522 
Jones — Chartism. 
parent life and activity. The demonstration of 1848 belongs to 
the history of Physical Force Chartism. 
At a time when there was in England a seeming lull in affairs 
and when there was no great question before the country, the 
fall of the monarchy of Louis Philippe in France was announced. 
The frantic republicanism of the victors spread like a contagion 
all over Europe. The year 1848 is known as the year of revolu¬ 
tions. There were insurrections in Sicily (as usual) and in Italy. 
There was fighting in Austria and anarchism and socialism in 
Berlin. The Irish revolted and serious conflicts took place be¬ 
tween the Orangemen and Roman Catholics. 1 It was but nat¬ 
ural that a certain class of Chartists should feel a quickening 
of the pulse. Many looked upon the actions of the French Re¬ 
publicans as an example which, as they often hinted, circum¬ 
stances might compel them to follow. It was planned to hold a 
great conference in London in March of 1848. Arrangements 
were there made for gathering the signatures to a monster peti¬ 
tion which should eclipse all former ones and should be pre¬ 
sented to Parliament calling for the passage of the People’s 
Charter. While this petition was circulating excitement was 
kept up by meetings, many of which were riotous. Over-heated 
speakers were continually making threats that England would 
see trouble if the petition was ignored. The government took 
warning from the disturbances on the Continent and was on the 
alert. As early as the middle of March the practice had become 
general, in the largest cities, to swear in special constables. 
Large bodies of men were provided for London, Manchester, and 
Glasgow. Punch said the government of England consisted of 
the special constabulary. Succeeding the March convention an 
assembly of Chartist delegates, forty-nine in number, came to¬ 
gether in London on the first of April. This convention decided 
upon a grand spectacular movement. All Chartists were sum¬ 
moned to come to London, on the tenth of April, and assemble 
on Kennington Common. From there, in vast array, they were 
to carry their petition to the House of Commons and urge its 
acceptance, as Shelley would have said, “ by the majesty of their 
presence. ” Chartist leaders made themselves believe that their 
1 At Dolly’s Bray, Ireland. 
