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4 THE NORTHERN STAR. March 27, I847 .
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LIBERAL HOOK* on I'oLlTlOS, 'MlEOLOUi
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NOMINATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE
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Ash-ton.—Messrs O'Connor, Wheeler, Clark...
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ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION. Mr James ...
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THE COLOSSEUM. The proprietors of this v...
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Extensive RonnEBT bv a Solicitor's Clerk...
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THE WARRINGTON "CONSPIRACY" CASE.
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NoniJnuui Stab Office, Friday. We have r...
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THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1847.
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THE PRESENT CRISIS
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Jiow that the great Humbug of the week h...
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SCOTCH JUSTICE ! At the High Court of Ju...
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PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . In spite of the a...
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Limited and inadequate as the Ministeria...
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The only novelty in the legislation of t...
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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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4 The Northern Star. March 27, I847 .
4 THE NORTHERN STAR . March 27 , I 847 .
Liberal Hook* On I'Olltlos, 'Mleoloui
LIBERAL HOOK * on I'oLlTlOS , 'MlEOLOUi
Ad00410
AND SOCIAL PROGRESS , Published , and Sold , Wholesale and Retail , BI JAMES WATSON , Qir oi ' s Kend ravage , Paternoster Jtow , London . THE KEASO > "EH ( Edited bv G . J . Holyoake ) . A weekly Journal , increased to V , pag .-s . price 2 d . Each Number contains an original Essay , or a subject of moment in Theolngv , Communism , or Politics . Mathematics no Mystery , or the Beauties and C « es of Ecrlid . 2 nd Edition . 2 s < M Practical G rammer . 4 th edition 1 « fid Haudhook of Graduated ErerciK * . 1 * Or in Pivc Xumbers at Twopence eacfi . JustPahliehc-d , in Tw Vohwu ., « - * ^^^ S letterc . 1 , price Sir Shillings ana S . xpenre , the Fourth "SS & Y roneemH * POLITICAL . JULTICS and iUIirffeenro on Morals and Happiness . B , WiHum Godwin . To be hea l in 11 Part * at Sixpence each , or in 53 Xo * . at Twsp . nce . iErabaadV System tf S-turc , 2 vols , cloth ooards and lettered ... - — 7 6 To be had in Parts at Si ., and in Numbers at 2 d . Discussion on , n < Existence of Goa and the Authenticity of the Bible , between GrigenBacheler an J Rotwi t Date 0 wen , 1 vol . el . t « Js . and let . A 6 Discussion ° » the Aath-. nticity of the Bible , between 0 . BacheUr And R . D . 0 \ ven , l vol . rleth boards and lettered ... ... ... S 2 Ditto , in a nraf-p r ... ... ... . „ 2 8 Discussion on the . existence of God , between 0 . Bacbeier and R . D . 0 * en , 1 vol ., cloth boards and lettered ... ... ... .-. 1 10 Ditto , in a wrapper ... . „ ... ... X To be had also in Eig ' . t Parts , at Sixpence each , or in Twenty-four Numbers , at Twopence each , Volnej ' * Ruin * of E-npircs and Laws of Nature , 1 \ a \ . ' , cloth boards » n 4 lettered , with Three 2 0
Ad00411
BOOKS 1 'UBLlSUlNtf BY B . D . COUSINS , is DUKE-STKEET , LINCOLN'S-INN-FIELDS , LONDON . The Shepherd , by the Rev . J . E . Smith , M . A . ToI . I . price 5 s . 6 d . Tol . II price 3 « . Vol . III . price Cs . 6 d „ cloth board *; or the three volumes in one , half . bonnd i . i calf and lettered , price 16 s . Rctutation of Owenism , by G . Bedford , of Worcesternith a Reply , by the Rev . J . E . Smith , M . A . Is . ' Sew Christianity j or the Religion of St . Simon , with a coloured portrait of a St . Sinionianffemale ; translated by the Rev . J . E Smith , M . A . Is . The Little Book , addressed to the Bishep of Exeter and Robert Owen , by the Rev . J . E . Smith , M . A . 6 d . ; by post , 10 a . Legends and Miracles , by the Rev . S . E . Smith , M . A Cloth boards , li . 8 d . The Universal Chart , containing the Elements of Universal Faith , Universal Analogy , and Moral Government . By the Rev . J . E . Smith , M . A . Price Is . ; by post , Is . 24 . —This little work contains , in the form of articles , the elements of universal principles , or , as the title-page expresses it , " the elements of universal faith , universal analogy , and moral government . " It is divided into three parts , and eaeh part into logically consecutive articles or materials of thought for those who desire to have a definite aM logical Idea of universal truth in its spiritual and temporal polarities , without which two polarities in perfect anion truth can have no being , and any attempt to reduce it to practice must result in sectarian bigotry on the one hand , or infidel anarchy and convulsion ea the other . Analytical Chart of Universal Justice , Truth , and Peace ; avoiding tbe Two Ettremes of Spiritualism and . ' Materialism—the first of which speculates oa the Organic Principle , without the Organism , and the latter , on the Organism , without the Organic Principle—both are . presented in this Chart . By the Rev . J . E . Smith , M . A . Price 63 . ; by post 8 d . ; oron thick drawing
Ad00412
CHARTIST POEMS , BY ERNEST JONES . Price Three Pence . FIFTH EDITION , BEVISED AND COIIRECTED : Replete with the fire of genius , and poetic powers of the very highest order , for eloquence and destructive power , they appear , to us , almost unrivalled . We say " destructive , " for tlieir tendency is " worse than Democratic . "New Quarterly Jleview .- ( Tory . ) Orders received b ? the author and Mr . Wheeler , at tho office of the National Charter Association , 83 , Dean Street , Soho , London , or hy M'Gowan . ii Co ., Printers , 16 , Great Windmill Street , Haymarket , London , where conies may be procured .
Ad00413
IMPORTANT . TO PHOTOGRAPHISTS . AN application was made on the 22 nd S « -pt . mber , to the Vice-Chaniellor of England , by Jlr . Beard wh « , acting under a mostextraordiny delusi j . i , considers liiuiMufthoMtefioteiifeeof the Photographic process !) to restrain MR . EGERTON , of 1 , Temple-stnot , and 148 , KlteUtrtct , rom taking Photographic Porti . tlts , which bo doe * hy it prnrcsN entirely different froo- and very ¦ aiiKriur to Mr . Beard ' s , and ut one-half the cUrge . Bin Honour rrfimml the application in toto . Nollrmmp romilrcd to practice this process , which is taught hy Mr . Kgnrtoii in a f ; : w lessons at a moderate th * n ;< A'ftlio A pponitus , Chemicals , £ c . to be had as usual uliii Duiiot . I , Temple-street , WiiteMars ,
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JUST PUBLISHED , No . 3 , ( price 6 d . ) of THE LABOURER , Monthly Magazine of Politics , Literature , Poetry , & c Edited hy 4 Fkabqcs 0 'Connob , Esq , and Ersest Joneu , Esq ., ( Barristct 6- * t-L : i \ v . ) The Democratic Movement in this country being _ wholly deficient in a monthly organ , the above magazine is esta . Wished to remedy this deficiency . Placed by lowness of price within the reach of all , yet equal to its more expensive compttitors . it embraces the following features : — 1 . —THE LAND AND THE LABOURER , or the progress and position of the National Land Company , and all interesting facts connected with the culture nnd produce of the soil , 2 . —THE POOR MAN'S LEGAL MANUAL , ( by an enunent Barrister , ) giving all neceesary legal information fur the express use of allottees on the land , and the working classes in general . 3 .-THE HISTORY OF THE WORKING CLASSES Compiled r rom sources hitherto carefully hidden from the public eye , -narrating the encroachments on their rights , and the wild and daring insurrections , by which they endeavoured to regain them ,- —being a lesson for the future , derived from thepast . ? . —POLITICS OF THE DAY , comprising the state of England and Ireland , the Chartist and Trades' Movement , an analysis of proceedings in Parliament , and II wiHWSKrty of nfcws at home nnd abroad . 5 . —POETRY AND ROXIANCE , since these are impor taut branches of educational progression ; and some of the first democratic authors havo undertaken to furnish narratives of intense and vivid interest . A large portion of the April number will be devoted to the plan and working of the National Land and Labour Bank , in connection with the Chartist Co-operative Land Company . Such publications will be reviewed as deserve the atten tion of the People . THE PORTRAIT of an eminent Chartist will accompany every sixth number . CONTENTS OF NO . HI . I . The Life of a Flower , a Poem . it . Insurrections of the Working Classes . 3 . The Land and its Capabilities . 4 . The Romance of a People . 6 . The Poor Man ' s Legal Manual—The Small Debts Act . a . The Good Old Days , a Poem . 7 . The Phase of Political Parties . 8 . The Confessions of a King . 9 . Monthly Review . 10 . Literary Reviews . Letters ( pre-paid ) to be addressed to the Editors , 10 rent Windmill Street , Haymarket , London . Orders received by all agents for the " Northern Star , " and all booksellers in town and country .
Ad00415
IMPORTANT TO EMIGRANTS . AGRICULTURISTS and others may purchase l . V ) ACRES OF RICH TIMBERED LAND IN WESTERN VIRGINIA , deseribed by General Wash , ington as the Garden of America , for £ 23 8 s . 8 d . Sterling , ABOUT T 1 I 11 EE SHILLINGS PER ACRE . £ 2 IJs . only to be paid down , the remainder in FIVE ANNUAL PAYMENTS . For further information apply to CHARLES WILLMER , -linorican Land Office , STANIET BU 1 LD 1 . VG 8 , BATH STREET , LIVERPOOL . Of whom may be had a Pamphlet on Emigration , in which these Lands are fully described , and the terms of sale explained , by sending three postage stamps to free the same .
Ad00416
Now Ready , a New Edition of MR . . O'CONNOR'S WORK ON SMALL FARMS To be had at the Northern Star Omce , 16 , Great Wind mill Street ; and of Abel Hey wood , Manchester .
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TO TAILORS , Now ready , THE LONDON AND PARIS AUTUMN AND WINTER FASHIONS for 1816 and 47 , by BENJAMIN READ and Co ., 12 , Hart-street , Bloomsbury-square , London ; and by G . Bergcr , Holynell-strcet , Strand , London . May be had at 12 , Hart-street , and of all booksellers wheresoever residing , a Splendid Print , richly coloured , and exquisitely executed View , Hyde-park gardens , as seen from Hyde-park , London . With this beautiful print will be sent Dress , Frock , and Riding Coat Patterns , the Newest Sty . ' e Chesterfield , and the New Fashionable Double Breasted Waistcoat , with Skirts , the method of reducing and in creasing them for all sizes explained in the most simple manner , with four extra plates , and can bo easily performed by any person ; manner of making up , nnd a full description of the Uniforms as now to be worn in the Royal Navy , and other information , price 10 s . or post free , lis . Read and Co . 's new indubitable System of Cutting , in three parts , first part , Coats , price 10 s ; second , Habits , Dresses . Ac , 10 s ; third , Box and Driving Coats , Waistcoats , Breeches , and Trousers , 10 s ; or the whole , 25 s- ; in . eluding the system for cutting Chesterfield and other fancy coats , understood at sight . Any person having one part , may have the two others for 15 s . A Method for Cuttinjr Gaiter Trousers , with twelve plates , including five full-size bottom parts , price , post free , 2 s 6 d . Patent measure , Ss the set ; the greatest improvement ever introduced to the trade . Patterns to measure , of every description , post free to any part of England , Ireland , Scotland , and Wales at is each . The amount may be sent by cash , post-office order , or post stamps . Busts for fitting Coats on Boys'figure * . Foremen provided . Instructions in Cutting as usual . N . B . —The Patent Measures , or System of Cutting , will ( like the Fashions ) be sent post free , by Is extra being sent . For further particulars see Gazette of Fashion .
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NATIONAL LAND CO . MPANY .-If any of the FOKTUNATE SHAREHOLDERS of the above Com . panyfeel desirous to PART with their ALLOTMENT , cither at O'COXNOUVILLE or LOW 1 JANDS , they may hear of a Purchaser by applying , stating terms , to Mr Rons , Agent to the Company , No . - J , Wynford-strcet , Reading , Berks . The party wishing to pu ; chase being about to leave his Situation , and beinpr desirous to obtain early Location , tlie whole of the premium to be PAI 0 IMME UIATELY . The Transfer is elleeted , together with Four Shares paid np in the First Section .
Nominations For The Executive
NOMINATIONS FOR THE EXECUTIVE
Ash-Ton.—Messrs O'Connor, Wheeler, Clark...
Ash-ton . —Messrs O'Connor , Wheeler , Clark , Doyle and M'Grath . Bunuososer . —C . Dnyle , F . O'Connor , T . M , Wheeler , E . Jones , andDr M'Douall . Bihton . —Messrs O'Connor , Clark , Wheeler , M'Grath and Doyle . Birmingham . —Messrs Doyle , Wheeler , O'Connor , Clark and M'Grath . Braforo ( Yorkshire ) . —Fcargtia O'Connor , Christopher Doyle , T . ' M . Wheeler , Thomas Clark and Philip M'Grath . Brighton ;—Messrs O'Connor , Clark , M'Grath , Wheeler and Doyle . , Bristol ' —Messrs O'Connor , M'Grath , Clark Wheeler and Doyle .
Caubbrwbll . —f eargns O'Connor , Thomas Clark , Christopher Doyle . Philip M'Grath , T . M . Wheeler , and Ernest Jones . Citt ' op LoNnoN . —Messrs Wheeler , Clark , M'Grath , Doyle aud O'Con- or . Halifax . —Messrs Dcnovan , E . Jones , J . West , Tattersall and Ros * . Null —Messrs O'Connor , Clark , Wheeler , Deyle and M'Grath . Leicester . —Messrs O'Connor , Wheeler , M'Grath , Clark and D \ vle . Liverpool— Messrs West , Jones ( of Liverpool ) , Jones { London ) , M'Douall , Lloyd , Sweet and Donovan .
Manchester . —Messrs O'Connor , Clark , Doyle , Wheeler and M'Grath . Martlehoxk . —Dr M'Douall , T . Clark , T . M . Wheeler , P . M'Grath , C . Doyle , F . O'Connor , J . We-t , and S . Kydd . Norwich . —Messrs O'Connor , M'Grath , Clark , Doyle and Wheeler . , Sheffielo . —Messrs O'Connor , Wheeler , M ' Gra th Doyle , Clark and West . Somers Tow . v . —FeargusO'Connor . Philip M'Grath , T . M . Wheeler , Thomas Clark , Christopher Doyle , and John Skclton . Sunderland . —Messrs O'Connor , Wheeler , Doyle , M'Grath and Clark .
Royal Polytechnic Institution. Mr James ...
ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION . Mr James Russell , ( late of Covent Garden and Drciylane Theatres , ) gave the first of a series of '' Reading ! , from Shakspea . iV' at this popular tstabUs ' . iment on Thursday last , in which he was eminently suc ..-c ; iful . Tho subject chosen was the " Merchant of Venice . " Three scenes were given . The first , when Bassanlo applies to Antonio for his assistance , to enable him to try his fortune with Portia ; secondly , that with Shylock when applying to him to grant the loan on Antonio ' s security ; ami thirdly , the trial scene . Mr Russell accomplished his task with much ability and judgment . He Kept the ehuracteis perfectly distinct , and varied the intonations of his voice to suit the different spn » ker 9 . The readings were listened to with much attention by the audience , and there were repeated bursts of applause , which were unanimously given ot the conclusion , We can stroegly recommend our readers to avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded by the enterprising directors of thte most truly national es'aWish . ment .
The Colosseum. The Proprietors Of This V...
THE COLOSSEUM . The proprietors of this very attractive and highly entertaining exhibition have reduced the prices of admission . The whole of the six splendid exhibitions are open to the public , either day or evening , at two shillings , thus rendering it one of the cheapest entertainments in London . The Panorama of London by night is included with a host of other attractions . We hail with mueh satisfaction the liberal efforts of the management to place within the reach of all an entertainment so highly desirable . Once create a taste in the minds of the million for rational and refined amusement , aud we are certain a full share of patronage will be liberally extended to those who devote their talent and money to tbe cause of public instruction .
Extensive Ronnebt Bv A Solicitor's Clerk...
Extensive RonnEBT bv a Solicitor ' s Clerk . —On Thursday information was received by the police that Robert Shephard , a young man in the employ ot Messrs Uodson , Concanew , and Noyes , solicitors , Lincoln ' s-inn , had absconded , taking with him 424 J . in gold , and two 301 . Bank of England notes , which he was entrusted with to take to a banker ' s in the City . He is described as being five feet ten inches in height , thin , and pale complexion , and ft reward of 501 . is offered for his apprefcu . skn .
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THE LAND AND ITS CAPABILITIES . No . % of TUE LABOURER , Just published , contains a Reprint of Mr . . F . O'Connor ' s Letter , in the "Northern Star " of January 39 th , demonstrnting the certainty with which an allottee may support himself and family , and accumulate money , on a " Two Acre" allotment . The very general demand that was made for the paper containing the above letter has induced the Editors to reprintit , after careful revision , in the March Number of the Labourer .
Ad00421
NUMBER IV , of "THE LABOURER" ( Pbice Gd . ) , Which will he published on April 1 st , will contain an elaborate Treatise on tho NATIONAL LAND AND LABOUR BANK , IN ITS DELATION WITH THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . ? Published at the " Northern Star" Office , 16 , Great Windmill-street , London ; and may be had of all Booksellers .
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OBSERVE . All questions , connected with the managementof land , and touching the operations of building , cultivation , iie .. to be addressed to Mr . O'Connoh . Lowbands , Red Marie , Ledbury , Worcestershire , All communications of Agents , and all matters of account , to be addressed ta Mr . W . Rider , "Northern Star Office , " 16 , Great Windmill Street , London All Applications for magazines to be made through Mr . M'Gowan , Printer , as above . % 3 " All reports of meetings holden in any part of England on the Sunday , must bo at this office by Tuesday ; reports of meetings held on the Monday mast be at the office by Wednesday . This rule is for " Tradts , " as well as * ' Chartist" and " Land Company " meetings . Notices of " ^ Forthcoming Meetings , " and correspondcKce requiring answers , must he at tbe office by Wednesday , at the latest . "Letters" commentine on public questions , intended for insertion in full , must be at the office by Tuesday . The communications of correspondents not attending to the above regulations will stand over .
The Warrington "Conspiracy" Case.
THE WARRINGTON "CONSPIRACY" CASE .
Nonijnuui Stab Office, Friday. We Have R...
NoniJnuui Stab Office , Friday . We have received a communication from Liverpool announcing that the trial of the Newton mechanics on the charges contained in the monster indictment , wo Id come on this afternoon , or to-morrow ( Saturday ) . A full report ef the trial will appear in our next number .
The Northern Star Saturday, March 27, 1847.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , MARCH 27 , 1847 .
The Present Crisis
THE PRESENT CRISIS
Jiow That The Great Humbug Of The Week H...
Jiow that the great Humbug of the week has passed by—now that the working classes have lost a days employment by way of a boon from the " Church and State" —it behoves us to ' revert to the opinion of the country as to the gross act of blasphemous superstition of which our Legislature has been guilty . Our denunciations of that act have been fully verified by the unanimously expressed opinion of the working classes ; who here , again , have proved themselves vastly ahead of their rulers in enlightenment and common sense . Government must be two centuries behindhand in intelligence , if they think that they can
blind the people by such tricks as this mockery of a Fast . It would have done in the dark ages , when the faults of the legislators were fathered upon God ; or in remoter times , when every illgotten bantling was ascribed to a Pagan deify . But men have learned to reason from cause to effect—and Famine , the bastard child of evil laws , bears plainly on its face the stamp of its ignoble origin—a cross-breed between the Tory and the Whig . The homoeopathic plan of curing famine by fast not having succeeded by a miracle , since manna is not dropping from the skies to-day in consequence , naturally leads us to consider what will
ue the future growth of the hydra-headed tmnster . Little , indeed , can be the confidence , either in the good intention or in the wisdom of a ministry , that resorts to similar expedients ; and were it not that we have faith in the sense and determination of the people , we should be compelled to consider the prospect before us as dark indeed . It must be evident to all , that nothing can be expected from any party now holding the balance of governmental power . There was a time in which the masses might gain advantage out of the discord of parly and the weakness of some individual faction : this is the
case no longer . Lauded and monied interests see the necessity of coalescing against the people ; and thus , while , on the one hand , the array of opposition is increased , on the other hand , the question of the ultimate solution of the difficulty becomes less complicated . There is nothing like a good opposition . Men then know what they are about . While they are yet doubtful as to who is a friend , and who is a foe , they will be paralysed in their actions , from the fear of wholly estranging a half-friend , or turning a supporter into an enemy . Wc arc relieved from this difficulty—wc know who arc our
friends , and who are our enemies—and , what is better still , we have learned at last , that allwho arenot for us are against us . This is an important lesson , since it precludes the possibility of that temporising and time-serving which has ruined so many a public movement . We have learned that it has come to a struggle between ( he rich and poor , and a struggle , not for imaginary rights , but for the RIGHT TO LIVE . This , indeed , simplifies the question , and those who once called Chartism a " hungry howl" knew not the fearful prophecy contained in their words . It was at first the indignant
cry of an oppressed people for their righls ;—woe to those who are turning it into a "hungry howl !" They tell us hunger will break through stone walls , and yet they forcibly take the food from the mouths of the famishing , and sleep amid dreams of security in palace , barrack , and store . Meanwhile they are feeding the public with something more than M . Soycr ' s soup—they are feeding the public mind with a fresh catalogue of wrong and insult , under which patience would be as much a mockery as violence would be unwise and to be deplored . But there is a medium course—there is such a thing as an organisation of national power , combined with an
expression of public mind . Govcrnraenis have used such means to frighten oppositions , and enforce a political delusion—they can bemore efficacious in the hands of the people when enforcing a political truth . And be it remembered , that every year , nay , every month , weakens the popular strength . Slavery is a dangerous thing , inasmuch as its habitude enervates , and makes a man fee ) , think , and act like a slave . At first araan willstruggleindignantly . butafter a time lie grows desponding—at last indifferent , and he will say to himself , " It is all very bad , but what can be done ? " May the people of this country never be reduced to such a state ! What is to be
done ? To act like men ! To pour petition after petition into the House , with constantly increasing signatures ; to hold such demonstrations as shall baffle factions opposition , and to take our stand at every hustings in the empire . Let us do this , and without violence , peaceably , quietly , and in the utmost order , that great revolution may be effected , which shall rep lace the worn-out constitution of faction , by the great principle of the Charter . Meanwhile , let us not forget that the enemy is constantly undermining our camp . Famine is slaughtering Ihe people by hundreds of thousands , and the ceaseless and fatal
sapping of emigration is going on in the dark . In opposition to this , the Land Company is progressing , it is true , with unexampled success ; but in times like the present , every man is wanted at his post ; every hand should be ready for the helm and the sail , to steer the vessel of the State through the shoals of onopoly and . past the rocks Jof Prejudice . Once more , then , we exhort the toiling millions not to lull themselves into apathy , under the idea that things can " right themselves / ' Things did not make tkemselces wrong , hut we luailc so by
Jiow That The Great Humbug Of The Week H...
the men whose interest it is to keep them so . It is the interest of the landlord and the farmer to keep their labourers at 6 s . or 8 s . a-weeli wages , and to keep down the country population . It is the interest of the factory-lord to grind his slave even stil lower , and to overcrowd the factory labour-market 1 it is the interest of the State Church to keep the people blinded and ignorant , in order that they m « v submit to the three class-harpies . These three causes have been long at work—the effect we see to-day in famine and misery ; they cannot stay the
downward tendency of their government , if they would , for that would produce a reaction , and upset all . They are , therefore , compelled to go on as they begun—to nail the colours of Finality to the mast , and to fight their vessel to the last . Now , then , the question is reduced to this—arc the people to proceed from bad to worse , and miserably perish—or are they to subvert a social organizat ' on , p regnant with such terrible results ? The answer is obvious—how ? we have already shown—tho
when ? is equally plain . Next year the People will be less able to produce an impression than this one , —if they let the present time pass by in inactivity . If , on the contrary , they now prove themselves equal to the crisis , next year will see them on the way to victory . In a public movement much depends on knowing when to wait , and when to act ; for , as the poet says , There is a tide in the affairs of men , Which , taken at the flood , leads on to fortune .
That the people are prepared , that the public mind is alive to its true interests , is proved by its manifestation at every fresh act of legal injustice , or government absurdity . Such has been the case at the solemn mockery of " the Fast ; " on which occasion four overflowing public meetings were held in one day , in London alone . Nor has the country
been more backward in denouncing this insult to common sense . Such being the public mind towards a religious mockery like the one alluded to , we are encouraged to believe they will no less protest against the sad reality of that legislation , which has given rise to misery it thus insults ; and that its authors will have to answer for their HIGH TREASON-not to the Sovereign , but lo the PEOPLE .
Scotch Justice ! At The High Court Of Ju...
SCOTCH JUSTICE ! At the High Court of Justiciary , Edinburgh , on Tuesday last , James Falconer , Angus Davidson , Daniel Sutherland , John Young and John Main , were charged with " mobbing and rioting to prevent the shipment of grain"' at Burghead Harbour , cou ntyof Moray ; and also with having assaulted the procurator-fiscal and a superintendent of police . The prisoners , no doubt advised thereto by their lawyers with the view of mitigating punishment pleaded guilty , with the exception of Falconer , who did not plead guilty to the charge of assault . The
prisoners legal advocates showed that they had previously borne unblemished chaiacters . were peaceable and hardworking fishermen ; that some of them had families depending upon tlieir industry , and that even that test ( in Scotland ) of a poor man ' s " respectability "—regular attendance at public worshipwas not wanting , as certificates from ministers residing in their locality testified . Everybody in court supposed that a short imprisonment would he the utmost punishment inflicted on the prisoners , when lo ! the judges having retired to consider their sentence returned into court , and sentencing Falconer to eighteen months' imprisonment , sentenced the oilier four to be each transported for seven
YEARS ! This infernal mockery of justice is enough to drive peaceable men mad . The "Edinburgh Weekly Register " states that" everybody in court heard the severe sentence with amazement ; and many persons s ' . ied tears . " For our part we are not at all inclined to the melting mood , by reading the account of this judicial outrage . This atrocious judgment , this base , bloody , and brutal sentence , should rouse oilier feelings than those of mere pity for the victims . These ruffianly judges should be held up to public execration , and the whole strength of Scottish opinion be exerted to compel a reversal of tlie sentence , and the consequent degradation of these piiiless executioners .
When the canting scoundrel of a planter was ( logging his slave , and at the same time lecturing the poor nigger on the heinousness of his offences , poor Sambo , unable to stand the double infliction , burst out with " Oh ! Alassa , Massa , when you floggee ( 1 iggce ; when you preachee , preachee ; but no preachee and floggee too . " Tlie poor Burghead fishermen had not merely to stand the flogging , sentence of seven years' transportation , but also the preaching of their precious judges . Lord Mackenzie declared— " He never / cad an indictment which
made him more ashamed of bis country . " His countrymen may retort , that thfy never heard a sentence which made them more ashamed of their country ' s laws . This " lord " added that " if the military had been present at the riots , it would have been the duty of the authorities to have ordered the soldiers to fire upon the rioters ! " Lord Medwyn concurred ; and the Lord Justice Clerk added that " sentence was inflicted ' that others might hear and tremble . ' He was determined to uphold the
authority and the dignity of the law . Of course , uphold the dignity of the law , though that law be Draco ' s , and written in blood . Crush , oppress , beat down tbe starving poor , break human hearts , but uphold the authority of the law ! Plunder and starve the multitude , deprive them of the corn they have sowed and reaped , and if with famine before tlieir eyes they attempt to resist your robberies , why then uphold ( he dignity of the law ! If vour soldiers are at hand , shoot the " rebels" as vou
would rabid dogs ; if they are not at hand , give them the " law , " doom them to worse than death , consign them to herd with felons , to drag out years of misery , to be torn from all the endearments of home , to the agony of knowing that tlieir families have become outcasts with almost a certainty of becoming criminals , and so make more work for the law ! Do this , just judges ; do this , worthy executioners of the pitiless will of the property-holders . Why should you not ? you arc strong , and might makes right . You are strong , for the millions you outrage are ignorant or apathetic , bearing with your usurpation , your tyranny and cruelty , and , therefore , deserving the stripes with which you scourge them .
There has been no case of judicial wrong perpetrated iu Scotland since the trial of the Glasgow Cotton Spinners equal to this villanous sentence of the poor Burghead fishermen . The tone assumed by Mackenzie and Co ,, in passing sentence , maybe fairly placed by the side of the bloodthirsty speeches of tbe rascally judges who doomed Muir and bis companions to banishment and death : or
by the side of the brutal jibes of the atrocious Abinger . We trust that , even before this number of the Star is published , some member of Parliament will demand inquiry into these proceedings , with a view of procuring the nullification ot the sentence ; if not—and we have no faith in Scottish Parliamentary patriotism—we trust that Mr Buncombe will take up the matter and bring this case fully before the British public .
"Stands Scotland where she did ?¦ ' In days gone by we have witnessed no mean exhibition of public spirit in that country , and we trust tbat arevival of that spirit will new be shown . We appeal to you , working men of Scotland , to rise from yourslumbers , and cpme forward to the rescue of yourbrctli
enr Wo know you , and knowing , honour" ^ your many virtues ; but there is one serious f , chargeable to your account , you too tamely bear V . I ills you might relieve yourselves of , and too 0 ni >! submit tooapranton which you might cast off \ ' ilyou are men worthy of the proud name you . L !*' resist this cruel injustice perpetrated bv tyrants in the name of " Jaw . " Meet and Li ?' f or instant redress , demand the exercise of the prerogative for tbe fuc prrden of the sente " *^ fishermen . That no time may be lost , let (] , „ T ^ tish Democrats take the initiative in rousin ^ ?¦" attention . Our columns are at their service * i necessary , we doubt not that other English . V" l bo forthcoming . Lot there be no delay— ' ' * " A' oto ' s the day , and noio ' s the hour •»
Parliamentary Review . In Spite Of The A...
PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . In spite of the anxiety and earnestn ess wit ) , ] , j h Ministers press their various Irish measures gross is extremely slow . Legislati on , even o ' f th * stop-gap kind we have , by no means keeps pace Wj tu the progress of misery and abuses in Ireland , it quite clear that the opposition offered by ulc ] an j lords to almost every clause of the Poor Law widen " threatens , however remotely , to compel them to support the destitute will prevent it from bein » discussed in the House of Lords till after Easier
The Waste Lands Reclamation Bill , the only other really valuable measure of the lot , small as U « fc value may he , has not yet been introduced into the House of Commons . U p to the present time ^ that the Government and Legislature have done is to pass a few temporary measures , imperativel y called for by their own previous blundering , in . tended to correct , as far as possible , the effects of their own ignorance and incompetency , and to forward nearly to their last stages , those por lions of the ministerial hich
programme w go to benefit the landlords , and to pour into their coffers the money wrung from the industry of Great Britain . The position which these landlords have assumed in these circumstances is by no means an enviable one . Their selfishness has been quite as obvious as their rapacity . They have striven with a courage and perseverance worthy of a better cause to defeat every clause which had a tendency of a permanent character in the Poor Law ; to prevent the enactment of out-door relief , even under the
exceedingly limited and modified regulations pro . posed by the ministry ; and , lastly , so to lew the rates as to secure , as far as they can , tlieir owa immunity from payment . The true object of their opposition to the plan of rating proposed by the Government is to enable them to drive the poor into the towns , aud leave them ultimately dependent on the national treasury , as they are at present . The effect of- past ejectments , and the present refusal of relief in the purely rural divisions of the country have produced , even under
the existing Poor Law in Ireland , a most unequal pressure , being in some places only 6 d . in the pound on some rentals , and 6 s . on others . In fact , the landlords expel the hunger and fever-stricken people from their estates , and throw them in masses upon the struggling tradesmen and middle classes of the towns . The object of the Ministerial mode of rating , is to prevent such gross injustice as this , by introducing into their new bill a well-known principle of tbe old English Poor Law , and carried out by what were called " rates in aid . " When a
parish became overburdened with paupers beyond its just share and capacity , it was entitled to demand a rate in aid fiom the neighbouring parishes . It is provided in the present Irish Bill , that as soon at the home rate exceeds a certain amount in the pound , rateable assistance may be demanded from the whole of the union . The landlords may , under such a regulation , continue their ejectments , but the " rate in aid" will reach them . Locking at the gn , ss inequalities which are likely to arise even
under the proposed system , some members have suggested a national rate . The same opinion is held by many parties with respect to the support of the poor in this country ; but unless such a system was accompanied by many restrictions and regulations , it would inevitably tend to the complete destruction of the principle of local self-government , which has been so valuable and important an element in the history and progress of this country , and which has been already too much infringed upon by the Whig English Poor Law .
Limited And Inadequate As The Ministeria...
Limited and inadequate as the Ministerial measures may be , it must be confessed that they are better than any of the suggestions hitherto madebj the Irish members for t ! i » benefit of their fellowcountrymen . Had Ireland possessed ten men with courage and intellect sufficient to have brought forward and urged an effectual , comprehensive , and practical scheme of reform , such is the present state of parties , such the awful and appalling nature of the calamity , and so great , the pecuniary sacrifices
demanded from England , that they might have reckoned with tolerable certainty upon success . But they have done nothing of the kind . Ministers are strong in consequence of their weakness . Incongruous , defective , and petty as the plans of the Government are , they are positive masterpieces of wisdom and benevolence , when compared with every project originated by the Irish members , who assume to be best acquainted with the popular mind , and the honour of specially representing that mind in the Imperial Legislature . What have the O ' Gonnells
proposed worthy of a moment ' s consideration ? Surely for the hundreds of thousands poured into the treasury of Conciliation Hall , some pains mig ht have been taken by the loud-tonguecl patriots who there assembled to have prepared and urged earnestly and consistently , a systematic series of rr . easures for the improvement of Ireland ! Instead of that , the " Liberator" has tied to the Continent , and , according to some accounts , from public life fot ever ; and his . successor , Mr John , cither » P " pears in the House as the bumble and obsequious
slave of the Treasury Bench , or the proposer of crude , jejune , and impracticable nostrums , which ave scouted as soon as uttered . Nor can the " Young Ireland " party boast much more of their recognised J ' arli . unenfary leader . Mr Smith O'Brien ought lo have been belter prepared for the crisis than he is . The proposal for an Absentee Tax might , in connection with other measures , have been adopted ; but as a naked proposal , i " . S rejection was certain ; and had it been carried , would have produced very little , if any , benefit to Ireland . We
are not now speaking of the justice of such a tax , but simply of the practical effects of its imposition . The landlords would have discovered a hundred methods to evade it if imposed ; and after a !! , ten per cent ., or 400 , 000 / . annually , from the estates of absentees is a mere trifle , when dealing with a state of things which will take ten millions sidling to 0 England this year , independently of the enormous voluntary contributions from all parts of tbe empire > and the generous munificence which sends its large subscriptions across the Atlantic . Nest year , we have every reason to believe , the same assistance
will be required ; and such very paltry proposals M those nov . ' noticed , only show , so far as they mai" fest anything , that poor Ireland has as little to hof * at present from her own chosen leaders , as she b » from Russell and the Whigs , i » the way of general , permanent , and radical reforms .
The Only Novelty In The Legislation Of T...
The only novelty in the legislation of this « eek , s at the time of writing , « the introduction of ftWU by the Government , for limiting the period of caM-a ment in the army . Mr Fox Maule explained tbej general principle of this bill to be , that the periofy of enlistment ought not to be so long as to d *«« ( men from entering , 0 v to make them disconteiMc
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 27, 1847, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_27031847/page/4/
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