opposed the talk about arms, not as illegal, but as inadvisable.[1] The truth was, that having steadfastly shouted with the larger crowd, O'Connor could safely claim to have supported and opposed every policy which the Convention discussed.
Along with this process of self-glorification, O'Connor endeavoured successfully to enlist sympathy for his sufferings in gaol.[2] From the first week of his imprisonment O'Connor was able to publish in the Northern Star long accounts of his evil plight, his ill-health, the despondent verdicts of the doctors, the ruthless tyranny of governor and Government. These accounts were followed by multitudinous meetings of protest. A fortnight after his commitment to gaol the reports of these meetings occupy six closely printed columns on the front page. On July 11, 1840, O'Connor's article upon the subject occupied eight columns. These whinings, which aroused the contempt of Lovett and others, were not the sentimental drivelling of cowardice, but the manœuvres of a diplomat who knew what he was about. He was establishing a claim to Chartist martyrdom. His imprisonment was for a serious libel upon the Warminster Guardians, and was therefore not a Chartist affair,
- ↑ Northern Star, January 23, 1840.
- ↑ No more extraordinary example of self-glorification can surely be found than the stanzas written by O'Connor in York Gaol and intended to be recited by Lovett and Collins at the reception in Birmingham. There are thirty-one in all.
1. From East to West, from North to South,
Let us proclaim the Charter!
We'll send all tyrants right about
Who dare oppose the Charter.3. In England's name her own King John
Once tried to sell her Charter.
But England's sons now dead and gone
All rose for England's Charter.5. Will Lovett, Collins, and the rest
Who suffered for the Charter,
In old St. Stephen's shall be placed
To rule us by the Charter.7. O'Connor is our chosen chief.
He's champion of the Charter:
Our Saviour suffered like a thief
Because he preached the Charter.As the poem progresses the quality declines, but stanzas 24 and 25 are interesting:
24. The sons of men must have their field
Protected by the Charter.
The earth will then profusion yield.
Made fertile by the Charter.25. The gaols are full; the Whigs did bribe
To damn the People's Charter.
But for their wives we will subscribe
In honour of the Charter.
