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    Itanomrfic Sirttlliput. ¦ ?

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    dtyra Cmrara.

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    LETTERS TO CHARTISTS . ' I . Aspects of the Cause in 1851 . The design of these letters is to discuss the new aspects 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 circumabove

    stances are the more valuable because 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 become the tone of Chartism throughout the country , that cause can never go back ; its ascendancy is inevitable .

    1 errin 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 nt first emharassed on account of his promise , but not for long . " I dare not eat tliee , " said he , " as a mouse , but I can eat thee as a bird , " and with this conscientious distinction he made a hearty repnst 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 the moderation of the English character and the sobriety of English habits , are so many pretexts upon which bad rulers fasten 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 of tyranny itself to do wrong without a plausible pretext for it : and it is the most hopeful aspect of new ChartiHin that it seems to comprehend this , and to be resolved to afford as few pretexts an possible . Ion .

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    I he Executive Committee of the National Charter AsHooiution hold their weekly meeting on Wednesday evening last . Present—Mcbb ™ . Arnott , Grasaby , Harney , Jones , and Milne . Absent—Mr . O'Connor , being on his tour in . LiincnNinio , Mr . Jteynoldu from indfspotiition , and Mr . llolyouke , from whom a note was received nuking for leave of abtjeuce , a » he had been unexpectedly called out on important bttniucHH . . Mr . John Milne presided . Correspondence of a progressive character was read from Banff , Hernumdsty , Bradford , Bulwell , Cambridge Cheltenham , Dundee , Exeter , Halifax , Hamilton , Ilnworth , Landport , Leicester , Lynn , Newcutaleupon-lyne , Newport , Iulo of Wight , New Uadfonl , Nottingham ( Seven StarM ) , Pudihum , Paisley , ltoyton , South

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    Shields , Warrington , 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 HECEIVED . Thornton Hunt 1069 Thomas Martin Wheeler 108 Ruffy Bidley .. 61 Robert Le Blond 47 W . J . Linton 28 Edward Miles .. .. .. • • • 5 " We certify that the above is a true and correct statement ; and as Edinburgh , Stockport , Todmorden , Coventry , Tiveiton , Arbroath , Hawick , Cripplegate , East London , Globe and Friends , and several other localities delayed sending in their votes , the above is a faithful list of all the votes received by the appointed day ; and we also state , that as Mr . Kdmund Stallwood 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 to 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 , ani 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 tn 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 , as 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 Bhares 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 day in the shop , besides 100 pieces of smaller size , making the weekly earnings of the establishment from 350 dollars to 400 dollars . A large supply of barrels , cades , and work of smaller description in kept constantly on hand in the store room of the shop . The building is 50 by f > 2 feet , and docs not afford the space requisite for the purpose , so that the union contemplate purchasing or leasing more ground immediately adjoining . This union we consider an example of what all labouring men may accomplish . By association , the observance of certain

    rules with respect to BhureH , dues , Kcc , by industry and ordinary attention , those now servile may become independent . Men have too long believed that a portion must be servants . On examining the mibject a large number have struck a blow for themselves , and it has proved to be advantageous . Surely it is better to have a voice in your own affairs than to be the dumb recipient of whatever a master may dole out . It is the want of a fair remuneration which driven men and their wives and children to a residence in a room suited better for a re-Hpeetable pignty than for even a ningln lodger . Tho the

    journeymen coopers are in a measure pioneers in establishing the system of associated labour by joint capital . To them , thousands of downtrodden but talented and worthy meohanicH , are looking aa tUumlurd-bearcrH of a great principle , which will eventually be the means of elevating whole cIuhscb to be their own employers , and thus ensure ' to the labourer the prolitu of hi « labour . ' We truat that every one who can will employ and give a preference to the fruitw of their toil . They will by so doing , perhaps , cause their nume to be venerated at a not distant day , when lubour will be permanently rewarded according to its detjertu . "

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    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 . I am 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 leam 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 Morn ing 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 Mai l are required to earn nearly 15 s . more than they receive , according to their own scale , and that Mr . Dickson had explicitly declared thai 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 here to give Mr . Dickson ' 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 . Dickson—and that he ( Mr . Dickson ) had stated , in my house , on December 29 , that he had engaged the men on the express condition of their receiving £ 2 8 s . * per week for doing as much as they could . This they ( the engaged ) seemed to doubt- Imt 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 . " Tho asseverations of the men caused a hesitancy in the Glasgow Society ; but Mr . XHckson ' s own words completely settled the matter us regarded the intention to do the paper " on the cheap . " 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 compromise their sense of honour so far us 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 thin invasion aa his own struggle , and , instead of supplanting those men in their situations who stood so nobly by us in our recent difficulties , by placing at our disposal princely sums for our relief , we have no doubt that the journeymen here will not only uso their influence to keep back men who may be offered trituations , but will do everything in their power to secure for their brethren in London tbeir pre-• Tlu- Hum of X' 2 Ht ) . required explanation . The componitor * , generall y , employed on dully pnpoiH do not average tail aura . Their ii 1 ({ IH ' h work , in often uh low n » . ' <« . Kid ., varying lit amount above Huh Rum according to the requirement of the printer and the <| iilc-ktn > Hbof the workmen . Thodiir « ronco in the epeedoftlie (• oiiipoHitorn in very fjiviit , and tint middling' workmen aro tlio inoHt niimeroutf . Hut men could not ho dragged upwards of 400 inlltm iVoiu t . lieir honien without a tempting bait tiulng hold out ; I'luoiiiff ilium in rolllHion with their follow-workinon , thus far removed from their liomus , render /* them nn cutty prey to reduction anil degradation . It in Huppoaed that aomo of tlio moil , in the ( Imt week , wero upwurdt ) of ninety hourn in tltu ofltoe . I think thin In likely to bo true , although ( cannot vouch for It ,

    Itanomrfic Sirttlliput. ¦ ?

    Itanomrfic Sirttlliput . ¦ ?

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    Feb . i , i 85 i . ] «!)« aeairet . in

    Dtyra Cmrara.

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    — v [ In this department , as all opinions , however kxtbbmb , ARE ALLOWED AN EXPRESSION , THE EDITOR NECESSARILY HOLDS HIMSELF RESPONSIBLE FOR NONE . ]

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

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• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 1, 1851, page 111, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1868/page/15/