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Leader (1850-1860), 1st February 1851, Edition Country of 2, Page 15, LETTERS TO CHARTISTS. I. Aspects of the ...

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      Feb. L, 1851.] * &Be Fteairet. In

      Feb . l , 1851 . ] * & be fteairet . in

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      Letters To Chartists. I. Aspects Of The ...

      LETTERS TO CHARTISTS . I . Aspects of the Cause in 1851 . The design of these letters is to discuss the newaspects of Chartism , and to endeavour to explain in what way its friends in the Press , on the Platform , and in the Workshop may attain to a unity commensurate to the importance of Democracy . Democracy has made accessions of numbers of friends able to serve it by an advocacy capable of expanding it into a power . The Northern Star lately told us , in language often to be quoted in coming years , that the ranks of " Chartism are dismembered and shattered . " Accessions under these circumstances are the more valuable because above suspicion : none save the disinterested would unite themselves to a cause from which there is nothing to hope . But it also shows this , that that must be a true cause which wins friends in adversity , and that the day of its ascendancy is at hand . The old school of politicians who believed that the history of Europe commenced with the first French revolution is now extinct . The day of fixed parties seems to be gone . The modern word " progress , " which we so frequently use , denotes the actual growth of public bodies . The ancient leaders of Chartism are instances of this truth also . Mr . Ernest Jones refuses to make any promises but those likely to be realized . Mr . Leech avows his dissatisfaction ¦ with a long life of indefinite speech-making .. Even Mr . O'Connor advises unity and . co-work , and though the mode he prescribes might be made clearer without

      disadvantage , the advice itself is as useful as unusual . Mr . Harney gives in a sensible adhesion to the advocacy of social rights , demanded by new social needs . Nothing like this has been manifested by political leaders before , or tolerated by their friends . Formerly , what a man once said he thought he must say for ever , and the public expected him to do it . But to continue to repeat the little , which was all you once saw , not daring to own that you see more , when more is to be seen , and all the world know it , is a folly which we have quite outgrown . Consistency to the past , when circumstances are altered , is a crime against the present .

      An illustration of this may be gathered in a very unexpected quarter . A few weeks ago the Northern Star complained that its readers were hurling at its head an " avalanche of Billingsgate . " It was surprizing to find the stomach of the Star rejecting the food it had so long consumed . The writer of this letter took occasion to ask the editor " whether the Star had not been for the last twelve years the great manufactory of Billingsgate , " remarking " that the avalanche could not take the Alps by surprize , and that , when such coals were shot down at their Newcastle , they might if they pleased complain of error in the delivery , but they had no right to be indignant at the quality of the load . " This would not be worth repeating , but for the sake of the remarkable answer

      given to it ; which was no other than this—that the Star had begun to repudiate antagonism , vituperation , exaggeration , bombast , and personality . If this shall becom * the tone of Chartism throughout the country , that cause can never go back ; its ascendancy ia inevitable . Perrin relates that a cat having been taken in a net was delivered from it by a rat , to whom in his gratitude he promised never to eat rats nor mice in the future . It happened , however , that he one day caught a bat . Master Grimalkin was at first erabarnssed on account of his promise , but not for long . "I dare not eat thee , " Baid he , " as a mouse , but I can eat thee as a bird , " and with this conscientious distinction he made a hearty repast of the bat . The moral of this fable

      is that people of bad faith never want a pretext to justify their injustice . Let those who think our rulers resemble the cat seeking a pretext to evade their obligations to the people , take care to afford them no pretext . Injustice of speech and wildness of proposal , unsuited to tho moderation of the English character and the sobriety of English liabits , are bo many pretexts upon which bad rulers iasten for denying the fitness of the people for freedom , and refusing their claims to enfranchisement . In these days of public opinion it is not in the power ot t yranny itself to do wrong without a plausible pretext for it : and it is the most hopeful aspect of new Chartism that it seems to comprehend this , and to be resolved to afford as few pretexts us possible . Ion .

      Hie Executive Committoe Of The National ...

      Hie Executive Committoe of the National Charter Association held their weekly meeting on Wednemluy evening Last Present— Messre . Arnott , Grassby , Harney , Jones , and Milne . Absent—Mr . O'Connor , being on his *« T m" ¦ ii V B 8 hire ' - lte y > " > lda from indisposition , niui iur . ilolyouke , from whom a note w » u received ™ n {* lor leave of ubiicnce , ae he had been unexpectedly * m led out on important hunhu-m . Mr . John Milne pre"lueu Correspondence of a progressive character was Hri . 1 , „ """• Hennondsty , Bradford , Bulwell , Catnt «» , w ChoI , ' nh »» n , . Uui . dee , Exeter , Halifax , Humil-11 » , n . < r rt , J > Lnn « l |» o * t , JUei « e « ter , Lynn , Newoartle-S .. ? ri yi ll' P > 1 h 1 u <> f Wight , New Jttadford , Nottuignmu ( beven BtiUH ) , Piidihura , 1 ' ainloy , Koyton , South

      Shields , "Wamngton , and Worcester , including the formation of six new localities ; also from' the United Councils of the Tower Hamlets , recommending the propriety of holding the public meetings for the election of the Metropolitan Delegates to the forthcoming Convention at one and the same time . A deputation , consisting of Messrs . Shaw , Westoby , and Newley , appointed to confer with the Executive , relative to the motion of Mr . O'Connor , on the People ' s Charter , were received . The Secretary reported that the hall of the Literary and Scientific Institution , John-street , had been engaged for

      a public meeting on Tuesday evening , February 4 ; that the Institution , Carlisle-street , Portman-market , was engaged for a similar purpose on Thursday evening , February 13 ; that the United Councils of the Tower Hamlets were desirous that a public meeting should be held at the Woodman Tavern as early as possible ; and that the friends in Westminster had expressed a desire that a meeting should speedily be held in the Temperance Hall , Broadway . The scrutineers appointed to inspect the votes on behalf of those nominated to fill the vacancy in the Executive Committee caused by the resignation of Mr . William Davis , gave the following report : —

      NUMBER OF VOTES RECEIVED . Thornton Hunt 1069 Thomas Martin "Wheeler 108 Huffy Ridley 6 L Eobert Le Blond .. .. 47 W . J . Linton 28 Edward Miles .. .. .. .. .. 5 " We certify that the above is a true and cDrrect statement ; and as Edinburgh , Stockport , Todmorden , Coventry , Tiveiton , Arbroath , Hawick , Cripplegate , East London , Globe and Friends , and several other localities delayed sending in thf-ir votes , the above is a faithfullist of all the votes received by the appointed day ; and we also state , that as Mr . Edmund Stalhvood had resigned , the votes received on his behalf were not recorded . ( Signed ) " Henry Bloomfield , Jacob Blake , "John Kelley , Stephen Reynolds . "

      Mr . Jones gave notice that at the next meeting he would move : — " That the Executive Committee take their seats at the National Convention about to be held in London ex officio ; that they be allowed tp express their opinions on the various propositions submitted , but not to vote , and that they be not elected by any constituency as delegates . " On Monday evening a public meeting was held in the Cowper-street Schoolrooms , convened by the Chartist Executive , Mr . Robert Leblonde in the chair , who , in a forcible speech , explained the proceedings of the

      Executive and the duty of the meeting . Mr . G . J . Holyoake moved the first resolution , in doing which he pointed out the moral , personal , and present advantages from the agitation of democratic principles . Mr . Bezer followed in a speech remarkable for quiet good sense . After this resolution was passed , which related to the necessity of the enrolment of the Charter , a second one was proposed and seconded , relative to the supporting the Executive , which was spoken to at some length by Mr . Ernest Jones . The meeting was numerous , and the most effective of the series held in the metropolis . '

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      Working Associations In America.—The Fol...

      Working Associations in America . —The following from the Williamsburgh ( L . I . ) Times is worthy the attention of working men here , and the friends of associated labour : —" The Journeymen Coopers' Protective Union Shop , in North Sixth-street , presents a very busy scene , and thus far proves conclusively that labour need not be the slave of capital . It was predicted of this establishment that it would not exist one month , and would , a » regards work , supply a small and inferior quality . The opposite of all this is before us every day in the week . Some twenty-four men are at work in this shop , who average from eight dollars to eleven dollars per week as earnings . Beside this , they have a per centage accruing on the capital stock , of which each workman holds from one to five shares at ten dollars

      each . The profits arising are in this way shared by the workman , instead of passing into the pockets of the employer . There are 30 barrels made each duy in the shop , besides 100 pieces of smaller size , making the weekly earnings of the establishment from 350 dollars to 400 dollars . A lurge supply of barrels , casks , and work of smaller description is kept constantly on hand in the store room of the shop . The building is 50 by C > 2 feet , and does not afford the space requisite for the purpose , so that the union contemplate purchasing or lousing more irround immediately adjoining . This union we

      consider an example of what all labouring men may accompliah . I 3 y association , the observance of certain rules with respect to shares , dues , & c , by industry and ordinary attention , thowe now servile may become independent . Men have too long believed that a portion inunt l > e servants . On examining the subject a large number have struck a blow for themselves , and it hau proved to be advantageous . Surely it is better to have a voice in your own alfairu than to be the dumb recipient of whatever a master may dole out . It is the want of a fair remuneration which drives men and . their wives and

      children to a reHidence in a room suited better for a respectable pig-Hty than for even a uingle lodger . Tho journeymen coopers are in u measure the pioneeru in establishing the system of aesociuted labour by joint capital . To them , thouuandB of downtrodden but talented and worthy mechanics , are- looking art atundnrcl-bmrerH of a great principle , which will eventually bo the nieaun of elevating whole c | u »« eH to be their own employe ™ , and thus enmm : ' to the labourer tho profit * of Inn lahour . ' We trunt that every one who can will employ and give a preference to the fruits of their toil . They will by ho doing , perhaps , cause their name to bo venerated at a not distant duy , when lubour will be permanently rewarded according to ita deserts , "

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      [In This Department, As All Opinions, Ho...

      [ In this department , as all opinions , howrvek extreme , akb allowed an expression , the editor necessarily holds himself responsible fob . none . ]

      There Is No Learned Man But -Will Confes...

      There is no learned man but -will confess he hath much . profited by reading controversies , his senses awakened , and his judgment sharpened . If , then , it be profitable for him to read , why should it not , at least , be tolerable for his adversary to write . —Milton .

      The Compositors Of London And The " Morn...

      THE COMPOSITORS OF LONDON AND THE " MORNING POST . " Jan . 27 , 1851 . Sir , —By a note appended to a letter in your paper of last Saturday I observe that I am called upon to reply . So far as regards the compositors now employed on the Post , I have very little to reply to . lam charged—1 . With uttering " insinuations and assertions derogatory to the conduct and character of the compositors of the Morning Post . " —2 . Misleading you in the position you took in your smart little sub-leader . —3 . Writing a vituperative communication . 4 . That I do not approve of Scotch compositors being introduced at all into a London daily newspaper office . 1 . Conduct and Character . —I learn from a trade circular ( which I enclose ) that on the 17 th of last December information arrived in London stating that " a person of the name of Dickson , at present foreman [ called printer in London ] of the Glasgow North British Mail , was engaged to manage the Morning Post , and that he was also engaging hands to take with him . " A deputation was sent down from London , and the men engaged , or about to be engaged , were informed that the terms of such engagement were utterly subversive of the London method . They were to work on the plan pursued on the North British Mail . The same circular states

      that the men on the North British Mail are required to earn nearly 15 s . more than they receive , according to their own scale , and that Mr . Dickson had explicitly' declared that it was determined to introduce the Glasgow system on all the London papers . Without going into the whole matter contained in the circular—the statements and counterstatements—it will be sufficient hero to give Mr . Iiickson's own words as related by the secretary of the Glasgow Typographical Society , at a meeting of its members , where the engaged hands were present . The Secretary said : —

      " I stated what had taken place at the several interviews I had had with Mr . Dicknon—and that he ( Mr . Dickson ) had stated , in my house , on December 29 , that he had engaged the men on the express condition of thoir receiving £ 2 8 s . * per week for doing as much as they could . This they ( the engaged ) seemed to doubt ; but I very coolly told them the names of the individuals who were present , and that , if they chose to demand the proof , it was ready for them . This they declined . " The asseverations of the men caused a hesitancy in the Glasgow Society ; but Mr . Dickson ' s own words completely settled tho matter as regarded the intention to do the paper " on the cheup . *' The Edinburgh Society acted very promptly in the matter , and issued a circular , of which I give an extract : —

      ^ " It is earnestly hoped that none of the journeymen of Edinburgh will compromine their sense of honour » o far as to enter upon any engagement for London under present circumstances . The present attempted infringement being of such a nature — that of prices—we are confident that every man will look upon this invasion as his own Htruggle , and , instead of Hiipplanting those men in their situations who stood so nobly by us in our recent difficulties , by placing at our disposal princely auma for our relief , we have no doubt that the journeymen here will not only use their influence to keep back men who may be offered situations , but will do everything in their power to secure for their brethren in London their prc-* The Hum of X ' -i H- \ . ivquimu vxplaniition . Tho coiiipooitors , genrnilly , employed on daily pupoiM do not averago thin sum . Their niffht ' H work ia often kh low us ' M . Kid ., varying in amount above this sum acconlin ^ to the requirement of tho |> riliter and the tjiiicknuHHof thu workmen . Tlui ( liMVreiico in tho ppood of tho < : oi ! i |) ohHoih in very fjrout . Mid Uik middling- workmen nro tho niOHt miinelouM . Hut men could not do drug ^ fid upwurdu of 400 miles from their lioiucu without » tempting bait tieiiifr hold out ; riiif . iii £ them in eollitiiou with their fel | ow-vvorkm < Mi , thuv far removed from lliuir liomea , rt'iicloru thorn an tuny proy to reduction and degradation . It in mippoHed that Homo of tho men , in tho drat work , wcro upwurdH of ninety houru in tho oftlou . 1 hink thiu in likely to be true , although 1 ouuiiot vouch for it .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 1, 1851, page 15, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_01021851/page/15/