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April 10, 1852. T tt E STA ^* m . ' S
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THE MILITIA FRANCHISE. ^fhe Derby Minist...
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ABUSE OF CHARITABLE TRUSTS. Among the me...
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AUSTRALIAN GOLD AND MONETARY REFORM. Eve...
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The New Bridge at Westminster.—The follo...
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States* MtlMtttntt
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES. "...
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THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS. TH...
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€i)HVtmt 2nftKfg*iitt.
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION. The Execut...
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Metropolitan Delegate Council.—This body...
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Dbath op a Fkswlb prom Fire.—On Thursday...
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Transcript
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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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Itttmto Of % Wluh The Easter Recess Has ...
^^^ TTfhis p redecessors if he the « Irish ' *? V 5 & newTarlbnient , argument ^ to ^ fifty ^ imfmb « s , and obeyingimplicitly the behest * *^ . 3 ? Xinanim ate ! hy an intense eccleof . * TSiCr « 4 a thorougMyultra . montane * Sf S 2 XZ -term , brewing in thatqaarter ^ S rhich the thoug htful statesmen will keep close W « Prince President' is making i * pe arly he-, 2 people pay handsomely for their whwtle . Hw Se ^ te have voted him the enormous sum of dr falf a million sterling annually for his own uieeiciusivu hi
diture , besides giving mm ngui Cravat palaces and their furniture , which are to be Snt n p at the cost of the nation . The refugee exnecia ! constable has thus taken possession of not iL than ten magnificent palaces , besides forests , in Sach the right of shooting and hunting is expressly reserved for him alone . How long will this last ? i nd yet at the very moment the grasping and selfish turo 0 f the man thus tmmistakeably developes itself , he professes to desire nothing for himself . He is only anxious about the welfare of France—that France which he plunders in this right royal manner . There } needs bat one step more to consummate his e & reer , and bring the beginning of tbe end . Let him assume the Imperial purple , excite the jealousy and the animosity of the established despots , provoke a
w , ir—and then 1—The Austrian Minister who crushed Hungary and Italy , and replaced despotism in its worst forms at Vienna , has fallen just aa his unholy work seemed complete . Prince Schwarzenbebg was amply fitted for his task . His private life was about on a par with his public virtues ; and even the tools of despotism in this country , while they accept with gratification the results of his policy , shrink from committing themselves in approbation of the cruel , bloodthirsty , aad tyrannical means by which he attained his ends .
April 10, 1852. T Tt E Sta ^* M . ' S
April 10 , 1852 . T tt E STA ^* m . ' S
The Militia Franchise. ^Fhe Derby Minist...
THE MILITIA FRANCHISE . ^ fhe Derby Ministry announced its determination fo the debate on Mr . Hume ' s motion to stand by the Reform Bill of 1831 . That was its utmost concession to Democracy . Beyond that Lord Derby vould not go—it was his special mission , as £ irst Minister of the Crown , « to stem the torrent of Democracy . ' Sorrowfully we confess it , wo see no torrent to stem ; but we made allowance for the oratorical , imaginative , and exaggerated style of tho New Premier , and simply took it to mean tbat he intended to maintain tbe present state of the electoral constituency and tho present distribution of representatives , intact There was a time when similar
insolence on the part of a greater man , and one more powerful aa a Minister than ever IV rd Debet will be , did let loose such a « t orrent of Democracy' as well nigh swept the territorial aristocracy of this country away—would have done so had thoy not y idied in time . But now the ancient spirit , if not dead , sleepeth . In the course of a long political life we never remember so deep an apathy—so lamentable a Bupineness , as that which pervades the people at the present moment , when all should be ou the alert , preparing for the election of a Parliament which may fix the destines of the country for seven years i > come , and stamp a permanent impression on the fdtura for years afterwards .
How little reality there is in Lord Derbts arrogant and boastful defiance of Democracy , has oozed out iu rather a ridiculous and damaging manner . Slight as the cry of 'Ifo vote , no musket , ' has been , it penetrated the Cabinet , and its justice was recognised . The Home Secretary seeing tho late Premier about to leave the House , went after him , and induced him to resume bis seat , by stating that he had an important communication to make . Lord John returned , and was rewarded by hearing Mr . Walpole state , that the Government intended to give every person who had served two years in the proposed Militia a tote for the county in which they resided . The announcement took every body by surprise . It was altogether unexpected from such a quarter ; and
when the proposal came to be scrutinised in connexion with parts of tbe Militia machinery , it was found , tbat as far as Suffrage Reform is concerned , 'No igood can come out of Nazareth . ' The Tories are raw hands at ' extending electoral rights , and might be expected to blander ia their first attempt . Why Lord Derby ; should give a vote to such people as were likely to take tbe bounty for serving in the Militia while he refused it to the mass of sober , industrious , and intelligent artisans who , having settled places of abode and families to support , had given hostages to fortune , was more than anybody could explain . A storm of adverse criticism arose , and , in homely language , the Ministry found tbey had ' put their foot in it . " What was to be done ? The fix was an awkward one , and some
means must be devised of getting * out of it without compromising the chief of the Cabinet . The plan adopted was damaging to a gentleman who certainly had the highest reputation for honour and gentlemanly bearing among the occupants of the Treasury Bench in the Lower House . Mr . Walpole was put up to retract his own statement , to apologise for having made it , and to declare that he had done so without having consulted big colleagues . The idea was entirely his own . We can only say the story is an excellent one for the marines , as well as the equally absurd one which accompanied it—that Lord Derby proposed tho Militia vote at his dinner table as a joke , which Mr . Walpole was simple enough to swallow seriously . We have no doubt whatever that the matter had
been canvassed in the Cabinet , and approved of , though perhaps not formally , and that tie Home Secretary considered himself amply justified in making the statement , which he was afterwards compelled to regard under stern political exigencies . Lord Derby must not exact such penances in future from his subordinates for over zeal in their attempts to popularise his Government , or he will irredeemably damage their political character and influence , alienate his supporters , and find it difficult to obtain new recruits , who are prepared to eat their own words at the bidding of the imperious Lord of Knowlsley . But , apart from the effect on the Cabinet
individually or collectivel y , tbe incident has a wider and more important bearing . Taken in connexion with Lord J . Russell ' s proposal to establish a new 40 s . franchise on the ground of direct taxation , it conclusively shows that the ruling class are , in their inmost hearts , convinced that our electoral system cannot be maintained in itsf present . state , and are prepared , whenever the people speak out , to alter it . They , indeed , seem better prepared than the unenfranchised classes themselves . There appears to be at present more willing ness to give , than disposition to ask Parliamentary Reform . Whether the forthcoming election will have the effect of imparting political vitality to the nation remains to be seem .
Abuse Of Charitable Trusts. Among The Me...
ABUSE OF CHARITABLE TRUSTS . Among the measures introduced by the present Government , there is one intended to provide for the better administration of Charitable Trusts . Similar attempts have been made from time to time by various Administrations , but generally without any practical sesult j aad , in the present state of thepolitical " world , it is not probable that the present will form
anexcepnon . lae parties interested in maintaining existing anuses are too powerful to be subdued by any but a ann ty-established Government , and a Parliament at leisure to devote itself to the task ; we need not say ™? « P « sent wehave neither the one nor the other , ana , further , we may say , that come when the reri-« we struggle may , to secure the application of the immens e Charitable Trust fnnds in this conntryto « or legitimate purposes , those who profit by their ™ f ^ probation , will' die hard / The sinews of war 2 » f ! LT llldl 8 d b y tbeTer 7 P roPerties it is sought w wrest from being plundered , while the rank and 2 S 5 . e P Iunderera ™ H shield them effectually rota the just conseauences of their TMwnintinna A
Aoble , ' j RIg k . t KeT ., ' or * Right Hon . * violator of .. _ ., *[ of »« a » and ttmm is , we all know , very diffe-Sf eat € d J thaa ToM ' BlCK > or Eabby > wtoknoir toffrm an * ^ ho have been , as it were , trained to ¦ and don Forthe rich and respectable sinner a thouare in a /* ^^ P "knd ' open ; the poor and ragged Hnfc . * F * £ fcimi * hich there is nooutlet save to the itutnt ^ CoIon y ' or ** " > gallows . these PL ? " , ttlect » riou 3 t » note how the plunder of D octor . ^ eTro 8 t 8 """""' fid- A case before of End ; V ° mmons this week gives the strangest idea We dSf 4 ? fiee < hrt can POMiMy be conceived . «¦* if * would be at all possible , to make any
Abuse Of Charitable Trusts. Among The Me...
foreigner comprehend the affair by any amount of explanation and illustration It is a complete inversion ot the natural order of things . The accused party sits on the bench as a judge , the plaintiff , on behalf of the misappropriated Charity stands in the position usually occupied by those who have done wrong . At the time of the Reformation Hbhuy . VHI . provided a scheme by which he completely exhausted the revenues assigned to Rochester Cathedral . Out of the then income £ 50 . was set afloat for the Dean , and
£ 20 was assigned to each canon . The same scheme gave to each of twenty boys in the grammer school , 1218 s . 4 d . a-year , further ordaining that they were to be maintained out of the chapter funds . The right of the scholars was based upon tho same deed as that of tho Dean and Chapter , and there was no mention whatever of residuary Trusts in favour of the latter . If the revenues increased , the division , according to equity as well as tho strict letter of the deedought to have been pro rata .
, Some time since the Rev . It . Wmstos , who had distinguished himself at Cambridge , was avpointed by the Dean aud Chapter Muster of Rochester School . He seems to hare carried with him to the performance of h * s duties not only nn active and inquiring mind , bnt a high sense of justice , and a degree of moral courage which we regret to say is but too seldom found among his class . Iu order to understand his real position , and that of his school , he betook himself to the study of the Cathedral
statutes , in which he found the facts recorded wo have just stated . He found also that the same statutes provided for the payment of 4 s . per annum to six poor men— ' bedesmen , ' who were to be soldiers or sailors , who had been in the war ; £ 20 per annum for the poor ; and asimilar sum for the repair of highways , bridges , & c . In addition to this , specific sums were awarded to a namberof officers and servants , such , as deacon , sub-deacon , butler , porter , cook , and under-cook , all of which were suppressed .
On contrasting the statutes with the facts , Mr . Whistoh was astounded at the difference . The last bedesman was appointed in 1774—there were plenty of sailors and sold era whohad been in war , and to whom even tbe original £ 6 13 s ., 4 d . would have been a welcome annual visitant , but the bedesmen were suppressed . The boys on the foundation did not receive the £ 2 13 s . 4 d . awarded to them by the original statutes , because the Chapter allowed their clerks to take 10 s . from each as an admission fee . Why ? Because the property left for the payment of these charges had diminished in value ? Nothing of the kind . While these pious reverend , and learned
gentlemen took away nearly one-fifth of the allowance to the foundation boys , thoy gave tho Dean £ 1 , 426 a-year , instead of £ 50 ! To the Canons they were not leas liberal . Benrt VII . assigned them £ 20 each ; they pocketed instead £ 680 a-year respectively , out of the augmented revenues , arising from the property which they were appointed to administer for the common benefit , in accordance with the intentions of the statutes , which alone gave them power to touch one farthing of these revenues I We will not call these things by their right names . Our readers know quite well what they are , and they may be safely left to call a spade a spade .
Mr . Whistok called upon the Chapter not to disgorge the enormous svkq & that had been filched from the Trust in the course of past generations ; that would have been too much to ask , though no less than justice demanded . But he contented himself with moderately asking that the twenty foundation boys should have an increased allowance , in proportion to the improved revenues ; aud , further , that they should be maintained as the statutes expressly prescribed . The Cathedral Bubbles were struck dumb by the audacity of such a demand by their servant ; and instead of granting what ho no doubt thought a just aud moderate request , they dismissed him from his situation , with every manifestation of anger and hatred that such holy , and disinterested , and eminent personages could devise .
But dismissal did not daunt Mr . Whiston . The Dean and Chapter had caught a Tartar at last . He took the opinion of the present Master of the Holla , and Mr . W . D . Lewis , as to the claim he had made , and these learned persons assured him that the Dean and Chapter were bound by law to provide for the cost of the boys' maintenance ; and thus fortified , he appealed against the decision of the Chapter , and moved for the correction of the evil he had discovered . And now comes the most siugular part of the story . Common sense would have dictated that if Mr . Whiston could not be placed on an equal footing with the Dean and Chapter as to funds and
social influence , that at least both parties should appear before disinterested , if not an impartial tribunal . Bnt common seuse aud English law have very little connexion with each other , especially English ecclesiastical law . In the prosecution of his appeal Mr . Whisxon actually ha ? to lay it before the Bishop of Rochester , who was Dean , aud into whose pockets consequently large annual sums have gone that were otherwise assigned by the author of the Cathedral statutes ! In ordinary life the courtesies of society prevent men from even voting on questions in which their personal interests are openly at stake , but
among 'Right Reverend Fathers in God , '' no such foolish weakness prevails . Strong , no doubt , in their own immaculate purity and superiority to the temptations of filthy lucre , they see no harm whatever in sitting in judgment in their own cause . The Bishop of Rochester who , in conjunction with the Chapter , dismissed Mr . Whistos for presuming to ask them to do justice , now sits in his character of visitor to hear Mr . Whistjx ' s appeal against that decision . There never was such an outrageous mockery of justice before !
Not only has Mr . Whiston a partisan in the judge , but a host of lawyers deeply read in ecclesiastical law , and skilled to make the worse appear the better reason , have been retained , and paid no doubt out of the very funds which Mr . WhisxoS sought to apply to their proper purposes—education and charity . Against this overwhelming odds , the brave ex-Master of Rochester Grammar School stands alone , a spectacle for admiration—hut we fear without any hope whatever of success before such a tribunal , and with such opponents . Whatever may be the immediate
issue , however , Mr . Whiston ' s labours have not been in vain , and will b e still more richly productive of benefit hereafter . His disclosures respecting the mal-appropriation of trusts , not only in Rochester , but in Winchester and Canterbury cathedrals , bas sturred the owls and the bats who slumbered and fattened iu congenial darkness upon sumUvt abuses . They have very unwillingly begun to set ' their bouses in order . ' More light will lead to more reform—honour , sympathy , and support to the intrepid and high-minded , who is fighting the battle of the uneducated and the poor !
Australian Gold And Monetary Reform. Eve...
AUSTRALIAN GOLD AND MONETARY REFORM . Every arrival from Australia brings fresh and indisputable evidence of the vast extent and riches of the gold district . Unfortunately , these accounts are accompanied by the intelligence that crime is increasing , that the regular forces are incapable of coping with it , and tbat , as a consequence , Lynch law bas been resorted to . In Australia , as in California , the gold fever brings its .. curse with it . Neither life nor property are safe unless when defended by men armed to the teeth , and ready to take life on the slightest provocation or suspicion . The colony of Victoria is
disorganised by the abstraction of labour from useful and reproductive occupations . Convicted criminals , and desperadoes of the worst clas ? , are flocking to the diggings , and in some cases , as at the Ballarat mines , muster so strongly , that the police are awed by the amount of crime , and not one of the officers dare lead his men into a mob to apprehend a murderer . Prize fighting and gambling are the recreations of the gold hunters , varied with other licentious and criminal " amusements . " In short , as has been pithily said , it is California over again , but California on a larger scale .
From a Government return published in the Melbourne papers , and relating solely to the Victoria gold finding , itappearsthat np to the 31 stof October , 1851 , the quantity of gold exported since the discovery up to the same date , was sixty-seven thousand one hundred and fifty-one minces ,, valued at £ 214 , 886 . The same papers contain graphic aud striking accounts of the toilsome aud precarious nature of the gold seeker ' s occupation . One man at Braidwood diggings obtained £ 00 in five weeks . A . widow and two daughters got two ounces ( £ 6 ) each day . One man carried home £ 20 one week , and £ 22 the next ; while one man at Mount Alexander ia said to have
Australian Gold And Monetary Reform. Eve...
dug up thirty pounds weight of gold in a single hour ; and a drayman named Roberts returned home with upwards of £ 1 , 100 as the product of five weeks digging . Of course such news spreads like wildfire , and people pour in crowds into the mining di stricts , and towns are springing up with mushroom-like rapidity . As a consequence , wages in the older settlements and towns were very high } and labour exceedingly scarce . In some parts industry and husbandry were utterly at a standstill , and do ubts were entertained whether there would bo sufficient labour to secure the crops of hay and wheat , which promised to bo very abundant . The Gold escort
whicd reached Melbourne on tho 28 th of November , brought something like half a ton of the glittering metal . The whole city was forthwith set in motion , and something like a general emigration took place . The result of the increased number of di ggers is shown by the astonishing quantity of the metal poured into Melbourne in the short space of three months , Taking the various amounts conveyed to the town and those estimated to be in the hands of the diggers , the total is estimated at the amazing weight of ten tons , two hundred weight , eighty-two
pounds , and ten ounces , aud valued in round numbers at three quartersof a million sterling . The field i 8 reported to be illimitable . Tho indications extend over scores of miles , and each newly-found digging eclipses all that preceded it , in richness and yield . It is said that the auriferous grounds in Victoria alone that can be profitably worked ,- will not be dug over for years to come , by any number of persons that can possibly reach them . In California the mines show no falling off in yield - . and in Vancouver ' s Island , it is stated that rich mines have been discovered . It is
impossible that these large supplies of gold should be poured into the European market without producing a considerable change in the value of the purchasing medium , especially in this country , where gold has been established as the standard of value . Presuming upon the continuance of a slightly variable and certain quantity of gold , Sir R , Peel based his monetary system on tho assumption that a fixed and definite standard could be secured by coining a certain quantity of gold into a specified number of sovereigns . As long as gold was scarce , this necesssaril y increased its purchasing power , and played into the hands of tho holders of gold . Now that it is becoming
plentiful , the reverse action must take placo . If the standard is maintained , the producer will get a larger quantity of gold for less produce . When the balance was , however , in favour of the moneyocracy , they loudly protested against any alteration as a violation of national faith . Now that these astonishing discoveries have changed the circumstances , they must be kept to their own bargain , which there are many indications they would be very glad to' repudiate . Among these , not the least notable , were the resolutions placed on the notice paper of the House of Commons for Tuesday last by Colonel Thompson . No man has so zealously , and so perscveringly advocated the system which exposed the English labourer to unrestricted
and unregulated competition with lower paid , less heavily taxed , and more skilled artisans ; none has had less pity for those who were ground to the dust by that competition ; but now that the wolf has come to his own door , ho is the first to cry out . We presume the" free-booting Colonel begins to find that his dividends are already less valuable , though they are still paid in full weight and tale ; and though he has no objection that a weaver , or cotton spinner , should give twice tho amount of labour for half the money he did before 1810 , he is determined that his sovereign shall atill purchase 20 s . worth , instead of 15 a . or 12 * ., as it may do if tho influx of gold continues . The Colonel , therefore , cries out for uncontrovertible paper , and the protection of the landholders .
When the question was agitated by the Anti-Gold Law League two or three years ago , upon just , equitable , and philosophical principles , we . do not remember that Colonel Thompson came forward to assist them ; and his appearance in tho field at the present moment is a suspicious circumstance , however much we may agree with the abstract principles embodied in his resolutions . We quite concur with him in thinking ' That the belief in the necessity of the community ' s providing and purchasing eighteen millions of gold to be kept in cellars , is a superstition of the same nature as if a manufacturer in Manchester , or
a merchant in Liverpool , should think he could not maintain his credit without a similar precaution . That in any community the collection of a treasure of this kind is impolitic and dangerous , as holding out temptation to invasions from abroad , and to coups d ' etat at home . ' And also , * That , in a settled and civilised community , there is no more necessity for the instrument of exchange to be framed of materials equal in value t < % the amount concerned , than for a bond or other obligation to be traced upon a plate of gold of the value of the amount at issue . ' We only wondor that , during the time he has been in Parliament , he never said so before .
No more important question to all classes can be raised than this ; and we are happy to present the readers of * The Star' this week with the first of a series of articles by a gentleman who has made the subject peculiarly his own , and mastered it more thoroughly than any living writer . The letters of Aladdin , " iu Douglas Jerrold'fl Newspaper evinced a philosophical and comprehensive grasp of the whole ' combined , with such accuracy in detail , lucid arrangment , and perspicuity of style , that they attracted tho attention of thinking men of all classes and of all parties ; and we are extremely happy that , after the lapse of a considerable time , and at a critical and important juncture , Aladdin has chosen the columns of' The Star' as the medium through which to give the public the advantage of his learning , research , and varied experience .
The New Bridge At Westminster.—The Follo...
The New Bridge at Westminster . —The following are the resolutions which conclude the report of the Westminster Bridge Commission : —1 . That the present bridge should be used as a temporary bridge until a new bridge shall have been constructed . 2 . That a new bridge should be constructed adjoining or as near as possible to the present bridge , on the north side , that is , lower down the river . 3 . That the new bridge should not be less than sixty feet in width , including the footways . 4 . That it be constructed of iron , with stone piers . 5 . That it consist of no more than five arches . 6 . That the height of headway of the centre arch above Trinity datum be not less than twenty-five feet six inches . 7 . That
it is desirable that no time should be lost in making preparation for the commencement of the work . We beg , in conclusion , with reference to the 7 th resolution submitted by us , to state that the dilapidated state of the present bridge , the uncertain expense of maintaining it even as a temporary structure , and the inconvenience of this bridge both to the land and river traffic , render it highly desirable that the permanent bridge should , be . commenced and finished with as little delay as possible ; and we have it in evidence that if the work were commenced early in the ensuing year , the bridge might be open to the public in less than two years from the period of its commencement . The committees of 1846 and 1850 both recommended that a bill should be brought into
parliament for transferring the estates and property of the bridge commissioners to the Commissioners of her Majesty ' s Woods , & c , due consideration being had to the claims of the officers of the bridge estates in the event of their services being discontinued . We concur in the views of the parliamentary committees as expressed in these reports . Mors Ministerial Sharp Pbactice . —A notice appeared upon the votes of Wednesday , tbat the Chancellor of the Exchequer would , at half-past four , move the adjournment of the noose for the Easter holidays . At that hour many members were preparing to put miscellaneous questions to the government , as is customary upon these notices , when to their surprise it was announced that the motion had
already been passed . An explanation ensued , and it then transpired tbat Mr . Forbes Mackenzie , M . P ., with a view no doubt to avoid a renewal of the damaging attacks of Monday , had smuggled the motion through soon after the house met at four o ' clock . It is just to Mr . Disraeli to state that ho was fully acquitted of having had any share in this disreputable transaction , which bore a strong family likeness to the " chivalrous" proceedings of the 30 th ult . in the House of Lords . —Globe . BnRmxa of a Sirrr at Sea . —On Wednesday intelligence was received in the City of the destruction hy fire of the
British ship Hilton Grove on the 5 th ot January , while on a voyage from Liverpool to Aden . The crew took to the boats and shaped a course to the Islo of France , and after much suffering and buffeting about , they were on tbe 28 th ult . sighted and picked up by tho Dutch ship Maria Elizabeth , from Batavia , which put into Table Bay , at the Capo of Good Hope , someeigbt or ten daysafterwards , and landed the poor fellows , who are said to have lost everything they had in the shape of clothing , dsc . Spontaneous combustion amongst the coals no doubt led to the firing of tbe ship , The Hilton Grove , was nearly ft new Teasel ,
States* Mtlmtttntt
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National Association Of United Trades. "...
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . " fiat jusrrm . " « If It were possible for the working classes , by combining among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general rate of wages , It need hardly be said that this would bo a flung not to ba punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at ;" --Stem Mill
Edmund Burke , in one of his flash y orations mourned the departure of tho * age of chivalry ; ' and we in our day have to lament the departure of that sturdy independence which used to be tho distinguishing feature of the English character . The offers of the Council of . the Amalgamated Engineers , both in London and Manchester , to compromise the questions in dispute , have been scornfully rejected , and the imperial conclave of Bucklersbury have willed to make no concession , but to demand an unconditional surrender to their monstrous propositions . We know not Which most to admire—the wickedness or folly of these proceedings by the employers . Should they succeed in wringing from the
men a reluctant and temporising acceptance Of their tyrannous demands , can they imagine tbat any pledge of such a character , and extorted under such circumstances , can or will be considered morally binding upon the honour and conscience of any sane man ? Impossible 1 As well might an oath of secrecy be obtained by a highwayman from his victim with a pistol at his head , be termed binding , We say this to those who have or may sign the disgraceful document ; but we sincerely hope that some means may be devised , whereby this iniquitous conspiracy against tbe rights of Labour may be defeated , and a Labour League be immediately formed , to render such impudent assumptions in future impossible .
We haye received information from various parts of the country of the growing feeling for a national organisation of Labour ; and we hope that our next Annual Conference , will be the rallying point where these newly awakened aspirations will converge and become a national reality . The prosecuting and persecuting spirit now so rife , calls for prompt and resolute action . The masters contemplate a National Confederation of capitalists . It is distinctly indicated in the Bucklerabary manifesto , and must be met or anticipated by a counter combination of Labour . We cannot conceive the probability that a better basis for a National Union can be formed than that
which has been tested by the practical experience of the last seven years . To the prominent features of the constitution of the National Association , as net forth in the prospectus inserted , in the form of an advertisement in * Tbe Star , ' we invite the unprejudiced attention of the Tradesof England . If the objects there proposed were zealously struggled for by a united action , we feel assured that we should hear no more of either prosecutions or of persecutions . Under the benign moral influence of a confederation based upon principles of justice , equity , and moderation , conciliatory arbitration would supersede the heartburnings , extravagance , and antagonism of Strikes .
Iu repeated instances , the more enlightened and liberal-minded of the Employing class have borne testimony to the beneficial working of the National Association . We believe it quite possible to arrive at a satisfactory adjustment of the apparently conflicting claims of Capital and Labour , if each party can bo induced to approach each other in a spirit of charity and forbearance , aud that the mutual advantage and comfort of each will be thereby materially promoted . To effect so desirable a result was the design and objecUf the founders and promoters of the National Association in 1845 ; and the means ^ devised , we believe , are fully adequate to the end in view , if the Trades of England can be led to give the experiment a fair trial . William Peel , Secretary . Q ueen ' s Bench Prison .
The Amalgamated Society Of Engineers. Th...
THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS . THE STRIKE . The Manchester Commmittee , having given the correspondence with the Employers' Association ( and which appeared in our second edition of last week ) , bave issued the following address : — " TO THE MEMBERS OF THE IRON TRADES . AND
THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL . "From the above correspondence you will learn what our late Employers require from us , and the position they would place us in . It now rests with you to say what position we are to hold . Will you allow the men , who have been discharged for making two requests , to lie prostrate , and sign themselves unconditionally' the slaves of Capital ? Shall might subjugate ' right ? Shall independent men be reduced to the serfdom of the dark ages ? We know
the answer you will give is emphatically—No ! Then let all your energies be concentrated in opposing the principles that our late employers are anxious to force upon us . What right , we would ask , have our employers to dictate to us the purpose to which we shall devote our earnings ? What right have they to dictate to us what society we shall join ? We are only their hands while in- their works , and the moment we arrive outside , that moment we are independent .
"Fellow workmen , we call upon you to render us that assistance we need . It is you that can emancipate labour by contributing your weekly sums of money—by inducing others to follow the example you so nobly have set them , of supporting men , whose onl offence is , that they will use their earnings for their own benefit ; you must use your influence in getting other trades to contribute in your locality ; let every member put his shoulder to the work ; by so doing you will make happy families more numerous , and at the same time maintain our independence as workmen . We know you will do your duty . We leave it with you . —Gentlemen , yours respectfully , for the Committee , William Hemm , Secretary .
It was stated last week that steps were being taken , in conformity with a resolution agreed to at a full meeting of tho executive of the Amalgamated Society , towards bringing about a reconciliation between the operative and employing engineers ; unhappily , however , those steps , so far , have proved abortive . We understand that , although no formal application , by means of a written document , has been made by the London members of the executive council of tho Amalgamated Society to the Central Committee of tho Associated Employers , individual members of the latter body havo been appealed to by tho former , with a view to enlist their influence in the cause of an amicable adjustment of the dispute : but . un .
fortunately , without having produced any satisfactory result ; and indeed it would appear , from the tenor of the Manchester employers' reply , that a satisfactory settlement of the question is all but hopeless , inasmuch as tbe men , as a body , although they have made the first overtures towards peace , cannot be expected to surrender unconditionally to the employers' terms . The principal reliance of the operative appears to be upon tbe support of the trades generally—a support , however , which is not at present so encouraging in extent as it ought to be . Tho engineers , on Saturday , received their twelfth week ' s strike pa > at the reduced rate—viz ., 10 s . each for society and non-society men ; but even this sum they will find some difficulty in maintaining unless the trades come forward with more energetic assistance .
THE MANCHESTER IRON MOULDERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS . The following correspondence has taken place between the iron moulders of Manchester and the secretaries to the Association of Employers :- ' « Manchester , April 1 , 1852 . White-horse , Fetter-lane , Minshull-street . To Messrs . Richardson and Whitwortb , Gentlemen ,-I am desired by the members of the Iron Moulders' Society to express their deep regret at tho continuance of the misunderstanding , tbat has arisen between the Amalgamated Society and their employers ; and , under the sincere hope that a speedy conclusion will be to tbe
brought same , we take the liberty to address you . Being unconnected with the Amalgamated ( society , either direct or indirect , as you will see by the enclosed report , and there being no misunderstanding between us aad our employers until the 9 th of February , when they proposed the declaration which we could not subscribe to , not out of any disrespect to them , but for the reasons which we have already stated in our circular of February 4 , we have been anxiously expecting that the declaration would ere this have been withdrawn , so far as concerns ourselves , and tbat we should have been able to resume our work . We regret that such has not been the wisn
case , ana we to inform the Employers' Association , through you , that we are both desirous and willing to resume our work on the following conditions i-Flrat , the withdrawal of the declaration from the iron moulders ; second the discharge of the individuals who havo subscribed to the same . Gentlemen , we do not insist on the first from captious motives , but for the reasons already stated , and also-we feel that , subscribing to the declaration , it would destroy the feeling of self-respect so neceswry to our well-being as working men . Th / second-We
The Amalgamated Society Of Engineers. Th...
do not claim it as a right , but as a compensation for tbs > loss which we have already sufiercd ; for if those individuals are not discharged , tbe moulders thrown out of work for the faults of others must continue to suffer . Hoping you will lay this before the committee , and waiting your reply . I remain yours , respectfully , <» behalf of the iron moulders of Manchester . -Jamcs Lilhe , Secretary . '' - Manchoster . April 2 , I 852 .-Sir . -Wo have to ackowledga the receipt of your letter of yesterday , « ' wly jro u * instructed by the executive committee of the Employers Association to say that tbe two ' conditions 'named by you , on behalf of the ironmonhiera cannot ^ entertained . Tho numerous character of the second condition , ' iu » most especial ; tho adherence of the employers to tfiose workmen who hate signed tbe declaration is a matter un * nimousl y understood and approved . —We are , sir , your obedient servants ,- * Hichardson and Whitworth , Secretaries . —Mr . James Lillie , Secretary to the Iron Moulders Society , Manchester . '' „• n
The following notice has been sent " from the Executive Council of the Amal gamated Society to the Employers of Operative Engineers . -Gentlemea % -The Executive Counoil of the Amalgamated Society beg respectfully to withdraw the circular issued by them to the employers of operative engineers , dated tho 24 th of December , 1 851 , Which Circular Stated 'that they had come to a resolution ioE ? f T ? , fc 1 ework Rn d overtime after December 81 , 1851 . In withdrawing the above circular , which seems to / have given rise to a serious contest in the trade , it is fully anticipated tbat such a course will have the effect of inducing the employers to withdraw the ' declaration , ' which workmen are called upon to sign before resuming employment , —! am , gentlemen , your obedient servant , W . Allan , Gen . Sec , 25 , Little Alie-strect , Whiteohspel , London . April 5 , 1852 . "
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National Charter Association. The Execut...
NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . The Executive Committee held its usual weekly meeting on Tuesday evening last , when a discusBion took place relative to the present position of its f . D ??™ s' & a desire was expressed that , as the liabilities had been reduced to a small amount , that two or three > eeks , at farthest , would enable the Comnnttee to conclude its mission with honour to the cause . James Grassbt , Secretary . 96 , Regent-street , Lambeth . ; N . B , The monies received will be acknowledged next week .
Metropolitan Delegate Council.—This Body...
Metropolitan Delegate Council . —This body met as usual , at tho Finsbury Literary Institution , on Sunday afternoon , Mr . Farrah in the chair . The O Connor Committee reported that the following gentlemen had consented to act as trustees , treasurer , and general secretary , and were submitted to the country for approval . —Trustees , Patrick O'fliggins , Dublin j Simon Stright , 20 , Lisson-street , New-road , London ; William Drake , 257 , Whitechapel-road , London ; Treasurer , John Sewell , 9 , Penton-place , Surrey Zoological Gardens , London j General Secretary , Thomas Martin Wheeler , 4 , W est-street , Soho . A code of rules was then agreed to , and all cash was directed to be sent to the General Secretary in Post Office Orders , made payable to John Sewell , Esq ., at the Chief Office , London . The Council then adjourned .
City Locality , Si . George ' s Coffee-house , Barbican ;—At a meeting , held on Saturday night last , Mr . Leho in the chair , the report from the Delegate Council was received ; The auditors reported that the books were correct , sM'd that , there was 6 s . 8 d . in hand . The following officers were elddfed ' for the ensuing quarter . —Mr . Hampton , treasurer ; Mr ; F . Farrah , corresponding secretary i Mr . Moring , financial secretary ; Messrs . F . Farrah and Washington as DelegW ** to the Delegate Council . The sum of 4 s . wis voted from ! the funds for the Executive , to which 3 j . 3 d . by subscription was added . Cards were taken from tbe Delegate Council , and the meetings of this locality were announced to be held every Saturday evening , at tbe above bouse .
Aggregate Meeting o » the Chartists of thb Metropolis . —An aggregate meeting was held on Sunday alternoou at the Finsbury Literary Institution . Mr . Fartah in the chair .- —Messrs . Osborne and Wheeler briefly addressed the meeting relative to tbe advantage of these reunions . —Mr . A . Wood moved a resolution to the effect —> " That the National Charter Association offered every facility towards the formation of a truly Democratic party in this country , " and pledged the meeting to uphold it both in name and detail , —Messrs . Day , Grant , and Jones supported the resolution . —Messrs . Osborne * Alaban , and Murray thought that sufficient pains . had not been taken in spreading a knowledge of their social rights , which was of
more importance than maintaining any particular name>—The resolution was unanimously carried . —Mr . Jones moved : — " Tbat while we bave every sentiment of respect for the past services ol T . S . Buncombe ; Ebo ,., we regret the step he has taken in retrograding front : the principles of the Charter as the basis for the formation ! 6 ( a People's ' part ; , and trust that he will reconsider this * Subject . We also advise our Chartist brethren to remain iiud id those principles which have become endeared to the peopli by persecution and martyrdom . "—Messes . Finlen , Cfainnock , and Wheeler supported the resolution , which was earned , and the meeting adjourned until the first Sunday in May . Whitxcbapbi ,. — On Sunday eveninir Mr . Wheeler
addressed the audience at the Ship Inn , Whitechapel , upon the politics of the various candidates for tbe borough of the Tower Hamlets , showing the superior claims of Mr . Newton , not only upon working men , but upon shopkeepers generally . Messrs . Stratton , Knowles , and others , also addressed the meeting . A Committee was formed to assist in promoting Mr . Newton ' s return . A Committee was also formed to help Mr . O'Connor . Bethnal-qrekn . —Dr . Brooks addressed a very numerous assemblage at the White Horse , Hare-street , Bethnalgreen , on Sunday evening , in favour of the principles advocated by Mr . Newton , and was much applauded , Mr , W , Davis , and others , supported the same views .
Dbath Op A Fkswlb Prom Fire.—On Thursday...
Dbath op a Fkswlb prom Fire . —On Thursday morning while police-constable George Robinson was on duty in Kensington-park at one o ' clock , he observed flames bursting from an uninhabited cabin in an adjoining brick field , and upon reaching the spot found three men dragging from the cabin a female enveloped in fire , which towered over her head . Aided by the men , the police * constablo pulled the poor creature ou tho grass , and rolled net upon it until the dames were extinguished ; after which , the constable removed her in a cab to the hospital , where ,, although she had the most prompt surgical aid , she died i toon after admission . Just before her death she declared I that the men were wholly blameless , which was all she i could say , Upon deceased being put intheaabthe mem made off , and have not since been heard of . Upon further r
inquiry it was ascertained the deceased came from Deptford . l , whither the police went to make inquiries concerning her ,:, and there found her mother , who informed them that henr name was Mary Abbot , that her age was twenty-two , andd tbat a week ago she suddenly disappeared without thee knowledge of her friends , Drubvunb Theatre . —A bold step bas been taken byy thelessee , which , we imagine , is sure to be met with publioio support . The performances in future are to be exolusivelyly operatic ; they are to begin at half-past seven , and end atat eleven ; and the prices are to be reduced nearly one-half , f , commencing on Eister Monday The Austbian Government . — An express message arnvedsd
on Wednesday at tbe Austrian Embassy , requiring the im-amediate return of Count Buol Sohauonstoin to Vienna . It It is understood that Count Buol will be successor of Prince so Sohwarzonberg as First Minister of Austria , Tna Fkomb Mubdeb . —This trial , an account of which h will be found in our sixth page , has terminated by the jury y returning a verdict of Not Guilty as regarded all tho pri- isoners .- ? -Maggs immediately raised his hands to Heaven , i , and said '" Tisthe Lord tbat has done it— 'tis the Lord'd that has done it ! " Hurd said , " My lord judge , you'll see ; e in less than a month that 'twasn't me ; " and Sparrow , in in a slightly menacing tone , said " I want to speak to Mr . r . Smith . "—The prisoners were then discharged ; and the 19 Assizes terminated .
FlBE AT THE EASTERN COUNTIES RAIIiWAT GOODS DEPOT . ! . —On Thursday evening considerable alarm was caused iuiu . the neighbourhood of tbe Eastern Counties Railway Goodsdsi Depot , in conseqence of a cry of fire being raised withimim the building . It appeared that whilst tbe men wereera-raployed sealing some packages , a light fell amongst tomenei bales of hemp , but owing to the exertions of the employes onom the premises , the damage was confined to tbe destruotionioni of six bale ' s of hemp . The services of the engines were , re „ therefore , not required . Numerous Accidents in the Streets . —No fewer thamani seven persons of various ages were run over in the lead «» d «» ing thoroughfares west of Temple-bar on Wednesday , !/ ,, four of whom were taken to Charingcross Hospital , ana , ndi attended to by the house surgeon of the institution ; oneinei two
was taken to St . George ' s , and the remaining £ P ™ " ™ " ; vate surgeons . The accidents were P " T Jf ™* : ??* " * the suffers crossing tho streets incautiously before mero . ro . ¦ SSKT 5 the m o , * 2 ^ js 3 Th 2 £ £ : £ e ^^^ fea ^ rf ^ RansomVfor the Skye ft ^^ S ^ w ^ tata ^ E K ^ Of thethe , oS f sSS [ 'iust held in London ( the Associatioaiom ^ S £ SSfSsS ^« h it ™ enounced that a m » tleraan from whom previous subscriptions had been re . re + APivfid h . d eivan 600 acres of land in British America tea tec Mr ! HoSoaW «* chse " vf mkt
, V ,, - Passengers act .-The bill as amended in committ t ti consolidate and amend the laws relating to passengeij b ;| by ; sea , was printed on Wednesday by order of the House oje vj Qomiawt . Ta « clauses added , hay * been marked
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 10, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_10041852/page/5/
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