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— • ' — ^ — STR. OWEN'S LECTUBES.
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ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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— • ' — ^ — Str. Owen's Lectubes.
— ' — ^ — STR . OWEN'S LECTUBES .
On Friday evening last , Mr . Owen delivered a lecture in j&r . Walton's Music Saloon , on the principles of the Community System . -A-t the time ap-. poiated for commencing the lecture , the saloon was crowded to excess . The , audience appeared to listen Triih the deepest attention to all that was . said . When 3 Ir . Owen mounted lie platform "he was received ¦ with applause , ¦ w hich was frequently repeated during Ms lecture . He said it gave him much pleasure to see eo large an assembly in the . room ia which lie ^ iras about to address them , and wished that all the Afferent . branches of' t&eir association had rooms
equal to tkeone in whiph they were then met . He was of opinion that it was rooiriiuat was wanted everywhere . And " well it might he so , for that which he had to explain , to die world was no ordinary snbje-ct , it was one 5 n srhich eyer y indiTidual , man , woman and ^ hfld , was most deeply interested . If he was right , and if "he succeeded , that success would he of more importance to them and " to their children than if- * he had the power and the inclination to give them the largest fortune that was now given to the most fortunate individuals . Upon the present occasion it was his intention to make Ms subject bo plain that he trusted hereafter no one would mistake it . Through all past ages up to the
present moment , soeitfty bad been based nponan error most fatal to the weu-1 > eing and happiness of the human race—an erroA which ' so long as it was maintained by the authorities of the world would keep the human race in ignorance , poverty , division , misery , and irrationaE ^ r ; and if Xbis fundamental error should be swppbrted by the authorities = of the ¦ wor ld it was not at slhprobable that say permanent improyementwooU take ] place in either a thousand or ten thousand . yearsJ Where were they ( the audience ) to day ? He ' saw b y their countenances that they had iall been from infancy compelled to submit to this errort Had this error not prevailed there wasnotone of taemthatwouldnotnow oe highly intelligent aniquite independent in their
circumstances ; they would Be filled with charity and kindness for every human being , they would have no anxieties , no feara ^ and no deceptions or fraudsbut now different was the state of society at that moment ! His young friend ( Mr . Rigby ) had doubtless frequently told them , that the error iipon which society was now and ever had been based was , the belief that we were formed originally with the power to believe or feel as we lite . All society , from the earliest -period to this moment , was based xipon that supposition . - Did they donbt this ? He would refer ihenl to all languages of the world , and there was not one of them in which were not to be found the common phraseology of "Yon ought to do so and soyon ought not-to believe so andso , "—language which
was quite as irrational as if he should say , " tou , whe have grey'hairs ought to have black hairs ?' — or ** you , who liave ; black eye 3 ought to have blue ones . "' ( Cheers and laughter . ) They could as soon change the one as the other , and there was quite as much common sense in quoting the-one phraseology to them as the other . Every man present might demonstrate , at that moment , whether or npt he had power to believe or feel as he liked . Who could Deh ' eve that there were three candles on the table ? There were only two—and all belief was of exactly * Jie same character It was an instinct of onr nature . Men were all compelled to believe and feel as thpj do . for both belief and feeling were instincts of onr nature ; and the proof of this was such that
so man could refuse it . With regard- to our feelings , when we took an object into our liands , we cid not create the feeling ; it was a feeling created Ly the object and not by the will ; and as he had so mer it or demerit for believing that there were two caudles on the table , he had none for believing what lie felt . Nothing could be more plain . Now , the contnuy belitf was the belief upon which the world liad always been governed . _ Men were praised and blamed , rewarded and punished for what thev be--nevedand felt ; and there was as much common f ^ nse in praising or blaming , rewarding or punishing men for what they believed and felt as there was in doing these things because of men ' s stature . ( Laughter . ) Of course , it was not to be
expected that human beings thus tmined-from their mfancy should become rational . Where should he jroto find one being acting in a rational manner ' He had travelled for many years , he had been in many foreign countries ; butin all his travels he had never seen any rational beings or any thing approaching to it . Then how was it that that which could b « now demonstrated to them in five minutes to beerroneous should hare been the . fundamental principle—the very basis—upon wMch- the whole of sodety had been continued from t . ; e earliest ages "np to the present moment ? How was it that that wHca was quite contrary to all our science—the principle upon which society had always been governed—was opposed to every known fact ? There was not a single fact which was not opposed to the notion that man had the power to believe and feel i iin ont
= ne -ea , every tact demonstrated ths contrary propc ^ irion . But -what was still worse , and more extraordinaiT , the belief that man had the power or ? he will to believe and feel as he liked , led . contmually , in practice , to every kind of sin and misery . There never would be any virtue in the world so long as Aat error sliould remain upon the human mind . Av . i yet mankind were trained from their infancy to oelieve that the principles of truth are the principles -of vice , and that the principles of error ' are those of virtue . It was the very reverse of this ; it was in vain ( o expect virtue so long as error should be forced into the infant mind , and maintained" there . But why . in the name of common sense , should " taat error , so fatal to the human r&ce in every pos-. j ible point of view under which it could be
con-.-ndvTed—why should that error have been maintained for 50 . many thousands of years up to the present moment ? " He would tell them . . It was necissarr ibst of aB that men should be " frightened cut of their common senses , —it was necessary that they t ] iOTi ] d be made to fear eternal damnation , and be promised the reward of e : ? m * l happiness . This could only be effected hv r-. 'ligions of mystery . Bnt even with those reHtrions of mystery which were taught and impressed v uon the mind day after . day week after week , month :: t r er month , and year-after year—unless these religions were continually kept up . at an enormous -:: pen 5 e of labour , capital and skill , the" human mind was continually inclined to "detect the trnth
ruin act upon it . But then these religions of mystery , andinmanlaws opposed to nature ' s laws , ; : rid governments of force and fraud , were all necessary to maintain this error . Had it not been for this triirljv of causes . —religions of mystery , humiin laws « cting in direct opposition to nature's law * , and for 20 ^ -nmente of force and fraud , it — -mid ^ have been impossible that those errors «" - " -r should have progressed to their prefect : . ? -u ? . Why wera churches opened erery . Snnday - ¦ -1 / . rjniost every day in the week but to depress the ; ::: n . into that s : ate that it should not resist this pal-P ^ - j ! - eriv-r r This fundamental error had required t-i- present peculiar organizations of society , and ti .--v ? iney had in every country . JBnt it was npce « - iiirtiat
y -he and Ms followers should , be careful to be ^ n ^ nt in their own principles . Who should \ n ? y o . ame 'brail the sin and misery which had been .-n -mtajnedin the world foT so many th&nsandyears i > Tjli t-ey blame those who nad established those rr .: g ; o 3 ?—should . theTblamethose whe had enforced i- ^ t" i : lws i opposition to nature ' s laws , or those " *¦ i r ^ ^' - " 1 ? f ^ - ? oweis oT goTemments of force a-a-llra : ^ . ' K they did . ttey Tronld err as their h . t :-Utliers ia-d done . They ( the professors of reE--2 ^ oa . rne enforcers of human laws and supporters of <^ uve rinnent < ^ < kc . J were all the victims of this ¦ error , and of the present organization of society , and they called : or their pity and charity . He trusted 2-one of his tollowers were ever angry with . those arhhad been thus made
-- > the victims of this system to their great injury . He had just been stating that th- -s-orld was in aznos ; irrational state , hecausethe -wh » ie of the iostitnt ions of the world had Deen Ls . 5 ed , from the beginning , -upon an error which ¦ w as now go palpable that any child could detect if ^ nd that error had required an organization , and the most extraordinary power and strength to perpetuate it for so long a . period . The present organization of finery consisted in religions of mystery , human f _" - ';; 1 Q oppo > ition to nature ' s laws and governments "i ijrceaiid fraud ; and this trinity , of power had t ~*? : i con tiuually required to ieep the human mind ouwn tothe degraded state in-which it had always b-. n . They were all now mental slaves : there was iiol inividual
an in this country who was not a -rneiita slave at present , and in consequence of being * f ™ K / ' ^^^ alsoplyacil slaves . Ha ! , tnoi been . jot this error—had it not beenforthis ^ f ^ S- ° ^' the classification which ^ S ^ fS ^^^^ « d ths classficanon of society wire direcfly ^ uuo ^ to the happiness of every individual of ^ VlJSS race . There never waj a single inaiyHualKvmT nor ¦ n-fis there one now , who was not most grossly an 3 ereviottfly injured by this arrangement . There was not one c ' f them , —no not the Kings , Queens , and £ : nperars of the earth , —who had any interest in supporting the present classification .-of society
« nen they had discovered and adopted fundamental truth , all of the human race would be placed in a situation greatly to be envied in comparison to any in-it are held by any Emperors , Kings or Queens or rny others of the present day . It would be discovered tuj . t they ( the great ) were all slaves as well astiiemseives ( the audience ) . There was not a crowned iead m any part of Europe , or in ^ any part of the world that was not a slave , and such waV the case with all the aristocracy . There were no donbt many present who might suppose that they had made Aemselrato be what t&y were , but tWwaTnot ^^ % A : ^ A atltibD . ^ iave - iadhis iead filled with ideas entirely different from-whit ^ grwere . IftW conia ^ be forced to f ^ e ^ J gross errors wnich Ihey W receired they mi £ hi be madft to receive any other impressions whatever Mr , - Owen tb . ea proceeded with Ms saiall boxes to
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show the several proportions which the different classes of society , as at present arranged , bear to each other , and which has already "been mentiened two or three times in this j > aper m reports ef Mr . Owen ' s lectures . In his explanation of these representations -he made remarks explanatory of the relation which the different classes bear to each other ' and to the whole . He laid it down as a maxim which , in his own ex-> erience , he had often found to be true , that the learned were always further from the truth than the unlearnetL He was much inclined to continue of this opinion from having read a sermon written by the Rev . Dr . Hook , of this place , and which had been highly extolled . He ( Dr . HookY was a
a gentleman who had been most highly , educated j he was one of the most popular individuals of his party . He . was . supposed to have the wisdom of Solomon in the amugement and composition of that dispouTBe ., aad he was believed to be one pi the most elegant writers of the present day . He ( Mr . Owen ) had . no doubt that Dr . Hook was very sincere inhisprofession of rengion—he had no doubt that Dr . Hook thought that sermon wnich he delivered before her Majesty one of the best and Roundest things that ever was published . Why , if it were true thatman had not the power within nim - self to believe and feel as he liked , that highly learned , most-eloqu eat , and highly extolled sermon was not worth a single straw . ( Laughter . ) Mr
0 , wen proceeded to explain the principles of the present formation of society , and represented human beings aa being manufactured in the same way as any marketable commodity— infants being the raw material , and circumstances and adult persons being the ' machinery . In speaking of the different professions , Mr . Owen said , thMtthe present professions wererpquired by the present state of society , and that in what he called a rational state of society there would be no occasion for any one of them , rhey knew that the profession of divinity was called the highest profession , and that if it was of any use at all , it ought to be in forming a good character for the human race . They saw what charactt-rs had "been formed by it . If ever there was a failure , it-was in . the attempts which the profession of theology had made to form a good character for the
human race . Why , under another- system it would be quite easy to form a far better character for a whole country in one year than the theological profession had been enabled to do during six thousand years that were past , or that they would be enabled to do for a hundred thousand years to come . The money expended in that profession was far worse than thrown away ; it was expended to produce an immense amonnt of evil to mankind . He did not mean that they should attribute any thing more to this profession than to all the others , for really they were so situated that they had no means of laughing at others without laughing at themselves at the same time . Mt . Owen proceeded through all the different grades ol" society , maintaining that the present classification of society was equally injurious to all , and thence argued the necessity for the change which he proposed . After the lecture was finished a few
questions were asked , but none of them bore very directly upon the points in discussion . It may b ' e stated , that in answer to a question involving the authority of the scriptures , Mr . Owen stated that he denied the scriptures as an authority , and was of opinion that man y -worts contained much more useful information than that book ; and on being asked to mention one , he selected the first book ot the "New Moral World . " Some metaphysical points were also hinted at . And in answer to a question as to what constituted the mind of man , Mr . Owen stated it as his belief , that the human mind consisted merely of impressions made upon the
brain through the medium of the five senses . A good deal of laughter was created by the manner in which two person * questioned Mr .- Owen . We only heard the namf of one of the gentlemen—Mr . Pawson . The questions which were asked were in many instances realry ridiculous ; and though it was plainly to beseen that the great bulk of the assembly w ? re opposed to Mr . Owen ' s sentiment * , the dread of being considered supporters of such nonsense as was put forth by the two gentlemen above-mentioned was such that the victory seemed to go entirely on Mr . Owen ' s side . The assembly broie up at about half-past ten o ' clock .
SATURDAY NIGHT . On the following evening Mr . Owen delivered his second lecture which was principally intended to illustrate the nature of his own system . The attendance was not so jjood as on the previous evening , and as Mr . Owen did not cease lecturing until hallpast Wn o ' clock few questions of importance were asked . Mr . Templetox , the reporter for this paper , asked Mr . Owen for an answer to the following question : —" If the mind of man consisted of impressions made upon the brain through the medium of the five senses . " ( as Mr . Owen stated on the previons evening . ) " hovr was it that two impressions on the brain wonld produce a third impression r " Mr . Owes gave the following reply to the quest ion : — " There is , " said he , " the original organization of the individual . Weallhave this organization .
Let it be described by the letters of the alpuabet , and the external circumstances shall be described by the fig r . re < , and this is the process which is made by nature in forming the human mind . The organization being represented b y letters , before th-re is any impression made upon it we will call it A . No . 1 , will be the first circumstance acting upon A . That circum » tan .-e unites with A , not mechanically but chemically , so that No . 1 , and A . make together a new compound called B . A , would , therefore , be lost ; it never would be the same again as it was previous to this impression being made upon it . The union of No . 1 and A would make a new compound called B . -A . second circumstance No . 2 , cast upon B . ¦ would unite together witK B , and thus produce a new compound called C , and so on through all the proce »; s . Mr . Owen hoped the querist was satisfied with £ ke explanation .
Mr . Templetox in reply said , that he did not clearly understand Mr . Owen , but he certainly did think that so far as his question was concerned Mr . Owen had not yet answered it . He would put a case in poinL Suppose the brain to be like a layer of soft sealing wax , upon which two different impressions were made ; iiow did it come to pass that from these two impressions a third impression would arise , namely , aii impression of the difference of the two } Mr . Owex . —The perception of the difference was merely instinctive . A man in all cases was compelled to perceive the difference of objects that were impressed upon his brain . Besides , phrenologists professed to be able to tell the exact powers by which these differences were ascertained ; and though he was not so perfect in phrenology , he . liad no doubt that the occasions of secondary ideas arose from the construction of the brain .
Mr . Templetox thought that the answer of Mr . Owen was a mere petilio principii , or begging of the question ; buthaving had his questions replied to , he felt satisfied ; notindeed that lie considered his questions solved , bat because he had elicited some of Mr . Owen ' s opinions , of whichle was not certain befoie , —opinions of which he might have occasion more fully to discuss at some future period . A few remarks were made _ by another opponent of Owens system , but nothing further transpired wortny of notice .
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RADICAL MEETING AT BRADFORD . - THE NORTHERN UNION . ° ? ^ ° ? J d ? 7 ^ veninS la ? t i a meeting was convened m the Odd Fellows' Hall . Bradford , to consider the propriety of the Radical ? of Bradford and its vicinity organizing themselves as a part of the Great N orthern Lmon . At the time appointed for the commencem business , the room , which will hold nearly c - , 000 people , was crowded to excess- and upon no occasion was there ever seen more enthusiasm in the cause of truth and . justice than the Bradford Kadicals manifested upon that occasion . The souls of the multitude seemed as if they had caught a spark of the Birmingham fire ; all seemed as if they were more than usually excited and lively airolarkscw
^ .. , solicitor , was called to the chair , tie said , that the numerous attendance on that occasion , convinced him more and more of the rapid spread which the principles of truth and liberty were every where making in the minds of the people They were met to-night to consider the propriety of organizing themselves as a part of the Great Northern Lnion , to act in concert with the brave men of Birmingham in their endeavours to obtain the peoples political rights . They had been long oppressed by the . Whig , and Tory factions : they were at last , driven to -make a bold stand against such oppression , and they were every day receiving fresh demonstrations , not only of the rapid spread of th& principles which they advocatedbut of the
de-, termination of . the people of this country to have them carried into full effect . . Universal Suffrage was the right for which they contended —( cheers)—5 t . was that alone which would be an adequate remedy for all the people ' s grievances —( cheersj—and there certainl y never was a fairer prospect than at present of its being speedily obtained . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Joseph Brooke was then called upon to move die first resolution , which was , 1 st . " That thifc meeting is of opinion that Universal Suffrage is tne natural and inalienable right of every individual ¦ — io onmDuteeitner
i * a zjt" « - « uyon c , directly or ™ drrec % , tothe exigencies of the State , and that tnej ajso ^ recognise Annual Elections , Vote by Baliw ^^^^^^^ ' andNoPropertyQualificanS ^ ? ° f Parliament , as nicesJary accompanmients to the great principle of Universal Suf-SS ^ miS ri !^ ^^ J - were again assembled to SSSSfctTr 1 e \ c > ^^ r on the attainment of those SS ^ JS £ - ' ? \ - they ^ ad a ^ y contended , ^ wm-k iffl ^ of patience and perseverance which could hardly ever have been expected from a people wlw ^^ een - TODtea , plundered , ana degraoed , a had been the pe # ple ot England . He nefd not tell them that the great point which they aimed at ac-
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complishing was Universal Suffirage- ^( cu « ers )—as opposed to the present unhallqwftd system of mock representation . As an individual , his sentiments on this point were well known . He had ever regarded himself equally as capable of giving a vote , in strict accordance with all the best interests of the country , as many of those who held the £ 10 Suffrage . '( Cheers . ) And so _ far as he had yet communicated with the working classes ( and he was only a working man himself , and had to work very hard for his living , ) he was of opinion that the bulk of them were not less capable of exercising the same right . ( Cheers . ) Universal Suffrage was the measure for which they ought continuallv to agitate ; because , whatever might be their grievances , if
they were in possession of the franchise , they would then have the remedy in their own hands , at least , so far as any of the acts of the legislature were con cerned . ( Hear , hear . ) ThoSe-who -were taxed ong t to be represented . They were taxed , but not represented ; and to that fact , they might attribute all their grievances- ^ from the iirst long day which they tojledin a factory to : the last which they spent in the gloom of a W . higbajitile . ( Tremendo . ns cheers . ) The Suffrage , however , must be accompanied with other rights b y wtich ( it may , be used without bribery or intimidation , ( Hear and cheers . ) The suffrage , withbut the 1 Ballot , under the presfent arrangements of sticiety , when the capitalist nad almost the ' power of life and death over his slaves ,
—the Suffrage without the Bailor , in these circumstances , might become a curse instead of a blessing . Then they ought to have wages for their representatives . This would bring them a greater variety of candidates , and . then the most laudable of all ambitious , that of aspiring to promote , the interests and well-being of the land of onr . birth , would than be fostered and ^ cherished , instead of ^ eing withered and "blasted as it was ; now by the system of having only men who were able to give their time , and talents without any present remuneration ; ( Cheers . ) He regretted that he was taken by surpr ise , and was not at all exppcting to be called upon to address them . ( Go on . ) He had to work hard for the bread that perisheth , and was not , therefore , in a
condition to inform his mind to such an extent as to be abl-i to take up a subject and discuss it in all iU various branches , without some previous consideration . However , his heart was with them —( cheers ) - and ever should be with them . ( Cheers . ) He had often seen when working men had attended meet ings like the present , that they had been dismissed from , their employment . This , however , was not as it ought to be . When working meu called meetings , working men ought to attend them . ( Cheers . ) Another thing he must mention ; he had often seen with regret that if some gr .-at Whig or Tory were to call a meeting , the people would attend in thousands to hear their speeches ; whereas when working men convened meetings , they are scarcely able sometimes to get a sufficient number to warrant them in proposing a resolution . This , however , was a fault which was in a great
measure correcting itself . He was glad he had no complaint of that kind to make on that occasion . They must learn not to depend too much upon the r ich and the great , but rely more upon themselves ; and feeling the interest and the power which they had in society , they would become active nnd zealous in their attention to their best politicalinterestf . Notwithstanding their present Drospects were good , th- * day was approaching when it was probable they might have to fight for their rights . ( Hear , hear . ) As an individual he would not shrink from that—( loud and tremendous cheers ;)—and he knew tolerably well how to use a firelock . ( Continued cheers . ) He wished their rights iniglit be obtained without bloodshed , though he greatly doubted it ; and if the day of blood was ordained to come , all he could say was , that the sooner it came the better . ( Loud cheers . ) AVith these remarks he proposed the resolution .
Mr . Cliff seconded the resolution . He said that there was nothing in Brookes ' s speech which pleased him better thau when he said that though he was a poor man he was determined to tell tyrants of their faults . ( Cheers . ) He had always said that though he was a poor man , he should never cease to expose tyrants and oppressors , whether they would hear , or whether they would forbear , whether he should succeed , or whether he should fail . ( Cheers . ) What though they might be discharged from their employment , ' they were only emptying one shop to fill another . ( Hear , hear . ) Their employers could not dispense with the labour of their workmen ; for if they could , they would have done it long ago . ( Cheers . ) He had often read the works of the
celebrated John Locke , » man who was acknowledged as a high authority both by Whigs and Tories , and he told them that any law emanating from a source which had not been chosen by the people , is not , under any circumstances , deserving of the obedience of the people . ( Cheers . ) If they had the power of choosing their own legislators " , they would select men of the best capabilities , and he had always fomid that there was more honesty , intelligence , honour , uprightness ,-and real principle among the working classes , than in those who were called their superiors . Look at the treachery of some of them . Take Mr . Baines as an example . ( Hear and laughter . ) He had said to the Radicals of the West Riding—" Only help us to jget iiito
power and we will help you to obtain your rights . " They were so foolish as to believe this double distilled Whig . ( Tremendous cheers . ) They went to Wakefield—they rallied in tens of thousands , and shouted t ill their lungs were sore . The yellow Hags were waving in the air ; and they all thought that the Whigs wore such honest men , and would do such mighty things for them , as had never been done before ; but there never was a grosser deception practised upon a confiding and generous people . ( Loud cheers , which were continued with much enthusiasm in consequence 91 Mr . O'Connor uavirig arrived to take part in their proceedings . ) Mr . Cliff resumed his remarks relative to Mr . Baines ' s inconsistency in advising the people to rally round the yellow standard , whereas , afterwards , when they held theirgreatmeeting at Peep Green , he deprecated tbe assembling of the people together in such large
numbers . ( Groan * . ) But their present object was to get the representative power into their hands . This the two factions had industriously withheld from the people ; but let them remember that they could no more do without the working classes than the working classes could do without the suffrage . Hb recommended the middle classes too , if they had aay regard for their interests , to take the part of the labouring people , for they must be aware that unless the populace have good wages for their labour , they , the middle classes , could not have very good customers for their goods . ( Cheers . ) Finally , if the Whigs and Tories would not yield to reason , they would be compelled to yield to some other means . He should dread anarchy and confusion , but if they forced the people to it , upon themselves must be the blame . ( Loud cheers . ) He seconded the resolution which was carried unani-r mously .
Mr . Peter Bl-ssey rose to support the resolution . He would begin by reading a letter which he had received from Mr . Vincent , who stated that unavoidable circumstances prevented him from being present at their me . ting , andexhorted them to steadfastness in the advocacy of the great principles for which they had hitherto been contending . Shakspeare had said " to be or not to be that is the question . " ( Cheers . ) That was the question undoubtedl y with those who were now assembled ; to be freemen ' or to be slaves . ( Cheers . ) When he considered the situation in which the working men of this country were placed by the governing powers of the present day , and when he considered the intelligence and the industry of the people , he was astonished that
they should seem so willing to remain the slaves of wealth and power . ( Hear , hear . ) How were they to account for this ? They ( the Deople ) not only possessed the moral power , but the physical powfir also , to hurl defiance at their enemies . ( Loud cheers . ) Then when he saw the people possessing moral and physical power sufficient to put themselves in possession of their rights , was he not justified in asking how it was that they were content to remain the willing slaves of about three thousand individuals and their families ? He would tell them how it was . There were a few who professed to be their friends who were doing all they could to divide the people . One was crying out for Household Suffrage another for Hie repeal of the Corn Laws : another
tor the repeal of the Poor Law Amendment Act and another for the Ballot . These enemies of the people had trumpeted forth the various political nostrums which were now in agitation and by this means the people had been led astray , and their attention had been attempted to be diverted from the main-spring of all their evils , —the want of representation . ( Cheers . ) They had established a kind of political wind-mil ] , and the people hardly knew when the right sail was up . ( Loud cheers ') He trusted they were now about to come to their senses , and that they were going to work to good purpose . That purpose was to come to a positive settlement with their rplers . ( Cheers . ) They had been standing along time between them-and ' their rights , and it was now high time that the balance sheet should be struck . ( Cheers . ) He was going to tell them some truth . They should notforgetthat toe government dreaded the
people having armsin then- possession ; but the laws of this country not only told us that we had a right to have them' but that we ought to have them . T * ow there never vet was a government that conceded the rights of the people without having recourse to arms , f ( Hear , hear , and « we will have them . " ) Would the British Government concede the rights of the people without a struggle ? . [« No , ^ but we ar ? S for . them . ] They might as well prepare themselvS to-day as to-morrow , for before Aey got possession of their jnahenable nght , it was likely they would require all the assistance they could obtain fTre mendous cheers . ) Did they think' that the government with an army at its back would yield the people ' s rights wathont a struggle ? [ Hear , fieaf . l For what did they suppert that army ? Why to keep the people in slavery . Their very bodiei andsohfi were mortgaged to the government , and was it not
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tatte to break the inorig ^ ge deed . advised them to rpuiff from their indifference and break that deed frojn offtheix necks ana be determined to be free . The Parliament pf the country were prepared to , concede their rights at any time if thiey only asked for theniin a hght Vay— - [ Cheerij]—but they had not asked in the right way yet ; [ Hear , and cheers . ] The -Whigs created a terrible cry among the peoplei in 1830 . for » ome kind of an amphibious animal called a Reform Billy--- [ laughter ]—« hd at that time , as it had been said , '' they shouted for them till their lungs were sore . " Just at that tani the people of France went to work in good earnest ; they sent their old silly king , out of the
couniry , ana would npt have him any longer . But a certain number of men in that country , who had a deal of . - ' cun . ning . and little money , put the present tyrant upon thfe throne ; He was glad , howerer , to see that thiv French people were not only beginning tos open their eye ^ but that tkey seemed Ukely to act—W they had beea petitioning the government W ^ franchise in . theiright way . ( Loud cheera . ) Perhaps , the goyerninent of France , might propose household suffrage ; but would the , people of this country KSuild upon household sunrage f ( Cheew , and no » no . ) lie advised' them riot to taken household isuffragei ^ * to > rally roiiia ' d the question of Urfiyers&l Suffrage antil it wa 3 fully an 3 firmly obtained . ( Cheers . ) Mr . fiussey then adverted to the tyranny which Was practised by the capitalists of
m- the ^ everal manufacturing diatnct 8 i--all which he maintained was exercised with a view to bring tb ^ e labouring population of this country to a level with tl ^ e \ worst , paid of the Irish labourerit in Ireland j and i ^ ged tbip fact as another powerful ar ^ un ^ ent why they should be unceasing in their agitafion for , Uniywaal Suffrage , theonly safeguard of . -their : li b erties , and rights . Vixen let this be the moment forrallying all their energies . Let them be brought to bear Upon both factions . S pare neither the one hor the bther , fpr they were equally villanbus . He recommended them to bear their wrongs no longer ; and , if moral force would not do , let them prepare themselves for physical force as soon as they could . ( Cheers . ) "We will have out rights , " said Mr . Bussey " and we : will drive every tyrant from theface of the earth who may dare to reiuse to grant them . " ( Very loud cheers . )
Mr . W . m . . Thornton , of Halifax , then rose to move the next resolution , which was— "That this meeting considers that a general organization of the peopleis absolutely necessary for the attainment of the above objects , and do hereby pledge themselves immediately to set about such organisation by the formation of a Spciety to be called the Bradford Northern Union , to assist in the great struggle to obtain their just and legitimate rifthW He delivered a long and intereHting address , which was remarkable bothfor its humour and eloquence , and elicited the most enthusiastic approbation from the meeting . He concluded with a very eloquent appeal to the meeting upon the necessity of the working men enrolling themselves as members of the Great Northern Union . There seldom was a speech more enthusiastically responded to than was the address of this speaker ^ and we regret that the extreme rapidity with which it was delivered rendered it-impossible for us to do more than merely describe it .
. Mr , John Jackson seconded the resolution , which -was supported by Mr . O'Connor , whp was received with very loud cheers and clapping of hands . Mr . O'CoNNOU presented himself to support the resolution , but was interrupted for several minutes by reiterated cheers . He addressed them as brother Radicals , and said that , as founder of the Union which the resolution mentioned , ha thought it a fit time to state his reasons for its formation . ( Hear , hear . ) He discovered that gome had an opinion that Working Men ' s Associations and Radical Associations meant two distinct things , whereas they were one and tbe fame . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) In the objects of the Union it was boldly stated that
physicaliorce was to be resorted to for the protection of the Constitution , if moral force failed in producing the effect . ( Long-continued cheering . ) This did not recommend physical force—( hear , hear ;)—for he ( Mr . O'Cpunor ) was bound to say that every man must work better . ( Cheers , aud " VV ' e will . " ) So much for physical force , which men with muskets in their hands call a Knocking thing—( cheers;)—aye , and men whose title to property is vested in those very muskets also . ( Renewed cheering . ) Let them then consider what the object of the present agitation was . It was to gain Universal Suffragefcheers ;)—rbut what was that to do God only knew , but they all knew what the want of it had done . We found that all the confusion which had been
caused b y a return from , war to peace , and from high to ( low prices , was speedily reconciled and accomodated for the several interests represented in the House of Commons . The landlord , being the most powerful , first got his set off in the shape of Corn Laws . ( Cheers . ) Nextin point of influence came the monied order , who ^ in 1819 , received £ 90 for every £ ( ? 0 thej- had lent ; and when the £ 60 would have done more than the £ 90 had formerl y don « for them —( cheers )^ -an d then in 1824 in Ireland , and 1834 in England , the temporal fabric of the church was repaired and strengthened by a bill of Mr . Gonlburn ' s for Ireland , and a bill of Sir R . Peel ' s for Epgland , by each of which the parsons were made joint proprietors * not only in the land , but in the
labour which cultivated the land . ( Cheers , and aye , that's it . ) Aye , they , the working men , were the draw-farm , the source from whence all drew succour ; they had drawn too fast , all pulling at the old dam together till the dug was empty —( cheers ) --and of necessity the supply must be stopped . Now had the people been represented , their case would not hayp required all this trouble , and bother , and nonsense , tohave brought it into court , and to have got a hearing . ( Cheer * . ) No , it would have been the first case down in the pirder book , to be heard npou the first day that confusion occurred and decided before the " supplies , the bill of costs , was paid , and then we should tax them before we paid them ., ( Cheers . ) But you ignorant boobies , all
the editors and the members tell you that you are tooignorant and too head-strong and too precipitate , ( hear , hear;)—well , he only asked for them what they bought for the blacks , and surely they were not more ignorant than the poor blacks ; then what did he want ? A lawin prospective ^—a law which would say that Universal Suffrage should commence in 1840 , —( immense and long continued cheers , )—let the black and white glaVes , ljy the ne w process of animal magnetism , shake hands across the Atlantic , upon the celebration of their liberty upon the same day . ( Repeated cheers . ) Was this too much ? ( No . ) Yes , you fopli- ' , it is not for you who give the milk , 'but for the suckers who draw the old cow . [ Gheers . 1 But you are
ignorant , continued Mr . O'Connor , Now h 6 admitted it , aiid most men were ignorant upon subjects which did not concern them , but it was curious that he held in his hand the ifest Indian and Janiaica Gazette , by which he learned that the very men who resisted negro emancipation , were now ,, that the deed was done , occupied in preparing the slave for his transition tofreedom . [ Great cheering . ] Such would be their case , if the proper preparatory time was allowed , he , Mr O'Connor would establish schools and colleges lit every town and village , for tlie dispensation of political knowledge , and for the instruction of men in the exercise of the right conferred upon them . [ Uproarious applause . ] Now , to show that he was no enthusiast , he would be
s-atisfied with the state of probation ; and to prove that he had not . so bad an opinion of human nature , —( hear , hear , hear , )—he begged to assure tliem that the ghost ol universal substance , without the substance , would frighten corruption put of its wits ( cheers , and laughter ^ and so great would be imprpvemeiit under the wholesome anticipation , that he , Mr . O'Connor , yerily believedthatwhen the time cauie for the exercise of the right , there Would not be a _ single grievance to redress , ( Cheers . ) All the Whig ' s , as if by magic v would turn Radicals , and we sfipuld have one of the : most fair and beautiful accounts you ever saw on the first of August , i 8 l 0 . ( Much applause . ) Such would just be the case with regard to physical force , when they saw it , they
would bow down and worship the thing which in moral attire they had so long despised . ( Cheers . ) Aye , said Mr . O'Connor , but we wont fight to please ( cheers , and laughter ) , no , when we fight it would be tito please ourselves and for ourselves . The Chronicle warts the middle classes to fight for themselves ( aye , and groans !) , but when they began the fun , we would swallow them for a poorhouse meal ( cheers ) r soldiers and all would but give us a snack , if once they begin . ( Long and continued cheers . ) Mr . O'Connor then entered into several interesting topics , and described what he had discovered in the course' of his agitation . He paid a hi gh and wellmerited compliment tp : the men of Birmingham , Newcastle , CoventryV'Scotland , and to the midland
counties , declaring that all were now as one man . He ably exposed the fallacy of free trade , while the national toll-bar was in the niiddle of the Atlantic , and > ade ^ g ate at the mouth of eve ry port in th e , world . ; : ' ¦ - ' He . saidthp , t ^^ theinterestof the £ 800 , 000 , 000 was but a fly-blp ^ compared to the expense of its upholding , and the ; 'profit ; tnade' upon it . ( Great cheering . ) The landlords had their direct immunity - ^ the fundlords had their national faith- ^ the Church had their infidel wages ; while theiwhole host of middle class locuste / gaye them their representative support upon condition , that they should indirectly dabble with the glorious uncertainty of the
remainder , ( Great bheermg . ) Then ^ thei very fellowa who coniplained of Corn Laws , if they paid £ 20 taxes , they madie a jprpfit of £ 50 out of those very taxes . ( Loudcheers i and " > ' That ' s it , lad . " ) They were a band" of plunderers , knit together by interest , aud boun * bylaws of their own making . There was no vide in ^ ne people , for which he could not assign a legal reason . ( Laughter . ) There was no grjevance for which he could not assign a cause ) there was no complaiht for which he conld not nairne a . rerpedy , jaid . . that remedy was his darling Uluyersal . Suffragei :, ( Repeated cheers , ) They knew the stake , ftey-knew the . -game , they knew th ^ irhailds , theykhew themselves , and they knew the enemy— ( cheers )^ --so with themselves rested the
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means / ( Cheere . y for himself , he ought to be proud } for , while the . course of others had been crooked as a cork screw , he heyer , during his whole life , turned to the right hand or to the left , but kept on his even course , and , with their assistance , he , would , ere long , reach the goal , and sing ^ ** 6 h , be joyfuL" ( Lp « d and long-continued cheering . ) Mri . O'Connor concluded by assuring the meetiag that if the Corn Xaw scape-goat Tailed the Whigs , tHeir next invitation would be' to sink all difference upon the part of the moderate pi & \ L denominatio s , till the common enciBy , the people , were put down . ( Cheers . ) Well , that ' s what it wbuld come -to at last r the more danger the more glory . ( Cheers . ) So let them see the full front of the whole enemy at once ^ and they would beat them all without a blow . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . Thomas Bussey then moved , and Mr . James Ibbetson seconded , the following resolution : — " That tbi 3 meeting do adopt the National Petition , put forth by our friends at Birmingham ,. and pledge ourselves to , use our utemost exertions to carry the same intaeffiect . " The rt * s () lutiori was carried unanimously . Mr . Bps&ey then moved , and Mr . Ibbetson seconded a resolution to the effect that Mr . O'Consjor shou ) d represent that meeting oh Monday : neir , at the great meeting in London ;'
The proposition wai hailed with tremendous cheers . Mr . O'Connor , in reply , thanked them for their confidence , and inyited them to investigate his coaduct at that meeting . He should go wito them , and stand by them only upon the ^ condition that they ask for Universal Suffrage . —( Tremendous cheering . ) ' . Prior to a vote of thanks being given to the chairman , Mr . O'Connor said he had a dn-ty to perform towards the best of men , the Rey ^ Mr . Stephens . [ Great applause . ] He said that it had been his intention to move him as one of the forty-nine to represent Bradford —[ loud applause]—for we must
have him . The men of Bradford , if not inclined to wend another , will send Stephens . [ Cheers , and we will . ] Mr , O'Connor th « jn entered into a full statement of the duties which Mr . Stephens performed ^ and also the set made at him by the enemies of ' the people . [ Hear , hear , and cheers . ] He concluded hy requesting every man upon leaving the meeting should give his mite towards the support of Mr . Stephens ' s ill-used flock , and * said Mr , O ^ Conriori let those whom oppression ; have rendered top poor to assist a friend in distress , curse the law as he passes the door with an empty hand—the law . which forces payment of compulsory taxes , and makes them too poor to give a voluntary contribution tp a friend in need .
A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman , and three cheers for the Northern Union , after which the meeting dispersed . A collection was made at the door , and between £ 2 and £ 3 was obtained to assist the persecuted followers , of Mr . Stephens , of Ash ton .
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The Editors of " The Northern Star" icish to be distinctly ¦ understood that in affording a vehicle for the discussion 0 / great Public Questions , the y are not to be identified with the Stmtiments erthe Language of ' their several ' Correspondents . "
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To the Rate-payers in the Town of Bradford , and part of the Hamlet of Little Horton . Fellow Townsmen , —You are annually assessed under a local act , entitled" An Act for the Paving Lighting , Watching , < fec , " of the above places . It appears that this act was granted by Parliament , in 1803 , at the solicitation of fifty-eight persons , who , by the provisions of the same , got themselves constituted commissioners , with a power to fill up all shcIi vacancies as mi ght from time to time occur in their commissionerships for ever . That a magistrate may also act as a commissioner , and thereby sit in judgment on his own case . That out of the fiftyeight , five constitutes the majority , or can legally act . It is further stated that those commissioners
shall pay their own expenses incurred by their attendance at suck meetings , which , as gentlemen , I hope they do , though they never render any account as to the way or manner in which monies are disposed of . VV e are next informed , that no person shall act as a commissioner who is a victualler , ' 6 r who shall sell ale , wine , cider , or any spiritous liquors , by retail ; or be a ; party to any contract made by virtue of this act ; nor Unless at the time of his acting be an occupier of an estate within the limits of the act , and shall be in his own right , or in the right of his wife , seised , or possessed of an estate , real or personal or both , of the value of £ 1 , 000 . Any person acting without being qualified as aforesaid shall for every such offence forfeit or
pay the sum of 4 L 50 , to anjr person who shall siie for the same , in any of her Majesty ' s courts of record , at Westnunster . Every person so sued or prosecuted shall prove that he is so qualified as aforesaid , or otherwise shall pay the said penalty without anv other proof or evidence being given oh the part of the prosecutor than that such person has acted as a commissioner in the execution of the act . It is further enacted , that the commissioners shall cause regular entries to be made in a book or books ^ kept for that purpose ; such book or books shall be open to the inspection of all and every the said commissioners , and all and every other person and persons who shall be rated and assessed for the purposes of the act . That the commissioners have the power to
appoint as many officers as they shall think proper , and allow them any amount of" salary they may determine upon . That the commissioners may sue or be sued in the name of their clerk , or treasurer , who shall be deemed plaintiff or defendant in such action , the costs and charges of proceedings to be paid out of the monies collected as rates j so that should any inhabitant feel himself aggrieved by the acts of the commissioners , and in an action against them obtain a verdict in his favour , the individual himself and his fellow-townsmen have to pay the piper . Thus the irrespossibles tshield themselves from any danger which might ar ise from an abuse of the powers invested in them . It is further enacted , that lamps , < fcc , shall be provided , and placed
in the streets , &c . The said lamps , also the several houses , shops , warehouses , and buildings , to be numbered , and the names of street ? , lanes , entries , passages , and places , within the ; limits of the act , to be affixed in conspicuous places ? This part of tue duty of the commissioners is shamefully neglected , but the commissioners are not tineable for neglect And it is further enacted , that all property purchased by your money , such as lamps , engines , buckets , arms , tools , &c , &c , < fec , shall belong to , and be the property of , the said commissioners . And further : That every person acting as scavenger , for the time being , shalf cause the words" scavenger ' s cart" to be painted in large Roman letters on some conspicuous part of such
carts or carriages , under a penalty of ten shillings for neglecting the same . It is next enacted , that the commissioners shall superintend the construction of chimnies casting up large quantities of smoke or name , and shall determine the height of such chimnies , so that they may be constructed in such a manner as most effectually to destroy and consume the smoke arising therefrom . Do the commissioners attend to their disinterested duty in this particular ? And it is further enacted , that carts , waggons , &c ., shall not be allowed to stand in the street ' -for ! a longer time than is necessary for the lpading or unloading of the same , < fcc . There is no tiine specified in this clause , therefore it remains to be determined Upon by the informer , ( whose interestitisto secure a
conviction ) as to whether the vehicle stood longer than the time necessary in the street which we may reasonably suppose will be made to answer the purpose j audfurther , that all signs and show boards shall be fixed close or flat to the walls or parts of the houses , shops , warehouses , or buildings wherennto they respectively belong , every person acting contrary to tliis clause shall forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding twenty shillings nor less than ten shillings per week for every week such offence shall continue and so remain ; and , that if at any time any hole or opening shall be made in any street , lane , or public passage or place , for any purpose whatsoever , 'the person making such hole or opening shall cause , a light to be affixed in or near the same to prevent
accidents , sUch light to remain from sun-setting to sun-rising , so long as the place shall remain open , and for neglecting to affix or continue such light shall forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding forty shillings nor less than ten shilling ' s for every such neglect . And the said Commissioners are authorised and empowered to appoint any number of watchmen at such amount ol wages , and for what length of time they think proper , and to provide ; them with arms , ammunition , weapons , and clothing ; and should any watchman neglect or refuse to perform his duty , or in anywise misbehave himseljf in ^ execution of his office , he shall forfeit and ^^ pa ^ anVis um nptexceeding twenty ahilhngs for every sUchofferice , which the magistrates may mitigate to one penny if they think proper ; but should any other inhabitant be charged with misbehaviour , they are to > be fined h ' ye pounds ,, and : hot less than' ten shillings , - as
appears by the following clause : ¦'• " And it is further , enacted , that the watchmen to be appointed and employed as aforesaid , shall , during the time of their being , upon duty , use their utmost endeavours , to prevent any mischief by fire , [ and also any burglaries , rbbberies , affrays , and other outrages and disorders withinthe limits ofthis act , and that it shall be lawful for the said [ watchmen or any of them , and they are hereby retired wmle on autjr ,-to ; apprehend and secure all malefactors ; rognes , night-walkers , vagabonds , and disorderly persons within the limits of ttds act , who shall -disturb the ; public pjiace , or whom they shall have , cause ; to suspect of some evil design , and to secure and k ^ ep , in 'safe Custody in the cominon pnspn of the 8 aid to * n of Braaford , or such other place to be ^ proviaed by ; the said Commissioners , every such person , ia order that he or they may be conveyea as ' sobii af conveniently , before some justice of the peace for
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the West ; Riding of the County of York , to heiammed and dealV with accoraing to law , sai l any person or person shall assauH or resist , oYXS promote or encourage the assatiltintf or resiatmg any pf the- watchmen . in theexecutidn offlieir duty , everV such person shaU forfeit and payany sum notexceS mg hye pound * nor less than ' ten " shUhngs , and if any victnaller or keeper of any pobUc-houBe , shall knowingly harboHr . or entertain any watehnWto be employed within the limits of this aet . or permit ot suffer any auch watchman to be and renaW in bis house during any part of the time appointed fo , bjsbemgon dnty r ererysuch victualler orkeeberfrf s * ch ; pubhe-houae shall , for ^ every such ofience forfeit and pay any sum hot exceeding twentr smlEngs . "
H&re you have the duties and powers of watch men and a beautiful clause it is . ' Look at th ^ powergiren to those gentlemen , if you , your w ive ^ yonrsona , or ypurdanghters , ' are not on the very best tennsj with themy and chance ta be walldni alone through the streets- ^ if you are not actually charged upon the oaths of these TOnctidnariea , uncorroborated by better testimony , with being ' outrageous and disordeflyT" how difficnltit ig to escape the wicked "suspicion of some evil design , " and the consequent infliction of some heavy peDaltiea . By another section the Commissioners are empowered to appoint assessors annually , or oftener , to assess the rates—such rate or assessment not to exceed two shillings in thie nonhd ^ -nor tn h * iaiA
upon any person who shall occupy a dwelling under the yearly value of four pounds ; and it is fu rther enacted , that any person coming in tp and occupyin ? or removing from any house , Kailding , or other pret mises , each person shall pay their respective portions of . the assessments according : to the time of their respective portions of the assessments according to the tune of their respective occupancy . And that rip house , tenement , < fec shall be charged or chargeable with such rate during the time the same shall be empty or unoccupied . And if any persons feel themselves aggrieved by any rate or asessment , they have the power to apply to the Commissioner * for relief , at an jmeeting to be held within twenty days after demand . This is
certainly , a great boon to the rate-payera , the majorih ' knowing nothing whatever as it respects the time and manner the Commissipners hold their meetings . Any rate-payer may apueal to the sessions * and whatsver may be the decision , hehas the privilege of payirig or contributihg towards the coats . The Commissioners are empowered to recover all penalties imposed under this Act , fay distress ,, and sale of offenders' goods and chattels , or by magisterial aid , commit to the common gaol such person or persons , there to remain without bail or mainprize , until payment , with all costs and charges incurred by such procedure ; one _ part of such fine to go to the informer , the other into the hands of the Commissioners ' treasurer . A word with you on this subject ; Let me ask , who is the informer ? I should reply
the person who witnesses the transaction—who apprehends the accused , and swears to the circumstances of the alleged offence . Such is the commonsense conclusion at which all honest then would arrive . But how stands the case in this town ? why the poor Charlies , who give ; the necessary information , in proper ca _« es , are tricked out of the money which the law awards , and the surveyor , ( be he inalicious or merciful , ) who never saw the transaction ^ sets himself up as a common informer , and pockets the money ; which , in addition to his enormous salary , I suppose will make him a comfortable total of about £ 500 a-year . You may ask , why do not the watchmen complain ? the answer is easy . A master has the power to discharge a discontented though honest servant ..
The next thing worthy of notice , i * the extraordinary enactment ^ " That any person ' or persons , feehug themselves aggr ieved by the operation of this Act , and commencing an action , shall recover for special damages only ,, and shall be entitled to no more costs than damages ; and that any transaction relating to the execution of the Act , shall not be removable in to any superior Courts at Westminster . '' Thus confining the correction of abuses to local jurist dictions , in which Ex Officios may sit in judgmena o ? er their own actsor the actsi of their coadjutors ; so that , however unjust the conclusion may be , the parties aggrieved are bound to submit to their decision , Fellow Townsmen , I have here presented you witn
a brief epjtome ot the Act , and a more bungling one-sided piece of legislation did you ever see ? All the power you possess , under its provisions , is the power ofpaying . This being the case , don ' t you think it high time to begin to reform this self-consti . tu . ted body . We have heard a great deal said aboat old corrupt dorporationri : you have one here , all but the name ; and after submitting to its operation for 35 years , are you not satisfied the time has arrived when strenuous efforts ought toi be made to free _ ourselves from these arbitrary powers , either by petitioning for a repeal of this antiquetted piece of tyranny , aud substituting- a more reasonable Act ^ or inducing ^ the Legislature to grant ns " a Municipal Corporation for our self-government . I am , Gentlemen , Yours , < fec . PETER BUSSEY . Bridge Street , Bradford , Sept . 4 th , 1838 .
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OASTLER'S TESTIMONIAL FUND . The following letter has been handed to us by the Rev . G . S . Bu \ l .
( copy . ) - _ Waterside , Sept . 7 , 1838 . ^ Dear Sib , —We do not concur with Mr . Oastler in all his views on political questions , nor in some of the means he has suggested to redress the peopJe ' 8 grievances ; but we respect him for the long and ardent efforts he has made to reduce the hours of daily labour in factories—for his humane endeavours to better the condition of the unfortunate h " . Hd-loom weavers , and for his manly and unflinching opposition to that unconstitutional statute , the Poor Law Amendment Act . Believing him also tb . be : a sincere friend of all classes , and anxious to promote their best interests , welament to see what appears to us an odious attempt now making to eniah this hpnest and talented Englishman , and thereby to deprive the people Of one of the most indefatigable , perse . vering , and fearless advocates of their rights . We therefore feel ourselves called upon to manifest our sympathy towards him in this the day of his ^ persecution , and beg to be added to the list of subscribers to his ' ^ Testimonial Fund , " for the sum of two hundred pounds . : ; ' ¦ ' We are , dear Sir , : ' Yours , respectfully , '¦ FIELDEiSr BROTHERS . Rer . G . S , Bull , St . James ' s , Bradford .
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Shocking OccurreInce . —On Monday last , a dreadful accident happened to a fine child , aboot two years of age , belonging to a farmer in the neighbourhood of Eutherglen . The farmer had been preparing food for the cattle in a large boiler ^ and the infant , in the absence of the parent , had scrambled up to the ledging of the vessel and tumbled into the boiling contents . The poor creature was not missed till some time afterwards , vrhen the . 'farmer , on proceeding to supper the horses , pat a shovel into the "boiler , and was horror-struck at perceiving a portion of human flesh adhering to tie instrunient . The dreadful truth then flashed across his mind that it was his own child , and subsequent in yestigation fully realized his worst apprehensions , for the bones of the infant were taken out corapieteljr denuded ; -of nesh .-- ( r / us ^ ow Courier . '
Dtjelling Extraordhnaky . —A few daysago two grisettes pf the Quartier Latin , after exchanging blows for an inconstantant student , who migM have sung with Macheath , " How happy conld . 14 ^ with , either , " decided upon an appeal to the laffSO ' honour . The fair belligerents fought with p istols , and were attended to the ground , in the neig hhonrf hood of Montrouge , by two dress-makers . After the exchange of two shots , happily without effect , the seconds declared that honour was-fully- satisfied ; but the combatants , though obliged to siipmit to the fiat , quitted the ground unreconciled . Our informant assures us that the pistols were loaded wi » ¦ ¦¦
tall .: - ; . ¦ : -: -: . . : ^ > . - :. :, - . : ¦ - ¦¦ ¦ * .. . ¦ . •• ¦ ' " ¦ ¦ : GtUTDTONY . —The Moniteur Parisien has tie astounding statement that , a few days since * seyen amateurs of oysters ate the extraordinary quaatar of , 388 dozen of that sheUfish for breakfast ; or ,, » an average , about 665 oysters per man . PreTionslf , to the deliberate perpretation of this wholesale destruction ^ it ^ bad been- stipulated that the cost < Jt the breakfast should foe defrayed by the gormandiser who' should first jjive in , or whoj at the close of W / 'feasi : of reason , " should have swallowed a sfflaW quantity than his comrades /' On ^' ofthe partyhayw 1 ? arriyea' without accident' at the end of his forty-0 " 1 ! dbieny declared himself -unstble to proceed further , anid toi himj ; therefore , ; according tP the terms of the cohventiori' tlaeibill ^ ashiandedi cqntainiDg the ; fir lo ^ itemsrt ^^ read : if ; JTBci : S 88 dozen «
ng , pyfeters , 232 f . 80 c ; ; 150 lemons , dOfVj butfer , If . *^' vif ' de ChabhSjl ^ f . ;; 'Madeira . 32 f ;; Champagne * 98 f , V tofe 6 arid lio ^ eurBV ^ 60 ^ Total , 449 f . && ¦ Qtfe of the Jafty fe suited ibjhaVe dispatched 77 4 < w » of oysters Without the slightest efibrt . ; ; ¦^ a dcKiim'Ac 6 ii )) SNf ^ - --- A few days ago , ; r w St J ^ cq ies-deg iWetsj nfear Lyons , as a yon ?? ^ ifiiinvwaS standing on the ; balcony of a hpuse wi ?» heiinfant ciiild ijr her arms , she by some accide ?* relaxed her llold of the lnfiint ; and in the attempt to bave it , lo 8 t = he * balance ; indfelV into Ae street ui ) pn ^ nothet ' eriai ; flvi ' or'fi oi ¦ yearsjold , who W ^ paising ^ ait ' iihe . time . 'Notwithstanding thataffiinanbe ' was immediately aiffbtdedj tlie'jnother , her ow » child , and the other child expired in less th 8 n ; w hour . ' ' ' - ¦ " ¦• . ' '¦ ' " ¦ ¦• ' "' ¦ - ' ¦ ¦ : "¦ ' L ¦ •' / ¦ - " . - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ - - '
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ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE .
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—¦¦¦ He ' ¦ ' " 8 - THE NORTHERN STAR , ^ . September 15 ,: 183 ^ . -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 15, 1838, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1023/page/6/
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