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iEmpmal parliament.
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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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THE MASONS ON STRIKE . TO TTTK EDITOR OF THB NORTHERN STAB , Sis , —By the last circular issued by the Masons ' Committee , I perceive they only require the snm of - ^ 150 in order to terminate the strike successfully , that is , -without yielding to tke brutal insolence of Allen , and the imperious decrees of Grissel and Peto . Aj a means of raising apart of this sum ¦ will you allow me to sosgest , through your columns , tost erery Chartist Association throughout the country should devote the profits of one evening ' s lecture , concert , or ball , ¦ whichever might be most convenient , or most likely to be productive to ths Masons Funds . I have no means of calculating how much this would yieSd , bnt -whether much or little , it would be a fitting testimony , on the part of the "working classes ^ to the galiart conduct of one of the most worthy sections of their body . I cannot allow myself to believe for a moment that gnch a testimony will be withheld . I am , Sir , Respectfully yours ,
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WATKLNS- 'S LEGACY TO THE CHARTISTS . LECTURE n . continued . Btfore I proceed to show -who they are that do unto others as they wonld be done by , and who they are v 1 jo de not , I win relate one instance in which we comsionly do unto others as we would be done by , and another in -which we ought not to t ' o so . And first , when we envy another , we do as we would be done by , bnt we do so involuntarily , and therefore out doing it is without merit . Sometimes , too , when we praise suotfcer , we do as we would be done by , bnt we do so interestedly , and therefore there is no merit in our doing it . Alas ! how seldom is there any merit in what we do .
Bat , 2 sdly , there are cases in which we ought not to do as -we would be done by , bnt to act according to the circumstances of the case . Punishment is only proper in incorr igible cases , and then not a vindictive punishment , but a punishment in the spirit of pity . Punishment ought never to exceed the offence , and Bhould be made to operate on the mind rather than on the body ; all other punishment partaies of the nature of vengeance rather than of correction , and is more likely to fcarden tfrfl" to soften . If we seek to pnnish the person in stead of to corn ct the offence , we onr ? elves become offenders ; aye , and commit a greater offence with . less excuse than did the original offender . I would not mate what is called an example of a criminal ; for what good lesson can banging a man teach us ? Let th e murderer be put not out of life but out of society , and the traitor out of future trust . This would be doing not , perhaps , as we would be done by , but as we ought fco be dene by .
There are many cases in which , were we to do unto others as we would be done by , we should do far more for them than is donB ; as , for instance , some services are of a nature so laborious or dangerous that we either could not or would not perform them ourselves , and yet , what is our consideration for those who do perform them . Sailors , miners , engineers , xaasous , carpenters , nor shall we omit tt » e poor sweep , are all worse paid and worse used than any otber class of men ; the most useful are generally held the most cheap ; the effeminate are best rewarded . Pimps , parasites , prime ministers , and others have more wages , the more filthy , frivolous , or flagitious is the nature of their employment Now , ought not those to
be best paid whose libeur is the hardest , most skilful , and most hazardous , —who expose their limbs or their lives tvery moment that they are at work , —who necessarily abridge their lives , and voluntarily encounter privation , danger , » -n < discomfort ? Would they not be best paid . if we did ants others as we waald be done by ? But owners and masters living in luxury and ease combine to rednce the wa ^ es , the means , the strength of TFojilng men , so as absolutely to unfit them for work , at last ; combine to get rid of men , and employ beyB to do men ' s work , but not at men's wages . Boys are goaded on by fear and pain to work si Easts beyond their strength ; girls at tasks unsuiting their kx , tSl both mind and body fail , and they become blighted and blasted even in their early years
Alas ! the ordinary evils of life ; the accidents , the diseases , to which we are subject ; the lapse of time , tie loss of friends ; these are enough , without- the additional , the superinduced evils which tyranny inflicts upon us ; aggravating all and making all more unendurable . And now let us . * ee who they are that do not unto others as they would be dene by—and who they are that do 60 so . The Qneen does not do unto others as she would be dons by , nor as she is done by . There is ne ons for whom so much is done—no one who does so Kttfe in return . But she , poor thing , is but a pnppst in the fesnds of ministers who tell her that she can do no "wrong , because she only does what they bid herthe infaUiblesJ If they spoke the truth , they would say
to her , so far from doing no wrong you cannot do right , for iwieed it is wrong to be a queen , it is wrong to sit clothed in purple and fine linen and faring sumptuously every day , while many hundreds , many thousands , cany millions , are without & cot , a coat , or a crustdoomed to work , want and woe , that you may live idly , ftzxurioasly , and happily . The devil-Duke breaks our rale when up to the ears in blood and treasure , be sayB to thass who are steeped in . poverty to the very lips , " Go to l ye are idle ! Te might earn riches if ye were not idle l" So they might , please yeur Grace . ' if they were not employed ia working for such as you . Yes , the reason why a working man cannot get bread for his family , is because he has the families of six drones to support is splendour . Our present prime minister
broke this rule when he proposed the time of redress , la time that he never intended to come ) , hoping that the intervening winter would rid him of the poor complainants , and knowing full well that whatever the people might suffer from cold and famine , he had nothing to do but to make a merry Christmas and a happy new year ! Lords who live lite ladies and ladies "who live like lords—those things which flutter about lite butterflies , while the working bee , dispossessed of its honey and of its hive , must crawl on the ground in despair , tco , break the rule , and so too do the bishops—the bishops who shew us plainly how they wou d be done by—they would have palaces and parks , C 3 rriajS 3 and Iivery-servant 3 , is . &s . They hare all these , but do they \ rish us to have them ? No : they do
au jn their power to prevent us from enjoying any of the comforts which they esjoy—they strive to increase Sh = ir own splendour , by iEcreasisg the sins and miseries of others . Parsons , too , do they comply with this d ^ rlne precept ? they who profess and call themselves CLxhtians , alas ! they are the least Christian amongst U 3 . "Not only do they themselves not do unto other 3 as they -srr-ald be de-re by , bnt they prf-vert all under xh < . ' n kffcKnes who rrizbt otherwise be so inclined , and £ L :-m nicizbtis of riligicus societies -who are taught to ctrsi-Ur thrfr pride asd vatiify as religion , and that £ T 2 . t : fyizg those or ralsij ^ riEg to the cupidity of ministers , is serving G- ^ d— -whose vwy charity cannot appear ex-:: vt in a bull , cirntt contribute exc .-Bt to a biz ? ar , an I mesi b = backed for what it is vroiih in a printed
lit : of sub .-cribers—whc . s& filth is bnt the hope of ths salvition of tteniselvt s ar : 3 of the dainsaticr : of others ; co -t = rs > v-cp the rule ? No '; Neither the aiistocracy Hir tics ; who TB . lc 2 ily imitate them , the shopc-crecy , c--u _ : o others as they would fce dc-r . a by , neither T 7 ' _ : gs nor Tories , ncr mere Corn Law Rep-ruer ^ , cor nr- ; er rc-r middle classes . Who then are thry that co fc- £ l this di-rii :- ? precept , that do fallow thi 3 rolctn rule ? One class and one a ' . oc ^ , oaiy the Chartists , thi poor , pasecstr ^ isd despised Chartists , tiiey znd none else 00 unto others as t ' . &y would be cane by , for they Eikf ^ r Bathing f- _ > r themselves that they are not willing to tcecrd to others—they want Tuning teat thev are
U £ ' = iili 2 g ethers thould share—their with is tee greatest bar pistes of the greatest number ; ate , ihcrefore , it as t-. ai ths powers that be ( but -which 023 I 1 I E £ ~ er to have beenj have decreed their opinions Sidzi ' jvis—their acts treasonable ^—therefore ic is that ih ~; - have been arrested , imprisoned , b-mlsht-d—theref ' . rs it is that those who will not do zs tLey would b-. - dote "by consider it a crime in those who do so , aid pEtish them accordingly . Who bat the Chartists p ' . eau the causs of suffering humanity—tf the poor oppressed against the rich oppressor—aye , thvugh Cfposed even by those -whose freedom , -whose happitis , along with their own , Ihey are striving to obtais ? TTe hsd a striking instance of this lattjy in the ess- -if the poor ejec ^ d Smtalfields vrtzYers . There
* 5-rsEone of yo-ur humanity-monger * , your kn& ^ icdge-EioiLgers , your profit-mocgers , there—no JLP . 's , though . EtT-: ial -ffere invitei—snd there tra ? but one person , a = d te eime to frastr 2 t 3 the objects of the niettingts oppose its charitable intent Ah , the Chartiits are tLr oaly hoEeii friends cf the poor ; tnd I would call oa them not oeIt to do unto others generally c ^ they "trctJd be done by , bnt more particularly to do so unto «* ch otter . ChLrtists have tke first claim on the sympathies of CLartists , snd the fact that thty Lave * £ e antipathy of all other classes—that aU others oppose them—points them out as the -worthiest and most nsedfnl of the Fymcathy and support < f each other . I believe that the ' rtasen why Chartists have hitherto beea backward in carrying cut that system of exclusive deaiingin faic-ar of one another ; and to reduce the Eliddle classes to our ranks , is that they are jealous cf
the motives of those who Beek , or who ask , or who need snppoit of this descriptien , borne consult their o-sm convenience—some irouJd rsther keep a brother down . But surely a curious friend , or a friend in part , is letter than an Evow&d or thorcneh enemy—and by befriending Eneh a one , we make " him our friend wholly . * Who ocit to be mere united than feiiovwcrkmtn ? who ovzbt to cllag more closely together this fellow-saffereis ? We should net stand by , and Re those Eaerificed who have Eacrifieed interest to Pttrciple for us . Let all honest Chmtiits be honoured ; * nd the fal » , mzj thty be made to appear in their ww colejurs ; also all those who follow , not for the Bake of tB , but for the sak-e of our loaves and fishes'vho , like earrion-cro-wB , fly in the tract of an army , not earing for tta cause , not caring which side gains the victory , but caring only for the spoil , for the bar .
( To le concluded in cur ncit . J * On the subject of exclusive dealing , I stall shcrllj forward eh e ^ ay to the 2 s ' orihe ,-R Slur . J . TT .
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will not touch with their little fingers ; and / from the manner of some pf them in declaring that any man should be at liberty to do the utmost good he could , and m hia ewn way , I contend that these words-his o « w ^ way-setteth forth an unbounded liberty that would be fatal to the best interest of any union of individuals , social , political , er operative . Therefore , in all societiea , are au ^ niembera bound by rules , which are the will of the majority , and therefore law to every individual member : i The Chartist body have also a code of rules , which are the ^ constitution ^ jf the- society framed by their Convention , elected for such purpose , in which code is laid - ^ down the principle of action , Whereby to obtain the Charter ; for if we . are to aUow
our membera , especially our leading ones , to be running in ana out of our enemies' camp , without beiag deputed by the bod y duly convened ^ -If they are to join with any party who say , «• w 0 are of the people , we are for your cause , we are going to join this , or that "help us ; if they are to be at liberty to follow their own whims , and run after every to here , and Lo there ; ho \ vare we to know the sheep from the goats ? how a ° * " wefn ? w friend from foe ? where would be our sUbUity ? How could we fee recognised as a party , when we were thus dandling and mixing with every party ? ¦ . " ¦ .. . '¦ ' - ¦ . ; ¦ . . ¦ ¦ . ¦¦ - ¦ ¦
1 See ing that this self-willed , this own way Individual and Bectional movsment , is contrary to the bond uf union , to the democratic principle of the social compact which we nniute in our Association , and seeing that there are those in union with us who dp not seem to underfitand the principles of union , whereby all lire bound to : . aot in unison with the majority , and not only be honest , but appear so , by avoiding any cause for suspicion , and therefore of warning and denuaciatton ; seeing these thifl £ s , I propose to you , brothers , that at the next delegate meeting that shall be convened to extend , alter , or amend the constitution of our Association , that the following clause be added thereto : —
_ " That as there cannot be in any nation but one National Association for any similar object , and but one national movemunt for such object , to be effective , that this Association beiug the first constituted for these objects ( which are declared just and necessavyj ; bsing open to all persons without distinction who may please to join it , this society cannot but view with distrust the attempts of any persona to form , another society npon the same basis , except they declare themselves part of this national union and act according to the rules thereof ; bacaose their efiorts must only tend to prevent or delay the accbmpliahinent of the objects they would profesato seek , and therefore no member of this society is at liberty to aid in any way the formation or fprwardini ; of such other society , oh pain of being excluded our ranks . " . Hoping , Mr . Editor , that these remarks and recommendations of mine will be placed to my account , and not set dowa to the Star ,
I remain , Yours , in bonds , 'J . - - , Bristol
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TO THE CHARTISTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM . Brother CnAnTiSTS , ^—Having had the honour in the lute Convention , to propose the resolution recommending the registration of all holding Chartist opinions throughout the kingdom , which was seconded by Mr . Feargus O'Connor , und met with the unanimous support of the Convention , I beg to submit the following as a safe and practicable means of carrying it into effect . There is scarcely at the present time an artisan or mechanic , but pays at least four shillings per week in all large towns or cities , for any inconvenient room , without the accommodation or outlet of any kind , or with out the privilege of exercising their rigkts as a citizen . They have nothing to do except to pay in either parochial or Parliamentary affairs .
Now , supposing six Chartists united together took a houseof £ v 0 per annum , they would have all the advantages , conveniences , &c . BUch a house affords , witheut txtra oxpeuce , and they , at the same time would confer on thomselveis the rights of citizenship , thus gaining six yotea in parochial matters , six votes in Parliamentary matters , and be acting strictly in accorilancie with law , as see the Act / 2 Wni . IV- a 45 , e . 29 , comnaouly called the Reform Act . The Sams will also apply to Scotland , as see the 2 d and 3 d Wm . IV ., c . ( 55 , a . 12 , commonly called the Scotch Ktforni Act : ofcourse ^
it will be necessary that each persoa see that their names be placed ou the electoral registry—let this be attended to and we Bhall not have to bear the insults of a Babington Macaulay , or the injustice and oppression heaped on us by the persons calling themselves the representatives of tha ' people , but who appear by the decisions of the late committees to represent their breeches pockets only . Faithfully , yourg , Edmund Staltwood , 6 , Little Vale-place , ' ¦ ' ' ' Hamtnersmith-road .
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— : — w THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE TO THE MEMBEKS OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . Brethren , —The duties which devolved upon us , as members of tha National Convention , are terminated . The period is now approaching when it becomes us , in accorJance with the principles of the People ' s Charter , to resign into your bands that , frust which you have reposed in ua , and which we have striven to the best of our ability to exercise to the satisfaction of our constituents and the beneat of the common cause . We therefore direct your attention to the proper measures to bo adopted for tlio election of a new Executive Committee . ' THE TRIKCII'LE ON . WHICH" WE HAVE RETAINED OKflCE .
We have not , as many have very . ur > justly supposed and tcken great pains to circulate to out ' prvjddice , held office longer than the period specified by the Charter . We assembled for the first time as an Executive in the beginning of July , 1811 , and therefore cannot bare been in tatistence as a Coniinittee twelve months until the Hxsi of July , 1842 . The rules of the Association sp « cify tbat the election should have taken , pla . ee oh the first of March . It is needless to recapitulate the reason why it was impossible ; to observe that date . It will surely satisfy every honest mind when we state , that although We have been compelled from necessity , ; ami by tha People ' s permission , to alter datea , we shall bo the last to aller or violate piinciple . The only difference which cun ensue Trill ba to iusoit June justead of February , and July instead of March , religiously adhering to the principles of annual elections .
NOJIJNATIOISS . The nomination of candidates for tho Executive Council shall ho mado in tho following manner . Each sub-secretavy Bhall bo at liberty to liomiijate oao candidato from this date up ta Monday , May the 23 tci , which is the latest period at ^ yiaich they can be received . Eicii sub-secretary will forward his nomination ( according to the form prescribofl in tue rules and regulations ) directed to the Gfeuei'ai Secretary , ami sUa . il likewise certify tliat tho poraon « oruinat'j \ l , if duly elected , is prepared to aervo ou tho Executive Committee , au < i is a member of tJic Gsnoral Cuuncil . Ou Tuesday , May the 24 th , the General Secretary will . transmit a liFfc of ail the novainatious to the sub-iCKcreUiviec , which list shall be printocl , oi ; written , on cav > iu , preparatory to-being distributcil amongst the meniboru of the Association for
li . WLOT , Wiiieh eball iako place tiirougliout the nation in tho -wedc beginning with Tuesday , riic 7 th day of Jims , nudendiui ? ou Tuesday , the 14 th day of Juue . Let it be particularly observed that each loutlity tcit'I choose for itself one day only for Che ballot , out of the seven , so f « to cojiveniaice ail localities .
MOIJE OF BALLOTING . The fifth rule of our Association states , ' That any prison sliiill bt ; admitted a member of this Af ; soc ! iition on taking a eavd of membfership . " Therefore no person will be eligibie to vote for the officers of the Association unless they can produce a ciirrl of meiiihera . ' iip . The sub-secretary sbairgfnvit to each person , producing a card . of ineuibcrahip of the locality to which he belongs , a voting card , on which is-written or printed the . names of all the candidates . The elsctor shall then , at his
own convenience , draw n pen through ali the names except tho five for -whom he votes , and the live names left btanding on the card snail be considcre 4 as the persona whom he thinks eligible to serve on the Executive . The eub-secretaries siiall also be iinpowered to grant to absent , sick , or distant members their voting cards , and receive their votes in return , sealed up , through the post tffice , or by other mcana , which sealed votes are to be opened by the General Council , and deposited in a box provided for the purpose , and to be called the ballot-box .
On the day of ballot each sub-Secretary shall act as registrar , and the General Council as scrutinisera of tlio votes . The sub-Secretaries , attended by the -General ' Council , Bhr . ll on the day o » ' evening appointed for the bailot by the majority , stand around the ballot-box , and proceed to call over the roll , each voter advancing when his name ia callsd , and dropping bia ballottiiig card into the ballot-box . On the conclusion of the ballot , the General Council will proceed to the ; scrutiny ; They shall first count the cards to see that tho number corresponds with that on the roll ; They shall , secondly , catt up each card in succession , and the sub-Secretary shall put a mark opposite the name ' of each of the candidates rcparted as having been voted for . Finally , they shall dectoe the result to the voters , and by the first post transmit the result to the General Secretary , reserving a copy for themselves .
On Tuesday , the 2 l 8 tcf Junej or earlier if possible , the names of the uew Executive will be annpuueed ; and on Friday , tho 1 st of July , the new Executive will supersede the old . , ¦ ¦ •/¦ ¦ . ¦ ¦ Brfithron ' ,. we trust these direction ? will be atrictly adhered to , and--that-all . of ; yoa will vie with each other in exhibiting the proper spirit of Chartism during such aninportant practical application pt our principle . All those places in arrsaia for cards are particularly requ 63 tevl to discharge the Bame , and thereby enable the present Executive to leave <> fiiee withe lit eatailing any debts cT the tooka of tliek auccessors .
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Having full reliance in you , our constituents , supporting us ia the course we have advised , regarding the election ,. ¦• , ' " .. ' ' . ¦ ; . ¦ - ' . ' ¦ " . ¦ - '" : ¦ - .. ¦ ¦ - ¦ ¦ ¦' ¦ ¦'¦ : ¦ ¦ '¦¦ ¦¦ ¦ Weremain , your fiiithful ; And deyoted representatives , James Leach , P . M . M'Dopall . Morgan WiLLiASis , R . K . PhilP , John Campbell . '
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TO THE ¦ '¦ CHARTISTS ; OF LONDON AND ITS . ; ,. ,. . ;; ;' ; VICINITY . ' ; ' ' .., ' ¦ ¦' Wb , your representatives in Conncil , address you at this important juncture * requesting your earnest attention to the recommendations laid bofoTe you by the Jata Convention . W « have now arrived at a critical period in the history of Chartism . That the most alarming distress prevails throughout the country is admitted even by those professing to represent our interest in the British Lsgislature , yet they have taken no Btegs to remedy this evil , and haya scprnfully refused to listen to the remedy which we , in justice to ourse'iyes , have been compelled to propose . After this degrading treatment , it w >* uld be madness to expect a redress of our grievances from a Pariament constituted like the present We must now depend upon our own resources . We must now achieve that by union and determinatioti which a corrupt and oligarchical Government has denied to us .
We call upon you to brace your energies for the struggle , to unite . as one man in fplloTviag that course which ; after mature deliberation , has been adopted by your chosen representatives . We now stand in a high and prominent position ; every eye is directed to our moyemant . Apathy or division in our- ranke , at this juncture , woulU ba in the highest degree criminal ; would be a base desertion of our own and our country ' s causa . We have a powerful and a wily enemy to combat , who ou the least sign of-vacillation in our ranks , will renew the fiery p&isecutions we have already undergone ; but present a bold and united front to your oppressors , and the united powr . f
of both Whig and Tory will not dare to rnoleat yon . The political horizon ia brightening ^ around us ; the whole of tUe labouring population of the country is " ? ith us . We are rapidly procuring adherents among tho middle class of society . The so-called liberaVpress of the country hitherto entirely neglectful of , or bitterly opposed to us , has now unanimously declared itself favourable to our principles . We have a respectable minority in the House of Commons ; and what is of far more importance , wo contain within our own ranks every element calculated to ensure success . This is a cheering prospect , and will , without doubt , apur you to increased exertions to obtain that political power under which all monopoly and misrule shall cease ;
We congratulate you upon the peaceable and ' citizenlike manner in which the proceedings connected with the presentation of the National Petition were conducted ,, and which has greatly tended to raise us in the estimation of the press and the public ; such displays of our numbers and our organisation are calculated to strike more terror into the hearts of pur oppressors than the most violent proceedings or the most bitter denunciations ; they fear not a disorderly mob , bu ) they dread an organised people . Let a similar display of determination , prudence , and sobriety ever characterise your conduct , and your ultimate success is certain . Set immediately about carrying into effect the reconv mendationB laid down by the Convention ; call meetings in every district iu the metropolis and its vicinity , and adopt the memorial and the remonstrance . Have an eye to the raising of the necessary funds for carrying these measures into practical effect , and for diaharging the loans advanced by the various localities for the late demonstration .
You will shortly have a plan laid before you whereby this may be easily effiicted , and if carried out with spirit a large surplus will be raised to be devoted to the good cause . That the organisation of London is good , was evinced by your lato excellent display ; yet . much remains to be dene . The trades of the metropolis afford a wide field for your exertions . Every prudent step must be taken to . ai-ouso them to the importance of obfciining their political freedom ; in the country districts your principles are almost unknown . Steps are now being taken to ensure their co-operation , and we confidently call upon you to assist in the efforts which will ha made to enrol them inour association .
In conclusion , wo again impress upon you the necessity of casting to the winds every atom of jealousy or division which may have existed in our ranks ; of being firm . yet guarded and sober , in your behaviour ; cf looking upon every Chartist as a brother ready and willing to asaist in the emancipation of your common country ; and cordially uniting with him for the attainment of that much-cherised
object-Signed on behalf of the London Delegate Council , Philif Martin . Thomas Wheeler , Sub-Secretary .. On behalf of the Surrey Council , John Maynaud , Sub-Secretary . On behalf of the Provisional Committee of Mary lebone . Edward Standgboom . > Naqle .
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HOUSE OF COMMONS , Friday , May 13 . Mr . Roebuck brought forward an amended list of a Committee on the charges of conupt compromise ; framed , he said , on Sir Bol > ort Peel ' s suggestion , so as to command tlio confiiler . cu of the House and of the country . Lord Francis Egorton had declined to . serve on the Committee on the score of ill health . This is the amended list—Mr . Brsniston , Mr . William Miles , Mr . ¦ -Ssbrisbi Lascelles , Sir William Heathcpte , Sir Wiilicm Sonierviiie , Mr . Hawes , Mr . Strutt , Lord Worsley , and Mr . Roebuck . After some rather random discussion , in vrhieh Mr . MONCUTON . MiLNES decla ed that the House had permitted the appointment of the Committee throuszh a want of ravral courage ; and
Sir JOHN WAtsu objected to certain names on tho Committee , which he < li < i not mention , -wish irg to sec gentlemen of the highest character for professional and legal eminence substituted , —the" Committee was agieed to . Mr . Roebuck having moved that the ' Committee have power to send for persons , papers , ami records , Mr . T . DUXCOM be believed it would be now proper that be should eub ;« it to the House the motion of which he had given notice , and as lid had made a s'liyht alteration iu the wording , he would read it to the House . Ho v . 'ould movt" Tfcat each-Mtinber appointed to serve on the Select Committee on coniproiuissa of eleciioa petitions , sfca ! l subsoribts the following declaration , in the pieseuce of Mr . Speaker : —
"I , : , do solemnly oeclrire that I never , directly-or in indirectly , h-ive to my knowledgo bteu guilty , by myself or amenta , of any act of bnb ' ry , trai ' . Liiig , or otbdr corruption in procuring a seat iu P + rliairiezit ; that I never paid or promised to pay , ihtend to pay , or sanctioiiad the p ^ y ^ 'eno of , r . ny sum pr su ; ii 3 of money , beyond the legal charges of procuring « iy return at tho last or any previous eleeHca ; nor h ; ivj I , at any thus , connived ' at , been privy to , ov assisted in , any brib . ry , treating , or other corrupt practice" tit an j election for a Mtrabtr or Members to sei'va in Parliament . " ( Signed )
At the close of the last session lie had t ? , kf -i the liberty of asliing 11 question of the Rij'lit Hon . Gentleman : itithe head of liar M-vj .-. sty ' s Guvaminent , vliuthtr . it ' ¦ r -: i ~ i his inUntiou to briny ; in auy measure to prevent- biibti-j . He hart . de ' eiaved upon tbat occasion that it vras notorious that more bribery , more corruption , and more treating ii . id taicen P ' -ice at the iaat . electiva . tiian had ever been Iriiowu in the most ' -corrupt age of the iiiost ci'rrupt nntiou—rdouiVdieera . ) The Higat Hon GjEtielnan told him , in reply , that the pressure or other measuit'g , and the stata of tho public business ,-. - Would not-permit-him- * to introduce- any measure of this sort ; but-he trusted ; , ' that the Noble Lord , the Member for London , -would go on with the measure he bad - . introduced in anothfir SKsaion of Parliamerit . aud . at the
same tinip , tho Ri ^ ht Hon . Gentleman said he was sorry to be obliged to coiiteis thab at the last generiil election ' gross ' bribery , coviuption , and intimidaUou did talce placoi The Right Hon . Gentleman did upteay y . 'hethcr it had . extended as far an he (\ tr . Duncomije ) alleged . '' . The Bight . Honourable G : t : t ! eman , perhaps supposed that he was bettor acquaintedwith it—( laughter ) . Ho then said that if there -was any dcubt upon the point ; , he . would undertake to prove at tbe bar of the House that a cpns'iderablo majority of tbatHouse were returned by bribeiy , corruption , and intimidation . He was still prepared to prove the facts on this great question at the bar of the House . Ho did not intend that so vital a question should be snugly stnt to apriyato committee-room up stairs , -where personal feelings and
party objects might have full piay . He -wished for an inquiry at the bar of that House in the face of open day and . before ' -tho . ' 'whole public— ( cheers ) ; and he must say that the . opinion of the public -with , regard to all the recent transactions of that Kou 3 e , and especially in reference to their conduct last tveek , was that of unmitigated -dis : ' u 3 t ' &t the hypocrisy and injustica of the House . The public knew that thoy vyexe about to prosecute five or six individuals , - when tiiey were aware that there were six hundred- — "cheers ) . The public also said , and he t&anksd God thai there yra , B this secsa of fair play in tbe British p . ub ' ac , that they did not like
to see eigllt or ten intHyi * lunls hunted do-wn by . six Luudrod equally guilty—( -cheers , arid ' laughter ) . Three millioas and a half of t ae people came nnd told the House so in their . petiU on ^ -in tbat petition ^ yhich tha Houaedid no * choose \/ j hear ,, and would not allow to be proved . What dii * i three millions and a half of the industrious classes - gay in their petitioa ? TiJcy deolarad— "That tho-exUtin ^ state of the representation is not only cxirbrnely limited and uajust , but unequally divided , and giks preponderating influence to the lar . ded and mor . isd interests , to the utter ruin Of tho ¦ sntsl . ! ' trading - * : ¦ & ¦ labouring classes . " They said ,-aud saici meat tsf'Jy-. " That bribery , intimidatien , corrup-
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tion , perjuiy , and r iot , prevail at all parliamentary elections , to an extent best understood by tha members of your Honourable House "—( hear , hear ) . He assei-ted that tfeis was exactly the states of '¦ feeling a 3 to bribery , and that there was Dotking but uimitigatad , disgust when they vie wed the par ty proceedicgo in thhb House . At all events , if ihis inqairy was fa > take jplace , they ought to take care that tbose who were , to a certain exteht ,. volunteer inquiaitors should : mount the ) judgment seat with clean hands . He agreed with the > Right Honoarable Gentleman that public' coDfifJenc * ought to follow the appointment of the committee , and with thaHon . Boronet . ( Sir John \ Walsh ) , tliafe tbiey ought be presided over by one of great legal abilities , and that they ought to he presided over
by a person of the greateirt : calmness of temper and of the utmost moderation of language— ( hesjr , and laughter ) : Such a committte so constituted nr . dsi > commenced would enjoy the public confidence , and . there would be a chance of their decisions being looked up to with respect . He had heard it stated that-if this test were applied to Hon . Members before they served on the committee , tho House would in ail prpLabiliiy not be able to ' find enough membera to constitute a committee ( hear , hear , btar . ) He trusted tbat this -was not true . He trusted that there were at least nine mea in that House whoiwere free from such an accusation , ( laughter . ) He had only to say . that if he xrere one at the persons named to serve on that committee ( mucli
cheering , ) he could not take that test ( reuewed cheera . * He could take it , as the representativo of the borough of Finshury ; but , unfortunately for him , ha had ooce stood as a candidate for the very pure and immaculate borough of . Pontefiact ( great lau ^ itor and ' cbeets . ' ) Ha bad spent £ 4 , 000 id Pontefract , aud hebad no hesitation in saying that the money was spent In gross bribery , treating ,, and corruption ( cheers . ) Ha was defeated . The noble lord opposite ( Lord Pollington ) and tha Hon . Gentleman ' s father ( Mr . Mpnckton Milnes ) were the persons who assisted in his defeat ; and until the > Honourable Gentlejnah got up and so stated , ia bis place in the House , he could not believe that any one . was returned for Pontefract without bribery ( cheer 3 . ) ¦ - . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ ... J ,
Mr . Monckton Milnes rose amidst cousiderable confusion , to deny it . . : . . Mr . " T . -Si DuNCOMBE continued : Unfortunately , he bad alsostood five contested elections for the borough of Hertford ; in three of these he had been successful , twice he had been defeated ; and he must Bay to tha House , as impeaching the character of the MeKibera generally , ' tbat ho left behind hiia , in Hertfordj considerably above £ 30 , 000 . ( Cheerf . ) He had to cont-est the place , aud to contend against the great aristocratic influences of the neighbourhood . Those connected with these , aristocratic iDflueucts would , he believed , admi 6 that iheir cost \ vas much moru . He had to coniend against seven day leases , under which the poor tenants were turned out if they disobeyed their
landlords . "• . ( Cheers . ) One of the principal of them was Lord Salisbury ; the tenants were turned out by his Lordship , and when they were turned out he ( Mr . D . ) had to deal with bricks and mortar , and to build them , houses . ( Laughter . ) He had built sixty -three of these houses . ( Cheers . ) A considerable portion of his money here went in treating , and of course a great portion went in bribery . ( Laughter . ) After what be had confessed , he was clearly not one of those who could take this test . He only wishel to see the " Simon Pures" who could take it ; they ^ would be the admiration of ; the country—( cheers ); the people of this town would flock down to see them go into the coranittee , and to see them relurn , ready to repprt te the Bouse against those gentlemen who had be « n guilty of the practices of which they said they were , themselves innocent . He thought , after making these confessions , that he need
net say one word more . He hoped there wonld be no objection to . the test he wished to apply . If any Mem--ber now appointed upon the committee could net attend another would be appointed , and of course they woold have to teko the test y and if the House would not apply this test , he : would like to know what the public would thj . uk of it—( cheers ! . If they did not assent ta > his . nistion , he would , after the Whitsun recess , mova an address to the Crown , praying that , in . ccustquenca of the recent exposures , her Majesty would be pleased to dissolve the present Parliamert , in order that Members being deterred by the discovery of tho system of bribery -which prevailed at the last elettion , might not repeat the offence , and so tbat the Houaa ^ ould be restored to that public confidence arid esteem which , asfea contended , was essential , to the maintcnaace of thei ? legi ' sl-rtiva authority— ( cheers ) .
Lord PoLLiNGiON and Mr . Milnj . s averred that tho . charge against Pontefract was us founded—only Liberal candidates had attempted to bribe the borough , and they failed . Mr , , HARDY r however , admitted tbat he once refused to pay ' ifioOP for Votes which would have gained hinvan electioa there . > Mr . ... Wau ' d condemEed the motion , as an attempt to turn a grave proceeding into ridicule . Mr , Hu > ie and Sir Robert Peel treated it as a , mere obstiuction of all inquiry . Sir Robert considered the Committee now named qualified to disciiarge their duty as honourable men .
Mr . Roebuck pronounced the proposal a roundabout , dishonest mode of opposing an honest motion—men who are anxious for purity teach / by example as well 03 precey . t . It-was the system , rvot : the individuals , that he attacked : but hero were five or s ' s cases wh'ch he could prove , and ^ vere they t ^ : turn round and say , " The whole state of the representation is '" . co- foal , the whole thing is so bad , that we will not mairo any inquiry , we : will sit down contented" ? Lord John Rcssell concuiTed in these argurnentf .- ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦/¦ ' ¦ . ' .. ¦ ¦ : ¦ . •• " ' ' ' - - . ¦ . . " .. ' . - ¦ : ' . ¦ ' Mr ; -Smith O'Brien . - Mr . Wakley , Mr . BiiornERtl'ON . and Mr . Vekkon Smith , supported Mr . Duncombe a Klotiorj . . . ... It was finally rejected by 1 CO to 17 .
Mr . -Chaki . es BVLtEV . presented a petition from Mr Henry Warburton . making a stntcmoFit respecting tha compromise for osg cf the seats for Bridport Mr . Warburton represonytd , that when ho firststood for Bridport , in 2826 ^ f ^ was the castom for the successful candidate to giv ^ gl 0 to each voter ; and the sum thes spent amout ^ &l to £ 1 000 . ; . Ho had actod ; on that underftandjmntttt each election . After the Reform Bill , it was resolved i : v the borough to discontinue tho practice , bufc a reservation of indulgence was made in favour of the poorer electors ; auvl iho pavmencs sinca that time amounted to i £ l , 500 or £ 1 , 700 , incladicg £ 100 for dinners and £ 490 for process-ions' . At the last general election , bribery , did take place lUider the direction of Mr . Taitchell cr his aga . nta ,- " without . ' the cognizir . ee cf Mr . Vrarbuvtcn ; yet , without any'interference of his own , he "became mixed up in transactions whicli compromised bis seat , his agent having paid a
euui of money to Mr . ; Hutchinspn ,-oii . eof . . Nlr- ' -Mitchelrs iiCfents . In justice Mr . . Mitcheil ougtt to have resigned j but Mr .-. "Wat-bartcn intimated to Mr . Goehrane , their ui . 'succiisstul antagonist , that if Mr Ziitcbell did not v « . ii : ; n within the ¦ fourteen . 'daya . allovf 4 for tho proEGntatiin of the petition against . ' -their . re-turu he \~ m ' . ) -i ; and Mr . Mitchcil ' she-sing no eucIi d ?« pos ' . tlon ,-ftlr- Warburton- aciululfy di-. i accept tee ChiJ ' tern Hzridr ^' a . Mr . Baiier niavqil fh . il ; tJio petition ba printed > vlth the votes ; r > hd intiti ' . atealiis intention cf cu-awicg a'tsntioa to it on ¦ thL ' -. fi ' r . ftonpoYtniiity ' after Whiiaur . tirtf . ' ¦ . '• - Mr . Cociirane f- « id , that : OH Fiioay . j-. Q Tvjn ' . d moka a " atati ; ment which should vindicate hjmi ' .-it a : ; d r . vileci no credit en M . WarburtorU And Mr . Miic-HEiL , vho cr . ter . efi the House -just ? 3 Mr fiuttcT ci = ncla : * l-: il , tiv-iiic ; lli : e or . Vy r . iiei . - ; it ) or ; \ vh ; c * U ho had-. heard—t ; i ? . u Ui : Kii * Chin > on hid ' acted-as ' hia aijentiji spc-nciD ' : ; Jaoiiey ; it tbe ele ^ ioi ! . .
The rvi . tition , waa orilcrcd to be pv uvea , for the use of Mciniipvn c-aly . - -. '•' ¦ : : - - -. Tho . orrjfcTf ' foi going into Comraitcco . on tho Ciistonia Duuea BiH . having been read , " " .- ' . : Lord HowiCK' moved his wsolaMon hgaif . rt-fliiiTer ^ n . - ' . tial Unties in favour of the Coionie : ¦ . Bitch- dvfr .-rr-nces , he said ,-would injure the ieva ; -iu 3 vritbout l « neSting tho ccmsuiB ' cr ; wliiie they ¦*? .. c > i \ VT ?< >* c j Gf' < ir . l ' . V .. tpi €$ 3 i (> o TVPcr . r ; « Jis fx " . s-t'v . t , p . Tha $ » r v . \ v , p ! e * - * » n .- ^ . vp-pHsd to the G Conies vas'ihat ava ^ ed by Si ? Ii . * ert Peel , ¦ t-Lat h < iy shouid b ? ¦ allowed to buy cheap ' anir-KffH' clear , wit-h access to our maiirets . -bat wiiit no pscu'iar-adva ' . itii ' r . es .. The Hoaso : should S ' . e .. c'lutisus ia-crc-htin ' ? . ' fre'h ¦ pi-otcctiqiisand-d-iiB . cuIties . of this kind- ; especially * in cousifjeriag tlaoeffcct which tho oxasipls of Gre ^ . 6 Jiritairi" would hwo ia Ariseiica acd oth « foreiga countries . , r
.. Mr . 'Gt-ADStONE thoucht that Lord Hovrkl : did ncii ' undfcra . liiisa . thy contemplated avrsirgetntnts . There were one hundred aud ; thirty-6 n . e'ri '?! nisvio . r-s h \ favour of djfferentiai dutieg in the bxiaiiug " t « viu" ar . d 'is . tsch of riinety ^ elgbt- cases the foreign I ' . ttj' lios now b ? en lowered : other . duties wer ' S :. ' -reserved for funire negbeiations , but that was no reason " v- by ia' the meau tinia the duty on . Colonial p ' . roJucs s&oiu ' iJ not : l ; s reduced . TbeOppoEitioii . riJfcUibersIiacl grown ¦ . moro ' clive to the evils of diffcrent-iai duties eirscy thry hadchaagcit sides , for they had extended tb ^ ia to East Indian products . But the re'duotion -of'Colonial ( iuci . es could not bs . called
the creation of r'iffrrential duties , sicca it was merely extending what they had dorifi fo ? Irela ? id half 0 century a ^ o , when ths - cojErr . eroial separation cf tliab country front Great Britain vas rsmoved— it - ^ as' \ zt fact removing a i-estriction , not creating one ; afcd , as in the , caso . ' cf the German Customs Union , it vas ^ so fcu- giving freedom to trade witbiu csitairi biUJJ ^ aries' . While we rotain I ' . iSsrential duUea in favour of car manufactures within tii » Colonies , ana resttiotiona which . w ' mpolthe : employment of our shipping ; the name of differential duties mils '; cot irigfccea us from doing justice to the Colpmes . V V ; ¦ -. '¦ : .--
Lord Howick ' s view was sppppvtcd i > y Mr . F . T » Baring ,. Lord John Russell , and "Mr . . CisaJlea Viliiers : Mr . Gladstone ' s view by Lord Slanky . jiad Sir Robert Peel ; win * insisted tbat colonies coulu riot be created as foreign ' countries , else why ietuiri tlieui ai . d go to tho expeneo of defending them ? : '•"'; On a diviEicn , tha motion was rejeeted , by 281 to 168 , . "" - ¦• v .. - . - . ' . ,, - . ' ¦; " ¦ ¦¦ ; : ¦ ;¦ ¦ : ¦ , ¦ . ¦ „ ¦; ., '¦ - ¦;/ ¦' : ;• . ; . ¦¦ ¦ : ¦ . Tiio Houae went into Cbmroiltse ; and tho . ¦ ¦ Corc mittee adjourned to Monday wec-fe . , At a' quarter to one o ' cluck , tlie House aojoursed over Whitsuutiue , ' tillFridayy - ¦ ' -i * .. - .
A Report on the Drkadful 'Aceip ' sNT-aS Paris ba 3 Wen . made by fwo- ; emiheut e ; ij ; ii ' . aer s to tha Academy'of Sciences ,, in which they - ' a : tributd . tha fatal event to the fast of four- wheel carrafies baing onspl 6 yt ? d / aud . a ^ 6 qbn'dema th 8 i esu' ! ation \ 6 " y' ; i ? hicli passengers ara locked in , and tl ' ms , » i caso of aisci ' dentrhaYeao awauaof esc ape ,
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TO THE XDI 19 H OF HIE NORTJIEBN STAR . Sirw , —Allow me , throuah the medium of your invaluable columns , to * ay a word to my brother Chartists upon the Convention's resolution and debate , against denunciations of public men . " With all due deference to the opinions of those whom my fellows deputed to represent them on that important occasion , who , of course , are but fallible ine-n , like ourselves—with tbose impressions , I deem it r . o liberty to state tint I think , in thtir resolution and debate upon deeunciations , they felu more for tbemselve 3 than for the people—that it hath the appearance of attempting to bind heavy-burdens , on the people ' s jshonlcers , that some of them , the binders ,
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CHiKTJSMi JOHN COMPANY , AND CABOOL . ' The advancing aimy and the Sikhs ! The " Qnihi ' s Decks , " and Mnlligatawney Boys " . ';! " Xerxes" and " Darisw — " Alexander" and " Xencphon" !! . ' . ' We have now come to the end cf our lucubrations on Afghcnistan—we have done our best to enlighten the British public on the true state of affairs in our Indian Empire^—Te have warned the Government of what will be the undoubted result— we will give them our best advice , and suggest such remedies for their consideration as will prevent them from going headlong to destruction and save the lives of our gallant , though Hustuben soldiery . We cannot however blame them , and though they suffer themselves to be made the tools by Which the wily and ambitious , though cowardly vagabonds who direct their movements work , yet , have they but a choice of evils ; and they must either fight like tkfcrs , or submit their guiieta to lbs Catcher and t > = slaughtered like sheep .
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We solicit with more than ordinary seriousness the attention of the trades throughout the country to the purport of the above circular . It is , as therein stated , " our last appeal" for pecuniary aid , and we therefore anxiously hope , will meet with a liberal and warm response . Those on strike at Penryn , Dartmeor , and Plymouth , have been written to , with a view to induce them to accept the terms set forth in the resolution come to by those on strike in London , &C- ; and although their reply has cot yet been received , there is no doubt but they will accept it Thus we sanguinely anticipate , should you liberally respond to " onr last appeal , " that in two weeks from this data every man will be off the funds , ^ without the slightest evidence of disorganization —with * th 9 great necessity of union more flrmJy than ever rooted in their minds ; and despite the luring tamptatioEB of the enemy ' s " golden arguments" —the fonnidatle combination of the government and the capitalist , which from the ¦ commencement have "be en openly arrayed against them— unmoved in that determination with which they set oat To achieve only this , usder such cirenmstances as those unto which they have been subjected , must be a matter of incalculable importance , and , as we must believe , to the entire of the trodes .
Thst " Union is Strength , " is daily , even hourly , manifested , especially in this metropolis , by the appearance and position in society of those united , contrasted with the appearance and position in society of those not united . Ihe Sovereign , the aristocracy , and the capitalist , however much they may appear to differ with one another upon otfcer snbjecis , are perfectly agreed a .: d united to maintain in common what thc-y are vlea ^ ti to term their respective " rights and privileees . *
The " rights and privilege- ! " due from employers or fcrc-men to the ^ rorkins man is what we hava so long been contending for , and in support cf which yc ; n have so gt ~ ironsiy supp . > rtvd ns ; anisfreing that the interests > A the : irarles are a . t le _ £ t as closely itfenV . ne : . as that cf ths Sovereign , tks aribiccracy , and the c . " . pit :. ! iit , ar / 1 foKuyrir . -r their esamrjie , you arc earnestly s --lic : t-j't now , on the eTfi of " . he cosclusion of tfce strug&le , t-r . ce more to nr-irfiit , by yc . ur support , that you ire ec ' . trmined , eqaaiiy -Kith them , not to allow those who Lave j-tood so long and so true , to be indiscriminately viciiniizad ; bat to " maintain in c mmon tb >; - riglrs and privileges" i ?) respfcetivdy dns to Tour order .
With ninny and heartfelt thinks for the unparalleled support we have received , and which weh ^ pe will hs . vo iis gvca results ; aa also with 2 mott sincere hope , that ii iu ihe aial of either the trades or their delegate 11 , tbe U-asoii ' s society , their coimnntie , or their ether cfficeis ; to promote the interest , cf those corxrn ^ -ii , or ¦ witli a View to facilitate the honourable termination of this K'n : entoii 3 strike , any 12 ' sunderstnndJng hasr . risen , or Iit ; it : bickerings titen pj . ice , thnt they -will be cblivi-. ted ; and that prior to the dusoiuticni of the existing dec-gate meeting , st » -p 3 will te takea ptrmansntly to blend together the tr . lent , 'hs energy , and the meana of all , in common defence of the rights of eack , We beg to Eubscrita ciUTselves , Gratefully yours , The 2 Jaso > s o : r Stjitke , Thomas Shortt , Sec . 6 / Aintes Street , Waterloo-road , Liratetli , May 11 th , 1842 .
The following is copied from The Charivzri . i ! sted April ^ utfc , li-i' 2 , a wetk ' . y p-ri-ja : uil published L ; London : — " " "Xelsox's MoJiUMEXT . —TLis national testimony to oar-grt-: ti--fct rr . Vdl-htiro is forraed of a squire enc ' . eiurc , eampcsetl of de : ; l plank 3 , profusely embitzjntd with posting bills . —The interior contains a stone erection , nsaijy six feet hii ; h , and has been used for sews time past as a promenade for two respectable journeymen stonemasons ana the . r labourer . It is confidently expected that the next generation will be enabled to see it without looking over the pailing 3 by which it ia surrounded . " . _ _ n-i . _ _ _ . _
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We have little doubt hut that the Sikhs are enjoying our present dilemma ; the accounts from the various camps state that the Sikh soldiers are terrifying our men with stories of the utter impossibility of getting through the pass without half of them getting killed , with a few other tales , and an order had been issued to prevent Sikh soldiers on entering eur camp to converse with our men . We may well exclaim , " Save us from our friends j" When the 16 th lancers went with Lord Wm . Bentinck as an escort to have an interview with Runjeet Singh , the Sikh horsemen splendidly armed , and caparisoned , and clad in chain armour , showered on our men every abusive epithet their language afforded , and exhausted its vocabulary in terms of contempt and hatred towards the Feringheea . Two of our
own special comrades were standing near a group of Sikh horsemen , when one who appeared to be a leader , exelaimed , "look at these Soow rs , these Burrawahs of Fernghees , "were they in my power I -would chop them up , make curry ' s of them , and give them to the Pariah dogs . " The rest seemed to be of the Bame opinion , as they clenched their hands , gnashed their teeth , and scowled fearfully beneath their helmets . Our comrades , thinking that discretion was the better part of valour , having learnt a great political lesson , rejoined their troop , and warned their comrades of what they might expect from their Sikh friends . One of these was a Waterloo man , and any one at all acquainted with the 16 th will know the person alluded to ; H . H ., of the E . or Radical troop , our own respected comrade , who we trust will survive all disasters , and return t » his native
land . The Sikhs and Affghans may havo their [ quarrels , their jealousies , and border feuds , their disputes about the great Imperial Diamond which had been so rife a subject of warfare between them , but let the Feringhees step in among them as a third party , the common detestation in which they are held by both will have the tffoct of diminishing their animosities , and of regarding wiih the utmost complacency and smothered derision every loss and disaster of the European lords of Hindostan by our own dear friends and allies , the Sikhs of the Punjaub .
On no account -will the Sikhs allow us to quarrel ; they will not have the warfare transferred from Affghanistan to the Pcrajanb ; they will net give vs a pretence to fall back on Lahore , and satisfy the brigand desires and cravings , and wishful longings which for eo long a period of years have actod like a charni or talisman on our troop 3 , whether native or European—the plunder of Lahsre . In these few words is comprised ali of massacre , of brutality , of violation , of robbery , and of every deadly vice of which human nature is capable , when the hellhounds of war aro slipped , and when paid and hired murdere . s roam abroad free and unshackled . It ia easier to be masters of Lahore than to regain
Cabool ; and , there is no donbt , our allies , the Sikh , will afford us some little assistance in endeavouring to penetrate the mountainous wilds and passes of Aftghaoiatan , aud bhake themselves free from such a daDgerous neighbourhood of marauders , while prayiDg to every s ^ int , deity , or holy man in tha "Sikh " calendar , that we may be Bpeedily " check-mated '"! Then will the ¦ " Sikhs" have an opportunity to show their love , revenge , or hatred , then will they follow out to the very letter the viewa and policy of Rutgeeh Singh , and then will the " broken , flying , exhausted , dispirited , and dying Feringbees" become an easy prey to the proud Sikhs , who would chop them up , make currys of them , and give them to ba devoured by Pariah dogs I !!
We do not pretend to the gift of prophecy ; -we leave that to the priests ; but we call on all and every one at all acquainted with the circumstances to say , if we do not rather understate ti ^ an overstate the fearful picture ! We have served with Bengal troops , Bombay troopa , and Madras troops—commonly called in India , " Qui-hi's Ducks , " and " Mnlligatawney Boys" — we know what they can do , and what they cannot do ; we are aware ef their gsl antry , prowess , and physical capabilities for a ?• spurt , " and their hardy endurance with unshaken nerves , of all tbe dangers , fatigues , and annoyances cf a Hindostanee campaign , attended , as it invariably is , by an immeose and even Insurious commissariat , with all agrcemens and appurtenances to boot , anil when , in less than an hour after the troops
have arrived on tho ground allotted to them , after a day's march—the Bnzars are all up in lines , and open ; the men and officers are in their tents at breakfast , or under the shade of some mango , or tamarind trees , eating , drinking , or smoking their pipes , cigars , or hookahs , or preparing for a sleep , and the whole encampment looks much more like ' Portsdown fair , " than any approximation to what we , in our ignorance , deem of modern warfare . A campaign in India is considered oat as a tour of pleasure , with a prospect of being amply repaid by double batla plunder and prizs money j and although
we have some hard fighting and some revers . s occasionally , they have been but for a few days , and were bnt as shadows , and thd reality of our position was never shaken until now . We have neither the physical or moral force to possess ourselves of Afghanistan , or to retain it if we did so . You must depend entirely on your European troops ; the native soldiery ib not fit to encounter with the brave and hardy mountaineers of the Affghan hills , nor with the population of their cities , towns , and valleys . Whenever we have taken them on service out of Hindostan , wa have found them nerveless and dispirited , and we must find tbem with every comfort to make them of any use at all .
We gained a 'loss' in tho result of the Burmese war , and had it not been for the gallantry of our European men und ifBcers , tho Barman Stockades might have stood to the prestHt tima We suffered severely there , and three field officers , whom we bad previously served uH < ler , were shot there—Colonels Pepper and Corny , and Major Walker , all of tbe Light Infantry . Tbe Bombay troops had worse luck at Ras-el-kjma and Beni-Boo-Ali , in the Persian Gu' . f , and the Arabs broke in upon tbem and suiprised them in them their tents , cutting the Bombay European regimen ' ., almost to piece ? . Neither Europeans or
natives could withstand the sharp , naked sabre of the enthusiastic Moslem ; and those who were wounded , but escaped , told us that the rush was like the simoon ; nsthing could withstand the shock ; and flight was tbfe sole chance for life left . ' We never did much in the Xfcpaul hills and Ka . unga ; and the death of General Gili&ipie tviJ us in plain terns that we had better leave the S" * epauie 3 e alono . With all thesa warnings before and examples before us , we are going to rush headlong to ruin , and like babies whd have broken th . 6 ir rattle , or been deprived of some favourite plaything , without looking behind , we must press forward at whatever cost .
Let us imagine all tbe troops , European and n : ttivo , a 3 full of ardour , ciithuJ-ia ' -m , and revenge as the leaders —let us imagine our women appealing to the passions of the men for retribution on tho " murderers" cf thfcir husbands—let us imagine them fig 7 it ng knee-d-ep in Ailgban Wood , and taking possession of Cabool , fctill C ' . iboi'l is cut Affi'bunistan . The longer they stop in C ' jho . )! , the less powerful will they be ; continual attacks au' j skinui ^ bti ) "wiJI diminish our troops ( for iepfcud urt it tbe Afghans will give you no rtstt , t-nri your munitions for war will be expended , and ytur reinforcenxcts , b 'th of money , materiel , p . uci n : < jn , v : nl have to rt ^ eh you ( which would be more thin doubtful ) through some hundred niLes oi anenemy ' s country , and to pa £ 3 previouj- ' i / through that of a ve ; y iul : ew . irm frisrd .
You will have to drain Hindustan of tlio flower of ber trcops , European ? . u » i native ; und depend On it , the u ; -. quict spiiit uf the Hindoos avid . > . k ; hoiuilan 3 tlv : Hi v . i : l bursi forth in t-7 ery direction , the more rkrce-ly by havii . g t > ee : i si- hr . hi suiutlKr ' -il . The grertU-it portion or yeur AfL ; hani ; . h ; n force t- Ui chutist of tne rt-iniives ann friends of thost ; who wiil raise the various f-Uvmiards of retriliion wrf-n jou are fur aivay nerois th-f fc'a'Jedgc- or Indus , aud yon vn ' , 1 b ? . ve no pt / vrer lo j , ut tbkia down . Our " S ' jMh ^ -s " ara merely c' ; ii ;? , in" to ns till th&y
can do beti- ' .-r : iL- y u- not Iuyj us , au- ~" i at a t * £ n ; il , > , iven they would valf ' . j Ihroats of tb ^ ir Ji * u : Oj -i . ; ji ofiicevs without heais :- . ti''ii or iei : i jrse , as t ' o .- > aid before at YMlore , m . d thir . k lu ^ -j - ^ ou ;;! bo rbi . < Jcring b . tb Bmuia and Allah ? . service . Ths prtsent " a
We look f ( . r no ccr . que : t , we wish to jjet out of this dispeiati v .-ar -with sjuiL-ihing liio honour ; we would rather boil the nppa ^ r . isc ^ of a X ^ nophou , sscuviD ^ tho retreat of ten or t' ^ ez-ly thcub-nud . than that of a mo . U .-n . Macrao :. i ;> . a conqueror , ieadirjg on to victory . We jr . ay be sicgu ^ r ia our opinions , but fcliould the present ctroc ' ou-, :-: jii-t ! hristian , and licmon-liirc orders cf tii-j H ¦ rrs ( in ¦ .:. j . : : vj of the Indian authorities be pcis " s ; ed irs , cxir ) mY : un foTiC-r -. Till ahoii ) y be aia thing that \ Tas ; out fru-r .-i and rt-Litives will be Elrmahterea like shuep , cr vriil have to fii . ht like tigtrs , and we
expect to s _ e a second Kout as complete as tbat of Xerxes cr Darius . ' . ' On th / it heads be tha blame—we have dose our dri ^ y , ar . d if > hey will take cur advice we will auVmit . a few ob ^ cr 7 atiuas next week for ibeir consideration and sriopttOD . If the ministers and atistocricrare C 2 is-har <; fiitd an ;! wilfully blind to wb . it is passing around tht-m at home , let them elevate their vision till it embrace the affairs of tho Oriental Empire and let tiiem iJo something to palliate tho utrocities of the West ; but we Ijsre iittie hope ; as Feargus ' O'Connor says , " faction will die hard . " As a well wisher to the human race , and aa a devoted friend to my country , the sooner that tinw arrives tto better will it be for all . A Woolwich cadet .
Untitled Article
THE STO"NE MASONS ON STRIKE , FBOM THB JfEW HOUSES OP PABLUMENT , AND KELSON ' S MONUMENT , LONDON , AND IHE W 00 L" "W 1 CH DOCKYASD , To the Public and ihe Trades of Great Britain and Ireland , " It is not for the paltry consideration of a few shillings that reflecting men undergo Bueh privations and Offerings as strikes generally occasion ; but to prevent that debasement—that moral degradation—which is the inevitable consequence to which the contemptuous and haughty-capitalist would reduce them . 'Do Dot the rich men oppress you V is an interrogation as Btrictly and truly applicable to-day as it was eighteen hundred years ago . " Brethren , —The most material alteration in the position of our strike since we last reported is the reduction of the number upon it .
. From the Houses of Parliament and the Monument together only itrrafy three remain on the fands . At Woolwich , although we have no official account from them respecting the number , we believe the number of the turnouts do not exceed fourteen . At Plymouth , the turnouts are reduced to / our . At Dartmoor there are fifteen on the funds ; and at Penryn we understand four . The above is briefly an exhibition of the number now receiving aliment on account of the strike , and which
if will be perceived are becoming " beautifully less , " being reduced from above four hundred down to sixty . Thirty-seven of these sixty , with a laudable anxiety to relieve their supporters from the burden of paying them , -and , if possible , honestly to take themselves from-this to some other locality , in quest of other employment , have come to a resolution , with your aid , to do so , as will be seen by the following circular , copies of which were sent to the several trades with the last donation . sheers : —
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE 1 HADES OF LONDON AND VICINITY . " In confidence they calmly await ihe iisue . " —Bsay . FELLOtv Men , —A resolution , of which the following is a copy , was agreed to at the meeting of your delegates held at the Craven Head . - Dxary-lane , on Wednesday evening , the 27 th instant : — Resolved—•• That the secretary of this meeting is hereby instructed to communicate with the various trade societies of London and its vicinity requesting them to send their delegates to an adjourned meeting of delegates , to be holden at the Craven Head , Drnrylane , at eight o ' clock , on Wednesday evening , May 11 th , 1843 , when the propriety of dissolving or continuing such delegates' meeting is to be considered , as also to . aitermine what steps shall l > e taken in tho present position of the MaEons' Strike . "
In consideration of the foregoing resolution , and at the instance of the Masons' Strike Committee , a general meeting of all those in receipt of strike pay located in Woolwich and London has been held to deliberate npon and determine what course nnder existing circumstances , it would be most expedient for them to adopt The subject of the strike , its present position and prospects , were fairly and fully entered into , and , after coolly and dispassionately reasoning upon the same , it was unanimous ]/
- Resolved— " That tee , the Masons on strike , from W&olwich Dock Yard , Houses of Parliament , and Nelson ' s ilonnment , against the contumelious language , the tyrannical and insulting treatment of George Allen , mason ' s foreman to Grissell & Peto , althongh immoveably determined never to succumb— never to toil under the cruel domination of Allen —having considered the embarrassed state of our resources , do hereby agree , if means be provided to pay the amount severally due to us on account of such strike , with a small advance to enable U 3 to go in quest ef other employment , at once to relinquish all fnrther claims upon the funds respecting it "
To carry ont at once the object of this resolution , and which , taking all circumstances into consideration , appears to ns the most judicious we could have adopted , and which it will be seen has been nnani-Hiously come to , it will require no less a sum than c , ne hundred and fifty pounds . For this sum , either in subscriptions or by loans , we most earnestly sppeal to the several trades which have so warmly espoused our cause , and so largely contributed to our aid . It ia enr last appeal , and one whicfe , if -promptly granted , will er . able onr undismayed ,
uncocqasrable , " little army . " although exhibiting evidences " from the crown to the toe , top-fall , " of bitter persecution , crnelty , and privation , to quit the battlefield , after a straggle ef eight months , without tarnishing the honour of trade societies , or sullying their own character as determined and decided men . Without a single breach of the peaces—giving the lie direct to those who , in the language of Adam Smith , assert , that " Those who combine have always recourse t » the loudest clsmcur—to the most shocking violence and outrage . "
Depending , from our past experience cf yeur readiness to assist us , that this final appeal will not be disregarded , We Btibscribe onrst-lves , Yours grattfnlly , Tbe Committee of tha Masoti 3 on Strike , Thomas Shortt , Sec . Pro . Tern . April 29 th , 1842 .
Iempmal Parliament.
iEmpmal parliament .
Untitled Article
TilE NORTHERN STAR . f
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 21, 1842, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1162/page/7/
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