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Northern Star (1837-1852), 21st June 1845, Edition 1 of 2, Page 4, THE NOBTHERN STAR. SATDRDAT, JUNE 21, 1845.

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    • THE NOBTHERN STAR. SATDRDAT, JUNE 21, 1845.
    • THE GRAHAM SETTLEMENTS.
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      Untitled Article

      IOUDON . Cm Chuumt ILux , 1 , Turnagain-lane , Sunday eSs , Juneloth .-Apublic meetings held in theaJtove haU . Mr . Orcrton was iroanimoudy called to the chair . A resolution , approving of the Chartist Cooperative Land Society , was then proposed , and Toy ably spoken to by Mesas . Dear , T . M . Wheeler , andothers , and carried unanimously . Westjusstbb . —The members of the above ilouridnBglocalitv . navingtakentheAssembly-roomoftlie Parthenium Club , 72 , St . Martin ' s-lane , opened it on Sunday evenins last with a lecture by Mr . Philip M'Graih , on "the Land and its capabilities . " A numi > rnn < : and respectable audience was present . Mr

      G . Hitchins was unanimously called to the chair . Mr . H'Grnth said , in relation to his subject , that we had sixty-scyen million acres of land capable of cultivation , which would maintain at least 131 , 000 , 000 of inhabitants ; while at the present time we had not more than 30 , 000 , 000 souls in the united kingdom . This calculation was not the deduction of a mere visionary—enthusiast—or mad Chartist . ( Laughter . ) Xo , this calculation was made by able tacticians whose authority was undoubted — Lord Lauderdale aud Sheriff Auison . He was , therefore , under the mark when he said the land would support three times the amount of our present population . ( Cheers . ) But the great question was , how shall we get possession of it ? Kins Alfred had granted ten

      millions of acres of good land , not bog or morass , to the people , which was called common lands ; and although revolution succeeded revolution , this land was held sacred till the reign of Queen Anne , when tiie inclosure mania commenced , and since that time the people had been deprived of 70 , 000 acres of their best land : and recently Lord Worsley had made several attempts to get an Act passed to take away the remainder , and had so far succeeded as to induce the Earl of Lincoln , on behalf of the Government , to introduce asimilar measure , which , unless the people bestirred themselves , would assuredly be carried . ( Hear , hear . ) Nowif those ten millions of acres were to revert to the people on the small farm system , allowing five acres to each family , it would place

      two million < & families on the land , and givesustentationto myriads of human beings ( loud cheers ); but lie did not anticipate that , the people would obtain the land nationally , until such time as they were in possession of the elective franchise . ( Hear , hear . ) A National Conference of Trades was about to be held in this metropolis . He was much in favour of a national organisation of the Trades , and believed such a body would possess the power of obtaining anything they pleased ; but should the ensuing Conference assemble and disperse without taking up and carrying out to its legitimate extent the great question of the Land , he could not help thinking their labours would be worse than useless , as the old Trade system of proceeding , by means of strikes only ,

      too surely , indicated . Witness the Shoemakers ' strike at Bradford , when , after a hard struggle , the men had to suimutto worse terras tUau More . Tken &ere were the Masons , who justly revolted against ihe tyrant Allen ; but , alas ! after a protracted and noble struggle , from exhaustion they were compelled to submit . There was also the expensive strike of the Cotton-spinners of Preston , which shared a similar fate . Last , but by no means the least , came the JMiners' strike—a strike having justice for its foundation—astrike , too , of one of the best organised Indies in existence : and be it remembered those men only asked for their labour , and the imminent risk of their lives , the paltry sum of fifteen shillings per week : vet . after a ,

      brotracted struggle of twenty weeks , during which the men , thenr wives and families , nobly bore up against every privation , only receivin g during that time , from the other portion of the people , something like fonrpenee-half penny each . Yet this worthy , deserving , and truly noble body of men were defeated "Why ?—because Trades' Unions have hitherto acted on erroneous principles . There is a surplus of hands in the labour market , which can only be removed by making a proper use of the land . ( Loud cheers . ) The land was the remedy for the evils that prevailed in fids great metropolis and the manufacturinc towns ; and It was the duty of all to st « p forward and endeavour to stem the tide of misery , destitution , and wretchedness that now prevailed , andmaketheir

      country the abode of liberty , truth , and justice . 7 « r . M'Grath resumed Ms seat amid loud applause . Questions were asked and answered by the lecturer ; after , which several persons took eut shares , and paid their deposit . An addition was also made to the members of the National Charter Association . A vote of thanks was awarded by acclamation to Mr . M'Grath , and the meeting dissolved . Mehtikg at the East Esd of London . —A densely crowded meeting was held in the Hall of Science , Whitechapd , on Mondavevening , June 16 tb , m supportof the Chartist Co-operative Land Society . Mr . Drake was unanimously called to the chair , and in a brief speech opened the business , concluding by introducing Mr . H'Grath . Mr . M'Grath entered

      mto an exposit ion of the Land plan , showing its ori gin , practicability , and the great advantages to be derived therefrom . —Feargns O'Connor , Esq ., then rose , and was greeted with the most hearty cheering which having subsided , lie said , —For his part , he courted opposition , and in thestorm or the calm he had always stood by the Chartist body , and never shrunk from discussion . ( Loud cheers . ) He then entered mto a splendid defence of the Chartist Co-operative Land plan , and showed the utter absurdity of the OtyecUum ia £ x . u i / j a . vcruuu tvuuuig jwuuai , ami uic many blundersmade by the author of those very futile objections . Mr . O'Connor then proceeded to speak with great effect on the Land movement in America , and showed that the Chartist mind in England had

      actually given the impetus to the workers in America . Chartism had now created a mind that nought could retard . ( Kear , hear . ) Mr . O'Connor next showed the great advantage to be derived to trades by the adoption of the Land plan ; and showed that the prosperity of a nation depended not on the wealth monopolised in the hands of the few , hut on the comforts of the many ; and said , if the society had a colony of 120 acres in each county in England , that it would of necessity compel the manufacturer to pay a much higher scale of wages . It was because the Chartist LaudplaawouldestaWiahaiiaturalstandard of wages that made the manufacturers and their press its ia » id opponents . Mr . O'Connor concluded by

      showing that it would be in the power of the members to alter the rules ; and that should a majority be in favour of larger allotments it could be easily effected . —Mr . Spencer , made a few remarks in favour of Venezuelan emigration . Some discussion ensued on the Chartist Land plan , and Mr . F . O'Connorhaving replied , Mr . Jones rose , and in a most effective speech proposed a resolution in favour of the Chartist Co-operative Land Society , and of thanks to Mr . F . O'Connor , which was seconded by Mr . mingsworfh , and carried unanimously . —Mr . O'Connor responded —A large quantity of rules was disposed of . Several took up shares , and paid their deposits thereon . A vote of thanks was given to the chairman , and the meeting dissolved .

      Somebs Tows . —On Sunday evening last arespectable audience assembled in * the Hall of Science , King ' s Cross . Mr . John Arnott was called to the chair , who in a few brief remarks introduced Mr . BolwelL of Bath . Mr . Bolwell took for his subject "The Monopoly of the Soil ; " and ably proved , by statistical documents and Parliamentary returns , that in the united kingdom there are four acres of land for every man , woman , and child . Mr . Bolwell resumed his seat amid the cheers of his audience . After a vote of thanks to the lecturer , the meeting was dissolved .

      GLASGOW . The LasdQcestios . —Mr . Samuel Kydd delivered a farewell lecture to the inhabitants of MaryhilL on Tuesday last , on the above subject : and as it was the List time he could lecture for at least three years and a half , his friends were anxious to avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing him . Mr . Kydd commenced by saying that all great questions admitted of many aspects ; but it was also true that these were reducible to a few simple propositions , alike plain and intelligible . The small farm system must be reasoned after the last named plan . What , then , was the proposition of the 1 , and Society ? It was simply a practical application of labour to land : and land and labour were real wealth , The meanest tyro in

      society , possessing the least knowledge of men and things , was aware that the whole object of life in this country was a scramble for money . Money , money , was the order of the day . Now , what did the working man toil for ? Not for the bare possession of gold . This was to him no consideration : it was simply a question of herrings , potatoes , greens , and cabbages . The jmsasion of land , with labour to make it valuable , was simply the possession of greens and bacon , witii many improvements . First , it was a security of possession they wanted : for the Land was atrne bank , and never failed to give in return a fair dividend , provided the holder gave a fair deposit . The evil of society was , that the labourer lived from hand to mouth , with a security that theiioHE iaboer gives , or the greater the deposit , the less ihe reward . It would be exactly the reverse with the secure $ * >* Hssion of land . The marked feature of the Land

      Society was the possession of the land for ever . The Anti-Corn Law League complained of short leases , as injurious to the tenant farmer , leaving him the slave of the landlord , who , by virtue of his power , forced the tenant-at-will to be his slave , thus robbing the tenant of the ftee exercise of his mental convictions , and concentrating political power for the basest of purposes , lne Chartist Laud plan remedied this evil as apni w kbourer ; for he , too , was a tenant at wu , left at the caprice or political bias of his employer . The state of the markets— " Polk versus s ^ LfTf * tf * & ** of tlle forei § n ^ frequently ^ efateofWm . jusTrife . ' iffldfiiinfly ; andthose on Caw ol 0 oked mihon leasis > or dependency tarSS * S P ° 5 f •» a great evil , immediately in a ^ fS ^ jaWr and said : "You live another shop ^'^^ a can tramp and look for out ftwa & ^ W * mechanic was trundled » w or cellar to teg for bread or

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      straw . Evil habits were thus engendered . The spirit of vagabondism became the order of the day , and every evil followed in its train . The secure possession of the land was a remedy for this evil . Mr . Kydd read the plan agreed to at the late Convention , and the common objections to such a scheme . He said he was a "first principle" man , and recognised only the true principle implied in the People ' s Charter—the greatest possible happiness to the greatest possible number . The small form system was an application of that principle . If one hundred men were sick in a hospital , and the physician could only cure ten , what would the invalids say if the physician addressed them thus : — "Sick men , 1 pity you , but as I can only improve the condition of ten , and cannot cure a ll , I resolve you shall all perish V Every man would say such a doctor was dead

      to all true " principle . " So was it with those who said , " We will not improve the condition of one single member of the labour class , because we cannot improve all , and make them all as comfortable as we could wish to do . " There is a point in human nature , which , if sunk beneath , they cease to value themselves , but become willing skives or mad and frenzied desperadoes—useful only to weaken a strong people , and strengthen a weak Government . He wished to guard against such evils , and would use every means to bring man to a sense of Ms real worth and moral dignity . Mr . Kydd was listened to with marked attention throughout , and concluded amidst the hearty plaudits of the meeting . Afterwards a branch of the Land Society was established . A number of members were enrolled , and the meeting broke up liighly delighted with the evening ' s proceedings .

      LEEDS . The Lasb Pus . —Since our last notice , we have had two excellentmeetings in the Vicars Croft . Mr . Jackson' of Manchester , along with Messrs . Shaw , Ha ll , andStansfeld , addressed the meeting held on Sunday afternoon , June 8 th . There was a very large attendance , and the speeches delivered were very effective ; and on Sunday last Mr . Shaw again delivered a very excellent address on the question of the Land to a numerous audience . These outdoor meetings will have a great effect . It is the intention of the council to continue them . The Land Society is making rapid progress . It now amounts to seventy-six members , and the amount received for " . instalment , is about £ 14 . Many more persons would have joined the society before this , but they wish to see the rules first . There is no doubt that when they come down , and get we ll circulated amongst the Trades , that the members will soon

      be double what they are now . One person from Churwell hasjoined this branch , and another from Idle has also joined . It has been contemplated by the directors in this branch of employment toemploy ainissionary to attend at such places as Churwell , Morley , and Rothwell , for the purpose of forming branches . There are , no doubt , many persons in those places who would join the Land Society if it be explained to them . The question of a lecturer will be brought forward again before the district board , and very probably -roll be adopted ; every means that can be USQU to push the Land question forward will be token by the Leeds-directors . They are determined that tids question shall not fail , if they can prevent it . Let other district boards do likewise , and then the experiment will soon be made . The district board , at a recent meeting , appointed Mr . Squire Farrar , chairman , Me . James Watdte treasurer , and Mr . W . Brook secretary .

      MANCHESTER . Lecture . —A lecture was delivered in the Carpenters' Hall on the evening of Sunday last , by Mr . W . Dixon . The subject of the lecture was " the benefits to be derived from Home Colonisation . " At the close of the lecture several shares were taken up , and the instalments paid . The Land question has stirred up a strong spirit of inquiry in Manchester . In fact , it is the subject of conversation in every company where working men are congregated ; and we have reason to believe that Manchester will not be behind

      in the number of shares taken in the Co-operative Land Society . On Wednesday evening last a meeting of the National Charter Association of the Carpenters' Halllocality was heldinthekrge anti-room of the hail , when it was agreed to form a branch of the Cooperative Land Society . A number of shares were taken up , and the first instalments paid . The members also instructed their delegates to the country meeting to bring the Land question before the delegates , with the view to the formation of branches in every part of South Lancashire .

      COCKERMOUTH . At a meeting lately held in this town , a committee was appointed to carry out the objects of the Chartist Land Co-operative Society . Mr . Thomas Nixon was appointed treasurer , and Mr . George Peat secretary . Nine members enrolled their names .

      BARNSLEY . No . 1 Branch of the Chartist Land Co-operative Society met on Monday evening last , in Mr . Adam ' s large room . Mr . John Vallancetook the chair , as president of the committee . The society is steadily progressing . After general affairs were settled , a discussion arose regarding making the proceedings more generally known in the town . It was agreed that a puWic meeting should lie announced , either by the bell or placard , ¦ of the inhabitants generally , when the members would impart all the information they were in possession of to all desirous of knowing . The meeting to take place on Monday , 3 uuo soiU , at seven o ' clock , in Mr . Adam ' s large room .

      NORTH LANCASHIRE . CsARTier Caux ^ Meehsq . —On Sundaylasta amp meeting was new on iwarsuea jaeigun , near Burnley . There was a goodly gathering of sterling democrats assembled under the " broad blue sky , " who were highly edified by the addresses of Messrs . Mooney , Gray , Williams , and Todd .

      BOLTON . At the Weekly Meeting of the Chartists of Bolton , held on Sunday last , in the Associationroom , Maudsley-street , after transacting the monetary and other matters of the Association the following resolutions were unanimously passed : — " That a delegate meeting be held at Westhpughton on Sunday next , at eleven o ' clock in the forenoon , at the house of James Kaye , near to the Red Lion , for the purpose of arranging for a camp meeting , and to re-organise this part of south . Lancashire . " The

      l / nartists ot the iollowing places are requested to send a delegate or delegates to the above meeting , as business of importance will be brought forward : Wigan , Chorley , Leigh , Tydsley , Hindley , Blackrood , Westhoughtoa , and the surrounding places . " rhat a meeting be held of all those favourable to the Land plan , on Tuesday . the 24 th of June , at eight o ' clock in the evening , in the Association-room . " We enrolled four new members , and three more were proposed . We have also re-opened the Sunday School ; and parents may thus secure a good education for their children .

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      Is the Northern Star of the 15 th of February last , we commented , at considerable length , on the New Bill to " alter and amend tlte laiv of Settlement" as brought in by Sir James Graham , calling attention not only to the revolutionary nature of several parts of the measure itself , but also to the nationally humiliating declarations of the Home Secretary in introducing it . It was on the occasion of propounding the nature of his new measure , that this functionary proclaimed in the face Of the world , that in this England of OHTS ; this place where civilisation is so much

      advanced ; " where the arts and sciences have been so extensively applied in aid of the natural means of producing wealth ; where the means of luxury to the higher and middle orders have increjised so prodigiously during the last century : it was on l / ii * occasion , that the Home Minister of the " most free , " the "most enlightened , " the " most rich , " the " most civilised , " and the " most Christian" people in the world , enunciated the humiliating fact that " OXE-TESTHOP THE WHOLE POPULATION OP EngLANB and Wales are paupers—receiving relief from the poor-rate . "

      To the measure itself , as he had introduced it , we expressed decided objections . While contending that some alteration in the law of settlement , to suit the much-altered circumstances which our "highstate of civilisation" had superinduced , was muehnecdeJ , we showed that the measure introduced b y the Home Secretary , was anything but that which was required . The evil he had to provide for was , the gross hardship attendant on the removal of alabourer from a locality where he had spent the main portion of his life and mrkhed by Ms labour , to a locality where he was a stranger ; with whose habits and modes of work he was entirely unacquainted , having ,

      may be , left it m his youth ; and there leaving Mm a burden upon those who had derived no advantage from either the employment of his physical powers or the expenditure of his wages : but instead of providing for this evil in the only effectual way in which it can 1 » met , ly making residence for a stated period , longer or shorter , confer a setflement , Sir James merely proposed to place certain limitations on the power of removal . But while he proposed this , —a very inadequate remedy for a monstrously unjust practice , —he also proposed to break up the entire PAROCHIAL SYSTEM OP ENGLAND ; to destroy OU 1 ' par ishes ; and to make of our land a conglomeration of Union districts . '

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      In proposing his measure , Sir James stated that he had no intention of pressing it to a second reading , till there had been time to collect the opinions of persons best informed on such subjects ; and he professed to commit his plan to that specieB of examination , with entire confidence as to the merits of the measure . That "examination" has been had . The opinions of Boards of Guardians , Overseers of the Poor , Courts of Quarter Session , and of individual magistrates and other practical men , have been forwarded to the Home Secretary . AH , or nearly all , of those opinions have been decided and

      strong , against the proposal to break-up our ancient land-marks , and substitute a new division which could confer no good on any , but which , in its disruption of settled feelings and habits , would produce evil incalculable . The parties who have had the management of the exist ing law , have , to their eternal honour , protested against the proposed disruption of the frame-work of society ; have showed that such an exercise of power would he most disastrous ; have proved that the plea of providing a ivider field for employment to any beneficial extent was practically inadmissable and fallacious : and have

      exposed , the mockery of holding up as a boon to the poor man his not being removable under the proposed law from one parish to another in the same union , while he could not only be dragged from any parish in the union to the Union Workhouse , but carted to the extremity of the kingdom , where he might not have a living relation . And these opinions have had their effect . In the face of such a strong expression of feeling , the Home Secretary has not dared to go on . That portion of his measure he has abandoned . He no longer intends to press for the repeal of Parisli

      settlements , that he may Unionize the country for the Poor Law Commissioners—if there be any faith in words . In answer to the representations made by the parties above spoken of , on the point of substituting Union for Parish settlements , Sir James , — although with evident reluctanc e , —said , that " if those who are experienced in the matter were not prepared to give their assent to that measure , he should not he inclined to press it , " So we have , for the time being , escaped that danger . Sir James is graciously pleased to forego the enforcing of the most

      complete revolution in our habits and notions and consequent feelings , that has been attempted since Habbt the Eighth ' s time , because be sees signs of rebellion against his projects on the part of those who have the executing of the law : and so we are saved thetremendousinfliction ! Well ; "thank the godsfor the good they do send us : " and if they would only send Sir James himself out of his office , as well as his revolutionary scheme of upsetting the Parishes of England out of his bill , we should be devoutly thankful indeed !

      But this is not the only change that has been effected in Sir James ' s mind , by " that species of examination by those best informed on the subject " which he bespoke for his measure . He has announced a change of opinion on the point of residence conferingasettlement . Tobesure thisisnothingnew for his " opinion" on this point has been extraordinarily vacillating for so consistent a statesman ! In the measure for improving parochial settlements which he introduced at the close of last session , he proposed to repeal all existing statutes on the question , and to proceed to legislate , de novo , on the

      ground that birth , and lirth only , was to be the ground of settlement : providing , however , that parties should not be removable who had ordinarily resided and worked in or near a parish for five years . Here was a recognition of the principle that industrial residence should confer a settlement ; or at all events prevent the power of removability from being operative . But in his bill of this session , the Home Secretary gave up this provision . He alleged that were he to maintain it , a great advantage would be conferred on the rural districts , at the expense of the towns . It is well known that the population ,

      through the operation of our "high civilisation , is drawn from the rural districts to the towns ; that the disinclination of the land-lords to build cottages and " encumber" their estates with workers , compels the sons and daughters of agricultural labourers to leave their homes , and " trv their luck" in the factories " ana the mines of the v&t' ••' . ' ¦• ¦ iring districts ; tl .-. ' .-these parties often live nearly a whole life In one spot , labouring incessantly for inadequate remuneration , helping to build up " fortunes" for the 11 lucky" employers , and adding to the " gains" of the shopkeepers of their respective neighbourhoods ;

      and a provision , to prevent these same parties from being carted lack to the place from whence they originally migrated , when the time came that they were in the state Sir James says " one in every ten of our population" now is , to be supported by the fanners and labourers of the place they had been drawn ov driven from , was held to be an injustice to the towns which had enjoyed the benefit of the " paupers' " services . Why , this is the cry ing evil of the present law of Settlement which needs " amendment , " or rather a remedy . But Sir James had had the benefit of a " new light" during the recess . Whether it was

      that the factory masters had been at him , and showed that his first-proposed measure would prevent Hiemfrom "doing what they liked" in times of " depression" with the " hands" they had coaxed into the manufacturing districts when "prosperity " was having a swing , we cannot say . Whether it was that they represented to him , that one of their great holds on the fears of the landlord class would be loosed by his fet proposal ; that they could not do , as they did at Stockporfc , in 1842 , threaten to remove thousands out of that town alone on to the estates they had left in their infancy , to be there maintained till trade revived : whether it was that these considerations swayed the determination of our

      home minister , as expressed at the end of last session , we cannet tell : but certain it is , that in his Settlement Bill of this session , his former proposition , —the only good one in it , —was abandoned ; and in its place we had the monstrous attempt to destroy parochial Settlement altogether , and substitute a Settlement by TJxioss constituted under the Poor Law Amendment Act . . Whatever , however , may have been the cause of the change of opinion thus manifested by our unchangeable Minister —( we wish that we could change him for a better !)—it has not been sufficient to in . duce him to retain the new one . Another " change has come o ' er the spirit of his statesmanship . " What

      the operating cause may have been in this instance is as inexplicable as in the former one ; but the time and manner of his intimating the change is calculated to give rise to the suspicion that our Minister was afraid of being " over-bid . " It was during the disenssion on Lord John Russell ' s notable nine resolutions , for « ecurj « jF the Mriemn a better SHARE of the fruits of his ownindustry , that the second change of opinion on the part of the Home Secretary was announced ; and it was consequent on , or at a ll events subsequent to , the delivery of opinions On tlie part of Lord Johx opposed to those embodied in the measure of Graham ' s then before the House . S peaking of the contemplated alterations in the law of Settlement the Noble Lord said : —

      The right hon , gentleman , tt \ e Home Secretary , stated that it was a great hardship for labourers not to be able to transfer their labour from places where it was not wanted to other parts where they could command employment , and that the law of settlement operated inju . riously in this respect . But the right hon . gentleman has not persisted in the proposalhe made last year , viz ., thtlfite years' industrious employment stolid give a settlement . Now , u seems to me that that is a principle by which mainly an amendment can be made in the situation of the labourers grown up in agricultural parishes The people in such parishes reckon , when they marry that of their and

      some sons daughters may find employment in manufacturing towns ; but after they have gone there , and after , by ten or twelve years' employment , tltey have added to the iceaMft and importance of these Une ' ns , if there comes a period of distress , the right hon . gentleman would propose that these persons should le sent lack to the places of tlceir birtii . I confess that this does not appear to be either equitable or necessary . I think that there should be some enactment by which , after a certain period , these parties should obtain a settlement in the places where they have been industriously employed , and to whose wealth they have contributed . |

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      This " speaking out" on the part of Lord Johh , — who , by-the-bye , has been Home Secretary himself , and who never then enunciated " the principle by which mainly an amendment ean be made in the situation of the labourers grown up in agriculture parishes ; " this clear and forcible manner of stating the whole question , as to the evils and remedy for the present law of Settlement , called up Sir James who thereupon spoke as follows : —

      In the course of last session I did bring in a measure contemplating an extensive change in the system of settlement . I then proposed a birth settlement as the only settlement . I certainly found , during the recess , that the proposition of a birth settlement was open to gvcat objection , # * I am disposed to think that ft may hedesirabh without giving settlement the basis of industrial residence only , to give to industrial residence for a certain number of years ihe benifitof immovability . That , I think would be an arrangement well worthy of consideration ; but I am sensible that , if adopted , it is an arrangement which will bear with great severity on towns , unless it be accompanied with some power of removing after some period of industrial residence short of the period of irremovability .

      Here wo have him back again to the principle of his first measure . Here we have him again proposing "irremovability" after a certain number of years ' industrial residence . Here we have him following the example just set him by Lord John Russell , enunciating the "true principle of Settlement Reform . " Whether he will long continue in his present mind is more than lue can say . Indeed it seems to be matter of doubt whether his measure will be prosecuted this session at all . The second reading of the bill has been indefinitely postponed . There is no anxiety manifested to

      "hurry it on , as there has been with the " State Church No . 2 " Endowment Bill , in both Houses . No time is even named as to when it is likely to be proceeded with : and the o : her night , a member of the " Upper House , " on presenting petitions against it , said , that " it was very probable that their lordships would not see the measure at all this session . " It is impossible therefore to say what shape this Protean-Bill will ultimately assume : but one thing is certain ; that if the people permit it to

      pass m the shape it was introdnced this session , they may prepare to hand over to the " Three Devil-Kings" all the few remaining liberties they possess . The character of the Minister they have to deal with , as evidenced in these vacillating changes of opinion , renders it probable that the revolutionary " snake is only scotcM—not killed" s and if they are not mindful , they may find it coiled around tho remnant of the great Saxon social superstructure , and the system devised by Alfred poisoned to the core .

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      Isaac Bletakp , Padiiiam . —If the footpath has existed uninterruptedly for the length of time he speaks , or indeed for only twenty years , it cannot be stopped lest by the Court of Quarter Session , after due process , and proper notice given to all who object . If the " farmciV are attempting to stop it of themselves , without an order from a court so obtained , all that the inhabitnnu have to do is to take a bill-hook or hatchet , clear away all obstruction , and force and exercise a " right of way . " What are the surveyors of the highways about ? fov it

      is as much their duty to maintain the rights of the public on / ootto < i 3 « as on the streets of a town , or a carriage " highway" from place to place . Thomas Wilson , Manchester . —No doubt his wife has become chargeable to the parish where she resides ana if so , the parish authorities can make him pay rtie sum they name into their hands , and they will hand it over to the wife . The amount they fix , being one shilling a week more than he has offered and encaged to pay , is reasonable enough . Surely 7 s . a week for his wife and two children is as little as he can hope to get off for . We presume the children are Ms : and if so , he cannot object to do his share towards keeping them . ' *

      Jons Whitelt , Manchester , is informed that the Guardian came safe to hand , and the ease alluded to will be laid before the Registration Committee . 3 . Sweet , Nottingham , will feel obliged by any friend furnishing him with the address of Mrs . John Frost also the addresses of Mrs . Williams and Mrs . Jones . Nailmakeus' Strike , Scotland . — "We have received an address , signed Alexander Davic , on behalf of the turnout nailmakers of Camelon and St . Ninian , near Stirlmg . With one exception , an address precisely similar appeared in last week ' s Star . The exception is , that in appealing to the English nailmakers , the writer reminds the Helper nailers that on a former occasion they received in their support about £ i <) from the men now on strike . Wo hope our friends , the English nanmakers , will respond to the appeal of their Scotch

      brethren , two hundred of whom are on strike . All communications must be addressed to Mr . James Jenkins , nailer , Bannockburn-road ; St . Ninans , near Stirling , Scotland . Mbs . Elms . —Communications fur Mrs . Ellis must lie addressed to her , care of Mr . Read , Cobridge Postoffice , Staffordshire Potteries . P . P ., Salfokd . —To his first question , "Yes . " The proper steps will be taken to give all security , and obtain the protection of the law for the shareholders . Mr . Nowell ' s work on Pidd Gardening is published at Simpkin and Marshall ' s ; the price is Is . fid . Liebig ' s Agricultural Chemistry , third edition , is published liy Taylor and Walton , Upper Gowcr-gtreet ; the price is 10 s . Cd . Mr . Tidd Pratt lias published the laws relating to benefit societies , with remarks and instructions of his own . The price is as .

      X . M . Wiieeler and T . Clark . —We have been obliged to withhold both their addressesfor this week . The press of matter we had on Thursday is the reason . We cannot get our friends to send their communications itl time . Most of what we got on Thursday might liavo been with us on Wednesday ; and then other matter then given out would have been Uept back , and the favours of our friends " setup . " Tlie same cause has Obliged us to abridge the report of tV . c Cooper Festivity on Monday night . H . Dohman , Nottingham . —Next week . It . Scott , Duhhaji . —The publication of his letter will do no good . It would only gratify the splenetic finding of the thing he exposes , to think tbnt lie w ; is of sufficient importance to excite attention . S . GlENDENNW , HUDDEBSFIEID . —Mr . llobsOn llOJlOS tO see him soon , and will converse on the subject of his letter .

      Untitled Article

      The Chartists and Members op ube Land SocieiS is the Metropolis are hereby informed that Hie Committees of the above bodies are making preparations for ft visit to their democratic friends in Brighton . They intend engaging a special raihrny train for the occasion : the expense will be much less than the general charge for pleasure trips , and the date suggested is the first Sunday or Monday in August . Mr . J . Murray , Secretary to the Manchesler Chartists , is duly appointed agent for the Chartist Land Co-operative Society in Manchester and its neighbourhood ; and will be happy to supply the rules of the society and enrol members at his residence , 43 , Hrook-stveet , Garratt-road , or to give any information which may bevequirefl . Ha . Thomas Clark is appointed agent for Yorkshire for the Chavtist Co-operative JLand Society , and will be happy to supply cards , rules , & « ., to all desirous of becoming members . His residence . isc . will appear in next week ' i northern Star . Thomas M . Wheeue , Gen . Sec .

      Untitled Article

      Death by Drowning . —On Saturday evening * John Bowers , of 30 , York-street , York-road , a tine youngman , aged twenty-two , was drowned while bathing in the National BatliB , Westminster-road- He sank suddenly , without apparent cause , and is supposed to haye lieen seized by a fit ,

      _ __ ^—^^^^ Gfmrtfet Httm&M.

      _ __ ^—^^^^ Gfmrtfet httM&m .

      The Nobthern Star. Satdrdat, June 21, 1845.

      THE NOBTHERN STAR . SATDRDAT , JUNE 21 , 1845 .

      The Graham Settlements.

      THE GRAHAM SETTLEMENTS .

      Untitled Article

      LABOUR BEGINNING AT THE RIGHT END . It has long been a received axiom , indisputable and undisputed , that "labour is the source of all wealth . " And yet it has been the fashion to treat labour , in the person of the labourer , as if it was wor ^ e than utterly worthless—burdensome on the possessors of capital . In all questions affecting labour and capital , tlie latter is assigned the firs place , and is the most jealously guarded . Let the workman ask for Mich an amount of wages as will enable Mm to procure the meanest necessaries of life and herd in " No . 83 , GRACE-cfiurcfe-street , White

      Abbey , " and he is told that capital cannot afford it : reminded that if he be exorbitant in his demands , capital will take to itself wings , and fly away . Let the ' factory cMM and its distressed and over-worked mother ask of & Christian Legislature the enactment of a measure to prevent the godly from working them to death , and they are told thaj ; capital cannot secure its due profit unless they work the " last two hours" of a fifteen hours' day ! Let the Hand-loom Weaver seek for the means of protection against the unequal competition of the steam-loom , and he is indignantly met by the question : "would you fetter the free

      employment of capital ? " Let Mm complain of Ms condition ; of his being redaced to beggary ; of his vegetating on lid . a day ; of his having to sleep in tlie COAL-HOLE : let him complain of these things , and he is insultingly told to "become a capitalist" and " change his occupation . " In every grade and rank of life above that of the labourer , capital is regarded as far above—far more valuable—* QV U |( OH ugef " - "" •• « '" ; : " * « -- —• « u Wu ; 1 'UUKtf oi iabour itself , —such is the influence of .,. „ , fashion , —there ave hosta who look up to capital as a very god—without whose countenance and favour they would pine and die .

      Now a little reflection , would teach those who thus give the preference to that which Ms km caused to be nr labour , that their notions of the place and influence of capital are irreconcileable with the axiom they are constantly enunciating . If labour be the source of all wealth , is it not clear that" capital " itself owes its existence to labour , and , therefore , ought to rank second only in the relative order they should occupy one towards the other ? What is capital , but the accumulated fruits of industry ? The raw material for any description of manufacture , cannot be gathered without labour , even when

      presented by spontaneous nature . The cotton must be gathered ; the sheep must be shorn ; the flax must be heckled ; the silk must be unwound , even before they can be put into the labourer ' s hands to convert into articles of clothing . So , in like manner , must the gold be got from the mine , before "money" can be made ; and to get the fruits from the tree , the corn from the stalk , the roots from the earth , labour is required . If every atom of that wbMi is called capital was destroyed , labour could make its way : but if labour was but absent for an hour , capital would not be worth a " row of pins . "

      And yet in this "highly-civilised state" of ours , capital is not Avithout its uses—real uses . It can be re-productivcly applied . It can set labour to work , giving it a small portion of its productions as its reward , and taking to itself the lion ' s "SHARE . " It therefore follows , that if labour would ever occupy a position to enable it to secure for itself the proceeds of its own skill and toil , it must adopt the advice of the economists to the Hand-loom Weavers , and possess capital itself . With , capital of its own it can

      set itself to work . With capital of its own it can retain in its own possession a far greater share of the productions it causes to be , than now falls to its " SHARE . " With capital of its own it can secure the " profit of capital , " as well as the wages-reward of industry . With capital of its own it can double and double again , its original means ; iUanaccumulate ; it can add to , in an increased and increasing ratio . It can become well-fed , well-clothed , well lodged , respectable , " feared , and honoured

      Ihe obtaining of capital is not so difficult a matter as at first sight it would appear ; and the application of it , to profitable purposes , is less difficult still For the truth of the fat position , see what has been done by the Wohkwo Colliers op Old . ham ! They have saved and gathered their pence . Enough of pence makes a good capital . The poor " ignorant" Afinenfrave saved and gathered as much as has bought thorn EIGHTEEN ACHES OF COAL ! They are going to "get" that coal themselves ; take it to market themselves ; sell it themselves : put the proceeds in their pockets them selves ; and exjoy ^ those proceeds themselves . They have got a fancy in their heads that they caw do all this . They know they can purchase the eighteen

      acres-for they have done it . They think they can sink a pit—for they have done it for others , and arc now engaged in sinking for themselves . They are certain they can manage to " get" the coal when the shaft is sunk-far such has been their occupation all their lives . They are persuaded , too , they can fmd customers for their coal , when it reaches the too for they have neighbours , and friends , and persons with whm they deal . They fancy , moreover , that they can manage to live on the united proceeds of a our ^ capital ; " or they ^ existen ce " SHARE" awarded to labour aloneand they have seen that the " SHARE" takeTby " capital enabled its possessors to become " gentlemen " -quite " respectable , " j n « no time 5 Now , ifthe " 01 dhamr ugh-heais " c «» dothis , could not other sections of the labourers act siini !

      Untitled Article

      OPENING THE or-li . ivuiNjS . s i'UK . oHA . SED BY ¦>• •!] $ LAKCJSHikE MINERS' PROTEC TIVE ASSOCIATION .

      ( From our occasional Correspondent , ) We are about to commemorate an event which will be regarded by our readers as one of no ordinary importance . All struggles of the people are worthy of attention ; and the struggle which takes the shape of work-putting its own shoulder to the wheel-appears just now to offer strong hopes of success . The great fact we have to commemorate is this the Lan

      tashire-Miners have purcliased for themselves the coal situated under the surface of eighteen Cheshire acres . Tuesday last was indeed a proud and glorious day for the Lanca shire working Colliers : we say working Colliers , for the distinction between a worker and an idler is , in this case , a most important one . To the former , the day was one of glory and pride : to the coalmaster-magistrate-idler , it brought terror and dismay .

      Our readers are aware that for the la st sixteen weeks there has been what is called a strike at Messrs . Swires and Lees ' , one of the collieries near Oldham These gentlemen have lately introduced some new assents on their works ; one of whom , at the outset avowed that he was come to reduce wages—that he * should not be content until he hail reduced tlie men to 2 s . 8 d . per day . He had come from the north where the men , for the last six months , had been working for less than ten shillings a week , and lie had been hired at a large salary to introduce the svstem into Lancashire .

      1 W commenced a series of frauds , such as will hardly be defended , except by those who have learned their morality in the school of the coalewners . We shall giveone instance : in some part of the work the men are paid by the yard-so much for twenty yards -measured by a chai * . Our friend from the north said he thought it was better to measure with tape It was arranged accordingly . Things went on very well unt . 1 it was found that the tape tiretOtd-JQui

      twenty yards of tape were equal , under the skilful management of tlie viewer from the north , to about twenuj-uooyards of chain ; this produced murmur * and at last the wovkics immd out tliat they would rather ( idle dogs !) work by the old plan , the chain ; and they complained ( lazy rascals !) of the Durham man ' s stretching process ; nay , we have heard from what we consider good authority that some "discontented scoundrels ! " ventured so far as to affirm that

      the tape plan was altogether a , " damned piece of roguery , and no mistake . " The end of it all—and the fraud we have mentioned was one of the least of the many that were practised—was , that they " wouldn't stand it no longer . " They struck . We pass by what followed . Suffice it , that the men were honest—true to the cause of labour . There was no power either of worrying them or bamboozlin " th allthc twaddle about

      em : their " starving wivesand children" they treated as ' so much moonshine They hod not been to college , but tliey knew ( blessings on their broad hearts !) that twenty-two was a couple more than twenty ; and as they never wanted to be paid for twenty-two when they only worked twenty so , wicey warsa , " , they stuck out that they wouldn't ( ignorant scoundrels !) work . twenty-two while they wero only paid for ascore .

      rhe result was that the men determined on uniting with the men of Oldiiam , to carry out a project wlucli had long been a subject of discussion : they determined upon joining their labour and their earnings together , and taking a pit themselves—to be their oum property ! No more tape measure—no more thirty pecks to a score ;—no more twenty-nine hundred weight to a ton—no more paying a man threepence , and fining him a shilling : so they bought the coal of some eighteen acres about three miles from Oldham , having first persuaded the honest tradesmen of that thriving locality to assist them in taking up five hundred shares at fifty shillings per share , to pay for the shafts , engines , and all the rest of it

      Tuesday last-the 10 th June , 1846 !—a memorable day—was appointed for breaking the earth and to W . P . Roberts , Esq ., was deputed the honorable work of "digging the first clod" and " naming the pit . " At the appointed time , eleven o ' clock , there

      Untitled Article

      larly ? That would be area ! union of Labour and Capital . Such a union would be productive of real benefit . Is it not clear that as long as the services of men ave hind by those who labour not themselves , but who have to be maintained by the hired " hands " in a far more sumptuous manner than they in their most extravagant day-dreams dare to think of , SLAVERY IN ESSENCE must exist ? Can true freedom exist , when man has to sell himself io his fellow man ? Is it not a mockery to talk of equality

      before the law , when the one man is elevated into a purchaser , and the other man degraded into a seller , of the energies of his body , or mind , or both : the price of the bargain being that the former shall live out of tlie labours of the latter ? Is this in accordance with the inalienable and indefoasible " rights of man ? " So long as the system of hired men exists * the system of 6 onrf-men exists also . They are essentially one and the same : and wherever bondage is , freedom cannot dwell .

      Let the labourer reflect on the axiom we have above set forth , —dwelling on it till he comprehends it in all its entirety and application . If labour be the source of all wealth , all the wealth that is has come from labour , or is the result of labour . Then see what labour has to do ! Look at the hordes of persons who have to be maintained by those who toil : and maintained , too , by those who toil at productive labour . Follow this matter closely home , and what a mighty deal a very feiv have to do ! The man whose labour consists in waiting on a mere consumer—in opening him the carriage door , or in "driving him

      through the Park , " is a drone in the hive as well as his master . More than nine-tenths of those engaged in effecting exchanges , in trading in the produce of skill , are not required for the purposes of production ; and every one of them not so required is as much a tax . on productive labour as Parson Maltiius himself wag , when he pocketed and spent the " SHARE" awarded him out of the governmen tal exchequer . The only difference between them is the mode in which their respective means of living is drawn from the makers of those means . The Government sendsjor it direct—so much . It wants it ,

      and it must have it . The requisite machinery fov obtaining it is devised , and the supply regularly sought for . The other classes have machines of their own : there is the machine of rent , the machine of wages , and the machine of jwoju . All these are but different modes of obtaining what the parties who live on it have not worked for ; and the operations of these machines have been so incessant and so draining , as to have left the party who ought to be " FIRST partaker of the fruits" no fruit at all , and but little of the husks ! 'Tis time , therefore , that the workers turned some of these machines to

      their own advantage , or rather dispensed with the operations of the machine-workers , wherever practicable . The Oidham Colliers have shown how this can be done in one direction . The Dexton United Journeymen Hattebs' Compant have shown how it can be done in another direction . The Cooperative stores , when formed on a secure basis , and conducted by men of integrity , have shown how it can be done in another direction ; and the obtainment and allocation of the Land , for the purposes of the producers so that they can be their oum consumers / will be another step in the same direction ,

      The example set by the Miners of Oldham we trust to see extensively followed . This will be a wiser application of funds , than in mere strikes . The money spent on idle men is unproductive . To keep a man in idleness , when he is able to work , is utter folly-Let him be engaged in production , and there is a return for the means expended . This the men of Old . ham have seen . The Messrs . Swims and Lees countenanced such grinding proceedings in their " works "

      that flesh and blood could not stand it . Tlie men were " out , " therefore , and lay , a charge , on the hands of their brethren . This the latter saw would not do . It was , under such circumstances , a battle of means , and in such case labour stands but a poor chance with capital . So they took a fresh start . They united their efforts—gathered their pence—purchased their acres of coal—set the men to work—and in THAT ALONE achieved a victory .

      Untitled Article

      were present on the ground somelfty" ^? *' more , who were anxious to witness the comm ? ° ment of an undertaking so novel , and offering so r a prospect of success . As they travelled to the ) scene they passed by the house of the own the property-HARM Thomas . There slood tif old man , leaning on two sturdy stio !; 3 | aml . with the honorable age of fourscore years and tl —a genuine specimen of an , old V \ m ) , ° man : he looked cheerful and happy , an yc ° ' evidently proud of the work that was ' in * ^

      go Sflnrns . tl . iv Immlnvla r \ f ««„¦ ,, !« lm . lt .... ' 2 "B , scores , nay , hundreds of pounds , had been ofer i , induce him to break his bargain with the \ J 1 ° purchasers of the mineral ; but the hearty iu 7 ran felt it was " too late in life to tell a jfe » visited the proposal with all the contempt of ( j , e ^ difference . In reply to several applicati ons hP ^\ " that if he did not sell the coal to the WonKl ?! lien ft should lie where it was-and sono doulVt would ; for Harry Thomas the younger , the son * Harry Thomas the elder , appears to entertain similar sentiments to those of his father . 6 ry

      Tlie happy group passed on , and soon arrived it tl ground . Mr . Roberts took the spade and ' w quickly completed his part of the ccrcmony- ] i »« - the clod and giving to the ground the name of » j ' . Protective Pit of the Lancasuu \ b Mixfrj \ US ciation . " This done , each took his han ( 1 at , , ' spade , and before twenty minutes had claused mi earth was removed than all the coahna&tcrs hi ] ^ cashire would have turned in a month . ' " The good work has now commenced in good earnest tools and materials continually arriving on the ground ' ! and there is strong ground for the confident hope thit before six months have expired the first load of coal will bo on its way to Mr . Roberts' office

      That the working Miners arc deepl y interested « the work so auspiciously commenced is plain enough but the shopkeeping classes are perhaps even mom deeply interested in its success . Amongst the latter all the profits will be expended—not merely ' tho wages of the labour , but the profit of the speculation Under ordinary circumstances—with a lord or a lord ' s tool for an owner—more than two-thirds of the money produced by the coal would find jig way to London , or perhaps to the continent .

      ministering probably to the pleasures of a French dancing . woman , or laying in a stock of paint for the decoration of her ladyship ' s pale-faced daugh . ter . Now the whole produce will be expended in Oldham , or its immediate neighbourhood . TLitv ^ 5 s reason to believe that the trading classes arc Incoming thoroughly alive to tho necessity of supporting the claims of those who live by their labm-, and by their labour ' s produce contribute far more than the master class to the support of the local tradesman

      What the twenty-two yard tape man will think of it alljs indeed a mystery , but not one of much conse . quence . His masters will send him to the right . about as soon as they discover that his trickery has ceased to be profitable . Perhaps in the agony of the moment for the Northern Star is regularl y sent to him on the sly , he will read every word that we have written—he may be shattered into the strange fancy of telling the truth . We should not be very much surprised to hear that on Sunday morning

      at ten o ' clock he waited upon Messrs . Swires and Lbes , and solemnly assured them that his heart was altered , and that ho had now arrived at the conviction that the world was wiser than it used to be , and that in dealing with the sons of labour honesty is the best policy . If , indeed , he manages to get so far as this , his visit into Lancashire will not have been altogetherunprofitable . He will discard his tape measure , and go back to the men of Durham ( for he will never do any good here ) a much wiBer man than he left them .

      Co Leaueis # Cam$Unffltnt&

      Co leaUeis # Cam $ unffltnt&

      Untitled Article

      . « . MONIES RECEIVED VY MR . O'CONNOR . FOR TUE KXECUI 1 VE . £ S . ( 3 , Prom Wnrrington 2 0 0 Prom Burnley 0 5 0 From Hagjjnte 0 1 2 J From Oswaldtwistle q 3 9 From Wheatley-lane . ! 0 1 0 From Mavsdcn g j o i From Baciip .. ,. ., " n ¦> n

      LAND . From Norwich , per Jon . Hum-y .. .. 2 0 0 From Burnley , per John Gray S 5 0 HI 1 S , £ 1 , 1 , 19 ; From Wnr-i'ington , „ „ q 17 0 BUNCOM 1 IE TESTIMONIAL , From Walsall , per Chas . Godwin 0 1 0 From a few Carpenters at tho Castle , City-road . per Mr . Briggs .. . | 0 11 2 Thomas WlutfieW 0 1 0

      Fttfttttte, ®Ffim«$, & Hxqnt^

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      Untitled Article

      a THE NORTHERN STAR . June 21 . iaj * I

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), June 21, 1845, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1320/page/4/