Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th June 1849, Edition 2 of 3, Page 1, ' A true labourer earns that he eats - crpt«tii«ti.„ ^^^^ SZ^^^Zi

Page 1
Page 1
1 of 8

On this page

  • Departments (3)
    • ' A true labourer earns that he eats - crpt«tii«ti.„ ^^^^ SZ^^^Zi
    • TO THE OLD GUARDS
    • <&MTti$t inttWiatim
  • Text (12)
  • Transcript

    • 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.

      ' A True Labourer Earns That He Eats - Crpt«Tii«Ti.„ ^^^^ Sz^^^Zi

      ' A true labourer earns that he eats - crpt « tii « ti . „ ^^^^ SZ ^^^ Zi

      To The Womong Classes! My Friends ,— Thi...

      TO THE WOMONG CLASSES ! My Friends , — This TFcek tlie list of subscriptions for tonus ior location on the Bromsgrove estate closes , and next week the names of the successful candidates ^ rill be published . And as I have always preserved better faith with the

      working classes than jury other man in whom they bane confided , Kshall be prepared to return the amounts paid by the unsuccessful candidates ; sfiiu , I dare say , many who have invested their little all in railway and other speculations would receive such an announcement from the holders of their money , not only "witi 1 joy , but with surprise , as it is an unusual process .

      I am now looking out of my window at all Sorts of vehicles , conveying all sorts of people to Hampton Eaces , within an hour ' s drive of lay house ; and although that sport , and hunting and agriculture , were amusements that I ibimerly took great delight in , I have abandoned one and all , as well as a lucrative profession , to devote my whole time to the improvement of the condition of the working classes ; and my constant reward has been , the tuuniti g ated hostilit y of all other classes , and not a sparing amount of insolence from a portion of your own order .

      However I base my constant advocacy of your cause upon the' principle , that Ihave received this insolence only from a very small Biinority ; and from the fact I deduce the justice and practicability—nay , the defence of rigbt , which would be administered by Universal Suffrage . 2 ? ov let me trace this conclusion , both so-€ ially and politically . The . social view I take from the Land Plan , in which from seventy * thousand to eighty thousand of the working classes have invested more or less of their

      money . A very few of those who were disappointed , not by me but by the law , have been insolent and impertinent , while their insolence and impertinence has been nipre than counterbalanced by the kindliness with which the large majority—nay , all , with the exception of a fraction—looked upon the great but not insnrmotmtablc difficulties -flirovm . in . my "way at every step . - . - Though I say the difficulties were not insurmountable , I have the vanity to believe that few men would bave had the courage and the fortitude to have withstood them . Thus , I

      show you how the shield of the majority can protect an honest man from the malignant shafts of a minority in a social point of view ; -and I need only call your attention to the attempts made by the POOR GENTLE 3 LEN —in the Convention of 1839 ; in 1840 and lSil , -iv-hen I -was in my cell ; at the Birmingiam Conference in 1842 ; and in the National Assembly in 1848 , —to destroy my influence , in the hope ' of establishing akmd of patchwork

      . system , in which each might see a shred of . self-iuterCSt , but all of which conspiracies and machinations were bravely and virtuousl y overpowered and destroyed , by the wisdom and integrity of an overwhelming majority : and thus I think I establish the value of Universal Suffrage , both socially and politically ; in fact , as the only safeguard by which the friends of the people can be defended against their enemies , no matter to what class they may belonsr .

      jVI t friends , nothing is more fatal than when theoretical , socialknowledge , has suddenly burst upon a party only just endowed with political power ; every Utopian schemeis seizedupon with -anunaccountableavidity , andsocicty , instead ef being politically harmonised to achieve great national social improvements , becomes sectionalised ; each section constituting the army of -each theorist , and each army , like different religious sects , arrayed in hostility , not upon a principle , but upon a mere shadow .

      I mention this irrefutable fact , to convince yon that self-interest is the basis of human action , and that Bvery theorist who enlists and commands such a section , uses that section for the realisation of his own peculiar object , based upon his own interest . I have often told you that - "Wordsarebut wind , Actions speak the niiud : " and taking those words as your text , you may say , " they are all wind ; " but I rejoice to think that I can appeal to my actions , and from them , and from my present position in

      soeietv , in a financial point of view , you and all others must admit that my object has been ambition , and that that ambition has been to errevate your condition , at the expense of persecution and great loss of property . For you mustalwavs bear in mind , that I was rich and independent when I enlisted in your ranks , while you made me poor ; mit , thank God i not dependent . And you must further bear in mind , that if I made a large income as a newspaper proprietor , I spent every farthing of that income in advocating your cause upon . the platform , defending it in the court of justice , and supporting your victims .

      I think it necessary , well as we understand each other , thus to recapitulate my association with the working classes , and the more especially at the present moment , when the presumed failure of the Land Plan has encouraged theorists to enlist recruits from what they consider the scattered forces of Labour . I say from the presumed failure , although of its legal and social triumph I entertain not a shadow of doabt ; but my greatest difficulty lies in the fact , that those who throw the shuttle , ply the loom , and wield the hammer , believe that the process ef law is as rapid as their labourwhereas , the very fact of the

      AtTORXEY-Ge-3 TEKAL trying to postpone the final adjustment of the Land Plan , must irrefutably convince all that he has a had and unsupportable case ; while , upon the other hand , presmningthevery great improbability that he should succeed , those who have invested their money hi that plan appear tohave lost sight of the fact , that in case Of SUCh a result , the Committee of the House of Commons decided unanimously that Parliament should enable me to wind up the affairs of the Company , and were we driven to such an alternative—which I by no means anticipate— -the Laud Company would be in that anomalous position that it could repay twentv shillings foceray pound in restedincoii

      fidence in me . I ^ ow , I think , and without much stretch of fancy , that when it is borne in mind that the working classes of this country invest their anoiHwTin speculations , the result of which mnnot be discovered for years , and which , m most cases , are fallacious and unsatisfactory , that the Land Company—assuming the alternative to which I have referred—stands in a position different from any company that ever was established . i ? ay , 1 may go further , and , although admitting that £ o , or £ 1 , is a large

      amount for a poor man to abstract from his poor earnings in these griping times , I may say that between seventy and eighty thousand people , pay ing upon an average £ 1 10 s . a ii ^ ad , would not have invested their money « raprofitably , though not a single subscriber ihnd derived a particle of benefit from the Plan . H = w much money has been ' expended in strikes aad useless litigation ? And what money was ever so profitably or prudently expended as that which has been applied to the developcm -nt of the national resources for the . nation s

      beieSt ? - - - - , My friends , many 1 admit have spoken , and many have , written theoretical works , upon the capabilities of the soil , but they have all—one and all—been based upon the feudal system , and applied to the closer rivetting of the chains Of the " slave . For instance , where agricultural labourers arc blessed with ai-ood or half a rood of land attached to their cottage , or detached ,

      To The Womong Classes! My Friends ,— Thi...

      more often the case , the love even of that small quantit y of land , and the dread and horror of losing it , gives the employer a greater control over the occupant . I , upon the other hand , have established my Plan upon a principle which will make every man his own employer , and will sweeten every man ' s hardest toil hy the cheering reflection that he shall be the first partaker of the fruits of his own industry . _ My friends , I have established this Land i'ian , then , as the great social object to be achieved by the people when they are politically enfranchised ; and I have established it in order that no theoretical or Utopian schemes should he used hy theorists and prophets

      when the people achieve political power . And m order that there should be a unity and not a diversity of political opinions , in search of a diversity of impracticable ,, unattainable , unprofitable , and visionary social schemes . - Now / that is my chief object , with reference to this Land Plan — it is to throw the political mind round like a hall , instead of seeing it scattered like grape shot ; and if I can glean knowledge from the growing intelligence of the age , I assert , without fear of contradiction , that if jpu got .. the Charter to-morrow , fhe whole fiiind of the country , no matter how varied it may be now , would be exclusively

      directed to the application of the Land to its legitimate purpose as its first object ; and I tell you what I further assert , and my greatest reviler will not deny it ; it is this , that if I had one million of money to-morrow , I would expend it to the last farthing upon the developement of the Land Plan , if I never received one single fraction of rent in return , because it would establish the dial by which the whole mind of this country would be regulated And although I am resolved that the affairs of the present Company , as it stands , shall be faithfully conducted , as the Committee of the House of Commons said it had been

      conducted , With PERFECT GOOD FAITH ; lam resolved , I say , that , while I still continue to carry on that Company , to propose another Company in next week ' s " Star , " which shall require no legal protection , and by which I will give veritable " Freedom to the Millions , " by buying land in the wholesale market , and selling it out-and-out , with no other expense than surveying , upon the following week , retail at the wholesale price , from half an acre to five acres , giving my whole time for nothing , and devoting my services merely to the just survey and the making of

      convenient roads to each allotment ; leaving to every purchaser the . building of his own cottage , according to his fancyi commencing humbly , and adding to it-according to his means and the requirements of his family . In every instance the Land shall be of good quality , and purchased at a convenient distance from a market town : and by this means every occupant will be a veritable independent freeholder , as the solicitor of the Company shall not lend * he capital of trafficking speculators to the poor occupant upon mortgage , which he may foreclose , and destroy him if he refuses to vote for the nominee of the

      Company . No ! mine shall go to the poll without the mask upon their faces , to vote for the man of their choice ; and thus , in less than five years from this day , the independent yeomen would hold the balance of power in every county in the kingdom . However , I shall minutely detail my plan next week , and I wish the members of the Land Company to bear in mind , that , while I never assail—but , on the contrary , encourage

      every scheme that is calculated to bestow the slightest benefit upon the people , —I am attacked most unsparingly , and most ungenerously , by all who propound their own fascinating theories . And wh y ? Simply because they have the Press at their command . They know th . it I will not be a party to a deception or juggle ; they are aware of the people ' s confidence in me , and they think that destruction of that confidence must be the basis of their

      own power . jSay , so kit from abusing any plan that bears the semblance or the shadow of benefit for the working classes , I invariably give their plan a free circulation , which it could not acquire through , any , or all other channels of publication ; and here I insert a letter which I received this morning , and shall not offer a word of comment , farther than that in my conscience I believe that auhonester man—a

      bolder advocate—or moreincomiptible Eepresentative , is not in or out of the House of Commons than Geokge Frederick Muxtz , who has lent his name to this plan , and who I fearlessly assert , would rather surrender his seat in Parliament than be a party to deceive the working classes . Here is the letter : - Freehold land Society , Committee and Subscription Rooms , Temperance Hotel , Newall-Strect , Birmingham , June 12 th , 1841 1 .

      Mb . Editob . —I am verv anxious to put you m possession of the true principles of oiirsociety , —ana if possible , by the merits of our plan , claim your sympathy and support Allow me at the very onset to declare , that I do not aim to undermine , ovanv way interfere with the existence of any society in the kingdom , having a desire to meliorate the condition of the working classes , -and I hail with all niy heart t ! e various projects calculated to enhance my order ' s happiness—politically and socially . The society whose humble servant 1 am , and whose interest I feebly advocate , was called into bein . ! , ' for the unconcealed object of " winnins the counties . " lam an old reader of the Star , and nine or ten years ago was occasionally found in your columns advocating the Charter , —and invoking my fellow

      working men to join in petitioning , and attend meetings to olrtain theirrights . This , however , was all that was donepetition after petition was signed—meetings after meetings were held—resolutions after resolutions were passed , and loud shouts were the crowning theme ! Thousands of pounds were foolishly wasted in parchment , pens had heen worn out by thousands , ink used in gallons , and signatures obtained bymilHons ; and all for no earthly purpose , but to call for the derision , scorn , and contempt of our rulers Was it not time , then , Mr . Editor , that something . else Should be done ! Were we wise , and should we he wise iiow to repeat this farce of folly ? Your judgment says no and

      Wl-at then else mast bo done to enforce o :-. r claims , demand redress of our sad—sad grievances » The tragic , ffienielnncfcolr , and the maniacal act o physical force lias been tried , failed , and deservedly failed : and yet what nearer are we to freedom ? How many have by cither " petitioning" or " % htiii « " gained the Sum-age' And howmanv can ever expect to have it by cither of these means—equally useless , but not equally harmless weapons ? The fact is , Mr . Editor , that tliis people arc as tar a * ever from possessing a vote , and can you longer advise them to " petition , " and as * for that which you know , and which the House of Commons has again said , they shaU not

      liaxe * ¦ , We 7 > roposc a p lan to enable every man who can spare one shilling and sixpence a week for live years , to buy a "Freehold , " and take with it a " vote for the county . It is no use talking , sir . the counties must be " won . There is no hope—not the remotest hope—of any extension ofthc Suffrage but by the old forty-shilling freehold franchise Bv this I am " convinced the fifty-two counties can be placed on the side o f the people . Shall they be so placed Are von prepared to assist iu this movement , and use your mfluence with that portion of the masses who have the means , t » prevail upon them to " qualify . rail w . n counties ? " I conjure vou , Mr . Editor , with all the zeal ot an enthnsiast-with all the fervour of one devoted to the cause oflus fellow-working men , to lend your aid and sympathy

      to our Sum-age-extending cause . To rnVT ' ellow Labourers I appeal , and ask them to act to form - 'Freehold Land Societies" upon the same pnnch . lcs as ours ( a prospectus of which 1 enclose ); be determined against ' All and through all ,-to work out your onm 4 eva ? i on andpoluicalfrec ^ Ifrxrlircn who cannot spare tlie means to thus Obt . un . l " ronnrvVotc ! " that yours shall always be exercised , in ~ rt of titose who will give the Suffrage to man as SfandteU them you we the properly Uio to destroy the J ' r the n mv fellow-working men , to your own enf i-ancl ^ ement I « fl vou . Be not disheartened-act and not £ it-work instead of words-pence instead ot petmon = > --s-lMeiiud , determination , and the counties arc easily - W 0 n " -and , believe me , till the counties are in the liana * of thepecp le there is no hope , fi » you . Go on . then .. ye Sincere and aVdent champions of liberty-lead those who look for vour guidance-success awaits you-victovy will crown

      Fi fteenlmndrcdmen in our town are qualifying as county voters : There arc 5 , 500 in the midland district , and Xew . uegate has already sounded his own Jaell ; wul you Muse

      To The Womong Classes! My Friends ,— Thi...

      other members to do the same ? if you will , you cnn \ and if you are sincere you will . For the present - - / I remain , Mr . Editor , yours faithfully , u j James Tatlob , jun . The onl y comment tha |^ hall make upon the ahove is , that I trust Ihe peoplefeEiand uiemhers , and members of all other socreties WILL PETITION for the Charter , as the absence of those petitions will he urged by the Minister , and relied upon by the ignorant , as proof of popular apathy . There is also a Ltter . signed "B" in the

      " Nottingham Revim" of last week , and if I was in a jocular- mood , I would now answer it j but , in fact , there is nothing to answer except the charge made against the incapability of the Land and tho idleness of its occupants ; but next week , if I am in a happy mood ; I . will give poor "B" such a BELLO WSINGr . as will blow his wind out . ' There is only one single sentence upon which I shall make a word of comment now . Speaking of Mr . Wheeler he says : — " I WAS TOLD

      , THAT HE COULD MAKE SOME VERY STAETLINGr , DISCLOSURES WERE KE . SO . INCLINED . " Now , my answer is , that I : defy Mr .- Wheeler—L defy Mr . Doyjle— I . defy . Mr .. M'G-JKATii—I defy Mr . CLAiut-Idery Mr . Dixon—I defy the Minager of my Bank—I defy any man that has been connected with ine in any movement or any plan , or that has been in my employment ,

      to make one single disclosure of any—the most insignificant nature that poor "B" would not laugh at in his sleeves and in his sleep . But hemet with a woman whose love tales he booked , and he met with a boy , who said , " sum '« wm wor worse nor sum ' ntwa ; " and he saw the beautiful scenery , and his heart jumped with joy . No doubt this romantic traveller thought himself in the GROVES OF BLARNEY , and that

      " There he heard the thrushes warbling , And there he saw the throut and the salmon A-playing bacltgammon ' ; All by the banks of the black wather side . " And there he saw big Murphy ' s daughther , A-washing praties before" tlie door ; And Owen Clary , and Jerry Lcary—AUcousin Jarmans to my Lord Down ach Moor . " What would I not have given to have beenrffigj companion of this romantic traveller—to have participated in all those delights ? Surely they . would have furnished me with ecstatic dreams and romantic contemplations for the remainder of my days . But now ,. let me answer the masked "B" by the following letter from the open and ' unmasked Buowtf . He

      says : — - 21 . Riglev ' s-yard , Market-place , Nottingham , June 2 , 1819 . IIojtoubed Sm , —Having seen in the Star of this day a letter from my much esteemed friend , Mr . Culltngham , addressed to you , and wherein lie alludes to me as a party that has sold my allotment , I thought this a most favourable opportunity and a just reason thatl should show to you and to the Company the cause- of my so doing . 1 do honestly assure you it was with the most painful feelings thatl did it , and I have ever since regretted that I was not more deliberate in my considerations . There was not the least cause or fault in the Land Plan itself ; no , I truly admire it , and heartily wish it may triumph over every objection

      that has beeu put in its way . The cause—and the sole cause of my selling was a most serious affliction which befell me a little before last Christmas , and From irliich very little hopes of recovery were entertained ; and the painful idea that my wife and a family of sis children would , in all probability , be left in the most trying circumstances , and I was strongly advised' to return to Nottingham as my native air was the last thing left iii favour of my recovery . I am wonderfully improved , and should feel highly favoured with a chance of returning . Had I not thought highly of the cause I should not have made the offer , stated in Mr . Cullingham ' s letter , of £ o more than I received , which I did ,

      and since that time . have made an additional otter . Mr . Cull ' mgham can bear testimony to the truth of this statement as hevisitedme in my affliction . I now most humbly besj to be excused for the liberty of intruding upon your time , and wishing to avoid any- unjust censure being east upon me for the step taken , or upon . the glorious cause , which I jaorc and more appreciate . Yours , Dear Sir / most truly , but unfortunately , .. — ¦ Chables Brown , r . S . —I and my sons hold five paid-up shares , all fouracres , but have hitherto been unsuccessful in the ballot . I purchased the one alluded to . You are , Sir , at liberty to correct any little error in the remarks , and put it in the Star if you think well . C . B

      Now , what docs "B" of Nottingham say to Brown of Nottingham ? and am I to be called upon to answer all the anonymous rubbish of gaping itinerants , who do not know a cucumber from a haiuUsaw ,: or B from a BULL'S FOOT ? But I think , although he-has cateredvfor a little bit of "blarney" from some of the occupants , I may leave him in their hands for the present , with this one bit of advice—that when

      he next takes tho goosequilt , in his hand , he will not write himself down for an ASS . And now , " Mr . B , ' ' I toll you what I challenge you—or rather a sensible man , that would know wheat from turnips , grass from onions cows from oxen , and sows from loins—to visit Herringsgate , Lowbands , Snig ' sEnd , Minster Lovel , and Bromsgrove —containing over a thousand acres of landand to show me four thousand acres of land in

      all England , with the exception of market gardens , bearing as much produce as those estates . Why , you nincompoop , did you compare the appearance of the Nottingham stockinger to those wild animals you saw in the "Groves of Blarney ? " and if tho potatoes had not failed the last two years , there is not an industrious man , occupying an allotment upon any of the Estates ; that might not have nearly purchased his allotment ; but you have become a second " WHISTLER" since you were in the " Groves of Blarney . "

      ]\ ow my friends , I will , conclude this letter with the most graphic and conclusive illustration . It is this : that while the promoters of " FREEDOM FOR THE MILLIONS " assure you that a man can sustain himself , wife , and family , upon two acres of Land costing £ 11 an acre , and for which he is to pay thirty shillings an acre rent , and without receiving any Aid Money , without the Land being cultivated , without any house being built , without any road being made , and wilhout any manure being put ; they tell you

      the same man cannot support himself , his wife , and family upon four acres of Land , averaging £ 37 2 s . Gd . an acre , cultivated , roads made , house built , £ 30 Aid Money , in most cases £ 20 loan , an amount of manure put out that never was put upon treble the quantity of Land-before , and of the very best description ; roads and paths made to every house , and no rent claimed in consequenceof the potato rot , which of course I created : * now what other conclusion can you come to , than that the opposition to my Plan is based upon its opposition to tyranny ? ' , '" ; " ..

      Some men who were the most fortunate , were foolish enough to believe that their unfounded complaints and reports would ' frighteu mo into compliance with their every wish . Some have written to say that they would be obliged to publish their distress , which would injure the Land Company , if I did not lavishly squander the funds of the least fortunate to silence the calumny of the most - successful , Others . have induced even the unsuccessful' in the " locality to- which they belonged to write most pressing and urgent letters to ine , to ' make further grants , in 6 rder to save ' the character of the Company •/ but I ' , thought , that L best saved my own character ' ., by ' saving Ihb funds of the least fortunate from .. the Syill ; arid malice of tho most fortunate . - .: ' - -- , : '

      ' . In oach locality there isiakind of hedge attorney , by wliose . -wiio and cunning many of the ignorant " have been led into . a very disastrous course ; and thosc-parties will very-speedily discover the vaiae of those instructors , and then they will be the firstin ' artyrs of those whom

      To The Womong Classes! My Friends ,— Thi...

      they have so shamefully , deceived ; and from wnom % nnder . stahd they have exacted fees for their pxpfeanonal services ; of course I allude to some o £ . the refractory allottees , and every one ff-whojn , with God's blessing , and to the ad-^ tage of the occupants , I will , ere long , get ric ? of . ^ ? i -. - . : ;¦ .-x ^ : -.-. ¦ . ¦ :... ^ - ; . - . ^ Next week T will publish several-articles , not from ^ njy own pen , but ; froni th ^^ W newspaper , and from practical wor ^ sf ^ upon agriculture , and from able writers , ias to ^ : the capabilities of the soil ; and what wfll . the i-evilersofthoLahd Plan say , when they hear that the' " Times" of last Friday has published

      the fact , that a farmer has made £ 4 ^ 5 3 . 6 s . of one acre of grass , cut for soil ? and what will they say when they hear that Mr . Price , the manager of my . Bank , who is cultivating his land accordingto my . system , has fed " one largo Hereford . cow , just calved ; two smaller Ayrshire . cows , also just calved ; one cart horse ; . three sows , rearing twenty pigs ; two sows , infpi g ; one hog , two full-grown boars ; and t \ v 6 calves ; upon twenty-seven perches , or about olje-sixth of an acre , of tares , for three ' weeks . " , ;^ Ie ' says , "Thestatement is open to very- ^ WQi * ^ nalification , \ which , however , I am bpuni . tp supply . The cows havotho run of a twt f-acre , field , nearl y eaten bare ; but they

      have been fed twice a day with as much tares as they could eat ; the pigs have had nothing else but tares and a little bran , except the sows giving suck , which have had the skim-milk and refuse of the house ; the horse has been fed entirely upon tares , with the exception of a pottloof corn a day ; one of the calves has had skim milk twice a day , but not the other ; then there is a pony which has had a fair share of tai'CS as well j so that altogether I think I am justified in saying that these twenty-seven poles of tares will have maintained , unaided by any other food whatever , what may be considered equal to four cows , for a space of three weeks . "

      . Now then , . food for four coavs for three weeks , is equal to food for one cow for four months ; and twenty-seven poles , or the sixth of an acre , for one cow for three months , is equal to hfty-four poles , or a third of an acre , 4 pv a cow for six months ; and , of air things observe , that as fast as the day ' s consumption is cut , a crop of Swede turnips , cabbages , maugel-wurtzel , or' many other descriptions , may instantly be put in . But as I shall address you at considerable length upon the question of Agriculture , and MY PLAN for "Freedom for the Millions , " next week ; and as I shall give Mr . Price ' s letter at full length , further comment is not necessary than merely to observe , that the same gentleman who is stated in the " Times " to have raised

      £ 45 10 s . worth of grass upon one acre , also states that he fed a horse for thirty weeks upon grass cut from half an acre , with a mere addition of two trusses , or 112 lbs . weight of hay . Now , in conclusion , let me give you the following extract from the ¦ " Northampton Mercury , " of last week : — Extraordinary Cow . —C . Lucy , Esq ., of Stratford , has a

      cow which produced for some time a remarkably large quantity of butter . During the last fortnight , the enormous quantity of 40 Jibs ., or upwards of 201 b . per week , has heen made from her cream alone . The pasture in which the cow is , contains most luxuriant Herbage , which in a great degree assists , hut still the breed is doubtless the cause of such an abundant yield . The animal is seven years old—this season being the fourth time she has borne a calf , llev breed is between a shovt-horried Durham and an Alderney , her sire being a short-horn .

      I think after such , evidence—not extracted from my fanciful brain , but from practical agriculturists , whose names are stated—that the conclusion you must come to is , that every man who fails in making himself , wife , and famil y happy , contented , and comfortable , upon four , three , or two acres of good Land , deserves to softer all the penalties cousequent upon improvidence , idleness , or dissipation . I remain , Your faithful Friend and unpaid Bailiff , Feargus O'Connor .

      " Onward and wc conquer ! Backward and we fall !" " . THE PEOPLE'S CHARTER A ^ D KO SURRENDER !"

      ¦ '¦ ' //C^ '-^-- ^ ^^" \ / ^^Vj^

      ¦ '¦ ' // C ^ ' - ^ -- ^ ^^ " \ / ^^ Vj ^

      __ And National, Trades' J0umal," ' . '

      __ NATIONAL , TRADES' J 0 UMAL , " ' . '

      " V S Which Is ^-^^ Fl M - Londoh. Aturd...

      S which is ^ - ^^ m - lONDOH . ATURDAY . JUNE 16 , 1849 . Bi „ ^ W ^ * . . - - ——^^— —— —__ z __ - ¦ * _^ ' mv > * " *"' Wive Shining * and Sixpence per Qiinrte

      To The Old Guards

      TO THE OLD GUARDS

      M y Dear Old Fkiends and Comrades , You will have learned that on the 3 rd of July I . bring forward my motion for the Charter , and then you will be able to discover whether or no 1 have abated one particle of my ardour , and by your number of petitions I shall be able to discover whether you are true to your faith . Do not transmit any of those petitions till Friday , the 29 th of June ; if you do , and if they arc presented long before I

      submit the question to the House , they will have lost their charm . Let me pray of you , and beg of you—if you love liberty , and if from political liberty alone you can establish socuil freedom—let me , I say , on Monday and Tuesday evenings , see that declaration of liberty fluttering in every comer of tho House ; and do not be led away by the fanciful theory , that those petitions will not strengthen my hands and your cause , while the absence of them will weaken both .

      Old Guards , if I repeat it to surfeit , always bear in mind—that upon political freedom alone can social happiness depend ; and that , further , a bold and resolute adherence to our own cause , whole and unmutilated , isthe surest way to make converts to that cause , while the abandonment of a fraction of one of the bristles of the animal would strengthen the hands of its opponents , and lead them , to the hope of its entire destruction ; -while upon the other hand , see what our pertinacious adherence to the whole animal has efiected ? Wh y this ; that on Monday last , at a tremendous meeting , with Sir Joshua Walmsley in the chair , the

      New Reform Association consented to add "NO PROPERTY QUALIFICATION " to " THEIR ANIMAL : " whereas , if wo had substituted Household Suffrage , and Trieniial Parliaments , for Universal Suffrage and Annual Parliaments , like the Irish Gamekeeper— "They would have stroked the woodcock down to a wren . " Old Guards , is this not something to have gained , and , something to inspire you with hope , and all consequent upon your patriotic adherence to your defined and understandable princip les ? And so much am I attached to those principles , that , unlike others , lava propared to surrender my seat in Parlhiment , and once more betake mvself to my wildfire

      agitation , if those parties will now adopt our jjrinciplesj and I will promise them an amount' of out-door and unpaid-fov support as will very speedily p lace the helm of the ship in their hands . But I never , will consent to agitate "for any less measure of Reform than THE CHARTER * whilo , should the professors of the minor principle accept those terms ,, then all hostility and differences between themiddle and the working classes will cease ; but I never can , and never will , believe in the sincerity of a party who would exclude any man of twenty-one years of age , of saiio mind , and unblemished by crime , from the Suffrage . It is true that we live , not only in tho age of progress , but in the age of danger , and the anticipation of danger , in whatever shape it

      To The Old Guards

      present itself , shall never compel me to re trograde a single sSep . ; . Old Guards , we have fostered and nurtured this bantling of ours , when the rulers of England based their opposition , nay , their persecution , upon the world ' s tranquillity ; but now their hands are tied other countries , where the mind has been kept im bondage , are assertmg'theh ' . rights . by . the' swosd , while I hope to establish them by _ -the mind , For JH 3 rkme ,

      and mark me well , when 1 tell you , that in this , country any injudicious ast upon my part , or any intemperate act upon your part , but teads to strengthen the hands-of the enemy , and to weaken the union and powerof the people—therefore , having gained wisdom from past experience , let me implore of you to show to those who boast of your loyalty ,, and deny your dissatisfaction , that you arc at length united as one man , and for one common purpose .

      As I before instructed you , let the name of the members to whom petitions are sent , together with the ^ number of petitions from each locality , be'transmitted to the Executive Committee in London , . and then ' if any should fail to present those petitions , I can read the localities from which they have been sent . I am sure you will read , in the report of the Parliamentary proceedings , the questions that I put to Sir George Giiey On Tuesday last , with reference to the treatment ofEitNJJST Jones ; and I am sure your blood will boil

      when you read that statement , which did not contain one-half the truth . And you will also feel indignant , when I tell you that the task of disclosing these facts devolved upon me , a most unfitting person , when you Understand that Mr . Jones has g * t an uncle in the House of Commons representing an English coun ty ; but you , and especially the men of . Halifax , will be mortified , and should feel shame and disgrace , when I tell you that Air . Jones has got a young wife and three children , the eldest not more than six years old , wholly and entirely destitute .

      ¦ Now , then , will this appeal be in vain , and especially to the men of Halifax , when 1 ask you to send your contributions with as little delay as possible , addressed to Mr . Ridek , "Northern Star" Office , for the sustenance of the young family of this young martyr , and if you refuse I have onl y to pray , that every man who can spare a little and withholds it for such a purpose , may one day be in want himself . Old Guards , what is to be done for the people must be done b y the people , and , therefore , I say , in

      conclusion"UP , GUARDS , AND AT IT ;" and let me have a little monster from Man Chester , Sheffield , Birmingham , Leeds , New castle , and all the manufacturing towns ; gal laniMerihyr Tydvil promises its full share . I remain . Your faithful Friend and Representative , Feakgus O'Connor .

      ≪&Mtti$T Inttwiatim

      <& MTti $ t inttWiatim

      Ne\Ycastle-On-Ttxe.—At The Usual Meeting...

      Ne \ ycastle-on-Ttxe . —At the usual meeting of the council of this branch , it was resolved : — " That John Hudson be the corresponding secretar y for the ensuing quarter . "— " That all brandies of the district are apprised that Mr . S . Kydd , having been invited to visit this district , all places wishing Mr . Kyd d ' s services , will correspond immediately with Mr . Hudson , Dawson-court , Wostgatc-street , Newcastle . "— "That the names of the members of the council be forwarded to the Executive as earl y as possible . "— " That the council appoint an early day for a public meeting , to adopt the petition for the Charter . "

      D . UST 0 X . —A public meeting was held on Saturday evening , Juno 9 th , for the purpose of adopting a petition to Parliament , praying for the enactment of the People ' s Charter . —Mr . AY . Johnston was called to the chair , and briefly opened the business of the meeting . Messrs . P . Sowcrby , F . 131 akc , and others , having spoken upon the evils of class legislation , resolutions condemnatory of the present system of representation were agreed to , and also a resolution in favour of the People ' s Charter , as the only remedy for existing evils , and that a petition be sent from Dalston , praying Parliament to make the People ' s Charter , the law of the land .

      The petition was then adopted , and ordered to be sent toMr . Marshall , M . P .. for East Cumberland , for presentation to Parliament ; also that Charles Howard , Esq ., M . P ., be requested to support it , and that Mr . P . Sowcrby be instructed to correspond -with that gentleman upon the subject . It was then agreed that Messrs . Leach and Cony should obtain signatures to tho petition , taking cave that such signatures were genuine , and that they be paid for their labour . Petition sheets wore then ordered to be prepared , and a vote of thanks to , and confidence in , Ml ' . O'Connor , having boon passed , the meeting separated .

      Nottingham . —A delegate meeting was held at the Seven Stars , Barker-gate , on Sunday , the 10 th inst ., when the following resolutions were agreed ho : — " That all subscriptions to tho Victim Fund be paid to the treasurer , Mr . W . If . Mott , and when the amount so paid reaches £ 1 , it shall be transmitted by him to tho general treasurer , and be acknowledged in the Northern Star . "—" That the secretary be instructed to warn the delegates in the various localities in and noar Nottingham , that a meeting will he held at tho Seven Stars , Barker ^ gate , on Sunday nest , at half-past two in the afternoon , on business of importance .

      FiNsnuitY . —The members of the above locality , met at their rooms , 34 , Clerkenwcll-grcen , on Tuesday evening , June 12 th . Mr . Dicey in the chair . — Moved bv Mr . Puzzle , and seconded by Mr . Pool : — " That the members of this locality , moot ill future on Sunday evening , instead of as ! at present . "—Carried . —Moved by Mr . Allmitt , and seconded by Mr . Fuzzcn :- " That this locality do take steps for tho issuing of tracts , to be given away when tho committee go round with the petition . " —Moved by Mr . Fuzzen , seconded by Mr . Pool : — " That steps be taken to tall the whole of the members together on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of taking steps to get the Chartist petition , as numerously signed as possible . "—Carried . —Moved by Mr .. Leo , seconded by Mr . Blake : —" That Mr . Alfred

      Fuzzcn he elected as delegate to the Metropolitan Delegate Committee . "—Carried . —A vote of thanks was then given to the chairman , when he announced that there had been the sum of K Ld . collected for the Charter Association . —The meeting then adjourned to Sunday evening , June lt . th . Uull , —A public meeting of the inhabitants of this town was called by placard , to bo held in the Freemason ' s Lodge , Mytwagatc , ( a large and commodious room ) ,, on Monday Evening , June 11 th ,. to . take into consideration the propriety ef once mote petitioning the House of Commons in . favour of the People's Charter . Mr . W . J . Branding was called to the ohaisj . and opened the moetiag in an ¦ ¦ appropriate speech . —Mr . Martin moved the first resolution : — . " That it is the opinion of . tfiis meeting that

      nothing , short of th © People ' s Charter being made the law . of the land can secure to , this countsy- those rights and liberties Avhich aloae can satisfy the wants ; -and necessities of-tho present age-.. *'" The speaker then read the petition to the mcetiiig , and , in aa excellent speech , alluded to'the vaiiflus points of flic Charter . —The petition was seconded by Mr . liv Jackson ,, and supported , & y Mr . II . Hancock , and on the chairman putting Vi to the . mseting , it was carried unanimously . Wsa . Johnson moved : " That the petition be forwarded to James . Clay , Esq ., member for Hull , for presentation accompam ' vd with a note rcspcctfu # y requesting him anil M J . Bnines , Esq-, to support the pvayw by their votes .

      on F . O'Connor , Ssq . ' s motion- being ' - brought before the House . " Seconded l > y Mr . Gob . \ -l \ arnett , and oarriod unanimously . —Moved by ¦ Miv Martin , " . That the thanks of this , meeting he , -. p . r-asented to James Clay , Esq ., for his , ' consistent conduct in supporting Mr . Hume's motion ;' . ' ' Seconded " by " Mr . Johnson , supported by Mr . G . Baruett ; and carried unanimously . —After . a vote of thanks to the / chairman the meeting separated . ..- ; •• ¦ ¦ ' - ¦ - -. } Halifax . —On Sunday last a camp meeting , was held on Skirooat Moor , to promulgate-tho principles of tho people ' s Charter . The meeting was ad ^ dressed by Mr . Cdunoulor Brook , of Leeds , Mr . Clissett , and other talented speakers ; The Chartista of Halifax have once wore raised the Chartist

      Ne\Ycastle-On-Ttxe.—At The Usual Meeting...

      banner ;' anil' are detei-mihed to commence ft vigorous agitation for the " Charter , name—and principles .- Qn Tuesday evening , June 12 , the members of this association met in the' Workiug-man's Hall , when the following persons were . elected as .-council ior the ensuing quarter : —Thomas . , ' AVoo . d , *' ' Isaac Clissett , Thomas lloldon , George Webber , Benjamin VJlson , David Horsfall ; Alexander Stradling , ; president ,- John Edwards , vice-president ; ' Matthew llurst , treasurer ; Joseph Binns ^ 'secretary . ;; Joseph Briggs , corresponding-sccretarv ; All communica"i " for the Halifax Chartist Association to bo addressed to Joseph Briggs ,- CviTespOnaing-secrctary , 7 , Range Bank , Halifax . . ¦ ¦>'' : % ' ;'

      ; The Kirk&Ale Chartist Prisoners. "He W...

      ; THE KIRK & ALE CHARTIST PRISONERS . "He who peri £ & £ oppression shares the srimc . " JO THE EDITOR dV ' THE SOninEnS SJAB . Slit ' , —I beg to soliriifc . publication of tl » undermentioned extract of < i letter which I have received from Mr , George -Whits ; -awd to offer a few comments fcpon the past an < i prevent condition of our friends SvTiitc , Leach , West ! ,- and Donovan : — " Deak 2 * oBM 4 X , —I received' your letter thf 9 morning . * * Those ; KlttiBgs which- appear trifling to jou ' ,. who are living in > the busy world / are valuable- # >¦ us . You should' sew a few Jbwcrs and plants which we have growiagr 10 some tafcs- i » the yard ; there ; i ^ nc * a , trifling b » jUj . or germinationof seed , that is * not duly watched' urn recorded ; * * * Since 3 last wrote jbu . I have heeii ' confined in a so-Hairy cell for twenty-four hours for

      the high crime of sniokmg tobacco ,- : hd for thaitt space of time I tasted m food . -Acwwfing to thsr felon rules of this place-,, a-roy person seitffoa solitary cell by the governor ' s-di ' cmn , is . allowe ^ one pound of black bread and aomc waiter for his daily sustenance ; this rule has-been carried out with -me j and , by my of relish ? b \ ie-mm \ rho serve ^ e-iit the black bread brought tlio-watcvr boiling hot .- I could ; not eat the bread , and ? informed the governor of it ; bat , although I could drink-water , that luxuny ' was denied me by bringing ii ? hot na > tcnd of coldi- The petty annoyances to whibht we are subjected will form subjects for future eommewi ; every privilege attached : to our . position seems io . bc ... viewe . dt * ith the most-- \ indictive = ' ; a £ ffflMfcyiry £ ' - *;;*?' TT ' . ^ Cme thing I am perfectly satisfied . of ^ t & ai is , if I wcue- a

      wealthy man those . innoyttnoes- would not beattempted , but though poori . 'iiuirat ' i . J am neverMieless a man . * * EveTvin-n ; gaol the distinct tions of caste are clearly peroepfcibfev In Warwick Gaol and the Queen ' s RiMich'Sr-is ©!) . ' -any purse was better lined than it is now , nnd ; I w » s ' treated accordingly . If it were so here ; . no'd < wbt the treatment would bo similar to what I ; then : experienced . " ' Sir , in addition to the above ,. let me- observe that our friends were subjected to- the- aronoyanee of being classed and placed upon their-towfo with mobenthusiasts , whom the governinent ^ . foirreasons best known to the Attorney-General ; , choose- to denominate " Ohartiats , " but ivho , in- rewft & v , i $ noW nothing of Chartism or any other-fsmj . inasmuch a » many of them can neither read nor writs .- Tlicv

      have been likewise placed upon tho-snme-reSef list , ( with their wives and families , Ujatlie- M-aachestoir and London Committees , ) " with men . wlioi . kav e not an idea beyond their dail y porridga- ; . " ' as * -that I would have commiseration withhefd-from soeii ,. but to place them in the same category- with Messrs . White , West , Leach , and Donovan ,, is- n bm * 1 c of procedure that I cannot understand .. Meb . whohave devoted their whole lives , and sflci'ifieetl ilieir prospects , and the comforts of their . - wives- a « d families , and who have been before the- public for years , ought not to be classed with meise spouiers . Our four friends have all families , aml-. sonieol " thciii have wanted bread since the imprisonment ot their natural protectors . White ' s famil y has-recehed , upon an average , 2 s . id . weekly , since-his- incarceration , from the London Committee .. 'White , himself , has received 5 s . per v / eek from tha-Ahuichestcr

      Committee , out of which he 1 ms to payMUUGssenger , pay for paper , stamps , Ac , and yet tho-Manchester Committee threaten resi gnation , if frieuds do not forward subscriptions to them . What cmthe nicn do with os . per week only ? Why it is not enough to purchase the coarsest kind of food . Iihope somcof the " National Guards " will see to this ,, and pay attention to it ; and recollect that they- cheered these men on to where they are . Will they not marc the sacrifice of a penny a-weo ! i . ? r I know many have cqmo forward nobly—all : lianoun- to them ! I likewise know there are thousands whenever gave a penny to those men . I . call ,, in the name of the Most Hi g h , to -those to t-omo- forward , and if they will not give for justice sake k-t them do so for pity ' s . Let them put it to themselves , if they were immured in such a hell upon earth , aftd . their wives and children wanting bread ,. what their feelings would be !

      I am , Sir , yours truly , in the causo of Ili fjht and Justice , Tcntnor , Isle of Wight , Mark W .. Sosmax June 11 th , 1819 .

      .¦ Mu^M To The Editor Of Tfle Korther.V....

      mu ^ m TO THE EDITOR OF TflE KORTHER . V . SSiiU . Sin , —I am informed that some time siace there appeared a notice in your paper concerning the family of one of my fellow-prisoners , in which it was stated that some of the wives of tho political prisoners were , receiving . support from the people in tho towns in which they live . I am further informed , that subsequently there nppcnralian address from the Manchester Committee , stating that money was sent to this prison from some-part of the country , and that the receipt of this money caused dissension among the prisoners . With , either of those statements I have nothing to do , - . iiu . t I be ^ ' to state one or two facts concerning myself . iiiU '" iiiy family , and by so doing show to the people-to whom , those statements are made , how far the ? apply to me and my family .

      Sir , I wrote to the Manchester Committee , and also to the London Committee , reques & ing that each would send me a correct statement of the amount my wife received from each . Mr . Glaak answered for the London Committee , but I have had no answer from Manchester , though Ii have written more than once . Prom Mr . Clark ' s- tetter I iiml that my family have received at the Kiim- of 3-f . ( 5 d . per week since I have boon placed ; hew , ' and all that they have received from the Manchester Committee , to my knowledge , is 0 s . This , with L"is from Leeds , and 8 s . from Rochdale ; , is ; til that my wifc has had from the Chartist body . ; : and thotio-h f may feel that those who seem to prafess our principles . have not done as they would : wish to be done by , I must return mv thanks to the good few who have done their dutv .

      When I inform you , sir , that my wife has six children dependent upon her for support , one beingborn since my sentence , and tliaftiie- oldest of them is not -move than thirteen veai-ss of age , I think youw ill agree with me in saying , . ffcn * her income is far short of what should be her er-qjenditurc if those children had what they ought tq . iin . ve . I may state here , that tlie week- that she received , the money from Leeds the sum . sent from London for her to the Manchester Committee was stopped ,, ami never g iven to her . ' ¦• Then , sir , as to the other question concerning the money received here , I must soafess that Lk ' nesr but little of it , I have been in , tliis prison now siis months , and all the money that I have received bore has amounted to about 10 s .. ;; %$ . of which I .-.-tat home . I must take this onpo :-tnnity of th .-mkihg those friends who sent me the-stamps * ( as- it wr . ^ - in that shape I received the most & nt ) for their ¦ liinsi ness , as without their aid Ijcould not have written , more than two letters per week .

      In conclusion , I must tell these friends wh * . have written to me during tho-lasfc week , that ths . isnsoii why I have not answerclit & eir letters is , thajji h : \ ve no postage stamps . liy ; publishing this iji , your next number of the Star , you will much ob ^ j . * Yours ,, as ever , DaXIKI . 1 D Q 310 . VAX . P . S . —I have not scsn the address rovivrfiiS to , all that I know of it is rV . om . the informatif ^ offvisitovs Kirkdale Gaol , Juno Uish .

      Chafttasm Ik St. L>Ak«Gbas. A Large Meet...

      CHAftTaSM IK ST . l > AK « gbAS . A large meeting- was held in tij > . Tcstry-rooins ,. on Monday evening-,. Trancis llcaJ ^ Jv Esq ., ' in thpchair . Lettcrs , ivci : « - read from XjqiiVtl D . U . Stuart ^ J . C . Williams ,. ] 5 s * 5 ., and other-mawibers of ParMament , apologising for non-at-avS ) . d : vncc . An apology was ma < lp- foi * Mr . G . J . Uswiassy , on thegrc-utu ) of scverc-itldisuseition . . . ' Aftcr-. 'V few bW ' rcm » vks . . % the Ciuhimax , Mv . . . Wiiy . KS . KK > ved , * . unl Mj :-, "Kowos secqssied . the'follqwing resolution : — - - ' -That it is the ^ ajnioh

      of this , mee 4 uiig , the grievous burthens , prijsations , nn 4 \ siiffcrJBgs which tl « . groat mass of ti & people of Great iifcitiiin and ^ hiurf have long smlm-ed , and . , of which they still iwvejust cause to . ' somplain , jariso from , and are tUs-iiesiilts of , class , legislation , and this-monstvc . us systemwill not be 5 omovcd , r . ov : wise- and just stn & of society estaViished , mitU the House of Coa ^ . OTis is made a , wflex ' . of V"o whole- pcoplc . " - ^ . 'i i 5 , c- resolution v ^ s hnniiim < j »; jly [ adopted . ' '' ¦

      Mr . 1 . \ VA * jj . moved tho next resolution wliich embodied-all the-points ot tn $ - - Winner ; --Ms-, ] f , llETiiEtUKawx seconded , and - $ u \ G . W . M , Wevsoi . DS . supported ; the -. resolution , which . ' . 011 being put , was carvicd unanimously .. '•• .- ¦ Mr . LijcAs moved , Mr .., Wii . kixs ,-seconded , ami Mr . 1 \ M'GnATif supposed the Chartist which was unanimously ,- ' adopted Thanks having be « i ' given tho use of the rooms , and also meeting dispersed . : ' . > ¦ ¦ .- [ Important , events on the matter , kayo compelled tlioabrid w this ftna t ? tlier meetings .. ]

      Petition, ; • "" , '.. ,... '"'''To • (L...

      petition , ; "" , ' .. ,... '"'''to ( lie vesjrymou for- ' .- - to tftc ; cWrnuui ; iIi 6 ' ""< •(^ i- ^ r X ' # ;¦ eonflacf ^^ atii'dtlioi ^* ' . gii ^ i ^ Til' l'opOf ( a ; ,. ' & j Fn ^ Hv r- - ; ne yuai-ust jie-. inou , >« h' . ' ¦ ' "" . _! - ; -, •• , : o ( lie vosfrjhjou foVi \ i to t ^ c ^ iai ' rnViUililto - \ ; my $ * : f - ^ ^ eoiiHBcj ^ antil ' oth o ^ . r-. dgni ^ i ^ Til' l'opot'ts-.. ' ( a Pt V ~~ 1 ¦ ¦ * ;» ¦ 3 . ! i ~~ if S * . ^ i ? l ?•& % ¦ i " .: ^ i P I mi i & rW I f * S / ESS . sb' & fS & i & llA' jX

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 16, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_16061849/page/1/