On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (11)
-
92 THE STAR OF FREEDOM. September , 18,1...
-
To the Editor of the Star of Freedom. Si...
-
THE NEW MILITIA. To the Editor op the " ...
-
v POLITICAL REFUGEE COMMITTEE. September...
-
STAR OF FREEDOM COMMITTEE. On Tuesday ev...
-
CwMiitik
-
Bradford Flovh Mill Society.—This Societ...
-
taks
-
^T e Secretaries Trades' Unions and othe...
-
MOENINGHAM WEAVERS' STRIKE. On Monday ev...
-
Astiquawas Discoveby at Bath.—As some wo...
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.
-
-
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.
92 The Star Of Freedom. September , 18,1...
92 THE STAR OF FREEDOM . September , 18 , 1852 , _ . _ - , — ¦ ¦ --- ——¦ .- ' ¦!¦ —I" ¦— — ' - ' ¦ ¦ I »—l . l . » '"" I ¦ . ¦ ¦ . ¦ — ., — - ~ ..-- — ,, - .- ¦¦¦ — . . ..,... i- l ,. ,
To The Editor Of The Star Of Freedom. Si...
To the Editor of the Star of Freedom . Sir , —I have read with much pleasure Mr . William Newton ' s letter headed "A National Party , " and trust it will be fairly discussed in every town , village , and hamlet where the Star of Freedom circulates . Surely the first grand , step is the admission of our manhood . Once in possession of universal manhood suffrage , should we not have the power if we willed it , of enforcing the other " points , " in the very first session' of a universal suffrage parliament ? Property qualifications are
condemned on all sides , and will be speedily abolished . ¦ ! do not for one moment suppose that any one who has sincerely advocated the principles of the people ' s charter will ever relinquish a single right therein contained ; at the same time , it is absolutely necessary that when the parliament meets , the people ' s party should be organised to give voice to its claims ; and if Mr . Newton aids this object the least in the world he will have entitled himself to the thanks of every honest citizen , for moving what at present appears to be a mass of stagnant water , the more so as a contemporary has suggested to the people the propriety of agitating for " The Ballot" alone
The editor of your contemporary is generally supposed to be honest and sincere in his opinions : surely he must have been dreaming when he penned this , or he never would have asked the people to allow their so-called trustees to perform their trusts in secret . No , sir ; when the suffrage becomes universal and every man votes , then , and not till then , will the ballot be just and right for the timid , who require it . I would suggest that the friends in the several towns , wherever they may discuss Newton ' s suggestion , should send the result to the Stah or Fueedoji for publication , in order that , should it meet with general approval , a party may be at once formed to give it effect . I am , sir , & c , EDWARD STALLWOOD . 2 , Little Vale-place , Hammersmith road . September 13 th , 1852 .
We have received several communications warmly responding to Mr . Newton's letter in last Saturday ' s " Star of Freedom . " We give the following extracts : — Mr . Editor , —Sir , I hail Mr . Newton ' s letter as the precursor of better days for the cause of the people . There are some points in it from which I differ , but , on the whole , I think it the base upon which may be built a People ' s Party , which shall successfully work out the great cause of political freedom . THOMAS WILLIAMS . Lyon Cottage , West Ham . P . S . —I may inform you that since I have seen the first number of the new series of the " Star of Freedom , " I have not only taken it myself , but have succeeded in inducing several of my friends in subscribing to it also . Mr . Editor , —Sir , seeing in your last impression a letter from Mr . Newton in favour of a National Party , allow me to tender my thanks to that gentlemen for the able and lucid manner in which he explains the necessity of such a party .
The sooner the plan is put in action the better : depend upon it , we should have a union of the working men and the honest portion of the middle class in so good a cause . But , although I would give my support to such an agitation , I will not yield my belief of the Charter being the best reform document ever presented to the people ; and in the event of Manhood Suffrage being obtained , I am equally convinced that the details will be found positively necessary to the working of the p rinciple . Yours fraternally , Buxton-street , Spitalfields . A REPUBLICAN .
Mr . Editor , —Sir , I see by this week ' s " Star of Freedom ' s that Mr . Newton has taken up the question of organization His letter has been highly spoken of wherever I have been ' and I doubt not will be responded to by the country at large ' Bradford . W . WILCOCK .
The New Militia. To The Editor Op The " ...
THE NEW MILITIA . To the Editor op the " Star op Freedom . ' Sir , —So , then , there are to be fifty thousand more gun and bayonet men added to the armies of despotism—fifty thousand more to he trained to the use of arms;—not to fight for Liberty , but to uphold tyranny—not to set men free , but to keep them in slavery—not to fight for the true , the pure , and the just , but to fight for the false , the corrupt , and the unjust—not to fight for those glorious principles , Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity , but to fight for Kixgs , Priests , and Nobles . And these fifty thousand tyranny ' s-tools are to be got ( if possible ) by voluntary enlistment—fifty thousand more
voluntary slaves to do the dirty work of a hand of usurping tyrants . Think of this , " 0 Englishmen ! think of it well . Fifty thousand more gun and bayonet men in this land of boasted liberty ! Placards are posted about our streets , and bounties are offered to induce men to become volunteers—willing slaves to do the bidding of the tyrants who rub . That a man is in duty hound to defend his country against invasion , none will deny ; but we are told that the English
government is on the best of terms with the governments of surrounding countries ; and if our country is in danger , why not arm every man who is able to defend it ? But tyrants rule the land , and it is not for the interest of tyrants that all men should he armed . Divide and conquer is the motto of all tyrants . A standingaraiy is what they require , and when they do not like boldly to increase it to the extent they require , they get an army of reserve under the name of a militia .
While tyrants rule all but the tyrant-class must be slaves ; and all the forces at the command of that tyrant-class will always be used for the suppression of liberty . Liberty and tyranny can never exist in any country ; it is impossible A man is in duty bound to defend his country , but there is a greater duty he must not neglect-the dutv of defending the true , the pure and the just . This duty he must not ne | lect Will these fifty thousand more gun and bayonet men be the defenders of the true , the pure , and the just ? will they he employed in helping the brave Hungarians to throw off the horrible
tyranny of the house of Austria ? will they be employed in assisting the glorious hberty-loving people of Rome in establishing their liberty , by destroying the papacy ? No ! but they will be employed in upholding the tyranny of Austria ; in maintaining the papacy m allits corruption and all its tyrannies ; they will h % employed in upholding tyranny everywhere ; they will be employed in upholding royalty in allits barbarous splendour ; they will be employed in upholding our base , extravagant , libertyhating aristocracy ; they will be employed in upholding a state jnurcn whose corruption was scarcely equalled by the papacy
The New Militia. To The Editor Op The " ...
in its worst days ; like all the other forces at the command of despots , they will be used for all the purposes for which tyrants may require them . And why should they not ? if they are willing tools of tyrants , let them do the dirty work of tyrants , even to the shooting of their own parents . But they are to be subject to the lash ; and why should they not ? if they are willing to be the tools of tyrants , surely they will not grumble at having a taste of the blessings of tyranny . But we are told now that peace reigns throughout the contitinent of Europe ; but how much longer will this sham peace continue ? Can any one tell ?
Let us rest assured that the war which tyrants dread—the war for liberty—will again rage throughout the continent of Europe , sweeping away kings , priests , and nobles—let us hope for ever . It is for this war the tyrants are preparin g . Doubt it not . It is to prevent this war , or render it useless , that the tyrants are increasing their armies . And what are we Englishmen doing to forward this holy war , and render it successful ? We who live in this land of boasted liberty , we whose hands and voices have so often been raised for liberty—what are we doing ?
The tyrants ask for fifty thousand men , and they can have them . A committee of gentlemen—lovers of liberty—ask for subscriptions for European freedom , and not one thousand have as yet responded to their noble appeal . Oh ! shame on us Englishmen , if we remain passive during the war for liberty . If we do , we shall richly deserve the execrations of the people of other lands and all the evils the tyrants at home can inflict upon us . v JOHN SKETCHLEY .
V Political Refugee Committee. September...
v POLITICAL REFUGEE COMMITTEE . September 30 th . —Several communications were read , including correspondence from Bunbury , Farnham , and Edinburgh , respecting employment for the refugees . We are glad to know that there is some prospect of a few smiths and other workers obtaining , at least , temporary work . Monies received : —Announced to August 27 th , £ 1 6 s . 3 d . ; G . Payne , Abingdon , Is . 6 d . ; J . de Cogan , Liverpool , 6 d . ; Greenwich , per David Gibson , 14 s . ; C . Segrave , Is ; a Friend , Chippenham , 6 d . ; A . Cooper , Greenwich , 2 s . 6 d . ; Robert Wootton , Od .
Star Of Freedom Committee. On Tuesday Ev...
STAR OF FREEDOM COMMITTEE . On Tuesday evening last the members of the committee assembled for the transaction of business . Many encouraging letters were read , some announcing the formation of other committees . A valuable communication was read from the secretary of one of the most powerful branches of the iron trade . Important business engaged the attention of the committee , the further consideration of which is adjourned till Tuesday evening
next , upon which occasion all members of the committee are earnestly desired to attend . Friends desiring to co-operate with the central committee in promoting the circulation and usefulness of the Star of Freedom are earnestly requested to communicate with Mr . Walter Cooper , Secretary , at 4 , Brunswick-row , Queen-square , Bloomsbury , London . By order of the Committee , WALTER COOPER , Secretary .
Cwmiitik
CwMiitik
Bradford Flovh Mill Society.—This Societ...
Bradford Flovh Mill Society . —This Society was established in 1847 , and numbers at the present time upwards of 120 members ; the flour mill has been built by the members ; their business amounts , on the average , to about £ 250 per week ; the capital of the society was raised partly by loan , and partly in shares of 30 s . each , and they sell all articles at as near cost price as possible . Forfar . —There are seven co-operative stores in this town , doing business in the same way , though each independent doing business m the same way , though each independent
of the other ; altogether there are upwards of 1250 heads of families who are shareholders , receiving their supplies of provisions , & c , from these stores , m a population of 9000 ; one of these stores was established in 1829 , and since its commencement has divided among the members upwards of £ 11 , 000 ; this shows what can be effected by a proper organization of consumption , although we think it would have been far wiser if our Scotch friends had allowed their profits to accumulate for provident purposes , or for the establishment of productive associations in some branch of manufactures .
Duxsiialt ik Auchtermuchtz— A Co-operative Provision Society is also established in this town , numbering about 100 members in a village population of 800 , and doing a business of from 12 to £ 14 , 000 a year . ———o > —
Taks
taks
^T E Secretaries Trades' Unions And Othe...
^ T e Secretaries Trades' Unions and other bodies associated to protect and advance the interests of Labour , will oblige by forwarding the reports of Trades' Meetings , Strikes , and other information affecting the social position of the Working Classes . NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES , 259 , TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD , LONDON . We regret to find large and influential bodies of Working Men abandoning , in apparent despair , the principle of Trades ' Combination , as a corrective of the manifold wrongs they are subject to , and as a means of securing to them the full and free enjoyment of those rights , which , by the theory of the
constitution , belong to them . From some imperfections in their organisation or policy , they have suffered defeat and disappointment , and protective union is consequently to be abandoned as useless , if not injurious , and the employing classes are thus presented , by the patriotic leaders of labour , with a corte blanche for the future unrestricted exercise of their giant power in any manner which they may conceive beneficial to their interests , free from the obstructions , molestations , or other impediments hitherto offered to their encroachments , by the organised resistance of labour . Although we are desirous of paying all due respect to the influential persons who are leading the way in this retrogade policy , we may yet be permitted to doubt either its wisdom or practicability . The true wisdom , we think , would ! have been to have probed deeply and unflinchingly into the causes whieh led to such dis
^T E Secretaries Trades' Unions And Othe...
astrous results ; to have thrown overboard all the useless 1 of false pride and selfishness which has so long prevent ? portion of working men from fraternising with their f > n ° ne and having parted company with these great obstruct ; ' national unity , to have set down with earnestness anf * ° faith to the construction and promulgation of the outl ^ wide , liberal , and comprehensive plan for a national conn of tion of the trades of Great Britain ; a confederation whose I * and expansive powers should be equal to meet all contin ' jr » ^ which might arise , a confederation of the labour intend this country , which , without attaching itself to any part V party or creed , social or political , should , by the unit ? simplicity of its principles , and by the universalit y of it / ^ pathies , be open and prepared to ally itself with every for . * * phase of progress . It need scarcely be said that such a ** " ^ federation would carry immense weight and infhiencp t ^ ° *
cause or movement it connected itself with . Such a » l 0 / ^ opportunity of extracting good out of evil , of convertinc ^ U 0 Us defeat into proximate victory , has been most unaccounn ? neglected , and the multitude , wdio ever think , even by »/ . are referred to emigration as their only available melm ^ escaping from the tyranny of capital . Buonaparte ' s WateV defeat cry , paraphrased , — sauve qui pent f freely , thoucK * elegantly englished , " hook it , and the devil take the hindmost ^ As we doubt the wisdom and patriotism of this policy so
also doubt its general adoption even by those to whom it is s strongly and kindly recommended : that is , we doubt if the ^ lightened portion of the working classes will , upon a little r flection , consent to the unconditional surrender of their mit % combination . We doubt whether a very brief experience iv'H not prove , to those who have either no resources , or no taste ft emigration—men who are not yet bitten with the "yellow metall epidemic , '' and are therefore enforced or content still to strm » J bfflB
nn . n ;~~ i . i . i , ~ i ,. \ ., ~ „„ :..: « . „*• u ~ i 1 . 1 .-1 . ,. " against the encroaching spirit of capital , —that combhiatfy union is essential and imperative in any trade , if it would ' i * , serve its wages from the continental level . So far from Tra / Unions being useless as a protective agent , we appeal with coi ? fidence to the masons , and the building trades generally ail j numerous others , whether unions , with all their imperfections have not preserved their wages from depreciation . To en % a ' ] tion as a means of relieving certain trades from a snvphJS labourwhich must either b self
, they support y a inflicted poorrates , or suffer to be constantly , by its competitive action pulling down the value of labour , —though not the best , ire consider a very valuable collateral agent , and infinitel y preferable to the out of work pension system , in which so many thousands have been uselessly squandered . But we are still of opinion that combination is necessary for those -who remain at home to enable them to take every advantage of the altered
circumstances produced by emigation , to enable them to protect their industrial rights , and gradually to lift themselves politically and socially to the dignity of " an interest" in the state . We believe that our Trades' Unions must in future assume more of a political character . Labour , equally with land and capital , must have its recognised position in the state . The
great bulk of the working classes do not seem to be conscious of this supreme necessity . Here is a noble field for actioj ) for those who profess to lead the working class mind . Here is a reason not for abandoning union , but for consolidating and expanding it . We hope therefore that the enlightened friends of labour will not persist in the ignominious policy of
surrendering the right of combination . If emigration , * in its vert altered aspect , can be made a means conducive to our general purpose , that of improving the condition of British industry ' by all means let us avail ourselves of its aid as a powerful allv , but not as a substitute for Natioual Union . We must desire to see this question discussed in a calm , free , and liberal spirit WILLIAM PEEL , Secretary .
Moeningham Weavers' Strike. On Monday Ev...
MOENINGHAM WEAVERS' STRIKE . On Monday evening a public meeting of the weavers of Mr . J . Drummond of Morningham Mill took place in the large room adjoining the King ' s Arms Inn , Heaton , for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means of putting a stop to the two loom system which their employer seems determined to carry out . At half-past 7 o ' clock Mr . Nathan Holmes , one of the weavers , was unanimously called to the
chair . He introduced the business of the meeting in a neat speech , showing the evils which the two loom system was likely to produce if carried into effect . He concluded by calling upon Mr . Alderson of Bradford , to move the following resolution : " That in the opinion of this meeting , the introduction o ! , or improvements in machinery which have a tendency to supersede hand labour without a just recompencc being given to the
labourer for the loss of his employment , arc unjust " in principle , labourer tor the loss of Ins employment , arc unjust in principle , injurious in practice , and ought to be prevented . " Mr . Aiderson fully agreed with the sentiment of the resolution . He argued that the working man ' s labour was his property , and was as much entitled to protection at the hands of the Government as any other kind of property . He concluded by moving the resolution . Mr . Summersquill seconded the resolution .
The chairman next introduced Mr . Robinson , of Wilsden . to support the resolution . Mr . R . delivered a long and argmentative speech , in the delivery of which he was frequently interrupted by the applause of his audience . He took up the arguments frequently made use of by tha defenders of the present system of unlimited competition , —laid bare their rottenness in a masterly manner , showing the inevitable consequence of the murderous system of "buy cheap and sell dear , " a policy , he contended , which laid at the foundation of nearly all the
social miseries which the working classes endured . " ' He concluded by calling upon the meeting to awake from their inactivity , and stem the torrent of oppression , which , if unchecked in its career , threatened to swamp every interest but its own-Mr . Robinson concluded a long and clever address amidst lo " applause . The resolution was carried unanimously . A vote of rfcu ^ was given to the chairman for past and " present services . ai » one to Mr . Robinson ; both gentlemen responded , and the meeting separated .
Astiquawas Discoveby At Bath.—As Some Wo...
Astiquawas Discoveby at Bath . —As some workmen vrctt j making excavations in this city on Saturday they discover " several massive stone coffins of extreme antiquity , contain ^ rare coins , mid bones , in some nearly the whole skeleton- % l ilt ; workmen , in their eagerness to discover more coins , unfo « ' nately broke the coffins , but one or two still remain at &>® 1 depth below the surface , and the utmost anxiety is felt toW them taken out with the greatest care , and preserved miinj ure ( l ; These interesting remains are obviously of great antiquity a " it is supposed b y some learned and erudite residents that the cahty whence the excavation was made was the site . of . s 081 ancient temple or burial-ground of the Romans ,
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 18, 1852, page 12, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_18091852/page/12/
-