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Cijaritgt QntelUzcnte.
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TO THE LANDLORDS OF IRELAND. LBTTEB III.
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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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Mt Lords axd Gkxtlemes , —As it is my intenfion to devote this letter exclusively to a consideration of the labourers' ease ; I feel myself compelled to refer to tbe arfomoKi now in use , and relied upon by Qje antagonist poiitieil parties . In order as much as possible to avoid the introduction of polities , J , fraH merely state the professed object of the parties , jnd tie success whi ^ : , by their atcendaney , they hold oal as the political thing to be contended for by the people .
Yon are both agreed tken npon the principle , or rather npon the object , which is to better the condition af tie -working classes ; the manufacturing class declarjug that you are the impediments in the way of social Jupp lnea ; while you charge your opponents with false pretences , a desire to plunder yon and to usurp political poorer , without offering to the people as the mannfjetcrers do , even a pleasing fiction , such as " cheap food , " to feed the imagination of the starring . Your position being good , your cry is : " we are Tery -well ; \ a t ell enough alone . "
Sow , my Lords and Gentleman , it is my intcntaon > U assessor , faithfully to discharge my duty between jsu as rivals for power . In the first place then , the Bianafactnrers hold eut something to the people , although it is a delusion ,- "while you , sturdy and obstinate is j-osr ne-wly-ac ^ nired power hate not even yet in the eleventh hour , offered anything substantial as & set-off ijiinst the manufacturers ' shadow . Yon hope to ward off their encroachments by Parliamentary majorities , » bSe they expect to assail your granaries with a legion
d starring besiegers , whose passions , by the sUppage d their mills , they hope to inflame to an extent unaspjlable by the voice of reason , nneontronlable by the iEtuenee of their leaders , and invincible , from ffieir smaerical strength and their masters' implied consent , to see all 1 ** ** * nonght to a certain point , that point being the exact one where their own object shall fesTe been achieved . To these inducements for revenge add the hope of impunity and the heavy stake of life or death , and weigh them against your political majority * ad your scale inn kick the beam ' .
My Lards and Gentlemen , thus I prepare you for a state of public mind over which reason argument and influence can have no control , even for a moment ; when judgement and common sense shall be overcome by necesity and want . I tell yon that your social abuses bare led to the anticipation of such a moment I look to first causes rather thin to results , and inasmuch a 3 I would altogether acquit a drunken m « n of the crime < tf wGfal murder , who in the momtut of intoxication lad depriTed his fellow man of lifejf while the act
troald nevertheless increase my aversion toa vice thein-( Mfence in -which had led to the result ; 80 with you ; TtHe I sincerely deplore the shocking results to which the uncontrolled power of manufactures has led , nevertheless , I cannot banish from my mind the fact , that tsjet monoi > oly has been the cause of those results Bad jon given to natural labour ¦ wholesome labour and healthful labour , the full reward of its real -value , the JBSBfjCfcUiereiS Dttet "Would have b&sn able to drug &e markets of the world with the produce of cheap Ubocr , made cheap by erpuMon from the land .
2 » ow , this is my position . >" o labour to the individual labourer is so beneficial as that which he can expend upon the land , and eo labour to the labourer is so EnreEuaeratinij as that orei the produce of which hr fcas no controul , and of the value of which he Las not the enure , —aye , the entire . I eTer have , and ever Till contend for the freeman ' s right to the untouched Thole of the produce of his lafeour . Of course , 1 ifaat that in thtsa instances where men of less fpeealative , and more indolent habits than the . il ntigiiboors are satisfied to wort for masters , that in sach
esses , the capitalist is fully , justly , and honourably enfekd to remuneration for risk and speculation ; while ej object is to take care that the enumeration is not made too exorbitantly profitable by the destitution of the working man , who has but the alternative of Tatting at the existence point or of starving ; tblsl would regulate by the establishment of a wholesome labournan , where all who are willing might expand thch Uiocr and esjoj its full profit ; and by vbat genera ; Bandsrd , the labour of those working for otters would » l » be repnaied .
The great question , indeed the only question , for the laboerer to consider then is , whether or not those who oSsr " cheap bre ^ d" ts a means of alleviating the distress of tie people , are sincere ; and if sincere in their object , then to cor ^ Ktr whether in point of fact the prefect , if saccessful , wou ' . fi opera ; e as a perramtEt stopple to perUaical ~ 93 ^ t , wanld establish a £ xed cd satisfactory standard , "would less-. n the d = p = ndsner of the labourer , and would make his "d . ^ : pride to consist in the modest comforts of his condii : a . " 1 leive you out cf the question , as ynu Gf-r no ; pcvtoy for your monopoly , and hold out no reircdy f ur iSs earrectcn .
Xow , if I can prove that the total abol'vxn cf all restrictions upon foreign corn , " srsd » r existing cir-Kzutancts , " would but create a gitttcr ( . ' . ependemj of the labourer apon his employer , and r = ni jve him , if possible , a step f azlfacr from aii CCT-Ircl OTer ilii ju ^ iw *; and ii 1 car : pro-re tsat our own ccir . uy zjb-• sses more liic ample means for tStcz- ^ llj zz 6 speedily accomplishing that which the maEuficrareri « Bi luidiords both prc-fsss to be their object , name . 'y ,
to iacease the comforts cf tlie people ; I say if 1 cm proTs tins , sid that you are the impediments to the ajeomplishmcnt « f such a wholesome state o : thinzs I aj if I can prove this , even to yours = iTes , will you not , u : ? r notice and ptrsevcrance , justly Eerit any jnusLcigiit which may result from an assiult of tht cfeiiled p ^ sdeus of the starving mnltituiit , to tvhx ) S = & ! Kl patient conTineing zzd jest appeals you have K ijLz remaited deaf ?
My Lords acd G-ant-emen , wi ± so mach of a prefac = to this my third letter , I shall now proc ^ -eu to open the CSSe a my clients , and lay uily fee or rsTrard sh&U be Ck hopt ol Seeing you , and them , and all those who > K t-o * at variance , living as ti . e meabcra of the fraalj of one grtat Pathsr of all , each distinguisiic-a sccording to his real merit , and honoured according to Msdsscrts . Alas ! what a tasi I have uniertai . e . a , when in the outset the gr = at oificulty of reconciliug tj my views ti toss-legisiator wLo eoipluys two thousand pers . ns , aad -sriio makes £ 7 , Sol- per aTrrrara of « verv tiireepence .
Eiiiid from tie latoaT cf each , staris me in ths face . ITtit fears wcuM hannt m = if I -sas 3 timid man , ' ^ I rtSsct upon the political j-ower of those i ; arr . « Tboss monopoly of man '* rights I hope to destroy . "Whit must b = my fate when 1 feel coavinced tin : tha : Saie of things , at which I have previously hinie 1 , xrui Ik s = re so come , and -whtn , in tic buslle and naxDloil , * H that I hsTs ^ oae cr endearoareJ to do , will be Bade to appear to the starving people , by their hard « i cammiaiiag tasi-masters , & 3 the immediate cause d tiiir pressinr wantf .
- " ¦ - ? Lords sind Gentlcm = n , Iamnoteitheruninijidfalof . !^ ii po'wer or of the n . annerin which it has ever been CS £ -. ft ^ mthe time of Tiberius Gracchus down to the pre-8 E : : '• - > to oppress and destr&yail who wonld make your ^ tfs available to your own a :- d the nation ' s wants . " . iLT tzf ^ znszd is in the tetter state of public opinion —lat he simplicity of my project—in tie facility of ^•^ it into p ractical operation , and in the disintesisa motives which 1 haTe in propounding it I do _ ' "thieve thai you could now , as the Rornan Senate ^ oT ^ old , sit cp a T > T i „ a faxgg landmajt to ^ at the people ' s attention from what is justly their ~ = » by offering them more than I do , and much more
' ~* 3 yoar puppet would intend yea to perform . You ** the same interest in disposing of me that •^ oligarchy had in diipasing of the Gracchii ; and for wa reason—they led a blind flock , while I am but ®* of nujjy shepherds , trith whose voice , whose ^ aace , asd whose every movement , a flock , ob-*« nt and themselves keenly upon the watch , are well ^ a -ed . The G-racchii were both brutally mnr-^^ ttd their remain ! insulted ; but yet were their T ^* , in part , subsequently carried . And now , f ^ j d jou dispose of me , I should but make room for ^ kfck of others who , without a lite knowledge of * 3 ee s would direct public opinion w the attain-> BBi " *** which , after possession , the people <* sot so well know how to turn to the best ad-T *^ 1 iB ibey "would consequently look for more . fc t
w — . - ^ w ^^^ m v _ ^ ^ ^^ ^^ m ^ ^ **» dffi ** ** ^ HI 0 * ^ ? »> jfcrt through life has keen to make my readers sstana every word I write , and see the feasibility of b 4 ? » 7 project ; this I ttltmpt even at the h 32 ard of ti j . ^" -1 : rf ' ^ - I am not a mere hired writer , 12 X 6 ^^'^^ tsniaTi , iiyB the hish-mettled paci
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ziponjhe scent , and theo allows them to ran dqwn the gajue according to their fancy ; I follow the pack , ride well tip to them , sou to make my hit before a long check has destreyed the scent , and compelled me to run a-head upon a mere chance of recovering the game . I watch jour every double and traverse , and go the whole ground after you , and thus make my followers acquainted with your every turn .
My Lords and Gentlemen , I shall now consider what a hundred acres of ground subdivided into ten farms of ten acres each , is capable of deing : how many it would maintain , the description of maintainance , and the surplus , after having supplied the family , which it wouldjeave for traffic in the manufacturing and commercial market . I shall , according to promise , taSc the rudest calculations ; and , firstly , as to the gross produce .
One and half acres of potatoes , half an acre of fallow , one acre bf lay ( sward ) oats , two acres of wheat , half an acre of meadow , quarter of an acre of flax with clover , one rood of kitchen garden , one ditto of vetches , spring and summer ; and four acres of pasture . Produce for family ' s consumption , for one year ; ( family consisting of a man , his wife , and his children ); sixty stones of wheat ; fifty stones of oatmeal ; five hundred stones of potatoes ; twenty stones of bacon ; vegetables ; half the milk of a cow ; with poultry , eggs , and honey .
Let us now take it per week . More than a stone of wheat flour ; a stone of oatmeal ; ten stones of potatoes . For forty-five weeks deducting seven for Lent , ( a time when Catholics abstain from meat ) two pound of bacon en Sundays , Mondays and Tuesdays , every week in the year ; three quarts of new milk per day , twenty-one quarts per week , thus estimating a cow's milk at twelve quarts a day for the summer season , and allowing one quarter of her milk in summer and the other quarter to be used in butter during winter ; but I take all as milk . Yalue of produce after the above amount for consumption shall have been deducted : —
£ s . d . >"" ine bap of wheat , at twenty stone the bag , at £ l i > s . the bag n 5 0 Produce of a cow and half , valued at £ s per cow 12 0 0 Five barrels of oats , at fourteen stone the barrel , at 10 s . the barrel , or less than 9 d . per stone 2 10 0 Profit on four 'bacon pies , fed from May to March , and bougntat nice months old £ 2 .-103 . each 10 0 0 Profit on four sheep , fatted after shearing , ICs . a head 2 0 0 Eggs , poultry , linen ( or spun flix . 5 0 0
Tnoseamounts , added , make ... £ 1 $ 15 0 From which deduct : — Rent and rates 11 9 0 Laid by for girls' portion and casualties perannuin 7 15 0 Tctal 23 15 0 which deducted from the £ 42 15 s . leaves £ 24 to be annually expended in the manufacturing and commercial market . Let us now take the aggregate of what ten farms , thus managed , can do as compared with the same ten farms in the occupation of one tenant .
By the subdivision , they support in afflasnee , comfort , and abundance , seventy persons . They produce for sale , after consumption , ninety bags of wheat ; one hundred hundred weight of bacon ; thirty hundred -weight of butter ; forty fat Eheep ; fifty barrels of oats , at fourteen stones to the barrel ; eggs , poultry , flax , or liren , £ 50 worth . Let us see what it does besides . It gives the family four fleeces , at five pounds of wool per fleecetwenty pounds of wool ; and the produce of two roods of flax for winter employment and clothing .
yov take the one hundred acres held by one tenant &nd you imre the foiiovrins ; produce for sale , after the scanty existence of forty-two persons : —Wheat fifty bags ; instead of ninety bags ; bntter sixteen hundred Tsight , instead of thirty hundred weight ; oats tarenty barrels , insUad of fifty barrels ; bacon twenty hundred Weight , instead of one hundred hundred weight ; flax , 01 linen , eggs , and poultry , nothing , instead of £ 50 worth ; steep ccne , instead cf forty . Cash-saved and 3 ef ; for expenditure , after payment cf rent , rates , and expe-aces of one hundred acres , £ 10 1 0 s . Od . ; instead of £ 317 153 . Oil .
My Lords and Gentlemen , is this rough draft of profit and loss , yon will , Firstly , Io : > k to the fact that 1 get rid of forty useless horiea , and / or them substitute only twenty-eight individuals , the difference between the forty-two ' kept alive" npon the large farm and the seventy kept fat and well upon the small farms . Secocdly , that instead of having by the small farms seventy acres of bad grass land sacrificed to thirty acres cf bad tillage , there is a sacrifice of only forty acres ; there bein ^ sixty , instead of thirty , in fall producing tilt , by tu-i substitution of spide culture for the plough and this sacrifice of fo ; ty acres is owing to a want of sufficient population to cultivate all to the highest state of perfection .
Tou will require from me proof as to the capability of producing what I have stated from the ten acres . In the Srst place , then , let me jast tell you that I have strictly kept to plain dig ^ in ^; that according to cul " tare I have taken the very lowest average ; while according to prices , I have taken much below the average for every thing , according to any seven years of the last forty . I allow six bags of wheat to the acre . 1 allow 1800 stoDes of potatoes to one and a half acres , or 1200 stones per acre . I allow four acres of grass , two roods of vetches half an acre of meadow , half an acre after grass , with
whit the house affjrds , for t -wo cows and four sheep ; I allow bran , gardenstnff , S ; ae milk , and 1 , 300 stone Cf potatoes , for five pigs for nine months . I allow only what I am now receiving myself for dairy cows , £ 3 a-head , while the labourer would make much more of thsm . I do not take too much out of the ground , but on the c ntrary , I keep it in proper heart ; while the hud , without mentioning any of his family who might be capable of helping him , would not be one half of his time employed in the task I have set him ; and yet I leave him £ 31 153 . per annum , after the best of good living , clothing , and lodging , instead of £ 8 , as at
present , eut of which he must eke a subsistence ; and right lucky and well pleased is he if he can even get the chance . As to the manura , which is the principal thing , I-firstly bring his arms , which is the real essence of manure , —the oxygen , —into operation ; and , besides that , I leave him three acres of straw , half an acre of meadow , two cows , four sheep , five pigs , poultry , and gardea-rabbish to manure oua aud a half acres of potatoe ground , which you will surely think enough , having cheered ilr . Sharman Crawford -when he allotted to two unfortunate little pigs tt » herculean task of manuring an acre !
As I do not write so much with the hope of convincing you , as for the purpose of convincing my own clients , I purpose in my next letter to take a more extensive view of this subject ; while , for the present , I shall answer some of the most recent absurdities of hired writers . I have read , and I assure you I forget just now in what paper , the assinine remarks ef some Bcetian , who laughs at the notion of all the wheat-producing land
in the united empire , ) which he estimates at twenty millions , ) being capable of supplying twenty six millions with bread ; while I have shewn that ten millions of acres would support seven millions in affluence , and leave a sufficiency o ! bread , butter , bacon , oatmeal , poultry , eegs , honey , flax , with four millions of sheep annually , for more than twenty millions more fed at the same n ie ; that is , more than a sufficiency of all these things for more than twenty-seven millions of people .
Aly Lords and Gentlemen , is it not now plain that the bad state of things is preserved by the political patronage which the usurpation of political power by she misapplication of land has given to you and your
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order , and which has been acquiesced in by the new order of political economists , who , as I haTe shown , derive an income of nearly £ 4 , 000 a year from the employment of every 1 , 000 slaves ? and however you and the steam lords may affect a humane object , ( which , by the way , I repudiate , as I look for full and complete justice , and every particle of their just rights , for my clients ); but however you may attempt to convince the people that justice and their good i > your object , and however you may shove the saddle from back to back , believe me that those who bear the burden now know , and know full well , that the object of each is to plunder as much as they can from the unrepresented . My Lords and Gentlemen , Ik is a bard word , but think of the provocation .
My Lords and Gentlemen , while we find the three great parties in the state thus straggling as deadly foes , just thick of trying to lock up the treasures of Providence , in order that you may preserve a mere artificial state of pre-eminence over your fellow man , and think of the foolish manufacturers , who have gambled so long in blood , now hoping to persuade a people made miserable by their recklessness , that their atrug * gle is all for the said people ' s benefit
But do we not observe the striking anomaly all through eur system , of never looking to home , while the eyes of all are eternally directed to other countries for what we could better , more freshly , more conveniently , more profitably , more abundantly , and more comfortably suppiy from under our own noseaf Hence , mfyour House of clerks and " powder monkeys , " you have ministers of war , of colonies and of trade , but no minister of agriculture . You have a minister of allspice , nutmegs , mace , ginger , pepper , raisins , almonds ,
tmed currants , cinnamon , oranges and Naple biscuits ; but no minister of wheat and pork , and beef and butter ; and , in truth , I venture to say that Mr . Labouchere would turn up his nose most disdainfully if asked how many stall-fed beasts would make a sufficiency of manure for an acre of potato * ground , or if asked how many men it wonld require to cat the seed and plant and dig the potatoes ; bat , believe me , that a knowledge of these things is the knowledge which , ere long , will be most prized .
My L « rds and Gentlemen , there is another anomaly which never strikes you . It is , that agriculture ' Ireland should have for its governor , a general , a kind of military chieftian—a kind of Don Quixotte , with his squire Sancho Pahz % in the Cabinet , who knows nothing about agriculture , the country , the people , their manners or their customs ,-who cares nothing about agriculture ; whose whole time is taken up in the adjustment of party squabbles , political disagreements , consideration of military , police , and magisterial affairs ; and changed too with each administration . He is a mere political tool
and in nine cases out of ten , a most egregious fool ! either a military fop , flying about the country in peacock's feathers courting his party , or a quiet-going old gentleman , fear / ol of doing right lest he may be suspected of doing wrong ; and in his endeavour to please every body , pleasing no body , and losing his character into the bargain . Such is your political chieftain : while the greatest recommendation which your agents can have , is a steeled heart That man only is fitted far the collection of rack-rents who can look upon the leytJ act of taking the bed from under the sick woman and the last cow from the little children , as divested of all moral turpitude .
Tou will , no doubt , say that I am dealing -with tbe exceptions . I say that I am not ; that on the contrary , good landlords are the exceptions , and they are comparatively few ; and when they are to be found , where is the man more honoured , beloved , and respected in the world ? JJy Lords and Gentlemen , being connected with , and sometimes managing large estates ; having farmed a large quantity or ground ; being & banister , in very extensive practice , and much consulted by tenants , labourers , and landlords ; havingbeenaMemberof Parlia *
ment for three years for the great county of Cork , and having , through life , given the most serious attention to the state of Ireland , I have no hesitation in stating , that the whole of Ireland's wrongs , her poverty , her degradation , the insecurity of property , the hatred of the aristocracy , and contempt for the laws , are consequences more of your misrule , than of any political or religious animosity which the people entertain towards Tories or Protestants . The Tories are Protestants , aud the landlords are , for the most part , Protestants , and therefore is all crime , and justly , charged upon Toryism 2 Lnd ^ Protestantism .
My Lords and Gentlemen , you may consider it a " great bore" to be compelled to make any such arrange , ments as will suit the present times , but the question is , whether you will put up with a choice of evilswhether you will undertake the " bore" of collecting more rent from a greater number , or be " bored "by geing without any rent . You complain that the people are dirty , while you deprive them of the means of being cleanly . You complain that they are ignorant , while you withhold from them the means of educating themselves . You complain that they are vicions , while you oblige them to have recourse to deception and invention to defend themselves against yeur oppression .
ily Lords and Gentlemen , once more I caution yon against the foolish notion that an English political question , cannot affect Irish property . I tell you that poverty , like water , will 2 nd its level ; and I also tell you that the most rising and pow erful political interest is that of the English manufacturers , whom you will find to jour cost , to be excellent engineers , and which you will admit when they have reduced you , after payment of debts and mortgagees , to the very same condition that th « hand-loom weavers are now in .
My Lords and Gentlemen , I further caution you against the vain hope of preserving monopoly by your political majority ; that , believe me , will be your greatest weakness ; it will , I fear , but add to your difficulties , by emboldening you in your misrule . Pray don't split on that rock ! for believe me , that the day is gone never more to return , when the minds Of Englishmen , irishmen , and Scotchmen , can be held in subjection by Parliamentary majorities , standing armies , police , and a profligate press .
I have done one man ' s share in producing the present state of things . I have accomplished two grand objects , which through life I have kept in view . I have taught the poor not to be afraid of the rich , and sot to be ashamed of themselves . I have , in my own person , given to the whole of society a completely new turn ; so mnch so that I have accomplished that which I believe vanity , self-interest , and pride prevented all my predecessors from attempting . I have taught the people to do without me ; and in this I witness my great protection .
My Lords and Gentlemen , it is not only necessary , but it is a duty to forwarn you of the present state of political feeling . You are in greater ignorance than the Eogii&h hand-loom weavers . Youread newspapers which pander to your prejudices , and live upon your gullibility . Don't rely upon them ; they are rotten to the core . Do not take it for granted , because the Tory prints assert it , that there is any re-action in the public mind in favour of Toryism . Its very resucitation from the grave has roused the slumbering hatred of all good men against it . It must hold power by the musket ;
it must preserve your monopoly by the sword and the gibbet If we are allowed to meet by day , we can beat it in day-light ; and if we are driven to the Old altematiT * lot meeting Whig oppression , why we must seed * bare recourse , one * mor « , to torchlight meetings ; and I presume the Whig proclama tion has died a natural death . However , be assured , that meet we will , and , if attacked , fight we will according to the very best , of oar abilities . My Lords and Gentlemen , I haTe now pointed out the social change which alone can effect that which yon and your rivals profess to be your object , the bettering of the people's condition ; bat io not
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suppose that I am foolish enough to imagine that either woold surrender their hold , the one of political patronage and the other » f labour-plunder , to save the world from flames . No , you would not ! Ask yon , then , why I take so much trouble , I take it to open out a question to the people of England , as regards Ireland , of which they are in utter and complete ignorance , and in which ignorance the press , as ignorant as themselves , would
from necessity , allow them to remain . I take it to prove that tiie interests of the Irish and the English peasant are inseparable and identical . I take it for the purpose of letting you understand that while I oppose a repeal of the Com £ aws , from a conviction that the change would greatly damage my clients , that I do not do ao , by any means , with an intention of allowing you to starve the people as landlords , or to shoot the labourers at pleasure as politicians .
I feel assured that the press cannot answer me . Just allow me to put yon in possession of one fact I certainly understand more about Irish agriculture than all the Editors of English newspapers put together ; and yet will you not fiad one single extract taken from one of my letters , if I write a hundred ; while if some fool of a half-witted political economist began to write a series of letters to you upon free trade , geology , chemistry , hydrostatics , navigation , application ef steam to hatching goose eggs , Ireland ' s capabilities of rivalling England in manufactures , if Bhe would only allow Poland or Russia to send her her supper ,
and make clothes for the foreigners ; all these things would be noticed , and commented upon , and why ? Because they answer the political end of a political party , while my letters only answer the people ' s end , and are therefore sure not to answer your purpose or the purpose of the manufacturer . The manufacturers want to get hold of your estates , in fact , to cut them off from production ; you want to preserve them , while you hope to resist the manufacfurers politically ; and I want to step in between both , and raise the value of land , of produce , and of labour , at one and the same time .
Now , then , I have shown you a very simple process by which you may accomplish all these objects . You must make the workman , to a certain extent , his own producer , consumer , and manufacturer . You thereby relieve the manufacturing market of a large portion of its surplus population , while you create for the remainder an increased consuming community for the manufacturer ' s goods . Why do you bake your own bread , kill your own beasts , and brew your own beer ? Because , by so doing , you have it best and cheapest Why , then , not allow every poor man to do likewise ?
I have shown you that ao far from twenty million acres not producing wheat enough for twenty millions of people , that ten millions would produce wheat , and pork or bacon , butter , oatmeal , mutton , honey , eggs , and poultry enough for more than thirty millions of people ; and I am prepared to go further , and to prove that five millions of acres held by one million heads of families , at the rate of five acres each instead of ten , is capable of producing nearly as much as the ten
millions held by the same heads of families . Now , what does that prove ? Why , simply the great value of labour as compared to surface , and the capabilities of the soil ; and that the less you allow to remain in grass the better . Just think that for four acresof grass , half an acre of meadow , and half an acre of vetches , I can allow but £ 12 a-year in the keep of two cows ; while for the remaining fivs acres , I allow the whole support Of Beven persons , and a surplus of £ 30 158 . annually .
This then is my position . I assert that five millions of acres of land is capable of maintaining one million families at the rate of seven to each -family ; and bear in mind , that I allow six millions ont of the seven to remain completely idle . I have not taken a day ' s work of any of the sons or daughters Into my calculation ; and I further assert that the process required would not occupy each man one-half of the year , while at the lowest average the land would produce a sufficiency of bread , oatmeal , butter , bacon , egga , poultry , and
several other things , for more than twenty-five millions of inhabitants . You know little or nothing of spade culture . I do ; I have tried it extensively , and I have shown its effectB upon bad land to the Professor of Political Economy , Dr . Longfleld , and to many very excellent gentlemen farmers , and they were astounded at the produce . In speaking of Dr . Longfield , late Professor of Political Economy , and now Law Professor of Trinity College , I must say that be is the only one of the art I ever met iH my life who could apply what may be beneficial of the theory to practice .
My Lords and Gentlemen , having embarked in a subject which I find requires more space than I had imagined for doing it and mysslf and my clients justice , and being , therefore , compelled to leave much unexplained which might be beneficially communicated , I have come to the resolution of dedicating to you a book , in which shall be set forth the " Rights of the Agriculturist . " My Lords and Gentlemen , the more I consider this great , this mighty , and all-important subject , the more convinced am I of the value of the acquirement of a
landed provision for the people . Now don't mistake me , as Mr . Justice Littledale did , or affected to do , when he infamously , falsely , and illegally told the Grand Jury , at Warwick , that the Chartists desired to take the land from the present ) occupants and appropriate it to their own uses . Once for all , I tell you that I do not intend any such thing ; that the Chartists do not intend any such thing ; while , at the same time , I am free to confess , that a pertinacious resistance to a just claim not unfrequently terminates in a demand for more than would have been graciously accepted , if granted couTteonsly , wisely , and in time .
1 have weighed my subject and looked cautiously into it , before I introduced to public notice , for the people ' s serious consideration , one of the gravest questions ever submitted to them . It is a subject upon which few , very few , are informed ; and upon which the manufacturers of news ore ignorantas Bcetians . They make the same use of land that they make of churches , tithes , taxes , trade , commerce , and manufactures ; that is to say , they use it each for their respective party purposes , just as it politically suits them .
I should have been mod had I laid this subject before a manufacturing and commercial people , while living in comfort upon forced trade and fictitious money , and before I had prepared their minds for its entertainment , I have , in this letter , informed you of what , far many yean , has been my object in giving up pence , happiness , fortune , and liberty , for turmoil , uneasiness , discomfort , loss , and a dungeon . My object is to obviate the dependance of the labourer upon his employer ; and my means , indeed the only means of effecting that , is by establishing some certain market for labour , wherein the full value may be ascertained ; for the working out of winch , land is the only means , inasmuch as every man has for that trade both labour and capital in his arms , which lie has not for any other .
Herein , then , lay my greatest difficulty . I was well aware that a housed , emaciated , worn-out people , accustomed to a heated atmosphere and a manufacturing life , and wholly ignorant of the land its blessings and its capabilities , could not be brought all at once to entertain a question which appeared uninteresting and foreign to their interest . I have now , however , shewn to those who would still remain , in the hell-holes , that although they never saw a green field , yet , that the landed market , if it were opened for those who would avail themselvesof it , would have the effect of
establishing a standard -whereby erery labourer ' s wages would be regulated . For instance : suppose that A , an agricultural labourer , can support a wife and five children In comfort , by one-half of his own labour , and lay up £ 32 a-year , or spend it in the fancy market ; in such a case , the market being also open for B , ( who may prefer remaining at his own business , ) will prevent a master from being able to get his ( B . ' s ) labour under the v » lue established in the market : thus is B , the operative , who never sees a field , served equally as well as A who cultivates the fields .
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My Lords and Gentlemen , believe me that no huma * being has a more thorough contempt for a mere politician than I have , whether he be Whig , Tory , Radical , or Chartist , except he has some great social object in view . Lock up the laud to-morrow , and I would not give you twopence for the Charter the next day , because yon would have deprived it of its jewel . The Charter can never give the people any control over the land of those . countries to which their attention is directed ; neither should it ; but it can give them control over it at home , so far as to relieve them from a hand-tomouth dependance upon all who make unjust profit by their labour .
I have no doubt that in my progress I shall make many enemies ; but all who know me are aware of the hopelessness of an attempt to turn me from any course that I once undertake . I may be before the public mind ; and if so , I shall wait till it comes up to me : but a single backward step I will not take . I ammoderate in my demand , because it lessees no man ' s store , while it gives plenty to all . I am sincere in my undertaking , and I am resolved to procure the greatest amount of happiness for all , or if needs be to perish nobly in the attempt
My Lords and Gentlemen , I have now told yen how to build a wall of hearts around your persons , and of bone around yeur estates . You must make the people part and parcel of the Ration , or they will cease to have any interest in the well-being of the country . And now , in order to show you the critical applicability of the state of Rome in the days of Tiberius Gracchus , to the present state of this country , arising out of precisely the same causes ( the monopoly of the land by a wealthy oligarchy ) , I shall conclude with the following extract from a speech of Tiberi US Gracchi's . Read it , my Lords and Gentlemen , and study it rather than the airy metaphysical nothings of Sir Robert Peel , as delivered to his constituents , and which are called clever by a political press . Tiberius
said : " The wild beasts of Italy have their caYes to K » tire to ; but the brave men who spill their blood in her cause have nothing left but air and light Without houses , without any settled habitation , they wander from place to placo with their wives and children ; and their Generals do but mock them , when , at the head of their armies , they exhort them to fight for their sepulchres and domestic Gods for , among such numbers , perhaps there is not a Koman who has an altar that belonged to his ancestors , or a sepulchre in which their ashes rest . The private soldiers fight and die to advance the wealth and luxury of the great ; and they are called masters of the world , while they have not a foot of ground in their possession . "
Now , my Lords and Gentlemen , barring the "light and air " which the English slaves do not enjoy , do you not recognise the strict analogy between the Romans in tho days of Tiberius , and the English in the days of your misrule ? I am , my Lords and Gentlemen , Your obedient And very humble servant , Feabgus O'Connor . July 20 th , 1841 .
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BIXiSTON . —The Bilston Chartists held their usua [ meeting in the open air , at the BaU Court . Though tbe evening was showery and unfavourable , yet it was numerously attended , and the greatest attention was paid to Mr . Candy ' s lecture , who , in a most abJe manner , expounded the principles ef democracy and the science of Government to the great satisfaction of his hearers . Our Association is now one hundred and twenty-seven in membership . DARLASTON . —A Public Meeting was held , on Monday evening , at tho Bull Stakes , Mr . Dudley in the chair . Who , after a few brief remarks , introduced Mr , H . Candy , Chartist lecturer for the mining districts . His address was upon monopolies , and their evils ;
labour , aud its rights . He began by showing the evils that had arisen in society through the effects of . class legislation and an irresponsible Government , who had enacted laws beneficial to the few , but destructve to the many ; that the effects of monopoly , with all its baneful influences , may be traced through all the departments of the Government , from the highest aristocrat in power to the lowest jack in office ; their aim , their study , and sole object was to plunder and rob tbe productive classes , and to coerce and keep them down by an overbearing power of soldiery , police , yeomanry , hired spies , the minions , and to » ls , and despicable agents of a treacherous and deceitful Government ,
plundering aristocratic idlers , an ovor- ? orgQd , hypocritical , avaricious , cormorant State Church , the trio of which was so united In their villany , whether Whig or Tory it was immaterial to the working man , him and his interests was crucified between the two , so that they may attain their unholy desires at the expenco of tbe people ' s weal . He fully exposed their monopolies ; and then beautifully entered into the detail of labour , its " rights , and its legitimate reward . He was heard with great attention by a vast assemblage of some thousands . The immense area , right in the centre of tbe town , was literally crammed ; and no doubt the seeds sown by Mr . Candy will bring forth fruit an hundred fold to the good cause .
MR . Candy is engaged for six weeks longer ; and we earnestly hope that all true Chartists will use every exertion to contribute , in the various localities of Wolverhampton , Bilston , Darlaston . and Wednesbury , to the Committee , and persons appointed to receive monies an behalf of the lecturers' fund . COT OF JjONDON . —A special general meeting of tbe shareholders of the Scientific and Political Institute , 55 . Old Bailey , was held on Sunday morning last , July 18 th , when rules for their future guidance was agreed upon , and a managing committee for the succeeding quarter was elected . It was announced by the former committee that out of fifty shareholders twenty-four regularly took the Northern Star weekly , besides a good sale of the National Vindicatory and
wther invaluable vehicles of sound political principles , and the profits arising from which go towards defraying the general expences of the above Institute . The public can obtain them also from ten to twelve o'clock every Sunday morning at the above place : and when free of expence the Hull will be opened to them for political information . In the evening of tbe same day , Mr . Watkins preached ( the above room being licensed for the same ) a very excellent Chartist sermon , which gave general satisfaction to a most numerous and respectable congregation . Next Sunday evening , the 25 th insfc ., Mr , James Savage , another known Chartist , is expected to preach ; and on the Monday evening following , a ' social concert will take place to defray the expences of the London general election committee in the above Institute .
DERBY . —Mr . Bairstow delivered two lectures in the Market Place on Sunday night . The lecturer occupied about three quarters of an hour in depicting the condition of the working millions , and the so-styled higher classes of society . He was listened to with the deepest attention , and at the conclusion stated that on the next evening he would point out the course the people ought to take now that the Tories are in power . On Monday evening , Mr . Bairstow spoke for two hours and a quarter , and his arguments were clear and convincing . At the conelusion , a vote of thanks was passed unanimously to the lecturer , and the meeting broke up , a great many persons declaring it was the best lecture ever delivered in tbe Market Place . The Whigs and sham- Radicals are going to hold a private meeting , for the purpose of forming a Society , having for its objeefs Household Suffrage and the Ballot . Let them beware ; the real Chartists of Derby are not to be duped with their clap-trap measures .
CHESTERFIELD AND BROMPTON . —At the weakly meeting of the Chartists , held on Monday evening last , the following members were chosen to serve on the General Council f or tbe next three months : —Messrs . J . Kycroft , A . Beresford , W . Barkes , J . Wigley , B . M'Lallan , E . Broombead , J . Williams , 8 ub-Tre * surer , W . Martin , sub-Secretory . The resolution of Mr . O'Connor in his letter to Mr . Sinclair of Gateshead , was carried unanimously , after which the meeting separated . HECKMONDWIKB . At & meeting held on
Monday last , a vote of thanks was proposed and earried to the electors for their prudence and decision in remaining at home with , their wives and families , and keeping away from the polling booths of both Whig and Tory . A heart-stir / ing and animating address was given by one of Cur own body . The Radicals ., were much commended for their consistency in going to the nomination unpa ' . d , and , in some cases , at the risk of losing their employment , while the slaves of the factions went und-ir the influence of their masters for one shilling each tjid a waggon ride , to me * the chains of slavery .
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DUBLIN . —The . TTfiWem ] Suffrage Association 1 IT tbta place held their usual weekly meeting on Sunday / evening last , Mr . Woodward in the chair , who , in m neat speech , replete with argument and good sense , showed very clearly the evils of the present defective system of election , and said that nothing short of the principles contained in tbe People ' s Charter could realljr benefit the producers of wealth . Mr . Bropby next addressed the meeting on the importance of the principle of Universal Suffrage ; he showed what the people had to expect from the faction about to eome into power , and what they cad received from the basey treacherous Whig faction , who preached up liberality at the time they were prosecuting the producers of ¦
wealth ; and reform and retrenchment when they were forging new fetterr for the people , and wasting in profligaey tbe public money oni spies and policemen to stifle tbe voice of the people . Mr . Wood , in a tery comprehensive speech , urged the necessity of union , among the working classes of Ireland ; he said th » words Wo Popery and Orangeism" ought to-. be buried , and that the man who would endeavour to agitate these opinions was an enemy to the peace and prospe rity of Ireland . Patrick O'Higgins , Es % ., Wat addressed tbe -meeting . ' ' - ' He said he would be glad , at all times , to have & * opportunity of addreanog toorderly a meeting as that before him , which waB » credit to those who coHdneted it . He drew a wrid picture of the manner in Which the people of Ireland have been deceived by the paid and place-hnatiny " patriots , " and showed the impracticability of th »
present Repeal scheme , -which was a mere clap-trap to answer the ends of a party . Be declared himself to be a Chartist and Repealer , and pledged himself that the Chartists of England were more earnest in th » Repeal cause than any of the brawlers at the Corn Exchange . He gave some very striking proofs . of tbe perfidy of some of those woaldbe-thought " patriot * , " which called forth the disapprobation of a penott present , but Mr . OHiggica told him that be was not now obliged to keep secrets , and that he could prow what he hod then asserted . Mr . O'Higgins was much applauded during his speech , and strong marks of astonishment were given by the meeting at the exposure he gave the supporters of liberality . A vote of thank * was given to the chairman , and the meeting separated all faighly delighted with the prospects now before them in Ireland .
BELFAST . —The Chartists of this place held their usual weekly meeting on the 13 th instant , when there was a good muster . £ . committee of five persona were appointed to look after a larger room , as the one they meet in at present is toa small . They intend , as soon , as they can procure a large room , to admit the public , and invite discussion upon the principles of the Charter Letters were read from several individuals in England and Scotland , which elicited tbe approbation of all present . Several new members were enrolled . Chartism is making a steady advance in the North of Ireland , and the spare papers of English and Scotch friends are solicited .
HALIFAX . —Mr . J . Watson , of Keighley , delivered a very animated address in the Charter Institution of this place , on the evening of Monday last . The room was crowded to excess , and the home truths which he delivered told well upon hid audience , and caused many to respond to the truth of his statements . He was rapturously cheered throughout the whole of his discourse , at the conclusion of which several rounds of applause were given for the " caged lion , " the Northern Star , the other Chartist victims , and to the lecturer ; after which several persons came forward and enrolled themselves m the association . A very spirited subscription has been entered into for a new banner to honour titt liberation of our great champion , F . O'Connor , Esq .. on which a splendid whole length likeness of that gentleman will appear . Tue females are hieing with and emulating the men in this patriotic undertaking
NEWCASTLE . —The Newcastle Chartists held their weekly meeting on . Monday night , Mr . Crothers in the chair . The Secretary read the minutes of last meeting which were adopted ; he likewise read several letters , including one which he received from Colonel Thompson , in which he states it to be the firm belief of an eminent Parliamentary council that Mr . Brontewe O'Brien was legally elected for Newcastle , &c < fcc . The following resolutions were then carried unanimously : — Mr . Frasc-r moved and Mr . Bruce seconded , " Thai this committee return hearty thanks to Col . Thompson , of Blackheath , near London , for bis kind offer to render us ass ^ tance in establishing the point of Mr . O'Brien '* election , and that the Secretary be instructed to reply to Col . Thompson ' s letter . " Moved by Mr . Bruce , seconded by Mr . Fainlougb , " That an address
beissued by the friends of justice throughout the empire , through the Star , requesting their co-operation in raiaing the necessary funds for claiming that seat for James Bionterre O'Brien , Esq ., in the Commons' House of Parliament , to which he was duly and truly elected by the suffrages of tbe borough of Newcastle-upon-Tyne , and that Messrs . John Mason and James Sinclair b * appointed to draw out that address . " Mr . Mofiatt moved , and Mr . Fainlough seconded , " That James Sinclair be appointed sub-treasurer for Mr . O'Brien '* Petition Fund . " Mr . Bruce moved , and Mr . Hall seconded , " That a committee be appointed to audit tbeEUction Fund accounts , previous to the balance sheet being made out , and that Messrs . Frazer and Bruce , with Maugham and . Sinclair , form that committee , and that the balance-sheet be sent to the North ern Star for insertion /'
SUNDERLAND . —On Sunday afternoon , at the Life Boat House , Mr . Geo . Binns delivered an excellent address to a large audience . Lectore by Mk . Harney . —On Friday last , this indefatigable , honest , aud talented missionary in the cause of freedom , visited Sunderiand , after aa absence of nearly two years . This long absence , together with the talent and manifest zeal of Mr . Harney , excited a strong and general desire to hare a lecture from him ; accordingly , the Arcade Room , the largest in the town , was engaged for him , and ou Friday evening , by the hour appointed for the lecture , it was crammed from end to end . On the appearance of Mr . Harney lie was greeted with most enthusiastic cheering . He was accompanied by Mr .
Williams , who briefly introduced Mr . H . to the meeting , when Mr . Harney rose , and was received by loud and continued oheering , which having subsided , Mr . Harney appropriately thanked the meeting for the reception they had given him and complimented the Chartists of Sunderiand upon the noble position they had maintained at the late borough election . Mr . H . then dashed into the subject of his lecture , beginning by exhibiting a rapid , dear , slashing and destructive review of the career of the Whigs , since their acceptance of office in 1832 , to the period of their ignominious defeat in 1841 ; proving that they had been one of the most , if riot the most treacherous , profligate , and tyrannical administrations , that had ever affected this
unfortunate country . He then aearcmngly analysed the pretences upon which they had dissolved Parliament and exposed the utter inefficiency of the ministerial scheme of Commercial Reform , to remove the evil * that now afflict us . With reference to the means by which the national expenditure might be brought down to the uatioual income , or the tax receipts of the exchequer , be eqnared with the Ministerial expenditure , he gave eome valuable instructions to Lord Morpeth and the Wfeigs . He asked how it was that , accepting office ' with a surplus revenue , they had left it with an annual and increasing deficiency , and by continually increasing the debt ; and showed that it was by their system of foreign and domestic policy ; by their intermeddling and
peddling interference in Spain , and Egypt , and Turkey ; by their tyranny and plunder in India ; . their robbery of the Canadian exchequer , and despotic rule in Canada ; arid , lastly , by their opium war in China ; while at home they squandered the public treasure , in establishing a town and rural police force ; in the erection of gaols , station-houses * and model prisons ; the employment of spies , traitors , and informers ; the prosecution , imprisonment , and tyrannous treatment of their country ' s patriots , &c . Ho said , if they were honest , they would retrace their steps , and begin the work of retrenchment by reducing their own salaries to an extent corresponding with the reduction which the
working men have had to sustain . Mr . H . then passed on to examine what tbe Tories , who declaimed these things , would do to remedy the evil , and proved , from the history of that bloody and brutal faction , that they were no better than the Whigs . He advised the people to take their affairs into their own hands , to stand by their own principles , and advance their own cause—encouraging them , by exhibiting the rapid progress which Chartism had made ; its present important position , and cheering prospects . He then concluded a long , interesting , and useful address , amidst great applause . Air . Binns briefly proposed the thanks of the meeting to Mr . Harney , which was carried by acclamation , and , Mr . H . having acknowledged the honour , the meeting concluded .
Chartist Discussion Class . — On Saturday evening iast , the members of the Chartist Discussion Class , meeting at Mr . Orwin ' s , New Hopper-street , Bishopwearmouth , discussed the following question — "Are the principles of the Charter based npon truth ? " At the commencement of business , Mr . Slater was unanimously called to the chair . He called upon Mr . Anderson , the proposer , to introduce the question , which Mr . A . did in a neat and appropriate speech . He was followed by Messrs . Dobbie , Taylor , and others , who , by tbe talent displayed , proved the utility of Bach discussion . After an
animated and instructive debate , the discussion wa » closed by Mr . Anderson . We'irould most strongly recommend our brother Chartists living in that neighbourhood / to atail themselves of the advantages of this class ; for not only 1 b the system of discussing political subjects calculated to deepen their knowledge of them , but the general conduct of this class , the spirit of unity that has ever distinguished them , their liberal aid to the cause , and their untiring zsal , entitles the members of it to honourable notice . We say this without disparaging the servicee rendered bv other classes in the town .
EEIGHLEY . —On Monday evening , Mr . Jackson gave a lecture on the principles of Chartism , and another on Tuesday evening ou the benefits of teetotalitm , both of which were numerously attended , and were listened to -with the greatest satisfaction . j
Cijaritgt Qnteluzcnte.
Cijaritgt QntelUzcnte .
To The Landlords Of Ireland. Lbtteb Iii.
TO THE LANDLORDS OF IRELAND . LBTTEB III .
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YOL . IT . NO . 193 . SATURDAY , JULY 34 ,. 1841 . ' ^^ wSrS ^ - ^ SSSr- "
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AND LEEDS GENERAL ADVERTISER .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 24, 1841, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1119/page/1/
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