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USCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE RISERS. TO THE ED...
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THE MIXERS OF AYRSHIRE. fJSiXmiae master...
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LETTERS. TO THE WORKING CLASSES. LXXLX. ...
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Emigration .—Nearly two hundred .pauper ...
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THE TEN HOURS ACT. MEKTIXO OF DELEGATES ...
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iiidtioual itaira arompflus
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THE MEMBERS OF THE WORCESTER BRANCH, TO ...
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Nonwicn.—At a meeting of members on Mond...
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' LAND PLAN. JO FBAKGUII O'CONNOB , ES Q...
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THE HONESTY FUND. TO FEAKdOS O'CONNOR, E...
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Monies Received For., Thk Week Endixo Th...
^ rTtPOK MEMBERS OF- THE , JNA-^ IIONAL LAKDCOMPANY . rfirriE irEf ,-The present ppafion ofthe " \ jia the utter lmpqssibihty of con-C oinP ^ ' jjpgratjons under the disadvan-^ " ^( lainst which it has to contend , as well tages "SJJV ^ to rid ourselves of a responds f ° *\ it has seldom fallen to the lot ' Jic officers to bear , all mate it imff any P ns to communicate to you what f intentions respecting our connexion J " ° ™ ^ also what is oar determination ^ tin ^ ibe Company itself . *?« Sr at fte disposition ef a majority of JUS . ° * *• "" s- ^ sft -W * •' j n & ioralle , excepted—and the determi-• in many cases , to make our respected l » t l 0 D » ^ jjr . Q * Connor ) personalry responsible i
.. Sp return of money paw « r ^ uares , ana fnf which has been invested in property , aVh * unwilling * " * of the Government to fi r ™ the institution , we do not see the re-8 Sospeet of continuing it with either SrJourselves , or advantage t » you ; and Zr ^ re we have detennmed upon bringing StSiSifift ™ th all the speed that the bn -rillS low . Mr . O'Connor has already , his nlacc in Parliament , given notice ot his tfrfn . immediately after Easter , tointro-Seabillfor the purpose of winding up its ! * ara SO that without delay , all the necessar y pS will be ta ^ frtat purpose
^ The nature and provisions of the bill have aotyet been decided npon , but it will be pre-Ji by most eminent legal functionaries ^ ^ with a scrupulous regard for the nghts of S parties concerned . Winding up , therefore , is a fixed and irrevocable course , andtoprerarc for it is now the only duty which we iaremperform . < - ' Eecentlv , in a very few instances ,
reselugons , condemnatory of our continuance in See , harebeen passedjthe parties agreeing to ftose resolutions , overlooking the terms of tout engagement with us , as -well as the absor late necessity for superintendence , even in this last stage of existence of the Company , and snowing , as tbey did , that the case of the Company had been introduced to the Court of Queen ' s Bench , for hearing npon the last day of thelastterm , and was only post
poned , because there was not sufficient time to tear the argument . We were elected by the l ateConference ^ toconduct the Company either to a successful issue in the Court of Queen ' s Reach , or to some other immediate and final termination . The phraseology and spirit of these resolut ions , place them beyond the limits of c ontroversy , and excite in our minds feelings akin to anything out respect . However , gentlemen , the Company , in it 5 entirety , have acted , otherwise , and roth a
forbearance and dignity , which our maligners areincapable of understanding , and have made proper and becoming allowances for the unpttceuoited difficulties of our position , and to von we one , and all tender our warmest Ihanks , and shall always remember with pride our connexion and association with you . Gentlemen ; Except for the purposes of Trinuing-up the affairs of the Company , we no longer exist as a Directory , and we pledge our words , that no delay shall occur in that transaction , and that it shall be conducted in a manner which shall _ be creditable to ourselves , and under the circumstances of the case
satisfactory to you . TFe are , gentlemen , with the highest respect , Christopher Dotle , William Dixox , Thomas Clark , Philip M'Grath .
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Uscashire And Cheshire Risers. To The Ed...
USCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE RISERS . TO THE ED 1 TOS OF THE SOUTHED STAR . Sis , —The last county meeting of the miners of Lancashire and Cheshire was h-ld at the George Ian , lamberfceid-i-reen , when a cheesing report was giv «? n of the prospects of the anion around Wigan , Aspul , & C ., by 3 * r . Dennett , the acent for that neighbonriood . All the districts—with , the exception of two —reported in favour of paying an extra levy of twopence—for once only-lor the purpose of sending a deputation to London , in order to make arrangements for setting a Bill to protect the lives and health ofthe workingmin-rs , in t roduced into Parliament ; In consequence of the districts generally reporting in favour ofthe extra levy , it was resolved - — " That a general levy of twopence per member extra be collected ia every disirict through both counties ; and to be brought to tiie nest county meeting , " On account ofthe meeting only sitting one day , several important matters had to stand over until the next
meetin ? . Amongst others left was the election of the deputation to London—the question of a general restriction , Ac ., so that every delegate must come prepared to stay two days at the next county meeting . A tyrannical action of the manager of Tonge-lane Colliery , Middleton , was reported at the meeting . There have been three seams working at this colliery —two thin seams , known by th-j name of ^ Neddy and Sally Mines ; and the Black Mine , a thicker s ° am ; daring the Ja > t fortnight the manager stopred the too thin mines , wh're nine laen were working , on account of trade being slack ; and about eighte . cn men iroriing in the Black Aline . The Black Mine colliers could just supply his sale with thin coal ; the
disced miners were desirous of working with the Black Mine colliers , and the last-named miners were also desirous that they should do so , but the manager s-oaJJ not permit it to be done . When the * bio coal miners had played them a week , they asked their master what they were to do ; he cooly told them ftathe would set them the coal in the thin mines to get , if they had a mind , on the butty or charter-master system . They a > ked him at-what price he wished tost it at , but he refused to tell them , thinking faereby that in a short time they would be WJUU 12 to take it at any terms . It was resolved at the county ineeti sg— ' « That the nine men out of work should os snpported from the funds of the union . " The men working in the Black mine very properly sent tp the county board for advice , as to the best plan fin- them to adopt ,. with a view of compelling the oaaagertolet all have an equal share o f emplojniai L On inquiry it was found that the present
hade made the eighteen or twenty employed about three shillings per day . It was ordered " That the !? , J » iww working at the Tonge-lane Colliery , ^ lddieton , be requested to restrict themselves to two shillings per dav , per man ; so that all may have an equal share of the work . What will make ™^ S men 3 s . each , will be 2 s . each for thirty E £ D . The conniy meeting was adjourned until * £ « Monday , 38 th inst ., at the Horse Shoe , half f aj between Ashton and Oldham . —Choriey ; I atoned » good meeting at this place on the 7 th «* «¦•{? at the Geor S Inn , when it was agreed to eswomn a new lod ge : the officers were elected , ana a number entered , on Saturday evening . 9 thinst Yours respectfully , : o- o-. ¦ D ; Swallow . p 3 sdney-street , Bolton . at ,-JT " have received several letters from friends otfer ce this week ' I shaU le g ] ad t 0 receiTC
The Mixers Of Ayrshire. Fjsixmiae Master...
THE MIXERS OF AYRSHIRE . fJSiXmiae masters m the neighbourhood of Hul-SxY- V * Mk . have lately attempted to re-™ ee the miners' wages from 3 Jd . per hutch ( tub ) , f ° < w ., and desired them to send fourteen tubs P » day instead of twelve , as at the present time . "I course this was not intended as a reduction of * a * es ; the princip al object was to provide them mtn more employment , which , generally , is the only thing that colliers inquire after , hut this time
™ W wasawalce . When he came to reckon up what fourteen tabs at 3 d . each would come to , he found ™ t it was 3 s . 6 d ., justexactly the amount of twelve wus at 3 | d . per tub ; therefore the only benefit ») at could arise to the miners from this proposition , would be for them to send to bank two small wba of four and a half cwfc . each for nothing . But joe miners did not look at it in the same * Jo « t as their employers did , and the men stopped working . Their . emnlovers attempted
TO « ject them out of their houses , in the ™« st of winter , to rock their infants cradle in a warm ditch , but the miners again demurred , and ij ! ° eS 5 fuuy defended themselves in the courts of j *» , commonl y called courts of justice , at a great J * eose » which they are now paying offat a certain g » weekl y . The result is that the men are still . " < £ in the same houses . But the richest and tf & i j ° f the si 0 T ? » not > *« M ; masters the m v f ? ages when coals »« reduced in in « , ; ' fc they" ^ hed to recover wages T . i , _ . c se although an advance had taken
feT **? ™ 8 P" ? 6 of coals " * the market ; there oiS , v M ? ° otner Pn > of that it matters not to the ratove miner whether the prices of coal are being dnS J ^ wn" * ™ th e market to them , for re £ renot 5 ^ ge ? ? * taew « al rule , when the men * m umt « d with each other . In this case , it has
The Mixers Of Ayrshire. Fjsixmiae Master...
gained the miners -a- glorious ^ victory ; - A public meeting has been held at Hoodstone Bridge , since the miners returned to their work .: The chair was taken atten o ' clock in the morning by a miner ; who , as well as all the other speakers , spoke greatly in favour of a national union amongst the miners of the united . kingdom . The number of members in the union are on the increase every week . There appears to be a strong desire through Ayrshire . to join the . union . Amongst other things agreed to at the public meeting , they resolved to assist in obtaining government inspection oyer mines and collieries , and also adopted the miners ' . petition , as published in the Star on the 23 rd utt .
Letters. To The Working Classes. Lxxlx. ...
LETTERS . TO THE WORKING CLASSES . LXXLX . " "Words are things , and a small drop of ink Falling—like dew—upon a thought , produces . That which makes thousands , r ^ haps niillions think . " BiBOX . THE FRENCH ELECTIONS . Brother Proletamans , Since the " 13 th of June , " the fall of Rome , and the betrayal of Hungary , not an organ of the Ordermongers , whether newspaper , magazine , or review , hut has iterated aud reiterated the comfortable assurance that the reaction had completely stifled the Revolution ; that " anarchy" was crushed , and " Order" securely established throughout Europe ,
If the readers of those papers , & c ., are so brutally besotted aa to have swallowed such assertions , and believed them for gospel truth , what must they feel now that the mutterings ofthe revolutionary thunder are again audible even to their dull ears ? And what will they feel when awakened to a full sense of the terrible crash which will , ere long , engulph thrones , hierarchies , and all the organised hypocrsies which have so long cursed the human race ? This anticipation ofthe not distant future is no idle dream . All over the
continent the propagandism of Revolutionary principles is incessant , and . most successful . And that propagandism is carried , oh less - by the Revolutionists themselves , than b y the tyrants who , by madly attempting to force back the tide of progress , are thereby most admirably accumulating the means of their own destruction . The perjuries , the desolating deeds , the blood y enormities committed by the friends of Order hare , in two years , done immensely , more to advance Republicanism and Socialism , than had been previousl y effected by twenty years of popular propagandism .
, As regards France in particular , theprogress of Red Republicanism is most striking and unmistaheable . The elections which have this week taken place to supply the vacancies caused by the condemnation of Ledku Rollin and his fellow exiles , leave no room for donbt that the Republicans—the veritable Republicans , democratic and social—are stronger than ever ; are , in fact , the destined masters of the fast coming future . Every possible effort has been made hy the Ordermongers to secure the . triumph of then '
candidates , but in vain . Although the votes will not be declared until twenty-fours after the writing of this letter , there is no longer room for doubt that Carxot , Vidai , and De Flotie—the Socialist Democratic Candidates have been elected . Nothing accurate is yet known of the departmental elections ; but —although the " Times " pretends that the Moderates are successful , my readers may anticipate that at least a majority of the seats contested , have been obtained by the representatives of the Red Republic .
The importance of this glorious victory is enhanced , when the circumstances under which it has been achieved are taken into
account For about twenty-one months past , the French Democrats have been subjected to a system of prosciption , espionage , and terror . First in the list of victims came the multitude of Republicans butchered in the insurrection of June , ' 48 j then the victims of the courts-martial ; then Bakbes , Blaxqdi , and their fellow sufferers ; then Le « BU RoLIIK , and the condemned participators in the affair of June , ' 49 ; and to all these must be added innumerable public writers , publishers , democratic soldiers , and a mass of other citizens ,
condemned , under various pretests , by the ruling oppressors . For months past , not a day ' s mail hut has brought intelligence of journals suppressed—or , at least , prosecuted—mayors suspended , schoolmasters dismissed , National Guards disbanded , and regiments of the line punished , for their disaffection to the Government , and adherence to the principles of Red Republicanism . Fines , dungeons , and exile —chains and death , have been the means employed hy the " honest and moderate" ruffians , to establish their power . And , hehold ! that power is crumbling to dust !
In addition to this system of terror , which it was hoped would have prevented the pror grcss of Red Republicanism , other means have been tried to turn Universal Suffrage against the Republic . The old dodgesofljuonapartwn , and " family , property , and order , " having become worn out , exploded , used up , the suffrage itself was attacked in the only way it is as yet open to assault The elections which have just taken place , were deferred until the electoral lists had been put through a " revision . " The result of that revision was . the expunging of the names of some forty thousand
voters—chiefly Proletarians—who , had they been allowed to vote , would undoubtedly have added many thousands to the Socialist majority . When the time for the elections was fixed , Caruer , Prefect ofPolice ^—the Fouche of the day—issued instructions to . Lis emissaries to wage an unceasing war against Socialism , and employ themselves in " enlightening" the people as to the blessings ef the present system of society . This same
Carlier while permitting the ordermongers full freedom in the placarding and circulating of their appeals . to the electors , i » re down and destroyed those of the Democrats . Police spies were employed to attend the Socialist electoral meetings , and excite confusion . - An attempt was even made to prosecute one of the members of the Mountain , for a speech delivered at one of those meetings . The member in question , Michel ( de Bourges ) was rereported to have said that .
The people are evervthing ; the rest nothin * -. The people onlv are right ; the rest is but a lie . The time is approaching ; the people are about to reign ; I already see on your brows tlie diadem ofroyalty . On the day fulJowing its triumph , the people wUl examine into the origin of fortunes and of capital ; the people will settle tlie accounts ofthe bourgeoisie—a % they have the same right to do so as they had to settle those of Royalty—unless , indeed tlie bourgeoisie of their own accord donotfirstto doit , and which I strongly counsel them to do . The people produre everything , and it is to the people that everything belongs .
The accused representative proved , to the satisfaction even of the Committee appointed by his enemies , that the speech , imputed to him was a lying invention of the l ying " Constitutionnel ; " and the charge fell to the ground . But had Michel ( de Bourges ) delivered such a speech , he would hut have expressed the sentiments of every honest man every defender of Labour ' s rights-revery enemy to those who prey upon the working and wealth producing classes .
Another move of the Ordermongers was to get up a riot as a pretext for placing Paris in a state of siege ; which could they have accomplished , would have enabled them to have prevented all electoral meetings , accompanied with a suspension ofthe Democratic journals . Thanks to the steadiness of the people , the move failed . The Trees of Liberty were cut down , but the people bore with the provocation without offering resistance . The Ordermongers may , however , assure themselves that that little exploit is noted down , added to the long list of greater crimes , and will not he forgotten when arrives the people ' s day . of judgment . Yet another dodge was tried to influence the elections , Two scoundrels were hired to write
Letters. To The Working Classes. Lxxlx. ...
pampUets purportingitojbe revelations ; i pf the Repntilican party , hut ^ wMchjreall y were collations of groundless lies , ; ; aiid inbst atrocibus calumnies . . One of these' ^ villains—a ^ certain Chenu— had been known to , and tolerated . by , some of the Eepuhliffah party , previous- to the Revolution of February . After the Jane ihshrrectioh— : if no ^ t ' eaidier—he turned traitor , arid invented the most absurd , accusations , directed principally against Caussidieke . The other wretch—by name De LA'Ho pDE- ^ -installed himself as secretary at the Police ' Prefecture , under Caussidiere , hiit had hot filled
that place many days , when evidence which he could not deny , was brought against him , proving that he had been a , regular spy in the Republican Clubs for some years previously . The lucubrations of this worthy couple were eagerly purchased and circulated , by the enemies of the Republicans , and warmly recommended by the Anti-Republican journals . The " Times "—and other papers of the same stamp on this side of the channel — translated some of the most disgusting portions of the libels ; and when
Caussidiere demanded the insertion of a few lines in self-defence , the " Times , '' in accordance with its base and brutal character , refused even that poor act of justice ; at the same time adding to the insult and injury previously perpetrated . Let me add , that pamphleteering libellers are not confined to French soil ; there are Chenus in England , " and villanous journals ready to hack them ; in their calumnies against the veritable friends of the people .
But" Xlince are they arm'd , that liave then- quarrel just . " And the men on whose banner is inscribed " Justice for each and for all , " are—despite , fraud , and force , calumny , and violence- — marching onwards , " conquering and to conquer . " ' . ¦ : ' .. , ¦ ¦¦ : For about a month past , the correspondent ofthe " Times'' has supplied the readers of that journal with a daily dish-up of what purported to be accounts of Socialist ^ electoral meetings held in Paris and the neighbourhood . In his attempts to follow up his instructions , the said correspondent has managed to
make such aprecious mess ofhis handiwork , that even the densest blockhead ( and thousands of such read the " Times" ) must have become disgusted at his outrageous lying and slandering . , Kot contented with ordinary mendacity , the Times' " man must needs overdo his work , and so utterly , spoil it . Pretending -to report a democratic meeting , ho invariably represented the speakers as idiotic , or drunk , or fighting with each other . Sometimes he
improved on his usual story , by representing the Democrats as invaded and thrashed by a band of workmen , shouting " Vive Napoleon ! " and " Down with the Reds ! " Had this beast of a correspondent written some such story but once a week , he might have had a few believers ; but Avhen the same sort of thing was supplied every day , riot even a reader ofthe "Times" but ' must have seen through the shallow and disgusting fabrication .
The importance of the victory gained by the Parisian Democrats , is well shown by the avowed disappointment and rage of the "Times , " and similar journals . " "When , " says the " Times , " "it is considered what these candidates ( Caknot , Yij > ai , and De Flotte , ) are , we recoil with mingled disgust and dismay from thjs spectacle of a , nation passing a sentence of destruction oh itself , and consigning all the interests of a great people to the acknowledged champions of ignorance , plunder , and sedition . " Admitting the present
union of the Republicans , it adds that " the movements of that party are directed with the utmost uniformity and vigour ; " that " each succeeding incident exhibits more clearly the want of capacity , vigour , and union on the side of the Government—the increase ' - of strength and daring on the side . of itsi Oner mies ; '' that the further application of . the means of repression , is a policy . * ' extremely doubtful , when it is found that a very large proportion of votes in the army is given to Socialist candidates ; '' and anticipating the next popular hurricane , the " Times" mournfully adds : —" ¦ next time there will probably
be no Lamabtine ready to check the revolution ^ or to win it back with airy word s from its prey . " The " Chronicle" deplores the " serious intelligence" received from Paris . It denounces Carnot as " the apostle of ignorance ;' Vidal as " the lacquey ofthe audacious theorist" Lotjis Blanc ; and De Flotte as " the most reckless and most lunatic of the combatants of June . Finally , it acknowledges " that the cause of the Red Republic is the winning . cause . " The article in this evening ' s " Globe" is utterly contemptible—a mere exhibition of undignified spite and impotent rage .
C . 4 IW 0 T denounced , by these libellers as the champion of ignorance , is a , son of tho great Caknot—the colleague of Robespierre , aud " organiser of victory . " So far from being the apostle or champion of ignorance , he attempted , while Minister of Public Instruction , to ameliorate the condition , and promote the efficiency of the primary instructors . The ground on which the Press-gang base their
calumny is , that while . Minister of Public Instruction under the Provisional Government , he issued a circular , advising the nomination of staunch Republicans to the National Assembly—their Republicanism to be the first consideration ; the Minister wisely deeming scholastic attainments a matter of secondary importance ,, compared with ; public virtue . That circular has been distorted into a
recommendation to the electors to elect none but ignorant men ! Vidal—described by the " Times " astberepresentative of " plunder "is in fact a man who has devoted his talents to the holy work of protecting the labour of the workman , from the system of plunder ,, which at . presents denies to the wealth-producer the : bread he earns in the sweat of his brow . De Flotte is a man who , ' though by birth an aristocrat , and formerly ; . a naval officer , has given ample pledges ofhis devotion to the people . ' He was Vice-Pi ' esident of Blanqui ' s Club , and a combatant for the Social Republic in the insurrection of June . Condemned by Court-martial to transportation for life , he was included in the first list ofthe amnestized , and liberated after a few months suffering .
His election is the legalisation of the June insurrection , and tlie condemnation of the system , which , in those disastrous days , achieved a temporary victory . The Ordermongers are in consternation . The Buonapaitists accuse the Legitimists of betraying the cause of order . The Legitimists return the compliment , and fiercely denounce the "SPECIAL . " There is a report that the Ministers have resignedarid that
Buona-, parte is about to send a message to the Assembly . explanatory ofhis intentions , under existing circumstances . One thing is certain , the money-gamblers are in a state of alarm . It is stated iu this evening ' s papers that the departments of the Lower . Rhine , Saone et Loire , Loire et Cher , andNievre , have elected Socialist-Democrats , to the number of fourteen . In the Cher two supporters of the Government have been elected .
On the consequences of these elections I may say something in my next letter . I will now only , observe , that come it slow , or come it fast , the downfall of the Ordermongers is certain . Then will the Red Flag make the tour of Europe , and rally all nations round Liberty ' s Tree J L'AMIDU PEUPLE . March 14 , 1850 .
Emigration .—Nearly Two Hundred .Pauper ...
Emigration . —Nearly two hundred . pauper emigrants from-the Cheltenham union are-expected to go out to Quebec in the Corsair , t o sail from Gloucester in the month of April .
Emigration .—Nearly Two Hundred .Pauper ...
f WiuflAL KEFORMi ; LEAGUB ; : > ¦¦ : ¦ : i Mr : O'RHehi ^ the Pregident ^ of . ttuV A ^ sociationl lectured atUKe'InstUution ^ square , on Fridifyweek , before ^ ^ ariumerouB ' audierice ; He . commenced by reading | 'fi ; om a' large bandrbill , a reaolution , which was . rece ' ntiyxarried . at a public meeting at Greenwich ; to the . ' effect ' that , all measures of free . trade shall be accompaEied by a repeal in the fixed price ofgold , and also : with a-readjustment of all public-hardens , to a scale ; pioportionate to the fall of prices caused by free trade . 'He stated that . his address 16 that moeting was received with applause , and listened to with- attention ; . although a few years ago he would-have had no anp \ port in advocating such ; doctrine s as he propounded on that occasion . . Now , however , people were coming round lo his views ; and he had no
hesitation in saying , that the League would , one day , be the strongest party in England , because all other parties , not founded on' 'Its '' principles , must get weaker , while the League would he daily getting stronger . Mr . O'Brien then alliided- ' to the ' Progressionist ; ' and called the attention of . his hearers to the last numher ; of that ' pubiicatiori , in which was reprinted ; the whole of the League prospectus , introduced by a commendatory paragraph , by the editor , who had become a member of the League , and had promised to-advocate its principles on every convenient opportunity . He ' cordially recommended the * Progressionist * to the support of his audience ;
quoting a passage from the previous , number , which ended with the ' prayerful sentence— 'From landlords , their . robbery , and their rule , good Lord deliver us ! ' The lecturer , , in refering to the reform movements new going on , remarked , that it was satisfactory to perceive that political Chartism was now seldom advocated without being conjoined with social reform aspirations - " and he was glad to notice that Mr . G . J . Harney had . on that . platform the other evening , expressed the indispensableness of Chartists becoming something more than Chartists . In the course of his lecture he ( Mr . O'Brien ) descanted on the changes in public opinion which was goihg-on in reference to the estimation of the characters of
great historical personages ; and especially instanced Robespierre arid Julius Caesar . A . few years agoj he ( Mr . O'Brien ) had been voted mad for defending RobeBpierre against the calumnies of historians ; and against popular prejudice ; but now , apologists for that wise and good man were frequently appearing . Even Lamartine had been compelled to admit that he bad been grossly misunderstood ' and abused . Robespierre was one of the truest philanthropists the world bad ever seen ; and the' crimes which had been attributed to him were the work of his enemies—who , dreading the influence , which he had acl q uired over the working classes , . through ' the ' wise and just , measures of reform he bad advocated ,
contrived . by intrigue , slander , and treachery to get him murdered before those reforms could be carried into practice . The privileged classes , who wished to keep the working classes powerless slaves to capitalists and landlords , hated and dreaded such reformers as Maximilian Robespierre ; and would sacrifice them without remorse . ' , Refering to Paine and Cobbet , the lecturer maintained that both these otherwise able men were totally wrong in their ideas upon agrarian justice , and money , which , indeed , was now very generally , admitted , as was also the folly of throwing all blame for the etils of society upon monarchy . A great deal had been said and written about the patriotism inculcated in the letters
of Junius , and , muchpains had been taken to discover who Junius was , but , for his part , he considered Junius not worth looking for . Legal and conventional p lunderers of the working classes were in ; the act of ; attributing public distress to anything butitheir own injustice , and artfully managed there 7 liy to divert public attention from bad social institutions to mere political institutions of comparative unimportance . The power of the crown had often been ^ egregiously exaggerated . What power had Queen Victoria , iudependant of her ministers ? Although , nominally , she reigned over such vast possessions as now belonged to England , yet this mighty Queen tvas as politically impotent as a babe
in swaddling clothes ; and even her personal independence was so infringed upon by an oligarchy that she could not even marry whom she pleased , nor choose her own bed-chamber women ! Yet popularity-hunters went about denouncing kingsthose mere puppets in . the hands of crafty landlords and money-lords ! Reverting to Julius Ca ^ ar , the lecturer said , it was usual , to hear his murderer spoken of as the ' noble Brutus ; ' and it was currently believed ; that he killed Cassar under the influence of the patriotic motive of saving the republic from what the conspirators called the despotism of Cffisar ; whereas , the real cause of their hatred of bira was , that he had made himself too
popular with the lower orders of ( he people , by his laws for tie restriction of usury , and other measures instituted : for their benefit , against the interests of ( he aristocracyj and the pretended friends of popular rights . Mr . O'Brien , afterwards , alluded to , and illustrated the enormous power of England ' s commercial aristocracy ; and , he said it with sorrow , he believed that power to be the most insidious enemy to popular liberties the world had ever known : and that too , all the while the parlies exercising it were pretending to be actuated by nothing else than a desire to benefit the people , whom they would , nevertheless , shoot down like dogs , did they ever attempt to take their just rights by force . Now , the
National Reform League were bonded together to dispel ihese popular empiricisms—this political and social cant and hypocrisy . Theirs was the onlv neutaal ground on which all parties might take their stand ; theirs was the only party who consecrated the past for the benefit of existing interests ; but at the same time consecrated the future for the benefit of the whole people . All parties , therefore , ought to belong to it—Conservatives , Free Traders ; Liberals ,, Chartists , Churchmen , Dissenters , and Catholics would find their interests fairly treated , and their claims justly balanced , however paradoxical such a statement might at first appear ; which paradoxes Mr . O'Brien solved to the audience ' in his usual lucid and humourous style .
The Ten Hours Act. Mektixo Of Delegates ...
THE TEN HOURS ACT . MEKTIXO OF DELEGATES IN-LONDON . On Saturday evening last a meeting of the factory lelegates now in town , sent up for the purpose of promoting a declaratory act or bill to amend the ict of 1847 , was held at '' their committee-room , Sorthumberlahd-court ; Strand . There were delegates present from Manchester ; Bolton , Blackburn ) Leeds , Bradford , Ashton , Dukinfield , and other places . - Mr . Thomas Pitt , of Dukinfield , chairman of the delegates , presided . The chairman , in opening tho . business ; ' observed that the circumstances which had rendered it necessary for them again to leave their'homes were of the roost distressing character . Many of them had . been struggling for a Ten Hours Bill for . nearly i quarter' of a century , and . after a most patient and constitutional 'agitation ^ their labours , as they thought , had been crowned with complete success when the bill of 1847 was carried , under , the leadership of their' late lamented friend John Fielden ; but , to their utter disappointment , and the disappointment of the whole ofthe factory workers , they were deprived of the whole of its contemplated blessings by a clerical error , or the omission of two or three words in the twenty-sixth section , and they were now set-. t up by tho working-men of the north to assise Lord Ashley in completing the good work in which the noble Lord has so long and so zealously laboured ^ - •'•; ¦;• ¦ . . •¦¦ ¦ -.
Mr . J . Mills , of Oldham , moved the first resolution , which was seconded by Mr . P . Margraves , of Manchester , and carried unanimously : — " That the decision ofthe Court of Exchequer being at variance with the intentions of the Legislature when the Ten Hours Act of 1847 was passed , and further legislation having , therefore become necessary , we are resolved , at whatever inconvenience to ourselves , to maintain inviolate the principle of ten hours a day continuous labour exclusiveiof meal times , and having been sent to London for that purpose we pledge ourselves , by every tie that binds us to the future welfare of the women and vounsr nersons in
the factory districts , to use every legitimate means in our power to prevail upon the Parliament of 1850 to correct the errors of the Parliament of 1844 and 1847 , believing that tho system of working 'by shifts ; ' - which extends the factory day over a period of fifteen hours out of the twenty-four , was never intended by the Legislature when the bill was passed , nor by tho ( Jueen of England when Her Majesty addressed the Lords and Commons in proroguing Parliament , and congratulated them on the settlement of a question which was intended to limit the hours of factory labour with a view of affording the hands an opportunity of improving their religious , moral , physical , and social condition . "
Mr . M . Balme , of Bradford , moved the second resolution : — " That the system of working by ' shifts , ' as now practised , is fraught with every imaginable evil to those females and young persons who aro subjected to-its influence , and entirely destroys the whole ofthe contemplated advantages of the Ten Hours Act , and is in our opinion a gross violation of tho intentions : of the statute , and therefore we appeal to our friends and supporters in Parliament once more to lend us tneir willing aid
The Ten Hours Act. Mektixo Of Delegates ...
ahdirally ^ dutid Lord Ashley the effort he / is now making to ' amend-the law . " The resolution was seconded by-Mr . J . Katb , manager , i of Blackburn , arid carriea unanimously . s : ' ' * Mr , iHiCH-ARDi UHSwoRTH , of Bolton , moved'the third resolution ' , ' which was-seconded by Mr . Isaac BoiiOMJ ^' of Bradford , and carried : — " That inasmuch as our present application to Parliament involves no new-principle of legislation , but merely seeks to put all upon an equal footing ; we believe that the adoption of a bill defining the intention of the act of 1847 would be as acceptable to our employers generally as ; it would be advantageous to both masters and workpeople ; this meeting cannot
see upon what grounds such a bill can be opposed j and venture to express a hope , for the honour and credit of Parliament , that no obstacle will be thrown in the way of a final settlement of the question upon the basis of ten hours a day , and thereby spare the people an expenditure of time and money in promoting a law without which , in all its integrity , they will never rest satisfied ; and further that we believe that any extension ofthe hours of work in factories by ace of parliament would create great discontent amongst the people , and lead to a . widening of the breach between masters and men , which tho delegates now assembled are most anxious to avoid ; " .
It was agreed that a petition founded upon the resolutions be prepared , and a vote of thanks having been passed to the chairman , the meeting separated .
Iiidtioual Itaira Arompflus
iiidtioual itaira arompflus
The Members Of The Worcester Branch, To ...
THE MEMBERS OF THE WORCESTER BRANCH , TO THE LAND MEMBERS GENERALLY . .. Gentlemen . —Having seen with deep regret the desire evinced by some branches , to have the operations- of the above named company wound up , we beg to enter our protest against any such proposition being acted upon , for the following reasons ;—First , has it ; or cahit'be , reasonably dis puted , that the principles and objects of the Land Company are incapable of realisation ? Practice answers no . We hold it to be no argument , because some individuals have failed , that all must of necessity fail . On the contrary , some of the allottees assert their capability of earning a
subsistance . on the Company's estates ; and if such can be proved to > be the case ,. we think that a sufficient reason for' its continuance . Secondly ,, we ask , what confidence the members generally have in the assertions made by such persons as those who gave evidence on the trial of 0 'Connorww «« Bradshaw ? Wo ask ; can it bo believed , that such gaunt misery » 8 that depicted by them really exists , seeing that they so pertinaciously adhere to their holding . We apprehend , that if their woe begotten tales were full of truth , they would not give the directors so much trouble to get possession of their respective ' farms , but would ' at once return to 'tho high wages ar id comfortable homes , from which , as alleged , they in their simplicity have been
allured . Thirdly , on the petition presented by bir B . Hall , Mr . O'Connor is reported to express a determination to wind up the Company , no doubt , mucli to the satisfaction of the aristocratic ears on which it fell . We ' thank Mr . O'Connor for the able and effective answer he « gave to the many calumnies attempted to be cast upon his conduct in connexion with the Land Company ; but cannot refrain from expressing our opinion , that the resolution of the last conference , authorising the directors to prosecute the registration of the Company , should first be obtained , if it can be obtained , before the directors can , or should , be permitted , to suspend those benefits which it is calculated to confer . Are such men as Beattie and Company , to be
permitted to ride rough shod over the best interests of those members who are wanting to have possession ? What similarity exists between their case and the case of a member who inquired about the reg istration last week , when , on being told the position of our efforts to obtain legal protection , and the alleged condition of the occupants , replied , I wish I could change places with some of them , for I am paying £ 5 per year for an old cottage and nine perches of land , ¦ and have to pay poor rates , yet have not a privy or pig stye attached thereto , and all my wife , family , and self , have to subsist upon is seven shillings per week . We think , had such persons as these possession of some ot those places , occupied by members who will neither pay nor give
up possession , we should soon hear some other than the dolorous tales now told . An agricultural labourer declared his willingness to give a . bonus Of £ 20 , when the Company shall be in a condition to give , through the legal protection now sought , security of tenure . In the face of such declared truths ,-and opposed as many of the members are to winding up the society , until every ray of hope is dispelled as to the probability of legislation being complied with , we beg to enter our protest against the winding up of a company , the capabilities of the principles of which it cannot be disproved , and which , if properly applied , will be sufficient to
fulfil the great objects its founder intended . In conclusion , we request the members of the several branches to ask their representatives to the late conference held at Sni g ' s End , whether they over Beheld finer crops than that estate presented ; the answer must be conclusive . We , 'therefore , earnestly entreat a calm consideration of this important subject ; , and although wc admit the ingratitude of some , " and those not a fow , would , hy many , be considered sufficient cause for the abandonment of our darling scheme on the part of Mr . O'Connor ; yet the grateful hearts of thousands boat with fervent admiration for his devoted and disinterested
desires . We may be permitted to add , that tho members here have the fullest confidence in his integrity ; hoping the members generally will calmly consider this important subject , I beg to subscribe myself yours devotedly—for the Worcester branch , James Habdikg .
Nonwicn.—At A Meeting Of Members On Mond...
Nonwicn . —At a meeting of members on Monday , the 11 th of March , the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That the thanks of this meeting is due , and hereby given , to Mr . O'Connor , for his noble reply to Sir B . Hall in the House of Commons , in reference to tho Land Company . "— " That it is the opinion of this meeting , that in the present state ofthe Land Company , it is inexpedient to continue the services of the Directors any longer , as there can be . nothing for them to do , unless it be to travel the country at the expense of the Company . We therefore call upon those gentlemen , namely : Messrs . M'Grath , Clark , Doyle , and Dixon , to resign their situations , as they are holding it in opposition to the will of the members of the Compjuiy ; and if they decline we recommend their wngesto bo stopped . " — " That this meeting is also of
opinion , seeing the ingratitude and scandalous conduct of the allottees on the several estates towards ? . ir . O'Connor , their benefactor , also in refusing to pay rent—the determination of government , and the powerful influence of the press in opposition to the plan , we consider , it absolutely necessary that the affairs of the Company he immediately wound ap , seeing the impossibility of prosecuting it further with any hope of success . "—The meeting was then adjourned till Monday , March 18 th . , Tower IIamlkis . —At a meeting of the Whittingr ton and Cat branch , the following resolution was carried : — " That wo do enter into a subscription , for the purpose of defraying the expenses incurred in the . action for a libel , and wo call on all members of the Hamlets to do tho same . " A subscription was entered into , and it was ordered to lie open for a month ; ' The business of the Charter Association
was then considered , and it was resolved that a general meeting of members should take place on Sunday , the 17 th , for the purpose-of electing tho ndcossary officers to audit accounts , and to discuss tho local plan of organisation . Tho meeting then adjourned . Limehouse Volunteer BnAscn . —At a special summoned meeting of this branch , held on the Sth inst . —Mr , M . Scatchard in the chair—the following proposition was proposed , seconded , and carried unanimously ' : — " That this meeting , considering the position ofthe National Land Company ' s affairs , is of opinion that they should be wound up as soon as possible , and respectfully request Mr . F . O'Connor to use his best endeavours for that purpose , feeling confident that it cannot be brought to a successful issue if carried on ; and further , that it is superfluous to continue the services of tho whole of the ; Directors . "
' Land Plan. Jo Fbakguii O'Connob , Es Q...
' LAND PLAN . JO FBAKGUII O ' CONNOB , ES Q ., 11 . P . Sin , —The very extraordinary decision of the jury in your case against Mr . Bradshaw , proprietor of the Nottingham Journal , when it reached our city , was felt not only among your warm friends , but oven-by those who do not rank as your zealous supporters , as if they had been visited by the shock of an earthquake . What has puzzled us tho most is , how any jury could have possibly arrived at the conclusion , that Bradshaw—who charged you with dishonest practices—was not guilty ; and , at the same time , upon their oaths , affirm you to have been upright in all your dealings with the Land Company . It is a positive contradiction of terms to find for both parties , for if you had committed no roguery ,
and the jury and so—then Bradshaw was guitly . I am extremely happy to observe the spirit which ie every where evinced in your favour among the members of thoJUind Company , and considering all things , " it bids fair for the future . Among usalthough it must be confessed we arc rather slow in moving when money matters are concerned—I have good reason to think yom Jdituation in this most extraordinary . case will not be overlooked . Although not a member o tho Land . Company , I have ever been watehful of its progress , yet dreaded its immediate success , and this because the existing laws fetter an : open and fair field for speculation in tho soil . Tho laws are framed with the intent to hinder tho millions from settling on the land ; hence
' Land Plan. Jo Fbakguii O'Connob , Es Q...
" o real , no general , nor good results can flow to . the people , until those obnoxious statutes are first repealed , and the incubus of taxation—which grinds the industry ofthe people to atoms—is removed . But do I say that a beginning should riot be made with the view to proceed in the right direction , until every obstacle was removed ? . No ;; for the ; sooner that willing , industrious , and honest men arc put in the way of providing for themselves , and families , so much the better ; It must be evident to every one , your progress has been retarded by the bitter opposition , which , in every direction , has . crossed your path . Not only have you met it by the government , and the Public Press , but less or more , by the shareholders from the first ; and nowmost shamefully
, by a portion of those who have obtained comfortable homes through your labours and the expense of others . I think the existing difficulties will all be overcome by using a little patience ; and when once tho door is so far widened as to enable you to exorcise your judgment freely , it is impossible in the meantime to calculate the extent to which you might carry out the Land Scheme . The better tho scheme , the more likely it would be opposed by those who feed upon the labour of others ; for they artfully plan to keep the labour market over-stocked with unwilling idlers , from whom they can pick and choose atany-price ; and among this class you can trace your bitterest enemies . I have had some experience of this for some years past , in my own
person ; for no . sooner did my book appear , which advised the peop le to club together , and build small decked vessels and fish for themselves , than the fish-curers took the alarm , and denounced r oe as a visionary , possessing notions at variance with common sense * : However , I have not fought the battle single-handed ; and having been aided by the most experienced fishermen in Scotland , who obtained along with myself , a ready insertion in the local newspapers , we have beat down all opposition as far as argument is concerned . If oven I shall come with my fishing scheme to proof by labour , I shaU not adopt the ballot in the appointment of labourers . - and this because idlers might eat more
than they would produce , and eventually give a good occupation a wrong character . I have known Scotch proprietors , who consumed , year after year , the whole rental of their estates , and accumulated debts into the bargain . Knowing this as I do , and having witnessed the wasteful expenditure of thousands of working men , which , when coupled with an idle inclination , I do not feel surprised when I am told some few of your occupants , at Snig ' s End are in poor circumstances , probably they are of that stamp ; and we may readily believe like spoiled children—they will neither confess nor amend their errors ; Respectfully yours , Aberdeen . ¦ John Sjiabt .
The Honesty Fund. To Feakdos O'Connor, E...
THE HONESTY FUND . TO FEAKdOS O ' CONNOR , ESQ ., if , P . Honoured Sib , —We , the residents of Great Dod « ford , in public meeting assembled , do hereby testify our esteem for your noble and disinterested efforts in the great work of human redemption ; and as a proof of our sincerity , we herewith enclose a small order for the sum of £ 14 s . Id ., which you will please accept , to assist in discharging the heavyexpenses you have been again subjected to by the enemies ofthe toiling millions . We regret that our limited means will not allow us to make the sum pounds instead of shillings , for we are quite sure that a more scandalous affair never transpired in what is called a court of justice ; but , sir , we can only regard these unheard of persecutions as so many proofs of your integrity and noblemindedness , and we trust the day will come when you shall see the cause of right triumph over might .
We are exceeding sorry that any of the Land members—especially those who are located by the ballot —should turn round , and endeavour , by their puny efforts , to destroy their benefactor ; and we can not account for such conduct but by means of bribery . We are certain , however , that tho time will come when they will see their error , and regret that they were ever made the tools of such base parties , whose only object is the complete enslavement of mankind . We call upon all lovers of freedom—and especially the Land members—to come forward at once with their mite , and aid you to defeat those who are determined to " ruin you with expenses . " If this is not speedily and promptly attended to , we are certain that our cause must suffer , and our enemies rejoice , for it can only bo regarded as a blow struck at our political liberty , and social progress . On behalf of the meeting , Jjmes Yisir , Chairman .
TO TEARflUS O CONNOR , ESQ ., M . P . Respected Sir , —I enclose the sum of os „ in postage stamps , from four members of the Land Company in Ruthei'glen , and I am instructed by them to state that they-have full confidence in you and the Land Company ; and , if necessary , rather than see the scheme destroyed by the machinations of the enemy , they are willing to subscribe more to the Company to enable it to go on . Their names are : Alex . Gilles , 2 s . ; George Drysdale , Is . ; Alex . Gilles , jun ., Is . ; John Gilles , Is . ; to he applied to paying off the . debt incurred in the late libel case . I am , respected Sir , yours faithfully , Glasgow . - ¦ .- ¦¦ ' ¦ D . Shekbington " . I TO FEARGUS O ' COXNOK , ESQ ., M . P .
Dear Sir , —It is upwards of two years since I became a member of the Land Company ; and so satisfied was I iu the benefits that would arise from the carrying out of the glorious Plan you had profounded , that 1 at once paid the full amount of four shares . My opinions are still the same , knowing full well that the great evil we have to contend with is surplus labour ; here was a remedy , and , in my opinion , the only practical one in the . present day . It has not been so successful as I anticipated ; but who is to blame 'i—not you , Sir , but the many members who have not stood to their post ; therefore , whether you carry on , or wind up the Company , I shall be satisfied . I hope you will yet live to receive the . reward of your labours ; but if not , be assured the men of the future will honour your name . Those who take up the people ' s cause , are doomed to persecution and slander ; and methinks
there is scarcely another man in the country that would have withstood the many furious attacks and diabolical conspiracies that have been concocted to drive you from the people ' s cause . A jury , composed of your enemies , have again been compelled to proclaim to the world that your character is stiil unimpeachable .. I thank them for that much ; hut it appears to me a direct contradiction to the former part of their verdict—being a just one . Hoping the friends of progress will come forward , and prove to thoir and your enemies , that they will not allow you to be ridden rough shod over by each and all subscribing . according to his means , that their true friend may be enabled to thwart their enemies in their many schema to ruin him with expenses . . 1 enclose la . worth of postage stamps along with the same amount from aj friend , towards the expenses ofthe late trial . I remain , sir , yours respectfully . Walworth , March Sth . B , H .
TO FEARGUS 0 CONNORS ESQ . Sin , —A few friends of our village have sent you their first subscription , through the hands of Mr . James Sweet , of Nottingham , towards defraying the expenses of middle class prejudice and imbecility . We hope we shall be able to make those pence shillings , and that the country generally will be of the same mind , and also that you may be in a capacity to triumph over your and our enemies . A few Chartists of Lambley . Nottingham , March 9 th . [ ' ¦
TO SIR . WM . RIDER . Sir , —At the meeting of this branch of the National Land Company , held on Sunday the 3 rd inst ., among other business that came before tho members was the very important consideration of subscribing to the Indemnity , or Honesty Fund . In connexion with this matter I have to state , that there seemed but one feeling ( that of indignation ) to pervade the breasts of nfi p ersons present , which was fully evinced-by the liberal amount subscribed , viz ., £ 1 5 s ., for which I have enclosed a Post-office order . The members
present—though few in number—agreed to appoint a committee to look after the subscriptions . The secretary was instructed to write for a few collecting books for that purpose . Trusting the good men and true , in all districts and localities , will respond to tho call of duty now made upon them to indemnify—if that were possible—our friend and patriot , Mr . O'Connor , for this , among the other losses to which the advocacy of our cause has SUCjected him . I remain , yours , Ac , Newcastle-upon Tyne . M . Judi .
TO MR . W . RIDER . Sir , —Hearwith I send you a Post-office-order for the sum of 10 s ., to be p laced to the Indemnity Fund , which has been contributed by a few members of the National Land Company , and other democrats , who wish to express to the revilera of Mr . O'Connor / that the more thoy strive to impugn the hoesty of that gentleman , the more we are convinced of his integrity ; neither their slanderous calumny , nor vile machinations , wdl ever alienate us from him , so long as he continues to prove himself worthy of our esteem . Chickenley , March . lzthi John Behtley .
TO MR . w . rider . > Sir , —I hearwith send 2 a . 6 d ., in stamps , for the Honesty Fund , trusting that all the Land members will come up to the scratch like men , and prove their confidence in their leader , and their love for him , by sending him the . value of a-half-pint per day , for one fortnight , and then he will be ablo to snap his fingers at the Judge-and Jury , and the Waspthat has got into the Sheffield Hive . - Lion Inn , Newtown , T , Martin . Mongemeryshire .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 16, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_16031850/page/5/
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