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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd August 1851, Edition 2 of 2, Page 1, oN iHE HOSOFOLY OF TERMS

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      On Ihe Hosofoly Of Terms

      oN iHE HOSOFOLY OF TERMS

      Ub. Editoe, M\«Rihacy And Combination- A...

      Ub . Editoe , m \« riHACY and Combination- are words iHat the purchasers of Labour seem to luve njonopoly in . Like that man who had fparned a score of hard words , and made ? hem for want of knowing "better , to serve £ 5 purpose of illustration upon all imaginary 7 ' 4 these middle class gentlemen have oe-« L so habituated to the use of the terms Xve named , that be the acts offensive or def isire legal or illegal , the workman who comp lains and seeks advice in hia difficulties , of circumstancesset

      is at once , irrespective , down as a Consp irator and Combinationist , which means , in less ostentatious language , a bad memhcr of Society . Now , whatlamanxi . ouBto do , in this letter , is to destroy the Mono-« oly of these much-approved terms , so that they may have an application upon the employers as well as employed , aud , through their niore gener al use become less offensive to the ea but more expressive in meaning , than they now are permitted to occupy . I charged , in 1045 , the Committee of a certain ( emplovers ) Association with being

      Conspirators ; and the men who have a Tocabularly of their own pronounced the app lication to he improper and injudicious And yet , unless we are all prepared to say that the word has lost its original meaning , no particular order of men has a right to arrogate to itself the exclusive use of terms , which are applied , not because of their comprehensiveness in meaning , but because they are supposed to convey an amount of indignation , which at once serves to blast the character of those so-called , and induce a '

      discerning public to regard them as dangerous men . Well , if this is to be the proper reading of the appellations , I am for a free trade use of it , believing that , by so doing , this word and that of Combination will the Eooner be restored ^** their pi ; opefc ^ Jacea ; iQ the understandmgs of men , and the fashion of offensive accusation be shorn of its ' fair proportions . ' Those of my readers , who are at all acquainted with the causes of strikes and their history , well Jcnow , that tin ' s act of Conspiracy is committed by the masters to an extent

      far beyond that indulged in by the men . The former really do conspire ; the latter , oftentimes , merely associate . But I know , that the act itself is indispensable to all action ; and being so , must he adopted by both classes . If this be true—and who can doubt its veracity ? then I say act equitably with your epithets ; if , as a master you brand me with the name of Conspirator , I , as a workmen , must fix upon you precisely the same

      term . It is not well to be frightened with a name ; hence I don't seek to obliterate the expression , hut if its use be persisted in , to extend its application . "We all know who it was that wrote these words : — 'What's choleric ill the captain is flat blasphemy in the soldier' ; and certainly , I may truly paraphase the sentence , by saying , that our middle class gentlemen have decreed , that "What ' s hisiness with the capitalist is conspiracy with the worker . '

      I have very carefully read the evidence given on the late Stafford trial j and am perfectly satisfied that those who violated the law ' of 6 Geo . IV ., cap . 129 , ( commonly known as the ' Combination Act' ) were the brothers Perry and the petty masters who assisted them in their nefarious transactions . 3 fow I shall like to see the ex talionis principle applied to them ; and for once , in the history of labour ' s straggles , see the -workmen assume the position of prosecutors . 1 am quite sure they could not desire to have a better case to turn the tables on : and albeit

      we mav all have doubts upon getting a verdict , these Conspirators being tried "before their peers , yet nevertheless the fact itself would be an era in newspaper reporting , and possibly mig ht have a tendency to induce the defendants and their class to seek for some new word , as evidently they would then have lost the exclusive possession of their pet term . Only think of an indictment—of course of not less than 100 counts—being set forth , in some such terms as these , by the prosecuting counsels ;— ' May it please your lordship-Gentlemen of the Jury—the defendants ,

      George and Edward Perry , master manufacturers of the town of "Wolverhampton , are indicted for conspiring together with the intention , by divers indirect means , of impoverishing and ruining certain persons , to wit—THEin workmen . ' Would not such a trial create a great sensation ? Do you not think that from one end of the country to the other , the millocrats , merchants , shopkeepers — et hoc genus amne—would be ' up and doing ' to vindicate their order from such revolutionary proceedings ? Then the £ 500 contributions would be as profuse as blackberries in October ; sach leaders , such sympathy , such excitement would he then written and

      produced ; and in after years , probably , Mr . Townsend would condescend to include it amongst his ' Important Trials ! ' Yet , for all this most agreeable sport to the gentlemen of the long robe , there is nothing but , ' sounding brass and the tinkling of the ' symbals' in it all ; enough could be proved to estahlish the charge , if not legally , certainly to the satisfaction of all unbiassed men , and the accused would be branded with the name that they are so especially anxious , —by means of had characters , and withholding just ones when wanted , —shall be affixed upon the foreheads of their workmen , bo that they may perish on tlie road-side as the victims of Maminonitish

      Conspirators . Here is the point . "We find that certain employers are in the habit of writing to one another , to the effect that should John Roe andEichard Doe apply for work the same is not to bo given , for that they are dangerous men , that is , they belong to a Trades' Union . and are otherwise opposed to labour upon the terms tee have dictated . Or , a man may be in this position , that he could obtain employment at a new shop or in > neig hbouring town , providing he could produce a ' recommendation

      from his last employer , ' which recommendation is refused to be given for the reasons above stated- As this is middle class practice , does ifcnot read as actionable as that of working men persuading one another not to work for certain masters unless the regulations Fought to be imposed upon or required by them are withdrawn or adopted , as the case may be . A special jury has declared the law to hare been outraged in the late Stafford trial ; and I am most anxious to hear what they would say in answer to a count , charging these

      unscrupulous emp loyers with conspiring to injure one or more ef their wages slaves ' The ' Times' and the ' Chronicle' have fired off their twenty-four pounders offalsehood abuse : and bespoke a heavy sentence for the delegates of the Satio ^ ai . Trades' Association ; am . the respectable of the weekly press have thrown m their small shot with a like purpose . The bothe rs PBRRiare exulting , in newspaper correspondence , on account of the verdict they have obtained ; then well-fed assistants . are chucMing over their brotberlv-iike evidence thev tendered , and feel quite sure thev have all got places for life ; and the entire genus has pictured out for its victims , damp dungeons and prison fare for those whom it has But what

      thus been the means of punishing . are the Tin-plate workers doing , and with them the working classes generallv ? "Where is the evidence of their offended power ? Are their enemies to have it all their own wav in this as in all former struggles ? True , I see that a lew of the provincial workmen , and here and there a trade society m London , have spoken out some consolatory words , meaning to pecuniarily help the persecuted men connected with this "Wolverhampton afiair ; but , whilst acknowledging so much , it is impossible not to see that , at most , the cause has not been espoused by the masses as it is deserving of . A blow has been struck against the right of workinginen ' s combinations ; and a few scores of men only fcsistthe shock . Is pot this strange ? It is not so

      Ub. Editoe, M\«Rihacy And Combination- A...

      when we come to know the degraded position which the labourers of this country Occupy ? But it is truly despicable to observe their indifference to their own personal welfare . Before this , in all the great towns of the kingdom an earnest and increasing demonstration should have followed the decision of the middle-class jury , in vindication of those rights which theirverd ' ict had trampled upon . When we are daily witnessing inhuman attempts to crush the rising power of the man who toils , either by denying his right to combine or to have a share in the regulation of that labour , in the prosccution of which alone rests his independence as a man , and the protection of his wife and family from wearing the pauper ' s badge , should wc be intimidated from doing our duiy , because a Master Tinplate Worker is in the field , to do battle with the Labouring Glasses of England ? Heaven forbid The foe must bo met ; his weapon is the gold of

      his class ; ours must be the pence of our order . Recollect , the delegates of the Association and the rest ol the accused are not the aggressors in this unholy war ; the mission of the former was Peace and reconciliation , and their reward is to be obtained within a county Gaol . Their goodly offices were received by the snakes that would now destroy them through the agency of imprisonment ; and the strike , from beginning to end , bears upon its front a considerate bearing with the interests of those , tnafcisnow requited by a so-far successful accusation of conspiracy , against those who advise the gentle policy to be pursued . " Vengeance is mine , " saith the Lord ; and the day will assuredly come when a modicum of it will becbgagdj ; by GodVhusbandaienvanda blast ' wTJcome ^ Dver ' the possessions of these persecutors , which will not only destroy the power that they now so unmanly wield , but cast them out of society , as things whose very existence is a disgrace to the shape they

      assume . Finally , let us all bo true to our work ; and determine to see justice done to these alleged conspirators ; and whilst so resolving , be prepared to go a little further ; viz ., to demand the general acceptation of these offensive epithets . Words are not formed to bear two meanings , however much a skilful use of them may make " the worse appear the better reason . " Let us write and speak these words—The Conspiracy of Capital I The Conspirators of Stafford !! The Masters' Combinations !!» .

      Make the words as common as Louis Napoleon is making honours , so that the un-starred become the most honoured , if the ears of men be not shocked at their sound , nor the mind be inclined to conjure up hideous associations of depredations , robberies , murder , at the mere enunciation of them . At any rate , if we cannot dislodge their objectionable impression , let us all be perfectly satisfied that they include all shapes of humanity , whether dressed in broadcloth or fustian . Cessoh .

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      Mjllf-Jl, Mmm, Satidaljufst 23j85i " ^ ^...

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      Viz., "Thatgreat Prejudice Existed Again...

      viz ., " Thatgreat prejudice existed against Chartism in Greenwich ; '' and in order to counteract any wrong impression which that statement might create , to state that what Mr . Cooper did say was , " Thai there were many iu Greenwich who under * stood and were favourable to Chartism , but that great prejudice existed amongst those who were ignorant of its principles . The minutes were then confirmed . Correspondence of a highl y satisfactory and progressive character was read , including the following from Ernest Jones . — " Kewtown , 18 th August , " Midnight , 1851 .

      SATI 02 JAL CHARTER . ASSOCIATION . Offices 14 , Southampton-street , Strand . The Executive Committee of this body held their usual -weekly meeting , as above , on Wednesday evening last . Present ' . — Messrs . Arnott , Hunt , Milne , and Beynolds . Messrs . Harney , Uolyoake , Jones , and O'Connor , being out of town , were absent , as was also Mr . Grassby—Mr . Reynolds presided . On the minutes being read , the secretary was instructed to correct a slight error which occurred therein relative to what Mr , COOpgrSaid i

      " M ? Deab Aknott , —It is with great pleasure I Am enabled to forward you , and request publication for , the following " REPORT . " On Tuesday I lectured again at Bristol to a very large audience . I mentioned in my last the obstacle to enrolling members in that hall , but eighteen came forward notwithstanding , " On Wednesday and Thursday I lectured at Merthyr , to crowded meetings , and enrolled fortyeight new members , besides which the Council disposed of twenty-four cards . * On Saturday 1 was at Llanidloes . "Wc had tho Town Hall , which was filled . The . Mayor and most of the leading manufacturers attended . 1 enrolled thirty-two new members , and a branch of the Association was formed . Mr . David Owen was elected secretary ; Mr . Thomas Lewis , treasurer ; and a place of " meeting secured in a private hoase . The Council disposed of twenty cards besides .

      "On Monday I lectured in the fine Town Hall , at Xewtown , which was crowded "with a most attentive audience . I enrolled thirty-three members , making 342 in all—a Branch of the National Charter Association was formed . Mr . John Rickards was elected secretary ; and Mr . John Evans treasurer . The meetings of the locality are to be held in the Trades' Room . " I beg to call especial attention to Wales and the West of England . These parts of the country have been unaccountably neglected . A more fertile field of Democracy could not be found . The spirit and temper of the men of Wales and the West

      cannot be too highly eulogised . There are indeed sterling Democrats and enlightened minds to be found among these hills , while the amount of misery and wages slaverv , at the same time , is scarcely to be credited . The Capitalists seem to think they can ride roughshod over the people . Let an incessent tide of agitation be poured here ! If the general apathy of tie country is considered , I think the formation of three new localities , and the enrolment of 3 J 2 members , shows that the fields of Democracy need but cultivating in these districts to render a productive harvest . " Erxest Joses .

      "P . S . —The enthusiasm and impetus of the movement here must be seen to be appreciated . To-morrow ( Tuesday ) we expect a large enrolment . Themonies are tobe sent up by the sub-secretaries forthwith , " On the motion of Messrs . Arnott and Milne it was unanimously agreed : — " That the kind offer of the Finsbury locality , as to the use of their Hall , be accepted with thanks , and that a public meeting be held in the said hall on Tuesday evening , September 2 nd . " The adjourned meeting of Metropolitan Agents and Delegates then took place , when , in addition to the locaiities already named , representatives from the following localities attended - . —Bonner s . fields , Henry Holyoake ; Bermondsey , J . Purcey ; and Anchor

      White Horse ( late Crown ) , Messrs . Hulett and Reynolds . „> -,.,,,.,. Mr Holyoake reported , that Mr . JSichols ( of the Hoxton localitv ) and himself had for several Sundavs past addressed large audiences in Bonner ' sfields ; the assemblies were orderly and attentive , a most excellent democratic spirit was manifested , and the results were , that a locality iiad beer , formed of near thirty members , ol which he had the honour to be Secretary , and he felt assured , from the promises he had received , that many others-would join the Association . . Messrs . Hulett , Purcey , and others , having reported from their localities , John Arnott moved , seconded by John Milne : — " That an aggregate meeting of the Metropolitan Chartists be held on the first Sunday in every month , at three o'clock in the afternoon , that the first meeting be held in the Gotfee'ioom of the John-street Institution , on September 7 th , and that such meeting

      decide where the subsequent meeting shall be held . The chairman said he highly approved of the motion . By such meetings they would become better acquainted , interchange ideas , thoroughly understand each other , and trifling jealousies or acerbities which might arise would be thereby destroyed . The motion was unanimously agreed to . Mr . Arnott stated that he had long been of opinion , that a well regulated system of Tract distribution , by means of district visitors , would be a mighty engine in spreading Democratic knowledge , and as most of the friends had reported in favour of such a system , he would , therefore , move : —•• That a central Tract Fund be established forthwith , and all agents , sub-secretaries , and friends , are earnestly requested to collect monies , and otherwise render their utmost aid in this great work . " The motion having been seconded by Mr . Milne , and supported by several friends , was unanimously adopted , _ .. .. _

      . . ^ .. . It was also agreed , that 5 , 000 of the Tract headed " Chartism , " he printed . On the motion of Messrs . Arnott and Milne , a vote of thanks was given to the friends who had attended at the previous and the present meeting ; and the chairman in addressing them said , that he

      Viz., "Thatgreat Prejudice Existed Again...

      most cordially pined in expressing the pleasure he had felt in witnessing the mind which had been displayed , and the truly fraternal spirit that had been manifested during the proceedings . lie trusted that great good would be the result . The committee then adjourned to Wednesday evening , August 27 th . Signed on behalf of the Committee , John Arxott , General Secretary .

      The Crtstal Coffee-Housb.—On Friday Even...

      The Crtstal Coffee-housb . —On Friday evening Mr . William Worseldine delivered a lecture on " Originality . " He said that there was , comparatively speaking , but little originality , since the organ of imitation was so large that phrenologists designated man " an imitative animal ; " hence the modern imitators of tho classic bards , Horace , Virgil , and Juvenal , and Mircibeau ' s imitation of Milton ' s Areopagatica , and Milton ' s imitation of Otedmon—thus verifying Aristotle ' s proposition , " That all poetry is an imitation of nature . " Pope was also indebted to Lord Bolingbrokg for sketching a plan for the ' * Essay on Man . " It was certainly well to set up gig . intic minds as models for tho cultivation of genius , so that whilst they are

      contemplated , we might advance beyond mere imitation to the development of originality , and thereby irradiate the intellect with new glories ; for it was by touching the mind with the magic wand of thought , that ideas clothed in pristine beauty started up , and blossomed like the rod of Aaron . The lecturer said that he could best illustrate orig i nality by a simple reference to the pretty poems of many sons of toil in the manufaturing counties . Yet , if the subject be viewed primarily , or , ap ^ irt from human agency , their originality was a inyth . 'S South Shields . — -A delegate meeting was held on Sunday last , for the purpose of devising the best

      means of arousing Chartism ; . and an aodresswas adopted strongly enforcing the necessity of union . The address concludes as fellows : — " Our duty is to organise and agitate in a peaceable andlegalroanner , and not to rest satisfied till the document called the People ' s Charter becomes the law of the land . "A . M'Leod . Padiham . —At a members' meeting on Sunday ast , the secretary read a letter from Mr . Jones , stating that he would be in Padibam on Sunday , the 3 lst instant . It was then agreed that the Odd Fellows' Hall should be taken ; and after the transaction of other business the meeting adjourned . —P . PlHilKO , sec .

      Sew Radford ( near Nottingham ) . —On Monday last the Chartists of this locality held theiy annual tea meeting , which was numerously attended . Singing , Dancing , and other entertainments conduced to the harmony of tho evening . Mr . O'Connor ' s health was drank with all the honours , and a hope was expressed that he might live to overcome all his enemies , and see the principles he has so long and so zealously advocated become tho law of the land . The company separated , highly pleased with the rich treat afforded them .

      The Political Victims ' jAssociatio . v . —This body met as usual at Mr . Duddridge's , Queen-street , Soho . Mr . Prowting in the chair . Mr . Martin reported that the Literary Institution of Finsbury had offered them the use of their Hall . Arrangements were made for tho public meeting on Tuesday , and other business transacted . The secretary was requested to deliver a sei-monie discourse on the ensuing Sunday evening—Subject , " I was sick and in prison and ye visited me . " A discussion took place on tho state of European politics , and the meeting adjourned .

      National Loan Society. This Body Met As ...

      NATIONAL LOAN SOCIETY . This body met as usual at Golden-lane , on Wednesday evening . After the usual monetary business had been transacted , Mr . Wheeler read the correspondence from the country , inquiring- among other particulars relative to the merits of the various candidates for the situation of official manager under the bill for winding-up the affairs of the National Land Company . Considerable discussion took place on this subject .

      Mr . Wheeler stated that the discussion was almost premature ? that during the ensuing week an advertisement would be inserted in the GasettCj & c , by the Master in Chancery , calling upon the shareholders to nominate candidates for the situation : any shareholder could nominate a candidate , and the person receiving the greatest number of votes would be appointed , provided he was a fit and responsible person . Prom his correspondence , and from what he had seen at the Land Office , he found that great exertions were being made in favour of Mr . Simmonds—Bradshaw ' s

      solicitor , and the person who got up the opposition to the Bill when before the Committee ot the House . He mentioned that circumstance in order that the shareholders might be upon their guard , for upon the appointment of a proper person the future dividends greatly depended . Mr . Gray , the Government Accountant , was also a candidate ; but the person whom he believed Messrs . O'Connor , Roberts , and the promoters of the Bill were in favour of , was a Mr . Ainger , a practical man of business , who had great experience in conducting similar affairs .

      After further discussion , the shareholders were requested to suspend their decision until the candidates were fairly before them ; and Mr . Wheeler was instructed to procure every information relative to their respective merits , and to lay the same before them at their next meeting . After the transaction of other business , the meeting adjourned .

      ADDRESS OF THE NATIONAL LOAN SOCIETY TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . Brbthuek , —The Land ' Company Dissolving Bill has received the Royal assent . It is referred to the Master in Chancery to taho steps to carry out its provisions during' the vacation . An official manager is already about being appointed . If you do not wish to see 3 our property sacrificed for a mere trifle , as was tho case at the recent sales at Minster ( the houses and land , with all the improvements , not fetching much above the price originally given for the land ) , you will arouse from your apathy and immediately deposit your scrip , and take shares iu our society . To hesitate or delay is

      to allow the property to fall into other hands at n mere nominal price . Surely you will not permit this to be the consummation of all your sacrifices and expenditute , in raising the goodly fabric of the Land Company , especially when experience is now proving at 0 'Connorville , Dodford , and other places , that all the advantages anticipated are yet to be derived from the posseseion of the land , though , like all other objects of value , difficulties must be undergone prior to i : s attainment . Personally , we have no further interest in rescuing the estates of the Company than yourselves ; it is a common cause , and all should aid in its completion . The very | f § tof our appearing in the market would , at least , xreate competition and increase

      your dividend ; but if , during the ensuing few months , you act with the energy which formerly characterised you , all the estates may be bought in for a small outlay to the great honour of the people ' s cause , and also to their great pecuniary benefit . Let no shareholder wait for his neighbour , but let each send up money for a sh . ire , or a part of a { share , and also his scrip , to our secretary . Small sums can be sent in postage stamps . Rules to be had for three postage stamps . For the Managers , Thomas Mahtin Wh £ elkb , Secretary . 19 , Mercer-street , Long-acre , y . B . —The charge for depositing scrip with the trustees , and procuring the dividend thereon , is 6 d . for a £ 5 is . share , and 4 d . for shares less in value .

      Of The English Partridges And Pheasants ...

      Of the English partridges and pheasants sent to New Zealand , in the hope of naturalizing those birds in that island , only one partridge and two pheasants survived the voyage , and these weie killed by a dog shortly after their wriva ! . Bad Money . — We would caution shopkeepers arm others against receiving counterfeit crown pieces , of which there are many in circulation just now They are well-executed , and have deceived several parties , being electro-plated , and made of hard white metal , but rather light .

      ©Omsiwntaitce

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      The National Charter Association. To The...

      THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . TO THE EDITOR OP THE SOUTHERN STAR . Sib . —Enclosed is a sketch of the mode ot organisation adopted by the Boston locality of the National Charter Association . Hints towards rendering local agitation effective : —Conventions and Executives have been too much depended on to give life and vigour to the Chartist cause . A political body , like the human body , loses power and soon decays , unless kept in active motion . This activity must exist in the heart , so that a well-distributed and healthful circulation

      may be ensured , or the head becomes useless . The Convention or Executive is the head—the people the heart . The people alone are to > blame for the want of an effective agitation ;! The people ' s business is to organise themselves ; no one else can do it for them . We have a purpose—enfranchisement and social amelioration ^; we have numbers— 6 , 000 , 000 of unenfranchised Englishmen ; we have enthusiasm ~ for we still hope and work after twelve years ef failure and disappointment . The experience of the past—the f acts of the present ^—teach that it is not a revolution , but the formation of public opinion at which we should aim , that leads to the only revolution which is justifiable . The formation of public opinion

      is possible under certain conditions ; to issue placards and addresses , which the public will not read , is useless . The public must he assailed individually—spoken to , reasoned with , and induced to read tracts and democratic papers—by persuading its individual members . To upbraid the public for its apathy and ignorance is useless ;—the public will not read our upbraidings—it cares nothing for our eloquenee , jfor it will not come to listen . 1 lie public to be effectually got at , must be assailed at home . The individual may thus he indoctrinated with sound political principles , and stimulated to the performance of duty—other valuable results would also follow .

      Organisation , which centralizes all action , and leaves the individual unoccupied , is not only useless , but injurious . Organisation should not supersede individual effort , but methodise it . The conditions under which these hints can be practically carried out , are the existence in different localities of a few men who are unmistakably in earnest , and who know at what they aim ; who would set the practicable example of methodised enthusiasm , and he the centres of organisation , which , gradually radiating , might soon include a whole people . The members of the Hoxton locality , which has existed but three weeks JUld How numbers thirty working and paying members , are attempting to carry out the spirit of the above suggestion in the following

      manner : — 1 st . —All members are divided Into sections of not less than three , nor more than five Each section appoints one ef its members as spokesman , who gives in , on every Thursday night , to the general meeting , an account ot the activity of himself and fellows . The spokesman of each section also collects subscriptions of his section , and pays it to the secretary weekly .

      2 nd . —Each section meets once a week at the residence of one of its members before the general weekly meeting , to take into consideration the welfare of the cause , to prepare resolutions , to give each other information , or to arrange any plan of action for that particular section ; also to arrange their report for the general weekly meeting , and to pay subscriptions to the spokesman . 3 rd . —Every member of a section holds himself hound to aid another member in developing or carrying out plans of propagandist ^ Should petitions be desired , each section will be trusted with the duty of collecting signatures and authenticating them , in a particular district of the locality appointed them by the committee .

      When experience has confirmed our convictions of the usefulness of the above organisation , or should we modify it , information shall be forwarded for your consideration . ( For the general meeting of members , Hoxton Locality ) , W . J . Brisck , Secretary . H , Allerton-street , Hoxton .

      The Stockingers Of Leicestershire. To Th...

      THE STOCKINGERS OF LEICESTERSHIRE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . The following letter has just come to hand from one of the many sufferers in the counties of Leicestershire , Nottingham , and Derby . The facts advanced can be fully attested . The letter is as follows : — Sin , —I am a poor stocking-maker , starving in a town in Leicestershire . I occupy a small three-roomed house , at a rent of 2 s . 3 d . per week , which a kind and good landlord allows me to pay as well as I can : this kind man never distresses nor uses an angry word affainst roe , although I owe him pounds for

      rent , which I can never pay . In this small h « mse I have a stocking-frame belonging to mv emp loyer—a stocking manufacturer—once himself a workman , who lives in the same town . Sly landlord , my employer , and myself , are all near neighbours . My landlord goes to church , my employer goes to chapel , but I can go to no place of worship . I make stockings at Is . 3 d . per dozen pairs * . I make the stockings in my employers frame ; he finding the material , and I cannot , under a severe penalty from the law , work in his frame for anyone else . He only gives me as many stockings to make as he thinks proper ; I have no interest in the frame whatever . 1

      am constantly asking for work—sometimes 1 get some , at others I do not ; the last I got was last week . The foreman gave me out a small quantity of cotton—it was weighed out to me . I had orders to rmtke it into stockings in the frame of my employer . I did so ; I made of it six dozen of cotton stockings , which , at Is . 3 d . per dozen , comes to 7 s . fid . I took the stockings into my employer ' s warehouse , and asked to he paid for the making . This was refused me , and I was told that I must pay to my employer a rent for the frame , to be deducted from my earnings . To this I objected , because , as I told him , I did not want to rent the frame , nor was the material

      mine , nor were the stockings mine when made ; all I had to do was to perform the labour of making , and I trusted he would pay Hid His reply was , ' No such thing ; he should charge me for the frame rent 5 s . 9 d ., and deduct it from my wages ; it was the custom , and he should stick to it . ' I asked him to give me SO much less per dozen for the making , nayeven to give me if it was but 9 d . per dozen ,

      but this he refused . I asked him to give me more to make , so that I could earn something for myself to live upon , besides the frame rent and charges , but this he also refused . I then asked him to give me the bare Is . 9 d . that was left , as I was starving ; this he refused , saying that ' I owed more than two weeks' rent , and he should keep it for that . ' I came away with a sad heart and broken

      The Stockingers Of Leicestershire. To Th...

      mind—L almost contemplated suicide , but hope \ MTB"Wputf' [ I- - \ rent-hack and begged of the'man who * a 4 got ; niy labour for a shilling— it was refused me . ' I sat down in the street on" a stone step ; A stranger was passing , he looked " aV-riie and gave nie sixpence ,- I then knew himr he . was tho Methodist preacher ; - ' With that sixpence ? bought oatmeai , and on 8 « nd « V He'd oh it . On tllW'Mo ' lidaV L ^ nt to tho pariah , aiidgot relcif—l ? V 3 d ;^« ee ! J , ' and three . loaves . For seventeen weeksN . togVtlier I have .. never received from my- empioyi ^ -ffiprethan Is . GJ . a .. week , although I have riewir ^ hfride ( or him , in his frame , less than six . ubiMU of 'StflekV uigsper week .. I ' ara no . w existing on what ' . ' I- ^ ct trom tho-parish , and what I get -from' mycm ; - ployfir-nlthough . L get- from'tho parisS ^ Qroe '' what

      maves . more ^ lmn- ! get froin my ^ rnWybr ' still tne ^ parish-gets no benbfffcfromVmyi >^ 6 o « rt On tie Sunday ! was la itb £ l ^«^ ii ^ ejai !! a halfpenny ; to get shavod ^ itni ^ J ^^^ eicbS hour and employer , with . a hynin ' Bafi ^ alullbibleTuV J > » hnnd , M . to . obApel , ^ t . tfiaea |^^ ifl 8 JCSfiSfc ' . teacer , and looked updn- ' as . a ; sahotified" scripture ^ PP « nder . : i thoughtfof my ; $ orfc . " - ' aiid' M the aight before ; when bejdfow'tto-from Sis ' door ; but still I forgave himr fflQ ^ Moivd ay myilaiidlord called for some ren M'llf ^ hiBV ^ t aJe ^& siids . n ^ nm ^ wM ^^^ m ^ Hus-aRK er ls' ^ tiffetPJor me , audit will tell a true talc of the common lot I how bear , but which I hope will soon be remedied . . 1 am , Sir , Your obedient servant , A Poott Stockixger .

      Mr . Editor , I hope you will excuse mo if I am trespassingtoornueliiiponyourvaluablespaccbutas there are nearly 60 , 000 individuals similarly situated in the three counties before mentioned , I ' feel confident you will give this publicity in your next number . Pro Bono Publico .

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      The 5eapolitax Victims. A Public Meeting...

      THE 5 EAPOLITAX VICTIMS . A public meeting , called by the newly-formed victim association , was held on Tuesday evening to sympathize with the Neapolitan victims at the Eel ctie Institute , 18 a , Denmark-street , Soho , which had been kindly granted by tho National Reform League , for the above purpose . At halfpast eight o ' clock , in the absence of Mr . Gladstone , ai . P ., who bad been invited , Mr . Mronterre O'Rrien was called to the chair . Air . O'Bbien commenced the proceedings by giving an account of the atrocities inflicted upon his subjects by tlio King of Naples —atvoeities which even our venal press was compelled to reprobate , anxious as they ever were to palliate or defend tho misededs of all crowned miscreants .

      By calling public attention to this suln . net , they were performing a duty not only to their neighbours , but also to themselves ) . Mr . O'Crien tllen dwelt upon the influence which , public meetings would have were it not for cue iukewarmnoss arid venality of tho press . He had great pleasure in informing them that a new association had been formed for the purpose of achieving the united liberties of Prance , Spain , and Italy . At the head Ot the committee was the cclelebrated abbe de Lapiennais , and Michel de Bourges j WBQ WOtlW J'Ct fill an important niche iu the Temple of Fame . The Society had adopted principles identical with those of the League—they were in favour of religion , property , aud order ; it was the religion of God ,

      and not that of man . it was , that a man should have the disposal of the property which he himself created , leaving the rich in possession of their previous ill-gotten gains ; they were also in favour of order ; but this could never be achieved whilst the masses were kept in ignorance and poverty . Tile Neapolitans , whose fate thoy had met to sympathise with , had endeavoured feebly , and perhaps 1 lindly , tocar-ry out those doctrines ; but though they had not the knowledge or experience which British Reformers possescd , sliil they had striven nobly for the attainment of political liberty and constitutional government . Mr . O ' Brien then read the following letter'from Mr . Gladstone , who had been requested to take the hair .

      irafjlej-, Stourbridge , Aug . 1 G . Sib , —Your letter of the 12 ch reached me at this place last night , and I bej ; to thank j-ou for the honour done me by the request you have made . 1 think it my duty , n-wover , to decline presiding at the metting to he held un Tuesday , my intention being , that the case which I have stated to the public should at present , so far as I am concerned , stand before it only iti a form of undoubted authenticity in which ic moy liusutij ^ oted to the most rigid sera iny . And , it being likewise my opinion that a i ' nir con .-idera'ion is now likely to be given to the testimony which 1 have borne , if I stand aloot from movements ot another kifid . I have the honour to be sir , Your very obeditiiit servant , To Mr . i , N . Brvson . W . GLADSTONE .

      The letter appeared from tho remarks made to give satisfaction . Jfo answers had been received from Lords Aberdeen or Palmerston , whose attendance had also been requested . Mr . O'llrk-n commented upon this want of courtesy by those par excellence calling themselves gei \ tUuncn , swell gtv .-tlemen and liberals must be politically annihilated before anything like just and liberal principles could ever have fair play . Tho doctrines of this school of liberals were atrocious in the extreme . Joseph Hump , 0110 of this school , who would be a good man , it he knew how and was well paid for it , had put a notice on the books of the House of Commons that the only way to put down Kogro slavery was to reduce the price of tree labour , until it became more profitable to employ free than slave labour , aud that any man was insane who thought to abolish slavery by any other means . What could they expect from such a school , and what from the legislation of the members belonging to and professing its doctrines ?

      Mr . Joh . v Sjiaw moved the first resolution as follows : — That this meeting contemplates with horror and disgust the barbarous atrocities that the Neapolitan Govern ment is now wantonly exercising over the brave patriots of that country who unfortunately fell within the grasp of thtir vengeance , and we call upon ail classes of society to use their utmost endeavours to stimulate our Government to make a prompt and speedy interference in behalf of our Italian brother victims now suffering such fiendish persecution , to the disgrace ef civilised hurope , and Great Britain in particular .

      It was at all times to him a pleasure to meet any portion of hie fellow rncn when they met to sympathise with oppression . They ( the victims ) " had felt the iron heel of despotism , .-md they could , therefore , feel for their Neapolitan brethren , iuwas not surprised at the absence of the lords and gentlomen ^ who had been invited ; he had but little faith in the good those persons would have effected even if they had attended ; a debt of gratitude was duo to Mr . Gladstone for the pamphlet ho bad written exposing tho atrocities committed at Naples . If any democratic leader had written such a ' pamphlet he would have been denounced by the press as a caiu : niii .-itor and imposter . The K : " ii { f of Naples had committed atrociti s which made his blood ran cold , : uui yet in t ' -ie Queen ' s Speech she was made to say that she received the most friendly assurances from all the powers of Burope , including this crowned ruffian . vVas it not . shameful that

      such language should be put into the mouth of one supposed to represent the whole British nation ? We were said to be the most civilized nation in Europe , and yet in one of the most liberal papers of the day he found an article hounding on the persecution of Gent and the men implicated in the Lyons conspiracy ; yet even in that article they were forced to admit tho wide-spreading of the democratic cause in Lyons and its neighbourhood . ( Cheers . ) Mr . BE 2 EU Seconded the resolution , and explained the motives which had given rise to the formation of tho Victims' Association , and the reasons which had induced them to draw attention to the case of their fellow victims in the Italian dominions . The victims of Kaples were not the representatives of true democracy ; they were the victims of a delusory system of constitutional government , but they were called upon to

      sympathise with them , not as democrats , but as ineu and brethren , lie gave all credit to Mr . Gladstone lbr his pamphlet . Thoy well knew he was a Conservative and not a Chartist ; but , whatever his motives might be , his work would produce much good . Mr . Bezer then read some extracts from Air . Gladstone's book , which created a considerable , sensation h the meeting , commenting upon them with considerable energy and effect . lie also dwelt upon the tendency of the Catechism issued by the Neapolitan government for tho use of schools , showing that it was subversive of all morality and true religion Surely , when such atrocities wore perpetrated , it was necessary that some party should call a meeting in the metropolis , to express tho indignation of the British public against such horrible treatment . Talk of the rcigu of terror aud the ill deeds of Republicanism . Whore could they find atrocities committed to parallel tLositt oS this despotic monarchy ?

      The 5eapolitax Victims. A Public Meeting...

      Mr . JoilS Fussxu . ' supported the resolution , lit feared ' almost to cxpvvi . i i « is feelings Ohat oui government should confess 10 hold friendly reintionVwith such a monster . ' -Couhl such ' ^ governmenf . deserve } the confidence or-respect ' of . ' th « people ? ( "Xb , 110 . " )_ If was " only " a government supported by bristling bajtmots that daro so act . In Franco a similar ' system of ; . persecution waa raising its head , and ( the men of Lyons were to be made its victims . 4 # eriea boasted of her liUeranty-in ondeavouringif 0 procure the liberatiwi-fof Kossuth , and yef ,- -.-to > ner shame , allowed -tats monster Of Kaplea t ( fe perpetrate . still " ifreafer noirors

      . lio . was acquaintediijiitb ^ person who had . fortunately osoaped from qne ; pf these prisons ; and he ; could assure ( bom that the ' statVments . of ' Mr . waustowe , so f ; u- / rom beit . e exaccorhited . 'dirf not ¦ contain anything like a , full TtotuiF of the horrible barbarities practised upon those unfoi-timate i victims , lie trusted the men of England would' ^ eat out upon this : ' question . . ¦ ;; . ' . -. . ' '•^ :, ^~ : y-The resolution was then put , and carried unfhii ' mously . : • = , .- . ; .: vu ¦ : ¦ ; ~ -- - ; ,. ; v .. -J '' .,. ,- ' -. i ' .-Mv . O'Bbiex then , at some length , aildcaijeTtbA meeting on tHe ' present prospect of a . ffii fr % W ^ rauce . 'isd ' tho hones of the ' party of the ifoun ' tain . ' * Ilia

      . remark ? were well , received , 'hi . ' veferehce-to * the trials at Lyons he asserted tlrat ' though they might biguilfy of some of 4 h , £ acts charged updn ' ituem ' . yet if they did conspire it $ »» s not vmt . il the Presftienb and the governmeht / flad twice ,.. turned : tiflitons toy tbe ., pcople .. Fi rd ^/ . in . the inyasjph ; of ., Horde , " which was strict ) y ' i . in opposition . to one" of / chs olfiuaes of tho Constitution ; aod secondly ,. in rob « 1 > hig ilie pcopicf * of * their right , of ' umversai' suffrkjL'C . Wbeu : ttu ' eig ^ Ve ' crijtien ' t thris ' turhed ' traitor ; to the people ;; tbe' ^ e pgjo ^ . wei ^' ptfiTeqUyjiisiiHcdT--; iiilV , ' more , it ' Was tllefrsbdunden duty- to conspire aajfinst thprny an 4 . ' tV ' profl . ut'o their dpwnfitlUby ' . ahy ; gjosslblemeans , . iciiS ; " . < ' ¦ '; 1 •''* ¦'• . ' ¦ _ ¦ - > ' . ' ¦ s £ The mee | ihg Eeparated at a late ; hour . ;_

      ^ ' Catholic, Defence N ' Sspciafi6ir. G...

      ^ ' CATHOLIC , defence n ' sspCiAfi 6 ir . GREAT AGGREGATE MEETING IN DUBLIN . '' i i 0 A ^ V ^^ K &^^ the ' 'MreBU :-of ^^\> li ^^ rot ssiii ^^ - ^ ttmammSm •• from ^ ^ ' Very ^ MiyhoflF , and the footpaths in tho vicinity of the Rotunda soon became altogether impassable , from the crowds collected . For some hours before the time fixed for the meeting , t ' :: e doors of the Itotunda wore assailed by persons seeking admission , and although cloven o ' clock was the hour at which tho chair was to he taken , the great round room waa densely crowded at a few minutes past ten . A gi vat portion of the reserved seats was occupied by ladies , and the body of the meeting , to which admission was obtained by tickets distributed gratuitously , was thronged with the working classes . Several hundred coal porters marched in a body to the meeting , and a "rent number of them were

      admitted liisiric , the remainder forming themselves into groups in the neighbourhood of the Rotunda , and assuming tho appearance of co-operating with the police in keeping order . The police authorities had taken active steps to insure the preservation of the peace , nnd a body consisting of several hundred men of their excellently organised force was on duty , in and around the place of meeting . Patrols of uot'SU and foot police paraded the streets ; a number of mounted police were stationed near the Rotunda to aid those on foot in dispersing the crowd , and a large body was held iu readiness in . the llotunda gardens . The military were also kept in their barracks , prepared to act if necessary . A few minuter after eleven the Rev . T . D , GrCJg , accompanied by Mr . J ! . Cooke , and two other friends , drove up in a close carriage to the llotunda , and claimed admission at the entrance . This was .

      however , refused ; and emphatically denouueins the meeting as one of Papists and not of Catholics , they re-entered the carriage and drove oft" rapidly along Great Britain-street , pursued by a mob who pelted the carriage with mud . Some of Mr . Grosg ' s placards denouncing the meeting were exhibited at the windows of tho Priests * ' Protection Society , which is close to the llotunda , but the placards were torn down by tho mob aud tho windows broken ; Mr . P . Dixon Ilardy , the proprietor of the house , expostulating to no purpose with the rahhle . A . young man , ft l ' VOtOstant , also drew upon kin »_ £ the indignation of the mob , and was severely handled by them , his life probably being saved hy the police , who rescued him ; but with the exception of these the tiny was hod icarked by any outrages , the usual incidents of pick-pocket rows , & c . being excepted ,

      Ttic attendance of Roman Catholic cleray was very large , but tho muster of the Roman Catholic laity did not comprise so many distinguished luuma as were expected . —Lord Gormaiistoit opened the proceedings by moving Archbishop Cullen to tho chair , by tlic style of " The most rev . Dr . Cullen , Archbishop of Armagh , and Primate of aillrcland . " Tho motion was seconded in similar terms by-Mr . Reynolds , M . P ., and the chair was taken amidst the- vociferous cheers of tho meeting , whi « l » also greeted the-firstappo : » - « nccof the bishops upon the platform with enthusiastic rounds of applause . Archbishop Guiles then addressed the meeting ; after which a letter addressed to the chairman by Cardinal Wiseman was read , in whieh the writer regretted the desertion of some catholics , " whoso word would a few months ago have been in our eyes as safe a security as a bond signed and sealed . " lie urged the association to concentrate all its powers on legitimate subjects , and should he happy to co operate in any of its duties more immediately connected with those of the ecclesiastical state .

      Several letters of apology for n on attendance were read , and the following- resolutions were adopted ; That we declare an act laterly passed by the imperial parliament , commonly called the JEeclesiastical Titles Act , to be a violation of the compact contained in the Catholic Relief Act of JSi'y , and subversive of the great principle of religious liberty as established in this empire . That we ur . ! ii ; sitatiii ! , 'l . v declare that the pre . -cnt ministers have betrayed the cause of civil aud reli gious freedom , and forfeited the confidence if the Catholics of the United Kingdon . That we hereby solemnly pledge ourselves to u * c even legitimate means within the constitution to o . ' -tain a total repeal of that act , and every other statute whieh imposes upon tlie Catholics of tills empire any eivil or reli gious dinability wha : soBver , or precludes them from the enjoyment of their religion . That for the above oVjects we deem it necessary to establish a Catholic Defence Association , aud that the same ho and is hereby established ,

      That as one of the great constitutional and practical means oi' carrying : out the oljects of this meeting , we pledge ourselves to make every effort to strengthen the hands and increase the puwer of those faithful representatives who in tlie last session of Parliament so encr ^ etieallr devoted themselves to the formation of an independent ; party in ths Legislature , having forits object the maintenance of civil and religions liberty iu the ljiitish empire . That the following prelates ami members oi the Legislature be a committee to define with accuracy the objects which are to occupy the association , to frame ( he rule * and regulations by which it shall be governed , and to submit the same to the next genera ! meeting of the association : —The Kor . ' . au Catholic Archbishop « il Westminster , Tlu > Itoman Catholic JJishop of Ui-Jiu ' nghain , the ilishop of Nottingham , the Uishun of Hexham , " the Bishop of South . wttrlctho Ki

      , .-hop of Liverpool , the liislmp of Beverley , the Bishop otSallord , the liishop of . Northampton , Paul Archbishop of Armagh , John Archbishop of Tuani , Archbishop ot Oashel . Bishop of Ardagh , Bishop of Achonry , Bishop of Meatli , Bishop of Cork , Bishop of lYatcrford and Listuore , Bishop of Rillala , Bishop of G'tojue , Bishop oCKilmncdungli Bishop of Kaphoo , Bishop of Boss , Bishop of Cloghcr ' Bishop of Kerry , Bishop ot" Ivillaloe , Bishop of Eh . hhi , ami Bishop of Berry ; John Reynolds , M . R , Dublin ; V . 'ilii .-uu Keogll , M . B ., Athloise ; George H . Jir .-wn , M . V ., JIm-o ; u ^ 'V " :., *! - ' - ' Cttrlow ; < ¦; , 0 , lugging , il . l ' ., MiiVO ; JhU'lin J . Blah-, il . K . Gahvay city ; Nicholas V . Msiher , M . lViipporary ; Francis Scully . M . l \ , Tipperavv : Tl , i >» . Jiea gher , Al . i . ' ., Waterfoni , and Robert Keatii . J , ' , ' -M . P ., \\ aterford ; John T . Devereiix , J ! . P ., Wexford ; " Timothy O'Brien , Jt . l ' ., Cashcl ; John O'iirieu , M . L \ , Limericii " ; ana Michael Sullivan , M . l " ., ICiilceimv .

      that the committee he charged to prepare and publislt an address to the Catholics of the united kingdom on the present position of Catholic aifnii-f . That we c . ndially temKr the greatful thanks of t ! tw meeting to the I ) uk . ; of . Vuwjj ::. -. ilie JJ .-trl of Ai-eidceii , tin .- l . oid . Monttiigie , to ^ ir James Graham , . Mr , Gladstone , Mr . . Sidney Herbert . Mr . IJinmdeil Palmer , and those oth' -r distinguished Protestant members whoso ably sustain in the Legislature the cause of reli gious liberty . That we heartily eomjratulate the country upon the cor . dial unanimity of fueling and opinion which bo happily exists between Catholic nobility , hierarchy , clergy , anil laity of the united kingdom .

      Tho thani-: a of the meeting baling been given to the Chairman , three cheers were then given for each of tbe members of the Irish Roman Catholic ChUl ' oh , Mr . Reynolds announcing- them with tho prohibited titles , after which the meeting terminated .

      Lledkmpiion Socibty.—This Society, Which...

      llEDKMPIION SOCIBTY . —This society , which has for its object the reducing to practice the doctrine of communism , has now nearly completed tho sixth year of its existence . It is enrolled according to Act of Parliament , and usder the full protection-Of tho law . It possessess an estate of IGU acres of land in South Wales , where farming and shoemaking is carried on for tho benefit of the members The located members have all things in common " ami they turn such life conducive to

      a health ana comfort . The society can contract no debts and is continually receiving subscri ptions aud the profit of trade , & c ., so it u always increasing in we-tlth -m . influence . The directors are now pr ^ r ^ k pff laws etc for opening a co-operative Store iu Leeds ; winch a re expected to hi' rondo tn \ 1 foro tho Members in a week or , 0 \? - lay - ' for tho week - .-Leeds £ 110 s £ ?' XT' ^ mve < 2 s . Od iunlr . v rI > p- 1 1 *' ' » Mr - Douthwaite , Fund-Leeds X' 0 ^ ' " r < 7 ** ' M-BuildinR 1 uiiu i , eeus , < s . bd . ; Hochda e , Mr . Rmithics 2-bd .-Propagandist Fund-Lwto , 6 ,, l ^ d . ¦ iffilSi

      tif S" ° t KEPf ° ' B , JlIEN r * ™* To ** h Ham . nSiLt •'?>" ' thel 2 cil '" S t ., the adjourned meeting 0 cotsulev the means to promote the return ot Mr . Bvoutcrro O'Jlrioa for tho Tower Unnlets , was tioiii at the Eclectic Institute , Dexum-kstreet , Soho , when a General Committee » " « s appointed for tho above object . The meeting waa numerously and respectably uttt-iVid .

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  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 23, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_23081851/page/1/