Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser – Saturday 01 February 1851
BIRTH-DAY OF THOMAS PAINE.
A tea party and public meeting, in commemoration of the above event, was held on Sunday evening, by the society of Free Inquirers, meeting at the British Coffee Rooms, Edgeware-road. A numerous party sat down to an excellent tea, the whole arrangements of which gave great satisfaction. Mr. Pinks was called to the chair, and in an able manner explained the objects of the meeting.
Mr. Sorridge responded to the sentiment of “Thomas Paine and the Rights of Man.” They were not only to show their respect to the memory of Paine, but also to declare their allegiance to the principles which he advocated. They could not too often have presented to their notice the memory of those great and good men who had exerted their talents for the benefit of their fellow-creatures; among those great men Thomas was more worthy of commemoration than Thomas Paine. The epithet of a Friend of the People was well deserved by him, and his name, and the Rights of Man, would be for ever indelibly associated. His opponents were the legislators, the bishops, the priests, the lawyers, and the wealthy of the land. Every artifice had been resorted to by them to blacken his character, and root out the principles he was inculcating, but the result proved, that however error and prejudice might for a time gain the ascendant, that truth would ultimately prove victorious. Paine was entirely universal in his views,—his principles and writings were applicable to all countries and to all time. He was a disinterested advocate, freely giving his labours and his writings for the public benefit; and even in the height of his popularity risking his fame by fearlessly advocating his theological views. The speaker then entered into an interesting detail of the labours of Paine in America, England, and France.
Mr. Bowen also responded to this sentiment, “Time truly works wonders.” The man whose eulogies a few years back was burnt in the streets of almost every town in the kingdom, and whose name was used as an epithet to frighten children, was fast becoming the admiration of the people, and would, ere long, be looked upon as one of the greatest men England had produced. It might truly be said of him, “Though dead he yet speaketh.”
Mr. Loso (in the absence of Mr. Holyoake), responded to the sentiment of “The Sovereignty of the People and the Fraternity of Nations.” In past ages the people were entirely neglected. History was only the record of despotic governors and not the history of the people. It was not until men like Paine started from the ranks of the people, and breaking the bands of conventionalism, ushered in the dawn of a new state of things, that the people began to have any real influence in the moulding of their own destinies. Now every day was bringing more converts to those doctrines, and hastening the hour when the people would be indeed sovereign. The Fraternity of Nations and the Sovereignty of the People were inseparably united; Fraternity could only flourish where a people were free. Then the world would be a garden of peace, none having a motive to fear or injure each other.
Mr. Bennett supported this sentiment. The great battle of the world was now to be fought, hitherto the many had always endured misery and death to promote the grandeur of the few. This had entirely arisen from the people being destitute of political power. If one nation had no right to aggrandise itself on the ruin of another, neither had one man a right to do it on the ruin of his neighbour. The Sovereignty of the People was therefore equivalent to the Fraternity of Nations; each presupposed brotherhood and equality among all men.
Mr. T. M. Wright and Mr. May responded to the sentiment of the “Freedom of the Press.”
Mr. Walford suggested that the society should commence receiving subscriptions for building a monument to the memory of Paine, and pointed out the advantages thereof.
Several members spoke on the subject, which was adjourned for further consideration.
Between the various sentiments, the Girondists, Marseillaise, and other patriotic hymns were given by the Chorus of the Institution, and the assembly departed highly gratified with their entertainment.
A public supper took place on Wednesday evening, at the Crown Tavern, to celebrate the above event. A very respectable company sat down to an excellent entertainment; when the cloth was removed, Mr. Broome was called to the chair, and Mr. Lombard to the vice-chair.
The proceedings commenced by singing the “Girondists” and “Marseillaise” hymns.
The Chairman gave the first sentiment:—“The memory of the immortal Thomas Paine.” They were assembled to do honour to one of those men whose footsteps would guide them in the paths of rectitude and justice. The Chairman then gave a very interesting and minute detail of the life and actions of Paine, showing the mighty influence he exercised in forming the American Republic, and the vast debt mankind owed to him for his service alone. He then dilated upon the humanity and courage he displayed during his career as a member of the National Convention in France, and praised his philosophy and true devotion which actuated him in braving all the prejudices of the time in writing his “Age of Reason.” He also eulogised the conduct of Curlisle, Watson, and the Chartist Executive, for popularising the works of this great writer, and concluded by calling upon them to join in one great struggle for their political rights.
Mr. Slocombe also responded to the sentiment, which was followed, as were all the other sentiments, by appropriate songs and music.
Mr. Fuzzens responded to the sentiment of “The People.” The institution of kingcraft and priestcraft were the relics of a barbarous age, and would melt away before the increase of knowledge and enlightenment whenever the people were appealed to.
Dr. Fritt responded to the sentiment, “May Revolutions never cease until the Crowns of Europe are melted into cups to print the Rights of Man.” The speaker showed that, rife as physical revolutions had been within the few last years, moral revolutions would in the succeeding years become more rife. Though the crowned despots of Europe might seem secure on their thrones, yet such was the progress of mind that, in a short time, their power would be crumbling into dust. Robespierre, who had been so misrepresented, was not the bloodthirsty wretch he had been depicted, but an advocate for humanity, the spread of knowledge and true Democracy; and, like Paine, he was beginning to have those honours paid to him of which he was so worthy.
Mr. Elliott also responded to this sentiment.
Mr. Gardiner spoke to the sentiment of “The Memory of the Democratic Martyrs of all Nations, and of all Time.” The speaker, in an eloquent manner, alluded to the martyr Frost, and his colleagues, Mitchel, and his brother patriots, Cuffey, Lacey, Sharp, and others, and by his impressive manner, drew tears from his audience.
Mr. G. Wheeler also responded to this sentiment, and dwelt on the martyrs which Europe had bequeathed to their memories. Though confined to a country district the men of O’Connorville would yield to none in their aspirations for the spread of Democracy throughout the world.
Mr. Osborne responded to the toast of “More Pigs and Less Parsons,” and Mr. T. M. Wheeler to that of “The Freedom of the Press.”
A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman, and the guests adjourned to the Ball-room in Turnmill-street, where happiness and joy reigned during the remaining hours of the night.
On the same evening a Tea Party, in celebration of the above event, was held at the Westminster Young Men’s Society Rooms, Little Dean-street, Soho.