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6 THE NORTHERN STAR. . , .„. ,„_., ,; : ...
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Crakes' fflototmem&
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"TRADES UNIONS." I [We take the followin...
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RENEWED AGITATION FOR THE ADOPTION OF TH...
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Corosprt&mce*
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TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HEIRARCHY OF IRELA...
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TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL. The " Act for the ...
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War akd Taxation,—The A' cto York Ev&rin...
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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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6 The Northern Star. . , .„. ,„_., ,; : ...
6 THE NORTHERN STAR . . , . „ . , „_ ., , ; : _ _ _ ^^ ..... , Janpary 9 ^ 1847 .
Crakes' Fflototmem&
Crakes' fflototmem &
"Trades Unions." I [We Take The Followin...
"TRADES UNIONS . " I [ We take the following extracts from an excellent irt ' rctein " The Labourer , " ( reviewed in our third page ) . We earnestly recorqmend the entire article to our Trades readers . ] We hare ever looked upon the growth of Trade * Unions at the healthiest tlraot that springs from the democratic trunk . Whether we consider their increasing usefulness to society , or their increasing demand for knowledge and search of social improvement , fte
moving mind must attach paramount importance to the elements of greatness in thia prodigious mass , and nra st Jook with correspoodiue : interest to the application of «« combined strength . There have been many P " trades movements in this country , but they have o « e ana all lacked that powerful element which gi ™» strength to the combined few-they have lacked eoncentratioa from the ignorant omumption , firstly , that , the attempt wouM but tend toeacitethewratbwd stwoj : resistance of flic masters , and . secondly , that those of different calling * bad no interest in common .
We attribute this backwardness of the Trades to the Trent of concentration , and have looked with no Email pleasure to the nuclei ** of combined i . ovement recently established by Mr . Buncombe ; and onr only wonder is that with tact ) a head and such machinery a « has been wisely collected from the working body , tbat that combination . does not now number in its ranks every individual oekmjriue ; to every trade throughout the empire . It would require but a very slight calculation to convince those who subscribe tbeir pounds to a sectional movement , that their pence would confer greater and more lasting benefit * , if subscribed to support a national combination .
We have admitted our delight at the new ground assumed by the Trade * , but , nevertheless , it Is meanly deficient as an element of combination . The Trades are now entitled to a representation cf their own body ; they are in possession of mora wealth than belongs to their united oppressors ; they are in possession of mere intellect than belongs to their united employers ; they are consequently in possession of the main ingredients admitted to be within the pale of representation , but still , though possessed ot the material , of ample material , thry have been lamentably deficient in its application . We sr a * ave that the democracy of trade has a hard contest in . the struggle with its own . aristocracy . "We are aware that the perfumed mechanic prefers being the least among the little at the luring Athenaeum , to bein g npon an equality in bis own assembly-room with him , with whom he has toiled at the same bench , but not screwed in the same vice .
The Trades dandyism is net only p'rninout to the genera l body , but debauching to those who indulge in it , We believe that the Trades , like t he min i s t er , must commene e , de novo . That like good workmen , they must understand the materials , and out of the most fitting , manufacture the most suitable machinery ; and having given the subject much thought , and in order to avercome the three great difficulties of disunion , d s nd yism , and comparative satisfaction , measured by the positive misery of others , and in order to make the Trades what they ought to be , to give them the influence in the Senate which they ought to bate , and tbat power over tbeir em . players which justly belongs to them , we would suggest the followinz means of achieving those desirable objects , namel y , a thorough representation of the concentrated power sittiag p * rmaneutly iu London ; a club-faoate upon a comfortable and commodious principle , divested
of all luxury , and of which rone , tare those wbo labour , shall be numbers ; a commodious and comfortable meeting-room , capable of accommodating 1500 persons sea t ed respec t ab ly , fitted op in amphitheatrical form , wi t h an elevated chair for the chairman , and enclosed space for the committee , reporter * and speakers , and a tribuce abo ' e that and under the chairman's chair for thr speaker ; also , in connection with this establishment , a large , convenient , and well ventilated shop , for shoe makers on one ride , and tailors at the other , those trades pro ' ucing the work most easy of transmission . That there shall be a public discussion on each Monday night during the sitting of Parliament , to which all parties shall be admitted free , and in which all daises shall be entitled to take part—the discussion to be conducted under the rule and governance of the chairman , who , we presumr , will be
ThOXAS SLiaCSBT DOKCOHBE , his deputy presiding when he shall be unavoidably absent ; and that upon other nights in the week , the meeting house , to be called the Trades House of Commons , lobe let for public meetings for all purposes , but never for exhibitions or tomfooltry . That the clubhouse should Ui let to a competent person , remov a ble u \ ir > n tte vote of a competent committee , and shall afford every comfort to the members at a much lower price than they can now procure them elsewhere ; in short , that the priuciple of co-operation shall be carried out in its full integrity . That the tradesmen working upon the premise * shall receive the highest rate of wages they are worth , and that the profit upon their produce shall go into the general Trades Exchequer . That there shall be no bed rooms , or no appearance of an hotel about the concern : tbat it shall consist ot a spacious club room , reading room , library , ki t c h en , committee rooms , aud the necess » rv apartments , all upon the ground floor .
We n-ay be told that this would require a larger preliminary expenditure than the body cuuld meet . This we wholly de- » y , and propose the following easy aad equitable plan by which the whole and more may be accomp lished , nam e l y , after the advantages are simply and unanswerably propounded to the Traded , the subscription of a shilling a man from 530 , 000 would realise the sum of £ 25 , 008 , a nd whieh , it applied to the alteration of commodious premises in a convenitnt situation , rented in perpetuity , would go f ^ rthtr than £ 50 , 000 sunk in some out of the way place , with the first floor mortg igtd before the second floor could be coieraenced .
Every man employed by the society should consent to be a full member paying two shillings a week , to be applied to tbe purchase of land for the location of the subscribers ; or , if they please to sell , those who were willing to buy . These appliances , if properly worked , would soon develops the strength , the p owe r , t he va l ue , and the knowledge of the Trades . Their House of Commons would present an attraction to the juvenile senator , to the manufacturer , the aristocrat , and the shopk ' . eptr : while their coffee house would be the resort of men who wojM find a wholesome check upon licentiousne's ; and tbe prafits they would make , alter the payment of generous wages , would spcedi ' y convince their fellows of iheir value toothers , and induce them to look for that system of representation which would confer it upon themstlvis .
In les < than twelvemonths from this time , such a society mi ght be the most flourishing in the kingdom ; in two years they w , uld have located seme hundreds upon their own land , thus relieving the market of its surp ' us . cnd convincing all of the value of coo p era t ion ; in t wo years i t mi ght have its printing house , its morning paper , and magazin e , for , let it be understood , that with a proper confederation , it is not a violent assumption to presume tbat 200 trades in London and different parts of tbe empire , would be able to compel thelandlord oftheirhouse of resort to take a single pap-. r , whic h , estimating the combined members of the trades at one million , would secure a circulation of itself <> f five thousand daily . Such a body would soon o m mand power ; such an association would soon drive -V' / sei and Son out of tbe market , and leave the masters o ! Northampton empty houses to let .
We cannot conclude our observations upon this head , without reminding mechanics , and t rades g ener a ll y , of the conspiracy of tke Sewton roosters against their men , and the necessity of arming the latter with the means of f > Khting tbe pitched battle ; as labour defeated in that stra vie . will hive received a heavy Wow and great dis-Ctur . ige'jent , from which it will Hot spcedilv recover .
DALKEITH SHOEM A KERS . The Operatives Shoemakers here formed themselves into an Association about eighteen months ago , and'in con «< j lence , have twice succeeded in getting an advance of ua ^ 'es . Some sneaks amongst the men have refused to join the Union , and t he un i on mm h ave , therefore , refused to work with them . Another strike has besn thus occasioned . All the masters have given la , except two , Stewart and Landen , but as trade is brisk , it is expected that they will do as the others have done , and employ none but union men .
TO THE FBAME-WORK KNITTERS OF THE MANSFIELD DISTRICT . Mr Fjmesds , —If you will bt at tbe trouble to turn over tbe pages of history , you will find that every insti . tution which has been formed , every movement which has been s .-t on foot , having for its object the amel ora . tion of the condition of the working men , has ever been beset with a great amount of difficulty and danger . Many—very many of the disasters which the working classes have met with in bygone times , are traceable to their own folly and imprudence , the miscarriages , f a il u res , defeats , and the entire annihilation of their societies , h a ve been occasioned in too many instances by their hasty , rash , and premature conduct . Let u * then be more gu arded , and not drive oar vessel against the rocks upon which many bare so fatally split . Many of our members have of late grown discontented , alleging as the cause that the executive has broken their promise in respect to purch a sin g frames and se tt in g them t o work , while oth e r
and better paid trades whohavenotbeenlit the association near so long as us , and who made application for assistance subsequent to us , have had their request responded to . To the first part of this complaint , I can onl y say that wheu the central committee made that promise , it was upon the supposition that the associated trades wsuld soon furnish them with the means to do so , but if the trades neglect their duty , that is , if thty do not furnish them with funds , who is to blame therm or the executive ? Ay , but , say some , t hey have had funds to strike others , —why not us ! To this I may reply , that the executive were placed in office by the late conference , to promote the interest of the whole association , and to show partiality to none , and I think any other trade baring applied fur assistance subsequent to us , aud the executive having calmly and dispassionately canvassed the merits of the case , and having found it to be mora 'urgent and pressing , and not having sufficient funds at I command to meet both ca ? es , I should say that they were quite right under such circumstances , at all evencs
"Trades Unions." I [We Take The Followin...
I hive not the le »«* oui jt tbat they will be in a position , at a proper time a « d / plac * , to justify the steps taken . Others , there are whoobjecl tc , the protest recently recommended | by theexecutwetucawofao attempted reductuJUof a-aget orinfringeoMsiwof any kind made upon the rights of lahour . This hi a subject surrounded with a great deal of difficulty , for while working a fortnight under protest , we should ptrkaps make one or two hundred dozens of stockings , wnd thus , in all probability , establish a redaction throughout the trade . Whereat , if the case was takena » with promptitude , it would be settled in a few
boar * or days at most . Still I conceive it would be very in j u r io u s , if not altogether destructive of the associate * , to give irresponsible power to each locality to « trtke , and then apply to the executive for support , m aaany trades might strike at one , and the same time , call upon the executive for assistance , whsn from tbeir previous engagements with other trades , it would be impossible to give it , thus causing confusion , disorder , and anarch y on every hand . Parties who manage strikes must know their extent , the amount of fundi required , and every other information necessary to secure a successful issue ,
Let us view this question of working under protest as we may , there seems to be an evil connected with it , but tbe proper mode of procedure in such a case is to propose a remedy for the consideration of next conference , and this can be done b y gi v ing due notice of the same to the executive , and no t , as some say , w ithhold t heir c on t ribution , aud wait a while , and see how the association progresses . Oh ! you waiters-s-while—you obstructors of all social reform—you who would rather submit to the grinding exactions of the bagmen than subscribe 6 d . a week to an institution so well adapted to remove the incubus that is pressing you to the earth ,
what right have you to exect to derive a benefit from the toil , energy , and other funds of men ? Remember that the awful state of destitution into which society is sunk , was not the work of day , a month , or a year , neither can it be removed in that time . The essentials necessary to ensure success are patience , perseverance , fortitude , and untiring zeal . Tou who glory in sing ing of the heroic deeds of your ancient sires , how they fought , bled , and conquered , in the cause of humanity , justice , and liberty , copy their glerious example , be energetic , act nobly , and posterity will regard you as their benefactors and deliverers .
I come now to consider very briefly the benefits this association proposes to confer upon its members . It is not a mere strike association ; ss tbe working classes are the producers of all the wealth , it is the object of this association to pot them in possession of it , and by erecting factories and workshop * , opening mines , and purchasing land , by which means the working man will be made to enjoy the fruits of his industry , and no t as now have to pass through the hands of this profitmonger , and that speculator , of this gambler , and that a gent , of this capitalist , and that bagmen , until there is not a tenth of the original earnings left for the ill-used workmen . Let us ^ rcjoice my friends , that this no visionary , chimerical , or Utopian scheme , but a reality , one which the Executive
are actively engaged in reducing to practice as far as t heir means w i ll allow , as witness the London shoe makers , the Cradley nail makers , the framework knitters of Duffield , and the framework knitters of Nottingham . Let us not indulge in any petty jealous feeling , because our case is not'attended to so soon as we anticipated , but let us rather rejoice that the good work is commenced , and strengthen the hands of the Executive by furnishing the means , an * I have sot the least doubt that our case will be attended to at the earliest possible moment . Let us also disabuse our minds of the idea that the Executive are actuated by motives of partiality towards any trade , for I am quite sure that tbe noble-minded , indefa t i g abl e , Duncombe is a sufficient guarantee for you againstany such improprieties .
Up then I say and shake off your present impardonable apathy and indifference , ral ly ronndourown Duncombe and the Executive , and they will speedily become a . terror to tyrants , and respec te d b y those who do well . I am , friends , Tour respectfully . WlLMAH FSLKIN , Secretary .
THE " CONSPIRACY " CASE . TO TBE EDITOB OF TBE XORTBEBX STAB . Sir , —Seeing a , statement concerning myself in th » columns of your valuable paper , I am compelled to trouble you in order that the statement may be corrected . It is mentioned in your excellent journal that I said iu the course of my remarks at a meeting held in the Temperance-ball , Ytatertloo-road , Londoa , on Tuesday Dec . 22 , that when Mr . Selsby was taken , his Iosks were brok e n , and his valuable papers taken , without any l e gal authority . Alls w me , sir , to repeat what I did In realitysay at the meeting . I said that whsn Mr . Selsby was made acquainted with the business of the police , heasked for p-rmission to see bis family , but owing to their being
so little time to spare , as they wanted to go by the last train to Warrington , it was refused him ; be then begged of them to allow bim to write a note to his wife for his ov e rcoa t , and while he was writing the note , the officers took down from behind the door a notice paper , and afterwards searched the letter box , and tbe letter found in the box not having upon it any marks that would lead t hem ' to suppose that it had to do with the matter in question , was deposited again in the box , or handed over to Mr . Selsby without being opened , this being done without any legal authority , the offictr only having a warran t of arr e s t , and not a warrant of search . False stated
that Mr . Selsby was taken with keys upon him , and the parties put in authority in the room of Mr . Selsby had to get the locks picktd , and those that could not be picked had to be broken open , in order to get some papers that were t hen wa n ted , and the letter referred to was found sealed up ; this was on the Tuesday following . Bf correctiag the above you wilt obli ge , Tours respectfully , Thomas LAKcasriR , 12 , Slater-street , Oldham-road , Manchester . P . 8 . —I should have wrote sooner but owing to my engagements I could not .
CO OPERATIVE LEAGUE . Tbe objects and plans of this body ( noticed in our last ) are set forth in the following extracts from their prospectus : — I . —Objects . The purchase er rental of land , and the erection of suitable buildings and machine : y thereon for the purpose of enabling members profitabl y to emp loy themselves , either in agricultural , m e ch a nical , or other pursuits . The property to be indivisible and inalienable property of the League , and to be leased to individuals or companies of subscribers , in the proportion cf not more than five acres to one family ; and at an average rent not exceeding fire per cent , on the original cost . Tenants to be supplied with implements , seed , manufacturing machinery , and other requisites . The cost of the tame to bear interest at the rate of five per cent , per annum , and t o be repaid to the League at the rate of teu per cent , of the principal per annnm . II . —Means .
In erder to raise a sufficient fund to carry out these objects , each member shall subscribe one pound per annum , and t he ca p i t al so raised shall be devoted solel y to the purchase of property . Each member shall also contribute one penny ptr week to meet expenses . Iu order , t herefore , t o prove t hi s p lan practicable , aud to illustrate the manner of its operation , le t us ' suppose that a given number of persons—say , One Million , agree to contribute a Pound each per annum to a general fund , one million sterling would thus be raised in a year ; t he half of which mi ght be devoted to the purchase of land and buildings , and the other half to that of seed ,
implements , manufacturing machinery , and other requisites . Thus , from 20 , 000 to 25 , 000 acres of good land would be ^ secured , and at least 5 , 000 families be providedfor ; while , io addition to the ordinary subscri p t ions of members , £ 50 , 000 per anaam would be added to the income of the League , by rent of land , and interest of money ; and if wa suppose these subscriptions to be continued for twenty years , and the produce of each year to be added to the intetest of the preceding year , the grots value of the property to accumulated would be upwards of £ 88 . 000 , 000 . Thus we can prove , beyond a doubt , that the working classes can become the possessors of great property if th » y will .
It is true , that all the members of the League could not be provided for at once ' , but all would receive immediate advantage irom association . Such a bod y of individuals could do much , even in the infancy of the underta king , towards supporting each other , by mutual mployment , interchange of commodities , and the va . riott * kind offices which it will be the duty of the members of this League to render to one another . Aud it will be evident that as soon as auy considerable quantity of land is obtained , such a combination could entirel . support themselves , by the mutual exchange of produc tions between the agriculturist and the manufacturer ' ? n such a community production could have no other limit than that of the fertility of the soil ; and as exchanges would not depend , as at present , upon gold , the reward of the Industrious wouldbe certain .
Kilmarnock Trades . —There is not much doing in any of the branches of tbe manufactures of this town . To whatever cause it is owing , the products of the looms—Brussels and Scotch carpets , raousselcine de lainea and shawls , are as languid in demand as yarns , boncete , and shoes . The high rate of provisions—the want of full employment—and the lowne . es of wages , are in combination , pressing hardly on the lower classes , producing disease with an increased mortality .
THE LIBERALITY OF THE STAR CONTRASTED WITH THE LEEDS PRESS , TO THB EDITOR OF THB KOKTHkKJJ STAR .. Sir , —In a note which I sent you last week , with the printed address which you kindly inserted in the Star of the ' . ' nd instant , and for which I return you my sincere thanks in the name of the carpet weavers of Great Britain . I there gave it as my cp in i on , and I bel i ev e t ha t I onl y gave the prevailing opinion of the working classes of this country , whin I stated that the liberality oftbeAbrtferat fttr in representing the interests of tho working classes was without a parallel in the British press . Sir , subsequent « vent % have confirmed me in the abo v e opin i on , as the following will plainly show : As secretary for the Leeds carpet weavers , I received two copies of the printed address referred to , from Scotland , on Monday , December 28 , one of which I sent off the same day to you , I then went with the remaining copy to the " Leeds Mercury" onire —{ not without misgivings )—and
"Trades Unions." I [We Take The Followin...
respectfully rtquttted the editor to insert it in the M « - eurp for that week ; but I was told that it conld only appear as an advertisement , for which I would have to pay . I then hied myself off to the Timet' office , where I thought I iheitfd be more liberally treated ; but blessed are they who expect nothing from sham liberals , for tbey shall not be disappointed . I received a similar answer . I then thought I would try the Tory office of the fnteUi geueer , their answer was a shade more liberal than the other two ; but hera also I was doomed to disappointment , as they thought that those to whom the address was made were too remote to be of any interest in this
neighbourhood . Since then , without any refusal , equivocat i on , or demand , you have Madly inserted it in the Star . The above facts , I think , speak trumpet-toneu « d to the working meu , wbo is , and who it not , their real friends in time of need . I call then , in conclusion , to the toiling millions , but to the carpet weavers especially , to matk well their real friends , and support them as such ; the only direct way to do this ( to far as we are concerned with 'he press ) is to withdraw our snpport from that portion of the press which dees not represent the interests of the working classes , aud to support tha only papur— the Star— which « io . « t faithfully echo ' s the voice of an insulted people .
If you can give the above a place in this week's paper , you will still further oblige , Yours , respectfully , Leeds , Jan . 4 , 1817 . J . Millbb .
WARRINGTON "CONSPIRATORS '' AND THEIR VICTIMS . A mechanic forwards us a long letter addressed to the Trades , the conclusion of which is as follows : — " Where must we look for protection f 1 soy to your union , and to Mr . Duncombe and Mr . Roberts . Union enabled you to defend tbe Dorchester labourers and the Glasgow cotton-spinners ; and union will enable you to successfully defend your brethren » gains * t the Newton tyrants . Mr . Duncombe will use his great influence in parliament for jour protection , and if Mr . Roberts it but properly supported he will bring off our brethren victorious . Upon the extent of support you afford depends the issue of the struggle . " THE OPERATIVE BLOCK-PRINTERS OF SCOT .
LAND . " A Subscriber" belonging to this trade appeals to his fellow-operatives to bestir themselves for their own emancipation . The great evil affecting the trade it the vast number of unemployed hands ; the supply of labour far exceeds the demand . This enables the employers to dictate wage * , being always able to command workmen from the surplus bauds . Nor is this all , owirg to the great number of workmen , t he em p loy e d hands h ave work for only about one-half of tbe year . " A Subscriber" auggvato thefollowinn remedy v—
" I would suggest to you a means , which at least to me , appears capab ' e of amending this state of things , — viz . the locating so many annually upon the laud , on the co-op « rative system , as laid down by Mr . O'Connor . As you are n umero u s , a very small contribution , week l y , would enable you to dispose of , say fifty , a hundred , or as many as you think proper , yearl y , until you had removed the surplus labour , if you did not choose to go any further . " The writer concludes by an earnest appeal to tbe trade to take bit suggestion into immediate and serious consideration .
MINERS PUBLIC DINNER . William Hulton , Esq . and sons , near Bolton , having given their colliersthe handsome sum of Five Guineas by way of a New Year ' s Gift , it was resolved by the men to appropriate tbe same to a public dinner . Accordingly , on Monday , the 4 th instant , about 100 of the hardy sons of the mine sat down to a good substantial dinner at the house of Mr . John Marsh , Queen Ann Inn , Dean Church , near Bolton . After ample justice had been done to the good things provided , Mr . W . Daniells , Editor of the Miner ' s Advocate , was called to the chair , and Mr . W . Scott to tbe vice chair , when the song , toast , and sentiment went merrily round , and all seemed to enjoy themselves to their heart ' s content . The workmen in this case appear to be quite contented with their employer , and the employer perfectly satisfied with the conduct of the men—both striving to promote the welfare of each other . Thia is as it ought to be .
We must not emit to mention that the worthy landlord , Mr . Marsh , generously gave the colliers a barrel of ale , and the meat left at dinner he caused to be served up for supper , free of cost . The following toasts and sentiments were enthusiastically drank during the evening by the chairman : "The People—the source of all legitimate power . " "William Ilutton , Esq . and sons , God bless them ; may they and their families enjoy a happy and prosperous New Year . " " Success to the Coal Trade . " " The Miners Association ; may the noblo objects for which it was formed be speedily accomplished . " " W . P . Roberts , Esq ., the honest una talented Miners Attorney General .
By the vice Chairman : — " The Miners Advocate , may its future career be a prosperous one , and may the miners generally give it their hearty support . " " Mr . William Daniells , the Editor of the Miners Advocate , and the honest and independent portion of the Public Press . " " The general officers ef the Miners Association , and the past and present officers of the Dean Church district . " By the Chairman : — " The Lecturers bf the Aesoci ition , and t ' le health of Mr . M . Sco' . t . " " The miners—their wives and sweethearts . " " The worthy host and hostess , may they live long and die happy . " "Mr . Oliver and the rest of the just and trustworthy agents of Squire Ilulton ' s Colliery . "
Several addresses were delivered by Messrs . Daniells and Scott . The greatest harmony was kept up to a late hour , when the company separated .
Renewed Agitation For The Adoption Of Th...
RENEWED AGITATION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE TEN HOURS' BILL IN FACTORIES . SECOND GREAT MEETING AT EDINBUR 3 H . On Monday evsning a second public meeting of the inhabitants of Edinburgh was held in tbe Music Hall for the purpose of bearing addrsssos from Mr . Oastler and Mr . Ferrand , M . P ., on the Ten Hours' Bill , and of considering the propriety of petitioning Parliament in favour of that measure . The hall was well filled by an audience composed of both sexes . Sir James Forrest occupied the chair ; and on the platform beside him we observed , amongst others , the Rev . ^ Drs . Candish , II . Grey , James Buchanan , Clason , and Duncan ; the Rev . Mr . M'Crie , Dr . Smy tt ou , Mr . Wbyttoek , Mr . YT . K . Johnston , and Mr . Boyd .
Mr . OssTtiE then , at great length entered mto a his . tory of the factory system , similar to what he gare at the previous meeting ; showing the cruelty and oppression exercised towards the factory apprentices prior to the introduction of the bill limiting the labour of children under thirteen years of age to six hours a-day . He proved , from the evidence adduced before the Parliamentary committee , that he had not over-stated tbeir excessive toil , when he had set it down at fourteen and fifteen hours per day—the fact being , that in some instances it extended to seventeen and even nineteen hours
a day . He referred to the little time afforded to the children by the present hours ef labour for intellectual , maral . and religious improvement ; and stated that , although these hours > ere only twelve b y statute , yet from various circumstances they were nearer fourteen . He also noticed the effects of this excessive labour upon females ; and after relating several interestieg anecdotes bearing upon his own career , and exhibiting the attachment which was displayed towards him by those Whose cause he had espoused , he concluded , amidst much applause , by recommending the Ten Hours' Bill , for which Saddler , Fieldcn , himself , and others , had so long stran g led , to their strious consideration and regard .
Mr . Febband , M . P ., who was loudly cheered , comnronced his address b y observing , that the advocates of the Ten Hours' Bill had united the working men of the manufacturing districts in England ; tbey were as one man in favour of it . There was not a man , woman , or child in the factory districts , having to earn their bread by fac t ory labour , who was not united in an indissoluble bond t o d e mand , until they obtained , the Ten Hours Bill . ( Cheers ) They were backed in this movement b y a majority of the ] manufacturers of the West Riding of Yorkshire , who were themselves impressed with the awful responsibility which rested on their heads while they coatinued the present blood-stained system ; and his friend Mr , Oastler and himself had been sent across the border by the largest cotton-spinntr and manufacturer in
the ] whole world . They had hoisted in Scotland the banner of freedom to the factory slave , and wherever it had yet been exhibited it had been hailed with gladness and with joy , with every demonstration of sympathy and dsvotion . ( Cheers . ) And why , be asked , were the working men of England so determined to have protection for their labour by a Ten Hours' Factory Bill ? Because they were at that moment the most distresses race of meu and women in the whole civilized world , Ge where they would , search the records of every country , and tell him a land whose population was so degraded , so trampled upon , as the factory workers of England . Look at what they have suffered for half a century . Ever pe aceable , ever loyal , ever asking the Parliament and Government of the country for protection , th # y had hitherto sued in vain . Tbey bad sent them to Scotland
to proclaim their wrongs , which were so well known in England ; and would it be said that the enlightened people of Edinburgh , that great city , said to contain the mind of Great Britain , appealed to in vain , would send them back careless and unconcerned about the fate of their suffering fellow-countrymen ! He knew he came upon a successful mission , and that he should return to tell the poor factory workers that the people of Scotland d id inde ed feel sympa th y for t hem , and were prepared to demand of Parliament that the working population of the manufacturing districts should no longer be kept the degraded race they were , but that they should enjoy those benefits of protection for their labour which the rich enjoyed for their property . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Ferrand continued to speak at some length , and recited many melancholy cases of destitution in Yorkshire and Lan . cashire , the principal seats of the cotton manufacture . Mr . Cumming , seconded by Mr . M'Faklane , both working men , moved a resolution to the effect that a
Renewed Agitation For The Adoption Of Th...
reduction of the hours of labour In factoriei W » ab * o lately necessary for the health of thote employed in them-The motion having been unanimously agreed to , a . parson rose in the body of the hall , and made tome obtervatioHs as to the cruelty of subjecting females tc factery labour at all . Ha alto took the liberty of stating that tho landed aristocracy were »» much to blame at the manufacturers In regard to the way in which they treated those in their employment . The Rev . Dr . H * i » aT Grit tald—The facts that have beea brought before us this evening have been , indeed , most interesting and affecting ; and you have responded to them by the expressions of jour sympathy . It has been impossible to listen to the narration without deep torrow and * distrets of mind , and without perhaps a
feeling « f indignation . The circumstances to which the poor , the labouring poor or operatives , have been reduced are altogether peculiar . England it contidered at the rlchett country in the world , yet nowhere , I believe in tho world , is to much abject poverty to be found . Lately , in travelling upon the Continent , I bo doubt saw muchpovettj ; but 1 never witnessed such degraded poverty at may be found even in tho city and frem the accounts just given us by Mr . Ferrand , the state of things appears to ba still worse In the manufacturing distrlctt of England . And ogain , England is contidered at tke most intelligent country in the world ; and yet , nowhere do we find humanity reduced to such a wretched and miserable state of ignorance ; and this it to be attributed to the impossibility of affording education to those poor
children who , at the tender age of seven , are introduced to factory work . ( Applause . ) England , I believe , will alto present to us many of the noblest specimens of Christian character , yet nowhere do we find vice so rampant , and exhibiting such revolting features . Surely , there , fore , there must be something wrong in the constitution of things , or at least in the arran gements of toclety . I cannot but express a sympathy with thote who regret the immense difference found not in rank , not in honourt , but in property , the immense disparity in respect to property that we discover in different classet of the com . munity ; that while ft few are loaded with wealth , the great mast are tunk in tho decpett destitution . I am happy to find th » t in this meeting the obligation * of religion have been so distiuetly acknowledged ; and on look
Ing to the institutions of the Great Ruler of the worldon looking at the arrangements pretcribod by Infinite Wisdom for the government of that nation , which in former ages it pleased God specially to distlnguiih with Ills favour , I have observed that provisions were made to prevent the excessive accumulation of property , and again for preventing the test of dettitution . ( Cheers . ) I will just refer to that remarkable arrangement by which , at the commencement of every 50 th , the year of jubilee , he who hsd been compelled by the presture of circumstances to sell his inheritance was again put in possession of it . This law at once prevented a great accumulation at least of landed property , and provided relief for the destitution of the distressed . ( Cheers . ) An agrarian law wos continually aimed at by the people of Rome . 1
speak not now in praise of such an arrangement . The thing is . impossible . Property must , of necessity , be dis peused in very different aUettments ; sVHl we must regret , not the comfort and happiness of the rich , but the degradation and misery of the poor . ( Cheers . ) I have listened with the deepest interest to our friends who have addressed us , and especially to the affecting speech with which this meeting was opened by Mr Oastler . No parts of it were more refreshing to me than thote which threw some little light on his own personal character and conduct . I had , like others , been led to think on some occasions that he was an agitator , and perhaps something worse . ( Laughter and applause . ) How delighted I am to find him a witness for the truth , and almost a martyr for the truth ! ( Charrs . ) The resolution whiah I have to propose to this meeting deelures that children of thirteen years of age and upwards are kept fourteen hours a day , meal time included , which is a great hardship ;
and that the hours of labour might be shortened b y the use of additional machinery , which has arrived at great p e r fection , without any material Injury to the employer . ( App lause . ) Children of thirteen years of age ! what mun ef humanity would permit a child of bis own to be worked for fourteen hours out of the twenly-four ? It it altogether unreasonable . VTe ought to sympathise with those poor creature ! who are subjected to fourteen hours ' continuous occupation at that early period of life . ( Applause . ) And we must do the tame as regards the females . Is it not melancholy to think , in thlt civilised age and country , we are brought to this state , that the women and children are often the persons wbo , by their labour , by their unseasonable , toilsome , and oppressive labour , support their fathers and their husbands ; and this , in many cases , not from the will of the men themselves , but from the unnatural arrangements of the factory system \ ( Applause . ) Mr . U'Ckie seconded the resolution .
Dr . Candlish then rose amidst tbe most enthusiastic applause . He said—I will not , at this hour , trespass on the patience of the meeting at any length . I appear here very gladly , at the request of several working men of Edinburgh , to receive the statements and communications of the gentlemen who have come from a distance to address us , and who , while I offer no expression of opln . ion on other subjects , I have no hesitation la welcoming as true philanthropists on this question . ( Applause , ) 1 appear to express my entire concurrence in the object of this meeting , viz ., for shortening the excessive hours of labour , especially in the case of women and children , ( Applause . ) The resolution which I have to propose is ' That an abridgment ol the hours of labour , es p eciall y in the case of women and children , is necessary to afford
time for the religious , the moral , and the intellectual culture of the labourer , which , under t he presen t system , is lamentably neglected . " Now , I am very well aware tha t during late years some improvement has taken place in this department of society , I am well aware that some restrictions have been placed on the employment of children in particular ; and I regard thit as a stop in the right direction , the legislative enactment requiring that children of a certain age employed at work should be , during a certain period of the week , at school . I rejoice in this , as a step in the right direction ; but it is a very , very small step indeed . ( Applause . ) I hove a personal knowledge of tome of the manufacturing districts in the west , and of the working of that system , and I know how very little real education can ba imparted to children hastily dismissed from work , without time for
preparation at home , I can see no remedy for the great evil of children being employed so as to prevent their being educated , if it be not made a matter of absolute requirement that every person employed shall bare learned to read and write ; but upon this point I am not required , according to the terms of my resolution , to enlarge . I am sure it must be evident to all , that an abridgment of the hours of labour is absolutely indispensable to the spiritual , moral , and intellectual culture ef the community . After some other remarks to the same effect , Dr . Candlish read a letter signed " A Dress , maker ' s Assistant , " and called attention to the wearisome toll and scanty earnings of this industrious class , whose hard lot was truly d-pictedln the immortal " Song of the Shirt . " ( Applause . ) Mr . Whvtook seconded the resolution .
It was then proposed and agreed to that a petition should be drawn up , iu accordance with the resolutions , and after being signed by tho Chairman , should be transmitted for presentation to both Houses of Parliament . On the motion of Mr . Oastler , seconded by Mr . Ferrand , a vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and the meeting broke up .
RICHARD OASTLER , ESQ , TO THE EDITOB OF THE NOBTHERN STAB . London , January 6 , 1847 . Sia , —Permit toe to ttonbie you with a few words in reply to Mr . J . Macpherson ' s letter in your last . I did not " put myself in communication with parties in the ' . towns of Scotland . " I left all the arrangements with Mr . Pitkethley , and followed his directions throughout . The road between Dundee and Aberdeen be ' i ntf impassable for several days , prevented Mr . Pitkethleys ' s letter reaching Aberdeen in sufficient time to give notice for the meeting . I was not aware that Mr . PitkethleyY letter had been delayed , —but , when I inouireo . for a conveyance
from Dundee to Aberdeen , I was told there was none , either by land or water , but that the mail bags were conveyed on horseback from Montrose to Aberdeen . Finding myself locked up in Dundee , jl wrote a letter to the chairman of the Dundee meeting , explaining the circumstances which hindered my arrival at that town , and shortly stating my views on the Ten Hours' Bill . Still I was anxious to reach Aberdeen , if possible , and being informed by the Dundee Short Time Committee that the Aberdeen meeting would be held , I resolved to wait till the last moment , hoping tbat
the road might be open , and that 1 should have the pleasure to address the inhabitants of Aberdeen on Monday evening . I waited three days in Dundee , and on Sunday night at twelve o ' clock , left that town in the mail for Aberdeen , where I arrived at eight o ' clock in tho morninsr . I retired to rest , being very weary , and was very sorry to find that the snow had delayed Mr . Pitkcthiey ' s letter , and no meeting could bo held . I was , however , delighted to meet Mr . James Macpberson and others , and 1 hope I paved the way for a future meeting ; at all events , for petitions in favour ot tbe Ten Ileurs' Bill to Parliament during
its next session . I was pressed to remain in Aberdeen a few days , that proper notice might be given and a meeting held . My engagement in Edinburgh prevented ma liaviig that pleasure . Through Mr . James Macpherson ' s kindness I was enabled to reach the packet the moment before she started , else , I might have been too lata for tho Edinburgh meeting . I did not receive Mr . James Macpherson ' s letter , addressed to me at Dundee , until I arrived at Edinburgh . 1 cannot conclude this letter without returning my grateful thanks to all those kind friends in Scotland , who supported me in the glorious cause which it is my delight to advocate . To all ranks I am thankful , —but most to the faithful operatives , I never can forgot tbeir kind attentions . May I urge our friends in Scotland to finish the wood work by obtaining numerous petitions .
I remain , Sir , Your ' s respectfully , . , IticiuuD Omun . P . S . — My thanks ara tendered to you lor the kind notices with whieh you favoured us . —R . O .
Corosprt&Mce*
Corosprt & mce *
To The Roman Catholic Heirarchy Of Irela...
TO THE ROMAN CATHOLIC HEIRARCHY OF IRELAND . Right Rev . ahd Rev . Snw , Aggrettive partiet having seized upon tho possessions e-f their , neighbours , it followed that those whom they robbed of their inheritance were catt upon the world as beggars , to becomo slaves or vagrants . They were rendered poor by violence , against which they could not successfully contend , and were therefore compelled to submit to tbe conditions imposed upon them by their new masters . What was gained by the sword was preserved by tbe tword , and the lash and the knout were introduced as auxiliaries in , the war of aggression . It it an old but true laying , that all the large fishes eat the little
ones , but it is n mercy that Providence has so contrived it that many of those largo fish have small gullets , and that a spirit of rcsittance exists in the animal economy of tbe small ones , or there would not he a sprat left in the ocean . As it it with fishes , to it is with men j one large fish requires many small ontt to fill his stomach , and swallows them accordingly ; fish eat fish , man eats man , and thanks God for a ballyfoll , and prays ( or a happy digestion . Whenever we turn our eyes throughout our unhappy country , we mav see the truth of this analogy , she is preyed upon by the autropophazi of class legislation in all its hideousnets and deformity . First—th ^ re is the Ruler , who dispenses the laws which grind her to the dust , and claiming meri * . for mercy , where juttice it denied . Then we have Wa minions in red coa t * and in
green , ready to whet their weapons on the emaciated bodies of starving follow creatures . Here we have the gown and wig cannibal * cutting and slicing and ttew . ing the savory pottage ; and there we have the gown and mitre epicures purloining every bit of ( at left in the nation . To-day wehavethelandlordtworkingandstarving tbeir famished victims ; and to-morrow we may tee tbeir agents hunting and driving them to destruction , and premature and miserable deaths ; and as if her bones were not already picked clean enough , next comes in all its hldeousness the " YoumaaIe " of the Carihs , as a middle man and a rack renter ; his repast is sqeezed outofher vitals and her tears , and hearts' blood furnish his sanguinary beverage and to render destruction still more complete , we have tbe carrion crow and vulture , birds of unholy and ominous aspect , the last and the worst ofastrophagi , in the shape
of political traffickers , devouring with napacious energy , the few remaining remnants of Ireland ' s mangled corpse ! No wonder , reverend sirs , that starvation is in the landthat death is iu the highways—that Erin receives her children to her bosom coffinless !! But , blessed are the martyred dead—the living claim our consideration , and to their interest * let us devote ourselves . Let us by unanimity , perseverance , and honesty , exert ourselves to remove the evils of the present , and provide blessings for tbe future ; let us lay down our prejudices , aud like true phil & nthrophitts , enlist ourselves in the cause of suffering humanity ; let us labour like men and christians to place our fellow creatures in such a position , that hunger will henceforth have no power to KILL—or might or monopoly to lock up the land which God declared should bring forth abundantly to supply their w < int .
In my last letter , I stated that the land for the people , and , ' political power to secure its postession and advantages , would be found tbe only Irue remedy for Irith grievances . I believe there is not one Irishmen in every ten thousand , who would attempt to deny tbe first part of this proposition ; and it it quite certain did they properly understand the latter , and were in possession of it , the first would be immediately achieved . Much time and energy have been lost in instilling into the minds of the people doctrines which could only lead to their further debase , ment , and it is melancholy to reflect that you , reverend
sirs , whom 1 believe to be sincere in your motives , should have so long been tho dupts of the political artifice of designing and self-interested individuals . Heretofore , it was fashionable to lay all the charge of Ireland ' s misery to the influence of the Tories ; at another time it was laid to the account of the Whigs ; bat this seems to have been a pretence only , if we are to judge from results ; but now the juggler would endeavour to cheat honest men out of their senset , by laying the blame at the door of Divine Providence , merely because a failure hat happened in the Potato Crop !
Do the impious and unhallowed lips which dare to libel the munificence of Heaven , ever feel the parching thirst which consumes the starving victims of man ' s injustice ; or does his stomach ever feel the gnawing , and the hankering , or the delirium , or the madness of hunger f Does the libeller ever see his children stretched on the bare ground starved , dying , and dead— " food for vermin !" —or feel the awful certainty that his own dissolution is at hand ! Oh No ! He sits at "Belihawar ' s feast , ' where wine and oil , milk and honey are in abundance ; he is dressed in '' purple and fine linen , " and bis feet rest upon carpets , and the wails of widows , and tbe cries of orphant are drowned in tbe dulcet tone of vocal and instrumental music ; he sits at the " Rich Man ' s Table where Lazarus is denied the crumbs which the dogs p ick up ! , ' Ah ! Rev . Sirs , the message has gone forth from Heaven , and already the " Handjwriting" is " on t ho wall . " Divine Providence will not be libelled with
impunity , for HE does not visit one with hunger , and another with plenty ; but it is man who monopolises the right to lock up and dispense at his pleasure the products of the earth for whieh he never laboured , and thereby frustrated the intentions of Providence who has sent sufficient ( even for tbe present , ) to supply the wants of all bis creatures . Providence has not taken the corn , and the cattle , and the pi |! 8 . Providence built no walls , or erected no chevaux ie frise to exclude his children frem the land which was to supply them with food ; he built no castles or bastions to frown over the fair face of nature ; the banners of the Almighty waved aloft amidst the clouds , —his fortress was the snow-capped summit of the eternal hills , and the valleys at his feet were stretched out in native beauty , teeming with life in all its various
forms , t ha t man , the " Lord of all , " should take , and eat , and live I Providence made no landlords , but man made a lord of himself , and compels bis equals to bow down before tbe " calf" which he set up as the object of their adoration , and this kind of idolatry has become so prev a l e n t t ha t we have calve s o f al l k i nd s and c l asse s , f r om the great calf who made a lord of himself down to tbe wretched " slink " who pockets the price of a dirty sum . mons served upon some unfortunate wight whose means will not permit bim to pay tribute to the particular idol he is bound to worship . The great lord (!) gourmandises turtle and wine on the continent or elsewhere ; the lordling calf of a middle man apes the manners of hit master , and grinds his tenants to procure luxuries to gratify his vanity and satiate his vulture appetite : the little lord of a landlord , who rents under tbe middle-man , although he works hard is obliged to be satisfied with
buttermilk and salt herrings when he can get them , but the poor wretch who may be employed to labour for cither of them dines in a ditch upon " lumpcts , " and would deem it a luxury to have the appendage of salt and water to dip his worst class of potatoe iu , but if this , bad as it is , fail him , if Providence denies this last resource , as at the present , he is left to starve 1 And why ? Because the turtle must stilt be eat on the continent . Landlord Calf Dan , and Landlord Calf Noodle must have tbeir hunters and their beagles ( for beagles must eat though christians should starve 1 ); they must be gentlemen and M . P . ' s if possible , to enhance their dignity ; and all the corn , and the pi g s , and every available article must find their way to the "big house" to enable its owner to sustain his respectability , and to enable him , if he is a political pedlar , to attend the auctionmart where patronage is bartered for liberty .
The education of the people has heretofore be « n inch at bo give sanction to the principle which now operates so injuriously against their interests ; but it is now time that such gross errors should be expunged from your national seminary . The quirks and tke quibbles , and the theorisma of interested pedagogues , must now give way bsfore the principles of truth , and "Measures , not men , " must be the cry of " Every man who loves his country and would see her happy . " You , Reverend Sirs , are placed in a position in which you may render vast and important service ; you possess the confidence of your flock , and they are ever willing to obey your comniands : they give you credit for sincerity ; and if you will candidly inform them that you have heretofore acted in error in lending yourself to the Repeal agitation , they will believe you , and follow your advice , in all your future progress for national regeneration .
O'Connell possesses their confidence by your suffrage ; so the sooner you dispel the delusion , the sootier will you gain for yourselves honour , and for your countiy , happi . ness . But what should be the basis of this education , you may ask T " It is moral , virtuous , and religious 1 " It is consistent with the principles of Christianity , and , therefore , you cannot reasonably object to it . Nor will all the clamour in the world stifle its spirit of truth , even though the denouncer of " Godless colleges" should lend himself to the task of doing so . 1 like , Reverend Sirs , the doctrine of the Saviour , which renders to " Oaisar the things which ARE Caisar ' s ; " butl would like to ask the Caesar of Derrynane , what things he possesses which are truly his « 1 would like to ask all the idle Cossars who claim things as theirs , and use other people ' s substance , why they do not produce things of their own , instead of growling for the " lion ' s share" of everything , which belongs to industrious people only .
I would certainly submit to the " powers that be , " but , notwithstanding , I hold it to be a bad doctrine to teach a man that he should submit patientl y , and die silently , under the influence of injury or injustice ; and I submit that it will not be inconsistent with the sacred character of your office , if , instead of topchitig your flock ' s to bo meek beasts of burthen— "hewers of wosd and drawers of water ; " you teach them to look upon themselves as men formed in the image of the Creator and possessed of a natural right to live aud be happy on the earth ; that all men aro equal in the eye of God , and that rank and worldly distinctions are only emanations of the pride aud corruption of human nature ; if you teach them tbat
the laws which govern him should be made by all , and for the good of all ; and that when they are not so they aro unjust , and must beeome mischievous tell him that labour has its rights , and that the people ought to be the legitimate source of power -, tell him that the land which gave him birth , and which will receive back his ashes , and which was intended to furnish his subiistenctt , is his natural inheritance , hut that it has been wrested from him by the ruthless hand of power ; if you tell him that it is criminal to be a slave when freedom is attainable ; if you tell him this , you will have given him his lirjt , best lesson ; and if you will only now fearlessly and honestly inculcat : those heaven-born priii .
To The Roman Catholic Heirarchy Of Irela...
ciplattoyour couutrymon , fhere will be no danger f » the result of your labours . I am , Right Revertnd and Reverend Sin , Your most obedient Servant , W . H . Ctiiioit .
To Lord John Russell. The " Act For The ...
TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL . The " Act for the more effectual Relief of the destitute Poor in Ireland , " received the Royal attent on Jul y 1 1838 . The avowed object of thlt aet it distinctly stated ' and the necessary ttept were taken to ensure ittsucceti ' The 130 workhonses erected were estimated to coit be- ' tween £ 1 , 100 , 000 and £ 1 , 200 000 ; the money being lent by Government , free of interest , for ten years , and t < y be repaid by annual instalment * within twenty years The Poor Law Commlstioner receive * a talary ef £ 2 , 000 eleven assistant commissioners each rtceive £ 700 ; tahu rles of the clerk of each Union , the master and m « tron of each workhouse , respectively £ 50 , £ t 0 , and £ 'IS or £ iQ . annually .
The workhouses are detcribod to be the most noble , looking mansions externally , built in the domestic Gothic style , and estimated to contain 98 , 860 paupers ; but In oases of emergency , tbltacommodation maybe Increased from ten to twenty per cent ,, and the houses are built ou plans with a view to their enlargement . The dress it a kind of prison uniform . There is no arrangement as to diet beyond the usual one , the object being to give sue * diet to tbe inmate at shall be wort * than the diet com . monly obtained by the labourer in the imm ediate neighbourhood . 1 now ask your Lordship when yon expect that the So .
vernmtnt will be repaid the imraenio sum granted on loan 1 Your scheme was a gigantic and costl y experi . ment , and was introduced with all tha usual ceremony no means being spared to render it successful . Vf as y © 4 seriously in earnest wheu you passed the law under dis . cussion t if so , what is its evidence as to your ability to go . vsrn Ireland ! Arethe poor more effectuall y rsllsved than they were In 1838 f Let the present state of Ireland answer . Men , women , and children dying of starvationthe workhoutes filled to repletion , and a whole people In a state of mendicity . The ; Irish Poor Law wai passed by the political economitti and Whigs . You are a Whig and— " By their fruits ye shall know them . " '
I do not assert that the present imporerlihtd stats of Ireland it entirely attrlbutoble to Whi g government . You no doubt affirm that the failure of the potatoe crop was an unexpected calamity , of which you could have do fore-knowledge . I grant the justice of your statement but what does it prove f—the hollowness and utter inutility for good of the principles by which you and your friend * , the Maltbuslan economists , attempt to govern a nation . W « have abundant eropt of wheat , rye oats , barley , and every other necessary for food ; but there is a failure of a single root—one of the meanest of its class —and the effect is to shake tbe entire system . Law bat succeeded law—reports printed—speeches made—politi .
cal economy discussed—true principles enforced—the affairs of a nation managed by the ex * rcise of " great facts "—nhen lo ! a creeping , crawling root , not much better thon chickweed for sparrows , fails , and behold the result !—a nation bankrupt , and a people starring ! and that , too , la a country , the soil and climate of which enable ! it to produce grain of every kind , equal , if not toperior , to tbe most productive soils of England . Soma idea of the productive powers of Ireland may be formed from the following statement by Sir William Jackson Hooker , which you will find by referring to the taction " Botany , " in M'Cullocb ' s statistlcol account of the British Empire . Sir William says : —
" We find many plants incapable of bearing the cold of more northern latitudes . Hence the strawberry tree adorning the woods of Killarney and Baniry , with its rich evergreen foliage , and its copious redbcrries , comes to such perfection that a trunk hat been measured nine and a half feet in girth . " Ireland is , par excellence , the land of the daisy and cowslip—the region of fruits and flowers . Her worst soils are superior to the sharp gravel * and hungry moulds of many parts of Scotland , whlls she is declared by competent judges , to contain landt equal to thecarie
of Cowrie , on tho bankt ot the Tay , which are univertally allowed to be the best wheat lands north of tbe Tweed ; while Roscommon , Galway , Limerick , Mayo , and other countiei , are equal to any parts of England for pasturage ; and so singularly comblnt fertility with firmness , that bullocks of 100 or 105 stone weight , may be teen rapidly fattening upon them iu placet where , in even the wettest season , the sward would not receive the print of a horse ' s foot . It is stated in Mr . Tigho ' s remarks on the tolls of Ireland , that , " In Longford there it a farm named Oarnard-klll , which produced eight crops of potatoes without manure . "
I now ask why is it th it any people living under so many advantages starves ! Why is it that potatoes have become the principal food of such a people t Is it that they are indigenous to the toil ! No ! it is because oppression and misrule have destroyed the ta « te of the people for a higher order of food . Potatoes are grown because they fill the stomach—not that they fatten , the flesh ; they are easily cooked , requiring only to be washed and boiled , and so little has civilization done for Ireland that domestic culinary operations are only required onestep above the most savage state of barbarism . The savage eats the raw root , and he has no taste beyond his first desires ; he kills game , it is his own , aud is savoury to his appetite . The Irish peasant Is robbed of the flesh , and receives in its steed the boon of knowing hot to boil his roots .
The failure of the potato crop has opened the eyes of many to the rotten system of governmont under which we now live , and affords much food for thought . We naturally ask what would have been the fate of the Irish people if pototoes had never been planted on her shores ? would they have been poorer than they now are * Such would have been impossible : on the contrary the peasant would have desired and possessed food of a superior kind ; and as landlords , middlemen , merchants , A"C , have taken all they possibly could from the labourer . I infer that the working classes would have had better food , and the other sections of course less profit from labour . Again , the failure of the accursed root shows that the rich cannot injure the poor with impunity : there seems to be a level in the aff . iiro of men , and Ireland has reached it . The rich are poor because they have no secur ity that they will continne to possess their wealth . They have continued totnko from the people until nature can afford no more , and tho people are miserable because they have been robbed of all .
The meeting of Parliament is at hand , and your Lardship must grapple with the difficulties you have helped to create . Fine speeches , about" great principlci ; " soft words and fair promises will be but of little value—tbe people want food—all look to the government , all wait for your promises and their fulfilments ; all say , " By their fruits ye shall know them . " A Leaf from the annals of A Shobhakeb ' s Gabbei .
War Akd Taxation,—The A' Cto York Ev&Rin...
War akd Taxation , —The A ' cto York Ev & ring Express says : —The operations of the last war are still fresh in the recollection of a large portion of the intelligent men of this country . At the commencement of that war , it wos asserted by those who made it , that it would be of short duration , and that only a moderate sum would be wanted . But before it had progressed two years , government found it necessary to lay a heavy tux on every article consumed from abroad , to lay an excise on every gallon of whiskey made in this country , —and to impose an odious stamp tax . No man could draw a note , or execute a bond to lie legal , without purchasing of the government a stamp . Every acre of land , every watch , and every other species of personal estite , was taxed to an enormous extent . Tax gatherers ,
in one shape or another , were almost as numerous as the locusts of Egypt . Loans multiph ' ed until they amounted to about 180 , 000 , 000 of dollars . Every bank in tbe country , except those in New England , suspended specie payments , and the government forced out to the people these Treasury notes , until they depreciated like continental money , to be worth only about 70 cents on the dollar , ( iovernment C per cents sold for about ( 50 per cent , on the dollar . Hundreds of capitalists , who commenced buying government securities at par , were ruined by the fall . Such was the practical effect of the war we have alluded to . The government now owe 25 , 000 , 000 , and thia war has just commenced , judging by present appearances . It is now proposed to increase the debt to about 50 , 000 , 000 ; and no ono can foresee what the amount will ultimately be . "
Hiohland Fi'NEnALs . — There is at present a general movement throughout the towns and villages of the north to do away with the entertainment usually afforded on the occasion of funerals , so burdensome to the humbler class of the people , and which often degenerate into excess . In the remote country parishes it will be more difficult to eradicate this custom , in consequence of the distance which many parties travel in order to be present at these solemnities . A striking mencnto of the old Highland funerals may still be seen a few miles from Corpach , near the western terminus ot the Caledonian Canal . On the southern bank of tho canal is an ancient burying ground , and besides it a
curious green mound ot earth in the shape of a horseshoe , which was constructed in that singular shape some centuries ago , in order to accomodate the attendants at funerals . After the interment the people were seated on the grass in tho curve , while the opening gave access to the servants to bring in the wine and spirits consumed on such occasions . It ia still the custom to hold the . « e orgies occasionally iu this sectusstered spot , and many a fervid Gallic address and full quaich have been poured ont to the memory of the various parties committed to the " narrow-hnuse" iu the adjourning resting place . Hie bagpipe , too , sometimes added the wild notes of a " lament , " which heigtlvencd the effect of the strange scene .
An Ow . nek . —A New York paper , announcing the wrecking of a vessel near the Narrows , says : — The only passengers were T . B . Nathan , whoowned three-fourths of the cargo and tho captain ' s wife ' A Friend of 1 ' kacb . —During the revolutionary war , ' Friend , ' said an American Quaker in a seafight . ' 1 counsel no bloodshed : but if it is thy design to hit the little man in the bluejacket , point thine engine three inches lower . ' # Medicine . —De Sevigne calls tho science of medicine ' pompous nonsense ; specious babbling ; words instead of reasons ; and pronrscsinsfeail of result *
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 9, 1847, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_09011847/page/6/
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