k then at the words which immediately follow the assertion,
that "something more than a petitioning attitude is necessary." If those
words had been included in the indictment, this prosecution must have
been at an end upon merely reading the charge, and those words,
therefore, the Association avoided, as cautiously as they would the
poison of a viper. They felt, that though the indicted words standing
alone might perhaps admit of a doubt for a moment, yet the context
completely explained them, and gave an air of perfect innocence to the
whole passage. But you shall judge for yourselves: I will read the
passage,--"Something more than a petitioning attitude is necessary. At
this moment I would not say a word about insurrection; but I would
strongly recommend union, activity, and co-operation. Be ready and
steady to meet any concurrent circumstance." Now what kind of union,
activity, and co-operation does he mean? Is it military association,
marches, and attack? No. Hear the writer's own words again:--"The Union
Rooms at Manchester and Stockport are admirable models of co-operation,
and are more calculated than any thing else to strengthen the body of
reformers." For what do the reformers assemble in these rooms? How do
they co-operate there? Is it to consult how they shall arm and organize
themselves, and seize with a violent hand the reform which they despair
of gaining by petition? Nothing like it. The writer himself still tells
you his meaning. "Here (that is at the Manchester and Stockport rooms)
children are educated, and adults instruct each other. Here there is a
continual and frequent communication between all the reformers in those
towns." This, then, and no other, is the co-operation which the author
intended, and proposes. If any man, taking the paper in his hand and
reading the whole paragraph, can say that any thing more is meant, to his
reason I should cease to appeal. I should sit down in silent despair of
making any impression on such an understanding; but you, gentlemen, I ask
you, adding the words which I have read to the broken passage, which is
insidiously separated and included in the indictment, can there be a
doubt remaining in any rational and unprejudiced mind, that the union and
co-operation called for by this Address from those who desire reform in
Parliament, is nothing more than the establishment at other places, of
rooms, on the model of those at Stockport and Manchester; wher