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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1841.
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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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fiPAIN . —Serious -differences ar 8 expected to arise between tiie-Spanish Regency and the Court of Sp * ia , oq d » sabjectof the dissolution of the Rota Court . . Thb scstlexest of the Doura question , by the firrourable -rote of the Portuguese Upper Chamber and the sanction © f the Qaeen , bad given very great satisfaction in Madrid , where it had not nly relaoved all fears of war , but bad added much to the popularity of Espartero and the Regency . - EW \ T 7-F ? t- ** P—* sufficient number of cantons in Switzerland i » ve united in the demand of « a extraordinary Diet to consider thequestionof the suppression of the Argovian convents . The Ttrte of Neufefaatel , a Protestant Btate , has . decided
BBUSSELS , Feb . 4 . —We learn that the Minister of Public Works is engaged on the means of introducing into Belgium one of the greatest improvements that hare been made in our time , namely , a uniform rate of postage to letters . THE POLES . —The Post Ami Gazette says that the Russian government is about to transport a great number of thai class of Poles who hold a rank between the nobles and the peasants into the southwestern governments of Russia , to colonise Tacant lands .
XHBIA . —By as express received from Marseilles , intelligence has arrived from Calcutta to the 16 th December , conveying the news that India is generally pacaftc , and no event had occurred , since the last dates , of much political importance .- Afghanistan remained tranqiii . The news from Khrra and Central Asia was of a satisfastory « haracter . An action had occurred in Seinde , on the 1 st of December , at Eolriah , between 4 , 080 Belooches , oosted imou : -the hills , and commanded by Nusseer
Xhaa , SOB Sepoys , SO irregular horse , and two field-pieces , commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel MarahalL The Sepoys attacked the position ^ and a desperate defence was made by tke . Belooches till four of their chiefs and 590 men were slain . Sis other ehiefe aai 132 followers were liken prisoners . Nussejr Khan escaped on foot ; but all the bBggage , & * . were captured by the British ; who only lost one officer and ten privates ; thirty more were wennded .
THE TXKTTED STATED . —New York papers to the 3 th J&naary , brought by the Cambridge , have been at length delivered . They contain intelligence of which no trace had been found in the papers of the 8 th , which only the passengers previously landed had brought ashore with them . A w » rm and somewhat threatening discussion had arisen between Mr . Fox , th « i British Jlinister at Waskington , and the Foreign Minister of the United States , in consequence of the arrest and approaching crial , nnder the authority of the State Government « f New York , of a British subjec :, Alexander M'Leod , on the charge of piracy and murder , as one of the party who destroyed the Caroline , an American steamer , within the jurisdiction of the United States , during the Canadian revolt .
IT ALT . —A letter from Naples of the 25 th nit ., states that , on the night of the Sad , a considerable slip took place on the mountain abwe Gragnauo , near Casteliamare , and that sixty hous&s were crashed by the falling matter . It * is supposed that 100 persons perished by this sudden calamity . HxaRUCE dc High Ljfb . —On Tuesday morning , ihe Honourable Miss Spring Rice , eldest daughter of Lord Monteagle , and grand-daaghter of the JEarl of Liksxick ( lately one of the maids of honour to her Maj « stvJ , was married to J . G . Marshall , Esq .,
of Leeds . The ceremony was performed , by special license , at All Souls' Church , Langham-place . The DctE op Wellington . —Although the noble and gallant Duke has quite recovered from his late illness , the inquiries , oa Tuesday , at Apsley-house , were very numerous . The answer given by . the porter was , ** The Duke is recorered . " Docht of LATftastbb , Febbuabt " 5 . —The Queen has been this day pleased to appoint Thomas Bernard Bireh , of the Hazles , B&rt ., to be Sheriff of the County Palatine of Lancaster , for the year en-Baxag .
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UNSWORTH . —On Tuesday evening . Mr . C . Doyle , of Manchester , delivered a lecture in the I Methodiit Chapel , Unsworth , to a numerous audience , which gave great satisfaction . LONBOlf . —Westminster . —At a meeting , held at the ita ! -lborou £ ii Coffee House , Great Marlborough-stieet , Goioen Square , on Sunday evening last , it was resolved— That Mr . Soutbeomb represent this body at the Council , in assisting them to draw up petitions to both Houses of Parliament , for the liberation of Frost , Williams , and Jones , and all political offenders . " ilr . Wall lectured here , according to promise , to the greas gratification of a numerous and respectable audience , amoDg whom were a . grea ? many or ine rair sex , by trbma he tpm rapturously applauded ; after which , Mr . Barker addressed the meeting . Six new members were enrolled . It was then resolved that the thanks o * the meeting Ehould be given to Messrs . Wail and Parker .
Bloomsbcet . —The . National Charter Association held their weekly meefeg , at No . 9 , While Liongtreet , Long Acre , which was numerously attended , and passed the following resolutions : — " That two petitions be sent from this Association to the Houses of Lords aad Commons , for the release of Frost , Williams , and Jones ; and two for the release of all political prisoners . " "That a vote of thanks be given to Messrs . Mark "am and Seal , for their noble conduct at Leicester , in refusing to meet Daa and Co ., on a late occasion ; also , that a report of the above be inserted in the Northern Star . "
WirwofctH asd CjUjbsrwsx . —A letter was read to the Association from Mr . Ransley , convening a meeting to be held at Mr . Calling ' s CeiFeehouse , Borough Road , on Sunday evening next , for the purpose of forming a county Council . Three brothers were appointed to attend . Two were appointed to attend a meeting to be held at Lunt ' s Ccffee-hoase , Bethnal Green , oa Tuesday evening , st seven o ' clock , to appoint a dekgafs to attend ' the delegate meeting to be held at Manchester . It was al ^ o a £ xe ? dthat the meeting should support a public
meeting , to be called on account of the refusal of Lord Nonn&uby to see the deputation , { Messrs . Neesom , Spurr , and Boegis , ) appointed at the public meeting , helc at the Wbite Conduit House , on the 4 th of January , to present a- memorial to Lord Norxnanby , for an alteration of tee treatment of Mr . Ftzrgm O'Connor , and to adopt the be > t means to carry ii out . It was resolved , that on the death of a brother , the members of the Association be informed of the same through the class leaders , and be requested to attend the funeral , as many as can make it convenient . Four new members were
enrolled , and themse : ing separated . WILTSHIRE . —According to previous announcement in the Star , the first meeting of the * County Council was held on Sunday morning last , at the house of Mr . Tudgey , Monkton Deveril , at eleven o ' clock , when deiegai-es were present fruin the following peaces : —Tron-briiige , Bradford , Hall , Westbury , Waraiinstfcr , Kins ' . ou Deveril , iloukton Deveril , and M . ere . After the Secre : ary had read the minutes of last week , the Chairman called upon each of the deletes present to give a report of the state of Charti&m in the districts they represented ; when a mast cheering statement as 10 the progret 5 of the cause generally was given . Several resolutions were unanimously adopted to the foUon-icg
effect : —1 . Th&t the expence 3 of the tracts -the delegates had given away on their journies be paid from the fund ' . " 2 . ( . Alter the SrUarcss from the County Council had been read ) " Tfcat the County Council recommend to the inhabitants , in their different localities , to support the Chartist press , to far as it Iks in their power . " 3 . " That the Secretary be empowered to write to Mr . Vincent , to know when he . tninks to be in Wiltshire , and to report the sam « to the local councils . " 4 . " Tha ; a vote of thanks be given by this Council to the friends of Mere , in offering to provide a suitable place to hold a public meeting in , when Mr . PMIp
should come . The following sums of money were paid in , towards having the address printed : — Trowbridge , 5 s . ; Holt , 2 s . 6 d . ; Westbury , 5 s . ; Warminster , 2 s . 6 ± ; Bradford , 2 * . 6 d . " ; Mere , 2 a . 6 d . ; Kinston Dever . l , 2 s . 6 d . ; Monkton Deyeral , 2 a . 6 d . In the course of the sitting , one of ihe delegates said , that the Trowbridge and Westbury delegates had given away a number of Chartist tracts , to the amount of 200 , and that he had never been bo well pleased in all his life as when he had seen many agricultural labourers reading ** Whati » Chartism Y' as they went to churca . Thanks woe voted to the Chairman and Secretary , and the meeting broke up .
ST 7 BZFBXES . —On Tuesday , the 2 nd instant , our patriotic friend ,. Dr . il'Douall , arrived in this town . The Trade * ' Hall , before the hour of meeting , was filled to overflowing , and a thousand went awsy nnabie to « es admission . On entering , the Doctor was greeted in the most enthusiastic manner . He delivered a lecture , at once eloquent , practical , aad spirit-stirring , but which we cannot report a ; length . Suffice it to say , that thereby many were converted to the glorious principles of the Cnarter .
Toe Uoctor entered into an able and masterly exposure of the cruelties and barbarities of the factory « y « em ; in Hie course of which he denounced O'Connell for having betrayed the poor factory children for a bribe he received from Sir Thomas Potter . The Doctor was here contradicted by a sen of Er in , who , at the coselasion of the lecture , made ereral remarks , aad was fully replied to by the Doctor and Chairman . A vote of thanks were £ rraB to the Doctor ; three cheers for the ** Charter , and no Surrender " andthree groans for the betnja ot ihe working millions of Ireland .
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CASTLE DOUGliAS . —On Friday , the Doctor visited Castle Douglas , and as the magistrates would not allow him the use of the Town Hall , another place was provided , in which , just before the Doctor entered , the crowd in the galleries was , bo great that they broke down , whereby several were seriously injured . Having done all he could do aa a doctor , our worthy friend acquitted himself as a patriot , and as we have learned , succeeded in arousing hundreds to a sense of their / wrongs ; and a determination
to have their rights . At the conclusion of ms lectors , a friend of justice and liberty proposed a rote of thanks to the Doctor , whereupon the agent in Castle Douglas of that ally thin * called the Dumfries Tines , rose and moved as an amendment "That , while they appreciate the Doctor for hia talents , ihe . y deem the principles of the Charter inexpedient . " On a shew of hands being taken , the champion of the silly Times and hia seconder , were left alone in t ' neir glory , and the rote of thanks in unqualified t < jrms was eiran to the Doctor .
BtmOES . Chartist Debitiko Societies . — Then has been a Society of this kind in ""Dundee for some time past , in connection with the 'Chartist Association , and it is getting on well . It is attended by young men particularly ; and there are a good mxny of them who are learning to speak and argue without any sort of fear . The subject that has come « nder their notice , for the last three nights , is " the best-formed Government . " BATH . —SnxDAY Lectures . —On Sunday , Jan . ¦ 24 th . a lecture was delivered in the Chartist-rooms ,
by Mr . R . K . Philp , on u the present condition of the people , and the best means to effect a beneficial change . " On the following Snnday , the 31 st , Mr . T . Bolwell lecfetred upon M the necessity of extending moral and political information amongst the people . " On Sunday , February 7 , W . P . Rober ts , Esq ., lectured upon ** the contents of . and events connected with , the Tower of London . " These Sunday evening assemblies have been extremely interesting , and attended by a largo portion of the intelligent people , both of the middle and working classes .
HousKHetu versus Ukivebsax . Suffrage . —On Moad&y , Feb . 1 . the comparative meritB of Universal and Household Suffrage were entered into by the various speakers , at the Chartist Room . The attendance was numerous , and the proceedings highly interesting . Bills bad been issued , inviting persons favourable to Household Suffrage to discuss the important question , but no one appeared . Universal Suffrage was adopted by the meeting . A meeting , to consider " which will most benefit the middle and working classes , Household or Universal Suffrage , " was held on Monday , Feb . 8 th . Bills had been plentifully issued , announcing the meeting , and , from the rumours afloat in the course of the week , opposition w&s anticipated , as it had been earnestly invited . The weather proved very
inclement , and prevented great numbers from attending . The assembly was numerous , but no one ventured to oppose the advocates of Universal Suffrage . Mr . Clarke presided , aud repeatedly urged opposition , and pledged himself that all parties , on either side , should be impartialiy heard . Mr . T . Bolwell iirst addressed the meeting in an argumentative speech , and was followed by Mr . R . K . Philip , and Mr . C . Bolwell . Mr . Alderman Crisp came forward amidst loud cheer 3 , to advocate the right of Universal Suffrage , and to argue that nothing short of this could benefit either the middle or working classes . Mr . C . entered at some length upon the subject , and deeply interested the meeting . At the conclusion , it was announced that on the following Monday the consideration of the Eame Bubject would be
repeated , NEWPORT , The bark of Chartism rides prondly on hers . The labours of Mr . Black have been attended with very beneficial results ; we had a glorious meeting on Monday night at Llanarth Inn , Llanarth-street . ilr . John Morris occupied the chair , and the meeting was ably addressed by Messrs . Jones , Black , and Cronin .
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LORD MORPETH'S IRISH REFORM BILL . We have now enough of the leading features of the rival Irish Suffrage questions before us wherefrom to judge of the animus , if not of the ability , of the antagonist Lords , whose offspring they are . We almost shudder at attempting eveu an outline of these opponent measures ; however , as the question is now fwirly afloat , and no longer a subject of mere speculation , we apprehend that little apology will be required for ( although a lengthy , yet ) . as brief a comment as the importance of the subject demands .
We do not pledge ourselves , in the outset , to discuss the two mea ? ure 3 separately , inasmuch as it may , aud probably will , happenthat the consideration of the one will force upon us some reference to the other . At present , our object at starting is to consider the proposition of Lord Mobpeth per se , by pointing ont its manly and gigantic stride , which we can bejt effect by contrasting it with the crippled step of the ranchise conceded to Ireland by the Reform BilL
In our comment upon this question , we shall best explain to our readers the beneficial result of that advice so often given in our columns , to the effect , that while we , with the people , struggle for the grand and unequivocal measure of Universal Suffrage , we are , nevertheless , ready to accept and say "thank you , " for any lesser measnre of relief , which may be forced upon us without a compro - mise .
We declare then , unhesitatingly , that the Bill of Lord Mohp £ tij , for re lating the Irish Parliamentary franchise , is the most Radical measure ever seriousiy proposed to Parliament , and when we say seriously , we fear we Eliall be obliged , in justice , to limis the solemnity as well as the jnstice of the measnre , to the Noble Lord personally . We have in the course of our many articles upon the quesiioa of the Irish Suffrage , been compelled to use the term £ 10 beneficial interest , the requisite
qualification for an Irish county voter , without much explanation to our readers—sixty-four , out of one hundred and five Irish members , being returned upon votes based upon a ten pound beneficial interest ; we shall now , a 3 it fornj 3 the present connty franchise , describe what it means , and then see how it would carve up into a bonajide&ye pound rateable possession , and how far , by the touchstone of justice , those who sit for boroughs can refuse to counfy electors the privilege which they themselves enjoy .
Every one who knows anything of the history of Ireland , will readily concede the fact that , a beneficial hiterest , of any amount , is a thing of very rare and uncommon occurrence ; writers and travellers of all ranks , countries , and politics , ascribing much of the distress , and no small portion of the subserviency , of the Irish tenants , to the system of letting lands npon " raek rent " . We have heard the recent declaration of the two
Protestant tyrant landlords , Sir Abthcb . Brooke and Sir Joh ;* Maswell , that they are willing to sacrifice as much as thirty per cent , of their rentals , rather than allow Papist voters to vote out of a beneficial interest held under them . This amounts to a total refusal to let to Catholics ; in fact , to an adoption of the clearance system ; and Sir Abthub Bkookb and Sir John Maxwell are samples from which the sack of Irish Protestant landlords may be fairly estimated .
Let us now see the immense gross tenure required in order that what is called " a beneficial interest " may be carried out of it . If a farmer hold twenty acres at an average rent , ( and we will take a high one , that being more against us , and in favour of our opponents , ) say twenty acres , then , at £ 1 per acre ; here , what has the tenant seeking to establish a vote , to swear , and in presence of the landlord , to whom he may owe arrears , and to whom he has
oeen declaring that the spot is too dear , in order either to get an abatement , or time for payment of arrears ! He has to swear that his twenty acres are well worth 30 s . per acre , over and above all rates , tithe , and taxes ; and that , on his oath , he could , if inclined to underlet , procure that rent from a good and solvent tenant . No matter if himself and six sons , all able to work , and to earn more than £ 10 a-year each , can make the farm more prouctive by the expenditure of their united labour ;
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such is not un item to he taken into account , and , in case the ^ ndlord , or two respectable ProteBtant neighborj-s , will take upon themselves to Bwear that the farm is not worth the onepound ten , the applicant , in such case , is told to go home for a perjurer , and , although having come twenty or thirty miles to register , and having remained in attendance thjree or four days , that he has his remedy in an repeal to the Judge of Assize , when be may walk for ty , fifty , or Bixtj milea , and go home , if the best comes to the best , with bis very dear whistle .
Suppose a tenant holding thirty acres , be must , in like manner , swear that he has a beneficial interest of six and eigbtpenoe an acre over and above the . rent . If he holdforty acreB , he must swear a beneficial interest of five shillings an acre , and if be hold fifty acres at a pound an acre , h « must swear before his landlord that the land is worth ona pound four per acre . Now , we imagine that these stumbling-blocks in the way of registration , fully account ( or the great discrepancy between English and Irish connty constituencies , and also that the fifty-pound tenant-atwill clause , in the English Reform Act , is a much
larger measure of franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest of the Irish Reform Bill , as interpreted by a majority of Irish Judges . A ten pound beneficial interest , then , must amount to an average holding of , at least , sixty acres of land , at one pound per acre , and fourteen years the original term . Now , a fifty ponnd holding , for fourteen years , would be a more extensive franchise than a ten pound beneficial interest ; while a fifty pound tenancy-at-will , which we learn is now becoming a very fashionable term in Ireland , would be , by at least cent , per cent ., a more extensive measure .
Starting , then , at sixty acres , held at a pound an acre , sworn to be worth one pound three and fourpence over and above all rates , tithes , and taxes , as the lowest amount out of whioh a beneficial interest , according to the narrow constructions of the Irish Reform Bill , can be carried , let us see , according to Lord Mokpeth ' s plan , how this joint would cut up . He proposes that all tenements for an unexpired term of four teen years , and whioh Bhall be assessed at £ 5 to the poors' rates , shall confer a vote upon the tenant .
From the above statement it appears that the tenregistering a ten ponnd beneficial interest in twenty acres , at one pound an acre , must have bad granted to him an interest of fifty per cent ., instead of being required , according to the Brooke and Maxwell proposition , to walk out at a loss of thirty per cent , to the landlord . If ho register out of thirty acres , he- must swear to an interest of thirty-three per cent . ; if forty , to an interest of twenty-five per cent . ; if fifty , to an interest of twenty per cent . ; and if , as we have established it , at sixty , an interest of more than sixteen per cent . So much for amount , and now a word upon the term .
Here , then , is a natural presumption against the existence of any benefieial interest during the first half of the term , and a natural barrier to a proof , or even assertion of it , during the latter half . For in the former period , lands cannot so fluctuate in value as to give the advantage of a chance rise in favour of the beneficial interest , while , during the latter period , the poor tenant who has spent his seven years of labour , and made a kind of location , is thinking how he can best persuade the landlord , at the expiration of his lease , that the spot is too dear ; and surely no mode could be more Irish than by swearing to a beneficial interest of from sixteen to fifty per cent .
In passing , let us observe that Lord Morpeth showed from some , we admit very slender , authority , that in very many instances ( where information had been furnished upon the question of rent and valuation with a view to rates ) , it appeared that ten pound tenements were , in many cases , rated at a less amount , and even in some so low as five . This document , which should not have been imperfectly or unseasonably used , furnished Lord Stanley with his best leg , and procured for him , as it was sure to do , a loud cheer from his party . The Noble Lord has yet to learn , however , that , in few instances , do
tables for the assessment of rates furnish , nor are they intended to furnish , an unerring test of value , and provided the rule is observed , property , to the amount of millions , may be as equitably assessed by a table of pence , as by a table of pounds . He must further bear in mind , that the same critical value was not likely to bo put upon tenements , with th single view of rating them for payment of poor rates as would be likely to be laid on if designed with the further object of establishing an elective franchise . Of this branch , more anon ; when we shall prove that a cheer in the House of Commons may' have neither rhyme nor reason in it .
Judging , therefore , from the received opinion of Irish landlords , a 3 well as from the presumption that the valuation did go pretty near to the wind , let us establish some understanding about the rate a 3 we have about the rent . Let us , then , in Irish phrase , " split the difference , " and suppose that the rate valuation would , instead of presuming a beneficial interest , rate a tenement , held at £ 7 10 s . rent , at £ 5 to the poor laws ; thus if the £ 60 rent was carved in the most judicious way , it would cut up into eight votes . Allowing for the large farm mania , let us halve it again , and it would render four votes , besides enfranchising the many small holdings which are now belo * par .
These observations must be received as if we were now arguing a desire upon the part of Irish landlords to enfrancbiso their tenants to tha fullest extent which Lord Mokpeth ' s Bill would admit ; they must not be received as if we imagined that the measure would have such a tendency , as we prove that it 3 tendency would be quite the reverse . So much for Lord Morpsth ' s standard of value , and let us now , in as far as we can , guess at his mode of satisfying Stanley , with regard to an appeal against the vote once actuired , and against which we protest in themost unqualified terms .
Stanley ' s proposition is , to allow the parties objecting to the voter , an appeal to the Judge of Assize , for the pnrpose of producing better testimony , or of meeting with one of the beneficial Judges and a mixed Jury . In fact , a last resource , and he has the uncommon justice , doubtless , to allow , in cases of frivolous and vexatious appeals ^ costs and recompence . Silly , silly Lord ! Mobpeth , ako , proposes an appeal , but here he leaves us in the dark . We understand Stanley . His is a new trial at common law of the
country , but Mokpeth s is before , we presume , a Court of Equity , presided over by three Barristers sitting in Dublin . If this is to bo a Court of Equity , which , in fact , it must be , as he never could dream of bringing parties from all parts ot Ireland , to the metropolis , for the mere purpose of re-registering a vote , he should have told us something about the machinery of his Court ; but having failed so to do , we
shall presume that the pleadings are to be confined to the simple exhibit of the rating-books ; but if interrogatories are to be put to the valuators , and if the appellant is to substantiate his case viva voce , where it the thing to end ? and if the exhibit of the valuation-book is all that is to be required , why not make it conclusive evidence at tke time of registration , and submit it thea to any test which it is to undergo ]
We must observe , that upon the details of this question of appeal , the Noble Lord not only clouds the matter with doubt , but actually talks legal nonsense—a jargon which can only be tolerated in those who are paid for perverting plain terms into legal ambiguities . He says that he would " allow annual revision upon ALL new matter ; a right of appeal , both ways , npon all points of law , and the fixing of the franchise upon the Poor Law valuation . "
Upon the question of appeal , then , dark as Stanley is , he is sunshiBp to Moapmra . In fact , if we are to judge from the whole context , we must
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pre 6 i \ me Moepbth ' s appeal to be intended as a mere exhibit of : the valuator ' s books ; while , judging from the bit of explanation which he unfortunately offers , i . we have no other alternative but to look upon his Appeal Court as a tribunal having even the power of directing an issue to be tried at the bar . Doubtless , all the bursting young patriotic legal members of the Royal Loyal Regulation Association , will support the measure , if it had but this one paramount advantage over all others which could be devised * This part looks very like a job .
We have how pointed out some of the abuses which Morpbth ' s Bill would remedy it it coald be carried in the House of Commons , and put into practice in spite of the Irish landlords . Let us now direot attention , for a moment , to the fallacy of a system which makes one man ' s caprice the basis of another man ' s vote . In the debate upon Mobpeth ' s motion , as wellas npon every other occasion where it can be insultingly dragged in , we are told that the intention of the Reform Bill was to represent wealth ; we know
it , but what a pity that scope so free was not given to reform tongue before the measure was carried . But even allowing that property was the one and only thing to be represented , was it also intended that a capricious use should be made of that property , and that the vote which it conferred was to be a part of the tenure * The value of the barren surface of the soil is as nothing compared to the value of capital and labour expended upon it by the tenant , and yet is all ruled by the caprice of the landlord , bo that even his own land is not repre " sented . Let us adduce an instance of this .
Lord MoBrETH , in his table of calculation , stated that the property of Lord Do-wnshibb and others was , in some oases , valued to the poor's-rates higher than the rent , and we are willing to admi * that English-absentee noblemen appear to be better and more encouraging Irish landlords , than either absentee or resident Irish landlords . We even admit that Lord Stanley is beloved by his Catholic tenantry of the county of Tipperary ; but what of that ! a negro may love the man who holds his life in his keeping , and by whose will alone he exists . Such love proves the characteristic gratitude of a people ? but is no bulwark against a tyrant ' s power . We give sow an instance ; the case of the Duko of
Devonshire , one of the largest lauded proprietors in Ireland . In 1823 , when lands got a serious fall in Ireland , the Duke of Devonshire , as we leirn from registration reports in Irish newspapers , reduced twenty-five per cent upon nearly all farms held by occupying tenants ; and mark the consequence ! This noble act of the Duke , had the effect of disfranchising every one of his tenants , whose rents were thus reduced . The reduction was made , it appears , from memorials setting forth that the lands were too dear , and when a tenant of the Duke of Devonshire came to claim his franchise , arising out of his interest , suppose in a hundred acres of land , he then learned that the Reform Bill had
disfranchised him . We give the form of application for , and necessary proofs of title , to acquire the franchise . We will best illustrate it by a conversatioa between the opposing attorney and applicant : — Attorney—What' a your name ? Applicant—Jon . v Styles . Of where 1 Sacks , in the parish of Bags , and barony of Bruff . How do you claim f As a ten pound leaseholder . Who is your landlord ? His Grace the Duke of Devonshire .
How many acres do you hold t A hundred . And the rent ! Siventy-five pound ' s . And do do you swear , Sir , that any solvent tenant would give you eighty-five , if you were going to leave the farm to-morrow ? I do , indeed , and more . Is the right stamp on your lease I I suppose so . Let me see it . O , oh ! why , I find your rent is a hundred a . year . I thought you said seventy-five % 1 say so still .
Why , Sir , hore , in your own lease , it la stated tp be a hundred ! Well , but that ' s nothing , I * pays' seventy-five , and ' gets' a receipt for the hundred . ' Now , Sir , answer mo one question upon your oath ; would a good and solvent tenant give you a hundred and ten pouuds for that farm ? No , indeed , he would not .
l Reject this man , your worship . Go home , Sir , we ' re registering "beneficial interest" over and above the rent reserved in leases , and not his Grace of Devonshire ' s word . How ie that 1 Turn him out , police , and call the next case on . This , we think , will serve as another satisfactory mode of accounting for the discrepancy between the rural constituencies of the two countries .
We have now shown that , if enfranchisement was the object of Lord Morpeth ' s Bill , that the minimum from whence a £ 10 beneficial interest can now be acquired , namely , sixty acres , would carve into eight enfranchising lots ; but as subdivision is not the desire of Irish landlords , we are merely to consider the number of small holdings now not conferring a vote , which the Noble Lord ' s Bill would enfranchise . Taking it , then , per se as a means of producing a very extensive franchise , we have no hesitation in declaring it to be the most sweeping measure ever submitted to tho House of Commons . So far our readers have looked on that picture , now we invite their attention to this .
The result of Lord Moup&th ' b Bill , with or without the Ballot , would be to produce another electoral rout , similar to that of the forty-shilling freeholders , by knocking all small farms into large ones ; and , if that process was considered rather hazardous , just behold how , under a vicious system , we blow down his Lordship ' s baseless vision with a single breath . An original term of fourteen years by lease , constitutes the titlo of the voter ; and how easy would it be , either to give no term , but a mere possession-at-will , or a term short of that required by the Act .
Moreover , let it be understood , that leases are not given of small farms in Ireland : they are merely held upon accepted proposal , which is no plea against an action of ejectment ac common law , nor yet such a document as can be registered ; not being on a stamp . It is an equitable title , but not a legal one , and becomes a good instrument in the Court of Chancery , if the tenant of straw has an inclination to try titles with his landlord of steel , in that expensive department . Just take the fact of nearly all the wealthy landlords of Ireland backing Stanley ' s Bill , and then let the reader ask himself if such persons are likely to allow their land to be carved up for a purpose the very reverse of that proposed by Stanley ,
Nothing can be more short-sighted than the hope whioh the ignorant attach to this proposed measure ; while the Ministers have brought it forward with a two-fold aim—Firstly , as a good back door for an escape from the Repeal agitatio n , by a concentration of all Ireland ' senergies tothisonegreatandsttrprising point . Indeed , Howick , who put ? his foot in every thing , had the felly to confess as much . Wo may therefore fully expect to see a royal loyal Mobpeth Registration Association established forthwith in Dublin , and the repeal put comfortably to rest , after having furnished the current year ' s needful . This new windfall is worth all that has yet presented itself , and if accomplished to-morrow , its only fruit would be to make the cruelties practised in annulling it another source of profitable abuse to
demagogues . Another object which this Bill has in view is to get a good dissolution hobby , and aery of "Down with the Lords , " should it pass the first toll-bar and come to the check : gate .
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"We do not say that Mobpeth would lend himself knowingly $ 0 the fioax ^ but tbi 3 we asseri ^ Kat if there was any , the slightest ! chance , of the thing passing into a law , her Majesty's Ministers would oppose it to a man , if they bad not that reliance for obstruction in the Irish landlords , which never fails tyrants at a pinch . " A thirty pounds' tenancy , 'that is , an undertaking to pay thirty pounds rent , wonld be , ten times over , a more extensive franchise , and would more than quadruple the present constituency of Ireland ; because landlords would be loath to make small
disfranchising farms in the first instance , and they could not altogether exterminate the Catholic tenantry , while they can evade any Act which makes the franchise depend upon a lease , or any other term , than mere occupation . Here then we find the truth of oar assertion worked into practice ; That so long as one man ' s property constitutes another man's title to vote , soilong will the property man either confer the title upon a slave , or evade all those technicalities so cumbrously and ingeniously woven around the magio machinery necessary for conferring it .
Stanley ' s triumphant cheer over Morpeth was as ridiculous and ignorant as it was premature , and for this reason ; the fact of houses in an Irish borough , constituting a ten pound franchise , being rated at five , or three , or two pounds , proves neither perjury nor corruption upon the part of the voter ; but we tell Lord Stanley what it does proveoppression , cruelty , and tyranny , upon the part of the landlord ; for surely those gaping fools , who swallow folly and vomit admiration , must be aware that the mere occupancy of a ten pound house constitutes a borough qualification ; so now where is the laugh 1
As this question of Irish reform is now becoming of importance , it is necessary that our readers should understand the different descriptions of property which constitute a eounty and borough franchise in Ireland . For counties there are three separate ' qualifications . A £ 50 freehold , a £ 20 annual profit , arising from leasehold , which need not be in the possession of the voter , and a £ 10 beneficial interest in lands occupied by a tenant for an original term of fourteen years .
The qualification for city ot borough , is a £ 10 tenancy— -that is , a simple undertaking to pay £ 10 , a-year : Freemen , living within seven miles of the borough ; and forty shilling freeholders in existence antecedently to the Reform Bill . Now , can anything be more ridiculous than to confer the right of voting upon the occupant of a ten pound tumble-down old house , who may not do a day ' s work from one end of the year to the other and to refuse a vote to a maa who holds fifty acres of land , apon which himself , and perhaps four or
five hearty sons , expend their every day ' s labour--aye , though he occupies 1 , 000 acres for a term less than fourteen years ? Why not , then , at once say , instead of a rateable sum , occupanoy at such an amount of rent , which would do away with all the complication of registration and appeals ? The answer is easy . Because its simplicity would do away with the Whig job , while its extension may lead ; to the correction of many ] profitable abuses , so that in suck case , the Whigs and the demagogues would each lose a rung of the ladder .
The thread of our Constitution has become too weak and attenuated to admit of the Mobpeth knot : it is too strong a weld for the rotten material . But shame , eternal shame , upon a British Ministry , who could have recourse to so base a subterfuge as a last resource to prop a falling house . They neither hope , desire , or expect to carry this measure ; but , alas ! it furnishes another sad proof that we have arrived at that period of our country ' s history , when the existence of a weak , an imbecile , and profligate Government , and not the character of the House of Commons , nor the efficiency of its measures , establishes the rule of cabinet action .
What ! then , exclaims the reader , will this show , of liberality end in smoke , and produce no profit ! Nay , in faith . He , for whose sole benefit it was produced , told the House , in clear , distinct , and emphatic terms , that , for such a measure , the Irish w , ere ready and willing to out German throats , or French throats , or any throats . And-thia measure will snap the last cord by whioh Irish society was bound : it will bo a fuze which , set to the combustible materials of centuries' gathering , will ignite a flame which will not end in smoke !
This measure , intended as an extinguisher for Repeal , will , eventually , lead to a separation . War , between the tyrant landlords , as well Catholic as Protestant , ( for there is not a pin to choose between them , ) and the long oppressed Catholic tenantry , must be the result ; and that the latter may conquer , » nd teach justice to such monsters as their Brookes and Maxwells , is our sincere and devout wish .
In this struggle , the glorious effect of a standing army of over 8 , » 00 rifle police , will be felt in Ireland ; and now we shall be enabled to judge of the measures intended for the protection of Irish liberty . These 8 , 080 police , mostly Catholics , will bave as little compunction in cutting their Catholic countrymen ' s throats , for pay , in opposing the measure , as the rural population , it appears , would bave in cutting French Catholic throats for the
measure . The Irish landlords , Churchmen , and patronage trustees , know well that , in the event of such a measure passing , and not opposed by depopulation , or restriction of a fourteen year ' s tenure , they would lose all borough , as well as county , parliamentary influence ; for , although it may appear , by Lord Mobpeth ' s tables , that thft effect of the measure would be to disfranchise some of the lower-priced , and therefore , more liberal houses , yet , inasmuch as borough and parlia . mentary towns in Ireland are , even now , and would be much more under Mobpjsth ' s Bill , subject to county influence , the change , as regards borough election franchise , would not counterbalance the increased rural influence which the measure would
give . In every county in Ireland , it is the non-electors who return the Members called Liberal . The labourers and small farmers influence the voters ; and the votew , with tho uon-electors , can carry exclusive dealing in their borough town to a sufficien t extent to influence a suflicient number of Liberal voters ; this is just what Lord John Russell declared constitutional , at Bristol , when he very properly assigned it as a reason for opposing the Ballot ; he said , that the Ballot would deprive the non- ' electors of their legitimate influence over the electors : it is true that we said so long before the Noble Lord thought of it , but bis admission ib of more importance than best proof . Upon the whole ,
then , we have no hesitation in declaring the Mobpeth Bill to be a matoh for the Stanley Bill lest the latter should have a walk over . A Bill , which the minority have neither the means , the hope , nor the wish to carry A Bill , whose real character is that of a counterirritant . A Bill , which open 3 a trap-door to save them from a collision with their crutob . A Bill , which , if carried , would depopulate Ireland , and reduce those who did remain upon the land to the conditions of mere tenanta-ai-vrill , mibjeot to the vicissitudes of a feudal lord ' s whim and caprice . In fact , as the agitation about tithes increased the real burden upon the poor , so will the very shadow of this Bill increase rents , diminish tenurea , and multiply cruelties .
BjU let it work . It is afire-ship in full sail , a garter safety-valve , a universal bombshell , thrown iiitb the moral-force camp of peaceful , starving Ireland . Yes , we bail it as the first indirect Charter fire from the Ministerial battery . Wait , wait a wipe-wait for the dissolution , and then our Chartist physical force will be aaihe gentle zephyr compared to the rude blast which will cross the Channel from our moral-force neighbours .
The Government have , all , in one body , turned Chartists without knowing it , Dan asked but for equality with England , as an instalment , land Mob-
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p eth says— " No , that's too little ; you shall jy ^ forty shillings in the pound . England hag & ^ j ! franchise ; we can trust you with a five . " Now gfc ,. Universal Suffrage who can . Hurrah 1 for the ^ days of Whiggery ! If preparation for going « promises so much , What will the turn-out gj ^ Answer : —Any thing tkat renders the key of tk Treasury in return . Hurrah 1 for an honest ^ minority and the Charter J . ' y * _
The incomparable bloniness with which every a . of the Establishment , from " the leading jourjj i * to the tip of the tail , has approached this queatj ^ proves that they one and all areas ignorant bj ^ . Irish affairs , as if the country was but just di ^ vercd . We never witnessed a more miserable ^ bition than the Establishment ' s attempt at illustra tion of the beauties and deformities of the Nj ^ l Lord ' s abortion .
We shall watch this question m its progress ; Jfu does not meet with a sudden death , to prove ^ eleotrically than natural dissolution , that " Ird ^ has nothing to expect by way of justice / rom » English Rouse of Commons . " Dak will undergjuj the last sentence .
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WANTED , A CHARTIST HORN BOOK m 14 MOTHER GOOSE . " Thebr is nothing more amusing , where W , ranee is shorn of its powers of mischief , than tit observing of the fre % uent instances in whiej ^ ¦ novice , in politics , either becomes a dupe to hia o ^ imagination ; or , upon getting npon his own leafe the first time , is lost in amazement at the string / position in whioh he finds himself . Last week .
Mother Goose heads an article , a very stupid qm "Universal Suffrage and No Surrender "; aud ftproceeds to denounce those who aesume the mot ^ and vociferate it , instead of supporting the princ ^ ' upon argument . Why , our friend should ^ known , that it was , after sixty years and mna argument , that the motto was adopted . Thit m have challenged and beaten the whole press ttpoo argument ; showing its superiority over all < % standards of Suffrage .
We can best account for our friend ' s ignoraDeeh aaimilar puzzle into which we were once led en * , selves . About twelve years ago , we ha ppened ^ the first time , to pass through the lovely vale rf Todmorden , when the full and luxuriant foliage of her many woods and groves , made rich by the spUa dour of a summer ' s eve , and enlivened by the song of the joyous feathered tenants , rendered the beat ?
of the Bcene complete . We occupied the box-s « L and were literally lost in delightful contemplation . In the midst of our most pleasing reverie , induced by the many surrounding objects of attraction ^ m could not avoid noticing , with undisguised surprise , the cool indifference of our travelling compani © -. the coachman , who throughout never turned sum right or left , but kept both steady on his " dogV meat , " which , being none of the best , appeared to
require his every attention . After he had " tooled * Ihem along , with long thong whip , and short "Tommy , " and when we had passed the vale , hi shook himself and said , " Well , that ' s over ; d-a that bit of road ; it ' s the worst in all England for t heavy coach . " We replied , " You lost a be » utifol sight . " " Nay , nay , " he replied , "its new io jn Sir , but I ' ve had it in all seasons ; it ' s cost meauj a doctor ' s fee .. Just yon take my place for twenty years , and see whether you'll like it as well ti g * end of . that time . " *
Now , such is precisely our friend ' s position ; fci tho first time he begins to bear something abort what every body else is thoroughly familiar with ; and be wants us , for his edification , to go orfrtit whole A B C of Universal Suffrage again . We cannot just afford that amount of time and trouble , for the gratification and instruction of our jomjj friend , at present ; but we advise him to attend the youth ' s political debating club , juBt opened at ihe Chartist News Room , Vicar-lane ; if he find hi powerB there overtasked , and beaten out of « ante . nance , we may yet be able to serve him , as it is ia contemplation shortly to open a Chartist Siindjj School , where , we have no doubt , the teachers will have as much patience with his natural dnlneet and inexperience , as may be necessary .
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MR . FROST'S FAMILY AND O'CONNOR . " Words are but wind , Actions speak the mind . " Some time ago , O'Connob threw out the hint of procuring an annuity for the family of Mr . Fbqst , by the following means—London to engage for the payment of £ 20 a-year , the rest of England for in equal sum , Scotland also for £ 20 , and Wales for £ 3 ) , O'Connob undertaking to answer for Ireland .
• Well , notwithstanding the vociferous bawling for the accounts ( of which we have heard no&ia since the balance was shewn to be on the wrong side ) , how stands the matter now with the bawleret Why , O'Connob has remitted his first quarter ! instalment for Ireland , while the other quarters have yet to do likewise . This will never do ; ft man ' s family who cannot work must be allowed to starve , while he is working without remunerate in a foreign land .
O'Connob has told us , Fbost had a smile uponhii countenance , whic h broke through his load of rare , when he ( O'C . ) assured him that the people would never desert his famil y ; but it is not fair , or jost , that one man should be expected to perform ihe covenant for the empire ; to stand Bponsor for Ireland is , in all conscience , responsibility quite safficient .
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" TOO MANY LOVERS PUZZLE A MAID . " Many friends inform us that some of then * most prominent agitators are in correspondence with various parties , and ask our advice . We «< f «* them only to remain firm ; and whenever a pnblio meeting is convened , for any purpose , no matter what , shove in the Charter amendment ; or , if A » enemy refuse to fight a H-o-u-s-e , put it forward as an original resolution ; and insist upon ever / amendment or resolution being read over londly and distinctly , three times , before any vote is taken upon it . This will aroase the torpid . The mow they hear of Universal Suffrage the better . And always pass a vote of censure upon any man , behe whom he may , who once advocated Universal Suffrage , and now declares for any other .
Declare all resolutions worthless which are pn * to a paying audience ; we sball register none except where there is free admission and free expression of opinion . We represent poverty , not pro perty } and we know well how meetings can be packed , even by a penny , or ticket , admission . Our publisher informs us that he has ordered * very handsome device for the head of the Star , which will represent the Charter vessel ia foil « & with the Five Points , and No Surrender flying ** the mast head , and then take it down from th « highest H-o-u-s-e chimney-pot who can , but " Will , NBVEB , BEVEB , KEVBB 8 TB 1 KB IT . :
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THE PROVISIONAL EXECUTIVE ANJ > THE DELEGATE MEETING FOR FEBRUAR 20 , 1840 . Upon this subject , we have received the foUovtoi ¦ emiible-lettet , whioh we publish , aud to which *• call attention , with great pleasure : —
TO THE , EDITOR OF THB KOBTHBRff SMB . Sib , —Ever since the Delegate Meeting at M ** Chester , by whioh the National Charter Associato £ was established . I have marked elosely the proceedings ot the Provisional Executive Council , wf appointed , to carry out the first means necessary *' bring the National Association into action ... **" deliberations of the delegates who assembled at tw meeting I Jhave alluded to , commenced on Mouw ' July c the 20 th , 1840 , and ended on »» following . Thursday or Friday . It **? then agreed thai a Provisional Execj Uts should be appointed , to manage the business of "" Association until the 1 st of January , 1841 , p " ' *! to whioja they should have secured the election ° » an Executive for the next twelve months , ?« £ should come into office immediately upon the p * " * Bional managers retiring .
^Xrrtwjn Stijgotnegttt.
^ xrrtwjn stiJgotnegttt .
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Esbata . —In our leader of last week , upon Colonel Thompson ' s letter , for " humbug , " in the firet line of supposed extract from Col . Thompson ' s History of the Wars , read " numbers ; " and in Mr . O'Co . skor ' s Letter , for " ride them in vrinkles" read " ride them in tcinfeers . "
The Northern Star. Saturday, February 13, 1841.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 13 , 1841 .
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_ k _ THE NORTHERN STAR . ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 13, 1841, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1096/page/4/
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