The Rhode Island Republican

From the Philadelphia National Gazette.

THE CHARTISTS.

The Chartists are a new political party in Great Britain, the powers and objects of which are but little understood beyond the kingdom. We must not look to the Whig and Tory prints for any fair representation on this subject. Even in the foreign correspondence of several leading American journals, which we have read, there is a very partial view taken of the measures and strength of this mass of adversaries to the present system. It is a matter in which all our intelligent readers should be interested; it is already one of solemn importance to the British Government, and is fraught with consequences of the utmost moment to the people of the realm. The name of chartists is adopted by the party, as the advocates of the new Charter or Bill of Rights, which it is their purpose to have passed as a fundamental law. The charter we have procured; and the preamble is in these words: "Whereas, to insure, in as far as it is possible by human forethought and wisdom, the just Government of the people, it is necessary to subject those who have the power of making laws, to a wholesome and strict responsibility to those whose duty it is to obey them when made: And whereas this responsibility is best enforced through the instrumentality of a body which emanates directly from, and is itself immediately subject to, the whole people, and which completely represents their feelings and interests: And whereas, as the Commons' House of Parliament now exercises, in the name and on the supposed behalf of the people the power of making the laws, it ought, in order to fulfil with wisdom and honesty, the great duties imposed on it to be made the faithful and accurate representation of the people's wishes, feelings and interests: Be it therefore enacted," &c. The provisions of the act are then recited at length, the essence of which is universal suffrage, with certain conditions. The mode of conducting elections, the duration of Parliament, &c., are also set forth in full. To further the adoption of their views, the chartists have had this petition circulated with a petition to the House of Commons for signatures, and the number of names already signed amounts to upwards of a million and a half. A National Convention of delegates from this body met in London in March last, and the speeches of members may be viewed as the expression of the opinions of their political friends. The meetings of this assembly, held nightly for several successive weeks, were attended by immense crowds of citizens, well dressed, respectable in their appearance, and orderly in their attention to the proceedings. Among the speakers there was no difference of sentiment as to the evils of the existing system of representation, and a determination to urge the passage of the Charter; although the expediency of using immediate force in case of its rejection by the House of Commons, which was fully anticipated, caused a division among them, and a final secession of several members. During the sittings of the Convention, addresses were characterized by great oratorial ability. Among the more ardent, no terms of reproach against the Government and the aristocracy were too fervid and comprehensive, and no menaces too daring for open avowal. "Twelve thousand signatures," said one speaker, "have been appended to the petition in my district, and for every signature there is a pike, and for every pike a stout arm when the hour of action shall arrive." "We have now made," said another, "our marks with a quill pen and in black ink-when we next make them, if this petition be rejected, it shall be with a steel pen and in red ink." Such sentences as these were received with a tempest of applause, and whether the hearers would have acted or not, it is certain that their feelings were wrought to the highest pitch of excitement. Under the operation of the reform bill, so called, the great majority of the subjects of the British crown find their condition very little better than under the rotten borough system. We forget the subject of debate, but it was recently said in the House of Commons by a Tory member in his place-"This House, I contend, is not and never was a representation of the people of England. The English Constitution knows in fact, no such branch of Government as a popular representation. The House of Commons, like either the King or the House of Lords, is but one of the Three Estates." This sentiment was repeated by another member of the same party. Mr. O'Connell remarked in substance, "that the assertion was literally correct." In an aggregate population of about thirty millions in Great Britain, there are less than eight hundred thousand men who are entitled to vote, and of this number it is estimated that at least two hundred thousand for various reasons, may not exercise the privilege; so that only one-fifth of the people have even a nominal representation in a branch of the Government. In this state of things, without a voice in making their own laws, saddled with a National debt verging on a thousand millions sterling, bled by an army of nearly a hundred thousand men within their own borders, and ridden by a Church establishment costing more than the Evangelism of all christendom, it cannot be a matter of surprise that the intelligent and industrious classes of the British Islands should demand a change in their political institutions, a radical change, and arm themselves to exact it in the event of refusal. It is well known that the charter does not embrace the ulterior views of its advocates. It is the mere corner stone of a new Government fabric-of a temple for the equal rights and privileges of all the people. With satisfactory means of information, however, we do not anticipate any violent measures at an early period. Still, no philosophic observer can, for a moment, suppose that the cause of the Chartists will retrograde. Among them are great and daring spirits-men who can at once excite and direct popular enthusiasm, and who have given full proofs, as well of their physical courage as of their mental power. To avert the calamities of a bloody revolution, which every humane and judicious observer, both abroad and in England, would anticipate with horror, we believe to be the sincere desire of the Chartist leaders; notwithstanding the menacing language uttered by a few of their number. It is the opinion of many reflecting men of all parties, that the popular feelings now excited must continue to extend, and the propositions for thorough reform be adopted by acquiescence in the wishes of a majority too powerful to be successfully resisted.