On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (11)
-
Untitled Article
-
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1843.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
NOTTINGHAM—.An adjourned meeting ot Framework-knitters, was held at the Shoulder of Mutton, Barker-gate, in pursuance of the notice
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
-
-
Transcript
-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
COAJ jMIKEBS ^ OOK ^ , OUT—BKEAKEKS AHEADj ! laB . Editor , —Ton Trill oblige ice by giving publicity to tba following expesure of a deep laid plot of the " Coal Sings , " lor the purpose of breaking op tbe Miner ' s Movticent , and prejudic := 5 the public mind against that nstful body ol men . By so doing yon will oblige , T o urs , faithfully , Williah Dixos . Manchester , No * . 28 t £ , 1843-10 THS COAL XTSERS AXD THE TTBL 1 C GENERALLY .
yjBuxrw . Co-irsTB-rarES , —3 tfy © tgect in obtrndinjf fhillfctlfil npon 5 OU * i , ofcLefe i * , tb& * it contains facta Xei \ h which yon onght fcobc acquainted . Ton are aware that the Coal Miners of ibis county have united themselves -with their brethren of If orlhnmberland . -Durbam , Cumberland , Yorkshire , Staffordshire , Cheshire , Derbyshire , Shropshire , Scotland , asfl Wales , for tbe purpose of abertening the hours of labour , and getting an advance of ¦ srsgtB . As Boon as the agitation commenced the Coal Kings and their satellites got up a cry tnat the Miners trere about to strike for an ad-ranee of wages , and that they could not give more to tneir -workpeople tritbont raising the price of coals in the market . They therefore advanced the coals abont lOd . per ion-, and made the public believe that the -irorkmg Miner ¦ wag in tbe receipt of tie -wl-ole of the benefits of such ad-ranee .
Id Manchester , if a person gets into conversation Triti a friend , _ ssd the snl ject turns vpaa tie Slitters ' movement , they invatlaUy &ay— -wby , the Coal Miners mnsk BOW be in tbe receipt of gcod wages , f nr coal bas peen advanced & great deal : and 5 f we ask the reason , the answer ie—0 , the coal misers , have bad their ¦ wages advanced , it is them tbat set the benefit , asd , p « or things , they deserve it . But the truth must be told , and the public be Txndecema in this matter ; and I will now give them a real stat-xneni of the facts as they are , and leave them to jadge who it is that is benefited by the advanced price of coal Id the first plaee tiss " coal Jongs" Issve advanced tke price at the pit ten-peree per ton ; or one halfpenny per hundred weight Out of this the Coal Miner geu , and I bavB taken tbe highest note of advance , twopencetalfpenny . Consequently the coal proprietor is pmting into Ms pockets aevenpence-halfpenny per ton , in addition to the profit that he was receiving before
time . But this is not all ; tbera is anotlxei paity steps in for a aha ^ re before tbe ceal gets into tha frauds of fhn eananmer , 1 •»*>«« -n ifce i&ta 3 coal merctaas . This gentleman fives to the " coal iinss" tenpetee per ton of an advance ; but be advances coals to tbe consumer one penny per hundred weight , or one " shflliDg and -eigbtpence per ton . The pnblic trill see , by this , who are the parties who are receiving the benefits Earing from the advanced price of coaL We are told by one oT the inspired penmen : " That the labourer ahal ! be the first partaker of fi » e fruits ; " but is this the cue with tbe _ p » or coal Miner ? Ko , quite the reverse . The consumer pays an addition of one shilling and eigbtpence ppr ton for his coal , out of which the poor slave , who ventures his life in procuring them , gets twopence-halfpenny , the " coal king" sevenpencebalfpenny , and the retail merchant tennencel It ' ow I must turn to the Miners themselves , and warn them of the . attempts about to be made to break up their Union .
Brethren , the time baa come that -&U men of any experience in the various struggles tiat tbe working classes have bad with their oppressors knew would come . S » long as your movement was powerless , and you were csntent with Jofifcir ;? about your grievances , the masters took little notice of you . But the moment your ojyanizition began to look formidable and you began to act aa well as talk , then they began to plot and conspire how they were to break y « u up and spread csnfojdon is your ranks . " To be forewarned is to be forearmed . " 3 therefore embrace S&a opportunity of putting you on your guard , in order that you nay be prepared when they open their balterifes upon yon . I have by a . sort of necromancy or legerdemain got bold of tbe following printed circular , a copy of which bas "been sent to every coal master in the county of Lancaster : —
iCOPT . ) ** Sir , —At a Tery lar / se meeting ef operative Coal SGnew , feoJden on Monday last , at Haselgrove , which « amHed in a demsod of advanced wagestqual to six shillings and upwards per day , and a determination to get only a limited quantity of coals , to produce about two shillings per day . " These two cucanutsnoee united require tbe serious attention of the Coal Proprietors , and demand from them a prompt , firm , and united course of proceeding . And I am instructed hereby to request the favour of your attendance at a general meeting , to be held on Tuesday mat , the 28 th instant , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , prompt , at the Albion Hotel , Piccadilly , Manchester , fox tbe purpose of taking the same into oooaiddzatioQ . " I am , Sir , 41 Tour obedient servant , « * Macehaster . Nov . 23 , 1842 . "
Then , Mines , what think yon of that specimen of Cod King falsehood ? Can you longer doubt their determination to keep you in slavery ? Surely sot . But before J go farther , 2 will take a second peep at this monstrously lying document , and refute tbe false gfrftfrgpnpTitai Tt-fwnfean «_ The masters who got up this scandalous and lying circular knew that they were slandering tbe Coalilinew of Lancashire , when they stated that at the meeting held at Hazdgrove a demand for an advance of wages was made equal , to six shilling ! per day . Ko such determination was come to at that meeting . Tbe Coal -ftfinpwi fl » myTKf four shilling * per day , and that Jot eight hears * work ; which would enable them to earn twenty wTiTTTingw per week , as in mining operations
Saturday aod Monday only make a day betwixt them . And is twenty shillings per wetk : too much for a man who ventures his life in the bowels of the earth , in order to procure an article which contributes so materially to the comfort of his fell ow-raen ? But it is not the demand of is . or 6 a . per day Out the Coal Kings are » fgrifl of . The fact is , the ^ inpwi ha-s-6 begun to wcFdc aa wen as talk about tie matter : they have shortened their bours of labour ; and by so doing they have iept the production , if anything , rather below the consumption ; and by this means the poor " Kings " have been obliged to part with their stocks to supp ly tbe wants of their customers . This it is that bas alarmed them ; they have found out that you have a power , and that you are beginning to know bow to use it . They dread tbe Bhortning of the . boars
of labour ten times more than any advance of wages . One of those fine fellows , that I know , was so anxious for Ms men to work , that if they w « rked eleven dnjB per fortnight he gave them threepence per day extra , « -vd i £ tweWe days , fivtpence per day . One morning an explosion took place , and one of tbe men was very ill burned . The men brought him out of the pit , asd of course -worked none that day , far "wbictj they lost thfiir extras ; and lbs wrele ^ ha ^ the bearileBsness tossy to Ms men , eonld yon not hare thrown iim on one side until you bad done your wotk and then brought him up ! This tyrant kn&w the value of over-production . He knew that if be could only get his mea , by any means , to produce him a stock before hand , that then be would have them under his thumb , and he could do as he liked with thtm .
Brethren , tbe time has arrived wben you must be prompt , firm , and united . Tbe masters are determined to hnrary yen to a crisis . They held their meeting this day , in tbe Albion Inn ; but it -wib a close meeting . Ko getting to know their determination . 27 e hired spy , In the shape of a policeman , is sent to their meeting to watch tbe proceedings , and demand a copy of all ) resolutions passed . O , no ! Hub was a meeting ef the masters ! "Having liad to do with these gentry before , I think ihst I sm acquainted frith tome of Xhelr t&ctics ; and although I am neitoer a prc-ybet , aor tbe son « f one ,
I venture to predict that tbty will enceavonr to induce a few colliers to strike in various parts of the country for some cause or oth * r , and by that means endeavour to break you up with expence . I have given yon wamiDgJ Look out 1 Watch them ; Ton cannot possibly do better * fr » -n continue to work abort time : keep the markets barely supplied , and you have a chance . In this is your strength and their weakness . There must be no more such jobs as the Cumberland one . Proceed with your organization as quick as possible , and prepare for the worst . Be firm , be aober , and be steady .
Tou may ask my advice as to how you are to act il the masters should ataxnpt to force you to a strike . IwUlgm it you in a few vforda . Tou see what bas been done in CnmberiaBd , and ought therefore to beware aad ^ iot split upon tbe same rock . If they should determine upon a&king the men in various parts of the eonntry sign abominable teats , the men wonid probaWy tarn out Tfcis ^^ ju 8 t ^ ^ j ^ ^ wjmt . and the mastas of snen collieries would bB provided by the otha masters , bottM to the supplying of his ou-*!~^ J ! SL ^?**« * 8 * £ -Jury by
. . making up any loss occasioned by hi , yroAa standing . By Uua means you might have 800 or looo men upon i , oor bands in Qua county , which would be -ray serious . ! Defeat would be fataL Here is my piani and if the " Kings * brag it on , upon then , be the blame . If 1 hey attempt tW » . there must be no partial rtrikes ! Tout watebword must be that of your Cornish brethren 41 OHB akd AXL- " Kbw , t hen , follow up your pre ^ sent jlan of keeping the market bare ; and if they should attempt to coerce yon , stkikb at omcb , oki XSB ALL , FiOM THX LxKD " S EKD TO JOHB
O"&BOATS , X 5 T > 70 V 3 XESS DATS WILL SETTLE THE O . TJESX 1 OS !! I wish to be distinctly nnderrstood Jn this mattec I am opposed to strikes , if they can be SToMfid . But If the -rn ^ p * a ape hot-bB&d&d enough I * drive you to the despersis alteriistive , tbe end -will Justify the means ; and may God protect tbe Buffering poor from the cruelties of the oppressors ; is the earae « t prayer of , The Miners' Friend , And Publics ob&dient servant , Wh . DJX 03 . Vao ^ Mter , Hn . 2 rti , 1813 ,
Untitled Article
BRADFORB . —Mb . R . Oastleh . —On Monday evening , the friends ot Mr . Oasper , heid a meeting in tbe Temperance Hall , according to tbe arrangements of tbe Oasiler Liberation Central Committee . On the platform vreTe W . B . Ferrand , Esq ., M . P . tbe Rev . Mr , Morgan , B . D ., Rev . J . L . Frost , M . A . Rev . Mr . Sherwood , Rev . Mr . Cooper , Mr . William Walker , of the firm of Wood and Walker , of Bradford , Tatbam , Esq ., of HudderBfield , Mr . T . Brook , DevrsbHry , Mr . L . Pitketbly , Huddersfield , J . Pollard , Esq ., ( magistrate ) , Mr . BaJme , Mr . Milner , "Mr . Auty , of Bradford , Charles Walker , Esq ., and maDvother gentlemen , lay and clerical . Mr . WilJiam Walker wa 3 called to the chair . Several resoluiions were unanimously adopted by the
meeting with great applause , The substance of which are as follows - . —*• That a general subscription be raised amongst all gradeB of our countrymen and countrywomen , for tbe express purpose of procuring the liberation of Mr . Oastler , and enabling him to prosecute his philanthropic labours . " *• That booksellers , and others , be Tf ^ nest « d to receive subscriptions in aid of the liberation ± ' and ; and that they and all other peisons wishful to forward the proposed object be requested to communicate their names and address to Mr . Pitkethly , Baxton road , Haddersfield , who as secretary will furnish them withbook 8 for the purpose ; and persons employed in the various manufactories and workshops be requested to assist in the accomplishment of this
object . " At the close of the meeting several gums of money were tubscribed . Mr . Charles Walker , £ 10 , many other gentlemen £ 5 and £ 1 each , Mr . Auiy , £ 1 for himself and £ \ for his wife ; tbe Woolcombers m the employ of Messrs . Wood and Walker £ 2 2 ? . < 5 d , A vote of thariks -was moved to the clergy , and carried unanimously . The thanks of the meeting were carried by acclamation to the chairman . Three eheers were proposed for the " Good Old KiDg f and londly responded to , by all parties . It acythiug was wanting to convince the oppressors of the poor of the respect in which Mr . Oastler ia held in Bradford , this meeting must pnt to flight all donbts on thesubjeet , as Tories , Whigs , and Chartists ,
all joined with one accord to support tbe Liberation Fund , to the utmost extent of iheir power . The Poor Law ( or Bastile ) Bill was most ably exposed by Mr . Auty . The whole of the gentlemen on the platform addressed the meeting . Mr . Smyth and Mr . Kydd also spoke on behalf of the Faotory Children , and in support of the Liberation Fnnd . Sab .-cripnon Books are now in the hands of a number oi working men ; and it is hoped that ere Christmas is ushered in , that Mi . Oastler will be At liberty . The factory hands are nobly doing their duty on this occasion ; a spirit of emulation seems to pervade all ranks , truly proving ihe affection the working-men invariably feels for the friend of the oppressed : no matter what his political or religious creed may be .
Etzlkhs Machines . —The friends and believers in the practicability of Mr . Etiler's Plan of Machinery for the regeneration of the world , and for Buperceding human labour , met on Sunday last , at the Cross Keys , Wray-street , Bndford , when a number of persons enrolled their names and formed a society for the purpose of instituting a fall enquiry into the above theory , with a view to its being pnt into practice . The following resolutions were passed , namely , u That the members of this society are of opinion that Mr . Etzler's views are quite practicable ; and if men do not fairly examine , they ought not to judge rashly of them , { nor throw obstacles in the way of Others reducing them to practice , ) by the circulation of their old and wornout notions of things . " The members will meet every Sunday evening at six o ' clock , at the Cro 3 s Keys , Wray-streeU—John Dawson , Chairman ; John Greenwood , Secretary .
The Northern Star Saturday, December 3, 1843.
THE NORTHERN STAR SATURDAY , DECEMBER 3 , 1843 .
Untitled Article
THE QUEEN AT NOTTINGHAM . As our most gracious Queen is to arrive at the Nottingham Station on Monday next , on her way to the Duke of Rutland ' s ; and , as it is all important , that she shonld be put in possession of the real condition of her loving subjects , wha will not be allowed to occupy the platform , and are too poor to pay for a seat in the gallery , we understand they have resolved upon welcoming her with a silent view of her working subjects : and that while they will abstain from any . theslightest markof disrespect , they
trast that that knowledge which -mil sot be commu nicated to ihe Royal ear , will carry conviction to the Royal eye . The men will shew their wives and children npon the auspicious occasion ; and we have to request that her Majesty ' s managers will pray that her Majesty may be graciously pleased to put down the glass of the Royal carriage when passing the Town Common-side , in order that her Majesty may see and judge of the real condition of her loyal and loving subjects , who trust that they will be . blessed and gratified with something more than a view of the blind that shuts out poverty from Royal
inspection . We are not averse to her Majesty travelling where she pleases , and seeing what she pleases ; as long as we have not to pay for it . But while Bhe travels at our expense , we require to see and be seen , to see , in order that we may have the worth of our money—and to be seen in order that her Majesty may know the source from whence ber Exchequer is filled . On euch occasions her Majesty may perhaps hear a cheer for her Ministers ; or what is more likely , the national band of well-tuned voioes ehaunting the National Anthem , " Spread the Charter through the land . "
Untitled Article
SMALL CAUSES LEAD TO GREAT ETENTS . While the destitution of the working classes of this country should enlist the sympathy of the rich and tbe support of the press , we find that estate bestowing more space upon small matters wholly unconnected with the interest of the working classes , and the daily journals content with a mere passing glance at national poverty , or with the
publication of assurances that general distress is a consequence of national vice and immorality . Meantime we learn that nearly every Btate in Europe is agitated to its centre , in consequence of the visit of the xmke of BosnsArx to this country j and , fur thermore , in accounting for the distress now raging in the stocking-making districts , we are gravely informed by the trade correspondent of the London press that it is a consequence of the Queen wearing long petticoats J
There is a story told of a Spanish Princess , once upon her travels , being presented with a specimen of gloves and silk stockings , in a town celebrated for the manufacture of those articles . The gloves were first presented , and were graciously received by her Minister ; but his modesty , was bo far pnt to the blush upon the presentation of the stockings > that he exclaimed with passionate vehemence , flinging them on the ground , " A Spanish Pwkcess has ko 13 GS V In their turn , the impoTerished stockingers may exclaim , O for an English Queen Wltll legs ! " However the anecdote may serve as matter for laughter , it must be a subject of dtep
regret to every sane man , to every thinking man , to every honest man , that the visit of the grandson of a deposed tyrant , and the length of the Queen ' s petticoats , shonld lead to tbe anticipation of foreign convulsion and domestic suffering . When , in tbe name of common sense , shall we arrive at a period when crowned heads and aspiring youths will be allowed to prosecute their travels like ordinary individuals ! We find the passage of her Majesty through this impoverished land chronicled with a disgusting minuteness : but the swallowers op Of wealth have taken care to present the fair side of ice picture only to tha Royal « ye . . -
If the Queen of England had any power , Bhe would be allowed to see both sides of the picture-However , * a hex keepers have resolved npon exhibiting hex -with blinkers , we rejoice to learn , from a communication from Nottingham , where the longpetticoat fashion has created so muoh poverty , that there , at all events , the sufferers have resolved upon presenting her with the true condition of her loving snbjecta . Talk of cordial reception , " and" enthusiastic loyalty" indeed , such as that displayed at rail-\ road stations , the property of the rich , and under
the controul of the Government j would the Directors or the police allow naked pauperism to ocenpy any portion of their premiseB ! No , Those , exhibitions are for luring Majesty into a belief of the popularity of her Ministers . Will they venture to bring her to Manchester , to Leeds , to Oldham , to Hnddersfield , to Bradford , or to Halifax , there to witnesB the " improvement of trade , " and the eendition of those waoso labour furniBb . es her with all the comforts ef life \ No ; her route is throngh the ranks of the r ich , the opulent , and the privileged ;
Untitled Article
and therefore the satisfied and uncomplaining . The eye , and especially the eye of the disconsolate working man , must look jealously upon the gliding pomp of Majesty , which Bays , " Behold my greatness 1 it Bhould Batisfy you with your own littleness . " But the days are fast approaching whea those senseless pageants must pass away , and when the journeys of FirBt Magistrates will be undertaken for general benefit , rather than for individual gratification . That will not be , however , until the people ' s representatives have a tight hold of the people ' s pnrsestrings ; and then Royal journeys will be estimated according to their general value .
THE QUEEN'S BENCH .-F 0 URTH COUNT . In consequence of an announcement which appeared some time back in the London papers , to the effect that , on the 28 ' , b , Lord Denman would give judgment in cases still pending , Mr . Roberts , the zealous and energetic Attoknbt-Gkneral of the Chartists , attended on that day at the sitting of the Court , having travelled all night for the purpose . Lord Denman not having made any reference to the case of the men implicated in the fourth count , we surely have the strongest right to conolude , that
the whole proceedings are at an end , and will not be again revived . And , if bo , the several parties oharged with grave offences at Lancaster , will have gained that signal triumph , not more over the Government than over the Free Traders who originated the Revolution , and then directed the Government in selecting for vengeance those who refused to be their willing tools . We trust that notwithstanding the continuous denunciation of the
English Chartists for their illegal conduct , that our Irish brethren , with all the advantages of a heavy purse , " respectability / ' and a large portion of the press , will be able to boast of as great a triumph and establish for themselves that peaceful character which they deny to the English Chartists . Too much credit cannot be awarded to Mr . Roberts for the able manner in which he has brought this momentous trial to a close ; and our friends over whom the verdict was held "iw terrorem" should
rejoice that they will now be in a better situation to aid in the good work of Re-organiaation . We may how fondly anticipate such a resuscitation of Chartism as will ensure a full , free , and fair representation of the whole people in the forthcoming Convention , while it will also furnish them with more materials from which to select the officers required to work the national machinery . The shackles being now taken off some of our best men , the cause will go on improving , until success crowns our united exertions .
Untitled Article
WHY DID CHARTISTS SEEK TO AID THE REPEALERS ! RADICALISM IN FORMER TIMES . Our readers will remember our friendly expostulations with the conductors of the Dublin Wot Id in reference to certain advice they courteously tendered us regarding the Repeal movement , and the state ef Chartism . In our remark ? , we gave the World credit for the best intentions ; and honestly expressed « ur admiration of its political character and general policy ; and we rejoice to say that the observations of our contemporary , in reply to our remarks , bare given u » no cause to retract the favourable opinions we before expressed .
In the World , of November 18 th , appeared the Editor ' s answer to our article . We had intended to have rejoined last week ; but press of matter prevented us . As the World has Tery candidly allowed us to speak for ourselves , by quoting into its pages the most important portions of our article ; it is only right that we should , as we do most willingly , return the compliment . The World says : —
• ' We never have been fond of controversy with contemporaries ; indeed , we endeavour to avoid it , feeling , except upon rare occasions , it leads to nothing but a waste of time and space which might be much better employed . The gladiatorial displays of Dublin news-
Untitled Article
papera , for instance , are not calculated to inspire a taste for the joys of each contests , where personal abuse is but too often substituted for sound argument 'Whose ambition is aroused by witnessing the proprietor of the Evening Pott pouring forth bia scandalous phial upon the head of the proprietor of the Evening Packet , which tbe latter is sure to promptly acknowledge and pay bach with compound interest ? Such strife is productive of no beneficial results ; it advances no good principles , and seldom even serves the cause of faction .
We , however , turn with pleasure to the Noiftern Star , in which we find a lengthy article in reply to some observations made by ourselves , couched in a tone and conceived in a spirit the reverse of what we have been deprecating . We are , greatly obliged to the Northern Star lot the kind spirit in which U has received oar Tem&ifeB , which were weU Intended , and feel not a little flattered by the compliments paid to ourselves . We will now , in justice to the Star , allow It to speak for itself . "
We too , can say in all sincerity , that we have no taste for the sort of " controversy" described so truly by the World ; otherwise we have temptations enough to embark in " gladiatorial displays" every week that passes . For though "Chartism is dead" (?) the Northern Star ( muoh to the mortification « f the factions ) is still alive and likely to be so while the principles of Democracy exist ; and when will they "die" ? and as we have said , not a week passes but we have some snarling our at oar heels . And ' tis because we believe that " suoh strife ' is rarely " productive of beneficial results" that we
engage in it as YiUte as possible . Occasionally we let our contemporaries know that we can " argufie " as well as they ; and then , when they hare got the drubbing they have provoked , they say : " 0 what a blackguard ! We never thought the Northern Star would have laid us sprawling in tbe mud ! Bless us how uugentlemanly ! We must decline any further contest" ! Such is the way we have been treated by parties who are unceasing in their endeavours to make us " show fight , " and then shrink from the battle . The Editor of the World we are happy to Bay , appears to be a very different character .
Admiriug , as we do , the spirit in which the above extract has been penned , we would have thought it all-sufficient to have quoted il into our pages , but for two or three errors into which our contemporary has falle n , and which the World we are sure will not be offended with us for correcting . The World quotes fully our defenoe of Mr . O'Con-Kon ' s attempt to join the Repeal Association . Wo repeat the conclusion of the argument : — " T rue , Mr . O'Connor—aye and others of the Chartist leaders who joined the Repeal body—had entertained feelings of hostility towards Mr . O'CONNfiLL ; feelings engendered by his repeated betrayals of tbe principles of liberty , ( which we can prove if need be ) ,
and his disgusting libels of the working classes of this country ; but wheu they thought they saw him Inclined to act honestly for once , when they thongbt be was really in earnest in his agitation for the Repeal , they generously smothered their feelings of resentment , — honour to them!—and made sacrifice of their own wrongs on tbe altar of the common good . Should Mr . O'Connor be reproached for so aetlng ? It might have been mote in accordance with tbe loftier ideas of patriotism , seemingly entertained by tne World , that Mr . O'Connor should have sacrificed bis duties as a public man to his resentments as a private man ; but we are not of < tbe same opinion . " On this the World remarks : —
" The Star must admit that this is very clumsy special pleading . The Repeal Association Is a body which owes its existence to Mr . O'Connell , and is known to be completely under his control , and It would seem to us that Mr , O'Connor , in seeking to become a member , gave a practical contradiction to many of tbe charges be bad been in the habit of putting forth . In wisbing to identify himself with the Association he either Bought to embarrass Mr . O'Connell , or place bimself under his command . Now , for tbe Star or Mr . O'Connor to tell us that he was anxious to serve one whom be had described as politically corrupt , merely tbat be might advance the interests of bla country , is what we should not have expected . "
We must plead Not Guilty" to this charge of " special pleading , " " olumsily , " or otherwise . Thank God , we are ( as the Duke says ) " not learned in the law . " " Clumsily" we may argue . We pretend not to be the Cobbett of the Press ; but whatever be our deficiencies , wo are not conscious of any " speoial pleading" in stating our case , whatever that may be . The best answer we can give to the foregoing , is to request tne World to read our observations in the preceding artiole over again . "But when they ( Mr . O'Connor and the Chartists ) thought they saw him ( Mr . O'Connell )
INCLINED TO ACT HONESTLT F 0 n ONCB ; WHEN THEY THOUGHT HE WAS RBALLT IN EARNEST IN HIS A 6 Itatiqn fob the Rkpbal , they generously smothered their feelings ? £ c . c | c . Now what " special pleading" is there here ! To us it appears to be all " plain sailing . " We , Mr . O'Connor , and the Chartists generally , may have been very foolish in supposing that Mr . O'Conmell could be honest , even for once ; it may have been very " olumsy " in ub to have entertained such a hope ; we may cot have had as many opportunities m the World
has , for coming to the conclusion that the Repeal Movement at the Corn Exehange was all hum ; and that " tbe best thing tbat Sir Robert Peel oould do , " to put it down , was * to send a baton of the ' Young Ireland' lawyerlings to mangle law in the Colonies , and appoint a score or two of other Patriots , ready to die for fatherland , to lucrative situations in tbe Customs , Excise , and Constabulary Force "; we may have mis-judged of , and misconceived , the whol ^ matter ; but even if so , and if events ultimately prove that we were wrong , O'Connell , and not us , will be the sufferer .
As , to Mr . O Connor ' s motives in joining the Repeal Association , we hare already stated them , so far as we know them ; and we believe we have done so correctly . It may bo that , without wishing to 14 embarasa" Mr . O'Conwkll , he had an idea of helping to keep his countrymen steady to his professed purpose : and that he stood in need of some such help , Mr . O'Connell ' s conduct daily testifies . A few weeks ago , Mr . O'Connell assured his hearers that Repeal should be obtained within six months , if they observed perfect peace , OR his head fiuoutD be upon the block ! Last Friday , in an address to the Irish people , he tells them that "if they remain quiet , in another twelve months REPEAL WILL BE AT HAND" I First the
Irish people were told that this was the Repeal y e ar ; next that by Apr i l , Repeal should be had , or Mr . O'Connell ' s head should be forfeited ; and now that if they will only obey his " commands , " ia an .-otheritofi /« £ months Repeal will be , —not obtained , — but AT HAND ! Does the World call this " special pleading" ? We do , at any rate ; and very " olumsy " pleading , too . Let O'Cohnell look to it . He may carry his Repeal pitoher to the well of delusion once too often ! The World quotes " with pleasure" the concluding portion of our article , which our readers may remember was a defence of Chartism as it is , compared with what it was " forty years ago . " In reply , the World saye : —
" Tbe SHr denies that forty years ago the principles of the Charter were eitbtr well understood or effectually advocated . This is strange ; for we had thought representation co-extensive with ! taxation , was a theory of the British Constitution . It is acknowledged by the Star th ^ t forty years ago the Richmonda , tbe Foxes , and the Greys , spouted Universal Suffrage , notwithstanding they afterwards threw the measure overboard . Were such men likely to bring forward such a question in Parliament unless they knew they were powerfully sustained out of doors ? They were incited to activity through party motives—bnt then , Universal Suffrage was emblazoned upon the banner they unfurled . We have not space to-day to puisue the argument , but shall be happy to do so on another occasion , if oat able contemporary be not already satMed . "
Truej " Representation po-extensive with Taxation " has been the " theory" of that thing called tbe " British Constitution" : but the ^ ory is one thing ; the practice has been anbther . When the monster Harry , and the ehe-tiger Elizabeth , Summoned Parliaments at their will to register their edicts for the despoiling of the Church and the poor , and the enaoting of "Aet-of-Parliament creeds , ? ' where was this boasted theory then 1 When Cromwell ' s gang cursed the country with the " Excise" ; when a "junta" of Whig aristocrats and London merohants , calling themselves a " National Convention" (!) gave the Crown to Dutch William , and , —presumptuous idiots , —bound themselves and their posterity to ac-
Untitled Article
knowledge and obey the sovereignty of William and Mart and their heirs FOR EVER , where was the theory then ? When the Septennial Act was passed , authorizing tho enacters and their successors to sit for seven years , instead of one ; and when war was made by a corrupt Legislature upon the people of America for asserting the principle that " Taxation without Representation is tyranny , " where was the theory then ? Now , it was just these invasions , and setting at nought of this iheoryi that had rendered the mass of the people ignorant of the prinoiplea of the Charter ,
"forty years ago . " We did not acknowledgetha f "forty years ago ] the Richmonds , the Foxes , and the Gre ? 8 spouted Universal Suffrage . " Our words were that these parties " had some years before" that period so spouted , " 'Tis sixty years since , " or thereabouts , that the shoy-hoys affected to advocate these principles . At the subsequent period of " forty years ago , " these ; worthies were silent as "dumb dogs" upon the subject . True , when the question was brought forward by these men , they undoubtedly were sustained by a party oat of doors ; but not Buoh a party as exists now . The World has ndfe
forgotten the kicking out of the Whigs ; and the Whigs say " the Qhabtists did it all" ! " Forty years" sines Birmingham bad not a Chartist Mayor , as Dr . Priestley knew to his cost ; nor were the Corporations of such places as Leeds , Sheffield , Nottingham , Leicester , and Northampton composed to a great extent , as they are now , of avowed Chartists , or men professing ' the same principles under another name . ' Forty years since" the factions were not , as now , glad to go cap in hand to the Chartists to solicit the support of the
longreviled , but now courted , because growing , Democracy . But we are but repeating what the World has not refuted ; and we are sure 4 hat so ardent a lover of freedom as the World will rather bs rejoiced than otherwise , to find itself corrected , and convinced , that so far from The World standing still , it tas slowly but aurely progressed ; and that every day is hastening the downfal of that system which has been the bane of this , and the " seven-centary " -6 urse of the sister country . M If
our able contemporary be not already satisfied , " we shall at a future day , be happy to resume the subject . With such a controversalist as the World , we shall be happy to break a lance at any time , when tbe interests of the public , and not personal or party vanity , demand it . As to the issue of such contests we care little . It matters not whether we succeed in correcting the World , or the World succeeds in correcting us , so [ that information be imparted to the people , and truth be triumphant I
Nottingham—.An Adjourned Meeting Ot Framework-Knitters, Was Held At The Shoulder Of Mutton, Barker-Gate, In Pursuance Of The Notice
NOTTINGHAM— . An adjourned meeting ot Framework-knitters , was held at the Shoulder of Mutton , Barker-gate , in pursuance of the notice
given last week , but owing to a public meeting taking place , it was but thinly attended . The following resolution was passed unanimously— " That seeing the downward course of the Framework-knitting trade occasioned by a spurious , and thereby a superabundant quantity of goods , it is the opinion of this meeting , that until a general union be formed of t& 9 men , and legislative protection afforded to them , there is but little hope of ameliorating the condition , of the operatives ; we therefore recommend for that purpose , that branch unions , in accordance with tha Miners' plan , be forthwith formed : and when so , that
a general meeting of delegates be called to form a general code of laws for their guidance ; and shonld tho assistance of the central committee , on the petition business be required by any of such branw unions , by giving them notice their case will w punctually attended to ; that whereas it was agreed on Monday , the 20 th inst ., at a general meeting of all branohe . 8 of framework-knitters , tB *» a levy of one penny per frame be forwarded to tW Central Committee to defray the outstanding deotfi but as that resolution has not been generally cofflj plied with , it is requested that such subscriptions Wj forthwith forwarded to the CentralCommitteeat tno Shoulder of Muttoa , Barker-sate , Nottingham . G . Woodward , Chairman to the Committee .
Untitled Article
Three have been several fires during the week J * Liverpool , but , fortunately , thsyhav © all &een ff " under without much damage haying been done .
Untitled Article
THE OASTLER FUND . LIBERT ^ TO THE CAPTIVE . It is with heartfelt pleasure that we refer to the general and earnest movement , now being made to effect the liberation of one of the best men this land bas in it , —the truly great and good Richard Oastler . ; His long incarceration in a prison for debt has been a national disgrace . It is indeed high time that the stain was wiped out .
Our readers will not need reminding , that we have ever set forth his many claims to public support , and continually called upon all classes to perform their duty toward him who has served them , by not only procuring bis release , but also placing him in a situation , when out of captivity , far above want , or even the ; fear of it . It is , therefore , with muoh gratification that we witness the matter , at last , taken up with becoming spirit , and every indication given that the long-desired object will be fully accomplished .
Richard Oabtler has been useful . He has done muoh to ameliorate the condition of suffering humanity . He has been an important wheel in the complicated machine of { human progression . He has contributed muoh to ; the " onward" march of mind . He has done Bocitty service ; and society has now a duty to perform towards him , which , we trust , will be faithfully discharged . Richard Oastleb , in what he has done , has been honest . He has had no interested ends to serve . Self , with him , has been no consideration . He was convinced ; and he spoke . He felt ; and he acted . He did not considerately weigh the pro ' s and the con ' s on his own interests ; but he threw himself into the gap , bodily , —ready for the sacrifice , if sacrifice was needed .
The immolation ! was demanded ! Tbe " pound of flesh , " was insisted on . The " Bond" was exacted ; and the penalty has surely been paid ! It is the firm conviction oh the minds of all parties , of Oastleb ' s sterling integrity and truthfulness of purpose , that has j obtained for him the high moral standing in the land which the present movement proves him to hold ; and the fact that men of all creeds , and of all j politics , can , for the time being , eink their several differences , and unite to do ho , noup to moral worth , puts one in love with human nature itself , thusjshown to be loving , and sound , and hearty at bottom , when fairly appealed to , and occasions arise which thrust aside the factitiousness and conventionalisms of society .
Yes ! in this case men of all parties do unite ; the political friend ; and the politioal opponent ; the churohman and the dissenter ; the workman and the employer ; the master and the servant , ka take their stand on the common ground of humanity , and tender the warm-hearted hand of fellowship and aid to suffering uprightness . The movement is indeed general , Meetings have already been hol ' den at HudderBfield , Bradford , and Bingley . Leeds , a 8 we announced last week , is preparing . Tho meeting in that town is to be on Monday next . Inj all probability , it will be in the
Court House ; but at the time of our present writing this is not ; definitely settled , as the Mayor , who has the granting of it , has been out of town , and oould not be seen . \ It will , however , be holden , either in that bnilding . orinthelargeroom of the Commercial Buildings . The platform , on that occasion , will , as we are given to understand , be occupied by men of ail parties ; the Tory , the Whig , the Whig-Radical , the Radical , and the Chartist . There will also be men there of no political party ; bat all will join in sympathising with the wrongs , and in rendering
needful aid , to an injured mas . We expeot on that occasion to Beo the Peer , the Clergyman , the Christian Minister , the Alderman , . the Councillor , the JBurgess , and the politicallyproscribed , meet together for once , and , unitedly do a good deed . JMany , very many parties , well known to be politically opposed to Mr . Oastler , have already signified their intention to be present , and to take part Jin the procef dings ; and we need scarcely add thati without doubt , those who agree with Mr . Oastler , either amongst his Tory or Chartist friends , will be present also .
Conneoted withj this movement in Leeds , there is one circumstance that has gratified the immediate acting frien | ds of Mr . Oastlep in no small degree . With pleasure do we accede to the request contained in the following note , and give publioity to the letter that accompanies it . The tribute therein so generousl y paid to the integrity of a politioal foe , j is indeed honourable to the HEART of the writer . The ease between the
two men , was not in every day one . The " war ef words , " and sometimes of actions too , has tfceen bitter and almost unceasing . Still all natural kindliness could not be smothered in political contest ; and Mr . Baines has shewn that he possessed strength of mind sufficient to throw paltry revenge to the winds , and act the part of one man towards another in time of need . The conduct he bas pursued is highly creditable to him , as the following will abundantly prove : —
To the Editor of Hie Northern Star . - ^ SIB , —Yoa Will ' greatly oblige the Lee « lB Oper » ti # Committee for promoting Oastleb ' s Libbrxt Fokd , if yon will Insert the following communication in your next journal . They ; seek for its publication , not only as a tribute tp tbe high moral standing of Mr . Oastler , aa evidenced In the aid thus freely and generously tendered him by a political opponent , but also for the justification of Mr . Baines , whose explanations ought to be known to prevent misconception . We are , jSir , yours respectfully , I John Hutton , Chairman , i Wm . Bideb , Secretary Leeda , Nov . 29 , 1843 .
Untitled Article
RECONCILIATION . It is with no ordinary pleasure that we direct the attention of our readers to the report of the discussion , which took place on Monday last , between our friends at Nottingham ; and from the manner in which the proceedings were conducted , all who read must come to tbe conclusion that misunderstanding , rather than desire to create dissension , led to the apparent differences which have so happily terminated . And while we are thus ready to do every
justice to other parties , we claim for ourselves the same measure of justice at their hands . Without attempting to rub the sore , or re-open the subject we think that we have a right to say that , in the opinion we ventured to give , we were actuated by the best and most laudable motives ; while the happy result ef the meeting between Mr . O'Connor and our Nottingham friends goes far to establish tbe fact , that we-acted wisely by wUhholding from the public ear matters which merely required a mutuaj explanation to ensure satisfaction .
It has been held prudent , as manifested in several votes of different Conventions , that local disputes should be locally discussed and settled in those localities where they originate . There the causes of complaint are first seen ; there proceedings are matured ; there preliminaries are arranged ; there discussion takes place ; and the verdict there passed should be satisfactory to other localities where dissension Has originated out of any portion or distortion of the original dispute . When we trace tbe several disputes that have arisen in our ranks to their real source , we almost invariably discover that they have not originated with theChartist body , but with dissatisfied 'individuals , who are allowed to faa the most insignificant charges into grave accusations . We state these things here more especially for the purpose of justifying our hereafter non-interference in , or notice of , local or sectional disputes . We have now lying before us correspondence of a most mean cbaraotor , which , from the similitude , we must suppose to be stereotyped , and transmitted to tbe various localities , containing not so much charges , as threats of vengeance , against Mr . O'Connor . But while we highly appreciate the motive of those parties who have thought it their duty to put him upon his guard , upon the principle that to be forewarned is to be forearmed , we Bhall abstain from making the Northern Star a vehicle for even its Proprietor ' s defence , feeling assured that the accused will at all times find his safety to consist in the purity of his actions .
Our brave , UBflinohing , and warm-hearted friends of Sunderland , and the North , have our thanks for the candid manner in which they have dealt with Mr . O'Conner , by transmitting a correspondence which now lios before us . Without any further notice from us , he will find ample satisfaction iu their short but conclusive reply . The working claesea will find enough to do in combating open enemies and professiug friends , without being led into party and sectional squabbles for tbe mere gratification of disappointed and ambi . tious individuals . We are aware , that whilo an unfounded disagreement existed in Nottingham , artful and malioions " tricksters" have been at
vork , sedulously endeavouring to make tbe dissatisfaction of Nottingham a ragng plague to be spread throughout the land . We rejoice to find , ! however , tbat the good sense of our friends there has stopped the fever , destroyed the infection , and thus prevented the spread of sickness through the Chartist body . This example will doubtless be imitated wherever 1 itB stern prinoiples are to be sternly maintained , and
to the working men themselves , who anticipate benefit from the accomplishment of their principles , we look as the physicians to arrest the progress of that contagious malady intended for their destruction . We shall not further venture to expatiate upon the subject , but leave with the people the chastisement which the promoters of disunion are sure to receive at their hauds , when their machinations are discovered .
Untitled Article
" Leeds ; 27 Nov . 1843 . " Gentlemen—In compliance with tbe solicitations of a deputation from the Committee for promoting a subscription to effect tbe liberation of Mr . Oastler from the confinement under which he has so long suffered , and to make some provision for bis future wants , X wish to cast into tbe ' Subscriptions' my contribution of Five Pounds which they conceive ma ? have an influence beyond the mere amount of tbat subscription . " In taking this step I wish to guard myself against any misconstruction ; yoa will therefore allow mo to say that my views are as much opposed as they ever
have been to Mr . Oastler ' s upon the political and economical subjects on which we ha- * e hitherto differed . " You must permit ma also to add , from , recent allusions that have been made to my acquaintance with Mr . Oastler ' s late excellent father , that , though I bad a great respect for that gentleman , and had tho pleasure to enjoy his friendship for many years , I n ° ver received from him ( as Mr . Oastler seemed at one time to suppose i any obligations , or any assistance towards my , establishment in business ; and tha * ; in uniting with bis son ' s friends in serving him in bia present exigency , I am wholly uninfluenced by any considerations of tbat nature .
'' With my beat wishes for tbe speedy attainment of your humane object , " I am , gentlemen , " Very faithfully yours , " Ewd . Baines . " To the Committee for promoting Mr . Oastlert Subscription . " It is , indeed , refreshing to find that the burning contests of party do not entirely obliterate human feeling . They have done , and still do , much mischief in the world : but such instances as tbe one now
recorded , go far io show us the utter folly of continuing them ; and give a foretaste of the kindly feeling , true consideration , and even happiness that might universally exist , and of which this world is capable , could we but learn oommon sense enough to be » r and forbear with one another . The reference to w recent allusions" concerning Mr . Baines and Mr . Oastler ' s father , in the last paragraph of Mr . Baines ' s letter , we are somewhat concerned with . That " recent allusion" was made by us . It was reported in last week ' s Star .
Concerning the matter , we are glad to be set right . We deem it necessary however , just to observe , that in making such " allu s ion" we were not without authority . Mr . Baines knows that the statement has been often made ; and by those too , whom it might be presumed , had reason for what they said . It has , up to this period , been uncontradicted . Now , however , we have Mr . Baines ' s negation to the statement ; and for having made the " recent allusion" which has drawn forth Mr . Baines ' s explanation , Mr . Homson thus publicly expresses his regret if it has caused Mr . Baines the least
annoyance . Turning from Yorkshire to Lancashire , we Bud a similar spirit , in connection with the " Liberty Fund , " existing , tbere . From Manchester we h » T 8 the following : — " Within the last week the Central Committee of Lancashire , Cheshire , and Derbyshire , for raising a fund for theliberarionof Mr . Oastler , have held several meetings , and made the necessary arrangements for appealing to the public on behalf of that truly honest and patriotic man . In a few days a public meeting will be called for this purpose in the largest place tbat can be procured in Manchester . At a meeting of the Central Committee , held at the Old Swan Inn last night , Mr . Thomas Daniel in the chair , an address to the working people and their friends was unanimously adopted . "
A copy of that address we have been favoured with We regret that we cannot find room for it . It is a fair and candid setting-forth of Mr . Oastler's case ; and will , we trust , have the effect of rousing up the entire Faotory Population of the Great Cotton . District to " come to the rescue" of their fkiend and unswerving advocate . Liverpool is also on the move . Nay , London , tho wen ; the social exoresceGce ; the sink of corruption itself , feels called upon , to take part in affording freedom to the captive patriot .
Halifax is arranging for a meeting also . Barnsley holds one on Wednesday next . Sheffield and Wakefield will speedily follow ; and we trust that the example so numerously Bet will not be lost on other places , but that every town and village in the manufacturing districts will emulate it . The Central Committee meet every Monday at tha Railway Hotel , Brighouse , at three o ' clook . To that committee , the arrangements for public meetings should be communicated ; as by that course
being pursued , the committee may be able to secure for them the services of influential gentlemen who have placed themselves at their disposal for this business . Tbe committee also invite the attendance and co-operation of all friends . The last meeting was attended by W . B . Febsand , Esq ., M . P , Joshua Pollahd , Esq ., J . P ., Jonathan Scholefield , Esq ., Wm . Cooke , Esq ., T . R . TAXHAM . EEq ., T . S . Brookk , Esq ., J . Thornton , Esq ., Mr . L . Pitkethi-ey , Mr . John Leech , and Mr . J . O'Roubue .
In conclusion , we call upon the Factort Workers of England , TO DO THEIR DUTY on this occasion ! Mr . Oastler has done more than his towards you . You have benefitted , directly and palpably , from his labours . Whatever amelioration in the working of the stern , iron , realities of tho Factqrt System may have taken place , —and muoh in tbat way has been done , —to Oastzeb yoa are indebted for it . You owe six a mighxt bebt lit return . We now want you to pay it ! We know that he has your grateful and hearty thanks ; but in his hour of need do let him have some little of your cash . He did not spare his cash in your service . He was , when he began to work for you , in as happy a position as man could
possibly wish to be . He lived in a most lovely spot . He had an income of £ 500 a-year , or just upon £ 10 a-week . He wasrevered and delovedby all aronnd him if happiness ever found anjabidiug place on this earth , surely it was on his hearth . He heard of jour wrongs . The tale sunk into his heart . He satisfied himself that what he had been told was true : and then he boldly came to the rescue . Money or comfort was with him , no question . He spent his all . Nay , the very debt for which he has been cooped up within the walla of a prison for now three years and a half was incurred to obtain -protection for suffering infancy . It was to prevent tour children from being worked to death , that Oastler became a "debtor : " you are ' therefore " debtors" to him : you ought to PAY him ! !
Every Factory worker is bound , by all the ties of humanity , to contribute to this " Libertypurchasing Fund . " Let us trust that all will so consider it ! Let but tbe Factory Workers ft ive twopekcs each , and the wort is done ! Only twopence each !! Who is there , that knows anything of what the Factory system was , and what it is , but will spare thai small sum , to rescue their friend from prison-confinement ! Let the Factory Workers only do thatt and Oastler will be placed in a position to do them far more essential service than any he has rendered yet , great as that has been . Then , Factort Workers , TO THE RESCUE !!
Untitled Article
& . __ ' THE NORTHERN S T A R . \_
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 2, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1241/page/4/
-