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Northern Star (1837-1852), 4th October 1851, Edition 2 of 2, Page 5

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      Them With Impunity. They Think Themselve...

      sponsible and uncontrolled decision , will , therefore , become unpleasantly common . We way criticise the acts of the Legislature , of the Government , of the heads of the Church „ f all kinds of public men and bodies * but one . County Court Judges are a tabooed class , not to be referred to in the most distant manner , except , of course , eulogistically . This may appear preposterous and nonsensical to some of our readers , but we assure them , in all gravity , that such are the

      pretentions of Mr . Kams hay ; aucb the grounds on winch he not onl y condemned Mr . "Whiity , the Editor o the * Liverpool Journal / to pay jg 20 , or go to prison for twenty-eight days , but upon which he is-now seeking to punish the son of that gentleman , and four detective police-officers , for non-resistance to his verbal order . Ramshay ia even more despotic than Bonaparte , and thinks he may dispense with the stupid and useless formalities of summonses , and such like preliminaries to condemnation .

      The immediate cause of these extraordinary proceedings may he shortly stated . In a recent case , Mr . Ramsha y took the opportunity of stating that the people of that part of the country appeared to have not the slightest regard to the solemnity of an oath , and were equally destitute of the common feelings o f humanity , Mr . Whitiy , in the placard announcing the next number of the ' Journal , ' drew attention to this judicial dictum , by a single line— 'Mr . Mamshay ' s opinion o f the Teople of Liverpool . ' In the paper tho observation was recorded without comment , or

      colouring of any kind , in connexion with the facts which elicited it . One would nave imag ined , that nothing could be more moderate than this on such provocation ; but 'his Honour * thought differently , aud commenced a series of high banded proceedings , to which we have fortunately no parallel of late in this country . In the first place , without warrant or summons , he seized upon a bill-sticker , and tumbled over the whole of his stock in trade , to see if any of the ohnoxious placards were in his possession . It was discovered that he had none of them ; otherwise , his

      Honour intimated , he would have forthwith sent him to gaol . The next step was to dispatch his bailiffs with verbal orders to drag Mr . "WhITTY before him , to answer for the hi g h crime and misdemeanour of which he had been gnilfcy . Mr . Whxtiv , vrho was himself for several years the head of the Liverpool police , thought this free and easy method of proceeding rather too much of a good thing , and theatened p hysical force , if the myrmidons of * his Honour' did not decamp . They did leave , hut onl y to return with reinforcements to be defeated a second time ; and it-was not until 'his Honour' found Mr .

      Whitiy was determined to bo punctilious , and not to be got at without the observance of the preliminary f orms , that he yielded so far as to issue a summons for his appearance , which ¦ ffas immediatel y obeyed . But ' his Honour ' merely complied with an absurd prejudice in favour of summonses—there was no necessity for such a document . He holds that his verbal order is as good as all the warrants in the -world , and that , too , when given to parties -whose official position is by no means clear , for even his understrappers do not appear to he duly certificated and indicated into their offices .

      The only charitable explanation oftereJ for this extraordinary conduct is , that the man is insane . But wh y should the ' Times' treat air . Kamshay as a madman , for doing precisel y what M . Buoxaparte does , though on a smaller scale , when it constantly upholds the President in his ferocious and relentless persecution of the Press in France ? Justice and Tight do not alter in their nature , according to a difference in latitude . If it is madness on

      the part of a public functionary in this country , to take offence at publicity being given to his acts , aud comments being made upon these acts by tbe Press , in this country , it must be equall y mad on the other side of the narrow channel which separates Folkestone from Boulogne . Mr . RaMSHat ' s folly has happened very opportunely to illustrate folly of the same kind on a larger scale . It is a capital burlesque of theEx-SpECiALCossTABLE ; and the summary manner in which * His Honour' will he expelled from an office , the duties of which he is incapable of discharging properly , is only an indication of the fate which awaits his

      foolish compeer at the Elysee . In both instances they kick against the pricks . The Press will destroy both of them , and that all the more surel y the more they try to stifle aud to outrage public opinion . One other similarity in the two cases : Loras Na p oleon was elected President by the kind-hearted and generous people of France , ¦ because he was his "Uncle ' s jSephew . Notwithstanding his many shortcomings , and his obvious unfitness for the place , there are many of them , who for his Uncle ' s sake , and the recollection of a name great in France , would

      have no objection to continue him in it . In like manner Mr- Ramshay was appointed a County Court Judge , by a kind-hearted and confiding nohleman , because his grandfather and father had been successively land agents for the Earls of Carlisle . The presen t wearer of that title SOOn found out , however , thai better qualifications were required for such a position . His protege gave universal dissatisfaction in Liverpool . Comp laints poured in npon him from all quarters . An investigation

      took place , in the course of which jLord l / AUilSLE was so forcibly impressed with the unfitness of the man for his place , that he earnestly requested him to resign it , and offered an indemnity , in the shape of £ 1 , 000 a year , from his own pocket ! Mr . Ramshay , however , was obstinate , and no legal evidence being before Lis lordship , an acquittal from the charges was pronounced , followed by some most unseemly demonstrations on the part of tho restored Judge , and menaces against the Press , which we have just seen carried into effect .

      It ought to be a lesson to Lord Carlisle to seek for other qualifications than" those on which he appointed Mr . Ramshay , in the future exercise of his patronage as a member of the Government . To the public it exhibits the manner in which functionaries , having important duties to perform , are foisted into positions for which they are utterly unfit , byprivate and personal influences and considerations , which should have no weig ht whatever in such transactions ; and , above all , that

      a free , unfettered , and independent press is the great safeguard of national freedom and progress . It is only by keeping a watchful eye upon the proceedings of all public functionaries , and freely pointing out where their conduct runs counter to the public interest , or violates any of the great principles of public justice , that these parties can be made trul y responsible , and preserved in that frame of mind which enables them most efficiently and judiciously to serve the nation . In proportion as that surveillance is withdrawn , justice is perverted , abuses are multi plied , and tyranny becomes rampant . „ ,

      In this spirit we have never hesi tated to criticise the sayings and doings of the Judges in our hig hest courts . Their being placed in auch eminent positions , does not absolve them from such comments , but rather invites it-Tbey themselves must feel that it is a great advantage to have then * judgments constantly revised by that greatest of all courts of appeal , public opinion ; and that while a free and bold commentary upon their conduct does not interfere , in the slightest , with the manly , just , and independent discharge of their duties , it helps materially to the discharge of these duties , not only satisfactorily to the community at large , but to their own consciences . ***** ** * * * - *^^^^ m ++ * j /^^^ a

      October 4, 1851. Tge' Korthe^N Star .

      October 4 , 1851 . TgE' KORTHE ^ N STAR .

      Thb Steamers Running Between Cly De And ...

      Thb steamers running between Cly de and Londonderry are carrying passengers at one shilling a head .

      Mr. G. Wynn And The Central Committee Op...

      Mr . G . WYNN AND THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE OP THE NATIONAL TRADES ASSOCIATION .

      It is with the greatest reluctance that I find myself compelled to drop the editorial ' we , and obtrude myself on the readerjs of tbe ' Star , ' in 'the first person singular . ' A statement contained in the letter of Mr . "W . Peel last week , leaves , however , no alternative . Absence from town for a few days prevented me from seeing that statement before it went to press ; otherwise I should have added to it the testimony I have now to offer with reference to the matter , so far as I am personally mixed up in it .

      The facts are briefl y as follow : —On the second day of the trial Mr . W nn made the statement respecting the offer said to have been made by the members of the Central Committee while we were sitting at lunch in the presence of several other gentlemen , among whom - were Messrs . Walton and Shoolbued . Mr . Wynn personally appealed to me , and asked what I thought of the conduct of the parties who , to save themselves , could thus betray and throw overboard the poor working men of Wolverhampton . In reply , I asked by whom the o er had been made , and was told that it was by tha Counsel for . the defence ; that he ( Mr . Wynn ) had seen and read the letter in which the proposal was contained , that in fact it had been referred to him for

      advice , and that the prosecutors , acting under a sense of public duty , had nobly refused it , notwithstanding the uncertainty of the law , and the heavy expense of the second trial . I at once expressed my disbelief of the whole statement—despite the circumstantial air thrown over ithy Mr . Wynn—and said that I would forthwith inquire of Mr . Parry , tbe counsel for Messrs . Peel , Gbeen , and Winters , whether he in that capacity had made , or been instructed to make any such proposal . Upon entering the Court for that purpose , I saw the learned gentleman was busily

      engaged , and , therefore , abstained from disturbing him , but , instead , called Mr . W . Peel out of the Court , and inquired whether he and his colleagues were parties to any such offer . Mr . Peel at once , in the most indignant manner , and in the most emphatic terms , repudiated such an idea , and stated that the very contrary was the fact , as the proposal had been made by the Counsel for the prosecution , and had been immediatel y and scornfully scouted . I then went to Mr . Roberts , the solicitor for the defence , who corroborated Mr . Peel ' s statement . The offer was then

      communicated by the senior counsel , Mr . Whateley , Q . C ., to Mr . Roberts with considerable hesitation , and with an apology for discharging what was to him a professional duty . The repl y of Mr . Roberts was more energetic than polite ; but there was no mistake as to its meaning . 'I don't W . ish tO be offensive , or to break the ordinary rules of courtesy , but that there maybe no misapprehension , just say we'll see them d d first . ' Such is the true history of the proposal and its reception . I subsequently crossed to that part of the Court in which Mr . Wish was seated , and , on his asking me if I had

      inquired as to the truth of his statement , replied that , the boot was on the other leg ; that the proaecutors had made the offer they attributed to the defendants , and my belief that the whole story was a vile fabrication , for the purpose of creating division between the defendants , and prejudicing the members of the Central Committee with the trades generally . Mr . Wins rejoined , that he still adhered to his version of tbe matter , but would make further inquiry , and convince me he was right . In the course of tbe evening , I met him in company with the ; solicitor for the prosecution ( to whose courteous and gentlemanly conduct I pay a ready tribute of respect ) , and the subject was renewed .

      Jlr . Wynn then stated , that after the first offer was refused , Mr . Parrt had made another in writing ; but after my inquiries had got back the note and torn it up . My reply was , that Air . "Wtsn made such contradictory and loose statements , and was so evidently animated by a vindictive spirit towards tbe three defendants , that he would excuse for saying that in future , I could not place the slightest reliance upon them . The Solicitor for the prosecution then distinctly said , in Mr . "Wish ' s presence , that what I had stated was correct , but that it was his earnest desire , as the whole affair bad been a private , confidential , and professional proceeding , in which tiie defendants were no way implicated , it might be allowed to

      rest where it was . I said that , so far as I was concerned , it should do so , and he had only to thank his indiscreet and over-zealous ally , Mr . Writs , for what had taken place up to that tune . I have kept my promise to Mr . Perry ' s solicitor so far , that when Mr . Pbei , some weeks since in his usual weekly letter , related $ the facts as an illustration of the mendacity and malignity of the prosecutors , and tho lengths to which they would go to damage the character and impair the usefulness of the Central Committee , I omitted the whole of the statement , which I now regret , as it would have forestalled the groundless and malicious statement of Mr . G . Wthn . 6 . A . Fleming .

      24, Gloucester-Street, Commercial-Road, ...

      24 , Gloucester-street , Commercial-road , East . October 3 rd , 1851 . Sir , —Through tho unfortunate retirement of our talented friend Mr . Reynolds , I am desired b y several well-known democrats to stand as a candidate for the vacant office , and am requested to make known the same through the medium of your journal . lam , Sir , Yours in the canse of Human Redemption , J . Shaw .

      Monies Received Fob Thb Week Ending Thur...

      MONIES RECEIVED Fob thb Week Ending Thursday , October 2 sd , 1851 . NATIONAL CHARTER FUND . Received by . Ions Abxott . —Washington locality , per W Sibley 4 s 3 d—Wigan . per J . Hilton 10 s—Collected at Wool wicli 3 s Sid . —Total 17 sllld .

      Murder At Sheffield. —A Most Singular Ca...

      Murder at Sheffield . —A most singular case occurred in this town on Wednesday , a married woman , named Elizabeth Walton , being charged with the serious crime of cutting the throat of hor brother , John Calow , an old pensioner , aged sixty . The accused , with her husband and daughter , reside in Brown-street , and Calow resided with her . It appears that about nine o ' clock in the

      morning Calow was found b y his sister lying on the garret floor with his throat cut . Her screams brought the neig hbours to the spot . The blood was then flowing freely from a large incised wound across the throat , which had partially cut through the windpipe , and severed several vessels and arteries . The razor by which the wound had been inflicted lay beside him on the room floor , across which

      the blood was running in a copious stream . A surgeon was sent for , and on his arrival , Calow , who up to that time had made no complaint to the neighbours , then accused his sister as having committed the deed , stating that she had first cut his throat , and afterwards alarmed the neighbourhood . Notwithstanding bis approaching death , for not the slightest hopes are entertained of bis recovery , the man persists in charging the deed upon his Slater . His declaration has been taken by the chief constable , and for the present Mrs . Walton will be placed under surveillance , until the case

      is fully investigated . The accused , who appears to be greatl y distressed at the serious crime preferred against her , declares her innocence of it . She states that , hearing a noise in her brother ' s bed room she went up stairs to see what was the matter , and then found him ly ing across the room floor , with his throat cut as above described . The nei g hbours strongly assert tho -woman ' s innocence , and it appears that during a drunken fit , some time ago , Calow intimated to one of them his intention to cut his throat and charge his sister with it .

      The editor of the " Buffalonian" says he would as soon try to go to sea on a shingle , make a ladder of fo " , chase a stream of lightning through a crabapple orchard , swim the rapid of Niagara , or set Lake Erie on fire with lucifer matches , as to thinfc of stopp ing two young persons from getting married when tW take it into their heads to do so .

      Wolverhampton Conspiracy Por Regulating ...

      WOLVERHAMPTON CONSPIRACY POR REGULATING WAGES . THB METROPOLITAN CENTRAL DEFENCE COMMITTEE TO THE ASSOCIATED ASD

      KON-ASSOCIATED TRADES OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND . Fellow Wokksjen , —The time is rapidly approaching when the Stafford verdicts must either be resolutely combatted in the Court of Queen ' s Bench , or eig ht innocent men consigned to an unmerited and degrading imprisonment . And not only this , but in the confirmation of these inconsiderate , sweeping verdicts , is involved a precedent by which the future acts of working men , in their disputes with their employers will be judged and dealt with . Already are the manufacturers in various parts . of the country preparing to

      adopt and act upon the new version el the law as settled by Mr , Justice Erie , at the late trials , which pronounces it an indictable offence for men to peaceably persuade another not to work fer ^ a given employer under a certain rate of wages , and for a society or combination of workmen to do so , through their officers , to be an illegal conspiracy . To place this beyond all doubt , we here insert tbe exact words of Mr . Justice Erie upon this point ( taken from the short-hand writer's verbatim notes . ) Previously to Mr , Parry addressing the jury for three of the defendants , he thus addressed the judge : —

      Mr . PARRY . —¦ ' Will your lordship allow m to submit that there is no evidence to go to the jury against Winters . I do not know whether your lordshi p ' s attention has been directed to the point , but as far as the evidence is concerned , all the evidence that 1 can find is as regards his own actual conduct , that he was present at the meeting of the 22 nd of October at the . theatre . He appears to have taken no part at that meeting , and two of the witnesses—two of the young men that were called Shintonand Robinson—say that Green and Winters paid them twelve shillings and sixpence while they were out of work . '

      Mr . Justice Erie , after stating that , in his opinion , there was evidence against some of the defendants of a stronger description than the others , proceeded to say , that , with respect to Peel , it is evidence of a peculiar description , not in the same class with them , but it stands as a different class and a different question . Then with respect to Winters and Rowlands , they appear to stand very much in the same class . They are not actuall y cooperating with the men who break their contracts , or who are sent away drunk , but they are actuall y co-operating as to payment . It is not a loose opinion with respect to

      Winters , because with regard to Rowlands and Winters , it appears they did just what you say , and from what was said by Mr . Whatel y and from what will he said by you , this question of law will in my mind be raised ; that is , whether persons combining together to obstruct and molest a g iven manufacturer ) in order to force him to alter hb mode of carrying on his business , and in pursuance of that conspiracy , persuaded free-men to leave him or paid-freemen ( that being the overt act ) , whether they ate guilty of an indictable offence . The thing is so charged in the indictment , and my opinion on the subject here

      is , not as if I was deciding the law in the other court and laying down the law . I have an opinion on the subject ; and with respect to this indictment , I should tell the jury , in my opinion , that constituted an indictable offence , and should recommend them , if they considered that to be . made out , to acquit them of the other part of the charge , and to find them guilty of the ninth count only . Then , if that bean untenable proposition in point of law , you will have the benefit of it , and in that way the point you were about to submit to me is

      perhaps answered . I propose to lay down with respect to the ninth count , that if they ( the jury ) are of opinion that he conspired to obstruct Mr . Perry in his business for the purpose of making him alter ^ his business'and in pursuance of that , paid his free men to go away , they ought to find him guilty at present . And the question , whether that is an indictable offence or not , will be reserved for discussion hereafter . If it is not , he will go free ; if it is , the punishment will be what is proper to be awarded . '

      Fellow workmen , no language can be plainer than this—there cannot he any mistake about it . This either is or is not the law of the land . Judge Erie says plainly that it is . Judge Rolfe and the present Attorney General as distinctl y , that it is not . But Judge Erie ' s , being the latest judicial opinion , will be , and is , greedily seized upon by some unprinci pled money hunting manufacturers of whom these Perrys are but a type , as a

      justification for them to ride rampant over the rights of their workmen , thus prostrated by the legal dictum of Mr . Justice Erie . It is for you , fellow-men , to decide whether you are prepared to surrender your constitutional rights , secured to you , as it has always been thought , by tbe letter and spirit of the statute-law , to the dishonest prejudices of a class jury , or the unsupported opinion of a single judge . This is the question we now call upon you to well weig h and promptly to decide

      upon . But a very short time remains before the defendants must be in a position either to resist the verdict of the jury and the ruling of the judge , by the highest legal talent that can be obtained , or to submit , without demur or defence , to tho punishment which awaits on the unopposed verdict of the jury and tho indis ' puted dictum to the judge . The most influential portion of the press are already enlisted on the . part of your oppressors . The

      "Times " and "DailyNews , " in particular , have been vieing with each other in forestalling a vindictive sentence , which shall have the effect of deterring any of you from daring a resistance to whatever tyrannies your employers may choose to inflict upon you . If you wish to preserve the little that remains to you of freedom of action , you must not slumber . The time fov preparation is very brief—and preparation for the ensuing contest ( if the principle is to be defended ) must commence immediately .

      We , therefore , again , fellow-workmen , invite you , as you value your independence , and would wish to bequeath it unimpaired to your posterity to view this question as one that concerns yourselves and each of you , as nearly as either of the eight defendants ; they are but fighting m defence of our rights , and the sentence which dooms them to a common gaol , pronounces your doom whenever you dare dispute the mandates of an oppressive employer . We place tho question before you in its true bearings , from a thorough conviction that the working meu of England are not prepared to surrender themselves the unresisting

      slaves of capital , at the verdict of a prejudiced jury , or upon the questionable ruling of a judge . We have said that the time for preparation is extremely short . But a brief period will intervene between this and the first day of term , tbe 2 nd or November , and in this interval all the preparation for a most important legal discussion has to be made . We hope that every class of working men —that every individual workman into whose hands this appeal may come—will at once , if ho ha s not already done so , contribute his aid in defence ot the rights of his class , which is now threatened by a powerful confederacy of capitalists , backed by the still greater power of an unprincipled and hireling

      The Central Defence Committee , composed of delegates from the metropolitan trades , are entirely independent and disconnected with the ciofendants , or any of them , This is not a question of Tin-plate Workers , of this society or of that societv , but a question of the working cbuses of England in defence of their rights , agauirttje mvlsion of capital . The question is a pubno question , and is taken up by t hem upon public S Tbal 9 ance sheet , in detail , will be published and forwarded to every society or individual whoi nas contributed to the Defence Fund . Its meetings and its books are open to all . It is earnestly requested that all subscribed money now m tne hands : of Secretaries , or other officers , will be at once forwarded to Mr . George Greenslade , Secretary , at the Bell Inn , Old Bailoy , London . WW office Ordersto bo made payable at the St . Martin file-grandor Bloomsbury Post-offices .

      , The law brooks no delay , and all future proceedings are now in abeyance , for want of funds . ) To the rescue then , working men of Eoglana . Justice and liberty for labour ! Equal rights ana equal lawa J By order of the CmZRtt DW SMOX COJOUIWS ,

      Wolverhampton Conspi»W Cy- -To The Trade...

      WOLVERHAMPTON CONSPI » w CY- -TO THE TRADES OF GREAT BRITa *'

      GxSTLEttKtr , —fn November next the curtain will fall and hide the liberty you have hitherto posseased in your club rooms and houses of call . Your rules for regulating your Societies will be rendered useless , so far as the maintenance of waiea is concerned . The humane view of the law , as laid down by Vice Chancellor Cranworth , in the C ! t » C aeen *• O'Connor and others , and in u ° l s and Potta "• SeIsnv and others , is about benjg overruled by Mr . Justice Brie , unless i u v ° * England make common cause , and fight the case of Perry v . Rowlands and others to the highest court of appeal known to English law

      . The trades of Great Britain have hitherto con . aidered they had a perfect ri ght to say , whether in or out of employment , that they would receive what they considered to be a fair remuneration for their labour , equally with the man who says , I will not sell my corn , my calicoes , my iron , or anything else , unless I can get my price . The farmer meets his brother farmers in the marker . ball to regulate the price of grains , and no miller thinks aboutor dareindict the farmers

      , , , because tbey will not sell at the same price they hitherto have done . Or do manufacturers dream of indicting the cotton or woollen merchants because they confederate and agree together to raise the value of the material ? Or doesjjthe retail ironmonger and dealer il l tin goods ever imagine be would succeed in maintaining a prosecution against the iron masters , who meet and regulate the price of iron , and inflict tfeeir penalties for disobedience of orders . Then , why should the rule be invaded when a

      working man is concerned ? . . " . " In these days of freedom of trade and commerce , when companies of greater or lesser magnitude are springing into existence in every corner of the nation—some for the production of manufactures , others for tbe conveyance of men and merchandise by land and sea—all of whom have their guilds and council chambers for the regulation of tariffs , and the establishment of laws , one would imagine that he who has to change the raw material into articles of furniture , clothing , or buildings of wood , iron , brick and stone , had an equal right to sell his services as dear as be ' could , But the freedom to store corn , to heap up manufactures , to Jay vessels on tbe stocks , to keep tbe coal and iron in the bowels of the earth , and literature on the shelves , must not be extended to the man who has nothing to sell but bis labour .

      The persons who combine with capitalists to assist them to keep up the market ' value of their several commodities are gentlemen ; while those who combine to assist the working men to maintain the market value of their labour , are considered conspirators ; such is the difference between capital and labour . Labour , ¦ the originator of capital , is swamped by his offspring . Instead of capital being subservient to labour , labour is to be subservient to capital .

      This will be the effect of Judge Erie ' s law , if allowed to go uncontradicted or un & ppealed against . Let us see what is his language and his law . He say ? , — " With respect to tbe law relating to combinations of workmen , nothing can now be more clearly established , in point of law , than that workmen are at Jioerty , while they are perfectly free from engagement , and have the option of entering into employ or not ; nothing can be more clear than that they have a ri ght to at ^ ree amongst themselves to say we will not go into any employ unless we can get a certain rate of wages . But I think , gentlemen , it would be most dangerous if that proposition were carried at all wider than the

      terms in which I put it , —that is to say , to suppose that workmen , who . think that a certain rate of wages ought to be obtained , have a rig ht to combine together to induce men already in the employ of other masters , to leave the employ of those masters for the purpose of compelling those masters to raise their wages . " Further , he says , — " I take it for granted , that if a manufacturer has got his manufactory and his capital embarked in it for the purpose of producing articles in that manufactory , if persons conspire together to take away all bis workmen , that would necessarily be an obstruction to him—that would necessarily be a molesting of him in his manufactory . "

      That is his language and his law ; therefore ! submit , ' with respectful deference , that no trade , or bodies of trades can move one single step , either to advance or assimilate wages in any case , without subjecting themselves to an indictment tor Conspiracy ; and no matter whether the officers have taken an active part or not , they are , by the verdict of the Stafford Jury , amenable for the acts of others who may have contributed to their support . To establish this point I have only to mention , that the evidence produced against Rowlands and Winters was , only for paying two men their weekly allowance of money after they had left their employer of their'own free will and consent , and who were free to leave any moment they pleased ; and yet they were found guilty on all the counts , of intimidation ,

      threats , molestation , obstruction , force , & c , & o . Looking at the law as laid down by Justice Erie , and the rinding of tbe Jury , I am led to believe that , unless the trades unite to carry this case to the highest Court of Judicature , nota remnant of the trades privileges will he left ; and each officer in case of difficulty between the trade and a grasping , grinding employer , may expect to be included in an indictment for Conspiracy . Officers and members oi Trades Societies , I enjoin you one and all , as you Value your own liberty and the rights of those you represent , that you will at once lay the case before your body ; for remember , it is not only the 'fin-plate Workers and their Society , or the United Trades , but " a blow is levelled against all j for that which is illegal in them is illegal in you . "

      I cannot conclude these remarks without tendering my best and dearest thanks to those gentlemen composing the Defence Committee , for their patriotism , in coming forward to advocate and vindicate—through the courts of law—the invaluable rights and privileges of the working men combining together to assist each other , in " times of difficulty and distress , therefore I do most humbly implore every man whether in union or out , to defend our rights and privileges , by subscribing at once to the Defence Fund , and communicating through their Secretary , Mri George Greenslade , at the Bell Inn , Old Bailey , London . I am , Gentlemen , As TJkio . mst , of Twentt Tears Standing . Sept . 23 rd , 1851 .

      Bringing Out The Truth.—The First Of Nov...

      Bringing out the Truth . —The first of November will be an epoch in the administration of justice in this country . On that day will come into operation the act which was passed in the last session of Parliament for admitting the evidence , in civil trials , of the parties to them—a change the magnitude and importance of which can only be estimated by those whose duties as lawyers , or whose misfortunes as suitors , have made them familiar with the course of trial which has hitherto been observed in all our higher courts ; and which , until of late years ( when it has been , by the authority of the legislature , abandoned in tho County Courts ) , was the general rule of our law . Thus , those who are in general best acquainted with the facts which it is the object of the crial to establish , have been hitherto prevented from speaking in their own behalf , and from being questioned on behalf of their opponents . This rule of practice has been persevered in , from the assumption that the testimony of plaintiff or defendant was so

      sure to be false , that it would be a waste of time and a mialeadingof the judge and jury to hear it . Crossexamination—on which so much stress is laid , when it is desired to glorify our method of trial—was here rejected , as furnishing , it was thought , no safeguard . Moral and religious obligations to speak the truth were treated as of no power over the mind of the interested witness ; and the law of England aspersed all men as being utterly untrustworthy ; while , at the same time , it would have punished each for a libel if he had applied to individuals the stigma thus fixed upon the body at large . Eight years only have elapsed since the slightest amount ( even to one farthing ) of interest in a cause disqualified any witness from being heard upon it ; the law carrying the presumption of which we have spoken to its full extent . So far it operated logically and consistently , though not with wisdom ; because , when a course is erroneous , inconsistency becomes an excellence ; for it is better to be nearly right than wholly wrong . — Dickens ' s " Household Words . "

      Melancholy Accidknt . —The arrival of the London steamer Leith , at Granton , on Saturday night , wasattended by a melancholy casualty . Among those in waiting to receive their friends was a young man of the name of Gillon . holding a situation of seme re sponsibility in the office of Mr . Ballantyne , printer , who was among the passengers , and as the vessel , though due on Friday , did not make her appearance till after eight o ' clock ou the night in question , the confusion wbich usually accompanies the debarkation of the passengers was considerably increased by the darkness which prevailed . The unfortunate young

      man duly met his employer , and , according to instructions , was proceeding with a light in one hand and a note of the articles in the other to see the luggage all right , when the hatch of the hold having been previously thrown open , and the place left unprotected by lights or otherwise , he fell down headlong and was killed on the spot . The attendance of a medieal man was procured without delay , but his services were not required ; the poor fellow ' s neck was broken . He was only about twenty-four years of age , was but recently married , and much esteemed by all who knew bin .

      The Submarine Teleguapir By Means Of Sub...

      THE SUBMARINE TELEGUApir By means of substituting a coil of gutta percha n ., ~ a distance of about half a mile in lieu of cable ffbiflb W shortcoming to that extent , the com ! munie . ^ tion betweeil coast and coast haa now been completer . The gutta percha coil is joined on to the cable «?«* »* sea where its extremity is secured to a budy , but it is very questionable whether this contrivance can be anything but temporary . On Monday the question of manufacturing the short amount of additional cable required was it is understood , discussed by the promoters , and there is very little doubt that , in order to make the sea line of communication intact and integral ,

      tins will have to bo done . The gutta percha that now connects the cable at tho buoy with tbe French coast had fortunately been sent , over in a coil of four miles for inland use before the expedition started , and so far came in opportunely . The cable , in addition to the buoy alread y mentioned , is scoured to a second buoy about a mile and a half off the coast . The principal injury , if any , the cable is surmised to have sustained is at a "join , " where the wire layers arc welded , about mid-channel , when the Blazer was ten or twelve miles out , and when the strain and stormy time first commenced . The process of drawing the cable up and re-deliverinid in

      g a more direct line is not likely to be attempted . The crew as they were towed up from Calais to Woolwich on board the Blazer , where she is now in dock . encountered a tremendous passage . . The Black Eagle , Captain Hutching in command , left Calais with the Blazer at six o ' clock on Friday evening , and arrived in Margate Roads at two o clock , a . m . The junction of the cable with the rrench telegraphs is understood to bo proceeding , and also the connexion between the South Porelaudy some four miles , and the telegraph-office of the South-Easterii Railway Campany in Dover , winch will at once give a thorough telegraphic communication with the continent .

      Calais , Skpi . 30 . —The completion of this undertaking has been marked with great rejoicings on this side the channel . The line of communication between tho two coasts was fully established on Sunday evening , about five o ' clock , and the electric wire after three days had been consumed in stretching-it across the straits , was brought up on the French coast at Sanngate about three miles below Cabiis , whence it was carried underground to the telegraph station of the Great Northern of Prance Railway at Calais . Electric currents were passed from coast to coast , and messages sent the same evening , but on Monday a series of experiments were tried with the most satisfactory result , and as the same results were achieved to-day the great , enterprise may now beregarded as actually finished and complete . Early on Monday morning congratulatory messages to the President of the French Republic were sent directly from England to Paris , also to the King of Prussia and the Emperor

      of Austria , at Iforlin and Vienna , ' and messages were also transmitted to London from the principal cities in Europe , who were included in the continental system of telegraphic communication . During the whole of Monday , the town of Calais presented the appearance of a / ete and numbers of the inhabitants crowded on the ramparts , watching with interest and wonder the various experiments which were tried with the submarine wires . In the evening an entertainment was given at the Hotel de Ville , to those English gentlemen , promoters of the undertaking , who were on the spot , and had . assisted in its completion . During tbe whole of the proceedings , tho utmost harmony prevailed ; and after dinner , the English gentlemen were conducted over the museum of the town ,-where it was determined that a portion of the electric coil should in future be placed in juxtaposition with the balloon of tho celebrated aeronaut , Blanchard , who , in 1795 , made his first supra-marine voyage from Dover to Calais .

      Latest Foreign News. Paris, Wednesday,—-...

      LATEST FOREIGN NEWS . Paris , Wednesday , — -Kossuin . —A letter has been received here from Kossuth , of which I can now communicate to you tho substance , although I must defer sending a copy of tho original till tomorrow . Kossuth states that he had landed at Marseilles on the morning of the 23 th . He went immediately to call on tbe Prefect of the Bouchesdu-Rhone , to request permission for himself , bis wife , and" family to pass through France on their way to England , alleging the weakness of health of the whole party , and their exhaustion by the suffering attendant upon extreme sea-sickness . The

      Prefect replied that he could not undertake to grant permission on his own responsibility , but that an answer might be speedily procured , even before night , by telegraph . The electric telegraph from Paris terminates at Chalons ; tho remainder of the way is only furnished with the common wricl telegraph . Xienceof course the rapidity of transmission depends on the state of tho weather . But as six days have elapsed without receiving any further intelligence of the ex-Governor of Hungary and his companions , the conclusion is that the government has withheld the permission applied for . In tho meantime the " Nouvelliste " of Marseilles , of the 29 tb , says : —

      " The Hungarian Refugees on board the Mississippi , fatigued by their voyage , have obtained permission to land , and walk in the town . Yesterday , at tbe moment when Kossuth was about to re-embark , a crowd of persons assembled on the Canebiere to see him pass , and cries of ' Vivo Kossuth ! Yivo lea Hongrois ! Vive la liepublique ! ' were raised . In the evening , the other Hungarians who had not followed Kossuth on boord the American vessel , went to the Cafe Bodoul , and soon after an assemblage of some hundreds of persons collected in the Rue St . Ferreol , and in an instant the cafe was filled . The foreigners were saluted with loud clapping of hands . The police soon arrived and put an end to this ovation by clearing the cafe , and the Hungarians passed out by another door . In fclio evening the Refugees were present at the

      theatre , but the public had tho good sense to allow them to enjoy the pleasure without any demonstration . " A paragraph was inserted yesterday in the "Debats , " apparently with the view of persuading the public , that some disagreement had taken place between Casimir Batthyany and Kossuth . The passage is as follows : — " Count Casimir Batthyany , separated at his request from Kossuth , is at this moment in Paris with some members of his family , leading a retired life , and having nothing more in common with the ex-dictator of Hungary . " Being anxious to sift the truth of this statement , I applied to an intimate friend of Casimir Batthyany , and 1 am happy to say that he denied in the most distinct manner , that any rupture or misunderstanding had occurred between these two leading champions of the Hungarian cause .

      Kossuth.--As It Is Now Pretty Certain Th...

      Kossuth .--As it is now pretty certain that tho illustrious Kossuth will soon reach our shores , it is to be hoped that Englishmen , and Englishwomen too , will give him that reception and ovation which a man , who has acted so heroically in his struggles , so magnanimousl y in his victories , and so sublimely in his defeat , so richly deserves . He not only reflects a credit on his uative land , but on Europe and his race . Hungary is not alone interested in his fate , but England and the world . He deserves the warmest respect of all mankind , and the homage of all tho lovers of freedom and progress , The mention of his name , and the remembrance of his deeds , should make every heart thrill with enthusiasm and love . And we should like to sec him not only greeted with the warmest plaudits , and the most eloquent expression of gratitude which a great nation can utter , but we should like to see him presented with some more substantial token of our

      esteem . We know nothing of his private circumstances and his pecuniai 7 position . No doubt it is too much like that of other honest and renowned Reformers , who , in their attempts to bless mankind , have been overwhelmed with difficulties . But whether this is tho case or not , we beg to suggest that a penny subscription be immediately made throughout England , for the purpose of presenting tho illustrious exilo with a national expression of our respect . This can bo easily done by one or two warm-hearted men or women immediately taking up the matter in every town in the kingdom . Committees may be formed , secretaries and collectors be appointed , and tho towns canvassed . A central committee should be formed in London , with whom the provincial committees should be put into

      communication . Previous to this being done , we can only say that we shall be most happy to communicate with any parties in London , or the provinces , on the question ; and that we should be equally glad to take charge of any money which should be sent to us for the purpose , and mention the receipt of the same in our columns . Wo earnestly hope that the readers of this journal will take action . on the matter , and do what they can , in their respective localities , for carrying to a successful issue this proposition . —The Public Good . . Fatal Accident at tiik Bermondsst Workhouse . —On Wednesday last a coroner ' s inquest was held at tho St . Mary Magdalen Workhouse , before Mr . Carter , coroner for East Surrey , and a highly respectable jury , upon the body of an old man , named

      George Chapman , who met his death by falling from tbe top of tho above workhouse . Tho evidence was , that the deceased man was engaged with several other men in painting the frontage of this poorhouse , and that on reaching the coping at the parapet , after going up a ladder , he missed his footing , and fell a height of nearly sixty feet into the street . Mr . Tipton , the head porter , went to his assistance , and found him quito insensible , and bleeding profusely . Dr . Paul , tho house phy . sician , was immediately in attendance , but the tinfortunate man was past all medical skill . Ha had since made an examination of tho body , - and he assigned the cause of death to afracturo of the skull " and concussion of . the brain , . The jury , after d eli-¦ } S ^&^^ ^ vf { lM ^ ' ^

      J Facts And Incidents Of^The Grea T Exhi...

      j FACTS AND INCIDENTS OF ^ THE GREA T EXHIBITION . do ™ 5 f &¦!;?* ^ ' 6 d ™» taken at tha on oift n he budding , the number of visitors being Tni UUI l" ! g the afternoon a most extraordinary tCArTr ^ . S rafrom California was placed in size Md ^ f . P f ? ofthenave , which , from its amounfofa ? 2- ri 0 h r ' attracted ' im" ™* ° Ek of anS ° \ ^ PP ^ rance it is a hugh - * £ *!? Quam rock , impregnated in everv oarfc S mli Pi f e 0 I 0 U 8 , ; « and & value o ?! Llbt rlKS 1 ™? ^ l' ?} t ^ t the for tunate owner refuses to part with it for a sum of £ 3 , 250 . IIe has arrived 1 m England with this specimen for the purpose of buying machinery to work the vein ia which It was discovered , and he is himself as curious and interesting an object as his contribution being fresh from the diggings , and wearing a gold * watch and chain of the most preposterous dimensions . The recentl y discovered gold mines in Australia are also now represented in the Crystal Palace at No . 51 , class 23 .

      we henr that his Hoyel Highness Prince Albert has purchased the magnificent vase with oxiVized silver handles exhibited by Messrs . Minton and Co ., at their stall , No . 1 , in the Ceramic department . The price is said to be 200 guineas . The contractors for building the Exibition received notice from the executive committee , on Friday-week , to commencepullin »; down the Crystal Palace after the 11 th proximo . An accident occurred on Saturday evening , at tho Crystal Palace . A lady , the wife of a clergyman in Suffolk , who had been visiting the World's Show during the afternoon , on her departure was about to step in a hackney cabriolet , when the horse started off at a rapid pace , aud threw the lady with great violence to the ground . On being picked up , she was found to be insensible , and to have sustained a severe fracture of « the leg . The poor woman was conveyed to St . George ' s Hospital on a stretcher .

      The approaching close of tho Exhibition now begins to be felt unmistakeably . On Monday the sum of £ 3 , 295 15 s . was taken at the doors , and there were 08 , 542 visitors . Immense as the CMWJtwrrseof visitors was on Monday , it was exceeded yesterday , 69 , 310 persons having entered tho building , and tho sum of £ 3 . 303 4 s . being taken at the doors . The police numbers on Wednesday were 59 , 050 . Receipts at tho doors , £ 2 , 830 lis . - On Thursday the police returns were 64 , 203 , aud the receipts £ 3 , 080 Is , Cd . On Friday 31 , dSl persons entered the building , and the sumof £ 3 , 35 i Ss . was taken in half-crowns at the doors .

      The Late Accident On The Soma Western Ra...

      The Late Accident on the Soma Western Railway — "William Matthews , tha unfortunate man who was injured in consequence of the collision which took place on Saturday last , near the Nine Elms station on the South "Western Railway , having breathed his last at St . Thomas ' s Hospital on Tuesday evening , an inquest was , on Thursday , held at the hospital before Mr . J . Payno , the deduty coroner . The particulars of the occurrence , which has terminated fatally , have already appeared . The evidence having been repeated , the jury returned a verdict of 'Accidental death . '

      The National Parliamentary Association held a Soiree on Monday evening , at the King ' s Head Tavern , Poultry , R . Kettle , Esq ., in the chair . The report stated that beside the meetings lately held in tho Potteries , and tho great demonstration at Manchester , twenty-four tracts had been issued , tho total circulation of which exceeded 120 , 000 . The Council had been applied to by a portion of the electors of Bradford , the Whig candidate not being up to the Reform standard , and a deputation had been sent down to advise with tho electors . The speeches and resolutions dwelt upon tho union everywhere manifest between the middle and working classes for the attainment of a radical reform in the representation ; and urged to renewed effort upon the basis of the principles of the association .

      Sir John Fiunkmn .- —A meeting of the Arctic officers , Sir Edward Parry , Sir James Ross , aud Captain Ueechey , has been held at the Admiralty . The result was an expression of their unanimous convic- ' tion that Sir John Franklin has taken the passage to tho north-west out of Wellington Channel , and , that he must besought by taking the same route . Bnt it is the opinion of these authorities—while fully recognising , and even insisting upon , the advantages of dispatching a steamer to carry on the abandoned search in that direction—that no vessel can be started with any hope of reaching an advanced position in Davis ' s Straits , and getting into a sale harbour

      before the winter . Sir John Ross , however , arrived in town on Saturday ; and the information he brings tends to confirm the report received from the Esquimaux last autumn , to the effect that Sir John Franklin ' s ships had been lost somewhere at tho top of Baffin ' s Bay in the autumn of 184 ( 5 , and that a portion of the crew had been murdered by a hostile tribe of natives . Sir John Ross is entirely of opinion that Sir John Franklin never went up tbe Wellington . Channel , but was returning home and met with the disaster . Sir John would not now have returned , but have renewed his search at the top of Baffin ' s Bay , had he had provisions for another

      winter . A writer in tbe " Parlour Magazine , " says : — "In the employment of mixed metaphors in oratory , Lord Castfereagh generally lias thecredit of standing at the top of his class . One of the best specimens , however , of this composite eloquence that I remember to have seen , is that ascribed to a learned counsel , who , in addressing a jury , used the following exquisitely harmonious figures , while alluding to the tactics of lhe opposing barrister : — ' Gentlemen of the ju'V , I smell a rat ; I see it brewing in tlie storm : but please God I will crush it in the bud ! ' " Lodoino Houses in the City of Londdh . —

      Among tho provisions in the New City Sewers Act is one respecting lodging-houses in tho City of London , of an important character . It is declared that the owners and keepers of lodging-houses of an inferior description , for the accommodation of mendicants , strangers , and other persons , for the night , or other short periods ; and of other houses inhabited by tho poor classes of people , allow the same to be crowded , by receiving more lodgers than such lodging-houses are adapted to contain with a due regard to health , and allow many persons of both sexes to be crowded together in a single room , and allow persons afflicted with fever to remain in them till infection has been communicated to other lodgers , and receive other

      lodgers into the apartments and beds from which diseased persons have been removed , without anypurifying or other disinfecting process . It is provided that tho medical officer of health for the City of London shall report on common lodginghouses , when more lodgers are received than can be acccn « aodated , or for other causes . The Commissioners of Sewers can order an inspection ; can register tho houses and order the same to be purified and cleansed . Regulations aro to bo made , and for an infringement of the same a penalty of £ 5 can bo levied . By virtue of this provision , which is now in forco , common lodging-houses in tho City of London can bo properly regulated and conducted .

      The Portuguese Oxen landed at Southampton a day or two since , from tho Queen steamer , averaged ( those that were sold at that port ) about £ 15 10 s . per head . They were 133 in number ; upwards of 100 were sold at Southampton ; the rest were sent to SmitUtield-market . These beasts , although hardy , and feeding heartily on almost everything that is given them , waste as soon as they land in this country , and continue to do so , no matter bow long they aro kept . This circumstance arises , no doubt , from the ditfereiicein the climate between Portugal and England .

      The Avjstbahan Emigrants and Acsthaliam Gold . —At a meeting ou shipboard of a group of Jlrs . Chisclm ' s emigrants and their friends , held tbe other day on the eve of departure , Mr . ^ Hobert L & wc , the Australian legislator and prospective statesman , advised the emigrants to let other people go a gold-Uuiitiag , but not to , go themselves . They would raip the benefit of the search , & r gold , though in an indirect manner ; for the number OS labourers which woald bo attracted-from a market at present not at all well supplied with labour , to the gold field , would only t ' esd to raise " the value of labour , of which they ( the emigrants ) would be in a position , to take advantage on their arrival

      in tlie coluny . That was a sufe game , aud he advised . the m to play it . . The leading merchants connected with tha Ausiral ' ian ' colonies , have held a meeiing ! lt the George ftnd Vulture Tavern , in . relation to thegold discoveries . Tha chairman , Mr . Flower , referred to . tke state of uncertainty in which all whs ufe interested irsine trade with . Australia have been placed , by the recent news , and pointsd out the Beccasity for ascertaining what steps the government intend to take , especially with regard to supporting the colonial authorises in maintaining proper regulations It was finally vas & Wed that a deputation should wait upon the Ooionialilimster with tie-view of obtaining a conferciico *

      George | aoKvsos , Esty , W . T ., Was entertained on Wedfiff-tL ^ y a ,, un }^ 0 , iS Party of his constituents at the London Tavern . Rjmcrt Kettle , Esq .., presided , and was supported-by the leading members ofthe National lleforw Association , Mv . J . T . Searte moved a resolution , declaring the catholicity of liberal principles , protesting agamst the enslavement of thcc » and & quarter millions iu America , cordiall y welcoming Mr . Thompson to his native land , and thanking him for his exertions in the cause of universal freedom , Br . Eppa seconded the resolution , which was carried with enthusiasm . Mr . Thompson , m his reply , touched upon American slavery , the bvangeh : cal Alliance , the release of Kossuth , the representation jot the Tower Hamlets , and the Keform agitation . *»* £ « h e f „ h " lution aeclaredl"Tbat this meeting has ^ J ^ w 'fiJ satisfaction , the declaration of Mr . George ttwgJMf his intention to devote himself to « \* cause * £ ' {"""* ; taryreform , the attainment . of ^ 'ch hes at « ie foundation of every political , «« Ie 8 . , Mt , c f ^ nvlmable m the ment in this country-services moat j" ™™ . ™ th « present national crisis " -whivb was carried With loud ap . plause ,-

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 4, 1851, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_04101851/page/5/