THE PEOPLES CHARTER.
It is nearly 40 years now since the kingdom was in agitation about the People's Charter. Mr Fergus O'Connor was then the mob-leader. I The presentation of the monster peti - tion was a memorable event, and military preparations were made to prevent disorder. Some feared even a revolution, after the manner of :he insurrection in Paris. All this is old history now. It is worthy of note that of the Ive dreadful " points " of the charter some have peaceably become the law of the land —such as vote by ballot and enlarged suffrage. Others are regarded as being inexpedient rather than revolutionary —such as annual Parliaments and payment of members. The author of the famous " petition " was a quiet, sensible Scotchman, Mr Robert Djuglas, then editor of the Birmingham Journal and previously the Dumfriet lima. The petition was a sober and ably written document. It is said that "the management of this mighty kingdom has been hitherto left to contending factions/' and that " were self-government in larger degree allowed to the people, if it did not prevent their distresses it would at least remove their repiuings." Honour to the once abased Robert Douglas ! Leisure Hour.
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Bibliographic details
Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1519, 12 February 1886, Page 4
Word Count
198THE PEOPLES CHARTER. Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 1519, 12 February 1886, Page 4
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