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c - — U 2 ? IY £ BSAi BROTHERHOOD . ^ XETtEK XXin . 10 TSX . tEDITOS OP IHB BOBIHXEJf STAB . Sib , —In my last letter , in pursuance of the business J had m-dertaken , namely , *• To examine the various jemedleB that have hitherto "been proposed to remove trhat has been foand oppressive , " I reviewed the temperance movement of Father Mathew ^ and tbe agitation under Mr . _ O * Connell for theBepeal of the Union -with Ireland . I shall commence this week by reding tbe attention of your readers to . one vrho has made herself not a little celebrated as an agitator during the short period
jbe has been before the public . I allude ta " Rebecca , " vho , thmking that justice could not be obtained In "Wales by any of the ordinary methods , has taken upon herself to administer it inker own peculiar manner I hare no desire to criticise the mode by "which others act , nor to express an approval , or the reverse , of the eourse -which Rebecca and her daughters are pursuing ; as individuals can only proceed with any thins they lave to perform in the manner they are prompted to execute it , by their own peculiar idiesyoorades . 3 shall therefore look at this movement as a part el the Jjreat change which is approaching , rather than in its immediate bc&l effeci .
Bsbecca has eleariy made manifest "what before was little inown or cared for , namely , that the people of South Wales trere'sufiering nnder every species of local tyranny that conld "well be conceived . The first object "which engaged the attention vraa the administra tion of the trust-of keeping the roads in repair . She found this made the subject of a most grievous charge , and appears to have considered that the best mode of reducing it -jronld be by destroying tie turnpike gates . A strong organization wzs formed for this purpose , and It was * soon found that Rebecca and her Daughters * could at any time effect the object ibesought : and this has led to mas ; ether matters being referred to her .
Tour paper of this day bean rather strong evidence of the manner in ¦ which this movement is operating on the minds of the landowners , net onlj of "Wales , hnt of other Parts of the United Kingdom ; and as the success -gh ' clTIng attended it -will be a powerful stimulant toothers , It "will be well to examine to "what cause that success may be attributed . Tbe first thing necessary to observe in ihia movement , is , that it is one of unity . From the reports in tbe Times , it is evident that there are plenty of suggestive meetings held , but the mode of action is eoaficlenUy Tef = rred to Hebecca ., and no one thinks of interfering in any minnar with hsr decisions except to execute thtrn .
The next is , thatUebecca is just , in her idea of the term ; and it is to the sympathy excited , by the sense of justice that she o ^ ces that protection she is receiving in a most dsngerons eourse ; for should a contrary opinion prevail she -would soon be handed over to the tender mercies ef the Government . The third point I -would notice is that Bebeeca proceeds promptly to the execution of -what she determines on , and does not keep disturbing the minds of her followers by useless theorizing ; -a qualification -which is essentially ceeessary to any practical leader . From the offers of abatement sf rents , abitement of tithes , removal of turnpike gates , and various other redresses for grievances , which are now liberally made to the "W elsh people , it is evident that this movement is performing itspart , in preparing the public mind for aa universal brotherhood ; and it will bs very interestine to -watch the further progress of Beoecca .
The next proposed remedy to which I shall call attention is ,, ' The Kspeal of the Com Latra . " Whatever may have been the motives for which the cry of Repeal ^ was begun , the public mind has decided that it is a matter of justice ; and as such it must be yielded , ¦ whatever may be the # pposition brought against it Claiming as I do , in the abstract , the free use of the fruits of the earth for erery individual in , it on the . ground that we are all the creatures of one Divine power to whom all things belong , it is to me a very tiiing matter -whether these laws be immediately repealed or not It vrould be far better that -we should commence the great irquiry of what is best for all ; bus as our minds are not yet sufficiently expanded to treat this snbject in any manner approaching the import&Dce ii deserves , Use etcrtioas of the anti-Cora Law League will be most serviceable in preparing us for the task .
Proa the rapid change in public opinion which has lately taken place in favour of Ihs repeal of the Corn Laws ; chkfly in the agricultural districts , and brought about by agricultural depression , -which depression mast inevitably increase rapidly , from the additions to tbe poor rates , county rates , police force , yeomanry datiea , and many oilier matters "which are inevitable ; to say nothing of the decline in valae that "Will occur in agricultural produce -from diminished consumption , it is quite certain that no government -will long be able to resist it ; bat the Tepeal being once obtained , how ¦ Bill the respective -parfies be then situated ? Will
cotton lords , landlords , church lords , or lords of any other kind , be in a better position from this change ? Or "will it not rathei be that their confusion will have increased an hundred fold , and an approach will be so . far made towards the inquiry into the true remedy » Depend npon it , we may safely say to Messrs . Cobden , Bright , Smite , and all their friends and associates , " go on and prosper ; far yon too have a mission to perform , in preparing for that charge * wc ? ch is to place man upca earth is such a position as shall best enable him to work oat the mysterious -ways of that power that over-iuleth all things . *
2 * txt to the Goxn Law movement , I would call aitecticm to the remsdiea proposed by the Churches of Eoglasd , Scotland , and Ireland . In ^ England there are three , namely , a return to strict discipline , and catholicity ; the building of new ebniebes ; and a system of Education based on voluntary eubscripfcona . Thanks to Dr . Posey and h * s friends st Oxford , we are about to Endeavour to returafcto that unity &ud Catholicity , "Witbont -which tras religion can never be taoTO . Same people may be alarmed about the doctrines of transubstantiation , and other things of trifling importance ; and TrM ? a century ago we may have been much inconvenienced in progress by them ; but these
cays have Ions since passed . There can be no hatm in our churches possessing those inspiring auxiliaries to the higher ana more elevating portions of our being , that are to be derived from fine painting , superior music , and the gorgeous spectacles that are sometimes exhibited to the people of the continent . There is no fear of our going backward in other respects , by forsaking those acriaonious feelings "which arise irom dissent in religion ; and if ihs Church is ever again to hava power over the minds of the people , it can only be by its teachers placing themselves in the advanced suard , morally , intellectually , and physically ; f « r this three-fold nature of-Twn is now for the first time about to be fully fifcvdop&a .
With regard to the building of churches , what bet good cob arise from it ? Some -will cry oat , " We don't wast them ; are -we to be taxed for them ? " ard many other suchlike exclamations ; but all this ii perfecUy betide the question . We are x » tr too deeply taxed for a fs-w millions a year to be any objection to tfcoss -who csn pay it % and those who cannot , need not fce alarmed aboniit . All the tsxitson that has been devisid is cksrged on the folly and ignorance of fee people ; and when they shall be ready to pay earnest attention to tbe snljetri , they may easily learn how to avoid it With rega rd to the churchss , they give employment to masons , bricklayers , carpenters , and ethers , is bnildirg them - and should they not be found necessary for the farmediate purposes for which they are intended , they mry be turned to account in marjy otter ways .
Respecting education , the Church is oreanr-cng a subscription of a quarter of a mlllien ; to devote to this purpose , to -which I see her 3 I&jeEty and Sir Robot P «) have eacheoEtrlbuted £ 1000 . Tht Prince Albeit asd the Qaeec Da-sfEget havn each grrvn £ i > i 0 . sna the Isifefcop ef London , who is the soul of the schema , has grrt-E £ 1600 . I wish them evt . rj success in Vb-ir uadtrtskbng . The light of truth 13 now shining too viilbly in the world for jib to Is-ve any canss for fesrin ? that the elements of instruction , undtr any creed , "Will do harm . Tfcs great book of nature is bein ? read ia sll conntries > and any helps to this rtadicg ssast tend to"wards the development of that great purpose wbtch the Creator b ^« designed thail be now accomplished .
If zsj are afraid that -we shall fall too rapidly into the Erms of the Ciurch of Home , th . y msy find censol&dcn in the state cf the Scotch ChHicb , Those who have -matched the proceedings -which have torn tzt pec-ple of Scotland to tbe centre , as » means of preparing their minds . for higher and more noble purpasss .. must much admire the calm and holy zeal , and fervent sincerity which distinguished Dr . Chalmers and tis coadjutors , who hava lately Blessed from that church . They are bright examples of humanity under ti « - iiiSaense of superior feelings ; and althoug h their i&weiacst hss not at present that universal tendency ¦* £ Jch it is nosr desirable that ~ we sbonld soon attain to ,
Jtl " sre caiset bet admire the devcdGD and energy with -slr ch ^ they porsne their object , knowiag that it mnst tend tp the same common end . Their proposed remedy . ' is i h * bnadiag and endowing of six hundred new church es on the voluntary principle ; and the Scotch Psfple have subscribed very freely for the purpose of « Mnmg tfaer-isvourite preachers , and IK , Cbakners : Z . ^^ ^ In ] S 3 ^ Proiai * ° parsning the old " ^ oaons if it be needed even to their destruction . j -me irfsjj chard ! , bj i ^ w Esfceblished , thtt is , the , -frotestant , seems to be in great danger from a remedy ' ^ P ° se d--of wandering its revenues available to ether j ^ P ***; and the fithe owners will undoubtedly be ^ ^^ ca alanntd j batno one can fail to discern in this , j « -tp ui unrrt rsalnroereas of no small magmtuSa The
-PKvaaee of . Enpportiag a body of people -with whom j bTrhf ? «> sympathy , has been Jons and deeply Ml 'fjf * 6 ^ 5 * h pecplei and they have now mcEt wisely ] ^^ ed that thiE can no l onger fee . 2 * o sooner do ™ ey appear united on the subject , and concentrate j j ™ power st one focu 3 , than plenty of persons sre , ' isand to argue their * anse , and to asust them in pro- [ ^ " ^ thst reiifcf-srhich they -will not fail to obtaiB , in j f *?^ pr oportioH as their love and intelligence are de- ; Tetoped . t&ezj ^ j ^ e p fotestaat clergy are makiu ^ j ^ o « wiih the Bepeal party , and adding to that union ^ "VPower which c an i > ow only be disturbed by andse \ et ^ Eme at oa ths p-art of the peopls . **> 2 » kea cahs etrvey thtn cf the pcrliicn tf the : ^ ee ctarcteg ^ eveiy friend cf nnivosal pribciplea vrlU j s » e nmti to rfje-ice at The inttrsal difcreiices that
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exist in them will cause deep and searching enquiry on all sides ; and sooner or later , in proportion to its intensity , -will truth be elicited . As this shall be done , and it ahall be brought to the light of public opinion , will the fallibility ef man be corrected , and we shall be enabled to discern the true road bo happiness and walk quietly therein . The more I reflect upon the sutjact tbe more strange § . obb it appear , that with every eltment for happiness so abundantly surrounding hint , man is still the victim of bo much vice , crime , and misery . The knowledge however of the lavro -which govern the universe , and the developeaent which is taking place in the sciences of human Store , and of society , will soon reader the canse of this seeming anomaly plain , and easy to be understood ; and in the mean time I would say to Bebeeca and her Danghtera , to the promoters of the
repeal of the corn laws , and to the heads ef the various parties in the Churches of England , Scotland , and Ireland , pursue "we 1 the various objects in -which you are respectively engaged . To you they may appear the allabsorbing ones ; but there are other and higher spheres in which these movements will be absorbed tbe moment their destined o £ ce is performed ; and to ths readers of these letters I "would say offer no obstruction to any of tbe changes that are now occurring , for they are preparing the -way for the introduction of that universal movement which will soon place us in a situation foi receiving all the benefits ready to be conferred on us , by the great cresting spirit of the universe , vthen -we shall be placed in accordance -with its laws . I am , Six , your obedient Servant , William Galpin . Concordinm , Ham Common , Surrey . August 21 , 1843 .
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TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND . Pkllow CoujiTHTMEN , —Having disposed of the cry of " Ireland for the Irish , " and shewn you the fallacy o ? seeking Repeal -without Universal Suffrage ; I will now turn to the question which is of all others of the greatest importance in the present position of Ireland . It is a remarkable fact , that nearly-all classes of Reformers agree in the opinion , and even loudly sssers that the Church is the prolific cause of all your misery : but as the various sects and parties of society have their own reasons for attaching all blame to this source I will content myself with believing is the general opinion upon my own conviction of its truth . This I consider to be the better way , as I am aware that numbers assail the "Old Lady' * upon grounds of envy or malice , and with a view to her annihilation , in the hope that their class may one day share her honours or her profit ; or majhap aspire to govern this superstitious country in her stead .
With such parties ss these , I hold no sympathy , nor do I valuB their opinion in the present case for much . They may *• cant" about " evangelical purity ; " the only purity which is visible and apparently essential , is the pure actual amount of pounds shillings end pence : which ever was , amongst such parties , the distinguishing maTk of spirituality , and " ever will be , " a * Paddy says , " world without end . Amen ! " For those sympathisers with Ireland , 1 repeat , I have no reciprocity , nor do I calculate upon their assistance to rid you of the bnrthen which they so msgniloquently declare oppresses you . There can bt > little difficulty in persuading an Irishman that the existence of a State Church is
an . evil to his country of ths greatest magnitude ; nor does he need to be told that both in a political and moral sense her compulsory support is manifestly unjust . He knows all this , and 1 believe would , had he the power , pnt an end to her unscriptural career by starving her temporal part out of its sanctity , by the simple measure of stopping the sappliee . Now this is joss tiie point I would endeavour to explain . Ton would also get rid of this evil if you had the power . Let me see how you prove yeur sincerity . To eel rid cf the Church you agitate for a Repeal cf the TTaion ; but as I have taken the mask from that measure in its present form , it mnst follow that if effects be equal to csnses , you will never cet rid of toe holy (?) nuisance .
y r ^ re now , my Countryaien , pieced in a very peculiar position . O'Conaell has renounced and denouaced all pelitical parties , save the Orangemen , and rests on his individual exertions to obtain Repeal . ' This , 1 have shown yuu , will be impossible ; and that he cannot obtain it constitutionally without the aid of the English people . He tells you at the same time he will stand upon Repeal , and take no concessions I 1 vfoulci like to know how you ean reconcile these two postioDS , so as to prove them capable of successful results ? IX > yon imagine that the Government will get tired , send grant to importunity what they have so long refuitd to justice ; or that to pacify Ireland , th « y "will grant a Repeal of the Uaion where they know jeux first act ¦ would be to , if possible , annihilate Church ascendanc ) ? Ob , never ! will you see a censtitntional
( to use O"ConJfcll 8 own meaning of the term legally , ) Repeal until your English and Scotch brethren are united -with you , and in a voice that ¦ will not be denied , demand it It is plain , then , then is but one way , one step , by which you are to rid yourselves of the Church . Then , why , I would ask , stand npon Repeal for the rsmainder of your lives ? Why be wedded , if you are desirous of obtaining it , to a system which is essentially bad , aad ultimately doomed to be in effectual ? I cannot lor the life of me see how you are to get on \ of the awkward poeition with credit to yourselves or your cause , unless yon honestly and at ones acknowledge your Error , and cordially accept the assistance of men who are willing sad able to make toh victorious . Now , mark me ! unless you do this , yoa will learn , ¦ when too late , that it is dangerous to reject friendly
counsel . How then are you to rid yourselves of this monster evil ? Answer me , I pr ay ! la there one man in Ireland will have the honesty or the courage to give me an explanation ? No j not one ; even O'Connell himself will shirk from the question , and in his usual ulterior vray , say , by the sext step 1 But wiil O'Connell , . or will you , really persist in standing in s false position , enable even to answer a plain question ; and will you still refuse to reason for yourselves ? Is there , 1 repeat , one pian in Ireland , who has faith in O'Connell , that can tell me how he is to get rid of the church withe nt Repeal ? or who -irill baTe the hardihood to assert Repeal is possible by purging the present course of policy for its attainment 7 No I not odb ; and yet
yon are not only satisfied to continue in bund ignorance of your position , but dare to prate about Chartist interference as a thing to be avoided as dangerous and desunctivel Remember , I tell you the Charter and the Chartists will be yet the laUying cry to the rescue , and Ireland will owe to their infiaenoe aad generous strength her future happiness and glory ! Mr . O'Connell , when writing about Chartists , described them as thickheaded . Now , in a political sense ,-1 msy be permitted to return his elegant complimeat ,- for certainly it was not to be expected that so sapient a man as he is would persist in standing in a pesitk-n from which he has no possible means of ht-n ^ juranle escape , save through the assistance of those idkntica ! ttumsktdls !
. Tze CaaitiBts take a broad view of tbe questions -which diet : act society and oppress tbe people , and detenniEed m-iti-cr to be wheedled hot frightened . They agitate ihe question of the Charter as an effectual means to enabie them to counteract oppression , and rtfurin at-ases in charch and state ; whilst they bniJd thtir fntore prospects of happiness opon the principle of ^ i v-n ? to every man a voi <» in governing himself . Bat O'C- 'imell seeks only the Repeal of an Act of ParlismfcnT aa a means to get rid of the burthen of the ehnrelr !
Ti-a , I -woTild ask is there not more th : ck-beadedress i 3 cBstinate 3 7 standing npon sectional reforms , than is nobly ias Ike Chartists < lo ) waging war against all ex-irin ? tviia ? Repeal , without Universal Suffrage wouiu uv ' . tB-powtr you to get rid of the Church ; but R ^ f = (¦ :-. ! . v-i : b - « ie CtsrUr , would enable you to svrecp ibt C nrch atu ali other evils into oblivion . Repeal yt uHi is ¦ ¦¦ ' txi .-r . errite yon from tithes ; whilst an Iriih Huxu , of : L--Td » ar . d CuE : inoi > s . elected Uy Hon ' eho ' . d , ilaatoji-Q , r-r Womasncoa ] S . ff .- ^^ e , wonld rule yenr ut ^ t : v . S . I . C- compel you to be Eilent spectators of lheir udxf- a « ^ etf .
Bd : ^ by wonld you have those Houses ? Wonld yr-o si- " - li-jvs the Tulturea -who iiaVe preyed on you ; the h ^ rpU ^ - -ho have p ? uj ; dered yon ; the tyrants who hive ir _ u pUrd on you ); the monsters who q ^ nfftd your iffi-i'j .-o .. ; ; : he \ txcbts -wfco have sucked until they can suck i . o u .- _ -nj from your vitals ? Ai'i would you not havs ttt tiiiiora , -who soid your birthright , eager to sell yen ii ; : ii , end barter your country and yourselves to pcK'J-s . 1 triScters ? -srhu too long have tDJoyed ths fruits c-f iWsr former pnrcbnse-motiey , paid a 3 the price of your tltU ^ scLL-tril J You -wcnld have the rampant Tory , s-i .-h -inn t ^ er nplifted to strike , and the insidious Vf tig-wot : i-s ibesp ' s clothing , "srho Bpeaks fair to you by dsj-lichi but to devour you after night-fall .
These -would bo the :. > aEdini -who would have to make ia -s-s f- > r you- obedience . And whom would you have to oppose-to this ct-ngiomtinted ho » t of enemies ? Why , yem Wuiu pr-ifeap ! i have a few talking Reformers , who if eveis May vrtre honest , woald be powerless for good , iD e&BK-gntnce of their minority : in tict , like tbe present CcnsoCiaUc minority in the English Parliament , "who , Bottr :: csi 3 ading tbiir mngnajniiuoiis exertions , are sure to he deiiattd on every quest . on -which refers to the amelioration of tbe people ' s condition . Thas would Ireland continue to suffer , unless the people had the psswbi u > tlfec ; thej own representatives .
There is then as livtle hope of happiness with such a parliament in Ireland , as there is of obtaining one by the coarse yon hava to pnrtue I The only thing left is to chanse yonr plan of proceeding ; and this 1 would sdvlse yea to do as speedily as possible . Remember the fats of the tithe agitation , and take warning fey its result ! Tithes were to have been abolished , and heaven -was called to witness the determined resistance to the impsst £ j ; and bear in mind , it may be possible , if concessions are made touching the Church and the Bench , that Repeal will die the death of tbe tithe agitation Cuiicrfsions sre «> ckfcn of , and provisions for the Catfeodis
lic clergy jj-mooted , . as " a means to snppress Irish - wiLttnt ! -Btngfc-woitld ask , of "what avail "would it be to the people j ^ Egeh concessio ns wer e to be mad e on tie one tide « B 4 accepted on the other ? What would be the Kuit prsbable resnlt ? I assure you it we « M be oniy trother rivet driven into the chains that bind you J The Catholic Clergy bcicg paid by the Government , vronld become the tlaves of Government , sno . every act or cvtit act cf pstrictifm on their part would bs visited t ^ th the displeasure tf the powers that be . Thus your Etrtsgth would be weakened , and the people < Tfcntcal j bro : ^ JUt into CGtfiiet ¦» itb their pEstois , Trtmld become sn te * y prey to tit : T esenrics .
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There could not be a greater evil than for the clergy to accept a provision from the Government ; for whilst they remain free , they can act as circumstances require ; but , should they unfortunately be induced to accept terms of concession and provision , they would be in the position of men who agree to make merchandise of the temporal aad eternal interests of their flocks . And yet seme Bucb thing as this mntA take place unless you adopt more efficient means to remove the cause of oppression . It is thick headed nonsense to talk about " standing upon Bepeal for the remainder of my life , " and promising a " next step " as a remedy when the only step likely to effect speedy and permanent good is spurned from you as contugeous 1 If Mr . O'Connell is in earnest—if he is determined to have Repeal , and to
make Repeal & blessing—if he is sincere in his wish to g » t rid of the incumbrance of the church , I tell him and you that he is only trifling with the peopla and tampering with their patience . Why , I ask , stand upon Repeal , for the remainder of his life , when by a bold and manly , aa honest and patriotic , a * ' legal " and "peaceable" effort , he might effectually , in connexion with the English people , not only obtain the much talked about Repeal , bat also secure to the people the power to nsa it for their good ? I tell him there is no other step worth taking ; and unless he does take this one certain and direct step , he -will either be pressed bentodh the feet of I re'and s enemies , or Irishmen will step out of his way , and in the bitterness of disappointment charge him with bting instrumental in leading them
iato the ditch ! Open yonr eyes , then , and do not plunge voluntarily headlong into further depths of slavery ! You have power sufficient to conquer oppression , were it a hundred-fold stronger than it is . TTsa that power aright ; combine Universal Suffrage with Repeal , and then , and then only , will you have taken a proper stop—a step towards that happiness for which you are bow wasting your energies and toiling with no prospect of succeBB . Only take this step , and I promise the rapid strides you will make will speedily alarm the factions who joined you , and compel them , nolens volens , to grant yon not orjly Repeal , but whatever else you ask b esides , taking the Church off your hands in token of respect for your sovereign wilL I am , fellow countrymen , Your obedient and faithful servant , W . H . Clifton .
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TO THE BIGHT HON . LORD ASHLEY , M . P . Mt Lord , —Another session of Parliament has just drawn to a close , and the philanthropic object for Tshich yout Lordship sacrificed both placo and pay , tbe Teu Hours' Bill , appears no nearer gained than when the session commenced . I am tbe more sorry for this , my Lord , as I am firmly convinced that tho present factory system is a murderous system . Tho great number of deaths , both of infants and young persons ( p&tticularly the female portion of them ) , which are continually taking place in these manufacturing districts , are , in a very great , measure attributable to its operations .
As your Lordship is always ready to hear anything on this most impertaot subject , and as facts speak louder than words , I am sure your Lordship will excuse me relating tbe following death-bed scene which fell a few weeks ago under my immediate notice . The young person ' s name to whom I allude , was Mary M . She had wrought in a factory from her childhood up to her twenty-fifth year , tbe time of her death . When I first knew her , she belonged to a Sunday School which 1 superintended . She had Been many of her companions carried to the grave , their deaths brought en by haviog been over long , and over wrought , in tbe factory .
A very dear companion of hers -was taken away a few years ago through that same cause . This girl was so attached to the Church school , that she attended it as long as she conld c- awl . The last time she -Attended , she had to be taken back home betwtzn two of her faithful associates . The time at length arrived when poor Mary M was to follow her companions to their long home . I heard that she was very ill , and visited her a long time . She constantly declared that the Factory System had brought her to her sick bed ; to all appearance her death-bed ; and ss > it proved . I happened to be walking in the street one Monday afternoon , and saw the father of the young woman hurrying along the street greatly confused . When I asked him
the matter , he told me he believed Mb daughter was dying I hurried away at once to tbe death-bed side . As soon as I entered the door , she turned her poor pale face to me ; and , after talking to her for some time , a thought struck me , that we had all kinds of evidence to prove the morderous c ffWcts of the Factory System . We Lad medical testimony , overlookers' leutiinony , and factory cripples testimony , with tbe testimony of a great many master manufacturers themselves . But I thought , my Lord , that 1 would even go further than them all , and get a death-bed testimony , to see if that was wanted to convince our " Christian" legislators that ten hours a-day is quite sufficient f ~ r poor factory workers , as it is for any artisan , or common day
labourer . I therefore said to this poor dying factory victim , just eleven hours before her death , " Mary , we are now before God , and death etareB you in the face ; answer me one question , fairly and honestly , w in tbe sight of God Almighty : do you really believe that on account of the long hour * yoo ^ MEft b * d to -worJr in the Factories , with the other fcVilrtBHjfeent on tbe Factory System , yon have hetn brdBglMHQBr grave ?" Ob - ' my Lord ; would tbatTEcoald convey to yonr Lordeiiip the look of tbat ghastly countenance when I put tbat question to her . Thai look I shall never forget ! With the litt ' ie remaining strength she had left ,
she exclaimed , * 'Yts , —I do—If I never see you more . " And then » he added . " I bare been , many times , wet to the skin , -when leaving home in the morning to go to the mill ; and many times -when I have got to the gates I have had to ctsnd ia the rain for fifteen or twenty minutes before I cotld get in to my work ; and tbcii have to commence working with ths clothes drying on my back I " This tberj , my Lord , is the testimony of a poor dying " factory victim ! " and this in "Christian" England too . This in Moral" Ergland , as Baines of Leeds would have us believe . Well , my Lord , whatever else it is , it is murderous En eland !
Talk alont morality , nsy Lord J why there are , in this town , up in one short street and back of another , no less than between twenty and thirty public houses and dramshops , with numbers of brotbela and places of amusement ( as they are called ) of no very good character . Such places were scarcely known of , when I first knew Bradford , about fourteen years ago ; and now the place literally swarms with thtm : and still we are growing " moral" forsooth ! I am sorry to say , my Lord , tbat these places are , in too many instances , frequented by factory worker *
When , my Lord , will the legislators of this country -wipe off the foul stain of " White Slavery , '' by giving ua a good efficient ten honr ' s ' bill , combined with other measures , so that the factory workers may have proper time for education , aid for learning every other duty at home , that they may 'btcome Rood end useful members of society . Then , instead of seeing a low . degraded , immoral generation growiDjf up , we shocid have the happiness of seeing the rising generation grow up in every virtue which adorns a man , a woman , and a Christian . That such a time may soon arrive is the Bincere prayer of Your Lordship ' s obedient servant , Squike Auty . Bradford , August 23 rd , 1843 .
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. A NORTHERN TOUR . ' A chiel ' s among yo takin notes , And , faith , ht ' ll pre : it il . " TO THE EDITCH OF THE . NORTHERN STAR . Dear Sib ., —Tuesday , August 22 nd , 1 left Mauchline , proceeding by cosch to Iv . luiarnock , and from there by railway to GiasgoTC j J Ha'l no opportunity of fM- ) rirj £ oat old friends of tho good canso in K luiariJ ' . 'Ck , and therefore cannot speak pot > itivrly to the s < tat « of polilj c- ij feeling , but from the information 1 gleaned ¦ while in MaucMiBe , 1 believe Chartism to bt in a state of quiescence throughout Ajrshire at the present time , and that JK-. hnarnock is no exception to tbe gt-aeral rnle . lar . Hill has been invited to lecture in the
town ; should he do bo , his visit will , 1 trust , bs prodaciive of a " revival" of the olden spirit . Arrived at Glaseovr , I made- roy -way to Mr . Burns , ec ' noolraaster of the Chartist Cbnrch in the Gorbals . Mr . B . has about one hundred and forty scholars under his care , and eojoys the reputation of being a very efficient teacher ; the children are neariy all about the same age as if they had been produced at a siasle b : rth ; the reason of this is , tbat the moment a boy or girl is deemed to be any way fit fur labour , he or she Js immediately { if woik csn be found them ) , removed to the mill or any oiher employment that
csn be procured for tbe unfortunate heir of slavery and want- What a crying sin is this to tbe rulers t-f tbe land , snd disgraceful blot upon the cenntry , thai beings bo young should be deprived of the days which should be devoted to intelkctual cclture , and the hours which should be Bacred to childhood ' s sports , thut they may toil to aid their -wretched parents , too often deprived of employment by tbat very system which dr ives their children to vice and death , the too nsnaj results of condemning th « rising generation to premature and unnatural labour . Mr . Burns , in addition to being a good schoolmaster , is aleo a good Chartist , and well deserves all the support he geta .
In tho evening I addressed a meeting of the Gorbals ' men in the Chartist Church , wkich was thickly crowded by the most enthusiastic audience 1 have had tbe honour of addressing since leaving boaie . A Mr . Cameron filled the chair , and introduced me to the meeting . I spohe for above two hours , and was most warmly applauded . Mr . AdaBis followed , and delivered a brief asd exc&llent speech . Mr . Livingstone moved a vote of thanks to your humble servant , which was seconded by honest John Colquhoun , in *> ne of bis usual warm-hearted and energetic speeches . Finally , we wound up by singing " We'll rally around him , " and giving the usual che « B for Frost , O'Connor , and the Charter , and no surrender .
A certain cantiBg , clerical , religious renegade , one of the gang cf traitors and humbugs trho oppossd me when I first visited G ' a-jow in January or February , 18-10 . had been vacnting that if I attempted to estjk in Glasgow , he -would show me up . Tbe opportunity wa § afforded him , but very wiEe ) y he diu Bot » a £ & hia
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appearance . Chartism has been all but assassinate * by the preaching priga , and political knaves , who , for a long time , -were looked up to as the leaders of the de . mocratic cause in Glasgow . These fellows , Blnce their ! r £ , » the Compete Suffrage tanks , hava acted as the bittereBlj enemies of Chartism ; but nothing near the ha - !?* 7 aS d » by thelr avowed defection , compared with the evil they effected while yet pretending to call themselves Chartista . Kot a meeting was held for many months , but at which strife , bickering , and denuueia . t on was the ^ order of thd day , caused by the private slanders ana open calumnies of these now justly detested traitors . Their defection , atd the strife which preceded it , naturally caused tbe people to bscorae disgusted with almost all public men and weary lof all
political agitation ; henca the present apathetic state of Glasgow , from which the people of that city can only be aroused by re . orgftn 5 z ' lDg the moTOment in England , thereby rallying hope once more oattie northern side of the border by the moral influence which the English democrats win always possess over their Scottish brethren ; secondly , by extending the Organisation to Scotland , and uniting the people of that country with those of England in one bond of fraternity j and lastly , by framing such an Organization which shall render the people as independent as possible of leadership , and render It a matter of coruDarative indifference whether mere mouthers are honest or dishonest , the people being protected from their villany , if inclined ke turn knaves .
In the Gorbals the « sacred fire" of Chartism is still kept barning ; and in the city , notwithstanding the defection of treacherous chiefs , the soldiers still exist ^ - diBorganfasd , or resting on theit arms , 'tis true , but ready for action whenever the banner of democracy shall be again unfurled , and an aim presented to them by which they may hope to cut their way to victory . The Sturgite faction in Glasgow which hoped to thrive by the destruction of the Cbartist party is absolutely defunct , —gone out like the last smoke of a farthing rushlight , leaving nothing behind but the atink of its bad name . Its fate has been the sama iu Edinburgh ; and here in Newaastle , although patronized by the Knight of the Spital , Sir John Fife-that traitor to tbe people ' s cause—the faction has , following the good example of Caatlereagb , died by its own hands . Lastly , in Sunderlaud , ifc has there too descended to the " tomb of all the Capuleta . "
Of all the w . ens of corruption and misery it has ever b » en my k . t to visit , surely Glasgow ia the worst . I have seen London , Manchester , Birmingham , Leeds , and other great hives of human crime and human agony ; but for undisguised profligacy , offensive brutality , squalid wretchedness , and unbearable filth , Glasgow , to my mind , excels them all . Take its females , thronging the streets , and , ye gods , what a contrast between them and the wenien of Ayrshire / There are thousands to bo met with in the streets and wynds of Ginegow , whom most folk po 8 « eB 89 d of stomachs would not touch even with a pair of tonga . I know no adequate remedy for the horrors of G ' lasgevr but that of blacking it up at one extremity and Betting fire to it at the other . Never until all large cities antl towns are Jerusa ' emiz * d ~\ , hQ plough passed over them and monuments erected to tell tho ii quiring traveller " here stood Glasgow , " or
' . ' here atood Manchester , " < fcc , &c ., shall we bo able to drive corruption and tyranny from their strongest holds , or establish the reign of equality , virtue , and happiness . Before , leaving Mauchline I bad received letters from England which compelled me to hasten my departure from Scotland ; accordingly I was compelled to throw overboard intended visita to Greenock , Cumpsie , and several other places . I believe I have caused some disappointment to my Cample friends , who had expected me to visit them on the 26 tb , and who , I understand , were arranging to meet me in procession with a band of music , fee . I regretted much my being unable to comply with their : kind invitation ; at eome future day I may see them . The Glasgow men , too , wished me to stay -with thorn till the 28 th , and in compa-iy with Mr Hill , attend a city meeting of the democracy . It would have afforded me extreme pleasure to have done so , but my engagements in England would not allow me .
Friday , August 25 th—I left Glasgow for Edinburgh , per railway . The railway is a fine piece of work , coiumenciDg at Glasgow under a tunnel three quarters of a mile in length Several places of interest are ia the neighbourhood of tbe line , particularly Falkirk aud Llnlitbgow : the former famous for the conflicts of Scotch and English in its vicinity , ; in the times of Wallace and Prince Charlie , and the latter for its having been once tbe seat of Royalty , and still containing crumblfng monuments « f itts former greatness . Castlecary is also on tho line ; possibly the reader may remomber having heard or r « ad a beautiful Scotch song called " Mary of Castlecary" ! I forget its author ' s name .
I tbat evenlBg addressed the men of LeVtb in the Trades Hall . A Sir . M'Crae , a very intelligent working man presided ; several middle-class men were present , and I flatter myself Vbat I tolerably well satisfied my hearers . Tbe meeting was not very large , but extremely attentive and enthusiastic in support of my appeal for a janction of tho CbarHsts of the two countries . I am convinced tbat the veritable union of the tvro nations is a pr&ject tbat will have the hearty eopport of tbe great majority of tbe Scottish democrats ; but great care will be itquinwMMt- tlie pert of the English Chartists to keep up a ^ KBoeir . ent this good feeling . Tbe Scotch &Te proverbially cautions with respect to the " snier ' Vand ail matters appertaining thereto ; therefore muit the English democrats tako good care who they elect or select to fill err ! ess of trust in the new Organisation . Whether there shall be a union of the two nations will principally depend upon tbe discretion and judgment of the English people in this vital matter . A word to the . wise is sufficient . "
I returned to Edinburgh on Friday evening , and slept at Mr . Cranstone ' s Coffee House , a place of abiding I would recommend to all the advocates of political and social progress , visiting "Au ! d Reekie . " The proprietor , Mr . Cranstone , is a good Chartist , and intellectually a vary superior roan ; as such is well worthy of the support of all who love and advocate the light . . i . Cbartism is shelved in Edinburgh for the present . Tbe body have lost their Hall of meeting , asd are consequently unable new- to hold meetings without the certainty of being involved in debt . Faction has cut
tbe throat of Chartism in Edinburgh . Leader * have been the curse of the cause there as well as in Glasgow ; and there , too , the traitors and deserters , still haviog tne unblushing assurance to call themselves Cliartists , are the worst enemies to the movement , and are doing everything in their power to keep up discuBsion , and create further disgust Still there are some excellent Chartists in Edinburgh , and the mass of the party is still sound at the core . New measures and modes of action are what are principally ueeJed ' to improve hope once a ^ ain . Confidence may then be restored , and Edinburgh may be found once again one ef the foremost fortresses of democratic strength .
I had no time for " sight-seeing" -in Edinburgh , theugh I should have liked very well to have visited Holyrood House , the Caatle , &c . had I had time . Edinburgh is a splendid . place , that is , splendid for the aristosracy—splendid for the shopocracy—and splendid to tbe eye of the giddy tourist and superficial observer ; but to call it splendid , we rnnst ahat onr eyes to its filthy " wynds , " . " closes , " and Babel-like dens in * he old town , where thousands live a life of want and misery until cut off by the dreadful , yet friendly , hand of fever , which , like the plague in the East , is the unenvied g'lest of nil Scotch towns and cities , caused by tbe insufficient diet and dirty houses (?) of too many thousands of the labouring poor . Tho monument in honour of Sir Walter Scott bids
fair to be a magnificent structure , and already puts to shame that miserable abortion , the " Nelson Monument ' of London , a rneuttment of cockney taste with a vengeance . ' One epot in Edinburgh f had a particular desire to visit ; that waa the grave of Ferguason , the poet , in the burial ground of the kirk in Cannocg vte , bnt the gaies of the yard were closed and I could not r , iriu adnnsWoH . Certain prosecutions for that undefined and nndefinable iffo -ce called " BInsj .-b . eniy" ore just now exciting no iittle iuterest in ' Auld Ree ' sie " The parties prohtc . ted are Messrs . Rohinstu aiul Fmlay , and tfcat now weil-known chaacter , "tho uiau Pjterson " . Tho two former vreie fliet prrefitt- '' , and tho shep of Robinson fairly putted by the hiirpi ^ s of the law , while
Kobiufcon hirasisif was most infamously treated ; he beiDg confined to his bed with illness at the time , was watched night aud day by " filthy dungeon villains , " -who fairly took possession of his house . After such treatment , and after plundering him of his propbj-ty , bo - was brought to trial , when it was fottttd that , as in the case of tho " fifty-nine conspirators , * ' the indictment against him and Finlay waa eo wretchedly defective that it could not bo sua ' ainetl , ; the oonsequenco vtm , the present acquittal of the defendants . and their being bound ever vn another warrant 1 o meet another t , ial . The man Paterson " , expecting Robinsen to be imprisoned , had come to , Edinburgh to keep his shop . On Robinson 1 > eing set at liberty , ho ppened a shop of his own , and has sinco been
engaged in constant war with the " authorities . " Per . eons for porting hia piacards have been Beiz 3 d and sentenced to imprisonment , or held to bail ; his shop has already oucs been entered , aud everything therein taken away by the police thieves ; and when I waa in Edinburgh be « ras in daily expectation of aupther and a 8 mtlar visit from the ' guardians cf public order . " He 18 also under bail to appear ( it is expected ) in November . Of Mr . Pinlay I krww nothing , except that he bears the character , in Elinburgh , of an upright and clover man . Robinson I was personally acquainted with about eight years sfnee , when we were both engaged in the struggle to establish an unstamped press ; he had suffered a short imprisonment in Derby for vending the unstamped publications , and on hia removal to Glasgow , I took hp his position in the
former town , which position I maintained until I was myself condemned to six months imprisenment for a similar offence . Robinson afterwards removed to Edinburgh , wLero he has for some years no « Nilled / 'the useful and honourable office of liberal bookselfer of tbnt city "Tbe man Patevson , " I have Irno ^ n for nearly two yews . 1 first became acqui'nttd vith Wm . at Sheffield , where he was assisting Mr . Hoiyonko , the Socialist lecturer . 8 ir . ee that time Peterson bus aeqvrired no little notoriety by his famed shop in Hto ] ywell . street , and his battles with Hal ] end Jardine , the magisterial Solons of Bow . street . Perbens unacquainted with Patcreon would suppose him to be a monster ., judging by the " fancy portraits" of him given by the * veritable , maJiy-heruied monstt-r , the London press . I know him —I know hJra iE private life to be one of the best of
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men : hia morality , self-demal , -warmth of affection , and love of liberty , we ' . l entitle him to that character . Gontlo as a child ia private : lifo , he is fierce and resolute as a lion in public life ; and the Edinburgh champions of orthodoxy -will find himlan " ugVy customer" to deal with . I I have introduced this subject because , as a democrat , I feel bound to protest against all persecution . I say nothing aa to the principles , theological or antitheological , contended for [ by these men ; ths Northern Star is mot the proper arena in which to discuss the merits of creeda or the truth or othoiwise of any system of belief ; bat an a man claimiug the rights of man , I demand for all men the right of perfect freedom of thought , speech , writing , and publishing . If
men speak or publish nonsense or falsehood , they will not do so for long in a state of things where veritable freedom of thought ia established . Where all may enter the lists of mental confliet , the sophist will not long delude , nor the bad man long deceive ; therefore , would I have full liberty ifor the publishing of 6 ven nonsense and falsehood , because the evil would be immediately corrected by'the publication of sound knowledge and truth . tJn < 4 tr the txioting system , what are called " limits ofjfree discussion" are always defined by those who have the power to wiil what they please ; and they t ; ikecare to deflno these "limits " that the hired took of corruption shall be permitted to have full fling at the principles and a 4 vocatea of universal right and universal justice , while these latter if they dare boldly to assail the cheatcry , fraud , and humbug of the enslavers and deceivers of mankind sre hunted down as pests > to be destroyed , pests
to be thrust without the ] pale of humanity . The hypocrites and state-jugglers who rake the war-whoop of persecution against a Southwell , a Holyoake , a Paterson , or a Robinson , i would hunt down Jesus Christ himself , were he now among them , and dared personally to teach what these follows affect to believe in . The case of these men is one , in my humble opinion , well worthy the sympathy and support of all who love liberty , and desire to see the human race freed from the thraldom of priestcraft and tyrant-cvaft . For myself , as one of tbe cemmmity , I feel tbat my right of free-thought ia invaded in the persons » f theae men—holding , as , I do , tha , t " where one of the community is oppressed , all are oppressed'' I therefore protest against these ridiculous and infamous prosecutions , and ippeal to my brother democrats to everywhere raise their voices in prbtcstation against them , na <\ in vindication of the Bacred right of free and unlimited discussion !
I took passage on board tho Vesta steamer , and left Granton Pier en Saturday evening , the 26 ' . h , at eix o'clock ; after a pleasant passage of thirteen hours , I lauded at Shields on Sunday morning . GEORGE JlLlAN HASXEY . Newcastle , Aug . 28 th , 1843 .
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TO DANIEL O'CONNELL , ESQ ., M . P . *» ir , —I hava read your " plan for the renewed action of the Irish Parliament" with the utmost attention ; and , in my bumble opinion , the basis npon which the representation , ia founded , —namely , populationis sound , right , just , and equitable . It is the first step tbat I have Keen you take in the right path since the death of Cobbett . I am rejoiced beyond expression to see that you have abandoned the infamous Castle reazh ' s plan of making rental ; revenue , and population
tbe basis of representation , if it were for no other reason than that Castlereagh ' s plan wonld give aa increase in the representation in the same ratio as the people increased the revenue by drinking whiskey and chewing tobacco ; because , where revenua is mixed up as an ingredient in forming the basis of representation , that representation must necessarily be limited or extended ia proportion to the ever fluctuating state of the revenue ; and , therefore , such basis , or any other basis but that of population alone , which you have wisely adopted , must be fallacious .
It has often grieved mo to ; observe that in almost every instance where differeuces of opinion arise upon certain political propositions , angvy feelings , atao arise , and very often envy , hatred , liil-will , and all manner of uncharftabieness . I cannot account for this ; but such is the fact Now , although I do not profess to have more political virtue , or a greater share of good temper than other people , yet jit is well known that 1 havo come to the discussion of {' political propositions in which I felt a deep interest , with tbe same disposition to arrive at a just conclusion as I should feel in demonstrating a proposition in Euclid ov in telling op an account in a ledger , and without the most rtraotu Idea , of mixing up any personal feeling ia the matter . I have evor looked upon it as bad logic to say , " such a man is opposed ]*© my political views ; the orangemen are opposed to them ; the orangemen are my porsonal enemies ; therefore he who does
not agree with me in politics must be a personal enemy . " Now , this is a specimen of false logic , yet it is very frequently made use of . I I agree , for instance , fully and reservedly to the principle of taxing population , and population alone , as the basis of representation ; while at the same time I dissent altogether from tho sixth proposition of the plan of the renewed action of tho Irish Parliament , which in my opinion is absurd , ridiculous , aud impracticable ; it surely does not follow as a consequence tbat I rcust be the enemy of the author of tbat in which I concur because he purposes something else in which I do not concur . The sixth proposition , to which I object , [ says , " Ifc is proposed that tho right of voting should bo what is called Household Suffrage" requiring six months lesidenod in the counties , with the addition in the towns of married men resident for twelve months , whether householders or not . " i
Surely , Sir , you cannot avoid seeing that the principle upon which you base the Suffrage does not harmonic with that upon which you base the representation . Beside , it appears to me to be { wholly impracticable . How can you or any man define a parliamentary House ? It -was owing to the indefinite term " House" thut you losi Dublin . Lawyers differ in their definition of " house and premises . " Parliamentary eommittees differ about its meaning . It is a ^ fertile cause ' for calling petitions to Parliament , and for Parliamentary comiiiitteeo . :
In 1832 there were six voters ; registered out of one house in Charlea-street , fire of whom wera registered as "householders , and one as a leaseholder . " Your proposition will disfranchise all ; those electors except the p ^ vcer end the leaseholder : besides , it will disfranchise the stfven-eighths of the Catholic clergy resident , in towns and cities , because few of them ara " householders" and none of them martted , or ever ¦ will he married . Is it just to deny those gentlemen tho right of citiz 8 us , because they reside in cities ; while their more lucky brethren who reside , in the country are thereby -entitled b > enjoy tbat right ? The question as to what is a legal marriage will ( arise ; ths marriage articles will be examined , a .. d proof of certifi&ise required . i
There are thousands of persona of small income resident in Dublin , in lodgings , who are not married , and who know the value of and ¦ would appreciate tbe elective franchise , and exercise it conscientiously , to exclude whom from the rights of citizenship would be a grievous set of injustice . Suppose that adverse circumstances should overtake Mr . Janies Haughton , which Heaven avert , and that he was obliged to part with his household property and live id lodgings , would it not be a great act of injustice—nay , cruelty , to add to his misfortunes by depriving him jof the elective franchise , while he himself bUH remained tba same benevolent , patriotic , and virtuous James Haughton ?
You say that married men resident in a town or city for twelve months would ba entitled to the elective franchise , whether he had a hense -or not . Now , it is & great raisfottace to a man to lose a good wife , and such less , to my own knowledge , has been the rain of many a man , and the destruction of his family ; would it not be a great hardship to deprive an unfortunate man of his elective franchise because he had the misfortune to lose his wife . According to your plan , the franchise should ba buried in the grave with bis wife . I was taught , Sir , by a wise , a sensible , and an upright parent , " never to depart from principle for the sake of expediency , " and every days' experience proves to me the wisdom of that lesson . Principle is permanent .
It will endure for e ~ ver . Expediency Is ephemeral , ever varying—never certain—and ¦ will lead its votaries into the most extravagant absurdities . Christianity is based upon principle , not npon expediency . The selection of the twelve Apostles should ever afford us a salutary example . They were not selected } because they were householders , or married men , but , according to the best authorities , because it proved to the world that , if real virtue , truth , and sincerity , are to b . found upon earth it is amongst the poor working classes yon Bre to find them . We ate to ! d that there is no distinction of persona in heaven . Man is made in the image of God . Why then deprive any man of his natural right , except for as offence against the taw * ol
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God , which is also an offance against his fellowmanan offence again&fc Bcctety ? Act like a maa—forego your prejudices . Be what you were in the days of Cobbett , whan you blessed yonr son Johu at YwihH , for having Voted -with him and against yourself . Yon , cannot maintain Household Suffrage , Manhood Svifirage , General Suffrage , or Complete Suffrage . 03 expedients in place of Universal Suffrage , which is tha true and generous suffrage , as well kno ^ ra find as well understood as the words , " Coming of age , ' or the " age of maturity . " In 1780 , Colonel L&nnox , afterwards Dufce of R chmond , Major Cartwright , the profound Sharpe , Doctor Jebb , Northcott , L-fft , and other gre ^ t men , agte .-d to a declaration of rights which containa amonget other propositions favourable to public liberty , the tbreo following : —
"Everyman , ( infanta , insane persons , and crmioala only exempted ) is of common right , aud by the lsvws of G ) d , a freeman and entitled to the fall enjaymeui ; of political liberty . " " It is essential to a Eian ' s poli'dcal liberty , thit ha have an actual shire either ia legislatio- ; itss'f , or in the electing of those who &w to frame ths laws ; which although they ought to protect him in tho full e : joymtsnt of those absolute rights that ate icvested ia him by the immutable laws of nr . ture , may yet be fabricated ti the destruction of his person ; bis property , his religious freedom , his family , and fame . "
V It is a natural right and required by the prin-iplas of the Constitution that a new honse of parltamev- ba elected ones every year ; because whenever aparl ! . tn ? nt continues in being for a longer term than one ses > ion , then thousands , who since it was chosen , have atc-u ^ ed to tnaft ' s estate , and are therefore entitled to enter into immediate possession of that elective power which is their best and most Escred inheritance , are in that case iaest unjustly denied their right and excluded from the enjoyment of political liberty . " How plain , simple , just , right , and admirabl 9 H 8 these principles , and how they stand tha test at the end of sixty-three years . These are tho genuine principles of political liberty . You once held them , cherished them , and advocated them . Adopt them
agaiu ; stand to them firmly aad dcteravneiily ; and you will Repeal the Union , Reform , the Corporations , abolish tithes , stop the clearance system , and fcrii g your poor , harci-workiDg , honest , iil-UBed , fellow , countrymen within the p < Ue of the constitution . It may ba said that the poor labourer and the paupsr in the workhouse have no right to the franchise ; but why not , let me ask ? Ara tbey not CbA ' s creatures , aa well as the rich ? He niad . e them after hia own !'< : 8-iiQSi- - , but He did not make brick h >> nscs , mnn caM's , oae pound notes , or a national d < , bi , ia Goferm : ¦ at debentures , consols , < fec . < fec , though the posses ; rs of those things which have C 3 tssed moro t >< or than all other things pat t > geth >? r , ba-re th * j r » :, jb to vote . Tho poor labourer , who is tfce very fouv-i-ttion of society is shut out of society , and dauie'i t ' . ' . e right of eiUzsnsbip . The elective franchise wonlrt fca hia
shield , his best protection . Get it for him , and there will be an end to the clearance system . CLt it for him , and the landlord or master will ta £ e c ^ io of him while he ia able to say ycB or no . Gefcitf > r him , and the happy looks and healthy Hmb 3 of his offspring will be your rewaTd ; a reward which mosarch 3 i-uisht envy . - Get him , the franchise and the labourer -Rill sooa bo held worthy of hia hive . Kemember that it ia in . the condition of the working classes , and there aloae that men of sense : md integrity look for the character of a Government . There ia no danger to be apprehended from the tniilions who would have the right to vote . Few men would demand a poll whan , they found tbe popular voice a ;; ainst them at the elections . It would be easy to divide and count by the use of lines aa trees aie connt « a in a wood . By judicious arrangements all the elections in the kingdom , could be taken in twe hours .
In a futnre latter I shall prove , or at least endeavour to prove , tbat the Sovereign has not the power to Repeal the Union that thore is no analogy betweea the abdication of K >' ng James and the supposed abdication of the Umon ; that the Union cannot " abdicate . " At the same time it is but justice to myself to say , lost there should be any mistake about it , that sooner than see my country kept iu her present degraded and impoverished condition , if there were no other mode of Repealing the Union , or of plaeing Ireland npon a footing of perfect equality with England , I should turn round and adopt the last resource . Patrick O'Kiggins . No . " 14 , North Anne-street , Aug . 23 , 1843 .
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WINGATE GRANGE COLLIERY . To the Public . —As the dispute bstwtwn as and our employers is yet undecided , wv . feel it to bd our duty to state , that we feel thankfol lo thoss of oas friends who have supported us with their mite , in our struggle of right against might ; and likewise to acquaint you that tha hand biila that oar masters have put out , are intended to prpjuiiceour case in the mrnda of the public ; but truth will stand with a bold front ( tg ^ init falsehood . Mr . Chicken , the Engineer of ous choice , has pronounced the wire rope unsafe , it being in a broken state , having 20 broken wires in it , and the rope otherwise split in three different plaeve , 14 feat , 8 feet , and 4 feet , making 26 feet split in the rope ; and tke master * ' engineers have found and declared the rope te be so damaged ; still they wish to make us and tha public believe , that after one-fifth of the ropais broken , it is but one-nineteenth part weaker I There ara 20
wires broke out of 96 ; that constitutes the whole of the rope , and there is 20 feet of the rope split np ; and yet they publish to the world a bill , willi their own names attached to it , that the rope is but one-nineteenth part weaker than if it was whole ! We boldJy assert that we thiiiJi them either not competent to divide 96 hy 20 , ot they are n ^ t honest in their decisioa Since they havegivea their decision , the rope in question has actually broken , or drawn ought of the socket that attaches it to the cage , and the cage fell to the bottom of the pjt ! Wo feel determined to have tha broken rope taken off before we go to work agaia . We thank yoa for the help that you have given us , and aUhuugh onr privatioua have been very great for the past ten weeks , we are determined to have justice , if it can be foand . With yom- aid we will Sght every inch of c . foaad that the law caa give us . We axe coavinced it is our duty : for human life is a sacred thing , and ought : not to bs sacrificed for the gain of others .
From the workmen of Wmgate Grange Colliery . Committee Boom , Aug . 26 ' . ' o , 1843 . In rela ? ion to this disgraceful dispute , —disgraceful to those who wish the Colliers to trust their jives upon an unsafe rope , the following temperate and jcdioious observations have been made by Mr . Homer , solicitor of Darlington ; and circulated in an hand-bill . They do him great honour ; and snrely justify the men in refusing to trust their lives upon the " unsafe rope " : — " I had occasion some months ago to observe on the bad taste and worBe policy of a hand-bill issued by the owmrs , or their agents at this Colliery ; and 1 waa obliged to remark at the same time on a not very repa-Ubie suppression of such facts as had occurred in tha pifcjnen'a favour .
" We are regaled , or m other words , common sensa and public decency have been again outraged by another publication from the same party j in which all the bad qualities of the former document are renewed , and the same suppression of truth committed . " The report of Messrs . Robinson and Gair , on the disputed tope , is now printed for the public edification ; because , by an inference , though of a very questionable naturo , the rnpe may be considered aa pzac ^ icallj' safe . But these publishers have carefuUy conceited the f ^ cfe that another Engineer , of venerable an'hority , baa given in bis repor . thut the rope is unsafe , and imfiifar the trust of human life . " In a moral , as well as in a practical seme , the concealment of tbe truth is not less veual than the promulgation of a falsdhoud .
" This is not a matter of pounds , bhiilingp , and p ? isc » : human life is the gurslipn at issue ; aud : f one single Entfioef-r of competent authority is of opinion thft tba rope is fuiaafe , it ou . ^ ht to bo instantly coadfrnni -S , even thoagh h ) 1 the rest of the world were of a d . filrent persuasion . " Messrs . Robinson and G-Jir give an account of several broken wires in this rope ; and it can matter little to whatth * fractures are imputed : the rope is in a brok ' tn condition , and Mr . Chiekcn , the Engineer , declares it unsafe . It has been observed of late , on the occasion of tne steam vessel , the Pegasus , that hamaa life is a snored thing , and ought not to be placed ia dangerous positions , evea though all the . chances aro in faroar of escape . * .
• ' My duties , as the pitmena' eoucitor , are now at aa end . The men of the various Collieries , on the Tyne and tho Wear , and the Eastern Coast , tma united ia tho appointment of a solicitor for their owa exclusive business and protection ; and they have fixation a sentlemen , of a" z ^ al , uot greater than my own , bat inflaiteiy more able , by his talents , to do justice to the cause into which he has beeu called . In taking my departure from that cause , I would beg permission to advise the Colliery Agents to be more discreet and less irritatisg : on tbe other hand , I counsef sad enjoin the men to persevere in obedience and good intentions , urn ! I now bid them my aincare farewell . Darlington , August 17 th , 1843 . T . Horner .
P . S . —Sums received at Wingate Grange Colliery , for the men on strike , August 22 nd , 1843 . Tromdon , £ 15 7 s . 6 J . Castle Eden , £ 7 10 s . CaBsop , £ i 10 s . Thornley , £ 6 Os . 93 . Kelloe , £ 3 6 s . lj < i . Quarrington Hill , £ 2 3 a ., 6 = I . Tesick , £ 3 15 s . 9 a . Helton , £ 1 2 y . 9 d . EllormooT , £ 2 lls . 9 d / Sonth Hetton , £ i ~ m $ . 7 d . Datton , 12 s . 7 d . Hugh Hall , £ 2 Os . 64 . WingSte Friends £ 1 16 s . 6 £ d . Newbottie , 5 a . Haswell , * $ « % fnjfceV . toil , £ 4 6 s . 6 dV Framwellgate Moor > £ 2 * 17 Si : ? f 5 ( i . Secsiston , £ l . EimonBley , £ l U . Bedlingtou . Distarct , £ 8 8 a . 5 d . Craghead , £ 1 10 a . 6 d . Soath'Moor , £ l lls . 5 d . Cragwoed , £ 2 3 a 3 d . Pontop , 118 . 3 d . South Tanfield , £ 1 Is . 6 J . West Stanley , 183 . Two
Friends , 2 s . Shiney Row , 13 s , 44 . * WettpiiP ^ rk , 13 ? . Tantoby , Sd . A Friend , 5 s . Walbottle , £ 2 6 i , A Friend , 6 d . A Frtend , 5 s . Fareacres , £ 1 17 s . 83 Seaten Burn , £ 2 14 s . lOd . Spitaltongnos , 18 s 66 * . Andrew ' s House 13 7 d « * Hartley , £ 1 Benwell , £ 1 . Wailsfcad , £ 1- 16 ! . Pearoy Main , £ 2 18 i . Soutb Etswicfe , £ 2 4 b . 24 . Marlow Hill , £ l 7 r . 6 i . Fswden , 193 . 33 . Hebson , £ 3 . Felling , 19 . * . 81 . BlagdOB Main , £ 1 . Washington , £ 1 5 s 3 d . Gosfortb , £ 3 0 « 63 . Westmoor , £ 6 . WestCramlinr-on , £ 3 3- 34 . Springwell , £ 2 . Sheriff-hill . £ 2 8 s . Tyne Main £ 1 18 s . 6 i . East Holy well £ 2 2 b . Cd . Earadon , £ 1 9 :. West HolyweU , £ l Its . 6 d . Bishop Aakland , £ 2 18 . ' . 3 d .
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« !* » TO THE EDITOR OP THE NOKTHKRN STAR . Sin . —Language is wholly ! iaadtq " aate to convey even an idea of the censorship which is at present exercise 4 over what is called here the liberal press . A Dublin newspaper dare no more publish anjthing to which the Liberator objected , er which ; might be disagreeable to him than a toad dare to budge when under a harrow . Any change to get rid of this odious tyranny , must be a change for the better . It is Intolerable . It was h"ped that when the perfidious Whigs were kicked out by their own Parliament coming ; to a vote of want of confidence in them , tbat the Dictatorship would have been
got rid of . For a short period its severity was relaxad ; but the moment the Repeal delusion , for delusion it is , became profitable , the Consorahip was renewed With increased vigour . And now who betide the Irish "Liberal" paper that will dare to pu-blieh any story but that which is agreeable to , or lauAitory of , the liberty-loving Liberator . An instance of thU detestable terrorism will appjear obvious to every impartial reader of the Star , from { he simple fact that the Freeman ' s Journal , which is decidedly the most itulependant paper in the city dare not publish the subjoined letter . '
It fs right to state for the information of those who are not aware of tbe fact , that Mr . O'Connell invited commentary , and objections to his " plan for the renewed action of the Irish Parliament , " and in accordance with that invitation , I sent the subjoined letter to the Freeman's Journal on jWednesday last , the day on which the invitation appeared in that paper . \ Patrick O'Higgins No . 14 , North Anne-street , August 28 th , 1843 .
Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR- 7
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 2, 1843, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1228/page/7/
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