and philanthropy. (Loud cheers.) Thirty years ago he had read Paine’s works, and he advised every young man to give them an attentive perusal. Paine said, in his “Rights of Man,” “remove ignorance, give knowledge, and ignorance never can return.” (Cheers.) The “Rights of Man” and “Age of Reason,” were Paine’s chief works, but, after a perusal of the “First Principles of Government,” no man would wish to monopolise the political rights of others, except, indeed, he had a desire to dip his hands into the pockets of his fellows. (Cheers.) Then there was that very beautiful work “Agrarian Justice.” Paine laid down a plan by which a man, at starting into life, would have £15; and, of course, his wife would also have £15—which would be thirty pounds to start a young couple with. And when a man arrived at fifty years, he would be entitled to ten pounds per annum, which would keep him out of the union bastiles. (Hear, hear.) Did not this show his great philanthropy? (Loud cheers.) Like Mr Cobbett, he was an advocate of Free Trade, and an opponent of war—but, unlike Mr Cobbett, he did not keep as “silent as death” on the subject of the equality of political rights—but boldly, ably, and fearlessly, demanded them for all—(loud cheers)—and added thereto agrarian and social rights. (Continued cheers.) His (Mr Paine’s) works abounded with brilliant thoughts and eloquent expressions. Mr Hillier’s injunction gave several quotations illustrative of his argument, which were greeted with great applause. Shortly after the battle of Waterloo, he (Mr Hetherington), went to Ghent, and whilst there, being at that time exceedingly green—(laughter)—on hearing that the Duke of Wellington had received a million of money for winning the battle of Waterloo, he exclaimed in the hearing of a Dutchman, “There’s a country for you.” The Dutchman, with an unutterable and indescribable shrug of his shoulders, said “Ay, it is very well for the Duke, but a d—d bad one for the people.” (Laughter and loud cheers.) The priesthood kept up the delusion in favour of war and national animosities; and, no doubt, it was all very well for those 20,000 locusts who were feeding on the national cabbage. (Roars of laughter and applause.) Yes, these 20,000 locusts told the people it was the will of God that they should endure misery and oppression, and then the people turned up their eyes, and said, “Oh, then, it can’t be helped.” (Laughter.) But Paine had taught us better. (Mr Hetherington described, with great felicity, the forcible arguments contained in the “Age of Reason,” and concluded his address by invoking the people to continue their struggle until they had firmly established political and social rights.) (Great applause.)
Chorus, “Freemen, rejoice,” by the choir.
Mr CRAMP rose and gave the following toast, forwarded by Madame D’Arusmont (formerly Miss Frances Wright), “The Universal People of the Civilised World—one in nature, one in interest, and one in destiny.” (Great applause.) There was a curious similitude here, as both Mr Paine and Madame D’Arusmont were both British-born subjects, and both citizens of France; the one a member of her Assembly, the other one of nature’s most distinguished nobles. Who were the people? All, save and except the aristocracy, the kings, and the priests, and these, in the language of that excellent poet, Shelley, he would class as the mob. (Loud cheers.) He hoped ere long to see the people realise the great principles propounded by Thomas Paine, whose memory they had met to honour. (Loud cheers.)
Mrs MARTIN said she had great pleasure in speaking to the sentiment as it was Thomas Paine’s mind that first spoke to her mind. (Hear, hear.) She had been taught—at reading had indeed made her look upon mankind, in the words of the sentiment, as “one in nature, one in interest, and one in destiny.” They had heard of a Universal Churches; but this sentiment taught that “all mankind are brethren,” and to look forward to the time when they would be an Universal People. (Loud cheers.) Could the people but bring themselves to see that they were, “one in nature” then they would have no more Waterloo, no hired assassins, (Great applause.) Priests had incited women to work banners of war, and in the town of Halifax archbishops had been found base enough to consecrate those emblems of blood. Women had been badly taught—they had been made the toys, the playthings of men—and hence their love of the shows and gewgaws of the military. Self liked self, and were soldiers being engaged in the work of destruction, it gave to them the appearance of strength, and woman being weak clung to that which appeared strong for protection. (Hear, hear.) The Duke of Wellington had written a letter respecting the National Defences. She, too, thought they should be increased. Mr Cobden thought there was nothing like cotton for the purpose. She (Mrs Martin) admitted cotton to be a good thing, but thought that education in the principles of “Fraternity” would be a better thing. (Loud cheers.) “One in destiny,” said our sentiment. Ay, could we but admit this great truth, the days of kings and priests would be numbered, and every man would sit beneath his own vine not other people’s, none daring to make him afraid—all living in happiness and fraternity.
(Mrs Martin resumed her seat greatly applauded.)
“The Chartist Chant,” by the choir.
Mr ELLIS rose to give the following sentiment: “The immortal Thomas Paine, the eloquent defender of the rights of man—may his works be universally studied, till the political and religious institutions of society are reformed, and based on Truth, Justice, and Liberty.” Mr Ellis said: We are unaccustomed to use the word “immortal” in this light, is conveyed another meaning in bygone days. Who was Thomas Paine—was he the son of a God or a king? No! but a humble working-man. (Mr Ellis here entered into a concise yet eloquent narration of the birth and parentage of Thomas Paine; his exalted writings—political, theological, and social; his proceedings in America and France; concluding with a fervent aspiration, that the beautiful theories of Thomas Paine might soon be reduced to practice throughout the world.) (Much applause.)
Mr JAMES WATSON said, when assembled to do honour to the memory of Mr Paine and admire his writings, one must not forget those against by which they had been made known to the world, and one name especially ought never to be forgotten, Richard Carlile—(much applause)—through whose heroic and intrepid conduct those works were given to the world—(hear, hear,)—neither must they forget that eleven persons who had volunteered their services on principle alone, were taken out of Mr Carlile’s shop in one week, for publishing the principles and works of that great man, Thomas Paine. (Loud cheers.) Mr Carlile had endured six years of imprisonment in Dorchester gaol, and when offered his liberty on condition that he paid a fine, indignantly refused,—and then the government offered him liberty upon condition that he found securities to keep the peace; but his heroic answer was—“I have never broken the peace, I have no intention of doing so, and, therefore, will not enter into sureties for keeping it,”—(loud cheers)—and at length they were glad to get rid of Mr Carlile without any security at all. (Great applause.) A newspaper called the BANNER, had very recently sprung into existence, professing liberal principles, it was edited by Dr Campbell; in speaking of Chartism it had attacked the NORTHERN STAR, for what think you? for advertising the works of Thomas Paine; but sure he (Mr Watson) was that such intolerance would never be countenanced—(great applause,)—and some of the correspondents had improved on their leader—for they loudly call for an enactment to put down and suppress all public speaking and lecturing on the Sunday; but he (Mr Watson) thought they were reckoning without their host if they thought they could reduce us to a set of monkish ascetics—they might depend on it, such an attempt would be resisted to the death; many would rather bear the dungeon’s gloom than submit to such a piece of intolerance, bigotry, and despotism as that. (Immense applause.) He trusted the day was drawing near when all would be as well acquainted with the principles of Thomas Paine as the company assembled. (Great applause.)
“Miriam’s Song,” by the choir.
Mr G. VAL, the American editor of the “Life of Thomas Paine,” rose, warmly greeted, to speak to the following sentiment:—“The Press, may its giant power be exerted in removing every impediment to the social progress and happiness of mankind.” Benjamin Franklin had acknowledged the genius of Thomas Paine, by asking him to go to America, and, at the same time, placing documents into his hands, setting forth the cause of quarrel between the mother country and her colonies. Horne Tooke, too, had paid a tribute to his brilliant genius, by delivering a speech, and when it was received with great éclat, honestly declaring it was not his, but Thomas Paine’s. (Loud cheers.) Mr Paine’s little work, “Common Sense,” had brought about a declaration of independence—(applause)—and if there was anything wrong in America it was not her constitution, but her people, and, as Thomas Paine said—“It was only necessary to let them be sufficiently wrong and they would right themselves—(Laughter)—and by their constitution they had that power.” (Loud laughter.) But, remember, had it not been for the press, America never would have obtained “Common Sense.” (Loud cheers.) Thus you see the pen outweighed the words, and the only mistake the Americans had made was to place the civil crown on the head of the warrior instead of the man whose pen had made the warrior and created the victory, that man was Thomas Paine. (Great cheering.)
Mr ALEXANDER CAMPBELL said a few words illustrative of Paine’s famous fraternal declaration, of “The world’s my country, to do good is my religion.” Mr Campbell paid a well-merited compliment to Robert Owen, who has recently visited Ireland on an “agrarian” mission, the result of which was the NATION newspaper was calling out loudly for “Home Colonisation.” (Loud cheers.) Alluding to the Press, he was most happy to see the reporter of that journal to which they all owed so much, present, he meant the NORTHERN STAR. (Great applause.) And he had no doubt that gentleman would do as he and the journal for which he was engaged invariably did, his duty—(renewed cheers)—and that through the columns of that great light, the world would become acquainted with this important night’s proceedings, and thus would they owe an additional obligation to that mighty engine, the Press. (Great applause.)
Mr WALTER COOPER in giving the following sentiment, “The champions and martyrs of Liberty in all ages—may their heroic deeds be held in honourable remembrance by those whom they laboured to emancipate from ignorance and superstition,” briefly and eloquently named and reviewed the conduct of champions and martyrs of Liberty from the earliest history down to the most modern period, and concluded a masterly oration amidst rapturous applause.
A vote of thanks was awarded, on the motion of Messrs R. Moore and Vale, to the chairman, who briefly acknowledged the compliment.
The choir gave “The Tramp Chorus,” and the meeting broke up, the audience evidently highly elated with their evening’s instruction and amusement. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the leader and the choir of this Institution, for the excellent manner in which they gave the patriotic pieces between the several sentiments. The tea, too, was served up in excellent style, in a word the whole ensemble was admirable, and went off with éclat.