Northern Star and Leeds General Advertiser – Saturday 06 February 1841
KENSINGTON.—Celebration of Thomas Paine’s Natal Day.—The above event was celebrated by a supper on Friday last. The room was beautifully decorated with portraits of Paine, Frost, M’Douall, Oastler, &c. The supper was concluded, and several ladies graced the meeting.
Mr. Jarvis was called to the chair, and gave “The people, the source of all power.” Mr. Smallwood, in an appropriate speech, briefly extended his principles. Mr. Collar in good style, “March, march, friends on! Thomas Paine,” the following toast was proposed:—”Superstition, and may the edifice of reason and science, so converted into the temple of reason and science,” followed by the song, “Will you hear reason’s voice?” “Education, national and universal,” followed by a song, “Education forms the man;” “The memory of all men, in every age and country, who have devoted their talents to political and mental freedom,” followed by the song from Mrs. Smallwood, “Lo! we have long from Mirs. Smallwood, “Lo! we have long to the winds the fetters worn of yore;” “The press,” proposed by Mr. Ford, who said when he named the Northern Star, he was sure he need not add another word to ensure the same honours to this as had been paid to preceding toasts, and it was followed by the song, “The brave free press;” “A woman persecuted woman, and may she speedily enjoy equal rights and privileges with man,” replied to by Mrs. Ford, who also favoured the company with “Come, arouse! my brave Chartists;” and “A speedy return to Frost, Williams, and the release of all political prisoners,” followed by “God save John Frost,” by Mr. Mrs. Ford; “The People’s Charter, and may they become law,” followed by the song, “We’ll divide the land;” “Feargus O’Connor,” and his high and lofty, “Feargus O’Connor.”