|
|
| The
Chartist agitation, accompanied by certain threats of violence, caused
public anxiety in 1848, when extensive preparations were made by the
Chartist party to hold simultaneously three "great demonstrations"
on April 10th of that year. One of these was held in Manchester to
represent the North of England, one in Nottingham to represent the
Midland Counties, and the other in London, under the leadership of
Fergus O'Connor, to represent the Southern Counties. The Duke of Wellington,
commander-in-chief at the time, made ample and paraded preparations
to meet possible contingencies. |
| It
so happened that I had to go to Nottingham on business on Saturday,
April 8th. When I got there I found the town in a considerable state
of commotion on account of a great preliminary Chartist meeting about
to be held in the market-place. Having done my business as I best
could in the disturbed state of the town, I went to the meeting, and,
after listening to two or three somewhat fiery speeches, I pushed
my way to the wagon platform and asked leave, as a stranger from London,
to speak. My request was readily granted. With youthful courage I
mounted the platform, expressed sympathy with the principles of the
people's charter, but strongly deprecated physical force in any form
as a means to obtain it. Instead of evoking opposition, as I expected,
I found a majority agreed with me. |
| When
leaving the crowd and about to return to London, a gentleman (Bean
by name) asked me whether I could make it convenient to remain and
address much greater meetings at Loughborough on the following day
(Sunday) and in Nottingham the day following. I said I was not prepared
to do so, my means not allowing it. He pressed his application, and,
two or three others having encouraged him, be said be would gladly
pay my hotel expenses if I remained. Being told that my speech had
a pacifying effect, and fascinated with my new experience and the
spirit of battle, I consented to stay. I went to Loughborough on the
Sunday as agreed, was again permitted to address the great open-air
meeting, and received a warmer welcome than I did the day before.
But the greatest meeting of all in the Midland Counties, and the one
which caused most local anxiety, was held on Monday, the memorable
April 10th, in Nottingham, and which I was invited to address. I did
so, and condemned more emphatically than before the use of violence
in any form to gain political ends. While the meeting was being held
the soldiers, who were picketed in the town to preserve order, marched
through the market-place and produced a temporary scare. But they
were not wanted, as nine-tenths of the multitude assembled were much
more inclined to deal in words than blows. So ended my first political
contest. |
|
|
|
