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Northern Star (1837-1852), 23rd June 1849, Edition 3 of 3, Page 1, 'tion:-of:the * pr6fo5;"ib.ut^-in*-^owmT...

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    • TO THE VCMZINC* GLASSES
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      To The Vcmzinc* Glasses

      TO THE _VCMZINC _* GLASSES

      Aiy Friends , " ^ Or^^J^J^^ To The ^T Ev...

      aIy Friends , " _^ _Or _^^ J _^ _J _^^ to the _^ t every cliannel for the investment of _-ttfAS _^ _stance has arisen _^^ 7 _^ _^ _T

      _SmllS _? _shuttlcfor _Ws owm > _enefit ; and a _^ i _^ _vnsTieep , _aad eat Ms . own goose Sd 2 _T _w _^ land- _*^ great _dispW < hd not east and even the hied hand-loom _Reaver _cmdd calculate the exact value of his labour to Ms employer so criticall y , and _^ th _SUCu « ad 5 tad _^ th ai , in those _aayi he nig £ _^ _nsidered as co-partner with the J pt

      In those days no stringent and _repugnant laws were required to suppress and keeVdm ™ the combination ofthe working classes against iheir -masters _; neither did there then _exfit the necessity of expending hundreds of thousands and _mdhons in strikes ori ginated hy thc tyranny of masters , and supported hy _thea-We-. _gated pence of the poor . . _^ In those days Ens-land -was ™ trnrti MERRY BN _^ LAnS _, _anlthe eS _people were a merry people . And the sophist eannot answa- me with _Ibe argument , that "the houses of the people , the condition of the people , and the clothing of the people have ¦ be en considerably improved since those times

      which they call barbarous ; because my answer to such an argument would he , that if "flie apparent condition of the poople , their houses , and their clothing has been improved , iheir dependence has been increased , and then ' real domestic comforts have . been abridged . However , as it is ray custom to meet every argument that may be urged against my several plans for the improvement of the industrious , I -will meet the sophistry of the improvement of the people ' s condition , by tiie much _^ reater . improvement that has taken place in the comforts and luxuries of all other classes ; -and as no man trill deny that those whoproduce those luxuries and comforts should be partakers in them , I will ask those who shouldbase their

      knowledge and their conclusions upon legitimate contrast , to read the past history of England , and then to pass with mc through the manufecturing districts , and from their -own eyes they "will be enabled to come to- a legitimate conclusion as to "whether the great _^ social improvements of which we hear have been national , or merely confined to class . Perhaps it may be necessary for me to state fhe cause of former equality , and existing _disparity . The cause of former equality -was , because man did man ' s "work , and demand and -supply were properly regulated ; and every man could then measure the full value ofhis

      -own labour hy the standard of naiional requirement , which his master could not monopolise the supply of ; whereas , now , machinery does man ' s labour , suppl y is not regulated hy demand , but by speculation , and no man—even -the most sagacious—can discover the value of lis own labour "to those who employ liim ; and hence arises that direM competition , that deadly hatred and "want of union , which exists in the ranks ofthe "working classes .

      Till very recently the State was the great capitalist , as , according to the 43 rd of Elizabeth , the State was compelled to supply the labourer with raw materials ; but , -when capital had become possessed of machinery , and when the capitalist discovered " tbat man's innate love of liberty made him prefer tree labour io slave labour , this wise _enactment was destroyed , and the heretofore free labourers were thrown into the slave market , where employment was governed by competition , consequent npon the substitution of artificial for . manual labour .

      Now I am perfectly aware that the majority ofthe class to which £ refer is dead and gone , Vfhile the survivors are rfeeble , old , and noneffective ; and , therefore , the existing race of labourers have no existing symbol by wliich tbey can fairly and legitimately establish any comparison between the past and thc present . Thev liave been conceived in the womb of slavery , born in slavery , nurtured in slavery , trained in slavery , and * , therefore , natural "bom slaves .

      However , although the living contrast between the past and the present does not exist , it is my duty io draw a comparisona fair and legitimate comparison—between things as they are , and tilings as they might be . TMs country—as I have frequently told you—is governed by the RULE-OJF-THREE principle , and the rulers of this country are -wholly and exclusively governed by those who amass fortunes from the unprotected labour of "the industrious classes .

      The power ofthat capital may be now and tben arranged under different banners . The Protectionists may marshal THEIR _PCXWER , and bring it sectionally to bear npon the Government . The _manufactmei'sthe representatives of active capital—can marshal THEIR POWER with more speed , and bring it to bear with more effect ; "while the stockbrokers—speculators in buman blood and -misery possess an amount of inexplicable influence , not onl y over the Government , but over all other classes ; while the people , who create the wealth which creates the power of all other classes , possess not the slightest influence over class or Government .

      Hence , the "working classes wdl discover that , however those several parties may fight their sectional battles in the House of Commons , rcspectivelv urging public opinion as their greatest strength , they are , nevertheless , - united in their denial of every single legitimate demand of the same people . I nse this argument to establish the fact , that the people make money for all other classes , and that the power of those classes is always arrayed against the people . is used forthe

      The old and absurd theory purpose of enlisting thepeop le as an auxihary force , to fight the battle ofthe money-lords aad the feudal-lords ; and thei money-lords _Dein-Tthe active employers of labour , and the labourer being dependent upon the employer , le is enlisted a recruit in the capitalists army , until at length our wily theorists and cunning philosophers have attempted to establish the belief , that there are only two veritable political parties : — The owners of land , representing patronage , and the owners of capital , professiui ; to represent independence . In the adoption of tbis folly , mainly consists

      popular weakness . The landlords do nor , an of old , repr _& ent the interest of tbe farmer or of the labourer ; -while they do represent the interest ofthe bishop , the parson , the naval and military officer , and the several drones , pensioned upon industry ; but , aslhave sho _* n -vou , they no longer represent the fanner ana the labourer , who constituted their greatest strength ; they no longer represent the f _* _OTier , because they refuse to reduce the price ot that raw material—the Land—which has been depreciated in the market by Free Trade , and fromthe manufacture of which , the price ot - »™ _d-ircbcinir based npon protection , depended

      ¦ ko _rile-iance of the _iki-nier . ItJiey _JiavoJpsi _tteafe ance ofthe agricultural labourer _belosaiiva uu _ft reduction of his wagco _oy _uiu T 7 _^ standard of to reduce the _tcmaiits _^ t t _^ Free Trade ; and thus _^ uno J _^ _weakest comes to the _^ aH , an _< tected labourer is the iistto suna no Trifle- while { lielandlord ' s lent _w y ~ _*' four vears' rent m labour _ThVe is nothing more foolidi than m _« o _a _^^ of _^ e _^ o _^ ot _^ _vooph _^

      Aiy Friends , " ^ Or^^J^J^^ To The ^T Ev...

      flie purpose of grouping society , and _exhibiting it m its proper colours ; but I will _siMfy this question of landlord , tenant , and _labourer , for _&«« - _^ f _^ lain the -eosition of tbat mifcm the social chain . " Suppose a landlord to have ten thousand acres of land let in farms , averaging two hundred acres each ; he has fifty _tenants , whose will , or rather whose votes , he commands : allowing those farmers to _, employ four men to the hundred acres , that is , eight labourers each allowance tI % _a _*^— I I

      ; making . for hay time ,. seed time , and harvest , I have not put it down too high , and then this section of society stands thus : one landlord , fifty tenants , and four hundred labourers ; the landlord being the representative of the tenant , and . making laws which enable him to exercise exclusive control over those tenants , aud in return giving those tenants exclusive control over the labourers , who have no power to elect repre sentatives . Now , I think that it would be impossible to furnish you with a more faithful miniature of that class of society _]

      Next come 3 the money class , and here , the disparity is still more frightful . I have shown you that the _poli-ay _* -of tiie- landlord has est _^ ged _^ _til-ex _; _! _^ fanners and labourer _^ md- ' now I come _' to the consideration of the money class . -The capitalists catered for opposition to the landlord class as representatives of the old Tory system , and they endeavoured to persuade the people that there was the strongest identity of interest between capital and industry ; and

      that the power of the landlord class was the main obstacle tothe remunerative employment of the industrious classes . During this struggle , the co-operation of the people was based upon antagonism to tne landlords , who , as Protectionists , were represented as the great barriers and . stumbling-blocks to industry ; and hence shopkeepers of every class and denomination , aU who trafficked in tradebutchers , bakers , tailors , hatters , mechanics , artificers and artisans—all entered this

      struggle blindfold , npon the presumption that they were fighting the battle of industry against aristocratic monopoly ; and the labouring classes of all grades were enlisted as the auxiliary force , . upon the presumption that the destruction of landlords' monopoly would give an impetus to industry generally . But as experience alone can produce wisdom , the shopkeeping class and the labouring class have both discovered that they stand in the same relation to the money classes , that the tenant and the labourer stand in relation to the landlord class .

      Let me now show the reasons for this antagonism ofthe shopkeeping and labouring classes to the money class . The shopkeepers have discovered that the only source of w ealth of the capitalist , arises from the industry of the labourer , and that the represented capitalist bas the power of accumulating wealth as if by magic , from a reduction ofthe wages of the labourer , and that that reduction constitutes the poverty—nay , the bankruptcy—of a great portion ofthat shopkeeping class , upon whose co-operation , and by whose agitation , this capitalist class has heen enabled to possess itself of a large amount of representative

      power . Mark , then , that the dependence of the labouring classes of the PRESENT DAY , wholly arises from the fact that the poor man has no possible means of applying his little savings beneficially , with the exception of depositing them in Savings Banks , at £ 3 per cent ., and for which we now learn that there-is no security but confidence in the managers ; while Ave learn that many thousands in Ireland have been wholly and scandalously plundered of their hard eamings . by the failure of several of those banks . It may be urged that a prudentman , with a little money , may start in some little business ; but there are two answers to such an

      argument . Firsthj— He could not compete against large capitalists in the same branch ; and , Secondly—It would be to such a lhnitcd extent that it would not relieve the Labour market to any perceptible amount . And , with a knowledge of these facts , and the desire to overcome these difficulties , I established the Land Company , with the view of opening a veritable and productive field for the investment of the smallest amount of capital saved by the industrious poor ; and to this fact is to be ascribed the malignant hostility it has received from the interested money-lord and the blindfold shopkeeper .

      It is an irrefutable fact , that the most shrewd and cunning men will prefer taking three or four per cent , upon money lent upon _landed securitv , to five , six , or seven per cent , upon any Other securitv ; aud why ? Simply because the land is stable property , no matter what laws may attempt to alter its value ; and the security of other properties may be utterly destroyed by casualty , calamity , legislation , or , worse than all , litigation . _2-Tow , my friends , I beg of you to Keep this fact in mind—that the substitution of machinery for manual labour has completely enslaved * the labour-class ; that no possible standard now exists to regulate that demand

      and supply by which thc standard of wages was formerly fixed hi the independent labour market . That the provision in the 43 rd of Euzabetk , which enabled every man to _be his own employer , has been destroyed by interested capitalists , to enable them to make enormous profits upon antagonism and competition in the Labour market ; and that , notwithstanding our enormous amount of taxation —ei _^ ht millions a year , or nearly as much as woufdpay a third of the interest of our National Debt , is annually levied as poor rates for no earthly purpose but to keep up this unwilling idle ' competitive Labour reserve , m order to depreciate the Labour market .

      My Mends , I hope I am not tiring you , but if I surfeit you I am determined to reiterate and repeat mv propositions for the restoration of freedom to your order , and I shall now pro-CCCCL " _" "'* Firstly—To show you the difference between the price of wholesale and retail articles ; and , Secondly— To showyouthe only real Savings Bank in which the very poorest of thepoor may confidently , profitably , and beneficially invest his monev without any , ( the slightest ) , risk oi

      danger . How he may invest it for the purpose of establishing his free Labour field ; or how , if profitably employed in the calling most £ his taste , he may invest it upon a larger am ount of interest , and upon better security , than has ever yet been presented to bun . "Firstly then , as regards the retail anu who _esale price of commodities . The woman ZL could not sip her cup of tea without sugar _ind to whom the cup of tea may be the _Neatest possible enjoyment , could not sweeten her tea or have her tea at all , if she was _com-SEStLn . a _hothead of sugar or a chest of

      tea-while she is wi hngtogive anypr o me grocer may demand for the _amounUbcie quires of tW tw o articles The _lohomer who is fortunate enoug h to be able to buy a pound of broken meat on Saturday -night would fast if he were compelled to buy a whole ov or a whole sheep itxaA the same applies to

      Aiy Friends , " ^ Or^^J^J^^ To The ^T Ev...

      the man who eats bread , drinks ale , smokes tobacco , takes shun " , wears clotheB , boots , or a ait—he can buy in the retail market precisely _wh-r _the may require , while he would not be able _tohny ihe same article wholesale , although he mig _& t then have the wholesale profit as a retail dealer or a consumer . That is with regard to the necessaries of life when purchased by the _consumer—and _nw let me treat of the Land and its wholesale aud retail _valus _* , The wholesale market Ss the only market open for the purchase of land , arid whea ah estate ofa hundred acres , or a _thousand acres , is set up to ' _auciaon . the _maa or men who ¦

      would cheerfully , lite ? the old woman , become retail purchasers of a _*» much as v « mld sweeten their cup of life , are _wholl y _excluded from the market ; and upon the simple ground that the opening of that market would inn-ease the standard of wages in the agricultural Labour market ; and the _landlords fear , th a * , under such circumstances , the _teaants would not be willing to pay an equal amount of rent in the wholesale market , as their profit also depends upon the competition in that market , _antf the amount of rent is an insignificant item as compared with the outlay for , ¦ waJ _gea . _^ _^ S ' : _^^^ ¦ 2 _The-landlonis _^ defer to the _^ c _^ rice of their " tenants for two reasons : —

      . Firstly : —Because on the subserviency of those tenants dependsthatreprese _* _utative power which enables the landlords to divide all the patronage ofthe country amongst their own friends and relatives , managing their estates , as I have often told you , by the science of patronage , and not by the science of agr iculture ; and _Seconi- % . —Lest-rents should be reduced if wageswereincreased : while they are so addicted to their present ante-diluvian notions , that they have not the sense to see - that the very same effect would be produced by bringing THE LAND into the retail market , as I have described with respect to tea , sugar , and other commodities .

      Now , will not this irrefutably prove , that with an increasing population , the landlords preserve this barbarous feudalism in consequence of the political power it confers upon their order , and without any—the slightest—reference to national requirements , or even to their own interests ? And , however antagonistic the cotton-lord may be to the landlord ; does not the fact ofthat class being virulently opposed to bringing the land into the retail market , prove to your order that , Avhilst complaining of your poverty , thoy aid in its preservation , and brutally resist any ' plan / which promises profitable employment to the labourer , because upon his dependence and destitution is based his power , his monopoly , wealth , and station ?

      I shall now proceed to a consideration _^ of my second proposition , namely—as to the only available Savings Bank wherein thc poor can safely , securely , and profitably invest their little savings . The artificial traffic market is not open to parties possessing small amounts of money . That market is completely overstocked , and the man with 50 Z . or 100 / . capital , Avould soon be driven out of that market , from his

      inability to give credit or compete With the larger capitalist ; while , upon the other hand , no competition can injure or diminish the profits of that man who gives his 120 / . for four acres of land , or his 60 / . for two acres of laud , and mainly , because bis first and chief object is the support of himself and family ,, and therefore he is rather served , than injured , by eating dear food , as he grows it himself , and would receive a larger price for the surplus .

      The Land then , is , I contend , the only secure Savings Bank for the investment of the poor man's money , while the application of his labour to that land , makes him independent of any employer , and is thc most healthy and remunerative occupation . As I wish to . be most explicit upon the question ofthe application of free labour to the Land , let mc simplify tho proposition . The wages of an agricultural

      labourer mny he averaged at 10 s . a week , or 2 ( _$ l . a year , and , at a pound au acre , that would give him twenty-six acres of land , while now he would be only too happy to give 15 ? . or 16 / . for four acres of the same lamt Thus I show you that the monopolists ! of laud are opposed to bringing it into the retail market , lest it should render its occupants independent of their will , and destroy their monopoly

      of political power . I may be told that the labourer would not have capital' sufficient to cultivate twenty-six acres of land . I admit it ; but he would have capital to cultivate two acres of laud , and after payiiig a high rent , living , and supporting his family , he would have , from the rudest system of cultivation , 26 / . a year profit over and above rent , and support ofhis family . And now I will proceed to the developement of my plan for securing real "

      "FREEDOM FOE THE MILLIONS . " In the plan in which I have been engaged , I have been met on all hands hy legal quibbles and technicalities , by newspaper misrepresentation , middle-class vengeance , and , though last not least , the folly , the insolence , the fabrications , and falsehood of the most fortunate . I admit that the English people arc a lawtrammelled people , and I admit not only the justice , but the propriety and prudence , of such a people endeavouring to protect themselves against the intricacies of that law , and to shelter themselves under its many coloured wing . And for that reason , it is my intention , as applied to my new plan , to place myself and those who have confidence in me , out of the

      grasp and the power of the law , and to place them and their property within the bounds of its narrowest limits . This , then , is one of my plans . I propose to purchase land in the wholesale market , and to subdivide it into one , two , three , four , or more acres , and giye it to the members retail at the wholesale price—the only additional expense being the legal cost of making out title and the surveying ; and presuming that I purchased and had conveyed to me an estate of two hundred acres to-day , by this day week the proper roads would be laid out , the allotments would be surveyed , and every purchaser would be entitled to the quantity of land for ihe amount of the money he had

      investedthe only expense being , as I have described , the necessary and unavoidable legal expense of purchase and transfer , and the expense of surveying . And suppose I purchase two hundred _acras of land , or any quantity , at 30 / . an acre , the man who had paid 32 / . would receive one acre ; the man who paid 64 / . would receive two acres ; the man who paid 96 / . would receive three acres ; the man who paid 120 / .. would receive four acres , and so on , up to eight acres , which would be the largest amount that any one should have allotted to bim ; and that quantity of land would then bec ome the fee simple property of each occupant , none paying a farthing rent as tenant , and none hem" influenced otherwise than by his own will

      as a voter . I have put down the price of 32 / . an acre , ¦ - © resuming that it would cost 11 . an acre in Iccral expenses of purchase , surveying , and making roads ; but I have made no deduction

      Aiy Friends , " ^ Or^^J^J^^ To The ^T Ev...

      _^ rlcdlfitidtt the a _mount ihat - would % ake of old materials upon' a farm of two Jihiidred acres , which in no _caserwould produce less than * 800 L , _or-4 / , ? an acre , thus reducing me prime cost ' ofjl _/^ fond , including _hgd ex ,--penses-andsurA _* : ey , tb > 28 / . anacre * that is , "' if ! i _* nan : p _* a id _^ 32 / - ?' anac 3 is > h ' e _^ puld receive _bscS _jfe froin thejsale of old _taji _^ _jfeli ; , and ! I wish ' fou ' . tb , _bBa ? 'tliis fact ciMc _^ lyfinmind _, ' that _fhose old ¦ _ffiatterials whicli _* aire < 5 S the spofc _^ are § 8 valuable , , as Ionly estihia'tewhat are _Valuable as hew _feterials are , and also that I save | he price of ca _^ _-a ' geV which i ' $ < me of the main | teius of _expendJ-fofe . I . JNbw , the _way that I . should apply those lna _* --i . * wiv , uiu w _<* y utitty x . _auuuiu ajj-piy woselna _^ _-

      ferjals would be _^ i £ pile as _muchbuick or stone , p ifc may he , . ast' \ _vteujd build a' ijottago , and _Ifheti sell _tiiose-materials to _tho-te-who were IriRing to buy * 'tliein _; infinitely cheaper than prey could purcha _^ _'them in any other market _pft _|^ sound timber- 1 would hayo _sawad up into _feqaired scantling for * door frames ,, _windowfraiaes , sleepers , joists > . window _sashos- _^ and so _Ig th ;' . ; while the unsound timber wbuli be _apgoj _^ oned asi firewood _^ aud no man but * he _* _Jjffi _§;& ig , had _* experience _* iin those _mattoiS-can _§^ ce ; any _^ s : the i ; udeist—calculation _ofjthelvipfeof all such materials ; _ausllet it be borae-in mind ; that they are not taiken into calculation by the vendor ; while I show that they _wauld average to the amount of 4 / . au acre , and I apply that to any estate from one hundred ! to

      oue thousand acres . . " * I have not space hero to- insert most valuable extracts from works of Lord Lauderdale , and other practical agriculturists , witii reference to the value of small allotments . I will just insert , however , the foUowing extract taken from an Oxford paper sozae years before I proposed my odious Land Plan , and before its progress had affrighted the : traffickers in Labour out of their wits . Here it is : — CHEAP FOOD AND GOOD WAGES .

      The following extraordinary instance of what may be accomplished by spade husbandry has been furnished by a correspondent who took the particulars himaelf from Samuel Brid ge , in tlie presence of another _gentleimw _^ steward to a nobleman , and we have his authority for _siiying he will 1 ) 0 happy to answer any ihquir . ' es our friends may wish to make on the statement he has Riven . Samuel "Bridge , of Stock Green , near _Feekenluim _, in the county of Worcester , has occupied foui acres of very inferior stiff clay land , on the blue lias , for twenty-seven years . He grows two acres of wheat and two acres of potatoes every year , and sells all his produce , even his wheat straw . The stubble from the wheat , and thc tops fto-an thc potatoes , serve to bed down his pigs , aiid the manure from this source , and from his privy , is all that he trets for the use of his farm . ;

      ' 'The crops obtained are not at all extraordinary for the result "of spade husbandry ; but it is ' very extraordinary that such crops , with so little manure , and front bad land , could have been obtained lor a quarter ofa century together ; and , coupling the duration of the operation , with the quality ofthe land , it must be admitted that nothing more is needed to prove the superiority of the spade system over the plough system ; for although the same crops are obtained by the plough on good land , it is quite certain that the plough would fail to compete with the spade ou ctiual qualities of soil . The produce obtained on the average of a quarter of a century , by this exemplary man , __ is twelve tons of potatoes per acre , and forty bushels of wheat per acre , and the following account may be taken as a close approximation to the truth : Sold annually—24 tons of potatoes , at £ 2 10 s per ton £ ( J 0 0 0 30 bushels of wheat , at 7 s 28 0 0 . 4 tons of wheat straw , at SOs , 10 0 o £ 08 0 0 Deduct as under-Manual wages , £ 4 Cs . Id . per acre per annum .- £ 17 5 -I Seed potatoes for two acres 5 0 0 4 bushels of seed wheat ( _beingdibbled ) , at 7 s . OU . 110 0 > 23 15 4 Subject to rent and parochial payments £ 74 4 S It may be safely stated that , the average of all tlie land in England , under cultivation , does not yield £ 5 per acre gross produce , and also that' 20 s . pev acre per annum is move thau is paid in manual wages ; « _-3 iei-eas , in this case , of very inferior land , above £ I _* S per acre gross produce is obtained , and £ 4 o ' s . 4 d . per acre per annum paid in manual wages ; or , in other words , you get by the spade , on small allotments , near six times as much produce , and employ four times as many people , as by the plough . It is only necessary to add , that this useful member ol society has bought his four acres of land many years since , and paid tor it out of his savings , lie has also built himself a comfortable cottage and out-buildings thereon , and is the owner of considerable property besides .

      'Tion:-Of:The * Pr6fo5;"Ib.Ut^-In*-^Owmt...

      ¦ - ' _^ ' - _1 - ¦ ¦ * ¦ " ' ' - _^~ _~~~'— * i ¦¦ _¦ ' : - _^ i «— - * S ¦' " ' '' >» ' ' i «¦* >>« . _% : ' :: ; .. ; _'y _^~~ : —/ _- _p- S- :- - ' -- ' _^ _^ ' _^|^^ : ' : _^" _jp _73 _Zr _^ . - . _-. -- ; - - * _- _iy-i - ¦'¦[ ¦¦ : . } _-- ' \ ' _- ' _- _^ 'l ' ¦ - { _^ _^^ i- : ; ii ;" * " ' " ' " l _^^^^^§ sfW ' _^ _' ' _"T " ' ' ¦ 1 _*^^^ _\^ l _» 7 H _^ - . _^—

      ^ .Jjdjjational Iiiifiiks %:'::;.. ;'Y^~...

      _^ . _JJDJjATiONAL _iiiifiiKs

      Flie ' Of « ' ' ' «" * ' Ol. Xii. P. 609...

      * ' " ' « ' _' _« ' OL . XII . p . 609 , lONfiON _SATIII ? BAy _^ _SiiS _9 l _^ : _o - : _^ _^ _wcjk . _tmniic * : v _* _Q _- _nlr— _~ " ' — _i" — ' . " ¦ - •—J - ¦ _,.- . r- '•' - - * - " " ' •' - ' _- ' _- - _^ . N . _.-- - - ' --- _' - - _' - _'iMir - ' *

      It Should Be Mentioned Also, That, Durin...

      It should be mentioned also , that , during two years of the -per iod' of twenty-seven years , Samuel Bridge got his land ploughed gratis by liis neighbours , but found the injury so great by the treading of the horses , that he reverted to the spade , and says it answers his purpose better to pay for digging than to have it ploughed gratis . Now does the above require a single word of comment beyond this ? that I would not purchase stiff clay land for tho members of my Company . But if we go further Ave find by _Sillett ' s evidence , before the Committee of the House of Commons , that , after feeding himself , wife , and family , and paying over 20 / . a-ycar for rent , or interest of money , for two acres and a house , ho has made profit over and above rent , living and clothing of 51 / . a-year , and expected to make . much moro no ' w that he has got his land into good

      condition . But . what would Samuel . _Biudge have made had ho fed pigs with the potatoes , aud made manure ofhis straw instead of selling it ? Why , to a dead certainty , nearly double as much . But , however , leaving the question of cultivation , produce , and profit wholly out of the question , I will now deal with the Laud as a Savings Bank , thus : —A man investing 120 / . in the Savings Bank will receive little more than 3 / . per annum , that is if the

      Savings Bank does not fail ; while thc man who gives 120 ? . for four acres of . land , will receive over 12 / . a-year rent from a solvent tenant who will annually increase its value , and I put it down very lowly , thus giving him an increased interest of 9 / , a-year , and much better security for his 120 / , ; and there is uot a tenant so holding for whom I would not most cheerfully go security myself , as not ono would be a day behind with his rent during his term of occupation , while the purchaser or little landlord would be in nossession of an

      independent vote . Now let it . bo understood that somo occupants at Lowbands have refused 81 . an acre ; ar id that ono at Minster Lovel , Avhich cost SOI ] , has let three acres , without a house , for 4 Z . Gs . ' 8 d . an acre , and I will warrant the occupant will be tho best tenant upon the estate , as no man can conceive the attachment of an agricultural labourer for a piece of land to the cultivation of which he can apply liis own free labour . Let me now call your attention to the opportunity which presents itself for carrying this plan into immediate and practical operation .

      In July , 1847 , I purchased an estate at Mathonoffive hundred acres . Itis situated in the most beautiful and luxuriant valley , within two and a half miles of the fashionable and daily-increasing town of Great Malvern , and within eight of Hereford , by coach road . For that estate I paid 15 , 050 / ., subject to an annuity of 300 Z , a-year , to a very old lady , the mother of the proprietor . I paid 1 , 500 // deposit , and I paid for the valuation of the timber ; and the title , after a long —and the most searching—examination was

      declared to he unexceptionable . The conveyance was ready to be made , but , although Sampson was a strong man and Solomon was * a wise man , yet neither of them could pay moncy if they had it not , and for the very same reason I was precluded from completing the purchase . However I will now show you how the matter stands , and the advantage to which your order may turn it . That- Estate is again to be offered for sale on the 28 tli of Juno , and itis still in my p ower to complete the purchase , aud to give it at " wholesale 2 > _rlce in tho retail market , to those who wish t _&

      It Should Be Mentioned Also, That, Durin...

      beeomWthepurchasers ' . _tyheifeiJtfS _^ _tii _* ! -fiaTC _stated- _^ -five hundred acres _gf prim & Lati _* _*]; . J for . _lfy'eQty' _-iiSx'aia _^ otfii'ed i & _vl . alh ' _-aca-e .-:-- _\* _-3 ? lfe . _'piu'cba 8 erl _^ _*^ _iild- . - 'l _^ ve ' " tie " _benefit of M _Stt 7 iSg ¥ 'Bank _iTtli < -3 ' - _ahiotuft oje , ; jpd /; ' . -i _yea _^ - ' as ' upqtf _^ -aie _^ _dcitth' . of J _^ ra ; . * CiiEFE- ; the _, estate would be' released ' _$ * om 300 / .: ' a fe _£% _^ . to ... which . being- _subjects ; a much , less amouni , of purchase * money is'required . And Mine : now show yp _& _disfcincity _* ¦ how thematter staiids ; -1 have to _pay'lS , 500 / . _> _wfeich , with the 1 ,-500 / .- J paid ,- would- make _1-5 > 000 Z ., and for _the-repayment ofthat 1 ¦ 5 * 00 ? .

      'I am quite willing to-give the purchaser _& a ' fair _itime'torefuhd it ; thu _* rthcrewould be 1 _^/ 5007 . | to pay , somewhere _lesafthto 4 , 000 / -. _for--f-i _& btei _I _growkig oh the estate ; .- and about 500 f _, * f 6 i lctelliB _^ _'aitches and pu _& iffg'hVin order , mftki isgra _frofcsl of 18 , 000 / . ; and ' - if one bundled members * would pay 120 Leaclij . and one hi * a ' _- _drefi ' _meffiSers 00 / . each , W-would make that _mmwfltyQfm . ; and I _wpAM _! . ishdertake , f * less _fjianitw _© months , not _c-nl _^* to return th- " 4 , 009 / i paid' for timber j but _, also to divide a large profifeasiongst the memfcirs _:- . Thus from the . 4 , _^ 00 /; -dem _& _raturninff ; _^^

      baiisp _^ _cgJSOJfi . about 23 / . of th % money paid for timber , ahd'thi ? subscribers who * 'had paid 00 / . nearly l _* 2 / .. _;* thMS reducing the amount ofpaidup capitaifrom 120 ? . to 97 _^ , and . _** _ftom GO ? , to 48 / .. ; and thafrivithout _makingaiiy- 'oalculation for the usual profit of what is calM _' _-LOP and TOP , all ofVwhkh would ,, of course * , be divided amongst the members . And then , I should statey-tha * upon this estate there is a splendid mansion * ,, with racing stablesj . hunters ' stables , _carriage-liorse stables , hack ! stables , working-horse'Staibles , and every description of outbuilding _/ . beside ' s a mansion in thorough

      repair , which £ am told cost 4 , 000 _& Then there are two farm' houses and farm buildings , a garden , with gauden house , and cottagebuildings from whieh I undertake to pyoduce fowly over 3 , 00 Ql . or reduce the price-of the Land by 6 / . an acne' —that is , for the materials upon the 500 acres * I would undertake to get 3 , 000 / ., and in thai neighbourhood , with a splendid market four vegetables within two miles and a half , and a market for everything within eight miles , _asad a railway in courae- of progress skirting the estate , I would undertake * to let that Land , in allotments at from 3 / .

      to 4 L an acre ; thus-constituting tho best . description of Savings Bank for those who did not wish to occupy themselves . Close hy there is- an inexhaustible quarry of tho very best stone- , bat Mr .. _CuLlMTGHAM , my able overseer , estimated that tliere were materials on the spot to build over sixtyjeottages . _* Let me * now show ths occupants of such an estate how they would stand , presuming that they had paid the whole 15 , 000 / ., and not taking the timber into . account at all : 15 , 000 / v

      for-five hundred acres ,, is 30 / . an acre , from thc materials I undertake to make 67 . an acre , which would reduce the price to 24 / . an acre—and from the profit upon the growing timber , I undertake to pay the legal expenses , and the whole cost of levelling the fences , knocking down the old buildings , and surveying ; giving my own time and experience most cheerfully for nothing ,, and employing only Mr . Cullingham and Mr . Doylb , to see to thoso necessary operations .

      Now , in two months- after I got possession of that estate , I would , without any legal quibble or technicality , be able to make a free conveyance to every man who had paid for his laud ; and thus , as if by magic , I would have created two hundred real INDEPENDENT VOTEPiS for Worcestershire , and they would ho voters whether they let or held ; and I would undertake to secure every man , who did not wish to occupy , an interest of ten per cent , for his money , upon the best security that can be obtained ; and I would undertake to set every trade , and every labourer in thc neig hbourhood , at full and profitable workprofitable to themselves , and profitable to those who employ them .

      Now , just see what two hundred men cau do for themselves . But while I thus map out tho estate into allotments of two and four acres , I have not the slightest objection to subdivide it iuto smaller parcels , to suit thc moans and convenience of those who would not be able to pay for two or four acres ; and in order to prove that I have confidence , at all events , in myself , and to avoid all legal

      quirks and quibbles , thc amount sent to cflect this purchase should bo advertised in the " Star" each week , and every farthing should be strictly accounted for ; while tho subscribers to the fund who wish to conceal their names , which is a horrible proof of tyranny , may have tho amount acknowledged as' j . X ., T . Y ., or any other initials , while- the correct name and address would be inserted in

      a book kept for that purpose . As I have told you , the sale of this estate isto'be rc-opencd on Thursday , ihe 28 th of June _,, and if my proposition meet with that confidence and response which I think it deserves , I will then be able to answer the exultations of the brutal Press that rejoices in the incapability of Mr . O'Coxxoii completing this purchase for the Land Company . To ine , thc realisation of this object would bo a source of great trouble and expense , which , however , would be more than compensated by youivand my triumph over our exulting foes .

      But , my friends , you must bear in mind that while I mention the Mathon Estate for the purpose of developing the circumstances connected with it , nevertheless I am not at all confined to that purchase , but am open to bid for any other estate that may be offered for sale , while I cannot recommend any that would be more profitable than Mathon .. It is for you , however , to put your heads together and say whether you can safely invest your money in confidence in mo , to be applied to the purchase of land , on which you may profitably expend your own labour , or * by which

      you may establish a Savings Bank , which will give you four times the amount of interest for your money , and with better security , than any bank—Savings Bank or other—can offer . I trust that I shall have a response , and such a response to my proposition as will enable me to complete the purchase of this splendid estate , which , as all must allow , is situated in the very garden of England . Butthat response must be g iven at once , and addressed to "the Directors of tlie Land _Corair pany . " So that you will understand that , I am not to be driven from my purpose when : I undertake to secure real

      _"FREEDOM -FOR THE MILLIONS . " Now observe , that . when I tell you , the-sale is to be re-opened on Thursday , the- 28 th inst ., and ask you to give an immediate response to-my proposition , I do not mean that you are to—or that you can—send , mo the amount of purchase money by that time , but what I mean is—in order to prove- my confidence in you—that if y ou acquiesce in my proposal , I will re-purchase thc estate , and then subscribers will have tiff _Septegiber to pay up ; and I would undertake , during tho month " of Octobbi _* _* to complete every single particle of work that was to be done wpon the estate , with the exception of felling the oak trees , whieh could not be done till May , as otherwise , wo should lose thebark _^ which makes a great * po _** _s

      'Tion:-Of:The * Pr6fo5;"Ib.Ut^-In*-^Owmt...

      ' tion _:-of : the * pr 6 _fo _5 ;" ib . ut _^ -in _* _- _^ _owmT > or every man - would ; -haye _thiss _ixlb _^ f _^ _tC ns _^ gnod _^ y him . '" ' „ ... _! . "" ' . ' . ' •>'"~ ' _*^* ir _*? fC _^ t ¦ _*;; . Now if I ' wished to take my own _moncjyiut of .. the *! Land Company , * : and- to expendJV j ~ ajtrafficking ; speculation , for " myself , I wottkl undertake in ten years ' _tb be one ofthe richest meia in the kingdom , but I . never-. ; haye based a single action of mine upon selfishness . However , Iliavo . now . pointed out the means by _which'thoseu-jtliayittlc money , and not wish hig ; to , cultivat _4 the--Ilahd themselves , < iiiay csta v r & - '; y . _* i -i ; i _\ a . i _(^ piie . _-iiauu mi ; _iiiat : svua , < _iiitij _uoua tion ; of ; thepr 6 ftt _5 ; ibut : in ¦ _- . No _^ _mKji * every ma _» would ; ¦ . _hdye--jhjssa-no . _ttQ _^«^ i 5 _^ nc ( l t _^ : ' _- ' _Now _tf _kwished _* . to take my own moncv _^ _iut

      . I _'pshHheii * best' Savings Biink , and how those ' wishing : to cultivate the Land may establish _perfect ; - freedom ;;] . _^• _Bie'meh " of . _'Lancashire I _3 _^* i _^ _andfe _^ tt _^ aware . that LandT 8 _** fiSri £ _* sa' 1 _^*' _*^*^' ef people ' notby tl > eacre / britbythe _^ _utfi _* e _^ ai _*^ , and , ren _| s , var _"rfn _^ : fr 9 nv ; 20 / . * to . 40 / . air acre , a that the l _'^^ rds _of _^ lio _^ _t alloSriehts are called * piou _^* Ci _| _p _^^^ a . A > t _^ ELS jwhile I , _who- \ ffo 0 se . to give Land worth 50 [ an acre for a _renfe _^ f * 2 /; a year , or 4 / . _pferccn- _* j _* : _m _' caHed ! _OT-W _* _fc and DEVIL . . ; 1 \ There is one t _* Hbg ; that I wish iho _working _dosses critically to ' understand . It is this _thiist for many _yeai-fr Land has not boon so _chei-vp in the who _& 8 _s > Je market as . it-is now _wnile _** whatever it n _*» i _* sy fetch in the wholesale r _tuS-fcrf * . does not in _$ > slightest degree affect vhfe in

      if _^ the retail _market . Shere is anithW s" © nsidcration—i _# is . this : thaS thoso pei _^ _OJlS _^ _ychasing allo _t-anfc nt ® would h ' _aive thc . whole *' of _l & eir building aa ® ' -other operations ¦ perfoMfied' _spbn the co o _* _Serativo principle , that is—al' _& Abe timber , aKil slates , aiid ironmongesyi -a-a _* _" ? . ' everything else * , would , he purchased ? at _wholesale price ; aod let me point out * the value _eH'this system _to- _'a-two-acre allottee : I _wiff-presisme that- ho « would expend 60 / . upon" _his-ostfeage until he . " got in a situa-¦ ii on . ; _-. tQ ' . _^ lake to _build-bi- _'hWlwred , fifty , _eleven twenty -rettages , far 40 / i eno'h , of a _better description _tSan those _whifclr ' _c-otiM be built siisgly for the G _$ _,,-and tau ' s _'* _save _** tifee occupaut _l 20 / . _Kor 10 / . an ? acre .

      How I do wish ' _-thattl -could _maks- you—the _wc-iking _classed- _^ _-undtei'stand this SHOPKE 8 _SPING- _V-LTBrW- oil" ti io Land Question ; and-howl do i ** _ish-t 6-W a ' . _ble to bring the sauo mindof this country-to _ottifiirce the proper developementof _our-natioHniH _res-smrces upon the minds- of our rulera ; butt-ins I have often told you , _as _' long as the mono" 3 © lv of Land constitutes 1 * be _* monopoly-: _of'p . olU _5 cal _poweiyland as

      long as * the 'monopoly ; - of _gwh'ticat power upholds the _* monopoly . of-p _3 tr _* 3 * aage so- long will the pmileged f ' _ewc-fleheven-j" opposition' to thc _enfrancMsemcntof tl _& _dofleiwient many . We are not very far _from-a'General _Elcttion , and it would ' give me no smalbpl ' sasure to- see two hundred independent ¦ _votei's walking into Worcester ,-with _theirGyes-.-ai » t \ ears _ogi-ai , and able to open 'their -mouth ** _according to the dictates of their will . ¦•¦

      Now let-me'take _a- _'S-T-pntsog view ofthe _meansof winning-twenty » iivo < of" tho English Counties . Undei" _-30 / _.-- _wo-sSl * of Land will qualify a man-as- a forfcy 7 shiIliwg Freeholder , and , therefore ,-. 80 , 000 /* . we-iikl purchase enough of Land to * qualify a-thousand persons ; that would _bo-lbi _* -onc county- ; : and if you mul- . tipiy 30 , 000 by , _twonty-jfive—the number o * counties that I . state — ifc . would require 750 , 000 / . to enfranchise 25 , 0 _« 9 * voters at 30 / . each ; . but . I . might go furthbr ,, and say , that

      with the ' exce 2 » tion of very .-few . counties , fivo hundred voters would hold the balance of ppwer in . each county * . which , wguld give tho whole fifty-counties . . And thu *) . I show you , that you hug your- chains , and-deserve slavery , as you spend in -drunkenness aud dissipation in . one single week—ay ,. sometimes iu ono single day—as much as would , ., if legitimately expended , give ypn-ton-per . csnt . for your money ,. and . put * you . in . possession of every county in England .

      Now , how can you suppose-that a gentleman will place himself up , as a target * .. to be shot at by . every class , . _for-his devotion to your . order , when . that order . prefers continuous drunkenness and dissipation .. to immediate freedom . Now , Jet me prove to you ,. iucoiitestibly , that you arc . your own . oppressovs .. I . wonder . _how-much-money ifc has cost thc Trades of this . country to carry on hopeless Strikes , and . struggles-against their powerful masters ,- while for ,. 7 * 50 , 000 / .,. expended not in unprofitable strikes but in profitable representation , . they mig ht-have-been iu nossession of

      representative power ,, and have a larger interest . and better . - security for . then : money than they now receive ,. or . ever have received . ' But wbat'S :. every man ' s . business is nobody ' s business , . and thc great competitiou ., jeaIousy , and disunion , of those Trade . ** ,, constitute , tho strength , and the power , of . _tlioir oppressors . The hatter says , ¦¦ What have I to do with the carpenter V . ' but . thc carpenter will pot bo as . good a custome . v . to tho hatter , when idle , as when , cmjdoycd ; . and so with , every other trade .. While , if . industry _weit-a-represented , those very Trades who expended . 7 , 50 , U 0 U / . in purchasing

      " -EREED 0 H £ OB THE . MILLIONS , " would tho very next year receive three , four , ay ,, five millions more in tlie shape of wages , while they pay nothing in tho shape of protection . Now let me . ask , who will deny this ? Surely , those who are securing . _¦*¦ Freedom for the Millions , " atthe rate , of 23 / .. a head , wiD not deny it ; and _sun-ly every sauo man wHl at onco understand ,. that what is to be _donts . VOIv _. the people must be . done BY thc _puv-ple , an 4 that real Freedom . can only bo secured y y real co-operation ,. This is a very long letter ,, but I hope ; not , aa unprofitable oue ,. and . if . it is uuproiitabJ e , ifc is more so to mc tiiau .. to iiuvbodv elsu •„ li _< jwever ..

      I never grudge time or trouble if any amount secures the co-operation of any _pos-tic u tit' the * industrial classes .. I trust , _lu-wcvw ' that I shall havo a hearty _respwustv and t" . . _* n 1 will go on winning veal ' "FiiEEJDC-M F oi : THE MILLIONS ,. " seekiugput thoseeou _,. _jiuswhere thc balance of power can be mos _; easily secured , aud where , oven I , the _f'ou * _Ai \ _GY t would not endeavour , to , and could not ; f i tried , influence the vote ofthe most dcpei -dent .

      All those who have paid am 0 unts into thc Bonus Fund , not sufficient to e ntitlo them to location , on tho Bromsgrov 0 estate will receive the amounts they pai t \ 0 y rot ' i .: ni of post , and postage-free , upon i * „ ppi _* Catiou to the Directors ,, addressed to the C ompany - s Office while those who wish to _appl y t ] mn t 0 t \ w pU 1 / chase ofa portion , of the M ,- athou proporlv , or any other property that 11 nav purchase , ' will also _commi-nicato their hit eution to tho Directors .. Andlet it . beboruoi * amiudj inortlw . tlmt there-may be no-mistakes 0 l . afterclaps . that if I purchase au estate oft „ - hundred acres , or any other amount , ifc _wil * l 0 e divided into ali .- _.-mentsoffromonotoeif , il t aci . 0 Sj am | 0 . . _* . .. lotment will , liave its relative value _••'• - , » it it ld be

      upon , as .. wou . impossible to m _* . _rch- _* s . two hundred oroneb undrod acrcs 0 | ( _,.. i ) i ; . / . ofthe same quality a * ad valuc so _^ . _^ - { . 01 . an acre mthe v / holcSale market , _* _,,, _; ' .,,. lotments may b » wr jrtU m m a ' . ,, siil 20 / . an . acre ; but i _wouW takc caK . ,, t ( . purchase any had groimd ) uo at JlU ovwlt yielding stones as its TOOst pnmt _:, Uo ' rhen , the-. estate _, TOuW be surmeil _,, t | * number of _aiW acnts under the ditto fc heads , from one to , ei _^ ht acres ; the legitimate value would be . _fkoO . upda e . aud tho s 4 cifc of _those-sew _.-al classes would ballot amon « . * _st _^ _y _^ es for priorit y of _cb _^ ico , and the rent C Cor . _Amed to thz Eighth pane . ) *

      - - ,-, , At Nd\ , - ?. V ' ^ : ,, Hso >...

      - - ,-, , at nd \ _, - ? . v ' _^ : _,, hso > W _4 tli ! t _^ j _«\ t f . * _v _* Ov > _N _k . r * i

      Ttt& P- •¦ ' ¦ Wo-'Wv* I: *" ; L - X ?Ia...

      Ttt & P- _•¦ ' ¦ _wo- 'Wv * i : _*" ; - ? iA ? - report of tho . Distressed-, X _* : e _* _i ' i _* - coi _^ ' s _^ owety wii _^ _, r . o _^ -p « _nmsiijg ; the t ' _ciiil _inoiUy i t ! l ° soci _' cfy _>/ J _* _S-i 5 _^*^ . _5 SC' 8 . ; last \ o : ir . lb ' _*^ _eai'ii _«^ fn _* _jp _^ _oa-li-ii-i _^ _sfKit _*^ to ' . thtt pub' -, for _support , lc _& if _,. ii _^ _ctytfu dk \ g . _. s ' oimnxli _^ _c-oJ ** . lOidd entirdv _dectt-r . _^ . _"<; - r _^ _fe % ¦/ 4 " al report oi tuo . _msn'esseu , : \ w , ty wi \ , s _, r . _ot-Roniisii _* _g ; the t ' _ciiil _ci-cfy _>^* _S- _^ _jJ-- _^ s . _*^ SC' 8 . ; last \ ( e : r 1 _* _: i _^! a _* _i _^ ioal _^ is *'* i ; r . itiii * b to thi * * ; . * , Ies _^ _i _/^ 6 _^ cty _^ _iidBVK--io ; jiHte ) l : -. ;> _doc « yf : _^ : _^ f -vsi- - % _y 4 "

      ?- Report . -, X*:E Wii^,R.O^-P«Nmsiijg;...

      - .:,, _- ' , ? " -. V . _, "' --. / * _* - '•¦/ ¦ _^ _VW ; : _''' . _^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 23, 1849, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_23061849/page/1/