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"And I will war , at least in wards , { And—should hi ; chance so happen—deeds , ) With all who war with Thoughtl " "I think I hear a little bird , who sings The people bj-and-fey will be the stronger . "— -Bkoii
OPENING OF TUB PRUSSIAN DIET . The opening of the Prmsian Diet was brieflj announced in oar last . The King ' s speech , delivered extempore , is a Tcry lengthy affair , i-coupying some three columns of the Times . We gife tke substance . * BE WSG OT WBSSU ' S SUECU . Illustrious nob ! e Princes , Gounts , and Lords , my dear trusty wievswf Nm-les , Barfiturs , and Conimins , I bid you from th « depth ot my fteart welcome on the day 01 tkefttlfiliHMit < 4 a great wrk of my father , re . ting iu « oa , never to be forgotten , King William HI . of glorious aeraoiy , ...
The noble edifice ef representative freedom , on the « ightmighty pillars whirti the King of blessed memory fotmded deep and a ishakably in the peculiar orgauiza tioa o ( his provinces , is to day perfected in your assembly . It has received its pi otecting roof . The King wished to bare finis'ieJ hi * work himse . f , but his tisws were ship , wrecked in t ! ie utter impracticability of the plans laid tefore him . TnvTefrmn ato-e evils wlAch his clear ejt detected tvitn grief , and , buf . re all , the uueeruinty which ruiae si my a noble soil susceptible of weeds . Let US bless , hi > " »< ver . to day the coiiscicntionsness of the true belovtd Kiu S » v ! io tif- «|» i ? ed uis own eailier triumph in order to guard Ills work , from later ruin , ami \ t \ us to . boot bit memory , by n-it perilling the existence of his completed work by the impatient beste of beginners .
As the heir of an nnweakened crown , which I mas : and . will hand do « rn unwt akened to my descendants , 1 know that I am p ^ r f . ctly free fro . n all and every piedgr witfc respect to » bat has n « t Been canied out , and abuvr all , withresjeer to that from the execution of which his own trae paternal eimscience preserved my illu « triuus predecessor . This law is , huwever , carried out in . all its essential parts ; an ediik-e o . * justice has befcn built upon it , oaths have becu stvorn oa it , aud it has , all anfinishtd as it i- > , maintained itselt : ts a wise law fur seven and twenty years . Tkerefara hnvv 1 procseded with a cheer , fnlhear : indeed , tat with all the freedo : u of my kingly prerogative , to its final compleiion . I am , however , the irreconcileable enemy of all arbitrary proceedings , aud mast have been a foe , abovc all , to the idea of bringing together an artificially atbutaTj anemMj of the crders , whithsUiuld deprive the nuble creation of the King , my dear father , I mean tbe t > ro > : ncial diets , of their value .
I have recognised yoar claim to all the r : g ' it > flowing from that law , and far bejond—yes , far beyoud —all the promises of tbe King of blessed memory . 1 have granted you , within certaix necessary limits . the right of g ranting taxes—a right , gentlemen , the responsibility of which weighs far mote heavily thaa the honour which accotnpanies it . • * My trusty and free people tave received all tne iaWS which 1 and my father hove granted them fo , j , ro . tcction of their higher interest , and especiall y t j , ] awg of the 3 rd of Frbrmry , with warm gratitude , » nd * o * to tins who shall dare to dash their thankfulness wj th care cr to turn i : into ingratitude . '
Svery Prussian knows that for tnrenty . foarycars past all laws which ceneern Vis ireedom and propertv have been frst discussed by the Orders ; but from this time toward , let every one in ny kingdom know flat I , with tie sole necrsssry excejiron ot the occurrence of the calamity oS war , will contract no state loan , levy no new taxes , nor increase -exisiin , ; or . es , without the free consent of all orders . Noble LjHs ad trusty Orders—I Vnow that with these rights I entrust a costl y j . we ! of freedom toy < -ur
hands , aud that you wiil employ it faithfully . But I know as certainly , that many will mistake and despise this jowe !—that to tnauj it U not enough . A portion of the press , for instance , demands on-. right from me and my govenweent a revolution : u eliurch and state , and from jou , gentlemen , acts of iropirlunate ingratitude , of illegality—nay , of disobedience . Maay also , and atnonp them very worthy men , look for our salrty in the conrersien of tbe natural relation between Prince and peopls into a conventional existence granted by charters and ratified by oa'fcs .
May , however , the example of tbe one happy country , whose constitution centuries and an hereditary nisdem without a parallel , but no sheets of paper , have made , net be lost ape * us , but find the respect which itdesetves If other countries find tbeir happiness in another way than that people and onrselves , namely , ia the way of ' manufactured and granted' constitutions , we must and will praise their happiness in an uprigh t and brotherly manner . We will , with the ju'test admiration , consider tbe sublime example , when a strong will of iron conse-. jcence a » d high intelligence succeeds in delaying , in mastering , and allaying e ^ ry crisis of serious importance ; and , above all , when this tends to the welfare of Germany and the maintenance of the peace of Europe . But Prussia , gentlemen—Prussia cannot bear such * state of things . Do you ask , why ? I answer , cast your eyes at the map ef Europe—at the posiiion of our
countryat its component parts ; talon the lin « of our borders - i weigh the power of our neighbours ; throw , before all . an enlightened glance on our history J It has pleased i <» od to make Prussia strong by the sword of war from ! \ nthont , and by the sword of intellect from within ;—nrn , surely , by the negative intellect of the age , but by the spirit of moderation and order . I speak ont boldly , gentlemen . As in tbe camp , unless in cases of the most urgent danger or grosstst folly , tbe command can only Revested in the will of one , so can the destinies of this country , anlessit is to fall instantl y from its height , only fce guided by one will ; and if the King of Prussia would commit an abomination , wsre he to demand from hit subjects the subserviency of a dare , so would he commit a far greater abomination were he not to demand from them the crowning virtue of freemen—I mean obedience for the sake of God and conscience
Xeble LorJs and trusty Orders—I am forced to the solemn declaration that no power on earth will ever sue * ceed in-moving me to change the natural , and , in our own case , eo imperatively necessary , relation between prince and people , into something merely conventional or constitutional , that , once for all , I will never suffer * written sheet of paper to force itself in , as it were aiecond providence , between our Lord God in Heaven and this people , in order to rule us with its paragraph * , and to replace by them our an : ient and time-hallowed trusty reliance on each other . * ? * The "Spewch ; ' nextlanda the present condition ofPrussia , the improvements in aericulture , commerce , the arts and sciences , the purity of public justice , freedom of conscience , state of the finances , formidable power oV the army and militia , the amicable relations with foreign powers , Ac ., &c . The 4 % Speech " then proceeds as follows : —
Before all , one would think that the press must diffuse i gratitude and contentment on all sides , for I venture to eay that it is the press which , to a particular extent owes I me thanks . Noble Lords and faithful States—I require jour German hearts to grant me those thanks . While I recognising the honourable endeavour to elevate thepress by a nobl ; and conscientious spirit , it is yet unquestionable ftat ia A portion of it a dark spirit of destruction yrevaist—i H » ritthat entices to revolution , and that deals ia the most audacious falsehood , disgraceful to oermaa fidelity , and Prussian honour . I know that the genuiw sense of the people remain * firm , but we do not Usceive ourselves as to the evil fruits of the evil tree , < wticn meet os in the shape of dissttiifaction and want ofconfideaee , attended by still W 6 rse facts , such as open ' discbedienee , secret conspiracy , a declared revolt from all « iich is sacred to good men . an attempted regicide Even in our churches are seen those fruits , together with thfct *» jfold death ia indifference and fanaticism . But eeclesUstical matter * do not belong to ttie States . They have tfceir leghituateorgans in the two confessions . One ^ confessianlamoatfaisdsy unable to suppress , bearing £ n mind tho frightful attempt to defraud my people of its hoj ' testjtwel , its faith in the Redeemer , Lord , and King of h self and of us » U . This avowal is as follows . [ Here his V » jesty arose , and spoke the words standing , and with I ' « s right hand uplifted . ] « I and my house , we will . serve t he -Lord . ' ¦ * * * From * * H the indignities to which I and mj Government ban ' been exposed for some years , I appeal to my people . * . ° m all evil * which perhaps are stilHn reserve forme , I aj , P ^ l beforehand 1 o ray people ! My people know my bea rt . < ay faith , and Jove to it , and sdhere in lore and faith *« me . My people does not wish the association of reprei "• entatives in the government , the weakening of rau k , the v Uriiion of sovereignty , the breaking up of the autL ority ot « ts kings , who have founded iu Wstory , its freedom , its pro . ^ P'rity , Mid who alose can protect its dearest acqu . " « 'wn- -and will protect thtm , God willing , as heretofore .
Yourfathers a " m . me—many princesaf yourraef and of mine , and 1 ""J ^ " ! J e foa Sbt for the preserva tion , tbe deliverance , « nd thehononr ef tbat . Oirone , ans for the existence of oi TnafaveUnd . God waswithus There is now a new b *« let . o be fought on behalf of ft sameglorioui possession -s-a- . PeacefuUne indeed , but i ( combau arenotlessimpor . ^ f *** *?* , Uie < Seld < war . AndGodwillbe wlth . v # « again , for tbe battle ! asainstthe evil tendencies of t ' *»«»• > « " uowumit with me , tie prompt expression «» ' " * *» , ^ ' improring the domain of rights ' ^ J " ' ** Uor tb labonrofkiii . ) . « in make tWsWet V ' tched ^ fS ^ against every evil and lawless im . ^ . ff * ^^ and dishonours Germany , and the wo . ' ? 7 ° renown and that of tbe country , and the « >* Dtentm £ Ilt M Eatisfaction of the people .
In my kingdom neither of the three orders a * ° . ' or beneath the other . They stand beside each ° I ? ? an equality ofrighu and honour , but each wit . ™ * hmiu , each with iu own province . This is a pracU ** and reasonable equality ; this is freedom . * You are German Orders in the anciently received teas * of the word—thatis , jou are truly and before all "Representatives and defenders of yoar own ri ghts "—the rights of thote Orders whose confidence has sent here the « r greater porOen of this atsemW j , Bat after that you
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are to exercise those rights which the Crown has recogmxedasyour * , jou have farther eonscientions j to gire the Crown that advice it require ! of you . Finall y , yoo are free to bring petitions and complaints , after mature deliberation , to the foot of the throne . Thoie are the righto , those are the duties of the German orders ; this is your glsriona vocation . But it it not your province "to represent opinions , " or bring opinions of the day or of this or of that school into practical operation . Thatis wholly un-German , and , beside , completely useless for the good of the community , oi it would lead necessarily to inextricable embarrassments with the Crown , which must govern according to the law of God and the land , and its own free wibiaswd resolution , but which cannot and dares not Romn according to the will of the majority , if •« Prussia" wou . a not soon become an empty sound in Europe . « m tna « cn «!» TlfflltS tllA fV / tttfn Ka * «»
I here give you my royal word that I should not have call d jou together had I had thesmallest suspicion that JOU would otherwise understand jour dutie 6 , or tha : you had any dc » ire to play the patt of what are called representatives of the people . I should not have called you together for that purpose , because , according to my deepest ' and most heartfelt conviction , the throne and state would be endangered bj it , and because I recognise it as my first duty , uuder all circumstances and events , to preserve the throne , the state , and my government . as they at present exist .
Go , then , illustrious Prince , Counts , and Lords , dear and faithful orders of Nobles , Burghers and Commons , proceed with God ' s help to your task . You will , I am certain , in this moment , when all Europe is gazing on you , and through all the fuure labours of the Diet , prove yourselves true Prussians ; and that one thing , believe mr , will not be absent—namely , God ' s blessing , on which all things depend . Out of our unanimity it will descend oa the pr «« ent and future generations , and I hope on all our glorious German fatherland , in one broad stream , beside Hhich we may dwell in peace and safety , as by the vhoresof the blesdng-biinging riverB that water the isxth . And now once more , and out of the fulness of my heart , welcome !
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MOVEMENTS OF THE WEEK . An arrival from India brings intelligence of the death of the celebrated Akhbar Khan , the Wallace of Afghanistan . Whilst we lament the victims belonging to our country who , in their flight from Cabul , fell under the blows of the avenging scimitar of Akhbar , we must do the deceased chief the justice of acknowled ging that bis conduct was justified by British invasion , rapacity and insult . We applaud the patriotic heroism of Abd-el-Kader and Scbamyl-Bey , and we will not refuse the like tribute to " our enemy , " the last of the Affghans . "
The French government has put to death three of the rioters concerned in the late famine-riots . When the people get once more the upper hand of the bourgeoisie , and repay tbe worthy scoundrels ' of the shop in their own coin , of course that will be ? ery shocking 1 In Spain , the new-born popular enthusiasm for tbe Queen continues , but this enthusiasm will not 1 m » lasting unless Isabella ' s recent doings are speedily followed by acts conceived in the same spirit , but of greater importance .
In Portugal the provinces of Algarve and Alemtejo are completely in the hands of the insurgents ; and when the Conde de Mello has effected his junction with Sa da Bandeira , their forces will amount to 6 , 000 men who will probably advance at once to the Tagus . The capital is in a fri ghtful state of destitution and popular excitement . Already the Prussian Diet manifests signs of advancing bevond the bounds prescribed by the king iu his extraordinary oration at the opening ' of the Diet . Prussia has entered on a new path , and with or without her king , she must and will march onward .
The Greek government having refused the satisfaction demanded by the Sultan for the insult offered to his ambassador at Athens , all diplomatic relations between tbe Porte and Greece have been completely suspended .
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INDIA . DEATH OF AKHBAR KHAN . The English steamer Spitfire has arrived at Marseilles with despatches from Bambay , dated Hth | of March . The most perfect tranquillity reigns in the Punjaub , and nothing appears to presage new tronbles . The people of the country ol Ilazereab have been appeased . Discontent and troubles continue to agitate' the possessions oV the Nizam and the country of Goomsor . Akhbar Khan , the son of Dost Mahomed Khan , is dead . CAPE OF GOOD HOPE . The St . Helena Gazette , of the 27 th of February , furnishes the intelligence from the Cape of Good Hope to the 12 th of the same month , which confirms the announcement of the loss of Her Majesty's steamer Thunderbolt , off Algoa Bay . The new goverfior . Sir Henry Pottinger , was actively engaged in tbe administration of public affairs .
WEST INDIES . The intelligence from the English colonies is generally favourable . Considerable sums continue to be voted by the colonial legislatures , or collected at public meetings , for the relief of Irish and Scotch distress , ilayti continued tranquil .
FRANCE . Thp Bcosapariists . —In the Chamber , on Saturday afternoon , a petition was presented demanding the recal of the surviving members of the family of Napoleon to France , and to place the image of the Emperor on the Cross of the Lesion of Honour . Also to change the name of the town of Bourbon-Vendee to Napoleon-Vendee . A violent debate ) ensued . The first part , for the recal of the imperial iamilv , was lost only by a small majority . The other parts of the petition were referred to the P / esident of the Council . These motions were strongly opposed by tbc ministers .
IIbvolctjosary Appeals . —A few evenings ago , about eight o ' clock , the Place du Carrousel was covered with innumerable small round pieces of paper , about the sizs of a five-franc piece , on which were printed various seditious sentences . Among them were the two following . - — "Let us burn and destroy until we obtain a just partition of the lands and their fruits ! " " The inhabitants , on M * day eveninss , at eight o ' clock , -will be instructed , at the Porte St Denis , as to the means of procuring their rightful existence . " These papers were quickly gathered up by the agents of the police . Some riotous scenes took place at tbe College de France on Monday . M . Quinet having been pre vented by tbe Minister ot Public Instruction from continuing his lectures on southern literature , had presented M . Damas Hinart as his substitute . But the pupils , with whom M . Quinet is of course a great favourite , clamorously interrupted M . Damas Hinart , and compelled him to retire .
Exkcchox of Rioters . —The three men sentenced to death tor the riot and murder at Buzanoais were execnted in that town on the ICth . About 2 , 000 spectators were present , and all behaved with great propriety . There was a large military force at hand , and the shops were all closed ; but there was no attempt at disturbance .
SPAIN . Royal PopdIiABiit . —Pcbuc Excitement . —Madrid , April 12 . —The enthusiasm in layour of the Queen is becoming every day more intense . It yesterday a-Bumed a character of almost frenetic rejoicing . An immense multitude lined the streets leading from the palace to tbe Puerta del Sol and all along to the fountain of Cybele , at the entrance of the Prado . About a quarter to six the light and simple carriage of the Royal person was descried in the distance , approaching the Puerta del Sol . At once an immense Bhout arose ; it passed on to the Puerta del Sol , was borne aloft to the heieht of the Alcala .
was continued to the Prado , and only terminated to be taken up again at the gates of Alcala and Atocha . When the Queen approached the Bpace opposite to the Post-omce , tbe crowd was so wedged together that the Royal carriage had to stop several times , and though the space between it apd the entrance to the Calle Alcala can be traversed in oae or two minutes , more than a quarter of an heur elapsed before a rpassage could be effected . The shouts of " Viva noeatra Reina ! Viva nuestraamada Reina ! Viva la Reina constitutional ! " from at least 50 , 000 voices , greeted the delighted young lady , from whose ejesHhe tears started as she proceeded slowly towards tbe Pvado .
i As « he approached the fountain of Cybele , at the : entrance of the Prado , about a dozen persons advanced towards the Royal carriage . Tiey were a deputation , and their leader bore in his bauds a tray , : on which was laid a crown of flowers , for presenta-: tion to tbe < $ ueen . The carriage stopped ; the mulj titude opened a passage , and the deputation , in obe-] dtenee to a aigs Jtrora Her Majesty , advanced . The { leader addressed the Queen nearl y as follows;—j " Lady , yonr people , lovers of liberty , and idolatrous ! of their liberal and constitutional Queen , and of their national independence , present this humble testimonial of their attachment to your Royal person . Deign to Accept it , and to hold inremembrance tie people that welcome y « or Majesty with the en-. ' nuiasm of their hearts . " The snouts were re-Jl , « ed as soon 2 « ( be brief address was concluded . « Vi *• cceetra H ^\ luI Yira h Reioa constitu-
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tional ! Fuera los Afrancesados ! Viva la Lulependencia nacional ! " "Long live oar constitutional Quern ! Down with the Afranceaados ! Long live our independence !" The Queen took the Mown of floweH , and said , "Yes , yes , I am a Spaniard , —a Spaniard ( kjing much emphasis on the word ) . I know that my people love me ; and I ( raisin . ! her voice ) love my people—tbe Spnnish people ! " At the same moment a number of pigeons were let fly , their throats adorned with ribbons of the national colours , and printed On them , "Independencia nacional— Espana—la Reina libre , Viva la Rvina !" One of the birds took refuge in thchp of the Queen ; she caressed it , aud handed it to her uncle , Don Francisco de Paula . Various others also alighted in the carriage , whien she handed to her attendants . 1 Ias A A » iti ^ Mu > lnD ? Vitta In T > wl /\ . i .. n
It wa « nightfall when the Queen returned to the palace . The same greetings awa ted her , but interrupted , it appears , by some disagreeable cirenmstanws . Under shelter of the darkness a few cries of a less friendly kind were heard amidst tlio uproar of voices in the Calle Mayor . The cries , I am assured , wore , VivalaReinaAbso ' titt ! " " Viva la Mkia National * " " Viva EsparteroY' The civic tiuaras caused some contusion by striking with their sabres at the groups whence the voices were supposed to issue . No other disturbance occurred . On the evening of Sunday two individuals were arrested :
Avmlrta who was sent under an escort to a prison in Alicant , and Chico , late minister of police , who was sent to a prison in Altneria . A proclamation was is < ued by the Minister of Grace and Justice , on the evening ol' Suuday , announcing regulations for the repression of similar proceedings . M . Oloziga arrived at Madrid on the evenin ? of the ] 1 tb . The proceedings of Sunday appeared to give the Queen no alarm or uneasiness on her own account , as she continued to appear at the theatres and bull-fights as before , and was everywhere received with tlie ^ anleenthusiasm .
Madrid , April 14— The Queea drove last night to the Prado without escort or attendance , except an outrider , nnd two or three servants on UovaebacU , driving her own phaeton , am ) accompanied only bv her cimsin and uncle . M O ! c ziga has taken the catfisand his seat in tlie chamher .
GERMANY . TtiF . Prussia Dim .-It is said that the following project of Iw will te itnmcdmteJ y presented to the Assembly : —
1 A law to regulate the civil condition of the Jews , 2 A Uw to abolish the duties on millers and batchers and the personal taxes , which hill be replaced by a fystem of taxation liki the income tax in England , the revenutf below 300 dollars will be exempt , but individuals coming under this class will remain subject to a personal tax . 3 . K law on bills of exrhanpe . 4 The re-o-gan z « iui ) of ttie patrimonial tribunals , and not thfir abolition , as has been announced . 5 . A pioject for the construction of the government railway m Jv . iiigsberg , the tspeo 6 e of which will amount to 64 00 O . -000 ol dollars , of which 20 , 000 , 000 will be borrowed . Accounts from Berlin of the 15 tb inaiant , state tnatuuon that day tlie States-General met , when the draft of the address of the Assembly , in answer td tbe king ' s speech from the throne , was read , and the debate upon it at once commenced .
A letter bearing date the lOih , states that the liberal opposition have succeeded by an overwhelmin ? majority in carrying an amendment to the effect that the " pa . ent" of February 3 rd was not in any way . consistent with former laws , particular ^ that of 1 S 20 ( relating to the rights and privileges of thefltatts ) . and that a petition shouW be presented to Ins M-gesty , at a later period , praying him to make conceeawiiB more in accordance with tbe representative system .
ITALY . The Journal des Debats has tbe following from Rome , dated the Sth of April : — Addresses are coming iuJroin all quarters , demanding the institution of civic guards , there-organization of the communal and provincial councils , and tha formation of a Council of State , consisting of laymen . The Pope and Cardinal Gizzi would , as it is said , be disposed Jo comply with these demands , but they would encounter great resistance on the part of the Austrian government .
POLAND . Letters from Warsaw , received at Berlin , confirm the news of the expected arrival of the Emperor of Russia m that capital on the 10 th or llih of this month . upssia . St PuTEnsBVEo , -April C— The emperor is not yet ahleto leave his apartments in the winter palace . He 13 suffering from a liver complaint . SERVIA ., Gnr . AT Finn at Bucharest . —About nnon on the 4 th instant , a fire broke out in a narrow street , the houses in which were chiefly built of wood . A violent wind was raging at the time , and the flames were driven about in all directions . The Austrian Observer ot the l ;) th states that one-fourth of the town was destroyed . Another account civea 1 , 000 tw the number of houses which were burned . Many lives were lost .
ALGERIA . Capture of Bou-MAu —Newsreceivefat Paris o . v courier , announces tbe capture of Boii-Maza . It I " * " Vt ° "' n , scheriff who ' in 1845 . caused the revolt in the Dabra , which soon spread over the whole of Algeria . It is said the captured chief will ue sent to Paris .
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Aristocratic Amusements op the AusmtANs . — AletterfromViennaofthe 1 st , in the Gazette des J nOunaux , gives the following curious story : —A few daysback a man in raes and exceedingly dirty entered the CaK of tbe Golden r . amb of this city , and called tor a bowl of punch . The waiter brought it to him , and , m laying it on the table , demanded the price . The man pulled out some pieces of copper money , not amounting to a fourth part of the cost of the punch , and tendered them in payment . The waiter finding the sum insufficient , wa « about to take the punch away , when the man suddenly exclaimed as it recollecting something , "Oh , I have got some
money-more than is wanted : " and , stooping down , he drew a 1 , 000 florin note i 2 . 400 fr . ) from his boot and gave n to the waiter . The latter , in great surprise , took tbe nnte to his master , who thinkinn from the man ' s wretched appearance , that it must have been stolen , sent for the police . Tbe man meanwhile became impatient , and at last finding the change was not forthcoming , advanced to the counter , and said , " If you have not sufficient money at present , it s no raatter-I shall come back for it tomorrow ' At the same time he made a dart towards thedoor as if to make his escape . The peopleof the cafe rushed forward and , seizins him . detained him
there until a police agent arrived with three soldiers who took him off to the chief police office : On ar ! ming there the agent perceived four fashionables who cried out on seeimj the prisoner ,- " Well , you hare won the wager ; heitfa your money . " At the same time banding over a quantity of gold Thev then explained that the person in custod y was neither a vagabond nor a thief , but Count de Siedlaczecke . on y son ol ono ot tlie most wealthy Hungarian nobles m Vienna , who had betted tbat he should get hiinsclt arrested by tlm police without committing any j legal act . "If that be the case , gentlemen , " said the agent , " my prisoner has not won his wager , for he has been guilty of an offence which our laws punish severely-of having sought by means of disguise to lead the public authorities into error " M . de Siedlaczeck was then taken before tbe head of the police , who ordered him to bo set at lihertvnm .
visional !? , until proceeded a gainst betore the Criminal Tribunal . This afTair has caused a consider able sensation here in the fashionable circles . The count has rendered himself liabc to three lusnths ' imprisonment , aud a small fine . Pleasures op War-Scese after ths Battle of b ubntbs d Onore : —I was on my return to the armv when my attention was arrested by an extraordinary degree of bustle , and a kind of half-stifled moaaine in tbe yard ot a ya ' mta . or nobleman ' s house f looked through the grating , and saw about two hundred wounded soldiers waiting to liave their limbs amputated , white others were arriving every moment It would be difficult to convey an idea of the frightful appearance of these men ; they had been wounded ou theotli . and this was on the 7 th : their
hinbs were swollen to an enormous size . Some were sitting upright against a wall under the shade of cbesnut trees ; and many of these were wounded in the head as well as tbe limbs . The ghastly countenance of these poor fellows presented a dismal sight Jhe streams of gore , which had trickled down their checks , were quite hardened with the sun , and gave their lace a glazed and copper-colonred hue—their eves were sunk and fixed , and what between the effects of tbe sun , and exhaustion , and despair , they resembled more a group of bronzs figures than anything human—there they sat , silent and statue like waiting lor their turn to be carried to the amputating tables At the other side of the yard lay several whose state was hel p less for them to sit up ; a feeble cry from them occasionall y to those who were passine
or a drink ot water , was all they uttered . " A little farther on . m an inner court , were the surgeons . Uiey were stripped to their shirts and bloody ;—curiosity led me forward ; a number of doors placed on barrels served as temporary tables , and on these lay the different subjects upon whom the surgeons were operating ; to the right and left were arms and legs , flung here and there , without distinction , aud the ground was dyed with blood . Doctor Bell was going to take off the thigh , of a soldier of tbe 50 th , and he requested 1 would hold down the man for nil ? luh Z *? u ° - t )" be 8 t hearled men I ever ns ! 2 ? ;? A U k 8 Uch B Vi elorce of habi * . beseemed and wHh mn 2 f " Bene that was PMfo * »™ nd W * . S'Sft ^ s" ^ ? - ^ ^ aWiasRRsatfftiSLa
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ttAMO « MONDA Y , Apbil 19 . HOUSE OF LORDS—Some conversation took place between Lord Brougnarn , the Marquis of Lansdowno and Other peers on the Education Scheme on tho presentation of petitions re ! ntiTe to that measure . Poor R « , iSP ( IRBLANd ) Bat . —The Landed Pboverii ( Irelahd ) Bin—TbeMarquU of Lanbdowse . in moving the first reading of these bills , said that they were two mo ; t important measures—one for the better regulation of the relief of tho poor in Ireland , and the other for giving greater facilities to proprietors in the improvement of their land . They had not , strictly spenklnt , ' , any connexion , but yet they had a certa n relation to each other , and he thought it would be moat convenient to their lordships if they were moved on tlie same doy . He should , therefore , move the seeonJ readings on Thursday Ke ' nuieht .
Execution of Catherine FosTEit . —Tbe Marquis of We 9 imeath then called the attention of her M jesty ' s government to the unskilful and unnecessarily painful manner in which this unfortunate culprit wbs hung . it Bury St . Eltnund * for poisoning her husbma . It appeared by the accounts which had npptared in the newspape . s that 10 , 000 peraona we . v present at the execution , which was conducted in such a manner as tint the sufferings of tho unfortunate creature were i rolonged for a rery considerable space of time , and the asserab ' y was so struck and horrified thereby that tlif y called out , " Shame , shame -muidor , murder . " Now he was one of those who contended that punishment by death ought not to be erased from the statute-hook ; but he did not think that there was a being in England who would say hat the extreme sentence of the law should be carriod out in such a manner a « to inflict more than the neces . sarv amount of punishment upon those who had
forfeited their lives in consequence of their crimes . Some time ago a similar ); horrifying case to that which had justhnppened at Bury St Edmund ' s took place in the town ot Sligo where , inconsequenceefthe breaking of the rope , the man who was about to be hanged fell into the Street underneath the gallows , whereby hisle ^ s and ilbs were broken , ' and in that state he was a ^ nin raised to the gallows and executed . The sentence bad to be cariiel out—there was no remedy for it . But he should I ka to know whether , when a case almost as bad occurr d in the very heart of this kingdom , almost under their own eyes , it was not the duty ol the government to take the necessary precautions to prevent the reearrenee ' -of such horrifying scenes , He Should like to know why the government did not sanction the use of the jjiiroi in such cases . It was used in Germany , where the outrageous scenes of which he complained never took place .
The Marquis of I . ansdowne replied that the only Rc : * unt which he had seen of the recent execution at Bury St Edmund ' s was that which appeared in the newspapers . He had no doubt but that the right lion , baronet « ho was connected with that department to which such matters belonged would cause n very careful inquiry to Ve made into all the circumstances . He ( the Murquis of LinBdownc ) entirel y ngrecd with his noble friend that whilst it was indispensable to retain in this country the punishment of death for certain aggravated crimes , that necessity only made it the more important that that punishment when inflicted should be inflicted vtith all the solemnity , all the care , and all th « attrntion which public justice required . The Marine Mutiny Bill , the Indemnity Bill , and the Mutiny Bill severally passed through committee , Their Lordships then adjourned .
HOUSE OF COMMONS . —After the disposal of the private business , an extraordinary number of petitions against the scheme of education set forth in the minutes of the Council of Education were presented ; likewise a great many in favour of that schtme . The floor was literally covered with these petitions . To questions put by Sir B . Hail , Lord John Russell explained the result of a communication which had passed between tbe government and tbe Wegleyan body , through the instrumentality of Lord Ashley . The result of the explanations given to the questions put on behalf of tho Wedeynn body was that tbe government did not consider that persons who hid ecolesias ical functions vfouM be eligible to the office of
pupil-teacherB ; tbat tbe authorised version of the Scrip , tures would be required to be used in all the schools ; that persons approved of by tl e Wesleyan body might , it approved by the government , be made inspectors of Wesleyan fchools ; and that of the grant proposed for this year no portion was intended to be granted to schools exclusively Roman Catholic . Whenever the question of the Roman Catholic schools miuht be Drought before the government , and when the Roman Catholic prelates and clergy should express their views , then tliegovernment would consider that difficult subject ; and if any plan could be devised in respect to Roman Cnfbolic schools , new minutes would be friimed and a grant would be proposed , either in supplementary miscellaneous estimates this year , or be postponed to the
nextyear . Eddcation—Tub Government Pi . ah . — The Noble Lord having giren this explanation moved the order of the day for going into committee of supply on the education grant ; and in doing so proceeded to explain the scheme which the government hnd in view in demanding a grant of £ 100 , 000 for the purposes of education . He commenced hit statement by commenting , in terms of considerable severity , upon the conduct of those « ho had beeD guilty of gross exaggerations- in the statements which they had put forth in reference to the views and intentions of the government , and who had attempted to overawe the home by summoning many of its members to their meetings , and endeavouring to coerce them into giving votes in opposition to tbe government scheme , on pain of losing their seats in parliament at the approaching
general election . He then proceeded to answer the objection which had been urged against the scheme by some of its opponents—based upon the alleged unconstitutionality of the grant for education , and of the board by which it was administered ; after which he briefl y surveyed the progress of state education in this country , adverting to the increase which had from time to time been effected in the annual grant for that purpose , until last year it reached the sum of £ 100 , 000 . It had long been his opinion that they could never efficiently promote the interests of education in this country until they Im . proved the prospects of the- schoolmaster : Itwa 9 necessary to do this in order to ensure the services of men of talent nnd ability in the business of teaching , there being , as he believed , no profession of more importance than that of training the minds of the youth of the wotking
classea of the country . In improving the condition and character of the schoolmaster , it was necessary to kei-p in view another proposition , with respect to which no grant was proposed to be made this year , but with respect to which there might , in future years , be some expenditure , viz ., that of granting pensions to such retiring schoolmasters as were worn out with the business of teaching . Amongst the objections which went to the whole foundation of the grant was this , that it was altogether a mistake for tbe state to give any assistance for tbe support of education . This objection would equally apply to the Itegium Donum in Ireland , and to the support given to ministers of religion in Scotland , as well as to eve-y other grant mate by the state for religious as well as secular instruction . He did not wish on that occasion to enter upon tbe large question which was
raised by this objection , but would content himself with saying , that whilst it was the business ot' the state to imprison offenders , —to transport , and sometimes capitally to punish them , he could not assent to the proposition that it had nothing to do with the prevention of crime , or with tbe education and enlightenment of the people . Another objection to the scheme was based upon tbe assumption that there was no necessity for tbe state to interfere , that voluntary efforts were sufficient to meet tbe educational exigencies of the country , and that the people of England were already sufficientl y supplied with the means of education . He wished he could ngrec with those who urged this objection , but it was scarcely necessary to refer to statistics to , ' prove its unsoundness and fallacy . The noble lord then referred to some prison returns , to shoiv the untenable nature of
such au objection , and stated that it appeared to him to be a " shocking thing" that whilst they did give inslruction they did not give it , in many cases , until the parties receiving it had become implicated in crime . Such was the instruction communicated in our prisons . A rev . divine , while attending one of the meetings hi-ld in London in opposition to the scheme , was asked by some one in the body of the meeting , if " a guide-post was not better at tbe beginning of a man ' s life than a gibbet at the end of it , " The n-ply , lie admitted , was quick , but not correct . " What , " said tlie reverend gentleman , " if the guide-post lead to tbe gibbet ? " But no one bad a rigUt to regard the scheme ofeduaation noiv propounded by the government as such a guide-post as was here in . dicated . Another argument urged b y some of the opponentsof the scheme was , that there were in every great communi
ty large masses of the population steeped in vice and crime , wbem it was impossible to reach or to reform . He could Hot consent to the proposition and had every reason to believe that a well considered scheme of education , if it would not reach all would favourably influence some portion of the unfortunate classes alluded to , The noble lord then , after expressinhis regret tbat efforts had not been made at the com " , menceraent of tbe century to reunite in the same schools the various classes of churchmen and dissenters , adverted to the more specific objections to tho -heme some of which he admitted to be of a formidable character , but the majority of which he proceeded to refute . There was no question now as te the church undertaking the education of the whole people , or of the church arvo gating to itself that the people should be educated recording to the established reli gion of the state . All that
- was now intended was , that in schools belonging to tbe Church of England the liturgy should be taught , but that in schools belonging to dissenters there should be no such requirement . This munotaivntem of compulsion , but of religious liberty , and one with which the dissenters should foel satisfied . If under the proposed scheme a larger sum should goto the church than to the other schools , that would make no dift \ rence as to priuciple , out merel y as to amount . He did not see why tbe dissenters should refuse to partake of the grant , on the ground that a ponion of the money was to be given to the Church of England schools . This was not a system of state education , but a system which merely came in aid of voluntary tffortB in behalf of education . It was merely intended to aid existing schools , without iwrosmg any terms upon the schools wbich were not in perfect conformit y with the rules and regulations which theloundere ana managers of those 6 cnool 8 bad already
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established . Ho could not agree with those who held that U would hove been better if the state hadcoLfined itself solely to the promotion of secular education . Nor did the government intend to make the schoolmaster a state officer , who « e business it would bs to atu nd to tbe secular Instruction of his pupils , but ' who should have no concer n whaUver in tboir religious education . He ma-ntained that the state would be negligent of tho greater half of its duty if it entmly disregarded ths religious instruction of the youth of thecountty . Many would construe the entire disregard of religion in schools , into the preseuce of irreligion . and object to them on that account , If what the government propt scd was founded upon what wa » already established - if it was impossible to propose any other scheme which would enable tliem to carry into practical effect any great Bystem of education , and if , as was urged by Dr Vaughan imd
others , it was useless to propose such a scheme , because it wag ewre , tofaU—tne question which bo Imd to ask tho house was , whether it was now preparod to go with the govirntntnt , nnclto grant the sum of money demanded to be disposed of according to the minutes of cou . icil , or whether it was disposed to refuse that grant ami even to go thelengtiioi sustaining MrDuiiuonrtie , and passing n vote of censure upon the government for even proposing such a grant . Whatever application the government might deem it their duty hereafter to mako fur a erant in favour of Romnn Catholic schools , it h as not intended to extend any part of the £ 100 , 000 to theie scho . ils . If aid should hereafter be given te Roman Catholic schools , tbe greatest caution should be exercised in extending them such aid . It would not do for the government to step forward to thn support of monastic schools , or such as are connected with monasteries in this
country . Of the half-million wbich had been expended within the , last few years for the purpofes of education , not one shilling , he helievcd , had been given to purelv Roman Catholic schools ; and with regard to the £ 100 , 000 which was now demanded , whatever might ba hereafter done in favour of the R . jm in Catholics , it did not apj . et . r desirable to throw an additional stumbling-block -in tinway of the proposed Government scheme , by de ^ rting , with reepect to that grant , from tbe exis'ing minutes o ! council . To regard tho proposed scheme as otie tending to the increase or Government patronage , was as much to give way to idle apprehensions , a < it was erroneous to brand it as an uncoHStl utionsl interference with the legitimate functions of Parliament . Tbe Government did * nl seek to promote or encourage Any rule whereby the children of dissenting parents were not to be allowed to
go to the church schools , unless they submitted to learn the cute hism and to attend the church on Sunday , lh ; did not believe that the church itself gained any advantage from ? uch a rule . The rule of the Wesleyun boily in this respect was ft much wiser and more charitabl .. one , and did not tend to the diminution if their numbers or influence . The noble lord thut concluded : —For my putt , seeing that the evil is so great , I am not disposed to wait until I have got a more general and more perfect schema , I am disposed rather to feel my way—to proceed as wo have , until at length we may find that tbere is some general scheme in favour of which the great mas of the intelligent opinion in this country will unito ; and then I should be most happy to see embodied ix an ucf the provisions which met with such concurrence . In the mean time we ark you for these means ,
inadequate as the ; are , viith tbe view of dispelling tbat ignorance which DrVaughan has adverted to , and of pro . moting religion and virtue among the great masi of our population . ( Hear , heur . ) We ask you to do so , well aware of tbe opposition which this scheme has met with j—well aware that it would have baen far easier for us to have shrunk from this task , and not to have asked the house to grant anything more than the millions on millions expended in the maintenance of the military means of this country . It would have been easier for tbe Ministers to have agreed , and said , — " Let us have additional millions for our army , our navy , and ordnance , but let us not ask for a single farthing for the purposes of education . " This would have been easier for « 8 to ha * e done , but this would not be consistent
with tbe duty which we feel presses on us to improve , as far as in us lies , the school teaching in this country , and to assist , as far as iu us lies , in giving a knowledge of religion and virtue to many oi the uninstructed multitudes in the country ; and be tbe opposition which we meet with what it may—however formidable it may be at this moment ( and I lament to see it in such a caiue withdrawing from us the nid and support of many who through good report and through evil report have supported our political course , )—yet , be thiB disadvantage what it may , it will , nevertheless , be a consolation to me tbat I have made nn attempt to diminish the empire of ignorance , and to raise the people of this country in the scale of religion and virtue among tbe nations of tho globe . ( Loud cheers , )
Mr T . Duncomhe said that he never recollected a Prime Minister of this country to take notice ef an individual member , particularly one so humble as himstlf ( Mr Duncumbe ) , by condescending te argue upon and endeavouring to prejudice in tbe mind of the bouse a motion given notice of , but not yet brought on . The noble 1 rd might characterise his ( Mr ttuncomba ' s ) apprehensions as idle , but he believed his apprehensions were participated iu by thousands aud millions of bis fellow-countrymen . The noble lord might if he chose call his ( Mr Buncombe ' s ) motion a censure on the government , or a vote of wont of confidence in the Committee of the Privy Council , and he admitted that he had no confidence in that committee with respect to the scheme of education . Whatever might be the fjte of too motion be was about to submitto the house , however the
great question involved might sutler in his hands . be was confident that if that motion failed , it would not fail because tbere was anything unreasonable in it , or inconsistent with Parliamentary usage aud the practice of the house . If it failed , it would be in consequence of the inability of any individual or independent member of the house to cope with that ministerial influence which be knew had been , and tvas to be , brought against his humble motion ; and also in consequence of the difficulties he should have to contend with arising from those under , standings , if not actual and absolute compacts , mado with members of the established church and some portions of the dissenting community—compacts and understandings which he would say were most disgraceful to those who made them—those , for instance , wh <» called themselves her Majesty ' s liberal ministers , in ths face
of their former opinions and avowed principles , If be failed , however , in bis motion , his consolation would , at all events , be that he had tho support and good wishes of a great portion of bis fellow-countrymen . This be be lieved , because since he had given notice of his motion be bad received communications from all parts of the country in reference to [ it , asking him to persevere with bis motion , and statins , also , that thut house would neglect its duty and betray ib trust if it did not grant some inquiry , or at all events , some information , beyond what had been given by the noble , lord , before voting away any portion of the public inoaey . These communications also expressed regret thnt be bad not given notice of bis motion earlier . His excuse for not doing so was that he had waited until the last moment , in order to see whether any other member of greater inttueuct !
viould not give notice of probably a better motion , with tbe view of meeting tbe proposal of her Majesty ' s ministers . He had been told both by chun'chuieu and dlssen . ters that , if longer notice had been given of his motion , they would have afforded it every support by the means of petitions . If he bad entirely abstained from giving notice of bis motion , probably only one discussion would have taken place befovo tbat house was called on to give validity , through the medium of tbe people ' s taxes , to an educational scheme which , notwithstanding all that had fallen from the noble lord , he was prepared to maintain was dangorous to civil and religious liberty and calculated to increase the power of tbe Crown , —which invaded and superseded the functions of Parliament , aud was unjust to that portion of tho community which would be compelled to contribute towards its maintenance , but
would derive no benefit from its establishment . Moreover , it was a scheme whicb would not attain the objects sought to bo accomplished , while it would carry discord nnddissonsion iato every locality where it was intruded . The noble lord intimated that intimidation had been netd to overawe members , and prevent them doing their duty on this question . He should like to know what course bad been taken on the other side to get up a demonstration in favour of this " scheme 1 . There was a central committee for supporting that plan sitting in Gordon square , circulating in every district of the country forms of petition in its favour , drawn up after a vattern suggested by Dr Kayc Slmttleworth , and imploring the clergy after they had got these petitions property
signed , to send them , postpaid , cither to Lord Ashley or to 1 a > vu i . lUissell . Although , however , there were more than 10 , 000 parities in England and Wales , not more than fifty or sixty petitions had as jet been presented after this extraordinary canvass to procure them ; and it gave him sincere pleasure tu know that this scheme was beginning to excite dissatisfaction even among the clergy of the established church itself . He had himself received a petition from fourteen ilergymen of the dtoceic of York denouncing it as dangerous and pernicious in the extreme , and a Utter along with it , wisiiing him good speed iu his eft ' ats to defeat it . Aftev showing , by reference to speeches and other documents , the gross inconsistency of Mr Macauley , Lord Morpeth , and other members of the ministry , Mr JHineombe proceeded to
censure Loim J . Russell very severely tov his determination to exclude tlie children of Roman Catholics , who re quired gratuitous education as well : is those of any other class of Christians in the country , from the advantages of this scheme , if there were any in it . Who would have expected such a scheme as ihe present from raeu who always professed so much regard for the right of the Roman Catholics to an eijual share in the political and Civil privileges of their countrymen » Would the ministors have dared to retain this exclusion of ' the Roman Catholics if Mr O'Connell hail been in bis place ? ( Hear hear . ) But as it was , until he ( Mr T . Duncoinbe ) saw it , hewouldnotbelieve thnt it woul d be left to the Protestant members of the house to figh t th « battle of Romaii
Catholic equality , and that the right hau . gentleman tbe member for Dungarvon ( Mr Shiel ) , an . ) others , would go into the same- lobby with ministers in order to create this " n , wdisability , " and fix this stain and reproach upon those belonging to the same faith with themulvet , to . stead of standing up for equal justice for them , and resistmg their being taxed for the support of an establishment in which , on account of their religious opinion they were not to participate . ( Hear , hear . ) If sucb non . and right hon . gentltmtn should cast that reproach ipon tneir own religion , or should adopt the more cowardly course of running away and Hying from the battle , there might still be a sufficient number who would refuse to > ote a eliilling of the public ; inoncj until all
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who contributed to It should share equally in the distri * kution of the grant , ( n ^ ar . ) The noble lord ( Lord J . RusitU ) allowed that there were orjr clions cf great fore * which might be made , but perhaps tin wur not awar * bow serious Borne of them were . Tbe noble lord had not said anything as to the probable cost of this scheme Could any gentleman in that house say , viithin ha'f a million of money , what would te the nnnual cost ten j ears hence 1 [ Mr J . Colutt— " Id . a head . " ) It was £ 100 , 000 this year . Ministers had laid the foundation of n schi me which , according to the calculation * nf others , would ere loner cost somewhere about £ 2 , 000 , 000 annunlly . He objected to the unconstitutional character of this committee of Privy Council . There was nothing in the manner in which tlie minutes had been laid before the Houso of Lords to give confidence to the country . It
was then stated in the House of Lord * ( interruption ) well , then , it was stand in another place , perhaps tha Privy Council , that-tho Privy Council might Iny those minntes on the tnbli without any prefatory remarks , seeing that they did riotcuntain anything which required the sanction of the House of Lords , or even of the Heuse of . Commons . Such war th « view of tbo President of the Privy Council , who simply said , "Take our minutes , rend Uif-ni , digest them if you can . All you have to do is to carry tliem out . R * ad them , pay your money , and be grateful , " ( Laughter . ) The scheme was objectionuWe not only on account of the « itmw \ l cost &w \ iu inefficiency for its ol-jecr , but b cause , it would increase tie power of the Cro « n and tbe patronage of the government . On the 25 th of August the genernl minutes were agreed
upon ; and the President of the Council required four months to produce niwther ect of minuti-s , refjuUting ; tho education of pupil Kncbers and stipendiary monitors . Apart from this unconsUtutionnl character , he believed there never had been such a piece of quackery as those minutes . People mip ' n talk of Dr Badia , or i > f Dr Morlsuu ' s pills ; but I ) r Kava Shuttleworth ' s minutes heat everything of the kind . ( Laughter . ) In all that related to workshops in schools , for in . stance , they wero tho laughing stock of the country No one could object to " school ficlil gardens , " but to "workshops for trades" there were , gtoat objection * The working men from whom hehn . l presented thepeti . tion to which ho had already nlludcd , after adverting to the unconstitutional iliarncter of tho measure , stated these objections in the . following te ras : —• 11
Your petitioners < leairo especially to direct the at . tention of your hon house to a portion of that scheme which , if put in f >| i .-n , iion , will be productive of seriOUB injury to the trnnV * and labouring classes of this country . Under ihe \ -ad ' Workshops fur trades , ' it is provWed by theminBtPc that grants may be ma < 'e for the erection of workshop * or the hiring of suitable buildinn o , towards tho purchase of tools , and for the encouragement of the mast-r workmen , by granting gratuities for every boy who , in consequence of skill acquired in the worWshops £ » hnll V . ave become a workman or assistant in any trade or craft when by he is earning a livelihood . This portion "f tbe scheme will , in the opinion of your petitioners , iullicta serious injury on the honest and hard-wsrking artisan of this country , The great body of tVie ttades sre nlreaay brought flown to the mere
subsistence level by tli » keen competition caused by re . ( lundant labour . But the proposed addition to those competitors will vend-r their condition much worse , because it will be impossible for tbc produco of their labour to be sold in the open market at the same price as that of these favoured and privileged workshops . Your petitioners would remind your hon . house of the wretched condition of the shirtmakcra and needlewomen of the metropolis and other largo towns . To a great extent this wretchedness is , in the opinion of your petitioners , attributable to the fact that they aTe compelled to compete with persons employed in workhouses , schools of industry , and similar institutions , " It was impossible for the working people to enter into competition with those who bad all the advantages ot assistance from the state . The petitioners prayed fit
inquiry before tbe Legislature sanctioned the scheme . In a pamphlet , which was supposed to proceed from tho secretary of the education committee of Privy Council , this subject was nvirh dwelt upon , A direct bribe was offered to tbe working classes to accept the scheme ,. Speaking of the benefits promised to children in great towns , the author said , " The most obvious advantage to be eff'jred to such children is the means of earning a livelihood by training them in some handicraft requiring skill . If every mvIi child had the opportunity of entering a workshep in wbich he could acquire tbe art of a smith , oracarpputer , or a cooper , or otber similar trade , and after some hours of application was provided with a coarse but wiolesome meal , it is not to be doubted that many , attracted not less by the sympathy which such arrangements would prove to exist for their forlorn
condition than by the opportunity of escaping from tho misery of a life of crime and privation , would become assiduous scholars in such schools of industry . " The plan appeared to look remarkably well on paper ; but any practical mechanic could show , that as for teaching ; children , with the view of gaining a livelihood , any of the skilled trades of this country , in such schools , it was absolutely impossible to do so . The experiment had been made in industrial schools ; but it had been found that Ibe work of a shoe , maker , for instance , who had been so taught his trade , could not bear to come into competition with tbat o £ regularly-bred workmen . There was this dilemmaeither young persons would be taught trades imperfectly , or , if they were taught perfectly , great injury would be inflicted on the regular trade of the country . Men could not learn in a year and a day any of these trades ; they must serve an apprenticeship . By the Minutes of Council it appeared that tbe bov . t were to have a share of the
produce of their labour . Where was the produce of their labour to be s Id ! it must be brought into the ordinary markets ; but it was totally impossible lor an honest independent shoemaker who paid bis taxes , maintained bis family , and provided his own tools , to cope with those whose labour was carried on under so ( rreat advantages . If carried out to any extent—and if it was to be of use for the purpose of the scheme , it must be carried out to a great extent—it would seriously interfere with the wages of working men , who asked only " a fair daj ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , " which , indeed , the scbenis now propounded was calculated rathtr to take away than to secuve . The other day he rcci ived a communication as to what had taken place in Burnley , where a very active canvass it appeared , took place on behalf of the government schools , But the people were not to be deluded . _ The factory agitation was first tried and the operatives culled upon to go to tbe court-house , a meeting having been announcod en the subject . Then another appeal was made : —
' Men of Burnley ! do not bo blinded by any scctariaa jealousy . The government scbemo offers aid to church , men and dissentevs aftUe . No iMOutftismt Pork for all !" ( Lnughter . ) "Nofavouritism ? " Bat what would tbe Roman Catholics sny ? There was a saying , "Fewer parsons and more pig "—( laughter;)—and the question , " Wliowa * to pay for tbe pork V haa been pertinentl y put in another placard : — ¦ " And men of Durnley . look here ! ' Knowledge ispower for either good or evil . The promoters of the govern , ment scheme of Education have ever been tho promulgators of the pernicious doctrine of passive obedience , and non-resistance . Put a pin ir that fact , working men . ' Knowledge is power , ' but it may be so ungrafted into the minds of your children , tbat they nil !
always be passive slaves , and submissively obedient to the powers that be . Put a pin in tbat fact also . They cry out , 'Pork for all . ' Working men , inquire who has to buy the pig and pay for its keep ?" ( Greatlaughter . ) A public meeting took place ; and , notwithstanding an active canvass on the part of the government , their scheme was rejected by a majority of 150 to 1 . The resolutions described in emphatic terms the tendency of the scheme to corrupt the working classes . A clever , intelligent working man , writing ou the sub » ject , said —~ " I have carefully read over the Minutes of Council , and I cannot help thinking that the ' scheme' is deeply laid , that the thin end of the wedge' is intended to be
Introduced ; and if tbe government once introduce it there willnot bo wanting those who will drive it forward . Thohopes of salary , emolument , and pension , I fear , will cause a whole ho-t of expectants to be a sort of tools that will traiu the youthful mind to believe in that doctrine so useful to th'ise who fatten on the industry of othci' 6 the doctrine of passive obedience and nnn-resistance .. And the scheme * of granting ' certificates' is such that , not only the whole of the ' pupil ttachm , ' &o ., vtili be put completel y in the power of gcvernment , but ah * their families ; the fact is , they will all be bound to their good behaviour towards all Her Majesty's subjects , but more especially to the ' parochial clergymen' and' managers of schools . '"
The same correspondent proceeded to remark : — " I am a working man that dots no * cafe a fi g for either churchmen or dissenter , as regards tbe education scheme . 1 believe that , as far as they are concerned it is perfectly impartial , except as regards our Catholicfv u J ; 1 anaifthe statoment be u > lle thathai been , pub . shed in this town by the supporters of the BCheme-. that the Roman Catholics are shut out-i am sure that on principle I should oppose it , if I had no otber objection , because I hold that all who are called on to pay shouW partici pate in the benefits . " P y So far as working men were concerned , the scheme had very httle chance of gaining their approbation . They yr too good judges iu tho mutter to bo d . ceivcd-thej teit that the measure was calculated to enslave and to tujuro them rather than to promote their interests . He observed this , by way ol illustrating the ijnorance of tho working classes ; and of showing the necessity of concurring in this scheme , Dr Shuttleworch , iu this pamphlet o £ tlie
government , alluded te what he culled combinations and unions ot ' the working classes aud strikes . He ( Mr Duucombe ) called it the government ' s , because he saw the persoual pronoun " we" always introduced , aud ua » less he should be told that it was not sanctioned by th « Privy Council , ho should assume thnt it was an official document , published ut the public oxpeuse . Well , i that pamphlet allusion was mado to the strike of the ors . rativecottm spinners of Preston from October , 1836 to February , 1837 , and it was shown Unit £ 107 , 000 wa * lost to the town and tradu of Preston by that strike . In that document-, however , it would bu found what was the reason of that strike—it whs simply this , that thp operative spinners of Preston , seeing the factory operatives mother parts of Lancashire receiving better prices than themselves , conceived tbat there was no reason why thev should not receive the same prices . They found the wages at Bolton about 10 per cent , hi gher than their own wage ? , and they struck . Well , what was the remit » After the men had remained on strike for some time , tb ^
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imperial sariunnttib •*
Untitled Article
April 34 , 1847 , THE NORTHERN STAR . ffiftCA WlllCll . I ...: 17 . « a » h ' ***—~™——^ » > i ' " . ' ' "' ' "" * ' ¦ -- ¦ ¦ - ¦ ' ¦¦¦ —¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ^^^ T ^^^ ^ ^
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 24, 1847, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1415/page/7/
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