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THE UO&THERK STAR SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1844.
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MONIES RECEIVED BY MR. O'CONNOR.
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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SOLTON—One of the mo 3 t numerous and xespectails meetings ever held in this U-wn , assembled in the Temperance Hall on Thursday evening , April 18 th , for the purpose of hearing an address from onr tried friend and patriot , Feargus O'Connor , on the following subjects , viz . : —Tbo Ten Hoars' Bill , the Masters and Servants' BiB , and the Irish Registration BilL The meeting was convened for eight o ' clock , but losg before that time ifco spacious room , which , is cs-isMe of seaii » g 33 0 G 0 person ? , was crowded to suffocation , snd numbtrs failed in obtaining admission . Soon after eight o'clock , Mr- Robert Blireorn was called to the chair . The Chairman commenced by reading the placard convening the
meeting , and apologised for the absence of Mr . O'Connor , but assured ihem that that gentleman "would arrive by the last train from Manchester . In the meantime he wonld call npon Mr . Jones , of Liverpool , who no donbi wonld occupy their attention very agreeably till Mr . O'Connor arrived . Mr . Jones , who was received wiih the greatest enthusiasm , then addressed the meeting , fie had spoken fox upwards of an honr , whea the arrival of Mr . O'Connor was announced . As Mr . O'Connor entered the Hall ,. every man rose from Ms seat , and the d&ppiEg of hands aad clearing of the people surpassed anything we ever saw . Mr . O'Connor commenced by adverting to the placard , wliich was beaded , " Down with the Tories . ** He stated ihat
after being in their pay for three years , be was now ccme to put them down . He asked , "Was there ever snch a blind set of men as the Tories to pay a man for the purpose of "kicking Ihemselve 3 out of office" ! bat so it was , and he could not help it . Mr . O'Connor spake at considerable lergth on the Ten Hours' Bill , shewing the difference of treatment of the children of the rich and the factory children . In speaking of the Masters and Servsnts Bill , he Eaid that that Bill would B 2 w have been the law of the laid had it not been for ihsi terror of the oppressor—ifes Northern Siar ; aad the people would hare been in a worse srete of vassalage and slavery than sry people oa earth . The Irish Registration Bill wa 3 a questisn that
required ihe atter-tion of the EngT-sb as well as the insh : if it was allowed to pas ? , they might bid farewell to Ctartism—farewell to Keferm—farewell to saychiug but Tory Orangeisin , in all if ? diabolical and ungovernable thirst ' for potver . When Mr . O'Connor sat down , a vote of thaiis w ^ 5 read from 1 he Operative Short Time Committee" to Feargus O'Connor . E . q ,, for the disnftrested manner in whi ? h he advocated their cause . Itwas thsa moved iy Mr . WIHIszd Howard , asd seconded by Mr . James Lord , * That tbi 3 meeting highly approves of tie vote of tharks , " which was csrrieiHnaaimonsly A vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , snd the meeting separated . The sum of 18 s . 9 d . was collected for ths Executive , ttbtcIj was afierwards increased to £ 1 Os . 6 d .
POTTEHIE 5 . —The folJowiiig szm 3 have be » n received frsin 2 Jr . Sale , delegate te the Cocferscca for the Potteries : —London , per Mr- Wheeler , for Jsmea OMharo , 2 s . For BicbardE—Females of Rochdale Us 6 d ; from Carlisle 5 s Si OLOBASL-On Sunday last , 3 Jr Szmuel Kjdd addressed the people of Oldham , in the Chartist Room , ¦ Grearas-stresfc . On Monday , Mr . Gtorze White p 3 id as a visit , fiDd delivered an address , -which was well xecsivetL Bo £ h addresses gave general satisfaction . BiRlttJIJGH&BS . —At otit meitiEg on Tuesday last , Mr . 3 . Mason gave a report of the Contention proceedings , after which the following resolution wasunanimously carried : —" That ifce best thanks of this locality be gives to Mr . J . Mason , for his straight-forward conduct in the Convention . "
AHMTDOIi . —Chartisrs , Register ! Register !! A Registration Commitiee as every Monday , Wednesday , and Friday evening 3 , as the Crown Coffee House , Leaiber-Iane , to place on the Register all tenants or lodgers paying fonr shillings per week . — Ciiartiss localities reqairing information , or proper printed claims , by applying on the above evenings crn be supplied . MxRTiFBoyE . —The Chartists of Marylebone held iaeir nniai weekly meeting at ths Burn ' s Arms , Bnrn-sireet , when Mr . R . G . Gammage , of Northampton , delivered a thrilling aud spirii-sSirring sddres to s numerous audience . Subject—Labour ' s wxong 3 and labour ' s remedies .
Sorxa Losdos LocAiirr . —Tfcs members of the sbcvB locality met es usual on Saniiay morning last , ana formed a committee for the purposs of jetting as E » ny persons pat on the registry as possible . Tbe Committee will meet sgatn on next Sandsy morniEj , at ten o'clock . . ZB . AKCHS 5 T 2 R . —Cabpk > iebs'Bail . —A large meeting of the inhabitants of Manchester was held on Sunday evening last in the ai-OTB halL Tie meetirg was addressed by Messrs . Bairstow , Dorjcaai , and HaTrison . Ths addresses of ths above talented gentlemen will not s » on be forgotton by I he people of 2 » l 2 ESi 5 e 5 ter .
J 3 CP 0 SXA 5 T jISEXIKG AT M-i ^ CHESTZR . —A pnbllC meefiBi wss heid in tee Carpenwrs' Ball on Friday eieuiiig la £ i , to bear an addr * = s from P . O'Higgins , ikq . Sboriiy sfter eigai o ' clock , Mr . O'Hiirgins entered the a > H , and was rcctived by repeated rounds of applause . On the motion of Mr . I ) . xon , Jir . J . ifcriill Tras unanimoHsly called to rhe caajr , who opesed ihe meeting by a few appropriate rejnaiks , and ccccluded by introducing Mr . O'Higgins . Mr . O'B . c-n cparng forward , was greeted with loud cheers . Bs addressed the meeting for upwards ol an hour , interrupted only by she plaudits of the
Tsst s >^ -rzbij . The meeting was afterwards addressed Ly Mr . Whiie and other gemJemen . Mr Diion th-n moved the following rcaoiutioii : — Tnat yre ike CbartisLs of Manchester , in public meeting a = ScEi& ]^ d , do hereby express our confidence in that irae pairiui P . O'H . ggiuc , E = q . ; and further tender iim oii ? thanks fbr his ezenions in spreading a iBOfslcexe - of ihi-priaciples cosiained m the People's Chaxi ^ r imoDgst our brethren in the sister country . '' Tii resolution was seconded by acclamation , and car : * = d usaaiimously . Thanks were giTen lo the Cudrrsan , and the meeting separated .
3 * . i > xtes c ? the Deisgate Meetikg fok the £ . " j . ^ cHiSTKB District , mixd Atril 2 isi , 1844 . — lir . D . DoBOVEn in the chair , and Mr . J . Kuitall Secretary . The minutes of the list meeting haTnuc been confirmee , it waa resolved : — " Timt the local lect ^ rero * plan bs again brought into operation / 5 B That Mr . J- Nnfctall-and air . D . Donovan be appointed a Committee lo draw out the p ) aa ; aad Vcai they see lie money paid to Mr . Cobbctt , a = agreed to s . % iha "Wigan Conference . ' " That the Secretary ' s bill for postage be paid ; and inat o-i £ halfpenny be levied on the members &f the sera a ] localities in the distrieffor the next month . " " Thai
the ceuEcil of each locality mett imaedistely , to ascertam the number of members enrc-lled on " their boo £ 3 ; also the average number of paying members ; and that they correspond with the District Secretary , Eiating the same . " ** That Mr . J . Nutrall ba sppointed to wait upon the Treasurer , to ksow the reason wvby be does not attend ifle deler&te meetings , and report tee same to tia nest meeting . " '" That Messrs . Joseph Weod , Abraham Haigh , and Tbos . BaEterworth , of Rochdale , find 31 essr 3 . WiUiam £ ciolefield , Daniel DonoTsn , and John Nattall , of Manchester , be placed npon tta plan of l «« : al lecturers . " " Thai this meeting stand adjourned until the ) ast Snrday in May . "
NOTTINGHATS . —A pnblie meeting was-heid in the Democratic Chapel , . Nottingham , on Tuesday evening last . Mr . Sweet was appointed chairman , when a petition to the House of Cammons oa bebalf of Tiomas Cooper wa 3 adopted ; and Mt Dornian gave Ms report of the proeee ^ iegs ia Conference , which proved highly eatisf&cu'ry . Ha received a unanimous vole of thanks for his faithful discharge of the duties assigned to Mm . The petition- was ordered to be ^ ent to T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., for presentation . Tharks were given to the Chairman , when the meeting dispersed . The Braes Waed Lccalitt meet every Monday evening at eight o ' clock precisely . Any locality in tha Nottingham diairict -wishing for the services ot Mr .: Dorman , can apply to Mr . J . Sweet , Goosegate , Itottiogham .
ASHTOli-tTOT 3 EB-I , YjrE . —3 Jr . Aitten has for-Vaided to Mr . Moiling , ol Brighton , £ 2 8 s 63 for ' tbs benefit of Dl M'BouaU . KerviTed from Mossley \ £ 1 % Hooley Hill Chartists 5 s ; Some Asnton Cbar- ' tiste £ 1 33 6 d ; total £ 2 S = 6 a . I I / EED 3 . —0 n Jlonday iight , a meeting was held ! in- the Bazaar , Briggafce , when Messrs . Ross and Shaw delivered in reports of the proceedings at Ihe i Conference , which gave great satisfacti on . Votes of ; thanks WCTe given % o the delegates for their efficient ' services in the Conference , and to the retiring Exe- >
cative for tlie able manner in which they have con- j ducted the business of the Association during their j term of oStce . The men of Leeds . stand in a proud position at the present time . "With tha exception of ! she Workhouse Board , there are Char « st 3 in all the local tffiees in tb . e town ; and before many days hate elapsed , a Testry meeting will be held for the purpose of appointing * select vestry , to act along ¦ sroli ihe oveisfifcis at tie Board . There is not the least donbt but that the Chartists will again be triumphant ; and that they will appoint men who Trill feel for , and sympathise with , file jK » r ,.
TSEWBHim ? . —A meeting of the Chartist body was held in the Room over the Co-operative Stores , on-Snnday afternoon , 30 tear from the delegate a report of the proceedings in Convention . A friend from Wakefield was in tbecbair . Mr . Hat-Seld ' s report gave full satisfaction , ^ nd a vote of tbABks vfss ananimonsly awarded him . " The result of 4 ne-deliberafionB « f the . Convention is likely to be prdOnctiTtfof ^ rdit goodinthis district . Confidence ahJtaaergj- mil Dow * 4 oobdes 3 take the' place of di ^ rnfit and apathy .- ' - - - " - - , j ^ UH 33 X ) ys . -r ^ A iteetiiys was 4 ) olden on M ^ onflav eveiiin& MrTClis ^ et ^ "iliihe cJaaSf , to'Btar tie report of & * jdB&gatfrto ; ihe' ^ onyfintiop . . The report gave T » Ti «^^ ojTa a&tJBfafition' and a Ydte " of thacke to the ' iii ^ jS ^ - &S « f app ») Tal of tiie CoaTenti&a's lafr > W clQ § e ^ ihfilttreting 4 r „ _ - ^ ' jasca
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MONEY RECEIYED TO ASSIST IN DOCTOR M'DOUALL'S RETURN , BY KB ., KATHAKIEL M 0 KL 1 KG , BB 10 HT 0 N . 1844 . £ S . d . April 7 A Friend , Brigton 0 10 14 Mr Davey , Ditto 0 10 — Mr . Gravatt , Ditto 0 10 17 Todmorden Recreation Class , per Mr . Richard CIobb 0 10 0 — Bolton , collected by Mr . "William Fulton 0 13 6 18 Northampton , per Mr . J . M'Far-Jan , from Long Buckby , per Mr . D . E . Leven ... 0 3 7 — Mr . Garney 0 0 3 — Northampton , collected by Mr . W . Hollowell and d . M'Farlan ... 0 17 4 — By Mr . Wm . WiUmott 0 1 1 — From Wm . Hollowell , being profits arising from the sale of Breakfast Powder 0 5 0 Total 17 3 Money Order ... 0 0 3 — 17 0 — Manchester , per Mr . J . Leach ... 4 9 0 — Leeds , per Mr . Brook 2 0 0 19 Sunderland , pel Mr . Christopher Scott , proceeds of two lectures by Mr . Dickinson , at the Chart ;* t Association Room , Burleigh-street ... 0 5 0 20 Dundee , a few Friends , per Mr . R . K'dd 0 4 5 — Todmorden , per Mr . F . Hollowell 2 3 0 22 Djjventry . per Mr . G . Ashwell : — G . Ashwell ... 1 6 W . Arkrew 1 6 An Apprentice 0 9 A Friend ... 0 3 0 4 0 23 Colne , Lancashire , psr Mr . Jos . Watson 0 10 0
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LORD ASHLEY AND THE TEN HOURS ' BILL . Much space as we hare devoted to the consideration of Lord Ashley's "Ten Hours * Bill , " and cheering as our announcements have been from all parts of the empire upon the subject , yet we have felt the difficulty of keeping pace wita the rapid strides everywhere made in the onward march for female and infant protection . While listening to or circulating the fixed resolutions of the hardy sons of toil , an over estimate of their power might have betrayed U 3 into over sanguine hope . Had the public voice been fairly represented in the House
of Commons , we might bare exclaimed ; "Hold , enough ] we are wasting mor « strength , than is requisite for the attainment of our objeot . " But knowing the parties that we had to deal with , and cognizant of the means by which represented Capital can contradict , if not refute , the assertions of those who are governed by its rule , we felt the necessity of both parties joining issue Upon EOme given proposition ; and also of strengthening the popular view . To oppose the rightful measure , the economists turned philanthropists , and the saints put on the mask of "humanity " : the former basing their opposition to a limitation of the hours of labour upon
the injury which mu 3 t inevitably follow a reduction of wages ; and the latter skipping o ? er all the recognised rules of the science , and lustily calling out for " humanity . " One rule of political economy was overlooked or disregarded by all : that which would leave the labourer at liberty " to dispose of his labour where he pleased . " We presume that the nicest philosopher will extend the rule also to : lifo r u-hat he pleascs . '> The points were too fine however to be lost by the economists or the saints , and have consequently been debated without reference to the rulipg maxim . The questions at issue were , firstly , whether or not a restriction in the hours of labour would result in a
reduction of wages ; and secondly , whether the working classes did or did not approve of the proposed limitation , taking rll the chances of the threatened evil . To our mind it appears that the value of the debate up to Easter consisted in the agreement upon those points upon which the contending parties were at issue , with a thorough conviction that the Commons , as the rightful arbitrators , would step in and appoint a committee to hear aud decide upon issue thus joined .
The bold and u ejrparie" statements relied upon by the union of Manchester masters , and tho volunteer championship of their slaves by their representative , Mr . Milxer Gibson , was met aud successfully repudiated by the great body of operatives themselves : but still , we could not expect that oven such a preponderance in favour of unrepresented public opinion against mere Belfish fabrication , and voluntary mis-statements of represented
Capitalists , would have its due weight upon the House of Masters ; but we had a right to expect that both parties would be heard upon the disputed points . In order to accomplish this desirable object , Mr . Durcombe suggested the appointment of a Committee to hear evidence on both sides ; and iu doing so be expressed his opinion without reserve as to the prudenoe of the course pursued by Lord Ashley . Let us hear Lord Ashlet ' s reply : —
" Lord Ashley said it had not bean hia intention to make a single remark , but tho observations of the Hon . Member for Finabury ( Mr . Huncombe ) induced him to read to the House three lines of a letter received by him ( Lord Ashley ) that morning . The Hon . Gentleman said that the eperatiYea considered that he ( Lord Ashley ) bad deluded them—that his conduct was , in fact , tantamount to a surrender . Now be ( Lord Ashley ) belie ? ed that the operatives of England were quit * as fit judges of what was for tboir own good aa tho Hon . Gentleman th § Member for Finebury—( hear , hear );—aud he was quite sure that they bad amongst them tea times more justice and ton times more candoor than had baeu exhibited by that Honourable Gentleman—{ cheers and laughter ) . The letter from
which he was going to quote , was written by the authority of the Central Short Time Conimittea in Lancashire , in answer to what they had heard of what ho ( Lord Ashley ) bad stated as to the course which he had tnkan , and which they had seen in all the public journals , and which public journals the Honourable Gentleman kad evidently been studying , with a degree of accuracy , care , and diligence , which did him ^ reut credit . —( laugiittrj . tikj wutua of ibu letter were , My Lord , —We are all of opinion that the coarse you have adopted in reference to the interests of the working classes is the beat which , under ths circumstances , could have been adopted ; and we shall give you all the support that liea in our power . ' That be ( Lord Aebley ) thought w * b a samciaut answer to the Hon . Member for Finsbury . "
It has been the great failing of the working classes to allow men , upon strong professions , to gain a position , to maintain which they laoteed all tho other requisites to constitute leadership ; while they ( the people ) have looked wxib a foolish jealousy upon all who would keep their leaders in the straight course by close watching and proper censorship . Tho people have , till recently , allowed their truest and best friends to be sacrificed by expediency- mongers and relying upon the fallacies of old . Lord Ashley
fancied himself in a position to school the people ' s best friend in the House of Commons . But the Noble Lord may rely upou it that , however his bit of nobility , his bit of morality , bis bit of sanctity , and bit of drollery may procuro for him the passing cheers and laughter of his brother saints at the expense of Mr . Duncom&b , that his ungenerous , uncalled-for , and unprovoked thrust at the "justice and candour" of the Honourable Member for Fimbury , wiil find a scabbard in every working man ' s breast in the kingdom .
We shall take the trouble of analysing the position of the respective parties who have so nobly rangtsd themselves on Labour ' s side in this mighty struggle for protection to the most defenceless and oppressed . The party consists of an Executive , a represeuta tive , and a constituent body . By common consent , Rjchahc Oastleb has been appointed to the clfico of Executive . The representative honour has been vested in the hands of honourable , jast , and humane persons of all parties , without reference to creeds cr politics . The constituent body consists of those whose interests are contended for ; and from them
the Executive and representative powers are derived . So well satisfied were the people with the exertions of their Executive , that during his whole term of incarceration , none contested the office wkh the " Caged Lion , " because none could have reviled him out , or have burned him out , of those tender hearis upon whose account it was well understood he was suffering . These several elements , merged into a great National Movement , of which Lord Ashley became by accident , position , and circumstances , the Parliamentary leader . He derived his authority from them unitedly , and from them alone . There is no
history upon record of so great a national battle as the Ten Hours' Bill being so fairly fought , notwithstanding theopposing elements of which the forces were constituted . It has been fairly fought by the forces : but not by the leader . Lord Ashley has allowed either his weakness , or his love of class and order , to triumph over hia better judgment : and now he would fain kick , in his dying struggle , at the man who would redeem his lost position by the refutation of those fallacies to which he is supposed to owe his defeat . We have said that the executive and representative bodies in this movement owe their power to the constituent body : and in reply to Lord Ashley's self-gratulation , arising from a communication from a section of the Short
Time Committee , we beg to refer him to a unanimous vote of censure passed upon him by the choBen representatives of the whole constituent body , assembled at Manchester . Now ' Mr . Duncombe possesses the entire confidence of the whole constituent body ; ninety-nine in every hundred of whom are Chartists : and does Lord Ashley foolishly or vainly suppose that they will not only submit to the desertion of their cause , but to a Parliamentary sneer at their test " friend aa ' mllT The very anomalousj position in which the : several ; parties were placed with reference to the Ten Honrs' Bill , was a gkein too complicated to be untangled by Lord Ashlet . Ho had support , upon conditions which he did sot Hnderctand : and he knew not bow to make
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the best use of the discordant elements for a moment * t his command . He was opposed by Liberals and supported by Tories . He lost the Liberals by his wavering ' , he justified the Tories in their defection by hia tinkering . So between wavering and tinkering , his Lordship has come to the ground . One Liberal newspaper stands p 7 «* eminently distinguished for its bold and manly course upon this question . The Sun has established for itself a just
title to the thanks and support of every lover of justice and humanity . It has boldly stepped out from the fold , and manfully taken its legitimate position aa the leader of Liberal opinions upon this all important question ; and as a consequence we find some of its articles upon the Ten Hours ' Bill written in a spirit that warms the heart of every sufferer , carrying conviction to the minds of the opponents of the measure , if not ensuring their co-operation .
Lord AsuLEr bas stifled the Bill for the present ; but we trust that Mr . Duncombe will survive the attempt of his Lordship to send him with it to the grave . We would ask the Noble Lord , what in the name of common sense he supposed must be the result of his intended " lurch" ! He proposed to allow all the pistol shots to be fired in committee , in the absence of the artillery ; and then , when time had beon wasted , when divisions had been taken , or terms agreed upon , up comes the Noble engineer with his " infernal machine , " and asks , a 9 Mr . Duncombe well putB itj for leave to have one flying shot at the game which he had lost the opportunity of bagging .
Lord Ashley will find the resolution to which we have referred in our report of the Convention proceedings ; and of those who voted upon that resolution many had been members of the Short Time Committees , for periods varying from ten to fifteen years , and had taken as active a part , and as honest a part , as the section who appear to be perfectly satisfied with the retreat of ihe Noble Lord .
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intended by Judge O'Nkall . Every drop of blood that may havejoozed from the scourged and toriured back of Baows , will be bo many witnesses before earth and heaven of the hellish nature of slavery ; so many appeals to all that is pure and holy in the States to do the utmost that can ba done to hasten the downfall of that wicked and abominable system . A word to our American brethren . The press of this country , in commenting on Judge O'Neall's letter , says : "; Such are the tender meroies of a land of liberty ! The practical comment on the text that all men are born equal ! " Let these taunts sink
INTO THE BREASTS O # THE FBEEMEN OP AMERICA . Let them think of the serious injury done to the cause of liberty by these hideous inconsistencies , and strive , with might and main , to save Democracy from the calumnies of her interested and bitter opponents . \ The recent debates and divisions of the legislature bas called jforth other strictures upon the
DamooTatid principle . The New Moral World cites the contradictory divisions in the House of Commons on Lord Ashley ' s motion , aa a proof that " Mob legislation ; whether that of the rich or the poor , can effect no real amelioration of the condition of humanity . " j"Such is the character of modern legislation ou the most important aud widely ramified questions of the age ; and the practical working of the representative system I "
Why the poor , who are rigorously excluded from " legislative Buffrages , " are to be charged with the rioh as participants in the errors of present legislation , we cannot understand ; and we most emphatically dispute the conclusion that the ignorance , inconsistencies , ; and oppressions of the House cf Commons as at ! present constituted is any fair test of the representative Bystem . We assert directly the contrary . To go no further than the Ten Hours ' Bill question , we assert that had the magses of this country possession of "legislative . suffrages , " the
Ten Hours' Bill ; would at once become law . This , it will be said ; is merely assertion . But not so . The great massiof tho thousands who have attended the recent public gatherings in favour of that measure , aad who are the leaders of public opinion on that question , are almost universally composed of that party called Chartists—men who are Eeeking " legislative suffrages" as a means to certain endsends some of which are already clearly understood , and some of which are still in tho womb of the future .
This writer says : " Arrangements have been repeatedly explained by which present evils might be annihilated , and the attention of the Government and legislature as repeatedly called to them . But neither can act in the matter by their very constitution . " Change the constitution say we ; make the government and ^ legislature the rtflex of the popular will ; and just in the proportion that general knowledge advanoes , iand public opinion ia enlightened will the government and legislature adopt measures similar iu spirit ; to the Ten Hours' Bill to correct past wrongs and present evils . Just as rapidly as
you can convince the public of the feasibilty of your schemes for national regeneration , just so rapidly will you fiud law makers anxious to carry out yonr views under a system of democratic government '; but undeT the present system , you may arrange your plans , and explain them as clearly as you please , the ruling classes deem themselves interested in opposing you . WHhjthem , therefore , you fail ; while with the masses , ; denied " legislative suffrages , " and therefore powerless , you fail also . Change the constitution of your government and legislature , and you have nothing between you and complete success but the labour of enlightening pnblio opinion *
But we are bid to look to the United States There we are told the masses have all that we are seeking ; and yet are none tho better for ifc . Their condition is rapidly deteriorating ; aad with Universal Suffrage theyibid fair to be eoon as socially enslaved as we are , that " attribute all the evils now endured to clasa legislation , " and are clamouring for the Charter . ! This proves nothing against democracy , other than : that the possessors of " legislative
suffrages" in the ; States , have not as yet been sufficiently schooled ! by experience to teach them how tho rights they floid may toe Dest exercised . . Reasoning from the fallacy that because the representative system has not done for America all that it might have done , and is , therefore , an evil , or at the beat but a worthless delusion , would lead us to the conclusion that the very antipodes of Democracy , — Muscovy despotismi—must of necessity be the best form of government !
The writer in the New Moral World ia altogether wrong when he supposes that the Cbartists believe that if they could " acquire political rights , ihey would , at the same time , eecure social emancipation and enjoyment . " j They believe nothing ef the sort . They believe only that the acquirement of political rights would enable them to protect themselves by measures conceived in the spirit of the Ten Hours ' Factory Bill , and ; aid them in the carrying out of the principle of the American Agrarian League ; thereby , securing ; for themselves the possession of " property" acquired by their own industry , and that " sooial influence" which would bo at once the consequence land support of their political rights .
'Tia no answer to tell us that such is not the case in America ; I It may be if tho people will it . Twenty years ago it might havo been asserted that the working classes of this country ! would'never think of a Ten Hours' Bill , because they wore then ignorant of , or indifferent to , any such measure . Behold the difference now . Twenty years ago , who , in New Tprk , thought of an Agrarian League ! Yet hew mighty , and of what universal import , may the effects of that League not yet be !
It was our intention in commencing this article to have commented upon the different parties now agitating the public mind of the United States ; more especially that party to whose now-formed existence we called attention in our last—the subscribers to the American Agrarian League . We had also designed to have said something upon the very able and most important document which will be found in our seventh page , under the head of "Great and Important Movement ia the United States . " Both must be deferred for the present . So much has been said to the depreciation of American institutions , through the medium of the English press , by mistaken friends an I avowed foes * , that we
have deemed the above observations necessary . They preclude , however , any further remarks from ua thia week , other than that we hope this most important " Retobt" of the American working men will be read '; at every Chartist meeting ia the country . // shows that machinery unregulated , and competition unrestricted , . is » RODPCiNa the same results there as here . It will also show our readers that their American brethren are , like themselves , fast learning the secret of their deliverance ; that it is to thb Land they look as Nature ' s resource , to which they must betake themselves as a refuge from man ' s oppression ; and that the Land they are determined to have . 1
Lastly , the slave-class of England will find in this " Report" no little encouragement to persevere in their noble struggle for the obtainmenfc of " legislative suffrages . " j In Amer ica , the people feel tie evil , see the remedy , and as citizens and freemen are preparing , through the peaceful medium of the ballot-box , to take and enforce that which justice and necessity demands ' .,. Hurrah for the Charter I It will enable the ' workers of England to do likewise ! !' - * ¦
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minenl ; and the most ebqmwent Tat / CKBTEHB , fts fat as we have had to do with them , have been those who pretend to be , par excellence , the " 7 riends oi ths Poob" — " Free Traders —advocates of the big LOAF . " In relation to thi 3 thieving practice , we hava received the following communication from a Correspondent at Holmfirth ; evidently written by one of the poorest of the poor ; but one who jfo&the grinding nature of the evil of which he complains . We give
it just , as we have received it , that the complaint may appear in the narrator ' s own language : convinced that that course will be more effectual fcr the writer ' s purpose than if we altered his phraseology , or even hi 3 orthography . The citrso he complains of is one that is bearing down the worker to the earth . To remove it is the object of the writer . To accomplish this , it is requisite that public attention should ba arrested , and brought to bear oa the infamous practice ; and we know of no means so likely to arouse that attention as the
publication of such communications as the following from tho sufferers themselves , in all their simplicity : —
TRUCKSISTISM V . FREETfiADISM . It is almost stTainge to thiDk that the accursed truck sistiru should exist to the enormonst extent that it dose in Holmfirth , and no one to be found to have the moral courage to attempt to put a stop to it . Thaire are a greate many honest hand looms weavers that is suffering by that accurssed aistim . Thia is one specimen . Out of the many ef that precious freetraid crew , thaire is one manafactnrer that lives not a hundred miles from the Upper-Bridge-End , that as the cursa of the whole neighbourhood upon im , for is baseness towards is weavers . When they finnish a warp , whioh comes- ( o
£ 1 143 ., or £ 1 16 s ., he gives them £ 1 , and the rest in goods , wearing apparel , at 40 or 50 per sent dearer then at tho regular shopkeeppera . and many a timo the goods are rottou . But aa ths Free-Trade Mercury says by the factory labour , " thay are not bound to take it "; " its quite optional " . O , yes but thay must eather take it © r starve . If thay whant any more than the £ 1 Os Od for rent , or any thing no matter what , tbay must wait of a warp a week or afortnight ; but if thay take the £ 1 0 s Od and the goods , thaire is always a warp for them . This is free traidism . Lord Brohbm says " we should lay something by in our young days , that we may be independent in our old age of parochial relief . " Must we lay by these rottoneoods ? If thia did not
come from a lord , thay would think is brains wear as rottton as the goods wee got for our labour . Whea the unatampt newspapers yrehx in circulation theair wear no lack of informers in Holmfirtb . Thaite wear the Blyth ? the Estwoods , &c . ; but wear are thay now 2 Og but this is quite diffrent . Our truckster is one of the free trading pious crew . He goes to the church twise every Sunday , and repeats after the parson very fervently : " we have left undone those things wich we hought to have done ; vre have done those things wich wo hougbt not to have done ; and thaire is no help in us ; bat spare us , good Lon ! . " Yes , spare us wile morning , and we will pay our weavera ' wages in rotton goods again . "
We would commend this letter to tho consideration of the Holmfirth masters ; aud if there is one of their body named Bowers , we would biat that they should ask him what he thinks of it .
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Me . Jones , of Liverpool—Wo deem it an act of justice to one of the best men ia our movement to give insertion to the following letter : —Sir , —I was very much surprised on entering Manchester aa a Delegate to the late Conference , to find that a report had been extensively circulated through that town to the effect that I had withdrawn from the National Charter Association and joined the Complete Suffrage party . This report , as I have sh . ee learned , has extended itself to Bradford and to other places , and aa my late silence may give to it the appearance of plausibility , I conceived it necessary to c £ > r a few lines in vindication of my political character . I wish my brother Chartists to know that that report is a base and unfounded calumny , and must have been
originated by some villanous detractor who glones in ptvva ^ ely mining the reputation of honest men . It is true I bave not travelled from town to- town preaching the gospel of Chartism for the last few montbs ; but I still belong to the National Charts * Association , and enjoy the confidence of all good democrats who know me ; attdsa far from baring joined tbe Stnrgitas , I beg to assure yoa , Sir , that I would sooner retire altogether from political agitation than belong to that party , as I have do confidence in their integrity . WM . JOSEfc Johm Sullivan , Bottom—We really cannot publish tbe iuformation be sends . Oa rtflection he ¦ will see that it ia for the members of the Bolton locality
alone , and not for the public B . Jones , Bristol , will see that his donation for Richards is acknowledged . W . Milson—We do not remember -receiving the report . Lkith—Mr . Femnd ' s address is Harden-Srange , Blngley , Yorkshire . The Addriss of the London Trades shall Bf pear next 'week . A Number of Co-MMtJUictTroNs are unavoidably postponed till our next . London . —The notice respecting the distribution « f prizes for the benefit of M'Douall and Bichards , afe Turnag !* un-la * ae , on Tuesday evening , April 7 th , cannot be inserted , being contraiy to law .
James Wilts , Bibmin « ham . —We never heard of Mr . Mason ' s applying for the situation he names ; and think it is likely we 3 hould have heard , hut such application been made . Nor do we believe it was ever offered bim , though we understand Mr . M . haa stated publicly that it was . A Constant Header . —We cannot tell positively , but think not . T . W . —We are n » t aw » re ; bat think he may learn by application at the Social Institution , Trinity-strtet . Robert Wild , Mottram , desires us to say for him that he will accept tho invitations of his friends as s » on as convenience will allew . H . EdWakds , working jeweller , S , Naw Weston-Btreet , Bermoadsey , wishes for rules of a Co-operative Stove , and the rules t > f the Bradford Regeneration Society , for the ose of the Chartists of the Ssutk London Chartist HalL Will some of our friends for * werd etich Rules ?
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HOBRIBLE MlTRDER AND SUICIDE AT BfitPBB , DbBbtshire . —Between one and two o ' clock in the afternoon on Monday last , tho inhabitants of Belper were thrown into a state of great excitement by the announcement that a mechanic named Yeomans , foe some time past employed at Messrs . Strutt ' s mills * had murdered his wife ,. and afterwards out his owa throat . Yeomans w ^ s a married man , somewhat turned fifty , and had a , family , the eldest son being married . It appears that for some time post he ana his wife have not lived happily together , the ^ oause being a suspicion by the husbacdofhis wifesinnj dolity . In the course of Monday morning , he called at a joiner ' s shop , and requested permission to sharpen a pocket-knife and a common table-knite and . bavine done so . went awav . About half-p ^
one o ' clock the next door neighbour heard a knocfc * ing against the wall , and a terrific scream * and on proceeding to the door found tnat »* . W ^ locked . An alarm was given , and a smith opened ins door , when a most revolting spectacle presenteft itself . In one part of the lower room , ner . oeM resting npon a chair , lay toe body of Mrs- *** * mans , apparently lifeless . About a yard " ° . ° J 5 lay her husband , weltering m blood , hi 3 tnro » dreadfully cut . On further investigation , K w » found that neither party was dead , and ^ wo 6 ar * geons \ yere immediately called in ; but \ ' ? f ! i ? gaspedhis'laXt : immediatelyaftertvards . ^* £ ? 7 . of the niforturiate woman was shockingly W * ^ wit * tirt ^ poker , and she died the follawuigjgj having ' jemaibed senseless during "the U 1 ? n » £ Jealousjr was the catse of the sad atrdqity . »« v » is feafed'thire ' was' tod much reason f « tie a »»
bac d ^ 3 ' saapici < jtfs ; ; ; .. ' -: ,-- •' .. . . ; : AB&N ^ MitEy Pettigrew , ai aged W ^^ J her daughter * > lary . Ana Jfoblyns , were btougnt ^ T 6 r fipal examination ^ ^ at . W 6 r 8 h . ip-street » on fll oBaaji charged with ^ having wilfully set fire to tbe . hena * ! No . 21 ^ Old-stireet-road , which M ^ -feMiWilg the elder prisoner for nearly forty year ? . ™* both fiflfiitaittod foe ttfeU
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The Uo&Therk Star Saturday, April 27, 1844.
THE UO&THERK STAR SATURDAY , APRIL 27 , 1844 .
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OMBjjjjiy occasionsTwo . ha ^ b ^ 'io expose d the machinations resorted to by iha Projit-Mongering clasB ^ O'gefrat the ! wages of Labour , anadeprij ^ ttie toiler of eybri tha | poor pittance vr ] jiici ouj ^ kany V , improvements" liaye left him , as " the-repaid for untiring industry . Amongst those machinations , the horrible system of Tevck ba $ been most pr&r
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Monies Received By Mr. O'Connor.
MONIES RECEIVED BY MR . O'CONNOR .
FOR EXECUTIVE . £ s . d . John Murray , Manchester , cards ... 0 7 0 James Smith , Baxendea 006 A Friend , by J . Smith 0 10 FQR M'DOUALL . Edward Mitchell , Rochdale ... » 9 2 0 FOR CO ^ VENTIoSi . For Kilmarnock 0 5 0
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v S . Noble , Trowbridge . —The Plates at Mr . Homer ' s * Newport , Monmouthshire . Wall , Leek . —The Plates were forwarded as directed . Apply to Mr . Cleave . FOR MR . RICHARDS . £ s d From B . Jones , Bristol 0 10
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WHAT IS DEMOCRACY 1 " Liberty is the power which belongs to a man of doing all that which does not injure tbe rights of another : it has nature for its origin , justice for ita rule , and the law for its protection : its moral bounds are defined in this maxim— ' Do not to another that whioh thou dost not wish he sbou'd do unto thee '"—French Constitution of ' 93 .
In a late No . of the National ( Paris newspaper ) the Editor , commenting on tbe English Factory Question , spoke of the recent defeat of the Tory cabinet , as " a triumph of Democracy . " On this the Editor of the London Times says : — " Democracy of all things iu tbe world ! Democracy , whose principle it has ever been to leave people to take care of themselveB , to repudiate national duty , and do nothing gratuitously hamano !"
Advocating Democracy ourselves , we were rather startled at this definition of our favourite theory thrusting , as it does , principles upon ug which we are certainly not iuclined to take to , and which , with all respect for tbe Times , we must beg permission to 11 repudiate . " That " people should take caro of thomselves " we admit to be one of the prime articles of the Domocratio faith ; nay , we will go further , and admit it to be the basis ot Democracy : but not in the sense implied by the Times . Not that each who has the power to protect himself shall do so , leaving others who are powerless without protection . Not
" Th © go * d old vcay , the simple plan , Thut they should lake -who have ths power , And they should keep who can . " Such is not Democracy ; but such is the principle to which every Aristocracy owes its . origin ; the principle on which Oligarchies , whether composed of brigand landlords , or . plundering profitmongers , have ever , and will ever , while Oligarchies shall be allowed to endure , continue to be based .
Democracy is for " people taking care of themselves ; " and it purposes to do bo by the ouly just and feasible method : that of giving to all equal political privileges , and equal guarantees for the eDJoymont of social happiness . Democracy supposes that the rights of each individual of the community is necessarily bounded by the rights of every other individual ; and in this sense there can exist no oppression which is not the consequence of the ignorance or criminality of the parties wbo , possessing the power , refuse to protect themselves . Tho Times saya that " certain persons now in
power are so imbued at heart with tbe principles of Democracy , that they will not help people who appear incapable of helping themselves , and who possess no legislative suffrage , but only their claims jou juaticd or humanity . " Think of that , Chartists t Sir R . Peel is bo " imbued with the principles of Democracy" that he is pledged to the death to resist your demand for the Charter I The factory workers aro deprived of democratic privileges ; ' they have no legislative suffrages "; they have " only their claims on justico and humanity "—( which claims
are of precious little account in our aristocratical legislature )—their claims auk stitrnfi ) , and at the same time " legislative suffifagea , " which would enable them to enforce justice for themselves , are donied them ! Aud this , according to tho Times , is Democracy I The Times , upon many questions , ia undoubtedly aa authoritywithout a rival ; but not ou the question of Democraoy . On that subject , as wo have just Bhown , the wildest noosense is put forth as incontrovertible truth . " Prose run mad " fi > ras the entire staple of what the " Leading Journal" no doubt considers very olevor
argument . Tho Times asks : "Is slavery inconsistent with Democracy 1 " We answer , yes 1 Try it by the test of the principles enunciated at the head of this article , copied from a " Constitution" the most democratic tho world has evor yet heard of—a Constitution which received the assent of 5 , 000 , 000 of adult Frenchmen ; aud what becomes of the calumny that Democracy can bo accountable lor the curse of slavery ? We grant that slavery has existed in many countries whore Kingcraft has not reigned ; but it docs not follow that therefore the principles of Democracy flourished . In tho boasted Republics of the ancient world , where slavery existed , the privileged , classes were oligarchs ; as much so as those of the aristocracies of Venice and Poland . In the
Southern States of tho American Union , where slavery , planted by Monarchy and Aristocracy , still flourishes , Democraoy does not exist . Democracy comprises all ; the negro as well as the white man ; the African as well as tho American . The cartwhip ruffians of Carolina are as truly aristocrats as ever were the Norraau brigands that followed in the trainiof the bastard William . Demooracy , indeed Demcoracy spurns them as the worst violators of her holy principles ; the most infamous of all her selfish and heartless enemies . While upon this subject we cannot avoid noticing the disgraceful defence set up by the slaverydefending Judge 0 'NEAi . L , whose " letter of vindication " will be found in our American news . Our readers
will remember that a man named Brown was recently convicted and sentenced to death in one of the Southern States , on a charge of assisting a female slave to escape from slavery . This case , the outrageous sentence , and the brutal address of the Judge , O'Nball , to the prisoner , when ordering him for execution , exoited one thrill of horror in the public mind of this country , and the most indignant feelings on the part of the friends of universal liberty on this side of the- Atlantic * -Nor was
America altogether silent . 'A publio meeting , it seem 9 , < has been called at Pittsburgh- ; -and resolutions were agreed to , nobly denouncing this infamous outrage : ^ This ; hks ' okl $ d ^ fch ^ tf&age ; $ ft £ iXtfa yin $ pa « tory [ letter on whioh ^ ibk have not ; patienb © . to comment , but from which it will be Been that Bbown-ii ' not ; to be . hutf |^ bufc onl y to hk publicly flogged I . Thereria ; jone consolation ,: so disjsusting an outrage '' oAnnot be perpetrated without produoing results wholly opposite to those
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THE CONVENTION ; A > 'D THE NEW PLAN OF ORGANIZATION . To the Report in another colnmn , of the main result of the labonrs of the People ' s Parliament , we beg to direct the best attention of every working man into whose hands this sheet may happen to fall : we mean to the Plas or Obganjzation adopted by the Convention Delegates , after much deliberation , and mature thought . It will be found that ths Plan merely relates to the political movement ; and about the Object there can be no mistake . It is set fonh simplyj plainly , and clearly : it is " to secure the enactment of the People ' s Charter by peaceful , legal , and constitutional means . "
Under all the circumstances in which the Delegates found themselves placed , and particularly the fact that there was no prospsct of being able to enforce the E-tholment of ihe last plan ( and without such hxkolment it was utterly valueless)—it was d&emed prudent and wise to adopt the Plan which we ihi 3 day set forth . Indeed , to havo the Society legal , and Its members free from heavy " pains and penalties , " no other course presented itself . Local
¦ societies have been talked of , and have , in some respects , their recoaraeadatious : but with them we can have no combined effort without cokceht and for such societies to act in concert , renders all connected with them amenable to tho law : therefore the only safe course i 3 to have an Organization which will enable its officers to direct publio opinion generally , without iha possibility of the interference of Attorney-Generals .
This will be fully accomplished by the Plan of Organization , to which we bow direct attention , if it be fully and fairly carried into operation . But we mnst warn tbo xe&der , that ho cannot divine all the machinery necessary for effective actioa , from a bare reading of the Plan . That Plan but deals with generalities . It can do nothing else . A reference to the Report will show that the Executive Committee zxe charged with the duty of preparing a Ha > d Bock of instructions to their officer * and
the members , siting forth fully and explicitly how all are to proceed in carrying the respective portions of tha Plan into operation . We trust that they will see to this being done as speedily as possible . No : a moment should be lost in the preparation of such an important document . Without it , a ! l will be confusion and uncertainly : with it , if the instructions ba as they ought to be be , clear and precise , all wiil be orderly and stable . The sooner therefore the document is ready for the members , the better for all concerned .
Indeed , we tike it that the preparation and issuing of this document ieiisj be the first tcork of the newly appointed bedj . 1 } c are beginning again . The names of all members of the society will have to be < nrolled afresh . It is parsed by the Convention , that the Executive Committee shall issue to their oScers in the several localities , uniform books of account , that the proceedings of tbe whole
Association may be fystcmatizpd . But before Euch cooks can be issued to snch efficers , the tfScers must be nominated and appointed : acd as in the nomination and appointment of such officers , instructions to the members are needed to eccqto uniformity and ii . e j a . iTr , the ham book , becomes a necessary not to be dispensed with . We trust , therefore , that the Executive Committee will speedily have it ready for publication .
It will be seen that the Convention have taken no step 3 relative to the La . vd Pus . A 3 the enrolment of the rules a ^ eed upon at the Birmingham Conference cunld not be procured , it has been deemed the wisest course to have the Lam > Question disconnected with the Charier agitation , leaving it for those uho desire to see a svtcsssful experiment on thb LasDj to show ihe bent-Scial application of it under proper and jast arrangements , to pursue their own course ; to act ou independent grounds . We have Teason to belifcvs that steps will be taken to accomplish such a desirable end . Means can be adopted , by which lie pros&cution of this object can be made snbsidaiy to the Political Movement ; nay , efficient aid may be rendered under "proper arrangements : and this we shall rejoice to see .
"We cannot conclude this notice of thelabonrs ^ of the Conv-intion , wKLt >* ai congratulating the country on the improved tone of feeliag and bearing manifest throDgnout its whole deliberations . Not an unkind word was uttered ; not a single snarl or uncourteona remark h-eard : but all was conrteons and forbearance from beginning to end . We know that we but sci forth the feeling of every Delegate that has returned to his eoBEiitnent body , when we say that a more orderly , better disposed , higher principled , or more honest set of men , attached to auy
cause , never yet assembled together . From firet to last a universal desire to promote the main objects in view—tha emancipation of the working millions from the thraldom of slavery , and the placing them ia a position of ikdepesdkcce and sr » CBmr , was evinced , sod never once lost Bight of . There was no admixture of selfish personal interests : no paring down of principle to accommodate personal position or individual sqeamishneES : but a constant and never-varying attention paid to the interests of aix , and means devised by whioh all can speedily be made partakers of universal good .
It now , therefore , remains , with the people to perfect what has been so well begun . The Pia » of Os . GiXi 2 i . Tiox is before them : they can make it operative , by organizing under it . The Executive Committee is appointed : it is for the country to accord them due support , to enable them to fulfil their mission . That mission ia to extend a iuowledge of Chartism where the voice of Chartism has not jet been heard ; and to direct the efforts of Chartists so as to produce the greatest possible
effect on the public opinion of the country . To accomplish this , they must be furnished with thb hbakSi Those means the Chartist publio can furnish 1 and if they are withheld , the withholdew will have inuch to answer for . If proper support be rendered , onr Movement will jfwm obtain and maintain a position superior to any it has yet ocenpied ; and Chartism will be made to oocupy the Municipal . Chamber , as well aB the Le&sktiye CoudcI cf the nation .
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^ _ . THE NORTHERN STAR , \ ' Amii 27 , 1843 .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 27, 1844, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1261/page/4/
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