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Northern Star (1837-1852), 15th September 1849, Edition 1 of 3, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      PUEITY OF ELECTION . Kj ddeminster is an excellent sample of the l asted Kefonn Bill . From the time it became a borough under the provisions of that f ~ Z , . ° ?| htaenBy tas beeu regularly ? it ' ^ P ™* householder as the worst of the old freemen in the worst of £ e oM boroughs . Its electorai history be briefl y summed up-the borough has ieen al ways bought openly and undisguisedly Mr Godson , its late member , did so over and over a gain , and so far from feelW squeamish or blushing Qpon the matte ? gloned in the success which attended hi ' method of purchasing the " sweet voices" and 3 ££ ^^ *** - *****

      • • -i ^ Si . gaVe a chance of iry ™ K the SSTS ^ ff WOrtlj y voters o ^ e more , of ^ hichMr . Gisbome , who is what is called a Kadicd , availed himself . He gave them to andersfcmd at the outset that from him tW rare to expect neither money nor drink " I am told , ' said he with praiseworth y frank-Bess , "that you have a queer character-I tope I shall not find it so ; but remember if you expect a shilling , or a shilling ' s worth from me , you are doomed to a certain disappointment . " Mr . Gisborne proceeded to the poll in the manner indicated by this declaration ; the straggle was in fact for " purity of election" and , therefore , he neither hired

      messengers , nor gave away " beer . " His opponent , Mr . Bes ^ a Toiy , was even ridiculed by his own friends on account of his unfitness for the post he aspired to—but his " interest " and his money prevailed with the ten pound constituency , which , by a majority of 17 out of 417 voters polled—rejected the man who declined to corrupt them . One of the pretexts upon which the people are refused the franchise is , that they would be subject to exciting and corrupt agenciesfhatthey would not use the vote for the benefit

      of the country , but for their own selfish purposes . The present restricted constituency is defended upon the ground that it represents the property , intelligence , and respectability of the country , and any further extension would lower its character and independence . What countenance do these allegations receive from the Kidderminster election ? -We have seen the conduct of the householders , whom the Keform Act singles out from the mass , and invests with a great constitutional privilege . How did the non-electors act ? Did they oppose the candidate who gave no beer , distributed no money , and thus refrained from appealing to and

      sensuality cupidity ? Not at all On the contrary ; they f ormed a committee to promote his return . On the nomination day they rallied round him in . all their strength ; and the procession which accompanied him to the hustings , chiefl y composed of workingmen , extended upwards of three-quarters of a mile . The show of hands was in favour of the representative of purity of election , in the proportion of four to one ; and to the close of the struggle the working men continued the staunch supporters of pure principle—while the elective body , as in numerous other cases , acted upon the lowest and most disreputable motives .

      The population of the Parliamentary borough and district of Kidderminster may be taken at abont 25 , 000—by the famous Reform Act only -180 of this population are electors ; 200 of these are said to be " independent " Liberals ; 180 "independent" Conservatives ; forty are neither "fish , flesh , nor red herring , " ' but Anil take what they get ; while the ' remaining are "deep files , " whoso minds as the song goes— " Take a long time making np . " They rarely decide until the last critical moment , and their conclusions then are generally hastened by a " small present" of 100 / . or 150 / . a piece from the candidate who at last find favour in their eyes .

      Does not the existence of such disgraceful and shameless corruption as this , demonstrate the necessity for a Jfew Reform Bill ? Is it to be endured that a small clique of base traffickers in votes should thus have the power of sending into Parliament amis-representative of the people , to vote for the perpetuation of unjust and intolerable taxation—unjust and ¦ nnequaljaws—and to interpose obstructions in the way of all rational progress and necessary reforms ? Of what use are nominations at the hustings , and an appeal to the people by show of hands , when the free choice of the unbiassed

      masses can be neutralised and stultified by such venal wretches ? It would be far better not to insult the people by such a mockery of free election , but openly to declare that fivesixths of the male adults of the country are excluded from all participation in the franchise , in order that those who possess it may plunder them the more easily and securely . We are much mistaken , however , if these monstrous and glaring abuses will be suffered much longer to continue . The Parliamentary and Financial Movement is extending , we rejoice to see , throughout the country , and extending in connexion with societies which afford a solid guarantee of eventual , and not distant success . There can

      be no doubt that the purchase of county freeholds by the Anti-Corn Law League—and their avowed intention to proceed in that course -until they had wrested the majority of the counties from the landed aristocracy , powerfully contributed to the victory of the League in 1816 . Sir Joshua Wauisley and his colleagues appear to be fully aware of the vital importance of such a mode of backing up their agitation . They keep itpermanently before the public , and we are happy to see Kith good efiect , as shown by the increasing numbers who enrol themselves members of Freehold Investment Societies .

      The " Times" decrees the agitation for an Extension of the Suffrage , and other Parliamentary Reforms , on the ground that the formation of these societies proves every man who really wishes for a vote , may , by their instrumentality require it . There is an obvious enough answer to the fallacy , in the fact that the constitution itself , in the . abstract , connects representation with taxation , and that if the yote is to be purchased at au , the taxes are the constitutional price paid for it . But the Peelite organ—a little more clear-sighted than his " big brother" of

      Printing-house-squaretakes a very different view of the movement . It admits the anomalies and the injustice of the present system , and in measured , and emphatic language , warns our Government and Legislature , that they must prepare to concede the legitimate and reasonable demands ofthepeople . ThistonewillspreadinthePress , if the same cordial union continaes to exist between the middle and working classes which has hitherto characterised themovement ; and , in the meantime , such illustrations of the rottenness of our representative system , as that afforded by the recent election at Kidderminster , cannot fail to accelerate its progress .

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      The Pkemier Deer-Staikixg . —The Premier , iavio" escaped for a season from the Member for Bucks ! has been deer-stalking in the Forest of Mar . " His lordship shot a fine stag dead at 120 yards , and wounded another ; " and the Glasgow Constitutional adds : — " It is the belief of the Court that this is the only instance on record—at least in modern times—of a Prime Minister stalking and killing a staff" It is not long since Ministers of State , bitten by a prevailing mania , were fostering •' stags . ' !— ttxteshwd Okfrver .

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      MR . JUDGE ASD THE" ROYAL ETCHINGS . We published the week hefore last a letter from Mr . Judge , relative to the persecution that he was suffering on account of his connexion in the affair of the Royal Etchings . The following letter , addressed to Mrs . Judge , appeared in the Times of Wednesday : — .... „ " Balmoral , Sept . 8 th . Madam , —I am commanded to acknowledge the receipt of your petition to the Queen for intercession in behalf of your husband , Mr . Judge , and to say , that having been directed to make inquiries into the allegations brought forward by you , it appears that they are wholly unfounded . Neither have Mr . Strange ' s costs been added to Mr . Judge ' s , nor is Mr . Judge ' s debt owing to his Royal Highness Prince Albert .

      "Mr Judge was from the beginning liable for the whole costs ; the suit against Mr . Strange was dropped from his having made his submission ; your husband , on the contrary , obliged it to proceed against him by following the opposite course , and the heaviness ofthe costs are entirely the consequence of Ms pertinacity , and the costs are due to the solicitors employed in the cause . Any payment of costs , therefore , on the part of her Majesty and the Prince would be a gratuitous donation to your husband .

      " From your knowledge of his urn-emitting efforts for many years to inflict every possible injury on her Majesty , the Prince , thoir family , and the Court , by a system of espionage into , misrepresentation and villifying of , all the acts of their private life , you will be the best judge whether he deserves such a boon at their hands . Nevertheless , it is repugnant to the feelings of her Majesty and his Royal Hi « hners , that innocent persons like yourself and children should suffer in a cause with which their names are in any way connected , and I am commanded to forward to you a check for £ 180 , with which you may pay your husband ' s costs , and extricate him from prison ; and may he in future support his family by a more honourable industry . Requesting you will acknowledge the receipt of this money , " I am , Madam , yourobedient servant , " Mra . Judge . " G . E . Asscre . "

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      Tir e Queen op Spain . —A letter from Madrid says — " The Queen , who Iike 3 gossip herself , cares very little what gossip takes place at her expense . She gives herself up to the noisiest pleasures with childish ardour , ana seems to take pleasure in teazin <» that solemn nullity to whom the profligate calcuLv tions of French intriguers caused her to be united . When the ministers talk to her of public affairs she tells them with girlish petulance to consult her mother—that it is she who takes care of that sort of thing . Every night dancing takes place by her orders in the spacious gardens . She becomes peevish the moment the music ceases , and there are two bands , that relieve each other alternately . She forbids any kind of illumination ; it is true that the

      moon , especially at La Granja , sheds triple light , and artifical lights are seldom necessary . From the moment the Qneen arrives she gives herself up to dancing and laughter of the most energetic kind . She tires out the strongest limbed , and then looks round with tho most reckless merriment stamped upon her round face , and instantly accepts another partner . Half an hour after you may see her seated , eating and drinking with the same vigour as she dances , at some rustic table under the trees . From these balls ancient Spanish etiquette has fled affrighted ; nankeen gabanes , summer frock coats , cravattes « la neglige , replace the stiff uniform or

      formal black coat with white cravat of the Spanish Don . With an utter carelessness of all etiquette her youthful Majesty , whenever her partner is young , handsome , or amusing , does not scruple to walk off alone with him in the sylvan solitudes . Paquo ( Frank ) , as she calls her husband , Bon Francisco , used to fret at first , but has got used to it , and is becoming plethoric and listless . The representations of her elderly friends she laughs at , even when they hint that her crown is in danger ; and it is this last fact that has caused the word ' abidication' to be pronounced in some corners , whence , like the news about King Midas ' s ears , it has got abroad . "— Globe .

      Alarming Colusion in the Chaxnei , with iieb Majesit ' s Steamer Salamaxdeu . —Milford , September 8 th . —Intelligence has just bees received here of a very serious collision having occurred in the Channel between her Majesty ' s steamer Salamander and a coasting sloop called the Lamb , Mr . Jones , master , which ended in the latter ' s immediately foundering , though all on board escaped . It appears that in the course of Thursday week the Salamander left Plymouth for Pembroke in charge , ( so it is reported in the naval news , ) of Mr . Davey , supernumerary master of the Impregnable , with Mr . Henderson , master attendant of Dcvonport dockyard , and a party of riggers on board , for the purpose of navigating the Oetavia round to

      Portsmouth or Plymouth . About three o ' clock in the afternoon , however , the Black Ilead , r . ear Falmouth bearing N . E . by N . eight miles distant , and the Lizard X . W . by W ., the sloop was seen standing oa a starboard tack towards shore , beating to windward . There was a stiff breeze blowing E . by N ., and a heavy sea on . The crew of the sloop say they saw the steamer approaching , and anticipating mischief from her course , they hallooed to her as she neared to alter her helm . The Sala mander continued her course and speed , and came in fearful collision with the Lamb , on the starboard bow , cutting her down below the water ' s edge . With such a terrible injury not a moment was to be lost in getting clear of the wreck and rescuing the hands on board , an she was fast settling down . Ropes were lowered down the sides of the steamer

      for the crew to seize hold of , and after some difficulty all the poor fellows were rescued . In a few moments the vessel having filled , she heeled over , and went down in deep water , the crew losing everything but the trifling dress they had on . The Lamb , we understand , belonged to Portmadoc , and was bound for Portsmouth from Portdinorwick . The Dix Decemlre announces that sixteen guillotines have been constructed in Paris daring the last year for the different states of Europe in which that mode of execution has been adopted . —[ The veritatle Republic abolished capital punishments . The sham Republic exports the engine of death to despotic countries . —Ed . 2 V . & ] A Fact . —It is scarcely within the verge of probability , but it is nevertheless an indisputable fact , that on Tuesday week twelve hundred and a half of fresh herrings were bought in Donglas for Is . — Manx Liberal .

      It is an error to think that a long face is essential to good morals , or that laughing is an unpardonable crime ,

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      LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES . L 1 X " ^ °$ 8 are thinS ' » nda small fr ° P of ink fauing—hke dew—upon a thought , produces » nat which makes thousands , perhaps millions , think . " BraoNi SWITZERLAND MENACED . Brother Proletarians , In the " Northern Star " of Saturday last I warned you that the leagued tyrants having crushed the Hungarians , Italians , and Germans , were about to coerce Switzerland and annihilate Swiss independence . That I did not cry " wolf" without good cause for alarm , is made too evident , by the intelligence received from the continent within the last few days . A Republic in the centre of Europe is an intolerable nuisance in the eyes ofthe despots , and will be put an end to , should the iswiss be unable to defend themselves against the conquerors of Hungary and Ital . .

      y The " Assemblee Nationale , "—the principal Pans organ of the counter-revolutionary conspirators—announced the programme of the " Hol y Alliance , " as regards Switzerland , to be as follows :-1 st . —The re-establishment ofthe authority of the King of Prussia in the canton of Neufchatel . 2 nd The forced expulsion of the political refugees from the territory of the Confederation . 3 rd . •—Military occupation by Austria of a

      portion of the canton of Tessino . Other organs of the Absolutionists add to this programme , the design of remodelling the institutions ofthe several Cantons , for the purpose of restoring the rule of the priests and oligarchs . The assassination of the Roman Republic by the French Government is cited as a precedent for the Russian , Austrian , and Prussian Despotisms pursuing a like course in relation to Switzerland .

      Should the "Great Powers , "—that is great brigands—limit their demands to the re-institution of the titular royalty of Prussia m the canton of Neufchatel , and the expulsion ofthe political refugees , I think it probable that the Swiss will submit without a struggle . The restoration of the nominal kingship of the Prussian despot in Neufchatel , will only bring back the order of things -which existed prior to February , 1848 . As regards the political refugees , many of the Swiss Mould be glad of a pretext for getting rid of them . S wiss republicanism is somewhat shopocratic , and I

      imagine that Red Republicanism meets with hut siriall sympathy on the part of the present rulers of Switzerland . Nominally , democracy is iu the ascendant in that country , but it is that species of democracy which is known as " American , " and might be more properly denominated bourgeois-liberalism . Ochsenbein and his colleagues were radical enough as opposed to priestly and f eudal oligarchy , but should he and they turn the " cold shoulder' to the Red Republicans of France , Germany , and Italy , it would cause me no surprise . Under all circumstances , I regard the expulsion of the refugees as almost certain .

      But Bhould the Austrians attempt to occupy even an acre of Tessino , or should the combined tyrants attempt to interfere with the internal administration of the Confederation , I anticipate that there will be War . Notwithstanding its limited population , Switzerland could very speedily bring a hundred thousand troops into the field . It is true that , as regards numbers , this force —though enormous — could ho soon outmatched by the numberless hordes of Russia , Austria , and Prussia—to say nothing of France . But over and above the regular troops , the male adults generally are well versed in the use of the rifle , and the natural features of the

      country give its defenders advantages over every other nation in Europe . I anticipate that the tools of the tyrants will meet with warm work , should the y attempt the conquest of Switzerland ; yet , I must add my conviction , that , in the event of a struggle , the Swiss will be crushed . In these days mere physical bravery does not avail to save a people from destruction . Not Miltiades , nor

      Themistocles , nor even Leoiudas , were they living now , could save their countrymen from slavery had they to contend against the physical force of the modern tyrants of the world . The science (?) of war has now reached a perfection which ensures to those who can command the necessary strength in men and metal , the triumph , however vile their cause . In these days a Wallace could not exist for a week , and a Tyler would be crushed the moment he

      raised the standard of revolt . Were Switzerland again enslaved , I doubt if even a Tell could redeem her . Most probably it will not be on the barricade , nor in the deadly breach , nor on the tented field , that the defenders of justice will henceforth combat the slaves of blood-seeking Tyranny . If they would succeed they must fall upon the employers of the assassin-soldiery in their

      own households , and combat the enemies of Freedom on their own hearths . The universal rising of the Proletarians—the holy war ofthe Labourers against all their oppressors—the combat , not against the tools of tyrants , but the tyrants themselves , is the good work which must next be wrought ; and to prepare the people , for which is the sacred mission of all true Reformers .

      Four hundred miles from London , circamstances prevent mo writing a lengthier letter this week . For the present I content myself with -warning you ofthe designs of tho tyrants as regards Switzerland , in the hope that you will not , as is the case of Hungary , express your sympathy " Too Late !" L'AMI DU PEXIPLE . Sept . 12 , 1849 .

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      — igh . ^ . SYMPATHY WITH HUNGARY . MEETING AT NORWICH . On Monday evening a meeting was held in St . Andrew ' s Hall , Norwich , to express the sympathy of the citizens in the Hungarian cause . A . Hudson , Esq ., was called to the chair ; and among those present wo observed Lord Dudley Stuart , J . Lultzer , Esq ., J . H . Tillett , Esq ., J . Bateman , Esq ., J . Butcher , Esq ., Rev . Campbell Wodehouse , Rev . T . Wheeler , Sir . J . Fletcher , Mr . C . Winter , Mr . Morgan , O . Springfield , Esq ., Captain Money , &c . The Chairman having opened the proceedings , Captain Monet moved , " That the Hungarian nation , in its struggle for constitutional liberty , is entitled to the warmest sympathies of all classes and parties of the British people . " Mr . Bhightweh . seconded the motion .

      Lord Dudley Stuart , M . P ., said he felt very proud of having an opportunity of addressing a meeting of the citizens of Norwich , assembled for the purpose of discussing the question of Hungary . There had been public meetings on that subject not only in the metropolis , but in every part of the kingdom . If they went from Southampton up through Wales to Manchester , through Yorkshire , to Edinburgh and Glasgow and the most northerly parts of Scotland , all Britons agreed in expressing sympathy for those who dared to struggle for their liberties , and to maintain their rights . And he was glad and proud to see that in the ancient and famous city of Norwich an example had been set by the inhabitants to the eastern part of our island , to show that they were not deficient in the same noble feeling which had determined them to meet together , to unite , to rise and proclaim their sympathies for freedom , aud their detestation of tyrants . (

      Applause . ) Some persons took superficial views , or under the influence of cold and selfish principles were sometimes prone to inquire why the people of England should feel any sympathy for the Hungarians . They said , what did the working men , the artisans , the farmers , and the people at large of England , know about Hungary ? They knew that the Hungarians were struggling for their freedom . ( Applause . ) They knew that they wore attacked by despots ; they knew that the Hungarians had defended their rights like brave men , and like Englishmen —( applause)—and if they knew no more , that was sufficient to awaken the sympathy of every honest Briton . But he would tell those persons who indulge in such sneers , that having had the advantage and the honour of meeting with all classes of his countrymen , he could tell them that the I working-men , tho industrious artisans of this countaHftafl&i to titf spread of education , thanks to

      Untitled Article

      Sn , ? K 8 IO ? of knowledge through cheap publicaworking t 0 the P ° * of «« P « S 8 , that the X ?^ \ - re much better informed on that a ™ , tl « - 8 U - bjects ^ foreign and domestic policy took & lraagme . - The working men of Englana S ^ P ^ 1 " 8 to inquire , and found leisure in the Z £ ? . vJ Wororas vocations to makethem-• n / ^" nted with the struggles that were be-5 t 3 4 thoso who ^ liberty on this ITa V , ?* , ? fEuroPe . ( Cheers . ) And perhaps those S ™ " ^ ^ who had not so much leisure as m 2 v « Vein thelaP of luxury , might yet on K Sl " ? find t ^ means to make themselves m «? £ f ? aam * e with facts than those from whom mm e information might be expected . He believed -

      wZtlT , § e and in the factory , many who rurnoS tt ?* WOrkattheir various avocations , still Si I th 0 U Shts t (> those patriots in foreign wPrPrL ? n Whc \ wero battIi"g ™« i despotism , and Son ^ f the r En * land w ould doin the same KneZw das their forefathers in England had in this co , nV , Pplause - ) And at lea 8 t if the P ° P Sils of H « y '• , not « C ( l « ainted with all toe aethatthat fe hlstorv ' they knew generally of their owf Y as verv anal 4 ous to the history HunSaZ H ° Unt 1 ? -, least they knew that the were s ru " Plfe 7 1 , sympathies because they men in wfom t 0 * ? ^ and look nS to those S Hume and & plMf Tfi dence-to such men bSSe ^^ ssass

      IPE ^ sill S ^ SSsSSSs did not las year take up arms in order to do l , S SeTSf Ififfl' ° r t 0 i » troduce ° sle new state otthings-that thousands and tens of thou-S , f n Tf- ) fly from tlieir Shards i " order to proclaim a red republic , or to spread any new-fangled notions of . that description introduced to the Hungarians , though that W been represented by their enemies to be the case . The Hungarians rose for no red republic . Thev did not . risfi

      or any republic at all , though he must say , if they had done so , that would have been no ' reason , in his mind , for not taking an interest in them . ( Loud applause . ) In saying so , he did not mean to recommend to the Hungarians the republican or any other particular form of government . But what he said was , that every people had a right to determine under what form ot government thev would live—( vehement applause ) -everypeoplo had that right by their choice to say the form of irovernment tEpv preferred . The Hungarians , h « S ! i ? , ^ Sr 2 maintain an old and ancient constitution- ^ ancient as ours-and very much like it , for their constitution was composed of King , Lords , and Commons -a henditary _ sovcreign , a hereditarv hou ™ nf

      peers ana a House of Commons elected by tho people . ( A voice- " Ours is not . " ) Those rights they demanded . That constitution had been handed down to them from father to son for many generations , as ours had been . A gentleman in the hall said our House of Commons was not properly elected by the people . The Hunganans in that respect had been like them . They felt that their House of Commons was not elected as it ought to be They felt that tho suffrage ought to be extend . ( Applause . ) They wanted not tho trammels of a new constitution , but they wished to ameliorate and extend their own . The Hungarians had ever been remarkable for their attachment to principles which are dear to Enclishmen-tho principles of civil liberty , and of religious liberty . There had been only one relifrioiiH . liffim , lfv

      wuwu last year the immortal Kossuth swept away . That was the disabilities of tho Jews . Under him the Hungarians abolished the last remnant of intolercncc , and under that very constitution no question was asked as to religious opinions , but Catholic or Protestant , Jew ov Christian , all were , so Ion * as they conducted themselves as good citizens ad mitted to equal rights . ( Applause . ) There was another principle to which the Hungarians were devotedly attached , and which ought to recommend them to Englishmen , were it only for their own interest . He meant that they had always been strenuous advocates of Free Trade . Attempts had been made to deny it , and to represent them as having Lately attempted to introduce . 1 selfish nvn .

      tectionist policy , but those representations -were entirely without foundation . The illiberal system was that of Austria , -which prohibited tho importation ofthe produce of Hungary into her dominions , by means ot which the Hungarians must have paid for the manufactures of Austria , and it was only in order to force the Austrians to admit the corn and wiiie of Hungary into Austria , that the Hungarians determined-thatiftheydid not , they would not . allow the manufactures of Austria to be admitted into their country , but they were anxious to interchange their commodities not only with Austria , it tney consented to it , but also with every part of the world . And those well acquainted with the state of Hungary were well aware that no greater benefit

      couw bo conferred upon tho commercial interests of this country than that Hungary should be made independent . Hungary , if left to itself , would offer a noble outlet to . the manufactures of England and , according to the opinion of those who had entered into calculations upon the subject , there would be as largo a trade between Hungary and this country as there is now between it and the United States , He thought those were a few very good reasons wh y Englishmen should feel sympathy with the Hungarians . He hoped that , by meetings such as this , the opinion of the country , from one end of it to the other , would be expressed so plainly and so forcibly , and so unmistakeably , that the government would see that it was right and fitting to act in accordance with that opinion . The noble lord continued at great length to urqethe necessity of public demonstrations on this subject , in order to induce the government to interfere for the protection of the

      Hungarian people . The following resolutions were then passed : — 11 That Austria by violating the contract by which the crown of Hungary was settled on the Emperor of Austria , deserves the reprobation of all honest men , and that Russia , by its intervention to crush the liberties of Hungary , has committed a gross broach of the recognised Jaws of nations . " That the meeting feels that the British nation is under lasting obligations to Lord Palmevston , her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs , for the manly and vigourous policy pursued by him in reference to tho Hungarian question , and call upon him to endeavour to settle the differences between Austria and Hungary on such a basis as shall be most conducive to the cause of constitutional liberty , and to the best interests of the European nations , and that a memorial , founded upon thoso principles be prepared and signed by the chairman , and forwarded to Lord Palmerston . "

      A vote of thanks having been passed to tho chairman , after three dicers given for the Hungarians and Lord Dudley Stuart , the meeting separated .

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      THE CUTLERS' FEAST AT SIIEFFIED . The annual grand banquet of the Cutlers' Company of Sheffield took place on Thursday evening week at the Cutlers' Hall , on the usual scale of magnificence . Tho number of the company exceeded 300 . The Master Cutler , Mr . II . Atkin , presided , and near him were observed his Grace the Duke of Newcastle , the Eavl of Arundel and Surrey , Lord C . Clinton , Lord W . P . Clinton , Mr . J . Parker , M . P ., Mr . J . A . EoebucU , M . I \ , the Mayors of Sheffield and Doncaster , Sir A . J . Knight , and many other influential gentlemen connected with the district . The usual toasts being given and received with much enthusiasm , The Master Cutler gave " The health of the Duke of "N ewca 3 tlo , " which was drunk with three times three .

      Tho Duke of Newcastle , in acknowledging the compliment , said , he would make no allusion to politics , but he might express his hope for the prosperity of tho town , no desired the welfare of the whole world , but he had a strong feeling for his own home , his own country , and thoso who inhabited it . ( Cheers . ) The Earl of Aivjndel and Surrey acknowledged " The health of the house of Howard . " Mr . W . Overekd proposed " the Health of tho noble Lord of "Wcntworth , Earl Fitzwilliam . " ( Great cheering . )

      Earl Fitzwilliam rose to return thanks . After a few remarks acknowledging the honour done him , the noble Earl proceeded , —Now , gentlemen , for one point , which some persons may say is touching upon politics , —I say it is not . I beg to congratulate every gentleman who hears me , and those in the humbler walks of life who do not hear me , upon the peace and tranquillity which this country now enjoys . I am not going to enter into a dUcussion with you upon anything which the most fastidious judge would call political ; but this , I say , that it would be well for all to investigate , and then meditate calmly upon what , by possibility , I may almost say . , by probability , may be the cause of that

      tranquillity , which we alone , among all the nations of Europe , have enjoyed during the last year . ( Cheera . ) There is another remarkable circumstance , and it always has been so , because it is not a novelty in this country , and that is , that while in other countries some classes of society are debarred from rising into another class , so again what are considered as tho higher class were debarred from entering into thoso paths of industry which are , in point of fact , the only sources of all property that can exist . ( Cheers . ) Property could not exist without industry . Industry is that by which all the property of this country has been created . I « ai'Q n < rt » ylm Uaads it » w to ; I W » wrt

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      Tf t hK r lt i 3 in tlle workshop of the manufacturer 01 tms town , or whether it is in landed property , wnicn 13 now enjoyed by tho descendant of some m ™ ° tiirer . Thig j venture to wiat out to you and to those out of doors-that no property can exist but through the medium of industry . { Cheers . ) A remarkable fact in the history of society in this country 13 , that while in others there is a broad and o . arn line of distinction between the different classes otsociety in the country , those classes have always mingled more or less with one another . The industrious , or what are called , according to the modern phrase , the operative classes , have always mixed , with the non-operative , and the latter have never aisdamed that industry which has manifestly been the source ofthe wealth which they now enjoy , and which they enjoy from the industry of their

      foreu b • gentlemen , some persons will sav that this is a political subject . ( Cries of " No !" ' ) I say it is not political in the sense in which polities Ought to be abstained from . It is the duty of persons who are in the habit of reflecting on these matters not to shrink from expressing the results of their meditations when they meet large bodies of their countrymen . The noble Earl having again expressed his thank 3 for the manner in which his name had been received , resumed his scat amid great applause . After the health of " the Master Cutler" had been proposed by the Puke of Newcastle , and duly acknowledged from the chair , Mr . T . Dunn , in very appropriate and complimentary terms , gave the next toast , " The healths of John Parker and John A . lioebuclc , Members for the borough of Skeffield . "

      Mr . Parker rose and was received with great cheering . After a few introductory sentences , he said , —Ihave , in common with all of you , to regret the loss of a colleague to whom I , and I believe you also , as his constituents , were sincerely attached . Cheers . ) Whatever party difference there may have been , Ibelieve he left with the unanimous kind regards of all ; and after the twelve years' serviceof honourable service—through which he passed , wo shall agree to wish him prosperity in tho greater and moro important sphere which ho has now undertaken . ( Cheers . ) While I have lost a colleague , 1 have , by circumstances perfectly unexpected , tallen into his place . Your late member , the Secretary ofthe Admiralty , has disappeared , and has left

      the humble individual before you as tho present Secretary of the Admiralty . I almost take blame to myself that when that toast was proposed which alluded so distinctly to that noble , that glorious service , I did not respond to it . I am sure that the services of that portion of her Majesty ' s forces with whicli recent associations have placed me in juxtaposition will not be-neglected . I entirely concur In what we have heard as to the necessity of maintaining that service in a state of efficiency . ( Cheers . ) This , gentlemen , is not political . lam not talking politics . I do not wish to introduce the question how much we ought to spend . Save as much as you can . Make economy the order of ycur system . Introduco retrenchment wherever it is practicable . " Make things hitherto dear , if you can , cheaper . But

      uo not—do not diminish , do not take away from the efficacy of your naval service . ( Loud cheers . ) Thoso ships which I saw last week at Devenport and Portsmouth are the support , the foundation , of your commercial and manufacturing system . ( Cheers . ) Make them as cheap as you can . I am far from saying that may not be done . My late hon . colleague most particularly addressed his anxious and persevering thought to the economy of this great service . _ Every one knows the necessity of economy , and is bound to attend to it ; but do not—do not diminish the efficiency of the naval service . Keep up that service . Let it stand as : t does , as it ever has done , and as I trust it ever will while I am connected with it ; let it stand the admiration of the world , able to protect your commerce and maintain your rights . ( Much cheering . )

      Mr . Roebuck then rose , and was met with loud and continued cheering . —I would , Mr . Master-Cutler , that the words of my friend and hon . colleague had been sufficient to answer for myself on the present occasion , after the handsome manner in which you have received our healths . You have stated , Sir , and everybody has stated , that this is no time for politics . I acquiesce in that statement ; but I hardly know that I am here if not for political service . I thank you most sincerely for the acknowledgment you have made of that service , and I read , as I hope all of you will read , the lesson taught by the present occasion . It is not political . There have been many political reflections made , but we will not use the word " politics . " I must say that I have heard many things to-night thathave

      impressed me much ; I may say almost joyously . I . am entirely « a politician ; with the feelings , Sir , which my position in this town has created , why am I here ? Is not that a question that should have suggested itself , and I have no doubt hns susrijestcd itself to many gentlemen who sit at this board with mo ? There have been observations made by the noble earl at this table , with that dexterity whicli distinguished his artistic renown in the House of Lords —( laughter and cheers)—touching without affecting—leading without seemin « to lead—directing instantaneously to the point without incurving the responsibility of so doing . ( Loud cheers . ) Various suggestions of mighty import the noble earl dropped , with a sort of nice savins ; , that allowed

      almost to touch the rock , and yefe turn round and sail away on another tack . I admired the dexterity ; I have witnessed it before . I acknowledge the chief , I wish I had the power to follow . ( Cheers . ) But , Sir , while tho noble lord on your left read all these lessons to us , I was del'ghted with the suggestion of the noble Duke on your right . Time teaches us niany things , and there are kind feelings raised by time , which I was delighted to find had made their way on the present occasion . And , finding myself here at a social board with tho noble Duke , his most humble admirer on the present occasion , I do admire the effect of time which has brought us thus mutually here before you , a united body of our countrymen . ( Loud cheers . ) There

      is no victory but the victory of truth . Time has taught it to us . And I am most grateful to the noble Duke for haying had the couvage and manliness to say that timo has taught the lesson which we arc all glad to have learned . ( Cheers . ) Sir , I acknowledge that I am one vrho have great faith in the people . I dare say I differ from many in that feeling ; but , I believe the longer we live , the more we know of each other in the various relations of life , the more we shall bo brought to that kindly sentiment which the noble Duke has expressed on the present occasion , and that it will extend not only to this social nail , but wide abroad , nnd that we shall continue what wo are now , a united and peaceful people , because , as the noble Earl most

      significantly suggested , there are causes which have made peace , the cause being that there is a sentiment in the great people of whom my hon . friend and I are the legitimate representatives —( cheers)—which has been answered—providentially answered , for that was the noble Earl ' s suggestion . There has beon a providential answer to their claimstheir rising desire—their increasing knowledge . These have found their way into the government of the country , of which he—and I point to him with honour and respect—has always been a most fearless and firm supporter . ( Cheers . ) I am not in the habit of paying compliments , but I feel that to

      bo due on the present occasiou . The suggestion was made by tho noble Earl , I being htre as the representative of a newly-created borough , and my hon . friend being hero who has , from the first , re . presented you , and I hero for the first time . Still , bear in mind that you are a newly-created borough , and I , the most humble of your representatives , and tho most zealous I intend to be , return you my hearty thanks . I am proud that the providence of the government of this country has enabled you , however unworthily , to he represented . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Roebuck concluded by proposing ' the Health ofthe Lady of tho Master Cutler . " The Master Cutlur replied ; and , After several other toasts had been proposed and duly acknowledged , the company broke up .

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      * j * PARLIAMENTARY AND FINANCIAL REFORM . On Monday evening a numerous and important meeting of tho chairmen and secretaries of the various district societies existing in London and its vicinity , for tho purpose of considering tho best means to securo an immediate , vigorous , and combined movement in favour of the objects of the National Association , was held at the King ' s Head , Poultry . At seven o'clock the chair was taken by Sir Joshua "Walmsley , M . P .-, president of the association . The Chairman , after expressing his great pleasuro in meeting so large and so influential an assembly , dwelt for some time on the necessity of increased means , as the association was intended to extend its operations- to all parts of tho kingdom . He entertained no doubt as to the different localities eventually paying their own way , and also contributing towards the parent funds , but this , of course could not bo expected at first . The association was

      in a very flourishing condition , and had money in hand , notwithstanding tho necessary outgoing expenses . ( Hear , hear . ) The members already enrolled were upwards of 5 , 000 , besides great numbers whose names had not yet been seat in . He hoped that all veteran , reformers would use their interest in the localities to which they were connected , and he was certain that their perseverance and influence would soon make their opinions fashionable . Most encouraging letters had been received from all parts of tho country , expressing earnest hopes that some of tho council would go among them , and stating that they were quito ready to come forward with pecuniary aid . ( Hear , hear . ) Tho Chairman then pointed out some of the obstaoles which they had to contend against , alluding to the Whig clique in particular , and concluded a clear ana eloquent ppeech , nwiiast low Upplausg ,

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      H . To tal Atkinson , Esq ., tlien read a rpnnrt nf iCSg 8 of t last b « 8 SiSSff * Si ™ T rksfromMr - ^'' . an opportunity of stating the progros SSTinoS ment in 1 their respective neighbourhoods Mr . Eilet , from the Uornsey . roau " , expected a meeting there in about three weeks ex P eciea * Mr . Watkixs said , at Brentford they were most anxious to ioin the parent association . Ho then inquired whether there was any co-operation be . tween the National Association and that at Manchester .

      Tho Chairmas replied that Mr . Bright , M . P . for Manchester ( and who would consequentl y take an interest in the movement there ) , and also Mr . Cobden , were members of the council of this association . The Manchester men were far from being jealous ; they were most anxious to promote the same objects . Mr . Farmer ( Clerkcnwell ) said that he had lately seen many Anti-Corn League men , and they were tully prepared to join the association . ~ Mr . Davis Stepney ) alluded to tho branch associations , and hoped they would soon be united to the parent society .-Mr . Besbow ( King ' s Cross ) , after tome remarks about the constitution of the ' * £$£ , urged the necessity of enlisting the working ClaSSCS . —Mr . Spbt » / T « linnfnn \ nn J ¦»«•_ it °

      ret t 1 1 \ v V P ""'/> "" ""• uuvon ( St . Luke s ) , next gave brief accounts of tho progress in their neighbourhoods .-Mr . Ratclifpb ( Hoxton New Town ) said that the cause was making great progress in his locality . Tho people mad great inquiries about tho land scheme . Ho expected a capital meeting in the City-road next week . —Mr . Allwright ( Greenwich ) gave a very good account of the association in his neighbourhood—Some other gentlemen addressed the meeting , after whic h _ iheCiumMAN at some length expressed his satisfaction at the proceedings of the evening Ho was sure that much good would be derived from it . He concluded an earnest speech amidst loud ap . plause . r Thanks having been voJcd to tho Chairman , tho meeting separated at ten o ' clock .

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      —¦•*»— . PAST AND PRESENT . TO THE EDITOR OF THE HORTIIERN STAR . " "Within the land dwelt many a malcontent , Who curs'd the tyranny to which he bent ; The soul full many a wringing despot saw , Who work'd his wantonness in form of law . ' ' Sir , —In tho good old times , when our Saxon ancestor 3 elected their magistrates , and made their own laws—when the tillers of the soil partook of the first fruits of their own industry—and " When a single gaol , in Alfred ' s golden reign , Could half tho nation ' s criminals contain "life and property was more secure than .-at nresent :

      people were contented and happy , without being under any apprehension of having their bodies mutilated by the machinery of a factory , or tlieir old age rendered insufferable by being compelled to follow the hideous employment of " grinding bones in a workhouse . " But , alas ' . this Elysiatt state of things did not continue . Strangers came , and robbed our forefathers of their legitimate inheritance . The fields which the labour of their hands had fertilised , were parcelled amongst savage rufhans , whose only title consisted in the length of their swords , and whose deeds were characterised by no other quality than inhuman ferocity . Since that period , down to tho present time , the oondition of the labouring population of this country has

      gradually deteriorated in comfort and independence . For centuries after the invasion of the Norman robbers , the wealth producers of England were , comparatively speaking , happy , by being located in small forms , together witli enjoying the privileges arising from the millions of acres of common-lands , whicli had beon bequeathed to them by the philanthropists of their country . But , now everything is changed . The thirst for wealth has absorbed every other ennobling impulse . The Mammon spirit reigns predominant—thousands of our fellowcountrymen are yearly sacrificed on the altars of cupidity—while the myriads of paupers with which our country abounds . give sufficient testimony ofthe grasping propensities of the dominant few . Talk

      01 tne middle classes compelling the British ministry to recognise tho Hungarian Republic , or to liberate Rome from the unmitigated brutality ofi tho vandal French ! As well might we try to stop tho current of the ocean , as think to induce this body of men to take one single step in a direction , that will not be a means of replenishing their purses . I was lately on a visit to St n , a small town on the borders of Ayrshire , famous for its woollen manufactures , and the prosperity formerly enjoyed by its inhabitants . It is , perhaps , one of the finest rural villages in the west of Scotland , situated in the midst of a fertile country , which , on account of the absence of all the ordinary emblems of trade , is rendered strikingly romantic and picturesque . Tho

      holds were covered with a most luxuriant crop of vegetation , but the toiling inhabitants wore in their general auneavtvnee tlys m&vks of poverty and wretchedness . There is 0110 remarkable featuro about this place which I am extremely anxious to mention . For the distance of about a mile on one side of the town , the land is fenced in by hedges running in a parallel direction , and enclosing witnin their circuit thirty or forty allotments of from one to three acres each . On the top of the ridge formed by this Land , there are the remains of what may have once been a- row of comfortable cottages , capable of containing , perhaps , as many families as the above mentioned number of allotments . Contiguous to this there are two or three portions of land , measuring from fifteen to twenty acres in

      extent—these were the common lands , where the villagers were formerly in the habit of grazing their cows and pigs . Twenty years ago tho whole of theso cottages nnd allotments were the property of a clas of men called "bonnet-makers , " who it is eviden must have been as independent as their comforts were proverbial . Where now are this once happy and contented people ? Alas 1 the sequel may bo easily imagined . The majority of them gone to tlieir graves , while the remainder are either paupers on the land that bore them , or else lingering , out a , miserable existence amidst the pine foresis and swamps of Canada . " Like the dew on the mountain , Like tho bubble on the fountain , Like the foam on the river , They are gone , and for ever . "

      While gazing on the remains of what weso onco happy homes , I could not help offering up a silent prayer for the success of Mr . O'Connor ' s L ' aod Plan . Let grumbling and interested knaves say what they will , that gentleman has struck the true ehord of our nature ' s sympathies , and put in motion the only lever that' will ever bring the masses back to independence . Mr . Feargus O'Connor is more a man of the world than most of his contemporaries ; he lms mixed extensively amongst mankind ; has studied their nature , knows their wants , their

      principles , and their power . This has given him a decided advantage over most all other reformers of the day , the majority of whom have communed moro with their own thoughts than with the world around them . I am no hero-worshipper ; but I do say , that the individual who will not show respect to the man who has spent his fortune , and the greater part of a lon £ life , in advocating the cause of freedom , is unfit for civilised life , and only qualified to associate with the brutes of the forest , who know n othing of the ties which ought to bind society together . R . W .

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      ANOTHER SHOEMAKERS * SHOW . On Monday and Tuesday next we understand that the London Shoemakers intend—as . the phrase now is in higher places—to have another exposition of art , —ot their art , —in the shape of some ancient and modern boots and shoes . One of tho " antiques " which is to be seen on tho occasion , being no less a curiosity than a full finished top-boot of the early time of the reign of Elizabeth ; ex-patent vamped uress boots , of thft lightest description , and most modern fashion—the closer * Mr . Hugh Daly , and the maker , Mr . Daniel Beving , will make part of the exhibition ; as , also , a richly wrought button boot leg , by Mr , James Saunders , and the stiltsomuch talked about prize tongue of Mr . Devlin ,

      which being closed about twenty-five years ago , will now be re-exhibited for the satisfaction of those who have not had an opportunity of seeing it before . This " Show" will come off in th * near neighbourhood of our own office , at Mr . Erost ' s , corner of Ham Yard , Windmill-street ; the charge for admission as it is stated in the bills , beiag " but sixpence" while tho proceeds are to be appropriated to a . " Benovoleoi purpose . " The communication of Mr . M'Veigh in our last aumber , is evidence of the shoemaker generosity in , the way it resoujds vo such calls , and so , in fche present instance , wo doubt not but the resu& will prove equally satisfactory .

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      1 »» Josara Ady is again in the field as active as ever . He has undergone his twelve , JJMaiths' imprison * , meat , paid alV tho demands 0 $ the Post-office , and now seeks to escape returned tetters by getting them , directed in sfl . ath . er hand . There has been an ewraous increase- in the quantity ejf brandy taken , out of bond in Great Britain aua iveland , in co&sqqwsice of . tho demand for that stimulant caused by cholera . A BaABDiso-uousK fcoeper in Baltimore advertises to furnish " swgto gentlemen with pleasant and comfortable rooms . ; also one « r two gentlemen with wives , " A correspondent op tho JVjries states , that the supposed daughter of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton is the wife ofthe Rev . Philip Wavd , a laborious and exemplary clergyman , who . holds the sn » U vicarage ot tentetucn , and has cigU ohiwren ,

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      RECEIPTS OF THE NATIONAL LAND COMPANY . Poa ties \ fssK Ending Thursday September 13 , 1849 . ' SHARES . £ 8 * 4 £ s a Kfe , :: . SI S tffci 5 j j » : : i'i . ' JSS - » Edinburgh .. 0 5 0 ** ' ° GeoiseKoe .. 010 j ^ J EXPENSE FUND . " ™" SSSUa ::. ! \ | E - Baker j ^ ii 0 5 0 MONIES RECEIVED FOR THe """ PURCHASE OF MATH 0 N !* , « ss s s " ¦ *»* . ¦ 2 «« ° fifisss i s s ^^ RECEIPTS HP

      TOTALS . Land Fund Run Expense ditto ... J 5 J ™ t ] lon .., 499 0 0 Bonus ditto 100 Loan ditto 0 1 6 Transfe « 0 10 £ 509 0 6 W . Dixow , C . DortE , ¦ " ¦—«• T . Clark , Cor . Sec . P . M'Gbath , Fin . Sec .

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      fhese 10 , 718 benefices are monopolised by little more than 7 , 000 incumbents . But this is an abuse which would require a special article . Meantime , having shown what amount of tithe fa aMuaDy received by the clergy , we shall for the present stop . Next wS we sK examine the other items of their income : == 7 ^ 7 == == === ? ffi ^^ i ^ 5 mono P ?^ b ylitfle

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      EXECUTIVE FUND . Received by S . Ktdd . —Bochdale , £ 1 ; Mr . Morton , 2 s . - —Received by ^ Y . Rideb .-W . lees , Nottingham , perj . Sweet , Is Keceired at Laxd Ohice . —Swindon , 5 s .: Lambeth , 4 s . ljd . FOR COSTS OF MACNAMARA ' S ACTION . Received by W . Rojeb . —T . Willey , Cheltenham , 2 s . 6 d . FOR MRS . JONES . Received by W . RiDEB—WalsaU Chartists , per J . Per-J £ 10 S } 4 S * 6 u « FOR WIVES AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS . Received by W . Rideb . —Paisley Chartists , per T . Watson , £ Z Is Id . ; Sheffield , MatyKnapton , 64 V T . Kert Leicester Is 6 d ; J . Irving . Sh ' effield . V Philanthrope Ssocietyof Ladies Shoemakers , attheRising Sun , Calender-^ ' * o S- ; A . _ Sa * fr . Lefcester , 6 d . ; Nottingham , per J . Sweet , 3 s . ; J . Bryan , lEsham , Is . ; C . Tinley . Highanris .: Birmingham , Ship Inn , per J . Neirnouse , £ X 10 s . DEBT DUE TO MR . m ' GOWAN . Received by W . Rujeb—W . Lees , Nottingham , perJ . Sweet , 6 d . Received at Land Office—Mr . BeaL ll lOd . VICTIM FUND . Received b y S . BoosHAH . -Mr . Percey , 6 d . ; Mr . Robt Lampin , Totness , per Mr . Shute , Is . ; Mr . Rider , £ 410 s . 6 d . ; Swindon , 5 s . ; anEnemy to O ppression , Is . ; Meeting at the Weaver s Arms , Pelham-street , 2 s . 4 d . ; Mr . Side , Is . ; Golden-lane , per Mr Brown , Is . ; Butler ' s Arms Locality , 3 s . 6 d . ; Mr . Trowbridge , 4 s . '

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      September 15 , 1849 . ===== ^ _ THE NORTHERN STAR » ' * JL 5 "

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Sept. 15, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1539/page/5/