Difference between revisions of "Charter of Rights"
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[[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-001.jpg|800px|thumb|right| "Meeting held at Bakery Hill in the presence of about 10,000 men on Saturday November 11th the following were adopted as the principles and objectives of the "Ballarat Reform League" (also known as the [[Ballarat Reform League Charter]]), p.1, 27 November 1854, PROV, VPRS4066/PO, Unit 1, A1<br/><br/>''At a Meeting held on Bakery Hill in the presence of about ten thousand men on Saturday November 11th, 1854 the following were adopted as the principles and objects of the “Ballarat Reform League”<br/> | [[File:I04066-p0000-000001-0060-690-001.jpg|800px|thumb|right| "Meeting held at Bakery Hill in the presence of about 10,000 men on Saturday November 11th the following were adopted as the principles and objectives of the "Ballarat Reform League" (also known as the [[Ballarat Reform League Charter]]), p.1, 27 November 1854, PROV, VPRS4066/PO, Unit 1, A1<br/><br/>''At a Meeting held on Bakery Hill in the presence of about ten thousand men on Saturday November 11th, 1854 the following were adopted as the principles and objects of the “Ballarat Reform League”<br/> | ||
That it is the inalienable right of every citizen to have a voice in making the laws he is called upon to obey – that taxation without representation is tyranny.<br/> | That it is the inalienable right of every citizen to have a voice in making the laws he is called upon to obey – that taxation without representation is tyranny.<br/> | ||
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That this Colony has hitherto been governed by paid Officials, upon the false assumption that law is greater than justice because, forsooth, it was made by them and their friends, and admirably suits their selfish ends and narrow minded views. It is the object of the “League” to place the power in the hands of responsible representatives of the people to frame wholesome laws and carry on an honest Government.<br/> | That this Colony has hitherto been governed by paid Officials, upon the false assumption that law is greater than justice because, forsooth, it was made by them and their friends, and admirably suits their selfish ends and narrow minded views. It is the object of the “League” to place the power in the hands of responsible representatives of the people to frame wholesome laws and carry on an honest Government.<br/> | ||
That it is not the wish of the “League” to effect an immediate separation of this Colony from the parent country, if equal laws and equal rights are dealt out to the whole free community. But that if Queen Victoria continues to act upon the ill advice of the dishonest ministers and insists upon indirectly dictating obnoxious laws for the Colony'']] | That it is not the wish of the “League” to effect an immediate separation of this Colony from the parent country, if equal laws and equal rights are dealt out to the whole free community. But that if Queen Victoria continues to act upon the ill advice of the dishonest ministers and insists upon indirectly dictating obnoxious laws for the Colony'']] | ||
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That to carry out the forgoing objects there should be a large tent erected in which to meet and conduct the business of the Reform League. Cards of membership will be issued in a few days and Ballarat divided into districts.<br/> | That to carry out the forgoing objects there should be a large tent erected in which to meet and conduct the business of the Reform League. Cards of membership will be issued in a few days and Ballarat divided into districts.<br/> | ||
At the same Meeting the following among other resolutions were passed <br/>That this Meeting condemns the insolent language used by the Colonial Secretary, Surveyor General, the Chief Commissioner of the Gold Fields, and the Chairman'']] | At the same Meeting the following among other resolutions were passed <br/>That this Meeting condemns the insolent language used by the Colonial Secretary, Surveyor General, the Chief Commissioner of the Gold Fields, and the Chairman'']] | ||
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''27 Nov. 1854 Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting on Bakery Hill Ballarat.'']] | ''27 Nov. 1854 Resolutions passed at a Public Meeting on Bakery Hill Ballarat.'']] | ||
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+ | == Background == | ||
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+ | It is believed that [[J.B. Humffray]] penned the [[Charter of Rights]]. The [[Ballarat Reform League]] Charter was presented at a meeting on 11 November 1854 and ratified by a crowd of about 10,000. The charter was adopted as the principles and objects of the [[Ballarat Reform League]]. It was later presented to Governor [[Charles Hotham]] by representatives of the Ballarat Reform League. | ||
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+ | The Ballarat Reform League Charter is the first document in the history of Australia to promote participatory democracy. That document has been entered into the UNESCO Memory of the World database, which aims to collect the most important documents in the history of mankind. | ||
== Also See == | == Also See == | ||
− | [[Ballarat Reform League]] | + | [[Ballarat Reform League]] |
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+ | [[J.B. Humffray]] | ||
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+ | == External Links == | ||
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+ | ---- |
Revision as of 19:30, 9 June 2017
Background
It is believed that J.B. Humffray penned the Charter of Rights. The Ballarat Reform League Charter was presented at a meeting on 11 November 1854 and ratified by a crowd of about 10,000. The charter was adopted as the principles and objects of the Ballarat Reform League. It was later presented to Governor Charles Hotham by representatives of the Ballarat Reform League.
The Ballarat Reform League Charter is the first document in the history of Australia to promote participatory democracy. That document has been entered into the UNESCO Memory of the World database, which aims to collect the most important documents in the history of mankind.