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NOTES. Fro From an announcement kourfttt...
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ABE WE * PROSPEROUS V TO THE EDITOR OF T...
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THE CRYSTAL PALACE. Whan this gigantic g...
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A MoTHEEixn Sou CosnuMNEn io Death.—Sara...
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THE WORKING- TAILORS' ASSOCIATION, LONDO...
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CONFERENCES WITH WORKING. MEN. Some thre...
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THE PROGRESS OF CO-OPERATION IN AMERICA....
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THE AMA'LGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS. P...
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THE ENGINEERS' DISPUTE . Tho number of m...
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The DEPARTunK op tub Abctio Smrs. -The e...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Approaching Elections. The Fast Appr...
sssSESjrtgs & 'Brti ss of fof the next House of Commons .
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Notes. Fro From An Announcement Kourfttt...
NOTES . Fro From an announcement kourftttt page , our readers SmSST * - * legal impediments prevent for this St ik the completion of the arrangements for trans-SSJ tte - ? Star into to Star of FreaW or far have these been the only difficulties m the way of ie wie production of such a Journal as we aim at calling , to cito existence . In fact , our readers must look upon fe lis vreek ' s impression as only a ' preliminary imtamber ; ' and as bearing scarcely any resemblance i tho the very superior Journal they may expect from ir bur hands on Saturday next . W' TVe have no recollection of a , ¦ week so barren of
iktriking events as this has been . Parliament met ; aiigain , aft * the Easter recess , on Monday last ; but , cexcepting two questions brought before the Lower juJouse , tte proceedings have been of no great interest , ie [ he Domestic News of the week presents but few attractions (!) to those who delight to take their fill of fitofroYs . The Foreign Intelligence exhibits nearly 2 ie same dead level . The nig ht-mare of Despotism sits heavily on tho heart of Europe ; and from the sidane to the Danube the sobs of manacled Eight e ire stifled by the gag of Terror . 0 On Wednesday the Bill introduced by Mr . SlASBr tdnto the House of Commons , to legalise Industrial l & ud Provident Partnerships , was read a second time , land , tho Government" consenting , was ordered to be
refreferred to a Select Committee ; Possibly nextyear llillr . SUXEY ' S Bill or noma similar measure , will ftecoicome law . The important quettum of tfee Taxes on Ki Knowledge came before the Commons « n Thursday w ni 2 lit . As we intend to comment on this subject next w week , we shall merely notice the important fact , that in in uts repl y to Mr . M . Gibson , the Chancellor of the E Exchequer , seemed to intimate his willingness to aSaband « tethe Advertisement Duty , f ^ be not ve ry Kuoiouasto the conservation of the Stamp Duty . I ] Under these circumstances Mr . Gjbsok declined to pipresshJs motion to adivison , and the debate was a < adjourned to Wednesday the 12 th of May .
Abe We * Prosperous V To The Editor Of T...
ABE WE * PROSPEROUS V TO THE EDITOR OF THE flTAB Otf FREEDOM . "Sir . —The important subject of discussion in the t columns of the daily press , and at the public meetings t throug hout the country , is tbe present condition of the 1 labouring portion of the community . On that point ¦ > -we claim to be heard . It ertieerns us , and-we esteem lit of paramount importance . For parties , factions ,
political rivalries , tbe battle of the 'Ins and Outs , ' we care not a straw—for foots and principles we care much—for the welfare of the masses we care most . Their case is ours ; with and for them we shall stragg le ; o ; t tlieir side we take-our stand ; by them we shall stand or fall . We write earnestly , maturely , and for a defined purpose—the general elevation of the industrial orders , -believing most devoutly that ' the safety of the peoplens the hig hest-law . '
It is asserted by the economical doctors that this country is extremely ' prosperous /— ' prosperous beyond precedent . ' We ask for the proof—it is at hand ; instantly are produced long columns of figures , proving a vast increase of our exports and imports . The Board of TrasJe Teftsnis are presumed to be unanswerable ; aud they show beyond argument the vast extent and rapid extension of our domestic , colonial , and foreign exports and imports . —We are assured that the' operatives' must be ' prosperous . ' If not , * Why do you see street after street—nay , whole suburbs—rise up , as by magic , from the green sward ,
from the stubble of last year ' s harvest , , from the hillside , from the fcea'hery skirt of tbe moor , under the very shade of the ancient oak ? 'Wh y do you see cottages run up for labouring men with a comfort and an elegance unknown to the last generation ; with good drainage , pure water , abundant and almost free ? Wh y aretbere ^ floweringplants , and worked muslin blinds in aU 'the windows , new furniture in every room , aad the . young families-within wellclothed , blooming , . playful , and happy V That is a charming picture- ; a most delightful scene . It is not painted 'by usj it is the work of the artist who decorates the pages of the ' Times . ' Really he is a genius of the first
order . It is to be regretted that he should devote himself to the thorny walk of politics . "So rich an imagination would -wia for its lacfcy owner a fortune in tho more . pleasant path of romance . No working man , in the absence of an especial assurance from the writer , could "believe that his p icture is intended to represent the every-day life of working men . What say Ae more than 2 , 000 , 1 ) 00 of agricultural labourers constitatisg the base of the industrial pyramid of the ^ United Kingdom ? : Have they lowering plants and -worked muslin blinds' in all tho windows—areiibeir ' young families ' -within wellclothed , blooming , ^ playful , and happy ? -What say fhe SpitalBelds rearers , whose dolorous aoaipJaints hare moved tbe hardest of hearts f Was their
recently-held meeting 4 n their own district all a sham ? Were those resolutions , unanimously voted by ^ themselves , and setting forth thei * deplorable condition ' all * false' ? 'What say . the hacdloomwea * 3 rsof England and-Scotland , numbering hundreds of thousands—those-cnfortunate men ,-vho , on tbe authority of Sir { Fames Graham , ' are engaged in ' hopeless competition' against wood , iron , . and steel ? Is their organised movement , praying the governnaectdo assist them to emigrate from their native lafld , an imposture . How answer ye , the-powerloom weavers df Bingley , Radeliffe ,. and districts , as you in yourhundreds parade the streets
of yonr . wn and nei g hbouring townships ' opt on Strike , Wnot for an increase of . wages , bat againsfraa increase-of work and a redaction in pay—are / you [ happy fr' ^ ha fc say each of the ship wri gbts-and joiners of the Thames , the 'Wear , and tbe Tyne , as daily beg in vain forfeave'to toil . Is their idleness a willing idleness ? What-say those bootmakers , tailors , and-aeedlewomen of London who starve out hfe , half-employed and wretchedly paid ? Do they answer , ' -Qaj children ate -playful ? ' we are the 'happy' inmates of the charaiogeottagefilled with ' newfurmture ^ ' '
' Ail' hare one answer ; it ia brief , but expressive 'We are oppresses . ' If this country were ' prosperous / wh y da 'her -children flee from her shores is hundreds of thousands ? A love -of country is a cafcoraf instinct—iiis fhe very keystone of patriotism . Englishmen o f ihe last generation cherished it in excess ; those of the present carry about ^ ithihem bnt a faint impression of -the past , and that . impression , slight though it be , is felt rather as an incumbrance , & an cherished as a virtne . What has occasioned & e chuage ? Is it the = resnlfc of a more . extended
spnpatb y , an insight and appreciation of the < feeliDgs , hsbits , and associations of the dwellers in other lands ? $ y ^ j ^ that we « opld heartily answer in the affinitive . Has the surface of the soil become fnea S-ram the fields , the hiBs , the dales lesseheeriJj " hea , tL ' inE P Jring I The soil is fertile and ccltivated—the -scenery picturesque and beautiful . Js there not room enough ? 'There Is not . ' Thatis . a common , bataa unfounded assertion . Then , how comes it that so many Englishmen are unwilling or ^ Jable to iwei H ftefr own fatherland . The country is prosperous ' and the working men are in haste to
*» e prosperit y / We are told to look & fc the poor aw reinrns , and there we shall see , in plainest arithmetic , tbe social condition of the people indicated . " « have read the returns . We have looked for © urg es into the condition of some of thosa rum ! diaj « tts which are said to be * most prosperous . * We una 1 ? ° * ** wale population , in numbers , maeh SS V ema , e - We have asked , where are the Cr —The women answer u * that their brothers have
ij an rated ' tteyttem £ elve 8 workinttefields . It actual * n , atter to k ° ° * a trifl > ng decrease of exported "' ' **' ' when the male population have been any where * B ^ D 1 I 1 Ch BSBhs B rabb 5 sb > * ° be got r <<* of ^ ississinni *^ hm > cas * on the banks of the that turn * ? 8 UDk in the Bea ' Is ifc ' pwroerity ' **> tbo fiLi ?\ Women of the agricultoral districts k- « J ™ 0 * to work like leasts of burden , for a WW ™ pHtJ , nce ? Talk to ua of the not S * ^! * " * ^ "g bnilt Wb 7 lave J * ^ V * , ab «» nt the cottages that h ftm ? - * oC , cn » or aIIowed to fall atone 8 into mournful decay . In the memory ,
Abe We * Prosperous V To The Editor Of T...
of a . few of the present" generation , the number of cottages that have disappeared are countless . Each crumbling cottage indicated the fate of a family . Each rained family adil . ed to our pauper , our criminal , onr emigration , or our churchyard returns . Families have been forced to crowd together , to sleep incongruously , and with a lessened regard to decencyending in the breaking up of all that is sacred and virtuous in domestic life—untieing the first bond of social order ; and an inevitable increase of outrage has been met by the establishment of an unconstitutional military power , called a « rural police force . ' Dissatisfied by thel incumbrances eo augmented , the landlords and cotton lords entered into an unhol y alliance to divorce poverty from property , and coin gold out of the bones and sinews of men , women , and
children . It is remarkable , that if our « prosperity be , as it is asserted , that , side by side therewith , Manchester , the emporium of the cotton trade , should show an increase in pauperism and crime . Yet such is the fact—our authorities being the published accounts of the Poor Law Guardians , and the published . statement of the Recorder . Why men knowing all these things can dare to teil tbe working men of England that their order are ' prosperous , ' we are puzzled to find out . Such monitors are dead to the promptings of conscience , and have forgotten the duty thty owe lo thVir country and posterity . Are we told that such things belong more ' to the past than to the present ? \ Te reply that the past is tbe parent of the present ; and he who hopes to separate them knows not what he does . Are we assured that it is not well to lift the veil from hidden sores ? What . would be thonebt of a surgeon who w » s afraid to
p robe a wound ? What patient can hope for a cure who is ashamed to own that he is diseased ? Away with mock sentimentality ; it is gathered in heaps about tbe streets ; it has dressed itself out in lawn and fine linen . It is perfumed and painted , those who know nothing better , fancy it to be sweet and beautiful . Whether we meet with H in church or cbape \ in leciure-rooni or theatre , in the byways or highways , we discover it to be sickly , cadaverous , unwholesome , and in the nostrils of healthy men and women it stinks like rotten flesh . Much stress is laid , by the gentlemen engaged en prosperity , ' upon the rapid increase of txcisealde comtoodUies , The increased consumption of tea , tobacco , beer , spirits , & c . is asserted to be a sure proof of * prosperity . ' We are of
opinion that if the working classes generally eat " more beef , mutton , veal , pork , and enjoyed what by Englishmen is con-Chived to be ' good living , ' fewer excisable articles would be required . Every worising man knows that , as a rule , be smcikes most tobacco , and , if at all attainable , drinks most spirits , when he is only paitHaUy employed , and his diet low . We fear there is too strong a tendency in our population geneially , to consume txcisealile articles rather than the more subsiantia ! fare of beef and bread . We remark in passing , that excessive , and , therefore , unnatural , toil , tends more than , perhaps , any other single cause to increase tie consumption of tobacco , g in , and beer . We do not conclude tl erefrora that an increase in the sale of tobacco , gin , and beer is an Unanswerable fact , proving by itfiell the ' prosperity' of a countrv .
Oar estimate of national prosperity is not a party or par . tizan estimate . We have not yet learned to weigh out humanity by the standard of exports or imports . We belong to neither the old nor the new sect of- political economists , although we have anxiously endeavoured to learn here a little and there -a little from each . We assert that history , experience , and the most far-seeing economy are combined in proving that the natural but generous improvement of the working classes is the surest : guarantee of the peace and safety of all ; and legislation is only beneficial in so far as it contributes to that end .
We admit'fhe vast material development indicated ia the tables of the'Bowd of Trade , to he undeniable . We ovn at once that the buying ; and selling have been on a gigantic scale . It is possible that those exchanges might have been more profitable . Our own experience satisfactorily convinces us that our national powers of production are immense . That experience also tells ns that the producing classes liave not had their fair-share of the increased wealth ; and as ihe workers have not been enriched thereby it is not tiifiji > nl : to know who have—they are a few , comparatively a very few , fortunate aud speculating millionaire ? , Gracuhds .
The Crystal Palace. Whan This Gigantic G...
THE CRYSTAL PALACE . Whan this gigantic glass-bubble was first blown , we had no faith in it . We knew that it was to be elected fur the aggrandisement of the few at the < xpense of the many ; and it has succeeded admirably . We then suggested that tho motto placed over the front of it should be , " The cheapness -of man is onr every-day tragedy . " As regards the hypocritical assumption of'the Peace-men and the Economists , that it would promote the mutuality of the peoples , that ' s all bosh— -the carnival of Competition , amid & t a war of antagonistic interests , was not precisely the place in whichto . promote fraternity and amity . With these feeling ? , we certainly do not feel particularly anxious about its destruction . It seems a pity to pull down so beautiful and fairy-like = a structure , but , were it to stand , tbe working
classes would have little or no part or lot in the matter . Itianottheir-Crystal Palace . It would be made a mere fashionable lounge , which must , of course , be kept very select , . If any thing would cause us to rank en the side ofits preservators , it would be because ot those few miserable individuals who are annoyed by its being in their neighbourhood , and would , consequently , plack it down despite the wishes of thousands . We think we know the secret of the general Press opposition to its destruction : Paston-haa made immense sums of money by it ; and , we believe , the Press is , "hijL'hIy ( fed to write it up . 3 famorous meetings . have been held in the metropolis to protest against its -destruction , but , we believe , it is doomed , Suppose this were to be its- ¦ epitaph—¦*• De . morluis liil nisi noNB ' -Eu 1 "
A Motheeixn Sou Cosnumnen Io Death.—Sara...
A MoTHEEixn Sou CosnuMNEn io Death . —Sarah Anderson , or Fraser , aged forty , aud her son , James Fraser , aged 17 , were arraigned at the Inverness assizes for tho murder of .-. William . Fraser , husband of the one prisoner andfathvr of tbe other , by-administering to him poison .-The deceased was an innkeeper at Inver , and upwards of , sixty years of age . In the course of . last September the deceased-was-suddenly taken ill , was seized with violent ' vomiting and . parging , and m a few days died . At the time bis death did not excite suspicion . His body was in- ' terred in Ahc churchyard . of-Bigg , and in the course of a few days some-mysterious reports got into circulation as to his fate , the body was disinterred , and tbe contents of , the stomach being analysed , it . ^ ras found that he bad died of arsenic . After a . lengthened trial the jury found them Guilty , but recommended , them to mercy . His lordship passed the -usual sentence upon them .
MiLTOs ' i JIib-bonk—Mention is made of Cromwell's skull ; so it may not be out of piaseto tell you that I have handled oae of . Milton ' s ribs . . Cowjoer speaks indignantly of the desecration of our . divine poet ' s grave , on which shameful occurrence some of the bones were clandestinely distributed . -One fell to the tot of an old and esteemed friend , and between Jorty-S ve and . iorty years ago , at his house , not many . miieBfr ^ mLondon ,. ! have often examined the said rib-bone . ' -That friend is Jetig since dead ; but his son , now in the-vale of years , lires , and I doalit not , from the reverence felt to the great , author of "Paradise Lost , " that he has religiously preserved-the precious relic . It might not be agreeable . to him to have his name published ; but from his tastes ., be- — -being a person of some distinction in literary pursuits—is likely to be a reader of " Notes and
Queries , " and if this should catch his eye , he may be induced to send you some particulars . I know he is able to- place the matter beyond a doubt .-r _ Fron » " Notes and Queries . " Accident ok the J & . vohsscbr SnEmgno , and Lincolnsnipe It . ui . WAY . —On Saturday night an accident occurred to the jive o ' clock train on the short branch of this line from Nesr . Holland to Barton , on . the south bank . of the Ilumber . A new engine was drawing . this train , and , with one stoppage , had brought it in cafety to Barton . ; but , on arriving there , from some cause at present unknown , the driver and guard were unable to make their breaks act , and the engine went , at the rate of twelve or fourteen miles an hour ,
through a thick wall at tbe end of the line into ihe station bouse , the internal fittings beingcompletety smashed . The station master was writing at his desk at the time , and had a verynarroir escape . Bearing the abouts of the people outside , he ran out , and bad not been g » ne a second , when the buffers of the engine smashed the counter he sas sitting at into splinters . The driver and stoker saved themselves by leaping on the platform . Thu former went bacfi to New Holland , / jave information of the accident , and has not been heard of since . Several of tbe passengers were injured . Mrs Merely , of Hull , was severly cut and bruised about the legs , and several others are now under medieal treatment .
Epwemic CuowRiyBy advices received from Er ^ eroom , it appears thai cholera has again broken out with severity i" Persia , wberejhe pestilence commenced before its recent visit to this country and the rest of Europe . It has appeared at Soouk Boo . lck , neav Suleimanich ; and it is also reported that tjpllUS was raging at Tehran , as wellas atTabree ^ . There can be no assurance that it will not spread and take iss former course , yet nothing is done for this metropolis , though it is certain that typhus is more rifeinGray'srinn-lane , Wbitecbapei , and St . Giles ' s , than at Tehran or Tabieez . The Government Bal & hcb Sheet , —On Thursday tho government balance sheet for the year ended tbe 5 th inst ., was printed in a parliamentary paper . The excess of the incooie over the expenditure was < £ 2 , 170 , 9 gfl 3 s . Cd . Tbe balances in tbe Exchequer on the 5 th of April , 1851 , were £ 7 879 67116 s . 9 | d ., and on the oth of A pril inst . they were £ « m 846 Ui . 2 d .
_ Proclamation of Ooiawnr .-At the Sheriff ' s Court on Thursday tbe following persons were called upon to surrender under penalty of outlawry : —Joseph Benson , John Pounds , John Hugh Wadham Pi ^ ott Smyth Pigott , the Don Brownlow Cecil ( Lorn Brown low Cecil ) , George DracatoFapa Nicholas , John Llo . \ d , Alfred iewis , Mary Sabina de Melfort ( Countess deMelfort . ) Algernon Massingberd Osboru % Sampays , Whptt II , Smith , W . David Shirreff , W 4 # ! lliam Smitb '
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The Working- Tailors' Association, Londo...
THE WORKING- TAILORS' ASSOCIATION , LONDON . ' ¦ A CHAPTER TOWARDS THE ASSOCIATIVE HISTORY . PRELIMINARY REMARKS . The oak is contained in the acorn , the universal in tbe individual , and even as the history and experience of one man's life may be a matter of national interest , so may the history and experience , the origin , - rise , errors and successes of one Association contain a warning , a stern lesson , aud a wholesome examp le for alP Associations that follow after . It is an old saying , " that a fool may profit by his own experience , but a wise man profits by the experience of others . " Pioneers are usually sent in advance to clear
away obstructions and unveil the pitfalls ; and so in this cause , we should reap advantage from those who have gone before as , why should ws eternally repeat tbeir errors and blunders ? They have erected signposts to mark the spots , let ua read them . Theit failures in the ? vA * e should make the stepping-s tones for our success in the Future . With this view , I propose to jot down a few facts relating to the " Working Tailors' Association , " which claims to he the Standard-bearer of the present Co-operative Movement . It is pre-ensinent among the London Associations , as being first in starting , fint in success , and , certainly , first in blundering . Its history has yet to be written ; the present editor of the " Journal of Association , " wrote a sketch of it in the earliest part of its career ? and Walter
Cooper also contributed a portion of its history to the " Christian Socialist ; " but the public can have no definite idea of the matter , as such a mass of misrepresentation has been circulated , and innumerable conflicting Statements rtide respecting it . This Association does not assume to be the Moses of the nineteenth century , mis ' siohed to lead the people out of their worse than Egyptian pondage , but it does assume to aim a blow at that Moses of this century , who is leading and crushing them into that deeper and bitterer slavery—Moses of the " Mart , " whose customers are martyrs . Moreover , though not the first English Association established on the Co-operatfte principle , it is the first that purposes devoting one-third of its profits to assist the establishment of other Associations upon the same
principle . It also , of all others , claims to have made Association a veritable , practical , living fact . And that is worth much in this age of theories und palaver-panaceas . It ia worth more than much pitching . It has very forcibly illustrated what working ' men may do in spite of all present difficulties , if they will bat unite and direct their own industrial " energies wilh their own intelligence for their mutual benefit , and work lor each other instead of working against each other , and competing with each other in a hand-ts-thro ' at strife for the means of living , even while tbey permit the capitalists to stand like the Croupier at the head of the gaming board and rake up all the wealth , which they , poor gambTers , for life and death have toiled , and hhngeted , anil suftereii , to produce , ^ e , the advocates and ex .
pnnents of the ' associative principle can now say < o its opponents , combat association in theory and on papier as much as you pleas « attS as successfully as you may , th ' is ' association in practice Is a far different thing ; now fcorabat that . Ton have said that working men did not possess business tact necessary 'to the carrying on of business 'on 'their own account . Yoe have said that working men would never sufficiently'dffnquer tbeir mutual jealousies , and vanquish their mutual distrust , and work together in fraternal unity . We can OOfr reply—come See how signally your tauntsand assertions have been defeated . We have replie ' d to ' you by silently working out our maligned , but glorious principles , and ' ndwweare triumphantly successful . I do not Write about this experiment because it is arrogated that a few
tailors ' assembled in Castle-street , for thet ' r rrttitual / taental , moral , Mid monetary profit will save the World . "Nothing of the'kind . But their rise and progress has been aiixiously marked by deeply interested thousands , and the name of association has become a magic word of taUsmani ' c influence . It ht » been a rallying sign for those who have long waited in doubt and darkness , looking for * sign , and day by day has the tide set in in our favour , gone surging and' surging onward , and swift success has crowned our Efforts . Day by day has new strength been added to the movement , not only in town and city , but in the obscure notfks of village and hamlet . This is success which cannot ' be contravened . These co-operative associations-and stores may yet go down , but the lesson learned by those wbo ^ bdre worked in them can never be forgotten ; the insight obtained into the
practical working of self-government—the glimpse they have caught of the beauty and blessing of brotherhood—can ¦ never be effaced . They will have learned-that the man who is a slave in his own heart , . and a tyradfin his own household , would be a slave and a tyrant still , even though social and political thraldom were abolished to-morrow , an experience which can never be lost , while the'fact of such associative success , in the face of sucb -difficulties , must live on as a matter of history , bearing proud testimony to the ' truth and vitality of our principles . Of course , the associative tree , like other fruit-trees , has not born-all ripe and sound fruit for its firstlings ; it has had-its bitter crabs and rotten windfalls ; but this we may say , that its worst and rottenest fruit has not been the result-of natural ' growth ; but of pernicious grafting , in spite of which'if has yielded a generous harvest .
Nor was it anticipated that all 'w & uld be smooth and serene , —we expected the storm ' and strife . The pioneers of any new cause have usually rough work to perform , and they must he prepared to face danger , and to conquer difficulties , if they would achieve success . . God knows at what a cost great princip les and noble truths have ever bad to be established in tbe world i Tbey have ever demanded from "their enunciators and champions the greatest of self-denial the sternest self-sacrifice , and the most undaunted heroism Jbe best days of the best lives must be devoted to them and it needs that their apostles should toil terribly through long years with the zeal and the faith of martyrs , to endio them with enduring life , and make the world acknowledge them . This has been the history-oi every great cause , and
of every immortal idea that have warred with the world and the old anarch Custom , through ail lie ages . And we did not expect the Socialist idea to b &' -tbe one grand exception . See now 1 we have against us mighty monopolies of capital , law , and government ; and not only have we to fight these , but , worst of all , we shall have to bear with , and to live idiwn the jealousies and prejudices of our own class , which will be excited against us ; for so . fatally have want and misery done their damning work on thousands , that their re-¦ demption will have to be wrought out as much in their despite as by their assistance . All this , I repeat ; we ex . peeled ; hut , in turning our attention to self-government . on a small scale—in humbly endeavouring to realise the republic in the workshops—in clubbing our little-monies for
ihe purpose of carrying on production and distribution OU our-ewn account , we might not have expected to be indiscriminately and . virulently realigned and attacked by the professed friends and representatives of the working classes . 'Nor . did we deserve to be taunted as being the recipients of " demoralizing charity , " who paid four per cent , interest fot the capital worked with . Again , as workiag . men , we anticipated being frequently found . illustrating that peculiar fraternity so often existing between brothers , a kind of chartered right of quarrel ; and , as associates , we arrogated to ourselves a kind of associative prerogative to pitch into each others productions and proceedings 5 but we did not trade in itj nor did we extend such co-opwaiive privilege to those who did . And , like the affectionate mother , who
" would nt let nobody else have the pleasure of walloping her own , child , " we reserved toburselvesour own quarrel , ling and bickering , and claimed to be 'monopolists in mutual chastisement . But , more of this hereafter . With all our . opposition and misrepresentation , the lot of tbe pioneers of Socialism in this country is light and easy to theirs who have gone before in many another cause . We have a smooth path , compared with those who have lived and laboured for mankind ' s advancement in the yast . Yet there will be tbjt to hear which will need a true heart and a lofty faith . Association will not be wrought out without a tedious and painful probation . We shall see many an unsuccessful attempt , many a false friend slinking from the contest , and many a break up of old friendships into bitter
and sorrowful . strife . Even on the day of starting we may , standing on the delectable mountains of hope , admiration , and enthusiasm , get a glorious glimpse of the land of promise , smiling there in the far future ; but , friends , there is many a dark shadowy valley , and many a rugged wilderness between , with no g limpse of the Canaan to be seen . Yet let us remember , that even then we are nearing the social cynosure , and to-morrow may see ns on a loftier summit still , with one more difficulty vanquished , one more proud march of progress made . Let vis take heart ; the righ is with us , and the genius of liberty watches over us . Courage . And yet these divine ideas of Liberty Equality , and Fraternity , which the brave and hopeful yet think to translate into every-day life , shall govern the world and bless humanity . Gerald Massey .
Conferences With Working. Men. Some Thre...
CONFERENCES WITH WORKING . MEN . Some three or four years ago , Professor Maurice and some other gentlemen of the legaland clerical professions , anxious to get at the working-men and establish some kindly interchange of feeling with them , held some conferences , which wtre well attended by working men j their best practical result has been the establishment of the present Working Associations now in successful operation in the metropolis . The success of that series of meetings has determined the promoters of this associative experiment to resume them . The third of the new series was held on Wednesday evening , at the Working Tailors' Association , 3 t , Castle-street East , Oxford-street , London . The attendance was numerous , including the Rev . Mr . Maurice , Mr . Ludi ' ow , Viscount Goderich , and a number of leading men connected with past and present " Trades' Unions . " The subject for debate was that adjourned from last week , viz ., — " Trades Unions in the fast , the Present , and the Future , ' '
Conferences With Working. Men. Some Thre...
Mr . Stallwood ; as Mover hf the adjournment ; defended « Trades' Unions " for their ' eflloacy in the Past . The individual labourer was easily crushed by tho capitalist not so with a band of men , when firmly united in the bonds of interest and fraternity . Mr . S . having concluded an able and interesting speeehy Mr . Walter Cooper said he concurred in much that had fallen from the previous speaker ; much good had resulted from Trades' Unions , although they had failed in keeping up wages ; and agreed entirely with John Bates , when he said you must " raise up the lowest , or they will drac you down to their level . " aJ
Viscount Goderich said he was hapyy to find that nothing had been advanced against the principle of union ; they had certainly done pood service in . past times , and prevented wages falling to slop level . Self-employment he thought was well calculated to bring peace between Labour and Capital , and must tend largely to social . amelioration . Mr . J . D . Styles , Secretary to the Operative Builders ' Union at the time of the great strike , entered at length into a history of Trades ' Unions , and suggested the propriety of callin ? together the heads of trades' bodies with a vjeiy to the carrying out , on a large scale , tho principle of self employment . Mr . Hooper followed in an able speech in defence of Trades' Unions . tand said , they did not hear of the rights of vegetables , and he could not conceive what right minerals ( capital ) had to protection any more than vegetables . Mr . J . Douthwaite , one of the Executive Committee of the late Consolidated Union , gave an interesting account of Trades' Unions in the past .
Mr . J . J . Bezer followed in a most amusing speech , relating to the rise and progress of the Costermoogeis' Union , and the good results to . the dealers in fish ; and at the same time dtliverin ? a most severe castigation to their opponentthe very pious Alderman Wire . The President , Professor . Maurice , very ably summed up the various arguments that had been used pro . and con ., and said good practical results could not fail to flow from such
discussions . The meeting , by vote , declared that the heXfc subject for discussion shall be— "What system of Co-operation shall we adopt for the future ? " To be opened by Mr . Lloyd Jones , on Wednesday evening , May 5 th . — Adjourned .
The Progress Of Co-Operation In America....
THE PROGRESS OF CO-OPERATION IN AMERICA . The movement for the organisation of Union Stores , as they are called , still advances in the interior of thia State and in . various parts of New England , notwithstanding the warm opposition of the merchants in many localities . The object of these organisations is to supply their members with dry goods , groceries and other articles of consumption usuaiiyobtained from the merchants , without the profit which t ' e latter impose . Tbe inhabitants of a village or school district , for instance , combined under suitable rules , each putting in a due proportion of money to start with , and appoint a Business Committee , with an agent to jjfO't ' 6 the city and buy for them all together . The gbofls are brought home and each receives what he has ordered , ^ Wholesale cost , with a small additional Charge , sufficient to cover the pay of tbe agent and the other continent Expenses , If the Union is large enough , a store is taken , and kept open every day , and the agent is constantly employed , with other help if necessary , though as the business is all done for cash , comparatively few clerks
will " be required . Thisis aUnion Store , and if the Committee and the agents are competent and faithful , the members -will be supplied with goods at from 20 to 331 per Cent , eheape r than the merchants , who must live ' and get rich by their business , can afford to sell them , this saving is one which benefits directly the mass of the people ; it makes the man with the dollar as rich aa one With a dollar and a quarter was before ; and thus the general amount of comfort , enjoyment , and independence ' among the population is very considerably increased , while the Union Store dispenses with the necessity for such 'compstitfen by furnishing goods always at wholesale cost , and charges , ' without adding anything for profit , it veteivses ' a 'large number of persons from the occupation of storekeeping , to engage in other employments of a more productive nature . Instead of remaining as commercial agents to'be supported by the public , they go to increase the great army of producers , who employ tho diminished number o'f commeroial-affents now required . The machinery 'of commerbe'is thus simplified , its expenses vastly redttced , and the number of persons who have to bear
them increased . It is perhaps natural for the merchants to oppose this change , because it threatens to take from them the business on which fs based their hope of getting rich . But this is not a good reasonfor rejecting the new plan , or for giving it up where ifc has been found successful . The interest of the masses ought always to be preferred to that of the few , and always will be in a free country , A much more commendable course is that adopted by one or two merchants within our knowledge . Instead of proclaiming the Union-system impracticable , and endeavouring first to provent the establishment of union stores in tbeir vicinity , and then to injure them after they were established , these men have gone into the movement themselves , giving it the benefit of their business experience , advice , and assistance . This was acting with manly public spirit , and has insured them , as'it deserved , the enlarged esteem and respect of their fellow-citizens . —New forh Tribune .
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The Ama'lgamated Society Of Engineers. P...
THE AMA'LGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS . PUBLIC MEETING OF THE TRADES OF LONDON . A public meeting of the Trades of Londou , to aid tho Engineers 'in their resistance to the " Masters' Declaration "—which the editor of the » ' Dispatch" states he would rather break stones upon the road than sign—was held at St . Martin's Hall , Long-acre , on Thursday evening , April ¦
22 nd . ° ' The several Trades were represented by their delegates , At half-past eight , Mr . tfosBPH Wood ( Stoneman ) was called to the chair , and , in a moat eloquent speech , opened the proceedings . He stated that a resolution and a petition to the House of Commons would he submitted to the meeting . He did not think much of the House of Commons , seeing the people were ^ not represented therein . ( Loud cheers . ) He called on them to continue their support to the Operative Engineers , and then tho declarationists must succumb to the will ofthe united millions . ( Loud cheers , ) Ho would now introduce
Mr . Torhkr ( Stonemason ) ,. who moved the first resolution : — " That the Operative Engineers , expelled from fcheir-employment by an Association of Employers , having , during ¦ fif teen weeks , submitted to privations of an extreme character , in the endeavour to procure an amelioration of the workman ' s -position ; having also , during that time , conducted themselves in a manner worthy of tbe principle for which they were contending , this meeting is of opinion that they have deserved well of the working classes of this country ; and as the Associated Employers have left their operatives no other alternative between a dishonourable submission _ to their , arbitrary rule , or compulsory
idleness , with its consequent evils and privation ' s , it is imperative on every workman to exert himself to tho utmost in supporting the operatives , and in averting from them and from the Trades of Britain , the injury and disgrace which would ensue from their submission , " Mr . Turner said , tho position of the Engineers to-day might be that of any other trade to-morrow ; the builders even might be the next victims . ( Hear , hear . ) Hence , it behoved them to urge those with whom tbey were associated to subscribe most liberally , and thug prevent such a calamity , Ho asked tho workmen to be equally earnest in their cause as was tho oppressor in his work of tyranny . ( Cheers . ) He concluded by submitting the resolution .
Mr . Walford ( Pimlioo , Working Builder ) , in seconding the resolution , said twenty millions of money bad been raised to emancipate the West India slaves , but white slaves were still allowed to wear their chains . He was for re-hoisting the banner , inscribed " Am I not a man and a brother ? '' Until tho chains were knocked from all tho question for their consideration was , shall the Engineers submit?—shall they be allowed to pine in want and degradation ? If they gave a . negative reply , they must be up and stirring , and , by their exertions , give practical effect to their sympathy . A saoriBoe of only one pint of fourppnny ale per day from each would effect the much desired object . ( Hear , hear . ) Recently a sum of twenty-five thousand pounds was put down in as many minutes , to resist the Protectionists ; the first subscriber being one of those who oppressed the Engineers . ( Loud shouts of " Hear
hear , ) Let the workmen follow this example . on behalf of the oppressed mechanics , and success was certain . He hoped soon to see Mr . Newton in Parliament- ^ tremendous cheenng ) -to raise his voice in settling the great question of Labour and Capital . ( Continued cheering . ) He thought it their duty to look forward , and haste on the good time when men should work for themselves , and enjoy the fruits of their Labour . The resolution affirmed that the Engineers had endured extreme privations . He trusted this stain would be wiped away by every man doing his duty . ( Loud cheers . ) . . ' Mr . Wm . Newton now rose to support the resolution , and was received with loud cheers , again and again re-ESf ™ H «™ d : » h - ^ ; tbewi « liMid hope of the members of the Ams gamafed Society of Eneineersto remove the evils affecting their trade , viz .. nie ™™* and
VJlTv y y * : . react » ated by feelings of humanity , to h «« t . » f f h « PT ? n d li 8 h th * totally unnecessary hours of labour ; but they had been opposed by grasping Employers , who appeared to have but one object in vie .., that of accumulating capital . And in tllia country the product ^ Of wonhh appeared to have arrived at peSS ion ^ T WP W Z r men 5 ?' , diffe - rence between the production of wealth and general happmess . ( Cheers \ How-S' X ° KT ft" / * ^ Verity 'iythdr M ^ JjT - raen * had ^ en supported ' by tbe Amalgamated Society had never gone without their week ' s S ? nTI ! tl . ™ r J f " fc " ai , d the indivi < l «») sacrifices of tbe men had amounted to 20 s . per week ; which he thought a th » «? $ » * >• rhZ n an ST t J' At the commencement of the strike « The Times" had said there were a few men sitting in Little Alicstreet , supported by a verv few men out of door , _ but a very few 5 Jyi haftt ^ jT SJ were compel ed to admit that the Council wa , R 1 „ mold hi
e even out oi twelve thousand engaged in the trade ( Loud cheers . At the time when the ^ Operafiw iSilSeiiTout their number were desirous of working overtime ; but im- ' medmely they were shown the . evila this would infli ct On the mass of their felloff-men , humanity prevailed , they fn ? tZv £ /^ T VOte 4 ^ 'on of overtime , ih , Kif ^ endeavoured to show the Employers tefttthM was equally their interest as it was th » t of the Operatives . They had succeeded with those ofthe metropolis , until , unfortunately , on an evil day , a deputation
The Ama'lgamated Society Of Engineers. P...
had come from Manchester , headed by . Platts and Co ., the result of which was , that the Employers clo . > cd their shops , and threw thousands out of employment . They remained thus closed for one month ; and they re-opened with that declaration which was an outrage to humanity . ( Great applause . ) Well they knew how inadequate their own funds were ; consequently they had appealed to their fellow workmen , and they must express their deep gratitudo for . the great support they had received . ( Loud cheers . ) There were as many now receiving support from the funds of the Amalgamated Society as there were on the very first day o tho Strike . He did not mean to deny the published statements as to tho number of men who had signed the declaration ; but theso wero some of tho vagabonds who had trod tho streets of London , and , who
could not find employment any win re in quiet times , who had appended their names a dozen times over . ( Cheers . ) When these men presented themselves at the Employers ' gates , tho document was handed to them , and they immediately appended their names . Tbo Emp loyers then said , when we want you we will send for you . ( Laughter . ) This farce was a gain and again repeated , and it was discovered that some had presented themselves at as many as twelve different places ; but the number of good men who had appended theimames was few indeed . ( Loud cheers . ) Yet the Masters still persisted in presenting the derailing document , although the men had withdrawn their inst demands . The Masters had thought one month would exhaust their funds and their patriotism , consequently they kept closed for precisely that period ; but the manlhad kept faith under privation and suffering for fifteen weeks . ( Loud cheers asked the
. ) Some now question— " Having aided in tlio consumption of £ 40 , 000 , and the declaration still continuing on the gates of tho employers , shall wo not bo justified in si gning ifc without having the least intention of keeping our words , as it is forced ou us , and ours will be a . most unwilling compliance ? " In reply to which ho (\ lr . Newton ) said— " If they did thoy would he placed in one of two positions—first , if they signed without any intention of acting up to tlieir signatures they would bo public liars ; in tho second , if they did act up to it , they would at onca become industrial serfs . " Was it not disgraceful that men should bo driven to such alternatives ? He appealed for further support to prevent so divo a necessity . ( Wear . ) Let the 4 , 500 men still be supported , and they would continue their manful resistance until success cron-ned fclieic efforts . ( Tremendousand long-contiuued cheering . ) Tho resolution was carried unanimously .
Mr . Harrow ( Shoemaker , ) in a brief but emphatic speech ,, proposed the second resolution , as follows : — " That in consequence o { ihe rapid succession of industrial disputes , this meeting is of opinion that a federation of tho trades of Britain , for deliberation on trades' matters , is necessary to pl-event a recurrence of similar disastrous events , " Mr . M'Vib ( Bootmaker , ) seconded tho motion , which was carried unanimously . Mr . J . Pbtiie , ( Secretary to tho Trades' Federation , ) moved the adoption of the following petition : — "TO THEL COMMONS HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT . "The humble Petition of a Public meeting of the Trades' of London , held in St . Martin ' s Hall , Long-acrc , in the city of Westminster , on Thursday April 22 nd , " Shews , —That by an Act ©^ Parliament made in tho Sixth year of King Georgo the Fourth , intituled 'An Act to Ilepeal the Laws Relating to the Combinations of
Workmen , and to make other provisions in lieu thereof , " it is provided that the said Act should not extend to subject any persons to punishment who ahull meet together for the solo purpose of consulting upon and determining tho ratcof wages or prices which the persons present at such meeting or any of them , shall require or demand for his or their , work , or the hours or time for which ho or they shall work in any manufacture , trade , or business , or who shall enter into any agreement , verbal or written , among thcmseiVCSf for the purpose of fixing the rate , of wages or prices which the parties entering into such agreement , or ; iny of them shall require ov de «\ w \ d fov Ms or their work , or the houra of time for which ho or they will work in any manufacture , trade or business , and that persons so meeting for the purposes aforesaid , or entering into any such agreement aa aforesaid , shall not be liable to any prosecution or penalty for so doing , any law or statute to tbe contrary notwithstanding .
" That by the said act thirty-three previous acts of Parliament , whereby unions of workmen , for the purposes aforesaid , had been prohibited , were repealed . * " That , in consequence of the permission given to workmen to form peaceable unions for the purposes aforesaid , various societies , called " Trade Societies , " have been formed , and very extensively supported by subscriptions of money Irom working men , having , amons other objects , the object of facilitating unions of workmen for such purposes as aforesaid , whereof the societies wheteto your petitioners belong form a part . "That many such societies exist in London and its suburb ^ and that they are widely spread over the whole country .
"That the rules of these societies extend to makepro ' visidil for many other objects of a benevolent nature , such as provision in case of sickness or old age , or casual want of work , or for tbe burial of its members , or for their widows or orphans , besides the objects aforesaid , and that the right ofthe members to participate in the benefits thus conferred depends on the continuance of their subscriptions . "That in consequence of a dispute which has recently arisen between certain of the members of a society of tha nature aforesaid , called " The Amalgamated Society of Engineers , " and certain manufacturers b y whom tlit-y were employed , a combination has been formed , including " many of the largest employers of working Engineers , atid that the employers so combined refuse to give employment to any workmen who will notsign a declaration to the effect that they are not , and will not become , members of a trade society .
• ' That your petitioners are apprehensive that , should tha example tuns set be followed b y other em plovers , tho liberty intended to be secured to the working population by the Act aforesaid wi / 1 be seriously interfered with . "That tho results of such an attempt on behalf of tha employers will in the opinion of your petitioners bo detrimental to the interests of the working classes , and will bo calculated to givo rise to a great amount of falsehood and hypocrisy , '' That it will also subject many of the working classes to the loss of the benefits secured to them by the rule ' s of the Societies to which they belong , and b y destrovin" all confidence between man and man , lead to the greatest national calamity .
" Tour petitioners therefore hereby pray your Honour- able House to institute an inquiry into the conduct of tha i employers by whom such declaration as aforesaid has boent put forth , and to take such steps as you may deem advisable * to secure to your petitioners , and ' the working classes off this kingdom in general , the free exercise of the right off union granted to them by the Act aforesaid . " And your petitioners will over pray , & c . " Mr . DApno ( Hatter ) seconded the motion for the adopfciona of the petition . r Carried unanimously .
On the motion of Messrs . Pettie and Newton , a voto off thanks was carried by aiclaraation to the Chairman ; who . in responding , noticed the edvent of the " Star of Free ' * - dom . ' The names of its future Editor and contributorara were greeted with most enthusiastic applause . The ' mcotini * 2 then dissolved . aa
The Engineers' Dispute . Tho Number Of M...
THE ENGINEERS' DISPUTE . Tho number of men who have resumed work on thehc Employers terms during the past week amounts to 43212 Ihis \ a an unusual increase . We hear that tl . e increases ! for the week in one establishment is eighty . At tholu Employers meeting on Wednesday Messrs . John Elee andnd Co . were expelled from the association for violating ifcits 5 th rule , which requires tho signing of the d <> clarationan Messrs . Elee and Co . , it appears , have had their worki-ki closed during the Strike for alteration and repairs , ananc they are now resuming work with hands who sign afornrm drawn up by tha firm , instead of that adopted by th & ht association . We understand that at a meetine ; of thefche letter-press printers held at Hay ward ' s Hotel , Brldw * lorn I ° ^ Mo ? eve , ll ' 2 ' "" "Wived to adnueaec * . « J 0 to the Amalgamated Society . A voluntary woeklikh
subscription is also being entered into among the body , to to be continued until the termination of the dispute . The'lie printers had previously advanced £ 100 in aid of the Amal-algamated fund . The carpenters and joiners of Manchestcrtci : and Salfom and tbe neighbourhood held a meeting at thefche New Concert Inn , Oxford-road , on Monday evening , thiho result being , as we understand , a determination to adonfonfc rigorous measures to support tho members of the AinalXramated Society m their determination not to sion tho " dc ^ dc claration . "—Manchester Guardian .
The Departunk Op Tub Abctio Smrs. -The E...
The DEPARTunK op tub Abctio Smrs . -The exnedifinninm under the command of Captain Sir EdwardI SBr cSn ! sisung of the Assistance ( the Commodore ;) the Wnl .. i » . i » Captain Kellct ; the North Star ( store-ship ) ComZnffiii v ^ , t r &^ ± xB ^ i home decisive intelligence resnnPfin , f » lm f „ , " ? V . ° u n nn Franklin and his misk g comnSn ^ li / iM „ £ ^ T " reached Greenhithe by ihei last S « K ? VS t " , " rd Be ' ch & ch ^ mediately issued the n ^ prepare for proceeding down the liS v ^™*™ U" l > early hour . The morning VaV bISfcifullv *^ -n ' «?» sight of the five ships slippij froS thw Lnl * ^ tM th' " ceedin ?! v m-pfrv _ inrf _ i » . ! kf -,, r m ° onngs wasexsexs by theWsm & tSJ Sb , Vw ml 1 "" V ^ l y lArgotteotten dSre . assembled to witness the ! the ! i
S iS J . W ° , £ an 0 lhDr , ocallt 3 " ' - I ^ ke ' ukeYi FnSrJ ' w ? I tlle H ° <> nand St . Luke ' s ChaUistHisi uocaiuy . w e wish you to give the address of our place oce o > meeting in the " Star of Freedom " -which is , the Aurornrom Coftee-house , Peatherstone-street , City-road . Uwsb SAOAciiy . —A dog having fallen down a deeideen wen at Brentwood , various means were tried to get it nit tni alive ; at last a rope with a hook was lowered , which thn thm dog grasped with j ts mutb atld M ( iin „ on ifc dra ™' raw safety to tbe top . "' "" Ybbtlikb a Whale ! -Thereare two bantam hens in fhn ih , possession of a lady at Plumstead , which have « i 1 » mMi SSSW = fc ^ i ^ ttB £ ~
J [ Holloway ' s Ointment and Pills have cured aUesnemto w „ j ,, j . . Ihe Leg—Patrick Leinster , residillif near fin « f 1 W ° U , ld ? llnd j j injured his leg about two years a Ko with a n \ imX L . ? Shauno ] annon ] must formidable wound , whi ch spread on * . £ ' , lch C ( msedmsedl alarming extent , eo that he could not nuM , i < , <¦ Vef ? to a mo ^ mom and , in despite of all his efforts and thVv ,. l !„ to the prounerounni it w .. uld not heal . In this very had « . £ I * * ™ e < te 8 he uee < e usea lowny ' s Ointment te it , mid rwnlnrlv t « £ a W 16 ' 180 U 1 ° of Ho ° f Ho ° had such nn t-ffect on the wound tW £ i-. « e Pll , a ' , b 5 s treatmc » atmcci his tog was perfectl y cured . n lutle more th « n a mont raontit
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 24, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_24041852/page/5/
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