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PORTEAIT OF W. P. ROBERTS, ESQ.
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THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1843.
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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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Mi . O'Cosnob has received communications from many districts in all of -which a very great desire is expressed to have a pobteaii of Mr . Roberts , tbs , people ' s Attorney-GeneraL We . cannot wonder that a strong vrish should be entertained to possess a Likeness of bo truly amiable , talented , and true a man ; and although we know that Mr . O ' Connor had determined to givt no more Portraits , yet we cave the pleasure to announce that all Subscribers for Three Months , from Saturday , the 16 th of Sept , -will receive A PORTBAIT OF W . P . ROBERTS , THE PEOPLES ATTORNEYGENERAL . We request the several Agenta to open lists for the enrolling of names , as none bnt Subscribers from the above datea will receive a plate . The price of Paper and Plate when presented will be Sixpence ; and none will be sold without tbe paper .
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¦ qh , „ , _ THE COLLIERIES . CASES BEFORE THE MA GISTS l ^ TES . Dcbham , MosdaT , Sep . 11 th—One case ocm--pied the attention of the Magistrates for six hours , and tbe other business was « raspqircntly postponed . Lonsdale , a hewer , summoned Bnden , the viewer © f the Gameside coal-pit , for tvrelve-shillingE , a balanee of wages due to > he complainant , in consequence of his not having been provided with sufficient ¦ work to prodnce theamount ^ goaranJeea by the bond . The guarantee in the bond secnred to tie hewers , « one with scotba " , 26 s . * er fortnight In a . par-^ cnlar fortnight Mr . Lonodale had only been a&l » -to earn 14 s- ; and his EumEOBB -was for the difference between that svm and 2 Gs . Uie case was fnlly proved by Mr . . Roberts ; and ¦ &te -newer was called upon 10 answer it .
Mr . MiBSKiii , for tbe -viewer , contended that Mr . Koberts must be nonsuited ; that he had not proved bis case - ; that he was bound to prove ,-not mereiy tiiat Mr . Lonsdalelmd not earned 26 s ^ but the men < m an average , including all of them , ' '' -one with « notheT , " had not earned that snm . Mr . Roberts , in "reply , contended tfcat aneTriJa anther ' conld only mean " such and all-of them ,- " » nd that the construction advanced by the other ¦ side -was too monstrous to be supported by the Magistrates . By the bond the men -were . prevented "working elsewhere ; by the most stringent clauses they were prohibited from offering their labour to * i > elter market -or to any market at all : ; and if the * reument of the masters was held good , they would of the hewers to
^ ctnally have the power starving a ¦ compliance ¦ with any caprice however frivolons or ^ yrRnnlcal ; bj that argument the masters mi ^ ht ^ jive work -producing 52 a . per week to half of the hewers , * nd be justified in refusing to -give * ny work st all to the other baif . If such a proposition -re held good , the -colliers would be in s . far worse position than Ae slaves of Cuba ; for ihB latter , -whether werk were given to them or not , had at all events » « laim to snbsistenee . The Bolicitor on the other side , had avowed iis desire to avoid all remarks calculated to widen "the breach between the masters and the workmen Bow-conld that breach be more powerfully widened ! How-conld bad , burning , and vindictive blood be xnore efficiently generated than by the avowal on Hie part of the masters of a doctrine which wonld lednce the coal hewer to a position far below the
level of the horses that worked in the . same pit with him ! Was this to be borne with ! Was it 'expected that he would advise the slaves , whom it ¦ Was hi 3 pride to represent—slaves , bound , it wonld appear , by a penalty of starvation : did the magistrates think that he would recommend his clients to submit to such a doctrine—a doctrina so base , so degrading , that humanity shuddered at its avowal If the doctrine urged held good for anything , the jnasters ought , at all events , to be compelled to prove the fact on which they relied —that they had paid an average of 2 &s . per ¦» aan- ; for thi 3 was a faci which it was -utterly impossible for him ( Mr . ~ EL ) to know anything about . Howevti he left the case with the Magistrates—¦ whichever way they decided , good would be done ; ether the masters would be tanght to be more guarded in their frauds , or tbe men would be knitted together in more compact union .
The Magistrates complained of the iiSimmatory usture of Mr . Hoberts' speech . Mr . Boberis replied that he had done no more than his duty ; and that the inflammatory nature of troth would never prevent his uttering it . Tie msstera disclaimed all intention of exercising file starvation test , although , on being repeatedly pressed by Mr . Roberts , they admitted that they claimed the power—a power which they refused to relinquish ; because , as they said , they never meant to use i * . After & long consultation the Magistrates decided that the burthen of proof ( that they had paid the 26 s . per fortnight to the hewers * ' one with another" ) lay upon the masters . This puzzled the masters considerably ; but at last the . y stated that they would prove all that "was required .
Briden the viewer was then examined by Mr-Mabshaxl , his attorney , and swore that he had paid to aU ike men in the pit , ** one with another , " an average of 5 s . 9 } d ~ , more than 25 j . per fort-Xight . Tbi 3 witness "was ihen subjected to a most rigid cross-examination by Mr . Koberts . For a loag time he resolutely persisted in his first statement . Mr . R . then required thB number of hewers employed , and the gross amount paid to them all ; the xesnlt was thai the witness gave up his first statement , and admitted that the os Sid . was an excess
npon ten consecutive fortnights , instead of upon one , as he had stated in tbe first instance . Upon being farther pressed—and the -withering torture of tbe poor degraded tool , bj Mr . Roberts , lasted three quarters of as hour—he admitted that the 5 s . 9 } d . excess had not been actually paid to the men , but that such sum -was what be calculated the men Slight have earned ** had they been so minded—but they had bad advisers . " The exposure of tbe lies -of this bloated mass—one after another , and slowly and Bngeringly drawn out—elicited groan 3 of dis-« ust from a crowded court .
The Magistrates retired and were absent for two hours . On their return to tht Conn , the chairmana largecoaljnt owner—gave the decision agaiast the claim of Mr . Lonsdale . " Tbe viewer had swotd thai sufficient -work had been effered to the men to earn 26 a per fortnight , " and so forth . The decision his thus been given against the fair and just claims of the workmen ; but they are well satisfied that they brought forward their case . The Blasters were severely exposed ; the magistrates were shaken by Mr . Roberts' inflammatory arguments , and evidently were mueh divided in opinion . The cheering of the men—it was unanimous though suppressed—when Mr . Roberts avowed his determination to advise the colliers of Durham and Northumberland to " strike" rather than snbmit to the starvation test , was most electrial . The masters learned a lesson which they will not easily" forget .
Newcastle . —Tueedat , 12 ih Skpt . —nine pitmen were summoned for leaving their work : the penalty they had thus incurred was three months imprisonment . On the bond being read it appeared that the period of its expiration was * thirty four" instead © f " / or / y-fonr . " The coalmaster contended that this was a clerical error : Mr . "Rober ts on the contrary submitted that in aproseenuou under a penal statute clerical errors were fatal . The Magistrates held-with Mr . Roberts , and themen were discharged . Immediately on this resulta coalmaster applied toMr . Roberts "for an amicable conversation to settle it . " ** Ko / ' said Mx . IL , " you first drag my men here as criminals seeking to consign them to a felons ' dungeon ; and then , when feiled in your tyranny , talk of * settling . ' Firsi leaxn to treat your workmen as honest men ; and if yon must have criminals * eek for them amongst yourselves . "
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I > EJ ? ABTTTRE OF THE QUEEN ON A VISIT TO THE KING OF THE BELGIANS BB 1 GHT 0 ? . - , - TUESDAY . According to lie announcement in my letter yesterday , Hei Majesty and the Royal suite left Brigblen for Ostend this morning , at a quarter to nine o' f oci . From an tally hour both entrances to the Palace were beset hy anxious crowds of tbe inhabitants and visitors , a military guard being stationed at both gates , creating a donbt as to -which route Htr Majesty would take to the Tier . A detachment of the Grenadier Guards was
drawn up at the northern entrance , forming a sort of s hollow square to keep off the crowd , while a similar duty was performed by a detachment of tbe Qaecn ' s Own Hassan at tbe opposite gate , opening into Castle-Bqnareand East-street . Tbe entrance to tbe Pier , and thtnee along the SIsiine Parade , as far as New S ! eine , overlooking the Chain-pier 22 splansde , attracted tbe greater portieD of the visitors ; but as far as the eye * o ukL leach , right and left , irss to be ' seen % line of face * . The beach -was also covered with spectators , and the sea . studded -with boats .
Last Bight the Pier Company issued handbills , announcing that the Pier -would be closed against tbe public until nfter Her Majesty ' s departure , and this order -was rigidly acted upon . The only persons on tbe Tier -were a jguard cf honour of tbe Grenadiers , stationed at the Pier-head , -with their baud , Captain Pschell , JLP ., Mr . T . TVest , and Mr . L . 3 ) . Smith ( two of the managing directors of the Pier ) , ilr . C . Cooper , their elerk ,. tke High-Constable , the Clerk to theComwis"l . ?^ , ^ ^ P 01 1618 connected with the iondon and local journals . made with
J ^ T ™^**^ fa wmpliasce the 352 JX . Sold * ** 110 Ml - Coop » by ^ ^ ff ^ y ** Saarter to nine , as -we have rtated , the 2 £ t . 1 ^ n ""* £ *« « Majesty and Prince Albertdrove on U » Pier , at the gate of Trtiich she waa Teeerred 3 y the Hon . C A . Murray , irho bad lift the Pak * e on horseback . Other carriages followed , con taming the Koyal Kate-, BflM ^ « r tf ~* ^ d SS-SeS ^ ** * " *•* " » *«« —I The Boysl party slighted from their carriages at the end . of the Suspension-bridge , vrhence they \ rere con'Sl ^ -HiS ?* " ^ - Smith *• **** 2 £ l > tbe Peir-head , -where Her Msjesty acknowledged the ^ bows of the gentlemen assembled there , fcy bowing ia The Grenadiers aaluted
Tevnra . , and the band at once struct up - " . God eave the Queen . " Her 24 sjesty paused to mrvey tbe jcene , _ which the presence of the military made most animating ; and then , conducted by the directors , descended the -western . flight ef steps , -which , M well as a temporary platform erected for the purpose of facilitating Her 2 dBJesty * s -ambartation , was coTered with red cloth . Sir Samuel Brown had the honour of h&nrfipg ihe Queen and the Boyal party into the galley , which -was lying at thebottom , under th « eommand of Xord Adolphus Filzclar-^ nce . H « Majesty , Prince JLlbert , and the suite being seated , the galley left the Put , at which moment tbe battery commenced firing a royal salute . The Chain pJer then xalnted in 3 Bimflumanner , and by the time this was over , tbe galley reached the Eoyal yacht Tbe numerooa vessels in Qw Boads were decked ont with flags ssd streameii , and the yards vere all manned . Connected , -with th * an K » Iilftat happened which was
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likely to prove fatal . After Her Majesty '^ ad reached tbe yacht , one of the seamen of the Tartar revenue cutter feU from the yard into the sea , ' and had nearly sunk , when the b » at put off and picked him tip . The Royal yacht at once got under -weigh , and proceeded on her voyage , followed by e ? ght other steamers . All were soon left a considerable di stance behind , with the exception of the Mercury , w ' jich took a party to London , and the Ariel , an iron steamer belonging to the Post-tmce . These two mpjntained tbe same pace as the Royal yacht up to the moment wbeo the yacht was lost to view , \ shicb . was r . t half-past ten o ' clock . The SU Tincent and another-vessel of the line -were in the offing , sncl followed the Bquadron , the flag-ship receiving a salute from the Pier . Dover . Sept . 12 .
This sf teraoon at three o'clock the Royal yachfc . the TictoriaHDd Albeit , containing England ' s beloved Qneen and illustrious Consort , passed l > over from Brighton in ! gallant -etyle , -with the Royal standard floating from the I mainland the TJnion-jack from the mizsn . The Royal vessel passed about a mile off the shore . It was blowing a "fresh breezs from the eastward at the time ; but such seemed the powers of the Victoria anfi Albert that-even with this head -wind she walked the waters i with a rapidity that nothing conld exceed , leaving the ] other vessels in the Royal squadron far behind . j -On tbe Queen of the waters beintr descried off the wesj teramost of Dover Cliffs , the Royal standard was ¦ hoisted at the Castle , and the Union-jack at the j heights , while from the vesssels in the barbonr and the ; honss-tops of many of tbe citiz-ns' flags were instantly i unfurled , and the entire sua front , for more than a mile , j was lined -with loyal subjects , anxious to have sight of > the Royal bark and its precisus treasure .
The yacht was too far off for us to distinctly recognise her Majesty ; but we think we observed her by the aid of a telescope , with Prince Albert by her side , on the quarter deck , looking towards the shore . When the yacht got immediately oft' the harbour , a Royal salute was fired from the guns at the grand redoubt ; and immediately the guns of the Castle , though they have been dumb for tbe last twenty years , answered tbe salute from the redoubt These sain tea had hardly died away ere the Royal yacht had rounded the South Foreland , and in a very brief space of time she was ont of Bight .
This morning several of our most experienced Cinque Ports pilots left Dover to guide the vessels of the Royal squadrsn to Ostend . —Times .
Porteait Of W. P. Roberts, Esq.
PORTEAIT OF W . P . ROBERTS , ESQ .
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THE DECISION OF THE CONFERENCE . THE NEW PLAN OF 0 RGAX 12 ATI 0 N . In another portion of this sheet will be foand the Nrt » Plan of Organisation , &b agreed upon by the delegates ia Conference assembled , aftermost mature deliberation , and thorough canvassing of its every and several parts and provisions .
That Plan but now awaits the affixing of the Seal of Authority to it , by the Certifying Barrister . When that is done , and steps are being taken to procure it , — operations under it can immediately commence . The Executive Committee , the moment that the Plan is enrolled , will be prepared to issue Charters for the holding of branches , cards of membership , books for the enrolling of name ? , class-books , and all other material fora due and systematic carrying oat of the objects ef tbe Association .
Several parties have expressed f ear that the rule 3 and objects of the Association will not be enrolled : that the certifying Barrister will refuse to perform that which is , in him , merely a ministerial act . For ourselves , we have no such fear . We kaow that the Barrister must enrol , if the objects , plans , and purposes of the society are legal ; in accordance with law ; and calculated to ensure benefit to the members . It matters not to him what the parties joining together in such society please to call themselves ; he has nothing lo do with what they may call tteir " principles , " if those " principles" are not in direct contravention of the law of the land . It is not for
him to inquire into these things . He has merely to satisfy himself that the provisions and laws of tba society placed before him for enrolment are ia accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Besefit Societies' Acts ; and , if they are , he mcst esbol ; if they are not , he must point out where they are in contradiction , and enrol the rest . With the Barrister we fear no unnecessary delay , or obstacle . Means are being taken to test the matter very shortly ; and by next week we confidently expeet to be able to make the announcement that the Plan of Organisation for Mutual Benefit has been stamped with AUTHORITY .
What a " step , in advance" that will be J We shall not then be the tag-rag and bob-tail of political parties . We shall not then be the illegal Chartists . We shall not then bo an unlawful confederation . We shall be within the pale of the law ; have the pbotectios of the law , so long as we confine ourselves to a lawful mode of seeking our LAVTFCL OBJECTS . Bnt this is not all . The code of laws for the government of the National Charter Association for Mutual Benefit , as set forth in our columns this day , will , the moment they are enrolled , become
as much the l&w of the land , as far as the society itself is concerned , as if they were embodied in Parliamentary statute . Is that nothing ? Will not that be ot advantage ? Will not that tend to inspire confidence ? Cojvtidencs ia our general agitation for general principle , inasmuch &s we shall have a legal defined plan of operations . CoifFiDEHCE , in the security of oar fands , because we shall have every protection that the law can give against fraud and peculation . These are advantages worth some little sacrifice to obtain . Thet ask obia » ib . The moment the
Plan is enrolled , that moment do our funds , all and every of them , come under the protective influence of the Act of Parliament protecting , Benefit Societies ; and under that Act we have protection for them full and ample . To shew this , we will btro transcribe from the act itself the clause which gives this protection . We do this , because we feel persuaded that confidence must be first inspired , before we can at all expect men to subscribe to our funds -and nothing can so much tend to inspire that confidence , as a- showing that tbe funds and their rightful application , are seccbed and guaranteed
st law . The Act 10 , Geo . III ., c . 56 , sec . 25 S provides as follows : — : " And be it farther enacted , that for the effectually preventing fraud and imposition on the funds of such societies , if any officer , member , er any other person , being or representingrhimself or herself to be ft membei of snchBocieiy , or tbe nominee , executor , administrator , or assignee ot any member ot such society , or any otner person whatever , shall in or by any fake representation or imposition fraudulently obtain possession of the monies of such society or any part thereof ; or having
xn his or Tier possession any sum of mosey belonging to such society shall pbauddiektit wiihhold the SAltK > &ud foi which offence no especial provision ia made in the rules « f wieh society , it shall be lawful for any Justice of the Peace residing within toe County within which rach society shall 5 e held , upon complaint made on oath or affirmation by an officer of sneb society appointed for that purpose , to mmmon such person against whom such complaint shall be made to appear at a tune and place to U named in such summons :
if ^ L « *** appearance , or , in default thereof , upon due proof , npon oath or affirmatien , of the service cfsucb . Eommons it shall and may be lawful for any two Justices residiag within the county aforesaid to Sf ™ ^ , ^ H " OClet 7 % COnfimedM directed by this Act ; and upon due proof of such fraud , the said Justices shall convict the said party and award aoWetkeamova „** money mJhSSilg ootaSSTr vtilikili to be paid to the treasurer , to be applied by
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him to th » purposes of the society so proved to have been imposed npon and defrauded , together with such coats « b BhaU be awarded by the said Justices , not exceed&g the sum of ten shillings ; and in case such persoe against whom such complaint shall He made shall not pay the sum of money so awarded to the person , and at the time specified , in the said order , such jr oBticea are hereby required , by warrant undefe their hands and eeals , to cause the same to be levied by distress and sale of the goods of sneh person on whom snch « rder shall have been made , or by other legal proceedings , together with such costa as shall be awarded by the said Justices , not exceeding the sum of ten shillings , and also the costs and charges attending
such distress and sale or other legal proceeding , returniDg the overplus ( if any ) to the owner ; and in default of such distress bting found , the said Justices of the Peace shall commit Buch person so proved to have offended to the Common ( Hal or House of Correction , there to be kept to hatd labour for such a period , not exceeding three calendar months , as to them shall seem fit : provided nevertheless , that nothing herein contained shall prevent the said society from proceeding by indictment or complaint against the party complained of ; and provided also , that no party shall be proceeded against by indictment or complaint if a previous conviction had been obtained for the same offence under the provisions of this Act . "
Here then is protection . Let any member , " or any other person , " got hold of the monies belonging to our society , when its rules are enrolled ; and let him refuse to deliver them up , or to apply them as the rules direct , and the remedy is swift and ample . ' ¦ The justices SHALL convict the said party , and AWARD DOUBLE the AMOUNT OF MONEY SO FBAl / DULENTLT OBTAINED OB WITHHELD . " We shall have precious little of running away with , or misappropriating , our funds under the New Plan of Organixalion for Mutual Btnrfit , when it is enrolled !
Here then is every thing to inspire confidence . Here is a lever put into the hands of those who have to move the public mind in favour of our objects and purposes greater and more powerful than they ever before possessed . It will be their interest and duty to-use it well and effectually . The Pian then is before the country . It has received the best and most earnest attention cf a delegated body , called into being for the express purpose . It is the result of their united wisdom and joint application . It comes before the public with no ordinary recommendations or pretensions . It comes stamped with popular approbation , expressed after much deliberation , and in the only legitimate manner . It therefore cannot fail of being well received .
A lengthened eulogium of the several parts of the Plan wonld be here out of place . Opportunities will hereafter present themselves to comment upon them , as they are severally required to be put into operation . These comments we shall from time to time offer , with a view of making all practically acquainted with every detail , so that the Organization may be a bealitt and not a thing in name only . Calling attention therefore , firstly , to the Plan itself ; and then to Mr . O'Connob ' s letter on the subject , in our first page ; and with every confidence that we shall be able next week to announce that tbe laws arc enrolled , we take a hasty ieave of the question for the present , with " a promise to return to it often and again .
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THE VICTIMS . We request the serious attention of our readers to the important address following these remarks , adopted by thie Conference of Delegates assembled at Birmingham , on behalf of our unfortunate brothers " the victims , " their wives , and children . No Chartisi who read the letters of Hoyle and ^ Williams published in ( the Star a few weeks since , but must have blushed crimson deep at the undeniable apathy and indifference , which have for some months past characterised us as a party in our treatment of the "Victims . " We say as a parly ; because several
' localities , " and not a few individuals have been found exceptions to the general rule ; but the time has now come when something must be done generally , and nationally , or eur character , as a great political party will be lost . Men will naturally shrink from the toils and dangers of a public advocacy of our principles when the prospect before them shall be starvation and death to their families , while they may be suffering for the maintenance of the truth . So long as the country had its attention absorbed with the preparations necessary for the holding of the late
Conference , and the ] funds of the movement were wholly Tt quired to assemble an efficient representation of the popular will for the re-organizing of the body ; so long we ^ excused the but very partial efforts made to assist ) the sufferers . But now that the work of the national delegation is over , and breathing time is afforded to the people while waiting for the enrolment of the new Association , we- think no excuse can be permitted for the non-fulfilment of our duty . It is a duly ~ -a sacred and
indispensable duly—to succour those who have toiled , struggled , and suffered for us . Would w « have the New Organization to succeed , we must begin well in this matter . The men whom we have appointed to the high and honourable posts of directors of the Association ; the men who as district or branch officers may be summoned from their daily avocatioib and the calm repose of their fireside oirdes , to fill their offiees without fee or reward , may hesitate to respond to our call ; and will , at any rate , regard with mtetrost ear profes-
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sions of patriotism , and view with anxiety their own position , if they see us failing in our duty to those who have trod before them the thorny path of popular agitation . True we hope to steer clear of the law ' s meshes for the future ; and avoid , if possible , the persecution which has in the past decimated our ranks , and entailed sorrow upon not a few , and expense on all . Still no man who dares to play the part of an honest man and resolute patriot , can say what his own fato may yet be , if lie will , as he ought , to remain " stedfast to the faith "; and to inspire confidence and zeal , it is necessary that we shield , so far as possible , from further wrong those who have already fallen in the strife of "right against might . ''
We implore , then , of the Chartist body that they will " be up and doing , " without a moment ' s delay . We know of the poverty of the people ; but we also know that the smallest contribution from each professing Chartist would be ample to affurd present relief , and the means of future support to all deprived of their natural guardians . Let there be no more delay in this matter . The wrongs of our exiled and incarcerated brothers : the lonely
situation of their widowed partners ; the neglected lot of their orphaned children , cry aloud for us to be stirring . 'Tis not lip- sympathy that is wanted ; but the tangible means of adequate relief and decent maintenance . Let the " leading spirits of Chartism , " in every locality , see to it ! On them rests the responsibility of having this work done , and done well It is our firm belief that the people will do their duty if the local leaders will do theirs .
Our readers will see in the report of the last day ' s proceedings of the Conference , that a resolution was unanimously adopted by the delegates , setting apart Sunday , September 24 th , for a general and simultaneous collection throughout the kingdom in aid of the General Victim Fund . Of course , where local circumstances dictate the propriety of Saturday , 23 d , or Monday , 25 : h , instead of the 24 th , being the day selected for the obtainment of collections , the object
of the Conference will be equally well answered . For ourselves we can see no objection why tbe three days should not be devoted to that object exclusively . We are of opinion that money from certain parties , and under certain circumstances , might be obtained on each of the three days ; when some of it would be lost by taking either day exclusively . But within those three days let the work be accomplished , that the Committee may have at once the means of affording substantial assistance .
Our readers will also see that the delegates have appointed Mr . O'Connob the General Treasurer to the Association , Treasurer to the Victim Fund also All monies , by post-office order , or otherwise , must be sent—and made payable—to Mr . O'Connor , care of Mr . Cleave . Care must be taken to specify in the letter whether tbe monies sent are for the Victim Fund , or for the General Fund . The Delegates also recommended the appointment of a General Victim Fund Committee at Manchester by the Manchester Chartists , to whom all applications for assistance may be made . We trust the men of Manchester will take up the subj ct immediately , and see that the Committee is forthwith appointed .
This can be done on Sunday or Monday next at the farthest ; so that we may have the names of the persons appointed in the Star of next week . Let the local committees everywhere make arrangements by the appointing of collectors , &c , to ensure the welK doing of the work on the 24 th or other days ; and let each and all pull together in this righteous labour , for the aiding of the widow and protecting of the fatherless—remembering that " England expects that every maa will do his duty . '
THE TICTIMS' SUPPORT FUND . Address ef the National Conference to the Chartists of the United Kingdom . Fellow Countrymen and Patbiots , —Having completed the special object of our mission in devising a perfectly legaJ Plan of Organization , the next duty whicb devolved upon us , as a Delegated body was the consideration of the situation of those aiclent and generous spirits , who have become the objects of legal sacrifice for our cause . Public ingratitude—exile—the loss of healththe forfeiture of every prospect which existinginstitutioto afford enterpriztne genins to pursue the allurements of fortune—with all the privation of persecution , have
hitherto been the only reward which enlightened and humane constitutional Reformers have received at the bands of those for whom they sacrificed life , happiness , and country , to rescue them from slavery . Vet , stem , unbending , and resolute ; confident in the rectitude of a just and holy cause , and inspired with the assurance that whenever the millions were sufficiently enlightened , their exertions would be appreciated , invested with the most exalted sentiments and feelings ¦ which dignify the human character , they beheld degraded and enslaved humanity bleeding under the scourge of civil despotism ; every ennobling virtue blasted ; tbe love of liberty and the pride of nationality extinguished ;
the purity of religion and tbe sanctity of law desecrated ; the most sublime discoveries in science and government perverted , to erect a sovereign despotism of wealth and intellect over the most valuable orders of society , the industries outcast millions ; and they willingly surrendered , when failing to accomplish the sacred design of freeing their country , to bo immolated by the merciless tyrant at the shrine of imperial usurpation . Estimating properly the difficulties their efforts had to surmount , no event , however unexpected or fatal to their success , discouraged them in tbeir arduous and hallowed undertaking . They suffered nobly , and without complaint .
To their labours do we owe the proud position which modern democracy has attained , in tbe intelligence , numbers , and supreme influence it everywhere exercises OAer public opinion . The hopes of tbe unhappy millions have been elevated . Tyrants no longer arbitrate and dispose of out lives , as if we were but the abject instruments of unsanctioned power . We aspire to a nobler state of existence . The spirit of the patriot baa been imparted to the humblest
in oar ranks ; and thousands have as generously sacrificed to acquire the liberty of our country , as toe most active and eminent in tbe cause . Tbeir destitute families now look to us for solicitude and protection . What heart can resist tbeir claimB ? Tbe ruthless arm of oppression and the oppressor ' s vengeance are not so cruel to the feelings of those who snffer , aa would be ingratitude awd neglect from us , for *» hom and with whom they share the vicissitudes of persecution . Our character as reformers would sink in the estimation of
every class without our ranks , or amongst oarselvea , were the widows and tbe children of our once-zsaloas fellow patriots , not to be the tenfierest objects of our care . This appeal the Conference rests assured will be received by every veritable democratic reformer , mate and female , with the same generous feelings of humanity , which has dictate * it at the present conjuncture of our movement . The moral vigour , progress , and success of our new Organization , wiU depend upon the manner we treat those who have fallen victims to the law . The obligations of justice do
not require that we should do more than our circumstances can afford . Our poverty may prevent us doing what we otherwise might ; but let us do our utmost . We must inspire each other with confidence , if we sincerely desire to achieve our country ' s freedom . ^ iciat ^ smiles upon our future prospects . Let the first act of our renewed struggle be the performance of a P ^ duty to the families of our exiled and imprisoned fellow patriots . An act that will animate ns wi » the proud consciousness of being just men , —* n ¦* that will consecrate every effort to regain our right * and establish the greatness and dignity of onr conntrTi in the freedomhappinessand virtue cfh&rptople .
, , A Committee will be appointed at Manchester to W entrusted with the management or all funds contributed for this purpose . Let every individual do o » duty , and forward through the officers of tbe locality * or directly his mite to the General Treasurer . The following list will show our position , and tM character of the Government . 41 imprisoned for 1 year ; 21 transported tor 7 and 10 years . 20 do 2 do 9 do 15 do 12 do 21 do 13 do for Iifa
The Conference , in conclusion , and In duty to to cases of those which have yet to appear at v » Court of Queen ' s Bench , most Mrionsly ! m P ^ upon the country their situation . Mr . » 0 ^ assured the Conference there was every probabiW that ft complete acqnittal could be obtained , W vlded tbe first talent of the bar could be engaged . This will require money , and . * f tainly , if it is within the power of our ww to secure their cases every legal advantage » point of argumentation , we surely will not ««> them to be thrust into a dungeon , when a trifle uweach would preservd their liberty and services to ow eause . Some of the moit able men in our ranKs ai » inihe number to be tried on the fourth count ; ana * must hav » them oat , U Ja * will sanction what jo « w » demands . Signed , on lehalf of the Conference , Squire FarbaR , President R . T . M 0 RB . 130 W , -Seflpetarr . Conference Raom , Saturday , » bh Sept . 1843 .
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THE CONGRESS OF MONARCHS . So , so , then ! we are not altogether such very bad prophets . Indeed , our great fault consists in running at too great a length before our cotemporaries . But however great the distance between us and the taij of the pack , yet are they sure , sooner or later , upon all great questions of policy , to pick up the scent from the ground we have run over . When the Tariff was introduced , the one section selected by the pross for general bombardment was that which was most likely to touch the sensitive feelings of their readers— the Income Tax . We ,
however , passed over the pimple , and directed attention to "the incipient wen—the admission of live stock from foreign countries . So with regard to the outbre&k of last year . Caution followed caution , until the " cry of wolf" became stale and insipid . Again , our several predictions with respect to the Repeal movement are in course of fulfilment ; while Wednesday ' s Times verifles our prediction that the Editor and Correspondent of that paper would so embolden the Rebeccaites , that revolution and murder would be the result . We remonstrated , in no very measured terms , against the encouragement
held out by the Times to the " Rebecca " means of redressing sectional grievances . We contrasted the encouragement given by the writers in that journal to men with arms in their hands , whose object was the redress of sectional grievances , with the anathemas thundered forth by the same writers against those who , without arms in their hands , petitioned for a mere hearing of their complaints . Well , what has been the resnlt 1 Let the Times itself answer for its own misdeeds . Here here is the result : we find it in the Times of Wednesday last . Thus : " where is all tiiis to end A MOST TOOL AND COWARDLY MURDER HAS AT LAST
been o 0 kmitted . much have those to answer foil who have produced this state op societt . The stupid fxcusb , * we know wothiho of it !' will not exonerate those whose dutr it was from their position to know it , and to pre-VKKT IT . " The reader will discover from our report of the transaction , to which the above " post mortem " lamentation of the Times * correspondent referH , that a poor old woman , of seventy years of a ^ o , earning a livelihood by her services , has been shot dead by the proteges of the Times' correspondent : by ( those who were now going the right way to work to make tlieir complaints hoard , and to ensure a redress of their grievances ; " and who , by the way , were cautioned against the contamination of Chartist interference . O ! if this " step in the right way " —a step which was sure to fellow the encouragement held out by the correspondent of the Times—had been taken by a Chartist , as a means of redressing Chartist grievances , where , 0 where , would our contemporary have found gall enough to blacken the criminality ?
Now , forsooth , the Welch sucking dove of the Times plaintively lisps , " Where is all this to end" 1 Where ? Why as we predicted , IN THE DOCK IN THE TRANSPORT SHIP !! ON THE SCAFFOLD ! ! ! and with , in all probability , the Times' correspondent an unwilling occupant of the witness box 1 There ' s where it will end ! And a most Siting end for those who allow themselves to be seduced to the commission of murder by the encourment held oat in the Time * newspaper .
But to our immediate purpose . Upon the subject of Her Majesty's visit to the King of tbe Barricades we strnck ont our own course , while our contemporaries were luxuriating in large importations of u Cheshire cheese and bottled stout" for the entertainment of Britain's monarch . Then we have had ; he fitting-up of the Royal yacht ; the condescension of Her Majesty , who vouchsafed to enter into conversation with some of the Royal crew ; the historic importance given to a shabby old Chateau , and a miserable old watering place ; the competition for seats in and npon the trading omnibuses : the price
of lodgings ; the smiles of Royalty , and the cheers of a hired multitude , the very gilding of the Royal yacht ; & flash from the cannon ; the thunder from the far-fetehed artillery ; the illuminations : we have had , in short , all these things ; all that constituted a " grand jubilee , " placed vividly before the public , to 6 creen the ministerial object to be effected by the Royal visit . Our readers will bear in mind , that fourteen days ago we expressed the great difficulty that we felt to reconcile the visit and hasty departure of the two French Princes ;
and slated that our contemporaries attributed their backward speed to the repulse given to the Due D'Aumale by her Majesty upon the subjeot of his pretensions to the hand of the Queen of Spain ; and further , that their chagrin was increased by the warm reception then in store for Espartero , who , by the treachery of the French Court , had been driven , from the country that he served with so much fidelity . We expressed the difficulty that we felt at reconciling tbe sudden visit of her Majesty , with the sudden departure of her guests . At that
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period the Government of the present blood-hounds of Spain had not been recognized by the Cabinet of St . James's . On the contrary , the very air resounded with laudations of Espartero , the ex-Regent , and with condemnations of the murdering crew who have succeeded him , and who are now engaged in the destruction of the remnant of Spanish liberty . The Times took a proud lead in distinguishing the merits of Espartero , and in contrasting his mild rule with the tyrannous Government of his successors , whose first act was the destruction of every liberal institution capable of offering opposition to their parricidal machinations . It was understood that the leading
policy of those devils was to impose an early responsibility upon a poor little creature of thirteen years of age , as a cloak for their own iniquities . All their policy was drafted out before us . They were known to be the tools of Louis Philippe and his Cabinet ; and with this understanding , and before the first " Cheshire" had been cut , or the first " bottle of stout" been drawn , and while her Britannic Majesty was on her way to her cousin of France , did we learn that the Government of the usurpers is formally recognised by her Majesty ' s Ministers ! and Espartero , the bold and the brave , the honest and the uncompromising ; the King-controuling and priest-curbing Espartero , is held up by the Times newspaper as an object of scorn 1
This newspaper mist , however , did not blind oar vision . We saw Spain and Ireland through the " Cheshire" and the " stout . " The thunder of the artillery did not deaden the French cry for a republic ; tho roar of England for her Charter ; and the unanimous call of Ireland for her Parliamont . We said : "be it borne in mind , that this is the precursor of a congress of mouarchs ; a conference of majesty ; to deliberate upon the best means of arresting the cry of democracy . " We announced that Louis Philippe would place Spain against Ireland ; and last week we directed attention to the fact , that the
English Minister had lost no time in preparing her Majesty to cover the stake without hesitation , by recognising French usurpation as the acknowledged government of Spain . However the political mechanic- may scatter his fragments in the kuleidiscope , we defy him long to obscure the real objects of the Royal visit from public view . Shake it as he may ; turn it as he will ; twist it as best he can ; the keen eye , after all , will distinguish between Spain and Ireland ; the Charter and the Spanish marriage , and the " Cheshire cheese and bottled stout . "
The Morning Chronicle was the first of the daily press that dared to take our view of the subject ; and the answer of the Times to that Journal is truly ludicrous . It amounts to this , and nothing more : that if the Chronicle is right , Louis Philippe mu 3 t he infallible . The Chronicle very forcibly explains the difficulties with which the intrigues of Louis Philippe are surrounded , and the danger which failure would entail upon himself ; and what ' s the answer of the Time * 1 Why ludicrous enough ; though quite characteristic ! It is this : —
" It mast have been obvious to far less cautious and experienced politicians than they are , that such a movement as that which has just taken place in Spain was only the precursor of troubles to which no end can be assigned ; and to suppose that tbey deliberately encouraged auuh a movement is to accuse them of a policy iu . which folly certainly predominates even over knavery . If such a scheme existed , Its total failure is admitted even by our contemporary ; and after having drenched us with a malignant sort of compassion for the ineptitude of Lord Aberdeen , which left Spain and Great Britain at the mercy of the meat artful politicians in Europe , we find that tho tables are suddenly turned , and , without any assignable cause , these Machiavela are degraded to tbe level of inoffensive dolts . '
What does the whole tenor of the abovo extract mean , other than that Loins Philippe will not play at odds if he can help it 1 and that in order to reduce the odds , he and Guizot , as we predicted , have wheedled Lord Aberdeen , who will no doubt be held up ia the next session of our Parliament as responsible for all the results of the Royal visit ; our prudent helmsman being too ill to sail , but well enough to stand the fog of a shooting excursion ? Is it not clear from the whole tenor of the above extract , th&t Louis Philippe has had the mantle of infallibility thrown over them by the Times for the
" nonce" ! But , are those who know the risks that he has run , both foreign and domestic , foolish enough not to know that he is in the habit of playing his diplomatic skill against foreign and domestic ignorance ? and to such odds he looks a 3 the means of " taking the sting out of events . " It is true that total failure may follow such a Bcheroe , as admitted by the Chronicle , under one class of circumstances ; but it is equally true that another class of circumbtances may lead to a very different result . So far
thea we have substantiated our former reasoning upon some of the details connected with Her MajeBty ' s visit ; and we now turn to the Times for confirmation of our prediction . The Times of Tuesday has a laboured article upon the subject of the Queen ' s visit , in which the writer endeavours to cover his sudden retreat by a , very lame criticism upon an article that appeared in the Morning Chronicle , and from which we select the [ following extract in support of our original views : —
"We trust It will be found that the evil impressions of the Whig policy of 18 * 0 disappeared from France wjien Queen Tictoria act har foot within tbe territories of her nearest neighbour and her most powerful ally ; or that , however they may linger amongst those in this country or in that who laboured to rekindle the fires of secular hostility , they are effectually obliterated from tbe minds of the men who govern the destinies of Europe . It would be absurd to attach to a visit which was projected and executed without
any of the usual formalities of Royal etiquette all tbe importance of an international congress ; but , on the other hand , no one can doubt that it has powerfully contributed to strengthen the bonds pf amity between the two Crowns , and all that passed upon this occasion tended to secure our confiieucs in the unbroken trarquillity of Europe . So true it is , that no sooner are France and England at variance , than peace ia in perpetual jeopardy ; no sooner are tbey united , than its maintenance is secure . "
Now , we ask if any man , the greatest fool , can , after reading the above extract , attach other than great political importance to her Majesty ' s visit But beyond the above , we find the following admission in the same article , confirmatory of the fact that the Royal visit was a political and not a mere friendly visit . Tho leading journal says— " Lord Aberdeen naturallt accompanied his Royal Mistress ON THIS MEMORABLE OCCASION ; AND THE MrNrSTEttS TO WHOM THE FOREIGN AFFAIBS OP THI . SE TWO GRElT NATIONS ARE ENTRUSTED ENJOYED THE RARE
ADVANTAGE OF A DIRECT PERSONAL CONFERENCE ON the questions of the day . " From all these admissions , then , we learn that foreign affairs did constitute a portion of the business of the day ; while , however crookedly let out , the Times is compelled to say something about an " international Congress , " and the " powerful strength Which her Majesty's visit is calculated to give to the two countries . " Now is not this precisely what we said , with this mere addition—that that strength would be used for the purpose of opposing democratic intrusion ?
But we have not done with tho subject . We will stick to Spain for yet a bit . Let us reason upon the further influences to be used in furtherance of Louis Phillips ' s design with respect to that country . Our Queen is now in Belgium , on a visit to the King of the Belgians ; and let us see how the Royal circle while assembled ; there stand iu relation to any project interesting to the French King . Who , then , is the King of the Belgians ! He is uncle to our Queen . Who is the Queen of the Belgians 1 She is the daughter , and the favourite daughter , of the
King of the French . Who desires to many the Spanish Infant , with a fertile nation for her dower ? Tho Due D'Aumale , brother to the Queen of the Belgians , and brother-in-law to the King of the Belgians . And the Belgian King himself ia nearly related to our Albert , and to the whole tribe of the Sake Cobaurp . Who , above all other monarcb . 8 has the greatest interest in strengtheoi » g the Bourben dynasty , and in making France the arbiters of the world ? The King of the Belgians , as a mattor of course , for hie throne would in * be worth three
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days' purchase if the French people succeeded in establishing a Republic . His portion of royalty will at all times be best secured by his alliance with the Royal family of France . Now , we would soberly ask those who are accustomed to watch events as presented upon the stage of life , whether with such ia stage-manager as Louis Philippe , the dramatis personee , that we have announced are likely to play the Spanish adventure , otherwise than in strict accordance with the directions given by the great artist Louis Philippe ?
God help ! us ! lagging , as we do , seven days behind tho sharp-shooters of the press . Our own " thunder" is enough to addle our poor brains , when we find our daily contemporaries compelled to take up our old noise as their fresh reports . However , bo it is ! More than fourteen days ago we predicted what the object of the Royal visit would turn out to be . Our prophecy is in the course of fulfilment ; and the temporary tranquillity of Ireland will cause no suspension > of those arrangements which are intended not more for the suppression of the present agitation , than as a means for future prevention . O'Connell is still the omen that haunts their rest ; and wo can well imagine the following speech from Gostavds rehearsed by Louis Philippe as a msans of conveying his soul ' s apprehension to out foreign Minister : —;
What ' s to be done ? Now Aberdeen ; now is the time to subtilize Thy soul , sound every depth , and waken All the wonderous stateman iu thee . For I must : tell thee , spite of guarding armies , Circling nations and empires That bend heneath my nod , This cursed O'Connell invades my shrinking spirits , Awes my heart , and sits upon my slumbers .
Spite of himself , he still evades he hunter ; . And if there ' s power in heaven or in hell It guards him . When was I vanquished , But when he opposed me f Wben have I conquared , But when he was absent ? His name ' s a host ; A terror to my legions ! And by my trippla crown , I swear , O'Connell , I would rather meet all Europe for my foe Than see thy face in arms \
The Northern Star. Saturday, September 16, 1843.
THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , SEPTEMBER 16 , 1843 .
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THE LAND ! THE LAND ! ! THE LAND ! !! Glorious j news for those who have had the honesty and the hardihood to brave the sneer , the jeer , and the scorn of the ignorant and the timeserving . Our columns are too much crowded to admit of ample commentary upon tbe following extract in ; the present week , and therefore we shall content ourselves with simply announcing the source from whetice we take it .
It is the practice with sharebrokers in the City to issue monthly circulars , with a view of conveying the best information to tbe publio upon all matters connected with capital , securities , investments , and speculations . For many years we have been in the habit of reading those circulars , and wo have invariably discovered that those issued by Mr . Also p , i of 34 , Cornhill , have been the most luminous , the most prophetic , and truth-telling . The following extract is taken from that" gentleman ' s circular of the present month ; and while we shall refer to it again and again , for the present
we would invite the serious consideration of every reader to the cheering prospects that it holds out . It will be seen that the few paragraphs to which we allude , are intended as a feeler to those of Mr . ALSOP ' sown order ; and that the writer contemplates a move in the right direction for the accomplishment ef this desirable object . We do not say too much ef Mr . Alsop , or more than ho deserves , I when we assert that , of all others of his order , he is the most cautious in investing the
capital of those who give him their confidence , while , at thn same time , no person who knows him will attempt to deny that taking him for all in all , he has not his superior for judgment , sound sense , ability , and tact . We further understand that Mr . Alsop has very properly placed himself in a situation wherein he may ba tho better able to form a correct estimate of the value of that security which he may hereafter find himself justified in recommending to his friends as a profitable source of investment . Mr . Alsop has taken a considerable
portion of land for tbe purpose of satisfying his own mind upon the subject ; and we can entertain but little doubt that the following extraot is a consequence of that knowledge which he has derived from practical experience , and to the following up of which we i shall look forward with no ordinary anxiety : — \ " Tho Government securities maintain the high prices
noted in our last , and within the last few days a further advance of Jjper cent , has taken place . The prices are however too high under the circumstances in which the community is placed , and are maintained at these quotations solely by the abundance , or rather the redundance , of money , a ad tbe artificial scarcity of stack . Shrewd and experienced observers are filled with distrust at the anomalies which abound and supply stock as it is wanted for permanent investment .
" The amount of money now lying idle , or only producing from half to one and a half per cent ; the , fearful amount of the ; population unemployed \> r only half employed ; and th ' e vast comparative amount of land wholly or partially unproductive , have induced us to give our attention to a practical mode by which these three elements of national greatness and individual happiness , now unemployed , may be usefully combined together , and rendered highly productive to the capitalist . "
" If capital continues much longer to be unprofitable , we shall mature our plan and submit it for general consideration , | assuring our own correspondents that any moderate [ amount of capital which each" may seek to employ , shall be received and applied upon a ' principle which , \» hilst it will have a security superior to the Government debt at the present time will yield an interest of more than 60 per cent , above the 3 per cents , at present price , with a fair prospect ( all but a certainty ) of an incroasejin the value of the capital , to a corresponding extent—a feature in this plan peculiarly important , seeing the high price of Consols , the impossibility of any sustained improvement in them at present prices , and the probability of a considerable decline . "
Now growlers , growl away ! We have forced our principles upon the consideration of the monied classes , an object which we could have scarcely hoped to accomplish in our infancy . This indeed is soul-reviving and cheering .
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A THE NORTHERN STAR .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 16, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1230/page/4/
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