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TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS
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My very dear Friends, Strange as it may ...
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AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL.
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VOL. X- NO. 486^ ~~l MD0NT SATURDAY, FEB...
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STATE OF PARTIES IN FRANCE. (From our own Correspon dent.)
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DISCUSSION ON THE ADDRESS IN THE CHAMBER...
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moBtlvaih?, . » PU1,e COaI «nd '"-on P r...
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no go, he was not even listened to, and ...
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C&artfet EnteUipittt*
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TO THE CHARTIST BODY. Friknds,—The peri ...
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Gfoartist #antr Cmnuaitu*
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STOURBRIDGE.—On Sunday afternoon a few f...
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A FEW WORDS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHARTI...
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Jort&comin<j i&tttmg&
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. TltB SnAREn0I,DKRS OF THE tt IOAN BRAN...
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Rate and Tax-Paying Clauses of tub Refor...
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Transcript
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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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To The Imperial Chartists
TO THE IMPERIAL CHARTISTS
My Very Dear Friends, Strange As It May ...
My very dear Friends , Strange as it may appear , I venture to assert that no individual v ? ho has lived before me , or who now lives , ever occupied the same useful and enviable position that I \ m Md . Thousands we anxious to read the Chancellor of the Exchequer ' s budget , hut MILLIONS , look for Saturday to hear an account of their own affair , who never think of the
right honourable money-grubber . I have read his j project , and , under all circumstances , for THE SYSTEM , it is the best that FACTION would allow him to adopt , and for this simple reason , because it is the most simple and understandable , and has less of comp lication about it than he had reason to expect , but he will he obliged to nibble about our plan and come to it at last . I shall make a running commentary on passing events , before I come to the DUNG and SPADE and
LAND . Firstly , what do you think of Mr . Wagstaff . of Marylebone , NOW , and who was right in his estimate of his value as a Chartist auxiliary ? And what I have said of him I say of Mr . Cochrane for Westminster , and all others of his stamp ; that he who is not WHOLLY FOR US IS AGAINST US ; and this you will always find true of men who seek to use us for their purpose , as Wagstaff and Cochrane have endeavoured to do . Secondly , for the Chambers ' s . I thought my refutation of their philosophy would make them more cautious in their future writings , but they have not grown wiser : they have been delivered into my bands upon the land question , and , with God ' s blessing , next week I will give them a second edition of OLD ROBIN . I never
read such rubbish . Thirdly , read what The Times , of Monday , is compelled to admit ot the small proprietary system . Here it is : — "The best part of the bill is the provision for the voluntary and compulsory sales of lands , by whatever couditious of entail , or settlement , or disputed title , it may be tied , for the repayment of advances . So great an evil is the " accumulation of estates beyond the real capital of die proprietor , and the lockin g ^ up of land in peculiar titles and tenures , that the emancipation of the soil seems the very first thing to be done , and the sine qua non of Irish improvement . He
who liberates the land will liberate the people on it . Jiothimj but disappointment cau attend every scheme for maintaining the 'dog in a manger * in a territory the resources of which he cannot , if he would , develop . The soil must voluntarily , gently , and equitably , be taken away from its unproductive owners and g iven to those who will bring forth its fruits . It may be a work of time , and certainly is one of caution ; but soon or late it must be done . At least , England will not spend itself to exhaustion in the attempt to defer that inevitable day . "
Xow for our own affairs . On Saturday last I arrived here with seven splendid horses , and they are now off to draw lime , and are the admiration of the farmers of the neighbourhood , the best set of men , and the most kind , I ever met . One farmer is worth a thousand FREE TRADE cotton lords Here I must digress , but you won't mind that . —I see that the ignorant BOOBY who is hired to write for the Preston Chronicle has had a sly hit at our plan , through the three occupants that came to the SOUTH before their time . Here follows the article , which was greedily adopted by the Morning Chronicle : —
" Chartist Lasd Scheme . —The reports received In Wigan last week of the progress of this scheme are anything but favourable . It is stated thitthe promised land and its capabilities are full of deception , and not likely to be adequate to the support of those located without other means . Some parties who left this town for the south rather early in January are already tired of their situation and about to return . "—Preston Chronicle .
]^ 0 \ v , here is my answer : —Walwark , weaver Oddy , woolcomber ; lleston , weaver ; and Mitchell , chair-maker ; are the four alluded to . I saw them on Wednesday the 17 th , and offered to pay their expenses back , but all declined . They will all read my statement , and will vouch both for its correctness and accuracy . They were there under unfavourable circumstances , having come in the snow . Oddy told me he never was so happy , that he had not for tome months earned more than 6 s . a week , and never was in a liciise of his own . Ileaton has two
grown-up sons , and I gave him * 4 to buy stuff to weave , and all were most happy . I moved them from a house that was not quite finished , into one that had been occupied by the foreman . I saw Mitchell ' s wife gathering sticks , with a little child , a sweet little girl about three years of age with her —she said she would rather live there on half food than leave , and that she felt very happy , and never was so well . I went to Walwark ' s house , the man who has been there since August , as fine a specimen of his order as any in England—a fine , sensible , shrewd , provident , intelligent man . His wife , as was most natural , was uneasy and uncomfortable at first , but now she is happy , contented , and comfortable—she would not change to her former
condition for 100 / . She has two splendid children , a boy and girl , of the respective ages of twelve and fourteen . I wish the Chronicle men had seen them when they came , and couid see them now . The weaver has made a little paradise of his garden already , and promises to be an honour to our society . Now the grumblers have the names and addresses of the discontented , and can write to them ; and I have a commission to offer them , respectively , 30 / ., 40 / ., and 50 / ., for their allotments ; so that they have not suffered wonderful damage . I will send them those amounts by reiurn of post , if they are inclined for another turn in the smoke . So much for the scribbler—and now for yourselves . I have bought nearly ONE THOUSAND tons of the best London
horse-dung , for Herringsgate . The delivery will commence on Monday next . I propose , for this year , to sow one acre of barley for every two-acre occupant ; one and a half for every three-acre occupant ; and two for every four-acre occupant . The grouud lias been ploughed-twice . I will dung one half of each man's lot , and in that I will plant a quarter of an acre of best potatoes , on two-acre allotments ; a quarter and a half on three acres ; and half an acre on four acres : a quarter of an acre of garden stuff on two acres ; quarter and a half on three acres ; and half an acre on four acres : leaving half
an acre dunged for two-acre occupants , to use as they please ; three-quarters of an acre for three-acre men ; and an acre dunged for four-acre men : and those who have a fancy for anything besides peas , beans , cabbages , greens , lettuces , and so forth , will address me , " Herringsgate , Rickmansworth , Herts , " and , as far as possible , I will conform to their wish Here I am , sinking a PUMP in even- man ' s back kitchen , as the wafer is near , and I am making a splendid heap of compost of the earth taken out
of the house a foot deep all throKgh , out of the yard a foot deep , and the marl that comes out of the well , from which the place takes its name Redmarley ; to each of those heaps I will put thirtv barrels cf beet stone lime and have all well turned and mixed for manure ; every wall is fourteeu inches thick and will be stuccoed with ROMAN CEMENT . Even- house will have a path of fifty feet from a highroad , and . when finished , will be a glorious sight , and the best answer to the brawlers . As the season
advances and the land begins to awake my mind begins to expand with it . On my arrival here I had sixty letters , and a large number every day since , many asking me , "How money was to be sent o the Bank ?* ' To all such question * my answer
My Very Dear Friends, Strange As It May ...
is through the Directors , and all who are afraid of having their affairs known will receive private acknowledgment and quarterly private balancesheet . I still adhere to my former opinion as to the indispensable necessity of holding a conference HERE in July ; in which month I shall have completed all the allotmentsfor location . I shall have every acre of the land drained in the very best style , for three reasons . Firstly , because I can do all wholesale at 50 per cent , nnder what each occupant coild
do it at retail price . Secondly , because land w a perfect state is the best security in the world , while land in an imperfect state is tin worst ; and , Thirdly , because our engagements as bankers make it just and requisite that we should place the security for interest beyond cavil or dispute , so that £ 500 ayearftomour hands maybe good and sufficienUecurity for £ 350 a year interest . I sayi that as the season advances my mind expands ' and indeed , I have so much to say that I
would require a Star to myself—so much so that I can only map out the additions here . I mean to propose first , second , and third premiums , of 9 / ., 6 / ., and 5 / . on any estate ; and referees , to whom all disputes shall be referred , to be chosen by ALL , from those who shall get premiums , to serve for a year ; and I propose , that the two-acre man shall be equally eligible with the four-acre man to get a premium , and that ALL shall select three farmers from the neighbourhood to adjudge the premiums ; and I shall also propose the establishment of an Insurance Company , for our own mem bers only , and a Sick and Benefit Club , to be confined to the members of
each estate , and that that department shall be under the same management as the Insurance Department j and , in order that injustice should be done to none , I shall propose , as regards the REDEMPTION DEPARTMENT , that , as soon as members shall have paid up the value of their respective allotments —whether two , three , or four acres—that they shall be eligible WITHOUT BALLOT—that is , that their own monies shall he applied to the purchase of an estate for them , as it would be very unfair to have used their monies , which they cannot withdraw , without giving them the benefit , while the plan would not postpone another ' s location for a dav . In short , that we now set about and establish
a COMMUNITY OF HAPPY INDIVIDUALS , upon the principle of co-operation ;—one large family , in which no man shall , if willing , have the power of cheating his neighbour . "When I can see my way clearly—which I shall before July—I trust to be able to prove to all men of all nations , that this world is large enough for TEN TIMES its present population , but too small
for one-half who now live in it , under a bad , demora-Using , unequal , and cruel system ; and I have the consolation of knowing , that if faction should NOW destroy me , I have sown the seeds of thought and reflection , which must produce a good harvest ot contentment , peace and plenty . When Section 4 is full , I SHALL CLOSE . At five to a family , four sections , of six thousand each , will embrace
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND —a family sufficiently large for ONE MAN to take care of . Others may then follow in my steps , acid may very probably improve by my errors . This week I send nearly £ 10 from this place , for Section 3 . I rejoice to state , that every occupant has chosen a three-roomed house and out-oflices , and we are now engaged in all the operations—building , making roads , burning clay , aud about to drain and plough . We have completed the fence all round the estate . I have merely taken a cursory review upon many subjects , upon which I will be more explicit in the April number of the Magazine , as I find it impossible to express my intention in a letter . You must
have the whole plan before you at a view , and then , perhaps , the gentlemen of the press , who know no more of laud than an Irish pig knows of geometry , will tell us— " Ah ! but the poor creatures are not to dig their POTATOES BUTTERED AND ROASTED after all . " GOD HELP THEM 3 Ah , my friends , how sincere is the sympathy of the ADVERTISING PRESS for those who are the merchandize of theirsupporttrs . They little think that my principal aim through life has been to expose their weakness and selfishness . It really charim me when I see the farmers stopping to admire our horses . Alas ! what strength I have concentrated out of vour attenuated muscles and exhausted
names . On Sunday 1 visited Malvern estate in company with one of the wisest , best aud most intelliMnt men in the world—a man after my own heartevery inch a man—he slept at Lowbands on Saturday night , and came from London for no other purpose than to see our operations , and it pleases me to tell you , that he was astonished and delighted , and he is a man for whose judgment and opinion I have the greatest respect . Many good men will come to us in the lomr-ruu .
¦ Now , think on all I have shadowed for you , and also think that the indolence of some is postponing my time . As soon as the names of members are all sent up , I shall start with the deed myself ^ and see my own work done ; and my tour will be for signatures to the National Petition , as the Land can now take care of itself , and I can save the society all the expenses , by killing two birds with one stone . I have now a word , and not the least important one , to say . Malvern is a great place for cold water doctors , and we shall have
one hundred and seventy of a society there together with a large population , anil why should we not have our doctor ? I think Doctor M'Donall has rendered as good service to our cause as most men , he has a growing family ; he is a young man ; when he left us for a bit he neither spoke or wrote against us ; he really must not be allowed to spend his unrequited youth in our service , and therefore I , for one , will give my mite towards establishing him in his profession , and will cheerfully become treasurer to a fund for that purpose , to be kept open till
Michaelmas , and all monies to be sent to the Northern Star Office , addressed to me , and to be acknowledged weekly , and to be applied as intended , and for no other purpose . It is folly to suppose that men of genius and talent will give us the ben * fit of their support for no other remuneration than the reviling of our opponents . Let us begin about this work at once ; a little from all , and a good man aud hifamily are made happy and more useful ; and , believe me , that no one circumstance brings greater odium
upon us than the neglect of our own friends . As to the plastering at Ilerring'gate , in reply to our friend Sweet and others , I have only to say , that I will receive proposals by the yard for plastering inside ; the work is lathed . I shall not be at Herringsgate till Thursday next , as I have to attend a large auction some distance from this on Monday and Tuesday . Mr . King will be there on Saturday to superintend all operations . All proposals for plastering inside may be addressed to me here at Lowbands . ° Your faithful friend and bailiff , Feargus O'Coaxon .
And National Trades' Journal.
AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .
Vol. X- No. 486^ ~~L Md0nt Saturday, Feb...
VOL . X- NO . 486 ^ ~~ l MD 0 NT SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 37 , 1847 . ^ ByjSSrL ^ . ^
State Of Parties In France. (From Our Own Correspon Dent.)
STATE OF PARTIES IN FRANCE . ( From our own Correspon dent . )
Discussion On The Address In The Chamber...
DISCUSSION ON THE ADDRESS IN THE CHAMBER OF D EPOTIES . Paris This long and tedious discussion has been a last brought to a close , and the ministerial address , with vary few amendments , has been votvd by an immense majority . The discussion itself was , as usual , a sort ot programme of the whole session ; it sbowed the spirit in which the different questions will be treated , both by the Ministerialists and the Opposition : it showed the numerical and moral strength of both parties ; the arguments and the principles which , in the course of the spring aud summer , will be brought forward , this discussion gives us , in short , the spirit of tbc whole session , and , therefore , deserve * attention .
The great numerieal preponderance of the Ministctial party has again been established beyond any doubt . The hopes which were here aud there expressed , tliatthli conservative majority would be split into two fractions of conserwiteurs bomes , ?' whole hog" conservatives , ana conservateurs progressift , has , as was to bo exptcted , proved an egregious fallacy . In spite of some impotent " young conservatives , " who try , at the same time , to keep up the present system , and march onward towards progress—an impossibility evident to the meanest intelligence—M . Guizos rules and reigns over the votes and conscience , Oi the fearful host of " centrii-rs , " and ,: ventrus , " or hell } - men , as they aro significant ! v called ( big whigs , as I heard a similar party called at Manchester ) . Indeed , the " belly " is the most prominent and predominant party of the
present Chamber ; a mass composed of bankers , large merchants , and manufacturers , their ageuts , and those of the government , extensive landowners , who have started up since the Revolution , by bwjing up the small and mortgaged properties of the peasants , aud such like . They have been elected chiefly by the small electoral districts of the country and petty towns , where theirinten st either mouied or landed , is predominant , and where a constituency of from 100 to 300 electors allows the government to hold the balance of power by corruption . The deputies of this party represent generally none but their own class , i . e ., the proprietors of the Dank of France , the money lords of the Paris Exchange , < fcc ; iu short , the monicd interest above all , and partly the manufacturers , mine proprietors , and large landowners .
This compact mass of wealth , influence and votes , in verj meanly indeed faced by na opposition , which , be . sides being much less numerous , are at the same time mora than ever divided . That fraction , which in numbers and influence comes next to the majority , is that led on by M . Thiers . It is called the " left centre , " and is made up of elements very similar to the majority . Hero we find men almost equal in wealth to those of the majority , but who upon the whole represent rather the manufacturing aud shipping than the monicd interest ; a fact which undoubtedly will be proved when the discussion on the Free Trade question comes on . While the interests of the majority require peace and a good understanding with England , and suil ' sr in no way by the competition of the EuglUh manufacturer , * M . Thiers rallies round himself the bulk of all those interests which are endangered , both in the home and foreign
market , by English competition . This is the reason whj M . Thiers aud his papers are strongly opposed to Free Trade , while M . Guiz . it and his party consider it as an open question . One of the ministers lias said to some of tueiFrec Traders— " 11 a strong , and perhaps we may tlien be wi . h you . " This is , at the some time , the solution of Guizoi ' s " cordial understanding" policy , and Thiers ' * anti-Engluh ideas . That _ the parts of both actors upou [ the Spauistumarriagc question appear exchanged , alters nothing . It is u mure passive uft ' air . M . Guizotand his party mutt necessarily return to the English alliance , aud M . Thiers may easily profess friendly feelings toward England , because [ neither he nor his adherents would venture to involve the country in a war with England . The necessity of the English alliance is a lowed by both parties ; they differ upou | the extent only to which it should be carried .
The Mbove-mviitioucd anti-English interests arc not exclusively represented by the "left centre , " but more or less by deputies of all fractions of tlso opposition . The left centre , however , may couut upon the assistance ot those fractions in every question where these interests are at ttake , and therefore may be said to represent them par excellence . The waveriiig policy of if . Thiers and his inseparable Odilon iinrrot hare induced a portion of the members of the "left centre" to try au alliauce with
the more moderate members of the "left , " and to constitute a new party under the leaders ! ip of Messrs . Dillauit and Dufnure . They pretended to cttrrj out in good earnest those profession * which M . Thiers always abandoned when he got into power , or where he merely got a chance to acquire it . Their attempt has , however , signally failed . Their so-called national policy was limited to some few differences with M . lliiers upon the Spanish question , and their strength was proved , by a division , not to exceed twenty . eiyht members .
The whole of the left centre , and particularly M . ThkrVs fraction , speak very much about a " stiong government , " and a " national Hue of policy , " as if this strong government was possible as long » s the present class of electors retain their voting monopoly ; as if Guicot , with his overwhelming majority , was not the strongest possible government under present circumstances ; as if the money-lords , fund and stock jobbers , under whose influence the deputies are elected , cared u farthing for a national policy , and would not rather put up with any insult thin interrupt by a war their profitable jobbing ! And such nonsense is demanded by the very men who would not alter un iota of the present electoral system , and who , by their necessity only , have been forced to propose some insensible attet ations in a late pamphlet of M . Thiers ' s friend , Duvergier de ilauranne !
Follow the more or less Radical memVers of the "left . " If the " centre" or majority , represented the bulk and influence of the contented monicd aud funded interest , tue " left centre , " th * more or less discontented manufacturing interest , aud both together the " fiaitte-oOMrgeouW—what you would call money-lords and cottonlords iu England—the "left" represents the more mo Jen portion—tu « inferior ranks of tin middle classes—the *' i ( ioyeii «<« c petit * ootwgeotsie "—* us MiorocBACT . This clasrf is , however , divided into two fractions ; a fact arising from its vacillating , undecided position , between the ruling ltanle-bourg « olsie aud the people . The inferior ranks of the middle classes , small tradesmen , shopkeepers , & c , have neither the energy nor the influence which would enable them to govern a largo country ;
they cannot form a distinct class , with distinct interests , equally opposed to those of the great money-lords and to those of the people ; while they sufierfrom the pressure o ( the concentrated capitals and industri .-. I establishments of the ruling large capitalists , are yet inseparably connected with those of that class . From this go-between character of the inferior middle classes , it follows naturally , that those among them who , upon the whole , would rather undergo the present pressure than risk their fortunes by political changes iu such a hot-blooded nation as the French go to strengthen the ranks of theministerial or the ThiersDarrot party , while thosa who suffer enough under the present system to drive thein on to risk something for bettering their position , form a party of their own , and make more or less concessions to democracy .
The hrst portion , that which rallies around the two " centres" and which mostly consists of admirers of Mr . Odilon Barrot and his soporific paper Le Sitclt ( the Century ) , lias entirely given itself up to vassalage under the / unite bourgeoisie . The other portion supports the deputies of tue"ieft , " who , in their turn , partake of the indecisive character of their supporters . The whole of the left , it is true , demand Parliamentary reform—extension of the suffrage ; but to whjt ex ' . ent ? There begin the differences . The more enlightened clearly tee , that there is no chance of a lusting government betwixt highbourgeoisie rule on the oaa hand , and popular democracy on ; the other and that , therefore , all changes ot the voting system falling short of Universal Suffrage ,
will either pi ove useless against the present system of government , or inevitably lead to pure democracy . They , therefor * , resign all hope of erecting a shopocratic government , and openly preach alliance with the peop le , lint the greater pan of them continue to hope for the practicability o : a system which would place the majority iu the bauds of the shopkeepers , and small traders and manufacturers , and which , by this means , would unite with equal * ucc * s * tlit corruption of tie present system and the " excesses of democracy . " They are , therefore , supporters of monarchy , while the first-mentioned minority of the left are avowed republicans . There are , on account of the many frictions of thispartr , aud oftbtir numerical weakness , no recognisad leaders amongst them .
The remainder of the chamber is made up by the ' Leg'tlmistCj" who are very few in number , particular !) since thelastelcction . Tho south of France is the country where th . ' -y possess their chief strength ; but even th ere the spread of civilisation continually weakens thein Uuence , and even th * convictions of the friends of the " ancieti regime . " The utter impotency of this party cannot be inure clearly proved than by the speech of M . de Genoude , deputy for Toulouse , tind editor of the Oaxettt < i 4 trance , aud the" way it was received by the Chamber . M . de Gunoudc . a clever fellow , he tried everylr ' rf ' . lnake " »« ethitig attractive of legitimacy ; he allied it with democracy , he confessed the faults o < the Restoration , he cried out against the treaties of 1815 :
Mobtlvaih?, . » Pu1,E Coai «Nd '"-On P R...
moBtlvaih ? , . » PU 1 , e COaI « nd '" -on P roprietors , who upon * ice Trade terin » , with England .
No Go, He Was Not Even Listened To, And ...
no go , he was not even listened to , and his speech made not the slightest effect . In my uext article , I shall show tlwsc different elements of the Chamber in tbeir action upon each other , and comment on the discussiou of the different questions , which , during the first fortnight of February , occupied the heads and tongues of the French collective wisdom .
C&Artfet Enteuipittt*
C & artfet EnteUipittt *
To The Chartist Body. Friknds,—The Peri ...
TO THE CHARTIST BODY . Friknds , —The peri d has now arrived ^ when , ac « cording to the rules of the National Charter Association , an election must take place for fire persons to fill theofficeof Executive Committee , for the ensuing yea ' . The mode of proceeding must be as follows : the sub-secretaries shall convene meeting * of the members in their several localities , and at such meetings it shall be competent for any two members to nominate five persons whom they may think competent to hold that office , —providing , all such persons so nominated are at the time of nomination , and have been for six months previously , bona fide members of the . National Charter Association . The nominations to take place between the 1 st and ICthdays of March next , and the result transmitted to the office of the Executive on or before MweVi \ 8 vh , after ^ Vrichdatc no nominations can be received . By order of the Executive Committee , Christopher Dons , Secretary . Office , " 8 . 3 , Dean-slrcet , Soho , London .
TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN
Brothers in the sacred cause ef truth , justice , and humanity , I take the liberty at this period , pregnant with political events , to address a few remarks to you , as a humb . ' o worker , upon the present position of our body , and the course of action you ought to pursue , in order to advance the great principle of political and social emancipation . If wc look around us at the present time , we find every inducement to stimulate us to deeds of virtue and patriotism . We see the different political parties bidding for popular support , and though the measures brought before the nation fall very far short of what we deem necessary for a removal of the host of evils , which , like a canker worm , are eating
the very vitals of the people , stili those measure ! indicate that public opinion has made giant strides in the right direction , and that if we only do our duty as thorough-going democrats , and act unitedly together , there cannot be the shadow of a doubt ol our ultimate success , in rescuing our common country from the foul grasp of that tyranny and misrule which has forages desolated the hearths of millions oi onr working brethren , their partners and offspring . This , therefore , brethren , is the opportune time for a renewal of the energy and enthusiasm which characterised the hey-day of our movement , with that increased amount of practical knowledge the result of our previous experience . Brethren , if we purpose to attain the object of our oft-repeated
aspirations , we must be more active and zealous than we have been during the last three years , for surely you cannot for a moment suppose , that it is cither ' just or manly on oiir part to expect the few choice and sterling spirits who have , and do still battle for us , to bear the whole weight and responsibility of carrying into effect the proposition * which have from time to time emanated from our chosen delegates , particularly those of the preceding year . Brethren , our Executive Committee , ever on " the alert to take advantage of even favourable circumstance , and turn it to the advancement of our glorious and liberty-reviving principles , have on many occasions addressed us in earnest and
unmistakcable language , for the purpose of inducing us to come forward and perforin our portion of the solemn contract entered into with them . And how have we responded to their fervent appeals ? Why , with a tew honourable exceptions , those appeals have b ? en treated with coldness , nay . culpable indifKirence . You , with the humble individual who now pens this le ter , must be aware that without we render them our cordial sunport , whether pecuniary or othenvise , they cannot do anything really tangible or beneficial for the furtherance of Chartism . They canned work practically with an empty Exchequer . They cannot employ efficient and honest advocates to promulgate and carry ouf the many propositions that have been laid before us by them .
Some amongst our hody may complain of the inactivity of the Executive , but it should be borne 5 n mind by such , ere they find fault , that the battle of right against might—c-f justice against injustice— -ol liberty against tyranny—can never be fought , with any probability of ' succoss , unless we have well disciplined forces ; and we cannot get together those forces without the ono thing needful . If wc look to arvy other prAvticai party , we finri they act very differently to what we generally do . When they desire to accomplish any given object , though that object may materially tend to operate against our intercut , they do not fail to supply head quarters with every requisite necessary to effect the wished-for end .
Perhaps it will bo said , in answer , that our hotly are so psor that tbey are unable to contribute largely to the funds of the Society , and therefore there is no analogy between us and any other political party in the united kingdom , Brethren , let us for a monvnt take a glance at the unhappy and oppressed people of Ireland , and J think we shall find their conduct durin ? many years is a proof that " wJierc there ' s a will there ' s a way . " Now , it must be admitted that the people of Ireland ( not alluding fi . r an instant to the last year or two , ) have suffered more misery , mure puvcrty , ant ! more positive starvation , than the people of any other country upon the face of the habitable globe , and
yet they ( the poorest of the poo ; - ) have contributed hundreds of thousands of pounds sterling to forward and bring to a happy consummation what they honestly believed , would ^ emancipate them from political bondage , and put an end to all their previous wrongs and grievances . They have been basely betrayed , it is true , by a mercenary , corrupt , anil treacherous conclave of men , who had no other object in view than their own aggrandi « ement , at the I'xpcnse of their generous but too conSding countrymen . But the latter fact does not upset tho position I have taken , viz . that " where there's a will there's way , " and that we cannot justly plead
poverty as an excuse for not doing our duty . We are not called upon to subscribe beyond our means , ( at least , those who are in employment . ) We are not called upon to pay more than one penny per week , one-fourth of which is to go to the general fund ; and if only 200 , 000 out of the 3 , 500 , 000 that signed the National Petition in 1 S 42 , were to send one farthing per week each to the said fund , it would amount to chesum of £ 208 O' s . Sd ., or in the year . £ 10 , 833 Gs . 8 d ., and certainly one farthing a-week from each of the 200 , 000 persons is but a very—very moderate item , and yet you see what an exccilenfcttggregate it would make in ono vear .
Let us see what might be done with tho abovenamed sura of money , to forward our righteous principles . In the first place , the Executive could devote £ 30 to the remuneration of twenty-five lecturers , at £ 2 each , which would amount in the year to £ 2 , 000 . Fifty pounds a week cou'd be dedicated to the printing , publishing , and circulation of tracts , which our lecturers might take with tliem to the various districts they would visit ; and , in those tracts , not only our principles might be clearly though briefly set forth but also an exposition of the numerous evils under which the people at present suffer , tracing them , and justly too , to the Leviathan—class-legislation . Suppose these tracts cost one penny for every five , as was the case in Lancashire in 1840 , wo should have for distribution each week 00 , 000 , or in the year , 3 , 000 . 000 .
Itisi two modes of agitating , and consequently apreadtntr our principles throughout the countrv , that I have mentioned—the one to rouse the people to a sense of their dutv , by public lectures and speeches , delivered by ardent , talented , and honest Democrats—the other , the fire-side monitor , acting upon the toil-worn slave in his domicile , enlightening his understanding , and warning him against the many cnemie * who rob , and otherwise filch from him three-fourths of the wealth he produces bv his skill and industry-are , you will agree with ' me , calculated to do almost immeasurable good ; and yet it could , and would bo done , for the sum of £ 5 200 a ye . tr , leaving a residue of . £ 5 , 033 cs . 8 d . to be
applied by your chosen officers to contest those boroughs where they had well-founded hopes , from prior statistical information , the people , or electors in those boroughs were likely to succeed in sending rueti of approved Chartist principles to the House of Commons , who would make that place ( and it is the proper place ) the arena for the discussion of our grievances , our wants , our rights , and our interests . Brethren ! hoping you will receive the succinct though roughly-put-together observations I have ventured to make , in the spirit in which they have been written , 1 ramain yours in the field of Democracy , Ak Old Pionbbb . COUPAR-ANGUS .-On Monday evening the ^ futual Improvement Society celebrated their Twelfth
To The Chartist Body. Friknds,—The Peri ...
Anniversary , in their meeting-room , Campbell street ; Mr . James Simpson in the chair . At seven o ' clock the members , accompanied by a few friends sat down to tea ; and the same being finished , the picsident opened the intellectaal fcaat in an argumentative and convincing speech on co-operation , as illustrated by the Leeds Redemption Society , the United Trades' Association , and tho National Cooperative Land Company . Mr . Charles Bon followed on " Phonography . " Music , Shakspearian reading , and social conversation , filled up the rest of the evening ; At twelve o ' clock the company separated , highly delighted with the night ' s proceedings . HALIFAX—Mr . Smith , ef Bradford , lectured in the Working-man ' s Hall of this place , on Sunday last , to a large and attentive audience . At the oloso the lecturer received a vote of thanks for his
services . CARLISLE . —Death op a Ykteras CiurmsT . — It is with no small degree of ssrrow that wo announce the death of our respected friend , and the friend of mankind , John M'Gnire . He died on the evening of the 19 th instant , and was interred on the following Sunday afternoon , in the burial ground of the Catholic chapel , in this city . Mr . M'Guirc had long been distinguished in Carlisle as an advocate of popular rights . He joined the Chartist Association when it was first formed here , in 1838 , and continued an active member , till within a week or two previous to his death . Every meeting he attended with a zeal almost unequalled , and every new lecturer that paid us a visit , only made him more energetic
in the cause he had so much at heart . Being a native of Ireland , and having been there during the rebellion , he was well acquainted with some of those who took an active part in it , and the tyranny which he then ? , iw inflicted , and the honest men he saw brought to execution through the instrumentality of villnnous spies and informers , planted within him an * earnest desire for that liberty for which an Emmet died on the scaffold , and a Fitr . . ? erald died of his wounds . He was also a member of the Laud Company , and the punctuality of his payments , the regularity of his attendance at the meetings , and the enth tisiasm which he evinced at any ' ncw purchase , were all demonstrable proofs of his strong anxiety lor thew . 'lfarcof the institution . In a word , Mr . M'Guirc was a Chartist ; he was not a mere blusterer , who made a noise and a thundering about nothing , but
. i cool headed , calculating Chartist . He loved his fellow-man , and , as a philanthropist , did the utmost 'n his power to benefit him . He detested quackery and humbug , and , by speaking freely of hia country , and'thc measures which agitated it , he not unfre . quently brought upon him the censures of a certain party of his countrymen , llowaver , tor their censures he cared not , satisfied as ho was of the soundness of his views . It was his particular request that he should be borne to the gravo by those who espoused the same principles as himself . His request was complied with , and a numerous and respectable company followed his remains to their place of interment . Thus finished , at the ago of 67 , the career of one who was much respected in the social circle , who was much admired for his honesty , and whose loss is greatly lamented by all who knew him .
BRADFORD . — Great Public Mektixo to Adopt thb National Petition . —On Monday evening , a nublic meeting was held in the Odd Fellows' Hall , Thcrnton-road , to adopt the National Petition . The large room was crowded , there being not less than 1 , 200 persons present . Mr . Alderson was called to the chair , who opened the meeting , and called on Mr . Lenegan to move » resolution and the petition . Mr . Lenegan very ably combated the charge of ignorance brought against the working classes , as an excuse to defer their rights being granted . Mr . Rawnsly seconded the resolution . Dr . M'Duiiail , on rising to support the adoption of the petition , was received with a most enthusiastic welcome , and during his address was repeatedly appKudcd , and concluded a most argumentative speech amidst the hearty cheering of the meeting . The petition was carried unanimously .
The memorial to Lord John Russell , tor tho remission of the sentence on Frost , Williams and Jones , was read by Mr . Smyth , aud seconded by Mr . Sharp , and carried unanimously . After votes of thanks to the Dr . and chairman , the meeting ssparated . The novel spectacle of reporters from three newspapers was witnessed at this great meeting , and the goodly sprinkling of the shopkeepers who attended , is the " best proof we could offer of tho march of tho principles of Chartism in Bradford . MANCHESTER . — Mr . Robert Wild lectured here in the People ' s Institute on Sunday last . His lecture cave great satisfaction . OLDHAM . —On Tuesday , February 23 , Mr . Dickinson , of Sunderland , delivered the first of a course of three lectures in the Hall of Science , Ilorsedgc-. strect , on the Prospects of Freedom . The lecturer gave greatsatisfaction .
BIRMINGHAM . —At the usual weekly meeting on Sunday evening , a vote of thanks was passed to Mr . Clark for bis able defence of Chartism in the disens-ion with Mr . Gurnev . THE ANTI-MIL 1 TIA-ENROLMENT COMMITTEE met on Thursday evening , the 18 th inst ., at the residence of Mr . Hwk , the treasurer to the committee , HI , St . John-street , West-Smithfield , Mr . Pulsford in the chair . Moved by Mr . Hook , seconded by Mr . G . 11 . Tucker , and carried unanimously : — " That the balance in band , in addition to any money that may be hereafter received , after paying all just claims upon the committee , be appropriated equally between the "Central Chartist Registration Committee , " and the" National Alliance , " and the treasurer and secretary be requested to carry out this resolution on or before the S : \\ ot March , iSI " . " It is hoped that those members who have not returned their books will take or seiul them to the ab . ) ve address , before that ( late .
IlLDDERSFIELD .-At a public meeting in the Guildhall , on Tuesday hist , the National Petition was adopted . Dr . M'Douall was one of the speakers . BRIGHTON . —A general meeting of the Chartists of this town was held at the Artichoke Inn , on Wednesday evening . Mr . Giles proposed , and Mr . Flower seconded the following resolution— " That tho thanks of this meeting are pre-eminently due , and are hereby given , to G . R . Pcchell , Esq ., M . P ., for his straightforward and manly support to Mr . Duncuinbe ' s motion for a repeal of the Ratepaying Clausesofthe Reform Bill . " Carried unanimously . A vote of thanks was also awarded to Mr . Clark for his defence of Chartism in the discussion with Mr . Gurncy .
Gfoartist #Antr Cmnuaitu*
Gfoartist # antr Cmnuaitu *
Stourbridge.—On Sunday Afternoon A Few F...
STOURBRIDGE . —On Sunday afternoon a few friends of Democracy met at the house of Mr . Chance , in the parish of Old Swinford , near Stourbridge , and opened a branch of the National Land Company , for Stourbridge , to meet every fortnight , at the Crown room . Mr . Geo . llolloway attended from Kidderminster , to give every information required . A treasurer , secretary , and committee were appointed , and after a vote of thanks to Mr . Uolloway the meeting broke up . AS UBU RTON , Devon . —At the meeting of shareholders on Monday last , Mr . Murs delivered au excellent lecture , which cave great satifaction .
SUTTON-1 N-ASHFIEL 1 ) . —The following officers have been elected : Charles Meakin , secretary ; J . Fox , treasurer ; G . Webster , scrutineer ; John Hay and Wm . Oxley , auditors . It is intended to hold a jubilee when the occupants take possession of O'Connorville . We hope the same will take place all over the country . Hindlky . —The shareholders have approved of Mr . O'Connor ' s suggestion to hold the next meeting at Lowbands , in July next . GitERNWtcu and Depjfokd . —Tlieshareholders approve of Mr . O'Connor ' s suggesfion to hold the next conference at Lowbands in July . A number of the members are subscribing threepence per week in support of the Land and Labour Bank .
Walworth . —A numerous meeting was held at the Temperance Hotel , 9 , East-lane , Walworth , on Wednesday evening last . Mr . John Simpson , the district secretary , having said a few words in favour of the object for which the meeting was convened , Mr . Edmund Stallnood , who was much applauded , stated the object , progress , aud intentions of the Land Company . Mr . John Sewell then delivered an energetic , able , ami eloquent address . Mr . Sewell announced his intention of taking a four-acre share , and depositing a large sum in the Land and Labour Bank .
Manciikstbk . —The shareholders of the Manchester branch arc informed that the officers attend at the office , People ' s Institute , to receive subscriptions and levies on Wednesday , Saturday and Sunday evenings . The shareholders are requested to bring in their cards forthwith .
A Few Words To The Members Of The Charti...
A FEW WORDS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CHARTIST COOPERATIVE LAND CuM « PINY .
Brother Workers , —It has been my lot to have frequently heard , when conversing on tho land , numerous objections to the details of the syptent to bo pursued by the allottees , as recommended hy Mr . Feargus O'Connor . One would prefer fresh t-. cat to bacon , another objects to the potato crop , a third does not understand the culture of flax , or the spin ! ing of linen yarn , and a fourth would prefer sugar to honey . Upon these topics I wish to offer a few observations . Firstly , and generally , Jet it be mderstond thtu each allottee will be atperfect liberty to conduct hi agricultural and domestic arrangements as he aight think proper , though I would by no ' means have you slit'ht the opinions of Mr . Feargus O'Connor . No
doubt a flock of sheep would be i'ept on cacb state by one of the allottees , who would prefer shecp-rarming , or mig ht understand it better ; thus n ; i : tton could bo obtained in exchange for other pr . » luce . liut , on tho score of both economy and hen ! in , 1 should recommend animal food to be dispense' with , as much as pot ^ iMo . As regards the potato c < ip , I should not bo inclined to lmard it after two ^ : ieral and Micccssivo failures , and with . the prospecl ofi third , the new potatoes now in the market i ..: ving already exhibited the disease . Nor do I agree with Mr . Feargus O'Connor as to its eligibility as a Maple article for pig-feeding ; potato-fed pigs may maka tolerable bacon , but will not make good pork , meal ftnd peas being required to give the meat suffeienfc
firmness . With reference to flax . I do not think many persons will follow the rccommendatit , iis of Mr . Feargus O'Connor as to its culture , One » f the principal arguments of our respected leader fa- the adoption of home-spun linen is , that without it the allottees and their families will have no occup ' tioa for the long evenings of winter . With all due deference to the opinion of Mr . Feargus O'Connor , 1 cannot think that reflecting and intelligent men and women , or youths and girls , will sit before the ( ire on n winter ' s evening , gazing on vai abcv , with their hands on their knees , for want of the spinning wheel . With a small library of standard works , and tho newj . p , t | r , a man of even common intelligence need not u < i at a
Iosa to dispose <\{ his leisure in an asrceabh ^ , profit * able , and intellectual manner . Neither would the culture and manufacture of flax afford an adequate remuneration to tho allottee . If we take the time occupied in the manufacture of the linen , and the cultivation of the ' raw material , into calcub'ion , we shall find it far more exp naive than buying linen at the wholesale price , which , could be done by ] cooperation ; we must also consider the relative vaMe of the land occupied by the flax , and add it t' < the value of the Iabeur , or rather the time , .-v few words on the substitution' of honey for sugar , -nd I have done . I am aware that this 8 ubstituti <> u has taken place for some time in the communities : 'i ' the White Etiends in Ireland , in order to avoid i ' . ving even indirect support to an unjust system , but though bee-keeping is a profitable and agreeable occupation , it would be found far more > o if the honey was sold , and sugar purchased with tho pt « - ' ; ucet
By the co-operation of all the families on an c ^ . ate , ugar could be bought at the wholesale price , and thus the honey would be found to be morcv & W . le in the market than for home consumption . 1 c ; v < au > t suppose that our friends , having gained their Ulotracnts by co-operation , will fail to carry the principle into their domestic arrangements , that they w ? l be so blind to the advantages of co-operation as for ach , to go individually to market , to increase theptofits of the oligarchy , instead of buying their coals , * oap , candles , grocery , &(• ., in the wholesale marker , and thus savin ? from 25 to 50 per cent , in every ar tele , to say nothing of the time which would bo h-t by each allottee marketing for himself . In the ' lOpo that these hints may be useful to those who v ! : 'l in a few months take possession of their rcc . i arcd birthright , so long alienated from them , I remain , fellow-workers , Your friend and brother , Thomas Fk ¦ . « .
Jort&Comin≪J I&Tttmg&
Jort & comin < j i & tttmg &
. Tltb Snaren0i,Dkrs Of The Tt Ioan Bran...
. TltB SnAREn 0 I , DKRS OF THE tt IOAN BRANCH <•! * tllO National Land Company are requested to atoud a general meeting at the house of-Silvester ho \] e , Burns Yard , Scuoles , oa Sunday next , Feb . 2 $ ! i , at six o ' clock , Hyde . —Tho members of this branch of tli < : National Land Company are requested to meet a ' , the houso of Mr , John Leigh , Johi-strcet , on Sunday February 28 th , at two o'clock in the afternoon . A public meeting will be held at the same place at four o'clock , to adopt the National petition . Halifax . —On Sunday next , Mr . B . Rushto'i , of Ovenden , will lecture iu tho Working-man ' s Fall , at six o'clock in tho evening . All communientions for the Halifax Chartists must be addressed to James Bowdcn , 21 , Silver-street , Halifax .
Bury . —The members of the National Land Company and Chartists of Bury , are requested to auend a Meeting , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , at : d at six o ' clock in the evening , on SnuJay , ( to-moi -ww , ) in Clark-street , over tho old Water-works office . City op London . —The members of thisbrr-vhof the Chartist Co-operative Land Company arc requested ' . o meet at the George , George-court , . n . owhill . on Sunday evening , February 28 : h , at 0 oMock precisely . Nermoruu . —A meeting of the Nottingham Election Committee will he he'd on Sunday morning next , at Smith ' s Coffee House , Low Pavement , at ten o'clock . B . uw » i , ey . —A public rsceting will be held iu Mr . John FickerinK ' s large room , on Monday evi iiiig , March 1 st , at 7 o'clock , to take into consideration the best means of getting the working pe *[ i } o >¦¦> ' this town to join the National Association of United Trades ,
Liverpool . —Mr . Edmund Jones will deliver a lecture on the following question , " What effect w-iuld the Repeal of the Union with Ireland have t . t : the Condition of the People of England ? " at Mr , Fa-rall ' s , 4 , Cazneau-strcct , on Sunday evoking , February 2 c 3 lh . Cu . aU' to be taken at 7 o'clock . Tun SiiAnKiioLni : Rs of the People ' s Institute u ro requested to meet next Sunt ' ay ( to-morrow ) aficnoon at 2 o ' clock . CuoRLr . Y . —A meeting of shareholders ol the " i . and branch of this locality will be held at the ho-jo of Wm . Wilkinson , No . 9 , Princess street , on th .- 'jSth instant . Chair to be taken at 0 o ' clock L the evening .
Bradford . —On Sunday a meeting of the Cha * ' . ists of Bradford will bo held in their room , Butler ., irlh Buildups , at 2 o ' clock in the afternoon . The t'iiartists of Dairy Hill will meet as usual at 10 o ' clo k in the tcnonoon of Sunday . The Chartists of Mai ., inglinitt will meet at 10 o ' clock on Sunday moruiu ;; in their room . The Committee of the National ! and Association are requested to meet on Monday oveuing , at 7 o'clock , ou business of importance . The Members of the Butterlcy branch oi tho Chartist Land Company are requested to me ., t at Mr . Willgoose's , Swauw ' ick , on Sunday , 23 th , , ' six o ' clock in the evening .
LiSCAsiuiiK Miseks . —The next general de ! -ate meeting of Lancashire Miners will behold on Monday , March Sth , .-iUhosijin of tho Rams'Head . ! laydock , near St . Helen ' s . Chair to be taken at «> u . veu o ' clock in the forenoon . There will be a | . olio meeting , which will be addressed by W . P . Ho--: rts , Esq . and others upon the necessity of petitioning the legislature , to pass an act for the better veiui . iuion of coal mines . _ Swindjk . —The members of this branch of tho National Laud Company arc requested to at > -nda meeting on Monday evening , March 1 st . atG .-n-ge Bishop '* , Eascott . IIanlky and Shi : lton Branch of the National Laud Company . —The members of this Branch ar > req \ watcd to meet at Mr . Yates ' s , Temperance Hotel , Mile ' s Bunk , Shelton , on Tuesday evening lies , at seven o ' clock .
Hull . —Dr . M'Douall will lecture on Sunday everting , in the White Hart Room , . " -alehouse-lane , -subject , — " Tho Land and the Charter . " Maxcuestku . —Tho Observation Committee ,. f the Lancashire shareholders of the National Laud ' joinpany are requested to meet on M-mday ev tiing next , March I , at the house-of Mr . Wvn . Dixon , l ! cmporanco Hotel , 93 , Groat Ancoats-street . Olduam . —On Sunday ( to-morrow ) Mr . Dicki'uon , of Sunderland , will lec ' turo m the Hall of Science , Ilorsedge-strcet , at six o ' clock in the eveniu / . aud on Tuesday , March 2 , he will deliver his thirl lecture at eight o ' clock in tho evening . Loko Buckbv . —Mr . Wm . Monday , of Northampton , will deliver a lecture here on Monday , March 1 , at seven o ' clock . Manchester . —Mr . James Clark will lecture at the People ' s Institute , on Sunday , Fob . 28 .
ButMixoiiAM . —The Petition committee , and all parlies holding petition sheets , are requested io attend at the Ship Itta , on Sunday evening , Feb . 2 Sth , at seven o'clock . A meeting will bo held at 03 , Hill-stroet , ou Sunday evening , at six o ' clock . BucKuuiiN . —The quarterly meeting of the l '' ^' burn branch of the National Land Company « . 11 be held on Sunday evening , Fcb . 2 Sth , at live oVvock , in Mr . George Nurtou ' s ' 1 cwpcraueo Hotel , Wualley Bank ,
Rate And Tax-Paying Clauses Of Tub Refor...
Rate and Tax-Paying Clauses of tub Reform Bill . —A public meeting was held in the Yestrv-roiinis , Gordon-square , St . Pancras , on Monday evening , to petition Parliament to repeal the above obnoxious « clau-es . " Mr . Churchwarden Wagstaff occupied the chair . Mr . Wheel v moved and Mr . Hornby seconded the first resolution , which was supported by the members for the borough , Si Charles Nap ier and Sir Benjamin Hall . Mr . John Arnoit and Mr . Clark seconded the adoption of a petition similar to the one adopted at the recent Crown and Anchor meeting . After an eloquent speech from Mr . M'Grath the petition was unanimously adopted . The usual votes of thanks concluded the proceedings .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 27, 1847, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_27021847/page/1/
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