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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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TO HOB KDITOB OYTBS HOKTRKRH STAB . Oakham Gaol , Rutlandshire , . . yJSarembaH , 1840 . Sib , —Win yon farom me by inserting the following in your paper of next Saturday ? Ton * obedient servant , WlLtlAM EDWAKDS . TO THE WORKING MEN OF NEWPORT , MONMOUTHSHIRE . Fbibxds akd Fellow . towssmbk ,-i hare been long silent eoneenrfng on common cause , and have , a ftr m the Charter is concerned l > een dead to the
, political world ; but I iave profited by my imprisonment ; for , although-my body Dm beentound in prisons and cells , yet my mind has been free and unshackled . I have reflected upon the causes of the poTerty and misery of the middle ad -working classes of my eounfey , ¦ wh ich I find to be bad government , taxation ignorance , and drunkenness . I am preparing for my liberty ; and when I hare obtained it , I trill nse it and tot abuse it When I leave tiris prison , I will take out a license to preach the glorious Gospel of the blessed God . I will , also , join the teetotallers , and devote the energy of my mind and the remainder ef my years to the great and good "work of emancipating my country .
The inhabitants or my native county , and particularly of the town of Newport , shall find in me a friend to all that is good and an enemy to all that is bad . The middle classes , as -well as the working people , of the town of Newport will find me ready at all times to assist them in anything -which will tend to preserve the peace of ihertown , and tn any-way to improve its condition and the state ef it * inhabitants . I am happy to inform my fellow-townsmen that I baTe had the honour , daring the last two or three ¦ reeks , to be in communication with gentlemen of property , living in and near Newport ,- - who have promised to provide me with a large room in the borough ef Newport in which the people may frrely assemble to promote their mental , moral , social , and political improvement . Whh this aid , and with your cordial cooperation , I will rally the men of Newport around that moral and intellectual standard which the Chartists of Britain axe now upraising .
Those Of US Who -wish to reform others should first reform ourselves . This I have done ; and I will take care to conduct myself in such a way as shall merit the approbation and support of all the wise and virtuouB in Newport and its vicinity . So much for my future conduet Now , my friends , for a few words on my past conduct SB a Chartist When I first read a copy of the " People ' s Charter , " I considered it to be admirably calculated for providing for the representation of all classes of the people in Parliament ; and feeling anxious to see all the people properly represented in tbeHonse of Commons , J did all I could to make my fellow-townsmen acquainted with the principles of . the Charter , I was soon joined by a ftw good old
Reformers , who formed a socifety . The next thing we did was to obtain a room to meet in . This being done , our numbers soon increased from twenty to six hundred-In this state of the society , Mr . John Frost received a petition from Blackwood , signed by 1 , 165 men , inviting him to go to Blackwood , and explain the principles of the People * Charter . That good man having gone to London to j © in the Convention , as the representative Of the people of Newport , Caerieon , and Pontvpool , I went to Blackwood , and explained the principles of the Charter to about on * thousand people , many of whom signed the National Petition . At the close of this meeting I was invited , to attend meetings in all of that
parts country , which 1 did as soon as I could make is , convenient I obtained near ten thousand signatures to the National Petition in sixteen weeks . IB my travels over the hills , one rich iron master told me that he -would send his men to throw Mr . Vincent and myself into a large pond . That night hundreds of his men came to hear us -, and after they had heard us speak , they -would have thrown others than ourselves into tlie pond , had -we not prevented them . As to the advice I gave the people at all the meetings I attended , I leave the witnesses against me on both my trials ' in Monmouth to apeak on that subject They all said that I advised the people not to injure the persons or property of their enemies .
In my exertions to obtain signatures to the National Petition , I expended at least fifty pounds of my own money ; about fifteen of -which were returned to me beiBg-eoaeeted at the various meetings I attended . I received from the various societies on the h < M « Borne money for the Delegate Fund , which I paid over to the treasurer , - whose receipts were returned to the society . My bail from Menmouth gaol , before my first trial , cost five pounds . Ton may also remember I was deputed to take the petition from the hills to the National Convention ; that journey to London cost me three pounds more than the money collected towards my expences . I mention these thing * not because I regret them ., nor far any . purposes of egotism , but to silence the sneers and calumnies of the enemy .
Since I have been in prison , in consequence of the lengthened term , ay family and myself have been reduced to great straits . Though I lived on the starvation fetons * food in Monmouth gaol , stOl I required money far dothing . Since I have been in this prison , I have received & little money , and but little : many thanks to those -who sent it ma I have also now to thank you , my fellow-townsmen , for the sum of one sovereign , which I received from Mr . Cronin , on youi behalf , on the 13 th inst My friends , for my past exertions , I have s claim
upon your gratitude—for my persecutions , a elaim npon your sympathy—for my pecuniary sacrifices , a daim upon your support Let the men and women ef Newport nightly appreciate these things ; let them remember they have a fellow-townsman inOakham gaol ; that he has been in various dungeons for the term ef eighteen months ; that ha has six more months imprisonment to suffer ; that he has been twice prosecuted ; that he is a Chartist ; that bis persecutors are "Whigs ; that his mind is unsubdued ; that his principles are unchanged : and that his name is
wii . i . iAai Edwards . P . &—My best respects to Mr . Cronin , and all the members of the Newport Chartist Society . My hope is that you will persevere steadily , Boberly , peacefully , legally , until we have obtained our glorious Charter . W . E .
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CALUMNIES OP THE ANTI-CORN LAW CIRCULAR AGAINST THE CHARTIST TICTIM FUND COMMITTEE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE 50 BTHEBH STAB . StR , —The scribe " wot does" the miserable Circular of his still mare miserable faction of masters , having , in bis agonies , endeavoured to give a secret stab to the cause of freedom , in the characters of some of its best supporters , I take this opportunity to give the venomous reptile a passing kick , in order to hasten his speed to that nothingness from "whence he e&xne , <* j ^ whither he it now hastening with railway Telocity .
The numerous and severe defeats which this stnpid tet of hypocrites have received , in their efforts to retard the onwaid progress of the millions towards Universal Suffrage , has almost bereft them of the little cunning they -were possessed of , and , like an exhausted prize fighter , they strike at random here and there ; the only effect of which is , to lay themselves more open to the well directed blows of their opponents , and thus ensure their own complete discomfiture . In the Circular of October the 22 nd , 1840 , the following letter appears : — To the Editor ef the Anti-Corn Late Circular .
SIR , —You will perhaps allow me to address a few words to the Chartists on the late discussion between Mr . Leech and Mr . Finningan on the Com Laws . Mr . Leech did not , during the whole evening , say one word as to whether the Corn Laws were a benefit or an evil ; but denounced the master manufacturers . Mr . Leech proceeds on the assumption , that the myin fiH-t urvrs can regulate the prioe of labour as they choose , -which is not true . If they could always give good wag « s it would only be fair to presume tkat they could always make good profits for themselves , which they cannot , as is
proved by the great number of cotton manufacturers whe keep being made bankrupts . * He said much against the nT-hgaUViinpjB- of t . hp employment in factories . Bat show me a class of men who have done so much towards making the places where their workpeople -work in comfortable , as the owners of cotton factories have . They are as clean as the nature of the employment will admit of ; indeed I know that many mills are kept cleaner than the labourer ' s houses . And I -would wage * trifle that Mr . Lord ' s factory is as clean as Mr . Leech ' s house .
The cotton manufacturers of this neighbourhoed , taken as a body , have done more for the people t h *" any other class of men in the kingdom , in -whatever fight we view them . They have given more far charitable and benevolent purpoies , and they have done more for the education of the people than tfce owner of the boil There is not a town in the world whore there is so much intelligence amongst the mass of the people as is possessed by the mass of the working people of Manchester . As Mr . Leech undertook to prove that the repeal of the Corn Laws would not b « a permanent benefit to tae-working classes , let us see what the lair is that we •« seeking to have repealed . The Corn Law prevents tae importation of corn into this country , unless the price here be about one third higher than wh » t it is in » " ¦ ^ W ^^^^ ^^^^^^» ww ~ ft *~~~ vv AV JUV ***
• oe-BOmrandiag eouttrie * . A « we y » y one third more ier oar agricultural produce than what other countries P * y , let us see who gets the T > enefit of this high-priced ewn . Are the agricultural labourer * better paid here than in otter countries ? No 2 Are the farmers a Sore prosperous class here than what fanners are in otber countries ? The number who ptnigi-ate ) and the somber of Bales of farming stock give a very rigntfl ^ " * ¦ onrer . Are the owners of the soil richer here + h " what the mine class or people are in other countries ? * es ! They are the richest class of people on the face *< the earth ! Tfcteir extravagance and profusion is a * y-word for the- people all along the continent of j ^ ttope ; and is is to rapport IMi class that Mr . Leech ™ volunteered his services , and to keep bis own depaded class on the borders of starvation .
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The leaders of the Chartists have an object in view , but it is not th * waiftreof the people they have at ^ hu Tbe - f . ^ to * ° brin L P ^ *** collision wrtt tie nuddle classes , and with the Government , in i ^ f . ^ th ? r e nuy ** "" exctue for collecting money . And it as no uncommon thing fox them to spend as much in managing the funds as goes to the families of the imprisoned Chartists . I remain , yours respectfully , A W 0 RKIKG Man . As the Victim Fund Committee are entirely com-> oaed of working men like myself , who have no pence to sp&re , except to support our own paper , ( the Star ) and our own order , this scandalous libel -was entirely unknown to any of us , until three or four days previous to the appearance of its successor , when a friend having shown it me , and time not allowing to wait until the next meeting of the committee , I forwarded tae following not
*;—COPT . " To the Editor of the Anti-Corn Late Circular . " Bit , —Having had my attention directed to a letter in the Anti-Corn Late Circular , of the 22 nd ult , signed -A Working Man , ' -which purports to address the Charttsta on the late discussion between Messrs . Leech and Finnigan , at the Carpenters' Hall , I hope , Sir , you wiH , as candour and fairness demand , allow me a few lines in reply . With respect to the first part of the letter , I shall leave that to be dealt with by Mr . Leech himself , merely observing that the assumptions of ' A Working Man - are founded upon false premises , constquently his conclusions are , as they must beentirely
, erroneous . The last paragraph of A Working Man ' s " letter contains a charge of such a grave nature , that no man , whether a ' worker" or a drone , ought to venture to make , without being fnlly prepared with evidence to prove it ; and further , he ought not to make so serious and sweeping a charge in this public manner , without attaching his name to the document , so that the parties against whom the blow is aimed may be enabled ts see from whence it came , without being obliged to grope about in the dark to discover the assassin , -who , with one blow , endeavours to bereave the Whig-made widow and orphan of their only support , by stabbing the characters of their supporters .
"Now , Sir , I have had the honour to act upon the Manchester Victim Fund Committee , as its secretary , and I consider the best answer that can be given to a ' Working Man's' charge , is a balance sheet of the whole income and disbursements ; and , as yon are in justice bound to admit a reply to the charge promulgated in your own columns , I hope you will insert this in your forthcoming number ; stating , at the same time , whether or not you will insert in your next following number , a copy of the balance sheet , as , should you accede to this proposal , I will engage to furnish you with one for that purpose ; should you refuse , it will only prove your objects not to be , not what I hope they are , viz . to promote truth , and destroy injustice ; Sir , I remain yours , ic ., a Chartist Corn Law Repealer , William Smith . " In answer to this note the following notice appears in the Cirtvlar . dated Nov . 5 . 1840 :
11 We have received a letter , signed William Smith , upon the subject of a letter in our last , signed " A Working Man , " in which the leaders of the Chartists are accused of not having the welfare of the working people at heart ; had we not had the best possible proof of the truth of this , -we should not hav « admitted the letter . Wo probably know more of the doings of the leaders referred to than our correspondent ; people will ultimately find out who are their friends and who are their enemies in disguise . We deeline to pnblish Mr- Smith * letter , in vindication » f his character , because we said nothing to impeach his honesty . "
There , Sir , what do you think of Anti-Corn Law League logic ? They know that the funds are misappropriated ; they know the " leaders" well ; they know the committee managing the funds expend as much ( for their own benefit of coarse ) as they give to the victims families ; they know all this ; but yet , when called upon to explain , they reiterate the charge , without " impeaching" Mr . Smith ' s honesty ; and so they would exonerate every individual of the committee , if applied to individually ; but stop , Mr . Wriggler , in which part of Mr . Smith ' s letter did you discover an " account in vindication of his character" separate from his vindication of the -whole committee ? Answer me that thon drivelling do&rd , without wriggling , if thou canst
f « ow , Sir , the committee managing ths victim funds are either the leaders referred to , or they are not ; if they are , and the charge be true , how can their honesty be uninipeached in the charge referred to ? If they are not , who are the leaders that spend the . victims' fund in waste ? How do they get it to spend , either in the " managing of it , " or any other way ? Let the wriggler wriggle through these questions as he best can ; 1 may then ask him a few more from the same article . In the meantime , my paper being nearly full , I must conclude , for the present , by stating the balance sheet is now ready ; I will forward a short extract next week . That your exertions may be rewarded with the most complete success , is the earnest wish of Yours in the cause of truth , William Smith . Whittle-street , Manchester , Nov . 9 , 1840 .
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THE WELSH VICTIMS . TO ALL INTK&ESTED IS THE FATX OP THE WELSH MARTTRS . Are Frost , Williams , and Jones entitled to an immediate liberation * and , if so , tchy do their friends talk of petitioning for a "free pardon" ? These , gentlemen , are questions which I wish yon to consider , and that most deeply , as on it depends the issue of our coming struggle of right and might for justice ; or , in other words , tie release or perpetual banishment of our friends . For if we were to petition " Queen , Lords , and Commons" for a free pardon , and those on -whose behalf we interest ourselves , those whom we value more than life itself , and whose rightful freedom we are determined to procure , need not
such " an extension of the royal clemency , " shall we not injure rather than promote the interests of the cause we have nearest at heart , by affording our oppressors another opportunity ( one which they so much deligbt in ) of trampling on our petitions , and mocking our prayers for justice , telliDg us almost , as it were , to our faces , that the trial of our martyred brethren was illegal , yet they " cannot consistently , in the discharge of their public dnty (?) advise her Majesty to grant a free pardon under any suck considerations , although , perjured traitors , there is not one of them , either in Lords or Commons , but what is sworn , equally as is their Queen , to obey the laws , and " dispense justice and mercy in all their judgments . "
Now suppose we were to petition , as we ought to do , for the . immedi&te liberation of our friends , could either the" collective" or " hereditary" wisdom deny our requests ? So ! it would be impossible for them to do so . Dare they say , " innocent as the Welsh martyrs may be , acquitted , as they were , by a majority of the first Judges in the land , and entitled as they are by law and justice ( for what is law is not always justice ) to their freedom , still not regarding these evidences in their favour , and our oaths— -which are registered in heaven —we deem it a duty which we owe to the people ( whose voluminous petitions will serve to light our fires ) to hold them in perpetual bondage , as a warning to all -who dare to imiutethe example of their Saviour , ¦ whom we know nothing about , by defending the oppressed , who exist in imagination only , * promulgating doctrines injurious to the Slate , and asserting such
foolish Bible maxims " that all mankind are equal , " and that " the poor have a right to live , " therefore , taking all these things into consideration , we should be wanting in loyalty to our Queen , if we were in anywise consented to their liberation ; and when we say this , we weuld not have i » understood that we wish to abolish the right which every prisoner is by law entitled to , in the event of an objection being raised at his trial , to receive the benefit of such doubts ; no , no ; we value the laws and our constitution too much ; we reserve such privileges as these for such excellent men and Malthusian fathers , as Sheen , the infanticide , who cut his child ' s head « ff , and was acquitted , because 11 Tom" for " Bobby , " or " Bobby" for •¦ Tom , " or some other such trifling intended error occurred in the indictment , but vne cannot suffer it to be enjoyed by patriots . "
Would not such an answer cause , nay , almost justify , a revolution ? Or supposing that my suppositions are false , and that either House did address their Queen for the immediate liberation of our friends , and she would not grant their requests , -would n » t the whole nation ring with perjury , perjury , perjury , from one end to the other ; and in tuch cases you must be aware that claims to the throne are forfeited , so that either way , if yon petition for the immediate liberation of the Welsh martyrs , your claims—backed U they are by justice and humanity—and the opinions of some of the highest authorities in existence , cannot be denied ; they must grant them ; but if you Bhould incautiously re-enact the old faree " for a free pardon , " and I am sure you will not when rightly informed of the consequenees ; there is no knowing how many paper mills will be exhausted for the supply , to say nothing of waste of time and money , or how many stupid , perjured answers we shall receive from " our betters " oa this subject
-Semember oars—and every man ought to take an equal share—i » an important , and it xa » ybe , ma hazardous station , and that each is aaswerable for his own sets . Thll is no agitation for pecuniary gain—as the Com Laws and Foreign Policy are—but one of a higher aim , * t a more exalted and ennobling characterone that is t * wia the freedom of our martyred friends . Be cantiou , then—do nothing rashly or precipitately . Let consistency , and the calm dictates of reason guide you ; do * false it « f , and that named a " free pardon " would mar alL It is a slippery fonndatioa , and on * which win give y * ur enemies a plea for many plausible
excuses ; therefore , I charge you , avoid it , if that you love your friendi—if the many &iid godlike actions of our ever-honoBred Frost are not forgotten—if that you still remember and cherish them , in God's name , I entreat you to do that which will effectually ensure the return of these patriot * to their country and their homes . We mnst , then , if gratitude to others has not wholly left ns , while the millions are in activity , rejoicing at tke release of their friends , endeavour to * urn their excitement to a good account Frost , Williams , and Jones , ( how I honour their names !) will not suffer by it ; but having gained our ends in
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this one case , there is another almost equally as important , and which . desarTM onjr utmost attention . Havsyou forgot the Birmingham martyrs , Howell , Kooerta , and Jones , and the poor boy Aahton , who "were ^ raMported »• on . suspicion of . being suspected , " as an example to th « Chartists ? They were no more gouty of tbe erimea imputed ( that of as attempt to burn the town of Birmingham ) than the Judge Who sentenced them was ! nay , it has been proved that two of them , at least , were not near the place when the riot occulted , yet , innocent aa they are , they were , like Frost , &c &c doomed to suffer , because they were " obnoxious to the Government ; " and , but for the humane appeals « f the people , our virtuous and
tender-hearted < iueen -would have hung them—( that is , she would have ordered It , and that is equall y as bad . ) They are working in chain gangs now ; and their -wives and families—especially that of Roberts—we starving . Men of Birmingham—that is , of the Restorative Com . mltfcee—do you direct the popular current of public feeling to its proper source . Let it flow onward , onward , till we conquer ; forget all past disputes said jealousies ; heed no insults ; seek no rewards ; but let your every effort be directed for the liberation of our martyred friends , and while the spirit of liberty is up let us , one and all , give the citadel of tyranny such a moral shake as will ensure its speedy dissolution , and cry , " Hope , hope , for freedom , our Charter , and our rights . "
Men of Birmingham i y » u -whe hold the offices of chief councillors for justice , and on whose exertions the destinies of three innocent men depends , yours is an envious Btation , truly ; if you are not proud of it , you may -well be , and , 1 am sure , that even your enemiesmen who have imbibed false notions on this subject from the villanous reports of a still more villanous and well-paid press—when they come to know your cause aright , will envy the meed « f praise which awaits your efforts , and will be fain to cry , ' Well done , thou good and faithful servants ! " What though you are not ennobled by royalty , you are , -which is of more consequence to us , noble by nature ; your own actions prove it ; and , though your couneil board is confined to a coffee house , what senate in the world can compete with it ! Quoen , Lords , and Commons , what are ye with all your influence , splendour , and distinctions to this little council of mercy ! How « ontemptible is splendid " nobility" when compared with plain humanity !
Believe me , Sirs , The determined and enthusiastic advocate of the Welsh Martyrs , Edgware Road , London , Nov . 16 th , 1840 . Brat Maule says there iB nothing foi the people to complain of , and lhe Government press asserts that it Is all nonsense to talk about the " poor oppressed and the nch oppressor . " Of course these busy mockers do not mean what they say . «~»«» ^
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? . ADDRESS TO COAL-MINERS . TO THE EDITOR . OF THE NORTHERN STAR . * v ?•** Sir , —Please to insert in your valuable paper the following address , to their brethren throughout the country , from THE MINERS OF ASHTON-tNDER-LYNE . AN ADDRESS TO THE COAL-MINERS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Dear Brkthren axd Fellow . Work . men , — Duty prompts us at the present period to call upon you and endeavour , if possible , to bring you to a state of consideration in respect of your own and the country's
There are several things which call loudly for your most serious and candid attention at this time of universal calamity . Then , brethren , let us unite together , for no other purpose than for a general and universal good in the trade in which we are employed to unite together to k « ep toe unity of the spirit in the bond of peace ; to unite to keep the poact and laws of our country and Queen ; to unite and entreat , and humbly to solicit those various masters who will allow us the privilege of reasoning with them on the most important matter of the present wages , and conault together with them , if permitted , on the propriety of taking proper and legal steps for a redress of those evils which now are bo prevalent ; to unite together in stemming , if possible , that current of vice and bad
pnn « iple which has so long reigned « ver the passions of our minds , and also to try in future to reform our manners and conduct ; to unite in harmony together to suppress those prominent evil habits which have long rendered our species idiot-like and ignoble -, for instance , swearing , drunkenness , fighting , and the like evil tnd pernicious habits , and stir one another up to seriousness , industry , sobriety , and every charitable and Christian-like duty : and rouse each other ' s drowsy affections ; to help « ich other in the various struggles through which we have to pass , especially on the present occation . We , for the last eighteen months , have found things gradually becoming worst—our hours of labour have Increased , and our wages have , in a great measure , decreased ; so much so , that we find it no
longer impossible to gain an honest livelihood and why is it so ? Is it because we are less laborious than others ? or is it because our employment is more Clean and healthy than others ? No ; for we find that our employment Is as laborious , and more dangerous and unhealthy , and unclean as any other class in existence ; when we take into consideration the many dangers we have regularly to strive with at our labour , In the shape of damps or foul air , of water breaking in upon us , of the roof above our heads , the danger of blasting the coal , in many instances , and descending the shaft and many other dangers ; indeed , it appears as if the whole element * were arrayed against us , being for ever covered with wounds and bruises , if permited to escape with our lives ; in fact , our whole life is one continued scene of hatard and exertion .
A . id what is the honour or reward , after all , that ia conferred upon us ? Why , we are told that we are ignorant , and looked upon as if we were of no real value in society ; but tis well for onr oppressors that we are ignorant , or -we never should have borne the insults that have been heaped upon us . But we would ask them who ia it that gives warmth , and light , and comfort to their dwellings ? Who is it that causes our streets , and shops , and large rooms to be lighted -with gas ? Who is it that gives locomotion to the railway engine , and causes it Ma travel from one end of the isle to the other at such a rapid speed f Who is it that causes the Great Western to cross tke Atlantic ? In fact , who is it that gives motion to all our mechanical powers ? Really , we are the very life and soul of trade : for by us all is done , and without us nothing could be done ; and if we cannot have a good remuneration for our labour , who can ?
We are happy to inform you that the good work of union and organisation has already commenced in various parts of the country ; in Bolton they have been active for some time , having a number of lodges , which are rapidly increasing . In Bradbury , to » , they have begun ; and in our neighbourhood we have held several meetings , and a goodly number have enrolled themselves , who all appear to be very zealous in the cause . If the above reasons be not cogent enough , we entreat
you that have families to take a survey of the plnchiDg poverty you are bringing upon yourselves , your wives , and your little ones . When these things come upon you , how can you complain or murmur at the half-starved looks of your wives , the pallid faces and naked backs of your children ? those to whom you have been instrumental of bringing into being , and under whose care the Author of nature has placed them . Trusting that you will take' these matters into I consideration , we subscribe ourselves in the good cause brethren , The Associated Coal-Mixers of Ashton-under-Lyne . N . B . Meetings are held each Monday evening at the Old Cross Ina , where every information concerning our proceedings may be gained .
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^ ADDRESS BY THE DUMFRIES AND MAXWELLTOWN DEMOCRATIC ASSOCIATION OF THE SOUTH OF SCOTLAND TO THE WORKING MILLIONS OF FRANCE . Illustrious Friends and Brothers , —We thus approach you at this momentous crisis in the history of the world , to present you with the assurance of our love , esteem , and friendship . We reeal to our grateful remembrance the glory and the virtue of your achievements—your abiding abhorrence of tyranny and fraud—your undying love of liberty , justice , and human happiness ; and we are thereby constrained to bail you as the pioneers of patriotism and philanthropy .
The glory of France shall shed its radiance through countless ages , and shall shine the brighter when the acts which yet bedim its lustre , and which were engendered by aristocratic and priestly corruption , shall hare been dissipated by the breath of time . Casting a veil ever the cruel and causeless jealousy which was at that period excited between us by tyrants and knaves , priest * and profligates , and which was followed * p with the most remorseless and ftendLah exhibition of fraud and murder which ever stained the annals of mankind , vre revert with , if possible , increased gratitude and admiration to the glory which yon earned in 1880 , and to the sectional and individual acts of valour and virtue which have subsequently distinguished you .
But oh ! generous Mends , let as learn wisdom from painful experience ; let us establish , sustain , and venerate principles founded on reason and virtue , bat never let ^ us again convert men into , idols : the personal am-• ition which tarnished the glory of a Cromwell and a Napoleon declares we should not Let us also ever remember that class power ia the withering curse under which we have for ages groaned , unheeded and unpitied . Long trampled upon and enslaved—aye , enslaved by a vile and vicious aristocracy , we , in gene ^ rouB confidence , exalted our middle class to power j but they , joining the ranks of our oppressors , have either expatriated or immured in dungeons three hundred friends of liberty , simply because they exposed our wrongs , and claimed our rights . And now , instead of
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alleviating our sufferings , they exert every nerve to increase our wretchedness and perpetuate our bondage . « . v * hat 'P """ us to ask , haif& you experiencedat the hands « f your upper , and middle classes ? You know , in ydur misery and degradation you / eel , and your blood bolls with virtuous indignation . When with ^^ f ^ ^ 18111 J * " as * * and again lronched the engines of tyranny from one class , another steptoed in L ° * I ? ° ? . * ' *? fnd * * " » Wriotism . anrSSnS dtote and Increase the engines of oppression , to your aggravated injury , the dishonour of yonr country , and the disappointment of th . friends of liberty all over the WOUq * . . ¦ ' ¦
^ Brethren , let us keep these damning facts perpetually before our eyes-let us trust in ourselves , and Resolve never again to be dupes and tools in the hands of ambitious , marcenary , an * vile men . Brethren , declare your principles , and kt no man , rich or poor , talented or undented , be trusted , unless he publicly adopts and maintain ! i them ; declare such principles as these-that all-ahall be entitled to write and speak , subjecttono oontroul save that of public opinion , and be entitled to a « also , subject to the controul of plain laws and mild punishments ; that your House of Rep resentatives shall be elected annually ; that every man who has reached the age of eighteen shall have a vote in the election ; that the election shall be by ballot ; and that it shall not be necessary for a representative to have a property qualification ; that all shall be entitled to have atma and be trained to use them ; and that the soldiers , drawn by lot , shall , without exceptiontake the field
, when liberty and justice call upon them ; that merit alone shall be promoted , titles abolished , and none allowed save those conferred on merit , locally by the suffrages Of the people , and nationally by the people through representatives so instructed j that local and state functionaries shall also be so chosen , and fee removable at the will of the people , or shall resign at certain fixed short periods ; that priests shall , agreeably to the Bible , trust in that Providence which feedoth the birds of the air ; that land and factories shall belong to the people , and be subject to bear the expences of the state , of educating the young , suppartiDg the infirm and of providing food In seasons of scarcity that he who will not work neither shall he eat , and that the people shall not live to toil , starve , and sink into a premature grave , but shall live to toil and be happy , and to have time and means to recreate themselves and improve their minds .
Exalted brethren , we wait for your bright and commanding example . The hopes of mankind-of the oppressed nations of the earth , centre in you and when again victory shall have crowned your cod-like efforts , let us entreat you to eiecta glorious temple to liberty and justice , founded on the sure basis of a firm REPUBLIC . Our hearts are with you , and whenever S wherever we may meet you , we shall receiva you with open arms . * Finally , let us entreat you , be not deceived by the emissary , Attwood , who is now among you . We trust him notand he
; commits as great an absurdity In terming himself our representative as when he says that Palmerston rules the British Cabinet ! Neither let us be deceived by the respective knaves who oppress us , and who strive to divert our attention from domestic to foreign objects ; but let us treat the artifice-with scorn , and steadily pursue our own glorious purpose of emancipating ourselves from the most insufferable of all curses , the cruelty , injustice , and insatiable rapacity of domestic tyrants , knaves , and hypocrites . Hurrah for France ! hurrah for Liberty ! William Wilson , Chairman . Thomas Johnston , Secretary . Dumfries , Nov . 16 th , 1840 . ^
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THE CASE OF FROST , WILLIAMS , AND JONES . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sir , —Permit me , Sir , to occupy a few lines in your widely circulating journal , for the purpose of offering a few remarks on the exertions that are now making , by the men of Birmingham , to secure the release of those ill-used men , Frost , Williams , and Jones . Feeling a strong desire that the committee should be made acquainted in this arduous undertaking ( also other public bodies , who are now coming forward to give a helping hand ) with the views of a humble individual engaged last year in the struggle to effect thiB laudable object
Although Birmingham is now taking the lead in this noble effort , I can assure you , Sir , that the Radical public of Manchester , Salford , and the surrounding villages , feel a deep interest in the fate of these unfortunate i individuals , who have been betrayed by spies , traitors , and false friends , and only require proper and efficient means , guided by sound and discreet petitions , to effect the object the Birmingham people have so nobly beguu . I perceive , Sir , that the committee have recommended public meetings to be held all over the country on New Year ' s Day , for th * purpose of memorialising her gracious Majesty to grant a free pardon to our persecuted friends . From past experience In holiday days for public meetings , I am of opinion a worse day could not have been selected
for the purpose . The working people in the large manufacturing towns are so much confined all the year . round ( with the exception of Good Friday , Christmas , and New Year days . ) that the people forget , for a few h « urs , their usual occupation , and take advantage of the opportunity by enjoying themselves in the various exhibitions , &c which are often open at reduced prices , ( probably gratis , if it is likely a ChartiBt meeting -will be held in town that day ) To this we may attribute the failure of many of the meetings last year . Therefore It is of importance , that similar mistakes do not take place in future , and also tkat some well-organised plan be adopted with regard to the memorials , that they may be not burked like those agreed to at the simultaneous meetings en the Queen ' s marriage day .
I believe , Sir , at those meetings something like 200 memorials were sent to Brougham and Stanhope , for presentation to the Queen : probably not more than 20 found their way to the royal table . Well , suppose each meeting cost £ 6 , that will be £ 1 , 000 completely lost . To show you the manner in which these expensive memorials have been smuggled into the Home Office , after several applications , I received the following shabby note five weeks after the Salford memorial was sent to his Lordship for presentation : —
COPY . " Holaworthy , Devon , " March 7 th , 1840 . « 'I Sl * TJ received > yesterday , your letter of the 3 d lnst , and beg to inform you , in , answer , that all the petitions aud memorials to her Majesty , which were sent to me , were regularly transmitted to the Secretary ? l ? V J- ° I , Home ^ apartment , who informed me that he did not feel warranted in advising her Majesty Ro ^? m prisoners My futtb -er extension of the " I am , Sir , " Tour obedient humble servant , "ToMr . Barrowcloueh . " " Stanho ^
It certainly was the duty of his Lordship , as a peer sf the realm , to have appeared before her Majesty in person -with the people ' s prayers , and not to send them a a J « 5 k-in-office to be laid on the table , like petitions are In the House of Commons . It is to guard against these things In future , that I am anxious that the various committees should be made acquainted with them so that no stone maybe leffunturned to accomplish their object I think an active committee in London to take charge of the memorials and petitions , and also to obtain the assistance af a few honest Members of Parliament such as Fielden , Wakley , Duncombe , and Hume . Much was done in London for the Dorchester labourers ' and Glasgow Cotton Spinners . I feel confident if proper means be taken our gracious Queen will not be petitioned in vain . - I remain , Sir , Your humble servant , t , , . « . „« . JABEZ BARRACLOU « H . Barlow ' s Croft , Salford , 17 th Nov . 1840 .
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STOCKPORT . THE 8 T 0 CKP 0 RT CHARTISTS . —LIBERATION OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS . —CONTROVERSY WITH THEIR PROSECUTOR . We have received the following communication in reference to the liberation of Wright , and th © conduct of the Whig clique in Stockport : — On the evening of Friday preceding the day for elects ing Councillors for the borough , a very hole-and-corner meeting of the Whigllngs was held at the Bull ' s Head , Market Place , for the purpose of selecting fit and
proper men to represent the Coppock interest , and to supply the vacancies in the Council . There were present , the Commander-in-Chief , Mr . Coppock , the recipient of £ 650 a-year as a public servant , and Messrs . George Oldfield , W . Shawcross , Henry Sefton , Daniel Carr Bagshaw , Joseph Knott , George Henshall , John C * wley , William Fleming , Samuel Fletcher , Geo . Rowlinson , W . Woolley , and Daniel Tym , whs attended at the command of the first-named functionary ; the majority of which party being members of the present Town Council .
Now , as the object of this meeting was to defeat the return of any Tory candidate , their only and first Step was felt to be the securing the cooperation of the Chartists , without which the Whigs were as a rope of sand , and therefore It was equally palpable they could not , independent of the " people , " again enjoy the felicity of celebrating the defeat of the Tories . Accordingly , Messrs . Fleming and Cawley , while the meeting was holding , were sent to solicit the attendance of one or more of the Chartist leaders . Mr . Peter Chappell , of the Patriot ' s Stores , was called upon ; and although he reluctantly consented to go to the meeting , just to see and hear what was said , he did not exactly like his Whig Bolioitators ; and therefore procured the company of two other active and consistent Chartists , Messrs . Carter and Duckworth .
To the Bull ' s Head they proceeded without delay ; and the subject of the contest being introduced , Messrs . Coppock and Co . began to dilate in seductive language upon the necessity of returning the Whigs in preference to the Tories , as "the best of a bad lot" From this they were driven by Chappell into the consideration of the position of the political claims of the Chartists , and a desultory conversation took place , in the course of which , the Northern Star was mentioned as accessory to a recommendation to physical force in publishing the form of the " crow ' s feet ; " and the methods adopted during the agitation was attacked vigorously by the Cominander-in-Chief . Mr . O'Connor did not escape his malignity ; he called him dishonest and a coward ; and the patriot and the cause were warmly defended by the Chartists . The subject of the late arrests naturally followed , and the seizures of the property of the incarcerated victims was adverted to
by Messrs . Chappell and Carter , when Mr . Coppock , who admitted haying a large quantity of their books , papers , 4 c in his possession , promised to give up to the prisoners , on their liberation , every article not used as evidence for the prosecution , of which there was a great number ; at the same time , boasted of having been one of the most lenient Chartist prosecutors in the kingdom . Nevertheless , the lenient gentleman continued to abuse Mr . O'Connor , and a reconciliation between the meeting and the Chartists consequently became impossible . The Whlga then went through the farce of nominating candidates . Those for Portwood ( Messrs . Knott and Barlow ) were proposed and seconded by the Town Clerk and Mr . Woolley , and carried by them—they being the only two burgesses of the Ward present The Chartists quitted the room and their company without leaving them any hope or expectation that the Coppock influence would be again omnipotent , which has subsequently proved
to have been the case . On Friday last , John Wright , who had presided at many of the Chartist gatherings , and for which he had been tried at the Assizes , and sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment , and to find bail for three years , was surprised in his confinement within the walls of Chester Castle , by the announcement from the Governor that , although be bad only served eight or nine months , the remainder of the term had been remitted , and that he was at liberty to leave the gaol Without procuring any peace bail . John was absolutely astonished , and fearing lest the people ont of doors should for one moment imagine that any Interference of his own , or by his knowledgo , had procured this remission , he asked the Governor who , and through whom , such an unexpected liberation had taken place . The
Governor replied , that he believed his premature discharge was mainly owing to his sickness in the Castle , e # mbined with the destitute state of his family at Stockport , and who were troublesome to the parish . Wright replied , that although he loved his wife and children dearly as bis own life , still he was not prepared to say that he felt in any way thankful for this mistaken lenity ; because , if he were to be at large , he had no means of maintaining himself and family , but if he were In the Castle , he knew he was suffering for a noble causa while serving out his time . Nevertheless , unknown to himself , or any of his friends , he was discharged . On arriving in Stockport , his first object was to make arrangements for waiting upon the Town Clerk , the Chartist prosecutor , to deliver up some of the property seized out of his ( Wright's ) house , during the period of his apprehension .
Accordingly , on Monday last , Wright and Peter Chappell waited at the Town Clerk ' s Office , relative to the books , 4 c ., which' he had premised at the Bull's Head Bhould be faithfully delivered up to the owners ; but he not being in , they went to the office of Sadler , the Superintendent of Police . He was in ; and the necessary demand was made In a firm , but respectful tone . Sadler said he had burned them ; and as Wright was the first Chartist who had called upon him on the subject , be informed him at once , and for all Of the prisoners , that he had nothing whatever in bis possession
belonging to . the Chartists , having destroyed them all , even to the ' portraits « f different patriot ? , if found in their houses ; and that his chimney bad nearly taken fire in consequence . Wrigkt then , under the advice of his friends , was . desired t * bring such an unheard of proceeding before the magistrates : and at the conclusion of the police business the same day , at the Court Room , he did bo , when tite following brief specimen of middle class justice took placo ; the Mayor , ( Mr . Andrews ) and Mr . Alderman ThornhUl , being on the bench : —
Wright—Mr . Mayor , I bare an application to make to the Bench if you will be pleased to hear m * . In August , last year , certain books and papers were taken from my house during tha arrests of some of th # Chartists in this town . I have since suffered a term of imprisonment for the part I took in that agitation , and I now make application for the restoration » f thue books and papers . Mr . Thornhill—You have served your term , aye ; then your articles are all forfeited to the Queen . Is not that so , Mr ; Woollaro ? ' . Mr . Woollam ( the Clerk)—You cannot make an order in the matter . The application most be mad # to the Secretary of State . . ¦ Mr . Thornbill ( to Wright )—You hear ; yon » M > apply to the Secretary of State , '
Wright—Then am I to understand that ( he Magistrate * deeline to interfere to recover my property , and that my only remedy ia with the Secretary of State I Mr . Woollam—Yes , if you have made any previous application , Has he made any toyxm , 8 adlerf Sadler , the Superintendent of Police . —H « has this morning , and I told him they ware all destroyed , b * tb such as belonged to him aad to other persons , except what had-bees ased as evidence . In fact , they wer « not worth the room they occupied f . <' Wright—Indeed ; tben , Mr . ' Sadler , I should like to know by whose authority you have destroyed my property ? " A pause ! " \ . Mr . Woollaa—The magistrates cannot make an order , I told you ; The property is all destroyed . Sadler—I have nothing left belonging to them , Mi . Aldeiman ThornhilL
Mr . TbornhUl { to Wright}— -You may go ; yon haw got your answttr , ; Wright , indignant at such justice , . quitted the Court with his friend ; and , accompanied by Messre . Peter
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Chappell and Joseph Carter , determined to try the effect of aa application to the Town Clerk . On arriving in the room at his office , Mr . Coppock inquired their business , and Wright told him . Chappell tht-n reminded him of the promise m » de at the Bull's Head meettugouthesubject ^ f the restoration of theprpperty of the Chartists . Mr . Coppock jumped Jim Crow by stating that he had none of their property , except what had been used in evidence , and , therefore , he had nothing to Wturn . Wright specially pointed out a blank inemonndum-btok , which could not possibly have formed any part of the prosecution . He answered that ther « was no such a book ; aad » then suddenly shifted his subject by talking about the liberation , and advising th » applieant to get his living by working for bis family , instead of
following the trade and habits of an interested demagogue . Wright replied that if the Town Clerk would flni him employment , he should be very glad to work . Although it was true he had been prematurely liberated from imprisonment , he did not thank either the Queen , or any other individual for mitigating th « term of his imprisonment ; because hefwas now throw * into a [ less happy and depressed condition of beiug unable to maintain bis family ; and would bethus exposed to the humiliating and painful alternative ef seeing them want in a land of plenty . Mr » Coppock then talked about the impropriety of Ui « Chartists going about the country collecting the National Rent , and pocketting the money . Mr . Chappell repelled tho calumny thus held out against the honesty
of the collectors . They only adepted the same plan , but to a much greater extent , as that practised during the agitation for the Reform Bill . Mr . Coppock replied that the instances were not parallel ; because the subscribers under the Reform Bill agitation tad had their money returned to them in the shape of benefits afforded by that excellent measure . Mb . Chappell , however , on the other side , promised to the contributors of the National Rent a double measure of benefits and advantages on the passing of the People's Charter . The people had passed the Reform : Bill , and that same people would to a certainty ensure the passing of the Charter , because it had turned out to be the real cause of the people , whilst the Reform Bill had grossly deluded and deceived them .
Mr . Coppock , after calling the people ignorant , said that the middle classes could do without the people , but the people could not do . without the middle classes * After a momentary hesitation , he manifested an anxious desire however to retract , by saying that h * meant that the middle classes could do without the people in the shape of politics , and not as regarded tha articles of provision . Chappell rejoined by obaexviTig that he perceived , from the tenor of tbe latter application , that . the lenient prosecutor desired to introduot the subject of the Corn Laws—a question which he ( Chappell ; was not willing in that place to enter upon . Wright changed the conversation by reminding Ma , Coppock of the hardship and tyranny practised agains * him by Mr . C . because be was a Chartist , by proceeiing against him with such rigour on a lat » occasion for returning to Stochport , after an
order of removal had been served upon him . Mr . Coppock ( being also Clerk to the Poor Law Union ) evaded this Subjact by saying that that power was derived under the old Poor Law , and not under our law ! He then began to speak about the alleged physical force adopted by the Chartists . Wright , in repl j , quoted from historical records the display of physical force manifested by the Barons of old , before Magna Charta was wrested from the tyrant , King John , in 1215 , at Rnnnymedo , and through which it became th * law of the land ; and Chappell completed the defence of the ¦ Chartist agitation , by reminding his opponent that the Reform Bill was , to a great extent , obtained by the middle classes hoisting tbe black flag aud exhibiting other emblems of determination and hostility towards the higher classes , and those who were opposed to the passing of the Reform Bill .
This P ' hiHppic seemed to have proved a regulai p » ser for their lenient antagonist , who , although " time" was called , could not " rally , " and he shirked any further controversy with the Chartists upon s question which tbe middle classes never can sustain , i » the face © f the preponderating arguments oh the side of the People ' s Charter . As the party were leaving th # room , Mr . Coppock said it was evident that they did not want so much the restoration of their property as something to talk about Wright replied , " Then ou » object is obtained I * Such was the termination of this adventure between the rights of the Chartists , aud a power abused by tb * " fattened calves" of a licentious oligarchy . We leave the consequent reflections to the reader , hoping , whett the day of moral reckoning arrives , that the receipt will be taken by the people in f ulL
NALLSWORTH . Not long since , as Daniel Pearce , Mr . Taylor ' s man , near Chalford , was proceeding towards Minohinhampton , with a basket of butter on his shoulder , he was accosted with a " Halloa , who are you ? " The man started at the sound , when a fellow in blue , as drunk as a lord , cried to him * What have you got there ? " The man , in reply ,. 8 aid , It is my master ' s property , and it ' s' no odds tqjou ! " When another fellow in blue rejoined-. " But I will know what it is I" and attempted to take the basket from the man , but , being drunk , ia catching at the basket , he missed his hold , and went staggering till he fell in the road . The . other man , _ with / his bludgeon , fetched Pearce a tremendous
blow on the back part of his head , which produced a , large wound , and the blood ran most copiously from it . The man , seeing and feeling that his life was in danger , began to cry " Murder !" , which brought to his aid a man named Harry Thomas , who had been hay trussing not far from the spot , when he came up and said , "Don ' t murder thernan !** He had no sooner spoke than he received Bimila * treatment ; but , though Thomas is more than sixty years of age , he knocked one of the lobsters down as flat as a flounder . They were then told , they were both prisoners , and were being conveyed to th * so-called station-house , when Mr . D . Davis , auctioneer , and another person , came by in a gig ; and » - seeing the blue devils were drank , had both of them taken into custody : and thev were conveved hv « .
man named Ratk , in » a lobster , worse , if possibly than the others , before J . Hort , of Mugmoor House and William Walkley , of Longford Mills ., These worthies leaned towards their body guards ; but Mr . Taylor , in a violent rage , said , " His man had caught two lobsters , and . by G— , they should b » cooked and cooked f and tney were so . One « T them , Hale , from Gloucester , a consequential nincompoop , was fined two pounds ; and Ward , from . Cheltenham , was fined one pound . They were thea taken back to the station , stripped , and turned intOthe street , together with Ward ' s wife and three children . The inhabitants served them as they daserved , all but ducking them ; and they were . hooted out of the town . A most miserable figure they cut , looking worse , if possible , than Bishop and Willia ms * -
who were hanged for the murder of the ^ Italian boy , Since . then , one of these men , and another of th * infernal breed , have been fined for an assault upon Mr . Jesse Davis , of Chalford , by the Stroud magisstrates . We also hear that two of the brigade , last week , stationed in Stroud , got drnnk at Bowbridge , and one of them , named Chandler , was . taken to tho station-house on a truck , followed by an immense number of people . Not long since , Sergeant Carlton ' s wife got so drunk at the same place , that she was taken home dead drnnk to the stationhouse at Hampton ; and this last week one of the tribe at Nailsworth was drunk , and took a man to the etation-hou 3 e . when this Carlton discharged the man , aud told the policeman he should fine him * sovereign .
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? ¦ —^ - ~^~ . The Vaccination Act . —A paragraph has bee * generally circulated , stating that all persons whoa * children are vaccinated under the provisions of th « recent Act of Parliament , would be considered as having received parochial relief , and be disfranchised as voters . " This exposition of the act ( has been contravened by the Poor Law Commissioners , who contend that the benefit of vaccination is not conferred b y the act as a relief of the poor , and that to * accept the benefit is not to accept relief in any sens * , and , therefore , no sueh consequences as disfranchise * ment ia to be apprehended . .
¦ >¦ Pebfe « tioks of Naval Gomnjbhv . —Extract of % letter from a navaliofficer , dated off Beyrout , October let , 1840 : — "A most beautiful manotuvre was successfully performed this morning . Yoa must know that a bright look out is kept for deserters from the enemy , who are anxious to get on board our ships , and if they are caught before they , can g « t down to the beach they , are killed . ThiB morning sv poor fellow was observed by us sitting down under some rocks , aad at the eame moment it was disco * vered that two fellows were hurrying down witk drawn swords to despatch him , and two others wer * posted on a point to shoot hua , should he take to th * water . Id two minutes thie poor fellow who had deserted would have-bad their swords through him .
or else bis head ofl ; and : he was conscious of theb promixity to him , wheq a nfce little 821 b shot , fired just ; over the head of the viciim , pot to rout th « pttmera . He was perfectly aware that the # hot that had passed over him wasaieani for his protection , aad ouohed as closely as possible to be out of the line of fire , a boat was immdiately manned , and armed , and sent to the spot . were the nap , w ^ g on , but before she reached another attempt was , made , by th * Egyptians to get at the fuptiye ; fcWsame ; kind % t » e « enger was again Bent flying ; over boat and man , right at the soldiers , and lua . few minutes the lif » of a fellow-creature w »» saved ,. who was > compelled
to servo a tyrant he detested . When he got on board he said he felt secure , when he found that th * guns of the English ship were pointed at them . It 13 a proof of the perfeotion at which naval gunnery has arrived ; and another proof waa given yesterday . Three guna were ordered to be pointed at a hole in » castle , not more thaa four feet in diameter , through which three fellows were looking bat to fire npon onr boats in-shore ; the whole went off as one gun , and every shot went elap into the hole . We found oot afterwards , from a deserter , that it broke om man ' sback , knocked another ' s leg off , and killed thO third , "—Hampshire Telegraph . >
—- ¦ — #N'Smalw&Ptfi&Ivtogite. ' ^^ - - -* - ?~ • * ~^Fc . ""_"" " ^
— - ¦ — # n ' smalW&ptfi&ivtogite . ' ^^ - - - * - ?~ * ~^ fc . ""_"" " ^
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* O THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB . Sm , —I have observed in your " Notices to Correspondents" the expressions of individuals who differ about the price of the Star : whilst one thinks that the pries ought never to be less than flvepence , another , that such charge would lessen the circulating amount , and , consequently , give our enemies a plea against us . In mymindthereuise no qualmsMspectingtheprice of theNorthernluminary . The preventatlvej will mention ^ namely , when asking for the paper , put down a sixpence ; and instead of patting the three-halfpence in yonr pocket , drop it in a box , whereon is written , — " For the relief of the wives and families of the incarcerated Chartiats . " I do not mention this as a boast ; but merely as an acknowledgment of the superior benefits which arise to man by abstaining from all intoxicating liauors .
Had I continued getting a gill now aad then , I , like too many , instead of being enabled to purchase a paper for myself , must have been contented with paying three-halfpence for a gloss of beer , just to look at the news ; whereas , now I can read as often and as much as I choose , and have the paper in the bargain , and give my mite towards the Helpless—all for the amount of one quart of beer per week . It is but my duty to say , that I am not a very old abstainer—only thirty-three weeks old in the teetotal ranks ; having adopted it at the request of that giant in mind and noble in nature , " now suffering in York . " Oh , shame , where hides thy hideous headl " Excuse me , I will bo very brief , for I cannot trust myself on this subject .
If a poor shoemaker , with a wife and five small children , pays three-halfpence per week , and the like spirit prevailed throughout the Chartist body , I fancy not only poor Mrs . Roberts , but all the made-destitute by Whig persecution , would be moderately well provided for . Oh [ that our friend Leech could ( would , I ought to say ) see his way among the abstainers , as I believe many others would follow in the train . Your most obedient and humble servant , W . T . Bradford , near Manchester , Nov . 23 . 1840 .
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THE NORT HERN STAR . - - ¦¦ - ¦—¦¦ ¦¦ i ¦ — - . . ..- ¦ ¦¦ . »» — ¦ i i ¦ ¦ : ¦ . f \ i » » .. r * - - V ¦
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TO THE EDITOR OP THE « L » BE . 8 m , —In your observations on the Leeds meeting for peace , you have gont tut of the uwy to indulge yourself m a sneer at tha Chartists , for justly demanding that " they should be exempted from the ballot for the militia till Universal Suffrage be conceded . " I knew not , Sir , whether they have formed this idea of themselves , by taking an enlarged view of a great printiflt , or that , being better read in the history of free governments than yoa , Sir , seem to be , they have borrowed it from ancient Rome , who newer entrusted the defence of her laws and institutions except to such as , being possessed of her franchises , bad an interest in protecting her soil from foreign aggression . It was considered as the height of the disaster * consequent upon the unfortunate battle of Canna , that it obliged her to enlist her slaves . But in to 4 oingt they were 4 m * nmp * k 4 . The very act whic ^ f put arms Into their hands , Invested them with the rights of citilenship . LetrtUjmtidus : in *« # r « nuniu « militi * LIBERATE siaviiu . They were enrolled as frtemen and entered in the regli tries of the tribes as Roman * . &d LiMBMt ^ XMx -JoiHH , foetrmt d * senitutt ROMAHOS j andassmsh ; were entitled U mote for ^ diles , Qu « stors , Censors , Pimtarvand Conssls .
What a owtrast to the British soldier who sells his liberty for a few paltry pounds , even & less sum than was tha estimated prico tf the black slaves of the West Indies . Perhaps , however , the Romans would look upon the present state of att classes in England to be that of the most degrading and contemptible slavery . To use the words of Tacitus de U « r . Germ . Catera similies ; % no difermt quod fetnina domintdur . In iantum mm modo a libtrtate , sed eiiam a sekvitutb DEGEKEBANT . The people , however , demand only their own riguts , being willing to leave to other orders theirs . I am , Sir , Ace ., Canuleius , November , 1840 . Tribune of the people .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 28, 1840, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/king-y1kbzq92ze2712/page/7/
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