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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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! HB SCOTTISH CONVENTION AND THE NATIONAL PEHTIOK OF THE
EXECUTIVE . « Fellow eoonlrymen , —Whit are the reel grounds of $ 8 objection ?"—Dr . P . M . M-Donall to tbe men of RjoUiDlL . -. TO THB XDITOB OP THB K 0 BTHES 5 STAB . Sia , —With these words Dr . M'Donall concludes hi * uuerin the Star of 15 th January . As ooe of the OoamDtion whose dedsion the Doctor rettowa , and a * one rf those who were immediately concerned in passing ibe . resolution he impugns , I will with yonx permission , answer the query . Prom the briefiwss of yonr repor t ol the discussion , yonr English readers must bi equally ignorant of " the objection" with the Doctor , and it is right they should know it ^ The matter in dispute natnraUy resolves into two ^ St The original merits of the Petition .
2 nd . The propriety of protesting against ft after the Btep » which bad been token in proceeding with it As to the first of these , I never bad any doubts , nor have I yet- tbe introduction of . certain matter into it ¦ rielates a principle , which if it be net allnded to , may croTe fetal to "nr movement Those « reat principles upon which the Chartists are agreed , -which formed the substance ef the document bom which they took their raaM , and which constibitss a bond of union between Qiousands who differ span other subjects , refers solely to the constitution cf the legislature . Nark that They leare each , and all « nbacribii > g to thtm free to hold what opinions they
may , as to the measures which it would be proper to pass , if once thatconstitution was obtained . In this , and in the truth of these principles , lies our strength ; our creed excludes no man , be his opinions apon every other point what they may , provided he subscribes to the equality of man , and would " do unto others as he would that others should do unto him . " In our ranks we may with consistency number Hepealera Bod anti-Repealers , anti-Poor iaw men , and Malthutans , OCocnorites , O'Brfenites , Owenites , Cobbettibes , Churchmen , Dissenters , or no Church at all men , and others I need not mention , difiermg in their views of political economy , mtrals , and religion , wide as the Dole * asunder .
This being tbe case , and I defy any one to dispute it , it is manifest that as Chartists we should sever mix -op -with these our great and fundamental opinions , others which are only entertained by a section of our number ( no matter how large or how small that section ) and -which are repudiated by others every , whit as good Chartists as themselves . The party doing so , set up an unwarrantable standard of Chartism which will debar many from going along with them . As Chartists we hold a certain fixed opinion upon the constitution of the legislature , but no one particular opinion whatever nponanyof the laws that ought to be possessed by it
lie petition framed by the Executive of the National Charter Association violates Ikia role broadly and unquestionably . It expresses s fixed opinion upon certain laws , on which as a body the Chartists are cot agreed . Does it follow because a man is an anti-repealer or a JIalthusisn that he is not a Chartist . ' No . Many may be sincere in both . Why then introduce into a petition , framed for tbe Chartist body generally , opinions nowise inseparable from Chartist principles , and from which many , who would otherwise be disposed to subscribe to it , may feel called upon to dissent .
I hold that , as individuals , every Chartist has a right t-s express and propagate his opinions , but be has no right , be his position what it may , to fix these his peculiar opinions to the Charter and exclude all who may not feel disposed to approve of the addition . This the fnzners of the petition have done , and far this reason I for one have felt myself called upon to protest against it God knows I am no Malthusjas , nor am I an admirer of the inhuman New Poor Law , bat that tngTpflre nothing ; others , who may conscientiously subscribe to the Charter , say be both ; and if I mix np my opinions on these points with tbe Charter , I put all who differ from me in a false position ; they must either subscribe what they do not agree with , or not at alL
This is my objection . I have heard that all the delegates express their opinions in public , and n » t a few of them in private ; and I can assure Dr . M'Donall that this , with very few exceptions , was tbe opinion of all , even of many who voted for the amendment Whether the Doctor or Ms colleagues will meet this objection , time will show . As to the propriety of protesting , there is more difficulty in deciding . But let us stand to our princip les , a n * leave expediency to tbe Whigs ! To . commit a false step is bad—to persist in it is worse . The Doctor contends that we , the men of Scotland , should not dissent " from . the net" It is with pain we do so ; but circumstances may seise which will leave us no alternative , unless we choose to admit a mode of proceeding which will prove Mai to our movement The Doctor
says"If our principles are exactly the same , then in practice your leaders , or a majority of them , have se ceded from the spirit- of the Charter ; and have virtually laid it down as a rule that in petitions the minority have a clear right to rale . " There is a fallacy here— " Our principles are exactly the same , " only in so far as these are comprised in the Charter- On other matters they are not " exactly the same , " but very different ; and it is from the Executive shutting their eyes to this fact that the misunderstand ing has arisen . Tbe Doctor is mistaken in saying that Ihe minority" seek to rule , and that they have " seceded from the spirit of the Charter . " We gave
the petition framed by the Executive oar best considera tion . We viewed it as the production of men to whem we owed not a little ; but we viewed it as such only—( for the Doctor must remember that the constituents of the Executive are confined to the members of the As sociations of which they are office-bearers)—and we found it wanting . We seek not to dictate to others , bat we claim the right of judging what we shall adhibit our own names to , and what not Had tbe Executive stnek to tke Charter , and that only , there should not have been another word about the matter , bnt since they chose to introduce other and different questions , tiey need not be surprised that some of their brother Chartists refuse to sanction the digression .
I lay no stress upon the fact that we were never consdted . We ought to have been , no doubt ; and had we been so this discussion might have been spared : but Were the Petition otherwise unexceptionable , this would never have been noticed . Th « Doctor errs wb . tn he says we objected to introducing grievances because other countries—not ourselves—felt them . Who ever said so ? or how has such * a idea entered iis head ? We objected to thosa grievances , not because we do not feel them , but because tbqr &re ( the- Beptal of the Union for instance gravanees which manj Chartist * consider no grievances staD .
The Doctor wishes tke men of Scotland to protest * $ && the detsion of their " leaders . " He does not kBDW , it seems , that the decision was not toat of their " leaden ,- but their awn . That with hardly an exception , erery delegate had his particular instructions from his constituents on ifcis very point , and-that in some lastMCfcs they were in opposition to the "delegates own views , Tbe Executive , I am aware , are elected because the members of the association have a general confidence in Man . They have a carle blajiche given them as to their * cta and deeds , and consequently they may act in a manner which their constituents may refuse afterwards w sanction . But the Convention , whose proceedings fc-e Doctor impugns , was differently constituted , wheper better or worse , I leave for your readers to jcoge .
In conclusion , I am glad the matter is bo calmly and rationally taken np . In Scotland it has caused no irritation of feeling , Jor very litUe .- In England I trust n may be so too . The Doctor stems not to be aware thit upon the merits cf tbe Petition lie Scottish ConveatioE were almost unanimous in" condemning it : with very lew exceptions , even those who voted for « , now that it had been taken np , expressed them-« elves hostile to it , and would , had they been consulted K first , have voted against it I an , &c , Johu Dvscxy . DaaSee , Jan . 2 i , 1 S 42 .
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2 * AXCHE 3 TER AND LEEDS RAILWAY . TO THE EDIT 8 B OJ > TES XOXTSEBX SZAB . . ^ >—If job will be kind enough to five tbe follow-| B 5 expusare of a piece of flagrant unfairness , a place in * " ^ succeeding number of your excellent paper , the * nier will deem himself complimented . Since the opening of this railway , many advantages Mje been afforded to persons having to travel between r ~ *^ ° abo ve named important commercial and maun" ^ ring tow ns , and the intermediate places ; and the ^ tei proprietors are justly entitled to the snpport of } te public for their enterprise and perseverance . Cei-~ JJ Palpable abuses , however , are permitted to exist » &teh militate very materially against zny own order , 111 ( 1 prevent the working man from obtaining his full tod legi timate share of the benefits accruing from this expeditious mode of travelling ; as I ahalL with your
« ave , endeavour to shew to the satisfaction , of your ^ aous readers , by the following incidents which we recently come under my own personal observation toQ fcxperience . The like annoyances I have , good Rason to believe wQl continue to be experienced by the "PtK-tlve class , to which I have the hononr to belong , Ohm Eome powerful effort is made to arouse public "pinion npon the subject , and efficient measures be fcten to counteract the spread of such enormities . I reside at "Waktfield , bnt have for several years been wuewmg my vacation at Dewibury , and have been in jo e fcatot of returning home at the close ef each week , w n * nd the Sunday . During tbe winter I have gene « Uy availed myself of the train which leaves tfce Dewsf wy Station ; at Thomhill Lees , at twenty minutes to sren o ' clock , p . m .
On Saturday evening week I was detained in the 7 *\ few minutes bejend the usual time of tt * «* nibus starting , and I accordingly took the shortest t « W to tbe station , a foot-path on the bank of the « uafcr ; and , by dint of exertion , succeeded in arriving « ae nearly at the same time . The train had not got » us uestinatien when I reached t hestaticn-liouse yard ,
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( puffing and blowing like a miniature stem-engine , from the effects of so hard a run , ) but It was coiling np at a slackened speed at some fifty or sixty yards ' distance . Elate with the hope of having conquered , I darted into the office at the precise instant that it stopped , and found , to my momentary gratification , a number of individuals taking tickets , With as little delay as possible , I presented myself at the window , and asked the clerk for a third-class ticket for Wake field . The young man reiterated my question , and was
overheard by a gentleman in the office , whose name I understood to be Mr . Pearson : this personage snappishly exclaimed , " You cant go in the third class by this train ! " I appealed to him a second time , hoping he would exercise a little clemency , ( as I knew the next would nob arrive until ten minutes past nine ) but he again pertinaciously refuBed to oblige me ; I therefore pocketed my money , along with the insult , and had the mortification to see several second class passenger * supplied with tickets , who proceeded forthwith to take their places .
Now , Sir , this conduct may be considered railroad legality , but I think it can scarcely be called jastice . Had the gentleman alluded to said " Yon shant go , " I should have believed him , as it was I could not I cannot conclude without adverting to the " waggons" provided for the third-class passengers upon this line , which , as I am informed , are the only vehicles of such a disgraceful construction used opon any railway in England ; and if it be true , as I have eeen it st » ted somewhere , that the third-class fares have raised more monej than either the second or first , I think the public is imperatively called upon to demand an alteration .
On Chrismas Day I rode down to WakcBeld on the seven o ' clock morning train , and the third-class passen gers were not then even allowed the privilege of riding in a " waggon ; " but were actually pent np in a cattle truck , and bad to effect their ingress and egress by clambering over a five-barred fence about a yard and a half high . I am , Sir , sincerely yours , Thomas Brown , A journeyman-printer . Dewsbury , Jan .-25 , 1842 .
[ We readily give insertion to the above letter ; for the conduct of the managers of the Railway he names , towards the poor , is grossly insulting and shamefully indecent * * he " management" on this " line" is the . most miserable of any in the kingdom ! Mt . Brown has correctly stated that the waggon vehicles used on this railway for the transit of tbe poor , are tbe only things of the kind in England ! and truly disgraceful things they are ! ! The name " waggon " is insultingly affixed to them by the Directors ; and fkey are xdthovt seals , and the bottom bored full of holes , like a cuilendar , for the purpose of producing a " draft" of cold air upwards , to make the oceupierc of them as uncomfortable as possible J And this ia all the " accommodation" which these
Manchester Directors can afford to the working classes l Then the passengers by them are required to be at the station" ten minutes before the departure of a " train , " or they " cannot be booked . " No Porter is alloVed to aid them in putting any luggage they may have into the carriages ; nor are tbe " waggon passengers' * allowed to go into the " waiting-r ^ oms , " do matter how long they may have to wait for the " train , " or for what purpose they may wish to . retire . The waggons are without spring-buffers , in despite of the recommendation of Sir Frederick Smith , the Government Inspector . ' And indeed , for that matter , this " miserable" management could not afford to let their " second-class carriages" have this valuable ' &nd necessary precaution against accidents .
Their " second class" were at first , every one of them , actually without spring-buffers ; and a good portion of them are so to this day . ' A paragraph has lately gone the round of the newspapers to the effect that Mr . Herapath , of the Railway Maffazine , had communicated the faet that at the late accident on the " . Great Western" not one passenger suffered that teas sealed at the time . If this be so , what doea it eay to . the managers of the " Leeds and Manchester , " who provide no seats at all for by far the greater number of their passengers ! Let any one go and loos at the infamous things they insultingly call " waggons ; " and see them crammed , as they not unfrequentiy are , with fifty jor sixty human teings each ! and ask himself what would be
the fait of the passengers in tbe case of an accident like that at Sonning Hill cutting ? J The gingerbread th ^ ngK of carriag es would be smashed in an instant !! They are the most rassally-made things ever seen ; and would afford no manner of protection against the disastrous effects of only a Blight collision ! " Tbe Leeds and Manchester line does not pay . " We are glad of ii . It never ought to pay , until the " managemest" learn to treat their passengers something like human beings . Contrast the " management" on this railway , in respect to accommodation , with that on the " North Midland . ** On the latter you find good , strong roomy , " easy carriages ; every " class" having springbuffers ; the " third class" being equal in tnat respect
to the " first class" on the Leeds andManchester line , and moreover provided with good teals . Contrast this " third-claes carriage" of the " North Midlana Company , " with the r&scall ; " waggon" of the' Leeds and Manchester ; " and see in tbe two a vivid representa tion of the workings of the factory system in the cotton and woollen districts ! It is notorious that in the cotton districts , tbe comforts and conveniences of tht wt-rking population are the least attended to or cared for of any part of the kingdom ; and this indifference is also developed in the ' ' managemenv . " of tke " Leeds and Jianchester Railway . " That "management" is a cotton one , —the managers being cotton-lords ! In the woollen districts tbe factorj-system , tb . ough bad enough God knows , is not as bad as it is in the land of cotton ;
and the difference is exhibited in the accommodat ion the " North Midland ( woollen j management ' have provided for the working people carried upon their line . Still' the accommodation on the " North Midland pine " is not what it ought to be ; far from it We lately saw , with considerable satisfaction , in one of the papers , that the directors , in conjunction with thwe of other railways , int end to greatly enhance the conifort of their " second cliss passengers , " by making their carriages something like those on the " Granci Junction" line , —to close in with glass . This is ver . v desirable , and is no more than ought to be . Its adoption will be a decided improvement on the "Nurlh Midland line ; " for their " second class " carriages ara very open , and consequently very uncomfortable in tiaJ respect Bat we don't hear that they intend to enhance tile comfort of the " thir .: class" passengers ; and we think they might
soon and easily do so . We wonld suggesv to them that they place a cover , or awning , over every one of their open passenger carriages , to prutect the passengers from the hot scoria from the engines , from . rain and snow , and from the drippings of the tnnnels . This would cost them -very little , and wonld be very serviceable . And if , at the same time , they entirely closed ths ends of the carriages , leaving them open at the sides only , they would fetil more enhance their comfort ; and not make ¦ them too comforiab'e . ^ We should like to see the " North Midland" lead the way in this matter—that of providing well for their poor passengers . Sure we are they would lose nothing by such an exhibition of true public spirit As far as the " waggons" on the " Leeds and Manchester RsLway" are concerned , the sooner the " Directors" collect them together , a :. d make a public bonfire of them , the more creditable will it bo to them I—Ed . ] * ^ 1
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TO THE PEOPLE OF IKELAND . FELLO-w-CouMK-iiiEs , —Having in my letter of the S > -2 ,. d ult . explained thfc reason "why tile Chartista aided the Tories in the late Parliamentary election struggle , it now becomes my duty to point out the necessity of displacing that party , and establishing in their stead a legiilative body from amongst the people . You must bear in mind ( as you will see by my letter ; " that it was not for love of them , but for the purpose of getting rid of their false friends , the Whigs , and a love of fair play , " that tbe Chartists aided the Tories ; therefore , I must not be accused of inconsistency , when I stite my opinion on the necessity of their removal . It is true , that by the power of the Chartists you Lave been placed in a pecnliar position ; they have confronted you with the enemies of your country and your ere 6 d , and thrown down the barriers which separated you from
your hereditary foes . So far they have served yon ; inasmuch as henceforth yon will have a clear stage to act upon ; you -vrill . no Jooger have the fawning syebophant or skulking pgg ^ sJT ' to flitter or betray you . No : the Chartitti iiave driven them from the field , and have placed you in that position in which yoa must grapple with your oppressors , and fight the battle for political equality as becomes you . There is now no excuse ; yonr enemies are before you ; you have no choice , ? ave victory or defeat ; you have the spirit of your fatbtrs in your bosoms ; you have your bleeding country sinking bentath- the pressure of her wrongs , and catling on you to rescue her from misery ; you have the hand of fellowship stretched ont by millions of the working classes of Great Britain ; and , above all , you have the invincible spirit of liberty cheering you on to the contest
I have said . 4 " that the Chartists were determiaed henceforth , to have fair play ; " asd I see no reason why you Ehould not Mi on the same principle , and , by your own exertions obtain that justice for ytur country which has so long been denied by the aristocracy , and re tarded by tbe . temporising measures of interested indidividuais and " knavish politicians . " The first question then whieh you should ask your-» elvefl is , What is the duty we owe to eur country T and the second should be , Will we be justified in point of "law and religion" in opposing our present mlerB ? -
To the first of these queries the answer will be , You are bound by every principle of honour , "Virtue , and patriotism , to rescue " your country from degradation and slavery , and to raise her to an honourable position in the scale'of nations ; but to the latWr it will be necessary to examine the right by which the aristocracy hold their power of governing and persecuting you . To rnpfra this enquiry as simple as possible , it will be only necessary to tthie , first , that all men are equal by nature , and , secondly , that laws and governments were f r » t instituted fcr thi mutual benefit and protection of
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ah ; and consequently , the people were originally the law makers ; and those whom they appointed as officers to watch over and administer those laws , wer « responsible to them and subject to watch over their control When men found it necessary to establish , forms of government to regulate the . affairs of society , and strengthen the bond of mutual interest which was essential to the well-being and security of the community , and appointed judges and officers to administer and execute the laws which they bad agreed to obey , they did not at the same time delegate th « power to such judges or officers of adding to or taking from those laws , at intend that such officers should set themselves above the laws which they were appointed to be the
guardians of , in opposition to the will and the power of the law makers . The first judges were men whom the the people elected for their wisdom , honesty , and integrity , and whose only qualification was their superior abilities and virtue . The people , m a body , bad tbe power to make , alter , or change those laws whenever the interests of society required , and beyond their tribunal or against their sovereign will , no man could appeal ; the power of life or death , banishment , fines , or imprisonment , rewards , or punishments rested in their hands , and was exercised according as their judgment dictated ; and thus they enjoyed that ennobling prerogative which nature intended they should be in possession of .
Here then we have a brief outline of the origin and nature of democratical Governments . Here we see tbe man in a position in which he had tbe power to serve his country and himself ; here we find him obeyinz bo laws , save those which he had a voice in making , and giving support only to such institutions as were necessary for tbe benefit of the Commonwealth . He bad ne tyrants toJample on him , for all were equal ; no overwhelming mnay to bow down his spirit , for all were interested in promoting tbe prosperity of the cosntry ; nor was be the victim of rapscions bigotry as all were in possession of liberty of conscience .
Time , however , brought with it a fearful changemen became apathetic , and resting , in peaceful security and happy content , neglected to watch over their interests or guard agaisflt the inroads which were made upon ^ beir liberties by designing , ambitious , and unprincipled individuals , who from time to time watched for opportunities to place themselves above their fellows ; and thus , the people throuxh then own faults sllewed their power and their happiness to be wrested from their grasp , and became tbe tools and tbe slaves of their numerous and tyrannical xenrpers .
At one time ambition swayed the sceptre , at another , bigotry reigned predominant ; and ever as the people became more oppressed , their oppressors became more determined to crush them . Some times the people awoke to a sense off their prostrate condition and would make an effort to shake of the yoke from their necks , and then they too frequently found that they were losers by the contest , and that their blood only tended to cement their bonds more firmly together . At others , they raised their volets , and in their moral might tie nanded their emancipation from slavery , and might t » ve often conquered , had they acted firmly and been more wise than credulous ; for upon such occasions , when the people were likely to obtain the liberty they
sought for , and when their oppressors were on the eve of a defeat , a third party would spring up , and taking advantage of the excitement of the one , and the weakness of the other , succeed in introducing themselves into power , having first silenced the people with promises to better their condition , but basely deserting them , and forgetting their vows became even greater tyrants than their predecessors ; the people finding , when too late , that they had been duped , and only exchanged oae > et of tyrants for another Bet worse And this , my fellow-countrymen , has been too long tbe position in which you and the people of Great Britain have been placed , and which you are now called upon to shake off
The liberty of Ireland has been infringed on , and she has been victimised to tbe cupidity , ambition , and reckless tyranny of an aristocratic faction , who by treachery , deceit , and bribery , became your masters , a . ad deprived yon of almost every vestige of liberty , and made a ruin of your country . The Tories and the Whigs became the gamblers in the political market , whilst you were set up as the stake , regardless of yonr misery so they could bat enrich themselves at your expence . Where , I would ask , is the justice in entering your neighbours house , and robbing it of every thing it possesses—murdering the father—violating the bosom of chastity , and gloating over the mangled corpses of a once comfortable home ? Where is the justice in plundering yon of your birthright , and denying you a voice in the making of the
laws which govern you ? or is it justice to have one set of laws for the rich and another set for the poor ? Was it—is it just , to pnnish you npon the authority of such laws , they having been framed without your consent or approval ? Did you make the law which carried fire and desolation throughout tbe length and breadth of the land ? or was it by your authwity that your fathers and yonr brothers were suspended from gibbets in front of their own doors for the would-be crime of loving the land of their birth , and breathing a prayer for her welfare ? Was it justice which forced you to give up all you possessed , and reduced you to tbe condition of a starving province , and steeped you to the lips In poverty and wretchedness ? It was not justice . Heaven does not sanction—earth does not approve—nor can Irishmen be ever led to believethere is jastice in—such treatment
The power which wonld rob and murder , is not justice . The hand which could dutcH the assassin ' s knife and bury it in the bosom of its victim , is not tbe hand of justice . The power which monopolises the resources of the country , and leaves you to pine , and drag out a miserable existence , is not , cannot be allied to justice . The power which could ^ raise a debt on the nation , and compel the people to pay an enormous interest to those who raised it is not justice Nor will you act justly by yourselves or yonr country , unless you rise up in your moral might , and demand political equality . What have you to hope for ? Will they who have so long persecuted and oppressed you , become more gentle and kind in their dealings with you , or do you suppose that those who , with yonr own
money , purchased muskete , bayonets , halters , and gibbets , and erected prisons and dungeons to immure yoa , will now repent of their deed' s , or make restitution of their il ! -gotten gains ? Will they , can they give you back your fathers or yonr brothers , your wivt-s and your children , from their cold , but honourable graves , or cancel tbe blood-stain which pollutes their guilty brows ? Will tbe aristocracy , which has for hundreds of years fattened on yonr misery , and who yet deem you " aliens in blood and country , " receive you into their friendship , and treat you with the court * -y which you deserve ? Will they voluntarily give you back your birthright , which they have unjuf »' y and most tyrannically deprived you of , or restore your country to the position in which they found it ? Will they ( unless they cannot help it ) give you back the Union which they treacherously obtained , and which they fraudulently retain , in spite of all your complaints and murmurings ? No , my fellow-countrymen , the
prowling wolf is not more savage in his nature than tbe aristocracy of these countries ; he is . in fact , less rapacious , for be only follows the instinct of bis nature . Your oppressors never did intend , nor do they now intend to deal justly by you ; it is in vain to hops for justice from them ; therefore , you must obtain it for yourselves . You have already seen that their promises are not to be depended on . and that they never flattered but to deceive you . I have shewn you the nature of a Government in which the people are the rulers ; and I trust you are convinced thit justice with the aristocracy , is fcut a cloak to cover their vilianies . Is there one amoDgst jou can dispute my assertions ; or , is there an Irishman who denies that the aristocracy are the enemies of his country and the cause of her misery ? Who amongst you will any longer temporise with either party , or hesitate to work out , and that quickly , yuur political regeneration .
I iiave now only treated on the legality of opposing the aristocracy , and will , in my next , endeavour to convince yeutbut religion does not sanction deeds of tyranny and oppression . I know it is upon these two points your objections rest , and those once removed , you will not hesita e to set your hand to the People ' s Charter , and btlieve me I am sincerely of opinion there is no other means in your power by which you can be politically saved . Irishmen , your duty calls you at the present—you nave now but one enemy to contend with—you know
them , they are yoor avowed enemies—onward and yeu coi . quer , backward and you fall . Remember what they owe you—remember wcat you fight for—remember your beloved Ireland is the stoke to be won or lost , and eave her as become you from tbe mereiless grasp of her tyrants . Tell them they have lorded it over you long enough—that yoa are tired of their justice , and that you are determined to obtain the power to legislate for yourselves . I have the honour to be , Fellow-countrymen , Your most obedient humble servant , W . H . Clifton .
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THE MASONS ON STRIKE . to the editor of the northern stab . Sir , —The following letter has been refuBeA insertion in the Times , as also all tbe other daily papers , unless as an advertisement By inserting it in tbe Star you will greatly oblige The Masons on Strike .
TO THE EDITOR OF THB TIMES . Sib , —Out attention ha » been arrested by an article from your pen , in reference to our strike at the New Houses of Parliament , and other public works , which appeared in your columns of Wednesday , the 26 th ult prejudicial to the cause of humanity , in which we are engaged , and not strictly true ; we , therefore , now ask , what in a spirit of fairness we rely on your granting , namely , permission , through the same columns in which
your article app € ared , to lay before the public Ihe other and true side of the question . Whtther our efforts to annihilate cruelty the most consummate " have been simply defeated" in London or not—whether " open houses are provided by the union " for the quarrymen who , in various localities , manifest such a humane feeling towards their cruelly ill-treated fellow-men or not—or whether our delegates proceed from place to place , in the performance of their " labour of love , " " mounted" or otherwiie , are questions upon
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which w « shall not waste oar time , or seek to occupy your pagej in animadverting npon . Suffice to say , that , satisfied with the justness of our cause , we are as determined now a « at the first moment , and shall persevere , by every lawfid means , to succeed ? To " die of atrophy , " that is , from the want of nourishment , is--what we do not fear , the period of a ¦ . ' consummation so devoutly to ; be wished fer" by out opponents is "wryrwnofe ; - and respecting " club law" or •' NewPolice" law , the one we abhor , and the ether we have no intention to offend . It is by sober , teflact lag , and purely moral means—by " surrounding those " in
who , ignorance of the sacred duties bt man to man , passively submit to Insult and cruelty , " with a moral and social Influence" that we intend to pilot ourselves to the desired haven . Contrast this with the following paragraph in your article : —•« Bat for such a movement as the present , founded on misrepresetUatioH , and forming part of a systematic attempt to establish a dangerous and unconstitutional tyranny , we have no compassion or sympathy ; and repeat that it must meet with no compromise , bat be put down thoroughly and unflinchingly , even ^ though ita progress were only to be checked by a gtneral stoppage of [ trade throughout the country . " .. ¦ ' :: ¦ ¦¦ .. ¦'¦ ¦' : ' ' . ' -: ¦ ¦¦ ~ :- . :- - - ¦ : . •• ¦¦ - . ¦ ¦¦ , '
Our business now , Sir , is to shew that we have not used " misrepresentation . " We preferred several serious charges against George , Allen , foreman to Messrs . GrisseU and Pcto , our late employers , and which they refused to redress . We then courted , by every means at our disposal , public inqairy into them , md preferred , through the medium of the Sun , Morning Advertiser , and other of the daily and weekly press , to submit the whole case to arbitration ; a deputation waited on Mr . Grlssell , and inforaed him that we wonld concede our request , i / , fey the evidence pf Allen ' s victims and others who had witnessed his unfeeling conduct , we proved that his conduct towards us had nok been such as we had attributed to him . Mr Grissell refesed , asserting that he had lowered his dignity in deigning even to hold converse with them ; and this . Sir , isnot much like " misrepresentation ^ or a desire " to establish a dangerous and unconstitutional tyranny . * .. - . ¦ - ¦ : ; : - ¦ ¦ ;¦; ; '¦ ¦ - ¦ .. ; - / : ¦¦ . : ¦ ¦ . /¦ :.
Tbe following , Mr . Editor , are the charges we allege against George Allen ; we are prepared to submit them to any just arbitration , and to be content with the result : — - , ' : ¦ ¦ :: ¦ ' ' - ' : ¦'¦ ¦ ' : ¦ ¦' . ¦ - ' :. ' -. ' , ' 1 st Locking np the pump , or rather the door leading to it , to prevent those under his control from getting a drink of nature ' s beverage , with a view to compel ua to buy beer of an inferior quality from a house he visited , and until we strongly remonstrated ., was the only one permitted to bring beer on the woiks . ; 2 nd . pne of eur Bhopmatea bad the unwelcome intelligence from Manchester of the decease of bis mother ; he informed Mr . Allen ( the foreman , ) of his wish to go and see her interred , stating that he would have to be absent for a week er a fortnight ; when Allen informed him , if that was the case , he might stop away altogether ; witlx an assertion that be I Allan ) , would not keep a job open for any man that length of time under such circumstances .
3 rd . It has also been quite customary for Allen to order , in the most domineering manner , many a good tradesman to " pickup his tools and be off , " before he bad been many hours on the job ; also for the most trifling mistake , have been discharged at a moment ' s notice , without the least consultation as to whether they were blameable or not . Again , one of the men bad his leg broken by a fall from a scaffold , and on his return to bis work , expected , of course , as he bad been lamed in the service of his employers , that they would continue to give him work . But , no ; Allen immediately discharged him , with an execration that he wanted none such d——d hobbling fellows as him there .
4 th . The same foreman told one of our ehopmates , who had been at home ill for some time , and whose wife was also very ill , on his return to work , to go about his business , as he ( the foreman ) did not want any men thereof his description . We immediately made a collection for him , to enable him to procure food for himself and his sick wife . 5 th . Another of the men had been called from his work to attend the death-bed of his wife , and when he came from that scene to his work , he Was told to go back and die with her , and be damned . In fact , his general conduct has been so bad , as to be quite unbearable ; and , to terrify us , he has made a practice ot threatening to discharge two or three dozen ol us at a time , if we even complained of such conduct .
These , Sir , are facts which we are at any time prepared to prove , and , as there is convened on our behalf a public meeting to be holden at the White Conduit House , on the- evening of Monday next , the 31 st instant , we solicit tbe attendance of Messra Grissell and Peto , George Allen , or any of their agents in their behalf , when and where every facility shall be afforded them to lay their own statement before the public . We are , Sir , Yours respectfully , The Masons Society . Thomas Shobtt , Secretary .
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NEW " INVENTIONS" FOB OBTAINING SIGNATURES TO TOTAL REPEAL PETITIONS . TO THB EDITOR OF THB NORTHERN STAB . Sir , —Having been informed of the following facts by persons upon whose veracity I cau depend , I deem it right that the world should be made acquainted therewith , if you can spare a corner for the purpose One of the persons to whom I allude is a hearer at the General Baptist Chapel , Queeushwid . It seems anAnti-Corn Law petition had beeii provided for signature by the congregation meeting at that chapel . The clerk announced this at the close of the service , and informed his hearor 8 that all who had signed before had done so as inhabitants ofQueenshead , and now they were to sign as members of pie congregation . " My informant
happening to " carry-in'' was again met , at tbe warehouse , witb . an Anti-Coru Law-petition I which be was asked if he had signed . As he had done so during some former year , and not wishing to fly in the face of his employer in these difficult times , he replied in the affirmative . Oh 1 but you have not signed as one 6 f our workmen , and we must have your name hero . So it appears the very righteous , honest , and disinterested repealers have bit upon this very ingenious plan of multiplying signatures : —a man is to sign as an . ' inhabitant , . A hearer , and a workman , and thus to give his signature three times to one petition . Well , let it be so , we will beat them hollow when they bavo done aii .
I have also heard that a renegade Radical and Republican , of the name of C ; uflisle , has been hawking a repeal petition during the past week ' , III ? method of obtaining signatures is quite unique , and well worthy of imitation ! Carlisle enters a house . Well , is your husband —yonr father , at home ? ( as the case may be . ) No , he is out , or he is asleep in bed . What fs hia name ? which having learnt , he begins to write without ceremony , tel ing persons , who happen to witness his praiseworthy readiness bo sign for other people , ( who , poor
unfortunates , might otherwise have no opportunity of praying Parliament to grant them cheap bread , ) and who , busy-body like , cannot refrain from making remarks thereon , that bp cards for neither them , nor the Northern Star . Working men , remember , when you sign an Anti-Corn Law petition , you send a prayer to Parliament to give a full stcitig to capital against labour , without at the same time requiring that labour shall be duly protected . J . Arrak . Bradford , Jan . 28 , 1842 .
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TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —I consider little apology is necessary , to induce you to afford a small space for the following remarks in tUe people ' s paper . , ¦ ¦ About two months ago , an address was got up in this place , to the Queen , showing the great distress that existed in the country , stating that distress to be caused by class ; legislation , and praying her Majesty . toScali honest men to her Councils , who would cause the People ' s Charter to become a legislative enactment , as the only efficient remedy tor the existing distress ,, also praying for a free pardon for Frost , Williams , and Jones , and all politicas prisoners . This address was sent to T > S . Duiicornbe , Esq ., M , P . forFinsbury , to be by him presented to the Queen . It appears from the following letters , which I have just received , that be did not think proper to present the address himself , but contented himself , by sending the
same to the Home Secretary . Had we known such to bavo been the intention of the Honourable Gentleman , most certainly the address would never have been sent to him , because it was sent under the impression , that he would have personally prepented it ; for we had many suspicions that a number of the people's petitions have never reached her Majesty . The following are the letters above alluded to : — 11 The Albany , Jan . 28 th ; i 8 42 . " Dear Sir , —I beg to enclose to you the official answer to the petition to her Majesty , frorh . the inhabitants lofLasswade , which you did me the honour to transmit to me for presentation . " :. ~ \ - ¦ : "Iremain ,. ; ' ; : "•; ' ;¦ ¦ ¦ ' . ; . " ,. ;;' " Faithfully yours , 1 .- ' ' T . S . DiWCOMBE «• Mr . W . Daniells . " " Whitehall , 26 th Jan . 1842 .
" Sir , —Secretary Sir James Graham , having carefully considered your application in behalf of John Frost , Z 9 phiniah Williams , and Wm . Jones , I am directed to express his regret , that there is no sufficient grounds to justify him , consistently ; with bis public duty , in advjsingherMujesty to comply with the prayer thereof . ¦ . ¦¦¦ . "¦ ¦ . ¦ -: ¦ ' :- ' \ : ^¦ "V \ - \" :. " - . ¦ -: \ " > ' : ' . ' . " : ' - ' - ; : ¦ : ¦ ¦; , . ¦ ¦¦ - ¦' . ' "I am , Sir , - ;¦ -. . - " :: ' = ; . / ' ¦''¦' ""' ¦ •¦¦•• Your most obedient humble servant , - ' ¦¦' . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦¦ •'¦ ¦ ' : ' , " .- . I '" ' : '' , ] : ¦ *' . Sw PHiLtlPPS ..-" T . S . Dunc"ombe , Esq ., M . P . "
In answer to this I beg to inform Sir James Grabam , that his opinion was never asked I ¦ We simply wished our address to be laid before the Queen , that she may know tbe wishes of the people , and we know it was the bounden duty of the Home Secretary to have laid the same befote her , if it was properly and respectfully worded , which it certainly was ; fee had nothing further to do with it ; we never asked him to advise bier Majesty ; we only wished to lay our sentiments before be ? , that Bhe may be able to judge of the wishes of her
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subjects . It thus plainly appears that the petitions of the peeple have to pass through the ordeal of the Home Secretary—if they please him they are presented , if not , they are rejected , and her Majesty bear ? nothing at all about it . I ask , is this to continue ? Are the people ' s petitions to be . rejected ati the will of a Secretary of State ? If so , the ^ long , boasted privilege of Britons , viz . the 1 right of ^ ettttoriing , is nothing more than a solemn farce ! '¦' : ¦ ¦ ¦'¦ ^ . . . , \ w It will be perceived that the principal part of the petition is not mentioned , that of the country ' s distress , the Chatter , fee . ' Ah ! Sir James , was it because we wished her Majesty to call honest men to her councils , that our petition was rejected ? Forth * only reasonable inference to be drawn is , that it was rejected , because not one word is said , in the official answer , 6 J its being presented . f >
. . > Sir Jamas says , there is no , reasonable grounds for him to recommend the exiled patriots to mercy . Is net the fact of their being illegally tried , and illegally transported , reasonable grounds for their being recalled ? Is not the opinion of five of the judges of the land that their sentence was illegal , reasonable grounds that mercy should be extended , to them ? Are not the , hundreds of petitions in their favour , reasenable grounds why they should be pardoned ? Answer , Sir James Then only think of Sir Jaines Graham talking of his consistency I "Tis too much wishes af
In conclusion , I would ask , when are the the majority of the people to be treated with reapect 2 Wh « a they set a proper value upon themselves , and act accordingly . When they declare themselves independent '' - of priestcraft , and are no longer nose-led by the « lergy . When membersrof ene trade drop reviling , insulting , and thinking themselves better than the members of other trades , and when they form themselves into an holy band of brothers , and adopt for their motto , «« All for one , one for atl . " When they get rid of their local andt national prejudices , their jealousy and acrimony , and plvra confidence in ' each other ; then , and not till then , will they be respected , and their petitions treated as they should be , and then would they be able to carry their Charter in spite of pretended friends , or opposing foes . I am , &c . William Daniells . Lasswade , Jan . 29 th , 1842 .
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MORE TRICKS OF THE LEAGUE . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAB , SlE , —The League are manifestly undone ; and are necessitated to eiriploy trickery and fraud to retain a . shadow ' -of their defunct notoriety .: They wish to make a noise in the land by procuring a numerously signed petition in this Borough in favour of a repeal of the Cora Laws . But they have " fictitious signaiuresin order to induce" the Parliament to believe that the people are really in favour of the Whig panacea . Some aitin public-homes with their sheet ; pint , and directory , and manufacture four columned sheets at one shilling each ; Others walk round the town ,
calling at every petition stand , and appending a " fictitious" name at each turn . One of these useful personages , yclep'd GREVESON , residing in George'satreet , has , in his perambulations , called twice , and , in mistake , signed the National Petition ; in one case affixing the name pf the late Mayor of the Borough . On discovering the fraud I erased the names attached by this officious member of the Fox and ; Goose Club , and shall take care , should be repeat bis visits , to show him the propriety of attending to the sale of his fehts . We have no need of " fictious" signatures to the National Petition , as we have a quantum suffieitot veritable Chartista to accompllBb our own work .
Permit me . , also to ask if the Corn Law repealers can be sincere in their desire to abrogate those laws , when they breathe not a word about the infernal New Poor Law , which was enacted to pinch the bellies of the poor , and to reduce them to subsist or starve on " a coarser sort of food" ? Certainly , their bawlings about the" bij ? loaf " quadrates most charmingly , with their tacitnrnity on the short allowance doled out in their Bastiles . ; : Again , their consistency is glorionaly displayed in their concurrence with the caterers for the stomachs of the wbrkies and those of the do-nothings . One of the Corn Law repealers—yes , one of their oracles—tells us that the following ought to be the food of the working man . Nay , the heterogeneous mess Is to suffice for " five MEN" : —
One red herring . % d . Four ounces of rice Id . One ounce of bacon Ad . One onion ; id . Pepper Jd . Bread 2 | d . did . Now , that is , the " Bio loaf" for ^ ive working men . That is the recommendation of the god of the League . " / ; . ' . '¦ / '¦ . : ¦ . - : ' ' - ¦ . ; But what do they say about tbe following dish for a state pauper ? Not a word . The chief do-nothing is to consume the fat of the land to any extent , without an allusion being made to it by the League . However , here it is , and let the people look on this picture as well as on the above : —
" The Queens Favovrite Soup . —The royal biU of fare constantly inclades this excellent potage , the recipe for which I obtained by special favour . I subjoin the necessary proportions for a . party of a dczen persons . —Skin and entirely clean put the insides of three fat fowls , » r chickens , according to the season ¦ ' ; let Uiem be well washed in warm water j put them into a stew pan for an hour , covered with strong veal broth , and add a good-sized bunch of parsley . Take out the fowls , and soak the crumb of two French rolls in thtJ liquor ; cut the meat off ; take away the skin , and
pound the flesh in a mortar , adding the soaked crumb , and the yolks of four hard-boiled eggs . Force this through a coarse sieve , and put it into a quart of cream that has been previously boiled ; re-wsurm for table . Observation . —If you desire to have a . small tureen of this royal preparation upon an econeraical plan , parboil a couple of fowls , use the wings and , breasts for a fricassee , and make your soup of the legs , necks , and backs , taking care that your consomme of veal is sufficiently strong-to make amenda for the absence of fowl , and following the previous directions itt all other respects . " - ^ - ^ ttas .
Will the people submit to such insult on the part of the Leaguers and sucb extravagance on the part of state cormorants ? If so , let us fold our arms and pray for the annihilation of the " envy of surrounding nations and the admiration of the world . ' Yours truly , William Rider . Leeds , Feb . 1 st , 1842 ,
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN . Brother Democrats , —During the last fewweeks our progress has been most rapid . I have visited , since I laat addressed you , Holniflrth , Honley , Hudderefiold , Bradford ; and Sheffield . , I was sent for expressly to Holmfirth , in consequence pf the unjust and unfair attacks made upon me , in consequence of publishing my pamphlet on the Cern Laws . Discussion was allowea . The gentleman who stated that mine were garbled extracts failed to make his appearance . I addressed the people of Holmflith in the largest- room thai could be bad for about an hour . Mr . Beardsell , a young man about nineteen years of age , next addressed the meeting , on the necessity of the repeal of the Corn Laws .. The discussion was conducted in the niost perfect good temper . I need only state that Mr . CunoiDgliam , an Irishman , waa in the chair . The room is capable of holding 700 persons , an " d was crowdedto excess , and hundreds upon , hundreds had to go away , who could not get admission .
On the night after I lectured in the National Charter Association Room , Upper Wortley . I had an excellent audience , and enrolled eight members at the conclusion of the discourse . : On Saturday . night , I addressed the Honley Chartists . The room was very full . At the close of the meeting I again enrolled a considerable number of members . ' : v ¦ ¦ :. / . I ' - ? ¦'¦ ' . - ¦ . " I attended the delegate meeting on Sunday , and gave some necessary information to the delegates ; : I attended in Huddersfield on Sunday night . The audience appeared to be well pleased . -I ; eurolled a titz-n iueiubera after my lecture .
I arrived in Bradford ^ , and met an old friend , Mr . Smyth , a Chartist of the right sort . I addrtisstd Ihe people in a room capable of holding 1 , 200 persons , aai although the eveninc ! was remarkably rough yet tterfc was an excellent meeting . ; In the Bradford district , there are 800 members enrolled , and they ordered 300 more cards . Bradford has nobly done its duty to the cause generally . ; : : On arriving home , on Tuesday , auch is the position we occupy * that there \ yere 127 letters '¦ before * - " . me . ; I went to business inimediately . Forwarded ' all the plain cards that were required by the Association , The enamelled cards will be forwarded next week ; > ud those patties who have prepared for the bror , ?; d cards must excuse me for not being able to send them a 3 yet ' - : . - ' ' ' , ' ¦/ : }¦ ¦' ] .-v .. ¦[ .- . : .... ¦ .. .
I return thanks to those gentlemen wLo have forwarded me the different ; newspapers and periodicals One of those papers , called the Kent Herald , has got the whole of the National Petition insertsd in its columns , and the Editor S 3 ys that all future agitation must be based on that document . Several papers now began to say thera must be an extension of the Suffrage . ¦ '' ;/ . ¦ ¦ \ : ~ ' . [ . ¦ - '' ¦ . "¦ Now , my friends , we must adhere firmly to onrpriuciples . No truckling , ne half measures—let us be firm and united , and , depend upon it , the increasing difficuliies of the middle classes ; will' induce a many of them to assist as in the great and sacred struggle we are engaged in . V ..- ' : -. ' : ' . . / :. ¦ ,. - ¦ - ' ¦ ¦' . "¦ . ; . ¦ - ' - "'¦ . ' - ' . ¦ ¦ . ¦ '¦ : ¦¦'¦ • I started for Sbeffii-ld on Satnxday last . I met iriy old and tried friend Harney , who whs very glad to see me . I addressed the Sheffield Chartists , in , the Political Institute , in the afternoon . There was a very geod attendance . .
In the evening I again addressed the Chartists , in Fig-tree-lane . The room was densely , crowded , and hundreds could not / gain admittance . At the conclusion , upwarda of twenty members were enrolled . Sheffield -will soon 1 be itself again . Everything bids ^ ns advauce , aad agt wttogade . , ;
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I have had two or three letters stating that ^ the writers request that they wish to nave a Scarf * ach ^ of the same pattern that is . to be worn by the membew of the Executive , and sugges « ng ^ f * ^ SlS ^ who manufactured them should publish his address , to order that other persons might hare the opportunity to purchase the scarfs . " r-. T : . , ; t ™» n i , «™ I shall agaia address you next week , afterI wffl have visited Nottingham , Loughboroagh , Leicester , tfugpy , Northampton , London , and Bristol . '' : ¦ :- - ' ;' - - ; - / I im . yours , . . In the goed cause of Chartism , ¦¦ : : " - ¦ - ¦ .. ¦ ' -. ^ JOHN CAMPEtLy &BC Sheffield , 3 lst January , 184 * .
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THE FEMALES OF HOLBROOKE TO THB CHARTISTS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELANdViN BEHALF OF MRS . FROST , MRS .
WILLIAMS , AND MRS . JONES . Bbethren awd Sistebs In the cause of liberty , permit us to call your attention to an appeal in the Star of the 15 th Vf January , in the behalf of the Whig made widows of the Welsh patriots , who it appears are in a very distressed state and having nothing to depend on for their support , but what little they can obtain by their own limited exertions . Mrs . JonesconSidera herself neglected by her husbands pretended friends ; Have you responded to this call ? if not ,, hasten to do so - ' ¦ '¦ for remember their husband ' s were banished for their devotion to thafc good cause for which so many have been made martyrs . Their only crime consisted in their hatred of tyranny , oppyesssion , and injustice ; with a determination to have ^ ne comforts of the poo « restored , and their rights and liberties protected . Has to sensei of
the call from Mr . Wilkinson aroused yen a your duty ? The claims of the destitute and disconsolatewidows , at this time , are imperative . We are aware that unsolicited gratitude is ihe most valuable , but coDJlder it better late than never . Come then to work in good earnest , and make ameiiyi f ? F - * f j 881 b ' working double tides for the future . One millfon ot pence amounts to the considerable sum of £ 4166 13 s . 4 d . To raise this sum would only require one penny from every six families in the United Queendom , Surely , if every exertion was made this sura might be raised which would not only place them beyond want for ever , bob we are inclined to think , would restore the patriots back to . their country and friends . Recollect what a few pounds the last Convention cost the country , who by their able exertions obtained a level vote in the House of Commons : and had it not been for the
casting vote of that marble-hearted wretch , the speaker , In all probability ere this , they would have been restored to their destitute and disconsolate wives and families . Come then , ye good and true , stain not the Cbaifciet banner With ingratitude , but show your hatred to tyranny , injustice / and cold blooded despotism by doing all that lies in your power for its victims . We particularly request that the females of every place where Chartism has taken root , will appoint individuals to wait On all whom they conceive might be prevailed upon to give something towards relieving these much injured and heartbroken individuals . We think if this plan was carried out effectually , it would be attended with good effects . Though living in a remote village on one of the frigid mountains in Derbyshire , we pledge ourselves to do our duty , and hope all good Chartista will do theirs .
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Taking PHrsic-r" Please , sir , I don't thmk Mr . JDosem takes his physio reg'lar , " said a doctor ' s boy to his employer . - . ;> " Why so ? ' ? " Cause he ' s getting well so precious f&Bt . " —American Paper . Death iBOMPESTiTUTioN- ^ -On Saturday night , a poor man named Luggan , died in the Glasgow Police Office , "where he was detained . previously to being sent dver to Ireland , bis native country . — Reformer ' s Gazette ^ v ; Afjee the Christening crowds of persons dipped their handkerchiefs , in the font , in order to preserve a sort of imaginary relic of the water of the river Jordan , in which the Prince haabeeenbaptiBed , This water was brought over to this country by Mr . Scoles , of Argyll : place , who in the year 1825 travelled in the East . [ Superlative fudge !]
Fortt" BbAck Crows . "—On Tuesday Be ' nnight , tk « froBt was bo severe in the neighbourhood of HornoaBtle , that on on the farm of Mr ^ JBetts , of Benniworth , forty crows were taken alive by the hand , their wings being so frozen as to prevent their tying '—Lincoln Mercury . ; \ A ff . w days since a case of rather a novel character came before a court at Eye , the complainant being a lady of high respectability ; She staved that she was riding on the Queen ' s highway with a gentleman ( a schoolmaster by profession ) that he committed a misdemeanor , which at length proved to be only an
aff «« 5 tionate salute -with the lipa . < The defendant having nothing to plead in bis ; own behalf , was fined five shillings , and dismiased , with , a strict charge never to oOTnmit the like again . On Thohsday morning last , as the workmen employed in a field . near Wash wood Heath were removing a quantity of earth for the embankment of the Birmingham and Derby Railway , they discovered two skeletons environed , in chaiDS . It appears that they are the romaiiis of two soldiers , named John Hammond , an American by birth , and Thomas pitmore , a native of Cheshire , who were executed on the 2 nd of April , 1781 , for the wilful murder of Wilfred Berwick .
A poob man named Roger , 70 years of age , died in Westminster , on Tuesday , ( within the sound of the Bow Bells , which at the time were ringing a merry peal in honour of the christening of the Pnnct of Wales ) from Want of , as' the jury who hVldan inquest on the body declared , " the mere necessaries of life . " His bird was in the cage , dead from want of . food . - ; . ¦' . ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦; ' , ' - - '" : . ¦ ' ¦ : " :, '' r : . ¦ ¦ - ' ¦ ' . ¦ .. ' ;; ¦ . ¦ .. ; . '¦ ¦;¦ William Fairweather , blacksmith , at Gairlow Bank , parish of Kirriemuii * , was . on Saturday week , transmitted : to the gaol of Fprfar , charged with having confined his daughter , Susan Fairweather , a young woman ot about nineteen-years of
age , not altogether compos mentis , in a wooden crib , measuring in length about four feet ten inches , and in height about four feet nine inches at the highest part , and two feet six inches at the lowest point ( oonstructed in an out-house there ) , from the 9 th ultimo to the 1 st current , among 8 t a quantity of straw , and without sufficient clothing . When she was released by the officers of justice , it was found that , from wan t of attention to h er , the very straw in the crib had become rotten . She had become so emaciated , and was in such a state of debility , that she was unable to walk . We understand the case is at present under investigation . —Montros $ Standard . ¦ .
Couht-Martial Law . —A court-martial has been recently held aV Malta on Mr . Elton , a midshipman of the Cambridge , for- an act of niutiay totrarda Captaia Woodford J . Williams , commanding the StromboJi steam frigate . Mr . Elton is sentenced to an andefiued term of imprisoiimeni , inasmuch as his six months ' , imprisonment is to commence op h \ n arrival in England . Suppose then the Admiralty thousrhi proper to order him to be kept in Malra harbour , on board the flag ship for twenty years , he would , in that case , be virtually iinprisoaed forlife—this the law would hot allow . Again this youwg gentleman ifl entitled to his immediate discharge , on the ground that Captais Barnard , who was a material witness , formed one of the Court ,
aud thus appeared ih the character of prosecutor and judge—an anomaly which the .: law will not iidrnit of . Mr . Elton , who came to England in the ¦ Hastings , was removed to London on Tuesday last , undor cjiar ^ o of an Ad / uiraKy messenger ; and we much fear , tliat during the time he was in thatship he , from ioipoiuosity of temper , greatly commiaed himself We mention this , onl y to account for any want of mercy whfch the admiralty might have been disposed , under the circumstances of the case , to have shown towards him ; still his frionds , who are powerful , ( he being a nephew of Sir Abraham Elton , of Clifton , ) have their remedy by application to the Lord Chief Justice . —Hampshire Telegraph . ¦ -.., ' - - . ' . . '¦"¦ ¦ . - ' ; . ¦/ ' - . '¦ _ ¦ ¦ ¦ . ' - . ; - .. i ¦¦ ¦ . ' ¦ ¦¦ '
Death from a Singulah Cavse— On Wenesday last , at Ely , aged thirty-six , James Prior , a shbemaker ^ leavinK a wife and four children to lament their loss . This poor , fellow ' s death was accelerated by so singnlar a . circumstance that wo / cannot forbear giving it publicity , . / : lt ' -a-ppears' that he eome time since madttor mended a pair of shoes for Mr . Wm , Kempton , lay clerk of Ely Cathedral , a corpulent man ; that , through the shoes being too tight ,: or a small niiii peri ' oratiijg the sole , Mr . Kempton was lamed , niottificatiuu eusued , and his life was ia clauger . Having--b ^ eii informed that this was all owing to him , produced such an ¦ effect , ' that ^ he became at first meldnciioly , then raviiija : mad ; when death at last , put a period to his stfierings . The extreme sensitiveriees of poor Prior-was , -indeed , remarkable . — CambridgeIndependentPress .
Release of Berxarb Cavanagu onbeu a ivrii of Habeas Corpus . — ' ¦ Bernard Cavanaghj the ; fastiug impostor , was brought up before Lord Denmau and the judges of the Queen ' s Bench , ou Monday , under the writ pf habeas corpiis , directed to the keeper of the pjiM at Reading ;/ aud the return of thai officer , setting Xorth the commitment by the mayor , was read . The commitment stated a conyiction under the Vagrant Act , and a ^ nfence of three months' impriscnnienf . Lord Dennian . inquired if the : case had ; jibt beeiivargued ; arid ther commitiueut declared to be bad , and upon Mr . James ( Cavanagh ' a counsel ) replying in the affirmative , Baid— " Then lethiai be . discharged . " . The Solicitotral to the
( Sene rose aigue question ; but Lord Den - maa observed that the court . was not one of appeal from the decision of the learned Judge ( Wiliiame , in the Bail Couri ) , aud the Casie ^ ould not be re-heard . His Lordahip added that the .-judges theii present had , in facj , been consulted ; heibre the decision on the cotuoiUmenl ; was pronounced . " The defendant ' was theri discharged , and bowing very low td :, tiMi V judges ,, and thanking them very auc'iblyVae ' 4 B&flH 3 ftfN drew from the court . / . There had been a 4 « 2 BI 5 § s £ i 3 crowd collected in couri to / see him v the ^ gP mS ^^ ^ y much preferring this economical exhibitioaHrf ^ s ^^ n ^ man to that at which'money was to be paidijEipglpi ^*^/ /^ fclJiht ' ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ / [ : ' ^ Mi ^? & ^ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ * vw-j&b N ; ¦ . ¦¦ ¦ . ;^ fiSMp
Untitled Article
THE NORTHIERiT STAR . ¦ . -. - ¦ ,-.- ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ - '¦¦¦¦ ¦ ¦ : \; -:- - ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 5, 1842, page unpag, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1147/page/7/
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