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PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. NATIONAL LAND-COMP...
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gfo <K0*t$$ponBeni»
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Oar Correspondents wul oblige us greatly...
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JostruMifbeo", i2mo. Cloth, Price 4s by Post, 4s. 6i. TTHE EIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PRO-
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Tab 7fSsr n — j .i ata^that in ttfS BaL.-The l'Kentisn Mercury" divide the lorauJ ^ ^ormBill effort s wiH te m«fe *»
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THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY. We shall give...
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THE HORTHERH STAR SATURDAY, JANPAUY 31, »85«-
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THE OPERATIVE ENGINEERS AND THEIR EMPLOY...
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THE WHIG REFORM BILL. Among the rumours ...
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PREPARATIONS FOR WAR. It is observable t...
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The CuMiviiKw op Hbmp , on a somewhat ex...
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NATIONAL LAND-COMPANY. We understand tha...
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State Jhtttfltgettce*
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES. T...
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Preparations For War. National Land-Comp...
THE NORTHERNS ^ R . January ai , ^ 5 y . ~~ " I
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Oar Correspondents Wul Oblige Us Greatly...
Oar Correspondents wul oblige us greatly by attending to the folffie ^ r ^^ neSie ^ lnt ^ ^ e coi sei ipartfoT'Erre ^ ms ^ nce . ' d ^ operatj TC Beports of proceeding * ' « " *««^ Kmed ™ telv after thdVoccuraSSaS- ^^ sasffaSSSSSSSflSsK- ' - ontthe
* = ;* ; . « nr intention to report very fully the interesting debates in T ^ rluS ^ niA aTe cerudn to arise of dinted of Lord 5 £ Sft «?&» relations , the promised BeformBfll , and « rt . SouestioM of general interest , we must beg of our cor-^ nondrntsto study Brevity as much as possible during the sesrion " That alone will enable us to find room for their communications . We are this week obliged to withhold an ably-written letter on ' Cooperation / by John Mills , Triangle , Sowerby ; and a second on the warlike aspect of affeirs at the present moment , tnih reference to its special bearing on the working classes , by R . Hohnan , solely on account of their length , and the other claims upon our columns .
Jostrumifbeo", I2mo. Cloth, Price 4s By Post, 4s. 6i. Tthe Eights And Duties Of Pro-
JostruMifbeo" , i 2 mo . Cloth , Price 4 s by Post , 4 s . 6 i . TTHE EIGHTS AND DUTIES OF PRO-
Ad00413
J . rERTT . By Jons Saxgstek . London : Whittaker and Co ., Ave-Maria tane .
Ad00414
Just Published , Price Sixpence . MAY I XOT DO WHAT I WILL WITH MY OWN * Considerations oa the present contest ^ twewn the eperatit * Engineers and their Employe ™ . B / EoiMbd \ . a * hitabt Seaie , Esi ., BairUttr- » t-Law . . .. . London : John James Bezer , 1 S 3 , Fleet-street ; and of au bookeeUers .
Ad00415
Invasion—Social aud Political Economy . ME . S . 31 ETDD wffl shortly deliver in M Manchester Two Discourses , of which further notice wiU be ^ Snhjectofthefirndiscoarse : -State of the Science of Political 2 co 3 yVits influent on the minds of stotesme ^^ d the laws of EnRkuo ^ ts bearings on the disp ut e between tbe Ama ' gamatsd Engineers and their emplovers . * , Jfeeonddiscourse : Laws of Satural and Mutual Dependence , labour , land , carital , free action , and regulation considered . How England ha * become , and may continue to be , a great nation , without any fe : r of successful foreign im-asum .
Ad00416
£ n © ijanttrs . In th » Matter of an Act to Dissolve the JTatJonal Land Company , and to Dispose of Uie Lands and Property belonging to the Com pany , and to Wind-up the Undertaking , and of the Joint Stock Companies Winding-up Acts ISIS and 1 S 43 . T JOSEPH HUMPHRY , ESQOIRE , the J-J Master , charged with the Winding-up of this Company , do fcereby "ire Sotice that I shull , on Monday and Tuesday , the Second and Thad days of February nert , at Ten of the Clock in the Foresoon , on the said days respectively , hold Sittings in the Court of the JUght Honourable the Tice-ChanceUor Kindersley . in Lincoln ' s Inn Oid Square , in the County of Middlesex , for the examination of FeargiuO"Connov , Es % ttvre , MA \ ,: UHl other persons , touching the Aflairs of this Company and their dealings and transactions in relation thereto . Dated this 21 st day ef January , 1 S 32 . —J . Hghtdbt . Tuck * r and Son * . Law Chambers , Tlireadneedle-street , Solicitors fa" William Goodchap , the Official Manager .
Ad00417
flENTRAL CO-OPEEATIVE AGENCY \ J Instituted under Trust , to counteract the system of Adulteration and Frawl now prevailing in . Trade , and , to promote the principle of Co-operative Associations . Trustees—Edward Vansittart Xeale , Esq ., ( founder of the Institution ); and Thomas Hughes , Esq ., ( one of the contributors ) . Commercial Finn—Lecheralier , Woodin , Jones , and Co . Cental EstauUshment-76 , Charlotte-street , Fitzroy-sonare , Xondon Branch Establishments—35 , Great Slarjlebone-street , rorUauajlace , London : and 13 , Swan-street , Manchester . The Agency intends hereafter to undertake the execution of all orders for any Mud of articles or pr duce , their operatione for the present are restricted to Groceries , Italian Articles , French nines and Brandies . . . ** ¦** , ¦ * , A Catalogue has just been published , containing a detailed list or all artic-es with the retail prices affixed , with remarks on adulteration . Price Gd ., or sent free by post for ten stamp ? . Also a wholesale price list for Co-operatire Stores gratis , or by post for one Btamp . _ _ . . .. with
Ad00418
XEW POLITICAL AND LITERARY PUBLICATION Os Satcbbax , February 7 th , 1 S 52 , will be Published No . 1 of The ' PULEND OF THE PEOPLE EDI 7 XD BT
Ad00419
IMPORTANT SOCIALIST f UBEICATIOSSI EOBEBT OWEJT'S JOITRWAI . THIS JOURNAL < Published weekJy , price O . ve PENSr ^ - momM _ . , . ., . P « FOUEPEKCE ) , J * ' Explains the means by wfac . ' i the nonulation n < it , * ™„ m t . placed within new and very superioSumstan » B ~? **? £ ^ Mchhavelatelj V ^ i ^ S f ^ ^ ^ J *^ x « lriiit edfa tliefa ^ ctoJ ^ Ste ^ rffW 2 ? , ) eeB taininfonnation of the deepest Wes * ' * fonnd to con " ^ a ^ ss ^ - ^^^ MR . OWEX-rpU BLICATIOSS . A % Egl 2 S 8 & j ££ £ Z *?» «*** « from asefulfor vq ^ S ^ SLS ^ ° Keas Jonr aa V ^ * « ry
Tab 7fssr N — J .I Ata^That In Ttfs Bal.-The L'Kentisn Mercury" Divide The Lorauj ^ ^Ormbill Effort S Wih Te M«Fe *»
Tab 7 fSsr n — j . i ata ^ that in ttfS BaL .-The l ' Kentisn Mercury " divide the lorauJ ^ ^ ormBill effort s wiH te m « fe *»
wort *** to haVe one rntnw'eh lDt 0 three «» tricts ; viz ., bave Hatcham and PecE Wickham , & c . ; Deptford to SLS 2 * « f ^ wiS ^ whf f- ? reewich to take in BUckheath . TrowbrS Brt f me } ude 8 S ^^ « 5 J ^^ J awto fen ,, a 5 * MMrd , and Westbnry ( in aemhers to iiifimofc 8 We <*>« i dutrjct , ** «*« £ j ™
The National Land Company. We Shall Give...
THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . We shall give a fall report in our next number of the proceedings before Master Humphry , in the Vice Chancellor ' s Court in the matter of this Company . Persons desirous of having the ' Star' for that week , are requested to give their orders early , in order to prevent disappointment .
The Hortherh Star Saturday, Janpauy 31, »85«-
THE HORTHERH STAR SATURDAY , JANPAUY 31 , » 85 « -
The Operative Engineers And Their Employ...
THE OPERATIVE ENGINEERS AND THEIR EMPLOYERS . A NEW FORM OF TYRANNY . The Masters' strike is assuming a new complexion . If we are rightlyinformed , itis likely soon to terminate Bat as its beginning was unjust , and its operations merciless , so the end which is shadowed forth for it is a crowning iniquity .
Without thought of , or care , or mercy for the men they have so wantonly oppressed , aud so recklessly endeavoured to sacrifice , they are tired of seeing their factories empty , their businesses neglected , and their capital unproductive . They long after their idol profits as earnestly as the Jews did after the flesh-pots of Egypt , and so they are planning the conditions upon which they may resume work . It were well if by justice now they endeavoured to obliterate their past folly and wickedness ; hat their conditions only aggrav ite their bygone crime .
Although the propositions pat out by the Employers' combinations were carefully marked Private and Confidential , ' and the additional caution was added of For members only , ' yet there have been some to tell' the secrets of the prison house . ' Hidden as they intended their operations to be , guiltily as they covered them from the light of public opinion , stealthily as they developed their real objects and their unjustifiable intentions , while openly they were
blazoning their pretended moderation , a copy of their circular has met our eye , and its contents are an aggravation of the worst of their guilt . It would be hard to find in the vocabulary terms to express the sense of indignation which all honest men must feel towards them , and we have been almost tempted to throw down our pen , under the feeling that while some things are above criticism , others are utterly Below contempt .
That , however , would be abandoning our duty ; and keenly as we may feel that it is next to impossible to touch pitch , and yet remain uudefiled , we must proceed with our loathsome task . i" Let it-be remembered , that these men who grow fat upon profits—these men who coin gold from bloodthese gnen who grow wealthy amid the premature decay of life shortened by toil for them—these tyrants of the present have been advocates for liberty , that
is , Iibertylfor themselves . That they have supported fiscal reforms so that the market of Competition in which they traffic with the dearest interests , the holiest rights of humanity , might be thrown open to them . That they have cheapened the people ' s food , not in order that the people might eat more and toil less , but that they might lower the wages of the workers and increase their own gains . That they have cried for freedom—class freedom—commercial
freedom—freedom to buy and sell , so that the strong might gain power , and lord it yet more haughtily over theweak ; and , remembering that , scrutinise what these vampires of the nineteenth century propose to do , so that they may carry out—unchecked , uncontrolled , to its fullest extent , their unholy claim 'to do as they like with their own . ' Here are some of the proposed conditions of the Associated Employers . They will perpetuate their own Association . They have a right to combine . They look to Combination as a source of strength , and therefore they will continue to wield it , but their men , despite law , shall not be suffered to
combine . They intend to bind every member of their Association not to admit , or , if admitted , to discharge , any man who belongs to any society which interferes between eniployers or employed , or with their contracts , or with wages , or with the conditions upon which labour is bought or sold , or with the terms or the hours of labour . From the midst of their own combination , which deals with all those things , they say that the men shall not associate for any such purposes . That is their notion of tho equal rights of the poor and tho rich—that is their development of the right of the labourer to do as he will with his own . But they go farther than that . —Not only must the
men not belong to a society which interferes with those things , but it is made equally criminal to form part of au association which « takes cognizance' of them . Not content with prohibiting action they also prohibit knowledge . It is not sufficient to forbid their slaves to do , they must also forbid them to know . More still—they do not only prohibit , but they actually call upon the workmen to abdicate unconditionally almost the only right that is left to them . Before a member of this unholy League takes any workman into his employment , he binds himself to make that workman sign a declaration—a pledge of slavery , by which he promises not to belong to , or aid ,
or support , or countenance , directly or indirectly , any anion which interferes with or takes cognizance of the relations of employers and employed ; and , as if something more were still wanting to complete the foul catalogue of wrong , every employer must abide by the character which any former employer chooses to give to the applicant for leave to labour . The object of this is evident : it is intended to make honest independence a > heer rushing upon destruction , and to convert the caprice or the vindictiveness of a Master into a sentence of perpetual banishment from work , and a life of poverty to the offender a gainst the will of the money lord .
It would , one would think , be difficult for any but the high Priests in the Temple of Mammon , even with the aid of a Sidney Smith , to invent anything more heathen-like than that . But the conditions we here alluded to did not exhaust the ingenuity of the conclave of conspirators against the freedom of the toilers . They had yet another shaft in their quiver . Not content with rendering all formal and widespread Combination impossible , they ( the Popes of the laboar world ) launch their anathemas against what may be called accidental Combinations for special purposes . They will not allow any deputations from the workmen of any factory . When the men have
any common grievance to complain of , they may not delegate any one or more of their number in the most respectful manner to lay their complaints before their absolute rulers . Any man who forms part of such a deputation , or who instigates , or encourages , or countenances it , shall be immediatel y dismissed , and , of coarse , shall have a permanent character given to him which will bar him from independent existence . « No—there shall be' { say the Masters ) ' no united action—no attempt at it—we will have our wages-serfs , each in his individual weakness , stand helplessly before us . ' And this they say , while they pledge themselves to make the quarrel of each the quarrel of all , and to maintain isolated tyranny by aggregate oppression .
There is only one thing more we will notice now in this more than imperial expression of absolute will . Ihe Masters' Association round off their cruelty by the appearance of a very small mercy , just as a sinner after a day of guilt « swears a prayer or two . ' In order that the workmen may be compensated for any adva ntages tbe y may 'fancy' they gain by union , the Association intends forming for them a legal and legitimate benefit society—a society we suppose with Masters for patrons and trustees-and itmaybe Sidney Smith for secretary and treasurer -a society with rules to exclude men for looking after their own interests , aud withstanding attempts to injure them-a society in which the workman ' s deposits shall be made bail for his good behaviour , and his savings become links in the chain which binds him to abject servitude .
We shall have more to say of this , and will conclude , now by expressing our opinion , that if there is not a sufficiently high toned public opinion to scout and tofJ'Vtr \ tbatw ' hichisn ™ attempted , and to support those who are struggling against it we would advise the workmen either to emplSy tW £ I 3 . l 5 T . nwrw ' or if that cann ° t » e , to do what the Capitalists demand , to let them and then : capital alone , and transport labour and skill from a country where they are not allowed freely to exercise them to some land where the value of ( failed latourerBia better appreciated .
The Whig Reform Bill. Among The Rumours ...
THE WHIG REFORM BILL . Among the rumours current during the week respecting the promised Ministerial Reform Bill , it has been stated that eight boroughs are to be disfranchised , and that many others are to have enlarged constituencies given them by amalgamation with neighbouring towns . Additional members are to be allotted to London and Lancashire , and Lord John ' s extension of the Suffrage will , it is said , be bounded by a * iu qualification for counties , and a £ 5 franchise for boroughs . Nothing is said about the Ballot , or the No Property Qualification of Members , though on the latter point the Premier declared himself favourable in the course of the debates of last Session . This outline is sufficiently WJriggwV and just which might have been expected from the men at
present in office . We have no doubt that they think it extremely Democratic , and that it is not without great misgivings and reluctance they gave their sanction to so revolutionary a measure , if indeed they have done so . What the country will think of it is another thing . We are very much mistaken if it satisfies any class whatever . The changes indicated rest upon no definite principle , and cannot be supported by any reasonable argument . Such a Franchise as that said to be in contemplation , besides being open to the fatal objection that it gives the Qualification to Property , and not to the Man , shows the same kind of arbitrary and unjustifiable distinction between the . included and excluded portion of the population , which experience has proved" to be one of the great defects of the preiant Reform Act . But Lord John seems to be
inaccessible to the lessons of experience . Notwithstanding the admitted breakdown of his former handiwork , he is about to repeat the blunder , under the pretence of amending it . What possible reason can be adduced for giving one man a county vote because he pays two hundred shillings a year rent ) and excluding another who pays only one hundred and ninetynine shillings ? Why should John Noakes , who lives next door to Thomas Styles , have the Franchise for paying one hundred shillings a year , while his neighbour is converted into apolitical Pariah because
ho pays sixpence , ninepence , or a shilling a year less s Thomas may be morally and intellectually a far superior man to John , and , consequently , better fitted to exercise the Franchise beneficially , with the exception of that unlucky sixpence , which cuts him off from the privileges of citizenship , All Franchises based upon purely pecuniary grounds , and which draw invidious and arbitrary lines of distinction , must have the same effect , whether the qualification be high or low in amount , and , on that account , ought to be strenuously opposed by every man who wants a just and permanent settlement of this great
question . When the Premier , gave his pledge last year that he would bring in a bill this session , he was under the impression that it was really a popular want . We believe it is : bat he may be justified in being sceptical on the subject , seeing that so few manifestations of the popular feeling have .. ; filled up the interval of the recess , We do not say that there has been any lack of meetings of one kind or another ; but there has been a want of those decided , determined , and enthusiastic demonstrations , which in this country are the precursors of great political changes ; and which definitely and permanently settle great public questions . Lord John may not avow that his measure is made smaller than it would have been in
consequence of the demand not being louder , bat that will be tho practical effect . Despite the peculiarly select and aristocratical composition of our administrations , they aro governed by the voice of public opinion . If it is silent or comparatively apathetic , why should they move ? Why should not affairs flow on as far as possible in the old routine ? According to the Scotch proverb ' Its a gude dog that barks when he ' s bidden . ' But this being the actual state of affairs , the question for all genuine Parliamentary Reformers to consider is , whether it would not be better to have no Reform Bill at all this Session , rather than a sham one , which would have the effect of preventing a radical and effective measure for the next ten or twenty
years . Whatever may be the fate of the present feeble aud tottering Ministry , —whether it may continue for some time longer to be propped up by the parties opposed to it merely because they cannot agree as to its successor , or whether it will be left to fall by its own inherent weakness ; one thing is certain , the dissolution of the present Parliament is near at hand . It has already had fully the average duration of Parliamentary existence , and a General Election cannot be far off . Though the Constituency may be the same in number as when it was appointed , and the Franchise confined to the same classes , great changes have taken place since that time in public opinion , which cannot fail to react powerfully on the constitution of a new House of Commons . Protectionists
have asabody satisfied themselves that the restoration of import duties on corn and provisions for the benefit of a particular class is to bo ranked among the list of impossibilities . Whatever new plans they may devise of regaining their lost supremacy , that clumsy one will not be again resorted to . The question is , whether the leaders of tho party may not be farsighted enough to perceive that there is no reason why they should not ally themselves with the growing party , which advocates the application of the principle of combination and concert to Land , Capital , and Labour , instead of the . present system of anarchical competition and
laissez faire . In sentiment , if not in principle , there is much that is common between them ; and it is by the adoption of such constructive measures as those proposed by the Associative School of Reformers alone , that the future steady and progressive prosperity of this country can be maintained . We believe that many among the ' Country Party' are beginning to perceive this ; while , on the other hand , the faith of the pure Free Traders in free exchange as a panacea for all the defects of our present social system , has been very much shaken . The necessity for other more searching and more comprehensive
measures , has become apparent to thinking and intelligent men of all classes and of all parties , and in a new General Election these influences would be felt strongly , if not obtrusively . A House of Commons so constituted , would be more likely to effect a just and satisfactory settlement of the Reform question than the present . It is worn out , and divided into sections which neutralise each other ; what little energy or working capacity it may still retain , will be little enough for the mastery of the pressing administrative questions which it will in all likelihood have to attend to .
Another reason for postponing the settlement of this question , not without weight , is the great probability that the Whigs will soon find themselves on the shady side of the Speaker ' s chair . All who know anything of their political career , know how wonderfully that quickens their comprehension of popular demands , and what a stimulus it imparts to their otherwise languid and lagging liberalism . In office , they are decidedly obstructives ; out of office they would be helpers ; perhaps not to a great extent , but at any rate not completely in the way . We throw out ' . these practical suggestions for consideration in view of the rapidly approaching period when the Ministerial measure will be authoritatively explained , and in the hope that Reformers in and out
ot Parliament will carefully review their position , and take a firm and practical stand with reference to that measure . Less than a Domiciliary Franchise would be beneath the point to which even the active and influential portion of the Middle Classes have advanced . Less than Manhood Suffrage will not content the great body of the industrious classes , who have been taught to look upon the question as one of principle , not expediency , and who , even in the latter point of view , are convinced that the time has come in this country for throwing down atonce , and for ever , all the barriers which prevent every male adult of sound mind , and untainted by crime , from enjoying all the rights and exercising all the privileges of a British citizen .
The question having thus far ripened , it would be better to wait for its natural and appropriate settlement , rather than accept of any compromise or instalment which could afterwards be made a ground for refusing the Enfranchisement of the large num . hers who could be invidiously and unjustly deprived of political existence . Let us beware of Shams , and m a matter of such paramount importance to all classes as this , take care that we do not accept a measure below the just claims of the nation , and which will , therefore , become a new source of discontent among the unrepresented » ud excluded masses ,
Preparations For War. It Is Observable T...
PREPARATIONS FOR WAR . It is observable that amidst all the discussion which is now going on as to the probability of foreign invasion and the state of our national defences , there is nothing like either panic or boasting . John Bull is merely overhauling his affairs , with the view of getting ready to repel any hostile aggression , should it be attempted . He does not desire War , and will offer no provocation , but if it comes ' he will be prepared to meet it—that is to aay , if his aristocratic head servants will let him . But the disclosures of their inefficitney and waste fulness—not to use stronger terms—which hare iii ' rr i tti Tin hi rnr it tt
been made in the course of the inquiry into the actual state of the armaments and fortifications for which we pay so many millions yearly , have been awfully damaging . Our Government is the dearest and the worst in Europe . With an establishment upon a War footing , we are almost totally unprepared to rep 0 l even a piratical or buccaneering landing , much less an invading army . Dov * r , the most exposed part of tho coast , and the nearest to the opposite shore of the Channel , has the entrance to its harbour totally unprotected . Its defences are confined to the works on the heights and the Castle . The former
are mere mounds of earth , the latter may be practically said to have neither artillery noi'jartillery men both of these being kept at Woolwich for show and for aristocratic amusement , when any of the Royal visitors from the Continent are to be treated with a review by way of pastime . In addition to keeping our artillery and gunners where they are not wanted , we purposely select our cavalry on the very opposite principles by which we should be guided , and the consequence is , that there is not a single corps which can
be adapted to the rough and ready usages of field service under difficulties . The cavalry lately sent out to the Cape were too heavy for the horses of the country , and therefore useless ; while as to the infantry , they are armed with such inefficient muskets that it is stated , that , out of ninety regiments , there are but two whose bullets can be relied on for hitting an enemy , and this at a time when the soldiers of other nations have been armed with rifles which kill at long distances , and constantly practised until they are almost unerring shots .
In the management of the navy , the same , " or ¦ even worse , abuses have been shown up . ' With the largest fleet in the world , we have scarcely any ships in working condition at home , though it is on that arm of our forces that we ought mainly to rely in the case of attempted invasion . Instead of having a fleet in the Channel , we have our best ships lying in the Tagus as : a sort of marine police to watch over the safety of Queen Maria , and prevent the development of Liberal institutions in Portugal . Others enjoy pleasant cruises along the sunny and classic shores
of the Mediterranean ; while others again are to bo found roaming about the islands . of the . 'Pacific , watching the slavers on the coast of Brazil or Afric ' a ,-or ready for a quarrel with the Chinese for , . the benefit of the opium smugglers . The ships we have at home are laid up in ordinary to rot . When we have got one in good trim , accustomed officers and men to each other and to their duty , and . put both ship and crew into working - condition , at a great cost to the country , it is ' paid off , ' in order , to give more patronage to the Admiralty , and repeat the same costly process in a new ship , at the expense of the
taxpayer . Never was there a country which went to so much expense so completely unprotected . The 'deadweight ' or * non-effective' branch of tho service , far exceeds the whole of the expenditure of the United States , But that will not be a matter . of surprise when we state that for a navy amounting in all to seventy-four vessels of various kinds , and mounting two thousand ,
one hundred and twenty -nine , guns , the States have no admirals , only sixty-eight captains , ninety-seven commanders , and three hundred and twenty-seven lieutenants . Contrast our establishment with that : —We have one Admiral of the Fleet , thirty admirals , forty-five vice admirals , seventy-two rearadmirals , and forty-two retired flag' officers , making a total of one hundred and ninety-six of these expensive officers . Add to those about seven hundred and
thirty-six captains , nine hundred and seventy-seven commanders , and two thousand five hundred aud eighty-seven lieutenants , and it will be seen we have almost an army of four thousand five hundred and thirty-three officers in the navy alone . For the greater part of these officers of course active employ , ment cannot be found inordinary times . The ships in commission fall to the lot of the lucky few who have influence at the Admiralty . The great hulk of the officers , therefore , are condemned to vegetate on half pay at an enormous cost to the country , which they became less and lessjcapable of professionally serving , every year they are off active duty .
In short , it appears that the sixteen or eighteen millions sterling which are annually voted for our various armaments , only perpetuate a succession of huge jobs , the practical result of which is to give the nation the minimum of efficiency , at the maximum of cost . Such is the product of aristocratic and exclusive government . And yet the parties who thus grossly misapply the immense powers placed at their disposal , talk as if they alone were capable of managing the affairs of the country , and treat with contempt the claims of any other class , either for an active participation in the government , or a voice in returning the representatives to whom that Government ought to be responsible .
Public opinion has , however , it is said , already made itself felt in Downing-street . Orders have been sent out recalling three of the men of war from the Tagus to the English Channel , and three from the Mediterranean fleet . That , it may be hoped , is but the first step in this direction , for the Admiralty has no right to cry out for an increase of force , until it has first properly stationed and employed all the ships already in commission . Let Donna Maria and the people of Portugal settle their own differences . We have no right to meddle with them , and just now , at any rate , we cannot spare either the money
or the ships necessary to prop up an unpopular and despotically inclined government . It would be well also , if we abandoned the philanthropic , but doubtful efforts which keep so many of our vessels on the Brazilian and African stations . We should thus have a force sationed in the Channel , sufficient to maintain the inviolability of the English flag , and in 11 probability prevent , by the mere fact of their 1 i -ing there , any attempt at an invasion , however desirous in other respects some parties might be of making it . On the other hand , it is said that the authorities have resolved upon an addition of ten thousand men to the army . There is not the slightest cause for such an augmentation . The mere rumour of an
invasion has roused up the martial spirit of the nation . The columns of the newspapers teem with notices of newly formed rifle clubs . All classes become War-like in their conversation , and speak of drills , muskets , cannons , fortifications , and ' the wooden walls' of Old England . We need no mercenaries to defend our native land , whenever it may be threatened . _ Only let the government and the Legislature do justice to the hard working and orderly people of this country , show that they put trust and confidence in them , and they will find an army start up , possessing indomitable courage , unyielding determination , and fervent patriotism sufficient to withstand any invading army that can by possibility land upon our shores . '
The policy of successive Governments for the last three quarters of a century at least , has been to discourage anything like martial discipline or practice on the part of the people at large . They dreaded that such afower as would thereby have been acquired , might bo turned against the oligarchical and exclusive system , of which they were the upholders . There is too much of this leaven yet left , and the opportumty may also appear , favourable for an increase
of patronage , but it will be the duty of the public in-8 trc « ors , and the public leaders of the p »> ple , to put them on their guard against acquiescing in any measures which will tend to continue aristocratical domination , or increase the burdens of the country unnecessarily . The revelations as to the shocking waste of the immense sums alread y annually voted , area sufficient answer to all future demands for more . When the Horse Guards , the Admiralty , and the Ordnance make a proper use of what they do get , and it is found to be not enough , it will be time enough to increase the estimates . Not till then
The Cumiviikw Op Hbmp , On A Somewhat Ex...
The CuMiviiKw op Hbmp , on a somewhat extensive scale , is to be at empted during the approachingSon by some enterprismc < and public spirited petww of Ply mout h , m that neighbourhood and Dartmoor . J
National Land-Company. We Understand Tha...
NATIONAL LAND-COMPANY . We understand that the Official Manager having minutely inspected the account of monies received during the existence of the Company , and made an analysis of the same , Master Humphrey has ap . pointed Monday and Tuesday , the 2 nd and 3 rd { February , for an examination thereof , at "Vj Cflii Chancellor Kindersley ' s Court , Lincoln ' s Inn Fields . when the Officers of the Company are summoned t & attend and produce all books , documents , & c ., relativA to the proceedings which may not have been hitherto delivered into .. the hands of the Manager . Tu Directors and Mr . O'Connor will then be called nationai , T . AMncnMPAMv """
upon to shew the manner in which they have expended the funds realised by the Company . Since the appoint , ment of Mr . Goodchap , he has been actively engaged in visiting the various estates , and procuring the titles by which the persons now in possession hold their allotments . In the great majority of instances the Allottees have decided upon retaining possession of their holdings ; but from the strictly legal manner in which their claims must be proved , and the general neglect on the part of the occupants in having specific agreements , we believe that the great majority wj ]} be unable to sustain their claims . We have heard from good authority , that the Official Manager et '
presses considerable regret that the clause introduced by Messrs . Simmons and Roach should by its expre provisions prevent him . from making any arrange , ments with the Allottees . It is his opinion , that in most instances the occupants would give up posses sion , provided a small monetary compensation could be given to them ; but this the clause alluded to pre . eludes , and after many consultations , it appears that this . defect can only be remedied by applying to Parliament for an amended Bill ; but neither for this nor for any other purpose are there any available funds in hand . To complicate the question still further , the mortgagees at the Snig's End propertyare proceeding against the Estate for interest due to a considerable amount . Opposition is also threatened by Messrs . Simmons and Roach , acting for the whole
of the Allottees , excepting those at O'Gonnoryille . If the property could be sold as freehold , there is no doubt that it would realise considerably more than , coupled as it will be , with conditional leases ; to render tbe property as valuable as circumstances will admit , we believe it is the Manager ' s intention to procure good and responsible tenants as speedily as the locations are vacated , and to collect the rents for a period of two or three years , until he can shew good wholesome rent roll . He will then be enabled to offer the Estates to the public with considerable hopes of realising a suitable return for this valuable , but ill . fated property . After the proceedings in the Vice-Chancellor ' s Court during next week , we shall b & enabled to lay farther particulars before our readers .
State Jhtttfltgettce*
State Jhtttfltgettce *
National Association Of United Trades. T...
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TRADES . T . S . Buncombe , Esq ., M . P ., President . . ** FIAT JUSTlUA . " •' If it were possible for the working classes , by coiuliittitig among themselves , to raise , or keep up the general rale of wages , it need hardly be said that this would be a thing not to be punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at . " —Stium Mat .
The' Constitution and Laws of England have , time out of mind , been the proud boaat of our jurists , historians , and statesmen . They have been the subjects of the most glowing and extravagant euloguuns . They have been described as ' the perfection of human reason , ' ' the envy of surrounding nations , ' aud' the pride and admiration of the world !' So much for their general attributes . Then if we descend to particulars , we are told that slavery is aa exotic that cannot root in the free soil of Britain ;
that for a slave to plant but his foot upon British soil his manacles drop upon him as it were by mafic , aud from that Instant he becomes regenerated , and having once inhaled , on Britain ' s happy laud , the pure air of liberty , he breathes and moves in all the dignity of freedom . Think of this , and rejoice iu the high privilege of your bi r th right—ay , highly favoured sons of the mine , pursue your useful , necessary , but dangerous and badly requited toil , with content and pride , for you are the favoured denizens of happy England , ' the birthplace of Liberty , and the home of the Free !'
This quality of freedom being thus our peculiar national characteristic , it becomes , as we are informed , the paramount and anxious study of our law-makers to secure to each individual the full and equal enjoyment of this invaluable patrimony . To this end the laws are said to afford protection , in an equal degree , to rich and poor , high and low , gentle aud simple . Our Courts of Law are not exclusive , close and secret tribunals ; they are open to all , from the Peer to the Peasant ; so wo remember having once heard Lord
Cochrane ( now Earl of Dundouald ) say , so is the Loudon Tavern ; but woe upon the poor wight who should venture there without money in his ; pocket he would be soon unceremoniously kicked oat , or handed over to the peace authorities . Our Courts of Civil Law are , in this respect , very similar to the Loudon Tavern . Law there is to be had in the one , and mock turtle in the other ; but however piquant and exquisite , they are both most extravagantly costly commodities .
Six working men have been engaged , on behalf of some thousands of their fellow men , in defending their constitutional right of the free and untrammelled disposal of their own labour upon their own terms . As the purest water is obtained at the source , so did theso working meu apply to the highest Law Courts , the source , whose tributary dicta constitutes , that deep profound of subtle and mystical wisdom—the Common Law of England—to decide the issue between them and their persecutora . Like the London Tavern , its doors were invitingl y open , and its charges extravagantly hi gh .
We have just been favoured with the bill of costs , amounting in the aggregate to upwards of ^ 3 , 000 . But there is one portion of this large sum , which has peculiar and most pressing claims on our attention . The defendant ' s solicitor was served a week or two ago , by the agent of Messrs . Corser and Underbill , with a bill for the alleged costs of the Messrs . Perry in the Court of Queen ' s Bench , which it is further alleged each and every of the ' six convicted conspirators , ' and their bail are severally and jointly responsible . The amount of this bill forth *
prosecutor's Queen's Bench costs alone mounts to no less than £ 1 , 1040 s . 0 d ., which having passed throug h the filtering machinery of the taxing roaster of tho crown office , comes out purged of some little of its grossness and impurities , reduced to the still extravagant sum of £ 537 5 s . Id . For the due and prompt payment of this amount WO have this day had a formal demand , preparatory to an application for an attachment against tho persons and property of the several defendants and their bail , eighteen in number .
This was one of those cases in which the Qu « eB } ( by a fiction in law ) is ( nominally ) the prosecutor . ¦ And as the Queen , winner or loser in a suit , never r pays costs , ( no fiction this , ) and as there is no mo * o of escape from , and no mode of protection for , persoo a or property , for debts due to the Crown , it follows as » a matter of course , that the breaking up of the « homes and the personalliberty of the bail are in * , e greatest jeopardy , and that , the five defendants , whose sc term of imprisonment expires on the 23 rd of Feb- i > - ruary , will be further imprisoned for an indefinite te period until the sum of £ 537 5 s . Id . is paid to tbe 5 e prosecutor ' s attorney .
Such is an illustration of the practical workings of ol our boasted freedom of Law , open alike to the pot > & man and to the rich . We trust that those for whose interests and welfaj 6 f we have honestly and disinterestedly , though not < p ® ^ successful ly , strugg led , will not relax their exertfonjj i » at least , until our plebged honour to our bail * ') ' see them harmless , is redeemed . N o bl y have the friends of Industrial Freed # loD assisted in our fight . Glorious even in defeat , we tej W assured the farther exertion necessary to place usag njj our honour once again at liberty will be cheerfu » Jui » awarded .
On behalf of the Convicted Conspirators , ^ Queen ' s Bench Prison . William Pbei , CM
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 31, 1852, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_31011852/page/4/
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