On this page
-
Text (8)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
PEABGUS O'CONNOR ON THE . COMPLETE SUFFRAGE QUESriON . ~~ r , ^
We . take the following from tost prince of cheap periodic *!* , the English Chartist Circular : — «* TO THE WOKKHfG PEOPLE . «« Mt dbjlk I ? KiK ? ms;—If ever there -was a time vben it behoved the industrious classes of these countries to bestir themselves about their own business , it ia now . * 2 fy spaee will not admit of much circumlocution , and , 'therefore , I come at once to the question ofto yon—the most vital importance—the question of the joSr&ge . '• - " ¦ " : " Many converts hare recently been made to the principle—that is , toi confession -of-the abstract right One Bet of converta declaring in favour of the Charter , fgiih certain reset cations aa to details . ~ Another 86 . 4 spprorwiagol tbe principle , but ' starting at-twenty . five
years--of sge ~ instead of t-wenty-one as the qualifying period . Another set speak of manhood suffrage . Another Bet will giv « us Universal Suffrage , Equal Electoral Districts , and the Ballot ; -while another set talk of ' Complete Stffrage . " Kow , it ia to the latter tribe of converts I Bhall first direct public attention . This section is headed by Mr . Storge , of Birmingham , a jnost excellent person— -a man , as the world' goes , a century before his order in all the distingniahing qualities which mark progression , shewing that he is aware that the human mind will keep pace with , civilisation and scientific improvement Nay , more , these may be the characteristics of art and cunning ; while I am free to confess that he is -as far in advance of his companions in all those attributes which should adorn w > y >
as he is in the onward march of the science of politics . Thus I deal fairly and openly with a political opponent , giving to character sad mind &B those advan tages Of Which I never desire to see them stripped . In fact , I declared at the outset , that I esteem and value Mr . Storge more than the whole party with ¦ which he is mixed op ; bat I do not esteem him as much as principle , neither shall I allow myself to be led from the true path by the fanciful light of his imagination . In short , I shall deal with the question and not with , the man , well knowing that all men are not Sfcurges , and that to his proposition many would be parties not influenced by the same nobleness 61 mind or good intention . What , then , does complete suffrage mean ? If it is not intended as a
false light to lead vm astray , most it not mean , firstly , the possession of the franchise , and secondly , the most full , ample , beneficial , and complete application or use of it ? If it does not mean this , it is not the Charter , and ahooM be denounced . If it does mean this , it means neither more nor less than the Charter , and should be declared so by the adoption of the Charter . An undefined political term Is pre-eminently C&lcnlaled to lead men astray . Thus , the principle declared in the Reform BUI , that " taxation and representation should be coextensive , " was the principle for which , in 1822 , yon contended ; that contained the whole of tke Charter principle ; in it was embodied the principle cf " complete suffrage , * ' and now mark yon well the shape and form into which the Parliament
that arranged the details of the Kef arm Bill has moulded the measure to class purposes . Let us now clearly understand the rains of what is called " complete suffrage , " as defined in the speeches and resolutions jof those , working with Mr . Sturga They say first , get the vote , and then a Parliament elected by the whole people must jlrsasge the detail . Let us , then , take Westminster , to wit , and see in how far the mere election by "Universal Suffrage would be " Cokplete Scffbjge , " and whether without the Tery points of which they will not hear , namely , abolition ot property qualification a > d PA ^ itEKT or hembe&s , it would confer more than a mere possession of these rights , while it would withhold Its benefidal use and complete application .
Under snea a Suffrage , is there one single man in Westminster commanding your confidence and esteem , who woold be qualified to represent you ? Not one—you may elect , bat it mutt be a man having NOT LESS than £ 300 a-year . Mind , not 1 ms , while his only chance wonld be having very much more . I wish to instruct you well npon this point ; £ 600 a-year is the XEAST qualification for a county representa t ive ,, and £ 3 W a-year ia the LEAST for a borough representative . Now mind , that is the LEAST ; so it is in the present House , and yet see how many , how very many , possess fifty , ninety , and more than one hundred times the amount of THE LOWEST
qualification . This , then , ia my position . Firstly , debarred of the full right of free choice , the constituent body wonld be insifferent ; firstly , as to the attainment of the franchise ; and secondly , as to its application . And inafaattri of destroying bribery at elections , one of the evils now most eonpl&ined cf , it wonld but open & wider door for corruption , and thus throw a much greater weight into the golden scale , increasing by fivefold the present evDs of class legislation . A man with £ 300 a-year in Wesminster would now have some chance , while a man under Universal Suffrage , and no more , wonld have no chance whatever for Westminster . Each election would be a contest between the wealthiest
and the merely qualified of the upper and middle classes ; and this is the proposed nostrum for the Abo lition of Class Legislation . Now always bear in mind , my friends , that we are the Anti-Class Legislation Army of Chartists- Suppose then a parliament elected by "Universal Suffrage of qualified members . They & » there for seven years , and being all class supporters there , every session wonld be devoted to the destruction and annihilation of these other Chartist principles to the recognition of which they look for the overthrow of their rule . The Charter Suffrage would not rob any man , while it would protect and enrich all , while complete Suffrage wonld merely tantalize you with the possession of a thing which yon could not nse , and wonld entirely prostrate labour to capital and speculation .
The Charter Suffrage would , firstly , more than treble our production , now locked up , restricted and narrowed , while it wonld cause a more . equitable distribution of the increased production . Complete Suffrage would not increase the production , while it would monopolise all that was produced . Repeal of the Corn Laws without the Charter would make one great hell of England , and would only benefit steam producers , merchants , and bankers , without giving the Blighest impetus to any trade , save the trade of slavery , while it would , from thB consequent improvement and mul-& > lie&tion of machinery , break every Bhop-keeper and starve one-half of our population . Oa the other hand , Ebe Ghirter wonld in less t ** " six monthB from the date of its enactment call forth all the industry , energy ,
snd power , of every class in the state . Every trade Wonld be at full work , every ahop-keeper wonld be in fun btuslBes . and whatever , price tlie loaf was at , every belly would be full also . The two great things to be efected by tke Charter are these : firstly , the destruction of those restrictions by which mines , fisheries , and land are locked up ; and secondly the more equitable distribution of the consequently increased produce of HOME ; and mind , after all , you must be great at home before you can be great abroad . The political economist * would make you . dependent upon the foreigner for your three meals a-day , and in ease of scarcity would enable him ts starve yon ; and all to
xeake money for the mast cruel , griping , heard-hearted Eet of slave-owners that ever lived ; whereas the Charter -would make you independent of the whole world . They -wish to make tmr movement auxiliary to their movement ; it is for yen now to decide whether or not , after ten jears' trial of , and as many years of enaction tinder , one Reform Bill , you will now waste- your energies by confirming tie power in the hands of those who alone were benefited by the former measure . The fact is that men who have made millions under the present system , no-w -wish for a gross medium of circulation to 6 DkaBes their gambling speculations , and they lock to the lind of the world as a mint too small to coin a
measure adequate to their capacious desires . " Working men , stand by your order—THE XOBLE ARHT OF CHAKTISTS . "Ever your fajJhfnl friend , " PEAB . GUS OCO >> OB "
Untitled Article
O BIL M'DOUALL AND MR . DUXCA ^ . OF
DUNDEE . to the e&itor of the sobthexx stab . Sis , —I regret to see the turn which Dr . 31 'Diuall , by his litter in the Northern Star of the 5 th icst , has given to my disenssion with him regarding tbe Petition cf the English Executive . I had hoped the letter I "Wrote you en the 2 l 3 t would have been my last on tbe roiject ; tat the Doctor , having since chosen to misrepresent and falsify my sentiments , as well as to iutrodnce charges and insinuations against myself personally , I cannot avoid again addressing yon , nor ' * itt Jon , I hope , refuse me the opportunity of doing so .
As the Doctor charges me with having introduced personalities into my former letter , it is perhaps as well to cltar up thi 3 matter at the cutset My first letter made no personal allusion of any kind , nor did my sewed , with the exesption of a single sentence , rendered necessary by the Doctor ' s own unjustifiable conduct . The exception I allude to was tiiis . In his answer to my fint letter , he thought proper to bring a charge against me , -which , if true , ought at once to destroy my political character . He charges me in effect , with having knowingly and wilfully attempted to mislead the public on a subject cf vital importance to the
cause . In my rejoinder , I indignantly repslled the slander , as every honest " » " » wonld do ; -while the j > odoi ( as no honest man "ironld do ) lias , in bis subsequent letter , neither apologised fox . his conduct , Dor attempted to justify it , by proving the truth of his charga He has passed over it without a single allusion : With thiB exception , my letter referred solely to the question at issue ; and , if the Doctor cuts but a sorry figuie in it , the fault is his own , not mine . I have , therefore , had no hand in introducing personalities into the correspondence ; and it wonld , perhaps , have fared as well with the Doctor had he foil-owed a .
Kimlar cenrsp . I now proceed to notice hiB last letter : —Upon the ; merits of the English Petition he finds it prudent to say little or nothing ; but directs that part of his later < h the right of protesting against it : in other -words , j he endeavours to mainliin his old ground tist the ' Scottish people had no right to pursue a course difiWreiit from lhat recommended by what he calls "fee majority . ' , i
Untitled Article
Such of your readers as may have read my former letters , will , perhaps remember , that I met this on two grounds , I maintained , first , that there were subjects npon which it was incompetent for a majority to dictate to a minority ; and , secondly , that in this case no majority have " ever declared far the English Petition In a way to debar the Scottish people from deciding npon its merits . These were my positions , and I adhere to them . In support of the first I stated what appeared to me the legitimate power of the majority . It was , that their decisions were to be confined to matters that " did not interfere with the private opinions of members of oar body on other subjects . '' Thejustiee and propriety of this is so evident , that I imagined none would be ha ^ rdy enough to dispute it . Dr il'Donall seems to have felt
its forcft , for , instead of attempting to argue against it , be takes to the usual resort of foiled disputants , that Is , calling name \ , sind characUrisea It as unsophisticated expediency ! " An . easy way of overturning an unassail able truth , truly ! If he made use of the term in ignorance of its meaning , bis ignorance is to be pitied , and his presumption in using words ke does not understand condemned : bat if he did so , to impose upon the ignorance of ethers in whose minds the base ' - expediency" practices ' of the Whigs may have excited a dislike to the name without knowing its exact meaning then bis knavery is strongly to be reprobated . In either case , he has not met my argument fairly . Nothing
can be further removed from expediency than the rule in question , Expediency involves an abandonment of all principle . The rule just quoted is sterling principle , and nothing else . The one is a pa'try and crooked shift , had recourse to for the purpose of gaining a temporary , party end ; the other is based npon a great truth , the observance of which is of the utmost importance to society in all ages and in all countries , and the neglect of which is morally certain to break up any party , or convulse any community ¦ who may be so unwise as to contravene it " TJnsophisticaUd expediency" ! quoth the learned gentleman ! I should like to haar his difinition . pf the teruj .
The Doctor , having declared the voice of the majority omnipotent in all things—or at least , having made no exception , I put a case , with the view of testing tbe soundness of this sweeping doctrine . I asked whether , if the majority of our body had decided that we were all to join the Romish Church , he thought the minority should give in ? This , it will be observed , was calculated to bring him out . If he answered in the affirmative , and said that they should , then the absurd nature of bis position became manifest : if he answered in the negative , it was tantamount to an admission that there were cases in which the majority had no right to dict \ te to the minority ; and having admitted this , it would become necessary for him to define the powers of the majority—to draw the line to Trhioli they might go , bnt no further , a talk which , if he attempted , would bring him to the . sentiments he immediately afterwards repudiates as " unsophisticated expediency . " He " was in a comer , " as the phrase is , and he saw it , for his answer is this : —
Answer i ?)— " Speaking for myself , I would net be disposed , for expediency's sake , to take up the crucifix of the Irish Church to please the priests , any more than the creed of a Christian Ckartist Church to conciliate ike fanatics . " This " answer" \ is no answer at all . The question was not what the Dector individually , or " speaking for himself , " thought of the scheme of joining tbe Irish Church , but what he held the duty of the minority to be , in the event of a majority deciding thai we were to join that Church . It was not whether the Doctor wonld join the Romish Church to please the priests , but whether the minority should do so to please the majority . This is the question , and to this the Dector gives no
answer The sneer in the latter end of the " answer" is no doubt aimed at the body of Christians with whom I have the pleasure of being connected , and of course , at " myself also . Such sneers come with a very bad grace indeed from any professing Chartist ; for , to be consistent with his principles , he has no right to assume that bis brother Chartists , in the exercise of their religion are otherwise than sincere , unless he can prove them so '; and it comes with a peculiarly bad grace from Dr . M'Douall , who has himself , on more occasions than one , acted the part ef the priest " to conciliate the fanatics ; " as my " fanatical" friends of Dnndee with their brother "fanatics" in Donfermline , Kilbatchan
and no doubt other places can testify ! Were this the proper place , I am willing to defend my congregation , and my connexion with them , from any charges the Doctor can prefer against na ; but as it is , I simply content myself with assuring the Dactor , that I had rather far " join a Chartist church to conciliate the fanatics " than enter into competition with " Old Parr , " " the immortal ilorifiOB , '' and other , to use the Doctor ' s own words , " professional and non-professional quacks , " to 111 my o- » n pockets . I shall be glad to hear that , aft j a twelvemonths' trial , the Doctor ' s patients are as -well pleased with his doses as I have reason to think the Dundee fanatics - are with my labours amongst them .
So much for my first position regarding the general power of the majority ; my second , namely , that in the present case no fair majority had » ver been ascertained , tbe Doctor also touches upon . On this subject I said , " - The Petition was concocted by one or two individuals , a-nrt no proper means were tafcen to ascertain tbe sentiments of the Chartist public concerning it ; " adding , "it Is contrary to the spirit of the Charter to pursue a certain line of conduct when they are not consulted in determining as to what line of conduct should be . " The Doctor suppresses all this , with the exception of the words , " Tbe Petition was concocted by one or two individuals , " which be quotes , and , by a word or two , insinuates that my objection aroseto tbe individuals and not to the course adopted ; than which nothing is mere fa'se , as will be seen upon reference to that part of the sentence which the Doctor found it convenient ts omit [ We here omit a paragraph or two which might have led to farther controversy . —Ed . N . S . ] of It
I have little to notice in t ^ e rest his letter . is entirely composed of either misrepresentations or a specifca of snvill wit ; which latter , however well it might be received from a tavern orator or a third-rate circus down , is not the language we should expect to bear from one who is discussing matters of de * p interett to the , happiness of so many human beings . I therefore pass it over . But cf his misrepresentations I may cite an instance . In speaking of the difference existing among the Chartists as to tbe use to be made , I took occasion to express the sense I entertained of the great good done by Mr . O'Brien in this particular . The Doctor quoted this part of rny letter , and has
actually the audacity in the quotation to insert the words * ' and myself his disciple" after Mr . O'Brien ' s name , thus attempting to make it appear that the encomiums I felt it my duty to make regarding Hr . O Brien were meant cqoally for myself . He then sneers at this " mountain of modesty" and charges me with egotism and conceit , while the only passage from which the shadow of such a charge ceuld be deduced , is the one fradulehtly introduced by himstlf . Upon such conduct I need make no remark , the reader will no doubt duly estimate tae strength of t ^ e Doctor ' s cause , as -well as his mode of defending it , -when Buch msans as these are resorted to .
Before concluding I have another small matter to settie with the Doctor . In a former letter he talked very big of " . political traffick , " " masked faces , " < fcc , just as if these were peculiar to Scotland . 1 took occasion ( in order to remove any impression "which tbe Doctor ' s language mig £ t have conveyed ) to express my opinion that there was as much of teat in England as in Scotland , and put the queition to the Doctor whether it was not bo ? instead of answering he tells me coolly that I inow my own friends and correspondents better thtn he dots , thus oj » en ! y acca-sicg me of being a traitor . If he thinks I am one disposed tamsly to bear such slanderous imputations fiom him or from any one else ,
he has mistaken me . I tell Peter Murray M'Douali tiftt his charge is a false one , and that he has made it ¦ without a shadow of pronf . If it be nue , the sooner he shows it the better . If ( as I maintain ) it bo false , whit estimate are we to / ojtd of the man who made it , ¦ when he would thus allow factious feeling and wounded vanity to carry him &o fir as wiif jlly to slander a man who had never public'y attacked him , and from whom in private life , he never experienced aught but friendship . As it is , he muvt either prove his chaTge or pass for a convicted slandtr-.-r . Ia this position I leave him . I am , &c , Joh . n Du . nca . v .
Dundee , March 15 tb , 1842 . [ As thi 3 correspondence is now becoming merely piis-jcal , it mustiere Ctase ; at ltast i : i so fur aa the columns of this paper are concerned . Ev . J
Untitled Article
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL CHAHTEB ASSOCIATION . Brother Chartists , —We have had the good fortune to serve you many months without the slightest accusation having been brough * . ag . a \ nst us , as an Executive Council ; and , strengthened by your confidence , ¦ we have unanimously adapted tht- various addresses which have been laid btf _> r > j you , at each time receiving thanks from the people for uur services , and always having their support iu th" course whicb we recommen- ' ed to be pursued by the members cf the Association . "
It wonld not be natural if we did not feel mnca gratification in preserving the esteem and confidence of so many of our fellow men , and in the s une proportion "we f * sl extremely sen-itive -when tbe slightest doubt is raised as to oar political integrity , because , liie CsBsar ' a wife , the Executive "Council shcuM not only be virtuous , but free from all suspicion . We are responsible to the people f jt every act and advice . We submit to no other authority ; and , when we advise with our constituents , we first deliberate on the best couiBe to be pursued ; and , stcc-nclly , lay our resolutions before the Association fur the adoption and appioval cf its members . Should the people return a favourable answer , we conceive it to be the teat of tt-e justice of our views ; but should they ( which they have nut yet done ) return an answer ,, disapproving of our acts , -we are then bound to amend our acts , or give place to others -who are more capable cf conducting the busicefc * of an Executive .
In iost week's Star , we , in an address to the people , pointed out'the causes -which had inciueed many cf tha middle classes to profess Chartist principles ; we alluded to the diffitalty of our position in as far
Untitled Article
as we anticipated that many might be deceived with the professions of the middle class , and wander from the gra « d object of our agitation , the Charter , the whole Charter , and nothing less ; we laid down the landmarks by which we should steer ; they were the Charter , as the polar star , and on either hand the Association and th « National Petition . ' : Onr advice regarding public arrangement , may be too strong for some , bat by no means unnecessary at thiB important criaifl . Onr advice as to public meetings in regard to resolutions , and particularly in reference to the returning of Chartist members to Parliament , has a ' so been generally approved of , with the exception of the Editor of th « Northern Star , who has entirely dissented from us in respect to the two resolutions proposed In oar address .
The Editor of the Northern Star , condneUne an organ acknowledged * a the ergan of the movement , ia in the right to criticise the productions of the Executive Council , ' and simply performs hia duty when he points out anything which may be wrong or unadvised in the conduct , and proceedings of a public or responsible body like the Executive Council . The Editor has our thanks for the support he has afforded us in the past , and for the opportunity he has afforded us now of explaining oox reason for offering two resolutions to the people for their approval ; but while we thus amicably proceed to explain ourselves through the Editor to the country , we must , in the most friendly , but determined
manner , protest against the Editor associating the Executive Council with the humbug trap and the Bath conference . We have the greatest possible respect f » r Mr . Hill , Mr . O'Connor , and Mr . O'Brien ; but -we must say that tae farmer is not justified in making the Executive answerable for aogbt sava their own sets as a body , or in mixing them up ^ as a Council , with the private proceedings of Mr . Vincent , Mr . Philp , or any other mau ; and although Mr . O'Connor and Mr . Hill ' s conjoint advice would influence the people to s greater extent than that of tbe Executive , we are not justified in acting upon their suggestions , except they reach us through the public voice , from which quarter we are ready to receive instruction without asking .
The members of the Association will excuse our blontness of expression , and justify us in saying that we conceive ourselves responsible only to those who elected us , and that we are determined to act independently , or cease to act altogether . We are resolved , as heretofore , to give our advice to the best of our ability . We throw ourselves entirely into the hands of the people , and the moment our ability to act , or our sincerity in advising , is doubted , we shall not injure the future existence of an Executive Council , but instantly give place to better men , who can more earnestly support the character of a body responsible for their every act to the people alone . The Executive Council is tbe key-stone of the Association , without which all would be confusion , every one advising and no one obeying .
We leave Mr . Vincent and Mr . Philp , if they have done wrong , to answer to the people . We will do likewise , and state why we recommended the two resolutions to be adopted . We proposed the first because of its theoretical and practical justice . The second , because after the abolition of the monopoly of the suffrage , all men who are Chartists are resolved on the abolition of all other monopolies ; and no man who is n * t a Chartist would consent to the othar stringent rules and regu ' ations laid down , or believe in any benefit arising from the abolition of the Corn and Provision Laws , until the first resolution was carried .
There was a great want of unanimity of action throughout the country ; at Marylebone meeting the resolution adopted declared , in the outset , its unqualified approval of the principles of free and unfettered trade . At Birmingham eutire representation was mixed up with the repeal of the Cora Lnw . At other places no representation whatever ; we therefore considered it to bs part of o \ ir duty to advise at such a crisis , and recommended one resolution to be adopted as the first at all meetings , mixing up nothing with the Charter , bnt presenting one entire principle , without alteration , mixture , or deduction . We were fully aware , also , that in various localities our strength
differed , ana at Corn Law meetings especially , our amendments bad to allude to the object of the meeting , therefore we gave a second resolution , which condemns all taxes on the necessaries of life , points to the monopoly of the suffrage as the cause of the Corn Laws , declares a want of confidence in all Governments appointed under the present system , and pronounces its conviction that the repeal of these obnoxious laws ( Which We Buppose the meeting to be discussing ) can only be effected through a Parliament representing tha whole people of Great Britain and Ireland . We cannot tuppoae that this is a handle for the Repealers , and if any man believes we offered it as such , we repel the insinuation with the utmost indignation .
We might , it is true , have altered the terms of our resolution in the following manner : — " The total and entire repeal of the Corn and Provision Laws can never be beneficial except when made the act of a Parliament representing , " && As we gave it , and as it stands , we cannot for a moment suppose that any man who agreed in spirit and in principle to tke first resolution , -weald be base enough or have the means to do injury through the second , and therefore in offering them to the peeple we gave them both out of a true desire to keep the association to the Charter first , and if they would have it , the repeal of the Cora Laws or free and unfettered trade last We most earnestly request attention to the first resolution , and as each locality is fully aware of its own strength , let them on no account avoid an opportunity of passing it , and if they cannot , by all means have the Charter in first , the Corn law last .
We have laid an address before you , and it is for tbe members of the association to deliberate upon the instructions therein contained Let it be clearly understood that our resolutions have to be confirmed by the people , and should Mr . Hill , Mr . O Connor , or any other men draw up better resolutions , we sre ready , with the permission of the majority , to withdraw ours and give place to theirs ; but until we are duly informed of such a decision on the part of our constituents , we must abide by our deliberate resolution . We remain , Brother Chartists , Your faithful representatives , James IiEACH . P . M . M-I > ouai , l . B . K . Philp . Morgan Williams . J . Campbell , Secretary .
Untitled Article
THE STOXE MASONS OS STRIKE , FROM THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT , AND NELSON ' S MONVMENT , LONDON , AND THE WOOLWICH DOCKYARD , To the Public and the Trades of Great Britain and Ireland . " When men lie dispersed without concert , order , or discipline , communication is UDcerLiin , counsel difficult , and resistance to oppression impracticable . Where men are not acquainted with each others '
principles , experienced in each others' talents , not practiced in their mutual habitudes and dispositions , no personal confidence—no friendship—no common interest subsisting bttween them—it is evidently impossible that their interest and rights can be dtfended with uniformity and effect . No man should natter himself that his single , unsupported , and unsystematic endeavours are sufficiently powerful to defeat tbe subtle designs aizd UMTED cabals of those who live on the vitals of his industry . "
Brethren , —We are now in the twenty-seventh week ot our strike , struggling in an uphill fight against the combined efforts if a class-erected government , a class-chosen legislature , and an ungenerous , an unfeeling , and rapacious host of indolent capita . ists— -men professing the precepts of Christianity , while practising the decrees of his Satanic majesty . . At the Houses of Parliament , notwithstanding the report of the " Surveyor , Engineer , and Architect , " that " the works t » f this splendid pile are now in active progress ,. " little , Very little , is ptrceivable as the progress made since our members left ; and on Saturday nignfc Sfcveral of their most efficient hands , from about Dundee , left the works . At theMonnraeiit , we cannot see any difference since we last reported . The number now on strike from these works are one hundred and twelve .
The following passage occura in a letter from our delegate at Penryn , in Cornwall , relative to this column : — . " The Wi / . ns , who are at the Monument , have sent a letter home , stating they are tired of their job—that things in London are in a very disturbed state , and wishing themselves back again . " These gents , wanted us to give them £ 10 each , to take them home—tui it was " no go . " A respectable master builder of Perzunce , one of the intelligent , and consequently enfranchised class of that locality , has issued a manifesto , of which the following is a verbatim copy : — " March eth , 1842 . " Gents ., —This evening any Chortitt Unionist of the Tradesmen ' s society in my employment shall no longer be in my service , and wind up all—all accounts next week !!! " A . BERKYMAN . "
In relation to our strike at Penryn , our delegate writes ; . — " Mr . HoakinB { now our only opponent here ) is completely in a comer—he says , if he cannot get on better he rtust give it up . " Circumstances have not proved so fortunate as onr delegate anticipated they would have done when he wrote last fortnight / consequently nine are yet on the funds in that place . .. ¦ -.-From Dartmoor our delegate writes , — : " They will be forced to do something ; at the quarries they are in a miserable way . Frazier , G . & P . 's agent at Woolwich , has been here , and condemned a great quantity of stone ; he declared he would not receive it—that it is not like the thing at all . Things ntvtr looked so well here as at the present "—Number out litre , forty .
Untitled Article
From Woolwich we have received the following information , dated Marchr 15 tfo—¦ < v "; " £ J ^ ° ? ^ " # * " «* dlschai ^ op fiyurday last , principaUy for tile want of atone ; and , to all appearances ; if tfiere is not ainore plentiful jnpfjy the job mutt inevitably stop altogether . It ia quite true respecting tt » piece work ; excepting two or three all 0 X 9 V a ! t ^ toX-woik , and I feel conacioua that at no very distant period the day will be our ? . Number out here , thirty-eight . " / - "A - ; V -. ' ¦ ¦ / ^ ' . : ;\ \ . : v , : Fromi Plymouth wahaW tecebred the following : ^ - I _ ¦ A cargo of granite coping has been s « nt frdin Mr . Johnsen s to He * Majesty ' s Dockyard , Plymoutbj sixty atones in number , twenty of them dressed by our memtxsrs previous to striking ; the other forty by tbe blades since . Tbe forty djeswd > by the Wa « ks are ev ^ ry stone condemned by the dock-yard receiver . Number out here fifteen . " . * v ,. \
Snch to the position we at . present occupy , arid from which you will judge whether , with a continuance of yomr pecuniary aid ^ the aspect 1 b not sufficiently healthy to warrant a . steady prosecution of thia aU-important struggle—whether our minds ahall rise superior to $ ny difficulties that may present themselves or crouch with obsequious subserviency to the iron hand of oppression —submit " . ' ¦"• . ;• : •¦; - . . ' ;¦¦ / . ; ¦ . ' ¦; - ¦' . ¦ : . ' ¦ ;¦;; . ' : ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦¦¦ ¦ .. :, . .- ; " 'TolWaiUfe half dead—a living death Among inhuman foes . " It is pretty clearly shown in the lineig placed at the head of this report , that in the want of an intimate and extensively organised nnion- ^ a reciprocity of feeling and of action amongst the working classes—may be traced the cause of their present miserable and degraded position .. ' . ; ¦ . ¦" ' "¦"•'¦ ' . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ - , ¦ ¦ . - .- ; : ¦ \ ; ' .. / ' ; V ; - . ' ;¦ ¦ ¦ . ¦• 'V ' : .
All other classes , castes , and gradea . are united to a mau in promoting and protecting their several interests at the expence of the toiling millions . The priest , the doctor , and the lawyer by legalizid aot-cf-Pajtliament unions ; the landowner and the capitalist by corn bills and a monopoly of legislation ; but th « interests of the working classes are not only not thus legally protected —not only preyed upon by a combination of all other classes—but , by internal dissension , by division amongst themselves , all but wholly neglected . The intensity of suffering manifestly existing amongst
the producing portion of the community—the poverty , the wretchedness ,, and the misery to which existing usages of Booiety have subjected them— -should arouse the most careless and apathetic to an immediats and calm consideration of the question , " Why are they subjected to such unmeasured and unmitigated ills ?" Why the sweat that flows ; from their brow should generate fortunes for the idle , the crafty , » nd the indolent , leaving no traces of improvement in the condition of its hapless and poverty-stricken producers ? ¦ ¦ ¦ - - - ¦'¦ - ¦'¦ ¦ ' . . . . ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ V V \ - : ¦" . ... " ¦ ¦¦ ¦ . '¦ ; .
The following quotation from an address by Eli Moore ( late a member of Congress of the United States of America ) to the members of trades' societies in New York , may not be inappropriate here : — . "It has been averred , with great truth , that all Governments become cruel and aristocrat ^ in their character and bearing in proportion as one part of the community uelevated and the other depressed ; and that misery and degradation to the many is the inevitable result of such a state of society . And we regard it as equally true , that in proportion as the line of distinction between the employer and employed is widened , the condition of the latter inevitably verges towards a state of vassalage , while that of the former as certainly approximates towards supremacy , and that whatever system is calculated to make the many dependant upon , or subject to , the few , not only tends to the subversion of the natural rights of man , but is hostile to the best interest of the community , as well as to the spirit and genius of our government
Fully persuaded that the foregoing positions are incontrovertible , we , in order to guard against the encroachments of aristocracy , to preserve « uj natural and political rights , to elevatd our moral and intellectual condition , to promote our pecuniary interest , to narrow the line ef distinction between the journeyman and the employer , to establish the honour and safety of our respective vocations upon a more secure and permanent basis , and to alleviate the distresses of those suffering from want of employment , have deemed it expedient to form , ourselves into a ' --. . Grdnctal Trades ' Union . ' . ¦ : ¦¦
"Itmay be asked , how these desirable objects aro to be achieved by ' a General Union » f Trades V How the encroachments of aristocracy , for example , are to be arrested by our plan ? We answer ^ by enabling the producer to enjoy the full benefit of his production , and thus diffuse tke stream of wealth more generally , and consequently more equally throughout all the ramifications ( f society . This point conceded , ; asd conceded it must" be , it is not requisite , we conceive , that the line of investigation should be dropt very deep , in order to bring it up tinged with proof that the verity of our other positions necessarily follows . "
These , fellow workmen , are the opinions of no mean authority , and are the result of practice and experience , . " * Why , " again asks this author , " should not those who have the toil have the enjoyment also ? and what better means can be devised for promoting a more equal distribution of wealth than for the producing classes to claim , and by virtue of union and concert , secure their claims to their respective portions ! " : . The strength of union is manifest in Our poverty : by the union of other classes , which live on the vitals of our industry , we are : made miserably " poor indeed ;" but by a compete and extensive union of the working classes—by a well-regulated system of co-operation amoDgst them—they could speedily relieve themselves from these unbearable burdens ,, and snap the chain of slavery asunder , and forever . ,
In once more thanking you f > r the dignified manner in which , by your pecuniary aid to us , you have marked your disapprobation of the iuLutnanity of our late employers , we are compelled from circumstances to call upon you at this momentous crisis to continue your best and noblest energies in defending the rights of insulted labour , to still further assist us in our endeavours to annihilate that By stem cf despotic rule which , admitted with impunity , -would prostrate the noblest faculties of the human edifice , and place the honest artizan in a worse position than beasts of burden .
We beg to subscribe ourselves , Gratefully yours , The Masons' Society , ' Thomas Shortt , Sec C , Agnes Street , Waterloo-road , Lambeth , March 16 tb . 1842 .
Untitled Article
GROANS FROM BEVERLEY . " The flesh will quiver where the pincers tear , Sufferings / by long continuance , grow oh pain ; But these are foreign to the soul , not mine The groans that issue : on the rack I scorn thee . ' Were I not tbns reduced , tbiou wouldst not know Thatthus reduced I dare defy thee still !" Young's Revenge
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Edinburgh , 3 rd March , 1842 . SIR , —From the indulgent manner in which you have inserted my former cornmunicationa respecting the treatment of Mr . Robert Peddle by the Whig Croyerhnient , I now beg leave to trouble you with a few notes taken froni one of his last letters , which , shews that his com- ; plaints are not much mended—that he has oniy " got out of tho frying pan into the fire , " and that the tender merciesof the wicked are still cruel . Every petition sent in his favour , either public or
private , still receives the same ready-made lithographic answer f / ora the Home-office ; so that it is evident , notwithstanding all the palliating circumstances that have been advanced in his'favfeur--rnotwitbstanding that as * proof of their moral virtue and veracity , some of the accredited spies / who inveighed against him , are in the hands of justice for dted 3 of crime that will not hide , it is still evident that he will have to serve out tho fall term of bis long three years' imprisonment , if his shattered constitution is " made meet for the burden . ¦ ¦ •¦" . ¦'¦¦ ' ¦•¦ : ¦¦' ..
Had Mrs . Peddie not been a woman of the most consummate industry and propriety , she could never have kept herself and her family afloat in the respectable manner in which she has done—in a manner which , notwithstanding her misfortunes , has excited tho envy of her neighbours . For I must confess , ; that in this hotbed of Whiggismj very little sympathy is shewn to persons' in any way connected with the ' persecuted Chartists . It is , therefore , tbe bounden duty of that boily to administer every relief in their power to Mr ; Peddieand his family . I . should not have made these reflections , but from the silence of your contemporaries ; for were it not for the public notices which : have occasionally appeared in your journal , it would be a matter of doubt whether or not such a mau was still in
txistence . ¦ ' . •¦ ¦'• ¦¦ : ¦ ¦; \ ¦¦¦ . ¦>; ¦¦ ., ; ¦ : ¦ •¦¦ .-Mr . Peddie has also other just matters of complaint , for although he has been denied any intercourse with his friends , or the visits of a beloved wife and daughter , for these two y tars pa ^ t , yet has he of ten been exposed to an idle curiosity , and exhibited to gratify the visitors of the establishment , front the liveried footman to the scullion of the kitchen—from the godly priest to the cher ami of the magistrate ! Such things , although perhaps trivial in themselves , must , to a man of his acute and sentimental mind , be in the bight si degree painful ; aud , as a proof of which I shall only further trouble you with a fewYers ^ B , which mast prove interesting , from the remarkable circumstances under which they were composed . ,. \ Let me first premise that Mr . Peddie ib occasionally indulged with a look ofXflambera ' sexcellent Edinburgh Journal , through . the goodness of the Governor . ,
" What gave ri « e to the following trifle , " Mr . P , observes , " was from reading ;; in the last part of Chambers' Journal ^ a few days ago , a poem , entitled ' Winter ' s no that fdrawa , ' introduced as a production of merit by the Editor . I thought the day was passed for such tiflas passiug for good poetry : but th 6 rhyme pleased me , so my . muse , in the course of half an hour , or thereabout , produced it . The original was said to ba written by a self-taught genius , under all the concomitant evils attending on poverty ; but in regard to depressing circumstances , I thiiik I have not been earpassed . Mine was composed when I was walking in the piison-yard , in a round ting , with some score of
Untitled Article
thieves , and zmuckle idle chield in the midst of them , 'to keep the rascals from speaking to , or looking at et * ch other . Let Willy Chambera' poeta beat this if tney CSUi " " ¦ •• . ¦¦ . ;¦ ¦"• : ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ' ;' ... . - , r ' - ¦ ' ' r ' !'~ r ''¦' .::-.:.: ¦
SUMMER'S SYNE NO PAR AWAV When the sun clips short the gloamin ' , And tin the hill side melto the snaw j When youukers tbro' the glens are roaming Summers ayne notet a , w& ' . ' When to the joy of Ilka miller , Their dams do feel the loosening thaw , And their clappersi ' win '' them siller , Summer ' s syne no tax awi ' . '' ¦ '• • When nae malr round faxmer ' s ingle , Lads and lassies merrily ca \ Jestawi ' merry pangs to mingle , Summer ' s then no far awa ' .
When nae mair bauld Boreas . stormlng , Threats to gie ' B a rboflesahaV : And noisy Hnus gia o'er their foaming , Summer's then no far awa * . ., When Tod Lowrie leaves the planting , Shunning far the farmer ' s ha ' , Flying to the distant mountain , Summer ' s syne no fax awa ' . When the Robin leaves the biggin , The merlin leaves the ruin'd wa % And sparrows build within the riggio , Summer ' s Byne no far awa ' . When clear and pure , wi' gentle motion , Burnles rin , and the sea-maw ^ Leaves the fresh loch for the ocean , Summer's syne no far awa' .
When the trees put on new cledin ' , And round them whurs the noisy eraw , Whea ewes upon the heights are bleating Bammer ' B syne no far awa *; When amang the woody bracken , Nae mairye hear the Woodcock ' s craw , But mavis' notes the shades are wakin ' , Summer ' s then no far awa ' . When t » greet the early mornin ' , The lark doth bail day ' s gowdenba ' , When drapa o * dew ilkleafs adornin . ' , Summer ' s syne no far awa '» When the thorny hedge is fragrant , And on ithanga the ripening ha ' . When wanders wide the aged vagrant , Summer ' s ayne no far awa ' .
When the cuckoo ' s notes are booming Down amang the birken shaw , When the yellow broom is blooming , Summer ' s syn « no far awa ' . When the harebell and the gowan , Makes our gleus and meadows braw , And rosea on the briars growing , Summer ' s syne no far awa ' . When the grievfl strata up the furrow , An' wide abroad the seed does ca ' , When tho hind yokes to the harrows ^ Summer's syne no far awa ' . When the oats and bear are brairded , Tatoes in the ground an' a ' , And the drills frae craws are guarded , Summer ' s syne no far awa ' .
When high upon the lofty summit , Of North Berwick's lofty law , The mornin' mist sits like a bonnet , Summer ' s syne no far awa ' . , Kobebi Peddie . Beverley House of Correction , 2 ist Feb ., 1842 . In conolosion , I need scarcely remark , what a man capable of expressing such sentimenta . must feel when placed in such company , and how well deserving he is of our sympathy for htB unhappy fate , and that of every patriotic lover of his country . I remain , Sir , Yours respectfully ,- \ W-B . S . »
Untitled Article
- ^ r ^ — » - ^ ^ ^ ^ - ^ ^ ^ " - . - ^ — - ^ - * — — . —^ . " ^ -r ^ ^ - ^ ^ r r THE OASTLER TESTIMONIAL . On Thursday week a meeting of the friends of Mr . Oastler was held ill the British Coffee . housa , CoekRpuretreet , for the purpose of promoting the subscription proposed to b » raised in commemoration of the exertions of Mr . Oastier in the cause ot the labouring classes . Amongst those present we observed tho Right Hon . Lord Feversbami Mr . Ferrand , M . P ., Mr . 'WTalter , Mr . J . PerctvaU Mr . Wing , the Rav . T . S . Cox ; Mr . Undetwood , Mr . Grant , ( from Mancheatsr , ) && On the motion of Mr . Walter , Lord Feversham was called to tbe chair , and on assuming that position his Lordship said that it afforded bun great pleasure to have the honour of filling such a post on such an occasion . It would Hot'be necessary for him to state at any length the object for which th « y
had assembled , because they were all fully aware of its character . They were also well aware of the situation in which their friend , Mr . Oastier , had been placed—he had been an inmate of the Fleet Prison for a period of sixteen months , for a debt due to ^ Mr . Thornhill . During that time Mr . Oastier had undergone many hardships , and his health bad been considerably impaired . At the some time , however , he had . received the visits of a number of his friends , and he epjoyed the sympathy of a large body of the public—two ; facts which had tended very much to alleviate that distress of mind which he would otherwise have undergone . ( Hear . ) The immediate object ef the present meeting was not merely to effect the liberation of Mr ; Oastier , however desirable that object would of itBelf be , but to further a
subscription which had been instituted for the benefit and future comfort of that gentleman and bis family . ( Hear , hear . ) Of course it would be an after consideration am » ng 8 t the subscribers and contributors generally , as to the particular way in which the money collected should be appropriated , if a fund could b 6 ^ raised sufficiently large to enable them , after having gained Mr . Oastler's liberation , to place him and his family in a comfortable and independent position , it would be extremely gratifying ; but . at all events , the first anxiety was ta rescue him from his presaht confinement , an end which a very large proportion of the people were most argent to see accomplifihed . < Hear , hear . )
He had known Mr . Oastier for many years , and it had been a Beurce of great regret to him that he should have ^ been placed in his present painful situation . ( Hear , hear . ) He most sincerely hoped , however , that the day was net far distant when they should have the satisfaction of accomplishing his liberation . In the meantime let him ( Lord Feveraham ) -press upon the meeting , and upon all the friends of Mr . Oastier , the necessity of exertiou in the obtainment of contributions , so as to effect that object , and he trusted that the funds collected would , as he had already intimated , be so large as to enable them to place Mr . Oastier and his family in a position of comfort and independence . ( Hear , hear . ) ' ¦ ¦"¦ ' . ¦ " ' ' - ¦ - ' .. '¦ ' ' ; ' ¦ . - . ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ .
Mr . Atkinson ( the honorary secretary ) having been called upon by the noble chairman to state what progress had been made in the business , said that early in the last year he had become personally acquainted with Mr . Oastier , and during bis visits to that gentleman in prison be bad had occasion to observe his great exertions for the public good : and at the same time , unluckily , to remark that those exertions of mind had impaired , and made great inroads on , his health ; and eventually , in the month of July , he was conflned with a severe fever . It bad also come within his knowledge that he was Buffering the greatest anxiety of mind upon the snbject of the situation of hfs family , an > i of othars who were dependent on him for support . In consequence he had written to the noble Lord who that day bo
kindly presided over them , knowing that he had been a friend of Mr . Oastier . Eventually the noble Lord and himself had had an interview , in the course of which it had been arranged that thiB scheme for accomplishing Mr . Oastler ' s liberation should be put in circulation among-g his old friends at the earlieet memerit . But previously : to that haying been done , it was deemed pnideut that he should visit some of the chief manufacturing districts ; and accordingly he had gone to Coventry , Birmingharn , Liverpool ^ Manchester , Bradford , HudderBfiLold , Leedsj Sheffield , Nottingham , aud Leicester , and in all these places he had met with the most cordial reception , all parties manifesting a warm aDxiety for the success of the undertaking ; ; hear ) : and ,: moreover , each , expressing a desire to
contribute towards the proposed subscription . ( Hear ) He must here say ^ that in the progress of the plan the public press had displayed an ; anxiety to further the cause , and most nobly and effectively had they supported it by their writing ? . ( Hear . ) Oh his return to town , tbe first , step adopted was that of framing the scheme which was to be sent forth to the world generally , as well as to the private friends and admirers of Mr . - . Oastleh ' * ' * .- The worthy speaker hereread the paper to which he referred , which has already appeared in onr col-aninp . He might add , that the Noble Chairman , Sir George Sinclair , Bart , Mr . Walter , Mr . Fiolden .
M , P ., and Mr , W . Ferrand , M . P ., had accepted the offices © f trustees— ' { hear , hear . ) The amount of sub scriptions already received was £ 556 ., and they had that day been favoured with a check for £ 50 from Mr . . Fcuntayno Wilsonr-thear , hear . ) They ; Bad also received £ 100 from Mr . Tatham , NotUngbam , and £ 25 from Mr . William Tatham , of the same place , and five guineas from the Courier newspaper— ( hear , hear . ) He could assure the meeting that the country , especially the manufacturing districts , were quite alive- to the subjtct , and : that being the case there could be no doubt of the speedy accompliihmeut of the object they had at heart- - ' ( hear . y ¦'"'¦ < : . ¦ ' ¦' .. ' / " : ¦; : ¦' . "' ' ¦' * . ' : ' ¦ ¦ . ' . ¦ " ¦'** : '¦ . '"¦ ; . :.-.
-Mr . Walter said , that m recommending the resolution which had been intrusted : to him to propose to the meeting h « thought it would b » unne . cessary for him to occupy the attention and the time of those around him by any lengthened observations . Such a course / indeed , was rendered the less requisite by tbn candid and full stateraent which they had just heard from the Noble Lord who had done them the honour to preside over them on that occasion , and to whom he , in common with all the other friends of Mr . Oastier , felt extremely grateful for his kindness in taking
Untitled Article
the chair that day . With respect to Mr . Oaatler , those whom he bad Uie pleasuM of addressing were as well acquainted with that gentleman as he was himeelf . They all fully appreciated his merita ftnd his worth ; many of them , probably , hadfia * greatMppportunitiea of knowing him from the fact of having resided in the neighbourhoadln which he- bad lived , and they were all equally earnest with himself in . their desire to obtain his liberation from p-riapa- ? -r ( hear ) ' \ fle knew not of any better plan to accomplish ; that object thahthatof a liberal sttfescriptidn on tie P ^ filendBand admirers—( hear , hear ) - —and although the amount they had as yet received was not huge , still
tbe sum waar highly respectable , inasmuch as it bad aeariy xeacihed * 609—( hear , hear , )—ar id- tbat / to ? without any efforts having been ro&lle in the manufacturing districts , whereiMt . OasUer was far betterknown and esteemed . Be sincerely trusted that the endeavour to raise & subscription would be attended with com plete success—( hear , hear ) . They were masy in the room who were associated with the manuficturing portions of th& kingdom , aud he doubted riot bat that they would exert themselves most stwnuously with a view to attain the object they had that day aseenibled to prouiote- ^ -Xheir f hear ) . He would , conclude by proposing the foflQWingrjesolutlon : — : :
"That in the opinion of this meeting Mr . R . Oaatler is entitled to Bytnpathy and support on account of the unceasing and arduous efforts which he has made , and which he still continues to make , for the welfare of the labouring classes . " : ; : ; . ' - ' . : ¦' ¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ : ' - ¦ ; . . - ¦ . ¦ - . ' . ' ¦ - ^¦ : ' i Mr . Wing seconded the proposition with the greatest satisfaction . Mr . Oastier had beeen one of the most unflinching and zealous advocates of " benevolence of his day i he was one : whose whole life had been' signally marked by a strong feeling of sympathy for the misery and sufferings under which others had existed . Let it be remembered , too , that throughout his exertions in the cause of benevolence Mr . Oastler ' s conduct had at all times been distinguished by a veneration for the institutions of the country—( bear ) . The resolution was then put , and unanimously agreed
The Rev . J . & Cox moved , as the second resolution , " That this meeting approves of the scheme which has been proposed for raising a testimonial for the benefit of Mr . Oastier and his family by means of a public subscription / ' arid said that he had become acquainted with Mr . Oastier through the performance of his public duties , and if it were not deemed unbecoming in a minister of the established cburch to do so nponeuch an occasion as the present , he would say that that gentleman had gained his approbation originally by hia attachment to that churca , aad by the vast struggles ha had made to alieviato the distresseB of others—( bear , hear . ) He had derived the greatest pleasure in the intercourse he had enjoyed with Mr . Oastier and Mb family . That Mr . Oostler ' s exertions had been invariably those of public benevolence it was impossible to doubt , and they bad abundant evidence to prove that those exertions had been attended with very
considerable Success —( hear , hear ;) It was not a little strange that the manufacturing districts of this country should have been so long : left ; without some legislative check ; but suoh had been the fact , and many circQm&tancea which had Come tolight clearly showed how necessary it was that some man like Mr . Oastier—a man possessed of ^ a 1 powerful mind , swayed by patriotism and humanity of feeling , should have brought his energies to bear on the subject—( hear . ) . The result of that gentleman's labours in Mie cause had tken that the manufacturing districts had at length become the object ef legislative enactment —( hear , hear . ) The successfai exertions of Mr . Oastier oa the factory question—his endeavours t » : gain an alleviation of the miseries under which the poor factory children were labauring—were known to all the world —( hear , hear . ) That relief had been in a measure gained by the means of an enactment cf which many of the millowners themselves , he believed , were npw ready to iadniit the benefit—( hear , hear . )
Mr . BAMSAy , in a Bpeecheuologising the benevolent and powerful exertions of Mr . Oastier , seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously . Mr . J ; Pbrcivai , then proposed " That a committee , cemposed of the fallowing gentlemen - > with power to add"to their number , be formed , for the purpose of assisting the undertaking in London ; and it is atrongly recommended to Mr . Oastler ' s friends hi the country to form similar Committees , and that they communicate the results of their labours to the Secretary in London ; " and went on to remark that in a lengthened intercourse with Mr . Oastier , the only faults that he had had to find with him were , that his liberality was too unbounded , whilst bis kindness of feeling had been tco fine—( hear , hew ) : ;
Mr . Um ) ERWQ 0 D seconded the resolution most cordially . He had been acquainted with Mr . Oastier upwards of seventeen ; years , and a ^ more worthyj a ^^ more benevolent man , never exiated ^ ihear , bear . ) . He was beloved and esteemed , especially by the working classes , by ail wbo knew him-- ( hear , bear . ) He was satisfied that bis powerful opposition to the New Poor Law Bill had been the cause of the irritation of Mr Thornhill , who thereupon had urged hie claim against him . /; . - . '¦¦ - . ¦ . ¦ : . " : " - ¦ ' .: * : - \ ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ¦ . ' ¦' . " . '" ¦ ¦/ - . * . ¦' -. ' ¦ V The resolution was carried .
Mr . Peeband begged to move a vote of thanks to the Noble LoTd who had 80 ably preaided over them on that interesting occasion- —( hear , hear . ) He was confident that every friend of Mr . Oastler ' s , as well as that gentleman himself , would feel most deeply grateful to the Noble Lord for his kindness in taking the chair ¦—( hear , hear . ) He had known Mr . Owtler for twelye years , and the first time he had become acquainted with him was on the day when he had caled a meeting in defeuce of the poor factory children , and , as a proof to what an extent had been the attachment of the working classes to the man , and the great confidence they bad reposed in him , he would inform the meeting that it Was the largest assembly that had ever been witnessed in Yorkahire . The vast masses of the country
bad assembled that day for the purpose of being guided by Mr . Oastier—( hear , hear , and loud cheers . ) In that county there appeared to be one feeling for him ; he was beloved and respected by all , and the general opinion there was ; that in his conduct towards his master he had been a sincere , active , and faithful servant ( Hear , hear . ) Like a previous speaker , he believed that Mr Oastiert powerful opposition to the Poor Law was the-sole and only ground which bad induced Mr . Thornhill to take any step against hint- — ( hear ^ bear ) . , The whole of his life had been devoted to the cause of philanthropy , manifested by a restless
anxiety to alleviate the miseries of his fallow creatures -- ( bear , hear ) r-and if his friends in the manufacturing districta , every man claiming to himself an interest in the welfare of the factory classes , exerted themselves ) , Mr . Oastier would , ere long , again come forth into the world a free man , unfettered by any claim which bis late master had Lad upon him—( hear , hear ) . The lion . Gsntlemah then passed a very high eulogium on the Noble Lord , Whose '•• conduct through life had been marked by consideration for the humbler orders , and whose example he wished were more extensively followed . He concluded by moving a vote of thanks to bis Lordship . ¦ : v ~ - ::
Mr . Grant seconded the resolution , and stated that tbe liberation of Mr . Oastier would be bailed with loud expressions of delight throughout Lancashire as well as in Yorkshire . ; / ; : The Chairman having , in the handsomest terms , acknowledged : the compliment , arid urged that strong exertions should be made to effect the object they had in : view .,. : ; . : * .:- ' : . ., ¦ . / ' : : ' :- ; : - ; ' ' ¦' ; . ¦ - The mefeting broke up .
Untitled Article
The body of a whale was recently washed ashore , near Bastia , Corsica , which bore upon its body the marks of a shark ' s jawSj and had no doabi quitted thei ' open sea " ¦ . toavoid this ^ savage enpmy . Corn Law Repealers' Mode of conducting DiscussioNs .- ^ A correspondent who gives his name , writes us the following account of a set discussion ; in the Panorama Kooms , London , between the Chartists and an Anti-Corn Law lecturer named Haynes : — "Just as the . chair had been taken , Mr . Haynes went out of the room , and the Chairman began to apologise for Mr . Haynes , who wbuid be absent for about half an hour . About twenty : ciinutes after
forty or fifty Irishmen , from ^ ti Giles , came into the room , and in three minutes afterwards Mr . Haynes made his appearance , and said , he thought it would be better to adjourn to a ground floor , for he was afraid the floor of the room they were in would give way . The room at the time was not near full ; however , the nicstingwas ' adjourned ; to the Panorama , Leicester-square , which is capable of holding two hundred and fifty to three hundred persons , and it was abbiit ha ; lf full . Bebibd the chairman stood an Irishman , vrtio gave the signals to his men when to clap arid cheer . It was quite laughable to see them , with their hands up and their mouths open , watching the fugleman tot the signal , Does this not show that these men were hired to attend ?"
Anti-Corn Law Vapouring—Nothing fit * so ill the stomach of the " League " : spouters as to be compelled to discuss the principles contained in their addresses , with any one likely to know any thing about them . Of this a remarkable instance was recently afforded by Mr > Knoek-offbats Sidney , the *' . plague" man who ; infests the neighbourhood of the Metropolis . This worthy , some few weeks ago delivered a lecture in the Western Institatiou , near Leicester'Square , Mr . Iveader , M . P ., in the chair , and the room . was moderately filled . After tho spbuler had delivered himself of his stock of out and dry ; philippics against agriculturalists and a poor attempt at an attack on the princijjles of Home Coiomesi a gentleman present , connected with the
John-street Institution , rope , and requested permission to reply * This was BhufBLod ¦ on the plea of " late hour , " and the Hon . Chairman suggested that the parties should discuss the question at another time . Mr . Smith , on being asked if he was willing to do S 0 j assented ( with great seeming cordiality . There the matter dropped for tliat night j and the next day the lecturer was written to arid requested to meet the party and settle preliminariee . No answer being returned , the request waa repeated after the lapse of several days . He was too busy preparing for tho Anti-Corn Law Conference , The Conference got over and the gentleman ' 3 memory , was again jogged j when : he animately backed out tttrough the medium of a bullying blackguardly epistle , which , of necessity , put an end to tha correspondeace . ., ¦ . ; . ' •¦ ¦ •" ¦¦ , - - ' V : ~ -:- ¦ ¦ -. •'¦ " : : .- - . :-. -: : ¦ ' . . '
Untitled Article
THE NORTH Efr ^^ / ¦ ¦ ' : : ' ; : ; : V .. ; \ : o . % . ;; ¦ ; -:.. ; / ; ; < ^ % \ - ^' . ^ & ' ^ t " ' . ¦ : : : ~~ : . . ~ : " ¦ - ' ' ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ ' ' -- ''¦ ' ¦ - - ™ - *
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), March 26, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1154/page/7/
-