The Leeds Mercury of this dap contains a contradiction, in
the name of Mr. Edward Baines junior, of the desire imputed by Mr. Marshall to Sir James Graham, that the numbers and influence of the manufac- turing class should be reduced by increasing their distress. Mr. Ed- ward Baines was one of a deputation to Sir James, upon whose report Mr. Marshall's charge was founded ; and he denies that Sir James said any thing that looked like such a wish. The Mercury condemns Mr. Marshall's sweeping application of the same charge to "the dominant class " ; observing-
" We not long since defended Mr. Marshall and the millowners against the malignant and slanderous attacks of Dr. Holland; and we must say, that to charge any large elass of men in this country, whether millowners or land- owners, with deliberate and murderous cruelty, shocks alike our judgment and our feelings. We do not believe either class is capable of the wickedness im- puted to them. It seems to us that Mr. Marshall has not distinguished, as we always ought to distinguish, between the motives or intentions of any class, and the tendency of their principles or acts."
The Mercury likewise gives an account of a meeting convened by the Leeds Parliamentary Reform Association, on Monday last. It was at- tended by Colonel Thompson, Mr. John Curtis of Ohio, and Mr. Jellinger Symons. Mr. J. G. Marshall took the chair. A resolution was proposed, declaring inadequate Parliamentary representation to be the root of the national evils ; and that was carried unanimously. A second resolution was moved, specifying the Corn-law as the most pro- minent practical grievance : some Chartists moved as an amendment 44 That the whole Charter be adopted"; and the amendment was carried.
Previous page
