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Northern Star (1837-1852), 20th April 1844, Edition 1 of 1, Page 4

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 1844.
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      Untitled Article

      GLORIOUS TBIUVPH-DEFEAT OF THE LEAGUE AT STOCKPORT . On Monday evening last , one of the largp ^ t indoor pnblio meetings ever held in this to'Tn , took pis . ce in the Hall of Science , for tha purpose of hearing addresses from Messrs . ( x . White , of Birznlnghlaij and F . O'Conaor , E ? q . Prom an early hour in the morning it was quite apparent the Lesifue had determined on a trial of strength . Their H Msn-Priday" Allinson , the Chartist renegade , and several oT - » similar Et&mp , / who are noways nice ajbont a job , providing there is cash at the end of it , were husily engaged all day . beating up recruits to ** oppose O'Connor and the Chartists ? _ and so oent were they upon carrying their point , that some of

      the mills stopped three-quarters of an hour earlier than usual , and money given to all who wonld oonrent to go and do the dirty work-of their masters On tie evening preceding the meeting , AUinson waited on the Irish Repealers , and . tried to induce them to go and assist him to " npset O'Connor and the Chanista . " They however had too high a sense of honour , to he made the tools of their enemiesthe Xeagners , and indignantly refused to comply with the dastardly request . At half-part seTen , the time announced for opening the bnsiness , the large platform was almost entirely in possession of the " Free-hooters . " Mr . G . White , of Birmingham , Mr . John West , of Sheffield . Mr . J . Bobbins , of Northampton , Mr . T-- Clark , Mr . J .

      Carter , and lit . J . Mitehell , all Delegates to the National Convention , appeared on the platform and were loudly cheered . Mr . Clark proposed , and Mr Mitchell seconded , that Mr . Joseph Carter take lie chair . Mr . J . AUinson moved , and Mr . J , flamer seconded an amendment , that Dr . Goulden should preside . This proposition shewed what reliaace they had , on their strength , but alas their " fond anticipations" were doomed to disappointment ; for , oh the amendment being put , aiont one hundred hands were held np , whilst for the original there were tv > o thousand ! Mr . Carter then took the chair amidst the enthusiastic cheers

      of the meeting ; and after thankiDg them for the honour they had-oonferred upon him , and pledging himself that friend and foe should alike haTe a fair hearing , he coaelnded by introducing Mr . Thomas dark who was warmly reeeired , and in a brief and spirited speech moved ( he following resolution : — "That this meeting are determined to standby the Charter as the only meaas of creating happiness and « omfort for the working classes , utterly regardless of ihe tricks and subterfuges of f&ctioa . We are further of opinion that- the -existing Corn Laws are set the cause of the distress which now exists , or that the JEreo Trade nostrums would better our condidiilon . "

      Mr . White of Birmingham , on presenting himself io second the resolution , was received with the most deafening applause . B e went on at some length to argue the question of Fres Trade , and in the most humorous and argumentative manner exposed the fallacies propounded by Messrs . Cobdcn and Co . Mr . W . was engaged illustrating his argument by an anecdote , when Mr . O'Connor , accompanied by Mr . Hobson , entered by a side door to the platform . To attempt a description of their reception , is a task for which the writer is entirely incompetent . The cheering , clapping , waring of hats , handkerchiefs , &c ., was tremendous . Mr . White continued hi 3 address for a short time and then reiired amidst loud cheers , to make way for

      Mr . OTosada , who , on presenting himself , was again greeted with the mosi tremendous applause , which haying subsided , the learned gentleman proceeded in a strain of the most captivating eloquence and convincing reason , to expound the great benefits to be reaped bj the indnstrous of all classes , from the adoption of the principles of the Charter . He-took cognizance of the several charges preferred against himsdf and party , and clearly demonstrated to the satisfaction of every "unprejudiced mind that under the circumstances of the country it vu impossible lhat be conld have acted other than he did without compromising his principles and honour , —the only two things which

      gave life a charm for him . fie analyzed in the most Masterly manner , the Masters' and Servants' Bill , and Lord Eliot ' B Disfranchising Bill . He also directed a considerable ^ hare of attention to ibe qnestidn of Free Trade ; and so far succeeded in creating a favourable impression in favour of h : s Tiews of the matter , as to elicit the hearty applauss of many poor deluded slaves who had been sent to the meeting for the express purpose of hooting him down . He concluded his speech by inviting any one who had questions to pat , or opposition to offer , to present himself- He sat down amidst lond and continued applause . The enthusiasm created by Mr O'Connor ' s concluding remarks having < subsidedJ

      Mr . Johb H . &XEB . rose and delivered himself of a long , rambling , unconnected speech , during the coarse of which , he treated us to a jotirnev to America , Russia , France , Belgium and Brazils , eulogised Mr . Cobden for his tffort 3 to cheapen sogai and bread , amused the audience with an account of his own laborious achievements ia the cause of " reform f and as proof of the veracity of bis Btatements referred us to a " fifer" who played in one of the " moral force" hands in the days of yore . The spe » ker conclnded his horrible itfliction by pnt&sg three questions to . Mr . O'Connor : —First-Why he did not meat Mr . Cobden when at Leeda , or at some of the country meetings which thai gentleman had atteadvd 1 Second—Why Mr . O'Connor voted against ihe Repeal of the Core Laws 1 Third—Why Mr . O'Connor , who professed to be opposed to physical force , had voted for the " ulterior measures" proposed by the first Convention ?

      Mr . O'Cosaox rose and thanked Mr . Hamer for the opportunity he had afforded him to set himself aagbt with the people of Stockport bj publicly asking him those three questions . As to . the first , tt he did not meet Mr . Cobden whin at"Leeds , or at some of the severzl county meetings which that gentleman had attended V did Mr . Hamer suppose he ( Mr- O'Connor ) was such a fool as to go to Mr . Cobden ' fe' ticket meetings , or tha ; he wonld follow Mr . -Cobden from place to place to thrust himself upon Euch meetings , whb the convening of which and with the arrangement of which , neither himself nor friends had anything to do ! No ! brat if Mr . Cobden would accept of his challenge ; viz . to appoint a committee on each Eide to maka equal

      arrangements , ha would undertake to meet Mr . Cobden either in Manchester , Leeds , Glasgo-y , Nottingham , or Stockport , or in all of them : with this condition only : that such meetings shall be free , cpe n ones , without tickets ; the meetings to appoint their own chairman . As to the second question : — " Why he voted against a repeal of the Corn Laws in the House of Commons in 1332 ! " he really thought it was too bad to charge him with inconsistency . He voted against it ten years ago , because he saw , without the vote , it would do the workman no good ; and if he were there again to-morrow , he would do the same . Mr . O'Connor entered at length into hi 3

      reasons for opposing ihe League , which elicited the hearty applause of the meeting . The third question or charge was fonnded on nothing . What the Convention meant by * ulterior measures , " was refraining from the use of exciBable ariicles , exclusive dealing , & . e . Mr . Lovett had moved a recommendation to the people to p . at jo taxis . This he ( Mr . O'C . ) resisted and defeated . So ii was when the charges preferred against him came to be considered ; they exhibited him in a more enviable light , and invariably reflected disgrace on his accusers . He again thanked Mr . Hamer for asking him the question , and sat down londly cheered . ThB Chairman next introduced

      Mr . Jobs West , of Sheffield . After the cheering which greeted him had concluded , he commenced an able and well directed fire on the League , and exhibited in the most glaring manner , the absurdities pat forth by Mr . Hamer m his Rassian flight . He proved by the most unanswerable arguments , that free trade in com , meant cheap labour , and concluded a most luminous exposition of the rights of labour , versus the robberies of capital , by challenging the best man amongst the League to meet and discuss the qaestion of the Corn LawB . Mr . West sat down warmly applauded .

      Mr . Joshua . Bob-ox , Editor of the Northern Star , was introduced to the meeting and was received with tremendous applause . He likewise belaboured the unfortunate Leagne , whosepincipal men were on the platform . Be quoted B ^ utps and facts showing how our incr e ased foreign trade had not benefited us ; because we had to give the foreigner just upon six times the quantity " of onr goods , the fruits of the labour of our famished -artizans , for little more than the same amount of money , that we received some fifty yea / s ago for one sixth part of ihe - quantity of similar goods . E 13 statements had a striking ~ effect upon the audience , particularly as tbeyTWeie drawn from Parliamentary documents . ilr . Bobson concluded by challenging refutation to what he had advanced . He retired amidst the most enthusiastic applause .

      On . the Chairman rising to pnt the resolution , George Wood , of Ihe Anti-Corn Law League , roie and begged that the latter part of the resolution ahould be left out . He had no - objection to vote for the preceding part ; but if the mover would not consent ( as he thought they would not ) to withdraw the objectionable part of the "resolution , he . should move , which le did , that 4 be latter part of . the resolution should he expunged . A person at the far end of the hall , seconded the motion , which on bang put was negatived by at least fifty to one . The most-enthusiastic applaus 3 . followed on the

      show of hands . It was repeated again and again . '" Jdr . T . Class then rose and proposed " Tnat the Chairman he instructed to write , by the direction of , and on behalf of , the meeting , to Mr . Cobden , M . P . for the Borongh , requesting him to meet Mr . O'Connor in the open air , at Stockportj on the first Jioliday , when all parties couid attend , and discuss with that gentleman the question of a Repeal of the" "Corn Laws / ' Mr . ; James Mitchell seconded the resolution , which was carried with great acclamation . "At-Hus stage of " the preceding * , the reneg » de 'Alfensbif , who sat ' at the back-part of the platform rdSatoleJEve the room v Tftepoor ; wretch turned ghastly pale and made as speedy an exit as feasible .

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      Tke groaning continued until n& was entirely out of sight , when the building shook with cheers of triumph . Mr . O'Connor then proposed the thanks of the meeting to ths Chairman , which was seconded by Mr . West , and carried unanimously . Three cheers were then given for the Charter and O'Connor , and three groan ? for the Tories . Thus ended the most important public meeting ever held in Stockport . The building was crammed to suffocation , and hundreds were obliged to go away who could not gain admission . O'Connor forced his most bitter enemies to express their admiration of him . Messrs . White , West , Hobpon , &c . acquitted themselves so as to reflect the highest credit upon tke cause they have espoused ; and every Chartist went h » me highly delighted at the drubbing the enemy received . The League J alas ! whoever can find them shall be handsomely rewarded 1

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      The New Chief Babon or thb Exchiques —Sir Frederick Pollock was this day sworn in a sergeant-at-law , and , having proceeded to the Common Pleas , and having gone through the usual ceremonies there as sergeant , returned to the Lord Chancellor ' s room , and was sworn in as Lord Chief Baron ; the queen ' s remembrancer having administered the oath of office , and the clerk of the crown the oath of allegiance , &c . The Court of Common Pleas was . crowded on Sir F . Pollock's entrance ; and , in the course of hia progress through

      the courts , the learned gentleman received the congratulations of his friends . —Standard of Monday ; Mjln Drowned . —On Snnday , a middle-aged man of weak mind , named William Hop wood , was found drowned in a well , called Buckley Well , situate near Primrose Bank , Oldham . The deceased had been fetching water from the well , and is supposed to have overbalanced himself , and accidentally fallen into the -welL The deceased , who was forty-two years of age , and unmarried , obtained his living by carrying water for his neighbours .

      The Northern Star. Saturday, April 20, 1844.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , APRIL 20 , 1844 .

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      THE ASSEMBLED CONVENTION . Thb reader will see from the Reports given in another part of this sheet , that their men delegates , representing their feelings and wishes , are now in deliberation ; and that they have taken steps to cause those deliberations to be of advantage and benefit to those whom they represent . The main object they have in view , as will be gathered from the several Reports , is to devise a plain , simple , and effective tlas , under which the influence of the nontlective power may be brought most effectually to

      bear on the elective class , and on their representa tives , so as Bpeedily to induce the legislative adoption of that measure which will give all an interest in the good government of the country ; because each would have conferred on him that share of public power which is his own as a mam From the representations made to Conference b j each delegate , it plainly appears that such is the universal wish » f the people represented : and the delegates have set to work in good earnest to accomplish this most desirable object .

      It is universally felt , that as there is no prospeet of procuring the enrolment of the plan last agreed upon , it will be needful and wise to dissociate the iakd question from the political agitation , leaving it for those who may be disposed to take up the n ? n > flam by itself , and of itself ; to show in actual EiPKRiHENT the beneficial nature of laud ccccfatios and use , under proper regulation . This will simplify any plan the Conference may devise very mnch : for the Plan having only io apply it political objects , much of the machinery and detail inseparable from the last plan , tcilh its combined oljects , will be wholly unnecessary .

      Of course , care will he taken to see that whatever plan is adopted , fully and completely complies with the law of the land ; so that in its working it will be Bure to he of ipfect , by putting it out x > f the power of either Whig or Tory Attorney-Generals to " put down" the Charter agitation by taking advantage of any illegality in the constitution of the society , and "visiting the members with the pains and penalties of the law .

      In next week ' s Star we shall be able to give tho plan agreed on at full length . At the time we write , it is impossible for us to detail what it 1 b likely to be farther than thus generally . At the present moment , the Committee appointed to receive the suggestions and instructions of the several constituencies , and to digest and embody them in a connected form , are in deliberation . The result of their labours will be shortly laid before the entire body j and then the delegates will each apply their minds to the subject , with the single object of making the constitution and working machinery of the society as perfect as possible .

      The good feeling that pervades the Conference is matter of gratulation to each and to all ; while the order in debate and demeanour of the delegates towards each other , mig > -t , with advantage , be copied by a certain assembly styled the * ' collective wisdom of the nation . " There has not yet been one attempt at " cock-crowing , " or ass-braying , " to put down a speaker ; nor the more ordinary means of " coughing" n stamping" resorted to , for the same purpose . Nay , there has not yet been heard within the wslb of the Chabtist Parliament one singlo " ironical civ" of " Oh ! oh 1 " Perhaps this arises from the fact that the representatives there

      are merely those who tvobx for their bread , and are not " accomplished ' in the art of living without labour . Let it arise , however , as it may , the fact is so ; and it is an instructive one . The " 6 BAN » tNQOTST of the kation" will not suffer much in character , as far as order and decorum are concerned , from the infusion into it of some soores of working men ; and a majority of the thinking people of Englaud have persuaded themselves that the character of the legislation itself would not suffer in-any great degree . At all events , they are determined to try whether this would be so or not ; and the present Conference is at work endeavouring to show hove thi 3 is to be accomplished .

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      polling-place , and being obliged , many of them , to remain there for fi ? e ; day 3 , and Bix , if Sunday intervened , as has been invariably the care . A plan no doubt hit upon for the purpose of harrassing and annoying ignorant and impoverished innocent country voters , who upon no other , occasion ever visit the county town . If this infliction was disad- ; vantageous to the hardy and honest mountaineer , the Liberal" candidate notwithstanding found some , advantage from it : an advantage of which Lord Eliot ' s Bill is intended to deprive him .

      Under the old system it was some consolation to the serf to know that he might probably be spared the angry scowl of his landlord while voting according to his conscience ; bat Lord Eliot's Bill ensures for all that supervision and censorship , which none can escape . The principal , indeed the only objection urged against the Foett Shilling Feeeholdees was the selfish and uncontrolled power exercised over them by the Irish landlords or their agents . Bnt in Lord Eliot ' s BUI we have a higher interest attached to

      subserviency ; inasmuch as we believe few will deny that a farmer , with a £ 50 , £ 60 , « r J 6100 , holding will be more firmly bound , by the larger amount of interest , or possession and responsibility , to the will of his landlord . We have very often asserted that the only benefit that Ireland has derived from the Act op Union , has been the infliction upon that country of the worst and most iniquitous portions of British policy , British laws , British legislation , and British representation . The bill of Lord Eliot is an apt illustration of that assertion . Lord Stanley a former Secretary for Ireland , and now a colleague of the Tory Eliot , has declared , boldly

      declared j insolently declared , amid the cheers of the landlord class , that English tenants consider the elective franchise as an important condition of their contract ; and he farther added , that withoat any will or disposition of their own , they went to the poll as voluntary supporters of their landlords . No doubt , then , that the good [ working of the Chandos Clause in England ; and the bright example set by that serf class , lauded by the Noble Member for North Lancashire , is relied on as the new conditions upon which a similar serf class in Ireland ¦ hall held their voting tenures .

      We have before bo fully explained the roLnrcAL effect which this new Tory Reform Bill must inevitably produce , as to leave no doubt upon the minds of any that its real objeot is to secure the ascendanoy of the Tory party . We have also explained how and wherein the English people have a greater interest than even their Irish brethren in resisting the measure . For so large and so sweeping an alteration in the Representative System , w « confess we were taken by surprise by the short time allowed between the introduction and the second reading of the Bill . We had good grounds for fearing that a sufficient opportunity would not be allowed

      to tho working classes for marshalling an effective opposition to so dangerous an innovation . In this misgiving , however , we were agreeably disappointed ; for all England , with one accord , and as if by simultaneous consent , has declared its fixed and unalterable determination to resist the monstrous infliction . Hastily prepared as the angry feeling of the country appears to be on the subject , we rejoice that the well expressed opposition to the measure in its infancy has forced an interval of another ^ fortnight from the Pbike Minister ; a fortnight which we trust , as we hope and believe , will be devoted to a stern and uncompromising agitation against the

      measure . To fight this point , and against the common enemy , Englishmen and Irishmen must forget that their respective countries are separated by a channel , or that they have been divided by different sectarian , * social , and political feuds and dissentiens . Again we say , that as a political measure , this Bill , if enacted , would be more injurious to English than to Irish interests : and now we shall very briefly point out what must be its social results .

      If this measure ever become law , it will be followed by a great extension of the large farm system in Ireland : while the present small occupants , together with their several dependants , whose subserviency could not be relied on , will be driven from agricultural Ireland to England , as fresh competitors in the already over-stooked labour-market . The LAND being the thing represented , ejectment will follow ejectment ; ousting will succeed ousting ; clearance , confiscation , and murders , will follow in quick succession ; and then the " characteristic barbarity" of the Irish people , instead of tho characteristic auuTALiTr of Toryism , will be charged as the offender .

      While such would be the political and social effects of this new Tort perpetuation measure , let ub consider what its religious and moral tendency would be . The Catholio Emancipation Bill has been relied on as the foundation of a bettor understanding between Protestants and Catholics : while we fear that the Eliot superstructure to be raised upon it will disappoint the expectations of those who entertained any such fascinating notions . The present representation of the land has enabled Sir R . Peel to manifest some trifling opposition to the Bible-Education Societies of England ; but its proposed conversion Into church-franchise allotments , will

      compel him to abandon hiB " National System , and to fall back upon those on whose support his political existence must depend : and thus onco more the old Kildare-stbeet system of prosely ting , Catholic denunciation , " damnat on , " and " soripture-con version , ' ' will be brought into full and irresistible force . The guardians of popular instruction giving to the Catholio pauper the alternative of remaining uneducated , or of taking the " Bible-grindstone" with the " educational oheese . " Here , then , is a resuscitation of all those old religious feuds , bickering ? , and dissensions of which Catholio Emancipation was to have been the destroyer .

      For all these reasons , then , political , social , moral , and religious , we invite the opposition of every lover of freedom , of social happiness , of religious equality , and moral ascendancy . England has already spoken out boldly on the subject . Let not Ireland sleep while the Tory wolf iB at the door ; for if once the destroying monster shall gain admission , a footing , or even toleration , our united and best exertions will fail to drive the beast fr « m the fold .

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      MR . ROBERTS BELPER MESSRS . HASLAM . w TO PREVENT ANT MISTAKE . " These are words which , under ordinary circumstances , would hardly be selected as a subject for an article ; but their intention is so good , " to prevent any mistake" ; they read so prettily ; and their circumstances are so droll , and withal so instructive , that we are desirouB of rescuing them from that oblivion to which they would otherwise be Eoon consigned by the rival bill-stickera of Bel per .

      AboHt ten days ago , Mr . Roberts was requested to pay an immediate visit to Derby , to do what conld be done for the' release from gaol of some of his clients ^ who had been illegally sent there by men whsm the law calls " Justioes . " After procuring the requisite documents , he was requested to go to Belper . Hy presence was much required there , and was sure to effect much good ; so off he went without delay .

      Belpeb is about seven miles north of Derby . It u the centre of a large coal district . The Truck System is carried on there to a . frightful extent . There are labourers inJhat . district who have not received * ' money" for their work during the last Jive yeirsl ) With very few exceptions the wages are paid by ^ tickets for goods / ' Tenpence is paid by an order for seventeen ounces of beastly bacon , — from which a dog , with an ordinary nose , would turn with loathing ; while the same ; article , of the best quality , nay be purchased at . a neighbouring shop for one-third less ! At the same time the coal owners , several of whom are Magistrates , are work-

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      ing their black slaves at about half the wagea that are obtained elsewhere , It is natural enough to suppose that this state of things led to much dissatisfaction ; and the result was , that the men ( those who were in the Union ) determined to giye over work for a while . Mr . Jessopp , too ; a religious man—a moral man—a magistrate and a master ; one who delights in preaching that his rule of conduct is " to do unto others as he would that others should do unto him i " this saintly piece of mortality had determined to employ no man who belonged to the Union . He

      belongs to the " Masters' Union" himself ; and is a very active member of it . He was reminded of this the other day , and asked whether it was not rather inconsistent ? " Well , " he said ,- he is a tall handsome fellow ; loves a glass of port ; drinks it with a smack ; and M so help him Bob , " opposes the Corn Laws as a religious question—same as Mr . Spenceb : " Well , " he said , looking his facetious interrogator full in the face : " Well ; yoa think it inconsistent my belonging to the Masters' Union , and at the same time persecuting my men for belonging to their Unien : well—it has a queer

      look , I must confess ; to-be-sure , ( a pause , ) but after all—yes—no , that ' s not it . ' * Here the Old man , whose , grey head should warn him of eternity , became so bothered with his confessions , that Our friend took leave of him for a while . However the result was that several hundred men were idle . They would not give up the Union—not they— " Give in—0 ! fie . " They say that unless

      work is paid for , idleness is far cheaptr ; can lie in bed longer , don't want so much to 6 at , nor to drink ; and so on . So they walked about ; and to amuse themselves they got a drum and a fife , and a triangle ; and , being musical , they played their tnnes up and down every where ; and sometimes when they met a traitor to the cause , they sung out lustily if the weather was fine ;

      " Bab , bah , Black Sheep , Have you any wool f For this and other "MISBEHAVIOUR , " the men that " played the triangles" were "had up , " with about a doasn others , " before the magistrates . " The charge was , " molesting the said John SnicmIes , for the purpose , and with the intent thereby , and by means thereof , to induce the said John Snigces to be and become a member of a csrtain Union called * The Miners' Association of Great Britain and

      Iraland . ' " One hardy son of toil was fined £ 5 for " drumming" the wife of a " black . " He " shoul dered" her : " he did ' nt strike me ; but he pushed agin me with his shoulder . " The other cases were dismissed , on Mr . Roierts undertaking , by the desire of the men ,. that thero should be no more " playing the triangles . " The drum had previously been done for . Jessop ^' s man had given another man 3 s . to " bust it open . " Funny all this ; but thus they do things at Bolper .

      "To prevent any mistake" we must now return to the subject—Truck —from which Jessopp ' s religion had induced us to wander—Truck ia the curse of the neighbourhood of Belper ; and it was very difficult to abate it . We do not say that the Magistrates connive at it ; 6 uch an assertion against the Queen's anointed would be too haaardous : but we do say , that they have exhibited very great reluctance to exercise their Magisterial functions , and destroy the evil we complain of . We know very well that it id hard to be obliged io convict a man with whom you dined but yesterday—to whom perhaps your estate is deeply mortgaged , or by whose

      permission , perhaps you wero enabled to " f ualify for a Justice . " Hard however , or not hard , the fact is , that it is next to impossible to induce a Magistrate io grant a summons ftr a Truck case , or to sit in judgment on one . Sometime ago , Mr . Radfobd , of Belper , was seduced or frightened into granting a summons ; bat before the case was oalled on , a good aaturod lover of justioe , —one who liked to see things dene properly—reminded him that he had a brother in the silk trade ; and therefore be could not act : and so he did not act—and Truck triumphed !

      As soon , however , as Mr . Roberto ' s determination to visit Belper was known , a meeting of the Truok masters was immediately called . Mr . Jessopp does uot sanction the Truotc fraud , and therefore was not present . Within an hour or two after Mr . Robert's arrival , the following handbill was printed by the device « f Messrs . Haslam , three of the principal " Truckers ; " and when Mr . Roberts left his hotel the large thing greeted him and cheered him from all the walls of Belper . " To prevent any mistake , " we give it entirely . One of the originala is with T . S . Duucombo , Esq ., and probably has already found its way to the Heuse of Commons : —

      " PENTRICH COLLIERY . " ••• Messrs . Haslam think it right ( it prevent mistake ) , to give nottce that all men employed at their colliery will receive their wages wholly in money , aid be at liberty to spend it where they like . " If they buy at Messrs . H ; islam ' s shop they will be supplied ( as heretofore ) at wholesale prices ; but they are not expected to buy there , and will have the Hatno work and wages whether they go to that shop or any other . "C . Coates , Printer , Alfreton . " «• April 9 , 1844 . "

      Now this we consider to he about the richest thing of its kind that has lately come under our notice . Tho men were "to receive their wages wholly in money and be at liberty to spend it where thet like . " We call this the very essence of generosity ! It reminds us of our old fathers voice : " Here Bill—here ' s threepence for youspend it where you like , and don ' t splash your trousers . " " Spend it where you like" ! "This , " we cried , as the b g words first dazzled our vision ; " This is the land of liberty" I

      "SrsND it WHERE you like " : why it is not above ten years since the Truok Act was passed to compel you to do the very thing!—a law thatstigmatixed as a fraudulent truckster , the foul thief , that even songht . to make you do otherwise I But then " you mightn't know it ; " or , " you might have forgotten it—tis so long ago . " And how kind , how "beautifully kind" ( as a friend of ours who sold candles in Temple-street , Bristol , used to say of every rare deed of generosity)—how "beautifully kind" to tell the poor -Pitman of it ! It quite " melts one" —( we were again with our candle friend . ) But for this intimation , THE MEN MIGHT HAVE THOUGHT THAT THETT

      WERE FORCED TO BUY THEIR TEA AND SUGAR AT A PARTicuLAB shop , where they sold everything , and of every gender , from a blunderbuss to a bustle 1 And its all so true 1 " You are at Uberty to spend it . " Yes , that you are ! Nobody can contradict it . St . Paul would not be believed , if he swore to the contrary ! And " wholly in honey ; " not M four shillings in money and sixteen ia goods . ' No ; all —every bit of it—in " the current coin of the realm" !

      And all this is told the Pitmen " to prevent any mistake . " This we call the beauty of the thing ! We Bhould always look to the intention ; what lawyers call the " animus , " Can any intention or purpose be better or more pure 1 'Tis " to prevent any mistake . '' Suppose , for a moment , that Mr . Roberts had not gone to Belper , and that Messrs . Haslam had not printed the bill;—suppose this , we say let the Pitmen for a moment , a single

      moment , suppose this , ( uot longer or it might make them ill)—why they might have made a " mistake" ! They might have fancied that their wages were Nor to be paid ^ wholly in money" I and that they were mot ** at liberty to spend it where they liked" ! Nay , they might have fancied that they would not * have the same work and wages" if they did not go to " Messrs . Haslam ' s shop" !

      And so they went to the printer "to prevent any mistakes . " Verily ^ Mr Roberts , your joarnies produce ; strange documents J They say theVvery warrants of commitment are done differently from what they used to be . Butlwe really wish , that"fa prevent any mistakes , " you would use better pptis , mend your writing , and giye us more facts . If it

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      had not been for our friend in Leicestershire , the glorious Bill that we have analyzed would never have travelled beyond Belper . The benevolent designs of Messrs . Haslaji would have been unknown , save to a neighbourhood , which , we aro told , is apt to ascribe these conceptions rather to FEAR than to love . Nou * { the world knows it all , Now the world can fully appreciate the magnanimity of paying the men " wholly in money . " Now the , Messrs . Haslam will go down to posterity—wherever the Star shines they will glitter—like Socrates , Wat Tyxer , Tell , and Mrs . Far—as mea who really wished to do a deal of good , -and learn to set about

      it—and at the proper time too ! for have not the walls of Belper proclaimed it that " the men may spend their money where they please I" And has not this been done " to prevent any mistake V What a curious coincidence as to the time selected for this wonderful exhibition of benevolence . ' —the very day of Mr . Robert ' s first visit to Belper . Perhaps they did it to gratify the " Attorney General ' s" iheart ; perhaps it was an intimation to him that he might retnru to Durham . " Go along , my fine fellow go thy ways , Mr . Attorney , there ' s nothing for thee here . To prevent any mistake , we shall pay ia money for the future ! No more truck , Mr . Attornet . k Spend it where they please , ' . Mr . Attorney . Ha ! ha 3 ha !"

      And ha I ) ha 1 ha ! echo we . Indeed we have been in a { rollicking laugh ever since we commenced this most strange piece of writing . Yes Messrs . Haslam , we accept your prophecy . You shall "pay your men in money . " THEY shall spend it where they pleise . Carthago delendu est . Truck shall fall ! The blow that has been given will soon be repeated ; and another , and another will follow , till the monster dies !

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      " ALL MEN ARE BORN FREE AND | EQUAL 1 " 11 We are oppressed , and have too long Kanit at our proud lord ' s feet ; vro have too long Obeyed their orders , bowed to their caprices—Sweated for them tue wearying trammer ' s day ; Wasted for them tbe wages of our toil ; Fought f 0 * them ; conqnered for them ; bled for them , Still to be trampled oa and still despised ! BUT WS WILL BRKAK OUR CHaINB f" .

      It was a j day ever nwmorable in the annals of human kind when , amid the din of contending armies and the roar of mortal conflict , the sages and statesmen of America dared to meet and proclaim in the teeth of tyrant-ridden Europe , the long outraged but eteraal truth , that " all men are born free and equal " : thus throwing down the gauntlet to oppression , ; and summoning the oppressed to the struggle for freedom : a struggle which from that hour to this ] has unceasingly oontinuedj and which must and will continue until wrong and robbery usurpation land fraud , are everywhere smitten down , and the heel of all-conquering justice placed upon the writhing , choking , expiring throat of fallen , discomfited tyranny .

      Ah . ' it was no vain fable that poets have sung and philosophers declaimed of , —that the principles of truth and error , light and darkness , have from the beginning been engaged in deadly conflict , alternately triumphing and succumbing . For ages was the glories of the ancient democracies veiled by the Stygian night of kingly and priestly gloom that succeded their greatness ; ' till , in the New World , the ' sun of freedom once more emerged from behind tbe clouds of despotism , infusing the warmth of hope into the breasts of suffering millions , and kindling ia tbe patriot ' s heart that fire of freedom , ] which once ignited , not even oceans of blood can extinguish i

      Yes , it was a day pregnant with blessed hope fox the human race , when Jefferson proclaimed those principles , w hich , embodied ia the immortal Declaration op Independence , rent the New World from the domination of the Old ! The fruits were speedily seen in that fearful and unprecedented struggle which democracy entered into with the League of [ Kings , which in Europe combined to arrest Ljr progress . That progress was arrested not through ! the invincibility of the thrones ,

      hierarchies , and aristocracies of Europe ; but through the treason of liberty ' s pretended friends . Still the strife continues . Democracy is advancing with giant strides in Britain ; while on the continent from Paris to Athens , from Tienna to Lisbon , from Warsaw to Rome , triumphs are daily achieved , or the elements of convulsion are silently gathering which will result in changes unequalled in their importance , ! and of lasting benefit to the human family . ;

      And the ( signal triumph of America , in her struggle for national independence and political freedom , was the grand precursor of these coming changes . ; Yet has there not been wanting much in the abuses of American Republicanism which have tended to retard the march of liberty , and arm the apologists of tyranny yvith weapons which they have not failed to use in combatting their opponents . Wa will name a few of these abuses .

      First . Slavery . That damning stain upon the American escutcheon , is one that has caused the Republicans of Europe to woep for very shame and mortification ; and the people of the United States have much to answer for at the bar of humanity for this indecent , cruel , revolting , aud fiendish violation of their boasted principle—that" All men are born free and equal . " } . . Secondly . ; Their lust for Military Rapine . We do not charge them with being worse than the ruling classes of Europe ia that repeefc . On the contrary , they are not a millionth part so bad : but

      there should be no comparison . The unceasing roar for " War , " " War , " " WAR , " —not for the liberation of enslaved nations , but for the enlargement of territory and the . humbling of Englaud , the ambition and bloody conquests of whose rulers they seem desirous of imitating , affords food for sorrowful reflection . To the enslaved people of this country , who have scarcely an inch of soil in their own nativo land they can call their own , it matters not one straw whether the Americans " anntM Texas" or seizs upon the Oregon ; but to

      the lovers of liberty and the believers in human progression , it is all important that the Americans should not ] deceive and destroy themselves by treading that " Road to Ruin" which has onslaved and annihilated too many other nations who have recklessly and madly cast away the realities of . freedom for the' delusive phantasies of military glory . Thirdly . JThat tbe struggle of the working classes in this country , their own kith and kin , has excited no sympathy with tho Amerioans . With a million times the difficulties to contend with that the ' Amerioans

      had , the English Chartists have been ridiculed and calumniated by a no small section of the Republican ( 1 ) press : for seeking the establishment of the very pr . noipleB of I the Declaration of Independence . But this we cease to be surprised at , when we find the patriots of Rhode Island treated as "Rebels" for demanding Universal Suffrage ! Fourthly . ! , That possessing the rights of citizenship , those rights have been most criminally abused : This is too true . The many have permitted the fevf to usurp and monopolise the soil ; and by bankoraft , lawyer-craft , and the thousand and one schemes of profit-craft , allowed of the accumulation of immense hoards of wealth in the hands' of a tew Leviathan

      blood-suckers , to the degradation , misery , and social slavery of the myriad beea , who rattle their votes ' into the . ballot-box for political schemers and public plunderers , and then call themeelves " free" ! While yearj by year , they continue nearing that slough of degradation and wretchedness in which tho millions of Europe have been too long sinking and groaning in their agony . We by noj means assume that all our American brethren , arp guiltj of the things here charged against them ; but the majority ate bo . There is a party , a powerful and growing one , pledged never to cease their exertions till they break the chains of the slave . There are . those who denoqnee the guilt and madness of war ,-and who dareto defy prejudice

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      in defence of truth . There are those who admlfc patriotism wherever existing , and sympathise with the oppressed wherever found struggling for free . dom . Last , and not least , there are those who seeing the cause of the social decline of tfe ' labourer , have boldly planted the standard of prm , ciple ; and taking up their position npon man , Natural Rights , have demanded a return to tbj edicts of eternal justice , that Republicanism nijj be made something more than a mere name , and tin J masses become socially , instead of nominal ^ " free . " To this last point we wish to direct tit . j attention of our readers . I

      In our seventh page , under the head of "Great ati t Important Movement in the United Slates , " o ^ I readers will find an account of pome most interesting I proceedings at a meeting of the New York Devd . 1 cracy , holden on the 8 th of March last . Our info ; , mation of these proceedings has been derived froa a newIy-eBtabiished . New York paper , entitled " rjj People * Rights" conducted with considerable abilij j and an honesty and energy of purpose truly refresh ing to those who have had to read the inanity falsehood , and bluster of the greater portion of tin American press . This paper has been started as tV advocate of man ' s equal and imperishable right to tl * land ; and simultaneous with it 3 appearance , then

      commenced a movement among the working men U the establishment of an organization to attain i ) practical working of that great principle . At t \\ first meeting , Mr . Dsvyr , Editor of the Wi \ liamsburg Democrat , —well known in the Nor $ I of England for his advocacy of Chartism , j I one of the conductors of the Northern Liberator , * I opened the proceedings by delivering " an intere * I ing and eloquent address , " which we regret has m I reached us ; and was followed by Mr . W . L . Mu I kenhe , one of the most gallant and consistent of tfe I Canadian patriots , nowa citizen of the United Statq f

      An abstract of Mackenzie ' s speech will be found j E the report ; and to it we invite the serious attenti ^ I of our readers . We trust its perusal will incite thej p to a more united and determined course of action , lip achieve for themselves those rights and function fe the use of which the Americans are at length begijfc ning to find out . A second , a larger , and still mo # l enthusiastic meeting was held on the 20 th of Marciji which was addressed , among others , by Messni Devyr and ComMerpord , and that singular , bnll

      determined and popular character MiIe WalshJj Editor of the Subterranean . At this seconffll meeting a most important Report or Address wa ! unanimously adopted , to which we shall call attejli tiou in our next . We beg also to point out ft |! eloquent and forcible article from the pen of Mm Walsh , headed , " Agrarianism . " It proclaims & pure spirit of equality ; and in "thoughts tbi breathe and words that burn , " points out the giigj cause of the slavery and suffering of humanity .

      That cause is ihe monopoly of the soil £ the whuh § 5 sale robbery of tbe land . In England we see it m last free portion of God's earth about to be wresiaj if from us by that gigantic schema of spoliation , hi n Worslet ' s Enclosure Bill . In America we bnifl seen millions upon millions of the puKs fl lands plundered by the greedy speculate ; r and as a natural censequence , the bastd 1 aristocracy of the States emulating the . pridj | l and luxury of the feudalists of Europe , and i doing their utmost to destroy the glorious institution I of their country by sapping public morals and cret ' f I

      ing political debauchery . But behold the difference I between the two countries t in England we submit J to the robbery : for , alas ! politically aad physical ^ l | we are bound hand and foot , —slates 1 We din If scarcely breathe our wrongs ; " for the bayonet im the hireling is ever ready to defend the comW K few who have their feet on the necks of the ma : ] , ¦ We only gnash our teeth and bide our time . U B in ( he United States , although her citizens bm ¦ "like unfaithfnl steward ? , " hitherto made a as -I unworthy use of tbe rights possessed by thera . W I

      forcibly withheld from us ; still they possess it m right , they wield the poweiu If they in a miserable and oppressed it has been ¦ thai [ I own fault . They require but to be set right ; jl to see their way cl « ar ; and , forthwith , they htn m but to will their freedom , and Io I they are frstlm They have not io struggle through a lenglhesed || period of agitation , suffering , and contest , to oblik'l the axe to bring down corruption ' s tree ! They W 1 the axe ! They require but . the sense to will , andthj I arm to wield , and the pestiferous upas will lieb'l : upon the plain I . ' I ]

      Our present remarks are but introductory toft subjeot far too vast to be disposed of in one we&I paper : for the present we content ourselves frl giving insertion to the following pledge , the bond i I ! the American ' ' I

      AGRARIAN LEAGUE . g "We , whose names , are annexed , desirous oJttB storing to man bis natural light ' to the land , do sofenm ) B agree , that we will neS vote for any man , foruJK legislative office , wno yr ' M not pledge himself , all writing , to use all the influence of bis etation , 2 H elected , to prevent all further traffic In the p * ffl lands of the States , and of the TJnitedYStates , aEdtoll , cause them to be laid out in farms and lots for tbeto || and exclusive use of actual settlers . " if

      On this pledge , and matters connected therewithli - we shall have muoh to say hereafter , ia ffifcmeantime , while wishing God speed to our AbpI rioan brethren , we trust -their ; present example v $ I stimulate the men of England to persevere , throng ! I all changes of fortune , through all persecution ^ 1 calumny , suffering and wrong , for the obtain ^ I of that glorious Charter Which will arm them * # I , the rights of citizenship , and enable them to sli ^' l ' - side by side with the Republicans of America , ^ I " as nature made them , and happy as the great & » I of all designed his children should be . ' I

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      THE IRISH DEPOPULATION BILL . We have already explained , and fully , the inevitable effect which Lord Eliot ' s Registration Bill must have npon the Irish county constituencies . We have done so , to point out the political tendency of the measure , rather than the social result . We have not followed the course pursued by the major portion of the English press , which has confined its comments to those portions of themeasnre which may be considered beneficial and advantageous to county electors generally . It is a marvellous circumstance that the general importance of the

      principle should have been altogether lost sight of in a few unimportant and insignificant details . For instance ; our contemporaries extol that change whereby more convenient -polling places are to be established for the new constituencies . They further approve of the limitation of the process of election , established by the new bilL We are not ourselves indifferent to the advantage of those changes ; but they lose their value in the fact that they merely go in aid of a bad principle . Indeed the alterations prove this fact and no more : whereas , those constituencies who were

      favourable to the cause of Ireland were allowed to trudge their way to the one polling-place , which was always in the county town , —harrassing jonr nies , varying from forty even to one hundred mileB : —the J ? oble Secretary for Ireland , well knowing the new class of slaves of the aristocracy , that his Bill would call into existence , is induced by consideration for their convenience , to limit ; their election jonrnies to some convenient slave mart , where the respective " gangs" may be driven under the

      inspection of the resident landlord , the parish parson , the land-agent , the law-Bhark , the middle-man , or his driver ; The time also for the ; attendance of the voters iB "limited to two days in England : aa improTemenr " we-admit ; hut forced by considers tion -for the Noble Lord ' s and his party ' s especial convenience . If one ; eifcumstanoeiaore than another operated injuriously to the * Liberal" voter , it wasjtbe obligation imposed'npon county voters of coming excessive distances to one

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      THE PEOPLE'S PRONUNCIAMENIQ . " I The work goes bravely on ! Column after cobiM I of our paper is this week filled with account ! of j meetings holden in all parts of England , Scotland and even Wales to demand the passing of tt' | Ten Houra ^ Bill , and to resist the adoption op the new gagging Act by which it . is intended m reduce the artificers , servants , and labouring classfiiVi generally to a gtate of absolute and unbearabil j vassalage , ' ||

      As to the Ten Hours' Bill , we congratulate » jj friends of that measure upon the noble and mpfr I ! takeable response made by the masses to the 9 ^ 1 tioa whether they ( the workers ) were in fowar'I a restriction of the hoars of labour , " and prote # I regulation by legislative interference ^ The hM I workers have answered in a vcfice of thunder " ^ 1 are ! " The "pronunoiamentos" of Yorfeli * I have this week been followed up by tbe & 1 besion ¦ of Lancashire . The all-important B ^ ' 1 ing of the People ' s Delegates in Manch <*« f » I on Sunday , settled > that point ; the great p ^ I meetings that have already been holdea in PresW I Burnley , BoUob , ;; &ian ' chester . fcc ' n confirm " * I umphautly the declaration of the Delegates . I

      _ , In opposition to the atrocious Masters and SorTtf * Bill , a perfect host of petitions Wthis week ^ adopted by public meetings , Jrkdes' eociette , & Numerals members of Parliament We , as w ^ f seen by the reports of these meeting , signified tltf * intention to oppose the Bill ,, as a gross and infa * " 113 attack upon the few remaining liberties of the ffj * ing classes . In short , the- doom of this accoisw measure is all but fixed and Sealed . to in 1

      From Dundee in jthaNort ^ . Penzinca " _ South , the voice of- the people has gone forth P ^' claiming that the factory workers shall be prote ^» and labour's sens shaiiWV ^; former enslaved . * strike the last hiow forright and freedom let & ** Town , . Village , Hamlet , overy Trade S *» J Factory , Workshop , " House of CalU «*• £ has not already petitioned , do bo without && * ' ¦ No time is to be lost , . Go to work . nnfrersw ' and you will do so effeciually . Pour in your P ^' titions ; " a long pull , a strong pull , and » P altogether , ' * and the atrooious Gagging Aei *? be . for ever defeated , andthe glorious Ten H «^ BUI W-m » dVL * w r - '

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      \ A THj NOJftiT gEtiN STA K , : April 20 r 1843 .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), April 20, 1844, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1260/page/4/