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t aimous that the February 3,1849. ^ HE ...
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Thb Mormon Imposture in Wales -0bDecembe...
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PUBLIC MEETINGS. T ^2°f, LE '? pa ^5mekt...
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THE GREAT FREE TRADE DIXXER AT MANCHESTE...
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TOOTING CHOLERA CASES. A meeting was hel...
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Accident on the South Junction Railway.—...
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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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T Aimous That The February 3,1849. ^ He ...
February 3 , 1849 . ^ HE NQRTHEfe ^ STAR .
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| £ THE FRENCH EEPUBLIC . BfiOTHfiR PROtETARIAJfS , « % ' Very probably , it will be my duty in the | 5 r course ofthe Session of Parliament , opened this | r * day , to direct your attention to matters dis-H cussed in the Legislature . I therefore seize | | upon this occasion to offer a few remarks on § 9 French affairs , prior to engaging in the
discussK ? fiion of home questions . Wt The FrenchRepublic has just passed through H a crisis , which had been wickedly brought if about by the enemies of the Commonwealth . The intention ofthe intriguers was to upset s the ^ Republic . Had the Assembly possessed I honesty and courage , the conspiracy would * f have resulted in the destruction of
theconi spirators . i I believe , I have not addressed you on French affairs since the Presidential election . Some two months have elapsed since I drew the character of Mister Prince Louis Napo-XEOX . Subsequent events have foiled to produce a change in my views -with regard to " that individual . " On the contrary , every act of this miserable pretender , since he assumed the office of President has served to
, satisfy me of his nttcr incapacity , both in heart and head , to fulfil the duties of the mission which might have been bis had he possessed any of the requisites for so glorious a task . But , Louis Napoleon is but the counterfeit of a great man—a Brummagem Buoxaparte . The real metal , weighed in the scales of Justice , -was of no great worth , the brazen baseness of this imitation
is too transparent to need any such test . Besides , it would be madness to expect any other than base coinage in the hands of such notorious ( political ) " smashers" as Odillox Barrot and his comrogues . That any one should imagine the possibility of a Prince being an honest man , passes my comprehension . Certainly , I have read in story-books of such characters—but , I believe in them just as much as I do the stories of fiery dragons , enchanted ladies , and giantslaying knights . Could we come at the secret thoughts of Princes , -we should find them agreed , at least , upon one point— -tho foll y of honesty ! "Honesty ' s a ragged virtue ! I'll have none on't , "—
is tho secret language of them alL "Within twenty-four hours of his elevation to the Presidency , Louis Napoleon went far to realise the worst anticipationsof hisopponents , by calling to his councils the sworn enemies of the Republic—a mixture of Orleanists and Legitimists . The command of the army of Paris and the National Guard -was given to General Cha > 'GAR > ieb , a troculentLegitimist ; that of the army ofthe Alps wras conferred on the brigand butcher , Bugeaud . The Republican Prefects and sub-Prefects were displaced , and Royalists appointed in their stead . The popular clubs have been persecuted with relentless vigour , and at last a decree baa been proposed to suppress them .
But it has been said there has been an amnesty . A mistake that . There has been nothing of the sort . A few women have been set at liberty , and some of the poor fellows who had been sentenced to transportation . But this gaol delivery of a few is a miserable substitute for the looked-for amnesty . Again , be it remembered , that perhaps as many—perhaps more—victims have been sent to prison than have been set at liberty by this philanthropic President . Only on Monday last sixty ofthe best patriots in Paris -were in one batch hauled away to prison by police ruffians , acting in the name of this precious President .
A curious struggle has been going on for some time past oetween the Ministry and the Assembly . Bad as the present Assembly is , I am sorry to say that there is a prospect that the next will be even worse . Should-a general election take place under present circumstances , the eternal enemies of Justice are likely to have things all their own way . Their wealth enables them to command the Priesthood , the Press , and the Stagethree all-potent powers . The priest preaches ,
the journalist publishes , the actor rants , ( and they c # / £ e , ) that the Republic is the cause of the social hardships of the people ; and that the veritable Republicans are monsters and euonries of society . On the other hand , the real Republicans have no adequate strength to oppose to this formidable conspiracy . In the first place they are honest men—what need to add that they are poor ? Their ranks comprise a few " men of money , " but now few I need not state . You know that it is almost " easier for a camel
to pass through the eye of a needle" than for a rich man to love Justice for its own sake . The Democratic Press is a pre-eminent and glorious characteristic of France compared - with other nations ; yet , - after all , how few are the journals devoted to the cause of the many compared with tho subsidized organs of privilege and class-ascendancy . The Democrats may be said to have no influence in the ranks of the Priesthood . An honest Priest is
as great a phenomenon as an honest Prince Lames > ais—the pure-hearted , holy Lamint : xtais—is a standing miracle . But he long ago cast away the craft of his order . As to the Stage , theatres are supported principally by the idlers and plunderers of society ; and the wretched actor—like those literary pimps who have made tho Newspaper Press the greatest curse of this age—the poor actor must do as his patrons desire . "Woe to him should he devote his talents io tho servicce of Justice . Let him degrade Labour , scoff at Truth , and blaspheme Liberty , and he shall win " golden opinions , " from those who rule this world by Gold .
This world is governed by Gold , Fraud , and Force ; but , like another " trinity , " the three are resolveable into one—for Gold can ever command Force and Fraud ! In consideringthe strength ofthe two parties , it should not be forgotten that the Royalists are the masters of the Republic ; whilst the Republicans are proscribed , their chiefs in dungeons , and every active man amongst thorn if not actually under arrest , at least under the surveillance of the police . The odds are fearfully against the men by whose blood and patriotism the Eepublic was called into existence !
The Royalists desire the immediate dissolution of the Assembly . The Republicans , oh the contrary , wish to prolong the sittings thereof until the organic laws have been voted . The reason for this division is obvious . On the nature of the organic laws will depend the real character of the Republic . The Constitution is little more than a declaration of principles ; the organic laws will reduce those principles to practice . You will understand that , in practice , the principles may be burked in all but name . The recent history of our own country affords an illus tration of my meaning . In 1831 , the Whigs declared in favour of the "full fair , and free
representation of the people in Parliament . " That was the declaration of a principle . So & r , Earl Grey and HE 2 fKT Hroi were agreed . But the Whigs proposed an " organic law "—the " Reform Bill" That law constituted the Suffrage a monopoly—the privilege of certain classes to the exclusion of the taass of the people . He > TvT Huat demanded traversal Suffrage , but the people had not the sense to back him . The Reform Bill was passed , and that " organic law" made an ac-* g mockery of the vaunted princi ple of " full , lair , and free representation . " * f nw * the B . epu bttcansde * ixe a veritable
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Republic , therefore they are aimous that the Assembly should not dissolve until the organic laws have been adopted The intriguers on the contrary , desire only a sham Republic , preparatory to the restoration of Monarch y , and , theref ore , they wish to have the organic laws voted by the next Assembl y , calculating that by the help of calumny , corruption , and terror , they will be able to procure the election of a Chamber fitted to carry out their infamous designs .
In pursuit of this ob ject a petition-a gitation was recently commenced and is still beine carried on-the petitions demanding . the immediate diisolution of the Assembly .- These petitions are manufactured b y the bourgeoisie , who exhibit , in every form of expression , their Several motions , tending towards the earlv dissolution of that body , have been made by certain of its members — tools ofthe read . Uormaires . Last Thursday , a Committee appointed to report on one of those motions delivered its report against" the proposition . Monday last was fixed for the discussion ofthe Committee ' s report , and the day was looked forward to with anxiety , by both the friends and foes ofthe Republic .
Other circumstances conspired to increase tha popular excitement , The law etudonta had refused to listen to the lectures of a certain L' HERMKfERE , professor of legislation in the College of France , his lectures being Anti-Republican and Pro-Absolutist . The students hooted the professor , and chaunted the Marseillaise . Thereupon the Government of President , Louis Napoieon interfered with an armed force . Up to this moment , the precious professor is maintained in his place by bayonets ! How long that kind of support may avail him is another matter .
On Friday last , the Minister ofthe Interior , Leox Faucher , announced that he had been directed by the President to present a project of decree for the suppression of the clubs . That the full iniquity of this atrocious measure may be understood , I reprint the first article of the decree , contrasting therewith the right of association as proclaimed in the constitution : ART . 8 OP THB COXSIITU- BILL PM 3 K 2 CTED BV M . TIO * . LION JAuCHER .
Citizens have a right Clubs are prohibited , to meet together , to as- "Will be considered as sembJe peaceably , and such every public meetwithout arms , to petition , ing which shall be held to manifest their opinions periodicaUv , or at irrcgubjr the Press or other- tar intervals , for the diswise ; the exercise of cussion of political questhese rights has only for tions . limit the rights or liberty of others , and public security .
This abominable ukase would not merely dissolve the clubs , it would render banquets and every kind of public meeting for the discussion of political questions impossible . Offenders are to be punishable with deprivation of civil rights for a period of from one to three years , and a fine offrora 100 francs to 500 francs ; " independent of other penalties . " Persons lending their houses or apartments for such meetings to be subjected to the same fine !
Because Guizot forbade a solitary banquet , Odiliok Barrot and his gang of "Whigs brought about a revolution . Now this political swindler out-Guizots Guizot . If King Louis Philippe deserved to lose his throne for preventing one meeting , what does President Louis Napoleox deserve for directing his minister to propose a decree for the prevention of all meetings for the future ? It is notorious that the Royalists meet in clubs . They meet openly and avowedly . Will the decree be applied to them ? Certainly not . In the Republic , as under the Monarchy , there must be " one law for the rich , and another for the poor . "
Leox Faucher is agreatFree Trader—the Cobden of France . Judge ye , brother Proletarians , what you might expect from the " model agitator , " were he lord of tho ascendant . You will do well not to trust much in Cobden and his party . You will do well not to forget his employment of Irish ruffians to bludgeon the Manchester Chartists . You will do well to remember Colonel Thompson ' s advice to the middle classes , to form themselves
into armed bands , to keep down your order by physical force . You will do well to remember the speech of Dr . Epps , in which he advised " small doses" of grape shot as a remedy for mob distempers ! You will , above all , do well to look to yourselves for your own emancipation , unless , indeed , you mean to play the partof "Dupe" in the old farce newly revived" Open your mouth and shut your eyes , and see what the League will give you . "
To return to the French question . Another cause of popular excitement was supplied by the decree for reducing and reorganising the Garde Mobile . That corps is said to have threatened revolt . A number of officers of that force have been placed under arrest . It would seem that " poetical justice " is aiout to overtake both the Assembly and the Garde Mobile . The one conspired and the other fought for the bourgeoisie , and against the proletarians . Now the bourgeoisie desire to destroy both . Neither are entitled to the sympathy of honest men .
Still , though ill-deserving popular support , the masses would hare defended the Assembly had it dared to defend itself . Since the days of June there has been no such excitement in Paris as was exhibited on Monday . Doubtless a plot existed on the part of the Ministry to dissolve the Assembly by force , but there was no need to attempt what might have been a dangerous experiment—the Assembly betrayed itself . The members voted by a majority of 416 to 405 , that the proposition to dissolve the Assembly on the 19 th of March should be read a second time .
Notwithstanding that one Committee has reported against the " urgency" ofthe proposed decree against the clubs , it is " probable that the decree , perhaps somewhat modified , will be adopted . Hundreds of patriots are being swept into p rison . It is desired to have all the Republi can chiefs in prison at the time of the general election . Order reigns in Paris ! but for how long ? _ , . . .
Let the Royalists do their worst , their triumph will be short-lived . Let them put down public meetings and they will then have to contend against still more formidable bodies . Let them fetter or suppress the democratic journals , the truth will nevertheless be published in spite of them . Let them cram their dungeons with victims , those victims have sons who will avenge their fathers' wrongs . The triumph of j ustice may be postponed , but the strugg le will be continued until that triumph is accomplished . „ L'Asa du P euple . February 1 st , 1849 .
Thb Mormon Imposture In Wales -0bdecembe...
Thb Mormon Imposture in Wales -0 bDecember the 31 st and New Year ' s-day , the -Latterday Saints'held their half-yearly association in the Sail of the White Lion . Merthyr . It w « soon found that the ball , then containing 1 , 500 persons , ™ inadequate for ' many who were outside seeking admittance ; officers wera there ore sent ; to ¦ nj * these who were not able to get n at the Alfreds Arms-hall , George Town . The platform contained Son , sixty to 100 « officers . ' The chair was taken hv retain D . Jones , when the following particulars
r elative to the society in Wales were stated :-ten conferences ; baptized during the lad six months , 1 , 001 ; total baptized in the year , 1 , 969 ( very few excluded ) : seventybranches , 156 elders , 180 priests , 147 teachers , sixty-seven deacons—in all , 550 officers . The Swarsba Herald , which reports the meeting , adds : — « The thousands of Mormons in Wales appear to have great affection for , and confidence in , Captain D . Jones , who intends returning in February to the Valley of the Salt Lake in California . About 350 Saints intend emigrating with him . It appears that 300 large ships could scarcely carry the hosts of Saints who are now anxiously desiring to emigrate from this island to , as they say , their future home . '
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PUBLIC MEETINGS . T ^ 2 ° f , LE ' ? pa ^ 5 mektaet soiree , NaS 3 ci X ' the E : cecutive Committee of the uZSSa *? - As } < took place at the ffiW Scientific Institution , John-street , 2 h lh ^ > on Monday evening , January the SMS ? ?• V * = e P' ^ sat d ° ™ to a good and substantial tea , provided by Mr . Davis , purl £ \ a Institution . The tables being removed tM body and galleries ofthe Hall immediately nl ? T den 9 elv crowded by the vast numbers . Uianeslusxiington , Esq ., one oftlie members for Westminster , entered the Hall during tho tea and was loudly applauded—but left again prior to the commencement of the public meeting . Mr . P . M'Grath was called to the chair , and called on Mr . Stallwood to read the communications from the several members of parliament invited to attend .
Mr . Stallwood proceeded to read letters of apology from Joseph Hume , M . P ., George Thompson , M . P ., John Williams , M . P ., Ralph Osborne , M . P ., Thomas Waklev , M . P ., Colonel Thompson , M . P ., Sharman Crawford , M . P ., and Lawrence Heyworth , M . P . A letter was likewise read from Joseph Sturge . Mr . Stallwood said Mr . O'Connor had been called away on pressing business to the Great Dodford Estate near Bromsgrove , which prevented him from being present . He had received no reply to the invitation forwarded to Mr Buncombe , which he feared was an indication that the honourable gentleman was worse in health . Tux Chaiemak : This was called a Parliamentary
Soiree—they had heard answers read from members of Parliament and other gentlemen invited to attend , and as they found that some members could not , and others would not attend , whv they must even go on without them , —( loud cheers)—and when the wealthier classes see that we are competent , and determined to do our own work , they will then very readily lend us their assistance . ( Cheers . ) Tho first sentiment he had to submit was : " The people , tho source of all political power ; " a sentiment he hoped speedily to see acknowledged by all . ( Loud Cheers . ) Mr . Thomas Clark said : In presenting myself to support the sentiments which Lave been so eloquently proposed from the chair , I am glad
to observe , that although the members of parliament who have been invited by the committee have not attended here , as it was hoped many of them would have done , that the people themselves have not been so remiss , but have nobly answered the call . ( Hear . ) One member has been here , but for reasons best known to himself ho has decamped , and it was really amusing to witness the speed at which he left this place—Mr . Lushington , the member for Westminster , is the gentleman to whom I am alluding , and I cannot account for his hasty retreat from this Hall for any other reason than his advanced age . ( Laughter . ) Some of the gentlemen whose letters have been read , we can well excuse for their absence , because
from their general conduct we know they are with us in principle —{ hear)—but there are others whose non-appearance not only shows bad taste on their part , but also argues that they are incapable of appreciating good company—( laughter)—and are indisposed to obtain useful information , even when offered them at a cheap rate . ( Cheers and laughter . ) I say seriously , that if the members to whom my remarks bear reference were here this evening they would receive valuable instruction , — ( cheers )—becausohere they would learn the truth from th » people themselves . ( Hear and cheers . ) The sentiment which I am called upon to support is declaratory of the principle that the " people" are the only legitimate source ot political power . If the
theory of such principles be ri g ht , all political power , not sanctioned and created by the people , must be illegitimate ; and our Parliament must be a bastard Parliament—not having been legitimately created by the people , as it ought to have been , before it proceeds to make laws on the assumption that its enactments would be binding upon the nation . I hold that the unrepresented millions of this country are under no moral obligation to observe the laws which emanate from the present House of Commons . ( Hear , hear . ) What is it that renders engagements binding ? Is it not that the parties required to observe them have , either of themselves , or by delegation been concerned in their contraction , and arc therefore morally , as
well as legally , bound to regard them ? But who will say that such has been the the case as between the people , Parliament , and laws of England ? He would , indeed , be a bold man , who—admitting tho correctness of my reasoning—would assert that the six millions of unrepresented men of these islands , are morally bound to any observance of laws emanating from the present legislative body . The theory ofthe British Constitution , as expounded b y Judge Blackstone is , that— " Taxation , without representation , is tyranny , and ought to be resisted : " but I go further than his judgeship , and I asseit that— " Taxation , without representation , is robbery , and ought not to be tolerated . " ( Loud cheers . ) What business have 658 mea . mcfelii \« at
a place named St . Stephen ' s , and calling themselves a " Parliament , " through the agency of their laws , to put their hands into my pockets , and abstract therefrom my private property without my consent ? ( Cheers . ) The present system of representation allows one out of seven ofthe male adult population to exercise the Elective Franchise ;—modestly presuming that the one man who has the vote possesses more wisdom and virtue than six others , who are not so favoured . But supposing each elector to be possessed of the genius or a Sibthorp —( laughter)—then they would not have therighttomakc laws for others , without their consent . Some people object to giving power to the people , on the ground that they would not make proper use of it . A bishop receiving
£ 7 , 000 a year , would maintain stoutly that the people ought not to be entrusted with political power , under the apprehension that if they were so , that his large salary would be treated as a matter of past history . ( Laughter and cheers . ) 2 \ " ow , I confess that I entertain some of the bishop ' s opinions without being actuated by his fears , and the reasons that would induce him to withhold power from the people would as strongly in . cline me to give it to them , for I do not think that power could be more righteously or religiously employed , than in teaching the bishops a cheaper way to salvation , —( cheers)—and _ I do not see how they could complain , because it is well known that they are not " wordly-minded . "
( Laughter and cheers . ) If the people had power , does any one suppose that they could byany chance so far forget the interests ofthe conntry and the requirements of decency , as to connive at the existence of a Whig government ? ( Laughter and cheers . ) And most sincerely am I of opinion that the advantage is not upon our side of tiie channel , ( Hear and cheers . ) Mr . Clark continued at some length to support the sentiment of " The people , " and satdown warmly applauded . The Chaikman , after a few introductory remarks , which were loudly applauded , gave the following sentiment : — " To the emancipation of the people from political thraldom by those wise , just , and equitable principles contained in the document
known as the People ' s Charter . " ( Tremendous cheering , again and again repeated , ) Julias Harney , who was received with loud and general app lause , rose to speak to the sentiment , and said : After ten years' explanation , vindication , and agitation for the Charter , it may seem , at tho first glance , a work of supeifaiity to say anything in defence of the principles of that measure . But , in truth , there is need of such vindication ; not , as is often falsely asserted , because the Chartists themselves have brought their princip les into odium and contempt , but because the enemies of Justice have employed every vile means to blacken and distort the truths they were unable to confute , and could not absolutely deny . ( Hear , hear . ) The press took called the violent
advantage of what was " speeches" delivered by the members ofthe Convention in the spring of last year . The said violent speeches reflected discredit , not on the speakers , nor on Chartism , but on the system of injustice which had excited those words of despair . ( Applause ) Forcible resistance to the established order of things is the last thought of Eng lishmen in general-wlien , therefore , you hear any number of Englishmen talk of imitating other nations in attempting a short cut to Justice , you may at once and sa ? ely ^ fer that those who so talk haw iP ™ wrongs , and very little hope of redres ^ f ™ f ™ usual leeal and constitutional means . ( Hear , neai . / T ^ Kovernment-aware that there cannot be
smoke without firo—an effect without a causewould have inquired into the causes of such angry demonstrations of popnl » feeling ; an I an ^ honest press would havo lent its aid to probe the sore and pmidc the means of cure . But a very different course was followed . Sp ies were ant to sit m that 11 lerv to applaud and excite the most violent fSes andthose speeches , dished up hyttoro-Krf were duly commented on next day , with fhev & to eSe the terror and hatred of the HlSlasses , and the work of vengeane on h ^ ffl ^ S ^ K ennington-common demonstration , t ^ still pursued its " " i t right . Even against class , , and force a Mnm ¦ * ^ did „ n the morning of toeL ^"' , The loth
its HSt J flSwSReviled as cowards of April over , the F" ^^ denounced as asthose whom they ^ P ^ jSarked on the ISV sassins . The ^ xL ^ £ Powell p lot , and tional Petition , and then ^ n w t tob / ashamea wied ^ f-g ^ a O" ^ i T of that plot ? . S % SgJheme 8 of Powell and his thing to do « th tha w ffle men wh ; ke d » F - W * S ? fi £ ^ £ £ ™ to the victims cSf , # ^ i and the rest of the governmen «^^ F ^ »»** ' ^
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tSv x "*; , he discredit , disgrace , and shame , S , P « : attached to tho spies and their employers I 2 ^! pall y th ^ tter /( Loud cheers . ) That SZ £ ^ oyod by the government was as SS 3 W ^ ^ tlio Attorney-General , at the S ° St , - Whlte - andt « e otherpatriotsatLiverwot ' fe tfc * spiea are stlU «» Ployed to track the steps , n ? £ A l ? , enta ' and n ° te down the words « wi v th ^ r u locates , therocanbe no question ; nrl ,. t \ i m m > ' hand cvidenco ortho fact . 1 j « ' x ar , ) The 5 Peaker hero stated that letters had that evening been left at Mr . Truelove ' s , the bookseller , adjoining the Institution , addressed to Mr . . Kydd and to himself . The letter addressed to himself was as follows : —
Jflnv 29 1840 Dear Sa , —Knowing that you aro an enemy to oppression , and that . you Have a Strong feeling for the Jpeople ef Fr ance , as well ai England 4 c , and the sooner ojJpreMioii is overthrown the sooner will freedoms Banner be found on ths whole world-it is this feeling with ra » that in-2 SSSH . ?? ? write *^ i 8 aPainfall thing when men aro compel d to invent things to Destrov each other , but when uea not glut was used mJune against a starving People , Drought to starvation by tyrants—I consider it a duty if something can be invented to destroy Tvrants to make r ™ » peedyas Possible to th » People of Franc * , as nl „ i *^ or S an 5 sed and Can Keep a Secret in ths Kanics ot Democracy—I have Chosen Stone Brimstone , as hemgyery Cheap and verj-PowerfuU-melt the Brimstone Ann Uip a Peice of llasr or Stoekin . r in it and Vt « T . Jttl .
„ Gunpowder inside and a peice of Touch Paper or a Fusee—1 lie Gunpowder will Light the Brimstone , and these thrown amongst the Troops or National Guards will prove a very strong snuff for their Noses-Also Poison the shot a few aays uetore they use them Cut one Bullet into i and if they are poisoned , and only Wound , there win not be in much ftnU ^ V J ™™*** person the next day , he Will have . yUUBMO ughPain without i } ghting _( ajjain ) Cast iron Boxes are a t » ojxl substituto for Canon- ( these Boxes are used by wneeiYvnght ) plug the small end up from the large end tv , m ^ , I plu ? ' and Bore a hol 6 that will answer for a loucnnola ( the Boxes are about 13 inches long with a hole te / s U , ! meter ) » f you approve of this make it known to tho ire & ch people—Yours Truly P , y , M , That ( said the speaker ) looks very like a trap . I thews . ) But I can assure Mr . Powell and his irienas that sunh n fvsn w ; n „„<¦ „ -, ( - „! , „ / m \
I Shall send this letter to Sir George Orev , with an intimation that I am wide awake—first takinc a copy for publication in tho Northern Star . ( Loud Sil * beSt 0 toll the writer of this letter that the French do not require English teaching in the art of fi g hting . ( Applause . ) And , further , when they do light , they are too bravo , too heroic , to play the part of poisoners and assassins . ( Renewed applause . } The speaker hero referred to tho eritical state of affairs in the French capital , and the prospects of the Republic . His remarks excited the most enthusiastic cheering . To return to the Charter , and its enemies and calumniators . On the explosion of the Powell plot , the Times declared that , at last , the Charter was understood . It had
been supposed to consist of six points , but , in reality , it consisted of only three—pillage , burnino ' , and murder . Anything more revolting than this calumny was never penned ; anything more atrocious was never published , even by the Times . ( Loud cheers . ) But , even supposing that everythin g imputed to Cuffey . and his confederates hy that wretched miscreant , Powell , ; had been founded in truth , the sins of those mon would be white as wool contrasted with the horrible crimes of such brigands as "VYindischgratz , who , for the last three months , has been tho acknowledged hero ofthe Times . Remember Vienna in flames ! Remember tho thousands of men , women , and children , who were torn , hewed ^ and hacked to pieces , burnt or crushed to death'in vainly attempting to save their homes
from the ruffianism ot royalist heroes and their savage followers . The Times advised and invoked these horrors , and when they had been perpetrated , tho butchers , burners , pillagers , and ravishers , wero hailed , as heroes , and almost exalted to the rank of demi-gods by the writers in the Times . Yet theso writers nave the assurance to denounce the Chartists as advocates of burning , pillage , and murder ! In the name of the Chartists , I hurl these calumnies back into tho teeth of those who invent them . ( Graat cheering . ) The speaker proceeded to expatiate , at some length , on the justice of the principles of the Charter , and the injustice ofthe present system , and resumed his seat amidst hearty and prolonged applause . The Chairman then gave the next sentiment : —
lo the employment of tho people by well-regulated ' Home Colonies , ' and otlier social remedies . " ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Kydd , on rising , was received with cheers . After condemning , in strong terms , tho spy system of the ItusselL Cabinet , he said the sentiment to which ho was called upon to respond , was indicative of the age . There was in this and all other countries an increasing interest manifested in questions of social reform . This question was deeper seated than that of mere politics and parties . The colour of a ribband—the name of a coterie—was as nothing compared with those questions that related to , and became a part of the organic constitution of society itself . The political economists had long ruled in the Senate , and controlled in tho Cabinet .
As political economists , they never could remedy the ovils of English society ; they looked upon man as if ho were a dead inanimate thing , m \ fthaftgfid and unchangeable ; they laid down their propositions , and they solved their problems with the correctness of arithmetic . If men could be _ moved like chess on a board , the economists could never err . This , most fortunatel y , was not the case ; man was a sentient and intelligent agency affected by every part , and related to every immediate circumstance ; and at the very time that the party politicians , financiers , and economists were writing pamphlets , making speeches , and each in turn fighting , or aiding to fight , the political game of " Ins and Outs , " the social evils increased beneath the very walls of the Senate House itself .
AVithin the past twelve months , according to the official returns of the Poor-law Guardians , one out of every three hundred ofthe metropolitan population had been reduced to pauperism , to actual want , and , therefore , forced to apply to their parishosfor relief . This was a fearful increase of human wretchedness , —How many families had been reduced from affluence to dependence that had not yet applied for relief ?—How many workmen had been thrown idle by such reductions , and had preferred itinerant vagrancy , and unwilling vagabondism and theft , to the workhouse allowance ? It is reported , on good authority that every seventh individual in England , is either a criminal , a pauper , a vagrant , or a prostitute ; and , in tho sacrecf name ot humanity and civilisation , where was this system to stop ? Think
of it , you puritan divines , who have preached peace when Mammon has been devouring his victims every hour—think of it , you courtly dames and noble gentlemen , whose gilded drawing-rooms dazzle with the art and ingenuity of our workmen—think of it , you laughing senators , who havo raised a monster whose breath scorches arid burns up the peace of life . You miserable economists and crafty financiers , who , like Nero , played on the fiddle when the Eternal City was in flames , for whom had those sacrifices been made ? Let us examine . I think we may , on a fair estimate , suppose that at least two-fourths of the male adult population of England , above the age ot twenty , belong to what was called the labourer , or artisan classes ; onefourth ofthe adult males belong to th « retail
shopkeepers , and small merchant classes ; those were the classes that were suffering from increased distress ; and for whose advantage , pray ? for the apparent advantage oftlie other fourth , —the merchantprinces , the land-owners , the usurers , the hankers , and independent monopolists . Is it , I ask , to be supposed that we can continue to sacrifice the independence and comfort of every three individuals for the purpose of aggrandising the fourth ? Must we make three houses tenantless that the fourth house shall be a mansion ? Three tables foodless , that the fourth should groan under a superabundance of luxuries ? Three human beings serfs , that the fourth ' shall bo a master ? I say , perish such a system—it is neither of earth nor Heaven—it is neither divine nor human . Remember , for tho
apparent advantage ofthe few , and the advantage was only apparent , for so false was the present theory in principle , that it caused in turn the ruin of all ; the poor became rebellious , the ruined tradesman clamorous ; the ties that bound man to man were loosened ; tho bonds of society were rent in twain ; fear followed in the wake of despair ; and revolution and chaos , with all their doubts and horrors , convulsions ,, and wrecks of life and institutions , wero their sure successors . Oh , but wo wero promised remedies ; there wero Free Trade and Emigration . Free Trade meant free competition , independent of all natural or circumstantial arrangements , which simply meant that the labourers and artisans of every nation should toil for tho advantage ofthe rich and titled few in every land . Internationally
it meant , that if Englishmen worked harder and enjoyed fewer ofthe fruits of their own industry , their country would conquer tho world , and ruin itself . Tho speaker replied to tho Free Traders , and advocates of emigration , at length , and said : I see no hope for England hut in an oxtensivo system of homo colonisation . Your chairman has said , that there are many acres of waste lands ; well , we all know there aro many millions of idle arms . If labour and land bo the producing causes ef property , apply labour to land and the result will beunmistakeable . Thirty years ago Mr . Owen had proposed an extensive system of homo colonisation , as a relief for Irish pauperism—tho scheme was
rejected . A few weeks since Mr . Colthurst had reported the results of draining moss and bog lands ; his report had been a subject of universal eulogy , and all thinkers and journalists were now constrained to admit , that an application of Irish labour to Irish land was the only common sense and industrial remedy for tho sufferings of that distracted and most unhappy country . lie was aware that all schemes of industrial improvement were subject to attack ; some likened home colonisation to squatting , others to barbarism ; perhaps tho lights and shades of this question were never sketched with a truer touch , than by Mr . Alison in his work on population . " Throughout the whole of Lombardy / ' says Mr . Alison ; " you look . in . Tain for anything like a gen-
Public Meetings. T ^2°F, Le '? Pa ^5mekt...
tleman's seat j tho land is all let to middlemen who re-let their farms to the actual cultivators , and such is the accumulated weight thus heaped upon the farmers , . that in spite or the richness of the soil , they can barely procure the necessaries of life . Generally the cultivators have a small piece of land , with one or more cows ; but this system , which under a more equitable administration would be the surest basis of public happiness , is here perverted into a prolific source of misery ; for by yielding the peop le a sirasisTBHCB and NOTiii . vo Mom :, it gives an improper and uncalled for facility to their increase . The same oppressive and ruinous system of middlemen is conspicuous in the states ot Parma and Modena , and the district of Padua , and in them all
the same depression ofthe peasantry is to be seen . " How explanatory and clear were tho sentiments just quoted . In all cases where tho small holder was insecure in possession , and oppressed by rack rents and heavy imposts , he was degraded and poor ; bu t under a wiss administration , which could only mean an improved system of tenure , freed from incumbrances and insecurities , such a system was bound to become " the surest basis of public happiness : " and , I would add , the only lasting basis oi national prosperity . Tho history of tho past , in every nation and in every clime , should bo , that for a state to bo great , and continue great , it must rest its industry mainly on agriculture : trade and
commerce enriched , and might for some time sustain apparent advantages , but experience—unerrinw and continuous—proved that commerce rendered a people effeminate , and sustained luxury by sacrificing bodily vigour and moral virtue . Decay and desolation followed . He looked to homo colonisation as the great corrective and balancing force against mercantile chicane , paper moneyfrauduloncv , commercial and competitive antagonism . Mr . Kydd P marked tribute of respect to the principles of the National Land Company , and resumed his seat amidst marked and prolonged applause . The next sentiment was , " Our Parliamentary xVdvocates . " '
Mr . Stallwood said , in responding to this , a friend had observed lie hoped Mr . Stallwood had a Ion" catalogue of them . In reply to this , let him say , the length of the list must , like everything else , depend on the people themselves . ( Hear . ' hear . ) However , there was Thomas Wakley , whom gratitude , for his great and successful exertions on bohalf of the Dorchester labourers , would never allow him to forget ; to say nothing of his being ever willing and ready to move , second , or support anything beneficial to the people . Alas . ' his colleague ' s ( Mr . Buncombe ) health forbado him to expect much of him in the coming session . Then there was George Thompson , who had promised to move on behalf of their imprisoned victims . ( Loud cheers . l There
was Charles Lushington , who had been hero and desired him to say his sympathies were with them . ( Cheers . ) There was Sharman Crawford . And had they not the member for Nottingham — ( loud cheers)—who would do all his constituents required of him ? and , allow him to add , it was their duty to be up and doing ; other parties were in the field , getting up their petitions ; let them also get up theirs in every hundred , village , parish , township , and district ofthe kingdom , praying for the " Charter " and " Home Colonies ; " lot them put them into tho hands of the members for tho district , and , depend on it , when you deserve you will not lack for Parliamentary advocates . ( Loud cheers . ) - The Chairman- said , tho last sentiment was , "A
Speedy Release to all Political Prisoners . " In Scotland-yard there was a depot in which mMit be found dresses for disguise—from tho humble south-wester to tho dandy Bond-street swell—and he mwch feared it was from this depot we might trace the cause of political prisoners . Ho thought it our dnty , on all occasions , to denounce government espionage . Sir John Jervis had said that Powell was an instrument in the hand of Divine providence to bring the guilty to justice . ( Laughter . ) Now he conceived this to bo blasphemy , and he presumed tho Attorney-General was protected against an indictment for that offence , simply becauso ho was tho public prosecutor , and hence he could blaspheme with impunity . ( Hoar , hear . )
Mr . H . Ross , in responding , said , it was our duty to demand "the restoration of those men to their homes and to ^ society , and failing to do this wo neglected our duty ; he should say it would shortly be our pleasing duty to memorialise , the government in their behalf . ( Loud cheers . ) In conclusion , he would move the best thanks ofthe meeting to their chairman , which was seconded by Mr . Clark , and adopted by acclamation . The Chairman briefly acknowledged the compliment , and tho meeting quietly separated .
The Great Free Trade Dixxer At Mancheste...
THE GREAT FREE TRADE DIXXER AT MANCHESTER . Manchester . — On Wednesday evening a " monster banquet" took place in the Free Trade Hall to celebrate the " groat fact" of the " final repeal of the Corn Laws . The immenso area of the vast building was occupied with tables , covered alternately with pink and whito calico , stretching the entire length of the Hall at right angles with tho raised platform , on which wero seated seventy of the most distinguished guests , includinc Mr . Cobden , Colonel Thompson , Messrs . Villiers , Gibson , M . Philips , Henry , Bright , Jackson , Williams , and several other Members of Parliament . The other company constituted an assemblage of nearly 3 , 000 persons . At seven o ' clock , the chair was taken by Mr . Q . Wilson , chairman of the lato Anti-Corn Law League .
Grace was said by the Rev . P . Spencer . The Chairman , when refreshments had been taken by the company , rose , and , havin g briefly alluded to the letters of apology for absence which had been received from Mr . Hume , Mr . Fox , Dr . Rowring , Mr . Porter , and others , said they had met to celebrate the repeal of tho Corn Laws —( cheers)—one of the greatest revolutions in the policy of this country which had ever been brought about . He concluded by giving the health of "Her Majesty tho Queen , may her reign be long , prosperous , peaceful , and happy . " ( Loud cheers , followed by the National Anthem , performed by a military ' band stationed in front of the gallery ) . The next toast proposed by tho chairman was the health of the Free Trade Members of both Houses
of Parliament . ( Loud cheers ) . Mr . Villiers acknowledged the'compliment . The honourable gentleman adverted to the progress of Free Trade principles , and vindicated at length the conduct of tho League . He declared his opinion that the Repeal ofthe Corn Laws , so far from being a substitute for , should rather bo considered the foundation and tho means of , other reforms . Mr . Cobdex , who was received with prolonged shouts of applause , next addressed the meeting . He was anxious that there should be nothing in that night ' s proceedings to indicate , for a moment , that they were actuated by feelings of exultation over a fallen foe ; but when he saw that otlier " individual , " the Duke of Richmond —( much laughter)—a man who , however he might want discretion , talent ,
and what hc called " pluck , wore a coronet , and was called " His Grace" —when he saw him summoning together large bodies of the farmers of Sussex , whom he had endeavoured , for ten years , to hoodwink and bamboozle , and endeavour to make them believe that hc could restore protection , they must endeavour to save the farmers from getting into bogs and mire in following such a Will-o ' -the-Wisp —( cheers)—by telling them tliat they in that hall , where they had beaten monopoly before , would take care that he should not restore ono shilling of a protective duty . ( Loud cheers . ) He observed that his Grace left his friends the farmers at Brighton , and told them he would go up to London and present their petition to Lord John Russell and Loru Stanley , and talk to them about restoring
protection to the farmers . It was ot no use going to men in power to talk about restoring the corn laws . " We , " emphatically exciaimed the honourable gentleman , " We are in power on the corn laws . " He did confess he did feel somewhat indignant at this barefaced attempt to delude honest men . He had had credit given to him for keeping his temper for seven years on this question . He could not keep his temper with humbugs . He wanted it to be understood that , in dissolving the League , they were not going to revive it for a fresh contest about protection ; they had done with that . ( Cheers . ) If the Duke of Richmond had sense enough to be a leader , he might havo been able to perceive that there was something coming up against the Anti-Corn Law League .
( Cheers . ) It was not merely protective duties that were getting out of favour in this country , but , however strong or weak it mi g ht be at present , still there was firmly and gradually growing an opinion decidedly opposed not merely to duties for protection , but to duties for revenue at all . Ho ventured to say they would not live to see another statesman in England propose any customs' duty on a raw material or article of first necessity like corn . ( Cheers . ) He questioned whether any stateman who had any regard for his future fame would everpropose another excise or customs' duty at all . For a man who had an eye to look abroad and sagacity to understand tho tendency of public opinion to talk to farmers about getting back protection , was the
grossest delusion that could bo practised upon them . Instead of being bamboozled by their designing leaders , he would havo the farmers look aoout them ; consult with their own neighbours ; state the grievances they felt , the difficulties they had to encounter , and set rationally to work to remove any impediments to their competition in agriculture " with the whole world , and if those grievances lay in the form of game laws , the want of better laws affecting the righta of landlords and tenants , or any local or general questions admitting of leg islation at all , they would find that assembly and those whom it represented as willing to cooperate in getting justice for tho farmers as for any other class of the community . ( Cheers . ) The only question . wWgb . could , arise , aw i . u tjg $ former ' s mind
The Great Free Trade Dixxer At Mancheste...
was this how could he compete with foreigners ? It was of no use talking of having a restriction put on the supply of food ; ho must compete with ibi-ei-mersi as others did . Tho people of Lancashire must snin and weave as cheaply as any en the tace of tire earth , ? i- «™ „ T mm m ™ raUo their corn "" d ca"lc on S ^ nf { ( - CW , , - H ™ y protection wero pointed out and enjoyed by any manufacturers ho would vote against it . There must be no Protection to farmers more than to any otlier class of the community . The farmers wanted a high price for provisions ; but the high prico of provisions was incompatible with tho well-being of tho community and they must not protect the class of farmers at the expense of other classes of the population . They would find , taking the condition ot the country in
every aspect during tho last ten or twenty years , that in proportion as food was high , and ' farmers had their way , tho rest of the community suffered morally , socially , and in a pecuniary point of view : they could not , therefore , submit to a principle which , if successful , resulted in an incroaso of pauperism and crime , and every calamity that could fall as a curse on a country . ( Cheers . ) They must havo food as cheap as it could bo got on tho faco of tho earth ; they would allow of no impediment to tho free importation of that first and most necessary gift of the Creator . Tho toaat ho had to propose was , " Free Trade and peace , tho best guarantees of popular rights , the best promoters of national industry , and the most effectual means for the reduction of national burdens . "
If Free Trade and peace wars united , they would hare something ; jet to do before they had finished their work . They might consistently co-oporatc to carry out tho second object in the toast . Having secured Fj'eo Trade in com , thoy must secure }> ea <; c also . He had no fear of war ; ho had not imi for a long time . Tho nations of tho world had all spent so much money in previous wars that thoy were too poor to go to war again . ( Loud cheers . ) What he wanted was , that thoy should reap the fruits of peace ; they had not peace now , it was nothing but an armed truce ; our warlike establishments costs us more every year than ; i war cost us in the middle of last century : he did not call that peace . He could talk to them on the subject of peace in a very different spirit , and with a very
different tone , to what ho was obliged to submit to in an assembly to which he was going to-morrow . In that assembly if ono prognosticated peace immediately he was taunted with anticipating the millennium ; if hc hoped for peace ho was told that it was quito wrong , and that everywhere there wore signs of war . All this was said in a spirit of exultation which was something rather difficult to account for ; the vast expenditure on what was facetiously termed our peace establishment created powerful interests in tho country—they had to battle with them . T }» eighteen millions of Bionoy they spent on fighting mon made fighting men very fashionable in society . They had money to spend ; thoy gave employment to people ; thoy could form tho largest , finest , and most fashionable clubs in London ; thoy gave their
tone to society , and could employ others to write for thorn . He wanted those excellent spirits who had been exerting themselves so long to accomplish a freedom of trade to get what thoy had not yet effected—a real peace . Notwithstanding all that had boon said on that subject , he reiterated there ncvor was atimo when EuropeVas so predisposed to listen to advances made by tho people of England on that subject as now . Ho would not expect too much . Leaguers wero not accustomed to havo great changes worked in one session , or ono year , but the step to bo taken next session was one in the right direction . He did not talk of revolutions ; almost every revolution that had happened was justified by circumstances . He had heard Lord John Russell say in tho Houso of Commons that tho nations of tho continent were
paying a heavy price for their liberties ; but lie said not a higher price than they wero worth . The lion , gentleman , after some further remarks to tho same effect , concluded amidst loud cheers by declaring that the germ of a great revolution had boon laid by tho meetings in that Hall , and that it would expand and circulate round the globe , whila its influence would only end with timo itself . Colonel Thompson came forward amid loud cheering to propose the healths of tho popular constituencies of the country , which had returned Free Traders .
Mr . Bright next addressed the meeting , and was received with vociferous choers . The hon . gentleman proposed the following sentiment : — " The Freei Trade struggle ; may tho ri g hts it gained be saved for ever ; may tho ' power it developed bo wisely used ; may the lessons it taught never be forgotten . " ( Loud cheering , ) Mr . Milser Gibsos proposed tho following toast : — " Tho agricultural , manufacturing , and commercial interests of this country , whose welfare is best promoted by the removal of all legislative rostrieticna . " Ho looked on Protection as belonging to the same school of political doctrine as Communism or Socialism , and was glad to find that they were all alike to the English people . xVfter some more socechoi tho Assembly dispersed .
Tooting Cholera Cases. A Meeting Was Hel...
TOOTING CHOLERA CASES . A meeting was held at St . Pancras , on Tuesday , at which resolutions wero passed condemnatory ot the treatment pursued towards the children of the Tooting pauper establishment ; condemnatory of the system of farming out paupers ; and also condemnatory of the conduct of the different Boards of Guardians having children at Tooting , for negligent supervision . Another resolution was carried , pledging the meeting to present a testimonial to the jury who conducted the investigation which resulted in a verdict of manslaughter against Mr Drouet . On Tuesday evening , a meeting was held at the Western Literary Institution , Leicester-square , for the purpose of taking into consideration the destruction of human life wWh has taken place among tho infant paupers at Drouet ' s Tooting establishment , and adopting measures for abolishing the system of farming the poor by tho guardians of the Poor Law Unions . Mr . Carpenter in the chair . Mr .
Hawkins proposed a resolution to tho ettect , that , as it appeared that the system under which tho children at Tooting had lost their lives , had , from time to time , met with tho approval of the guardians of tho poof , and had existed with the sanction of the Poor Law Commissioners , the meeting considered such treatment to be inseparable from the spirit and essence of the new Poor Law , and , therefore , called for its utter and immediate abolition . Tho resolution was adopted , as was ono , the purport of which was , that a petition to Parliament , praying for tho abolition of tue present Poor Law system , bo adopted by the meeting ; in support of which Dr . Popham , one ofthe medical gentlemen in attendance at Drouet's establishment , while tbecholera was raging there , attributed much of tho fatality which had taken place to tho negligence of tho functionaries of tho various unions which sent children there . The petition referred to in tho resolution having been read and adopted , and a vote of thanks given to the chairman , tho meeting separated .
MEinoroLiTAS Tkxscisu Reform Association . — On Monday , a meeting was held at tho Crown and Anchor Tavern , Strand , for the purpose of considering theproprictv of forming a " xMetropolitan Financial Reform Association , " to act in unison with the associations already formed in Liverpool aftd Manchester . Mr . S . Harrison was called to tho chair , when a resolution was moved by Mr . Scrle in favour of economy and Parliamentary reform , and , being seconded by Mr . Phelps , was unanimously agreed to . A resolution , formally resolving the meeting into an association for the promot'pn of the above objects , was then moved by Mr . M Farlane , and also unanimously agreed to ; as were likewise resolutions in favour , of co-operation with tho people ? of Manchester and Liverpool , and for increasing tlw number of the 40 s . freeholders . A committee was then appointed , and tho meeting separated .
Accident On The South Junction Railway.—...
Accident on the South Junction Railway . — Two more arches of the South Junction Railway , Manchester , fell in on Wednesday morning , but as it was at an oarly hour , and before tho men got to work , there was " no loss of life in consequence . Tha inquest upon the three men killed on Saturday by thefallofpartofoneof tho arches terminated on Thursday night , when the jury found a verdict of " Accidentally killed . " MUBDER OF ANOTHKU OF THE DUKE 0 ? ClEVELAXD ' 3 Gamkkbepebs . —Ashockiiiir murder was perpetrated
at Trundle Myers , near West Auckland , some time during Sunday last , on a man named George May , a watcher , in tho employment of tho Duke of Cleveland . Deceased was found lying on his faco in a pool of blood with one side of his head almost blown off . Ho had no gunf but in his coat pocket was found a doublo-barrelied pistol loaded . This isthe second murder within twelve months ; and it ia remarkable that the men who shot Shirley in February last , meant to hava murdered not him but May , who has now met tho fate he then escaped .
A Daughter op thk Postmastkr at Carmarthen has been committed for trial for stealing money letters . The members of her family are relieved ! from all suspicion of any guilty knowhulgc of . tho crime of the prisoner . Mexican Mikes . —The mines of Mexico furnished , shortly before the revolution , in that country * during fourteen years , the sum of 342 , 114 , 285 dollars to the Spanish government , about 24 , 000 , 0410 dollars per annum . During tho following fiftaon years they produced 153 , 275 , 972 dollars , rather loss than onehalf ofthe former amount ; tb : e predominating cause of this was the unsettled state of tho coun « try , in consequence of which many of the mines were neglected , Arkansas . —Tho population of Arkansas , by tha Governor ' s estimate , a 300 , 000 , which will given three in place of ono ineuiber of Congress , ia tho next appoifltniQut ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 3, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_03021849/page/5/
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